25 may 2021

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All DHs, CCCs to get State govt to set up 176-bed Covid facility at CIHSR dedicated power lines

Correspondent

KOHIMA, MAY 24 (NPN): Nagaland government has decided to set up the 176bed Covid hospital at Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research (CIHSR) campus, Dimapur.

The announcement comes days after chief minister Neiphiu Rio informed about the government’s decision to set up a “new 176-bedded Covid hospital in Dimapur” besides “emergency care facilities” for the medical fraternity. With this CIHSR will have a total of 280 beds-- 104 existing and 176 addition (dedicated to treat Covid patients).

Informing this at a press meet here at the secretariat conference hall Monday evening, High Powered Committee (HPC) on Covid-19 spokesperson and adviser Mmhonlumo Kikon said that even though there was financial stress, the government had prioritised its focus on welfare and protection of people. And once a dedicated Covid hospital was put in place, he said other essential medical services could be delivered without disruption like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, kidney

DC Dimapur on disposal of COVID19 dead bodies

(C) Mmhonlumo Kikon with Shanavas C and Dr, Nyan hung Kikon on Monday.

State govt taking utmost precaution on mucormycosis CM to inaugurate 30-bedded police referral hospital today State-wide total lockdown extension to be assessed disease and delivery cases as they need to be looked into from a holistic angle.

Kikon claimed that the State had already begun preparing for the third wave of Covid-19, adding that once the structure at CIHSR campus was completed, it could be used for a long time for the services of public.

Police Referral Hospital: Stating that the chief minister would inaugurate the 30-bedded Police Referral Hospital on Tuesday, the adviser said Rio would also visit the proposed 176bedded Covid hospital at CIHSR campus and also launch the PSA oxygen plant that would be operational by Tuesday evening.

Govt cautious about mucor mycosis: Even

Staff Reporter

This is it!

Staff Reporter

K Y M C

whether the government intended to extend lockdown after May 31, Kikon replied that the government would take a call based on transmission level, sample positivity rate and bed occupancy in Covid facilities, stressing that the current lockdown was necessary as hospitals were getting overwhelmed. He assured that the government would assess the situation and take appropriate measures.

On the lockdown helping in containing the spread of Covid-19, he remarked that its effect would be known after more than two weeks, adding that severe cases and deaths usually followed after an increase in the number of cases.

He said lockdown gave

like community surveillance for Covid-19-like symptoms and daily reporting

by ASHA, anganwadi and self-help groups, expanding rapid testing, community Covid care centres, ensuring isolation beds at all hospitals like community health centres (CHCs) and primary health centres (PHCs) with provisions for oxygen facility, intensive IEC campaign for Covid-appropriate behaviours and activation of all village task forces to be monitored by DTFs. Positivity rate drops by 2%: After the spike in Covid-19 cases in the past two weeks, Kikon claimed that the State’s positivity rate had dropped by 2% on Sunday and exuded confidence that the downward trend would continue before it was fully contained. But though the positive rate had come down in the past few days, he cautioned that such fluctuation did not indicate decline or decrease.

Random testing: On the status of random testing, Kikon said the State had tested around 2,000 random samples with a positivity rate of 20 % and the highest positivity rate was in Ko(Cont’d on p-5) hima.

(L) Tovihoto Ayemi during the meeting with department officials.

D I M A P U R , M AY 2 4 (NPN): State power department has decided to provide dedicated power lines to all the district hospitals (DHs) and Covid care centres (CCCs) in the state and ensure adequate power supply to all the Oxygen generating plants.

This was decided at a meeting convened by advisor power, H Tovihoto Ayemi at his residence in Dimapur and attended by chief engineer (D&R) Moa Aier and executive engineer (electrical).

Tovihoto reviewed and assessed the crucial role of the department during the pandemic.

At the meeting, it was also decided to assign exclusive team of linemen/

technicians on duty 24x7 to attend to emergency calls related to power in the Covid hospitals and centers. The department has assured to try its best to ensure power stability to all the hospitals/ CHCs /PHCs in the state.

He emphasised that despite the ongoing lockdown, the whole workforce of the power department was working round the clock to ensure proper power supply to all.

In this regard, advisor has appreciated all the department officers and staff for their dedication and hard work and also urged all staff to continue in their commitment to serve the department and the people with the best of their abilities.

Without human care, Covid State records 191 fresh Covid cases, 12 deaths beds alone cannot save lives

DIMAPUR, MAY 24 (NPN): As laid down in the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued

by Ministry of Health, the Dimapur district administration has reminded all responsible on the management and disposal of COVID-I9 dead bodies.

In an order, the deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur Rajesh Soundararajan stated that the identified dead bodies would be handed over to the relatives for proper burial after taking all infection control measures by the concerned hospital.

DC stated that the unclaimed dead bodies would be taken over by the SDRF for proper disposal.

However, in circumstances when the relatives were not in a position to take a COVID-19 positive dead body due to various constraints such as financial, logistics etc, the State Disaster Relief Force would assist in disposing the dead body.

In the case of needy or poor families not in a position to pay any incidental cost of disposing the dead bodies, the District Task Force would bear the expense/cost for the same.

“Lockdown has made people to become immobile but home delivery is booming.”

though there has been no case of mucormycosis in the State, Kikon said that the government is taking utmost precaution and has notified for prompt reporting and prevention.

The government’s main focus was on mucormycosis prevention through control of blood sugar in diabetics, judicious use of steroids and using clean water for humidifiers in oxygen therapy.

Kikon pointed out that drug-- Amphotericin B for treating mucormycosis was expensive and its production was being ramped up in the country, adding that state government had communicated the matter to the Union Health ministry.

Lockdown extension to be assessed: To a query

the government time for making necessary preparations like arranging vital commodities like oxygen.

No need to panic for oxygen: On the status of oxygen, Kikon informed the media that the cumulative availability of oxygen cylinders and concentrators in the State was 1,558 for all the districts, while 980 additional cylinders were available at the Chümoukedima depot.

By May 25 evening, he said 800 more cylinders would reach from Ahmedabad, assuring that the State was fully prepared to address the need of oxygen cylinders at both district hospitals and private hospitals where Covid beds have been made available. He claimed that the war room on Covid-19 led by chief secretary J Alam was constantly addressing any need for oxygen without delay and that there was no need for panic.

Rural area preparedness: He claimed that the government had held video conferencing with all district task forces (DTF) on preventing spread of the virus from urban to rural areas.

He said some broad initiatives have also been taken

D I M A P U R , M AY 2 4 (NPN): Dimapur has a total of 296 designated Covid beds spread over six hospitals including the district hospital Dimapur. Of these 40 were ICU beds, 192 oxygen beds, 25 non-oxygen and ten makeshift beds.

However, with an additional 176-covid bed planned under CIHSR, Dimapur district would have a total of 472 Covid- beds. Another patient said Covid attacks the lungs and quickly causes pneumonia and which requires oxygen. Sometimes, the queue for oxygen exceeds the capacity and many had to be refused admission.

Another aspect of Covid is that no patient is allowed attendant(s) inside the ward. The hospital staff are responsible for handing over food items but not feeding them. As most Covid patients suffer from loss of appetite and smell and most often weak, they find it very difficult to feed themselves especially when undertaking oxygen. Since hospital staff have to look after scores of other patients, feeding is

not in their line of work.

This has made condition of many Covid patients worse.

Another aspect has been the cost of medicines, X-ray and CT scan. “Covid bed capacity increase is welcome only hope there should be consideration for the people who cannot afford medicines or treatment” said one patient.

He claimed that he had to buy medicines worth around Rs.8000-9000 for a week-long course of treatment. Another doctor, on condition of anonymity wondered how many of those not admitted to hospital had died of Covid pneumonia? He pointed out that most Covid patients admitted to hospitals are local Nagas.

Dimapur has a huge population of non-Naga community including migrant labourers. He said if most of the labourers and immigrant workers suffering from Covid-19 were not seen in most hospitals, then where those infected with Covid were being treated at?

Covid fatalities are shooting up mainly despite hospitalisation since the damage to the lungs is rapid.

Many young people who

often don’t realize they’re already infected with Covid pneumonia, only rush to hospital after it’s too late.

The death toll due to Covid-pneumonia has left the society and in particular, the medical fraternity in a state of helplessness despite giving their best to save lives.

Saving lives also means caring for patients who cannot care for themselves. Perhaps there could be some ways where Covid patients could be looked after to beat the disease.

Transformer commissioned at CIHSR sub-station: Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) has successfully commissioned transformer at Referral Hospital (CIHSR) sub-station for reliable power supply to Oxygen plant and nearby areas.

The state government and Power department had urged POWERGRID to commission a 10 MVA transformer at Referral Hospital (CIHSR) sub-station, to reduce the instances of power interruptions and ensure efficient power supply to Nagaland’s only oxygen plant.

(Cont’d on p-5)

D I M A P U R , M AY 2 4 (NPN): Nagaland saw a marginal dip in Covid-19 positive cases on Monday 191 fresh cases were reported from across the state while the death toll also neared the 300-mark after 12 more fatalities were recorded.

Of the fresh cases, 67 were reported from Kohima, Dimapur-53, Tuensang-28, Mokokchung-25, six in Wokha, four each in Zunheboto and Mon, two

in Peren and one each in Kiphire and Phek, taking the total caseload to 20259.

State also recorded 12 deaths-- six in Dimapur and one each in Kohima, Longleng, Mokokchung, Mon, Phek and Zunheboto.

With this the death toll rose to 297-- 285 Covid deaths and 12 non-Covid but with Covid positivity.

PTI: Fresh Covid-19 infections in India dipped to 2,22,315, the lowest in

ANCSU appeals for regular power supply, internet service DIMAPUR, MAY 24 (NPN): With the Nagaland University (NU) three-year degree course examinations in BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA and BCA scheduled from May 27 to June 26, through online mode, All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) urged the responsible authorities to provide regular power supply and undisrupted internet connectivity to help students appear the exam comfortably.

ANCSU president Vimeyiekho Vitso and education secretary Keneitsituo Kense stated that during online mode of exam, the faculty and college authorities were being entrusted with “colossal responsibility.” In this regard, ANCSU said it acknowledged the “extraordinary service and sacrifices made for the success of examination in this unprecedented situation.”

around 38 days, pushing the total tally of coronavirus cases to 2,67,52,447, while the death toll crossed the 3-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.

The death toll climbed to 3,03,720 with 4,454 daily deaths, the data updated at 8 am showed.

India had registered 2,17,353 new infections on April 16. The active cases have further reduced to

27,20,716 comprising 10.17% of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 88.69%. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,37,28,011, while the case fatality rate has increased to 1.14%, the data stated.

India has administered more than one crore vaccine doses in the 18-44 age group, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.

‘Yellow Fungus’ case reported in UP NEW DELHI, MAY 24 (AGENCIES): After Black Fungus and White Fungus, a case of Yellow Fungus emerged in reports today even as AIIMS chief Randeep Guleria warned against the “confusion” created by giving fungal infection different colours based on how they infected the body.

A 45-year-old patient in Ghaziabad was found to have symptoms of Yellow Fungus, according to BP Tyagi, an ENT specialist quoted by news agency ANI. The same patient also had symptoms Black Fungus and White Fungus, said the report. “This fungus is found in reptiles. I saw this disease for the first time. Amphotericin B injection is used to treat this

disease ...”

According to Tyagi, as far as the symptoms of this disease are concerned, there remains sluggishness or lethargy in the body while there is less appetite, due to which the weight starts decreasing. Body wounds also heal very slowly.

Cleanliness is very important to avoid this disease, as infection starts due to poor hygiene.

AIIMS chief warns of confusion: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) chief Randeep Guleria, speaking at the government’s Covid briefing, said “many terms” were being used for fungal infections in Covid patients and these could be misleading and could create confusion.

(Cont’d on p-5)

Centre allows on-site registration Technical glitch at state’s lone oxygen plant in Dimapur for 18-44 age group at govt CVCs

DIMAPUR, MAY 24 (NPN): Amidst the rising demand for oxygen in hospitals, Nagaland’s only oxygen manufacturing plant BMA Liquid Air Oxygen/Cylinders located at Naga United Village here has become non-functional following damage of its main 200 KVA motor allegedly due to power fluctuation.

As the plant caters to almost all hospitals in Dimapur and few in other districts, there is a growing apprehension in some quarters that this could potentially lead to shortage of oxygen in the hospitals.

Talking to Nagaland

Post, BMA Liquid Air Oxygen/Cylinders proprietor Imti Aier said the main motor got damaged few days back due to continuous use to meet the ever-increasing demands for oxygen and also due to erratic power supply.

He, however, confirmed that with the assistance of the State government, a new motor had been airlifted from Kolkata and it was expected to arrive at Jorhat by Monday evening and thereafter transported to Dimapur by road.

He assured that once the new motor was installed, normal production of oxygen would resume likely by Wednesday.

Imti said the old motor

would take six to seven days to get repaired and would be kept as a backup in case of any emergency.

Earlier, a team of technicians from the Corps of EME of Indian Army stationed at 3 Corps, Rangapahar Military Station, assisted in carrying out repair works of the oxygen plant’s standby generator. The EME team had carried out the repair work from the night of May 22 to the morning of May 23.

In order to maintain cost, Imti pointed out that he was trying to avoid using the generator to run the machines.

He said using the generator would add up to the cost as

it consumed large quantity of fuel.

With higher demands from hospitals, he said constant power supply had become one of the main concerns for smooth production of oxygen and delivering it on time. Meanwhile, according to a staff at BMA, the plant gets around 13 to 14 hours of power supply, during which it can refill upto 150 to 170 D type cylinders (7 cubic metres) and around 300 to 350 B type cylinders (1.5 cubic metres).

He however said that the plant has the capacity to refill around 1500 to 1700 B type cylinders in a day with constant power supply.

NEW DELHI, MAY 24 (PTI): Onsite registration and appointment has now been enabled for the 18-44 years age group on the CoWin platform for COVID-19 vaccination, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.

