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Jawaharlal Nehru: History has been kinder to him because he rewrote it

Vinayak
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Jawaharlal Nehru: History has been kinder to him because he rewrote it

Jawaharlal Nehru may well go down in the history of the country as one of the ablest leaders and endearing personalities. From the demands of Purna Swaraj to spearheading the Indian leadership pre-and post-Independence, his contributions to the Indian cause are legion.

However, the most important times of his stint as the Prime Minister are littered with grave mistakes that threatened to moribund the rising Indian state. Even in the Macaulay tinted version of history parroted by the Congress, his contributions pale in comparison to Mohandas Gandhi who too benefited from the same.

Kashmir

October of 1947, Pashtun tribesmen invaded Kashmir, thus, began the war for Kashmir. Nehru foolishly hoping for a peaceful resolution against an openly belligerent state, took the matter to the United Nations, clouding the issue, allowing Pakistan to occupy a third of the strife-torn state.

He stuck to his guns and tried to save face rather than accepting a way that worked in favour of one that did not. After the Accession was signed and a cabinet meeting took place, Nehru (as Field Marshall Sam Mankeshaw recalls) was busy talking about United Nations and various other countries. Till Sardar Patel, the then Deputy PM and Home Minister, losing his temper asks “Jawaharlal, do you want Kashmir or want to give it away? “Of course, I want Kashmir” came the reply with a lot of emphasis being put in.

On being requested to give his orders to the then Director of Military Operation Mankeshaw, Sardar Patel sensed hesitation. And before Nehru could reply, he turned towards Manekshaw and told him that he has his orders and the future Field Marshall walked out and started flying in his troops. As a result, Kashmir became ours minus the modern-day POK.

India-China war

Another testing time that comes to mind is the Sino-Indian war. Again, under the leadership of Nehru. However, the actual defeat of the Army took place when Defence Minister V.K. Krishna Menon under the guise of “good governance”, not really understanding the system of The Army, starting bringing in changes antithetical to the very basis of The Army. This led to the resignation of the then Army Chief General Thimayya and starting of an enquiry against the then Major General Sam Manekshaw.

Essentially robbing the army of effective leadership in the most trying of times.

Nehru had his reasons for the practice of ahimsa. He rubbished the idea of military power as far back as 1947 citing the Police were enough to keep peace in the country though he had to eat his own words during the Accession of Kashmir and of the fear of a Military coup borne of the many young post world war 2 nations like Pakistan succumbing to the same.

Nehru proclaimed in the Parliament that the NEFA (North Eastern Frontier Agency, now Arunachal Pradesh) was being handed over to the Army. This act was against the Indian interests and without the allotment of added resources, this was a futile gesture. This allowed the Chinese to paint the Indians as aggressors.

Thimayya wanted Nehru to abrogate the mistake, something Nehru knew was political Hara-kiri as he would lose the trust of the Parliament. Fearing the General and his actions, at least in his mind, Nehru and Menon turned to subterfuge to discredit him. Playing a convoluted game for meeting the ends.

Thimayya seething at the disrespect of being painted as the one responsible for the Parliament debacle, signed his resignation papers. They were rejected by Nehru in a private meeting while subsequently leaking the news, forcing the general to retire with the message perceived by the public of voluntary retirement. Hence, in the minds of people, Nehru and Menon foiled the ‘danger’ posed by General Thimayya- one of the most brilliant Generals on this side of Sam Manekshaw.

Speaking of Manekshaw, he too was disqualified from active leadership by launching a Court of Inquiry against him on the grounds of him being more British than Indian and more loyal to the British Queen than the Indian Prime Minister. He had asked Menon not to ask him what he thought of General Thimayya as he was his senior and such actions on part of subordinates towards senior create dissension in the Army.

In their absence, Nehru turned to favourites of his Lt. Gen. Brij Mohan Kaul and P.N. Thapar who were famous, at that time in the Army, for being yes men. On being asked if the Army was ready for war, lacking in moral courage, replied in the positive. At that time there was a serious dearth of arms and ammunition in the forward posts where the battles would take place. The result: by the end of the month-long war we had lost the Aksai Chin (a 37,244 Square Km area of strategic importance ), the war and the lives of thousands of soldiers not to mention the international humiliation.

