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Was Covid-19 created in a laboratory? Shocking truth about the lab leaks

The Covid-19 pandemic which shook the world is still being fought in many countries despite 2 years of battle. There have been numerous speculations regarding the origin of the virus. It was claimed that it originated in Wuhan, China after humans contracted the virus from bats. But many theories state otherwise. Some say that it was man-made to regulate population, a medical-mafia induced virus to make money from it. The motives aside, a recent proof that it is actually not natural was submitted and has taken the world by storm since then.

A 22-page research paper

A 22-page research paper authored by British Professor Angus Dalgleish and Norwegian scientist Dr.Birger Sørensen has recently surfaced and it is to be published in the Quarterly Review of Biophysics Discovery, as per Daily Mail. The authors claim that they have evidence that Covid-19 is actually man made but that their research was intentionally ignored by academics and journals.

Covid-19 a result of a ‘Gain of function’ experiment?

The authors say that Covid-19 was created by Chinese scientists in a Wuhan lab when they were working on a ‘Gain of function’ project. A gain-of-function research works by tweaking a virus in order to increase the the degree of transfer of the virus in humans. This research is usually conducted in order to know about future diseases and to prepare accordingly. It has to be conducted in extremely safe environments, otherwise may lead to deadly outbreaks. It has been banned in many countries including the US.

The research paper cites that Covid-19 was a result of the alteration of a naturally occurring, not so deadly corona virus found in Chinese cave bats. They say that this virus found in bats was grafted a new spike, turning it into the deadly Covid-19, highly transferable among humans.

The author Dr.Birger Sørensen said that on the spikes were four amino acids with a positive charge. As we know, given 2 positive charges repel each other, it is very much unlikely that four such charges were found in the virus. Naturally, a maximum of only 3 such charges can be found in viruses. So the inclusion of the 4th charge makes it easier to cling to humans and thus making it highly contagious. More details.

 

Corona virus structure
The spikes in corona virus
Lab leaks

With the virus engineered in Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in China, it is said that it may have leaked due to lowered security in the labs, thus spreading to the public. This justifies Wuhan to be ground zero. Once it was evident that the virus was leaked, the Chinese scientist tries to cover their tracks by retro-engineering it, to make it look as if it evolved naturally from bats. There are unique fingerprints found in the virus which make it even harder to believe that it occurred naturally.

It is also stated that some researchers were admitted in hospitals around October, a month before China reported its first Covid-19 positive.

While it is certainly believed that Covid-19 has no credible natural ancestor, the claims of the research paper are yet to be authenticated. The only thing we can do right now is to no step out of our homes and stay calm during this crisis, hoping for better times. Be home, be safe. Vaccinate yourself.

Gujarat Chief Minister reviews progress of Nation’s largest aquatic gallery

Country’s largest aquatic gallery which is being set up in Ahmedabad will soon become a reality. Gujarat chief Minister Vijay Rupani today reviewed the progress of the nation’s largest aquatic gallery which is being developed at Ahmedabad science city. Mr Rupani said the aquatic gallery is being constructed with an outlay of Rs. 250 crore which will attract global science enthusiasts.

He said it will develop  curiosity towards  science in children and youth. On the occasion, Mr. Rupani also announced that science centers will be set up in all the districts in the state to satisfy  hunger for science among the children. He also reviewed the progress of the nature park and robotic gallery being  developed at Ahmedabad science city.

Centre allocates Rs. 5,117 crore grant to Madhya Pradesh under Jal Jeevan Mission

Central Government has allocated Rs. 5,117 crore grant to Madhya Pradesh under Jal Jeevan Mission to provide safe and potable piped drinking water to all the rural household in the state.

Jal Shakti Ministry said, keeping in view the commitment of the state to make provision of tap water supply in every rural home by 2023, the first tranche of more than Rs. 1,184 crore have been released.

Madhya Pradesh has one crore 23 lakh rural households, out of which more than 31 per cent have tap water supply at their homes.

The state is planning to provide 22 lakhs more tap water connections by March next year.

Jal Jeevan Mission was announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15th August, 2019, which aims to provide tap water connection to every rural household of the country by 2024.

The total budget for the Mission in 2021-22 is Rs. 50 thousand crore.

UP Govt cancels Class 10th Board exam; reschedules Class 12th Exam

Due to COVID pandemic, Uttar Pradesh Government has cancelled the Class 10th Examination of State Education Board.

