At least four <keyword id="20134692" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coaches" source="keywords">coaches</keyword> of the <keyword id="22459633" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chandigarh-Dibrugarh-Express" source="keywords">Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express</keyword> derailed in the <keyword id="19931725" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gonda" source="keywords">Gonda</keyword> district of <keyword id="19894922" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttar-Pradesh" source="keywords">Uttar Pradesh</keyword> on Thursday, officials said. According to police, some coaches of the passenger train headed to <keyword id="20079078" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dibrugarh" source="keywords">Dibrugarh</keyword> derailed between Motiganj and Jhilahi <keyword id="19935039" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="railway" source="keywords">railway</keyword> stations. Senior railway and local administration officials are at the spot to oversee <keyword id="20501159" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rescue-operations" source="keywords">rescue operations</keyword>. The <keyword id="19979442" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="accident" source="keywords">accident</keyword> occurred at around 2:35 pm, railway officials said, adding that no casualties have been reported so far. The <keyword id="19909154" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Railways" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Railways" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Railways">Indian Railways</keyword> has started the relief operation and medical vans have reached the accident site. The Railway Board has issued the following helpline numbers - Commercial Control: 9957555984, Furkating (FKG): 9957555966, Mariani (MXN): 6001882410, Simalguri (SLGR): 8789543798, Tinsukia (NTSK): 9957555959, Dibrugarh (DBRG): 9957555960.

Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derails near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh

After some coaches of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed near Jhilahi Railway Station in Gonda, leaving one person dead and seven others <keyword id="19910658" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="injured" source="keywords">injured</keyword>, the <keyword id="22461417" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Assam-Chief-Ministers-office" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Assam Chief Minister's office" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Assam Chief Minister's office">Assam Chief Minister's office</keyword> said that the Assam CM is monitoring the situation. "Dr Himanta Biswa has been briefed about the derailment of the Dibrugarh - Chandigarh express in <keyword id="19894922" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttar-Pradesh" source="keywords">Uttar Pradesh</keyword>. HCM is monitoring the situation, and the Government of Assam is in touch with relevant authorities," said an official release by the Assam Chief Minister's office. Pankaj Singh, CPRO, <keyword id="22007374" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="North-Eastern-Railway" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="North Eastern Railway" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="North Eastern Railway">North Eastern Railway</keyword>, told ANI, "One death has been reported, and there are 7 injured, including one severely injured." He further said, "The medical van of Railways has reached the spot, and <keyword id="20501159" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rescue-operations" source="keywords">rescue operations</keyword> have started. Helpline numbers have been issued. The helpline number established in Lucknow is - 8957409292 and the helpline number in Gonda is - 8957400965. It happened around 2.37 pm. As per initial info, 4-5 coaches derailed. Our priority is that the relief and rescue work be done as quickly as possible." Uttar Pradesh's Relief Commissioner informed on X that one <keyword id="21815697" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NDRF-team" source="keywords">NDRF team</keyword> each was sent from Lucknow and Balrampur to Gonda. "Five ambulances were deployed for rescue operations in the train accident and orders have been given to send more ambulances to the spot. First aid is being given to the injured. The injured are being shifted to the hospital. SDRF teams sent from three districts to expedite relief operations," it said on X. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister <keyword id="19898780" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="yogi-adityanath" source="keywords">Yogi Adityanath</keyword> directed the officials to reach the spot immediately and expedite the relief work. CM Yogi has directed the officials of the district administration for their proper treatment. Along with this, he has also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. This comes after several cases of <keyword id="20807355" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="train-derailment" source="keywords">train derailment</keyword> have been reported from several parts of the country.

