Not only 4 levels 4 India is a country of diversity in all aspects: culture, religion, race, language… Hinduism is the largest religion in India (currently 966 million followers) and is the The world’s third largest religion (1.03 billion adherents) played a key role in shaping India’s social fabric. From this religion arose the caste system in Indian society, and it dominates, has a profound, lasting impact with many consequences in society to this day. Dharavi slum in Mumbai. Dharavi is one of the most densely populated places in the world. The blue roofs are actually plastic cloth to keep out the rain. Photo: Daily Mail The structure of Indian society according to writer and cultural researcher Geetesh Sharma is “a collection of irregular elements, but strangely, it is arranged into a clear layer system”. Looking from the outside in, the overlapping Indian society is caste, class, religion, language, region… But if the caste system is positioned as the backbone of the whole Indian social structure, all things will become orderly and clear. This system was formed thousands of years ago, and to this day, it remains the root cause of social unrest. Most Indian and Western scholars agree that the caste system is a feature of Hinduism. However, along with the birth and introduction of other religions, the caste system also had a certain influence on Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Jainism. The English word caste is caste, which is not a single Indian word. According to the Oxford dictionary, caste is derived from the Portuguese word casta, meaning “race, lineage, breed” and primitive meaning “pure and unadulterated”. There is no concept in the Indian language that fully represents the word, but only two approximate terms, varna and jati. Varna means color, and was the first framework of social demarcation in the Vedic period. The four castes in the varna are the Brahmins (the priestly caste, also known as the Brahmin castes), the Kshatriyas (also known as the Rajanyas, the castes of noble princes and warriors), the Vaishyas (the craftsmen) , merchants, farmers) and Shudras (class of slaves, people who did the hard work). However, there is still a fifth caste in the varna system that is not officially recognized in the scriptures, the Dalit (untouchable) caste. People of this caste are considered “outside of society” and have to do jobs that are considered despicable such as dumping feces, picking up trash, etc. Whereas, jati means birth, origin. This concept is less mentioned in the scriptures than in varna. There are thousands of jati, and currently there is no exact definition for this concept. Where is the origin? From the West’s pro-racist theory… There are many explanations from anthropologists, archaeologists and both Indian and world historians as to the origin of this particular caste system over the past century. However, it is possible to temporarily group the hypotheses of Indian caste origin into three large theoretical groups: racial theory, contingency theory, and genetic proofs. Race theory started from a debate between two British researchers and managers in India JC Nesfield and HH Risley. According to Risley, the caste system was formed from racial clash. He suggested that the “light-skinned” Aryans had entered the Indian subcontinent from the northwest and conquered the native “black” Dravidian race. Risley’s explanation is that the Aryans, after conquest, conquered the weaker race, captured women according to their needs and created hybrid offspring, thereby becoming a higher caste. Meanwhile, Nesfield commented that “the issue of caste origin is not only about race, but also about culture”. The racial theory of caste formation encouraged racist ideas, which were originally developed to enhance the status of Europeans in the subcontinent. A family in the slums of Mumbai on April 3. Photo: AP To the objection of the Indian scholar himself học Indian scholars have countered Risley’s racial theory. Researcher Ketkar argues that castes are more a result of tribal conflicts than between Aryans and Dravidians. Ketkar’s view was that all Indians, with limited exceptions from the east, belonged to a single race, and expressed concern that racial theories could cause division in society. The reactions of the Indian scientific community led to the creation of the so-called random theory. In this view, caste regimes are the product of specific historical events, which may be limited to a particular time and place. This theory has an important contribution Dr. Ambedkar (who comes from the Dalit caste, and also drafted the Constitution of India). Ambedkar rejected the racial theory and attacked those who had “used biology to protect the caste system”. He emphasized on Nesfield’s research with the conclusion that there is no racial difference between different castes in the same area, and at the same time concluded that “the caste system is the distinction in society between different castes”. people of the same race”. End of the hundred year debate In the mid-1990s, scientists began to use genetics as a tool to examine the origin of caste systems as well as the extent to which castes were related. Since then, a series of genetic studies on the caste system have been produced. The first genetic studies reached conclusions consistent with the randomization theory. Accordingly, there is no corresponding relationship between genetic relationships and socio-cultural structure. Subsequent studies, however, yielded very mixed results, with some supporting the race theory. To date, studies using genetics to understand the origin of the caste system continue to be carried out. Liberate class, liberate people Although the debate has not yet led to a final result, it has at least contributed much differently, from the rejection of the “divine” about the origin of the castes, when the Rig-Veda (Vedas) that castes were born from different parts of the primitive man, in which the