Author: Rishav Bhattacherjee

Mango – The King of Fruits

Mango is not only a tasty fruit eaten in the summer season but also reaped with various health benefits. Mango is now making people crazy not only in India, but also across the world. Mango varieties like Dussehri, Langra, Chausa, Kesar, Badami, Totapuri and Alphonso are very much liked in India.

Health benefits of mango –

1. It is rich in vitamins and minerals –
Mango contains vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. Vitamin K present in it is beneficial in blood clots. The iron present in it also prevents anemia. Mango also makes our bones strong.

2. Rich in vitamin A
Mango is also rich in Vitamin A. There are so many benefits of eating a mango that it can meet almost 25 percent of the daily requirement of vitamin A. Vitamin A is also very important for reproduction and immune system in the body.

3. Helps in quick recovery
In the current era of COVID, the demand for fruits containing vitamin C for immunity has increased. Mangoes are also rich in vitamin C, which is important for forming blood vessels and healthy collagen. Apart from this, mango helps in fast healing of any kind of wounds of the body.

4. Helps in digestive process
Mango is such a fruit that maintains our digestive system. Amylase compound and dietary fiber in Mango also provides relief from constipation. Amylase compounds help in the digestion of foods and dissolve hard starches.

5. Boosts immunity
Mango is a good source of immune-boosting nutrients.
One cup (165 grams) of mango provides 10% of your daily vitamin A needs. 
Mango also contains folate, vitamin K, vitamin E and several B vitamins, which aid immunity as well.

6. It helps in fighting cancer – Mangoes contain antioxidants such as quercetin, fisetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, gallic acid and methyl gallate. All these properties protect our body against breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer and leukaemia.

7. Helps in alkalizing the body – As mangoes are enriched with tartaric and malic acid and contain traces of citric acid, it helps in maintaining the alkali reserve of our body.

8. Prevents heat stroke – This summer fruit also helps in preventing heat stroke. Eating it cools you down instantly and hence refreshes you. Add this ‘super fruit’ in summer and stay cool during the got weather.

9. Contains high iron content The high iron content in mango is a natural remedy for anaemic people. Also, women should eat mangoes to increase iron level and calcium content in their bodies.

10. Improves concentration If you find it difficult to concentrate and have low memory, then gorge on mangoes. They not only help in improving your concentration but also boost your memory.

Mango is delicious, versatile and easy to add to your diet. However, it can be difficult to cut due to its tough skin and large pit. There are various ways where one can add mango to their daily diet.
Like adding to your smoothies, or making mango ice creams, thick shakes or fruit custard. However we need to keep in mind that mango contains high amount of sweet so its recommended to add 1-2 mangoes per day.

Is coffee healthy ?

According to a report published last year at the Harvard School of Public Health it stated that drinking coffee in moderation “can be part of a healthy lifestyle”.

Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages due to its high levels of antioxidants and beneficial nutrients, it also seems to be quite healthy.
Studies show that coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of several serious diseases.

Benefits of drinking coffee –

1. Boosts energy –
Coffee can help people feel less tired and increase energy levels since it contains a stimulant called caffeine. The caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream from there, it travels to the brain where it blocks the inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine. This is instrumental in improving energy levels and lifting up the mood.

2. Aids in burning fat –
Caffeine boosts metabolism significantly by 3 to 11%. This in turn helps in burning the excess fat in the body.

3. Contains essential nutrients –
Many of the nutrients in coffee beans make their way into the finished brewed coffee.

A single cup of coffee contains –
Riboflavin (vitamin B2): 11% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI).
Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5): 6% of the RDI.
Manganese and potassium: 3% of the RDI.
Magnesium and niacin (vitamin B3): 2% of the RDI.

4. Lowers the risk of Diabetes-
Type 2 diabetes is a major health problem, currently affecting millions of people worldwide.
It’s characterized by elevated blood sugar levels caused by insulin resistance or a reduced ability to secrete insulin.
For some reason, coffee drinkers have a significantly reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. Studies observe that people who drink the most coffee have a 23–50% lower risk of getting this disease. One study showed a reduction as high as 67%

5. Reduces the chances of dementia –
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease and the leading cause of dementia worldwide.
This condition usually affects people over 65, and there is no known cure. However, there are several things you can do to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place. This includes the usual suspects like eating healthy and exercising, but drinking coffee may be incredibly effective as well. Several studies show that coffee drinkers have up to a 65% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Foods to eat to prevent hair fall post-COVID

Many people are experiencing hair fall after recovering from Covid- 19.  Hair loss can be a result of many things, including a deficiency  of nutrients during the period of infection can also result in hair fall

“A healthy diet is the most important aspect of recovery. Consuming a diet lacking the right nutrients can lead to hair loss. For healthy hair, one should consume enough water along with a diet rich in protein, biotin, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, vitamin C, E, and zinc.





