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West Bengal: TMC goons pelt stones at CBI office, attack journalists, try to break into Raj Bhawan

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: TMC goons pelt stones at CBI office, attack journalists, try to break into Raj Bhawan

After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the CBI office in Kolkata to protest against the probe agency arresting her party leaders in the 2016 Narada sting case, hundreds of Trinamool Congress supporters resorted to stone pelting at the office of the central investigative agency.

Miffed by the arrest of four TMC leaders namely Firhad Hakim, Subrata Mukherjee, Madan Mitra & Sovhan Chatterjee, a large mob of TMC supporters initially gathered outside the CBI office. They waved party flags and raised slogans against the central agency. Soon, the TMC goons began pelting stones at the security forces and the CBI office.

Indiablooms’ West Bengal correspondent, Deepayan Sinha, shared visuals outside of CBI office which is located in Nizam Palace in Kolkata. In video footage, it can clearly be seen how TMC goons breached security protocols, broke barricades and unleashed mayhem.

Journalists attacked by TMC goons

Besides attacking the security forces, the Trinamool Congress hoodlums also attacked the media. TV9 journalist Anindya wrote, “JUST IN: My colleague Saurav Guha reports, cars of different media houses are attacked outside Nizam Palace, which houses CBI office in Kolkata. UPDATE: Another colleague Sujit Pal, who has been reporting from outside Nizam Palace, since morning, has been roughed up by the unruly mob.”

TMC hoodlums try to break into Raj Bhawan

Meanwhile, Swarajya reported that the DIG (CBI) wrote a mail to the central agency’s Headquarters, informing how West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee was obstructing them from conducting their duty and if any action could be taken against her. Around the same time, Trinamool Congress goons reached Raj Bhawan (Governor’s House) and began agitating outside the premises. Later, some of the hooligans tried to scale the gate. Sensing physical harm to the Governor, the police pushed the mob behind. They were heard raising slogans such as ‘Governor go back’

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar raises alarm bells over deteriorating law and order situation

In a tweet, Dhankhar said, “Concerned at alarming situation. Call upon Mamata Banerjee to follow constitutional norms & rule of law. West Bengal Police, Kolkata Police, State Home Ministry must take all steps to maintain law & order. Sad- situation is being allowed to drift with no tangible action by authorities.”

He further gave a message to Mamata Banerjee. “Total lawlessness & anarchy. Police and administration in silence mode. Hope you realize repercussions of such lawlessness and failure of constitutional mechanism. Time to reflect and contain this explosive situation that is worsening minute by minute,” he said. He further said that he has drawn the attention of Mamata Banerjee on arson, stone-pelting carried out outside the CBI office. “Pathetic that Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police are just onlookers. Appeal to you to act and restore law and order,” he concluded.”

Narada Sting Operation

Just ahead of 2016 West Bengal state assembly elections, Narada news founder Mathew had conducted a sting operation for over two years. Narada news released the sting operation videos showing 13 TMC ministers and leaders accepting bribes in return of favours or misusing official positions before the elections creating ripples in the political landscape of West Bengal.The operation put an additional dent on the reputation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, as she and her party were already under criticism for the Saradha chit fund scam.

As part of this operation, Samuel had floated a fictitious company to approach several TMC ministers, for favours in return for money. Firhad Hakim, Mukul Roy (now with the BJP), Saugata Roy, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Sultan Ahmed, Subrata Mukherjee, Suvendu Adhikari (now with the BJP), Sovan Chatterjee (who joined the BJP and then quit), Aparupa Poddar, Madan Mitra, Iqbal Ahmed, Prasun Banerjee and HMS Mirza were the ones who were seen on the sting video.

From vandalising synagogue with Nazi’s hooked cross to chants of ‘death to Jews’: Anti-Jew hate on the rise amid Israel-Palestine conflict

OpIndia Staff
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From vandalising synagogue with Nazi’s hooked cross to chants of ‘death to Jews’: Anti-Jew hate on the rise amid Israel-Palestine conflict

On May 17, someone scratched a Nazi’s hooked cross on the glass door of a synagogue in Sugar House, Utah in United States of America. The information was posted by Rabbi Avremi Zippel on his Instagram profile.

