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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is actively repurposing existing resources, scaling up production capacity of their facilities and also transferring technology&nbsp;to aid the country’s fight against the severe second wave of COVID-19. In an exclusive conversation with Zee Media, Dr. K. Sivan, Chairman, ISRO elaborated on how the premier space agency’s facilities across the country have been contributing to India's fight against Covid.

According to Dr. K. Sivan, ISRO is no exception to the prevalent Covid situation across the country and their staff across facilities are infected, thus affecting the pace of their activities. However, he says that the organisation is doing the best possible amid the crisis and helping in every possible manner.&nbsp;

The Indian Government-run space agency has been providing liquid oxygen to state governments in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh&nbsp;from their manufacturing facilities or from existing stock. It is important to note that liquid oxygen, known as (Lox) in the aerospace and science parlance, is a crucial resource for any modern space agency, as it is used as an oxidiser in cryogenic engines that power large rockets.

ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, which is responsible for the production of cryogenic fuels has been supplying liquid oxygen to the state governments in Tamil Nadu and adjoining Kerala.&nbsp;

“IPRC has supplied over 150 tonnes of Lox to Kerala and Tamil Nadu Governments since 24th April and continues to do so. Our daily production capacity is 2.5 tonnes, but we have progressively scaled up to 11 tonnes per day by working round-the-clock with more staff. Around 20 tonnes of Lox stored at our spaceport in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh has also been provided to the state government” Dr. Sivan said.&nbsp;

Cryogenic fuels, as the name suggests, have to be stored at very low temperatures. As far as ISRO’s rockets are concerned their cryogenic engines are fuelled by liquid hydrogen, where oxygen serves as an oxidiser. Globally, Kerosene, methane are also used as rocket fuels, along with liquid oxygen as the oxidiser. ISRO has already developed ISROsene (rocket grade Kerosene) to power its future semi-cryogenic engines and their teams are working on using methane to power rockets.&nbsp;

ISRO has also provided the large capacity fuel tanks at their facilities to be repurposed and used as stores of liquid oxygen in various states. These tanks serve as a hub for mass storage of liquid oxygen, following which they can be distributed to the healthcare facilities in the region.&nbsp;

“Our Space Applications Center in Ahmedabad has nitrogen storage tanks with a capacity of 40,000 litres and 1 lakh litres, they were made suitable for storing Oxygen and the Gujarat government has been utilising them. Similarly, at the UR Rao Satellite Center in Bengaluru, we are ready to convert our large storage tanks for Lox storage. The Lox supplies we had in Chandigarh also have been provided to the government” Dr. Sivan added.&nbsp;

The pandemic has impacted ISRO’s mission schedule for 2021 and subsequent projects, with a good number staff (as possible, based on roles) working from home, as per government guidelines and lockdowns at the state level. Despite the pandemic-induced challenges faced by the agency, they are also working on transferring technology of oxygen Concentrators and ventilators developed in-house, to Indian industry for mass manufacture, which will help serve the nation’s needs.&nbsp;

Earlier this year in its maiden launch, in February, ISRO had launched a Brazilian satellite Amazonia-1 on a commercial arrangement. ISRO is expected to launch GISAT-1 an advanced Earth Observation satellite in the coming months, whereas the first unmanned trial of the ambitious Gaganyaan (human spaceflight) mission has been originally scheduled for the end of the year.&nbsp;India’s third moon mission Chandrayaan-3 had also been originally slated for launch by mid-2022.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is actively repurposing existing resources, scaling up production capacity of their facilities and also transferring technology to aid the country’s fight against the severe second wave of COVID-19.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is actively repurposing existing resources, scaling up production capacity of their facilities and also transferring technology to aid the country’s fight against the severe second wave of COVID-19. In an exclusive conversation with Zee Media, Dr. K. Sivan, Chairman, ISRO elaborated on how the premier space agency’s facilities across the country have been contributing to India's fight against Covid. According to Dr. K. Sivan, ISRO is no exception to the prevalent Covid situation across the country and their staff across facilities are infected, thus affecting the pace of their activities. However, he says that the organisation is doing the best possible amid the crisis and helping in every possible manner. The Indian Government-run space agency has been providing liquid oxygen to state governments in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh from their manufacturing facilities or from existing stock. It is important to note that liquid oxygen, known as (Lox) in the aerospace and science parlance, is a crucial resource for any modern space agency, as it is used as an oxidiser in cryogenic engines that power large rockets. ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, which is responsible for the production of cryogenic fuels has been supplying liquid oxygen to the state governments in Tamil Nadu and adjoining Kerala. “IPRC has supplied over 150 tonnes of Lox to Kerala and Tamil Nadu Governments since 24th April and continues to do so. Our daily production capacity is 2.5 tonnes, but we have progressively scaled up to 11 tonnes per day by working round-the-clock with more staff. Around 20 tonnes of Lox stored at our spaceport in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh has also been provided to the state government” Dr. Sivan said. Cryogenic fuels, as the name suggests, have to be stored at very low temperatures. As far as ISRO’s rockets are concerned their cryogenic engines are fuelled by liquid hydrogen, where oxygen serves as an oxidiser. Globally, Kerosene, methane are also used as rocket fuels, along with liquid oxygen as the oxidiser. ISRO has already developed ISROsene (rocket grade Kerosene) to power its future semi-cryogenic engines and their teams are working on using methane to power rockets. ISRO has also provided the large capacity fuel tanks at their facilities to be repurposed and used as stores of liquid oxygen in various states. These tanks serve as a hub for mass storage of liquid oxygen, following which they can be distributed to the healthcare facilities in the region. “Our Space Applications Center in Ahmedabad has nitrogen storage tanks with a capacity of 40,000 litres and 1 lakh litres, they were made suitable for storing Oxygen and the Gujarat government has been utilising them. Similarly, at the UR Rao Satellite Center in Bengaluru, we are ready to convert our large storage tanks for Lox storage. The Lox supplies we had in Chandigarh also have been provided to the government” Dr. Sivan added. The pandemic has impacted ISRO’s mission schedule for 2021 and subsequent projects, with a good number staff (as possible, based on roles) working from home, as per government guidelines and lockdowns at the state level. Despite the pandemic-induced challenges faced by the agency, they are also working on transferring technology of oxygen Concentrators and ventilators developed in-house, to Indian industry for mass manufacture, which will help serve the nation’s needs. Earlier this year in its maiden launch, in February, ISRO had launched a Brazilian satellite Amazonia-1 on a commercial arrangement. ISRO is expected to launch GISAT-1 an advanced Earth Observation satellite in the coming months, whereas the first unmanned trial of the ambitious Gaganyaan (human spaceflight) mission has been originally scheduled for the end of the year. India’s third moon mission Chandrayaan-3 had also been originally slated for launch by mid-2022.

From liquid oxygen to O2 concentrators, here’s how ISRO is aiding India’s COVID-19 battle

The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation in India (NTAGI) has recommended increasing the gap between two doses of Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks.

No change has been suggested for the dosage interval of Covaxin by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI). 
 
The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation in India (NTAGI) fulfils a need for informing decision-making concerning the introduction of new vaccines and strengthening the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).&nbsp;

According to the current protocol, the vaccine must be taken four to eight weeks after recovery from COVID-19 infection.

This is the second increase in the interval for Covishield in three months.&nbsp;

In March, the Centre told states and UTs to increase the gap from 28 days to six to eight weeks for better results.&nbsp;

These recommendations will be sent to NEGVA - the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration - for approval before the changes and suggestions are implemented.

Earlier, a study published in the medical journal The Lancet on February 19 claimed a 26.2 per cent increase - from 55.1 per cent to 81.3 per cent - if doses were spaced 12 or more weeks apart.

NTAGI comprises government representatives from the Department of Women and Child Development, internal finance division in Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Biotechnology, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) along health experts. India started the world`s largest vaccination drive on January 16 this year in a phased manner with healthcare workers (HCWs) getting inoculated first.&nbsp;

The vaccination of frontline workers (FLWs) started on February 2. The next phase of Covid-19 vaccination commenced from March 1 for those over 60 years of age and for people aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions. India launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 from April 1.

(With inputs from agencies)

The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation in India (NTAGI) has recommended increasing the gap between two doses of Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks.

The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation in India (NTAGI) has recommended increasing the gap between two doses of Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks. No change has been suggested for the dosage interval of Covaxin by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI). The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation in India (NTAGI) fulfils a need for informing decision-making concerning the introduction of new vaccines and strengthening the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). According to the current protocol, the vaccine must be taken four to eight weeks after recovery from COVID-19 infection. This is the second increase in the interval for Covishield in three months. In March, the Centre told states and UTs to increase the gap from 28 days to six to eight weeks for better results. These recommendations will be sent to NEGVA - the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration - for approval before the changes and suggestions are implemented. Earlier, a study published in the medical journal The Lancet on February 19 claimed a 26.2 per cent increase - from 55.1 per cent to 81.3 per cent - if doses were spaced 12 or more weeks apart. NTAGI comprises government representatives from the Department of Women and Child Development, internal finance division in Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Biotechnology, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) along health experts. India started the world`s largest vaccination drive on January 16 this year in a phased manner with healthcare workers (HCWs) getting inoculated first. The vaccination of frontline workers (FLWs) started on February 2. The next phase of Covid-19 vaccination commenced from March 1 for those over 60 years of age and for people aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions. India launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 from April 1. (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19: Indian medical body recommends 12-16 week gap between Covishield doses, no change for Covaxin

India's Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has postponed the Civil Services preliminary exam 2021&nbsp;due to an unprecedented surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

The Prelims 2021 was scheduled for June 27, 2021, but now it will be held on October 10.

The commission conducts civil services examination annually in three stages — preliminary, main and interview — to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others.

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The Union Public Service Commission has deferred the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2021, which was scheduled to be held on 27th June 2021. 
 
✅Now, this Examination will be held on 10th October 2021. 
 
Read here: <a href="https://t.co/sAVDDfZjXv">https://t.co/sAVDDfZjXv</a>
— PIB India (@PIB_India) <a href="https://twitter.com/PIB_India/status/1392759954382016524?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"Due to the prevailing conditions caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Union Public Service Commission has deferred the civil services (preliminary) examination, 2021, which was scheduled to be held on June 27, 2021. Now, this examination will be held on October 10, 2021," a statement issued by the commission said.

(With inputs from agencies)

India's Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has postponed the Civil Services preliminary exam 2021 due to an unprecedented surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

India's Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has postponed the Civil Services preliminary exam 2021 due to an unprecedented surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country. The Prelims 2021 was scheduled for June 27, 2021, but now it will be held on October 10. The commission conducts civil services examination annually in three stages — preliminary, main and interview — to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others. The Union Public Service Commission has deferred the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2021, which was scheduled to be held on 27th June 2021. ✅Now, this Examination will be held on 10th October 2021. Read here: https://t.co/sAVDDfZjXv — PIB India (@PIB_India) May 13, 2021 × "Due to the prevailing conditions caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Union Public Service Commission has deferred the civil services (preliminary) examination, 2021, which was scheduled to be held on June 27, 2021. Now, this examination will be held on October 10, 2021," a statement issued by the commission said. (With inputs from agencies)

India's UPSC postpones civil services prelim exams to October 10 due to COVID-19

As increasing number of state across India complain of vaccine shortage, country's Science and Technology Ministry has said that the production capacity of Covaxin will be doubled in the next one to two months (May-June).

India: Production capacity of Covaxin to be doubled by May-June 2021

18 experts wrote a letter to India's Principal Scientific saying the plasma therapy has "no benefit". An ICMR backed study says the therapy is "not beneficial". Experts want India to stop using this therapy.

Indian trial found 'no benefit' of Plasma therapy

After COVID-19 wreaks havoc across India, thousands of patients and caregivers continue to search for plasma donors.

Several calls related to plasma donation from a particular blood group is a common scene on the social media platform, often for critical patients in the ICU.

The number of people seeking plasma is very high in comparison. Once a person recovers from COVID-19, he can donate plasma for plasma therapy.

Many organisation including Delhi Police has urged people to donate in large numbers so that more and more lives can be saved.

