Day: August 9, 2020

Different Kinds of Face Masks to Protect Yourself from Covid-19

Since the beginning of this year, “masks” have been one of the top searches across Google. One common query which everybody has is that whether masks are effective and  which is the most effective kind of mask.

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

Face masks are generally of 3 types: Cloth masks, Surgical masks & N95 Respirators

Cloth masks When people are in public places, along with distancing and hygiene, it is advised that they wear a mask since it is not possible to maintain a 6 feet distance always. Cloth masks prevent the spread of the virus to a considerable extent. These masks are recommended for the public rather than N95 respirators which are needed for frontline health workers. Cloth masks can be easily made at home at a low cost. Take two rectangular pieces of cloth and place them together. Insert elastic or rubber bands in both the sides and stitch the cloth on the sides. Remember to change a cloth mask once it gets wet. While wearing and removing them, make sure to not touch the area which covers the mouth and nose. Wash your hands before and after wearing them. Although they provide less protection than surgical or n95 masks, it is known that they reduce the risk of transmission by some degree. Cloth masks can also be used in combination with a face shield for better protection. The Centres for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has suggested any covering and advised everyone to wear cloth masks for protection from asymptomatic patients. So these are probably the most advisable for the public till now.

Surgical masks

Surgical masks are disposable ones which protect us from sprays, large particle droplets and prevent the transmission of potentially infectious respiratory secretions. Surgical masks vary in design but usually they are rectangular in shape and blue in colour. The masks have a metal strip to adjust over the nose and are tied to the face with elastics at both sides. Although they are useful in protecting from the virus, there is an environmental hazard attached to it because these are disposable single use masks. So they contribute to landfill medical waste.

N95 Respirators

N95 respirators are found to be the most effective in protecting against the virus since it can prevent the transmission of small particles by 95 percent. This includes virus and bacteria. The masks are usually circular or oval in shape and fit to the face very tightly. They must have the right fit because if they do not fit properly they can’t give full protection. These do not fit properly on people with facial hair and children. In a recent study it has been found that the masks can be re used after heating them in a covered pot or rice cooker for 30 minutes at 65 degree Celsius. The use of N95 is usually not very advisable to the public because of some reasons. First of all its not very comfortable to wear for a longer period of time. Secondly it is required for medical and frontline workers. So its very important that they remain in stock. A recent factor which emerged is that the valves on these respirators can be a risk factor and may not prevent the transmission of droplets entirely.

Apart from masks one needs to follow basic hygiene rules. Washing hands with a soap for at least 20 seconds in a correct manner is extremely important as suggested by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The use of hand rubs and sanitizers with alcohol content is also advisable. Physical distancing of 6 foot is to be maintained. The most effective way to prevent oneself is to avoid any kind of gathering or crowds.

Coronavirus and Social Responsibilities

Coronavirus pandemic is not ending anytime soon. Cases are rising everywhere, with the USA being on top. With many people suffering and being cautious, many other people are ignorant, misinformed, and hostile. Community spread of the virus is increasing in the USA and India. Medical staff, scientists, and police are giving their best to control the spread of coronavirus. It is also the duty of all the citizens to help in controlling the spread of coronavirus. All the capable citizens should come forward in this devastating pandemic situation and lend a helping hand in contributing to treatment, vaccine preparation, manufacture, and distribution. Governments should plan and execute smart measures for the same, but only a handful of countries, including New Zealand, are seen coping effectively with the community spread of coronavirus. Let’s look at the latest coronavirus scenarios around the world, keeping in view the social responsibility, awareness, and control measures.

Schools to reopen in the USA

The USA has the highest number of coronavirus cases and the rate of spread is increasing day by day with 55,196 fresh cases on August 8. A high school in Indiana had to shift to online learning just two days after reopening. Students in Mississippi had to quarantine after classmates tested positive for coronavirus within the first week of reopening. Teachers and parents protesting, scientists forecasting and young kids being at high risk of infections, reopening schools in the USA is under discussion. What did the US president say on August 4?

Anti -mask protests in Japan and USA

  • Approximately 150 demonstrators gathered held an anti-mask rally in Salt Lake City on August 5, carrying posters that read “Don’t smother the children” and “Let kids be kids. No masks!”
  • A grilled-cheese shop owner in Windermere, Florida, announced that she wouldn’t require face masks inside her restaurant and promised “100 free meals for patrons who come with no masks.” Many anti-mask protesters gathered outside her shop in her support.
  • Today, in Shibuya, Japan, a cluster festival, which deliberately spreads coronavirus without wearing masks, held a cluster demo and roamed around the Yamanote Line. The organizer of the demo calls himself “cluster jack” and seems to have a bad throat.
coronavirus, anti-mask, Wisconsin, USA
Anti-mask rally in Wisconsin.
Source: Channel3000.

Look at the Cluster demo.

Bill Gates and Serum Institute of India

Bill gates tie-up with the Serum Institute of India in the speedy manufacture and distribution of the coronavirus vaccine. Serum Institute is one of the vaccine developers in the world. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will provide at-risk funding of USD 150 million to Gavi, the vaccine alliance, via its Strategic Investment Fund, which is to get used by the Serum Institute to manufacture the coronavirus vaccine. The vaccine is likely to be available to at least 92 countries.

