News Highlights: Rahul Gandhi urged to embark on 2nd Bharat Jodo Yatra

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In the light of piracy incident in the Central Arabian Sea earlier this week and towards augmenting the anti-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden region, the Indian Navy has deployed another indigenous guided missile destroyer in the region. The Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring the safety of merchant shipping and rendering assistance to the mariners at sea, as a ‘first responder’ in the region: Indian Navy

Home Minister Amit Shah on the passage of the three criminal bills tweeted:

These new bills amplify the Modi government's zero-tolerance policy toward crime and terrorism.

For the first time in history, our laws define terrorism, organized crimes, and economic offences, blocking every loophole to evade the law.

For the first time in history, we have laws that provide clear direction of trial in absentia in the case of fugitives.

For the first time, our laws provide for community service as a punishment and resurrect our civilisational principle of 'Punishment for Justice'.

On this momentous occasion, I extend gratitude to PM Narendra Modi Ji for leading our nation toward an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, steering away from our colonial past and eradicating the imprints of slavery.

"Congratulations to all Bharatwasis on this proud moment as our nation finally gets its criminal justice laws. It is a matter of great pride that the three bills passed in Parliament today will replace the laws once promulgated by the British and will shape an indigenous criminal justice system for Bharat. Guided by PM Narendra Modi Ji’s resolve to leave no one behind, it will prioritize the security of women and children, recognizing the rights of citizens as of paramount importance. This new justice system will be empowered by state-of-the-art technologies to deliver transparent and swift justice to all," tweeted Home Minister Amit Shah, on the passage of the three criminal bills in Parliament.

"The passage of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 is a watershed moment in our history. These Bills mark the end of colonial-era laws. A new era begins with laws centered on public service and welfare," PM Narendra Modi tweeted.

Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav on ED's summon, says, "I have been going since always, it's a routine. I have gone earlier as well. From 2017 to 2023, I have been going regularly whether ED, Income Tax or CBI called me. What would these agencies do, they are also pressurised. It has become a routine now...I have said that earlier as well...once the elections conclude in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, these agencies will work in Bihar, Jharkhand and Delhi."

On forming alliance with INDIA bloc allies at the state level, Congress MP KC Venugopal says, "Alliance committee has been formed. They will discuss with the state units and they will find out the mechanism to do an alliance with the INDIA alliance parties."

Rajya Sabha passes three criminal bills — The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023, The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 and The Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023 — replacing the IPC, the CrPC and the Evidence Act.

Three Army personnel lost their lives while three others were injured in a terrorist attack on two military vehicles in the Thanamandi area in the Rajouri sector. Indian Army troops also immediately retaliated after being attacked by terrorists. The troops were going to reinforce a joint operation against terrorists going on in the area since last evening. The operations are taking place in the 48 Rashtriya Rifles area: Army Officials

Congress MP KC Venugopal on the second phase of Bharat Jodo Yatra, says, "In the CWC meeting, Congress president initially told Rahul Gandhi that he's getting massive opinions from the party workers and leaders from all over India that Rahul Gandhi should do a second Yatra from east to west. After that, all the CWC members, unanimously also requested Rahul Gandhi to do the Yatra. The details of the Yatra and the decision of the Yatra will be taken without any delay."

Nexzu Mobility, a sustainable urban transportation solutions provider, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Gujarat, to develop India’s first ever Smart EV Park in that state. The Atulya Mittal-led company will invest Rs 5,000 crore over the next 10 years to set up the park, which is expected to generate employment for over 5,000 people. Work on the project is set to begin next year once land has been allotted to it.

This conference will be held in hybrid mode. The government has put on sale 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks in the first tranche of the auction.

"Government of India will be conducting a Pre-bid Conference for the 1st Tranche of auction of critical and strategic minerals on 22nd December 2023 at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi...in hybrid mode," the mines ministry said in a statement.

