PMCaresFund

PM @NarendraModi has always believed that public participation is the most effective way to mitigate any issue.

One can visit the website https://t.co/QdWCOZpy3q & donate to #PMCARESFund using the details here👇

▶️ https://t.co/2bDf9p1pOl

— PIB India 🇮🇳 #StayHome #StaySafe (@PIB_India) March 28, 2020

Appeal to generously donate to ‘Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund)’

Posted On: 28 MAR 2020 4:36PM by PIB Delhi

The pandemic of COVID-19 has engulfed the entire world and has posed serious challenges for the health and economic security of millions of people worldwide. In India too, the spread of coronavirus has been alarming and is posing severe health and economic ramifications for our country. The Prime Minister’s office has been receiving spontaneous and innumerable requests for making generous donations to support the government in the wake of this emergency. 

Distress situations, whether natural or otherwise, demand expeditious and collective action for alleviating the suffering of those affected, mitigation/control of damage to infrastructure and capacities etc. Therefore, building capacities for quick emergency response and effective community resilience has to be done in tandem with infrastructure and institutional capacity reconstruction/enhancement.  Use of new technology and advance research findings also become an inseparable element of such concerted action.

Keeping in mind the need for having a dedicated national fund with the primary objective of dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation, like posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide relief to the affected, a public charitable trust under the name of ‘Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund’ (PM CARES Fund)’ has been set up. Prime Minister is the Chairman of this trust and its Members include Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister.

PM Narendra Modi has always believed and shown in actions that public participation is the most effective way to mitigate any issue and this is yet another example. This fund will enable micro-donations as a result of which a large number of people will be able to contribute with smallest of denominations.

Citizens and organisations can go to the website pmindia.gov.in and donate to PM CARES Fund using following details:

Name of the Account     : PM CARES        

Account Number            : 2121PM20202                                                                                

 IFSC Code                     : SBIN0000691                                                                        

SWIFT Code                   : SBININBB104                                                                         

Name of Bank & Branch : State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch                                        

UPI ID                      : pmcares@sbi

Following modes of payments are available on the website pmindia.gov.in -

1. Debit Cards and Credit Cards
2. Internet Banking
3. UPI (BHIM, PhonePe, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, PayTM, Mobikwik, etc.)
4. RTGS/NEFT

Donations to this fund will be exempted from income tax under section 80(G).

******

COVID 19- DONT PANIC ABOUT GAS CYLINDER SCARCITY DUE TO 21 DAYS LOCKDOWN

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the nation on issues relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

PM Modi announced that entire India will be locked down for the next 21 days from midnight tonight and urged Indians to forget what stepping out feels like, or warned that the entire country will go back 21 years.

PM Modi's address to the nation on vital aspects relating to COVID-19 menace

We want relief - MSME owners request to Prime minister

Dear PM & CM,

You have declared a complete closure till 31st March & are requesting all to keep the offices, Shops & Factories closed. Also you are urging the businessmen’s to show sympathy towards the needful employees n pay them.

We would like to understand what are you thinking about the OWNERS? How are you planning on supporting the business class from whom you are demanding this sacrifice?

Because the closure has been announced & the businesses are on a total standstill how will they survive? SALARIES - ON, ELECTRICITY BILL - ON, TAXATION - ON, BANK INTEREST - ON, GST – ON, PF – ON, ESIC – ON, PROPERTY TAX - ON. There is no relief for us. We don’t mind sitting home till 30th April if these expenses are cut off. The government needs to compromise and extend the support directly and immediately to all business.

We recommend the following:

All commercial electricity bills be cut to half for the next 3 months.

Companies be allowed to retain 10 % of GST payable for next 12 months.

Moratorium of interest payments for next 6 months.

All EMI’s to banks and NBFC to be put on hold for 6 months with no levy of interest or delayed payment.

Employee share of the PF not to be paid by the companies but to be borne by government for a period of 6 months.

