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Haryana police arrested Abhishek Malik for murdering his family

September 5, 2021

A 20-year-old college student Abhishek Malik is arrested by the Haryana Police for the murder of his property dealer father, mother, younger sister, and maternal grandmother at their home in Rohtak on August 27.

Since Abhishek’s sexual orientation got exposed to family, his maternal grandmother was invited to their house to condition the son. There was endless chaos in the family when they came to know Abhishek is gay and he wants to undergo a sex-change operation.

An SIT, comprising a team of police officers — including two DSPs — was formed to crack the case. During the probe, the police accessed footage of the CCTVs installed near the spot. After scanning the footage, the police zeroed in and arrested Abhishek.

Abhishek was in love with a boy, and he wanted money to go for a sex-change operation. His parents and sister were not in favour of this rather they forced him to behave life son of the house. This triggered uncontrollable anger in their son and finally, he killed all the family members one by one.

The boy’s father, Pradeep Malik (45), mother Santosh (40), and grandmother Roshni Devi was found shot dead, while his younger sister Neha (19) was found with gunshot injuries at their home in Rohtak last Friday. Two days after the incident, Neha had succumbed to her injuries during treatment at PGIMS.

A police spokesperson said, “Abhishek was arrested after collecting information regarding his conduct, the tension in the family, and financial reasons.”

Rohtak SP, Rahul Sharma, said, “As per the investigations conducted till now, Abhishek is our main suspect. He does not have any prior criminal record. As of now, it would not be appropriate for me to say if others were involved in the incident as the probe in the case is ongoing.”

Pranam Seth told Afternoon Voice, “I condemn the act of Abhishek but many parents struggle to adjust after learning their child is gay. Whatever happened must be in the rage of anger. I am sure the son must be living in dilemma. A place like Haryana where men mean macho if the family discovers otherwise, they even go for the kill, here happened otherwise.”

Jacky (member of the LGBT community) said, “Parents have the power to protect their kids, their LGBT kids and as well as destroy and disown them. There are all sorts of threatening forces around. When parents are supportive of their LGBT kids those kids have less depression and fewer risk behaviours.”

Navya Singh, a Trans Woman told Afternoon Voice, “In metro cities, parents have adjusted to their LGBT kids, there is huge acceptance but north India it is still a taboo, many such children are killed for honour. In this particular case whatever happened is very cruel and not acceptable. Many parents struggle for years to adjust after learning a child’s sexual orientation, some parents reach to brutality and some parents are subjected to such incidences.”

She further said, “These extreme imbalances need a lot of awareness. Many LGBT communities’ members made their families proud by doing extraordinary in their careers.”

Rohtak family murder – Gay son was forced to ‘un-become’ who he is

Vaidehi Taman

September 5, 2021

From gang rapes to murders it’s a common occurrence in Rohtak. Law and order are just at stake. The city is headlining for all wrong reasons. Recent family murder is shocking.

Rohtak-based property dealer Pradeep, his wife Babli, daughter Tamanna alias Neha and mother-in-law Roshni were brutally murdered by their son Abhishek who is in his 20s. We all need to retrospect from were these young guys are gathering the courage to commit the brutal crimes?

Abhishek, the one son of Pradeep and Babli who was pursuing a cabin-crew course from Delhi was in a homosexual relationship with one of his classmates.

This was unacceptable to Abhishek’s parents who wanted him to discontinue his relationship. On the other hand, Abhishek was adamant about continuing the relationship and wanted to live with his companion.

This is not the first incidence that LGBT children are forced to ‘un-become’ who they are by ‘concerned’ parents, and this won’t be the last.

Although the Supreme Court decriminalized consensually homosexual sex under Section 377 in 2018 and the Indian Psychiatric Society said homosexuality was not a mental disorder, those sentiments have not oozed to most Indian homes. Abhishek alias Monu’s parents nagging and non-acceptance towards his sexual orientation started irritating him. He was in fear of losing his partner too.

His urge was to go for sex transitions, somehow, he demanded money from his parents, but they not only refused but also humiliated him for what he is. Eventually, there was anger, discomfort and disturbance in the family. The only son, that to born in an orthodox family, revealing that he is not comfortable with his body changed many equations in the family.

