Is it beginning of end for COVID-19 in India, Death toll, new cases and recovery curves all impressive during the past month.

Oct5

Coronavirus Cases: 6,622,180

Deaths:102,714

Recovered:5,583,453

Total recovered: 5,583,453

Active cases: 936,013

Oct 4

India figure

New cases: 75,479; recovered: 81,655

Coronavirus Cases:6,547,413

Deaths:101,812

Recovered:5,506,732

world figure

Coronavirus Cases: 35,127,716

Deaths:1,037,942

Recovered:26,121,886

Oct 3

India's death toll crossed one lakh mark on Gandhi's Birthday

Coronavirus Cases: 6,471,934

Deaths:100,875

Recovered:5,425,077

कोरोना काम हुआ है गया नहीं है

हम उसे भूल सकते है वो हमें नहीं भूलेगा 

Oct 2

 India Coronavirus Cases:6,394,068

Deaths: 99,804

Recovered: 5,352,078

world Coronavirus Cases:34,476,258

Deaths:1,027,631

Recovered:25,666,466

Oct 1

With 52.7 lakh Covid 19 recoveries, India has the highest number of recoveries, US listing second recovering nearly 47 lakh covid 19 patients.

Coronavirus Cases: 34,153,075

Deaths: 1,018,732

Recovered: 25,424,847

Sept 30, update

India continues to be number one in the world, 80,500 new cases,  86,000 recoveries, and 1178 deaths

Total cases so far: 62.23 lakhs

Total recovered cases: 51.84 lakhs

total deaths: 97,529.

Sept 29 update 

India’s Recovery Rate leaps past 83%

Recovered Cases exceed Active Cases by more than 41.5 lakhs

Posted On: 29 SEP 2020 12:19PM 

India continues to report high number of recoveries. The recovered cases have exceeded the new confirmed again during the past 24 hours.  With this, India’s Recovery Rate has leaped past 83% today.

84,877 recoveries have been registered in the last 24 hours in the country while the number of new confirmed cases stands at 70,589. The total number of recoveries has touched 51,01,397.

73% of the new recovered cases are being reported from ten States, viz. Maharashtra, Karnataka Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Odisha, Kerala, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.

Maharashtra is topping the list with nearly 20,000 recoveries while Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh both contribute more than 7,000 to the single day recoveries.

The sustained high level of recoveries have led to further widening of the gap between active and recovered cases. Recovered cases exceed the active cases (9,47,576 ) by more than 41.5 lakh (41,53,831). The recovered cases are 5.38  times the active cases ensuring that the recoveries are consistently rising.

The active caseload of the country presently is merely 15.42% of the total positive cases and is consistently declining.

The following two graphs depict the changing scenario of the active cases in the top ten states between 23rd and 29th September.

                                                                                                                                        

A total of 70,589 new cases have been reported in the last 24 hours in the country.

10 States/UTs account for 73% of the new confirmed cases.

Maharashtra continues to lead this tally. It has contributed more than 11,000 followed by Karnataka with more than 6,000 cases.

 

There have been 776 deaths in the past 24 hours.

10 States/UTs account for 78% of the deaths in the last 24 hours due to COVID.

Of the new deaths, Maharashtra reported more than 23% of deaths with 180 deaths followed by Tamil Nadu with 70 deaths.

Today after a long time India see a remarkable decrease in new cases (less than 70,000), daily death came down to 777, and recovery increased by more than 85,000.

All these figures appear impressive considering the fact that we have just 9.5 lakh active cases of COVID-19 patients in the country and we have conducted more than 7.1 crore tests so far--which is only next to USA (10.5 crore tests).

It is a great sign of relief that, India has after eight months of COVID outbreak, our active cases are showing a decline, new cases which had touched almost one case a day came down to 70,000 cases a day and the daily death toll today is showing what it was in July August.

Having said all that India must not be complacent and invite the second wave that could be more dangerous than the first wave (we are already seeing it in France).

It is time not to celebrate the decline but to be extra cautious.

following is the data

my earlier posts

Total cases:5,816,103

Total recovered: 4,752,991

Total death: 92,317

75% of new confirmed cases found concentrated in 10 States/UTs

Posted On: 24 SEP 2020 

For the sixth consecutive day, the number of new confirmed cases has been lower than the new recoveries.

A total of 86,508 new cases have been reported in the last 24 hours in the country. 75% of the new confirmed cases are concentrated in 10 States/UTs.

