Home Blog Page 4745

Russian couples protest against COVID-19 restrictions by kissing in packed trains

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Russian couples protest against COVID-19 restrictions by kissing in packed trains

Condemning the COVID-19 restrictions in Russia, several couples in the country protested against the Russian government in a unique manner by kissing their partners in crowded trains.

According to the reports, the Russian couples are now using ‘kissing in public’ as a way to show their dissent. Several videos have now gone viral in which couple were seen kissing their partners in crowded subways.

One such incident was reported from the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. Interestingly, this protest was held by the group in the honour of a newly-released song Let’s Kiss by the band Pink Glasses, reported Life.

The couples claimed that they were protesting against the coronavirus restrictions in music concerts and restaurants after 11 pm. The trains are extremely crowded and thus, they can express their dissent in more powerful ways, they said. However, as trains are also crowded, these public acts of kissing could now be a source of infection.

The protesting couples claimed they had no intentions of disrupting public services or of hurting anyone’s sentiments. The protesting ‘kissers’ said that they wanted to highlight that it is illogical to ban people from attending music shows and visiting nightclubs at a time when the metro is packed with commuters every day.

“Musicians are speaking out against unreasonable COVID-19 restrictions because the virus is considered a higher risk at concerts and in restaurants after 11 pm than on a crowded subway during rush hour,” the protestors said.

The Ram Mandir Trust wants IIT engineers to help modify the foundation model. Read why

OpIndia Staff
-
0
The Ram Mandir Trust wants IIT engineers to help modify the foundation model. Read why

The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust has asked the engineers from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to formulate a better model for Ram Mandir’s foundation after a stream of the Sarayu river was reportedly found flowing below it.

The committee, chaired by former principal secretary to the prime minister Nripendra Misra, overlooking the temple’s construction held a meeting in this regard on December 29. During the meeting, it was realized that the existing model for the foundation of the Mandir would not be feasible because of the stream of the Sarayu River flowing below the temple site. The trust has requested the IITs including IIT Mumbai and IIT Delhi, to propose a better model for a strong foundation.

The committee is discussing two options. The first is to use Vibro stone columns to support rafts on which stones can be placed. The second option is to improve the grip and quality of the soil by adding a specially engineered mix to it.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Alok Kumar said that the engineers from top institutes of India would work on the model to ensure structural stability of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The idea is to ensure that the pillars last a thousand years. Kumar said that the process of designing the foundation pillars for the temple was postponed after they found the stream of Sarayu river.

Cracks noticed during tests

As per a report in Hindustan Times, Kumar said, “When the testing of the pillars was carried out, it was found when pressure was applied, they sank by about four inches. Since, the area is already in a seismic zone, we have decided to come up with a structurally safe option.”

Kumar said that around 700 ton of weight was put on the testing pillars to tests how they react to pressure and weight. The experts also conducted tests to access the effects of earthquakes on the pillars, as the region is a seismic zone. They noticed cracks during the tests.

Kumar said that the members of from IIT Delhi, IIT Mumbai, IIT Roorkee, National Building Research Institute (NBRI), Tata Consultancy and Larsen & Toubro would be working together to ensure the structure holds for many years to come.

Landholding may increase to 108 acres

Kumar said that the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerath Kshetra trust is also negotiating to increase the complex’s landholding. Currently, it is spread over 70 acres. After increasing it to proposed 108 acres, more structures such as a museum, a gathering place and a prayer hall can be added to the complex. He said, “We are trying to negotiate with those who own the land around the temple; if they agree to part with the land they will be compensated.”

Tamil Nadu: Doctor caught for drunk driving steals police patrol vehicle to go home

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Tamil Nadu: Doctor caught for drunk driving steals police patrol vehicle to go home

In a bizarre incident, a 31-year-old doctor, who was heavily intoxicated, stole a police vehicle after they caught him in a drink and drive case.

According to the reports, the incident took place in the wee hours of Monday on Harrington Road, Chennai. The accused has been identified as S Muthu Ganesh, a native of Arakkonam, Ranipet district, who currently practises at a private hospital in the city.