Eggs: Egg yolks are rich in healthy fats and protein. They are full of biotin, a B vitamin that promotes strong hair growth and also good for scalp health. On the other hand, biotin deficiency can cause brittle hair. Other good sources of protein are dairy products, tofu, dal, chicken, and fish.
Spinach: Green leafy vegetables go a long way in not only maintaining the health of your hair but also provide it with essential vitamins and nutrients that help treat damaged hair back to health. Spinach is a rich source of vitamin A, K, E, C, B vitamins along with manganese, zinc, iron, and omega 3 fatty acids that keep your scalp healthy. These vitamins improve collagen and keratin levels and speed up the hair growth process.
Avocado: Avocados are packed with monosaturated fats, fatty acids, and vitamin E which nourish the hair and make them shiny and strong. This healthy fruit is high in protein and rich in B vitamins, too.
Oilseeds – Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids are a must for strong hair; these include chia seeds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. They are also an excellent source of minerals like phosphorus, calcium, and protein, all of which encourage hair growth and strong hair. Pumpkin seeds naturally contain biotin which encourages strong and faster hair growth. These seeds can be easily added to your everyday diet. Just sprinkle a spoonful into your morning glass of milk or smoothie.
Legumes: Legumes are rich in protein which is needed for improving hair growth and make it shiny. They also contain zinc and biotin. Beans contain complex carbohydrates, which help convert protein into cells that form hair. Vitamin A, B6, zinc, and manganese present in black channa plays an important role in building up the hair protein.
Almonds and cashew nuts – These nuts are extremely rich in fatty acids, which is the key to maintaining smooth, supple, and strong hair. Cashewnuts are also loaded with copper which enhances hair growth. Almonds are full of Vitamin E which gives silky and strong hair.
Lemon: They have a very high concentration of vitamin C which helps to build collagen. Collagen helps your hair to grow as well as helps your body to absorb iron which strengthens the hair scalp. Other sources of vitamin C which prevent hair fall are bell peppers, strawberries, amla, papaya, and kiwi.
Whole grains – Whole grains like oats, quinoa whole wheat, and barley, and B vitamin that helps prevent hair breakage and increases, hair strength and growth. They also contain a high amount of zinc that helps to hair loss at bay.
 

How Yoga Day came into existence?

International Day of Yoga is observed globally, to highlight the importance of yoga in the contemporary era, every year on June 21

Back in December 2014, India’s Permanent Representative Ashok Mukherjee introduced the draft resolution regarding the same in the United General Assembly. The draft received tremendous support from the 177 member states and was adopted as a special day. The United Nations on December 11, 2014, proclaimed that June 21 will be marked as International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.

Notably, International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 as it is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere.
Significance –
Yoga is derived from Sanskrit and it means to join or to unite. Union of body and consciousness is known as Yoga as it helps to maintain a balanced lifestyle in these changing times. It was on June 15, 2015 – the first International Day of Yoga was globally observed.
On this day, India’s ministry of Ayush had organized a program which was attended by eminent dignitaries of around 84 nations along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A total of 35,985 people at Rajghat performed 21 yoga poses, making it the world’s largest yoga class.

International Yoga Day 2021: Theme

Owing to the raging COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 the theme for yoga day was ‘Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family’. The message sent out by the theme was that in these adverse times, yoga will give rays of hope to stay relaxed and fit. Similarly, this year’s theme for International Day of Yoga is ‘Yoga for Well-being.’

Psycho-social care needs to be prioritised amid the pandemic time and yoga plays a vital role in it. When COVID-19 patients, who are in isolation and quarantine, faced psychological problems doctors held yoga sessions as it provides aid in mental stability. Therefore, ‘Yoga for Well-being’ is the correct theme for this year because it focuses on the holistic health of every individual, which is the need of the hour

Why third Sunday of June is celebrated as Father’s Day

The celebration of paternal bond is observed on third Sunday of June and this year it is on 20 June, 2021

The celebration of this lovely, warm paternal bond is quite popular all over the world, though the dates of observance might differ in some countries. However, India follows the American date which is the third Sunday of June. For Catholic European countries like Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Father’s Day is celebrated on March 19 which is St. Joseph’s Day. Australia observes it on the first Sunday of September; Norway, Sweden and Finland follow the second Sunday in November. Russia celebrates on February 23.

