Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

As the coronavirus cases continue to rise in <keyword id="13126" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword>, state School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad has said schools will not reopen in the state before Diwali. Maharashtra has till now reported 15,17,434 COVID-19 cases and 40,040 deaths due to the disease. The Centre on March 16 announced closure of all educational institutions, including schools, colleges and universities, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. It has now allowed graded reopening of schools from October 15. Gaikwad, who recently recovered from COVID-19, said schools have been conducting virtual classes and teachers have been taking special classes for students in some areas. However, the challenge is to find a way to end the academic year and assess students, she said. "While we are exploring various options, it is clear that schools will not open before Diwali," Gaikwad said. According to senior officials in the state education department, reopening schools under the current circumstances is out of question, as there is no sign of the pandemic abating. State Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant also said his department does not intend to reopen colleges until the COVID-19 situation is under control. "The situation is grim for students who wish to pursue higher studies abroad, as their future depends on our decision," he added. Even as the state government and bureaucracy mull over solutions, children and parents are worried as they seem to be caught in a quagmire. "I have taken an education loan and my parents are repaying it. If I don't get good grades in exams, how will I get a good job?" said Raviraj Humbe, an engineering student from <keyword id="2094" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pune">Pune</keyword>. There must be some technical solution for conducting exams and tests, he said. Meanwhile, education expert Kishore Darak suggested that the state government can club two or three educational years so that concerns of parents about academic loss can be addressed. While the safety of students is imperative, it is high time that the state comes up with a bipartisan approach towards education, he said. "The government must come up with a solution where local officials are authorised to take context-specific decisions like full or partial reopening of schools or alternate day scheduling of classes, among others," he said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/nasa-cases-asteroid-bennu-ahead-of-snatch-and-grab-finds-six-new-secrets-including-a-possible-void-under-the-surface/slidelist/78577408.cms">NASA cases Asteroid Bennu ahead of snatch and grab — finds six new secrets, including a possible void under the surface</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/rbi-governor-wants-markets-to-keep-the-faith-but-traders-want-something-more/articleshow/78574663.cms">RBI Governor wants markets to keep the faith but traders want something more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/tcs-beats-accenture-to-become-the-worlds-most-valuable-it-services-company/articleshow/78566487.cms">TCS beats Accenture to become the world’s most valuable IT services company — but this not the first time it has raced ahead</a>

Schools in Maharashtra not to reopen before Diwali, says education minister Gaikwad

