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-/ - R R ! " # -./0.12 0 3-/ fter Prime Minister ANarendra Modi’s appeal to keep the remaining part of Kumbh Mela symbolic con- '! 2 0 3-/ ! sidering the surging Covid-19 cases, the Juna Akhada he ordeal of Covid-19 test 2 0 3-/ Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Tand quarantine awaits Swami Avdheshanand Giri on thousands of devotees who are ndia added nearly 10 lakh Saturday announced the formal returning home after attending Icases in just seven days end- conclusion of the Maha Kumbh the Maha Kumbh at Haridwar. ing April 17 as the country for the Akhada. As India grapples with a dev- recorded over 2.6 lakh new Panch Dash Nam Juna astating second wave of the Covid-19 infections and a Akhada is the largest of the 13 coronavirus and States impos- record 1,493 deaths during the Akhadas. ing lockdown, several States last 24 hours on Saturday. ! & ! ! !' " $% Swami Avdheshanand Giri !" $% and UTs, including Karnataka, infected will be isolated for 14 The addition of nearly said the remaining Shahi Snan Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, days. 25,000 new cases over the pre- of the Kumbh should be Delhi and Gujarat, have made Maharashtra Minister Anil vious day count amounts to a ity of the State have also com- observed symbolically on April succumbed to the virus during only symbolically. Covid-19 test mandatory for Parab has announced those rise of nearly 10 per cent, plained of a shortage of vac- # &./ 27 and later tweeted that pro- the last two weeks inviting The remaining Snans are to Kumbh returnees. Some States coming into the State from which shows that the growth of cines and shut down several 0101 02 tecting the lives of Indians is both domestic and interna- be observed mainly by the are also keeping the returnees Kumbh Mela will be quaran- Covid-19 has more than dou- vaccination centres. “our first priority”. tional outrage for allowing Bairagi Akhadas. Earlier, the in mandatory quarantine. tined. Nasik district adminis- bled during the last two weeks. Several States have belat- “Considering the rising such massive gathering at the Niranjani Akhada had asked its Thousands of Kumbh vis- tration is also taking necessary Maharashtra, Delhi, edly imposed lockdown restric- threat of Covid-19, we have for- time when the second wave of Sadhus to leave for their respec- itors and hundreds of “sadhus” steps for quarantining those Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat and tion to tackle the surge, but it )*+ * ,*+-) ./,*- *0112 mally immersed the various Covid-19 was spreading like tive destinations on April 17 who attended Kumbh Mela in coming from Madhya Pradesh are registering is too early to see if these are deities invoked for the Kumbh wildfire across the country. considering the Covid surge. Haridwar have tested positive Kumbh. newer peaks and the situation going to work effectively at this ! )* *)- ./)*+12 Mela,” he said. Earlier, addressing the The Anand Akhada had also for the coronavirus disease. Earlier, Brihanmumbai remaining equally grim in the stage on the ground. Earlier in a tweet in Hindi, media here, Giri said the PM supported this view. On Saturday alone, 175 “sad- Municipal Corporation (BMC) rest of the country. Delhi and Maharashtra the PM said, “I prayed that two had telephoned him to enquire A majority of the 48.51 hus” who attended Kumbh mayor Kishori Pednekar The country had 1.52 lakh recorded their biggest single- )*, * 1* ) ./)*1-* 012 ‘Shahi Snan’ have taken place about the Kumbh Mela and the lakh people who took part in Mela have been found infect- claimed on Saturday that the daily cases on April 10 when day rise in coronavirus cases and Kumbh (participation) health of the seers. The PM had the last two royal baths (Shahi ed from coronavirus. devotees returning from the the death count stood at 838. A since the beginning of the pan- ) *0*, should now be kept symbolic. also requested that since the Snan) held on the occasion of Gujarat on Saturday Kumbh Mela will distribute relative comparison shows that demic in January 2020. The This will boost the fight against main Shahi Snans have con- Somwati Amavasya on April 12 declared that all devotees coronavirus like “Prasad” and the death rate is steadily climb- national Capital registered over !! 81 * * this crisis.” cluded, the remaining Kumbh and Mesh Sankranti on April returning to the State from said they should be quaran- ing up vis-a-vis new infec- 24,375 new cases, taking its Later, Modi thanks all the should be observed symboli- 14 were seen openly violating Kumbh Mela will have to tined “at their own cost” on tions. tally to 8,27,998, while ),*,)*)- sants for cooperation with the cally. The Juna Akhada head Covid norms like face masks undergo a mandatory RT-PCR their arrival. Amid the alarming rise in Maharashtra’s count rose to administration and expressed said he would request devotees and social distancing. test before they are allowed to The Madhya Pradesh new infections and deaths, the 3,7,70,707 with 67,123 new ))*+)* his gratitude for their gesture. from across the nation to visit The Kumbh has already enter their respective cities Government has issued order country is battling a paucity of infections. The death count in Thousands of Kumbh vis- Haridwar only in small num- been shortened this year to just and villages. to put those returning from hospital beds, oxygen supply, Delhi rose to 11,960 with 167 * * , itors have tasted Covid-19 pos- bers, adding that the remaining one month from April 1 to 30 Gujarat Chief Minister Kumbh in quarantine or self- ventilators, and life-safe antivi- new fatalities on itives and dozens of seers have Shahi Snan will be observed due to the pandemic. Vijay Rupani said those found isolation. ral drug Remdesivir. A major- Saturday. ! *, * ./,+*1 02 ( & * $% #! ' ()* ' + - # R & " && 2 0 3-/ erming the situation seri- was pre-occupied with West Tous in the national Capital, # Bengal Assembly elections, 2 0 3-/ Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday senior Minister Nawab Malik said, “In the last 24 hours, there ! accused the Modi Government n the wake of increasing have been around 24,000 cases. of meting out “step motherly” Idemand for anti-viral drug A day before, there was around $ ! treatment to the State over the Remdesivir from across the 19,000 cases. So, the tally spiked supply of Remdesivir vials. States, the Centre on Saturday only in a matter of & ! Not to be outdone, urged the injection makers to 24 hours.” Minister of Railways, slash its price considerably. The Delhi Chief Minister ! ! 454/ Commerce & Industry Piyush The Union Health Ministry in said he has spoken to Union Goyal launched a virulent its “Clinical Management Health Minister about the fter a bitter stand-off over attack on Uddhav whom he Protocols for Covid-19” has extreme shortage of oxygen Athe alleged discrimination accused of indulging in “petty recommended the use of beds in Delhi, and added that in the distribution of vaccines, politics” and said “he (the Remdesivir in patients in the Healthcare has reduced the in November last year, the the Maharashtra Government Chief Minister) needs to stop moderate stages of the illness. price of its REMDAC injection Central Government allotted on Saturday flagged the short- his daily dose of shameless pol- According to a statement to 899 from 2,800 earlier. the Delhi Government 4,100 age of liquid medical oxygen itics and take responsibility.” from the Government, the Similarly, Syngene beds at a peak of 8,500 cases, and Remdesivir in the State and Earlier in the day, Uddshav Union Ministry of Chemicals International has cut the price however, this time, they have even threatened to seize the said, “Yesterday evening, I & Fertilisers, Department of of its brand RemWin to 2,450 only provided 1,800 beds, even stocks of Remdesivir from the dialled him (Modi) but I could Pharmaceuticals, NPPA - from 3,950 earlier. after this wave being three exporting firms and supply not speak to him as he was busy Advisor (Costs) NI Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s times more fatal than the pre- + !,( " -.( them to the needy in West Bengal elections.” Chowdhury on Saturday Laboratories has cut the price vious ones. people. Uddhav said he wanted to dis- ordered all pharma compa- of REDYX, which used to cost “Delhi is facing a shortage chain of spiralling coronavirus across Delhi were largely empty residents appeared to have On a day when Chief cuss the issue of shortage of liq- nies to comply with the revised 5,400 earlier to 2,700 now. of oxygen, Remdesivir, and infections got mixed reactions from Saturday morning, as the stayed at home. Minister Uddhav Thackeray uid medical oxygen and norms with immediate and Similarly, Cipla has reduced Tocilizumab, which must be with many stepping out of weekend curfew began in the Police pickets could be charged that he could not Remdesivir injection vials, both retrospective effect. price of its CIPREMI brand to made available by the Central their houses for going to offices city. Apart from essential ser- seen around the city with police speak to Prime Minister live-savers in case of critical Pharmaceutical companies 3,000 from 4,000 earlier. Government for adequate or market places for daily vice providers working in phar- personnel and officials Narendra Modi over the imme- Covid-19 cases. He, however, have reduced the price from 25 Jubilant Generics has cut the treatment of corona patients,” chores in day time, however by macies, grocery shops, hospi- deployed, checking people hav- diate requirement of liquid said the State Government was per cent to up to 68 per cent. price of its remdesivir brand to Kejriwal said. evening there was some sem- tals, some restaurants, police ing valid movement passes medical oxygen and receiving cooperation from the According to the details 3,400 from 4,700 Meanwhile, the weekend blance of lockdown. stations, and banks, a majori- and issuing challan to those not Remdesivir vials as the latter Centre. shared by the NPPA, Cadila earlier. curfew aimed at breaking the Roads, markets and buses ty of the National Capital’s following the guidelines. - & ' ( 0( ) 2 0 3-/ Haryana’s borders amid a surge in Covid-19 cases in the State. aryana Deputy Chief Haryana Chief Minister -/26)72 HMinister Dushyant ML Khattar had also urged ' Chautala on Saturday wrote to farmers and the Centre to he distraught families of Prime Minister Narendra Modi resume talks. TIndian-Americans work- ( urging him to resume talks “I would like to bring to ing at a FedEx facility in the US with the farmers protesting your kind attention that our state of Indiana have expressed !1 . against the Centre’s contro- ‘Annadattas’ are on roads at their anger, fear and anxiety in versial three farm laws at Delhi Delhi border agitating in the aftermath of the latest mass &! borders. respect of newly enacted three shooting incident in the coun- '( .2 -/ Chautala said a team of farm laws of the Central gov- try that killed eight people, three to four Cabinet Ministers ernment. It is a matter of con- including four Sikhs. !" # #$ may restart discussion with cern that such agitation is Brandon Scott Hole, 19, a he Jharkhand High Court Lalu’s lawyer Devarshi the farmers who have been going on for more than a hun- former employee at the facili- Ton Saturday granted bail to Mandal told PTI that they will &'& camping at the Delhi borders dred days,” Chautala wrote in ty in Indianapolis, carried out former Bihar Chief Minister move Special CBI court in for over 100 days. The Deputy the letter. Chautala said he the mass shooting on late and RJD Chief Lalu Prasad in Ranchi after it opens on Chief Minister wrote the letter believes every problem has a Thursday before allegedly com- a fodder scam case involving Monday to seek his release fol- days after State’s Home solution by way of mutual dis- mitting suicide. + ! &&& 23 illegal withdrawal of funds lowing High Court ! ! %&2 + "#$$ % ( ) Minister Anil Vij’s missive to cussions. About 90 per cent of the from Dumka treasury, paving order. * Union Agriculture Minister “The earlier discussion workers at the FedEx delivery his release from jail on com- Explaining the release pro- Narendra Singh Tomar, saying between the Central service facility are said to be Office and Indianapolis and Jaswinder Singh (68). The pletion of half the sentence cedure, Mandal said, they have talks with peasants should be Government and farmers’ Indian-Americans, mostly Metropolitan Police first three deceased are women. period. Lalu is presently being send an application to Lalu for , resumed to resolve the issue. union brought a few solutions from the Sikh Department (IMPD) released Four others were Karli Smith treated at AIIMS, Delhi. his signature which will be Vij had said he was con- to the concerns raised by community. the names of the victims: (19), Samaria Blackwell (19), The court granted bail to submitted to the CBI court here cerned as a large number of Samyukt Morcha,” he wrote in On Friday night, the Amarjeet Johal (66), Jasvinder Matthew R. Alexander (32) Lalu on bail bond of 5 lakh on Monday along with the farmers were sitting on his letter dated April 15. Marion County Coroner’s Kaur (64), Amarjit Skhon (48) and John Weisert (74). and a personal bond of 1 lakh. High Court order. (& "' "&* &( 12 3431
