WISE DECISION
   Date :24-Mar-2021

time and tide_1 &nbs
HEEDING to the call of expert groups monitoring the efficacy of Covishield vaccine, the Centre has taken a timely and wise decision to revise the interval between two doses of the vaccine to four to eight weeks. Present protocol mandated the second dose to be administered between four to six weeks. Extending the time window to eight weeks is a prudent move as scientific data in many parts of the world suggested that protection against COVID-19 is enhanced if the second dose is administered between 6-8 weeks. Some countries had already revised its time window for the second dose. Scientific community in India was also convinced that more time should be given between the two doses to develop more anti-bodies in a candidate. Though these are findings from a target group research, the data can be useful in mitigating the dangers of virus infection, especially in the second wave in India. Delaying the second dose can also help the Government is making available more vaccines for the next group of beneficiaries. Ramping up of vaccination is an urgent need at present.
 
CATCH THE RAIN
 
PRIME Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has launched the ambitious ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign at a critical moment as the onset of summer provides the society the perfect window to put its apparatus for rain harvesting ready before monsoon begins in the country. Rain water conservation has remained a difficult subject for countries like India despite reams of documents made available on the massive benefits of water harvesting. Dependence on groundwater has increased to alarming levels across the belts in India yet little efforts are seen in conservation of water. Rain water conservation is a handy mechanism to cut down country’s dependence on groundwater. Self-sufficiency is solely dependent upon conservation of available water resources and tapping of other avenues to increase the water table. Rain water harvesting provides the most economic and hassle-free medium to become water sufficient, not depending upon the other sources that are fast depleting. Catching the rain must be made into a mandatory campaign for each household in every village, town and city. Becoming a water-sufficient society on its own is a pre-requirement for India if it dreams of further development.