DELHI April 18, 2021

CM J ND-NDE YK DELHI THE HINDU J2 SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

CM J ND-NDE YK follow us: april 18, 2021 Delhi City Edition thehindu.com 24 pages ț ₹15.00 facebook.com/thehindu twitter.com/the_hindu

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Printed at . Chennai . Coimbatore . Bengaluru . Hyderabad . Madurai . Noida . Visakhapatnam . Thiruvananthapuram . Kochi . Vijayawada . Mangaluru . Tiruchirapalli . Kolkata . Hubballi . Mohali . Malappuram . Mumbai . Tirupati . lucknow . cuttack . patna NEARBY PM calls for more temporary Sporadic violence marks hospitals, isolation centres fifth phase of Bengal poll 78.46% polling recorded across 45 constituencies A day after bail, Deep New cases rising at 7.6%, deaths at 10.2%, says Minister as States raise shortages Sidhu arrested again Shiv Sahay Singh NEW DELHI Special Correspondent Kolkata Delhi Police’s Crime Branch NEW DELHI Uddhav call on High voter turnout and spo arrested actoractivist Deep Prime Minister Narendra radic incidents of violence Sidhu on Saturday in connec Modi chaired a late evening oxygen fails marked the fifth phase of tion with an FIR lodged by the meeting on Saturday with se election in West Bengal on Archaeological Survey of to reach Modi India for allegedly damaging nior Central and State go Saturday. public property during the vernment officials to review Polling was held in 45 As Alok Deshpande farmers’ tractor parade on the status of preparedness to sembly seats across six dis handle the COVID19 pan Sobhana K. Nair tricts — three in north Bengal Republic Day at Red Fort. Mumbai/New Delhi CITY Ī PAGE 2 demic. and three in south Bengal. A DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD The meeting was held Maharashtra Chief Minister turnout of 78.46% was re amid a record surge in cases Uddhav Thackeray report corded, according to the Vo in the country and several edly tried to speak to ter Turnout app of the Elec States complaining of shor No stock: Beneficiaries being turned back at a vaccine centre Prime Minister Narendra tion Commission of India. tage of staff, medicines and in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. * K.R. DEEPAK Modi on Saturday about Highest voting of 86.44% essential equipment. the severe oxygen shortage was observed in Haringhata, “Various aspects relating must be strictly curbed. ported in June 2020. The Mi in the State, but could not followed by 85.65% in May to medicines, oxygen, venti The Prime Minister “has nister added that this was get through, because the naguri and 84.22% in Jamal lators and vaccination were directed that the installation leading to an alarming rise in latter was campaigning in pur. MAGAZINE Ī 8 PAGES discussed and PM stressed of approved medical oxygen active cases and also a sharp West Bengal, sources in the While the local residents CLASSIFIEDS Ī PAGE 4 that there is no substitute to plants should be accelerat growth of 10.2% in the num Chief Minister’s Office alleged that the Central testing, tracking and treat ed,” the release said, adding ber of deaths. (CMO) said. Armed Police Forces opened ment while directing that all that 162 PSA oxygen plants Dr. Vardhan chaired a “The CM called the fire at Deganga Assembly Delhi reports necessary measures must be were being installed in 32 highlevel review meeting Prime Minister at about segment in North 24 Parga taken to ramp up the availa States and Union Territories with the Health Ministers of 10:30 a.m.; this was his nas, the report by the Bara 24,375 cases bility of hospital beds for CO with funds from PM CARES. Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, third attempt since yester sat Superintendent of Police VID19 patients. The Prime It added that one lakh cylin Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya day to speak to Mr. Modi denied the allegation. staff reporter Minister also directed that ders were being procured Pradesh, Kerala, West Ben but we were told that he is new delhi additional supply of beds and would be supplied to the gal, Delhi, Karnataka, Tamil busy campaigning in West 123 arrested rested after a firearm was re ice officers are in Gayeshpur Delhi reported 24,375 new through temporary hospitals States soon. Mr. Modi asked Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. Bengal and will return the “The elections were peace covered from his possession. and a night camp of police COVID19 cases over 24 and isolation centres should all officials to make efforts to The Ministry added that call once he is back,” a ful; today a few incidents Violence was reported at the would be stationed in the hours, the highest since the be ensured,” a release issued utilise the entire national ca there were 2,463 laborato source in CMO said. were reported,” Chief Elec Santipur police station area area. beginning of the pandemic. the government said. pacity, in public as well as ries in the country with a The Prime Minister ad toral Officer Aariz Aftab said. in Nadia after miscreants Besides Nadia, where The total number of cases Mr. Modi reviewed the sta private sector, to ramp up combined daily testing ca dressed two rallies in West The CEO said 23 persons lobbed crude bombs at a eight seats went to the polls, stood at 8,27,998. tus of supply of Remdesivir vaccine production. pacity of 15 lakh samples. Bengal on Saturday — in were arrested in specific in person, who had to be violence between Trinamool Also, a total of 167 deaths and other medicines, and Earlier in the day, Union Asansol and Gangarampur cidents during the day and rushed to hospital. and BJP supporters was re CONTINUED ON Ī PAGE 6 were reported over 24 said the use of these medi Health Minister Harsh Vard which go to the polls in the 100 were arrested as part of At Gayeshpur in Nadia, ported in North 24 parga hours — the highest till now cines should be in accor han said India was reporting PM SUGGESTS CURTAILMENT sixth phase of the Assemb preventive measures. Trinamool supporters ran nas, where polling was held OF KUMBH MELA Ī PAGE 8 — taking the toll to 11,960. dance with approved medi the sharpest growth rate of ly election. At Ranaghat in Nadia, an sacked the house of a BJP for 16 seats. cal guidelines and that their 7.6% in new cases, which is INDIA ADDS 2.56 LAKH CASES, Independent candidate, supporter. PAGE 6 DETAILS ON Ī PAGE 3 misuse and black marketing 1.3 times the rate of 5.5% re 1,442 DEATHS Ī PAGE 8 CONTINUED ON Ī PAGE 6 Kaushik Bhowmick, was ar The CEO said senior pol CONTINUED ON Ī 4 Sikhs among eight T.N. sees over twofold killed in U.S. shooting jump in investments Press Trust of India late on Thursday night at the Vikas Dhoot compiled for The Hindu by Washington FedEx facility in Indianapo NEW DELHI Projects Today, an indepen Four Sikhs, including three lis. Hole was interviewed by Fresh investments into Tamil dent firm tracking invest women, were among eight FBI agents last year, after his Nadu more than doubled to ment projects in the country. people killed in a mass mother called the police to over ₹1,00,000 crore during Tamil Nadu was ranked shooting at a FedEx facility say that her son might com the pandemichit 202021, 12th among all States in 2018 in the U.S. State of Indiana mit “suicide by cop”. with the southern State wit 19, with a 3.67% share of staffed by a large number of The incident is the worst nessing the second highest fresh investments into India IndianAmerican employees. attack on Sikhs in the U.S. af investment outlay, as per a of ₹16.86 lakh crore. While The incident has shocked ter the Oak Creek Gurdwara private study. Maharashtra overall investments in 2019 community leaders who ap mass shooting in Wisconsin retained the top spot for a se 20 dropped sharply to just pealed to President Joe Bi on August 5, 2012, where se cond year in a row. ₹10.86 lakh crore, the State’s den to tackle the growing ven members of the com Tamil Nadu jumped from share had risen to 4.41% of hate crimes and violence. munity were killed. About the ninth position in 2019 the total investments. The gunman was identi 90% of the workers at the Fe 20, when 465 projects worth Project investments fell a fied as 19yearold Brandon dEx facility are said to be ₹47,833 crore were an further 1.23% in 202021. Ho Scott Hole, a former em IndianAmericans. nounced, to second in 2020 wever, Tamil Nadu’s share of ployee. He allegedly killed 21, with 573 projects worth the country’s investments himself after the shooting CONTINUED ON Ī PAGE 6 ₹1,02,652 crore, as per data more than doubled to 9.6%.

NIA declares ₹7 lakh bounty on Hidma

Vijaita Singh New Delhi The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has declared a reward of ₹7 lakh for the arrest of Madvi Hidma, who heads the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion 1 of the Maoists, a lethally armed and trained unit of the banned group active in southern Chhattisgarh, one of the worst areas aﬀected by Left Wing Extremism. Though the reward has been announced in a 2019 case, pertaining to the kill ing of Chhattisgarh legisla tor Bhima Mandavi, the State police had said Hidma was involved in the April 3 ambush at the SukmaBija pur border where 22 secur ity personnel were killed. A ₹10 lakh reward has al so been announced for in formation leading to the ar rest of CPI (Maoist) general secretary Basavaraju, alias Nambala Keshava Rao, 66. He already has a reward of ₹1.85 crore on his head, an nounced cumulatively by Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

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DELHI THE HINDU 2 CITY SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Ashok Kumar Farmers wait for their turn to sell their produce while others ready bags GURUGRAM A day after bail, Deep of wheat at the Sohna new grain market. * ASHOK KUMAR * ASHOK KUMAR eamless procurement en suring Minimum Support Sidhu arrested again SPrice (MSP) and timely pay ment have been the major chal lenges for the Haryana govern Held in connection with ASI complaint ment during the harvesting season year after year. Press Trust of India justifiable. However this year, the task is New Delhi Rejecting the prosecu even bigger amid the ongoing Delhi Police’s Crime Branch tion’s contention that the farmers’ agitation seeking legal arrested actoractivist Deep accused might abscond if guarantee for MSP; the fear of dis Sidhu on Saturday in con released on bail, the court continuation of the “mandi sys nection with an FIR lodged said: “The accused as per tem” in the wake of the three on the basis of a complaint the own case of the prose farm laws looming large over the by the Archaeological Sur cution is a wellknown pu farming community and a sense vey of India (ASI) for alleg blic figure with deep roots of “resentment” against the rul edly damaging public pro in society and such appre ing regime. perty during the farmers’ hensions are capable of be Much before the inception of the tractor parade violence on ing allayed by imposing procurement season for wheat on Republic Day at Red Fort, stricter conditions.” April 1 this year, Deputy Chief Mi officials said. “It would violate and in nister Dushyant Chautala an Not quite a fair The arrest came after a fringe the fundamental nounced that the government Delhi court granted bail to right to life and liberty gua would aim at transferring money Mr. Sidhu, who was arrest ranteed to the accused, if directly to the accounts of the farm ed on February 9 in con the accused is denied bail ers within 48 hours. Chief Minister deal for farmers nection with the Red Fort on such nature of accusa Manohar Lal too, following a meet violence. tions and material only on ing with the officials concerned, as Though farmers at Sohna are happy that they the ground that the investi sured to pay 9% interest in case of Unjustifiable plea gating agency is yet to esta delayed payments. are getting Minimum Support Price, they Special Judge Neelofer Abi blish the identity of the oth complain about delayed payment from the da Perveen had granted re er members of the unlawful Govt.’s false promises lief to the accused on Fri assembly,” the judge noted. However, these announcements Haryana govt. and lack of amenities at mandis discredits the farmers movement than 53,000 quintals of wheat day on a personal bond of While granting bail, the seem to remain “empty promis on the Delhi borders being “politi has already been procured at the ₹30,000 and two sureties judge directed Mr. Sidhu to es” for many farmers at new got the money. to wait for his turn, but now he cally motivated”, but supports the mandi till April 15, and as per the of a like amount. deposit his passport with grains market in Sohna here. He said that farmers were get received a text message on his demand for MSP. He does farming estimates of market committee The court noted that the the investigating officer and Giriraj Singh, a young farmer ting the promised MSP, but timely mobile informing him about his on around 20acre land taken on secretary Krishan Kumar, anoth accused was in custody appear before the police from Nuh’s Bhirawati village, sold payment mattered the most. He turn. lease, but finds it difficult to make er 15,000 quintals is expected to since February 9, with a 14 station as well as the court over 300 quintals of wheat to sep says that, unlike other commis both ends meet. “It is difficult to reach in a week’s time before the day remand in police as and when required. arate commission agents 10 days sion agents in the mandi, around Against farmers’ stir survive for a farmer without a gua culmination of the procurement custody. On January 26, thou ago, but he is yet to get the mo two dozen in number, he was not “It is hassle free. It just takes a few rantee for a minimum price,” says process. It said that a police plea sands of protesting farmers ney. In an urgent need of money scared to call “a spade a spade” hours now,” he says. He also claims Prasad. for further incarceration clashed with the police at for his niece’s wedding, and seeking basic amenities for that earlier, it took 1520 days for Though Sohna mandi caters to Movement regulation for the sole purpose of ITO in Delhi, the agency Giriraj has borrowed a few farmers and labourers at the payments, but this year he had re around 60 villages in its vicinity, Mr. Kumar informs that 1,640 voice sampling was not claimed in its FIR. thousand from the arthiya (com mandi for a long time. ceived the payment for a procure the farmers in the area prefer to farmers have registered under mission agent). “The government “The toilets are dirty. There is ment made just three days ago. He go to bigger mandis in Nuh. More “Meri Fasal, Mera Byora” was quick to send me a text mes no arrangement for water and scheme, adding that registration sage for my turn to sell off the light. The problem of waterlog was now almost cent per cent in Water supply to remain produce but the wait for the mes ging is perennial every monsoon the State. He, however, argues sage from the bank [about the and the less said the better about that restricting the number of amount to be credited] seems sanitation. Repeated complaints farmers reaching the mandis ev affected for a week: DJB endless,” he quips. have been to the market commit ery day was “impractical”. tee, the Deputy Commissioner “It is difficult for the farmers to Press Trust of India Sonia Vihar and Bhagirathi New Delhi Timely payment matters and even at the CM Window sys store the crop at home after har water treatment plants was Dharambir, who runs Ganga Pra tem, but there has been no ac vesting. They prefer to come The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on reduced by 25 per cent to 30 sadHiralal commission firm, tion,” an angry Dharambir says. straight to the market to sell it off. Saturday said water supply per cent. quickly reads through his “ bahee Though Gaya Prasad (42) gives It is not pragmatic to regulate in parts of the Capital is like “Water supply in areas of khaata” (ledger account) to claim a big thumbs up to the present re their movement. The govern ly to remain affected for a East Delhi, Northeast Delhi, that none of over a dozen farm gime for streamlining the pro ment too realised this and the week due to “reduced avail South Delhi and NDMC will ers, who sold off their wheat curement system over the years, Chief Minister announced to al ability” of raw water from remain affected in the even through him since the beginning he recalls how he would have to low farmers to come outofturn,” the Upper Ganga Canal. ing... The situation may re of the procurement season, had spend several nights at the mandi says Mr. Kumar. The water utility said the main so for a week until the “production” capacity at situation improves,” it said.

