AIBE XVI 2021: Registration for All India Bar Exam extended till 15 June; check allindiabarexamination.com

Due to the massive surge in COVID-19 cases all across the country, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has extended the last date to register for the All India Bar Exam (AIBE) XVI. Earlier, the deadline to apply was 30 April, however, the new date is 15 June. Interested and eligible candidates, who failed to register themselves, can now do it by visiting the official website aalindiabarexamination.com.

BCI extends AIBE XVI registration deadline till June 15#BCI #AIBE https://t.co/ECfIlsN9IE

— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) April 29, 2021

Students can follow these steps to register for AIBE XVI:

1.     Visit https://allindiabarexamination.com/
2.     Check the side menu of the website and click on the ‘Registration XVI’ link
3.     A new page will open. Select the state you want to register for
4.     Register by filling in the basic information like Name, Gender, Date of Birth, educational qualifications, etc.
5. After registration, start filling the application form
6. Upload all the required documents like Photograph, Signature, Photo Id and Enrolment Certificate. These documents should be self-attested. Any application without self-attested documents will be rejected
7.     Pay the fee abd submit the form
8. Save a copy. Take a printout of your application for future use

Here’s the direct link

The council will allot one centre out of the three mentioned by the candidate in the application.

In case wrong documents have been uploaded, a candidate can change by logging in again with registration id and Password and uploading the correct documents

The council has also notified that due to the prevailing conditions in the country and especially the National Capital, the helpline numbers 01149225022/23 will not be functional till further update. For any urgent queries, candidates can call on +91-9804580458.

The council will announce the new exam date for AIBE soon. Candidates can approach the BCI through the email id but a revert will be given only after 24-48 hours.

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COVID-19 deaths in Bareilly: Cemeteries, crematoria report daily stream of bodies, but district officials say only 185 died in 2021

Uttar Pradesh: "There have been around 185 deaths [in 2021] here due to COVID-19," said Bareilly chief medical officer Dr Sudhir Garg on Thursday, "While in the last three days, there have been three or four deaths." This stands contrary to accounts from the the five burial grounds and crematoria, which have reported a steady stream of bodies, of those whom relatives say died of COVID-19. On Wednesday alone, a total of 50 bodies were cremated at Bareilly's Sanjay Nagar and City Crematoria. There have been over 12 lakh cases of COVID-19 recorded in Uttar Pradesh, with over 12,000 deaths, but information about specifics is still hard to come by.

Much like the rest of Uttar Pradesh, Bareilly has been ravaged by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. "On a normal day, 10 to 12 bodies used to brought to our crematoria," said a senior official of the managing committee of Bareilly's largest crematorium, the City Shamshan Bhoomi, requesting anonymity. He added, "But a week ago, the number of bodies suddenly rose to 20, which gradually increased to 22, 25, 28 and then, 30. There's so much fear of coronavirus among people that only one or two members of the deceased's family come for the last rites, whereas under normal circumstances, a large number of people come for the funeral procession."

On one hand, the authorities provide a very low estimate of the number of bodies being brought to one of Bareilly's five crematoria and on the other, cremation ground managers cite a very high number. According to district officials, its bodies belonging to other districts that account for these discrepancies. Due to the rising body count, the City Shamshan Bhoomi committee member has overseen the erection of nine new pyres. "Thirty-three bodies were cremated today," he said on Wednesday, adding, "I am mentally shattered. I have not seen so many bodies in my entire life. Today, 33 bodies arrived. Thirty-two were cremated yesterday, while 50 bodies came here for last rites the day before."

In total, this adds up to 115 bodies at one cremation ground in three days. This is far removed from the 'three or four' figure quoted by Garg.

Meanwhile, over at Bareilly's second-largest cremation facility, the Sanjay Nagar Crematorium, an official who oversees operations (who requested anonymity) said, "Seeing all the bodies, the heart just wants to weep. We've never witnessed such a situation in our entire lives. We have 40 to 42 dead bodies coming here every day. On normal days, we have around five to 10 bodies. Since the past six days, the situation has been miserable to the extent that funeral processions are taking place from 5 am to 11 pm. Of all the bodies being brought, most deaths are due to COVID-10. Initially, we had 20 pyres, but we had to build seven more due to the COVID situation."