Nazi’s hooked cross scratched on the glass of synagogue in Utah (Image: Instagram of Rabbi Zippel)

He published a photograph of the entrance to Chabad Lubavitch of Utah on which a Nazi’s hooked cross was scratched on the glass door. While talking to The Salt Lake Tribune, he said, “This is the first time we’ve had to encounter something like this.”

Rabbi said that the vandalism at the synagogue took place as a reaction to the escalation of violence between Israel and Gaza. The crime has been reported to the FBI. According to the reports, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has already encouraged the synagogue to be on high alert due to the violence taking place in the Middle East.

Zippel said, “Beyond the property damage, which is upsetting, to have that kind of sentiment scratched into glass on a synagogue in 2021 in Salt Lake City, I have to say, really kind left us really shook.” In his Instagram post, he wrote, “We will not cower in fear.”

He further added that Jewish people have become “somewhat accustomed to this sort of bigotry and hatred. And we will continue to do our thing undeterred.”

Jewish people under attack across the world

As the tension is escalating between Israel and Gaza, the attacks on Jewish people have increased worldwide. In London, hundreds of thousands of “peaceful protestors” marched for Palestine and raised slogans against the Jewish people.

In a video from Belgium, Belgians chant “death to Jews” at “pro-Palestinian” protest. It was all happening this in the name of “freedom of expression”.

In a viral video, pro-Palestine protesters were seen advocating the rape of Jewish women. In another video, a man Jewish man was attacked in New York. The pro-Palestinian mob attacked him with a metal chair that led to a severe head injury. In a video from Canada, Pro-Palestinian mob was seen attacking a Jewish man. When a woman tried to save him, she was molested by the mob.

Synagogues were also vandalised in Germany last week following the escalation of violence between Palestine and Israel. Protests and also become violent in France in Saturday.

The confusion between Hooked Cross and Swastika

Nazi’s hooked cross is often confused with the Hindu holy symbol of Swastika. There is a significant difference between the two symbols. When translated from its Sanskrit root, Swatika comprises of ‘su’ meaning ”good” and ‘asti’ meaning ”to be”. In other words, well-being. It dates back some 6,000 years to rock and cave paintings. Scholars generally agree it originated in India. There is a common misconception that Hitler used the Swastika symbol. In reality, he never called it Swastika but used the work “Haken Kreuz” which means Hooked Cross.

Cyclone Tauktae: Indian Navy rescues four crew members of tug vessel stranded off Udipi coast

OpIndia Staff
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Cyclone Tauktae: Indian Navy rescues four crew members of tug vessel stranded off Udipi coast

On May 17, the Indian Navy launched a rescue mission to save the nine crew members of Tug Coromondel Supporter XI. They were stuck between the rocks adrift North West of New Mangalore, Karnataka. There were attempts to rescue them by boat but they were not successful. After that, on Monday morning Indian Navy’s helo was dispatched to rescue to crew.

So far, four members of the team have been rescued safely. As per the tweet by Navy’s Spokesperson, rough seas had resulted in flooding of the vessel’s machinery compartments rendering it without propulsion and power supply. The crew was left with no support and rescue options. Another helicopter from Naval air station in Goa has been deployed to assist in the search of missing crew members of Indian flagged Tug Alliance.

Crew members had sent a request for rescue

On May 16, the crew members of Tug Coromondel Supporter XI had sent SOS message to rescue them. The videos showed they were stuck on the dormant ship between the rocks off the Karnataka coastline. The Indian Navy has been actively rescuing crew members from ships that have been stuck at sea due to cyclone Tauktae.

Watch: Portals of Kedarnath Mandir open in Uttarakhand, strict Covid-19 protocols followed

OpIndia Staff
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Watch: Portals of Kedarnath Mandir open in Uttarakhand, strict Covid-19 protocols followed

On May 17, the portals of Kedarnath Mandir were opened after a six-month winter break. A few selected people attended the ceremony of opening the portals due to the Covid restrictions. The gates were opened at 5 AM. The first puja was held by the priests of the temple on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the second consecutive year when pilgrimage to the temple has been restricted due to an ongoing pandemic.

