Due to COVID-19 fear MBBS students are distressed over exams and residing in hostels

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May 16, 2021

muhs, mbbc students, mbbs exams, mbbs students, medical exams, maharashtra, students, covid-19, corona, covid situation, offline exams, online exams, mbbs offline exams — Image for Representative Purpose

It has been more than a year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most educational institutions have determined for online education rather than traditional modes of education to protect their employees and students. But the plight of MBBS students seems to be different. Amid the storming COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued an advisory to all the medical colleges concerning the conduct of MBBS examinations.

Via its recent notifications, the apex medical regulator has advised all medical colleges and universities to adhere to the existing norms to conduct the final MBBS (Part-I & Part-2) Theory and Practical, 2nd MBBS and Supplementary MBBS examinations.

In addition, the NMC has specified the allotment of examiners during the examination timeline. Meanwhile, concerning the practical/ clinical examinations for students appearing during the 2nd MBBS and Supplementary (1st and 2nd) exams, the NMC has directed the medical institutes to conduct the tests in the laboratories with due precautions.

However, for the conduct of practical/clinical examinations for final MBBS (Part-I & Part-2) examinees, the NMC has ordered that if there is a shortage of clinical material, the same may be replaced by case scenarios, simulations, and use of

Appropriate/relevant X-rays, CT scan, ECG, lab reports etc. Earlier, the NMC had issued an advisory to all the medical colleges concerning the conduct of final MBBS examinations.

However, due to frequent postpones in exam dates and uncertainties over medical exams, students are demanding online exams or promotion for the year without any text or assessment. They fear for their safety and wellbeing, whereas, the government is very much reluctant in taking offline exams.

Depression and stress among medical students are on rising, this exam uncertainty developing nervousness disorders in them, with significantly larger rates than the general population, even under normal circumstance. Many medical students typically encounter stressful situations including high workload, many evaluations, assessments, the pressure of the clinical environment, numerous responsibilities, anxiety regarding their grades, long hours of studying, and concerns about their future career.

Imposition of unfamiliar public health measures including social distancing and lockdown, social fear related to COVID-19, closures of universities, fear of being infected by the Coronavirus. Travelling from different states, and staying in hostels with common toilets and mess is a huge concern.

On the contrary, the sleep quality of medical students appears to have deteriorated during the pandemic, with insomnia, difficulties falling asleep and frequent awakening during the night is commonly described.

Decreased appetite was also reported in many MBBS students. It is not only about their exams, studies but more about future opportunities. Student’s emotional well-being is of critical importance here.

The majority of the students felt that they were wasting their study potential due to the pandemic and long closures. The pandemic had affected their personal wellbeing and was worried about being exposed to COVID-19 during their clinical pieces of training.

COVID-19 has caused an extraordinary commotion to the medical education process and healthcare systems worldwide. The highly contagious nature of the virus has made it difficult to continue lectures, as usual, thus influencing the medical education process, which is based on lectures and patient-based education.

The COVID-19 pandemic puts people at risk of developing life-threatening conditions, presenting substantial challenges for medical education, as instructors must deliver lectures safely, while also ensuring the integrity and continuity of the medical education process. These challenges have resulted in limited patient care due to the focus on COVID-19 patients, which restricts the availability of bedside teaching opportunities for medical students.

Other challenges include a fear that medical students may contract the virus during their training and may transmit it to the community. Additionally, students are required to stay at home and abide by social distancing guidelines. Therefore, we must develop a medical education curriculum that provides students with opportunities for continuous learning, while also avoiding delays due to the pandemic.

However, educators must plan to continue to provide medical education and patient care during the pandemic, and these services should be conducted in accordance with ethical frameworks that are based on beneficence and the professional virtues of courage and self-sacrifice. Virtual clinical experience was another method to the suspension of clinical practices. This would permit medical students to play the role of a healthcare professional by interviewing patients, working with attendants to plan treatments, helping with paperwork, and counselling patients about their illness and prognosis.

Significantly Indian medical students do not have these privileges and they are somehow struggling to appear for exams, the uncertainty of dates and unstoppable pandemic situations have taken to toll, it’s high time that the education minister should come up with extraordinary solutions and find solutions.

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

Medical college students are panic over offline exams; demand full proof safety during exams

By

Vaidehi Taman

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May 16, 2021

Medical students, mush, students, exams, amit Deshmukh, University medical, mush students, covid-19, coronavirus, offline exams — Medical college students are panic over offline exams; demand full proof safety during exams 13

Maharashtra reported 34,848 new COVID-19 cases and 960 deaths, while the total number of active cases reported are 4,94,032 and progressive deaths are 80,512. The state government has geared up to tackle the third wave of the COVID-19 and launched strengthening of health infrastructure and medical facilities.

