India adds nearly 1L more cases within 48 hours (Ld)

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India adds nearly 1L more cases within 48 hours (Ld)

Even as India races to develop a cure for the Covid-19 virus, and despite all safety protocols in place for the last four months to contain the pandemic outbreak, the number of infectees is increasing drastically each day. A total of 48,916 fresh cases were reported on Saturday after 49,310 on Friday taking the total to 98,226 — touching almost a lakh in less than two days.

In the last 24 hours, 787 people succumbed to the deadly virus, as there is a huge surge in cases in the hinterlands.

According to the latest data available on the website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the total number of cases in India reached 13,36,861 of which 31,388 people have lost their lives while 8,49,432 have recovered. The total number of active cases is 4,56,071 cases. The ministry stated that the recovery rate is 63.53 percent.

The highest spike in cases was reported from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Andhra Pradesh.

Maharashtra has recorded 3,57,117 COVID cases out of which 13,132 people have lost their lives, followed by Tamil Nadu with total 1,99,749 cases, and 3,320 deaths.

Delhi has registered 1,28,389 cases out of which 3,777 people have lost their lives.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sikkim, Manipur, and Mizoram administrations have effectively implemented that safety protocol for the last four months. These places have reported zero deaths so far and the recovery rate is more than 60 percent.

Ladakh has reported two deaths due to Covid-19 so far, there are 209 active cases. A total of 1,035 people have recovered from the deadly virus. Nagaland has recorded one death, the active Covid-19 cases in the state are 701 and 537 people have recovered.

The government is making all efforts to come up with a vaccine against the novel coronavirus so that human lives can be saved. The authorities have started human trials of indigenous vaccines in six cities.

Covid-19: Odisha reports 10 deaths, 1,320 new cases

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Covid-19: Odisha reports 10 deaths, 1,320 new cases

Odisha reported 10 more Covid-19 deaths, highest in a single day, taking the state’s total death toll to 130, informed the health department on Saturday.

The deaths have been reported from Ganjam (3), Balasore (2), Sundergarh (2), Rayagada (1), Jharsuguda (1), and Gajapati (1) districts.

The positive tally also mounted to 24,013 with a huge spike of 1,320 new cases in the last 24 hours.

While 887 cases have been reported from different hotspot areas, the remaining 433 are local contacts, said the department.

Hotspot Ganjam district recorded 560 cases followed by Khordha (174), Gajapati (90), Puri (90), and Rayagada (65).

The number of active cases in the state rose to 8,650 while 15,200 patients have recovered so far.

2 terrorists gunned down in Kashmir encounter

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2 terrorists gunned down in Kashmir encounter

Two terrorists have been killed in an encounter with the security forces at Ranbirgarh Panzinara on the outskirts of Srinagar on Saturday, officials said.

IG Police Vijay Kumar told IANS that two terrorists have been killed in the encounter.

The identity of the killed terrorists has not been ascertained yet.

Earlier, the security forces launched the operation on the basis of specific intelligence input.

As a joint party of the Police, CRPF and the Army zeroed in on the spot where the terrorists were hiding, they came under a heavy volume of fire that triggered the encounter.

Arms and ammunition have been recovered from the slain terrorists.

Lili Reinhart on battling anxiety amid Covid pandemic

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Lili Reinhart on battling anxiety amid Covid pandemic

Actress Lili Reinhart has been dealing with anxiety issues amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

In a conversation with author Sylvester McNutt on Instagram, Lili spoke about how the pandemic has affected her mental health, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

“I stress myself out all the time. Going to the post office … I really don’t want to drive to the post office. It gives me anxiety because I don’t want to leave my dog, I don’t want to have to deal with going out in public. I don’t want to deal with the mask thing, I would (wear a mask), but I don’t want to put myself in a stressful environment. I get myself hyped up about very dumb things,” she said.

The “Riverdale” fame actress revealed that she has been struggling with anxiety since she was in school.

“I really struggled during school. Obviously, I couldn’t escape that situation, I didn’t have a choice. I started getting panic attacks when I was in 8th grade so I think I was thirteen and every day in my 8th grade year I would cry in the morning,” she revealed.

