Month: January 2022

Pakistan witnessed a spike of 30 per cent in mental illnesses due to COVID-19 in recent months, according to national and international health specialists and recent surveys conducted by the Sindh Mental Health Authority, a state-run government organization.

The latest survey conducted by the organization showed that depression and suicidal thoughts are two major problems that developed among coronavirus contracted patients. These problems are also seen in those who have even recovered from COVID.

Senator Karim Khawaja, who heads the Sindh mental authority, said that around 40 per cent of the 1,500 survey respondents have reported suffering from low to high depression after being infected with the coronavirus, reported The Express Tribune.

While addressing a seminar in Karachi on Sunday, national and international experts also pointed out that the country has seen a 30 per cent surge in mental ailments due to the coronavirus, which has triggered psychiatric ailments in people who are already prone to mental health issues.

Furthermore, Prof. Dr Asim Shah, the executive vice chair of psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, US, said at least 25 per cent to 30 per cent increase in mental health issues has been observed in Pakistan during the pandemic, as the virus also triggered mental illness in people who recovered from the infectious disease, reported the newspaper.

Notably, Pakistan is facing its fifth deadly wave of COVID pandemic and cases are soaring each day. The first case of coronavirus in the country was reported in March 2020.

Sindh and Karachi are seeing the majority of cases with a high COVID positivity ratio and Omicron variant cases are rising and amid this, the survey becomes a cause of concern for Pakistan.

A professional psychologist, Khawaja said that some 25 per cent admitted to having suicidal thoughts after becoming infected or even after recovering from illness.

Afridi, who is also the editor of the Journal of Pakistan Psychiatric Society, said that the issues like joblessness have also impacted the mental health of people in Pakistan, reported the newspaper.

He also pointed out that Pakistan has an insufficient number of psychiatrists to tackle the situation.

“Currently, Pakistan has 600 psychiatrists, which is insufficient for a population of 210 million, in which mental illnesses are on the rise due to several social and economic reasons,” he maintained. (ANI)

Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, who recently got back to work, shared an uber-cool picture of himself on Wednesday.

Wearing an all-blue outfit with the word ‘fog’ on his sweatshirt, he penned the caption, “… yup .. you’re damn right .. no fog in the city .. MUMBAI is in the bright .. just brighten us all to be devoid of the void of this COVOID .. err .. you know what I mean.”

The post was flooded with likes and comments.

“The boss is out …age is just a number for him,” former India skipper Sourav Ganguly wrote.

To this, Big B replied, “got to get going .. idle for too long.”

On the work front, Big B will be seen sharing screen space with Neena Gupta in ‘Goodbye’. He is a part of ‘Brahmastra’, co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt and also has ‘Runway 34’, ‘Jhund’ and ‘The Intern’ remake in his kitty. (ANI)

Known as one of the fittest actors in Bollywood, Kangana Ranaut’s latest workout post is giving major midweek motivation to her fans.

The ‘Queen’ actor is one such Bollywood diva who is not only adored for her onscreen performance but also for her fit body.
Sharing some fitness motivation for her fans, Ranaut took to her Instagram story to share a glimpse into her pilates session.

In the post, the 34-year-old was seen working on her core with the help of her fitness instructor. “Morning exercise with one and only @namratapurohit,” the ‘Fashion’ star wrote.

Earlier in the day, Ranaut also shared two snaps from the birthday party of Sohel Maklai- the producer of her upcoming film ‘Dhaakad’. The actor also noted that she reunited with the ‘Dhaakad’ team last night.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Kangana recently wrapped filming for her upcoming movie ‘Tejas’. Apart from ‘Dhaakad’, she will soon be seen in films like ‘Manikarnika Returns: The Legend Of Didda’, ‘Emergency’, and ‘The Incarnation: Sita’.

She is also producing the upcoming dark comedy ‘Tiku Weds Sheru’ under her production house, Manikarnika Films. (ANI)

Samajwadi Party Chief and MP from Azamgarh, Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said when his party will come to power, Samajwadi Pension Scheme will be started and each beneficiaries will get Rs 18,000 financial assistant.

While addressing a press conference at the party office in Lucknow, Yadav said “Samajwadi Pension Scheme will be started when SP come to power. Financial assistance of Rs 18,000 each will be given annually to underprivileged women and families below the poverty line (BPL) under this scheme.”
SP Party chief said, “Earlier under this scheme, the financial assistance was given to Rs 6000 and there wasn’t a single family in Bundelkhand who wouldn’t have been benefited.”

Earlier in the day, Yadav said he will contest elections after taking permission from the people of Azamgarh.

“I will contest elections after taking permission from the Azamgarh people,” he said.

Elections for the 403 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting February 10, the Election Commission said.

The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7 in seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

In the 2017 Assembly elections, the BJP won a landslide victory winning 312 Assembly seats. The party secured a 39.67 per cent vote share in the elections for 403-member Assembly. Samajwadi Party (SP) bagged 47 seats, BSP won 19 while Congress could manage to win only seven seats. (ANI)

The Government on Wednesday approved the extension of the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis for three years uptill March 31, 2025.

The total implication of the extension for three years would be approximately Rs 43.68 crore.
The decision was taken in a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur told reporters.

“The major beneficiaries would be the Safai Karamcharis and identified manual scavengers in the country since the NCSK has been extended for 3 more years beyond March 31 2022.

The number of Manual Scavengers identified under the MS Act Survey as on December 31, 2021, is 58,098.