New Zealand: 100 days without community spread

New Zealand gets praised internationally for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The government has lifted almost all of its lockdown restrictions, first imposed in March. The last case of community transmission in New Zealand got reported on May 1, days after the government started lifting its lockdown. August 9 is the fourth day in a row that no fresh coronavirus cases got reported and the total number of active cases in the country is 23, all in managed isolation. The country of 5 million people sought control measures like immediate lockdown, tough border restrictions, effective communication and high testing and link tracking program.

Russia to launch the first coronavirus vaccine next week

Russia is all set to register the first coronavirus vaccine on August 12. Currently, the vaccine is at the third stage of testing and will get tested on 1600 people after registration to ensure its effectiveness and safety. The vaccine trials began on June 17 among 76 volunteers. The fast-track testing of the vaccine by Russia is worrying the scientists, activists and lawmakers and is being questioned. We hope that the vaccine is being tested rightfully and does not have any side-effects.

There is immense power in knowledge

 There is nothing  more sacred than knowledge , declare all the scriptures . Knowledge secures salvation , declare that  the upanishads . Such is the belief of great philosopher – thinkers  like Buddha and Mahavira , who seem to insist on Man’s acquiring right knowledge “samyag – jnana”. This knowledge  liberates a man from all the sorrows of life. It secures for him the much coveted freedom from the miseries of life. He wins the cherished peace of mind  , though life may continue around him as before. The importance of this saving knowledge lies in this very significant fact that it secures the release of man here and now , in this very life , and not offer him what may be called post – dated cheque of freedom from birth and death , whatever may be the importance of such an idea.  From early times knowledge has been taken as a sure means of freedom and immortality.

Immortality which appears to be the aim and the craze of man is in a way , a very interesting concept. Man fully well knows that everything in this world around him , including he himself , is perishable. Origin , growth , decay and death , appear to be the normal stages through which everything under the sun has to pass through. The body is too fragile to be in any way eternal . It is very frail and prone to fall at the very first severe attack or shock. It cannot withstand the onslaught of powers of nature , nor can it withstand internal anguishes. It lies prostrate before both. 

Naturally , in its constitution , the spirit has to be different stuff altogether than the body. Only in that eventuality , could it be free from death and other accidents of the body which it lives in.

The universe would require an omniscient  , omnipresent , perfect creator , who would need nothing else for his creation . He would need no helper in the process nor any matter , for he would be in a position to bring out everything out of himself. He would create universe out of himself  , as does the spider weave his web out of himself . Matter is inanimate and insentient, and so the spirit which is its opposite in these respects, must belong to the side of creator.

Knowledge is essentially connected with the Dharma , for this knowledge is the result of the exploration of the very sustaining principles of the universe and the human life . This knowledge tells man  all that he needs to know about his existence , experience  , his lot , his relation with the Reality behind the universe.” Know thyself ”  has been simplest advices given to man,  but it would appear that this injunction.. wrapped up in his passions and delights , fully engrossed in his own surroundings and gloating over the small powers that has been bestowed on him , man has scarcely given thought to these questions. When things seem to go all his way , man usurps the place of the Maker , and when things go wrong , he finds the maker  as a suitable entity to curse, a scapegoat for his failures , miseries and such an attitude of arrogance  does lead  man nowhere and he has  to think  of the problem  of his  existence , of the world  that surrounds him , in all humanity  , and must  make an effort  to find a solution , that appears to be on the whole , satisfactory  .  Death , the inevitable end of everything , must make  man look inwards  and seek answers in pure and intense  mediatation  over the problems involved.   Knowledge , right knowledge of these  problems  , cannot be had  in the ordinary manner , for the senses , the normal agency at the service of man  , fails him here. He must develop and sharpen sixth sense.

Bihar Becomes First State in India to have 10 Lakh SHGs run by women.

As in India the system of Self Help Groups(SHGs) have been running from years in small towns,villages and many more places all over India.SHGs are those where a group of women come together and to help other womens in the form of monetary issues.

The groups in Bihar have been operating under the Jeevika,a World Bank supported poverty programme in the state from since 2007.The secretary of Rural Development Department said that this model has given women the opportunity to become self-reliant,self-sufficient.This project is one of the major project for the Cheif Minister of Bihar and Jeevika to take the state of Bihar into new heights in coming time.

In the tough period of Covid-19 pandemic,the womens of Jeevika programme have worked tirelessly and contributed worth Rs 543 crore of transactions through POS machines.This was majorly done for taking the banking system to the needy people and to every corner of the remotest area.They reached out with the help of creating awareness,food security,work on sanitation and many more activities they did for the betterment of the society.By this approach they reached around to 1.09 crore households.

Bihar Rural Livelihood Promotion Society(BRLPS),is an autonomous society comes under the Rural Development Department of the State Government.It is one of the designated livelihood mission to scale up the Jeevika model in all 534 blocks of 38 districts under the National Rural Livelihood Mission(NRLM).The director of NRLM has said that nearly 1.20 crore women have got involved with over 10 lakh SHGs in the state.He also added ‘They have scripted a new saga of women empowerment,which is visible in the rural areas.The have also availed Rs 12200 crore worth loan for starting of their income generating activities and repayment is on timely basis.They have repaid loan of around Rs 5000 crore to avail fresh loan.They also have Rs 1350 crore worth savings for inter loaning amongst its members.’

The SHGs under Jeevika are helping more than 45 lakh household through its various activities by way of producing masks,running ‘Didi in Rasoi’ outlets to serve food for the quarantined people and the patients,disbursal of Rs 350 crore worth loan to village organisations for food security and health risk mitigation,running the retail shops for supply of essentials.Besides financial inclusion the government of state is working tirelessly and bringing various initiatives for the education,health and welfare departments.

