HOUSTON:

Stafford’s first Malayali mayor was sworn in by another Malayali mayor. Early in June this year the Stafford City Hall witnessed a historic and emotional moment. The small American town called of Stafford, ruled only by whites until then, had a brown man as its first citizen.

It was a moment that would be etched in history books. This is because Mr. Ken Mathew was elected as the new mayor of Stafford. Ken Mathew was sworn in by the neighboring Missouri City Mayor Mr. Robin Ilakat, another Keralite.

At five o’clock on Tuesday evening, the City Hall was overflowing with a crowd of Indians, African Americans, Hispanics, and others to witness the ceremony. Stafford Mayor Cecil Willis presided over this special meeting of the City Council.

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Additionally, to extend support to humanity in these times of crisis, the Samajam has been undertaking various initiatives such as Emergency Ambulance Services, Home Oxygen Services, Elder Care Home Service, 24 x 7 Task force to address and guide on COVID mitigation and physical and mental well-being, distribution of food kits to the economically challenged families, end-to-end facilitation of people stranded in the city and wanting to reach Kerala through trains, and so on.
According to a statement issued by K.M. Ramachandran, President of the Samajam and C.V. Narayanan, General Secretary, “We are overwhelmed with the support coming in from all across the city. Over 400 individuals have contributed so far to this initiative as per their individual capacity. We are also highly indebted to our community organisations that came forward spontaneously and have been extending full support in the best possible manner. Gestures like this of community organisations, esteemed members and well-wishers come as a great moral support for AKS and they enable us to undertake projects of such magnitude and complexity thus fulfilling our commitment to the Society.”

They said that AKS and Ahmedabad community have proven beyond doubt that during times of such crisis “we all stand united and stay together irrespective of caste, creed and religion, which is pretty much the underlying philosophy of AKS. We look forward to continued support from all too make this project sustainable,” they said in a statement. At present, the average direct cost per day is about Rs.1 lakh.
The organisations that contributed generously to the cause are Ayyappa Temple Trust, Bapunagar; Sri Krishna Temple Trust, Lamba; Shree Ayyappa Temple Trust, Naroda; Ayyappa Seva Samithi, Nirnaynagar; Ayyappa Seva Samithi, Bopal; Ayyappa Seva Samithi, Vejalpur; Ayyappa Seva Samiti, Sastrinagar; Ayyappa Seva Samiti, Thaltej; Marthoma Church, Bopal; Shree Muthappan Seva Samithi; Jeruslem Marthoma Charitable Trust, Bopal; Marthoma Syrian Church, Behrampura; Nair Seva Samithi, Naroda; NWCA, Ghatlodia; NWCA, Vejalpur; Guru Dharma Pracharana Sabha (GDPS) and SNCM.
The office bearers informed that those who wish to be part of the project can do it through the link here.

The contact number of the office-bearers are KM Ramachandran, President: +919825010001 and CV Narayanan, General Secretary: +91 94273 10149.

Established in 1945, Ahmedabad Kerala Samajam is a socio-cultural organisation representing the Malayalee community in Ahmedabad with over 6,500 families as its life time members. The main objective of the organisation is to boost Kerala tradition and culture amongst the Malayalee population living Ahmedabad and foster a strong bonding with the local populace through various cross-cultural initiatives.

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In the first phase of the pandemic the Samajam had served about 10,000 meals from December 2020 to January 2021, he said.

In the second phase, the free meal scheme kicked off on April 1, 2021 when COVID cases spiked affecting many families. The Samajam is currently supplying over 1,000 meals a day spread across 29 micro areas in Ahmedabad, said  CV Narayanan, General Secretary, Ahmedabad Kerala Samajam.

The Samajam has set up 10 home kitchens and the food is being prepared by families. Volunteers of the Samajam pick up the meals and serve it to the needy. Funds for preparing the meals are offered by Samajam members, well-wishers and other like-minded people. The project is self-sufficient as of now, he said.

Additionally, to extend support to humanity in these times of crisis, Ahmedabad Kerala Samajam has been undertaking various initiatives such as Emergency Ambulance Services, Home Oxygen Services, Elder Care Home Service, 24 x 7 Task force to address and guide on COVID mitigation and physical and mental well-being, distribution of food kits to the economically challenged families, end-to-end facilitation of people stranded in the city and wanting to reach Kerala through trains, and so on, the press release said.

