Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Home Blog Page 4024

As severe water crisis hits Delhi, citizens take to Twitter to slam Arvind Kejriwal even as he promises freebies in other states

OpIndia Staff
-
0
As severe water crisis hits Delhi, citizens take to Twitter to slam Arvind Kejriwal even as he promises freebies in other states

Delhi is struggling to get water, and the crisis does not seem to get solved anytime soon. Visuals after visuals are emerging where citizens of the national capital are lining up to get water from tankers. On the other hand, the issue of dirty undrinkable water being supplied to the homes in Delhi is running its own course. As a result, the citizens have now expressed their anger towards Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Government on social media platforms.

News Agency ANI reported that the people in several parts of Delhi are facing a huge water crisis. They quoted a Delhi resident saying, “We reported to the authority that we’re getting sewage water for past 1 month. We’ve got a water tanker from Delhi Jal Board after 10 days. We’ve to pay Rs 800 for 2,000-2,500 litres of water.”

Angellica Aribam, Activist and former National General Secretary of NSUI, published few photographs where she claimed to have called for a water tanker for the first time in 17 years.

Another user, Abhik Bhattacharya, wrote, “Water crisis in Delhi….. No water since the last 3 days in the C.r Park and Kalkaji area and no real explanation by the authorities.” He further hoped that the Delhi government is aware of and monitoring the situation.

Ratno Rudra, a painter and storyteller from Delhi, asked Delhi Government how would people survive without water. He said, “Severe water crisis in Delhi. There will be no water supply till Friday in South Delhi. Not a drop of water since Wednesday. How will people survive?”

A user, Nexoft Alam, wrote, “Delhi is the only region in the world where despite having a river (the mighty Yamuna), its residents are going through massive water crisis… Thanks to Arvind Kejriwal ke Sarkaar…”

Anshu criticized Arvind Kejriwal for campaigning in other states while Delhi is facing a crisis. He said, “Delhi is drowning in sewage water. Delhi is eagerly waiting for a water supply. Meanwhile, CM is busy in coming elections in other states/UT; however, he failed to even serve d ppl of Delhi.”

Several other users have reached out to authorities, telling them about their ordeal.

The water crisis in Delhi

As per the reports, Delhi has been facing a severe water crisis. In recent months, Aam Aadmi Party has blamed the neighbouring state Haryana for not providing the water as per the quota. On the contrary, an RTI revealed Haryana had provided more than the water allotted to Delhi.

In reply to RTI, Delhi Jal Board itself admitted that Haryana had increased water supply to Delhi over the years. Interestingly, Haryana CM Mohanlal Khattar asked Kejriwal to hand over Delhi to Haryana if they cannot manage the crisis.

When cricketer Yashpal Sharma and Chetan Chauhan saved 3 Sikh players including Navjot Sidhu and Yograj Singh during the 1984 riots

OpIndia Staff
-
0
When cricketer Yashpal Sharma and Chetan Chauhan saved 3 Sikh players including Navjot Sidhu and Yograj Singh during the 1984 riots

Cricketer Yashpal Sharma, who was part of the team that won the first World Cup for India in 1983 and was known as ‘Mr Consistent’ passed away following a cardiac arrest on 13 July. His teammates and other cricketers have since been sharing posts and anecdotes remembering the time spent with him. 

An ever-smiling man, most know Sharma as a jovial, modest, helpful and humble man, however, very few know that he was equally gutsy. 

In a report on the late cricketer, The Times of India mentions that Sharma along with Chetan Chauhan had come to the rescue of three Sikh players of the North Zone team during the 1984 riots. 

The players had to take a train journey right amidst the riots when Sharma asked Navjot Sidhu, Yograj Singh and Rajinder Ghai to hide in his compartment. 

Sarkar Talwar, another cricket player while narrating the incident of the four-day train journey from Pune to Delhi after the cancellation of a match said, “I remember Navjot was very scared. Chetan Ji ensured Yograj and Ghai were safe and not spotted by the mob. He showed tremendous guts in a situation that left most of us unnerved.”

Sharma and Chauhan also confronted a violent mob and shielded the Sikh players, keeping them away from the eyes of the mob. 

Cricketer Navjot Singh Sindhu after quitting the Bhartiya Janta Party had joined Congress in 2017. Since then he has been a loyalist and was in the news lately for his meeting with Priyanka Gandhi. 

Reports suggest that Sidhu may become the next Punjab Congress chief just ahead of the Punjab state assembly elections.

Meanwhile, Yograj Singh- father of ex-cricketer Yuvraj Singh, has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Singh who actively participated in the ongoing farmer protests had made extremely derogatory remarks against Hindus and Hindu women. 

In a video that went viral, Yograj Singh was heard saying “Yeh woh log hai jinhone hamare saath gaddari ki hai, yeh woh kaum hai jinhone hazaron saal gulami ki 5000, 7000 saal” roughly translated as (these are those people who have betrayed us, this community has been slaves for thousands of years).

This was, however, not where he stopped. Yograj Singh humiliated Hindu women by saying “Inki aurate take-take ke bhaw bikti thi” (their women were sold for two cents). When their women and daughters were abducted by people like Ahmed Shah Durrani and sold off for a paltry sum, it was we Sikhs who saved them, said Singh.

Though Yograj Singh does not explicitly mention Hindus in the videos, it is clear from the speech that it is what he meant.

Yograj Singh went on to target PM Modi and HM Amit Shah for being Gujaratis. He said he had spent 15 years with Gujaratis in Mumbai. “These people would take a u-turn even if they swore on their mothers, sisters, and daughters,” he said.

Making an absolute mockery of the situation and probably forgetting all about the 1984 riots Yograj urged the farmers to raise another Bhindranwale amongst themselves. “Every person here is a ‘Jarnail.’ If you want to save Punjab, ensure that power is in your hands. If the power is in your hand, you will see a new sun rising from the land of Punjab,” he said.

About the 1984 riots

The role of Congress in the 1984 riots is not unknown. In fact, Rajiv Gandhi after the assassination of his mother had justified the riots. On 19th November 1984, while giving a speech in front of thousands of people, then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi said, “Jab bhi koi bada ped girta hai, to dharti thodi hilti hai. (When a big tree falls, the earth shakes.)”

