DailyOh! A vax-vacation to Russia, sheep outside Kolkata Raj Bhavan
India has set a new world record. Nothing to feel proud about, for it is a record of tragedy.
With over 4,500 people losing their lives to Covid-19, India has now recorded the highest number of deaths in a single day for any country during the pandemic. The total number of deaths stood at 4,529, according to the data of 24 hours ending Wednesday morning.
In a marginal increase in daily cases as compared to yesterday, the country reported 2,67,334 fresh cases. Karnataka and Maharashtra have imposed strict protocols and restrictions to prevent further spread. But that seems to be of no concern to Karnataka BJP vice-president BY Vijayendra. BY Vijayendra, son of Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa, violated the travel restrictions due to Covid. Why? Apparently to pray to Lord Nanjundeshwara at the Srikanteshwara temple in Nanjangud — 170 kilometres from Bengaluru.
The flouting of lockdown has been condemned by the people of the state who have called out this VIP treatment.
But if you do want to take a break from the lockdown though, consider visiting Russia. No, we are not making a cruel mockery of your confinement. A travel company is offering a chance to get the Sputnik V vaccine along with a trip to Russia for Rs 1.29 lakh, kicking off the emerging trend of vaccine tourism.
Another ‘oops’ moment for a politician today was for Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. In a tweet appeal to the Centre, Kejriwal urged to cancel all flights to and from Singapore, saying, “The new Covid strain found in Singapore is being said to be very dangerous for children and it can turn into a third wave in India,” he added in a tweet.
सिंगापुर में आया कोरोना का नया रूप बच्चों के लिए बेहद ख़तरनाक बताया जा रहा है, भारत में ये तीसरी लहर के रूप में आ सकता है।केंद्र सरकार से मेरी अपील:1. सिंगापुर के साथ हवाई सेवाएं तत्काल प्रभाव से रद्द हों2. बच्चों के लिए भी वैक्सीन के विकल्पों पर प्राथमिकता के आधार पर काम हो
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 18, 2021
Singaporeans were not amused. In a strong-worded statement, Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan tweeted, "Politicians should stick to facts! There is no “Singapore variant” He didn’t stop with that. He attached a link that detailed the spread of the B.1.617 variant in Singapore. Now, while WHO has admonished calling it the “Indian variant”, the B.1.617 strain is most prevalent in India and has been on a death dance here. Kejriwal’s own state, Delhi, has barely caught its breath from the rampage that the virus had caused.
Politicians should stick to facts!There is no “Singapore variant”. https://t.co/SNJaF7wkwC https://t.co/pNgw4bkV4H
— Vivian Balakrishnan (@VivianBala) May 19, 2021
India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar responded to Singapore, saying, “However, irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships. So, let me clarify- Delhi CM does not speak for India.”
Damages are not limited to long-standing diplomatic relationships. Cyclone Tauktae, which has finally weakened to ‘deep depression’ after making landfall in Gujarat, has damaged more than property and civic amenities. Gujarat was battered with strong winds and heavy rains that left three dead in its aftermath. This is besides the power outages, traffic disruption, damaged houses and roads, and uprooted trees. According to BBC, Tauktae is the strongest cyclone to strike the coast of Gujarat since 1998.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted an aerial survey of Una, Diu, Jafarabad and Mahuva districts that were heavily impacted by the cyclone. After the survey, he chaired the review meeting to evaluate the damage caused.
Our Word Of The Day today is survey. It originates from the medieval Latin word supervidere, that is an amalgamation of two words — super meaning ‘over’ and videre meaning ‘to see’.
The dictionary defines it as the act “to look carefully at the whole of something, especially in order to get a general impression of it.”
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducts an aerial survey of the #CycloneTauktae affected areas of Gujarat and DiuThe PM is conducting an aerial survey of areas such as Una, Diu, Jafarabad, and Mahuva today. He will also hold a review meeting in Ahmedabad later. pic.twitter.com/B3C4qamBwp
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2021
Tauktae left behind a unique ‘gift’. Call it nature’s “return gift” if you may. Tonnes of garbage washed ashore as the cyclone threw our trash right back at us. Jaisi karni waisi bharni, Tauktae is probably saying.
Speaking of karni and bharni, the verdict in the Narada sting case in Bengal is still hanging as the Calcutta High Court will resume the matter tomorrow afternoon, after hearing the case for nearly three hours today. Two Bengal Cabinet ministers — Firhad Hakim and Subrata Mukherjee — and TMC leader Madan Mitra and former Kolkata Mayor Sovan Chatterjee — were arrested by the CBI on Monday. TMC protesters also protested outside Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar's residence by pelting stones.
But that is not the only protest against Dhankhar. A flock of sheep got the Governor’s goat. A man herded a flock of half a dozen sheep at the gates of Raj Bhavan in Kolkata, “and posed for photos and videos before a large contingent of media persons while a large contingent of policemen stood watching this drama,” in Dhankhar’s own words.
State of law and order @MamataOfficial even at the main entry gate of Raj Bhawan worrisome with stance police @KolkataPolice leaving all to be desired. And all this when the area is subject to 144 CrPC prohibitory orders. Constrained to seek an update on it. pic.twitter.com/HIiD7bTf67
— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) May 19, 2021
Enough of all protests, cyclones and infections. Let us now take you to a birthday party. Today is India’s most loved novelist’s birthday. Our beloved Rusty — Ruskin Bond — turns 87 today.
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Having given us the best of our childhood literature from The Room On The Roof and The Blue Umbrella to A Flight of Pigeons to keep us hooked as we turned older, to his own story in Lone Fox Dancing, Ruskin Bond continues to enthral us with his writing and panache for life.
But did you know how his mother responded when a teenaged Rusty told her that he wanted to be a writer? She laughed. And then told him that he could only be a clerk in a lawyer's office and that too because he had (has) good handwriting. Parents, we tell you! Ruskin Bond is possibly one of the first writers to pitch a book, filled with practical advice to young people keen to embark early on the literary path. The title is self-explanatory — How To Be A Writer.
We suggest you pick up one of his classics from your bookshelf or celebrate Rusty’s birthday with a mango soufflé that we recommend you today.
We will leave you for the day on that celebratory note.
See you tomorrow!
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