Employee share of the ESIC not to be paid by the companies but to be borne by government for a period of 6 months.

Property tax for FY2020-21 to be reduced to half for all commercial properties

THE WAY YOU GAVE INTEREST WAIVER TO THE FARMERS DURING DROUGHT SITUATIONS. THIS IS A DROUGHT TIME FOR US  BUSINESSMEN TOO. REST WE WILL TAKE CARE 🙏🏻

PLEASE SHARE TILL IT REACHES THE PM, CM, FM AND FINANCE SECRETARY.

PM to interact with the citizens of his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on #COVID19

PM addresses nation on combating COVID-19

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the nation on combating the challenge of COVID-19. On the occasion of ‘Navratra’, Prime Minister made nine requests to the people.

Prime Minister said that patience and resolve of all Indians  is vital in fighting the global pandemic which has wreaked havoc all over the world. He requested citizens to follow certain measures to ensure the containment of the fast spreading virus. He emphasized on the importance of not taking the pandemic lightly and the need to be aware and proactive towards prevention of COVID-19.

The Potential of Coconut Oil and its Derivatives

https://t.co/hDmK3vQzLH
The Potential of Coconut Oil and its Derivatives as Effective and Safe Antiviral Agents Against the Novel Coronavirus (nCoV-2019)
In india we have lot of coconut. Let us start research on this in india#MyGovIndia#IndiaFightsCorona#NarendraModi#PMModi

— Selvaraj Venkatesan (@niftytelevision) March 17, 2020

what you need to know about social distancing.

what you need to know about social distancing.

coronavirus:social distancing

In the latest attempt to curb the corona virus crisis, schools and major public events are shutting down, and seniors have been encouraged to self-quarantine.

PM Modi interacts with SAARC leaders to chalk out joint strategy on coronavirus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a video conference of all the SAARC nations on March 15, 2020 to chalk out a joint strategy to fight the coronavirus outbreak that has killed over 5,000 people worldwide. In his address PM Modi said that, "Prepare, but don’t panic” has been our guiding mantra, the step-by-step approach has helped avoid panic.

#socialdistancing

#SocialDistancing pic.twitter.com/saFJp0FPBt

— Selvaraj Venkatesan (@niftytelevision) March 15, 2020

#safe hands challenge

#SafeHands #who pic.twitter.com/3HAHlQlDa4

— Selvaraj Venkatesan (@niftytelevision) March 15, 2020

Wash Your hands using pure coconut oil soap

What Is The Difference Between “Quarantine” And “Isolation”?

During public health emergencies, like the outbreak of the coronavirus, it’s essential to stay informed. But a lot of that information, when it’s not misleading, can be overwhelming and confusing—down to the very words we use to talk about a crisis.

What’s COVID-19? Is that the same thing as coronavirus? Is the disease an epidemic or pandemic? And what’s the difference between quarantine and isolation?

In everyday conversations, people sometimes use quarantine and isolation interchangeably to refer to separating people in various ways due to the spread of a disease. But for doctors, public health officials, and other professionals, there is an important distinction between quarantine and isolation.

Let’s break these words down.

What does quarantine mean?

In general, a quarantine is “a strict isolation imposed to prevent the spread of disease.” We know what you might be thinking: so, a quarantine is … just an isolation? Not exactly.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains, the practice of a quarantine specifically involves:

… the separation of a person or group of people reasonably believed to have been exposed to a communicable disease but not yet symptomatic, from others who have not been so exposed, to prevent the possible spread of the communicable disease.

The takeaway: People are put in quarantine when they are not currently sick, but have been or may have been exposed to a communicable disease. This can help stop the spread of the disease.

Voluntary quarantine (when someone isn’t ordered to go into quarantine but chooses to do so just out of caution) is often called self-quarantine.

Entering English in the early 1600s, this “isolation” sense of quarantine comes from the Italian quarantina, a period of forty days, derived from quaranta, the Italian for “forty.” (The Italian quaranta, if you’re curious, comes from the Latin quadrāgintā, also meaning “forty.”)