Looking at the safety of students Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) has postponed the winter 2020 examination four times till now, from January 1st week to February 3rd week to March-end and April end this year and now for 2nd of June 2021. There is a frequent postponement that has petted the medical students.

Alisha Shaikh a medical student said, “We do not want further postponement as the exams have already been postponed multiple times and we’re already lagging, but at the same time, there is a lot of fear and panic over offline exams considering the current scenario. We’re very much alarmed about our health. Unless the concerned authorities have a foolproof plan for the safety of students, there is no point in appearing for offline exams. Wearing masks and social distancing norms can be followed to an extent in the exam hall, but in the hostels, circumstances would be totally different. It’s hazardous to keep social distancing norms at hostels when more than 1 student from diverse locations including common mess, bathrooms get occupied. The majority of the medical students hasn’t been vaccinated yet.”

Looking at the severity of the Pandemic and where the black fungus is damaging COVID patients, one thing is clear, conducting offline exams by postponing the dates can never be a solution.

Maharashtra Health University exams, which were slated for June 2 are expected to be postponed as the state government has extended lockdown restrictions till 7 am on June 1. The Medical Education Minister Amit Deshmukh indicated this on Saturday after an online meeting with the department officers and the Health University’s acting Vice-Chancellor Dr Nitin Karmalkar.

Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan stated that the “health and wellbeing of students is of paramount importance over exams.”

“In this grave situation where every major university took the exams online or got the students promoted, our university is still sticking up to the rules of pre-pandemic times as if nothing has happened. Being in Delhi with such a strict lockdown, I’d be unable to travel to Maharashtra. These are the concerns that the university doesn’t even address. Online exams or promotion is what we need for our safety,” said a medical student Saurav Yadav.

Another student Aditya Thorat said, “Our points are clear, promotion or online exams. We just need to convince them that NMC should change guidelines for the pandemic period and should not give preference to offline exams over students’ lives.”

“The current scenario is the worst. Maharashtra has the highest number of patients to date and in this drastic situation taking offline exams is inviting another spike. So offline exams are not an option and universities should opt for other methods like online exams. We are not against exams but against giving offline exams in such a dreadful situation,” said Atharva Shinde.

“Amidst pandemic, not only physical health but also mental health is at stake. Going back to our college, travelling hundreds of miles and risking our health is very unfair & we are not even vaccinated yet! We demand online exams for the same. NMC should take student-friendly call & make necessary changes in guidelines for the same,” stated Ayush Bang.

Krishna Zanwar said, “Already we are dealing with the second wave of this pandemic and as we all know the third wave is on its way and by taking offline exams University is risking our life. Many students and their families are still suffering from this. Travelling in lockdown is not feasible. So, we request to take the online exam or promote based on internal assessment.”

“15% of students are belonging to other states like me from Rajasthan, Delhi, UP, WB, etc. Due to strict lockdown in states, it is not possible for us to reach the nearest transport facilities and not everyone could afford private transport. There’s a high chance of catching infection during more than 24 hrs of the journey. Student safety can’t be ignored at such pandemic time for just that university can’t update its mode of examination,” said Sachchidanand Vashishth.

Shubhadeep Turkane said, “During such time of crisis where the death rate is reaching its height, parents are afraid to let their children out risking their lives for sake of examination, many students being comorbid can attract serious complications if they get infected during the examination, considering such high risks NMC should consider an option of taking online exams for the mental and physical well-being of future doctors.”

“The 3rd wave is going to hit us soon and a lot of lives are at stake, so we humbly request the authorities to look at other options. Can’t exceptional decisions be made in exceptional circumstances?” says Rajwardhan Korpe.

“In this situation, where lives are already at stake, I feel our system should be upgraded and online options should be implemented for exams, nothing is important and greater than our lives. Let’s risk our lives for saving patients not for giving exams,” said Aditya Gite.

So far 3660 students are tested COVID positive and still the count is rising and 5736 active cases are in their family members and many of them are hospitalized, some are even in critical conditions.

As of now most of the students are at their residences and need to travel to reach their respective colleges which is impossible due to major lockdown in many districts and states from where the students belong.

There is a possibility that these students can get infected in course of the journey to their respective colleges as most of the students going to travel by public transport and can spread the virus at examination centres, where almost 500 students will be appearing for the exams in each centre. The biggest worry is that more than 75% of students are yet to be vaccinated.

