Lupin Ltd launched its version of Favipiravir under brand name Covihalt, in India

Lupin Ltd launched its version of Favipiravir under brand name Covihalt, in India

The Indian Pharmaceuticals major company, Lupin, has launched its version of the antiviral drug Favipiravir to treat the deadly COVI 19 disease. It has been informed by the company in an exchange filing. The drug has been launched with the brand name ‘Covihalt’ for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID 19 among the patients. The Drug Controller General of India has also accorded approval to the drug for emergency use.

Details of the Drug by Lupin

A host of other pharma majors in India such as Cipla Limited, Sun Pharma and Hetero Labs have been developing this drug for the treatment of COVID 19. This version of Lupin came amidst the rising number of coronavirus affected patients in the country and it will be available as 200 mg tablets in the form of a strip of 10 tablets with each tablet being priced at Rs 49 by the company. Sun Pharma has also launched its version, which is the cheapest till date, with the price tag of Rs 35 per tablet.

Favipiravir Drug

This is an antiviral drug mainly used for the treatment of influenza in Japan. However, in the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic all over the world, this is also being tried to treat this deadly disease. This drug is used to treat very novel influenza rather than seasonal influenza. It is also observed to have been effective for the treatment of Ebola Virus.

Topics: COVID-19 , Covihalt , Favipiravir , Influenza , Lupin , Sun Pharma

States, UTs lifted 44 lakh tonnes under PMGKAY-2

States, UTs lifted 44 lakh tonnes under PMGKAY-2

A total of over 44 lakh tonnes food grains have been lifted by the States and Union Territories till date under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana – 2. The Consumer Affairs Ministry has declared that a total of 201 lakh tonnes of food grains will be distributed among 81 crore beneficiaries under the scheme, in all over the country.

Highlights

Amid the COVID 19-induced lockdown, the central government has started the PMGKAY scheme to provide foodgrains to the BPL and needy families in the country. Later, this scheme was extended till November 30 in order to cover more people for a longer duration. The objective was to make foodgrains available to all in the country. Apart from foodgrains, a total of 12 lakh tonnes chana will also be distributed in this scheme to 19 crore families. This is being done from the over 759 lakh tonnes food grain stock available with Food Corporation of India.

What is PMGKAY-2?

The scheme was first started as part of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Package to help the poor fight COVID 19 pandemic in the country. The first instalment was announced for a three month period from April to June covering 80 crores ration cardholders in the country. All the families covered under the National Food Security Act are provided with an additional 5 kg grains for free, in addition to the 5 kg of subsidized foodgrain already provided through the Public Distribution System. Apart from that, the beneficiaries are also entitled to 1 kg of pulse for free. Now, this scheme has been extended till November 30, 2020, as part of its second phase, which commenced on July 01, 2020.

Topics: National Food Security Act , NFSA , PMGKAY-2 , Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana , Public Distribution System

India rejects the new political map unveiled by Pakistan

India rejects the new political map unveiled by Pakistan

India has outright rejected the new political map unveiled by Pakistan that laid claim to the Indian territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, both UTs, and also parts of the Indian state of Gujarat. The government has termed it an exercise in political absurdity and has also added that these assertions have no legal validity or international credibility.

Background

This move has been announced by Pakistan on the first anniversary of the formation of the UTs, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, after the abrogation of the Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. The government has also terminated the special status granted to J&K in the constitution. Till now, Pakistan has been calling for an UN-backed plebiscite for Jammu and Kashmir and was not demanding these areas as their own. But this time, the country has gone ahead to claim the territories.

Nepal Fiasco

In this regard, another neighbouring country of India, Nepal, has also published a map containing areas of Uttarakhand in India. India strongly rejected that and later it was withdrawn for the time being by the government.

Response of Pakistan

Pakistan has declared that the new map would be the official map of the country once it is approved by the federal cabinet. This will also be used in the schools and colleges of the country. The map also stakes claim to Siachen to the North and Sir Creek to the west as well along with the other areas of India.

Topics: India , Jammu And Kashmir , Ladakh , Pakistan , Political Map , Siachen , Sir Creek

First General Council meeting of Khelo India Scheme held

First General Council meeting of Khelo India Scheme held

The Sports Minister, Kiren Rijiju, has chaired the first General Council Meeting of the Khelo India Scheme. The Union Minister has urged the stated to organize the State-level Khelo India Games on an annual basis with the objective of identifying talent from the states from the grass-root level.

Highlights of the Meeting

Speaking at the meeting, the Union Minister has stated that the central government is already organizing national level competitions under the Khelo India Scheme and it is the time for the states to also participate in this proactively. The central government is going to support the states in conducting such events. This is in line with the scheme of the government to make athletes from the country ready for the Olympics. The Minister has asked the states to conduct such competitions at the district and block levels. The Central Government is also planning five zonal talent scouting committees that are being planned for east, west, north, south and north-east India.

What is Khelo India Scheme?

It is a national level program which is aimed at the development of sportspersons in 24 disciplines from the grass-root level, in the country. It is based on the ‘Khel Mahakumbh’ scheme of Gujarat in which schools and colleges from across the country participate in 27 different disciplines. Khelo India Scheme has been launched after the merger of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan, Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme and National Sports Talent Search Scheme. This scheme also offers sports scholarship covering 1000 most talented young athletes each year across the select sports disciplines.

Topics: Khel Mahakumbh Scheme , Khelo India Scheme , Kiren Rijiju , Olympics , Sports Ministry