In a strong message to China after the killing of at least 20 Indian soldiers in the violent face-off with Chinese troops, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that India wants peace but is capable of giving a befitting reply, if instigated.

His remarks came at the sixth interaction with Chief Ministers, via video conferencing, to discuss the situation emerging post-Unlock 1.0 and plans ahead for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have prayed for the welfare of humanity. We have always worked with neighbouring countries in a friendly way and cooperation. We have always tried that our differences should not turn into disputes. We never provoke anyone. But we can never compromise on country’s integrity and sovereignty. We have always displayed our power in protecting the country’s integrity and sovereignty,” the Prime Minister said.

“I would like to assure the nation that the sacrifice of our soldiers will not be in vain. For us, the unity and sovereignty of the country are most important. And no one can stop protecting our country. India wants peace but it is capable of giving a befitting reply if provoked.

“The country is proud of them as they sacrificed their lives while killing the enemy,” he added.The Prime Minister, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Ministers of 15 States and Union Territories, who are present in the meeting via video-conferencing today, observed a two-minute silence as a tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in the violent face-off.

At least 20 Indian Army personnel, including a Colonel rank officer, had lost their lives in the violent face-off in the Galwan valley area of Ladakh on June 15.

The violent face-off happened in Galwan valley as a result of an attempt by the Chinese troops to “unilaterally change” the status quo during de-escalation in Eastern Ladakh and the situation could have been avoided if the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side, India said on June 16.

Prime Minister Modi has called for an all-party meeting to discuss the situation in the India-China border areas on June 19.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began the second of his two-part video consultations with various chief ministers on the coronavirus crisis today by stressing on the need to increase testing rates and simultaneously scale up existing health infrastructure, as well as offer support to those facing discrimination because they tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The Prime Minister, who will interact with some of the worst-affected states and plan for the way forward after the current phase of lockdown ends on June 30 , also pointed to increasing recovery rates – the number of people who fought off the virus – as a sign that the viral outbreak was being contained.

“We need to strengthen health infrastructure so we can treat every infected patient. The recovery rate is increasing but it is also important to stress on increased testing so we can quickly isolate those infected and treat them,” he said.

There are over 900 COVID-19 testing labs across the country, the Prime Minister said, adding that there were “millions of COVID special beds, thousands of quarantine and isolation centres and adequate oxygen supplies”.

“There is also an emotional aspect of this fight. We also have to make efforts to help people overcome stigma born from fear of infection. The number of people who have recovered is very high and is increasing rapidly. Therefore, if someone has coronavirus, they do not need to panic,” the Prime Minister added.

However, the increase in recovery rates – at 52.79 per cent on Wednesday evening, according to the Health Ministry – comes amid a worrying spike in fresh infections.

India reported 10,794 new cases in the preceding 24 hours, the ministry said this morning, taking the total number of cases past the 3.5 lakh-mark. This is the sixth consecutive day in which over 10,000 cases have been reported.

The surge in cases has been particularly high in national capital Delhi and financial capital Mumbai. Delhi has reported nearly 45,000 cases and Mumbai more than 60,000.

PM admitted that the spread of the virus was unequal.”In some cities, overcrowding, lack of physical distancing, movement of thousands every day… these have made the fight against coronavirus more challenging,” he explained.

The Prime Minister also reminded people to wear face masks when outside and use hand-sanitisers frequently to avoid infection.

Praising states for their role in containing the virus, the Prime Minister said the “discipline shown by the people of the country during the lockdown”, which came into force in March, had prevented exponential growth of the virus.

On Tuesday, the PM met with the leaders of 20 states to discuss the COVID-19 situation and the road ahead. He said that while economic activity would resume as lockdown restrictions are lifted, the pace of resumption would depend on the spread of infection.

He hailed the fight against the virus as the best example of cooperative federalism”.India has reported over 3.54 lakh COVID-19 cases so far, with 11,903 deaths linked to the virus. It is the fourth worst-affected country in the world, with only the United States, Brazil and Russia worse off.