Looking back at these two pivotal events in Indian History, Nehru, through his superintendence for personal reasons of ego (Kashmir issue) and self-preservation (Pre Sino- Indian war borne of paranoia), allowed to sour and bite the country in the back. The sheer amount of loss of life and the political implications of both continues to tax the Indian State.

In light of these cataclysmic events and the handling of them by Jawaharlal Nehru, despite some of his great contributions to the Indian Cause, he shall be remembered as a far better man and a more able leader than he actually was based on the Macaulay inspired revision of history he himself revived after the departure of the British.

Covid-19 protocols go for a toss as people flock markets just ahead of Eid

OpIndia Staff
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Covid-19 protocols go for a toss as people flock markets just ahead of Eid

As the second wave of Covid-19 surges in India, several states have imposed a strict lockdown, or put restrictions against gatherings to curb the growing number of cases. However, with the festival of Eid soon approaching, covid appropriate norms went for a toss in several cities as people thronged markets for festival shopping.

Telangana 

A 10-day lockdown has been imposed in Telangana after the High Court pulled up the state government for utter mismanagement, but markets continued to buzz with shoppers in old Hyderabad. 

As per an ANI report, from Charminar to Madina, the markets in the city witnessed huge crowds on Tuesday ditching social distancing completely. 

Huge crowds at Charminar, Hyderabad. Image Source: TV9 Hindi

Maharashtra

The state of Maharashtra has also released guidelines for the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, however, people were seen flouting Covid protocols in Mumbai while shopping before Eid.

Men, women and children were all seen shopping and roaming without masks in Muslim-dominated areas like Bhendi Bazaar in South Mumbai.

After a slump of two days, the state of Maharashtra witnessed a rise in new cases and fatalities with 793 deaths recorded on Tuesday.

Jammu & Kashmir

The Covid-19 relaxations in Srinagar had to be scrapped as people flocked the markets despite a rise in new coronavirus cases and fatalities. Srinagar at present has the highest number of active coronavirus cases in the Union territory. 

Security personnel patrol on a street during pandemic induced curfew in Srinagar on Tuesday. Image Source: Hindustan Times

Security personnel have been deployed across the valley to restrict public movement. Srinagar deputy commissioner Aijaz Asad withdrew the relaxation announced. “The provision of exemption for partially permissible activities from 8 am to 12 pm is hereby withdrawn till further orders,” said the new order.

Uttar Pradesh

Several cities in Uttar Pradesh defied the Covid-19 protocols and partial lockdown completely with huge crowds thronging the markets with no masks and social distancing. At a time when the state government has enabled door-to-door testing to not let the situation worsen, such shattering of basic Covid appropriate norms might nullify the efforts.

Markets in Firozabad witnessed huge crowds with the Qazi Syed Shahniyaz Ali expressing utter displeasure over the flouting of basic norms. Ali said at a time when the government officials and frontline warriors are engaged to battle the pandemic, the public must cooperate with the administration.

Crowds flock markets in Uttar Pradesh. Image Source: Aaj Tak

As per an Aaj Tak report, the markets in Aligarh were extremely crowded. This is after the Aligarh Muslim University reported more than 40 deaths among staff members. 

West Bengal

Newly re-elected West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ruled out the imposition of a lockdown but has allowed religious and cultural programs to take place with a maximum of 50 people. 

This comes after the state of West Bengal recorded its highest single-day spike of 19,441 COVID-19 on Monday.

After backlash from Islamists, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress leader Oommen Chandy edit their Facebook posts condemning nurse’s death

OpIndia Staff
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After backlash from Islamists, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress leader Oommen Chandy edit their Facebook posts condemning nurse’s death

The tragic death of a Kerala-based nurse in Israel due to bombing from the Gaza Strip during the ongoing clashes between Israel and Palestinian terrorists has sparked political controversy in Kerala.

On Wednesday, the 31-year-old nurse Soumya Santosh, hailing from Idukki, Kerala, was killed in a rocket attack launched by Palestinian terrorists from the Gaza coastal strip. Soumya Santosh worked as a caregiver to an older woman in the southern Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon.

Following the death of the Malayali woman, who was killed by the Palestinian terrorists, the ‘secular’ political parties of Kerala – both Left Democratic Front (LDF) and United Democratic Front (UDF) expressed their hesitation to condemn Palestinians for the killing. The political leaders from both camps issued half-hearted condolence messages on the death of Kerala nurse while failing to condemn Hamas for carrying terror attacks on Israel that led to the killing of Soumya Santhosh.