Congress leader Sajjan Kumar was a prominent Congress leader in 1984, and he was sentenced in the murder case of five members of a Sikh family. He was one of the main accused of the anti-Sikh riots, was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the riots in 2018 by the Delhi High Court.

In 2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs reopened a case against senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath for his role in the riots. Kamal Nath had allegedly incited a mob against Sikhs at Gurudwara Rakabganj in Delhi on 31st October 1984, soon after Indira’s assassination. As per the reports, two witnesses came forward to depose against him.

Anti-White and anti-Indian bigotry in South Africa: The racism that does not attract the world’s condemnation

Jinit Jain
-
0
Anti-White and anti-Indian bigotry in South Africa: The racism that does not attract the world’s condemnation

South Africa is in throes of utter chaos and violence as rioters have gone on a rampage, indulging in vandalism, arson and loot after former President Jacob Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court.

Protests erupted last week shortly after Zuma started serving his jail sentence for snubbing a panel’s probe into corruption allegations that stained his 9 years of rule.

The protesting crowd wreaked havoc in Gauteng province and KwaZulu-Natal province, Zuma’s home region and the epicentre of the protests. Initially, the demonstrations were against the arrest of the former president but soon enough, they expanded to protests against poverty levels and record levels of unemployment.

The intensifying agitation inevitably spilt over to rioting as violence swept across other regions of South Africa, killing at least 72 people in its wake. Ransacking, looting and arson were witnessed in several parts of the country as protesters ran amok carrying out theft and robbery.

Many of the casualties have occurred in chaotic stampedes as a large number of people looted food, electric appliances, liquor, and clothing from retail centres, KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala told the press on Tuesday morning.

In a bid to quell the violence, military forces have been deployed but not before the riots had turned into racist attacks against white people and members of the Indian community.

Amidst tumult in South Africa, Indians armed themselves against vandals and rioters

While anti-white racism has always been a perennial problem in South Africa, it is particularly stark for the people of Indian origin, who are targeted by a specific racist narrative related to broad perceptions of exploitation in terms of economic opportunities, political corruption, general lack of a socio-cultural ‘fit’ with the rest of South African society. 

With South Africa experiencing the worst violence in decades, Indians living in South Africa, too, have been at the receiving end of this unbridled bigotry. Consequently, Indians are facing racist abuse on social media platforms and the platforms are being used to further incite violence against Indians living in South Africa.

Indians are being accused of racism in order to rationalise racist attacks against them. Social media websites are awash with posts egging on rioters and vandals to specifically locate Indians and target their properties and possessions.

Ex-President Jacob Zuma’s association with the Gupta brothers and their role in the corruption cases is being used as an excuse to target many Indian businesses and Indian communities living in Durban and Johannesburg, as per some reports. One such Twitter handle, instigating riots against Indians, wrote, “Let us not forget that Jacob Zuma sold our country to Indian monopoly capital (IMC).” The Twitter handle had shared an image of the tainted Gupta brothers.

As violence, looting and ransacking escalates, the Indian community residing in the country are forced to arm themselves with guns and artillery to ward off rioters and secure the safety of their people and belongings.

Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged people to “stand against violence”.

“What we are witnessing now are opportunistic acts of criminality, with groups of people instigating chaos merely as a cover for looting and theft,” President Ramaphosa said.

However, many have accused the South African President of not doing enough to stop the violence. The recent spate of anti-white and anti-Indian attacks during the ongoing violence, experts claim, is the result of the racist legacy of President Ramaphosa.

More than 26 years since the end of apartheid, once South Africa’s system of legal segregation, the country continues to remain marred with the scourge of racism. The oppressor and the oppressed simply appear to have swapped places. The simmering racial tensions flared up yet again after the South African government floated a controversial proposal to seize land from white farmers without paying for it.

In 2018, President Ramaphosa announced that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) planned to change the constitution to allow the expropriation of land without compensation. The party began the process of expropriating land from white farmers for redistribution to black farmers. It followed the “willing seller, willing buyer” model whereby the government buys farms owned by white farmers and redistribute them to black farmers.

The contentious process brought to fore the racial tensions existing in a latent state in South Africa’s society. White farmers opposed the proposal as deeply unjust and approached the courts against it. Blacks, on the other hand, were resentful that most of the farmlands were still under the control of whites.

However, this opposition to the expropriation plan proved costly for white farmers, many of whom were murdered in targeted killings, presumably because they had opposed the African National Congress’s party redistribution plan. However, barring a few journalists and international speakers, who described the killings as “farm murders” representing the beginning of a “white genocide” aimed at driving whites out of the country, others simply glossed over the violence and injustice unfolding in South Africa.

The xenophobic proclivities of the ruling African National Congress

The white farmers have accused the South African government of not taking sufficient measures to protect them. As such, experts cite the dubious history and questionable antecedents of the African National Congress (ANC) for the brazen racism that exist in South Africa and other African nations. They have also pointed towards the methods employed by the ANC to achieve political supremacy, which involves using force, intimidation and violent crime against minorities. In this case, the precarious white population and people of other origins residing in South Africa.

It is alleged that corruption is a hallmark of the African National Congress. Zuma was forced to resign in 2018 because of the mounting corruption charges against him. He was replaced by President Ramaphosa but critics claim his cabinet eclipses every previous era of corruption by a wave of looting so enormous that it overshadows even the most conservative estimates.

Additionally, the ANC has always held a dim view of the rights of the minorities in South Africa. As violence, riots, and looting has become the order of the day, South African president Ramaphosa is resolutely moving towards tightening screws on firearms control—making stringent rules for gun owners—effectively weakening the right to bear arms in self-defence. The stricter restrictions for gun owners is expected to disproportionately affect the country’s white population since they are the victims of the violence that has ensued following the contentious redistribution proposal.