Students from other states find it very difficult to get transportation to travel. Some are under strict lockdown and can’t even reach the nearest railway stations. Most of the students are from middle-class backgrounds and affording a private vehicle is not possible. If they somehow get access then there’s a high chance of infection during the journey. The state is under lockdown till 1st June. This might cause trouble in accessing intrastate transport to the college.

Medical Education Minister Amit Deshmukh admitted that the examinations of various courses of the Health Universities earlier decided to be held on 2nd June. “However, given the present coronavirus pandemic situation and the imposition of strict restrictions up to June 1, the University has been asked to do fresh planning and revise the schedule and submit the proposal for the government for approval,” he said.

Postgraduate – Summer -2021 exam of Medical students was scheduled for June 24. However, they have already been postponed. So far, the minister has said we are not sure about online exams or promoting the students without examination.

Minister also told Afternoon Voice, “We would be taking every precaution towards the safety of medical students before announcing the exam dates. Changing the MUHS norms is not feasible at this moment.”

Mumbai local trains will run only for essential services

By

Afternoon Voice

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May 14, 2021

local trains, mumbai local train, essential workers, local train, lockdown, mumbai lockdown, coronavirus, covid-19 — Mumbai Local Train | Image: ANI

The guidelines by the state government say that the Mumbai local trains will run only for crucial services at the moment and with the new verges. Only government personnel and those in emergency services would be allowed to use suburban trains, metro, and mono services in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. People are using cars and private vehicles to travel across the city and state due to which evening hour traffic is uncontrollable.

People flung all the guidelines and rules and somehow manage travel in local trains due to negligence of authorities. On the other hand, Ola, Uber and other private rides are overbooked and they occupy the roads. Despite lockdown, nothing is stalled as it used to be a few months back.

As the Maharashtra government extended the full lockdown in the state till June 1, the limitations that are already in place on Mumbai Local Trains will continue as before. On the other hand, doctors, nurses, paramedics, lab technicians, and clinical staff – will be issued travel passes based on their credentials.

As per the new directives, Mumbai suburban trains will not permit regular commuters. At the cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, all ministers belonging to Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress supported the need to extend the lockdown.

The state also made it mandatory for any person entering the state by any mode of transport to carry a COVID-19 negative report which is issued within 48 hours before his/her arrival. The government has directed the local Disaster Management Authorities to keep tight vigils over rural markets and APMCs to ensure covid appropriate behaviour.

The Maharashtra government told the Bombay High Court that only frontline health workers and state government staff are currently allowed to use the services of suburban trains, the monorail, and metro trains amid the deadly second wave of COVID-19.

The reply on Mumbai local trains from the state government came when the Bombay HC bench was hearing a plea filed by the Cooperative Banks Employees Union (CBEU) seeking permission to travel to work by local trains, metro, and monorail services in the city.

Mumbai local trains do not have doors but temperaments

By

Vaidehi Taman

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May 14, 2021

mumbai local, train, lockdown, covid-19, coronavirus, mumbai local during lockdown, essential workers, essential services, lockdown in mumbai — Image: Getty Images

Mumbai locals may not have doors but entering or exit is impossible during peak hours. But still, people have a lot of compassion for their group of regular travellers, they pull and push fellow passengers if it is tough. The direction of entry/exit has to be kept in mind. That is towards south Mumbai in peak hours and towards north Mumbai, during evening hours it is next to impossible.

Whether it is first class or second class or whether it is General or ladies class make no difference. The only exception is Ladies specials which are only one or two in a day, but after all this, one of the best things about Mumbai local is its systematic sitting culture during Peak Hours. The people travelling during peak hours (6 am-9 am) are regular commuters and they board the same local every day from their respective stations.

Now the local trains’ seats are structured such that there is a sequence of two opposite facing seats on both sides inside the local. This sequence is placed between every two doors of a boogie. This is for those who have not yet travelled on a local train, if you can’t picture, have a look at his image. Getting accustomed to this mode of travel will consume some time and effort.

I like travelling in Mumbai locals because it’s the easiest and the fastest way to reach Mumbai city or Mumbai suburbs by escaping all the tedious and hectic traffic. It’s very much punctual and people run on the local’s timings. You meet interesting characters in the local. If you have an art of winning people then those travellers become your lifetime friends.

There is hardly a case when these Locals get close down even though Mumbai is ‘bandh’. But this is the first time that the trains were closed for months during the pandemic. Some people went into depression because they were missing their local train life, is it sort of an emotional outlet for many. Mumbai is considered to be the largest local network in India. With the help of it, you can reach anywhere in Mumbai.

