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New Delhi, Jun 20: As part of measures to check the spread of covid-19, Indian Railways is likely to stop distributing blankets and pillows in trains to AC passengers in coming days and it will make arrangements for sale at stalls on platforms.

The railways already stopped distributing blankets and pillows in 15 pair Special Rajdhani trains and 100 pair of fixed timetabled special trains, which is being operted at present. The system of not distributing blanks and pillows may continue in future once train operations normalise, said the official.

Passengers are encouraged to bring their own blankets and pillows. However same will be made available for purchase at shops so that if passengers want they can buy it, said an official.

The railways also made arrangements to sell sanitisers, masks and gloves at shops. The national transporter also said sale price should not exceed maximum retail price.

As per the Railway Board circular to zonal railways, " Amongst the items which fulfill the needs of travelling public and in keeping with the emphasis for providing safe and hygine travel facilities to passengers, it must be ensured that take away bedrolls kits/items other COVID-19 related protective items such as masks, sanitiser, gloves etc are also made available for sale through multi purpose stalls."

All items should be in good quality and will be sold only at MRP rate, circular said. The railways has also permanently removed curtains inside the AC coaches.

Bengaluru, Jan 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called on young scientists of India to "Innovate, Patent, Produce and Prosper," and said these four steps would lead our country towards faster development. The Prime Minister also stressed on the need to transform the landscape of Indian science, technology and innovation.

"The growth story of India depends on its success in the science and technology sector. There is a need to transform the landscape of Indian science, technology and innovation," Modi said.

Speaking after inaugurating the 107th Session of Indian Science Congress, he said, "My motto for the young scientists in this country is -Innovate, Patent, Produce and Prosper. These four steps will lead our country towards faster development."

"If we innovate we will patent and that in turn will make our production smoother and when we take these products to the people of our country, I'm sure they will prosper," he said, adding that innovation for the people and by the people is the direction of our new India. The Prime Minister also said he was happy to learn that India's ranking has improved in the Global Innovation Index to 52.

"Our programmes have created more technology business incubators in the last five years than in the previous 50 years. I congratulate our scientists for this achievement," he added.