Honor partners Flipkart to enter laptop segment in India

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Honor partners Flipkart to enter laptop segment in India

Chinese smartphone maker Honor on Saturday announced its partnership with Flipkart to enter the laptop segment with MagicBook 15 device in the country.

The company is geared up to enter the laptop market with the MagicBook 15 notebook launch on July 31.

“Our partnership with Flipkart goes a long way and we are delighted to mark our foray into the Indian laptop industry with our first flagship laptop – Honor MagicBook 15,” Charles Peng, President, Honor India said in a statement.

Honor aims to take its commitment of strengthening the brand’s all-scenario, 1+8+N IoT strategy forward, and the latest Honor MagicBook 15 is a step further to expand the portfolio for consumers, said the company.

Honor sells several laptops under MagicBook branding, including MagicBook 14, MagicBook 15, and MacBook Pro.

In addition, the company is looking forward to launching Honor 9A and Honor 9S smartphones in India next week for under Rs 10,000.

The smartphones will come pre-installed with the latest AppGallery and are expected to run on Honor’s flagship – Magic UI 3.1 based on Android 10.

In 48 hours, India reports around 1L Covid cases

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In 48 hours, India reports around 1L Covid cases

Despite a strict safety protocol being followed for the last four months to contain the Covid-19 outbreak, the number of infectees is increasing drastically every day. A total of 48,916 fresh coronavirus cases were reported on Saturday while 49,310 were reported on Friday taking the total number of infectees to 98,226 — touching almost a lakh in less than two.

In the last 24 hours, 787 people succumbed to the deadly virus. The government is making all efforts to come up with a vaccine against the novel coronavirus so that human lives can be saved. The authorities have started human trials of indigenous vaccines in six cities.

According to the latest data available on the website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the total number of cases in India reached 13,36,861 of which 31,388 people have lost their lives while 8,49,432 have recovered. The total number of active cases is 4,56,071 cases.

The ministry stated that the recovery rate is 63.53 percent.

Helly Shah: TV actors don’t get fair chance in Bollywood

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Helly Shah: TV actors don’t get fair chance in Bollywood

Television actress Helly Shah agrees with TV star Hina Khan that actors of the small screen are deprived of a fair chance in the Hindi film industry.

“I completely agree with what Hina said recently. TV actors don’t get a fair chance in Bollywood. I have experienced this myself. I have been to auditions a couple of times and I have seen that they don’t see us as they see other people,” said Helly.

She adds that TV actors are considered incapable. “They think that we are not capable enough to pull that off. I feel we should get a fair chance to prove ourselves. Give us a chance and we will prove it. We are also actors and we also do good work. It’s sad that we are not given a fair chance,” she said.

Helly, who is currently shooting for the second season of “Ishq Mein Marjawan”, says small screen actors get “a different kind of treatment”.

“I don’t understand why that is, but they sometimes treat TV actors as (if) we are nothing. But I really hope this changes and we all get a fair chance in Bollywood,” she added.

Earlier this month, Hina told IANS: “What we lack is equality. Nepotism exists everywhere and it does exist in our industry, too. If you are a star and you want to launch your kid, it’s absolutely okay. But, it is not fair when you don’t give an equal chance to outsiders. TV actors hardly make it big in Bollywood, just because we don’t get a fair chance. At least, give us a chance to prove ourselves.”

Pope seems to have modeled his batting on Bell: Tendulkar

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Pope seems to have modeled his batting on Bell: Tendulkar

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar believes the batting style of England batsman Ollie Pope and Ian Bell are quite similar.

“Been watching the 3rd Test, Ollie Pope seems to have modeled his batting on Ian Bell. His stance and footwork look exactly the same to me,” Tendulkar said in a tweet.

Bell featured in 118 Tests for England and scored 7,727 runs including 22 centuries. He is also among three Englishmen who were part of three Ashes-winning teams. Bell also featured in 161 ODIs before calling time on his career in the fifty-over format in 2015.

The comments from Tendulkar came after Pope rescued England on the first day of the ongoing third and final Test between England and West Indies at the Old Trafford.

Put into bat, England at one stage seemed to be struggling after losing four wickets for 122. However, it was then that Pope along with Jos Buttler stitched an unbeaten 136-run stand to not only take the hosts out of troubled waters but also put them in a commanding position at the end of the day’s play on Friday.

