Some will get Covid even after vaccination, and that’s normal

Some will get Covid even after vaccination, and that’s normal

No vaccine guarantees 100% immunity from the novel coronavirus, so a small percentage of people who have received a vaccination will still get sick, but experts say that their symptoms are likely to be mild

Abhilash.Gaur@timesgroup.com

10.04.2021

On March 18, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan took his first dose of a coronavirus vaccine made by the Chinese company Sinopharm. On the 20th, he tested positive for Covid. Vaccine-sceptics felt vindicated, China-bashers shouted ‘hurray’. Both were wrong. A vaccine is like a trainer. It needs several weeks to train your immune system to fight a germ. Khan’s first dose got hardly two days to work. In fact, Khan most probably had the virus for several days before he took his shot.

So, Imran Khan’s positive test does not mean his vaccine failed, but are there other cases where a coronavirus vaccine has ‘failed’ to do its job?

Is it possible for you to get Covid after vaccination?

Yes, a small percentage of properly vaccinated people are expected to get sick with the coronavirus. Now that many millions have been vaccinated around the world, such cases are becoming common. Why does this happen, and is it fair to describe it as a failure of the vaccine?

Breakthrough Cases

An infection that occurs after vaccination is called a ‘breakthrough case’. But there’s a condition: it should occur at least 14 days after you are “fully vaccinated”. In India, it would mean two weeks after your second dose of Covishield or Covaxin.

Amesh A. Adalja at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security tells Prevention magazine that this time-frame is necessary because “your body should have enough time to develop antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus).”

In a Forbes column, scientist William A. Haseltine mentions Israeli research that found vaccinated and unvaccinated people were equally likely to get infected in the first 12 days after the first vaccine dose. Even after 17 days, 60-80% of vaccinated people could get infected.

The Atlantic’s science journalist Katherine J. Wu says breakthrough cases will now “continue to grow in number, everywhere… They are an entirely expected part of any vaccination process.” You might hear of them in your circle. But the important thing is to not get alarmed and start doubting vaccines.

No Vaccine Is Perfect

Actually, there was a vaccine that provided 100% immunity against the virus it was aimed at, says Bloomberg’s pharma industry analyst Sam Fazeli. It was so good that it totally wiped out the smallpox virus. But such ‘sterilising immunity’ – stopping not only sickness but also infection – is rare.

For the coronavirus, scientists last year set the bar low at 50% efficacy. Luckily, all of the approved vaccines turned out to be far better with efficacy rates as high as 95%. Yet, even the best vaccine can’t guarantee you won’t fall ill.

Again, Wu reminds you this is not a failure of vaccines because “the goal of vaccination isn’t eradication, but a détente in which humans and viruses coexist, with the risk of disease at a tolerable low.”

With vaccines, we are mainly trying to prevent severe disease and death, not the infection itself, and all of the approved vaccines seem to be excellent at that. For example, the singledose Johnson & Johnson vaccine showed only 72% efficacy in US trials, but nobody who took it needed hospitalisation or died.

As Fazeli says, “You will never know how bad your symptoms would have been if you had not been vaccinated.”

Reducing Risk

So, the main reason for breakthrough cases is that vaccines are not perfect. Haseltine says, “we need to draw a distinction between infection and disease” while talking about coronavirus vaccines. As none of the present vaccines claims to protect you from infection, breakthrough cases aren’t surprising. But what makes some vaccinated people more susceptible to the virus than others? Wu says there could be many factors, from your immune system’s response to the virus variant you are exposed to. As the existing vaccines are based on last year’s coronavirus variant, they might be less effective against the newer variants.

Haseltine says a study from China found that “sera from those infected by the original Wuhan strain last year have little to no ability to protect against either the UK (B.1.1.7) or the South African (B.1.351) strains.” Also, your immune system could buckle under the force of a big virus dose, for example inside a room where many Covid patients are present. “Large doses of the virus can overwhelm the sturdiest of immune defences, if given the chance,” Wu says.

That’s why continuing to wear a mask even after you have been vaccinated can reduce the risk of breakthrough cases. Especially now, when coronavirus infections are sharply rising across India.

Rlys on migrants’ exodus: No plan to curtail train services

Rlys on migrants’ exodus: No plan to curtail train services

‘Nos. To Be Increased On Demand’

New Delhi:10.04.2021

The railways on Friday said there is no plan to curtail or stop train services and assured passengers that trains will be provided on demand amidst reports of migrant workers rushing to their home-towns, reminiscent of the days following the coronavirus-triggered lockdown.

A number of officials, including Railway Board chairman Suneet Sharma, general manager, Southern Railway John Thomas and the chief public relations officers (CPROs) of the Northern and Central Railways, reached out to the media to deny reports of an exodus of migrant workers to their hometowns via trains.

Sharma assured the passengers that there is no dearth of trains and the railways is ready to put them into service on a short notice.

“There is no plan to curtail or stop train services. We will run as many services as required. There is no cause for alarm. We can run trains immediately on demand if there is any rush. This rush is normal during the summer season and we have already announced trains to clear the rush,” he said.

With the number of Covid-19 cases on the rise, a sudden surge in passenger movement at railway stations was reported from across the country. Many travellers, speaking to the media, said the fear of an imminent lockdown was the reason behind their trips. The Railway Board chairman also ruled out the need for a Covid-negative certificate to travel by train. He said the railways has not received any communique yet from Maharashtra to stop or curtail the movement of trains.

Thomas appealed to the public not to believe in the rumours doing the rounds of social media regarding overcrowding at railway stations. He urged them to avoid sharing old videos and false reports on social media platforms. In Mumbai, the Central Railway CPRO took reporters on a live tour of the Mumbai area stations via livestreaming of visuals from platforms and circulating areas to highlight that “contrary to what has been reported by certain sections of the media, there is no rush at the stations in the Mumbai area”.

In Delhi, the Northern Railway CPRO gave the media a tour of the New Delhi railway station, again to show that there is no “rush”.

Currently, on an average, the railways is running a total of 1,402 special train services per day. A total of 5,381 suburban train services and 830 passenger train services are also operational. PTI

With the number of Covid cases on rise, a sudden surge in passenger movement at railway stations was reported from across the country

Courts not experts to decide if BE is similar to BSc: HC

Courts not experts to decide if BE is similar to BSc: HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:10.04.2021

Courts are not expert bodies to decide that a bachelor’s degree in engineering is equivalent to that of science. It is for bodies like the University Grant Commission to decide, the high court observed while allowing a writ appeal filed by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board.