Rawal Bhim Shankar Ling and Chief Priest Bagesh Ling, a few officials of the administration, and the Devasthanam Board were present at the time of the ceremony.

Yatra suspended due to Covid-19

Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Tirath Singh Rawat, expressed his happiness at the temple’s opening and prayed for the welfare and good health of everyone. CM Rawat said that the Yatra had been suspended temporarily due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, people can have a virtual darshan of Baba Kedarnath and perform puja from their homes. According to Satpal Maharaj, Tourism Minister of Uttarakhand, the Chardham Yatra would be restarted as soon as the coronavirus pandemic subsides.

The mesmerizing decoration of the temple

The temple was decorated with eleven quintals of flowers for the occasion. The mesmerizing beauty of Kedarnath Dham was visible during the ceremony. Everyone present for the ceremony followed the precautions such as wearing masks and maintaining social distancing that has been laid down in view of the pandemic.

Department of Information and Public Relations Uttarakhand (DIPR) said that the pilgrimage had been suspended for Char Dham Yatra. Only symbolic puja by priests is allowed amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

Badrinath Mandir to open on May 18

Yamunotri and Gangotri Mandir were opened on May 14 and May 15, respectively. Kedarnath Mandir was opened on Monday, while Badrinath Mandir will be opened on May 18 for the priests to perform regular puja. No pilgrims will be allowed to visit any of these temples till further orders because of the surge in Covid-19 cases in the state.

Suicides among the Clergy of the Catholic Church in India: A disturbing trend

Suren
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Suicides among the Clergy of the Catholic Church in India: A disturbing trend

In April 2021, Sister Mebil a nun living at the St Joseph’s Convent in Kottayam District, Kerala, was found dead in a well at the convent. A note was found where she described ‘physical difficulties’ as the reason for her suicide.

Going through reports in mainstream media, we find that this is not a stray incident. In the same month, a young trainee Priest, Maria Ajith, who was serving in St Joseph’s Church, Adaikalapuram in South Tamil Nadu, was found dead by hanging. The reasons for his death are not clear and under investigation.

In a similar incident in November 2019, Father Mahesh D’Souza committed suicide. Parishioners protested and demanded a police investigation. Police reports are said to have revealed that the priest has had a troubled past and may have engaged in behaviour unbecoming of his office.

In March 2018, a young seminarian, Arokya Naveen, committed suicide at home. In his suicide note, he is alleged to have given ‘harassment at the seminary’ as the reason behind his action. He is specifically said to have named one Karuppan alias Jeyaraj, a faculty at the seminary, as the individual who was mainly responsible for harassing him. After this report in Dinakaran, no further follow up reporting has been seen in mainstream media.

This is a sample of such tragic incidents in the last few years alone. Some other incidents are:

  1. This report from UCA – Union of Catholic Asian News –  lists 5 tragic deaths among the clergy in a few months from October 2019 to July 2020 alone.
  2. An old report from 2010 describes the controversy and allegations over a 19-year-old seminarian’s suicide.
  3. In a strange aberration, a 68-year-old priest is alleged to have committed suicide in June 2019, at a diocese in Assam. What is striking is the priest’s work in a remote location in Assam.

Many of the suicides have been among relatively younger people. It is true that the rigours of celibacy and the discipline of life as a priest are not something that all can withstand, especially over an entire lifetime.

One reason could be that the Church is unable to find sufficient committed individuals to fill the shoes of the clergy. India has 16th position worldwide in the number of Catholics, but 6th in the number of priests. To put this in perspective, Brazil, with a flock of 145 million Catholics, has 55,000 nuns and priests in 9000 dioceses, but India, with a mere 17 million Catholics, has close to 100,000 nuns and priests in 8500 dioceses. Only Italy, home to the Church, has more clergy – with close to 125,000 nuns and priests. Part of the reason is that a large number of Indian clergy are dispersed across the world. They fulfil the role of parish priests in Western countries, where the number of faithful is fast declining, and fewer young people are willing to take vows.

