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Tag: Health

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  • Here’s how to shed the ‘lockdown kilos’

    Here’s how to shed the ‘lockdown kilos’

    The coronavirus virus lockdown took a toll on our mental as well as physical well-being. The quarantine period was a tough one for people. There is a steep rise in the number of people who have gained oodles of weight during the pandemic, owing to many challenges and disruption in their regular routine.

    Long work from home hours contributed to a sedentary lifestyle where people were required to sit for hours without any movement. Furthermore, less sleep, stress, unhealthy diet and overeating also contributed to weight gain. The fact that gyms were closed didn’t help either. The quarantine period also led to change in mental states that contributed to emotional eating and people struggled to stick to their fitness routine.

    There are various reasons behind why people must have piled up those excess kilos during the coronavirus lockdown, say experts. They attribute a sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity and movement, faulty eating habits, and stress to be the culprits behind weight gain.

    “Weight gain happens when your daily calorie intake surpasses your expenditure. The amount of calories consumed during Lockdown on a daily basis was very high. People were not used to consuming food together on a daily basis for such a long period of time. Right from morning teas to evening snacks, breakfast, lunches, dinners and late night snacks or desserts all were made and consumed,” explains Dr Kiran Rukadikar, Founder, DietQueen.

    Try to de-stress

    It is a known fact that stress can give a tough time to your body. Likewise, many studies also suggest that stress can invite weight gain. If the reason behind your weight gain is stress then you need to calm down. It will be imperative for you to improve your resilience. Try to motivate and support yourself when a challenging situation arises. You can de-stress can opting for yoga and meditation. You can also try some breathing exercises that will help you calm down. You can do what you like. Just listen to the music to unwind, dance, cook or do gardening. Follow a proper routine.

    Journaling can be a good idea

    You will have to write down whatever you eat, how much oil you use, or what you have during your snacks. Yes, it is understood that you’re eating habits must have gone for a toss so it is essential for you to avoid binging or emotional eating. Plan what you will have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you get any mid-night cravings then try to indulge in healthy options like yogurt, crackers, makhana, and try to drink a lot of water. Try to limit junk, spicy, oily, and processed foods. Set proper meal timings. Do not eat your dinner late and then sleep immediately. Portion control is equally important. Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables to stay hale and hearty.

    Walk around at home

    If you are working from home and are required to talk on the phone then just try to walk around your house while doing so. Common, after all, it will be good for you, right? Try to set a target every day and see to it that you complete it. Set smaller goals. It is the need of the hour to exercise at home. You can also do other activities such as aerobics, weight training, or Zumba at home.

    Eat in moderation, reduce high calorie fried foods and sweets. Your kitchen is the beat weight loss centre, and Balanced Home Diet is the best diet.          Source: IANS

  • International Women’s Day 2021

    International Women’s Day 2021

    This year, the theme for International Women’s Day (March 8) is “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”

    Women of the world want and deserve an equal future free from stigma, stereotypes and violence; a future that’s sustainable, peaceful, with equal rights and opportunities for all. To get us there, the world needs women at every table where decisions are being made. This year, the theme for International Women’s Day (8 March), “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world,” celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the gaps that remain. Women’s full and effective participation and leadership in of all areas of life drives progress for everyone. Yet, women are still underrepresented in public life and decision-making, as revealed in the UN Secretary-General’s recent report. Women are Heads of State or Government in 22 countries, and only 24.9 per cent of national parliamentarians are women. At the current rate of progress, gender equality among Heads of Government will take another 130 years.

    Women are also at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19, as front-line and health sector workers, as scientists, doctors and caregivers, yet they get paid 11 per cent less globally than their male counterparts. An analysis of COVID-19 task teams from 87 countries found only 3.5 per cent of them had gender parity.

    When women lead, we see positive results. Some of the most efficient and exemplary responses to the COVID-19 pandemic were led by women. And women, especially young women, are at the forefront of diverse and inclusive movements online and on the streets for social justice, climate change and equality in all parts of the world. Yet, women under 30 are less than 1 per cent of parliamentarians worldwide.

    This is why, this year’s International Women’s Day is a rallying cry for Generation Equality, to act for an equal future for all. The Generation Equality Forum, the most important convening for gender equality investment and actions, kicks off in Mexico City from 29 – 31 March, and culminates in Paris in June 2021. It will draw leaders, visionaries, and activists from around the world, safely on a virtual platform, to push for transformative and lasting change for generations to come.

    How did International Women’s Day start?

    Controversy clouds the history of International Women’s Day. According to a common version of the holiday’s origins, it was established in 1907, to mark the 50th anniversary of a brutally repressed protest by New York City’s female garment and textile workers. But there’s a problem with that story: Neither the 1857 protest nor the 50th anniversary tribute may have actually taken place. In fact, research that emerged in the 1980s suggested that origin myth was invented in the 1950s, as part of a Cold War-era effort to separate International Women’s Day from its socialist roots.

    The historian Temma Kaplan revisited the first official National Woman’s Day, held in New York City on February 28, 1909. (The organizers, members of the Socialist Party of America, wanted it to be on a Sunday so that working women could participate.) Thousands of people showed up to various events uniting the suffragist and socialist causes, whose goals had often been at odds. Labor organizer Leonora O’Reilly and others addressed the crowd at the main meeting in the Murray Hill Lyceum, at 34th Street and Third Avenue. In Brooklyn, writer Charlotte Perkins Gilman (of “The Yellow Wall-paper” fame) told the congregation of the Parkside Church: “It is true that a woman’s duty is centered in her home and motherhood…[but] home should mean the whole country, and not be confined to three or four rooms or a city or a state.”