Abhishek was madly in love; he has the name of his companion tattooed on his chest. Abhishek’s companion had come to Rohtak to meet him before the murders took place. He was staying at a hotel where Abhishek had met him before as well as after the murders.

The murders took place on August 27 and Abhishek was arrested on August 31. Abhishek’s deceased father owned a pistol, which became the murder weapon. After having shot his parents, Abhishek went to meet his friend at the hotel. Then he returned home and acted shocked and devastated on seeing the bodies lying in a pool of blood.

It was 10.30 am on August 27. Like any other day, Abhishek finished breakfast with his family, including his father mother, and maternal grandmother, while his younger sister, Neha (19), slept in her room upstairs of their house. After breakfast, he slipped into his sister’s room, turned on the television and fired a shot at her head from a pistol his father would keep in the TV drawer, unleashing a chain of murders.

After shooting at his sister, the 20-year-old locked her room, went downstairs, and invited his grandmother, Roshni Devi (70), to his room on the pretext of playing the guitar for her. As soon as she entered the room, he shot her in the temple. The bullet penetrated her and struck the opposite wall, killing her instantly. Then he came downstairs and acted as if nothing had happened. Five minutes later, when his mother, Santosh enquired about the septuagenarian, he simply gestured towards the second floor with his hand. He watched as his mother ascended the stairs before following her into the room where Roshni Devi lay dead in a pool of blood. He then drew a revolver and fired at her too.

After locking the door, Abhishek came downstairs where Pradeep, his father and a property dealer, was resting on the charpoy, oblivious of what had happened. Abhishek sat next to him with a cushion on his lap, drew his revolver from beneath him and shot his father thrice in the face.

Abhishek had used his father’s revolver to eliminate his family after they opposed his same-sex relationship and his plan to undergo a gender-change surgery.

Abhishek was arrested on September 2, five days after the incident. His parents loved him a lot and gave him everything he wanted, but that was not all that he wished for himself. The boy had stayed in a hotel before and after executing the crime. Abhishek had informed his maternal uncle, who lives nearby, that door of his house was locked and nobody was answering the bell. The uncle had asked him to break open the door.

Next, he told his maternal uncle that some miscreants had shot at his family members and that he was rushing his sister to PGIMS. Police got suspicious about his role as he was changing his statements continuously. Well! The family is eliminated and the boy has been destroyed his entire life. No one has benefitted from the entire saga. The question that comes here is of acceptance. Neither boy was accepting the fact that his parents want him to believe and his parents were in denial about his sexual orientation. Gradually all this ended with a cruel twist. Who is responsible, just in retrospect.

Any suggestions, comments or disputes with regards to this article send us at feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com

Dharavi housing project Ducked – The redevelopment is to get delayed further

Afternoon Voice

September 3, 2021

The ongoing inconsistency in resolving the eligibility criteria to get a new house has puzzled many residents and disgruntlement between the qualified and unqualified dwellers are already fermenting. The decision by the Maharashtra Government to shift the periphery in the regularization of slums in Mumbai is at a slow phase.

Initially, the pre-1990 slums were legalized. Gradually the date went on extending till 2000. With the ensuing BMC elections, it is assumed that the date could be extended further. Similarly, since 2006, the Dharavi redevelopment has been extended till 2021. There is a constant delay for years.

Initially, it was decided that people who are settled in Dharavi prior to or latest by 1986 and have the required documents to prove their residency, will be eligible to obtain flats under the government’s slum redevelopment plan.

Over the decades, power equations in the state kept shifting hands between the Congress and the BJP alliance combine.

The change of power hardly made any difference to the residents of Dharavi. The only change was in the base year for being considered as a legal tenant in the slum. The base year shifted to 1996 and subsequently to 2000 for being considered a legal tenant. The latest we get to hear is that it might get revised to 2006.

The old residents who have all legal documents, including rent receipts, electricity bill payment papers, valid identity proofs besides Aadhar and PAN cards feel cheated as the state government has failed to provide them relief in the form of proper flats under the redevelopment scheme.

In the recent past BBD chawl, the biggest slim project has almost been inaugurated and the work is in progress, but Dharavi redevelopment is in turmoil.