<h2>Covid -19 -What is plasma therapy?</h2>

Plasma therapy, broadly known as 'convalescent plasma therapy', is a procedure to treat coronavirus infection. Plasma is a component of our blood. Nearly 55% of your blood is plasma. It is yellow in colour. Laboratories can separate plasma from blood with special devices called plasma tubes through a process called centrifugation. It is like blood donation, however, the same plasma gets separated from the blood and the remaining blood will be transferred back to your body resulting in zero blood loss. The plasma contains that antibodies that can help a patient fight the pathogen and recover from the disease.

When your body has fought an infection, the antibodies produced are stored in the plasma. That means if you’ve contracted COVID, then antibodies that can fight the COVID infection will be present in your plasma. The plasma from a person who has recovered from a disease is called convalescent plasma.

<h2>Here are the guidelines issued by the Centre to donate plasma to COVID-19 patients are as follows:</h2>

1. Always carry a hard copy of the COVID-19 negative report (RT-PCR or rapid antigen test) within 4 months of the day of donation and your Aadhar Card (front and back).

2. Donate only after 14 days of a COVID-19 positive report if the person is asymptomatic or after 14 days of symptoms if the person is symptomatic.

3. Women who have ever been pregnant cannot donate COVID-19 convalescent plasma.

4. A person who has received COVID-19 vaccination will not be able to donate plasma for 28 days from the date of vaccination.

5. A person can not donate if he/she gets rejected for the lack of adequate antibodies in the blood.

6. Please contact hospital authorities for any other information in advance, on phone.

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If you are planning to donate plasma to a COVID positive patient in Delhi, here are the do's and don'ts you should know about! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiaFightsCorona?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiaFightsCorona</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Unite2FightCorona?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Unite2FightCorona</a> <a href="https://t.co/98mtaDmpZA">pic.twitter.com/98mtaDmpZA</a>
— MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/mygovindia/status/1385875320373276676?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

After COVID-19 wreaks havoc across India, thousands of patients and caregivers continue to search for plasma donors. Several calls related to plasma donation from a particular blood group is a common scene on the social media platform, often for critical patients in the ICU.

After COVID-19 wreaks havoc across India, thousands of patients and caregivers continue to search for plasma donors. Several calls related to plasma donation from a particular blood group is a common scene on the social media platform, often for critical patients in the ICU. The number of people seeking plasma is very high in comparison. Once a person recovers from COVID-19, he can donate plasma for plasma therapy. Many organisation including Delhi Police has urged people to donate in large numbers so that more and more lives can be saved. Covid -19 -What is plasma therapy? Plasma therapy, broadly known as 'convalescent plasma therapy', is a procedure to treat coronavirus infection. Plasma is a component of our blood. Nearly 55% of your blood is plasma. It is yellow in colour. Laboratories can separate plasma from blood with special devices called plasma tubes through a process called centrifugation. It is like blood donation, however, the same plasma gets separated from the blood and the remaining blood will be transferred back to your body resulting in zero blood loss. The plasma contains that antibodies that can help a patient fight the pathogen and recover from the disease. When your body has fought an infection, the antibodies produced are stored in the plasma. That means if you’ve contracted COVID, then antibodies that can fight the COVID infection will be present in your plasma. The plasma from a person who has recovered from a disease is called convalescent plasma. Here are the guidelines issued by the Centre to donate plasma to COVID-19 patients are as follows: 1. Always carry a hard copy of the COVID-19 negative report (RT-PCR or rapid antigen test) within 4 months of the day of donation and your Aadhar Card (front and back). 2. Donate only after 14 days of a COVID-19 positive report if the person is asymptomatic or after 14 days of symptoms if the person is symptomatic. 3. Women who have ever been pregnant cannot donate COVID-19 convalescent plasma. 4. A person who has received COVID-19 vaccination will not be able to donate plasma for 28 days from the date of vaccination. 5. A person can not donate if he/she gets rejected for the lack of adequate antibodies in the blood. 6. Please contact hospital authorities for any other information in advance, on phone. If you are planning to donate plasma to a COVID positive patient in Delhi, here are the do's and don'ts you should know about! #IndiaFightsCorona #Unite2FightCorona pic.twitter.com/98mtaDmpZA — MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) April 24, 2021 ×

COVID-19 — Donating plasma: Here’s everything you need to know

Australia's High Commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell has said that the Indian government had informed him that the Australian anti-Covid assistance has reached "areas of need" in states like Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam and Bihar.

Earlier this month, Australia had sent assistance of 1,056 ventilators and 43 oxygen concentrators to India as it battles the devastating second wave of the Covid pandemic.&nbsp;

Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, High Commissioner Barry lauded India's vaccine production capacity, saying,&nbsp; "There are many vaccine manufacturers around the world, only one country has the manufacturing capacity to supply the world, that is India."&nbsp;

On repatriation of Australians from India, he said the aim is to repatriate 1,000 registered vulnerable Australians to Australia over the next 6 weeks. In 2020, more than 20,000 Australians registered for repatriation have returned from India to Australia, and currently, 10,000 Australians are hoping to go back.

He also spoke on Indo-Pacific, Chinese aggressiveness, and the recently concluded first- ever India- Australia-France foreign ministers trilateral in the UK.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: What kind of assistance is Australia sending to India?

Barry O'Farrell: I am proud that Australia is standing with other countries, alongside India as it battles the second wave. Last week I was delighted to see the first essential supply of medical equipment arrive in New Delhi from Australia. The first charted flight of Qantas brought more than 1000 ventilators in addition to oxygen concentrators. It was great to see them immediately handed over to the Indian red cross for distribution and start of this week I was advised by the Indian government that the Equipment was delivered to areas of need in Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, and Bihar. I want to congratulate all those involved, with the obvious need with which it came off the plane through customs and arrived in those states to help the covid patients. We look forward to more of this because a 2nd flight carrying additional essential medical supplies will arrive in Delhi later this week.

Sidhant Sibal: Amid the Covid pandemic, what kind of cooperation are both sides undertaking?

Barry O'Farrell: Australia and India at the start of the covid crisis last year have been in close collaboration with foreign secretaries in the early days of last year were speaking each week amongst themselves and other countries across the region about the challenges of the COVID and how each was learning to deal with it. So we were sharing information from the start obviously and we saw over the year, the Quad continues to develop, and at the quad meeting month or 2 ago, the leaders decided to address a number of issues, including COVID and the initiative related to vaccine roll out across the Indo Pacific region. Australia is assisting in the last-mile delivery of these vaccines. Last week again our foreign ministers spoke on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers meeting again about what more Australia can do. We will continue to do and be in close cooperation. Vaccination is important and over the last time, I checked the statistics, both of our countries have vaccinated something like 10 per cent of our adult population. There is a lot more to do, the issues around vaccine role out, the issue around supply, issues happening around the world and we are keen to do whatever we can. We look forward to, as we understand, the vaccine manufacturing, production level increasing by the end of July. There are many vaccine manufacturers around the world, only one country has the manufacturing capacity to supply the world that is India. That is why we respect India, and that is why this time, so many countries are providing assistance as India battles this vicious 2nd wave.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: Australia had suspended flights from India amid the second wave of the pandemic. Now flights are going to resume from the 15th. What will be the key focus and when will we see normal flight operations?

Barry O'Farrell: More than 700,000 people of Indian origin, across Australia. A huge number of Indian Australian families in Australia who in a regular year would frequently travel across the Indian ocean between both countries. We paused flights between the 2 to reduce the level of infections. People who have travelled to Australia know they required 2 weeks of quarantine and they don't come out of quarantine until they test negative for covid. It is one of the key efforts by Australia to reduce the level of COVID, across Australia and we have been successful in doing that. The good news is that after the first 10 days of that pause, the desired impact had occurred. The PM announced that there would a return of the government facilitated flights from India to Australia which will resume next Saturday. The goal is to return 1000 of the registered vulnerable Australians to Australia over the next 6 weeks. Since the start of 2020, more than 20,000 Australians registered for repatriation have returned from India to Australia. There are around 10,000 more wishing to do so and we are keen to have a resumption of flights as safety regulations rules in Australia permit. 
 
Sidhant Sibal: Your PM praised you for reaching out to Australians stuck in India. How many Australians are in India and what is expected in terms of repatriation?&nbsp;

Barry O'Farrell: It was difficult in the start because there was no single list of Australians in India. So the initial effort was simply to encourage Australian citizens, residents in India to register at the department of foreign affairs, and in that way, we were able to identify those who might the vulnerable. Vulnerable because, they had financial issues, vulnerable because there living conditions, medical conditions. That has been the biggest challenge. As I would say, more than 20,000 Australians registered with the foreign ministry and returned home. There are about 10,000 on the list and there would be thousands of others across India. The key is to identify the vulnerable, we have identified at least a thousand, priority is to return them by end of June, and then we will return to the situation that was before the 2nd wave was either through the middle east or Asia, directly via Air India or other direct flights, we saw the movement of people between Australia and India. One of the success stories for Australia was we dealt with covid, has been like India, we closed borders, like India we put flight bans. We have restrictions on people leaving and coming to Australia, that is part of our armoury of weapons in battling covid. It is likely to remain for some time, it doesn't mean we won't see the return of regular flights in the coming months. Yesterday Australian Budget was delivered and it predicted normalcy in these things in the first half of next year, so these are difficult times for all of us, not just India which is having outbreaks. India is suffering in the 2nd wave but we seeing around the world no sooner we think we have defeated this disease it comes up again and I think every country is on stand by, every country is on alert and every country is doing what they can for citizens, for health systems to protect communities.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: India-Australia-France foreign ministers trilateral happened in the UK. What is the key focus of the meet?&nbsp;

Barry O'Farrell: The fact that it has moved from the secretary level to the ministerial level in such a short time demonstrates the close commitment and the shared interest between India, France, and Australia, That includes their mutual interest particularly across the Indian ocean where we all have a presence and where we all seek to effect a positive vision for the region which is open, inclusive, and a resilient Indo Pacific. Last week, the foreign ministers of each of those countries met on the sidelines of the G7 and identified a range of areas across the Indo Pacific where they could work together which include maritime safety and security, maritime environmental issues, multilateral system, and reform and health and economic recovery from the pandemic. Trilateral stands out for its momentum and its focus on practical solutions, better still, it gives us some deadlines. Senior officials working group will meet again in the latter half of this year and so that we progress on those matters which ministers identified for practical work last week in the UK. &nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: India, Australia both have dealt with an aggressive China. What is your policy in terms of dealing with an aggressive China and engagement with India on that issue?

Barry O'Farrell: We both share the Indo Pacific as our neighbourhood, it is also quickly becoming the world's most consequential region because of the shift of power from the north Atlantic to the Indo Pacific, because of the Economic Heft that exists across the region, because of the countries which make up the region. It is also the epicentre of strategic competition in the world facing growing challenges, including escalating tensions over territorial claims, frequent and sophisticated cyberattacks and disinformation, interference that is being used to manipulate societies. As my foreign minister logically said last year, it is a trouble that some countries are using a pandemic to undermind liberal democracies and promote their own more authoritarian models. That is one of the reasons why India, and Australia have become closer because they share a vision, for a positive agenda for the Indo-Pacific, which is all about being stable, open, and prosperous. An Indo Pacific, based on strong institutions, norms, and respect for the law, and free from the threats of military and economic coercion. So we will continue to collaborate and coordinate with India and a variety of others but particularly with India, the US, and Japan through the Quad to deliver on this agenda that the Quad shares for the Indo Pacific and that is the best way in which we can work with countries across the Indo Pacific, through ASEAN to ensure we all sign up to a vision that seeks to acknowledge that there are international rules and rules that should govern the way in how disputes are settled and ultimately ensure that order is again restored.

Australia's High Commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell has said that the Indian government had informed him that the Australian anti-Covid assistance has reached "areas of need" in states like Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam and Bihar.