    The concept of a “woman’s day” caught on in Europe. On March 19, 1911 (the 40th anniversary of the Paris Commune, a radical socialist government that briefly ruled France in 1871), the first International Woman’s Day was held, drawing more than 1 million people to rallies worldwide. With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, most attempts at social reform ground to a halt, but women continued to march and demonstrate on International Woman’s Day.

    Most dramatically, a massive demonstration led by Russian feminist Alexandra Kollontai that began on February 23, 1917 (according to Russia’s Gregorian calendar; it was March 8 in the West) proved to be a link in the chain of events that led to the abdication of Czar Nicholas II and the Russian Revolution. After the czar’s abdication, the provisional government formed until a constituent assembly could be elected became the first government of a major power to grant women the right to vote.

    In recognition of its importance, Vladimir Lenin, founder of Russia’s Communist Party, declared Woman’s Day an official Soviet holiday in 1917. Communists in Spain and China later adopted the holiday as well. (Sometime after 1945, the terminology shifted, and “Woman’s Day” became “Women’s Day.”) Until the mid-1970s, International Women’s Day would be celebrated primarily in socialist countries.

    In 1975, recognized as International Women’s Year, the United Nations General Assembly began celebrating March 8 as International Women’s Day. By 2014, it was celebrated in more than 100 countries, and had been made an official holiday in more than 25. Over the years, however, many celebrations of International Women’s Day strayed far from the holiday’s political roots. In Argentina, for example, it was largely commercialized, with men buying flowers and other gifts for the women in their lives. In China, despite the country’s long history with International Women’s Day, recent holiday events have focused on shopping and beauty events, such as fashion shows. Last year, in a somewhat bizarre tribute, a group of Chinese men climbed a mountain in dresses and high heels as an attempt to “experience the hardship” of being a woman.

    Due to its ties with socialism and communism, perhaps it’s not surprising that International Women’s Day didn’t catch on here in the United States the way it did in other countries. Recently, however, international digital marketing campaigns have brought the holiday (in its less-political form) further into American culture, complete with corporate support from PepsiCo and other brands. Other groups are seeking to reclaim International Women’s Day and return it to its activist past, by continuing to demand recognition and rights for women and their work.

  • India allows 24×7 COVID vaccination; indigenous Covaxin’s phase-3 trial results show 81% efficacy

    The government on Wednesday, March 3,  said it has permitted round-the-clock COVID-19 vaccination as part of efforts to speed-up the immunisation drive which received a fresh boost with the makers of the indigenous Covaxin saying it has shown an interim efficacy of 81 per cent in Phase 3 clinical trials. Easing restrictions, all private hospitals were on Tuesday allowed to give the vaccines if they adhere to the laid down norms, while the 9 am to 5 pm timing was also done away with. More than 1.56 crore (1,56,20,749) vaccine doses have been administered in the country through 3,12,188 sessions since January 16, according to a provisional report till Wednesday 7 am.

    “The government has lifted the time restriction to increase the speed of vaccination. People can now get vaccinated 24×7 according to their convenience. Prime Minister Narendra Modi understands the value of health as well as the time of citizens,” Health Minister Harsh Vardhan tweeted in Hindi, a day after he got his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

    President Ram Nath Kovind was administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at an army hospital in the national capital on Wednesday.

    Several other prominent people including Union Minister Hardeep Puri, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik and Sikkim Governor Ganga Prasad also received their first jabs.

    The Indian Council of Medical Research, the country’s apex research body, and Bharat Biotech announced that phase 3 results of Covaxin, developed by them, has shown an interim vaccine efficacy of 81 per cent in preventing COVID-19, and dubbed it as an important milestone in vaccine discovery.

    “The bench-to-bedside journey of completely indigenous COVID-19 vaccine in less than eight months’ time showcases the immense strength of Atmanirbhar Bharat [self-reliant India] to fight the odds and stand tall in the global public health community.

    “It is also a testament to India’s emergence as a global vaccine superpower,” said Dr Balram Bhargava, Director General, ICMR, said on Wednesday.

  • Global Covid-19 caseload tops 115.5 mn

    Global Covid-19 caseload tops 115.5 mn

    Washington (TIP): In its latest update on Friday, March 5 morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 115,584,230 and 2,568,083, respectively. The US is the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of cases and deaths at 28,824,499 and 520,226, respectively, according to the CSSE.

    India comes in second place in terms of cases at 11,156,923.

    The other countries with more than a million confirmed coronavirus cases are Brazil (10,793,732), Russia (4,241,970), the UK (4,213,764), France (3,895,430), Spain (3,142,358), Italy (2,999,119), Turkey (2,746,158), Germany (2,484,306), Colombia (2,266,211), Argentina (2,133,963), Mexico (2,104,987), Poland (1,750,659), Iran (1,665,103), South Africa (1,517,666), Ukraine (1,422,927), Indonesia (1,361,098), Peru (1,344,969), Czech Republic (1,284,288) and The Netherlands (1,120,566), the CSSE figures showed.

    Brazil currently accounts for the second highest number of Covid-19 fatalities at 260,970, followed by Mexico (188,044) on the third place and India (157,435) on the fourth.

    Meanwhile, the nations with a death toll above 50,000 are the UK (124,259), Italy (98,974), France (87,988), Russia (86,368), Germany (71,420), Spain (70,501), Iran (60,431), Colombia (60,189), Argentina (52,644) and South Africa (50,462).

  • More US states drop mask mandates

    More US states have announced plans to drop mask mandates amid continued high levels of new Covid-19 cases nationwide and increasing variant infections, drawing criticism from health experts.

    Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced on Thursday that she would lift her state’s mask mandate in about a month, Xinhua news agency reported.

    In a statement, she said that beginning on April 9, wearing masks will be “a matter of personal responsibility and not a government mandate”.

