#Data Science Training Agra

[lohithkumar9011]

DATA ANALYTICS COURSE IN AGRA Advance your career with DataMites Data Analytics Course in Agra. Learn Python, SQL, Power BI, Tableau, and Machine Learning from industry experts. Get hands-on training, real-world projects, and globally recognized certification. Flexible learning, internship opportunities, and job assistance included.

[dekhocampus11]

Eshan Group of Institution , Mathura

Eshan Group of Institutions, established in 2009 by the Lord Shiva Trust, is a prominent private educational establishment located in Farah, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. Affiliated with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), Lucknow, and approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the institution offers a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate programs across various disciplines. The campus spans over 15 acres along National Highway 2, providing a conducive environment for academic and personal growth.

Academic Programs

Eshan Group offers a comprehensive array of programs:

Undergraduate Programs:

Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics & Communication, and Computer Science Engineering.

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).

Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA).

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).

Master of Computer Applications (MCA).

Master of Business Administration (MBA) with specializations in finance, human resources, marketing, information technology, international business, and operations management.

Master of Technology (M.Tech) in Computer Science Engineering.

Polytechnic Diploma in Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering.

Post Diploma in Industrial Safety.

Diploma in Computer Hardware and Networking.

Diploma in Retail Management.

NanoDegree Programs in Management Consulting, Product Management, Investment Banking, Full Stack Digital Marketing, and Data & Business Analytics.

Infrastructure and Facilities

Eshan Group boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Academic Facilities: Digital classrooms, seminar halls, and a well-stocked library.

Laboratories: Specialized labs for various engineering disciplines.

Hostel: Separate hostels for boys and girls with modern amenities.

Transport: A fleet of buses and vans covering the Agra-Mathura region.

Recreational Facilities: Sports grounds, indoor games, a gymnasium, and a cafeteria.

Medical Facilities: On-campus medical support.

Wi-Fi Connectivity: High-speed internet access across the campus.

Admissions and Eligibility

Admissions are based on the following criteria:

B.Tech: Candidates must have passed 10+2 with physics and mathematics as compulsory subjects and one of chemistry/biotechnology/biology with a minimum of 45% marks (40% for SC/ST). Admission is through JEE Main or UPCET scores.

Polytechnic (Diploma): Candidates should have passed the 10th standard or equivalent examination. Lateral entry is available for candidates with a 3-year diploma in engineering.

MBA: Graduates with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST) are eligible.

M.Tech: Candidates should have a B.Tech degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST).

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

Eshan Group offers various scholarships to meritorious and economically disadvantaged students:

Merit-Based Scholarships: For students with 60% marks in 10+2 and JEE Main qualified.

Samaj Kalyan Vibhag Scholarships: For SC/ST students with a parental income below ₹200,000 per annum.

Early Bird Concessions: Available for early applicants.

Placement and Industry Linkages

Eshan Group has a dedicated placement cell that facilitates

Internships and Industrial Training: To bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements.

Campus Placements: Companies like TCS, Infosys, HCL, Wipro, and Mamsys Consultancy Services have recruited students.

Average Salary Package: Ranges between ₹4.5 LPA and ₹8 LPA, with top packages reaching up to ₹12.5 LPA.

Student Life and Extracurricular Activities

Beyond academics, Eshan Group emphasizes holistic development through:

Cultural Events: Festivals, talent shows, and annual fests.

Sports Activities: Inter-college tournaments and fitness programs.

Clubs and Societies: Technical clubs, literary societies, and hobby groups.

Guest Lectures and Workshops: Industry experts and alumni interactions.

Conclusion

Eshan Group of Institutions stands as a beacon of quality education in the Mathura region, offering a blend of academic excellence, infrastructural facilities, and holistic development opportunities. Its commitment to fostering industry-ready professionals makes it a preferred choice for students aspiring to build a successful career in engineering, management, and applied sciences.

[makers-muse]

The Rise of STEM Labs in Agra Schools: A Trend or a Revolution? 

Agra’s schools are at the heart of a new wave of educational innovation—STEM Labs. The integration of a STEM Lab in Agra has sparked discussions among educators, parents, and students alike. Is this trend merely following the global hype, or does it signal a groundbreaking revolution in the city’s academic landscape? Let’s delve deeper to understand what makes a STEM Lab Solution in Agra so significant and why schools should embrace this change wholeheartedly. 

A STEM Lab in Agra is not just a collection of gadgets and devices; it’s a dynamic learning environment where students get hands-on experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These labs empower students to explore practical applications of concepts learned in classrooms. From robotics to engineering design, a well-equipped STEM Lab Solution in Agra allows students to experiment, innovate, and solve real-world problems. 

Activities in a STEM Lab Program in Agra go beyond traditional education. They cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork—skills that are essential for the future workforce. Through coding, prototyping, and engineering challenges, students develop both technical proficiency and an innovative mindset. Explore more about STEM Labs in Agra by makers’ muse! 

Why  Schools Are Leading the Way by Embracing STEM Labs in Agra 

Agra has long been a city of culture and history, but its schools are now stepping into the future. The implementation of a STEM Lab Program in Agra is a testament to the city’s commitment to modernizing education. As the global economy becomes increasingly dependent on STEM expertise, schools in Agra are recognizing the importance of preparing students for competitive environments. 

A STEM Lab Solution in Agra can drastically transform learning experiences, providing students with tools to excel in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and renewable energy. Schools equipped with a STEM Lab in Agra empower students to think critically, solve complex problems, and innovate fearlessly. 

Overcoming the Challenges of Establishing STEM Labs in Agra Schools 

Despite the undeniable benefits, setting up a STEM Lab in Agra comes with its fair share of challenges. Financial constraints are often a significant concern, as creating a comprehensive STEM Lab Solution in Agra requires investment in infrastructure, advanced tools, and training programs for educators. For smaller schools, this can be a daunting task. 

Another hurdle lies in adapting to new teaching methodologies. A STEM Lab Program in Agra can only be successful if teachers are well-versed in utilizing these labs effectively. Professional development initiatives and collaborations with STEM education providers can help overcome this obstacle, ensuring that educators make the most of the resources available. 

A Revolution in Education: The Long-Term Impact on STEM Lab Solution in Agra 

The adoption of a STEM Lab in Agra is far more than a passing trend—it’s a revolution that has the potential to redefine education. Students engaged in STEM-based learning are better equipped to tackle academic challenges and thrive in their future careers. By fostering curiosity and innovation, a STEM Lab Solution in Agra builds a generation of forward-thinking leaders. 

Moreover, a STEM Lab Program in Agra exposes students to the technologies shaping tomorrow’s industries. Whether it’s designing sustainable solutions or developing AI-powered tools, these labs lay the foundation for skills that are in high demand. Schools investing in STEM labs position themselves as leaders in academic excellence, attracting top-tier students and educators. 

Creating Opportunities: Making STEM Labs Accessible and Sustainable in Agra Schools 

To ensure that every school benefits from a STEM Lab in Agra, cost-effective solutions must be explored. Collaborations with local organizations and STEM education providers can reduce setup expenses and make these labs accessible to institutions of all sizes. Modular designs and scalable STEM Lab Solutions in Agra can cater to varying budgets, ensuring that no student misses out on this transformative learning experience. 