According to the reports, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was forced to change his Facebook post after facing flak from Islamists in Kerala. The Chief Minister had to edit his Facebook post to delete such references he had made to link the death of Soumya Santhosh to Israeli-Palestinian clashes.

Not just him, Former Chief Minister and AICC general secretary Oommen Chandy has also made several changes to his Facebook posts. Reportedly, in his earlier post, Chandy had said Soumya was killed in the attack by ‘extremists’. However, after facing heat from Islamists in the state, he edited his post to remove the references he had made against Palestine.

Reacting to this, BJP leader Sobha Surendran said that the situation in Kerala has become so dangerous that both the leaders had to correct their posts expressing sorrow over the killing of the Kerala nurse due to the fear of religious extremists. 

Attacking the ‘secular’ parties in the state, BJP state president K Surendran asked whether the ruling party and the opposition are silent on the killing of Soumya due to Hamas extremists being their allies. 

Congress, CPI(M) attacks Israel, supports Palestine during the ongoing clashes

Meanwhile, Islamists in Kerala have reminded the Congress about the so-called ‘warm relations’ India had with Palestine during the Congress rule. Several Congress supporters posted old photographs of Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) leader Yasser Arafat with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

In fact, the Communists were not very far behind Congress in the appeasement of Muslims in the state. CPM politburo has stated it was Israeli who attacked Palestine. The Communist Party said, “the air raids carried out by Israel on the Gaza strip led to the death of many Palestinian citizens”.

“Israel is moving towards the complete occupation of East Jerusalem by attacking Palestinians who were protesting its attempt to forcefully expel residents of Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood to make way for Jewish settlements. Netanyahu, who had repeatedly failed to win a majority in the Israel elections, launched these attacks for petty political gains,” the statement issued by the CPI(M) said.

The CPI(M) claimed that it condemned these acts and calls upon the Government of India to voice its support to the people of Palestine.

Pinarayi Vijayan writes letter to Centre, fails to condemn Palestinians

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote a letter to Union Minister for Foreign Affairs S Jaishankar pleading him to intervene to bring back the body of Soumya. In a carefully worded tweet, Pinarayi Vijayan claimed that they were in touch with the Indian Embassy in Israel to ensure that the mortal remains of Soumya Santhosh, “who was killed in Israel,” is brought back to Kerala and handed over to her family as soon as possible.

However, anywhere in his tweet, he did not condemn the Islamic terrorist group Hamas for the killing of the 31-year-old Kerala nurse Soumya Santhosh.

Social media users questions Kerala Chief Minister’s silence on the killing of nurse

Netizens have come down heavily on Pinarayi Vijayan for not condoling the death of the Malayali nurse who was killed by the Palestinian rocket attacks inside Israel.

Social media users attacked Pinarayi Vijayan for failing to write a word against Hamas and called him a ‘shameless man’.

Another user asked why was Pinarayi Vijayan so scared of naming the killers.

Responding to Pinarayi Vijayan’s reluctance to blame Hamas for killing a Malayali nurse, another user said he was just curious to know how she got killed. Was it an alien rocket attack, the user asked.

Social media users highlighted the reluctance of Kerala politicians and pointed out that it was fear of backlash from the Islamic fundamentalists in the state.

Audit effect? Delhi’s oxygen demand goes from 700 MT for 75k active COVID cases to 582 MT for 83k active cases

OpIndia Staff
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Audit effect? Delhi’s oxygen demand goes from 700 MT for 75k active COVID cases to 582 MT for 83k active cases

Days after caterwauling about the deficit of medical oxygen, the Aam Aadmi Party government led by Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi has today announced, that they have access supply of the same and have offered to give the surplus oxygen to the States who need it. Interestingly, the declaration has come within days of the Supreme Court setting up a panel to carry out an audit of supply, distribution and utilisation of oxygen supply in the national capital.

ANI quoted Delhi’s Deputy CM Manish Sisodia as saying that Delhi’s oxygen need as of May 13 (Thursday) is 582 MT per day. He said that the Delhi government has written to the Centre, saying the surplus oxygen that is being given to it can be supplied to other states.