    On Tuesday, the Governors of Texas and Mississippi announced that they would halt mask mandates and reopen their states, allowing businesses to operate at full capacity.

    Earlier this month, Iowa and Montana Governors announced they would lift social distancing measures and mask mandates. Meanwhile, North Dakota’s mask mandate which was implemented in November 2020 expired in January. Officials did not renew it due to a drop in cases and hospitalisations, while allowing for local safety protocols to be enacted. These states have now joined more than a dozen others that never mandated the usage of face coverings.

  • Punjab, 5 other states account for over 85% of fresh Covid cases

    Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Karnataka continue to report a surge in daily new Covid cases, accounting for 85.51 per cent of fresh cases, the Union Health ministry said on Thursday, March 4.

    A total of 17,407 new infections have been registered in a day.

    Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 9,855. This is the highest number recorded in the state since October 18 when 10,259 new cases were reported.

    It is followed by Kerala with 2,765 while Punjab reported 772 new cases. The total number of cases with the UK, South Africa and Brazil variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the country as on date has reached 242, the ministry said.

    India’s total Covid active caseload has reached 1,73,413 comprising 1.55 per cent of India’s total cases.

    “Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh are showing a rise in active cases,” the ministry said.

    Showcasing the change in active cases for states and UTs in a span of 24 hours, the ministry said Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar and Assam witnessed a reduction in the active cases in 24 hours.

  • Debilitating ‘long-COVID’ may have severe health, social impacts: WHO

    London (TIP): Thousands of COVID-19 patients continue to suffer serious, debilitating and lingering symptoms many months after their initial bout of infection, with major social, health and economic consequences, European health experts said on Thursday, February 25. Publishing a World Health Organization-led guidance report on the condition, often referred to as “long COVID” or “post-COVID syndrome”, experts said around one in 10 COVID-19 patients are still unwell 12 weeks after their acute infection, and many suffer symptoms for far longer. “This is a condition that can be extremely debilitating. Those suffering from it describe a varying combination of overlapping symptoms… (including) chest and muscle pain, fatigue, shortness of breath … brain fog (and) many others,” said Martin McKee, a professor at the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies who led the report. Hans Kluge, the WHO’s European regional director, said long-COVID could have “severe social, economic, health and occupational consequences”. “The burden is real and it is significant,” he said.

    He urged health authorities to listen to patients’ concerns, take them seriously, and establish services to help them.

    Growing evidence from around the world points to many thousands of people experiencing long-COVID. The condition appears not to be linked to whether a patient had a severe or mild infection.

    An initial report by Britain’s National Institute for Health Research last year suggested long-COVID may be not one condition, but multiple syndromes causing a rollercoaster of symptoms affecting the body and mind.

    Kluge noted that as with any new disease, much remains unknown about COVID-19.

    “We need to listen and … understand. The sufferers of post-COVID conditions need to be heard if we are to understand the long-term consequences and recovery from COVID-19,” he said.

    “This is a clear priority for WHO (and) it should be for every health authority.”

                    Source: Reuters

  • Global Covid cases top 112.9 mn: Johns Hopkins

    Washington (TIP): The total number of global Covid-19 cases has topped 112.9 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.50 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Friday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 112,981,257 and 2,507,271 respectively. The US is the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of cases and deaths at 28,410,902 and 508,114 respectively, according to the CSSE. India comes in second place in terms of cases at 11,046,914. The other countries with more than a million confirmed coronavirus cases are Brazil (10,390,461), the UK (4,166,727), Russia (4,164,802), France (3,746,475), Spain (3,180,212), Italy (2,868,435), Turkey (2,674,766), Germany (2,426,819), Colombia (2,241,225), Argentina (2,093,645), Mexico (2,069,370), Poland (1,673,252), Iran (1,607,081), South Africa (1,509,124), Ukraine (1,373,139), Indonesia (1,314,634), Peru (1,300,799), Czech Republic (1,198,168) and the Netherlands (1,088,730), the CSSE figures showed. Brazil currently accounts for the second highest number of Covid-19 fatalities at 251,498, followed by Mexico 183,692 on the third place and India 156,705 on the fourth. Meanwhile, the nations with a death toll above 20,000 are the UK (122,303), Italy (96,974), France (85,734), Russia (83,481), Germany (69,327), Spain (68,813), Iran (59,830), Colombia (59,396), Argentina (51,795), South Africa (49,667), Peru (45,683), Poland (43,094), Indonesia (35,518), Turkey (28,358), Ukraine (26,991), Belgium (22,006) and Canada (21,868).

  • It just works: Signs you are in a happy and healthy relationship

    It just works: Signs you are in a happy and healthy relationship

    Whether you’re wondering about a partner you already have or just wanting to get a better sense of the type of dynamic you want to aim for when manifesting a new relationship, it’s good to think more about the signs that suggest you are in a happy and healthy relationship.

    Consistent Respect

    One of the most significant and empowering parts of a healthy relationship is mutual respect. This ensures that most parties feel valued. It also provides a strong and stable foundation that makes it possible to exercise autonomy and deal with any conflicts that come up.

    Shared Time Together

    Even if you and your partner have different careers and hobbies, it’s so important to have at least some time devoted to simply enjoying one another’s company. You don’t necessarily need to have fancy dinners or plan anything very intense. Even just taking walks together, curling up to read books or chatting over a cup of coffee helps you to stay connected and emotionally intimate.

    You Don’t Just Watch TV

    An important amendment to the above sign of happy and healthy relationships is that shared time should at least partly revolve around direct interaction. Sometimes, couples can fall into a rut where they only spend time alone watching TV, focusing attention outwards. If you ever worry that you’re spending too much time on television, have a chat about more direct ways of spending time together.

