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<p>India is facing the brunt of&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;shortage with serpentine lines seen outside&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;manufacturing units as the second wave of COVID-19 has completely overwhelmed health infrastructure of the country.</p>

<p>The world's second-most populous nation is in deep crisis, with its hospitals and morgues overwhelmed as healthcare professionals struggle to cope with streams of patients.</p>

<p>Apart from the megacities, medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;and beds have become scarce in smaller cities, with major hospitals putting up notices saying they have no room for any more patients and asking relatives to arrange for medical&nbsp;oxygen.</p>

<p>Long queues were seen at&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;plants in several cities of India's most populous Uttar Pradesh state, including its capital Lucknow, with people from private hospitals, isolation centres, and even individuals visiting the plant with their empty cylinders in the hopes of getting some life-saving gas for patients.</p>

<p>Oxygen&nbsp;production and filling facilities in rural India are also overburdened with high-demand. They have shut regular industrial filling of&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;and are only focused on filling up cylinders for medical&nbsp;oxygen.</p>

<p><strong>Why is&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;vital?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Oxygen&nbsp;therapy is crucial for severe Covid-19 patients with hypoxaemia when&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;levels in the blood are too low.<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-india-run-out-of-doctors-to-treat-the-wuhan-virus-381229/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>According to&nbsp;community health specialist Rajib Dasgupta,&nbsp;"Some clinical studies&nbsp;show that up to a quarter of hospitalised (Covid-19) patients require&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;therapy and upwards to two-thirds of those in intensive care units."</p>

<p>"This is why it is imperative&nbsp;to fix&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;supply systems in hospital settings as this is a disease that affects lungs primarily."</p>

<p>India's toll from the coronavirus surged past 200,000 on Wednesday, the country's deadliest day, as shortages of&nbsp;oxygen, medical supplies and hospital staff compounded a record number of new infections.</p>

<p><strong>What is an oximeter and oxygen concentrator?</strong></p>

<p>Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive and painless test that measures your oxygen saturation level or the oxygen levels in your blood. It can rapidly detect even small changes in how efficiently oxygen is being carried to the extremities furthest from the heart, including the legs and the arms.</p>

<p>During a pulse oximetry reading, a small clamp-like device is placed on a finger, earlobe, or toe. Small beams of light pass through the blood in the finger, measuring the amount of oxygen. It does this by measuring changes in light absorption in oxygenated or deoxygenated blood. This is a painless process.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, in the case of oxygen&nbsp;concentrator, air&nbsp;is filled with various gases such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen. So to separate oxygen from these gases Oxygen Concentrator comes into being, it is a medical device that supplies pure oxygen. As per the WHO report published in 2015, this device was developed to help patients admitted to hospital with respiratory illness. Oxygen Concentrator produces oxygen for 24 hours, seven days a week, for up to five years or more. Also, they can supply five to ten litres of oxygen per minute. Unlike the oxygen cylinder, this device doesn't need to get refiled, is portable and can run with the help of an inverter. However, they are quite expensive, compared to oxygen cylinders.</p>

<p><strong>Does India produce enough&nbsp;oxygen?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Yes. Experts say the vast nation of 1.3 billion people is producing enough&nbsp;oxygen, just over 7,000 tonnes a day. Most is for industrial use but can be diverted for&nbsp;medical&nbsp;purposes.</p>

<p>The bottlenecks are in transport and storage.</p>

<p>Liquid&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;at very low temperatures has to be transported in cryogenic tankers to distributors, which then convert it into gas for filling cylinders.</p>

<p>But India is short of cryogenic tankers.</p>

<p>And such special tankers, when filled, have to be transported by road and not by air for safety reasons.</p>

<p>Most&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;producers are in India's east, while the soaring demand has been in cities including financial hub Mumbai in the west and the capital Delhi in the north.</p>

<p>According to&nbsp;the head of one of India's biggest&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;suppliers Inox Air Products, Siddharth Jain, "The supply chain has to be tweaked to move&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;from certain regions which have excess supply to regions which need more supply."</p>

<p>Meanwhile, many hospitals do not have on-site&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;plants, often because of poor infrastructure, a lack of expertise and high costs.</p>

<p>Late last year, India issued tenders for on-site&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;plants for hospitals. But the plans were never actioned, local media report.</p>

<p><strong>Why the long waits for&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;in developing nations?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>India is only the latest country to confront a lack of&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;supplies. Earlier in the pandemic there were similar scenes of long lines in countries such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Peru and Venezuela.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Unitaid, a global initiative that helps low- and middle-income countries confront public health challenges, puts the lack of supplies of&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;down to its cost, limited infrastructure and logistical difficulties.</p>

<p>Medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;is key to treating people in respiratory distress, whether at home or in hospitals. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one person in five suffering from Covid-19 needs&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;to ensure that the level of&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;in their blood is sufficient.</p>

<p><strong>How much is needed in countries facing shortages?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>In February, the WHO estimated that half a million people needed 1.2 million&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;canisters a day.</p>

<p>Unitaid put the price tag of helping the countries facing the greatest need at $1.6 billion this year. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"This is a global emergency that needs a truly global response," said Unitaid's Executive Director, Dr Philippe Duneton, in February.</p>

<p>It has identified some 20 countries facing the greatest difficulties with&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;supplies, including Malawi, Nigeria and Afghanistan.</p>

<p><strong>How is&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;made?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Oxygen&nbsp;is made in two ways:</p>

<p>Medical&nbsp;oxygen: is made by separating the&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;from other gases and impurities found in air by repeated steps of compression, filtration and purification, according to Air Liquide Sante France.</p>

<p>Such&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;reaches more than 99.5 percent purity and is rigorously tested.</p>

<p>It can be highly compressed into a liquid form, but has to be maintained below -182°C, which according to Air Liquide Sante France is the best way to meet variations in demand as one litre of liquid&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;is the equivalent to around 800 litres when it is in normal gas form.</p>

<p>Canisters that can travel with patients with one litre of compressed litres of&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;contain about 200 litres of normal&nbsp;oxygen.</p>

<p>- Compressed&nbsp;oxygen: machines that can separate out nitrogen from ambient air can raise&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;levels to around 93 percent.&nbsp;The machines can be portable or larger to serve a hospital. However, these machines cannot meet surges in demand -- which rose by a factor of five or six in French hospitals as waves of Covid patients peaked. They are require lots of electricity and need to be regularly maintained by a technician.</p>

<p><strong>Who are the main producers?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Outside of China, the three main producers of&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;are the German firm Linde, which is allied with Praxair in the US; the French firm Air Liquide and the US company Air Products.</p>

<p>But there are a large number of local and regional producers of&nbsp;medical&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;given that it is difficult to shop long distances.</p>

<p>Industrialised countries are better served as production facilities were designed to serve more than just the&nbsp;medical&nbsp;sector, such as the steel and chemicals industries.</p>

<p><strong>What's being done for India?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The Indian military has used its cargo aircraft to transport&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;tanker trucks where supplies are lacking, and a train called the&nbsp;Oxygen&nbsp;Express was put into service on April 22.</p>

<p>The military has also said it plans to import 23 mobile production units from Germany.</p>

<p>France plans to send eight such units that will be able to produce enough&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;to serve 10,000 patients a day. It also plans to ship 200 tonnes of liquid&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;to Indian hospitals.</p>

<p><strong>What's happening on the ground?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Oxygen&nbsp;shortages are still affecting badly hit regions despite the measures to boost supply, transport and storage.</p>

<p>Reports have emerged of hospitals asking patients to arrange for their own&nbsp;cylinders and of people dying even after being admitted due to low&nbsp;oxygen&nbsp;supplies.</p>

<p>Social media platforms have been filled with posts by desperate families hunting for cylinders and refills.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, there is a growing black market for cylinders and concentrators sold far above their usual retail prices.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


India is facing the brunt of oxygen shortage with serpentine lines seen outside oxygen manufacturing units as the second wave of COVID-19 has completely overwhelmed health infrastructure of the country.

India is facing the brunt of oxygen shortage with serpentine lines seen outside oxygen manufacturing units as the second wave of COVID-19 has completely overwhelmed health infrastructure of the country. The world's second-most populous nation is in deep crisis, with its hospitals and morgues overwhelmed as healthcare professionals struggle to cope with streams of patients. Apart from the megacities, medical oxygen and beds have become scarce in smaller cities, with major hospitals putting up notices saying they have no room for any more patients and asking relatives to arrange for medical oxygen. Long queues were seen at oxygen plants in several cities of India's most populous Uttar Pradesh state, including its capital Lucknow, with people from private hospitals, isolation centres, and even individuals visiting the plant with their empty cylinders in the hopes of getting some life-saving gas for patients. Oxygen production and filling facilities in rural India are also overburdened with high-demand. They have shut regular industrial filling of oxygen and are only focused on filling up cylinders for medical oxygen. Why is medical oxygen vital? Oxygen therapy is crucial for severe Covid-19 patients with hypoxaemia when oxygen levels in the blood are too low. According to community health specialist Rajib Dasgupta, "Some clinical studies show that up to a quarter of hospitalised (Covid-19) patients require oxygen therapy and upwards to two-thirds of those in intensive care units." "This is why it is imperative to fix oxygen supply systems in hospital settings as this is a disease that affects lungs primarily." India's toll from the coronavirus surged past 200,000 on Wednesday, the country's deadliest day, as shortages of oxygen, medical supplies and hospital staff compounded a record number of new infections. What is an oximeter and oxygen concentrator? Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive and painless test that measures your oxygen saturation level or the oxygen levels in your blood. It can rapidly detect even small changes in how efficiently oxygen is being carried to the extremities furthest from the heart, including the legs and the arms. During a pulse oximetry reading, a small clamp-like device is placed on a finger, earlobe, or toe. Small beams of light pass through the blood in the finger, measuring the amount of oxygen. It does this by measuring changes in light absorption in oxygenated or deoxygenated blood. This is a painless process. Meanwhile, in the case of oxygen concentrator, air is filled with various gases such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen. So to separate oxygen from these gases Oxygen Concentrator comes into being, it is a medical device that supplies pure oxygen. As per the WHO report published in 2015, this device was developed to help patients admitted to hospital with respiratory illness. Oxygen Concentrator produces oxygen for 24 hours, seven days a week, for up to five years or more. Also, they can supply five to ten litres of oxygen per minute. Unlike the oxygen cylinder, this device doesn't need to get refiled, is portable and can run with the help of an inverter. However, they are quite expensive, compared to oxygen cylinders. Does India produce enough oxygen? Yes. Experts say the vast nation of 1.3 billion people is producing enough oxygen, just over 7,000 tonnes a day. Most is for industrial use but can be diverted for medical purposes. The bottlenecks are in transport and storage. Liquid oxygen at very low temperatures has to be transported in cryogenic tankers to distributors, which then convert it into gas for filling cylinders. But India is short of cryogenic tankers. And such special tankers, when filled, have to be transported by road and not by air for safety reasons. Most oxygen producers are in India's east, while the soaring demand has been in cities including financial hub Mumbai in the west and the capital Delhi in the north. According to the head of one of India's biggest medical oxygen suppliers Inox Air Products, Siddharth Jain, "The supply chain has to be tweaked to move medical oxygen from certain regions which have excess supply to regions which need more supply." Meanwhile, many hospitals do not have on-site oxygen plants, often because of poor infrastructure, a lack of expertise and high costs. Late last year, India issued tenders for on-site oxygen plants for hospitals. But the plans were never actioned, local media report. Why the long waits for oxygen in developing nations? India is only the latest country to confront a lack of medical oxygen supplies. Earlier in the pandemic there were similar scenes of long lines in countries such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Peru and Venezuela. Unitaid, a global initiative that helps low- and middle-income countries confront public health challenges, puts the lack of supplies of medical oxygen down to its cost, limited infrastructure and logistical difficulties. Medical oxygen is key to treating people in respiratory distress, whether at home or in hospitals. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one person in five suffering from Covid-19 needs medical oxygen to ensure that the level of oxygen in their blood is sufficient. How much is needed in countries facing shortages? In February, the WHO estimated that half a million people needed 1.2 million oxygen canisters a day. Unitaid put the price tag of helping the countries facing the greatest need at $1.6 billion this year. "This is a global emergency that needs a truly global response," said Unitaid's Executive Director, Dr Philippe Duneton, in February. It has identified some 20 countries facing the greatest difficulties with oxygen supplies, including Malawi, Nigeria and Afghanistan. How is oxygen made? Oxygen is made in two ways: Medical oxygen: is made by separating the oxygen from other gases and impurities found in air by repeated steps of compression, filtration and purification, according to Air Liquide Sante France. Such medical oxygen reaches more than 99.5 percent purity and is rigorously tested. It can be highly compressed into a liquid form, but has to be maintained below -182°C, which according to Air Liquide Sante France is the best way to meet variations in demand as one litre of liquid oxygen is the equivalent to around 800 litres when it is in normal gas form. Canisters that can travel with patients with one litre of compressed litres of oxygen contain about 200 litres of normal oxygen. - Compressed oxygen: machines that can separate out nitrogen from ambient air can raise oxygen levels to around 93 percent. The machines can be portable or larger to serve a hospital. However, these machines cannot meet surges in demand -- which rose by a factor of five or six in French hospitals as waves of Covid patients peaked. They are require lots of electricity and need to be regularly maintained by a technician. Who are the main producers? Outside of China, the three main producers of medical oxygen are the German firm Linde, which is allied with Praxair in the US; the French firm Air Liquide and the US company Air Products. But there are a large number of local and regional producers of medical oxygen given that it is difficult to shop long distances. Industrialised countries are better served as production facilities were designed to serve more than just the medical sector, such as the steel and chemicals industries. What's being done for India? The Indian military has used its cargo aircraft to transport oxygen tanker trucks where supplies are lacking, and a train called the Oxygen Express was put into service on April 22. The military has also said it plans to import 23 mobile production units from Germany. France plans to send eight such units that will be able to produce enough oxygen to serve 10,000 patients a day. It also plans to ship 200 tonnes of liquid oxygen to Indian hospitals. What's happening on the ground? Oxygen shortages are still affecting badly hit regions despite the measures to boost supply, transport and storage. Reports have emerged of hospitals asking patients to arrange for their own cylinders and of people dying even after being admitted due to low oxygen supplies. Social media platforms have been filled with posts by desperate families hunting for cylinders and refills. Meanwhile, there is a growing black market for cylinders and concentrators sold far above their usual retail prices. (With inputs from agencies)