Sisodia claimed the national capital had a requirement of 700 MT of oxygen when the number of cases was rising but now that the figure is showing a declining trend, the requirement has come down to 582 MT.

On April 18, 2021, Kejriwal government had demanded 700 MT of oxygen.

On that day, Delhi had 74,941 active coronavirus cases. On Thursday, when Kejriwal government has said their oxygen requirement has reduced to 582 MT, active cases in Delhi stands at 82,725.

AAP Govt and its fluctuations over oxygen requirement in Delhi

Interestingly, the AAP government has been contradicting its own stance on the oxygen requirement in the national capital. For all this while, the AAP government led by Arvind Kejriwal had maintained that Delhi needs a daily supply of at least 976 MT of oxygen to emerge out of the crisis in the national capital. The party leadership have been pinning the blame on the central government for not providing them with the required 976 MT of oxygen. But after the city-state was supplied with 730 MT of oxygen, following court orders, the CM started saying that they have enough oxygen to open thousands of new oxygen beds.

And now, ever since the top court, despite strong objection from the AAP government, has appointed a panel to conduct an oxygen audit in the national capital, the Kejriwal government has straight away settled for 582 MT of oxygen per day.

It is pertinent to note here that Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, had stressed in the apex court that Delhi’s demand of 700 MT liquor medical oxygen (LMO) was also way beyond its requirement, which he suggested could be met with 500-600 MT. He had insisted in court that there must be an audit to examine whether there were any snags or pilferage in the distribution of Oxygen in Delhi.

This request was vehemently opposed by the Kejriwal government, which contended that the centre’s allocation of Oxygen to Delhi did not reflect ground realities and was mere paperwork, and if at all an audit was required, it should be of the central government’s arbitrary allocations.

Soon after the centre proposed to carry out an audit, Delhi’s Oxygen demand had magically gone down from 976 MT to 730 MT of oxygen, which now after SC’s go-ahead has further gone down to 582 MT per day.

AAP ministers and associates involved in the black marketing of oxygen

Amidst all this hullabaloo for medical oxygen, a major scam was unearthed in the national capital, wherein several AAP ministers and associates have been involved in the black marketing of medical oxygen and essential medical supplies. 

In fact, today only, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Delhi pulled up the Delhi Government and Delhi Police in the case of oxygen concentrator hoarding and black-marketing over an incorrect statement made by the officer-in-charge of the case. The court pulled the Delhi Government for making an incorrect remark on the witness statement that did not exist in the case diary. 

Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiren murder case accused Sachin Vaze dismissed from service by Mumbai police

OpIndia Staff
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Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiren murder case accused Sachin Vaze dismissed from service by Mumbai police

The Mumbai police on Tuesday informed that suspended cop Sachin Vaze, who is currently being interrogated by the National Investigation Agency for his links to the Antilia bomb scare case, has been dismissed from service. Vaze is also being investigated for his alleged role in the mysterious death of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiren.

The termination order was issued by Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale, said a spokesperson of the city police. The order has been issued under a provision which deals with dismissal, removal or reduction in rank of a civil employee employed in civil capacities under the Union or a state on certain grounds. 

An SUV laden with explosives was found parked outside the Mumbai residence of Reliance Industries owner Mukesh Ambani on February 25. Vaze who had taken the onus to investigate the case was the first to reach the spot. He had reported discovering gelatin sticks in the parked car and a letter from a terrorist organization which eventually turned out to be fake.

The SUV was owned by Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiren who was found dead under mysterious circumstances a few days later.

The probe was then handed over to Maharashtra ATS after links between Sachin Vaze and Mansukh Hiren emerged. It may be noted that Vaze was suddenly reinstated to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch after facing a suspension that lasted more than 15 years as he was facing a custodial death case.

Eventually, the case went from the ATS to the NIA who is now carrying out an investigation and has also arrested Vaze’s former colleague at CIU, assistant police inspector Riyazuddin Kazi, former policeman Vinayak Shinde and cricket bookie Naresh Ramniklal Gor in the case. 

It is imperative to note that the NIA has named Vaze as the main accused in both cases.

Vaze in a handwritten statement to the NIA had also accused the former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh of demanding Rs 2 crore from him to retain him in the police force, adding a new dimension to the case.

A probe is now on to investigate the allegations of corruption leveled against Deshmukh. Earlier on April 24, the CBI had filed a case against the NCP leader for corruption and misuse of power.