    Physical Closeness

    The physical closeness involved in a happy and healthy relationship isn’t just about sex! It’s also about cuddling, kissing, sharing massages, holding hands and such. All of these types of interactions prompt your brain to release oxytocin (sometimes called the “love hormone”). This cements a strong bond, reduces stress and provides a foundation for lasting commitment.

  • Amazing alternative uses for eggs

    Amazing alternative uses for eggs

    Did you know that egg white can be used as a natural skin care solution, or as a glue? And that egg yolk can help revitalize nails, and also works as a hangover cure?  Here are some alternatives uses.

    Hair conditioner

    How much do you spend on hair products? A small fortune, no doubt. But next time you condition your hair, try this alternative: whisk up egg yolk with a dab of honey and a dash of olive oil. Leave it on your hair for 30 minutes before rinsing. Your hair care routine will never be the same again.

    Nail revitalizer

    Did you know that eggs promote nail growth? Bathe them in a cup of warm milk and one egg yolk for healthier looking, nourished nails.

    Under eye mask

    Fed up looking like a panda? Whether due to lack of sleep, stress, or eating certain foods, the dark rings that gather like storm clouds under your eyes aren’t likely how you want to start your day. Minimize puffiness and swelling by dabbing a couple of coats of egg white under your peepers. You’ll look lighter and fresher for it!

    Egg white skin care

    Egg white is well known for tightening skin. Its healing properties also extend to shrinking pores, and reducing the excess grease that leads to oily skin. In effect, egg white is a natural and soothing anti-ageing cleanser.

    Yolk moisturizer

    Two whisked egg yolks mixed with water and applied liberally to your face imbues your skin with an energizing shot of vitamin A.

    Hangover cure?

    This one’s debatable. However, there are those who swear that mixing one raw egg with salt, pepper, and a sprinkling of Tabasco works wonders on the night before.

    First aid kit

    Cut yourself? Boil an egg. Not to eat, at least not straight away, but to peel off the shell to extract the thin membrane. The membrane acts as a make-shift Band-Aid and is effective in stemming blood. It also has scar-fighting nutrients. Now you can eat that egg.

    Fabric whitener

    Gather up those discarded eggshells, tie them up in cotton bag, and pop them into the laundry. They whiten your whites better than any chemical.

    Nutrient-rich water

    How many times have you boiled an egg and dumped out the water afterwards? Don’t! Let it cool and give the plants a drink. The used water is nutrient-rich and full of good things for their health.

    Blackhead removal strip

    Rid yourself of blackheads by whisking a drop of lemon juice with two egg whites and applying the mixture to a clean face. Peel the mask off after 15 minutes and at the same time unclog those hair follicles for a smoother-looking you.

    Sulfur for silver

    Is your silver jewelry lacking luster? Boil an egg, break up the hard-boiled yolk, and place it in a sealed container next to your broach, ring, necklace, etc., and leave it for a day. The sulfur released will oxidize the precious metal, leaving it looking shiny and new. Wash afterwards with soap for an extra sheen.

  • Connoisseur’s Choice- Malai soya chaap

    Connoisseur’s Choice- Malai soya chaap

    By Tript Arora

    Soyabean is enriched with protein and various health benefits and is great in taste too. Soya chaap is a very popular  vegetarian dish known for its meaty flavour and exotic taste. It is a vegetarian dish at Punjabi weddings and parties. Though a variety of dishes are made with Soya chaap, malai soya chaap rules the menu as it is rich in taste and is prepared like other tikkas. If you are a fan of tikkas this will for sure tickle your taste buds. Soya chaap is made with soybean flour but many manufacturers use all purpose flour to bind the dough. So read the label carefully before buying it as it always is not gluten free. The dough is wrapped on wooden sticks and before making any soya dish these are removed first.Then cut them into bite size pieces and wash them with water. After that tikkas are marinated for 30 to 45 minutes in spices and curd. Later they are cooked for 5 to 10 minutes with cashew paste . Lastly as the name suggests Malai or cream is added to it. You can serve it with rotis, rumali rotis , naan and paranthas. If you have never tasted it, make it once and it will be on your regular menu.

    We Need

    500 gm Soya Chaap, 100 gm Thick Curd. ( Not Sour), 2 Tbsp Cashew Paste, 5 Tbsp Cream, 1 Green Cardamom, 2 Cloves, 2 Green Chillies, 2 Tbsp Dried fenugreek leaves, 1 Tsp Black Pepper, 1 Lemon, 2″ Piece of Ginger, 1 Tbsp finely chopped Garlic, 2 Tbsp Cooking Oil, 2 Tbsp Yellow Butter, 1 Tsp Salt or to taste

    Here We go

    n Remove Sticks from Soya Chaap by pulling them. These are easy to remove.

    n Cut them into pieces and immerse them in water for 2 minutes only. This will help in removing extra flour from them. Stain them in a sieve and keep aside for 5 minutes to remove extra water.

    n Grind together green chillies, ginger, green cardamom and cloves. Add little water if required to make a paste.

    n For marination,  add this paste, thick curd, lemon juice , black pepper powder , fenugreek leaves ( kasoori methi) , salt and lemon juice in a bowl. Mix everything together. Add soya chaap pieces to the marinade. Make sure to coat every piece with marinade. Set aside for 30 minutes.

    n Heat a pan. Add butter & oil to it. Add chopped garlic. Saute till light pink. Add marinated chaaps to it. Mix Chaap well with butter and garlic. Cover the pan and let it simmer for 5 min on low flame. Don’t forget to turn them in between to avoid burning.

    n As soya chaap are very soft, they will be done in 5 minutes. Now add cashew nut paste and saute for another 2 minutes. You can add a little water if you want to adjust the consistency.

    n Add cream and cover the pan for 2 to 3 minutes or till you see some oil on the surface.

    n Take out in a bowl and serve hot with chapati, naan, paratha or rumali roti according to your choice.

