The sparrow can still fly home to us

TIMES EVOKE

The sparrow can still fly home to us

20.03.2021 

March 20th is World Sparrow Day. But, as the little bird vanishes alarmingly across the world, Diwakar Sharma of WWF India writes in Times Evoke about why the sparrow is becoming so rare — and how we can still save it:

Born in Delhi, I remember a time when house sparrows were a part of every childhood. During March and April, their chirping sounds would fill our homes as they fed on wheat grains being cleaned in courtyards or hopped cheerfully across windowsills. March-April being breeding season for these sparrows, it was common to see them building their little nests in our homes — indeed, it was a thrill to carefully place a toppled-over chick back in its nest, despite dire warnings by our parents that the grown sparrows wouldn’t accept chicks which had been touched by human hands (they usually did; the warnings aimed to stop fascinated children from disturbing these nests).

Then too, in the 1970s and ’80s, Delhi was expanding but there were still patches of natural grasslands that provided a habitat for these birds. Twenty years later, I found sparrows were visible in the city but in much smaller numbers. I was lucky enough to see sparrows nesting in my house windows in the early 2000s. But this lasted only two years and the sparrows didn’t return thereafter.

It is tragic that a species so strongly associated with human habitation, which partly evolved with us and can live in urban or rural settings, is now suffering because of human activities. The house sparrow became associated with humans 10,000 years ago, often following us as we moved to new locales. A ubiquitous companion, the sparrow wasn’t always welcome.

In China, in the 1950s, sparrows were declared pests due to their feeding on crops and were destroyed in huge numbers. Later, it was discovered that sparrows had been controlling the insects that then damaged the crops and caused widespread famines.

But sparrow populations have been consistently declining in different parts of the world. In London, sparrows have almost disappeared, their absence linked with industrialisation growing from the mid-19th century. As locomotives replaced horse carts, the little sparrow lost its share of the grain which spilled from these carts when the horses fed. Research now shows a 55% decline in sparrow populations in Europe, 58% in rural Britain and 95% in London. In India, the ‘eBird’ survey shows house sparrow populations have declined by 45% across six metros. Natural causes like predation and avian malaria have contributed — but human-induced factors have had far greater impact. These include radiation from mobile phones and towers, a shortage of nesting sites caused by changing urban building design and a dwindling supply of insects due to the loss of grasslands, monoculture cropping and the heavy use of pesticides. A recent study indicates that the emission of toxic compounds like methyl nitrite from unleaded petrol could also have affected sparrow populations.

In many countries, this little bird, facing multiple existential challenges, has been categorised as threatened. As part of global efforts to save it, World Sparrow Day was announced on 20th March and in 2012, the house sparrow was declared Delhi’s state bird. But we need more than nominations and labels to bring sparrows back. A lot is still possible — we can provide safe nesting places for sparrows by placing artificial nest boxes around homes. We can also improve our knowledge of the habitat these birds need. Currently, due to a belief that only woodlands fight climate change, afforestation drives eat away grassy stretches. But the house sparrow doesn’t inhabit woodlands, which consist of dense trees. It is a creature of grasslands, large swathes of grasses and shrubs. Afforestation therefore must only be undertaken in areas that had forests to begin with. In other locations, grassland management should be adopted to preserve the natural ecosystem.

Any change in the health of an ecosystem reflects in changes in its biodiversity — the decline of the sparrow indicates that the health of Delhi’s environment is deteriorating. This is a warning bell for Covid-19 has shown that environmental well-being and human health are intricately linked. We need to do more to protect nature. There is reason to hope too — sparrows have been sighted recently in outer Delhi, across Dwarka and Najafgarh. A possible reason could be a change in the numbers of mobile towers. But sparrows still face challenges like urban construction edging them out. We need to solve these issues with a focus that lasts beyond World Sparrow Day, to every day which can be brightened by the chirping of this energetic little bird.

Times Evoke presents a unique space for readers to express their thoughts on the environment. Write in to: timesevoke@timesgroup.com

Making of a Biryani master

Making of a Biryani master

Serving the hungry, being part of the process, and being loyal to his customers are the secrets to S Abdul Samad’s success

Published: 04th March 2021 05:27 AM |

PHOTO: ASHWIN PRASATH

By Kannalmozhi Kabilan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: There are many statements that could ideally describe the laboured life of S Abdul Samad What you sow, so you reap; what goes around, comes around; Insha Allah; mother knows best. But, if you had to pick just one, it’d probably be ‘strife maketh a man’. And his thallu vandi-to-global restaurant chain story too. The man behind the success that is SS Hyderabad Biryani would not be where he is now, if not for the fire that ravaged his father’s poultry factory and changed the nature of their lives overnight.

Forced to become enterprising, it was his mother’s culinary skills born of the experience generations of her family had gained in the palace of Mysuru that Abdul turned to. In the summer of 1995, three years after the fire, after a prolonged period of search and salvation and a succession of kind encounters, he set up his first thallu vandi selling chicken pakoda.

It took another three years for him to move to the biryani business. The kind where there’s one man with a katta pai full of heavy biryani packages, delighting the hungry merchants of Richi Street and ravenous swimmers near Marina with meaty goodness. In the years that followed, he did move on to take a day job in the marketing world, while also handling party orders for his biryani that had by then garnered a solid word-of-mouth reputation.

It was in 2003 that Abdul’s biryani enterprise found a mortar-and-brick home in Perambur. And there has been no looking back since. While the going had certainly not been easy by any means, trust in his mother’s recipe that he had worked hard to master, faith in God and earnest eagerness in doing his part in the scheme of things and doing it well at that is what has kept him going, he says. Here’s an excerpt from the conversation.

Biryani might have still been a novelty when you started out. But what has made you thrive in the business for so many years, amid such competition?

I was a field worker from the start; that’s what helped me survive the competition. When I was selling biryani in Richi Street, people did come back to my biryani master to get him to make the same food for them. But it wasn’t the same. My mother used to say “You be there through the entire food-making process. Make use of what I gave you, what the cook offered and what you saw fit in both and make a distinct recipe. No one should know what you do to make the biryani taste this way.

But it should be unique.” Even in those days, I used to give a sufficient quantity of rice in each biryani packet. Because people should bless you from the heart after eating and not feel cheated. I would pack rice till it looks enough to my eyes; you take it in your hands and it will feel heavy. People began buying one packet for two. This made my biryani stand out. Even today, there is no measure; people still buy one packet for two.