Maharashtra continues to top this list. It has alone contributed more than 21,000 followed by Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka with more than more than 7,000 and 6,000 cases respectively.

 

 

1,129 deaths have been registered in the past 24 hours.

10 States/UTs account for 83% of the deaths in the last 24 hours due to COVID.

Maharashtra reported 479 deaths followed by Uttar Pradesh and Punjab with 87 and 64 deaths, respectively.

                                                                                                                                                                                      

India has substantially ramped up its testing infrastructure across the country. As on date, there are 1810 labs including 1082 government and 728 private labs.

11,56,569 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours. The total number of tests has crossed 6.74 cr today.

 

India records the highest number of deaths and new cases in the world in COVID-19 cases, would continue to be on top for the coming months.

With a daily spike of 62,000+ for the past few days and death toll crossing 1000+, India is on top of the world. Earlier USA and Brazil had more patients than India, But for the past three-four days, India is on the top chart and if experts are to be believed, it would continue to be on the top for the coming months till COVID-19 peak flattens.

However, if there is any reason to be relaxed, it is the death rate, very low CFR (Case Fatality Rate), and the fact that India is conducting more than 7 lakhs tests a day. Presently, the health infrastructure is not as overloaded as we had seen in Spain, Italy, or in the USA.

No Need to Panic  

People should not panic by the increasing number of cases. India is testing 7 lakhs, people, a day this practice has worked worldover. So is daily death cases, it is 1000+ presently, and when it would attain its peak, the daily death might touch 2000+ (as reported in Western countries).

And since we have 137 crore population, this phase may last for a few months to get the peak. Again Peak would differ from state to state. Presently it has densely spread in 10 most populated states, in others, it is still in a spreading phase--may take a month or two.

Case Fatality Ratio, which estimates this proportion of deaths among identified confirmed cases, is almost 2 %--much less than what we had reported in Western Countries.

Health Infrastructure: If we ignore the initial rush and negligence in Delhi, Mumbai and Bihar (Patna), India health department has performed much better than other countries. Yet the actual test of COVID-19 would be seen in the coming months. So fa,r  COVID-19 infection still remained concentrated in 10 States that contribute more than 80% of the new cases. It means Half of India has yet to see the COVID-19 impact in the coming months.

India is lucky in that respect that most crowded places are apparently getting 'herd immunity' and less populated areas are likely to see its impact. This way there would not be any major pressure on health Infrastructure.

Secondly, unlike, Spain, Italy or USA, doctors and authorities in India got sufficient time to prepare for Testing, tracking and Treatment (the three T strategy it had launched) to fight COVID 19.

Fast Recoveries:

India's COVID-19 recoveries have crossed the historic peak of 1.5 million today (August 10). Recovery of 15,35,743 patients has been made possible because of the policy of TESTING aggressively, TRACKING comprehensively and TREATING efficiently. Better ambulance services focus on Standard of Care and use of non-invasive oxygen have given the desired results.

With the highest-ever single-day recoveries of 54,859 in the last 24 hours, the Recovery Rate amongst the COVID-19 patients has scaled another high of almost 70%.

The record high recoveries have ensured that the actual caseload of the country viz. the active cases has reduced and currently comprises only 28.66% of the total positive cases. India has posted more than 9 lakh recoveries than the active cases (6,34,945).

The coordinated efforts of Centre and State/UT governments on early detection through aggressive testing and efficient clinical management of hospitalized cases have shown results with continuously regressing Case Fatality Rate. It is 2%, as on date, and steadily declining. Early identification of cases has also led to steeply falling percentage active cases.

Early identification helps to ensure timely and prompt isolation of the mild and moderate cases and hospitalisation of the severe and critical cases thereby leading to the effective management of cases.

It is important to note that the COVID-19 infection still remains concentrated in 10 States that contribute more than 80% of the new cases. The aggressive testing and tracking through house-to-house surveys and well-implemented containment strategies and surveillance in these areas may lead to an initial increase in positive cases. However, well-implemented strategies will ensure it reduces over time.

For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ and @MoHFW_INDIA.

Modi May not announce any vaccine on August 15. Bharat Biotech says Don't want to launch Covid vaccine "under pressure"

India not to announce any Vaccine on August 15, Bharat Biotech refuses to budge 'Under Pressure'

There seems to be no chance of commercial production of COVID-19 vaccine as announced by CSIR that India intends to launch COVID 19 Vaccine when it ordered to start a trial of the vaccine in association with Bharat Biotech.

