Quota system for college admission-discriminatory

Maharashtra government has been doing enough harm to students and parents by frequently changing the college admission rule and requirements. Ninety percent of the seats are now reserved for SSC Board students and only ten percent seats are available for non-SSC Board students, i.e., from CBSC/ICSE/IB students. Non-SSC Mumbai students have to compete for seats with other out-side Mumbai (Maharashtra) students, including increasing number of aspirants from abroad. The situation is very serious and may result in widespread panic, student unrest and violence.

To begin with, the non-SSC students are coming from Central Schools and children of parents with transferable jobs (banks, military, government servants, etc). In reality, the syllabus is much more demanding than SSC Board. In fact, these students should be given preference in admissions (it used to be the case earlier).

Every Indian citizen wishes that politicians should not politicalize the education system and eliminate the quota system for ever. The governments should seriously draw up long-term solution, such as common evaluation system for admissions, to reduce the disparity between the Boards so that every student feels that he or she is not discriminated against other students from different boards in the same State.

Swine flu update

According to the report from World Health Organization (WHO), Laboratory-confirmed cases of new influenza A(H1N1) as officially reported to WHO by States which are Parties to the International Health Regulations (2005), as on 22 June 2009, world-wide countries have officially reported 52,160 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 231 deaths.

India has reported 44 cases and no fatalities. Maharashtra reported 3rd swine flu case. The screening process across Indian airports has come in for a lot criticism reflecting poor implementation process.

Swine flu update

According to the report from World Health Organization (WHO), as on 15 June 2009, 76 countries have officially reported 35, 928 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 163 deaths.

In India, 7 boys from Jalandhar who returned from NASA have tested positive. Indian Health Ministry has asked Indians to suspend their visits abroad to the flu affected countries until the pandemic is brought under control. The total number hit by swine flu across the country is 30. Monsoon in India may result in increase in the number of H1N1 cases. Help-lines are busy with enquiries about the symptoms of the disease.

Swine flu update

According to the report from World Health Organization (WHO), as on 12 June 2009, 74 countries have officially reported 29,669 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 145 deaths. The Director-General of WHO has therefore decided to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6 (widespread human infection).

Swine flu cases shoot up in India also. The government invokes Epidemic Diseases Act to medically “arrest patients” by the police. First two cases, mother and her child were reported in Bangalore, Karnataka. Three suspected cases were reported in Maharashtra. According to the Executive Health Officer, Bombay Municipal Corporation, there are 100 quarantine beds, 50 medical staff and adequate stock of protective gears and Tamiflu tablets in place as preparedness if the pandemic intensifies.

Swine flu update – Alert from phase 5 to 6

According to the report from World Health Organization (WHO), on 11 June 2009, 74 countries have officially reported 28,774 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 144 deaths. On the basis of available evidence and expert assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met. The Director-General of WHO has therefore decided to raise the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6 (widespread human infection).

India is at the alert level of 4. As per officials of Ministry of Health, India has no reason to be alarmed. Only 15 confirmed positive cases have been reported so far.

Swine flu update – Current situation

According to the report from World Health Organization (WHO), as on 10 June 2009, 74 countries have officially reported 27,737 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 141 deaths.

The WHO Director-General convened a third meeting of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee on 5 June 2009. The purpose of the meeting was to update the committee on the global situation and seek advice on proposals to introduce severity assessments in any future announcements of pandemic phase changes by WHO. The world remains in pandemic influenza Phase 5. There was a broad consensus on the importance of including information on severity in future announcements. In India, it is reported that affluent NRIs are helping the spread of H1N1 virus by refusing proper treatment.

The Government has banned the sale of Tamiflu, the only affective drug against the flu for fear of improper use which may cause the virus developing resistance for the drug. Three vaccine manufacturers have approached the government for infrastructural assistance to prepare the vaccine. All private medical practitioners have been advised to redirect the suspected cases to government hospitals.

Swine flu update – Current situation

According to the report from WHO (3 June 2009), 66 countries have officially reported 19,273 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 117 deaths. The most affected countries are: USA-10,053 cases; Mexico-5029 cases; Canada-1530 cases followed by Australia-501 cases and Japan-385 cases.

A 20-year medical student from Hyderabad, who returned on May 30 from Toronto, Canada, has become India’s 4th confirmed case of H1N1 Influenza infection.