Reportage
Explained: Why govt’s move to allow genetically modified food is facing criticism
The food regulatory body, FSSAI, introduced the GM (genetically modified) draft rules in November, 2021. These rules pave the way for the entry of genetically modified food in India. But many activists across the country oppose the move as they contest that introduction of GM food is harmful not only for one’s health but also for the environment. What is the controversy about?
Sarah Khan
Three doses of Vaxzevria/Covishield give good protection against Omicron, claim manufactures
Trials of a vaccine, sold as Covishield in India and Vaxzevria elsewhere, shows increased antibody response to Omicron. It also enhances the body’s immune response to the Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma variants of SARS-CoV-2, as per the vaccine manufacturers.
Gaon Connection
Holy cow? Not for the UP farmer, who now spends nights protecting crops against stray cattle attacks
Stray cattle in the rest of the country have reduced by 3.2% from 2012 to 2019. However, their population has registered a 17.34% increase in Uttar Pradesh. Though the state government has set up cattle shelters, levied additional taxes, and launched cow welfare schemes, farmers continue to suffer crop losses. A ground report as part of Gaon Connection’s ‘The Gaon Postcard’ series.
Gaon Connection
Madhya Pradesh: Deprived of a road, villagers forced to carry patients’ cot for 4 KM to reach health centres
Distant health centres coupled with the lack of a road trouble rural residents in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district who have to resort to carrying their patient’s cot for four kilometres to the nearest motorable road before they get a vehicle to transport the sick and the injured to the health centre. Read on to know more.
Arun Singh
COVID19 vaccines ‘may need to be updated’: WHO body
A technical advisory group established by WHO suggests the current COVID19 vaccines need to elicit immune responses that are “broad, strong, and long-lasting” in order to reduce the need for successive booster doses.
Gaon Connection
UP’s villages might vote again on caste and religion. But what they desperately want: clean water.
Clean and available water has never been a dominant election issue for any party in Uttar Pradesh, despite some of the worst indices in the country. A month from the start of a seven-phase election in India’s most populous state Uttar Pradesh, Gaon Connection travels to villages to explore the issues that affect the daily lives of the rural citizens.
Shivani Gupta
Omicron outbreak: ‘Hospitalisation rate 5%-10% but situation ‘dynamic’, may change rapidly’
Today, the country recorded 1,79,723 fresh COVID19 cases, increasing the active caseload to 723,619. The daily positivity rate stood at 13.29 per cent, while 146 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours. The Omicron tally, meanwhile, stood at 4,033, with Maharashtra (1,216) registering the maximum cases.
Gaon Connection
Abstinence for a month is all it took Babuji to quit alcohol forever
As part of a series on raising awareness against the harmful effects of alcohol, here’s the story of Babuji who took to drinking after his wife’s death. His son introduced him to an online campaign which demands abstinence from alcohol for a month. Here’s what led Babuji to quit alcohol forever after restraining himself for 30 days.
Gaon Connection
Uttar Pradesh to vote in 7 phases from Feb 10; Election Commission announces poll schedule for 5 states
Elections are to be conducted in five states — Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur — in seven phases. The voting for upcoming assembly elections begins on February 10 and concludes on March 7. Details here.
Gaon Connection
No need for new registration for ‘precaution’ dose of COVID19 vaccine: Centre
The Union health ministry has said that there is no need for new registration on CoWIN for ‘precaution’ dose. Eligible citizens can directly book an appointment or walk-in to any COVID19 vaccination centre, schedules for which will be published today, January 8.