SRINAGAR, Dec 26: Modelling data from credible agencies do not foresee any major Covid wave in Jammu and Kashmir, a leading pulmonologist said, but advised people to take precautionary measures as models ”can go horribly wrong”.
In a series of tweets, SKIMS Director Dr Parvaiz Koul said, ”Modelling data from credible agencies (like from University of Washington) predict a low circulation of the virus for coming weeks in JK (Jammu and Kashmir), but models can go horribly wrong.
”So stay calm, observe routine precautions and vaccinate if you haven’t, as per the advisories. NO PANIC PLEASE. Safety saves. Better safe than sorry.” Koul added that he had been receiving many calls from people about COVID-19 alerts in Jammu and Kashmir.
”Receiving many calls for the COVID alerts. Please note that J&K (Jammu and Kashmir) and India as a whole are not experiencing an unusual surge as yet. However since it is winter, the time for circulation of respiratory pathogens in Kashmir, it is in one’s interest to be alert and cautious,” he said.
Koul said the situation in China, which is believed to be going through a massive resurgence of Covid infections, was different on various counts.
”But kindly do not panic. The situation in China is different. They resorted to strict lockdowns which resulted in lower exposure to the virus and a lower immunity by natural infection.
”Also the vaccine used predominantly in China is the inactivated Sinopharm/Sinovac vaccine which is inferior in evoking a robust immune response as compared to the adenovirus vectored vaccine used predominantly in India,” he added.
Dr Koul said as there was no data on the percentage of the Chinese population that had been immunised, China might have opened up ”abruptly”. ”And we do not know the percentage immunized among those vulnerable to severe illness (like the old or those with comorbidities) in China, specifically about booster doses. Possibly they opened abruptly without adequate immunisation of the vulnerable,” he said.
Dr Koul said the variants of Omicron circulating in China had a high transmissibility. ”These BF.7 and XBB have been reported from India for a while but haven’t caused any outbreaks so far. For any variant to survive it has to demonstrate some immune escape, which is why these sub variants of Omicron have survived. However, as a group, Omicron does not cause severe illness and most of the symptoms are those of the upper respiratory tract rather than the lower RT and the lungs,” he added.
Dr Koul, however, warned that new and more virulent variants could emerge anytime. He also emphasised on genomic surveillance to stay on the lookout for emerging variants. ”This is the reason for the advisory from MOHFW (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India). India has a clear advantage of higher vaccinations and more natural infections during the Omicron surge,” he said.
Asked if he recommended voluntary testing, Dr Koul said, ”It is always better to be with ‘eyes open’ rather than ‘closed.” Dr Koul said those who were advised the precautionary dose but did not receive it would be helped by boosting their immunity.
”International travel to countries with high Covid activity must be undertaken with caution and only if absolutely necessary,” he said.
Modelling Data Foresee Low Circulation Of Covid Virus In J-K, Says Health Expert
J&K Women’s Development Corporation Org By Awarness Camp Cum Mela At Kathua
A long day awareness Camp cum Mela organised by J&K Women’s Development Corporation & sponsored by National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation, New Delhi at Kathua. Awareness Camp was attended by Sarpanch Sh Ramesh Kumar, Naib Sarpanch Sh. Rohit Sharma Vice Principal Ms. Anjana , Head Master Sh. Sukhdev Head Master, District Cordinators MSK(DHEW) Ms. Shilpa Sharma & Ms. Shikha, Sh. Pawan Kumar & Balbir Kumar Field Asstt. Social Activist Ms. Meena Kumari, and other prominent personalities. On the Occasion Shashi Kant Sharma District Incharge , JKWDC briefly explained
About the awareness regarding loan schemes especially schemes for backward classes, implemented by the Government for the benefits of females of society which further includes sponsored schemes including women schmes of Union Teritory Jammu and Kashmir. Sh. Pawan Kumar Field Asstt. JKWDC Udhampur has encouraged peoples of the respective area to take benefits from Government Schems at a nominal rate of interest.