The aim of the day to express appreciation and acknowledge the role of the father figure in children’s lives, and society as a whole. UNICEF too, had harped on the critical role the fathers play in early childhood learning.


What is the reason of celebration only in third Sunday of June ?


Father’s Day originated in the United States. It was on 19 June, 1910, the first Father’s Day celebration took place.
Sonora Dodd, the daughter of American Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart had requested the Spokane Ministerial Alliance observe 5 June which was her father’s birthday, to honor fatherhood. Her father had raised six children, as a single parent. Her deep sense of gratitude, love propelled her to make this request.
She was also inspired by Anna Jarvis’ endeavor to bring about Mother’s Day, and proposed the Father’s Day idea.
Finally, the Church agreed upon the third Sunday of June to commemorate. Following which, much later in 1966, President Lyndon B Johnson announced the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day as he signed a presidential proclamation.
Almost 62 years later from 1910, Father’s Day was declared as a national holiday by Richard Nixon who was the then President of the US (1972).
There is also information that states Father’s Day was observed on 5 July, 1908, in West Virginia after a mining accident in Monongah, USA, to honour the fathers who lost their lives in the disaster.
Since then, Father’s Day has been celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy. Father’s Day celebration emphasizes the paternal bond, the role of father figure in children’s lives, families, and society at large.

Signs you’re not getting enough protein

Protein is an essential part of a healthy diet and not consuming enough can cause serious health problems. Here is what you need to know about the signs and symptoms of protein deficiency and how much protein you need each day

As children, we often saw our elders fetch tins and boxes of “proteins” or “protein-rich” biscuits to add to the milk we drank. Almost all “energy powders” that were spooned into the milk we drank added proteins to our diets. Now, as grown-ups, we see serious bodybuilders and sportspersons, fitness enthusiasts, marathoners – all talking about the protein supplements that they take. 

What is the importance of proteins –

Protein is a complex macronutrient which are found in certain foods, such as animal products and legumes. In its most basic form, a protein is a string of amino acids that create the building blocks for the physical parts of your body, including muscles, bones, skin, hair, nails, and organs. Protein deficiency, also called hypoproteinemia, is usually tied to overall low protein intake.

Signs and symptoms of protein deficiency –

Protein deficiency can cause a range of symptoms, which can vary based on the severity of the deficiency.

In mild cases of protein deficiency – Increased appetite, weakness and fatigue

In moderate cases of protein deficiency- Muscle atrophy, brittle nails, hair thinning

In severe cases of protein deficiency-  Stomach bloating, liver failure, stunted growth and porous bones.

Causes of protein deficiency –

Protein deficiency is most commonly associated with malnutrition and an inadequate protein intake. The amount of protein you need depends on your age, health, and activity level. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) is a minimum of 0.36 grams per pound of body weight, so 54 grams of protein a day for someone who weighs 150 pounds. 

Who all are at risk of protein deficiency –

1. Adults who are aged over 50

2. People who doesn’t consume animal proteins. However, they still can get enough proteins from plant sources such as soy, pea, pulses etc.

How to increase protein intake –

  • By consuming protein rich foods like Nuts and seeds such as almonds, pistachios, cashews, and flax seeds
  • Legumes, such as lentils and beans 
  • Eggs and seafood, like fish or shrimp
  • Animal meat
  • Dairy products

The average adult under age 65 is recommended to take 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Therefore, someone who weighs 68 kilograms (150 pounds) should have about 54 grams of protein per day. 

All you need to know about World Test Championship Final 2021

Amidst the unpredictable English weather, New Zealand and India fight for the most coveted title after near misses in their recent ICC campaigns
  • The two talismanic captain are waiting for ICC World Test Championship to begin

The WTC final will be taking place in spite of the global pandemic at the now-famous Ageas Bowl, cricket’s original bio-secure venue, which in 2020 showed the cricketing world how to ensure that the show can go on in these tough times. The contest will also feature, indisputably the best two Test teams in the world- India and New Zealand who are taking on each other on 18th of June, 2021.

The Indian team announced their playing XI on the eve of the final where it was confirmed that Rohit Sharma is going to open with Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal failed to make the cut. India is going with two spinners as Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.

