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The Observer An IIJNM publication
As Shillong prioritises vaccination of 40-44 age group, those above 18 wait for their jabs | P 2
Vol 20, Issue 19
@theweeklyobserver Epaper:https://issuu.com/ theweeklyobserver/docs Website: http://www. theweeklyobserver.in
Thursday, May 11, 2021
First Oxygen Express has arrived in Bengaluru from Tatanagar to provide Covid-19 relief | P 4
In Kolkata, Covid Bannerghatta zoo now patients’ caregivers earns zero revenue face misbehaviour Zoo Authority sends SOS to govt on animals’ food
By Padmini Dhruvaraj
Several members of residential complexes are panic-stricken if someone from the complex tests positive | Courtesy: KPN
Infected people do not receive emotional support By Upasana Banerjee Kolkata: Caregivers, especially family members of Covid-19 patients who are under home isolation, are facing harassment and misbehaviour from their neighbours and other members of their residential complexes. Fear and stigma have led to such misbehaviour with caregivers in localities in Kolkata. Rano Bose, a resident of Jadhavpur, south Kolkata, who was looking after her Covid positive husband, informed The Observer: “Fortunately, I wasn’t tested positive for Covid-19. Therefore, I had to go out to get essential items. But whenever I used to step out, some of my neighbours used to misbehave with me. They almost made us an outcast.” People who are infected with the virus are also often at the receiving end. They do not get hospital beds, oxygen and medical equipment when those are needed most. They do not even recieve the mental and emotional supportfrom the people required to fight Covid-19 pandemic. Ujjal Banerjee, who recently recovered from Covid-19, said: “It broke us down when we saw other residents, with whom we had a good rapport earlier, did not come out of their apartments in
fear of the infection spreading. We took precautions. Why would we want to spread the infection?” In most parts of the city, whenever someone turns positive, municipal authorities just call to check on them. Unlike last year, they have not been bringing them food and other essential stuff, forcing Covid-negative family members to step out, earning their neighbours’ ire. Manju Ghosh, whose father was Covid-positive, said: “I asked for help from a rickshaw- puller in my neighbourhood to bring me something from the market, so that I did not have to go out. But my neighbours threatened to throw him out of work.” Such harassment has led many people to call the police, but their pleas for help are ignored. While some have been advised to visit police stations to file written complaints, others have been asked to stay home safely. The officer-in-charge of the Survey Park police station, B. Roy Chowdhury, informed , “We don’t look after such issues. If a Covid19 case arises in any locality, we simply send them to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.” Authorities allegedly pass the buck. An official from the Covid control room of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation said: “If any home isolated patient and her/his caregiver is facing harassment, then it's a judicial matter and thethe police should take action.” Many members of residential Continued on page 3
Bengaluru: In the wake of the extended Covid-19 lockdown, the Bannerghatta Biological Park is suffering severe financial crisis. Dr Umashankar HP, a senior veterinarian at the Bannerghatta zoo and media spokesperson, said: “Currently, there is no revenue. We need Rs 2 crore every month to run zoo operations that include staff salaries, and maintenance of animals and the zoo.” Ticket sales are a major revenue-earner. From March to May, the zoo gets most footfalls, but for a second consecutive year, it has remained shut during these months. The only non-government employees at the park are the animal keepers and security guard. “We can’t lay off either. Both are equally necessary for the park,” said Umashankar. The Karnataka government does not provide any special assistance as funds to the zoo as it is self-sustaining. It maintained the self-sustaining tag during the last lockdown by ramping up its adoption programme.
Amidst financial crisis, Bannerghatta zoo authorities face difficulties in maintainance of zoo and the animals. | Courtesy: Padmini Dhruvaraj The Zoo Authority of Karnataka has approached the state government for financial assistance to help meet the animals’ dietary requirements. BP Ravi, member secretary of the Zoo Authority of Karnataka, said: “We need close to Rs 6 crore to maintain the zoos at Mysuru, Bannerghatta, Shivamogga, Hampi, Kalaburagi, Belagavi, Gadag, Davanagere and Chi-
tradurga. We have requested the government to provide assistance and help us with funds....” Corporate social responsibility funds cannot be provided to zoos, Ravi further added. Alongside its regular adoption process, the zoo recently introduced a one-day adoption programme where anyone can feed animal for a day. So far this year, Continued on page 4
News briefs 10-day lockdown in Telangana from May 12
and descent of a women’s empowerment renaissance in Kerala.
The Telangana government on Tuesday announced that a 10-day lockdown would be imposed in the state starting May 12. All activities will be allowed from 6am to 10am. The decision was taken to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Militants, kids among 24 dead in Gaza raid
Veteran communist K R. Gouri no more Firebrand Communist K.R. Gouri passed away at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday morning due to age-related ailments. She has to her credit several firsts in her career trajectory that reflect both the ascent
Israel unleashed new airstrikes on Gaza early Tuesday, hitting the high-rise home of a Hamas field commander and two border tunnels dug by militants, as Hamas and other armed groups fired dozens of rockets toward Israel.
India’s Covid-19 figures ‘worrying’ WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan has said that the coronavirus variant first identi-
fied in India last year is being classified as a variant of global concern, with some preliminary studies showing that it spreads more easily. In an interview with ANI, Swaminathan said the projections of 1 million deaths by August projected by the Institute for Health Metrics. and Evaluation are based on models. and available data, which are not predictions and can be changed.
Hindu temple in UAE ships oxygen to India As India’s government scrambles for oxygen and other emergency aid, Hindu temple in the United Arab Emirates ships hundreds of oxygen cylinders.