JNU issues strict COVID COVID-19 patients running norms, shuts pillar to post to secure bed Night and weekend curfews sports stadium A few complain about lack of facilities at Lok Nayak Hospital Press Trust of India spell trouble for sex workers New Delhi Nikhil M Babu Jawaharlal Nehru Universi New Delhi ‘People are not allowed ty (JNU) on Saturday or When Sanjay Singh’s 55 dered a slew of restrictions yearold father complained to go out between 10 amid rising number of CO of breathlessness on Thurs p.m. and 5 a.m. or on VID19 infections in the na day morning, the family had tional capital. no clue how long it would the weekends, how will In a circular, the univer take them to get a hospital we get patrons?’ sity said, the sports stadi bed. It finally took them a um has been closed with day and trips to five hospi immediate effect and yoga tals. Jatin Anand activities in the offline “We got him admitted New Delhi mode have also been sus yesterday afternoon [Friday] till recovering from the impact pended. It, however, said at Lok Nayak Hospital but we of the lockdown and subse such activities can be run do not know yet whether he Squent restrictions from last in online mode. has COVID19 or not,” Mr. year, Delhi’s sex workers have been Dining facility at can Singh, 35, said outside the dealt another blow with the city go teens and eateries in the hospital. vernment announcing night cur campus will also be closed Relatives of many CO A beneficiary gets vaccinated at Lok Nayak Hospital in New fews, weekend curfews and other with immediate effect, said VID19 patients said that Delhi on Monday. * FILE PHOTO: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR curbs to stop the resurgence of CO the university. they had to travel to multiple VID19 cases in the Capital. “Dining facility at Arava hospitals to find a bed as tals tested him. showed some patches in her The exodus of migrant workers — The 2020 lockdown had left the sex workers with little to no work. li guest house canteen as they are unavailable in many As per rules, COVID19 lungs. Then, we went to ESI, their core clientèle — during the * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT well as other canteens and hospitals with a record surge suspected patients can also Vivek Vihar, where doctors 2020 national lockdown left them eateries will be closed and in cases. be admitted at a hospital for referred us to Ram Manohar with little to no work. Left with no <> Our core clientèle left for vive. I do not know how we will be only home delivery and ta Outside Lok Nayak Hospi COVID19 treatment. Lohia Hospital. When we other choice and facing starvation, their villages last year. We able to feed ourselves if things go on keaway will be allowed,” tal, the largest Delhi govern “Yesterday [Friday] early reached the hospital, they sex workers slashed their fees by up had started getting most of like this.” said the administration. ment hospital, many rela morning, his condition wor informed us that they did to 75%. them back before the The operation of can tives said that they got a bed sened and we went to Am not have any beds. In the Just as business was beginning to COVID-19 cases surged again Survived on donations teens and ‘dhabas’ of the without much hassle after bedkar Hospital. There, they end, around 1.30 a.m. today, pick up, the city government last During last year’s lockdown, the sex schools, special centres being referred there by oth gave him oxygen. He was a we managed to get a bed at week announced a night curfew bet Kusum workers were left to fend for them and residential areas shall er hospitals, but some com suspected COVID19 patient Lok Nayak Hospital,” he ween 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. On April 15, President of the All India Network of Sex Workers selves as there were no direct cash be only in takeaway and plained about lack of proper and was referred to Safdar said. a weekend curfew was also declared benefits transferred to their bank ac home delivery mode. facilities at the hospital. jung and Lok Nayak Hospi Gopal, 35, a daily wage la that threatens to erode their earn clients suddenly dipped because of counts or food kits from the govern “The hostel residents tal. When we went to Safdar bourer from Mangolpuri ings further. the night curfew. We do most of our ment. They survived on donations are strongly discouraged Did not have report jung, they said that they did said that they had to go to “Before the lockdown, we used to business between 10 p.m. and 5 from NGOs and civil society groups. from visiting other hostels “On April 15, my father start not have beds. Finally, we three other hospitals before charge ₹1,000 per client. After it was a.m. when the movement of people The vaccination drive started in and going out of the cam ed having breathlessness. got a bed at Lok Nayak Lok Nayak Hospital in search announced, fees came down to ₹250 is not allowed,” she said. Delhi three months ago but there is pus or to schools/centres, When we went to Raja Har around 11.30 a.m.,” he said. of beds to get his wife admit per client as there were virtually no “Many regular customers decided no emphasis on prioritising the jab unless it is absolutely es ish Chandra Hospital, where Mr. Singh said that though ted. “Finally, when we came customers,” said Kusum, president to visit us over the weekend, but for sex workers, they rued. sential,” the circular stated. my father’s treatment was the admission was almost here around 9.30 p.m., she of the All India Network of Sex now weekend curfew has been an “No government helped us back JNU added that visitors’ going on, they did not con smooth, facilities were “not fainted. While waiting to get Workers (AINSW). nounced. From our point of view, it then and no government is doing movement will only be al sider us. Later, we went to good”. admission, only after we “We cater to labourers, rickshaw is four days – including Friday night that now. We survived on donations lowed through the north Maharishi Valmiki Hospital Vinay Kumar, 33, also said started shouting, they pullers, autorickshaw drivers, taxi – of no work. COVID slashed our in from NGOs and other groups. This gate, and “other gates shall where they gave him a ne that he had to go to four hos rushed her to the hospital,” and truck drivers. These people left come by half and these curfews by time, not a lot of us have documents remain closed till further buliser and sent him home,” pitals to get his mother ad he added. for their villages last year. We had another half of what was left,” she needed to get a shot of the COVID orders”. It advised resi Mr. Singh said. mitted. “First, we went to a Lok Nayak Hospital had started getting most of them back, complained. vaccination,” Kajal said. dents to avoid “nonessen He said that his father did private hospital when she around 650 vacant beds on charging up to ₹500 till recently, be Simran*, who used to work in a “Even at that time [the lock tial movement” inside or not have a COVID19 positive started having breathing is Saturday afternoon, as per a fore the COVID19 cases surged brothel on GB Road before the lock down], when neighbours were help outside the campus. report as none of the hospi sues. There, the Xray report government website. again. The weekend curfew will take down, has opted to become a “dom ing each other in times of need, we away clients who were part of the estic sex worker” — working from a were looked down upon because of weekend rush due to the night cur house occupied by other profession our ‘dirty trade’ and left on our few,” she added. als like herself. own,” said Simran. Jamia Millia Islamia defers PhD entrance examination Delhi’s red light district on Gar “Customers have dipped by 80%. According to Amit Kumar, coun stin Bastion (GB) Road, officially If there were around 10 clients for try head of the AINSW, the Supreme Press Trust of India According to a notice the Government of NCT of will defer the exams for called Shradhanand Marg, has an each girl before the lockdown, that Court had directed the Central and New Delhi from JMI, the tests that were Delhi, has postponed the Classes 10 and 12 at JMI estimated 68 kothas (brothels) and number is now down to two. We State governments to provide relief Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) on scheduled to be held on Ph.D. Entrance Tests which schools, scheduled to be around 5,000 sex workers. fear this will go down to nothing be to sex workers in an order on Sep Saturday announced it April 20, 22, 24, and 26 will were earlier announced to held from April 15, following Kajal*, a sex worker, said the cause of the curfews,” she said, ad tember 29, 2020. “As part of this, would defer the PhD en be held at a later date. be held on 20, 22, 24 and 26 the Central Board of Secon night curfew had already negatively ding: “The average factory worker is dry ration kits were distributed to trance examinations in view “The Competent Authori of April 2021 till further or dary Education’s decision on impacted trade and the weekend no longer allowed to step out either them for a few months but that too of an unprecedented surge ty, keeping in view of CO ders [sic.],” it said. Wednesday to cancel Class curfew would make matters worse. at night or on the weekend, so how has stopped now,” said Mr. Kumar. in COVID19 cases in the na VID19 surge in Delhi and On Wednesday, the un 10 exams and defer Class 12 “Over the last week, the number of will he visit? We need help to sur * Name changed on request tional capital. weekend curfew imposed by iversity had announced it examinations.

CM M ND-NDE YK THE HINDU DELHI SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021 CITY 3 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Timings DELHI Need more medicines, SUNDAY, APR. 18 Only 274 ICU beds vacant as RISE 05:53 SET 18:49 RISE 09:56 SET 00:00 oxygen, CM tells Centre MONDAY, APR. 19 RISE 05:52 SET 18:50 ‘Will take any step to curb infections’ RISE 10:48 SET 00:25 Delhi reports 24K new cases TUESDAY, APR. 20 Special Correspondent step” to ensure the safety RISE 05:51 SET 18:50 A record 169 deaths reported in 24 hours; active COVID cases near 70,000 mark New Delhi and health of the citizens. RISE 11:45 SET 01:15 Amid the surge in COVID19 “With the pace at which staff reporter deputed IAS and DANICS of cases, Chief Minister Ar COVID is spreading, none new delhi ficers in government and vind Kejriwal on Saturday of us know when it will Delhi reported 24,375 new private hospitals across Del said he had spoken to Un reach its peak,” he said at a COVID19 cases in the last 24 hi to ensure better COVID ion Health Minister Harsh digital briefing. hours, the highest since the management,” said Health Vardhan about the shor “I told Dr. Vardhan there beginning of the pandemic, Minister Satyendar Jain. tage of oxygen, beds and es is a huge shortage of beds according to a health bulle sential medicines such as in Delhi. In November, the tin released by the Delhi go Nodal officers Remdesivir and Tocilizu Centre allotted us 4,100 vernment on Saturday. He said that the government mab in the Capital. beds. This time, they have The total number of cases has deployed IAS officers as Mr. Kejriwal said the go provided 1,800 beds even stood at 8,27,998. nodal officers in 10 State go vernment was in the pro though this wave is three Out of the total 16,979 vernment hospitals to over cess of adding 6,000 beds times more fatal than the beds available for COVID19 see overall COVID19 man across various facilities ov previous ones,” he added. treatment, 74.8% were occu agement. er the coming threefour There are around 10,000 pied. Significantly, 93.25% of “15 DANICS officers post days and requested the beds under the Centre in the total 4,062 ICU beds are ed in private hospitals across Centre for assistance. Delhi of which at least 50% occupied and there were on COVID-19 vaccination in progress at a centre in Delhi during Delhi to handhold the man He added that the wee must be reserved for CO ly 274 ICU beds vacant in Del the weekend curfew on Saturday. * SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA agement and oversee adhe kend curfew, which came VID19, he said, adding: “At hi on Saturday night, as per a rence of all COVID measures. into effect at 10 p.m. on Fri AIIMS, there are 1,162 beds 0 government website. A total of 167 deaths were ing positive for the virus. 24 DANICS Probationers de day night and will remain out of which only 23 are re DISCLAIMER: Readers are requested to The hospitals which did also reported in the past 24 A total of 99,230 tests ployed in State government in force till 5 a.m. on Mon served for COVID patients.” verify and make appropriate enquiries to satisfy themselves about the veracity of not have a single ICU bed in hours — the highest fatality were conducted in a day, the hospitals to assist the nodal day, was put in place out of On test results taking 34 an advertisement before responding to any published in this newspaper. THG clude bigger Delhi govern count so far — taking the bulletin said. Of the total cas IAS officers in overall general “compulsion” and the go days instead of 24 hours, PUBLISHING PVT LTD., the Publisher & Owner of this newspaper, does not vouch mentrun hospitals such as death toll to 11,960. es, 7,46,239 people have re superintendence,” he said. vernment was constantly the Chief Minister said for the authenticity of any advertisement or advertiser or for any of the advertiser’s Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciali The test positivity was covered and there are 69,799 Meanwhile, a total of monitoring the situation. strict action would be taken products and/or services. In no event can the Owner, Publisher, Printer, Editor, Dir- ty Hospital and Deen Dayal 24.56% on Saturday, which is active cases in the city. 48,046 beneficiaries took If the gravity of the surge against labs that accept ector/s, Employees of this newspaper/ company be held responsible/liable in Upadhyay Hospital, and cen the highest in months. This “Under the leadership of the COVID19 vaccination in in the city increases furth more samples than their any manner whatsoever for any claims and/or damages for advertisements in tral governmentrun Safdar means that 24 out of 100 pe Chief Minister Arvind Kejri the Capital in the last 24 er, Mr. Kejriwal said the go capacity and do not pro this newspaper. jung Hospital. ople taking the tests are test wal, Delhi government has hours, as per the bulletin. vernment would take “any vide results in 24 hours.

Nizamuddin dargah to remain closed till April 30

Press Trust of India new delhi The Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah will remain closed till April 30 in view of the surge in COVID19 cases, its chairman Afsar Ali Nizami said on Saturday. “We took the decision keeping in view the daily rise in novel coronavirus cases in the Capital. Even though we have been fol lowing all COVID19 proto A police checkpoint at Ridge Road; a vegetable vendor on an empty road in Delhi as the city observed weekend curfew in light of rising number of COVID cases. * SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR, V.V. KRISHNAN cols, including wearing masks and maintaining social distancing, we thought it best to keep the dargah closed till April Traders, residents embrace weekend at home 30," he said. In case the prevailing situation does not im Police strictly enforce weekend curfew; markets considering reduced operational timings between noon and 7 p.m. prove, we can extend the dargah’s closure further, city team be impacted because of the major retail markets. he added. new delhi weekend lockdown but said The holy month of The first day of the weekend they understood that this Strict action Ramzan is currently on curfew, which came into ef step was required. “Even In a joint statement issued and Muslims from across fect on Friday night, saw during the last lockdown, we by representatives from re the country come to pay fewer people venturing out had suffered losses but this tail markets such as Khan obeisance at the dargah. and strict enforcement at wave of cases is a lot scarier Market, Connaught Place, most locations. than last time,” said Girish Karol Bagh, Chandni Chowk, While the streets of south Thakral, owners of Dayal Aurobindo Place, Lajpat Na Delhi were devoid of traffic, Bakers in Moti Nagar. gar and Janpath and Green High Court Delhi Police and civil de He added that their shop Park among others, the asso fence volunteers were seen also sells groceries and ciations demanded stricter Chief Justice stopping vehicles at traffic were, therefore, allowed to enforcement of COVIDap lights and pickets set up on open. “I have applied for e propriate behaviour. tests positive the main roads, asking for e passes for my employees The operational timings passes and identification and will not open till they at such markets could be press trust of india from drivers as well as com have received the permits,” between noon and 7 p.m.. new delhi muters. he said, adding that his earn The association also de Delhi High Court Chief ings have dipped by 3040%. manded strict action against Justice D.N. Patel has test Less traffic Ganesh Market Associa street hawkers to break the ed positive for COVID19 Vehicular traffic was visibly tion’s general secretary Har chain of infection. and is in home isolation, less across the city with pol meet Singh, who runs Lud according to court ice personnel manning hiana Woollen Industries Over 150 arrested sources. checkpoints. Vehicles bear An empty Connaught Place during the weekend curfew on Saturday. * SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR dealing in school uniforms, Till 8 p.m. on Saturday, the They said the chief jus ing “COVID duty” stickers or said that traders have taken police had arrested 164 peo tice is asymptomatic. a particular hospital’s name like Greater Kailash 1 and 2, curing produce from mandis ween the announcement a hit in sales and the govern ple, registered 363 FIRs and were allowed to sail through, Defence Colony and Anand in the morning. and the implementation. ment has not helped them in issued 2,432 challans for vio Three other judges though some ordinary vehi Lok set up barricades at all There was not much chaos any way. lating the weekend curfew. Earlier this week, three cles without any such identi entry points to ensure only No panic buying this time.” “We have to pay renewal Delhi Police COVID hel other judges of the Delhi fiers also managed to pass residents could enter the co Several grocers across CR “On Saturday, we saw a license, GST and other com pline number received over High Court had tested pos some checkpoints without lonies. Park reported low footfall. small number of people mercial taxes as well. Busi 1,500 calls till Saturday even itive. They are exhibiting being stopped. Delivery agents of food Comparing it to last year’s come to the shops for basic ness or no business, there is ing. The majority of the calls mild symptoms and are al The number of buses, au delivery apps were wearing restrictions, the shopkeep items but beyond that there no relief for us. But health is related to queries pertaining so in home isolation. to rickshaws and appbased their company Tshirts and ers said people were now was not much activity. But more important than anyth to what is allowed and what The Delhi High Court, cabs were also less. At check were seen delivering from more equipped to handle with the cases increasing, ing else so we support the is not during the night and which had resumed full points, the passengers were restaurants that are permit the curbs and that buying in we now need to wait and restrictions,” he said. weekend curfews, apart fledged physical hearing questioned about why they ted to be open only for home bulk had not yet started. watch as to what other res Representatives of a do from issues related to diffi from March 15, decided to were out on the road. delivery. Biplab Pramanik, a shop trictions are imposed over zen city markets met to dis culties in obtaining epasses again adopt the virtual Policemen on bikes were Only shops selling grocer keeper, said: “Unlike last the next few days,” said Mr. cuss the possible impact of or movement passes. mode of proceedings from seen patrolling the streets ies and essentials were year, the panic among cus Pramanik. the weekend curfew on busi (With inputs from Jaideep April 9 to April 23 in view and questioning pedestrians open, with fruit and vegeta tomers about the curfew is Shopkeepers and traders ness. The consensus was in Deo Bhanj, Hemani Bhanda- of the alarming rise in CO on what they were doing ble vendors saying they did comparatively less as there in west Delhi’s Moti Nagar favour of staggered or re ri, Shinjini Ghosh, Nikhil M VID19 cases in Delhi. outside. Residential colonies not face any issues in pro were a couple of days bet said that their business will duced operational timings at Babu and Jatin Anand) IN BRIEF Delhi govt. stops sending samples to private testing laboratory 50 inmates get vaccine at that test results from Spice “We continue to work closely According to an order is within 48 hours). The lin new centre in Rohini jail SpiceHealth has Health are getting delayed with the Delhi government sued on January 15, all 11 dis kage of public and private NEW DELHI been removed The Delhi prisons department over 72 hours. SpiceHealth and ICMR and continue to tricts were asked to send labs with each district of Del on Saturday said that a from list of had then said that there was process thousands of test samples for testing to Spice hi is amended with imme COVID-19 vaccination centre only a “slight delay”. samples on a daily basis sent Health and the total number diate effect,” read the April has been established in approved labs The order issued on April by the Delhi government.” of samples to be sent daily 16 order which amended the Rohini jail and a total of 50 16 by the Health Department But after sharing a copy of was 13,500. The number was January 15 order. Nikhil M Babu inmates have been has removed SpiceHealth the Friday’s order, the com later increased to 25,000, as “Since SpiceHealth is not New Delhi inoculated so far. Director from the list of labs to which pany did not comment on its per officials. In the April 16 on the list, we did not send General (Prisons) Sandeep The Delhi government has samples are sent by the col name not being in the list of order, SpiceHealth is not any sample to them on Satur Goel said a vaccination centre decided to stop sending sam lection centres, compared to labs. Despite multiple at mentioned in the list of labs day,” a district official said. was opened in Tihar jail on ples for RTPCR tests to Spi an earlier order. tempts, the SpiceHealth spo for any of the 11 districts. The testing facilities of March 23. “Earlier, the ceHealth, which was testing Samples collected by go kesperson also did not com “To ensure districts have other labs are also stretched, eligible and willing inmates the highest number of sam vernmentrun testing ment on whether it received adequate number of slots and many labs have 23 days of Rohini jail were being ples, as per an official order. centres are sent to private any samples from the go available in labs to get their delay in collection of sam taken outside to the nearest The Hindu had reported and government labs. vernment on Saturday for samples processed within a ples from home. People have vaccination centre under earlier this week that multi When contacted, Spice RTPCR test, or the number stipulated time frame (pref also complained about get police guard,” Mr. Goel said. ple districts had complained Health spokesperson, said: of such samples, if they did. erable 24 hours and latest ting results late.