The board had challenged the order passed by a single bench on September 3, 2020, directing it to treat a degree in engineering on par with that in science and consider the candidature of seven applicants (all BE degree holders) for the post of assistant/clerk.

However, quoting from the Supreme Court’s directive in the Zahoor Ahmed case, a division bench headed by Justice Satish Chandra Sharma noted that an employer is entitled to prescribe qualifications as a condition of eligibility and there is no role or function of judicial review to expand upon the ambit of prescribed qualifications.

Pointing out that the single bench had erred in law and facts in allowing the writ petition, the division bench said it is purely the employer’s domain to frame recruitment rules and the prescription of qualification for a post is a matter of recruitment policy.

The single bench had said since the word ‘science’ has not been defined anywhere, it cannot be limited to include only a bachelor’s degree in science. However, BWSSB said by no stretch of imagination can a degree in engineering be treated as a graduation in science since engineering and science are two different disciplines.

AIADMK workers maintain low profile

AIADMK workers maintain low profile

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:10.04.2021

AIADMK partymen have been maintaining a low profile, resigned to the long wait for the assembly election results. In the last three days, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami chose to remain mostly indoors in Salem, meeting only a few ministers andcandidates, sources said, adding he was down with acute laryngitis. In an unprecedented move, the party took on the bureaucracy, urging the election commission on Thursday to transfer four senior police officers from the western region, alleging they sided with the opposition DMK during the election.

“The CM is disappointed that grassroot workers did not work as hard as expected in the run-up to the polls. Many functionaries did not campaign like they used to when Amma (J Jayalalithaa) was there. Her presence intimidated many,” said a senior leader. Palaniswami is scheduled to return to Chennai on Saturday evening, after his visit to Theni to condole the death of deputy CM O Panneerselvam’s mother-in-law. Leaders are expected to visit the CM at his Greenways Road residence. Meanwhile, Palaniswami took his second dose of Covid vaccination at the Salem government hospital and urged people to follow Covid norms and the standard operating procedures.

Revenue minister R B Udhayakumar said AIADMK cadres were in an upbeat mood, confident that the party would form a government for the third consecutive term. “It is history repeating itself. In 1977, the DMK went about organising a victory function. But MGR (AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran) won the assembly election that year,” said the minister.

A section in the AIADMK, however, say that the DMK’s anti-BJP narrative in the final stages of the campaign may have influenced the “swinging voters” and the AIADMK leadership failed to counter it effectively.

(With inputs from Padmini Sivarajah)

HC stays ex-chief secy’s appointment as NGT member

HC stays ex-chief secy’s appointment as NGT member

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:10.04.2021

Expressing unhappiness over the appointment of former Tamil Nadu chief secretary Girija Vaidyanathan as an expert member of the National Green Tribunal, the Madras high court on Friday stayed the appointment.

“We are not happy with the qualifications of the person who has been appointed as an expert member of the tribunal,” the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy said.

When the court was informed that she was due to assume charge on April 19, the court said there would be a stay of the appointment till disposal of the case.

“It is possible that the former chief secretary may have dealt with environmental matters in course of the various departments that she headed during her tenure, but it is both necessary for her to indicate the same for the court to be satisfied that the statutory eligibility criteria in such regard is met by her,” the court said.

The bench was passing orders on a public interest writ petition filed by environment conservation NGO Poovulagin Nanbargal, challenging Girija Vaidyanathan’s appointment.

There may be an element of discussion on what may amount to dealing with environmental matters, but the selection committee would not have exercised any discretion to relax the eligibility criterion in derogation of the statutory requirement, the bench said.

According to the petitioner-organisation, the NGT Act prescribes a minimum of administrative experience of 15 years, including five years in dealing with environmental matters in the central or a state government. But in violation of the provision, Girija Vaidyanathan who does not possess five-year experience in handling environmental matters has been appointed to the post, the NGO alleged.

“Section 5 (2) (b) of the NGT Act says that a person shall not be qualified for appointment as an expert member unless they have administrative experience of 15 years, including experience of five years in dealing with environmental matters in central or a state government or in a reputed national or state level institution,” the petitioner said. However, Girija who has been selected for appointment to the post has not possessed an experience of five years in dealing with environmental matters as could be seen from her complete bio data found in the official website of the union ministry of personnel, the NGO added. Therefore, it wanted the court to call for the records pertaining to her appointment dated December 12 issued by the union government and quash the same.

Docs’ forum opposes higher tuition fee in med college

Docs’ forum opposes higher tuition fee in med college

Chennai:10.04.2021

A doctors’ association for social equality has moved the Madras high court against conducting exams to students of Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital (now Government Medical College and Hospital, Cuddalore) through the Annamalai University despite declaring it as a government medical college.

Admitting the plea, the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy directed the Tamil Nadu government to file its response. According to Doctors Association for Social Equality, the college which was functioning under Annamalai university was brought under the state government through the Annamalai University Act, 2013. On January 27 a GO declared the college as a government medical college. While so, the state has now proposed to conduct examinations to the students of the college under the university which is contrary to the January 27 GO, the petitioner said. TNN

Student tests Covid positive at city airport

Student tests Covid positive at city airport

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:10.04.2021

A college student who came to Chennai airport to board a flight to Andaman was admitted at the Government Hospital in Chengalpet after being tested positive for Covid-19.

Swamy, 21, studying at a college in the suburbs, came to board a flight to Andaman scheduled at 8.15am. When officials tested the passengers for Covid-19 Swamy’s report came positive.

The officials immediately alerted the authorities concerned who cancelled Swamy’s flight.

The flight left the airport without the student for Port Blair. Later, the student was handed over to the Chennai Airport police. They admitted him at the corona ward set up in the Government Hospital in Chengalpet.

Currently, all passengers flying to Port Blair are made to undergo test for coronavirus at all domestic airports.

‘EC to decide on Velachery booth repoll’

‘EC to decide on Velachery booth repoll’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:10.04.2021

State chief electoral officer Satyabrata on Friday said a report had been sent to the Election Commission of India based on the reports of presiding officer, returning officer and Chennai district election officer on the ‘procedural lapse’ in handling EVMs at a Velachery booth. The ECI will decide on repolling in the booth, Sahoo said.