Days after the FIR by CBI, the Enforcement Directorate has now filed a case against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

WB Governor’s decision to visit Assam to meet victims of TMC violence irks Mamata Banerjee, ‘orders’ to ‘refrain from surpassing CM’

OpIndia Staff
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WB Governor’s decision to visit Assam to meet victims of TMC violence irks Mamata Banerjee, ‘orders’ to ‘refrain from surpassing CM’

Displeased with West Bengal Governor, Jagdeep Dhankar’s decision to visit Assam to meet BJP supporters from West Bengal who fled to the neighbouring state due to attacks by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) goons, West Bengal CM and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has objected to the same.

A day prior to his planned visit, Mamata Banerjee, in a strongly worded letter to Dhankar, advised him to “desist” from undertaking “field trips” and follow the established government protocols.

Mamata wrote to the Governor, drawing his attention to the state home (political) department’s ‘Manual of Protocol & Ceremonials’.

“I find from social media that you are unilaterally proceeding to the district of Coochbehar on 13-5-2021 and, sadly, I find that to be violative of the long-standing norms as evolved over several decades. I, therefore, would expect that you will kindly follow the well-established norms of protocol, as stated above, and desist from abrupt decisions with regard to field visits,” Mamata wrote in her letter to the state governor.

She drew the Governor’s attention to one of her previous letters and asked him to ‘refrain from surpassing her and her ministers’ orders’.

“I had requested and specifically advised you ‘to refrain from surpassing the chief minister and her Council of Ministers and communicating with and dictating to the state officials, in excess of your power under the Constitution and directing them to attend before you’. I find that you are steadily ignoring this advice, solemnly rendered by me to you, and have been communicating with and dictating the state officials. You have also been seeking reports from them directly. I urge you and again request and advise you to refrain from this. I am asking my chief secretary to go by this norm.”

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar tears into Mamata Banerjee rejecting her ‘order’

The West Bengal Governor, in response to her letter, tore into Mamata Banerjee, categorically rejecting her ‘order’.

In his letter to the CM, Dhankar wrote that he is “appalled that a leader of your stature should be even contemplating that in making visits the Governor has to obtain orders of the Government”. Dhankar reminded Mamata of his “constitutional duties” and said that he would all that is expected out of his oath and constitution.

WB Governor’s letter to Mamata Banerjee
WB Governor’s letter to Mamata Banerjee

Condemning the rampant incidents of loot, arson, killings, rape and other horrendous acts against those in opposition to the ruling dispensation, the Governor urged the state CM to revisit her stance and commit herself to the constitution that she by her oath is obligated to uphold and follow.

According to reports, West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankar is scheduled to visit Ranpagli and Srirampur camps in Assam on May 14 where the ‘refugees’ from Bengal are being housed. “Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar will be visiting Ranpagli and Srirampur camps in Assam where due to post-poll retributive violence some people from WB had taken refuge for safety. The Governor will be reaching Ranpagli by BSF helicopter,” stated a tweet posted from the official Twitter handle of Dhankhar.

The Governor is said to be going to Assam on Friday from Cooch Behar in West Bengal. In Cooch Behar, he will visit Mathabhanga, Sitalkuchi, Sikai and Dinhata and meet people affected by post-poll violence.

TMC goons unleash the angst against their BJP karyakartas after the former’s poll victory

Political violence that was unleashed by TMC goons after the declaration of results to the West Bengal Assembly elections forced many BJP karyakartas and supporters to flee the state and take shelter in the neighbouring state of Assam. We reported how TMC thugs looted and vandalised houses of BJP workers, forcing them to leave the state.

BJP leader and the now CM of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma took to Twitter on May 5 to share pictures of several people who were forced to leave the state following purported post-poll violence and come to Assam. In a thread of Tweets, Sarma highlighted the plight of the refugees. Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that hundreds of people from Bengal, along with their family members have fled and reached Assam where they are being put up in shelters by the state government.

In fact, on the same day, Nandigram MLA and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari had also asserted that over a lakh people have already fled Bengal since the post-poll violence erupted in West Bengal from May 2, 2021.