His view is corroborated by a private ambulance driver (who requested anonymity), who transported the bodies to the Sanjay Nagar Crematorium. He said, "The number of bodies has risen sharply in the past six to seven days. Today, the situation is that the funeral pyres are constantly busy and so , people have to wait. There are five crematoria in our city but those who do not find a place for cremation go along the banks of the Ramganga river. It is not possible to estimate the actual number of daily deaths in the city, and this makes it more difficult to obtain the number of deaths due to COVID-19."

The Bareilly administration, on its part, is less forthcoming with information. When this correspondent reached out to Dr Anurag Gautam to confirm the total number of cases and deaths per day, he said, "We are not allowed to make the COVID data public. You should contact the Chief Medical Officer of Bareilly." Upon contacting CMO Garg, he initially refused to share the figures, saying instead, "We do not make any COVID bulletins. A one-pager is compiled, which I cannot give you. You should contact Additional Chief Medical Officer Dr Ranjan Gautam."

Despite repeated attempts, the ACMO was unreachable. Eventually Garg gave this correspondent the figure of 185 deaths in 2021 and a daily toll of three to four deaths. When the number of people being cremated daily was brought up, he replied, "These bodies do not belong to our district. They all belong to other districts like Kanpur, Kasganj, Uttarakhand, Pilibhit, Badaun, Lucknow etc, and from Nepal." The Sanjay Nagar Crematorium official seemed to disagree with this version, stating, "Some bodies come from outside, but 80 percent of the bodies are from Bareilly."

Garg maintained, "These people come to Bareilly for treatment. If they die, their bodies do not go to their home district. In this situation, the last rites are performed at Bareilly cremation ground by Hindus and at the graveyard by Muslims." When asked for clarity about the data for deaths in Bareilly and other districts, he said, "We only keep the data of our district. We do not keep the data of other districts."

According to a member of the committee of the Takiya Mewari, the Muslim graveyard, "Many bodies have come here for burial in the past six days, and to my knowledge there is not a single body f another district. These are all bodies of local people." Local social worker Aslam Chaudhary said, "The first thing is that if the people from other districts were undergoing treatment here and they died during the treatment, it is clear how pathetic the healthcare system is in those districts. Second, after the death of their loved ones, any family would want to take the bodies back to their homes so that the last rites could take place in the presence of the family and loved ones."

"If somehow the families are unable to take back the bodies due to an inevitable situation, then the funeral is done in a crematorium or cemetery in Bareilly. The number of such cases is very small. According to me, around five percent are outsiders. In comparison, the daily number of burials in the cemeteries of Bareilly city is around 70 to 80, which is higher than normal. Therefore, I request the administration to make the past six days' data public."

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Vikata Sankashti Chaturthi 2021: Significance of festival; check tithi timings

Vikata Sankashti Chaturthi is an auspicious festival which is observed in the month of Chaitra. This year, it is being celebrated on 30 April. On this special day, devotees of Lord Ganesha keep a fast on the Chaturthi Tithi and break it only after seeing the moon in the evening.

The word Sankashti means deliverance and devotees believe that if they pray to Lord Ganesha for a happy and hurdle free life, it will be granted. On this day, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as Dukhharta (remover of sorrow) and Vighnaharta (the one who eliminates troubles).

According to Amavasyant and Purnimant calendar, today marks the day of Chaturthi Tithi of Chaitra and Krishna Paksha.

Vikata Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi Vrat 2021 tithi

- The Chaturthi Tithi begins at 10.09 pm on 29 April and ends at 7.09 pm on 30 April
- The Moon is expected to rise at 10.48 pm

According to Hindu scriptures, the moonrise timings play a great significance in this festival because the fast is concluded only after offering Arghya to the Moon God.

Significance of Vikata Sankashti Ganesh Chaturthi

As devotees worship Lord Ganesha to get relief from their sorrows, agonies and troubles, a day-long fast is observed. On this auspicious day, devotees perform Ganesha Puja.

