Author: Sakina Raj

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World Day Against Child Labour 2021: NGOs in Udaipur Fighting Against Child Labour!

World Day Against Child Labour 2021

For the first time in two decades, the number of children working has increased to 160 million worldwide, up to 8.4 million in only four years, while millions more are at risk owing to the COVID-19 pandemic lately. Therefore, there is a dire need to promote social protection programmes to help children get out of the labour market and back into schools. In 2002, the International Labour Organization (ILO) established the World Day Against Child Labour to draw attention to the global scope of child labour and the actions and efforts required to end it. Each year on 12th June, thousands of people across the country plead to rescue the child labourers. “Act Now: End Child Labour” is considered the theme of this year’s World Day Against Child Labour.

NGOs in Udaipur to protect Children from Child Labour

The burgeoning issue of child labour in Udaipur has been an eye-opener for many of us. Child labour deprives children of their dignity and is bad for their physical and mental wellbeing. Moreover, child labour is morally unacceptable and deprives children of the opportunity to go to school. Children are commonly engaged in non-harmful work, both paid and unpaid, across the city. They are categorised as child labourers; however, they are either too young to work or are engaged in dangerous activities that could jeopardise their physical, mental, social, or educational development.

To eradicate the situation and act against child labour, the NGOs based in Udaipur are vigorously working. If you ever come across any situation where you see a child working or involved in any hazardous activity, you can call any of the NGOs listed below.

Prayas Centre for Labour Research and Action

Name of the NGO: Prayas Centre for Labour Research and Action

Contact: +91-94142 96542

Email: info@clra.in

Address: Fatehpura, Udaipur

Operational Areas: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha.

Gayatri Seva Sansthan

Name of the NGO: Gayatri Seva Sansthan

Contact: +91-99826 17296

Emergency Helpline Number: +91- 88909 26243

Email: info@gayatrisansthan.org

Address: Hiran Magri, Sector-6, Udaipur

Operational Areas: Rajasthan, Haryana, and Himachal.

World of Humanity – Narayan Seva Sansthan

Name of the NGO: World of Humanity – Narayan Seva Sansthan

Contact: 0294-662 2222

Email: info@narayanseva.org

Address: Head Office, Narayan Seva Sansthan Seva Dham Seva Nagar, Hiran Magri, Sector-4, Udaipur

Operational Areas: All over India and abroad (total 480 branches across India)

ARTH (Action Research and Training for Health)

Name of the NGO: ARTH (Action Research and Training for Health)

Contact: 0294-298 0075

Email: arth@arth.in

Address: Udaipur

Operational Areas: Udaipur (Mainly Badgaon)

Jatan Sansthan

Name of the NGO: Jatan Sansthan

Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pledge

Address: Udaipur

Operational Areas: Udaipur

 

As active citizens of Udaipur, we are required to put a lid on the increasing issue of Child Labour in our city. If you ever encounter any incident where a child is being enslaved and exposed to serious harm or illness, please contact any of the NGOs given in the above list. It is time for us to Act now and End Child Labour!

If you are an organisation/group or know any that fights against child labour, then write to us at info@udaipurblog.com

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News

How to Report Cybercrime in Udaipur? Know all about the process here!

How to report cybercrime in udaipur

Today’s society is highly interactive on the web and social platforms, and the millennials are usually connected to the internet for pretty much the whole day. Moreover, the work-life of many people revolves around the internet. Whether it’s social media or any other internet-based service, staying online makes you vulnerable in every possible sense since your personal information is on the show to everyone looking vigorously.

Any malicious or harmful activity done to a person using the internet services is known as Cybercrime. Although our devices and interactions on the internet are strongly encrypted, these hackers and stalkers can find a way to get into our cyberspace. Unfortunately, too many aged people and even youngsters are victims of Cybercrime since they easily get carried away by the information offered to them over the call or through social media messages.

Look at the types of Cybercrime and see where you fall as a victim.

Common Use Cases and Types of Cybercrime

Cybercrime usually falls under two categories: criminal activities that target and second is criminal activities that take up other computers to commit crimes anonymously. Here are some specific examples of various cybercrimes happening around us:

Email and Internet Fraud

Email fraud (or email scam) uses email to deceive another person for personal benefit or harm another person. Emails are still used to scam individuals almost as soon as they became extensively utilised. A “con game,” or a dupe, can be used to commit email fraud. Confidence tactics usually prey on the victims’ innate greed and dishonesty. Spoofing, phishing, bogus offers, requests for help, etc., are some examples of email or internet fraud cybercrime in India.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is a serious problem in India (where personal information is stolen and used). This type of crime involves people who wrongfully obtain your personal information and uses it for deception, or mainly economic benefit. For example, people on social media extract information from their friends and make a fake profile out of it. They then message or DM you to ask for money, saying they got into a problem and he or she urgently needs a certain amount to get out of the problem. This is a serious identity theft that is quite common, and people all over India and beyond are victims of such frauds.

Fake Profiles on social media

There are people who make fake profiles on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, etc. The fake profiles then try to connect with you and extract personal information from you. Here, the fake profiles try to connect with you through video call, DM, or text messages, record your conversation, edit them, send your friends in your list, and demand money to take it down from the internet. There are many incidents that took place in our city where fake profiles connect with you and extract personal information from you. For example, the alleged fake profile video calls you on WhatsApp and record the screen to edit it with nudes further and send it to your list of friends on Facebook. They can get your number from Facebook as well if you have provided the same over there. Now they would ask for ransom money in order to take down the video from the internet.

