Precious Kashmir

Cyclone Yaas: Indian Naval ships, aircraft on standby for Rescue & Relief Ops

National

23/05/2021

New Delhi: In view of impending Cyclonic storm Yaas in the Bay of Bengal the Indian Navy on Saturday said that it has deployed its assets on standby and scale up the preparatory initiatives to meet the exigencies.

As part of the preparedness, the Navy’s eight flood relief teams and four diving teams are prepositioned at Odisha and West Bengal to augment the existing resources.

Indian Navy is closely monitoring the movement of the Cyclonic Storm. Eastern Naval Command headquarter and Naval Officers-in-Charge at West Bengal and Odisha Area have carried out preparatory activities to combat the effects of Cyclone ‘Yaas’ and is in constant liaison with the State Administrations for rendering assistance as required.

“Four naval ships are on standby with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) bricks, diving, and medical teams to render assistance in the most affected areas along the Odisha and West Bengal coast”, the Navy Spokesperson Vivek Madwal said.

Naval aircraft are kept ready at Naval Air Stations, INS Dega at Visakhapatnam and INS Rajali near Chennai to undertake aerial survey of the most affected areas, casualty evacuation, and airdrop of relief material as required, he added.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday said that a low pressure area has formed over eastcentral Bay of Bengal at around 0830 hrs and is very likely to concentrate into a Depression over eastcentral Bay of Bengal by May 23 morning.

“It is very likely move north-northwestwards, intensify into a ‘Cyclonic Storm’ by May 24 and further into a ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’ during the subsequent 24 hours. It would continue to move north-northwestwards, intensify further and reach North Bay of Bengal near West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha and Bangladesh coasts around May 26 morning and subsequently will cross West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha and Bangladesh coasts around evening on the same day”, the IMD added.

23 Kanals of forest land retrieved in Pahalgam

Jammu & Kashmir

Nadeem Nadu

23/05/2021

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar, May 22: Forest Department on Saturday launched a major anti-encroachment drive in Pahalgam, which according to authorities concerned saw retrieval of at least twenty-three kanals of forest land in alleged illegal possession of five hoteliers for last five decades in the famous tourist destination.

Range officer Pahalgam Haji Altaf Ahmad Ganaie told GNS that the drive was carried under the direct supervision of DFO Lidder Shiekh Mehraj Ahmad.

“During the daylong drive, the team retrieved twenty-three kanals of forest land from five hoteliers in compartment number 34/L and 35/L”, the official said adding that “It is believed that the land was under illegal possession of the hoteliers for nearly five decades now.”

“We had pressed drones into service, for the first time, to oversee and ensure a smooth drive”, the official said adding that the forest department followed all the necessary COVID-19 SOPs during the daylong drive.

“Simultaneously the department in a joint operation with Wildlife Protection Department retrieved more than fifty kanals of forest land Aru Pahalgam”, the official added. (GNS)

SMC, NGOs to start wellness centre at Baba Demb

City

Precious Kashmir

23/05/2021

By: Owais Gul

Srinagar: Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) is all set to start the COVID wellness centres in collaboration with two Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)—Ehsaas Trust International and Voluntary Medicare Society (VMS).

Sources privy to the development told KNO three COVID wellness centres are coming up in Baba Demb, Bemina and at one more place in Srinagar.

The wellness centre at Baba Demb will be started till Monday, they said, adding that the centre will have 50 oxygen beds where only referrals from JLNM will be accepted. The wellness centre will function as an adjacent facility for JLNM hospital in Rainawari, they said.

Lateef Gabroo, member of the VMS, who also helps people at individual level, said that three such centres will come up in Srinagar while one among them will be started from Monday at Baba Demb.

He said that Ehsaas Trust International has volunteered and agreed to provide assistance in terms of oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders along with paramedic professionals and doctors who will be available round-the-clock in service of Covid patients.

Gabroo added that the Voluntary Medicare Society (VMS), although working in the disability sector, has committed itself to provide relief in terms of ambulatory services including wheelchairs, stretchers and others besides volunteers including paramedics.

He informed that only moderate cases from JLNM will be accommodated at Baba Demb wellness centre.

COVID-19: Transgender community on verge of starvation in Kashmir

City

Jahangeer Ganaie

23/05/2021

‘Srinagar youths extend helping hand, distributes eatable items among third-genders’

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: A group of five youth from Srinagar have come forward up for the help transgender community in the district, who are finding hard to survive due to pandemic since last year.