Meanwhile, Vikata Sankashti Vrat is the first Sankashti day of the Hindu Lunar Year which begins with the Chaitra month, as per the Amavasyant calendar. Those who follow the Purnimant calendar celebrate the festival in Vaishakha month. But the date remains the same, and only the names of the months are different.

Devotees also believe that women facing fertility issues, get blessed by Lord Ganesha during this time. So, the women, who plan to conceive, keep the Vikata Sankashti Vrat. Also, couples who are dealing with marital discord can attain harmony by observing the day and following a few practices.

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Former attorney general, Padma Vibhushan awardee Soli Sorabjee dies during treatment for COVID-19

Former Attorney General and Constitutional law expert Soli Sorabjee passed away on Friday morning after getting infected with COVID-19. The 91-year-old had served as the Attorney General for India from 1989 till 90 and then from 1998 till 2004. He was admitted to a private hospital in South Delhi after getting infected with COVID-19.

Sorabjee was born in erstwhile Bombay in 1930 and began his legal practice at the Bombay High Court in 1953. He was designated as a senior advocate by the Supreme Court of India in 1971. In 1997, he was appointed by the United Nations as a Special Rapporteur for Nigeria to report on the human rights situation in that country.

He also became a member and later chairman of the UN-Sub Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, from 1998 to 2004. He is a member of the United Nations Sub-commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities since 1998 and also served as a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague from 2000 to 2006.

Among the landmark cases of his career are Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978), SR Bommai v. Union of India (1994), and BP Singhal v. Union of India (2010). In 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases, Sorabjee worked with Citizen’s Justice Committee and took the case pro bono for the victims. In 2002, he became a member of the Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution of India.

In March 2002, he was conferred the Padma Vibhushan award for his defense of freedom of speech and the protection of human rights. In a career spanning nearly seven decades, he was involved in many freedom of speech cases and his publications on the subject include The Laws of Press Censorship in India (1976); and The Emergency, Censorship and the Press in India, 1975-77 (1977).

Sorabjee was one of the prime architects of the annual Jazz Yatra and maintained that jazz left a deep influence in the way he practised law, according to a Hindustan Times report. It made him improvise as the situation demanded inside a court, he had said.

Chief Justice of India NV Ramana consoling the death stated that Sorabjee's "humane and compassionate approach defined his legal work”. "Shri Soli J Sorabjee served the office of Attorney General of India twice with great distinction. His body of work, spread over nearly seven decades, in defending the fundamental rights and human rights is of international repute. He will be remembered as a legend who added strength to the pillars of democracy. I pay my deep respect to the departed soul. Condolences to the family, friends and fans," read the statement issued by CJI Ramana.

Union Minister Smriti Irani described him as a "giant giant" who was always "ready to lend a helping hand”. Former BJP MP and veteran journalist Swapan Dasgupta said Sorabjee was a "great lawyer, a man of erudition and above all a perfect gentleman".

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COVID-19 home isolation: All you need to know about new guidelines for patients, caregivers

With the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic where over three lakh people test positive every 24 hours, the Central government has issued several new guidelines for home isolation. People with mild symptoms generally do not require hospitalisation and recover at home without the support of any advanced medical care.

The guidelines were also issued during the first wave, however, as new and updated information about the pandemic comes to light, home isolation instructions have been updated. Here are a few guidelines laid by the Central government for home isolation:

Who is eligible for home isolation?

Patients who have been clinically assigned as mild or asymptomatic can be under home isolation given that they have the facility to isolate at home. They should have a caregiver at all times. Elderly patients and those who have conditions that compromise the immune system can isolate at home if the treating physician approves it.

How should a COVID-19 patient isolate?

COVID-19 patients should be isolated in a separate room away from their other family members. This room should be well-ventilated. The guidelines say that windows should be kept open to allow fresh air to come inside the room.

What is the guideline regarding face masks for COVID-19 patients and their caregivers?

Mask should not be used for over 8 hours and should be discarded if it gets wet or soiled. Patients are directed to wear a triple-layer mask. Caregivers who come in close contact with patients should also wear a mask. Both patients and caregivers can wear N-95 face masks. Before they are discarded, masks should be treated with one percent sodium hypochlorite.

