MSMEs in COVID-19 Crisis and India’s Economic Relief Package: A Critical Review

MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise) are the backbone of Indian economy as it contributes more than 30% in the India’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product). The present research studies the current conditions of MSMEs amid corona virus crisis and the economic relief package, specifically for MSMEs, entitled as “Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Dependent India)” in order to revive the business activities of MSMEs. Critical review of the economic package and modification needed in terms of MSMEs issues in the further announcements were discussed in this paper. Former RBI (Reserve Bank of India) governor Raghuram Rajan and Nobel Prize winner in economics Prof. Abhijit Banerjee has also contributed in the discussion in order to revive the Indian economy

Analysing workplace spirituality as a mediator in the link between job satisfaction and organisational citizenship behaviour

Purpose – Without competent and talented employees, no organisation can grow and sustain for a long time. It becomes essential for every organisation to retain and satisfy the employees to achieve their predetermined organisational goals. The present study examines the mediating effect of workplace spirituality dimensions (i.e. meaningful work, compassion, transcendence, mindfulness and sense of community) in the link between job satisfaction and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) among managerial employees of selected manufacturing firms of Chhattisgarh state. Design/methodology/approach – Correlational research design was incorporated. Employees working at managerial positions at different private manufacturing firms of Chhattisgarh state were chosen as a sample for the present study. Regression analysis and confirmatory factor analysis tools were used to analyse the primary data collected from 400 respondents. Findings – The results revealed that all the dimensions of workplace spirituality, i.e. meaningful work, compassion, transcendence, mindfulness and sense of community, were found statistically significant and partially mediated between job satisfaction and OCB among managerial employees of Chhattisgarh. The authors discussed the results thoroughly and provided avenues for the future research. Research limitations/implications – The findings of the present research study will assist all private organisations in rethinking their employee retention and satisfaction strategies, since the presence of workplace spirituality in the organisation has a significant and beneficial impact on its environment. The current research will assist organisations in creating circumstances for OCB for employee via the introduction of workplace spirituality. Originality/value – Creating spirituality in the current situation, where Covid-19 has suddenly affected all organisations around the world, would be extremely beneficial in terms of employee retention and satisfaction, which would eventually aid in the development of an environment conducive to citizenship behaviour at the workplace. However, the role of workplace spirituality as a mediator in the link between job satisfaction and OCB is innovative and has received little attention in the research community

Ultrasound-guided fluoroscopic-verified lumbar transforaminal epidural injection: A clinical evaluation of technique

Background: Fluoroscope guidance method is the gold standard for performing lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs), but it is not devoid of adverse effects such as exposure to radiation and need to wear heavy lead aprons. Ultrasound (US)-guided techniques are being evaluated recently but methodological acceptability and reproducibility remain unknown. So after reviewing literatures, studing the us scan of lumber region, we have performed these injection safely and methodologial manner and describing in this study. Duration of Study: The duration of this study was six months, from May 01, 2016, to November 31, 2016. Study Design: This was a prospective, open-label, clinical, pilot study. Materials and Methods: A total of twenty patients with low back pain and radiculopathy were enrolled in this study. A US-guided novel technique was used to perform TFESI. A needle was placed under the guidance of US, and then verified with fluoroscope for dye spread. Then, predecided mixture of drugs were injected. Patients were monitored for number of attempts for localization of transforaminal space, number of adjustment, time taken for needle insertion in transforaminal space, radiation dosage, if the cortex of bone touched by the needle, and whether any complication occurred. Results: The number of attempts for localization of transforaminal space in 85% was one and two in 15% of the patients, number of adjustment per attempt was 5.3, and the average time taken for TFESI in patients in one-attempt group was 973 ± 93 s and 1506 ± 65 s in two-attempt group. Average exposure time of fluoroscope per person was 17.5 ± 2.5 s only. Bone was contacted in 75% of cases and no complications were noted. Conclusion: Lumbar TFESI can be safely and effectively performed under US guidance but fluoroscopic confirmation is required to rule out intravascular and intrathecal spread of the contrast at this stage. However, US guidance has reduced radiation exposure to significant level in this study