Additionally, community support and government funding can alleviate financial pressures, making it easier for schools to implement a STEM Lab Program in Agra. With the right planning and resources, even smaller institutions can unlock the immense potential of STEM education. 

A Future-Ready Choice: Why Agra Schools Should Embrace STEM Labs Now 

In conclusion, the rise of STEM labs in Agra schools is far more than a fleeting trend—it’s a revolution that’s reshaping the way students learn and innovate. By embracing STEM Lab Solutions in Agra, schools are taking a bold step toward preparing their students for the future. The challenges may be significant, but the rewards are even greater. 

Agra’s schools have the unique opportunity to lead the charge in educational innovation. With the implementation of a STEM Lab Program in Agra, they can transform their classrooms into hubs of creativity and excellence. Take a step to build the STEM Lab in Agra at your School with makers’ muse.  The future belongs to schools that invest in their students’ potential, and a STEM Lab in Agra is the perfect place to start. Connect with us ! 

[dpmiagra]

Hands On Education Medical Lab Technology Training in Agra?

Introduction

In the realm of healthcare, precision and accuracy are paramount. Medical laboratory technologists play a crucial role in ensuring the reliability of diagnostic tests and results. However, the journey to becoming proficient in this field requires more than just theoretical knowledge; it demands hands-on education. In Agra, a city known for its rich historical heritage, there lies an opportunity for aspiring medical lab technologists to receive comprehensive training that emphasises practical experience alongside theoretical learning.

Introduction to Medical Lab Technology Training

Medical lab technology training encompasses a wide array of disciplines, including clinical chemistry, microbiology, haematology, and immunology. It equips individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to perform various laboratory tests, analyse results, and assist in disease diagnosis and treatment. While theoretical understanding forms the foundation, practical training is indispensable for translating knowledge into real-world applications effectively.

Overview of Medical Lab Technology

Medical lab technology, often referred to as clinical laboratory science, involves the analysis of biological specimens to aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. From conducting routine tests to investigating complex medical conditions, medical lab technologists play a vital role in supporting patient care and medical research.

The Need for Hands-On Education

While classroom lectures provide essential theoretical knowledge, they often fall short in preparing students for the challenges they'll face in a clinical laboratory setting.  Hands-on education bridges this gap by allowing students to apply theoretical concepts in a practical environment. By engaging in laboratory exercises, simulated scenarios, and real-time experiments, Medical Lab Technology Course In Agra  students develop critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities essential for their future careers.

Challenges Faced in Traditional Learning Methods

Traditional learning methods in medical lab technology often rely heavily on lectures and theoretical instruction. However, this approach limits students' exposure to practical scenarios, hindering their ability to develop essential skills such as specimen handling, equipment operation, and data analysis. Additionally, the controlled nature of classroom settings may not adequately prepare students for the unpredictability of real-world laboratory environments.

Advantages of Hands-On Training in Agra

In Agra, hands-on education in medical lab technology is facilitated by state-of-the-art facilities and experienced instructors. Students have access to fully equipped laboratories where they can gain practical experience in performing a wide range of laboratory tests. Moreover, Agra's vibrant healthcare industry provides ample opportunities for students to engage with diverse patient populations and medical professionals, further enhancing their learning experience.

Features of Medical Lab Technology Training in Agra

Medical lab technology training programs in Agra are designed to prioritise practical learning. The curriculum is meticulously crafted to incorporate hands-on laboratory sessions, interactive workshops, and clinical rotations. Medical Lab Technology Course In Agra  Experienced instructors guide students through each step, providing valuable insights and feedback to help them develop proficiency in various laboratory techniques.

Career Opportunities in Medical Lab Technology

The demand for skilled medical lab technologists continues to rise, driven by advancements in medical technology and an ageing population. Graduates of medical lab technology programs in Agra are well-positioned to pursue rewarding careers in hospitals, clinics, research laboratories, and public health agencies. With opportunities for specialisation and continuous professional development, the field offers promising prospects for long-term growth and advancement.

Testimonials from Students and Professionals

Numerous students and professionals who have undergone medical lab technology training in Agra attest to its effectiveness in preparing them for successful careers. From gaining hands-on experience to building confidence in their abilities, many credit their training in Agra for shaping their professional journey. Success stories abound, highlighting the transformative impact of practical education in medical lab technology.

Conclusion

Hands-on education is essential for aspiring medical lab technologists to thrive in their careers. In Agra, individuals have the opportunity to receive comprehensive training that combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience, setting them on the path to success in the dynamic field of medical laboratory science.

FAQs

Q1. What is medical lab technology?

Ans. Medical lab technology involves the analysis of biological specimens to aid in disease diagnosis and treatment.

Q2. Why is hands-on education crucial in this field?

Ans. Hands-on education allows students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, enhancing their skills and readiness for real-world challenges.

Q3. What distinguishes training in Agra?

Ans. Training in Agra offers access to state-of-the-art facilities and diverse clinical experiences, providing a comprehensive learning environment for aspiring medical lab technologists.

Q4. Can anyone enrol in these programs?

Ans. Yes, medical lab technology programs in Agra are open to individuals with a passion for healthcare and a desire to pursue a career in laboratory science.

Q5. How does practical experience benefit career prospects?

Ans. Practical experience allows individuals to develop proficiency in laboratory techniques, making them more competitive in the job market and better equipped to meet the demands of their profession.

[ashikimam]

In summary, this comprehensive guide has thoroughly covered the foundational aspects of Python programming, tailored specifically for beginners. From setting up the development environment to exploring basic and advanced concepts, Python emerges as a versatile toolkit capable of empowering individuals to create diverse applications. Whether your interests lie in web development, data science, or automation, Python offers ample opportunities, providing the necessary tools and resources to turn your aspirations into reality. With consistent practice and exploration, mastering Python becomes achievable, leading to a fulfilling journey in the programming landscape. For those searching for the finest Best Python Training in Kanpur, Dehradun, Agra, Delhi, Noida and all cities across India, this guide serves as an invaluable starting point to reach your goals.

[chandrakala123]

Data science is the study of data to extract meaningful insights for business. Datamites is the leading training institute for data science course in Agra.