Australia's High Commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell has said that the Indian government had informed him that the Australian anti-Covid assistance has reached "areas of need" in states like Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam and Bihar. Earlier this month, Australia had sent assistance of 1,056 ventilators and 43 oxygen concentrators to India as it battles the devastating second wave of the Covid pandemic. Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, High Commissioner Barry lauded India's vaccine production capacity, saying, "There are many vaccine manufacturers around the world, only one country has the manufacturing capacity to supply the world, that is India." On repatriation of Australians from India, he said the aim is to repatriate 1,000 registered vulnerable Australians to Australia over the next 6 weeks. In 2020, more than 20,000 Australians registered for repatriation have returned from India to Australia, and currently, 10,000 Australians are hoping to go back. He also spoke on Indo-Pacific, Chinese aggressiveness, and the recently concluded first- ever India- Australia-France foreign ministers trilateral in the UK. Sidhant Sibal: What kind of assistance is Australia sending to India? Barry O'Farrell: I am proud that Australia is standing with other countries, alongside India as it battles the second wave. Last week I was delighted to see the first essential supply of medical equipment arrive in New Delhi from Australia. The first charted flight of Qantas brought more than 1000 ventilators in addition to oxygen concentrators. It was great to see them immediately handed over to the Indian red cross for distribution and start of this week I was advised by the Indian government that the Equipment was delivered to areas of need in Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, and Bihar. I want to congratulate all those involved, with the obvious need with which it came off the plane through customs and arrived in those states to help the covid patients. We look forward to more of this because a 2nd flight carrying additional essential medical supplies will arrive in Delhi later this week. Sidhant Sibal: Amid the Covid pandemic, what kind of cooperation are both sides undertaking? Barry O'Farrell: Australia and India at the start of the covid crisis last year have been in close collaboration with foreign secretaries in the early days of last year were speaking each week amongst themselves and other countries across the region about the challenges of the COVID and how each was learning to deal with it. So we were sharing information from the start obviously and we saw over the year, the Quad continues to develop, and at the quad meeting month or 2 ago, the leaders decided to address a number of issues, including COVID and the initiative related to vaccine roll out across the Indo Pacific region. Australia is assisting in the last-mile delivery of these vaccines. Last week again our foreign ministers spoke on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers meeting again about what more Australia can do. We will continue to do and be in close cooperation. Vaccination is important and over the last time, I checked the statistics, both of our countries have vaccinated something like 10 per cent of our adult population. There is a lot more to do, the issues around vaccine role out, the issue around supply, issues happening around the world and we are keen to do whatever we can. We look forward to, as we understand, the vaccine manufacturing, production level increasing by the end of July. There are many vaccine manufacturers around the world, only one country has the manufacturing capacity to supply the world that is India. That is why we respect India, and that is why this time, so many countries are providing assistance as India battles this vicious 2nd wave. Sidhant Sibal: Australia had suspended flights from India amid the second wave of the pandemic. Now flights are going to resume from the 15th. What will be the key focus and when will we see normal flight operations? Barry O'Farrell: More than 700,000 people of Indian origin, across Australia. A huge number of Indian Australian families in Australia who in a regular year would frequently travel across the Indian ocean between both countries. We paused flights between the 2 to reduce the level of infections. People who have travelled to Australia know they required 2 weeks of quarantine and they don't come out of quarantine until they test negative for covid. It is one of the key efforts by Australia to reduce the level of COVID, across Australia and we have been successful in doing that. The good news is that after the first 10 days of that pause, the desired impact had occurred. The PM announced that there would a return of the government facilitated flights from India to Australia which will resume next Saturday. The goal is to return 1000 of the registered vulnerable Australians to Australia over the next 6 weeks. Since the start of 2020, more than 20,000 Australians registered for repatriation have returned from India to Australia. There are around 10,000 more wishing to do so and we are keen to have a resumption of flights as safety regulations rules in Australia permit. Sidhant Sibal: Your PM praised you for reaching out to Australians stuck in India. How many Australians are in India and what is expected in terms of repatriation? Barry O'Farrell: It was difficult in the start because there was no single list of Australians in India. So the initial effort was simply to encourage Australian citizens, residents in India to register at the department of foreign affairs, and in that way, we were able to identify those who might the vulnerable. Vulnerable because, they had financial issues, vulnerable because there living conditions, medical conditions. That has been the biggest challenge. As I would say, more than 20,000 Australians registered with the foreign ministry and returned home. There are about 10,000 on the list and there would be thousands of others across India. The key is to identify the vulnerable, we have identified at least a thousand, priority is to return them by end of June, and then we will return to the situation that was before the 2nd wave was either through the middle east or Asia, directly via Air India or other direct flights, we saw the movement of people between Australia and India. One of the success stories for Australia was we dealt with covid, has been like India, we closed borders, like India we put flight bans. We have restrictions on people leaving and coming to Australia, that is part of our armoury of weapons in battling covid. It is likely to remain for some time, it doesn't mean we won't see the return of regular flights in the coming months. Yesterday Australian Budget was delivered and it predicted normalcy in these things in the first half of next year, so these are difficult times for all of us, not just India which is having outbreaks. India is suffering in the 2nd wave but we seeing around the world no sooner we think we have defeated this disease it comes up again and I think every country is on stand by, every country is on alert and every country is doing what they can for citizens, for health systems to protect communities. Sidhant Sibal: India-Australia-France foreign ministers trilateral happened in the UK. What is the key focus of the meet? Barry O'Farrell: The fact that it has moved from the secretary level to the ministerial level in such a short time demonstrates the close commitment and the shared interest between India, France, and Australia, That includes their mutual interest particularly across the Indian ocean where we all have a presence and where we all seek to effect a positive vision for the region which is open, inclusive, and a resilient Indo Pacific. Last week, the foreign ministers of each of those countries met on the sidelines of the G7 and identified a range of areas across the Indo Pacific where they could work together which include maritime safety and security, maritime environmental issues, multilateral system, and reform and health and economic recovery from the pandemic. Trilateral stands out for its momentum and its focus on practical solutions, better still, it gives us some deadlines. Senior officials working group will meet again in the latter half of this year and so that we progress on those matters which ministers identified for practical work last week in the UK. Sidhant Sibal: India, Australia both have dealt with an aggressive China. What is your policy in terms of dealing with an aggressive China and engagement with India on that issue? Barry O'Farrell: We both share the Indo Pacific as our neighbourhood, it is also quickly becoming the world's most consequential region because of the shift of power from the north Atlantic to the Indo Pacific, because of the Economic Heft that exists across the region, because of the countries which make up the region. It is also the epicentre of strategic competition in the world facing growing challenges, including escalating tensions over territorial claims, frequent and sophisticated cyberattacks and disinformation, interference that is being used to manipulate societies. As my foreign minister logically said last year, it is a trouble that some countries are using a pandemic to undermind liberal democracies and promote their own more authoritarian models. That is one of the reasons why India, and Australia have become closer because they share a vision, for a positive agenda for the Indo-Pacific, which is all about being stable, open, and prosperous. An Indo Pacific, based on strong institutions, norms, and respect for the law, and free from the threats of military and economic coercion. So we will continue to collaborate and coordinate with India and a variety of others but particularly with India, the US, and Japan through the Quad to deliver on this agenda that the Quad shares for the Indo Pacific and that is the best way in which we can work with countries across the Indo Pacific, through ASEAN to ensure we all sign up to a vision that seeks to acknowledge that there are international rules and rules that should govern the way in how disputes are settled and ultimately ensure that order is again restored.

Only India has manufacturing capacity to supply COVID-19 vaccine to the world: Australian envoy to India

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said in its COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update that vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna have shown decreased effectiveness against the double mutant variants discovered in India. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-hasnt-associated-the-term-indian-variant-with-b1617-covid-19-variant-govt-384480">Also read | WHO hasn't associated the term 'Indian variant' with B.1.617 COVID-19 variant: Govt</a> 
 
“Potential impacts of B.1.617 lineage on the effectiveness of vaccines or therapeutics, or reinfection risks, remain uncertain. Preliminary laboratory studies awaiting peer review suggest a limited reduction in neutralisation by antibodies; however, real-world impacts may be limited,” WHO said in its note. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/only-india-has-manufacturing-capacity-to-supply-covid-19-vaccine-to-the-world-australian-envoy-to-india-384654">Also read | Only India has the manufacturing capacity to supply COVID-19 vaccine to the world: Australian Envoy to India</a> 
 
"The resurgence in COVID-19 cases and deaths in India has raised questions on the potential role of B.1.617 and other variants (e.g., B.1.1.7) in circulation."

According to the note, outside of India, the United Kingdom has reported the largest number of cases sequenced as B.1.617 sublineages.

The global health agency cited three studies, all of which are awaiting peer review, that showed that antibodies generated by the vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna had a significant reduction in the ability to neutralize the mutant virus and its sublineages.

The World Health Organization has linked the massive surge in coronavirus cases in India to religious and political gatherings.&nbsp;

Globally, the coronavirus has now infected over 160 million people and killed more than 3.3 million since the pandemic broke out in December 2019, according to Johns Hopkins University. Over 90 million patients have recovered from the infection.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said in its COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update that vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna have shown decreased effectiveness against the double mutant variants discovered in India.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said in its COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update that vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna have shown decreased effectiveness against the double mutant variants discovered in India. Also read | WHO hasn't associated the term 'Indian variant' with B.1.617 COVID-19 variant: Govt “Potential impacts of B.1.617 lineage on the effectiveness of vaccines or therapeutics, or reinfection risks, remain uncertain. Preliminary laboratory studies awaiting peer review suggest a limited reduction in neutralisation by antibodies; however, real-world impacts may be limited,” WHO said in its note. Also read | Only India has the manufacturing capacity to supply COVID-19 vaccine to the world: Australian Envoy to India "The resurgence in COVID-19 cases and deaths in India has raised questions on the potential role of B.1.617 and other variants (e.g., B.1.1.7) in circulation." According to the note, outside of India, the United Kingdom has reported the largest number of cases sequenced as B.1.617 sublineages. The global health agency cited three studies, all of which are awaiting peer review, that showed that antibodies generated by the vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna had a significant reduction in the ability to neutralize the mutant virus and its sublineages. The World Health Organization has linked the massive surge in coronavirus cases in India to religious and political gatherings. Globally, the coronavirus has now infected over 160 million people and killed more than 3.3 million since the pandemic broke out in December 2019, according to Johns Hopkins University. Over 90 million patients have recovered from the infection. (With inputs from agencies)

Pfizer and Moderna show less efficacy against double mutant discovered in India

One cannot emphasise enough the hardships that the medical fraternity is undergoing to help the world fight COVID-19. On the occasion of International Nurses Day&nbsp;that falls on May 12th, a group of doctors and other hospital staff have made a dance video to celebrate and recogniSe the efforts of nurses who are the true frontline caregivers and healers.&nbsp;

Grooving to a version of the viral Tamil track ‘Enjoy Enjaami’, with the modified lyrics being developed in-house, Doctors and other staff of the Dr Rela Institue and Medical Center in Chennai are seen enjoying their moves in the two and a half minute video.

With some medicos clad in scrubs, some in full-body PPE kits and support staff in plainclothes, the team has pulled out all stops to depict the efforts of nurses across functions in a hospital.&nbsp;

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The lines have been tweaked to highlight the efforts and struggles of nurses - right from their selfies service, immense grit, love and care, nerve-wracking routines, sleep-deprived work-life, godly profession and the challenges they face in going about their work.

While the lyrics are in Tamil, the video has English subtitles for greater reach.&nbsp;

“We conceptualised this about a month ago and sought the help of a professional singer to arrange a recording studio and get the beats and tempo right. The entire thing was shot in two days, despite the hectic and herculean tasks before us. We wanted to deliver our best for the sake of our nurses, without whom nothing happens. They literally handle the Covid-19 patients and end up getting infected in large numbers, much more than doctors” Dr Deepashree, HoD, Interventional Radiology, who is also featured in the dance video told Zee media.&nbsp;

Despite the song and shoot being planned over a month ago, the singer, herself a doctor, tested positive for COVID-19, thus delaying the shoot by at least two weeks. In fact, the video only involved old clips of nurses caring for patients, as this was meant to be a secret exercise to appreciate their contributions on May 12th.&nbsp;

“Nurses don’t ever get the limelight, hence none will know the effort taken by the nurses. But, we Doctors are seen and are well-known, hence we wanted to make a contribution in this tribute to them. During tough times, cheering up each other is very important, especially as there’s a lot of gloom and fear going around… The nurses were happy and humbled about their work being recognized in this way” Dr Kavya Harika, Consultant Hepatologist said.