Even though these locals have received terror attacks like bomb explosions and gun firing, these locals were running perfectly on time the next day with the same number of people travelling in it. Mumbai Locals have been serving Mumbaikars since its first journey and to the last till the coming years. Sudden stoppage of Local trains is heart-wrenching.

The only transport system in the entire country which runs from morning 4 am to 2.30 am in the night. Comparatively cheaper mode of transport than rest. A local train ticket from Churchgate to Virar single way costs around 20rs for a distance of more than 60 kms. A monthly pass costs you around 315 rupees to and far. Three different lines with interconnecting stations make travelling anywhere in the city a possibility.

Both slow and fast trains with few important stops makes the journey easier in terms of time saved. It brings people closer literally, you can find food vendors outside major railways stations late in the night. Midnight cravings anybody, that generous amount of ventilation. Pole Vaulting for all the future gymnasts and stuntmen. The science of adjustment, where four or five people sit comfortably (or not) in a seat for 3 people. If you have heard the bhajan toli (Bhajan Singers) endlessly singing from Churchgate to Virar in the evening. The art of getting through at Dadar or Bandra in an evening Virar Fast Local makes our body much stronger.

As soon as the locals arrived, people gushed out of it as if the honeycomb was disturbed by throwing a stone on it and the angry bees were spouting out rapidly. The train was already packed due to the delay. Somehow, one manages to climb up. Everyone on the platform starts entering rapidly inside the train.

However, the train started and a man was left outside the train while still holding the bar. He got stuck in such a position that neither he could leave the train nor could he board the train. The train was rapidly gaining its speed in a full tide. A man behind grabs him by his shoulders tightly and speaks

“Bhai Sahab, Girne Nahi Dunga” (I won’t let you fall, don’t worry), these words say, we all made space for one another without even a single word. This is the compassion of my Mumbai local that has no doors but always loaded by all means.

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

A big challenge of vaccination in rural areas

By

Lalji Jayswal

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May 14, 2021

vaccination, rural india, covid vaccine, coronavirus — Image: Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

The second wave of Coronavirus has ended in India. Researchers have revealed in different studies that the second wave of coronavirus has proved to be more dangerous than the first, and the third will be more dangerous in compression another wave. But the increase in vaccination work in the country will definitely get relief.

The government hopes that in this phase of vaccination, 30 crore people will be vaccinated by August. In the first phase, more than one crore health workers and frontline workers have been vaccinated. It is noteworthy that a target has been set to vaccinate 1.3 billion people within two years. This means that if there is a two-dose vaccine, the management of 2.6 billion vaccines means that more than 3 million vaccines will be applied daily. If people who have acquired immunity from the coronavirus are excluded from the vaccine, then the potential figure may be slightly lower. But the biggest question here is, will it be easy to fulfil this goal of two years? Certainly, this two-year marathon is difficult, and the reason for this difficulty is to make vaccination successful in rural and backward areas. It is well known that the lesser the difference in vaccination in rural and urban districts, the more help the states will have to deal with the increasing daily cases. That is, the emphasis should be on vaccination in rural areas as much as in urban areas. In fact, only then the rural areas will be protected from the grip of the Coronavirus.

Last year, the NITI Aayog released a list of the 101 most backward districts, presenting the picture of the country’s backwardness. There is no one reason for the backwardness of these districts, there are many reasons. As they are located in remote areas, road and railway connectivity are poor. These backward districts either often face drought or have to face floods. The population of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Minorities is also high. In such a situation, the challenge increases more in rural and tribal areas. The primary health centres of such areas either have no employees or are few in number. In some places, such centres do not exist. In such a situation, it is necessary to do more than necessary to get the vaccination done in a smooth manner.

According to the World Health Organization, 60 per cent of India’s 2 million health care workers are present in urban areas only. Tell that at present, there are 6,28,221 villages in India and 60 per cent of the country’s population lives in rural areas. This means that the governments will not only have to activate the existing health network, but in a short time, by training millions of new people, its scope will have to increase more and more. About 24 lakh Anganwadi workers engaged in rural health care can be helpful in this. But it is important to note that they will also need to be trained. By the way, his experience is mainly to run vaccination programs for newborns. The question is, will the Anganwadi workers be enough for this work?

It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Health has hoped to get 40-50 crore vaccine doses for about 25 crore people by July 2021. We can also run a crash course for training of temporary health workers or Anganwadi workers in order to fulfil this goal properly. So that trained health workers can be prepared quickly. But vaccine wastage is also becoming a cause for concern in the recent past. The Health Ministry had issued a directive to the states for storage of vaccines that it would be necessary to keep the vaccines between 2-8 degree Celsius temperature. Lack of proper compliance is also causing vaccine waste.

