In the time of Covid-19, Monsoon brings cheers in the Agriculture sector, rainfall was third highest since 1994

 

Some Salient Features of Monsoon 2020

The all India seasonal rainfall this year was third-highest, after 112% of LPA in 1994 and 110% of LPA in 2019

Out of 36 meteorological subdivisions, 2 subdivisions received large excess, 13 received excess and 16 subdivisions received normal monsoon rainfall during 2020 while only 5 subdivisions received deficient rainfall

Monsoon in 2020 withdrew from western parts of northwest India on 28th Sept. 2020 against the normal date of 17th Sept 2020 with a delay of around 11-days.

The cool ENSO neutral conditions observed over the equatorial Pacific Ocean in the beginning of the year turned in to weak La Niña conditions by the end of August 2020 as predicted by IMD

Posted On: 01 OCT 2020

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued the following information on India Monsoon 2020:

Ø Quantitatively, 2020 All India monsoon seasonal rainfall during 1 June to 30 September 2020 has been 95.8 cm against the long period average of 88.0 cm based on data of 1961-2010 (109% of its Long Period Average (LPA)).

Ø Considering the recent years since 1990, the all India seasonal rainfall this year was third-highest, after 112% of LPA in 1994 and 110% of LPA in 2019.

Ø Thus 2019 & 2020 are the two consecutive years with above-normal monsoon rainfall, after 1958 (110% of LPA) and 1959 (114% of LPA ) (Fig.1).

Ø Considering four broad homogenous regions of India, the monsoon seasonal rainfall during 2020 has been 106%, 84%, 115% & 129% of LPA respectively over East and North-East(NE), North- West(NW), Central and South India. Therefore, seasonal rainfall has been excess over Central and South India, normal over East and NE India and deficient over NW India. Monthly and seasonal total rainfall over different broad homogeneous regions and all India are given in Fig. 2.

Ø Out of 36 meteorological subdivisions, 2 subdivisions received large excess, 13 received excess and 16 subdivisions received normal monsoon rainfall during 2020 while only 5 subdivisions received deficient rainfall (Fig. 3). These 5 Met subdivisions which got deficient rains are Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura (- 32%), West Uttar Pradesh (-37%), Uttarakhand (-20%), Himachal Pradesh        (- 26%), Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (-34%) (Fig. 3).

Ø Considering month to month rainfall variation over India as a whole, the season is very uniquely placed in the historical record for its distinct and contrasting month to month variation. The rainfall over the country as a whole was 118%, 90%, 127% and 104% of LPA during June, July, August and September respectively (Fig 2).

The spatial distribution of monthly rainfall over different Met- Subdivisions is shown in Fig 4.

Ø The week to week progress of monsoon rainfall over the country as a whole and cumulative rainfall in percentage departure is shown in Fig. 5

Ø It was a good beginning for the season in terms of rainfall with formation and movement of the cyclone Nisarga, over the Arabian Sea. It helped the monsoon to advance into main-land along the west coast. Subsequent features favoured timely advance and monsoon covered entire country by 26th 2 June against the normal date of 8th July (about 12 days ahead of normal date). The country as a whole experienced excess rainfall (118% of LPA) during June.

Ø In July, many unfavourable features of monsoon appeared resulting in deficient rainfall for the country (90% of LPA). The weak monsoon in July was mainly due to the absence of any major monsoon disturbance over the Bay of Bengal. Absence of such major systems in July (Table 1) also caused the monsoon trough weak. The monsoon trough lay to the north of the normal position or closed to the foothills of the Himalayas on many days. It resulted in frequent and prolonged floods over northeastern India, Bihar and adjoining areas of east Uttar Pradesh.

At the same time, major parts of central and northwest India received deficient rainfall.

