How To Insulate Yourself From Negative Forces

THE SPEAKING TREE #AShotOfHope

How To Insulate Yourself From Negative Forces

Swami Sukhabodhananda

21.04.2021

A Zen student asked his Master, “Why does a fish in an ocean try to jump out?”

“The fish is trying to explore a world beyond the ocean,” answered the Master.

The consciousness that is present in each one of us is like the fish that wants to break out of the bounds of the familiar and explore the unknown. It compels us from within to evolve and grow.

In order to achieve this, we have to insulate ourselves from negative forces that inhibit our exploratory zeal.

Negative forces neutralise the creative energies that foster growth. So, it is necessary not to struggle in life and not allow influences to control your life negatively. One has to learn to float in life, to let go, let in the essentials and negate unessential feelings.

How do we insulate ourselves from negative influences?

Fear is a negative force. Whenever fear is present, the level of pro-life energy drops. Fear creates a hurt body and it then tries to survive leaning on philosophy and logic.

We try to offset the effects of fear by acquiring money, power, name and fame in abundant measure. These are but poor defences against fear. In spiritual terms, faith is the only effective antidote to fear.

Trust that when one door closes, another opens. This optimistic outlook takes the worry out of the sight of a closed door. In the spiritual way, one has to dis-identify with any impression of fear in the mind. This detachment or dis-identification is the insulation. In yoga it is called ‘atma smaranam’, self-remembrance. We have to remember to bring forth an impression of trust, assert our faith, and discard the spirit of distrust and fear.

Worldly forces do not affect us in our insulated state. Instead, our insulated selves rise to higher levels of energy, vibrations and understanding. The higher centres in us are constantly communicating something profound to us, but we close ourselves to them. It is like a cup turned upside down … no amount of water can fill the cup. The moment we are available for higher vibrations, we attract the noble aspects of life. Our state of being attracts situations in life. Lower states attract lower aspects of life while the higher states attract higher aspects of life. This is the law of attraction.

Devotion activates the higher centres of our being, purifies our emotions, and allows vibrations to flow into our lives. Devotion consists not in going through long sessions of prayers or tough regimens of rituals and penance, but in submitting ourselves to the will of God in love and gratitude.

With pure devotion, our third eye or our faculty of intuition opens, enabling us to see the grand patterns and structures connecting together what we had always taken to be isolated things and events. We feel the invisible hand of God stretched over us. Devotion transforms us from physical beings to spiritual entities. It liberates us from the confines of sensory perception and leads us to the realms of intuitive understanding. In such a state, many meaningful coincidences occur in one’s life. One is able to see the mysterious hand of God’s blessing.

For ongoing online workshops by Swamiji, contact: 63666 01235/ 63666 01236/ 990177 7003

Wedding shops sell cremation items now

Wedding shops sell cremation items now

Rajeev.Mani@timesgroup.com

Prayagraj:  21.04.2021 

Ankit Agarwal has been the go-to person for several generations during every wedding season as his shop in Chowk area of Prayagraj in UP had all paraphernalia needed for marriage ceremony. With Covid-19 second wave continuing its lethal run in the city and people calling off wedding plans till the pandemic subsides, the same shop is now forced to sell items used in last rites. Another nearby shop too has started selling items needed for cremation.

“Although my family is in the business of wedding items, we are now selling things needed for last rites,” said Ankit. This is also to help people as there was no such shop in the area and customers had to go to different markets, he added.

Besides these two shops of the Chowk area, outlets selling items needed for cremation have mushroomed in several other localities.

“I am not sure if deaths are happening only because of Covid or due to other ailments also, but one thing is for sure, despite working from dawn to late night, I am unable to meet the order for ‘titti’(a stretcher made of bamboo) ,” said Nanku, a craftsman.

How big is risk of clots from Covishield?

A SHOT OF HOPE

How big is risk of clots from Covishield?

The risk is extremely low, and the link between blood clots and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is still not 100% clear. Also, the clots can be treated if patients report them early

Abhilash.Gaur@timesgroup.com

21.04.2021

Covid patients are sharing hospital beds and in some places the dead have shared pyres. It couldn’t get worse, you think, until yet another report raises doubts about the safety of the Oxford-Astra-Zeneca vaccine.

Since February, scientists in Europe have suspected a link between the vaccine and rare but recurring cases of fatal blood clots. Some countries have stopped using the vaccine, which is called Covishield in India and Vaxzevria abroad.

The West has the luxury of choice, but for us Covishield is the mainstay of the entire vaccination drive. If you are in line for a Covid shot, should you be afraid? Should you wait for another vaccine to launch? Here are answers to some of the questions on your mind.

Why is Europe worried?

Blood clots are a common problem. You can get one by sitting too long in one place. While these ordinary clots are easy to treat, those linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine are not. In fact, they combine clotting with the risk of internal bleeding.

Scientists have named this condition “vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT).” Somehow, a tiny percentage of people who take the AstraZeneca vaccine seem to face this dual problem of clots and internal bleeding.

The clots can occur anywhere in the body, but the deadliest ones occur in the brain. They are called cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) or cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST).

Covid causes more clots

The concern about the vaccine is based on a few hundred CVT cases recorded in Europe. In the European Economic Area (EU+Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), 169 CVT cases were recorded after 34 million vaccinations. That’s roughly 5 out of every million AstraZeneca recipients.

Among 20 million AstraZeneca recipients in the UK – roughly the population of Mumbai – 19 died of VITT, the overall clotting/bleeding problem that includes CVT.

You might say, each one of those deaths is one too many. True, but consider the alternative. You avoid the vaccine and get Covid. What is the risk of death now? Besides, Covid also causes VITT and CVT, and new data shows it causes them far more often than vaccines.

On April 15, Oxford scientists published research claiming that the risk of CVT from Covid is 8 times greater than the risk from their a vaccine.

Are we sure the vaccine is the cause?

We still don’t know for sure if the AstraZeneca vaccine ‘causes’ VITT/CVT, but international agencies are leaning towards that view.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has said VITT should be listed as a “very rare side effect” of the vaccine. UK authorities say the evidence of a link is strong but “more work is still needed.” But WHO has held off so far. Based on data from 190 million AstraZeneca vaccinations, it feels a causal relationship between the vaccine and VITT is “plausible” but not “confirmed”.