BJP’s proxy rule in J&K resulting in peoples’ alienation: Harsh Dev
Chenani, 26-12-2022: Re-iterating the demand for early restoration of democracy in J&K and holding of early assembly polls, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh, Former Minister and Chairman AAP J&K SCC today said that the erstwhile state was being illogically and illegitimately deprived of popular govt in violation of constitutional guarantees as well as the ‘obiter dicta’ laid down by the Apex court over the subject. A remote controlled system of governance could not be the solution for the woes and sufferings of the people of J&K. Its the local leaders and local Ministers and elected MLAs who could better address the concerns of their people and bail them out from their sufferings and pains. The proxy rule of BJP has only led to peoples’ alienation, said Mr. Singh. The outside bureaucrats and New Delhi leaders, despite their best of efforts, could not be the substitute for legitimate, elected govt asserted, Mr. Singh. Seeking the end of BJP’s proxy rule, he called upon the union govt to take immediate measures to hand over power to the sons of soil in J&K who alone could address the peculiar problems of the new set up in J&K. He was addressing public meetings in Kalound and Ladha villages of Chenani constituency today.
“While the unprecedented power cuts and drinking water scarcity had made the lives of people a living hell, the proxy govt imposed by the centre was acting as a mute spectator. No concrete measures were being taken to address the chaotic situation which had created massive resentment all over the UT. The situation was the same with regard to other Deptts including Health, Education, RDD where corruption was at its peak with no takers for the genuine concerns of the aggrieved masses. Elected representatives therefore alone could be the panacea for the ills afflicting the UT which had continued to remain deprived of popular rule for the last four years”, maintained Harsh.
Lampooning the inordinate delay in holding Assembly elections in the new UT, Mr. Singh said that the centre’s proxy rule in J&K was antithetical to democracy and amounted to subversion of the constitution. “The constitution categorically provided for a federal system of governance with timely elections for the Union as well as state legislatures. The people can’t be deprived of their legitimate rights to have an elected govt of their own. Seeking restoration of popular govt, Mr. Singh said that delay and deny over the issue only amounted to violation of the Indian Constitution which the centre claims to have extended to the UT of J&K. It was further violative of the directives of the Supreme Court which has held that election should be completed within six months in all those States/UTs wherein the assemblies are dissolved prematurely”, divulged Harsh.
Prominent among those who spoke on the occasion included Mrs. Manju Singh, Rampaul Bhagat, Prem Nath (Sarpanch), Rangil Singh, Naresh Romy, Raj Kumar besides others.Govt approves Chatargalla Tunnel, BJP workers took out gratitude rally in Bhadarwah
By King RJ
Bhadarwah, Dec 26: To express their gratitude towards Government especially Nitin Gadkari and Dr Jitendra Singh, Hundreds of BJP workers and locals of Bhadarwah constituency converged at Bhadarwah to celebrate the sanctioning of prestigious 4,000 cr Chattergalla Tunnel project on Bhadarwah-Basholi-Pathankot road by Union Government
Hundreds of BJP workers and office bearers led by ex MLA Daleep Singh Parihar assembled at Community Hall Kotli Bhadarwah and took out gratitude rally.
DDC Chairman Doda Dhananter Singh, Vice-Chairperson Sangeeta Bhagat, DDC Councillor Yudhvir Thakur, Sr leader Advocate Manjeet Razdan, BDC Chairman Omi Chand, General Secretary Sanjay Saraf and Neeraj Singh Manhas along with other senior party workers participated in the rally and expressed gratitude to Union Minister Dr Jatinder Singh and Minister of surface Transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari for providing sanction to the much awaited prestigious project of construction of Chattergalla Tunnel to provide all weather interstate connectivity on Bhadarwah-Basholi-Pathankot national highway.
The Rally after passing through various bazaars including New Bus Stand Kotli, ADC Office, Chobia Link road, Lakshmi Narayan Chowk and Seri Bazar culminated back at Community Hall. The workers raised slogans in favour of BJP party and PM Narinder Modi.