=596=9269 4 : " ! 564 7 8),49 #:,22% ! >65:2<?> : = = ! &! 1! 9 ! Here, the movie pans out through the @4= eyes of youngsters and the terrorist is $9:#6%#$ 3 given a grand go-by, being allowed to visit A !<2 B 2- the screen only in pithy scenes with ##1L = 3!@ B- almost an abstract presence to give the <E.F LG' audience some shape of the orchestrator. 4 An English version of this film is all %:#; %$3 here will always be a debate on set to premiere on Netflix and that 6 ( whether it is appropriate to put out promises to take over in starkness, blood Tmounts of terror attacks and the and gore from Utoya. For now, however, impact it has on the victims. Some Utoya is a powerful story told candidly argue it is #LGL' glorifying the terrorist in some LG' way. Others want documentation. Over and above ( this debate, Utoya is a < ,$!G'! Norwegian < #&GL! ?D mount which , ! < $6 " < /C leaves no stone / - , unturned to look L! ) at the terror , killing on an . otherwise peaceful island of Utoya in A BLACK CAPTAIN Norway = executed by a home grown $9:#6%#$ 3 extreme Right #GL group. It was - Norway’s 26/11 AMERICA? #GL with many left #GL dead quite ( @ without premise. ;2 #5121 6=98016935 09 A “It is the safest 9 * makes an entry — Contessa Valentina Allegra de %:#; %$3 island on Earth, G= Fontaine. Who is she and what is the agenda? Well, ; mom” one of the A !<3 3 2 - 8 maybe we will get to see more of Walker in episode 6. < main 9 9 Meanwhile, Flag Smashers have upped their ante ? protagonists says H # and are preparing for the final count down. Will they , in the opening <E.F succeed? Will the Falcon and Winter Soldier be able sequence of this to prevent Karli from going full guns ahead? Given : film. The that death hangs over Falcon’s head, things will come environs she is hose who have been following the miniseries full circle next time. walking through would know how episode 4 ended — the Shield The only thing missing here is the awe-inspiring ( @ G A are green, serene T— all bloodied. The fallout is felt by the Falcon action. In almost all the episodes, till now, they have , and enchanting and Winter Soldier. The Shield, for now is back with been far between. The series has Falcon, Winter ? which, by the way, is a complete contrast even though the director could be faulted Sam just how Steve Rogers had wanted. So are we Soldier and the now redundant Captain America and to what the film otherwise centres on for what many may perceive as a story looking at yet another Captain America? A Black yet the action is way below on the makers list. That with dogged starkness throwing up the exploiting grim reality to make some Captain America? Like Isaiah Bradley played by Carl boggles the mind and wonders if it has all been saved , real impact of a terror attack and its noise on the small screen. Lumbly says— no self-respecting Black will take up the for episode 6 for the wow factor. aftermath on any population in any part Nevertheless, a gripping tale which job. With John Walker stripped of all his duties and Definitely something that Avengers fans will be * 04 of the world. should get a go by because of subtitles. the title of Captain America, there is a new person who looking forward to. — Shalini Saksena $05%
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P & ! @ A, +),-.##,/0 123R + )45 . @: A ( @ B A,. @(? ?A, 0 - , . @: : A ( @4 )600 # , A - G 0 ( ) C : , What is your role in Kyun Utthe Dil he was an artist who was the one 0 Chhod Aaye? balancing factor between the brothers . , I play Veer, a self-destructive and and the family. Omkara has been a - 0 &! brooding person who is addicted to " special character for me. It earned me a ) alcohol. I am paired opposite Gracy, who lot of love and support from my fans. I , plays Amrit in the show. I will be $ % am grateful for all that. The character will 0 - #& donning a different look. I am extremely & % always be valuable to me. I feel blessed 737. O4 I - C ) excited to be a part of this show and to and lucky and I never thought it would * 0 J work with such a lovely production be so popular. The team, of course, was 0 house. $ % great. We are still like a family. We all 7 - What made you take up the role? have encouraged each other to perform C The show offers beautiful love stories, & at our best and that was visible in the - E D/ , many action scenes and gives a bit of show. knowledge to all the viewers about how How did acting happen? )?@ people’s suffering during the partition. ' I was always passionate about my ( A B @ Earlier the show managed to depict the % career, but getting into this space has been / 4 A B , pain and sorrow of 1947 perfectly. Now difficult, given the fact that the City of * with a leap of four years, the makers are Dreams has a lot to offer but the hard < O : showing the story of the 1951 era and way. I have been a part of endless ) , have planned many new things for the auditions ever since I have come here. I ( C 8L/ viewers. The concept of the show is have even stood in an audition line for ? , /C unique and the overall plot is not only more than 10 hours. This industry has , , interesting, but intense and heart- offered me a platform to project my skills C C / wrenching for me. Other than that, I and I am truly humbled by the fact that / ,< @ /* 2 - E wanted to be a part of the show which today I am getting to do that. My 6 A E stands out from all the other shows I have experience in the industry has been a 4 , done in the past. roller coaster ride with a lot of ups and 0 , 8L0 6 , Did you have any apprehensions? downs, but I have learnt that at the end 4 D - , No, not at all. I knew I was going to of it, it’s all worth it. @ 2 : A / ) C be part of this story post leap. I was Do you have any regrets? ,< I , actually excited for it. With a lot of twists Till date, I don’t regret anything I ?@ C , and turns ahead in the show, this will be have done in life. If I talk about my . A - / a good start for me. journey in the industry, it has been 4 E 0 From Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya to beautiful. None of the characters that I ( , , , C Kyun Utthe Dil... how has the journey have played overlaps each other. We 8L/ , /C , been for you? should not regret anything. After all, we (? ?) It has been a great one. I have been do choose the opportunities that we think ? able to grow and learn so much in every is right at that time. How things will O O ? DM ,/ ) ; role I have played. Every character I unfold is not in anyone’s hands. 2 , , essayed holds a special place in my Regrets just make you sad and I ) , - , 8L) B ,C heart because with each character my don’t want to feel sad for the I / audience and my fans started loving choices that I have made. I have , / / / J)* me more. Not only that, I learnt surely mellowed with time. I G - something from every character I might not do the roles now ) , , 3 , played. Those were not only roles, which I did earlier, but when M , but life lessons. My only goal back then, I was proud of what / , M during all these years has been to I was doing and will always be. ! & I make sure that the audience What is there in the C L 4 )I understands the actions and pipeline? 0 @4 emotions of the characters I My pipeline is full with A - @ 2 A , play. the current show that I am ) CDM Omkara Singh Oberoi was doing. It is my only G a much loved character... priority. I am focused and ,- !( Each show has his trials and would like to be loyal to it. I , J)*C , a story to tell. Ishqbaaaz was believe to make one’s work - I0 ) focused on the story of three stand out one should focus on a L!#' / brothers, and India’s first spin-off was Dil single thing at a time. That is the Boley Oberoi. When it comes to Omkara reason I prefer not to juggle projects.
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0 -.052 authorities also reported 265 Medicity Rudrapur, Sai hospi- patients from Udham Singh tal Haldwani, Brijlal hospital , ! 0! ! reaking all records of num- Nagar, 248 from Nainital, 155 Nainital, SDH Narendra Nagar, Bbers and fatalities the con- from Pauri, 79 from district hospital Chamoli, tagion of novel Coronavirus Rudraprayag, 51 from Almora, District hospital Gopeshwar 0 -.052 Covid curfews will be imposed (Covid-19) has gathered explo- 50 from Tehri, 44 from and HNB Base hospital every Saturday and Sunday. In sive momentum in Champawat, 28 from Chamoli, Srinagar on Saturday. tepping up measures to the rest of the districts, the Uttarakhand. The state health 15 from Bageshwar, 14 from The state now has 15386 Stackle the surge in Covid-19 weekend Covid curfew will be department reported 2757 Uttarkashi and 12 from active patients of the disease. cases, the state government imposed every Sunday. In cases of the disease with 37 Pithoragarh. The senior BJP Dehradun continues to be at has extended the duration of Dehradun district, the gov- casualties. The state now has leader Bachi Singh Rawat was the top of the table of active the night curfew in the state. ernmental and non govern- 121403 (cumulative) cases of airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh on cases of the disease with 6398 From Sunday, the night curfew mental offices related to essen- the disease while the death toll Saturday after his condition patients, Haridwar has 4481, will be imposed in all districts tial services will remain open has mounted to 1856. deteriorated. Nainital 1577, Udham Singh from 9 PM to 5 PM. Further, on Saturday also. Employees of The health department The Sushila Tiwari Nagar 866, Pauri 599, Tehri while weekly Covid curfew industrial units where work is discharged 802 patients from Government Hospital 399, Almora 230, Champawat will be imposed in Dehradun done in shifts, movement of different hospitals of the state Haldwani reported an unprece- and Rudraprayag 219 each, city on Saturday and Sunday, in people and goods for emer- following their recovery from dented number of deaths on Bageshwar 123, Chamoli 110, the other districts the weekly gency operation on national the disease on Saturday. A total Saturday. Here 16 patients of Pithoragarh 87 and Uttarkashi curfew will be imposed every and state highways, those of 101659 patients have recov- Covid-19 were reported dead 78 active cases of Covid-19. Sunday. The weekend curfews involved in loading and ered from the disease in the on Saturday. Three patients In the vaccination drive will continue throughout April. unloading of goods carriage state and the recovery per- each were reported dead at the 40309 people were vaccinated According to the guidelines vehicles, those going to their centage has now dropped fur- Himalayan hospital and in different parts of the state on issued by chief secretary Om destination after deboarding ther to 83.74 and the sample Mahant Indiresh hospital Saturday. In the state 232177 Prakash on Saturday, the night buses, trains and flights, and positivity rate is 3.68 percent. Dehradun on the day. Similarly people have been fully vacci- curfew which was imposed those involved in marriage The provisional state cap- two patients each died at All nated so far as they have first in Dehradun from April 10 functions will be allowed relax- ital Dehradun, Haridwar, India Institute of Medical received both the first and sec- and in the remaining districts ation during the restrictions. Udham Singh Nagar and Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh, ond dose of the vaccine. from April 16 from 10:30 PM Citizens aged above 65 years, Nainital districts are continu- Government Doon Medical The Chief Operations to 5 AM will now be imposed those with comorbidities, preg- ing to reel under an onslaught College (GDMC) hospital Officer (COO) of state Covid- across the state from Sunday nant women and children aged of the disease. In Dehradun Dehradun, Mahant Indiresh 19 control room, Dr Abhishek from 9 PM to 5 AM. In the area below 10 years are advised to behaviour- wearing masks in lic places. Further, all public capacity. All gymnasiums will 1179 cases of the disease were hospital, Military hospital Tripathi said that 606 vaccine under the purview of the remain indoors and venture out public, maintaining social dis- transport vehicles will operate function at 50 per cent capac- reported while 617 new Dehradun and Arihant hospi- sessions were organised in dif- Municipal Corporation of only if necessary. tancing and frequent washing at 50 per cent capacity. Cinema ity while coaching institutes in patients surfaced in Haridwar tal Dehradun. One patient each ferent parts of the state on Dehradun (MCD) in As stated in the earlier of hands will be mandatory for halls, restaurants and bars too all districts will be district on Saturday. The succumbed to the disease at Saturday. Dehradun district, weekend guidelines, Covid appropriate all locals and tourists in all pub- will function at 50 per cent shut down. $ 0 ( 7 , ! *+%%"-
0 -.052 cases, the minister reiterated 0 -.052 that CBNAAT, RT-PCR and aking cognisance of the TrueNat tests will be manda- he experts of the All India Tsurging Covid-19 cases tory for all coming from other TInstitute of Medical including that of the new strain states to the Kumbh and Char Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh across the nation, the State’s Dham Yatra. He said, “We wel- have warned that the virus of Tourism and Culture minister come the Sadhus who want to Covid-19 during the second Satpal Maharaaz has said that observe the complete Kumbh wave of the pandemic is five CBNAAT, RT-PCR and as per tradition. However, I times more infectious than the TrueNat tests are mandatory would like to stress here that first wave. The director of the for devotees coming from other the Covid regulations should be AIIMS Rishikesh Dr Ravikant states to the Kumbh Mela in followed during the Snans to be said that the strain of the virus Haridwar and the Char Dham held on April 27 and 30 in the has undergone mutation. He Yatra. The minister has also Kumbh.” He further said that added that the patients are not requested all to get vaccinated. the Snan of the Dev Dolis in the getting enough time for treat- Maharaaz said that devo- Kumbh will be held on the des- ment as the initial symptoms tees coming to the Kumbh or ignated date with observance of fully prepared for the Char be granted after the different are not clearly visible. The Char Dham Yatra should fol- the Covid regulations. Dham Yatra. In addition to necessary tests. Pilgrims will be AIIMS director stated that the were infected with the virus last feeling of chest pressure, diffi- than the last time. low all the Covid guidelines Maharaaz said that he had observance of Covid regula- allowed to undertake the Char new virus is so deadly that it is year. culty in waking, diarrhoea and It is pertinent to mention including the wearing of masks talked to the chief minister tions, three different Covid Dham Yatra as per the fixed able to infect people at a speed “We should not get afraid general feeling of weakness. here that in the last two weeks and maintaining social dis- Tirath Singh Rawat regarding tests have also been made capacity, he added. It is perti- of about five times more than but take measures to prevent People above 45 years should the number of Covid-19 tancing while observing reli- this, adding that wearing of mandatory. Any person com- nent to mention here that the first wave . the infection from spreading. get Covid-19 vaccine,’’ she said. patients admitted in the AIIMS gious traditions. Welcoming masks, observing social dis- ing from another state will Gangotri and Yamunotri will The Head of Department The person infected with the Dr Saxena said that accord- Rishikesh have shown a sudden Prime Minister Narendra tancing and use of sanitisers have to get these tests done be reopened to the public on (HOD) of the CFM new virus can show symp- ing to recent research done at increase. On April 1 the hos- Modi’s appeal to observe the will be mandatory on this mandatorily. Online registra- May 14, Kedarnath will be Department, Vartika Saxena toms such as fever, dry cough, the Imperial College, London, pital had 16 Covid-19 patients Kumbh Mela symbolically con- occasion. The minister averred tion will be done for the Char reopened on May 17 and said that the second wave is headache, muscle pain, short- the new strain of Covid is 40 to which have increased to 199 on sidering the surge in Covid-19 that the state government is Dham Yatra and approval will Badrinath on May 18. more deadly for people who ness of breath, chest pain, and 70 percent more contagious April 17. ( .
