Monday Post

1 About 2 weeks back, it looked like that Covid 19 Pandemic has been curtailed in India, but that joy was short lived, as from last week again the cases have been increasing in number of states in the country. This have given jolt to given the jolt to state administrations of all the states whier cases are increasing.
India’s case tally crossed 1.1 crore as it recorded 14,199 new Covid-19 infections in the 24 hours ending 8 am 22nd Feb 21. With 83 new fatalities, the death toll is over 1.56 lakh. Current active cases have gone up to more than 1.5 lakh, a level seen three weeks ago. Over 1.11 crore people have been vaccinated till now. Maharashtra reported close to 7,000 cases on Sunday, the highest since October 23.
The Centre on Sunday told 5 states, that are experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases — Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh — to improve testing, ensure strict measures in containment zones and monitor mutant strains.
It has also written to all states to significantly enhance the pace of Covid-19 vaccinations,noting that a large number of healthcare and frontline workers still remain to be covered.
This has come at the time when 2nd phase of vaccination drive is about to commence for more than 20 Cr citizens above the age of 50. This drive is expected to be lainched dutring first week of March 21.

I, being a Mumbaikar will now come to Mumbai and state of Maharashtra. In the last 24 hours ending yesterday evening added 921 cases, this has fallen below 100 few days back.But from last week we are seeing spike again in number of cases , which has been a setback for Mumbaikars. Now tally of total number of cases in Mumbai city stands at about 3.2 lacs cases, from this about 3.01 lacs have been healed as they tested Covid –ve; with total fatality about 11,450, with fatality rate of 3.5%.
Now coming to Maharashtra, 6970 new cases were added yesterday, with total tally of 21 lac cases, from this about 19.95 lacs cases have been healed and fatality is about 51,790; and fatality rate at 2.47%.
Yesterday Pune city administration announced new Covid19 restrictions including limited night curfew with effect from today, closing of schools and colleges among other things. State Govt of Mharashtra has reimposed restrictions in 5 of its districts- Amravati, Yavatmal, Akola, Yavatmal and Washim- with a partial lockdown in 2 of them. Mumbai on the other hand is not going under another lockdown, and govt want to focus on increasing testing and strict implementation of face masks.
All the gathering in Maharashtra have been banned from today due to Covid 19 spike.
If you consider the ground reality, the reduction in daily cases saw people becoming lax in following the guidelines for Corona. Most of them thought the reduction in cases gives them freedom to lead back the normal life, and many of them started going out without masks, and there also reports of many more people in the gatherings then prescribed norms.

2 Yesterday Austrailan Open Grand Slam tournament (for tennis) concluded; with Novak Novak Djokovic in men’s section and Naomi Osaka in women’s section emerging vioctorious.
In the ladies section, the 24th Grand Slam eluded Serena Williams, which she is trying for last 3 years. During this 3 Year period she reached finals in 4 grand slam tournaments but the record equalling 24th grand slam is not in her destiny. Presently record of 24 Grand slam is held by Margaret Court of Australia.
In the men’s section Djokovic won his 18th grand slam title yestrday, the record of 20 grand slam titles is being jointly held by Roger Federar and Rafael Nadal.
Roder Federar has won 6 Australian opens, 1 French open, 8 Wimbeldons and 5 US opens. (Total 20)
Rafael Nadal has won 1 Australian open, 13 French opens, 3 Wimbeldons and 4 US opens. (Total 20)
Novak Djokovic has won 9 Australian opens, 1 French open, 5 Wimbeldons and 3 US opens. (Total 18).
From above you will observe that Roger Federar with 8 Wimbeldon, Rafael Nadal with 13 French opens and Novak Djokovis with 9 Australian opens, all of them are created record of a sort winning maximum titles in one tournament.
In my opinion Roger Federar is getting old, this year he will complete 40 years of age, possibility of him winning more grand slam title is bleak, but still you can say, as he is fighter. It will be known during next Wimbeldon (on his favourite surface grass) whether he can add one more grand slam to his kitty or not.
Although Rafael Nadal will be 35 year in June this year, still he has got chance to win more grand slams, especially on his favourite surface (clay) ie French open. But he is getting injury prone, but in my opinion if he plays this year’s French open, that will be his best chance of adding grand slam title to his kitty.
Now coming to Djokovic- he is youngest among the lot, he will be turning 34 years during May 21. In comparison he is fittest among these 3 players, and he has got all the chances of adding more grand slam titles to his kitty.
For Serena Williams., it is proving really difficult for her to equal the record, as she had reached finals in 4 grand slam tournaments, after 2017 when she won her last grand slam final and failed. She is also completing 40 years during this year, now she might find difficult to add more grand slam to her kitty.

Only time will tell, who among them will end up with maximum grand slam titles when they retire.

Waiting for your comments and views.

Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
22nd Feburary 2021