Mumbai Vs Slumbai

Vaidehi Taman

September 3, 2021

I have been born in Mumbai, I have seen this city changing structure and also seen slums growing and getting reformed. We call those huge slums slumbai. Slumbai surrounds half of Mumbai. This city is divided into two parts with 65 Lakh slum dwellers in the economic capital. There are many movies and documentaries illustrating the truth of the city called Mumbai.

Slumdog Millionaire, movie gave new charm to the slums of Mumbai. Overnight foreign tourists started flooding the city to visit slums. Dharavi is a slum and administrative ward, over parts of Sion, Bandra, Kurla and Kalina suburbs of Mumbai, India. It is sandwiched between Mahim in the west and Sion in the east and spreads over an area of 175 hectares, or 0.67 square miles (1.7 km2).

In 1986, the population was estimated at 530,225 but modern Dharavi has a population of between 600,000 and over 1 million people. Dharavi is one of the largest slums in the world. It used to be the largest slum in Mumbai at one time, but as of 2011, there are four slums in Mumbai larger than Dharavi.

There have been many plans since 1997 to redevelop Dharavi like the former slums of Hong Kong such as Tai Hang. In 2004, the cost of redevelopment was estimated to be 5,000 crores. Companies from around the world have bid to redevelop Dharavi, including Lehman Brothers, Dubai’s Limitless and Singapore’s CapitaLand Ltd. In 2010, it is estimated to cost 15,000 crores to redevelop.

The latest urban redevelopment plan proposed for the Dharavi area, The plan involves the construction of 30,000,000 square feet (2,800,000 m2) of housing, schools, parks and roads to serve the 57,000 families residing in the area, along with 40,000,000 square feet (3,700,000 m2) of residential and commercial space for sale.

There has been significant local opposition to the plans, largely because existing residents are due to receive only 225 square feet (20.9 m2) of land each. Furthermore, only those families who lived in the area before 2000 are slated for resettlement. But this slum Dharavi has severe problems with public health, due to the scarcity of toilet facilities, due in turn to the fact that most housing and 90% of the commercial units in Dharavi are illegal.

As of November 2006, there was only one toilet per 1,440 residents in Dharavi. Mahim Creek, a local river, is widely used by local residents for urination and defecation, leading to the spread of contagious diseases. The area also suffers from problems with inadequate drinking water supply.

In most large cities, the floor space index (FSI) varies from 5 to 15 in the Central Business District (CBD) to about 0.5, or below, in the suburbs. In Mumbai the permitted FSI is uniform and in 1991 was fixed at 1.33. The regulations that restrict the FSI greatly reduce the floor space available for residences and businesses.

Inexpensive Mumbai, Dharavi provides a cheap alternative where rents were as low as US$4 per month in 2006.Dharavi exports goods around the world. The total turnover is estimated to be between US$500 million and over US$650 million per year. Dharavi is situated between Mumbai’s two main suburban railway lines, the Western and Central Railways. To its west are Mahim and Bandra, and to the north lies the Mithi River, which empties into the Arabian Sea through the Mahim Creek. To its south and east are Sion and Matunga. Both its location and poor drainage systems make Dharavi particularly vulnerable to floods during the wet season.

The failure of the system in providing due care is not surprising. Is not it the way our system functions? The upper authorities consume their share; the middlemen consume theirs and if the resource reaches the hands of the poor the bigger fishes there eat away the share of the smaller ones.

So first the authorities will have to acknowledge that slum dwellers are there and their population increases at a rate better than the common people population so swift action is required to solve their problems. They must return something to the city that makes them what they are today. The root causes of this issue are three-fold. First is the unmitigated flow of population to this premier city, second is the lack of affordable housing for the poor and the third and most important reason why the SRA could not succeed is that Maharashtra politics is dominated by builders’ lobby.

In all the major cities of Maharashtra, builders have become politicians and vice versa and this is true across all political parties. However, one may not misconstrue that all slum-dwellers are below-poverty line people. In fact, many of them are quite industrious and economically well off. It is just that land is simply not available in Mumbai and the politician-builder community has grabbed whatever was available. The SRA never was or is the solution. What is needed is the greater spread of the city with a faster and efficient transport system, so that the population can shift and commute faster.

Any suggestions, comments or disputes with regards to this article send us at feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com

Heart attacks at younger age without any signs of warning

Vaidehi Taman

September 2, 2021

TV actor Sidharth Shukla died after suffering a massive heart attack at the age of 40. He was brought dead to the hospital and this news has raised questions on early deaths of a heart attack.