<ul><li>While the first half of the year was so unusual and unprecedented that the ad industry took a nosedive to as low as -60%, research studies have shown that the consumer sentiment is picking up and so are ad spends. </li><li>Diwali has brought an opportunity for brands to reconnect with their consumers, woo them again and remind that we are all in this together. </li><li>And Indian brands have not disappointed. From Mondelez and BYJU’s to HP, brands have made beautiful advertisements as a tribute to the working class that continues to struggle. </li><li>We reached out to experts to discuss their favourite ads from this Diwali and some of the reasons that make them special. So, here is a listicle compiling the best ads of this year. </li></ul>Diyas and rangolis, food and family, gifts and greetings – this is what makes Diwali truly special. It is also an advertising carnival which brings up an opportunity for brands to reconnect with consumers as the market sentiment improves. Brands pour in big monies on traditional mediums to reach out to consumers at a larger scale. Every year, categories like FMCG, apparel, auto, e-commerce and consumer durables become the biggest spenders during Diwali. However, 2020 is unusual. Coronavirus still hasn’t left our country and people continue to be cautious about stepping out. So, this Diwali won’t be about bursting crackers on the street and meeting your family to exchange sweets. It will all be virtual, about being there for each other in tough times and celebrating small victories while maintaining a safe distance. So this year, brands have looked beyond family and home. After spending the first half of the year jobless, locked inside four walls, there are many who won’t get to celebrate the festival of light in its true spirit because they would be busy searching for small opportunities to support their family. The ironman, painter, watchman, delivery personnel and many other Indians will continue working, some bound by their circumstances and others by their duties. COVID’s economic disruption has adversely impacted the collective optimism for festivities. Yet, all it takes is the determined optimism of hope and celebration to cheer someone. Therefore, many brands decided to shine a spotlight on these heroes who go unnoticed. They urged consumers to support different sectors of our society who have been badly impacted by COVID-19. Common themes of togetherness, compassion, positivity, generosity, uplifting each other and supporting small businesses, emerged this year and took over the advertising canvas. Brands reminded their audience to help bring light and joy not just inside their homes but also outside their lives by sharing a little part of their happiness. After all, that's what festivals are all about. So like this unusual year, we decide to do something different. We reached out to experts to find out their favourite advertisements and the reasons why they loved them. Here is what they had to say about creativity this Diwali: Ronita Mitra, Founder and Chief Strategist, Brand Eagle Consulting: Most brands have been warm, telling stories of togetherness and bonding with family, friends and neighbours. In that sense, all brands are playing their role in uplifting the sentiments of consumers, encouraging them to enjoy the festive season once again. However the campaign that stands out for me is the Cadbury's campaign. The brand has weaved in "togetherness and inclusiveness" into the very heart of the campaign idea. and gone beyond merely producing an engaging ad with a well told, warm story. The Cadbury's brand has taken the idea of togetherness to a different level by involving and doing something meaningful for a segment of society that has been badly impacted by Covid - the local neighbourhood retailers. It has played the role of a truly responsible, inclusive brand that believes growth is sustainable when the eco system grows together. The idea entails high level execution effort in terms of integrating the gathering database with advanced technology to make the idea come alive in a real way for every consumer. The campaign is an inspiring coming together of idea, execution and technology at every stage from conceptualization to the hyper personalised media plan. <div type="Youtube" id="So16ZBPK6mo" title="This is not just a Cadbury ad" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/So16ZBPK6mo/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Roshan Abbas, Founder &amp; MD, Geometry Encompass: I just saw a lovely HP Print ad on DiwaliDilWali, it was beautiful and emotional. A follow up to their earlier campaign 2 years ago on supporting local sellers, it brings together the beauty of innovation, emotion and has a fabulous performance by Seema Pahwa. While everyone is harping on supporting small sellers the route and product integration is what makes this different. <div type="Youtube" id="2uA1r8gaRik" title="#YeDiwaliDilWali" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2uA1r8gaRik/mqdefault.jpg"></div> <keyword id="247533" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Karthik-Srinivasan">Karthik Srinivasan</keyword>, Social Media Expert and Independent Brand Consultant: I have seen a few Deepavali/Diwali ads and so far liked 2 of them more than the others. Both have the same theme, of not stopping the kind of work/purchases that we do during Deepavali because of the pandemic. Whether that sells consumerism or is coated as restarting the seller-buyer ecosystem is a different question. The first one is by Birla White, a brand that doesn't really have a say in Diwali, but brings itself very contextually and meaningfully into the Diwali discussion. This is by Autumn Grey. <div type="Youtube" id="FKnAmnyf_eo" title="Deewarein Sajengi Tabhi Toh Tyohaar Ki Rangat Badhegi" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FKnAmnyf_eo/mqdefault.jpg"></div> The second is a surprise since it is not from India! This ad is for the Malaysian bank, RHB that features Tamilians (Malaysian Tamils) and Tamil language, by FCB Kuala Lumpur. The theme is very similar to the Birla White story in that both use the father-daughter dynamics for emotional appeal. <div type="Youtube" id="gaUtaD-uzyg" title="RHB Deepavali 2020: Light In a Time of Darkness" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gaUtaD-uzyg/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Heeru Dingra, CEO, WATConsult: Out of all ads that seem to have gone live so far, Phillips’ Diwali campaign ‘Khushiyon Ki Ladi’, weaves a very beautiful and relevant story for the audience. Instead of approaching the festival directly, they took the viewers on a journey showcasing an interlinked chain of festivities, which surrounds all of us. With very relatable scenes like receiving a delivery, or purchasing sweets at a store, the video basically taught us the economy and dependency that businesses have on each other. With its smooth story narration and the ingrained feel good factor, the campaign did what it set out to do – make us associate Diwali with a feeling of community and interconnectivity. <div type="Youtube" id="GGd_g9MT0oY" title="Philips | #KhushiyonKiLadi" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GGd_g9MT0oY/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Vishnu Srivastav, Vishnu Srivastav, Creative Head, DDB Mudra South: My favourite Diwali campaign this year is ‘Not Just a <keyword id="3275564" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cadbury-Ad">Cadbury Ad</keyword>’ by Cadbury. A large brand using its large platform to help other businesses in need. What could capture the Diwali spirit and Cadbury’s ethos of spreading cheer better? It’s data driven advertising with a deeply human impact. Janhavi Iyer, Associate Director- Content Strategy, Gozoop: The Not Just a Cadbury Ad by Cadbury definitely caught my attention this year. Not only is it supported by the use of sound media technology with the pin-code based personalization but it also meets one of the most important criteria for a great ad and that is actionability. With Covid leaving small and local businesses suffering, Cadbury’s ad was not just on brand but its simple message of buying local capitalized on the predominant sentiment of the nation, at a time when it was needed most. This year, as I stepped outside to shop for Diwali, I went to all my local stores, a conscious action sparked by a simple and insightful campaign. I’d also give a shout out to Oppo’s Be The Light campaign. From a storytelling perspective, the short film struck all the right chords without pushing the product too much, making it a delight to watch. <div type="Youtube" id="KHxc8QkSwiQ" title="OPPO F17 Pro - #BeTheLight To Spread The Light | Diwali'20" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KHxc8QkSwiQ/mqdefault.jpg"></div>