DELHI THE HINDU 4 SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

TAMIL TAMIL TELUGU TAMIL TAMIL TAMIL TELUGU HINDU, AD, 32, Moolam, Dhanusu, ALLIANCE INVITED from qualified, CASTE NO BAR 38/162 B.Tech MBA HINDU NADAR, 29, Pooram, B.E, B.Tech. (ECE) 34 yrs, MNC-Delhi, WELL SETTLED Kalinga Groom 32 seek- BE, MS (USA), working in USA, Green employed, unmarried Bangalore set- (London) Working in Accenture, MBA, V.fair, Business, Affluent seeks only son, pure vegtrn. Parents Govt. ing homely Bride with pleasing per- card in process seeks suitable well tled boy for telugu yadava banga- Bangalur, Divorce Well Settled Family suitable Bride. 9842681707. Pensioners, CNB / Inter Caste seeks sonality. Immediate marriage. MALAYALAM settled PG Groom with Green card / lore girl 40/5’4" MCA Con. Pondicherry, seeks well educated, vegtrn. B.Tech/BE working, Good [email protected] H1B / settled in USA. Ct: 9994875520 working bride India/Abroad, remarriage HANDSOME 34/170/SC B Arch MS Looking girl. Ct: 9810736208/ LOOKING- ALLIANCE for my daugh- 7349623569. (France) Consultant Chennai Seeks BALIJA NAIDU, 36yrs/180cm, Fair, ter aged 26yrs MBA ,Coming from a accepted (No children) Contact : 9818972383. Bank officer seeks educated Bride 93844 42537 / 88384 71563 Suitable Bride, Caste No Bar.Ct: affluent family looking for a roman MUDALIAR/ PILLAI 24 B.E.( ece) Ket- 24 MANAI Telugu Chettiar 16 Veedu 8610721770 TAMIL VISWAKARMA, 31, BE, IIoT - from decent family. Ct: 99941 72457. catholic well qualified Professional tai, working in MNC. Soft Spoken Kombu thali 26 years old 164 cm Sr. Automation Engr, Pooram seeks 160 cm father businessman seeks HINDU B.E. 37yrs System Administra- NAIDU, 30/174, B.E, MS, SWE, groom preferably settled in Bangalore BTech (IT) kettai Sevvai in 4 well HINDU PILLAI NV Chennai, 39/171, educated girl,Ph:8220662446. Wipro, Bangalore, 12Lac.PA, Afflu- from a Religious well settled family : suitable Alliance 98400 93322 settled family western region Anusham, divorcee, no kid, MBA IT, tor, Clean habits, Intercaste Par- ents (B.C), Own House Chennai CASTE NO BAR - Sindhi Chennai ent Family, CNB. 7299576644, 97409 99060 needs groom.9443700900 VP in Bank at Singapore, 50 Lacs PA, 7299576666 HINDU SC-AD, 28 BE&MBA Pvt Bank, seeks bride.BHP whapp - 9751261579 Seeks Suitable Bride bet 29−35yrs. Boy 5'11"/ 33 yrs "B.Com", seeks a PROGRESSIVE MINDED Nair Girl Fair&Homely Elite family, seeks groom Caste No Bar with in BC .Ct: suitable bride (Hindu). Whatsapp NAIDU,24/167,FAIR, BEAUTIFUL,B. 9962608002 from Cochin, Atham, 27/168 cms,Cor- from same background. 7303519977 Hindu, 61 Retired HM divorcee need 9444222357 porate Lawyer,Bangalore. 9847485004 TECH, SWE,MNC, Bangalore,7 Lac. PA,Educated Fmly,CNB. 7299576644, genuine healthy 45+ lady from decent MUDALIAR, FAIR, IIM 32/5’7 Working TELUGU NAIR GIRL 27/154, Revathy, employ- Arunththiyar Hindu 28 yrs BSc.BPed 7299576666 loyal background 75388 42498 Denmark Co in Chennai 37L/p.a ed Chennai settled, Alliance invited employed Rs 20k. Krithigai Rishabha Seeks suitable Girl. CasteNB. KAMMA BE MBA 41 Business Chen- Rasi seeks educated well settled nai young looking seeks qlfd bride sub- Chennai Nair family. 9500012855 ALLIANCE FOR Gajulu Balija Girl LOOKING FOR a healthy working bri- 9940434055 groom from same community. Contact de around 25 yrs for only son 28/168, sect No bar. 9840360795/9940261077 8072219041/9940388827. Fair, M.Phil, 25,160cm from well NAMBIAR GIRL (divorcee), 34 yrs/ Educated & Settled Chennai Based State government employee, B'lore, REDDIAR VEG Unmarried 51/173/40K/ 5’.6", Anizham, M.Sc, Chennai set- from a well cultured educated SC fami- MIGFLAT Bride Readyto Settle in REDDY GROOM 44/180cm Having Groom. Contact: 98841 29250, 95662 Own Industry, 3 Lakh PM. Rich Family, tled, Ct: 9043759844 PARENTS SEEKS, Hindu, Tall, Hand- PADAYACHI GOOD Looking, 78039 ly. Ct: 94483 10970, 99010 08121 Chennai Caste no Bar WhatsApp some Elite Groom preferably Doctor/ 38/161, BE MBA, Non-IT seeks Good 9449886067 Seeks Suitable Bride Ct: 9840760301 PARENTS of EZHAVA family settled IAS with Good family Background for Looking Groom (Engg), Never married, Rationalist/ Tamil SC 31/ 180 BTech. 24 MANAI Telugu Chetty 16 House in Trivandrum are looking for a suitable their 1999 born Doctor Bride. Caste No Clean habits, well Settled in ✔ NAIDU, 44, MCA, IT, MNC, Di- MUTHURAJA 26, 172 Maham BE alliance for their daughter aged 34 SWE MNC seeks tall Good Looking Software at Trichy Seeks Bride. Ct : Groom 33yrs Software Engineer Bar. Ct: 9344055128. Chennai from Same Caste Contact: vorcee seeks suitable Groom. Ph: Salary 25L/PA Need 8 House Bride years, star Uthram, LLM, wheatish 9444732495 Bride below 30 Yrs CNB. Contact: 94882 93477 9087296964 / [email protected] 8332997382. 9003260660 complexion, working in Central govt EMPLOYED QUALIFIED bridegrooms is sector from well settled Ezhava family, TAMIL SAIVA CHETTIAR, 37, Punar- wanted for SC/AD/MSC/DB 1983/ TELUGU poosam, B.E., Chennai based, widow- HANDSOME TELUGU 42 / 6 Ft Business preferably govt employees. Ph Vishakam,Dhulam bride 9498313625, GAVARA NAIDU, 34, BE, MBA, Bank Issueless, Looking for Good Look- No.9400489831 Manager, Uthirattathi. Seeks Suit- er with 5 year girl child, IT Pro- 9444866276 fessional, employed in USA seeks ing Girl.Caste no bar Ct: Seeking educated well settled Groom able Educated Bride From Naidu Fam- 9884693336 from good family for Telugu Chattada ily. 9443172955 / 9894357655 suitable bride from veg family − NRI HINDU YADAVA MCA SWE Chennai 94441 22284, [email protected] URDU Sri Vaishnava bride 28y 167cm. M.Phil KAMMA NAIDU 47/186 Sadayam Di- HINDU 32/168 / BE/MS / MBA / USA/ 45 Yrs Divorcee no children seeks sui- (NIMHANS) Working Clinical Psycho- table Groom. CT: 95005-97988. Hindu Nadar, Boy 36 Years, B.Sc., CHETTIAR 34 years Rs 50000/− pm vorcee No Issues MCA IT Proj Mgr− SMU BE MBA 27yrs 168cm, working H1B Visa / Seeks USA Working logist. 9600694549 / 9677353164 Doing Business in Chennai Seeks seeks Bride first marriage/second MNC 24L Clean Habits Seek Bride. in GAIL Bangalore, Seeks suitable bri- Groom Cast No Bar. Contact: Suitable Bride. Contact: 9445774744 marriage also welcome ct 9600240593 8939859950 de. Ph: 99651 91365. 8838767720 MUDALIAR WELL educated highly placed pretty fair 29/ 162 salary NAIDU Divorcee no issues born 1977 SUITABLY EDUCATED Girl From A Well NAIDU KUMBAM Puratathi Groom SMU,MEP,SUPERINTENDENT, SAU- Brahmin Girl 35/5’4”, MS Robotics 23 Lacs/pa settled in Hyderabad Slim job MNC caste No Bar, Wanted VISHWAKARMA, 34, B.E., Physically 30yrs MBA, IT Job, Own House, DI, 47yrs, Mech.Engg. clean habits. seeks good family background handicapped crawling, PSU Bank Offi- Decent Family For Vadakalai Iyen- Working In California US. Caste No employed Bridegroom. 94433 44936 gar Boy; DOB:2−2−1992; 171 Cms; Seeking Bride. Ct: 9841418884 NAMAZI, seeks bride, Pious & Kind Bar Seeking MS/MBA/PhD, 34-37 Yrs groom. Ct: 9841092448/ 8667645622 cer scale 1 Grade. Rs.64000 pm seeks with family values. Ph: 73396-80768. brokers excuse Bride from same Caste. 7010286814. BCOM MBA; Shadamarshana Gothram; 5’6”+ Staying In US. +919414246372 SOUTH INDIAN Upper middle class Star Uthradam 1st Padam; Employed Naidu 26/180CM, Puratathi, BTech, [email protected] MS, Working in Sweden, send BHP MUSLIM AGE 45, Good Looking Buis- NAIDU GIRL 31yrs, PG in law, issue- brahmin family seeking highly qualified In IT Company Chennai. Send De- nessman Seeks Muslim Bride Life HINDU AGAMUDAYAR Divorcee 29, COIMBATORE, MBA 37yrs, legally di- [email protected] / 8220014155 TAMIL less divorce, corporate employed, life partner for daughter, 25 years, tails With Girl’s Horosscopy To Partner (First Marriage, Widows & ME, Uthiradam, Contact: 9442635623. upper middle class seeks any pro- graduate from NLS and M.S. Law and vorced, no kids, 7.5 lakh per an- [email protected] Divorcee) No Demand Ct: Caste No Bar. num MNC job. No interest in horo- KAMMA NAIDU Boy, 35/186cm, inno- Tamil Muslim Sunni MD PAED 28 / fessional degree well employed Finance from a premier university, UK. cent divorcee, no child, 3.5 Lacs 9884550603, 9500020628. groom below 37 yrs, unmarried/ is- Prefer similar profession. Contact: scope. Expects qualified, slim & MUDALIAR UNMARRIED 1972 Anusham / 154 cm. Seeks doctor or PG Engineer short girl desires to settle in BBM, MLM/Sr.Officer− PSU, Chennai pm, Abroad, seeks well educated URDU MUSLIM 27 yrs, DME ,working from Tamilnadu. Call: 98846 23120 DKV RISHABAM Karthigai 30/157 MCA sueless divorcee preferably from 9448092780 girl, Caste / Language No bar. E. Working IT Chennai 30000pm Seeks Chennai. Ct 9840871430, 9444863301. Coimbatore. Call: 87542 56679. Rs.70,000 PM, seeks Educated suit- in Dubai seeks beautiful girl 21− Groom from Decent Family. URDU able alliance. Issueless widow/Di- Mail: [email protected] 24yrs with any deg chennai: CSI CHRISTIAN Nadar Girl Fair, 9677258464 Good Looking, 03−04−1986 born / 9445378089. DIVORCE MUDALIAR 50Yrs Msc. MBA vorcee also acceptable, Caste No- ALLIANCE INVITED for Chennai based 152cm / M.Sc M.Phil , working as KAMMA NAIDU 26/168 BE (CSE), SWE, SMU Girl 28, BE B.Ed Teacher 165cm Govt Officer 18L Well Settled liv- Bar. Ct 9443307660 / Middle Class Balija Naidu, Kanni, MARRIAGE BUREAU Assistant Professor in a Reputed AGE 42 yrs, Chirstian, M.B.A. LLB MNC Affluent seeks Professional. KHOLA, No Child, seeks upper middle ing alone seeks life partner [email protected] Hastham 34/162 Medium Complexion Send BHP to 9003051208 class groom. 88838 77272. 9444162835 Women’s College, Mount Road, Chen- Pvt divorced. wanted Groom below HINDU, VELLAR, 56, BA, 50000/− pm, B.Tech, MBA, Sr. Consultant in MUSLIM ALLIANCE only. Married/ Un- nai. Both Parents Doctors (Private) 47 years Chennai only. Ct: 2nd Marriage, Seeks Suitable MNC. Early decent marriage. Ct: married. Best Rib matched. , Suitable Alliance, Employed / 9940280904 Bride. Ph: 94876 51544 9380504151 7200176211 Settled in Chennai / With Clean Habits from Same Community. Con- PILLAI/ MUDALIYAR subsect no bar CASTENOBAR 1978/170 DCE well set- tact: 9841182514 44/165 M.Sc (Agri) AO govt, unmar- tled Midunam, Mirugaserisham−3 ried,seeks groom 9842370325, Business seeks bride 9087865951/ CHRISTIAN BC divorced single mom, 9626944565 9551167452 42, 5 Lpa, 5 ft, MBA, MNC having own church seeks employed born again VANNIAKULA KSHATRIYAR YADAVA, 32/183, Punarpoosam/ Ka- bridegroom. Ct. 9629617580 Revathi/Meenam 30/164, MBBS dagam, Good Looking Fair, M.E (CSE) EDUCATIONAL MD(Paediatrics), Working as Assistant S/W Engg, Rs.50000 P.M, seeks suita- CSI Protestant Tamil Nadar Divorcee ble Bride. Ct: 9080256350 no issues 40yrs Dentist. Own Clinic Professor, Lives in Pondicherry, Seeks same profession and community chennai seek equal status Groom from ADI−DRAVIDA 28 B.Sc Psychology Chennai. 9940562135, 8105290871 Groom. Contact : 9443080800 owns pharmacy Annanagar, Chennai S/ o Surgeon, Rtd Dean Govt Med Col- PROPOSAL INVITED from a very rich HINDU ADIDRAVIDAR Kongu Parayar, lege seeks educated good family Christian Nadar family; groom well 30, BE, M.Tech, PhD Seeks educated bride 8610723166/ educated for a girl age 30, beauti- Profl groom. CT:8760883559/ [email protected] ful, fair M.B.A; Very rich, her 8973345370 monthly rental Income alone Rs.5 BACHELOR 31/180, B.E, Central Lakhs from her share of commercial HINDU TAMIL Doctor 32/ 158 seeks Govt. Scale 1 Officer. Seeks bride Property worth 25 Crores in Chen- Doctors/ Highly qualified/ decent from a decent family with moral values. nai. Father is Engineer, Contrac- well settled Business family groom Hindu caste no bar. Ct: 9486104055 tor, Flat Promoter Contact No. upper caste age 33−36yr Ct: 95000 27027. 9884202884 AGAMUDAIYA MUDALIYAR, 39/170, divorsed, slim Ph.D TNGovt 94000pm, CSI PROTESTANT 25yrs/155cms/ Mirugasiridam1 9942556572 MSc, BEd/Fair, Private Teacher, seeks HINDU AD/PR Widow 37/160 ME/no working CSI Protestant bridegroom child.Lecturer at Trichy seeks edu YADAVA 37, B.Sc/(EMBA), GM−South only. Ct: 9791594676, 9486700969. groom,CNB Age upto 42 Ct:7406401199 Region @Pvt. Ltd, Chennai,Salary 1.35L / Month, Caste No Bar: ASSISTANT PROFESSOR Chennai WANTED TAMIL Iyer Boy with good 8610014920 06.10.1987, M.Sc, Ph.D, Mudaliar background (DOB 1992 ABOVE ) from WANT TO bring out the leader in Bride Middle Class Rs.70,000/- P.M. Tamil Nadu onlySend Horoscope & BALIJA 27/175, MBA, Moolam, your child? Register www. Wheatish Complexion, Meenam. photo with details for Fair Girl Thanusu, Fair, Clean Habits, Busi- teenyenglish.org Father Seeks alliance from Unmarried 1997/5.5, Vadama/Nythrupa Kashiba ness, well settled. Seeks Educat- 33 to 37 yrs Bachelor Bridegroom, Kothram, Porattathi, Sutha ed, Fair, well settled bride hav- Employed (Asst. Prof. / Scientific Offi- Jathagam, MA, Admin power Prepar- ing Raghu or Kethu in 7th or 8th cer / Researcher / SW Engineer / Bank ing for Civil UPSC Exam, Talent in place. 