Bharat Biotech has categorically said that it does not want to launch the vaccine under "PRESSURE". He categorically told media that though the current pandemic is putting pressure on the company to come out with a vaccine quickly, "but we cannot rush as safety and quality are paramount".

He said the company has maintained clinical research of the highest standards and it was monitored by international agencies and communities. "It's a matter of prestige for the country. We won't be shortsighted on research and will produce the best quality vaccine," the company told.

It has already completed phase 1 of the trial successfully. But it did not announce the possible date when the Indian vaccine would be launched. It also said that the GSK or Sanofi (the global majors).

If there is any hope it may be from COVISHIELD developed by Oxford, trial II and II of which has already been announced in India and its commercial production would soon start in Serum Institute of India.

COVISHIELD

In a move that might expedite the commercial production of COVID-19, the Drug Controller of General of India (DGCI) has given approval to Serum Institute of India, Pune to conduct Phase II+III clinical trials of Oxford University-Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine (COVISHIELD) in India.

Once the Phase II & Phase III is over, Serum Institute of India may initiate the commercial production of the vaccine. The Union Ministry of Health, however, did not give details of the testing and when it would be over.

Around 1,600 people are likely to participate in the clinical human trial of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the University of Oxford. The first trial has already been completed successfully in UK. The second and third trial is probably done in India so as it could produce it here in India by SII (Serum Institute of India). Government has not yet given details of the trial.

Meanwhile, India continues to improve the Case Fatality Rate (CFR), and maintain its global position of having one of the lowest COVID fatalities rates. With a further fall, the current CFR touched 2.11% today. This is the outcome of the well-conceived and effectively implemented strategy of "Test, Track and Treat" which has guided the COVID management in the country.

The management strategy of COVID-19 also focuses on early detection and isolation of cases with seamless patient management and prioritising care of the high-risk population using field health care workers leading to increase in recoveries across the country. India has seen more than 40,574 patients recovered in the last 24 hours. This takes the total recoveries to 11,86,203 and Recovery Rate to 65.77% amongst COVID-19 patients.

With improving daily recovery number, the gap between the recovered cases & the active cases has increased to more than 6 lakh. Presently, it is 6,06,846. This means the actual active caseload is 5,79,357 and all are under medical supervision.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued Revised Guidelines for International Arrivals in supersession of the Guidelines issued on the subject dated 24th May 2020. They will be operational from 00.01 Hrs, 8th August 2020. For further details:

https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedguidelinesforInternationalArrivals02082020.pdf

 

For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ and @MoHFW_INDIA.

Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be sent to technicalquery.covid19@gov.in and other queries on ncov2019@gov.in and @CovidIndiaSeva.

In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no.: +91-11-23978046 or 1075 (Toll-free). List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf .

****

Indian scientists found a low-cost non-surgical treatment for Cataract (मोतियबिंद) using Nano Technology. No operaiton required

 Indian scientists found NanoTechnology for Cataract (मोतियबिंद), no Operation required

Indian scientists have invented a low cost preventive alternative nonsurgical treatment method to prevent Cataract (मोतियबिंद)—a common eye problem in people above 50. The preventive treatment through effective nanorods developed by Indian scientists may help nearly 70 lakh Cataract patients who otherwise have to undergo costly and sensitive Cataract eye surgery.

 

The scientists have developed nanorods from a very popular medicine Aspirin drug which is a common pain killer medicine in India used to cure fever or inflammation. The nanorods derived from this cheapest medicine have been found to be effective, non-invasive based on molecule-based nanotherapeutics against cataract.

The technology they sed is used low-cost material with high yield, derived from aspirin as compared to the existing costly and laborious physical methods used for the synthesis of nanoparticles.

 

A team of scientists from the Institute of Nano Science & Technology (INST) an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India have found that the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Aspirin is very cost-effective treatment against cataract.

 

In their research published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry B, the scientists from INST said nanorods derived from Aspirin could help in preventing cataracts in an economical and less complicated way. The scientists used the anti-aggregation ability of these aspirin nanorods as an effective and non–invasive small technology against the cataract. 

heir research said that Aspirin nanorods would prevent the formation of crystallin protein and various peptides derived from its fragmentation, which would play a crucial role in cataract formation.