Two men from a zonal party handling EVMs had taken the ballot units and a control unit, kept in reserve, besides the VVPAT, which had developed a technical snag after 50 minutes of polling, on a twowheeler when they were caught by residents, he said. They were later handed over to police.

Sahoo said: “Transporting the machines on a two-wheeler, also without security guards, is a mistake, It is also against the SOP. The commission has been informed of the lapses.”

Rlys steps up precautionary measures to fight 2nd wave

Rlys steps up precautionary measures to fight 2nd wave

Makes Masks Mandatory, Scanners Up At Stations

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:  10.04.2021

Amid increasing cases, Southern Railway has stepped up Covid-19 precautions that include making masks mandatory, setting up thermal scanner cameras and implementing contactless ticket checking at stations.

To screen passengers faster at stations, thermal scanner cameras and contactless ticket checking system have been set up at major stations.

Egmore and Arakonam have one thermal scanner camera each while at Central station, where it was first tried out during the lockdown, now have three cameras. Similarly, contactless ticket checking by which tickets of passengers are scanned using a handheld device or a mobile phone is in force at Central, Egmore, Tambaram, Chengalpet, Arakonam, Katpadi and Jolarpet. Such a checking is available at two entry points in Central.

The thermal cameras read temperature of passengers as they walk through a doorframe at the stations. The sensor will display the temperature using a colour code on a computer screen and the RPF staff manning the kiosk will be able to detect the passenger and stop inspite of a crowd. This is being used in addition to temperature check done manually.

Southern Railway general manager John Thomas told reporters that more thermal cameras would be installed after need is assessed.

He also urged passengers to take precautions while traveling as there have been reports that people are not wearing masks at stations and on trains. "Use of masks would be mandatory and "we have told railway staff and TTE to ensure that passengers wore masks at the railway stations," he added.

The precautions are being tightened as the number of passengers using trains are increasing. Central railway station handles 82,000 passengers on average and Egmore handles 64,000 per day.

Southern Railway will deploy more RPF personnel to implement Covid-19 precautions.

STRINGENT CURBS: A thermal scanner at Egmore station

Wear your masks or cops will get you

Wear your masks or cops will get you

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

10.04.2021

The city police will swing into action from Saturday to ensure pedestrians and other road users wear face masks and follow the pandemic protocol.

City police commissioner Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal has asked all officers to conduct awareness programmes in their jurisdiction. Police patrols have been to insist that pedestrians wear masks properly even while walking on the road. There are about 250 four-wheelers and around 400 two-wheelers patrolling the city.

A police officer said, “We will insist residents and road users wear face masks and maintain social distancing. Will not slap cases in the first few days.”

Managements of malls and marriage halls have been told to ensure social distancing according to government norms. In Royapettah, police personnel interacted with welfare associations and merchants to spread the message that the government’s guidelines should be followed.

In Arumbakkam, police gave out 5,000 face masks to pedestrians who failed to wear them. A police team led by inspector Saravanan went on a rally from Anna Nagar arch to Arumbakkam accompanied by youth club members of Aminjikarai. In Thiruvottiyur, deputy commissioner of police G Subbulakshmi gave out pamphlets and spread awareness using a public address system.

NEED OF THE HOUR: A police officer and his team ask vendors to mask up at a fish market in the city on Friday

TN univs yet to evolve online test with invigilation

TN univs yet to evolve online test with invigilation

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

10.04.2021

Universities in the state are yet to evolve a foolproof system to properly monitor online exams due to lack of infrastructure and connectivity. Given the second surge in Covid-19 cases, the coming semester exams, partly online, are set to begin in the first week of May.

Question papers will be mailed to students who will write them on paper and post answer scripts to colleges. There is no monitoring. In some cases, students are allowed to send answer scripts a day later.

Earlier, lack of monitoring and easy question papers inflated pass percentage to above 95% in most universities.

Professors say many write exams in groups and form WhatsApp groups to share answers. “Universities and colleges lack infrastructure to conduct online exams. It needs investment to develop software,” a city college principal said.

Another principal said around 60% of the college’s students were from rural areas. “It is not possible to monitor them through mobile phone cameras as connections are poor. We have asked them to mail answer scripts after writing in pen and paper mode.”

Anna University is the only institution to conduct an online test with invigilators and artificial intelligence tools monitoring students. Last semester, the proctored test was successfully taken by more than 90% of students.

University of Madras also tried to develop a software and platform for online exams, but many students complained they didn’t internet connectivity. “So, we had to relax the rules,” said vice-chancellor S Gowri.

Loyola College is conducting exams through virtual platforms with three layers of monitoring. “There will be an invigilator for every 25 students and a supervisor for every five invigilators,” said principal Thomas Amirtham.

Trichy-based Bharathidasan University is discussing ways to improve monitoring mechanism. “We have learned from from conducting online semester exams last time. We are discussing making minor changes and a decision would be taken in another few days,” said M Selvam, VC.

Some senior academicians propose holding online tests at colleges near students’ residences to avoid malpractices.

(with inputs from K Sambath Kumar in Trichy)

CLOSE WATCH : Professors said many students form WhatsApp groups and share answer for test questions

ரூ.1,000 ஊதியம் தருவதாகக் கூறி ஏமாற்றிவிட்டனர்: திருச்சியில் தேர்தல் நாளில் கரோனா பரவல் தடுப்புப் பணியில் ஈடுபட்ட இளைஞர்கள் புகார்புகார் தெரிவித்த இளைஞர்கள்.

ரூ.1,000 ஊதியம் தருவதாகக் கூறி ஏமாற்றிவிட்டனர்: திருச்சியில் தேர்தல் நாளில் கரோனா பரவல் தடுப்புப் பணியில் ஈடுபட்ட இளைஞர்கள் புகார்புகார் தெரிவித்த இளைஞர்கள்.

திருச்சி  09.04.2021

ரூ.1,000 ஊதியம் தருவதாகக் கூறி வருவாய்த் துறையினர் ஏமாற்றிவிட்டனர் என்று, தேர்தல் நாளில் கரோனா பரவல் தடுப்புப் பணியில் ஈடுபட்ட இளைஞர்கள் புகார் கூறியுள்ளனர்.

தமிழ்நாடு சட்டப்பேரவைக்கு திருச்சி மாவட்டத்தில் மணப்பாறை, ஸ்ரீரங்கம், திருச்சி மேற்கு, திருச்சி கிழக்கு, திருவெறும்பூர், லால்குடி, மண்ணச்சநல்லூர், முசிறி, துறையூர் (தனி) ஆகிய 9 தொகுதிகள் உள்ளன.