9941012116 Official) from Any Mudaliar Sub-sect Carnatic music. Mail − metroravi98@ (Arcot / Chengalpet / Tuluva vellala/ gmail.com HINDU, KULALA, 53, Smart, Thiruvo- Senguthar / Agamudia Mudaliar / nam, Graduate in English Lit, 1L P/M, Soliya Vella Pillai) Contact my Daugh- WANTED ELITE Bridegroom (Brahmin CNB, Seeks Bride, CT: 9944486174 ters after college and Hospital Duty Iyer, Rich/Affluent family) Seeking TAMIL IYER, VADAMAL, GARGA, Mrigas- Hours / Ct Phones(8pm) 7550245659 / alliance for our younger Daughter IIM MBA fair boy 30/180/Trim, Af- 9940840760 heersham, 29.06.92, 178 cm, Fair, aged 25 (Hastham, Kanni) & she is a fluent elite educated family. working in CTS, 80,000/- p.m, chennai, Doctor by profession and currently pur- VANNIYAR, 26, fair and good looking Seeks Fair Girl, caste no bar. only son of a leading doctor. Affluent suing her PG in a reputed Govt hospi- ADVOCATE NRI 9840970170 family. Expectation: Subsect No Bar. BDS girl, seeking a Groom with BDS/ tal in chennai. We seek a PG Doctor COSMOPOLITAN MDS/MBBS/MD/MS from same KOZHIKODE LAWYER 39 Nair Vegetari- Looking for an Iyer girl with age working in a reputed Hospital / LOOKING FOR Sunni muslim, educated 31 YEARS Divorcee B.Tech working difference of 2 to 3 years. employment community with good family Running his Own Hospital and must be an legally divorced caste no bar girl within 31 year old for a US at MNC, Chennai SC(PR) seeks gradu- Groom Needed. Caste no bar. Girl's background. send profile, photo and 9847972038 optional. Email: drrajasekar1960 a Good Looking, Smart, Family born 34 year old male with bache- ate Brides. Caste/language no bar, @gmail.com Contact: 9443183776 details - DOB 20th Mar 1990, Birth- horoscope to: 98942 73699. oriented, Handsome with clean habits lors degree, working. Parents from non−veg. holds US visa. height place: Sultanpur (UP), Caste - Kori, from a good Family Background. India.Contact with details includ- 5.9ft divorcee/unmarried 9443049927 5'2", Working in MNC in Hyderabad as HINDU/DKV 32/152 B.E. Middle DIVORCEE VADAKALAI BHARATHWAJAM Kettai 26 Contact: 9842306769 Email to ing email and photos to mbanue101@ years 176 cm B.Tech MNC Seeks suit- SW Engg. Contact No: 7887976659 Class. Divorce. Seeks Suitable Groom. [email protected] gmail.com HINDU, 58, Fair,Decent Well Set- Caste No Bar. 94896 95984 BRAHMIN, ENGR, 38 yrs, Pooratadhi, able bride. Ct: 7708518803/ Divorced, well settled in Chennai tled,seeks Widow/Divorcee No Expec- 9940371449 PQM FOR Coimbatore based fair seeks suitable Bride. Ct: tations Caste/Religion No Bar. SC AD, 38/165, Revathi, Meena rasi, 9894085475 girl, 1992/ 158 cm, completed BE MBBS, MD, Govt. Doctor, Bangalore, 9962650933/ 9884821741. PUNJABI IYENGAR 39/185 Divorcee (issue (ECE), ICWA (inter), currently do- less) Good Looking Clean Habits de- divorcee, no issues seeks suitable pro- HINDU SCA MBBS MD 2nd Year ing CA final, Father − retired DGM fessional groom. Caste No bar. Ct: DOCTOR cent salary looking for any Brah- (SAIL), seeks tamil yadava, early 26Yrs well settled clean habits seeks min girl (issue less). Ct: 99164 72709, 080-25468640. same caste Doctor Bride. Age 22- 30’s. E: [email protected]. Gavara-Naidu 33yrs/ B.Tech, MBA. 9445331668 contact− 8870790020 24Yrs preferable. CT: 87787-36267. ✔ SAIVA VELLALA Pillai(Veg) 40/ Own Hospital+Pharm, well settled TAMIL IYER 56Yrs Chennai Good Ha- 162 BE Divorcee Seek Any Degree seeks same/subsect, pref.dr/engr., div/ AGAMUDAYAR, B.E., 28yrs/172cms, bits Unmarried Healthy Elect. 40K MALAYALEE NAIR girl 37 yrs 5.7" di- 2nd marr ok 6369584483,9944715730 vorce, Project Manager in Sydney Well Employd Groom below 44. Pooradam, Fair, SWE Chennai seeks Seeks below 48Yrs. (Non-Veg/ Di- seeks well qualified open minded 9444473129 / 044−25507181 / suitable SWE Bride. Ct :8508099103 vorcee/ brokers pl excuse)9840846524 good human being below 45 yrs set- [email protected] MUDALIAR, MESHAM, Bharani 36/5’11 Specialist Dentist MDS, Working KAMMAVAR NAIDU 27/174 cm M.S ( IYER BHARADWAJA Ayilyam(4) tled in Australia. contact NAIDU, 37yrs, Unmarried, Hr.Sec, [email protected] For Saudi Government, 3Lakhs P/M. Engg− USA) working in USA, seeks 30/172cms B.E, 12 LPA, seeks working in Pvt.Co, poor family seeks Seeking Good Looking, Well educat- bride from same community, bride Bangalore employed,min UG - any suitable Groom. Age / Caste No Bar. ed, Broadminded Bride from reputed working in USA preferable ct− Govt/Pvt/MNC, 5Lacs P.A and above. DIVORCEE Contact : 7200182185 family. Bridegroom is in India un- 9442026567 Ct: 8825449055 til june 2021. Ct: 9444126854/ Wanted Groom for Bride Hindu Tamil HINDU SC/AD/PR, 33/164, B.Tech, 7401452315 /044− 22247899 HINDU PILLAI, 42, 30,000 p.m seeks BRAHMIN,40, ASSOCIATE Project age 38yrs Divorcee, Fair, Issueless, M.Tech, Ph.D in Nano. seeks suitable [email protected] suitable Bride, Divorcee or Widow, Manager HCL Technologies Madurai, Rich, Educated, preferably Groom Groom.Ct.94899 59092/88074 92527. Caste no Bar Contact: 9488070659. seeks any brahmin girl, 9487851429 from well settled family, Issueless, min. ENGINEER salary 1 lac/mon. CNB Contact : HINDU SC PR Kongu 36, MBBS DCH DKV 31/173 Brownish Dy Mgr working TAMIL IYER Vadama Srivatsa 94420 88077 - 98431 78738 Doctor, working in Govt Hospital, in Govt Bank 10L Salary Seeks Al- Gothram, Ashwini 2nd paadam, 30/ seeks suitable groom. Ct: 9443680973 Hindu Boy, 39, 5'8'', BE, MBA, IT, BUSINESS OFFER CNB, Mobile: 9962183302. liance from Educated Family. 183cm, B.E. Mechanical Engineer Professional girl, prfbly US resident/ 9940507235 working in TCS Chennai, with clean DOCTOR MUDALIAR (CNB) : 30/ V.fair, Mas- work permit, for Punjabi Hindu Khatri, habits, seeks suitable bride. Con- BUSINESS ters in UK,Business, Chennai, HINDI Dec-1993, 6-2", MS, Engg consultant HINDU, 55, Govt. Officer, Divorcee, tact 9677022153, 9008111862 PUBLIC NOTICE Elite Family, Seeks groom − Busi- EARN 15% returns pm on your digi- MARTHOMITE 28/165 MD−Radiology F− in Los Angles, H-1B, high status Chan- Tamilnadu seeks Independent, well ness/ India/ Abroad − 7305810258 35/175. IT. 25 Lakh PA. Chennai. IYENGAR B.TECH 36/173/Thiruvonam, tal trading A/c. For opening A/C Civil service M−Dr, Seeks Dr groom digarh family. Whatsapp 9814211641 settled, Broad minded, Elite Lady and trading details− 6381095123 Father Doctor. Seeks well educated above 42, as companion. CNB. Mail Magaram, Kousigam Pvt Ltd 35000/− from Keralite Christian. 7339157563 MUDALIAR : Ex−Minister G.Daughter, bride. WhatsApp: 9629012248 TAMIL details to : [email protected] / Salary seeks any Brahmin WE ARE Ready to Invest Big 28/ MBBS, MD, Doctor Chennai, Cell: 73970 87032. Ct:9003158038 Projects All Over India. Ct: RC NADAR, 30/153cm, M.D (Paed.), Elite Family, Seeks Groom PG Doc- MALAYALAM 08610936362 / 07708215904. Govt. Service seeks PG Doctor Groom tor / Engineer − 8939012419 CHRISTIAN NADAR Tirunelveli well SC Mesham Bharani 28/185 pursuing TAMIL IYER Vadama Sandilyam 52 from Tamilnadu only. Ct : 9444397491 MUSLIM RAWTHER family Groom settled family in Chennai only Son 24/ Ph.D 20000pm, no sibling, own flat yrs, 168, Fair , Sr Position IT, BUSINESS FOR SALE CHETTIAR (CNB) : 500cr,V.Fair,25/ (Unmarried) 32yrs/183cms Senior En- 180 MS USA working USA seeking bri- chennai seeks fair, CNB. 9789847577 30L PA, Unmarried, No Dependent’s, 165,MBBS,MS (OG),Having Own Indus- gineer in gulf from asset rich affluent de from same community Green card Healthy, Seeks Suitable Hindu Brah- FOR SALE 23 year old Chennai based TN SERVICE PG doing M.S. in TN try, Complex, Warehouse,Chennai, family based at Kerala looking for edu- any professional degree. 93443 80866 Mudaliar, 37, 5'9", M, (Msc.Electro- min Bride 45/50 yrs Free From En- well established furnished prof- Govt College 27 Years good looking Seeks Groom Business/ Doctor − cated Kerala girls from upper middle- nics), Manager, Pvt.co., 6 Lacs p.a., cumbrances, Family Oriented , Sub- itably running Spoken English In- Hindu. Parents seeking alliance from 7358510790 stitute (MSME regd.) with course class family settled in Kerala/Tamil Na- Tamil Muslim 26 / 179 cm. MBBS., owned properties, Nellore. Seeking for sect No Bar. Ct: 9840741075 Doctor Grooms. CNB. Ct: 9345839715 du/Karnataka . Ph.No. 93497 91252. suitable 1st marriage girl. Contact No. materials, goodwill, royalty. Own- YADAVA GIRL 25/155 B.E. working in M.diab seeks prof qualified bride er going abroad. Ct: 9150472959. S/W Co Chennai getting 1.5L p. 8220042091 / [email protected] 9395398624 PILLAI 26/165 MBBS/going to join mseeks suitable Yadava HINDU MALAYALI Viswakarma Boy MD−US, Seeks Dr groom−Resident/Fel- Groom:7010056280 BE MBA (S'pore) 30/180 B'lore based Chennai Settled SWE 37/174cm se- low−US Saivam community. intercaste parentage, Employed, well RC CHRISTIAN, CA, Auditor aged parate BC seeks suitable partner Te- CT:7339157563 ALLIANCE FOR Tamil Yadava Girl, settled seeks educated Malayali Bride, 52 years, own house looking for lugu/Tamil decently empld from good Age 27, BE, MS (USA), Working In Ct:9480183919 a lady graduate aged between 40-45 family divorcee/widow Ct: 9176510626 GENERAL USA − H1B VISA − 9886630920 without children unmarried or ALLIANCE INVITED for a Tamil, BC , 38 Years, 173cm, Hindu, Thiyya. divorcee Ct: 8667387588 HANDSOME BOY, 29/185cm.M.S in Urly req. Elementary Maths ,General 24 yrs, 165 cm, fair ,girl from AGE 45, PhD, good looking, B.com, pursuing MBA, residing in U.S. &Employed in U.S.A for 4Yrs, English & G.K faculty to teach SI/SSC- Thanjavur completed MBBS from MMC wheatish, never married, employed Chennai, own Construction & Interior Now working in Dubai.Well Settled Fa- CGL . Interested candidates send their and has cleared USMLE both steps in IIT seeks well educated, never CSI CHRISTIAN Mudaliar − 28/170 mily,Seeks Educated Hindu Bride from resume [email protected] Design Business, The Bride should Cms 5ft 7inch 70kg − B.E., Senior with high scores. Both parents doc- married and employed groom below hail from a decent family, and prefera- Decent Family.(Cast No Bar) for their #9810478303 tors. Doctors being matched, doing 50 years of age from a decent fami- Engineer Non IT MNC Chennai − 12L only Son.9840041041/9500061041 bly employed girl. Ct: 88384 76379 pa − Seeks educated bride − BC Com- Required 1. ENT Surgeon(M.S/DLO) residency, fellowship in USA or ly background. Contact: 9443553063 2. Audiologist(B.Sc/M.Sc) Kondaveedu from well settled Doctor families munity preferred − Ct: Parents GAVRA NAIDU cast nobar29yr MNC in India contact by WhatsApp NAIR BOY 28/175cms, Karthika, only 8939161247 Chenai 6 l pa ht 165cm wt100 kg ENT Hospital, Narasaraopet 522601, SCAD, 45, Ph.D, Govt. Job, First son, BE & MS from US, working as Guntur (Dt) Andhra Pradesh. Salary: +919677026459 [email protected] Marriage Bride seeks below 50yrs 7702621068 [email protected] on- Data Scientist in Chicago seeks al- ly son Negotiable. Cell: 9440758731, Groom (First Marriage only). Ct: liance from US working girls will- HANDSOME BOY Christian 30/180cm 91762 07999, 91764 20799 7981546446 PARENTS OF Obstetrecian & Gynaecol- ing to resettle in India by 2025. MS in USA, Employed USA 5yrs, Now SENGUNTHAR MUDALIAR, Chennai Na- ogist MBBS MS Good looking and SC AD, Hindu, B.E MBA, 25−9−89, Contact: 9003149461 / 9840964489 Working in Canada, Well Settled family tive, living in Mandaveli, Age 36, clean habits 29 Gavara Naidu look- 5’7’, Kadagam Poosam, 13LPA, Well in Chennai seeks bride from Canada 180cm, Magam, Simma Rasi, MBBS ing for well settled well mannered settled seeks suitable groom. Ph− NAIR, 30/170, Visakam, Thulam, Ris- Studying/ Working/ PR/ Any professio- M.D. Pediatrician MRCP, working in Groom . PG doctors /Grade 1 offi- 9840401929 / 9840607125 haba Laknam, MDS (Ortho), Professor nal Degree. Whatsapp: 9840377793 a Prime Hospital Chennai seeks cers sub sects no bar Please mail cum consultant in leading hospitals, preferably Doctor Bride. Father is biodata Horoscope photos to Alliance invited from Professionally settled at Madurai seeks preferably UpperMiddle RC, Vellalar/others 28 also Doctor, MRCP, FRCP. Ct: 044− [email protected] Qualified in Finance, Educated family, Doctor Bride. Ct : 9443393719 BE,MBA 1Lpm,edu girl from the same 24938959, 9445195689, Email: to Vaniya Cheetiar Girl, 1994 born, com/status exceptSC/ST 9444009150 [email protected] C.A. Inter Qualified , Vegetarian. Cell COIMBATORE PKD Nair Pillai Groom IAS / ALLIED SERVICES 9003021692. 35/185 Chadayam Sudham B.Tech TAMIL VISWAKARMA, 28yrs/183cm, Mech, Amritha DMU, MNC Bosch ALLIANCE INVITED for christian Mrigashirsham, Doctor(MD Gen. Med), KERALA HINDU SC Girl, 06.04.1988, Vishwakarma, 25 M.tech, 6LPA- Project AM. 15 LPA. No Demands groom 47 divorcee manager HR Chen- Slim, Fair with clean habits looks for IIS, Assistant Director (Doordar- Chennai. Seeks Edu. Groom settled Suitable Malayalam Bride nai without encumbrances. Ph− Tall, Slim, Fair, Educated Bride from shan), Delhi. Ct:8589881011 Good Family. Contact - 7305545194. CT:9952485996 / 9677916391. 9444201183 same community. Ct: 9486004806. Published by N. Ravi at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860, Anna Salai, Chennai-600002 and Printed by S. Ramanujam at HT Media Ltd. Plot No. 8, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida Distt. Gautam Budh Nagar, U.P. 201306, on behalf of THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., Chennai-600002. Group Editorial Officer: Krishna Prasad. Editor: Suresh Nambath (Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act). Regd. DL(ND)-11/6110/2006-07-08 ● RNI No. UPENG/1986/49939 ● ISSN 0971 - 751X ● Vol. 11 ● No. 16