As a result, India is fulfilling the role of providing manpower to the Catholic Church. Life in a convent or monastery is demanding, with rigorous prayer, penances and learning. Life as a parish priest is demanding in a very different manner. A parish priest’s life is a lonely one. 

Younger people without the mental strength to cope with this life, nor the conviction to hold to their vows, will suffer as a result.

A report in Matters India – a news portal – describes the changing profile of novices in India, who are less motivated by the chance to serve and more by the opportunity to escape some of the challenges of the world.

Across the world, in countries with a weaker Government, the Vatican’s power is such that law enforcement’s authority to investigate cases of suicide is severely impaired by the Church’s ability to influence the course of investigation or to keep the investigation within the Church itself.

It is thus, important, that means of counseling and help for clergy are made available and in a manner that is transparent. 

Sweeping such a critical issue under the carpet in the name of secularism is something no responsible Government can afford to do.

It is our heartfelt request that the Government of India intervene and ensure that young clergymen and women do not take their lives so tragically.

As ‘liberals’ and Islamists in India #StandWithIsrael, a deep dive into their profiles shows visceral hate for Hindus, Jews

Akshita Bhadauria
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As ‘liberals’ and Islamists in India #StandWithIsrael, a deep dive into their profiles shows visceral hate for Hindus, Jews

As tensions mount between Israel and Palestine, the Muslim community from across the globe have registered their strong protest against Israel’s retaliatory response.

From taking to the streets to trending hashtags on social media, the community has been urging their respective nation to take a stand against Israel. Many have picked their sides and something similar is being witnessed in India too.

However, the Palestinian supporters in India now imply that the Indian supporters of Israel are nothing but communal and Islamophobic. Here’s the example.

Rana Ayyub an alleged journalist and ‘humanitarian’ as per her Twitter profile in her recent Tweet said, “Checked most of the #IndiaStandWithIsrael tweet handles. A common thread that runs through is a visceral hatred for Muslims and a bloodlust to see Muslims massacred and shown their place.  Most handles followed by one or more BJP minister or the PM himself.”

Nevertheless, a small glimpse into her own Twitter timeline reveals something else.

Rana Ayyub’s tweet

Last year in July, when the new COVID cases in India reached 55,000 figure, Ayyub dragged in the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. On 5th August, 2020, just five days after this tweet, PM Modi was going to lay the foundation of the Bhavya Ram Mandir after court ruled in favour of Ram Lalla.

Some more of her hatred towards the Mandir, something the Hindus hold very close.

Rana’s tweet from November 2019

She was clearly upset over the Supreme Court ruling.

But here is how she wants the Islamic countries to stand up for Palestine.

Rana on Al Aqsa

The fact that she tweets only about retaliation of Israel and not of the attack carried out by Hamas and Islamic jihadist from Palestine speaks volumes of her own hypocrisy.

And this is not just Rana, but a lot of people in India who have shown solidarity with Israel.

Like how Ayyub claimed to have checked #IndiaStandWithIsrael handles to conclude Muslim-hate in India, we too looked at some #IndiaStandWithPalestine handles.

Here’s what we found. 

Bollywood actor Swara Bhaskar too has been Tweeting in support of Palestine, terming the ‘clash’ as ethnic cleansing. However, if one skims through her timeline, one will not find any such mentions for the post-poll violence in Bengal, on the contrary, Bhaskar has taken every opportunity to slam ‘Hindutva’ and ‘Sanghis’ in the ongoing conflict between nations miles away from India.

It is imperative to note that the terms ‘Sanghis’ and ‘Bhakts’ are loosely used by the left-wing in India as a slur to mock Hindus and BJP supporters.

Source: Twitter

Salman Nizami, a Congress party worker while standing strong with Palestine made sure to dehumanize ‘Sanghis’ and temples. Slamming BJP youth leader Tejasvi Surya for showing support to Israel, Nizami insinuating Indians as paupers, Tweeted “Beg Muslim nations for Oxygen/ Aid & praise Israel for killing Muslims. These Sanghis have no character!”

