Top news of the day: PM flags off Dandi march to mark 75 years of India’s Independence; Quad summit to focus on ramping up COVID-19 vaccine supplies, and more

The major news headlines of the day, and more.

March 12, 2021 07:27 pm | Updated 07:34 pm IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off the Dandi March in Ahmedabad on March 12, 2021 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off the Dandi March in Ahmedabad on March 12, 2021 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence.

India@75 | PM launches ‘Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav’, flags off Dandi march

Led by Mahatma Gandhi, 78 people had started the Dandi Yatra on March 12, 1930 from Sabarmati Ashram by announcing the ‘Salt Satyagraha’.

First Quad summit to focus on ramping up vaccine supplies

Other outcomes from the meeting will involve commitments on climate action cooperation, critical and emerging technologies , i.e., 5G, and cybersecurity issues, according to senior U.S. administration officials who spoke with reporters on a briefing call hours before the meeting.

Coronavirus | Spike in daily COVID-19 cases, India registers 23,285 new infections

India recorded 23,285 cases of coronavirus infection in a day, the highest in around 78 days, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 1,13,08,846, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on March 12. The death toll increased to 1,58,306 with 117 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 a.m. showed.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2021 | Trinamool Congress submits memorandum to ECI on Nandigram Mamata incident

The party demanded an “immediate, thorough and unbiased investigation” into the incident. To underline their claim that the alleged attack was pre-planned, the party, in the memorandum, listed eight instances.

Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2021 | DMK releases candidate list, Udhayanidhi Stalin to contest from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni

The DMK HAS retained most former Ministers and MLAs in its list of 173 candidates. As many as 187 candidates (including 14 of its allies) will contest on the DMK’s ‘Rising Sun’ symbol.

Kerala Assembly Elections 2021 | CPI(M) expands strategy to capitalise on dissidence in UDF

The CPI(M) has reaped benefits of the dissidence in the UDF to breach what was otherwise strong bastions of the UDF in the region in the past Assembly elections. That strategy is now being extended to Perinthalmanna, Kondotty and Wandoor seats in Malappuram district.

Assam body calls for shutdown of tea estates across State on March 22

The Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association’s shutdown call assumes significance ahead of the first phase of polling on March 27, which covers 47 seats, mostly in the tea-growing areas of eastern Assam.

Supreme Court seeks government response on plea against Places of Worship Act

Certain provisions are against principles of secularism, according to petition.

Justice Indu Malhotra ends 2-year tenure in Supreme Court

Justice Malhotra, in an emotional address, said she was “leaving the court with a great sense of fulfilment”. Justice Malhotra is known for her lone dissenting opinion in the Sabarimala judgment.

Mukesh Ambani home bomb scare | Mobile phone seized from Tihar jail

The recovered phone is suspected to have been used for operating a Telegram channel allegedly used to claim responsibility for terror acts/threats, said Pramod Singh Kushwah, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell).

First Quad Summit | China says ‘exclusive blocs’ should not ‘target third party’

Exchanges and cooperation between nations should contribute to mutual understanding and trust among nations, says Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian.

Sri Lanka’s Opposition Leader slams invite to Myanmar Minister

Sri Lanka’s Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa “vehemently” condemned the Rajapaksa administration’s invitation to the Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin, for a virtual meet of regional body BIMSTEC early April. The invitation “basically legitimised the military takeover”, Mr. Premadasa said, describing the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena’s move as “distasteful and dastardly.”

Retail inflation rises to 5.03% in February

The consumer price index (CPI) based retail inflation was at 4.06% in January.

Industrial production contracts 1.6% in January

Mining output declined 3.7%, while power generation grew 5.5% in January.

Ind vs Eng Twenty20 series | Morgan wins toss, invites India to bat

Opener Rohit Sharma has been rested for the first two games, while pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back in the side along with Shardul Thakur. Left-hander Shikhar Dhawan will open alongside KL Rahul. All-rounder Hardik Pandya will be seen bowling in this five-match series.

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