இந்த 9 தொகுதிகளிலும் வாக்காளர்கள் வாக்களிக்க வசதியாக மொத்தம் 1,147 வாக்குப்பதிவு மையங்களில் 3,292 வாக்குச்சாவடிகள் அமைக்கப்பட்டிருந்தன. கரோனா பரவல் தடுப்பு வழிமுறைகளை முழுமையாக பின்பற்றி தேர்தலை நடத்த தேர்தல் ஆணையம் உத்தரவிட்டிருந்தது.

இதன்படி, வாக்களிக்க வரும் வாக்காளர்கள் வாக்குச்சாவடிகளுக்குள் நுழைவதற்கு முன்னதாக கிருமிநாசினி அளித்து கைகளை சுத்தம் செய்ய வைத்து, வாக்காளர்களுக்கு பாலித்தீன் கையுறை, முகக்கவசம் இல்லாமல் வருவோருக்கு முகக்கவசம் அளிக்க அனைத்து வாக்குச்சாவடிகளிலும் ஒரு நாள் கூலி அடிப்படையில் ஆட்கள் நியமிக்கப்பட்டனர்.

இந்தநிலையில், ரூ.1,000 ஊதியம் தருவதாக பணியில் ஈடுபடுத்திவிட்டு, தற்போது ரூ.250 மட்டுமே தர முடியும் என்று ஏமாற்றுவதாக இந்தப் பணியில் ஈடுபட்ட இளைஞர்கள் புகார் கூறினர்.

இது தொடர்பாக, திருவெறும்பூர் தொகுதிக்குட்பட்ட பொன்மலை பகுதி வாக்குச்சாவடி ஒன்றில் கரோனா தடுப்புப் பணியில் ஈடுபட்ட இளைஞர்கள் 20 பேர், இன்று (ஏப். 08) மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர் அலுவலகத்தில் புகார் அளித்தனர். பின்னர், அவர்கள் 'இந்து தமிழ் திசை' நாளிதழிடம் கூறுகையில், "தேர்தல் நாளில் வாக்குச்சாவடிகளில் கரோனா பரவல் தடுப்புப் பணியில் ஈடுபட ஆட்கள் தேவைப்படுவதாகவும், தலா ரூ.1,000 வீதம் ஊதியம் தரப்படும் என்றும் பூத் ஸ்லிப் விநியோகித்தவர்கள் மூலம் தெரிய வந்தது.

தொடர்ந்து, தேர்தல் நாளன்று பொன்மலை பகுதி வாக்குச்சாவடி ஒன்றில் 28 பேர் பணியில் ஈடுபட்டோம். எங்களுக்கு யாரும் உணவு தராததால், அதற்கும் செலவழித்தோம். தேர்தல் முடிந்த பிறகு வாக்குச்சாவடி அலுவலர்களுக்கு ஊதியம் அளித்த வருவாய்த் துறையினர், எங்களுக்குத் தரவில்லை.

இது குறித்து, கேட்டபோது ஒருவருக்கு தலா ரூ.250 வீதம் ஒரு வாரத்துக்குள் தரப்படும் என்றனர். ஒரு நாள் முழுவதும் பணியில் ஈடுபட்டு, உணவுக்கும் செலவழித்துள்ள நிலையில், ரூ.250 மட்டுமே தரப்படும் என்பது எங்களை ஏமாற்றும் செயல். கரோனா பரவல் தடுப்புப் பணியில் ஆட்களைப் பிடிக்க செய்யப்பட்ட உத்தி. எனவே, மாவட்ட ஆட்சியரிடம் புகார் அளிக்க வந்தோம்" என்றார்.

இதனிடையே, இன்று பிற்பகலில் இளைஞர்களைத் தொடர்பு கொண்டு பேசிய ஒருவர், திருவெறும்பூர் வட்டாட்சியர் அலுவலகத்துக்கு வந்து ரூ.250 வீதம் ஊதியத்தைப் பெற்றுக் கொள்ளுமாறு கூறியுள்ளார். இதனால், கரோனா பரவல் தடுப்புப் பணியில் ஈடுபட்ட இளைஞர்கள் அதிருப்தி அடைந்துள்ளனர்.

இது குறித்து அவர்கள் மேலும் கூறும்போது, "தேர்தல் நாளன்று உணவுக்கு செலவழித்துள்ள நிலையில், திருவெறும்பூர் வட்டாட்சியர் அலுவலகத்துக்கு வந்து ரூ.250-ஐ பெற்றுக் கொள்ளச் சொல்வது எந்த வகையிலும் நியாயமில்லை" என்றனர்.

Parents of baby boy born mid-air run pillar to post for birth certificate

Parents of baby boy born mid-air run pillar to post for birth certificate

The baby was born on March 17 with the help of the Indigo flight crew and Dr. Subahana Nazir, who was travelling on the same flight, 6E 469.

Published: 08th April 2021 07:44 PM 

The mother and the child with Indigo flight crew. (Photo | EPS)

By Rajesh Asnani

Express News Service

JAIPUR: Parents of a baby boy, born on a flight from Bengaluru to Jaipur in March, are now struggling to get a birth certificate.

The baby was born on March 17 with the help of the Indigo flight crew and Dr Subahana Nazir, who was travelling on the same flight, 6E 469.

According to government rules, the birth certificate is to be issued within 21 days of a baby being born.

When the baby was born in the flight at a height of 33,000, the family of Bhairon Singh, the father of the baby, had suddenly hit the headlines across the country. Despite the publicity they garnered due to this unique mid-air adventure, their difficulties on the ground did not in any way lessen. Nearly three weeks after that exceptional birth, the baby’s father who is an auto-driver in Bengaluru is running from pillar to post to get the child’s birth certificate issued.

Soon after the aircraft had landed at Jaipur airport on the morning of March 17, the mother and the child were rushed to a private hospital for examination. The doctors found them to be perfectly healthy. But Bhairon Singh, the father, found the hospital too expensive and took his wife and the baby to his village near Beawar town in Ajmer district.

A few days after reaching the village, Bhairon Singh said he started the process of getting the birth certificate. But as he is not well-educated, the government machinery is giving him quite a run-around and is forcing him to make multiple trips to different offices.