0 -.052 commission in the campaign would mainly interact with against substance abuse. Negi parents as they are the ones he State Commission for said, “We had already made a who influence children the TProtection of Child Rights plan according to which we most,” informed Negi. She said (SCPCR) of Uttarakhand will were preparing for the cam- that along with psychologists, conduct a campaign against paign in Dehradun. It is true the commission would also substance abuse among the that the recent surge in covid include youths, social activists children in Dehradun even cases has slightly affected our and prominent organisations amid the recent surge in Covid- plans of running the campaign like Rashtriya Swayamsevak 19. According to the chairper- against the substance abuse Sangh (RSS) that would work son of the commission, Usha but it would not lead to its can- to raise awareness against the Negi, substance abuse is one of cellation,” asserted Negi. The issue of substance abuse in the major issues in the State SCPCR chief said that Covid- society. She disclosed that the and the child commission is 19 appears to become a part of commission will soon start committed to work against our life and crucial works can- this campaign in Dehradun. this issue in coordination with not be cancelled or postponed Meanwhile, Negi also disclosed all the departments concerned. every time because of it. “We that she would soon visit chil- She said that several organisa- would execute our plan of run- dren homes and orphanages tions, activists and associa- ning the campaign with some across the State too for inspec- tions have come forward and minor changes while following tion while following the Covid- expressed their wish to join the all the Covid-19 guidelines. We 19 guidelines. $ ! " , & L+ ! 9! ; <
(44O favour of a limited Kumbh to gious event is organ- : minimise the chances of the ised after a gap of 12 = 4 event becoming a super spread- years. He however ) . er of Covid-19. Though his stressed that Covid-19 stand had annoyed some sec- protocol would be fol- 21 : tions of the religious fraternity lowed and authori- but the government during his ties would enforce a 8 ( 4) ward incident was reported ' ! tenure was firm on giving pri- safe Kumbh. The and the polling was by and 0 -.052 ority to safety over the religious change in the plan ) . ,- large peaceful. sentiments. It should be recalled also created confu- . 4 After the end of the voting he appeal of the Prime that in the first week of sion among the 0 -.052 on Saturday all eyes are now on TMinister Narendra Modi February when the signs of sec- organisers. On the : May 2 when the EVMs would for a symbolic Kumbh in ond wave of Covid-19 were intervention of he former chief minister be opened for counting. Haridwar in the wake of grim clearly visible in some states, the Uttarakhand High TTrivendra Singh Rawat has 0 -.052 The by-election is necessi- situation of pandemic of Uttarakhand government had Court (HC) which said that the focus should be on tated due to the death of the Covid-19 has not only high- made plans to put a cap on ordered that the neg- protection of people from the he fate of the candidates in BJP MLA Surendra Singh lighted the failure of authorities number of devotees for the ative RT-PCR test contagion of Tthe crucial assembly by- Jeena. The Congress party has concerned in ensuring a safe Kumbh. The chief secretary report should be Covid-19. elections of Salt in Almora fielded Ganga Pancholi from Kumbh but also vindicated the Om Prakash had even request- mandatory for the When asked to comment district was sealed in the EVMs the seat who had given a tough stand taken by former chief ed the Indian Railways not to pilgrims, the admin- on tweet of PM Modi, the for- on Saturday after the end of fight to Jeena in the election of minister Trivendra Singh run any special trains for the istration made preparation of momentum. Many saints This figure bounced to 149 on mer CM Trivendra Singh polling. Being held under the 2017. In an attempt to garner Rawat on the manner in which event. The state government checking the borders. The HC including the President of April 1 and climbed to 613 on Rawat told The Pioneer that the contagion of Covid-19 which is sympathy of voters the BJP has the grand event should be had taken a stand that pilgrims also directed that the authori- Akhil Bharatiya Akhada April 15, a day after the Shahi PM’s concern is about the safe- increasingly getting intense, fielded Mahesh Jeena who is organised. The experts believe would be allowed to enter ties should ensure at least Parishad (ABAP) Swami Snan of Baisakhi. ty of the people from 43.28 percent voters had cast the elder brother of Late that a change in strategy on the Haridwar only on production of 50,000 Covid-19 tests daily on Narendra Giri became positive The founder of the Social Covid-19. their franchise till 5 pm on the Surendra Singh Jeena from organisation of the Kumbh a negative report of RT-PCR the borders during the Kumbh, for the disease during their stay Development for Communities “We cannot eliminate the day. The assembly has a 95000 Salt. Though the result of the with the change of chief min- test. This plan of action for a however this figure was not in Kumbh. The data of the (SDC) foundation, Anoop disease but can slow down the strong electorate. By-election would have no ister last month also created a limited Kumbh got changed achieved by the Mela authori- state health department clear- Nautiyal said, “The fact that PM contagion so that there is less The district magistrate of impact in the assembly where situation of confusion among with the change of chief min- ties. ly show that the number of had to make an appeal to curtail stress on our health infra- Almora and district election the BJP enjoys an overwhelm- the Kumbh Mela authorities ister. Immediately after assum- With the advent of Kumbh cases of Covid-19 in Haridwar Kumbh vindicates that the state structure. We are witnessing officer Nitin Bhadoria and ing majority, the prestige of which also resulted in late and ing charge, the new chief min- which saw congregation of with the progress of Kumbh. government and Kumbh Mela increase in number of the Senior Superintendent of police chief minister Tirath Singh faulty planning and its imple- ister Tirath Singh Rawat about 50 Lakh pilgrims on On March 31, a day before authorities failed in ensuring a patients in different hospitals. (SSP) of Almora Pankaj Bhatt Rawat, former CM Harish mentation. announced that there would be two Shahi Snans on April 12 the Kumbh started the state safe Kumbh. Their claims of Our focus should be on pre- visited several polling booths Rawat and newly appointed It is well known fact that no unnecessary restrictions on and 14 the contagion of the health department reported making adequate pandemic safe- vention of the disease,’’ he and gave necessary directions state chief of BJP Madan the former CM was in the the pilgrims as the mega reli- Covid-19 also gathered only 70 cases of the disease. ty preparations have fallen flat.’’ said. to the officials. No major unto- Kaushik is at stake here. (& "' "&* &( 12 3431 )
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respectively. highest number of fresh cases With two deaths, so far, 410 $L47. 0 0 Among the latest deaths, at 835, followed by 790 in SAS people have died from the five each were from Faridabad Nagar, 449 in Jalandhar, 372 in infection in the union territo- -20/6.- and Panipat, three were from Patiala and 352 in Amritsar. Of ry, according to a medical bul- -20/6.- Balachaur mandis, the Hisar, Karnal, Rohtak and two the latest fatalities, 10 were letin. The number of active Secretary clarified that there is here was no let-up in the each from Gurugram, Ambala, reported from SAS Nagar, cases stood at 3414. A total of unjab Government on no shortage of Bardana and TCovid-19 surge in Haryana Panchkula, Palwal and Jind. seven from Patiala, six each 438 patients were discharged PSaturday said that 29.65 state has sufficient stock and on Saturday as the State report- One each from Fatehabad, were reported from Amritsar, after they recovered from the LMT of Wheat has arrived so need now worry about it. He ed a record 7717 new cases of Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra Ludhiana and Gurudaspur; infection, taking the number of far in mandis across the State also assured that the the disease which took its districts. four each from Tarn Taran cured persons to 29,485. A of which 25.61 LMT i.e 86.37 Government was fully com- cumulative infection tally to The number of active and Bathinda. total of 3,58,865 samples have per cent has been procured mitted to procure every single 3,49,794. Covid-19 cases in Haryana A total of 2615 coron- been taken for testing so far. within a period of just one grain the farmers produce in Thirty two more fatalities stands at 38558. So far, 3,07,850 avirus patients were discharged week from April 10 despite the these difficult times. due to the viral disease were people have recovered from the after they recovered from the 12 DEATHS, 1,392 NEW challenging task amid Covid- Emphasizing the need to reported in the State in a span disease, and the state has a infection, taking the total num- CASES IN HIMACHAL 19 pandemic. strictly adhere to the health of 24 hours, pushing its over- recovery rate of 88.01 per cent, for employees’ attendance are surged to a record high of 4498 ber of cured persons to The COVID-19 death toll Expressing satisfaction protocol especially the social all death toll to 3,386, accord- the bulletin said. to be prepared by divisional on Saturday, taking the State’s 2,54,805. So far, 65,61, 028 in Himachal Pradesh rose to over the ongoing wheat pro- distancing, Bhagat appealed to ing to a health department bul- Amid rising COVID-19 and wing heads and if required, cumulative tally to 2,95,138, samples have been collected for 1,167 on Saturday with 12 curement operations and all the stakeholders to comply letin. cases in the State, the Haryana they can call for more than 50 according to a medical bulletin. testing in the state, it added. more fatalities, while 1,392 arrangements put in place to with these preventive mea- Of the fresh cases, government has decided to per cent physical attendance on The state’s previous biggest new cases took the infection facilitate all stakeholders, the sures for their health and safe- Gurugram, the worst-hit dis- allow officials equal to the administrative grounds. jump of 4333 Covid-19 cases 431 CASES, 2 DEATHS IN count to 75,587, an official said. Secretary Mandi Board and ty. Divulging details about the trict in the state, accounted for rank of under secretary or Officials who do not attend was reported on April 15 while CHANDIGARH The active cases in the state Director Food & Civil Supplies preventive measures being 2549, its highest single-day below to work from home and office on a particular day will 3,477 cases on April 12. Chandigarh on Saturday climbed to 8,444, the official Ravi Bhagat pointed out that taken in view of coronavirus, spike so far. Among other dis- restrict their physical atten- make themselves available on Punjab’s death toll climbed to reported two deaths and 431 said. district Sanguru is leading in the Secretary said that Punjab tricts that reported a big spike dance in offices to 50 per cent. phone and other electronic 7834 as 64 more people suc- cases of coronavirus, taking the Special Health Secretary terms of Wheat arrival where Mandi Board has also made are Faridabad (987), Karnal A letter in this regard has been means of communication at all cumbed to the disease, the infection count to 33,309 in the Nipun Jindal said three people 4.76 LMT of Wheat had arrived elaborate arrangements to (477), Sonipat (646), Panchkula issued by the Chief Secretary’s times from their residence and bulletin said. The number of joint capital of Punjab and each died in Shimla and in the mandis, followed by strictly observe health protocol. (349), Hisar (507), Ambala office. work from home, it said. active cases increased to 32499. Haryana. It had on Friday Kangra, two in Solan and one Patiala and Mansa with 3.87 By providing 10,000 masks (173), Kurukshetra (201) and Officers of the level of There are 46 critical patients recorded 481 Covid-19 cases, each in Sirmaur, Mandi, Kullu LMT and 2.32 LMT respec- (N-95) and 10,000 bottles of Sirsa (231), the bulletin said. deputy secretary, equivalent PUNJAB REPORTS HIGH- who are on ventilator support the highest single-day since and Lahaul-Spiti districts. tively. He said that the target- sanitizers to its 5600 offi- On Friday and Wednesday, and above are to attend offices EST SINGLE-DAY SPIKE OF while 401 are on oxygen sup- global pandemic struck. Last Meanwhile, 647 people recov- ed procurement of Wheat in cials/staff so as to ensure the State had recorded 6277 on a regular basis, it said. 4498 CASES, 64 MORE DIE port, it said. year, on September 13, ered from the disease in the the state is 130 LMT during smooth and hassle free pro- and 5858 coronavirus cases According to the order, rosters Punjab’s daily Covid-19 cases Ludhiana reported the Chandigarh logged 449 cases. past 24 hours, he added. ongoing Rabi Marketing curement of wheat in difficult Season. He said that 5.74 lakh phase due to COVID-19 pan- passes have already been given demic. Mandi Board also to farmers through Arthiyas by arranged another one lakh Mandi Board and various masks and 35,000 liters sani- Market Committees in view of tizers for providing to the the staggered movement of farmers during their arrival in wheat due to Covid-19. purchase centres. Regarding the problems faced by farmers and delay of crop SAD ASKS PUNJAB GOVT payment, Bhagat pointed out TO REMOVE HURDLES IN that the DBT system had been WHEAT PURCHASE introduced for the first time The Shiromani Akali Dal from this season, adding that (SAD) on Saturday said the there were some teething prob- Congress-led government in lems due to some technical Punjab must remove “hurdles” issues, which were being in wheat procurement or else resolved at the earliest by the it would hold state-wide Food and Civil Supplies protests. Department on priority so that Even though wheat pro- this system to be made more curement started 10 days late, it streamline and also to ensure was further delayed due to “lack timely payment to the farmers. of preparedness” on the part of The Secretary Mandi the state government, SAD Board today visited the Mandis leader Prem Singh Chandumajra of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar said in a statement issued here. district to take stock of the He claimed that “severe shortage” ongoing procurement opera- of gunny bags was set to lead to tions. During interacting with a glut in mandis (agricultural various stakeholders in the markets) which are already fac- ( !& + 0 && &! " 5 !"! !" $" Rahon, Nawanshahar and ing labour problems. (& > ?5 0 <5 & -/43 Thakur said that the indus- must be asked to be prepared HOLDERS AT TRADE CEN- -20/6.