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Uttarakhand police tackles Covid despite 3,199 positive & 10 deaths

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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Dateline Dehradun: The 2nd wave of Covid pandemic sets new records every day. Since March last year, three thousand one hundred and ninety nine policemen have tested Covid positive, according to the data received from Uttarakhand Police Headquarters. And ten policemen have lost their lives to the deadly virus.

But making the most of the grim situation, our frontline warriors i.e. health workers and our men in khakhi are both, leading from the front.

Uttarakhand police force is performing their duties in protecting the public not only on the roads but also in containment zones ensuring that health guidelines are followed to the hilt. Police personnel are also going a step beyond duty to deliver medicines, oxygen cylinders, donating plasma and helping citizens in their time of need.

In the first wave last year, from March 2020 to 23rd March 2021, a total of one thousand nine hundred and eighty one policemen were found to be Corona positive and eight police personnel died during this period.  A year later, in the second wave, from March 23rd 2021 to May 3rd 2021, one thousand two hundred and eighteen policemen have been infected, with two casualties.

To date, the number of police personnel that have been administered both vaccine doses are twenty three thousand, one hundred and thirty five. Despite that, one thousand and twenty nine policemen were infected by the virus, but recovered rapidly post treatment.

Between 24th March and 3rd of May 2021, Covid tests was carried out on thirteen thousand three hundred and ten police personnel out of which one thousand two hundred and eighteen were found to be positive.

Boosting the morale of the force, DGP Ashok Kumar said, “We all have to follow as well as keep Covid guidelines in place. We also have to be more humane when dealing with people. We have to put a stop on black-marketing, over-pricing of drugs, forgery of any kind. We have a larger role to play than last year.”

Mussoorie in the times of pandemic

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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Dateline Mussoorie: There has been an alarming rise in those infected by Covid-19 in Mussoorie in the second wave. While just a month ago, on the 4th of April there were a hundred and sixty-eight Covid positive patients with six containment zones. Fast-forward to present day and the numbers have risen to seven hundred and eight seven with thirteen containment zones.

The Civil Hospital – is the only dedicated Covid hospital in the hill station – has nineteen oxygen beds and five ICU beds, two ambulances, with another ten beds with oxygen concentrators being set up in the coming days. Within ten days of being operational, nine patients have recovered and sent home.

Clamping a ten-day curfew with non-essential shops being shut after 12 noon, and essential shops at 7:00 p.m. has had a salutary effect. The number of those being tested positive has been going down. Of course, it is too early in the day to let your guard down as in the second wave the town has lost over a dozen residents.

The local administration, the community and youth continue to work on a war footing to tackle the grim situation. From a 24×7 Control room number to assist those in need of any assistance related to Covid-19: these include home-isolation, check-up, medicines, disinfection, sanitization drives, free distribution of oxy-meters and thermometers. Seven vaccination centers have been operational assisted by local schools and community groups, where nine thousand eight hundred and twenty four have been, vaccinated to date.

The Sub Divisional Magistrate of Mussoorie, Manish Singh IAS tells Newspost: ‘For effective monitoring, Mussoorie has been divided into four sectors, each headed by a sector magistrate. They look after Covid positive cases in their areas. A dedicated team of Asha workers, teachers, Aanganwadi workers – help and assist those in need by providing medicines; monitoring the health of those affected and report if they see a spike in cases in containment zones.”

Pehal, a community based initiative was started by a team of six like-minded people. They are working round the clock to deliver over hundred and twenty homemade-meals free of charge per-day to patients living in isolation. Apart from meals, the team along with the medical authorities has started an oxygen-bank where they are handing out oxygen cylinders to those with low oxygen levels, along with nine advanced oxy-meters.

These are trying times and once again what triumphs is the spirit of Mussoorie – it has come out a winner. Many nameless, faceless residents, mostly preferring anonymity, have stepped up to help crowd-funding, organizing ICU beds, plasma donors, oxygen concentrators, ambulances and medicines for those who need them in the hills of home.

Urvashi and Guru’s ‘Doob Gaye is a romantic treat

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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Dateline Dehradun: Uttarakhand’s Urvashi Rautela’s song video ‘Doob Gaye’ with renowned Punjabi singer Guru Randhawa is a visual-treat for their combined fans as far as snippets shared on social media show.

Since 2014, Urvashi has been exploring the world of music videos making a niche for herself. With the likes of ‘Teri Load Ve’, ‘Woh Chaand Kaha Se Laogi’, and ‘Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si’ under her belt, ‘Doob Gaye‘ a special romantic music video has been shot in picturesque Goa.

A still from Doob Gaye shared on social media

The song has been penned by Jaani, music by B.Praak and choreographed by Remo D’souza. Excited about her latest venture, beautiful and talented Urvashi Rautela has been sharing stills and clips from the shoot. From wearing a pink salmon corset dress on one to another one in a black-flowing dress twinning with her co-star Guru Randhawa with the picturesque azure sea in the backdrop has everyone asking for more.