On cricketer Robin Minz signed up by Gujarat Titans for Rs 3.6 crores, his mother Elis Minz says, "I was crying when I talked to him and got to know...he was telling me not to cry. I congratulated him and said that he made us reach at such a level. We are very happy, I can't even express my happiness."


Father Francis Xavier says, "It feels as if he has reached the Moon from the Earth...I'm his first coach so I know how he used to play...The way we were supporting him, there was a little fear about what would happen. We had the hope so we kept supporting him."

Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Former DG, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), on JN.1 COVID variant, says, "We need to be cautious, but we don't need to worry because we don't have any data to suggest that this variant JN.1 is more severe or it's going to cause more pneumonia, more death, so I think what we need to do is try to take the normal preventive measures that we are all now familiar with...We're all now very familiar with Omicron. So it's the same family. So not much has changed, but 1 or 2 new mutations have come up. And that's why I think WHO has said let's keep a watch on it. It's a variant of interest. It's not a variant of concern."

Live news updates: Yogi Adityanath takes stock of Ayodhya's Ram Temple construction progress

The Delhi High Court directed Rahul Gandhi to remove a social media post revealing the identity of a minor Dalit girl raped and murdered in 2021. The post, geo-blocked by social media platform X in India, included a photo with the victim's parents. Gandhi's account was briefly suspended but later restored. The court emphasized protecting the child's identity globally.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and other leaders on the last day of the Winter Session of Parliament.

On former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's aide Sanjay Singh elected as the new president of the WFI, Wrestler Sakshi Malik says, "We have made demands for a woman president. If the president would be a woman, harassment would not happen. But, there was no participation of women earlier and today you can see the list, not even a single woman was given a position. We had fought with complete strength but this fight will continue. The wrestlers of the new generation have to fight."

"It's unfortunate that such people are getting elected to such positions in the country. Now, girls will be harassed again. It's sad that even after fighting against it, we couldn't bring any changes. I don't know how to get justice in our own country," says wrestler Sangeeta Phogat on Sanjay Singh, a Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh loyalist, being elected as the WFI President.

"Federation will see the game. It will not look at the mistakes committed in the past by the wrestlers," said former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in reply to a query on whether the wrestlers who protested against him would face any issues when they come back to practice.

Sanjay Singh, a Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh loyalist, is elected as the WFI President.

AAP leader & Delhi Minister Atishi says, "For the last two years, ED and CBI have been investigating the so-called liquor scam. But till now they haven't been able to recover even Rs 1 from any of the leaders of AAP. So why are arrests being made and summons being sent? This is because of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party's popularity."

Wrestler Sakshi Malik says "We slept for 40 days on the roads and a lot of people from several parts of the country came to support us. If Brij Bhushan Singh's business partner and a close aide is elected as the president of WFI, I quit wrestling."

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh says, "I feel bad that he has been insulted. But he (Vice President & Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar) does not remember the insult when Tikait was crying, he was beaten up...Mimicry is humour. PM Modi also does good mimicry. There is no need to be upset. I will meet the Vice President."

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Pakistan Army Chief's visit to US, says, "Yes, we did see some reports in this regard, about these meetings. Our concern about Pakistan's support for terrorism and cross-border attacks is well known. We hope other countries also take counter-terrorism seriously."

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi says, "Our position has been quite consistent. And whenever this has been raised, we have highlighted, how we see the problem. The core issue remains the space that is given to extremists and terrorists and, anti-India elements in that country. I think you would heard also from the External Affairs Minister recently as well as others, about the developments of that case...and we would hope that they would take action on such extremist, elements that are misusing the freedom of speech and expression in their country."

Congress MPs DK Suresh, Nakul Nath and Deepak Baij suspended from the Lok Sabha.