Khushi, a transgender from Srinagar, told KNO that from last three years they are finding it very hard to survive and are on verge on starvation but government has completely neglected third-genders in Kashmir.

Khushi said that they haven’t been able to earn a single penny since last three years as they used to work as matchers, dancers and even at some parlours but all sorts of business is shut after abrogation of article 370 .

“Government never bothered to take cognizance of problems faced by around 4,00 transgenders who are putting up in Srinagar and elsewhere in Kashmir,” Khushi said.

Shabnam Subhan, another transgender said that the announcements of government remain confined to paper only and on ground nothing is being done

They requested the government to look into their miseries and take steps for the welfare of this “neglected community.”

Meanwhile, a group of five youth from Srinagar are trying to ease out the sufferings of this community by distributing eatable times among them.

Junaid Mir, who is part of the group, said that they were contacted by some transgenders for help and they have taken up an initiative to help 400 transgender in the Srinagar.

He said that a food kit contacting 25 Kg Rice, 05 Kg oil, tea, sugar and species are being distributed among them and so far among 50 transgenders they have distributed the kit and in next one month, they are going to cover all 400.

He specially thanked to Ummat un Nissa Care Foundation led by Fatima & Kulsum, Mutual Aid India & Dr. Aqsa Khan besides Mitha Sahab & Nazir Sahab (Guru’s of Transgender community of Kashmir) for letting them use their house for food distribution & other support—(KNO)

Preparing For Third Wave

Edit
Oped

Precious Kashmir

22/05/2021

Earlier this week, the Jammu and Kashmir government set up a 10-member committee for formulating plans to tackle a possible 3rd wave of the covid-19 pandemic.

Among others, its focus has been ordered to be directed at preparedness in terms of creation of health infrastructure, enhancement in testing capacities, treatment protocols, arrangement in drugs or logistics, machinery and equipments, oxygen supply, manpower, etc.

Besides, it has been also tasked to ramp up COVID hospital beds and Critical Care Units especially for pediatrics and neo-natal age group, strengthening of healthcare facilities in the rural areas of and devising additional Covid appropriate behavior and required SOPs.

The announcement is welcome. Preparedness is always good and more so when the administration was caught napping by the second wave. It alludes to learning lessons from the gaps in the preparedness in meeting the challenges by the ongoing waves. Checking the spread of contagion methodically should be the foremost agenda of the government, more so in respect of rural areas which are vulnerable. Importantly, the third wave is projected to impact children adversely as been underlined by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. It becomes imperative that administration puts in place the necessary medical infrastructure and equipment so that the cases and fatalities may be limited. Covid-19 second wave has laid bare the health infrastructure and stretched it to the breaking point. It is vital to get paediatric infrastructure in place immediately so as to minimise the damage that may be caused by the projected third wave.

The call by the experts should be given heed and one well-known reason for multiple waves is the mutation in the genetic code of the coronavirus. Slow vaccination pace gives it more time to mutate and find ways to evade or trick antibodies. This accelerates the appearance of new variants as the continued spread of the virus allows it to get trained to detect and bypass antibodies, since the immune system merely looks out for the original strain.

The government would be better advised to have the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) upgraded as also put in place Neonatal or children Emergency Transport Service.

It is also important that administration readies plans to manage the third wave on all fronts—lives and livelihood. It is not only children that are said to be affected by the next wave and as such the government needs to devise plans for all critical care components, including testing kits and vaccination facilities.

SMC COVID-19 warriors fumigate hospitals, homes to keep people safe

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

22/05/2021

SMC COVID-19 warriors fumigate hospitals, homes to keep people safe

By: Afaq Bhat

Srinagar: Sanitization teams constituted by Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) are working hard to keep the COVID-19 hospitals clean and also are fumigating the homes of the positive patients.

The sanitization team of Humamha ward no. 33 comprising Riyaz Ahmed, sanitary inspector, Farooq Ahmed sanitary supervisor, Mohammad Shafi, Abdul Hamid, Imtiyaz Ahmad Sheikh, Muhammad Amin Sheikh, Jan Mohammad and others during the past one and a half year has fumigated thousands of houses of the COVID-19 patients.

Sanitation Inspector Riyaz Ahmed while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “When the first wave of COVID-19 hit J&K we were a bit scared but during the past one and a half year the pandemic has taught us many lessons. We do visit the homes of people and fumigate them. We don’t fear the virus anymore but ensure that we take all the precautions.”

