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- Denis Giles
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“We all wear masks, and the time comes when we cannot remove them without removing some of our own skin.” ― André Berthiaume
“Did you know our country may soon be the mask manufacturing hub of the world?” asked a friend.
“No!” I said, “But would it be possible to visit a factory?”
It was just a matter of hours before I was whisked to the village which housed the factory. The manager, wasn’t wearing a mask as he greeted me at the gate, “You may take your mask off!” he said pleasantly, since you are already wearing one underneath!”
“Wearing one underneath this COVID-19 one?” I asked confused.
“We are very good at recognizing masks!” said the manager smiling.
“Which is your best-selling mask?” I asked.
“This!” said the manager as he picked one from the top of a pile and passed it to me, “In fact it’s selling like hotcakes, and millions are buying it in our country. Put it on and look in the mirror!”
I put the mask on, and was amazed at the ease in which it slipped onto my face. I looked in the mirror, and saw concern and pity, mixed with sympathy, compassion and kindness with even a tear gathering in my left eye, “Whoa! Whoa!” I shouted, “What is this?”
“The mask everyone is wearing today when they talk of the poor migrant worker!”
I watched as the tear rolled down my cheek and another started from my right eye, “It’s so realistic!” I whispered.
“It made us a lot of profits!” said the manager beaming at me, “But, the masks that yield us the biggest returns are the ‘made to order’ ones that political leaders order from time to time!”
“Are they difficult to make?” I asked.
“Very!” said the genial manager, “You see what’s important about a mask, is, it should sit well on a face, and then say exactly the opposite of what the person wearing it thinks or feels! That takes much time and effort to make. In fact, a couple of days ago, I’m sure you must have watched, as one of our best masks was worn on TV! And our workers cheered as we watched the masked man’s masquerading mannerisms. It was so realistic! And although the masked man gave little or nothing to the people, yet millions clapped and applauded, thinking they were getting a windfall! He is very good with his masks!”
“Don’t you make coronavirus, COVID 19 masks?” I asked.
“What’s that?” asked the manager as he tore the mask from his face and I found myself staring at a scary bulldog face. I ran, then watched astonished, as all the workers automatically put on their masks, then looked at me being chased, sympathy and compassion fixed rigidly on their faces..!
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- Denis Giles
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Scholarship Name 1: Nikon Scholarship Program 2020
Description:
Nikon India Private Limited invites scholarship applications from students (Class 12 passed onwards) pursuing photography courses. The scholarship program is meant to support students facing financial problems in pursuing their programme.
Eligibility:
The scholarship is open for Class 12 passed onwards students pursuing photography courses with a duration of 3 months or more. The annual income of the family should be less than INR 6 lakhs per annum.
Prizes & Rewards:
Selected students will get award up to INR 1 lakh.
Last Date to Apply: 30-06-2020
Application mode: Online application only
Short Url: www.b4s.in/ac/NSP3
Scholarship Name 2: Sightsavers India Fellowship Program 2020
Description:
Sightsavers India has announced this fellowship for young ophthalmologists to help them master the craft as a clinician and a surgeon.
Eligibility:
Young and promising ophthalmologist in India who are a post-graduate or a diploma holder in ophthalmology (MS/DNB/DO) from any recognized institute/university in India, can apply for this fellowship.
Prizes & Rewards:
Selected candidates will multiple financial and professional benefits.
Last Date to Apply: 31-05-2020
Application mode: Apply online
Short Url: www.b4s.in/ac/SIF2
Scholarship Name 3: New India Foundation Fellowships 2020
Description:
New India Foundation, Bangalore is offering this fellowship for scholars and writers who are working on different aspects of the history of independent India and will provide monthly stipend to them.
Eligibility:
Indian scholars or writers working on different aspects of the history of independent India, can apply for this scholarship.
Prizes & Rewards:
A total of 5 to 10 fellowships will be awarded. The fellowships are awarded for one year and carry a stipend of INR 1.5 lakhs per month.
Last Date to Apply: 30-06-2020
Application mode: Apply online
Short Url: www.b4s.in/ac/NIF4
Courtesy - buddy4study.com
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- Denis Giles
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At this very moment, there must be over a billion of us all over the world, rigorously washing our hands for twenty full seconds! But, ask yourself, what you are washing away?
Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth, bearing a ‘deathlike stare’, wearing a flowing night-dress that reminded some reviewers of a shroud, walked in agony every night with ‘feverishly writhing hands,’ only still when they were held for a long moment to the candle. And what did the candle show? A huge blood stain to the audience. A murderous bloodstain that all the washing in the world could not take away!