Medical oxygen: Why is it vital and does India produce enough?

test 2

<div>Nearly 40 countries have come out to help India as it battles the devastating covid crisis, with a focus on getting liquid oxygen, oxygen generating equipment, tankers, and medicines. The assistance is a mix of a grant, procuring on the government to government basis, cooperates both international and India, and Indian community associations.&nbsp;</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>"There has been an outpouring of solidarity with India, the outpouring of assistance. Over 40 countries, integrated into supply chains globally, have been sourcing equipment..from their sources of supply,"&nbsp;Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla told local reporters.&nbsp;</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senators-urge-pfizer-jj-moderna-to-help-india-in-covid-crisis-381363" hreflang="en">US senators urge Pfizer, J&amp;J, Moderna to help India in Covid crisis</a></strong></div>

<div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>In the next few days, India is expected to get&nbsp;550 oxygen generating plants, 4,000&nbsp;oxygen concentrators, 10,000 oxygen cylinders and 17 cryogenic oxygen tankers.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>India will also&nbsp;be getting 450,000 doses of Remdesivir from Gilead Sciences, 300,000 doses of Favipiravir from countries such as Russia and UAE.&nbsp;India is trying to procure&nbsp;Remdesivir&nbsp;from Egypt (400,000 doses), Bangladesh, Uzbekistan and UAE.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-crisis-like-in-india-could-happen-anywhere-warns-who-381419" hreflang="en">Covid crisis like in India could 'happen anywhere', warns WHO</a></strong></div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>"What we want to make sure is that all this equipment that is consigned to India, the government of India is expeditiously cleared. There are blanket exemptions from the different taxes, custom duties they would have to normally undergo of such items are coming to India"</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>Large support is coming from the four countries of the gulf — UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia. A special cargo flight will come&nbsp;from UAE later today with ventilators and&nbsp;Favipiravir. The country will also ship 140 MT of&nbsp;liquid&nbsp;oxygen.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/women-lost-nearly-800-billion-in-income-due-to-coronavirus-pandemic-381418" hreflang="en">Women lost nearly $800 billion in income due to coronavirus pandemic</a></strong></div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>In addition to this, Bahrain will be sending 40 MT of assistance in the form of a gift. This shipment will be sent using Indian Navy ships already in the region and will arrive by tomorrow.&nbsp;When it comes to Kuwait, the country will send, 185 Metric Tonnes of liquid medical oxygen in seven ISO tanks of 20 MT capacity and three semi-trailers of 25 MT capacity each, 1,000 oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators.&nbsp;They have ALSI indicated that they would be able to refill the aforementioned ISO tanks/ semi-trailers at least seven times.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>Bangladesh has also announced its support to India and will be sending 10,000 vials of injectable anti-viral, oral anti-viral, 30,000 PPE kits, and several thousand zinc, calcium, vitamin C and other necessary tablets.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>A release from the country's foreign ministry said, "Bangladesh stands in solidarity with close neighbor India at this critical moment and is ready to provide and mobilise support in every possible way to save lives."&nbsp;In the neighborhood, Bhutan will be supplying 40 MT of liquid oxygen and&nbsp;Mauritius has gifted 200 oxygen concentrators.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>The Norwegian government has announced a contribution of 2.4 mn USD towards COVID relief in India, to be channeled through the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). "We send our deepest sympathies and support to all our Indian friends...We stand with you in this time of crisis, with the hope that the second wave will recede soon,"&nbsp;Norwegian Ambassador to India, Hans Jacob Frydenlund said.</div>
</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>Meanwhile, Romania became the first European Union member country to deliver urgent support of 80 oxygen concentrators and 75 oxygen cylinders to India via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The equipment was brought by a Romanian military aircraft.&nbsp;The Romanian foreign ministry in a release said, "Romanian people hearts and prayers are with the Indian people in those very difficult moments."&nbsp;Ireland will be next to send 700 oxygen concentrators.&nbsp;</div>

<div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>The first flight to India of assistance from the international community was from the UK on April 27, followed by Russia on April 29. The US assistance comes on Friday, the French support comes on Saturday.&nbsp;</div>
</div>


Nearly 40 countries have come out to help India as it battles the devastating covid crisis, with a focus on getting liquid oxygen, oxygen generating equipment, tankers, and medicines.

Nearly 40 countries have come out to help India as it battles the devastating covid crisis, with a focus on getting liquid oxygen, oxygen generating equipment, tankers, and medicines. The assistance is a mix of a grant, procuring on the government to government basis, cooperates both international and India, and Indian community associations. "There has been an outpouring of solidarity with India, the outpouring of assistance. Over 40 countries, integrated into supply chains globally, have been sourcing equipment..from their sources of supply," Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla told local reporters. Also read | US senators urge Pfizer, J&J, Moderna to help India in Covid crisis In the next few days, India is expected to get 550 oxygen generating plants, 4,000 oxygen concentrators, 10,000 oxygen cylinders and 17 cryogenic oxygen tankers. India will also be getting 450,000 doses of Remdesivir from Gilead Sciences, 300,000 doses of Favipiravir from countries such as Russia and UAE. India is trying to procure Remdesivir from Egypt (400,000 doses), Bangladesh, Uzbekistan and UAE. Also read | Covid crisis like in India could 'happen anywhere', warns WHO "What we want to make sure is that all this equipment that is consigned to India, the government of India is expeditiously cleared. There are blanket exemptions from the different taxes, custom duties they would have to normally undergo of such items are coming to India" Large support is coming from the four countries of the gulf — UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia. A special cargo flight will come from UAE later today with ventilators and Favipiravir. The country will also ship 140 MT of liquid oxygen. Also read | Women lost nearly $800 billion in income due to coronavirus pandemic In addition to this, Bahrain will be sending 40 MT of assistance in the form of a gift. This shipment will be sent using Indian Navy ships already in the region and will arrive by tomorrow. When it comes to Kuwait, the country will send, 185 Metric Tonnes of liquid medical oxygen in seven ISO tanks of 20 MT capacity and three semi-trailers of 25 MT capacity each, 1,000 oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators. They have ALSI indicated that they would be able to refill the aforementioned ISO tanks/ semi-trailers at least seven times. Bangladesh has also announced its support to India and will be sending 10,000 vials of injectable anti-viral, oral anti-viral, 30,000 PPE kits, and several thousand zinc, calcium, vitamin C and other necessary tablets. A release from the country's foreign ministry said, "Bangladesh stands in solidarity with close neighbor India at this critical moment and is ready to provide and mobilise support in every possible way to save lives." In the neighborhood, Bhutan will be supplying 40 MT of liquid oxygen and Mauritius has gifted 200 oxygen concentrators. The Norwegian government has announced a contribution of 2.4 mn USD towards COVID relief in India, to be channeled through the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). "We send our deepest sympathies and support to all our Indian friends...We stand with you in this time of crisis, with the hope that the second wave will recede soon," Norwegian Ambassador to India, Hans Jacob Frydenlund said. Meanwhile, Romania became the first European Union member country to deliver urgent support of 80 oxygen concentrators and 75 oxygen cylinders to India via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The equipment was brought by a Romanian military aircraft. The Romanian foreign ministry in a release said, "Romanian people hearts and prayers are with the Indian people in those very difficult moments." Ireland will be next to send 700 oxygen concentrators. The first flight to India of assistance from the international community was from the UK on April 27, followed by Russia on April 29. The US assistance comes on Friday, the French support comes on Saturday.

India covid crisis: Outpouring of solidarity by international community, says FS Shringla

<p>Demand for private jets has boomed as Indians who could afford them scrambled to escape a Covid surge after the UAE banned travel from India for 10 days starting from April 24 due to the worsening COVID-19 situation in the country.</p>

<p>All flights from the UAE to India - one of the world's busiest air corridors are suspended as coronavirus cases in the South Asian nation reach record levels and overwhelm hospitals.</p>

<p>UAE citizens, diplomatic passport holders and official delegations are exempted from the above conditions.</p>

<p>The UAE is home to roughly 3.3 million Indians who make up a third of the population - most of them in Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up the federation.</p>

<p>The latest suspension in flights that came into force Sunday has shut down some 300 commercial flights that operated weekly on one of the world's busiest air corridors.</p>

<p>Apart from low-paid labourers on short-term contracts, the sudden move has stranded members of long-settled wealthy families who travelled to India for holidays, work or medical emergencies.</p>

<p>Many are now in a panic as cases in India skyrocket, with 18 million infections and more than 201,000 people dead, and the daily fatality toll rising above 3,000 for the first time on Wednesday.</p>

<p>After the UAE shut its airspace to curb the spread of coronavirus in March last year, some residents raised the funds for seats on shared chartered planes that were permitted to fly to Dubai.</p>

<p>Dozens of charter flights zipped passengers from India to Dubai in the days before the new ban, after all, commercial seats were snapped up, and charter companies say demand has since surged.</p>

<p>A 13-seat jet flying from Mumbai to Dubai costs between $35,000 and $38,000, around 35 times the price of a regular ticket. Prices from other cities are even higher.</p>

<p>But as demand soars, operators have been scrambling to clarify rules around private planes landing in the UAE.</p>

<p>"Chartered flights need to get approval from the General Civil Aviation Authority and the foreign ministry to operate. But we do not know who is exempted to travel," said Tapish Khivensra, CEO of Enthral Aviation Private Jet Charter.</p>

<p>Civil aviation has said UAE nationals, diplomats, official delegations and "businessmens' planes" are excluded from the ban, provided passengers observe measures including a 10-day quarantine.</p>

<p>Long-term Dubai resident Purushothaman Nair said he was prepared to "spend a fortune" to return to the UAE.</p>

<p>"My wife and I came to India for just 10 days. We have to fly back to Dubai at any cost," he told AFP.</p>

<p>"There are many people who are willing to pay up. How can people with business interests and big responsibilities in the UAE afford to stay away for a longer period?" said Nair, who works in the government sector.</p>

<p>"The fear of contracting the virus is a bigger worry."</p>

<p>The less well-off are weighing the high cost against the risk of losing their livelihoods.</p>

<p>"If I cannot make it in a few weeks, my job is on the line. My employer is already putting pressure on me and asking me to travel to the UAE via other countries," Jameel Mohammed told AFP.</p>

<p>Mohammed had not seen his young son for two years when he was granted leave in March.</p>

<p>He was thrilled at the prospect of a reunion but is now stranded in the southern state of Kerala.</p>

<p>"I can't afford that kind of money. But if the choice is between losing my job and borrowing money, I will do the latter and fly back."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Demand for private jets has boomed as Indians who could afford them scrambled to escape a Covid surge after the UAE banned travel from India for 10 days starting from April 24 due to the worsening COVID-19 situation in the country.

