GENERAL NEWS INDIA – AUGUST 2009

Saturday, August 01st 2009
Pvt airlines call for an Aug 18 strike
All private airlines have threatened to suspend their domestic operations on August 18 unless the Government gives in to their demand for a bailout package. The bailout package suggested is in the form of lower sales tax on fuel and airport taxes. This is a first of kind joint effort coming from an entire industry to force the Indian government to take necessary steps. If the airline industry strike is carried out then it would mean a cancellation of 12,000 domestic flights by Kingfisher, Kingfisher Red, Jet Airways, Jetlite, IndiGo, Go Air and Spice.

Monday, August 03rd 2009
Pvt airlines call off Aug 18th strike
The Government is assumed to have taken a tough stand after a call for a strike by Private airlines. The Federation of Indian Airlines(FIA) which had earlier declared that no private airline would operate its domestic flights on the 18th of August has re considered its threat. The FIA announced on Sunday that domestic flights would operate on the 18th. The reason stated by the FIA for the re-consideration are, the potential inconvenience to thousands of passengers and the willingness shown by the government to enter into a dialog regarding the bailout for the airline industry. Private carriers in India carry about 80% of the domestic passenger traffic. 

Wednesday, August 05th 2009
School kids affected the most by H1N1 in India
India had its first case of death resulting due to H1N1 influenza early this week. The victim was a 14 year old school going girl from Pune. The family of the deceased have blamed the hospital for its negligence since the child was given the drug Tamiflu late. Children aged between 10 and 14 years are proving to be the most vulnerable to the deadly virus. From the total 574 positive cases of H1N1 in India, 350 cases belong to the 10-39 yrs age bracket. Out of this the largest affected belong to the 10-19 years age group. Indian health officials expect the H1N1 cases to go up in the next one month. 

Thursday, August 06th 2009
Nation gripped by H1N1 fear
Following the first case of death reported early this week due to HIN1 influenza the number of throat samples being tested at the National Institute of Virology(NIV) touched the 100 mark yesterday. The nation seems to be going through a panic situation because of the virus. The NIV in the mean while has doubled its work force and machinery. Private doctors have also been warned for turning away patients who might show suspected flu like symptoms.

Monday, August 10th 2009
H1N1 to hit 33% Indians
As the death toll resulting due to H1N1 influenza virus increases to 4 in India the health ministry continues to maintain that India is in a much better position than many other countries. The total number of cases that have been confirmed as positive are 800. 500 people have already been discharged after treatment. The latest deaths have been reported from Gujarat. In accordance with the predictions by the World Health Organization(WHO) the Union health minister stated that around 1/3rd of the Indian population was likely to contract the flu over the next two years.

Tuesday, August 11th 2009
Swine flu alert, death toll rises to 8
The total number of positive cases of the H1N1 influenza has risen to 959 in the country. The deaths due to the flu has reached 8. The latest to succumb to the flu has been a 13 year old girl in Pune. Earlier a 35 year old chemist from Pune also fell prey to the virus. Health ministry has stated that an indigenous vaccine will take another six months to be ready for administering. In the mean while the ministry will start talks with four global vaccine manufacturers-Novartis, CSL, Sanofi Pasteur and Baxter in order to import H1N1 vaccine from the company that develops it first.

Wednesday, August 12th 2009
Earthquake in the Andamans
The Andamans experienced its biggest earthquake since 2004 early on Tuesday. The earthquake struck 260 Kms off Port Blair. The quake measured 7.6 on the Richter scale and occurred undersea. This triggered a tsunami alert across the Indian ocean region. Tremors were also felt across Chennai, West Bengal and Orissa. 

Friday, August 21st 2009
Swine flue death toll reaches 44
Thursday saw the highest swine flu death toll in a day. 8 cases of death due to the H1N1 influenza virus were reported in the nation. Out of which 4 cases were reported from Bangalore, two each in Delhi and Gujarat, one in Pune. The total flu deaths have reached 44 with the number of confirmed flu cases at 2,401. The international body World Heath Organization(WHO) has stated that the virus is now spreading between communities in India.

Friday, August 28th 2009
More woman power at the Panchayati raj
The Union Cabinet cleared a proposal to increase reservation for women at the grassroots. They have now brought in a 50% reservation for women in the panchayats. This proposal aims to amend Article 243 D which makes a provision of 33% reservation for women in the panchayats which is followed currently. The panchayats are expected to act as nurseries for future women leaders.