All posts tagged: COVID-19 pandemic

‘No need for medical colleges, hospitals’: Bihar minister lays out his vision

‘No need for medical colleges, hospitals’: Bihar minister lays out his vision

Bihar agriculture minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has said the state should strive to become so healthy that hospitals and medical colleges are left with no patients to treat. Bihar Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha addresses after launching the Save Farmland Campaign at Mithapur Krishi Farm, in Patna on Monday. (ANI) Speaking at a public event recently, Sinha said, “Our mission should be to make the health of the people of Bihar—and the country— so good that there would be no need for medical colleges and hospitals.” “This is a resolve we can take. The soil of Bihar has that capability. This is a land of knowledge, a land of science, and a land rich in cultural heritage,” he added. Later, Sinha shared a clip of his speech on X, featuring his remarks. Remarks on COVID and nature Sinha also reflected on the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing a connection between people’s lifestyles and their experiences during the health crisis. He said, “During the COVID period, those who lived in nature’s lap, stayed close to nature, and nurtured …

Muskan Verma on losing control during that emotional cremation scene in Inspector Avinash: Randeep Hooda sir inspired me

Muskan Verma on losing control during that emotional cremation scene in Inspector Avinash: Randeep Hooda sir inspired me

Roorkee-born actor Muskan Verma, who plays Randeep Hooda’s team member’s daughter and his ‘sister’ in Inspector Avinash, says her on-screen brother’s commitment inspired her to give a “masterclass performance in one of the toughest scenes” in the show. Actor Muskan Verma with Randeep Hooda and (inset) Urvashi Rautela during an emotionally charged scene in OTT series Inspector Avinash (Photo: Instagram) She tells HT City, “During the shoot I noticed how Randeep sir used to remain in character even when he was not shooting. Off camera too, he would speak and behave like Avinash. It was truly a masterclass to watch such dedication. I took a cue from it and it helped me in a very emotional scene in the shot.” Muskan plays STF team member constable Laxmikant’s daughter (played by actor B Shantanu). Talking of her on-screen father’s cremation scene, she says, “Everyone was in tears and I got so involved in it that I literally lost control. The scene when I take the lead for the cremation fire ceremony is very powerful, where I …

Sonakshi Sinha says overworking in her 20s led her to almost ‘burning out’: I would take no breaks | Exclusive

Sonakshi Sinha says overworking in her 20s led her to almost ‘burning out’: I would take no breaks | Exclusive

Actor Sonakshi Sinha began working in her early 20sand found immediate success with her debut film, Dabangg. She saw a bunch of hits over the next few years, establishing herself as a prolific actor. But now, reflecting on that phase of her career, Sonakshi says she was overworking herself, almost to the brink of exhaustion. Sonakshi Sinha plays a lawyer in her upcoming film, System. Sonakshi Sinha on overworking in her 20s In 10 years, from her debut to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sonakshi starred in 23 films and had special appearances or dance numbers in eight more. Talking to Hindustan Times about that phase, she says, “I started working very young. I was 22 when I started and 23 when my first film released. My entire 20s went into work. I felt like I was burning out, doing more than I should be. I was constantly on the go. I would not take time off for myself or breaks in between two films. I would go from one set to another. I did double shifts …

Covid pandemic saw 22.1mn excess deaths; three times 7mn formally documented

Covid pandemic saw 22.1mn excess deaths; three times 7mn formally documented

The latest World Health Statistical Report again underlined higher volumes of excess deaths during Covid-19 pandemic with the report estimating 22.1 million excess deaths having occurred between 2020 and 2023, over three times the documented 7 million deaths. Doctors and nurses wearing protective gears attend a Covid-19 patient on ventilator at the intensive care unit of Szent Laszlo Hospital in Budapest, Hungary, on December 13, 2021. (AP) Excess mortality was highest in 2021, with 10.4 million deaths, as more lethal variants emerged and health systems faced severe strain, before declining to 3.3 million deaths in 2023. Men consistently saw higher excess mortality than women, with age-standardised mortality rates about 50% higher in men than women at the 2021 peak. A strong age gradient was also apparent; excess mortality rose sharply in older adults and was 10 times higher in people 85 years and older than among younger adults, the data showed. The Covid-19 pandemic inflicted a setback of historic proportions that wiped out nearly a decade of gains in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy …

Aamir Khan admits he is at peace with girlfriend Gauri Spratt: ‘Ab jaake mai mukammal hua’

Aamir Khan admits he is at peace with girlfriend Gauri Spratt: ‘Ab jaake mai mukammal hua’

Actor Aamir Khan, who is often seen setting couple goals with girlfriend Gauri Spratt, has now opened up about finding love again. He admitted that he feels fortunate to have met her and shared that their relationship brings him a deep sense of peace. On his 60th birthday in March last year, Aamir introduced his girlfriend, Gauri Spratt, to the media in Mumbai. (PTI) Aamir on Gauri In an interview with Navbharat Times, Aamir opened up about his personal life and spoke about his relationship with Gauri. “I am very fortunate that I met Gauri, and our relationship started together. She is great, I feel at peace with her. Although my relationship with (ex-wives) Kiran Rao and Reena Dutta was also very deep, but things didn’t work out. When you asked, I felt that I am very blessed that Gauri entered my life. We are very happy together. Mujhe lagta hai ab jaake mai mukammal hua hu (I feel complete today),” Aamir said. Aamir shared that he doesn’t believe in perfection, noting that everyone is …

Delhi HC overturns order calling chief minister’s promise at presser enforceable

Delhi HC overturns order calling chief minister’s promise at presser enforceable

A two-judge Delhi high court bench on Monday overturned a single judge’s order holding that a chief minister’s promise at a press conference is enforceable, calling it misconceived. A detailed copy of the verdict was awaited. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) A bench of justices C Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla ruled that no mandamus can be issued for enforcing a statement made at a press conference. “The prayer in the writ petition for direction to implement the assurance made in the press conference dated March 29, 2020, of the chief minister is misconceived and is accordingly rejected,” the court said. “We, however, reiterate our clear opinion that no mandamus can be issued to enforce the statement made by the chief minister in the press conference…” A detailed copy of the verdict was awaited. The Delhi government appealed against Justice Prathiba M Singh’s July 2021 order directing it to decide within six weeks on the then chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s announcement of paying the rent of poor tenants unable to do so due to the Covid-19 pandemic. …

Filling policy and implementation gaps to build India as a biomanufacturing hub

Filling policy and implementation gaps to build India as a biomanufacturing hub

During the Covid-19 pandemic, India contributed to the global response by increasing its vaccine development and health diplomacy efforts, underscoring, among others, its potential as a biotechnology powerhouse. The Government of India continued its effort to make progress in biotechnology research and development in the years after, launching the BioE3 policy in 2024. The BioE3 framework aims to develop a $300-billion bioeconomy in India by 2030, through innovation in health, agriculture, clean energy, and sustainable manufacturing. This brief analyses India’s biomanufacturing trajectory through the lens of the Covid-19 pandemic, focusing on the implementation of the BioE3 policy through biotech parks, public–private partnerships, and talent-development initiatives. It recommends reforms to address the challenges of weak intellectual property regimes, fragmented regulation, infrastructure asymmetries, and funding and talent shortfalls; the aim is to position India as a global hub for biotech innovation. Biomanufacturing (Shutterstock) India’s Covid-19 response was a seminal moment in its global health diplomacy and vaccine-production efforts. With its dissemination of newly innovated vaccines, the country emerged as a leading supplier of vaccines during the crisis, …

We’ll overcome together| India News

We’ll overcome together| India News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the world has yet to return to a stable path of progress after the Covid-19 pandemic, with recurring conflicts continuing to disrupt recovery, even as he asserted that the ongoing crisis caused by the war in West Asia would be overcome by the country’s 1.4 billion together. Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ((@NarendraModi/YT via PTI Photo)) “All of us remember that the entire world faced myriad problems for a long time on account of Covid-19. Indeed, all of us had expected that after emerging from the Corona crisis, the world would move forward on the path of renewed progress. However, situations of war and conflict have continuously kept arising in different parts of the world.” the PM said while addressing the nation in the 132nd episode of his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast. He pointed to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, now over a month old, underlining its direct implications for the country. “Presently, a fierce war has been going on in our neighbourhood… more than one …

‘Serious consequences’: Putin likens disruptions from US-Iran war to COVID-19 pandemic

‘Serious consequences’: Putin likens disruptions from US-Iran war to COVID-19 pandemic

Amid the global disruption brought forth by the war in West Asia, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday stated that the consequences from the ongoing war between US, Israel and Iran could be likened to the same level as the COVID-19 pandemic six years ago. The ongoing conflict, as per Putin, is causing significant damage to international logistics, production and supply chains. (REUTERS) The ongoing conflict, as per Putin, is causing significant damage to international logistics, production and supply chains. The Russian president added that the US-Iran war was also putting intense pressure on hydrocarbon, metals and fertiliser companies. “The consequences of the conflict in the Middle East are still difficult to accurately predict,” Putin told business leaders in Moscow. Putin further said that it was hard to predict the consequences of the conflict, adding that “those involved in the conflict also cannot predict anything themselves.” Also Read | ‘Lockdown in India’ among top searches today. Reason: Covid memories, Iran war “It seems to me that those who are involved in the conflict cannot predict …

India’s Oscar entry ‘Homebound’ tells true story of hardships and hopes

India’s Oscar entry ‘Homebound’ tells true story of hardships and hopes

By Hanna Rantala India’s Oscar entry ‘Homebound’ tells true story of hardships and hopes LONDON, – A decade after making his feature film debut with acclaimed drama “Masaan”, Indian director Neeraj Ghaywan returns with a second movie that seeks to give a voice to people who feel invisible. Based on true events, “Homebound” tells the story of two childhood friends from a northern Indian village whose sights are set on police officer jobs they believe will improve their standing in the world. Shoaib, a Muslim, and Chandan, a Dalit, once called “untouchables”, are among the 2.5 million applicants competing for 3,500 jobs in the police. Their bond gets tested during the wait for the entrance exam results, as each weighs his prospects, under pressure to support their families. Inspired by Basharat Peer’s 2020 New York Times article “Taking Amrit home”, the film also looks at the plight of the country’s large migrant population and the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I saw big potential in speaking about a lot of things that contemporary India …