Pioneer In Short
Delhi H1N1 tally climbs to 2,446
Delhi reported 138 new H1N1 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the cumulative tally this year to 2,446, while Influenza-A cases reached 3,177, the Delhi Government said on Wednesday. Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh reviewed preparedness for H1N1, seasonal influenza and other respiratory illnesses with medical directors and superintendents of Government hospitals. He directed facilities to strengthen emergency services and ensure adequate isolation beds, testing facilities, medicines and medical staff. Hospitals were asked to maintain at least five isolation beds, while larger facilities should keep 10 or more. Dedicated flu corners are to be established or strengthened in emergency departments, with senior residents deployed for emergency duty.
Hospitals were also told to ensure round-the-clock staffing and adequate supplies for respiratory testing. The Government stressed timely assessment and care for children and elderly patients and ordered regular monitoring of essential medicine stocks. “There is no need for panic,” Singh said, adding that most patients had reported mild fever and other common symptoms and recovered within a day or two. He urged people to maintain respiratory and hand hygiene, follow cough etiquette, use masks appropriately and avoid crowded places when symptomatic. The health department will continue monitoring influenza trends and hospital preparedness.
NYC Mayor opposes RSS rally
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he does not support a planned August 29 event at Madison Square Garden featuring RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, but acknowledged that the city may not have jurisdiction to cancel the private gathering. Bhagwat, who arrived in the US on Tuesday, is visiting as part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s centenary-year global outreach programme, which also includes Canada and the UK. He is scheduled to address around 5,000 members of the Indian diaspora at Madison Square Garden. The event has drawn opposition from several civil rights and interfaith organisations, including Hindus for Human Rights, Indian American Muslim Council and the Interfaith Centre of New York.
Mamdani said the India he grew up knowing through his family was a “pluralistic society” and “secular republic” where everyone belonged. He said it was “incredibly troubling” to see the rise of a movement based on an “exclusionary vision”, adding that he was deeply opposed to it as both an Indian-American and mayor. Bhagwat’s US visit is being hosted by AHEAD Forum under the banner “Universal Oneness Celebration”. The RSS has said the tour aims to present a “factual and positive perspective” on India, Hindu society and the organisation.