upper caste was born from the upper body, and the lowest caste was born from the heart. This is extremely important, because it will lead to the destruction of the concept of “class is inherently natural, is immutable”. This was the premise to liberate the lower castes from the strict caste system, and was an important step towards human liberation. Medical staff check people’s health in a slum in Mumbai. Photo: Guardian Second, studies have shown that caste originates from socio-political factors rather than from religion. And without exception, the caste system is a tool created by rulers to establish a stable, orderly and favorable social structure for them to easily rule. The current caste system is a huge barrier affecting India’s development. Recent surveys show that caste discrimination still shows no signs of abating, but on the contrary, tends to be more serious. The 2014 census shows that the percentage of people from the lower castes, especially those belonging to the Dalit caste, are facing severe discrimination with the lowest percentage in the following criteria: access to education, health care, employment… Social injustices related to the lower castes persist, whether in urban or rural areas, demonstrating the tension in modern Indian society. Although the Indian government has constitutionally prohibited the practice of any discrimination against the lower castes, the fact that there are separate laws on “reservation” for the lower castes shows that The situation is not optimistic. Specifically, India has compiled a list of vulnerable castes, and calls it “Nominal Castes”. Accordingly, all state agencies (including the National Assembly), universities, military, police… must reserve a certain percentage of their “seats” for these identified classes. This, while having a positive effect on the lower castes, clearly demonstrates India’s inability to prevent discriminatory practices. Luu Duy Tran (Doctoral student at Jeonbuk National University, Korea)

On April 12, three million Indians gathered on the banks of the Ganges River. They gathered in the ancient city of Haridwar, in the state of Uttarakhand, to take a dip in the sacred river. Devoted and full of Hindu devotees crowded the streets. The Naga Sadhus, the “saints” of the Hindu ascetic practice, pose for a photo on the banks of the Ganges. Photo: AFP. This is one of the holiest days of the Kumbh Mela festival. This festival is one of the most important occasions for Hindus, attracting millions of pilgrims every year. On the same day, India recorded 169,000 new Covid-19 cases and surpassed Brazil to become the second hardest-hit country by the pandemic, according to Guardian . Ignore danger In the weeks before that, a second deadly wave of Covid-19 swept across the whole of India. However, calls to cancel the festival were rejected. By April 15, more than 2,000 festivalgoers had tested positive for the virus. As of the end of the festival on April 28, more than 9 million people have soaked in the water of the Ganges River. The actual number of Kumbh Mela participants is yet to be announced. Millions of pilgrims return home without being tested or quarantined. Several states have begun belated efforts to trace and isolate returnees from Kumbh Mela. In Madhya Pradesh, 789 pilgrims have been placed in quarantine. Of those, 118 tested positive. The Naga Sandhus attend a procession on the banks of the Ganges. Photo: Reuters. T Jacob John, former head of virology at the Indian Council of Medical Research, said: “The pilgrims in the states carry with them mutated strains of the virus and spread the disease everywhere.” . Ashish Jha, dean of the School of Public Health at Brown University, said that Kumbh Mela could be “the largest super-contagious event in the history of the Covid-19 pandemic”. Devotees attend night prayers on the banks of the Ganges River at the Kumbh Mela festival, April 13. Photo: Reuters. During the festival period, the state of Uttarakhand recorded a 1,800% increase in the number of virus positive cases. Most of the infections are related to the Kumbh Mela festival. No one escapes Covid-19 Thakur Puran Singh, a senior member of the BJP, does not believe he has contracted Covid-19 at Kumbh Mela. At dawn on April 9, he and his family drove nearly 600 km to Haridwar to attend the Kumbh Mela. Over the next five days, his family took several dips in the Ganges River. On April 16, a day after returning home, Mr. Singh started showing symptoms of Covid-19. At first, he refused to believe that he had Covid-19. However, on April 21, his condition worsened. When he was taken to a local hospital, doctors suspected he had Covid-19 because his lungs had been damaged. His son did not believe him and took him to another hospital that he considered more reputable. Thakur Puran Singh and family participate in Kumbh Mela festival. Photo: The Guardian. “I couldn’t believe the doctors and their diagnosis. I didn’t even wear a mask when I took my dad to the hospital,” said Dinesh Singh Thakur. However, Mr. Singh died en route. Eight days later, his brother, Balwant Singh, also died with symptoms of Covid-19. “Even after Mr Singh’s death, the family kept a secret that they had come to Kumbh Mela,” said Dr. Shameema, regional medical director. After returning, they also participated in four weddings. Dr Iqbal Malik, another health official, confirmed that four members of Mr Singh’s family have tested positive. More than two dozen other people who were in close contact with Singh’s family members also had similar results. Mr. Singh’s body was cremated according to the procedures of the victim who died from Covid-19. However, his family still does not believe that he died from the virus. “There are 11 people in my family, why is it that only my father is gone? My father’s death was not due to Covid-19. Fate has called him,” Thakur said. Regret Gopal Singh’s family and neighbors were touched to see him return to his hometown