Total suspensions reach 146

Congress president Mallikarjun Khage said at the Congress Working Committee meeting in Delhi:

- People holding constitutional positions becoming part of party politics, doing politics of caste, region

- Conspiracy on to convert Parliament into platform for ruling party

Live news updates: Lok Sabha passes Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on the situation in the Red Sea, says, "India has always been supportive of the free movement of commercial shipping so that is something that we are interested in. We are, of course, monitoring the developments there. We're also part of international efforts to ensure free shipping, whether it be piracy or otherwise, India has been involved in it. So we will continue to monitor that."

Congress party to shift its Headquarters in Delhi to the new building in the second week of January 2024. The new headquarters will be called Indira Bhawan: Sources

Union Minister Piyush Goyal says, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision through which the 'PM Gatishakti' has become a reality, where we have addressed the significant problem of lack of synergy that used to be there in the various ministries, lack of coordination, lack of information hampered construction and budgets being wasted, those have been consigned to the dustbin."

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao on COVID-19 cases in the state, says, "We are looking into all the aspects. There is no such concern as of now...There is no restriction on movement, stay, travel or functions. People above 60 years of age should be cautious and wear masks in crowded places. The virus does not have a severe impact on the health of people."

Live news updates: Congress Working Committee's meeting underway at AICC HQ in Delhi

- The order raises alarm over likelihood of use of drones, remote-controlled aircraft and para-gliders by terrorists/anti-national elements

- The order states that these elements might endanger the Iife of public, destroy pubIic property and cause disturbance to law and order

- Those found in violation of these orders will be punished under Section 188 of IPC 1860

AAP MP Raghav Chadha on ED summon to Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, says, "This entire case is fake. The agency does not have any evidence and there is no irregularity in this case, rather all this conspiracy has been hatched to implicate AAP and CM Arvind Kejriwal. The summon was sent when CM Arvind Kejriwal had announced a week ago that he would go for Vipassana for 10 days. It was sent because their purpose is not to investigate but to implicate the CM and finish the Aam Aadmi Party. We feel that this summon has not been sent by the agency but by BJP."

Archer Aditi Gopichand Swami on being nominated for the Arjuna Award, says, “I have been practising archery since I was 8 years old. My hard work and struggle paid off when I found out I had been nominated for Arjuna Award. I am thankful to my parents and my coach for their constant support. Receiving this award from the President herself will be an honour. This is just the beginning. I want to make my country proud in the Olympics as well.”

"This government doesn't want an opposition in the House. It's like batting in a cricket match without any fielders. They are bringing very far-reaching laws which will have grave impact on to the daily life of this country, but they don't want any discussion, debate or dissent about it," says Congress MP Karti Chidambaram

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Covid-19 concerns says, "People need not panic. Precautionary measures have to be taken. People above the age of 60 should wear masks in public spaces. So far, 3 people with co-morbidities have died."

Live news updates: Bihar CM met Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama at Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya

Assam Health Minister Keshab Mahanta reassures that no new variant of Covid-19 has been identified in the state recently. Emphasizing vigilance, he instructs the health department to remain cautious against any potential surge in Covid-19 infections. As of now, Assam has not reported any new Covid cases, and the state has not identified any new variants of the virus, according to the minister's statement. Stay tuned for updates on the Covid-19 situation in Assam.

During his end-of-year press availability, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States has strengthened its partnership with India in 2023. He emphasized the elevation of cooperation through the Quad, a strategic forum comprising the US, India, Japan, and Australia. The remarks were made during a press event at the State Department in Washington on Wednesday. Stay tuned for further updates on the evolving international partnerships.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of Karnataka led the State Technical Advisory Committee meeting on Covid-19, focusing on strategic discussions and decisions related to the current pandemic situation. Stay tuned for updates on the outcomes and measures discussed during the meeting.

1. Mumbai Leads Maharashtra Cases: Mumbai records 8 out of 11 JN.1 variant cases in Maharashtra, prompting intensified virus tracking efforts.