    Preparation Time : 10 minutes.

    Marination Time: 30 minutes

    Cooking Time : 15 minutes.

    Tips

    Use fresh and thick curd for marination. Curd shouldn’t be sour.

    To avoid burning butter, add it after adding oil in the pan.

  • Farm laws backfire on BJP

    Chandigarh (TIP): In what is seen as the reflection of the public sentiment against the three farm laws, the BJP could win just 2 per cent of the total wards in the local bodies elections. In seven districts, it even failed open the account.

    The saffron party, which was contesting on its own for the first time, suffered its worst-ever electoral defeat in the last 25 years. The party has always contested in alliance with the SAD since 1997.

    The BJP managed to win only 49 of the total 2,302 wards. After the Congress, SAD, AAP and Independents, the party finished at the fifth position. In Amritsar, Bathinda, Barnala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ferozepur, Mansa and Kapurthala, the party could not win even a single ward. In alliance with the SAD, the party used to contest 23 Assembly seats and three Lok Sabha seats in the state. The astonishing result is of Amritsar where the party had a strong presence. It had won the Lok Sabha election thrice as well as several Assembly constituencies in 2012. “With Punjab leading a strong movement against the farm laws and contesting alone, it became a challenging election for the BJP,” said Dr Parmod Kumar, Director, Institute for Development and Communication.

    The saffron party could field just 1,003 candidates in a total of 2,302 wards.

    Source: TNS

  • Europe struggles amid emerging variants, vaccine delays

    Europe struggles amid emerging variants, vaccine delays

    London (TIP): A year after COVID-19 began its devastating march across Europe, reversals of fortune, political quarrels and vexing public-health paradoxes are complicating efforts to contain a deadly third wave of contagion.

    Germany, widely touted as a success story last year in the outbreak’s initial months, is struggling with a sluggish vaccine rollout, soaring deaths and widespread discontent, while Britain, whose early coronavirus response was criticized as haphazard, has inoculated more than a fifth of its population. France is watching with alarm as a new variant gains a foothold in the country’s east. In Italy, ravaged in the pandemic’s early months, a new government is raising hackles with the prospect of tightened health measures. Portugal, which fared relatively well last year while the caseload soared in neighboring Spain, now has one of the world’s highest coronavirus death rates.

    Across Europe, strict lockdowns have been credited in several nations with driving down transmission of the virus — but at the same time, public resistance to such restrictions is sharpening, sometimes spearheaded by far-right groups. And the 27-nation European Union, like the United States, is closing in on the unfathomable tally of half a million coronavirus deaths. Amid a dark winter, some bright spots have emerged. Britain said this week it has given first doses of the vaccine to 15 million people — more than 20% of the population. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who suffered a life-threatening bout of COVID-19 last year, called the rollout an extraordinary national achievement, although he coupled that with a warning that difficult times still lie ahead.  For many in Britain, the brisk pace of mass inoculation marks a cheering turnabout from early stumbles. The country began its vaccine program in December, three weeks before vaccine regulatory approval occurred in the EU, which Britain exited at the beginning of 2020. Since the rollout’s start, Britain has been meeting its own ambitious vaccination benchmarks, beginning with its most vulnerable populations.

    At the same time, though, Britons are chafing under the third lockdown of the pandemic, now in its seventh week. Schools are closed and people have been told not only to work from home if possible, but to avoid going out for any reason. Bars and pubs have closed their doors; stores have been shuttered if their wares are deemed nonessential, and restaurants offer takeout only.

  • Global Covid cases top 110.2 mn: Johns Hopkins

    The total number of global coronavirus cases has topped 110.2 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.42 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

    In its latest update on Friday, February 19,  morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 110,289,988 and 2,441,112, respectively.

    The US is the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of cases and deaths at 27,895,777 and 493,082, respectively, according to the CSSE.

    India comes in second place in terms of cases at 10,950,201.

    The other countries with more than a million confirmed coronavirus cases are Brazil (10,030,626), the UK (4,095,187), Russia (4,079,407), France (3,596,156), Spain (3,121,687), Italy (2,765,412), Turkey (2,616,600), Germany (2,372,209), Colombia (2,212,525), Argentina (2,046,795), Mexico (2,022,662), Poland (1,614,446), Iran (1,550,142), South Africa (1,498,766), Ukraine (1,333,332), Indonesia (1,252,685), Peru (1,252,137), Czech Republic (1,123,252) and the Netherlands (1,057,116), the CSSE figures showed.

    Brazil currently accounts for the second highest number of Covid-19 fatalities at 243,457, followed by Mexico (178,108) on the third place and India (156,014) on the fourth. Meanwhile, the nations with a death toll above 20,000 are the UK (119,614), Italy (94,887), France (83,542), Russia (80,587), Germany (66,951), Spain (66,704), Iran (59,264), Colombia (58,334), Argentina (50,857), South Africa (48,708), Peru (44,308), Poland (41,582), Indonesia (33,969), Turkey (27,821), Ukraine (26,191), Belgium (21,821) and Canada (21,509).

  • Vaccinations in India cross 1 crore-mark

    India has vaccinated 1,01,88,007 healthcare workers and frontline workers so far. The vaccination drive in the country had begun on 16 January. According to the Union health ministry, India’s vaccination coverage ranks third in the world, after the USA (55.2 million doses) and the UK (16.12 million doses). “India is third globally, after the US and the UK, in highest cumulative vaccination numbers,” the Union health ministry said on Thursday. The US and the UK have completed over 60 days of vaccination while India has completed 32 days. Meanwhile, 13,193 new Covid-19 cases were reported across the country in the last 24 hours. With the new cases, the coronavirus tally in the country has reached 1,09,63,394 including 1,39,542 active cases and 1,06,67,741 discharges.