Sidharth’s tragic and untimely demise has sent shockwaves throughout India. It’s a worrisome example because he is not a one-off case. Of late, Bengaluru’s cardiologists have recorded an increase in the number of Premature Coronary Artery Disease (PCAD) cases among people in the younger age group.

The PCAD registry, maintained by the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, has disclosed that over the past two years, over 2,400 cases of heart attack have been recorded among patients under the age of 40. Out of these, 1,250 fresh heart attack cases have been reported among patients below 35 years.

For the last several decades, ageing has been established as one of the biggest risk factors for heart attacks, typically affecting men 50+ and women 65+. Now, people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are more often falling victim to these cardiovascular attacks. The change of diet patterns, lack sunlight, and heavy workouts bringing stress to the heart.

Also read: Sidharth Shukla’s death leaves his mother in a tremor

Dietary choices such as exposure and access to ultra-processed food, Weight and obesity, sedentary lifestyle and decreased physical activity are other reasons for heart attacks. This new development is due to the change in lifestyle over the past several decades. There’s been a shift in people’s day-to-day – too much Uber Eats and not enough cardio. Increased screen time has dramatically impacted how much we move as well.

Even jobs are more sedentary and require less physical activity than in past decades. So much, in fact, has shifted over the past several years that some experts aren’t surprised by the fact that heart attacks are climbing in young people.

Heart attacks can happen to anyone – but the risk is especially high when genetics come into play. Primordial and primary prevention is crucial for those with a family history of heart disease. Your hereditary risk of heart disease is defined by having a first-degree male relative (like your father, brother or son) under the age of 55 with a heart attack or stroke history, or a first-degree female relative (like your mother, sister, or daughter) under the age of 65 with a heart attack or stroke history.

When we’re talking about young people having heart attacks, it’s important to adapt the discussion based on risk factors. It is about having an honest conversation and not pushing things off and saying ‘Oh, I’m too young,’ especially if you have symptoms.”

Guidelines recommend that people ages 20 to 39 without hereditary risk have their cardiovascular health assessed every four to six years. For those that have a genetic risk, it’s critical to be engaged in your health and speak with your doctor early.

At the end of the day, it’s important to understand what your risk factors are –high blood pressure, waist circumference, unhealthy BMI – and work to correct them early. We need to set well habits for ourselves and for our children, especially with how childhood obesity will come into play with this.

The dramatic increase of young adults having heart attacks is evidence and for that our lifestyles need to change.

Heart attacks are increasing in young adults under the age of 40 — including those in their 20s and 30s. Knowing what’s behind the rise in heart attacks in young adults can help you take steps to protect your health and prevent cardiovascular disease. At Cardio Metabolic Institute, we specialize in assessing your risk and developing a long-range plan to help you beat the statistics and prevent a heart attack. Not long ago, heart attacks were primarily a problem faced by older adults. It was rare for anyone younger than 40 to have a heart attack. Now 1 in 5 heart attack patients is younger than 40 years of age.

Having a heart attack in your 20s or early 30s is more common. Between the years 2000-2016, the heart attack rate increased by 2% every year in this young age group. Young adults are increasingly diagnosed with hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the biggest risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, just like the trend in heart attacks, the incidence of hypertension is rising faster in young adults than in older adults. High blood pressure makes your heart muscles thicken, harms your blood vessels, and increases your risk of a heart attack.

Your heart rate tightens your blood vessels and raises your blood pressure, all of which are associated with heart attacks.

Many heart attacks are preventable because you can change your risk factors by making lifestyle changes and taking medications if needed to protect your health. You can get all the support you need to prevent a heart attack if you keep your health check at a regular interval.

Any suggestions, comments or disputes with regards to this article send us at feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com

Sidharth Shukla’s death leaves his mother in a tremor

Afternoon Voice

September 2, 2021

Mumbai police this morning reached Sidharth Shukla’s house to understand the series of events before his death. He was taking some BP medicines.

BMC’s health department team has reached Cooper Hospital and is speaking to Cooper Hospital Dean. The sources also said that he was too much under the pressure of work. He was working on multiple projects.