from Kumbh Mela. The people of Madhi Chaubisa village came out to greet him and hoped for blessings. Contrary to the joy of the villagers, he was still terrified. Singh joined about 100 others from the surrounding villages on a sacred pilgrimage to Kumbh Mela. On the way home, he saw everyone falling ill. Many passengers said they had high fever and diarrhea. However, their vehicle did not stop at any of the Covid-19 testing sites. Devotees await the Naga Sadhus at the Kumbh Mela festival. Photo: AP. “I have been to Kumbh Mela twice before but I have never seen anything like this. A lot of people have been infected,” he said. Mr Singh insisted on being tested for Covid-19 despite a local doctor dismissing his concerns. Four days later, as expected, he was positive for SARS-CoV-2. Before that, he had contact with many people in the village. Three other people traveling with Mr Singh also tested positive. Ragu Raj Dangi, head of the village, said: “After everyone returned from Kumbh Mela, the number of people with Covid-19 has increased to more than 30 cases in just a few days. There are still a lot of other people who have symptoms but haven’t been tested.” A few days later, Mamta Bhai, Mr. Singh’s neighbour, developed a fever. She was treated by a local doctor. Although she was later taken to the intensive care unit, she still did not survive. Singh feels guilty: “Stubbornness and ignorance pushed us into a disaster. I feel terrible. Because of fanatics like me, other people get the virus.” Mr. Pragyaanant Giri, a Hindu monk, also went to Kumbh Mela. Like many at the monastery, he believes Covid-19 is a conspiracy. After a month of attending the festival, Mr. Giri developed symptoms of a sore throat and high fever. His companions advised him to rest. The police officer asks a person to leave after taking a dip in the water of the Ganges. Photo: Reuters. After that, his condition worsened. After two weeks of intensive care, Mr. Giri passed away. Despite the rules for patients dying from Covid-19, his body was buried at the monastery. People in the monastery said: “More than 10 people who came into contact with Mr Giri have developed Covid-19 symptoms and some have been hospitalized. However, most members of the monastery are not tested.” Even after Giri’s death, the belief that Covid-19 is not real still pervades the monastery. Swami Harigiri, the head of the monastery, thinks this is a plot against the Hindus. “We drink cow urine. Covid-19 will not affect us. Giri’s death caused by Covid-19 is fake news,” he said. In a small village in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, a group of five women came to the festival on an 11-day trip. After returning, two people died. Although the local health department announced the victims had tested negative for Covid-19, family members told a different story. Awadh Kishore Tiwari, grandson of Bindu Devi, one of the two dead women, said: “She fell ill the day she returned home. The very next day she was gone forever. My mother also tested positive after coming into contact with her.” Ms Devi’s brother-in-law, Awadhesh Chauhan, said he advised her not to attend the Kumbh Mela because of Covid-19. However, she laughed off: “Nothing will happen to me, don’t worry”. Bringing the ashes of unclaimed Covid-19 victims to the Ganges River Indian volunteers collect ashes from crematoriums to organize funerals for Covid-19 victims in Haridwar city.

Two weeks ago, just as dawn broke over the Ganges, a riverside resident discovered several bodies drifting into the shallows of the river most sacred to Indians. Darsan Nishad – a 35-year-old man working for a local environmental program – pulled the eight bodies out of the water. He then tied these bodies with sacks to take them away to check the cause of death. Finally, the unfortunate victims will be cremated – according to Hindu rites. “We don’t know where these bodies come from. We didn’t even know if they had any diseases,” said Nishad, pointing to the area where he and his colleagues had to carry out this difficult task. Hindus make offerings to the sacred Ganges River after scattering the ashes of their loved ones. Hundreds of bodies were found floating or buried in the river in May. Photo: Washington Post. Saddened by the experience, Nishad shared his belief in the Ganges, which Hindus revere as a sacred river. According to Hindu beliefs, anyone who has bathed in the river will be cleansed of all sins. “The river has great spiritual significance to us. Indians believe that if you dip yourself in this water even once, you will be protected for life,” said Nishad, standing a few feet from the crematorium in the river. “For us, the river is the goddess,” said Nishad. This is just a small number of hundreds of other bodies floating or buried in sand along the length of the river in the context that India suffered the second worst consequences in the world because of the Covid-19 pandemic. after America. Worried fisherman The mystery surrounding the bodies remains unanswered. Authorities have not been able to find out how many people have Covid-19 among those bodies. Many believe that some families have opted for extreme measures – dropping the bodies of loved ones in the Ganges – because they cannot afford to cremate them. Before the second wave of Covid-19 “swallowed” India, the cremation rite cost only 70 USD. However, the number has now risen to more than $400 – almost six times higher – since the end of April. In Sujabad – a large community that depends on the Ganges for a living – many people are currently without work. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused the loss of jobs for river boaters carrying pilgrims and tourists. With bodies constantly dropping into the river causing pollution, local fishermen are worried about their catch and fish stocks being affected. For many people, the source of fish on the sacred river has been a way of life for a long time. The Indian crematorium burns day and night. Photo: New York Times. According to people here, the most prosperous business at this time is providing wood for the crematorium. As of May 23, India recorded more than 26.2 million cases of Covid-19 and more than 295,000 deaths. The number of new infections per day in India has recently decreased, but the average number of deaths in the past 7 days has remained high, above 4,000 people per day. The “tsunami” of Covid-19 has put the Indian economy on the brink of collapse. Like the bodies found in the Ganges – whether they died from coronavirus, heart attacks or old age – residents of communities like Sujabad are falling victim to this virus. Government gets involved Images of floating bodies prompted authorities to step in. Patrol ships are deployed across more than 2,400 kilometers of the Ganges River. State and local governments have established a network of free cremation sites – providing firewood and inviting priests to perform Masses for families who cannot afford it. Hundreds of such crematoriums have been opened across Varanasi, the holy city on the banks of the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh state, and home to a series of steps leading down to the Ganges (called ghats). Usually, Hindus will gather in large numbers at ghats to bathe, baptize their children and scatter the ashes of the dead. However, now the ghats are uninhabited, while the crematoriums operate continuously day and night. In downtown Varanasi, officials have set up a Covid-19 “command center”. Here, thousands of staff will take calls from residents, check on patients, order ambulances for those in need of hospitalization and arrange cremation services. A large screen hung on the wall continuously displays the latest information on the number of hospital beds, oxygen supply and the number of new infections. Government employees patrol the Ganges River. Photo: Washington Post. Share with Washington Post , cleric Satindra Kumar in Varanasi could not hide his fatigue after long days of performing funeral rites. “I have performed the funeral rite 15 times in the past two days, most of the dead are patients with corona virus. People who don’t die from the disease also come here,” Kumar said. “The pandemic is so devastating! Everyone is afraid and suffering. I cannot stop what is happening, but I will continue to pray. I hope that will bring peace to the relatives of the deceased.” Even the poor still have to celebrate However, in rural areas, there is no similar service for the family of someone who has died of Covid-19 or other causes. Despite the extra cost, many people still make trips to the ghats to pray for their loved ones in accordance with Hindu custom. They believe that even with the added economic burden on their shoulders, they still have to bear to follow the ancestral traditions. Journalist of Washington Post witnessed a group of peasants reach out to one of Varanasi’s oldest ghats to perform funerals for three loved ones. Cremation platforms along the riverside. Photo: Getty. They prepare offerings consisting of pellets and spices, wrapped in large leaves under the supervision of a Hindu priest. After the bodies of three loved ones were blessed, the men stepped off the ghats, floated their offerings in the river, and began scattering the ashes. After that, besides the cremation fee, the group also had to pay the ceremony money for the ceremony just now. They anxiously counted every penny they had accumulated, plus the costs of barbers, photographers and gifts. They do not hesitate to pay expensive expenses to fulfill their religious obligations at a time of uncertainty, fear of an invisible and deadly force. “For generations, villagers have come here to perform the last rites of life,” said Lakshmi Singh, a farmer in his 60s. Bringing the ashes of unclaimed Covid-19 victims to the Ganges River Indian volunteers collect ashes from crematoriums to organize funerals for Covid-19 victims in Haridwar city.

But also in the media, it is seen that every morning, hundreds of Indians in the midst of the pandemic go to bathe in the Ganges River. No masks. No spacing. They hardly know or need to know what a Pandemic is… Peaceful Ganges! That’s the real India! Peaceful India is a country of religion! The etymology of the sacred Ganges is “Ganga”, the embodiment of the goddess Ganga – the daughter of the Himalayas – the guardian deity – the great mother of the country. Legend has it that in order to save the people from the severe drought, the god Sihva pulled a river from the sky above the heavens to flow through his hair for thousands of years and then poured down to earth. In the Vedas, there are also the most solemn words praising the Ganges River, which has the function of dissolving all sins and cleansing all impurities. According to Hindu beliefs – the majority of the Indian continent, bathing in the Ganges River means that all sins are washed away. If you drink river water before you die, it is a good omen for both the living and those who return to heaven. Many Hindus also ask to be cremated on the banks of the Ganges and then scatter the ashes into the river. Throughout history, since the legend, every morning, at dawn, tens of thousands of Indians flock to the banks of the Ganges River to bathe, meet, share, and chat. For them it is a great gift of life, so no power can take it away, not even the scary but invisible COVID virus… In the symbol of humanity, “water” which symbolizes the purification of desire directs people to the bright and benevolent domain. Because it is a flow, “river” is a symbol of renewal and rebirth. Moreover, it is also a symbol of purity (because of being purified) and an instrument of liberation. But with Indian culture, the holy Ganges River has a higher symbolic meaning than “giving prosperity and blessed salvation”. Therefore, those who bathe in the Ganges river will be “transmitted purity into their hearts” by the goddess. Most Hindus