THE HINDU DELHI SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021 SOUTH 5 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

IN BRIEF Weather Watch Karnataka, Kerala see record new cases Rainfall, temperature & air quality in select metros yesterday

Fresh high of 17,489 and 13,835 cases in rapidly in Andhra Pradesh although it continued to test the two States; testing level ‘low’ in A.P. a limited number of samples in a day, at around 35,000. Special Correspondent 24 hours, including 1,30,209 With an additional 7,224 H.D. Kumaraswamy, bengaluru son test positive RTPCR tests. infections and 15 deaths on BENGALURU Karnataka on Saturday re On Saturday, a total of Saturday, the State’s TPR Janata Dal (Secular) leader ported its highest single day 2,31,870 people were vacci went up to 20.12% from and former Chief Minister of spike with 17,489 new cases nated. The State has vacci 35,907 samples. Chittoor Karnataka H.D. of COVID19, taking the total nated 67,18,709 people so saw four new deaths, Nellore Kumaraswamy has tested to 11,41,998. Of these, 11,404 far. three, Visakhapatnam and positive for COVID-19. He cases were from Bengaluru Kerala, too, recorded the Kurnool two each and Gun announced this on Twitter on Urban alone. highest case spike in a single tur, Krishna, Kadapa and Vi Saturday and urged those Last year during the first day on Saturday when 13,835 zianagaram one death each who came in close contact outbreak, the State reported persons were found to be in the past day. with him over the last few the single day peak of 10,947 positive from 81,211 samples The number of persons days to get tested. Mr. tested in the past 24 hours. testing positive for COVID19 Kumaraswamy’s son, Nikhil In October last, the daily Crying out loud: A child undergoing a COVID-19 test in Kochi in a day breached the 9,000 Kumaraswamy, has also spike was just over 11,000 * THULASI KAKKAT mark in Tamil Nadu on Sa on Saturday. Temperature Data: IMD, Pollution Data: CPCB, Map: INSAT/IMD (Taken at 18.00 Hrs) tested positive. cases and that too, on just turday, touching 9,344, and Forecast for Sunday: Heavy rainfall likely at isolated places over cases on October 7. Bengalu one day. The TPR shot up to (7,903), Malappuram (6,365) Telangana on Friday re 39 persons died. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Sikkim. Thunderstorm with light- Kerala expresses concern ru Urban’s record was 5,121 17.04%. On Saturday, 27 new and Kottayam (6,089). ported 4,446 more people Chennai, along with Chen over border closure ning/gusty wind likely at isolated places over Jammu & Kashmir, on October 8. With 80 more deaths were added to the Total hospital admissions with coronavirus . The toll galpattu, Coimbatore, Tiru Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, Jharkhand, coastal THIRUVANANTHAPURAM deaths, the toll rose to toll. The active case pool in stood at 10,539, and 20,702 rose as 12 more patients died vallur and Tiruchi districts, Andhra Pradesh, south interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puduch- Kerala on Saturday expressed 13,270. the State was 80,019, with Er persons were added to home on Friday the highest report accounted for a little over erry, Kerala, Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands concern over the The test positivity rate nakulam district having the or institutional quarantine, ed number in seven months. 50% of the fresh cases. city rain max min city rain max min Kanniyakumari district (TPR) for the day stood at maximum number at 11,992, which totalled 2,08,003 peo Also, 598 people were de (With inputs from Chen- Agartala...... 36.4....33.0....18.6 Kozhikode...... 5....34.5....24.9 administration’s decision to Ahmedabad...... —....39.8....26.4 Kurnool ...... —....40.2....27.7 12.20%. while Kozhikode had 11,393 ple in quarantine. tected with the virus in Grea nai, Thiruvananthapuram, close 12 inter-State border Aizawl...... 0.6....27.9....15.9 Lucknow...... —....38.3....25.7 roads and impose restrictions As many as 1,43,308 tests patients. The active case The State’s cumulative ter Hyderabad. Hyderabad and Vijayawada Allahabad...... —....38.8....25.6 Madurai...... —....37.2....24.7 were conducted in the last pool was swelling in Kannur death toll was 4,904. COVID19 infections rose bureaus) Bengaluru ...... —....33.4....22.4 Mangaluru ...... —....35.7....24.5 on the movement of people Bhopal ...... —....39.0....22.0 Mumbai ...... —....34.0....23.8 and goods. In a letter sent by Bhubaneswar...... —....38.6....25.5 Mysuru ...... 7....34.7....21.0 Chief Secretary V.P. Joy to his Chandigarh ...... 0.2....33.2....20.9 New Delhi ...... 2.4....35.0....18.2 Chennai ...... —....36.2....26.5 Patna ...... —....35.4....25.6 Tamil Nadu counterpart Coimbatore ...... 0.5....36.3....24.5 Port Blair...... 59.2....31.7....23.2 Rajeev Ranjan, the Karnataka mandates Dehradun...... 0.3....32.7....18.1 Puducherry ...... —....35.5....25.4 Three-fold rise in demand for Gangtok...... 88....19.7...... 8.9 Pune...... —....38.3....20.3 government pointed out that the closure of border roads Goa...... —....34.4....25.8 Raipur ...... 1.2....39.4....24.4 Guwahati ...... 14.4....25.0....20.0 Ranchi...... —....37.0....23.1 was bound to create immense permission to book halls Hubballi...... —....36.0....22.0 Shillong...... 43.3....21.8....10.8 hardships for large sections oxygen in Karnataka hospitals Hyderabad ...... —....37.2....25.2 Shimla...... 7.9....19.0...... 8.5 and also severely hit Imphal ...... 18.6....30.3....16.0 Srinagar...... 2.7....10.4...... 7.2 District authorities will issue passes Jaipur ...... 0.6....35.2....23.4 Thiruvananthapuram...... 1.4....34.0....24.6 economic activities in both Kochi ...... —....32.8....25.0 Tiruchi...... —....38.8....26.6 States. Special Correspondent outdoor weddings. Hospitals’ association appeals to govt. for better supply Kohima ...... —....25.8...... — Vijayawada ...... —....38.8....26.6 Bengaluru Revenue Minister R. Ash Kolkata ...... —....34.7....26.8 Visakhapatnam ...... —....33.5....25.9 HC allows 9-year-old girl With COVID19 cases conti ok, Home Minister Basava Afshan Yasmeen In a video appeal, Vijay tients to other facilities. (Rainfall data in mm; temperature in Celsius) to visit Sabarimala nuing to increase by the day, raj Bommai and Health and Bengaluru Raghav Reddy, owner of On Saturday, the Private Pollutants in the air you are breathing Yesterday CITIES SO2 NO2 CO PM2.5 PM10 CODE KOCHI the Karnataka government Family Welfare Minister K. With a surge in the number Swastik Hospital in Bomma Hospitals and Nursing * Ahmedabad..... 20 .40 .23 ....59 .132 .... In observation made at A Division Bench of the Kerala has made it mandatory to Sudhakar on Saturday held of COVID19 cases in Karna sandra in the city, pleaded Homes Association (PHANA) Bengaluru ...... 6 .37 .65 ....82 ...72 ....* 4.00 p.m., Vatva, Gujarat High Court has directed the obtain permission from De a videoconference with the taka, the demand for medi with the government to sup also wrote to the govern Chennai ...... 5 .23 .51 ....45 ...46 ....* recorded an overall air Delhi ...... 11 .26 .61 ..114 .108 ....* quality index (AQI) score of State government to allow a puty Commissioners to Deputy Commissioners and cal oxygen has in the last few ply additional medical oxy ment seeking intervention * 285 indicating an unhealthy Hyderabad ...... 5 .72 .34 ....82 .105 .... level of pollution. In nine-year-old girl to visit the book community senior officials, and days shot up threefold com gen to his hospital, failing as liquid medical oxygen Kolkata...... 16 .19 104 ....80 .100 ....* contrast, Sabarimala Ayyappa temple halls, convention instructed them to pared with the average 200 which many of his patients suppliers had stopped sup Lucknow...... 10 .65 .62 ..303 .248 ....* Rajamahendravaram, Andhra and have darshan along with Mumbai ...... 1 ...3 .73 ....88 ...80 ....* Pradesh recorded a healthy centres or auditori strictly implement metric tonnes required per may die. “We need 36 jumbo ply to hospitals. “Private Pune...... 5 .26 .44 ....91 ...79 ....* AQI score of 40 her parents. The Bench ums for weddings and the orders. Mr. Bom day. Most hospitals, espe cylinders for our nine pa hospitals across Karnataka Visakhapatnam 18 .48 .21 ....18 ...39 ....* passed the directive on other programmes mai said FIRs would cially medium and smaller tients and we will run out of and in particular Bengaluru * * * Saturday while allowing a Air Quality Code: Poor Moderate Good (Readings indicate average AQI) from April 17. be registered against hospitals, said they were oxygen any time. Last time, are facing an acute shortage SO2: Sulphur Dioxide. Short-term exposure can harm the respiratory system, petition filed by Nanditha Raj Entry into the owners of communi running out of stock. we handled more than 40 of medical grade oxygen. making breathing difficult. It can affect visibility by reacting with other air of Vaikom. The petitioner said particles to form haze and stain culturally important objects such as statues her parents had made a vow events would only be ty halls/auditoriums The situation took a turn COVID19 patients at a time, The suppliers have either and monuments. NO2: Nitrogen Dioxide. Aggravates respiratory illness, causes haze to form by before her birth that they for persons carrying passes who failed to enforce the for the worse on Friday, with but never faced oxygen defi stopped supply or are not issued by the offices of the COVID19 rules. Mr. Ashok some smaller hospitals ask ciency. This year, suppliers responding,” Prasanna reacting with other air particles, causes acid rain, pollutes coastal waters. would take the child once for CO: Carbon monoxide. High concentration in air reduces oxygen supply to Sabarimala darshan. Her Deputy Commissioners. said Deputy Commissioners ing families to shift patients say they do not have any ox H.M., PHANA president, critical organs like the heart and brain. At very high levels, it can cause parents had secured online The Deputy Commission had also been instructed to admitted in their hospitals to ygen and we cannot retain said in the letter. He said dizziness, confusion, unconsciousness and even death. PM2.5 & PM10: Particulate matter pollution can cause irritation of the eyes, bookings for darshan. er’s office will issue 100 ban all religious festivals/ other facilities as they would patients here without more there could be a “major nose and throat, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath, reduced However, her request was passes and 200 passes, res temple jatras to be held in touch the zero mark in oxy supply,” he said, adding that medical disaster” if the sit lung function, irregular heartbeat, asthma attacks, heart attacks and premature rejected. pectively, for indoor and May or June. gen supply any time. he was arranging to shift pa uation continues. death in people with heart or lung disease EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE NORTH & EAST EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE All those entering Assam need to be tested: Sarma