The incident occurred on Sunday near Kilpauk in Chennai. The Chennai Police stopped the doctor, who was driving under the influence of alcohol heavily. Initially, the police asked him to blow into the device, however, he refused to blow into the device and tried to drive past by showing his hospital identity card. However, the police insisted that he blow into the breathalyser, which showed that he was driving under the influence of alcohol

The police reportedly asked the doctor to return home by hiring an auto because his vehicle was seized. The doctor, who initially left to his residence, came back and picked up an argument with the police, demanding that his vehicle be handed back. When police officers refused, Ganesh drove away with a police patrol vehicle. Muthu Ganesh then rammed the police vehicle into an autorickshaw, also injuring three persons. 

The police soon chased Ganesh. He has been handed over to the Kilpauk police who arrested him and remanded him in judicial custody.

Leftist organisations instigated farmers in the name of Sikhism and Guru Govind Singh to participate in protests: Suggest reports

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Leftist organisations instigated farmers in the name of Sikhism and Guru Govind Singh to participate in protests: Suggest reports

The ongoing farmers’ protests along the Delhi border is not a spontaneous agitation but a carefully manufactured conspiracy by leftist organisations against the central government, a report broadcasted on India TV said. In his prime time show ‘Aaj Ki Baat’, veteran journalist Rajat Sharma exposed the nefarious designs and elaborate plans made by the left-leaning organisations to gin up farmers into launching protests against the Modi government.

Sharma alleged that political parties averse to the central government have been resorting to lies and propaganda to mislead farmers into believing that the three newly introduced Agriculture laws were against their interests. Sharma spoke to many farmers in various cities of Punjab, who confessed to the involvement of the leftist organisations in kindling protests against the current regime.

Sharma said that an array of vile tricks and machinations were employed by the leftists to get unwitting farmers to the Delhi borders for protesting against the central government. Photos of those who had died a natural death were circulated in far-off villages in Punjab stating that they were ‘martyred’ during the farmers’ protest in Delhi in order to generate resentment against the Modi government. The farmers are also fed with lies that demonstrators are dying in the protest while the government is simply watching over.

“The propagandists are goading people into joining the protests in the name of Sikhism and Guru Govind Singh. Those who oppose them are branded as enemies of the community and are threatened with banishment from the society and this is all happening under the pretext of farmers’ protests,” Sharma said.

Appeals made to Sikh pride and Guru Govind Singh to get farmers to participate in the protests

According to Sharma, the leftist organisations were preparing for the last five months to launch protests against the central government to recapture their lost political ground. Fear-mongering about the new laws was extensively used to scare the farmers into believing that the government would capture their lands. They were galvanised into participating in the protests by appealing to their pride, Sikhism and Guru Govind Singh.

Vijendra Singh, a farmer from Sangrur revealed how the leftist organisations had been befooling farmers in his villages to join the protests. He said that when lies about new farm bills did not stick with the people, the leftists tried to enlist them for the protests by citing Sikhism and Guru Govind Singh.

Farmer Vijendra Singh exposes leftist propaganda of inciting people to join the protests

“The farmer associations of the Malwa belt farmers hold great sway in the region and they all have strong ties to the leftist organisations. Initially, when the three Farm Bills were passed, these organisations started promoting in the villages that the Modi government has legislated ‘Black Laws’ and these legislations would destroy our farm produce and enable corporates to take over our lands. Gradually the people bought into their propaganda and their popularity started soaring high,” Singh said.

However, Singh added that after some time people who had extended their support to the movement dug deeper into understanding the laws passed by the government. It is then that they realised that the furore over the laws was unwarranted and they started parting ways from the movement. Realising that their agitation was petering out, the leftist organisations then linked the protest to the Sikh pride since Punjab is predominantly Sikh, Singh said.

Comrade leaders defrauded money from villagers to finance Delhi protests

Singh further adds, “As they realised that people were not joining in the protests, the leftist organisations tried to link the protests with the Sikh pride. They instigated people stating that Guru Gobind Singh snatched the lands from the Mughals but this just Modi. We will press our knee against Modi’s neck.”

The farmer also said that the comrade leader in his village sought a donation of Rs 200 per acre of land from people which was then used to finance the farmers’ protests in Delhi. Singh said that the leftist leaders fleeced money from the villagers by selling a Rs 2.5 bottle of water at Rs 20.

“Most of those who are protesting in Delhi are leftist supporters and cadres. I don’t deny that farmers have not joined the protests but they were deceptively enlisted for the protests by appealing to Sikh pride which is very dear to us here in Punjab,” Singh said.