You have had many principles and ideologies define your work. But, what stands out the most?

When I spoke at an event in Bangkok recently, they asked me what is quality to me. Others would say it is in the key ingredients, flavours... But that’s not it. It’s working in such a way that you know god is watching. Because the customer wouldn’t know what I put in the food when I serve it. But He is watching. And that’s the challenge I present to all restaurants. At least after this pandemic, I ask them to give up adding colours and Ajinomoto (MSG) to food. Today, some chef or master might do it to a stranger; but, the same thing is being done to his kin by someone else. This is how it works.

Beyond good food, what would you like your business to stand for?

The idea is to give. In our big outlets in the city, we plan to provide sanitary napkin dispensers in the women’s restrooms; so that it comes in handy during emergencies. Besides this, we plan to introduce a food bank at every one of our outlets. On my part, I will provide ten packets of biryani. Those in need can approach the counter and they will be offered food from this bank. The public can contribute to this effort too, adding the food they can to the bank. In other restaurants, they will give away food to the needy only after they have attended to the customers. Here, it’s the needy we address first.

CHICKEN FRY THE SS WAY

While all of SS Hyderabad Biryani’s outlets have maintained their standard menu with biryani,  tandoori and Indo-Chinese food on offer, the new outlet at Royapuram has stepped off this well-established mould. Shaped like a container unit (though you’re not likely to notice it with all the decor), this outlet features a SS special food court on the ground floor and a small party hall above it. The  food court, besides providing SS staples, also offers SS Halal Fried Chicken; and burgers, fries

and the like.

பெட்ரோல் விலை ரூ.100ஐ தாண்டியது

DINAMALAR

இந்தியா

பெட்ரோல் விலை ரூ.100ஐ தாண்டியது

Updated : பிப் 18, 2021 04:07

பொதுத் துறையைச் சேர்ந்த, பாரத் பெட்ரோலியம், இந்தியன் ஆயில் கார்ப்., ஹிந்துஸ்தான் பெட்ரோலியம் ஆகிய மூன்று நிறுவனங்கள், சர்வதேச கச்சா எண்ணெய் விலைக்கு ஏற்ப, தினமும் பெட்ரோல், டீசல் விலையை நிர்ணயித்து வருகின்றன. இதன்படி நேற்று, பெட்ரோல், டீசல் விலை, லிட்டருக்கு, 25 காசு உயர்த்தப்பட்டது. இதையடுத்து, ராஜஸ்தானில், முதன் முறையாக, ஒரு லிட்டர் பெட்ரோல் விலை, 100.13 ரூபாயாக உயர்ந்தது. நாட்டிலேயே, ராஜஸ்தானில் தான், பெட்ரோலியப் பொருட்களுக்கு மதிப்பு கூட்டு வரி மிக அதிகமாக உள்ளது. அதன் காரணமாகவே, இங்கு பெட்ரோல், டீசல் விலையும் அதிகமாக உள்ளது.

ராஜஸ்தான், மஹாராஷ்டிரா, மத்திய பிரதேசம் ஆகிய மாநிலங்களில், அதிக, 'மைலேஜ்' தரக்கூடிய உயர் வகை பெட்ரோல் விலை, ஏற்கனவே, 100 ரூபாயை தாண்டி விட்டது. எனினும், ராஜஸ்தானில் தான், சாதாரண வகை பெட்ரோல் விலை, முதன் முறையாக, 100 ரூபாயை தாண்டியுள்ளது. மத்திய, மாநில அரசுகள், ஒரு லிட்டர் பெட்ரோல் விலையில், 60 சதவீதத்தை வரிகள் வாயிலாக வசூலிக்கின்றன;

இது, டீசலுக்கு, 54 சதவீதமாக உள்ளது.மத்திய அரசு, ஒரு லிட்டர் பெட்ரோலுக்கு, 32.90 ரூபாய், டீசலுக்கு, 31.80 ரூபாய் கலால் வரி வசூலிக்கிறது. இதனுடன், மாநில அரசுகள் விதிக்கும் வரி காரணமாக, பெட்ரோல், டீசல் விலை விண்ணை முட்டும் அளவிற்கு உயர்ந்து வருகிறது.

 https://epaper.thehindu.com/Home/ShareArticle?OrgId=GQH89LE65.1&imageview=1

How birds die fighting their own image on windows

How birds die fighting their own image on windows

Jasjeev.Gandhiok@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:13.02.2021 

Reflective glass panes may up the style of a building, but it is dangerous for birds, especially for nonurban avian species. For one, their own reflection in the window confuses the birds and causes them to peck aggressively at the glass to attack the ‘enemy’ bird, particularly during nesting season. The birds injure themselves, even die at times. Ornithologists say this phenomenon is becoming common as more buildings now use reflective windows that allow one-way view of the outside.

Faiyaz Khudsar, scientist in charge at the Yamuna Biodiversity Park, said that many birds perceive the reflections in the windows as hostile birds. “At the Biodiversity Park itself, we see a lot of babblers pecking at their own reflections in the windows,” said Khudsar. “However, more than regular windows, reflective windows and those using glass films pose a higher risk to the birds.”

A 2014 study established that one billion birds died from window strikes every year in the United States. The study had analysed the behaviour of the golden-winged warbler, painted bunting, Canada warbler, wood thrush and the Kentucky warbler.

Experts explained that birds establishing their territory or nesting show these aggressive characteristics, and mistake their own reflections for other avians that need to be driven away from the spot. Dr Surya Prakash, zoologist at Jawaharlal Nehru University, pointed out that while birds like pigeons and crows are less affected by the reflections, species living in denser forested patches adjoining urban settlements often mistake the images for enemy birds.

“This is often the case with jungle babblers, woodpeckers and drongos. In some cases, they have died trying to defend their territory,” said Prakash. “They are especially territorial during the nesting season. Males are protective of their territory and defend the female and the chicks from the presumed male in the reflection. Similarly, female birds may think it’s another female bird trying to harm the chicks.”

The capacity to adapt varies from species to species. “We have seen a peregrine falcon nesting atop a reflective building near Okhla Bird Sanctuary for several years,” revealed Prakash.

Nadeem Shehzad, who runs a veterinary hospital for raptors in north Delhi, disclosed having received many birds injured in head-on collisions with glass panes. “It used to be common abroad, but with more people installing reflective windows, cases are rising here too,” said Shehzad. “Shikras, in particular, fly low and often injure themselves in this manner. Birds can actually die from the head-on collisions.”