The Ahmedabad Kerala Samajam and its members are strongly committed to serving society to the best extent possible to ensure that COVID is kept at bay.

The Samajam has been offering the meals solely depending on donations from well-wishers and other like-minded people until now. As the daily expenses for meals alone is over Rs.1,00,000, the office-bearers have requested philanthropists, charity activists and business houses to come forward to support the organisation in this initiative. This will go a long way in meeting with Corporate or Individual Social Responsibility, Mr. Ramachandran and Mr. Narayanan said.

Established in 1945, Ahmedabad Kerala Samajam is a socio-cultural organisation representing the Malayalee community in Ahmedabad with over 6,500 families as its life time members. The main objective of the organisation is to boost Kerala tradition and culture amongst the Malayalee population living Ahmedabad and foster a strong bonding with the local populace through various cross-cultural initiatives.

With an objective to nurture talent and facilitate to the best extent possible through its “Navratnas”, the Samajam has been undertaking various activities in the fields of Education, Healthcare, Environment, Humanitarian services, Arts, Sports, Youth Development and Women Empowerment.

The contact number of the office-bearers are KM Ramachandran, President:  +919825010001 and CV Narayanan, General Secretary: +91 94273 10149.

https://forms.gle/ZDpJyxE8B1Zobf7T7

Contributions can be sent to the account number given below;

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GEMS Education Group founder and chairman Sunny Varkey’s mother Mariamma Varkey passed away in Dubai on March 31. She was 89 and bed-ridden for several years.

“We are sad to announce the passing of Madam Mariamma (Amina) Varkey, beloved mother of our Founder and Chairman Mr. Sunny Varkey. Madam Varkey is warmly remembered as a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. A pioneer in education whose impact transcends generations,” read a statement from GEMS Education.

The funeral will be held at the Jebel Ali Marthoma church on April 5.

Madam Varkey, as she was known, was one of the first Indian women to arrive in the UAE and among the oldest to continue living in the country.

The former primary school teacher was among the pioneers of the education system in the UAE. She had moved to Dubai from Ranni in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala with her husband K.S. Varkey in 1959. Her husband worked with the British Bank Middle East. Initially, she taught English to local children. The couple founded the Our Own English High School in 1968.

One main concern of many Indian expatriate families in Dubai then was their children’s education. Dubai and the other Trucial States were yet to develop to what it is today. The school, which started with 27 students and three teachers in a rented building in the Al Bastakiya area of Dubai, expanded exponentially in five decades and created an educational network in the UAE and beyond.

In 1980, her son Sunny Varkey took over the operation of the school. He established the GEMS group in 2000.

Among her former students are Dubai royal family members including the Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Fondly known as Ammachi to thousands of her employees, she shared a special bond with them.

She is survived by her son Sunny Varkey and daughter Susan Mathews.

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According to the letter, close relatives of the family have disclosed that Suku had an outstanding loan of nearly Rs.17 lakhs. The family is in no position to pay off the loan, as they were struggling to meet even daily expenses, the members of the all the Malayali associations, as a good gesture, may help out in settling the dues by contributing generously to the cause.

Contributions may be remitted in the name of Mrs. Sindhu Sukumaran, account number 0712053000000068, South Indian Bank, Bhuj (IFSC Code SIBL0000712.

The President recalled with gratitude that many samajam members had helped out generously when Suku was hospitalised. He, along with Mr. Martin George, Zonal Secretary – Kutchh wished each member good health and safe life.
KMSB is affiliated to Federation of Gujarat Malayalee Association & NORKA.

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Other Ministers present on the occasion were Minister for Tehnical and Higher education Uday Sawant and Minister for Mumbai Aslam Shaikh. Lokmat is a premier Marathi media institution in Mumbai.

Upendra Menon, who is the Chief Coordinator of ‘Who’s Who of Maharashtra Malayalis, had earlier been a recipient of Pride of India award at Constitution Club in New Delhi. He was the Special Executive Officer, Government of Mahrashtra and is the first Malayali Lokmat Lifestyle Ikon.

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Beneath the smiling face is a man who with sheer grit and integrity built up an educational institution that is the pride of every Mumbaikar. As an institution builder, Dr.Oommen David has earned a reputation that few in the State of Maharashtra would dispute. Many honours that have come his way are testimony to Dr.Oommen David’s immense contribution in the field of education and social service.

