Skip to content
Search
Please enter at least 3 characters.

Latest Stories

Covid-19: Obituary columns of local newspapers in Gujarat becoming longer

Covid-19: Obituary columns of local newspapers in Gujarat becoming longer

As the deadly second wave of Covid-19 grips the western state of Gujarat, the obituary columns of local newspapers in the state are becoming longer with each passing day.

The Saurashtra Bhaskars daily's Bhavnagar edition on Thursday (6) set aside eight of its 16 pages for obituary notices.


The burgeoning death notices reaffirms that the number of cases and casualties are being underreported, reports said.

Saurashtra Bhaskar carried 238 obituaries on Thursday, a quantum jump from just 28 two months back on March 6.

Another leading Gujarati newspaper Sandesh says 12 coronavirus patients died on Wednesday (5) in the Kheda district, while the state government data says only two Covid-19 patients died in Kheda on Wednesday.

Similarly, the Gujarat Samachar daily says 25 coronavirus patients died on Wednesday in Gandhinagar, a sharp contrast to the Gujarat governments claim that no one died due to the virus in Gandhinagar on Wednesday.

Opposition Congress claims that the BJP government in Gujarat is under-reporting coronavirus cases to mask the real death count due to the pandemic.

"The Vijay Rupani-led government in the state is suppressing coronavirus death figures to hide the reality from the people," state congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said.

"The BJP government is hiding the actual death figures to cover up their failures in handling the pandemic. In many villages, the daily death toll is in double figures while the government data shows single figures for the entire district."

Countering the allegations, the state government said that if a coronavirus patient with comorbidities dies, his death may not be attributed to the viral infection.

As per the state government data released on Wednesday, Gujarat recorded 133 deaths due to Covid-19 during the preceding 24 hours.

This data is in stark contrast with the 141 obituaries published in two major Gujarati language newspapers.

The Gujarat high court on Wednesday (5) said the steps taken by the state government to contain the spread of Covid- 19 were not enough and further restrictions need to be imposed while keeping in mind people's welfare.

Gujarat government on Wednesday (5) reported 12,955 new coronavirus positive cases in the state even as 12,995 people recovered from the infection and 133 Covid-19 patients died.

With this, the overall Covid-19 tally in Gujarat rose to 6,33,427 and the toll to 7,912, the health department said.

More For You

 electricity-pylons-iStock

From 2026, households within 500 metres of new or upgraded electricity infrastructure will receive bill reductions of up to £2,500 over 10 years. (Representational image: iStock)

Residents near new electricity pylons to get bill reductions

THE GOVERNMENT announced on Monday that households living near new electricity pylons will receive discounts on their energy bills.

The move is part of efforts to expand electricity infrastructure, despite opposition to large-scale projects needed to connect renewable energy to the grid.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump

Speaking from the Oval Office on Friday, Trump had said the US has been economically and financially 'ripped off' by several countries, including India. (Photo: Getty Images)

India denies pledge to lower tariffs following Trump’s statement

INDIA has said it has not committed to reducing import duties on US goods, following US president Donald Trump’s claim that New Delhi had agreed to "cut their tariffs way down."

Trump, in the early weeks of his second term, has taken a tough stance on global trade, imposing tariffs on several countries, including India, and accusing trading partners of unfair practices.

Keep ReadingShow less
most polluted cities

India, home to six of the world’s 10 most polluted cities, saw a 7% reduction in air pollution between 2023 and 2024

iStock

Only 7 countries meet WHO air quality guidelines, UK falls short


Air pollution is a silent killer, claiming millions of lives annually and leaving nearly every corner of the globe gasping for clean air. According to the latest annual report by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir, only seven countries worldwide met the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines for safe levels of PM2.5 pollution in 2024. These countries- Australia, New Zealand, Estonia, Iceland, and a handful of small island states- stand as rare exceptions in a world where dirty air has become the norm.

Keep ReadingShow less
London-ULEZ-iStock

Signs indicating Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) on a street in London. (Photo: iStock)

London ULEZ expansion cuts pollution, increases compliance

LONDON’s air quality has improved following the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) across all 33 boroughs in August 2023.

The ULEZ requires vehicles that do not meet specific emission standards to pay a daily charge of £12.50. The scheme aims to tackle air pollution, climate change, and congestion.

Keep ReadingShow less
NHS England to Restructure: Workforce to Be Reduced by 50%

The changes aim to cut costs and eliminate duplication with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). (Representational image: Getty)

Getty Images

NHS England to cut workforce by half in major restructuring

NHS ENGLAND will reduce its workforce from 13,000 to about 6,500 as part of a restructuring led by Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

The changes aim to cut costs and eliminate duplication with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), The Guardian reported.

Keep ReadingShow less