Source: Twitter

Sumaiya Khan who is supposedly AIMIM’s social media handler mocked Indians for supporting Israel using the same old jibe and also made her connection with Palestine clear. 

Source: Twitter

Sahahnawaz Ansari, allegedly a social media activist with 50,000 Twitter followers seems like a professional ‘Sanghi hater’ so to speak. In one of his Tweets, he threatened Hindus staying in Islamic countries for supporting Israel and asking them to rather come back to India to do the same. 

Source: Twitter

Some have gone as far as comparing Israeli supporters to fascists, narrow-minded and communal.

Source: Twitter

Quite ironic considering more than six million Jews were once murdered systematically by a fascist.

In fact, that is not it. Some of the Islamists in recent times have taken to adore Hitler for systematically killing the Jews. Pakistani actress Veena Malik misattributed a quote to Hitler and justified the killing of Israelis. Another Pakistan-based contributor to CNN had called for ‘another Hitler‘ as tensions between Israel and Palestine escalated. That was just another way of wishing death upon the Jews. Pakistanis on social media have also been urging their Prime Minister Imran Khan to nuke Israel due to the campaign against Hamas.

But you won’t see Ayyub condemning these tweets. In fact, these tweets, kind of people tweeting these things are encouraged by the very likes of Ayyub.

It perhaps will not be completely incorrect to say that under the garb of Israel-Palestine conflict, some radicals in India are displaying their hate for Hindus in full glory.

IDF eliminates Islamic Jihad commander in airstrike, rocket from Gaza hits chicken coop, injure civilians in Israel

OpIndia Staff
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IDF eliminates Islamic Jihad commander in airstrike, rocket from Gaza hits chicken coop, injure civilians in Israel

The Israeli Defense Forces have eliminated an Islamic Jihad terrorist on Monday, Times of Israel reported. Initial reports suggest that Hussam Abu Harbeed was killed in his home in northern Gaza by an Israeli airstrike. He was said to be the commander of the terrorist outfit’s operation in northern Gaza.

According to the IDF, Hussam Abu Harbeed has led attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians for 15 years. It is also believed that he was directly responsible for the anti-tank missile fire that wounded an Israeli citizen recently. There has not been a confirmation as yet from the Islamic Jihad.

An Arab suspect has also been reportedly arrested over a firebombing incident at Jaffa, an ethnically mixed coastal city. A 12 year old Arab child was reportedly injured in the incident. A judge has issued a gag order preventing further publishing details in the case.

Meanwhile, a rocket fired from Gaza hit a chicken coop is Southern Israel which led to a fire. Firefighters have reached the spot and are reportedly in the process of dousing the fire. In a separate incident, several Israelis were reported to be lightly injured after a rocket from Gaza hit a home in Ashdod.

The conflict between Israel and Palestine has continued over the past week with rockets being fired from Gaza and the IDF retaliating against Hamas and other terror groups operating there. India has condemned the spate of violence at both ends and has called for immediate de-escalation.

AAP’s idea of targeting Modi govt: Lists only Muslim countries as beneficiaries of Vaccine Maitri, slammed by netizens

Jinit Jain
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AAP’s idea of targeting Modi govt: Lists only Muslim countries as beneficiaries of Vaccine Maitri, slammed by netizens

After having mismanaged the coronavirus outbreak in Delhi, Aam Aadmi Party today tried to deflect the criticism by blaming the central government for its vaccine diplomacy initiative.

In a tweet, the official Twitter account of the Aam Aadmi Party mentioned a list of countries to allege that PM Modi sought votes from Indians but sent the vaccines abroad. Apparently, the list of the countries shared by AAP were Muslim-majority nations, with the first in the list being Pakistan.

Source: Twitter

AAP’s sly attempt to insinuate that PM Modi had helped only Islamic nations while seeking votes from Indians was not lost on Twitter users, who promptly called out the Arvind Kejriwal government for posting a misleading tweet and being economical with truth.

India supplied vaccines to 95 countries, Pakistan was allocated vaccines by GAVI

Many social media users highlighted that India had provided vaccines to not just Islamic nations but a total of 95 countries, including all of the UN peacekeeping forces, as a part of its commitment to the global community.