Experts share their favourite Diwali campaigns from 2020

<ul><li><keyword id="10258849" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="two-tiny-asteroids">Two tiny asteroids</keyword> are set to make their close approach to Earth on November 14, <keyword id="188" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diwali">Diwali</keyword>. </li><li>Asteroid 2020 TB9 is the smaller of the two with an average diameter of 30 meters — barely bigger than aircraft. </li><li>Asteroid 2020 ST1, while bigger and faster than Asteroid 2020 TB9, will be further away at a distance of around 7.3 million kilometers. </li></ul>This Diwali as humans figure out how to celebrate Diwali amid the coronavirus pandemic and the social distancing, two <keyword id="81841" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Asteroids">asteroids</keyword> will be visiting from outer space. Asteroid 2020 TB9 and 2020 ST1 are expected to zoom past Earth on November 14, hopefully without contributing any fireworks of their own, according to the Center for Near Earth Object Studies (<a href="https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/ca/">CNEOS</a>). While both of them are on the watch list of asteroids to track, it’s unlikely that they will be crashing into the planet on the day of the festivities. <div type="image" title="November 13 (3)" msid="79170636" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Four asteroids scheduled to zoom past Earth over the Diwali weekend&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Overall, the four-day Diwali weekend will witness four asteroids. Asteroid 2020 VL1 will only be three times further from Earth than the Moon November 13 and Asteroid 2019 VL5 will fly past on November 15 at a distance that is nearly nine times further than the Moon. Meet the Diwali asteroids Asteroid 2020 TB9 is the smaller of the two with an average diameter of 30 meters — barely bigger than aircraft. Not only is it tiny, it will also be over 5 million kilometers away as it makes its close approach towards Earth flying in at 21,600 kilometers per hour (kmph). Asteroid 2020 ST1, while bigger and faster than Asteroid 2020 TB9, will be even further away at a distance of around 7.3 million kilometers. The asteroid’s average diameter is 175 meters — which is around half as tall as the Eiffel Tower — and it will be zooming past the planet at speeds of nearly 30,000 kmph. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Asteroid </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Time of close approach </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Diameter </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Speed </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Distance from Earth </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2020 TB9 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">9:30 am on November 14 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">19m - 42m </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">13.03 kilometers per second </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">6 times further than the moon </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2020 ST1 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1:45 pm on November 14 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">110m - 240m </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">19.03 kilometers per second </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">8 times further than the moon </td></tr></tbody></table> SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/checkout-here-bihar-assembly-election-2020-results-and-updates-online/articleshow/79142084.cms">Bihar Election Results 2020: Final tally puts NDA in the majority with 125 seats as RJD remains the single largest party</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/psu-bank-employees-wage-revision-finalised-after-three-years-of-waiting-only-a-1500-increase-in-salary-for-officers/articleshow/79166497.cms">PSU bank employees wage revision finalised after three years of waiting — only a ₹1,500 increase in salary for officers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/instagram-down-users-complain-of-frozen-timelines-and-likes/articleshow/79146012.cms">Instagram down for nearly 24 hours— users continue to complain about frozen timelines and likes</a>

Two tiny asteroids to zoom past Earth this Diwali — likely without any fireworks

<ul><li>According to a Redseer report, e-commerce gross merchandising volume could hit $7 billion this year during the festive season, a big jump from last year’s $3.8 billion. </li><li>With the festive season coming up, consumers are expected to splurge in a ‘revenge buying’ spree. </li><li>With over 160 million online shoppers, the report also expects total e-commerce sales for 2020 to hit $38 billion. </li></ul><keyword id="188" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diwali">Diwali</keyword> marks the time when houses across India don a new look. Families indulge in shopping, not only for the family but also for gifts for friends. So, it’s not without reason that India’s retailing industry has its hopes high and expects the festive season to make up for the tepid sales so far this year. And with people's preference to stay home due to the rising number of coronavirus cases, e-commerce is going to win big this year. According to a Redseer report, e-commerce gross merchandising volume could hit $7 billion this year during the festive season, a big jump from $3.8 billion last year. With <keyword id="18635" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword>’s Great Indian shopping festival and <keyword id="6354742" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Flipkart">Flipkart</keyword>’s Big Billion Days sale coming up, the report expects these festive sale events to garner $4 billion in sales. <div type="image" title="Diwali sale." msid="78181391" hostid="261"></div> Due to the coronavirus pandemic, India’s retail industry has been adversely affected, and the majority of the shopping has been for the ‘essentials’ category, but with the festive season coming up, consumers are likely to splurge in a ‘revenge buying’ spree. A rise in e-commerce sales was noticeable when the non-essential category opened up during the unlock phases. Earlier, in its earnings report, Walmart has said that since the reopening of lockdown, GMV (Gross Merchandising Volume) at Flipkart has exceeded pre-COVID-19 levels. The Redseer report lists five reasons for the doubling sales for online players this year: <ul><li>COVID driven massive online adoption of Bharat customers</li><li>Rise of new shopping models owing to changing customer demographic </li><li>Strong nationalist sentiment </li><li>Massively hit organized retail</li><li>Rise of Jio </li></ul>While malls across the country are also hoping for a festive revival, the second bout of coronavirus cases in major cities like Delhi could act as a barrier. Shoppers may prefer to splurge via online shopping. Almost every other e-commerce player from Amazon, Flipkart to Snapdeal, has been betting on Tier II and III markets - as the next growth boost will come from the ‘Bharat’ users. From vernacular offerings to set up last-mile delivery hubs, e-tailers have been stepping up their presence in small towns. And during this Diwali, that’s what could factor in for the rise in numbers. <div type="image" title="Bharat diwali sales." msid="78181416" hostid="261"></div> With over 160 million online shoppers, the report also expects total e-commerce sales for 2020 to hit $38 billion. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/retail/news/ikeas-push-to-reach-100-million-customers-in-india-will-see-the-swedish-retail-giant-bet-on-online-and-smaller-stores/articleshow/78179851.cms">IKEA’s push to reach 100 million customers in India will see the Swedish retail giant bet on online and smaller stores</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-store-online-to-launch-in-india-on-september-23-weeks-ahead-of-diwali/articleshow/78179322.cms">Apple Store Online to launch in India on September 23, weeks ahead of Diwali</a>

Amazon, Flipkart, and other e-commerce players could hit $7 billion in Diwali sales this year