Urvashi recently uploaded an adorable video on Instagram showcasing her make-up skills on the singer Guru Randhawa. Being the gentleman that Guru is, he is seen happily obliging Urvashi in the short clip. Both the stars are seen goofing around and their fans can’t seem to get enough of their endearing act.

Talking to Newspost from Dubai, Guru Radhawa had this to say, “Doob Gaye is close to my heart. It was magical shooting in scenic Goa. It was a delight working for T-series under the guidance of Bhushan sir. The entire has put in a lot of hard work and we can only hope that our fans enjoy this romantic number as much as we enjoyed shooting for it.“

Soothing and romantic from the look of it, the video seems to be the perfect recipe of being a hit romantic number that will definitely resound with their fans.

Uttarakhad Chardham Yatra 2021 postponed due to pandemic

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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0

Dateline Dehradun: Due to the pandemic, the 2021 world famous Chardham Yatra has been postponed. Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat stated that the shrines would open on the pre-decided auspicious dates by Rawals and Pujaris, minus pilgrims. Badrinath MLA Mahendra Bhatt tweeted the same early today morning. The portals of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath are set to open in the second week of May.  The Sikh pilgrimage site of Hemkund had earlier postponed its opening in lieu of the pandemic.

Last year too, due to Covid-19 Chardham Yatra was stalled and subsequently opened on July 1, 2020. To make the most of Chardham pilgrimage this year, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat had stated, “Chardham of Uttarakhand is the center of our faith.”  The entire State machinery, post the Mahakumbh was working on war footing, to facilitate the pilgrimage with adequate arrangement for drinking water, sanitation, sign-age along with other basic facilities enroute.

Tirath Singh Rawat had laid stress on arranging water ATMs and  water tankers on travel routes. Posting of cardiologists in Kedarnath and Yamunotri along with oxygen cylinders, ICUs and ventilators. Installation of streetlights along the Hemkund route. Commercial vehicles on yatra route to ply with fitness-certificate, fixed rate list for vehicles and hotels along the pilgrimage route. The Chief Minister and his team of officials were leaving no stone-unturned to ensure that all falls into place before May.

Chardham Yatra is one of the major sources of income for a State that thrives on spiritual tourism. This time around with the Mahakumbh in April followed by the Chardham pilgrimage in May, the State was looking at a rapid increase in devotees making their way to ‘Devbhoomi,’ but all that had to be postponed due to the pandemic.

Chardham Opening dates:

Yamunotri : 14th May

Gangotri : 14th May

Kedarnath: 17th May

Badrinath : 18th May

Off-the-beaten-track temples:

Rudranath: 17th May

Madmaheshwar: 24th May

Hemkund Sahib: Postponed

Three hundred eighty eight and more crowdfund a Landour hospital

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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0

Dateline Mussoorie: In a single step lie the beginnings of a thousand journeys. In this instance, it was a WhatsApp from the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Mussoorie. Milaap was doing a fundraiser for the Landour Community Hospital, Mussoorie. A couple of calls later, I managed to verify the contents of the fundraiser with its creator, Binu Thomas, a well-wisher and shared it with those whom I knew would help.

Pix courtesy: Mark Windsor

And lo and behold, a few hours later, help started trickling in. Anyone with a Landour connect came together to give back to the community, from its residents to an overwhelming response from the Woodstock alumni, here and overseas. The initiative has been funded by a spectrum of donors, ranging from those who had been to the hospital and also for those for whom it remains the first and last option.

The object was to get a ventilator, a first in the hill station, for a cost of eleven lakh fifty thousand rupees. This as well as other medical equipment needed in the difficult times of the present pandemic. As I write, the fundraiser has now crossed twenty-seven lakh donated by over three hundred people. All this has come together in a span of seventy-two hours after being shared within the community. “It is the sense of ‘Us.’ ‘Our’s, the community. We have been in Landour for the past six years and we already feel an indispensable part of the community here,” quips Binu Thomas who has been overwhelmed by the response to her fundraiser.

Dr. Ms. EJ Robinson started this hospital in 1931 along with Mr Allen Parker, the architect of the hospital building and also the then Principal of Woodstock School.

For the past eight decades the hospital has been an inseparable part of the community. It has served one and all. From ex-school students to elderly citizens, they have all been through LCH (Landour Community Hospital) at one point of time and left with an indelible effect enough for them to dip into their purses and make generous donations from two digits to even six.

The Landour Community Hospital came into being by the efforts of well-meaning missionaries eighty years ago. Today it provides services that would put to shame even the few posh hospitals. Many a timely interventions here has saved lives.