What’s so special about 40? Historically, a quarantine referred to a period—originally of 40 days—imposed upon ships when suspected of carrying an infectious or contagious disease. This practice was done in Venice in the 1300s in an effort to stave off the plague.

What does isolation mean?

In general, isolation is when someone or something is set apart or separated from other persons or things. In medical contexts, isolation specifically means “the complete separation from others of a person suffering from contagious or infectious disease.”

Again, according to the CDC, the practice of isolation entails:

… the separation of a person or group of people known or reasonably believed to be infected with a communicable disease and potentially infectious from those who are not infected to prevent spread of the communicable disease. Isolation for public health purposes may be voluntary or compelled by federal, state, or local public health order.

The takeaway: isolation happens when a person is infected with a communicable disease, and is separated from people who are healthy. This also helps stop the spread of the disease.

Voluntary isolation is sometimes called self-isolation, although everyday people using the latter term may not mean they are actually infected.

First recorded around 1825–35, isolation ultimately comes from the same root as insulation: the Latin insulātus, “made into an island,” based on insula, “island.” Isolated is recorded around 1755–65.

What is social-distancing?

The COVID-19 outbreak has introduced many people to the term social distancing for the first time. In public health contexts, social distancing generally refers to various measures that reduce close contact (increase distance) between large groups of people (hence social).

According to the CDC, social distancing involves “remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible.” And congregate settings include “crowded public places where close contact with others may occur, such as shopping centers, movie theaters, stadiums.”

Social distancing measures often entail canceling big gatherings (such as conferences, classes, and sporting events), restricting mass transit and travel, and working from home.

It’s not to be confused with the concept of social distance in sociology, or “the extent to which individuals or groups are removed from or excluded from participating in one another’s lives.”

As part of their own efforts to social-distance (as many are verbifying social distancing), people may say they are “isolating” or “self-isolating.” Keep in mind that these more casual uses of isolation don’t necessarily mean they are infected, as when the CDC uses isolation! If you’re confused, ask—and wash your hands.

“Epidemic” vs. “Pandemic”: What Do These Terms Mean?

If you recall the SARS outbreak in the early 2000s or are taking preparations against COVID-19 right now, then you’ve definitely heard the words epidemic and pandemic. With every biological outbreak, we encounter these words being used more and more frequently—and often, inaccurately.

Why is it so easy for people to confuse these words? Well, both words contain –demic and are used for disease outbreaks, but they’re not exactly the same. These similarities lead many people to use the two words interchangeably or incorrectly altogether. The key difference, however, is about scale. So, let’s explore the two.

What is an epidemic?

An epidemic disease is one “affecting many persons at the same time, and spreading from person to person in a locality where the disease is not permanently prevalent.” The World Health Organization (WHO) further specifies epidemic as occurring at the level of a region or community.

Epidemic is commonly used all on its own as a noun, meaning “a temporary prevalence of a disease.” For example: The city was able to stop the flu epidemic before it spread across the state.

Metaphorically, epidemic is “a rapid spread or increase in the occurrence of something,” usually with a negative or humorous connotation: An epidemic of gentrification was affecting low-income communities or The hipster look gave way to an epidemic of 1990s fashion.

The -demic part of epidemic (and pandemic) comes from the Greek dêmos, “people of a district.” This root also ultimately gives English the word democracy. More on the prefix epi– later.

What is a pandemic?

Compared to an epidemic disease, a pandemic disease is an epidemic that has spread over a large area, that is, it’s “prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world.”

Pandemic is also used as a noun, meaning “a pandemic disease.” The WHO more specifically defines a pandemic as “a worldwide spread of a new disease.” On March 11, the WHO officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic due to the global spread and severity of the disease.

While pandemic can be used for a disease that has spread across an entire country or other large landmass, the word is generally reserved for diseases that have spread across continents or the entire world. For instance: After documenting cases in all continents except Antarctica, scientists declared the disease a pandemic.