President Ramaphosa has been routinely lambasting colonialism and imperialism on the African continent to strike a chord with his followers and garner their support. Ramaphosa, who took over as the new chairperson of the African Union in February 2020, used his acceptance speech to rail against imperialism and colonialism in Africa. This was in stark contrast with his remarks in 2018 when he hailed China’s investment in the continent. Even though Beijing is notorious for leveraging its financial clout to turn other countries into vassal states, Ramaphosa had no qualms consorting with the Chinese, stating that the deal was not a “new colonialism” but a win-win situation for both Africa and China.

A compendium of racism by key opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a key opposition party in South Africa and the offshoot of the ANC, has similarly been accused of perpetuating racial inequities and creating fissures within the society. In 2018, when President Ramaphosa proposed the expropriation of farmlands from white farmers, the national spokesman of EFF had backed the proposal, saying redistributing land from white farmers without compensation is justified because “it is not really their land”.

Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, one of the senior party members of the EFF, said in an interview that white farmers descended from Dutch and English colonial invaders and had taken the land through “violent crime against humanity”.

The motion of expropriation of farmlands had sparked concerns among the white farmers, who thought such a proposal would encourage violence against them. After the white farmers approached the court against the horrifying spate of murders of those who resisted the motion, another polarising leader of the EFF, Julius Malema was seen defending the killings, saying “don’t be confused by the so-called farm murders, many more Black South Africans were victims of violent crime”.

It is worth mentioning that in 2011, Malema was found guilty of hate speech for singing “Shoot the Boer”, an apartheid-era song calling for the killing of white farmers. In his defence, Mr Malema and other ANC leaders defended themselves saying the song was the celebration of the fight against minority rule. However, the court made withering observations, noting that the words of the song were derogatory and dehumanising in nature.

Vusi Khoza, the party’s candidate for Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, the province which in the grip of violence, has been convicted of being involved in the xenophobic attack against foreigners at Albert Park, Durban in December 2009.

In 2016, in the midst of ongoing violent university protests that saw incidents of arson and vandalism, EFF Youth leader Omphile Seleke shared instructions for making petrol bombs on social media websites.

EFF and its leadership have revelled in their anarchic and violent tendencies. In January 2018, EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu congratulated the party supporters for causing vandalism to various H&M stores across the country because its poster showed a young black child wearing a green hoodie reading, “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle”.

Then in February 2019, EFF MP Marshall Dlamini launched a physical assault against a member of the presidential security team over a disagreement between EFF MPs and the security.

The present bout of unrest may have roots in the widespread racism and violence that have long been normalised and rationalised by lawmakers in South Africa. Unfortunately, it has failed to attract the kind of attention the racial reckoning in the United States or the xenophobic attacks in Europe does. The international liberal media and the western countries continue to remain mute spectators to the unabated racism experienced in South Africa and other African nations.

Violence, prejudice and oppression directed at anyone, be it black, white, Asian, Indian, American, or others, is indubitably condemnable and racist if it is motivated by racial prejudice. The definition of racism is not dependent on the identity of the perpetrators and the victims. It is abominable regardless of who commits it and who is at the receiving end. It is time that the world acknowledges the anti-white and anti-India bigotry witnessed in South Africa.

American firearm company makes gun resembling Lego toy for ‘Super Fun’, withdraws after massive outrage and objections from Lego Group

OpIndia Staff
-
0
American firearm company makes gun resembling Lego toy for ‘Super Fun’, withdraws after massive outrage and objections from Lego Group

An American gun company is at the centre of a controversy for producing a pistol that looks like a children’s Lego toy. Culper Precision, a Utah-based gun company, has developed its customised Glock weapon, named Block19, to “highlight the pure enjoyment of the shooting sports”. The handgun, dubbed the Block19, is a customized semiautomatic firearm covered with Lego’s characteristic red, blue and yellow brick design, giving the fully functional weapon a toy appearance.

The semi-automatic weapon made its debut last week, which the gun company touted as “SUPER FUN!” “This is just one small way to break the rhetoric from Anti-Gun folks and draw attention to the fact that the shooting sports are SUPER FUN!” said the website of the company.

“There is a satisfaction that can ONLY be found in the shooting sports and this is just one small way to break the rhetoric from Anti-Gun folks and draw attention to the fact that the shooting sports are SUPER FUN!” the website promoting the new gun said. It further added, “here’s the thing. Guns are fun. Shooting is fun. 30 rounds full auto is fun.”

This new toy lookalike gun triggered a massive outrage from concerned people, and as a result, Block19 has been withdrawn by the company and the page on the gun on the website has been taken down since. However, the company still justified its gun, saying that they wanted to create an opportunity to talk about the enjoyment of the shooting sports and the joy that can only be found in marksmanship practice and training.

In a statement uploaded on its website, Culper Precision slammed the anti-gun campaign in the United States, saying they are ‘sick of it’. ” We are sick of the past 30-40 years of slowly capitulating our rights away in the fear of what someone who hates us for exercising our 2nd Amendment rights thinks about us,” the statement said.

“Rather than live in fear of the loud voices on social media we decided to release Block19 in an attempt to communicate that it is ok to own a gun and not wear tactical pants every day and that owning and shooting firearms responsibly is a really enjoyable activity,” the company said justifying its decision to bring out the gun.

In the statement, Culper Person said that it had chosen to release Block19 in an attempt to show that guns were “for everyone” and that “owning and shooting firearms responsibly is a really enjoyable activity”.

Lego asks Utah-based company to cease and desist

However, the Lego-alike guns designed by Culper Precision seems to have gone into all sorts of trouble as Danish toymaker Lego Group has written to the company demanding that it stop producing the weapon that looks like made from Lego bricks.

On Wednesday, Lego Group said in a statement that it had asked Culper to stop selling the Block19. “We have contacted the company, and they have agreed to remove the product from their website and not make or sell anything like this in the future,” Lego said.

Meanwhile, Gun control campaigners have described Lego-like guns developed by Culper person as irresponsible and dangerous. Several people have pointed out that a large number of accidental firing of guns by children already happen in the USA, causing fatalities, and this will only go up with a gun that looks like a popular toy.

Shannon Watts, a gun safety activist, said her organisation had contacted the Danish toymaker about the customised Block19 last week and that the Danish company had then sent a “cease and desist” letter to Culper Precision.

