Canberra/New Delhi, Nov 1: Australia on Monday gave recognition to Covaxin, developed by India’s Bharat Biotech, in a major relief to Indian travellers.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration of the Ministry of Health of the Australian government, in a statement said that “Covaxin (manufactured by Bharat Biotech, India)” “would be ‘recognised’ for the purpose of establishing a traveller’s vaccination status”.
It has also given recognition to BBIBP-CorV (manufactured by Sinopharm, China).
“The recognition is for travellers aged 12 and over who have been vaccinated with Covaxin, and those 18 to 60 who have been vaccinated with BBIBP-CorV,” it said.It said that the TGA has in recent weeks “obtained additional information demonstrating these vaccines provide protection and potentially reduce the likelihood that an incoming traveller would transmit COVID-19 infection to others while in Australia or become acutely unwell due to COVID-19. “
It said the “supporting information has been provided to the TGA from the vaccine sponsor and/or the World Health Organisation.”
The WHO has yet to give Emergency use Authorisation to Covaxin.
The TGA also said that “recognition of Covaxin, and BBIBP-CorV, along with the previously announced recognition of Coronavac (manufactured by Sinovac, China) and Covishield (manufactured by AstraZeneca, India), means many citizens of China and India as well as other countries in our region where these vaccines have been widely deployed will now be considered fully vaccinated on entry to Australia.”
The development will facilitate the return of international students to Australia, and the travel of skilled and unskilled workers to Australia.
It said that “those who have received two doses of a TGA-approved or recognised vaccine at least 14 days apart are regarded as fully vaccinated from 7 days after the second dose (with the exception of Janssen vaccine, where they are regarded as fully vaccinated 7 days after the single dose). This includes homologous (two doses of the same vaccine) and heterologous (two doses of two different TGA-approved or recognised vaccines) schedules.”

PM greets people of six states on their formation day

India

Asian Mail

November 1, 2021

New Delhi Nov 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday greeted the people of Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala on their foundation day.

Taking to Twitter Prime Minister said, “Many congratulations to the people of Haryana on the state’s foundation day. I wish that this state, which preserves tradition and culture, continues to create new standards of development.”

In his message to the people of Madhya Pradesh, Prime Minister Modi said, “Hearty greetings to the people of Madhya Pradesh on the state’s foundation day. I wish that this state, rich in natural resources and art-culture, should continue on the path of continuous progress.”

He also extended his wishes to people of Chhattisgarh, and said “I wish that this state, which has a unique identity for folklore, folk-dance and art-culture, sets new benchmarks of progress.”

The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi while greeting the people of Karnataka on their foundation day which is also known as Karnataka Rajyotsava, said “Best wishes on the special occasion of Karnataka Rajyotsava. Karnataka has made a special mark due to the innovative zeal of its people. The state is at the forefront of outstanding research and enterprise. May Karnataka scale newer heights of success in the times to come” he tweeted.

In his message to the people Kerala, on Kerala Piravi Day, the Prime Minister said, ” Kerala is widely admired for its picturesque surroundings and the industrious nature of its people. May the people of Kerala succeed in their various endeavours.”

BJP criticises Akhilesh Yadav for equating Sardar Patel with Jinnah

India

Asian Mail

November 1, 2021

Lucknow, Nov 1 :The ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh on Monday took on the Samajwadi Party after a statement was made by its leader Akhilesh Yadav equating Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel with Jinnah.

BJP leaders said equating Sardar Patel with Jinnah, on the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel was an insult to the person who fought for the unity of the country.

“Akhilesh Yadav has equated a destructive person like Jinnah, who was responsible for the division of the country with a constructive personality like Patel,” said UP BJP vice president Vijay Bahadur Pathak while talking to UNI on Monday.

He said the statement itself shows the mentality of the SP leader and people of the state will give him a befitting reply in the assembly polls.

“Everyone knows that Jinnah was a destructive person while Sardar Patel was a constructive person,” he further added.

UP BJP president Swantra Deo Singh in a tweet also questioned why Akhilesh Yadav had raised the name of Jinnah on the birth anniversary of Patel.” There is some mischief behind this statement, ” he said.

