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Legendary Kathak Dancer, Pandit Birju Maharaj Passes Away At 83
Pandit Birju Maharaj, the legendary Kathak dancer, passed away early on Monday, according to a family member. He was 83 years old when he died.
The Kathak performer, one of India’s most well-known artists, has been undergoing dialysis therapy due to a kidney problem. His granddaughter speculated that he died of heart arrest.
“Maharaj Ji,” as he was affectionately known, passed away surrounded by his family and followers. After dinner, they were playing ‘antakshari’ when he became ill. “We rushed him to the hospital, but we were unable to save him,” she stated.
Pandit Birju Maharaj was a member of Lucknow’s Kalka-Bindadin Gharana. In 1984, Pandit Birju Maharaj was awarded the Padma Bibhushan, India’s second-highest civil distinction, for his services to the world of dance.
Birju Maharaj was a master vocalist who could do Thumri, Dadra, Bhajan, and Ghazal.
He was a brilliant storyteller, weaving episodes from his life into his performances in order to engage the audience. He was also intensely observant, and he usually had something to say about everyday events, amusing those around him with realistic impersonations and colourful descriptions.
“Extremely saddened by the news about the passing away of Legendary Kathak Dancer- Pandit Birju Maharaj ji. We have lost an unparalleled institution in the field of the performing arts. He has influenced many generations through his genius. May he rest in peace,” singer Adnan Sami tweeted.
Subhash Ghai, Ashoke Pandit and others also mourned the Kathak’s legend demise.
https://rtdjournal.com/pandit-rajesh-the-last-hindu-priest-in-kabul-refuses-to-flee/


Bhubaneswar: With a spike in rape cases in our country, Another case was reported. A minor girl was allegedly raped by a neighbour youth at a village under Balipatna Police limits on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on Friday.
As per sources, the nine-year-old girl was alone at her home when the youth forcibly picked up her and allegedly raped her.
The minor was badly injured and was first admitted to Balipatna hospital and later shifted to Capital Hospital in a critical condition.
Based on a complaint, police nabbed the accused from Bhubaneswar where he was reportedly hiding.
https://ommcomnews.com/odisha-news/minor-girl-raped-by-neighbour-youth-on-bhubaneswar-outskirts
Google mandates weekly COVID-19 tests for people entering U.S. offices
San Francisco: As Omicron-triggered COVID infections surge globally especially in the US, Google has said it will now require fully-vaccinated workers who are coming to offices to get weekly COVID tests.
Google will require anyone going to one of its US offices or facilities to have received a negative molecular test for COVID-19, reports CNBC citing an internal memo sent to employees.
The employees should also report their vaccination status and wear surgical-grade masks while at the office.
“Anyone accessing our sites in the US are expected to obtain a recent negative Covid-19 molecular test before coming onsite,” said the company.
Google offers free at-home testing to full-time employees.
The company also offers contract workers free RT-PCR-based nasal swab tests.
Last month, Google reportedly told employees that they will lose pay — and will eventually be fired — if they do not comply with the company’s Covid-19 vaccination policy.
Employees who did not comply with the vaccination rules by the January 18 deadline will be placed on “paid administrative leave” for 30 days. After that, the company will put them on “unpaid personal leave” for up to six months, followed by termination.
While much of the tech industry continues to push back return-to-work plans and companies large and small prepare for a flexible future, Google is requiring its workforce to eventually come into physical offices three days a week at some point in 2022.
Google mandates weekly COVID-19 tests
https://rtdjournal.com/google-wont-let-users-sign-in-on-old-android-devices-from-sep-27-sources/
Odisha Government is the first to place order for OmiSure for Omicron detection
TATA Medical and Diagnostics Ltd. (TATA MD) has received an order for 5 lakh tests from Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL). The Government of Odisha is the first state in the country to order the TATA MD CHECK OmiSure RT-PCR tests developed in partnership with ICMR for detection of the Omicron variant of COVID. As OmiSure specifically identifies Omicron without the need for sequencing, it will help the government to combat the Omicron spread within the state.
Mr. Girish Krishnamurthy, CEO and Managing Director,TATA Medical and Diagnostics Ltd. said, “OmiSure is the only test that can specifically detect the Omicron variant at the point of testing. We would like to thank the Government of Odisha, the first state in the country that has decided to use TATA MD OmiSure for COVID testing and would provide all necessary support.”
TATA MD CHECK RT-PCR OmiSure is the only test approved by the ICMR for RT-PCR detection of the Omicron variant. It targets 3 gene with a single tube, fully multiplexed assay in a unique design that identifies simultaneous S-gene Target Failure (SGTF) and S-Gene Mutation Amplification (SGMA). Its confirmatory evaluation of RdRP target with internal controls leads to accurate diagnosis with significant reduction in the risk of false-positive reactions from contamination in control materials. OmiSure uses the standard qPCR workflow, compatible with commonly used qPCR platforms with 4+ channels.
Omicron Odisha: 23 More Omicron Cases Detected In Odisha; Total Tally Goes To 37
Omicron Odisha: Twenty three more new cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 had been detected in the state taking the total number of cases to 37, the Institute of Life Sciences in Bhubaneswar said on Sunday.
According to official reports, 11 of them are returnees from Finland, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Syria, 10 are local cases, and the remaining two are contacts of Finland returnees.