One cannot emphasise enough the hardships that the medical fraternity is undergoing to help the world fight COVID-19. On the occasion of International Nurses Day that falls on May 12th, a group of doctors and other hospital staff have made a dance video to celebrate and recogniSe the efforts of nurses who are the true frontline caregivers and healers.

One cannot emphasise enough the hardships that the medical fraternity is undergoing to help the world fight COVID-19. On the occasion of International Nurses Day that falls on May 12th, a group of doctors and other hospital staff have made a dance video to celebrate and recogniSe the efforts of nurses who are the true frontline caregivers and healers. Grooving to a version of the viral Tamil track ‘Enjoy Enjaami’, with the modified lyrics being developed in-house, Doctors and other staff of the Dr Rela Institue and Medical Center in Chennai are seen enjoying their moves in the two and a half minute video. With some medicos clad in scrubs, some in full-body PPE kits and support staff in plainclothes, the team has pulled out all stops to depict the efforts of nurses across functions in a hospital. × The lines have been tweaked to highlight the efforts and struggles of nurses - right from their selfies service, immense grit, love and care, nerve-wracking routines, sleep-deprived work-life, godly profession and the challenges they face in going about their work. While the lyrics are in Tamil, the video has English subtitles for greater reach. “We conceptualised this about a month ago and sought the help of a professional singer to arrange a recording studio and get the beats and tempo right. The entire thing was shot in two days, despite the hectic and herculean tasks before us. We wanted to deliver our best for the sake of our nurses, without whom nothing happens. They literally handle the Covid-19 patients and end up getting infected in large numbers, much more than doctors” Dr Deepashree, HoD, Interventional Radiology, who is also featured in the dance video told Zee media. Despite the song and shoot being planned over a month ago, the singer, herself a doctor, tested positive for COVID-19, thus delaying the shoot by at least two weeks. In fact, the video only involved old clips of nurses caring for patients, as this was meant to be a secret exercise to appreciate their contributions on May 12th. “Nurses don’t ever get the limelight, hence none will know the effort taken by the nurses. But, we Doctors are seen and are well-known, hence we wanted to make a contribution in this tribute to them. During tough times, cheering up each other is very important, especially as there’s a lot of gloom and fear going around… The nurses were happy and humbled about their work being recognized in this way” Dr Kavya Harika, Consultant Hepatologist said.

Watch: Indian doctors and hospital staff offer unforgettable tribute on International Nurses day

India is perhaps facing the biggest humanitarian challenge after the Independence because of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> pandemic and the Indian Navy will collectively rise to confront the adversity facing the nation, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh said on Wednesday.&nbsp;

In a message to Navy personnel, Admiral Singh said the Navy will step up its outreach in extending medical assistance as the pandemic is spreading to rural India and people residing in those areas are in need of help.

"This is an unprecedented situation for us. This is perhaps the biggest humanitarian challenge to the country to date since independence," he said.

"I think, possibly, there is no one among us, who doesn't have someone in the family, or someone very close to us, who has not been COVID positive, or hospitalised, or worse still, succumbed to the disease," the Navy chief said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/second-wave-in-india-death-toll-rises-as-active-cases-dip-384608">Second wave in India: Death toll rises as active cases dip</a>&nbsp;

The chief of naval staff said that the force has to contribute back to the nation with its "full might" in these "difficult times".

"No one knows when the pandemic will end. But I can say, with utmost confidence that our courage, our determination, will never end. We will collectively rise as 'Team Navy' in this adversity, and do our best for the nation, for the Navy and for our communities," Admiral Singh said.

"I am proud of what has been achieved in the last few weeks, especially by our healthcare teams and our operational units. I look forward to continuing this effort and supporting our country in these difficult times," he said.

The Navy chief said all the Navy teams are putting their shoulder to the wheel to support the national effort.

"At this time, I see two priorities for the Navy; first, to contribute fully to the national effort, and second, to protect our communities, our defence civilians, our ex-servicemen, and all their families in every way," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-covid-crisis-international-assistance-delivered-at-aiims-safdarjung-lady-harding-itbp-drdo-383784">India covid crisis: International assistance delivered at AIIMS, Safdarjung, Lady Harding, ITBP, DRDO</a>

The Navy has been vigorously supporting civilian authorities in several states to deal with the fast-spreading coronavirus cases, including through setting up of dedicated health facilities to treat people with COVID-19.

The Navy has already launched a mega operation to bring liquid medical oxygen from several countries in Persian Gulf and south-east Asia.

"The pandemic is spreading to rural areas and they are in need of help. Our outlying units could adopt a village and render assistance just like INS Chilka has done," he said.

India is perhaps facing the biggest humanitarian challenge after the Independence because of the coronavirus pandemic and the Indian Navy will collectively rise to confront the adversity facing the nation, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh said on Wednesday.

India is perhaps facing the biggest humanitarian challenge after the Independence because of the coronavirus pandemic and the Indian Navy will collectively rise to confront the adversity facing the nation, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh said on Wednesday. In a message to Navy personnel, Admiral Singh said the Navy will step up its outreach in extending medical assistance as the pandemic is spreading to rural India and people residing in those areas are in need of help. "This is an unprecedented situation for us. This is perhaps the biggest humanitarian challenge to the country to date since independence," he said. "I think, possibly, there is no one among us, who doesn't have someone in the family, or someone very close to us, who has not been COVID positive, or hospitalised, or worse still, succumbed to the disease," the Navy chief said. Also read | Second wave in India: Death toll rises as active cases dip The chief of naval staff said that the force has to contribute back to the nation with its "full might" in these "difficult times". "No one knows when the pandemic will end. But I can say, with utmost confidence that our courage, our determination, will never end. We will collectively rise as 'Team Navy' in this adversity, and do our best for the nation, for the Navy and for our communities," Admiral Singh said. "I am proud of what has been achieved in the last few weeks, especially by our healthcare teams and our operational units. I look forward to continuing this effort and supporting our country in these difficult times," he said. The Navy chief said all the Navy teams are putting their shoulder to the wheel to support the national effort. "At this time, I see two priorities for the Navy; first, to contribute fully to the national effort, and second, to protect our communities, our defence civilians, our ex-servicemen, and all their families in every way," he said. Also read | India covid crisis: International assistance delivered at AIIMS, Safdarjung, Lady Harding, ITBP, DRDO The Navy has been vigorously supporting civilian authorities in several states to deal with the fast-spreading coronavirus cases, including through setting up of dedicated health facilities to treat people with COVID-19. The Navy has already launched a mega operation to bring liquid medical oxygen from several countries in Persian Gulf and south-east Asia. "The pandemic is spreading to rural areas and they are in need of help. Our outlying units could adopt a village and render assistance just like INS Chilka has done," he said.

Will contribute with 'full might' in difficult times: Navy chief on COVID-19

Calling India-EU Leadership summit of May 8 a "turning point" in ties, the European Union's envoy to India, Ugo Astuto, said, "We want to work together so that we can shape the global agenda".

This is the second time this format of one world leader and all 27 EU member states meet happened. The first was with US President Joe Biden&nbsp;in March this year.&nbsp;

Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, envoy Astuto spoke about the connectivity partnership, a key outcome of the summit saying, "connectivity" should be "grounded in principles such as sustainability... transparency."

The other key outcome of the summit was that both sides decided to resume talks on India-EU free trade agreement.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-daily-covid-19-cases-fall-positivity-rate-remains-high-384369" hreflang="en">India's daily COVID-19 cases fall; positivity rate remains high</a>

On Indo-Pacific, the envoy said the bloc's strategy is "close to the Indian vision" and "India is clearly a key player" in the region.

In April, the European Council approved conclusions on the EU's Indo-Pacific strategy.

He also spoke on the EU's assistance to India amid the covid crisis, with flights from Finland, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Slovenia, Portugal, Malta expected to come to India soon.

WION: According to you, what is the key outcome of the India-EU leadership summit and&nbsp;how will it increase the ties at a time the world is changing fast? 
Ugo Astuto: It has been an extremely successful meeting. It has been described as a turning point and a historic meeting. I think it's a fair assessment. What we have seen is a clear indication —&nbsp;the intention of both sides to work for change in our strategic partnership. The meeting has taken place against the backdrop of this major crisis of covid. So, what emerged is a clear message of solidarity from the EU and its member states vis-a-vis India in difficult times. There is an understanding that as an international community we all need to work together if we want to address the emergency.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-not-to-attend-g7-meeting-in-uk-due-to-covid-crisis-384351" hreflang="en">PM Modi not to attend G7 meeting in UK due to Covid crisis</a>

India has been leading by supporting the rest of the world since the outset of the emergency&nbsp;by exporting medicines and vaccines. We are trying to help India as much as we can and that is why we have set up this operation within the civil protection mechanism. So, a strong message of solidarity&nbsp;and intention to bring the world together to overcome this crisis and then a number of very concrete outcomes. We also took a&nbsp;decision to resume negotiations on the free trade agreement, on investment agreement and&nbsp;on a geographical indication agreement.

We have set the ground for a broad and ambitious economic agenda. We have also established a working group to deal with very topical issues such as reforms in WTO, resilient supply chain, and we want to discuss market access issues. We have agreed on a connectivity partnership which, I believe, is an important platform grounded in our common belief in a rules-based system of international governance, cooperative approach to international relations.

There was a clear message from the meeting that we want to work together in addressing global challenges such as climate change, the loss of biodiversity and digital transition. The twin priorities of the greening of our economies and digital transition — these are priorities that are shared by the EU and India. We want to work together so that we can shape the global agenda in a way that is conducive to the pursuit of global common goods. These are some highlights and a number of issues that came up

WION: In terms of FTA, the resumption of talks has been since it has been announced. What next? Are we looking at some timeline, when it can be concluded? 
Ugo Astuto: These are complex negotiations but what we have taken is the decision to resume the talks, the formal negotiations, and at the last summit in 2020, we had a high-level dialogue chaired by minister Goyal from the Indian side, on the European side by the executive vice president. This dialogue has proved to be very effective. The positive outcome at the summit was also driven by the good work done at the political level and working level. So we want to continue to use this dialogue, a structured mechanism put in place since last year.

WION: Connectivity partnership is another key focus area. What kind of practical cooperation can be seen? 
Ugo Astuto: It is an interesting document; it sets the principles, first and foremost. India and the EU come together because we believe in connectivity that is grounded in principles such as sustainability, fiscal sustainability, social sustainability, environmental sustainability, also transparency. We believe in a level playing field for this. We are open market economies, so want the private sector to play a key role in the implementation of projects related to infrastructure. The documents set in place, some principles which are shared,&nbsp;identify dimensions where we can work together for better connectivity, energy, transport, digital connectivity, and people to people connectivity. These are important areas where we can work together in the region and beyond.

For example, the European Investment Bank (EIB), in past few years in India, has been contributing to the development of sustainable mobility by investing in a number of metro systems. The day before the leader's summit, EIB signed a number of additional contracts for Kanpur and Pune metro. We have several instruments that we want to use and connectivity partnership sets the ground for the efficient use of these tools.

WION: Indian PM mentioned covid vaccine patent waiver and&nbsp;EU leadership has also talked about it. Can we expect some major movement coming from Brussels? 
Ugo Astuto: We are ready to discuss it, it's a very serious issue. Our priority is to figure out how to ramp up the production of vaccines worldwide and how to make this vaccine available at an affordable price. That is why the EU has been leading in the creation of the COVAX initiative and we are among the largest contributors. We believe it is important to increase production and avoid measures that may disrupt the supply chain. We have also, like India,&nbsp;been exporting vaccines. More or less many vaccines have been exported, as used domestically — around 200 million doses. India has also been leading the way, exporting to neighbors and beyond. We start from the same proposition that we want a response by the international community to the crisis which is based on solidarity and which pursues a global common good.

WION:&nbsp;How do both sides plan to engage on Indo pacific? 
Ugo Astuto: You are familiar with the council conclusions adopted a couple of weeks ago. The council's conclusions make it clear that the EU is a stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific. We want to shape a strategy for the Indo-Pacific, which we believe is close to the Indian vision. What are the objectives of the strategy, the strategy wants the EU to contribute to the region which is prosperous and stable and where international law is respected, including the law of the seas. We believe in a rules-based system of international governance. We believe international communities are best served when international law is respected. These are principles and values shared by India. Based on these agreed&nbsp;principles, I think there is wide scope for cooperation between the EU and India in the region. India is clearly a key player in the Indo pacific. It has been an active player and has been developing its own vision and there are obvious convergences and space for the EU and India to work together.