Or Pontius Pilate, looking at an innocent Jesus, asked for a bowl of water, washed his hands in front of the crowd and shouted. "I am innocent of this man's blood!"
Two people, one fictitious, one real, trying to wash their hands, off innocent blood!
Whose blood stains are you washing from yon hands of thine?
The stains of doctors, who you have conveniently pushed to the frontline, showering them with helicopter petals, but equipping them with nothing but cheap coronavirus masks and suits, even threatening them with disqualification? They the brains of this country, being treated like dispensable garbage, while we stay at home, and ‘wash and wash and wash?’
Whose stains are you washing away?
Those of your dhobi, who diligently washed and pressed your shirts or salwars these last few decades, who now trudges home with crumpled clothing, mouth dry with thirst, arms which held heavy coal iron, now weary holding his child? Besides him walks the one who laid your pipes to give you running water to wash those hands of yours, and the mason, who waterproofed your roof so the monsoon deluge will not spoil your warm domain!
They walk, these newly clubbed, ‘migrant labour’ back home, to where they hope their families will not wash their hands off them. Like you did!
Whose stains do you wash away?
Those of the jobless, the aged, the lonely, the fearful? Who wait for a word of encouragement, for someone to show them the light of hope at the end of this Covid tunnel?
At this very moment, there must be over a billion of us all over the world, rigorously washing our hands for twenty full seconds!
You are not Lady Macbeth nor Pontius Pilate…..NOT YET…If you can hear the cries of our doctor warriors, asking to be better equipped, of those walking home, and the poor at your doorstep. If you can hear the cries of those who need your time, or just your soothing voice, then same bloody stains that hold fast to Mrs Macbeth and Pilate’s hand, will wash easily away with soap and water!
Otherwise, like her, bearing a ‘death like stare’ you may weep Shakespearean lines, “will these hands be ever clean? The smell of blood won't be gone even with the perfumes of Arabia!” And then add mine, ‘Not even if they’re washed a million times twenty seconds ..!’
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- Zubair Ahmed
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By Zubair Ahmed
Rain seems to be back. With the sky overcast and with a spatter of rains, there is a sense of respite in the air that the acute water crisis, the Island territory is facing may pass soon. The South West monsoon is on schedule, hopefully!
This sense of relief that rain brings along usually makes the Island Administration to forget and withdraw into its shell, as if nothing happened. However, blame game and rhetoric about dream projects that would have sailed the Islands through the crisis keeps everyone busy for a while.
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- Denis Giles
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Scholarship Name 1: Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology 2020
Description:
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi has announced this prize which is to be given for research contributions made by citizens of India during the last 5 years in various fields of sciences.
Eligibility:
Indian citizens below the age of 45 years, engaged in research in any field of science and technology can apply for this award.
Prizes & Rewards:
An annual award of INR 5 Lakh will be given to outstanding researchers.
Last Date to Apply: 22-05-2020
Application mode: Apply Online
Short Url: www.b4s.in/ac/SSB5
Scholarship Name 2: INAE Woman Engineer of the Year Award 2020
Description:
Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), Gurgaon has taken this initiative to recognize and honour deserving women engineers every year, who have made outstanding contributions to any field of engineering and technology in India and may serve as role models to budding women engineering professionals in the future.
Eligibility:
Indian woman engineer working in India, between the age of 40 and 60 years can apply for this award.
Prizes & Rewards:
The selected women engineer will get a cash award of INR 2 lakh with a citation.
Last Date to Apply: 15-05-2020
Application mode: Apply Online
Short Url: www.b4s.in/ac/INW3
Scholarship Name 3: EWS Scholarship for Class 10 Passed Students 2020
Description:
Buddy4Study India Foundation invites scholarship applications from Class 10 passed students studying in Class 11 and 12 for EWS Scholarship. The scholarship program is meant to support students belonging to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of the society.
Eligibility:
The scholarship is open for Class 10 passed students studying in Class 11 and 12. Marks obtained in Class 10 board examination should be at least 50%. The annual income of the family should be less than INR 6 lakhs per annum.
Prizes & Rewards:
Selected students will get scholarship of INR 10,000
Last Date to Apply: 31-05-2020
Application mode: Online applications only
Short Url: www.b4s.in/ac/EWS1
Courtesy - buddy4study.com