At Stumps on Day One, England was 258/4 with Pope and Buttler at the crease on 91* and 56* respectively.

Anand suffers 4th straight loss in Legends of Chess tournament

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Anand suffers 4th straight loss in Legends of Chess tournament

Chess legend Viswanathan Anand suffered his fourth straight defeat at the ongoing Legends of the Chess tournament, going down to the Netherland’s Anish Giri in his latest encounter.

Anand and Giri played out four draws before the latter secured a win in the Armageddon game (a tie-break) late on Friday night. The Indian, however, was able to pick up his first point of the tournament but he remains at the bottom of the table.

In the opening game, the 50-year-old settled for an 82-move draw while the second one was also a 49-move affair. The third and fourth games were also drawn, setting the stage for the Armageddon. Giri, however, secured victory and two points by grabbing the decider.

Anand will now face Hungary’s Peter Leko in the next round.

This is Anand’s maiden appearance on the Magnus Carlsen Chess tour.

Diesel costlier as oil firms push pump prices, petrol remains steady

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Diesel costlier as oil firms push pump prices, petrol remains steady

Oil marketing companies on Saturday raised diesel prices by 15 paise/liter as OMCs revised pump prices. This rise in price came after the prices were held steady for some time.

While the price of diesel was at Rs 81.79 per liter in the capital, petrol was steady at Rs 80.43 a liter. Petrol prices have remained unchanged since June 29.

Oil companies had raised diesel prices marginally by 12 paise on Monday but thereafter the prices of the two petroleum products remained unchanged for the next four days till Friday.

The unexpected rise in diesel prices despite slower demand has put the transport sector at a big disadvantage as rising fuel cost has further shrunk its margins. The price of diesel in the capital has also put automobile companies concerned about the prospect of the sale of diesel-run cars in the country’s largest car market.

With the hike in diesel prices, the gap between the two auto fuels has further widened in the national capital. Last month, diesel prices overtook that of petrol in Delhi in an unprecedented development.

In Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, petrol was sold at an unchanged price of Rs 87.19, Rs 83.63, Rs 82.10 per liter, respectively, while diesel prices increased marginally.

Oil companies began a daily revision of the two auto fuels from June 7 after keeping the price u

Google spying on users’ data to learn how rival apps work: Report

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Google spying on users’ data to learn how rival apps work: Report

Google is reportedly keeping tabs on how its users interact with rival Android apps, selectively monitoring how the users interact with non-Google apps via an internal program to make its own products better.

According to a report in The Information, an internal program at Google known as “Android Lockbox” gives employees access to data on how Android users interact with popular, non-Google apps like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.

“When YouTube was planning the rollout of its rival to TikTok in India earlier this month, employees turned to a valuable source of market research: how people in the country were using TikTok and its competitors on Android”, the report claimed.

The program works via Google Mobile Services (GMS).

“In some cases, such as YouTube in India, this data helps Google advance its own competing apps, say the people, all of whom requested anonymity to speak freely,” the report added.

The Google employees can reportedly see “sensitive” data about other apps, including how often they’re opened and for how long they’re used.

Google-owned YouTube is working on a TikTok rival called Shorts, to be introduced by the end of this year.

“Google is also thought to have used the internal program to plan the launch of its TikTok competitor called Shorts”, according to the report.

“Android Lockbox” works after Google users agree to share information as part of the Android setup process.

Users are told that this data allows Google to offer a more personalized experience. According to the report, it also provides data for competitive research.

Google admitted that it has access to usage data from rival apps.

A Google spokesperson told The Verge in a statement: “Since 2014, the Android App Usage Data API has been used by Google and Android developers who have been authorized by Android OEMs or users to access basic data about app usage — such as how often apps are opened — to analyze and improve services”.

“The API doesn’t obtain any information about the in-app activity and our collection of this data is disclosed to and controllable by users,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying.

The US government is set to grill Google along with other tech giants over its dominance in their fields of Search and anti-market practices. The panel announced its antitrust probe into the tech giants in June last year.

Google isn’t the only company that’s been accused of such data gathering practices.

In 2017, The Wall Street Journal reported that Facebook used a VPN service called Onavo to monitor rival services.

Onavo Protect — a Facebook’s software that was going to get the functionality — was billed as a piece of VPN software. Onavo was used primarily to gather information about what other apps Facebook users were using on their mobile devices.