[suhasini123]

An artificial intelligence (AI) course is an educational program or training that focuses on teaching individuals the principles, techniques, and applications of artificial intelligence. Datamites is an organization that offers various courses and training programs in the field of data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

[shelllong]

Icash com gov

#ICASH COM GOV SERIES#

Click the orange Get Form button to start editing and enhancing.These tips, with the editor will help you through the whole process. The leading editor is already at your fingertips giving you an array of useful instruments for submitting a - Icash Illinois. With US Legal Forms the whole process of completing legal documents is anxiety-free. We assure you of our best hospitality and a very comfortable stay and an illuminating academic experience.The days of terrifying complicated tax and legal documents are over. I wish to extend very warm welcome to you to the ICAS VIII and look forward to receiving you and your accompanying persons to India. The important heritage sites in and around New Delhi are Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the World, (3.5 hrs drive from New Delhi by car or by fast train) at Agra and several historical monuments in Delhi. I am confident and trust that these events would enable participants to draw an agenda for future research.īesides the technical deliberations during the conference, the delegates would get an opportunity to explore the rich heritage of India. The conference would be annexed with side events and trainings as the pre- and post-conference events. The Programme will also include an opening and a closing session to summarize issues and recommendations. The programme of the Conference would encompass Plenary Sessions, around 40 concurrent sessions focusing on 10 Thematic Sets, poster session(s), etc. The Conference would also encourage the participation of policy makers, researchers and analysts who are directly or indirectly involved in the domain of agriculture, fishery, forestry, horticulture, rural statistics and development. The ICAS VIII intends to bring under one umbrella about 400 delegates comprising of statistical researchers, producers, suppliers, trainers and users of agricultural statistics from government offices, the academia, the development partners, from all over the world and from India to share insights and to address issues of agricultural statistics (information / data) development. Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW), MoA&FW Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) and other Departments of Government of India would be actively involved in the organization of this mega event. The conference is being organized jointly by ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (ICAR-IASRI), Indian Society of Agricultural Statistics (ISAS) and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) under the auspices of International Statistical Institute, Committee on Agricultural Statistics (ISI-CAS). The Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), Government of India is hosting the ICAS-VIII. The theme of the ICAS-VIII is Statistics for Transformation of Agriculture to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) It is indeed a great pleasure to invite you to the Eighth International Conference on Agricultural Statistics 2019 (ICAS-VIII), to be held during 18-21 November 2019 at New Delhi, India. Warm Welcome to the Eighth International Conference on Agricultural Statistics 2019! Welcome from Chairman, Organizing Committee, ICAS VIII Series of International Conferences on Agricultural Statistics is available at Mexico, China, Uganda and Brazil have been the host countries for ICAS in the past. ICAS started in 1998 in response to overarching need for better agricultural data worldwideĪnd is held every three years to address issues of agricultural statistics (information/data) development.

#ICASH COM GOV SERIES#

International Conference on Agricultural Statistics (ICAS) is a series of conferences, sponsored byįood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Bank (WB), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)Īnd other international development agencies. Eighth International Conference on Agricultural Statistics (ICAS-VIII)

[universitysanskriti]

Choosing the Best University in UP For An Advanced Career

The world is chasing its dreams. Everyone is running behind the top career options to secure better jobs and a better standard of living. Choosing the right college could be fruitful for you at this stage of your life. As you are about to step out of your cocoon after years of parental pampering, today this article brings you in-depth detail, helping you to make the right decision to get admitted to the university right for you. 

The serene and Holy town, Mathura houses the Best University in UP. It is located in a tranquil setting with cutting-edge facilities, provides students with swivelling upliftment. Sanskriti's tacit think tank comprises highly skilled and experienced professors recruited from both industry and academia. A curriculum adapted to business demands, along with industry-leading pedagogies, helps learners turn themselves into job-ready resources. The University was founded with the goal of providing students with 

                                    "Excellence in Life."

Cut the Clutter, Choose the Best

Students can select from a wide range of Management courses, Commerce, Engineering, Education, Science, Indian Medicine, Para-medical, Agriculture, and Arts, among others.

Today, they desire to broaden their perspectives, which is precisely what Sanskriti University encourages. Aside from classroom instruction, students get extra information through specialized and well-equipped laboratories, industry tours, and co-curricular activities, among other things. The emphasis is on kindling young minds to develop and focus on research-based initiatives. Students can also use the library, which offers many textbooks, periodicals, and reference materials.

Technologically Advanced

Sanskriti University believes in maximizing the use of technology in education to improve quality and exposing students to various types of technology to enhance knowledge. Being the best college in Mathura, It has always been involved in ample programmes that would deliver the best knowledge and advanced learning opportunities to students. Sharing some at a glimpse 

Online Training Programmes from Experts from Tata Steel as part of MoU with Tata Steel

Online Training Programmes from Domain Experts from L&T.

Technology Training from Domain Experts from MSME-PPDC Agra

3D Printing facility for students for pioneering innovations

Development of Solar Vehicle, Electric Vehicles, and Combo Vehicle on Campus by the students under the guidance of

Scientifically advanced Lab with High-Tech machines and infrastructure to enhance the language skills of the students.

State of the art Computer Labs to provide IT Knowledge and Skills.

Licensed and OGL software for the students to hone IT Skills.

Online Admission System for the students.

Online Grievance Redressal System for students.

Online Inventory Management and Asset Tracking System of the University.

Hospital Information Management System.

First Incubation Centre in Mathura

The Sanskriti University Incubation Centre promotes the growth of knowledge-based, creative companies. It provides a platform that stimulates, supports, and develops innovative technologies that alter people's lives and enterprises. Incubation collaborations with MNCs encourage young entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses in three areas: business incubation, technology business incubation, and social incubation. The incubation ecosystem involves

Data Analyst

Incubator

Mentor

Startup

Accelerator

Angel Investor

Venture Capitalist

Industrialist

NGOs

Government agency like, MSME, NIESBUD, EDII, NEN, CSTUP

Ecological Farming Centre of Excellence

Ecological farming promotes healthy farming and nutritious food for today and tomorrow by safeguarding soil, water, and climate, promoting biodiversity, and avoiding using chemical inputs or genetic engineering.

This is the only Centre of Excellence in Uttar Pradesh recognised and affiliated by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises of the Government of India. More than 100 faculty members, PhD scholars, postgraduate programmes, startups, and innovators are engaged in knowledge building, knowledge transfer, and skills acquisition for societal and economic development in agriculture and biotechnology.

Early Industrial Exposure

A university that secured itself being the top University in Uttar Pradesh, has been striving to retain its position for many years. The students are provided practical learning well in advance before even seeking jobs. So Sanskriti University, in collaboration with India’s leading Company, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS iON), is offering Industry Honours Program (IHP). It provided learning in data science and artificial intelligence with TCS iON. 

The Final Call

Since its inception, Sanskrit University has been recorded as one of the best universities in the Mathura-Agra belt. Students belonging to dynamic cultures come together to learn and grow. Secure yourself a seat before the admissions are closed. Visit the following link to know more about Sanskriti University and get a career advancement opportunity over your peers. 

[skyinfotech1-blog]

Data Science is about gaining knowledge, analyzing, reflecting, managing and maintaining data. These insights help companies make powerful data-driven decisions. This is one of the most sought after jobs as there are many data science positions and the number of rewards to be paid. SkyInfotech is the best Data Science training institute.

[vsplusonline]

Countering Covid-19: Centre and states marshal their resources for a quick and effective response

New Post has been published on https://apzweb.com/countering-covid-19-centre-and-states-marshal-their-resources-for-a-quick-and-effective-response/

Countering Covid-19: Centre and states marshal their resources for a quick and effective response

How well an administration reacts to a health emergency may not entirely be clear from the website of its health department. But in Kerala’s case, it is an accurate reflection of the state’s deft handling of the novel coronavirus disease, or Covid-19.

The homepage of Kerala’s health portal is rich with information related to coronavirus, including daily district-wise data on how many people are under observation. There is a detailed list of risk factors for fliers — including where they sat and where an infected person did — and information on the discharge criteria for those who have come from various countries. The state has set up as many as 18 teams — including for surveillance and for ambulance management — in the state coronavirus control room.

Kerala is a welcome anomaly in an otherwise inadequate public-healthcare system in India. The state earned plaudits for the manner in which it tackled the Nipah virus outbreak in 2018. So Kerala’s response to Covid-19 is hardly surprising. The first three Covid-19 cases in India were reported in Kerala in January-February, but they were all cured. There have been no more cases in the state.

As concerns over the spread of Covid-19 grow stronger across the country, even other states and the Centre are throwing their weight behind containing it. There have been 34 confirmed cases, including 16 Italian tourists, in India so far but no deaths. On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation and the steps taken by the government.

The Union government on February 3 set up a group of ministers (GoM) to monitor the situation. Led by Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, the GoM — which also consists of the external affairs and civil aviation ministers, and junior ministers of health, home and shipping — has met five times till now. Besides the ministries, agencies such as the National Centre for Disease Control and the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority are also part of the government’s efforts.

A wall at a government hospital in Kolkata displays COVID-19 helpline number. State governments have deployed resources from multiple departments to disseminate information regarding the virus.

“Even though the WHO (World Health Organization) has not declared Covid-19 a pandemic, it has asked countries to remain prepared. India initiated the required preparedness and action at the field level on January 17, much before the advice from the WHO,” says Vardhan.

Exports of critical items such as personal protective equipment and N95 masks have been restricted to ensure their availability in India.

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba has held 15 review meetings with various ministries since January 27. On March 6, the health ministry and the WHO organised a training session that was attended by 280 health officials from all states and from the hospitals of the railways, defence and paramilitary forces. Video conferences are also being held with states every other day, both to train officials and to take stock of the situation.

Health Secretary Preeti Sudan has deputed more than 10 joint secretaries to assess the preparedness of states and Union territories. But state officials do not want meetings to be counter-productive. “During a crisis like this, you cannot allow meetings to take up a lot of your time. That is why we combine meetings and interact mostly on WhatsApp groups and conference calls on the move,” says K Kolandaswamy, director of public health in Tamil Nadu.

The Covid-19 outbreak began in Wuhan in China’s Hubei province in December and has since spread to 88 countries and territories. There have been over 98,000 confirmed cases — 82% of that in China alone — and 3,380 deaths, with over 3,000 just in China, according to the WHO. Believed to have been transmitted from bats through other animals to humans, the virus spreads when a person comes in contact with small droplets from an infected person’s nose or mouth and then touches her own eyes, nose or mouth.

That is why polio-awareness workers in Uttar Pradesh, the country’s most populous state, have been wearing masks and maintaining a distance of 1.5 metres while making enquiries at homes throughout Agra, a favourite among local and foreign tourists. The exercise is being carried out to reach all those who possibly had contact with an infected person. More than 50,000 houses have already been surveyed, says Mukesh Vats, Agra’s chief medical officer. “We decided to deploy polio abhiyan workers as they are aware of their localities.” A man who tested positive for Covid-19 had travelled to Agra to meet his relatives. They have all been quarantined.

In Rajasthan, a rapid action team has been set up to trace those who came in contact with Italian tourists in Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Bikaner, according to state health minister Raghu Sharma. Italy has become Europe’s coronavirus hotspot. Besides the health department, other arms of the government are being drafted into the fight against Covid-19. Sachin Pilot, deputy chief minister of Rajasthan, says, “All departments in the state, including local bodies, are taking precautions to stop its spread. For example, my own department — the rural development — has been engaged in making villagers aware of the dos and don’ts of the disease.”

Medical staff wear protective masks at an isolation ward at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Medical Sciences in Ahmedabad.

However, relying just on government hospitals would not be enough if the number of infected people was to multiply. And that is why states such as Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra are turning to private or trust-owned hospitals to meet the shortfall in capacity. Telangana has announced that it has the option of using as isolation wards the 40,000 two-bedroom houses it plans to hand over to poor families, in addition to the 3,000 beds it has set aside in five public hospitals.

India has quickly increased the number of labs that can test samples for Covid-19, from 15 a few days ago to 51 now, with Pune’s National Institute of Virology being the nodal lab. As of March 6, over 4,000 samples had been tested in India, according to the health ministry. India has also ramped up monitoring at all airports, and almost 8 lakh fliers have been screened. On March 4, the government announced that passengers from all nations would be checked for the virus. But questions have been raised about the credentials of the health team at the Guwahati airport as the health officer, Parthajyoti Gogoi, is not a doctor.

Guwahati provides a crucial link to the Northeast and it also has some international flights. It emerged on March 6 that Bhutan’s first Covid-19 case — a 76-year-old US tourist — had a week-long cruise on the Brahmaputra before he travelled to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital.

Not just fliers but people who enter the country through land borders are also being checked for Covid-19. Uttar Pradesh alone has six border points with Nepal. As of March 5, more than 11.5 lakh people had been screened at border checkposts. About 4,000 meetings of village councils have been held to sensitise those living along the borders. Neighbouring states are also in constant touch with each other, given the frequent movement of people between them, says Kolandaswamy. Tamil Nadu shares a border with Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. Sarita RL, Kerala’s director of health services, did not respond to requests for comment.

The railways has also been roped in to augment the government’s efforts to disseminate tips on precaution. With 6,600 active stations across India, the railways is the largest public announcement network in India, explains VK Yadav, chairman of the Railway Board. Isolation wards are being created at each of the 84 railway hospitals.

While state governments might have suppressed information during a public-health crisis in the past, they cannot afford to do so now. The absence of verified communication gives space for rumours circulated on social media to grow.

Fortunately, politics has not come in the way of states working with the Centre or with each other on tackling the coronavirus infection. But that is small comfort in a country with just eight doctors per 10,000 people, compared with 18 in China. India has only nine beds per 10,000 people, while China has 38. ¡§Be prepared for the worst. While only a fraction would get sick if it spreads in a community, the absolute number of persons who need care would be large,¡¨ says Rajeev Sadanandan, a former Kerala bureaucrat who played a key role in handling the Nipah crisis.

India might not have the capacity to handle an outbreak of the scale China has seen. So its best bet is to prevent such an outcome.

With inputs from Shantanu Nandan Sharma, CR Sukumar & Teena Thacker ganesan.seetharaman@timesgroup.com

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[makers-muse]

The Real Impact of STEM Labs in Agra Schools: Are They Worth the Investment? 

The education landscape is evolving, and schools in Agra are at the forefront of this change. The concept of integrating a STEM Lab in Agra  is gaining popularity, promising to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application. However, the question lingers: Are these STEM labs truly worth the investment, or are they just another trend? 

A STEM Lab in Agra  is more than just a classroom. It’s an innovative space that allows students to immerse themselves in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Through hands-on experiences, students learn to build models, code programs, and design solutions to real-world challenges. A well-equipped STEM Lab Solution in Agra enables students to explore subjects like robotics, engineering design, artificial intelligence, and environmental science with enthusiasm and creativity. 