As an adjective, pandemic can also mean “general” and “universal,” also often with a negative connotation. However, pandemic appears to be most commonly used in the context of epidemiology, which is concerned with infectious diseases.

Pandemic also entered English, through Latin, in the 1600s. Like epidemic, pandemic ultimately derives from the Greek pándēmos, “common, public.” Also like epidemic, pandemic was originally used of diseases when in came into English.

How to use epidemic vs. pandemic

As we mentioned, it’s unsurprisingly easy to confuse these two words. For one, they both feature -demic, which can make it difficult to suss out which word should be used in which situation.

But, here’s a handy rule of thumb for using the prefixes of these two words: epi- and pan-. The prefix epi- is Greek and variously means “on, upon, near, at,” while pan-, also a Greek prefix, means “all.”

Knowing this, think of an epidemic as the start of something—whether a disease or a trend—spreading rapidly within a community or region, whereas a pandemic is what an epidemic becomes once it reaches a far wider swath of people, especially across continents or the entire world.

If something is spreading like wildfire, it’s an epidemic. If something has already spread like wildfire and is currently massive in its reach and impact, it’s a pandemic.

And for good measure … here’s another example of each in a sentence.

• The city had to close schools to contain a measles epidemic.
• Although it isn’t exactly known where the disease first originated, the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic is estimated to have affected one-third of people across the entire globe.

The Potential of Coconut Oil and its Derivatives as Effective and Safe Antiviral Agents Against the Novel Coronavirus (nCoV-2019)

The Potential of Coconut Oil and its Derivatives as Effective and Safe Antiviral Agents Against the Novel Coronavirus (nCoV-2019)

Read the research of Professor Emeritus Dr. Fabian Antonio Dayrit (GS'67, HS'71, BS Chemistry '75) and Dr. Mary Newport of Spring Hill Neonatolody, Inc. on the potential use of coconut oil as a safe antiviral agent against the novel coronavirus. 

As we write this, the World Health Organization has declared a global emergency over the novel coronavirus, nCoV-2019, that has spread beyond China. There is still no cure for nCoV-2019. nCoV-2019 has been shown to be related to SARS (Zhou et al., 2020), a coronavirus which caused an outbreak in 2003. Several researchers have been designing drugs to specifically target protease enzymes in coronavirus, but testing for these drugs is many months away. What if there is a treatment candidate against the coronavirus that might already be available and whose safety is already established?

Lauric acid (C12) and monolaurin, its derivative, have been known for many years to have significant antiviral activity. Lauric acid is a medium-chain fatty acid which makes up about 50% of coconut oil; monolaurin is a metabolite that is naturally produced by the body’s own enzymes upon ingestion of coconut oil and is also available in pure form as a supplement. Sodium lauryl sulfate, a common surfactant that is made from lauric acid, has been shown to have potent antiviral properties. Lauric acid, monolaurin, and sodium lauryl sulfate (which is also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate) are used in a wide range of products for their antiviral properties.

Mechanisms of action

Three mechanisms have been proposed to explain the antiviral activity of lauric acid and monolaurin: first, they cause disintegration of the virus envelope; second, they can inhibit late maturation stage in the virus replicative cycle; and third, they can prevent the binding of viral proteins to the host cell membrane.

1. Disintegration of the virus membrane. The antiviral activities of lauric acid and monolaurin were first noted by Sands and co-workers (1979) and later by Hierholzer & Kabara (1982). In particular, Hierholzer & Kabara showed that monolaurin was able to reduce infectivity of 14 human RNA and DNA enveloped viruses in cell culture by >99.9%, and that monolaurin acted by disintegrating the virus envelope. Thormar and co-workers (1987) confirmed the ability of lauric acid and monolaurin to inactivate viruses by disintegration of the cell membrane. Sodium lauryl sulfate has been shown to be able to solubilize and denature the viral envelope (Piret 2000, 2002).
2. Inhibits virus maturation. The Junin virus (JUNV) is the causative agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever. In a comparison among the saturated fatty acids from C10 to C18 against JUNV infection, Bartolotta and co-workers (2001) showed that lauric acid was the most active inhibitor. From mechanistic studies, it was concluded that lauric acid inhibited a late maturation stage in the replicative cycle of JUNV. From transmission electron microscope images, JUNV is an enveloped virus featuring glycoproteins that are embedded in the lipid bilayer forming viral spikes (Grant et al., 2012); this is similar to nCoV-2019.

