New Delhi [India], March 8 (ANI): President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday extended his greetings on the occasion of International Women’s Day and urged all people to take a resolve to promote gender justice and eliminate gender inequality.
“On the occasion of International Women’s Day, greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens. Women in our country are setting new records and achievements in various fields. Let us collectively resolve to promote gender justice and eliminate inequality between women and men,” he tweeted
Each year on March 8, International Women’s Day is observed in order to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day commemorates women, who despite various challenges posed by society have proven their mettle in every sphere across the world. (ANI)

New Delhi [India], March 8 (ANI): Lok Sabha’s Business Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet at 11:30 AM as the second part of the Budget Session of Parliament commences on Monday.
A panel chaired by the Lok Sabha Speaker and comprising of leaders from all political parties, the Business Advisory Committee discusses and decides the issues to be taken up for discussion in the House.
The Rajya Sabha will function from 9 am to 2 pm while Lok Sabha will function between 4 pm to 10 pm. The second part of the session will conclude April 8, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had informed.
The first part of the Budget Session of Parliament, which commenced with the address of President Ram Nath Kovind on January 29, concluded on February 29.
The Union budget was tabled in the Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. (ANI)

New Delhi [India], March 8 (ANI): The Budget Session of the Delhi Assembly is scheduled to commence today with an address by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal.
The Budget Session will be held from March 8 to March 16, 2021.
C Velmurugan, Secretary of the Assembly informed that members are requested to take their seats by 10.45 am.
The list of businesses for Monday includes — obituary references, laying of the copy of Hindi and English version of the Lieutenant Governor’s Address on the table of the House by the secretary of Legislative Assembly.
Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi will present the Economic Survey of Delhi (2020-2021). He will also present the status report of outcome Budget 2020-21 (up to December 31, December 2020), according to the list of businesses shared by Velmurugan.
The Budget Session will be held while adhering to Covid-19 norms and guidelines. (ANI)

New Delhi [India], March 8 (ANI): The second part of the Budget session of Parliament will commence from Monday with all COVID-19 precautionary measures in place.
The Rajya Sabha will function from 9 am to 2 pm while Lok Sabha will function between 4 pm to 10 pm. The second part of the session will conclude April 8, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had informed.
The Budget Session of Parliament, which commenced with the address of President Ram Nath Kovind on January 29, concluded on February 29. The Union budget was tabled in the Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1.
The Lok Sabha clocked 99.5 per cent productivity during the first phase of the two-part Budget session of Parliament, Lok Sabha Secretariat said. Birla informed that during the first part of the Budget Session 2021, Lok Sabha sat for 49 hours and 17 minutes against the stipulated time of 50 hours.
“The Discussion on the Motion of Thanks on President’s Address took place for 16 hours and 39 minutes and 130 Members participated in the Discussion. Whereas 10 hours was allocated for General Discussion on Union Budget 2021-2022, the House debated for 14 hours and 40 minutes.
As many as 117 Members took part in the General Discussion on Union Budget 2021-2022. 173 Members participated in Zero Hour discussions. Several matters of urgent public importance were raised by the Members during Zero Hour. House lost an effective time of 43 minutes due to disruptions,” he said.
A total of 49 women MPs participated in the discussion on Motion of Thanks on President’s Address and Budget, said the Lok Sabha Speaker, and appreciated their enthusiasm and participation in House proceedings.
A vaccination centre for MPs has also been set up inside the Parliament complex.
“For the welfare of Members of Parliament, a COVID-19 vaccination centre has been set up at the Parliament House Medical Centre from Tuesday, March 9,” said a Lok Sabha bulletin said, adding that vaccination is voluntary.
In accordance with the prioritisation guidelines by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGAVAC), Members of Parliament above 60 years of age are eligible to get vaccinated in the current phase of the nationwide vaccination campaign.
Persons aged above 45 years, who have comorbidities, are also eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
According to parliamentary data, 36 per cent of Lok Sabha MPs and 62 per cent of Rajya Sabha MPs are above 60 years of age.
The vaccine will be administered on all working days by trained health care workers. Family members of the MPs too will get vaccines.
“Two vaccination centres have also been set up for the family members of MPs, one at CGHS Dispensary North Avenue and the other at CGHS Dispensary South Avenue. Members can undertake vaccination in their respective constituency also,” the bulletin said. (ANI)

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 8 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Hitesh Chandra Awasthi has expressed displeasure for not receiving information about the exact number of policemen who had succumbed to the coronavirus pandemic in the state.
In a letter to all the UP superintendents of police and police commissioners, Awasthi said, “It seems that the district in-charges are not taking any personal interest in the matter, due to which the families of the deceased policemen are not getting the funds.”
“Strict action will be taken if there will be any variation in the information,” he added. (ANI)

Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], March 8 (ANI): Bhagyashree, an Indore-based social worker, who looks after rehabilitation of homeless and helpless elderly suffering from serious diseases and cremation of the dead lying on the road, is an example not only for women but for the whole society.
She is currently pursuing a PhD in Archaeology.
“I was inspired by the works of Amarjit Singh Sudan, also called ‘Father Teresa’ of Indore,” said Bhagyashree Kharkhadia speaking to ANI.
“I worked with him for five years. Sudan helped such helpless and destitute people for years. He died last year. I am only taking forward the work done by him. After the lockdown eased up, I am now helping the hapless people living on the streets. Along with their rehabilitation and treatment, I also take care of funerals upon their deaths,” Bhagyashree added.
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She calls her father, Brajmohan Lodetiya, and husband, Naveen Kharkhadia, as two pillars of her strength.
Bhagyashree has been working all through COVID-19 pandemic. She, however, remains worried about her two-year-old son.
“Many people contact me on the phone. Among these were the elderly who I found in front of state’s largest government MY hospital. They had insects all over their bodies. I took them to Jyoti Niwas Ashram,” she said.
She wants to give a message to society to assist her in helping the destitute.
Naveen Kharkhadia, Bhagyashree’s husband, is a railway employee. He not only chips in with his salary in his wife’s work but also helps in her work after returning from his job.
“Bhagyashree’s intentions inspire me. I help her in her work. On holidays, I join them and I also incur expenses from my salary. We leave our child with his grandmother,” Naveen said.
Sohan Kalyane, a worker at the crematorium, said, “When an unclaimed or damaged mutilated body comes, we call Bhagyashree and she performs the last rites. We are proud of her.”
Another employee, Bablu Kuril, said, “Ma’am herself brings them in an ambulance and cremates them with the entire legal procedure, including the expenses incurred in the funeral. Sometimes, three to four dead bodies come in a day.” (ANI)