The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed in its study that the combination of Covaxin and Covishield vaccines conducted on 18 people, has elicited better safety and immunogenicity results. The study results came on the day India registered 39,070 fresh Covid-19 cases, of which Kerala saw 18,607 new infections.

In the study, ICMR compared the safety and immunogenicity profile with those individuals who received either Covaxin or Covishield and it showed better results. The study conducted on individuals in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh in India received Covishield as the first dose followed by inadvertent administration of Covaxin as the second dose at an interval of six weeks.

As per Dr Samiran Panda, Head of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, ICMR, “It was like a natural experiment when second time these individuals inoculated with different doses inadvertently.” He said that ICMR decided to conduct the study so that people would not get anxiety or vaccine hesitancy. “We went to the place and collected samples of individuals,” he added.

A total of 18 participants were in the heterologous group. However, two participants were unwilling and were excluded. Among them, 11 were male, and seven were female with a median age of 62 years.

“A comorbid condition (hypertension) was reported in one (5.5 per cent) individual. In both the homologous groups, 40 individuals were included,” the study said. “We compared the safety and immunogenicity profile of them against that of individuals receiving either Covishield or Covaxin (n=40 in each group). Lower and similar adverse events following immunization in all three groups underlined the safety of the combination vaccine regime. The immunogenicity profile against Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants in the heterologous group was superior; IgG antibody and neutralising antibody response of the participants was also significantly higher compared to that in the homologous groups,” the study said.

Meanwhile, India reported 39,070 fresh Covid-19 cases, while 43,910 people recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday. The active cases of Covid-19 in the country now stands at 4,06,822.

Of these, Kerala recorded 18,607 new infections on Sunday, the state health department said in a bulletin. With 93 more deaths, the Covid death toll of the state rose to 17,747. At present, there are 176,572 active cases in Kerala.

At a time when China is expeditiously building its capability to operate fighters near eastern Ladakh, India is also considering expanding its capability to operate fixed-wing aircraft from facilities near the border with China.

India has been considering multiple options of developing airfields in eastern Ladakh including Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO), Fukche and Nyoma which are at a distance of few minutes from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. As the first news crew to have been allowed to cover the Indian Air Force (IAF) operations in forward areas, team ANI visited the Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) to see operations of the Apache attack helicopters, Chinook heavy-lift helicopters and the Garud special forces operations from Mi-17 helicopters.

Speaking exclusively to ANI, IAF’s Group Captain Ajay Rathi explained the importance of having an advanced landing ground such as Nyoma. “Nyoma ALG has strategic importance due to its close proximity to Line of Actual Control. It bridges the critical gap between Leh airfield and the LAC enabling quick movement of men and material in eastern Ladakh, overcoming terrain friction,” Rathi said.

The Nyoma airbase Chief Operations Officer said the ALG will “further help in quicker access to the heights and sustenance operations thereafter. The air operations infrastructure at Nyoma enhances the Op capability of forces”. He said, “It also improves connectivity for the entire population in the eastern Ladakh region.”

Asked by when the fighter aircraft operations can be conducted from the ALG, he said: “The fighters have been operating regularly in this area earlier as well. The development of infrastructure for fixed-wing operations from ALG is planned in the near future.” The officer said the positioning of fighter aircraft would be governed by the operational requirements.

On how the airmen have been maintaining the airbase, the officer said, “Our air warriors take pride in operating at these altitudes. Also, the good wishes and support of our countrymen keep them motivated to face the extreme weather conditions.”

The Air Force also has deployed the Igla man-portable air defence missiles to tackle any aerial incursion by any adversary aircraft. It has been regularly deploying fighter aircraft including the Rafale and MiG-29s to carry out operations in eastern Ladakh where there has been disengagement of troops at two locations including Pangong Tso and Gogra heights but both sides have not de-escalated.

The Chinese have been amassing troops since last year and carried out aggression in the garb of an exercise after which the Indian security forces retaliated in equal measure and checked the Chinese aggression there. The Indian Air Force is also continuing to maintain its assets in Leh along with a massive upgrade of capabilities in the area. ANI

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday launched a major offensive against banned organisation Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) by carrying out raids at 56 locations spread over 14 districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Houses, offices, work places and trusts run by JeI in the districts of Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam in Kashmir valley and Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar and Rajouri of Jammu region were raided simultaneously by a large team of NIA sleuths assisted by Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF. A DIG-level officer had flown from Delhi to Kashmir especially to lead the crackdown.