Significantly, the Central Government had said on the previous day that the wastage of vaccine in five states is more than the national average of 6.5 per cent. The five states in which the wastage of vaccine doses in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir is more than the national average of 6.5 per cent. These states will have to think at their level that the vaccines of Kovid-19 are invaluable, it is for the betterment of the health of the people. So, how can it be used in an economical way by preventing its waste? According to the assessment, 17.6 per cent of vaccines have been destroyed in Telangana state and 11.6 per cent in Andhra Pradesh. The main reason for vaccine waste has been arbitrariness, lack of training and apathy. Therefore, the states will have to train health workers and create an effective cold house network in a short time. Apart from this, refrigerated delivery vans will also have to be arranged to deliver the vaccine in remote areas, otherwise, the vaccine will continue in the same way and vaccination in rural areas can be very difficult if the same sequence continues.

As a result, the private sector will also have to come forward in the rural vaccination campaign. But before that, the government will have to make it necessary to take responsibility for the vaccines of its employees and also to incorporate the covitization program in corporate social responsibility. Significantly, if the private sector medical infrastructure is used, India can vaccinate 50 crore people in less than 6 weeks, in which case the increasing concerns of the central and state governments related to vaccination will be reduced to some extent. But vaccination in rural and tribal areas is not so easy. The biggest thing is the challenge of vaccination in Naxalite areas. In the midst of the threat of Corona, Naxalites can carry out such incidents like the robbery of the vaccine. It will be the responsibility of the security agencies to carry the vaccine safely to the centre. There are many Naxalite affected areas in Bastar, where there have been reports of Naxalites coming under the grip of Corona from time to time. During the lockdown, a female Naxalite commander was found in the forest in the Modakpal area of Bijapur district, which was found to be Corona positive. It was learned that Naxalites have not survived from Corona. Therefore, the police administration fears that the Naxalites may rob the Corona vaccine. At all these levels, some such efforts will be required to meet the challenges. In which the first level, to create awareness and confidence in the vaccine among the people there. Recently, religious, community and tribal heads of Chhattisgarh gave their support for the corona vaccination rollout in the state.

Similarly, in other states also, this initiative should be taken by tribal heads, so that trust and appropriate information can be promoted in tribal and backward people. The second level, to get them out of the problem that if they do not have smartphones etc. how and where will they register themselves? If the ordinary citizens have to register themselves online for the vaccine, then problems will certainly arise at the rural level outside the cities and if online registration work is entrusted to ASHA workers and ANM, then problems will also arise because they already have healthcare There is a lot of burdens.

The survey has revealed that only 37 per cent of the villagers have smartphones. In such a big question, if online registration is mandatory, how will the villagers be able to register for the vaccine? In such a situation, it will be necessary that online registration centres should be set up in rural areas. There are already rural service centres in India which is a very large and wide network. If the Indian government takes their cooperation, then it will be better for the villagers along with the government. It can also be appropriate that when the rural people go to a government or private hospital, there is quick registration and vaccination.

If such a facility is available, and rural people are aware of it, then the campaign of vaccination in rural areas will become very easy. Here the role of village head also emerges. The head of each village should take the responsibility that people should stay away from maximum rumors and make the vaccination successful by getting proper information. For this, the village head should prepare a list of the people of his village at his level and should motivate them for vaccination and declare their village corona free. If the village head takes up such a responsibility, then there can be a lot of convenience in the work of the government. At the same time, rural people also get out of vaccine hegemony in vaccination. Public participation should be encouraged, not due to rumors, to show indifference towards vaccination. This corona vaccination is similar to the vaccination, as many vaccinations are taking place in India so don’t panic.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

The carrot and stick policy of government advertisements works wonders on Indian public

By

Vaidehi Taman

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May 13, 2021

bjp, ads spending, advertisement, political ads, elections hoardings, bjp, bharatiya janata party — Hoardings put up for Nasmaste Trump event in Gujarat | Image Courtesy: The Patrika

Indian population is largely emotional in nature because they have yet to develop scientific irritability and analyse things realistically. They support the things which feel good rather than what is truly good for them. Elections are almost a yearly affair in India and the survival of politicians depends on the results that can be produced within a short period of 1-4 years rather than over a long period.

And you can’t produce a visible change in a vast country like India in a short period. For example, every politician blows his own trumpet of making India a developed country (or provide the citizens with the same facilities like education, roads, jobs, healthcare like a developed country) within a few years, if they are voted to power.

However, the difference between the economies of India and a developed country is so huge that it would take several decades to bridge this gap. Hence, even if India keeps developing at 8% per annum, its per capita growth of Income after adjusting around 2% of population growth would be hardly 6%. With this rate, it would take a minimum of 50 years for India to catch up with the USA as it is today. I am sure that in the next 50 years the USA would be much ahead and the gap would be even more then.