Cataract basically is a major form of blindness that occurs due to milky blue or brown layers in our eyes affecting lens transparency. It causes partial or maybe full blindness if not treated properly.

 

The layer occurs when the structure of crystallin proteins that make up the lens in our eyes deteriorates, causing damaged or disorganised proteins. The normal strategy is to prevent the formation of these aggregates as well as their destruction in the early stage of disease progression. This treatment strategy for cataracts can carry out this task could make cataract prevention affordable and accessible.

 

According to their research paper, the nanorods prevents protein and peptide growth through biomolecular interactions. It actually converts these peptides, responsible for amyloid formation into coils and helices.

 

These were found to prevent cataract formation by preventing the growth of crystallin, and crystallin derived peptide. As with ageing and under various conditions, the lens protein crystallin aggregates to form opaque structures in the eye lens, which impairs vision and cause cataract.

 

The targeted stoppage of the accumulated alpha-crystallin protein and crystallin derived peptide increases in aged and cataractous human lenses is found to be a viable therapeutic strategy for the prevention of cataract formation.

The scientists produced these aspirin nanorods using the process of molecular self-assembly to generate the aspirin nanorods as compared to the existing costly laborious physical methods generally used for the synthesis of nanoparticles.

Computational studies based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to investigate the molecular mechanism of aspirin’s anti-aggregation behaviour and the nature of protein (peptide)-inhibitor interactions between the synthetic peptides and aspirin. It was observed that the peptide-aspirin (inhibitor) interactions eventually transformed peptides secondary structures from beta-turns, those are responsible for the formation of the amyloid, into various coils and helixes, preventing its formation.

These simulations revealed aspirin’s ability to act as a potential inhibitor towards amyloid-like fibril formation by the model cataract peptides.

Many natural compounds have already been reported as potential aggregation inhibitors for crystallin aggregation, but the utility of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin in this direction will open a new paradigm. In addition, aspirin nanorods due to their nano-size will enhance the bioavailability, improve drug loading, lower toxicity, etc. Hence, the delivery of the aspirin nanorods as eye drops is going to serve as an effective and viable option to treat cataract non-invasively.

 

This easy to use and low-cost alternative nonsurgical treatment method will benefit patients in developing countries who cannot access expensive cataract treatments and surgeries.

Nanorods

 

In nanotechnology, nanorods are one morphology of nanoscale objects. Each of their dimensions ranges from 1-100 nanometre. They may be synthesized from metals or semiconducting materials. Standard aspect ratios (length divided by width) are 3-5. Nanorods are produced by direct chemical synthesis. A combination of lingands act as shape control agents and bond to different facets of the nanorod with different strengths. This allows different faces of the nanorod to grow at different rates, producing an elongated object.

What is Cataract?

We have a natural lens in our eyes. The lens bends (refracts) light rays that come into the eye to help us see. The lens should be clear, but if you have cataract your lens has become cloudy, like the bottom lens in the illustration. It is like looking through a foggy or dusty car windshield. Things look blurry, hazy or less colorful with a cataract.

Its common symptoms are having blurry vision, seeing double, being extra sensitive to light, having trouble seeing well at night, or needing more light when you read, and finally seeing bright colours as faded or yellow instead.

Its causes 

A cataract is common among 50 + people. It is due to normal eye changes which starts at 40. That is when normal proteins in the lens start to break down and it causes the lens to get cloudy. People over age 50 usually start to have some clouding of their lenses. However, vision problems may not happen until years later.

How to slow down the development of cataracts

Protecting your eyes from sunlight is the best way to do this. Wear sunglasses that screen out the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light rays. You may also wear regular eyeglasses that have a clear, anti-UN.

Publication details:

Bisht, A., Sharma, M., Sharma, S., Ali, M. E., & Panda, J. J. (2019). Carrier-free self-built aspirin nanorods as anti-aggregation agents towards alpha-crystallin-derived peptide aggregates: potential implications in non-invasive cataract therapy. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 7(44), 6945-6954.

 

For further details, Dr. Jiban Jyoti Panda (jyoti@inst.ac.in) can be contacted.)