The infant’s father first approached the sarpanch who then asked him to go to a government hospital from where he was sent to another hospital. Bhairon Singh says officials seem quite confused since the baby was born mid-air. Although he has been assured that he will get it at the earliest, the birth certificate remains elusive despite numerous trips to various government offices.

“I first approached the post office in the village Surajpura but an employee said that I should go to the Jawaja hospital in our area. Later, I was told that I should go to the Jaipur airport and get a certificate from there. Each office wasted three to four days."

Bhairon Singh says he even tried to ring up the authorities at Jaipur airport but he was not given any clear answer. Even though Indigo Airlines gave him some response and even inquired about his son’s health, they too could not give any concrete help in getting the birth certificate for the baby born on their flight.

The New Indian Express was told that the Jaipur Municipal Corporation can issue the birth certificate as the child was born on a flight that landed in Jaipur. But before that, the child’s parents will need to file a written application with the airport authority in Jaipur to send a letter to the Jaipur Municipal Corporation about the child’s birth mid-air on an Indigo flight.

Social distancing: Carrying capacity of buses to come down by 25%

Social distancing: Carrying capacity of buses to come down by 25%

The carrying capacity of buses are set to come down by 25 per cent from Saturday with the State government imposing restrictions on travelling while standing.

Published: 09th April 2021 04:28 AM |

By B Anbuselvan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The carrying capacity of buses are set to come down by 25 per cent from Saturday with the State government imposing restrictions on travelling while standing. The maximum number of travellers on buses will be regulated according to the seating capacity of the vehicle. The move will empty the aisles in buses and allow commuters to comply with social distancing norms, said official sources.

However, on the flip side, the move is likely to have an adverse impact on transport corporations as well as commuters. The transport department has been reeling under financial crunch with mounting debts of over Rs 15,000 crore for the past few years. Each government bus had been charged from Rs 9,500 to Rs 10,000 at every toll gate on the National Highways for 50 trips. As a result, Villupuram and Salem corporations brought down the number of trips on many routes.

The recent curbs will reduce the carrying capacity of buses from 25 to 30 per cent, thereby further taking a toll on the revenue of corporations. However, operational expenses will remain the same. Even as the government is yet to resume more than 40 per cent of bus services post the Covid-19 lockdown since last year, the new restriction on standing will increase the demand for buses.

However, transport secretary C Samayamoorthy maintained that over 70 per cent of the fleet of eight transport corporations was being operated. “To meet the additional demand, we will increase services after studying the demand,” he said. A large section of daily-wage labourers and office goers depends on public transportation, particularly the Mofussil buses outside Chennai city.

K Baskaran, who works at a biscuit manufacturing company near Tiruvallur, said many workers employed in smaller industries relied on government buses for their daily commute. “If commuters are not allowed to stand and travel, the government should increase the number of buses,” he said. The government said buses will be operated to neighbouring Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry.

King Institute’s popularity among Covid patients worries officials

King Institute’s popularity among Covid patients worries officials

Covid patients delay treatment as they wait to get admitted at King Institute Covid hospital

Published: 09th April 2021 04:33 AM 

By Sinduja Jane

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Covid patients queuing up at the King Institute in Guindy to get admitted while refusing to go to other government hospitals has worried health department officials. Their wait for admission since as early as 5 am could result in a delay in treatment, the officials fear. Some patients are ready to wait for even two days to get admitted at the exclusive Covid hospital at King Institute.

On Thursday, the hospital almost ran out of beds. As per data from the Directorate of Medical Education, of the total 525 beds, 479 had been occupied till evening on the day. A woman, who was waiting to get admitted at the institute, was told that the beds were almost full as many people were already waiting before her. She still managed to get admitted through her contacts.

She refused to go to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), where 1,618 beds were vacant. In another case, a man, whose grandmother had taken a Covid test, wanted to wait for the results as King Institute admitted only confirmed Covid patients. He refused to admit her at the RGGGH, which has a separate ward for suspected patients, thus delaying treatment for the woman.

Dr R Narayana Babu, Director of Medical Education, said, people should make use of other government facilities as well. “We still have plenty of beds. In Chennai alone, there are 10,568 beds in government hospitals. Among them, only 1,943 were filled on Thursday. They should not delay treatment by waiting to get admitted at King Institute,” he said.

Another senior doctor pointed out that when it comes to all critical care management, the RGGGH is the mother of all institutions. “Any patient with comorbid conditions can be treated there as the hospital has all specialties,” he said.

People prefer the King Institute because it is a new building and the premises is clean and well-maintained. Some even prefer Government Omandurar Medical College Hospital, which has set up an exclusive Covid-19 hospital, he said. He noted that many other government hospitals have dedicated new buildings for Covid treatment.

3 dead, 39 injured as govt bus, truck collide head-on

3 dead, 39 injured as govt bus, truck collide head-on

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Cuddalore:  09.04.2021

Three people including the driver of a TNSTC bus were killed and 39 others were injured when the bus collided head-on with a truck on Thursday near Chidambaram in Cuddalore district. A case was registered against the truck driver, who was said to be in a critical condition.

The deceased people were identified as 38-year-old D Sivakumar of Villupuram district, the bus driver, and passengers A Anbarasan, 36, and R Vairavan, 19, from Nagapattinam district.

Police said the TNSTC bus from Velankanni left for Chennai in the wee hours of Thursday. When the bus crossed Mettupalayam near Chidambaram, it collided head-on with a truck bound for Chidambaram from Cuddalore. Teh front portions of the bus and truck were completely mangled and the bus was flipped to its side in the impact.

While the three were found dead on the spot, 39 others were injured and rushed to government general hospitals in Cuddalore and Chidambaram.

A police team led by DSP (Chidambaram) T A J Lamech reached the accident spot and recovered the bodies.

The condition of the truck driver, identified as Iyyappan, was said to be critical. He was later shifted to Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry for advanced care and was subsequently referred to a private hospital in Chennai.

The Puduchatram police registered a case against Iyyappan under Sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304 A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and began investigations.

BATTERED: The TNSTC bus was heading from Velankanni to Chennai

Friends beyond faith, only death could part

Friends beyond faith, only death could part

Deepak.Karthik@timesgroup.com

Trichy: 09.04.2021

A life-size obituary banner with portraits of two elderly men sprung up on Jubilee road in Jayankondam town in Ariyalur on Wednesday afternoon as many residents gazed in disbelief. K Mahalingam, 70, and P Jailabudeen, 66, thick friends for 40 years, had passed away within a space of 30 minutesjustthepreviousnight.Bothfamilies haderectedthecommon banner astestimony to a friendship that transcended religious and professional barriers.