However, this feature is being enabled only for government COVID Vaccination Centers (CVCs) at present, it said. This feature will not be available for private CVCs and they will have to publish their vaccination schedules exclusively with slots for

online appointments. This feature will be used only upon decision of respective states and UT governments.

States and UT must decide on opening of on-site registrations/ facilitated cohorts’ registration and appointments for 18-44 years age group based on the local context just as an additional measure to minimize vaccine wastage and for facilitating vaccination of eligible beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years, the ministry said in its statement.

Fully reserved sessions can also be organised for providing vaccination services to beneficiaries belonging to facilitated cohorts. Wherever such fully reserved sessions are organized, all efforts must also be made to mobilize such beneficiaries in sufficient numbers.

K Y M C

2 nagalandpost.com Poll Q.: Should the state govt p rov i d e f re e c ov i d medicines to the daily wage earners ?

state

WED 2021: Tree plantation drive launched in Mkg

NagalaNd Post, Dimapur TuESDaY, maY 25, 2021

Ch moukedima town receives water tanker

DIMAPUR: Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) funded water 100% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– tanker under the National 90% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Clean Air Program 202080% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 21 was flagged off by Chü70% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– moukedima Town Baptist 60% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Church (CTBC) pastor 50% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– after a dedicatory prayer on 40% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Monday.

30% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– In a press release, 20% –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– EAC and administrator –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 10% C h ü m o u k e d i m a t ow n 0% council (CTC), SeyiekhriA B C etuo Solo expressed grati99% A Yes. tude to NPCB and in1% B No. formed that besides the CTC members and others at the programme on Monday.

0% C Can’t Say. first and foremost purpose DC Mokokchung, Limawabang Jamir (4th from right) along with other dignitaries of controlling dust and air drinking water to all the period. lems of the general public Next Poll pollution, the CTC would wards under ChümoukeSeyiekhrietuo Solo caused by the increasing the theme “eco-system res- towards life”, while planting Q: Is self covid test kit be using the water tanker dima town on specified also informed that this water scarcity problem in toration”, was for humanity the saplings. going to be reliable ? to provide clean and free days during the lockdown would alleviate the prob- the town. to do their bit in restoring the Earlier, a short speech  Yes. damage they had inflicted was delivered by SP Po No. upon the environment. He lice, Vishal Chauhan, who lauded the police and armed acknowledged the sincere  Can’t Say. Correspondent forces for coming forward community conservation to protect the environment of forest in Mokokchung DIMAPUR: District administra- Monday. The vaccination drive was led for COVID patients, counseling by WEATHER tions and Civil Society Organisations by Yimchungrü Tribal Council (YTC) private practitioners and conducting MOKOKCHUNG, MAY alongside forest personnel. district.

FORECAST 24 (NPN): In view of the COVID sample testing in consultation While delivering the inAt the same time, he (CSOs) have been issuing directives president, S. Throngso Yimchunger.

Wokha: Wokha DTF for COVID- with higher authority.

MAy 25 “world environment day” troductory note, DFO Sen- advised the people against and information to the public in order It was also decided to continue (WED) which is celebrat- titula said that the plantation food wastage, over-hunting to stop further community spread. 19 held a review meeting on Monday (Temperature in ºC) Max Min Vaccinations and testing are also being at DC’s conference hall.

The meeting with the random Covid testing in the ed every year in June 5, drive would continue till the practices and to opt for was chaired by DC & DTF chairman, district. CMO informed that Christian Agartala Heavy rain and a thunderstorm 36 25 Mokokchung DC, Limawa- world environment day. home plastic management. conducted across the state.

Tuensang: The Tuensang dis- Orenthung Lotha.

Medical Centre (CMC) was designated bang Jamir launched a She informed that the The declaration of the Aizawl Some rain and a thunderstorm 31 21 trict health society (DHS) conducted According to DIPR report, due to treat regular patients since the dis“plantation drive” here, on target set for Mokokchung plantation drive was made Guwahati A strong morning thunderstorm 36 26 Monday, under the Mokokc- district was 40,000 tree plan- in the presence of DFO COVID-19 testing for the health to the increase in COVID-19 positive trict hospital was converted to COVID Imphal An afternoon thunderstorm 30 21 hung forest division on the tations and said that more Mokokchung, Dr. Sentitula, workers of DIO, (RCH & UIP) and cases in the district and while looking care centre (CCC).

The DC also appealed to all the Itanagar Warm; a stray morning t-storm 34 24 theme, “restoring forest could be planted if other SP Vishal Chauhan, CO 2nd UPHC Tuensang at CMO’s office on at the possibility of COVID related Monday. deaths, the meeting deliberated on hanpublic to be aware of the procedure and conservation & livelihood” departments, organisations NAP Alichen, B Achetla Shillong An afternoon t-storm or two 26 18 DMO Tuensang, Apheang in- dling of COVID dead bodies in case of follow the SOPs for everyone’s safety. in partnership with police & and individuals came forAo, NPS and CO 23rd AsKohima A thunderstorm in spots 28 18 CHS: Chümoukedima Hindu Soarmed forces at Marepkong ward to be a part of the sam Rifles, Col. Raj Kumar formed that altogether, 20 samples such eventualities.

Dimapur A stray morning thunderstorm 34 24 were collected on Monday.

In this regard, the DC requested ciety (CHS) has urged the Hindu comforest nursery. noble venture to restore and Bishnoi.

Mkg Cloudy; a t-storm in the p.m. 29 19 Meanwhile, 18-44 age groups re- the CMO to constitute a committee for munity of Chümoukedima jurisdiction While launching the conserve nature.

Later, the Mokokchung plantation drive, DC LiDr. Sentitula also said forest division presented ceived the first dose of COVID-19 vac- disposal of COVID related death. For to avail the vaccines as they were the Tuensang Cloudy with a stray t-storm 21 16 mawabang Jamir informed that individuals, depart- “cupressus sempervirens”, cines at district hospital Tuensang on transportation, the DC informed that only defense during the pandemic.

Wokha A t-storm around in the a.m. 29 22 Its working president Pintu M that WED 2021, which ments and organisations to the dignitaries for adop- Monday. Altogether, 169 beneficiaries ADC & administrator, Wokha town Zunheboto Humid; a morning thunderstorm 26 17 were vaccinated. council had made the arrangements Ghosh has requested all to get vacwould be celebrated under should also “adopt the tree tion.

At Shamator PHC, 61 beneficia- which could be used on payment of the cinated. ries for the first phase dose of COVID- existing prescribed rate.

CHS has informed anyone re19 vaccine were registered.

The meeting discussed feasibility quiring guidance or assistance may According to DIPR, more than 50 involving private hospitals/clinics and contact CHS officials at 8787541729, registered persons were vaccinated on nursing homes on reserving 50% beds 7005660499 and 7005236659.

DIMAPUR: Appreciating Kuhuboto health centres. It the chief medical officer vene and deliver necessary the state government for an- said that there was no supply (CMO) Dimapur to provide facilities to Niuland and nouncing additional incen- of face masks, face shields, better facilities at the two Kuhuboto. tives for healthcare workers, gloves, sanitisers, PPE kits health centres in the interest WSYF assured to asthe Western Sumi Youth and adequate oxygen at two of the citizens of the two sist Team Dimapur in all “... forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the Front (WSYF) has, how- healthcare centres areas. possible ways as and when ever, sought better facilities The youth body WSYF said that the needed. prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.“ Philippians 3:13-14 at Niuland and Kuhuboto claimed that Niuland had nodal officer Y Kikheto Meanwhile, the youth A life lived short but your kind deeds & memories you have created will be alive and cherished forever... health centres. only three oxygen cylinders Sema and his team during front has appreciated the WSYF through its me- while Kuhuboto had only their visit to Niuland had tireless services rendered by dia cell expressed deep con- two. witnessed the “pitiable state the frontline workers especern over the lack of basic WSYF has, therefore, of the health centre”. In this cially the healthcare workfacilities for the healthcare urged the Dimapur dis- regard, WSYF has appealed ers across the state during workers at Niuland and trict task force (DTF) and to the nodal officer to inter- the pandemic.

Mokokchung targets 40, 000 plantations

Meeting, advisories and information on Covid

WSYF seeks facilities at Niuland, Kuhuboto health centres

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

LATE KAVITO KINNY

Born : 01.04.1984 – Died : 18.05.2021 The family members of Late Kavito Kinny would like to convey our deepest thanks to all who stood by us in our moment of grief at the sudden demise of our beloved son, husband and brother.

Our sincere gratitude to :• Church staff & members of East Dimapur Sumi • Nikuto Ghami Kuposhukulu Dimapur Baptist Church Purana Bazar, Dimapur • United Revival Fellowship, Dimapur • Shri Manjit Singh, Circle Head & colleagues • GMS Padampukhuri, Dimapur Punjab National Bank Jorhat Circle Office • Lumami Baptist Church • All India Punjab National Bank Officers • Nagaland University Christian Fellowship and Association Jorhat Circle NU staff • Punjab National Bank, Dimapur Branch • Mr. Vikram, Padam Enterprise, Jorhat • Principal, faculty, staff and student families, • Mr. Akato & family, LIC Jorhat Eastern Theological College, Jorhat.

• Er. David Achumi, High School Colony, Purana • Women Fellowship, ETC Jorhat Bazar, Dimapur • Mr. Rukuzo Ruho, ETC Jorhat • High School, College and Post Graduate batch • Mr. Atokhe Aye ADC Dimapur mates • Neighbours and friends, Middle colony & High • Sulimi Kumula High School Colony School colony Purana Bazar • Mr. Lukhei, GB Middle Colony, Purana Bazar, Dimapur Though we are unable to mention and thank every individual, please accept this as our personal thanks and appreciation. We thank you all for the sympathy, prayers, generosity and love. It is our prayer that our Almighty loving God return all the favours with His unceasing blessings DP-2518

K Y M C

DP-2516

Loving Wife, Parents, Siblings and In-Laws K Y M C

Train passengers flee to skip COVID-19 test

Visual of passengers rushing out of the station.

GUWAHATI, MAY 24 (AGENCIES): In an act of recklessness or paranoia, or both, over 400 train passengers who arrived at a railway station in Assam on Sunday forced their way out of it premises apparently to avoid being tested for COVID-19.

Mostly migrant workers, including women and children, they had travelled by the Kanyakumari-Dibrugarh Vivek Express that had set off from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and traversed Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal over five days.

The incident took place at the Jagi Road station, around 60 kilometres from Guwahati. A video of the event, doing the rounds on social media, shows the passengers rushing en-masse out of the railway facility even as the police and railway officials look on.

While the Assam government has made Covid19 test for train passengers compulsory on their arrival, the video media shows how passengers rushed en-masse out of the station even as the police and railway officials looked on and could hold

back only a handful of those who had disembarked.

The incident seemed like a replay of a similar one that was reported in Bihar last month. Dozens of people, some with young children, had back then rushed out of a railway station in Buxar fearing Covid testing.

Assam yesterday reported nearly 6,000 fresh Covid cases, taking its overall figure of infections to over 3.65 lakh. It also registered nearly 80 deaths related to the pandemic putting the state’s overall fatalities at 2,667.

3

Northeast

NagalaNd Post, Dimapur TuESDaY, maY 25, 2021

Tripura tribal man brews tea from bamboo leaves AGARTALA, MAY 24 (PTI): Taking a cue from China and Japan, a tribal entrepreneur in Tripura has prepared a refreshing beverage from bamboo leaves -- what he has named as ‘Bamboo leaf tea’ -- drawing traders from other states, who are willing to market the product not just within the country but also abroad.

Samir Jamatia, a 36year-old bamboo technologist from remote Garji village in Gomati district, had lived in China for many years, while also extensively touring Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, as part of his job, and during the course of his stay, he carefully studied the process that goes into making of the brew.

The beverage, “rich in anti-oxidants and antibiotic properties”, has gained the attention of tea connoisseurs and traders, with exporters from as far as Tamil Nadu evincing interest in the product, he said. Jamatia, a member of Bamboo Society of India, had earlier, too, made valuable contributions for the production of rice from the grass -- grown in abundance in Tripura.

Samples of the bamboo leaf tea have been purchased

by traders from Delhi and Madurai, he said.

“A consignment of 500 kg tea has been supplied to an exporter from Delhi, who is marketing the product abroad. Another trader from Madurai came down to Tripura and lived here for three days to learn the production process. He, too, plans to export the tea to the UK and Germany,” the entrepreneur noted. Currently, one kilogramme of ‘bamboo leaf tea’ is being sold for Rs 120, he said.

Explaining the procedure for collection and production of the beverage, Jamatia said the planters have to be very careful while picking the leaves, as only the “young and tender ones” are used to make the tea.

The brew can be made from 30 varieties of bamboo, but ‘kanak kaich’ is best suited for the purpose, he pointed out.

“The leaves are dried in the sun for at least seven days in a greenhouse and then hand-rolled to break them into pieces or are ground to dust,” Jamatia explained, further adding that the tea tastes best with a hint of lemon and a spoonful of sugar.

Akhil Gogoi ‘mentally unfit’ to attend the Assembly : Assam CM

Akhil Gogoi (L) and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma (R).

GUWAHATI, MAY 24 (AGENCIES): Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday made a controversial remark against Raijor Dal’s President and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi during the final Assembly session, reports The Sentinel Assam.

The CM claimed that Gogoi is “mentally unfit” to attend the Assembly session. CM Sarma further said that Gogoi is undergoing treatment for the mental illness since four months at Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH).

While replying to the discussion on Governor Jagdish Mukhi’s speech,

ONGC employee Retul Saikia narrates ordeal in ULFA-I captivity G U WA H AT I , M AY 24 (AGENCIES): Like the countless night shifts he had worked since he joined the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) as a production engineer, the night of April 20 started out no different.

But by the end of it, 38year-old Retul Saikia was led out of his workplace of five years in handcuffs, shoved into a vehicle and driven off into the night by armed militants of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) (ULFA-I).