What should you do?

With cases shooting up day after day, the most important thing is to get your vaccine as soon as you can. If you have already had your first shot of Covishield without serious side effects, UK authorities advise you take the second on schedule.

If at all you get VITT/CVT, the symptoms will appear 4 days to 4 weeks after your first shot. You should see a doctor “urgently”.

Are women at greater risk?

Initial reports said women who got the AstraZeneca vaccine were at greater risk of CVT, but that does not seem to be the case now.

“The differential could be explained by the higher number of young women being given the vaccine, in large part because there are more women working in health and care professions than men,” Anna Gross writes in Financial Times. In England, 7.5% more women have got their first dose. In the under-50 age group, women are 41% ahead.

Although the contraceptive pill also causes clotting – about 1 in 1,000 women a year – professor Adam Taylor from Lancaster University writes in The Conversation: “the mechanisms behind the type of clotting linked to the vaccine and that linked to the pill appear quite different.”

So, for now, theories linking the contraceptive pill, pregnancy and hormonal replacement therapy to clots occurring after vaccination

Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel (left) and president Frank-Walter Steinmeier (centre), and UK prime minister Boris Johnson have taken the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

SYMPTOMS OF CLOTTING

Severe headache not helped by usual painkillers

Headache seems worse when lying down or bending over Headache accompanied by blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, difficulty with speech, weakness, drowsiness or seizures

New, unexplained pinprick bruising or bleeding

Shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling, persistent abdominal pain

Source: Public Health England

My granny died, but hardest part was a lonely funeral

FIRST PERSON

My granny died, but hardest part was a lonely funeral

Shobita.Dhar@timesgroup.com

21.04.2021

On April 19, my maternal grandmother developed Covid-19 symptoms. She was 96, her blood oxygen level had dropped to an alarmingly low 76 and she was gasping. Fifteen minutes into the drive to the hospital, she passed away. But it was not the saddest part.

The challenges peculiar to Covid-19 became apparent the moment my parents, 69 and 67, with whom she used to live, decided to take her to the hospital on their own. They live in a third-floor apartment and the car was parked in the basement. The next-door neighbours were all down with Covid-19 and they had asked me not to come — I have a child whose health they didn’t want to risk. With help from just one person, they managed to get her in a wheelchair and then to the car.

The hospital was 23 minutes away, but she didn’t make it. Doctors told my parents to take her body to the cremation grounds right away because it could be a Covid-19 case. We couldn't know for sure because grandmother passed away before we could get her tested. My parents wanted to conduct some form of last rites before the cremation, so they took her back home but not to the apartment. They parked the car in the basement, with my granny in it, and decided to organize a small funeral right there. My father cranked up the AC of the car to keep her body protected from heat.

This is how I saw her when I got there with my husband and father-in-law. Five chairs had been placed on one side of the car. Five relatives came over after a while. Broken and grieving, nobody hugged. No priest agreed to come perform the last rites. We did that on our own. We had to give grandmother the ceremonial bath before the cremation. My mother, two of her sisters and I tied a bedsheet from the car to a pillar in the basement to create a private space for that. We did all we could to give her as dignified a farewell as possible.

We stumbled along with her body to the cremation ground, where five pyres were already burning. We picked up the wooden logs for the pyre, but as they were heavy, a stranger, who was there to cremate his own, helped us. We were overcome with gratitude. After the cremation, we left.

Centre has released ₹30k cr of disaster funds to states, UTs

Centre has released ₹30k cr of disaster funds to states, UTs

MP, Maha & Bengal Got Lion’s Share

Pradeep.Thakur@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:21.04.2021

Probably in one of the highest yearly spend towards disaster mitigation, the Centre has released more than Rs 30,000 crore of disaster funds to states and Union Territories since the beginning of the pandemic last year. Up to 50% of this fund has been allowed to be used for Covid-19 containment measures that may include setting up of quarantine centres, buying of medical equipment, providing for ambulances and expenditure towards testing and tracing of cases.

Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal have got the highest share of the State Disaster Relief Management Fund (SDRMF), including Rs 8,257 crore contribution made from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). While MP has received Rs 3,700 crore of disaster fund till March 31, Maharashtra has received Rs 3,640 crore and Bengal Rs 3,260 crore. The total funds released to 28 states/UTs is more than Rs 31,500 crore during the just concluded 2020-21 financial year.

Rs 7,000 crore of the disaster funds have been released since January this year. In a directive issued last week, the government said that “in view of the surge in Covid-19 cases , by way of special one time dispensation it has decided to allow states to utilise up to 50% of their annual allocation of SDRF for containment measures” of the pandemic. In release of disaster funds to states through SDRMF, the Centre has contributed Rs 22,184 crore towards its share, which is 114% more than the Rs 10,344 crore provided in the previous year. In addition, the Centre has released Rs 8,257 crore to states from the NDRF for mitigation measures. The Centre had in March last year notified Coronavirus as “disaster” so that the states could use the funds allocated under SDRMF and NDRF for the purpose of pandemic containment.

Outside Rajkot hospital, wait stretches on

Outside Rajkot hospital, wait stretches on

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Rajkot:21.04.2021

Queues of vehicles with patients on oxygen cylinders waiting outside the Rajkot Civil Hospital has become a daily scene while the wait and number of vehicles have only increased as days go by, particularly at night. With minimum six to eight hours of waiting on an average for each patient, many a patient are seen making their own arrangements for bed even in the queue itself.

One such patient, Jenti Ramavat, who was waiting in the queue since 9pm on Monday had to get himself a bedstead when till midnight his turn did not come. His relatives told media persons that Ramamvat was feeling uncomfortable wanted to sleep outside and so they fetched him a bedstead. He finally got admission after 12 hours of waiting.

Quoting sources, about 100 vehicles were in the queue since early morning on Tuesday in the ground of Chaudhary high school on the back side of civil hospital from where Covid patients are being admitted.

