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The mystery behind Bihar’s surprisingly low coronavirus numbers

According to health data released by Bihar authorities on Wednesday, there are only 6,392 active cases and the recovery rate is 96.64%.

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bihar coronavirus

By Prerna Ahuja

An explosion in coronavirus cases was expected in Bihar as the state went to polls amid the pandemic but the numbers continue to remain surprisingly low, which remains a mystery. According to health data released by Bihar authorities on Wednesday, there are only 6,392 active cases and the recovery rate is 96.64%. Don’t rub your eyes, you read it right!

In his speech following the National Democratic Alliance victory in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the alliance won because of the excellent Covid-19 management in the country. He recalled the way the country had fought the pandemic from the day of the janata curfew to the present and said it was incredible.

Although cases in India are witnessing a decline with each passing day, several states like Kerala, West Bengal and Delhi are reporting a higher number of cases everyday. But the situation is totally opposite in Bihar with a sharp decrease in total number of active cases. The million-dollar question is: Is Bihar really doing better than other states in terms of Covid management? Are people there wearing masks and following social distancing norms? The news would have been exciting if the answer to this was yes. This does not seem to be the case. During the high-decibel campaign relayed on news TV, we saw people flouting every norm, so much so that people following the norm were kind of the exception. This is also true in other parts of India where festive shopping is seeing more people crowding markets without wearing masks.

Although Bihar is doing much better than many states in terms of testing, most of these have been less accurate rapid antigen tests. According to the health ministry, only 12 percent of Bihar’s total tests have been RT-PCR tests. Taking cognisance of the matter, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Wednesday asked the state to conduct more RT-PCR tests of people who are symptomatic but tested negative in antigen test.

Bihar has conducted more than 1 crore tests so far and most of them have been antigen tests, which can explain the reason behind the state’s surprisingly low numbers. Antigen tests are not considered reliable as they have lower sensitivity and often give out false-negative results.

Although, lower numbers look great on the map of India, the biggest task for the newly-elected NDA government would be to correct the course. The health department of Bihar would have to pull up its socks because the lives of the people are more important than the pat for good performance during the pandemic.

Read Also: Tejashwi Yadav says he won hearts in Bihar election 2020, Nitish Kumar didn’t

The Union health secretary’s decision to ask Bihar to do better testing came on the day the electoral process of the state came to an end with one alliance winning a clear majority. And therefore begs the question: were the coronavirus figures underreported just to get done with the election despite several parties wanting a postponement? A government for the people, by the people and, allegedly, of the people has been elected but at what cost to Bihar? Hai koi jawab!

Cricket news

IPL 2024: CSK’s Pathirana returns to Sri Lanka due to hamstring injury

The right-arm pacer played six matches in IPL 2024 picking up 13 wickets at an economy of 7.68 for CSK

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Fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana of the Chennai Super Kings suffered a serious setback on Sunday before of their IPL 2024 encounter against Punjab Kings. Pathirana, who suffered hamstring injury, will have to head back home to to Sri Lanka for a proper treatment and recovery.

The right-arm bowler, who took 13 wickets at an economy of 7.68 in six IPL 2024 matches, has been a star performer for CSK during an otherwise uneven season. Whether he will return later in the season is yet unknown to the team.

This incident coincides with worries about Deepak Chahar’s health. Earlier this week, he bowled just two deliveries in the match against Punjab Kings at the Chepauk before he strained his hamstring. The CEO of the Chennai Super Kings, Kasi Viswanathan, believes it is extremely improbable that Chahar will play for the rest of the season. The status of Deepak’s injury is not favorable. He had said on Friday that he won’t say Chahar  is ruled out of the season, but it is doubtful.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s star cricketer Mustafizur Rahman left the Chennai Super Kings camp to play for his country in the upcoming series against Zimbabwe. With 14 wickets in just nine matches, the left-arm bowler was the leading wicket-taker for CSK this season.

