LIVE: Misinformation campaign underway against agri reforms, says PM Modi

Stay tuned for Latest LIVE news

3:17 PM

Varanasi is getting improved infrastructure: PM Modi

3:17 PM

LIVE: PM Narendra Modi in Varanasi

2:37 PM

Centre asks states, UTs to ensure fire safety measures in hospitals

The Centre on Monday asked all states to ensure proper fire safety in hospitals and nursing homes, saying utmost precautions must be taken at a time when the country is fighting the coronavirus pandemic. Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla wrote a letter to chief secretaries of all states and Union territories in the wake of recent fire incidents in two hospitals in Gujarat which killed 14 people.

 

The home secretary said occurrence of various fire incidents in hospitals and nursing homes in recent past and non-adherence of fire safety measures by authorities in their respective jurisdiction is a matter of concern.

 

Bhalla said recently six precious lives of COVID-19 patients were lost in a fire incident at an ICU ward of a hospital in Rajkot and eight people died in a hospital in Ahmedabad.

 

"At such a crucial time, when the country is fighting against COVID- 19 pandemic, utmost precaution needs to be taken to avoid such incidents in future," he said in the letter.

2:20 PM

Joe Biden expected to name Indian American Neera Tanden as budget chief

US President-elect Joe Biden is expected to name top members of his economic team this week including Indian-American Neera Tanden as director of the Office of Management and Budget, New York Times reported citing people familiar with the development.

 

Biden is expected to name Cecilia Rouse, a Princeton labor economist, to run the Council of Economic Advisers, and Tanden, the chief executive of the Center for American Progress, to lead the Office of Management and Budget, New York Times reported.

 

The announcement, which will also include Biden's decision to name Janet L Yellen, the former Federal Reserve chair, as Treasury secretary would potentially culminate in several women in top economic roles, including the first Black woman to lead the Council of Economic Advisers and the first Indian-American to lead the Office of Management and Budget.

 

Biden's top economic aides during his presidential campaign, Jared Bernstein and Heather Boushey will also be named to the Council of Economic Advisers.

1:53 PM

Ghats of Varanasi decked up ahead of PM Modi's visit on 'Dev Deepawali'

Ghats of Varanasi have been decked up ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit here on the occasion of Dev Deepawali on Monday. The stairs of the Ghats are decorated using flowers and red carpet, while artists were seen making beautiful rangolis and painting pots. As per the officials, arrangements have been made up to light 11 lakh diyas on the banks of the river.

 

District Magistrate Varanasi, Kaushal Raj Sharma said, "The Prime Minister is coming on Dev Deepawali here. All arrangements have been made regarding the visit. The arrangements are also made to light 11 lakh diyas on the banks of the river." During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will dedicate to the nation the six-lane widening project of the Handia, Prayagraj - Rajatalab, Varanasi section of National Highway 19.

 

During the tour, the Prime Minister will attend Dev Deepawali event and will also undertake a site visit of Kashi Vishwanath Temple corridor project. He is also scheduled to visit the Sarnath archaeological site.

 

The 73 km stretch of the newly widened and six-laned NH-19, made with a total outlay of Rs 2,447 crores, is expected to reduce the travel time between Prayagraj and Varanasi by one hour, as per an official release. "The Prime Minister will depart from Raj Ghat and will view Dev Deepawali celebrations from Raj Ghat to Chet Singh Ghat. He will arrive at Ravidas Ghat Jetty at 7 pm. He will pay floral tributes to the statue of Saint Ravidas."

1:22 PM

PM Narendra Modi had virtual meetings with 3 teams working on developing and manufacturing vaccine for Covid-19

PM Narendra Modi had virtual meetings with 3 teams working on developing and manufacturing vaccine for Covid-19, today. These teams were from Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd Pune, Biological E Ltd Hyderabad and Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd Hyderabad: Prime Minister's Office

1:15 PM

This November was coldest in Delhi in 71 years, with mean minimum temperature dropping to 10.2 degrees Celsius: IMD

1:12 PM

Uttarakhand Forest Dept builds a moss garden in Nainital

1:08 PM

23-year-old undertrial prisoner attacked with improvised sharp object by three other prisoners at Tihar jail, succumbs to injuries: Tihar jail officials

12:32 PM

BSP President Mayawati asks Uttar Pradesh's BJP govt to reconsider its new anti-religious conversion ordinance

12:27 PM

Protesting farmers distribute 'prasad' among each other and security personnel on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti

12:18 PM

Delhi: Devotees offer prayers at Sri Bangla Sahib Gurudwara on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti

12:15 PM

Weather update: A depression has formed over southeast Bay of Bengal, says IMD

Depression formed over southeast Bay of Bengal & neighbourhood is very likely to intensify further into a deep depression during next 24 hours: IMD

12:13 PM

TMC has now become Terrorist Manufacturing Company, says West Bengal BJP vice-chief

Over time, meaning of TMC kept changing, it has now become Terrorist Manufacturing Company. This is also the perception that youth have. TMC workers too think so & hence they're writing on walls of graveyards that TMC is coming in 2021: Raju Banerjee, West Bengal BJP vice-chief

10:52 AM

Delhi pollution: Air quality worsens in the national capital; visuals from Sarai Kale Khan area