Tag: #IndiaFightsCorona

STUDENTS: MAKE USE OF LOCKDOWN

“Stay Productive Stay Positive”

Covid-19 situation has turned the lives of students into home stay or quarantine. These are the most challenging times that we are living in. The spike in cases of corona has shut educational institutions to practice social distancing and stay indoors.

“Make this pandemic time productive for yourself”

However, this free time is precious for gaining many valuable activities which we do not get in normal days. Most of us must have tired of watching movies, shows etc. But there are plenty of things more than that-

  • Start a reading challenge- If you want to be a good writer or want to enhance your comprehension skills, do start reading articles, stories or whatever you like.
  • Learn a new language- Try to learn a new language of your internet which could help you to freely communicate with the people of that area.
  • Aim a fitness challenge- This is the time you can spend on your body. Do challenge to get regular habit of Yoga.
  • Create a collage- We have a collection of so many photos of childhood, events. This is the time to organize them in diaries, make collage. Remembering the good times will relieve any stress and anxiety.
  • Watch documentaries- Well we spend a lot of time on TV. You can expand your knowledge by watching documentaries on varying topics such as politics, famous heroes, etc.
  • Participate in webinars – Various types of webinars on social issues,skills- based are conducting in this pandemic time, do participate and express your views over the topics.
  • Play indoor-outdoor games- On regular basis, most of us do not get time for playing games. At this time, we can spend it on games which will also help for health of oneself.
  • Work on your hobbies-Spend time on your hobbies which we do not get in busy schedule.
  • Online Courses- There are various online courses to enhance your skills during lockdown. You can get guidance sitting at home for which you want.
  • Communicate with old friends- We are social beings we need to talk to people. In the time social media, try to interact with old friends and share your feelings, remember past memories.
  • Organize your notes- Students preparing for competitive exams, this is the high time for organizing notes and lecture notes.
  • Work for internships- Work from home internships are prevailing in this time. You can apply and work to shape your skills.
  • Learn to cook- Taking this time to learn how to cook will save you future expenditure, keep you healthy and even make you less homesick when you are in hostel.

All these things will engage your mind and will keep away from negative thoughts and feelings.Always try to innovate so to learn more and more new things. I hope you would have learnt so much from this article. Try it……

Learning is more effective when it is active rather than passive process.

E-learning also known as ‘Electronic learning’ has changed the pattern of studying.It is also referred to as online learning which can be obtained through internet using an electronic device.This is the era in which e-learning has gain it’s importance someone has rightly quoted that “Online learning is not the next best thing, it is now the best thing”.E -learning has vast amount of uses across all sectors of society and the available examples are being used effectively.It plays a crucial role for adults as they are busy in their work so it probably flexibility to them to study at any point of time. it is useful for corporative World where company uses E-learning platform to enhance the skills , learning, knowledge and overall productivity of their employees.Another is that many accredated online colleges offer online degree programs and more of them will start to do so incoming years.Online learning has numerous advantages such as the possibility to do self- study.A part from that it is cost effective and cost efficient as it removes geographical restrictions often associated with traditional classroom education.The future of online learning is very bright it will continue to expand as more corporation’s and online learners would recognise the importance of e-learning.

Health facilities in life support

There is constant fear among the frontline health workers in India that the system is under severe stress and can crumble anytime in the middle of the covid-19 pandemic. India is a country that spends just over 1% of its GDP in health infrastructure. Hundreds of people lining up from different parts of the country outside hospitals like AIIMS, RML, GTB etc. is testament to our governments failing to provide affordable basic healthcare facilities to people. Even before the pandemic hit the country, there was 82% shortage of specialists and professionals in all government hospitals. Same goes for lab technicians, nurses and pharmacists.

Now, the covid-19 pandemic has tested and even defeated the health facilities of countries that provide the best healthcare in the world. Even in countries like Italy, Spain, United States and France; hospitals were continuously running out of staff, beds, oxygen cylinders, ventilators, medicines and many other essentials. There was a severe shortage of doctors, nurses and other medical staff to attend the admitted patients and then treatment was eventually handed out in priority basis.

