2020 Chardham Yatra in the time of Covid-19

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April 25, 2020

Dehradun: Uttarakhand’s four world famed shrines – also called Chardham – will have a staggered reopening this year. Traditionally, the annual world-famous Chardham pilgrimage comes to an end around Diwali. Springs brings with it, the dates for the re-opening of the shrines.

This year due to the pandemic, three (Yamnotri, Gangotri and Kedarnath) will fling open their portals in the month of April, but Badrinath – the abode of Vishnu – will reopen on the 15th of May.

Far away in the remote Bhuyndar valley of Garhwal Himalaya is the Sikh pilgrimage site Hemkund and Lokpal Temple. Traditionally, they would open to pilgrims on the 1st of June. However the route is still snowbound and because of the present lockdown, it is still inaccessible. So a new date for the reopening of this pilgrimage destination will now be decided after 3rd of May.

Sprawled across Chamoli and Rudraprayag Districts, three of the Panch-Kedar temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, have the following schedule: Madmaheshwar will open on the 11th of May; Rudranath on 18^th of May and Tungnath, the highest of them all will be the last to reopen on the 25^th of May.

Despite inclement conditions, the Uttarakhand State administration has left no stone unturned to ensure that facilities and all-weather-road safety norms were in place before pilgrims from home and foreign shores throng to ‘Devbhoomi,’ to partake in what is considered, a pilgrimage of a lifetime.

While Chardham Yatra is one of the major sources of income for a State that thrives on spiritual tourism, this time around, Covid-19 has asked for a course correction, and where that will take us makes for another story.

Chardham Opening dates:

Yamnotri : 26^th April

Gangotri : 26^th April

Kedarnath: 29^th April

Badrinath : 15^th May

Off-the-beaten-track temples:

Madmaheshwar: 11^th May

Rudranath: 18^th May

Tungnath: 20^th May

No takers for free crude

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Capt. Angad Bakshi

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April 24, 2020

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Difficult to comprehend! Prices of West Texas Crude Oil (WTI) the benchmark for U.S oil falls into negative territory — minus $37.63 a barrel.

Sellers are actually paying buyers to take liquid gold off their hands!

The reason: Covid-19 Pandemic! World economy has come to a juddering halt. American Energy Companies have run out of storage space, both ashore and offshore, hence volumes of unused crude oil is flowing close to the brim.

Crude oil products such as aviation fuel, gasoline and gasoil are not being used by aircrafts that aren’t flying and vehicles that arent plying, world wide.

Traditionally, crude oil is always traded on its FUTURE price. June, 2020 prices for WTI (West Texas Intermediate) plummeted, trading for 20 USD a barrel. Meanwhile, Brent Crude the benchmark used by Europe and rest of the world has already been trading on weaker grounds i.e. around 26 USD a barrel.

Presently the Oil market has coined a new term “contango market.” It simply means, prices in the short-term are way lower than in the coming months. This encourages traders to store oil and sell it in the future at a higher price. Oil is filling up to the brim at a speed that most oil producers did not see coming. The input is more than the output.

Within a month, storage costs onshore and offshore have skyrocketed. Super tankers (Very large Crude Carriers) are being hired at a whopping cost of around 10,00,00 USD a day for a years time charter, 15,00,00 a day for 6 months charter and approximately 20,00,00 USD a day for a single voyage charter.

Earlier this month Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries or OPEC members agreed to sign a historic record deal to reduce global output by approximately 10%. The deal was the largest cut in Oil production ever, but experts wonder if that is enough to make a difference.

So what does this translate for Indian consumers? In June 2018, to benefit from the fluctuating International crude and product prices, state-run fuel retailers had already switched to daily price revision, from a fortnightly pricing system.

More so, petrol and diesel prices in India are not linked to that of crude oil per se, but to that of fuel prices in global markets. Besides, with high tax component, consumers may not get the desired relief that they are wishing for.

At the end of the day there are no takers, even for free crude.

HH Dalai Lama’s message on International Earth Day

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newspost

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April 22, 2020

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On this 50th anniversary of Earth Day, our planet is facing one of the greatest challenges to the health and well-being of its people. And yet, in the midst of this struggle, we are reminded of the value of compassion and mutual support. The current global pandemic threatens us all, without distinctions of race, culture or gender, and our response must be as one humanity, providing for the most essential needs of all.

Whether we like it or not, we have been born on this earth as part of one great family. Rich or poor, educated or uneducated, belonging to one nation or another, ultimately each of us is just a human being like everyone else. Furthermore, we all have the same right to pursue happiness and avoid suffering. When we recognize that all beings are equal in this respect, we automatically feel empathy and closeness towards others. Out of this comes a genuine sense of universal responsibility: the wish to actively help others overcome their problems.