Calling it a recipe for disaster, the gun activist also criticised Culper Person saying there was a risk that children may be drawn to use firearms “even when guns don’t look like toys”.

According to Watts, it is illegal in the US to produce a children’s toy that resembles a real gun, however, there is no clarity on whether manufacturers can produce guns that resembles a toy.

Company withdraws its lego-toy design gun

Meanwhile, Culper Precision president Brandon Scott said to the Washington Post they have decided to comply with the request from Lego after discussions with a lawyer. The company added that the firearm could only be purchased by those legally permitted to own a gun. The company has also reportedly removed the particular weapon from its website.

The controversy comes at a time when the United States has recorded the highest gun sales this year, coupled with a sharp rise in gun violence this year. Data suggests that the US citizens bought nearly 23 million guns in 2020, a 65% increase over the almost 14 million guns sold in 2019. Moreover, gun sales are expected to hit an all-time record in 2021. 

Gun violence cases involving children are also on the rise in the US, as more than 140 people were killed in such gun-related incidents last year.

Uttarakhand: Tourists caught showing fake RT-PCR reports, highest from Delhi. Details

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Uttarakhand: Tourists caught showing fake RT-PCR reports, highest from Delhi. Details

The Uttarakhand police have nabbed 13 tourists with a fake RT-PCR negative report who came to visit Dehradun-Mussoorie. A probe into the matter led to the arrest of four people accused of making these fake reports. Till now, the police have found at least 100 fake RT-PCR negative reports among the tourists who are flocking the hill stations. 

As per reports, a large number of tourists from Delhi-NCR have been caught with fake reports followed by Haryana. After relaxation in the lockdown restrictions, the popular hill stations of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are witnessing a huge influx of tourists. 

Hence, the Uttarakhand government had released an order asking all visitors to produce a negative Covid test report not older than 72 hours. The ones caught with a fake report are made to undergo a test on the spot and upon refusal, they are being denied entry into the state.

District magistrates of Dehradun, Nainital and other districts were also given orders to ensure that the Covid norms are strictly followed by all tourists to avoid the spread of infection.

Multiple reports with same SRF ID

The health department observed that the tourists were producing reports with different names but same Specimen Referral Form (SRF) ID. Reportedly, when the tourists carrying fake reports got to know of the intensified scrutiny, they began blurring the bar code. Some even tore their fake reports fearing action.

Such reports are not being accepted, however, the administration fears that thousands of tourists might have gained entry by furnishing false reports. Most tourists show the reports from their cars or vehicles making it difficult for the department to verify them through bar codes. 

Asharodi Border where maximum tourists with fake reports have been nabbed will see heightened security. The health department has requested the administration to deploy additional security and constables at the checkpoints to catch the violators.

Government raises concerns

While the states, as well as the Centre, have welcomed tourists in the tourism-dependent states, the irresponsible behaviour at display has raised concerns. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the tourists to guard against complacency to prevent a third wave of the coronavirus spread.

A few days ago, Uttarakhand had to send back more than 5,000 vehicles (around 8000 people) headed for Nainital and Mussoorie as the travellers couldn’t produce necessary documents, hotel reservation papers and RT-PCR reports.

Vegetable vendor Habibur Rahman arrested from Pokhran for spying for ISI, army personnel Paramjit Kaur under lens suspecting involvement

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Vegetable vendor Habibur Rahman arrested from Pokhran for spying for ISI, army personnel Paramjit Kaur under lens suspecting involvement

On July 13, the Crime Branch of Delhi Police in a joint operation with the Intelligence Bureau detained a man identified as Habibur Rahman alias Habib Khan from Pokhran, Rajasthan. As per the reports, he allegedly spied for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s intelligence agency. Rahman hails from Bikaner and was indulged in the business of supplying vegetables to the Indian Army for a long time.

The Crime Branch was surveilling Rahman for some time. On July 14, he was brought to Delhi for questioning and a day after, he was detained by the Delhi Police team in Pokaran. As of now, Intelligence Bureau and a team from Delhi Police is interrogating him.

Army personnel detained for providing Rahman confidential information

According to a report in Times of India, many personnel from the Indian Army might have shared information with Rahman. They are reportedly being investigated under the Official Secrets Act. Rahman was acting as an intermediary for supplying information and confidential documents to ISI. He also allegedly made arrangements for payments to the information provider.

The Delhi Police said that the Army’s confidential documents & map of the Army area were seized from him. The accused claimed that the documents were given to him by one Paramjit Kaur, an Army personnel deployed in Agra. Rahman was supposed to hand over documents to one Kamal. Paramjit Kaur is now being questioned by army officers and will soon be handed over to Delhi Police for further probe.

The military intelligence started tracking Habib around four months ago after they stumbled upon suspicious money transactions and electronic communications. As he was a vegetable supplier, he had access to many areas on Army bases in multiple locations.

According to reports, on Thursday, Police may share details of the raids they conducted at multiple places in Jaisalmer, Agra and Pokhran. Rahman had accompanied the investigation agencies in these raids. The agencies are trying to nab his associates. Notably, Rahman was also working as a social worker and activist in Rajasthan.

Indian Express quoted an officer saying, “Khan was taken to several places to verify some points where he used to meet ISI operatives. It was also found that he was receiving sensitive documents from an Army official, who allegedly charged him for each document he provided. The handler and Khan convinced the Army official to send some particular military information, especially coordinates.”

Chandigarh: Sikh man files case against Muslim wife, in-laws for trying to convert him and his minor son to Islam

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Chandigarh: Sikh man files case against Muslim wife, in-laws for trying to convert him and his minor son to Islam

A 36-year-old Sikh man from Chandigarh has filed a civil suit in the district court seeking directions to restrain his Muslim wife and her family from forcibly converting him and his minor son to Islam.

The plaintiff who is Sikh by religion and by birth has stated that his Muslim wife had promised him that religion will never become an issue after marriage. 

However, the 36-year-old Sikh man in his complaint alleged that from day one of the marriage, his wife and in-laws started forcing him to convert to Islam and to give up the Sikh religion. 