Spike in cases nothing to do with election rallies, says Minister

Press Trust of India The Minister said the the situation is under con Guwahati strain of virus found in the se trol”. Asked if the spike in CO Assam Minister for Health cond wave is the U.K. variant, VID19 cases can be linked to and Family Welfare, Himanta which is very light and election rallies and cam Biswa Sarma on Saturday said spreads very fast. paigns held before the three COVID neutral certiﬁcates “Those coming from out phase Assembly polls, which from other States would not side must undergo RTPCR concluded on April 6, Mr. Sar be accepted. test on reaching Assam and ma said no connection could He said all air and train the results will be available be established between the passengers on reaching the within 24 hours but till then two. “Out of the 126 Assembly State will have to undergo they should stay in isolation”, constituencies in the state, both rapid antigen and RT he said. Mr. Sarma admitted there are no cases in around PCR tests. Assam’s current that the situation has turned 100 of them,” he said. COVID19 situation is primari “complicated” in the State The State reported ly linked to people with travel during the last few days. “As 2,22,940 positive cases and history, he said. of now we are prepared, and 1,127 deaths so far. U.P. govt. rejects ‘rumours’ of pvt. labs not conducting tests

‘Over 2.15 lakh samples tested in 24 hours’

Omar Rashid deaths in Lucknow alone, as LUCKNOW per health department The Uttar Pradesh govern figures. ment on Saturday dismissed the claims made by people, ‘Set up 10 oxygen plants’ especially on social media, While government officials that private hospitals and have maintained that there laboratories were avoiding was no shortage of oxygen testing people for COVID19. cylinders in the State, Chief “Rumours are being Minister Yogi Adityanath on spread that private labs are Saturday directed them to not testing COVID samples,” take immediate steps to set said Navneet Sehgal, addi up 10 new oxygen plants. tional chief secretary infor The sites should be identi mation. fied soon and action taken Out of the 94,000 sam on “warfooting”, the CM ples tested through RTPCR told officials. on the day, 19,000 were in Mr. Adityanath also di private labs, he said. rected officials to increase Later in the day, the State the number of beds in CO health department said ov VID19 hospitals in all dis er 2.15 lakh samples had tricts. Every hospital should been tested in 24 hours. maintain oxygen backup of a minimum of 36 hours, he Over 27K fresh cases said. The State recorded 27, 357 The testing capacity of new cases and 120 new private laboratories should deaths in 24 hours, includ be increased, he told the ing 5,913 new cases and 36 district magistrates.

DELHI THE HINDU 6 NEWS SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE FROM PAGE ONE Lalu gets bail in fodder case Panel to list indigenous PM calls for more inhabitants in Nagaland It paves the way for the release of RJD chief from prison after 39 months It seeks to filter ‘nonoriginal’ residents temporary hospitals Special Correspondent sad should not leave the Patna country or change his ad SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT The threetier health infras hya Pradesh and 230 to The Jharkhand High Court dress or mobile number GUWAHATI tructure to treat COVID19 Chhattisgarh,” the Minister on Saturday granted bail to without permission during The Nagaland government according to severity of the said. imprisoned Rashtriya Janata the bail period. has decided to form a joint disease now included 2,084 During the meeting, the Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad consultative committee dedicated COVID hospitals issues of augmenting supply in the Dumka treasury case Celebrations in Patna (JCC) involving all tradition (of which 89 are under the of oxygen cylinders, step related to the ₹950crore As news of the bail announ al tribal bodies and, civil so Centre and 1,995 with the ping up supply of Remdesi fodder scam. cement came in, RJD leaders ciety organisations for tak States), 4,043 dedicated CO vir in hospitals, adding to The Single Bench of Jus and workers in Patna gath ing an exercise to register VID health centres and the ventilator stock and en tice Aparesh Kumar Singh ered to celebrate at 10 Circu the State’s indigenous in 12,673 COVID care centres. hanced supply of vaccine passed the order in the case lar Road, residence of Rabri habitants. They have 18,52,265 beds in doses were raised by almost of fraudulent withdrawal of Devi, former Chief Minister The decision was taken at total. all the States and the Union ₹3.13 crore. and wife of Mr. Prasad. Party a meeting on Friday with “The Centre gave 34,228 Territories. Several states al The decision will pave the workers distributed sweets leaders of the community Mmhonlumo Kikon ventilators to States last so demanded dovetailing of way for Mr. Prasad’s release and shouted slogans of “Lalu based and social organisa year. Fresh supply would be medical oxygen supply lines after being lodged in the Bir Prasad zindabad”. tions as well as political par December 1, 1963 — the made available — 1,121 venti and capping of prices of es sa Munda Central Jail in Ran With the leader: RJD supporters in Patna celebrating after “Its time for us to cele ties in State capital Kohima day Nagaland attained State lators are to be given to Mah sential drugs such as Rem chi on December 23, 2017. Lalu Prasad got bail on Saturday. * PTI brate as the bail granted to on the issue of preparing the hood — was the cutoff date arashtra, 1,700 to Uttar Pra desivir, which they claimed He is now under treatment him was long due, and it will Register of Indigenous In for determining the “perma desh, 1,500 to Jharkhand, was being sold in the black at the All India Institute of Mr. Prasad guilty under Sec to seek Mr. Prasad’s release pave the way for him to habitants of Nagaland (RI nent residents” of the State. 1,600 to Gujarat, 152 to Mad market at exorbitant prices. Medical Sciences, New Del tions 120(B), 420, 409, 467, from jail following the High come out of the jail,” senior IN). Apart from nonNagas, the hi. 468 and 471 of the Indian Pe Court order”. party leader Shivanand Ti In July 2019, the Nagaland “outsiders” implied Nagas Earlier, he was granted nal Code and the Prevention Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal wari said. government launched the living in areas beyond the bail in three cases related to of Corruption Act and sen appeared for Mr. Prasad in Addressing presspersons, RIIN, seen as a variant of As boundaries of Nagaland Uddhav call on oxygen fraudulent transactions in tenced him to seven years in the virtual hearing. Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of sam’s National Register of could be left out of the RIIN. the Deoghar and Chaibasa prison. “With the bail granted in the Opposition in the Bihar Citizens that excluded 19.06 “The JCC will be headed treasuries. He was convicted “Lalu Prasad has already the Dumka treasury case in Assembly and younger son lakh people out of about 3.3 by Home Commissioner Ab fails to reach Modi and imprisoned in four cases served over half of the jail which Mr. Prasad has alrea of Mr. Prasad, said, “We are crore applicants. The exer hijit Sinha and include for fraudulently withdraw term in this case, and the dy served threeandahalf happy that bail has been cise was put on hold after members from the Central However, the Union govern ram lashed out at Mr. Modi ing money from the district High Court granted bail to years in jail, he is likely to be granted by the honourable some civil society and extre Nagaland Tribes’ Council, ment said it was “shocked saying that he should have treasuries of Jharkhand from him on this basis,” Mr. Pra released from jail by Monday court to Lalu Prasadji, who is mist groups opposed its stat Eastern Nagaland People’s and saddened to see petty been at his desk coordinat 1990 to 1996 when he was sad’s lawyer Prabhat Kumar or Tuesday after 39 months also suffering from several ed objective of preventing Organisation and the Tenye politics being played” over ing with the State govern the Chief Minister of undi said. Associate lawyer Devar and 25 days in incarcera serious diseases and admit outsiders from obtaining mie People’s Organisation,” the issue of oxygen shortage ments instead of campaign vided Bihar. shi Mandal said they would tion,” Mr. Mandal said. ted to AIIMS in New Delhi. fake indigenous certificates Mmhonlumo Kikon, the ad by Mr. Thackeray. ing in West Bengal. In the Dumka treasury now “move the special CBI While granting bail, the Our priority will be to act as for seeking jobs and benefits viser to the State govern Two day ago, Mr. Thacke Hitting back, Railway Mi case, the trial court had held court in Ranchi on Monday court directed that Mr. Pra per doctor’s advice.” of government schemes. ment, said. ray had written to Mr. Modi nister Piyush Goyal in a seeking his intervention in strongly worded statement ensuring supply of Remdesi said he was “saddened to vir and permission to airlift see Uddhav Thackeray’s IAF chief set oxygen from northeastern gimmicks” on the issue of Pak. man held in Resume talks with farmers, States to Maharashtra, oxygen supply and added to visit France which is facing a shortage. that Mr. Thackeray needed next week Speaking at a press confe to “stop his daily dose of drug smuggling case Dushyant urges Modi rence in Delhi, senior Con shameless politics and take gress leader P. Chidamba responsibility”. Press Trust of India BSF, NCB seize 20.57 kg of heroin Set up a team of senior Cabinet Ministers: Haryana Dy. CM New Delhi The Chief of the Air Staff, special correspondent Jarnail Singh of Ferozpur. SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Sporadic violence marks NEW DELHI The NCB arrested Jarnail CHANDIGARH Bhadauria, is scheduled to In a joint operation, the BSF Singh from Vadodara. He is Jannayak Janta Party ( JJP) leave for France on Tues and the Narcotics Control now being questioned to leader and Haryana Deputy day on a threeday visit. He fifth phase of Bengal poll Bureau (NCB) arrested a Pa track down other members Chief Minister Dushyant will hold talks with senior kistani national and an In of the syndicate. Chautala has asked Prime French military officials Biddhanagar and Barana Later in the day, the Tri dian on Saturday and seized “The NCB will seek assis Minister Narendra Modi to and take stock of the pro gar, two constituencies bor namool supporters alleged 20.57 kg of heroin being tance in arresting the Pakis resume talks with the farm duction and delivery time dering Kolkata, witnessed that personnel of the Cen smuggled in via Punjab, an tani nationals who are in ers who have been protest lines of some of the re largescale violence as sup tral forces used force against NCB press release said. volved with Amjad Ali,” said ing against the farm laws maining Rafale jets. porters of the Trinamool them. In adjoining Kamar A team of the BSF’s 14th an agency official. enacted by the Union The IAF chief is sche and the BJP clashed. Sup hati constituency, BJP candi battalion spotted the Pakis The NCB’s Amritsar unit government. duled to hold extensive porters of both parties hur date Raju Banerjee alleged tani national attempting to has taken up further investi In a letter to the Prime Mi talks with the Chief of Staff led bricks and stones at that he was attacked by Tri push the heroin consign gation. nister, Mr. Chautala said that of the French Air Force, each other and also engaged namool supporters at the ment using a 13ft PVC pipe During interrogation, the a team of senior Cabinet Mi Extending support: Actor Sonia Mann, along with farmers, Philippe Lavigne, on ways in physical violence in the behest of Trinamool candi over the fence in Ferozpur, accused disclosed the nisters could be set up to res taking part in a tractor rally in Amritsar on Saturday. * AFP to further expand coopera Shantinagar area of Bidhan date Madan Mitra. the release said. names of two other Pakista ume talks with farmers and tion between the two forc nagar. In the fifth phase of elec The suspect, identified as ni nationals, residents of La reach an amicable solution. cern that such an agitation is to the concerns raised by es, sources said. A huge contingent of Cen tion, the ECI had deployed Amjad Ali of Lahore, was ar hore and Kasur, respective “I would like to bring to going on for more than ‘Sayunkt Morcha’. In this re There is a possibility of tral forces had to be rushed the highest number of 1,071 rested and the drugs were ly. your kind attention that our hundred days. I truly believe gard, a team consisting of Air Chief Marshal Bhadau in to control the situation. companies of Central forc seized by the team. The intended receivers annadattas (farmers) are on that every problem has a so three to four Senior Cabinet ria flagging off a batch of In Baranagar constituen es. A mobile phone, one on the Indian side were also the roads at the Delhi border lution by way of mutual dis Ministers may lead the dele five or six Rafale jets from cy, BJP candidate and actor Despite the unprecedent power bank and a 16ft. identified and searches con agitating in respect of the cussion. The earlier discus gation for resuming talks the Merignac airbase in the Parno Mitra was allegedly ed deployment of forces, vo piece of cloth was found in ducted at their possible hi three newly enacted farm sion between the Central with farmers so as to bring French port city of Bor gheraoed by Trinamool acti ters and polling agents al his possession, apart from deouts in Punjab and laws of the Central govern government and farmers’ an amicable conclusion in deaux for India, they said. vists while she was touring leged that they were being some documents related to Gujarat. ment. It is a matter of con union brought few solutions this issue,” he wrote. Dassault Aviation, the the constituency. threatened. manufacturer of Rafale jets, was scheduled to send ‘Withdraw six Rafale aircraft to India NIA declares ₹7 lakh ‘Regulate groundwater use in cricket fields’ by Aprilend. advisory on Second squadron The arrival of the new bounty on Hidma J&K reporting’ Act with a sense of responsibility to reduce environmental footprint, says NGT batch of the aircraft will pave the way for the IAF to According to a police dossier The NIA had taken over Special Correspondent Staff Reporter inter alia include prohibit save the groundwater,” the harvesting and storage of raise a second squadron of accessed by The Hindu, Rao the investigations in the kill NEW DELHI NEW DELHI ing use of groundwater for Bench said. The green panel such water may be ensured,” the Rafale jets. The new was last spotted in the “cut ing of Bhima Mandavi and The Editors Guild of India Following a plea seeking re maintenance of the play said conservation of water the Bench said. squadron will be based in off” area in Odisha’s Malkan four security personnel from (EGI) on Saturday called medial action against the use grounds at least during the was of utmost importance to “We hope the authorities the Hasimara airbase in giri district in November Chhattisgarh Police in 2019 for the Kashmir police to of groundwater for the main time no match is actually be the environment. concerned will act with a West Bengal. 2019. An engineer, Rao but the central agency was withdraw its advisory tenance of cricket fields, the ing played and exploring sense of responsibility and The first Rafale squa heads the intelligence and handed over the case docu against live reporting of en National Green Tribunal utilisation of STP (sewage ‘Save potable water’ duty to reduce environmen dron is based in the Amba military wing of the banned ments and properties by the counters. (NGT) has directed the Jal treatment plant) treated “Every effort is required to tal footprint and societal la Air Force Station. A squa group and is active in the police only in March 2020, In a statement, the guild Shakti Ministry to consider water.” save potable water for drink need for conservation of ev dron comprises nearly 18 Abujhmaad area of Chhattis the agency said. said the police had forbid regulating extraction of ing, and cricket or other ery drop of water.” aircraft. Dassault Aviation garh. Rao replaced Gana It arrested six persons for den journalists from re groundwater for the pur ‘Must for environment’ such grounds may be main The directions came on a has delivered 14 jets to the pathi as general secretary in providing logistics to Maoists porting live encounters pose. “It may also include ensur tained, as far as possible, plea moved by petitioner Indian Air Force so far. February 2017. A reward of and a chargehseet was filed with militants “on the plea A Bench headed by NGT ing that effective rainwater from the sewage treatment Haider Ali seeking action Sources said the Chief of ₹10 lakh each has also been in October 2020 where the that it is ‘likely to incite vio Chairperson Justice Adarsh harvesting and water storage plant of high quality having against the use of groundwa the Air Staff is also likely to announced for information NIA said that “the decision to lence’ or that it can pro Kumar Goel said, “The is or recharging systems are in no pathogens and offensive ter for maintaining cricket visit a couple of French on Polit Bureau members kill Bhima Mandavi, the then mote ‘antinational senti sues for consideration may stalled in all playgrounds to components. Also rainwater fields. military bases. Mallojula Venugopal and MLA of Dantewada, was ta ment’. Nothing can be Katkam Sudarshan. ken at Dandakaranya Special further from the truth.” Venugopal who often is Zonal Committee (DKSZC) The EGI said the securi sues statements on behalf of level meeting held in Decem ty forces were trying to es the banned group by the ber 2018 in West Bastar, cape scrutiny about the Bustard poaching in Pakistan shocks activists name “Abhay” also has a re Chhattisgarh.” events behind instances of ward of ₹1.55 crore on his ar The NIA said its investiga violence. rest as announced by the tion established that top “Live reporting from Great Indian Bustard, the State bird of Rajasthan, is considered India’s most critically endangered bird States of Maharashtra, Maoist leadership, Nambala conflict areas, including Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Keshava Rao was actively in encounters between secur Mohammed Iqbal national Union for Conserva secretary Harsh Vardhan Odisha. Sudarshan has ₹1.4 volved in the conspiracy ity forces and militants, is JAIPUR tion of Nature and Natural said here on Friday. Mr. crore reward by other State along with Kattam Sudar one of the most important The recent shooting of two Resources (IUCN), a global Vardhan said the wildlife police. shan, Mallojulla Venugopal, journalistic duties of any Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) authority on species surviv authorities in Rajasthan had The rewards were an Thippari Tirupati alias Dev ji, responsible media, and re in Pakistan’s Cholistan des al, which categorised the permitted captive breeding nounced by NIA on April 1 Roulla Srinivas alias Raman quires extreme grit and de ert, with the poachers bra GIBs as “endangered” in of GIB, protected under the against 21 Maoists, including na, Hidma, Ganesh Uike alias termination on the part of zenly getting themselves 1994, was forced to upgrade Wildlife Protection Act, in the top leadership. Pakka and Hanumantu. reporters. At best, there photographed with the car the species to the status of the DNP through a project may be some guidelines casses of birds in their hands “critically endangered” in executed by the Dehradun that can be issued with res and guns on their shoulders, 2011 because of continued based Wildlife Institute of In pect to reporting from has left wildlife activists in threats faced in the survival dia in 2019 after a prolonged Four Sikhs killed in U.S. such scenes, with the aim Rajasthan shocked and out A group of poachers led by a retired Major of the Pakistan of these large birds. debate. Sixteen chicks of GIB of protecting the integrity raged. The GIB, which is the Army (in circle) with the carcasses in the Cholistan desert. The Tourism & Wildlife are in hands now being “This is very heartbreak (IMPD) released the names of tactics and plans of se State bird of Rajasthan, is Society of India (TWSI) has reared in DNP by a team sup ing. The Sikh community is of the victims. curity agencies, as well as considered India’s most criti him Yar Khan district, and National Park (DNP), where condemned the poaching of ported by the Houbara devastated by this tragic in Four victims who belong to avoid journalists from cally endangered bird. his accomplices, also at the GIB’s last remnant wild GIBs, while expressing sur Breeding Centre of UAE. cident,” community leader to the Sikh community are: interfering with the evolv A group of hunters, alleg tacked wildlife officials of population is found. The prise that the people in the “As Rajasthan shares the Gurinder Singh Khalsa said Amarjeet Johal, Jaswinder ing situation and from sen edly led by a retired Major of that country when they tried DNP, situated near the towns neighbouring country conti international border with Pa after meeting family mem Kaur, Amarjit Skhon, and sationalising the issue that the Pakistan Army, shot to stop the group from hunt of Jaisalmer and Barmer, nued to kill this rare species kistan’s Sindh and Punjab bers of the employees of the Jaswinder Singh. can stir up emotions at au down two GIBs in a protect ing GIBs and chinkara deer. forms a part of the mighty of birds. “It cannot take provinces, it is suspected FedEx facility. U.S. President Biden and dience’s end,” the guild ed area of southern Punjab’s The grassland habitat with Thar desert. place without the cover pro that Indianbred GIBs will fly Late Friday night, the Ma Vice President Kamala Har said. Cholistan game reserve in grass cover in the Cholistan The GIB’s population of vided by the government across to Pakistan’s desert rion County Coroner’s Of ris have expressed condo It said the Kashmir pol Pakistan earlier this month. desert, where the GIBs were fewer than 100 in Rajasthan authorities in Pakistan. This and will be easy prey for the fice and Indianapolis Metro lences over the tragic ice advisory was draconian Retired Major Tanveer Hus foraging, is similar to the accounts for 95% of its total incident should be probed guntoting poachers there ,” politan Police Department killings. and undemocratic. sain Shah, a resident of Ra habitat in Rajasthan’s Desert world population. The Inter thoroughly,” TWSI honorary Mr. Vardhan said.