Agra, known for its cultural heritage, is also aiming to become a hub for educational excellence. To achieve this, integrating a STEM Lab Solution in Agra is vital. Students today require skills beyond rote memorization; they need innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving capabilities. A STEM Lab Program in Agra provides them with the tools and environment necessary to thrive in a technology-driven world. 

Schools in Agra that adopt STEM Lab Solutions in Agra can prepare their students to compete nationally and globally. Whether it’s mastering the basics of coding or experimenting with prototypes, STEM labs are pivotal in shaping young minds into future leaders. Want to Known more about STEM Lab in Agra , Explore makers’ muse! 

The Cost of STEM Lab Solution in Agra: An Investment or an Unnecessary Burden? 

Establishing a STEM Lab in Agra  comes with its challenges, primarily financial ones. The cost of infrastructure, equipment, and training for educators can be steep, especially for smaller institutions. While a STEM Lab Solution in Agra offers immense benefits, some schools struggle with the upfront investment required to set it up. 

However, many argue that the long-term advantages outweigh the initial costs. A STEM Lab Program in Agra equips students with skills that enhance their academic performance and career readiness. By providing hands-on learning opportunities, schools not only improve their reputation but also attract better talent and resources. The focus should be on considering scalable and cost-efficient STEM Lab Solution  in Agra that cater to the specific needs of schools in the region. 

Unveiling the Benefits: How a STEM Lab Program in Agra is Transforming Education 

The benefits of integrating a STEM Lab Program in Agra extend far beyond academic achievement. Students engaged in STEM-based learning develop critical thinking skills, creativity, and the ability to adapt to new technologies. These qualities are essential in shaping them into innovators and problem-solvers. 

Additionally, a STEM Lab Solution in Agra can introduce students to advanced topics such as renewable energy, data analytics, and machine learning—fields that are shaping the future. By investing in a STEM Lab in Agra , schools empower their students to pursue diverse career paths and excel in competitive exams. 

 How Schools Can Overcome Challenges Effectively in Agra 

To make STEM labs accessible to all schools in Agra, cost-effective solutions are crucial. Partnerships with organizations offering tailored STEM Lab Solutions in Agra can help reduce setup and maintenance costs. Seeking grants and community support is another viable option for schools to manage expenses effectively. 

Moreover, professional development programs for educators can ensure that the full potential of a STEM Lab Program in Agra is realized. Teachers trained in STEM methodologies can create an engaging learning environment, maximizing the impact of these labs. So join makers’ muse for best STEM Lab Solution in Agra. 

STEM Lab in Agra  : Are They Worth the Hype and Investment? 

The truth is, a STEM Lab in Agra  is more than just an investment it’s a commitment to the future of education. By providing students with access to hands-on learning and cutting-edge technologies, schools in Agra can prepare them for the demands of a fast-changing world. While the costs may seem daunting, the outcomes stronger academic performance, career readiness, and a competitive edge make STEM labs worth every rupee. So want to setup STEM Lab in your School ? Contact us 

Schools in Agra have the unique opportunity to set an example in modern education. By embracing STEM Lab Solutions in Agra, they can bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, ensuring that their students are ready to face the challenges of tomorrow. Book a free Demo with us today! 

[letsnipunalambayan-blog]