3. Prevents binding of viral proteins to the host cell membrane. Hornung and co-workers (1994) showed that in the presence of lauric acid, the production of infectious vesicular stomatitis virus was inhibited in a dose-dependent and reversible manner: after removal of lauric acid, the antiviral effect disappeared. They observed that lauric acid did not influence viral membrane (M) protein synthesis, but prevented the binding of viral M proteins to the host cell membrane.

Although lauric acid accounts for much of the reported antiviral activity of coconut oil, capric acid (C10) and monocaprin have also shown promising activity against other viruses, such as HIV-1 (Kristmundsdóttir et al., 1999). Capric acid accounts for about 7% of coconut oil. Thus, at least two fatty acids in coconut oil, and their monoglycerides, have antiviral properties. Hilarsson and co-workers (2007) tested virucidal activities of fatty acids, monoglycerides and fatty alcohols against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human parainfluenza virus type 2 (HPIV2) at different concentrations, times and pH levels. They reported the most active compound tested was monocaprin (C10), which also showed activity against influenza A virus and significant virucidal activities even at a concentration as low as 0.06-0.12%.

Use of coconut oil and C12 derivatives in animals and humans

Coconut oil and its derivatives have been shown to be safe and effective antiviral compounds in both humans and animals. Because of the antiviral and antibacterial protection that it provides to animals, coconut oil, as well as lauric acid and monolaurin, is used in farm animals and pets as veterinary feed supplements in chicken, swine and dogs (Baltic et al., 2017). Monolaurin has been shown to effectively protect chicken against avian influenza virus (van der Sluis, 2015). Li and co- workers (2009) prepared a gel containing monolaurin and found it to be highly active against repeated high viral loads of Simean immunodeficiency virus in macaques and Kirtane and co- workers (2017) developed a 35% gel of monolaurin for application in the female genital tract to protect against HIV. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) has been used at low concentrations to inactivate viruses in milk of farm animals (de Sousa et al., 2019). SLS is the active constituent in commercial disinfecting wipes and standard laboratory disinfectants, and is an emulsifying agent and penetration enhancer in pharmaceutical preparations.

Professor Emeritus Dr. Fabian Antonio Dayrit

Coconut oil itself has been shown to have anti-HIV properties in small clinical studies. The first clinical trial using coconut oil (45 mL daily) and monolaurin (95% purity, 800 mg daily) against HIV-AIDS was conducted in the Philippines. This study involved 15 HIV patients, aged 22 to 38 years, 5 males and 10 females, for 6 months. There was only one fatality and 11 of the patients showed higher CD4 and CD8 counts after 6 months (Dayrit, 2000).

In another study, 40 HIV subjects with CD4+ T lymphocyte counts less than 200 cells/microliter were divided into a virgin coconut oil (VCO) group (45 mL daily) and control group (no VCO). After 6 weeks, the VCO group showed significantly higher average CD4+ T lymphocyte counts versus control (Widhiarta, 2016).

Conclusion

Several in vitro, animal, and human studies support the potential of coconut oil, lauric acid and its derivatives as effective and safe agents against a virus like nCoV-2019. Mechanistic studies on other viruses show that at least three mechanisms may be operating.

Given the considerable scientific evidence for the antiviral activity of coconut oil, lauric acid and its derivatives and their general safety, and the absence of a cure for nCoV-2019, we urge that clinical studies be conducted among patients who have been infected with nCoV-2019 (see below). This treatment is affordable and virtually risk-free, and the potential benefits are enormous.