A month later, on Saturday morning, Saikia was released by the militants at Longwa, in Nagaland’s Mon district, near India-Myanmar border, and handed over to a team of Assam Police, Nagaland Police and the Assam Rifles. “I can only be grateful,” Saikia told The Indian Express from his home in Borholla, Jorhat, adding: “I never thought I would see them but I am

Retul Saikia, back home with his wife and son. (Express)

finally back with my family…my old parents, my little son.”

Saikia said that April 20 had started out as a regular night at the rig, located in the Lakwa field of Sivasagar district. “My mind was on other…happier things; my son was born four months ago, my wife and I were planning his annaprasana. Plus, I had worked so many night shifts before. Nothing had gone wrong then.”

Saikia recalled that towards the end of the shift, masked men appeared and handcuffed him. “There were other employees too

and we were all made to kneel down. The older workers who were close to retirement were let go.

But they picked three of us, seeing we were younger and relatively healthier,” he said.

“It was terrifying. We had no idea what was happening, who they were, but later seeing their fatigues, we realised it could be the ULFA-I,” he said.

Along with Saikia, two other employees, Mohini Mohan Gogoi and Alakesh Saikia — also in the production department — were driven off in a company-owned am-

bulance, which was later found abandoned near the Nimonagarh jungles, close to the Assam-Nagaland border. On April 23, three days into the abduction, an encounter between the state security forces and the militants ensued, following which Mohini and Alakesh were rescued.

Saikia, however, remained captive. “There were bullets flying everywhere during the encounter and suddenly I felt someone pull me away. I had no idea I was the only one in captivity for so long,” said Saikia. “In the jungles, I could not tell night from day. I would spend agonising hours thinking about my son’s laugh, or worrying about my parents. I was completely cut off.”

He said that they kept moving around in “thick forests” staying in temporary tin shelters. His captors did not speak to him much but “treated him well, giving him food and medicines.” “One time, the

AR apprehend Myanmar national with heroin

KOHIMA, MAY 24: Serchhip Battalion of 23 Sector Assam Rifles, under the aegis of Headquarters Inspector General Assam Rifles (East), recovered 120 grams Heroin No-4, in general area Ngur in Mizoram on May 24.

A press release by HQ IGAR (East) stated that theT operation was carried out by a joint team of

Assam Rifles with 20 FIT/3 FID (DGAR FIU) along with Customs Preventive Force Champhai based on specific information.

The approximate cost of the recovered Heroin (No-4) is Rs 48,00,000 as the Customs Preventive Force Champhai who seized the contraband item.

They also detained one Myanmar national.

Racial slur on Arunachal MLA might land Youtuber in jail

Paras Singh

ITANAGAR, MAY 24 (AGENCIES): A case has been registered against Punjab-based YouTuber Paras Singh for using a racial slur against former Arunachal Pradesh MP and sitting Congress legislator Ninong Ering and inciting ill will and hatred towards the people of Arunachal Pradesh, reports East Mojo.

YouTuber Paras Singh, who goes by the name ‘Paras Official’ on his YouTube channel, has allegedly termed “Ering as a non-Indian and Arunachal Pradesh, a part of China,” K Y M C

in one of his videos posted on Sunday.

Reacting to EastMojo story, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said a case has been registered against Mr. Paras under s 124A/ 153A/ 505(2) IPC. “Based on the video that aims at inciting ill will and hatred towards the people of Arunachal Pradesh, @ArunachalPolice has already initiated action,” the chief minister said. The CM added that the Youtuber’s social media accounts were being thoroughly investi-

gated by authorities for details about his activities.

“Technical resources are being employed to gather his current whereabouts,” tweeted Khandu. Paras made the comments while reacting to a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Ering recently, wherein the latter had asked the PM to ban the re-launch of PUBG Mobile India’s new avatar Battlegrounds Mobile India.

Meanwhile, in a video posted on May 24, Paras Singh uploaded a video to his Paras Official Youtube channel titled “Sorry Arunachal Pradesh .”

In the video, Singh apologises for his mistake and claims that he had no idea that so many people will be offended by his words, and says that if he knew, he would have never said it.

Later on Monday, another video was uploaded on Paras Official Youtube channel titled “mere bete ko maaf kardo” (forgive my son), in which Singh’s mother is seen crying and apologising for the comments made by her son.

Earlier, an FIR was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by Ninong Ering, in which the MLA said: “This is not acceptable at all and it has hurt the sentiments of the entire North East and especially Arunachal Pradesh.”

chief Paresh Barua called and he told me that he had nothing personal against me, but only the company I worked for. He said that once they (ONGC) fulfilled the conditions, I would be freed.”

Ever since its inception, the ULFA has had a history of extorting money from extractive companies in Assam.

In December 2020, the ULFA-I and Myanmarfaction of NSCN (K) had abducted two employees of the Quippo Oil and Gas Infrastructure Limited from Kumchaikha hydrocarbon drilling site near Innao in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. They were released after three months in captivity.

Earlier this month, the ULFA-I had issued a set of demands to three public sector oil firms (OIL, ONGC and IOCL) asking for a 95 per cent quota in jobs for indigenous Assamese, and appointment of a qualified indigenous

person to the post of managing director, among others things.

However, it was after Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s formal appeal to the ULFA-I chief that Saikia was released. CM Sarma has also been appealing to the outfit to return to the mainstream.

In 2011, the ULFA (which was formed in 1979) split into two factions — pro-talks and anti-talks.

The latter, Barua’s faction, renamed itself ULFA (I) in 2013 and currently operates out of the jungles in Myanmar.

Saikia spent 15 years as a mechanical engineer in a firm in Pune before he got the ONGC job in 2016. “I have been away from Assam for very long.

Of course, when we were younger, the ULFA was active, but in recent years, such incidents are rare…I never thought something like this could have happened to me,” he said.

Sikkim: Over 100 monks test positive for COVID-19

GANGTOK, MAY 24 (AGENCIES): In Sikkim, nearly 100 Buddhist monks tested positive for coronavirus. According to officials, the state government is closely monitoring each and every Buddhist monastery, reports The Sentinel Assam.

Thirty-seven Buddhist monks from the Dharma Chakra Centre in Rumtek Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 30 kilometers from Gangtok, tested positive.

After more than 61 monks tested positive for COVID-19, the Gunjang Monastery in Sikkim has been declared a containment zone before further orders. The monks have been relocated to Saramsa Garden, which serves as an isolation centre.

Robin Sewa, Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Gangtok said, “The monastery has been declared as containment zone that would restrict any movement.

The other monks of the monastery and those who have come in contact with them are also being traced and tested.” As the cases of the novel coronavirus keep skyrocketing and spiraling out of control with every passing day, the government of Sikkim further extended the ongoing lockdown for another week.

As of Sunday, the Himalayan state reported 324 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the total caseload in the state to 13,132. In the last 24 hours, Sikkim reported three COVID-19 induced fatalities, taking the total death count in the state to 224, as per the notification from the state health department.

The Himalayan state now has 3,317 active cases, with 9,381 people having recovered so far, according to the notification of the state health department.

East Sikkim has 204 new cases, West Sikkim has 69, and South Sikkim has one (51).

Meanwhile, according to data updated on Monday by the Union Health Ministry, the number of infections in India fell to 2,22,315, the lowest in nearly 38 days, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases to 2,67,52,447 and the number of deaths to over 3 lakh. The death toll rose to 3,03,720, with 4,454 daily deaths , according to data updated at 8 am.

the CM said, “Akhil Gogoi has been undergoing treatment at GMCH since four months due to his mental and psychological issues. How can a person like him be allowed to attend the Assembly session?” He also alleged that the Sivasagar MLA had flouted all COVID norms and protocols as he met many people at the Assembly on the first day itself. “It was a sign of a psychological patient,” CM Sarma added.

It is to be mentioned that the CM refuted the previous statement made over the transportation for Gogoi for his travel to the Assembly from GMCH on Friday. As he said that

it was the responsibility of the government to bring Gogoi in the Assembly by maintaining proper COVID safety protocols.

On Friday, Gogoi was bought to the Assembly from GMCH in a bus and was taken back to the hospital later in the day after the oath taking ceremony.

Further, he showed his displeasure on the way he was bought to the Assembly from the hospital without following any COVID protocol and alleged that he was misbehaved and was pushed from behind.

“The way I was bought to the Assembly, it’s a disrespect to the Assamese community...the government can kill me but can’t stop my voice,” said the jailed MLA while interacting with reporters. Gogoi also vowed to work for the development of the Sivasagar constituency and would not let it stop. “Democracy has been murdered, this is fascism. The police opted for violence instead of a peaceful interrogation,” he added.

However, the threeday Assembly session concluded today.

Manipur’s Covid-19 fatalities cross 700-mark

Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAY 24: Manipur’s daily COVID-19 recoveries exceeded the new confirmed cases even as the fatality tally crossed 700mark with 17 deaths on Monday.

Since the second wave hit the state in the last week of March this year, the state has been witnessing a gradual downward trend in the recovery rate.

However, on May 21, the state witnessed the recoveries exceeding the daily infection and for the second time, against 538 new infections, a total of 611 patients were discharged upon recuperation, as per the daily update report of the state health department.

A total of 17 persons, including five women lost their lives battling the dreaded virus in the state in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative number of deaths due to the COVID-19 in the

state to 705.

The twin capital districts continued to share the maximum number of casualties with seven each from Imphal West and Imphal East district. The other victims were from Bishnupur, Kakching and Thoubal districts.

The twin districts also continued to share the maximum number of fresh infections with 202 in Imphal West and 164 in Imphal East. The two districts were the most affected region of the state both in terms of infection and casualty.

The 538 new cases confirmed were from 2,600 samples that took the state’s cumulative caseload to 44,627 cases.

Adding today’s 611 discharges, the cumulative number of recovered cases in the state stood at 37,478 with 83.98 recovery rate.

The state currently has 6,444 active cases, out of which 90 were CAPF personnel.

Manipur to screen truckers for Covid-19 at Mao gate

Correspondent

IMPHAL, MAY 24: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, who toured three hills districts on Monday, reviewed the initiatives undertaken by the district administrations to contain the spread of COVID-19 in each district.

In one of the review meetings convened at Senapati district headquarters, the chief minister assured setting up a Covid testing facility at Mao gate bordering Nagaland, exclusively for the drivers entering the state through Mao along NH-2.

The chief minister reviewed the entire management of Covid pandemic in the district with the top officials of the district administrations including DC, SP and MO (Medical Officer) of the district. Some ministers, MLAs and leaders of the CSOs based in the district also attended the meeting in which discussed various measures to curb the number of Covid infections in the district were discussed.

It was decided in the meeting that the government will set up one oxygen plant at Senapati and to provide three more ambulances apart from the one handed over today in the district.

The state government also agreed to increase the number of ICU beds to 10 and to provide four more ventilators. The chief minister handed over a BLS ambulance and 10 oxygen concentrators to the district.

After the review meeting, the chief minister also interacted with some of the COVID-19 patients in the district and doctors through video conference. The chief minister

thanked the doctors and the healthcare workers for their selfless service while asserting that they have done a great job ever since the pandemic broke out. He also appealed to the frontline warriors to serve the patients with utmost dedication.

Earlier, the chief minister began his tour at Ukhrul district headquarters where he chaired a review meeting at Ukhrul Mini Secretariat to monitor the overall management of the second wave of the pandemic in Ukhrul and Kamjong district.

After hearing the problems and difficulties being faced by the district administration in taking up measures to contain the spread, the chief minister ensured adequate supply of oxygen in the two districts.

Singh further declared that TK Woodland tourist resort in Ukhrul will now be converted into a Covid Isolation Hospital equipped with 75 beds and 10 ventilators.

The move will enable accommodation of more serious patients from both Ukhrul and Kamjong district.

The facility will be ready by May 29, the chief minister assured. The chief minister who toured the three hill districts by chopper concluded with a review meeting held at the headquarters of Tamenglong district.

In the meeting here, the chief minister discussed various matters of importance including setting up of a PSA oxygen plant capable of producing 200 cylinders per day and delivery of three new ambulances for the district. The chief minister further handed over another 10 oxygen concentrators for the district during his visit to Tamenglong district.

K Y M C

4

OPINION/EDITORIAL

Nagaland Post Vol. XXXI No. 168 DImapur, TuESDaY, maY 25, 2021

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Divisive agenda

or too long have people like Yoga guru ramdev, the face of one of india’s biggest consumer goods and alternative medicine empires, been thumbing their nose at conventional allopathic medicines and got away. ayurveda, the traditional indian medicinal system remains the most ancient yet living traditions with sound philosophical and experimental basis. unfortunately, due to lack of scientific validation in various concepts, evidence-based research is highly needed for global recognition and acceptance of ayurveda, which needs further advancements in the research methodology.

However this time, ramdev who had insulted allopathic medicine by calling doctors as murderers for failing to save lakhs of lives due to covid-19.His video that went viral was a clip where he spoke against allopathy in presence of union minister of health and family welfare Dr.Harsh Vardhan. The ima took it up seriously and Dr Vardhan stood by the ima. The ima sent ramdeva legal notice that demanded a written apology and withdrawal of the statements. it said ramdev had damaged the reputation of practitioners of allopathy and modern medicine when they are striving to save lives during the pandemic. ramdev had courted controversy during the pandemic earlier as well. Flanked by union Health minister Harsh Vardhan and union transport minister Nitin Gadkari, ramdev had launched what he called the “first evidencebased medicine for COViD-19” in February,2021. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had to issue a clarification saying it had “not reviewed or certified the effectiveness of any traditional medicine for the treatment COViD-19 after ramdev said his medicine called Coronil had been cleared by the agency. Evidencebased research is highly needed for global recognition and acceptance of ayurveda, which needs further advancements in the research methodology. Despite it not being at par with allopathy in terms of scientific research, proven efficacy and global acceptance ayurveda cannot be marketed by self-acclaimed quacks. Since 2014, when the BJp was elected to power, it has upgraded a government department for alternative medicine to the ministry of ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (aYuSH), and more than tripled its annual budget to almost $290 million. This unfair preferential treatment is good politics and business but scientifically there is still much to be done. unfortunately, while pursuing political interests riding on the wheels of religion and ancient medical beliefs, many ruling party leaders are in effect doing a great disservice to ayurveda and other ancient indian medicinal practises. mp from madhya pradesh pragyaThakur, claims she drinks cow urine, also known as ‘gaumutra’, every day and in doing so has protected herself from COViD-19 infection. in 2019 too, she claimed that her cancer had cured due to consumption of cow urine and some mixed ayurvedic herbs. another BJp mLa from up Surendra Singh had claimed that consumption of 50 ml cow urine mixed with a glass of water can build natural immunity from covid-19 virus. Dilip Ghosh, a Lok Sabha mp and West Bengal BJp president had stressed on the consumption of cow urine to stay healthy. Suman Haripriya, BJp mLa from Hajo assembly constituency of assam said COViD is an airborne disease and can be cured by cow urine and cow dung.Dr Harjit Singh Bhatt, ex-president aiimS resident Doctors association, described the claims as preposterous and absolute propaganda used by the ruling government to feed on the religious beliefs of people for its agenda.

dailydevotion The Delight of Despair

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.