Despite COVID-19 LOCKDOWN, Red Spider mite attack on tea gardens, Tea sector has reason to cheers, they are getting almost double the price of their produce, claimes Tea Board

Tea garden farmers are doubly hit this time, one the lockdown that hampered tea plucking, and two from the Red Spider Mite and tea bugs in some region of North East area. Yet revenue generation wise, the year has been very good to farmers, tea processing units and for labours, as they are betting better labour than last year, feels senior officers of the Tea Board.

The sudden increase in price of tea leaves has probably come from COVID-19, as people have started using tea leaves frequently in India as well as worldwide to make a hot potion to prevent Corona, fees the expert in the tea industry. The farmers initially had problems, but after they started getting a good price of their crop, they were literally thrilled.

Lockdown and subsequent economic slowdown have been very painful to many, even the tea industry was in very bad shape. At a time when the farmers harvest 60 % of their tea crop, the government had imposed Lockdown or partial lockdown.

Then came the attack of Red Spider mite and tea bugs which hit some parts of the North East region. As if this was not enough, the farmers had to prune most of their gardens to get a fresh leaf. Yet Everyone engaged in the tea sector is happy--for them, COVID-19 is not that BAD.

The farmers of Tea gardens in North-Eastern states were doubly hit this year, one by the non-plucking of tea leaves due to COVID-19 lockdown, and then the attack of ‘red spider mite’, which is likely to affect their production by more than 10 %.

Yet there is no worry on their face and are rather happy with the ongoing tea business—thanks to the sudden surge in the demand of tea leaves, which has almost doubled their selling price. If senior officers of Tea Boards are to be believed, all those involved in the tea garden business from labourers to small tea garden owners, and tea processing units are happy despite the fact they hardly did any business in the month of March, April and June.

“We are expecting a decline of nearly 13 % in tea production.. last year it was 750 Million Kg, this year it would not be more than 650 million Kg. but still, they are very happy. Last year the selling price of leaves were Rs 140-190 per Kg, and this year the price has crossed Rs 330 per Kg—almost double than the last year price,” said a senior officer of the Tea Board requesting anonymity.

Even the small farmers who do not process tea leaves and sell green leaves are elated. “Last year they were selling it at Rs 15 a Kg and this year it around Rs 35 a Kg ..,” the officer said.

Initially, the tea garden owners were very upset. Due to sudden lockdown on March 23, the plucking was stopped for many days. And when it started after some times by the time the leaves had grown big, which is not worth plucking. “Ultimately, the entire crop at most of the places was pruned again. This spoiled another fortnight. Ultimately, there was not much plucking in March, April, May. It picked up in June, yet it has not reached to its previous pace,” said another officer of the Board involved in monitoring tea harvesting in North-Eastern region.

The plucking would continue till October- November, but by now half of the crop should have been harvested. “This was our concern. Seeing the price farmers are getting for their crop, our that concern is almost over,” he added.

Another concern for authorities was the attack of ‘Red Spider mite’ and 'tea bug' at many places in the North-Eastern region. It did affect crop at some places. It badly damaged some tea gardens, however, considering the fact that the farmers are getting almost double the price of their produce, they are still “very happy”,  the officer said.

Three months ago, the entire Tea industry in North Eastern was under distress. The plucking of tea leaves was halted due to sudden lockdown on March 23.

 They had to manage labour payments through partially so as to meet their ends. Then there was another attack of Red Spider Mite in most part of the North-Eastern region. It was always thought that 

The Red spider mite is a tiny mite of the Tetranychidae family. It attacks leaf and flower plants, indoors and outside.

The term “spider” is a bit misleading, because, in reality, this is a mite. However, it does have 8 legs, spins webs, and is related to the same zoological class as spiders, Arachnida.

A few red spider mites will only cause little damage. If they are numerous, though, they might lead the plant to perish.

Conditions for red spider mite to appear

Red spider mites tend to multiply and attack plants when the weather is hot and dry. That’s why they are found indoors all year round and in the garden in summer, when it doesn’t rain and that temperatures stay above 70°F (20°C).

Additionally, these spiders aren’t insects, and abusive use of pesticides actually contributes to their spread. Since many other insects are their predators, killing insects blindly helps spider mites prosper.

Red spider mites quickly adapt to chemical threats. They build up immunity to many pesticides. Their tiny size makes them very difficult to see with the naked eye, but a small magnifying glass helps lift any doubt. 

The first symptom is the appearance of small white or yellow dots and then leaves turn completely yellow. Unlike thrips that produce larger white patches, red spider mite feeding is randomly spread around the area.