Ø During August, there was back to back-formation of low-pressure systems over the north Bay of Bengal and their movement towards Gujarat and south Rajasthan (Table 1). Monsoon trough was mostly south of the normal position and remained active. The Arabian Sea was very active with stronger winds reaching up to 50-60kmph in lower levels during a few days in the month. Five low-pressure systems formed during 4-10, 9-11, 13-18, 19-26 and 24-31 August 2020 which caused higher than normal rainfall over the central and western part of India. The total number of low-pressure days was 28 against normal of about 17(Table 1). It caused 2-3 spells of riverine floods over Odisha, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, south Gujarat and south Rajasthan. It was a record rainfall in August 2020, when all India rainfall was 127% of LPA. It has been the record highest in last 44- years, after August 1976 (128.4% of LPA). It is also fourth-highest in the last 120 years. The highest ever percentage departure for the month of August during 1901-2020 had been 33% above LPA during 1926. The all India rainfall in percentage departure from LPA for the month of the August during 1901-2020 is shown in Fig.6.

Ø During August 2020, consecutively for 4 weeks, India got excess rain with 13% to 41% above LPA during the week ending 12 Aug to week ending 2 Sept 2020. Similarly, the most deficient monsoon conditions prevailed in the second fortnight of July.

Ø Month-wise locations of Very Heavy Rainfall (115.6 to 204.4 mm) and Extremely Heavy Rainfall (more than 204.4 mm) reported stations for June to Sept 2020 given in Fig 7.

Ø Monsoon in 2020 withdrew from western parts of northwest India on 28th Sept. 2020 against the normal date of 17th Sept 2020 with a delay of around 11-days. Withdrawal has been delayed mainly due to active monsoon trough in association with the formation of 2 low-pressure systems in Sept 2020.

Ø As on 01st October, southwest monsoon has withdrawn from Punjab, western Himalayan region,

Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and many parts for Rajasthan and some parts of Uttar Pradesh. The withdrawal line of the Southwest Monsoon passes through Lat. 29°N/ Long.81°E, Lakhimpur Kheri, Shahjhanpur, Alwar, Nagaur and Lat. 26°N/ Long.70°E.

Verification of Long Range Forecast:

Ø The forecast for the date of monsoon Onset Over Kerala issued on 15th May 2020 was 5th June with a model error of ±4 days. The actual monsoon onset over Kerala was on 1st June and therefore the forecast was correct.

Ø The first stage forecast for the season (June-September) rainfall over the country as a whole issued in April was 100% of LPA with a model error of ± 5% of LPA. The forecast was upgraded to 102% of LPA with a model error of ± 4% of LPA in the updated forecast issued in May. IMD also predicted a probability of 65% of monsoon rainfall to be normal to above normal. However, the actual seasonal rainfall for the country as a whole was 109% of LPA, which is more than the predicted value.

Ø Considering the four broad geographical regions of India, the forecasts issued in May for the season 3 rainfall over Northwest India, Central India, Northeast India and South Peninsula were 107%, 103%, 96% & 102% of the LPA respectively all with model errors of ± 8%. The actual rainfall over Northwest India, Central India, Northeast India and South Peninsula was 84%, 115%, 107% and 129% of the LPA respectively. Thus, the forecasts of season rainfall over the Central India, Northeast India and South Peninsula regions were underestimated to the actual rainfall, while the forecast for Northwest India was an overestimate. The forecast for the second half of the monsoon season (August – September) for the country as a whole was 104% with a model error of 8% of LPA against the actual rainfall of 118% of LPA.

Ø This year, IMD had predicted the possibility of the development of weak La Nina conditions in the second half of the season in its forecasts issued in April and May. The cool ENSO neutral conditions

observed over the equatorial Pacific Ocean at the beginning of the year turned in to weak La Niña conditions by the end of August 2020 as predicted by IMD.

MHA issues new Guidelines for Re-opening, Gives flexibility to States UTs for opening of schools, Opens up more activities outside Containment Zones

 

MHA issues new Guidelines for Re-opening

Gives flexibility to States UTs for opening of schools

Opens up more activities outside Containment Zones

Strict enforcement of lockdown in Containment Zones till 31st October 2020

Posted On: 30 SEP 2020 7:56PM by PIB Delhi

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued new guidelines today, for opening up of more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones. In these guidelines, which will come into effect from October 1, 2020, the process of re-opening of activities has been extended further. The new guidelines, issued today, are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments. 