As luck would have it, few years ago, a philanthropist, had anonymously without plaques or drumbeats, quietly renovated the ageing hospital. And that is where you will find everyone on the hillside and abating villages heading to when someone is unwell.

Meanwhile, the Landour Community Hospital has perfected the art of doing so much with so little with a dedicated community standing strong behind it!

Postponing celebrations in times of Covid-19

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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Dateline Mussoorie: All was going as planned. Venue booked. Date and time fixed. Menu set! Bridal finery finalised. Advance payments made. Wedding invitations gone.

Dr. Gunjan Bahuguna was set to marry Dr. Vijay Gairola on the 26th of April in Dehradun. Then like a tsunami, the second wave of Covid19 broadsided us all.

Without batting an eyelid, this simple, unassuming family took a call by sending off WhatsApp messages to announce that they had pushed the date of the wedding to when the situation was less alarming, a decision supported by everyone, from friends to family to invitees.

“It was tough call to take! It had to be done! For the wellbeing of our friends and guests come first,’ Meera Bahuguna, the mother-of-the-bride to be, tells us.

Talking to Newspost, Dr. Gunjan Bahuguna says, “Since December 2020 we had been planning for our wedding. We have already made an advance payment of rupees five lakhs to-date, but all that is inconsequential.” She happily interjects, “Postponement of our wedding is probably the best decision of my life. I would not like to risk anyone’s life for the sake of getting married.”

In the midst of the second wave of the pandemic we have seen and heard of could-not-care-less attitude in political rallies and the Kumbh Mela. Co-existing side-by-side are those that put aside family functions like weddings and celebratory parties. The writing is on the wall is there for those willing to read. And the message that comes through is loud and clear: ‘Avoid crowds!’ And that could well become the most powerful weapon to defeat this deadly scourge.

We sometimes underestimate the influence of little decisions, but their ripples can be extraordinary, and this young couple sure deserves all the plaudits and blessings for standing up for something they believed in.

Pehal: Homemade meals for those in home isolation

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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0

Dateline Mussoorie: Taking cue from Samaritans across the country, a handful of Mussoorie residents have come up with the idea of making simple yet wholesome homemade vegetarian meals for those living in home isolation due to Covid-19.

The piping-hot lunch and dinner meal will consist of one green vegetable, daal, rice and roti made available at the doorstep of those in home isolation. All that one needs to do is call on any of the below given numbers by 11:00 a.m., share their contact details, address and requirement (number of meals required) and freshly cooked home-made food, through contactless delivery, will be delivered at their doorstep, anywhere in Mussoorie, free of cost.

With Covid cases reaching almost two hundred across Mussoorie and most of them in home isolation, this timely help for those in need, is a welcome step lauded by one and all. Rajat Kapoor one of the volunteers for Pehal, tells us, “It was a voluntary effort by us. We know that isolated families of those affected by Covid 19 are struggling to fend basic necessities for themselves let alone cook meals at home. It is a conscious effort.” Another volunteer Rajat Aggarwal, further adds, “We have come across few individuals who were arranging food and groceries for themselves and their families, but since they were isolated and unable to move out due to Covid 19, a need was seen to help such individuals, students, elderly and families who had nowhere else to go.”

Since its inception, Pehal has had a few orders come in and the initiative that began with a close knit of seven like-minded residents of Mussoorie is open to the idea of having more volunteers on board, as Sandeep Sahni puts it, “More hands are always welcome, more people might also come up with newer ideas on what else we can do.”

For now Pehal will be distributing free meals until 5th of May and if need be, would continue to do so after that as well.

HRIDA_greenliving: Helping in times of Covid-19

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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0

Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.

: Desmond Tutu

Dateline Mussoorie: Words of Desmond Tutu ring true in times of Covid-19 when people from all walks of life are coming forward to give back to the community. In that ever-growing list we add HRIDA_greenliving a Mussoorie based NGO.

They have risen to the occasion and come forward to offer eco-friendly disposables for Covid positive patients living in home isolation across town and that too, all free of charge. These disposables include plates, bowls, cutlery, glasses, serving platters made of sugar bagasse (dry pulpy residue after the extraction of sugarcane juice), Areca palm leaves and birch wood, which are sustainable, biodegradable and compostable.

Under the given circumstances, patients in home isolation due to Covid-19 would commonly use either Plastic or Styrofoam disposables that are easily available in the market but both materials are undoubtedly toxic for the environment. HRIDA_greenliving on the other hand is giving consumers an eco-friendly option and that too free of cost.

Disposables by HRIDA_greenliving

The NGO is making sure that by doing so, another mountain of toxic trash is avoided in our town since we are already fighting mounds of onetime-use litter like disposable masks, gloves etc.

