Addressing the nation on Independence Day, the prime minister also spoke on renewable energy and the need to maintain a balance between development and the environment. Referring to the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in January 2019, Modi said, "A special campaign is being worked out to reduce pollution in 100 selected cities with a holistic approach."

Scientists around the world, including in India, suggest it hasn't been tested properly given the time constraint and there may not be enough evidence to prove its efficacy.

Bajaj sold his 18-month-old start-up WhiteHat Jr to Byju Raveendran for $300 million in an all-cash deal - over the video conferencing platform Zoom. The deal is the biggest in the Indian edtech sector by far.

Krina Gindra tells you how to make you feel happy from within.

The results show they induced strong antibody and T-cell immune responses for up to 56 days after they were given. T-cells are crucial for maintaining protection against the virus for years.

'We must not compromise with the standard, the quality. We don't need to be the first to launch a drug but what we need is a Made in India vaccine that the entire world can rely on'

The vaccine candidate, ZyCoV-D, showed a "strong immune response" in animal studies, and the antibodies produced were able to completely neutralise the wild type virus, Zydus said. The 12 institutes have been asked by the ICMR to fast track clinical trials of the vaccine as it is being considered as one of the top priority projects which are being monitored at the topmost level of the government.

Formula One got back on track in changed circumstances on Friday but with Mercedes bringing a familiar look to the timing sheets as six times World champion Lewis Hamilton led team mate Valtteri Bottas one-two in Austrian Grand Prix free practice. The Briton did 41 laps and lapped with a best time of one minute 04.816 seconds in a damp and overcast session, 0.356 faster than the Finn.

Zydus plans to initiate the clinical trials of ZyCoV-D in July 2020 across multiple sites in India. In animal studies the vaccine was found to elicit a strong immune response in multiple animal species like mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits.

News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.

'Right now, politics is operating in a state of suspended animation. That works to Modi's advantage.'

'Bapi's characters looked and spoke like people we know.'

'Wild animals lived in their natural environment.' 'So, viruses could not be communicated.' 'Then came mass production and mass quartering of animals -- whether it be poultry, pigs and cattle -- which gave rise to bird flu, SARS and the mad cow disease.' 'Vast amounts of animal produce are also being flown from one part of the world to another, which has helped to spread the virus.' 'All these changes have led to a new and deadly mutation of the virus that has immobliised human beings.'

'People are already sending congratulatory messages. But I have said, "Please don't until the trials are over".'

'I am most happy about the memes of Thor and me; that was so cool!' 'I showed my wife one where my face was photoshopped on Thor's body.' 'She loves muscles -- she's always keeps telling me to get muscles.' 'I showed her the photo and told her that the muscle guy has been replaced by the artist.'

The researchers found that after being exposed to high levels of the novel coronavirus, none of the six monkeys that were given the vaccine developed viral pneumonia. Also, there was no sign that the vaccine had made the animals more vulnerable.

The statement said that the antibody's development had been completed and that the institute was in the process of patenting the find 'and in the next stage, researchers will approach international companies to produce the antibody on a commercial scale'.

Online learning platforms have become go-to places for those suffocated by the current curbs on movement.

The humans are in trouble. They've been attacked by a Virus. What happens to the animals who depend on them? The Crows? The Dogs? And The Cats? Nitin Sathe's short story set in the times of the coronavirus.

'On January 17, we had our first meeting with the Cabinet secretary.' 'Different secretaries belonging to different departments attended it.' 'It was only two weeks when China had said there is a new disease.' 'So, we gave the quickest response.'

Can Interferon alfa-2b treat COVID-19 effectively?

Sreehari Nair lists some movies, documentaries, recorded-performance films, and literature and music suggestions that might help.

Nimmi, the legendary actress, passed away at her Mumbai home on Wednesday, March 25.

'Nobody can put back and seal what the movement has unleashed -- conversation, awareness and support.'

Hindi lyrics are no bar to the global appeal of his music.

'Scindia's willingness to consort with the BJP, a party he has rightly, and eloquently, excoriated in various speeches and statements in the recent past suggest a shallowness and hollowness of convictions and principles.'

Hindi cinema has not just explored various instances of brute force, but often glorified its misogyny.

For all his titles and incomparable statistics, Ronaldo sometimes appears to have an overbearing presence on a team

From sports to history, Rediff reader Sabyasachi Dutta shares a selection of books for you to add to your reading list in 2020.

As the feisty bulls, one after the other started racing towards the lengthy sporting arena from the entrance, known as 'vadivasal,' young men waiting with bated breath strained every nerve to latch on to the hump of the animals.

Explosives, weighing totally nearly 750 kgs, were used in a controlled manner to bring down the lakeside structures in Maradu, eight months after the apex court ordered their demolition for violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone norms.

10 central trade unions have called a nationwide shutdown against 'anti-worker policies' of the central government. Apart from being successful in Bengal, Kerala and NE states, the bandh has also got support from Cong leader Rahul Gandhi and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra.

Varun Gautam, Irrfan's friend from his Jaipur days, learned about Irrfan's illness when he received a phone call from Sutapa. This was sometime before Irrfan officially announced his illness. He assured her, 'Even if the doctors are concerned, he will still stay alive.'

Sukanya Verma looks at what stood out in a mostly humdrum affair.

Australian sports figures and several international tennis players who arrived in the country for tournaments ahead of the Australian Open have raised funds in support of relief and recovery efforts for victims.

The 77th Annual Golden Globe awards have been announced. There were a few surprises and some expected nods. A quick glance at the winners, listed in bold.

Swarms in about 3,526 hectares of 5,000 hectares under control; farmers burn tyres or dry straw, play loud music and beat steel plates, and use large fans to destroy or drive away the pests, reports Vinay Umarji

'Modi wants to go down in history not necessarily as India's first overtly Hindu RSS pracharak prime minister, but as a world statesman who built the idea of India as a great nation.'

West Indies captain Kieron Pollard lauded his batsmen for putting up a good show but came down hard on the bowlers for failing to defend 200-plus score against India in the first T20 International.

'Animal populations are increasing. Human populations are increasing. So there is no way the man-animal conflict going to go away.'