WION:&nbsp;Can you update us on the current situation when it comes to assistance to India? 
Ugo Astuto: We have additional member states joining in. Flights will be coming from Finland, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Slovenia, Portugal and Malta. The list gets longer every day;&nbsp;it a massive joint effort by all 27 member states coordinated by the EU civil protection mechanism and everyday planes landing. It is a concrete testimony&nbsp;to the fact that we have a strong partnership between the EU and India which I am sure will emerge stronger from this crisis. We have been helping each other as much as we could.&nbsp;

Calling India-EU Leadership summit of May 8 a "turning point" in ties, the European Union's envoy to India, Ugo Astuto, said, "We want to work together so that we can shape the global agenda".

Calling India-EU Leadership summit of May 8 a "turning point" in ties, the European Union's envoy to India, Ugo Astuto, said, "We want to work together so that we can shape the global agenda". This is the second time this format of one world leader and all 27 EU member states meet happened. The first was with US President Joe Biden in March this year. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, envoy Astuto spoke about the connectivity partnership, a key outcome of the summit saying, "connectivity" should be "grounded in principles such as sustainability... transparency." The other key outcome of the summit was that both sides decided to resume talks on India-EU free trade agreement. Also read | India's daily COVID-19 cases fall; positivity rate remains high On Indo-Pacific, the envoy said the bloc's strategy is "close to the Indian vision" and "India is clearly a key player" in the region. In April, the European Council approved conclusions on the EU's Indo-Pacific strategy. He also spoke on the EU's assistance to India amid the covid crisis, with flights from Finland, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Slovenia, Portugal, Malta expected to come to India soon. WION: According to you, what is the key outcome of the India-EU leadership summit and how will it increase the ties at a time the world is changing fast? Ugo Astuto: It has been an extremely successful meeting. It has been described as a turning point and a historic meeting. I think it's a fair assessment. What we have seen is a clear indication — the intention of both sides to work for change in our strategic partnership. The meeting has taken place against the backdrop of this major crisis of covid. So, what emerged is a clear message of solidarity from the EU and its member states vis-a-vis India in difficult times. There is an understanding that as an international community we all need to work together if we want to address the emergency. Also read | PM Modi not to attend G7 meeting in UK due to Covid crisis India has been leading by supporting the rest of the world since the outset of the emergency by exporting medicines and vaccines. We are trying to help India as much as we can and that is why we have set up this operation within the civil protection mechanism. So, a strong message of solidarity and intention to bring the world together to overcome this crisis and then a number of very concrete outcomes. We also took a decision to resume negotiations on the free trade agreement, on investment agreement and on a geographical indication agreement. We have set the ground for a broad and ambitious economic agenda. We have also established a working group to deal with very topical issues such as reforms in WTO, resilient supply chain, and we want to discuss market access issues. We have agreed on a connectivity partnership which, I believe, is an important platform grounded in our common belief in a rules-based system of international governance, cooperative approach to international relations. There was a clear message from the meeting that we want to work together in addressing global challenges such as climate change, the loss of biodiversity and digital transition. The twin priorities of the greening of our economies and digital transition — these are priorities that are shared by the EU and India. We want to work together so that we can shape the global agenda in a way that is conducive to the pursuit of global common goods. These are some highlights and a number of issues that came up WION: In terms of FTA, the resumption of talks has been since it has been announced. What next? Are we looking at some timeline, when it can be concluded? Ugo Astuto: These are complex negotiations but what we have taken is the decision to resume the talks, the formal negotiations, and at the last summit in 2020, we had a high-level dialogue chaired by minister Goyal from the Indian side, on the European side by the executive vice president. This dialogue has proved to be very effective. The positive outcome at the summit was also driven by the good work done at the political level and working level. So we want to continue to use this dialogue, a structured mechanism put in place since last year. WION: Connectivity partnership is another key focus area. What kind of practical cooperation can be seen? Ugo Astuto: It is an interesting document; it sets the principles, first and foremost. India and the EU come together because we believe in connectivity that is grounded in principles such as sustainability, fiscal sustainability, social sustainability, environmental sustainability, also transparency. We believe in a level playing field for this. We are open market economies, so want the private sector to play a key role in the implementation of projects related to infrastructure. The documents set in place, some principles which are shared, identify dimensions where we can work together for better connectivity, energy, transport, digital connectivity, and people to people connectivity. These are important areas where we can work together in the region and beyond. For example, the European Investment Bank (EIB), in past few years in India, has been contributing to the development of sustainable mobility by investing in a number of metro systems. The day before the leader's summit, EIB signed a number of additional contracts for Kanpur and Pune metro. We have several instruments that we want to use and connectivity partnership sets the ground for the efficient use of these tools. WION: Indian PM mentioned covid vaccine patent waiver and EU leadership has also talked about it. Can we expect some major movement coming from Brussels? Ugo Astuto: We are ready to discuss it, it's a very serious issue. Our priority is to figure out how to ramp up the production of vaccines worldwide and how to make this vaccine available at an affordable price. That is why the EU has been leading in the creation of the COVAX initiative and we are among the largest contributors. We believe it is important to increase production and avoid measures that may disrupt the supply chain. We have also, like India, been exporting vaccines. More or less many vaccines have been exported, as used domestically — around 200 million doses. India has also been leading the way, exporting to neighbors and beyond. We start from the same proposition that we want a response by the international community to the crisis which is based on solidarity and which pursues a global common good. WION: How do both sides plan to engage on Indo pacific? Ugo Astuto: You are familiar with the council conclusions adopted a couple of weeks ago. The council's conclusions make it clear that the EU is a stakeholder in the Indo-Pacific. We want to shape a strategy for the Indo-Pacific, which we believe is close to the Indian vision. What are the objectives of the strategy, the strategy wants the EU to contribute to the region which is prosperous and stable and where international law is respected, including the law of the seas. We believe in a rules-based system of international governance. We believe international communities are best served when international law is respected. These are principles and values shared by India. Based on these agreed principles, I think there is wide scope for cooperation between the EU and India in the region. India is clearly a key player in the Indo pacific. It has been an active player and has been developing its own vision and there are obvious convergences and space for the EU and India to work together. WION: Can you update us on the current situation when it comes to assistance to India? Ugo Astuto: We have additional member states joining in. Flights will be coming from Finland, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Slovenia, Portugal and Malta. The list gets longer every day; it a massive joint effort by all 27 member states coordinated by the EU civil protection mechanism and everyday planes landing. It is a concrete testimony to the fact that we have a strong partnership between the EU and India which I am sure will emerge stronger from this crisis. We have been helping each other as much as we could.

India, EU leadership summit 'turning point' in ties, says EU envoy Ugo Astuto

With the Indian Meteorological Department(IMD) predicting a likely Cyclone formation over the Arabian Sea region between May 14 and 16th, the Indian Coast Guard has issued alerts to fishermen in the Arabian Sea coast and South Tamil Nadu coast.&nbsp;

“Indian Coast guard has issued advisory to the fisheries department to warn the fishermen not to proceed to sea and also to return to nearest harbour in view of cyclone building up in the Arabian Sea” read the Coast guard statement.&nbsp;

Predictions from the IMD indicate the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall during 14-16th May with isolated heavy rainfall over Lakshadweep on 14th and 15th May.

Similarly, heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted over parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and interior Karnataka during 14th-16th May.&nbsp;

The IMD warning advises fishermen not to venture out to the Southeast Araban sea and adjoining Maldives, Comoric and Lakshadweep area, Kerala Coast from May 13 and east-central&nbsp;Arabian Sea and off Karnataka-Goa and Maharashtra and Goa coasts from May 14 night.

With the Indian Meteorological Department(IMD) predicting a likely Cyclone formation over the Arabian Sea region between May 14 and 16th, the Indian Coast Guard has issued alerts to fishermen in the Arabian Sea coast and South Tamil Nadu coast.

With the Indian Meteorological Department(IMD) predicting a likely Cyclone formation over the Arabian Sea region between May 14 and 16th, the Indian Coast Guard has issued alerts to fishermen in the Arabian Sea coast and South Tamil Nadu coast. “Indian Coast guard has issued advisory to the fisheries department to warn the fishermen not to proceed to sea and also to return to nearest harbour in view of cyclone building up in the Arabian Sea” read the Coast guard statement. Predictions from the IMD indicate the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall during 14-16th May with isolated heavy rainfall over Lakshadweep on 14th and 15th May. Similarly, heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted over parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and interior Karnataka during 14th-16th May. The IMD warning advises fishermen not to venture out to the Southeast Araban sea and adjoining Maldives, Comoric and Lakshadweep area, Kerala Coast from May 13 and east-central Arabian Sea and off Karnataka-Goa and Maharashtra and Goa coasts from May 14 night.

Coast guard issues cyclone warning to fishermen in south Tamil Nadu, Arabian Sea coast

After setting new records with over 400,000 cases per day, the COVID-19 positive cases in India have remained below the four lakh mark this week. At the same time, the death toll continues to be a source of alarm.&nbsp;

The total tally of COVID-19 cases in the country now stands at 2,33,40,938.

The active cases have reduced to 37,04,099 comprising 15.87 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 83.04 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,93,82,642 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.09 per cent, the data stated.

India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the two million&nbsp;mark on August 7, three mn on August 23, four mn on September 5 and five mn&nbsp;on September 16.

It went past six mn on September 28, seven mn on October 11, crossed eight mn on October 29, nine mn on November 20 and surpassed the 10 mn&nbsp;mark on December 19. India crossed the grim milestone of 20 mn on May 4.

According to the ICMR, 30,75,83,991 samples have been tested up to May 11 with 19,83,804 samples being tested on Tuesday.

The 4,205 new fatalities include 793 from Maharashtra, 480 from Karnataka, 347 from Delhi, 301 from Uttar Pradesh, 298 from Tamil Nadu, 214 from Punjab, 199 from Chhattisgarh, 169 from Rajasthan, 144 from Haryana, 132 from West Bengal, 118 each from Gujarat and Uttarakhand, 108 from Andhra Pradesh and 103 from Jharkhand.

A total of 2,54,197 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 77,191 from Maharashtra, 20,010 from Delhi, 19,852 from Karnataka, 16,178 from Tamil Nadu, 16,043 from Uttar Pradesh, 12,593 from West Bengal, 10,941 from Chhattisgarh and 10,918 from Punjab.

The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

"Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

After setting new records with over 400,000 cases per day, the COVID-19 positive cases in India have remained below the four lakh mark this week. At the same time, the death toll continues to be a source of alarm.

After setting new records with over 400,000 cases per day, the COVID-19 positive cases in India have remained below the four lakh mark this week. At the same time, the death toll continues to be a source of alarm. The total tally of COVID-19 cases in the country now stands at 2,33,40,938. The active cases have reduced to 37,04,099 comprising 15.87 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 83.04 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,93,82,642 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.09 per cent, the data stated. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the two million mark on August 7, three mn on August 23, four mn on September 5 and five mn on September 16. It went past six mn on September 28, seven mn on October 11, crossed eight mn on October 29, nine mn on November 20 and surpassed the 10 mn mark on December 19. India crossed the grim milestone of 20 mn on May 4. According to the ICMR, 30,75,83,991 samples have been tested up to May 11 with 19,83,804 samples being tested on Tuesday. The 4,205 new fatalities include 793 from Maharashtra, 480 from Karnataka, 347 from Delhi, 301 from Uttar Pradesh, 298 from Tamil Nadu, 214 from Punjab, 199 from Chhattisgarh, 169 from Rajasthan, 144 from Haryana, 132 from West Bengal, 118 each from Gujarat and Uttarakhand, 108 from Andhra Pradesh and 103 from Jharkhand. A total of 2,54,197 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 77,191 from Maharashtra, 20,010 from Delhi, 19,852 from Karnataka, 16,178 from Tamil Nadu, 16,043 from Uttar Pradesh, 12,593 from West Bengal, 10,941 from Chhattisgarh and 10,918 from Punjab. The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. "Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation. (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19 in India: 3,48,421 fresh cases, 4205 deaths in last 24 hours

India's daily coronavirus caseload has finally registered a dip. In the last 24 hours, more than 320,000 people have tested positive. It is India's lowest count in 14 days.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-indias-covid-surge-major-hotspots-register-a-dip-in-new-cases-384375/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

For the past two days, new infections have been dropping, with major hotspots&nbsp; Maharashtra, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh reporting a fall in new cases.