—Revelation 1:17 It may be that, like the apostle John, you know Jesus Christ intimately. Yet when He suddenly appears to you with totally unfamiliar characteristics, the only thing you can do is fall “at His feet as dead.”

There are times when God cannot reveal Himself in any other way than in His majesty, and it is the awesomeness of the vision which brings you to the delight of despair. You experience this joy in hopelessness, realizing that if you are ever to be raised up it must be by the hand of God. “He laid His right hand on me…” (Revelation 1:17). In the midst of the awesomeness, a touch comes, and you know it is the right hand of Jesus Christ. You know it is not the hand of restraint, correction, nor chastisement, but the right hand of the Everlasting Father. Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it gives inexpressible peace and comfort, and the sense that “underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27), full of support, provision, comfort, and strength. And once His touch comes, nothing at all can throw you into fear again. In the midst of all His ascended glory, the Lord Jesus comes to speak to an insignificant disciple, saying, “Do not be afraid” (Revelation 1:17). His tenderness is inexpressibly sweet. Do I know Him like that?

Take a look at some of the things that cause despair. There is despair which has no delight, no limits whatsoever, and no hope of anything brighter.

But the delight of despair comes when “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells…”

(Romans 7:18). I delight in knowing that there is something in me which must fall prostrate before God when He reveals Himself to me, and also in knowing that if I am ever to be raised up it must be by the hand of God. God can do nothing for me until I recognize the limits of what is humanly possible, allowing Him to do the impossible.

Quotes

Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind. ~ Johannes Brahms

NagalaNd Post, Dimapur TuESDaY, maY 25, 2021

Post-mortem

Country’s medical system needs a revamp D uring the continuing Covid pandemic, one fraternity, which has been eulogised for its dedication and services in India, is the medical fraternity. Till date as per the Indian Medical association (IMA), 1017 doctors have died during the current pandemic since last year.

The actual numbers may be higher as the doctors’ association only keeps a record of doctors registered with it.

India has more than 12 lakh practicing doctors.

Though every Indian is appreciative of the doctors and para-medical staff for their commitment to their profession and their unparalleled services to the needy, yet the overall medical system in the country seems to have collapsed and this forces us to ponder and analyse the reasons for this and its plausible answers.

India’s Health Budget It may not be wrong to say that since independence though India’s defence budget has grown at an annual average rate of 9%, with India being the 3rd largest military spender in the world in 2019, its spending on health sector has been coming down.

It is a fact that the government’s spending on health sector in India has been stuck at around 1% of GDP for close to 15 years.

In 2004, the Government of India made a commitment to raise public spending

on health to at least 2-3% of GDP over the next five years. That did not happen.

A similar commitment was reiterated in the 2017 National Health Policy, which commits to increasing public spending on health to 2.5% of GDP by 2025. Till now, we have not seen signs of any significant increase in health spending by the government.

The allocation for health in the Rs 20-lakhcrore ($260 billion) stimulus package announced by the central government last year on May 12, amounts to only 0.008% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The package in reality incentivises the private health sector, whose contribution has been negligible during the pandemic. It is reported that private hospitals, handled less than 10% of the critical load of COVID-19 patients, besides charging an exorbitant price for treating COVID-19 patients.

Since Independence, though the successive governments built a robust system of a primary health centre in big villages and densely populated localities, supplemented with a District Hospital in every district of the country.

However, over the years this system has been led to rot and collapse, due to the pressure from the business lobbies, which made entry into the healthcare system of the country by 1990.

Basic infrastructure in the form of primary health care included maternal and child health care and family welfare services. Specialised health services were provided through government hospitals in the urban areas.

Though since 1951 the number of doctors in India has increased nine times.

Yet, due to the population growth the average number of doctors per ten thousand population has increased only by three times.

In addition, India has fared poorly in its universal health coverage (UHC).

This is the barometer by which every developed or developing country is judged as to how professionally, emphatically and proactively the respective governments provide medical care to its citizens. UHC is critical to ensure that all, especially the most vulnerable and marginalised groups, such as women, daily labourers, homeless and migrants are cared for and attended to medically at the least or negligible cost. The United Nations has included achievement of UHC by 2030 in its Sustainable Development Goals and proclaimed December 12 as the International Universal Health Coverage Day. The Planning Commission in 2010, guided by the high-level expert group on UHC for India, envisioned UHC as a means to ensure that all people and communities could access

preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services of assured quality.

However, we can’t say with confidence that India has been able to achieve any parameters of the UHC. What ails our medical system?

Maybe, the current scenario of the poor medical system in the country has arisen due to the crass commercialisation of the healthcare sector in India, from education to management.

First, medical education was made expensive and then the corruption seeped in. This assured seats at the medical colleges for the undergraduate courses and post-graduate courses being allotted to people with deep pockets through the discretionary management quota of the private medical institutes, which mushroomed throughout the country.

Though the medical student or future doctors seemed committed professionally to the ethics and professional standards of their profession, but in reality they too had to recoup the investment, once they became active professionally.

Secondly, the corporates hospitals, which lured doctors at big salaries, further muddied the waters.

They were governed mostly with strict corporate policies of generating more business for the management,

which was guided only by the profit generation of his enterprise.

Further, an impartial analysis will reveal that the generalists’ bureaucrats, not the professional doctors manage every sector connected with providing health care facilities in the country. In such a scenario everything becomes expensive and a source of corruption.

India, which is known as pharmacy of the developing nations, is famous for its counterfeit medicines also.

Added to this is the fact that the people who manage Drug Pricing are not professionally qualified. This further leads to seeping corruption and inflating prices, which might be 400-500% of the actual production cost. Additionally generic drugs are not encouraged in the country, so ultimately a patient my have to shell out a bigger price for a product which might have cost a few rupees to manufacture.

The mushrooming of private speciality and multispeciality hospitals across the country has also led to treatment getting costlier, as these hospitals are guided more by the profits than providing welfare or cure.

Way forward To provide universal medical aid to every citizen of the country at the lowest cost we’ll have to restructure the whole medical system of the country. First, we’ll have to ensure that medi-

cal education is in government’s hand not with private institutes. Secondly, after becoming a certified doctor, through statutory guidelines every doctor should be made to work at a primary healthcare centre, which will make him more aware of the people’s troubles and also make him more emphatic to his patients.

Thirdly, drug pricing should be through a fair and transparent mechanism and should be focussed at providing the drug at the least cost to the patients and to generate not unhealthy but reasonable profits for the manufacturer. Fourthly, there should be strict laws against pharmaceutical companies approaching individual doctors at hospitals to help promote their products. Lastly and most importantly, the government should ensure that the management and administration of hospitals is in government’s hands and not the private sector, so as to ensure providing cost-effective medical facilities to every citizen of the country.

Overall, we may not be able to come out of this vicious cycle of corruption and nepotism, till the time we are able to give the reigns of managing the country’s healthcare system in the hands of the professionals instead of the bureaucrats. asad mirza The writer is a political commentator based in New Delhi.

Will COVID-19 third wave hit children The Elusive Peace: Ceasefire hard? Health ministry issues guidelines a step in the right direction?

T

T

hese guidelines are gap. be administered in rapid he situation has become incredible. concerned, empathetic etc. categorised on the basis Children suffering progressive disease.

There lies the difference.

Credibility has lost its meaning in of severity of the infec- from COVID-19 should However, this is not Thus if the powers that be follow the the present situation. What with a tion: mild and asymptomatic, not be given any antibiotics required for all children full scale war in the Middle East amidst the course of religion in that sense, it diffuses moderate and severe. during home isolation. with moderate illness, es- pandemic scare, peace has become elusive. faith, concern and humanity, and loses its With medical experts Warm saline gargles pecially in the first few days Peace has been elusive all through history. direction for good governance. outlining the possibility of are advised for cough. of illness.

Credible Conscience Vs Incredible At this time it has become so because of children being far more Ensure intake of oral Supportive COVID- various reasons other than the credible ones. Boost for self Image vulnerable to COVID- fluids to maintain hydra- 19 care for comorbid con- As it has been all through, it has been politiIt is in these situations, the powers 19 infection in the ‘third tion, as well as a nutritious ditions, if any. that be need to think, and think ahead, cal, economic, religious and so on. wave’, the Union Health diet.

Although it has been said that all is fair recognise and address too by prioritizing Severe cases Ministry has listed guideAccording to the As per the guidelines, in love and war, it has not been so. War is the things to do, There lies good leadership lines for COVID-19 treat- guidelines, “Maintain an SPO2 level of below 90 aggression, invasive, biased and political. and governance. There lies the recognition ment of kids. monitoring chart includ- in children will be termed Wars do not solve problems - be it of territo- of reality, the reality of the suffering people, These guidelines are ing counting of respira- as a serious case, and such ries, borders, migrants or that of economic poverty, lack of vaccines etc., and in listencategorised on the basis of tory rates two to three patients should be admit- factors. Even if wars cease, would it bring ing to the people.

Anticipating, recognizing and adinfection severity: mild and times a day, look for blu- ted to a dedicated COVID- about peace; would pandemic cease then, would it bring normalcy? Would cease of dressing problems being secondary for the asymptomatic, moderate ish discolouration in any 19 hospital. lockdown, shortage of medical facilities, powers that be, the government at least and severe. Notably, the Re- body parts or extremities, “They may have se- vaccines etc., help bring about normalcy needs to listen to the people - to reason liance Foundation recently urination patterns, oxygen vere pneumonia, acute re- and security? and rationalize decisions and implement stated that Mumbai’s Sir saturation, fluid intake and spiratory distress syndrome Visible Enemy Vs Invisible Invader the same.

HN Reliance Foundation activity level, especially for (ARDS), septic shock, Win-Win Situation Vs Course CorIt is increasingly realised that it is one Hospital (RFH) has scaled young children.” multi-organ dysfunction rection thing to encounter a visible enemy than an up its operations towards moderate infection The powers that be unrealistically aim management of adult and If the age of the child syndrome or pneumonia invisible one as the contrasting situation for a win-win situation be it the elections or with cyanosis. of Israel vs Palestine war and the Covid paediatric COVID-19 pa- is less than two months old the pandemic situation. But it is not such an Clinically, such chil19 virus has shown.

The handling of each tients. and the respiratory rate is easy situation as the pandemic has brought of these has been unique one you deal dren may exhibit sympGuidelines for COVID- higher than 60 breaths per about innumerable problems - awash of with conventional and aerial missiles, toms such as grunting, 19 treatment of children minute. dead bodies in the holy Ganga; cattle doing asymptomatic and If the age of the severe chest congestion, rockets etc., while the other is dealt with rounds in hospitals, shortage of vaccines, social, biological, chemical and medical lethargy, prolonged drowsmild cases child is between two to oxygine, medical facilities etc.

Children with mild or 12 months and the respira- iness and seizures. Such means and norms. As for the handling of Instead of building medical facilities, the pandemic nothing much said is better. asymptomatic infections tory rate is higher than 50 children should be admitGovernments and leaders of countries have one would never think of building up an ted in a dedicated COVIDmust be treated at home. breaths per minute. failed miserably to assess, recognise and image - building up a Parliament house or The guidelines add that If the age of the child 19 hospital/ secondary/ encounter the pandemic, and India is no a PMs house in this situation. “children with underly- is between one to five years tertiary level healthcare exception. Shedding crocodile tears, sayOne cannot win all the time either. Of ing comorbid conditions and the respiratory rate is facilities”. ing pravachans, blocking aids, exporting course in politics there is never a defeat in Treatment for severe vaccines, and so on is no good. Instead of that sense. One cannot bulldoze actions including congenital heart higher than 40 breaths per cases disease, chronic lung dis- minute. prioritizing things, even continuing with without underlining it with reason, nor Corticosteroids: Dex- the Central Vista project, building up the do mere pravachans only without actions eases, chronic organ dysChildren above the function, obesity may also age of five having a respi- amethasone 0.15 mg/kg sagging hairy image and ignoring the reality help. be managed at home.” ratory rate higher than 30 per dose (max 6 mg) per is no good either.

A leader in this situation should help Children infected breaths per minute. day.

Alas! The enemy in the Middle East instill hope, courage and trust, but then if with COVID-19 may show All the children in the A n t i v i r a l a g e n t s : was a visible external one while the enemy he or she shows helplessness, sheds tears slight symptoms such as above age group should Remdesivir granted for here has been not the pandemic but the and shirks responsibility, would he or she fever, cough, hampered have an oxygen saturation EUA (Emergency Use Au- powers that be - internal, mismanaging the be a leader at all?

Trust and hope, good reason will breathing, body ache and level of more than 90. Such thorisation), to be used in resources, planning and implementation. prevail and the government willl listen to loss of taste and smell. cases should be treated in a restricted manner within religion Vs Faith Some children may a designated COVID-19 three days of onset of The problem probably starts when reason and the people at large, and the show symptoms of gastro- health care centre. religion gets communal building up on media to set right its course. symptoms after ascertainintestinal problems.