“Hang in there” – Celebrated Hollywood actor Anthony Hopkins celebrates 45 years of sobriety with a hopeful message

OpIndia Staff
-
0
“Hang in there” – Celebrated Hollywood actor Anthony Hopkins celebrates 45 years of sobriety with a hopeful message

Are you feeling low towards the end of miserable and mischievous 2020 that tortured every bit of your soul with a pandemic and countless deaths? Well, there is some hope left. Soon-to-be 83 celebrated Hollywood actor Anthony Hopkins has posted a message celebrating 45 years of his sobriety. While sharing his gratitude as he made it to 45 years of being sober, the actor’s hopeful message will definitely put a smile on your face.

In his message, he said, “Well, new year is coming. It’s been a tough year, full of grief and sadness for many, many, many people. But 45 years ago today, I had a wake-up call. I was heading for disaster. I was drinking myself to death. I’m not preaching, but I got a message, a little thought that said, ‘Do you want to live or die?’ and I said, ‘I want to live.’ And suddenly the relief came, and my life has been amazing, and I may have off days and little bits of doubt, and all that, but all in all, I say hang in there.”

Hopkins continued and said, “Today is the tomorrow you were so worried about yesterday. You young people, don’t give up. Just keep in there. Just keep fighting. Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid. That’s sustained me through my life.” Hopkins finished his wishes for the new year and said, “this is going to be the best year.”

The Welsh actor is currently living in Malibu. He started his career back in 1960 in theatre and got his big break in 1968 historical drama The Lion In Winter opposite Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn. He had admitted to being drunk and hungover a lot of time during his career. When he was 38 years old, he committed to sobriety and 45 years down the lane he is now a happy old man who just made the year-end little hopeful for many.

Hopkins has been nominated for Academy Award five times, and in 1992 he won Oscar for his brilliant performance as Hannibal Lecter in the 1991 thriller-horror The Silence Of The Lambs.

Tamil Nadu: Pastor named Victor Jesudasan arrested for looting people in the name of providing scholarships

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Tamil Nadu: Pastor named Victor Jesudasan arrested for looting people in the name of providing scholarships

A Christian pastor from Vellore, Tamil Nadu has reportedly been arrested for allegedly cheating people and swindling money in the name of scholarships for Children’s education. The pastor named Victor Jesudasan swindled the money of several people including a labourer from Kangeyanallur in the name of providing them scholarships for their children’s education.

Jesudasan took Rs 20,000 from a labourer

According to reports, Kumar, a labourer, needed money for the education of his two children- a son and a daughter. He came to know that a trust run by Jesudasan of Anthonyar Koil Street in Salavanpet area of Vellore was providing scholarship for the education of children. Kumar met Jesudasan and sought his help. Jesudasan asked Kumar to deposit an amount of Rs 20,000 for availing the scholarship. Kumar gave the said amount to the pastor. However, even after several days, Kumar did not receive any money from the pastor. When he asked the pastor about the money, the pastor gave him a cheque. Kumar took the cheque to the bank where it bounced. When Kumar confronted Jesudasan and demanded his money, he hurled abuses at him and threatened him.

Made fake promises to several people and took their money

Kumar decided to take action against Jesudasan and lodged a complaint with DIG Vellore seeking action against Jesudasan. An investigation was initiated by the police against Jesudasan on the complaint of Kumar. During the investigation, it was found that Jesudasan was involved in many fraudulent activities. Jesudasan had reportedly taken money from about 10 people from Kangeyanallur making similar promises to them. He promised these people to buy house, provide old-age allowance, scholarships, sewing machine, vehicles for disabled and so on in the name of the trust that he ran. Jesudasan, who has been arrested by the police, is also involved in a case of money laundering worth Rs 2 lakh 27 thousand.

From drawing partition lines between Maa Durga and Shri Ram to Bengalis, Amartya Sen’s xenophobia get a pass because he is not a fan of BJP

Abhishek Banerjee
-
0
From drawing partition lines between Maa Durga and Shri Ram to Bengalis, Amartya Sen’s xenophobia get a pass because he is not a fan of BJP

Some time ago, Amartya Sen found himself much alarmed by the increasing popularity of Ram Navami festival in West Bengal. So he apparently went to his four-year-old granddaughter and asked who her favourite deity was. Maa Durga, the child replied. And that’s when Dr. Sen arrived at his profound realization: Maa Durga is part of the culture of Bengal, Shri Ram is not. This is what he preached last year from a pulpit at Jadavpur University.