Rajkot district has a total of 30 ambulances which have all been pressed into managing Covid patients. Seriously ill patients are also arriving in private vehicles, autorickshaws and any vehicle they are managing to get and waiting in the serpentine queues.

“The hospital staff is providing treatment in108 and private ambulances as well as passengers in auto rickshaw and cars. They also provide oxygen cylinders in the vehicles standing outside on the school ground,” the statement reads.

About 100 vehicles were in queue since early on Tuesday morning

850 cases in Rajkot

Rajkot:

Altogether 850 people tested Covid positive in Rajkot district on Tuesday, while 5,029 are under treatment in Rajkot city. On the same day, 66 people died in various Covid hospitals of Rajkot district in the past 24 hours ending on Tuesday morning.

UGC-NET 2021 postponed

UGC-NET 2021 postponed

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:21.04.2021

Amid a spike in Covid-19 cases across the country, the National Testing Agency has decided to postpone the UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) scheduled to be held from May 2 to May 17.

“Looking at the present situation of the Covid-19 pandemic and also taking into account the safety and well-being of the candidates and examination functionaries, we have decided to postpone the UGC-NET December 2020 cycle (May 2021) examination,” NTA said.

According to an order by the NTA, the revised dates for the exam will be announced later, at least 15 days before the examination.

The UGC NET is conducted by the NTA on behalf of the University Grants Commission to determine the eligibility of assistant Pprofessors in universities and to award junior research fellowship (JRF).

Banks open to customers only till 2pm from today

Banks open to customers only till 2pm from today

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:21,04.2021

Do you have some work at the bank? Then, make sure you are there early because banks will observe shorter working hours from Wednesday.

According to a circular issued by the state finance department, business hours for customers have been fixed from 10am to 2pm. The decision was taken a day after the Maha Gujarat Bank Employees’ Association (MGBEA) made a representation in this regard before the chief minister The restricted banking hours and services, along with other measures proposed by the department, will continue till April 30.

With a view to containing Covid-l9 cases in Gujarat, heads of major public and private sector banks, the regional director of RBI, Ahmedabad, and convener, SLBC, Gujarat held a meeting to assess and chart a course of action to be taken regarding banking activities.

During this period, bank branches and its offices shall provide only essential services to customers including cash deposit, cash withdrawals, RTGS and remittances including clearance. Special preference shall also be extended to senior citizens for availing banking services.

“Staff strength in branches/administrative offices shall be curtailed by 50% by adopting alternate days working/work from home etc to minimize the risk of Covid spread,” states the circular.

The department has also asked banks to ensure adequate cash in ATMs and encourage the customers to use digital payment modes.

“Guidelines relating to Covid-19 pandemic issued by the Centre, the state government and all other local competent authorities shall also be strictly adhered to, and Covid-appropriate behaviour must be strictly observed by all concerned,” the circular further added.

2-month break in service for guest faculty members: BDU

USUAL PRACTICE

2-month break in service for guest faculty members: BDU

Sambath.Kumar@timesgroup.com

Trichy:21.04.2021

Bharathidasan University has decided to give a break in service to guest faculty members working in university departments and PG extension centres for May and June. There are 80-odd guest faculty members working on consolidated pay and hourly basis who will not be getting their salaries for these two months according to the orders issued by university registrar in-charge G Gopinath on Monday.

Though this is a usual practice every year due to college vacation, they were given an exemption last year in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. What has set off panic this year is the registrar’s order asking principals of 10 constituent colleges to take a decision on retaining them for these two months and give extension based on necessity. Since 2012, guest faculty members in constituent colleges were not given break in service during May-June.

There are over 600 guest faculty members working in erstwhile constituent colleges under BDU that were recently converted into government colleges. “The decision to give break in service this year when we are in the throes of a second wave is unfortunate,” said an affected guest faculty member at the university. While they are paid a minimum of Rs15,000 a month, it will be difficult to manage without that salary too for two months during the pandemic, said the faculty member.

However, many are optimistic of being retained considering the fact that semester examination is beginning from May first week and staff are required for subsequent months for evaluation of answer scripts, said a guest lecturer at a constituent college. BDU registrar in-charge G Gopinath told TOI that the decision to give break in service was according to university norms and last year was an exception. “The heads of departments can retain some of the staff based on requirement and same is the case with constituent college principals,” he said.

AICTE insists on new rule to sanction new courses

AICTE insists on new rule to sanction new courses

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:20.04.2021

Much to the chagrin of private engineering colleges who could not fill at least 50% of their seats last year, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has decided to contest a Madras high court order permitting such colleges to apply for new courses this year.

At least 258 engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu were able to apply for new courses following an interim order of the high court.

However, AICTE has now clarified that it has not relaxed the minimum 50% admission norm, and that it would contest the interim orders of the high court.

"AICTE has allowed the colleges only to apply for new courses. We are contesting the interim order. The norm was introduced to improve the quality of engineering programmes," an AICTE official said.

It all began with the AICTE’s approval process handbook for 2021-22, where it had stated that new courses would be allowed only in case of more than 50% overall enrolment last year.

Assailing the new norms, Consortium of Self-Financing Professional, Arts and Science Colleges in Tamil Nadu moved the high court and obtained an interim stay against the regulation. The consortium also sent a representation to the AICTE to give relaxation based on the court order. Meanwhile, the court extended the interim stay till April 26.

Pursuant to the court order, AICTE allowed 258 engineering members of the consortium to apply for new courses on its web portal.

A representative from the consortium said more than 100 engineering colleges were interested to apply for new courses. "The council is not opening the portal for the colleges, which had already submitted their application, for approval. New courses will be the lifeline for the engineering courses which are facing the survival test," he said.

Colleges said students were not preferring traditional engineering courses like civil, electrical and electronics and mechanical engineering, resulting in poor admissions last year.

"We need to be allowed to start a new course in emerging areas, including artificial intelligence and data science, cyber security, among others. It would ensure the survival of these colleges," the representative said.

Long-distance buses leave early, demand shoots up for trains, flights

Long-distance buses leave early, demand shoots up for trains, flights

Ram Sundaram & Deepak Karthik TNN

Chennai/Trichy:  21.04.2021

Long-distance government buses began leaving the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus in Koyambedu from 4.30am on Tuesday, when the new restrictions kicked in, to ensure they reached their destinations before night curfew came into effect at10pm.