Salient features of the new guidelines

Activities permitted from 15th October 2020, in areas outside the Containment Zones

• Cinemas/ theatres/ multiplexes will be permitted to open with upto 50% of their seating capacity, for which, SOP will be issued by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
• Business to Business (B2B) Exhibitions will be permitted to open, for which, SOP will be issued by the Department of Commerce.
• Swimming pools being used for training of sportspersons will be permitted to open, for which the standard operating procedure (SOP) will be issued by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYA&S). 
• Entertainment parks and similar places will be permitted to open, for which the SOP will be issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).

Opening of Schools, colleges, education institutions and coaching institutions

• For re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, State/ UT Governments have been given the flexibility to take a decision after 15th October 2020, in a graded manner.  The decision shall be taken in consultation with the respective school/ institution management, based on their assessment of the situation, and subject to the following conditions:

• Online/ distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.
• Where schools are conducting online classes, and some students prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school, they may be permitted to do so.
• Students may attend schools/ institutions only with the written consent of parents.
• Attendance must not be enforced, and must depend entirely on parental consent.
• States /UTs will prepare their own SOP regarding health and safety precautions for reopening of schools/ institutions based on the SOP to be issued by Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, keeping local requirements in view.
• Schools, which are allowed to open, will have to mandatorily follow the SOP to be issued by Education Departments of States/ UTs.

• Department of Higher Education (DHE), Ministry of Education may take a decision on the timing of the opening of Colleges/ Higher Education Institutions, in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), based on the assessment of the situation. Online/ distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.

• However, Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/ experimental works will be permitted to open from 15th October, 2020, as under:
  1. For Centrally Funded Higher Education Institutions, the Head of Institution will satisfy herself/ himself that there is a genuine requirement of research scholars (Ph.D) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream for laboratory/experimental works.
  2. For all other Higher Education Institutions e.g. State Universities, Private Universities etc., they may open only for research scholars (Ph.D) and postgraduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/experimental works as per decision to be taken by the respective State/UT Governments.

Regulation of gatherings

• Social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ political functions and other congregations have already been permitted with a ceiling of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones only.  Now State/ UT Governments have been given the flexibility to permit such gatherings beyond the limit of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones, after 15th October 2020, which will be subject to the following conditions:

• In closed spaces, a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity will be allowed, with a ceiling of 200 persons. Wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizer will be mandatory.
• In open spaces, keeping the size of the ground/ space in view, and with strict observance of social distancing, mandatory wearing of face masks, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer.

To ensure that such gatherings do not spread COVID-19, State/ UT Governments will issue detailed SOPs to regulate such gathering, and strictly enforce the same.

• All activities, except the following, shall be permitted outside containment zones: 
  1. International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA.
• Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till 31st October, 2020.
• Containment Zones shall be demarcated by the District authorities at micro level after taking into consideration the guidelines of MoHFW with the objective of effectively breaking the chain of transmission. Strict containment measures will be enforced in these containment zones and only essential activities will be allowed.
• Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed. 
• These Containment Zones will be notified on the websites of the respective District Collectors and by the States/ UTs and information will also be shared with MOHFW.

States not to impose any local lockdown outside Containment Zones

• State/ UT Governments shall not impose any local lockdown (State/ District/ sub-division/City/ village level), outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the Central Government.

No restriction on Inter-State and intra-State movement

• There shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements.

National Directives for COVID-19 management

• National Directives for COVID-19 management shall continue to be followed throughout the country, with a view to ensure social distancing.  Shops will need to maintain adequate physical distancing among customers. MHA will monitor the effective implementation of National Directives.

Protection for vulnerable persons

• Vulnerable persons, i.e., persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, are advised to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.

