Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon people not to panic and take precautions to stay away from the COVID-19 - Novel Corona virus infection. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, the government is fully vigilant about the situation. He said, no Union Minister will travel abroad in the coming days and also urged people to avoid non-essential travel. The Prime Minister said, we can break the chain of spread and ensure the safety of all by avoiding large gatherings. He said multiple steps have been proactively taken to ensure the safety of all across ministries and states. He said these steps are wide-ranging, from the suspension of visas to augmenting health care capacities.

Thirteen fresh cases of Novel Coronavirus have been reported in the country, taking the tally of positive cases to 73. Briefing the media in New Delhi last evening, Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry Lav Aggrawal said, India has taken preventive measures to contain the spread of the Corona virus and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is continuously monitoring the situation.

The High Court of Bangladesh has ordered that ‘Joy Bangla’ will be the national slogan of Bangladesh.

In an order passed on Tuesday, the two judge bench of High Court asked the authorities to take necessary steps so that all the people holding constitutional posts and state officials use ‘Joy Bangla’ after their speeches on national days and other appropriate occasions.

The court also directed the authorities to ensure that teachers and students use the slogan after assembly. The government has been asked to submit the compliance report to the court within three months.

‘Joy Bangla’ was the main slogan during the liberation war of Bangladesh fought against Pakistan in 1971. The first President of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman also used ‘Joy Bangla’ in his speeches and specially during his historic 7th March speech in 1971 declaring the goal of independence for Bangladesh.

Mumbai’s special court has extended Yes Bank founder Rana Kapoor’s ED custody till 16th March. Kapoor was produced before special court judge PP Rajvaidya yesterday at the end of his custody.

During the hearing, Enforcement Directorate officials informed the court that Kapoor had sanctioned loans worth 30,000 crore rupees to various entities, out of which loans worth 20,000 crore rupees has turned into bad debt.

The agency sought extension of custody to probe the rationale behind sanctioning these loans and alleged money laundering charges. The 62-year old former MD and CEO of Yes Bank, Rana Kapoor was arrested on Sunday under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act. This came a day after RBI imposed a moratorium on the capital-starved private lender, capping withdrawals at 50,000 rupees per account and superseding the bank’s board.

The Centre has suspended all tourist visas till April 15 in a bid to contain spread of novel coronavirus. The suspension will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13 at the port of departure. The decision was taken at the 6th meeting of group of ministers held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan. An official release said, all existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International organisations, employment and project visas stand suspended till 15th April 2020. Visa-free travel facility granted to OCI card holders is also kept in abeyance till April 15.

Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reason may contact the nearest Indian Mission. All incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany after February 15 will be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days.

Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel abroad. On their return, they can be subjected to quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.

Five Indian boxers, including the seasoned trio of Vikas Krishan  in 69 kilogram, Pooja Rani in 75 kg and Satish Kumar in
91 kg category, yesterday secured Tokyo Olympic berths by advancing to the semifinals of the Asian Qualifiers with mostly commanding victories in Amman, Jordan.

Satish, Rani, Krishan, Lovlina Borgohain in 69 kg and Ashish Kumar in 75 kg became the first set of Indian boxers to qualify for quadrennial showpiece scheduled in July-August this year.

While fourth-seeded Rani notched up a facile 5-0 win over Thailand's Pornnipa Chutee, Krishan endured a difficult one against third-seeded Japanese Sewonrets Okazawa before prevailing in a unanimous verdict against the Asian silver-medallist.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Nari Shakti Award winners have made great contribution in building the society and inspiring the nation. Interacting with Nari Shakti Puraskar winners in New Delhi last evening, Mr Modi said, the country could not have achieved the open defecation free status without significant contribution from women.

He said malnutrition issue can also be resolved with greater women participation. 15 Women achievers from various parts of the country including Leh, Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh shared their trials, struggles and how they achieved their goals with the Prime Minister.  Yesterday, President Ram Nath Kovind honored these women achievers with the Nari Shakti Puraskar at Rashtrapati Bhawan on the occasion of International Women's Day yesterday.

The first ever Khelo India Winter Games will begin today at Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir. Around 900 participants will take part in the 5-day event. Organised by Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council in collaboration Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Games will be held in various sports disciplines.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju has reached Gulmarg for the Games. Mr Rijiju also participated in an interactive session with youth at the National Integration Camp hosted by Government Physical Education College Gadoora, Ganderbal yesterday. The camp was hosted to motivate and guide the youth for their active participation in the promotion of unity, communal harmony, national integration, FIT India.

Later sports material kits under FIT India campaign and promotion of sports culture among rural youth were distributed to over 250 youth hailing from youth clubs from Ganderbal and Srinagar district.

In Mizoram, the biggest and most joyful festival of Mizos, Chapchar Kut is being celebrated across the state today. The Chapchar Kut is also regarded as the most popular spring festival to the people of the state. The gaiety and fervour of Chapchar Kut shines through with plenty of dancing and music to keep everyone in good spirits. This festival is a public holiday in the state.

Air correspondent reports that Though the festival is beginning today, the celebration started yesterday with the mega event holding at the Assam Rilfles Ground at Aizawl. On the occasion, state Art & Culture Minister R Lalzirliana welcomed all people to participate in the fun and amusement events being organised during the festival. Traditional bamboo dance - Cheraw and other dances were performed at the main event, attracting thousands of people. Almost similar festive events are being held throughout the state.

The Indian government has given a go ahead to a plan State Bank of India (SBI) to lead a consortium that will buy a stake in troubled Yes Bank Ltd.

However, while this works out, Yes Bank depositors can only withdraw Rs 50,000 from their accounts starting today till April 3. This Rs 50,000 cap is an aggregate amount across all bank accounts at Yes Bank – savings, deposits or current accounts.  

Exceptions will be made in a few cases and ‘competent authority’ will decide on these exceptions. The amounts in these cases cannot be more than Rs 5 lakh or the amount of money that is in the accounts (whichever is less).

Health Ministry is organizing a national level training workshop today for all the states and hospitals from other Ministries on COVID-19 management.

The workshop to be organized in New Delhi, will train the trainers for COVID-19. It will give training on hospital preparedness and non-pharmaceutical interventions, infection prevention, standard precautions, environmental cleaning, disinfection and biomedical waste management, risk communications and community engagement and other aspects to tackle the situation related to novel Coronavirus.

Yesterday, Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan had said that such workshop will be taken up to the district level.