"Govt of Assam in touch with authorities": Assam CMO on Dibrugarh express derailment

<keyword id="19931725" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gonda" source="keywords">Gonda</keyword> (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 19 (ANI): <keyword id="4112503" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Manoj-Pandit" source="Orion">Manoj Pandit</keyword>, who was travelling along with his family in the Dibrugarh-Chandigarh Express that derailed near Gonda in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday evening, killing 3 people and injuring 30 others, has shared his experience of the accident. The <keyword id="430098" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="train-derailed" source="Orion">train derailed</keyword> near Gonda station in between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway station under the jurisdiction of <keyword id="22007374" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="North-Eastern-Railway" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="North Eastern Railway" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="North Eastern Railway">North Eastern Railway</keyword> at about 2:37 pm. As many as 4-5 coaches of the <keyword id="22459631" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dibrugarh-Express" source="keywords">Dibrugarh Express</keyword> <keyword id="41341" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="train" source="Orion">train</keyword> from the front got derailed. Pandit told ANI, "We were coming from Chandigarh and going to Bihar. We were travelling in the general coach. When our coach derailed, my child's hand got fractured. I and my wife also got injured..." "I did not know how the incident happened. When the coaches overturned, we stood up, and my children's hands came underneath. We were sitting down when there was a sudden noise and the train overturned, " he added. After getting the information, the medical team, along with senior officials from the Lucknow division of NER immediately rushed to the site. Meanwhile, restoration work is underway at the site of the accident where the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed in Gonda. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that the injured have been taken to the hospital and will be given proper treatment. The UP CM stated that rescue and relief operations are underway. He also directed the officials to reach the spot immediately and expedite the relief work. "The <keyword id="19967864" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="train-accident" source="keywords">train accident</keyword> in Gonda district is extremely sad. District administration officials have been directed to carry out relief and <keyword id="20501159" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rescue-operations" source="keywords">rescue operations</keyword> on a war footing and to take the injured to the hospital on top priority and provide them with proper treatment. I pray to Lord Shri Ram for the speedy recovery of the injured," Adityanath wrote in a post on X. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed shock and concern over the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express accident that occurred in Uttar Pradesh. Himanta said, "Shocked to learn about the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh train accident in UP today. I am monitoring the situation closely. No casualties from Assam reported as of now. Teams are on standby for support. We will do our best to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone." The <keyword id="19905911" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Railways" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Ministry of Railways" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Ministry of Railways">Ministry of Railways</keyword> has announced ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh each to the family of the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakh for grievous injury, and Rs 50,000 for minor injuries in the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailment. In addition to the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) inquiry, a high-level inquiry has been ordered into the rail derailment accident.

Passenger aboard Dibrugarh Express shares his horrifying experience of the train accident near Gonda

Five coaches of the <keyword id="291162" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="north-east-express" source="Orion">North East Express</keyword> coming from Anand Vihar Terminus in Delhi derailed in Bihar on Wednesday, a <keyword id="6356740" type="General" weightage="60" keywordseo="railway" source="Orion">railway</keyword> official said. The mishap took place close to Raghunathpur station near <keyword id="6396160" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="buxar" source="Orion">Buxar</keyword> around 9.35 pm. The train was on its way to <keyword id="6471686" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="kamakhya" source="Orion">Kamakhya</keyword> near Guwahati in Assam. At least four people were killed and many others were injured. Those with serious injuries were rushed to AIIMS, Patna. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on X "Will find the root cause of the derailment" even as he expressed condolences for the loss of lives. The minister said evacuation and rescue operations were completed and all coaches have been checked. "The train was coming at a normal speed but suddenly we heard a loud sound and a plume of smoke rose out of the train. We rushed to see what happened. We saw that the train had derailed and the AC coaches were the most damaged, Hari Pathak, a local resident said. Television visuals showed locals rushing to the rescue of the passengers and helping them come out of at least two toppled coaches. The visuals also showed a woman passenger in a state of shock being helped out of a coach by locals. Jagdishpur SDPO Rajiv Chandra Singh said electric wires and poles, and rail tracks have been damaged due to the accident. He said that while some coaches lost balance and fell, none of them overturned due to which there are less casualties. Chief Public Relations Officer of East Central Railway zone Birendra Kumar told PTI that the accident took place less than half an hour after the train left the Buxar station and was headed for Ara. "The derailment took place near Raghunathpur station where the train does not have a scheduled stoppage," he said. Relief measures were initiated immediately after the incident, with ambulances and doctors rushing to the site. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav issued a statement stating that the departments of disaster management and health have been asked to take immediate steps to ensure the quickest possible relief to as many people as possible. "I have also spoken to the district magistrates of Buxar and Bhojpur (where Ara is headquartered) with instructions to reach the site at the earliest and speed up relief work," he said. As a fallout, Indian Railways has cancelled ten trains and diverted 21 trains. Below are the details: According to a statement issued by the East Central Railway zone, trains that have been cancelled include: Patna-Puri Special (03230), Sasaram-Ara Special (03620), Bhabua Road Express Special (03617), Patna--DDU Memu Pass Spl (03203), Patna-Buxar Memu Pass Special (03375). Besides, two trains have been partially cancelled and they include: Patna-DDU Express (13209) which will run upto Ara and DDU-Patna Express (13210), which will also run upto Ara. Trains that have been diverted onto alternate routes include: Raxaul Antyodaya Express (15548), Dibrugarh Express (15945), Magadh Express (20802), Barauni Express (19483), Asansol SF Express (12362), Guwahati Poorvottar Sampark Kranti Express (22450), Brahmaputra Mail (15657) among others.

North East Express derails in Bihar leaving 4 dead; 10 trains cancelled, 21 diverted

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/51421047.cms" /> 
 <keyword id="3286246" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ed-Hanley">Ed Hanley</keyword>, a Toronto based multi-dimensional artist, creator, performer, producer, cinematographer, recording engineer, video editor, photographer, writer and tabla player (phew!) documented his journey on the <keyword id="1103325" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="longest-train-ride">longest train ride</keyword> when he was in India recently. 
 
Hanley purchased an one way ticket the Dibrugarh-Kanyakumari Vivek Express,which travels 4,273km as it winds its way from the north-eastern corner of Assam to Kanyakumari the southernmost tip of mainland India. 
 
This entire journey is completed in a whopping 85 hours giving the train the prestigious title of the longest train ride in India, by both time and distance. 
 
The train usually departs Dibrugarh at 10:45pm on Saturday and arrives in Kanyakumari at around 11am Wednesday, three days and 4 nights. 
 
In his blog, Hanley extensively documented his entirely journey with the help of audio, video and some eye-catching photograph which paint a diverse, beautiful and really catching picture of India and takes you on a whirlwind trip. 
 
We complied the 10 best photos for our readers. Have a look. 
 
To read the entire post, <a href="https://edhanley.atavist.com/the-longest-train-in-india">click here</a>. 
 
Image credit: Ed Hanley

Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari: 10 Beautiful Pictures From The Longest Train Ride In India

<keyword id="20245371" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amroha" source="keywords">Amroha</keyword> (<keyword id="19894922" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttar-Pradesh" source="keywords">Uttar Pradesh</keyword>) [India], July 21 (ANI): <keyword id="20993932" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="restoration-work" source="keywords">Restoration work</keyword> to resume the movement of <keyword id="41341" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="train" source="Orion">train</keyword>s are currently underway after at least seven wagons of a freight train derailed between the Ghaziabad and <keyword id="19920731" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Moradabad" source="keywords">Moradabad</keyword> sections near Amroha in Uttar Pradesh on June 20. <keyword id="4558460" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Moradabad-Divisional-Railway-Manager" source="Orion">Moradabad Divisional Railway Manager</keyword> (DRM), Raj Kumar Singh, spoke to and said, "We are working on both lines simultaneously. We will fix the downline first to start the movement of the trains. It will take up to 2 hours, and then we will fix the up line, and it will take 6-8 hours." Morning visuals showed the ongoing restoration work at the Amroha Yard after 7 coaches of a <keyword id="20261370" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="goods-train" source="keywords">goods train</keyword> derailed here, disrupting traffic yesterday. According to the officials, the goods train derailed in the Amroha yard of UP's Moradabad district. The timing of the incident is yet to be ascertained. The officials said that the alternative route between Moradabad-Saharanpur-Meerut-Ghaziabad is open for train movement. No loss of life was reported in the incident, Amroha police said. Earlier in a similar incident, at least three people were killed and around 30 were injured after the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh express derailed near Gonda station between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway stations under the jurisdiction of the North Eastern Railway on July 18. According to officials, 4-5 coaches from the front of the Dibrugarh Express derailed. Opposition leaders launched a scathing attack on the central government as they highlighted the deaths of 11 people in the collision of a goods train with the Sealdah-Agartala Kanchanjunga Express.

Restoration work to resume train movement underway after goods train derails near Uttar Pradesh's Amroha

An affordable <keyword id="9107118" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tuberculosis-testing" source="Orion">tuberculosis testing</keyword> technology that can detect the disease using a patient's sputum for just Rs 35 has been developed by apex medical research body <keyword id="19918794" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ICMR" source="keywords">ICMR</keyword>'s regional centre in Assam's Dibrugarh. The 'A <keyword id="19986036" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CRISPR" source="keywords">CRISPR</keyword> case-based TB detection system' is light, portable and involves three steps of testing. Over 1,500 samples can be tested in one single run in around two-and-half hours, ICMR sources said. Conventional diagnostic techniques for TB commonly rely on culture, which requires 42 days to confirm as TB negative, microscopy, and nucleic acid-based methods. These are also time-consuming and may require sophisticated equipment. An official said, "<keyword id="19992404" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tuberculosis" source="keywords">Tuberculosis</keyword> (TB) remains a global health challenge, necessitating the development of accurate and rapid diagnostic tools for effective disease management. Current <keyword id="22921102" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="diagnostic-methods" source="keywords">diagnostic methods</keyword> often exhibit limitations in terms of sensitivity, specificity, speed and cost, emphasising the need for innovative approaches". Additionally, some molecular diagnostic methods, while offering improved sensitivity, may lack the desired specificity or face challenges associated with cost and ease of handling. "Considering these problems, the CRISPR-Cas12a-based molecular diagnostic system 'GlowTBPCRKit' coupled with an amplification step (using thermal cycler) and the '<keyword id="22921103" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RapidGlow-device" source="keywords">RapidGlow device</keyword>' provides a promising solution," the official said. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has now invited Expression of Interest (EoI) from eligible organisations, companies, manufacturers for undertaking 'Transfer of Technology' for commercialisation of the 'A CRISPR case-based TB detection system' for the detection of <keyword id="20115212" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mycobacterium-tuberculosis" source="keywords">Mycobacterium tuberculosis</keyword>. The ICMR-RMRCNE institute will provide expert guidance and technical support for the production of 'A CRISPR Cas based TB detection system' in all phases. Such technical oversight by the institute would accelerate the development of the product and its commercialisation. The ICMR would also provide technical support through its team of experienced scientists in study, planning, product development, development of study protocol, results or data analysis, outcome assessment, safety and efficacy assessment, product improvement, etc., if deemed fit upon the mutual understanding between ICMR and collaborative company. The apex health research body through its institutes would provide support and facilitation to conduct the research and development or clinical study of new technology or product in India through its affiliates or institutes, in collaboration with the company and institutions in a professional and mutually agreed upon manner and timelines.

ICMR's regional centre develops technology that can test for tuberculosis in just Rupees 35!

Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword> on Sunday laid the foundation stones for the redevelopment of 32 railway stations in <keyword id="6354915" type="General" weightage="90" keywordseo="assam" source="Orion">Assam</keyword>, which are among the 508 stations across the country that will be modernised under the '<keyword id="15890547" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="amrit-bharat-station-scheme" source="Orion">Amrit Bharat Station Scheme</keyword>'. The stations in Assam will be modernised at a cost of Rs 990 crore, a Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) official said. Among these stations are Amguri, Dibrugarh, Duliajan, Tinsukia, Dhubri, Diphu, Kokrajhar, Jorhat Town, Jagiroad, Lumding Junction, New Haflong, Narengi and New Karimganj. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who attended the foundation stone laying programme at Narengi station in Guwahati, said the modernisation is being done with future demands in mind. "The modernisation is being planned in such a way that for the next 25 years, train travel will be a good experience," he said. A total of 50 stations in the state will be redeveloped under the scheme, and foundation stones for 32 were laid on Sunday. Sarma said the redevelopment work will be completed within two years. Maintaining that train travel experience has changed in the last 10 years, he said the introduction of Vande Bharat Express trains has added to it and many people now prefer travelling on trains than flying. So far 1,309 stations have been identified for redevelopment under the scheme, and the foundation stones for 508 were laid on Sunday. The NFR official said 91 stations under it have been identified for the project, and the foundation stone for the redevelopment of 56 stations was laid. Besides the 32 stations in Assam, 16 are in West Bengal, three each in Tripura and Bihar, and one station each in Nagaland and Meghalaya. A total of Rs 5,100 crore has been allocated for the redevelopment of the 91 stations under NFR. Out of which, Rs 1,960 crores will be utilised for the redevelopment of these 56 stations. This scheme envisages the development of stations on a continuous basis with a long-term approach. The redevelopment project will provide for modern passenger amenities apart from ensuring a well-designed traffic circulation, inter-modal integration and well-designed signage for the guidance of passengers, officials said, adding the design of station buildings will be inspired by local culture, heritage and architecture. The facilities intended to be developed at the stations include foot-overbridges, escalators and elevators, two-wheeler and car parking areas and integrated passenger information system, besides improvement of platforms and platform shelters, benches and washbasins, better illumination and power supply arrangements.

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: 32 stations in Assam to be redeveloped

Guwahati, Jul 1 () The Regional Medical Research Centre for NE Region at Dibrugarh in Assam has become the fourth laboratory in the country to successfully isolate SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus which can be used in the production of vaccine against the contagion in future, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday. Scientists at the RMRC have isolated the COVID-19 virus in VERO-CCL81 cell line in the BSL-3 level lab available at the institute, he told a press conference here. RMRC, Dibrugarh is the third government laboratory in the country, after NIV (ICMR Lab), Pune and CCMB (CSIR lab), Hyderabad and fourth overall after Bharat Biotech, a private biotechnology laboratory in Hyderabad), to isolate the virus in tissue culture. The scientists used an immortal cell line VERO-CCL81, derived from kidney epithelial cell lines from green African monkey, which expresses the important ACE2 receptor needed by SARS- CoV-2 for cellular entry, Sarma said quoting the researchers. "In layman's term, the significance of the COVID-19 virus isolation by the team of scientists from RMRC, Dibrugarh, is that live and viable SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus) can now be produced in the laboratory in abundance and as and when required," he said. This is important for development of COVID-19 vaccine where virus grown in laboratory are inactivated by heat or chemical and purified for use as vaccines after pre-clinical and clinical trials, he said. Till date, the centre has conducted almost 50,000 diagnostic test reports of COVID-19 for the people of the northeast. DG KK ZMN

Assam lab isolates COVID-19 virus

New Delhi, Aug 26 (IANS) A drug smuggler, who was trying to pass himself off as a Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable, was arrested from the New Delhi Railway Station and 72.5 kg ganja seized from him, police said on Tuesday. Rohit Kumar, 26, had brought the drug from Visakhapatnam and was arrested as he was leaving the station after alighting from the Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express. According to police, a patrol team at the railway station on Monday noticed a huge black trunk being carried by a coolie, with the man accompanying having two bags. It seemed he was from the security forces as army, or paramilitary personnel usually carry their belongings in such trunks. However, the team grew a bit suspicious as there was no inscription on the trunk, though the name and other details are usually painted for easy identification during movement in groups, and stopped him to enquire about his credentials. At this, the man produced a RPF identity card, issued in UP's Prayagraj, showing him to be constable Rohit Kumar. But not satisfied with this, the police questioned him about his journey and he replied that he was going to Gwalior on transfer. However, the train ticket showed his journey from Hijli (Kharagpur, West Bengal), raising doubts in their mind. He was told to open the luggage but was reluctant. The police then detained him and opened his trunks and bags to find 35 packets of ganja stashed inside. He was then taken into custody and identified as Rohit Kumar, a resident of UP's Mathura. Another fake ID issued at Hazarat Nizamuddin Railway Station was also recovered from him. "Because of his physical demeanour, built and distinct short haircut, he could easily disguise himself as a member of the force. In 2018, he worked as a train attendant with VIBGYOR company and served in Andhra Express, Jammu Rajdhani and Dibrugarh Rajdhani. During this time, he came in contact with a trafficker, was attracted due to the easy money and started working as a drug handler," DCP, Railways, Harender Singh said. His experience in railways and interaction with RPF personnel helped him in minutely observing their activities and in impersonating them, the DCP added. --IANS zaz/vd

Drug smuggler in guise of RPF constable held at New Delhi station

Almost 45 days after suspending the passenger, mail and express train services amid the <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> (Covid-19) crisis, the Indian Railways on Sunday announced they would run 15 air conditioned (AC) express trains equivalent to its premium Rajdhani Express from May 12 with limited stops. <keyword id="54441" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Railway-ministry">Railway Ministry</keyword>'s Executive Director, Media, <keyword id="315364" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rajesh-Dutt-Bajpai">Rajesh Dutt Bajpai</keyword>, in a statement said: "The national transporter is planning to gradually restart special AC passenger train operations from Tuesday with 15 trains, including their return journey, with limited stops." <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="75666997" title="India's Defence Research and Development Organisation develops devices to sanitise phones and currency notes" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> He said the online booking forn the trains will start at 4 p.m. on Monday. Bajpai said in the initial phase, the 15 pairs of trains will run as special AC trains from New Delhi Station to Dibrugarh, Agartala, Howrah, Patna, Bilaspur, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Secunderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, <keyword id="6357416" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="thiruvananthapuram">Thiruvananthapuram</keyword>, Madgaon, Mumbai Central, Ahmedabad and Jammu Tawi. He said, all the coaches will be all AC with limited stoppage and the fare will be equivalent to Rajdhani Express train. Bajpai said that in AC three-tier coaches, 52 passengers will be allowed while in AC two-tier coaches, 48 passengers will be allowed keeping in mind the protocol of social distancing amid the Covid-19 pandemic. "The Indian Railways shall start more special services on new routes, based on the available coaches after reserving 20,000 coaches for Covid-19 care centres and adequate number of coaches being reserved to enable operation of up to 300 trains everyday as 'Shramik Special' for stranded migrants," he said. Booking for the reservation in these trains will start at 4 p.m. on Monday and will be available only on the IRCTC website. The railways had suspended the passenger, mail and express train services in view of the nationwide lockdown since March 24. On March 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced 21-day nationwide lockdown to combat Covid-19. He again extended the lockdown for 19 more days till May 3 and then government once again extended the lockdown for to more weeks till May 17. Only freight and special parcel trains were running to transport the essential items across the country. The railway official further said that ticket booking counters at the railway stations shall remain closed and no counter tickets, including platform tickets shall be issued. "Only passengers with valid confirmed tickets will be allowed to enter the railway stations. It will be mandatory for the passengers to wear face cover and undergo screening at departure and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to board the train. Further details including train schedule will be issued separately in due course," he said. The Indian Railways started to run the Shramik Special trains from May 1 to transport the stranded migrant workers, students, pilgrims and tourists across the country on the request of the state governments. So far, over 350 Shramik special trains were operated by the Railways carrying 3.5 lakh migrant workers. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/data-of-coronavirus-patients-state-wise-in-india/articleshow/74669748.cms">Coronavirus cases in India state wise</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/checkout-the-name-of-coronavirus-containment-zones-in-mumbai/articleshow/75045928.cms">List of coronavirus hotspot in mumbai</a>

