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The Observer An IIJNM publication
Vol 20, Issue 23
Maithili artists in Bihar struggle to survive as the sale of paintings has dipped amidst Covid | P 3
Cyclone Yaas causes heavy damage in Odisha, Bengal
Sea water flooded in Digha, West Bengal | Courtesy: Aman Bharadwaj
Weakens after making an early landfall By Upasana Banerjee Kolkata: Cyclone Yaas weakened into a severe cyclonic storm after making landfall hours before it was expected to on Wednesday, leaving a trail of massive destruction. A PTI report, quoting Odisha’s special relief commissioner P.K. Jena, said seawater entered thousands of houses in Bahanaga and Remuna blocks of the Balasore district. Heavy rain in the Similipal National Park caused fears of a flash flood in the Budhabalang river. In the afternoon, the water level in the river was at 21 metres against the danger mark of 27 metres, Jena added. Reuters quoted West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee as saying that around 20,000 mud houses and temporary shelters were either destroyed or damaged. Banerjee said at least one crore
people in her state have been affected, whereas more than 15 lakh people have been evacuated to safe camps. The Mayurbhanj district administration started evacuating certain vulnerable points on both sides of the river and also from some low-lying areas in the Baripada town, the PTI report said. According to the India Meteorological Department, the cyclone Yaas made landfall between Dhamra and Balasore, Odisha, with a wind speed of about 130140 kmph. The landfall was complete at 1.30 pm. According to India Meteorological Department’s forecast, there will bemoderate to heavy rain in the adjacent states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Sikkim and Meghalaya. Mokhsita Sharma, a resident of Balasore, informed The Observer: “We are witnessing high tides in Chandipur. People residing there have been evacuated from their huts safely.” Continued on page 4 l Heavy rains in Kolkata as Yaas hits Odisha coast, P 5
@theweeklyobserver Epaper:https://issuu.com/ theweeklyobserver/docs Website: http://www. theweeklyobserver.in
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Video consultation on health of pets surges as parents find it feasible to consult vets online | P 6
Companies cut down on hiring, fresh graduates badly affected
Second wave has squeezed the employment mkt By Mahitha Owk
Hyderabad: The Covid-19 pandemic has badly affected the Indian economy, increasing unemployment. Recent graduates are struggling to get jobs. Navya Sree, who completed her BSc in Computer Science soon after the pandemic began, is still looking for a job. “I am being offered call centre and data-entry jobs. I don’t want to start my career with such work. I want a job that I deserve,” Navyashree informed The Observer. According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, the unemployment rate, which fell to 6.5 per cent in March 2021 after the first wave, touched 8 per cent in April, the highest level it has reached this calendar year. Sai Moulya, who graduated this year, said: “Knowing the conditions outside, I think it’s a waste of time to even search for a job.” She tried to get a job via college placements. However, since very few companies came to hire students, the competition was tough. While students are waiting to be placed, others who were awaiting offer letters were disappointed when the companies had to let them go due to Covid-19. Astha Oriel was selected by a
Fresh graduates are struggling to get jobs.| Courtesy: Pexels global media organization in March 2020. Though she was selected, in the end, they did not hire her citing economic losses due to the pandemic. “It was the dream company I always wanted to work with. Since then, I have been anxious all the time. I worried whether I would get placed at a place where I could share my skills.” After looking around for several months, Astha got recruited as a journalist in a news firm. There are very few who get lucky like Pooja Baldev. She was hired as an HR trainee – her dream job – without much difficulty. “In fact, I was very picky about the roles I was looking for. But, still, there are many who are looking for a job.” A recent study by India Skills Report said that in 2021, only
45.9 per cent of all graduates have been found employable. Placement Cell coordinator Deepika Phakke of St Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, said companies that usually come to hire students have reduced in number. Every year, almost 70 per cent of their students get placed. Last year, many received offer letters, but the companies, in the end, did not hire them citing the pandemic. People who lost their jobs during the first wave still remain unemployed. The second wave has hit businesses hard. Madhu Manohara Rao, MD of Lakshmi Private Ltd, a finance company, informed The Observer: “We are struggling to pay the existing employees for a year. How can we hire new ones?” Continued on page 5
Doreswamy passes away at 103
H
.S. Doreswamy, the 103year-old freedom fighter, has passed away following a cardiac arrest, in Bengaluru, PTI reported. He died after a heart attack at about 1.40 pm, said Sirimane Nagaraj, his close associate. Doreswamy had contracted Covid and was discharged from hospital on May 13. However, he had to be readmitted on May 14 following complaints of weakness An activist and journalist, Doreswamy ran a publication house called Sahitya Mandira, and the newspaper Pauravani during British rule.
Doreswamy was actively involved in political movements even after independence by actively engaging in protests like the Bhoodan movement. He also actively participated in the Unification of Karnataka movement. Congress leader Siddaramaiah has expressed sorrow over Doreswamy’s death. Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has expressed sorrow on the freedom fighter’s death. Doreswamy had participated in a protest in 2020 against the Citizenship Amendment Act. He had joined JP’s movement against the Emergency.