THE HINDU DELHI SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021 NEWS 7 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Poll for 2 seats My phone is being in Bengal, 1 in Trinamool pressuring EC, says Modi Odisha put oﬀ PM says Mamata Banerjee is indulging in politics over the deaths at Sitalkuchi during polling tapped, says Mamata

Special Correspondent Special Correspondent Mr. Modi, who promised This time, Didi and CM says she will order a CID probe NEW DELHI Kolkata <> ₹18,000 to every farmer as The Election Commission Prime Minister Narendra her party are not pending benefits from the Special Correspondent on Saturday adjourned Modi on Saturday accused being allowed to PM Kisan Scheme for the Kolkata polling for the Jangipur the Trinamool Congress of resort to rigging. past three years, alleged that Alleging that her phone is and the Shamshergunj As pressuring the Election This is the reason Ms. Banerjee had stood as a being tapped, West Bengal sembly constituencies in Commission of India (EC) to she is trying all wall between West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Ba West Bengal scheduled for thwart the polling process in means to subvert people and the Central wel nerjee said on Saturday that April 26. West Bengal. At a public the election fare schemes. her government would or Revolutionary Socialist meeting at Asansol in Pas Narendra Modi Later, at a public meeting der an inquiry by the Crime Party candidate Pradip chim Bardhaman, Mr. Modi Prime Minister at Gangarampur in the Investigation Department. Nandy, 73, died on Friday said Chief Minister Mamata northern part of the State, She was addressing a pu after testing positive. He Banerjee was “trying all nister was indulging in polit the Prime Minister said polit blic meeting at Galsi in Bard was the second candidate means to subvert and stop Sharp statements: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in ics over the deaths. ics had “crossed dangerous haman, a day after the BJP in the State to die of CO the election”. Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman district on Saturday. * PTI On Friday, the BJP leader limits of vengeance”. released audiotapes in Mamata Banerjee VID19 within 24 hours. “This time, Didi [Ms. Ba ship had released audio “Mamata Banerjee is which she is heard speaking Congress candidate for the nerjee] and her party are not of the panchayat election tion papers had to submitted tapes of a conversation bet abusing me almost every day to her party candidate at Si the BJP is an illegal act. They Shamshergunj constituen being allowed to resort to held in 2018 in the State, and on WhatsApp,” he said. ween Ms. Banerjee and the as I raise the Trinamool Con talkuchi in Cooch Behar af said tapping the phone was cy Rezaul Haque died of rigging. This is the reason said the people of West Ben He referred to the com Trinamool candidate after gress’s track record of cor ter four persons were killed violation of the right to pri the infection on Thursday. she is trying all means to gal had not forgotten how munal riots during Ram Na the Central armed forces ruption,” Mr. Modi said, re in firing by Central forces on vacy of the Chief Minister. The EC also adjourned subvert and stop the elec their democratic rights had vami in Asansol in the past opened fire, killing four per ferring to several remarks by the polling day on April 10. At another meeting in the bypoll for the Pipli As tion,” he said. been subverted during that three years, and blamed the sons in the Jor Patki gram her directed at him in the “They [BJP leaders] are Purbosthali, the Chief Minis sembly constituency in Od The PM’s remarks come at election. “In 20,000 seats, Chief Minister for the vio panchayat area at Sitalkuchi last week of March and April. eavesdropping even on our ter accused the BJP and isha following the death of a time when the Trinamool which is almost onethird of lence. “Who stood with rio in Cooch Behar district. The Defending his mode of ad everyday conversation. It Prime Minister Narendra Congress candidate Ajit Congress has urged the EC to the total seats, Trinamool ters, who were indulging in Trinamool leadership said dressing the Chief Minister seems they are tapping our Modi of aggravating the CO Mangaraj also due to the vi merge the remaining three candidates won without a politics of appeasement,” there was nothing wrong in as Didi-O-Didi, he said that phone calls… I will order a VID19 situation in the State. rus. “These political par phases of polls in the State contest. Those who had filed Mr. Modi asked. the conversation, and raised during the entire election, CID probe into the issue. I “They [BJP] leaders have ties will be provided an op because of the second wave their nomination from the On the deaths at Sitalku questions over the tapping he had been referring to Ms. will not spare anyone in come from outside and oc portunity to nominate of COVID19. Opposition had to take shel chi in the previous phase of of telephones of party lead Banerjee as Didi and was volved in such snooping ac cupied all the hotels and another candidate,” it said. Mr. Modi raised the issue ter in other States. Nomina polling, he said the Chief Mi ers. “sometimes saying it twice”. tivities,” she said, adding guest houses and all of them she knew who were behind are COVID19 positive,” she the issue. said. CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC While the BJP leadership She said her party had Over 60% turnout in alleged that the conversa sought clubbing the remain From hospital to booth tion in the audiotape proved ing three phases (April 22, that the Trinamool was do 26, and 29) but the Election Rajasthan byelections ing “politics over bodies”, Commission had reduced the Trinamool leadership the time for the campaign. Congress, BJP locked in direct contest said there was nothing “This means we can cam wrong in the talk. paign for fewer days. Just Special Correspondent Chief Electoral Officer Pra Senior Trinamool leaders because Narendra Modi has JAIPUR veen Gupta said each of on Saturday also wrote to no more programmes and A total of 60.71% of the vo these voters was provided the Chief Electoral Officer there is no crowd at Amit ters cast their votes in the with a personal protective alleging that tapping the Shah rallies, the EC has byelections to the Sujan equipment (PPE) kit. Chief Minister’s phone by done this.” garh (Churu), Sahara (Bhil The counting of votes will wara) and Rajsamand As be held on May 2. The ruling sembly constituencies in Congress and the Opposi Rajasthan on Saturday. tion BJP are locked in direct BJP urges EC to scan The highest polling was contest in the three seats. recorded at 67.18% in Rajsa The byelections were neces mand, followed by 59.76% sitated after the death of ‘Mamata audio clip’ in Sujangarh and 56.56% in MLAs Bhanwarl Lal Megh Sahara. The bypolls will de wal (Sujangarh), Kailash Tri Press Trust of India Dasgupta, who led the dele cide the fate of 27 candi vedi (Sahara) and Kiran Ma Kolkata gation to the CEO’s office dates. The votes were cast at heshwari (Rajsamand). A Bharatiya Janata Party here, told reporters that he 1,145 booths amid strict se The Congress has fielded (BJP) delegation on Sunday had apprised Mr. Aftab of curity measures, while all Mr. Meghwal’s son Manoj urged Bengal Chief Electoral the conversation that appa norms under the COVID19 Meghwal in Sujangarh, Tri Officer (CEO) Ariz Aftab to rently took place between related guidelines were vedi’s wife Gayatri Devi in take note of a purported au Ms. Banerjee and the Trina complied with. Sahara and mining indus dio clip — in which Chief Mi mool Congress’s Sitalkuchi The general polling start trialist Tansukh Bohra in nister Mamata Banerjee is nominee, and pointed out ed at 7 a.m. and continued Rajsamand. The BJP’s candi heard proposing a rally with that it could lead to unto till 5 p.m. After that, voters dates are veteran leader the bodies of the Cooch Be ward situations in the next who were COVID19 positive Khemaram Meghwal in Su har firing victims — as “such three phases of the polls.. and those staying in quaran jangarh, former MLA Ratan move could lead to more The Trinamool has alrea tine exercised their fran lal Jat in Sahara and Mahesh Against all odds: COVID19 patients sitting inside an ambulance outside a polling station after voting in the fifth phase of the tension” in the State amid dy described the audio clip chise till 6 p.m. with strict wari’s daughter Deepti West Bengal Assembly election in Siliguri on Saturday. * AFP the ongoing elections. as “bogus” and said no such adherence to the protocol. Maheshwari in Rajsamand. CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC Senior BJP leader Swapan conversation took place. Cong. moves to ‘insulate’ candidates Party leaders hold closed-door meeting with candidates in Guwahati

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT going anywhere. We have GUWAHATI just given certain directions After the candidates of one to party candidates on the of its allies returned from Ra preparation for the counting jasthan on Friday in view of day because of past expe the COVID19 surge, the Con riences,” Mr. Singh told gress has reportedly booked presspersons ahead of the a few hotels across Assam to meeting. “insulate” its candidates He made light of the sud from possible poaching by den exit of all the AIUDF can the BJP. didates from Assam soon af The candidates are ex ter the third and ﬁnal phase pected to be kept out of of polling was held on April bounds till the Assembly 6. “They went to Rajasthan election results are declared after a hectic election cam on May 2. Pulling out all the stops: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, centre, paign and returned to Assam On Saturday, senior Con with AICC Assam general secretary Jitendra Singh, right, at a after oﬀering prayers at the gress leaders assembled the press conference in Guwahati. * FILE PHOTO Ajmer Sharif,” he said. party’s candidates at a hotel The AIUDF leaders had, on the outskirts of Guwahati the candidates in some ho “Mahajot (grand alliance) however, said they were wa for a closeddoor meeting. tels in Guwahati, Kaziranga will get a big majority”. ry of the BJP indulging in The party said one must not and Tezpur from April 22 The Congress heads the horsetrading. read too much into the meet and not let them be in touch 10party Mahajot whose They cited the examples ing where only “general dis with the world beyond. constituents include the All of Meghalaya, Manipur and cussions” related to the day But AICC general secre India United Democratic Goa where the Congress of counting were held. tary and the party’s Assam Front (AIUDF) and the Bodo failed to form the govern But there is speculation incharge Jitendra Singh land People’s Front. ment despite emerging as that the party plans to keep trashed such theories as the “Our candidates are not the single largest party. Jaishankar to visit Abu Dhabi today Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is in UAE on three-day visit

Special Correspondent lamabad said Mr. Qureshi Al Nahyan visited Delhi on NEW DELHI would discuss “regional is February 26 in what turned External Affairs Minister S. sues” with the UAE leader out to be a quiet consulta Jaishankar will visit Abu Dha ship. It is not clear if there tion. He did not meet the bi on Sunday, the Ministry will be an unexpected ice media and left after meeting has said. breaking moment between Mr. Jaishankar. The visit comes against the two sides in the UAE. the backdrop of reports that While Pakistan has wel Re-employment issues the UAE has been holding comed the reports of third India is concerned about the backchannel talks to restart party mediation, India has reemployment of the large dialogue between India and maintained silence as it goes number of the working force Pakistan. against its traditional posi in Gulf who lost their jobs in “At the invitation of his tion on diplomacy with Pa the middle of the pandemic, counterpart, Mr. Jaishankar S. Jaishankar kistan. India maintains offi with many returning to Kera will be visiting Abu Dhabi on cially that issues with la. India has maintained that Sunday. His discussions will The announcement came Pakistan are of a bilateral na it is coordinating with Gulf focus on economic coopera within hours of the declara ture that has no space for countries to ensure employ tion and community wel tion by Pakistan that Foreign third party mediation or ment of its citizens. fare,” Arindam Bagchi, Ex Minister Shah Mahmood Qu intervention. This issue is expected to ternal Affairs Ministry reshi will visit the UAE for UAE Foreign Minister feature in the discussion in spokesperson, said. three days from Saturday. Is Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed the UAE.