Association of the C allele of rs479200 in the EGLN1 gene with COVID-19 severity in Indian population: a novel finding

Abstract The present study investigated two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)—rs479200 and rs516651 in the host EGLN1/PHD2 gene for their association with COVID-19 severity. A retrospective cohort of 158 COVID-19 patients from the Indian population (March 2020 to June 2021) was enrolled. Notably, the frequency of C allele (0.664) was twofold higher than T allele (0.336) in severe COVID-19 patients. Here, we report a novel finding that the C allele of rs479200 in the EGLN1 gene imparts a high risk of severe COVID-19 (odds ratio—6.214 (1.84–20.99) p = 0.003; 9.421 (2.019–43.957) p = 0.004), in additive inheritance model (adjusted and unadjusted, respectively)

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Not AvailableIntensive cultivation, climate change and host–pathogen dynamics/interaction had led to emergence of viral diseases and vector population, thereby causing significant economic losses. In the present study, extensive surveys were conducted (during 2016–2017) followed with field experiments (2017 and 2019 kharif and 2018 rabi seasons) in the state of Chhattisgarh, India, comprising of three diverse agroecological zones, viz., northern hill zone, central plain zone and southern Bastar plateau zone, for understanding the distribution pattern of viruses and vector populations in prominent pulses and vegetable crops. Field experiments revealed that more than 90% incidence of yellow mosaic disease (YMD) was recorded in mungbean and urdbean, followed by YMD of ridge gourd and bitter gourd, leaf curl disease of tomato (ToLCD) and chilli and yellow vein mosaic disease of bhendi; however, only five per cent YMD was recorded in cow pea. Molecular and sequence analysis of viral genomic components revealed ToLCD in central plain zone of Chhattisgarh was caused by a consortium of begomoviruses, including Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV), Tomato leaf curl Karnataka virus (ToLCKV), and Tomato leaf curl Kerala virus associated with satellite molecules. YMD of mungbean, cow pea and soybean was caused by Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV), while YMD of ridge gourd was caused by ToLCNDV. PCR analysis, using species-specific primers, of samples representing the three different regions revealed that YMD of mungbean, urdbean and cowpea was positive only for MYMIV and was unevenly distributed, while YMD of ridge gourd, bitter gourd, pumpkin and sponge gourd was positive only for ToLCNDV; however, ToLCD was positive for either ToLCNDV or ToLCKV or both, and some samples were also found associated with betasatellite molecules. Amaranthus and rice bean were identified as non-host species for the begomoviruses infecting tomato and MYMIV, as observed by surveys in the hot-spot-like areas, controlled whitefly transmission as well as agroinoculation. Compilation and analysis of available information on begomoviruses affecting these crops in India suggest that they are unevenly distributed in India. This is the first report of the begomovirus occurrence in pulses and vegetable crops in this agroecologically diverse region.Not Availabl

Challenges in Accessing and Delivering Maternal and Child Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Rapid Survey from Six States of India

Background/Objectives: Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic and its prevention and control policies have impacted maternal and child health (MCH) services. This study documents the challenges faced by patients in accessing MCH services, and the experiences of health care providers in delivering those services during the COVID-19 outbreak, explicitly focusing on the lockdown period in India. Methods: A cross-sectional study (rapid survey) was conducted in 18 districts from 6 states of India during March to June, 2020. The sample size included 540 MCH patients, 18 gynaecologists, 18 paediatricians, 18 district immunisation officers and 108 frontline health workers. Bivariate analysis and multivariable analysis were used to assess the association between sociodemographic characteristics, and challenges faced by the patients. Results: More than one-third of patients (n = 212; 39%) reported that accessing MCH services was a challenge during the lockdown period, with major challenges being transportation-related difficulties (n = 99; 46%) unavailability of hospital-based services (n = 54; 23%) and interrupted outreach health services (n = 39; 18.4%). The supply-side challenges mainly included lack of infrastructural preparedness for outbreak situations, and a shortage of human resources. Conclusions/Recommendations: A holistic approach is required that focuses on both preparedness and response to the outbreak, as well reassignment and reinforcement of health care professionals to continue catering to and maintaining essential MCH services during the pandemic