Our mother earth is teaching us a lesson in universal responsibility. This blue planet is a delightful habitat. Its life is our life; its future, our future. Indeed, the earth acts like a mother to us all; as her children, we are dependent on her. In the face of the global problems we are going through it is important that we must all work together.

I came to appreciate the importance of environmental concern only after escaping from Tibet in 1959, where we always considered the environment to be pure. Whenever we saw a stream of water, for instance, there was no worry about whether it was safe to drink. Sadly, the mere availability of clean drinking water is a major problem throughout the world today.

We must ensure that the sick and the valiant health-care providers throughout the world have access to the fundamental necessities of clean water and proper sanitation to prevent the uncontrolled spread of disease. Hygiene is one of the bases of effective health care.

Sustainable access to properly equipped and staffed health-care facilities will help us meet the challenges of the current pandemic that ravages our planet. It will also offer one of the strongest defenses against future public health crises. I understand that these are precisely the objectives set forth in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that address challenges to global health.

As we face this crisis together, it is imperative that we act in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation in order to provide for the pressing needs, particularly of our less fortunate brothers and sisters around the world. I hope and pray that in the days ahead, each of us will do all we can to create a happier and healthier world.

Dalai Lama
22 April 2020

(Message requested by Global Water 2020/Shared with Newspost by Tsering Luding, Vice President of Doon Buddhist Committee, Dehradun)

Five Lakh Fruit Trees to add to India’s Green Gold

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newspost

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April 22, 2020

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Dateline Dehradun: He who plants a tree, plants hope. And in these troubled times of COVID-19, the gloom and doom of air about an uncertain future, vowing to plant trees is perhaps what the world needs.

April 22, 2020 marks Earth Day’s 50th anniversary. United States-based reforestation non-profit One Tree Planted has committed to helping plant five lakh fruit trees across India during the Great Indian monsoon.

“Everyone is hurting in different ways right now due to Covid-19, and we’re honoured to be able to help through the simple act of planting trees. These trees will support with cleaner air, water, food, and social impact for families. It’s a humble offering that can have a ripple effect of benefit for years to come,” says Matt Hill, Chief Environmental Evangelist at One Tree Planted.

These trees will be planted in the land of marginal and small farmers in India. For these families, fruit trees are a double bonanza as it means nourishment and supplementary income from the harvest.

At a time when migrant laborers are making their way home fast-fruiting trees, such as banana and papaya, could go a long way in keeping hunger at bay. While Moringa, papaya, and banana trees can produce food and fruit within 8-10 months of planting. Lemon, guava, apricot, pear, peach, and jujubes produce fruit in their third year and onward.

Beyond the nutritional and social benefits of reforestation with fruit trees, this project will support cleaner air and help reduce the effects of climate change.

Kathleen Rogers, President, Earth Day Network said, “Trees not only filter the air and fight climate change — they provide food, energy and income to communities. Planting trees improves our shared environment while supporting some of the communities most affected by coronavirus and climate change.”

Reforestation will begin as early as June, 2020, just in time for World Environment Day on June 5^th. Plantation will begin in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Odisha with local community involvement.

Made in Roorkee: Screening-Booth for COVID-19 sample collection

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newspost

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April 22, 2020

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Roorkee: A team of researchers led by Prof. Soumitra Satapathi has developed a portable COVID-19 screening booth in collaboration with the Roorkee Nagar Nigam for sample collection of the suspects.

Prof. Manish Shrikhande, Dean Research, IIT Roorkee, in the presence of Municipal Commissioner Mrs. Nupur Verma, has handed-over this screening booth to Roorkee Civil hospital for installation and use by healthcare workers. Prof. K.L. Yadav, Head, Department of Physics and Dr. Alok Anand, Medical Officer, IIT Roorkee were also present on the occasion.

“IIT Roorkee’s telephone booth style screening platform will eliminate the need for costly PPE kit currently used for medical staff for screening COVID-19 patients,” said lead researcher Prof. Satapathi.

The booth can house medical personnel and is completely vacuum-sealed. It enables healthcare personnel collect the swab samples of the patient through long gloves and therefore eliminates the chances of any potential human contact. The whole sample collection procedure can be completed in five minutes. The booth will be sanitized after each sample collection.

The project has been financed by the Roorkee Municipal Corporation. The team of IIT Roorkee behind this innovation comprises research scholars Mr. Prathul Nath, Mr. Naveen Kumar Tailor, Ms. Tejasvini Sharma and Mr. Anshu Kumar from Laboratory for Integrated Nanophotonics and Biomaterials (LINB) in the Physics Department.