DANGEROUS ONE VIEW: Their own reflection confuses birds, and causes them to peck aggressivel

Abuse has increased during lockdown, say 71% of elderly

Ambika.Pandit@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:16.06.2020

Ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, a survey with focus on the impact of Covid-19 pandemic found 71% elderly respondents are of the opinion that cases of abuse against them increased during the lockdown period and after.

A majority 56.1% of the respondents said they were suffering abuse in their families or by society. The forms of abuse include a wide range from disrespect and verbal abuse, silent treatment (not talking to them), ignoring their daily needs, denying proper food, denying medical support, cheating financially, physical and emotional violence and forcing the elderly to work.

The survey was steered by volunteers of civil society organisation Agewell Foundation between June 1 to June 12 and is based on responses of 5,000 elderlypeople in different parts of the country, including metro cities — Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

Of the 2,804 respondents who said they were facing abuse, 79% said elderly face mistreatment in old age mostly due to financial reasons.

The study further indicates that the Covid-19 crisis and lockdown related rules have forced most senior citizens above to live in isolation. A very high 69% of elderly respondents said their lives have been affected by the situation arising out of the pandemic.

A significant 71% of elderly respondents said that they believe cases of elder abuse have increased during lockdown period and after. Among them 58% claimed interpersonal relationships are the major factor behind increasing incidence of elder abuse in families. Besides this, 63.7% of elderly respondents said they were facing neglect in their life.

Himanshu Rath, chairman of Agewell Foundation, said Covid-19 has created a negative atmosphere around older persons. “Older people are not only facing social restrictions but also family restrictions.

Full report on www.toi.in

LOCKDOWN BLUES

Empty package, wrapped with speeches, says Congress

Empty package, wrapped with speeches, says Congress

Finance Minister displayed arrogance, ignorance, says party

15/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

Randeep Surjewala

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman displayed “arrogance, ignorance and insensitivity” while giving out details of the economic stimulus package that has turned out to be a jumla (empty promise), the Congress said on Thursday.

While the party’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala called the stimulus package a jumla, senior leader Ahmed Patel said, “It is an empty package wrapped with speeches since the last three days.”

Addressing a joint online press conference, Lok Sabha member Manish Tewari and party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the humanitarian crisis surrounding the migrant workers is a defining image of the coronavirus crisis in India, but the government had fallen woefully short in addressing it.

“The image of our migrant workers walking to reach the safety of their homes will haunt us for a long time. Was it not your responsibility to answer what are you doing about them?” Mr. Tewari asked the government.

‘Bamboozling people’

“You are trying to bamboozle people by throwing big numbers at people,” Mr. Tewari said, adding that the government had earmarked only ₹3,500 crore of the ₹20 lakh crore stimulus package.

“All the government has done is announce loan melas (fairs) for different sets of people. Where is the assistance?” asked Ms. Shrinate.

She added that only direct cash transfers on the lines of Congress’ NYAY minimum guarantee scheme to the bottom 13 crore households would have helped the poor cope with the crisis.

“MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) wages have been revised annually for a decade now. Today’s FM (Finance Minister) announcement no big deal. Nothing on what’s urgently needed: 1. Provide wages for month of April. 2. Increase no. of MGNREGA days to 200. Ironic that those who ridiculed MGNREGA now rely on it,” tweeted former Union minister Jairam Ramesh.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted: “There is dense darkness and times are difficult. Have courage, all of us are standing for the safety of all of them. We will ensure that their screams reach the government...”

As lockdown eases, AC mechanics in demand

As lockdown eases, AC mechanics in demand

The number of calls to the service centre has nearly doubled. “Normally, we would be allotted a maximum of seven to nine calls a day.

Published: 07th May 2020 06:37 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Manikandan, a 32-year-old AC technician, who works for an app-based home service provider said, “My phone has been ringing every ten minutes since yesterday, and I had been assigned 25 AC repairs and maintenance in a single day.” With the approaching summer, and the government allowing electricians to resume work, there has been a huge surge in service requests.

The number of calls to the service centre has nearly doubled. “Normally, we would be allotted a maximum of seven to nine calls a day. But, since the relaxation, we have been on our toes, and we hardly get a 15 minute lunch break now,” said Manikandan. The techinicians however, are working with the fear of catching the virus. He added, “Before we got back to duty, we were asked to do tests, and also given instructions to mandatorily use masks and gloves.” The customers are also given instruction to stay ina separate room while the technicians are at work.

However, availability of spare parts is what worries them. “Big shops selling spares haven’t opened yet, and hence, the dealers have started selling them at an increased price,” said another AC techinician at Velachery, adding that they sell this in the morning hours, secretly. Another hurdle is shortage of staff at hand, because most of the technicians had gone home before the lockdown kicked in. “In Mylapore, we have only three technicans. If we hire others privately, they charge us more,” said Muthuvel, a manager of an AC service centre. Adding to the misery is that certain gated communities have barred entry of outsiders due to the spread of coronavirus.

25 AC repairs were assigned to me in a single day, and my phone has been ringing every ten minutes, says an app based service provider

Indians returning on Navy ships may have to pay up

07/05/2020

“Yes, There will a charge [for passengers on the INS ships], as has been mentioned in the PIB press release,” an official said. “But it will be a reasonable amount.” Another official said the “exact amount has not yet been decided”, but was under discussion at present.

This is the first time such a charge will be levied for naval rescue operations that have in the past brought back thousands of Indians from the war zones in Yemen (2015), Libya (2011), Lebanon (2006) and Kuwait and Iraq during the Gulf War (1990).

“This is not an evacuation effort because this is not a government-sponsored operation,” an MEA official said on Tuesday. “However, this is coordinated by the MEA and our missions worldwide,” the official clarified, adding that returning passengers would also be charged for “mandatory institutional quarantine” facilities and any hospitalisation costs.

The naval operations for repatriation of Indians from the Maldives and the UAE have already begun, with INS Jalashwa and INS Magar headed to the Maldives, while INS Shardul and INS Airavat are heading to the UAE. Indian missions in Male and Dubai/Abu Dhabi have opened up booking counters and online registrations. The ships will ply in addition to 64 aircraft in the first week beginning May 7, which will accommodate 14,800 stranded Indians returning from 12 countries, including the UAE.