2. Karnataka Advisory: Karnataka issues advisory urging those above 60, individuals with comorbidities, pregnant women, and lactating mothers to wear masks and avoid crowded spaces.

3. Gujarat's Vigilance Measures: Gujarat reports 13 active cases, all under home isolation. Authorities conduct a mock drill in over 5,700 hospitals to assess preparedness for the JN.1 subvariant.

4. Goa's Mild Cases: Goa reports 19 active Covid cases with patients displaying mild symptoms of the infectious disease.

5. Odisha's Cautious Approach: Odisha reports no new Covid cases in the past week, and the state government advises senior citizens to remain cautious.

6. Rajasthan's New Cases: Two fresh cases of coronavirus reported in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

7. WHO's Classification: The World Health Organization classifies JN.1 as a "variant of interest," citing its rapid spread but indicating a "low" global public health risk.

8. CMR's Genome Sequencing: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) actively works on genome sequencing of the new JN.1 variant.

Chandrakant Lahariya, a senior consultant physician and public health expert, reassures that in India, where people have been exposed to various sub-variants, including Omicron, and have received at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccines, there is no renewed risk of severe illness from SARS-CoV-2 variants or sub-variants. Stay tuned for updates and expert insights on the ongoing situation.

Amid concerns about the new variant of the Coronavirus, a health expert from Kerala has emphasized that Covid is comparable to any other contagious ailment. The expert states that complete eradication is not feasible, pointing out a decrease in the disease's strike rate. As discussions on the new variant unfold, the expert highlights the ongoing challenges and nature of the Covid virus. Stay informed for further insights on the evolving situation.

Dr. Rohit Kumar, Head of Pulmonary Medicine at Safdarjung Hospital, emphasized on Wednesday, "We are on high alert, conducting COVID tests, and sending samples for genome sequencing." Addressing the emergence of the new variant JN.1, he stated, "COVID is an RNA virus that changes its form, and now a new variant has emerged." Dr. Kumar assured that, as of now, no cases of the new variant have been reported in the capital, Delhi. The hospital remains vigilant, testing patients and conducting genome sequencing to detect new variants. Stay tuned for updates on the situation.

Goa's renowned 'Sunburn' festival is reportedly canceled by the state tourism department due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases, as per Times Now. However, conflicting reports suggest that Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte had earlier reiterated that the 'Sunburn Music Festival' is scheduled to take place from December 28 to 30 in North Goa, with a provisional NOC issued. A committee has been formed to ensure adherence to High Court guidelines.

In a recent incident, Social Media Platform X, formerly known as Twitter, faced a brief but widespread outage, recovering shortly after. Downdetector reports an astonishing 47,405 outage reports, indicating widespread disruptions in user access and functionality. The platform, a key source for tracking online service disruptions, confirms the recovery and restoration of normal functionality for most users.

The Congress party is scheduled to relocate its Delhi Headquarters to a new building in the second week of January 2024. According to sources speaking to ANI, the upcoming headquarters will be named Indira Bhawan.

On Thursday, India recorded 594 new Covid-19 cases, causing the number of active cases to increase from 2,311 to 2,669, according to Union health ministry data. The total tally of Covid-19 infections in India now stands at 4.50 crore (4,50,06,572), with the death toll reaching 5,33,327. Six more individuals, including three from Kerala, two from Karnataka, and one from Punjab, succumbed to the viral disease. The data, updated at 8 am, reflects the current status of the Covid-19 situation in the country.

Election Commission asks politicians not to use derogatory words for persons with disability in public speeches, says usage of such semantics by members of any political party and their candidates can be interpreted as an affront to such people

In the ongoing investigation of the Parliament security breach, Delhi Police has detained Saikrishna Jagali, a resident of Karnataka. Saikrishna, a techie and son of a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, was apprehended from his residence in Vidyagiri, Bagalkote, on Wednesday night. Reports from PTI and official sources confirm his detention in connection with the breach.

Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy has been sentenced to three years of simple imprisonment by the Madras High Court in a disproportionate assets case. The court also imposed a fine of ₹50 lakhs each on Ponmudy and his wife, P Visalakshi. The sentence has been suspended for 30 days for Ponmudy, considering his current role in the Higher Education department. The High Court had previously convicted the minister and his wife in the case, with the sentence pronounced today. The defense seeks leave to file a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court and requests the suspension of the sentence.

The World Health Organization (WHO) designates COVID variant JN.1 as a 'Variant of Interest,' expressing concerns over its immune-evading capabilities. Originating from the BA.2.86 variant, JN.1 has emerged without severe pneumonia signs thus far. Caution is urged, especially for high-risk groups such as the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Initial data suggests JN.1 may possess enhanced immune-evasion capabilities, potentially bypassing protections from vaccines and prior infections, including the XBB variant. Stay updated on developments related to this variant.

A new plea has been submitted to the Delhi High Court concerning Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's "pickpocket" remark against PM Modi. The plea argues that the allegations are of a serious nature and are intended to influence the electoral vote in favor of the Congress party. Stay tuned for updates on this legal development.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak provides reassurance, stating, "There is no need to worry regarding COVID. The whole situation has been reviewed. There were five patients in the state until yesterday, and all of them are in home isolation. There is nothing to panic." Stay informed for further updates on the COVID situation in the state.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is actively involved in the genome sequencing of the new JN.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2, as revealed by Union Health Ministry officials on Wednesday. Stay tuned for updates on the findings and implications of the sequencing effort.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is actively involved in the genome sequencing of the new JN.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2, as revealed by Union Health Ministry officials on Wednesday. Stay tuned for updates on the findings and implications of the sequencing effort.

Gujarat reports 13 active coronavirus cases as a precautionary measure. A mock drill was conducted at 5,700 hospitals, encompassing both government and private institutions, from December 13 to 17. The initiative follows a virtual meeting convened by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, prompted by the detection of the new Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1. Stay informed for updates on Gujarat's Covid-19 preparedness.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has addressed the ED summon issued in the Liquor Policy case, stating, "This ED summon is also illegal like the previous one. ED should withdraw this summon as it is politically motivated. I have lived my life with honesty and transparency. I have nothing to hide." Stay updated for further developments on this matter.

A 41-year-old man from Dodamarg taluka in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra, has tested positive for the new Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1. Preliminary information indicates mild symptoms in the patient, who hails from the coastal district in the Konkan region. Further details about the individual are currently unavailable. Stay informed for updates on the situation in Maharashtra.

Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has directed hospitals nationwide to conduct mock drills every three months to enhance preparedness for potential waves of Covid-19. The directive comes as India observes a gradual increase in cases following the detection of the new JN.1 sub-variant. In a virtual review meeting, the health ministry assessed the current scenario and discussed preparedness with officials and health ministers from various states. Stay tuned for updates on India's Covid-19 response.

A senior official from the West Bengal Health Department has affirmed the continuation of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) surveillance in alignment with central guidelines, responding to the rising Covid-19 cases nationally. The official assured that, as of now, there are no reported Covid-19 cases in the state, but emphasized their readiness with the necessary infrastructure.

Dr. Rohit Kumar, Head of Pulmonary Medicine at Safdarjung Hospital, announced on Wednesday the hospital's heightened state of alert due to concerns surrounding the Covid sub-variant JN.1. While emphasizing the dynamic nature of the virus, Dr. Kumar reassured that no cases of the new variant have been reported in Delhi yet. The hospital is actively conducting Covid tests, sending samples for genome sequencing, and closely monitoring the situation. Patients testing positive are subjected to genome sequencing to detect any potential new variants.

NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul reassures the public on Wednesday, stating that 21 cases of the Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been identified nationwide. Official sources report 19 cases in Goa, and one each in Kerala and Maharashtra. While urging caution, Dr Paul emphasizes there is no need to panic. In the last two weeks, 16 Covid-19-related deaths were recorded, primarily among individuals with serious comorbidities. Stay informed for updates on the evolving situation.