It was like free for all in Delhi during North East riots, Neeraj Kumar, former Delhi Police Commissioner

Policing is a very difficult job in India, it has to face political pressure, social pressure, and bears a stigma of colonial-era where it was considered as an oppressor. Neeraj Kumar, one of the best IPS officer we ever had, opened up on policing problems in India, whether it was policing failure during Delhi Riots, or negligence in handling Sushant death case... excerpts, it appeared in the statesman perspective page.

 

Neeraj Kumar, the former Delhi Police Commissioner, is probably the only Police Officer who has done an in-depth study on primitive erstwhile Criminal Tribe and at the same time exposed the working of Mumbai underworld gangs. During his posting in CBI, he unearthed UTI scam and exposed various terror groups working in India. 1976 batch UT cadre IPS officer, Neeraj Kumar retired as Delhi Police Commissioner on July 2013 and spent 37 tears in country’s elite police force and served in Delhi, Arunanchal, Mizoram, Goa and CBI. Most of his service tenure was in CBI where he probed Mumbai bomb Blasts, UTI scam, and neutralized several terror outfits.

When he was heading Goa Police he launched a sustained campaign against illegal immigrants, drug mafia and the Russian mafia indulging in land grabbing, and human trafficking. Here he also arrested Tariq Ahmed Batlo, a Pakistan trained Kashmiri terrorist, who was planning Bali (Indonesia) like the bombing in Goa

His book ‘Dial D for Don’ published in 2015 was a runaway hit in which he recounted the stories of eleven police operations that he conducted in the CBI. He has also written a book on Pardi gangs, a unique book written on how the erstwhile criminal Pardi tribe commits crime. Neeraj Kumar represented India at the UN Convention on Trans-national Organized Crime in Viena, Austria. He also represented India at Vienna during deliberations of United Nations Manual on Kidnapping & Extortion, 2014. He was handpicked to be the Conference Secretary when the World Interpol Conference took place in New Delhi in October 2007. He spoke to Vijay Thakur, Special Representative, the Statesman, on the role of Police in the present scenario. Excerpts.

 

Question:

Despite efforts to modernize police, Indian police hardly stand anywhere when compared to Police of the Western world. Here police at ground zero are overburdened, stressed and ill-equipped. Where do we lack?

Answer

Over the year police have changed a lot. It is more qualified and tech-savvy now.  These days police officers investigate in a more professional way. Yet it needs to change its mindset. Most of the police force still has a colonial mindset and consider the public as their subject. A Police Officer must remember he is not here to rule but to maintain rule of law.

Secondly, our Public Relation Department is very poor and unprofessional. And this changes the public perception about the police.  I give you an example, nearly a decade ago I went to Scotland, whose police force is considered to be one of the best in the world. It has one-tenth of Delhi Police strength.

I was shocked to see that there were 67 public relation professionals working round the clock for Scotland yard police. They were not from police but professionals who have worked in various media organizations. They keep analyzing the public perception, keep them updated of police achievements. And the result is there. Forget, how they work, they have a very good image and people like them.

Indian Police have to change their communication skills and mindset. Police officers must remember it is people’s police and is answerable to them, and Police PR department must make a bridge between people and police to change people’s perception.

Question

But changing mindset alone would not help, the force is still ill-equipped and have a corrupt image.

Answer

The are many reasons for corruption. You are right the police force is ill-equipped. Government is not meeting its minimum investigation requirement. I give you an example, if a Sub Inspector finds an unclaimed dead body in his area, it might try to throw it out of its jurisdiction, This is because the is not paid sufficient money for disposing it off. Once a body is found, it is the responsibility of the Investigating Officer to get the post mortem done, and perform its last rights. Unfortunately, most of the money he spends goes from his pocket or have to find 'other sources of income'.