ICC WTC was played in two years cycle and the two teams at the top of the points table qualified for the final. India finished at the top of the points table with 12 wins in 17 matches while New Zealand won 7 out of 7 matches it played.

Here’s all you need to know about WTC 2021 Final

Start date – June 18, 2021

End date – June 22, 2021

Reserve day – June 23, 2021

Match starting time – 3:30 pm IST

Live broadcast on TV – Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 HD and Star Sports 1 Hindi and Star Sports 1 Hindi HD

Online streaming – Disney+Hotstar

Venue – Ageas Bowl, Southampton

Prize money – The winner of the ICC World Test Championship 2021 will get a purse of $1.6 million and the runners-up will receive a prize money of $800,000.

Playing Conditions –

Follow on-rule for WTC final

According to playing conditions of the five-day game, one team needs to have a lead of 200 runs, to enforce the follow-on. However, if the first day’s play has been washed out then the lead for follow-on rule is reduced to 150. But ICC has made a clarification in the rule stating that there is a reserve day for the WTC final thus if the first days is washed out then reserve day will come into play. Thus, to enforce a follow India and New Zealand need to have a lead of 200 or more runs.

What if final ends in a draw?
 

There has been talk that who will be declared the winner if final match  ends in a draw or tie. Ahead of the start of WTC in 2018, ICC has said that if final end a draw or tie, the the trophy will be shared and in its latest media statement, it maintained the same stance.

Pitch Report – As informed by the head groundsman, Simon Lee, the pitch for WTC final will have pace, bounce and carry due to ‘a lot of sun’ in Southampton. It is likely to favor swing bowling for the initial two days and might assist the spinners on the final two days of the test match.

YOUR FOOD GUIDE TO FIGHT COVID-19

    The second wave of COVID-19 pandemic has made us susceptible to the life-threatening effects of the corona virus and such is its effect that people are focusing more on building immunity and strengthen body’s immune system to fight the deadly virus. Well it’s not that easy however, if one takes the right steps at the right time it can be instrumental for faster recovery from COVID-19.   According to experts the key to faster recovery is by modifying the diet and adding healthy and nutritious foods which can help in improving the slackening immunity.

    “Good nutrition helps your battered body build up its energy levels as fast as possible “says Dr Kavitha Fenn Arunkumar who is a Madurai based psychiatrist. Moreover, she recommends the intake of easy to digest food frequently rather than taking three big elaborate meals.

    So what are the things which are essential for the recovery from COVID-19?

    1.Say yes to protein rich foods –

    Protein helps in building muscles and repairs cell damage, which further helps in boosting your immunity. The reason why experts suggest increasing the intake of protein rich foods is because it helps in healing the cell damage caused due to COVID-19.

    Adding protein rich foods like fish, lean meat, nuts and seeds, legumes and pulses to your diet during or post COVID-19 helps in replenishing the lost nutrition. These protein rich foods are also a great source of omega 3 fatty acids that help in boosting metabolism thereby improving gut health.

    2. Vitamins should be your best friend –

     Adding fresh  fruits and veggies help in faster recovery, this is the reason why experts suggest to include them in the diet during any recovery. Adding fresh fruits and veggies rich in vitamins and antioxidants help in strengthening the body’s resistance to combat deadly virus attacks like COVID-19. The addition of Vitamin C and multivitamin rich fruits like oranges, mango, pineapple, lemons help in reviving lost nutrients, hydrates the body and helps in boosting respiratory system.

    3. Add soya to your diet–

    The addition of protein rich soy in your daily diet can help in healing and faster recovery post COVID-19. As per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, it has been suggested that adding high protein soy based foods can help in boosting immunity naturally. Also going for a nutrient dense vegetarian diet can improve overall health and immunity, post COVID-19.

    4. Keep check on sugar intake –

     Apart from adding these healthy foods to your daily diet, you must keep a check on the intake of sugar and salt as they may lead to a spike in sugar levels or blood pressure levels, which eventually slows down the recovery process

    5. Hydrate yourself –

    During any sort of illness, dehydration and its associated challenges remain a major risk to our body. During such times, it becomes imperative to prioritize basic self-care, including drinking adequate fluids. One can also add lassi, coconut water or ORS during their COVID-19 recovery phase.

    When it is raining outside

    Rainy day gives us the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind and catch with the things when you are in home. There are several other things which you can do to take a day off from your busy work schedule and have more me-time.