Doreswamy, who recently recovered from Covid-19, died of cardiac arrest | @souravshetty20
SOCIETY
2
TheObserver Wednesday,May26,2021
Lockdown leaves LGBTQ people in stress Some suffer abuse by relatives, others violence
HELPING HANDS
By Upasana Banerjee Kolkata: People from the LGBTQ community have been suffering from deteriorating mental health problems due to Covid -19 related lockdowns. Members of the community find solace and comfort in each other’s company, but they are unable to meet up due to government-imposed restrictions which increase their stress. Priya, a member of the community, informed The Observer: “I have pre-existing mental health issues. Staying constantly indoors because of the lockdown and (being) detached from the rest of the community not able to socialise has made me relive a lot of my childhood trauma.” Community members say it is suffocating to stay home. It’s particularly tough for those whose families are unaware of, or dead against, their sexual orientation. They face stigmatization and discrimination from their families. These factors has taken a heavy
LGBTQcommunitysufferingfrommentalhealthissuesamidstcovid-19 lockdown|Courtesy:AmandaBurbridge toll on their mental health. Krishna, a 19-year-old transgender said: “During the lockdown, my relations with my family have become much harder. They deliberately mispronounce my gender pronouns. I feel very anxious and triggered when I am restricted and not given the freedom to express myself.” There have been issues of moral policing at home. The community is suffering from anxiety about their livelihood. Many who
have lost their jobs are feeling financially and mentally insecure. The second wave of the pan demic has increased verbal and physical abuse of members of the queer community. Many claim that they face tremendous pressure from their families. Tinesh Chopde, manager of the advocacy team of the NGO Humsafar Trust, said: “We saw cases where the police had to intervene.... Many queer people had to flee their homes to avoid violence.
Itellmyclientstheyarenot justsexualbeings;it’sjustone aspectoftheirself-identity. –AshutoshSrivastava,apsychologist Alotoftimesitwasdifficultfor myclientstoattendvideosessions.Iwouldconductsessionsthroughemailsor WhatsAppmessages. –IlaKulsretha,apsychotherapist Manyqueerpeoplehadto fleetheirhomestoavoidviolence.Wetrytoprovidefree counsellingtothemwhenever theycontactus. –TineshChopde ofHumsafar Trust We try to provide free counselling to queer people whenever they contact us with their problems.” In many cases, when queer persons try to lodge complaints against domestic violence, the police are not cooperative. Addiction to alcohol and other substances abuse has become one of the main reasons for depression among working members of the queer community. Young people who identify themselves as queer are feeling
Transgenders deprived of their income as vehicles do not stop at traffic signals NGOs reach out to members of the community By Padmini Dhruvaraj Bengaluru: Kavitha, a transgender woman living in Hebbal who begged to earn money at traffic signals, has lost all her savings to survive during the lockdown. “There are very few people on the streets now. Vehicles don’t stop as there is no signal. I have no income, and it has become difficult to arrange food for myself and my family,” Kavitha said. Kavitha is one of the many transgender women who are affected by the lockdown. A lot of them don’t have ration cards. They want the government to help them during the pandemic. Aanandi, a transgender woman living near Vijayanagar, said: “I don’t have a ration card, Aadhaar card, or voter ID card. I’ve been yelled at by those officers every time. They always say the server is down and that is not working.” Aanandi recently opened a pushcart tea stall with the help of a few friends near Hudson Circle. Because she does not have any identity card, she will not be able to avail of the relief of Rs 2,000 announced for street vendors by the Karnataka government. The Covid-19 lockdown has taken a severe economic toll on the lives of socially marginalized
T ransgendermustprovideAadhaarcardandbankaccountnumbersto receivedfinancialaidfromthegovernment|Courtesy:PadminiDhruvaraj groups. The government has not been helpful, they say. Mainstream media houses have not highlighted their mis ery, problems they face, complain thet these transgender women. “TV channels show labourers as helpless, but nobody, including the government, is talking about us. In foreign countries and other states, people like us transgender are treated well.... Even we voted for this government. Why are they not helping us? We might be different, but we are still human beings,” said Kavitha. Aanandi said that even after eating food from her stall, a lot of people refuse to pay her. “Police officers abuse us when we are working. This life is hell; people
neither help us nor let us live or work peacefully.” Girish K, who lives near Hudson Circle, helped Aanandi set up her stall. “I have known her for two years. I found her genuine and in a lot of trouble. So my friends and I gave her some money to set up a tea stall. I think she will be an inspiration to others who are still begging.” Aanandi says she does not want to go back to begging and doing sex work. “I am taking care of three abandoned children. I don’t want to go back to my old life. I hope people and this government will let me live like this,” she said. The Karnataka government released a Covid relief package of