The UAE is likely to see the largest repatriation effort thus far, with about 2,00,000 Indians registering to return. Among them are tourists, business travellers, and thousands of expatriate workers and professionals who have been laid off or completed their contracts. The naval operation from the Maldives will see 700-1,000 Indians return in the first round, estimate officials, who said between 3,000-4,000 Indians working and travelling in various atolls have registered to return.

Confusion over circulars, says survey

Respondents were not sure what was allowed as part of the graded lockdown exit

07/05/2020, NISTULA HEBBAR,NEW DELHI

Shutters down: Some liquor stores remained closed in New Delhi on Wednesday.R.V. MoorthyR.V. Moorthy

The lockdown has been extended till May 17, but with a graded exit for various zones. Surveys have indicated that very few people understood the government circulars on what is allowed and what is not.

Less than 25% of the over 16,358 responses polled from 12,410 people across 277 districts surveyed by Local Circles (a community platform) indicated understanding of the circulars — a fact borne out by the large number of clarifications issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs after the announcement of the lockdown extension.

Of the respondents, 66% were men and the rest women. 42% of the respondents hailed from Tier 1 cities, 36% from Tier 2, and 22% from Tier 3 and 4 and rural areas.

The survey also reveals that 74% of those polled wanted no relaxations to the lockdown in districts that showed a high virus load (out of the 277 districts polled, 27 had high virus load).

Another survey was taken just after alcohol was allowed to be sold from standalone stores. It showed that 52% of around 8,078 respondents across 250 districts were of the view that home delivery of alcoholic beverages should be attempted by State governments to prevent infection spread through crowding at stores.

Around 16% of the respondents said that the shop opening time should be extended, while 23% were in favour of heavy police presence to ensure social distancing. Several States have increased the prices of liquor with a “corona cess”, but the lines have remained long and the shops crowded.

While home delivery is not explicitly disallowed or allowed by State excise laws, Chattisgarh has allowed online booking and sale of liquor, for up to 5 litres of alcohol per customer and a delivery charge of ₹120.

Of the over 8,000 respondents, 69% were men and 31% women, with 45% of them from Tier 1 cities, 35% from Tier 2, and the rest from Tiers 3, 4 and rural areas.

Centre urged to unearth black money

05/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,HYDERABAD

The National Backward Classes Welfare Association has requested the Centre to make all out efforts to bring out black money in the country so that it could be used for rebuilding the economy. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, president of association and former legislator R. Krishnaiah suggested that the government could issue Covid bonds with the facility for investment of unaccounted for money with 30% penalty. Mr. Krishnaiah stated that a psychological change is apparent among those holding the unaccounted for money after the coronavirus attack on humanity as they had been found helping the needy people in different ways. In such a situation, an opportunity provided to bring out the unaccounted for money with investment in government bonds after 30% deduction as penalty by the Income Tax Department would encourage such individuals to bring out their black wealth, he said.

Even Cobra hatchlings are lethal, caution experts

Warning comes after video of a Malayalam actor holding a hatchling on her palm goes viral

04/05/2020, K.S. SUDHI ,KOCHI

The venom in a hatchling is of high concentration.

It doesn’t require an adult cobra to snuff the life out of you; even hatchlings are capable of it, warn herpetologists.

Snake specialists sounded caution on handling snakes after a video of a Malayalam actor holding the hatchling of a cobra on her palm went viral on social media. The hatchling, a few centimetres in length, could be seen holding its hood up in the video and launching itself forward as if to strike.

Oblivious of the risk, the actor continued speaking on video the about the compassion to be shown towards such small guests.

The actor was also seen introducing the snake to some children.

‘Enough venom’

“The young cobra has enough venom, fully developed fangs and a poison delivery system sufficient enough to kill an adult person or cause serious health risks. The cobra venom is neurotoxic. It was suicidal on the actor’s part to hold the snake on her palm and go for a video recording,” said Jose Louies, an IUCN specialist on snakes.

Cobra is one of the four venomous snakes that accounts for most of the snakebite deaths in the country. Russell’s viper, Saw-scaled viper and the Common krait are the other members of the lethal league.

The venom in the cobra hatchling would be of high concentration. The striking distance between the snake and the human body was a few centimetres in this case. With its agility, the young snake could strike at any angle with lightning speed, said Mr. Louies, also the founder of Indiansnakes, a website that tracks snakes and snakebites.

Snakes hatch towards the end of summer months and the chance of encountering them were higher during the monsoon period. Most cases of snakebite occurred during monsoon, he said. Ideally, one should stay away from snakes.

Steps to be taken

If confronted in an unavoidable situation, the movement of the snake could be restrained by covering it with a bucket and then waiting for snake rescuers to arrive.

In case of a hatchling, they should be removed from the area safely, Mr. Louies suggested.

ஹலோ ஜானு.. உன்னை மறக்க முடியலை! ராம்.. இப்ப ஏன்டா போன் பண்ண.. 

90ஸ் கிட்ஸ்-இன் லாக்டவுன் கலகலப்புகள்! 

By Aravinthan | Updated: Friday, April 24, 2020, 10:55 [IST] சென்னை : 

லாக்டவுனில் சும்மா இருக்க முடியாமல் தங்கள் முன்னாள் காதலிக்கு போனைப் போட்டு இம்சை செய்து வருகிறார்கள் பல பரிதாப 90'ஸ் கிட்ஸ். இந்தியாவில் மட்டுமல்ல, உலகம் முழுவதுமே இந்த லாக்டவுன் டிரென்ட் உருவாகி வருகிறது. நம் ஊரில் முக்கியமாக திருமணம் ஆகாத 90'ஸ் கிட்ஸ் ராம்கள் லாக்டவுனில் தனிமை தாங்க முடியாமல், தங்கள் ஜானுக்களுக்கு மெசேஜ் போடுவது, போன் அடிப்பது என அதில் இருக்கும் சிக்கல் புரியாமல் வினையை விலை கொடுத்து வாங்கி வருகிறார்கள். 