Hence, any political leader cannot produce results within a short period and fulfil their promises. When people start asking questions regarding their promises, the best way is to make them emotional so that they can’t think rationally.

All you have to do is to praise some people, build some statues, build some temples, rename some cities, divide the states, and create hatred against some cast, communities or region. Incite riots or allege a particular clan of politicians, you as a politician are sorted for the best future ahead.

The best things about emotion are that it costs you practically nothing and the results are instant. Once emotions are invoked and the feeling of love or hatred is created, people become blind to rational thoughts and follow their leaders like the rats are following the Pied Piper of Hamelin leading to drowning.

To fool people or to cover the flaws, politicians hire agencies to give their image a makeover. Sandeep Goyal, the founder of Mumbai-based communications agency Mogae Media, said the BJP has had well-oiled social media machinery and thought-through strategies in place for the past 6-7 years.

Besides ad spends, they have been able to use platforms like WhatsApp, Signal and telegram which are not paid mediums, to a far greater extent. In 2014, Narendra Modi had a good social media base and it has only strengthened. It won’t be surprising if the gap in advertising spends between the two parties, the BJP and Congress, increases further.

Google enforced its election ads policy for India on February 20. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam was the second-highest spender on Google after BJP at Rs 4 crore. The real spending on digital is not just this. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of people employed for Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. Actual digital-related spending is much larger than media spends.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the single largest spender on political ads on Google, social media giant Facebook and other sister platforms of the companies, spending upwards of Rs 20 crore through its social accounts. Out of the total political ad spends on Google, YouTube and Google’s partner properties of about Rs 27 crore so far, 60% of the ads were paid for by BJP amounting to about Rs 17 crore, a whopping 500% more than the main political party in the opposition, the Indian National Congress, which spent about Rs 2.7 crore.

Both Google and Facebook introduced ads transparency tools in India ahead of general elections to make ads funding public. On Facebook, the BJP spent close to Rs 4 crore from February to May 11, over 200% more than Congress. The Congress party spent about Rs 1.3 crore on Facebook during the same period.

The other day I was driving down from Mumbai to Pune on some personal task. The stretch between Mumbai and Pune on the expressway is relatively free of heavy traffic. All the way I was seeing colours of billboards and flexes change from garish pink to thick yellow hues as I leave Mumbai and enter Pune. This monstrosity that defaces a peaceful city in general self-congratulatory messages lauding their party leadership (Usually but not restricted to the CM) Some even as insane as giant Birthday wishes erected by the chota mota chelas of the party looking for earning some brownie points from their political lordships.

Huge banners to small posters in thousands were on display on each corner, I was thinking there is no facility anywhere amid the COVID pandemic, but posters and image building were in full swing. Smiling faces fitted in “round” circles and or life-size images of chieftains donning colour coordinated party flag clothes ( the colours can be saffron, pink, yellow, khadi white, blue or red etc. smiling patronisingly at you declaring their great achievements in bold fonts.

I have no problem with these so-called ugly displays of showmanship. In fact, it amuses me at their desperate attempts at peddling lies of ‘achievements’ where there were none. And the poor language of the scriptwriters sometimes leads to hilarious moments of mirth and fun. I also don’t have problems with party propaganda where the bills for billboards are footed from the party funds.

The advertisements are print, billboards or TV ads that come from assorted ministries broadcasting their ‘achievements’. So naturally, the bills have to be paid from the Government chest. What is culpable is the impunity with which these political parties in power splurge public money to promote themselves more particularly the party leader who occupies the throne of state or central.

One can imagine what would be the bill on national exchequer when all state governments’ ad bills are also added up. Who gives them this entitlement to abuse public funds?

A large portion of it obviously went into buying allegiance of pliable media to give it a positive spin or conversely threatening adamant publishing houses with stoppage of Government ads thus buying their silence. The carrot and stick policy of government advertisements has worked wonders on Indian media which proved more than willing to bend over backwards for the lure of lucre.

Rs 6 crore for Ajit Pawar’s social image building

By

Afternoon Voice

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May 13, 2021

ajit pawar, dy cm, deputy chief minister, pawar, social media, dgipr, pawar, rs 6 crore, rs 60000000, rs 6 crore for social media — Rs 6 crore for Ajit Pawar’s social image building 19

Amid financial challenges and COVID crises in the state, the Maharashtra government has decided to spend a whopping Rs 6 crore towards the image building and handling the social media accounts of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance and planning portfolios, reportedly many agencies are already hired.