The number of active cases have&nbsp;declined as well. It has fallen by 30,000. For the first time in 61 days, India has reported a decline in active cases. It now stands at 3.7 million, almost 20 million people have recovered.

However, there is no fall in the number of fatalities since once again India has reported almost 4,000 deaths in a day.

The pandemic has killed close to 250,000 people in India.&nbsp;The drop in positive cases is a promising sign.&nbsp;However, it cannot be said India has touched the peak. The country's positivity rate remains around 21 per cent, which means more than one out of five people are testing positive.

India needs to bring down the positivity rate to less than five per cent. Only then&nbsp;it will have the second wave be under control.

India needs to test more. On Sunday, India had conducted just 1.47 million tests which is the lowest this month. Monday was an improvement with over 1.8 million tests conducted in the last 24 hours.

In the past two weeks, India has conducted more than 1.9 million tests in a day multiple times. However, the vaccination curve has peaked. The vaccinations were on a high in April.

India has been administering close to two million doses a day with over 170 million shots given so far and just 2.7 per cent of India's population has got both shots.

Maharashtra has stopped vaccination for those above 18. The state says it will only inoculate those above 45 years of age because it does not have enough doses even as the Centre has asked state governments to prioritise those waiting for their second jab.

India's daily coronavirus caseload has finally registered a dip. In the last 24 hours, more than 320,000 people have tested positive. It is India's lowest count in 14 days.

India's daily coronavirus caseload has finally registered a dip. In the last 24 hours, more than 320,000 people have tested positive. It is India's lowest count in 14 days. Watch: For the past two days, new infections have been dropping, with major hotspots Maharashtra, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh reporting a fall in new cases. The number of active cases have declined as well. It has fallen by 30,000. For the first time in 61 days, India has reported a decline in active cases. It now stands at 3.7 million, almost 20 million people have recovered. However, there is no fall in the number of fatalities since once again India has reported almost 4,000 deaths in a day. The pandemic has killed close to 250,000 people in India. The drop in positive cases is a promising sign. However, it cannot be said India has touched the peak. The country's positivity rate remains around 21 per cent, which means more than one out of five people are testing positive. India needs to bring down the positivity rate to less than five per cent. Only then it will have the second wave be under control. India needs to test more. On Sunday, India had conducted just 1.47 million tests which is the lowest this month. Monday was an improvement with over 1.8 million tests conducted in the last 24 hours. In the past two weeks, India has conducted more than 1.9 million tests in a day multiple times. However, the vaccination curve has peaked. The vaccinations were on a high in April. India has been administering close to two million doses a day with over 170 million shots given so far and just 2.7 per cent of India's population has got both shots. Maharashtra has stopped vaccination for those above 18. The state says it will only inoculate those above 45 years of age because it does not have enough doses even as the Centre has asked state governments to prioritise those waiting for their second jab.

India's daily COVID-19 cases fall; positivity rate remains high

The coronavirus cases in India has witnessed a radical dip since the beginning of this week. The nation recorded 329, 942 new Covid-19 cases and registered 3,876 deaths in last 24 hours. The crisis of acute oxygen shortage in national capital also stalled as India is receiving global aid to fulfill the demand of the hospitals.

India records 329,942 new COVID-19 cases, 3,876 deaths in last 24 hours

By Sarah Mills and Marie-Louise Gumuchian LONDON (Reuters) -Some 4,000 people watched singers Dua Lipa and Arlo Parks triumph as well as perform at the BRIT Awards on Tuesday, in the first major indoor music event with a live audience held in London in over a year. Britain`s pop music honours, for which the audience did not have to wear masks or socially distance, took place at the O2 arena on the River Thames as the country emerges from COVID-19 lockdown. The ceremony, during which Billie Eilish and The Weeknd were also winners, is part of the British government`s Events Research Programme aimed at establishing whether big events can be held in closed environments without social distancing. The audience, of which 2,500 were key workers with guests, were sat in rows, looking down on two stages - one for presenters and another for performers. Nominees sat at distanced tables. "This evening we look forward to a brighter future," host Jack Whitehall said. "We have an audience ... we have pop stars, we are back." Ticket holders had to show proof of a negative lateral flow test result to enter the venue, which has a capacity of around 20,000. They will also need to take a test afterwards and provide contact details as part of the UK`s COVID test and trace system. "It feels surreal because it`s been so long," Zunaira Faiz, who works at a north London hospital, said upon arriving at the O2. "It almost feels like I`m experiencing something nostalgic because we haven`t been able to do this for so long." Like elsewhere, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down music events with live audiences in Britain. Under Prime Minister Boris Johnson`s phased roadmap out of lockdown, entertainment venues can re-open their doors next week. Lipa, who won two awards - female solo artist and album for "Future Nostalgia", said she was dedicating her performance to key workers. "I feel very grateful to be sharing this evening with them," she told Reuters. While some performances were live, including those of Lipa, breakthrough artist winner Parks and Olivia Rodrigo, others were pre-recorded. Wanting to embrace the community spirit and kindness seen during COVID-19 lockdown, winners were given two awards and encouraged to share one. American songstress Taylor Swift became the first female artist to be honoured with the Global Icon award. David Bowie, Elton John and Robbie Williams were past recipients. "I`m really proud to be a part of this musical community especially in a year when we all needed music so much," Swift, who travelled to London for the awards, said, also paying tribute to frontline workers. Harry Styles won British single for "Watermelon Sugar", while Little Mix became the first female band to win British group. For a factbox of winners, click: (Reporting by Sarah Mills and Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Additional reporting by Hanna Rantala; Editing by Mike Collett-White and Richard Chang)

By Sarah Mills and Marie-Louise Gumuchian LONDON (Reuters) -Some 4,000 people watched singers Dua Lipa and Arlo Parks triumph as well as perform at the BRIT Awards on Tuesday, in the first major indoor music event with a live audience held in London in over a year.

By Sarah Mills and Marie-Louise Gumuchian LONDON (Reuters) -Some 4,000 people watched singers Dua Lipa and Arlo Parks triumph as well as perform at the BRIT Awards on Tuesday, in the first major indoor music event with a live audience held in London in over a year. Britain`s pop music honours, for which the audience did not have to wear masks or socially distance, took place at the O2 arena on the River Thames as the country emerges from COVID-19 lockdown. The ceremony, during which Billie Eilish and The Weeknd were also winners, is part of the British government`s Events Research Programme aimed at establishing whether big events can be held in closed environments without social distancing. The audience, of which 2,500 were key workers with guests, were sat in rows, looking down on two stages - one for presenters and another for performers. Nominees sat at distanced tables. "This evening we look forward to a brighter future," host Jack Whitehall said. "We have an audience ... we have pop stars, we are back." Ticket holders had to show proof of a negative lateral flow test result to enter the venue, which has a capacity of around 20,000. They will also need to take a test afterwards and provide contact details as part of the UK`s COVID test and trace system. "It feels surreal because it`s been so long," Zunaira Faiz, who works at a north London hospital, said upon arriving at the O2. "It almost feels like I`m experiencing something nostalgic because we haven`t been able to do this for so long." Like elsewhere, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down music events with live audiences in Britain. Under Prime Minister Boris Johnson`s phased roadmap out of lockdown, entertainment venues can re-open their doors next week. Lipa, who won two awards - female solo artist and album for "Future Nostalgia", said she was dedicating her performance to key workers. "I feel very grateful to be sharing this evening with them," she told Reuters. While some performances were live, including those of Lipa, breakthrough artist winner Parks and Olivia Rodrigo, others were pre-recorded. Wanting to embrace the community spirit and kindness seen during COVID-19 lockdown, winners were given two awards and encouraged to share one. American songstress Taylor Swift became the first female artist to be honoured with the Global Icon award. David Bowie, Elton John and Robbie Williams were past recipients. "I`m really proud to be a part of this musical community especially in a year when we all needed music so much," Swift, who travelled to London for the awards, said, also paying tribute to frontline workers. Harry Styles won British single for "Watermelon Sugar", while Little Mix became the first female band to win British group. For a factbox of winners, click: (Reporting by Sarah Mills and Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Additional reporting by Hanna Rantala; Editing by Mike Collett-White and Richard Chang)

Pop stars, key workers gather for BRIT Awards in London live music return

India's expert panel of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization(CDSCO) has recommended Bharat Biotech’s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> vaccine, Covaxin for second and third phase trials in children aged between two to eighteen years of age.

With 525 participants, the trial is expected to take place at various sites, including AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Patna, and Meditrina Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/003-contracted-covid-19-after-receiving-second-jab-of-covishield-004-post-covaxin-379059">0.03% contracted Covid-19 after receiving second jab of Covishield; 0.04% post Covaxin</a>

On Tuesday, the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on COVID-19 of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization deliberated on an application submitted by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech. The application sought permission to conduct Phase 2 and 3 trials in children aged 2 to 18 years. &nbsp;

The clinical trials will evaluate the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of Covaxin jabs in children.

"After detailed deliberation, the committee recommended for conduct of proposed phase II/III clinical trial of whole virion inactivated coronavirus vaccine in the 2 to 18 years age group subject to the condition that the firm should submit the interim safety data of phase II clinical trial along with DSMB recommendations to the CDSCO before proceeding to phase III part of the study," a source told PTI.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/bharat-biotechs-covaxin-gets-nod-for-phase-23-trials-on-2-18-years-old-384468/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The proposal was earlier contemplated over in an SEC meeting on February 24 wherein the firm was asked to submit a revised clinical trial protocol.

Covaxin is an indigenously developed vaccination by Bharat Biotech developed in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the vaccine is already in use for adults in India's ongoing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> vaccination drive.

(With inputs from agencies)

India's expert panel of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization(CDSCO) has recommended Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin for second and third phase trials in children aged between two to eighteen years of age.

India's expert panel of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization(CDSCO) has recommended Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin for second and third phase trials in children aged between two to eighteen years of age. With 525 participants, the trial is expected to take place at various sites, including AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Patna, and Meditrina Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur. Also read | 0.03% contracted Covid-19 after receiving second jab of Covishield; 0.04% post Covaxin On Tuesday, the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on COVID-19 of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization deliberated on an application submitted by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech. The application sought permission to conduct Phase 2 and 3 trials in children aged 2 to 18 years. The clinical trials will evaluate the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of Covaxin jabs in children. "After detailed deliberation, the committee recommended for conduct of proposed phase II/III clinical trial of whole virion inactivated coronavirus vaccine in the 2 to 18 years age group subject to the condition that the firm should submit the interim safety data of phase II clinical trial along with DSMB recommendations to the CDSCO before proceeding to phase III part of the study," a source told PTI. The proposal was earlier contemplated over in an SEC meeting on February 24 wherein the firm was asked to submit a revised clinical trial protocol. Covaxin is an indigenously developed vaccination by Bharat Biotech developed in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the vaccine is already in use for adults in India's ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive. (With inputs from agencies)

India's expert panel recommends Covaxin trials on 2-18 year-olds

India has recorded 4,250 COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours. This is the highest-ever death count that India has ever seen in a single day since the pandemic began in 2020. This is the third time in the span of 10 days that India has officially recorded over 4,000 deaths in 24 hours.

India records highest single day COVID-19 deaths since beginning of pandemic

Hundreds of marginalized workers from India were recruited to build a massive Hindu temple in New Jersey where they were forced to work long hours for low pay in violation of US&nbsp;labour and immigration laws, according to lawsuit filed on Tuesday.

The complaint, filed in US&nbsp;District Court in Newark on behalf of more than 200&nbsp;Indian&nbsp;construction workers at the temple, alleges "shocking violations of the most basic laws applicable to workers in this country, including laws prohibiting forced labor."

