Covid imapct: Seafarers stranded at the sea

 

Around 400 shipping companies have signed the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change. The outbreak of pandemic has impacted every individual. Restrictions imposed by the government to control the spread of Covid-19 did toss the lives of seafarers. Crew changes were restricted. It left more than four lakh of them stranded as per the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).  

IMO established Seafarer Crisis Action Team (SCAT) to support the stranded seafarers and supporting their family/ friends by providing relevant information about their status. The Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change is ahead with four key points being 

• Recognition as the key workers,
• Access to covid-19 vaccine
• Increase collaboration between ship operators and charterers to support crew changes 
• Ensure air connectivity between key maritime hubs for seafarers

Companies that signed the declaration include, AP Moller-Maersk, oil firms BP and Shell, consumer giant Unilever and mining groups Rio Tinto and Vale, maritime transporters, unions, the World Economic Forum (WEF) and other supply chain partners. 

The Maritime Union of India urged to consider seafarers as the key workers. It followed the announcement on Maritime India Vision 2030. The vision focuses on establishing a regulatory authority under the Indian Ports Act and developing Maritime Development Fund (MDF). 

 

 

 

Jallikattu time again? PETA in action!

Jallikattu has been under a lot of controversies in the past. It has been through prohibition and also amendments in the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Act, 1960 reversing the Supreme Court ban.

Yet again, it is on the news. 

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) requested the Tamil Nadu government to comment on the inspection report of the bull-taming sport conducted this year. According to the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) inspection report, six animals said to have died during the event.

Statements from the report as quoted by Dr. S K Dutta, Secretary, AWBI, exclaimed that pictures showcased cruelty that the animals were teased with nails. Data of one animal death recorded by the committee established in coordination with the TN government contradicts the data put forward by the PETA. Hence, the AWBI has called the government to furnish its comments or views on the report received from PETA at the earliest for further action. Amid pandemic and increasing tensions over the India-China issue, Animal welfare organizations seek public attention.

Concerning Covid-19 Vaccine, the Indian Council of Medical Research wrote to medical institutions and hospitals to fasten the trials aiming to launch a vaccine by 15th August, remarking independence day. On the other hand, a survey by an NGO, Society for Empowerment (SFE) in Patna has exposed that cultural habits of people in tribal areas in Chhattisgarh kept them virus-free. The report expressly stated on the use of traditional herbs and medicines along with social distancing norms of their culture. As cases continue to surge, it’s high time we become more conscious (over health on top priority).