Covid vaccine: 'India-Russia in communication on Sputnik V, initial info shared'

Agencies

August 25, 2020

Moscow, Aug 25: The Centre said on Tuesday that India and Russia are in communication regarding the Sputnik V vaccine. While some initial information has been shared, detailed information is being awaited by India.

Sputnik V, an adenovirus vector-based vaccine, was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology along with Russian Direct Investment Fund, and was registered on August 11. Talks are underway between India and Russia for collaboration on the vaccine.

Addressing a press conference, Health Ministry Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, "As far as Sputnik V vaccine is concerned, India and Russia are in communication, some initial information has been shared and some detailed information is awaited."

The remarks hold importance as last week, the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev, had said that Russia is looking for a partnership with India to produce the Covid-19 vaccine.

Meanwhile, in India, three vaccines are in advanced stages of trial -- Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR, Serum Institute of India, which has partnered with AstraZeneca for manufacturing the Covid-19 vaccine candidate developed by the University of Oxford, and Zydus Cadila.

"The Serum Institute vaccine is in Phase II and III stages and 1,700 people will be studied. Bharat Biotech has completed Phase I trials and is about to start Phase II trials. Zydus Cadila's Phase I trials have been completed while Phase II is yet to begin," said the Health Ministry.

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IndiGo offers full waiver on cancellations, reschedule requests for bookings between Dec 5 and 15

News Network

December 6,2025

With IndiGo flight disruptions impacting thousands of passengers, the airline on Saturday said that it will offer full waiver on all cancellations/reschedule requests for travel bookings between December 5, 2025 and December 15, 2025.

Earlier in the day, the civil aviation ministry had directed the airline to complete the ticket refund process for the cancelled flights by Sunday evening, as well as ensure baggage separated from the travellers are delivered in the next two days.

In a post on X, titled 'No questions asked', IndiGo wrote, "In response to recent events, all refunds for your cancellations will be processed automatically to your original mode of payment."

"We are deeply sorry for the hardships caused," it further added.

Several passengers, however, complained of not getting full refund as promised by the airline.

Netizens have shared screenchots of getting charged for airline cancellation fee and convenience fee.

"Please tell me why u have did this airline cancellation charges when u say full amount will be refunded (sic)," a user wrote sharing a screenshot of the refund page.

"Well, but you have still debited the convenience charges," wrote another.

Passengers have also raised concerns about the "cancel" option being disabled on the IndiGo app. "First enable the 'Cancel' button on your App & offer full refund on tickets cancelled by customers between the said dates," wrote a user.

A day after the country's largest airline, IndiGo, cancelled more than 1,000 flights and caused disruptions for the fifth day on Saturday, the ministry said that any delay or non-compliance in refund processing will invite immediate regulatory action.

The refund process for all cancelled or disrupted flights must be completed by 8 pm on Sunday, the ministry said in a statement.

"Airlines have also been instructed not to levy any rescheduling charges for passengers whose travel plans were affected by cancellations," it said.

On Saturday, more than 400 flights were cancelled at various airports.

IndiGo has also been instructed to set up dedicated passenger support and refund facilitation cells.

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