    Here are the things which one can do that will surely lift up the mood when the skies are gloomy –

    1. READ A GOOD BOOK

    A rainy day is the perfect time to engulf yourself in reading books which are waiting for their turn since days in that old cup-board. In this rat race people hardly get any time to read books and hence, it can be your good buddy during this time. You can curl up under your blanket with your favorite book and enjoy!

    2. BAKING OR COOKING

    When it’s cold and wet outside, get creative in kitchen and cook something which you always wanted to and saved those cooking videos in YouTube.

    3. BINGE WATCH

    Enjoy an afternoon or evening of relaxation, watching your favorite TV programs. Try to watch a good comedy for a nice laugh or a nostalgic show you enjoy.  There’s nothing better than curling up on the sofa when it’s a rainy day and watching your favorite show or sitcom.

    4. WRITE SOMETHING

    If you’re a blogger why not take the time to work on your blog. Whether that’s writing a new post, updating an old one, If you are a beginner then you can just start by maintaining a diary or write something which is on your mind and make it creative.

    5. PLAY BOARD/VIDEO GAMES

    Depending upon your choice, if you have friends with you then surely you can go for playing board games otherwise you can play online games with your friends like Ludo King which is trending.

    6. LISTEN TO SONGS OR AUDIO STORIES

    Now this is my personal favorite, there is nothing which can beat the feeling of curling under a blanket with a cup of your favorite hot drink and listening to your favorite songs or audio stories accompanied with the sound of rain at the window.

    7. GET CRAFTY

    Find a fun craft to put together if you enjoy doing crafts. If you’re not familiar with crafting, search the Internet for crafting ideas and start enjoying it.

    8. SOCIAL NETWORKING

    If you’re feeling alone and you’re unable to visit with a friend or loved one, why not get social with social networking? If you have a social media account such as Facebook, Whatsapp or Instagram say hello to a friend or two and catch up on news and photos.

    IS GURUGRAM THE BEST CITY TO LIVE IN COVID-19 ERA?

    According to a report Gurugram is the most apt city to live from a Covid perspective as compared to Bengaluru and Mumbai
    According to the report, Gurugram is overall the most suitable city to live from a Covid perspective as compared to Mumbai and Bengaluru

    According to a report by Square Yards, Gurugram is the apt city to live during COVID-19 considering the factors like hospital infrastructure, population density and open area ratio. The study titled Suitability Index: The COVID perspective  highlights the suitability and working in three prime cities of our country- Mumbai, Bengaluru and Gurugarm with respect to COVID-19.

    The report ascertains that the factors such as hospital infrastructure, population density and open area ratio are far more important than the work distance or affordability to decide where a homebuyer wants to live at a time when coronavirus disease is at it’s peak and transmitting rapidly.

    According to the Suitability Index, even though the density of COVID-19 cases in Gurugram is second only to the North, presence of maximum number of hospitals/10K people, more than 40% open area and lowest population density made the area most suitable and hence sustainable and livable  from the COVID-19 perspective. Also as per the analysis, the most suitable zone found in Bengaluru were Mahadevapura, Bellandur, Devasandra and Marathahalli.

    In Mumbai, the most suitable zone were found in Western suburbs and the Central suburbs.

    The COVID-19  pandemic exposed the shortcomings in medical infrastructure like never before and during this time according to statistics, both Mumbai and Bengaluru offer only 1.3 and 0.30 hospitals per 10,000 people respectively on the other hand, Gurugram surpasses both the cities with 2.5 hospitals for every 10, 000 people. Mumbai had 13 of the total 24 wards severely affected with more than 50 cases per 10,000 people. In Gurugram, the North and East zones averaged 55 cases per sq km while in Bengaluru 4 zones of the total 8 zones recorded more than 200 cases per sq km. The Covid-suitability index for each city suggests that across all cities, suitability increased as people moved away from the city centres and older parts of the city towards more peripheral locations.

    Contrary to the common notion, the report suggests that Mumbai has the highest open area ratio amongst the three cities at nearly 45%. Mumbai was the most densely populated with nearly 60,000 people/sq km while Gurugram had the lowest population density at approximately 4200 people/sq km.

    “The Suitability Index is an attempt to bring many non-transaction elements to the forefront that can have an impact while making a home buying decision. The ‘new normal’ is here to stay and the idea is to look at factors other than proximity to work or affordability that impacts the choice of residence,” said Anand Moorthy, Business Head – Data Intelligence & Asset Management Services – Square Yards.