Financial Fraud (Credit Card Payments & Data)

Credit card fraud refers to any type of fraud involving a payment card, such as a credit or debit card. For example, the objective could be to obtain goods or services or make a payment to a criminal-controlled account. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a data security standard designed to assist businesses in securely processing card payments and reducing fraud. Credit cards are, however, far more secured than ever, with regulatory authorities, card issuers, and banks putting in a lot of time and effort to work with investigators all around the world to make sure that fraudsters don’t succeed. In addition, regulations that hold the card provider and bank accountable frequently protect cardholders’ money from scammers.

Aged people and naïve or uneducated people are the most vulnerable to credit card frauds. There are incidents where scammers call these people and ask them for their mail address, OTP, PIN, etc., to steal money further. You would be surprised by how many people fall for this malicious activity and make these scammers rich.

To safeguard you from credit card or financial frauds, Indian banks such as ICICI, HDFC, etc., have introduced various emergency guidelines. You can on the toll-free number given on their websites to report credit card fraud, and you can reimburse the stolen money.

Theft and sale of corporate data

The conduct of stealing information from company databases, devices, and servers is known as data theft. This type of corporate theft is a serious threat to businesses of all sizes, and it can come from both inside and outside the company. Normally, corporate data theft takes place in big or renowned companies since they have a lot of personal and financial information, making them vulnerable to these scammers or hackers. However, with the burgeoning development in technology, it is next impossible for scammers to get past the highly encrypted security system used by big organisations.

The process to report Cybercrime in Udaipur, Rajasthan

The applicant must file a cyber-crime allegation with the city’s cyber-crime cell, where they are currently living. If the claimant does not have access to any cyber cells, they can file a “First Information Report (FIR)” at the nearest police station. If the report is not acknowledged there, they might file a complaint with the Commissioner or the district level police authority office. However, cyber-crime cells are only present in Jaipur in the whole Rajasthan, so if they have to register any complaint, they are advised to go to the local/nearest police station to file a complaint.

National Cybercrime portal

If you want to report a cybercrime online, then you can log in to www.cybercrime.gov.in with the help of your mobile number to file a complaint on this portal. There are Nodal Officers in every state who are appointed under the provision of IT (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by the public). The e-compliant is then sent to the local police station from the cyber-crime cell to get it resolved.

Steps to register through National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal:

  • Go to the online portal
  • Please click the “Report other Cyber Crime” menu option.
  • You will be redirected to a new screen, and please go through the information provided and then click on the “File a complaint” button.
  • Click on the “I Accept” button when you have read all the terms and conditions.
  • You will now reach the login page, where you can access the “Citizen Login” section.
  • Complete the details as prompted and click on the “Get OTP” button to get OTP in your registered number.
  • Enter the OTP and click the “Submit” button.
  • Once you have successfully logged in, the applicant will reach the “Report & Track” page.
  • Fill in the complete details as prompted for Incident Details, Suspect Details, and Complaint Details one by one.
  • Once you have reached the “Preview & Submit” section, you can preview the application. If every detail entered is correct, you can go ahead and click on the “I Agree” box and then click the “Confirm and Submit” button.
  • You will receive an acknowledgement number, so save it for future reference and click the “OK” button to clock the popup for acknowledgement.
  • Click on the “Download PDF” button to download or print the application form.
  • This issue will be looked at further. To track the resolution process, please follow the department’s instructions.

Apply in-person

  • The victim of Cybercrime must file a report detailing the entire incident, including a brief history.
  • Go to a local cyber-crime unit. Since we do not have a cybercrime unit in Udaipur, you can go to the nearest police station.
  • The applicant can record a “Zero FIR” through a policeman, then forwarded it to the nearest police station to file the complaint.
  • The department will investigate this report, and the complainant will be updated on the process.
  • To obtain justice, the applicant must adhere to the department’s notification.

How can you prevent Cybercrime?

While it may not be possible to eliminate Cybercrime and assure complete internet security entirely, organisations may mitigate their risk by implementing an effective cybersecurity strategy that employs a defence-in-depth approach to protect systems, networks, and data. However, when we talk about personal information and Cybercrime, it mostly depends on how we protect our data and stay aware of the information we put up on the internet. Here are a few steps to prevent Cybercrime:

  1. Every day there are more than 50 cases related to fake profiles on Facebook that get registered in the city. Therefore, instead of going to the police and waiting for the issue to get resolved, you can now complain on Facebook itself and get the fake ID removed. You can even call on 155260 to remove the fake profile immediately.
  2. Don’t pick up the call if the number is registered as spam. Beware of strange numbers and do not trust them even for a moment. They would try and lure you into things and make you share your bank information or OTP eventually. This is common among aged people, so they need to aware of the same. Even if you pick up the call by mistake or out of curiosity, don’t answer any personal question and disconnect the call as soon as you feel they are trying to entice you for something.
  3. You might often ignore the privacy settings on your social media accounts, but it is incredibly important. Change the privacy setting to make your post visible only for friends and your registered mobile number and email id only for friends and me to make your friend list only for me. Change the password of the account every month and keep both the mobile number and email ID connected to the account in your account. For the past few days, many cases are coming in which blackmailing is being done by making video calls on Facebook and WhatsApp. If something like this happens to you, first deactivate your ID, block the number from which they are blackmailing you, do not pay the ransom money, and report to the nearest police station. Make sure you keep the evidence, such as the registered number, recording of the call, text messages on social media, etc., to make it easier for the police to investigate further.
  4. To report a fake profile, log in to Facebook, open the fake profile, click on the 3 dots beside the name of the ID. You will find an option for “Find Support or Report Profile” where you will find three options to report a fake profile. If the fake profile has impersonated you then click on “Pretending to be someone” and click the ME option. If the fake profile is of your friend then click on A FRIEND, and then click on NEXT to report it further. Click on FAKE ACCOUNT if the fake ID is not from your friend list. Lastly, click on the submit button and select the DONE option. You will receive a case number in your inbox and Facebook’s team will investigate the issue on their end.
  1. Always use two-factor authentication apps (2FA) or physical security keys for every online account you use.
  2. Keep your social media platforms updated to have the recent software and security updates.
  3. Regularly back up data and information to minimise the impact of a ransomware attack or data breach.