On the other hand, given the safety and broad availability of virgin coconut oil (VCO), we recommend that VCO be considered as a general prophylactic against viral and microbial infection.

A proposed clinical study

We can propose that a clinical study be conducted on patients infected with nCoV-2019 accordingly:

• Group 1: Control group, standard care
• Group 2: standard care + VCO (45 mL, approx. 3 three tablespoons, daily or higher,)
• Group 3: standard care + Monolaurin (95% purity, 800 mg daily). Monolaurin is recognized as GRAS by US FDA.
• Group 4: standard care + Monocaprin (95% purity, 800 mg daily). Monocaprin is recognized as GRAS by US FDA.
• Group 5: standard care + SLS (pharmaceutical grade, 100 mg/kg/day). SLS toxicity: lowest NOAEL (repeated dose, rat): 100 mg/kg/day (hepatotoxicity) (Bondi et al., 2015).

News Source: https://www.ateneo.edu/ls/sose/sose/news/research/potential-coconut-oil-and-its-derivatives-effective-and-safe-antiviral

Our 'Vanakkam / Namaste'catches on. The British Royal family has started practicing it. Thanks to Corona

Our 'Vanakkam / Namaste' catches on. The British Royal family has started practicing it. Thanks to Corona

How to handwash? With soap and water

Hand hygiene, either with soap and water or with alcohol-based handrub, is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading infections to others. Indeed, hand hygiene is an easy, inexpensive, and effective mean to prevent the spread of germs and keep everyone healthy. Please, follow carefully the steps shown in this training video to know how to hand wash with soap and water.
When should you clean your hands? - BEFORE, DURING and AFTER preparing food. - BEFORE eating food. - BEFORE and AFTER caring for a sick person. - AFTER using the toilet. - AFTER changing the diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet. - AFTER blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. - AFTER touching animal, animal feed, or animal waste. - AFTER touching garbage.

WHO characterizes COVID-19 as a pandemic

Speaking at the daily COVID-19 media briefing from WHO HQ on 11 March 2020, Dr Tedros, WHO Director-General said: "WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction.We have therefore made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic.Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly. It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death.Describing the situation as a pandemic does not change WHO’s assessment of the threat posed by this virus. It doesn’t change what WHO is doing, and it doesn’t change what countries should do. We have never before seen a pandemic sparked by a coronavirus. This is the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus. And we have never before seen a pandemic that can be controlled, at the same time."

Auditors: Fixing Responsibility

The Reserve Bank of India will check if troubled lender Yes Bank's auditor had raised any alarm in the past year. The apex bank has been in touch with the auditor and will look into whether they had specifically issued any warning in the past 12 months. According to media reports, RBI has been in touch with auditor BSR & Co and wants to know if it had raised any red flag relating to the health of Yes Bank or any other issue. The auditor is part of KPMG India. The central bank is also likely to question the auditor on whether the SBI proposal would have any 'material impact' on the existing accounts of Yes Bank. On Friday, the RBI announced a reconstruction scheme for the bank. It said that SBI that has expressed interest to invest in the troubled bank would do so to the extent of holding 49 per cent shareholding. The apex bank said that SBI's investment in Yes Bank would not impact the employees and their current terms of employment. BSR and Co was appointed as Yes Bank's auditor after RBI banned SR Batliboi & Co for a year. The RBI had stated that the firm that was part of EY was banned due to "lapses identified in a statutory audit assignment carried out by the firm". On this edition of the Big Picture we will analyse if responsibility needs to be fixed for auditors.

Women Transforming India

On the recent International Women's Day, 15 women entrepreneurs were felicitated with Women Transforming India Awards. It recognises women entrepreneurs who through business, enterprises and initiatives, are providing innovative development solutions and are impacting communities. The awards have been happening for the last three years in association with NITI Aayog. These awards highlight the exceptional stories behind their exemplary achievements. Today in this special episode 'Women Transforming India' we are celebrating the achievements of these women.. their Journey... their versatile roles..their contribution and challenges and everything which contributes them in making what they are..

