So India recorded more than 100,000 Covid 19 cases in a week. On June 16 the tally of cases stood at 353,000+ cases and yesterday it stood at 455,000+ cases. In this period of one week more than 2540+ deaths were reported in a country, which was nearly 18% of total fatality till date in the country (14,450+ deaths). Now coming to Mumbai, the area covered under Mumbai metropolitan region has crossed 100,000 cases, which is almost 73% of Maharashtra’s cases. In this Mumbai city accounts for 68,400+ cases, so Mumbai city accounts for almost 49% of Maharashtra’s cases. In the death segment Mumbai city accounts for almost 59% of deaths due to covid in Maharashtra state.
One more news which is indirectly connected with covid is that the Central Govt is considering to mandate separate colour codes for all domestic and foreign made goods, on the lines of green and red dots for vegetarian and non vegetarian food items. E commerce players will be insisted for immediate disclosure of the source of products sold on their platforms, along with local value addition details. The Govt E marketplace (GeM), the public procurement platform has made this disclosure mandatory, and made it compulsory for sellers to enter country of origin while registering new product. Sellers who have already uploaded their products are being reminded to update. They have been warned that their products will be removed if they fail to do so.
Next news items is about the Haj pilgrimage 2020- As per central govt’s notification those short listed for Haj 2020 will not be able to go for the much awaited annual pilgrimage this year, due to covid pandemic. This has been done after Saudi Arabia’s minister for Haj advising India against sending pilgrims in July due to covid spread. The pilgrimage has been restricted to the residents of Saudi Arabia only.
World no. 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic along with his wife have been tested positive for covid, In the process he has become 4th player to get infected with covid virus, after they took part in exhibition tennis tournament. The other players who tested positive are Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki. Djokovic was part of organising committee, who organised this exhibition tournament. There was wide spread criticism by most of other tennis players, saying that it is not the right time for holding even exhibition matches with the presence of spectators. Yesterday Djokovic issued a statement saying “ we organised the tournament when the virus was weakened, believing that the conditions for hosting the tour has been met. Unfortunately, this virus is still present, and it is a new reality that we are still learning to cope and live with it. I am extremely sorry for each individual case of infection. I hope this will not complicate anyone’s health situation and that everyone will be fine.” The three legged event in the Balkan area of Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia were meant to raise funds for lower ranked players and officials. It was very surprising that no social distancing measures were observed during the matches. Players were seen hugging each other and partying in night clubs and restaurants. Really a sorry state of affairs at the time when virus is still prevalent,
Now the series of positive tests raises question over the tennis’s planned return in August including the US open and the French open which are scheduled to be held back to back in late August and September. Now tennis is also a very rich sports and every one is afraid of losing their income, specially lower ranked players who survive on their participation in various tournaments, and whatever money they earn while participating, as you are aware that in all the tennis tournaments guarantee minimum amount to even to loser in the 1st round.
So in the end , what you say my friends on the above issues.
Please do write your views/comments/feed backs in the space provided at the end of the blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
24th June 2020.