Treatment for moder- ing that the child’s renal hatred, and divides the society as us and arun Kumar Wesley arun.wesley2010@gmail.com Infected children are ate cases and liver functions are nor- them. While faith in probability is humane, also showing Multi-system Paracetamol 10-15 mal, and to be monitored Inflammatory Syndrome mg after every four to six for side-effects.

(MIS-C). It results in a hours.

The guidelines specifibody temperature of more Electrolyte intake cally mention that “there is than 38 degrees Celsius. needs to be maintained. no role of HydroxychloroMIS-C, which can If the child is unable quine, Favipiravir Ivermecresult in multi-organ dys- to eat food, start fluid tin, lopinavir/ritonavir, function, is usually seen therapy.

Remdesivir, Umifenovir, Sir, weeks after the peak of If a strong bacteriimmunomodulators inWhile appreciating the efforts of the government, the frontline workers and COVID-19 infection, and al infection is detected, is potentially life-threat- Amoxycillin can be ad- cluding Tocilizumab, In- the assistance extended by the Churches in fighting the second wave of the deadly terfero Bia, convalescent pandemic, I would also like to urge our people to co-operate as well. Since the ening. ministered.

Treatment for mild For those with oxygen plasma infusion or dexam- advent of the lockdown, we have seen a drastic change in the COVID-19 charts of cases saturation level below 94 ethasone in the treatment the state as well. The numbers of positive cases in the State are decreasing daily Children can be given percent, supplementation of children with moderate as we speak. Therefore, let us all remain hopeful, stay indoors at all cost, be extra infection. cautious and undertake all precautionary measures to beat this disease.

Paracetamol 10-15 mg, is required.

Sendong ao, Dimapur with a four-to-six-hour Corticosteroids may Firstpost Health News Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.

Reader’s Post Let us remain hopeful

‘Yaas’ intensifies into cyclonic storm likely to cross odisha-Bengal coasts on May 26

B H U B A N E S H WA R / KO L K ATA , M AY 2 4 (PTI): A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into cyclonic storm ‘Yaas’ and is likely to cross the Odisha-West Bengal coasts on May 26 after turning into a very severe cyclonic storm, the MeT Department said on Monday.

‘Yaas’ is likely to cross the Odisha-West Bengal coasts between Paradip and Sagar Islands around noon on May 26 as a very severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds of 155-165 kmph, Kolkata’s Regional Meteorological Centre Deputy Director Sanjib Bandopadhyay said.

The system lays 540 km south-southeast of Paradip in Odisha and 630 km south-southeast of Digha in West Bengal on Monday morning and is very likely to move north-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday and into a very severe cyclonic storm by Wednesday morning, the MeT Depart-

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NagalaNd Post, Dimapur TuESDaY, maY 25, 2021

Workers anchor a motor boat in river Ganga ahead of cyclone Yaas in Kolkata, Monday. (PTI)

ment said. The West Bengal government has opened control rooms at state secretariat Nabanna to monitor the cyclone and its fallout, an official said.

The coastal districts of Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South and North 24 Parganas, along with Howrah and Hooghly will experience light to moderate rainfall in most places with heavy to very heavy downpour at one or two places from May 25 owing to the system, the weather-

man said. On May 26, the spread and intensity of rain will increase with the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall in Jhargram, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly and Kolkata, according to the MeT Department.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government on Monday relaxed the coronavirusinduced lockdown and allowed shops to remain open in 10 coastal districts from 7 am to 1 pm on May 24

and 25 so that people get more time to buy essential items before the impact of the cyclone. The shops were earlier allowed to remain open between 7 am and 11 am on weekdays due to the lockdown.

The Odisha government has deployed rescue teams and is chalking out plans to evacuate people from vulnerable areas, a senior official said. The state government has deployed National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Di-

saster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and Fire Services personnel anticipating maximum impact in Balasore and Bhadrak districts, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Jena said.

IMD Director General Dr Mrutunjay Mohapatra, better known as the ‘Cyclone Man of India’, said, “Four coastal districts of Odisha -- Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur -- are likely to be most impacted by the cyclonic storm.” Mohapatra said that apart from wind blowing at 120-165 kmph velocity, Odisha will also experience heavy rain. Jena said residents of low-lying areas will be evacuated to safer places and the district administrations have been asked to be prepared for a large-scale evacuation of people.

The SRC, who personally supervised preparedness in Balasore and Bhadrak districts, instructed authorities to take more buildings into possession to maintain social distancing among evacuees.

State govt to set up 176-bed covid facility at cIHSR

(From p-1) On whether random test would be conducted for jail inmates, drugs abusers, etc, Kikon remarked that random testing depended on availability of human resources as it was an additional burden to the existing sampling system.

He said random samplings would continue in high-risk settings that were a threat to the community- like shopkeepers, taxi drivers, etc, adding that this would continue as a strategy to contain spread of the virus.

He said the State was conducting 1000-1300 Covid tests per day on an average, while random testing among risk-prone groups was still continuing.

Availability of resources: He said the State had received 1,400 vials (100mg) of Remdesivir from the MoHFW till date and would receive more in the days to come.

Kikon said the State currently had 1,18,050 doses of vaccine in stock distributed across the districts.

He pointed out that most of these doses were reserved for the second dose, but since the MoHFW had extended the timeline of vaccination for second dose,

any missed frontline worker or healthcare worker or anyone in the eligible category would now be vaccinated on a mission mode.

He said the State had set aside a separate budget and placed orders for vaccines according to the requirement, adding that vaccination was taking place in all the districts.

NHAK delivering essential services: On alternate arrangement after NHAK was converted into Covid hospital, Kikon said the hospital was still delivering essential services to the community, adding that only some wards were reserved for Covid-19 patients.

He said alternate arrangements would be made when necessary like in the previous year, pointing out that depending on the number of cases, a measured approach was being taken to ensure essential health services at NHAK was not compromised during this time.

Vacancies: On the issue of non-availability of doctors in PHCs and CHCs, the HPC spokesperson said currently there were 40 junior grade vacancies of medical officers and 12 senior grade posts, while eight were on

After Moderna, Pfizer says no ‘Yellow Fungus’ case... Madurai couple ties knot mid-air to avoid covid-19 restrictions to Punjab on vaccine supply CHANdIGARH, MAY 24 (IANS): After Moderna, another Covid-19 vaccine manufacturer Pfizer has refused to send direct vaccination to Punjab, citing its policy to only deal with the Central government, state Nodal Officer (Vaccination) Vikas Garg said on Monday.

He said the company, in a communication to the state, said: “Pfizer is working with federal governments across the world to supply its Covid-19 vaccine for use in national immunisation programmes.

“Our supply agreements at this time are with national governments and supra-national organisations with allocation of doses and implementation within the country being a decision that governments take based on relevant health authority guidance. This approach

Pfizer has followed across the world,” the pharma major said.

Garg said various vaccine manufacturers, including Sputnik V, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, were approached for direct purchase of Covid vaccines, as per the directions of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to explore possibilities of floating a global

tender for the procurement of the vaccines.

He said the reply from Sputnik V and Johnson & Johnson was awaited.

The state was forced to stop vaccination for Phase I and II categories in the last three days because of nonavailability of the vaccine.

Punjab has so far received about 45.3 lakh vaccine doses from the Centre.

Transformer commissioned at cIHSR sub-station (From p-1) Responding to the call, POWERGRID team swung into action and within two days successfully commissioned the Power Transformer at 7.30 p.m. on May 22.

According to the Ministry of Power, the new power transformer commissioned

by POWERGRID at 33/11 kV Referral Hospital would add to the power system reliability of BMA’s Liquid Plant situ-

ated at Naga United village, which was earlier fed by 5 MVA Transformer. By commissioning the transformer, quality power was now available to oxygen plant round-the-clock through 11 kV outgoing Rongmei feeder of Sub-station.

The installation work was completed

by POWERGRID engineers during the lockdown, as part of the North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP).

covaxin may get WHO nod soon, says Bharat Biotech

NEW dELHI, MAY 24 (AGENCIES): Though no country has instituted a vaccine passport as yet, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Monday assured Bharat Biotech full support from the Indian diplomatic establishment in securing approvals of WHO and important countries as it might become a necessary travel document in future. Bharat Biotech has already submitted 90 per cent of the documentation required for emergency use listing (EUL) to WHO and the remaining is expected to be submitted by next month. There was a flutter after Bharat Biotech’s vaccine was not included in the WHO’s first list of vaccines for EUL. It is felt that these authorised vaccines will be mandatory in future for air travel between countries.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that countries have their own requirements for approval, which in most cases involves travel by carrying a negative RT-PCR report. A majority of countries are yet to adopt vac-

cine certificates as a travel document as important as the visa. During a meeting with Bharat Biotech team lead by its MD V. Krishna Mohan with senior officers of the Ministry of Health, Department of Biotechnology and MEA. On the issue of WHO’s authorisation for EUL, Krishna Mohan was confident of getting WHO’s EUL given its experience of getting its other vaccines prequalified by WHO. Bharat Biotech informed the officials that it is in regular touch with regulatory authorities in these countries and are confident about the robustness of their dossier, as they have data for much longer duration – for antibody persistence after six months as well as eight months. It is one of the few companies that have published papers on all four Covid virus variants. Covaxin had already received regulatory approval from 11 countries. There was also interest from 11 other companies in 7 countries for technology transfer and production of Covaxin.

(From p-1) “Naming the same fungus based on its colours, depending on the area of infection, creates confusion,” he said. “In general, the types of fungus that we are mostly seeing are Mucormycosis, Candida and Aspergillosis.

Mucormycosis is being found more in cases where Covid is compounded with steroids and diabetes. This is generally seen in sinuses - we call it rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis. They are found in the nose, sinuses and may enter the brain. Occasionally they are found in lungs - pulmonary mucormycosis and sometimes in the gastrointestinal tract,” Dr Guleria said. Candida, according to Dr Guleria, was seen in those with weak immunity and those on immune-suppressants. “White patches are seen in oral cavities and the food pipe. The tongue might also become white.

Might infect other places like the private parts. It may spread to the blood,” he said. The Candida infection has been linked with White Fungus in recent reports. It affects the lungs and is less deadlier than Black Fungus, according to doctors. It can also affect nails, the skin, stomach, kidneys and the brain. The least common is Aspergillosis, which affects the lungs and may cause allergic reactions. “It is called allergic bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis. It creates cavities in the lungs and harms them,” said Dr Guleria.

C H E N NA I , M AY 2 4 (AGENCIES): Marriage ceremonies across India have been put on hold due to the coronavirus lockdown.

A couple from Madurai tied the knot on a flight maiking, it possible their near and dear ones to be present at the ceremony.

Reportedly, the couple Rakesh and Dakshina booked a chartered flight from Madurai and tied the knot when the plane was above the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. There were 161 guests who ‘attended the wedding’, three times more than the officially allowed 50 guests by the Tamil Nadu government.

In the viral video, Images and videos of the midair wedding were circulated on social media on Monday.

The images and videos purportedly show people standing extremely close to each other and showering the

NEW dELHI, MAY 24 (IANS): Amid shortage of vaccines, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday attacked the government saying it is not “serious” about it.

Rahul Gandhi tweeted on Monday, “Vaccination is the key to controlling the pandemic but GOI doesn’t seem to care.”

His remark came on a day when the government informed that more than 1 crore people of 18-44 age group were ad-

Farmers heading for Hisar in large numbers. (Tribune)

and the assurance that the administration gave them.

The leaders said that their protest against the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Jannayak Janata Party will continue. Ugraha said that the administration has also promised to compensate farmer activists whose vehicles were damaged in the May 16 clash.

The meeting came after a standoff between farmers and the district administration after farmers threatened to gherao the mini secretariat. A massive build-up of protesters from Hisar and adjoining districts put au-

couple with flower petals as they tied the knot. DGCA has initiated investigations on mid-air marriage. It has sought a full report from the airline & Airport Authority.

SpiceJet crew is off rostered.

Airline directed to lodge complaint against those not following COVID appropriate behaviour with relevant authorities.

“A SpiceJet Boeing 737 was chartered by a travel agent in Madurai on May 23 for a group of passengers for a joy ride post their wedding. The client was clearly briefed on Covid guidelines to be followed and denied permission for any activity to be performed on-board,” SpiceJet said in a statement.

Vaccination key to controlling pandemic: Rahul

Hisar adm agrees to withdraw criminal cases against farmers HISAR, MAY 24 (AGENCIES): Hisar administration has agreed to withdraw all criminal cases against farmers within a month, farmer leaders said on Monday after talks between the two sides over last week’s clashes.

An 11-member farmer delegation led by Rakesh Tikait have been holed up with police and district administration officials at the mini-secretariat to resolve the deadlock over a clash with police in the district that left several wounded on both sides last week.

The clash broke out just before Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was to visit the city to inaugurate a new Covid care centre.

Among prominent farmer leaders who attended the meeting were Rakesh Tikait and Joginder Singh Ugraha, Gurnam Singh Charuni, Yudhvir Singh, and Abhimanyu Kohar. Also present were some women activists.

Farmer leaders said they were satisfied with the conclusion of the meeting,

Video posted on social media shows a packed plane, mid-flight.

thorities on the tenterhooks in the town.

While the town turned into a virtual fortress with heavy deployment of police, the force has so far not restricted the farmers from entering the town.

A farmer, Ramchander Kharab, from Ugalan village died of heart failure in Hisar.

He was here to participate in the protest demonstration.

Around 1,000 farmers gathered at the Krantiman park located on the Matka Chowk. Farmer leaders, including Rakesh Tikait and Gurnam Singh Charuni, have also reached the town.

ministered vaccine under the ongoing drive.

However many states have complained about shortage of vaccines and companies have refused to give directly to state governments.

The achievement was made within 23 days of the implementation of the Liberalized and Accelerated Phase-3 strategy of Covid-19 vaccination that was started on May 1.

study leave and another eight on deputation.