certainly believe so! The Ganges River becomes the patron god of the life and people of India, the mother river that flows cultural flows into the body of Indian society. Where there is lack of spiritual water from that spiritual flow, that place is not India! The most primitive legend tells that the goddess Ganga was always standing on a sea monster, which was her means of transportation. Her holy face was both stern, tolerant, kind, and holy. Her figure shows a symbol of strength, nobility, courage. She always wears a crown to reveal her high, pure, bright forehead. She always wears a necklace low down to her bountiful breasts symbolizing her ability to bestow prosperity… This legend is the fulcrum for two immortal epics, “Ramayana” and “Mahabharata”, the most massive ancient epics in the world. The “Mahabharata” alone is 7 times the length of the “Iliad” and “Odyssey” combined. A Battle on the banks of the Ganges in “Ramayana”! It can be affirmed that the structure of the massive “Mahabharata” epic is the structure of the great Ganges river flow because the river is like an artistic symbol expressing the spiritual life of the main characters, who govern and direct the people. as a spiritual leader. The opening part of the epic tells about the origin of genealogies with the main core being that the Vasus family sinned against the Taoist Vasita, so they were reincarnated into the world as the children of the goddess Ganges and King Santanu. As soon as they were born, they were thrown into the river by their mother (goddess) to free them from the Taoist spell. This is a great and constant archetype so that everyone wants to bathe in the Ganges River in the future with the desire to wash away sins. The motif of bathing in the sea and sacred river water becomes a common symbol for human culture talking about renewal and rebirth. God of Fire in Greek mythology was a naughty, hyperactive boy who once provoked Dot, so he was thrown into the sea, unfortunately, he fell on an island and lost his leg. Since then, the Fire god has been limping (flashing like fire!). In Egyptian mythology, Prince Morann, son of the king of Cairpe, was born a mute monster and was thrown into the sea. Fortunately, the sea water broke the monster mask so that later the prince became a great judge… But among those episodes, the meaning of bathing in the Ganges river is the most enduring, followed by many people. Best. And maybe forever as long as there is the Ganges! When epic wars occurred, the Ganges River served as a witness to history. Only in the space of the Ganges can the characters “enlighten” the truth and morality as well as the principles of Indian spiritual life, of the Indian spirit of peace and selflessness. Sacred water helps them return to their human roots to neutralize hatred. In front of the Ganges, the sinner will realize his sin and repent… There is an event that no one will miss when reading “Mahabharata” when the villain Aswatthama fled to the banks of the Ganges with the most cruel revenge of killing the Pandava family’s grandson still in the womb. but this action was nullified by the god Krishna. Then the whole Pandava family forgave him… It turned out that the Ganges had sanctified people. Since then forgiveness has become an Indian character, an Indian spirituality. At the end of the war, despite the victory, there is no victory song, because the war is destruction anyway, on both sides. King Yudhisthira triumphantly ascended the throne, but there were no grand festivals. Just a ritual sacrifice: “The king went to the Ganges River and according to the traditional custom of offering sacrifices to pray for the souls of the deceased to rest.” It should be said more clearly that the king prayed for all the dead souls, both on this side, on the other side, regardless. This detail shows more clearly the human meaning of the king’s enthronement without the corresponding ritual. It’s an Indian identity! And yet, King Yudhisthira is also depicted when standing in front of the Ganges River, he is like standing in front of a sacred, sacred and extremely mysterious cathedral, and then the mood rises with torment about what he has caused suffering to people. other. He repented. He judges and punishes himself. He became a symbol of endurance and patience… This symbol entered Indian culture and became a living and action maxim: “Patience is the highest virtue!”, “Tolerance is fame, endurance is glory!”. The Indian cosmology is also: “All things operate according to the principle of endurance!”. So we understand the modern Indian revolution based on the principle of non-violence! Because the moral concepts of endurance and patience have become the spiritual foundation of Indian society! In the epic “Ramayana” the characters always pray and bow to the Ganges. The character always considers the river a fulcrum of strength, a moral fulcrum for action. It is a creed as constant in each character. Legend has it that King Xagara sent sixty thousand sons to find the lost sacrificial horse. Those sons traveled all over the world, finally finding the horse near Kapila. They immediately thought that He was a thief. Enraged, the god Kapila burned all the children of King Xagara. The king’s grandson, Angxumana, received advice: “You must make offerings to the sacred water of Ganga. Okay, then the ashes of these sixty thousand people will go to heaven.” Indeed, when offering water to the Ganges River, the souls of the dead are liberated to the high land of bliss. Legend is deeply ingrained, imprinted in the Indian mind: When you die, you will be cremated on the banks of the Ganges River is a happiness! Tradition must always be in sync with the present for people to enter civilization. To hold on to tradition is to be conservative. The whole world is making the best efforts to prevent the epidemic … but in India it is not yet. That’s the lesson: A traditional gem in the light of modern science will shine even brighter!