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Wedding halls in Delhi being converted into corona isolation wards

Now consider the nightmare scenario India is currently in. Already the number of positive cases are rising exponentially with no signs of slowing down or even flattening. The ICUs and general wards of Delhi and Mumbai hospitals are almost full. Patients are being denied admission and treatment even for the most serious cases.  There are harrowing reports of people struggling to get a hospital bed including many grieving relatives saying that their loved ones died at the doorsteps of hospitals. In some cases, people even visited 6-7 hospitals and were still denied admission citing non availability of beds.

Nearly 70% beds vacant in COVID-19 hospitals run by Delhi govt, private facilities almost full
Patients waiting for their admission in a hospital in Delhi

And the misery persists even after death. Dozens of grieving men and women keep waiting outside hospitals throughout the day to identify the bodies of their loved ones who died due to COVID-19. Bodies are pilling up in hospital wards. There are chilling visuals of dead bodies left unattended by the hospital staff along with the patients. The relatives are handed over wrong bodies and patients are dangling out of their beds. These sights are becoming increasingly common in government hospitals all across the country.

After receiving hundreds of public interest litigations and taking suo moto cognizance after looking at numerous reports of gross violations of human rights, the high courts and the Supreme Court have come down heavily on central and state governments. The Supreme Court said that the situation is “horrendous” with respect to the handling of Covid-19 patients in Delhi, the capital city, and that the patients are being treated “worse than animals”. The court also slammed the Delhi government on mishandling of the situation and asked them why do the patients have to undergo such pathetic conditions in the hospitals. The situation is more or less the same in the rest of the country too. In Maharashtra, the state which has the maximum number of coronavirus cases, the high court had to direct the government to conduct more tests and increase the number of beds. Many doctors and health experts have said that Mumbai, the financial capital of India, has less than 30 ICU beds remaining.

Social Media: The perfect tool for Digital Marketing

As indicated by one Facebook report, there has been a 70% expansion in time spent on the application in Italy. A March 2020 study of U.S. conducted on online networking users discovered that 43.1%  would scroll through Instagram more whenever staying home while 63.7% and 62.3% used YouTube and Facebook, in comparison to the other websites, more.

Presently is a prime chance to develop business accounts by putting out valuable content that doesn’t focus on a hard sell. The objective should rather be to assemble an internet following through: 

1) For example, how to extract productivity out of “work from home” and methods of reducing expenses on veggies.

2) Posting harious content of mockery, similar to funny clippings and memes. 

3) Collaborating with an influencer. 63% of shoppers trust influencers more than brands and COVID-19 has allowed influencers over a wide scope of ventures to make their administrations accessible at a sensible cost. 

With relatively little expense and exertion, an organization can understand results that keep on profiting them long after the situation improves.

GENERATING MARKETING SCHEMES OVER THE WEB

Online campaigns help to spread the word about their businesses and the new ways of functioning, with less amount of time and effort invested, than asking their regular set of customers to do so.

This can be achieved through Smart bidding like Google Ads, Content Marketing and Coupons designed from Easy Promo Or Woobox

CARRYING OUT DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS ONLINE

There are not many organisations can transition their day-to-day functioning using internet. However due to the availability of video conferencing facilities like Zoom and Google Meet, there can still be interactions between the customers and the buyers. 

Orders of groceries and other essentials can be taken online, education through schools and Institutions is being provided online and live tutorials and sessions are being conducted in which clients are asked to make the payments online. There are several other courses available on digital marketing too  which can be availed to enhance the speed of the working staff and enable them to make the most out of the present situation.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOUR BUSINESS? 

Numerous organizations are curtailing their showcasing endeavors due to COVID-19, however what they should do is multiply while making the most of the new open doors that are springing up. 

This accentuation on digital marketing isn’t something that they’ll need to back off on once the lockdown is over. Internet shopping won’t stop at any point in the near future, and most organizations will find that online associations are more helpful than in-person interactions. 

While it might be viewed right now as an alternate course of action, when the pandemic is over, everybody will probably understand that it’s much more than that.

On the off chance that a very much upgraded site, all around arranged advertising devices, and selection of virtual interchanges can get an organization through one of the most exceedingly terrible crises in present day times, for what reason can’t digital-based promoting make its all intents and purposes relentless?

(Part 3/3)
Hope you all had a good time reading!

Sport is the greatest physical poetry.

Sport is an activity which involves physical strength and skills. It helps to build character and personality of a person. It is a tool which help the body to keep fit.Sport is always been a great interested topic since generations.Few of the most interested sports are Cricket, Football, Basketball, ,Table teniss, Hockey etc. Cricket was originated in England and now is played all around the Globe.There is no end to surprises, and the uncertainties of the game lend to it in the eyes of any of its chief glories.Few famous personalities in cricket are Virat Kohli,Brain Lara ,Adam Gilchrist, Wasim Akram, Sanath Jaisurya. Football originated in Scotland it is a game of excitement and thrill as knowbody knows when the match will take turn. International authority [FIFA] is the caretaker of the football as. Worldwide.Cristanio Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Pele , David Beckham are few famous footballer. Basketball originated in US by James Naismaith.The game has truly become famous in last few years across the Globe. Micheal Jordan, LeBron James,Magic Johnson are few personalities who are famous for playing basketball. Table Teniss is also know as ping-pong and whiff -whaff is a sport it is easy to play. One of the skills which is required is spin which every should be masterd in. Ma Long, Xu-Xin, Tino Boll are famous in playing tennis.

BEEFING-UP THE COMPANY’S WEBSITE

Presently is a lucky opportunity to put resources into longer-term venture channels, especially if an advertising expenditure plan can be rearranged towards that path. 

The global market is chaotic and questionable now, so outbound strategies can presumably be moved to working out inbound resources, similar to the organization blog.

For instance: 

1) Making announcements on the home webpage passing information that the business is willing to support its customers. Incorporating a connecting link to a FAQ where clients can get more data about assistance hours and delivery options. 

2) Reorganising product/services or administration pages with new illustrations and portrayals. Brief specials or discount offers could be made to maximise the orders. 

3) Setting up an internet business framework for taking on the web orders. Major web hosts have incorporated Stripe integration in their progressed facilitating packages. Local companies and small businesses can likewise opt for Shopify or Etsy, which have e-commerce facilities. Many individuals also use Paypal. Managing account there can also speeden up the growth of orders.

Businesses that have generally sold items to customers from shops/stores only  may scrutinize the intelligence of building advanced resources like an online store, accepting that they can’t contend progressively with bigger, established portals like Amazon. 

Notwithstanding, due to over-crowding in web based shopping and much-expanded social networking, individuals are currently holding up longer than even a month to receive their Amazon packages, and no one’s upbeat about it. 

In the event if people discover that an independent business is selling what they require and that they’ll receive it quicker without prolonged delays, they’ll be up for it instantly.

TAKING FIRST STEPS WITH SEO MARKETING

The pandemic has transformed the way customers approach the idea of shopping. Roughly 47%  expressed that they are staying away from shopping centers and strip malls in an online poll. 

Then again, SEO is experiencing a gradual upward trend, with certain brands announcing a noteworthy increment in their search visibiility from January-March 2020. 

Suggested steps towards creating an impactful SEO procedure during Coronoavirus pandemic are as follows: 

1) Content creation intended to fabricate trust.

 COVID prevention measures have made purchasers increasingly pessimistic. As per a Forrester report, they don’t confide in organizations to finish on guarantees. Brand messages should be created with the goal to instruct, advise, and console rather than gruffly requesting a buy. 

2) Adapting a “take-charge” attitude while dealing with the corporate web. 

It is significant for organizations to deliberately deal with their online brands. Refreshing item accessibility, keeping the Google My Business page current and keeping client information secure would all be able to put forth the picture of a reliable business.
ATTRACTING AUDIENCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

An ever increasing number of individuals are managing self-isolation by going on the web to get access to recent news, look for data, and engage themselves.Hence, business social media pages can be easily promoted.

To be continued….

( Part 2/3)

Is Digital Marketing The New Approach Companies Need To Adopt During The Times Of Covid 19?

Some issues tend to just disappear if they don’t receive our attention for a longer period of time. However, the coronavirus pandemic is a mammoth issue for the companies all over the world. It is becoming extremely troublesome to just let go of the problem for it is hugely influencing the way business is being carried out globally.

Furthermore, a lot of businessmen, managers and directors are finding it difficult to bring about a change in their marketing strategies so as to get used to this short-term “new normal”.

The possible reasons could be that they maybe still not convinced to adapt to this sense of normalcy with so much going around and them facing their own issues but whatever the reason, this is only going to lead to much bigger problems and could even result in the downfall of their respective companies.

Moreover, handshakes are being replaced by the new norms of digital marketing and remote work forces during the signing of the business deals amongst a handful of other organisations.

These dynamic companies are not only accepting the Covid-19 world with open arms but are also ramparting the need of the hour, the recession resiliency.

HOW HAVE THE BUSINESSES BEEN IMPACTED?

Despite the fact that somehow, every business has been able to keep itself intact amidst the current situation, it hasn’t been any easier for the small startups due to the lack of capital or reserves to sustain their existence especially those which were massively dependent on physical interactions like beauty salons, fashion boutiques, Health Care Centres for yoga etc.

Since these startups were habituated to getting constant customer reviews and then stimulating their growth, they are now afflicted by colossal losses to such an extent that their spontaneous takeaway on this entire situation has been to minimise the product marketing expenditure which should have otherwise been to explore much innovative methods.

All the types of businesses irrespective of their magnitude of growth can easily extract benefits out of digital marketing. The only thing that needs to be done is to bring about a small change in the route of reaching their customers i.e by making business accounts on social media to ensure the prolonged survival of their businesses.

Because customers are in immediate need of all sorts of products but they cannot step out of their homes so the only way to flourish is by doing business digitally.

THE FIRST STEPS TO CARRYING OUT A BUSINESS ONLINE

In the pre Covid era, every customer was well aware of the the “best” that every local business had to offer. Now as we take the present situation into consideration, some of these local businesses have been shutdown after being categorised as “non essential”. Also, the customers are not informed that whether or not they can still continue to buy products from their local favorites as there is a huge question mark on them being still in business.

So now this is the time that these affected startups and local businesses grab most of the opportunity and make this bold decision to step out from the confining walls of their stores and expose themselves to new horizons by establishing their accounts on social media and connecting with customers all over.

 CONNECTING WITH CUSTOMERS

Given below are enlisted three steps which are crucial in springing up that link between the buyer and the seller and keeping the momentum going to ensure the business continuity and also building strong connections by adhering to the technological aspects of the process.

1) The first email: If the delivery of products like milk, groceries etc has been affected by Covid 19, the business should make an effort to inform its customers via Email or WhatsApp briefing about the new changes. 

2) ‎Updating about post-corona functioning on existing platforms: Businesses who already own emails or other digital communication facilities should inform their customers about the new methoods of operation.

3) ‎ Making announcements: Lastly, a public post on social media needs to be made regarding the resuming of online orders while also briefing about how their business is responding to the pandemic.

P.S~ This is a highly detailed research report that I have done on this topic and hence this is just PART 1 of it so that it doesn’t become too lengthy or monotonous.
Next part would be published soon.

Reference article for deeper insights: https://napoleoncat.com/blog/digital-marketing-during-covid-19/
 

Next pandemic: Mental ILLNESS

Content – This article discusses rise in mental anxiety and depression during Lockdown and Government measure to reduce panic.

  • A survey – 61% Indians are experiencing mental illness related issues due to the uncertainty and financial crisis during the lockdown.
  • Cases of mental illness have risen by 20% since the country went into lockdown.
  • Negative impact of lockdown is heaviest on poor people, daily wages workers, slums and people out of the mainstream.
  • Depression, domestic violence, cases of divorce, suicidal are increased in pandemic due to mental illness.

Corona Virus pandemic has caused severe threats to the lives and the mental health of people.  In response to the problems posed by the pandemic, various public health strategies such as isolation of infected or at-risk persons, reduction of social contact, and simple hygiene like frequent hand wash, have been advised to reduce the risk of infection. Although isolation helps in achieving the goal of reducing infections, reduced access to family, friends, and other social support systems causes loneliness increasing mental issues like anxiety and depression.

Lockdown may be ending but a new pandemic is emerging. According to a survey by Indian Psychiatry Society, within a week of the start of the lockdown, the number of reported cases of mental illness in India had risen by 20%.India will suffer from a massive mental health crisis due to unemployment, alcohol abuse, economic hardship, domestic violence and indebtedness.

The lockdown applied to three main areas: physical movement out of the home, social distancing when outside the home, and restricted availability of most public services while sparing essential services. There was a sudden and drastic alteration in the daily routine, with many millions stranded in boarding houses and rental apartments, without work and far from home.

Lockdown effects on mental status of –

  • Students- shutting down of schools after lockdown announcement. As per the present situation, there is uncertainty when schools, colleges will reopen. This is the crucial time for education sector because of entrance exams of universities and competitive exams,this uncertainty has increased mental anxiety among students.
  • Unemployed people- This pandemic situation has increased burden on unemployed students who were in seek of placements and jobs. Due to high loss in economical conditions of the country, marketinh companies are in loss which leads more to uncertain conditions for hiring students.
  • Daily wage workers- During this lockdown, industries are also at its financial loss, they are unable to pay their workers which leads them to mental and living distress, anxiety among them.
  • Old and sick people- senior citizens during this lockdown has been effected a lot. Daily morning and evening walk, away from thier social circle has lead to both health and mental illness among them. People who are dealing with other chronic diseases like cancer, kidney related, etc are suffering in homes due to closure of OPD’s. This causes mental tension for survival in them.

Mental health is a crucial aspect that needs to be addressed during this lock-down as all modes of communication revolve around the virus.

The central government has taken measures in this regard and has ensured the seepage of rules and measures to both state and local administration.

  • There is a Government controlled website- https://www.mygov.in/covid-19/ provides all the necessary information related to the pandemic. This includes videos and readable material on the infection and the necessary measures to be undertaken.
  • Also, very essentially, and in relevance to the topic of this article, a toll-free helpline number “+91−80-45110007″ has been launched by the “National Institute of Mental Health and Neuri-Sciences” (NIMHANS), a Bengaluru based premier medical institution.

In conclusion, to overcome the challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic, what we need more than anything else is our mental health. Let’s take good care of it.

Changing trend in the market.

Change is the prominent factor in any business and the ability to master and exploit has become one of the most important sought in today’s environment if a business want to sustain. Change gets costlier every day yet not changing be costliest still.So the need of the hour for every business is to adapt to the changes and work accordingly. In the context, of new and emerging trends the basic principles of marketing need to be considered when making any decisions.’Customers satisfaction’ is the key factor which should be kept in mind before launching a product in the mind. Both the social and environmental aspects should be given utmost importance.Now the customised marketing is being promoted by the companies ie, (one to one) marketing. And with the digitalization of the economy and penetration of internet has largely affected the working and operation of the companies.And the last trend in pricing is the flexibility which is dependent on demand and has growing importance in online trading, while being applied more frequently in retails stores such as Amazon. A part from that content creation,social media and video marketing are changing the trends the way brands market to consumers.

IIT-HYDERABAD DEVELOPS CHEAPER COVID-19 TESTING KITS


Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad have developed a first of its kind testing kits for COVID-19 , which can deliver results in under 20 minutes.

“We have developed a Covid-19 testing kit which can deliver results in 20 minutes for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The uniqueness of this test kit is that it functions sans the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR),” Shiv Govind Singh, the professor at IIT-Hyderabad’s Electrical Engineering Department said.

The test kit has been developed at a cost of Rs. 550 , but can be reduced to a cost of upto Rs. 350, if mass produced, they said.

According to researchers, these test kits do not employ the Reverse Transcript Polymerase Chain Reaction, which is the one that is currently being used to detect COVID-19 . Instead provides for an alternative testing method .

While a patent has been filed , the team is conducting test trails for the same at ESIC Medical College & Hospital in Hyderbad. They have also sought for an approval from the Indian Counsil for Medical Research (ICMR) .

“The low cost testing kits are easy to carry around and tests can be done at point of care. The testing methods used is an alternate to the currently employed method.We identified a unique sequence of conserved regions of COVID-19 genome,” said Mr. Singh , who lead the three-member team.

The researchers have also claimed that the ones they have developed were “probe-free” as opposed to the “probe-based” method employed by testing kits currently being used.

Before IIT-Hyderabd, IIT-Delhi became the first academic institute to have obtained the approval of ICMR for a real-time PCRP-based diagnostic assay.

Recent estimates have shown that India has now become the fifth-worst COVID-19 hit country, as it has surpassed Spain by reporting a total of 2,41,970 cases through out the country.