He said that the teams formed by the SMC also work in hospitals and other Covid care centers. “Our teams have been fighting the COVID-19 from day one. Besides permanent employees our group consists of the daily rated workers who are paid just Rs 6750 monthly. If they miss any of the working days their wages for that day are deducted. The government should think about these workers. They need some special allowances as they work very hard,” Ahmed added.

Sanitary supervisor, Farooq Ahmed said, “Our teams have given their best during these testing times. Besides carrying out the fumigation of the homes we have carried out mass sanitization drives in many areas.”

He said, “The role of the SMC employees is not only confined to sanitization drives. They have to collect garbage and have to keep the city clean. We have stood with the people during all these times and will be with them till we defeat the virus and life returns to normal.”

Farooq said, “The pestilence has created fear among the people. The sanitation drives, garbage collection and other works carried out by the SMC make people believe that they have not been left in lurch and the administration is with them.”

The sanitary supervisor said, “If people want to save themselves from COVID-19 they will have to keep their homes and shelters clean as the cleanliness holds the key. People need to ensure that the environment around them is clean and they keep their dwellings tidy.”

He said that the COVID-19 has taught us many things and we should learn from it. “We are trying our best and people too need to take precautions to keep themselves safe,” he added.

Govt unveils turnover incentive scheme for industrial units in J&K

Anchor stories

Ibni Maqbool

22/05/2021

Govt unveils turnover incentive scheme for industrial units in J&K

By: Ibni Maqbool

Srinagar: The administration of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory on Friday unveiled a scheme under which industrial units will get turnover incentive.

According to an order issued by the department of Industries and Commerce(I&), the scheme, which has come into effect concurrently with the J&K Industrial Policy,2021-30, will cover all the existing industrial units registered in the UT. The scheme has been unveiled after it was approved by LG Manoj Sinha-led administrative council, which is the highest decision-making body in the Union Territory.

Under the scheme, the incentive shall be operative for a period of five year starting from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2026 or till the same is reviewed by the government.

As per the scheme, the quantum of incentive admissible to an existing industrial unit shall be three percent of the gross turnover of the industrial unit for the year in case of micro category units, subject to a maximum of Rs 10 lakh per annum per unit for a period of five years from the appointed date( April 1, 2021) and two percent of the gross turnover of the unit for the year in case of small, medium and large scale industrial units, subject to a maximum of Rs 50 lakh per annum per unit for a period of five years from the appointed date.

The eligible units have to apply for the turnover based incentive on yearly basis, the claims of which shall be submitted by December of the subsequent financial year.

Under the scheme, a divisional- level committee headed by Director, Industries and Commerce will be empowered to sanction the incentive.

The committee comprises Joint Director (Development), Directorate of I&C, Chief Accounts Officer, Directorate of I&C, Deputy Director, Directorate of I&C and General Manager of concerned District Industries Centre (DIC).

According to the order, the General Manager DIC shall verify the claim documents and give recommendation for placing the case before the divisional-level committee.

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, J&K records first black fungus death

Front

Indo Asian News Service

22/05/2021

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, J&K records first black fungus death

No case of detected in Kashmir: Dr Naveed

Jammu: The first ‘Black Fungus’ (mucormycosis) patient in J&K succumbed on Friday at Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital Jammu.

College Principal and Microbiology Department head, Dr Shashi Sudon, said that the patient has succumbed despite best efforts of doctors and paramedics to save him.

“Yes, the patient has succumbed despite our best efforts. He was operated and shifted to ICU for post operative management, but he succumbed in the afternoon today,” he said.

According to the doctor, the patient was suffering from post Covid opportunistic fungal infection. “He was seriously compromised as his blood sugar level was 900 mg/dL when he was admitted,” Sudon said.

This is the first confirmed case of black fungus in J&K. The pandemic has refused to relent in J&K despite the number of daily cases having declined due to the corona curfew imposed in all the 20 districts of the UT.

Authorities are likely to extend the ongoing corona curfew up to May 31 as it otherwise ends on Monday.

Meanwhile, leading pulmonologist and HoD of CD hospital here Dr Naveed Nazir Shah said that there is no case of Mucormycosis or ‘black fungus’ in Kashmir Valley.

The statement comes on a day when a 40-year-old patient from Poonch—who had recuperated of covid-19—died at GMC Jammu.

“There is no case of Mucormycosis in Kashmir Valley,” he said, underlining that there was no need to panic.

He said Mucormycosis is a serious rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. “Mucormycosis mainly affects people who have health problems or take medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness,” he said, adding, “its symptoms include one-sided facial swelling, headache, nasal or sinus congestion, black lesions on nasal bridge or upper inside of mouth that quickly become more severe and fever.”

Mucormycosis, he said, is particularly dangerous because it spreads quickly throughout the body. “Left untreated, the infection can spread to the lungs or the brain. This can cause a brain infection.”

He however reiterated that there was no need to panic. “Take advise from your doctor in case you get covid-19. Control your sugars and boost up your immunity,” he said, adding, “People should not take medicine unnecessarily without prescription of doctor.” (With inputs from GNS)

J&K records 43 COVID deaths, 3848 new cases

Front

Nadeem Nadu

22/05/2021

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 3848 fresh covid-19 cases while 43 persons succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Friday.

They said that 1442 cases were confirmed in Jammu division and 2406 in Kashmir Valley, taking the overall case tally to 263905.

Providing district wise details of the cases, the officials said, Srinagar reported 598, Baramulla 320, Budgam 344, Pulwama 224, Kupwara 204, Anantnag 303, Bandipora 105, Ganderbal 125, Kulgam 121, Shopian 62, Jammu 401, Udhampur 160, Rajouri 155, Doda 58, Kathua 130, Samba 163, Kishtwar 30, Poonch 48, Ramban 201and Reasi 96.

Regarding the deaths, they said 27 were reported from Jammu division and 16 from Kashmir Valley, taking the overall toll to 3465. This is for the first time since May 5 when 37 covid-19 deaths were reported that J&K recorded less than 50 deaths in a single.

Also 2736 people have recovered—1730 in Jammu division and 2736 in Kashmir. There are now 49893 active positive cases—20601 in Jammu division and 29292 in Kashmir, they added.

A number of fresh cases were confirmed at diagnostic labouratories of CD hospital here and GMC Anantnag, they said.

The CD cases include female (20) from Lal Bazar, two males (39, 25) from Koil Pul, male (45) from Abhama Pul, female (26) from Babapora, female (16) from Noorpora, female (43) from Chattabal, male (30) from Kangan, male (70) from Nishat, female (71) from Tral, female (65) from Dobiwan, female (72) from Natipora, male (69) from Daresh Kadal, male (58) and two females (48, 48) from Zaina Kadal, male (19) from Ganderbal, male (54) from Chanapora, female (NA) from Chattabal, two females (25, 07) from Soiteng, male (53) from Kulgam, male (32) from Srinagar, female (32) from Bemina, two males (32, 34) from Batmaloo, male (62) from Rajouri Kadal, male (50) from Chanapora, male (28) from Alochibagh, female (26) from Parimpora, two males (49, 17) from Budshah Nagar, three males (30, 42, 10) and female (40) from Batmaloo, male (03) from Sariabal, female (35) and three males (09, 03, 14) from Batmaloo, male (12) from Bemina, female (46) from Mahraj Pora, male (25) from Chattabal, male (34) from Kralpora, two females (31, 45) from Chattabal, male (40) from Chotabazar, male (43) and four females (60, 50, 50, 37) from Batmaloo, male (38) from Pulwama, male (44) from Hawal, female (50) from Mill Stop, female (28) from Hawal, male (52) and female (16) from Mallabagh, male (NA) from Hawal, male (54) from Nowshera, female (58) from Alamgiri Bazar, two males (52, 18) from Hawal, female (35) from Elahibagh, male (18) and female (45) from Gojwara, male (25) from Aali Kadal, male (65) and female (61) from Umer Colony, female (70) and two males (28, 50) from Lal Bazar, male (28) from Nowshera, male (NA) from Mandibal, two females (45, 30) from 90 Feet Soura, male (31) from Khimber, female (32) from Zakura, male (30) from Ishber Nishat, male (30) from Habak Crossing, male (32) and female (34) from Gulab Bagh, female (60) from Hazratbal, male (65) from Khanyar, male (07) from New Colony Naseem Bagh, female (37) from Shivpora, two males (75, 95) from Natipora, female (26) from Srg, male (21) from Bhatnoor Pul, male (23) from Alliepora Pul, male (65) Udoora Pul, two females (65, NA) from Kanipura Budgam, two males (33, 28) from Awantipora, male (40) from Tulbagh Pampore, two males (34, 16) and female (08) from Narbal, male (37) from Lelhar, female (39) from Samboora, male (62) and two females (25, 15) from Dadasora, male (65) from Brain Nishat, female (65) from Peerbagh, male (72) from Pandrathan, female (43) from Munwarabad, male (25) from Khanyar, male (60) from Pulwama, male (45) from Rajbagh, male (49) from Drusoo, male (27) from Safapur.

The GMC Anantnag cases include five males (45, 60, 63, 72, 44) from Noonmai, female (22) from Balsoo, female (20) and male (35) from Noonmai, male (30) and female (36) from Nandimarg, male (36) from Asnoor, two males (45, 35) from Nandimarg, two males (54, 60) from Ariward, two males (29, 24) from Nandimarg, male (31) from Baghbal, two males (02, 40) from Nandimarg, three males (60, 50, 40) and three females (45, 38, 40) from Ariward, female (25) from Ariward Kolinard, five males (30, 50, 30, 30, 18) and two females (15, 50) from Brinal, male (33) from Lammer, male (35) from Lesserpora, female (06) from Ladgoo, female (50) from Khull, female (55) from DH Pora, male (33) from Nagam, female (45) from Ashmuji, male (43) from Ladgoo, male (55) and female (50) from Kulgam, female (46) from Zangalpora, male (70) from Shurat, male (58) from HC Gam, male (50) from Checkpora, male (20) from Srandoo, female (50) from Shurat, male (18) from Kanipora, female (65) from Balsoo, female (32) from Poniwah, male (08) from Akhran, male (38) from Kanipora, male (25) from K Hallan, male (48) from Begam, male (27) from Zazripora, female (25) from Sopat, male (25) from Qaimoh, female (29) from Begam, male (14) from Kulgam, female (75) from Katapora, female (11) and two males (07, 39) from Chanapora, male (56) from Pampore, male (62) from Mattan, two females (40, 10) from KP Road, male (28) from Iqbalabad, female (28) from Dooru, male (28) from Kp Road, male (24) from Danter Ang, male (29) from Ganjipora, female (24) from Dailgam, male (24) from Sallar, male (50) from Khayar, female (52) from Sagam, female (45) from Devsar, female (50) from Dabruna, female (55) from Danter, male (29) from Mir Danter, male (12) from Kadapora Achabal, male (33) from Srinagar, male (10) and female (35) from Kadapora Achabal, female (32) from Iqbalabad, male (65) from Malaknag, male (75) from Bon Dailgam, female (70) and male (46) from Khanabal, female (31) from Iqbalabad, male (33) from Khanabal, male (55) from Waghama Bij, male (47) from Dabruna, male (40) from Nunvene Brakpora, male (48) from Bon Dailgam, male (13) from Anchidora, female (50) from Vessu Qazigund, two females (48, 27) from Tahjiwara Achabal, male (38) from Nai Basti, male (28) from Batengoo, female (55) and male (65) from Khanabal, female (27) from Janglat Mandi, female (31) from Newpora Ang, two males (22, 65) from Tahjiwara Achabal, male (40) from Cheeni Chowk, female (26) from Dailgam, male (42) from Sarnal Bala, two males (27, 32) from Khanabal, female (27) from Mandhole Vessu, male (32) from Seer Hamadan, female (25) from Dailgam, male (25) from Janglat Mandi, male (38) from Nai Basti, two females (52, 20) from Dailgam, female (45) from Moominabad, female (30) from Chichadpora, male (30) from Hanji Danter, male (45) from Krangsoo, male (35) from Kamad, male (55) from Malapora Leelipora, female (45) from Kadipora Ang, male (24) from Babdar Fatehpora, male (25) from Krangsoo, male (27) and two females (14, 12) from Kulgam, male (38) from 237 Bn Crpf, two males (72, 25) and two females (70, 50) from Kulgam, three males (32, 50, 68) and female (55) from Bogund, male (35) from Srandoo, male (29) from Nillow, male (54) from Pahloo, male (35) from Hanjan, eight males (65, 40, 44, 70, 45, 10, 36, 12) and nine females (60, 35, 42, 14, 70, 27, 70, 30, 35) from Nillow. (GNS)

India reports 3,874 deaths, 2,76,070 new cases

Front

United News Of India

22/05/2021

New Delhi: India reported 2,76,070 new cases of the Novel Coronavirus in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of infections in the country to 2,57,72,400, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.

Besides, the country also saw 3,874 more fatalities due to the virus, pushing the toll to 2,87,122.

On a positive front, 3,69,077 people also recovered from the virus, taking the total number of such cases to 2,23,55,440.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that a total of 32,23,56,187 samples have been tested so far for coronavirus. Of these, a record 20,55,010 were tested in the past one day.

At present, India has 31,29,878 active cases. On Wednesday, India had registered 2,67,334 new Covid-19 cases and recorded 4,529 deaths.

1...4,1374,1384,139...5,076 Page 4,138 of 5,076