    Not only these cities are the top real estate destinations in the country, but they are also among the top cities to be severely hit by the pandemic. This is where the relevance of a Suitability Index kicks in. The need for one’s own ‘home’ has gained an all-new dimension since 2020 due to the changes brought about by the pandemic. The study is an attempt at making the home-buying process in the Covid era slightly more pragmatic.
    It highlights certain meaningful factors that today’s end users need to acknowledge while deciding to buy the right home in a pandemic like situation.

    IS INDIA PREPARED FOR A POTENTIAL THIRD WAVE?

    Things India needs to do to negate the possible effects of COVID-19 Third wave

    India has recorded 26 million Covid-19 cases  which is second only to the US. The second wave of COVID-19  has overwhelmed the healthcare system with hospitals struggling to bear the pressure of oxygen shortage and treatment drugs. Experts believe the wave is getting diminished at the national level. However, people are more awry this time for a potential third wave of COVID-19 virus.

    The most important factor that will play the role whether or not India is getting hit by a third wave, is the rate of vaccination. Apart from this, let us look at other factors which can be instrumental to curb the effects of a third wave.

    1. Expansion of testing facilities

    Timely testing and isolation of COVID-19 patients is the key. Now-a-days, people who are feeling symptomatic to COVID-19 are not testing themselves due to the distance of testing facilities. Free testing for COVID-19( especially for the poor) can be beneficial as well.

    2.  Poor needs to be encouraged to seek medical advice

    It is a tendency which has been observed that seeking medical advice from doctors is proportional to the economic background of the people. Most of the patients won’t go and seek any medical advice from doctors or pharmacists thinking that would incur charges as well. Lack of health facilities in proximity and affordability are much bigger reasons for not seeking medical advice among the poor than the rich.  The fact that COVID-19 starts with a common symptoms of fever, cough and cold they think it can be managed well by self-medication rather than visiting a doctor after travelling a lot.

    3. Financial burden on the patients and their family

    There are many patients whose families are unable to pay the debt or the fees of the hospital with regard to the bed, facilities and treatment. According to the survey done by NSO it is estimated that 81% of hospitalization cases (excluding childbirth cases), the expenditure was met by family income or savings. 11% of such cases were financed with borrowing, 3.5% of these were met with contributions from friends and relatives and 0.4% required sale of physical assets.

    4. Cover of  Health Insurance

    According to the survey conducted by NSO, it is estimated that over three-fourth of hospitalization cases in India involved individuals who were not covered by a health expenditure insurance or scheme . Access to health insurance is correlated to incomes, and the share of hospitalization cases not covered by any kind of insurance increases from 68% among the richest 20% to 85.5% among the poorest 20%. Even in cases where health insurance existed, it did not cover the cost of the entire treatment. NSO survey shows that on an average, health insurance paid for only 10.2% of the medical expenditure and 9.1% of total expenditure (which includes cost of transporting patient as well as the cost of food, lodging, transport, etc.for the household) in cases which required hospitalization.

    All you need to know about Copa America 2021

    Copa America 2021 is all set to begin on Monday early morning IST where Brazil and Venezuela are scheduled to kick off at Mane Garrincha stadium in Brazil.

    Copa America 2020 was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic and recently, Brazil got the nod to host the Copa America 2021. But Brazil have reported approximately more than 17.3 million cases of COVID-19 which includes at least 486,000 deaths, the second-highest number in the world.

    Why Brazil is hosting Copa America 2021?

    Earlier Colombia and Argentina were scheduled to host Copa America 2020 which got postponed due to Corona virus pandemic.  Argentina was not given the nod this year due to increased rising cases of COVID-19 in the country while Colombia was rejected to host the tournament following the protests against President Ivan Duque.

    What is up with the national side?

    It seems Brazil as a team is not happy with the decision of Copa America being played in their country. However, they hesitantly agreed to participate in the tournament despite concerns over the late decision to host the tournament in their home country.

    Brazilian players on social media  published a message saying they are “unsatisfied” with South American football’s governing body, CONMEBOL, which decided to move the tournament to Brazil. They didn’t wanted this tournament to become a result of political debate although.

    How is the public responding to the tournament ?

    A poll was set based on 1000 interviews which was conducted between June 7 to June 10. The poll showed nearly two-third of Brazilian population opposed the country hosting the event amidst rising cases of COVID-19 in Brazil.

    How many players tested COVID-19 positive ?

    Eight Venezuelans and three Bolivian players has been tested positive even before the tournament  started. Venezuela which is playing their first match on Sunday has called for 15 other players in their squad to enhance their bench strength. Along with those eight players, three of their coaching staff are also infected with COVID-19 virus.