However, Pakistan has received AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccines through COVAX, a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines directed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and the World Health Organization.

As part of its obligation to Gavi, the Serum Institute of India is contract bound to provide its manufactured vaccines to the COVAX, as they were first risk investors. India cannot dictate what Gavi does with the vaccines or whom it donates. As such, India is also one of the beneficiaries of Gavi. It is, therefore, profoundly wrong on the AAP’s part to accuse the Indian government of donating vaccines to Pakistan.

However, yet AAP’s tweet mentions Pakistan as the first country in the list of beneficiaries that received vaccines delivered by India. Clearly, AAP had tried to whip up anti-government sentiments among people by highlighting that India had even provided vaccines to its arch-nemesis, Pakistan. Though, it was lousy enough to not check if Pakistan was indeed a beneficiary of India’s vaccine diplomacy.

After being called out, AAP posts the remaining the list of beneficiaries

After social media users called out the Aam Aadmi Party for its propaganda against PM Modi, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Party tried to salvage itself by sharing the remaining list of countries that received vaccines made in India. Two hours after its initial tweet that included only Muslim-majority countries as the recipients of India’s vaccine diplomacy, the official Twitter account of the Aam Aadmi Party posted a string tweets that included countries that were earlier left out by it.

AAP political sly in highlighting only the Muslim nations was called out by many on Twitter.

Delhi’s AAP government messes up handling resurgent coronavirus outbreak in the national capital

Delhi was in the throes of a raging coronavirus outbreak last month as the cases increased dramatically and the hospitals in the national capital struggled with the oxygen supplies. Not just oxygen, but there was also shortages of beds, key antiviral drugs to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients in Delhi have been left to fend for themselves as they contend with the scarcity of oxygen, beds and medicines. In the absence of a responsible government in the state, their relatives often had to resort to Twitter and other social media websites for raising SOS alarm and seeking help.

Even the hospitals in Delhi have accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of mismanaging the coronavirus outbreak and not providing a steady supply of oxygen to them, which resulted in deaths of patients who could have otherwise be saved if the Delhi government had competently handled the crisis.

It is notable here that the entire narrative of India “sending doses abroad” is misplaced as the doses of vaccines sent to friendly nations under ‘Vaccine Maitri’ is a small percentage of what India has already provided to its own citizens. Also the ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative has built an enormous amount of international goodwill for India, reflective in the support and help India is getting from several nations to battle the second wave of Covid crisis.

First batch of anti-COVID oral drug 2-DG launched: All you need to know about the DRDO-developed medicine

Jhankar Mohta
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First batch of anti-COVID oral drug 2-DG launched: All you need to know about the DRDO-developed medicine

As India continues its battle against the second wave of Covid-19, it launched its first batch of indigenous anti-COVID oral drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a lab of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Monday.

The drug, called 2-deoxy-D-glucose or 2-DG, was developed by a DRDO lab in collaboration with the Hyderabad-based pharma giant, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the country’s top drug regulator, has approved the medicine for emergency use as an adjunct therapy in Covid patients battling moderate to severe symptoms of the infection.

The first and the second batch of 2-DG will be used in a limited manner. It will be used in AIIMS, Armed Forces Hospitals, DRDO hospitals and any other need which arises. From June 2021 onwards it will be made available to all hospitals.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan released the first batch of 10,000 doses of the medicine at DRDO headquarters today. These doses have been distributed to some hospitals in the national capital.

“Not just for India but I hope it serves in the fight against COVID, globally in the coming days. I thank and congratulate DRDO and its scientists. We’ve seen under PM Modi leadership DRDO has played an important role in the fight against coronavirus.” Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said.

Moreover, while launching the drug, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also called it a new ray of hope. “Developed by DRDO and DRL, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) will prove effective against Covid-19. This is a great example of the scientific prowess of our country. I congratulate DRDO and all the institutions involved in the R&D of this drug, on my behalf,” said Singh.