    Vaccines for new strains

    Interim results of the ongoing clinical trial indicate that the indigenous Covid-19 vaccines would be effective against the mutated virus strains reported from the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil, said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Thursday, February 18.

    “The interim analysis report should be out in a week,” said ICMR director-general Dr Balram Bhargava

    Bhargava said that the third clinical trial of Covaxin BB152 had been completed as all the 25,800 volunteers involved in the exercise had been administered both doses.

    He pointed out that India was the fifth country in the world to isolate the Covid-19 virus as part of the efforts to develop a vaccine for the pandemic.

    India to gift  200,000 COVID-19 doses for UN peacekeepers

    India, hailed as the pharmacy of the world, announced a gift of 200,000 COVID-19 doses for UN peacekeepers.

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made the announcement at the UN Security Council open debate on the implementation of resolution 2532 (2020) on the cessation of hostilities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Keeping in mind the UN Peacekeepers who operate in such difficult circumstances, we would like to announce today a gift of 200,000 doses for them,” Jaishankar told the UN Security Council.

  • African nations still encouraged to use AstraZeneca vaccine

    Nairobi (TIP): African countries without the coronavirus variant dominant in South Africa should go ahead and use the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday, while the World Health Organisation suggested the vaccine even for countries with the variant circulating widely. They spoke to reporters a day after South Africa announced it would not use the AstraZeneca vaccine, citing a small study that suggested it was poor at preventing mild to moderate disease caused by the variant.

    Africa CDC director John Nkengasong said seven countries on the 54-nation African continent have reported the variant and none besides South Africa is “overwhelmed” by it.

    No other country has expressed concerns about the AstraZeneca vaccine. The seven countries are South Africa, Botswana, Comoros, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique and Zambia.

    In a separate briefing, WHO Africa chief Matshidiso Moeti added Tanzania to that list, saying two travellers from there had been found to be carrying the variant in “the UK, I believe”.

    Tanzania’s president has denied that COVID-19 exists in the East African nation, which has not updated its number of infections since April, even though reports are growing of a surge in infections there.

    Africa is only now beginning to see the large-scale arrival of COVID-19 vaccines, and this week’s news from South Africa, the continent’s hardest hit country, was a shock.

    The Africa CDC says African countries with the variant now dominant in South Africa should speed up plans to introduce all COVID-19 vaccines that have received emergency use authorisation or approval by regulatory authorities, while considering their effectiveness against variants first reported in South Africa and the UK.

    Suggesting that countries go ahead with the AstraZeneca vaccine even if the variant is circulating widely, the WHO’s Moeti said “what’s important is the opportunity is there to continue to study the vaccine” and its effectiveness.

    AstraZeneca doses are expected to start arriving in other parts of Africa in the next two weeks, the Africa CDC’s Nkengasong said.

    And WHO’s Moeti looked forward to a significant rollout of vaccines in March, adding that 34 of Africa’s countries now have their rollout plans in place.On Thursday, Equatorial Guinea said it had received 100,000 doses of China’s Sinopharm vaccine. It was the first West African nation to receive a large amount of the vaccine. Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue has said he will be the first to be vaccinated.   AP

  • Signs you are in happy, healthy relationship

    Signs you are in happy, healthy relationship

    It’s hard to see clearly when caught up in the foggy feeling called love, and we may later realize blind spots we missed during the course of a relationship. But when you have a good, healthy relationship, you’ll know. It just feels right, right? Learn these five signs to make sure you are currently in a healthy relationship or to prepare for your next one.

    RESPECT

    Respect ensures that we feel valued. Show respect by thanking each other, show interest in one another’s days and truly listen to each other’s feelings.

    SPEND TIME TOGETHER

    You do not need a 5-course dinner. A simple walk on the beach and a conversation over a cup of coffee will do!

    GESTURES OF LOVE

    Sure everyone loves big romantic presents, however, the smaller ones like breakfast in bed are the most meaningful one.

    INTIMACY

    Heard of oxytocin? This sometimes called the “love hormone” cements a strong bond, reduces stress and provides a foundation for lasting commitment.

    TEAMWORK

    Working as a team is important in a healthy relationship. Think how easy (or not) it is to plane housework, shopping lists, a vacation, etc.

  • Connoisseur’s Choice- Apple salad

    Connoisseur’s Choice- Apple salad

    By Tript Arora

    This sweet and savoury Apple salad is  a treat in itself whether you serve it as a side dish or make a lunch of it. It is simple to make and hardly takes 15 minutes to assemble it. Diced apple, cucumber and deseeded tomatoes tossed in mayonnaise and topped with pumpkin seeds is my version of Apple Salad. Either you serve it on a bed of Lettuce or you chop Lettuce leaves and add to it. I prefer the second option. You can top it with toasted walnuts too. If you are health conscious then you can substitute Mayonnaise with yoghurt. But then add a bit of Honey too. However I prefer the Mayonnaise version.

    We need

    –              2 Medium Red Apple cored and Diced, 2 Tomatoes, 1 Cucumber Diced with skin

    –              4 Lettuce Leaves, 2 Tbsp Mayonnaise

    –              1 Tsp Black Salt, 1 Tsp Red Chilli Flakes

    –              1 Tsp Mustard Sauce, Pumpkin seeds / chopped walnuts

    Here we go

    –              Cut Apple & Cucumber  into cubes with their skin.

    –              Remove the seeds of tomatoes and cut it into squares.

    –              Roughly Chop lettuce leaves.

    –              Take a large Bowl and add mayonnaise, mustard, salt and chilli flakes. Mix everything .

    –              Now toss Apple, cucumber and tomatoes in this dressing and serve it topped with Pumpkin Seeds. Enjoy my version of Apple salad.