Hello,Welcome to Insider <keyword id="11897506" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="healthcare" source="Orion">Healthcare</keyword>. I'm healthcare editor Leah Rosenbaum, and today in healthcare news:<ul><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pfizers-mikael-dolsten-not-worried-on-covid-19-resistance-to-paxlovid-2021-11">A top Pfizer scientist isn't worried about drug resistance to the company's new COVID-19 pill</a>;</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-flywheel-pharmacy-drugs-lottery-tickets-fresh-grocery-stores-2021-11">Amazon is considering offering prescription drugs in new stores to boost foot traffic</a>;</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-5-11-year-old-kids-get-covid-19-vaccines-2021-11">See pictures of some of the first kids that have gotten a low-dose COVID-19 vaccine</a>. </li></ul>If you're new to this <keyword id="11894123" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="newsletter" source="Orion">newsletter</keyword>, <a href="http://newsletter.businessinsider.com/join/4np/newsletter.businessinsider.com/join/4np/insider-healthcare">sign up here.</a> Comments, tips? Email me at <a href="mailto:lrosenbaum@insider.com">lrosenbaum@insider.com</a> or tweet <a href="https://twitter.com/leah_rosenbaum">@leah_rosenbaum.</a> Let's get to it...<h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pfizers-mikael-dolsten-not-worried-on-covid-19-resistance-to-paxlovid-2021-11"></a> </h3><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pfizers-mikael-dolsten-not-worried-on-covid-19-resistance-to-paxlovid-2021-11">Resistance is one of the biggest threats to new COVID-19 treatments. Here's why Pfizer's top scientist, Mikael Dolsten, isn't worried it will weaken the pharma giant's new pill.</a></h3><ul><li><keyword id="11897118" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="pfizer" source="Orion">Pfizer</keyword>'s <keyword id="11893994" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="covid-19" source="Orion">COVID-19</keyword> pill dramatically reduced the risk of hospitalization or death in a new study. </li><li>A key question for all <keyword id="12216042" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="antiviral" source="Orion">antiviral</keyword> drugs is whether the virus can build resistance to treatment.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pfizers-mikael-dolsten-not-worried-on-covid-19-resistance-to-paxlovid-2021-11">Pfizer's top scientist told Insider why he was confident that wouldn't be an issue anytime soon.</a></li></ul><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pfizers-mikael-dolsten-not-worried-on-covid-19-resistance-to-paxlovid-2021-11">Check it out&gt;&gt; </a><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-flywheel-pharmacy-drugs-lottery-tickets-fresh-grocery-stores-2021-11"><div type="image" title="A customer scans her phone as she enters Amazon's new Amazon Fresh store in Ealing, west London, on March 4, 2021." height="1949" width="2600" msid="87589821" hostid="261"></div></a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-flywheel-pharmacy-drugs-lottery-tickets-fresh-grocery-stores-2021-11">Amazon considers offering prescription drugs and lottery tickets in its cashierless grocery stores to boost traffic</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-flywheel-pharmacy-drugs-lottery-tickets-fresh-grocery-stores-2021-11"></a></h3><ul><li><keyword id="11893181" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="amazon" source="Orion">Amazon</keyword> is considering offering prescription medications and lottery tickets at its cashierless grocery stores, Insider has learned.</li><li>The two new product categories could drive more foot traffic and sales to its physical stores.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-flywheel-pharmacy-drugs-lottery-tickets-fresh-grocery-stores-2021-11">But Amazon may have to first deal with heavy regulatory and compliance issues.</a></li></ul><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-flywheel-pharmacy-drugs-lottery-tickets-fresh-grocery-stores-2021-11">See the exclusive now&gt;&gt; </a><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-5-11-year-old-kids-get-covid-19-vaccines-2021-11"><div type="image" title="little boy waiting for covid vaccine" height="1079" width="1439" msid="87589822" hostid="261"></div></a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-5-11-year-old-kids-get-covid-19-vaccines-2021-11">See some of the first 5- to 11-year-old kids get their COVID-19 vaccines</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-5-11-year-old-kids-get-covid-19-vaccines-2021-11"></a></h3><ul><li>The CDC signed off on a low dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 <keyword id="11894310" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="vaccine" source="Orion">vaccine</keyword> for young kids.</li><li>Five- to 11-year-olds can now get vaccinated through their pediatricians.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-5-11-year-old-kids-get-covid-19-vaccines-2021-11">Vaccinations kicked off in Washington, DC, where some young kids got their first shots as soon as the authorization went through.</a></li></ul><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-5-11-year-old-kids-get-covid-19-vaccines-2021-11">Read more&gt;&gt;</a>More stories we're reading:<ul><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/newsmax-personality-emerald-robinson-taken-off-air-covid-vaccine-tweet-2021-11">A Newsmax personality who falsely said COVID-19 vaccines contained a satanic-sounding tracking 'marker' has been taken off the air</a> (Insider)</li><li><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/05/pfizer-ceo-says-covid-vaccines-boosters-still-needed-even-with-pills.html">The CEO of Pfizer says a combination of pills and vaccines will be needed to stop the pandemic</a> (CNBC)</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-delhi-toxic-air-worse-people-ignore-ban-diwali-fireworks-2021-11">The air in New Delhi, the world's most polluted capital, got even worse after people ignored a ban to fill the air with Diwali fireworks</a> (Insider)</li><li><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/11/05/coronavirus-vaccine-emergent-biosolutions-cancel/">The US has canceled a deal with the vaccine maker that tainted millions of doses of the Johnson &amp; Johnson COVID-19 vaccine</a> (Washington Post)</li></ul>-Leah

