Taking a leap of faith mid-air, travel couple Jeroo and Gustasp Irani glide across Asia`s longest ziz-zag zip line in the misty mountains of the Shivaliks at Skyview Patnitop in Jammu, reveling in the sight of the snow-clad world, 4500 ft. below. As we stood on the first platform and viewed the sturdy cables strung across 10 platforms that seemed to sway in the misty distance, we were overwhelmed with fear and the thrill of anticipation. Our legs shook and our hands trembled as we were strapped into a secure harness and reached out to grasp the overhead cable. Soon…
Author: oiop
Pune-based dermatologist Dr. Anita Viegas speaks to A. Radhakrishnan on a wide range of issues related to skin, skin care, latest treatments available for skin ailments and the do’s and don’ts for a healthy, glowing skin. Briefly describe yourself. I am meticulous, paying attention to detail and give of my total self to anything I undertake. Taking the more difficult path somehow comes easily to me. With an organiser personality, I like it when things go as per plan. Your educational achievements? I am blessed to have studied in two great institutions – MBBS from St John’s Medical College,…
The world is nowhere close to finding a cure for COVID-19. In the post-Corona story-line, how will the algorithm of life change? Raju Korti throws up some interesting scenarios that may emerge in a future that looks uncertain. Who would have imagined, even in their wildest dreams, that a tiny virus of the size of a minute dust particle would turn the world topsy turvy in just three months? Five lockdowns, a frenetic clutch of therapies and a slew of preventive measures later, the country is still none the wiser and the virus continues to be the enigma it was…
Abolish income tax, let people spend surplus money so generated, focus on the demand side and bring on a slew of robust measures to boost Health and Education infrastructure to put the economy back on rails, argues Umesh Asaikar. For the government of the day, it was a Hobson’s choice – saving lives or saving the economy. Two and half months into the lockdown and amidst a continuing debate, the country seems to be opening up. “Unlock India” has begun in fits and starts across various states from 8 June 2020. Places that attract clusters like cinema halls, malls and…
What seem to us as bitter trials sometimes turn out to be blessings in disguise. It not only takes us down the path less travelled, it also brings to surface the talent that lies dormant inside of us. The three-month lock-down refused to pin down these restive individuals who discovered different dimensions to their creative craft and refused to be drawn into the vortex of negativity and depression. The entire realms of Art and Nature — from cherishing the canvas of nature to cooking, dancing, writing, and drawing – was explored to keep frustrations away. Moral of these stories: The…
While almost an entire population was confined to the safe environs of their homes during the lockdown, there were but a few brave warriors who put their lives on the line, fighting the mysterious virus with a fierce sense of commitment, writes Ankita Sharma. Throughout the lockdown across India, particularly so Mumbai, it were the essential service providers, the doctors, the civic body staff, the police, the grocers, the fire personnel and more who fought valiantly against COVID-19 and…emerged victorious. These Corona Warriors moved ahead in times of duty against the surge, on empty streets as residents stayed back at…
Among the few Samaritans who reached out to migrants and daily wage workers during the lockdown, were volunteers of the Circle of Love and Care. After the country announced a complete lockdown in March following the outbreak of Coronavirus, it posed a daunting challenge for a large number of front liners, migrant workers, daily wagers, and animals to survive its impact on their health (physical, mental and emotional), and finances. The need of the hour was for people to reach out to them in whatever way they could. Mumbai which is currently one of the major hotspots of the outbreak…
Contagion and Pandemic, both fictional books written by Dr. Robin Cook and made into movies later have plots that are peripherally close to the situation arising out of the present pandemic. Raju Korti draws a parallel between fact and fiction. The power of intuition and anticipation can blur the line between reel and real. There cannot be any other conceivable justification for thriller genres – some made into films later – that are remarkably close to the manner in which the Covid-19 script is unfolding. “Contagion” directed by Steven Soderbergh in 2011 and “Pandemic” directed by John Suits in 2016…
Dev Nadkarni tells us how New Zealand was not only able to flatten the curve but nearly eliminate the bug. On June 8, as the Covid-19 pandemic raged on in hotspots across the world, New Zealand declared itself Covid-free. The last active case was declared recovered and the country’s four-level alert system was lowered to Level-1 – the lowest. That meant all activities could resume as normal except for the borders that will remain closed until further notice. However, at the time of writing this piece twenty-four days after no cases were reported in the country, two positive cases sneaked…
Discovering a new passion for baking, Vijayalakshmi Rajan refused to give in to despair and used the lockdown time to bake and bond with her family. The lockdown of the last few weeks has taught me three things. One, I can bake. Two, my hubby, son and I can actually tolerate each other, in fact, get along very well, 24/7! And three, working from home is fun. I do miss my office and colleagues, but it’s been fun working in our respective niches at home, breaking for coffee and meeting for lunch! I was determined from word ‘Go’ of the…