DRDO’s 2-DG drug

On May 9 2021, DRDO Chief Mr G Satheesh Reddy had announced that the DRDO Covid medicine is approved for emergency use and will be available by May 11, 2021.

2-deoxy-D-glucose or 2-DG is an oral anti-Covid-19 drug. The drug is expected to help hospitalised Covid-19 patients and reduce their supplemental oxygen dependence.

Explaining what went behind the development of India’s first indigenous anti-COVID oral drug, DRDO Project Director and Scientist of 2-DG, Dr Sudhir Chandana had said earlier that when India was grappling with the first wave of the pandemic in April 2020, the institute discovered that 2-DG halts the spread of COVID-19 inside the body cells.

“After the findings, we asked the DCGI for permission to conduct clinical trials. In May 2020, we got permission for the clinical trials”, Chandana said.

According to reports, a total of 110 patients were part of the Phase-II clinical trials of DRDO’s 2-DG drug. “By the end of October 2020, we had completed the second phase of trials, and the results were very good. Using standard care, 2 DG will be more beneficial for the Covid-19 patients,” Chandana added.

The results of 2-DG phase II trials showed that in terms of improvement in the vitals of COVID-19 symptomatic patients there was a difference of 2.5 days compared to Standard of Care (SoC).

Meanwhile, the DRDO statement had confirmed earlier that the approval for Phase – III clinical trials of 2-DG was granted in November 2020. These were conducted in 27 COVID-19 hospitals spread across several states. “Clinical trial results have shown that this molecule helps in faster recovery of hospitalised patients and reduces supplemental oxygen dependence,” the official DRDO statement had said.

How 2-DG works and controls COVID-19, reducing dependence on oxygen?

According to DRDO officials, the 2-DG drug, like glucose, spreads through the body and reaches the virus-infected cells and prevents virus growth by stopping viral synthesis and destroying the protein’s energy production.

How the 2-DG drug works, image source Jagran

The drug also works on virus infection spread into the lungs which help us to decrease the infected patient’s dependency on oxygen.

Production and consumption and the expected price of the drug

Since 2-DG is a generic molecule and analogue of glucose it can be easily manufactured in India and made available in plenty to the citizens.

The anti-Covid drug 2-DG has been developed in powder form and is ingested orally in patients by dissolving it in water.

According to sources, the price of the drug may range from anything between Rs 500 to Rs 600. However, the government may also grant subsidies making it further affordable for patients from every stratum of society.

Which variants of Covid-19 virus will 2-DG work on

According to DRDO, clinical trials of the medicine has proved that the drug can arrest any variant of the virus that multiplies. Irrespective of the variant it will need food and thus will get trapped by the drug, informed the officials.

DRDO calls the 2-DG drug a game-changer

DRDO’s anti-covid drug is being seen as a boon, especially at a time when the devastating second wave of the infection has led to acute oxygen shortage in the country. The officials believe that the drug will be a game-changer as it will help in faster recovery of patients who are hospitalised especially reducing the supplemental oxygen dependence in such patients.

“In 2-DG arm, a significantly higher proportion of patients improved symptomatically and became free from supplemental oxygen dependence (42% vs 31%) by Day-3 in comparison to SoC, indicating an early relief from oxygen therapy/dependence. A similar trend was observed in patients aged more than 65 years,” the DRDO said.

A higher proportion of patients treated with 2-DG showed RT-PCR negative conversion in COVID patients. In the efficacy trends, the patients treated with 2-DG showed faster symptomatic cure than Standard of Care (SoC) on various endpoints, the DRDO said.

Pakistani news channel with over 2 million subscribers calls for Jihad against Israel, says US ‘chairman’ Joe Biden slapped Muslims

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistani news channel with over 2 million subscribers calls for Jihad against Israel, says US ‘chairman’ Joe Biden slapped Muslims

Amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, a Pakistani news channel by the name of ‘Bol News’ has called upon its Muslim brethren to unleash ‘Jihad’ against the Jewish State. The programme titled, “Time for Jihad Israel Vs Palestine” was aired on Sunday (May 16).