As mentioned earlier, red spider mites love it when the air is very dry, it helps them spread.

If you want to learn more about red spider mite, you may consult the following website: https://www.nature-and-garden.com/gardening/red-spider-mite.html

Modi Goverment to hit China with Incense Sticks, plans cut its Rs 546 crore import its "boycott Chinese product' call

In another move to hit China and intensify 'Wallet War', India has launched a unique scheme to cut import of Aggarbati (Incense Sticks) from China and generate nearly 1 lakh domestic self-employment with little or no investment by the artisans.

If KVIC is to be believed it would hit nearly Rs 546 crore Chinese Industry, which is providing raw material to Indian manufacturers. If all goes well India would not only become self-reliant in Agarbati sector but would also export it to various counties--doubly hit the Chinese industry.

The unique PPP model prepared by the Government is aimed at largescale production, reducing production cost and generating employment at large scale particularly in village areas. As per the Modi government’s plan of action,  KVIC, Agarbatti machine manufacturer and major Agarbatti production houses, would train the men force. While the KVIC would finance machines to artisans at easy instalment with 25 % capital subsidy, Agarbatti production houses would enter into an agreement with the artisans to purchase their entire production. They would pay the artisans on a weekly basis and would take care of packaging, marketing and selling of the produce, said a senior officer of the MSME.

It is really sorry that despite being a cottage industry, India is heavily dependent upon the import of Agarbati. If senior officers of KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission) are to be believed, Agarbatti import has increased from Rs 31 crore in 2009 to Rs 546 crore in 2019. The dependence of Agarbatti raw material has increased from 2 % to 80% during the same period, the KVIC claimed.

The government has claimed that the unique employment generation program was proposed by KVIC to make India Aatmanirbhar in Agarbatti production. The program named as “Khadi Agarbatti Aatmanirbhar Mission” aims at creating employment for unemployed and migrant workers in different parts of the country while increasing domestic Agarbatti production substantially.

KVIC would soon launch a pilot project and late on it would be implemented in a full-fledged manner aimed at generating nearly one lakh jobs in the coming one years.

The scheme designed by KVIC is on PPP mode. It is unique in a sense that with hardly any investment, it would create sustainable employment and help private Agarbatti manufacturers to scale up Agarbatti production without any capital investment by them.

Under the scheme, KVIC will provide Automatic Agarbatti making machines and powder mixing machines to the artisans through the successful private Agarbatti manufacturers who will sign the agreement as business partners. KVIC has decided to procure only locally made machines by Indian manufacturers which also aims at encouraging local production. 

While KVIC will provide 25% subsidy on the cost of the machines and will recover the remaining 75% of the cost from the artisans in easy instalments every month. The business partner will provide the raw material to the artisans for making Agarbatti and will pay them wages on job work basis.

Cost of artisans’ training will be shared between KVIC and the private business partner wherein KVIC will bear 75% of the cost while 25% will be paid by the business partner.

Each automatic Agarbatti making machine makes approximately 80 kg Agarbatti per day which will provide direct employment to 4 persons. One powder mixing machine, to be given on a set on 5 Agarbatti making machines, will provide employment to 2 persons.

The current job work rate for Agarbatti making is Rs 15 per kg. At this rate, 4 artisans working on one Automatic Agarbatti machine will earn a minimum Rs 1200 per day by making 80 kg of Agarbatti. Hence every artisan will earn at least Rs 300 per day. Similarly, on the powder mixing machine, each artisan will get a fixed amount of Rs 250 per day.

As per the scheme, the wages to the artisans will be provided by the business partners on a weekly basis directly in their accounts through DBT only. Supply of raw material to the artisans, logistics, quality control and marketing of the final product will be the sole responsibility of the business partner. After recovery of the 75% cost, the ownership of the machines will automatically be transferred to the artisans.

A two-party agreement to this effect will be signed between KVIC and the Private Agarbatti manufacturer for the successful running of the project on PPP Mode.

The scheme has been designed in the wake of the two major decisions – import restriction on Raw Agarbatti and an increase in import duty on Bamboo sticks - taken by the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Finance respectively on the initiative of UNION MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari.

KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said the two decisions of the Central Government created a huge employment opportunity in the Agarbatti industry. “In order to encash the huge employment generation opportunity, the KVIC designed a program namely “Khadi Agarbatti Aatmanirbhar Mission” and submitted to the Ministry of MSME for approval,” Saxena said.