He said the H&FW department had already posted 56 medical officers in junior grade category immediately to fill up the gaps, adding that 12 senior grade posts were also under active consideration.

Vaccination not mandatory: Meanwhile, IDSP nodal officer Dr Nyan Kikon clarified that the vaccination drive was being undertaken as per the guidelines of MoHFW and that it was voluntary, not mandatory.

Free Covid treatment in DHs: Kikon said Covid treatment was free in all district hospitals as in the previous year.

State yet to take call school fees: On Supreme Court’s directive to educational institutions to reduce fees, school education principal director C Shanavas, who too was present, said the State government was yet to come out with its policy on the matter.

To another query, Shanavas replied that online classes could not replace the classroom, but since safety was more important, he said the department was not in a rush to resume normal classes.

compensation to covid victims kin: Sc seeks reply

NEW dELHI, MAY 24 (AGENCIES): The Supreme Court on Monday sought response from the Centre on a plea seeking compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the families of those who have died from coronavirus.

A Vacation Bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and M R Shah also asked the Centre to place before it the ICMR guidelines on issuance of death certificates for Covid-19 victims, saying there should be uniform policy for issuing such documents.

The apex court was hearing two separate pleas seeking directions to the Centre and states to provide compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the families of coronavirus victims as provisioned under the Disaster Management Act of 2005, and a uniform policy for issuance of death certificates.

The Bench said unless there was a uniform policy for issuance of any official document or death certificate stating that the cause of death was Covid, the kin of the victims would not be able to claim benefits of any compensation scheme, if given.

The Bench posted the matter for June 11 and asked the Centre to file its reply by then.

VACANCY THE HANS FOUNDATION invites applications for posts given in table below on contract basis for a period of one (1) year. These may be renewed every year up to 5 years depending on individual performance.

Sl. Name of Place of No. of Monthly Qualification No the Post Posting Posts remuneration Tizit CHC 1 MBBS from recognized 1. Medical institution/university under Pessao Officer 1 MCI Act PHC Tizit CHC 3 As applicable B.Sc. Nursing or GNM from to contractual 2. Staff recognized institution under Pessao Nurse staff of 3 INC Act PHC equivalent post Tizit CHC 1 of the State Degree/Diploma (2 years) Ray 3. X from recognized Government/ Pessao Technician course 1 NHM in the institution/university.

PHC Tizit CHC 1 State of Degree/Diploma in OT Nagaland and OT 4. Technician Tech from recognized Pessao specific to the 1 institution/university.

PHC location.

Tizit CHC 1 DMLT from recognized 5. Lab. Pessao Technician institution.

1 PHC Note: 1. Annual CTC for the Medical Officer is likely to be in the range of Rs 6.6 lac to 9 lac and for the Staff Nurse in the range of Rs 3 to 4 lac and Technicians in the range of Rs 2.5 lac to 3.5 lac depending on qualification and experience.

Deserving cases may be considered for other incentives.

2. Applications be submitted with relevant documents and full bio-data only on email thfneregion@gmail.com by 12 Jun 2021.

3. Shortlisted candidates shall be called for interview at Tizit or Pessao. Date and place will be communicated through email and phone number provided in the application.

4. For any queries, applicant may contact on mobile number 9366552001 on working days between 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

5. Preference shall be given to applicants with work experience.

6. Selected candidates may be placed either at Tizit or Pessao both places in Mon District, Nagaland. They may also be called upon to perform duties at any other place in the state for short durations of up to 3 months.

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INS Makar locates tugboat Varaprada

MUMBAI, MAY 24 (PTI): Navy ship INS Makar on Monday located tugboat Varaprada seven days after it went adrift in the Arabian Sea during Cyclone Tauktae fury, an official said.

“Divers are trying to locate trapped Brave Nature’s Victims (bodies) if any,” a Navy spokesperson said.

All the 274 personnel who were on board barge P305 that sank and tugboat Varaprada that went adrift during Cyclone Tauktae fury have been accounted for with the recovery of 16 bodies along Maharashtra and Gujarat coasts, the official said.

“A total of 274 crew were reported missing on May 17 (261 from Barge P305 and 13 from Tug Varaprada). While 186 survivors from P305 and two from Varaprada were picked up at sea, 70 mortal remains (bodies) were recovered at sea by ships of Indian Navy and Coast Guard,” the Navy

SAR ops for the missing crew of Barge P305 & Tug Varapradha, specialised diving teams onboard INSMakar with side scan sonar sailed out from Mumbai. (PTI)

Lockdown extended in Bihar till June 01 PATNA, MAY 24 (PTI): The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar on Monday extended COVID-induced lockdown by seven days till June 1, and asked its ministers to refrain from hitting the streets while the state was under lockdown as their tours could have an “adverse affect on compliance of the restrictions by common citizens. Lockdown has been in force in Bihar for nearly a month and was to be effective till Tuesday.

Regarding direction to the ministers, a communication issued by the cabinet secretariat department made it clear that restrictions on travel extended to “all districts” including those which happened to be under a ministers “prabhaar” (charge) or home to his or her assembly constituency. The communication was issued as an addendum to a notification issued on Sunday.

NagalaNd Post, Dimapur TuESDaY, maY 25, 2021

Sputnik V production starts in India; 100 mn doses to be produced annually NEW DELHI, MAY 24 (PTI): Domestic pharma major Panacea Biotec in collaboration with Russian sovereign wealth fund RDIF has begun the production of ‘Sputnik V’ COVID-19 vaccine in India, according to a joint statement issued on Monday.

As announced in April, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) - which markets the vaccine internationally, and Panacea Biotec agreed to produce 100 million doses per year of Sputnik V in India.

The first batch of the COVID-19 vaccine produced at Panacea Biotec’s facilities at Baddi in Himachal Pradesh will be shipped to Russia’s Gamaleya Center for “quality control”, the joint statement said.

Full-scale production of the vaccine is expected to start this summer, the statement said, without disclos-

spokesperson said.

“Eight bodies have been recovered along the coast in Raigad district of Maharashtra and another eight bodies washed ashore the Gujarat coast near Valsad,” he said.

Thus all the 274 crew (261 on board P305 and 13 on board Varaprada) have been accounted for, he said.

The final confirmation will be pending till the identi-

fication of all the bodies recovered is completed, he added.

Rescue personnel had recovered 70 bodies, believed to be of P305 personnel, in the sea till Sunday.

With 16 bodies washing ashore, the death toll in the tragedy at sea could rise to 86, another official said. As of now, the official death toll stands at 70 pending identification of the bodies

washed ashore.

INS Makar, a Navy survey catamaran equipped with side scan sonars, located the wreckage of P305 on Saturday in the vicinity of where it sank on May 17.

The Navy had also deployed specialised diving teams to boost the search and rescue (SAR) operations. The SAR operations haven’t been call off yet, the spokesperson told PTI.

Gujarat clash: FIR registered against over 2,000 people

Rajasthan extends lockdown to June 8

Delhi Police conducts raid at Twitter India offices over ‘toolkit row’

NEW DELHI, MAY 24 (AGENCIES): Delhi Police has finally raided the Twitter India office in Lado Sarai, Delhi and Gurgaon after sending a notice to it over a “manipulated media” tag used on tweets alleging a Congress “toolkit” against the Central government.

Further details into the matter are awaited. Earlier in the day, Delhi Police sent a notice to Twitter, seeking an explanation from the microblogging site on what grounds it tagged BJP spokesperson SambitPatra`s tweet on the alleged Congress toolkit designed to target the Central government as `manipulated media`.

The Delhi Police Special Cell asked Twitter to explain the rationale and share all the information on how it described the toolkit as manipulated media.

“The Delhi Police is enquiring into a complaint in which clarification is

sought from Twitter on the classification of a tweet by SambitPatra as `manipulative`. It appears that Twitter has some information that is not known to us on the basis of which they have classified it as such,” the Police said in the notice sent to Twitter. “This information is relevant to the enquiry.

The Special Cell, which is conducting the enquiry, wants to find out the truth.

Twitter, which has claimed to know the underlying truth, should clarify,” the notice added.

Earlier, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology had written to Twitter objecting to it tagging some of the posts on an alleged Congress “toolkit” against the Central government, as “manipulated media”.

It asked Twitter to remove the tag as the matter is pending investigation before a law enforcement

No. 9926 Yesterday’s solution No. 9925

Su do ku

No. 4546 Yesterday’s solution No. 4545

No. 3570 Yesterday’s solution No. 3569

Across 1. Spheres (6) 7. Cherish (8) 8. Secure from risk (4) 10. Shorebird (6) 11. Metallic element (6) 14. Boy’s name (3) 16. Of the nose (5) 17. Biblical garden (4) 19. Wooden peg (5) 21. Restrict (5) 22. Cloth made of flax (5) 23. Vend (4) 26. Number (5) 28. Person’s residence (3) 29. Foolishness (6) 30. Salty (6) 31. Horse’s gait (4) 32. Enough, sufficient (8) 33. Larder (6) Down 1. Thick oil (6) 2. Signal fire (6) 3. Let it stand (4) 4. Rifle attachment (7) 5. Contagious viral disease (5) 6. Oyster gem (5) 8. Painful (4) 9. Gave food to (3) 12. Chum (3) 13. Artist’s stand (5) 15. Celestial body (5) 18. Unfashionable (5) 19. Racket (3) 20. Be victorious (3) 21. Syrup-like medicine (7) 22. Star sign (3) 23. Lounge (6) 24. Revise (4) 25. Room for manoeuvre (6) 26. Indian instrument (5) 27. Adder (5) 28. Standard (3) 30. Pace (4)

agency.The BJP, on May 18, slammed Congress for an alleged “toolkit on COVID-19 pandemic”.

Addressing the media, BJP spokesperson SambitPatra claimed that the toolkit has instructions for social media volunteers of Congress to call the new COVID-19 mutant the “Indian strain” or “Modi strain” against the World Health Organization`s (WHO) instructions. The complaint was made after remarks

by BJP leaders on social media with the hashtag #CongressToolkitExposed in which they accused Congress of spreading “false, negative news and stirring up discontent”.

world.”

Sputnik V was registered in India under the emergency use authorisation procedure on April 12, 2021, and vaccination against coronavirus with the Russian vaccine started on May 14.

Domestic drug major Dr Reddy’s Laboratories on May 14 had said that as part of a limited pilot, the soft launch of the Sputnik V vaccine has commenced and the first dose of the vaccine was administered in Hyderabad.

“Efficacy of Sputnik V is 97.6 per cent based on the analysis of data on coronavirus infection rate among those in Russia vaccinated with both components of Sputnik V from December 5, 2020 to March 31, 2021,” the statement said.

Till date, Sputnik V has been registered in 66 countries, it added.

IN THE COURT OF DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE WOKHA : NAGALAND NOTICE

S/C No. 44/2021

NOTICE INVITING CLAIMS/OBJECTIONS OF OTHER CLAIMANT(S) FOR ISSUE OF SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE UNDER PART-1 OF INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT 1925.

Whereas application under Succession Act 1925 for grant of Succession Certificate for the estate/pension benefit of Late Woremo A. Humtsoe has been applied by Shri. Yanithung Humtsoe, S/o. Lt. Woremo A. Humtsoe, Wokha, Nagaland for possession of : 1. SBI A/c No. 20076702774.

2. Service Claims and benefits.

Notice is hereby given that any person having interest in the administration of the estate/pension benefits of the said deceased may, if she/ he so desire appear in this Court on or before 20/06/2021.

Given under the hand and seal of the court on this day the 20/05/2021.

Sd/- District & Sessions Judge Wokha : Nagaland WC-104

OFFICE OF THE

DIMAPUR UNGER SENSO TELONGJEM FELICITATION

ACHIEVERS ACADEMY Registration started for NPSC CSAT-MADE-EASY Series Registration ends : 29th May ONLINE Class Starts : 1st June For DETAILS, Contact 9378129625/9366942624

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bottles, the official said.

When police intervened to control the mob, the rioters attacked them, injuring six personnel, including Assistant Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Jat, two sub-inspectors and three constables, an official from Nava Bandar Marine police station said.

The police had to lob several teargas shells to control the mob, he said.

An FIR was registered against 47 named and 1,500 to 2,000 unidentified people from both the communities late Sunday night under IPC Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 332, 333 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt to public servant), 337, 338 (hurting with negligent act endangering human life), 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 and 148 (rioting), he said.

Efforts were on to arrest them, the official said.

PRIME PROPERTY FOR SALE

Residential and Commercial Landmark (PWD) Colony, Dimapur Contact : 7630803977

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GIR SOMNATH, MAY 24 (PTI): Police have registered an FIR against nearly 2,000 unidentified people on charges of attempt to murder and rioting after members of two communities clashed with each other here in Gujarat, leaving six policemen and around a dozen other people injured, an official said on Monday.

The FIR also names 47 other persons for similar offences in connection with the incident that took place on Sunday, he said.

The clash broke out at Nava Bandar village in Una taluka of Gir Somnath after an altercation over collision of two fishing boats at a jetty in the village, he said.

Around 1,500 to 2,000 people belonging to two communities allegedly hit each other with sticks, swords, iron and plastic pipes, and also hurled stones and empty glass

JAIPUR, MAY 24 (IANS): The Rajasthan government on Sunday extended the ongoing lockdown by 15 days to June 8, with more strict rules, including extending the ‘week-end’ curfew from Friday to Monday, as against only Saturday and Sunday earlier.

The state government also issued new guidelines under which the penalty for those roaming/working without masks in public places has been increased from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000.

The “public discipline lockdown” announced earlier was operative till May 24, and had led to a slight decline in the number of Covid cases in the state.

On Saturday, ministers held a Covid review meeting, through videoconferencing, and decided that that the lockdown-like curbs should continue in view of the posititivity rate being more than 15 per cent and the death rate still being high.

ing the exact month in which the large-scale production would start.“Launch of production in India in partnership with Panacea Biotec marks an important step in helping the country fight the pandemic,” RDIF chief executive officer Kirill Dmitriev said.