“This is a model that can take Bihar miles to achieve self-reliance in the true sense,something that India dreams to achieve.Bihar has shown how it could be done.This has been very positive initiative.All that is needed to integrate the activities of SHGs and give them further opportunities for scale up to also become employment generators in rural areas which would further give a boost to the State economy.”said former director of AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies.

Reasons for gender pay gap to exist and ways to overcome it :

Reasons for gender pay gap to exist :
According to a research, there are four reasons for gender pay gap to exist. First is, companies hire more men in senior management roles compared to women. Secondly, part-time roles and caring responsibilities are shared unequally in the society. Thirdly, women prefer working in low-paid sectors and roles and lastly, women are paid less when compared to men in the same roles.
Claudia Goldin and Henry Lee, Harvard University states that “When you look at the gap, it widens at the upper end. In fact, we see the largest differences at the very upper end, not at the lower end”. It might not seem like a big difference when a person who is supposed to earn 14 dollars per hour earns 10 dollars but it will make quite a big difference when a person who is supposed to make 300,000 dollars makes only 150,000 dollars. Companies are more comfortable and satisfied with hiring more men in senior management roles compared to women. A research found that it was likely for employers to hire men more than women in senior roles not because of prejudice but because they stereotype and rely on their perception that men are better performers at certain tasks. It was also stated that this can be divided as two faces of discrimination which is statistical discrimination which is because of beliefs about gender differences in skills, experience and abilities and taste discrimination which is a result of stereotypes or bias against certain group. Women find it very difficult to make it to the senior roles of their company and advance in their field. When compared to men women earn about 78 cents on the dollar. It is estimated that only 4.2% of women make it up-to being CEOs and only 19.2% of board members. A study suggests that women not being able to reach the top is because of the “broken rung”. It was found that for every 100 men promoted as manager only 72 women which accounts to men holding 62% of manager level roles whereas women hold only 38%. Therefore, this broken rung is an obstacle for the women even at the entry level. Also, this entry level inequality allows men to outnumber women in such roles and the number of women at the senior level roles decreases.
Part time roles and caring responsibilities are shared unequally in the society. Women are more in the “nurturing” roles than the men, which makes them look more concerned and commited to their home and family and not their jobs.Gender inequalities in part time and in caring works also lead to a gap in pay. A cross-country analysis also found that in countries where women who spend more time on unpaid care, it was likely to have a larger gap in pay. And in part time jobs women earn only 65% of what men earn when they spend twice as much time in caring activities and only 40% when it was full time jobs. Women devote almost 60% of their time to household and caring activities, irrespective of whether they are employed, educated or earning.
Another reason for this gap to exist is also because women prefer working on low wage sector and roles and employment of women in such roles are increasing day by day. An estimate of 7.6 million jobs were taken up by women in this low wage and female dominated sectors between the years 1994 and 2014 which almost a third of all new jobs in that period. The US Bureau of Labor statistics stated that the businesses which cater to provide care for the old and disabled, because the business increased almost four times between the years 1994 and 2014 . This shows that women prefer to work in low paid sectors and roles. The “women’s work” which involves cooking, cleaning,caring is always looked down and considered as something that does not require acknowledgement and this assumption has followed also to the marketplace. Though these jobs require energy, stamina , physical and mental strength, these jobs are never valued and women who play the most part in these jobs are often undercompensated . Therefore , it is not that the women who prefer low paid jobs but it is that these low paid jobs are undervalued. Also women are paid less compared to the men doing the same roles. Pay is decided based on gender and not on competence.

Ways to overcome the gender pay gap :
Continuous pressure on gender pay gap situation has resulted in formulating certain strategies to overcome it. Some of these include designing senior work roles for all employees, irrespective of gender bias; developing quality flexible jobs that allow men and women to balance caring responsibility with their ambition; opening up all industries to flexible working arrangement and part-time jobs and lastly paying same remuneration to women and men for the same roles. With these strategies and others gender pay gap in the world can be reduced. There should be a balance and equality in maternity and paternity leave like in the case of Sweden where there is an availability for paternal leave on the basis of ‘use it or lose it’ which will develop a sense of sharing the caring responsibilities. A family friendly working condition must be created so that it will help the man and woman of the house to balance work and family. This will also help them choose working hours accordingly and accommodate their caring responsibilities. Unpaid work must be recognized as the national policy level so that a change in the organizational structure can be established .Minimum wage should be raised since this minimum wage is decreasing from the 1960s which is leading these wage ages to live in poverty. “The unwillingness to raise the minimum wage is really hurting women, because they are disproportionately represented at that level” says Isabel V Sawhill, a senior fellow of Economic studies. Raising this minimum wage will serve as a step to improve low wage jobs which are majorly female dominated jobs. This will not only reduce the level of poverty but also bridge the pay gap. “States with Equal Minimum Wages for Tipped Workers Have Smaller Wage Gaps for Women Overall and Lower Poverty Rates for Tipped Workers”. Equal pay laws need to be strengthened so that potential pay discrimination can be tackled and there can be transparency of pay between Co workers. There are a lot of steps organisations can do to ensure gender wage parity which includes checking wage parity right from the time a person is employed. Market analysis must also be conducted to have a check on wage parity. The company should also look for unconscious biases when there is assessment.The most important obstacle to wage equality, however, lies in our attitudes. When women value themselves enough to fight for their due, and when society values all human beings equally, the gender wage gap will cease to be an issue.Claudia Goldin and Henry Lee from the Harvard University say that it is important to divide labour at home. Change must begin at home and the couple should decide and balance their home and career as to who is on call at home and who is the office. Paying same remuneration to women and men for the same roles can also serve as an effective strategy as this will also help the women not to feel less about themselves and to feel a contentment in what they are doing.

