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Tag: Tamil Nadu Government

  • West Bengal allows theatres to fully reopen

    West Bengal allows theatres to fully reopen

    MUMBAI: Even as the Tamil Nadu government has reversed its decision permitting 100 per cent occupancy in cinema halls following directions from the ministry of home affairs, it is now the turn of West Bengal to allow theatres to fully reopen. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee made the announcement while inaugurating the 26th Kolkata International Film Festival on Friday.

    Her directive is to be notified by chief secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay and is against the central government’s unlock rules, which stipulate 50 per cent occupancy.

    The move came a day after single-screen owners in West Bengal urged the state government to allow 100 per cent occupancy in theatres, citing poor box office returns as the reason.

    Tamil Nadu had taken a similar decision earlier this week but had to withdraw it on receiving clear cut directions from home secretary Ajay Bhalla that the unlock restrictions must not, under any conditions, be diluted. The current set of unlock guidelines will be enforced till 31 January.

    Soon after, the Tamil Nadu government issued a statement saying that the audience in all cinema theatres, including those in multiplexes and shopping malls, shall be capped at 50 per cent till further orders. The Madras high court had also stated that it believed that the state government should  reconsider its former decision of allowing 100 per cent  occupancy in cinema theatres in view of the Coronavirus situation in the state. It also said that it is not proper to give economic problems top priority when the nation is going through a pandemic.

    Now it remains to be seen is if the home secretary will once again write to the West Bengal authorities and if the Centre’s rules will be followed. It must be recalled that the Tamil Nadu government led by the AIADMK is an ally of the BJP which has formed the Union government. The Trinamool Congress is in power in West Bengal and it is a bitter rival of the Narendra Modi-led BJP.

  • Tamil Nadu Government directs blood banks and hospitals to use Facebook to boost blood donations

    Tamil Nadu Government directs blood banks and hospitals to use Facebook to boost blood donations

    MUMBAI: The Government of Tamil Nadu, today announced that it has directed all blood banks in Tamil Nadu to use Blood Donation feature on Facebook, to reach out to voluntary donors .

    There is a huge demand for blood every day all over the world. Acute shortage of voluntary blood donations can lead to lack access for many people to this critical lifeline. However, the Indian health ecosystem is undergoing transformation backed by digital technologies, helping in many ways in optimizing the process of blood donation.

    The Tamil Nadu Government feels social media with its power and reach to connect people, can help to create awareness and enable voluntary blood donations. The State government has issued a directive to all blood banks and hospitals in the state to use Facebook blood donation feature, in order to bridge the gap between blood donors and nearby blood banks.

    Speaking on the National Voluntary Blood Donor Day, Hon’ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Tamil Nadu, Dr. C. Vijaya Baskar said “One of the biggest reasons for blood shortage is the lack of access and appropriate know how among potential donors to donate blood. We believe that Blood Donation feature on Facebook, will help us to reach out many donors and encourage them to donate. It can also be one of the fastest and seamless ways, to let donors know of critical blood needs in their areas”

    All banks have gone through comprehensive training workshops to on board them on to Facebook Blood Donation feature and have learnt how about how they can connect with donors on Facebook basis their needs.

    Speaking on the occasion, Manish Chopra, Director and Head of Partnerships, Facebook India said “Our Blood Donation Feature is a great example of how extraordinary opportunities emerge when people and technology connect. In the two years since its launch, over 22 million people in India have registered as blood donors on Facebook. We are also continuously working with our partners across the spectrum to help the Blood Donation feature, to be accessible for a growing number of blood donors in India. Our partnership with the Govt. of Tamil Nadu is an extension of our commitment to make sure blood banks have access to these donors / blood banks regularly and help to create safe and sustainable supply of blood.”

    Launched in 2017, Blood Donation Feature on Facebook connects people willing to donate blood with opportunities nearby. People can sign up as donors on Facebook and get notified when blood banks near post about their blood requirements. Blood Donation feature was first launched in India and is now available in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Brazil and in USA with over 50 million people are registered as blood donors on Facebook.

    This National Voluntary Blood Donor Day, you too can give blood and save a life. Want to find a blood bank near you? It’s simple, sign-up with Facebook and find an opportunity to donate blood today. www.facebook.com/donateblood