Union Home Minister to launch various women safety initiatives

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh will launch various initiatives for women safety here tomorrow. These initiatives will include launch of Emergency Response Support System in 16 states/UTs and Mumbai city, Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO) and Safe City Implementation Monitoring Portal. The 16 states/UTs are Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, UP, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Andaman, Dadar Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, J&K. To  provide  effective deterrence against the offence of rape, the  Government has enacted the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018. And for effective implementation of the Act  the measures to strengthen  investigation  and prosecution machinery and to instil  a sense of security amongst women, Government  is launching  these initiatives. केंद्रीय गृहमंत्री ने 18 feb 2019 नई दिल्‍ली में महिलाओं की सुरक्षा के लिए कई पहलों की शुरूआत करेंगे। देश के 16 राज्यों/केंद्रशासित प्रदेशों और मुंबई महानगर में इमरजेंसी रिस्‍पोंस सपोर्ट सिस्‍टम (ईआरए���एस), यौन अपराधों के लिए जांच ट्रेकिंग सिस्‍टम (आईटीएसएसओ) और सुरक्षित  महानगर कार्यान्‍वयन निगरानी पोर्टल की शुरूआत करना इनमें शामिल हैं। ये 16 राज्‍य/केंद्रशासित प्रदेश हैं-आंध्र ��्रदेश, उत्तराखंड, पंजाब, केरल, मध्य प्रदेश, राजस्थान, उत्‍तर प्रदेश, तेलंगाना, तमिलनाडु, गुजरात, पुदुचेरी, लक्षद्वीप, अंडमान, दादर नगर हवेली, दमन और दीव, जम्मू-कश्मीर। बलात्कार के अपराध की प्रभावकारी तरीके से रोकथाम के लिए,  सरकार ने आपराधिक कानून (संशोधन) अधिनियम, 2018 लागू किया है। इस अधिनियम के प्रभावी कार्यान्वयन के लिए, जांच और अभियोजन मशीनरी को मजबूत करने और महिलाओं के बीच सुरक्षा की भावना पैदा करने के उपायों को ध्‍यान में रखते हुए, सरकार इन पहलों को शुरू कर रही है। The Union Home Minister will launch the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS). The ERSS is a pan-India single number (112) based response system for persons in distress. A citizen may use the following methods to access the emergency services: Dial 112 from phone Press power button on smart phone 3 time quickly to activate panic call to ERC. In case of feature phone, long press of “5” or “9” key on the phone will activate the panic call. Log onto ERSS website for the State and lodge emergency Email SOS alert to State ERC Use 112 India Mobile App, which is available free on Google Playstore and Apple store. Under this system, all the  states have to set up a dedicated Emergency Response Centre (ERC). It will have a team of trained Call-takers and Dispatchers to handle emergency requests relating to assistance from Police, Fire & Rescue, Health and other emergency services. Police can view all events after an Emergency call is made at the ERC. The ERCs are connected to District Command Centres (DCC) and the Emergency Response Vehicles, and assistance/response to victims are facilitated through them. ERSS is designed to be a common protocol managed by each State/UT. ERSS also provides a 112 India mobile App for making distress calls by any person.  For Women and children, 112 India App provides a special SHOUT feature which alerts registered volunteers in the vicinity of victim for immediate assistance. The Central  Government is funding Rs.321.69 crore to the States/UTs for ERSS as part of Nirbhaya scheme project. The service has already been launched in Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland.केंद्रीय गृह मंत्री इमरजेंसी रिस्पांस सपोर्ट सिस्टम (ईआरएसएस) लॉन्च करेंगे। ईआरएसएस व्यथित व्यक्तियों के लिए एक अखिल भारतीय एकल संख्या (112) आधारित रिस्‍पोंस सपोर्ट सिस्‍टम है। एक नागरिक आपातकालीन सेवाओं तक पहुँचने के लिए निम्नलिखित विधियों का उपयोग कर सकता है: फोन से 112 डायल करें। ईआरसी पर पैनिक कॉल को सक्रिय करने के लिए 3 बार स्मार्ट फोन पर पावर बटन दबाएं। फीचर फोन के मामले में, फोन पर "5" या "9" कुंजी का लंबा प्रेस पैनिक कॉल को सक्रिय करेगा। राज्य के लिए ईआरएसएस वेबसाइट पर लॉग ऑन करें और आपातकाल लॉंच करें। स्टेट ईआरसी के लिए एसओएस अलर्ट मेल करें। 112 भारत मोबाइल ऐप का उपयोग करें, जो गूगल प्‍लेस्‍टोर और एप्‍पल स्टोर पर मुफ्त उपलब्ध है। इस प्रणाली के तहत, सभी राज्यों को एक समर्पित इमरजेंसी रिस्पांस केंद्र (ईआरसी) स्थापित करना होगा। इसमें पुलिस, फायर एंड रेस्क्यू, स्वास्थ्य और अन्य आपातकालीन सेवाओं से सहायता से संबंधित आपातकालीन अनुरोधों के संचालन के लिए प्रशिक्षित कॉल-टेकर्स और डिस्पैचर की एक टीम होगी। ईआरसी पर आपातकालीन कॉल किए जाने के बाद पुलिस सभी घटनाओं को देख सकती है। ईआरसी जिला कमांड सेंटर (डीसीसी) और इमरजेंसी रिस्पांस व्हीकल से जुड़े होते हैं, और पीड़ितों को सहायता/प्रतिक्रिया उनके माध्यम से दी जाती है। ईआरएसएस को प्रत्येक राज्य/केंद्रशासित प्रदेश द्वारा प्रबंधित एक सामान्य प्रोटोकॉल के रूप में तैयार किया गया है। ईआरएसएस किसी भी व्यक्ति द्वारा संकटपूर्ण कॉल करने के लिए एक 112 भारत मोबाइल ऐप भी प्रदान करता है। महिलाओं और बच्चों के लिए, 112 इंडिया ऐप एक विशेष शाउट सुविधा प्रदान करता है, जो तत्काल सहायता के लिए पीड़ित के आसपास के क्षेत्र में पंजीकृत स्वयंसेवकों को सचेत करता है। केंद्र सरकार निर्भया योजना के हिस्से के रूप में ईआरएसएस के लिए राज्यों/संघ शासित प्रदेशों को 321.69  करोड़ रूपये का अनुदान दे रही है। हिमाचल प्रदेश और नगालैंड में पहले ही ये सेवाएं शुरू की जा चुकी हैं। Union Home Minister, will also launch the Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO) on the occasion. The ITSSO is meant for Law Enforcement Agencies in the country. The Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO)  is an online module available to law enforcement agencies at all levels- National, State, District and Police Station that allows State to undertake real-time monitoring and management for completion of investigation in rape cases in 2 months. It leverages the existing CCTNS data base, which covers nearly 15000 police stations in the country. ITSSO would greatly strengthen States ability for analytics and prognosis for timely investigation and prosecution in rape cases. The Criminal Law Amendment in April 2018 prescribes stringent penal provisions including death penalty for rape of a girl below the age of 12 years. For swift administration of justice in such cases, the Act also inter-alia mandates completion of investigation and trials within 2 months. To enhance women safety in the country, Government has formulated a multi-pronged action plan and initiated a series of measures. ITSSO is one of such measures developed by MHA towards Smart Policing. केंद्रीय गृह ने इस अवसर पर यौन अपराधों के लिए जांच ट्रैकिंग प्रणाली का शुभारंभ करेंगे। ITSSO देश में कानून प्रवर्तन एजेंसियों के लिए है। यौन अपराधों के लिए जांच ट्रैकिंग प्रणाली (ITSSO) सभी स्तरों पर कानून प्रवर्तन एजेंसियों के लिए एक ऑनलाइन मॉड्यूल उपलब्ध है- राष्ट्रीय, राज्य, जिला और पुलिस स्टेशन, जो राज्य को बलात्कार के मामलों में जांच पूरी करने के लिए वास्तविक समय की निगरानी और प्रबंधन करने की अनुमति देता है। यह मौजूदा सीसीटीएनएस डेटा बेस का लाभ उठाता है, जो देश के लगभग 15000 पुलिस स्टेशनों को कवर करता है। ITSSO रेप मामलों में समय पर जांच और अभियोजन के लिए विश्लेषण और पूर्वानुमान के लिए राज्यों की क्षमता को बहुत मजबूत करेगा। अप्रैल 2018 में आपराधिक कानून संशोधन में 12 साल से कम उम्र की लड़की से बलात्कार के लिए मौत की सजा सहित कड़े दंडात्मक प्रावधान हैं। ऐसे मामलों में न्याय के तेज प्रशासन के लिए, अधिनियम भी 2 महीने के भीतर जांच और परीक्षणों को पूरा करने का अंतर-अलिया आदेश देता है। देश में महिला सुरक्षा को बढ़ाने के लिए, सरकार ने एक बहुस्तरीय कार्य योजना तैयार की है और कई उपायों की शुरुआत की है। Identification of crime Hot-spots in each city. Saturating such Hot-spots with increased CCTV surveillance. Automated Number Plate Reading (ANPR) and drone-based surveillance also being deployed in few cities as per requirement. Setting up women police out-posts for facilitating ease of access by any aggrieved woman to report incidence or seek assistance. Patrols by Women police in vulnerable areas. Setting up Women Help Desks in Police Stations with facility for trained Counsellors. Augmentation of existing women support centers like Asha Jyoti Kendra or Bharosa centers etc. Implementing Safety measures in buses, including Cameras. Improving Street Lighting in identified Hot Spot areas. Setting up Toilets for women. Undertaking social awareness programmes on women safety and gender sensitivity.   During the event, the Union Home Minister will also make an announcement of  a special  project under Nirbhaya Fund for strengthening DNA analysis capacities in the State Forensic Science Laboratories  of  four States of Tamil Nadu (Chennai and Madurai),  Uttar Pradesh ( Lucknow and Agra), West Bengal (Kolkata) and Maharashtra ( Mumbai) during the event. अपराध की पहचान, प्रत्येक शहर में हॉट-स्पॉट। चिन्हित हॉट-स्पॉट में सीसीटीवी निगरानी में वृद्धि करना। आवश्यकता के अनुसार कु�� शहरों में स्वचालित नंबर प्लेट रीडिंग (एएनपीआर) और ड्रोन आधारित निगरानी भी तैनात की जा रही है। किसी भी पीड़ित महिला द्वारा घटना की सूचना देने या सहायता प्राप्त करने में आसानी के लिए महिला पुलिस आउट-पोस्ट की स्थापना करना। असुरक्षित क्षेत्रों में महिला पुलिस द्वारा गश्त। प्रशिक्षित काउंसलर की सुविधा के साथ पुलिस स्टेशनों में महिला सहायता डेस्क की स्थापना। मौजूदा महिला सहायता केंद्रों जैसे आशा ज्योति केंद्र या भरोसा केंद्र आदि का विस्तार। कैमरों सहित बसों में सुरक्षा उपायों को लागू करना। चिन्हित हॉट स्पॉट क्षेत्रों में स्ट्रीट लाइटिंग में सुधार। महिलाओं के लिए शौचालय की स्थापना। महिला सुरक्षा और लैंगिक संवेदनशीलता पर सामाजिक जागरूकता कार्यक्रम। इस आयोजन के दौरान केंद्रीय गृहमंत्री,  चार राज्यों - तमिलनाडु (चेन्नई और मदुरै), उत्तर प्रदेश (लखनऊ और आगरा),  पश्चिम बंगाल (कोलकाता) और महाराष्ट्र (मुंबई) की राज्य फोरेंसिक विज्ञान प्रयोगशालाओं में डीएनए विश्लेषण क्षमताओं को मजबूत करने के लिए निर्भया फंड के तहत एक विशेष परियोजना की घोषणा भी करेंगे। Read the full article