Oommen David was born as the eldest of the two sons of CG David and Kunjamma of Nambalathu House, at Kuttamperur in Mannar, Chennithala. Since his maternal grandfather was a school teacher who was insistent that his sons and grandchildren should have sound education, there was no doubt that little Oommen would get the best of education.
Oommen David had his primary education at Kuttamperur Primary School and secondary education at Chennithala Mahatma High School to which he had to walks a few kilometres every day. After passing the Secondary School Leaving Certificate examination in flying colours, Oommen David joined St Berchman’s College in Changanassery, where he excelled in studies as well as drama. He was even selected as the best actor in college once. During this period he was staying in the college hostel.

Oommen David secured BSc and B.Ed from University of Kerala. His love for Shakespearean dramas saw him pursue his post-graduation in English literature from the Agra University. During his student days Oommen was a prolific writer in school and college magazines.

In 1974, after completing his studies, Oommen, in his search for a career that best suited his education, landed in Mumbai, then Bombay. He was fortunate enough to secure a teaching position in a school in Panvel where he spent one year. He then joined Model English School, Dombivli as a teacher, a job into which he put his heart and soul.
After a few years of teaching, due to his academic proficiency, administrative acumen and leadership qualities he became the Principal of the school at a young age. During his tenure as Principal, Model English School grew in stature and academic excellence. Oommen David spent 15 long years in the school, shaping its character and destiny, that is to say that he left an indelible imprint on the institution.

Oommen David also headed the St. Thomas English School in Kalyan as the Principal for ten years.
After working for many years as Principal, Oommen felt that his sublime ideas of education could find better expression if he could start an educational institution on his own. He initiated all the necessary steps towards this goal and in 1989 started the Holy Angels’ School and Junior College managed by the Trinity Educational Trust, which today is an institution of repute, known in Maharashtra and beyond.

It is an intense passion for sound human values that sustains Dr Oommen’s life vision and life mission. Holy Angels’ School is all that this great educationist visualised in an educational institution. It is what Oommen David envisages an ideal educational institution that would not be just a centre of academic excellence but one that would be in line with the philosophical ideas and moral convictions of the educationist that he is and that would form the vision and mission of the institution.

Dr Oommen has a deep understanding about the objectives of education. He feels that education must sharpen the intellect and purify the heart. Wisdom must be combined with compassion. A capacity for deep thinking and a habit of serene meditativeness should be inculcated in the minds and hearts of young students.
Although it had started with Maharashtra State Syllabus, it had switched over to the Central Board of Secondary Education in 2007. In fact the institution can be proud that it is the first school in Dombivli with the CBSE syllabus.

For Oommen David teaching is not a profession but service to humanity. He feels that the teacher-student relationship of yesteryears is missing in the modern world. If earlier the teacher was the sole source of knowledge, today there are many other sources as well and this may be a factor that led to the decline of the importance of a teacher.

If earlier, teaching was a dedicated profession and service to society, today most teachers see it only as a source of income. Teachers are also chasing a mirage and riches like any other professionals in the world. Teachers or gurus of yester years had few wants unlike now, Dr. David Oommen says.

He also holds the view that the system of education needs to be rebuilt with a national outlook. Education needs to be reworked with more stress on practical orientation and a new education policy should be implemented. Only then will a generation of talented youth would be created, Dr.Oommen David says.

Situated in the outskirts of Dombivli, spread over two acres of land dotted with luxuriant trees and ever green shrubs, Holy Angels’ School and Junior College has over 2,000 students coming from the different strata of society, irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

Dr. Oommen David sees former President of India Dr.Sarveppalli Radhakrishnan as his guru and follows in his footsteps. He gives a lot of importance to sports and games in moulding the character of young students.
According to Dr Oommen, “One of the chief objectives of education should be to widen the windows through which we view the world. Education should kindle a child’s imagination, broaden his vision and open for him the super highways of knowledge. The aim of education should be to convert the mind into a lining fountain and not a reservoir.”

“Principle-centered, value-based education is the need of the hour,” says Dr Oommen. He is of the opinion that in today’s educational system deep human values such as honesty, selfless service, a compassionate attitude to the economically and socially marginalised are being ignored. There is a mad pursuit towards temporal success and achievements and to stem this swelling tide of crass materialism the school has initiated lectures, seminars, debates, etc. on the core issues of sound human values. Dr Oommen believes that only a principle-centered, value based education can produce enlightened patriotic citizens.