On Sunday evening during his second phase of the Samajwadi Vijay Rath Yatra at Hardoi, SP president Akhilesh Yadav had categorically said that, “Sardar Patel, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Ali Jinnah studied in the same institute. They became barristers and fought for India’s freedom. It was Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who imposed a ban on an ideology (RSS).”

The SP president charged that BJP leaders say they follow in the footprints of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel but today farmers are in distress and their income has not doubled as promised by the BJP. Law & order situation is at its worst in the state of UP. Hence people of UP have decided to throw the BJP out of power.

He also slammed the Congress saying, “Investigation of ED and CBI that is going on against his family and other leaders is because of Congress only. There is no difference between them — BJP and Congress. Congress is BJP and BJP is Congress.”

Only 2 or 3 businessmen benefiting from fuel price hike: Rahul

India

Asian Mail

October 30, 2021

Panaji, Oct 30: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said only two or three businessmen in the country were being benefited from the fuel price hike that has burned a hole in the common man’s pocket.

Interacting with fisher community at Valsao in South Goa, he said: “UPA cannot be blamed for fuel price rise. That time fuel price in international market was high but now its low. Yet fuel prices are high. You should ask where the money is going? Only two-three businessmen are getting benefits.”

Speaking on environment, he said the party would make sure that Goa did not become a coal hub.

He said there has to be a balance between development and environment and it has to be in favour of people, particularly poor.

“It must not be in favour of big business men. Role of the government is to protect environment. It’s your right. It is job of the people in power to reduce struggle of the people,” he said.

On party manifesto for assembly elections, he said it would be drafted in the coming days after speaking to various sections of people.

“Manifesto would be written after having conversation with the people. Common thread will be to protect environment, fishermen and the weak. I guarantee that commitments made in manifesto will be delivered,” he said

Australian great Alan Davidson passes away

Sports

Asian Mail

October 30, 2021

Melbourne, Oct 30 : Less than 24 hours after the death of former Test off-spinner Ashley Mallett, comes the news of Australian great Alan Davidson’s passing away on Saturday.

The 92 years old bowling allrounder had made his international debut in 1953 and had played till 1963.
In his decade-long career, Davidson featured in 44 test matches and had 186 wickets at an average of 20.53 to his credit. His career-best figures is 7/93 that came against India in 1959.
Davidson, a destructive left-arm fast bowler claimed 11 wickets and also contributed with bat by scoring 80-run knock.
He was fondly nicknamed ‘The Claw’ as he was someone who could swing the ball prodigiously, hit it hard, and catch it with elan.
Davidson was no mug with the bat either. He scored five half-centuries in all.
One of those came in the famous first-ever tied Test match between Australia and West Indies in 1960. He had walked into the middle with a broken finger and finished it with the honour of becoming the first to take 10 wickets and score 100 runs in the tied match.
The legendary Australian all-rounder was also inducted into the International Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame in 2011.
Davidson played his last match in 1963 against England in Brisbane, where he clinched 6 wickets. And was also the leading bowler having taken 24 wickets in the entire series.
After retiring from international cricket, Davidson stepped into administration and served as the president of Cricket New South Wales for 33 years and also served as a selector from 1979 to 1984.
After his demise, cricket Australia took to twitter and paid their condolences by tweeting, “Vale Alan Davidson. Australian cricket is mourning the loss of the 92-year-old, who in his prime was widely recognised as one of cricket’s predominant all-rounders.”
Mallett passed on Friday at the age of 76.

Mumbai: Aryan Khan released from Arthur Road Jail

India
World

Asian Mail

October 30, 2021

Mumbai, Oct 30 ):After spending 27-days in jail in connection with cruise drug case, Aryan Khan, son of bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan was released on Saturday from the Arthur Road Central Jail in South central Mumbai.

Aryan Khan walked out of the jail barely 40-hours after the pronouncement of the Bombay High Court order, ordering his release, following some delay in completing the formalities by the jail authorities.