Centre forms four-member fact-finding team to probe post-election violence in West Bengal

After the incidents of post-poll violence in West Bengal, the MHA constituted a four-member fact-finding central team to assess the ground situation in the state and submit its report on post-poll violence in the next 48-72 hours to the Union Home Ministry. The step was taken after repeated reminders to the Mamata Banerjee government to submit a detailed report on the post-poll violence, went unheard.

Coronavirus remains in human penis long after infection, may cause Erectile Dysfunction: US researchers

OpIndia Staff
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Coronavirus remains in human penis long after infection, may cause Erectile Dysfunction: US researchers

On May 7, US researchers published a paper in the World Journal of Men’s Health titled “COVID-19 Endothelial Dysfunction Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction: Histopathological, Immunohistochemical, and Ultrastructural Study of the Human Penis”, in which they demonstrated for the first time that Covid-19 could be present in the tissue of a human penis long after men recover from the infection. They discussed how it can lead to erectile dysfunction.

Ranjith Ramasamy, Eliyahu Kresch, Kajal Khodamoradi and Russell Saltzman et al. Department of Urology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA and other institutes noted that coronavirus infection could result in widespread blood vessel dysfunction or endothelial dysfunction that can lead to or contribute to erectile dysfunction.

Endothelial dysfunction can be defined as a condition in which the linings of small blood vessels fail to perform its functions normally. It results in the damage of the tissues that get blood supply from those vessels.

How the research was conducted?

The research was based on four subjects. The team of researchers found that Covid-19 was present in the penile tissue of 2 men who had been infected. However, it was not present in the 2 men who had no history of the infection. Both men had been infected by the Covid-19 virus for around six to eight months. Those who had the virus showed evidence of endothelial dysfunction, but the men who were free from the virus did not show such signs.

Ranjith Ramasamy, Associate Professor at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said, “Our research shows that COVID-19 can cause widespread endothelial dysfunction in organ systems beyond the lungs and kidneys. The underlying endothelial dysfunction that happens because COVID-19 can enter the endothelial cells and affect many organs, including the penis.”

He further added that in the pilot study, they found the men who did not complain of erectile dysfunction before getting infection had developed “severe erectile dysfunction” after the onset of the infection.

One of the men had to be hospitalised for Covid-19, while the second subject only had mild symptoms of the infection. The penile tissue was collected from these two men who underwent penile prosthesis surgery for erectile dysfunction. The tissue was also collected from other two men who underwent similar surgery but did not have a history of Covid-19 infection. The researchers analysed the samples for endothelial dysfunction as well as the presence of the virus.

The conclusion of the research

The researchers believe that similar to other complications related to the Covid-19 infection, subsequent endothelial dysfunction might result in erectile dysfunction. In some cases, it could be due to the presence of the virus in penile tissue itself, said the researchers. They came up with two hypotheses. They said, “First, similar to other complications related to COVID-19, ED can be the result of systemic infection resulting in widespread endothelial dysfunction. This is supported by our findings of endothelial dysfunction seen in men with COVID and ED. Second, we can also hypothesise that the worsening of these patient’s ED can be due to the virus’ presence within the cavernosal endothelium itself. This is best supported by our findings with TEM.”

The researchers believe that the patients should be aware of such complications. They said in the paper, “Patients should be aware of the potential complication of post-COVID-19 ED. Any changes observed in erectile function after infection should be followed up with the appropriate specialist for treatment and to help the further investigation into the condition. Future studies are needed to validate the effects of this virus on sexual function.”

Similar researches have been done in the past. In December 2020, Huffpost quoted Judson Brandeis, a urologist in California saying, “ED will become more common in anyone who has a severe COVID infection. COVID can hurt you in many ways, now add erectile dysfunction to the list.” While talking to Healthy Men Today, he said, “Erectile function is highly dependent on pressurized blood flow, which starts at the heart, pulses through the large arteries, and then flows through the small blood vessels. Conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and smoking cause damage to the inner lining of the blood vessels, which causes ED. So does COVID-19.”

He had further added that as the body has not seen this virus before, it launches a non-specific counter-attack to suppress the virus and hurt itself in the process particularly the endothelium, a delicate layer of cells that lines the blood vessels. This results in erectile dysfunction.

‘Just order Shaheen to attack’: Pakistanis want Imran Khan to use missiles and show off their nuclear power against Israel

OpIndia Staff
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‘Just order Shaheen to attack’: Pakistanis want Imran Khan to use missiles and show off their nuclear power against Israel

Pakistanis are an ambitious lot. As the Hamas and Islamic terrorists continue to attack Israel, Pakistanis are not only standing in solidarity with Palestine but also egging their Prime Minister to show it to the world how Pakistan is a nuclear state.