Dr.Oommen David believes that the current crisis in education is less about declining test scores and more about the failure to provide the ‘education for citizenship’. Making students become more socially responsible represents an essential objective for today’s institutions. Creating social responsibility amongst students must become the purpose of the academic environment, as young people’s formation also means to create a high level of awareness about involving these young members of society in solving social problems.

Students’ social responsibilities mainly focus on taking responsibility for one’s own actions. It is a promise every student should make for the society while working for the social, cultural and, ecological causes. These responsibilities are ethically binding and propose that each person acts in such a way that minimizes the adverse effect to those immediately around them.

The well-known educationist believes that the primary duty of a student is to learn and acquire knowledge, improve their intellect and widen their mental capabilities. It is estimated that nearly 15 per cent of the total population of India consists of students. The students, therefore, constitute a great potential force capable of leading a nation to great heights of progress.

It is well said that the Destiny of a Nation is being shaped in her Classrooms.Dr.Oommen strongly believes that schools have a tremendous role to play in making better citizens of the country. School is the platform wherein students learn the good traits of life such as discipline, obedience, dutifulness, diligence, respect to elders, honesty, and patriotism. It is the duty of every student to acquire these fine qualities of life which will enable him/ her to stand in good stead in the future.

Students can play an important role in improving and strengthening the society and can also act as the guardians of society. It is their duty to fight against all evils existing in society. They have a tremendous responsibility to see that injustice, inequality, oppression, exploitation, corruption, criminalization of politics, communalism, casteism, misuse of public money, etc., are done away with. Students have great strength to oppose these evils of society.

Dr.Oommen says that students do pay a vital role in society and have a strong bearing on how a society is shaped in the forthcoming generations. The society should give students the love and encouragement due to them. When students are treated with due respect and responsibility, they will also live up to be responsible and respect the society in return. When they are recognized, they will have the motivation to work for a better society even by facing hardships rather than giving up in between.

Family

Leelamma Oommen, who was the Principal of a School and Jr. College in Thane, is Oommen’s life partner who has stood by him through thick and thin. The couple has two sons, Bijoy and Manoj. Bijoy Oommen, who has an MA, B.Ed and M.Phil, is the principal of Holy Angels’ School and Junior College at present. Manoj Oommen is working in the United Kingdom.

http://hm9.b0c.mytemp.website/honours-and-award-for-oommen-david/

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In the merciless summer heat in Dubai on June 13, a priest who was called in to perform the last rites of a COVID-deceased parishioner at the Jebel Ali Christian cemetery, chipped in to shovel mud into the 10-feet deep pit. This was after he, along with three others present, had helped carry the corpse from the cemetery gate to the grave. The photo and video went viral on social media, and Fr Ninan Philip’s compassionate act was lauded as ideal human quality in times of calamity.

Fr Ninan was not merely the vicar of St Thomas Orthodox Cathedral in Oud Metha, Dubai. He doubled up as a social worker helping people in need irrespective of their faith and was part of a Whatsapp group called Helping Hands created to offer solace to Indians in distress. Helping Hands’ first successful mission was sending home young Sabareesh Dileep – a job aspirant on visit visa who was hospitalised after a stroke – in an air ambulance to Kochi in late May.  Since then, it has helped repatriate 125 Indians with the help of the Indian missions, philanthropic residents and UAE hospitals that provided excellent care and waived huge medical bills of hapless expatriates.

As Fr Ninan prepares to return to India after completing his tenure in Dubai, Helping Hands organised a farewell for the Good Samaritan on November 13. The meeting was graced by well-known social workers Ashraf Thamarassery and E.P. Johnson, President of Indian Association Sharjah, as well as South Indian film personalities Madhupal, Arun Devasya and Bency Adoor.

Mr. Johnson said that the vicar’s three-year tenure in Dubai had the effect of 30 years of social service. Remarking that a good leader should be a good listener, he pointed out how the priest had fulfilled his duties to anyone who came to him for help.

Ashraf, who has been best known for ferrying the dead to their home countries after completing necessary formalities, reminisced how the priest took great interest in providing assistance, including a recent case where a car caught fire and the driver’s body was charred.

Actor-director Madhupal remarked that human lives become more meaningful and enlightened when it is spent to feel the pain of others and bring light in their lives.

Rev Ninan said that like in the time of Kerala’s legendary king Mahabali, COVID-19 has brought equality and unity among people as they stay at home, respect lockdowns and wear masks. He mentioned the services of Consulate Medical Board member Praveen Kumar, a Helping Hands’ founding member who assists with consulate paperwork, overcoming any related red tapism. While there are only a handful of Indian social workers in Dubai and Sharjah, the problems they address are numerous which they have been doing selflessly setting aside their personal responsibilities and professions, he said.

Helping Hands’ members Aji P Varghese, Jose Daniel, Biju John and Indian People’s Forum Dubai President Pradeep Kumar also spoke on the occasion.

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The first objective was to provide assistance to the distressed Malayalees in the region. Those who turn positive in the COVID-19 test and who need help can inform Subin Traders through the following mobile numbers or any other means. The goods will be delivered to their doorstep through a special courier. Distribution will be limited to MCD or other authorised government housing areas.

Krishna Coffee (100 g), Robinfood Rice (2 kg), Ponkathir Rice Powder (1 kg), Kairali Papadam, White Oats (500 g), Sambar lintels (500 g), Lobia (500 g) ), Chickpeas (500 g), Eladi Cough Syrup (100 ml), bay leaf powder (50 g), two types of samba wheat crumbs (500 g each), chilli powder (100 g), turmeric powder (100 g) and coriander powder (100 g) are among the 18 sets of daily necessities in the kit provided by the Delhi Malayalee Association.

Mr. C. Chandran, owner of Subin Traders and General Secretary of the Delhi Malayalee Association, and his son, Subin Chandran, said that the initiative was as part of a help Malayalees who were banned from contacting other people due to COVID-19 and were left completely isolated without the love or care of their family. The Central Committee of the Delhi Malayalee Association will also provide assistance to those who contact the area office-bearers.

For more information call 8800398979 or 9811117391.

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As part of its many humanitarian initiatives, the Sharjah Charity International (SCI) distributed 9,200 meals to workers in July, of which 5,200 meals were distributed on July 24 alone. Abdullah Sultan bin Khadim, Executive Director of SCI, highlighted that this was part of the SCI’s efforts to provide a supporting role in the community by coordinating with institutions and departments.

He said that of the meals distributed on July 24, 4,000 were for workers in the Al Hamriyah Free Zone, and 1,200 other meals were for workers in the Sharjah Municipality residence. During the earlier weeks, 4,000 meals were distributed.
Abdullah Khadim said that SCI has allocated AED1.8 million to provide 120,000 meals to be distributed until the end of this year. The distribution programmes are in densely populated areas with low-income workers.

In May, SCI had allocated AED1 million from its Ramadan campaign allocations to purchase rice for distribution among beneficiaries including those registered with the charity at its headquarters, in all cities and regions. It distributed Zakat Al Fitr by way of 100,000 rice bags among 20,000 beneficiaries until the end of Eid Al Fitr days.

The Dubai Islamic Bank had made a financial donation of AED9.6 million in May to support the Zakat Project of the SCI. Abdullah Mubarak Al Dukhan, Secretary-General of the SCI, clarified that in the light of the current crisis and its negative effects, which caused a lot of damage to a large section of employees and the poor, the number of cases registered with the association had increased.

SCI said that 90 per cent of its donations were made through the applicable electronic channels, which include its website, smart link, SMS, and bank online transfers. Rashid Saleh bin Hammad, Director of its Resource Development Department, said that the society relied entirely on its digital channels and electronic services. He pointed out that the electronic channels have won the satisfaction of donors due to the ease of transaction without the hassle of going to the SCI headquarters.