CM KCR announced today that the state has decided to conduct 50,000 tests in the coming week in Hyderabad and surrounding areas. KCR has ordered health officials to conduct the Covid-19 tests in the 50 Assembly segments of Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Vikarabad, Medchel and Sangareddy districts in the next 7 to 10 days.

He stressed that Hyderabad is like the heart of Telangana and keeping its brand-image and more cases being reported from the city compared to other districts, KCR said the government is taking steps on war-footing measures to control the spread in the city.

“In the next ten days as a precautionary measure, 50,000 people from Uppal, LB Nagar, Maheswaram, Ibrahimpatnam, Rajendranagar, Seri Lingampalli, Chevella, Pargi, Vikarabad, Tandoor, Medchel, Malkajgiri, Qutballpur, Kukatpally, Malakpet, Amberpet, Musheerabad, Khairatabad, Jubilee Hills, Sanath Nagar, Nampally, Karawan, Gosha Mahal, Charminar, Chandrayangutta, Yakutpura, Bahadurpura, Secunderabad, Secunderabad Contonment, Patancheru Assembly Constituencies would undergo the Corona detection tests. Utilise the services of the private labs and hospitals in this regard. The officials are going to issue the guidelines for conducting tests and the fee to be collected by the private labs and hospitals,” CM KCR said.

KCR held a high-level review meeting today with Health Minister Etela Rajender, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, CMO Principal Secretary S Narsing Rao, Secretary Rajasekhar Reddy, senior medical officials, medical experts. KCR said the government is permitting private labs to conduct Covid-19 tests.

He also said the government is permitting private hospitals to offer treatment for Covid-19. He however asked the medical and health officials to prepare guidelines and fee structure to be duly followed by the private hospitals, labs without charging higher rates.

CM KCR said asymptomatic Covid-19 patients would be offered home quarantine. He also added that the government is ready to offer treatment to the Corona patients irrespective of the number. He assured that the state government has adequate number of Test Kits, PPE Kits, ventilators, ICU Beds and masks. He asked people to not panic. However, CM KCR has asked people to follow personal hygiene and due precautions to avoid the spread of the pandemic.

T Veena, daughter of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday tied the knot with Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) National President Mohammed Riyas in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram.

The wedding was organised at the Cliff House, Chief Minister’s residence with close friends and family as attendees. Veena works in the IT sector as managing director of Exalogic Solutions Pvt Ltd, a start-up company based in Bengaluru.

While Riyas is the all-India president of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the CPI(M). This is the second marriage of both Riyas and Veena.

Earlier, Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor shared details of the conversation he had with Kerala chief minister in a tweet. “Finally, took the opportunity to convey my blessings for his daughter’s marriage tomorrow. Life must go on amid a pandemic, and “love in the time of COVID” carries a special joy!” he said.

Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon continues to be in the ICU of a private hospital in Lucknow, officials said on Monday.”He is undergoing intensive treatment,” Medanta Hospital Director Dr. Rakesh Kapoor told PTI.

Mr Tandon, 85, was admitted to the hospital on the morning of June 11 with breathing problems, difficulty in urination, and fever.

On Sunday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the hospital and enquired about his health.

Mr. Tandon was kept under the supervision of doctors and his condition improved following the treatment given by experts, the hospital said in its medical bulletin on Sunday. His COVID-19 sample report came out negative at the time of admission, it said.

Last evening, Personal Assistant (PA) of Telangana finance minister Harish Rao was tested positive of the novel Covid-19. He was immediately shifted to Gandhi hospital in Hyderabad and as precautionary, Harish Rao and 51 supporters who are always behind the TRS leaders have undergone the tests.

The TRS leader’s and 17 others results have arrived as negative and rest of the results are awaited. Yet Harish Rao has gone into self-isolation.