- ment and farmers’ union trialists of Kala Amb and as their services may be TRE BADDI brought a few solutions to the imachal Pradesh Chief Poanta Sahib areas must be required in case of any even- The State Government is aryana Deputy Chief concerns raised by Samyukt HMinister Jai Ram Thakur asked to ensure that the work- tuality. making all out efforts to check HMinister Dushyant Morcha. “In this regard, a team on Saturday said over 90 per ers in their units strictly follow Deputy Commissioner the spread of coronavirus by Chautala has written to Prime consisting of three to four cent of the Covid patients are the SoPs and guidelines issued Sirmour R.K. Pruthi, partici- educating the people to take Minister Narendra Modi and senior cabinet ministers may under home isolation in the by the State Government to pating in the meeting virtual- preventive measures by wear- urged him to resume talks lead the delegation for resum- state. check the spread of this virus. ly from Nahan of Sirmour dis- ing face masks and maintain- with the farmers protesting ing talks with farmers so as to Presiding over a virtual He said that focus should be trict, said that there has been a ing social distancing. Chief the Centre’s three farm laws. bring an amicable conclusion review meeting of Covid-19 sit- laid on contact tracing of the sharp surge in the number of Minister Jai Ram Thakur said In his letter, Chautala said in this issue,” he wrote in his let- uation in Sirmour district from covid-19 positive patients. Covid-19 cases in the district. this while addressing the a team of three to four cabinet ter dated April 15. Nalagarh, he said special thrust He said that this would go He said that out of the total 598 review meeting with the stake- ministers may restart discus- The deputy chief minister must be laid on increasing the a long way in timely detection active cases, about 500 were holders at Trade Centre Baddi sion with the farmers who wrote the letter days after state’s number of tests to detect covid- of covid-19 cases in the State. from industrial areas of Kala in Solan district on Saturday. have been camping at the Delhi home minister Anil Vij’s mis- 19 patients besides strength- He said that oxygenated bed Amb and Poanta Sahib. He said that now the sec- borders for over 100 days. “I sive to Union Agriculture ening the mechanism of home capacity in the district should He has that out of these ond surge in the cases of would like to bring to your kind Minister Narendra Singh isolation in the State. also be increased. He said that trict administration must also Awasthi said that the pace of about 580 patients were under Covid-19 pandemic was more attention that our ‘’Annadattas’’ Tomar, saying talks with peas- He said that doctors must the shopkeepers must also ensure that adequate arrange- vaccination must be increased home isolation. alarming and challenging, are on roads at Delhi border ants should be resumed to ensure proper treatment and ensure to strictly follow ‘No ments be made to meet out the as this was an effective tool to He said that the biggest pointing out that there were agitating in respect of newly resolve the issue. Vij had said regular monitoring of the Mask, No Service’ policy to demand in case of any major protect ourselves from this cause of concern was the only 218 active Covid-19 cases enacted three farm laws of the he was concerned as a large patients under home isolation, check the spread of coron- surge in the cases. virus. He said that adequate increase in the number of cases left in the State on 23rd of Central government. It is a number of farmers were adding that the health depart- avirus. He said that people must doctors, para medical staff and in rural areas, adding that February this year whereas matter of concern that such agi- sitting on Haryana’s borders ment must regularly monitor The Chief Minister said be motivated to use face masks equipment would be provided effective IEC campaign has today this number has crossed tation is going on for more than amid a surge in COVID-19 health parameters of the that the district administration and hand sanitizers and also in all the hospitals in the dis- been launched in the district to 7700 mark. hundred days,” Chautala wrote cases in the state. patients under home isolation. must also ensure the social avoid overcrowding in public trict. He said that adequate educate the people regarding He said that the State has in the letter. Haryana chief minister He said that elected represen- functions such as marriages etc. places and that effective regu- stock of medicines and other precautions to be adopted to reported about 200 deaths dur- Chautala said he believes Manohar Lal Khattar too has tatives of the panchayati raj must strictly follow the maxi- lation of devotees must also be equipment must be ensured by check the spread of this pan- ing the last about 50 days. He every problem has a solution by appealed to the farmers to end institutions must also be mum limit prescribed for such ensured in temples and other the Chief Medical Officers in demic. said that the State has crossed way of mutual discussions. their agitation due to the involved to keep a watch on the events. He said that action, if religious places to avoid over- their respective districts to that 2000 figure of active cases “The earlier discussion increase in the number of health conditions of those required, could be taken against crowding. meet any eventuality. He said CM REVIEWS COVID-19 only in twenty days which was between the central govern- Covid cases in the state. under home isolation. the violators. He said that dis- Secretary Health Amitabh that all the private hospitals SITUATION WITH STAKE- a serious matter of concern. 9 # &./ 4"09<4"0 I2 J " 4
He says that Punjab and ond wave of pandemic? ily members are getting infect- low Covid Appropriate behav- moderate and severe symp- guidelines including ‘Test, contain the peak of the pan- Chandigarh region is now wit- Yes, this region (Punjab ed, including children. Getting iour even after vaccination toms of Covid-19 admitted in Track and Treat’ to stop this demic. We must take precau- nessing peak of the second and Chandigarh) is witnessing a flu shot lessens the risk of because it will take time to PGIMER are below 45 years of emerging peak of the virus. We tions as the cases are on rise wave of covid-19 pandemic. the peak of the second wave of severe influenza (flu) among develop antibodies against the age. A lot of younger patients have scaled up the rate of RT- again. Chandigarh administra- This peak may continue for covid-19 pandemic. This peak adults, including reducing the virus. The priority groups of need intensive care treatment PCR tests, with a special focus tion has taken several steps another couple of weeks. The may continue for another cou- risk of hospitalisation and the population should get vac- and many of them are in their on those areas where positive including shutting down gym- decline of Covid-19 cases in ple of weeks. We may see a admission to the intensive care cinated against Covid-19 dis- 20s or 30s only. The patients are rates are high in Chandigarh. nasium and spa among others this region may witness after decline of Covid-19 cases after unit (ICU), and also decreases ease which will help to protect deteriorating faster than before We are taking all measures to to contain the pandemic. At the mid-May onwards, he adds. mid-May onwards. As much as the severity of illness. We all against this disease and reduce and developing severe illness. ensure that every patient can same time, people must adhere Dr Puri further says that people will continue to adhere must wear face masks, main- the intensity/severity of the The deterioration was slow last get treatment. to the safety protocol like wash- both the vaccines Covishield to Covid appropriate behav- tain social distancing and adopt disease which will further help time as the oxygen saturation ing hands thoroughly with soap and Covaxin are very much iour, the pandemic will be hand hygiene daily otherwise in breaking the chain of the used to dip at a slower pace. Whether any health workers or using sanitizer, wear masks %(:+!!;( ( effective against new variants. contained at the earliest. we will continue to face many Covid-19 transmission. This time, the oxygen satura- of PGIMER are infected to and maintain social distancing. The Covid vaccine reduces more waves of the contagion. tion dips faster as soon as it dips Covid-19? ' -20/6.- severity of illness, even if the How is the second wave of Do you think, Covid-19 cases below 95 if there is lung involve- PGIMER has about 2000 person gets an infection after covid-19 different from the Some people including increased in Chandigarh due ment. Considering the high doctors and 2000 nurses. r GD Puri, Dean taking the vaccine, then it first wave of the pandemic? Chandigarh DGP Sanjay to the UK variant? Which age transmission and faster spread Around 250 health workers of D(Academics) and Head, reduces the chances of hospi- In the first wave of the pan- Beniwal were infected by groups of people are infected of Covid-19 by the UK variant, PGIMER have isolated them- Department of Anaesthesia talisation. The vaccine will demic, the Covid-19 illness covid-19 even after taking more from the UK variant? it is suggested that everyone selves in the last one and half and Intensive Care, Post help to build the herd immu- used to give a time of seven both the doses of the vaccine. Covid- 19 cases surging at should follow Covid months (second wave of the Graduate Institute of Medical nity hence it would help to con- days, and the condition of What would you say? a rate much faster in the second Appropriate Behavior. pandemic). In the first wave of Education and Research tain the pandemic. In an inter- patients used to deteriorate It is early to say anything wave than the first wave in this Covid-19, around 1500 health (PGIMER) on Saturday said view with The Pioneer, Dr GD after the seventh day. This regarding this as the study is region and UK variant could be After a confirmation report of workers were infected to covid- that every second Covid-19 Puri talks about Covid situation time, a lot of younger patients on. Both Covishield and responsible for this faster rate as UK variant among Covid-19 19. We have a sufficient num- infected patient admitted at in Chandigarh after confirma- are deteriorating faster in just Covaxin are very much effec- it was proved by the latest patients in Chandigarh, what ber of health workers to take PGIMER, Chandigarh is below tion report of UK variant as 4-5 days. In the first or second tive against new variants. findings of the PGIMER sam- are the additional arrange- care of the patients admitted 45 years of age. He said the new well as arrangement for Covid- CT scan itself, lung involve- Getting a flu shot decreases the ples sent to National Centre for ments made at PGIMER? here in PGIMER. strain apparently affected 19 and non-Covid-19 patients ment is diagnosed in patients. risk of severe influenza (flu) Diseases Control (NCDC), Only, patients having mod- younger patients and spread at PGIMER, Chandigarh: Patients are complaining with among the people and also the New Delhi. UT and neigh- erate and severe symptoms of Amid a surge in Covid-19 much faster than the earlier Excerpts from the interview: Covid pneumonia, breathless- severity of illness. The vaccine bouring States including Punjab Covid-19 are admitted at Covid cases, Chandigarh adminis- strain. Patients (young) should ness, chest tightness and will help to build the herd had witnessed the first wave of hospital in PGIMER which tration imposed weekend not wait if the baseline The number of Covid-19 abdominal symptoms like diar- immunity hence it would help Covid-19 peak in September has increased its beds for lockdown. Do you think some saturation falls below 94 per cases in Chandigarh is rhoea. The cough is coming to contain the pandemic. Both last year. Currently, this region Covid-19 patients from 200 to more steps should be taken to cent or drops after walking and increasing. How do you read late in these patients and high Covishield and Covaxin are has been witnessing the second 300 out of which 50 are of ICU contain the peak of the immediately report to the new numbers? Is UT now grade fever is there. This strain very much effective against wave of Covid-19 peak. 50 per- beds. We are seriously follow- pandemic? PGIMER, he adds. witnessing the peak of the sec- is highly contagious as all fam- new variants. One should fol- cent of total patients having ing Centre Government’s The need of the hour is to (& "' "&* &( 12 3431 * ; ! ! ! <3
their need of safe transporta- <= & ! tion as indeed their suitable rehabilitation in host as well as home States,” Sonia said. At the meet, she said that O P the Modi government was unprepared in evaluating and managing the crisis. She added that the Congress believed 2 0 3-/ tions. This convoluted “me that fighting the pandemic versus you” debate is childish was national challenge and aintaining that India has and totally unnecessary,” she that it should be kept above Mbeen caught off guard in added. party politics. She said that the 2 0 3-/ its fight against the deadly Sonia said Goods and government did not listen to coronavirus once again despite Services Tax (GST) on all constructive suggestions made rappling with the surge in @" & having a year to prepare, Narendra Modi after her meet- equipment, instruments, med- by the Opposition on the man- GCovid-19 cases, various Congress president Sonia ing with chief ministers of icines and support required to agement of the pandemic, and States in a meeting with the Gandhi on Saturday urged the Congress-ruled states to take a prevent and treat Covid-19 that Union ministers attacked Centre on Saturday highlight- & ! !!0 Government to ramp up its jibe at the Centre. should be made free. “It is a leaders of opposition for giv- ed the shortage of oxygen strategy to tackle the menace Both Sonia and Rahul ear- matter of grave concern that ing suggestions. cylinders, Remdesivir in hos- 2 0 3-/ much store on the Quad vaccine. as she pointed out to the over- lier have written to Modi ask- life saving drugs like “This convoluted ‘me ver- pitals, ventilator stocks and alliance, must ensure that the “The scaling up of vaccine whelmed medical infrastruc- ing him to expand the coun- Remdesivir etc. and medical sus you’ debate is childish and poor supply of vaccine doses. he CPI(M) polit bureau on Biden administration keeps production in India is being ture and shortage of vaccines try’s vaccination drive against oxygen as also other basic totally unnecessary,” Sonia Eleven States and Union TSaturday said that the to its committed word and hampered by the shortage of and drugs. Covid-19. supplements are subjected to asserted accusing the Centre of Territories, including United States must lift their immediately ensures supply of the intermediate material Sonia was speaking during “I have written to the GST @ 12%. Even basic equip- giving preferential treatment to Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh export ban on raw materials for essential vaccine material to required for vaccine produc- the meeting of the Congress Prime Minister after meeting ments like Oxymeters and life some states while maintaining and Delhi, account for 79.32 the production of vaccines. India. This is the least that tion. Much of this material Working Committee (CWC) with them. Our Chief saving critical equipment like “thundering silence” on per cent of the new coron- In a statement, the Left must be done when India is such as filters, solutions and meeting, which was attended Ministers have spoken to the ventilators are subjected to requests of states ruled by the avirus cases in the country party pointed out that the facing vaccine shortage in the plastic bags come from the by former party chief Rahul Prime Minister and written to 20% GST. In the current state Congress and opposition par- were present at the meeting. export ban by the US is a dou- face of an unprecedented surge United States. But the U.S. Gandhi, general secretaries the concerned minister from of affairs, this is inhuman and ties. The high-level meeting blespeak, citing US President of Covid infections,” said Administration has banned and State in-charges of the time to time pleading for relief. untenable,” she added. “As the central and state was chaired by Union Health Joe Biden’s assurances in the CPI(M). the export of vaccine materi- party. Some of them were left with The Government must governments move ahead to Minister Harsh Vardhan with recently convened Quad The CPI(M) also pointed al under its Defence She reiterated her insis- only a few days of vaccine, no provide financial support for control the situation by resort- the Health Ministers of 11 Summit. out the concerns raised by Production Act. Despite tence on lowering the immu- oxygen or ventilators. But the poor in the form of month- ing to partial curfews, travel States and Union Territories to “The ban on exports of Serum Institute of India head requests by the Indian author- nisation age to 25 years and there has been thundering ly income support and trans- restrictions, closure and lock review measures taken by them materials used in vaccine pro- Adar Poonawala on hamper- ities, no relaxation or exemp- above “as also all younger per- silence on the part of the fer 6,000 in the account of downs; we will again be for prevention, containment duction goes completely ing of production in India due tion has been given for export sons with at-risk health disor- Government. On the contrary every eligible citizen, who restricting economic activity and management of the recent against these stated aims. The to the US Government’s ban of these items,” the CPI(M) ders like asthma, angina, dia- some other states have have been hit by the partial that will hit the already belea- surge in Covid-19 cases. Modi government, which sets on export of raw materials of said in a statement. betes, kidney & liver diseases received preferential treat- curfews, travel restrictions, guered people, especially the Prime Minister Narendra and other similar ailments.” ment/relief,” she said. closure and lockdowns put in poor and the daily wagers,” she Modi is scheduled to meet top prices of essential drugs like Response Fund, and that of the manufacturers in the country. The Congress came out “Instead of listening to place by authorities, she said in said. officials of several ministries Remdesivir which has been Union Health Ministry, allow- The steps taken for unhindered with a 14-point attack on the constructive suggestions of her CWC meeting statement. Taking on these challeng- later in the evening to review sold in the black market at ing utilisation of unspent movement of oxygen cylinders Government over ‘grave errors’ the opposition, Union “Similarly, with reverse ing times as Indians rather the overall covid situation and exorbitant prices. pending balance under from their manufacturing units in Covid-19 management. Ministers are pressed into ser- migration of labour already than as political opponents will vaccination drive. “Double mutant strain in National Health Mission as on across states were also detailed, Sonia also spoke about vice to attack leaders of oppo- having started, it will be crit- be true ‘Rajadharma’, Sonia Maharashtra, Maharashtra was a key point of April 1, 2021 for COVID man- the Ministry said. her letter to Prime Minister sition for giving those sugges- ical to immediately address stressed. Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, concern. The Delhi agement purposes, were reit- Taking note of the active Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Government requested for erated, it said. surge in cases witnessed since Kerala, West Bengal, Delhi, additional beds in Central Union Health Secretary last February in which most cases with the onset of early of the lifesaving machines, population, Vardhan also Vardhan said about 1.58 Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Government hospitals as was Rajesh Bhushan informed the states have now crossed their symptoms so that prompt and saying 1,121 ventilators are to addressed the issue of vaccine crore doses are still available Uttar Pradesh have been done in 2020 to help tide over states on the steps taken to pro- highest tally, Harsh Vardhan effective treatment checks the be given to Maharashtra, 1,700 shortage. with the states while another reporting an unprecedented the emergent health crisis,” vide medical grade oxygen urged the states to give special deterioration of health in the to Uttar Pradesh, 1,500 to “The total consumption 1.16 crore doses are in pipeline, surge in new infections. the Ministry said. and augmenting Remdesivir focus on the prominent five to deceased, the statement said. Jharkhand, 1,600 to Gujarat, of vaccines so far (wastage to be delivered by next week. In a statement here, the The notification of the stocks in the country. six cities in their administra- Large containment zones 152 to Madhya Pradesh and included) has been approxi- Emphasizing that there is Ministry said “Many of them Home Ministry, granting per- The states were also tion and map medical colleges for achieving community quar- 230 to Chhattisgarh. mately 12.57 crore doses no shortage of vaccines, he (States) raised the issue of mission to states to utilize up informed about the issuance of to either these cities or adjoin- antine were also suggested as Detailing the number of against the 14.15 crore doses strongly pushed for further dovetailing the medical oxygen to 50 per cent of their annual the calendar of medical oxygen ing 2-3 districts. The states a strategy. During the meeting, beneficiaries vaccinated in provided by the Centre to the ramping up the vaccination supply lines and capping of allocation of State Disaster supply from different oxygen were asked to seek out positive Vardhan assured fresh supply each targeted segment of the states,” he said. exercise. A ! ! *" *" ! ! 5! 0 '+', $
$ % 2 0 3-/ cases since onset of the pan- ! & *+%%" demic, but visuals of lakh of $ plea has been filed in the devotees crowding in ASupreme Court seeking Haridwar for Kumbh Mela directions to the Centre and and in election rallies in states 2 0 3-/ others to clear the “mass gath- have surfaced. ering” from Haridwar amid a “On the one hand, poor earing two face coverings surge in Covid-19 cases across common man on the street is Wor masks can nearly dou- the country and prescribe a often punished and treated ble the effectiveness of filtering safety protocol with respect to violently by the police and out SARS-CoV-2-sized parti- people returning from Kumbh executive authorities for indi- cles, preventing them from Mela. vidual violations of COVID-19 reaching the wearer’s nose and The plea, which referred to rules and regulations in the mouth and causing Covid-19, the recent spike in COVID-19 name of strict enforcement, as per a recent study. cases, has also sought direc- and on the other hand, the The findings published in tions to the Centre and the authorities are not only per- JAMA Internal Medicine also Uttarakhand government to mitting but facilitating and states that the reason for the immediately withdraw the promoting congregation of enhanced filtration is not about advertisements inviting people people in the events like adding too many layers of to Haridwar for Kumbh Mela. Kumbh-2021 and election ral- cloth but eliminating any gaps It said that the Election lies,” the plea has alleged. or poor-fitting areas of a mask. Commission should be asked It sought the apex court’s “The medical procedure to issue direction to the direction to the Centre, masks are designed to have authorities in the states where Uttarakhand government and very good filtration potential elections are being held to the National Disaster based on their material, but the strictly enforce COVID-19 Management Authority to not way they fit our faces isn’t per- 2 0 3-/ of religious activities happen religious sentiments are not guidelines during the poll encourage or promote any fect,” said Emily Sickbert- in our country and polls are hurt and Covid-appropriate process and take appropriate gathering or event “inconsis- Bennett, PhD, associate pro- ack of Covid-appropriate also underway. We must behaviour can be followed,” he action against the violators. tent with the spirit and object fessor of infectious diseases at Lbehaviour and mutation of understand lives are also said. The plea, filed by Noida- of the COVID guidelines” and the UNC School of Medicine the virus are the two main rea- important. We can do this in His remarks come in the ! ! 2 0 3-/ 21 positively, it said. resident Sanjai Kumar Pathak, orders issued by these author- and lead author of the study. sons behind the rapid spread of a restricted manner so that backdrop of the ongoing Through the order, the said that COVID-19 cases are ities. To test the fitted filtration coronavirus infections in the religious sentiment is not hurt Kumbh mela in Uttarakhand, he Centre has conveyed to ADG (Medical), CAPFs, Dr increasing rapidly across the “It is axiomatic that the efficiency (FFE) of a range of country, AIIMS director Dr & Covid appropriate behav- which has attracted people from Tthe Gujarat Government Mukesh Saxena has also named country and the health infra- respondents have turned a masks, UNC researchers Randeep Guleria on Saturday iour can be followed,” said Dr different parts of the country in that DRDO is establishing a Devarshi Raval as the nodal structure is “crumbling” in blind eye towards the violation worked with James Samet, said even as he expressed con- Guleria. He also highlighted large numbers. 900-bedded hospital in officer for making logistical many states. of COVID-19 guidelines at the PhD, and colleagues in the cern over the religious and that India was witnessing a Talking about the immuni- Ahmedabad to cater to the arrangements at Gujarat It claimed that hospitals Kumbh Mela and during elec- USEPA Human Studies Facility political activities taking place huge strain in the healthcare sation drive, Dr Guleria said that “alarming surge” in Covid-19 University. and crematoriums are running tion campaigns and rallies on the campus of UNC-Chapel in a few States, cautioning system and efforts need to be India should gradually lift or cases there. The letter has been circu- out of space and shortage of which have the potential to Hill. There they filled a 10-foot that they must be done in a stepped up to keep increasing lower the age bar for beneficia- The Union Home Ministry lated to Inspector General essential drugs has been become super spreader events by 10-foot stainless-steel expo- restricted manner. our hospital beds/resources ries to widen the vaccination has also directed the Central (Medical) of the Border reported from many cities. but common people on the sure chamber with small salt “The cause for the surge ... for the increasing number of ambit. “We should gradually lift Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) Security Force (BSF), Central The petition said that street is being fined and chal- particle aerosols and had is multifactorial. But two main cases. or lower the age bar so that or the Central paramilitary Reserve Police Force (CRPF) India is currently witnessing lans are being issued,” the plea researchers don combinations causes are that people have We also have to urgently more and more people come forces to spare 25 doctors and and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). its highest surge in COVID-19 has claimed. of masks to test how effective stopped following Covid- bring down the number of into the pool of people who can 75 paramedics and ensure that The BSF will send 10 doc- they were at keeping particles appropriate behaviour during Covid-19 cases, he added. be vaccinated. That will happen they report by April 21 to man tors and 30 paramedics, the ( out of their breathing space. January-February when the “This is a time when a lot in the coming few weeks. the hospital in Gujarat. CRPF) will spare 10 doctors A transmission electron vaccination started and cases of religious activities happen “We will have more and “The hospital is being and 25 nursing staff and SSB to 8 microscopic image that shows went down. Also, at this time, in our country and polls are more vaccines that will come established at the Gujarat chip in with five doctors and 20 SARS-CoV-2 also known as the virus mutated and spread also underway. We must into the common pool which University Convention Centre, paramedical personnel for the 2019-nCoV, the virus that caus- more rapidly,” Dr Guleria said understand that lives are also will allow us to open up the vac- Ahmedabad to cater to the DRDO hospital in Ahmedabad. 2 0 3-/ place. es Covid-19, isolated from a to a news agency. important. We can do this in cination to a larger population,” alarming surge of the Covid Through the communica- The trial court, after con- patient in the US, as the Virus “This is a time when a lot a restricted manner so that he said. cases there,” reads an order tion to the heads of CRPF, BSF private vehicle does not sidering the evidence on particles are shown emerging issued by Additional Director and SSB, the Ministry has asked Acome within the expres- record, acquitted accused from the surface of cells cul- undergo a series of range-of- altering the fit is about 40-60 General (Medical) of CAPFs them to send their team on sion of a “public place” as per Major Singh but convicted tured in the lab- the spikes on motion activities to simulate per cent effective at keeping under the Union Home priority and the doctors and the explanation given under accused Boota Singh, Gurdeep the outer edge of the virus par- & % the typical motions a person Covid-19-sized particles out. A Ministry on Friday. paramedics have to report to the Narcotic Drugs and Singh and Gurmohinder ticles give coronaviruses their may do throughout their day - cloth mask is about 40 per cent It has further been decid- the nodal officer of the said hos- Psychotropic Substances Singh, under the NDPS Act name, crown-like. -../ - bending at the waist, talking, effective. ed and conveyed that CAPFs pital latest by April 21. (NDPS) Act, the Supreme and sentenced them to rigor- Each individual mask or and looking left, right, up and Their recent findings on are required to provide 25 The Defence Research and Court has said. ous imprisonment for 10 layered mask combination was down,” said Phillip Clapp, PhD, doubling of face masks show medical officers and 75 para- Development Organisation A bench comprising jus- years. fitted with a metal sample port, $ $& an inhalation toxicologist in the that when a cloth mask is medical/nursing staff, reads (DRDO) hospital set to be tices U U Lalit and K M They were also asked to which was attached to tubing in $P UNC School of Medicine who placed over a surgical mask, the the order. operationalised by late next Joseph made the observation pay a fine of Rs 1 lakh, failing the exposure chamber that 1 has been testing mask FFE FFE improved by about 20 per “It is, therefore, requested week, officials said. while deciding an appeal which they were directed to measured the concentration with Sickbert-Bennett since cent, and improved even more that the following number of On Friday, the Defence challenging an order passed undergo further rigorous of particles entering the breath- the pandemic began. with a snug-fitting, sleeve-type doctors and paramedics/nurs- Minister Rajnath Singh direct- by the Punjab and Haryana imprisonment for two years. ing space underneath the According to their find- mask, such as a gaiter. When ing staff be detailed for the pur- ed the DRDO to reopen the High Court affirming their The accused argued researcher’s mask. A second ings, the baseline fitted filtra- layered over procedure masks, pose please,” it said. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Covid conviction and sentence before the top court that the tube measured the ambient compared to that in the cham- tion efficiency (FFE) of a mask cloth masks improve fit by The detailed staff should care hospital here which was set under the NDPS Act. vehicle in question was a pri- concentration of particles in the ber, researchers determined differs from person to person, eliminating gaps and holding report to the nodal officer up in July last year. He has also Two bags of poppy straw vate one belonging to accused chamber. By measuring parti- the FFE. due to each person’s unique the procedure mask closer to (Colonel B Chaubey, DRDO asked the defence body to set were recovered from the Gurdeep Singh and was not a cle concentration in the breath- “We also had the face and mask fit. But general- the face, consistently covering Hospital, Ahmedabad by April up a new facility in Lucknow. accused while they were sit- public conveyance, though it ing space underneath the mask researchers in the chamber ly, a procedure mask without the nose and mouth. ting in a jeep at a public was parked on a public road. 2 (& "' "&* &( 12 3431
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2 0 3-/ tions about the health of the wave in the country. Sources said that like last economy. Last year, the government year, the package may include fiscal stimulus package There are some discus- and the RBI came up with a measures by the government as 4##3 -# 5 -24 Amay be on the cards again sions within the government series of announcements to well as compliance relief offered as the Government looks at about the need, shape and tim- provide relief to the common by the Reserve Bank of India 4 . 43; done to support manufactur- 2028-29. According to the that the incentive per benefi- ways to prevent the present ing of a fresh fiscal stimulus man and businesses impacted (RBI). ing of components which are notification of the DPIIT, the ciary will be applicable on surge in Covid-19 cases and the package. by the Covid-induced lock- Already, various ministries 7<
372072 sermons, as planned by the Duke – who passed away aged ritain’s Queen Elizabeth II 99 last week on Friday. Bled a small group of senior “The Order of Service for royals at the ceremonial funer- the funeral was agreed with the al of her husband and consort Duke of Edinburgh during his Prince Philip, the Duke of lifetime, and reflects the Duke’s Edinburgh, at Windsor Castle military affiliations, and per- on Saturday. sonal elements of His Royal The funeral incorporated Highness’ life,” Buckingham hymns and readings chosen by Palace said in a statement. the late royal himself and At the end of the ceremo- focussed on the “unwavering to Britain and the Windsor Castle with a nation- ny, the Duke’s coffin was car- loyalty” of the longest-serving Commonwealth. al minute’s silence at 1500 local ried to his resting place in the consort in British history to his The ceremony, which time on Saturday, was a reli- royal vault beneath St George’s wife, the monarch, and service began at St George’s Chapel in gious one though without any Chapel. (& "' "&* &( 12 3431 ,4P 5"6