Rs 1,250 crore for those affected by the pandemic. When The Observer asked why transgender women are not included in this package, Annarao, an official in the women and child development, said: “Relief funds are provided to people with families, not others. Other yearly schemes are there to help them.” To help transgender women, multiple NGOs have supplied them food, groceries, medicines, and mental health consultancy. Vinay Kumar, a counsellor at Swabhava Trust, Bengaluru, said: “A lot of these people call us regularly. This lockdown in second wave has not only affected them financially but also mentally. Society still treats these women differently, and their family members abandon them. Adding to that this instability caused by the lockdown is bad.” Karthik M. and a team of 10 volunteers are distributing ration kits among members of the transgender community every day. “We have given them our numbers; they can contact us any time they want,” Karthik said. On May 24, the ministry of social justice and empowerment announced a one-time financial aid of Rs 1,500 for transgender persons whose livelihood has been impacted by the second wave of Covid-19. They must submit their Aadhaar card and provide bank account numbers for receiving the financial aid. Many transgender persons do not have these. padmini.d@iijnm.org
even more isolated and detached as schools and colleges are shut. Rachael, a student who identifies herself as a lesbian, said: “I have a bipolar disorder and a borderline personality disorder which are very tough to deal with. Earlier, with my friends, it was easier to share my grievances, but now I feel lonely, with an abusive parent at home.” Psychotherapist Ila Kulsretha, who has been counselling people from the community, said: “There are both external and internal factors that play a role in their mental condition. A lot of times it was difficult for my clients to attend video sessions. In that case, I would conduct sessions through emails or WhatsApp messages.” Kulsretha claimed a lot of LGBTQ community members are under pressure due to a lack of proper resources for them. Dr Ashutosh Srivastava, a psychologist, said: “I tell my clients they are not just sexual beings; it’s just one aspect of their selfidentity. They should try to build... a healthy mindset and look for growth in other areas.” Experts suggest that family counselling is good for their stability and growth. upasana@iijnm.org
Twitterati Talk
Vir Das | @thevirdas
We're currently taking aid from a pretty big list of democratic countries. I do not think Twitter and Facebook which are seen as vehicles and measures of democratic thought are going anywhere. Having said that....is orkut still a thing?
ANI | @ANI
Buddha's life was about peace, harmony & coexistence. Today, there're still forces whose existence depends on spreading hate, terror & mindless violence. Such forces don't believe in liberal democratic principles. Believers of humanity must come together, defeat terror: PM Modi
Nishant Chaturvedi @nishantchat
India is expected to report about 20,000 daily cases or even less by July, as per mathematical models – SUTRA developed by IIT Kanpur scientists and COVIND-19 Study group at University of Michigan, which both had rightly predicted India’s Covid-19 cases to peak in mid-May.
Joe Biden | @JoeBiden
Across the country, we have failed to properly invest in infrastructure for half a century. The American Jobs Plan will get millions of Americans good-paying union jobs repairing our country’s crumbling infrastructure. It’s a blue-collar blueprint to rebuild America.
COVID IMPACT
The Observer Wednesday, May 26, 2021
3
Demand dries up, Madhubani artists suffer Some earn more working as domestic help By Nishant Kumar Sithamarhi: Maithili artists, the makers of the world-famous Madhubani paintings, are struggling to survive as their only source of income – the sale of artefacts – has decreased during the pandemic. “Art is taught to us from childhood and it’s an heirloom,” said Kanak Jha, a Maithili artist. “We learn painting and drawing not primarily for fun but also as a means of income which is now severely affected due to the lockdown.” Maithili is a centuries-old form of painting created by women in the villages of central Bihar. The paintings, originally made on walls, have in recent decades been made on paper and canvas. “We use readymade colours to paint on cloth. However, on paper, we still use traditional dyes. Mahasundri Devi of Rathi village introduced cloth painting during the 1970s, and since then we all follow it,” said Jha. The artists are primarily rural women who paint after finishing their household work. Sales of Madhubani paintings have dipped. According to the Bihar government, Madhubani
Maithili is a centuries-old form of art created by women in the villages of central Bihar | Courtesy: Bhola Gupta paintings have an annual turnover of Rs 50 crore. They contribute significantly to the economy of Bihar’s Madhubani, Darbhanga and Sitamarhi districts. Deepmala Kumari, another Maithili artist, said: “Earlier, I used to make Rs 20,000 monthly in profits by selling my artefacts to middlemen, but now I work as a maid in other people’s houses for my livelihood.” She has held solo exhibitions in
Covid-19 stats of India today
Kolkata, Patna, Allahabad, New Delhi, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and Varanasi. “We usually send only our best of products as exhibits,” she added. The paintings are famous for pictorial representations of the Ramayana. They are classified into the Brahmin shaili (style), and Harijan and Kanchi styles. Recently, Dulari Devi was bestowed with the Padma Shri for her contribution to the field of Madhubani paintings.