Indian Railway's to start 15 premium passenger trains from May 12 — booking on IRCTC starts today at 4 pm

(Eds: Changes headline, adds inputs) Bhubaneswar, Jul 13 () In a major development capable of helping in drug formulations for COVID-19, the Institute of Life Sciences here has successfully established in vitro cultures of the novel coronavirus from the patient samples using vero cells, a top ILS official said on Monday. In vitro culture refers to studies of biological properties in test tubes instead of humans or animals. They are often contrasted to in vivo (in life) studies done inside organisms. Seventeen virus cultures have been established from swab samples originating from different locations of the country with varying virus loads by the ILS, an autonomous institute of the Department of Biotechnology, officials said. The vero cell culture technology is used worldwide to develop inactivated whole cell-based vaccines. The vero cell line is the most widely accepted continuous cell line (CCL) by regulatory authorities and has been used for over 30 years for the production of polio and rabies viruses. "It is a significant development as only three other laboratories from India have reported establishing virus cultures till date," ILS Director Ajay Parida said. This has potential application in testing and screening for possible drug targets, formulations as well as possible use in vaccine development. Cultured SARS-CoV-2 can also be used in developing antibodies or antidotes, testing of antibodies and identification of effective therapeutic agents, he said. Parida expressed confidence that this will be a useful resource for the country in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic as well as for future preparedness. In the long run, these viral cultures will be useful for academicians as well as industry for testing and validating various antiviral products contributing to diagnostic, cure and management of COVID-19 pandemic, he said. These virus cultures have been established by the ILS team led by scientists Soma Chattopadhyay and Gulam H Syed following international protocols and all safety precautions in the Biosafety Level 3 facility, an official said. Studies using genome sequencing approaches are underway for understanding stability and detecting any mutation in established cultures. Vitro culture involves studies conducted with microorganisms, cells outside their usual surroundings, while vero cells are host cells for growing virus. ILS has been supporting the Odisha government in augmenting testing for COVID-19 since April this year and has tested around 45,000 samples from as many as 26 districts of the state. The institute has been selected as one of the 16 in the country for setting up a biorespository of clinical samples for furthering research and development efforts for COVID-19. Apart from ILS, there other institutes - NIV, Pune, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad and RMRC, Dibrugarh have reported establishing virus cultures. SKN BDC RHL SK SK