The app was shut down in 2019.

I-T dept responsive to the needs of taxpayers during pandemic : Sitharaman

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I-T dept responsive to the needs of taxpayers during pandemic : Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has reserved words of praise for the Income Tax department, complementing officers for being responsive to the needs of the taxpayers during the pandemic times by relaxing various compliance requirements and addressing the liquidity concerns of the taxpayers.

In her message at a function organized to observe the 160th anniversary of Income Tax Day, Sitharaman on Friday said the efforts of the I-T department towards making the tax administration as taxpayer-friendly and transparent have facilitated voluntary compliance. Therefore, she said, the department will continue to play a critical role in the growth of the nation by keeping to improve and set new standards of professionalism.

She recognized the paradigm shift in its role in recent years, from being just a revenue collecting organization to becoming a more citizen-centric organization.

She cited various reform measures undertaken, including, inter alia, the introduction of a new, simpler tax regime, reduced corporate tax rates as also payment of tax at concessional rates for domestic manufacturing companies, which will pave the way for an “Atma Nirbhar Bharat”.

‘Bad Boys For Life’ directors want Shah Rukh Khan in Bollywood version

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‘Bad Boys For Life’ directors want Shah Rukh Khan in Bollywood version

Moroccan-Belgian directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah love the world of Bollywood. In fact, they would tell you to have an eye on Hindi filmmaking.

The director duo feels an Indian version of their recent Hollywood hit, “Bad Boys For Life”, would be a good idea. They even have a star in mind, for someone who could lead the ‘desi’ version of the franchise — Shah Rukh Khan.

At the time of the release of “Bad Boys For Life” earlier this year, Indian filmmaker Rohit Shetty had expressed his desire to remake the popular Hollywood franchise in Bollywood.

Asked how they envision the ‘desi’ version, Adil told IANS: “Well, you know, it would be an honor, to begin with. Because Bollywood is like the biggest movie industry in the world, and we come from Morocco. They’re big Bollywood fans, and the biggest star in the world is still Shah Rukh Khan. So we hope that he (the Indian director) would have Shah Rukh Khan in the movie.”

Adil continued: “You’ve got to have him. In ‘Bad Boys’, there are a lot of bright colors that match with Bollywood cinema, where you have bright colors. It’s exotic. So, you have a lot of similarities, and the costumes (are bright, too). But I think you’re gonna have to use more music. It has to be a little bit more epic action with musical elements.”

Bill agreed: “I would be super excited to see a Bollywood version of ‘Bad Boys’. I’m behind it.”

At the time of the release of “Bad Boys For Life” earlier this year, Rohit Shetty told IANS: “It will be (remade) for sure. The moment I say that who should be the ‘Bad Boys’ in Bollywood, it will go viral that ‘I am making a film with them’ and I will be in a mess. So, I know who the ‘Bad Boys’ are but I don’t want to disclose it right now.”

Hollywood stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence lead the “Bad Boys” franchise. The buddy cop movie series was started in 1995 by Michael Bay. The second part was released in 2003. The third part released this year.

“Bad Boys for Life”, which released earlier this year before the coronavirus pandemic, revolves around a modern, highly specialized police unit that collides with the old school ‘Bad Boys’ (Smith and Lawrence) when a new threat emerges in Miami. The film will have its Indian television premiere on &flix.

A fourth part of “Bad Boys” is being developed.

MLS: Atlanta United part ways with coach Frank de Boer

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MLS: Atlanta United part ways with coach Frank de Boer

Major League Soccer (MLS) team Atlanta United has announced that the club and head coach Frank de Boer have mutually agreed to part ways. Besides, it also announced the departure of assistant coaches Orlando Trustful and Bob de Klerk and video analyst Erwin Koenigs.

“On behalf of Atlanta United, I would like to thank Frank for his leadership and commitment to the club,” said Atlanta United President Darren Eales in a statement. “Under Frank’s guidance, the club had a strong 2019 season in both MLS and international competition. After discussing it with Frank, the decision was reached mutually to part ways.”