During a presentation on the global and domestic Covid situation, Health Ministry Secretary Sudhansh Pant highlighted that India's Covid cases remain significantly lower than global figures. However, concerns arise as active cases in the country surge from 115 on December 6 to 614 on Wednesday, December 20, within the past two weeks. Stay informed on the evolving situation.

In the last 24 hours, Karnataka reported 292 fresh Covid-19 infections and three deaths. The state government advises citizens aged 60 and above, especially those with co-morbidities, to wear masks. The Technical Advisory Committee emphasizes avoiding closed spaces and crowded areas. The total tally now stands at 79 cases, a surge of 35 cases from Tuesday, according to the Union Ministry of Health. Stay updated on COVID cases in India.

At present, there are 2041 active cases in Kerala, 79 in Karnataka, 77 in Tamil Nadu, 35 in Maharashtra, 23 in Goa, 20 in Puducherry, 12 in Gujarat, 9 in Telangana, 5 in Punjab, 4 in Delhi, 2 in Jharkhand, 2 in Madhya Pradesh, 1 in Uttar Pradesh, and 1 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed the preparedness of health facilities on Wednesday. He noted that the states were alert and had increased surveillance.

Mandaviya further assured the states of receiving all support from the Centre. “We need to be on the alert but there is no need to panic,” he said.

According to Saurabh Bhardwaj, the minister of health in Delhi, the city is prepared to handle the novel COVID-19 strain. Despite the modest symptoms, the nation's capital is awake and ready to handle the crisis. The Delhi government is examining the accessibility of oxygen cylinders, ventilators, and other necessary supplies despite the increase in COVID-19 cases across the country. Speaking on the novel variation, Bhardwaj said that it is an Omicron type with minor symptoms. The administration is taking action to guarantee that the required facilities are available while the situation is being monitored.

Dinesh Gundu Rao, the minister of health for Karnataka, stated that the state tops the nation in the quantity of tests performed daily.

By Saturday, the state will have tested more than 5,000 people daily, up from over 1,000 now. The Union Health Minister emphasized that in order to address the growing number of Covid-19 cases in the nation, effective measures are required. He also emphasized the importance of making sure there is a enough supply of oxygen, medications, and better storage facilities. In addition, he demanded that hospitals add more ICUs and beds. Karnataka has taken action to implement these policies, according to Gundu Rao.

Meanwhile, 14 new COVID-19 cases were reported from Maharashtra. One JN.1 case in Maharashtra has been verified by the union ministry. According to the state health authority, no cases of the JN.1 strain were found in Maharashtra as of Tuesday. The sub-variant JN.1 is not completely new; it is a descendant of the BA.2.86 variety, commonly called Pirola. There has been a minor increase in active cases in Maharashtra amid the ongoing conjecture regarding a possible spike in COVID-19 infections following the diagnosis of India's first patient with the novel Omicron subtype—JN.1—in Kerala.

Due to heightened testing following a spike in COVID-19 instances in Karnataka, the state's case count has doubled in the past 48 hours, rising from 28 on Monday to 79 on Wednesday morning.

In the past two days, Karnataka has recorded one death connected to COVID-19.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) reports that as of 8 a.m. on Wednesday, there were 79 cases recorded throughout the state, up 35 instances from Tuesday, based on daily updates.

Though the World Health Organization had removed the Covid-19 pandemic off its list of public health emergencies of international concern earlier this year, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) released an advisory on Monday emphasising the need for ongoing surveillance against the virus. India has effectively maintained a low trend of Covid cases by working together with state and federal administrations. However, Sudhansh Pant, Secretary of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, emphasized the significance of keeping an ongoing watch, especially at the district level, given that the virus is still circulating and adapting to local conditions.

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