Exam of Class 12th has also been rescheduled and it will not take place in the month of July and the exam pattern will also be changed.

AIR correspondent reports, Education Minister Dr Dinesh Sharma made the announcement and said that due to COVID pandemic the exam of Class 10th of UP Board stands cancelled.

The decision will affect around 30 lakh students of state. He said that the Education Department has been asked to prepare the guidelines for the promotion of Class 10th students to Class eleventh.

Dr Sharma said that because of the importance of exams of Class 12th and the future of intermediate students of the UP board, it has been decided that the exam will take place in the second week of July.

The detailed time table of examination will be shared soon and the whole examination will be conducted in a time span of 15 working days.

He said that keeping in mind the present circumstances the duration of  exams of Class 12th will be of one and half hour only and students have to answer only three questions out of 10.

He said, that keeping in mind the COVID protocol and the importance of social distancing the number of centres for examinations have also been increased.

Around 26 lakh students are scheduled to appear in the intermediate exam of UP board.

Madhya Pradesh to start unlock from 1st June

The unlock process in Madhya Pradesh is beginning from June 1st. For this, the state government has issued a guideline. According to the state government, there will be separate unlock guidelines for the districts with more than 5 percent infection and less than 5 percent infection in the state.

Indore, Bhopal, Sagar and Morena districts of the state have more than 5 percent infection, so there are chemists, ration shops, grocery, fruit-vegetable, dairy, flour mill and animal feed in the urban areas of these districts Shops will not open more than 25 percent. These shops will be open only till 6 pm. At the same time, 50 percent shops will be opened in urban areas with less than five percent positivity rate.

A maximum of 10 people will be allowed to be present at the funeral. The wedding program will be able to have a maximum of 20 people from both sides. Social, political, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious events, shopping malls, swimming pools, theatres and picnic spots will be closed all over the state at present.

COVID vaccine trials in children in country going to begin soon: Govt

COVID vaccine is crucial in the fight against the Corona virus disease.

The liberalised and accelerated Phase-3 strategy of COVID-19 vaccination drive has already been started in the country.

Despite the government’s efforts to vaccinate all the beneficiaries in a fastest manner, some misinformation about vaccination is also there in some sections of the society.

One of the misconceptions is that the Centre is not taking steps to vaccinate children.

The Union Government has termed this as false.

AIR correspondent reports, the Union Government has said that no country in the world is administering COVID vaccine doses to children under the age of 12 years.

Also, the World Health Organization has no recommendation to vaccinate children.

However, there have been studies about the safety of vaccines in children which is encouraging.

The Centre has said, trials in children in India are also going to begin soon.

Recently, Bharat Biotech’s COVID vaccine Covaxin has been granted permission to conduct Phase-2 and 3 trials for the age group of two to 18 years.

The Expert Panel of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization had recommended the conduct of trials.

The Government has stressed that the decision to vaccinate children is to be made by the scientists based on the results of the trials.

PM expresses gratitude to Corona warriors; says country will emerge victorious as it did in 1st wave of COVID-19

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed gratitude to Corona warriors who played a major role in the fight against the second wave of COVID. He said delivering medical oxygen to remote parts of the country was indeed a huge task. Addressing the nation in his Mann Ki Baat programme in All India Radio, the Prime Minister said people have witnessed how India’s doctors, nurses and frontline warriors have toiled day and night without bothering about themselves to tackle the second wave.

He said the nation’s resolve has always been stronger than any challenge it may face. Mr Modi said in the midst of this pandemic, India is moving forward with the resolve of ‘service and cooperation’. He urged everyone to follow social distancing, and wear masks and get themselves vaccinated. The Prime Minister said demand for oxygen surged all of a sudden when the second wave came. Many plants manufacturing industrial oxygen are located in the eastern parts of the county.

He said cryogenic tanker drivers, Oxygen Express and Air Force pilots  worked on a war footing to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Mr Modi spoke to Dinesh Upadhyay from Jaunpur of Uttar Pradesh who recounted his experience driving a tanker for liquid oxygen. The Prime Minister said a tanker driver comes across as a godsent messenger when he reaches a hospital with oxygen.