போர் அடிக்கிறது 

இந்த கொரோனா வைரஸ் வந்தாலும் வந்தது. மக்கள் பயத்துடன் வீட்டிலேயே அடைந்து கிடக்க வேண்டிய நிலை ஏற்பட்டுள்ளது. குடும்பத்தில் இருப்பவர்களின் முகத்தை விடாமல் வாரக்கணக்கில் பார்த்து போர் அடித்துப் போய் அவர்களுடன் சண்டை இட்டு வரும் சம்பவங்கள் அதிகரித்து வருகிறது. 90’ஸ் கிட்ஸ் பாவம் இது ஒருபுறம் என்றால், முரட்டு சிங்கிள்களாக வலம் வரும் 90'ஸ் கிட்ஸ் ஆண்கள் ரொம்பப் பாவம். இந்த லாக்டவுன் நேரத்தில் நண்பர்களுடன் வெளியே சுற்ற முடியாது. அப்படியே கெத்தாக லாக்டவுன் துவக்கத்தில் வெளியே சுற்றிய சிலருக்கும் வாங்கிய "லத்தி அடி" கண் முன் வந்து போகும். அதனால், செல்போனும் கையுமாக வீட்டிலேயே அடைந்து கிடைக்க வேண்டிய நிலை. 

தனிமையில் தவிப்பு அவர்களும் என்னதான் செய்வார்கள் பாவம்.. காலையில் இருந்து ஏற்கனவே பார்த்த படத்தை டிவியில் வெற்றிகரமான நூறாவது முறையாக பார்த்து, வீடியோ கேமை வெறுப்பாகும் அளவுக்கு ஆடி முடித்து, இரவு வரும் போது மனதில் வெறுமையுடன், தனிமையில் தவிக்கிறார்கள். காதலிப்பவர்களுக்கு அதிக சிக்கல் இல்லை. விடிய, விடிய போன் பேசிவிட்டு நள்ளிரவு நான்கு, ஐந்து மணிக்கு படுத்து விடுவார்கள். நம்ம 90'ஸ் கிட்ஸ் சிங்கிள்கள் என்ன செய்வார்கள்? முன்னாள் காதலி நம்பர்! இந்த நேரத்தில் தான் மனது அலைபாய்ந்து தங்களின் முன்னாள் காதலி போன் நம்பரை தேடும். கான்டாக்ட் லிஸ்டில் அவரின் பெயரை தேடி எடுத்தவுடன், போன் செய்யலாமா அல்லது மெசேஜ் செய்யலாமா? அல்லது பேசாமல் விட்டு விடலாமா? என ஒரு அரை மணி நேரம் பெரிய பஞ்சாயத்து நடக்கும். 

என்ன சொல்வது? எதை வைத்து பேசுவது? ஒன்று "பார்த்து, ரொம்ப நாள் ஆகிவிட்டது" என்பதில் இருந்து மெசேஜ் ஆரம்பிக்கும் அல்லது "என்னால மறக்க முடியலை" என்பதில் இருந்து துவங்கும். இரண்டுமே அனுப்ப முடியாதவர்களுக்கு இருக்கவே இருக்கிறது கொரோனா. அட ஆமாம்.. கொரோனாவை சாக்காக வைத்து, "நீயும், குடும்பமும் சேஃப்பா இருக்கீங்களா? என கேட்டு ஆரம்பிப்பார்கள். போன் செய்வதில் சிக்கல் மெசேஜ் கூட பரவாயில்லை. இந்த லாக்டவுன் நேரத்தில் முன்னாள் காதலிக்கு நேரடியாக போன் அடிப்பது எல்லாம் ரொம்ப கொடுமை. முன்னாள் காதலிக்கு திருமணம் ஆகி இருக்கும் பட்சத்தில் அவரால் "இனி போன் செய்யாதே" என்பதை கூட நிம்மதியாக பேச முடியாது. வீட்டுக்குள் கணவன், குழந்தைகளை வைத்துக் கொண்டு என்ன பேசுவது? 

இப்ப ஏன் போன் பண்ண? நம் 90'ஸ் கிட்ஸ் பரிதாப ராம்கள் போன் செய்து, "ஜானு உன்னை மறக்க முடியலை.." என ஆரம்பித்தால், ஜானுக்களின் பதில் பெரும்பாலும் "ராம் இப்ப ஏன் போன் பண்ண..". என்பதாகத்தான் இருக்கிறது. நிம்மதியாக (அல்லது கரடு முரடாக) சென்று கொண்டிருக்கும் வாழ்வை, இந்த போன் கால் (இன்னும் கொஞ்சம்) குழப்பி விடுமோ என்ற அச்சம் தான் காரணம். 

மனநல நிபுணர்கள் சொல்வது என்ன? இது போல லாக்டவுன் நேரத்தில் முன்னாள் காதலி அல்லது காதலுனுக்கு போன் செய்வது சிக்கலை உண்டாக்கும் என்கிறார்கள் மனநல நிபுணர்கள். காரணம், இந்த லாக்டவுன் நேரம் என்பது தனிமையை சோதனை செய்கிறது. நம்மிடம் பேச யாரும் இல்லையே என்ற எண்ணம் தான் நம் மீது இதற்கு முன் அன்பை காட்டிய முன்னாள் காதலன், காதலியின் நம்பரை தேட வைக்கிறது என்கிறார்கள். 

லாக்டவுன் முடிந்த பின்.. 

லாக்டவுன் முடிந்த பிறகு இருவருமே தங்கள் இயல்பான வாழ்க்கைக்கு திரும்ப வேண்டும். அப்போது இதே போன்ற தனிமை உணர்வு இருக்காது. அப்போது அவர்கள் நமக்கு தேவையில்லை என்ற எண்ணத்தில் தவிர்க்க நேரிடும். அதைத் தொடர்ந்து பல்வேறு சண்டை, சச்சரவுகள் வரக் கூடும். அது வாழ்க்கையில் நிம்மதியை குலைக்கும். 

Read more at: https://tamil.oneindia.com/news/chennai/90s-kids-are-calling-their-ex-lovers-during-this-lockdown/articlecontent-pf452028-383504.html

Work is where home is

Work-from-home can be a foreign experience, but not if you reorganise your space, throw in some quirky accessories and bring the office vibe home, say decor experts

Published: 20th April 2020 05:21 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: With the pandemic forcing a change in our work schedules and environment, work-from-home seems to be the name of the game. Are you falling asleep on the bed with the laptop on your face? Back pains are the only constant in your days? HomeLane’s leading designers — Baashobe Majumdar, VP, design, and Dipti Das, AVP, design — decode this clutter and give you a refreshing take on creating a workspace at home with materials already available. Are you ready to get ultra-focused and back in your work-zone?