Concerns about the festival becoming a “super contagious event” have come true. People returning from Kumbh test positive for SARS-CoV-2 and can cause widespread spread. “Super infectious” festival When Mahant Shankar Das, an 80-year-old Hindu, arrived in the town of Haridwar on March 15 to participate in the festival, cases of Covid-19 increased in many parts of India. On April 4, just four days after the festival officially started, Mr. Mahant Das had a positive result for SARS-CoV-2 and was advised to isolate in a tent. But instead of quarantining himself, he packed up a train that traveled 1,000 kilometers to the city of Varanasi. Here, his son picked him up at the train station, both of them took a taxi to their village 20 km from the neighboring city of Mirzapur. More than 9 million Hindus made a pilgrimage to the town of Haridwar in April this year. Photo: BBC. Talking on the phone with the reporter BBC recently, Mahant Das said he is now “very healthy and happy” and has been on quarantine at home since his return. He insisted that he did not transmit the virus to anyone, but within a few days, his son and a few other villagers had developed Covid-19 symptoms. His son Pathak, who made a full recovery from Covid-19, said their village had seen “13 people die in the last two weeks from fever and cough”. Village Covid-19 cases may – or may not – involve Mahant Das, but medical experts consider his behavior irresponsible. By traveling on a crowded train and sharing a taxi, he was able to spread the virus to many people along the way. Epidemiologist Dr Lalit Kant said the “huge group of masked pilgrims sitting on the banks of the river singing about the glory of the Ganges” created an ideal environment for the virus to spread rapidly. “We already know that church and temple choral singing are super contagious events,” he said. At Haridwar, officials said 2,642 followers had tested positive, including dozens of top religious leaders. Photo: BBC. Akhilesh Yadav, former head of neighboring Uttar Pradesh state, former King Gyanendra Shah of Nepal and former Empress Komal Shah were among those who tested positive after returning home. Bollywood composer Shravan Rathod died in a Mumbai hospital shortly after returning from the Kumbh festival. A group of nine Hindu prophets also died. With growing fears that returnees from Kumbh could infect others, some state governments have ordered 14-day mandatory quarantine and warnings that would severely punish those who conceal. information about their trip. However, very few states have tourist databases and none have systems to check and track people entering and leaving the border. Over the past two weeks, reports of returnees from Kumbh with positive test results have come from all over India. Dr. Kant said: “It was devastating. These numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. Crowded groups of pilgrims riding trains and buses will increase the number of shifts exponentially. I can say without hesitation that the Kumbh Mela festival is one of the main reasons behind the outbreak in India. Why do disasters happen? Mr. Mahant Das was exasperated when asked whether to cancel the Kumbh festival at a time when India is seeing a spike in cases and hospitals refuse to accept patients due to lack of beds, medicine and oxygen. practice. “Why are we religious people accused of gathering wrong?”, He asked. The Kumbh festival is said to still take place out of concern about a reaction from Hindu religious leaders like Mahant Das. On April 12, the festival’s first big day – when more than 3 million devotees soak in the Ganges in hopes of achieving salvation – India has recorded more than 168,000 cases of new, surpassed Covid-19. via Brazil to become the country with the second highest number of cases globally. It was not until a week later that the size of the festival decreased, after the death of a chief monk. Measures to avoid Covid-19 are being stepped up. However, things have gone too far. Last week, event organizers said 9.1 million pilgrims had visited Haridwar. From the outset there were concerns that letting the Kumbh festival take place was fraught with risks. Health experts warned the Indian government in early March that “a new and more contagious strain of corona exists in the country” and that the gathering of millions of non-masked people join one. The festival is reckless. Former Uttarakhand state leader Trivendra Singh Rawat said that he planned to leave Kumbh as a “limited, iconic event” from the outset as experts told him the pandemic would not be soon. end. “The festival attracts not only Indians but also other countries. I was worried that healthy people would come to Haridwar and carry virus germs everywhere when they return,” he said. But just a few days before the festival, he was replaced by Tirath Singh Rawat, who famously said “With the help of Ma Ganga (Goddess of Ganges) in the flow, there will be no corona virus”. Hindus believe that immersing themselves in the waters of the Ganges will help wash away their sins. Photo: BBC. The new head of state said that “no one will be banned”, a negative Covid-19 certificate is not required to join and it is sufficient only to follow the safety rules. But as millions flocked to town, officials struggled to impose epidemic prevention rules. Haridwar state medical director, Dr. Shambhu Kumar Jha, said crowd management became “very difficult” because they could not force devotees who had made a long journey back. Recent reports have shown that the state of Uttarakhand recorded 557 cases between March 14 and 20, when the pilgrimage began. The number of infections increased rapidly thereafter, with 38,581 reported cases between April 25 and May 1 – the last week of the festival. Dr. Kant is pessimistic about the way ahead. “Someone said that devotees would treat the corona virus as prasad and spread it. It’s tragic that pilgrims have carried infectious diseases everywhere,” he said. “I can’t think of anything I can do now to fix the situation. Our ship has gone too far ashore. We cannot even safely return to shore. I just prayed for the disease to get better and everyone could get through it. ” The chaplain’s account of the funeral for 150 Covid-19 patients before cremation Every day, Hindu cleric RamKaran Mishra performs a funeral for about 150 people who have died from Covid-19 at the Ghazipur crematory facility east of New Delhi, India.