Fighting COVID 19 the MCF way

By

Tania Saili

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April 21, 2020

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Dateline Dehradun: Dealing with something as pervasive and fast spreading as a pandemic is particularly challenging in a mountainous state like Uttarakhand. Dispensing critical information and too at the soonest, is an uphill task, but this is where eighteen year old Mountain Children’s Foundation steps in.

Mountain Children’s Foundation/MCF is a local organization deeply rooted in the communities all across the hill-state. Its unique strengths: “we know our people, we know the region and we know how to communicate in relevant ways,” Aditi Kaur, MCF President, assures us. And for this they have a team of young ambassadors between the age group of 11-17 year olds, leading from the front.

Early March, when the news of the COVID 19 was gathering steam, these young warriors were out in the community sharing information about the virus and why hygiene was necessary. Children were reminded of what they had learnt about hygiene under different WASH programs, in turn taught their parents and grandparents. Again, children were the most informed agents of change and improvement for their families during the pandemic.

MCF teams were out in the field reaching out to one and all. Comprehensive lists of families most in need were handed over dry rations and been put in direct contact with the village Pradhan (Headman) for future needs.

MCF CHILDLINE program has been able to facilitate support for over 45 families. “In fact the Pradhan of Prithvipur was so impressed with Arti, our facilitator, that she wrote a letter to the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Block officer and Head of the Police Station in Vikasnagar, praising her and the MCF for the work she had done for the community,” adds a proud Aditi Kaur.

With an outreach to over hundred families and counting,Mountain Children’s Foundation is multi-tasking by providing information, reassurance and resources to children. Once motivated to keep going, and empowered with the knowledge they need to be protected and secure,Mountain Children’s Foundation is constantly striving to reach every child and in turn help every community.

CloudxLab.com to up-skill youth during COVID-19 lockdown

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newspost

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April 20, 2020

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Roorkee, 20th April 2020: In an endeavour to upskill the youth and promote e-learning during the COVID-19 lockdown, IIT Roorkee has launched an Advanced Certification Course on Deep Learning at Cloudxlab.com.

The launch comes in the wake of the current economic crisis which underscores the significance of technical skills to tackle the global slowdown. It follows the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IIT Roorkee and Cloudxlab.com, a US-based ed-tech company, for offering a series of instructor-led as well as self-paced executive online courses.

“COVID-19 has triggered a nationwide lockdown. This is the best time for the youth as well as others to up-skill themselves. This initiative will be attractive for users who aim to excel in the technical field. The partnership with CloudxLab.com will amplify our reach to offer the latest knowledge in tune with the needs of the industry,” said Prof. Ajit K. Chaturvedi, Director, IIT Roorkee.

The course is a new addition to a host of pre-existing courses such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science and many more. It will be delivered by the faculty of IIT Roorkee and other experts from the industry. The classes will be streamed online through a live video. Upon completion of the course, users will receive a certification from IIT Roorkee.

“Technology continues to advance rapidly even today, and this is perhaps the best time for professionals to expand their horizons and learn new technologies,” said Manish Shrikande, Dean, Sponsored Research and Industrial Consultancy, IIT Roorkee.

The initiative will equip students as well as professionals who wish to utilize this lockdown period in up-skilling themselves.

We’ll get by with a little help from our friends!

By

Tania Saili

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April 18, 2020

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Dateline Mussoorie: Who could have, in their wildest dreams, ever dreamt that there would be a connection between Uttarakhand and the Beatles song We’ll get by with a little help from our friends?

Recently, The Beatles Story, Liverpool, created a three and a half minute feel-good medley video featuring fans of the Fab Four from all across the globe, singing ‘We’ll get by with a little help from our friends’! Fans of all ages, gender, backgrounds and nationalities came together and shared their version of the song with the message of solidarity and support amid these extraordinary times.

Diane Glover, Marketing Manager said: “We’re hoping the video will bring a smile, not just to the faces of Beatles fans, but to everyone who can appreciate the sense of togetherness a simple video message can create.”

Famous Folk artist Ramcharan Juyal, the only artist from the continent plays the traditional Morchang in the medley. Speaking to Newspost, the artist said, “Raju Gusain shared the video with me and I heard the song for the very first time. Within minutes, I got the feel of the song and composed the beat on the spot.”

Senior Journalist and an encyclopaedia on The Beatles visit to India, Raju Gusain tells us, “It is a great feeling that one of our folk artists has featured in a music video from Liverpool. Juyal ji is playing the elusive Morchang. Being featured in the famous Fab Four song will generate curiosity about the folk musical instrument used in the video.”

Did someone say: We’ll get by with a little help from our friends?

The Liverpool video comes in the year that the popular attraction will be celebrating its 30^th anniversary after first opening their doors to the public on 1^st May 1990.