“So what if persons like Dulari Devi have brought laurels to the state? She will be forgotten like Vijya Laxmi (a Padma Shri awardee for Mithila paintings),” said Sachin Gupta, owner of an artefacts shop in Madhubani. “Except for a few who got fame and awards, it is a way of survival for others.” He blames the apathy of the government and society towards the Madhubani paintings. Menu Kumari, a popular
painter in Uchhaith, said it takes ten days to complete a painting. She earns a meagre profit of Rs 2,000-Rs 2,500 since there is no demand in the market. “Working as a daily-wages labourer is a better deal than this,” she said. Sanjeev Kumar, who works with an NGO called Sewa Sansthan, said: “We now get orders from big markets like Delhi and Mumbai. We directly get in touch with the artists, cutting the middleman out.” With this both, artists and buyers benefit. The artisans allege that the government is not interested in buying their art pieces directly from them. “When an artist goes to the local office of the Central Cottage Industries Emporium with their paintings, they are paid a token sum and have to wait for months for the balance payment, which is made only after the paintings are sold,” said Kumar. Earlier, the payments were made in just three months. Abhimanyu Shrivastava, subdivisional magistrate, Madhubani, told The Observer: “The Bihar government will soon start an indigenous app for selling painting and artefacts. Contracts awarded by the government, like painting trains or government buildings, have stopped only because of Covid-19 and will resume after the pandemic subsides.” The government has promised to eliminate middlemen. nishant.k@iijnm.org
States’ vaccine wastage should be below 1 per cent, says Centre National average is 6.3 per cent By Queeneerich K
T
he Centre has again asked the states to keep their vaccine wastage below 1%. States such as Jharkhand (37.3%), Chhattisgarh (30.2%), Tamil Nadu (15.5%), Jammu and Kashmir (10.8%), Madhya Pradesh (10.7%) are reporting much higher wastage than the national average of 6.3%. The Union health secretary has urged the states and UTs to make complete use of the available flexibilities on the Co-WIN app to enhance pace of vaccination. Esha S, a chartered secretary in Coimbatore, informed The Observer: “For the past 10 days, I have been trying to get vaccinated, but I was sent back by people at the vaccine centre due to limited availability of doses. They wasted 15.5%. After trying for 10 days, I got vaccinated today (May 26).” The health and family welfare ministry has asked the States and UTs to prepare a districtwise, Covid Vaccination Centre plan for administration of vaccines till June 15.
MoHFW has asked the States to prepare a plan for vaccination centers by 15 June | Courtesy: KPN Private hospitals are not allowing offline vaccine registration; all registrations should be done online. Industrial and corporate organizations that do not have their own hospital would partner with a private hospital. In addition, private hospitals were recommended to print a sufficiently longer vaccination schedule in terms of days. “The States/UTs should make full use of the CoWIN flexibilities to speed up the vaccination drive,” said Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary. Vikas Sheel, Additional Secretary (Health) talked about the new features of the Co-WIN platform. “The minimum age can now be set to any value from 18 to 44
years. States were also informed that Sputnik, the Russian vaccine, has now been added to the Co-WIN portal.” Jagrit Sachdeva, a resident of Delhi, said, “Government should issue a bulletin for total doses administered versus total doses used. These out-of-the-blue statements are not helping. On what basis are they saying vaccines are being wasted? Without any information like total vaccine procured by the state government.” Principal Secretary, Health Department, Chhattisgarh said that the data is incorrect and that Chhattisgarh vaccine wastage is not (30.2%) but lesser. The Principal Secretary has written a letter to the Health ministry to correct the data they have release. “As per total vaccine doses availability with government on Jharkhand till today, current vaccine wastage proportion is only 4.65%. Vaccination data could not be fully updated to the central CoWin Platform due to technical difficulties and the updation is in process,” said Jharkhand CMO States have been urged to set a time limit for publishing the schedule to make it easier for people to see availability and book appointments for vaccination. queeneerich.k@iijnm.org
SPORTS
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The Observer Wednesday, May 26 , 2021
NBA Playoffs: Nets, Mavericks go 2-0 up, Lakers tie series By Abhishek Saini and Padmini Dhruvaraj
pers to show up better performances in the following games of the series.