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A young Indian expat with a meagre salary is looking for philanthropists willing to foot his comatose aunt’s mounting hospital bills in Dubai and help with her repatriation in an air ambulance.
Mumbai native 68-year-old Habibabi Mohammed suffered a stroke on May 11, 2020 and has been under the wings of Mediclinic City Hospital in Dubai since then. A salon worker and Dubai resident for 35 years, she had fallen in the bathroom in the early hours of the morning when she got up to offer the tahajjud prayer during the Ramadan month. Her roommate and nephew Salman, who works in a courier company, had found her lying unconscious on the bathroom floor. Since most of the government hospitals had no room for non-COVID patients, the ambulance staff took her to the private City Hospital in Dubai Healthcare City. A brain surgery was performed immediately but it did not help improve her condition. A trachestomy was done too to ease her breathing. Diabetic and hypertensive, she has been on ventilator even though her vital signs are stable.
Speaking to this correspondent, Salman said that his aunt has now opened her eyes but is unable to speak or move.
Her hospital bills have mounted AED 390,000, and a hapless Salman is being constantly badgered by the hospital to cough up the amount. The young man who earns a paltry 3000 dirhams struggles to afford his rent and other daily expenses, let alone take up this additional burden. Salman is Habibabi’s only relative in Dubai. Ever since he came to Dubai in 2013 looking for a job, he has been sharing accommodation with his maternal aunt.
Salman said that his aunt, who worked at a Karama salon, did not have a medical insurance to cover her hospital bills; because of her advanced age, the insurance premiums quoted were high and she had not found an insurance policy that was affordable.
The hospital has ruled that long-term nursing care including passive physiotherapy will be necessary since no further recovery is expected. It has recommended repatriation with physician and nurse escort as well as supportive medical equipment.
For assistance with repatriation, Salman has been knocking at the doors of the Indian consulate in Dubai with the help of social workers Praveen, Aji and Naseer Vatanapally. The 29-year-old has not been able to go to work for the past two months and is surviving without wages. He is banking on kind-hearted compatriots to help send his ailing aunt home, where she will be attended to by her siblings and their family. Salman said they have a joint family back in Santa Cruz, Mumbai.
Habibabi has no children; her husband is old and living in Dubai with his sons from the first wife.
As of now, there is no help in sight for this young man who sounded strong and stoic as he fervently prays and hopes for a safe passage for his aunt.

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The risk of coronavirus is increasing rapidly across the country and constant efforts are being made to fight the virus. In this pandemic situation, the West Bengal Government has some good news for the sweet-loving Bengalis to cheer about. Now the Bengal government will market ‘Arogya Sandesh’ which contains honey from Sunderbans to boost immunity. But this is not a COVID-19 antidote.

‘Arogya Sandesh’ is prepared with cotton cheese made from cow milk mixed with pure honey from the Sunderbans. This sweetmeat also includes extracts of tulsi leaves. No artificial flavours are added to the sweetmeat and is available in the department’s outlets in the city and neighbouring districts, an official of the Animal Resources Development Department said.

Sunderbans Affairs Minister Manturam Pakhira said the honey for making Arogya Sandesh will be collected from beehives in places such as Pirkhali, Jharkhali and other parts of the Sunderbans and it will be stored in a scientific manner.

The sandesh is expected to be available for purchase at the stores in another two months. The pricing will be within the reach of the common man, informs the animal resources development department official.

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Praising Kerala for the way it has handled the coronavirus surge, Nobel-laureate and economist Amartya Sen said COVID-19 would be a transformatory movement in the state and it has dealt with the pandemic combating bureaucracy and red tape.

Sen was speaking during a webinar on development titled ‘Kerala Dialogue’, organised by the Kerala government, to bring together thinkers, policy-makers, professionals, scientists and the public to a space where they could rethink and re-imagine development for a world disrupted by the pandemic. Sen appreciated the public healthcare system and the high level of literacy in the state.

Sen came down heavily on the “unplanned and unstructured lockdown” in India and said it caused distress and hardship. However, the government implemented the lockdown in an authoritarian manner.It was a disaster for the daily wage labourers,” Sen said.

Well-known philosopher and social critic, Noam Chomsky, who also participated in the talk, said the way Kerala responded to the Covid-19 pestilence was a surprise to the whole world.

“The differences in the way between Kerala and the rest of India, and the rest of most of the world, on how they reacted to the crisis was quite startling.Not many places have dealt with it the way Kerala has.This pandemic has brought out very sharply the extraordinary inequality that has been, of course always there, but greatly exaggerated through the neo-liberal period,” Chomsky said.

Asked if there will be a fundamental change in the world at the end of the pandemic, Chomsky claimed countries like the US are trying to prolong the current situation and move to more dictatorships, restrictions and people-watching.

“But there are movements all over the world to counter this.Coordinating this can be a huge force.They can make changes and they are all trying to create a new world,” Chomsky said.

Sen also pointed out that the collapse of the public system, which has happened in Europe, has not happened in Kerala. “Though Europe had a tradition of public sector intervention it is not there now but that kind of reliance on the public sector can still be seen in Kerala,” he added.

WHO Chief Scientist, Dr Soumya Swaminathan said countries, which responded to the early warning issued by the World Health Organization, were better prepared to face the pandemic.
“On January 30, WHO issued an emergency alert for global Covid-19 defence. But Kerala had already started preventive measures in early January, anticipating potential problems. That is why the first cases from Wuhan could be discovered.Following this, Kerala was able to locate, quarantine those who had contact with them and contain the outbreak. Kerala has been able to contain the disease as fast as possible due to proper preventive measures,” Swaminathan said.

Chomsky said Vietnam has confronted this pestilence and not a single Covid related death was reported there. He also pointed out that South Korea has also effectively controlled the pandemic without even a lockdown. “Taiwan, Hong Kong and New Zealand are other countries that dealt with the disease. In Europe, Germany was able to prevent the spread of the disease in a good way.What saved them was that Germany did not adopt a commercial hospital system like the US,” he said.

Chomsky said it was doctors from “poor Cuba, who have been the victims of the US economic assault for more than six decades”, who moved to Italy to help them out.  “This pandemic was able to show the extraordinary inequality of the world. In the United States, it was most pronounced….Blacks and their descendants from Spain and South America suffered the most in the United States,” he claimed.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who also participated in the discussion, said Kerala was starting a new conversation on development. “The Left Front is launching the Kerala Dialogue to bring new concepts and sustainable development models,” Vijayan said.

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After what seemed like an eternity ,now it’s Liverpool’s time.Despite the COVID-19 pandemic forcing a three-month suspension of the season, Liverpool became champions of the English Premier League since 1990 after Chelsea beat Manchester City on Thursday. They have won the title with seven games remaining. Liverpool waited 30 years to clinch its 19th league title.

After Liverpool secured victory, the team’s jubilant coach Jurgen Klopp break down in tears. “It’s such a big moment, I am completely overwhelmed,” said Jurgen Klopp. Klopp is the first German manager to win the Premier League.

It was Willian’s 78th-minute penalty that helped Chelsea beat Manchester City. Chelsea beat second-place Manchester City 2-1. Liverpool have broken joint record held by Manchester United and City for fastest win. Liverpool were last champions of England when they won the old First Division title in 1989-90

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“Studies have revealed alarming data regarding the suicide of students across the country.To prevent depression,behavioural problems,stress etc.we are launching this initiative for students.The education department will also partner in this project,”the Minister said.

She said that the state has already counselled over 5 lakh people at homes in and in isolation wards through phones.The project will be implemented on three levels –Anganwadi and Asha Workers,school counsellors,online and phone counsellors.“First,Anganwadi and Asha workers will be given the checklist for fieldwork to counsel in-person.Second,we will be using the service of existing school counsellors who are well-aware of the students in a particular school and third,we will be using the help of online and phone counsellors.”A helpline number‘1056-Disha Number’is provided.Both parents and students can call on this number for counselling.

A high-level committee would collect data regarding student suicides and would chalk out plans to prevent it.“It is a serious issues that needs attention.Suicide prevention will be given priority in the state particularly in the backdrop of COVID-19,”the Minister said.

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This was announced at a media briefing by Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi,official spokesperson of the UAE Government;Dr Saif Dhaheri, the Spokesperson of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA);and Dr. Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson for the UAE health sector, while providing an update on the measures taken to reduce the pandemic impact.

702 recoveries, two deaths

Al Shamsi said that more than 44,291 additional Covid-19 tests were conducted among UAE citizens and residents, resulting in the detection of 450 new cases and taking the total number of infections in the country to 46,133.702 have fully recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to over 34,405. She said that of the 11,421 patients being treated, most are in stable condition.Two deaths as a result of Covid-19 complications were reported,taking the total number of fatalities in the country to 307.