At his residence in Siddipet, Harish Rao locked himself in a room and called off all the activities for the day. He is likely to stay indoors for another two weeks which is Telangana government’s norm.

Telangana has reported 164 in the last 24 hours and the total cases count stands at 4484 including that of foreign returnees and migrants.

Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan will meet Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal at 11 am Sunday to review the coronavirus situation in the national capital amid a worrying surge in new cases in recent days.

Members of the SDMA will also attend the meeting, the Home Ministry Office tweeted Saturday evening, adding that Dr Randeep Guleria, Director of AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) and other senior officers would also be present.

On Friday Delhi reported 2,137 new COVID-19 cases – the first time that over 2,000 fresh infections were reported in a 24-hour period in the national capital. The total number of coronavirus cases in Delhi, the third worst-affected state in the country, has crossed 36,000, with 1,214 deaths linked to the virus.

With the Centre doing unlock after nearly 80 days of lockdown, last week temples across the country have opened. From Tirumala to Rameshwaram many renowned shrines after opened the doors for the devotees.

However, the Sabarimala temple in Kerala has been shut down by the Kerala government for the entire month. The Sabarimala temple board, Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) had held talks with Priests of the temple to allow devotees or not. But this meeting did not yield any logical conclusion and there came reports that there are differences between TDB and Priests of the temple.

Kerala government has involved in this matter and asked Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran in look into the issue. After a lot of deliberations, the minister announced that Sabarimala will be closed for the entire month. So far Kerala has reported 2,161 while 19 people have died. As per the government sources over two Lakh, people are under observation.

Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh (BIEAP) will announce AP Inter Result today. The Annual examinations in the state began in March but could not be concluded due to coronavirus outbreak and the remaining papers were finally concluded on June 3.

The board usually released Inter results in April but due to the Covid-19 crisis, the process was delayed this year. The result for Intermediate students in Andhra Pradesh will be released on the board’s official website and result portal. Students would need their hall ticket number to check their result.

Inter Admissions in Andhra Pradesh will be carried out in online mode from this year. The Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh (BIE AP) had notified college management across the state in March this year that from 2020 academic session, admission to intermediate courses will be held through Computerized Automated Student Online Intermediate Admission System.

Students who pass in Intre 1st year will be promoted to Inter 2nd year and students who pass Inter 2nd year will become eligible for admission to degree college.Meanwhile, the Board of Secondary Education Andhra Pradesh (BSEAP) has announced the Class 10 or Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination will be held from July 10 to 17.

With Telangana government cancelling off the tenth standard board exams, everyone was anticipating for Andhra Pradesh government’s decision. There were some rumours on this and to clear the speculations AP Education minister Audimulapu Suresh has come forward.

Speaking to the media, minister Audimulapu said, there is no change in tenth standard exams and they will be held as per rescheduled dates. From July 10th, the exams will go on and we are going to take all the precautionary measures.

About the preparatory works the minister said, we have increased the number of exam centres from 2900 odd to over 4000. Also the seating arrangements will be made following the guidelines. CM Jagan has instructed us to ensure students’ health is high priority than anything else.

The YCP government has cut down the 11 papers to six papers and each paper would carry 100 marks. The exams would conclude on July 15th. But it will be a daunting task for the government to declare the results.

Telangana firebrand leader Revanth Reddy is at it again. Revanth, who is waging war with KCR and KTR, unleashed a new battle as he is fighting against KTR’s Janwada farmhouse. Following a complaint from MP Revanth Reddy who accused KTR of buying a 25 acre site in Osman Sagar catchment area and constructing building flouting rules of Government Order 111 that prohibits permanent structures in the catchment areas, the National Green Tribunal has served notices to KTR and ordered a probe.

While KTR has denied all the accusations and allegations, Revanth Reddy in his latest press conference blasted KTR. Alleging that KTR’s defense is pure lie, he demanded CM KCR to launch a detailed and unbiased probe into the matter.