The suit, filed by five of the workers, accuses their employer, Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, or BAPS, and related entities of recruiting them in India, bringing them to the United States and forcing them to work on the temple for more than 87 hours a week for $450 a month, or about $1.20 an hour.

New Jersey's minimum wage is $12 an hour and US&nbsp;law requires the pay rate for most hourly workers rise to time-and-a-half when they work more than 40 hours a week.

The suit says the workers were kept under constant watch and were threatened with pay cuts, arrest and return to India if they spoke to outsiders. On Tuesday, FBI agents visited the sprawling ornate temple in rural Robbinsville, just east of Trenton.

"We were there on court-authorized law enforcement activity," Doreen Holder, a spokeswoman for the Federal Bureau of Investigation field office in Newark, confirmed by telephone.

Holder declined to say how many agents were on the premises or elaborate on their mission.

A spokesman for BAPS, which describes itself as a socio-spiritual Hindu organization, issued a statement saying, "We were first made aware of the accusations this morning, we are taking them very seriously and are thoroughly reviewing the issues raised."

The suit said the BAPS entities own the land where the temple was built and arranged for its construction. The temple has been open for several years, but work on extending it is ongoing.

The plaintiffs, who claim to have worked on the temple as stone cutters and other construction workers as far back as 2012, said that in India, they belonged to the Scheduled Caste, formerly considered "untouchables" and socially ostracised.

Once on their construction jobs, the complaint said "they were forced to live and work in a fenced, guarded compound which they were not allowed to leave unaccompanied by overseers affiliated with (BAPS)."

The suit, which also claims the workers were falsely classified as religious workers and volunteers when they entered the country, seeks "the full value of their services" as well as unspecified damages and other compensation.

Hundreds of marginalized workers from India were recruited to build a massive Hindu temple in New Jersey where they were forced to work long hours for low pay in violation of US labour and immigration laws, according to lawsuit filed on Tuesday.

Hundreds of marginalized workers from India were recruited to build a massive Hindu temple in New Jersey where they were forced to work long hours for low pay in violation of US labour and immigration laws, according to lawsuit filed on Tuesday. The complaint, filed in US District Court in Newark on behalf of more than 200 Indian construction workers at the temple, alleges "shocking violations of the most basic laws applicable to workers in this country, including laws prohibiting forced labor." The suit, filed by five of the workers, accuses their employer, Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, or BAPS, and related entities of recruiting them in India, bringing them to the United States and forcing them to work on the temple for more than 87 hours a week for $450 a month, or about $1.20 an hour. New Jersey's minimum wage is $12 an hour and US law requires the pay rate for most hourly workers rise to time-and-a-half when they work more than 40 hours a week. The suit says the workers were kept under constant watch and were threatened with pay cuts, arrest and return to India if they spoke to outsiders. On Tuesday, FBI agents visited the sprawling ornate temple in rural Robbinsville, just east of Trenton. "We were there on court-authorized law enforcement activity," Doreen Holder, a spokeswoman for the Federal Bureau of Investigation field office in Newark, confirmed by telephone. Holder declined to say how many agents were on the premises or elaborate on their mission. A spokesman for BAPS, which describes itself as a socio-spiritual Hindu organization, issued a statement saying, "We were first made aware of the accusations this morning, we are taking them very seriously and are thoroughly reviewing the issues raised." The suit said the BAPS entities own the land where the temple was built and arranged for its construction. The temple has been open for several years, but work on extending it is ongoing. The plaintiffs, who claim to have worked on the temple as stone cutters and other construction workers as far back as 2012, said that in India, they belonged to the Scheduled Caste, formerly considered "untouchables" and socially ostracised. Once on their construction jobs, the complaint said "they were forced to live and work in a fenced, guarded compound which they were not allowed to leave unaccompanied by overseers affiliated with (BAPS)." The suit, which also claims the workers were falsely classified as religious workers and volunteers when they entered the country, seeks "the full value of their services" as well as unspecified damages and other compensation.

Indian workers allege 'shocking violations' in building Hindu temple in New Jersey

Indian Air Force has approved the promotion of two of its senior pilots to the position of vice marshal.&nbsp;

Air Commodore Hilal Ahmed Rather is a native of the Anantnag district of Kashmir and Air Commodore Kirti Khajuria is from Tikri, Jammu. They belong to the same Sainik School in Nagrota, Jammu &amp; Kashmir.

Hilal has played a key role in ensuring the delivery of Rafale jets to the country. Hilal is presently India's Air Attache in France.

Rather received the Vayu Sena Medal for devotion to duty in 2010, followed by the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2016.

With an impeccable record of 3,000 accident-free flying hours on mirage-2000, MIG-21 and Kiran aircraft, Hilal's name will now forever be associated with Rafale in India.

Kirti Khajuria was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force on June 11, 1988.

For the distinguished service of a high order, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal. Kirti is currently posted at the Indian Air Force high quarter in New Delhi.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indian Air Force has approved the promotion of two of its senior pilots to the position of vice marshal. Air Commodore Hilal Ahmed Rather is a native of the Anantnag district of Kashmir and Air Commodore Kirti Khajuria is from Tikri, Jammu.

Indian Air Force has approved the promotion of two of its senior pilots to the position of vice marshal. Air Commodore Hilal Ahmed Rather is a native of the Anantnag district of Kashmir and Air Commodore Kirti Khajuria is from Tikri, Jammu. They belong to the same Sainik School in Nagrota, Jammu & Kashmir. Hilal has played a key role in ensuring the delivery of Rafale jets to the country. Hilal is presently India's Air Attache in France. Rather received the Vayu Sena Medal for devotion to duty in 2010, followed by the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2016. With an impeccable record of 3,000 accident-free flying hours on mirage-2000, MIG-21 and Kiran aircraft, Hilal's name will now forever be associated with Rafale in India. Kirti Khajuria was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force on June 11, 1988. For the distinguished service of a high order, he was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal. Kirti is currently posted at the Indian Air Force high quarter in New Delhi. (With inputs from agencies)

Two IAF officers from Jammu and Kashmir to become Air vice-marshals

The Indian government has issued a statement after a wrong report circulating in&nbsp;media termed the B.1.617 COVID-19 variant as 'Indian variant'. 
 
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in a statement said, "several media reports have covered the news of World Health Organisation (WHO) classifying B.1.617 as a variant of global concern. Some of these reports have termed the B.1.617 variant of the coronavirus as an 'Indian Variant'."

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Unite2FightCorona?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Unite2FightCorona</a> 
 
*ATTENTION* 
 
➡️<a href="https://twitter.com/WHO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WHO</a> has not associated the term “Indian Variant” with B.1.617, now classified as Variant of Concern.<a href="https://t.co/w8plx3nIY1">https://t.co/w8plx3nIY1</a> <a href="https://t.co/AJSUaUSxDb">pic.twitter.com/AJSUaUSxDb</a>
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoHFW_INDIA/status/1392389523430985730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"These media reports are without any basis, and unfounded." 
 
"This is to clarify that WHO hasn't associated the term 'Indian variant' with the B.1.617 variant...in its 32-page document. The word 'Indian'&nbsp;has not been used in its report on the matter," the statement read. 
 
The regional office for South-East Asia of the WHO has also said that "World Health Organization does not identify viruses or variants with names of countries they are first reported from. We refer to them by their scientific names and request all to do the same for consistency." 
 
The Indian government has been forced to issue this clarification after many media houses started running news reports saying that the WHO&nbsp;has classified an 'Indian Covid variant'&nbsp;as a 'global variant of concern'. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Indian government has issued a statement after a wrong report circulating in media termed the B.1.617 COVID-19 variant as 'Indian variant'. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in a statement said, "several media reports have covered the news of World Health Organisation (WHO) classifying B.

The Indian government has issued a statement after a wrong report circulating in media termed the B.1.617 COVID-19 variant as 'Indian variant'. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in a statement said, "several media reports have covered the news of World Health Organisation (WHO) classifying B.1.617 as a variant of global concern. Some of these reports have termed the B.1.617 variant of the coronavirus as an 'Indian Variant'." #Unite2FightCorona *ATTENTION* ➡️@WHO has not associated the term “Indian Variant” with B.1.617, now classified as Variant of Concern.https://t.co/w8plx3nIY1 pic.twitter.com/AJSUaUSxDb — Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) May 12, 2021 × "These media reports are without any basis, and unfounded." "This is to clarify that WHO hasn't associated the term 'Indian variant' with the B.1.617 variant...in its 32-page document. The word 'Indian' has not been used in its report on the matter," the statement read. The regional office for South-East Asia of the WHO has also said that "World Health Organization does not identify viruses or variants with names of countries they are first reported from. We refer to them by their scientific names and request all to do the same for consistency." The Indian government has been forced to issue this clarification after many media houses started running news reports saying that the WHO has classified an 'Indian Covid variant' as a 'global variant of concern'. (With inputs from agencies)

WHO hasn't associated the term 'Indian variant' with B.1.617 COVID-19 variant: Govt

A group of health workers in India’s northeastern state of Assam is being questioned about running a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine</a> centre that is allegedly unauthorised.

The vaccination centre was set up at Silchar civil hospital in Assam without completing and following the required process and the health workers had been charging nearly INR 2,000 for each dose.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-mulls-joint-production-of-johnson-johnson-covid-vaccine-with-india-384452" hreflang="en">US mulls joint production of Johnson &amp; Johnson Covid jabs with India</a>

In addition to unauthorised establishment and charging more than the set price, the group has also been accused of not recording details of at least 80 people who had been administered the first shot of Covidshield vaccine.

Nearly 10 vaccine vials were issued in the name of Urban Health Center but were actually used to vaccinate people out of turn at the parallel vaccination centre, authorities from the Assam health department said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-link-between-5g-and-covid-19-as-its-testing-not-yet-started-says-indian-government-384455" hreflang="en">No link between 5G and COVID-19 as its testing not yet started, says Indian government</a>

This centre was being supervised by health worker Swarnajit Paul and senior nurse Sarbani Roy. When the authorities reached the centre, they found more than 100 used empty syringes and a few empty vials of the Covishield vaccine.

Suspicions were raised when a crowd was spotted in a room in the hospital. Upon investigation, Roy and Paul admitted to the crime of administering vaccines to unregistered locals, but they also claimed to be following an order from senior officials.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/existing-vaccines-effective-against-variant-from-india-who-official-384447" hreflang="en">Existing vaccines effective against variant from India: WHO official</a>

"We vaccinated around 50 people on Monday and 30 people today. I received vaccine vials from a health worker but I don’t know his name. I am a single mother and I have to feed my family with this job. I don’t know if this is legal or not," Surbani Roy said.

Swaranjit Paul, however, claimed the vials used were the ones that were to go to waste as per the guidelines of the waste management scheme. "At least 10% of vaccines get wasted during the process of vaccination, we are allowed to vaccinate people from the half-used vials of vaccine. We started this process on Saturday under waste management but later some new vials were used," he said.

Authorities have assured locals that action against those involved will be taken within 24 hours.

A group of health workers in India’s northeastern state of Assam is being questioned about running a vaccine centre that is allegedly unauthorised. The vaccination centre was set up at Silchar civil hospital in Assam without completing and following the required process and the health workers had been charging nearly INR 2,000 for each dose.

A group of health workers in India’s northeastern state of Assam is being questioned about running a vaccine centre that is allegedly unauthorised. The vaccination centre was set up at Silchar civil hospital in Assam without completing and following the required process and the health workers had been charging nearly INR 2,000 for each dose. Also read | US mulls joint production of Johnson & Johnson Covid jabs with India In addition to unauthorised establishment and charging more than the set price, the group has also been accused of not recording details of at least 80 people who had been administered the first shot of Covidshield vaccine. Nearly 10 vaccine vials were issued in the name of Urban Health Center but were actually used to vaccinate people out of turn at the parallel vaccination centre, authorities from the Assam health department said. Also read | No link between 5G and COVID-19 as its testing not yet started, says Indian government This centre was being supervised by health worker Swarnajit Paul and senior nurse Sarbani Roy. When the authorities reached the centre, they found more than 100 used empty syringes and a few empty vials of the Covishield vaccine. Suspicions were raised when a crowd was spotted in a room in the hospital. Upon investigation, Roy and Paul admitted to the crime of administering vaccines to unregistered locals, but they also claimed to be following an order from senior officials. Also read | Existing vaccines effective against variant from India: WHO official "We vaccinated around 50 people on Monday and 30 people today. I received vaccine vials from a health worker but I don’t know his name. I am a single mother and I have to feed my family with this job. I don’t know if this is legal or not," Surbani Roy said. Swaranjit Paul, however, claimed the vials used were the ones that were to go to waste as per the guidelines of the waste management scheme. "At least 10% of vaccines get wasted during the process of vaccination, we are allowed to vaccinate people from the half-used vials of vaccine. We started this process on Saturday under waste management but later some new vials were used," he said. Authorities have assured locals that action against those involved will be taken within 24 hours.

