The Observer Edition 14, Volume 22

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The Observer An IIJNM publication

Govt introduces quarantine facility to decrease fish mortality which happens due to infections | P 2

Vol 22, Issue 14

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

8 BILLION

Symbolic eight billionth citizen born in Manila

Team Observer

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Distracted driving leads to road accidents By Siddhi Chauhan

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espite the number of deaths and injuries caused due to distracted driving, people continue to neglect its consequences like accidents. According to WHO, drivers who use phones while driving are four times more vulnerable to accidents. Bankrate describes distracted driving as an activity that diverts the driver's attention from driving. Texting, talking on the phone, eating and drinking while driving are examples of it. Afroz, 25, who rides a motorcycle, said: “Whenever I want to talk to someone on the phone or I need to use GPS, I always stand aside. I have seen people driving while talking on their phones; this diverts their attention (and) puts their lives at risk.” Continued on page 3

The symbolic eighth billion baby was born in Tondo, Manila, Philippines. | Credit: Philippines’ Commission on Population and Development informed The Observer: “If India surpasses China, it will be because its fertility rate is higher. Poor people are uncertain if their children will survive. They may not have access to healthcare, nutritious food and education. He said, develop-

ment is the best contraceptive.’” Nakula Reddy, an economics professor at Osmania University, said: “Increase in population may be a boon if they (people) have necessary skills to contribute positively to economic progress. In the absence of

skills, they certainly put a burden on the economy. India can take advantage of demographic dividend is by making all youth talented by imparting necessary training. UN Secretary General António Guterres warned:“But as our human family grows larger, it is also growing more divided.Unless we bridge the yawning chasm between the global haves and have-nots, we are setting ourselves up for an 8-billion-strong world filled with tensions and mistrust, crisis and conflict.” According to the World Prospects Report 2022, released by the UN, more than half of the projected increase in global population up to 2050 will be concentrated in eight countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Tanzania. (Inputs by Siddhi Chauhan, Vindhya P. and Suryash Kumar)

Pharma stores sales dip as people shift to e-platfoms Digitization has led to increase in drugs e-purchase By Vindhya Pabolu

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edical shop owners have seen a decrease in their sales after the rise of pharmacy apps. Subba Rao V, owner of Annapurna Medical Stores in JP Nagar, informed The Observer: “Pharmacy apps have offers on company medicines as well. Customers expect us to sell them medicines at the same price as mentioned on the apps. We can’t give extra offers like medical apps. We will be in loss.”

Website: theweeklyobserver.in Epaper: https://issuu.com/ theweeklyobserver

Exploitation of groundwater has increased in 4 K’taka districts including B’luru Rural & B’luru Urban | P 3

The world’s population has crossed

he world population crossed eight billion on November 15, 2022. It had reached six billion in 1999 and seven billion in 2011. The Observer recordedthe eight billionth birth the Worldometer website at 1:28 pm. The symbolic eighth billion baby was born in Tondo, Manila, Philippines. Her name is Vince Mabansag. According to UN estimates, India will surpass China to become the most populous country by 2023. Experts say population growth has both positive and negative impacts on the social and economic development of a country. Gopal Dabade, a health expert,

@theweeklyobserver

The Indian e-pharmacy is expected to grow around 21.28 per cent for the next five years | Credit: Vindhya Pabolu Sai Nath S, owner of Sri Lakshmi Gayatri Medical Stores in Jayanagar, said: When our sales started declining, we started home deliveries. We covered

areas within 10 km to 12 km of our shop, but we had to close the service as not many were interested. We even promoted our business on social media. There is nothing more I can do than this. We can’t give maximum discounts and run into losses.” Medical store owners The Observer spoke with complained that the government has still not taken action against online platforms. According to a report in The Economic Times, in 2017, a strike was called by the All-India Organization of Chemists and Druggists against online pharmacies, which they say pose a threat to their business. Medical shop owners have been up in arms against online apps and demanded a ban on them. Continued on page 3

News briefs Ukraine war must stop, says Modi in Bali Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for a return to the path of “ceasefire and diplomacy” to resolve the raging Ukraine conflict, and opposed any restrictions on the supply of energy, amid the West’s call against procurement of discounted Russian oil and gas. In an address at the G20 summit in Bali, Modi said climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, developments in Ukraine and the global problems associated with it have caused havoc in the world. PTI

Cops take accused to body-dumping spot

The Delhi police on Tuesday took the 28-year-old accused of killing his live-in partner to the jungle areas of south Delhi’s Chhatarpur where he dumped her body parts. A senior police official said Aaftab Amin Poonawala will be taken to some other places in the city for inquiry. Poonawala was taken to the wooded area, surrounded by police personnel.PTI

Imran Khan demands equal treatment for Pak

Former PM Imran Khan has said he wants the United States to have a dignified relationship with Pakistan similar to what it shares with India. In a recent interview with the UK-based Financial Times, Khan stated that India has a “very dignified” relationship with the US. PTI

Djokovic granted visa for 2023 Australian Open

Novak Djokovic has been granted a visa to play in the Australian Open in January, Guardian Australia and state broadcaster ABC reported on Tuesday. He was deported from Australia in the leadup to the Grand Slam in January after he declined to be vaccinated. The former world No. 1 was originally barred from the country until 2025. Reuters

Congress lashes out LDF for Raj Bhavan march plan

The Congress on Tuesday criticised the LDF move to carry out a march to the Raj Bhavan Thiruvananthapuram in protest against Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khan’s actions regarding universities and bills passed by the state legislature, saying it is creating “anarchy” in Kerala. PTI


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