A new graveyard filled with a new grave of Covid-19 victim in Manaus, Brazil. Photo: Sky News. More than 1.5 years since the attack of Covid-19, the world is now witnessing two opposing scenes. In some countries, such as the UK and the US, many people, after being vaccinated, happily hug their loved ones after a long separation. In India, Brazil, and most of South America, thousands of people desperately count down their time, suffering families watching their loved ones leave. Subjectivity is the biggest reason According to Dr. William Schaffner, an advisor to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), although the pandemic has been around for nearly 1.5 years and the world has made every effort to repel the epidemic, Covid- 19 is still a big challenge. Mr. Schaffner told Zing There are 4 main causes for this condition. The first is the increasing emergence of new strains, which are able to spread more easily and quickly. Next, the health systems in many countries are weak or insufficient to care for and cure patients. The next reason is inadequate vaccine supplies. The ultimate cause lies in how each government responds to the epidemic, and the consciousness of its people. However, he said that the main reason why the epidemic in many places not only did not settle down, but also progressed more complicatedly, was the carelessness of people. “Subjectivity is the biggest reason for the current viral spread in most countries around the world,” Dr. Schaffner said. Zing . Professor Andrew Easton, University of Warwick, UK also agrees. “We are usually quite vigilant for a period of time, then we are distracted, subjective and relaxed, especially when there is nothing serious,” he said. Dr. William Schaffner, longtime advisor to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Photo: Vanderbilt University. Italy is the first country to suffer from a pandemic in Europe, with the first Covid-19 wave coming in March 2020. Despite heavy economic and human losses, the country quickly managed to control the epidemic and was hailed as a model for international learning. The ban was quickly lifted or eased in many places. The beaches, cafes, nightclubs, and dance floors get crowded. A lot of people do not wear masks regardless of whether they are on the street or at these venues. By November 2020, the number of infections in this country began to increase sharply. At one point Italy overtook England to become the country with the highest number of deaths because of Covid-19 in Europe. By the end of 5/5, Italy had recorded a total of over 4.06 million cases of Covid-19, of which over 122,000 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University (JHU), USA. In Brazil, during the pandemic, President Jair Bolsonaro always underestimated the severity of the virus. He regularly calls for the lifting of restrictions and blockade orders, despite the country’s steadily increasing number of new infections and deaths. Peru, Mexico, and many other Latin American countries have a similar scenario: outbreaks – control – ban bans are lifted and people gather – more serious outbreaks. India is emerging as the most serious epidemic in the world today. Just three months ago, Indian leaders were happy to announce they had weathered the worst of the pandemic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi even declared the defeat of Covid-19, asserting that it is difficult for any country to match India’s success. At the end of March, the government allowed millions of Hindus to participate in this great religious festival. Social distancing measures are rarely implemented and very few people wear masks. In early April, millions of people also went to the Ganges to perform Hindu prayer rituals. Dr Vineeta Bal, an immune system researcher at the Indian Institute for Scientific Research and Education in Pune, commented that India’s current situation is due to “management failure, failure in planning. guesswork, failure in planning, with that is the thought that has conquered the virus “. India’s biggest religious festival in late March and early April is believed to be one of the causes of the current Covid-19 crisis in the country. Photo: Reuters. The race does not stop Reply to your interview Zing Dr. Schaffner agrees that the race between vaccines and viruses is unlikely to be over. “Viruses will not disappear. We will probably have to deal with it for many years to come. Like the flu, Covid-19 will live with us and we will have to deal with them, ”he said. With a good start, vaccines have given the world a lot of hope in quickly fighting a pandemic. However, in parallel with the vaccine development, new strains of the dangerous and “wiser” SARS-CoV-2 virus began to appear everywhere. Most notably, strain B.1.1.7 was first discovered in the UK and strain P.1 in Brazil. They are both believed to spread faster, and are already present in dozens of other countries around the world. Even the P.1 strain in Brazil is thought to be able to “elude” antibodies from the vaccine and potentially cause reinfection. The number of people dying from Covid-19 is constantly increasing, Brazil has to dig up the old grave to make room for the victim of Covid-19. Photo: AP. Variant B.1.617 in India has appeared in at least 17 countries and regions. This strain has the double mutation; of which, one mutation makes the virus more contagious, and the other makes it partially resistant to the vaccine. “Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus present serious challenges against Covid-19. More and more new strains emerge, capable of spreading more quickly and easily, causing rapid and widespread outbreaks, “said Dr. Schaffner. Zing . So far, as observed by Dr. Schaffner, current vaccines appear to be fully or partially effective against new strains. “However, if more new strains arise, they (mutants) are very likely to resist the current vaccine. Then we will need a new vaccine again,” said Dr. Schaffner. India’s temporary crematoriums burn around the clock because the death toll is so great. Photo: New York Times. Scientists are now working on production of