He lauded the Indian railways for facilitating transport of oxygen. Oxygen Express have transported large quantities of oxygen to all corners of the country, faster than oxygen tankers travelling by road. He said it is a matter of pride that one oxygen express is being fully run by women. He spoke to Shirisha Gajni, a loco pilot of Oxygen Express. Mr Modi also highlighted the important role being played by the Navy , Air Force, Army and institutions like DRDO. He said countrymen are keen to understand how they are facilitating the transport of oxygen. He spoke to Group Captain Patnaik from the Air Force on this issue.

WHY READING FICTION IS GOOD FOR YOU?

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.”
 – Charles William Elliot

I’m certain that many of you will acknowledge what Charles William Elliot said. No one can deny the degree of power that books hold within itself and what lasting prints it leaves on us.
People usually pick up non-fiction books relating to- self-help, business, health, the lifestyle which are undoubtedly great to widen one’s horizons of knowledge. But fictions, on the other hand, are in a way an untapped reservoir of knowledge, wisdom, understanding, emotions, and countless other things.

If one wishes to develop an exceptional personality then he/she must inculcate the act of reading fiction. These are the most robust way of exercising your brain muscles and being more creative apart from developing a sense of understanding.

Reading fiction is like living many hundreds of life and experiencing all the heat and rain of it.

Ernest Hemingway said, “All good books have one thing in common — they are truer than if they had really happened, and after you’ve read one of them you will feel that all that happened, happened to you and then it belongs to you forever: the happiness and unhappiness, good and evil, ecstasy and sorrow, the food, wine, beds, people, and the weather.”
And only a fiction reader can relate to what Hemingway has said. While reading fiction the protagonist’s life gets affixed with the readers and whatever happens to him is experienced by the reader within himself and this is how the not-the-real story becomes an experience for the reader and it carries this experience throughout his life.

READING FICTION MAKES YOU MORE CREATIVE-


According to research conducted at the University of Toronto, it was found out that the students who read fiction experienced less need for “cognitive closure” (the human desire to eliminate ambiguity and arrive at definite conclusions ) than non-fiction readers.
Reading fiction novels makes the brain active and enables the reader to broaden his creativity and think of a situation or a thing from many different ways and angles.

FICTION HELPS UNDERSTAND OTHERS PERSPECTIVE-


You must have sensed while reading a fiction book a connection between you and the character. You see the situation through the character’s view and not from yours. That is where you blend yourself with the character and understand his perspectives, the way he opines, his actions, his arguments, and his justifications.

A good fiction runs deep in the dominion of psychology and philosophy. You start to accept and justify the other person’s viewpoint.

READING FICTION GIVES YOU WISDOM AND EXPERIENCE-


Many different books have many different stories. Each time you pick a book you are transported back to a completely different time and space. That is the power of reading fiction books.

You experience tragedies, happy endings, downfall, success, and whatnot. And while these experiences, you widen the realm of your wisdom. You clearly see the distinction between true and untrue, good and evil.
“You can never be wise unless you love reading”, says Samuel Johnson, an 18th CE English writer.

For instance, while reading a history academic textbook you just gulp down the fact and dates. But when you read historical fiction you walk down that path, experience the time and surrounding. And after you have put down your book you feel as if you are back in your time with a bagful of experiences and long-lasting impact.
“A good book is an event in my life.” is what Stendhal, a 19th-century French writer feels about reading.

FICTION HELPS YOU UNDERSTAND THE BIGGER PICTURE-


Fiction in its narration exhibits the bigger picture in a minuscule and detailed manner. It familiarises the readers with the ground situation and gives them a wholesome experience.

In the book “The Thousand Splendid Suns”, Khaled Hosseini portrays the life journey of a young girl to becoming an old woman in Afghanistan from the time of Soviet invasion to the reign of Taliban to post-Taliban rebuilding.
Through this deep-moving chronicle, the author teaches its reader about the life of common Afghanistani during the time, the hardships she goes through, and a beautiful, gripping description of her feelings and emotions.

Hosseini, through his book, tries to make his readers experience while sitting on their couch the turns and turmoils in the protagonist’s life and learn from the story the life morals, values, and virtues to hold on to.

All in all reading fiction gives you ‘EXPERIENCE’ of many lives and thus helps you in your overall personality.

Why was Myanmar under Military coupe ?