The government of Maharashtra has a full-fledged Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR) with a total staff of nearly 1,200 and an annual budget of Rs 150 crore. The external agency for the promotion of the deputy CM is an additional burden on state finances.

A senior officer at the DGIPR wing told Afternoon Voice under the condition of anonymity, “Actually we made suggestions to the government that they should hire some good writers to write government news reports in Hindi and English too as the government sends reports to the media in Marathi. Many publications skip the news due to a lack of translators. But these ministers believe in hiring agencies by spending enormous money rather than strengthening DGIPR media staff.”

A senior officer told us, “If there is a need, the DGIPR of Maharashtra can provide more money to the agency which is already working for the CMO. It will be ensured that there will be no repetition of messages generated from the CMO and DCM’s office. By the way, the CMO has already appointed an external agency in July 2020 for handling its social media account. Due process of e-tendering was followed while appointed the agency.”

Another official from the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations Government of Maharashtra told Afternoon Voice, “Corers of rupees are spent on the image building of each minister. In 2017, the government under Devendra Fadnavis the DGIPR has empanelled advertising agencies to help publicise the state government’s schemes and policies. The agencies were hired to upload on various social media platforms, creative content or adapt the already available creative. The content included is not limited to banners, videos, infographics, graphics, cartoons, animation.”

Despite so much image building and publicity, Ajit Pawar could not make it to power in the second term. Now also the agency hired by Pawar would upload posts on social media platforms, post blogs and articles related to the government’s campaign, curate topics on related hashtags on digital platforms.

The general administration department of the state broadcast an order signed by under-secretary R N Musale on the modalities for the appointment of an external agency for handling the social media accounts as well as the task of ensuring that decisions taken by Ajit Pawar reach the common people.

As per Musale’s order, the external agency will handle Ajit Pawar’s Twitter handle and accounts on Facebook, Blogger, YouTube, Instagram. Other things to be handled are SoundCloud, WhatsApp bulletin, Telegram channel and SMS.

The external agency will be appointed in consultation with the deputy chief minister’s secretariat and Directorate General of Information and Public Relations.

Experts say transmission of the COVID-19 virus through water is not a concern

By

Afternoon Voice

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May 12, 2021

bodies of covid-19 patients, transmission of the covid-19, gang, ganga and yamuna, cover bodies ganga, covid-19, coronavirus, uttar pradesh, bihar, bodies in ganga — Dead body of COVID-19 patient float on the Ganga in Bihar | Image Courtesy: Twitter

Experts on Wednesday said transmission of coronavirus through water is not a concern after bodies of suspected COVID-19 patients were fished out of the Ganga and Yamuna.

Satish Tare, professor at IIT-Kanpur, said the dumping of dead bodies in the Ganga or its tributaries or sub-tributaries is a serious matter, particularly at a time when the country is grappling with the COVID-19 crisis.

The Ganga and Yamuna are key sources of drinking water for many villages, local bodies along the rivers.

The professor, however, stressed that dumping of bodies will not have a significant effect on coronavirus transmission.

Tare said dumping bodies in the Ganga or its tributaries is not new, but it has come down significantly in the last 10-15 years. Dumping of bodies primarily leads to pollution of rivers, he said.

Even if the bodies of suspected COVID-19 patients were fished out, there is a lot of dilution that happens (during the flow of water). The effect may not be significant, he said.

“If the water is passed for water supply, then it passes through the water supply system. Normal treatment takes care of it, said Tare, who teaches environmental engineering, water quality, and wastewater treatment.

He, however, added that there are patches where people draw water directly from the river. But even during this people do exercise caution.

Tare is also associated with the National Mission for Clean Ganga, the apex body under the Jal Shakti Ministry that deals with the cleaning of Ganga, its tributaries, and sub-tributaries.

On Tuesday, the Bihar government fished out 71 bodies from the Ganges in Buxar district, where these were found floating in the river, triggering suspicion that the abandoned corpses could be those of COVID-19 patients.

According to Ballia residents in Uttar Pradesh, at least 45 bodies were seen floating at the Ujiyar, Kulhadia, and Bharauli ghats in the Narahi area. However, the district authorities did not tell the exact number of bodies found there.

On Monday, residents in the Hamirpur district spotted five bodies floating in the Yamuna, creating a scare that these were of COVID patients. The bodies were later fished out and cremated.