L
ed by Kevin Durant, the Brooklyn Nets outclassed Boston Celtics by 130-108, in game 2 of their NBA eastern conference playoff series, and took a 2-0 series lead. In the second game of the day, LA Lakers pipped the Phoenix Suns 109-102 in a neck-and-neck game, and levelled the series 1-1. The Brooklyn Nets, the favourites to win the series and are the championship contenders, made light work of their opponents as their star player Kevin Durant notched 29 points. Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal also gave credit to Nets’ power forward Joe Harris for the win, after he scored 7 3-pointers in game 2. Experts feel that Nets would comfortably win the series now. “The Celtics are going to get swept 4-0 in this series by the Nets,” said former NBA player Charles Barkley on the show NBA on TNT. Celtics were dealt a major blow during the game when their talisman Jayson Tatum was ruled out of the game after suffering an eye injury in the second quarter. His absence from the following games might worsen the situation for the Celtics. “On paper, and on court, Nets are a juggernaut, they are championship favourites. With Boston’s second-best player, Jaylen Brown, already injured, an injury to Tatum means that Brooklyn will make short work of the Celtics,” said Parth Chawla, an avid NBA follower. Lakers Bounce Back Backed by a 34-point game by Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns 109-102, to square the series, in the western conference NBA playoffs. “It was an even game throughout, but Lakers switched on their playoff-level defence in the last quarter and that helped them get over the line,” said Ankit Sharma, an NBA fan. Another NBA fan, Vrushank
Star Sports buys rights
Luka Doncic, who has been Mavericks’ best player this season, put up yet another match-winning performance, scoring 39 points. | Courtesy: NBA Kumar, said: “The game today Mavericks take control was really close but I expected the Lakers to win. Anthony Davis In the final game of the day, the was a monster and surely re- Dallas Mavericks edged out LA deemed himself from the awful Clippers 127-121, in a seesaw performance from game 1.” battle, and took a 2-0 lead in the Lakers player Anthony Davis, series. criticized after his poor performSpeaking to The Observer, ance in the first game, in his post- Anindyo Paul, an NBA fan said: match interview said: “There is “This was a very heavy game no way we’re winning a game, let with Luka and Kawhi putting up alone the series, with me playing big numbers. But in the end Dalthe way I played. I wanted to las' defence pulled through and make sure I made a statement in locked up the 3-pointers and also this game.” disallowed Paul George and LeBron James and Dennis Kawhi to put up points in the Schroder also contributed to Lak- paint.” ers win with 23 and 24 points reLuka Doncic, who has been spectively. Mavericks’ best player this seaDevin Booker, who has been son, put up yet another matchthe Suns’ most effective player winning performance, scoring 39 this year, also scored 31 points. points. Lakers now have the home court Experts have lashed out at advantage in Game 3, and Clippers for not being able to dethereby, a chance to go ahead in fend Doncic. “We all know what the series. Dallas is without Doncic. Why Phoenix Suns, riding on im- would you not prioritize stopping pact performances by Devin that player?” asked Stephan A. Booker and Chris Paul, have Smith, on the show First Take. made their first playoff qualificaDoncic, with 31 points, played tion since 2010. a pivotal role in game 1 as well. Pheonix Sunsbeat the Lakers For Clippers, their two marquee 99-90 in game 1 of the series. But players Kawhi Leonard and Paul fans expect a close series ahead. George scored 26 and 23 points “It's only the first round, and respectively, but could not guide we may already have an epic their team to seven game series on our hand. victory. The Suns have been one of the Basketball fans and experts best teams this season, and Lak- had expected the Clippers to comers are finding their groove as fortably win the series, over Dalwell,” said Chawla. las. In ESPN’s playoff prediction “LeBron can be more aggres- report, dated May 23, out of a sive. Lakers need to defend the 3 panel of 18 experts, 17 ruled in a bit more, and stop Devin favour of the Clippers, while only Booker, to win the whole series,” 1 gave chance to the Mavericks. added Kumar. The fans now expect the Clip-
Fans in India finally had some good news when NBA announced Star Sports had bought the broadcasting rights for its games for the 2021 season. “We are delighted to announce that Star Sports... will be the official broadcast partner of the NBA in India for the 2021 NBA Playoffs and The Finals,” wrote Sunny Malik, Business Head, Global Content and Media Distribution, NBA, in his LinkedIn page. But, he clarified that all seven games of only the conference finals and NBA final will be telecasted. Only selected games will be shown prior to it. Fans across the country are irked by this. “I was irritated when I could not watch the regular season of NBA on TV. Even now, I will not be able to watch all matches. It is a disappointment,” said Arunaditya Aima, an NBA fan who follows the league. A lot of fans in India have purchased the league pass on the NBA’s app which allows them to watch all matches, while only only one month is left in this season. “I bought the NBA league pass in the beginning of the season because they said that broadcast rights were not given to channels in India,” said Vrushank Kumar. “I have an NBA league pass, but in a country like ours not everyone would be able to buy a pass worth Rs 999,” added Aima. A lot of fans who cannot buy these subscription packs resort to watching the games either through illegal streaming sites, or only the highlights. Star Sports, often criticized for airing cricket-heavy content on its channels, has seen its TRP ratings drop from 3,742.51 average minute audience in April to 294.85 in May following the postponement of IPL. Many believe this drop in ratings to be the reason for Star Sports acquiring NBA rights. abhishek.s@iijnm.org padmini.d@iijnm.org
‘Digha is witnessing extremely high tides which have flooded a number of houses in the nearby areas’ Continued from page 1 shish Giri, who is in charge of a multipurpose cyclone shelter at Dihibirkul of East Midnapore district said, “A number of pucca houses have been damaged. Digha is witnessing extremely high tides which have flooded a number of houses nearby. Presently, more than a hundred and seven people have been moved to the shelter camps.”
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NDRF tweeted on Wednesday that 164 of its personnel had already begun restoration works in different parts of North and South 24 Parganas districts in West Bengal and in Odisha.In Nabanna, the West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee held a review meeting with District Magistrates, the Disaster Management Committee, and other officials in view of Yaas, ANI reported.