Actor Sidharth Shukla was 40, he allegedly suffered a heart attack and was brought dead to Cooper hospital, according to hospital officials. His mother and two sisters survive him. This news came as a shock for his fans as the actor recently appeared on reality shows like Bigg Boss OTT and Dance Deewane 3 with rumoured girlfriend Shehnaaz Gill.

While speaking to Afternoon Voice Shehnaaz Gill went inconsolable, she said, “I am yet to believe that he is no more”. She broke down without speaking further.

Siddharth, the winner of Bigg Boss 13 was a popular face of showbiz and has been a part of the film Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. The actor’s last screen outing was Ekta Kapoor’s popular show ‘Broken But Beautiful 3’ in which he played the role of Agastya.

MP and Actor Ravi Kishan said, “Very shocking news! A man who was self-respected and who was climbing success step by step. He was getting so much love from Big Boss, always adorable and fighter for rights very bad news at so young age. This is the sorrow of millions of fans around the globe. He was a health-conscious guy who was caring and protective. I am in grief. May God bless him bliss!”

“An upcoming name, a popular name and a self-made talented actor. This is my personal loss that I lost a warm greeter and ever-cheerful friend. Why a heart attack at such a small age? How is it that this Fitness pro artist suddenly has a cardiac arrest? I don’t feel this is natural this should be studied. But the loss is huge,” said comedian Sunil Pal.

Sidharth Shukla’s other TV credits included Dil Se Dil Tak and Love U Zindagi. The actor won Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 7 and participated in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6. He also had a supporting role in Shashank Khaitan’s Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, co-starring Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan.

Born on 12 December 1980 in Mumbai to Ashok Shukla and Rita Shukla, Sidharth’s family has roots in Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh. He completed his schooling at St. Xavier’s High School, Fort and later graduated in Interior designing from Rachana Sansad School of Interior Design.

Former Rajya Sabha MP, senior journalist Chandan Mitra passes away at 65

Web Team

September 2, 2021

Former Rajya Sabha MP and senior journalist Chandan Mitra, 65 passed away on Wednesday night in Delhi.

His son Kushan Mitra confirmed the death on Thursday morning. “Since it is already out there; Dad passed away late last night. He had been suffering for a while,” he tweeted.

Mitra, who was nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha from August 2003 to 2009, had resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on July 18, 2018. He then joined the All-India Trinamool Congress.

In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Shri Chandan Mitra Ji will be remembered for his intellect and insights. He distinguished himself in the world of media as well as politics. Anguished by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”

Shri Chandan Mitra Ji will be remembered for his intellect and insights. He distinguished himself in the world of media as well as politics. Anguished by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 2, 2021

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was sad to hear about Mitra’s death. Mitra was a commentator on life and society. “His death is a great loss for the world of journalism,” Banerjee said in a message.

Saddened by the demise of Shri Chandan Mitra.

He will be remembered for his contribution to the world of journalism and politics. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) September 2, 2021

BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta expressed his condolences for his close friend. “I lost my closest friend–editor of Pioneer & former MP Chandan Mitra–this morning. We were together as students of La Martiniere & went on to St Stephen’s & Oxford. We joined journalism at the same time & shared the excitement of Ayodhya & the saffron wave,” Dasgupta tweeted. “I am posting a photograph of Chandan Mitra and me together during a school trip in 1972. Be happy my dear friend wherever you are. Om Shanti,” he added.

I am posting a photograph of Chandan Mitra and me together during a school trip in 1972. Be happy my dear friend wherever you are. Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/58vMvU6Wa9

— Swapan Dasgupta (@swapan55) September 2, 2021

COVID-19: The threat of a third wave continues to loom

Vaidehi Taman

September 1, 2021

Recently the COVID-19 restrictions in the city were relaxed after the COVID-19 caseload weakened. People who have taken both doses of vaccine were allowed to travel in local trains or visit public places.

However, now BMC has warned that cases are again on the rise. “COVID-19 positivity rate in Mumbai is close to 1%. Figures are rising from 300 to 400-450 cases.

Suresh Kakani, Additional Commissioner, BMC while talking to Afternoon Voice said, “The Covid tests are increased again by opening numerous centres. Those who are fully vaccinated and essential service workers are allowed on local trains and public transports.”