    Preparation Time: 10 min

    Assembling Time: 5 min.

    Tip

    –              Serve it as a Side dish with roasted or fried Chicken. You will love it.

  • Britain’s coronavirus variant a concern, ‘likely to sweep the world’, says scientist

    London (TIP): The coronavirus variant first found in the British region of Kent is a concern because it could undermine the protection given by vaccines against developing COVID-19, the head of the UK’s genetic surveillance programme said. She also said the variant was dominant in the country and was likely “to sweep the world, in all probability”.

    The coronavirus has killed 2.35 million people and turned normal life upside down for billions but a few new worrying variants out of thousands have raised fears that vaccines will need to be tweaked and people may require booster shots.

    Sharon Peacock, director of the COVID-19 Genomics UK consortium, said vaccines were so far effective against the variants in the United Kingdom but that mutations could potentially undermine the shots.

    “What’s concerning about this is that the 1.1.7. variant that we have had circulating for some weeks and months, is beginning to mutate again and get new mutations which could affect the way that we handle the virus in terms of immunity and effectiveness of vaccines,” Peacock told the BBC.

    “It’s concerning that the 1.1.7., which is more transmissible, which has swept the country, is now mutating to have this new mutation that could threaten vaccination,” she added.

    That new mutation, first identified in Bristol in southwest England, has been designated a “Variant of Concern”, by the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group. There are so far 21 cases of that variant which has E484K mutation, which occurs on the spike protein of the virus, the same change as has been seen in the South African and Brazilian variants.

    “One has to be a realist that this particular mutation has arisen in our kind of communal garden lineage now, at least five times — five separate times. And so this is going to keep popping up,” Peacock said.

    There are three major known variants that are worrying scientists: The South African variant, known by scientists as 20I/501Y.V2 or B.1.351; the so-called UK or Kent variant, known as 20I/501Y.V1 or B.1.1.7; and the Brazilian variant known as P.1. The British variant, which is more infectious but not necessarily more deadly than others, was likely “to sweep the world”, Peacock said.

  • Global Covid-19 cases top 107.7 mn: Johns Hopkins

    Washington (TIP): The total number of global coronavirus cases has topped 107.7 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.36 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Friday, February 12, morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 107,749,090 and 2,366,158, respectively.

    The US is the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of cases and deaths at 27,389,196 and 475,221, respectively, according to the CSSE.

    India comes in second place in terms of cases at 10,871,294.

    The other countries with more than a million confirmed coronavirus cases are Brazil (9,713,909), the UK (4,010,362), Russia (3,983,031), France (3,465,951), Spain (3,041,454), Italy (2,683,403), Turkey (2,564,427), Germany (2,321,225), Colombia (2,179,641), Argentina (2,008,345), Mexico (1,957,889), Poland (1,570,658), Iran (1,496,455), South Africa (1,484,900), Ukraine (1,302,811), Peru (1,203,502), Indonesia (1,191,990), Czech Republic (1,064,952) and the Netherlands (1,031,454), the CSSE figures showed.

    Brazil currently accounts for the second highest number of Covid-19 fatalities at 236,201, followed by Mexico (169,760) on the third place and India (155,360) on the fourth.

    Meanwhile, the nations with a death toll above 20,000 are the UK (115,748), Italy (92,729), France (80,951), Russia (77,415), Spain (64,217), Germany (63,858), Iran (58,751), Colombia (56,983), Argentina (49,874), South Africa (47,382), Peru (42,859), Poland (40,177), Indonesia (32,381), Turkey (27,187), Ukraine (25,330), Belgium (21,512) and Canada (21,089).

  • Pfizer vaccine can neutralize coronavirus variants first reported in UK, SA: Study

    The COVID-19 vaccine co-developed by the American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and the German biotechnology company BioNTech can neutralise variants of the novel coronavirus that were first reported in the UK and South Africa, a new study suggests. The research, published in the journal Nature Medicine, noted that the vaccine is effective against coronavirus variants carrying the N501Y and E484K mutations.

    According to the scientists, including those from the University of Texas in the US, these variants have a substitution of the amino acid building blocks that make up the viral spike protein—the part of the virus which enables it to enter human cells.

    They said these mutations in the 501st and 484th positions of the protein’s amino acid molecule chain appeared in the UK and the South African variants, and could potentially increase the affinity of the viral spike for the receptor on the human cell through which the virus enters cells.

    WHO recommends AstraZeneca vaccine use amid efficacy concerns

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided that potential benefits of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine outweigh known and potential risks, amid concerns over its efficacy against the virus variant found in South Africa.

    The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) panel on Wednesday said the two-dose AstraZeneca vaccine efficacy tended to be higher when the interval between doses was within the four to 12 weeks range, reports Xinhua news agency. It also added that although preliminary analyses based on a small sample size in South Africa indicate a marked reduction in vaccine effectiveness against mild and moderate disease, it did not allow a specific assessment of vaccine efficacy against severe Covid-19. As indirect evidence is compatible with protection against severe Covid-19, the situation remains to be demonstrated in ongoing clinical trials and post-implementation evaluations.

  • Health workers start anti-coup protests in virus-hit Myanmar

    Jakarta (TIP): Medical workers across Myanmar began a civil disobedience protest against Monday’s coup, wearing red ribbons and declaring they won’t work for the new military government.

    The army takeover that ousted the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi over allegations of fraud in November’s elections could not have come at a worse time for a country battling a steady rise in COVID-19 cases with a dangerously inadequate health system. “We want to show the world that we are totally against military dictatorship and we want our elected government and leader back,” said Dr Zun Ei Phyu, who lives in Yangon, the biggest city and commercial capital, and added: “We want to show them we will follow only our elected government. Not the military.” Health workers in government hospitals and facilities issued a statement on Wednesday opposing the coup. Photos were shared on social media showing workers with red ribbons pinned to their clothes or holding printed photos of red ribbons. Others used a three-finger salute that has become a symbol of pro-democracy protests in neighbouring Thailand, where a former general has led the government since a 2014 coup.