Banerjee will visit the affected areas of East Midnapore district on May 28. The Eastern Air Command has mobilised its assets for quick response due to the damage and destruction caused by severe cyclonic storm Yaas," a statement by the Command said. It has set up a Task Force and has coordinated its rescue and relief operations with the state governments. upasana.b@iijnm.org
Citizen’s voice Govt to be blamed for vaccine shortage The onus of vaccine non-availability falls on none other than the government. Providing basic resources needed in a time of crisis such as oxygen, ventilators, medical staff and medicines, is also the responsibility of a government that came into power through the votes of the same people who are now dying in the absence of those resources. Sanya Chhabra
Threat to ban social media shows negligence of govt. WhatsApp sues the Indian government in the Delhi High Court over the allegation that new social media rules will end privacy.Other governements from countries like the US, UK, and Australia are pressuring apps like WhatsApp to break encryption. The Indian government threatens to ban social media during the pandemic where these platforms become necessary tools to help others fellow citizens when the government has abdicated their responsibility. Imagine coming up with IT rules so wild that even WhatsApp sues to protect user-privacy. Nishant Kumar
Quiz 1. What country used to be called Siam? 2. Amsterdam is located in which European country? 3. Which Hitchcock film features the character Mr. Memory? 4. Falafel is usually made from what? 5. In which country is the Rubicon river? 6. The New England Patriots are based in which US State? 7. Songs about Jane is the debut album of which band? 8. On which continent would you find a Jaguar? 9. Which element has atomic number 20? 10. Prosopagnosia is an inability to recognise what? Answers on page 6
Words of the day 1.Chouse: to cheat or trick 2.Gadfly: a persistent critic 3.Heliacal: relating to or near the sun 4.Altruism: concern for the welfare of others 5.Copious: plentiful or profuse 6.Rictus: the gape of a bird's mouth 7.Peruse: to read over attentively or leisurely 8.Divers: numbering more than one 9.Magnum opus: a great work or or achie 10. Fustian: a strong cotton and linen fabric 11. Bumbershoot: umbrella 12. Peradventure: possibly 13. Palaver: profuse and idle talk; chatter 14. Lacustrine: of or relating to a lake
NATION
The Observer Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Heavy rain in Kolkata as Yaas hits Odisha coast
5 Covid Diary
Some regrets I am going to have all my life
Municipal body braces for a lot of damage By Upasana Banerjee Kolkata: When the city received heavy rain on Tuesday morning, Kolkatans were reminded of cyclone Amphan, which wreaked havoc at the same time last year. The showers, which intensified on Wednesday, are likely to continue in the wake of cyclone Yaas, which crossed the north Odisha coast from 10.30 am to 11.30 am. The city’s drainage and power utility could be affected. Even though the Kolkata Municipal Corporation has pruned tall trees across the city, a huge tree crashed along with a lamppost on a residential building in south Kolkata on Wednesday morning. Sixty-six dams have filled across West Bengal. The water level in the Ganga is expected to rise to around seventeen feet due to a the full moon. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee requested the people of
IA view of the IJNM Campus | Credit: Abhisek Dutta By Abhisek Dutta Hooghly district witnessed effect of cyclone Yaas in the form of a tornado | Courtesy: Kishore Chatterjee Kolkata and those living on the outskirts to not move out of their houses between 11 am and noon as the weather department was expecting a tornado, similar to one in Hooghly last evening. Kishore Chatterjee, a resident of Chandan Nagar in Hooghly district, informed The Observer: “There is no electricity since 12.30 pm. The municipal corporation has been alerting us for the past two days. More than 40 houses have been damaged.” Kolkata airport was shut for 11 hours on Wednesday. Twenty-
three flights to and from the city were cancelled. Major flyovers have been shut down. The cyclone, which will impact the adjacent states of Jharkhand and Bihar, has caused heavy rain and wind in several parts. Aman Bharadwaj, a journalist working in Jharkhand, said: “Since last evening, it has rained with a wind speed of 80-100 kmph.” Personnel deployed on the ground will start restoration work and will help the affected after the storm subsides. upasana@iijnm.org
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short and sweet stint in Kumbalgodu ended abruptly when I left the IIJNM hostel on the midnight of April 22. The previous day, I had learnt that my father had been hospitalized after a heart attack. Doctors said an angioplasty was mandatory. I packed my bags immediately, but lack of a Covid-19 negative report delayed me a day. When I left the hostel on a dark windy night, with an anxious mind, I never thought that was my last night in A1, my IIJNM hostel room. Karnataka government an-
nounced a lockdown to fight the second Covid wave, transforming the college into Zoom screens with just one month to the convocation. I will regret my entire life that I couldn’t say goodbye to my friends, couldn’t get one last hug from the loving ones, couldn’t saunter into the faculty cabins for the last time. I will also regret I could not make that one last visit to Akka’s shop. Since the day I took admission in IIJNM, I wished to click a picture of every IIJNM student. But in those four months, I never clicked a photo in front of the big grey wall where the glittering logo of IIJNM is embedded. But now everything has gone inside Zoom screens.
