Headlines: From Goa To Gulmarg, ‘Tourist Flood’ Despite Omicron Threat
From Goa To Gulmarg, ‘Tourist Flood’ Despite Omicron Threat
India has been recording a massive surge in Omicron cases from past few weeks. However, despite the rising cases of the Omicron threat, Indian tourist spots are seeing a flood of tourists, with Indian travellers flocking all major tourist destinations. Ahead of the New Year, popular hill stations are overcrowded, and a spike is seen in bookings across major domestic locations in India. As per an NDTV report, Indian tourist destinations from Goa to Gulmarg has recorded a massive rush of tourists, with hotels expected to have 100% occupancy ahead of New Year. Goa, Maharashtra’s Konkan region, Shillong in Meghalaya and Jammu and Kashmir’s Gulmarg are seeing a lot of tourists who are now looking for domestic destinations to celebrate New Year, given the restrictions on international travel.
Covid-Bulletin: India Records 13,154 New Covid-19 Cases; Total Omicron Tally At 961
According to the latest data released by the union health ministry, India records 13,154 new covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours. The active caseload of the country currently stands at 82,402. Meanwhile, the nation has recorded 7,486 recoveries in the previous 24 hours, and the total recoveries stand at 3,42,58,778. The daily and weekly positivity rates currently stand at 1.10% and 0.76%, respectively. As per the Indian Council of Medical Research, the country has conducted 67.64 crore covid-19 tests so far. On the vaccination front, India has administered 143.83 crore covid-19 vaccine doses so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. The union health ministry also released the statewise status of the Omicron variant, with India recording a cumulative total of 961 Omicron cases so far. Delhi (263) and Maharashtra (252) have recorded the most number of Omicron cases till yesterday.
#Unite2FightCorona#LargestVaccineDrive#OmicronVariant
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— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) December 30, 2021
Maharashtra: Section 144 Imposed In Mumbai Till 7th January; New Year’s Celebrations Prohibited
Amid rising Omicron cases, the Maharashtra government imposed Section 144 in Mumbai from today till 7th January. The Mumbai police issued prohibitory orders under CrPC section 144. As per the prohibitory orders, parties in all closed or open spaces, including hotels, bars, resorts, pubs, clubs and restaurants, will be prohibited from 30th December to 7th January. Maharashtra minister Aditya Thackeray told citizens to follow extreme caution, stressed on vaccination and the use of face masks amid rising Omicron cases in Maharashtra. The prohibitory orders also stated that all public places in Mumbai would be closed on 31st December 2021, and strict action would be taken against establishments that violate covid-19 guidelines. Maharashtra, Delhi and Gujarat have reported a surge in Omicron cases from the past week.
Nagaland: Centre Extends AFSPA Act For Another 6 Months; Calls It A Disturbed Area
The central government has extended the AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Power Act), 1958 act in the state of Nagaland for another 6 months. Calling the state a disturbed state, the centre extended the AFSPA act till 30th June 2022 and stated that Nagaland’ disturbed and dangerous condition’ asserts the use of armed forces in aid of civil power. The Indian Army is currently conducting a probe into an ambush on 4th December, which resulted in killing several civilians. The centre had formed a panel to review AFSPA in Nagaland and made the decision of extending the act in the north-eastern state. Meanwhile, an SIT (Special Investigation Team) which is set up by the Nagaland government, is conducting an inquiry into the incident at Jorhat in Assam. The SIT is likely to submit its report by next month.
RRR: Film’s Release Postponed? SS Rajamouli Clears The Air
Directed by SS Rajamouli and starring Jr NTR, Ram Charan, Alia Bhatt and Ajay Devgn, RRR is all set for a theatrical release on 7th January 2022. However, due to rising Omicron cases in the country, most of the state governments have either ordered the closing of theatres and multiplexes or are considering doing so. Many Bollywood films, including Shahid Kapoor starrer Jersey, has been postponed. However, according to the latest tweet by Trade Analyst Taran Adarsh, SS Rajamouli directed RRR will go ahead with a 7th January 2022 release.
#Xclusiv… BREAKING NEWS… 'RRR' VERY MUCH ON 7 JAN 2022… SS RAJAMOULI OFFICIAL STATEMENT TO ME… No postponement. #SSRajamouli #JrNTR #RamCharan #RRR #RRRMovie #RRRPreReleaseEvent #RoarOfRRRInKerala pic.twitter.com/DmHdvp986U
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) December 29, 2021
Is Sharvari Wagh-Sunny Kaushal The New Couple In Town?
After Bunty Aur Babli 2 actor Sharvari Wagh attended the wedding of Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal, it sparked rumours of the actor dating Vicky Kaushal’s brother and actor Sunny Kaushal. Though both Sharvari and Sunny are often spotted together, Sharvari denied the rumours of her dating Sunny and said that they are just “close friends” While speaking to India.com, Sharvari said: “Sunny and I have worked on The Forgotten Army together. This was four years back. We really became very good friends, and we have stayed friends for over the last four years. Honestly, the rumours are ‘very rumoured’, and I would say these are only ‘rumours’. At the end of the day, when you make such close friends, you can’t shy away (from the bonding). Things coming out as articles don’t mean you would stop living. These are the friends that I have made in the industry, and I had to be there for them,” Apart from Sharvari Wagh, other guests from the Bollywood fraternity, including Kabir Khan and wife Mini Mathur, Malvika Mohanan, Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi were also invited to the Katrina Kaif-Vicky Kaushal intimate wedding.
