Articles by News Desk

TAC recommends low-key New Year A report of the state COVID TAC (Technical Advisory Committee) has recommended subdued New Year celebrations this year, to keep stable the present daily reporting of about 300 COVID cases and TPR of 0.4%. It suggested prohibitions of gatherings or celebrations in pubs, restaurants, clubs on major roads, malls and other public places, especially at Church Street, MG Road, Brigade Road and parallel roads. Night curfew from December 30 to January 2 (7 pm to 5 am) has been recommended. However, the report said that regular activities and business could continue. Wherever needed, IPC Section…

Over 100 cases of Omicron confirmed and rising The Omicron variant of COVID-19, that has sparked global fears, is now spreading rapidly in India. Over 100 cases have been detected from 11 states. The Health Ministry on December 17th warned that 19 districts were at risk of a massive surge, and added that people should avoid unnecessary travel and large gatherings. If the pace of infection were to continue, India could see 14 lakh cases a day, according to the Ministry. Delhi currently stands at 22 cases, and Maharashtra - the worst hit - stands at 40 cases. Next is…

First cases of Omicron detected in the city A traveller from Nigeria who arrived at the Chennai International airport was confirmed to be the first person infected with the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus in the city. Subsequently, seven of the individual family members and a fellow passenger who arrived on the same flight also tested positive. Genomic sequencing of their samples is underway. All the passengers displayed only mild symptoms. The primary contact  is also double vaccinated.  The state has amped up screening for the new variant. Passengers from all countries will be subjected to tests at the airport…

Amid rising Omicron fears, section 144 enforced in Mumbai As the city prepares for Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations, Mumbai police has said prohibitory orders under CrPC section 144 will be imposed in the city, from December 16th to December 31th, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. According to the new restrictions, announced on December 16th, all public events will be allowed at only 50% capacity, and all attendees must be fully vaccinated. All other establishments — shops, malls — have been asked to allow only fully vaccinated customers. Those travelling into the state need to show their vaccination certificate with…

Omicron: India's tally rises to 32 As Maharashtra confirms seven new cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the country's total count reached 32, with 17 of those in Maharashtra. No fatalities have been reported so far. A Parliamentary panel has recommended that the health ministry reevaluate the requirement of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, citing the unpredictability of the virus as reason. The panel recommended that COVID-19 infrastructure be developed further, keeping children at the forefront of all medical decisions. Source: The Times of India Farmers to finally return home On December 9th, protesting farmers at Delhi's border announced the…

MLC polls Polling for two Legislative Council seats - one each from Bengaluru Urban and Bengaluru Rural districts - was held on Friday. Overall, the biennial elections are being held in 25 seats across the state, with 90 candidates in the fray. Results will be declared on December 14. With declared assets of Rs 1,744 crore, Yousuf Sharief, Congress candidate from Bengaluru Urban, is the richest candidate in the state. There is no expenditure limit for candidates in this election, unlike in case of assembly and Lok Sabha polls. Source: The Times of India, India.com, The New Indian Express Vegetable…

Pallikaranai gets eco-park A new eco-park has been inaugurated at the Pallikaranai marshland. Chief Minister MK Stalin opened the park to the public through video conferencing. The eco-park has a walking path, greenery and boards displaying the details of flora and fauna, including the many migratory birds that make the marshland their home. The eco-park was created at a cost of Rs 20 crores.  A few other measures have been taken to protect the ecosystem such as the building of a wall along Tambaram-Velachery in order to prevent encroachments. A proposal has also been sent to the Union Government to…

Booster dose likely to be administered for frontline staff and children aged 12-18 Rising concerns regarding the new Omicron variant has led Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to direct the Health Department to increase vaccination coverage in Maharashtra. CM Thackeray has reportedly directed authorities to increase the number of vaccines carried out in the districts that are below the state's average. According to the report, the state health minister Rajesh Tope will suggest a plan for seeking booster shots for frontline staff in a meeting with Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya on December 9th. The issue of high RT-PCR rates at…

Sexual harassment in public spaces is among the different types of violence that women face every day and is among the issues that need urgent attention today. For an equitable and sustainable future, it is imperative that India’s youth -- our greatest asset -- take cognizance of prevalent gender biases which limit our nation’s development. It is then important for the youth to sensitize themselves about their rights and responsibilities, harness their collective potential for the greater good of their personal and wider circles, and engage in conversations (that involves agreement or dissent) with respect for one another and the…

Omicron variant now in India On December 2nd, India confirmed its first two cases of the new coronavirus variant, Omicron, from within the country. Two people from Karnataka, a 46-year-old doctor and a 66-year-old traveller from South Africa, tested positive for the variant that has triggered a global panic. All primary and secondary contacts of the two have been identified and are under observation. Two more confirmed cases have been reported, from Gujarat's Jamnagar and Mumbai. In Mumbai, 14 people are also under observation and two people, including a child, tested positive at Chennai airport. Twelve suspected cases of Omicron…