Modelling has no age bar

Recently Chang Won and his wife Hasu Shoso were visible all over the internet for their quirky style. Chang, 83 and Hasu,84 are a Taiwanese couple who own a laundry shop in Taichung, a small city in Taiwan. Over the years many of the customers forgot or due to some other reasons were unable to collect back their clothes. The couple did not felt like throwing away those left over clothes. So so that 31 year old grandson Reef Chang suggested that they should model in those clothes to avoid getting bored. They did so and soon became influencers on social media sites. They have almost 600,000 followers on Instagram. This gave them lot of attention and people loved their style for the fact that the used old clothes to wear them in a fun and cool manner. They made the term cool which is generally related to the youth accessible to old people as well. They have made a point that even old people can model as well as the youth and complete them. Cheers to the couple.

SECTORS AFFECTED IN CORONA PANDEMIC

                            BY:RIFAT QAYYUM

This year has been the worst year ever and still being the worst. We all  ended year 2019 on a very good note thinking 2020  will be better , but unaware about  its “ scary arms”  , which  has squeezed us to no end in every aspect. Stranded labours , unemployment , economic slowdown, poverty etc are few of the terms which we have heared often  during this time.

Economic slowdown  has been in talks from 2019 as GDP growth declines from 7% to 6.9% and keeps on declining. It even came came to 4.2% according to IMF , lowereing the India growth. It was aleardy announced by IMF that whole world is going to face the economic slowdown and India will be the most effected country  , which came true , India ‘s GDP growth is  at lowest from 2019  and corona pandemic has added more to it. Automobile sector was worst hit in 2019 due to lack of demand and the employees were either downsized or retrenched. Inflation shoot ups were also contributing to the downfall especially food inflation which was 7.35% in December 2019 , retail inflation was five – year high of 7.3%. The solutions were given by the  great scholars to increase demand , production , employment , investment , to put more income in the hands of farmers , to spend more on infrastructure , to invest more in  mgnrega scheme which will be benificial for the stranded labours. But  the government is spending less which is a conflict , “To increase the Public Investment is the solution” .

Next year which is 2020, came with the corona pandemic muddling the structure of economy and drived our economic growth  in negative . It has affected all the sectors in the worst way , so, divided in the groups A, B, C ,D .

GROUP A

This group suffered limmited  disruption  and possible to give 90%  contribution in the 2019-20  growth performance. Sectors included in it are :

1.Agriculture

2.Allied sectors

3.Public Administration

4.Defence and other services

In Agriculture sector  , rabi cropped currently harvested and good monsoon was predicted , we can see the results.

In Allied sectors , there are labour shortage issues but the performance is normal.

In Defence and Public Administration sectors , both are fully active at forefront of covid-19 fight.

GROUP B

 This group suffered average disruption and contributed 50% in 2019-20 growth performance. The sectors included in it are :

1.Mining and Quarrying

2. Electricity , Gas , Water supply

3.Other utility sources

4.Constructional and Financial , Real estate and Professional services.

GROUP C

This group suffered significant growth  erosion in 2019-20 contributing only 40% in the performance growth on the year 2019-20.it can only be stimulated by supporting demand.manufacturing sector contributing only 17.4%.

GROUP D

This group suffered the maximum disruption and contributed only 30% in 2019-20 growth performance. The sectors included in it are:

1.Trade , Hotels , Restraunts

2. Travel and Tourism

3. Communications

It has been 6 months we are fighting against covid-19 . Recent changes came in  theese sectors . Lets see whether the outlook is still negative or has become positive.India was at fifth highest covid-19 fatalities in the world , but , now India’s fatality rate is among the world’s lowest. Currently it is standing at 2.18% which is lowest globally. Recovery rate of India is 64.54% which is a positive sign. More than half of the total cases are from metropolitan cities, Delhi , Mumbai , Chennai , Kolkata , Bangalore , Hyderabad which are on top. Delhi ‘s recovery rate being 89.08% , Haryana 79.82% , karnataka 39.96% which is lowest among all . Telangana , karnataka , Andhra Pradesh are the states with highest number of cases increasing everyday .

Turning back to sectors ,

Core sector ‘s output shrinks 15% in june , this contraction is showing some recovery from the 22% fall in may. In april june 2020 , the sector’s output dipped by 24.6% with a positive growth of 3.4% in the same period.

Fertilizer  industry saw an actual growth in june, the output is rising at 4.2% in comparison to june 2019 but lower than the 7.5% growth of may 2020.

Agriculture sector  has shown a positive outlook   as normal monsoon is leading to the expectations of a bumper kharif crop.

Steel  industry  has shown contraction with 33% drop in production in comparison to previous year , still remains the worst  performer .

Cement industry  production fell almost 7% , showing improvement from the contraction of 22% seen in may.

Energy sector  has shown negative growth , coal production  falling 15.5% , crude oil and natural gas production dropping 6% and 12% respectively.

Petroleum refinery  production carries the greatest weight in the core sector  and contracted almost 9%.

Electricity  sector  generation has  dropped to 11% .