Demand for private jets has boomed as Indians who could afford them scrambled to escape a Covid surge after the UAE banned travel from India for 10 days starting from April 24 due to the worsening COVID-19 situation in the country. All flights from the UAE to India - one of the world's busiest air corridors are suspended as coronavirus cases in the South Asian nation reach record levels and overwhelm hospitals. UAE citizens, diplomatic passport holders and official delegations are exempted from the above conditions. The UAE is home to roughly 3.3 million Indians who make up a third of the population - most of them in Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up the federation. The latest suspension in flights that came into force Sunday has shut down some 300 commercial flights that operated weekly on one of the world's busiest air corridors. Apart from low-paid labourers on short-term contracts, the sudden move has stranded members of long-settled wealthy families who travelled to India for holidays, work or medical emergencies. Many are now in a panic as cases in India skyrocket, with 18 million infections and more than 201,000 people dead, and the daily fatality toll rising above 3,000 for the first time on Wednesday. After the UAE shut its airspace to curb the spread of coronavirus in March last year, some residents raised the funds for seats on shared chartered planes that were permitted to fly to Dubai. Dozens of charter flights zipped passengers from India to Dubai in the days before the new ban, after all, commercial seats were snapped up, and charter companies say demand has since surged. A 13-seat jet flying from Mumbai to Dubai costs between $35,000 and $38,000, around 35 times the price of a regular ticket. Prices from other cities are even higher. But as demand soars, operators have been scrambling to clarify rules around private planes landing in the UAE. "Chartered flights need to get approval from the General Civil Aviation Authority and the foreign ministry to operate. But we do not know who is exempted to travel," said Tapish Khivensra, CEO of Enthral Aviation Private Jet Charter. Civil aviation has said UAE nationals, diplomats, official delegations and "businessmens' planes" are excluded from the ban, provided passengers observe measures including a 10-day quarantine. Long-term Dubai resident Purushothaman Nair said he was prepared to "spend a fortune" to return to the UAE. "My wife and I came to India for just 10 days. We have to fly back to Dubai at any cost," he told AFP. "There are many people who are willing to pay up. How can people with business interests and big responsibilities in the UAE afford to stay away for a longer period?" said Nair, who works in the government sector. "The fear of contracting the virus is a bigger worry." The less well-off are weighing the high cost against the risk of losing their livelihoods. "If I cannot make it in a few weeks, my job is on the line. My employer is already putting pressure on me and asking me to travel to the UAE via other countries," Jameel Mohammed told AFP. Mohammed had not seen his young son for two years when he was granted leave in March. He was thrilled at the prospect of a reunion but is now stranded in the southern state of Kerala. "I can't afford that kind of money. But if the choice is between losing my job and borrowing money, I will do the latter and fly back." (With inputs from agencies)

Private jets in demand: Indians flee the country, fly to UAE to escape Covid surge

<p>“Human identity is no longer defined by what one does but what one owns,” this harrowing truth about our existence was pronounced by former US President Jimmy Carter in one of his public addresses almost four decades ago.</p>

<p>Humans are wired to get dissatisfied -- especially in a world fraught with distractions and things that offer speedier, quicker, faster results -- one tends to get bored easily. With so many options available, our hunger to own more expands exponentially. Unfortunately, at the core of this saddening reality, an ugly truth stares right back – more of us are intrinsically unhappy even while working in fancy multinationals, clad in couture and commuting by fanciest of cars.</p>

<p>This ever-growing sense of dissatisfaction seems to have an answer in a growing school of thought which, according to me, makes total sense. Now is the time to adopt ‘minimalism’ like never before.</p>

<p>Look around and all that the eye can meet is clutter. Our mind, on an average, produces as many as 70,000 thoughts in a day – most of it just fans unnecessary anxiety and stress. We have enough food but we want more, we have a comfortable house but we want a bigger one, another car and of course, the latest iPhone.</p>

<p>Matt D’Avella’s documentary on minimalism&nbsp;becomes a must watch for all of us as it introduces to the virtue of having less and why having less is more. The short film features a young duo, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, who quit their six-figure, fancy jobs in the United States and packed their lives in just about two suitcases to live with as little as possible. The duo calls itself 'The Minimalists' and goes around the country talking about their book and the importance of embracing the movement that emphasises de-cluttering lives and embracing simplicity.</p>

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<h5>When our standard of living is improving by the day, why is that we still want more? Why are we so restless and why do we feel like not getting enough?</h5>
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<p>The documentary, 'Minimalism: A documentary about the important things,' raises a valid point – when our standard of living is improving by the day, why is that we still want more? Why are we so restless and why do we feel like not getting enough? All the flashy things that are out there, we don’t really need those things for survival; they have been marketed to us for years, to trick us into believing that we need those things.</p>

<p>What is the true meaning of being successful? Experts suggest that over decades the idea of the ‘Big American Dream’ has come around to have completely different connotations. America was once seen as a land of enormous opportunities for one and all. A nation where one starts at rock-bottom, work hard and do well. With time, the idea became more materialistic in nature – increasingly about getting a six-figure job, that is how success is measured today across the globe, sadly.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The concept of minimalism&nbsp;rests in the fact that one should be able to justify the existence of things in life. Ask yourself, does this item, commodity or even a relationship add any value to life? If the answer is in negative then, “I should be willing enough to part with it, to let it go,” Joshua notes in the documentary.</p>

<p>It is interesting to see how an art movement, essentially an American visual arts movement of the mid-twentieth century, gained prominence to actually inspire a movement with a potential to make our lives better and instil meaning and substance.</p>

<p>Minimalism&nbsp;can be applied to every aspect of life, think out loud to yourself – is your closet too cluttered, do you really need all those pairs of shoes or the latest version of that pricey smartphone? Do you have quality and meaningful relationships with anyone in the crowd that you call ‘friends’? Is your daily routine meaningful and adds value to your existence?</p>

<p>Always remember, we cannot be happy with having too little, having too much is never going to bring contentment, you and I seek that fine balance of having just about enough and maintaining that equilibrium for life -- that is minimalism, your key to happiness.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>


“Human identity is no longer defined by what one does but what one owns,” this harrowing truth about our existence was pronounced by former US President Jimmy Carter in one of his public addresses almost four decades ago.

“Human identity is no longer defined by what one does but what one owns,” this harrowing truth about our existence was pronounced by former US President Jimmy Carter in one of his public addresses almost four decades ago. Humans are wired to get dissatisfied -- especially in a world fraught with distractions and things that offer speedier, quicker, faster results -- one tends to get bored easily. With so many options available, our hunger to own more expands exponentially. Unfortunately, at the core of this saddening reality, an ugly truth stares right back – more of us are intrinsically unhappy even while working in fancy multinationals, clad in couture and commuting by fanciest of cars. This ever-growing sense of dissatisfaction seems to have an answer in a growing school of thought which, according to me, makes total sense. Now is the time to adopt ‘minimalism’ like never before. Look around and all that the eye can meet is clutter. Our mind, on an average, produces as many as 70,000 thoughts in a day – most of it just fans unnecessary anxiety and stress. We have enough food but we want more, we have a comfortable house but we want a bigger one, another car and of course, the latest iPhone. Matt D’Avella’s documentary on minimalism becomes a must watch for all of us as it introduces to the virtue of having less and why having less is more. The short film features a young duo, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, who quit their six-figure, fancy jobs in the United States and packed their lives in just about two suitcases to live with as little as possible. The duo calls itself 'The Minimalists' and goes around the country talking about their book and the importance of embracing the movement that emphasises de-cluttering lives and embracing simplicity. When our standard of living is improving by the day, why is that we still want more? Why are we so restless and why do we feel like not getting enough? × The documentary, 'Minimalism: A documentary about the important things,' raises a valid point – when our standard of living is improving by the day, why is that we still want more? Why are we so restless and why do we feel like not getting enough? All the flashy things that are out there, we don’t really need those things for survival; they have been marketed to us for years, to trick us into believing that we need those things. What is the true meaning of being successful? Experts suggest that over decades the idea of the ‘Big American Dream’ has come around to have completely different connotations. America was once seen as a land of enormous opportunities for one and all. A nation where one starts at rock-bottom, work hard and do well. With time, the idea became more materialistic in nature – increasingly about getting a six-figure job, that is how success is measured today across the globe, sadly. The concept of 'minimalism' rests in the fact that one should be able to justify the existence of things in life. × The concept of minimalism rests in the fact that one should be able to justify the existence of things in life. Ask yourself, does this item, commodity or even a relationship add any value to life? If the answer is in negative then, “I should be willing enough to part with it, to let it go,” Joshua notes in the documentary. It is interesting to see how an art movement, essentially an American visual arts movement of the mid-twentieth century, gained prominence to actually inspire a movement with a potential to make our lives better and instil meaning and substance. Minimalism can be applied to every aspect of life, think out loud to yourself – is your closet too cluttered, do you really need all those pairs of shoes or the latest version of that pricey smartphone? Do you have quality and meaningful relationships with anyone in the crowd that you call ‘friends’? Is your daily routine meaningful and adds value to your existence? Always remember, we cannot be happy with having too little, having too much is never going to bring contentment, you and I seek that fine balance of having just about enough and maintaining that equilibrium for life -- that is minimalism, your key to happiness. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Amid Covid chaos and protests, India's farmers eye record wheat crop

<p>After recording 16,665 cases of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>, the highest&nbsp;single-day rise since the start of the pandemic, the Tamil Nadu government has extended the existing set of lockdown restrictions, besides the night (10 pm-4 am) and Sunday curfew.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the southern Indian state's&nbsp;government, there will be no restrictions for the movement/transport of officials/party functionaries such as candidates, chief agent, counting agents, food suppliers in connection with the counting of votes on Sunday, May 02, when the counting of votes for the Tamil Nadu assembly election and Kanyakumari Lok Sabha by-poll is to take place.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/132-million-indians-register-for-third-phase-of-vaccinations-but-unable-to-book-slots-381276" hreflang="en">13.2 million Indians register for third phase of vaccinations but unable to book slots</a></strong></p>

<p>In terms of relaxations offered, Chennai Metro Rail has been permitted to operate skeletal service on Sundays, despite the complete lockdown.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Entertainment and amusement parks have been permitted to function with 50 per cent capacity, by following the COVID-19 protocols.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/while-india-fights-oxygen-shortage-another-challenge-lurks-in-the-shadows-381228" hreflang="en">While India fights oxygen shortage, another challenge lurks in the shadows</a></strong></p>

<p>Exhibition halls can function for Business-to-Business events. Stadia and playgrounds would be allowed to conduct competitions, provided it is without spectators. Swimming pools can operate only for sports training purposes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Candidates/students appearing for SSC/UPSC/RRB/TNPSC exams would be permitted on the provision of valid admit cards. Staff deployed for exam duties shall also be permitted on the production of valid documents.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hotels that are willing to function as Covid Care Centres in coordination with private hospitals will be permitted to operate. In such hotels, health department officials would inspect and accord necessary permissions. Guests would not be permitted in hotels functioning as Covid Care centres.&nbsp;</p>


After recording 16,665 cases of COVID-19, the highest single-day rise since the start of the pandemic, the Tamil Nadu government has extended the existing set of lockdown restrictions, besides the night (10 pm-4 am) and Sunday curfew.

After recording 16,665 cases of COVID-19, the highest single-day rise since the start of the pandemic, the Tamil Nadu government has extended the existing set of lockdown restrictions, besides the night (10 pm-4 am) and Sunday curfew. According to the southern Indian state's government, there will be no restrictions for the movement/transport of officials/party functionaries such as candidates, chief agent, counting agents, food suppliers in connection with the counting of votes on Sunday, May 02, when the counting of votes for the Tamil Nadu assembly election and Kanyakumari Lok Sabha by-poll is to take place. Also read | 13.2 million Indians register for third phase of vaccinations but unable to book slots In terms of relaxations offered, Chennai Metro Rail has been permitted to operate skeletal service on Sundays, despite the complete lockdown. Entertainment and amusement parks have been permitted to function with 50 per cent capacity, by following the COVID-19 protocols. Also read | While India fights oxygen shortage, another challenge lurks in the shadows Exhibition halls can function for Business-to-Business events. Stadia and playgrounds would be allowed to conduct competitions, provided it is without spectators. Swimming pools can operate only for sports training purposes. Candidates/students appearing for SSC/UPSC/RRB/TNPSC exams would be permitted on the provision of valid admit cards. Staff deployed for exam duties shall also be permitted on the production of valid documents. Hotels that are willing to function as Covid Care Centres in coordination with private hospitals will be permitted to operate. In such hotels, health department officials would inspect and accord necessary permissions. Guests would not be permitted in hotels functioning as Covid Care centres.

COVID-19: Tamil Nadu government extends ongoing lockdown until further notice

The development came after a telephonic conversation between Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

India, Russia to establish '2+2 ministerial dialogue' between foreign, defence ministers

<p>Amid the unprecedented Covid crisis in India, the United States government will redirect from its own supplies 20 million doses of Astra Zeneca vaccines.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The timeline will be conveyed by Washington to New Delhi soon.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/covid-19-situation-in-india-remains-grim-death-toll-surge-pass-200000-mark-381317/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Washington will also be supplying from its own stock 36 millipore filters, each of which will enable the manufacture of 500,000 doses of Covishield vaccines in India. Millipore filters are key in vaccine manufacturing. Over the weekend, the US announced that it will be diverting raw material to India for manufacturing Covid vaccines in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier today, highlighting an "interdependent world, where we have given and taken" Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said, "in anything you do, there is a supply chain, you produce pharmaceuticals, but someone provides you with some ingredients, you provide with finished products. The vaccine has to be seen in that context".</p>

<p>The development comes days after the US said that it will make available 60 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine to other countries within two months. The matter of vaccines also came up during talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden on Monday.</p>

<p>"I have also discussed with him (PM Modi) when we will be able to send actual vaccines to India which will be my intention to do", Biden recently said.</p>

<p>The &nbsp;United States has allowed three vaccines so far, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson &amp; Johnson. And while AstraZeneca is being used in many parts of the world, it has not been authorized for use in the US yet. But despite no authorization yet, the country still has stockpiled the vaccine doses as part of its strategy to be ready for a range of scenarios.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, three military aircraft from the US will bring Covid assistance to India, the first two of which will be coming on Friday. The third plane will be coming on May 3. The consignee of assistance will be Indian Red Cross, as has been the case in other international assistance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India has received the list of items in the first flight that will be landing tomorrow at 7 am at Delhi airport. The crew won't be needing any visas on arrival since the aircraft will fly back immediately after offloading items.</p>

<p>All in All, the US will be supplying India with 1,100 Oxygen cylinders, 1700 Oxygen concentrators, 17 Oxygen generator units, 15 million N95 masks, 1 million rapid diagnostic tests, 20,000 doses of Remdesivir which will be sent early next week.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A White House fact sheet said, "Just as India sent assistance to the United States when our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, the United States is determined to help India in its time of need."</p>

<p>The total worth of US supplies will be more than $100 million, and other than this U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) experts will work hand-in-hand with India’s experts in areas like surveillance, infection prevention, and control, vaccine rollout.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Amid the unprecedented Covid crisis in India, the United States government will redirect from its own supplies 20 million doses of Astra Zeneca vaccines. The timeline will be conveyed by Washington to New Delhi soon.

