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The Observer An IIJNM publication
Vol 20, Issue 23
Maithili artists in Bihar struggle to survive as the sale of paintings has dipped amidst Covid | P 3
Cyclone Yaas causes heavy damage in Odisha, Bengal
Sea water flooded in Digha, West Bengal | Courtesy: Aman Bharadwaj
Weakens after making an early landfall By Upasana Banerjee Kolkata: Cyclone Yaas weakened into a severe cyclonic storm after making landfall hours before it was expected to on Wednesday, leaving a trail of massive destruction. A PTI report, quoting Odisha’s special relief commissioner P.K. Jena, said seawater entered thousands of houses in Bahanaga and Remuna blocks of the Balasore district. Heavy rain in the Similipal National Park caused fears of a flash flood in the Budhabalang river. In the afternoon, the water level in the river was at 21 metres against the danger mark of 27 metres, Jena added. Reuters quoted West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee as saying that around 20,000 mud houses and temporary shelters were either destroyed or damaged. Banerjee said at least one crore
people in her state have been affected, whereas more than 15 lakh people have been evacuated to safe camps. The Mayurbhanj district administration started evacuating certain vulnerable points on both sides of the river and also from some low-lying areas in the Baripada town, the PTI report said. According to the India Meteorological Department, the cyclone Yaas made landfall between Dhamra and Balasore, Odisha, with a wind speed of about 130140 kmph. The landfall was complete at 1.30 pm. According to India Meteorological Department’s forecast, there will bemoderate to heavy rain in the adjacent states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Sikkim and Meghalaya. Mokhsita Sharma, a resident of Balasore, informed The Observer: “We are witnessing high tides in Chandipur. People residing there have been evacuated from their huts safely.” Continued on page 4 l Heavy rains in Kolkata as Yaas hits Odisha coast, P 5
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Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Video consultation on health of pets surges as parents find it feasible to consult vets online | P 6
Companies cut down on hiring, fresh graduates badly affected
Second wave has squeezed the employment mkt By Mahitha Owk
Hyderabad: The Covid-19 pandemic has badly affected the Indian economy, increasing unemployment. Recent graduates are struggling to get jobs. Navya Sree, who completed her BSc in Computer Science soon after the pandemic began, is still looking for a job. “I am being offered call centre and data-entry jobs. I don’t want to start my career with such work. I want a job that I deserve,” Navyashree informed The Observer. According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, the unemployment rate, which fell to 6.5 per cent in March 2021 after the first wave, touched 8 per cent in April, the highest level it has reached this calendar year. Sai Moulya, who graduated this year, said: “Knowing the conditions outside, I think it’s a waste of time to even search for a job.” She tried to get a job via college placements. However, since very few companies came to hire students, the competition was tough. While students are waiting to be placed, others who were awaiting offer letters were disappointed when the companies had to let them go due to Covid-19. Astha Oriel was selected by a
Fresh graduates are struggling to get jobs.| Courtesy: Pexels global media organization in March 2020. Though she was selected, in the end, they did not hire her citing economic losses due to the pandemic. “It was the dream company I always wanted to work with. Since then, I have been anxious all the time. I worried whether I would get placed at a place where I could share my skills.” After looking around for several months, Astha got recruited as a journalist in a news firm. There are very few who get lucky like Pooja Baldev. She was hired as an HR trainee – her dream job – without much difficulty. “In fact, I was very picky about the roles I was looking for. But, still, there are many who are looking for a job.” A recent study by India Skills Report said that in 2021, only
45.9 per cent of all graduates have been found employable. Placement Cell coordinator Deepika Phakke of St Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, said companies that usually come to hire students have reduced in number. Every year, almost 70 per cent of their students get placed. Last year, many received offer letters, but the companies, in the end, did not hire them citing the pandemic. People who lost their jobs during the first wave still remain unemployed. The second wave has hit businesses hard. Madhu Manohara Rao, MD of Lakshmi Private Ltd, a finance company, informed The Observer: “We are struggling to pay the existing employees for a year. How can we hire new ones?” Continued on page 5
Doreswamy passes away at 103
H
.S. Doreswamy, the 103year-old freedom fighter, has passed away following a cardiac arrest, in Bengaluru, PTI reported. He died after a heart attack at about 1.40 pm, said Sirimane Nagaraj, his close associate. Doreswamy had contracted Covid and was discharged from hospital on May 13. However, he had to be readmitted on May 14 following complaints of weakness An activist and journalist, Doreswamy ran a publication house called Sahitya Mandira, and the newspaper Pauravani during British rule.
Doreswamy was actively involved in political movements even after independence by actively engaging in protests like the Bhoodan movement. He also actively participated in the Unification of Karnataka movement. Congress leader Siddaramaiah has expressed sorrow over Doreswamy’s death. Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has expressed sorrow on the freedom fighter’s death. Doreswamy had participated in a protest in 2020 against the Citizenship Amendment Act. He had joined JP’s movement against the Emergency.
Doreswamy, who recently recovered from Covid-19, died of cardiac arrest | @souravshetty20