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4 % meter POLLARD TAKES PALTAN TO 150 ' * 5+<= /) A P! ! & & !+ +7 SCOREBOARD , -:-; 99=" "7'"7 ". ":--; E ! !: ;'" ! . = :"-; - "" !F " F." G " 77 !F." !+ 68 % !4 . :- 4; GH !F " + I +- :-; G + :( ; 3 :0J0=00&; $ :H 0B; H 9, ": ( *- 0+0'& 4 0$ ". ":--; 4 (&:4"; 2 AA! *HH :- " 0JKG;0I :" , -:-; 70LKG;0 L G:E !0GKH;0= =:% 0JKH;0G H:0LK=; SUMMER SLAM 4 = =H " &!& " ( ! ! ! ++ = = " C %5 MOTION PICTURE .@@-- = 454/ + "" H F."" G hennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming - = Chas called skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni the team’s heartbeat and said the desire to do well even after skipper and also surpassed Mahendra Singh playing 200 matches is a testament to his attitude Dhoni’s record of hitting the most number of sixes towards the game and the franchise. by an Indian in the tournament. Dhoni has been leading the side since the inaugur- The 33-year-old now has 217 sixes in IPL, one al edition of the league in 2008. ahead of Dhoni. “His longevity has to be mentioned and appreci- With Rohit and de Kock looking in full flow, ated... To play 200 games and still have a desire to do it seemed MI will put up a big score. well is a testament to his attitude towards the game and However, MI soon slipped to 71 for 2 with franchise,” Fleming said after CSK’s win against Vijay Shankar dismissing Rohit and Suryakumar Punjab Kings. Yadav (10) in his two overs. “I think the franchise has grown and MS has grown -. -3 4" While the MI skipper holed out to Virat Singh with it, so it is a great relationship and great fun,” the 3 in the sixth over, Suryakumar was caught and former New Zealand skipper added. ! C. bowled in the 9th over. Terming Dhoni the heartbeat of CSK, Fleming said, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb then tightened the “He is the heartbeat of CSK, there’s no doubt about it. screw on MI as the well-set de Kock next perished Whether it’s performance, guidance or leadership, you at deep mid-wicket in his pursuit for a big shot. run out of things to say about him.” Pollard then joined Ishan Kishan (12 off 21) He said the manner in which the team bounced in the middle but the scoring remained difficult. back after the first game was impressive and praised % "- &!4 %5 C& With MI at 107 for 3 in 16 overs, Pollard Man of the Match Deepak Chahar for his efforts (4/13). clubbed one over mid-wicket to break the shack- “Really impressed with the way he bounced back - 22/ and Quinton de Kock (40 off 39) scored 53 in the les but Mujeeb soon dismissed Ishan with wick- after the first game. Without doubt, when Deepak gets powerplay after opting to bat but Vijay (2/19) and etkeeper Jonny Bairstow taking a fabulous catch. a little bit of swing and a little bit of movement, he is ijay Shankar and Mujeeb Ur Rahman Afghanistan spin duo of Mujeeb (2/29) and Rashid New man Hardik Pandya and Pollard could- one of the finest around. His ability to swing the ball shine with the ball as Sunrisers Hyderabad Khan (0/22) brought the SRH back in the game. n't produce their trademark hitting as the former is one. But his control and skill set is also very high. Vproduced a disciplined bowling perfor- Kieron Pollard managed to lift MI to 150 with holed out to Virat in the deep. “The key is keeping him simple in his plans and mance to restrict Mumbai Indians to 150 for 5 in the help of a 22-ball 35 which included two sixes Pollard, who was dropped by Vijay, managed just operating in and around the stumps. He is very their IPL match at Chepauk on Saturday. of the last two balls of the innings. to smash the last two balls of the innings for two effective when the ball swings. A great bounce back The opening duo of Rohit Sharma (32 off 25) Earlier, Rohit completed 4000 T20 runs as a sixes as MI reached 150 in the end. from a below par performance in the first game.” %56; ( ! . D " & !&! . " C %5 VENUE: CHIDAMBARAM STADIUM, CHENNAI +29-92% +29-92% VENUE: WANKHEDE STADIUM, MUMBAI 323?5013#BB05&B>BB 9 4' , 4' G 0 ? 4' , 4' . CG 1 '' +&'3 6 7 // < '&&)&'%+: + ) '$6 & '3 %&8 $ %&' .)G( . & & & $ %&' G#" )LG G / &Q ) % & & )'* ) /% '+ 5 & / 1& 5 ' $ G#" # + # )& ' , . # )' I ! ! *1 ' ):& ) ' !+P 9 4 & )5 %& '35'' !+P 9 4 $3 &'' +5 ?209351049339 806=H026 & )'* ) &/' 3 %&' + * : C % &3 %& 5 % &') / 3 1& 5 ' # )';6 # + # )& ' , . G : B , . 5 / / I - 22/ - ' & . & 454/ 3 %& 1 G L- @: A & )'* ) - # )';6 . / 1& / he misfiring Kolkata Knight Riders will look / # + # )& ' elhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant will aim Tto bring their campaign back on track when Dto display better tactical acumen in catch- 5 ' %+' 1 ,M B L* they take on table-toppers Royal Challengers -%+' 1& 22 situations against a ‘blow-hot-blow-cold’ , , Bangalore at Chepauk on Sunday. Punjab Kings in what promises to be a battle of / ,M: In the battle between the world’s two best brittle middle-orders at Wankhede stadium on B501"6562 2B5>604 606 9< 2B white-ball captains, Eoin Morgan and Virat Sunday. Kohli, the Bengaluru franchise will hold a slight Both teams are coming into the Norther 2 . * NC edge over Kolkata after its two wins from as many 3; Derby of IPL after enduring defeats in their pre- @/(3 AC N outings. vious games but Delhi Capitals are definitely a C . C , ,L; C , Known for his tactical nous and man-man- better side on paper. #7 && '% ,- ' ! $ ) & '% , )' /,3 %&'4 / agement skills, the World Cup-winning English Pant, relatively inexperienced in terms of IPL /C / skipper will be keen to bring KKR back on track ' ) / captaincy, lost the plot in the last game where ' ' % 3& @AC after a familiar middle-order collapse cost them )' /,3 %&'4 ' he didn’t finish his best bowler Ravichandran , the game against Mumbai Indians. Ashwin’s quota and instead used Tom Curran’s &6 & '3 ' % 3&,& '% ' After two ordinary seasons, the purple friendly medium pacers. , /(3 M brigade started its campaign in an emphatic fash- ! )'&3 '3 As coach Ricky Ponting pointed out, he 3 %&' ion, ticking all the boxes against Sunrisers '% ' would expect a better “on his feet” thinking from ;06156?9Q92 :65"5R Hyderabad. the young captain. 3 %&' #! But against their nemesis MI, KKR middle- The likely addition of Anrich Nortje in the LI M 0 2 ? order collapsed in an inexplicable fashion to suf- playing XI will only bolster Pant’s bowling attack (? : fer their 12th loss from 13 matches. which lost its bearings during the last match with < L) I / Morgan’s astute captaincy in using his bowl- *2 Curran’s lack of pace on a slow track being can- , / ing resources was the highlight as KKR had non fodder for Chris Morris and David Miller. ? / ,M bowled out MI for a modest 152. Punjab Kings, on the other hand, suffered %& '& & + 2 ? In his new role of bowling at the death, Andre an inexplicable batting collapse against Chennai ,%+' , )' / Russell has taken six wickets at an impressive aver- Super Kings with Deepak Chahar’s extra # && '% ,, ' ,3 %&'4 '.' 42 02 032"92662 916< 22 age of 7.83, but has failed to deliver with the bat. bounce and slight seam movement causing 0 ( L M
With 14 runs from two matches, the big-hit- ) /- - the damage. %+ % 3&& 3 . ting Jamaican has looked a shadow of his past. )' /,3 %&'4 ' This was after a healthy 200 plus total in 6 /(3 Vice-captain Dinesh Karthik, the opening game. ' % 3&/' +%+' : 4 4 L-C@( A too, will be under pressure to The nature of the Wankhede track is 3 , @&A, deliver after his painstaking '3 % 35 posing a few questions under lights %%+ , * ,M3 C stay in the middle in the last ' &&' for top-order batsmen as the last 222 ! " $ L / L!L# game. 222 two games have shown with /(3 4 4 While Nitish Rana underlying moisture aiding qual- has impressed the most ity fast bowling. show is affecting the DC middle- ,M3 in batting, their star open- spinner Kuldeep Yadav in place of vet- So KL Rahul versus Kagiso order, Mayank Agarwal’s pro- er Shubman Gill has fal- eran Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Rabada and Chris Woakes longed bad-patch coupled with tered after impressive Singh, who has bowled just the open- bowling to Chris Gayle could Nicholas Pooran’s susceptibility to starts, and KKR would ing over in each of the two matches. be as enticing as Prithvi Shaw short balls over his shoulder are not hope the youngster fires in Boasting a famed batting line-up in encountering the guile of great news for Punjab either. the coming days. Kohli, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell and Mohammed Shami and Shikhar The middle-orders’ struggles in On a slow Chepauk the talented youngster Devdutt Padikkal, Dhawan trying to unsettle a disciplined both the dugouts will make it an deck where batting at the RCB are yet to perform to their full poten- Arshdeep Singh. engrossing contest with DC bowlers death has been a concern, tial. Both teams are top heavy in batting expected to hold sway in Nortje’s pres- KKR’s bowling has been a revela- But it did not matter much as with DC dependant on Shaw, Dhawan ence. tion with Morgan cleverly using his RCB have won both their and Pant for doing the bulk of scoring while In case of Punjab Kings, save resources. matches with new signing the same job profile is held by KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, the two high-priced Against the star-studded RCB Maxwell holding fort in the Chris Gayle and Deepak Hooda in the pacers — Jhye Richardson and Riley who are yet to fire in unison this middle and the likes of Punjab line-up. Meredith — haven’t exactly set the stage season, KKR’s bowling would Shahbaz Ahmed and Even the weaknesses of both the on fire. Neither has Murugan Ashwin, a once again look to make an Harshal Patel making teams are pretty similar. mystery spinner who has done nothing of impact. It would not be a bad the difference in If Ajinkya Rahane’s lack of power- note that would force Pant and Ponting to idea to bring in left arm wrist bowling. hitting and Marcus Stoinis’ indifferent have sleepless nights. ' 3 ) 5-4
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tories have disseminated consciousness of describes in great detail how a 12th century my historical fiction books, I create the historical our past cultures since times immemori- cathedral is built. He makes a tale of its unusual period through visual pen pictures of the dress, al. Whether through cave paintings or architecture, politics and weaves civil war, famine Read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and cuisine and traditions of the period and place. In oral narrations, the earliest mode of pass- and religious strife around it. we find out about chaises, stagecoaches, barouch- The Curse of Nader Shah, I have exposed Nader ing traditions, history, customs, and ritu- Bimal Mitra’s Bengali novel Saheb, Bibi, es, phaetons, and curricles. What about 20,000 Shah’s obsession with the colour red on his gar- Sals through generations has been only through Golam made into the famous film, Sahib, Bibi Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne to know ments and his creation of the four-cornered hat, storytelling. Before written language was discov- Aur Ghulam is set in a zamindari mansion that about submarines or fictional wonder vehicles the kulah-e-naderi. In The Legend of Genghis ered, even certain work skills were passed from resonates with the culture of the period. His such as the muggle car from the Harry Potter Khan, I have described the wide range of knives father to son through stories. The reason is sim- entire story is about the feudal and patriarchal series? that the Mongols always carried on their belts ple, anything woven into a story is unforgettable. traditions which emanate from the mansion. Pather Panchali by written by and their varied purpose. Padmavati has numer- Storytelling is a powerful tool that has mas- Another story like that is Shatranj Ke Khilari Bibhutibhushan Bandhopadhya and put on cellu- ous regional words sprinkled across the story for sive lasting impact. When we listen to stories or about the nawabi culture that has been filmed in loid by Satyajit Ray shows its protagonist’s obses- the sake of authenticity. read them, they boost our feelings of trust, com- the old palaces of Lucknow. sion with the train that passes his village. Since My latest book, The Cursed Inheritance focus- passion, empathy and positively influence our his only travel experience had been on a bullock es on the city of Kolkata and its cultural nuances. social behaviour. Storytelling has a unique ability cart, the speeding train enthralled him. The zamindari mansions that dot the city to build connections. When we hear a well-told An amazing story that revolves around food, inspired the setting of this cozy mystery inside a story, your brain reacts as if we are experiencing its concoction, history and influence is Like dilapidated yet grand mansion of Kolkata, called it ourselves. We respond to stories because they Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. Tita, the Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a wonderful Sarkar Bari. I describe egg concoctions being cultivate a sense of togetherness. Thus, stories tragic protagonist of the story, is only able to cameo on the traditional Christmas spirit. cooked that are special to Kolkata as well as a that tell us about our past or what we have inher- express herself when she cooks. The chapters Similarly, Sense and Sensibility by Austen profiles coal stove built inside an iron pail, a common ited from our ancestors make us feel, we are part even carry recipes. They fascinated me and I even the Victorian custom of older men marrying cooking implement in Bengal. of something bigger than ourselves. cooked some of them. The stories about food young girls. Emily Bronte’s novel Wuthering Kolkata is one of few cities which still has the gave me a wonderful view of regional cuisine. Heights is all about how social class creates con- hand-pulled rickshaws. Mentioned numerous Another book that has enamoured me is The flicts among its characters. times in my new book, is Kolkata’s iconic vehicle Heritage is the complete scope of inherited Flavour of Spice by Marryam H Reshi that glori- Khushwant Singh’s Train to Pakistan, Jhumpa though the protagonist also empathises with the traditions, monuments, objects, and culture. ously celebrates spices. Reading her book, I Lahiri’s Namesake and The Lowlands are excellent emaciated pullers and their livelihoods. I have Most significantly, it is the range of contemporary embarked upon a delightful foray into the her- profiles of traditions and rituals in different parts chronicled the tradition of celebrating the festival activities, meanings, and behaviour that we draw itage of Indian cooking as she traces history of of India. Arvind Adiga’s The White Tiger gives of Durga Puja in the mansions of old zamindari from them. Heritage includes, but is much more spices as far back as possible. insights into class disparities of an India of a families in this novel. Belief in tantric practices than just preserving, excavating, displaying, or decade ago. Chitra Divakaruni’s Palace of Illusions and demons as guardians of treasures is one the restoring a collection of old things. takes the reader back to the rituals of the regional features of rural Bengal which has been Heritage is tangible as well as intangible. Reading Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mahabharata period of Indian history while exploited to the hilt. Monuments, artifacts, books, archived records of Mitchell gives the reader an excellent insight into . (720)7 Before We Visit the Goddess is about multi-gener- Stories, narratives, and storytelling are central events are tangible while traditions, lifestyles and lifestyles, dresses, social customs and attitudes ational bonds, that rise from the countryside of aspects of all cultures and thus, a part of heritage. mannerisms are some of the intangible elements prevalent in southern parts of USA during the )7./ 5 Bengal, India and sweep into the streets of For the storytelling to become an effective propa- that we inherit. We can explore heritage through American Civil War in the 1800s. The book has )- ; 53)/*) Houston, Texas. gator of cultural history, it must engage the listen- excavations, conservation, restoration and display become a reference point for scholars of that er or reader, and provide a narrative that is both 2 7< of concrete objects. However, history of songs, period. )76 )- .2 cognitively and emotionally compelling. People recipes, cuisine, nuances of language, dances, Vikram Seth’s novel A Suitable Boy brings us Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer are natural storytellers. They tell narratives about dress and other conventions of legacy need to be the perfume of courtesans and old-world charm )-5 , )7./ is a wonderful study of the use of dialect by dif- their experiences and the meanings that these perceived and appreciated. An excellent mode of of the pre-independence period. It gives us a )-)) 335 ferent social classes in nineteenth century experiences have in their lives. All cultures and keeping the history of heritage alive, generation peep into lifestyles, notions and sentiments of a 75)75.( ) America. In fact, introducing dialect into literary societies also possess their own stories or narra- after generation, is through stories. For what is bygone culture. writing goes back to Chaucer. Non-standard tives about their past and their present, and history but story telling? 7.-) -* spellings and slang are used often in literature to sometimes about their view of the future. The Let’s see how some of the palpable as well as /2- ./) 0<.74 delineate characters and give them identity. memories and retelling of the past provide a abstract elements of heritage have benefited Dramas written by playwrights such as 75.2 )7. Evolving language is one of true measures of sense of security in an uncertain world. Stories, through telling stories. Shakespeare, Kalidas or Anton Chekov, when 4: 5 < 3, heritage. Do you remember Eliza Doolittle in both written and verbal, are veritable source for staged, are a feast for costume designers. They George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion? If only learn- this history. display the fashions worn during a specific peri- . (.)7< ing the correct dialect could make a flower girl Stories are a thread of timelessness that runs Old forts and castles, mansions and monu- od in a certain parts of the world where the dra- 74 )-/26 into a lady of consequence, how important can through a rapidly changing environment. Hence, ments are natural source for stories, myths, and mas are set. However, stories are created not only /66 .)-2 language be in the reconstruction of society? stories revolving around heritage bring a special tales. When I visited Chittorgarh fort, one of the by writers but are also told by raconteurs. 75. 3* Ruskin Bond often uses regional nuances and sense of belonging and of continuity. It reduces myths I heard was about how the religious fer- When the Ramcharitra Manas or Meghdoot dialect to create atmosphere and build his charac- global conflict and brings empathy for co-exis- vour of Meera Bai, the Princess of Mewar, had is recited there are vivid descriptions of garments, ters. Many of his stories are set in the terai of the tence. All said and done, storytelling is one of the kept intact her chamber in the huge palace headdresses and weapons which make them Himalayas and his villagers often use words in dominant means of preserving heritage and pass- though the rest of the royal residence had been come alive through mental visuals for the listen- their own dialect in dialogues. ing down of values and traditions that make the flattened. Obviously, I went back and read up ers. History and heritage of dresses come alive With such eminent authors to light up my global social fabric stronger. everything available about the history of the only through these descriptions. We can then path, I have included many features of heritage in The writer is an author and poet. Her book, palace and fort. I discovered more such myths. compare them and find out what of that heritage my books to build ambience, build characters The Cursed Inheritance, has In The Pillars of the Earth, author Ken Follet still remains in our fashions today. and bring authenticity to my storytelling. In all been recently published ' 3 ) )-)42- . - 0 /447.)3/);-7/ 0/ )5. 0;27)-/26 4) ./3 yvixiari K 4/*/* :220 5-4