Amid the unprecedented Covid crisis in India, the United States government will redirect from its own supplies 20 million doses of Astra Zeneca vaccines. The timeline will be conveyed by Washington to New Delhi soon. Watch | Washington will also be supplying from its own stock 36 millipore filters, each of which will enable the manufacture of 500,000 doses of Covishield vaccines in India. Millipore filters are key in vaccine manufacturing. Over the weekend, the US announced that it will be diverting raw material to India for manufacturing Covid vaccines in the country. Earlier today, highlighting an "interdependent world, where we have given and taken" Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla said, "in anything you do, there is a supply chain, you produce pharmaceuticals, but someone provides you with some ingredients, you provide with finished products. The vaccine has to be seen in that context". The development comes days after the US said that it will make available 60 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine to other countries within two months. The matter of vaccines also came up during talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden on Monday. "I have also discussed with him (PM Modi) when we will be able to send actual vaccines to India which will be my intention to do", Biden recently said. The United States has allowed three vaccines so far, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. And while AstraZeneca is being used in many parts of the world, it has not been authorized for use in the US yet. But despite no authorization yet, the country still has stockpiled the vaccine doses as part of its strategy to be ready for a range of scenarios. Meanwhile, three military aircraft from the US will bring Covid assistance to India, the first two of which will be coming on Friday. The third plane will be coming on May 3. The consignee of assistance will be Indian Red Cross, as has been the case in other international assistance. India has received the list of items in the first flight that will be landing tomorrow at 7 am at Delhi airport. The crew won't be needing any visas on arrival since the aircraft will fly back immediately after offloading items. All in All, the US will be supplying India with 1,100 Oxygen cylinders, 1700 Oxygen concentrators, 17 Oxygen generator units, 15 million N95 masks, 1 million rapid diagnostic tests, 20,000 doses of Remdesivir which will be sent early next week. A White House fact sheet said, "Just as India sent assistance to the United States when our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, the United States is determined to help India in its time of need." The total worth of US supplies will be more than $100 million, and other than this U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) experts will work hand-in-hand with India’s experts in areas like surveillance, infection prevention, and control, vaccine rollout.

India Covid crisis: US to redirect 20 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines, send raw material to manufacture 500,000 doses

<p>With an increasing number of Covid cases in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the government has decided to implement full lockdown in 11 districts, from Thursday&nbsp;7 pm till Monday 7 am.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jammu and Kashmir has been reporting more than 3,000 cases per day in the last week. The death toll has also gone up to 20 per day, which is the highest this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/art-for-all-keeping-paper-mache-alive-in-india-through-braille-381164" hreflang="en">Art for all: Keeping 'paper mache' alive in India through braille</a></strong></p>

<p>The total number of covid cases in Jammu and Kashmir is 24,313. Around 14,795 active cases are in Kashmir, while Jammu has 9,518 active cases, at present. The union territory&nbsp;has witnessed 2,227 deaths so far. Kashmir division has had 1,372 deaths while Jammu has had 855 covid-related deaths.&nbsp;</p>

<p>''There will be complete lockdown in the Srinagar district from 7 pm Thursday (29/04/2021) to 7 am Monday (03/05/2021). Exemptions apply to essential services,'' said Ajaz Asad, DC Srinagar. ''In view of massive spurt in positive cases in District Srinagar and after due deliberations, Section 144 CrPc is imposed hereby within the municipal limits of the district to contain further spread of the epidemic. Assembly of five or more persons is banned with immediate effect.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/specially-abled-artisans-saving-the-pashmina-and-sozni-craft-381154" hreflang="en">Specially-abled artisans saving the Pashmina and Sozni craft</a></strong></p>

<p>The districts of the valley going under full lockdown&nbsp;include Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kulgam, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Jammu, Kathua, Reasi, and Udhampur.</p>

<p>Essential services would be exempted from the lockdown. All employees working for these services will be allowed to go to their&nbsp;respective&nbsp;offices. All schools, colleges, and universities were shut last week after the surge of covid cases in the UT.&nbsp;</p>


With an increasing number of Covid cases in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the government has decided to implement full lockdown in 11 districts, from Thursday 7 pm till Monday 7 am.

With an increasing number of Covid cases in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the government has decided to implement full lockdown in 11 districts, from Thursday 7 pm till Monday 7 am. Jammu and Kashmir has been reporting more than 3,000 cases per day in the last week. The death toll has also gone up to 20 per day, which is the highest this year. Also read | Art for all: Keeping 'paper mache' alive in India through braille The total number of covid cases in Jammu and Kashmir is 24,313. Around 14,795 active cases are in Kashmir, while Jammu has 9,518 active cases, at present. The union territory has witnessed 2,227 deaths so far. Kashmir division has had 1,372 deaths while Jammu has had 855 covid-related deaths. ''There will be complete lockdown in the Srinagar district from 7 pm Thursday (29/04/2021) to 7 am Monday (03/05/2021). Exemptions apply to essential services,'' said Ajaz Asad, DC Srinagar. ''In view of massive spurt in positive cases in District Srinagar and after due deliberations, Section 144 CrPc is imposed hereby within the municipal limits of the district to contain further spread of the epidemic. Assembly of five or more persons is banned with immediate effect. Also read | Specially-abled artisans saving the Pashmina and Sozni craft The districts of the valley going under full lockdown include Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kulgam, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Jammu, Kathua, Reasi, and Udhampur. Essential services would be exempted from the lockdown. All employees working for these services will be allowed to go to their respective offices. All schools, colleges, and universities were shut last week after the surge of covid cases in the UT.

Jammu and Kashmir to go into complete lockdown from tonight

<p>Bharat Biotech on Thursday announced that the price of its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine </a>Covaxin will be reduced by Rs 200 (USD 2.7) for Indian states and will be available at Rs 400 (USD 5.4) per dose.</p>

<p>The announcement by the Indian drugmaker comes a day after the Serum Institute of India (SII) also lowered its Covid-19 vaccine Covishield price to Rs 300 (USD 4.05) per dose for state governments in a move it described as a "philanthropic gesture".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-expats-hire-private-jets-to-escape-covid-19-crisis-381339/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Covaxin is the Indian vaccine of Bharat Biotech-ICMR and Covishield is the name of AstraZeneca-Oxford University's drug manufactured in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Recognising the enormous challenges to the public health care system, we have made Covaxin available to state governments at a price of Rs 400/ dose," Bharat Biotech said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/private-jets-in-demand-indians-flee-the-country-fly-to-uae-to-escape-covid-surge-381327">Private jets in demand: Indians flee the country, fly to UAE to escape Covid surge</a></strong></p>

<p>India is currently struggling with the fresh wave of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">Covid-19 </a>and is witnessing record cases on a daily basis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The country is also facing a shortage of drugs, medical supplies, oxygen and vaccines, but several countries have come forward to solve the crisis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, India from May 1 will begin its new phase of vaccination drive in which all people over the age of 18 will be permitted to get inoculation.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Bharat Biotech on Thursday announced that the price of its coronavirus vaccine Covaxin will be reduced by Rs 200 (USD 2.7) for Indian states and will be available at Rs 400 (USD 5.

Bharat Biotech on Thursday announced that the price of its coronavirus vaccine Covaxin will be reduced by Rs 200 (USD 2.7) for Indian states and will be available at Rs 400 (USD 5.4) per dose. The announcement by the Indian drugmaker comes a day after the Serum Institute of India (SII) also lowered its Covid-19 vaccine Covishield price to Rs 300 (USD 4.05) per dose for state governments in a move it described as a "philanthropic gesture". Watch | Covaxin is the Indian vaccine of Bharat Biotech-ICMR and Covishield is the name of AstraZeneca-Oxford University's drug manufactured in India. "Recognising the enormous challenges to the public health care system, we have made Covaxin available to state governments at a price of Rs 400/ dose," Bharat Biotech said in a statement. Also read | Private jets in demand: Indians flee the country, fly to UAE to escape Covid surge India is currently struggling with the fresh wave of Covid-19 and is witnessing record cases on a daily basis. The country is also facing a shortage of drugs, medical supplies, oxygen and vaccines, but several countries have come forward to solve the crisis. Meanwhile, India from May 1 will begin its new phase of vaccination drive in which all people over the age of 18 will be permitted to get inoculation.

Bharat Biotech reduces price of Covaxin for Indian state governments

The COVID-19 pandemic in India continues to worsen as the country continues to report more than 300,000 cases everyday. The death toll surge has passed 200,000 and still there seems to be no end insight.

COVID-19 situation in India remains grim, death toll surge pass 200,000 mark

<p>As India battles the second wave of the Covid pandemic, US President Joe Bidn has said that his "intention" is to send vaccines to the country.</p>

<p>The development comes a&nbsp;day after the United States announced it will make&nbsp;60 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine available to other countries within two&nbsp;months.&nbsp;Before any AstraZeneca doses can be shipped from the United States, US FDA needs to give its nod.</p>

<p>Recalling his talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, President Biden said,&nbsp;"I spoke at length with PM Modi, we are sending immediately a whole series of help that it (India) needs including providing for those Remdesivir and other drugs that are able to deal" with the disease and help recovery."&nbsp;</p>

<p>On vaccines, he said, "we are sending actual mechanical parts that are needed for the machinery they have to build a vaccine", adding, "I have also discussed with him (PM Modi) when we will be able to send actual vaccines to India which will be my intention to do".</p>

<p>The&nbsp;United States has approved&nbsp;three&nbsp;vaccines so far, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson &amp; Johnson. And while AstraZeneca is being used in many parts of the world, it has not been authorised for use in the US yet. But despite no authorisation yet, the country still has stockpiled the vaccine doses as part of its strategy to be ready for a range of scenarios.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Biden said,&nbsp;"I think we will be in a position to share vaccines as well as knowhow with other countries who are in real need. That is the hope and expectations."</p>

<p>In the backdrop of the Covid crisis in India, the US over the weekend announced assistance including&nbsp;providing raw material for Indian manufactures to produce the Covishield vaccine. Other than that, the US will send therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment.</p>

<p>The president also lauded India's support of last year, saying, "when we were in a bind at the very beginning, India helped us." In 2020, India had sent HCQ to the US when it was battling the Covid pandemic.</p>


As India battles the second wave of the Covid pandemic, US President Joe Bidn has said that his "intention" is to send vaccines to the country. The development comes a day after the United States announced it will make 60 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine available to other countries within two months.

As India battles the second wave of the Covid pandemic, US President Joe Bidn has said that his "intention" is to send vaccines to the country. The development comes a day after the United States announced it will make 60 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine available to other countries within two months. Before any AstraZeneca doses can be shipped from the United States, US FDA needs to give its nod. Recalling his talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, President Biden said, "I spoke at length with PM Modi, we are sending immediately a whole series of help that it (India) needs including providing for those Remdesivir and other drugs that are able to deal" with the disease and help recovery." On vaccines, he said, "we are sending actual mechanical parts that are needed for the machinery they have to build a vaccine", adding, "I have also discussed with him (PM Modi) when we will be able to send actual vaccines to India which will be my intention to do". The United States has approved three vaccines so far, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. And while AstraZeneca is being used in many parts of the world, it has not been authorised for use in the US yet. But despite no authorisation yet, the country still has stockpiled the vaccine doses as part of its strategy to be ready for a range of scenarios. Biden said, "I think we will be in a position to share vaccines as well as knowhow with other countries who are in real need. That is the hope and expectations." In the backdrop of the Covid crisis in India, the US over the weekend announced assistance including providing raw material for Indian manufactures to produce the Covishield vaccine. Other than that, the US will send therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment. The president also lauded India's support of last year, saying, "when we were in a bind at the very beginning, India helped us." In 2020, India had sent HCQ to the US when it was battling the Covid pandemic.