second-generation vaccines that target current strains, he said. They are ready to use when needed. However, he warns that researching the new vaccine will be a long-term and ongoing job. “We will have to keep strain detection systems up and running. We will probably have to constantly make new vaccines, and people will have to get re-vaccinated each year to deal with new strains of the virus, ”Dr. Schaffner told Zing . A nation’s perils are the perils of the world According to Dr. Schaffner, people live in a connected world. Thus, a new strain threatens every country everywhere. “That is why the global need to join hands to overcome this pandemic,” said Dr. Schaffner. By the end of January 2021, the strain was first discovered in the UK, present in more than 70 countries and territories. These numbers with the strain in South Africa and the strain in Brazil are 31 and 37, respectively, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This suggests that new strains of the virus, wherever they first appear, could quickly invade the rest of the world, threatening global health security. “Every country should anticipate major out-of-control outbreaks,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, Dean of the Department of Public Health at Brown University. Countries like the UK and the US are doing a very good job of vaccination. However, that also only deal with the current strains “. However, Dr. Schaffner said that the greatest hope now in dealing with the immediate pandemic is to distribute the vaccine in a balanced and efficient way around the world. “All countries need to work together to try if they want to succeed”, Mr. Schaffner stressed. The chaplain’s account of the funeral for 150 Covid-19 patients before cremation Every day, Hindu cleric RamKaran Mishra performs a funeral for about 150 people who have died of Covid-19 at the Ghazipur crematory facility east of New Delhi, India.

One of the unique traditional customs in India is Namaste, also known as Namaskar, Namaskaare. This is a traditional form of greeting for the Indian people. It is mentioned in the Hindu Vedic Sutras. Indians will perform the way to greet Namaste by holding hands together and placed in front of their chest. The meaning of this action means “Let our minds understand each other”. In addition, the word Namaste can also be interpreted as “na ma” (not mine). This shows a reduction of self in front of another person. In Hindu culture, the first haircut for a baby boy in the first three years from birth (also known as mundan sanskar) is extremely important. According to Hindu conception, the newborn hairs of a child contain the evils and calamities of a previous life. Therefore, shaving the child will help start a new life, not being attached to the previous life. During the mundan sanskar ceremony, a monk will be invited to perform the ritual. After the barber has finished shaving, the child’s head will be covered with turmeric and a piece of sandalwood. Indian weddings are celebrated with many traditional customs. Among these, an important tradition is that the bride’s family will give dowry gold jewelry. This custom is called Stree-dhan. Over time, some of the above traditions have changed. Dowry can be cash, land. Even the bride’s family also gives a large sum of money for school education for the groom. This action is intended to thank the groom’s house for taking care of their daughter. Invite readers to watch the video: The people of New Delhi, India are disappointed by being the most polluted capital in the world. Source: VTV24.

In Western culture, blue represents trust and responsibility. However, this color is also associated with sadness and loneliness, so English has the phrase “having the blues” to express sad feelings. In some countries such as Turkey, Greece, Iran and Albania, the blue color represents protection from evil so we will often see enchantments with blue eyes that are supposed to protect protect the wearer from the demon’s eyes in these places. In some Eastern cultures, blue represents immortality, while in Hinduism this color is associated with the god Krishna, the god of love. In Western cultures, green represents many things, such as luck, nature, freshness, environment, wealth, and jealousy. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, green represents fertility, luck and is considered the traditional color of Islam. However, green can mean betrayal in some Eastern cultures, such as the Chinese concept of men wearing green hats as taboo because it means people. that man is being “cuckolded” by his wife. The yellow color in some Western cultures is associated with sunlight, happiness, warmth, and joy. However, sometimes it also means caution and cowardice. In China yellow represents royalty, while in Germany, yellow represents jealousy. Orange represents autumn, season, and warmth in Western culture. In Hinduism, the pale orange like saffron represents good prospects and holiness. In Western culture the color pink represents femininity, love, romance and care but in Japan this color is associated with more masculinity. Pink is believed to help stimulate the spirit and reduce violent behaviors. That is why many prisons are painted pink. Around the world, purple often symbolizes royalty, wealth and nobility. This color also represents fidelity, sincerity and repentance. In Brazil and Thailand, purple represents mourning. In many Asian cultures, the color red represents luck, joy, prosperity, and festival. In India, the color red represents purity, fertility and prosperity. That is why Indian brides traditionally wear red at their weddings. Meanwhile, that color represents passion, excitement, action, love, and danger in Western culture. Red represents luck in Egypt while in Iran it represents courage. Depending on the different cultures, black represents solemnity and sophistication, as well as symbolizing death, evil, grief, sickness, and mystery. In many Asian countries, white represents death, grief and funerals. However, in Western culture, white represents purity, elegance, peace, and is often worn by brides at weddings.