Pakistani Twitter user upset at not being able to do anything despite being a nuclear power country

On Wednesday, Khan took to Twitter to introduce himself as the Prime Minister of Pakistan and stood in solidarity with Gaza and Palestine while misattributing a quote to American intellectual Noam Chomsky.

Actually, Chomsky in a December 2012 article had attributed the above quote, “You take my water, burn my olive trees, destroy my house, take my job, steal my land, imprison my father, kill my mother, bombard my country, starve us all, humiliate us all, but I am to blame: I shot a rocket back.” to a man in Gaza who had written this on a placard.

However, a Pakistani citizen was irked and questioned Khan on what is the point of being a nuclear power country when the PM is just tweeting.

Pakistanis discussing nuclear attack on Israel

Another Pakistani tried to put sense on how just throwing a nuclear bomb at Israel may not be a good idea. To that, Ahmed Sheikh explained how he does not want Pakistan to use nuclear bomb, but just wants Imran Khan to threaten Israel.

Standing with Muslims first priority

Another Pakistani user asked why should Pakistan get involved in someone else’s’ war. To that, Sheikh said that it is a war of Muslims and standing with Muslims should be their first priority.

Another Pakistani, Bilal questioned the allocation to defence when missiles are not being used currently.

Pakistanis getting excited at using missiles on Israel

Bilal asked Khan, “Do we have these atom bombs and missiles to use as decoration at weddings?” He claimed that Pakistan spends so much money on defence, but today their ‘Qibla-e-Awwal’ (Al-Aqsa mosque) is in hands of ‘others’ and hence Khan should be ashamed.

To that, another Pakistani Twitter user said how the country need not use atom bomb but there are other weapons that can be used to help Palestine terrorists.

Pakistani wanting to use Shaheen on Israel

One Pakistani user demanded that Khan to use Shaheen 3 surface-to-surface missile against Israel. Its effective firing range is 2,500-3,000 kms. Distance from Pakistan’s Lahore to Israel’s Jerusalem is little over 5,000 kms. If fired, the Shaheen 3 missile is likely to fall somewhere in Iran.

Another Pakistani user asked the missile enthusiast to keep patience as if Pakistan shows aggression, Israel will start a world war.

Another Pakistani user was glad that she was not the Prime Minister of Pakistan and Imran Khan is as this is not time to get emotional.

Imran Khan appreciation tweet

The Twitter user said that Khan is thinking about the 22 crore Pakistanis and hence not taking any step emotionally.

“Do something”

Other Pakistani users also egged Khan to not only do condemnation but also to ‘do something’ and show bravery.

Meanwhile, Pakistan is currently struggling with its debt. Pakistan’s external debt increased by USD 3 billion in the six months ended in December 2020. Its total external debt stands at USD 115.7 billion.

Israel-Palestine conflict

Conflict between Israel and Palestine escalated when Palestinian terror unit Hamas fired multiple rockets at Jerusalem, and the Israeli Defense Forces responding back in kind. The main reason behind the current conflict is the Sheikh Jarrah property dispute, a dispute which can lead to the evictions of around 300 Palestinians from the East Jerusalem neighborhood.

Pakistanis, now wants to nuke Israel.

Kerala: Two more priests who had participated in the Church of South India retreat succumb to Covid-19

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Two more priests who had participated in the Church of South India retreat succumb to Covid-19

Two more Kerala priests who had participated in the Church of South India (CSI) annual retreat at Munnar in Kerala violating Covid-19 norms succumbed to the deadly Chinese virus on Wednesday.

Bino Kumar, the priest of Ambalakkala Parish in Thiruvananthapuram, and Y Devaprasad, priest of West Mount Church were undergoing treatment at Karakonam Medical College Hospital for the past three weeks.

This takes the fatality tally to four out of around 80 priests who were found to be Covid positive after the mass congregation held last month. Rev Bijumon, 52, the vicar of CSI church at Kazhukode near Vattappara and Rev Shine B Raj, 43, the vicar of CSI church at Punnakkamugal near Thirumala had died last week battling the Covid-19 virus.