As per the petition, the plaintiff met his would-be wife in 2008 while working in an office in Chandigarh. The man was the store in-charge while his wife was a salesgirl when the two became good friends. Initially, the man refused the proposal of marriage by the girl as the two belonged to different religions.

However, the girl persisted and promised that religion would never be a roadblock in their marriage. Subsequently, the two got married in a Gurudrawa at Amritsar in November 2008.

Faltering on the promise, the plaintiff’s wife and family started to pressurise him into converting from the very beginning of their marriage, as per the complainant. The man then opted to stay away from his in-laws and went to Delhi where he stayed from 2008-2011 to avoid the harassment. 

He then took up a job at Amritsar where he lived from 2011 to 2015 and his wife delivered a baby boy in 2012. As per the petition, his wife and in-laws tried their best to convert his son into Islam but the plaintiff safeguarded him. 

However, fed up with the pressure and interference of his wife’s relatives including her brother-in-law, the plaintiff was forced to approach the court. 

Civil Judge (Junior Division) Rasveen Kaur has issued a notice to the defendants for July 20.

Shiv Sena leader who owns a luxury car worth Rs 8 crore booked for electricity theft worth Rs 35,000

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Shiv Sena leader who owns a luxury car worth Rs 8 crore booked for electricity theft worth Rs 35,000

A Shiv Sena leader and business magnate from Kalyan, Sanjay Gaikwad, who purchased a Rolls Royce car worth Rs 8 crore recently, has been booked by the Kolsewadi police in Kalyan for electricity theft of around Rs 35,000.

The FIR was filed based on a complaint registered against the Shiv Sena leader by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL).

The complaint was registered after the electricity department conducted an inspection at one of the construction sites belonging to the Shiv Sena leader in March this year and found electricity theft there. Following this, a bill of Rs 34,840 was sent to Gaikwad and a penalty of Rs 15,000 was imposed on him. When, even after three months, Gaikwad failed to pay up the total amount and the MSEDCL filed an FIR against him.

According to reports, after the FIR was registered, the Sena leader cleared the bill on July 12. He paid a sum of Rs 49,840, which included Rs 34,840 in bill amount and Rs 15,000 penalty to the power operator. As he cleared the dues after a delay of three months, he denied his involvement in any power theft and accused the state electricity department of filing a false case against him.

“If I have stolen electricity, then why were my meters at the sites not removed?” he asked, adding that every year he pays taxes worth crores of rupees to the government. He alleged that the department registered a case against him in a rush without trying to look into the details. He asked for a fair probe in the matter.

Interestingly, Sanjay Gaikwad is the same person who had drawn flak recently from the Bharatiya Janata Party for his distasteful remarks against the former chief minister (CM) and the incumbent Leader of Opposition (LoP) Devendra Fadnavis. On April 19, Gaikwad had said that he wishes he could ‘stuff coronavirus in the mouth’ of Fadnavis. Following Gaikwad’s remarks, BJP workers had staged protests against him in Buldhana and burnt the MLA’s effigy.

A doctor’s diary: An experience of a dermatologist as a patient, as an attendant and physician during COVID-19 pandemic

Guest Author
-
0
A doctor’s diary: An experience of a dermatologist as a patient, as an attendant and physician during COVID-19 pandemic

By Dr GK Singh, COVID warrior. In memory of Dr KK Aggarwal.

When whole world was bidding adieu to 2019 and planning year end extravaganza in their lives; locality around Wuhan Institute of Virology in China witnessed unusual spurts of pneumonia which we now know as COVID19 caused by SARS-coV2.

India imposed one of the most stringent lockdown measures in April and May 2020 to contain the spread of virus, which was quite effective for our existing health care resources. Even though, India passed through very bad economic crisis where livelihood of poor migrants workers were impacted harshly, world praised the efforts of our country to contain the disease and its fallout on human lives.

Things were gradually settling down, statistical data from hospital were also suggestive of that. But it is the things that you least expect that hits you the hardest. The rampage of mankind by second wave exposed our understanding of pandemic as a nation. Its widely described as onslaught by the mutant B.1.167 of SARS-coV2 but only time will tell about possible bioterrorism by rogue and powerful nation.

India, which was thumping her chest  after successful containment of first wave, was actually on knees and mercy of God and friendly countries. I witnessed this pandemic closely as a patient, as an attendant of my close relative and a doctor managing covid patients.

It has shaken me completely.

Therefore, it is my sincere and honest efforts to bring you the nuances of all the aspects as I witnessed. Sole aim of writing this diary is to educate the readers in subtle ways and highlight some ground level fallacies which are usually ignored by policymakers with the hope theses might get some place in their guidelines. 

As a patient:

My hospital, name is not important, is one of the tertiary referral centre of Dermatology of entire North India and runs one of the busiest OPD of the hospital with annual footfall of 150 thousand cases. Due to ongoing pandemic, facilities of skin department, were converted into part of Covid care centre. Our OPD was running on ad hoc basis with the bare minimum resources.

By the end of March 2021 we started witnessing the pre-Covid status of OPD load. In a small, overcrowded place this was a disaster waiting to happen. Forget about the policymakers, people, media; we doctors and healthcare providers on the ground were taken off the guard due to prevailing low Covid cases from the previous month. 

Administrative authority was gearing up for possible closure of the covid centre. Even the unofficial gossip was that we might get our department back by the end of March. 

Like a self proclaimed, clever doctor I took vaccine slightly late after I got convinced that it is safe. I received my second dose on 22 March 2021. I did have mild muscular pain at the site of injection and very minimal feeling of lethargy which was totally resolved by day three. 

Day five, post vaccination, I had noticeable calf muscle pain which I conveniently blamed on post vaccine myalgia and carried out my routine activities. But this muscular pain gradually started increasing and spread to my spinal muscles. Even though, I did not have fever or breathlessness, I was not feeling well.

On 1 April, 2021 afternoon, in post lunch academic session, I had unusual thirsty feeling and apprehension. I could sense my heart beating very fast. I immediately sought help of physician who examined me thoroughly and advised ECG. Considering my previous healthy state, finding of dry tongue, sinus tachycardia (normal but fast heart rate) in ECG in the backdrop of absence of fever, upper respiratory tract infection, I was advised measures to correct dehydration and take rest.

But being doctor, I was knowing that just after lunch I might not have dehydration. I insisted for COVID test. 2 hours later, geneXpert result conducted from nasal swab reported positive for COVID19. The initial euphoria of correctly predicting my disease clinically despite atypical presentation turned into horror when I thought about the possible complications.

I was one first specialist doctor who contracted this infection in early second wave. This has started my journey of patience, panic and grim. I was isolated in house in one corner while in other room my wife and daughter were staying who were not vaccinated yet. So near, yet so far! There was constant fear to spread the infection to close one even after taking mandatory precautions.

I realised the unconditional love and literal meaning of better-half, who constantly remained by my side, looking after every minute requirements even after knowing the contagious nature of the disease. My clinical presentation was not usual as most commonly mild covid features are of upper respiratory tract infection in the form of throat-ache, running nose, sneezing, low grade fever, body-ache etc while moderate to severe may develop features of pneumonia in the form of high grade fever, breathlessness, extreme weakness.

I developed mild nasal dryness, loss of smell and taste subsequently but it was extreme weakness which was quite bothersome. I never had fever and breathlessness, my SPO2 varied between 93 to 95 but even minimal movement like going till toilet, cleansing mouth used to feel like running a marathon in summers with a 30 kg bag-pack. My heartbeat used to be 130-140/min with feeling of sense of grim and gloom. Six minute walk test did not bring down my SPO2 level below 93 but used to increase heartbeat till 140-150/min.

Stricken by panic of high pulse rate, I used to be lying on the bed most of the time thinking of future of self, wife and small daughter. A bright light, an endless tunnel or Yamraj on buffalo. Mobile was constantly ringing from friends, colleagues asking about my health but simultaneously teasing on my good times with Netflix, Amazon prime movies. How could I tell them every time that it was not like last year when people of Covid infection in home isolation had really good times watching those stuffs. Here, my eyes were more concerned of reading of heart rate and oxygen level in pulse oximeter. In fact, I had started seeing oximeter readings in my thoughts and dreams.

I got really scared thinking about my heart issues, sought consultations of Cardiologist, Pulmonologist and Physician. I have undergone baseline test like CBC (complete blood count), LFT (liver function test), RFT (renal function test),  blood sugar,  Chest X-ray PA view along with inflammatory markers like CRP (c-reactive protein),  serum ferritin, d-dimer and test for cardiac status like CKMB (creatine kinase myoglobin) troponin T/I and ECG. CRP, d-dimer was mildly raised, ECG showed sinus tachycardia, rest other tests were essentially normal.

I was not prescribed oral steroids. However, I did take tab vitamin C, zinc, aspirin. I was worked up for possible myocarditis or micro thrombi in lung tissue for persistent tachycardia (high pulse rate) by echocardiography and CTPA (CT pulmonary angiogram) respectively but fortunately these tests were normal.

Silently, I prayed to God for taking care of me. Even after three weeks, I remain covid positive by RTPCR with excessive weakness. I lost 4 kg of weight by the end of month, and continued to have tachycardia varying between 96 to 106 on rest to 120 to 130/min on mild exertion. I was prescribed tab ivabradine and tab metoprolol to control my heartbeat but I could not tolerate even single dose, so stopped thereafter. Both the drugs gave sense of sinking feeling and doom. 

Ultimately, I tried to find out the doctors who had similar episodes following Covid 19 infection, luckily I got few of them. They all assured me that it will settle down gradually of its own over 06 to 8 weeks. At the end of 08 weeks my weakness has improved, I regained 3 kg of lost weight but resting tachycardia in the range of 92 to 100 is still persisting which still bother at times.

As an attendant

When, I was recovering from Covid my brother became symptomatic on 19 April with low-grade fever, nasal stuffiness, mild throat ache and progressive weakness. He was maintaining SPO2 within normal range. Due to heavy load on laboratory, his RTPCR report was delivered after four days with surprisingly negative report (found in many cases of covid infection in second wave); but results of baseline test (CBC, LFT, RFT, Blood sugar) and inflammatory markers (CRP, Seem ferritin, d-dimer, Il-6) were very much suggestive of Covid19 infection.

His conditions started deteriorating, his SPO2 declined to 94 on room air, he was positive for 6 minute walk test (SPO2 declined 5 point on walking for 6 minute). On day 6 of symptoms, I recommended him to undergo CT chest scan which revealed typical features of Covid pneumonia (ground glass opacities and consolidation on bilateral lung field mainly lower and middle lobes) with CT score of 11/25 (moderate involvement).

Since, he dealt with medical equipment, he could manage one oxygen concentrator for himself. He was on telephonic consultation and maintaining oxygen of 96 on oxygen concentrator. He was started on tab favipiravir, injection dexamethasone, injection enoxaparin along with Govt recommended covid protocol medications (Via C, zinc, paracetamol, Ivermectin).

His conditions further deteriorated, now he was maintaining oxygen at 94 on oxygen concentrator. On 28 April 2021, I realised that it will difficult to manage him at home, so the search for hospital bed started. This was the time, I realised how difficult was to get a bed in the hospital. Forget about the large corporate hospital, a small nursing home which had oxygen facility was not available. To add to the agony there was news all around of patients gasping at the gate of hospital, dying in ICU due to shortage of oxygen. I could sense imminent danger to life of my brother.

It was do or die moment. Being doctor in the Govt service, I requested my administrative authority to help in admission. Our authority was kind enough to facilitate admission. My eyes were filled up with tears when I got the news that one bed has been arranged for him. That guilt ghosts of not able to help my own family member despite being a doctor myself were laid to rest. My actual experience as an attendant started now.

Shifting patient from Indirapuram (residential locality in Gaziabad near Delhi border), required an ambulance which had oxygen facility. To our surprise it took almost two hour to manage one ambulance with oxygen. Few saw it as an opportunity and demanded unusually exuberant price of twenty five thousand that to be without oxygen. I took my brother to designated ward where bed was arranged.

Hall was full of patients in agony, atmosphere was gloomy, some were on masks, some on ever noisy machines and few were gasping for breath even on machines. Two beds had mortal remains which needed to be shifted to hearse van to mortuary. I was told that van is on way, mortal remains would be cleared so that it can be allotted to my brother. As a doctor, it was not very unusual scene for me but imagine the psyche of patient who was overlooking the bed which he was going to occupy after its cleared of mortal remains. Apocalyptic is an understatement.

Healthcare staff were overstretched, there was no bed vacant, almost one fourth of patients were quite critical requiring constant monitoring. Attendants used to plead to the nurse, doctor on round to do something as oxygen level is falling. But, in their heart they were knowing nothing much can been done.

Ventilators were limited, and could not be withdrawn from the patient to put on others. Small issues which could be so detrimental, I realise as an attendant. My brother was put on high flow oxygen but he had to walk around 15 meters to use toilet. He became restless and rush to his bed to realise that his oxygen level has dipped to 70. Luckily, he was in condition to ring me up, I came running, arranged for diapers and instructed not to move at all.

He could not pass urine for one day, as adult is not used to diaper. I could arrange one old bucket where he could pass urine. Out of fear he could not pass stool for 5 days. In doctors circle we had come to know that there had been couple of death of covid patients while going to toilet, as their oxygen level dipped too low to be revived on time.

Next late night, I got a call from my brother that he is being shifted to other ward and reason was not explained to him. The ward had old pattern of oxygen supply through jumbo oxygen cylinder which have to replaced manually every time it finishes. So, there used to be time when ward used to have low pressure of oxygen. I ran to the hospital, realised the wise decision of physician who wanted few patients to be shifted where oxygen pressure and flow is constant.

It took three hours from 12 o’clock to 3 o’clock in the night to finally get the bed in other ward. Similar, incidence followed there as well, we had to wait for the bed while mortal remains needed to cleared by house keeper. The oxygen supply in this ward was connected with liquid oxygen plant. Even he felt the difference in breathing, overall well being. 

There was huge restriction on the attendant. Being a doctor in same hospital, still I had difficulty in reaching to the ward. During normal circumstances, I would have lost my temper but reaching to him was more important than to argue with security staff. On many occasions, I administered the intravenous fluid, essential injections to him after realising that duty nurse had forgotten.

They were many critical patients whose attendants were not there. They were at mercy of our paramedics. Food was served on the time but there were many unfortunate one who did not have attendants who could feed them. They were not in position to take the food. If they remove mask their oxygen level would fall and become restless. Some body needed to fix nasal prong instead of NRBM (non rebreathing mask) to avoid such circumstances.

Medications are important but equally important is nutritious diet, hand holding and emotional support by the close ones in such a difficult time. I felt the pain of attendant who had to really plead to authority to extend his or her visitor pass to look after near and dear one even after realising the eminent danger of contracting the fearsome disease. It was not humanly possible to constantly monitor oxygen flow, feed, change the diaper, change the posture, motivate, hand holding of each and every patient by our already overstretched health professionals.

In normal circumstances many such patients could have been saved by close monitoring, timely intervention but this pandemic created unprecedented crisis in health infrastructure where precious lives had lost value. Everyone, was not as lucky as my brother whose attendant was a doctor and could sense danger in the parameters and influence the treatment.

He started showing sign of improvement after 5 days of methyl prednisolone pulse, subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin, intravenous high end antibiotic like meropenem and teicoplanin along with covid protocol medication. His oxygen saturation gradually improved. Gradually, he was shifted from NRBM to oxygen mask then to oxygen concentrator.

Finally after ten days of hospitalisation, he was discharged with oxygen concentration of 92 on room air with advise to taper oral steroid, tab ecospirin, deep breathing exercise and review by Pulmonologist after fifteen days. I can never forget those tears of indebtedness in the eyes of my brother when I made him sit in the car to take him to his home as if he is trying to convey he could make it because of me. He is recovering well.

As a doctor incharge of covid ward

I was on leave recovering from Covid but was re-called as there was an order to follow from the higher authority so that the health professional crunch in one of the busiest Covid Centre of NCR can be augmented on priority. Wearing of PPE (personal protective equipment) in the hot summer of India is torturous. But, I had the practical experience when I had near choking feeling after one hour of wearing.

I was made in charge of of 50 patients distributed over two wards out of them 12 were critical on NIV (non invasive ventilator), nine were on BiPAP (bilevel positive air ways pressure) and rest others were either on NRBM or gradually improving from NRBM to oxygen concentrator.

When you take dermatology as subject to practice one of the unexpressed fundamental is to avoid emergencies and frequent call from the hospital so that you can enjoy quality time with your family.

Since last 10 years, I was actively practicing pure dermatology which is quite different from intensive care. As a dermatologist, we do see critical cases but when it requires airway management, fluid electrolyte balance we tend to seek help of our critical care specialist who look after ventilator, intravenous access, fluid electrolyte imbalances etc.

This explains a medical joke that has been going around a while about COVID prevention : If you don’t want a dermatologist to intubate you, please wear the mask and follow social distancing. Fortunately, when I was suffering from Covid, I tried to study different aspects of the illness.

I had working knowledge of different guidelines, protocol which were updated timely by ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research), MoHFW (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) and AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) Delhi. Last year, I had an opportunity to even go through the SOP (standard operating procedure) of our hospital on handling Covid cases while writing an article.

First day, in the ward was unusually different. I was finding myself in bit awkward position as I was not knowing how to operate these equipments. I was briefed that any issues with these equipments, I can communicate with anaesthesia resident on call. But, I knew patient won’t give that much time. By the time resident will reach we might loose the patient. Therefore, I understood the operating principle of NIV, BIPAP by junior colleague from other wards, physician who used to take round and also augmented knowledge through webinar videos.

By third day, I was knowing every patient by their name and their management plan. I started enjoying my new commitment like a new intern placed in a job that he loves. I found great sense of achievement to temporarily save precious lives.

For a moment, I realised that what I practice was very shallow but I console myself that this pandemic is not going to be perpetual. Life will be back so be the world of Dermatology. 

I could counsel the attendant, patients, set the parameters of NIV depending upon present clinical conditions. On many situations, I was able to place patients on NIV successfully. I felt the tears in the eyes of relative when oxygen used to dip. At the same time felt the sense of joy when oxygen used to return to normal range with minor intervention in setting of NIV or simply checking the fitting of mask.

