Airbag is mandatory for both front seats

Health Ministry along with NITI Aayog reviews COVID-19 situation of States, UTs  Health and Family Welfare Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and Member Health of NITI Aayog Dr. Vinod K. Paul interacted with Health Secretaries and officials of Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Chandigarh.During the interaction, ongoing public health measures and management strategies have been discussed. It was pointed out that Delhi, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Chandigarh pose concern as several districts are witnessing rising cases. States and Union Territories were asked to ramp up the testing, refocus on surveillance and stringent containment mechanism, accelerate vaccination and promotion of COVID Appropriate Behaviour. It has also been asked to collaborate with the private hospitals to open up vaccination time-table for a minimum of 15 days and maximum of 28 days at a time.

-Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S .Jagan Mohan Reddy  has  launched the AP Fact Check website and Twitter account at his camp office. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister  said that with malicious propaganda spread in the media and on social media, the State Government has launched the website in a bid to curb such false news.He directed the authorities to take action against such half-truths. He stressed on the need to identify where these campaigns originate and take legal action. He said no one should spread misinformation to mislead people about the welfare schemes that the Government is taking seriously, and also about the institutions involved. 

-Government has made it mandatory for vehicle manufacturers to fit airbag for the person occupying the front seat other than the driver. Road Transport and Highways Ministry said that it is applicable on vehicles manufactured on and after 1st April this year in case of new models and 31st August, 2021 in case of existing models.Absence of airbags for the front passenger’s seat puts the occupant at high risk in case of a severe accident. The Ministry has issued Gazette notification in this regard. This has been mandated as an important safety feature and is also based on suggestions of Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety.

-A private news channel has appointed Bangladesh’s first transgender news presenter. Tashnuva Anan Shishir will start presenting news for Boishakhi TV from the International Women’s Day on March 8.The Boishakhi TV authorities told media that the appointment of the transgender newscaster was done on the occasion of 50 years of liberation of Bangladesh as it was the most neglected population of the country.The TV channel has appointed another transgender Nusrat Mau as one of the main characters for the regular drama  section of the TV channel's entertainment wing.Tashnuva Anan is a model and actor who began her career in theatre group Natua in 2007. She has been actively associated with theatre in Bangladesh with appearances in many popular productions.  The Bangladesh government has taken several steps to ensure the dignity and rights of the transgender persons. They have been given the right to vote and stand in elections. Government provides an allowance to a large number of transgenders in the country. However, they suffer from social stigma and discrimination and remain one of the most marginalised and violated groups in the country.

-In European Hockey series, the match between Indian Men's team and Great Britain at Antwerp in Belgium ended 1-1 draw on Saturday evening. It was the third game of the four-match tour of Europe.The next match of the series between India and Great Britain will be played on 8th of March.The Indian team played out a 1-1 draw aginst Germany in the second game. Earlier, the world number four India crushed Germany 6-1 in the first match.

-In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the first-ever adventure sports event, Chenab White Water Rafting Festival organised by the Doda District Administration in coordination with Bhaderwah Development Authority (BDA) and J&K Adventure group culminated today at Premnagar Shibnote in Doda amid overwhelming response from the people. Around 1,500 people from across the district especially, youth attended the festival and over 150 participated in the rafting trip from Premnagar Shibnote to Karara. DDC, Doda Sagar Doifode along with CO 10 Rashtriya Rifles, besides youth from various areas of the district participated in the event on the 2nd day Satueday and also took a rafting ride.