Get comfortable

To work from home, you first need to get comfortable. Choose a convenient place where you can spend long durations of time. A few times, I’ve found the dining table to do that, while some have gone for the couch. Others have chosen their floor mattress in the living area and some, the bed in the guest room. So take your pick. But make yourself home, at home!

Illustration: Tapas Ranjan

Watch your back!

Considering most of us have a job that makes us sit in a place for extended durations, what takes the beating is our back. Homes, typically, do not have lumbar-supporting chairs, which means, wherever we make ourselves comfortable, our backs are still paying for it. The best way to avoid the strain is to get up from time to time and move around. Stretch your back, twist it, turn it, and break into a song and dance if that helps, but keep moving.

Keep time. Keep rhythm

One of the most common things experienced during the lockdown is that people are losing track of time.

Before the lockdown, we did multiple jobs in a specific sequence, five-six days in a week. For example: Set your alarm the previous night, decide if you want to wash your hair at night or in the morning,

keep your clothes ready before your shower, pack your lunch, and so on. A lot of these activities aren’t needed anymore or do not have the same importance. Solution? Create your new rhythm at the earliest. Tell yourself that this is what it is going to be. You might tweak it along the way but start with a personally  customised pattern.

Work accents

At the office, we try to personalise our desks with coffee mugs, photos of loved ones, books that inspire us etc. Apart from this, we also have functional items on our desk — sticky notes, notepads, laptop bag/sleeve, pen stand, company accolades. In the new, almost make-believe workplace, it is helpful to bring the same vibe back. These little things will help get you the focus required for work and remind you of your earlier work environment.

Space selection

A specified workspace at home can help in focussing on the tasks at hand for the day. The space selected should be quiet and away from household distractions. Convert any one of the available rooms in your residence, whether the guest bedroom or the living room, into a workplace without disrupting the flow. All that is needed is a table and a chair.

Furniture

The desk should be at the height of 2 ft 6 inches-2 ft 8 inches for best comfort. Looking into a blank wall can be stressful. Hence, placing the office in front of a window is advisable. Mount a power strip underneath or on the back of the desk for multiple wires — laptop charger, mobile charger and other electronics required. Cable ties can be used to keep wires together and hide them at the back of the furniture.

As for the seating arrangement, opt for workstation chairs, preferably an adjustable one with excellent lower back support. The ergonomic designs make sitting for long hours comfortable. In  case the available space is small, one can opt for a space-saving foldable study table which folds away on to the wall when not in use. Make space on the desk for work-from-home (WFH) essentials with trays to organize stationery and books. Make use of the vertical wall space with floating shelves to stowaway files that require easy accessibility.

No place for workstation

In case of less square footage, don’t worry, instead, repurpose the dining room table. However, it is not

recommended to use a dining chair, as it is not designed for prolonged sitting sessions. Adding cushions can go a long way in providing the right support and softening the impact. Another alternative is to set up a temporary arrangement by using a foldable laptop table that can be used while sitting on the bed.

Decor

Avoid making the workstation feel like an office cubicle by decorating it like any other room at home. Use fun notepads, sticky notes, a colourful basket for work trash and a quirky mug as a pencil holder. Hang inspirational prints or art on the walls. Indoor table plants like Echeveria and Peperomia can help

break the monotony of work by giving you a hint of nature.

Lighting

It is essential to have sufficient lighting to avoid strain on the eyes and for a refreshing vibe. Natural

light works best, but if that is not possible, then use a bright task light, preferably white, to liven up the

room. Add in a study lamp on the desk for more lighting. Remember to position the computer monitor/  laptop in a way that there is no glare on the screen from a window or overhead light.

ஊரடங்கில் 'நகராத' கார்களை பராமரிப்பது எப்படி

Added : ஏப் 19, 2020 02:20

கொரோனா ஊரடங்கு நமக்கு மட்டுமல்ல நாளெல்லாம் நம்மை சுமக்கும் கார்களுக்கும்தான். டிவி, அலைபேசி, புத்தகம், விதவிதமான சாப்பாடு, குடும்பத்தினருடன் பேச்சு என நாம் எப்படியாவது பொழுதை போக்குகிறோம்.

ஆனால் ஊரடங்கு விதித்த நாள் முதல் நின்ற இடத்திலேயே நின்று கொண்டிருக்கும் கார்களின் நிலைமை பரிதாபம் தான்... ஊரடங்கு நாட்களில் காரை எப்படி பராமரிக்கலாம்... சொல்கிறார் மதுரை கார் மெக்கானிக் வேல்முருகன்.

1. தினமும் காரை ஸ்டார்ட் செய்து அரை மணி நேரம் ஓடவிட்டால் ஸ்டார்ட்டிங் பிரச்னை வராது. அப்படி ஓட விடும் போது ஏ.சி.,யை ஆன் செய்யலாம்.

2. தினமும் ஸ்டார்ட் செய்ய வாய்ப்பு இல்லை என்றால் இரண்டு நாட்களுக்கு ஒரு முறை ஸ்டார்ட் செய்தால் பேட்டரியில் உள்ள மின் சக்தி குறையாமல் இருக்கும்.

3. கார் எடுக்கவே போவதில்லை என முடிவு செய்திருந்தால் காரில் உள்ள பேட்டரி வயரை அகற்றி விட்டால் பேட்டரி சார்ஜ் இறங்காமல் இருக்கும்.

4. கோடைகாலமாக இருப்பதால் கார்களுக்குள் பரவும் வெப்பம் குறைய ஏ.சி., பில்டர்களை          சுத்தமாக வைத்துக் கொள்ள வேண்டும்.

5. வெளியில் கார் நிறுத்தும் சூழ்நிலை இருந்தால் கார் கண்ணாடிகளை லேசாக இறக்கி விட வேண்டும். இறக்கி விடாமல் இருந்தால் காருக்குள் இருக்கும் வெப்பம்கண்ணாடியை சேதமாக்கிவிடும்.

6. ஏ.சி., காஸ், இன்ஜின் ஆயில் அளவு சீராக இருக்க வேண்டும். ஸ்டீயரிங் வீலில், லெதர் கவர் இருந்தாலும் கூடுதலாக காட்டன் கிளாத் கவர் பொருத்தலாம்.

7. கார் கலர், உதிரி பாகங்களை பாதுகாக்க காரை வெயிலில் நிறுத்தும் போது கவர் போட்டு

மூடுவது நல்லது.