    Some medical staff went on strike while others who continued work in government-run clinics, made public their opposition to the new military rulers.

    Some of those on strike have begun to volunteer at charity health clinics, many of which were shut down as a precaution against a surge in COVID-19 cases.

    The clinics that had remained reopen were extending their working hours so people could still receive care during the protest, Zun Ei Phyu said. “We give free treatment and medicine to anyone who is in need,” she said, adding the clinics often operated with donations from charities and local communities. Myanmar’s early response to the pandemic mirrored that of many countries: borders were nearly completely closed, lengthy quarantines were imposed on travellers and daily life slowed with stay-at-home orders.

    AP

  • World faces around 4,000 COVID-19 variants as researchers explore mixed vaccine shots

    World faces around 4,000 COVID-19 variants as researchers explore mixed vaccine shots

    London (TIP): The world faces around 4,000 variants of the virus that causes COVID-19, prompting a race to improve vaccines, Britain said on Thursday, Feb 4, as researchers began to explore mixing doses of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca shots. Thousands of variants have been documented as the virus mutates, including the so-called British, South African and Brazilian variants which appear to spread more swiftly than others.

    British Vaccine Deployment Minister Nadhim Zahawi said it was very unlikely that the current vaccines would not work against the new variants. “Its very unlikely that the current vaccine won’t be effective on the variants whether in Kent or other variants especially when it comes to severe illness and hospitalisation,” Zahawi told Sky News.

    “All manufacturers, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Oxford-AstraZeneca and others, are looking at how they can improve their vaccine to make sure that we are ready for any variant — there are about 4,000 variants around the world of COVID now,” Zahawi added.

    While thousands of variants have arisen as the virus mutates on replication, only a very small minority are likely to be important and to change the virus in an appreciable way, according to the British Medical Journal.

    The so called British variant, known as VUI-202012/01, has mutations including a change in the spike protein that viruses use to bind to the human ACE2 receptor — meaning that it is probably easier to catch.

    “We have the largest genome sequencing industry — we have about 50 per cent of the world’s genome sequencing industry — and we are keeping a library of all the variants so that we are ready to respond — whether in the autumn or beyond — to any challenge that the virus may present and produce the next vaccine,” Zahawi said.

    VACCINE RACE

    The novel coronavirus — known as SARS-CoV-2 — has killed 2.268 million people worldwide since it emerged in China in late 2019, according to Johns Hopkins University of Medicine.

    Israel is currently far ahead of the rest of the world on vaccinations per head of population, followed by the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Bahrain, the United States and then Spain, Italy and Germany. Britain on Thursday launched a trial to assess the immune responses generated if doses of the vaccines from Pfizer and AstraZeneca are combined in a two-shot schedule.

  • Global Covid cases top 104.8mn: Johns Hopkins

    Global Covid cases top 104.8mn: Johns Hopkins

    Washington (TIP): The total number of global coronavirus cases has topped 104.8 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.28 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

    In its latest update on Friday, Feb 5, morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 104,832,983 and 2,281,608, respectively.

    The US is the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of cases and deaths at 26,673,780 and 455,657, respectively, according to the CSSE. India comes in second place in terms of cases at 10,790,183. The other countries with more than a million confirmed coronavirus cases are Brazil (9,396,293), the UK (3,903,706), Russia (3,874,830), France (3,310,496), Spain (2,913,425), Italy (2,597,446), Turkey (2,508,988), Germany (2,265,536), Colombia (2,135,412), Argentina (1,961,635), Mexico (1,886,245), Poland (1,533,511), South Africa (1,466,767), Iran (1,445,326), Ukraine (1,275,334), Peru (1,158,337), Indonesia (1,123,105), Czech Republic (1,013,352) and the Netherlands (1,007,268), the CSSE figures showed. Brazil currently accounts for the second highest number of Covid-19 fatalities at 228,795, followed by Mexico (161,240) on the third place and India (154,703) on the fourth. Meanwhile, the nations with a death toll above 20,000 are the UK (110,462), Italy (90,241), France (77,743), Russia (74,005), Spain (60,802), Germany (60,067), Iran (58,256), Colombia (55,131), Argentina (48,700), South Africa (45,605), Peru (41,538), Poland (38,344), Indonesia (31,001), Turkey (26,467), Ukraine (24,429), Belgium (21,216) and Canada (20,486).

  • India’s Covid recovery rate goes up to 97.08%

    India’s Covid tally of cases rose to 1,07,77,284 with 11,039 new infections being reported in a day, while the recoveries surged to 1,04,62,631, according to the Union Health Ministry data. The death toll increased to 1,54,596 with 110 daily new fatalities. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,04,62,631 pushing the national Covid recovery rate of 97.08 per cent, while the Covid case fatality rate stands at 1.43 per cent.

    The total Covid active cases remained below 2 lakh. There are 1,60,057 active coronavirus infections in the country which comprises 1.49 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.

    India’s Covid tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on  November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    UK records another 20,634 Covid cases, 915 deaths

    Another 20,634 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 3,892,459, according to official figures released on Thursday, Feb 4.

    The country also reported another 915 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 110,250. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test, Xinhua reported.

    A seven-year-old with known underlying health conditions is among the latest reported deaths of people who have tested positive for coronavirus in England, the Evening Standard newspaper reported.

    “While the risk from the virus to children is low, people with underlying conditions are known to be at higher risk of serious disease,” according to the London-based newspaper.

    Patients were aged between seven and 102 years old and all except 30 — aged 40 to 99 — had known underlying health conditions.