Another example I would give is of a stolen vehicle in Delhi but recovered in Nagaland. No one wants to know how brings it back and how much he spends and paid for transportation. Similarly, while conducting investigations he has to spend money from his pocket to get information etcs, from where he would recover the money. The list of such problem is long and everyone knows it. Tell me, how an honest police officer pays these expenses, Answer is obvious. It is very easy you call a police officer corrupt, first, put yourself in his position and then decide.

 

Question

What immediate reform you suggest in Police to make it humane and efficient.

Answer

Well, the list is long. However, I would recommend two immediate changes which do not need even a single rupee. And trust me it would word and improve police image. First do not assess a police officer on the basis of crime figure in his area. If we do that it put pressure on police officers to keep crime figure under check, he would manipulate the figure, under-report it or will not report it at all. Let all crimes be reported and registered. Assess a police officer on how he handles law and order and investigate crimes, and now on the basis of reporting of crimes. Trust me half of the problem would be most. Most of the complaint against police is against non-reporting of crimes. People’s perception would automatically change against police.

Second reform which is required all over the country is that one should not fight over jurisdiction. Where ever a case is reported, it may be registered and send to the police station concerned after the preliminary process. You Know If today Asaram Bapu is in Jail it is because of this only. The victim girl, who was raped by him reported the matter to her father in UP, he registered the zero FIR in Kamala Market police station in New Delhi area. They did the medical and sent her to Jodhpur where the crime took place. Now had the victim gone straight to Jodhpur, her case would have never been registered because of his influence forget conviction. But once the FIR was registered in Delhi, local police had no option but to investigate and arrest the accused.

 

Question

Delhi Police earned a bad name in the Delhi riots. How do you see it?

Answer

When we analyse the Delhi riots, we find that North East Delhi riots is a culmination of mishandling of  many incidents, right from Jamia to JNU and Shahin Bagh. It was a reflection of poor police leadership. Rather I would say there was hardly any leadership in Delhi Police at the top level. Then Police Commissioner, Mr Amulya Patnayak, could not give clear instructions to his subordinate officers, there was hardly any planning, Police followed no SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures). I will call it was, in fact, a free for all in Delhi.

Police officers at ground level did not know what to do. Handling such incidents is no rocket science, in fact, previous Delhi Police Commissioners have handled worse situation than this earlier in a more professional and efficient way. It depends upon how the top leader behaves. Force is as good as its leader. There is an old saying in the army there is no bad army there are bad Generals. Today it applies more to police than Army. Here I have no hesitation in saying that Delhi riots were the culmination of mishandling of many incidents, failure of intelligence, and lack of proper planning.

Now when the Police chief was changed the results were visible at ground level as well. Look at the post-riot handling of Delhi riots, it was excellent, good mob management, good scientific investigations and so on. The force was the same only change was that leadership was changed from Patnaik to S N Shrivastava.

A Police Commissioner is not to enjoy ‘Lalbati car’ but to lead the force.

Question

Another Case which has damaged Police Image is Sushant death case in Mumbai. What is your take on it.?

Answer

 

I must accept that the Mumbai police has not acted properly. First, it did not communicate with media, which it normally does in such sensitive cases. After all, we all working for the public, it is our job to convince and clarify them if they are doubting our intentions. Unfortunately, for reasons best known to them, this time there was a huge communication gap. As a result, rumour-mongering started and the media made it a movement. Then the case was registered at Patna, which further damaged their image.

Mumbai police committed another blunder, instead of explaining its legal position to Bihar Police and media it preferred to fight it with Bihar Police. And when an IPS officer came to investigate, he was quarantined.

Had I been the Commissioner of Mumbai Police, I would have sat with Patna Police officer, helped him and explained the legal position. I could have politely told him that is not his jurisdiction. But Mumbai Police made a mockery of the entire Police Force. Mumbai Police failed in keeping the confidence of media and public.

 

Question

In the last what about Police-politicians nexus. Such allegations are emerging in Sushant case as well.

 

Answer

I must admit that situation is very bad all over the country when it comes to police politicians and bureaucrats nexus. It is now Police-politicians-bureaucrats and criminal nexus. In fact criminals these days have become politicians and common people are suffering the most. It is also an open secret that the Police is not allowed to work independently. If they do not toe the political line given to them, they are in trouble.

Though Most of my services were in Delhi Police and CBI, I had some stint in Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa. There used to be a day to day interference in these states. And it would continue, politicians are public representative and we need to listen to them as well. But we are taught how not to budge to pressure and maintaining a balance. A Police officer has to follow the rule of law and always remember he is answerable to the constitution of this country, and should not compromise with any illegal act, or unlawful orders. This answers all

Ends

Moon poles are rusting: Indian scientists

 
ISRO’s maiden mission to the Moon has sent images which showed that Moon might be rusting along the Moon poles, claimed Minister in the Prime Minister Office, Jitendra Singh here on Sunday.

In a big disclosure, the Minister in the PMO said the finding suggested that Moon’s outer surface is rusting along the poles despite the fact that the presence of water and oxygen is not known—the two elements needed to interact with iron to create rust.

Though Moon is known to have iron-rick rocks, it is surprising how it could rust without the presence of water and oxygen, the Minister said. In a press statement issued here on Sunday, the Department of space said that scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) claim that rusting could be because the Earth's own atmosphere.

The scientists claimed that earth’s atmosphere could be helping in rusting Moon Surface, indicating that Earth's atmosphere could be protecting the Moon as well. The Minister said, the scientists are also trying to decipher if the data of the Chandrayaan-1 suggested that Moon's poles are home to water.

Referring to India’s Mission Chandrayaan-3, the Minister in the PMO said the launch may now take place somewhere in early 2021.  Chandrayaan-3 will be a mission repeat of Chandrayaan-2 and would include a Lander and Rover similar to that of Chandrayaan-2, but will not have an orbiter.

Meanwhile, preparations are going on for India’s first ever Human Space Mission Gaganyaan, and the training processes and other procedures are also in place, he said.

He said constraints due to COVID-19 pandemic led to some disruptions in the plan for Gaganyaan but efforts are going on to stick to the timeline of around 2022. 

Chandrayaan-1 was the first Indian lunar probe under the Chandrayaan program. It was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation in October 2008 and operated until August 2009. The mission included a lunar orbiter and an impactor.

India launched the spacecraft using a PSLV-XL rocket on 22 October 2008 at 00:52 UTC from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The mission was a major boost to India's space program, as India researched and developed its own technology in order to explore the Moon. The vehicle was inserted into lunar orbit on 8 November 2008.

On 14 November 2008, the Moon Impact Probe separated from the Chandrayaan orbiter at 14:36 UTC and struck the south pole in a controlled manner, making India the fourth country to place its flag insignia on the Moon. The probe hit near the crater Shackleton at 15:01 UTC, ejecting sub-surface soil that could be analysed for the presence of lunar water ice. The location of the impact was named Jawahar Point. The estimated cost for the project was 386 crore.

Indian scientists develop an infectious secretions solidifying canister that would prevent Corona spread among Healthcare workers

 

Indian Scientists have developed a canister bag that could solidify the highly infectious secretions from contagious diseases including COVID 19, tuberculosis (TB), which otherwise poses a serious risk for health care workers mainly corona warriors.

The Ministry of  Science and Technology said their exposure to the high-risk hazard while handling the waste can soon be controlled with a canister bag that solidifies the secretions rapidly, making disposal safer.

For the safe management of infected respiratory secretions, the researchers at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India, have developed this method for safe handling and disposal of respiratory secretions in hospitals for ICU patients or those with copious respiratory secretions treated in the wards. They have developed canister bags lined with super-absorbent material containing an effective disinfectant, named “AcryloSorb”.

When the patient is admitted to the hospital, secretions are sucked into bottles or canisters using vacuum line and discarded through the waste fluid disposal system after subjecting to decontamination process. There is a high risk of contamination during the handling, and the disposal needs well-equipped sluice rooms with disinfection facilities. The safety threat and manpower issues will be manifold in less equipped hospitals or temporary isolation wards set up during pandemics.