Vaccine paucity: Maharashtra suspends vaccination drive for 18-44 age group; priority to 45-plus age group

By

Afternoon Voice

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May 12, 2021

covid-19, coronavirus, covid, vaccination, 18-44 age group, maharashtra vaccination, vaccine shortage, rajesh tope — Image Courtesy: PTI

Due to the acute shortage of COVID-19 vaccines in Maharashtra, the state government on Wednesday decided to temporarily suspend its drive to vaccinate people in the age group of 18 to 44 and divert the available stock of doses for the above-45 age group, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said.

This decision was taken during the state cabinet meeting.

The minister also revealed that the Serum Institute of India (SII) has informed the Maharashtra government that it would be able to provide 1.5 crore Covishield vaccines to the state only from May 20 onwards.

“There is no sufficient supply of vaccine vials by the Centre for inoculation of above-45 age group people. Hence, the state cabinet decided to divert the stock, purchased for the 18-44 age group, for the above-45 age group. Therefore, we are suspending the inoculation of the 18-44 age group for some period,” Tope said.

While Covishield vaccine is manufactured by Pune-based SII, Covaxin is produced by Bharat Biotech.

“Adar Poonawalla of SII has informed Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray of his ability to supply around 1.5 crore vials of Covishield from May 20 onwards. Once we receive the supply, we will resume the vaccination of 18-44 age group,” the minister said.

On Tuesday, Tope had alleged that the Union government was not fulfilling its responsibility to provide adequate number of vaccine doses to states.

Black Fungus has taken the vision of many COVID patients

By

Vaidehi Taman

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May 12, 2021

black fungus, fungal infection, fungal, covid-19, covid, mucormycosis — Representative Image

Recently a Nalasopara resident, Sanjay Pandey, has lost his vision in the left eye to the fungal infection, mucormycosis also called black fungus, that has been targeting an increasing number of COVID-19 patients. Although Pandey spent around Rs 18 lakh on treatment, delayed diagnoses and treatment led to vision loss. They are now struggling to procure the costly medicines, without which he may suffer a brain haemorrhage.

Pandey’s troubles began 20 days ago with a headache, fever and redness in the eye. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was diagnosed with typhoid and treated for five days. After being discharged, his symptoms persisted, so his family took him to another hospital where he tested positive for COVID-19.

Pandey was then treated for nine days at Vinayaka Hospital in Nalasopara. The swelling near his eye increased and his eyelid started closing. We kept asking the doctors about it but did not get a suitable reply. The family was told that it is because of COVID-19. Later, he lost vision in the left eye. While in most cases mucormycosis has been developing during or after COVID-19 treatment, in Pandey’s case, both diseases came together.

Besides, symptoms depend on where the fungus was growing in the body. If the growth is on the sinus and brain region, symptoms can include one-sided facial swelling, headache, nasal or sinus congestion, fever, and black lesions on the nasal bridge or upper inside of the mouth that can quickly become more severe. It may also lead to eye pain and ultimately result in loss of vision if not treated immediately. If in the lung, symptoms may include fever, cough, chest pain and shortness of breath.

The distress and chaos related to COVID don’t seem to end with many new symptoms related to the virus making headlines on a day-to-day basis. Well, right now the most searched COVID-related symptom is the “black fungus”. Mucormycosis has been reported in many COVID-19 survivors, mainly from Delhi, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

The number of such cases has increased as Gujarat sees an exponential rise in coronavirus infections. At least eight persons were reported to have lost their eyesight in Surat due to mucormycosis (MM) after recovering from COVID-19. They had to be admitted to hospitals for the sudden loss of vision. In the past 15 days, Surat has reported at least 40 cases of mucormycosis or black fungus including eight who have lost their eyesight. Similarly, Maharashtra has 2000 and above cases.

The infection, triggered by COVID-19, is treatable but if left untreated or if the treatment is delayed, the condition can lead to the loss of vision, and in some cases increase mortality. Sadly, there is a shortage of injections to treat black fungus.

The black fungus affects the sinuses or the lungs after inhaling fungal spores from the air. It can also occur on the skin after a cut, burn, or another type of skin injury. It is seen in the form of blackish moulds. People get mucormycosis by coming in contact with the fungal spores in the environment. The fungus causes the disease that has now been linked to the airborne COVID-19 infection.

The infection first came to light during the first ‘wave’ of the pandemic. It was previously known as zygomycosis. The cases of Mucormycosis, affecting some COVID-19 survivors are on the rise in Maharashtra and Gujarat which has left many patient’s blinds.

Meanwhile, considering the growing number of patients with mucormycosis, Surat’s civil hospital has set up a separate facility for their treatment. Whereas the Maharashtra government is using medical colleges as centres of treatment. As per the news reports, as the infection is not categorised as a communicable disease, the state health department does not maintain a public record of the same, unless individually notified by hospitals.