CHANGES IN THE POLOCIES OF  BANKING SECTOR

  

MONETARY POLICY

RBI reduced the Repo rate to 4.4% , Reverse repo rate to 3.75% and Cash reserve ratio to 3%.

Repo rate is the rate at which RBI lends money to commercial  banks for a shortfalls .  

Reverse repo rate is the rate at which commercial banks  lends money to rbi .

Cash reserve ratio is the minimum  fraction of total of deposits of consumers which commercial banks have to keep with central bank either in the form of cash or as deposits.

Theese are the  monetary instruments which helps  to revive the economy to reduce inflation by freezing the money and controlling money supply.

IMPACT ON FISCAL DEFICIT

1.Releif expenditurec for protecting poor and marginalised

2.Demand supporting expenditure for increasing personal disposable incomes

3.Health care sector expansion , more investment on its infrastructure.

This much has impacted covid -19 to our sectors which were aleardy in the downfall during economic slowdown of 2019.

NEW SCHEMES IN UP And MAHARASTRA: 2020-21

UTTAR  PRADESH

The budget of this for year 2020-21 is 13 lakh crore as said by the Uttar Pradesh finance minister “Suresh Khanna”. In addition to this , he has also introduced 2 new schemes for employment generation  and self employment schemes for the youth .The UP budget for 2020-21 is “ANTI FARMER AND CORPORATE FRIENDLY” .  The two schemes are :

CHIEF MINISTER APPRENTICESHIP PROMOTION SCHEME

Yoths will be provided on the job training for the working experience and the professional environment . Not only this , it will also help them to build their personality , increase their cv , will be beneficial for them in future. They will be trained in MSME units. The contract is linked with the employment  for a definite period , not lifetime.  Eligible candidates will get the monthly stipened of RS 1500 , which will be borne by the centre and Of RS1000 by the state, remaining by the recruiting industry.The budget allocated for this scheme is of RS100CRORE . A wonderful scheme with “GET THREE BENEFITS” , EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND REMUNERATION.

THE YUVA UDYAMITA VIKAS ABHIYAAN

Through this scheme , the employment is provided to the lakhs of trained youths searching for the job. YUVA HUBS will be set up in every distrct  to assist them in the concepts of the project and the operation of units along with the financial help provided for the ONE year.According to the researches , this scheme can take 1 LAKH youth towards ‘SELF RELIANCE’.

MAHARASTRA

MAHARASTRA budget for the financial year 2020-21 is RS32,24,013 CRORES along with the introduction of NEW schemes for youth. New schemes are aimed  to boost infrastructure , employment , transport and  rural development . The schems are :

 Chief minister’s Water conservation Scheme

The number of water conservation projects included under this scheme are 8000. The main objectives of this scheme is to create decentralized water reservoir, to increase ground water level and last to protect the water irrigation capacity.

MAHARASTRA  APPRENTICESHIP  SCHEME

 This scheme is introduced to resolve the problem of unemployment over next 5 years. The budget allocated for this scheme is RS 6000 CRORES .The main objectives of this scheme is to provide employment and self employment opportunities and experience to all the youths who have passed  atleast  class 10. It aims to train 10 Lakh educated and unemployed youth in the age group of 21 years to 28 years  by making them work in new sectors.

The government also aims to implement RS120 CRORES scholarship scheme for the foreign education of students from the poorest section of minority communities.

BOOK REVIEWING : “DRACULA “

BY : RIFAT QAYYUM

A NOVEL BY “BRAM STOKER” ,AN IRISH NOVELIST , FAMOUS FOR HIS NOVELS AND SHORT STORIES BEST KNOWN FOR HIS NOVEL ” DRACULA”.

I WAS SNOOPING THROUGH THE BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY WHEN I GOT THE GLIMPSE OF THIS BOOK ” DRACULA” . I READ THE BLURB, WHICH SAYS-

“I COULD FEEL THE SOFT SHIVERING TOUCH OF LIPS ON MY SUPERSENSITIVE SKIN OF MY THROAT AND THE HARD DENTS OF TWO SHARP TEETHS, JUST TOUCHING AND PAUSING THERE. I CLOSED MY EYES IN LANGUOROUS ECSTASY AND WAITED…..WAITED WITH THE BEATING HEART.”

MY EYES WIDENED AND I STAND STILL WITH THE “BEATING HEART”, THIS MUCH IT HAS EFFECT ON ME. THE BOOK COVER IS PHENOMENAL , GIVING ME “MYSTERIOUS HORROR” VIBES. MY CRAVINGS FORCED IT TO ISSUE AND I ISSUED RIGHT THEN. I STARTED READING IT. IT IS WRITTEN IN FIRST PERSON POV AND THE CONSISTENCY IS MANTAINED THROUGH OUT. READING IT FEELS LIKE I AM THE CHARACTER, EXPIRIENCING IT .YES ! YOU MAY HAVE PROBLEM IN SOME SENTENCES , YOU WILL FEEL LIKE ARE INCORRECT. ABOUT THE CHARACTERS IN IT ,DRACULA , JONATHAN HARKER , HIS WIFE MINA HARKER , HER BEST FRIEND MISS LUCY WESTERNA , HER HUSBAND ARTHUR HOLMWOOD , DR JOHN SEWARD , DR ABRAHAM VEN HELSING , RENFIELD , QUINCEY MORRIS. IT IS A STURDY NOVEL WITH PROLONGED CHAPTERS, EACH CHAPTER CONTAINS THE JOURNALS AND DIARY ENTRIES OF THE CHARACTERS IN FICTIONAL FORM, A DIFFRENT PUT DOWN THOUGH.