    Bolivia is playing their first match against Paraguay on Monday.

    In response to the rising cases, South American soccer body CONMEBOL issued a statement which stated “the matches will be played as scheduled”.

    How many teams are participating in Copa America 2021?

    Earlier, the tournament was scheduled to play with 12 nations with Qatar and Australia coming in as guest nations. However, both of the teams pulled off from the tournament due to their prior commitments in the World Cup qualifier.

    As of now, only 10 teams are participating in the tournament.

    Group A: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
    Group B: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay

    What is the tournament format?

    After completion of the round matches, the top four teams of each group will qualify for the quarter finals.

    Dates to remember

    Copa America 2021 is starting from June 14 as early as 2:30 am IST. The knockout phase will be starting from July 3 and the finals will be played on 11th of July.

    Where you can watch Copa America 2021?

    Copa America 2021 will be telecast live on Sony TEN 2, Sony TEN 2 HD, Sony SIX and Sony SIX HD TV channels in India. Live streaming of Copa America 2021 in India will be available on SonyLIV and Jio TV respectively.

    Now Black Fungus can be diagnosed early with a newly launched “DUTCH KIT”

    The efficacy of the Dutch Kit is quite similar like RTPCR for COVID-19, explains Dr. K Bhujang Shetty.

    Black fungus or mucormycosis is a fatal condition which is seen recently in most of the patients who are recovered from COVID-19.  Due to increase in number of patients affected by the deadly fungus, there is a severe shortage of  Amphotericin B (the drug which is required for it’s treatement).

    A doctor examines a COVID-19 patient for Black Fungus infection

    Due to it’s recent advent in the market, people are unaware of it’s symptoms and when they are diagnosed with Black fungus, most of the damage is being done. Hence, to prevent that to happen Narayana Nethralaya’s Chairman, Dr. K Bhujang Shetty and his team have come up with a rapid solution for mucormycosis which they call it as the ‘Dutch Kit’.

    According to Dr. Shetty, the efficacy of the Dutch kit is quite similar with RTPCR test of COVID-19.  “We are seeing lot of patients who gets panic and rush to the hospital even if they have a slight nose block. As such there is no rapid tool which can diagnose mucormycosis. Presently what we have is, it takes minimum 10 days to confirm. Since the fungi needs to be cultured in  lab before knowing the exact group. So we brought in this Dutch kit. As the name indicates, it is imported from The Netherlands. The kit as a whole efficiently detects fungal infection in 24 to 48 hours. All we need is the patient’s blood sample and lesion if possible. There are 5 main varieties of mucormycosis and it can be detected and differentiated easily through this method. And the accuracy is 100%” explains Dr. K Bhujang Shetty.

    Narayana Nethralaya has already tested the Dutch Kit in approximately 25 people who were doubtful of the fungal infection. Several hospitals are looking  for this kit, which can provide results quickly, with good efficacy and saves time as well. It has come as a big relief for people as they can check themselves whenever they are in doubt of the fungal infection after paying Rs- 7000 for the kit.

    Mucormycosis if left untreated or diagnosied at a later stage can prove fatal. Some patients are also getting panicked by the mere thought of Black fungus and that stress is leading to further complications. Recently, a patient named Usha Rani  got a severe headache one week after she tested negative for COVID-19. Being diabetic, she stressed about her symptoms and a mere fact that has been infected by COVID-19 earlier, she feared for Black fungus disease.

    “Black fungus was the first thought that crossed my mind. I panicked and rushed to the hospital. Even if it was not a black fungus, I wanted to hear it from the doctor. They mentioned about this imported kit and I immediately went for it. After waiting for 24 hours or so the hospital called and said I tested negative for fungal infection. I can’t explain the relief I felt at that moment. And surprisingly my headache vanished soon after. Looks like the thought of another infection pushed me into stress resulting in headache”, says a much relieved Usha Rani.

    India needs to play with five bowler startegy in WTC Final feels Virender Sehwag

    Indian cricket team on 18th June are set to play the historic test match of all time. After all it is the inaugural World Test Championship final faceoff between India and New Zealand.

    Indian team have already named their squad for the finals and currently they are practicing in England ahead of the final match. Team India has got the perfect balance in all the departments mixed with experience and it seems all good so far.