While addressing Media, Ex MLA Daleep Singh Parihar said that the Chattergalla Tunnel will connect Bhadarwah with Pathankot via Basholi. It was a long pending demand of the people of Chenab Region and with the sanction of this project, it will change the fortunes of the region especially of Bhadarwah.
Parihar said that “it’s really a dream come true for the residents of entire Chenab Region in general and people of Bhaderwah in particular as this project will open new avenues of opportunities especially unemployed youth will get job in this mega project.”
“This became a reality only because of the MoS in PMO Dr Jatinder Singh(who is also MP from Doda-Udhampur parliamentary constituency) , who kept his promise and toiled hard to get the tunnel sanctioned,” said Vice-Chairperson DDC Doda Sangeeta Bhagat.
They also express their gratitude to Dr Jatinder Singh for his untiring efforts to get the project sanctioned.
It is notable that few days back, Surface Transport and highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari after a meeting with LG Manoj Sinha and Dr Jatinder Singh accorded sanction for the tunnel under Bharatmala project with a project cost of Rs 4,000 crore.
The Art of living Jammu Chapter Conducted Happiness
Courses – Workshops on Yoga, Pranayama and Meditations
Jammu Dec 26, 2022: The Art of Living Jammu and Kashmir Chapter conducted 2 Happiness Courses in Separate batches in offline mode last week. One happiness workshop got concluded at Gian Mandir Adarsh Enclave Trikuta Nagar Extn., Jammu J&k which ran for 6 days totaling 15 hours on 2/3 hours on daily basis. Another batch in which participants took part was at Art of Living Kathua centre at Dr Mengis Hospital.
The Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s unique Sudarshan Kriya was taught in the workshops conducted by AOL Jammu Chapter in which devotees across the state participated.
A very dedicated team of the Art of Living teachers from Jammu Chapter Suman Sharma and Sh Shakti Sagar Gupta took sessions to give successful completion to the program at Trikuta nagar Jammu Centre and Sh Bhagwati Prashad conducted Sessions at Kathua centre. Apart from the powerful breathing techniques— Yoga, Pranayama and meditation, the program also had interactive wisdom sessions that provided practical life tools to handle any difficult or stressful situation in life. People from different walks of life participated and experienced a tremendous relief from ailments, emotional
imbalance and physical fitness issues. Art of Living teacher Suman Sharma informed that Course which ran six days 2-3 hours every day was meant to give insight to the life skills necessary for the well-being of human kind. Sh Shakti Sagar Gupta who also took sessions said that the unique breathing technique taught during the workshop eliminates stress, fatigue and negative emotions such as anger, frustration and depression, leaving one calm yet energized, focused yet relaxed with resultants of reduced heart rate and blood pressure.
Foreigners Test Covid Positive At Bihar’s Gaya Airport, Isolated
Four foreign nationals who came to attend the religious preaching of Tibetan Spiritual Leader Dalai Lama at Gaya have been found to be Covid positive raising fears of a surge in the number of Covid cases at the religious place. The foreigners have currently been isolated at a hotel in Bodh Gaya, said Civil surgeon Dr Ranjan Kumar Singh.
He also said that random corona screening of the passengers arriving at Gaya International Airport is being done during which the four passengers were found to be Covid positive. “The four foreigners had come to Bodhgaya to attend Dalai Lama’s religious programme to be held from December 29 to 31. One of them is from Myanmar and the other three are the residents of Bangkok,” he said.
“The condition of all four is normal and they are being treated. Following the positive cases, the Covid detection process has been accelerated,” he added.
The testing for Covid-19 is being carried out at the Gaya international airport and Gaya railway station.
As per the Centre’s guidelines, two per cent of international passengers arriving at Indian airports are to be tested.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has already held a meeting with top officials and experts to take stock of the Covid situation in the country.
The entire country is gearing up for a possible fourth wave of Covid-19, with the new Omicron sub-variant BF.7, which is said to be the reason behind the surge in Covid cases in China, being detected in India.