8. காரை வெயிலில் நிறுத்தும் போது முன்புற கண்ணாடி, வைப்பர் பிளேடுக்கு இடையில் 'தெர்மோ கூல்' வைக்கலாம்.

9. வெயிலில் நிறுத்திய காரை எடுக்கும் போது கார் கதவுகளை திறந்து விட்டு வெப்ப காற்று வெளியேறிய பின் ஏறி அமருங்கள்.

10. இரண்டு அல்லது மூன்று நாட்களுக்கு ஒருமுறை பேட்டரியில் உள்ள 'டிஸ்டில்டு வாட்டர்' அளவை சோதிப்பது அவசியம். இதன் அளவு அதில் உள்ள அதிகபட்ச குறியீடு வரை

நிரம்பியிருக்க வேண்டும்.

11. கார் இயங்காத நிலையில் காருக்குள் லைட் எரிய விடுவது, ஸ்டீரியோவில் பாட்டு கேட்பது போன்றவற்றை தவிர்த்தாலே பேட்டரியின் ஆயுள் கூடும்.

12. கார் நிறுவனம் அளிக்கும் மின்சார பாகங்கள் தவிர்த்து கூடுதலாக பேன்ஸி ஹாரன்,

அலங்கார லைட்டுகள் பயன்படுத்தினால் பேட்டரிசெயல்திறன் குறையும். ஊரடங்கு நேரம் பேட்டரி செயல்திறன் குறைந்தால் பழுதுபார்ப்பது கடினம். அதனால், பேன்ஸி ஹாரன், லைட் இணைப்பை துண்டிக்கலாம்.

13. காரை வெயிலில் நிறுத்தினால் கார் கேபின் சூடாகி சீட் கவர் துவங்கி பிளாஸ்டிக் கவர் வரை சேதமாக வாய்ப்பு உண்டு.

14. கார் நிறுத்தி இருக்கும் போது தேவையில்லாத சத்தம் வருகிறதா, ஏதாவது ஒயர்கள் எரிவது போன்ற வாசனை வருகிறதா என கவனிக்க வேண்டும். இது போன்ற பிரச்னை இருந்தால் மெக்கானிக் ஆலோசனை கேட்கலாம்.

15. சமமான தளத்தில் காரை நிறுத்தி 'இன்ஜின் ஆயில்' சரியான அளவுக்கு இருக்கிறதா என்று நாமே பரிசோதனை செய்யலாம். ஆயில் குறைந்து இருந்தால் நாமே ஆயிலை மாற்றலாம்.

REGION DIGEST

11.04.2020

Denied biryani, patient damages hosp property

A Covid-19 positive patient was booked on Friday for breaking a windowpane of the isolation ward at ESI hospital in Coimbatore after he was not allowed to eat chicken biriyani brought by his wife on Friday. The 28-year-old patient from Ukkadam was being treated for Covid-19 at the isolation ward at ESI hospital. His wife had prepared chicken biriyani at her residence and brought it to the isolation ward on the first floor of the hospital, where authorities stopped her and reminded her that food from outside was not allowed. In a fit of rage, the patient flung a nearby fire extinguisher on the glasspane of the ward, police said.

Farmer hacked to death in Thanjavur: A 63-yearold farmer was hacked to death at his farm in Sankaranar Kudikadu village in Thanjavur district on Friday morning. The deceased, identified as Thirumeni, had gone to his farm in the wee hours of Friday to operate a submersible motor pump to irrigate his land. As he didn’t return home after many hours, some of his relatives went to farmland and found him lying dead in a pool of blood. Papanadu police on being alerted reached the spot and sent the body to Thanjavur government hospital for post mortem. Police said that there were deep wounds all over Thirumeni’s body. His right hand was badly damaged and his face was disfigured.

Two caught poaching wild boars,hares: Two people were fined ₹10,000 each for attempting to hunt hares and wild boars in the Sirumugai forest range in Coimbatore. Sirmugai forest range officer Senthilkumar went on rounds at Pethikuttai beat in the range few days ago and found two people installing metal snares on patta land adjacent to the Sirmugai forest range. Forest department officials registered a case against the duo.

ரேஷன் கடைகள் இன்று விடுமுறை

Added : ஏப் 09, 2020 23:29

இன்று விடுமுறை அறிவிப்புமாதத்தின் முதலாவது, இரண்டாவது வெள்ளிக்கிழமை, ரேஷன் கடைகளுக்கு விடுமுறை. அதற்கு மாற்றாக, அந்த வார ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமைகளில், கடைகள் செயல்படும். தமிழக அரசு, 'கொரோனா' தடுப்பு கால நிவாரணமாக, ரேஷன் கார்டுதாரர்களுக்கு, தலா, 1,000 ரூபாயுடன், ரேஷன் பொருட்களை இலவசமாக வழங்குகிறது.

இந்த பணி, இம்மாதம், 2ம் தேதி துவங்கியது. மாதத்தின் முதல் வெள்ளிக் கிழமையான, 3ம் தேதி, ரேஷன் கடைகளுக்கு விடுமுறையாக இருந்தாலும், அவை வழக்கம் போல செயல்பட்டன. இதனால், இன்றும், ரேஷன் கடைகள் செயல்படுமா என்ற சந்தேகம், பலரிடமும் எழுந்தது. கார்டுதாரர்களுக்கு, 1,000 ரூபாய் வழங்கும் பணி, இறுதி கட்டத்தை எட்டியுள்ளது. இதனால், இன்று கடைகளுக்கு, வழக்கம் போல விடுமுறை விடப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Swiggy raises Rs 325 crore

New Delhi  07.04.2020

Food ordering and delivery platform Swiggy on Monday said it has raised an additional amount of $43 million (over Rs 325 crore) as part of its ongoing Series-I funding round. The size of the round now stands at $156 million.

In February 2020, Swiggy raised $113 million (over Rs 805 crore) in the funding round led by existing investor Prosus N.V. along with participation from Meituan Dianping and Wellington Management Company. Along with existing investor Tencent, new investors Ark Impact, Korea Investment Partners, Samsung Ventures and Mirae Asset Capital Markets have participated in the latest fund raise. PTI

ரூ.34 ஆயிரத்தை தாண்டியது ஆபரணத்தங்கம்

By DIN | Published on : 05th April 2020 03:58 AM |

ஆபரணத் தங்கத்தின் விலை சனிக்கிழமை ரூ.34 ஆயிரத்தை தாண்டி புதிய உச்சத்தை தொட்டது. சென்னையில் ஆபரணத்தங்கம் பவுனுக்கு ரூ.240 உயா்ந்து, ரூ.34,096-க்கு விற்பனை செய்யப்பட்டது. தங்கம் விலை மேலும் உயர வாய்ப்பு உள்ளதாக பொருள் சந்தை நிபுணா் தெரிவித்துள்ளாா்.