ILS takes major step towards helping in drug formulations for COVID-19

Guwahati, May 13 () "Victory is reserved for thosewho are willing to pay its price," legendary Chinese generaland strategist Sun Tzu once famously told his warriors.Today, a different set of warriors is toiling, day andnight, trying to defeat a sneaky, invisible enemy acrosshospitals, putting at risk almost everything, including theirlives.These frontline warriors against COVID 19--thefaceless multitude of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff--fight down ostracism by society and their own demons ofloneliness and uncertain future of their families, with theoppressive synthetic shield of PPE forming their last defenceagainst death."You never know how strong you are until being strongis the only choice you have," iconic Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley said, and Dr Nayan Jyoti Bez cannotagree more.Bez, the Registrar of Emergency Medicine at GauhatiMedical College and Hospital (GMCH), is one of the threedoctors in-charge of screening COVID-19 suspect cases at thefacility.On May 7, Bez had gone to fetch his wife Jita Baruah,also a doctor, from Tezpur, some 180 km from Guwahati. She wasbedridden from excruciating back pain which refused to goaway.The couple had met after two months. But bad news wastrailing Bez closely.He got to know that a colleague handling COVID-19patients had tested positive for the virus the day he leftGuwahati and another the next day. Bez had come into contactwith both."I immediately put on a mask and withdrew from her. Weate dinner away from each other and slept in separate rooms. Ijust cannot forget the worried look on her face and the tearsthat refused to ebb away," Bez told .He left for Guwahati the very next morning, leavingbehind his wife, and quarantined himself at his hospital. Heheaved a huge sigh of relief after his swab sample testednegative."I cannot express how I felt when he was leaving. Wehad met after two months and I could not even hold his hands,"said Baruah later. She also screens suspected COVID-19patients at the hospital she works for in Tezpur.At his Guwahati home, where Bez lives with his mother,brother and sister-in-law, the doctor has virtually cocoonedhimself. He lives alone on the first floor and eats fromdisposable plates."My duty starts from 7:30 am and I stay till around 4pm in the hospital. During this period, I do not drink or eatanything. At times, it is exhausting. But I have to do this,"he said, his face deadpan and stoic like a battle-scarredsoldier.Dr Sumanjit S Boro of the Dr B Borooah CancerInstitute (BBCI) is the master of his house but has made theservant quarters his home since the outbreak.Boro, the only micro-vascular plastic surgeon in thewhole of North-East, is not directly treating COVID-19patients but has taken the precaution to preclude chances ofhis family getting infected."You never know which cancer patient is infected withthe coronavirus. Recently, a 16-year-old girl hospitalised inBBCI was detected with COVID-19 and she died."The place where I am staying now is on the back sideof our main building. I am living there alone. I have my ownutensils, which I clean myself. My sister-in-law brings foodfor me which she keeps on the table outside my room from whereI pick it up," he said.Boro felt a twinge in the heart when he could nottouch the feet of his parents to seek blessings during theBihu festival in mid-April. His parents blessed him from asafe distance.His wife Monalisa, also a doctor, is part of the armyof COVID-19 warriors in Assam, and for her the battle theatreis the Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh, some 500 km awayfrom their Guwahati home.Benedict Teron, another doctor on the COVID-19battlefront--the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH)-has not informed his family in West Karbi Anglong districtthat he is treating coronavirus patients."My mother has died and my father is old. He stayswith my two brothers. I don't want them to worry about me.Maybe I will tell the once the fight is over and we have won,"he said. "These are testing times," he said tersely.After seven days of duty, Teron's entire team getsquarantined for 14 days."There are no boundaries for us as doctors, only duty.We as doctors have taken the oath to protect the lives of allirrespective of gender, religion and nationality. We aretrying to do just that," he said matter-of-factly.Teron's colleague at JMCH Dr Anoop R narrated hisexperience of the 8-hour shift which he spends in theisolation ward with COVID-19 patients while wrapped inpersonal protective equipment (PPE)."Once we have worn the PPE, we virtually cut ourselvesoff from the outer world. We cannot drink, eat or even use thewashroom. It is an air-tight clothing that makes us sweatheavily. At the end of the shift, we come out as if we had asteam bath, exhausted and dehydrated," he said.Anoop, from Kozhikode in Kerala, is all praise for thedistrict authorities who have made arrangements foraccomodating all medical staff who come into direct contactwith COVID-19 patients. "They take good care of us," he said."I have not seen my parents for the last six months.They are alone in Kerala as my brother is in Canada now. Theyare worried for me but also proud that I am trying to savelives," he added.Dr Partha Pratim Medhi has to try hard to quell hiswistful longing to cuddle his eight-month-old daughter.A patient died of COVID-19 in his hospital last weekand he now lives alone on the first floor of his house. Hefeels an occasional lump in the throat and his heart skips abeat when he sees his daughter peacefully asleep in hermother's arms from a distance.Medhi said lower grade staff of the hospital facedostracism after the patient died. The locals did not want themin the neighbourhood despite testing negative for the disease."Such episodes tend to break our heart and dip ourmorale. But the fight is on," said Medhi.As the fight gets tough, the Medhis, the Terons, theBoros and Bezes of the world are getting tougher, as theybattle not only the disease but also the disgrace some attachto it. TR KK SKSK SK

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