However, after a short breather, the threat of a third wave continues to loom. Experts have said that the impact of the third wave will be more on children. The figures confirm this. Meanwhile, there is news that about 40 children have been found coronavirus positive in a week in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has already made preparations for admission, management, and treatment of new Covid patients. They are geared up to deal with the third wave of Corona infection.

Amey Ghole Ex-President Medical Committee BMC said, “The Government Norms and Decisions should be respected. There should be no politics in this issue. Nobody is discouraging the festivals the only thing is some rules and regulations should be followed.”

MCGM Medical committee President Rajul Patel said, “Our Administrative officers are coordinating with the 4 Deans in an organized way. The Hospitals are updating the medical control rooms of the Municipality, State Health Department and Shivsena Arogya Kaksha. Our leader Aditya Thackerey has arranged 3 lac vaccines from the Reliance Manpower section. That too they are Cowaxin. We are fully equipped for the preventive measures of the Third wave. Our marketing cell is campaigning alertness on health issues. Thousands of institutes are working with us and providing service to the city.”

Minesh Pimpale, Municipal Solid Waste Management Dy. Chief Engineer said, “The work is been processed professionally. The Execution of Duties to the employees and workers is done like a mission briefing. The transport and projection servicemen are working audaciously.”

Dr Padmaja Keskar the Ex-Executive Health officer said, “According to me beds are given to all the clinics and dispensaries. The paediatrics have given more space for relatives. The Corporation has kept some wards vacant for maternal and gynaecology departments. We have adequate vaccine doses to immunize.”

“The second wave prepared for us to face the third wave. We are prepared with jumbo facilities of Bed and ICU”, said Dr Pradeep Appaji Jadhav, Medical Superintendent Bhabha Hospital Bandra.

During the first COVID-19 wave in Mumbai, 5.6% of the total patients were children and below 19 years of age. At present, this rate has almost doubled i.e., 10.8% of children and youth are infected in Mumbai. On June 13 the virus affected children and youth.

According to the census, 29% of the population of Mumbai belongs to the age group below 19 years and this time, the coronavirus is spreading rapidly in this age group. While the pressure of unlocking and the fear of the third wave of coronavirus in the festive season is bothering everyone. From 21 to 28 August, the virus in Mumbai has hit 247 children and teenagers below 19 years. Of these, 65 children are less than 9 years of age. At the same time, in the first 20 days of August, 8,041 cases of coronavirus infection were reported, out of which 508 i.e., 9.2% were children.

The third wave of COVID-19 infection in the country is inevitable

Vaidehi Taman

September 1, 2021

Many researchers have stated that the third wave of COVID-19 infection is likely to hit the country by October this year. Maharashtra government is all set and geared up to tackle the third wave but this time people of the country need to show more maturity.

As many as 40 healthcare specialists from around the world recently took part in a survey with regard to the influx of the deadly third wave of COVID. They noted that the third wave should be better managed than previous outbreaks, considering the increase in the pace of vaccinations in India.

Vaccination remains the core weapon against the virus and increasing the gap between the two doses of the vaccine may not be a bad approach to provide more people with protection, but this task is the main challenge. A new wave can usually take up to three months to spread. There needs to be an aggressive surveillance strategy at COVID hotspots and lockdowns in case of any significant surge.

This phase three is inevitable, given the higher levels of circulating virus but it is not clear on what time scale this phase three will occur. We should prepare for new waves. India battled the second wave of the Covid-19 successfully. Several countries have already witnessed the fourth wave of Covid-19. The Supreme Court praised especially Maharashtra model and the state really battled it well.

Most of the medical think tanks predicted that in the winter, sometime in the end of November or early December (this year) there are chances of spread. Ensuring that all the vulnerable are vaccinated before the festive season of Diwali is important to save as many lives.

There are various influences that the third wave could ride on. Depends on several things in the period from now till December – The proportion of vaccinated people, prevention of super spreader events and all types of crowds, and how early we can detect newer variants and limit them to local areas

Professor M Vidyasagar, the government’s mathematical modelling expert, said, “Even though in the second wave, a fairly large number of people could have been infected, there are also those that remain untested, people who are generally asymptomatic and infected. These are the people who are going to remain immune for at least 6 months. However, they will begin to lose immunity towards that period. So, that is when we need to have our vaccination program well-underway, as even if they begin to lose their immunity, they should not remain susceptible to catch the virus.”