Chennai has five wins and an equal number of losses in 10 matches in the on-going season, and they are now ranked fifth in the points table. In to compete again against Punjab Kings at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, the five-time champions hope to strengthen their case for playoff qualifying. In the match at Chepauk, PBKS had beaten the team Ruturaj Gaikwad-led team by seven games.

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India News

Wrestler Bajrang Punia suspended by National Anti Doping Body after failing to give urine sample

Bajrang Punia, who won the country a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, is likely to be barred from participation in the selection trials that are scheduled for later this month. No Indian has yet won an Olympic quota in the 65kg category.

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Wrestler Bajrang Punia was suspended indefinitely by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), which could have an impact on his eligibility to compete in the upcoming Paris Olympics. Sources claim that on March 10, Punia neglected to submit a urine sample for the Sonepat selection trials, which is why NADA issued the order barring him from taking part in any events going forward.

With subject to paragraph 4:1:2 below and in accordance with article 7.4 of the NADR 2021, Bajrang Punia has been immediately provisionally suspended from participation in any competition or activity prior to the final decision reached at a hearing in this matter, according to an official release from NADA dated April 23.

Punia was in the forefront of accusations of sexual harassment made against former BJP MP and president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, along with a number of other elite wrestlers, such as Olympians Sakshi Malik and Vinesh.

The star wrestler, who earned the country’s bronze medal in the Olympics in Tokyo, will probably not be allowed to take part in the selection trials later this month due to his suspension in light of the allegations. In the 65kg division, no Indian has yet to win an Olympic quota.

India’s Sujeet Kalkal will compete in the World Qualifiers, which begin on May 9 in Istanbul.

The notice of suspension was sent not to the federation recognized by United World Wrestling (UWW), but to the now-defunct ad hoc committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Punia rejected the directive of the drug control officer, alleging that NADA officials had not yet addressed his concerns. A few months before, Punia had uploaded a video purporting to have expired dope-collecting equipment.

The dope-collecting officer’s report states that he was told that his refusal would result in a warning for violating anti-doping regulations, but he still left.

Punia was asked to provide a written explanation by May 7th for his denial of providing a urine sample and supporting evidence.

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Entertainment

Kareena Kapoor appointed UNICEF India national ambassador, says it’s an emotional day for her

Kareena Kapoor expressed her happiness after she was appointed UNICEF India National Ambassador.

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Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor, has been named the National Ambassador of Unicef India. In 2014, she became the organization’s first Celebrity Advocate. Kareena was driven to tears during her address onstage at her recent appointment ceremony. Adding yet another significant success to Kapoor’s already impressive resume is this new responsibility.

Kareena showed her appreciation and joy at being named the National Ambassador for Unicef India in an Instagram post on May 4. She underlined how committed she is to protecting children’s rights and making sure every child has an equitable future. Kareena thought back on her ten years of working with Unicef India, calling it enlightening and brightening.

Taking to Instagram, Kareena wrote, it is an emotional day for her. Being named the National Ambassador for UNICEF India is an honour for her, she added. The actor mentioned in her note that over the past ten years, working with UNICEF India has been incredibly instructive and enriching. She said she is happy of the work they’ve accomplished and she is reaffirming my commitment to speak out in favor of children’s rights and an equal future for all of them, she added.

The Crew  actor emphasized the value of defending children’s rights upon her appointment, pointing out that they are the next generation. She committed to utilizing her position to speak up for children who are at risk, concentrating on matters such as gender equality, education, and early childhood development. Kareena restated her conviction that every child is entitled to an equal opportunity and a promising future.

Regarding work front, Kareena is now enjoying the success of Crew, in which she starred alongside Tabu and Kriti Sanon.

Under the direction of Rajesh A. Krishnan, Crew centers on the journeys of three employed women against the backdrop of the aviation sector. In addition, Diljit Dosanjh, Kapil Sharma, Rajesh Sharma, Saswata Chatterjee, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda feature in the film.

She will be next seen in Hansal Mehta’s The Buckingham Murders in the upcoming months. She will be also seen in Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again.

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