The canister bags can absorb 500 ml of secretions and solidify them immediately. In addition to that, the whole system will be decontaminated within no time because of the presence of disinfectant. The liner structure has a patented design which allows the progressive absorbent availability upwards. Solidification and immediate disinfection that occurs inside these bags eliminate the risk of secondary infections by avoiding spilling and aerosol formation, and thereby protect healthcare workers and promote safe workplace management. Canister bags are enclosed in a customizable sealer bag which can pack it as spill-proof decontaminated biomedical waste disposable through incineration. The product has been tested as per the international standards.

The SCTIMST team that realized this technology consists of biomaterial scientists and clinicians - Dr. Manju, S., Dr. ManojKomath, Dr. Asha Kishore, Dr. Ajay Prasad Hrishi. The know-how of the AcryloSorb suction canister liner (CL Series) bags has been transferred to Romsons Scientific and Surgical Pvt. Ltd for manufacture and immediate marketing. The approximate cost will be Rs. 100/- for each canister liner bag.

Romsons Scientific & Surgical Pvt. Ltd, located at Uttar Pradesh, is a global player in medical devices with more than 200 products in market. The company has proven expertise of half a century in the area of disposable medical and surgical devices and is a prominent brand in the medical device community. The company has its distribution channel across 65 countries. Quality is a prime motto of Romsons, evidenced by the ISO and CE certifications for many of their products.

The field trials of the in-house designed suction canister liner bags are being conducted in SCTIMST.

 

Government Blocks 118 Mobile Apps Which are Prejudicial to Sovereignty and Integrity of India, Defence of India, Security of State and Public Order

In wake of recent threat to country's sovereignty and integrity, India has decided to block 118 mobile apps (see Appendix) as they are suspected to have been engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has received many complaints from various sources including several reports about misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner to servers which have locations outside India. The compilation of these data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon the sovereignty and integrity of India, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures,, Ministry said in a statement issued here on Sept2.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps. Likewise, there have been similar bipartisan concerns, flagged by various public representatives, both outside and inside the Parliament of India. There has been a strong chorus in the public space to take strict action against Apps that harm India’s sovereignty as well as the privacy of our citizens.

On the basis of these and upon receiving of recent credible inputs that information posted, permissions sought, functionality embedded as well as data harvesting practices of above stated Apps raise serious concerns that these Apps collect and share data in surreptitious manner and compromise personal data and information of users that can have a severe threat to security of the State.

In the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India and security of the State. And using the sovereign powers, the Government of India has decided to block the usage of certain Apps, used in both mobile and non-mobile Internet enabled devices. These apps are listed in the attached appendix.

This move will safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users. This decision is a targeted move to ensure safety, security and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace.

 

Appendix

 