“In winning two trophies in his first season in charge, he will always be a part of the club’s history, and with great appreciation and respect we wish him all the best in the future.”

de Boer was announced as the club’s second-ever head coach on December 23, 2018, replacing Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino. Under de Boer, Atlanta United finished the 2019 MLS Regular Season in second place in the Eastern Conference with an 18-12-4 record and won two trophies, the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and the second-annual Campeones Cup.

He guided the club to a 2-0-0 record in 2020 before the MLS season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Atlanta United was then knocked out of the MLS is Back tournament in Orlando finishing 0-3-0.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had with Atlanta United,” de Boer said. “Coaching in Major League Soccer and living in Atlanta has been a wonderful experience and a welcome new challenge. I will never forget the incredible supporters here in Atlanta, they are truly special.”

Atlanta United will resume MLS competition following the conclusion of MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando.

Pranati Rai Prakash: ‘I have grown up dancing on Punjabi songs’

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Pranati Rai Prakash: ‘I have grown up dancing on Punjabi songs’

Actress Pranati Rai Prakash is excited about featuring in a Punjabi music video soon because she confesses having grown up dancing on songs of the genre.

Pranati will soon be seen in the number, “Tennu gabru pasand karda”, sung by Kamal Singh. Her co-star in the video is Bhavin Bhanushali.

“I have grown up dancing on Punjabi songs. It’s going to be very exciting to do a song like this. I love the people here, (they are) very warm and friendly. I and am a lover of Punjabi food and desi ghee! So, it’s a delight to be shooting in Punjab. I can’t wait for people to dance on my track,” Pranati said.

Pranati was last seen in the web series “Mannphodganj Ki Binny”. She played the lead role of Binny. Lately, she has also worked in Imtiaz Ali’s “Love Aaj Kal” starring Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan, the smalltown crime drama “Family Of Thakurganj” and the comedy film “Odd Couples”.

Pranati will next be seen in the upcoming web-series “Cartel”, co-starring Rithvik Dhanjani.

How to Deal with COVID-19 and Diabetes?

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How to Deal with COVID-19 and Diabetes?

Diabetics need to take required precautions on account of Covid-19. Prenatal care is important and pregnancy tips for first-time moms need to be adhered to.

COVID-19 happens to be a highly infectious disease which is caused by the novel coronavirus. It does spread through close personal contact with someone who has the virus.

It is better to be familiar with pregnancy care tips during COVID 19.

People need to wear cloth face masks in public places where it is difficult to maintain a 6-foot (2-meter) distance from others. This will in fact help slow the spread of the virus from asymptomatic people and people who do not know that they have contracted it. People need to wear cloth face masks while continuing to practice physical distancing.

In the majority of people, the illness will be rather mild. However, people with diabetes may indeed have a higher risk of developing severe medical complications, such as pneumonia, from COVID-19. Self-care during pregnancy is important.

How does COVID-19 affect people with diabetes?

The coronavirus can thrive in an environment of elevated blood glucose.

People with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes might be at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can indeed appear 2–14 days after exposure and typically include:

  • fever
  • a cough
  • shortness of breath

Diabetes happens to be a chronic metabolic condition that does cause high blood sugar levels. On the whole, infectious diseases such as COVID-19 happen to be more serious in people with diabetes.

This is so as the immune system does not work as well in people with diabetes, which does make it harder for their body to fight the virus. Also, the novel coronavirus can thrive in an environment of elevated blood glucose.

Diabetes also tends to the body in a low-level state of inflammation, which makes does make healing response to any infection slower.

High blood sugar levels combined with a persistent state of inflammation makes it much more difficult for people with diabetes to recover from illnesses such as COVID-19.

Anyone with diabetes who notices symptoms of COVID-19 should speak to their doctor as soon as possible.

Type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes

More than 425 million people worldwide do suffer from diabetes. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Gestational diabetes happens to be another type that does affect some women during pregnancy. It is important to know more about pregnancy tips

for first-time moms. Prenatal care needs to be followed.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes does occur most frequently in children and adolescents. Nearly 10% of all people with diabetes suffer from type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition wherein the immune system does destroy the beta cells of the pancreas. This results in little to no insulin production.

Daily insulin injections are necessary to keep blood sugar levels normal.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is accepted as the most common form of diabetes, accounting for around 90–95% of all cases.

In type 2 diabetes, the body either does not make sufficient insulin or does not use insulin very well due to insulin resistance.

