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PM Modi cautioned against complacency and advised strict vigil and reiterated that “Covid is not over yet” and directed officials to strengthen the ongoing surveillance measures, especially at the international airports.

He stressed the need to ensure that the entire Covid infrastructure at all levels is maintained at a high level of preparedness in terms of equipment, processes, and human resources. According to an official statement issued by the PMO, he advised states to audit Covid specific facilities to ensure operational readiness of hospital infrastructure, including oxygen cylinders, PSA plants, ventilators and human resources.

PM Modi also directed officials to ramp up testing and also genomic sequencing efforts. He urged everyone to follow Covid appropriate behaviour at all times, especially in view of the upcoming festive season, including wearing masks in crowded public places. Prime Minister also urged that that precaution dose may be encouraged especially for vulnerable and elderly groups.

The BJP is scared of India's truth and is using Covid as an excuse to stop the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi said today, a day after the Union health ministry wrote to the Congress scion, asking him to suspend the yatra if following Covid protocols is not possible.

"It's their (the BJP's) new idea. They wrote a letter to me saying Covid is coming and stop the Yatra. All these are excuses to stop this Yatra. They are scared of India's truth," Rahul Gandhi said.

Having proven their mettle in the counter-terrorism operations in the Kashmir valley and air base security, the Garud Special Forces of the Indian Air Force have been deployed in high-altitude positions along the China border for specialist operations on the Line of Actual Control since May 2020. Using their Special Forces in these operations, the Indian Air Force has also equipped them with the latest weapons like the American Sig Sauer assault rifles along with the latest AK-103 whose latest version AK-203 would be produced in the country under the Make in India scheme. "The Garud Special Forces are deployed in the frontline areas along the China border from Eastern Ladakh to Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh where they would be carrying out specialist operations in case there is any requirement," IAF officials told ANI.

Amid growing concerns over the Covid-19 outbreak in China, the Centre has now asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to suspend the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra if Covid--19 guidelines are not being followed properly. In a letter addressed to Rahul Gandhi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, “if following Covid-19 protocol is not possible then the Bharat Jodo Yatra be postponed in the national interest, taking note of public health emergency.”

The letter written by the Union Health Minister also calls for strict adherence to the COVID guidelines during the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra and the use of masks and sanitisers. In his letter, Mandaviya also suggested that only vaccinated people should be allowed to participate in the Congress party’s ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is known for his ‘no-nonsense’ attitude, lost his cool after Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy tried to interrupt his speech while he was replying to a short-duration discussion in the Lok Sabha on the drug-abuse problem on Wednesday. The Union Home Minister, who was in the midst of his speech on the drug-abuse problem in the country, was so angry with the repeated interruptions that he chided the veteran TMC leader saying, “This kind of behaviour is neither good for your age and nor suits your seniority.”

Stopping his speech halfway, the Home Minister sat on his chair and told the TMC MP that he is free to speak whatever he wants. The ruling side MPs present in the Lok Sabha were seen smiling and thumping the desk which prompted Speaker Om Birla to appeal for calm and continue the proceedings.