The last bus to southern districts of Tirunelveli, Nagercoil or Tuticorin left before 8am, while there was not a single State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) bus to Coimbatore after 10.30am. Against the 300 SETC buses that are operated from Chennai, just160 left CMBT on Tuesday, according to official data.

Passenger footfalls dropped sharply, with barely 15-20 seats occupied in every bus. Rajesh, a SETC conductor, said, “Besides the fear of Covid-19, excess heat is also a factor which deters many passengers from taking morning buses to faraway places.”

The situation was no different in districts like Trichy, Madurai or Salem, with several buses taken back to depots as there were not enough passengers.

Amid this, contradictory statements about operation of private buses belonging to two major associations left passengers confused. While one claimed services have been put on hold, the other claimed around 400 buses were operated.

Mohammed Afzal, president of Tamil Nadu Omni Bus Owners Association, said 20% of the 2,500 private buses in the state will continue be made available for public in the morning hours following government guidelines.

Ticket fares were halved for A/C buses, but there were not many takers. R Balakrishnan, a bus operator from Trichy, said that passengers were scared about what would happen if the buses reached late and they were stuck at the bus stand without transport to their houses. “Also, not many are keen on sacrificing one full day of their leave/holidays on travel,” he said.

The state government is yet to respond to bus operators' request to allow limited services at night. As a result, demand for morning trains shot up. Non A/C seats and sleeper class tickets got filled for travelling between Chennai and Trichy, Madurai and Coimbatore. Almost 60% of A/C seats on trains for commute in the coming days were also filled.

NOT MANY TAKERS: A view of the deserted Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus, Koyambedu, on Tuesday. Ticket fares were halved for A/C buses, but there were not many takers

Engg, Arch exams in open book mode

Engg, Arch exams in open book mode

The notification also said that the final semester exams will be held online under a Multiple Choice Question pattern.

Published: 20th April 2021 04:49 AM 

By Sushmitha Ramakrishnan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: A day after the Anna University announced that the April/May 2021 end semester exams for all UG and PG students will be conducted in an open book type, it extended the provision to engineering and architecture students of all affiliated institutions, too, barring those in their final semesters.

A notification released on Saturday said that students will write exams for a total of 50 marks, and they will be given 90 minutes to complete the exams online. The university has said that this is a one time measure taken in view of the pandemic. The question paper will have two segments: the first for 10 marks comprising five two-mark questions; the second part, for 40 marks, shall have five eight-mark questions. The questions under either segments will be from separate chapters and students shall have no choice.

While there is a common misconception that open book tests are easy, in reality, the questions are aimed at testing students’ applied knowledge of technical subjects. The university has said that all questions, “shall be of analytical type with no direct answers from text/reference books.”

A senior faculty from Anna University told Express that the success of this method depends on the nature of questions asked. “It doesn’t make sense to ask definitions and derivations in an open book exam. But rather test the application knowledge students have,” he said.

Students can however refer to course material in physical form as well as from the web. But getting answers from others or discussing the answers in groups shall be construed as malpractice. “Open book is expected to be harder than regular exams. When they say open books, they usually refer to data sets from books, like design data and log books, used commonly in engineering. This means students will have to scourge data and solve complicated problems. It won’t simplify the exams,” said KM Karthik, leader of All India Private College Employees Union (AIPCEU).

The response among students is currently mixed. While some students who have had proper access to online education said that it is a good initiative, others fear they may be unable to suddenly adapt to a new paper pattern in the middle of a lockdown. The notification also said that the final semester exams will be held online under a Multiple Choice Question pattern.

When Express approached to ask if the open-book exam mode will be expanded to other universities as well, S Apoorva, principal secretary to the government, Higher Education Department, said she was unaware of the varsity’s decision to make the exam open book.

Is another spell of reverse migration beginning?

Is another spell of reverse migration beginning?

Some of the people waiting at the station complained about the lack of tickets and how people are not allowed in without confirmed tickets.

Published: 20th April 2021 04:52 AM 

Migrant labourers at Central railway station in Chennai on Monday | R Satish Babu

By CP Balasubramanyam

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Fearing a repeat of last year’s distress, associations of people from the Northeast living in the State have called for an urgent consultative meeting on Wednesday. The agenda is to take stock of the pandemic situation and decide the course of action. With the State government announcing a partial lockdown, migrant workers worry that the agony they faced last year will return.

In what is feared to be the beginning of another spell of reverse migration, scores of workers from northern States were on Monday seen waiting outside Chennai’s Central railway station with heaps of luggage. Among them was a group of youngsters who work at Thandalam. They had reserved tickets, but reached more than six hours ahead of their scheduled departure to Balasore in Odisha because they didn’t want to take any chances.

Some of the people waiting at the station complained about the lack of tickets and how people are not allowed in without confirmed tickets. With platform tickets costing `50 since mid-March, workers had to think twice to enter the station to squeeze into a general compartment.

A native of Bihar, 26-year-old Preetam (name changed), alleged a railway employee demanded a `500 bribe to let him in the station without a confirmed ticket. “Despite paying him, I will be fined again by the TTE for not possessing a ticket. I may as well give that money to the TTE and request him to let me stay on the train,” he said.

Julfikar Baig (28), a native of Medinipur municipality in West Bengal, had a different story to tell. An employee at a restaurant in Palakkad, Kerala, he had to come to Chennai to get a train to the eastern State. “There’s going to be a lockdown. So my employer told me to decide whether I want to leave. I took some money as an advance and left. Last year, everything happened so quickly and we didn’t have time to breathe,” he said, adding that he doesn’t want to risk delaying his trip this year.

RPF officials, on the other hand, said there was nothing unusual about the crowd at the station. “This is the normal crowd that visits the station every day. Only a partial lockdown has been announced and it’s too early to decide on anything,” an official said, adding that passengers are allowed only through three gates, and there are enough staff to handle a spike in the number of passengers. However, many porters said they are witnessing a spike in the number of migrants flocking the station.

Northeast India Welfare Association (Chennai) president Wapang Toshi told Express that though he does not think a full lockdown would be imposed, migrant workers are certainly apprehensive, and some have already left. A businessman who runs a company at the Ambattur Industrial Estate said people migrate depending on what they see in the media, on WhatsApp, and what their peers say. “They see people returning from other States, the message spreads, and reverse migration happens. If people use their minds, they will stay back,” he said.

Allow us to work from home: Secretariat staff

Allow us to work from home: Secretariat staff

In view of the worsening situation, the employees are requesting the government to allow them to work from home.

Published: 19th April 2021 09:16 AM 

By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: Secretariat employees are a worried lot after two of their colleagues reportedly died from Covid-19 this weekend. As such, they are requesting the state government to allow them to work from home.

G Ravikanth, who worked as a section officer in the General Administration Department, and V Padma Rao, an assistant secretary in the Finance department, lost the battle to the contagious disease. Rao and his wife, also a government employee, were undergoing treatment for Covid-19.

Speaking to TNIE, AP Secretariat Employees president Venkata Rami Reddy, who is now in home isolation after testing positive, said the increasing number of cases has created an unease among the secretariat staff.

“Including outsourcing employees, around 3,000 people work at the Secretariat. Of them, 30 have tested positive. Results of some others are yet to arrive,” he said.

In view of the worsening situation, the employees are requesting the government to allow them to work from home. “If that’s not possible, at least allow those above 50 years of age or are keeping ill and have medical complications to work from home,” Venkatarami Reddy appealed to the government.

How are political parties manning the strong rooms? A sneak peek...

How are political parties manning the strong rooms? A sneak peek...

Spot visit by Express revealed that DMK and AIADMK candidates have deployed three persons a day for each constituency on shift basis.

Published: 19th April 2021 04:13 AM |

Agents for candidates from various political parties watching the CCTV videos of the strong room at GCT | Express

By B Anbuselvan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: With counting of votes for the April 6 Assembly elections scheduled on May 2, monitoring of strong rooms that house the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units have been keeping political party cadre on their toes. With three-tier security arrangements, the EVMs are guarded by Central forces round the clock.

In addition, representatives of contestants also carry out vigilance for strong rooms. EVMs and VVPATs for 16 constituencies in Chennai are stored at Loyola College, Anna University, and Queen Mary’s College. Spot visit by Express revealed that DMK and AIADMK candidates have deployed three persons a day for each constituency on shift basis. The shift timings are fixed as follows: 6 am to 2 pm, 2 pm to 10 pm, and 10 pm to 6 am.

The agents would be most trusted local functionaries or their relatives. Interestingly, candidates from actor Kamal Hassan’s MNM deploy two persons a day, while NTK, AMMK, and DMDK candidates have not engaged their men. A tent was set up with plastic chairs for 20 to 25 persons. The representatives were allowed to monitor the visuals of CCTV cameras installed at various locations through electronic screens near the tent.

At Loyola College, six to seven AIADMK representatives monitor the strong rooms, while more than ten DMK cadre are involved in vigilance. The college houses the EVMs and VVPATs of Kolathur, Perambur, Villivakkam, Egmore, Thousand Lights, and Anna Nagar constituencies.

“In view of possible scuffles at counting centres, DMK candidates have fielded three to four of their close confidants as independents in every constituency. Thus, apart from representatives of the DMK candidates, the party’s functionaries are also involved in vigilance duty as nominees of independent candidates,” said M Alexandar, MNM representative at Loyola College. The persons deployed by AIADMK and DMK say that they watch the CCTV footage and vehicle movements in the area. The nominees are allowed to use mobile phones for making phone calls.

VN Babu of DMK from Thousand Lights, said, “Power supply for the strong room, where the EVMs and VVPATs are stored had been disconnected and there were no CCTV cameras there. But the visuals of the surveillance cameras that are installed at entry and exit points for strong rooms, steps, and other places in the campus can be monitored through the screen. The presence of Central forces can also be seen in the visuals.” However, the agents pointed out that they closely monitor the entry of unauthorised persons and vehicles into the campus.

“So, we are told water tanks are filled through trucks outsourced from the Metro Water. We check the movement of trucks in person and supervise the works till the trucks leave the campuses,” said a DMK nominee for Anna Nagar. He added that they also question the entry of any unauthorised persons near the strong rooms.” Interestingly, AIADMK and DMK contestants also pay visits to the counting centres on a daily basis.

Counting centres and constituencies in Chennai and its suburbs

Queen Marry’s College: R K Nagar, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, Royapuram, Harbour & Chepauk - Tiruvallikeni

Loyola College: Kolathur, Perambur, Villivakkam, Egmore, Thousand Lights & Anna Nagar

Anna University, Guindy: Virugampakkam, Saidapet, T Nagar, Mylapore & Velachery

Madras Christian College, Tambaram: Sholinganallur, Pallavaram & Tambaram

Sri Ram Polytechnic College, Perumalpattu: Ambattur, Maduravoyal, Madhavaram & Thituvottiyur

Sri Ram Vidhya Mandir Matric. Hr. Sec. School, Perumalpattu : Avadi, Gummidipundi, Ponneri & Poonamallee

தினமும் இரவு 8:00 மணி வரை அரசு விரைவு பஸ்கள் ஓடும்

தினமும் இரவு 8:00 மணி வரை அரசு விரைவு பஸ்கள் ஓடும்

Added : ஏப் 20, 2021 00:07

சென்னை : கொரோனா தொற்றின் இரண்டாம் அலை அதி தீவிரமாக பரவுவதால், பல்வேறு கட்டுப்பாடுகளை, அரசு விதித்துள்ளது.

இன்று முதல், தொலைதுார பயணங்களுக்கான, அரசு விரைவு போக்குவரத்து கழக பஸ்கள், அதிகாலை, 4:00 மணி முதல், இரவு, 8:00 மணி வரை மட்டுமே இயங்கும்.இது குறித்து, விரைவு போக்குவரத்து கழக மேலாண் இயக்குனர் இளங்கோவன் கூறியதாவது:கொரோனா கட்டுப்பாடுகள் காரணமாக, இன்று முதல் இரவு நேர ஊரடங்கு அமலுக்கு வருகிறது. அதன்படி, வெளி மாநிலம் மற்றும் மாவட்டங்களுக்கு இடையேயான, பொது மற்றும் தனியார் போக்குவரத்து சேவைக்கு அனுமதி கிடையாது.

எனவே, தொலைதுாரம்செல்லும் பஸ்களை, அதாவது, சென்னை உள்ளிட்ட தொழில் நகரங்களில் இருந்து புறப்படும் பஸ்கள் மற்றும் வெளியூர்களில் இருந்து தொழில் நகரங்களுக்கு வரும் பஸ்கள், இரவு, 8:00 மணிக்குள் சென்றடையும் வகையில், பயண அட்டவணை தயாரிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இரவு, 8:00 மணிக்குள் விரைவு பஸ்கள் போய் சேர்ந்தால் தான், அந்த ஊர்களில் இருந்து, மற்ற பஸ்சிலோ வேறு வாகனங்களிலோ ஏறி, இருப்பிடங்களுக்குச் செல்ல முடியும்.இந்த இயக்கத்தின் போது, கொரோனா தடுப்பு நடவடிக்கைகளான முக கவசம் அணிதல், உடல் வெப்ப நிலையை பரிசோதனை செய்தல், கூட்ட நெரிசலை தவிர்த்தல் உள்ளிட்ட கட்டுப்பாடுகளை பின்பற்றும்படி, ஓட்டுனர், நடத்துனர், பயணியருக்கு அறிவுறுத்தப்படுகிறது.

ரத்து செய்யலாம்ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமைகளில் முழு ஊரடங்கு அமலாவதால், அன்று பஸ்கள் இயங்காது. எனவே, வெளியூர் பயணத்துக்கு திட்டமிட்டுள்ளோர், மற்ற நாட்களில் செல்லும் வகையில், திட்டமிடுவது நல்லது.ஏற்கனவே, இரவு நேரத்தில் பயணம் செய்யும் வகையில், முன்பதிவு செய்துள்ள பயணியர், தங்களின் பயண நேரத்தை, விருப்பப்படி தேதி மற்றும் நேரத்தை மாற்றியமைத்து கொள்ள, பஸ் நிலையத்துக்கு அருகில் உள்ள கட்டுப்பாட்டு அலுவலகத்தை அணுகலாம்.பயணத்தை ரத்து செய்பவர்களுக்கு, பஸ் கட்டணம் திரும்ப வழங்கப்படும்.

இணையதளத்தின் வழியாக முன்பதிவு செய்துள்ளோரும், ரத்து செய்து, கட்டணத்தை திரும்பப் பெறலாம்.கூடுதல் பஸ்கள்மாநகர போக்குவரத்து கழகத்தைப் பொறுத்தவரை, பயணியர் நின்று கொண்டு பயணம் செய்ய தடை விதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதால், முக்கிய வழித் தடங்களில் கூடுதல் பஸ்கள் இயக்கப்படுகின்றன.மேலும், அரசு விதித்துள்ள இரவு ஊரடங்கினை பின்பற்றி, அதிகாலை, ௪.00 மணி தொடங்கி இரவு, 10.00 மணி வரையிலும், பஸ்கள் இயக்கப்படும்.இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறினார்.

மதுரையில் இருந்து வெளியூர் செல்ல கடைசி பஸ்கள் நேரம் அறிவிப்பு

மதுரையில் இருந்து வெளியூர் செல்ல கடைசி பஸ்கள் நேரம் அறிவிப்பு

Added : ஏப் 20, 2021 02:00

மதுரை : தமிழகத்தில் இன்று முதல் இரவுநேர ஊரடங்கு (இரவு 10:00 - காலை 4:00 மணி) அமல்படுத்தப்படுவதால் மதுரையில் இருந்து வெளி மாவட்டங்களுக்கு கடைசியாக இயக்கப்படும் அரசு பஸ்கள் நேரம் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

ஆரப்பாளையம்  மற்றும் மாட்டுத்தாவணி பஸ் ஸ்டாண்ட்களில் இருந்து கடைசியாக இயக்கப்படும் பஸ்கள் நேரம் விவரம்:ஆரப்பாளையம் பஸ் ஸ்டாண்டில் இருந்து சேலம், கோவை, ஈரோடு - மாலை 5:00 மணி. கொடைக்கானல் -மாலை 5:45 மணி. திருப்பூர், பொள்ளாச்சி- மாலை 6:00 மணி. கரூர், கம்பம், பழநி - இரவு 7:00 மணி. தேனி, பெரியகுளம், திண்டுக்கல்- இரவு 8:00 மணி. நிலக்கோட்டை (வழி சோழவந்தான்) - இரவு 8:30 மணி.

மாட்டுத்தாவணி பஸ் ஸ்டாண்டில் இருந்து திருச்செந்துார், நாகர்கோவில் - மாலை 5:00 மணி. ராமேஸ்வரம், தென்காசி - மாலை 6:00 மணி. திருச்சி, ராமநாதபுரம், நெல்லை - இரவு 7:00 மணி. ராஜபாளையம் - இரவு 7:30 மணி. சிவகங்கை, கோவில்பட்டி, சிவகாசி - இரவு 8:00 மணி. அருப்புக்கோட்டை, நத்தம் - இரவு 8:30 மணி.மாவட்ட பகுதி மற்றும் மாநகராட்சி எல்லைக்குள் இரவு 10:00 மணிக்குள் பஸ்கள் போய் சேரும் வகையில் இயக்கப்படும்.

ஞாயிறு முழு ஊரடங்கில் இயக்கப்படாது என பொது மேலாளர் ராஜேஸ்வரன் தெரிவித்துள்ளார். சென்னைக்கு மதுரையில் இருந்து சென்னைக்கு செல்லும் அனைத்து அரசு விரைவு போக்குவரத்துக் கழக பஸ்களும் பகல் 12:00 மணிக்கு மேல் இயக்கப்படாது என பொது மேலாளர் (எஸ்.இ.டி.சி.,) அபிமன்யூ தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

'ஆன்லைன்' சேவை பேரூராட்சிகளில் துவக்கம்

'ஆன்லைன்' சேவை பேரூராட்சிகளில் துவக்கம்

Added : ஏப் 20, 2021 01:41

பேரூராட்சிகளில் முடங்கியிருந்த, 'ஆன்லைன்' சேவை, மீண்டும் செயல்பாட்டுக்கு வந்தது.மாநிலத்தில் உள்ள பேரூராட்சிகளில், 2012 -- 13 நிதியாண்டு முதல், நிர்வாக பணிகள் கம்ப்யூட்டர் மயமாக்கப்பட்டன.