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or the ‘Maharlok’ which lies beyond the ‘Dhurv Tara’ or the Pole star. Mahar is the land of the wise and bal- anced with qualities of selfless service, compassion and self-love. However, inactivity and observer capability is 5<= still one loka away. Birth on Earth comes as teachers, reformers, saintly people, healers etc. Karmas are not doable at the level of these higher lokas. When one qualifies beyond devotion and beliefs and attains the status of knowing or s the second round of Corona scare grips the world Gyan, one becomes an invited resident as many had predicted, mass hysteria of gargantuan of the ‘Janalok’. In the microcosm, this Aproportions seems to be building up again. loka is at the level of the Vishudhi Psychologists may call this reaction a paranoia that seems Chakra. One needs to be a sincere to affect large sections of the people all over the world. And practitioner of spirituality and dispas- Corona is not the only worry. US is worried about the gun sion to qualify for a seat here. Till you purchases reaching alarming levels as a sizeable section of harbour emotions, don’t attain Gyan Asian Americans are in some kind of an insecurity syndrome. or intuitive knowledge, you can read Worry and fear are all at the top of the mind as death seems about this loka but not live here. The to be lurking round the corner. The situation is eerily sim- senses especially the sense of sound ilar to the Corona scare round 1 suggesting that experience and hearing needs to be history at this is not always a good teacher. Rather, it accentuates the past point. behaviour many times over. Against this backdrop, we once When self-respect turns to self- again need to ask the same questions that were raised dur- reverence, when one feels the justifi- ing the previous round. The responses are of the same trial cation of self-worship, one takes and error nature. To add to the woes some new questions birth, if and when one needs, on have cropped up. Is this a different Corona? Does the vac- Bhulok as a spiritual leader and an cine has the answer? Difficult to say but history seems to be aspirant to a higher loka. When repeating itself. As the scare mounts and the toll counts rise Duality becomes an amalgam and to alarming levels, there is a need to have a relook at the entire wisdom hands the baton to observer- scenario and examine things in totality. And things may not ship or Sakshibhav, one gets catapult- appear to be as simple as they look. Yes, it has impacted lives, ed to the ‘Tapalok’. This is the loka of ruined families and caused death and destruction of enor- Divya Bhakti and reflection of oneself mous proportions. Yes, it has shattered economies and as divinity. You cease to be judgemen- crashed GDPs. But there is another side of the story. It has tal and identify as one with the uni- raised the number of billionaires in both developed and devel- t is believed that it is only when I have in the vision state visited a Remember this is a world ruled versal consciousness. As this is a place oping countries and there are some in the queue to gradu- you have suffered enough and few lokas but never connected the dots and perceived by senses. Our senses of the third eye in the body, one has ate to the trillionaire status. It has pushed the growth of e- built a resolve to change, do you and never pondered on the subject. do not offer us more than 5% to 10% started the journey to shift con- commerce companies astronomically while online platforms set an opportunity to get birth Unfortunately my experience was of reality. Between the Bhuvarlok and sciousness. rose in geometric proportions. Investors now realise that on the Bhulok or Earth. This is limited and though theory not my the Swalok or Swarg, the difference is There are 3 centres between the putting money in Pharma stocks yields big dividends, and Isupposed to be true for most of the normal choice, but in this case I had quite huge. Tapalok and the Satyalok. Above the rather fast, even though there is no sure medicine in sight. lokas and for movement from one to to resort to borrowing a few pages At the Bhuvarlok, we have a Ajna Chakra are 3 chakras including It also threw quacks and charlatans in thousands sermon- the other, either upwards or down- from the ancients and so these /)/ 3/ * 0)-) slightly different set of off loads the Sahasra, the location for final ising on dos and don’ts on the social media. YouTube has wards. Only the Earth dimension pro- thoughts are a mixture of my realisa- 7* )- because this is a loka of intellect, mem- emancipation. become the most handy tool for the propaganda brigade who vides the infrastructure for the rele- tions combined with those of others. ory, relationships, heroic attitudes, and It is believed that above the are delivering unsubstantiated pearls of wisdom almost at vant criss-cross Visas. This is the Before we come to our own to do ()(" . " ( emotions. On the other hand it is also Satyalok are lokas like Vaikunth, the same pace as the speed of the spread of the virus. Quite Karma loka, where there is opportu- list, let us look at the ladders that stand 3/: *(+,' a loka of attainment. Goloka, Shivalok etc. It is possible that interestingly the biological virus seems to have acquired traits nity to go against your nature and parallel to the snake. What are the And then Swarlok is a place the Bhramlok and these are parallel of computer virus. So we are told that this time the vaccine qualify for the better. higher lokas? What qualifications are " (' +*(" where you can spend your cosmic cur- and variable due to the inherent provides immunity for some months rather than a lifetime, Higher loka beings descend required? What can we do to get high- ) /)/ (7 /3 rency earned and stored. It is a place nature the being has evolved into. as it used to be earlier. The connection between computer downwards often to fulfil their own er on the ladders? of immense pleasure and beauty. Gurudev once shared with me in and Corona seems interesting as there is an uncanny rela- completions and final attainments. Let us imagine ourselves standing )-))- %(" Seva leads to Swarg or beyond. It’s a confidence that when we die in our tionship between people having stakes in computers and Many gurus are obligated to take the at a mid-landing of a staircase. 20)- . place where spiritual understanding afterlife, we have to first pass through Pharma. It is not just the medical angle. An interesting aspect rebirth to uplift their disciples and Climbing is greater effort and needs and aspirations begin. People learn the Dhruv Tara or the pole star to get is that one voice of dissent on the social media meets with help them gain completion. They do agility. For those who like to sound (.33 320 detachment and how to focus on the to where we belong. He also men- systemic campaign from troll brigade that makes sure that so to manipulate a change in their profound call it Purusharth. *./3 05 )7 purpose of the self. They also prepare tioned that we come across crossroads, such voices are lost in the din. That apart, there are many gunas through example setting, moti- Technically, you cannot climb up the for rebirth on Bhulok when spiritual and at these crossroads, one side has intriguing aspects to ponder. But we must understand that vation, counselling and sharing their ladder to higher lokas, you need to )- /2- . 2) assets dwindle. They get born as very bare looking places, while the while exercising utmost caution helps us, getting scared helps gyan. float up. 2)5. )- /26 kings and queens or administrators other has very aesthetically lovely others who have something to gain from our fear. Fear is a The latest and one of the greatest In order to move from the Bhulok and dominating personalities maybe looking places. And he warned that big industry these days and marketing negativities pushes was the Mahaguru whose Karma or Earth plane to ‘Bhuvalok’ or ‘Astral - *73* 0/2)7 as celebrities as well. If they are phil- the bare ones are the higher ones, and demand of goods and services that are often not required. Bhumi was Gurgaon and afterlife Plane’ or from the Mooladhara Chakra anthropic and kind, they retain their we should avoid getting stuck due to Making a fast buck is seldom done through fair business. headquarters is Najafgarh. While to the Swadishthan Chakra, from the loka status. If not they catch a snake our sense of sight. As Mario Puzo wrote in The Godfather — Behind every great most prophets came with a small con- Earth element to the water element, ride. If they are those who out do So choose wisely in this life and fortune there is a crime. Corona is certainly bad, but cash- tingent of a few, he brought along hun- from the predominantly Tamas to expectations, the ethereal ladder in your afterlife. ing in on Corona is rather worse. dreds of beings from higher lokas to more Rajas we need to work on con- appears and the ascent is in order. $ " & 0 0!! accomplish his mission. trolling our senses. The ascent is to the Anahta chakra & & !&K!! && KCK! 6 # 6< Q7 ! B , , ) , 6 , / ,: , .B/*:(77. , B/):54./ -27/
n the hollow emptiness within, a dark e, human beings, are pro- passage to seemingly nowhere, I search grammed to fear. Why blame Ifor myself, or perhaps dismiss myself in WGod for this? What do we do the perfect burial ground that one’s con- with our children? We instil discipline sciousness could serve. The more inward I in them by scaring them. This process look, the more beyond me the vision wants of scaring into submission is reinforced to travel. Whereto, if not Krishna’s feet or throughout one’s life. If a growing child the sound of His Flute that beckons many is not paying proper attention to his hearts. The outcome is peace when I tread studies, his parents may paint a very with faith, and frustration when I digress to dark picture of his future. Then, there alleys not in His name. That alternating is law to be afraid of for everyone. As peace and frustration is because I am a result, we are all insecure without human. In that lies both my hope and dis- exception. The thought of insecurity appointment. comes regularly, which makes us care- Why Krishna, and not simply empti- ful, cautious and fearful. ness? Buddhist proponents may argue. Or, In short, we are programmed to be another name to fill the void such as Jesus insecure. How else can a world with its or Mohammed, that few minority religious seven billions plus population coexist? minds in India might be provoked to ask. In This is the cosmic design, which is to raising those questions, the adult mind stop us from acting irresponsibly by remains minor. For all of us, whether in being fearful. Unknowingly, we con- them. The demonic try to cause harm people are assured of not ending up your heart or mine, are trying to fill the ceived from His Flute. “Climbing shall not end. Know this, tribute to instil fear in others. to the world by their cruel acts. (16.9) badly (6.40) or never perishing. (9.31) void with energy. In my case, it is Krishna Indeed, from atop that peak, one of love that with every step of yours howsoever This is not all, we are also pro- Those with divine endowments are cru- So what did we learn? That the pro- energy. The big personal journey inside and not marriage, I saw Krishna more rele- made, I will make one towards you.” grammed to think that in spite of all the cial for the proper functioning of the gramming of being fearful or having the would be best served without the myopic vant. So, I decided to talk to Him through Replied the Master. talk about God, if He exists at all, will world. That is why God and His divine feeling that God will not protect does lens of religion, and instead with an intu- my writings, in a more inspired version of In that leap of faith I continued. The not protect us. What good is God to us establishment favour them. There are not have to be permanently inched into itive eye of the seeker. It is in Krishna con- myself and in His own language of creation. only glimmer of light in the dark passage if, He will not protect us. Is our secu- three categories of such divine souls. us, it can be changed. However, there sciousness that this pen flows. In humility, I called my spirit to drop ink on within. The light of Krishna energy, that I rity not a major concern for us. This The first one consists of just good peo- are conditions, as mentioned earlier. If “Among the mountains, I am the paper floor. Then, with abandon, I danced nurtured from emptiness, dropping off all feeling is a big factor in people not hav- ple, who do mostly good acts not want- we have qualified, then, we need not be Himalayas.” said He. upon it. Krishna must be merry in the heav- that was useless in the climb towards the ing faith in God. On the other hand, we ing to harm anyone. so fearful or anxious; we can come to We are all trying to climb successive ens too. next peak. are told that God will punish us if we The next or higher lot is of good the level of being cautious, careful, etc., peaks that we see. Any relative comparison As I wrote in my book, Conversations I conjured up Krishna’s idol of white, stray, though this is factually incorrect, people, who also do public service. For which is necessary for our own good. among the peers is useless. Glorious peaks With My Love: Creativity is God. In it, we spotless marble. Ganges flowed down His because giving punishment is done by this reason, God does intervene in their This is when peace descends. One for a few could be futile plateaus for others. find ourselves; His scheme, how he fulfills; entire length and out through the door that divine authorities, based on our cases by protecting them by extricating knows in his heart that he is never alone Within us those subjectively defined heights Promises He makes, Ours’ that He keeps; my soul had opened. “It is my birthday, bad/sinful acts. God stays away from them from harmful situations, caused and helpless; God is with Him. (6.7) He are measured and more importantly, a Many through progeny, follow the creative mate,” said He, “of your Venusian heart, tell such administration of justice except in by their bad acts done earlier. enjoys God’s protection. God is real; He climbing process where life is felt and lived. path; I found other way, I came to write. me which void shall I fill?” rare cases like that of Ravana. At that Remember, these souls must have is no longer a figment of imagination. I saw the peak of a woman, and in her Another peak climbed, and yet not high My Lord, in your presence, and when time, God chooses to perform many erred like the rest of us human beings. Every time a fearful thought comes true love, my elixir. The energy that flows enough. Krishna was not always there to your eyes meet mine, there is no void any- functions like re-establishing dharma. God has to help out; He does. God does in the mind then one thinks that he is in true love is the same, whether it is for keep me drowned or submerged in Him. He more. The ocean fills all empty spaces. Only (Bhagavad Gita 4.7) This programming much more for His devotees — the not alone; God is with him; He will pro- God or a person. If I could not be con- had not yet granted me that fortune. depths remain unexplored, now that I have is also part of the cosmic design. highest category He puts them in the tect. Gradually, the earlier program- sciously in God’s love round the clock, then “Krishna, wither those clouds, that hide taken the dive. Call the mermaid with Your There are two kinds of people in “yogakshemam” group — (9.22). God ming will change from negative to pos- I needed her love. May be, through her love the next peak, and not my limbs,” said I, Flute and ask her to pull me deeper. the world — those born with predom- helps in getting what one does not have itive and life will be much better. only, could I hope to reach the higher and continued, “before I leave my pot of The writer is the author of book, inantly divine and demonic qualities. and provides security of what one has. 4 & !! realms in my spiritual world that was con- earth behind, present yourself Master.” Conversations With My Love (16.6) There is always friction between This is how the two higher groups of & C. K! uvitiut !" #$#! ! ( )