Intend to send COVID-19 vaccines to India, says US President Joe Biden

<p>The Centre has notified the amended Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021. As per the amendment, now the government in Delhi means Lieutenant Governor.<br />
<br />
A Union Home Ministry notification said, "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021 (15 of 2021), the Central Government hereby appoints the 27th day of April, 2021, as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force."<br />
<br />
Now Lieutenant Governor`s opinion shall be obtained on all such matters as may be specified by him before any executive action on decisions of the Delhi`s Council of Ministers.<br />
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The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021 was passed in the Lok Sabha on March 22 and on March 24 in the Rajya Sabha amid walkout by opposition parties.<br />
<br />
The President, Ram Nath Kovind, had on March 28 given assent to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021, which defines Lieutenant Governor as "government" in Delhi.</p>


The Centre has notified the amended Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021. As per the amendment, now the government in Delhi means Lieutenant Governor.

The Centre has notified the amended Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021. As per the amendment, now the government in Delhi means Lieutenant Governor. A Union Home Ministry notification said, "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021 (15 of 2021), the Central Government hereby appoints the 27th day of April, 2021, as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force." Now Lieutenant Governor`s opinion shall be obtained on all such matters as may be specified by him before any executive action on decisions of the Delhi`s Council of Ministers. The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021 was passed in the Lok Sabha on March 22 and on March 24 in the Rajya Sabha amid walkout by opposition parties. The President, Ram Nath Kovind, had on March 28 given assent to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021, which defines Lieutenant Governor as "government" in Delhi.

Now, Delhi govt means LG as Centre notifies Amendment Act

<p>Several&nbsp;European Union (EU)&nbsp;member&nbsp;states&nbsp;have teamed up to assist India as it deals with the Covid crisis by sending oxygen concentrators, oxygen generators, remdesivir, and ventilators. The&nbsp;member&nbsp;states&nbsp;are sending supplies to India under the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;Civil Protection Mechanism that was activated to send the assistance.</p>

<p>Ursula von der Leyen, President of the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;Commission, tweeted: "The&nbsp;EU&nbsp;stands with India. A first shipment of urgently needed oxygen, medicine and equipment will be delivered over the coming days under the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;Civil Protection Mechanism."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The EU stands with India.<br />
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A first shipment of urgently needed oxygen, medicine and equipment will be delivered over the coming days under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.<br />
<br />
I want to thank 🇮🇪🇧🇪 🇷🇴 🇱🇺 🇵🇹 🇸🇪 for their solidarity. 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 expected soon. <a href="https://t.co/CN0niOY5Lz">https://t.co/CN0niOY5Lz</a></p>
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) <a href="https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1387013704202457089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Indian envoy to Brussels Santosh Jha in a&nbsp;tweet thanked&nbsp;EU&nbsp;leadership and&nbsp;member&nbsp;states&nbsp;for the assistance, saying, "Cooperation and solidarity has always been the hallmark of the India-EU&nbsp;Strategic Partnership."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/vonderleyen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@vonderleyen</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JanezLenarcic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JanezLenarcic</a> for the assistance. We deeply appreciate this gesture. We also thank the EU member states for their support. Cooperation and solidarity has always been the hallmark of the India-EU Strategic Partnership. <a href="https://t.co/ONs1hcRXTC">https://t.co/ONs1hcRXTC</a></p>
— Santosh Jha (@santjha) <a href="https://twitter.com/santjha/status/1387048010832498694?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Under the mechanism, Ireland will send 700 oxygen concentrators, 1 oxygen generator, 365 ventilators. In addition,&nbsp;Belgium will send 9,000 doses of antiviral medicines remdesivir, and Romania will send 80 oxygen concentrators and 75 oxygen cylinders. Also,&nbsp;Luxembourg will send 58 ventilators, Portugal will send 5,503 vials of remdesivir and 20,000 litres of oxygen per week and Sweden is expected to send 120 ventilators.</p>

<p>Commissioner for the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said, "the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;stands in full solidarity with the Indian people and is ready to do our utmost to support them at this critical time. I would like to thank our&nbsp;Member&nbsp;States&nbsp;that came in numerously with generous offers of help, showing that the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;is a trusted partner and a friend at times of need".</p>

<p>EU's entire-assistance is being coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) of the&nbsp;European Commission which is basically providing logistical arrangements.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier on Monday, France announced assistance in two phases.&nbsp;Phase 1, beginning this week, will have eight&nbsp;large oxygen generating plants, liquid oxygen, respiratory material - 28 respirators and their consumables, and 200 electric syringe pushers. Phase 2, starting next week ,will have five liquid oxygen containers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a Facebook post in Hindi, President&nbsp;Emmanuel Macron shared a message on France's "solidarity mission" for India saying, "Solidarity is at the heart of the friendship between France and India. We will win this fight together."</p>

<p>Germany will send a mobile oxygen production plant that will be made available for three months, along with 120 ventilators, more than 80 million KN95 masks. A webinar on testing, RNA sequencing of coronavirus is also being planned. Already, the AFMS (Armed Forces Medical Services) is importing 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany for deployment in hospitals.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, as the international community pitches in to support India, a high-level Inter-Ministerial group has established procedure for "immediate clearance" of the material support. Support would be then be dispatched to recipient institutions across the country.</p>


Several European Union (EU) member states have teamed up to assist India as it deals with the Covid crisis by sending oxygen concentrators, oxygen generators, remdesivir, and ventilators.

Several European Union (EU) member states have teamed up to assist India as it deals with the Covid crisis by sending oxygen concentrators, oxygen generators, remdesivir, and ventilators. The member states are sending supplies to India under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism that was activated to send the assistance. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, tweeted: "The EU stands with India. A first shipment of urgently needed oxygen, medicine and equipment will be delivered over the coming days under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism." The EU stands with India. A first shipment of urgently needed oxygen, medicine and equipment will be delivered over the coming days under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. I want to thank 🇮🇪🇧🇪 🇷🇴 🇱🇺 🇵🇹 🇸🇪 for their solidarity. 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 expected soon. https://t.co/CN0niOY5Lz — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 27, 2021 × Indian envoy to Brussels Santosh Jha in a tweet thanked EU leadership and member states for the assistance, saying, "Cooperation and solidarity has always been the hallmark of the India-EU Strategic Partnership." Thank you @vonderleyen @JanezLenarcic for the assistance. We deeply appreciate this gesture. We also thank the EU member states for their support. Cooperation and solidarity has always been the hallmark of the India-EU Strategic Partnership. https://t.co/ONs1hcRXTC — Santosh Jha (@santjha) April 27, 2021 × Under the mechanism, Ireland will send 700 oxygen concentrators, 1 oxygen generator, 365 ventilators. In addition, Belgium will send 9,000 doses of antiviral medicines remdesivir, and Romania will send 80 oxygen concentrators and 75 oxygen cylinders. Also, Luxembourg will send 58 ventilators, Portugal will send 5,503 vials of remdesivir and 20,000 litres of oxygen per week and Sweden is expected to send 120 ventilators. Commissioner for the EU Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said, "the EU stands in full solidarity with the Indian people and is ready to do our utmost to support them at this critical time. I would like to thank our Member States that came in numerously with generous offers of help, showing that the EU is a trusted partner and a friend at times of need". EU's entire-assistance is being coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) of the European Commission which is basically providing logistical arrangements. Earlier on Monday, France announced assistance in two phases. Phase 1, beginning this week, will have eight large oxygen generating plants, liquid oxygen, respiratory material - 28 respirators and their consumables, and 200 electric syringe pushers. Phase 2, starting next week ,will have five liquid oxygen containers. In a Facebook post in Hindi, President Emmanuel Macron shared a message on France's "solidarity mission" for India saying, "Solidarity is at the heart of the friendship between France and India. We will win this fight together." Germany will send a mobile oxygen production plant that will be made available for three months, along with 120 ventilators, more than 80 million KN95 masks. A webinar on testing, RNA sequencing of coronavirus is also being planned. Already, the AFMS (Armed Forces Medical Services) is importing 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany for deployment in hospitals. Meanwhile, as the international community pitches in to support India, a high-level Inter-Ministerial group has established procedure for "immediate clearance" of the material support. Support would be then be dispatched to recipient institutions across the country.

COVID-19 crisis: EU member states team up to support India

<p>The&nbsp;World&nbsp;Health&nbsp;Organization said on Tuesday that a variant of Covid-19 feared to be contributing to a surge in coronavirus cases in India has been found in over a dozen countries.</p>

<p>The UN&nbsp;health&nbsp;agency said the B.1.617 variant of Covid-19 first found in India had as of Tuesday been detected in over 1,200 sequences uploaded to the GISAID open-access database "from at least 17 countries".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Most sequences were uploaded from India, the United Kingdom, USA, and Singapore," the WHO said in its weekly epidemiological update on the pandemic.</p>

<p>The WHO recently listed B.1.617,&nbsp;which counts several sub-lineages with slightly different mutations and characteristics, as a "variant of interest".</p>

<p>But so far it has stopped short of declaring it a "variant of concern".</p>

<p>That label would indicate that it is more dangerous that the original version of the virus by for instance being more transmissible, deadly or able to dodge vaccine protections.</p>

<p>India is facing surging new cases and deaths in the pandemic, and fears are rising that the variant could be contributing to the unfolding catastrophe.</p>

<p>The explosion in infections in India, 350,000 new cases were recorded there on Tuesday alone -- has driven a surge in global cases to 147.7 million.</p>

<p>The virus has now killed more than 3.1 million people worldwide.</p>

<p>The WHO acknowledged that its preliminary modelling based on sequences submitted to GISAID indicates "that B.1.617 has a higher growth rate than other circulating variants in India, suggesting potential increased transmissibility".</p>

<p>It stressed that other variants circulating at the same time were also showing increased transmissibility, and that the combination "may be playing a role in the current resurgence in this country."</p>

<p>"Indeed, studies have highlighted that the spread of the second wave has been much faster than the first," the WHO said.</p>

<p>It highlighted though that "other drivers" could be contributing to the surge, including lax adherence to public&nbsp;health&nbsp;measures as well as mass gatherings.</p>

<p>"Further investigation is needed to understand the relative contribution of these factors," it said.</p>

<p>The UN agency also stressed that "further robust studies" into the characteristics of B.1.617 and other variants, including impacts on transmissibility, severity and the risk of reinfection, were "urgently needed".&nbsp;</p>


The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that a variant of Covid-19 feared to be contributing to a surge in coronavirus cases in India has been found in over a dozen countries.

The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that a variant of Covid-19 feared to be contributing to a surge in coronavirus cases in India has been found in over a dozen countries. The UN health agency said the B.1.617 variant of Covid-19 first found in India had as of Tuesday been detected in over 1,200 sequences uploaded to the GISAID open-access database "from at least 17 countries". "Most sequences were uploaded from India, the United Kingdom, USA, and Singapore," the WHO said in its weekly epidemiological update on the pandemic. The WHO recently listed B.1.617, which counts several sub-lineages with slightly different mutations and characteristics, as a "variant of interest". But so far it has stopped short of declaring it a "variant of concern". That label would indicate that it is more dangerous that the original version of the virus by for instance being more transmissible, deadly or able to dodge vaccine protections. India is facing surging new cases and deaths in the pandemic, and fears are rising that the variant could be contributing to the unfolding catastrophe. The explosion in infections in India, 350,000 new cases were recorded there on Tuesday alone -- has driven a surge in global cases to 147.7 million. The virus has now killed more than 3.1 million people worldwide. The WHO acknowledged that its preliminary modelling based on sequences submitted to GISAID indicates "that B.1.617 has a higher growth rate than other circulating variants in India, suggesting potential increased transmissibility". It stressed that other variants circulating at the same time were also showing increased transmissibility, and that the combination "may be playing a role in the current resurgence in this country." "Indeed, studies have highlighted that the spread of the second wave has been much faster than the first," the WHO said. It highlighted though that "other drivers" could be contributing to the surge, including lax adherence to public health measures as well as mass gatherings. "Further investigation is needed to understand the relative contribution of these factors," it said. The UN agency also stressed that "further robust studies" into the characteristics of B.1.617 and other variants, including impacts on transmissibility, severity and the risk of reinfection, were "urgently needed".