The condition of many other priests who are currently undergoing treatment is said to be critical.

Details of the investigation

The news of 450 priests participating in the annual church retreat conducted in Munnar in April amidst the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic came as a shock. 

An investigation is on to probe the matter with the Idukki District Collector on Wednesday handing over the investigation report of the Devikulam sub-collector to the government.

The investigation report stated that the CSI church organised the gathering despite knowing that it was in violation of the Covid norms. The report also recommended stern action against offenders.

The blame game

The annual retreat is an annual conference of priests and community members which was held at the CSI Christ Church in Munnar this year from April 13 to 17 amid the second wave of coronavirus pandemic. 

As per a report, Jacob Mathew, secretary of Church of South India Trust Association and member of the Joint Christian Council, alleged that the directions of the government and council were ignored for organising the retreat.

Annual retreats of Central Kerala diocese and Kochi diocese were also postponed due to an increase in COVID cases. But the CSI South Kerala held the retreat without informing the state government, he alleged.

Refuting the allegations, TT Praveen, secretary of South Kerala Diocese of CSI, claimed that the infection was not spread from the retreat and blamed ‘vested interest’ for spreading ‘negative campaign’. 

He claimed that the retreat was organised as per COVID protocol and also had state government permission. While he admitted that some priests had tested positive for COVID, he maintained that the infection did not spread from the retreat. He claimed that the two priests died because of other illness they were suffering from.

Amidst COVID-19 crisis, Maharashtra govt spends Rs 6 cr in hiring agency to handle Ajit Pawar’s SM accounts, says DGIPR ‘lacks expertise’

OpIndia Staff
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Amidst COVID-19 crisis, Maharashtra govt spends Rs 6 cr in hiring agency to handle Ajit Pawar’s SM accounts, says DGIPR ‘lacks expertise’

At a time when Maharashtra is facing one of the worst crisis in the form of a deadly Covid-19 pandemic, the cash-starved Maharashtra government has earmarked nearly Rs 6 crore for the handling of the social media accounts and to boost the image of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, reports Times of India.

According to the reports, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra on Wednesday promulgated an order for appointing an external agency to handle the social media accounts of Deputy Chief Minister of Ajit Pawar. The Maharashtra government has allocated Rs 5.98 crore for the publicity of Ajit Pawar through the roping of private PR agencies.

The approval from the Uddhav Thackeray government to use taxpayers money to boost the image of Ajit Pawar comes at a time when the Maharashtra Treasury is in bad shape in the wake of the second wave of Covid-19 in the state that has ravaged the state’s finances.

The order signed by the Undersecretary of the general administration RN Musale said that the external agency would handle Ajit Pawar’s Twitter handle and accounts on Facebook, Blogger, YouTube, Instagram. The private agency will also handle the sound cloud, WhatsApp bulletin, Telegram channel and SMS.

DGIPR lacks expertise, external agency to hired for Ajit Pawar’s PR

According to the order issued by the Maharashtra government, the DGIPR lacks professional and technical competence to deal with social media, so it was felt that it would be appropriate if an external agency were hired for the purpose. The external agency will be appointed in consultation with the deputy chief minister’s secretariat and Directorate General of Information and Public Relations.

“It will be the responsibility of the external agency to ensure that key decisions and messages reach the people and that they are able to communicate with the DCM on his Twitter handle, Facebook, Blogger, YouTube, Instagram, sound cloud, WhatsApp and Telegram channel,” the order issued by the Maha Vikas Aghadi government read.

The private PR agency will release decisions taken by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who holds the Finance and Planning Department into the public domain and the meetings held by him with other departments.

The administration has directed that the external agency be selected from a list of agencies that are already on the DGIPR’s panel. It will be the responsibility of the DGIPR to ensure that messages on social media are flawless, the order stated. According to the government notification, it will be the responsibility of the DGIPR to make sure that there is no duplication of information released by the chief minister’s office and Dy CM’s office.

Last year in July, amidst the deadly pandemic, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had appointed an external agency for handling its social media account.

Meanwhile, a senior bureaucrat has questioned the appointment of an external agency for the image makeover of Ajit Pawar. “We have a full-fledged DGIPR with a total staff of nearly 1,200 and an annual budget of Rs 150 crore. Then why do we need an external agency for the promotion of the deputy CM?” the bureaucrat asked.

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