The production of Sputnik V supports efforts of India’s authorities to leave behind the acute phase of coronavirus as soon as possible, while the vaccine will also be exported at a later stage to help prevent the spread of the virus in other countries around the world, he added.

On the development, Panacea Biotec MD Rajesh Jain said, “This marks a significant step as we initiate production of Sputnik V. Together with RDIF, we hope to help bring a sense of normalcy back to people across the country and around the

The Dimapur Unger Senso Telongjem would like to congratulate with immense joy and pride to Mr. C. Lima Imsong on being promoted to the post of Joint Commissioner of State Taxes.

We further pray that our Almighty God continue to bless him wisdom and good health as he takes up his new responsibility.

L. Sanenba Imsong General Secretary, DUST

B. Imtsunglier Jamir President, DUST

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NSCN (R) EXPRESSES CONCERN ON PANDEMIC THREAT The NSCN/GPRN (Reformation) is deeply perturbed by the unprecedented Pandemic which is posing a serious threat to people’s existence.

During such trying times, the NSCN (R) also takes this privilege to acknowledge and appreciates all front-line workers who are putting their very lives at stake to fight off this deadly enemy.

This is a kind of War where Guns, Weapons, Valour, Brawn and Bravado are not required, but where Humanity, Perseverance, Forbearance and Love which could even mean sacrificing own lives is required and for which is even more deadlier than the ‘Gun Battles’ As such, the commendable jobs being executed by State Government, Doctors, Nurses, Police, NGOs, Political Parties, Churches etc...and other individuals (in their own capacities) cannot go unnoticed and ignored.

Nagaland, and especially Dimapur, which is the hot bed and epicentre and the battleground of this War is very much blessed and thanks the Nagaland State Government for deputing a capable officer like Kikheto Sema IAS (APC), who is the Nodal Officer of Dimapur Area, and under whose Supervisions all the Strategies and Works are being executed and carried out.

It is also worth mentioning the likes of Commissioner of Police Rothihu Tetseo, Dimapur DC Rajesh Soundararajan, CMO Dr. Antoly etc who are all up in the front-line and in the firing-zone, leading their subordinates to face-off with the invading enemy and who does not shy away from their Responsibilities.

Appreciation must also go to some Church Bodies/NGOs/Political Parties and individuals who have also enlisted themselves into the ‘Fight Force’ with their own Resources, like WSBAK (Western Sumi Baptist Akukuhou) for providing free Ambulance, Dr. Sukhato (Proprietor of Faith Hospital) for providing free Check-ups, Beds, Medicines etc, Mr Basu Damani (Proprietor of the Medicos) for providing Free Oxygen Cylinders, Arvind Damani, National Co-incharge Northeast BJYM (Bharatiya Janaha Yuva Morcha) and Benjamin Yeptho, President of Nagaland BJYM, for their financial Assistances, Physical and Logical Supports.

It is very much and highly regrettable that every single front-line workers including Groups/CSO’s, Individuals etc could not be mentioned but rest assured that the Good Lord is watching and observing all your selfless sacrifices and unconditional deeds and will surely bless you and your families.

The NSCN (R) also issues this ‘Clarion Call’ to all the Cadres, that instead of expecting or seeking ‘Financial Assistance/Contribution/Donation etc’ from our Benefactors, Patrons, Sympathisers etc, this is a time and opportunity to give back the people and society, our small contributions in our NSCN’s Government or Individual Capacities, for what they have contributed to our cause, and should come forward whenever our services are required.

The NSCN (R) further issues this ‘Reminder and Advise’ to all cadres concerned not to fall ‘Short of Grace’ during this ‘Pandemic and Lockdown’ by harassing the Business Communities, Contractors, Office Departments, Patrons, Public or Whomsoever, and if found so, the NSCN (R) will leave no room or space for tolerance for such activities and as declared earlier, we will continue to maintain ‘Zero Tolerance’ for any unnecessary harassments perpetrated upon the Public, especially during these hard and trying times.

Lastly, the NSCN (R) is optimistic and positive that there is time for everything and all things ‘Good or Bad’ shall pass away and hence it is the responsibility of every Citizens to work in unison with collective and joint efforts to thwart any potential threat that this pandemic is causing towards our very existence.

“Even if we cannot be an ‘ASSET’ to our Society, we should at least avoid being a ‘LIABILITY’ to others and hence stick to the SOP protocol as provided by the Government to be Safe, feel Safe and to Keep Safe” Issued by MIP (Ministry of Information & Publicity) NSCN/GPRN (Reformation) Dp-xx

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international

NagalaNd Post, Dimapur TuESDaY, maY 25, 2021

Wuhan lab staff sought hospital care Suu Kyi appears in court for first time before COVID-19 outbreak disclosed: WSJ

Ba n g ko k , M ay 24 (aP): Myanmar’s ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in court in person Monday for the first time since the military arrested her when it seized power on February 1, Myanmar media reported.

One of her lawyers, Min Min Soe, told The Associated Press by phone that Suu Kyi was able to meet with her defense team before her hearing began at a special court set up inside the city council building in Naypyitaw, the capital.

The hearing’s purpose was procedural.

The lawyers also met with Win Myint, who was president in the government that Suu Kyi led as state counsellor, and a defendant on some of the same charges she faces.

Suu Kyi had been charged with several criminal offenses, but her only previous court appearances had been by video link, and she had not been allowed to

meet in person with any of her lawyers. Min Min Soe said Suu Kyi had a message for Myanmar’s people to the effect that her National League for Democracy party would stand by them.

“The main thing (she said) is that she always wishes good health and wellbeing for all the people, and she also said that since the NLD was founded for the people, the NLD will exist as long as the people exist,” said Min Min Soe said after the hearing. “She looks fresh, healthy and full of confidence,” she added.

Monday’s hearing concerned several of the six charges Suu Kyi faces.

These are two counts of violating the Natural Disaster Management Law for violating COVID-19 pandemic restrictions during the 2020 election campaign; illegally importing walkie-talkies that were for her bodyguards’ use; unlicensed use of the radios; and spreading information that

Aung San Suu Kyi

could cause public alarm or unrest.

The most serious charge that Suu Kyi faces is breaching the colonial-era Official Secrets Act, which carries a penalty of up to 14 years’ imprisonment, but that is being handled by a separate court.

Suu Kyi’s supporters say the proceedings against her are politically motivated and meant to try to legitimise the military’s seizure of power and discredit her.

If convicted of any of the offences, she could be banned from running in the election

that the junta has said it will hold within one or two years of its takeover.

The military ousted Suu Kyi’s government less than three months after her National League for Democracy party won a landslide victory in a general election that would have given it a second five-year term in office. Before the start of democratic reforms a decade ago, Myanmar was ruled by the military for 50 years.

The junta claims it was justified in taking power because of alleged widespread

electoral fraud, especially irregularities in the voting lists.

The Asian Network for Free Elections, a nonpartisan poll watching organisation, in a report issued last week rejected the military’s allegations of massive fraud, saying the results of last November’s voting were representative of the will of the people.

On Friday, however, the head of Myanmar’s military-appointed state election commission said his agency will consider whether to dissolve Suu Kyi’s former ruling party for alleged involvement in electoral fraud and whether those involved “should be punished as traitors”.

The junta has accused Suu Kyi of corruption and presented on state television what it said was evidence that she took bribes, but has so far only said it intends to pursue charges for that offense. Her lawyers dismiss the allegations.

Covid breath test that gives result 8 Indian traders injured in in a minute approved by Singapore brawl with Nepali police

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breath analysis will be carried out alongside the current compulsory Covid-19 antigen rapid test.

The Breathonix test has so far undergone clinical trials at three locations — two in Singapore and one in Dubai — from June, 2020, till April this year.

It achieved more than 90 per cent accuracy in the pilot clinical trial based in Singapore that involved 180 patients, the university said last year. Singapore has tightened restrictions in recent weeks to combat a spike in local infections and postponed a quarantine-free travel bubble with Hong Kong.

ity in Mahottari district shares one-and-a-half-kilometres border with Madhwapur bazaar in Bihar.

On-duty police personnel Bibek Dhakal had his head severely injured in the attack carrird out by the traders, the report said.

However, according to an Indian trader, Inspector Gautam had mobilised APF personnel to beat with batons the traders importing potatoes, onions and rice from India, the report said. Local people present at the spot said that the police had used unnecessary force against the Indian traders.

In March, an Indian national was killed by Nepal Police in an exchange of fire with a group of four Indians, allegedly involved in smuggling drugs and counterfeit currency along the Indo-Nepal border.

The deceased was dentified as Govinda Singh, 20, a resident of Pilibhit district in Uttar Pradesh.

1st DEATH ANNIVERSARY of our beloved

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Lt. NUKHRUTO RINGA

“Your life was a blessing Your memory a treasure You are loved beyond words You are missed beyond measure”.

Not a day goes by without remembering you.

Though unseen and unheard, you are always near and missed very much.

Through this column, we, the bereaved family of Lt. YASHIPOKBA JAMIR would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and everyone who supported Lt. YASHIPOKBA JAMIR us physically, spiritually and Born : 05/04/1956 financially during his brief Died : 13/05/2021 illness and demise. We deeply regret our inability to mention and thank each and everyone individually, but it is our earnest prayer that our Almighty God bless you all abundantly for being with us during our time of grief and sorrow.

It's been a year since you left for your heavenly abode but not a single day has gone without missing you, you are forever in our hearts until we meet again someday...

Security personnel keep watch outside the Wuhan Institute of Virology during the visit by the WHO team.

rejected the lab leak hypothesis, saying SARS-CoV-2 could have been circulating in other regions before it hit Wuhan, and might have even entered China from another country via imported frozen food shipments or wildlife trading.

China’s foreign ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian, said on Monday that it was “completely untrue” that three members of staff at WIV had fallen ill. “The United States continues to hype up the lab leak theory,” he said. “Does it care about traceability or is it just trying to distract attention?”

The Journal report came on the eve of a meeting of the World Health Organization’s decision-making body, which is expected to discuss the next phase of an investigation into the origins of COVID-19.

Asked about the report, WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said via email that the organisation’s technical teams were now deciding on the next steps. He said further study was needed into the role of animal markets as well as the lab leak hypothesis.

A U.S. National Security Council spokeswoman had no comment on the report but said the Biden administration continued to have “serious questions about the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its origins within the Peoples Republic of China.” She said the U.S. government was working with the WHO and other member states to support an expert-driven evaluation of the pandemic’s origins “that is free from interference or politicization.”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

LT. ER. VIZEKHOL RHÜTSO (08-01-1982 – 14-05-2021)

We, the family of Late Er. Vizekhol Rhütso, conveys our profound gratitude to all the friends and well wishers for the immense kindness extended to our family during his brief illness and sudden demise on 14th May 2021.

We are deeply touched and comforted by your overwhelming kindness and support. It is our humble prayer that Almighty God bless you all abundantly.

Loving wife, children and family members K-979

DP-2519

nEw yoRk, May 24 (IanS): Pfizer on Monday announced a study to explore coadministration of its pneumococcal vaccine along with a third dose of the PfizerBioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in older adults.Pfizer, in a statement, announced that “the first enrolled subjects have received their immunisations as part of a new study in adults ages 65 or older exploring the coadministration of the company’s 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (20vPnC) candidate following a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid19 vaccine, currently authorised by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under an emergency use authorisation (EUA)”. The trial aims to describe safety when both vaccines are coadministered, with follow-up six months after vaccination and to describe immune responses produced by each of the vaccines. The trial will include 600 adults who will be recruited from the pivotal Phase 3 Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine trial and will have received their second dose of the vaccine at least six months prior to entering the coadministration study. The participants will be randomised to one of three groups: 20vPnC plus Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine booster; 20vPnC plus placebo; and PfizerBioNTech Covid-19 vaccine booster plus placebo.

chief executive officer of Breathonix, said: “Our breath test is non-invasive.

Users only need to breathe out normally into the disposable mouthpiece provided, so there will not be any discomfort.” Dr Jia said that cross-contamination is unlikely as the disposable mouthpiece has a one-way valve and a saliva trap to prevent inhalation or saliva from entering the machine.

Breathonix is now working with the Singapore health ministry to run a deployment trial at Tuas Checkpoint where incoming travellers will be screened with the breath test, NUS said in a press release. The

kathMandu, May 24 (PtI): Eight Indian traders have been injured in a scuffle with Nepali police personnel in Mahottari district along the Nepal-India border, according to media reports here on Monday.

The brawl took place on Sunday night when the Indian traders demolished a makeshift post and help desk set up for conducting coronavirus tests along the border in Matihani Municipality, the government-run Rising Nepal newspaper reported.

An Ar med Police Force (APF) personnel and eight Indian traders were injured in the scuffle, My Republica website reported.

According to Border Outpost Matihani’s Police Inspector Balaram Gautam, a group of 50-60 drunk Indian nationals pelted stones at security personnel deputed at the border point at around 8 PM on Sunday.

Matihani Municipal-

25-05-2020

Loving wife, children, parents, siblings & in-laws

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Loving wife, children, grandchildren, in-laws and relatives

DP-2513

OFFICE OF THE

NIU COLONY COUNCIL B.P.O. Burma Camp, P.O. Dimapur-797112, Nagaland Order No. 1 June GEN-10/94-D/2166-64

CONDOLENCE The Niu Colony Council is deeply grieved at the demise of Late Pukhavi Yepthomi who passed away on 20th May 2021 at Dispur Hospital, Guwahati.

The citizens of Niu colony has lost a great leader. He was one of the pioneers in recognition of Niu colony, who also served in the capacity of Chairman and G.B. He was a former DMC member and also an ex-candidate of Dimapur-1. He was a kind hearted and generous person who contributed immensely for the goodwill of many individuals and the upliftment of the society in general.

He will always be cherished and remembered for his good deeds.

We, convey our heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family and pray for the departed soul to rest in peace.