The program aims at handholding artisans and supporting the local Agarbatti industry. The current consumption of Agarbatti in the country is approximately 1490 MT per day; however, India’s per day production of Agarbatti is just 760 MT. There is a huge gap between the demand and the supply and hence, immense scope for job creation.

Ends.

India recorded highest recoveries & new COVID-19 cases in the world. Besides India's case Fatality Rate (CFR) reduced to 2.13%.

India recorded the highest number of highest Covid-19 patients, 54,865 in the world as well as the highest number of recoveries, 51,225 during the past 24 hours in a day.

A staggering recovery of more than 51,225 was registered in India in the last 24 hours. “With 51,225 patients cured and discharged, India’s total recoveries from COVID-19 have touched 11,45,629,” said a senior officer of the Home Minister here on Sunday. Besides India has one of the lowest Case Fatality Rate (CFR) at 2.13% as compared to the global average, the Ministry said.

With the highest-ever single-day increase in recovered patients in the last 24 hours, the recovery rate has seen a high of 65.44%. This means that more and more COVID-19 patients are getting cured and discharged, the officer said.

“Coordinated implementation of COVID-19 management strategy by the Union and State/UT governments and selfless sacrifice of all frontline health and other workers and COVID-19 warriors across sectors have ensured that the recoveries are continuously on the rise,” the Home Ministry claimed.

The gap between the recoveries and the active cases has seen a steady rise. On June 10, for the first time, the total number of recovered patients exceeded the active cases with a difference of 1,573 which has increased to 5,77,899 as on today. The active cases are the actual case load for India and currently, the active cases account for 32.43% of the total cases. All active cases are under medical supervision either in hospitals or in-home isolation, it said.

The successful and coordinated implementation of the effective containment strategy, aggressive testing and standardized clinical management protocols based on a comprehensive Standard of Care framework. This has resulted in a consistent trend of rising Recovery Rate and progressively reducing Case Fatality Rate.

Is India-Pakistan heading towards Locust plague, Worst during the past 50 years? Indian as well as Pakistan Air Force pressed into service to contain it.

Locusts plaque prevalent in the 19th century could be real this time if no timely action is taken by India, Pakistan & Iran

Is India-Pakistan heading towards a Locust plague this year. Maybe if India and Pakistan do not fight Locust swarms jointly. Experts from Pakistan fear that going by the intensity of swarms, it may face severe food security this season in case they are not handled properly.

While India has pressed Bell Helicopters and Mi-17 helicopters to assist Locust control operations, Pakistan Air force C-130 aircraft has airlifted ‘purpose-built Piper Brave spray aircraft’ from Turkey to launch its large scale control operations.

The swarms coming from the Horn of Africa are laying eggs and breeding along Indo-Pak border area. This is for the first time in the past 30 years, the locust has laid eggs and building swarms at over 34 locations in Western and Northern Rajasthan.

In India, it is giving sleepless nights to authorities engaged in controlling and containing the ‘Locust Attack’, so as it could not spread in the neighbouring states. In the wake of the alarming the situation arising out of Locust swarms, the United Nation has organized special weekly virtual meetings on 'Desert Locust of South-West Asian countries' mainly Afghanistan, India, Iran and Pakistan. This is for the first time that the UN FAO has stepped in to provide technical and other 'real-time' assistance to locust affected Countries and provide a broader picture of building swarms in the respective region.

Experts even fear that if all affected countries did not join hands to contain the swarms, it could lead to 'Locust plague' in some worst-affected regions. And if the worst fear turns true, some of the countries could have serious food security issues, they claim. for India, the UNFAO has warned the authorities to prevent its spread to neighbouring states mainly Punjab, Haryana, UP, and Madhya Pradesh--which plays a vital role in ensuring food security to the second largest populated country in the world, they admitted.

Desert Locust, commonly call grasshoppers, originates from the Horn of  Africa. they fly in swarms which may vary from less than one square kilometre to several hundred square kilometres. One swarm contains 4 crores to 8 crore adult locusts in one square kilometre and can fly as long as 150 kilometres a day. A Desert Locust adult can consume roughly its own weight in fresh food per day. A very small part of an average swarm (or about one tonne of locusts) can eat the same amount of food in one day as about 10 elephants or 25 camels or 2,500 people.