1. APUS Launcher Pro- Theme, Live Wallpapers, Smart
2. APUS Launcher -Theme, Call Show, Wallpaper, HideApps
3. APUS Security -Antivirus, Phone security, Cleaner
4. APUS Turbo Cleaner 2020- Junk Cleaner, Anti-Virus
5. APUS Flashlight-Free & Bright
6. Cut Cut – Cut Out & Photo Background Editor
7. Baidu
8. Baidu Express Edition
9. FaceU - Inspire your Beauty
10. ShareSave by Xiaomi: Latest gadgets, amazing deals
11. CamCard - Business Card Reader
12. CamCard Business
13. CamCard for Salesforce
14. CamOCR
15. InNote
16. VooV Meeting - Tencent Video Conferencing
17. Super Clean - Master of Cleaner, Phone Booster
18. WeChat reading
19. Government WeChat
20. Small Q brush
21. Tencent Weiyun
22. Pitu
23. WeChat Work
24. Cyber Hunter
25. Cyber Hunter Lite
26. Knives Out-No rules, just fight!
27. Super Mecha Champions
28. LifeAfter
29. Dawn of Isles
30. Ludo World-Ludo Superstar
31. Chess Rush
32. PUBG MOBILE Nordic Map: Livik
33. PUBG MOBILE LITE
34. Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade
35. Art of Conquest: Dark Horizon
36. Dank Tanks
37. Warpath
38. Game of Sultans
39. Gallery Vault - Hide Pictures And Videos
40. Smart AppLock (App Protect)
41. Message Lock (SMS Lock)-Gallery Vault Developer Team
42. Hide App-Hide Application Icon
43. AppLock
44. AppLock Lite
45. Dual Space - Multiple Accounts & App Cloner
46. ZAKZAK Pro - Live chat & video chat online
47. ZAKZAK LIVE: live-streaming & video chat app
48. Music - Mp3 Player
49. Music Player - Audio Player & 10 Bands Equalizer
50. HD Camera Selfie Beauty Camera
51. Cleaner - Phone Booster
52. Web Browser & Fast Explorer
53. Video Player All Format for Android
54. Photo Gallery HD & Editor
55. Photo Gallery & Album
56. Music Player - Bass Booster - Free Download
57. HD Camera - Beauty Cam with Filters & Panorama
58. HD Camera Pro & Selfie Camera
59. Music Player - MP3 Player & 10 Bands Equalizer
60. Gallery HD
61. Web Browser - Fast, Privacy & Light Web Explorer
62. Web Browser - Secure Explorer
63. Music player - Audio Player
64. Video Player - All Format HD Video Player
65. Lamour Love All Over The World
66. Amour- video chat & call all over the world.
67. MV Master - Make Your Status Video & Community
68. MV Master - Best Video Maker & Photo Video Editor
69. APUS Message Center-Intelligent management
70. LivU Meet new people & Video chat with strangers
71. Carrom Friends : Carrom Board & Pool Game-
72. Ludo All Star- Play Online Ludo Game & Board Games
73. Bike Racing : Moto Traffic Rider Bike Racing Games
74. Rangers Of Oblivion : Online Action MMO RPG Game
75. Z Camera - Photo Editor, Beauty Selfie, Collage
76. GO SMS Pro - Messenger, Free Themes, Emoji
77. U-Dictionary: Oxford Dictionary Free Now Translate
78. Ulike - Define your selfie in trendy style
79. Tantan - Date For Real
80. MICO Chat: New Friends Banaen aur Live Chat karen
81. Kitty Live - Live Streaming & Video Live Chat
82. Malay Social Dating App to Date & Meet Singles
83. Alipay
84. AlipayHK
85. Mobile Taobao
86. Youku
87. Road of Kings- Endless Glory
88. Sina News
89. Netease News
90. Penguin FM
91. Murderous Pursuits
92. Tencent Watchlist (Tencent Technology
93. Learn Chinese AI-Super Chinese
94. HUYA LIVE – Game Live Stream
95. Little Q Album
96. Fighting Landlords - Free and happy Fighting Landlords
97. Hi Meitu
98. Mobile Legends: Pocket
99. VPN for TikTok
100. VPN for TikTok
101. Penguin E-sports Live assistant
102. Buy Cars-offer everything you need, special offers and low prices
103. iPick
104. Beauty Camera Plus - Sweet Camera & Face Selfie
105. Parallel Space Lite - Dual App
106. "Chief Almighty: First Thunder BC
107. MARVEL Super War NetEase Games
108. AFK Arena
109. Creative Destruction NetEase Games
110. Crusaders of Light NetEase Games
111. Mafia City Yotta Games
112. Onmyoji NetEase Games
113. Ride Out Heroes NetEase Games
114. Yimeng Jianghu-Chu Liuxiang has been fully upgraded
115. Legend: Rising Empire NetEase Games
116. Arena of Valor: 5v5 Arena Games
117. Soul Hunters
118. Rules of Survival