THE STORY STARTS OFF WITH JONATHAN HARKER VISITING COUNT DRACULA FOR OVERSEAS TRANSACTIONS. BUT HE CAME ACROSS TO A TERRIFIC SIDE OF “COUNT DRACULA” ( TO KNOW HOW WAS IT , YOU NEED TO READ THE NOVEL 🙂 ) . DUE TO WHICH HE WAS TRAUMATISED AND ADMITTTED TO THE HOSPITAL AS AN “ASYMPTOMATIC PATIENT”, TOOK TIME FOR HIM TO GET BACK AS HIMSELF . FURTHER , HE ALSO SUFFERED THE CONSEQUENCES AT THE COST OF HIS WIFE’s HEALTH WHEN HE SAW DRACULA IN HIS CITY , HE WAS BACK AGAIN IN “THOSE TIMES” . MINA HARKER , A CARING AND LOVING WIFE , WORRIED ABOUT HIM , KNOWS ALL THE HAPPENING. MISS LUCY WESTERNA , SUFFERING FROM SLEEPING DISORDER. SHE HAS STAYED WITH LUCY WHEN MR HARKER WAS NOT THERE AND SOMETHING UNEXPECTED HAPPEN WHICH TOOK HER LIFE . ARTHUR HOLMWOOD HAVE NOT MUCH ROLE , BUT , AN UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR MISS LUCY. DR VEN HELSING , SENIOR DOCTOR WITH THE GREATEST EXPIRIENCE , SMARTLY PLAYS WITH HIS FORESIGHT IN THE CASE OF COUNT. DR JOHN SEWARD WHO WORKS UNDER DR VEN HELSING , HAS A MAIJOR ROLE TO PLAY ALONG WITH QUINCEY MORRIS WHO IS THE RICHEST MAN NOT ONLY FROM HIS WEALTH BUT ALSO FROM VALUES. RENFIELD , NOT A LEAD CHARCTER BUT AN IMPORTANT ONE , EATS ALL THE INSECTS SPECIALLY HOUSEFLIES , CALL COUNT DRACULA AS HIS MASTER AND HE IS SLAVE , PATIENT OF DR SEWARD.

READ IT PATIENTLY AND YOU WILL FALL FOR IT, WILL BE YOUR BEST NOVEL.

“A MUST READ “

Start feeling it , you will never find it monotonous.

Go and see how falling for a delusional character feels like ! !

DOMESTIC VOILENCE IN INDIA

“DOMESTIC VOILENCE” whenever my ears hear this term , an image of a crying lady with loads of wounds on her body comes in to my mind , who is hardly breathing , pleading in front of  a coward. But  it has a deeper meaning which is much more beyond this , if you absuse her , you character assassinate her , fill disgust for her in her, child marriage , dowry , acid attack , rape etc are all subset to this term and this term is the universal set to all . By thinking her as a “Weak Leaf” , this is where you are making the mistake , actually you are in the delusion , and , this delusion bursts out when she fights back making you a “coward creature” who is running for his life.

Talking about the different shades of domestic violence committing in different ways in India . Generally , women are preferable for the domestic violence  and not so surprisingly , the voilences that come under “Domestic violence” are fully against women , done by the people who believes that the status of women  is not even the lowest in the strata of the society. But , surprisingly , they are some  women who give air to this kind of brutal violence and believe , it is a right thing to do. We are living in 21st century , women are empowered and reaching hieghts , people’s perspectives are changing but still not changing , they are accepting it but still not accepting it. The reason behind this  are the few people with polluting minds.

According to the reseaches, around 70% of women in India are the victims of domestic violence , said by our union minister for women and child development , Renuka Chaudhary. It is legally addressed in 1980s  by the introduction of 1983 criminal law act under section 498A. It is divulged by the National Crime Bureau , that a crime is committed against a women every 3 minutes which is raising the goosebumps. Every 29 minutes, a woman is raped ,  women death because of dowry in every 77 minutes and talking about the cruelty which is either performed by her husband or his relative is taking place every nine minutes. These mishaps are occurring despite of the law of the protection of women from domestic violence act.

 I just want to click  the  button of “Being lioness” in the minds of all the women out there , that, they are strong , have their own life to live , take their own decisions , have an authority to raise your voice and not let other people boss you  but “Be your own Boss”. By raising these facts , I just want to make them believe “If someone raises hands on you , you too can raise because god has given you hands , if someone helps you with those hands , help them! , ‘BE FEROCIOUS’ !.

B.R AMBEDKAR THOUGHTS : INDIA

WE ARE LIVING IN THE MODERN INDIA WITH MODEST THINKING AND A RAGE FOR UNEQUALITY IN OUR SOCIETY , WHICH IS STILL THERE . EVEN AFTER , OPPOSING AGAINST THIS AND FIGHTING FOR THE EQUALITY AND JUSTICE, FAVOURING THE LOWER STRATA OF THE SOCIETY . EXPOSING THEM TO BEST OF THEIR RIGHTS LIKE RESERVATION SYSTEM, HIGLIGHTING EQUALITY AS THE MAIN VALUE OF THE CONSTITUTION , BASIC FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS . BUT , THE “CASTE INSECT” HAS NOT LEFT THE FEW MINDS WHICH IS A KIND OF VENOM FOR OUR SOCIETY , MAINLY, FOR THE DEVOLOPMENT OF OUR SOCIETY.