The case in which the raids were conducted on Sunday was registered by NIA on 5 February 2021 in pursuance to order from the Ministry of Home Affairs relating to “separatist and secessionist activities of JeI”.

Jamaat-e-Islami was banned by the Union Home Ministry, under the UA(P) Act on 28 February 2019, exactly two weeks after the Pulwama terror attack of 14 February 2019 in which more than 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives. The attack had also triggered a major arrest spree of JeI cadres.

According to sources, Sunday’s raids were triggered by the inputs that the members of the organisation have been collecting funds domestically and abroad through donations particularly in the form of Zakat, Mowda and Bait-ul-Mal purportedly to further charity and other welfare activities. “But these funds are instead being used for violent and secessionist activities. The funds raised by JeI are also being channelised to proscribed terrorist organisations such as Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and others through well organised networks of JeI cadres. JeI has also been motivating impressionable youth of Kashmir and recruiting new members (Rukuns) in J&K to participate in disruptive secessionist activities,” a spokesperson of NIA said. 

Searches conducted on Sunday included the premises of office bearers of the JeI, its members and also offices of trusts run by JeI. During the searches, various incriminating documents and electronic devices were seized from the premises of the suspects. 

In Srinagar searches are carried out at the residence of Gazi Moin-ul Islam, a resident of Soura and Falah-e-Aam Trust Nowgam, Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, son of Mohammad Jaffar Bhat at present HIG Colony Bemina, Bashir Ahmad Lone at Harwan and Faheem Ramzan at Lal Bazar.

Sources said that in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, houses of Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, Nazir Ahmad Raina, Farooq Ahmad Khan, all residents of Kokernag, Aftaq Ahmad Mir, resident of Badoora Achabal, and Ahmadullah Parrey, resident of Khiram Bijbehara, were raided and searched.

In Bandipora, former Jamaat president Mohammad Sikander Malik’s residence at Gundpora was searched by the NIA. In Ganderbal, the NIA raided the residences of Gul Mohammad war, Zahoor Ahmad Reshi and Mehraj ud din Reshi. It also raided the houses of Mohammad Yousuf Sheikh, son of Gulam Hassan Sheikh, Riyaz Ahmad Ganie in Shopian. In adjacent Kulgam, the NIA searched residences of Ghulam Hassan Sheikh and Mohammad Yosuf Rather. In the Jammu region, the agency raided many places in Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar and Rajouri districts.

The Centre had banned the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 for five years under anti-terror law on grounds that it was “in close touch” with terrorist outfits and is expected to “escalate secessionist movement” in the state.

In the notification issued by the Union Home Ministry, the Jamaat was charged with “unlawful association”, for being in “close touch with militant outfits and supporting extremism and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir”. The decision was taken after a high-level meeting on security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  

The cadre-based organisation is perceived to be the ideological parent of the Hizbul Mujahideen, the largest terrorist outfit in the Valley.

Just before and soon after the abrogation of Article 370 on 5 August 2019, the Jammu and Kashmir Police along with other security agencies launched a major crackdown on JeI cadres and picked and detained hundreds of them. Many of its leaders are still languishing in jails in and outside Jammu and Kashmir. Though the organisation has denounced militancy publicly more than once, security and intelligence agencies believe that it is still funneling funds for Hizbul Mujahideen led by Syed Salahudin.

Recently the administration in J&K terminated the services of two sons of Syed Salahudin along with many others for “working against the national interest.”

The Haryana government informed on Sunday that the Covid-19 restrictions under ‘Surakshit Haryana’ have been extended till August 23, although with some relaxations in place.

Looking at the current positivity rate and dip in the cases, the state government has lifted time-related restrictions and night curfew. According to an order by the Haryana State Disaster Management Authority, restaurants, clubs, bars, gyms, spas, and cinema halls have been allowed to open with 50 per cent of occupancy.