Freeze in job market India’s decision to open a consulate in affects new graduates Maldives seen as move to check China Continued from page 1 n the contrary, Reethu Polepally, HR manager at Vector97, said: “There are plenty of opportunities out there for freshers. Companies have fired people at the leadership
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Hiring consultancies say there are plenty of opportunities for freshers. A representative of ABC Consultants Private Ltd, a recruitment agency, said companies are looking for freshers who can work for low salaries. “They are letting
Companies stopped the hiring process as paying the existing employees ihas become difficult | Courtesty: KPN “Take whatever comes; don’t see if it is small or unskilful. Just go for it. Later, one can explore options.” - Reethu Polepally, HR manager level to accommodate freshers. They should be skillful and reach out to the right persons.” Though college placements aren’t a great option right now, they are other sources through which one can get a job. Polepally’s advice to new graduates is: “Take whatever comes; don’t see if it is small or unskilful. Just go for it. Later, one can explore options.”
people with high salaries go as they can accommodate 3 freshers instead of one senior employee” Uncertainty prevails as many businesses have been paused due to lockdowns and restrictions in the states. Jobseekers are hoping the positive trend the job market showed between January 2021 and March will return. mahitha.o@iijnm.org
By Nishant Kumar
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he government has approved the opening of a new consulate in Addu City, Maldives this year. India already has a High Commission in the capital city of Male. An official statement said the decision will “augment India’s diplomatic presence in the Maldives and make it commensurate with the existing and aspired level of engagement”. Sushant Singh, a senior fellow at Delhi’s Centre for Policy Research, views the decision differently. “The opening of the Consulate General may be perceived as part of normal relation-building but it’s not.....It signifies more than what meets the eyes. The action entails Chinese inroads into India’s neighbourhood with an aim to threaten India’s better relations.” India and the Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links. The Maldives occupies an important place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the statement read. The two countries have had friendly relations since 1965, the year the Maldives became an independent country. But ties started deteriorating in 2013 when China built a 1.5km bridge linking Male to Hulhule Island. Sushant Singh added: “With its military strength, China is diminishing India’s geographical advantage over its neighbouring
India and Maldives share ethnic, lingustic, cultutal, religious and commercial links | Courtesy: Ministry of External Affairs, India countries. Almost all our neighbouring countries, from Pakistan to Bangladesh to Sri Lanka to the Maldives, owe money to China. This has led to them handing control of ports or other key security infrastructure to China.” Currently, the Maldives owes $700 million to China which needs to be repaid by 2022. Rani Mullen, another senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, said: “The initiative is in sync with establishing more contact not only for the government agencies but also establishing more people-to-people ties. The
number of tourists visiting the Maldives has increased in recent times and the Consulate General will facilitate overseas Indian livings in Addu city.” “Augmentation of India’s diplomatic presence will, inter alia, provide market access for Indian companies and bolster Indian exports of goods and services. This would have a direct impact in augmenting domestic production and employment in line with our goal of a self-reliant India, or Atmanirbhar Bharat,” the government statement mentioned. nishant.k@iijnm.org
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The Observer Wednesday, May 26, 2021
COVID & PETS
Telehealth for pets rises amid pandemic By Nidhi Kajaria
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he telehealth industry has seen a surge in online consultation for pets. Pet parents have found it feasible to consult veterinarians online amidst rising Covid-19 cases. With more than 20 million households with pets in India, and a growth of over 40 per cent in the adoption of puppies and kittens amid a work-from-home setting, the service of online veterinarians will help pet parents get medical help, according to a blog post by Practo. Dr Pawan Kumar, a veterinarian at the Cessna Veterinary hospital, Bengaluru, informed The Observer: “Around 40-50 per cent of our workload has reduced because of online consultations we give for the pets. In a day, we receive around 20 queries from the pet parents for minor issues.” Practo recorded nearly two lakh queries from pet owners in two months ending March 2021. The serviceof telehealth was launched in January 2021. According to an article in Wired, with veterinary telemedicine, you consult a vet over text, phone or video chat to get realtime advice on what you should
Pet parents find it feasible to consult veterinarians online amidst rising Covid cases.|Courtesy: Unspash do for your pet. It is not a replacement for regular in-office visits. Most vets on telemedicine service cannot diagnose or prescribe medications for pets they have not previously, but can provide with helpful and needy advice. Chahal Jovial, a Bengalurean who consulted a doctor for his pet at Cessna, said: “They updated me on everything online via telehealth and kept checking on the pet until it got better.” Online veterinary consultations promise to become more convenient once the work-from-home sit-
uation ends, as pet parents can consult veterinarians online without skipping the essential work. Raman Sharma, a pet parent from Jaipur who recently consulted a veterinarian, shared that he consulted a doctor via WhatsApp and got the prescription without any hassle. “I could see that my pet bird was facing some issues with its feathers. I explained to the doctor the behavioural change in my bird and he could easily prescribe medicine.” However, not everybody finds online consultation convenient.