Most people with type 2 diabetes need pills to keep their blood sugar levels normal. In due course, they may also require insulin.

If a person having type 2 diabetes has any symptoms of COVID-19, it is advisable to consult the doctor.

Gestational diabetes

Another type of diabetes is gestational diabetes. This type only occurs at the time of pregnancy and usually goes away after the pregnancy ends.

Women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

Pregnant women with gestational diabetes are at high risk of complications if they do develop COVID-19.

Life after COVID-19: How will the new normal look?

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Life after COVID-19: How will the new normal look?

Coronavirus has changed the lifestyle of people. The question that arises in everybody’s mind is what will life after coronavirus be like? The road to recovery from the coronavirus is tough.

Coronavirus has spread like fire and will certainly impact future post-COVID-19. The economy has suffered, several people have died and fear lurks in the mind of the people whether they will become victims of the virus. Will people feel normal now and later?

The question now is, will the human species be able to cope up with this virus? Is it a road to recovery from the coronavirus?

It is quite obvious that life will not b the same again as it was before the virus. People intermingled freely and social distancing was not there. Now people are afraid of coming closer to another person and focus is on the post-pandemic future. Much testing is being carried out and governments are making efforts to contain the virus. In fact, life came to standstill as the lockdown was declared all across the world. Health safety is being given priority.

Now the question is what is “new normal”? It is difficult to define no doubt. Will there be one-way sidewalks? Medical-grade face shields at the theatre? Virus-proof, sterilized bodysuits for “socializing without distancing”? Robot cleaners and servers, immunity-booster consultants, cashless societies, nose swabs and temperature readings at every travel gate, and so forth? Amazing no doubt!

How optimistic or pessimistic can people be?

Many people may not be able to grasp the gravity of the situation. People like freedom and natural freedom of movement is one of them no doubt. Even if the lockdown phase is over still people are susceptible to the virus. Their immune system can be weak to cope with the virus. This is so in the case of elders and small children. It is not so easy to find an answer to the question will the pandemic virus eventually burn itself out or rather simply become part of the annual, seasonal respiratory infections?

Whatever said and done futurists have begun to imagine the post-coronavirus era. What will life after coronavirus be like?

Will it be a new world and new living conditions that one has to adjust to. Cynicism does prevail and physical separation has brought people closer. Family ties have improved. People are now learning the importance of life and relationships which they took for granted. So much seems so unnecessary and superfluous.

Efforts are on to find drugs to treat this virus and prevent COVID-19 from killing people. No doubt, since the uplifting of the lockdown, the global economy is recovering; the economy has started to breathe and people are hoping that this nightmare will come to end. CO2 emissions are down. Backyard vegetable gardens are growing well as pollution levels have come down since automobiles and other pollutant emissions have come down. One can if possible run thru through fresh forests and parks. Virologists and epidemiologists will be the new celebrities.

Will this be a sign of a new beginning or will we return to the same old story of living in a world full of turmoil and pollution?

Thus new “normal” does indeed depend on several unknowns. There are visible signs of the pandemic curve flattening in parts of the country, but the world still has to face up to coronavirus. It is a multi-wave pandemic, a virus that will keep the population at tenterhooks.

Conclusion

The road to recovery from the coronavirus is not an easy one. Many efforts have to be made to discover a vaccine that will cure people effectively. People are dying of it unfortunately and governments feel helpless. Every life is precious and it is sad that those deaths have occurred.

Halted amid lockdown; vehicle registration spikes in Delhi

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Halted amid lockdown; vehicle registration spikes in Delhi

vehicle registration in Delhi got a sudden boom last month when Unlock-1 was implemented after a halt of people’s movement for almost 68 days during nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of novel coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic.

As per the latest data compiled by Delhi Transport Department, vehicle registration here registered three times jump in June compared to May — the month which saw second, third and fourth lockdowns.

In May, the Transport Department data says, a total of 8,455 vehicles were registered. These vehicles include 6,711 two-wheelers; 1,650 cars; 72 e-rickshaws and seven three-wheelers. The registration was almost 1/8th compared to normal days when around 60,000 to 65,000 vehicles were registered before the lockdown, which was imposed on March 25 after the announcement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

From June 1 — the day one of Unlock-1 — the number of registration got momentum and the number of registered vehicles reached to 23,940 till the end of the month.