Mahalingam was priest at the Mariamman temple on Vriddachalam road andhadbeen running a tea stallnear the temple. Jailabudeen was a rice mill owner staying opposite his house on Jubilee Road. Their families recall that the two addressed each other as mama-mapla (used between close friends).

Being a priest, Mahalingam was a staunch believer in Hindu rituals and wasoften seen withholy ashsmearedon hisforeheadwhileJailabudeen followed Islam. “No function or festival in our house happened in the absence of Jailabudeen thatha (grandfather). They used to tellusthatthey wereneighbourseven as young boys and hung out together,” says S Guru, Mahalingam’s grandson. “My family always consulted Mahalingam thatha whilehosting any function.Wish wehada snap of thetwowhilethey were alive, the deaths were sudden,” Abdul Rashith, grandson of Jailabudeen, said.

Family members say Mahalingam who had hypertension complained of uneasiness on Tuesday noon. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital by his family in an autorickshaw. They werenotawarethatJailabudeen wasalready atthehospitalafter healsoshowedsome discomforts. Both were referred to Jayankondam GH and admitted to the same ward.

Jailabudeen had chest pain, according to his grandson, and he fell unconscious and died around 4 pm. When Mahalingam wasinformedaboutthedeath of his friend, the families said he was already slipping away, but tears welled in his eyes. He breathed his last half an hour later. Mahalingam was cremated at the cremation ground in Jayankondam town while Jailabudeen was buried at the Muslim burial ground on the outskirts on Wednesday.

BOND OF LOVE: P Jailabudeen and K Mahalingam (right)

HC asks TN to reserve med seat for RTE student next year

MAKING AN EXCEPTION

HC asks TN to reserve med seat for RTE student next year

K.Kaushik@timesgroup.com

Madurai:  09.04.2021

Madras high court has directed Tamil Nadu government to ‘reserve’ one medical seat next year for a girl student ‘on priority basis’ under 7.5% quota provided for students who studied from Class VI to Class XII in government schools. She, as an RTE quota student, had studied in a private school till Class VI.

It is, however, not clear whether she would be eligible for a medical seat next year, on the basis of her performance in NEET this year. NEET score is valid for the current year only.

The case relates to a case filed by Sabhana’s father, stating that she had studied in a private school under RTE quota, Noting that she did Class VII to Class XII in a government school, he said she is eligible for admission under 7.5% quota. He, however, said that while filling the application form, she had marked ‘no’ against a column which asked if she had studied in a government school from Class VI to Class XII.

Justice V Parthiban, deciding the case in her favour, said the state ought to have had a separate column for students who studied in private schools under RTE quota.

Due to the absence of any specific column for RTE category students, the valuable right of Sabhana for being consideredunder 7.5%quota hadbeen denied to her, said Justice Parthiban, adding: "No amount of consolation from the state authorities could compensate the loss suffered by the petitioner's daughter at the crucial stage of higher educational pursuits.”

The judge observed that the dream and hope of the student to pursue medical education should not be shattered on account of a fault of the authorities who had not clearly framed or formulated the application form.

Observing that the state government is under moral and legal obligation to consider her admission, Justice Parthiban asked the state to explore the possibilities to accommodate the student in this academic year in any leftover vacancy due to the candidates non-joining the course.

After being informed of the closure of the admission process, the judge directed the state to reserve a seat for the student andprovideher admission next academic year on a priority basis in medical courses in terms of her overall standing in the merit list under 7.5% quota, if she is interested in taking up the course to be offered to her.

It was the state’s case that had the student approached the counselling authority immediately, her name could have been included for extension of 7.5% preferential admission this year.

Explain action against internal corruption, court tells DVAC

Explain action against internal corruption, court tells DVAC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.04.2021

The Madras high court has directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to explain as to whether the agency is functioning independently without political influences.

The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy also wanted the DVAC to report action taken by it in the past three years against corrupt officials of the agency.

The court issued the directions on a public interest writ petition moved by Karuppu Ezhuthu Kazhagam seeking to quash a government order dated July 5, 2020 transferring various officials.

Counsel for the petitioner P Vijendran claimed that corruption was rampant in the registration department and alleged that highly corrupt officials in the department were being allowed to peacefully retire from service and go scotfree, while those facing comparatively less serious charges were being subjected serious punishment.

Pointing out a particular case of district registrar K Gopalakrishnan, who was transferred from Chennai to Tuticorin after a DVAC raid in March 2019, the petitioner said, the officer did not join service at the transferred location.

However, he was transferred back to Chengalpattu within four months, he added.

Further, stating that the official’s name had been included in a general list of transfer of various other officers in July 2020, the petitioner urged the court to quash the entire GO and consequently direct the state government to effect the transfers in a transparent manner.

Microsurgery by city doc corrects ringing in ears of man, 26

Microsurgery by city doc corrects ringing in ears of man, 26

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.04.2021

The continuous ringing sound in the ears of a 26-year-old man for two years affected his work, sleep and daily life. But when a city-based doctor performed a rare microsurgery to move a blood vessel away from the auditory nerve, the patient was able to smile again.

Venkat Narayan was referred to the MGM Healthcare by a senior ENT surgeon because the ringing sound diagnosed as a rare form of tinnitus did not go away with medication and other therapy.

Further tests including a brain MRI in January 2020, showed no abnormal tumours or vascular malformation. “After a detailed examination, it was diagnosed that the artery abutting the auditory nerve was creating this problem,” said senior neurosurgeon Dr K Sridhar, director and group head, Institute of Neurosciences and Spinal Disorders, MGM Healthcare.

The team of doctors then decided to do a microvascular decompression of the cochlear nerve. While the procedure is regularly performed to treat shock like pain over the face due to compression of nerves, it is not used to treating tinnitus. “We moved the artery away from the nerve and the problem was gone,” he said. “We had to be very careful while doing this procedure as the risk of deafness and facial weakness were high,” he said.

Venkat said he will carry on with his higher education as he had planned earlier.