he coronavirus pandemic raise awareness regarding risk Thas not only grabbed the factors and establishment of headlines but has also thrown NCD clinics, cardio care cen- the global health emergency tre and screening at primary care in disarray. The ubiquitous health-care level. The National $ #9: %$ < virus has not spared anyone, Action Plan has also been con- not even the most prosperous ceived along the global moni- %6%3$;: %; economies of the world. toring framework to reduce the AA: ;"#3 %$ Studies have shown that premature deaths from NCDs people living with comorbidi- to 25 per cent by 2025. A%;@ %$9 % ty (i.e., concomitant morbidi- However, the Covid-19 pan- ty) are under high risk of demic has militated against %43 : # % 3 5%% falling critically ill or suc- Government’s efforts of inte- %@A:# 5 " "# cumbing to coronavirus. They grating NPCDCS with are dying from the in-hospital National Health Mission and #<<#; %#$#33 $6 complications and a high inci- AYUSH to promote a healthy "# #<<%;%#$; < dence of mortality. The comor- lifestyle and strengthening bidity is mostly of non-com- infrastructure to detect NCDs A%;%#3 ":49" municable diseases (NCDs), at an early stage. #E6#3%9$#6 such as diabetes, hyperten- The focus of the healthcare sion, obesity, cerebrovascular system in India at present lies %$ #:#$ %$3 %$ accident, malignancy, asthma, on four important directions - cardiovascular disease, chron- -- intervention in maternal ;4: %%$9 ic kidney and obstructive pul- and child health, preventive ;@:5%6% * monary diseases, etc. and affordable healthcare, med- Moreover, persons with ical infrastructure, and com- #3A#;% 64:%$9 diabetes have been in the lime- municable and non-commu- "# 3#;$6 < light since the inception of the nicable diseases. Under the pandemic as the epidemiolog- aegis of Ayushman Bharat %6E) ical data have revealed their Scheme, the Health and high risk of several clinical Wellness Centres, Primary adversaries (The Lancet, 2020). Healthcare Centres, As per the statistics, 71 per cent Community Health Centres of deaths are owing to NCDs are providing free diagnostic globally, 41 million people services for the NCDs. every year, of which 15 million Simply designing and are under the age of 70 years. implementing policies are not Moreover 8.5 million cases are sufficient to weaken the bond from low and middle income between Covid-19 and comor- countries. bidity. There is a need to elim- The Lancet Diabetes & inate practical and psycholog- Endocrinology published its ical barriers to healthy behav- findings based on 61 million iour, which is possible by the -+$+ B+,$7 individuals in England on their adoption of a behavioural eco- absolute and relative risk of +& ! ! & + +&H0 + nomics approach. Integration mortality due to Covid-19 and of these idiosyncratic the type of diabetes. It finds that reported cases of mortality in lation aged 45 years and above, viduals suffering from comor- need of the hour and has been hypertension, and stage-2 and approaches into policymaking the odd ratio of in-hospital India, Bangladesh and Pakistan we estimated that 18.28 per bidity are hardly ever or never followed from March 1 to curb stage-3 hypertension at 1 per will illustrate its ability to deaths is 3.51, and 2.03 for per- are comparatively low so far. cent have comorbidity. About engaged in vigorous physical the second wave of covid. cent each. On blood pressure improve both the effectiveness sons with type-1 and type-2 The climatic and geographical 60 per cent of the patients with activities. Out of total patients However, the public spend- parameter, it finds 61 per cent and efficiency of policies diabetes, respectively. factors have some bearing on diabetes have high blood pres- suffering from comorbidity, ing on NCDs is less than 0.5 women as compared to 43 per through well-designed inter- Information from 1561 Covid- this low fatality rate in this sure, while 17.32 per cent of about one-quarter indulge in per cent of GDP in India. The cent men, but only 1 per cent ventions in curtailing the 19 patients from two hospitals region. (Apicella et. al., The patients with high cholesterol substance use. Cases among findings of the National Family of them take anti-hypertensive comorbidity, especially during in Wuhan showed that those Lancet, July 17, 2020). levels are suffering from chron- females are more than males Health Survey (NFHS) of 2015- medicines. the second of Covid-19. with diabetes (9.8%) were more Using the Longitudinal ic heart diseases. This co- and it increases with the rise in 16 state that obesity has given The National Programme likely to need admission to the Aging Study in India (LASI, occurrence of more than one income from the second to fifth a steep rise to hypertension for Prevention and Control of (Pratap C Mohanty teach- intensive care unit or to die, 2017-19) database of the disorder in the same individual income quintile. among people with BMI more Cancer, Diabetes, es Economics at IIT Roorkee. He and similar cases are also noted Harvard, IIPS and the is a matter of utmost concern The Government’s initia- than 30. While 11 per cent of Cardiovascular Disease and specialises in Health Economics. -+ 7+$$+,3'+ from other parts of the world. University of Southern during the raging pandemic. tive to prioritise the people with the eligible women (i.e, age 15- Stroke (NPCDCS) has been Pragya Taneja is a PhD Fellow, However, despite having a California on disease and Our results also demonstrated comorbidity in this age group 49) have hypertension, includ- executed by the Ministry of Department of Humanities and high percentage of diabetes, the health condition of the popu- that 75 per cent of the indi- on the vaccination list is the ing 7 per cent having stage-1 Health and Family Welfare to Social Sciences, IIT Roorkee)
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t is crucial that the world’s largest vaccination campaigns have helped Ivaccination campaign in India save millions of precious lives. must succeed with more shots being What is common across all suc- administered because this is the cessful vaccination campaigns is the green shoot of hope we have to fact there has been strong grassroots &:@ "# # :E rebuild our lives and our economy acceptance. With no clear sight on ;;%$ #6 " and to build India stronger. when the Covid-19 pandemic will Covid-19 has had an unprece- end, and if the world will ever go 3" :# "#%: dented impact in the way we live and back to the place as we knew it, it is #A#:%#$;# % " work. The lockdown and quarantine crucial to take the jab. protocols also fueled social anxiety Let us take a moment to look "#:3 "# ;;%$# as more cases were identified, and back on the same period last year: reports of deaths due to Covid-19 There was no hope in sight as the 6@%$%3 : :3* ; related complications trickled in. pandemic wreaked havoc across the 56%#3 " < ;%% # Every death is a tragic loss; world. Less than a year later, we have every death impacts people and hope and confidence in a number of "# ;;%$ %$ families in ways that go unreported. approved vaccines, highlighting the ;#$ :#3* "# "; :# With over 1.69 lakh lives already lost inspiring work of our scientists. to the pandemic, there is urgent need With multiple variants of the virus ;@@4$% * to embrace the nationwide vaccina- being reported, being vaccinated is tion drive. important to support humanity’s A%;@ #:3 $6 "# The nation’s resilience and collective effort to contain the pan- @#6% * ##:$# " 3 prompt action has seen it record demic. among the world’s lowest number of As Prime Minister Narendra :# "%9"%9" cases and deaths per million of the Modi has warned, the country, with "# $##6 34AA: population, but we must continue to its large population of 1.3 billion, build on this through the most stands to face trouble if vaccinations $6 #$;4: 9# "# effective and safe tool that science has are not taken to prevent new infec- ;;%$ %$ 6:%# developed — prompt vaccination. tions. The strategy of the nation to After all, vaccines have helped first inoculate front-line workers contain several contagious diseases. followed by the elderly and now The fact that we are smallpox free is opening up vaccinations for all over just one example of how successful 45 is the right direction as we need vaccination campaigns have enabled to ensure lower mortality, given that the nation to address pressing health- the elderly and those with medical care crises. conditions are more vulnerable to the While the first dose of smallpox complications arising from Covid-19. vaccine reportedly arrived in the With vaccination centres set up country in 1802, the country’s first in key locations across all States, peo- +!&& !! !! $@ 0 3( F (&,( $% national campaign in 1962 enabled ple have more access to vaccination. us in achieving the desired effect More than 10 crore doses of the vac- our to get the opportunity to protect V Covid-19 vaccine, and also fast- vaccinated who share their experi- moving in the right direction and we through the tireless efforts of vol- cine have already been administered, oneself, and at the same time, sup- tracking approval for other shots ence with others to the vaccine must step up the tempo to enable unteers and a greater awareness including over nearly 1.35 crore port the safety of the family and already passed by other major coun- administrators, local bodies that safety for all our fellow citizens, so "@4-B'7B$%44BA% among the public on the need to be people taking both the doses, as of community. Being vaccinated, I tries. With the rising cases in India, facilitate the vaccination centres, that as a country we can focus on our vaccinated. April 14. believe, is the first step to protecting vaccination is the most effective the healthcare community, the pol- growth and socio-economic and We have seen similar success in My family members and I have yourself and your family, and there- tool in our battle against Covid-19. icymakers and the media, everyone developmental priorities. preventing tuberculosis through the taken the jab, and the confidence it by the wider community and the And as the Government rightly stat- has a role in highlighting the need to BCG vaccination programme. brings is enormous. The process was nation. While it is important to con- ed, “It is very critical to expand the encourage the vaccination drive. (The writer is NABH Assessor for Further, from being hyperendemic seamless; we visited the vaccination tinue to follow all protocols, vaccine basket of vaccines for domestic use We have a solution to the Hospitals and Ethics Committee and for polio in the early 1990s, India’s centre near our home. There were ensures that you are less vulnerable and hasten the pace and coverage of unprecedented challenge we faced, honorary lecturer, Institute of Clinical success in eliminating wild trained volunteers who explained to to the disease, which gives you a vaccination”. and it would be unwise, and in fact Sciences, University of Birmingham, polioviruses is another inspiring us the process of the vaccination, sense of immense relief. What is the key to the success of a disservice to the nation, to squan- UK; and Consultant, Digital Health example of the success of the children what to expect, and we were back The Government of India has this vaccination mission is that every der this opportunity due to appre- Programmes, Maulana Abul Kalam vaccination programme and aware- home in no time. taken the right steps, by authorising member of the public plays a key role hension, uncertainty, or misinfor- Azad University of Technology (for- ness campaigns. These successful It is both a privilege and an hon- the emergency use of Russia’s Sputnik in contributing to it. From the early- mation. India’s vaccination drive is merly WBUT), West Bengal) ' 3 ) ;75.4/20/332 . 47 )Q5 )/72 /<;75 3 .2)7. 3R20/) axu ! <7.)- 2 . K/33/4 5..756- 5-4
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omplex dynamics of man and the born ignorant. Having learnt how to themselves with ease. Evidently, they are approach the subject with an open mind universe calls for necessary aware- engage with the living world would mean first taught the civic and moral conduct without any egotistical preconditioning Cness. That alone would help artic- being born the second time. Submitting norms. That qualifies them to relate well whatsoever. The purpose, obviously, is to ulate ways and means to steer life in con- to formal education, one becomes with the environment and conduct invoke the spirit of an honest seeker as is formity with the design parameters knowledgeable. And having realised the themselves in an orderly manner. Having usually evident in a curious child. In the underlying our existence and secure its realities of life in holistic terms, one been brought up to this level will literally process, the seeker develops enough of smooth run. We need to be aware of our becomes wise. mean being born afresh the second time. mental and moral control. That enables individual as well as collective worth and Mind it: By birth one begins with a Ground is thus laid down to step into him/her to put in all acts together to pur- limitations. For, we are all born ignorant clean slate, apparently not carrying any the next course of learning, as the mind sue the learning process in the right spir- and unaware, primarily driven just by impression of worldly object or experi- will still not be at rest. It will continue it following an open enquiry system. The our instincts. We are however, also born ence in mind that could serve as a guid- with its inherent urge to further expand seeker, thus groomed, qualifies to easily with an inherent urge to learn, expand ing principle. Although armed with all its reach and strike. One is then provided grasp true import of the lessons impart- one’s reach and evolve. the faculties of mind to comprehend a with opportunity for exposure to various ed, both explicit as well as hidden The process of learning begins ever thing or to act on their own, they do not disciplines vital to our qualitative exis- between the lines. since the child begins to respond to sug- have any image in mind that may pro- tence. Here, a reference to the word It is pertinent to note here that in the gestions. However, seeing the enormity vide them the right lead. They do not “Veda” as reflected in the above verse ancient India’s tradition, most of the and complexity of our life mechanism, as have enough of spoken words stock does not necessarily mean Veda parse. knowledge treasures were purposely also limitations of mind and intellect, it either to describe an object or express Vedas here implies all the acquired trea- scripted in formulated language. It was is simply inconceivable to get to know their feelings. Obviously, therefore, they sures of knowledge covering different supposedly done so in order that one the whole at one go. It does not come would need a lesson in how to engage aspects of life, be they philosophy, medi- could have in store, enough of memory about easy either. That evidently calls for with the world around. cine, astronomy, warfare, justice. implants in the least possible space and a well-articulated step-by-step learning The children are, however, abound However, it was necessary for every words possible. It needs to be appreciated process, as would India’s age-old concept with energy, and curious to know every- seeker to undergo a mandatory groom- here that but for honing one’s intellect as scripted in the following verse from thing that would come in sight. With all ing process before being allowed expo- thoroughly well, it would not be possible Atreya Samahita mean. that, their minds keep jumping from one sure to the particular subject of learning. to see through the truths veiled under “JanmanaJayateSudrah/ object to the other in succession. So, they Purposely so that character is built, the express words. Samaskaratadwijaucchayate/ suffer from attention deficiency. strength of mind is increased, vision and $ 0 !! Vedapathibhavetaviprah/ Accordingly, they are to be first given a intellect get expanded. The whole & !! K ! Brahmajanatiitibrahmanah”. lesson in the basics, in a manner befitting process was directed towards the seeker $* LLGIIGM LIGII Literally it means that by birth we are their age, as would be needed to conduct getting well-grounded so that s/he could 3* &CK!
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