President approves Jeewan Raksha Padak to 40 persons

The Chinese mainland have reported 124 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 117 locally transmitted, the National Health Commission said Monday. Of the locally transmitted cases, 67 were reported in Jilin, most of which were previously asymptomatic cases, 35 in Heilongjiang, 11 in Hebei, three in Beijing, and one in Shanghai, the commission said in its daily report. On the same day, 85 asymptomatic cases were re-categorized as confirmed cases. In addition, 45 new asymptomatic cases were reported on the mainland which China does not count in confirmed cases.The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland reached 89,115 by 24th Jan, 2021 including 1,850 patients still receiving treatment, of whom 109 were in severe conditions. 4,635 had died of the disease, according to the commission.Local authorities have rolled out a combination of measures including home quarantine of millions of people, travel curbs, mass COVID-19 testing and screening in a bid to contain the spread of disease ahead of next month's Lunar New Year holiday when millions travel to their home provinces.

-Union Health Ministry has said that the countrywide COVID-19 vaccination programme was conducted successfully on the tenth day in the States and Union Territories. It said, three lakh 34 thousand 679 beneficiaries were vaccinated through seven thousand 171 sessions on Monday. It said, the cumulative number of health care workers vaccinated against COVID-19 has crossed 19.5 lakh today. A total of 19 lakh 50 thousand and 183 beneficiaries were vaccinated through 35 thousand 785 sessions so far.

-In Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Territory Administration today ordered full exemption of certain categories of vehicles from road/token tax using any public road.According to a notification issued by the Transport Department of the Union Territory today, the department, in exercise of powers conferred by section 9 of Jammu and Kashmir Motor Vehicle Taxation Act, 1957 and in partial modification of earlier notification and amendments issued on the subject from time to time, has exempted agriculture tractors and power tillers with an engine emission up to 3,000 cc capacity, all electric vehicles and motorized tricycles for specially abled persons, from road/token tax.

-The Golden Jubilee celebrations of statehood of Himachal Pradesh was organised with great enthusiasm and fervor across the state on Monday, January 25. The state-level Golden Jubilee function was held at the historic Ridge of Shimla while functions were also organised at all district headquarters to mark this special occasion. BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda and Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur also graced the occasion. While congratulating the people of the state on the Golden Jubilee celebrations, Governor Bandaru Dattatreya said that this small hill state has made unprecedented development in its 50 years' journey. Dedicated leadership, strong will power and hard work of the people of the state has established many dimensions of development. By giving priority to education, health, roads, electricity, water, social security and tribal welfare, the state has achieved socio-economic goals and emerged as the ideal of the country. Dattatraya said that from the first Paramvir Chakra winner Major Somnath Sharma to Captain Vikram Batra, the bravery and valour of our soldiers has brought laurels to the nation. He said that the rich culture, high traditions and values of life are still alive in this state. He congratulated the State Government for successful implementation of various schemes to facilitate the people. He called upon the people to work with more dedication for the progress and prosperity of the state and make constructive contributions towards building a clean and strong society and self-sufficient Himachal.

-On the eve of the Republic Day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a revamped version of the Gallantry Awards Portal. This portal will serve as a one-stop virtual platform to honour the immortal contribution of the fearless Gallantry Awardees of India.Speaking on the occasion, Singh hailed the significant role played by the Gallantry Awardees of India in not only securing the nation but also inspiring the future generations of the country to contribute for protecting the motherland. He further stated that in the coming years, the Gallantry Awards Portal shall transform as an interactive, participative and dynamic platform that shall instill a sense of patriotism and devotion among the citizens especially the Youth of the nation.

-The President Ram Nath Kovind has approved the conferment of Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards - 2020 on 40 persons. The awards include Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak to one person, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak to eight persons and Jeevan Raksha Padak to 31 persons. One award is posthumous. Muhammed Muhsin of Kerala has been awarded with Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak posthumously.Jeevan Raksha Padak series of awards are given to a person for meritorious act of human nature in saving the life of a person. The decoration of the award is presented to the awardee in due course by the respective Union Ministries, Organizations and State Government to which the award belongs.