Of the total vehicles registered in June, 18,741 were two-wheelers; 4,755 four-wheelers; 280 e-rickshaws and 74 three-wheelers (auto-rickshaw and commercial vehicles).

“The registration of vehicles in Delhi started picking pace in June when Unlock-1 was imposed. Earlier, the number registered a significant drop due to restrictions across the country due to lockdown amid the Corona crisis. A total of 23,940 vehicles were registered in June which was 8,455 in May,” a Transport Department official told IANS.

“But as soon as relaxation was announced people once again started buying news vehicles in Delhi.”

The official said that two-wheeler registration is on top compared to other vehicles registered in June like previous years’ demands.

Special Commissioner (Delhi Transport Department) K.K. Dahiya told IANS that vehicle registration in Delhi is expected to touch its normal pace in the next 2-3 months.

More vehicle registration will generate revenue for the government.

Car dealers are also expecting sales to go up.

“Sales of vehicles decreased drastically during the lockdown, but the situation has improved now and people have started purchasing vehicles,” J.S. Nayol, President of All India Car Dealers Association, told IANS.

Mayol, however, said demand for high-end cars are still low and that people are more interested in buying small cars or used cars.

“The vehicles in demand range between Rs 1 lakh to Rs 8 Lakh. People are currently less interested in buying high-end vehicles which cost more than Rs 10 lakh. We have also asked the government to give relief in GST so that sales of vehicles pick up.”

Though the vehicle sales have picked up after the lockdown, car and two-wheeler dealers have been expecting to cover up the loss they have incurred during the lock-down. Many expect if the government curtails Goods and Services Tax (GST) people will surely approach buying more vehicles, including high-end cars, and they will cover their losses.

Asked if traders’ demand regarding rebate in GST to boost the sale will be entertained, Special Transport Commissioner Dahiya said the government has not even planned on the issue.

Last year more than 7 lakh vehicles were registered in Delhi. On an average 60,000 – 65,000 vehicles are registered in Delhi every month. Around 40,000 two-wheelers and 13,000-15,000 cars are registered in Delhi every month.

Bihar floods halt Samastipur-Darbhanga rail operations

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Bihar floods halt Samastipur-Darbhanga rail operations

All rivers in the state are in spate after torrential rain in the Terai regions of Bihar and Nepal. Floods continue wreaking havoc in 10 districts of the state. After the floodwaters reached near a rail bridge between flood-affected Samastipur and Darbhanga, rail operations on the route have been stopped.

East Central Railway chief public relations officer Rajesh Kumar said on Friday that floodwaters were passing near bridge number-16 at Hayaghat due to which the operations on the Darbhanga-Samastipur rail section have been halted from 7 a.m.

According to the water resources department, the pressure of water on the railway bridge cart and railway track in Hayaghat has increased manifold. The water in several rivers, including the Bagmati, Ghaghra, Gandak, Budhi Gandak, is flowing above the danger mark. Some 426 panchayats in 64 blocks across 10 districts of Bihar have been affected by the floods.

Amazon starts selling car, bike insurance in India

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Amazon starts selling car, bike insurance in India

Amazon Pay, the payments arm of the e-commerce giant’s India unit, has partnered with Acko General Insurance Ltd. to offer two and four-wheeler insurance policies in the country.

Customers can visit the Amazon Pay page or search on the Amazon mobile app or the mobile website to buy car and bike insurance in a few easy steps, Amazon said in a blog post on Thursday.

“Our vision is to make Amazon Pay the most, trusted, convenient and rewarding way to pay for our customers,” Vikas Bansal, Director & Head of Financial Services, Amazon Pay India, said in a statement.

“Delighted by this experience, there has been a growing demand for more services. In line with this need, we are excited to launch an auto insurance product that is affordable, convenient, and provides a seamless claims experience”.

Amazon Pay said customers will be able to purchase insurance quickly with no paperwork and Prime members will get extra benefits including additional discounts.

Customers will also benefit from services like hassle-free claims with zero paperwork, one-hour pick-up, three-day assured claim servicing, and one-year repair warranty — in select cities, as well as an option for instant cash settlements for low-value claims, the company said.

One can pay using Amazon Pay balance, UPI, or any saved card.

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