அமெரிக்கா-ஈரான் இடையே போா் பதற்றம் காரணமாக, ஜனவரி முதல் வாரத்தில் தங்கம் விலை உயா்ந்தது. அப்போது, வரலாறு காணாத வகையில் ஒரு பவுன் தங்கம் ரூ.31 ஆயிரத்தைத் தாண்டியது. போா் பதற்றம் தணிந்த பிறகு, தங்கம் விலையும் குறைந்தது. இதன்பிறகு, பிப்ரவரி 24-ஆம் தேதி வரலாறு காணாத வகையில் பெரிய உச்சத்தைத் தொட்டது. அன்றைய நாளில் ஒரு பவுன் ஆபரணத் தங்கம் ரூ.33,328-க்கு விற்பனை செய்யப்பட்டது. இதன்பிறகு, தங்கம் விலை ஏற்ற இறக்கமாக இருந்து வந்தது.

இந்நிலையில், ஆபரணத் தங்கத்தின் விலை சனிக்கிழமை ரூ.34 ஆயிரத்தை தாண்டி, புதிய உச்சத்தை தொட்டது. சென்னையில் பவுனுக்கு ரூ.240 உயா்ந்து, ரூ.34,096-க்கு விற்பனை செய்யப்பட்டது. ஒரு கிராமுக்கு ரூ.30 உயா்ந்து ரூ.4,262-க்கு விற்பனையானது. அதேநேரத்தில், வெள்ளி விலையில் மாற்றமின்றி, ஒரு கிராம் வெள்ளி ரூ.41.70 ஆகவும், ஒரு கிலோ கட்டி வெள்ளி ரூ.41,700 ஆகவும் இருந்தது.

தங்கம் விலை உயா்வு குறித்து பொருள் சந்தை நிபுணா் ப.ஷியாம் சுந்தா் கூறியது: கரோனா வைரஸ் நோய்த் தொற்று பரவல் உலகையே அச்சுறுத்தி வருகிறது. இதன்காரணமாக, உலக பொருளாதாரத்தில் நிச்சயமற்ற தன்மை நிலவுகிறது. வளா்ந்த நாடுகள் மிகப் பெரிய பாதிப்பை சந்தித்து வருகிறது. அதேநேரத்தில், அமெரிக்க டாலா் மதிப்பு தொடா்ந்து உயா்ந்து வருகிறது. மேலும், அமெரிக்க டாலருக்கு நிகரான இந்திய ரூபாய் மதிப்பு சரிந்துள்ளது. இதன் காரணமாக, தங்கத்தின் விலை உயா்ந்து வருகிறது. வரும் காலத்தில் தங்கத்தின் விலை மேலும் உயரவே வாய்ப்பு உள்ளது என்றாா் அவா்.

சனிக்கிழமை விலை ரூபாயில் (ஜி.எஸ்.டி. தனி):

1 கிராம் தங்கம் ..................... 4,262

1 பவுன் தங்கம் ..................... 34,096

1 கிராம் வெள்ளி .................. 41.70

1 கிலோ வெள்ளி ................. 41,700

வெள்ளிக்கிழமை விலை ரூபாயில் (ஜி.எஸ்.டி. தனி):

1 கிராம் தங்கம் ..................... 4,232

1 பவுன் தங்கம் ..................... 33,856

1 கிராம் வெள்ளி .................. 41.70

1 கிலோ வெள்ளி ................. 41,700

It’s too early to detect lock down impact

As incubation period is 14 days, the cases emerging now are older and they have to be discounted

02/04/2020, JACOB KOSHY,NEW DELHI

Empty spaces: A deserted highway near the Akshardham temple in New Delhi on Wednesday. R.V. Moorthy R.V. Moorthy

The impact of the lockdown on arresting the spread of COVID-19 can be gauged only after two weeks, government and independent experts suggest.

On the evening of March 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide 21-day lockdown to arrest “community transmission” of the novel coronavirus, or SAR-CoV-2. Between March 24 and April 1, the number of COVID-19 positive cases has more than doubled — from 606 on March 25 to 1,637 on April 1. This, however, was slower — about half the rate of growth from the week before when only 151 cases were confirmed on March 18.

The growth in number of positive cases in India is slower than in many countries that are dealing with the worst of the pandemic. On March 8, the U.S. recorded 541 cases in two days, and the figure nearly doubled to 994 cases. In the last week, however, it has risen by 75%.

Indonesia, which as on March 31 had 1,528 cases and therefore roughly in the league of India, is also recording a similar growth rate. It had 686 cases on March 24 or a little fewer than half the cases from today. Though it has laws restricting movement, there is no lockdown.

Government experts and independent researchers concur that it is early to estimate the impact of the lockdown on slowing down the spread of the virus. “The incubation period of the virus is 14 days. Therefore, the cases we are seeing are older cases (from before March 24). So only once these old cases are discounted can we judge the impact of the lockdown. Whatever models and statisticians say, nobody can really predict the outcome of the epidemic,” Raman Gangakhedkar, Chief Scientist, Indian Council of Medical Research, and spokesperson for COVID-19 communication, said at a press briefing.

Sujatha Rao, former Secretary of the Health Ministry, tweeted on Tuesday: “Impact of lockdown can only be known after April 5. Today’s infections are of the situation two weeks ago.” However, both of these reflect the extreme outer limit of the incubation period — defined as the time taken to contract the virus and an infected person manifesting symptoms. The World Health Organization says incubation is commonly five days.

For more testing

Giridhar Babu, an epidemiologist and physician associated with the Public Health Foundation of India, said it would take a minimum of three weeks and a lockdown would be useful only with heightened testing, particularly to catch those who might be carrying the virus but were not yet manifesting symptoms. “Lockdown alone, without an increase in finding the new cases either through a syndromic approach or increased rate of testing, is not enough to break the chain. Also reviewing of the States with silent areas [where very few cases are reported] is important,” he said in an e-mail.