(Tukuka H. Awomi) Chairman Niu Colony Council Dimapur:Nagaland

(N. Inato Swu) General Secretary Niu Colony Council Dimapur:Nagaland

Late R. Apokla (Rtd. Nurse) 11-11-1935 to 21-05-2021

We, the bereaved family of R. Apokla would like to thank all those who showed so much love and kindness following her sad passing. Your support during this trying time has been much appreciated and we are comforted in knowing that we have people who love us so dearly.

We believe Heaven has gained a loving Angel.

Thank you and May God bless you all.

DP-2514

Pfizer mulls third pneumococcal COVID jab

A staff member demonstrates the usage of Breathonix breathalyzer test at their laboratory in Singapore in October 2020. (Reuters)

DP-2512

SIngaPoRE, May 24 (agEnCIES): A Covid19 breath test that can give results within a minute has been provisionally approved

by Singapore as the country battles a surge in coronavirus cases, reports the Independent.

The test, developed

by Breathonix, a spin-off company of the National University of Singapore (NUS), will be administered by trained personnel, but does not require medically trained staff or laboratory processing. The university said that the test works by detecting volatile organic compounds (VOC) — produced by biochemical reactions in human cells — present in a person’s exhaled breath.

Changes in the compound can be measured as markers for diseases like Covid-19 because the VOC signature of a healthy person’s breath varies from that of a person with an illness.

A person who tests positive on the breath test will need to undergo a confirmatory PCR Covid-19 swab test.

Dr Jia Zhunan,

waShIngton, May 24 (agEnCIES): Three researchers from China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) sought hospital care in November 2019, a month before China reported the first cases of COVID-19, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing a U.S. intelligence report.

The newspaper said the previously undisclosed report - which provides fresh details on the number of researchers affected, the timing of their illnesses, and their hospital visits - may add weight to calls for a broader investigation into whether the COVID-19 virus could have escaped from the laboratory.

The Journal said current and former officials familiar with the intelligence expressed a range of views about the strength of the report’s supporting evidence, with one unnamed person saying it needed “further investigation and additional corroboration.” The first cases of what would eventually be known as COVID-19 were reported at the end of December 2019 in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the advanced laboratory specialising in coronavirus research is located.

Chinese scientists and officials have consistently

With Love, Husband & Family Members (Chumoukedima Town)

K-980

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8

sports

NagalaNd Post, Dimapur TuESDaY, maY 25, 2021

Liverpool and Chelsea grab top-4 spots

L O N D O N, M AY 2 4 (IANS): Liver pool and Chelsea confirmed their qualification for the last two places in next season’s Champions League after a dramatic last day in the Premier League.

Sadio Mane scored a goal in each half as Liverpool breezed past Crystal Palace 2-0 to finish the season in third place, Xinhua reports.

Liverpool’s win lifted them above Chelsea, who will return to the Champions League no matter what happens in next weekend’s final against Manchester City, despite a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.

Goals from Bertrand Traore after 43 minutes and Anwar El Ghazi’s 52ndminute penalty put Villa 2-0 up before Ben Chilwell pulled a goal back for Chelsea, who had Cesar Azpilicueta sent off in the last minute of the match.

Chelsea’s defeat opened the door for Leicester City to

Liverpool’s Sadio Mane scores their second goal during the Premier League match against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

finish above them and claim the last Champions League spot, but Leicester suffered a 4-2 defeat at home to Tottenham.

The Londoners twice came back from Jamie Vardy goals with efforts from Harry Kane and a Kasper Schmeichel own goal, before Gareth Bale

won the game with late strikes in the 87th and 96th minutes to break Leicester’s hearts. The win assured Tottenham finish seventh to secure a place in next season’s Conference League, while Leicester will join West Ham United in next season’s Europa League.

West Ham assured an

impressive sixth-place finish with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Southampton thanks to goals from Pablo Fornals in the 30th and 33rd minute, before Declan Rice added a third in the 86th minute.

Those results mean that Arsenal miss out on a place in Europe despite a

Nicolas Pepe brace which gave them a 2-0 win at home to Brighton, while Everton’s 5-0 thrashing away to Manchester City ended their slim European hopes.

Sergio Aguero came on as a second-half substitute to net City’s last two goals in his last appearance for this season’s champions.

Elsewhere, Leeds United ended a successful return to the top-flight with a 3-1 win at home to West Brom, Newcastle finished a difficult season with a 2-0 win away to relegated Fulham and Sheffield United said ‘goodbye’ to the Premier League with a 1-0 triumph at home to a disappointing Burnley.

Finally, Manchester United warmed up for this week’s Europa League final by ruining Nuno Espiritu Santo’s last game in charge at Wolves, with goals from 19-year-old Anthony Elenga and veteran Juan Mata giving a much-changed side a 2-1 win.

More troubles for Sushil, rlys Confident Tsitsipas heads to may take action against him Paris with ‘best’ Slam preparation

Sushil Kumar

NEW DELHI, MAY 24 (IANS): More trouble is brewing for two time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, who was arrested

by Delhi Police Special Cell on Sunday morning from the national capital, as his job with the Indian Railways also hangs in balance.

Kumar, employed with the Indian Railways, is posted as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at Chhattrasal Stadium, where the brawl allegedly took place on May 4.

Nor ther n Railway spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said: “We will take action as per extent rules once letter is received from Delhi government.”

Kumar was arrested on Sunday morning along with his aide Ajay Kumar, who have been on the run for over 18 days in sev-

eral states after the death of wrestler SagarDhankar after the brawl on May 4 at Chhatrasal stadium here.

Dhankar succumbed to injuries later in a hospital.

According to Delhi Police officials, Kumar had travelled to Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana during the 18 days long cat and mouse chase game.

He was finally arrested from Delhi’s Mundka area on Sunday morning, when he had come to collect some cash and also borrowed a scooty from a national level player. Delhi Police had also announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh on Kumar and Rs 50,000 on his aide Ajay.

According to Special Cell officers, Kumar had got the thrashing of Dhankar recorded on mobile phone to terrorise the wrestling circuit in the city.

Kumar was sent to six days’ custody by a Delhi court.

Police informed the cour t that Kumar had asked his friend Prince to make the video of thrashing Dhankar. “He wanted to instil fear in the wrestling community in Delhi,” police informed the court.

On May 18, Kumar had moved an anticipatory bail in New Delhi’s Rohini court, but the court rejected his bail plea.

ATHENS, MAY 24 (AGENCIES): Greek StefanosTsitsipas is brimming with confidence and will be heading to Roland Garros this week with his best Grand Slam preparation after picking up his seventh ATP Tour title in Lyon on Sunday.

Basking in the glow of his m a i d e n AT P Masters 1000 title last month at Monte-Carlo, the 22-year-old added the Lyon crown for his second title in 2021 and leads the 2021 season with most wins at 33.

“I’ve been feeling my game well; I’ve been using my patterns really well,” Tsitsipas told reporters. “I’ve been pressing a lot with my serve.

Just consistent on court, consistent with my power and the way that I attack and way I (take) risks”. “I think

it would be considered my best (preparation) so far pre-Grand Slam and now all the attention is on next week. I love playing in Paris. I find it mesmerising.”

Patrick Mouratoglou, the long-time coach of Serena Williams, who is often seen in Tsitsipas’ player box at tournaments, is pleased with the consistency displayed by the Greek. “He’s developing really well,” Mouratoglou said of Tsitsipas, who is coached by his father Apostolos. “He’s always been able to beat the best players,” the Frenchman, who often works in an advisory role with Tsitsipas, told Reuters recently.

“He beat Rafael (Nadal) on clay several years ago already. He beat Roger at a Grand Slam, beat Novak at a Masters 1000 on hardcourt. But he was a bit up and down, and there were several reasons for that”.

Aguero close to Barcelona move, says Guardiola

L O N D O N, M AY 2 4 (IANS): Sergio Aguero is close to agreeing a deal to move to Barcelona, according to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Aguero signed off at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday with a brace in the Premier League champions’ 5-0 thrashing of Everton.

The 32-year-old Argentinian will bring an end to a record-breaking decade at the club after Saturday’s Champions League final against Chelsea in Porto.

City’s all-time top goalscorer had been heavily linked with a free transfer to Barcelona once his contract expires this summer and his boss Guardiola -- a former manager of the La Liga giants -- confirmed it was his likely destination, DPA reports.

“I’m pretty sure -- maybe I reveal a secret -- he is close to agreeing a deal for the club of my heart, for Barcelona,” Guardiola told BBC’s Match of the Day.

Shapovalov pulls out of French Open with shoulder injury LONDON, MAY 24 (IANS): Canadian Denis Shapovalov has pulled out of the French Open with a shoulder injury.

The 14th-ranked Canadian, 22, had recently hit form on the European clay. Shapovalov pushed 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal all the way in the third round in Rome, holding two match points, and he backed that up by reaching the final of the Geneva Open on Satwithdrawal from @rolanurday.

But, after losing to dgarros. Unfortunately my Casper Ruud, Shapovalov shoulder has been botherunderwent tests on a sore ing me and while medical shoulder and has decided tests look good, it is for not to play in the year’s the best to rest. See you in second grand slam, which 2022, Roland-Garros.”

Shapovalov has starts on Sunday, DPA played in the main draw at reports.

Shapovalov tweeted: Roland Garros three times, “I’m saddened to share with his best performances that after consulting with coming in 2018 and 2020, my medical team I’ve made when he reached the secthe difficult decision to ond round.

Juve, Milan seal Champions League spots

File photo of Juventus players.

ROME, MAY 24 (IANS): The race for the Champions League in Serie A came to an end on Sunday, as Juventus joined AC Milan to move into the prestigious competition, knocking out Napoli.

Inter Milan and Atalanta had secured Champions League spots before the match-

day, with Milan, Napoli, and Juventus vying for the last two tickets. The trio was locked together going into the final round, as Napoli were level with Milan on 76 points, one point ahead of Juventus, Xinhua reports.

Juventus needed to beat Bologna in the final battle

and hope either Milan or Napoli fail to wrap up all three points.

Juventus were 3-0 up in the first half at Dall’Ara stadium, and Alvaro Morata bagged his second after the break, Riccardo Orsolini scored a consolation goal for the home side.

AC Milan also pocketed the three points they needed by winning away to Atalanta 2-0 with a pair of penalties from Franck Kessie, but Napoli only snatched one point after a 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona.

As a result, Milan, Atalanta, and Juventus rank from second to fourth respectively, while Napoli is placed fifth.

Newly-crowned Inter finished their 2020-21 season in style, crushing Udinese 5-1, with five different players on the scoresheet.

Also on Sunday, Sassuolo beat Lazio 2-0, Spezia shared the spoils with Roma at 2-2, Torino drew with Benevento 1-1.

Sergio Ramos left out of Euro 2020 Spain squad M A D R I D, M AY 2 4 (AGENCIES): Sergio Ramos has been left out of Spain boss Luis Enrique’s Euro 2020 squad.

Real Madrid centreback Ramos, 35, has been struggling with injury and has only played one game since the end of March.

His absence means there are no players from Real Madrid picked by Enrique for this summer’s delayed tournament.

Manchester City defender AymericLaporte had his switch from France to Spain approved by Fifa recently and he makes the 24-man squad.

He is one of 10 players from the Premier League picked by Enrique, including Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez, Leeds United defender Diego Llorente and Wolves forward AdamaTraore.

Ramos played for

Spain in World Cup qualifiers in March when he was substituted during a draw with Greece and came on late in a win over Kosovo.

Since then, his only appearance for Real Madrid came in a Champions League semi-final secondleg defeat by Chelsea on 5 May. That outing was only his fifth for the Bernabeu club this year.

“It was a very difficult

decision but he [Ramos] has not been able to play this season and has hardly trained since January,” said Enrique.

“I called him yesterday [Sunday] - it was hard, difficult.

“I feel bad, because he is very professional and he helps the national team a lot. And he can still help it in the future. But I have to look for the best for the squad.”

Mickelson defies age to win PGA Championship

Phil Mickelson hoists the Wanamaker Trophy after he wins the PGA Championship golf tournament.

KIAWAH ISLAND, MAY 24 (AGENCIES): Phil Mickelson blocked out the distractions and kept his mind quiet in front of a raucous gallery to win the PGA Championship by two strokes on Sunday and become golf ’s oldest major winner at the age of 50.

Mickelson battled through strong winds, shrugged off a few poor shots and kept calm amid suffocating pressure to re-

cord a one-over-par 73 at the Ocean Course, holding his nerve with Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen breathing down his neck.

In collecting the sixth major of his career, and first since the 2013 British Open, Mickelson surpassed Julius Boros as the oldest major winner. Boros was 48 when he won the 1968 PGA Championship.

“This is just an incredible feeling because I just

believed that it was possible but yet everything was saying it wasn’t,” said Mickelson, who is now the only player to have claimed PGA Tour victories 30 years apart.

When Mickelson’s approach shot safely found the green at the final hole a wild scene ensued as fans raced to follow one of the game’s alltime greats up the fairway and completely enveloped him in a frenzied swarm.

Mickelson, who also won

the tournament in 2005, later acknowledged he had been a little unnerved by the experience, while fellow competitor Brooks Koepka said he was “dinged” by spectators in the crush.

Security officials had to create a narrow path for Mickelson to navigate his way to the green, where he two-putted from 16 feet to seal the win.

Mickelson, who will get the chance to complete the career Grand Slam of all four modern majors at the U.S. Open next month, said his triumph had yet to sink in.

Mickelson led by five shots with six holes to play, though the advantage was cut to two after bogeys at the 13th and 14th and a birdie at the 16th by Oosthuizen, who was playing in the penultimate pairing.

Mickelson’s great rival Tiger Woods, who is home recovering from serious leg injuries suffered in a February car crash, was quick to congratulate him.

Oosthuizen (73) and Koepka (74) finished in a share of second place while European Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington (69), Ireland’s Shane Lowry (69), Englishman Paul Casey (71) and Harry Higgs (70) were a further two shots back in fourth place.

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