At the very onset, the show host Noor ul Arfeen said, “While I am talking to you, the biggest human tragedy of the world is underway (referring to the bombing of Hamas targets by Israel Defense Forces). Before I talk about this situation further, let me remind you what does the Quran advises the Momins to do in such a situation.” Highlighting the 9th chapter of the Quran, Surah-e-Tauba, he talked about Islam’s directives on doing Jihad.

“Whatever I will say today will be from the perspective of my religious affiliation to Islam. I have no allegiance to international relations or obey the guidelines of public interest. You can see several verses of Surah-e-Tauba and its interpretation on the screen. He gives a call for Jihad in the pursuit of Allah, whether light or heavy. This is the message of Allah for all Muslims”, he emphasised.

(Video Courtesy: Youtube/Bol News)

Noor-Ul-Arfeen lamented that the Muslims in the world say that they are bound by international relations and treaties and thus not ready for Jihad. Further highlighting the 4th chapter of the Quran, Surah-An-Nisa, he said, “Muslims, why don’t you see the atrocities committed on helpless women and children? Is there no true Muslim leader who can stop the hands of those who lust to rule the world? This is by far the deadliest attack in Gaza that has martyred more than 150 people.”

Instead of referring to the military forces as ‘Israel Defence Forces (IDF), the news anchor chose to call it ‘Jewish Defence Forces’. The objective behind doing so is to stir the anti-Jewish sentiment that exists among the Muslims in Pakistan. Noor-ul-Arfeen did not condemn the Islamist terror outfit Hamas even once and chose to weave a ‘sob tale’ based on unverified videos that he had received from unknown sources on his phone. He also lamented how the Jewish forces attacked the Al-Jazeera office and how all of it was a wake-up call for Muslims around the world to do ‘Jihad.’

Pakistani news channel confuses Joe Biden as US ‘Chairman’

In his unhinged vitriolic rant, Bol News anchor forgot that Joe Biden is not the US Chairman but the President of the United States. “The Chairman of United States, Joe Biden, has given a tight slap on the face of Muslims in a display of their utter inhumane nature. This has led to the embarrassment of all Muslims. Biden has dialled the Prime Minister of Israel and said that it is within its rights to secure its border. However, he added that the offices of media organisations must not be targetted.” According to him, Joe Biden thus gave the impression that the lives of ‘innocent Muslim Palestinians’ did not matter.

Despite over 2 million subscribers, the Pakistani news channel and its anchor did not shy away from giving an open call for terrorism, religious hatred and genocide. Shedding all journalistic ethics, Noor-ul-Arfeen announced that Muslims are not bound by international rules and thus must avenge the actions of the Jewish forces. While Anti-Semitism is not uncommon on Pakistani news channels, the Bol News anchor went a step ahead to slam the United, the country Pakistan regularly receives aid from.

The ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict

The hostilities between the Jewish nation and its nemesis Hamas are at an all-time high, especially after the intense aerial exchanges that started on the evening of May 11 and continued well past midnight. On May 11, Palestinian terrorist organisation Hamas unleashed massive airstrikes against Israel, firing hundreds of rockets inside the country.

The country’s air defence system known as the Iron Dome, intercepted the continuous barrage of rockets targeting Tel Aviv and central Israel Tuesday evening. Israel, in response, stepped up its attacks on the Palestinian terror group Hamas inside Gaza Strip. The Israel Defence Forces carried out airstrikes on targets in Gaza in response to continued attacks by Hamas against Israel. The death toll in the Gaza strip has risen to 181 by May 16. At the same time, 20 high-profile terrorists associated with Hamas and Palestine Islamic Jihad have been neutralised.

While debunking the anti-Israeli propaganda, Israel Defence Forces remarked, “The fact that there aren’t more casualties in Israel does not mean that Hamas isn’t trying to kill Israeli civilians. It simply means that the IDF is preventing them from doing so at an incredible level. The Iron Dome Aerial Defense System and easily accessible bomb shelters all over Israel have saved thousands of lives.” It concluded, “IDF troops will continue to work 24/7 to defend Israeli civilians at the highest level possible and minimize Gazan casualties wherever possible.”

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