சொத்து வரி, குடிநீர் கட்டணம், தொழில் வரி வசூல், கட்டட அனுமதி, பிறப்பு, இறப்பு சான்று பணிகள், பிரத்யேக, 'சாப்ட்வேர்' உதவியுடன், 'ஆன்லைன்' மூலம் மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டன. இணையதள சேவையை, தனியார் நிறுவனத்தினர் பராமரித்து வந்தனர். கடந்த முதல் தேதியில் இருந்து, இணைய சேவை முடங்கியது. மத்திய அரசின் தகவல் தொழில்நுட்ப துறையின் கீழ் செயல்படும், தேசிய தகவல் மையமான, 'நிக்' கட்டுப் பாட்டின் கீழ், இணைய சேவையை கொண்டு வர உள்ளதாக கூறப்பட்டது.இந்நிலையில், நேற்று முதல், மீண்டும் இணையதள சேவை துவங்கியது. 'அடுத்த மாதம், 31ம் தேதி வரை, தனியார் நிறுவனத்தினரே இணைய சேவை பராமரிப்பு பணிகளை மேற்கொள்வர்' என, அதிகாரிகள் கூறினர்.

Delhi placed under lockdown for a week; no option, says Kejriwal

Delhi placed under lockdown for a week; no option, says Kejriwal

‘Health Infra May Collapse Otherwise’

AlokKNMishra@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:20.04.2021

A beleaguered Delhi government has imposed a week-long lockdown in the city from 10 pm onwards on Monday till 5 am on April 26 to arrest the alarming rise in Covid cases. The surge has left the healthcare infrastructure stretched to its limits and caused acute shortage of oxygen. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal warned that if strict measures were not taken now, the healthcare system could collapse.

All non-essential movement, including that of domestic helps, has been prohibited. Public parks, malls, markets, liquor shops, barber shops, saloons, beauty parlours, cinemas, non-essential private offices, etc. will remain shut with the aim to break the chain of coronavirus transmission.

Migrants climb into buses to leave New Delhi on Monday

Travel agents appeal to keep offices shut in Guj

Due to the steep surge in Covid-19 cases, Travel Agents’ Federation of India (TAFI) – Gujarat has appealed to all travel agents to keep their offices shut till April 30 as a self-awareness measure. Other trade associations, such as jewellery markets in Ratanpole and Manek Chowk, cutlery market, Madhupura, and New Madhupura markets and the grain merchants association also extended their plans for keeping their markets shut over the weekend till the end of April. TNN P3

CAPITAL LOCKDOWN

Delhi public transport to run with restricted capacity

Public transport like the metro, buses, cabs and autorickshaws will be allowed to run with a restricted sitting capacity but they can carry only those people who are exempted from the lockdown.

“If the health system collapses, then I fear we might witness a huge tragedy," said the CM at a press conference after discussing the Covid situation with lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal. Kejriwal said he has always been opposed to such lockdowns but the government was left with no other option.

Soon after the announcement, migrant workers began gathering at Anand Vihar ISBT while many people stormed various liquor shops across the city to stock up. In the melee, Covid-appropriate behaviour went for a toss.

“I understand how people lose their jobs and salaries during lockdowns. This is especially difficult for the economically weaker sections and daily wage labourers. The last time a lockdown was imposed in the entire country, we saw how a large number of migrant workers began returning to their villages. I would like to appeal to them, with folded hands, that this is a short lockdown, for six days. Please do not leave Delhi. You will lose a lot of time, money and energy in travelling. Stay in Delhi. I strongly believe that this short lockdown would not be extended,” said Kejriwal.

Among the exemptions that have been granted is the movement of people for marriage- related gatherings. Up to 50 people will be allowed on producing a soft or hard copy of the wedding card while only up to 20 people will be allowed for funeral-related gatherings. All other social, political and religious gatherings have been banned. Visitors have been barred from religious places which, however, can stay open. Bars and restaurants will remain closed but home delivery is allowed.

The lockdown was announced the day the weekend lockdown ended. Unlike the 2020 lockdown, this short lockdown does not prohibit interstate travel.

People can go to the airport, railway stations and ISBT with avalid ticket and also use public transport services.

‘How are you, son?’ Woman calls up dead son from outside hosp

‘How are you, son?’ Woman calls up dead son from outside hosp

Yogesh Chawda & Parth Shastri TNN

Ahmedabad:  20.04.2021

Poonam Solanki, in her late sixties, stood outside the 1,200-bed Covid hospital at Civil Hospital here recently. A phone in hand, she was on a video call with her son Mahendra, 30.

“How are you son? Do they give you good food? I’m praying for your fast recovery from corona,” she told her son on the other side of the call. She hung up after asking him to get well and return home soon. The call lasted for over five minutes.

For any passerby, Poonam could have been one of the hundreds of people talking to their relatives fighting Covid-19 infection inside hospital wards — the only difference was that Poonam’s son had succumbed to the virus six months ago.

Poonam’s relative told TOI that Mahendra died on September 24 at the Civil Hospital and what Poonam sees on her screen is the last recording of the video call with him.

“He ran a milk parlour in Narol. He was hospitalized here for about 5-6 days before he succumbed to the infection. He was very close to his mother. She is aware that her son is no more but there are days when, overcome with grief, she slips into denial and comes to the Civil Hospital in a bid to connect with him. As she is mostly alright, we get her to the hospital and to the same spot where she last chatted with Mahendra.

“This gives her a sense of calm. We know it is not healthy but we don’t have a better way to help her handle her grief,” said a relative.