Those who are trying to draw partition lines between Maa Durga and Shri Ram have come to teach us about the idea of India. And the idea of Bengal, which according to them, may or may not be part of the larger idea of India. Let that sink in.

In fact, Durga Puja is known as Akaal Bodhon (out of season worship) in Bengal. This refers to Shri Ram needing to leave for Lanka, before which he had to invoke the goddess Durga out of season. For the Ashtami puja, Shri Ram prepared to worship the goddess with 108 blue lotuses. But the goddess steals one lotus, trying to test his devotion. Distraught at finding just 107 blue lotuses, Shri Ram gets ready to take out one of his eyes as the missing offering.

And yet there are people like Amartya Sen who are trying to separate Durga from Ram.

But leave that aside for a moment. What is Amartya Sen trying to say here? That the culture of Bengal is defined by the cultural practices of his family? Anyone who practices anything slightly different is an outsider? Is this not the textbook definition of xenophobia? And where are the hordes of liberals who lecture all day about tolerance and diversity? Does Amartya Sen’s xenophobia get a pass because he is not a fan of the BJP?

Of course it does. Right now, “good xenophobia,” re-branded as regional pride, is the main campaign plank of liberals as Bengal gets ready for Assembly elections in May 2021. Today, Amartya Sen is back; this time saying that people of Bengal cannot be worthy heirs of Tagore unless they support his beloved ‘secular’ parties.

Yes, the same ‘secular’ parties which gladly gave away two-thirds of Bengal to Pakistan. That is why the remainder is called West Bengal, remember? What about East Bengal? What happened there to the great Bengali tradition of worshiping Maa Durga? The great Bhadralok intellectuals like Amartya Sen rarely ever speak on this. All they care about is tearing West Bengal out of the larger Hindu fabric of India. We know exactly what happens when this fabric tears. They say that in 30 years, there won’t be any Hindus left in Bangladesh.

You will observe that folks like Amartya Sen are obsessed with things like who is the ‘heir’ to what, which implies a fascination with royalty. Indeed, like any court intellectual, Sen has an easily foldable ego that allows him to grovel before kings and queens. When in England, he insists that only Christian faith schools are acceptable. No question of secularism there. You must follow the religion of her majesty the queen of England. He had a chance meeting with Rahul Gandhi and decided almost immediately that the latter would make a great Prime Minister. Rahul was a prince, after all. Amartya Sen has a natural reverence for that.

This is in contrast to Amartya Sen’s contempt for the people and their verdict. When PM Modi was elected in 2014, Amartya Sen sneered that he would “allow” Modi to rule. Yes indeed. Seventeen crore people voted for BJP in 2014, but it is Amartya Sen, India’s emperor apparent, who gets to “allow” Modi to rule. He even added a rider: “allow” him to rule in a democratic way. Again, teaching democracy to the man who just won seventeen crore votes. And groveling before the queen of England and her religion. That’s Amartya Sen for you.

When somebody tries to criticize Amartya Sen, there is an unsaid counter-argument that comes up. Did you win a Nobel? Then, how dare you criticize someone who did? Now, Amartya Sen is too clever to call himself a Marxist, but he has admitted to engaging seriously with Marxism all his life. You might have observed that no biologist today engages seriously with creationism. No physicist today engages seriously with flat earth theories. When Amartya Sen’s competence was put to test in the real world, he achieved nothing at Nalanda University. Exactly like Marxism has achieved nothing in the real world. So a flop in the real world and a world renowned expert while engaging with failed theories. There is no doubt that Sen is an “intellectual.”

A year on, ‘Chakka jam’ returns to Delhi: ‘Farmer leader’ Rakesh Tikait now instigates more roadblocks while opposing farm laws

OpIndia Staff
-
0
A year on, ‘Chakka jam’ returns to Delhi: ‘Farmer leader’ Rakesh Tikait now instigates more roadblocks while opposing farm laws

It has been over a month since the protesting ‘farmers’ started camping on the four border sites along the Haryana-Delhi border. It has caused massive inconvenience to the public. However, the farmers’ association have now threatened to block the Eastern and Western peripheral expressways if the talks with the government fails to deliver any results favouring them.

According to Economic Times journalist Aman Sharma, ‘farmer’ leader Rakesh Tikait of the Bharatiya Kisan Union on Wednesday issued a warning saying that so-called farmers will block both the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways too if their scheduled talks with the government on the three farm laws fails to address their concerns.

The Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways, which were built to reduce air pollution in Delhi, have now become a lifeline for the citizens and commuters of Delhi to exit and enter into the national capital as the so-called protestors have now blocked multiple borders that connect Delhi.

The two expressways are now the only route to northern India from Delhi-NCR as farmers have blocked the Singhu border on National Highway-44 which move towards Panipat. the Tikri border on NH-9 that leads to Rohtak and the Auchandi, Safiabad, Piao Maniyari and Saboli borders have also been blocked by the protestors.

Rakesh Tikait calls for occupation of roads, urges opposition leaders to join the protests

Rakesh Tikait, the alleged farmer leader, on Wednesday urged the opposition parties to join the protests and also called the blocking of roads. Speaking to the media, he said that it was essential to have strong opposition in the country whom the govt fears but here they do not and claimed that this is why farmers had to come on roads.

“Opposition should sit in pitched tents& stage protest on roads against the farm laws,” Rakesh Tikait, Bharatiya Kisan Union at Ghazipur border, essentially calling for a ‘Chakka Jam’ or a deliberate occupation of roads to cause massive inconvenience to the public.

Essentially, the so-called farmers leaders are threatening to block people from accessing roads and other public properties if the government fails to accept their irrational demands.

A year since Sharjeel Imam called for ‘chakka jam’

Interestingly, the threats to create anarchy on the streets of Delhi by the so-called farmer leaders of the country, exactly a year after Anti-CAA protests mastermind and radical Islamist Sharjeel Imam had issued a similar warning of causing massive inconvenience to the public through ‘Chakka Jam’ in Delhi if the government failed to revoke the Citizenship Amendment Act.

He had urged Muslims in India to come out on streets and block the roads. He had also called for cutting off of the Siliguri Corridor also known as Chicken’s Neck which connects the entire North East India to mainland India.

As the government did not give in to the demands of the far-left ‘protestors’ and Islamists, rioting mob went on a rampage against the Modi government unleashing massive communal riots in the North-east Delhi in February this year causing more than 50 deaths in the city.

The threats by the likes of Tikait, urging protestors and other opposition parties to camp on roads causing blockades could also turnout to be another law and order nightmare of the Modi government.

Old addresses and switched off phones: How UK returnees are increasing risks of the new COVID strain

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Old addresses and switched off phones: How UK returnees are increasing risks of the new COVID strain

Amidst the worries of new COVID strain Sars-Cov-2 that was first reported in the UK, the irresponsible behaviour of UK flyers across India is adding to the problem. As per a report by Hindustan Times, while authorities are trying their best to locate hundreds of UK returnees since November last week, several of them are untraceable. They have given incomplete or wrong addresses and switched off their phones that have increased the worries of the authorities in states like Delhi, Karnataka, Telangana and Punjab, among others.

The woes of Karnataka

Since November last week, Karnataka and Telangana have seen the maximum number of returnees from the UK. According to the health ministry, From November 25 to December 23 midnight when the flight ban was imposed, around 33,000 passengers came from the UK and landed at different airports across the country, as per the HT report. According to Karnataka Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar, 2,406 people came to Karnataka, and 570 were untraceable.

While the state health ministry and the police are trying to trace these people, they have switched off their mobile phones showcasing irresponsible behaviour. Of the 1,614 passengers who were tested for Covid-19 in Bengaluru, 26 were tested positive, including the three who were tested positive for the new strain of the virus. Sudhakar said, “I have been promised that within 48 hours all of them will be traced.” Among the 570 missing passengers, 204 gave the address of Bengaluru.

90 travellers went missing in New Delhi

As many as 90 passengers among the returnees from the United Kingdom have gone missing in Delhi. These passengers either gave wrong contact information or had wrong or old addresses mentioned on their passports. Since November 25, around 14,000 passengers landed at IGI Delhi. Out of these, 1,500 were from Delhi. After testing, 20 were found to be positive for Covid-19. It has to be noted that not all districts in Delhi provided data about the returnees missing. Hindustan Times mentioned in its report that out of eleven districts, they could get numbers from only five districts.

Telangana administration running from pillar to post

As per the Telangana government, out of 1,100 UK returnees in the state, 279 were not traceable. Dr G Srinivasa Rao, director of public health of the state, said that they had forwarded the details to district officials. About the remaining returnees, he said that the rest of them had been traced and tests are being conducted after taking swab samples.

