Pramoda Devi Wadiyar to sponsor vaccines for 1,000 persons; Technical glitches disappoint citizens
Mysore/Mysuru: The Third Phase of
COVID-19 vaccination began across India this morning, covering people over 60 and above. Even those above the age of 45 years who have co-morbidities are eligible to receive the Coronavirus vaccines. In Mysuru, there was a good response from senior citizens.
However, a majority of 60 plus citizens returned disappointed at two Government Hospitals Mysore Medical College & Research Institute (MMC&RI) Trauma Centre and District Hospital on KRS Road following technical glitches in CoWIN2.0 portal which did not support registration of names. So, hardly four persons received the jab as against the gathered 30-40 beneficiaries.
People’s willingness to buy local vaccines
By Hsieh Yen-yau 謝炎堯
On Jan. 3, the Indian government granted emergency use authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech International Ltd. Indian news media praised the move, calling it the pride of the nation.
Covaxin was researched and developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with India’s National Institute of Virology and the Indian Council of Medical Research, using the same technology platform as China’s vaccines.
The institute and the council provided the virus strain in May last year, and in July commenced phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials, which were carried out in 12 Indian hospitals selected by the council.
Vaccine Hesitancy
Saima Bhat
The virtual launch of Covid-19 vaccine. KL Images: Bilal Bahadur
On January 16, Dr Ahmad (wishing to identify his second name only) was ready for a hectic day at his hospital, which was selected for vaccination. Most of his colleagues were going to receive the shot.
The syringe was loaded, the camera was ready to freeze the moment and everyone seemed happy. But it was then that Dr Ahmad, who was in-charge on the day, was surprised to see everyone talking in hushed tones at his back. He sensed that the health officials were hesitant about taking the vaccine.
FRAGRANCE OF IDEAS
The inherent and visible potential of a country to influence the world without applying any kind of force or coercion is known as Soft Power. It is the ability to shape the choices of others through appeal, motivation, attraction and peaceful means. The medium of soft power is culture, political values, and foreign policies and areas incidental to the relation making platforms. India s metaphysics has been its biggest soft power for the last thousands of years. The civilization values, cultural richness and the spiritual ethos have been its greatest assets influencing the world.
In the current context of events, and particularly in the scenario of Covid19 pandemic over the last one year, India s contribution to the world is immense and the latest to join India s campaign in this regard is the Vaccination drive against the deadly pandemic of Wuhan-virus called Covid19. The two home-grown vaccines have brought a great sigh of relief on the faces of the people aro