Govt: Notices issued to evict 403 encroachers from Chitlapakkam lake

Govt: Notices issued to evict 403 encroachers from Chitlapakkam lake

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.04.2021

At least 403 encroachments have been identified in Chitlapakkam lake and action has been initiated to remove them, Tamil Nadu government has informed Madras high court.

These encroachments were found on 83.89 acres of the water body classified as ‘Eri’ (tank). Out of 403, at least 374 are house sites, government pleader V Jayaprakash Narayanan said on Thursday.

He further added that notices have been issued to the encroachers under the Tamil Nadu Protection of Tank and Eviction of Encroachments Rules, 2007.

The state made the submissions on a plea moved by NGO Arappor Iyakkam to remove encroachments in the Chitlapakkam lake from the Tambaram and Pallavaram side, along with discharge of sewage into the lake.

Recording the submissions, the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy adjourned the plea to eight weeks for the state to file a status report.

In February last, the bench expressed dissatisfaction over the government’s response to encroachments on water bodies.

The court observed that cities would die if water bodies were killed and flats were getting flooded because they are choked. “There is a complete lack of intention on the part of the state to protect water bodies. We would like to see earthmoving machines being deployed to remove such encroachment in water bodies so that it sends a clear message to others to restrain from resorting to such encroachment,” the court said.

The petitioner-organisation said it wanted to protect the Chitlapakkam lake, spread over 101.4 acres, by forming an earth bund around the lake along with a pathway by removing the encroachments.

It had also sought to restrain the officials from converting the lake and its adjoining areas into a park, landfill or garbage dump and subsequently connect the lake with the lakes at Selaiyur and Sembakkam.

The state made the submissions on a plea moved by Arappor Iyakkam, an NGO, to remove encroachments from Chitlapakkam lake from the Tambaram and Pallavaram side

Fresh curbs from tomorrow in TN to contain Covid surge

Fresh curbs from tomorrow in TN to contain Covid surge

Get Jabs In 2 Wks, State Tells People Aged 45 & Above

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 09.04.2021

The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday announced new measures to check the second surge of Covid-19 cases, putting the onus on industries, shopping complexes, offices and restaurants to ensure people wore masks and followed other pandemic protocol. The public is barred from all places of worship, which can follow essential rituals with only staff in attendance but will have to shut by 8 pm from April 10. Retail fruit and vegetable shops at the Koyambedu complex here will be also be shut from that date.

The government has urged people aged above 45 years to get vaccinated in government hospitals and recognized private hospitals within two weeks. Industries should arrange for vaccination of their employees based on the guidelines issued by the Centre and stern action would be taken for violation of standard operating procedures.

Masks must, sanitise hands, says governor

Governor Banwarilal Purohit has urged people to follow the government’s instructions to fight the pandemic. He requested all people to wear masks compulsorily, maintain social distancing and sanitise hands regularly, a release said.

‘For containment of virus, public should cooperate’

Chief secretary Rajeev Ranjan said the public should cooperate for effective containment of the virus. “The management of industries, shopping complexes, private organisations, offices and restaurants should ensure thermal scanning, use of hand sanitisers and wearing of face masks by their employees, officials and the public. Persons without face masks should not be allowed to enter the premises,” he said in an order.

The government also set up field-level teams of IAS officers, supported by revenue, police and health officials for each of the 15 zones in Chennai, and engaged monitoring officers for each district, to intensify containment measures. Public and private intrastate buses, including Metropolitan Transport Corporation services in Chennai, would be permitted with the passengers restricted to seating capacity. This applies to buses being operated to Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka too.

The government said certain restrictions had become imperative given the considerable increase in Covid cases daily and the reason for which was due to non-adherence to Covid-19 protocols, such as wearing of face masks in public places and maintaining social distance. The active cases that stood at 13,070 on March 28 rose to 30,131 on April 8, following which the health department has begun conducting 80,000 RT-PCR tests a day now and increased and aggressive testing in affected areas.

Round-the-clock monitoring will be done in containment zones by officials drawn from police, local bodies and health departments to check the movement of people. Volunteers will be engaged to cater to the essential needs of people in containment zones, besides taking control measures such as spraying disinfectant. Police, health, revenue and local body staff have been directed to intensify the fever camps, surveillance of people with symptoms of fever, cold and cough daily and contact tracing. The district collectors and commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation have been directed to enforce the measures strictly.

Coming soon: Common entrance test for 41 central universities

Coming soon: Common entrance test for 41 central universities

Students Can’t Rely Only On Class XII Marks

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:09.04.2021

For the first time, those seeking admission to undergraduate courses in 41 central universities may not be able to rely only on their Class XII marks. With the imminent finalisation of the plan to conduct the Central Universities Common Entrance Test or CUCET, applicants will have to gear up to fill an online form and appear for the test.

The ministry of education is expected to announce the exam later in April. Earlier this week, a seven-member committee set up by the University Grants Commission in December 2020 submitted its report. The committee was tasked with recommending the modalities for the “high quality aptitude test” for admission to undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes in central universities. The report recommended that the CUCET should be introduced for admission to all programmes in central universities from the coming academic year, and that the exam should be conducted at least twice a year.

However, Amit Khare, secretary for higher education in the ministry, had told TOI in March that this year the common exam will only be for admission to undergraduate courses and will be conducted only once. The CUCET is part of the new National Education Policy 2020, which states that the National Testing Agency will facilitate a single entrance exam for admission to universities across the country.

First CUCET may be held by end of June

The agency is tasked with conducting a high quality common aptitude test like the SAT examination in the US. The committee’s report said that a single application form will enable candidates to apply to multiple central universities including Jawaharlal Nehru University, Banaras Hindu University and Delhi University among others.

The first CUCET is likely to be conducted around the end of June and the results are likely to be announced in July so that the admission cycle isn’t delayed.

According to a member of the committee, the CUCET will consist of two parts: Section A will be an aptitude test of 50 questions on reading comprehension, verbal ability, quantitative reasoning, logical and analytical reasoning, general awareness and ICT. Section B will have 50 domainspecific questions.

The computer-based bilingual (Hindi and English) multiple choice test will be threehour-long. The NTA will announce an all-India merit list and candidates will get their percentile score and percentile rank. A common e-Counselling platform will be used by the universities to allot courses once a candidate meets the eligibility criteria.