All shops and malls are allowed to open following social distancing norms, appropriate covid behavior, and regular sanitization, it said.

The state government permitted gathering in indoor spaces with a maximum of 100 people and up to 200 people in open spaces.

It also allowed the opening of offices in the state adhering to strict Covid guidelines.

Apart from this, other relaxations shall continue as stated in an earlier order, which comprises of conducting entrance exams and recruitment exams by colleges and universities pertaining to strict implementation of the order by the state government.

Collages, schools, universities, and coaching classes are allowed to open for doubt clarification and off-line conduction of exams and practicals, the order said.

Vice-Chancellors of universities in the state are advised to plan re-opening of universities and colleges for the next academic session and also share the program of the same with the concerned departments of the state government, it said.

The order said people with masks and face covers will only be allowed to board public transport and enter any government or private places for availing types of goods or services.

Porovim MLA Rohan Khaunte on Sunday alleged that despite being into the second year of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Pramod Sawant government in the state has failed to provide basic amenities for facilitating online education.

In a tweet, the former IT minister said, ‘’News report of 241 educational institutions with non-functional broadband shows that despite being into 2nd year of Online Education the @cmpramodsawant #GoaGovt has failed to provide basic connectivity for education. Maybe it will become an election promise for 2022. #Goa.’’

Khaunte also attacked the government over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state saying the administrative inefficiency of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government seemed to be seeping into the otherwise efficient Goa police.

“Increasing number of thefts, burglaries, etc is a reflection of deteriorating Law & Order situation in #Goa. The Administrative Inefficiency of the @cmpramodsawant Govt seems to be seeping into the otherwise efficient Goa police,’’ he said in another tweet.

On Sunday, Rajender Vishwananth Arlekar, Governor Himachal Pradesh on the occasion of 79th Quit India Day— coinciding with the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence and Ajadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav— inaugurated six day-long exhibition and released the book ‘Gandhi in Shimla’ on Mahatma Gandhi’s association with Imperial Shimla from 1921-1946.

Himachal State Museum, Shimla organized an Exhibition to showcase the great connection of Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi with Shimla town and its people during the freedom struggle. The book is written by a well-known writer and columnist Vinod Bhardwaj, a retired Senior Editor from the Information and Public Relations Department, Himachal Pradesh.

After inaugurating the exhibition and releasing the book, Arlekar paid his tributes to the great sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives to give us the gift of freedom. He said that it was the moral duty of all Indians to preserve and protect the social ethos and integrity of the country. He urged the people, especially the youth to follow the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.

“People of Himachal had contributed a lot during the freedom struggle. Dhami Goli Kand, Pajhota Andolan, and Suket Satyagraha are the glorious chapters of Indian history. Captain Ram Singh resident of village Khanyara near Dharamshala who composed the inspiring national anthem tune made us all proud”, said the Governor.

Governor appreciated the efforts of the Himachal State Museum and the Department of Language and Culture for putting up a wonderful exhibition depicting Gandhiji’s footprints in Shimla. He said this exhibition and book would help the people and researchers to know about the Gandhi ji association and connect with this historic town.

“We need to learn from the life of Gandhi ji. His simplicity and high thinking are equally relevant in the present times”, said Arlekar.

The book comprises twenty four chapters and rare photographs and documents of that era. The book was not only confined to the visits of Gandhi ji but also highlighted the earlier history of the hills, Gurkha War, arrival of Britishers in hills,formation of hill stations, political circumstances leading to the visit of Mahatma Gandhi and other prominent leaders to Shimla. The other important events included in the book are: First political Stir in Shimla, Gandhi Car on Mall Road, use of Rickshaw, and the plight of poor people of that period. The detailed chronological accounts regarding Gandhiji’s interviews, engagements with Viceroys, Government Officials and local leaders and accounts of prayer meetings make it interesting.

A chapter is dedicated to Gandhiji’s great association with Samuel Evans Stokes later known as Satyanand Stokes in the freedom struggle and helping Stokes in eradicating the menace of the Begar system( forced labour) from hills using the power of Satyagraha and non-violence. Gandhiji’s comments on Dhami Goli Kand, Raja of Rampur Bushahr, Chamba are also worth reading.