DR. B.R AMBEDKAR HAS PUT DOWN IN HIS BOOK ” ANHILATION OF CASTE” THAT “CASTE IS A STATE OF MIND” WHICH IS AN APPROPRIATE STATEMENT MADE BY HIM. YES, CASTE EXISTS IN EVERYONE’S MIND , MAY BE IN THE FORM OF CLASS , RACE , GENDER , RELIGION ETC BUT IT DOES EXIST. HE HAS ALSO OUTLINED THE DIFFRENCE OF BEING A POLTICIAN AND BEING A SOCIAL THINKER . HE SAYS , ” POLITICAL TYRANNY IS NOTHING COMPARED TO SOCIAL TYRANNY AND A REFORMER WHO DEFIES SOCIETY IS A MORE COURAGEOUS MAN THAN A POLITICIAN WHO DEFIES GOVERNMENT “. HE CLEARLY SAYS HOW POLITICIANS ARE NOT ABLE TO DEFY THE BEST FOR THE SOCIETY AND NOT MAKE RIGHT DECISIONS FOR ITS BETTERMENT , SOMETIMES , GOVERNMENT OVERPOWERS IT . BUT , A SOCIAL THINKER WHO ALWAYS THINKS FOR THE SOCIETY AND WORKS FOR THE SOCIETY , WHOSE MAIN FOCUS IS ON HOW THE “BIRD SOCIETY ” CAN FLY AT HEIGHTS ! .

HE HIMSELF HAS GONE THROUGH A LOT OF CRITICISM AGAINST HIS CASTE, HE CAN’T TOUCH THE TAP OF THE WATER JUST BECAUSE HE IS OF LOWER CASTE , SO A PEON ONLY CAN MAKE HIM DRINK . THE PROBLEM OF STTING IN THE CLASSROM AWAY FROM ALL THE UPPER CASTES. BUT HE FOUGHT ! , HE FOUGHT TILL THE ETERNITY AND BELEIVES THAT DEVOLOPMENT AND ADVANCEMENT OF LABOURS CAN ONLY ENHANCE THE SOCIETY. HE FABRICATED ALL ELEMENTS OF EDUCATION IN HIM AND STARTED WRITING THESIS , STUDIED AT LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND SELECTED FOR AS A CHIEF ARCHITECT FOR THE FRAMING OF OUR CONSTITUTION WHICH IS BEST AMONG ALL THE CONSTITUTIONS IN THE WORLD . HE MAKES THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THEIR WORTH IN THIS WORLD , IN THIS SOCIETY IN THEIR MINDS . AS EDUCATION IS GREATEST YOU CAN IMBIBE IF YOU WANT TO BRING THE CHANGE AND BE THE CHANGE , DR B.R AMBEDKAR IS THE ONE ” A GREAT SCHOLAR” . HIS EDUCATION AND CONFIDENCE EMPOWERED HIM AND AUTHORITIED HIM WITH A POSITION OF CHEIF ARCHITECT , AN ECONOMIST AND RESPECTED GLOBALLY.

THE VISION OF DR B.R AMBEDKAR ON THE SOCIETY IS BASED ONB THE TGHREE CORE VALUES : LIBERTY , EQUALITY AND FRATERNITY .

MODERN YOUR THOUGHTS WITH THE MODEST VISION !

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples: Salute to Indigenous Peoples

  Each year August 9, is celebrated as International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. In the year 2016, it was reported that about 2680 indigenous languages were in danger and on the verge of extinction. In view of this, UN selected 2019 (that is last year) as the International Year of Indigenous Languages to persuade, convince and create awareness to people about the indigenous languages which was undoubtedly a praiseworthy move. Protection of indigenous people and their rights are sine qua non as we Indians know suffering of Ekalavya who was indigenous. Ekalavya was very talented and humble and that is why he smilingly offered his best asset (required for archery), his right thumb as Guru Dakshina to Dronacharya.

   It is pertinent to mention that there are around 476 million indigenous people in 90 countries and they constitute little more than 6 percent of the global population and 15 percent are in  extreme poverty. Their territories are home to 80 percent of the world’s biodiversity. Still indigenous people are not advanced like other communities. In this regard, few points collected from un.org/en/observances/indigenous-day are presented for the benefit of readers.

  • More than 86% of indigenous peoples globally work in the informal economy, compared to 66% for their non-indigenous counterparts
  • Indigenous peoples are nearly three times as likely to be living in extreme poverty compared to their non-indigenous counterparts.
  • Globally, 47% of all indigenous peoples in employment have no education, compared to 17% of their non-indigenous counterparts. This gap is even wider for women.

  This year International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples theme is COVID-19 and indigenous peoples’ resilience. The virtual commemoration will feature an interactive panel discussion on the innovative ways indigenous peoples continue demonstrating resilience and strength in the face of the pandemic while confronting grave threats to their survival. The aim is to highlight how the preservation and promotion of indigenous peoples’ traditional knowledge and practices can be leveraged more fully during this pandemic. Panellists (Monday, 10 August 9 AM to 11 AM) will share good practices with the audience through an interactive virtual event that will focus on building back stronger.

  As academician and researcher, I have the opportunity to visit across India and interacted many indigenous persons in the different states of north eastern region, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and West Bengal. The names of some communities are   Boro, Dimasa, Chutia, Karbi, Sonowal, Tiwa, Garo, Rabha, Hajong, Tripuri, Deori, Naga, Chakma, Jamatia, Noatia, Adi (Abor), Aka, Apatani, Tagin, Galo       and others. Also in West Bengal I have interacted with Rabha and Santhal and in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Chenchus, observed all indigenous persons were rational, erudite about local and traditional things and very careful to preserve nature. Not a single indigenous person will cut a tree for making money that is out of greed.   

