New Delhi: India saw 43,846 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, the highest single-day rise recorded this year, taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 1,15,99,130, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.
In the 24-hour period, India reported 197 deaths linked to the virus taking the total number of fatalities to 1,59,755.
Maharashtra on Saturday reported over 27,000 daily coronavirus cases for the first time ever. The worst Covid-hit state in the country also logged 92 deaths because of the illness in the last 24 hours.
The state government said in a statement that Maharashtra today reported 27,126 cases, which is its highest single-day count. It had reported 25,833 cases on Thursday - which was the state's previous record - and over 25,600 cases on Friday.
India is witnessing surge in Covid cases amid a countrywide vaccination drive through which over four crore people have been administered anti-Covid vaccine jabs so far.
Here are the updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
Mar 21, 2021 04:52 (IST)
Over 400 J&K Youth Join Indian Army's Light Infantry Regiment After Training
As many as 409 youth of Jammu and Kashmir joined the Indian Army's Light Infantry Regiment on Saturday after the completion of training, reported news agency ANI.
The young soldiers had undergone year long training. They took part in a parade at the Bana Singh Parade Ground of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regimental Centre.
Speaking at the event, Lieutenant General MK Das, Commandant, Officers Training Academy said, "The young soldiers will encourage the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. More youth from the Union Territory will come forward to join the security forces."
Mar 21, 2021 04:00 (IST)
J&K's Historic Badamwari Garden Opens For Visitors From Today
In an attempt to promote tourism and revive traditional cultural activities in Kashmir, the government has announced the opening of the historic Badamwari garden in Srinagar that is witnessing an almond bloom from today, reported news agency ANI.
The garden, located in the foothills of historic Koh-e-Maraan in Srinagar city, is famous for almond bloom and is also known as "Badam Waer".
The tourism department organised pre-opening and colourful cultural programmes at Badamwari on Saturday to announce that the garden will be open for the general public from today.
Mar 21, 2021 03:58 (IST)
IndiGo Hands Over Passenger To Security At Kolkata Airport For Not Wearing Mask On Flight
IndiGo airlines on Saturday said it has handed over a passenger to security on arrival at Kolkata airport for not wearing a face mask despite repeated requests made by the crew on board, reported news agency ANI.
Face masks have been made mandatory in public spaces after the COVID-19 outbreak in March last year.
40,953 new coronavirus cases and 23,653 recoveries were reported, the Union Health Ministry informed on Saturday.
Mar 21, 2021 01:12 (IST)
U'ttarakhand Chief Minister Excluded From Panel Of BJP's 6 Potential Candidates For Salt Bypoll
Uttarakhand BJP on Saturday constituted a panel of six potential candidates for the party's central board to choose from for the by-election to be held in Salt assembly constituency on April 17, excluding Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat, reported news agency PTI.
After a meeting of the state BJP core group in Dehradun, party's state unit president Madan Kaushik told reporters that based on a survey of a three-member committee, formed under the leadership of Cabinet Minister Yashpal Arya for the Salt bypoll, the party has prepared a panel of six names which will be sent to the central leadership on Sunday.
Mar 21, 2021 00:53 (IST)
Adani Group To Reimburse Vaccination Charges Incurred By Employees, Their Families
The Adani Group has said that it will reimburse charges incurred on vaccination against coronavirus by its employees and their families, reported news agency ANI.
"We are pleased to share that we will reimburse vaccination charges for every Adani employee, their spouse and children as well as employees' parents, between now and April 30 2021," Chief Human Resources Officer Vikram Tandon said in a letter.
The letter noted that the government is accelerating the vaccination programme to control the spread of COVID and to minimise the number of cases on account of the pandemic.
Mar 21, 2021 00:50 (IST)
PM Modi To Address Rally In Puducherry On March 30
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a rally in poll-bound Puducherry on March 30, reported news agency ANI. BJP leader R Embalam Selvam told media persons on Saturday that the rally would be held at 4 pm.
The BJP is fighting the election in alliance with the NR Congress and AIADMK. He alleged corruption in the Congress government that was headed by V Narayanasamy. Polling for 30 assembly seats in Puducherry will be held on April 6.