[goraviranjan-blog]

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[pensarelvirus]

The pandemic is a portal /  Arundhati Roy

. Who can use the term “gone viral” now without shuddering a little? Who can look at anything any more — a door handle, a cardboard carton, a bag of vegetables — without imagining it swarming with those unseeable, undead, unliving blobs dotted with suction pads waiting to fasten themselves on to our lungs? Who can think of kissing a stranger, jumping on to a bus or sending their child to school without feeling real fear? Who can think of ordinary pleasure and not assess its risk? Who among us is not a quack epidemiologist, virologist, statistician and prophet? Which scientist or doctor is not secretly praying for a miracle? Which priest is not — secretly, at least — submitting to science?

And even while the virus proliferates, who could not be thrilled by the swell of birdsong in cities, peacocks dancing at traffic crossings and the silence in the skies?

The number of cases worldwide this week crept over a million. More than 50,000 people have died already. Projections suggest that number will swell to hundreds of thousands, perhaps more. The virus has moved freely along the pathways of trade and international capital, and the terrible illness it has brought in its wake has locked humans down in their countries, their cities and their homes.

But unlike the flow of capital, this virus seeks proliferation, not profit, and has, therefore, inadvertently, to some extent, reversed the direction of the flow. It has mocked immigration controls, biometrics, digital surveillance and every other kind of data analytics, and struck hardest — thus far — in the richest, most powerful nations of the world, bringing the engine of capitalism to a juddering halt. Temporarily perhaps, but at least long enough for us to examine its parts, make an assessment and decide whether we want to help fix it, or look for a better engine.

The mandarins who are managing this pandemic are fond of speaking of war. They don’t even use war as a metaphor, they use it literally. But if it really were a war, then who would be better prepared than the US? If it were not masks and gloves that its frontline soldiers needed, but guns, smart bombs, bunker busters, submarines, fighter jets and nuclear bombs, would there be a shortage?

Night after night, from halfway across the world, some of us watch the New York governor’s press briefings with a fascination that is hard to explain. We follow the statistics, and hear the stories of overwhelmed hospitals in the US, of underpaid, overworked nurses having to make masks out of garbage bin liners and old raincoats, risking everything to bring succour to the sick. About states being forced to bid against each other for ventilators, about doctors’ dilemmas over which patient should get one and which left to die. And we think to ourselves, “My God! This is America!”

.

The tragedy is immediate, real, epic and unfolding before our eyes. But it isn’t new. It is the wreckage of a train that has been careening down the track for years. Who doesn’t remember the videos of “patient dumping” — sick people, still in their hospital gowns, butt naked, being surreptitiously dumped on street corners? Hospital doors have too often been closed to the less fortunate citizens of the US. It hasn’t mattered how sick they’ve been, or how much they’ve suffered.

At least not until now — because now, in the era of the virus, a poor person’s sickness can affect a wealthy society’s health. And yet, even now, Bernie Sanders, the senator who has relentlessly campaigned for healthcare for all, is considered an outlier in his bid for the White House, even by his own party.  

 The tragedy is the wreckage of a train that has been careening down the track for years

And what of my country, my poor-rich country, India, suspended somewhere between feudalism and religious fundamentalism, caste and capitalism, ruled by far-right Hindu nationalists?

In December, while China was fighting the outbreak of the virus in Wuhan, the government of India was dealing with a mass uprising by hundreds of thousands of its citizens protesting against the brazenly discriminatory anti-Muslim citizenship law it had just passed in parliament.

The first case of Covid-19 was reported in India on January 30, only days after the honourable chief guest of our Republic Day Parade, Amazon forest-eater and Covid-denier Jair Bolsonaro, had left Delhi. But there was too much to do in February for the virus to be accommodated in the ruling party’s timetable. There was the official visit of President Donald Trump scheduled for the last week of the month. He had been lured by the promise of an audience of 1m people in a sports stadium in the state of Gujarat. All that took money, and a great deal of time.

Then there were the Delhi Assembly elections that the Bharatiya Janata Party was slated to lose unless it upped its game, which it did, unleashing a vicious, no-holds-barred Hindu nationalist campaign, replete with threats of physical violence and the shooting of “traitors”.

It lost anyway. So then there was punishment to be meted out to Delhi’s Muslims, who were blamed for the humiliation. Armed mobs of Hindu vigilantes, backed by the police, attacked Muslims in the working-class neighbourhoods of north-east Delhi. Houses, shops, mosques and schools were burnt. Muslims who had been expecting the attack fought back. More than 50 people, Muslims and some Hindus, were killed.

Thousands moved into refugee camps in local graveyards. Mutilated bodies were still being pulled out of the network of filthy, stinking drains when government officials had their first meeting about Covid-19 and most Indians first began to hear about the existence of something called hand sanitiser.

March was busy too. The first two weeks were devoted to toppling the Congress government in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and installing a BJP government in its place. On March 11 the World Health Organization declared that Covid-19 was a pandemic. Two days later, on March 13, the health ministry said that corona “is not a health emergency”.

Finally, on March 19, the Indian prime minister addressed the nation. He hadn’t done much homework. He borrowed the playbook from France and Italy. He told us of the need for “social distancing” (easy to understand for a society so steeped in the practice of caste) and called for a day of “people’s curfew” on March 22. He said nothing about what his government was going to do in the crisis, but he asked people to come out on their balconies, and ring bells and bang their pots and pans to salute health workers.

He didn’t mention that, until that very moment, India had been exporting protective gear and respiratory equipment, instead of keeping it for Indian health workers and hospitals.

Not surprisingly, Narendra Modi’s request was met with great enthusiasm. There were pot-banging marches, community dances and processions. Not much social distancing. In the days that followed, men jumped into barrels of sacred cow dung, and BJP supporters threw cow-urine drinking parties. Not to be outdone, many Muslim organisations declared that the Almighty was the answer to the virus and called for the faithful to gather in mosques in numbers.

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On March 24, at 8pm, Modi appeared on TV again to announce that, from midnight onwards, all of India would be under lockdown. Markets would be closed. All transport, public as well as private, would be disallowed.

He said he was taking this decision not just as a prime minister, but as our family elder. Who else can decide, without consulting the state governments that would have to deal with the fallout of this decision, that a nation of 1.38bn people should be locked down with zero preparation and with four hours’ notice? His methods definitely give the impression that India’s prime minister thinks of citizens as a hostile force that needs to be ambushed, taken by surprise, but never trusted.

Locked down we were. Many health professionals and epidemiologists have applauded this move. Perhaps they are right in theory. But surely none of them can support the calamitous lack of planning or preparedness that turned the world’s biggest, most punitive lockdown into the exact opposite of what it was meant to achieve.

The man who loves spectacles created the mother of all spectacles.

 As an appalled world watched, India revealed herself in all her shame — her brutal, structural, social and economic inequality, her callous indifference to suffering.

The lockdown worked like a chemical experiment that suddenly illuminated hidden things. As shops, restaurants, factories and the construction industry shut down, as the wealthy and the middle classes enclosed themselves in gated colonies, our towns and megacities began to extrude their working-class citizens — their migrant workers — like so much unwanted accrual.

Many driven out by their employers and landlords, millions of impoverished, hungry, thirsty people, young and old, men, women, children, sick people, blind people, disabled people, with nowhere else to go, with no public transport in sight, began a long march home to their villages. They walked for days, towards Badaun, Agra, Azamgarh, Aligarh, Lucknow, Gorakhpur — hundreds of kilometres away. Some died on the way.   

Our towns and megacities began to extrude their working-class citizens like so much unwanted accrual.

They knew they were going home potentially to slow starvation. Perhaps they even knew they could be carrying the virus with them, and would infect their families, their parents and grandparents back home, but they desperately needed a shred of familiarity, shelter and dignity, as well as food, if not love.

As they walked, some were beaten brutally and humiliated by the police, who were charged with strictly enforcing the curfew. Young men were made to crouch and frog jump down the highway. Outside the town of Bareilly, one group was herded together and hosed down with chemical spray.

A few days later, worried that the fleeing population would spread the virus to villages, the government sealed state borders even for walkers. People who had been walking for days were stopped and forced to return to camps in the cities they had just been forced to leave.

Among older people it evoked memories of the population transfer of 1947, when India was divided and Pakistan was born. Except that this current exodus was driven by class divisions, not religion. Even still, these were not India’s poorest people. These were people who had (at least until now) work in the city and homes to return to. The jobless, the homeless and the despairing remained where they were, in the cities as well as the countryside, where deep distress was growing long before this tragedy occurred. All through these horrible days, the home affairs minister Amit Shah remained absent from public view.

When the walking began in Delhi, I used a press pass from a magazine I frequently write for to drive to Ghazipur, on the border between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

The scene was biblical. Or perhaps not. The Bible could not have known numbers such as these. The lockdown to enforce physical distancing had resulted in the opposite — physical compression on an unthinkable scale. This is true even within India’s towns and cities. The main roads might be empty, but the poor are sealed into cramped quarters in slums and shanties.

Every one of the walking people I spoke to was worried about the virus. But it was less real, less present in their lives than looming unemployment, starvation and the violence of the police. Of all the people I spoke to that day, including a group of Muslim tailors who had only weeks ago survived the anti-Muslim attacks, one man’s words especially troubled me. He was a carpenter called Ramjeet, who planned to walk all the way to Gorakhpur near the Nepal border.

“Maybe when Modiji decided to do this, nobody told him about us. Maybe he doesn’t know about us”, he said.

“Us” means approximately 460m people.

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State governments in India (as in the US) have showed more heart and understanding in the crisis. Trade unions, private citizens and other collectives are distributing food and emergency rations. The central government has been slow to respond to their desperate appeals for funds. It turns out that the prime minister’s National Relief Fund has no ready cash available. Instead, money from well-wishers is pouring into the somewhat mysterious new PM-CARES fund. Pre-packaged meals with Modi’s face on them have begun to appear.

In addition to this, the prime minister has shared his yoga nidra videos, in which a morphed, animated Modi with a dream body demonstrates yoga asanas to help people deal with the stress of self-isolation.

The narcissism is deeply troubling. Perhaps one of the asanas could be a request-asana in which Modi requests the French prime minister to allow us to renege on the very troublesome Rafale fighter jet deal and use that €7.8bn for desperately needed emergency measures to support a few million hungry people. Surely the French will understand.

 As the lockdown enters its second week, supply chains have broken, medicines and essential supplies are running low. Thousands of truck drivers are still marooned on the highways, with little food and water. Standing crops, ready to be harvested, are slowly rotting.

The economic crisis is here. The political crisis is ongoing. The mainstream media has incorporated the Covid story into its 24/7 toxic anti-Muslim campaign. An organisation called the Tablighi Jamaat, which held a meeting in Delhi before the lockdown was announced, has turned out to be a “super spreader”. That is being used to stigmatise and demonise Muslims. The overall tone suggests that Muslims invented the virus and have deliberately spread it as a form of jihad.

The Covid crisis is still to come. Or not. We don’t know. If and when it does, we can be sure it will be dealt with, with all the prevailing prejudices of religion, caste and class completely in place.

Today (April 2) in India, there are almost 2,000 confirmed cases and 58 deaths. These are surely unreliable numbers, based on woefully few tests. Expert opinion varies wildly. Some predict millions of cases. Others think the toll will be far less. We may never know the real contours of the crisis, even when it hits us. All we know is that the run on hospitals has not yet begun.

India’s public hospitals and clinics — which are unable to cope with the almost 1m children who die of diarrhoea, malnutrition and other health issues every year, with the hundreds of thousands of tuberculosis patients (a quarter of the world’s cases), with a vast anaemic and malnourished population vulnerable to any number of minor illnesses that prove fatal for them — will not be able to cope with a crisis that is like what Europe and the US are dealing with now.

All healthcare is more or less on hold as hospitals have been turned over to the service of the virus. The trauma centre of the legendary All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi is closed, the hundreds of cancer patients known as cancer refugees who live on the roads outside that huge hospital driven away like cattle.

People will fall sick and die at home. We may never know their stories. They may not even become statistics. We can only hope that the studies that say the virus likes cold weather are correct (though other researchers have cast doubt on this). Never have a people longed so irrationally and so much for a burning, punishing Indian summer.

What is this thing that has happened to us? It’s a virus, yes. In and of itself it holds no moral brief. But it is definitely more than a virus. Some believe it’s God’s way of bringing us to our senses. Others that it’s a Chinese conspiracy to take over the world.

Whatever it is, coronavirus has made the mighty kneel and brought the world to a halt like nothing else could. Our minds are still racing back and forth, longing for a return to “normality”, trying to stitch our future to our past and refusing to acknowledge the rupture. But the rupture exists. And in the midst of this terrible despair, it offers us a chance to rethink the doomsday machine we have built for ourselves. Nothing could be worse than a return to normality.

Historically, pandemics have forced humans to break with the past and imagine their world anew. This one is no different. It is a portal, a gateway between one world and the next.

We can choose to walk through it, dragging the carcasses of our prejudice and hatred, our avarice, our data banks and dead ideas, our dead rivers and smoky skies behind us. Or we can walk through lightly, with little luggage, ready to imagine another world. And ready to fight for it.

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Arundhati Roy’s latest novel is ‘The Ministry of Utmost Happiness’

Fuente: https://www.ft.com/content/Arundhati Roy

[Publicado 3/abril/2020]