Vaccine trials

Al Hosani said that the UAE health sector has started phase III of the clinical trials of a Covid-19 vaccine,as part of global collaborative efforts to curb the virus.”Medical research in the UAE focuses on three pillars:studies of pandemics, diagnostic studies and clinical trials, which include developing vaccines,” she said.She also said that the participation in the First Phase III Clinical Trial of Inactivated COVID-19 vaccine comes in through cooperation between the Chinese Sinopharm China National Biotec Group (CNBG) and Group 42 (G42). G42 will lead the clinical trial operations in the UAE.

“Clinical trials are led by the Department of Health to accelerate the process of developing an effective and safe Covid-19 vaccine. We hope to make it available by end of 2020 or earlier 2021.The vaccine succeeded in passing the first and second stages of the clinical trials without causing any harmful effects,”she said,adding that the percentage of volunteers who managed to generate antibodies two days after taking the vaccine reached 100%.Al Hosani pointed out that people with chronic diseases, include heart diseases, hypertension and respiratory illnesses face an increased risk of developing complications.”The higher risk groups also include people who smoke, are obese or have a weak immune system.”

Sterilisation complete

Al Dhaheri announced the completion of the National Disinfection Programme nationwide and the sterilisation of all utilities,including public transport. He added that sterilisation of public and private establishments will continue.”Children below 12 are now allowed to enter commercial centers and restaurants across emirates,”he said.

However,public gatherings will remain prohibited,and he advised the public to avoid family visits. He noted that it is compulsory to follow the three-passenger limit per vehicle unless the occupants are from the same family.Al Dhaheri warned that legal action will be taken against any violators of preventive measures.

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According to Union Health Ministry,the number of active cases in the country are 1,86,514.The country also saw 418 deaths in the last 24 hours,which pushed its death toll to 14,894.The country has witnessed a spike of 2,82,570 infections from June 1.Maharashtra ,Delhi,Tamil Nadu,Gujarat,Uttar Pradesh continue to be the worst hit states in the country.Delhi is now India’s worst-hit city as the overall covid-19 cases surpassed Mumbai.The national capital reported 3,788 new cases on Wednesday taking its total to 70,390,more than Mumbai’s tally.

The health ministry officials said on June 24 that among the 4.4 lakh Covid-19 cases reported in the country,only 15.34 percent required ICU care.It also said that only 4.16 percent of patients were put on ventilators.The doubling time of coronavirus infection cases improved from 17.4 days on June 12 to 19.7 days in the last three days.

The ministry also said that the daily testing of samples of blood,throat and nose swabs crossed two lakh for the first time since the outbreak began.The recovery rate has improved to  56.71.Meanwhile,Indian Council of Media Research (ICMR),the apex health research body in the country,validated 1000th testing laboratory on Wednesday,ramping up the capacity for detection of Covid-19 in the country.

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Union Ayush Minister Shripad Naik said it is a “good thing” that the yoga teacher has given the country a new medicine but it needs proper permission from Ayush Ministry. Patanjali had sent documents related to the medicines only yesterday to the ministry, he confirmed.

“It is a good thing that Baba Ramdev has given a new medicine to the country but as per rules, it has to come to the Ayush Ministry first. They even said that they have sent a report. We’ll look into it and permission will be given after seeing the report,” said the Minsiter.

“Anyone can make medicines. Anyone who wants to make medicines has to go through the Ayush ministry task force. Everyone has to send details of the research to the Ayush ministry for confirmation. This is the rule and no can advertise their products without it,” the minister said.

The ministry has asked Patanjali to provide details of the name, composition, results of its research and hospitals where the research study was conducted and also for the Institutional Ethics Committee clearance.

An FIR was also registered in Rajasthan as well as a complaint in Haryana over claims that the newly launched medicine can can cure the coronavirus.

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The decision to postpone plans for military action against the South was brought up by the leader during a virtual meeting of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK).It said that other talks including bolstering the country’s “war deterrent ” was discussed. Analysts say North Korea after weeks of raising tensions is just trying to make room for South Korean concessions.

Yoh Sang-key, spokesman of South Korea’s Unification Ministry, said Seoul was closely considering the prevailing situation but didn’t further elaborate details. Yoh also said this was the first report in state media of Kim holding a video conferencing meeting, but he didn’t provide a clear answer on whether that would have something to do with the coronavirus.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether Kim’s decision to hold back military action would affect the country’s plans for leafleting. The North’s military had said it would open border areas on land and sea and provide protection for civilians involved in the leafleting campaigns.

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