He asked CM KCR to prove his credibility to Telangana society by ordering a probe into his son’s property. Raising concerns over the probe of municipal officials into Municipal Minister KT Ramarao, Revanth demanded KTR to step down from the post for two months for a fair and unbiased probe.

Meanwhile, Revanth blasted TRS MP Balka Suman and actor Posani Krishna Murali who came in support of minister KTR. Revanth shot back at KTR’s supporters saying that they are a group of “locusts” (Midathala dandu). Revanth alleged that KTR is sending “locusts, brokers and jokers” against him.

Meanwhile, Revanth has thrown a challenge to KTR. “This is a direct challenge. Even if you call me at midnight, I’ll directly come to my 20 guntas in Vattinagulapally. If there’s any sign post or any construction, I myself will demolish it with the help of hoe (paara in Telugu) and JCB,” said Revanth who further asked KTR to take him to Janwada farmhouse from there and find out about his “illegal” construction.

The novel Covid-19 is not sparing the politicians too. BJP’s Jyotiraditya Scindia and his mother are reportedly tested positive of the global pandemic. Though this news is yet to be officially confirmed by the government sources, renowned journalist Rajdeep Sardesai has tweeted about it.

“Breaking now: Not so good news: @JM_Scindia and his mother have tested positive for corona, The former Cong turned BJP leader from MP has been admitted to hospital.. Wish him a speedy recovery!,” wrote Rajdeep.

Scindia and his mother Madhavi Raje Scindia have complained of sore throat and fever, both symptoms of COVID-19. They were reportedly admitted to the Max Hospital at Saket in New Delhi on Monday and their COVID test results are still awaited.

Sometime back Scindia made it to the headlines for quitting Congress and joining BJP. Later he got Rajya Sabha ticket from the saffron party.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday underwent the COVID-19 test after he developed a sore throat and mild fever on Sunday.

At present, the fever of the Aam Aadmi Party convenor has come down and also his throat pain is decreasing. The 51-year-old Delhi Chief Minister on Sunday complained of fever and cancelled all of his meetings thereafter.

According to the Health Ministry, Delhi so far has recorded as many as 29,943 cases of COVID-19. Out of the total, 17712 are currently active in the capital and 11357 have been discharged/cured.A total of 874 have died in Delhi due to lethal infection.

The spread of global infection, covid19, is like never-ending in Telangana and ever since unlock1.0, the state is observing a huge spike in cases. At least 100 plus cases are being reported each day, leaving the locals in extreme panic and fear.

Moreover, the relaxations by the government like the opening of shops and malls made Telangana streets heavily crowded with very few people following social distancing norms.

The Chief Minister KCR has convened an important meeting today on Monday at Pragati Bhavan to review coronavirus cases in GHMC limits. The rumours from sources came in that KCR might reimpose the lockdown in the city with stricter rules, similar to the first and second phases.

After suffering unpleasant results of an action, that is, the unexpected spike in cases after a few relaxations is now leaving the government in thoughts about changing its decision.

However, the clarification on this will be out once KCR holds a press meet and states his decisions. So far, the lockdown may commence once agin after 10 June, but without official confirmation, one needs to see what’s approaching us.

Currently, the state has temples, restaurants, shopping malls, street shops and religious centres opened. Also, the majority of the people when surveyed has shown that they prefer complete lockdown until 30 June, instead of relaxations to avoid the dangers of repercussions.

Arvind Kejriwal has gone into self-quarantine and will take a coronavirus test after complaints of mild fever and a sore throat, Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said today. The Chief Minister has cancelled all his meetings.Mr Kejriwal, 51, had been unwell since Sunday afternoon and hasn’t met anyone since then.

He has isolated himself at his official home in Delhi.AAP leaders and many others tweeted get-well-soon wishes for Mr Kejriwal.”Our beloved Arvind Kejriwal has mild fever and sore throat since yesterday and is on self-isolation on doctors’ advice. Tomorrow he will get a Covid-19 test at 9 am. We all pray for your good health,” posted AAP MLA Jarnail Singh.

“ArvindKejriwal, you are our inspiration and hero – a frontline warrior against coronavirus. You put yourself at risk for the well-being of people of Delhi. As you face a health challenge, our thoughts, wishes and prayers are with you,” tweeted another MLA, Raghav Chaddha, with the hashtag #TakeCareAK.

On Sunday, the Chief Minister addressed a very brief digital press conference at noon to announce a new policy of reserving hospital beds for residents of Delhi. He was seen wearing a mask.

Amid complaints of coronavirus patients or suspected patients being denied hospital beds, Mr Kejriwal declared that hospitals run by the Delhi government and some private hospitals would be reserved only for residents of the capital.

He also said Delhi would reopen its borders, which were sealed in the first place “thinking that our hospitals will be flooded with people from other states”.

Delhi has seen a spurt in COVID-19 cases and over 1,000 new cases daily for the past few days. There are over 27,600 cases in the capital.

In a never before history, the temples across the country were shut for nearly 80 days. In the unlock one, the Centre has permitted for reopening of temples, hotels and others from Monday. This morning temples across the country have opened their doors for devotees.

Tirumala temple which is the biggest in the country too, reopened. However, Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams (TTD) will be not letting outsiders for the next three days. TTD is doing a trial run for the first three days of the darshan with the employees and locals. Probably from the fourth day, the outsiders will be allowed for darshan.

Masks have been made mandatory for all the devotees and thermal screenings are being set up at entry point of queue lines. TTD has made marking of six feet physical distance from one person to another in the queue line. TTD is estimating to allow 500 people per hour for darshan and it would be around 6000 people per day in the fixed timings.

Also TTD has reopened the Alipiri ghat road to Tirumala and the timings of the vehicle moments are from morning 5’o clock to 8:30 PM. TTD has hiked the toll fee of vehicles.

A video of government workers in Puducherry hurriedly throwing the body of a COVID-19 positive man into a pit has caused massive outrage, prompting the administration to order a probe into the incident.

The video shows four men in PPEs moving the lifeless body from an ambulance and literally dumping it into the grave. Less then 30 seconds later one of the men is heard telling a government official that they have “thrown the body” for which the official shows thumbs up in approval.

It also appears that the front line workers ignored a series of COVID protocol while handling the body. The video shows the dead person was merely wrapped with a white cloth and not in a bag as manadated in such cases. The cloth wrapped around the body also opened up as it was dropped exposing the workers to tremendous risk of infection. It is not clear yet if the body was duly embalmed.

Sources in Puducherry told NDTV that the body was of a Chennai resident who had tested positive during his visit.The undignified handling of the COVID patient has led to massive outrage in Puducherry.

“Dignified disposal of dead body is a matter of right. Such an insult to a dead person is an offence under section 500 of Indian Penal Code. The health workers along with those supervisory staff are punishable with penalty for defamation of deceased person,” India Against Corruption said in statement.

Its President, Dr S Anandkumar, called it “Unprofessional disaster management in Puducherry”.Sources in the health department say, the body was handed over to Revenue officials for burial.

Puducherry Collector Arun has ordered a probe. “I’ve issued a memo to the concerned department. It’s very unfortunate. I am enquiring into the issue. Have properly briefed them,” he told NDTV.Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi said show cause notices are being served to the individuals involved.

Not long ago in neigbouring Chennai, the body of a doctor who died after contracting coronavirus was not allowed to be buried. Mob attacked the health workers in the ambulance carrying the body of Dr Simon Hercules forcing his friend to drive the ambulance and bury the doctor himself.

The incident later forced the Tamil Nadu government to bring an ordinance which allowed jail term of upto three years for anyone blocking or attempting to block funerals of coronavirus victims.