Covid virus strain first detected in India found in at least 17 countries: WHO

<p>The government of India has announced a ‘Liberalised and Accelerated Phase 3 Strategy of Covid-19 Vaccination from May 1,’ which makes anyone above 18 years eligible for taking the Covid-19 vaccine.</p>

<p>All Indian adults eligible can register on the government's Co-WIN portal, cowin.gov.in, or the Aarogya Setu app to get their coronavirus vaccine.<br />
<br />
Ministry of Health tweeted that the vaccination drive opens for everyone between 18 and 45 years from 1st of May, 2021.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LargestVaccineDrive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LargestVaccineDrive</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Unite2FightCorona?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Unite2FightCorona</a><br />
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Here’s a step-by-step process on how to register yourself on CoWIN portal for getting <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVIDVaccination?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVIDVaccination</a> appointments. Vaccination drive opens for everyone between 18-45 years from 1st of May, 2021. <a href="https://t.co/e4NXL1ajCw">pic.twitter.com/e4NXL1ajCw</a></p>
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoHFW_INDIA/status/1386363373734948866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Those aged 45 years and above can still avail of the facility for on-site registration to get vaccinated, officials said.</p>

<p>Amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases in the country, the government has decided to allow everyone above 18 years of age to get vaccinated from May 1.<br />
<br />
"Registration for 18 plus to begin on http://cowin.gov.in, Aarogya Setu App &amp; UMANG App at 4 PM on 28th April. Appointments at State Govt centres &amp; Private centres depending on how many vaccination centres are ready on 1st May for Vaccination of 18 plus," Aarogya Setu informed in a tweet.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Registration for 18 plus to begin on <a href="https://t.co/S3pUooMbXX">https://t.co/S3pUooMbXX</a>, Aarogya Setu App &amp; UMANG App at 4 PM on 28th April. Appointments at State Govt centers &amp; Private centers depending on how many vaccination centers are ready on 1st May for Vaccination of 18 plus. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LargestVaccineDrive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LargestVaccineDrive</a></p>
— Aarogya Setu (@SetuAarogya) <a href="https://twitter.com/SetuAarogya/status/1387230084700925955?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>The inoculation process and documents to be provided to get the jab will remain the same.</p>

<p>"An increased demand is expected once the vaccination is opened for all. For crowd control, registering on CoWIN portal and making an appointment to get a vaccine will be mandatory for those aged between 18 and 45 years. Walks-in will not be allowed in the beginning so that there is no chaos," an official said.</p>

<p>From May 1, the present system of private COVID-19 vaccination centres receiving doses from the government and charging up to Rs 250 per dose from people will cease to exist and private hospitals will procure directly from vaccine manufacturers.</p>

<p>According to the Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy, COVID-19 vaccination will continue to be free at government vaccination centres that receive doses from the Centre for eligible population groups comprising healthcare workers, frontline workers and people above 45 years of age.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The government of India has announced a ‘Liberalised and Accelerated Phase 3 Strategy of Covid-19 Vaccination from May 1,’ which makes anyone above 18 years eligible for taking the Covid-19 vaccine.

The government of India has announced a ‘Liberalised and Accelerated Phase 3 Strategy of Covid-19 Vaccination from May 1,’ which makes anyone above 18 years eligible for taking the Covid-19 vaccine. All Indian adults eligible can register on the government's Co-WIN portal, cowin.gov.in, or the Aarogya Setu app to get their coronavirus vaccine. Ministry of Health tweeted that the vaccination drive opens for everyone between 18 and 45 years from 1st of May, 2021. #LargestVaccineDrive #Unite2FightCorona Here’s a step-by-step process on how to register yourself on CoWIN portal for getting #COVIDVaccination appointments. Vaccination drive opens for everyone between 18-45 years from 1st of May, 2021. pic.twitter.com/e4NXL1ajCw — Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) April 25, 2021 × Those aged 45 years and above can still avail of the facility for on-site registration to get vaccinated, officials said. Amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases in the country, the government has decided to allow everyone above 18 years of age to get vaccinated from May 1. "Registration for 18 plus to begin on http://cowin.gov.in, Aarogya Setu App & UMANG App at 4 PM on 28th April. Appointments at State Govt centres & Private centres depending on how many vaccination centres are ready on 1st May for Vaccination of 18 plus," Aarogya Setu informed in a tweet. Registration for 18 plus to begin on https://t.co/S3pUooMbXX, Aarogya Setu App & UMANG App at 4 PM on 28th April. Appointments at State Govt centers & Private centers depending on how many vaccination centers are ready on 1st May for Vaccination of 18 plus. #LargestVaccineDrive — Aarogya Setu (@SetuAarogya) April 28, 2021 × The inoculation process and documents to be provided to get the jab will remain the same. "An increased demand is expected once the vaccination is opened for all. For crowd control, registering on CoWIN portal and making an appointment to get a vaccine will be mandatory for those aged between 18 and 45 years. Walks-in will not be allowed in the beginning so that there is no chaos," an official said. From May 1, the present system of private COVID-19 vaccination centres receiving doses from the government and charging up to Rs 250 per dose from people will cease to exist and private hospitals will procure directly from vaccine manufacturers. According to the Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy, COVID-19 vaccination will continue to be free at government vaccination centres that receive doses from the Centre for eligible population groups comprising healthcare workers, frontline workers and people above 45 years of age. (With inputs from agencies)

India Covid vaccine for all above 18 years: Registration to open today. Here's how to apply

<p>India's COVID-19 death toll surged past 200,000 on Wednesday as shortages of oxygen, medical supplies and hospital staff compounded a record number of new cases of the virus.</p>

<p>India's second wave of COVID-19 infections has seen at least 300,000 people a day test positive for the past week, overwhelming healthcare facilities and crematoriums and driving an increasingly urgent international response.</p>

<p>In the past 24 hours, 360,960 new cases were recorded, the largest single-day total in the world, taking&nbsp;India's total to nearly 18 million. A further 3,293 deaths, the deadliest day so far, took the death toll to 201,187.</p>

<p>In the capital, New Delhi, ambulances lined up for hours to take COVID-19 victims to makeshift crematorium facilities in parks and parking lots, where bodies burned on rows of funeral pyres.</p>

<p>Police said a fire early on Wednesday at a hospital on the outskirts of Mumbai killed four people and injured several more.</p>

<p>Accidents at hospitals have been of grave concern for the country which is running short of beds and oxygen supplies. Last week a fire broke out at a hospital treating COVID-19 patients and a leaking oxygen tank at another hospital led to the deaths of 22 people.</p>

<p>Supplies of life-saving oxygen and equipment have begun arriving in New Delhi, including ventilators and oxygen concentrators from Britain, with more dispatched from Ireland, Germany and Australia.</p>

<p>Several countries have suspended flights from&nbsp;India, taking steps to keep out more virulent variants of the virus.</p>

<p>US&nbsp;President Joe Biden said he had spoken at length with&nbsp;Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including as to when the United States would be able to ship vaccines to the country, and said it was his clear intention to do so.</p>

<p>"I think we'll be in a position to be able to share, share vaccines as well as know-how with other countries who are in real need. That's the hope and expectation," he told reporters at the White House on Tuesday.</p>

<p>The US&nbsp;State Department's coordinator for global COVID-19 response, Gayle Smith, warned&nbsp;India's challenge will require a sustained effort: "We all need to understand that we are still at the front end of this. This hasn't peaked yet."</p>


India's COVID-19 death toll surged past 200,000 on Wednesday as shortages of oxygen, medical supplies and hospital staff compounded a record number of new cases of the virus.

India's COVID-19 death toll surged past 200,000 on Wednesday as shortages of oxygen, medical supplies and hospital staff compounded a record number of new cases of the virus. India's second wave of COVID-19 infections has seen at least 300,000 people a day test positive for the past week, overwhelming healthcare facilities and crematoriums and driving an increasingly urgent international response. In the past 24 hours, 360,960 new cases were recorded, the largest single-day total in the world, taking India's total to nearly 18 million. A further 3,293 deaths, the deadliest day so far, took the death toll to 201,187. In the capital, New Delhi, ambulances lined up for hours to take COVID-19 victims to makeshift crematorium facilities in parks and parking lots, where bodies burned on rows of funeral pyres. Police said a fire early on Wednesday at a hospital on the outskirts of Mumbai killed four people and injured several more. Accidents at hospitals have been of grave concern for the country which is running short of beds and oxygen supplies. Last week a fire broke out at a hospital treating COVID-19 patients and a leaking oxygen tank at another hospital led to the deaths of 22 people. Supplies of life-saving oxygen and equipment have begun arriving in New Delhi, including ventilators and oxygen concentrators from Britain, with more dispatched from Ireland, Germany and Australia. Several countries have suspended flights from India, taking steps to keep out more virulent variants of the virus. US President Joe Biden said he had spoken at length with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including as to when the United States would be able to ship vaccines to the country, and said it was his clear intention to do so. "I think we'll be in a position to be able to share, share vaccines as well as know-how with other countries who are in real need. That's the hope and expectation," he told reporters at the White House on Tuesday. The US State Department's coordinator for global COVID-19 response, Gayle Smith, warned India's challenge will require a sustained effort: "We all need to understand that we are still at the front end of this. This hasn't peaked yet."

India's total deaths from COVID-19 cross 200,000 mark with new record surge in cases

<p>With a focus on increasing engagement, India and Russia on Wednesday announced the establishment of a new 2+2 dialogue at the foreign and defence minister level between the two countries. So far India has this mechanism with only three countries, United States, Japan, and Australia. But is significant is Russia is the first non-Quad member country with which New Delhi will now have this mechanism. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The development came after a telephonic conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks focused primarily on the ongoing Covid crisis in India with Russia sending assistance for New Delhi later on Wednesday. Russia is sending 20 oxygen production units, 75 lung ventilators, 150 medical monitors and 200,000 packs of medicine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The PMO statement on the talks said, "Prime Minister Modi thanked President Putin and noted that the prompt Russian support to India was a symbol of our enduring partnership". The Russian readout of the talks highlighted how President Vladimir Putin supported Narendra Modi during this difficult period of combatting the spread of the coronavirus and informed him of the decision to send emergency humanitarian aid to India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the talks, the focus was also on Russia's Covid vaccine Sputnik V whose first batch will arrive in India later this month. It is the third vaccine India has given approval to after Covishield and Covaxin. Indian companies will be producing 850 million doses of the vaccine, which not only be used in India, Russia but also other countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PMO release said, "Approval for emergency use of Sputnik-V vaccine in India was appreciated by President Putin. The leaders noted that the Russian vaccine will be manufactured in India for use in India, Russia and other countries."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Later this year, Russian President Putin will visit India for the annual India Russia bilateral summit that alternates between the two countries. 2020 was the first time the summit could not happen due to the Covid pandemic. Indian PM Modi had visited Russia' far eastern city of Vladivostok in September of 2019 for the summit. While defence being the key pillar of a partnership between the two countries, Russia trained four Indian astronauts, who are part of the Gaganyaan mission, India's first manned mission to space.&nbsp;</p>


With a focus on increasing engagement, India and Russia on Wednesday announced the establishment of a new 2+2 dialogue at the foreign and defence minister level between the two countries.

With a focus on increasing engagement, India and Russia on Wednesday announced the establishment of a new 2+2 dialogue at the foreign and defence minister level between the two countries. So far India has this mechanism with only three countries, United States, Japan, and Australia. But is significant is Russia is the first non-Quad member country with which New Delhi will now have this mechanism. The development came after a telephonic conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks focused primarily on the ongoing Covid crisis in India with Russia sending assistance for New Delhi later on Wednesday. Russia is sending 20 oxygen production units, 75 lung ventilators, 150 medical monitors and 200,000 packs of medicine. The PMO statement on the talks said, "Prime Minister Modi thanked President Putin and noted that the prompt Russian support to India was a symbol of our enduring partnership". The Russian readout of the talks highlighted how President Vladimir Putin supported Narendra Modi during this difficult period of combatting the spread of the coronavirus and informed him of the decision to send emergency humanitarian aid to India. During the talks, the focus was also on Russia's Covid vaccine Sputnik V whose first batch will arrive in India later this month. It is the third vaccine India has given approval to after Covishield and Covaxin. Indian companies will be producing 850 million doses of the vaccine, which not only be used in India, Russia but also other countries. PMO release said, "Approval for emergency use of Sputnik-V vaccine in India was appreciated by President Putin. The leaders noted that the Russian vaccine will be manufactured in India for use in India, Russia and other countries." Later this year, Russian President Putin will visit India for the annual India Russia bilateral summit that alternates between the two countries. 2020 was the first time the summit could not happen due to the Covid pandemic. Indian PM Modi had visited Russia' far eastern city of Vladivostok in September of 2019 for the summit. While defence being the key pillar of a partnership between the two countries, Russia trained four Indian astronauts, who are part of the Gaganyaan mission, India's first manned mission to space.

India, Russia to establish a '2+2 ministerial dialogue' between foreign, defence ministers 

<p>A massive earthquake of 6.4 magnitude hit Assam on Wednesday morning, causing widespread damage in the Northeast state, officials said.</p>

<p>Tremors were felt in the entire region, including neighbouring Meghalaya and northern parts of West Bengal, they said.</p>

<p>The quake hit Sonitpur district at 7.51 am, they added.</p>

<p>It was followed by two more jerks of 4.3 and 4.4 magnitudes at 7.58 am and 8.01 am, respectively.</p>

<p>"Big earthquake hits&nbsp;Assam. I pray for the well-being of all and urge everyone to stay alert. Taking updates from all districts,"&nbsp;Assam&nbsp;chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said.</p>

<p>Most parts of the region felt the impact of the massive earthquake as people ran out of their homes and other places in panic.</p>

<p>Many buildings in Tezpur, the district headquarters of Sonitpur, Guwahati and other places developed cracks.</p>

<p>Detailed reports are awaited regarding casualty.</p>


A massive earthquake of 6.4 magnitude hit Assam on Wednesday morning, causing widespread damage in the Northeast state, officials said. Tremors were felt in the entire region, including neighbouring Meghalaya and northern parts of West Bengal, they said.

A massive earthquake of 6.4 magnitude hit Assam on Wednesday morning, causing widespread damage in the Northeast state, officials said. Tremors were felt in the entire region, including neighbouring Meghalaya and northern parts of West Bengal, they said. The quake hit Sonitpur district at 7.51 am, they added. It was followed by two more jerks of 4.3 and 4.4 magnitudes at 7.58 am and 8.01 am, respectively. "Big earthquake hits Assam. I pray for the well-being of all and urge everyone to stay alert. Taking updates from all districts," Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said. Most parts of the region felt the impact of the massive earthquake as people ran out of their homes and other places in panic. Many buildings in Tezpur, the district headquarters of Sonitpur, Guwahati and other places developed cracks. Detailed reports are awaited regarding casualty.

Massive earthquake of 6.4 magnitude hits India's Assam

<p>Spain&nbsp;will enforce a quarantine on all travellers from India in response to the emergence of a highly contagious variant of the coronavirus there, government spokeswoman Maria Jesus Montero said on Tuesday.</p>

<p>As there are no direct flights from India to&nbsp;Spain, the measure will apply to those who travelled via third countries, Montero said.</p>

<p>India's second wave of COVID-19 infections has seen at least 300,000 people a day test positive for the past week, overwhelming healthcare facilities and crematoriums and driving an increasingly urgent international response.</p>

<p>Spain&nbsp;will send just over seven tonnes of medical supplies to India, the foreign minister said on Tuesday, to help authorities cope with a rampant COVID-19 wave that is killing thousands there every day.</p>

<p>"Nobody will be safe until we are all safe," Arancha Gonzalez Laya told a news conference after the weekly cabinet meeting.</p>


Spain will enforce a quarantine on all travellers from India in response to the emergence of a highly contagious variant of the coronavirus there, government spokeswoman Maria Jesus Montero said on Tuesday.

Spain will enforce a quarantine on all travellers from India in response to the emergence of a highly contagious variant of the coronavirus there, government spokeswoman Maria Jesus Montero said on Tuesday. As there are no direct flights from India to Spain, the measure will apply to those who travelled via third countries, Montero said. India's second wave of COVID-19 infections has seen at least 300,000 people a day test positive for the past week, overwhelming healthcare facilities and crematoriums and driving an increasingly urgent international response. Spain will send just over seven tonnes of medical supplies to India, the foreign minister said on Tuesday, to help authorities cope with a rampant COVID-19 wave that is killing thousands there every day. "Nobody will be safe until we are all safe," Arancha Gonzalez Laya told a news conference after the weekly cabinet meeting.

Spain to enforce quarantine on travellers from India

<p>Several European Union (EU) member states have teamed up to assist India as it deals with the covid crisis by sending Oxygen Concentrators, Oxygen Generators, Remdesivir, Ventilators. The member states are sending supplies to India under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism that was activated to send the assistance.</p>

<p>Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission in a tweeted statement said," the EU stands with India. The first shipment of urgently needed oxygen, medicine and equipment will be delivered over the coming days under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The EU stands with India.<br />
<br />
A first shipment of urgently needed oxygen, medicine and equipment will be delivered over the coming days under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.<br />
<br />
I want to thank 🇮🇪🇧🇪 🇷🇴 🇱🇺 🇵🇹 🇸🇪 for their solidarity. 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 expected soon. <a href="https://t.co/CN0niOY5Lz">https://t.co/CN0niOY5Lz</a></p>
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) <a href="https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1387013704202457089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<p>Indian Envoy to Brussels Santosh Jha in her tweet thanked EU leadership and member states for the assistance, highlighting, "Cooperation and solidarity have always been the hallmark of the India-EU Strategic Partnership."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/vonderleyen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@vonderleyen</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JanezLenarcic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JanezLenarcic</a> for the assistance. We deeply appreciate this gesture. We also thank the EU member states for their support. Cooperation and solidarity has always been the hallmark of the India-EU Strategic Partnership. <a href="https://t.co/ONs1hcRXTC">https://t.co/ONs1hcRXTC</a></p>
— Santosh Jha (@santjha) <a href="https://twitter.com/santjha/status/1387048010832498694?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Under the mechanism, Ireland will send 700 oxygen concentrators, 1 oxygen generator, 365 ventilators, Belgium will send 9,000 doses of antiviral medicines Remdesivir, Romania will send 80 oxygen concentrators and 75 oxygen cylinders, Luxembourg will send 58 ventilators, Portugal will send 5,503 vials of Remdesivir and 20,000 litres of oxygen per week and Sweden 120 ventilators.</p>

<p>Commissioner for the EU Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said, "the EU stands in full solidarity with the Indian people and is ready to do our utmost to support them at this critical time. I would like to thank our Member States that came in numerously with generous offers of help, showing that the EU is a trusted partner and a friend at times of need".</p>

<p>EU's entire-assistance is being coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) of the European Commission which is providing logistical arrangements.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier on Monday, France announced assistance in 2 phases. Phase 1 arriving this week will have, 8 large Oxygen Generating Plants, Liquid Oxygen, Respiratory material - 28 respirators and their consumables, and 200 electric syringe pushers. Phase 2, starting next week will have 5 liquid oxygen containers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a Facebook post in Hindi, French President Emmanuel Macron had put a message on France's "solidarity mission" for India saying, "Solidarity is at the heart of the friendship between France and India. We will win this fight together."</p>

<p>Germany will send Mobile oxygen production plant that will be made available for 3 months, 120 ventilators, more than 80 million KN95 masks. A Webinar on testing, RNA sequencing of Coronavirus is also being planned. Already, the AFMS (Armed Forces Medical Services) is importing 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany for deployment in hospitals.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, as the international community pitches in to support India, a high-level Inter-Ministerial group has established a procedure for "immediate clearance" of the material support. Support would be then be dispatched to recipient institutions across the country.</p>


Several European Union (EU) member states have teamed up to assist India as it deals with the covid crisis by sending Oxygen Concentrators, Oxygen Generators, Remdesivir, Ventilators.

Several European Union (EU) member states have teamed up to assist India as it deals with the covid crisis by sending Oxygen Concentrators, Oxygen Generators, Remdesivir, Ventilators. The member states are sending supplies to India under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism that was activated to send the assistance. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission in a tweeted statement said," the EU stands with India. The first shipment of urgently needed oxygen, medicine and equipment will be delivered over the coming days under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism." The EU stands with India. A first shipment of urgently needed oxygen, medicine and equipment will be delivered over the coming days under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. I want to thank 🇮🇪🇧🇪 🇷🇴 🇱🇺 🇵🇹 🇸🇪 for their solidarity. 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 expected soon. https://t.co/CN0niOY5Lz — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 27, 2021 × Indian Envoy to Brussels Santosh Jha in her tweet thanked EU leadership and member states for the assistance, highlighting, "Cooperation and solidarity have always been the hallmark of the India-EU Strategic Partnership." Thank you @vonderleyen @JanezLenarcic for the assistance. We deeply appreciate this gesture. We also thank the EU member states for their support. Cooperation and solidarity has always been the hallmark of the India-EU Strategic Partnership. https://t.co/ONs1hcRXTC — Santosh Jha (@santjha) April 27, 2021 × Under the mechanism, Ireland will send 700 oxygen concentrators, 1 oxygen generator, 365 ventilators, Belgium will send 9,000 doses of antiviral medicines Remdesivir, Romania will send 80 oxygen concentrators and 75 oxygen cylinders, Luxembourg will send 58 ventilators, Portugal will send 5,503 vials of Remdesivir and 20,000 litres of oxygen per week and Sweden 120 ventilators. Commissioner for the EU Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said, "the EU stands in full solidarity with the Indian people and is ready to do our utmost to support them at this critical time. I would like to thank our Member States that came in numerously with generous offers of help, showing that the EU is a trusted partner and a friend at times of need". EU's entire-assistance is being coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) of the European Commission which is providing logistical arrangements. Earlier on Monday, France announced assistance in 2 phases. Phase 1 arriving this week will have, 8 large Oxygen Generating Plants, Liquid Oxygen, Respiratory material - 28 respirators and their consumables, and 200 electric syringe pushers. Phase 2, starting next week will have 5 liquid oxygen containers. In a Facebook post in Hindi, French President Emmanuel Macron had put a message on France's "solidarity mission" for India saying, "Solidarity is at the heart of the friendship between France and India. We will win this fight together." Germany will send Mobile oxygen production plant that will be made available for 3 months, 120 ventilators, more than 80 million KN95 masks. A Webinar on testing, RNA sequencing of Coronavirus is also being planned. Already, the AFMS (Armed Forces Medical Services) is importing 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany for deployment in hospitals. Meanwhile, as the international community pitches in to support India, a high-level Inter-Ministerial group has established a procedure for "immediate clearance" of the material support. Support would be then be dispatched to recipient institutions across the country.

COVID-19 crisis: European Union member states team up to support India

<p>One of the oldest crafts of Kashmir called 'paper mache' has been dying a slow death. An artist in the valley has, however, emerged as a hope for the survival of this craft.</p>

<p>Iqbal Ahmad Wani from Srinagar is working hard to revive and introduce new designs in the paper mache. In an effort to take this art to those who can’t see he has uniquely started a series especially for visually impaired people. He has introduced braille into this age-old craft of Kashmir.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/specially-abled-artisans-saving-the-pashmina-and-sozni-craft-381154" hreflang="en">Specially-abled artisans saving the Pashmina and Sozni craft</a></strong></p>

<p>''Paper mache is an art of colours but we couldn't use these in the case of braille. So we only used three colours. As I haven't studied braille so I sought help from a designer in developing this. We have written a message on all the pieces that 'Life is a struggle and we all need to keep going','' said Iqbal Ahmad Wani.</p>

<p>The response towards the new designs and especially braille pieces has been good. People have appreciated the effort of the artisan and designer who came up with the idea of developing something so unique.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iit-madras-alumnis-startup-3d-prints-600sqft-concrete-home-comprising-hall-kitchen-bedroom-381123" hreflang="en">IIT Madras alumni’s startup 3D prints 600sqft concrete home comprising hall, kitchen, bedroom</a></strong></p>

<p>''We did the first exhibition and the response of people was really good. People appreciated our efforts and said that they have seen something new in a long time. Of course, traditional stuff needs to be made but new designs have to be developed so as to keep the people interested. But we can never let go of our old designs as they are the reason for us being where we are," Wani said.</p>

<p>In the whole process, an NGO is helping Iqbal make this project a reality. The NGO works with artisans to help them with new innovations so as to increase the market.</p>

<p>''Connect to Kashmir is an organisation working in the valley since 2011. We chose 22 craftsmen from the valley to help them reinvent the art. We have a team of seven designers who, along with the artisans, came up with new ideas and designs. &nbsp;Iqbal and our designer had a brainstorming session wherein they came up with an idea of developing pieces for blind,'' said Javid Ahmad, consultant.</p>


One of the oldest crafts of Kashmir called 'paper mache' has been dying a slow death. An artist in the valley has, however, emerged as a hope for the survival of this craft.

One of the oldest crafts of Kashmir called 'paper mache' has been dying a slow death. An artist in the valley has, however, emerged as a hope for the survival of this craft. Iqbal Ahmad Wani from Srinagar is working hard to revive and introduce new designs in the paper mache. In an effort to take this art to those who can’t see he has uniquely started a series especially for visually impaired people. He has introduced braille into this age-old craft of Kashmir. Also read | Specially-abled artisans saving the Pashmina and Sozni craft ''Paper mache is an art of colours but we couldn't use these in the case of braille. So we only used three colours. As I haven't studied braille so I sought help from a designer in developing this. We have written a message on all the pieces that 'Life is a struggle and we all need to keep going','' said Iqbal Ahmad Wani. The response towards the new designs and especially braille pieces has been good. People have appreciated the effort of the artisan and designer who came up with the idea of developing something so unique. Also read | IIT Madras alumni’s startup 3D prints 600sqft concrete home comprising hall, kitchen, bedroom ''We did the first exhibition and the response of people was really good. People appreciated our efforts and said that they have seen something new in a long time. Of course, traditional stuff needs to be made but new designs have to be developed so as to keep the people interested. But we can never let go of our old designs as they are the reason for us being where we are," Wani said. In the whole process, an NGO is helping Iqbal make this project a reality. The NGO works with artisans to help them with new innovations so as to increase the market. ''Connect to Kashmir is an organisation working in the valley since 2011. We chose 22 craftsmen from the valley to help them reinvent the art. We have a team of seven designers who, along with the artisans, came up with new ideas and designs. Iqbal and our designer had a brainstorming session wherein they came up with an idea of developing pieces for blind,'' said Javid Ahmad, consultant.