 

We would like to thanks Manas Trivedi of Rakshasutra Foundation for his expert inputs. We hope these tips and preventative measures help you avoid falling foul of Cybercrime. However, if all else is not useful or effective, spotting that you are a victim of Cybercrime is very important so that you can go ahead and report the fraudulent activities. So, now that you understand the extent of Cybercrime through this article protect yourself from it!

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Social

Meet the Organization that donates 4000+ Units of Blood Every Year!

Rakt Data Yuva Vahini udaipur

The idea of donating blood is still foreign to some people. When asked, “Have you ever donated blood?” the answer wasn’t exactly yes, but no one was against the idea either. India is a country known for its generous and compassionate people, yet only 1% of our entire population donates blood every year. This results in blood scarcity, as cancer patients, accident victims, and surgical patients all require blood transfusions. In addition, certain fallacies regarding blood donation, as well as a lack of knowledge about the health advantages of blood donation, deter most people from donating blood.

Well, I recently got a chance to speak with Mr. Arpit Kothari, a notable person known to work for donating blood through his uncountable blood donation drives. Arpit works with a team of more than 1000 people, tirelessly working to supply blood to as many patients as they can. Being in this charitable and donation organization in Udaipur for more than a decade now, Arpit and his team have been a life saviour for patients suffering from the deathly Coronavirus. Since the first wave began, he is encouraging people to donate blood whenever they can to save the lives of people who are in dire need of it. So, not wasting further time with the pleasantries, let’s listen to his journey of supplying blood to thousands of people in and around Udaipur and what’s his story so far.

Tell me something about Rakt Data Yuva Vahini and how did you start the blood donation drives?

We started this organization in the year 2012, and we were five people who initially came up with the idea of helping people who needed blood. Dinesh Soni, Kamlesh Acharya, Dilip Sahu, Kapil Daya, and I were the first five people to start Rakt Data Yuva Vahini. It has almost been a decade since we started the organization, and now, we have a team of 13 people who are actively involved in looking after the major cases and a team of 1000+ volunteers who work selflessly with us every day. Initially, we made a small group on WhatsApp to identify the blood requirement and for the planning of blood donation camps in and around Udaipur. We have a large tribal group or community residing in the remote areas of Udaipur, and they have no idea where to go or whom to reach if they need blood. Thus, it became my goal at that time to raise awareness about blood donation and supply.

Rakt Data Yuva Vahini udaipur

What encouraged you to start a blood donation service?

Seeing the shortage of blood in Udaipur and listening about the tribal groups as well as people migrating from villages in search of blood motivated me to reach out to them and help find blood without any hassle.

How many people do you reach recently, and what is the number of regular blood donation drives you have executed so far?

As I said, we started at a very small level, so back then, our team could hardly reach 30 to 40 people a month who were willing to donate blood. However, if I compare that number with the recent statistics, it is surely 10 to 15 times higher than what we used to get earlier. Fortunately, we are now able to get at least 20 cases per day on average. With the support of everyone, our organization has grown immensely. Earlier, we were connected with one or two blood banks. Now we can proudly say that Rakt Data Yuva Vahini is the only organization connected to seven blood banks in Udaipur, which is the total number of existing blood banks in the city.

Rakt Data Yuva Vahini udaipur

How do you conduct regular blood donation camps, and what is the response so far?

We conduct two types of campaigns; one is the regular blood donation drives, and the other is live blood donation. Well, to talk about the current scenario, we are not having a larger number of turnoffs with the blood banks in the city. However, we are fulfilling the daily blood requirement through Live Blood Donations. Our donors are aware of our urgent requirements and are always available for help whenever asked.

The negative group is hard to store compared to the positive group, and it has a less storage period, which is why we mostly prefer live donations for negative groups. I would thank the donors associated with us, especially those who have donated blood even after midnight.

If we talk about the current scenario, how have you helped the Corona patients, and what was the success rate?

Honestly, people weren’t aware of blood donation when we started in 2012, but after the influence of social media and city-oriented platforms such as UdaipurBlog, we are able to get more requests for blood donation. It has been an absolute honour to say that every year we are able to give 4000+ units of blood, both regular blood donation camps and live donation camps. I am proud that Rakt Data Yuva Vahini is the only organization that has conducted blood donation camps outside Udaipur, especially in the tribal belts and rural areas around the district. We have worked very hard for plasma donation, especially when it comes to finding the right blood type. People from Udaipur and beyond had reached out to us for plasma (when the practice was in use) even after midnight, and our donors and team members never faltered a step to reach them as soon as possible.

Rakt Data Yuva Vahini udaipur

What is that one incident that inspired you and encouraged you to keep working for blood donation?

I have conducted a lot of camps in many locations in Rajasthan, and there is an ample number of incidents that have inspired me to keep working for the selfless and noble cause. To tell you one incident from so many would be hard for me, but I am going to say that the passion and willpower of people in Sadri have blown my mind. There was not a single family or member of the village that did not donate or come forward to help when we went to the blood donation camp. Seeing those people and their passion for helping others without any awareness inspired me the most.

What are the myths about blood donation, and how do you deal with them?

A lot of people are afraid that donating blood would cause them fatigue. They even come up with the worse and say that they would die if they donated blood. It makes me sad to hear that most of us are unwilling to help others, even if it’s for a good cause. However, to answer the question, I would say that there are many myths associated with blood donation, and all of them leads to one thing that is “What if we die or catch some other disease?” but let me tell you, by donating blood you are saving yourself. In fact, donating blood makes you stronger and helps you fight deadly diseases in the future. After you donate blood, your blood becomes thinner, and it starts producing new cells, making you even healthier.

What message would you like to give to our audience?

I would like to say that you donate blood whenever you get a chance and try to be someone’s hero! We can see the visible demands such as accident cases, pregnancy case, etc., but we don’t know about the invisible demands of blood, such as children who are suffering from thalassemia. They require blood every 15 days or a month, depending on the severity of the condition. Around 400 children in Udaipur are suffering from thalassemia, and they do not have access to blood. It is my dream to help those 300 to 400 children who are going through this challenging disease alone and provide them with a constant source of blood supply so that they can keep up with their lives.

So, I request people to come forward and donate blood for these children so that they can have a beautiful future.

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People

Longest No Hands Motorcycle Wheelie: New Guinness World Record set by this Udaipurite

Adding another feather in his cap, Rohitesh Upadhyay, from Udaipur, broke a 17-year-old world record and got recognized by the Guinness World Book of Records! Rohitesh has proudly represented India across the world by breaking the world record for the “Longest No Hands Motorcycle Wheelie”, which is one of the most difficult types of wheelies in the Sportbike Freestyle Riding (SFR). In this record, the rider has to let go of the handlebar, and cover a certain distance in a straight line, with the front wheel up in the air, without touching the motorcycle by hands or tripping over.

The targeted distance for Rohitesh was 89 meters while holding his stance, which was made by the previous world record holder, AC Farias of Brazil and was unbroken for past 17 years. Rohitesh, on the other hand, maintained the stance for a total of 567 meters, about 6 times higher than the previous world record! Thus, after years of training, he was able to achieve that great distance withstanding his position for the longest time. The results for the same were announced by the Guinness World Book of Records in April 2021. 

Rohitesh’s accomplishment also got featured in a Spanish magazine named Soymotero. The magazine mostly features the latest motorbikes and equipment.

For those who are wondering, Rohitesh is the same guy who previously registered his record for “Longest No Hands Motorcycle Wheelie”, in the International Book of Records and Golden Book of Records in 2020, where he was able to reach a distance of 125 meters, bound by logistics and venue limitations. However, his determination and hard work paid off eventually, and he has now set a strong record for the ones to come next.

“I wish people recognize this as a serious skill and something more than entertainment. Also, I hope I can say to the youth of today to keep this activity off the streets as it is not only illegal but absolutely dangerous for both the rider and the pedestrians”, says Rohitesh. The trick is supposed to be performed under expert supervision, and no one without training should copy the same without knowing the risks involved with the same.

With years of practice and resolve, Rohitesh Upadhyay has made Udaipur proud again. Kudos to him!

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People Social

World Environmental Day special Weekend Read: UB Baatcheet with Bhuvnesh Ojha, founder of Pukaar

As we mark World Environment Day (WED) on 5th June, we should pay attention to warnings and take them seriously. And environmental alarm bells are no exception! On biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and climate change, there are a plethora of startling statistics. Facts to which we can no longer turn a blind eye. So, in the lead up to World Environment Day, we bring you another episode of UB Baatcheet. We have all heard about how important it is to plant trees, but we aren’t so quick to implement. Therefore, to know about the dos and don’ts of plantation, we have an expert who will educate us about the same. Today, our guest is Mr. Bhuvnesh Ojha, Founder of Pukaar Foundation, an exceptional environmentalist and has inspired everyone around us. Let’s hear about how they started and what inspired him to work for the environment.

Watch the full video below:

Highlight transcript from the video:

How did you start Pukaar?

It has always been my dream to work for the environment. This thought came into my mind when I was in 8th grade, and I saw that my village (near Bhilwara) has a lot of uncultivated and barren land. I used to hear from my grandfather and father that many farmers are committing suicide due to lack of land and crop production, so I thought, why not make the barren land useful by giving it some attention. But obviously, when I discussed this idea with my friends, they told me that I would need capital/money to start social work. I heard about some guys who went to IIT and got a package of 1 crore per year, and I thought, why not do something like this to raise money for my social work. I went to Kota for higher studies, and there I found motivation from various experiences that now is the time to start doing something for the environment. I still remember that quote from Steve Jobs – “If today were the last day of your life, would you want to do what you are about to do today?” and that hit me hard. We planted the first plant of Pukaar on 10th March 2013; at that time, we were not even sure about the name of this foundation, and we were just a bunch of friends from my colony. Slowly and gradually, the children in the neighbourhood also started taking part in the plantation drive. We started buying plants from our pocket money and planted 20 to 30 plants. Our work slowly got viral on social media, and we got a lot of requests for volunteer work. So, on 10th November 2013, we did a plantation drive outside our colony (100 ft. road, Udaipur), and we dedicated a Sunday for planting trees. After that, it became our motive to dedicate every Sunday to plantation drives with as many people. From 2013, we have dedicated 310 Sundays till now.

What challenges has Pukaar faced till now?

The biggest challenge was to raise awareness about planting trees and explaining to people why it is such a big deal. I was a teenager when I started plantation drives in Udaipur and when we used to talk to senior people or give them advice about which plant to use, they had this sense of superiority that was a challenge. Funding was another challenge we faced, and I believe a lot of non-profits face the issue where they cannot get enough funding to support the cause. Also, after receiving the funding, the implementation process further becomes a challenge. However, when there is a team spirit and passion for making a difference, the obstacles seem smaller.

When did you know that you can make a difference on a bigger scale?

Even after working for a decade, I still can’t make peace with what we have done so far. When your targets are bigger, then getting every accomplishment to feel small. However, when I see that the forests we planted and cultivated are now home to honeybees and birds, that makes me immensely happy and motivated me to do more and more plantation drives.

What is Miyawaki Forestation, and what steps did you take in this direction?

Miyawaki is a technique where you can plant a forest even in a tiny, room-size area. The technique is immensely helpful for your health as well as your biodiversity. Dr. Akira Miyawaki, a Japanese Botanist, invented this technique in the 1970s, and he followed the natural process to make this standard method of growing a tiny forest near you. It is imperative to plan local crops or plants because only those will help the ecosystem around you. Every soil has its own components, and it is vital to understand the same and plant trees that are suitable for the environment. So, first, we try to extract a lot of forests near Udaipur, such as the Jaisamand area, Chirwa, Sajjangarh, and nearby regions. Then, we study the region’s soil and plant only those trees that can naturally grow there. These forests tend to grow denser with time and eventually helps to absorb the microbes and pollution around us. Basically, they act as a filter wall for you, which is why the Miyawaki technique became so popular.

What can we do, or the steps can we take to protect the environment?

The first thing I would like to say is that don’t plant non-native species around your home and switch to native species since only those plants contribute to the environment around you. Some of the best choices for a home garden or nearby areas are moulshree or Bosali, Amaltas, Kachnar or Bauhinia, Shehtoot or Mulberries, Harsingar or Night Jasmine, or Moringa (Sejan ki Phali) or Drumsticks.

What message would you like to give the readers of UdaipurBlog?

Firstly, I would like to say that whenever we want to achieve something big, we have to take baby steps. So, if we want to save ourselves and the earth, then we must restore the oxygen banks that is our forests and vegetation around us.

Let’s reconnect with our villages and stop the carbon footprint around us! More power to the people who are working for plantation drives and trying to make a difference.

Categories
News

Udaipur based GR Infraprojects files for IPO

GR Infraprojects, a road engineering, acquisition, and development firm headquartered in Udaipur, has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with the market’s regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) for its first initial public offering (IPO). The IPO will be worth between INR 800-1000 crore.

To talk about the company, GR Infraprojects is a firm registered as a construction group empaneled by the PWD or Public Works Department, Government of Rajasthan. The company is located in Hiran Magri, Sector 11, Udaipur.

About GR Infraprojects

GR Infraprojects is an integrated road EPC firm with expertise in the design and development of numerous road/highway projects in 15 Indian states, as well as a recent foray into railway projects. After its inception in December 1995, the company has steadily expanded its implementation capability in terms of the scale of projects it has bid on and completed.

GR Infraprojects has more than 25 years of experience in the road industry, including the design and development of state and national highways, bridges, culverts, flyovers, airport runways, tunnels, and rail over-bridges. One of GR Infraprojects’ first infrastructure projects was for the Rajasthan Public Works Department in 1997, with a Bid Project Cost of 26.50 million, while the project recently awarded by NHAI, namely the Vadodara Mumbai Expressway project in Maharashtra on a HAM basis, to the company in 2020, has a Bid Project Cost of 27,470.00 million.

The forte of the GR Infra project is civil development, and since 2006, it has completed over 100 road-building projects. In addition to state and national highways, GR has built bridges, culverts, flyovers, airport runways, and rail over bridges.

According to Economic Times, the company’s income from operations rose at a CAGR of 39% over the last three fiscal years, rising from INR 3,295 Crores in FY2018 to INR 6,373 Crores in FY2020, while profit increased from INR 413 Crores in FY2018 to INR 799 Crores in FY20.

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Featured Social

Expert Advice on How to Deal with Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

UB Baatcheet with Dr. Sushil Kherada about Mental Health

While the Corona outbreak in the country is at its peak, it is rather difficult for some people to maintain their sanity during these testing times. It is natural for anyone to feel elevated levels of depression and anxiety during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly due to social isolation. Physicians and other frontline health care workers are especially vulnerable to detrimental mental health outcomes when they try to reconcile the responsibility of caring for patients with questions for their own health and well-being.

The lockdown days and the impact of COVID-19 have been adverse on us, and some of you might feel both physically and mentally exhausted. However, a few of us would criticize for raising mental health issues since it is not that consequential for them. We say you block out those people from your lives, pronto, and start taking care of yourself mentally!

A Weekend Read: Conversation with Dr. Sushil Kherada about Mental Health During COVID-19 in Udaipur

These times are depressing for sure, so we got in touch with a mental health expert, Dr. Sushil Kherada. He is a senior professor and head of the department in RNT Medical college, department of psychiatry, and we connected with him live on our platform. Let’s hear out the experts’ thoughts on the issue of mental health among the people.

People have different perceptions about mental health and don’t tend to give it much importance. What are your thoughts on the same, and what can you tell us about mental health?

“A healthy body comes with a healthy mind, and vice versa”, says Dr. Sushil when asked about the burgeoning issue of mental health during the pandemic in our country. There is a chemical reaction in your body to every negative thought you have, and studies have found that poor mental health conditions also lead to deadly diseases such as Cancer. A person cannot be productive or, say, can actively contribute to the lifestyle if he or she is not mentally healthy, which is why it is quite unfortunate that people don’t give much importance to mental health.

Sadly, people who are experiencing stress or exhaustion often don’t recognize the reason behind their inability to perform the mundane tasks and are afraid of taking help from a Mental Health Expert. Only 25-30% of the total number of people experiencing mental health issues tend to reach expert help. The Indian society calls mental health patients “Insane” or “Mad”, which makes it hard for them to cope with their issues.

How many people do you think are aware of the issue or concept of Mental Health in Udaipur?

People experiencing fever or cough would consult their physician immediately, but those undergoing mental health issues would not be that enthusiastic about reaching a Mental Health Expert. 75% of individuals do not tend to reach for mental care or help due to society’s preconceived notions about the same. It is especially important to bridge the gap between the mental health patients and get the right help so that more and more patients can get the right treatment in our city and beyond. This can only happen if people start accepting that poor mental health also makes a person unfit or sick.

People have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 Pandemic; they have to hassle for fulfilling even the mundane or daily chores, affecting their mental health. So, how do you suggest a common man can cope with the current situation?

Social media is full of news about the Coronavirus, and in today’s age, news travels faster on social media than any other platform. “I would call the current situation an Infodemic rather than Pandemic because there is a flood of both accurate and inaccurate information on the social media platforms, which is a major cause of panic among the masses”, says Dr. Kherada. Media plays an important role in keeping the population sane by forwarding positive and accurate news to avoid fear and fallacy. Boredom, frustration, irritation, hopelessness, isolation, anxiety, depression, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), suicide, etc., are some reactions that are commonly identified in people due to confinement in their homes during the lockdown.

Many patients suffering from Coronavirus are in home isolation, and their family is afraid to go near them, so how do you suggest overcoming this fear and panic?

Staying positive should be the topmost priority to gain strength to overcome this phase. Following the right information and taking the necessary precautions will help people to overcome the fear. “Maintain Social Distancing, not Emotional Distancing. Be emotionally available, talk to your friends, family members, neighbours, etc. and be in touch with them virtually”, says Dr. Sushil. Set a routine, try out new things, indulge yourself with your hobbies, and do yoga or exercise to keep yourself busy. It will help you take away your mind from the rising fear and panic in the country. Love and compassion towards the patients and each other are the keys to fighting this pandemic and keeping you mentally fit and healthy.

What impact do you think the COVID-19 Pandemic would have on us in the future? Can it create more and new mental health issues in the near future?

A key to overcome mental illness is to prepare the person to fight upcoming challenges effectively. Thus, we need to prepare ourselves to fight these issues with patience and empathy. “The current phase is a test for us to become a better citizen, a better person for our family and close ones. So, let’s utilize this time to change your life for the better”, says Dr. Sushil.

How can students and employees working from home overcome the feeling of helplessness and depression and be mentally fit?

People often say that “I am busy and don’t have time for any additional things”, so this is your time to do what you love. Be it a hobby or a new thing that you wanted to learn for a long time but couldn’t get time to do so, this is your chance to actually practice those things.

How to deal with anxiety and procrastination?

There are some relaxation exercises that you can practice to reduce anxiety. Changing our mindset can be a great help to fight anxiety.

Inner peace and motivation are low during the time of lockdown. What do you suggest our viewers can do to cope with the same?

Lack of spiritual values can be a factor that leads to a lack of inner peace. Meditation and indulging yourself in positive activities can be helpful to motivate yourself. Reducing anger, balancing your life, and not feeling competitive towards your peers can help you gain inner peace.

Coming to an end to our conversation with Dr. Sushil, the foremost thing we have learnt is to reduce our fear and panic caused by COVID-19 by being positive and hopeful. The conversation has been very enlightening and valuable for people who are experiencing mental health issues. Hope you find the suggestions and recommendations helpful, and start prioritizing your mental health first!

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UIT approves a budget of 83 crores for various development works in Udaipur – Know all details here

On Tuesday, 25th May 2021, UIT Chairman and District Collector Chetan Deora presided over a general meeting of the UIT at the District Collectorate. According to the budget release at the meeting, a roadmap was established and approved numerous significant developments works in the city involving traffic ease, infrastructure development, and aesthetics.

UIT has sanctioned 22 development works worth 83.33 crores on Tuesday, 25th May 2021. Administrative and financial approval has been given for these works during the trust meeting, with the majority of the work being in the road network and drainage system. The Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, announced a budget of INR 150 Crores for the infrastructural development, of which INR 83.33 crores was given Administrative and Financial Approval by the UIT.

District Collector addressing the general meeting of UIT.
District Collector addressing the general meeting of UIT.

5.5 km Inner Ring Road from Bhuwana to Pratapnagar

Under the approved budget, the biggest one is a 5.5 km long four-lane road from Bhuwana Chauraha to Pratapnagar; that will be developed as an inner ring road, and three underpasses will also be constructed on the road. This 5.5-kilometer inner ring road will begin at the Bhuwana Circle and end at Pratapnagar chauraha. This is aimed at easing traffic once Debari Kaya bypass traffic opens up, and will also help coaches and players to reach Khelgaon. Apart from this reinforcements of some roads nearby and development of a community hall under the South Extension scheme are also on cards. (More details below)

Preservation and beautification of Bahubali Hills

To preserve and beautify Bahubali Hills, new tourist attraction near Badi lake, UIT has approved a budget of 50 Lakhs for the same. In the first step, plantation and drip irrigation works at Bahubali Hills shall be carried out to improve the greenery of this attractive location.

Construction of Causeway at Bedla

The trust meeting also approved the construction of a ramp or causeway for the convenience of getting to the Bedla crematorium at the cost of 34 lakh. Moreover, the tender process will also be started at the earliest. Residents had been requesting the development to take place for several years. In fact, every year, when the water flow in the river is high, the residents have to face a lot of challenges to cross the river in order to reach the cemetery. This situation had been going on for years, according to Badgaon Deputy Principal Pratap Singh Rathore. When the water flow is high during the rainy season, the residents have to travel a 4-5 km long route for the cremation. At the same time, sarpanch Nirmala Prajapat claims that there has been a demand for a bridge for four years.

Highlights: List of Big Development Works Approved by the UIT Trust along with approved budget:

  1. Underpass construction work of 5.50 km length of four-lane road from Bhuwana intersection to Pratapnagar and 200 feet road of Pratapnagar-Bhuwana to ease the traffic in Udaipur city. (4211.00 Lakhs)
  2. Reinforcement of 200 feet road situated in front of Bhuwana, Khelgaon region. (1100.00 Lakhs)
  3. Construction of 100 feet road of the master plan in Amberi Village. (400.00 Lakhs)
  4. Reinforcement of 80 feet Sector Road of Chitrakoot Nagar. (400.00 Lakhs)
  5. Construction of the main 200 feet road of the master plan from Ambaghati to Titardi. (398.00 lakhs)
  6. Development work for basic facilities like internal road, drainage in the new Amberi scheme. (400.00 Lakhs)
  7. Work of reinforcement and overall development of Saheli Marg (UIT intersection to Fatehpura chowki). (250.00 Lakhs)

Other Prominent Approvals Given along with approved budget:

  1. Sewage construction on 100 feet road adjoining Roop Nagar bypass. (98.90 Lakhs)
  2. Sewage construction from Brijvihar Colony to Ayad. (98.95 Lakhs)
  3. Sewage construction in remaining area from Eklingpura Chauraha to Ayad river. (99.00 Lakhs)
  4. Sewage construction in A-One Complex Manwakheda area. (99.08 Lakhs)
  5. Sewage construction from Tulsinagar to Meeranagar Dheekli area. (119.95 Lakhs)
  6. Sewage construction in MP Colony. (98.87 Lakhs)
  7. Drip-irrigation and plantation work at Bahubali Hills. (50.00 Lakhs)
  8. Electrification work in Amberi Scheme. (60.63 Lakhs)
  9. Electrification work in Dhol ki Pati Scheme. (42.21 Lakhs)
  10. Electrification work in Gukhar Magri Scheme. (31.59 Lakhs)
  11. Sewage construction work on the right side of N-27 in the first phase under the Storm Water Drainage Scheme in Wada Dheekli area. (124.41 Lakhs)
  12. Construction of community building in South Extension Scheme. (250.00 Lakhs)

 

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15 Wheelchairs Donated to RNT Medical College by Rotaract Club Shaurya & Rotary Club of Udaipur Meera

A crisis often brings the best out of us! In these challenging times where we are struggling to provide better health facilities to the people suffering from the novel Coronavirus and its aftereffects, lending a hand to support the hospitals and health care providers is the least we can do. In a bid to help Udaipur in its fight against the lethal second wave of COVID-19, the Rotary Club of Udaipur Meera and Rotaract Club Shaurya donated 15 wheelchairs to RNT Medical College on Tuesday, 25th May 2021.

The members of the said clubs handed over the wheelchairs in the presence of Dr. Lakhan Poswal, Principal, RNT Medical College, Udaipur, Hospital Superintendent Dr. RL Suman, and Hathipole CI, Gopal Chandel.

Rotary Club of Udaipur Meera and Rotaract Club Shaurya has also pledged to donate Oxygen Cylinders, Stretchers, and Oxygen Concentrators in the coming days. As per Archis Jain, the donation of the wheelchairs was made by Punit Galundia, Bhavesh Suwalka, Amandeep Chhabra, Muskan Chhabra, Angad Chhabra, Dr. Khushi Chhabra, Naman Jain, Hardik Godha, Jikisha Jain, Daksh Sharma, Karamveer Singh Rao, and Harsh Sachan.

Members of the Rotary Club of Udaipur Meera, namely Vijay Laxmi Galundia (President), Sanjita Mundhra (Secretary), Preeti Sogani (AG), Madhu Sareen, Sushma Kumawat & Dr. Sweety Chhabra, were also present to make the donation successful.

Rotary Club of Udaipur Meera and Rotaract Club Shaurya donated 15 wheelchairs to RNT Medical College

Rotary Club of Udaipur Meera and Rotaract Club Shaurya donated 15 wheelchairs to RNT Medical College

Rotary Club of Udaipur Meera and Rotaract Club Shaurya donated 15 wheelchairs to RNT Medical College

Rotary Club of Udaipur Meera and Rotaract Club Shaurya donated 15 wheelchairs to RNT Medical College

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Black Fungus Declared an Epidemic in Rajasthan: Know All About the Treatment of Black Fungus in Udaipur

As per the sources, Black Fungus or Mucormycosis, primarily affecting the people recovered from the COVID-19, was declared an epidemic in Rajasthan on Wednesday, 19th May 2021. The state has recorded more than 400 cases in Jaipur and Jodhpur, and the fungus is spreading quickly through Udaipur, Sikar, Pali, Barmer, Bikaner, Kota and other districts. Following the declaration of black fungus as an epidemic, the government claims that the condition and the harshness of treatment will now be effectively monitored. More than 45 patients have been admitted to the SMS Hospital in Jaipur alone. After the hospital’s 33-bed ward became overcrowded, a surge in the cases was established. More than 70 cases of this sickness have been reported thus far in Jaipur’s private hospitals. In Jodhpur’s AIIMS and Medical College facilities, more than 100 cases have been documented. In Bikaner, there have been around 30 cases.

Mucormycosis or Black Fungus in Udaipur

While the population of Udaipur and beyond were already fighting the challenges presented by the pandemic followed by the strict lockdown, the news of Black Fungus, also known as Mucormycosis, has further put them in a threatening and stressful situation. Black Fungus has also landed in the middle of Corona’s developing change in the Udaipur division. The RNT Medical College of Rescue’s expert team was formed. Only 11 shots are available at RNT Medical College in Udaipur, and a hundred more are being purchased in preparation for the anticipated surge.

Seven patients with black fungus have been admitted to RNT Medical College, Maharana Bhupal Hospital, ENT department. The experts from the RNT College, Udaipur, have further added that aside from the eyes, black fungus illness particularly affects the jaw. If not treated promptly, the eyesight will deteriorate, and the jaw will become deformed. Experts have stated that once the sickness has reached the brain, there is no way to retract it.

Treatment for Black Fungus in Udaipur

The state government has made the treatment of Black Fungus free of cost under the Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Yojana. Under the scheme, all the beneficiaries will be able to get the disease treated free of cost in both government and selected private hospitals.

There has been a continuous increase in the number of patients with black fungus (mucormycosis), which appeared as a side effect of the Coronavirus. On the other hand, Black Fungus has been declared an epidemic and notifiable disease in the entire state under Rajasthan Epidemic Diseases Act due to its coordinated treatment with Corona. Now the data of all government and private hospitals that treat and identify the disease will remain with the state government. The doctors are suspicious after getting a look at the symptoms, but it is taking 3 to 5 days to detect the Black Fungus disease in the patient. The treatment of Black Fungus has started in Udaipur in the Burn Ward of MB Hospital, however, there is a shortage of medicines to continue the treatment of patients. The symptoms include pain or redness around the nose, fever, headache, cough, difficulty in breathing, vomiting blood, and changes in mental state.

List of Hospitals Authorized for the Treatment of Black Fungus in Udaipur

The Rajasthan government has fixed treatment rates in hospitals for the treatment of Mucormycosis (black fungus). The fixed rates have been issued by the government on Friday, 21 May 2021. The Rajasthan Medical and Health Department has fixed the rates for all types of tests related to Mucormycosis (black fungus) along with corona test in private hospitals and labs in Rajasthan.

Black Fungus treatment rates in udaipur

Also, for the treatment of this disease, 20 hospitals in the state have been recognized, in which 4 hospitals are from Udaipur, and those are:

  • RNT Medical College
  • Gitanjali Medical College, Udaipur
  • Pacific Medical College
  • GBH American Hospital

The state government and District Administration have geared up the process and treatment of Black Fungus in Rajasthan. As per Dr. Lakhan Poswal, Principal, RNT Medical College, Udaipur, a different ward has been dedicated for the patients suffering from Mucormycosis or Black Fungus in Udaipur and a team of Senior Doctors has been appointed to take care of ENT, Eye, Neurosurgery, and any general surgery, if required.

See the full video for more updates on COVID-19 and Black Fungus treatment in Udaipur.

 

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Is Black Fungus a Threat for People in Udaipur, Rajasthan?

The only drug that can prevent this fungus and infection is a liposomal amphotericin-B injection, which is in short supply on the market for now. Families of suffering patients are compelled to stroll from place to place in search of an injection. As a result, the local bodies have asked the federal government for this injection. Aside from that, the government has made an order with the Serum Institute of India for 2500 vials of this injection to be purchased.

Here are some facts as to why Black Fungus is a threat for people living in Udaipur and nearby cities in Rajasthan:

  • In the second wave, the disease’s most severe and rapid cases have appeared in the state. The first case in the second wave was recorded in the Jodhpur-Bikaner region.
  • In Rajasthan, two patients have died as a result of Black Fungus, while more than 80 others have shown deadly symptoms. Some people had to have their eyes removed as well.
  • More than 70 cases of black fungus have been reported in Jaipur’s private hospitals. Rajasthan has reported the most number of casualties.

What is Black Fungus, and why is it so deadly?

While fungal infections aren’t as uncommon or new as COVID-19, the number of instances has increased lately. The illness appears to have the most impact on people who have severe COVID-19 infections, causing people who have recovered from COVID-19 to end up in hospitals again with strange facial deformities. Black fungus infection, also known as fatal Mucormycosis, is caused by a group of moulds known as ‘mucormycetes,’ which are found in the air and create complications when inhaled by an unwell patient, spreading to the sinus cavities, lungs, and chest cavities. Steroids are prescribed to corona patients to lessen the consequences of the infection. This lowers the patient’s immunity. As a result, the patient’s blood sugar level begins to rise suddenly. Mucormycosis is one of the negative effects of the drugs used to treat Corona patients. This condition creates a dry nose at first. The inside of the nose begins to dry out and become numb. The face and soles of the feet go numb as well and the face begins to swell, while the teeth are seen crooked. In this condition, fungus grows around the eye’s veins, blocking the central retinal artery’s blood supply. In most people, this causes their eyesight to last forever. Furthermore, the fungus creeps to the lower jaw in many patients.

Patients with comorbidities or those using drugs that reduce their immune system’s ability to fight off environmental microorganisms are the most vulnerable to the effects of black fungus, according to ICMR guidelines. Poor contaminated water resources utilised for the manufacture of medical oxygen and ambient variables have been suggested as possible causes of Mucormycosis infection in COVID-19 patients on prolonged oxygenation support. There have also been worries that COVID-19 individuals with severe diabetes are the most vulnerable to the disease. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels not only make it simpler for people to catch serious illnesses, but they also provide an easier surface for fungi to thrive and transmit symptoms.

What are the Symptoms of Black Fungus?

The black fungus has a high mortality rate of 50%. However, if the disease is detected early enough, it can be effectively treated. The disease, known as ‘rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis,’ primarily affects the face and can result in distinct facial distortions.

Aside from that, the condition might cause acute swelling and inflammation in the sinus tube. If you have recovered from COVID-19 and are wondering about how to locate the Black Fungus, then have a look at these distinct symptoms, which you should be on the lookout for:

  • Black crusts around the nose
  • Headaches and swelling in/and around the forehead
  • Swelling in the cheeks, eyes or parts of the face
  • Vision loss or partial blindness
  • Pulmonary infections (Fungus growth in the respiratory passage).

 

After the Coronavirus, Rajasthan is now experiencing a severe threat by the new epidemic that is Black Fungus or Mucormycosis. However, we are bound to stay strong in these challenging times. UdaipurBlog requests you to stay safe, always wear a mask when going out, sanitize your hands regularly, and most importantly, maintain Social Distancing. Stay tuned for more such updates on the Second Wave of Coronavirus in Udaipur and beyond. Meanwhile, go get vaccinated to safeguard your family and yourself from the COVID-19. Click Here to know how to register for the COVID-19 Vaccine Online.