  On this International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, I salute to all indigenous Peoples.  

 

The following websites have been consulted while writing the article.

1)wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Day_of_the_World’s_Indigenous_Peoples

2) www.un.org/en/observances/indigenous-day

3) https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/international-day-of-the-worlds-indigenous-peoples/2020-2.html

Dr. Shankar Chatterjee

 Former Professor& Head (CPME)

NIRD &PR (Govt. of India),

Hyderabad-500 030

Telangana, India

Email <shankarjagu@gmail.com>

Immune to COVID-19!!!

Retrieved from the-scientist.com

There was an article in Deccan Herald regarding a paper. which appeared in National Reviews Immunology back to the fact human immune system might be able to fight COVID-19 as SARS-COV-2 had already come into existence earlier. As a result of which many people had grown an immunity towards it due to T cells which are loafers who might be surviving in human’s bloodstream owing to commotion with other relative coronaviruses, which cause common cold in us.

Though this study is not clearly backed but researchers are getting strong indications regarding this. Dr. David L. Katz, founding director of Yale University’s Yale Griffin Research Center remarked it as one of the excellent news while giving an interview to CNN. He stated, “We have had indications for this from a long time that many people may not be prone to get this….”

My Views

Now when he have heard such an outstanding news, we can give our minds some relaxation that maybe in nearest future we might get vaccine of the disease which has caused such devastating damage to human population which has killed 727 thousand people worldwide taking 19.7 millions in its grasp; though we can proudly say with our cumulative effort 11.9 millions have recovered from it. It has ruptured us from inside out stealing our hope but we are survivors, we know how not to succumb to such fights. We are ready to fight, survive and thrive again.

MENTAL HEALTH

“Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.”
― Henry Wads worth Longfellow

We are living in a world where physical fitness had become more important without caring for one’s mental health.

In the race of achieving everything, we have forgotten to look after our well being and to feed our brain with good thoughts. Being mentally stable is what is required to have a peace of mind and it contributes towards satisfaction of oneself.

The COVID-19 had too negatively affected the lives of many people and created new barriers. Many people are suffering from many mental issues during this pandemic period.

There lies a difference in being sad and being depressed;

Sadness is for a particular instance that happened due to some ill happening or due to mood changes but depression is a long term phenomenon, overthinking and negative perspective towards everything could be the major causes. Depression could often lead to suicidal thoughts which could grow intense during the time. Depression can cause tiredness and deprival in day to day task performed.

Here are some steps that we all can follow to feel better and lively every passing day :

  1. Take time out for yourself no matter how small, talk to yourself about the happenings of the day.
  2. Get up early in the morning and practice some yoga and meditation  to make your mind still and calm.
  3. Do not disturb your sleeping cycle and try to drink hot milk before sleeping.
  4. Think of one good thing that happened in the day and show some interest in nature.
  5. Talk to people around you maybe they are friends,family or relatives just share what you feel inside.
  6. Eat healthy try to have a balanced diet.
  7. Avoid much use of social media platforms which make you feel toxic from inside.
  8. Spend time with your family maybe watching a movie together or just by sitting together having lunch.
  9. Try to ignore unnecessary things which make you feel sad.
  10. Watch motivational videos and movies to help you keep going.

It is alright to speak about your emotions to anyone. No one in this world is completely free from stress and anxiety. Everyone have certain issues of their own. It is better to think that you are not the only person surviving everyone does it help you to have a positive outlook towards life,

If still, you face problems do not hesitate to visit a doctor and have a regular checkup.

Always remember the most important person is you take care of yourself in every way possible . life is just a game and you are fighting for survival. losing is easy but winning takes real courage.

“Do not brood over your past mistakes and failures as this will only fill your mind with grief, regret and depression. Do not repeat them in the future to keep growing.” – Swami Sivananda

PM Modi to release sixth instalment of PM-KISAN scheme to 8.5 crore farmers today; to launch Rs 1 Lakh Cr financing facility

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the financing facility of one lakh crore rupees under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund  today through video conferencing. He will also release the sixth instalment of funds of 17 thousand crore rupees to 8.5 crore farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojna (PM-KISAN) scheme.

AIR correspondent reports, the  financing facility under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund will catalyze the creation of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets like cold storage, collection centres and processing units.

These assets will enable farmers to get greater value for their produce, as they will be able to store and sell at higher prices, reduce wastage, and increase processing and value addition. One lakh crore rupees will be sanctioned under the financing facility in partnership with multiple lending institutions.  

11  Public Sector Banks have already signed MOUs in this regard. Three percent interest subvention and credit guarantee of up to two crore rupees will be provided to the beneficiaries to increase the viability of these projects.

The beneficiaries of the scheme will include farmers, Marketing Cooperative Societies, Joint Liability Groups, Multipurpose Cooperative Societies, Agri-entrepreneurs and Startups.

The PM-KISAN scheme has provided a direct cash benefit of over 75 thousand  crore rupees to more than 9.9 Crore farmers. This has enabled them to fulfil their agricultural requirements and support their families.

The scheme has also been instrumental in supporting farmers during the COVID-19  pandemic, through the release of nearly  22 thousand crore rupees to aid the farmers during the lockdown period.