Isha Gupta Vaish, the lady behind the initiative tells us, “Home isolation is a big challenge for all the members of the family, the isolated ones as well as those taking care of them. The virus spread has to be controlled at any cost and one such way is to keep separate/disposable utensils for the affected ones.”

By stepping up the occasion, HRIDA_greenliving is doing their bit to ensure that what cannot be reduced, reused, recycled or composted is being replaced by something eco-friendly.

For those in need, contact: 9557248440 (m)

Mussoorie fights second Covid wave

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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0

Dateline Mussoorie: Over the past three weeks there has been a steady rise in those infected by Covid-19 in Mussoorie. Officials have put the total count to hundred and sixty eight, out of which forty-seven are from one particular area in town, the others are spread across. There are six mini containment zones.

With a weekend and daily night curfew in place from 7:00 p.m., there is a day-curfew imposed in town where non-essential shops will close at 2:00 and essential shops will be open until 7:00 p.m.

The local administration is leaving no stone unturned to tackle the grim situation at hand. They have set up a 24×7 Control room number to assist those in need of any assistant related to Covid-19: home-isolation, check-up, medicines etc. Disinfection and sanitization drives are being carried out. By the 23rd of April we will have seven Vaccination Centers covering the length and breadth of Mussoorie. SDM Manish Singh updates us, “To-date six thousand people have been vaccinated in Mussoorie. Out of the total, a little over thousand have been administered both dozes. Those in home-isolation are being followed up with regular help and assistance. A control room is in place to take calls 24×7. People are being fined for not complying to Covid-19 SOP.”

Managing well with a team of thirty-three constables, one SHO, one SSI and two Sub-inspectors, SI Suraj Kandari tells us, “we have been making regular announcements regarding Covid-19 SOPS throughout the town. Enforcing masks and social distancing. We have put up two pickets: library and picture palace end to implement night curfew.”

Taking a cue from fellow hotelier,  Sandeep Sahni, President Uttarakhand Hotel Association promises, “ Taking lead from Four Points by Sheraton, Dehradun who has taken the initiative of providing free services of packed home-made food for Covid positive families in Dehradun who find it difficult to make food. We are working on implementing this initiative throughout the hill-state.” Since yesterday, MJ Residency Hotel and Zion Air Lounge, Dehradun have come aboard, taking this noble task further.

In such testing times, not depending on authorities alone but coming together as a community and doing our bit, could make all the difference in curtailing this growing pandemic.

Control Room: +91 (0) 135-2632681

Uttarakhand’s Sheetal & Yogesh Garbiyal create history atop Mt Annapurna

By
Dr. Tania Saili Bakshi
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0

Dateline Pithoragarh: Creating history. Pithoragarh’s Sheetal and Yogesh Garbiyal, Founder & President of ‘Climbing Beyond The Summits’ along with Pasang Sherpa successfully summited Mount Annapurna on 16th April, 2021 at 14:00 hours.

Putting in hours of high altitude training, the three-member team had been giving it their all to summit Mount Annapurna that stands tall at 8,091 meters in Nepal. It is also the world’s 10th highest mountain peak and amongst the most challenging.

The duo along with six other Indian members from Maharashtra successfully summited Mount Annapurna. The team included another young woman  mountaineer Priyanka Mohite from India. This is the first time that two Indian women i.e. Sheetal and Priyanka have set foot on the worlds 10th highest mountain peak.

In the past, both Sheetal and Yogesh Garbiyal have successfully climbed Mount Everest, Mount Kangchenjunga and have now added Mount Annapurna to their growing list of mountains summited in the past.

Now, back in their home-town of Pithoragarh, an elated Sheetal, who could also be the first Indian woman atop Annapurna, tells me, “It was dangerous and difficult. The mountain is sheer rock, but it was an amazing feeling to be on top of the mountain.It was a feeling like never before.“

This year a record breaking twenty-nine members from various countries successfully summited Mt Annapurna. Out of these twenty-nine members fourteen were women, a record breaking season in terms of the number of women climbers on this challenging peak.

Speaking like a true friend, guide and mentor, Yogesh says, “Though Annapurna is the most dangerous mountain in the world I always wondered why Indian women are not listed in this peak. It was a proud moment for India that an Indian woman unfurled the flag. And the country must be proud of Sheetal’s achievement.” The expedition was sponsored by The Hans Foundation & CBTS.

Indian Summiteers from India:

1. Dr Sumeet Mandale
2. Bhushan Harshe
3. Jitendra Gaware
4. Priyanka Mohite
5. Bhagwaan Chawle
6. Keval Kakka
7. Sheetal
8. Yogesh Garbiyal

If all goes as planned as a part of their high altitude exposure and training ‘Climbing Beyond The Summits’ will be flagging off its  maiden ‘All Women Expedition’ in September, this year to summit Bhagirathi II in Uttarakhand.

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