 

Myanmar also called ‘The golden land’ a country famous for its Buddhist culture and tradition is located in Southeast Asia. Thousands of Buddhist temples embellish it and the serene white beaches magically ornate the land. It is the 10th largest country in Asia in terms of its area with 54 million people residing, mostly Buddhist but also Muslim Rohingyas. It shares its border with China in the northeast, Thailand in its east and southeast, Bangladesh and India to its northwest, and Andaman sea and Bay of Bengal to its south and southwest.   

 

History-

Myanmar also called Burma became a territory in the 19th century after it lost 3 Anglo-Burmese wars. It gained independence from Britain in 1948 and was rules by armed forces under the Burma socialist programme party from 1962 to 2011. Due to increasing pressure from the western countries Myanmar’s military regime decided to transition the country towards partial democracy from 2010. Although Myanmar became democratic but the army still continued its authority and control over the territory. 

In 2015 Aung San Suu Kyi’s party National league for democracy formed the first elected government by winning majority and ushered in a booming transition towards full democracy. 

 

Military coup- 

 

On 1st February 2021 Aung San Suu Kyi and her anointed president Myint, was arrested by the military and detained under house arrest. The Burmese army general Min Aung Hlaing accused the party of voting fraud in the parliamentary elections of 2020 and imposed a state of national emergency for 1 year. The election commission reported that no record of fraud was found. 

 

Reasons cited for the military coup include the constitutional amendments which the democratically elected government Aung San Suu Kyi was about to make in the coming term abolishing the power and control of military rule in Burma. Just after the military rule was imposed the general commented that he was on people’s side would form a ‘true and disciplined democracy’. It would hold a free and fair election once the state of emergency was over. 

 

People’s reaction-

 

People of Myanmar have taken the streets and raised their voice demanding the reversal of military coup. But the military seemed hesitant on backing down, making the overall situation violent and deadly. 

The military put restrictions on people’s gatherings. It used water cannons, rubber bullets, live use of fire and opened fires on more than 40 places to suppress the people revolting against them. It took control of country’s infrastructure, suspended domestic and international flights, stock market and commercial banks were also closed.  More than 400 people have dies due to this absurd violence. 

 

Global response- 

 

 United stated of Americas has imposed sanctions on Myanmar and also prohibited access to $1bn of government funds to military coup. China’s foreign ministry spokesperson said “ China is a friendly neighbor of Myanmar’s. We hope that all sides in Myanmar can appropriately handle their differences under the constitution and legal framework and safeguard political and social stability “ United Kingdom also spoke against the coup and asked the army to release Aung San Suu Kyi and the president. It also issued orders stating the British residents their to come back to UK unless and until they have an important task in Myanmar. India being an immediate neighbor of Myanmar and a democratic country is supporting the democratic government. India should share its experiences in dealing with constitutionalism and federalism with Myanmar and support it in all aspects.

 

WANT TO KNOW ABOUT MORTGAGE?

Blockchain Mortgages Could Help The Impending Recession

MORTGAGE : According to Section 58 (a) of the Transfer Of The Property Act,1882, a ‘mortgage‘ is the transfer of an interest in specific immovable property for the purpose of securing the following :

  • the payment of money advanced or to be advanced by way of loan,
  • an existing of future debt, or
  • the performance of an engagement which may give rise to a pecuniary liability.

In simple words, mortgage means taking of loan in place of some security (immovable property).

PARTIES OF MORTGAGE : Two parties are involved here which are as follows :

Lender Meaning

  • The person who transfers an interest is called the mortgagor.
  • The person in whose favor the interest in property is being transferred is known as the mortgagee.

INSTRUMENT : 

  • The instrument by which the transfer is effected is known as the mortgage deed.

What Is a Mortgage Lien? - FindLaw

MORTGAGE-MONEY :

  • The principal money and interest of which payment is secured for the time being is called the ‘mortgaged-money’.

ELEMENTS OF MORTGAGE :

  1. Transfer of an interest
  2. Specific immovable property
  3. Consideration of mortgage

6 TYPES OF MORTGAGES : What are the Different Types of Mortgages in India?

SIMPLE MORTGAGE : 

It is a kind of mortgage where the mortgagor binds himself to repay the mortgage-money. No possession of the property is transferred in case of Simple Mortgage. It should be done by registered deed. The mortgagee can exercise his right to make the sale of that specific immovable property by the intervention of the court.

MORTGAGE BY CONDITIONAL SALE : 

It is a kind of mortgage where the mortgagor ostensibly sales his property on conditions :

  • on the repayment of such loan taken, the sale become void and the property will be retransferred by the mortgagee in the favor of the mortgagor,
  • in case of failure of payment of mortgage-money on certain time, the ostensible sale will become absolute.

In case of mortgage by conditional sale, the mortgagee has the right of foreclosure.

USUFRUCTUARY MORTAGAGE :

Usufructuary Mortgage is such a kind of mortgage where the possession of the property is being transferred in favor of the mortgagee so that the mortgage-debt or interest can be satisfied out of the rents or profits of that property. In such kind of mortgage, the mortgagee can neither have a right of sale nor of foreclosure.

MORTGAGE BY DEPOSIT OF TITLE DEEDS :

It is popularly called an ‘equitable mortgage’. It is a kind of mortgage where there is a delivery to the mortgagee, documents of title to immovable property with intent to create a security thereon. It requires neither a registration nor an attestation.

ENGLISH MORTGAGE :

An English Mortgage is a transaction in which the mortgagor binds himself to repay the mortgage-money on a certain date and transfers the mortgaged property absolutely to the mortgagee but subject to the condition that he will retransfer it to the mortgagor upon payment of the debt.

ANOMALOUS MORTGAGE :

In such a mortgage, the possession may or may not be delivered. A mortgage which is not a simple mortgage, a mortgage by conditional sale, an usufructuary mortgage, an English mortgage or a mortgage by deposit of title deeds within the meaning of section 58 is called an anomalous mortgage.

RIGHTS OF THE MORTGAGOR AND MORTGAGEE 

Mortgagee vs Mortgagor | 8 Best Differences To Learn (With Infographics)

RIGHTS OF THE MORTGAGOR :

  1. Right to redeem the mortgage.
  2. Right to inspection and production of documents relevant to the mortgage transaction.
  3. Right to redeem the mortgage separately or simultaneously.
  4. Right to appropriate accessions, if any, to the mortgaged property.
  5. Right to appropriate improvements, if any, to the mortgaged property.
  6. Right to renewal of lease where the mortgaged property is leasehold.
  7. Right to effect lease of the mortgaged property.

RIGHTS OF THE MORTGAGEE :

  1. Rights to foreclosure or sale of the mortgaged property in default of non-payment of debt.
  2. Right to sue mortgagor for the recovery of mortgage-money.
  3. Right to exercise power of sale if given under the mortgage-deed.
  4. Right to get a receiver appointed.
  5. Right to accession to mortgaged-property.
  6. Right to have the benefit of renewed lease if mortgaged property is leased out.
  7. Right to spend money in preserving the property, defending mortgagor’s title or in renewal of lease if the property is in possession.
  8. Right to receive proceeds of revenue sale of the mortgaged property.

DUTIES OF THE MORTGAGOR AND MORTGAGEE

Procedure of Transfer of Immovable Property

DUTIES OF THE MORTGAGOR :

  1. Liability to guarantee his title in the mortgaged property.
  2. Liability to defend his title in the mortgaged property.
  3. Liability to make payments of public.
  4. Liability to pay rents if the mortgaged property is leased hold and mortgagee is a lessee.
  5. Liability to discharge prior encumbrances on the mortgaged property.

DUTIES OF THE MORTGAGEE :

  1. Liability to manage the property with ordinary prudence.
  2. Liability to collect rents and profits with due diligence.
  3. Liability to pay the government dues in case there is no contract to the contrary.
  4. Liability to spend money for necessary repairs in the mortgaged property.
  5. Liability not to commit waste on the mortgaged property.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US promises to help India in Covid Fight

‘Will never forget the help given to us by India’ says US promising help to India in its Covid fight: Indan minister of external affairs S Jaishankar who was in his official trip to US became the first cabinet minister to visit it since Joe Biden was appointed as US president i.e January 20th. On Saturday external affairs minister gave an statement related to expand production of vaccines in India with assistance from the United States. He gave this statement after lot of discussion with some officials of US regarding Covid pandemic and vaccines.

“The primary focus of the visit obviously was on the relationship with the new administration. It is a very important relationship. Also, to engage with the senior cabinet members here,” said the external affairs minister while revealing reason of his visit to Indian reporters after concluding successfully most of his engagements. The minister further added “There was also of course the COVID-19 context because of the vaccine partnership between India and the US, and also Quad-based discussions on vaccines. That was also one of the important subjects. In fact, in many ways, I would say the most important subject of my discussion,”.