    But Virat Kohli’s men still have lot to work on the team combination before they meet the Blackcaps in Southampton. The pace bowling department of Indian team comprised of some skillful and experienced players with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Siraj  accompanied by two world class spinners – R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. So it’s going to be a headache for Virat Kohli and Indian management to pick the final eleven before the Test match.

    Whereas, former India cricket opener Virendra Sehwag  feels India needs to play both Jadeja and Ashwin in the final as the team needs to play to its potential. He feels India should go with 5 bowlers strategy with 3 pacers and 2 spinners as it will also strengthen their lower middle order batting.

    “I don’t have any idea about how the wicket would look like on June 18th but one thing I have always believed is that you need to play to your strengths. If India can play with five specialist bowlers that will be great thing because I still believe that two spinners will come into effect on fourth and fifth day. The rough which will be created because of the foot marks, that can be utilized when two spinners are bowling in tandem to generate turn from the pitch,” Sehwag told PTI in an interview.

    “Two spinners will be good for India because both Ashwin and Jadeja are capable all-rounders. That also adds depth to your batting. You don’t need a sixth batsman with both of them around.”

    He further added, the contest between two IPL mates – Rohit Sharma and Trent Boult would be mouth watering and it will further spice up the finale in Southampton.

    Sehwag who himself was a swash-buckling opener in his hey-days, is more eager to watch Rohit Sharma and he feels, according to Rohit’s technique and style he surely would be successful in this summer not only against the blackcaps but also against the England team in the test match series.

    “Boult vs Rohit Sharma will be a contest that I would be looking forward to. If Rohit gets set and see off Boult’s opening spell, it will be a treat to watch,” feels Virender  Sehwag .

    He also warns the Indian batsmen against the New Zealand pacers – Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner. All of them are accustomed to the English conditions and it will be a great contest between their bowlers and the Indian batsmen.

    We don’t know what strategy Virat Kohli is going to apply in the historic finale but we can surely say, it is going to be one of the greatest Test match of all time.

    Why Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin is not getting approval in highly regulated countries

    India made COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin manufactured by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research  is been used extensively in most of the countries. However, the regulatory body of USA, USFDA has still not given the approval of usage of Covaxin on their citizens. It is believed that their regulatory body wants further clarification on the clinical trials conducted for Covaxin by Bharat Biotech.

    What is the reason behind USFDA’s unapproval?

    USFDA has asked Bharat Biotech to submit the clinical trial data of Covaxin so as to get the vaccine approval in United States. But after the submission of partial data of clinical trials of Covaxin, the regulatory body of USA rejected the approval and has asked Ocugen( Hyderabad based pharma company which is also Bharat Biotech’s US partner) to submit the additional trial data. Covaxin is therefore rejected for emergency use due to lack of scientific data according to US regulators. However,  if they get the complete trial data from Bharat Biotech they can file a Biologics License Application(BLA) seeking a full approval instead.

    Recently, USFDA has revised their guidelines for emergency use authorization and stated that they won’t be entertaining further requests. After all this, Occugen remains hopeful for a good news.

    Bharat Biotech’s delay to share Phase- 3 clinical trial data

    Bharat Biotech has not yet shared the clinical trial data of phase 3 trials and are expected to share it on next month. Following which, the company will start applying for a full licensure of Covaxin. “Once data from the final analysis of phase III studies are available, Bharat Biotech will apply for full licensure for Covaxin,” Bharat Biotech told the news channels.

    Further they added, they have already taken the data of Phase-4 clinical trials which is the post- marketing surveillance to check the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.

    Hurdles of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin

    COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin manufactured by Bharat Biotech has been facing enormous hurdles in front of them pertaining to it’s approval. The wait of Phase 3 clinical trial data is taking long and that is the reason it is still not being validated by World Health Organization(WHO). Without which they are unable to export their vaccine and make an entry into the Covid 19  passport.   

    Different countries has different regulations and also some of the them have stingent  regulations. Due to which COVID- 19 vaccine manufactured by Bharat Biotech, Covaxin remains unapproved in all those countries without their Phase 3 clinical trial data.  This is the reason why, foreign universities are also not considering students who has been vaccinated with Covaxin. They are considering them as “un-vaccinated” in this regard.

    Now it remains to be seen how soon they can procure the clinical trial data of phase 3 and then they can get the approval from foreign countries for emergency use. Also, the approval from WHO is required to get into the coveted COVID-19 vaccine passport. “We are aware that Bharat Biotech has sought the WHO emergency-use listing for Covaxin. We hope that the process of getting this approval is completed at an early date,” said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi on this issue.