Why Pfizer's not worried about resistance to its new antiviral

By Mona Parthsarathi New Delhi, Apr 26 () The COVID-19 pandemic has proved to be a double whammy for the already-struggling folk musicians, who say it has wreaked havoc on their livelihood by forcing them to sit idle in their homes and the future looks gloomy too.The world has come to a standstill with no immediate signs of resumption of any kind of entertainment programmes. In these times of quarantine and social distancing, all festivals, functions or fetes have been cancelled, they say. Folk musicians say they have been left with no work and majority of them are not tech savvy to use the social media to reach out to an audience or even raise their voice.Renowned folk singer from Jharkhand Madhu Mansuri Hasmukh, who wrote and sung several Nagpuri songs during the separate state movement, is getting phone calls from needy artistes but is clueless about how to get help for them."The folk fraternity from Jharkhand has given me lot of love and respect. They are continuously sharing their problems with me in these trying times. They do not have any money or essentials at home. Whom do I approach to highlight their plight? I am ready to write or speak to," said Mansuri, who was awarded the Padma Shri this year in the field of art.He has 20 -22 folk artistes including five instrumentalists in his troupe and most of them are landless and depend on their art for livelihood."They depend on monthly programmes. Some of them also work in fields but this year, kharif crop has been affected due to lack of irrigation," he added and rued that electronically-generated rhythms are already overtaking folk traditions and the coronavirus pandemic has only added to their problems."The government must take note of their plight. I have been repeatedly demanding pension for them. These artistes are innocent tribals, mostly uneducated," said Mansuri.Another Padma Shri folk singer Prahlad Singh Tipaniya, who performs Kabir bhajans in the Malwi folk style from Madhya Pradesh, said he has been hearing about some online concerts these days but adds not every artiste is tech savvy."The current situation and immediate future look gloomy but what can be done? We live in a small village and are not well versed with technology. I have heard about online live concerts and all and people are requesting me to participate," said the well-travelled singer.His concerts in Fiji and Mauritius have been cancelled. He said most members of his troupe are part time farmers, so the problem is not that severe for them but it is scary for those who depend only on their art for a living."The government should think about them. Where will they go for help," he asked.Dhangari Gaja dancers, who perform the vibrant traditional folk dance of Maharashtra, look forward to this season every year. "It is generally a peak season for us as this is the time of marriages, fetes, festivals throughout the state. Then from June to Diwali is off season when we take up part time farming," said Anil Kolekar, the founder of Dhangari Gaja Artistes group in Sangli, Maharashtra, who has performed in many international events including in Russia (2009), London (2002) and Delhi Commonwealth Games (2010).The main theme of this dance is celebration, happiness, joy of coming home to loved ones and honouring the God and seeking his blessings. And this mood is emphasised by swaying to the pulsating sound of the drums and the reciting of poems exhibiting boundless enthusiasm. This exquisite form of dance belongs to the shepherds, cowherds, buffalo keepers and men who undertake husbandry are referred to as Dhangars in the local dialect.There are around 50 folk artistes in Kolekar's group who earn around Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 in these two months in normal conditions. Now they are depending on ration provided in fair-price shops but not all have the necessary cards."We did not get any support from the culture department. Other artistes who perform Lavani, Tamasha, Bharud dance are also calling for help. They think that since I am an international artiste, I can raise their voice," said Kolekar."We have many aged artistes in our troupe who can only sit and play instruments. They are unable to do any other work. All of them are poor and illiterate. Forget about raising a voice on social media, most of them do not even have a phone," he said. MJ ZMN

You Searched For "diwali coronavirus" and got 6 results

Schools in Maharashtra not to reopen before Diwali, says education minister Gaikwad

PTI

Experts share their favourite Diwali campaigns from 2020

Karuna Sharma

Two tiny asteroids to zoom past Earth this Diwali — likely without any fireworks

Prabhjote Gill

Amazon, Flipkart, and other e-commerce players could hit $7 billion in Diwali sales this year

Sanchita Dash

Why Pfizer's not worried about resistance to its new antiviral

Leah Rosenbaum

Folk artistes say they are struggling to survive coronavirus lockdown, seek govt help

PTI

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides