The next phase of India’s vaccination drive will begin today in which the Centre will provide free Covid vaccines to everyone above 18 years of age. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced on the 7th of this month that the Centre will buy 75 percent of the total production of the vaccine producers and provide to the states free of cost. No state government will have to spend anything on vaccines.
Mr. Modi had informed in his address to the nation that the system of 25 percent vaccines being procured directly by the private hospitals will continue. State governments will monitor that only 150 rupees service charge is levied by the private hospitals over the decided price of the vaccines.
The move is aimed at strengthening and further ramping up the Covid-19 vaccination drive in the country. An early estimate suggests that the new policy will cost the Centre over 15 thousand crore rupees more than its previously allocated 35 thousand crore rupees for the Vaccination program in the current financial year. The Centre will also pay the GST of 5 percent on the vaccines procured. Till now, crores of people got free vaccines. From today, all adults above the age group of 18 in the country will get free vaccination at all government facilities.
In Uttar Pradesh, more relaxation in covid restrictions will be implemented from today in the state. Malls, restaurants, and other shopping complexes will open from today but strict adherence to the covid protocol will be a must.
Now 50 persons can attend the marriage functions and religious programs at a given time in the state with strict adherence to the covid protocol. shopping malls and restaurants will be allowed to operate with 50% capacity on weekdays till 9 pm. Other standalone shops and market complexes can also remain open for five days a week now. The government has made it very clear that covid help desks and pulse oximeters will be a must at the entry gates of Malls restaurants or any gathering. vegetable and fruit markets that are in the congested areas will be shifted to open areas and it will be the administration’s responsibility to maintain the social distance there.
The relaxations in COVID restrictions in Delhi have been further extended till 5 AM of 28th June. Delhi Disaster Management Authority announced further easing of restrictions that were imposed during the second wave of COVID 19. Public parks, gardens, golf clubs, and outdoor yoga activities will be allowed from today.
The government has decided to grant two more hours of relaxation in the statewide night curfew that currently remains imposed in all its 75 districts. Now shops in the state can open from 7 am in the morning to 9 pm in the evening. Night curfew will now be imposed from 9 pm in the evening across the state.
As per the guidelines, all markets, market complexes, and malls will be open from 10 AM to 8 PM. Restaurants have been allowed up to 50 percent of the seating capacity from 8 AM to 10 PM and bars from 12 PM to 10 PM.
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had announced on Friday relaxations in lockdown norms in 16 districts of the state where the Covid Positivity rate is below five percent. These relaxations will be effective from today and remain so till July 5th. In the remaining fourteen districts with over five percent positivity rate, the lockdown norms will continue as before.
Vishal Sharma is a renowned Indian journalist, cyber security expert, social activist, and poet, better known in literary circles as Surur Akbarabadi. Journalism is his first love, through which he has captured the pulse of society and pursued an unwavering commitment to truth. He divides his time between Agra—his ancestral home, famed for the Taj Mahal and Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb—and Lucknow, the cultural capital of Uttar Pradesh, where he lives as a devoted husband and doting father. His personal life, filled with love and care for his family, anchors his relentless efforts for societal good.
Vishal’s academic path reflects his versatility: a B.Sc. degree sharpened his scientific rigor, while an LL.B. equipped him with a legal perspective. His journalistic career is illustrious, having worked with prominent publications such as The Indian Express, The Pioneer, Indo-American Times, and Business Standard, where he mastered the art of weaving facts into compelling narratives. As Managing Editor of Indian Talent Magazine, he nurtured emerging voices, and today, he runs Agra24.in, a news portal that keeps Agra’s heartbeat alive online, while also serving on the editorial boards of several other digital platforms, amplifying stories that matter.
Poetry is Vishal’s close second love, expressed under his pseudonym Surur Akbarabadi—a blend of "joy" and a tribute to Agra’s rich legacy. Inspired by Urdu giants like Ghalib, Faiz, and Nazir Akbarabadi, his verses, such as "विरासत-ए-ज़फ़र का ये अंजाम देखिए" and "खामोशियों का शोर," fuse personal reflection with societal critique, offering both solace and commentary. His prose is equally powerful, spanning environmental concerns, political satire, and calls for unity, resonating widely on platforms like X.
Vishal’s dedication to society shines through his diverse roles. As Vice-Chairman of Hindustani Biradari, he champions communal harmony, countering divisive narratives with appeals for peace. As Secretary of the Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber, he strengthens the city’s tourism ecosystem, ensuring its heritage—tangible and intangible—thrives. His work on Agra’s Heritage and History Conservation Committee reflects his commitment to preserving the city’s past, from Mughal marvels to forgotten tales, while his active role in civil society amplifies grassroots concerns.
A Cyber Security Consultant by profession, Vishal safeguards digital frontiers, a role that aligns with his critiques of online toxicity. His editorial oversight of Agra24.in and other portals merges his journalism with tech-savvy insight, delivering real-time updates to a global audience. Whether exposing institutional opacity or celebrating cultural milestones, his pen remains a tool for truth.
A photography and travel enthusiast, Vishal is fond of long drives across the country, capturing India’s diverse landscapes through his lens. He holds a special love for Rajasthan, where the vibrant culture and rugged beauty inspire him, and often unwinds on jungle safaris, with Sariska being his favorite retreat to reconnect with nature. In Lucknow, he balances his public endeavors with a private life of warmth and stability. A devoted husband and doting father, he draws strength from his family, rooting his activism in personal values. From conserving Agra’s heritage to dissecting global economics, Vishal Sharma stands as a modern polymath—a journalist of conscience, a poet of the people, and a guardian of culture and justice, leaving an indelible mark on India’s intellectual and social fabric.
The next phase of India’s vaccination drive will begin today in which the Centre will provide free Covid vaccines to everyone above 18 years of age. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced on the 7th of this month that the Centre will buy 75 percent of the total production of the vaccine producers and provide to the states free of cost. No state government will have to spend anything on vaccines.