Even though there is guideline and protocol but there used to be differences in the approach of treating physician. Younger lots were more aggressive, never used to hesitate in giving much higher dosage of injectable steroid, high end antibiotic, drugs like tocilizumab (interleukin 6 inhibitors), remdesivir, plasma therapy etc, while experienced lots were not chasing too much to inflammatory markers, rather they were more interested into clinical improvement and following well established evidence based therapies.

First week of hospitalisation was very crucial for the patients. Thumb rule, which I had observed those who could not maintain oxygen concentration on NRBM required either BiPAP or NIV support, 80% of them deteriorated and finally succumbed to death. My ward had mostly female patients in their late forties. Those with pre-existing diabetes, obese had very tough time.

Once they required NIV or BiPAP support, they usually succumbed to death. Even though, professionally, it was new experience for me, I had a great sense of satisfaction that I could come of some help to the nation when situation arose but at some corner of my heart it shattered me, made me philosophical of knowing how lives can be so priceless at times.

Lucknow’s famous Shayar Chakbast Brij Narayan’s lines made so much sense to me in these testing times: “Zindagi kya hai, anasir me zuhur-e-tartib; Maut kya hai, inhi ajza ka pareshan hona.” Meaning, “What is life, if not elements in order; what is death, if not the chaos that make them fall”. Virus is just a medium to cause the chaos. I realised, how important is to have one doctor in a family who can guide you without any prejudice or favour. 

Jai hind.

(Author is a dermatologist posted at Govt Hospital in National Capital Region, New Delhi; Views expressed are very personal and not intended to harm any individual or any Institute.)

Rs 1 lakh crore allotted for modern agricultural infrastructure and improvement of mandis: Key takeaways from PM Modi’s speech in Varanasi

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Rs 1 lakh crore allotted for modern agricultural infrastructure and improvement of mandis: Key takeaways from PM Modi’s speech in Varanasi

PM Narendra Modi today said that the central government had taken a major decision to empower agriculture infrastructure and allotted Rs 1 lakh crores for the same. This special fund set up by the centre would help in the development of modern agriculture infrastructure which will benefit the agriculture mandis too, PM Modi said during his visit to Varanasi on Thursday.

It is pertinent to note here that recently, the Modi government had approved some changes in the guidelines of the Rs 1-lakh-crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to help in the up-gradation of mandis. This move will expand the beneficiary institutions, including Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs). It will allow APMCs to avail credit of up to Rs 2 crore from the Fund to set up cold storage, sorting, grading and assaying units.

There has been apprehension among a section of farmers that mandis will be closed down. But in contrast, the Modi government has been doing everything to strengthen the APMCs, said agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar after the Cabinet meeting on July 9. 

PM Modi visits Varanasi to inaugurate projects worth more then Rs 1,500 crores

The Prime Minister visited his constituency today to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various projects related to road, water transport, education, health and tourism, worth more than Rs 1,500 crores. The Prime Minister will also be inaugurating the international cooperation and convention centre, ‘Rudraksh’, that will offer a glimpse of the cultural richness of the ancient city of Kashi.

The two-storey convention centre has come up at the posh Sigra area in Varanasi. Built on 2.87 hectares of land this state of the art convention centre has a seating capacity of 1,200 people. As per officials, as many as 108 Rudraksh have been installed at this convention centre and its roof is shaped like a Shivling.

PM Narendra Modi shared his public address in Varanasi through his official Twitter handle.

Addressing the people of his constituency- Varanasi, prior to inaugurating the convention centre, PM Modi lauded Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath for the successful handling of the second wave of Covid-19.

Modi lauds Yogi Adityanath for the upliftment and development of Uttar Pradesh

“Today, Uttar Pradesh is a state that does the maximum number of testings across the country. It is a state that does the maximum number of vaccinations,” PM Modi said.

Further, talking about the Yogi government’s efforts towards the development in Kashi, PM Modi added: “Kashi is becoming a large medical hub of Purvanchal. Today, facilities are being made available in Kashi too for diseases for the treatment of which one had to go to Delhi and Mumbai earlier.”

Speaking about the efforts being made to enhance the tourism sector in Kashi, the PM said that the Ro-Ro vessels facilities which would begin today will help the tourism sector in Kashi thrive further. He informed that even the marginalised boatmen will be provided with better facilities. He said that the governments initiative to convert diesel boats to CNG is a major step to attract tourists as it will bring down the cost significantly and also benefit the environment.

He also informed that the work of installing over 700 CCTV cameras, LED screens and information wards on ghats is underway. This he said would ensure a massive boost to the tourism sector in Kashi.

Modi furthered praised Yogi Adityanath for giving personal attention to each and every development project undertaken in the state. “Today, Yogi ji himself is working hard. People of Kashi can see how he comes here regularly and inspects every development project and quickens the work. He works like this for the entire state, goes to every district”, said PM Modi lauding the hardworking CM.

Earlier too Centre released funds, but it met hinderances in Lucknow: PM Modi

He added that even before Yogi Adityanath took the helm of the state in 2017, it is not that schemes were not brought for UP or money was not released by the central government for development work in the state. Though swift efforts were made from Delhi, it met hurdles in Lucknow, said Modi, hinting at the misgovernance of the previous Samajwadi government led by Akhilesh Yadav.

He praised Yogi Adityanath for his prompt and consistent effort to make Uttar Pradesh a modern state curbing ‘Mafia raj’ and terrorism. “Today, criminals who cast an eye on women know that they won’t be able to hide from the law in the state”, added Modi.

Uttar Pradesh’s handling of the second wave of COVID-19 cases was “unparalleled”, said Modi, expressing his admiration for healthcare and frontline workers of the state and hailing UP for “the maximum number of vaccinations in the country”.

1...4,0234,0244,025...7,561Page 4,024 of 7,561

Contact: infoopindia.com

About us

News and opinion website that brings you reports and narrative from a perspective often ignored or suppressed by the mainstream media of India.

Follow us

© OpIndia.com