Art for all: Keeping 'paper mache' alive in India through braille

<p>Melting glaciers and barrier lakes could threaten China's plan to build the world's biggest hydroelectric dam over the Brahmaputra River in Tibet close to the Arunachal Pradesh border, a media report said on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The proposed dam, which one Chinese official said has 'no parallel in history' will be built in Medog county, where the Brahmaputra Grand Canyon is located. Medog is the last county in Tibet, which is located close to the Arunachal Pradesh border.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The plan to build the mega-dam, which is part of China's 14th five-year plan beginning from this year, was approved by China's Parliament, the National People's Congress in March this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the engineers are concerned about the threats posed by landslides and barrier lakes to the dam, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“But an icy obstacle could put a halt to much of the plan. In 2018, a landslide caused by a melting glacier blocked the Yarlung Tsangpo 'the upper stream of the Brahmaputra River' at the Sedongpu Basin in Milin county," it said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It formed a lake containing about 600 million cubic metres of water. With the river spilling over the top at present, the dam could collapse at any time, it said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Sedongpu lake sits just a few dozen kilometres upstream from the planned construction site of the super hydropower plant. With so much water hanging overhead, no construction workers can move in to clear the ground, it said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>To build the big dam, they must get rid of the small dam formed by the landslide first, the report said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India and Bangladesh, the lower riparian states, have raised concerns over China's plan to build the massive dam on Brahmaputra River. But China has downplayed such anxieties saying it would keep their interests in mind.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Melting glaciers and barrier lakes could threaten China's plan to build the world's biggest hydroelectric dam over the Brahmaputra River in Tibet close to the Arunachal Pradesh border, a media report said on Wednesday.

Melting glaciers and barrier lakes could threaten China's plan to build the world's biggest hydroelectric dam over the Brahmaputra River in Tibet close to the Arunachal Pradesh border, a media report said on Wednesday. The proposed dam, which one Chinese official said has 'no parallel in history' will be built in Medog county, where the Brahmaputra Grand Canyon is located. Medog is the last county in Tibet, which is located close to the Arunachal Pradesh border. The plan to build the mega-dam, which is part of China's 14th five-year plan beginning from this year, was approved by China's Parliament, the National People's Congress in March this year. But the engineers are concerned about the threats posed by landslides and barrier lakes to the dam, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. “But an icy obstacle could put a halt to much of the plan. In 2018, a landslide caused by a melting glacier blocked the Yarlung Tsangpo 'the upper stream of the Brahmaputra River' at the Sedongpu Basin in Milin county," it said. It formed a lake containing about 600 million cubic metres of water. With the river spilling over the top at present, the dam could collapse at any time, it said. The Sedongpu lake sits just a few dozen kilometres upstream from the planned construction site of the super hydropower plant. With so much water hanging overhead, no construction workers can move in to clear the ground, it said. To build the big dam, they must get rid of the small dam formed by the landslide first, the report said. India and Bangladesh, the lower riparian states, have raised concerns over China's plan to build the massive dam on Brahmaputra River. But China has downplayed such anxieties saying it would keep their interests in mind. (With inputs from agencies)

Melting glaciers threaten China's plan to build massive dam over Brahmaputra in Tibet: Report  

<p>Kashmir’s Pashmina and Sozni (needle) work is famous all over the world but with the changing market trends, this craft is gasping for survival.</p>

<p>However, a specially-abled man is not only trying to save this art but has also brought together 40 more people like him and created a self-help group with a focus on the revival of this craft.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Every morning in the neighbourhood of Gotapora in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district voices singing songs of joy and love echo. It is Tariq Ahmad and his associates starting their day at work with Kashmiri folk songs.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iit-madras-alumnis-startup-3d-prints-600sqft-concrete-home-comprising-hall-kitchen-bedroom-381123" hreflang="en">IIT Madras alumni’s startup 3D prints 600sqft concrete home comprising hall, kitchen, bedroom</a></strong></p>

<p>Tariq is an award-winning Sozni craftsman and has been suffering from muscular dystrophy, a rare neurological disorder that leads to degeneration of muscles. His condition hasn’t held him back from starting this group of 40 craftsmen. They have aptly named it the <strong>'Special Hands of Kashmir'.</strong></p>

<p>It's the first time any such group of specially-abled people in the valley have come together and are creating unique pieces of craft.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I am thankful to you for coming to us, Special Hands of Kashmir is a group of artisans who are specially-abled, I am myself 90 per cent handicap but we are committed to promote and revive the craft of Sozni. We need to bring in new designs, new products to create a market," Tariq Ahmad said. "We, at Special Hands, tried a few new things like khadi sari with Sozni work, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked people to promote Khadi. It got us inspired and we made use of it. We got a great response. We are trying to keep the traditional work alive with bringing in new changes as well.''&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tariq has received many national and state awards for his exemplary work. He has helped in reviving the art of Sozni in the valley and also managed to put a big group of specially-abled together to save the craft. For him, it all started from his home as two of his brothers also suffer from the same disorder as him. That has not stopped the brothers from fulfilling their dreams.</p>

<p>"We are three brothers, all handicapped. Our father has been working on this craft for many decades, and he encouraged us to take up this craft. People used to treat us a little different and many thought we would not do anything but beg on the streets. I wanted to do something so I decided that not only my family but I should get others who are looked down upon by society to work with us. I managed to get dozens of specially-abled people to join this group so that they can earn their livelihood&nbsp;and now I am proud of it. People who used to say they won't be able to do anything, we proved them wrong. I am sure we will have more than 1000 artisans who are specially-abled joining us in the future," Ahmad said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There are around 40 specially-abled craftsmen working with Tariq and more than 500 are associated with his group indirectly. He has personally trained all of these 40 artisans and wants to create a chain where more and more people could join this group. His only goal is to work for specially-abled and make them independent.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Tariq and I have known each other for long. He told me about his group and asked me to join. He convinced me that after joining I will be independent and able to earn my livelihood. Although my family is into the same craft, it was Tariq who trained me and helped me and today I am able to earn my livelihood. Now we are also asking others to join us so that they can earn their livelihood from this too,"&nbsp;said Shahnawaz Ahmad, a member of the group.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tariq is not only incorporating new designs into this craft but has also become an inspiration to thousands of specially-abled across the country by giving them hope that they can achieve their dreams too.</p>


Kashmir’s Pashmina and Sozni (needle) work is famous all over the world but with the changing market trends, this craft is gasping for survival. However, a specially-abled man is not only trying to save this art but has also brought together 40 more people like him and created a self-help group with a focus on the revival of this craft.

Kashmir’s Pashmina and Sozni (needle) work is famous all over the world but with the changing market trends, this craft is gasping for survival. However, a specially-abled man is not only trying to save this art but has also brought together 40 more people like him and created a self-help group with a focus on the revival of this craft. Every morning in the neighbourhood of Gotapora in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district voices singing songs of joy and love echo. It is Tariq Ahmad and his associates starting their day at work with Kashmiri folk songs. Also read | IIT Madras alumni’s startup 3D prints 600sqft concrete home comprising hall, kitchen, bedroom Tariq is an award-winning Sozni craftsman and has been suffering from muscular dystrophy, a rare neurological disorder that leads to degeneration of muscles. His condition hasn’t held him back from starting this group of 40 craftsmen. They have aptly named it the 'Special Hands of Kashmir'. It's the first time any such group of specially-abled people in the valley have come together and are creating unique pieces of craft. "I am thankful to you for coming to us, Special Hands of Kashmir is a group of artisans who are specially-abled, I am myself 90 per cent handicap but we are committed to promote and revive the craft of Sozni. We need to bring in new designs, new products to create a market," Tariq Ahmad said. "We, at Special Hands, tried a few new things like khadi sari with Sozni work, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked people to promote Khadi. It got us inspired and we made use of it. We got a great response. We are trying to keep the traditional work alive with bringing in new changes as well.'' Tariq has received many national and state awards for his exemplary work. He has helped in reviving the art of Sozni in the valley and also managed to put a big group of specially-abled together to save the craft. For him, it all started from his home as two of his brothers also suffer from the same disorder as him. That has not stopped the brothers from fulfilling their dreams. "We are three brothers, all handicapped. Our father has been working on this craft for many decades, and he encouraged us to take up this craft. People used to treat us a little different and many thought we would not do anything but beg on the streets. I wanted to do something so I decided that not only my family but I should get others who are looked down upon by society to work with us. I managed to get dozens of specially-abled people to join this group so that they can earn their livelihood and now I am proud of it. People who used to say they won't be able to do anything, we proved them wrong. I am sure we will have more than 1000 artisans who are specially-abled joining us in the future," Ahmad said. There are around 40 specially-abled craftsmen working with Tariq and more than 500 are associated with his group indirectly. He has personally trained all of these 40 artisans and wants to create a chain where more and more people could join this group. His only goal is to work for specially-abled and make them independent. "Tariq and I have known each other for long. He told me about his group and asked me to join. He convinced me that after joining I will be independent and able to earn my livelihood. Although my family is into the same craft, it was Tariq who trained me and helped me and today I am able to earn my livelihood. Now we are also asking others to join us so that they can earn their livelihood from this too," said Shahnawaz Ahmad, a member of the group. Tariq is not only incorporating new designs into this craft but has also become an inspiration to thousands of specially-abled across the country by giving them hope that they can achieve their dreams too.

Specially-abled artisans saving the Pashmina and Sozni craft

<p>After a four-day search and rescue operation involving the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Navy assets, fishing boat Mercedes which set sail on April 6 was located around 370 km&nbsp;from Lakshadweep.</p>

<p>The vessel with 11-crew that had set sail from Thengapattnam harbour in &nbsp;Kanyakumari, was on a 30-day voyage towards Kerala, when it was feared sunk around 597 nautical miles from Goa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu Fisheries authorities had alerted the Indian Coast Guard on&nbsp;April 24 about debris spotted by other fishing boats, raising suspicion of Mercedes having sunk. Following this, the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Center (MRCC) of the Indian Coast Guard, Mumbai activated the International Safety Net to alert merchant vessels transiting the region to look out for the said boat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Simultaneously, ICGS Samudra Prahari was diverted for search, MRCC, Mumbai coordinated with the merchant vessel Maersk Horsburgh to join the search operation along with fishing boats operating in the area. As the reported position was in Pakistan’s Search and Rescue Region, MRCC Karachi was also requested for assistance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Considering the distance from the mainland, the Indian Navy carried out Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft. It was also learnt that the fishing boat was not carrying Automatic identification System (which transmits a vessel’s location) or any other transponder which could have assisted in early locating.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After four days of continuous search, amidst challenges posed by distance from mainland and weather, the missing boat was located around 200 miles (around 370 km) from Lakshadweep Islands. An ICG Dornier Aircraft located and corroborated the presence of the boat on Wednesday and MRCC Mumbai established contact via a satellite phone that the vessel was carrying.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the interim, information was also received from Tamil Nadu fisheries authorities&nbsp;on the crew of fishing vessel Mercedes having called up home via satellite phone to indicate their safe condition.</p>

<p>AN ICG ship deployed near Lakshadweep was diverted to render medical and logistical assistance to the crew and the fishing boat. Under escort of ICG ship, the vessel is expected to return to its home port by May 3.&nbsp;</p>


After a four-day search and rescue operation involving the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Navy assets, fishing boat Mercedes which set sail on April 6 was located around 370 km from Lakshadweep.

After a four-day search and rescue operation involving the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Navy assets, fishing boat Mercedes which set sail on April 6 was located around 370 km from Lakshadweep. The vessel with 11-crew that had set sail from Thengapattnam harbour in Kanyakumari, was on a 30-day voyage towards Kerala, when it was feared sunk around 597 nautical miles from Goa. Tamil Nadu Fisheries authorities had alerted the Indian Coast Guard on April 24 about debris spotted by other fishing boats, raising suspicion of Mercedes having sunk. Following this, the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Center (MRCC) of the Indian Coast Guard, Mumbai activated the International Safety Net to alert merchant vessels transiting the region to look out for the said boat. Simultaneously, ICGS Samudra Prahari was diverted for search, MRCC, Mumbai coordinated with the merchant vessel Maersk Horsburgh to join the search operation along with fishing boats operating in the area. As the reported position was in Pakistan’s Search and Rescue Region, MRCC Karachi was also requested for assistance. Considering the distance from the mainland, the Indian Navy carried out Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft. It was also learnt that the fishing boat was not carrying Automatic identification System (which transmits a vessel’s location) or any other transponder which could have assisted in early locating. After four days of continuous search, amidst challenges posed by distance from mainland and weather, the missing boat was located around 200 miles (around 370 km) from Lakshadweep Islands. An ICG Dornier Aircraft located and corroborated the presence of the boat on Wednesday and MRCC Mumbai established contact via a satellite phone that the vessel was carrying. In the interim, information was also received from Tamil Nadu fisheries authorities on the crew of fishing vessel Mercedes having called up home via satellite phone to indicate their safe condition. AN ICG ship deployed near Lakshadweep was diverted to render medical and logistical assistance to the crew and the fishing boat. Under escort of ICG ship, the vessel is expected to return to its home port by May 3.

Tamil Nadu fishing boat feared sunk for 4 days located, 11 crew safe

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