In the last 24 hours, India witnessed a record spike in covid infections with a tally going up to 2,61500 and a death toll of 1501. This is what available from government statements. We have no clue about the ground reality regarding actual case numbers and death toll. It's quite possible that in the recent future some impartial surveys or studies may bring out the actual statistics on India's covid situation.

A popular daily Dainik Bhaskar recently published a report exposing the government's fake claims on fewer covid deaths in 10 major cities. India, with total reported cases of 11,47,88109 stands second in the world now. The current active cases are said to be at 18,01,316 and deaths related to the pandemic are 177150. The government reports suggest that a total number of 12809645 people recovered successfully from covid infection. 

The vaccination drive in India is at a very amateur level. So far 12.27 crore people have been vaccinated, but the success of this vaccination drive is yet to be proved. Across the country, numerous cases of people being infected even after vaccination are being reported.

Maharashtra remains the highest affected state with total reported cases of 67123 in the last 24 hours. The death toll is 419. National capital Delhi recorded 24375 cases and 167 fatalities. Uttarpradesh's tally in the last 24 hours is 27426 cases and 120 casualties. Madhya Pradesh recorded 11269 cases and 66 deaths. Karnataka's tally is 17489 new infections and 80 deaths. Kerala recorded 13000 new cases along with 27 casualties.

Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu recorded more than 9000 new cases and a death toll of 37 and 39 respectively. West Bengal which is passing through an election phase recorded 7713 cases and 32 casualties. Andhra Pradesh's tally is 7224 cases and 15 deaths. Himachal and Goa recorded 1392 and 762 new infections respectively. The death toll in Himachal is 12 and in Goa 4. Jammu Kashmir reported 1145 cases and 3 casualties.

(Covid statics in India as of 18 April 2021)

The test positivity rate in India now is 2.5 times higher than last year's peak pandemic wave. What is the actual reason for this spike in test positivity rate? It was generally believed by medical experts that, in the first wave of covid, almost 25 percent of the Indian population was exposed to the infection. In cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune it was almost 50 percent.

There were discussions about herd immunity in many hot spots of infection. So a severe second wave was unexpected.

The current spike is not only because people stopped adhering to covid behavior protocol but a new mutated variant of the virus is making the situation worse. This mutated variant was first identified in the Vidharbha region of Maharashtra and now it had been well transmitted to other states. The new variant is capable of fast transmission and evading the immune system of the body. It is also assumed that this new variant is more lethal than the original strain of the virus in terms of fatality. The mutated virus can also sabotage the vaccination strategies of India as well as other countries.

However, it is very unfortunate that Indian's major political parties especially the ruling BJP is not ready to accept the reality of the pandemic. The election rallies are still on in West Bengal and several other parts of the country. Lakhs of people were allowed to travel to Haridwar for Kumbhmela were huge gatherings and massive 'snan' (sacred bath) resulted in a huge spike of covid cases in the state and even deaths of seers who participated in the Mela.

The major Akharas who are in charge of organizing the Kumbh Mela have agreed to pause the rituals and gatherings in the background of a pandemic. However with two major Shahi snans being allowed to happen the damage was already done. Is the government really serious about the pandemic situation or they are only worried about elections and vote bank politics? Are they giving the public the real statics on cases and casualties? Hope India will survive this dark phase with our joint efforts.

A river's journey

A river's journey

Gori Ganga (also Gori Gad) is a river in the Munsiari tehsil of the Pithoragarh District, part of the state of Uttarakhand in northern India.

Gori Ganga's principal source is the Milam Glacier, just northeast of Nanda Devi along with the Glaciers of the Ralam River, and the Pyunshani and Uttari & Dakshini Balati Glaciers that lie on the western face of the Panchachuli Peaks.

The alpine trans-humant village of Milam is located one kilometer below the snout of the glacier. Here a left-bank stream called Gonka joins the Gori. The valley provides the approach route for access to peaks such as Nanda Devi East, Hardeol, Trishuli, Panchchuli and Nanda Kot.

The Gori is also fed by glaciers and streams flowing from the eastern slopes of the east wall of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary.

The Kalabaland-Burfu Kalganga glacier system also flows into the Gori Ganga Valley from the east.

Many waterfalls are also found in the Gori river on the way from Munsiyari to Jauljibi.

During the rainy days, the Gori river becomes flooded and has also caused many losses.

Gori Ganga joins the Kali River at Jauljibi.

In the local language

The Gori river valley is very beautiful.

The principal rivers joining the main trunk Gori river are Panchu Gad, Burfu Gad, Lwa Gad, Poting Gad, Ralam Gad, Jimia Gad, Suring Gad, Madkani or Madkanya and Ghosi Gad.