பிரதமருக்கு தடுப்பூசி போட்டது மறக்க முடியாத தருணம்: நிஷா சர்மா

பிரதமருக்கு தடுப்பூசி போட்டது மறக்க முடியாத தருணம்: நிஷா சர்மா

புதுடெல்லி

பிரதமர் நரேந்திர மோடி, இன்று காலை டெல்லி எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனையில் கரோனா தடுப்பூசி இரண்டாவது டோஸை போட்டுக்கொண்டார்.

37 நாட்களுக்குப் பின்னர் இன்று அவர் இரண்டாவது தவணை தடுப்பூசியையும் பெற்றுக் கொண்டுள்ளார். டெல்லி எய்ம்ஸ் மருத்துவமனையில் அவர் தடுப்பூசி போட்டுக்கொண்டார்.

முதல் தவணை தடுப்பூசி செலுத்திய புதுச்சேரியைச் சேர்ந்த செவிலி நிவேதா அவருடைய கைகளைப் பிடித்துக் கொள்ள செவிலி நிஷா சர்மா 2ம் டோஸ் தடுபூசியை செலுத்தினார். இவர் பஞ்சாப் மாநிலத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர்.

தடுப்பூசி செலுத்தியது குறித்து, நிஷா சர்மா, நான் தான் பிரதமருக்கு இன்று இரண்டாவது தவணை தடுப்பூசியை செலுத்தினேன். இது என் வாழ்வில் மறக்க முடியாத தருணம் என்று கூறினார். நிஷா பஞ்சாப் மாநிலம் சங்க்ரூரைச் சேர்ந்தவர்.

முதல் தவணை தடுப்பூசி செலுத்திய நிவேதா, நான் இன்று பிரதமரை சந்திக்க இன்னொரு வாய்ப்பு எனக்குக் கிடைத்தது. பிரதமரை சந்தித்ததிலும் அவருக்கு இரண்டாவது தவணை ஊசி செலுத்த உதவியதிலும் எனக்குப் பெருமகிழ்ச்சி. பிரதமர் எங்களிடம் நலம் விசாரித்தார். நாங்கள் அவருடன் புகைப்படம் எடுத்துக்கொண்டோம் என்று அவர் கூறினார். நிவேதா புதுச்சேரியைச் சேர்ந்தவர்.

பிரதமர் மோடி உள்நாட்டுத் தயாரிப்பான கோவேக்சின் தடுப்பூசியைப் போட்டுக் கொண்டார் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

அவர் முதல் தவணை ஊசியைக் கடந்த மார்ச் 1ம் தேதி போட்டுக் கொண்டார்.

6 மாதம்தான்.. மீண்டும் மூட்டை முடிச்சுகளைக் கட்டத் தயாராகும் புலம்பெயர்ந்தோர்

6 மாதம்தான்.. மீண்டும் மூட்டை முடிச்சுகளைக் கட்டத் தயாராகும் புலம்பெயர்ந்தோர்

மும்பை: சரியாகச் சொல்வதென்றால் ஒரு ஆறு மாதம்தான் ஆகியிருக்கும், ஊரடங்கால் ஊருக்குச் சென்றுவிட்டு, திரும்ப மும்பைக்கு வந்து, அதற்குள் மீண்டும் தங்களது மூட்டை முடிச்சுகளைக் கட்டத் தயாராகி வருகிறார்கள் புலம்பெயர்ந்தோர்.

கடந்த ஆண்டு மார்ச் மாதம் நாடு முழுவதும் பொதுமுடக்கம் அமல்படுத்தப்பட்ட போது, தங்களது வாழ்வாதாரங்கள் எல்லாம் முடங்கிப் போனதால் மும்பையை விட்டு, மகாராஷ்டிரத்தின் மிகவும் பின்தங்கிய கிராமங்களை நோக்கிச் சென்ற மக்கள், மீண்டும் இயல்பு நிலைத் திரும்பியதால், ஆறு மாதங்களுக்கு முன்புதான் மும்பை மற்றும் மும்பை மாநகராட்சிக்குத் திரும்பினர்.

மீண்டும் தங்களது வாழ்வாதாரங்களை புதுப்பித்துக் கொண்டு ஓரளவுக்கு பொருளாதார நிலையில் மீண்டு வந்து விடலாம் என்ற நம்பிக்கை துளிர்விட்டுக் கொண்டிருந்த நேரத்தில்தான் பேரிடியாக இரண்டாவது அலைத் தாக்கத் தொடங்கியிருக்கிறது.

மகாராஷ்டிரத்தில் அதிகளவில் கரோனா தொற்று உறுதி செய்யப்பட்டுவருவதால், இரவு நேர ஊரடங்கு, கட்டுப்பாடுகள் என்று தொடர்ந்து அடுத்தடுத்து அறிவிக்கப்பட்டு வருகிறது.

இதனால், இந்தியாவின் பல பகுதிகளிலிருந்தும், மகாராஷ்டிரத்திலிருந்தும் வந்து மும்பையில் வேலை செய்து வரும் புலம்பெயர்ந்தோர் கடும் அச்சத்துக்குள்ளாகியுள்ளனர். எனவெ. பொதுமுடக்கம் அறிவித்துவிடுவார்களோ என்ற அச்சத்தில் தங்களது உடைமைகளை கட்டித் தயாராக வைத்திருக்கிறார்கள் எண்ணற்ற புலம்பெயர்ந்தோர்.

பொதுமுடக்கத்துக்குப் பின், 2020-ஆம் ஆண்டு ஆகஸ்ட் மாதத்தில் தளர்வுகள் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டதும், உத்தரப்பிரதேசம், பிகார், சத்தீஸ்கர், ஹரியாணா, ராஜஸ்தான், கர்நாடகம், குஜராத், தெலங்கானா, ஒடிசா ஆகிய மாநிலங்களிலிருந்து திரும்பி வந்த புலம்பெயர் தொழிலாளர்கள், சிறு, குறு தொழிற்சாலைகள், பண்ணைகள், உணவகங்கள், அலுவலகம், வணிக வளாகம் என பல இடங்களில் லட்சக்கணக்கான பணிகளை நிரப்பினர்.

ஆனால், மீண்டும் மகாராஷ்டிரத்தில் இரண்டாவது அலை அடிக்கத் தொடங்கியிருப்பதால், தங்களது மூட்டை முடிச்சுகளை எல்லாம் கட்டிக் கொண்டு, மீண்டும் பிறப்பிடம் தேடி ஓட மனதளவில் தயாராகி வருகிறார்கள் புலம்பெயர் தொழிலாளர்கள்.

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