Over the last two days Jaishankar met many officials and cabinet ministers of US. He met Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, US Trade Representatives Katherine Tai and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and some others. Jaishankar had some wide ranging talk with his counterpart from US i.e Anthony Blinken. He discussed many important issues with him and expressed his gratitude for Biden administration for it’s strong support and solidarity with India at a moment of great difficulty and for helping India in fighting with this deadly Covid 19 pandemic.

Blinken also expressed his gratitude for the help given to US by India while welcoming Jaishankar to the state department. He said that they will never forget that India was with US in the early days of Covid. He addressed to state department that “Now we want to make sure that we are there for and with India,“.

In the joint media interaction between the two leaders while addressing the reporters, Jaishankar said that “We have a lot of issues to discuss. I think our relations have grown stronger over the years and I’m very confident that it’ll continue to do so. I also want to take the opportunity to express to the Secretary, through him to the administration, (and) to the United States for the strong support and solidarity and at the moment of great difficulty (for us),” .

“We are united in confronting COVID-19 together…We are united in dealing with the challenge posed by climate change and we are partnered together directly through the QUAD and other institutions in the United Nations in dealing with many of the challenges that we face in the region,” Blinken said emphasising on the unity of India and United States in supporting each other and fighting such challenges.

Covid Vaccines: Why you can’t compare 92% efficiency with 81% efficiency

The only way to fight this deadly pandemic is by vaccinating ourselves. People are people’s cure. With so many companies releasing Covid-19 vaccines, people get confused as to which parameter is to be used while comparing them. Most of them start comparing vaccines based on their efficiency. There is a strong reason behind why you shouldn’t do that.

Parameters to consider

covishield,covaxin,sputnik
Covaxin, Covishield, Sputnik V (left to right)

Let us consider the three most used vaccines in India: Sputnik V, Covaxin, Covishield. The efficacy rates of the three are:

  • Sputnik V- 92%
  • Covaxin-81%
  • Covishield-70%

Based on this data, one may conclude that Sputnik V is the best and Covishield the worst. But before reaching this conclusion, let us consider some more important specifications.

Sputnik V vaccine:

Sputnik V is an adenoviral based Russian made vaccine, used against Covid-19. It works by introducing a weakened virus into the body so that they don’t immediately replicate and cause disease. Instead it prepares our immune system so that when the real virus attacks, the severity can be minimum to none. It requires two doses, with a 21 day interval between.

The trials were conducted on volunteers from Russia from June 2020 to Nov 2020 against the original and UK variant Covid-19. 19,000 volunteers from Russia participated in the trial, so trials were not done on Indian people.

Covaxin:

Covaxin was developed by India’s National Institute of Virology (NIV). It works by introducing a dead Covid virus into the body, thus enabling the immune system to develop a response, and this method is often considered safe. It was first trialed on animals, and then proceeded to human trials. It requires two doses, with a 4-6 week interval between.

The trials were conducted on volunteers from India from June 2020 to Jan 2021 against both the original and UK variant virus. Trials were done on a total of 26,000 volunteers.

Covishield:

Covishield was developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. It works by introducing a weakened version of a common cold adenovirus into the body and triggers an immune response. It requires two doses, with a 4-8 week interval between.

The trials were conducted on volunteers from USA from August 2020 to December 2020 against the original virus only. Trials were done on a total of 30,000 volunteers.

As it can be observed, all three vaccine trials were conducted under different time periods, in different countries, on people of different nationalities on different variant viruses. Thus comparing them solely on the efficiency rates alone is not fair.

So which one to choose?

The answer to this question is that all three do their jobs as specified. There is no single ‘perfect’ vaccine. So instead of waiting for a vaccine with higher efficiency rate, try to vaccinate yourself as soon as possible. The goal of a vaccine is not to prevent you from getting Covid-19, but to reduce its severity, thus reducing severe symptoms and death.

Evidently, no vaccinated individual during the trials were hospitalized when they got Covid-19. The intake of medicines prescribed by their doctors, good food and isolation cured them. Hence this is proof that vaccination reduces the severity of the virus. Do not be under the false pretense that once vaccinated, Covid-19 cannot affect you and hence do not roam out. You maybe vaccinated, but other may not be. So do not be the cause of their attack.

