# Online darshan: Over the last two days, festivities have begun in different States. In Maharashtra, devotees welcomed Lord Ganesh in their homes and public pandals on Friday as the 10-day festival began in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. This time also the focus was on online darshan amid the coronavirus pandemic and the looming threat of a third wave.
# TN on alert: In Tamil Nadu, the Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan has urged all District Collectors and the Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation to be on alert as the State showed a rising trend in Covid-19 cases – from about 1,500 a day to above 1,600. “What is worrying is that instead of earlier week changes linked to an increase in the number of tests on weekdays, this rise is due to a gradual increase in positivity,” he said in a message to all the Collectors.
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# 72 and rising: The country has surpassed the 72.37 crore mark in its inoculation drive across the country with three States including Sikkim, Dadar & Nagar Haveli, and Himachal Pradesh completing 100 per cent first dose in the country. Also, on Friday, India administered 54.72 lakh vaccine doses till 6:00 PM with 72.91 crore vaccinations done till now.
# Immunity boosters: There has been a surge in demand for Ayurvedic products due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as people realise the importance of traditional immunity boosters. Experts say the demand for Ayurvedic products along with growing discretionary spending can help Ayurveda become a $15 billion industry by 2023.