Currently, many variants of COVID are active in India and these variants are spreading the infection in different states and regions. The most dangerous of these is the Double Mutant virus, which scientists have named B.1.617 and this variant is made in India only.

So far, the UK variant of COVID, Brazil variant, South Africa variant and America has also got a variant in the country. Many more variants of the virus have been identified in different states. In this, the variant which is most discussed is the Andhra Pradesh variant. However, this variant is still limited in a few areas.

The study done by doctors says that these variants are currently creating new strains of the virus, due to which the virus can attack people by taking many forms. And due to so many variants, the third wave of COVID can come into the country.

The thing to understand here is that when the first wave of COVID came, the virus would kill the lungs in 10 days. In the second wave, this time period reduced from 5 to 7 days. And it is being said that in the third wave, it can be even 2 to 3 days.

Some studies have predicted that in the first wave, the virus attacked the elderly, in the second wave it is affecting the youth more and in the third wave, it can be dangerous for children.

According to a study, children under the age of 18 currently account for 30 per cent of the total population of India. And so far, no vaccine has been introduced for children under 18.

In this study, it has been estimated that if children above 18 years of age get vaccinated, then the virus will attack kids fewer than 18. And it can also cause serious harm to children aged 6 to 12 years. There is any third wave or no wave, what we need are care and precaution. We the citizens should take responsibility for following the norms and protect everyone.

Any suggestions, comments or disputes with regards to this article send us at feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com

Govt earned Rs 23 lakh crores from ‘Gas Diesel Petrol’: Rahul slams Centre says ‘new economic vision’ needed

Web Team

September 1, 2021

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday coined a new acronym for GDP as “Gas Diesel Petrol” and said the Centre has till date earned Rs 23 lakh crore from the hike in fuel prices, suggesting that it is imperative for the government to bring out a ‘new economic vision’.

Attacking the central government over the hike in fuel prices, Rahul Gandhi said, “The Prime Minister says the GDP is rising. Then I realised what does he meant by GDP. Gas diesel petrol. In 2014, Narendra Modi ji had said that the prices of petrol and diesel are rising. In 2014, Rs 410 was the price of the cylinder, when the UPA left office. Today it is Rs 885, a rise of 116 per cent. Petrol was Rs 71.5/litre in 2014, today it’s Rs 101/litre, a rise of 42 per cent. Diesel was priced at Rs 57/litre in 2014, it’s Rs 88/litre today.”

Addressing a press conference here today, he further said, “The Centre has earned Rs 23 lakh crores from the GDP, not Gross Domestic Product but Gas Diesel Petrol. Now my question to the government is, where did they spend this Rs 23 lakh crores? The public should ask the government that where is the money which the Centre is snatching away from them going?”

Questioning the government on the continuous fuel price rise in the country amid falling prices of gas and crude oil in the international market, the Congress leader further accused the Central government of “selling the country’s assets”.

“One could argue on this that the rise in prices of crude oil in the international market may be the cause of rising prices of petrol and diesel. But interestingly, when the UPA was in power in 2014, crude oil in the international market was priced at Rs 105 per litre, today it is Rs 71. It was 32 per cent more in 2014. In 2014, the international price of gas was Rs 880, today it is Rs 653, which is 26 per cent less. So, in the international market, the prices of gas and crude oil are declining, and on the contrary, they are sharply increasing in India. On the other hand, the country’s assets are being sold,” said the Congress leader.

Terming Centre’s economic policies “hollow”, the Congress leader said, “The economic policy that we were following from 1990 till 2012 stopped working in 2012. We were of the opinion that a new vision was needed, a new approach was needed. Narendra Modiji had promised that he will come up with a new approach. But this is not a new approach, instead, it is a hollow one. He introduced ‘Make in India’, is anything being made in India? He introduced demonetisation; did it benefit anybody?”

“People need to understand that a new vision is needed. In the 1990s, there was a catastrophic failure and after that, Congress gave a new vision to the country. The Prime Minister and the Finance Minister should talk to the experts and if not, we can send them experts who can explain what needs to be done for economic recovery,” suggested Rahul Gandhi while taking a dig at the Centre.

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