This post was written with the intention of debunking the false hope of people that better efficiency rate equals better vaccine. So vaccinate yourself when you get the chance instead of waiting for the perfect vaccine. Be safe and be home. Let us together win this battle and soon return back to normal.

India achieves major milestone in Corona Vaccination; Over 21 Crore doses administered

India has crossed a major landmark in Covid-19 vaccination. More than 21 Crore Cumulative Vaccine Doses have been administered in the country so far. Health Ministry said, vaccination is an integral pillar of the comprehensive strategy of the Government for containment and management of the pandemic, along with Test, Track, Treat and COVID Appropriate Behaviour.

The Ministry said that more than 28 lakh nine thousand beneficiaries were inoculated with Covid-19 vaccine doses yesterday. Out of which more than 25 lakh 11 thousand beneficiaries were vaccinated for 1st dose and around three lakh beneficiaries received 2nd dose of the vaccine. The Ministry said, more than 14 lakh 15 thousand beneficiaries of the age group 18 to 44 years received their first dose of COVID vaccine yesterday and more than nine thousand beneficiaries of the same age group received their second dose of vaccine.

Cumulatively, over one crore 82 lakh persons across 37 States and Union Territories have received their first dose since the start of Phase-3 of the vaccination drive. The Ministry said, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have administered more than 10 lakh beneficiaries of the age group 18-44 years for the first dose of COVID vaccine.

Centre liberalises insurance compensation schemes under ESIC, EPFO

Centre has enhanced and liberalised the insurance compensation schemes under Employees State Insurance Corporation and Employees Provident Fund Organization with a view to mitigate the financial difficulties faced due to death of single earning member in the family. The decision on the relief measures were taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an important meeting held in New Delhi yesterday.

Under the relief measures announced, benefit of ESIC pension scheme for employment related death cases has been extended to even those who have died due to COVID. Dependent family members of such persons will be entitled to the benefit of pension equivalent to 90 per cent of average daily wage drawn by the worker as per the existing norms. This benefit will be available retrospectively with effect from 24th of March of last year and for all such cases till 24th of March next year.

Additionally, the insurance benefits under the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme (EDLI) have been enhanced to seven lakh rupees. The provision of minimum insurance benefit of two lakh 50 thousand rupees has been restored and will also apply retrospectively from 15th of February last year for the next three years. To benefit families of contractual and casual workers, the condition of continuous employment in only one establishment has also been liberalized.

The benefit under the relaxed norms will be made available to families of even those employees who may have changed jobs in the last 12 months preceding their death.

Prime Minister announces financial aid for children orphaned by Covid-19

In a major relief announcement extending much needed support for the children who have lost their parents due to COVID-19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday approved slew of measures under PM-CARES for Children scheme, including free education and an amount of 10 lakh rupees on attaining the age of 23, among others.

The Prime Minister chaired an important meeting to discuss and deliberate on steps which need to be taken to support children who have been orphaned due to COVID-19. Mr. Modi emphasized that children represent the future of the country and the country will do everything possible to support and protect the children so that they develop as strong citizens and have a bright future. He stressed that in such trying times, it is our duty as a society, to care for our children and instill hope for a bright future.

All children who have lost both parents or surviving parent or legal guardian or adoptive parents due to COVID-19 will be supported under PM-CARES for Children scheme.

Under the PM-CARES for Children scheme contribution will be done through the PM CARES Fund till the age of 18 years to create a corpus of 10 lakh rupees for each child orphaned due to COVID-19. The beneficiary will be given a monthly stipend for five years from 18 years of age till he completes 23 years. On attaining the age of 23, the full amount of 10 lakh rupees will be transferred to the beneficiary for his professional or personal use.

Ensuring free education to such Kids, under this scheme, children under 10 years of age will be given admissions in Kendriya Vidyalayas and private schools whereas provision has been made for educating kids between 11 to 18 years of age in residential schools including Sainik Schools and Navodaya Vidyalayas. Expenditure on uniform, text books and notebooks for beneficiary kids will be done through PMCARES Fund. Students going for higher education will also be assisted to get education loans and scholarships.

All children beneficiaries will be enrolled under Ayushman Bharat Scheme with a health insurance cover of five lakh rupees, the premium for which will be paid by the PM CARES Fund.