The state today registered a spike in Covid-19 cases, as 424 people, including 67 children below 18 years of age, tested positive for the virus during the last 24 hours. The daily Covid-19 cases were reported to be 298 on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the state government on Sunday temporarily suspended the reopening of schools for physical classes from classes 1 to 5, which was scheduled to begin from January 3.
Omicron Odisha cases
This brings the overall number of Omicron in Odisha to 37. Odisha Health Director Bijay Panigrah announced today that the state’s monitoring and immunization campaigns will be stepped up.
The minister also recommended people wear masks and wash their hands frequently. “Unnecessary travel should be avoided wherever possible. In the past, we received sufficient public backing to deal with any emergency crisis. “With everyone’s help, we can and will battle this wave,” the CM said.
“Therefore, the people should adhere to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. We should take every possible step to stop further transmission of the virus,” he said, adding that Omicron is three times more transmissible than the Delta variant.
Meanwhile, the Omicron infections tally has climbed at 1,700 across the nation, of which 320 patients have been discharged from hospitals.
With Covid cases rising, containment zones increased and state governments considered new curbs, even while instances of serious disease remained low. Delhi recorded 3,194 cases, while Mumbai saw 8,063 new Covid-19 cases. A total of 3,194 new cases were recorded in Kolkata on Sunday, accounting for nearly half of the statewide count. But like in Delhi and Mumbai, hospitals remained low in the city.
Omicron Odisha cases
Omicron Odisha: Five More Omicron Cases Detected In Odisha; Total Tally Goes To 14
Omicron Odisha: Five more new cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 had been detected in the state, the Institute of Life Sciences in Bhubaneswar said on Thursday.
“Four male and one female of 22-44 years of age have tested positive for Omicron. While four persons have returned from foreign countries — Qatar, Congo and the UAE, another infected person has no international travel history. The person had recently visited Raipur and Hyderabad,” said director of health services, Bijay Mohapatra.
The health condition of all infected persons is stable, he said. Contact tracing of all these five Omicron positive persons is being carried out. So far, one Omicron positive person’s close contact has tested Covid positive and his sample has been sent for genome sequencing while contacts of another two cases have found Covid negative, Bijay Mohapatra said.
Moreover, reports of persons who came in contact with another two fresh cases are awaited, he informed.
This brings the overall number of Omicron in Odisha to fourteen. Odisha Health Director Bijay Panigrah announced today that the state’s monitoring and immunization campaigns will be stepped up.
The minister also recommended people wear masks and wash their hands frequently. “Unnecessary travel should be avoided wherever possible. In the past, we received sufficient public backing to deal with any emergency crisis. “With everyone’s help, we can and will battle this wave,” the CM said.
“Therefore, the people should adhere to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. We should take every possible step to stop further transmission of the virus,” he said, adding that Omicron is three times more transmissible than the Delta variant.
Meanwhile, the Omicron infections tally has climbed at 961 across the nation, of which 320 patients have been discharged from hospitals.
Omicron Odisha Updates
Omicron Odisha: Odisha CM Alerts People On Omicron Variant, Rise In Its Daily COVID Caseload
Omicron Odisha: One More Omicron Case Detected In Odisha; Total Tally Goes To 9
Omicron Odisha Updates
Omicron Odisha: One More Omicron Case Detected In Odisha; Total Tally Goes To 9
Omicron Odisha:: One more new case of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 had been detected in the state, the Institute of Life Sciences in Bhubaneswar said on Wednesday.
The infected person is a resident of the Keonjhar district and had returned from Dubai on December 16.
As per the officials, he had tested positive with Coronavirus after his arrival to Odisha from Kolkata on a train. He was in isolation at his house. Then, his samples were sent for genome sequencing which confirmed he was infected with Omicron.
His parents and family members were tested for Covid-19 twice after he was tested positive. However, they were found negative both times. The health condition of the returnee is stated to be stable.
The Institute of Life Sciences in its statement said that the presence of the virus’s Omicron variant was confirmed in the one people after genome sequencing.
This brings the overall number of Omicron in Odisha to nine. Odisha Health Director Bijay Panigrah announced today that the state’s monitoring and immunization campaigns will be stepped up.
“We’ve been told to increase the daily COVID tests to 70,000,” Panigrah said. On Wednesday, it was reported that Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urged the people of the state to adhere to COVID guidelines. “The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is causing an increase in infections. “We must remain vigilant since the new strain is rapidly spreading,” Patnaik warned.
The minister also recommended people wear masks and wash their hands frequently. “Unnecessary travel should be avoided wherever possible. In the past, we received sufficient public backing to deal with any emergency crisis. “With everyone’s help, we can and will battle this wave,” the CM said.
“Therefore, the people should adhere to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. We should take every possible step to stop further transmission of the virus,” he said, adding that Omicron is three times more transmissible than the Delta variant.
Noting that the present situation shouldn’t be taken lightly, he said, people’s cooperation is essential to fight the danger from the Omicron. The Centre has suggested to states to formulate a strategy that can ensure the infection is contained at the local level itself before it spreads to other parts of the state.
Omicron Odisha: Odisha CM Alerts People On Omicron Variant, Rise In Its Daily COVID Caseload