Precious Kashmir

ACS Health directs Bi-directional COVID-TB screening

Front

13/01/2022

Chairs 1st meeting of State TB forum at Civil Secretariat Jammu

Jammu: Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Health & Medical Education (H&ME), Vivek Bharadwaj Wednesday chaired meeting of UT Level TB forum for community engagement interventions and community led TB response in J&K at Civil Secretariat Jammu.

In his opening remarks , ACS said that Community led response for TB is one of the key strategy to reach the unreached and support TB patients throughout their treatment and recovery phase and Community engagement is important for working in a collaborative manner with the communities for eliminating the TB from UT of J&K.

Mission Director, National Health Mission, Yasin M. Choudhary gave detailed presentation regarding status of implementation of National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) in the UT of J&K including preparedness of (TB) Elimination Action Plan for UT of J&K.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Saleem Ur Rehman, Director Health Services, Jammu; Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, Director Health Service, Kashmir; Dr Sameer Matoo, Project Director, J&K SACs; HoDs of Pulmonary Medicine, Community Medicine, GMC Jammu/ Srinagar ; HoD Paediatrics, ASCOMS Jammu; WHO consultants; Representatives from NGOs & other agencies of the TB forum; STO Jammu/Kashmir; State Surveillance Officer Jammu/ Kashmir; Dr Mohd Shafi Koka, State Nodal Officer, NHM, J&K; Dr Om Kumar, Programme Manager & Dr Imtiyaz Shakeel Baba, Assistant Programme Manager from State Health Society, National Health Mission, J&K.

ACS urged upon all Officers and Officials to work diligently to achieve all the Targets & Goals as per National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2017-2025 for Elimination of Tuberculosis from UT of Jammu & Kashmir before Year 2025.

The ACS directed for Bi directional testing of COVID- TB patients, HIV patients and NCD patients. He also directed all the Officers/Officials associated with the TB control Programme to launch a massive door to door awareness campaign among people and health care professionals regarding Tuberculosis by engaging policy makers and programme management units to ensure justice, rights, dignity of TB patients for effective service delivery and to supplement and compliment Govt. initiatives and to enforce TB patient friendly policies and programmes to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with TB patients.

‘Most Omicron cases detected in J&K recovered’

Front

Precious Kashmir

13/01/2022

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: Most of the Omicron cases detected in Jammu and Kashmir have already recovered from the disease.

Jammu and Kashmir has so far reported 13 cases of Omicron but reports of most of them were received when the infected persons had already recovered from the disease.

Top health officials, who wished not to be named, said, that getting the COVID-19 test results hamper our efforts to track the spread of Omicron.

They said that as of now samples of all positive patients are sent for genome sequencing, if their reports would come in day or two, it would have been easy to find contacts of the person in whose sample Omicron variant was detected.

“But we are getting reports of the Omicron after two or three weeks when patients are already recovered from the disease, it then becomes difficult to find contacts of the person found positive for new variant which is highly transmissible,” the officials said.

Experts believe that Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is four times more transmissible than Delta variant of the virus. In addition, it has a potential to infect persons who have recovered from an attack of COVID-19 and who have received one or two doses of the vaccine.

“This virus has a potential to evade immune system of the body, may be due to infection or vaccination. People who have this immunity due to infection or vaccine may be protected only from 30 to 60 percent when compared to Delta variant,” they said, adding that apart from higher transmissibility and evasion of immunity, the Omicron variant has shorter incubation period and infects selectively upper respiratory tract (nose and throat) rather than lungs.

The experts said that most of the persons whose samples were found positive for Omicron had no travel history which means it is in our community so setting up of genome sequencing labs is of utmost importance.

Meanwhile, 13 cases of Omicron have been detected in J-K and among them five were detected in Kashmir which includes three travelers, one pregnant lady and other patient from Shopian.

Among the eight positive cases, three patients were detected in last month who had already recovered when their reports came. The five cases reported on Tuesday include a 40-year-old couple from Channi Himmat, who had returned from Canada on December 24 and were tested for the virus and are admitted in the DRDO hospital, 32-year-old woman from Trikuta Nagar 42-year-old man from Channi and 18-year-old boy from Canal Road. They were sampled randomly on December 21, 22 and 24 respectively.

Officials said that Trikuta Nagar and Channi patients are in home isolation while Canal Road boy has been discharged from DRDO hospital and all are stable. (KNO)

14th Int’l conference on Climate Change: Sheikh Maqbool to present proposal on eco-friendly technologies

City

Precious Kashmir

13/01/2022

14th Int’l conference on Climate Change: Sheikh Maqbool to present proposal on eco-friendly technologies

Srinagar: Noted columnist and environment activist will present the proposal on eco-friendly Technologies at the 14^th International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses, at The University of British Columbia, Robson Square.

The annual conference is an integral component of the Climate Change: Impacts and Responses Research Network. Founded in 2009, the Climate Change: Impacts & Responses Research Network is brought together by a common concern for the science of, and social responses to, climate change.

Sheikh Maqbool said that he was selected on the abstract by the Review committee, and it is great opportunity and he is overwhelmed. Maqbool said he is looking forward to learn new things and share his idea and discuss environment issues with environment researcher.

Female commuters seek revival of ‘ladies bus service’ in city

City

Precious Kashmir

13/01/2022

By: Sajidah Yousuf

Srinagar: In Srinagar city, female commuters seek revival of ‘Ladies Special’ bus service to curb the menace of harassment which they face while boarding the general public buses.

The initiative to overcome the issue was taken by Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) back in April 2016 by launching the bus service for female passengers only on various routes of the city.

However, the female commuters believe that the authorities are ‘least interested in resolving the issue and the initiative of special bus was a mockery’.

One of the female commuters said that womenfolk suffers the most when it comes to travel in public transport which are mostly overcrowded, especially in morning and evening hours.

“Congestion in the buses becomes an excuse for some people to harass us. They take advantage of overloaded buses,” she said.

Another female student said that the ‘Ladies Special’ bus service was very useful for girls who frequently have to travel via local buses.

“I don’t understand why the service was stopped as it was good initiative for the female folk. The service had a huge potential for safety of females and making their travel safe,” she said.

Pertinently, the initial route was launched between Lal Chowk to Hazratbal via Rainawari which bypasses Kashmir University campus, further from Lal Chowk to Soura via SMHS hospital and Nowgam Railway station to Lal Chowk via Pantha Chowk.

The busses were scheduled to ply on hourly basis and Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Kashmir and General Manager, JKSRTC were to monitor the service regularly. The service timing was between 8 am to 6 pm.

Manager SRTC, Habibullah Reshi said that due to Covid-19 pandemic the service was stopped by the concerned authorities, however, the bus service will resume in the next couple of days.

“We have got the representation from authorities and demand from the public also to start the service again and all the five buses of this service will ply in Srinagar city in next three to four days,” Reshi said.

Reshi said that due to Covid-19 lockdown, they didn’t receive any response on the special bus service, as schools, colleges, universities were shut for a long time, and therefore they stopped the service earlier.

“The buses will run on all the previous routes and with the same timing, any change in routes and timing will be informed to the general public accordingly,” he said. (KNO)

Jmu-Sgr highway to remain closed today

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

13/01/2022

Srinagar: Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world, shall remain closed for traffic tomorrow (Thursday), officials said here today.

“Tomorrow (January 13) vehicular movement on Jammu-Srinagar highway will remain suspended due to huge landslide and continuous shooting stones at Mehad Ramban,” a traffic department official said in a statement.

“People are advised/requested not to undertake any journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW till the restoration work is completed,” the official added. The thoroughfare was closed shortly after traffic was restored for movement of stranded passenger light-medium vehicles (LMVs) this afternoon.

On Friday, the Highway got blocked and remained closed for three consecutive days due to heavy snowfall and landslides at several places. The road was partially thrown open for stranded vehicles on Monday after clearing landslides and improvements in the weather.

Meanwhile, Mughal Road, connecting Shopian with Poonch and Rajouri districts, remained closed for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation at Peer Ki Gali.

Also, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road remained shut for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation on Zoji la axis and has been closed till further orders. Kishtwar-Sinthan road also remained closed in view of snow accumulation, the traffic department official said.

Cold conditions intensify in J&K, Sgr freezes at minus 3.6°C

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

13/01/2022

Srinagar: Intense cold conditions continued in J&K and Ladakh as Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.6°C on Wednesday.

A meteorological department official here said that the minimum temperature in Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, dropped from previous night’s 0.2°C and was 1.5°C below the normal for this time of the year.

Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, recorded a drop of nearly 1°C as mercury settled at minus 11.5°C against minus 10.6°C on the previous night, he said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 11.6°C against minus 10.4°C last night, he said.

Kashmir is presently under the grip of 40-day long harshest period of winter, known locally as ‘Chillai Kalan, which started from December 21. It is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 5.3°C against minus 0.6°C on the previous night, he said.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 7.2°C against minus 1.7°C on the previous night, the official said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a minimum of minus 5.5°C against minus 3.0°C on the previous night, the official said.

Jammu recorded a low of 5.8°C against previous night’s 6.2°C which is minus 1.2°C below normal for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.

Banihal recorded a low of minus 3.1°C, Katra minus 0.8°C and Bhaderwah saw a minimum of minus 5.3°C, the official said.

Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 13.9°C against last night’s minus 12.9°C while mercury at automatic station in Kargil settled at minus 14.7°C. Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 27.2°C, almost three times lower than the last night’s minus 24.2°C, official said.

The weatherman has forecast dry weather at most places in Jammu and Kashmir till January 16.

He said there would be gradual rise in day temperature and fall in night mercury. The MeT also urged people putting up in snowbound areas to be wary of avalanches. (GNS)

Pandemic hits Umrah pilgrimage: Tour operators

Jammu & Kashmir

Tasaduq Hussain

13/01/2022

By: Tasaduq Hussain

Srinagar: Expressing concern over the growing cases of Omicron virus in the valley, the private tour operators of the Jammu Kashmir Association of Haj and Umrah Companies (JKAHUC) Wednesday said that the sector is on the decline following the inception of the pandemic.

As per the Jammu Kashmir Association of Haj and Umrah Companies (JKAHUC), the annual turnover of the sector used to be 900 crore rupees every year up to 2020 March.

The tour operators said that since consecutive COVID-19 lockdown, every activity had come to a halt including Umrah which impacted the sector catering to aforesaid services in the Kashmir valley.

The association said that the turnover over the past decade has grown from Rs 300 crore to 900 crore annually.

Umrah for India was not allowed by the Saudi government earlier while the services was resumed recently that has not only ignited hopes among the intending Pilgrim’s but also among private tour operators of Jammu and Kashmir who expected a good business after more than a year of halt.

Pervaiz Ahmad Bhat, Vice President of Jammu Kashmir Association of Haj and Umrah Companies (JKAHUC) said that the sector is on the decline since the COVID-19 pandemic, and everyone associated has been affected badly since March 2020.

“When the industry was closed due to COVID-19 the business turnover was already 900 crore and it was a gradual growing process,” he said. “Private sectors hold great significance in Kashmir valley and more than 3000 pilgrims used to avail services of PTO’s every year but since the pandemic, the entire industry is incurring losses.”

About Omicorn threat, he said that Pilgrim’s from Bengaluru, Andhra Pradesh, and Hyderabad in recent days left for Umrah but still there is nothing such related, and those pilgrims who have received both the jabs of Covishield vaccines don’t have to remain under quarantine in Saudi Arabia while those with the Covaxin vaccine may have to remain under institutional quarantine for three days.

He stated that so far there are no afresh guidelines related to Omicron nor India has been banned from performing Umrah but this variant has impacted the minds of clients given the position across the globe due to the virus.

He also said that the sector is suffering since the COVID-19 pandemic and the business is on the decline from March 2020.

Talking regarding the recent development of redemption of services, he informed that people showed an overwhelming response and a huge number of clients had approached them and everyone was happy.

“Everyone is uncertain about the recent spike in Omicron cases in India and no one is sure about what new guidelines will be issued since people want to avoid traveling when such amount of fear is looming due to the virus. (KNO)

Let Science Drive Decisions

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

13/01/2022

Last week, the J&K administration ordered restricting the maximum number of people to attend any indoor or outdoor gatherings to 25.

Restaurants, clubs, gymnasiums and swimming pools besides Cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes have been permitted to function at 25% of the authorised capacity with due precautions to Covid Appropriate Behavior and adherence to SOP.

With the confirmation of Omicron cases, though belated, there is apprehension among people about the possibility of a lockdown. One hopes that government decisions are driven by science, due regard should be given to economic realities also.

So far, science has shown that mitigating the Omicron variant outbreak is a wiser choice than containment. Some studies have shown that the virus is far less virulent than earlier variants. At the same time most studies have shown it is far more transmissible. As per the central government, the need for hospitalizing people has been lesser than the previous wave. While there is no room to be complacent, locking down does not seem to be the right choice. The economic reality needs to be accepted and any restrictions, mild or stricter, will lead to immense losses for businesses, with a very high number of workers, if not all, facing pay cuts and rising unemployment. Life is important and protecting it is a must. If the situation comes to such a pass that the restrictions become inevitable in keeping with science, there should be no second thought but to impose them to protect the life of every individual. However any knee-jerk decision may impact ordinary life and should be avoided at all costs. While one hopes that all the decisions by the government will be driven by science, people must understand the perils of giving goby to SOPs and CAB.

Simple precautions would help prevent the spread of the virus including Omicron variant. Simply wearing masks has been scientifically been effective at reducing the risk of contracting or spreading the virus.

It is a scientifically known fact that masks act as barriers, trapping and filtering out virus particles from the air one breathes. Also if the infected person wears a mask, it reduces the risk of infection to those around them. Also when the uninfected person wears a mask, it reduces the risk of infection to him from the infected person. Avoiding crowded places and gatherings has been advised time and again. It should be followed without fail.

PM Modi virtually inaugurates 11 new medical colleges in TN

National

Indo Asian News Service

13/01/2022

PM Modi virtually inaugurates 11 new medical colleges in TN

Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday virtually inaugurated 11 new medical colleges in Tamil Nadu.

The new colleges — located in Ariyalur, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Krishnagiri, Nagapattinam, Namakkal, Ramanathapuram, the Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Tiruvallur and Virudhunagar — will have 1,450 MBBS seats annually.

The medical colleges in Ariyalur, Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Krishnagiri, Nagapattinam, the Nilgiris, and Virudhunagar have an annual intake of 150 students each while the other colleges have an intake of 100 students.

The total cost of these colleges shared by the Centre and state government was Rs 4,080 crore. The Centre’s share was Rs 2,145 crore, while and the state government’s share was 1,934.6 crore.

The Prime Minister also virtually inaugurated the new campus of Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) that has come up with state-of-the-art infrastructure at Perambakkam near Chennai, built at a cost of Rs 24 crore.

India bowling attack challenging but we have to deal with it, says Petersen

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

13/01/2022

India bowling attack challenging but we have to deal with it, says Petersen

Cape Town: South Africa batter Keegan Petersen said on Wednesday that India’s bowling attack was one of the most challenging he has ever faced in his whole career.

He added that it would be brilliant if South Africa get some early wickets on day three of the third Test at Newlands Cricket Ground. Petersen was the top-scorer for South Africa in their first innings total of 210, making a career-best 72 laced with nine sublime boundaries.

“Extremely challenging. It’s the most challenging I have had in my whole career. We have to be focused on our game the whole time or they will expose you. In terms of the Test, there have been not many scoring opportunities. When one does come, you have to pounce on it. But they haven’t given us much. Arguably, one of the best bowling attacks in the world. We knew that coming into the series. It has been challenging but we have to deal with it,” said Petersen in the post-day press conference.

Petersen further said it would have been better if South Africa had taken the lead on day two. “I think last night showed the way to bat in terms of runs. If we had passed the deficit and maybe have a bit of lead, we would have been happy. So, I think that was the plan coming into the day, bat long and get as much as we can and pass the deficit.”

Petersen hoped getting early wickets on day three will help South Africa claw back in the match. “We all are now a bit behind going into day three. I think if we can pick up a few early wickets, tomorrow morning will be key. The two of them who are batting have been a bit of a headache for us in the last couple of innings. But if we can get through two or three wickets tomorrow morning, it will be brilliant.”

He has pinned hopes on South Africa getting India captain Virat Kohli’s wicket quickly on Thursday. “He is one of the best batters in the world and is showing that time and time again. He’s a big wicket for us. If we can get him, it breaks open an end and, in my mind, we will be in the game somehow.”

Talking about the nature of the pitch, Petersen stressed on sticking to the plans. “It’s a bit slower from what we came from in Johannesburg. It is challenging, the ball is not bringing on a little bit. One end is bouncing a bit, the other end is quite doing a bit. It’s a wicket where you got to firmly stay to your gameplan. There’s not much else you can do. If you get a good ball, it is a good ball. This is just how the game is.”

At the moment, Petersen is happy on batting at three and feels opener Aiden Markram will get out of his lean patch soon. “I like batting at number three and have batted there for almost the whole of my career. In terms of losing the early wickets, we have got two high-quality opening batters, just had a rough time. I mean, all of us go through it. Aiden is going through a little bit patch but he’s a quality player. We all know that he will come good eventually. I am happy in the mix to play. If I can make number three mine, I will be happy.”

The 28-year-old signed off by expressing confidence over one of the hosts’ batters reaching the three-figure mark in the series. “To be honest, I don’t know. It’s not the lack of playing, it’s just delivering us at the moment. I got a little close but did not get there. I think it will come eventually and confident that one of the boys will pass the mark.”

1...3,6483,6493,650...5,073 Page 3,649 of 5,073