India: Health workers administering Covishield at unauthorised vaccine centre busted

The head of the main Indian health agency responding to the coronavirus has said districts reporting a high number of infections should remain locked down for another six to eight weeks to control the spread of the rampaging disease. 
 
Dr. Balram Bhargava, head of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said in an interview that lockdown restrictions should remain in place in all districts where the rate of infection is above 10% of those tested. 
 
Currently, three-fourths of India`s 718 districts have what is known as a test-positivity rate above 10%, including major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai and the tech hub of Bengaluru. 
 
Bhargava`s comments are the first time a senior government official has outlined how long lockdowns, which already encompass large parts of country, need to continue to rein in the crisis in India. 
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s government has shied away from imposing a nationwide lockdown because of the economic impact and has left it to state governments. 
 
Several states have introduced varying levels of curbs on economic activity and public movement to stop the spread of the virus, which are mostly being reviewed and extended on a weekly or fortnightly basis. 
 
"The high positivity districts should remain (shut). If they come to 5% from 10% (positivity rate) we can open them, but that has to happen. That won`t happen in six-eight weeks, clearly," Bhargava said in an interview at the New Delhi headquarters of the ICMR, the country`s top medical research body. 
 
Referring to the capital, one of India`s hardest hit cities where the positivity rate reached around 35% but has now fallen to about 17%, Bhargava said: "If Delhi is opened tomorrow, it will be a disaster." 
 
India is in deep crisis in the current wave of COVID-19 infections with around 350,000 cases and 4,000 deaths being reported daily. Hospitals and morgues are overflowing, medical staff is exhausted and oxygen and drugs are running short. 
 
Many experts say the actual case tallies and deaths could be five to 10 times higher. 
 
Modi and other top political leaders have faced a public backlash for addressing mass election rallies where no major COVID-19 safety protocols were followed. The federal government also didn`t intervene to stop a religious festival in a northern state in March that was attended by millions of devout Hindus. 
 
`SLIGHT DELAY` 
 
Bhargava did not criticise the Modi government but conceded there had been a delay in responding to the crisis. 
 
"I think the only discontent we have was there was a slight delay accepting the 10% (recommendation), but that did happen," he said. 
 
He said an April 15 meeting of the National Task Force on COVID-19 had made the recommendation to the government to lock down areas with a 10% positivity rate or higher. 
 
Yet, in a televised speech on April 20, Modi dissuaded states and said a lockdown should be used as "last resort" and the focus should remain on "micro containment zones". 
 
On April 26 - more than 10 days after the task force meeting - India`s home (interior) ministry wrote to states, asking them to implement strict measures for "large containment areas" in hard-hit districts, but only for 14 days. 
 
India`s home and health ministries, as well as Modi`s office, did not respond to requests for comment. 
 
Reuters reported earlier this month the head of the National Centre for Disease Control had privately told an online gathering that strict lockdown measures were required in early April. 
 
Two senior ICMR officials told Reuters the organization was frustrated about political leaders addressing large rallies and allowing religious gatherings, saying the actions publicly flouted required safety measures. Modi himself addressed several of the political meetings, maskless. 
 
"Our messaging has been completely incorrect, not in sync with the situation," said one of the officials, referring to the government. "We have miserably failed." 
 
Bhargava denied there was any discontent within the ICMR and added the agency was on the same page with policymakers. Without commenting directly on political leaders, he said mass gatherings during COVID-19 should not be acceptable in India or anywhere else. 
 
"It`s common sense," he said.

The head of the main Indian health agency responding to the coronavirus has said districts reporting a high number of infections should remain locked down for another six to eight weeks to control the spread of the rampaging disease.

The head of the main Indian health agency responding to the coronavirus has said districts reporting a high number of infections should remain locked down for another six to eight weeks to control the spread of the rampaging disease. Dr. Balram Bhargava, head of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said in an interview that lockdown restrictions should remain in place in all districts where the rate of infection is above 10% of those tested. Currently, three-fourths of India`s 718 districts have what is known as a test-positivity rate above 10%, including major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai and the tech hub of Bengaluru. Bhargava`s comments are the first time a senior government official has outlined how long lockdowns, which already encompass large parts of country, need to continue to rein in the crisis in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s government has shied away from imposing a nationwide lockdown because of the economic impact and has left it to state governments. Several states have introduced varying levels of curbs on economic activity and public movement to stop the spread of the virus, which are mostly being reviewed and extended on a weekly or fortnightly basis. "The high positivity districts should remain (shut). If they come to 5% from 10% (positivity rate) we can open them, but that has to happen. That won`t happen in six-eight weeks, clearly," Bhargava said in an interview at the New Delhi headquarters of the ICMR, the country`s top medical research body. Referring to the capital, one of India`s hardest hit cities where the positivity rate reached around 35% but has now fallen to about 17%, Bhargava said: "If Delhi is opened tomorrow, it will be a disaster." India is in deep crisis in the current wave of COVID-19 infections with around 350,000 cases and 4,000 deaths being reported daily. Hospitals and morgues are overflowing, medical staff is exhausted and oxygen and drugs are running short. Many experts say the actual case tallies and deaths could be five to 10 times higher. Modi and other top political leaders have faced a public backlash for addressing mass election rallies where no major COVID-19 safety protocols were followed. The federal government also didn`t intervene to stop a religious festival in a northern state in March that was attended by millions of devout Hindus. `SLIGHT DELAY` Bhargava did not criticise the Modi government but conceded there had been a delay in responding to the crisis. "I think the only discontent we have was there was a slight delay accepting the 10% (recommendation), but that did happen," he said. He said an April 15 meeting of the National Task Force on COVID-19 had made the recommendation to the government to lock down areas with a 10% positivity rate or higher. Yet, in a televised speech on April 20, Modi dissuaded states and said a lockdown should be used as "last resort" and the focus should remain on "micro containment zones". On April 26 - more than 10 days after the task force meeting - India`s home (interior) ministry wrote to states, asking them to implement strict measures for "large containment areas" in hard-hit districts, but only for 14 days. India`s home and health ministries, as well as Modi`s office, did not respond to requests for comment. Reuters reported earlier this month the head of the National Centre for Disease Control had privately told an online gathering that strict lockdown measures were required in early April. Two senior ICMR officials told Reuters the organization was frustrated about political leaders addressing large rallies and allowing religious gatherings, saying the actions publicly flouted required safety measures. Modi himself addressed several of the political meetings, maskless. "Our messaging has been completely incorrect, not in sync with the situation," said one of the officials, referring to the government. "We have miserably failed." Bhargava denied there was any discontent within the ICMR and added the agency was on the same page with policymakers. Without commenting directly on political leaders, he said mass gatherings during COVID-19 should not be acceptable in India or anywhere else. "It`s common sense," he said.

Indian health agency chief says most of country should remain locked down for 6-8 weeks

In an open letter to the government of India, a group of medical experts from ICMR and AIIMS have expressed concern over 'irrational and non-scientific use’ of plasma in COVID-19 treatment. Health experts in India have urged the government to urgently review its guidelines on plasma therapy.

Experts caution against ‘irrational and non-scientific use’ of plasma in COVID-19 treatment

A top official of the US State Department official has said that India’s recent decision authorising 5G trials without Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE is a sovereign one.

He also asserted that America is deeply concerned about the dangers of installing networks with equipment that can be manipulated, disrupted or potentially controlled by China.

China on May 6 regretted the decision by Indian authorities to not allow Chinese telecom companies to conduct 5G trials in India.

“We noted relevant notification, and express concern and regret that Chinese telecommunications companies have not been permitted to conduct 5G trials with Indian telecom service providers in India,” Chinese embassy spokesperson Wang Xiaojian had said.

India's Department of Telecom last week approved applications of telecom companies Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and MTNL to conduct 5G trials but none of them will be using technologies of Chinese entities.

State Department Spokesperson Ned Price, at his daily news conference on Tuesday, said: "This was a sovereign decision on the part of the Indian government, so we refer you to the Government of India for any comment on that decision".

"But I would say more broadly, it is true that we are deeply concerned about the dangers of installing networks with equipment that can be manipulated, disrupted or potentially controlled by the PRC (People's Republic of China).

"Allowing untested, untrusted telecommunication suppliers, like Huawei or ZTE, to participate in or to have any control over any part of a 5G network creates unacceptable risks to national security, to critical infrastructure, to privacy and human rights as well," Price said.

Last year, the US designated Huawei and ZTE as "national security threats", saying they have close ties to the Chinese Communist Party and China's military apparatus, and they are broadly subject to Chinese law obligating them to cooperate with the country's intelligence services.

(With inputs from agencies)

A top official of the US State Department official has said that India’s recent decision authorising 5G trials without Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE is a sovereign one.

A top official of the US State Department official has said that India’s recent decision authorising 5G trials without Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE is a sovereign one. He also asserted that America is deeply concerned about the dangers of installing networks with equipment that can be manipulated, disrupted or potentially controlled by China. China on May 6 regretted the decision by Indian authorities to not allow Chinese telecom companies to conduct 5G trials in India. “We noted relevant notification, and express concern and regret that Chinese telecommunications companies have not been permitted to conduct 5G trials with Indian telecom service providers in India,” Chinese embassy spokesperson Wang Xiaojian had said. India's Department of Telecom last week approved applications of telecom companies Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and MTNL to conduct 5G trials but none of them will be using technologies of Chinese entities. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price, at his daily news conference on Tuesday, said: "This was a sovereign decision on the part of the Indian government, so we refer you to the Government of India for any comment on that decision". "But I would say more broadly, it is true that we are deeply concerned about the dangers of installing networks with equipment that can be manipulated, disrupted or potentially controlled by the PRC (People's Republic of China). "Allowing untested, untrusted telecommunication suppliers, like Huawei or ZTE, to participate in or to have any control over any part of a 5G network creates unacceptable risks to national security, to critical infrastructure, to privacy and human rights as well," Price said. Last year, the US designated Huawei and ZTE as "national security threats", saying they have close ties to the Chinese Communist Party and China's military apparatus, and they are broadly subject to Chinese law obligating them to cooperate with the country's intelligence services. (With inputs from agencies)

India's decision authorising 5G trials without Chinese companies a sovereign one, says US state department 

Former Central Bureau of Investigation Superintendent of Police K Ragothaman died in Chennai on Tuesday. He was 76.

He&nbsp;tested positive for COVID-19 a few days back and was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai where he breathed his last. He is survived by four children while his wife died some years ago.

Ragothaman was part of the Special Investigation Team that probed the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.&nbsp;

He also authored several books on the high-profile assassination case and crime investigations.

He&nbsp;retired as CBI’s Special Unit SP in the mid-2000s. His latest book titled ‘Rarest of rare case - Murder of an advocate’ was published recently.

(With inputs from agencies)

Former Central Bureau of Investigation Superintendent of Police K Ragothaman died in Chennai on Tuesday. He was 76. He tested positive for COVID-19 a few days back and was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai where he breathed his last.

Former Central Bureau of Investigation Superintendent of Police K Ragothaman died in Chennai on Tuesday. He was 76. He tested positive for COVID-19 a few days back and was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai where he breathed his last. He is survived by four children while his wife died some years ago. Ragothaman was part of the Special Investigation Team that probed the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. He also authored several books on the high-profile assassination case and crime investigations. He retired as CBI’s Special Unit SP in the mid-2000s. His latest book titled ‘Rarest of rare case - Murder of an advocate’ was published recently. (With inputs from agencies)

Ex-CBI officer who probed Rajiv Gandhi assassination dies of COVID-19 in Chennai

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