Heavy police bandobast was seen outside the Arthur Road Jail. Aryan’s father Shah Rukh Khan had come in his personnel car to receive his son, but he did not come out of the car.

Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court has listed 14 conditions for Aryan Khan’s bail, which include that Aryan Khan cannot leave Mumbai without informing the police and has to appear before the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) every Friday.

The conditions also include him not leaving the country without permission, not indulging in similar activities, not communicating with other accused in the case like his friend Arbaaz Merchant, and not to talk to the media regarding the case.

Earlier, the lower court, including the Special NDPS court had twice rejected Aryan’s bail application. Thereafter, he moved the Bombay High court, which granted him bail after three days of marathon arguments.

Outside Mannat, a large number of people have been waiting for long hours for the return of Aryan Khan.

UNI

Malala Yousafzai urges Pak govt not to ‘uplift’ local Taliban

World

Asian Mail

October 28, 2021

Birmingham , Oct 28 (UNI) Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai has urged the Pakistan government not to “uplift” the local Taliban (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) and said the group had no public support in the country.

Speaking during DawnNews’ show ‘Live with Adil Shahzeb’, she said, “In my opinion, you enter into agreements when you believe that the concerns of the other side should be taken seriously [or] they are a powerful authority.”

“But the Taliban have no public-level support, [people] from none of the areas [in Pakistan] are saying that they want a Taliban government. So, in my opinion, we should not uplift the Pakistan Taliban,” she said in the interview, which was recorded in Birmingham.

She was sharing her views on recent statements by Prime Minister Imran Khan and others about the government holding talks with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the possibility of reaching an agreement with the group.

Earlier, in October, the Prime Minister had said that the government is in talks with some groups of TTP seeking a reconcilation.

Recently, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad had said the government has accepted maximum demands of TLP but the French envoy cannot be expelled not the embassy can be closed.

The News International quoted the minister as saying at a press conference, “The meeting had shown willingness to accept all the demands of TLP…we have no reservations on any of their demand except that of the French Embassy.”

UNI

Today attended the commemoration of the 75th year of Air Induction of Indian Army to evict Pakistan forces and save Kashmir. The event was organized by Chinar Corps

Multimedia

Asian Mail

October 27, 2021

RBI approves appointment of Baldev Prakash as Chief of J&K Bank

Business

Asian Mail

October 27, 2021

New Delhi, Oct 27 :The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved appointment of Baldev Prakash as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of J&K Bank for a period of three years.

The three-year period would commence from the date of taking charge or April 10, 2022, whichever is earlier.

“The appointment of Mr Baldev Prakash as MD & CEO by the Board of the Bank and the actual date of his taking charge shall be communicated separately,” J&K Bank said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday.

As per brief profile posted by J&K Bank on its website, Prakash is currently Chief General Manager (Digital and Transaction Banking Marketing Department) at State Bank of India (SBI)’s corporate centre in Mumbai.

He has over 30 years of experience working as Branch Manager of small and large size branches, Regional Manager, DGM (Business and Operations), General Manager (Network) in Maharashtra Circle and now Chief General Manager (Digital and Transaction Banking Marketing) responsible for framing bank level policy and strategy for developing and providing digital and transaction banking services to all corporate clients of the bank.

Prakash has also worked for over four years at Muscat (Sultanate of Oman) responsible for handling remittances business including treasury operations successfully.

NIA carries out raids at multiple locations in Kashmir

Regional
Jammu
Kashmir

Asian Mail

October 27, 2021

NIA carries out raids at multiple locations in Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 27 (UNI) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday carried out raids at multiple locations in Kashmir in the case of alleged support and funding of terror activities by the members of now banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), officials said on Wednesday.

The raids are being conducted by NIA simultaneously in various districts of the valley.

“Raids are on in case RC -3/2021,” they said.

In August, NIA carried out a major crackdown against the Jamat in Kashmir.

The Jamat was banned by the Ministry of Home Affairs for five years in February 2019. Soon after it was banned, many of the leaders of the Jamat- one of the largest socio-political organizations- were arrested.

UNI