What are the instructions for patients in home isolation?

Patients are directed to update their treating physician with their condition regularly. Those who have comorbidities should consult a physician before taking additional medicines.

According to the new guidelines, if fever is not under control even after the consumption of 650 mg paracetamol four times a day then the patient should seek help from the doctor.

Updated guidelines also state that in case of a fever, doctors can consider giving drugs like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).

Those who experience breathing difficulty or chest pain should immediately inform their doctor and seek medical help.

What is the recommended treatment for patients in home isolation?

Along with the prescribed medicines, patients have also been advised to take steam twice a day or may use warm water to gargle.

What is the guideline for taking Remdesivir?

Only the treating physician or a medical professional can take the decision regarding Remdesivir. The latest guidelines say that patients should not be given Remdesivir at home as it must be administered in a hospital setting.

Should you get tested again for COVID-19 after the home isolation period gets over?

As per the latest guidelines, people who got infected with the coronavirus do not need to have a repeat test when the home isolation period gets over.

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BIEAP releases admit cards for intermediate exams 2021 at bie.ap.gov.in

The Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh (BIEAP) has released the Intermediate 2021 exam hall tickets for first and second-year students. Candidates can download the admit cards for General, Vocational Theory as well as second-year general practical exams. They can visit the official website bie.ap.gov.in to access the admit cards.

Candidates can follow these simple steps to download the hall tickets:

1.    Visit https://bie.ap.gov.in/
2.    Click on the link for ‘IPE hall ticket 2021 AP’ present on the top menu
3.    Now, click the link of the exam for which you want to download the hall ticket
4.    Enter your Hall Ticket Number or Aadhaar number and Date of Birth
5.    Admit card will appear on the screen
6.    Download it. Take a printout

Students can download their admit cards directly from this link.

Despite objections by parents and students, the Andhra Pradesh government has decided to go ahead with the Intermediate exams for Class 11 and Class 12. The exams are starting from 5 to 22 May for Class 11 and from 6 May to 23 May for Class 12.

Here’s the timetable.

All the exams will be held from 9 am till 12 pm. The Andhra Pradesh State Education Minister Adimulapu Suresh has said that the inter-examinations were necessary for the future of the students and all COVID-19 protocols will be followed at the examination centres. This year exams will be held at 1,451 examination centers.

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Coronavirus LIVE Updates: India adds over 3.86 COVID-19 lakh cases in new daily high; 3,498 deaths in a day

09:56 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Thane reports 3,384 new COVID-19 cases, 60 deaths

With the addition of 3,384 new coronavirus cases, the infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra mounted to 4,64,135, an official said on Friday. These new cases were reported on Thursday, he said.

As the virus claimed the lives of 60 more patients, the toll in the district rose to 7,526. The mortality rate in the district stood at 1.62 percent, he added.

09:41 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

India reports 3,498 COVID-19 deaths in a day 

With the death of 3,498 COVID-19 patients in the past 24 hours, the toll in the country climbed to 2,08,330 on Friday, said the Union health ministry. This takes the national fatality rate to 1.11 percent.

09:39 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

India adds over 3.86 lakh cases in new daily high 

India registered 3,86,452 fresh coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, taking the overall count to 1,87,62,976, said the Union health ministry on Friday. 

09:27 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Ex-attorney general Soli Sorabjee passes away after testing COVID-19 positive

Soli Sorabjee, former attorney general and veteran lawyer, passed away on Friday morning after getting infected with coronavirus. He was admitted at a private hospital in Delhi. He was 91.

Sorabjee began his legal practice in 1953 in Bombay high court. In 1971, he was designated senior counsel of the Supreme Court. He became the attorney general of India first from 1989-90 and then from 1998-2004.

09:08 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

First US shipment of emergency COVID-19 relief supplies arrives in India

 

The first shipment of emergency COVID-19 relief supplies arrived from the United States to India on Friday. The medical supplies include oxygen concentrators, oxygen generation units, PPE, Vaccine-Manufacturing Supplies, Rapid Diagnostic Tests, therapeutics and Public Health Assistance.

"The first of several emergency COVID-19 relief shipments from the United States has arrived in India! More such flights expected in the next week. Building on over 70 years of cooperation, the United States stands with India as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic together," said US Embassy in New Delhi.

US Govt assistance flight arrives in Delhi. More such flights expected in the next week. US is providing: Oxygen support, Oxygen Concentrators, Oxygen Generation Units, PPE, Vaccine-Manufacturing Supplies, Rapid Diagnostic Tests, Therapeutics & Public Health Assistance.#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/YOQzm72opZ

— ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2021

08:58 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Japan to provide 300 ventilators, 300 oxygen concentrators to India

Japan is prepared to provide 300 respirators and 300 oxygen concentrators to India once talks are finalized, Japan's chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato said on Friday.

Kato did not specify when the respirators and concentrators would be delivered, saying that he hoped they would be provided "swiftly" once discussions with India were finalised.

08:53 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Bengal registers record 89 single-day deaths, 17,403 new cases

West Bengal on Thursday registered its highest single-day deaths of 89 people due to COVID-19, pushing the toll to 11,248, the state health department said.

The coronavirus tally topped the 8-lakh-mark to settle at 8,10,955 after 17,403 tested positive in the last 24 hours, it said.

The metropolis accounted for 23 deaths, followed by neighbouring North 24 Parganas (21), South 24 Parganas (11), Howrah (7), Hooghly (6) and Bankura (5) districts, the bulletin said.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates: With the death of 3,498 COVID-19 patients in the past 24 hours, the toll in the country climbed to 2,08,330 on Friday, said the Union health ministry. This takes the national fatality rate to 1.11 percent.

In 1971, Sorabjee was designated senior counsel of the Supreme Court. He became the attorney general of India first from 1989-90 and then from 1998-2004.

With more than 400 oxygen cylinders, nearly one million rapid coronavirus test kits, and other hospital equipment, a Super Galaxy military transporter landed at New Delhi's International airport Friday morning.

Still reeling under a deadly second wave of COVID-19, Maharashtra may witness a third wave of the infection in July-August, said health minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday.

The grim prediction by Tope came on a day when Maharashtra, the state worst-hit by the pandemic in the country, recorded 66,159 fresh coronavirus cases and 771 fatalities.

Speaking to reporters, he said, "As per epidemiologists, Maharashtra could witness a third wave of COVID-19 in July or August. Maharashtra is trying to be self-sufficient in terms of availability of medical oxygen by then."

"It has been said the state could reach to the plateau level of COVID-19 cases by the end of May. If it is hit by a third wave in July or August, it would increase the
challenges before the state administration," he said.

He was speaking after taking part in a review meeting with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray where various aspects of COVID-19 management and vaccination were discussed.

District collectors and divisional commissioners also took part in the virtual meeting.

During the discussion, the chief minister stressed on setting up 125 PSA (pressure swing adsorption (PSA) plants (for generating medical oxygen) at the earliest for treating patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection," Tope said.

District collectors were told the government will not tolerate any complain about non-availability of oxygen when the state is hit by a third wave, said the health minister.

Maintaining that the current requirement of oxygen is being met through local generation as well as supplies from the Centre, he said Maharashtra is facing a shortage of 10,000 to 15,000 vials of Remdesivir, used to treat critical COVID-19 patients.

Though there is a shortage, we have asked doctors to use it judiciously. Extra doses could lead to grave side effects, he said.

Tope said the chief minister informed the meeting that he has told business houses and corporates that if they spend on setting up COVID-19-related facilities, that money will be considered as CSR expenditure.

"They can avail all benefits related to CSR spendings and this will also ease financial burden on the state," the health minister said.

We will try to set up oxygen generator plants, arrange oxygen concentrators as well as provide medical equipment such as CT scan and MRI machines to districts where these facilities are not available," he said.

Districts such as Hingoli, Jalna, Parbhani, Osmanabad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Washim and Gadchiroli will get tele-medicine services where COVID-19 patients with other health issues can seek consultancy from doctors based in major cities, Tope said.

Maharashtra, which has so far reported 45,39,553 coronavirus cases and 67,985 fatalities, is under lockdown-like restrictions till 15 May.

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