With Covid-19 unleashing an unprecedented tragedy in the state, there are many people across Gujarat who are left grappling with the sudden loss of their near and dear one

Govt has already executed measures suggested by Manmohan: Vardhan

Govt has already executed measures suggested by Manmohan: Vardhan

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:20.04.2021

Former PM Manmohan Singh’s five-point advisory to PM Narendra Modi on Sunday on how to fight the Covid-19 pandemic drew a sharp response from health minister Harsh Vardhan who said the ex-PM was being misled by his advisors as the government has already implemented the steps suggested by him.

“It does seem that those who drafted your letter or advised you have done a great disservice to your standing by misleading you regarding material that is already in public domain. For example, take the point that you have mentioned about allowing import of vaccines that have already been approved by credible foreign authorities. You made this suggestion on April 18 but a decision on this was taken a week ahead of your suggestion, on April 11,” Vardhan said.

“The same is the case with your suggestion regarding providing funds and other concessions to augment vaccine manufacturing. This decision was also taken many days before receipt of your letter and multiple vaccine manufacturing entities have been funded by the government to immediately enhance production,” the minister added.

In his response, released hours before Singh tested positive for Covid-19 and had to be admitted to AIIMS, Vardhan agreed with the former PM’s emphasis on vaccination as a defence against the pandemic, but said the government had already rolled out the world’s biggest vaccination drive.

Full report on www.toi.in

SHARP RESPONSE: Health minister Harsh Vardhan said former PM Manmohan Singh was being misled by his advisors

Modi urges top doctors to dispel rumours about Covid treatment

Modi urges top doctors to dispel rumours about Covid treatment

Meets Pharma Industry Leaders, Lauds Their Role In Covid Battle

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:20.04.2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged the country’s leading doctors to educate people against rumours on Covid-19 treatment and prevention.

“In these difficult times, it is very important that people do not become a victim of panic. Along with proper treatment, emphasis must also be on counselling of patients admitted in hospitals,” the PM said while interacting with doctors via video conferencing on the Covid-19 issue and vaccination. Modi also encouraged doctors to use tele-medicine for treatment of other diseases, in case there was no emergency.

Prominent doctors including Devi Shetty, Shashank Joshi, Naresh Trehan, Sushila Kataria and IMA president J A Jayalal, along with several others, attended the interaction with the PM.

The PM said the pandemic was spreading rapidly in Tier 2 and 3 cities as well. He called for accelerating efforts to upgrade resources in such places. He urged doctors to connect with their colleagues working in Tier 2 and 3 cities and give them online consultations to ensure that all protocols are followed correctly.

“During the same time last year, it was due to our doctors’ hard work and the nation’s strategy that we were able to control the coronavirus wave. Now that the country is facing the second wave, all doctors, our frontline workers, are confronting the pandemic with full force, and are saving the lives of millions of people,” the PM said, adding that vaccination was the biggest weapon in the fight against coronavirus.

Later, the PM interacted with leaders of the pharmaceutical industry via video conferencing. He noted the crucial role of the pharma sector in the fight against the pandemic and appreciated reduction in the price of drugs like remdesivir. To keep the supply of medicines and medical equipment smooth, he urged the pharma industry to ensure seamless supply chains.

Full report on www.toi.in

NO ALTERNATIVE: In a virtual interaction with doctors, PM Modi said vaccination was the biggest weapon in the Covid fight

Remdesivir no magic bullet: AIIMS chief

New Delhi:

Amid rising concerns about shortage of medicines and oxygen while the country reels under a massive surge in Covid-19 cases across the country, AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria emphasised on the need to follow the ‘right time and right usage’ of drugs, steroids and oxygen in treatment of hospitalised patients.

Underlining that most patients in home settings do not require these medicines and are recovering with proper care and clinical management, Dr Guleria said the drugs being used in treatment of Covid-19 are ‘investigational’ and therefore need to be used properly as per the protocol. “It’s important to understand that remdesivir isn’t a magic bullet and isn’t a drug that decreases mortality. We may use it as we don’t have an anti-viral drug. It’s of no use if given early to asymptomatic individuals or ones with mild symptoms. Also of no use, if given late,” Dr Guleria said. TNN

Tour operators hit as people cancel trips

Tour operators hit as people cancel trips

Devanathan.Veerappan@timesgroup.com

Madurai:20.04.2021

Tour operators in Madurai are witnessing large-scale cancellation of trips following the second Covid-19 wave. Operators say that this comes at a time when domestic tourism just started picking up demand.

There are around 50 tour operators in Madurai district, who handle organized trips to domestic and foreign locations. All sorts of tours including leisure, medical and corporate have come down ever since the pandemic broke out.

Domestic tourism started picking up a few months ago after states relaxed restrictions and normalcy returned. People from southern districts were planning tours for recreation to destinations such as Kashmir, Goa and north eastern states this summer. But they have started cancelling them as Covid-19 cases are touching new heights.

“Our members had a considerable number of bookings to destinations such as Kashmir and a few north east states. But they are receiving requests for cancellations at the last minute,” Forum of Tour Organisers president A Satheesh Kumar said.

“Tourism was the first industry to be affected and will be the last industry to be revived due to Covid-19. Tour operators are struggling to cope with the situation. Air ticket bookings has also come down drastically.

“Many flights are also getting cancelled throughout the nation due to less demand,” he said.

Travel Club president (Madurai) G Raveendran said that tourists from other states who were planning holidays in tourist destinations in southern districts are also cancelling. Apart from tour organisers, hoteliers too are affected. “A prominent hotel in Kodaikanal has seen cancellation of 600 rooms booked for this week alone. Some of the corporate companies, which planned holidays for its employees have cancelled them at the last minute,” he said.

The situation looks grim for international tourism in the next couple of years as business travel abroad has come to a standstill.

However, lakhs of money paid by tour operators in advance for ticketing has been locked up with airline agencies.

“Tour operators are in the midst of financial distress. If the money held by airlines is released, we can get some relief. The Central government should intervene and take measures to get us the money. We do not know when we can make use of it as revival is not in sight for now,” he said.

People from southern districts were planning tours for recreation to destinations such as Kashmir, Goa and north eastern states this summer. But they have started cancelling them as Covid-19 cases are touching new heights