Hasir Ali, founder of Sarvoham, an animal NGO in Bengaluru’s J.P. Nagar, said: “I do not find it feasible as it is complicated to explain the problems that animals have through a screen. In-person treatments and consultations are always better and reliable.” Several other non-profit organizations that work for animal welfare shared a similar opinion. A staff member at Let’s Live Together, an animal welfare NGO, said: “It is difficult for organizations like us to consult a veterinarian online as we are a family
Shillong’s pet parents feel the need for home delivery of essential items Don’t feel safe going to the vet amid pandemic By Queeneerich Shillong: Pet parents in Shillong are ruing the lack of home delivery for essential pet items. During the pandemic, they find it safer than stepping out to buy. Rudolf Sun, a pet parent, informed The Observer: “It is essential to have home delivery for essential pet items as we do not feel safe rushing to the vet and standing in a queue. For people who do not have their own transportation means, and during emergencies, home delivery will be more convenient way.” He has faced problems in getting essential pet items during the lockdown. “When a pet owner requires a bottle of shampoo, spray or medicines, instead of rushing to the vet, we should have it delivered to our doorstep, which is easier and safer.” Jethro Jyrwa, a pet owner, said: “My dog, Cindy, is a local dog and doesn’t require any particular items from the pet store.
Pet owners consider home delivery of essentials as a convinient means as most shops are far off in the Shillong. | Courtesy: Chiara Massar However other pets may require special food items. It would be convenient to have home delivery services for those who need essentials for pets, especially during the lockdown imposed currently.” According to government guidelines for the lockdown, pet owners must submit documentation for allowing them to operate the facility of home delivery. Vinay Vishwanath, owner of Barks and Purrs pet shop, said: “I have not collaborated with any of the delivery services as I have employed my own personal delivery boy to deliver pet goods. Pet
items are not considered an essential commodity, so I have to stop my home delivery until I receive a permit from the Deputy Commissioner which has become a great challenge as I have to cancel all the orders I have received.” As Vishwanath understands the need to feed healthy food to pets, he does not include a delivery charge in his customers’ home delivery bills unless their address is too far to deliver a small item. Samuel Lyngdoh, a pet owner, said: “Home delivery can be a great convenience as it is difficult to go outside and get essentials
for pets since most shops are far off in the city. I can say that most people are willing to pay extra for home delivery facility.” Another pet owner, Chiara Massar, informed The Observer: “Home delivery of essential pet items is required. As long as the situation is urgent and the condition of that locality is such that infection by coronavirus not rampant, then the delivery of such items should be an option for pet owners. However, if there is a greater risk of any human infection and the condition of the pet is not critical, then home delivery might not be preferred.” Additionally, with more and more people getting vaccinated, Massar thinks people who can afford to get out of their homes would prefer to get out and buy household items to have better control over their purchases. A few consumers have become sceptical of having items home delivered because delivery agents go to multiple places to deliver items. David Michael Mawlong of Pup store of Shillong said: “It has been a difficult experience in getting permission for home delivery, which has caused us to losses and lose our daily customers.” queeneerich.k@iijnm.org
of so many dogs and cats.” The Observer found that pet parents consult veterinarians only for minor issues. Doctors said pet parents prefer in-person consultation for serious issues. “I mostly get queries related to diet, and for medicine advice, which I was already getting in pre-Covid times,” Dr Pawan Kumar of Cessna said. Some pet parents said they find it difficult to find veterinarians online. Even if they do, the latter cannot understand the problem and ask for the pet to be brought and visit to the clinic. “There’s no online veterinarian available in our area. The one I got asked me to bring my dog to them to understand the problem,” said Akhil Maheshwari, a pet parent from Nawa City in Rajasthan’s Nagaur district. Several 24/7 telemedicine and telehealth facilities for animals have been launched in India after the pandemic broke out. Big players like DCC Animal Hospital and Practo, and several startups, have started online consultation for pets to help the parents. However, veterinarians believe that the concept of online telehealth for animals might not be as effective as it is for humans after the pandemic ends. It might not be the reliable way. “People would like to come in person for their pets’ treatment in the future as it is more reliable,” informed Dr Pawan Kumar. nidhi.k@iijnm.org
Quiz answers 1. Thailand 2. Netherlands 3. The 39 Steps 4. Chickpeas 5. Italy 6. Massachusetts 7. Maroon 5 8. South America 9. Calcium 10. Faces
But some say in-person checks are more reliable
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Team Observer Editor: Abhisek Dutta Copy Editors: Nidhi Kajaria,Abhisek Dutta, Ashutosh Acharya, Dhruv Raghav, Mahitha Owk, Nishita M. Agath Reporters: Abhishek Saini, Nishant Kumar, Mahitha Owk, Upasana Banerjee, Padmini Dhruvaraj, Queenerich Kharmawlong, Nidhi Kajaria Page Editors: Nishita M. Agath, Dhruv Raghav, Ashutosh Acharya, Abhisek Dutta