The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) was established in the year 1993 as per the provisions of the NCSK Act 1993 initially for the period upto March 31, 1997.

Later the validity of the Act was initially extended upto March 31, 2002, and thereafter upto February 29, 2004. The NCSK Act ceased to have effect from February 29, 2004. After that, the tenure of the NCSK was extended as a non-statutory body from time to time through resolutions.

The tenure of the present Commission is upto March 31 this year. (ANI)

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be hosting the first meeting of the India-Central Asia Summit in a virtual format on January 27.

The virtual event will see the participation of Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
This will be the first engagement of its kind between India and the Central Asian countries at the level of leaders. “The first India-Central Asia Summit is a reflection of India’s growing engagement with the Central Asian countries, which are a part of India’s “Extended Neighbourhood”.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a historic visit to all Central Asian countries in 2015. Subsequently, there have been exchanges at high-levels at bilateral and multilateral forums,” MEA statement reads.

The inception of the India-Central Asia Dialogue at the Foreign Ministers’ level, the 3rd meeting of which was held in New Delhi from 18-20 December 2021, has provided an impetus to India-Central Asia relations.

The participation of the Secretaries of National Security Councils of Central Asian countries in the Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan held in New Delhi on November 10, 2021, outlined a common regional approach on Afghanistan.

“During the first India-Central Asia Summit, the Leaders are expected to discuss steps to take forward India-Central Asia relations to newer heights. They are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of interest, especially the evolving regional security situation,” MEA added. The Summit is symbolic of the importance attached by the Leaders of India and the Central Asian countries to a comprehensive and enduring India-Central Asia partnership.

There will be no Republic Day chief guest this year. (ANI)

Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday announced that it will contest the upcoming Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh scheduled next month with the NDA allies including Apna Dal and Nishad Party on all 403 Assembly seats.

“NDA allies are contesting together just like we did in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. BJP, Apna Dal and Nishad Party will jointly contest polls on 403 seats in upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls. We have had a detailed discussion with both of the parties in the past few days,” BJP national president JP Nadda said while addressing a press conference here today after the NDA Uttar Pradesh unit meeting.
The announcement comes on the day that Aparna Yadav, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and daughter-in-law of former state chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav joined the BJP.

Earlier last week, BJP had released its first list of 107 candidates for the first and second phase of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls that are scheduled to be held on February 10 and 14.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will contest from the Gorakhpur Assembly constituency.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya will contest from Sirathu in the Prayagraj district.

The 403-member assembly of Uttar Pradesh will vote in all seven phases will polling to be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)

India’s first women’s tennis superstar, Sania Mirza on Wednesday announced her retirement plans, confirming that the 2022 season will be her last.

The Indian tennis player has won six Grand Slams and has reached the summit of the WTA doubles ranking. Mirza is also the first Indian to break into the top 30 in the WTA singles ranking.
Mirza announced her retirement plans after her opening-round loss in women’s doubles event at the ongoing Australian Open. The 35-year-old after her match said: “There’s a few reasons for it. It’s not as simple as ‘okay I’m not going to play’. I do feel my recovery is taking longer, I’m putting my 3-year-old son at risk by travelling so much with him, that’s something I have to take into account. I think my body is wearing down. My knee was really hurting today and I’m not saying that’s the reason we lost but I do think that it is taking time to recover as I’m getting older.”

“Also for me to find that motivation everyday to come out. The energy is not the same anymore. There are more days than there used to be where I don’t feel like doing that. I’ve always said that I will play until I enjoy that grind, the process which I’m not sure I’m enjoying as much anymore.”

“Having said that, I still want to play the season because I’m enjoying it enough to play the year. I’ve worked very hard to come back, get fit, lose the weight and try to set a good example for mothers, new mothers to follow their dreams as much as they can. Beyond this season, I don’t feel my body doing it. It’s beat,” Mirza added.

Sania Mirza along with her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok suffered an opening-round loss in the women’s doubles event. Kaja Juvan and Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia defeated Mirza and Kichenok 6-4, 7-6.

Mirza and Kichenok were not able to leave any sort of mark in the first set. However, the duo showed some sort of fight in the second set, but in the end, it did not prove enough. (ANI)

Russia has confirmed 33,899 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which brings the cumulative total to 10,899,411, the federal response center said on Wednesday.

In comparison, the number of new COVID-19 cases was estimated at 31,252 on Tuesday and 30,726 on Monday.
Moscow logged the highest tally of 8,795 new infections in the past 24 hours, followed by Saint Petersburg with 4,382, and the Moscow region with 2,626 new cases.

Over the past 24 hours, 698 deaths of patients with COVID-19 have been confirmed, bringing the country’s total coronavirus death toll to 323,376.

In the same period, 22,920 COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals across the country, bringing the total of recoveries to 9,925,855, according to the response center. (ANI/Sputnik)

The health condition of actor Shaheer Sheikh’s father is critical.

Taking to Twitter, Shaheer informed everyone that his father, who recently tested positive for coronavirus, is currently on ventilator.
Shaheer also requested his fans to pray for his father’s recovery.

“My dad is on a ventilator, suffering from a severe covid infection… pls keep him in your prayers,” he tweeted.

After learning about his father’s health, social media users including members from the TV industry showered Shaheer with messages filled with strength.

“Prayers,” actor Vatsal Sheth commented.

“Stay strong Shaheer. He will recover soon,” another one wrote.

Meanwhile, India’s daily COVID-19 infections jumped to 2,82,970 as the country saw a spike after a few days of a marginal dip in the daily tally. (ANI)