The state health officials and administration has been trying to locate, trace and contact each of the UK returnees. As per latest reports, 156 were yet to be found.

Punjab’s trouble increases as many go missing

Though the administration has not revealed how many UK returnees have been traced yet, Dr Rajesh Bhaskar, nodal officer for Covid in the state, 1822 returnees landed in IGI Delhi, and 1,604 returnees landed at GRDI Amritsar since Diwali. “We are yet to complete the task of tracking all of them. Our district administrations are on toes to track them. There is a large number who are yet to be traced. We are expected to come out with the exact figures by Wednesday evening,” he said.

Tamil Nadu traced almost all returnees

Tamil Nadu has so far recorded one positive case for the new strain. Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan said that they have managed to trace almost all returnees since December 1. “We have provided details of a few who could not be traced,” he said.

27 missing in Odisha

The Odisha health department has said that out of 181 returnees from November 30 to December 21, they could not trace 27. Director public health, Dr Niranjan Mishra said that these passengers gave vague addresses and wrong contact information.

In Bhubaneswar, BMC Commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhary informed that in the first phase, 20 UK returnees were identified, of which 3 were tested COVID positive. In the second phase, around 60 returnees have been identified so far and testing is on. He added that though zonal teams have been formed, many people have used their international phone numbers for ticket booking which is making tracing difficult.

20 untraceable in Uttarakhand

As per Abhishek Tripathi, chief operational officer, Uttarakhand, out of 227 people who have returned from the UK in the past one month, they could not trace 20 passengers. Majority of the passengers were from Dehradun. They gave wrong addresses and mobile numbers that led to the issue.

Uttar Pradesh: 2-year-old infant becomes first to be tested positive for the new strain

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked all concerned authorities to be strict with tracing the UK returnees. As per the reports, a two-year-old from Meerut became the first one to be reported positive for the new strain. Meerut CMO Dr Akhilesh Mohan said “We had a list of over 1,650 persons who returned from the UK or via the UK after November 23. Of these, we have been able to screen more than 1,500 persons and only 10 have tested positive for Covid-19 pandemic. The genome sequencing report of five was received today while that of others is awaited.”

Principal Secretary, health and family welfare, Alok Kumar, have asked people not to take the Covid protocols lightly. He said that while the number of cases in UP is going down, the new strain is more contagious. “However, the prevention for both was the same. Therefore, wearing a mask, following social distancing and washing hands with soap and water or using sanitisers was the safest bet at the moment,” he said.

Covid-19 status in India

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, so far, India has reported 1,02,44,582 cases of Covid-19. There are 2,62,272 active cases while 98,34,141 have been discharged. 1,48,439 deaths have been attributed to COVID-related complicatios so far.

Mutated coronavirus: India extends the temporary suspension of flights to and from the United Kingdom

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Mutated coronavirus: India extends the temporary suspension of flights to and from the United Kingdom

The Indian government has decided to extend the temporary suspension of flights to and from the United Kingdom till January 7 2021 over the new fast-spreading strain of the coronavirus in that country. The decision to extend the interim suspension was announced by the Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Twitter.

“Decision has been taken to extend the temporary suspension of flights to & from the UK till 7 January 2021,” tweeted Puri, adding, “Thereafter strictly regulated resumption will take place for which details will be announced shortly.”

It is pertinent to note that the development came after 20 people, who came from the UK to India, have tested positive for the new strain of COVID-19 variant, which is 20 per cent more infectious. On Tuesday, it was reported that six UK returnees tested positive for the new Covid-19 strain.

Puri had earlier said that the country is likely to extend the temporary suspension of flights to and from the UK beyond 31 December. “I foresee a slight extension of the temporary suspension,” the civil aviation minister had said.

India temporarily halts flights to and from the UK amidst the detection of new coronavirus strain

Earlier on December 21, India had temporarily halted all flights originating from the UK to India till 31st December in the wake of a more-infectious mutated coronavirus strain detected in the United Kingdom.

Besides temporary suspension, the ministry had also stated that as a measure of abundant precaution, passengers arriving from UK in all transit flights (flights that have taken off or flights which are reaching India before 22nd Dec at 23.59 hrs) should be subject to mandatory RT-PCR test on arrival at the airports concerned.

1...4,7444,7454,746...7,677Page 4,745 of 7,677