With A Little Help From Our Friends! The Beatles Story and The Beatles Fans

The Beatles Story has created a feel-good video featuring fans of The Beatles from all around the world, who have ‘come together’ to share a message of solidarity and support amid these uncertain times. 🎵🌈🌎A massive thank you to everyone who shared and sent their videos, we hope you enjoy it! 🤗Tag a friend who is helping you get by in the comments !

The Beatles Story यांनी वर पोस्ट केले गुरुवार, १६ एप्रिल, २०२०

Happiness is an inside job

By

Tania Saili

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April 17, 2020

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WhatsApp Image 2020-04-17 at 10.20.53 — Trepan Singh Negi with his gift

Dateline Uttarkashi: Sakshi Negi, resident of Gangori, Uttarkashi is an Ayurvedic Doctor who works in Bangalore. Like many others, she was unable to return home after the pan–India lockdown on account of Covid19. What made staying away from home more heart wrenching this time round was the fact that it was her father’s 55^th birthday on the 16^th of April.

Unable to be there in person Sakshi did the second best thing. “After exhausting all my resources in Dehradun hunting for the N95 mask and my hometown Uttarkashi. I got in touch with District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan via Instagram.” She put in a request to the DM requesting him to gift her father Mr. Trepan Singh Negi with a N95 facemask as he worked as Chief Pharmacist in the District Hospital.

The District magistrate did not think twice. He arranged for an N95 mask and without much ado, had it delivered to the gentleman’s home in Gangori. Much surprised and delighted the birthday boy was touched by the gesture of both his daughter and the bureaucrat who took out time to do the needful despite the given circumstances. Trepan Singh spoke to Newspost saying, “I was very touched and surprised by the kind gesture.”

In the meantime, being evaluated by the government on dealing with Covid19 pandemic, the performance of Uttarkashi has been outstanding. District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan says: “Special precautions have been taken regarding Corona virus infection. More than 5600 people have been screened in the district. There are 4452 persons who have been in home quarantine for 14 days. Samples of 117 suspects have been collected so far in Uttarkashi district. 104 reports have arrived. They are all negative.” With the inter-districts boundaries of the district sealed. Only vehicles carrying essential materials are exempt from the ban on vehicles entering the city, those too after being sanitized.

Archana Painuly: Taking Hindi to Denmark

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newspost

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April 16, 2020

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Dateline Mussoorie: Uttarakhand’s daughter, Archana Painuly, M.Sc. B.Ed. has been blazing a trail in the world of Hindi literature since 1988. While doing so, she has just won the coveted Padmabhushan Dr. Moturi Satyanarayana Award by Kendriya Hindi Santhan, Agra.

Moving to Denmark to be with her husband, Dr. Jyoti Prasad Painuly a researcher by profession, in September 1997, she began work as a substitute teacher before getting a full-time Science teacher’s at NGG International School, where she teaches secondary students. She joined the illustrious list of the select few Asian teachers, who work in an international school. Throughout her teaching career, spanning over three decades, her love for writing remained a constant companion.

A dedicated writer, Archana has written short stories, articles, and novels in her mother tongue Hindi including a few in English that reflect on the current ethnic and migratory issues with special reference to the Indian community in Scandinavian countries. Archana has also translated works of Danish writers into Hindi, which have been well received by her readers.

With three published novels, one of which she translated and published in English also, two short stories collections, and over fifty stories and articles behind her, Archana feels how, “Her readers get a different insight into the daily life of a migrant in Denmark. From discussions on the far-right political parties to the differing social norms across countries to the confusing concept of ‘home’.”

Archana’s first novel ‘Parivartan‘ was published in the year 2003, and it is about changing status of women over three generations in Uttarakhand. Her second novel, ‘Where Do I Belong’ Published in 2009 by Bharitya Gyanpith chronicles the life of Indians living in Denmark. It’s the first piece of literature written in Hindi on Danish society and was published in English in 2014 by Rupa Publication. Her third novel, ‘Paul ki Tirthyatra published by Rajpal, was amongst ‘top-ten novels 2016’ by Femina.

But Archana is no stranger to awards. Her work has found recognition every step of the way. It began in July 2004 when she was awarded the Dhad Sahityik and Sanskretik Sanstha, Dehradun for her novel ‘Parivartan’. After this came the Premchandra Award given by the Indian Cultural Association, Denmark in August 2006. In August 2011, came the ‘Pride of India’ by Indian Cultural Society, Denmark.

The latest feather in her cap is the news that the President of India will confer on her the Padmabhushan Dr. Moturi Satyanarayana Award given by Kendriya Hindi Santhan, “I feel very honoured and humbled to get this prestigious award. It was motivating to get rewarded for my hard work over the years.”

Meantime, Archana Painuly is working on her forthcoming novel Kairali Massage Parlour that due to hit the stands in 2020.

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