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As India achieved the landmark of administering 100 crore COVID vaccine doses today (October 21), several politicians, including PM Narendra Modi, congratulated the medical professionals as well as the countrymen for achieving this remarkable feat. Here's what some of them had to say.

Today, this day of October 21, 2021, has been recorded in history. The nation (India) now has strong armour of 100 crore Covid vaccine doses to combat this biggest pandemic in 100 years. India has crossed the 100 crore vaccine dose mark sometime back.... I express my gratitude to all the vaccine manufacturing companies of the country, workers engaged in vaccine transportation, health sector professionals engaged in vaccine development.

Travellers fully vaccinated and coming from a country with which India has reciprocal arrangements for mutual acceptance of WHO approved COVID-19 vaccines will be allowed to leave the airport and need not undergo home quarantine and testing from October 25, according to the revised guidelines for international arrivals released today.

They will, however, have to produce a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report.

If partially or not vaccinated, the travellers need to undertake measures which include submission of sample for post-arrival COVID-19 test at the point of arrival after which they will be allowed to leave the airport, home quarantine for seven days, re-test on the eighth day of arrival in India and if negative, further self monitor their health for next seven days.

The appoinment of more Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) as data is not being used efficiently; using Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping for decision making to increase the country’s GDP; setting up a national mentoring platform for start-ups — these are part of an action plan prepared by the Centre.

Media reported on Tuesday that the Centre has prepared a comprehensive 60-point action plan following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with secretaries of all departments and ministries on September 18.

From linking birth certificates to citizenship to pushing for jobs while negotiating trade pacts, from promoting a ‘family database design’ to drafting a single environment Act that subsumes all other laws in the sector — the Centre has prepared a comprehensive 60-point action plan following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s marathon meeting with secretaries of all departments and ministries on September 18.

According to the action plan document accessed by an English daily, “There is no proof of citizenship in India. Citizenship may be linked to birth certificate through technology and mainstreamed.”

The COVID-19 Task Force chief V K Paul said on Sunday (October 17, 2021) said that the government will take a final decision on vaccinating children and adolescents against coronavirus on the basis of overall scientific rationale as well as the supply situation of vaccines available for those below 18 years old.

The COVID-19 Task Force chief also cautioned that even though infections are coming down and the second wave is subsiding, it will not be fair now to say that the worst is over since many countries have seen more than two waves.