India’s Locust Warning Organisation (LWO-IN) in association with the state governments have so far quarantined over 4.5 lakh hectares of land in 10 states. The operation would continue for another three to four months till it managed to contain the swarms. UN has further warned that the Locust swarms are still building up in the Horn of Africa and would fly to Indo-Pak bordering districts for further breeding in the coming weeks.

Last year when Locust had attacked India through Pakistan, but it was only confined to Rajasthan and Gujarat. In the entire year, the LCO (Locust Circle Offices) contained nearly three lakh hectares. This year, the authorities have already quarantined 4.5 Lakhs hectares. Going by the present pace, LWO-IN might have to quarantine more than 10 lakh hectares of land, said a senior officer of the LWO-IN.

This gravity of the situation can be judged from the fact that the United Nations FAO has contained only 6 lakh hectares in African continent, where it actually originated. And in India, it has so far spread and controlled in over 4.5 lakh hectares. The situation in Pakistan is equally worse where some experts fear, it may face ‘drought-like situation’ due to attack of Locust Swarm.

In India, authorities have pressed, drones to locate the swarms and using sprayer mounted Indian Air Force helicopters to control the swarms. It has also purchased 60 sophisticated vehicle-mounted sprayers, and pressed fire brigade vehicles, and the existing fleet of sprayers to nip them in the bud.

Presently, 104 control teams with spray vehicles are deployed in the States of Rajasthan and Gujarat, and more than 200 Central Government personnel are engaged in locust control operations. Further, five companies with 15 drones are deployed at Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Nagaur and Phalodi in Rajasthan for effective control of locusts on tall trees and in inaccessible areas through spraying of pesticides. A Bell helicopter and Mi-17 helicopters of Indian Air Force have also been deployed in Rajasthan for use in Scheduled Desert Area for anti-locust operation.

In its recent warning, the United Nations FAO has told India that numerous adult groups and swarms are laying eggs over a wide area of Rajasthan between Jodhpur and Churu while hatching and band formation from earlier laying has occurred further south from Phalodi to Gujarat. While in Pakistan hopper groups and bands are present in the Nagarparkar area in Tharparkar of southeast Sindh. Adult groups are scattered throughout the Cholistan and other parts of Tharparkar that will lay eggs shortly. If strong Western winds start blowing towards India, these swarms could go as long as Bihar, Nepal, and parts of West Bengal admitted a senior officer of the LWO-India.

Locust Swarms

In ancient time Locusts swarms known to have formed plagues. In Ancient Egyptians, they carved them on their tombs. It has its mention in the ancient scriptures including Iliad, the Mahabharata, the Bible and Quran. Locust swarms sometimes spread in over a hundred kilometres have devastated crops and have been a contributory cause of famines and human migrations. However, the recent changes in agriculture practices and better surveillance of locations where swarms tend to originate led to control of these swarms. The traditional means of control are based on the use of insecticides from the ground or the air, but other methods using biological control have also proved effective.

As a result of the use of modern technologies, swarming behaviour has seen a considerable decrease in the past 100 years. Last serious impact on locust attack was in 1980ies. Last year the attack affected Pakistan and parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, but this year its presence and intensity are very large. This suggests that the potential for swarms to form is still present, and when suitable climatic conditions occur and vigilance lapses, plagues can still occur.

Eating Locust, a delicacy in many countries:

Locust is edible insects and is considered protein-rich. It is termed very tasty and considered a delicacy in many African, Middle Eastern and Asian countries. Historically they have been used as food. Those who eat them claim it is as tasty as Shrimp (Jhinga fish). In fact, a few senior politicians in Pakistan had suggested that instead of using pesticides, they should be caught and use for eating purpose. Or it can also be used to replace poultry meal.

In Saudi Arabia, it is believed to be very healthy. Even some organizations in Saudi Arabia and Yemen protested over government plans to use pesticides to control them as they cannot use locust sprayed with pesticides. During pre-history, selling, cooking and eating locust was very common in Egypt, Palestine, Saudi Arabia.

According to an estimate locust yield about five times more edible protein per unit of fodder than cattle. Since its FCR (feed conversion ratio is 1.7 kg/Kg—it is one of the best poultry feed. Serving of 100 grams of desert locust provides 11.5 grams of fat, 286 mg of cholesterol. Besides it has very useful fatty acids, and varying amounts of minerals mainly potassium, sodium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc.

Ends.