16-Member Committee Set Up To Oversee Preparations For G20 Event In J&K
Jammu, Dec 26: Jammu and Kashmir government has constitution a committee to oversee the preparation of G20 Summit in 2023.
In an order by secretary to government, general administration department, the 16- member committee will be headed by Raj Kumar Goyal,Financial Commissioner
(Additional Chief Secretary), Home Department.
“In view of the visit of officials from G20 participating countries and organizations to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of Committee of following officers, to oversee the preparations related to G20 event in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, ” the order said.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang Kondbarao Pole, J&K DGP Dilbag Singh, SMC commissioner Athar Amir ul Shafi and J&K LCMA vice-chairperson Bashir Ahmad Bhat are also its member.
BJP paid tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 98th birth anniversary in Bhadarwah
Also listen PM’s Man Ki Baat
By King RJ
Bhadarwah: Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) held a programme to commemorate former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 98th birth anniversary, celebrated it as Good Governance Day on Sunday. Beside also listen to the PM’s Man Ki Baat programme at Bhadarwah.
The programme was attended by senior party leaders, including Ex MLA Daleep Singh Parihar, DDC Chairman Doda Dhananter Singh, Vice-Chairperson Sangeeta Bhagat, DDC Councillor Yudhvir Thakur, BDC Chairman Omi Chand, Advocate Manjeet Razdan, General secretary Doda Sanjay Saraf, Neeraj Manhas and others.
After paying floral tribute, speakers said that Atal Bihari Vajpayee has set an unparalleled example of public working in the world history.
said that Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s words have guided his friend and foes equally.
Ex MLA Daleep Singh Parihar said that the former PM always considered “Rashtra Dharma” above everything and preached the noble thought of selfless working to all.
Speakers also highlighted the life events of Atal Bihari Vajpayee in detail.
Meanwhile large number of people listened together Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing last episode Mann Ki Baat of 2022.
People watched and listened the 96th edition of Mann Ki Baat, a monthly radio programme of the Prime Minister, through a big screen installed by BJP unit Doda.
2 dead after truck carrying LPG cylinders met with accident in J&K’s Ramban
JAMMU, Dec 26: At least two persons died after a truck, laden with gas cylinders, rolled down into a deep gorge near Battery Chishma area of Ramban district on Monday early morning, officials said here.
An official told that a gas cylinder laden truck rolled down into a deep gorge near Battery Chishma at around 04:00 AM.
He said soon after the incident, a rescue operation was launched jointly by Police, QRT and Army’s ROP.
The official said two bodies have been recovered from the spot while their identity was being ascertained.
“The rescue operation is still going on in the area, as the truck has rolled down deep into the gorge,” he added.
‘Chinese intrusion attempts in Arunachal to collect rare Himalayan herb’
New Delhi, Dec 26: Numerous attempts of Chinese intrusion into Indian territory were to collect rare Himalayan herb ‘Keeda Jadi’ (Cordyceps), Indo-Pacific Centre for Strategic Communications (IPCSC) has said.
Cordyceps, also known as caterpillar fungus or the Himalayan gold, is an expensive herbal medicine in China.
An IPCSC report has accused Chinese soldiers of illegally entering Arunachal Pradesh in search of the fungus – mainly found in the Indian Himalayas and on the high altitude region of the plateau in southwestern China.
Globally, in 2022, Cordyceps market has been valued at $1,072.50 million and China is its largest producer as well as exporter.
According to IPCSC, Cordyceps harvest has waned in China in the last few years which resulted in shortage of this medicinal fungus.
It is brown in colour and is up to two inches long. It is found in the Himalayan regions at an altitude of three to five thousand meters.
In India it is known as ‘Kida Jadi’ while in Nepal and China it is called ‘Yarsagumba’, while in Tibet its name is ‘Yarsaganbu’.
Cordyceps’ scientific name is ‘Ophiocordyceps sinensis’, while in English it is called ‘caterpillar fungus’.
The value of per kg of ‘caterpillar fungus is up to Rs 10-12 lakh in the international market.