Google launches support for multiple signatures in Gmail

Google announced today  new feature for Gmail that lets you create and use multiple signatures in your email. The new capability is rolling out from today to all G Suite and personal Gmail users and will continue over the next couple of weeks.

The search giant says using multiple signatures will help you become more flexible in adding the right signature to your message, depending on a specific situation. For example, you can use a more formal signature with your contact number and position for emails meant for your team or organization. Also, you can customize signatures when communicating across languages or use different default signatures for new emails and replies.

Multiple signatures in Gmail will be available by default. To start using this feature, simply open Gmail and head over to the Settings page by tapping the gear icon and then Settings > General. Then find “Signature” and choose “Create New” to add multiple signatures. If you want to switch signatures when composing a message, just open the signature menu in the compose action toolbar.

The new feature is a nice addition to Gmail especially for people who use the email client most of the time to communicate with office mates, family members or close friends. Google has also set up a guide on how to use multiple signatures.

English News Bulletin – March 09, 2020 (9 pm)

Top Headlines at 9 pm (English) | March 09, 2020

India's World - Coronavirus: Impact on Trade

In this episode of India’s World focuses on the impact on trade due to coronavirus. As the coronavirus outbreak spreads, the world’s biggest companies have begun painting a bleak picture of broken supply chains, disrupted manufacturing, empty stores and flagging demand for their wares. Announcements by businesses like Master card, Microsoft and Apple offer a reading on how the virus is affecting consumer behaviour and business sentiment. These corporate bulletins — and what executives do in response — could determine how much economic damage the outbreak inflicts and whether a recession looms. Some companies have expressed optimism that governments will curb new infections and that consumer spending in Europe and North America will be largely unscathed. meanwhile, the industry body, ASSOCHAM believes India can push its exports in the global markets to fill up the space vacated by China. It said Indian exporters of electronics, pharmaceuticals, speciality chemicals and automobile segments depend on China for raw material and are facing supply constraints, but there are several areas where there are increased opportunities for domestic traders.

Coronavirus: Nasa images show China pollution clear amid slowdown

Satellite images have shown a dramatic decline in pollution levels over China, which is "at least partly" due to an economic slowdown prompted by the coronavirus, US space agency Nasa says.

Nasa maps show falling levels of nitrogen dioxide this year.

It comes amid record declines in China's factory activity as manufacturers stop work in a bid to contain coronavirus.

China has recorded nearly 80,000 cases of the virus since the outbreak began.

It has spread to more than 50 countries but the vast majority of infections and deaths are in China, where the virus originated late last year.

• Coronavirus spread hits Chinese manufacturing
• Diary of a life in locked-down Wuhan
• How deadly is the coronavirus?

Nasa scientists said the reduction in levels of nitrogen dioxide - a noxious gas emitted by motor vehicles and industrial facilities - was first apparent near the source of the outbreak in Wuhan city but then spread across the country.

Nasa compared the first two months of 2019 with the same period this year.

The space agency noted that the decline in air pollution levels coincided with restriction imposed on transportation and business activities, and as millions of people went into quarantine.

"This is the first time I have seen such a dramatic drop-off over such a wide area for a specific event," Fei Liu, an air quality researcher at Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center, said in a statement.

She added that she had observed a decline in nitrogen dioxide levels during the economic recession in 2008, but said that decrease was more gradual.

Nasa noted that China's Lunar New Year celebrations in late January and early February have been linked to decreases in pollution levels in the past. But it said they normally increase once the celebrations are over.

"This year, the reduction rate is more significant than in past years and it has lasted longer," Ms Liu said.

"I am not surprised because many cities nationwide have taken measures to minimise spread of the virus."

News Source BBC.com

BJP Holds Massive Pro-CAA Rally In Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore