As, perhaps, most Indians are aware be now that last morning the Prime Minister of India in a video massage has asked all Indians to switch off their lights (those who have) and light a lamp or a candle or..., at 9 PM tomorrow, for 9 mins (ref.: < https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-narendra-modis-video-address-on-covid-19-key-points/articleshow/74959329.cms?fbclid=IwAR19cNVqONC8RB1j4WwfUULZy-4d0gC9jmzTo4I8ihxmWh71Mr63IqzHnV8 >).
In the meanwhile, despite abysmally low rate of testing - those who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi in mid-March are, apparently, exceptions, the figures for "confirmed" infections and consequent deaths are on the rise (ref.: <https://www.covid19india.org/> and < https://science.thewire.in/the-sciences/coronavirus-india-active-cases-exponential-growth-seir-model-covid-19-tests-asymptomatic-infection/?fbclid=IwAR2sVLMQlrpPMqbOIXc4D62V2U8R3JrCWIZWeojMdvzFBBMgixn3pSDyDyo >). In that context, specifically against the backdrop of WHO's advice - to "test! test! and test!" (ref.: < https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/-test-every-suspect-who-chief-coronavirus-message-to-world-1656211-2020-03-16>), what's of high relevance is the following: <<“We don’t have kits at all,” said Nilesh Shah, the president of Metropolis Healthcare Ltd., one of the accredited private diagnostics firms, adding that government labs don’t have supplies either. “The priorities are going to countries where there is a major outbreak like Italy and Spain and the U.S. and the U.K. So all the major international vendors are saying I’m not sure how much I can allot for India.">> (Ref.: < https://www.bloombergquint.com/coronavirus-outbreak/india-finds-itself-at-the-back-of-the-line-for-virus-test-kits?fbclid=IwAR2V-s35qAolu-tI6s8Q8oQYNrgGIGnnyRxvuFv8i3PPL0-qMC-piGgWGLE >.) That's, quite plausibly, why the ICMR is doggedly denying that India has not transited from "stage II" to "stage III" - community level transmission, which calls for far expanded testing, testing of anybody with the preliminary symptoms. That's why we've "Tali", "Thali", "Diya"... Also relevant: < https://www.thequint.com/news/india/coronavirus-india-lost-5-weeks-in-slow-response-to-ppe-shortage-manufacturers?fbclid=IwAR2G283PxqA4wp0aDP__pqD2Gqm734vpJ8DV7Eqg_BKV32qM42cHPaeXSMc >. The Prime Minister's farcical call has, rather unexpectedly, attracted terse critical comments: https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/nation/2020/04/03/pm-narendra-modi-india-audio-message-twitter-trolls.html?fbclid=IwAR2CVjdpy_VUUpegQZjFwriSWdJO7XDGkkNYAqUjgTX9uk9vCQAkoq5uKaE<> and < https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/coronavirus-opposition-leaders-slam-pm-modi-s-address-ask-him-to-focus-on-real-issues-1662797-2020-04-03?fbclid=IwAR2nr8_y0hOYRJsM3qEWA0Rzgwyc8X0CFogQAHOPpeZnd1ZA29m1qhd9x4Q >. Yet another comical aspect that has cme to light: < https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/nonsense-corona-modi-govt-tweets-video-of-scientific-reasoning-for-lighting-a-candle-at-9-pm-deletes-it-after-backlash?fbclid=IwAR3fOXOlgBt9hrkoXm4hKdZBsDO8sjV6hnFtpj5nOYN7_Kmr542kJwqy09M >. Reproduced below a comment, understandably, from Ms Vrinda Grover, a Sr. Advocate in the Supreme Court. Penned by senior lawyer Vrinda Grover at sl. no. III, below. *But, on top of all these, concerns are being expressed that the "light off" campaign might seriously affect the electricity generation systems and the supply networks - the "power grid", in the country.If it really comes to pass, it'd just not affect lives of overwhelming majority of Indians - who do not possess private generators and yet are consumers of electricity, but, most significantly, the functioning of numerous hospitals - public and private.Consequences???* Let's hope: Forewarned is forearmed. <<The *Prime Minister's call for a blackout* [emphasis added] urging citizens to light a lamp, candle or shine a mobile flashlight to dispel the darkness spread by the coronavirus, *is expected to result in sudden drop in electricity demand across the country and has even the potential to disturb grid frequency creating potential situation for a grid collapse [emphasis added]*. The Grid stability in the country is maintained by keeping power frequency within a range specified by Central Electricity Regulatory Authority (CERC). Any deviation from identified frequency is managed by increasing or decreasing power flow in the grid. Sudden drop or increase in frequency causes a collapse.>> (Ref.: Sl. no. II. below.) Reproduced below are two reports and a message, circulating in the social media.] I/III. Forwarded FYI: While our Honorable PM has announced a nine minute blackout, he has not factored in the damage that will occur to the National Grid, Boilers and Turbines of the Power Plants due to the sudden loss of demand and then a sudden surge after 9 minutes. I strongly recommend that all of you switch off the main switch of your house atleast 15 minutes before, as there will be a surge in voltage which will damage all your electricals. Wait for 15 minutes after the blackout before you switch on as there could be fluctuations in the Voltage and frequency as the Turbines struggle to stabilise. Since industries are also closed, there is only domestic load and we could have a National grid failure due to high frequency which could have a devastating effect. Our grid may take 12 hours to restart as we may have to depend on Nepal or Bangladesh to get ours online. So please keep your mobiles charged before hand as you may need to use its flashlight in case of emergency. Take care.. Cyrus Engineer Industrial Boilers Ltd. [A "Cyrus Engineer" really exists: <http://www.indboilers.com/ourTeam>. While the authenticity of the above message could not be independently checked, its contention is essentially in keeping with quite a few other published reports. Its speciality lies in the tips provided to the individual consumers.] II/III. https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/power/pms-april-5-blackout-call-puts-power-sector-on-alert-mode-to-maintain-grid-stability/74966251 PM's April 5 blackout call puts power sector on alert mode to maintain grid stability The Grid stability in the country is maintained by keeping power frequency within a range specified by Central Electricity Regulatory Authority (CERC). Any deviation from identified frequency is managed by increasing or decreasing power flow in the grid IANS Updated: April 04, 2020, 03:09 IST New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for a 9-minute blackout at 9 p.m. on Sunday, has shaken the babus in the power ministry who have put themselves in a huddle to quickly devise a strategy to prevent the April 5 event from creating ground for a possible grid collapse and resultant blackout throughout the country. The Grid stability in the country is maintained by keeping power frequency within a range specified by Central Electricity Regulatory Authority (CERC). Any deviation from identified frequency is managed by increasing or decreasing power flow in the grid. Sudden drop or increase in frequency causes a collapse. The Prime Minister's call for a blackout urging citizens to light a lamp, candle or shine a mobile flashlight to dispel the darkness spread by the coronavirus, is expected to result in sudden drop in electricity demand across the country and has even the potential to disturb grid frequency creating potential situation for a grid collapse. "Union Power Minister has discussed the issue (sudden fall in demand during April 5 blackout) with PGCIL (PowerGrid) and Load dispatcher in today's meeting. They are upto the task and are confident of managing the grid stability for the event," said a government spokesperson. Power System Operation Corporation Limited (POSOCO), a wholly owned Government of India Enterprise, an entrusted with the task of ensuring the integrated operation of the Grid in a reliable, efficient, and secure manner, has also been sounded off to plan scheduling of power with all the five Regional Load Despatch Centres and National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC) so that grid frequency is maintained even if demand drops suddenly during the blackout. Sources said that state government have also been told to be ready to manage the power scheduling if a need arise and keep some of their generating units in ready mode to switch off few units of grid frequency dropped suddenly. Central utilities like NTPC may also be keep in a state of readiness to switch off some of their gas based stations are easy to switch on and off as per grid requirements. An official of PowerGrid Corporation, which operates the national grid of transmission network, said that though the situation calls for notice, it is not alarming and the grid operators are well prepared to handle sudden drop in power demand. "Actually considering the need of pan India lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, Peak Demand in the country is already lower by about 20 per cent. So, the national and regional load dispatch centres are already grappling with low demand a further drop on April 5, should not be a problem that can't be handled with ease," the official said. As per power ministry data, on April 2, 2020, the maximum power demand met in the country stood at 1,25,817 ME, almost 20 per cent lower than April 2, 2019 figure of 1,68,326 MW. India's grid is connected as a wide area synchronous grid nominally running at 50 Hz. The permissible range of the frequency band is 49.95-50.05 Hz, as per CERC. The Union Government regulates grid frequency through national and regional load dispatch centres. States regulate intra-grids through State Load Despatch Center (SLDC). Two severe power blackouts affected most of northern and eastern India on 30 and 31 July 2012. The 30 July 2012 blackout affected over 400 million people while July 31 blackout affected 620 million people mainly in Northern India. In 2012, an estimated 27 per cent of energy generated was lost in transmission resulting in grid collapse. III. Forwarding as received.🥺🥺😡😡 I’m a citizen of the Republic of India, not a clown to perform to the tune of the ringmaster! In many countries daily press briefings are held to inform the people about the state of preparedness against COVID19. Questions are asked by the Press. We are being asked to perform antics. I want to know about availability of PPE for doctors, nurses and health staff. I want to know how many hospitals, ventilators, ICUs are ready. I want to know if COVID19 testing will be made accessible and affordable. I want to know about Govt arrangements to feed the daily wagers, homeless, the unemployed. I want to know who and how the food and medical needs of the migrant workers are being addressed. I want to know how farmers will cope with this distress. I want to know how women will escape domestic violence trapped in their homes. I want to know what is being done to enable trans persons and sex workers to survive this period of lockdown. I have many many many more questions for Modi sarkar. How about the Govt shedding light on these issues? Knowledge and information creates light and spreads ‘prakash’! I repeat, I’m a citizen of the Republic of India, not a clown to perform to the tune of the ringmaster! -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. 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