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Reopening Schools Still Unsafe

 

Losses about prolonged closure of schools as well as fears regarding opening them in contemporary times are legitimate. Indubitably remote education is a poor substitute for real classrooms, and children with learning barriers such as poverty and special education needs are at an even bigger disadvantage.

There are instances of many children left behind, without computer access, internet connectivity, TV sets and even electricity. The non-restoration of the high-speed internet facility in all but two districts also remains unfavorable to the students of Kashmir.

While covid-19 pandemic badly hit the education sector globally, in Kashmir scenario it lengthened the closure of schools to over a year now. The educational institutions were closed on account of unprecedented lockdown in connection with the 5 August 2019 decisions. And when they reopened for a fortnight in March this year, the covid-19 lockdown forced their closure again. While there are plans with the government to reopen the schools for higher classes, the moot question remains as to whether the situation in terms of covid-19 is conducive for the return of the students to the schools. The statistics about the number of virus cases, reported by the government, do not look all that favorable as tally stands at 58244 while deaths attributed to it have surged to 934. The case of kids cannot be either compared to shopkeepers or businessman given the different level of the sense in adhering to the protocols such as hygiene and social distancing in outside home environments.

While pandemic shows no signs of relenting, reopening schools anytime soon would be imperiling.

In fact, the return to school rests on the government’s ability to control the spread of the novel coronavirus. While the virus is spreading rapidly, schools are to remain on virtual mode for now. The rise in case counts across J&K rules out, even best-laid plans, for classroom education. The government would be better advised to address the issue of reopening schools on epidemiological evidence. The administration needs to carry out an extensive assessment of the learning loss and well-thought-out plans to bridge the learning gap, and schemes to ensure there are no dropouts.

While the policymakers are already aware of severe impacts to the education process, and the losses to students, the alternative, of remote and online learning opportunities, should be ensured until the time direct classes are possible. The government needs to take the measure of the best available science, implement the necessary measures and optimize efforts to reduce the covid-19 numbers which would help in resuming the schools safely.

 

COVID-19: 19 more die, 1590 new cases in J&K

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Death toll at 937; 58244 infected till date

 

Nadeem Nadu

 

 

 

Srinagar, Sep 16: Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday reported nineteen COVID-19 deaths, while 1590 more people tested positive for the deadly virus across the Union Territory, officials said.

They said that fatality count in J&K has risen to 937, while total number of cases has reached to 58244.

Officials said that of 19 deaths witnessed today, eleven victims were residents of Jammu division and eight others from Kashmir Valley.

 

Regarding the fatalities from Jammu, they said, seven were residents of Jammu and one each from Udhampur, Rajouri, Kathua, Samba and Ramban.

 

The victims from Valley include two residents of Srinagar and Kupwara besides one each from Budgam, Bandipora, Shopian and Kulgam districts.

 

Among others, the victims from the valley include a 70-year-old from Nowhatta Srinagar, a 57-year-old woman from Verinag Anantnag, a 40-year-old from Chadoora Budgam, a 28-year-old man from Gund Ibharim Pattan, a man from Shopain and 70-year-old woman from Umer Colony Lal Bazar

 

 

 

The victims among others  from Jammu region includea 79-year-old man from Swran Vihar Ban Talab Mathi Jammu, a 45-year-old from Nanak Nagar Jammu, a 63-year-old woman from Trikuta Nagar Jammu, a 72-year-old from Nanak Nagar Jammu, a 79-year-old from ban Talab Mathi and a 46-year-old from Gorkha Nagar Jammu.  With these deaths, the fatality count in Jammu and Kashmir has reached 937.

 

 

 

1590 new cases, tally at 58244

 

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir reported 1590 cases of novel coronavirus including 91 travelers, 19 army men, five BSF men, 26 CRPF personnel, two pregnant woman and five minors in last 24 hours, taking the overall tally to 58244.

 

 

 

With 832 cases reported from Jammu region and 758 from Kashmir Valley, this is for the fortnight now that Jammu and Kashmir recorded fresh infections in excess of one thousand daily.

 

 

 

Giving district-wise breakup of the cases, official sources told GNS that Srinagar reported 225 infections, Budgam 119, Baramulla 92, Pulwama 70, Anantnag 37, Kupwara 74, Bandipora 42, Kulgam 13, Ganderbal 86, Jammu 221, Udhampur 44, Rajouri 147, Kathua 80, Samba 39, Poonch 92, Ramban 39,

 

 

 

Doda 114, Reasi 24 and Kishtwar  32.

 

 

 

Among the cases in Valley, many were confirmed at CD and SKIMS diagnostic laboratories.

 

 

 

The CD cases include female (85) from Pampore, male (NA) from Pattan, male (29) from Arampora Sopore, female (27) from Seloo Sopore, male (53) from Chinkipora Sopore, male (20) from Logripora Sopore, female (30) from Kamalkot Uri, male (43) from Badambagh Sopore, female (25) from Arampora Sopore, male (55) from Dachinpora Rafiabad, female (80) from Badambagh Sopore, male (35) from Khansahib Budgam, male (65) from Badambagh Sopore, male (22) from Dangerpora Sopore, male (19) from Model Town, female (25) from Bohripora Sopore, female (27) from Chandoosa Baramulla, male (40) from Badambagh Sopore, female (30) from Model Town, female (36) from Arampora Sopore, female (10) from Baramulla, male (05) from Khawaja Bagh, male (34) from Kanlibagh, female (21) from Noorbagh, female (30) from Khawaja Bagh Baramulla, male (36) from Kanlibagh Baramulla, male (32) from Watergam Wagoora, male (25) from Bandi Payeen Baramulla, female (37) from Delina Baramulla, female (50) from Naidkhai BLA, male (44) from Ushkara Baramulla, ten males (21, 20, 27, 20, 39, 39, 23, 28, 26, 46) from BB Cantt Srg, female (30) from Bandipora, male (39) from Budgam, female (50) from Srinagar, male (40) from Hassanabad, male (45) from Nawakadal Srg, male (46) from Bemina, female (25) from Barbarshah, male (65) from HMT Srg, male (Na) from Baramulla, male (44) from Ishber Nishat, female (24) from Natipora, male (13) from Islamabad, male (29) from Damhal Anantnag, male (21) from Khansahib, female (26) from Palpora, male (35) from Nowshera, two males (06, 35) from Bemina, male (24) from Nawakadal, male (30) from Nawabazar, male (30) from Sharibhat, male (23) from Syed Afzal Mohalla, male (31) from Alamgiri Bazar, female (26) from Kupwara, male (28) from Sangam, female (17) and male (52) from Umerabad Srg, female (17) from HMT, male (45) from Bandipora, male (37) from Sumbal, female (38) from Safdan Budgam, female (NA) from Eidgah Srg, male (09) and two females (NA, 50) from Rajbagh, male (75) and female (70) from Harwan, female (67) from Dal Lake , male (34) from Hawal, female (28) from Lal Bazar, male (64) from Hawal, male (38) from Srinagar, male (30) from Sanatnagar, male (55) from NA, male (34) from Lal Bazar, male (64) from Basant Bagh, female (32) from Nowgam, male (NA) from Sempora, four males (38, 63, 53, 37) and four females (60, 62, 43, 59) from NA, male (40) from Zakura Srg, male (NA) from Sonwar, male (45) and female (65) from Padshaibagh Srg, male (62) from Tral, male (48) from Kishtwar, male (07) from Khansahib Budgam, female (55) from Habakadal Srg, male (40) from Narwara Srg, female (10) from Bemina Srg, male (30) from Harwan Srg, female (40) and male (21) from Eidgah Srg, female (33) and two males (35, 28) from Nowgam Srg, male (55) from Bemina Srg, male (28) from Bemina Srg, female (34) from Ompora Budgam, male (42) from Zakura, male (70) and female (65) from Lal Bazar, male (50) from Zakura, male (40) from Malbagh Srg, male (62) from Lal Bazar, female (60) from Beerwah Budgam, female (70) from Magam Budgam, male (80) from Chattergam, female (75) from Bemina Srg, male (55) from Budgam, male (30) from Safakadal Srg, female (NA) from Budgam, female (39) from Zakura, male (50) from Alochibagh Srg, male (52) from Babademb Srg, female (60) from Anantnag, male (35) from Baghi Mehtab, male (50) from Soura Srg, male (74) from Bemina Srg, male (60) from Hazratbal, male (80) from Melhoora Shopian, female (46) from Nanil, male (43) from IRP 17 Bn Mattan, male (40) from Nanil Education Dept, male (22) from Akoora EDB, male (50) from 96 Bn Mattan, male (63) from Batkoot, NA (35) from Nanil, male (48) from Mattan HSS, male (56) from Marhama Fishries, male (57) from Nambal Fishries.

 

 

 

 

 

The Anantnag cases include female (18) from Bijbehara, female (57) from Verinag Anantnag.

 

 

 

The Srinagar cases include male (32) from Karsoo Padshaibagh, male (36) from Noorbagh, male (55) from Rawalpora, two males (35, 40) from Soura, female (55) from Khalashpora, male (45) from Eidgah, male (28) from Old Ahmadnagar, male (32) from Ahmadnagar, female (32) and male (63) from Hyderpora, male (29) from Alamgiri Bazar, female (19) from Buchpora, male (42) from Alamgiri Bazar, male (22) from C/O Skims Soura, male (50) from Zakura, male (36) from Gulabagh, male (50) from Habak Crossing, male (51) from 44 Bn Ssb Harwan, male (39) from Soura, two females (72, 54) from Aribal Shalimar, male (30) from Chanapora, female (30) from Gilikadal, male (60) from Kanimazar Nawakadal, female (40) from Soura, female (29) and male (15) from Shahfaisal Colony Buchpora, female (35) from Lal Bazar, male (29) from C/O Skims Soura, female (10) and male (35) from Soura, female (48) from Mehjoor Nagar, male (63) from Elahibagh, female (50) from Panzinara, male (70) from Malabagh, female (29) from Rawalpora, male (70) from Zoonimar, female (80) from Bemina, female (75) from Tailbal Srinagar.

 

 

 

The Ganderbal cases include male (82) from Bobsipora, female (30) from Nunar Ganderbal.

 

 

 

The Baramulla cases include female (50) from Doodbuka Baramulla.

 

 

 

The Budgam cases include two males (36, 10) and female (13) from Hardpanzoo, female (55) from Kralwari Chadoora, male (49) from Sanat Nagar Badshah Colony, male (25) and female (12) from Chattergam BK Pora, two males (28, 32) and female (24) from Nowgam Naikhbagh, female (50) from Kanda Wanpora, female (25) from Chattergam Bonpora, male (27) from Nowgam Wanbal, female (32) from Chattergam, female (53) from Nowgam Wanibal, female (42) from PHC Soibugh, two males (28, 25) from Soibugh, male (54) and female (16) from Beerwah, female (25) from Mahawara, female (30) from Ompora, female (50) from Ichigam, male (45) from Charisharief, male (32) from Dalwan, three females (38, 65, 20) and male (70) from Gund Khawaja, two males (65, 09) from Sozaith, female (40) from Shipora, male (65) from Ichgam, male (60) from Iskanderpora Budgam.

 

 

 

The Kupwara cases include male (47) from SPG Kup, female (35) from Kandi, male (35) from Dhanni, male (25) from Khawapora, female (45) from Chanipora, male (24) from Shathpalla, male (21) from Tangdhar, male (40) from 7 RR Tangdhar, male (60) from Unisoo Kupwara, male (41) from Tangdhar Karna Kupwara, male (10) from Muqam Kupwara.

 

 

 

The Kulgam cases include male (34) from Shirpora Frisal Kulgam.

 

 

 

The Pulwama cases include male (56) from Nowpora Payeen, male (33) from Nowpora Tral, female (74) and male (60) from Tral Pulwama.

 

 

 

The Bandipora cases include male (55) from Sonawari Bandipora.

 

 

 

The Jammu cases include male (45) from Doda, male (45) from Sirankot Poonch Jammu.

 

 

 

The BB Cantt cases include nine males (19, 43, 33, 45, 52, 39, 24, 27, 20) from BB Cantt Srinagar.

 

 

 

The BSF cases include five males (26, 30, 31, 31, 34) from CH BSF Humhama Srinagar.

 

 

 

The CRPF cases include six males (45, 40, 30, 38, 48, 49) from GC Crpf Rambagh Srg, male (33) from CQC RTC Humhama Budgam, eighteen males (40, 39, 40, 41, 37, 35, 42, 45, 35, 40, 26, 42, 39, 30, 39, 32, 34, 33) from 35 Bn Crpf Humhama Budgam, male (40) from SDG Office Humhama Budgam.

 

 

 

Moreover, they said, 747 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and were discharged from various hospitals 275 from Jammu Division and 472 from Kashmir Valley. (GNS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Young writer from Kupwara publishes maiden book

 

Precious Kashmir News

Kupwara, Sept 16:  Inspired by Muslim poet, philosopher, and politician Allama Iqbal, a 21-year-old boy from the frontier district of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district has published his maiden book and is presently preparing for civil services.

Amir Altaf, a political science graduate from India’s premier educational institution Aligarh Muslim University, during the ongoing global pandemic has published his maiden book titled “Walking Away- The Unfinished Part of Me.”

Amir said the writings of Dr Sir Mohammad Iqbal has motivated him and the COVID-19 lockdown explored a writer as he wrote the book while being indoors.

He said that the book is a story that is based on love, sacrifice, and long-distance relationships. “It tells us about how our society is dysfunctional and how our culture encourages us to be emotionless. It tells us about how our youth constantly look for something deep and intimate without looking for the risks.”

He said the story depicts the life of a student, how he struggled in this troubled region and what predicaments he faced during his student life.

Amir said that apart from Dr. Sir Mohammad Iqbal he is inspired by the writings of Paulo Coelho and Indian writer  and politician Shashi Tharoor.

Amir is presently preparing for  civil services and besides being a writer, he has over the years featured in various regional newspapers with his opinion pieces on various contemporary issues—(KNO)

 

Covid-19 vaccine not widely available before mid-2021: German minister

 

 

Xinhua

 

Berlin, Sept 16:  A vaccine against the novel coronavirus would not be widely available before the middle of next year, Germany’s Minister of Education and Research Anja Karliczek said.

 

“We are still not at the finish line with the vaccine development, a lot can still happen in the next few weeks,” said Karliczek during a press conference on Tuesday. She also stressed the importance of confirming the safety of a vaccine.

 

Safety had “absolute priority,” stressed Karliczek. A vaccine could only be used if the proven benefit was significantly higher than the potential risks.

 

The German government had launched a special funding program to accelerate research and development of a COVID-19 vaccine with up to 750 million euros (892 million U.S. dollars). The details about the funding had already been finalized with two of the German companies, according to Karliczek.

 

German pharmaceutical company BioNTech, which is working together with U.S. company Pfizer on the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, would receive 375 million euros, while the biotech company CureVac would get 230 million euros in funding, according to Karliczek.

 

IDT Biologika was the third company to be funded by the German government, but talks about the funding were still ongoing, according to Karliczek.

 

To date, the World Health Organization (WHO) has registered around 180 vaccines that are in development, including 35 in human trials.

 

At a virtual briefing on Aug. 6, Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Program, said that six COVID-19 vaccine candidates, including three from China, had entered phase-3 trials.

 

India’s tally crosses 50-lakh mark

 

 

New Delhi, Sept 16: India’s Corona tally of cases galloped past 50 lakh, just 11 days after it crossed 40 lakh with 90,123 infections being reported in a day, while recoveries surged to 39,42,360 on Wednesday pushing the recovery rate to 78.53 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

 

The total Corona cases mounted to 50,20,359, while the death toll climbed to 82,066 with a record 1,290 people succumbing to the disease in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.

 

India’s Corona cases jumped from 10 lakh to 20 lakh in 21 days. Then it took 16 more days to race past 30 lakh, 13 days more to cross the 40-lakh mark and 11 days to go past 50 lakh.

 

It took 110 days for the Corona cases in the country to reach one lakh while it had taken 59 days more to go past the 10-lakh post.

 

There are 9,95,933 active cases of Corona in the country which comprises 19.84 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.

 

According to the ICMR, a cumulative total of 5,94,29,115 samples have been tested up to September 15 with 11,16,842 samples being tested on Tuesday.

Serum Institute gets DGCA’s nod to resume testing of vaccine

 

New Delhi, Sept 16:  The Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) on Wednesday got the go ahead of the Controller General of India (DCGI) for resumption of human trials of the Covid-19 vaccine in India.

 

The Serum Institute is conducting the second and third phase of human trials in India for the Corona vaccine being developed jointly by the Oxford University of Britain and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. On September 6, AstraZeneca stopped all on-site testing after a volunteer suffered a spinal problem during ongoing testing for the vaccine in the UK.

 

In India, however, the SII continued the trials and subsequently halted it on September 10 on DCGI’s instructions.

 

DCGI, while allowing the tests to resume, directed SII to exercise extreme caution during the test and asked for additional information in the volunteer’s approval form and to closely monitor the problems encountered during and after the test.

 

SII is also required to provide complete information regarding the vaccine and medicines given during the test at DCGI’s office.

 

 

Bharat Biotech, Cadila’s Corona vaccine in Phase II trial

 

 

 

 

New Delhi, Sept 15:  Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Balaram Bhargava said on Tuesday that Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadilla are doing human trials of the second phase of the Corona vaccine while Serum Institute of India is about to start the third phase of testing soon.

 

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Union Ministry of Health and Family, Dr Bhargava said at present there are three Corona vaccines in various stages of clinical trials. He said Phase I human trials of Cadila’s Corona vaccine has been completed and volunteers have been selected for Phase II testing.

 

There are three doses of this vaccine which are to be taken at intervals of 28–28 days.

 

The first phase of Bharat Biotech has also been completed and the results are being reviewed. Bharat Biotech has also selected the volunteers for the Phase II trial.

 

The Serum Institute tested on 100 volunteers for a second phase test for the Corona vaccine and then took a seven-day break as they wanted to begin the third phase. The Serum Institute intends to conduct a Phase III trial on 1,500 patients at 14 sites across the country.

 

Special team from Health Ministry deputed to Jammu: Jitendra

 

 

Jammu, Sept 16:  In view of alarming COVID-19 situation in Jammu, MoS in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh on Wednesday discussed the matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs following which a special team of Health Ministry has been deputed to Jammu.

 

Taking to microblogging site, Dr Singh wrote, “Have taken up with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the issue of alarming #COVID situation in #Jammu.”

 

“A special team of Union Health Ministry is being immediately deputed to visit #Jammu and assist the UT Government,” he tweeted further saying that also spoken to J&K LG Manoj Sinha regarding this.

 

Jammu is recording high number of positive cases in the recent past especially after Rapid Antigen Testing and the figure is between 300 to 400 on daily basis.

Police arrest 2 drivers for managing fake Covid-19 test reports

 

 

Precious Kashmir News

 

Srinagar, Sept 16:  Police have arrested two drivers who were managing fake COVID-19 test reports for passengers.

 

“On 15/09/2020 PS Kothibagh received a complaint that the complainant along with his family members were intending to proceed towards Jammu. On reaching TRC they enquired from drivers about the travel norms and stated that they have not undergone COVID-19 test,” a police spokesman said.

 

Two drivers identified as Omkar Singh son of Sardar Thakur Singh resident of Nawabbagh Jammu (Driver of Vehicle No JK03D-4447) and Nazir Ahmad Khanday son of Ab Khaliq resident of Bemina Srinagar (Driver of Vehicle No JK01AL-3612) asked them to provide their aadhar cards so that they will arrange a health team for their Covid testing.

 

After 15 minutes, the duo provided them Covid-19 test reports with Covid Negative results.

 

“Preliminary inquiry reveals that the said drivers are cheating people and putting the lives of public in danger by managing the fake negative reports of Covid -19. During checking, Covid-19 reports with negative results have been recovered from their procession. The motive behind the crime is being ascertained and the investigation of the case is going on,” the spokesman said.

 

A case FIR No. 73/2020 under relevant sections of law has been registered in PS Kothibagh.

 

Both the drivers were arrested and shifted to Police Station Kothibagh where they remain in custody.

Prepared to fight full-fledged war in winters in Ladakh: Indian army to China

 

 

Jammu, Sept 16:  Asserting that they were geared up for a prolonged stand-off against the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the Indian Army on Wednesday said they were ready to face the coming winters with strong operational preparedness in place.

 

Defence sources said here that altitudes in Ladakh range from High to Super High Altitude and there is a lot of snowfall, as after the month of November, up to 40 feet snow is experienced.

 

“Coupled with this, temperature dipping down to minus 30-40 degrees is a usual phenomenon. Wind chill factor makes matters further worse for the troops,” they added.

 

India is a peace-loving country and wishes to have good relations with its neighbours, they said, adding that the country always prefers to resolve issues through dialogue and talks are in progress to resolve the issue of borders with China in Eastern Ladakh.

 

However, at military level, it is well-prepared for the prolonged stand off.

 

Sources said the roads also get closed due to the snow. But despite all this, most encouraging part for India is that the Indian soldiers have a huge experience of winter warfare and are psychologically tuned to operate at short notice.

 

”While this fact is known to the world, the operational logistics capabilities are hardly known. Chinese media reports that India’s Operational Logistics is not geared up adequately and will not be able to fight through winters effectively, can best be attributed to ignorance,” they said.

 

The Defence sources further said that Indian Army is fully prepared and more than capable for fighting a full-fledged war, even in winters in Eastern Ladakh.

 

”Logistic capability relates to mobility, habitat and billeting, quality services from health, special rations, repair and recovery, heating systems, high quality weapons, ammunition, quality clothing, and so on,” said the sources.

 

While much of this capability existed earlier and troops could simply plug and play, a lot has also been boosted since May this year, when China showed it’s first signs of aggression, they added.

 

It is important to understand that the Army has experience of Siachen, where conditions are much more demanding than the frontiers with China, said the sources.

 

”Traditionally, there were two routes for moving into Ladakh, that is through Zojila and Rohtang Passes. Recently, India commissioned the third road from Darcha to Leh, which is much shorter distance wise and less prone to closure.

 

”Modern snow clearing equipment has also been placed on these routes to keep them open beyond November, thus giving us more time for daily maintenance of the troops,” they added.

 

”Compared to Indian troops that are battle hardened physically and psychologically, Chinese troops are mostly from urban areas and not used to hardships or prolonged deployment under field conditions.

 

”These worries have been percolating the minds of Chinese troops and is visible in Chinese media,” claimed the sources.