DELHI THE HINDU 8 NEWS SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Testing sets a record on a day PM suggests curtailment fresh cases touch 2.56 lakh of Haridwar Kumbh Mela Seer of Juna akhara announces the end of its participation 14.95 lakh samples studied; 1,442 deaths in India as global total reaches 3 mn Special Correspondent Special Correspondent It is about 16,000 doses less New Delhi Rijiju tests Chennai than what was recorded in As over 2.3 lakh COVID19 As many as 14,95,397 sam the previous 24 hours. It is cases were reported in India positive for ples were tested in India on about 8 lakh doses lower on Saturday, Prime Minister Friday (results of which were than what was recorded the Narendra Modi sought a cur COVID-19 made available on Saturday), previous Saturday. tailment of the Kumbh Mela the highest number of tests As of April 16, 3 million in Haridwar. The Juna akha- Press Trust of India conducted in a single day in COVID19related fatalities ra, a prominent congrega New Delhi the country. have been recorded world tion of Hindu seers, an Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju This is the second consec wide. The pace of deaths has nounced that it was ending on Saturday said that he utive day the number of tests quickened lately. On Sep its participation in the event has tested positive for CO is crossing the 14 lakh mark. tember 28, 2020, the one at his behest. VID19 but is feeling “fit On September 24, 2020, million global deaths mark Tweeting on Saturday and fine”. 14,92,409 tests were carried was crossed, about 250 days morning, Mr. Modi said that The 49yearold tweet out, which was the highest after the first such fatality he had spoken to Swami Crowds dwindle: Har Ki Pauri Ghat in Haridwar wears a ed, “I’m taking the advice until the record was broken was recorded in China. On Awadeshananda Giri over deserted look on Saturday, after many seers left. * PTI of the doctors. I request all on Friday. A total of 26.49 January 14, 2020, the two the telephone and, after en those who have come in crore samples have been million mark was breached, quiring about the health of Indians was more important 14, more than 9.5 lakh devo my contact recently to be tested in the country since taking about 110 days. The the Hindu seers gathered for amid the rising pandemic” tees from various akharas observant, exercise self the beginning of the latest million was crossed in the Kumbh, suggested that and that the akhara had to took a dip. quarantine and get them pandemic. cases and deaths from Jhark hi with 24,375 new cases. just over 94 days. the event be curtailed. “I day performed the ritual im One seer, Mahamandlesh selves tested. I’m physical India registered 2,56,695 hand and Ladakh. The data Maharashtra also record As of April 16, Brazil leads made a suggestion that now mersion of deities, which war Kapil Dev Das, reported ly fit and fine.” new COVID19 cases as of is sourced from covid19in ed the highest number of ca the world in the daily aver that the Shahi Snans (ritual usually happens at the end ly died of COVID19, while Mr. Rijiju was in Uttarak 9.20 p.m. on Saturday. As dia.org, an independent ag sualties (419) on Saturday. age reported deaths. It re baths in the Ganga on specif of the Kumbh. scores of seers tested posi hand on Friday to inaugu many as 1,442 deaths were gregator of daily COVID19 fi Delhi followed with 167 new ported over 2,860 deaths on ic dates) were done, the rest The Kumbh Mela sees tive for the coronavirus. rate a Water Sports and Ad also recorded on the day. gures. deaths, while Chhattisgarh Friday. It accounts for one in of the events could be un lakhs of devotees converge Gujarat Chief Minister Vi venture Institute in Tehri. Maharashtra reported registered 138 new casual every four deaths every day dertaken in a symbolic way,” every 12 years and involves jay Rupani declared that all Uttarakhand Chief Minister 1.47 crore total cases 67,123 infections (accounting ties. worldwide. he tweeted. many rituals, including ri pilgrims returning from the Tirath Singh Rawat, who The country has so far re for nearly 26% of the new About 27.14 lakh COVID19 India is reporting the se Swami Awadeshananda tual baths in the Ganga on Kumbh to the State would recovered recently from ported a total of 1,47,78,623 cases) on Saturday, followed vaccination doses were ad cond highest number of av Giri, who heads the Juna specific dates. undergo COVID19 tests at the infection, was with him cases and 1,77,117 deaths. by Uttar Pradesh with 27,334 ministered in the 24 hours erage daily deaths ahead of akhara, later announced This time, on the day of railway stations and other at the inauguration. The figures do not include new infections and and Del ending at 7 a.m. on Saturday. U.S. and Mexico. that “protecting the lives of the Baisakhi Snan on April ports of entry. Sonia for reducing Cong. blames Centre’s ‘arrogance’ Trade union asks Modi to stop reverse migration immunisation age CWC releases 14point ‘chargesheet’ against PM on the handling of pandemic Fear has gripped nation again: BMS ‘Those above 25 should be eligible’ Special Correspondent meeting will be collated and New Delhi sent to Mr. Modi by former Special Correspondent last year and a lockdown in Special correspondent In a severe indictment of the Prime Minister Manmohan New Delhi these situations may result New Delhi handling of the pandemic by Singh. The Bharatiya Mazdoor in an economic depression Congress president Sonia the Union government, the Foremost among the 14 Sangh (BMS) on Saturday we will find it very tough to Gandhi, in her address to Congress, after a meeting of point chargesheet issued by wrote to Prime Minister Na recover from,” wrote BMS the Congress Working Com its working committee on Sa the party was the govern rendra Modi, seeking his in general secretary Binoy Ku mittee (CWC) on Saturday, turday, released a 14point ment’s failure to create suffi tervention in stopping the mar Sinha. said the government must ‘chargesheet’ accusing cient awareness that a wan reverse migration of work The BMS said the govern reconsider its priority for Prime Minister Narendra ing pandemic could be a ers amid the rising number ment should enforce guide vaccine candidates by re Modi of pushing the country has taken off all the warning edly reached out to Mr. Modi precursor to a second wave of COVID19 cases in the lines so that industries and ducing the immunisation to an unprecedented catas systems and shut them and the Ministers concerned that may be more devastat country. workers can continue to age to 25 and above, espe <> It is imperative to trophe. down. We are in the middle pleading for relief. “Some of ing than the first. The vacci The Central trade union, function. cially for those with comor provide monthly “We regret to say the na of the ocean in a storm and them were left with only a nation programme also affiliated to the Rashtriya “We request you to kindly bidities. income support tion is paying a very heavy now the ship has no idea few days of vaccine, no oxy failed on several accounts, Swayamsevak Sangh, wrote take a quick call to stop this Ms. Gandhi said the se and transfer an price for the thoughtlessness where to go,” he said at the gen or ventilators. But there the chargesheet said. that India had dealt with the migration as it is already cond wave of COVID 19 had amount of ₹6,000 and unpreparedness of the meeting. has been thundering silence Primarily, the govern first wave of the pandemic making headlines and pro caught the government off in every eligible NDA government to tackle Other than the CWC mem on the part of the govern ment, the party said, failed in 2020 successfully under vide work for these mi guard once again, despite the gravest disaster that has bers, the meeting chaired by ment. On the contrary, some to grant emergencyuse ap Mr. Modi’s leadership, but grants in places of their citizen’s account the fact that it had a year to hit the country and has af party president Sonia Gand other States have received proval to other vaccines the “second wave has re stay... We request you to prepare. fected millions of families hi was attended by Amarin preferential treatment/re from the U.S., the U.K., the turned to haunt us and fear kindly get into dialogue with She urged the govern gress Chief Ministers in a re claiming 1,75,673 lives so der Singh, Ashok Gehlot and lief,” she said. European Union and Japan, has gripped the entire na the State governments and ment not to take an adversa cent meeting with her. far,” senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel, all Chief Instead of listening to the under a “misguided notion tion once again”. direct them to ensure that rial position. “Let us ensure Drugs such as remdesivir P. Chidambaram said read Ministers of Congressruled constructive suggestions, of atmanirbhar”. “Sir, the pictures of mi the migration is halted for that the suggestions our par and medical oxygen as also ing out a statement agreed States. Ms. Gandhi said, the Union The production and sup grant workers travelling the upkeep of the faith of ty puts forward are consi other basic supplements upon by the Congress Work In her opening com Ministers have attacked the ply of the two approved vac back to their hometowns workers, life of the indus dered by the Government of were subjected to GST at ing Committee (CWC). ments, Ms. Gandhi said the Opposition leaders. “This cines were not scaled up, the still haunts India and as the tries and growth of the na India in the spirit of true de 12%. Even basic equipment Former party president government was caught off convoluted ‘me versus you’ bureaucratic control over second wave grips India the tion as per the forecasts,” mocratic traditions. Taking such as oximeters and life Rahul Gandhi said there has guard, despite having a year debate is childish and totally the programme caused ma fear of migration looms the BMS said. on these challenging times saving critical equipment been “constant declaration to prepare. She accused the unnecessary,” she said. ny unnecessary hurdles. The large, not only for the work The letter said the BMS as Indians, rather than as such as ventilators were of victory” by the govern Centre of giving “preferen Briefing reporters at the vaccine roll out should have ers but the industries as had started an awareness political opponents, will be subjected to 20% GST. “In ment and a sense of arro tial treatment” to some end of the meeting, Mr. Chi been left to the State govern well... It is also worth noting drive for workers about the true Rajadharma,” Ms. the current state of affairs, gance that has led to this sit States, saying the Congress dambaram said all the sug ments and public and priv that the state has already use of masks, hand sanitis Gandhi said. this is inhuman and untena uation. “The government Chief Ministers have repeat gestions made at the CWC ate hospitals. used up its resources during ers, and physical distancing. She urged the govern ble,” she said. ment to waive GST on medi Fresh partial curfews and cine and medical equip travel restrictions to control ment required to fight the situation would once Assembly Secretariat in COVID19, provide ₹6,000 again restrict economic ac Family haunted by COVID19 deaths as monthly financial assis tivity, pushing the daily wag tance to the needy families ers to an edge, Ms. Gandhi Bihar shut till April 25 and ensure safe transporta pointed out. Four brothers die during the first wave of pandemic in Odisha’s Angargaon tion for the migrant workers “It is, therefore, impera who had already started re tive to provide monthly in 44 staff members test positive Satyasundar Barik mily. And just when everyth turning home due to partial come support and transfer BHUBANESWAR ing appeared to be settling lockdowns in various cities. an amount of ₹6,000 in ev special correspondent vernment ordered the clo As the second wave of CO down, COVID19 struck She said the high GST rate ery eligible citizen’s ac Patna sure of gyms, sports com VID19 sweeps through the again. was also flagged by the Con count,” she said. As the COVID19 positive plexes and museums till country, a family in remote The eldest Sahu brother, cases continue to surge in May 15 in view of the surging Angargaon in Odisha is Dhabaleswar, 60, who was Bihar, a multiparty virtual pandemic cases. haunted by the tragedy that also running a grocery shop, DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD meeting called by Governor Chief Minister Nitish Ku the virus visited on them last developed similar symptoms Phagu Chauhan is under mar held a highlevel meet year. and tested positive. He died way on Saturday to review ing on Friday to review the The Sahu family in Gan in September. Two years SUDOKU the situation and take sug steps taken so far to check jam district had little notice ago, Bhikari Sahu, second of gestions from all political the spread of the infection of the disease that was to the five siblings, had died of parties. in the State. wipe out an entire genera a kidney ailment. Meanwhile, the Assembly In the past 24 hours, tion — four brothers who fell After the deaths of the Sa Secretariat was shut with as 6,253 positive cases were victim to the novel coronavi hu brothers, their grocery many as 44 staff tested CO detected in Bihar. rus, three within days of shops are now managed by VID19 positive in the last As many as 1,688 deaths each other. their wives while Mangaraj’s three days. Speaker Vijay have been reported with 112 In the months that fol eldest daughter has dropped Kumar Sinha has ordered deaths in the past 16 days. lowed, the women forged out of nursing studies to run complete closure of the As The total number of ac bonds to help one another the drug store in Angargaon. sembly Secretariat till April tive cases in the State is through the devastating Coping with loss: The women of the household have taken “We know the second

25. 33,465 and the recovery rate time. Sujata Sahu, Kama Sa over managing the family business. * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT wave is much more danger On Friday, the State go is 88.57%. hu, and Truptimayee Sahu ous than the first. But if we and other women members jam district emerging as a 18, two days after his youn do not come out of our of the family, however, have COVID19 hotspot, he had ger brother died. The death house to manage businesses, little safeguards this time gone to Khalikote for a RT of the brothers had created the food insecurity will kill Odisha wants vaccine round either. They continu PCR test. panic at Angargaon forcing us before the second wave of ously pray that nothing hap However, before the result the administration to con COVID19 does,” said Trupti pens to them this time. came, his condition deterio duct special COVID19 test mayee, who helps manage available in open market “What else could the epi rated and he died on July 14 ing for the family members. the drug store. demic have snatched from while on his way to Bhuba The deaths in quick suc Naveen Patnaik writes to Modi us? All our earning men suc neswar. Last rites cession of the breadwinners cumbed to coronavirus one Around this time, his el “Eight members of our fami has meant that children have Staff Reporter the vaccine can avail them,” after another. Though the der brother, Mangaraj, 45, ly had tested positive and been pulled out of private Solution to yesterday’s Sudoku Bhubaneswar Mr. Patnaik said. tsunami of grief left family who ran a medicine store, were sent to a quarantine schools; some have joined Odisha Chief Minister Na He said the metropolitan members shattered, we can had started experiencing un centre immediately. The sit the local village school. veen Patnaik has written to cities, which report the not afford to stay indoors easiness. As with Krushna uation had gone from bad to “We are taking all precau Prime Minister Narendra highest number of cases, now,” says Sujata, whose chandra, he died on July 16 worse. Even rituals associat tions to stay away from the Modi demanding that CO should be allowed priority husband, Krushnachandra, before he was admitted for ed with the death for my un COVID19. Children, who VID19 vaccines be made vaccination and flexibility in was the first victim of the vi fullfledged treatment. cles could not be performed were scared after their fath available in the open mar the age criteria as these rus. The youngest of five Tragedy continued to as per custom as my aunts ers’ deaths last year, have ket. “Vaccines may be made were the economic nerve sons of Mohanta Sahu, stalk the family. Their elder were in quarantine,” re learnt the lesson hard way. available outside the go centres of the country, and Krushnachandra, 42, a groc brother, Basudev, 48, who called Santos Sahu, 34, ne We hope to remain un vernment supply chain in any lockdown in these areas er, first complained of con ran a business renting out phew of the deceased and touched by the second the open market so that will would have an impact on tinuous fever in the second buses and tractors, was next the only one left in the vil wave,” said Kama Sahu, wife ing citizens who can afford the rest of the country. week of July 2020. With Gan to fall victim. He died on July lage to take care of the big fa of Dhabaleswar.

THE HINDU DELHI SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021 WORLD 9 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Our lands are under threat, say Tamils in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province

Systematic effort to change Tamil areas’ demographics, into the concerns over land, agriculture — in some areas Buddhism in these tradi alleges Batticaloa MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam “the biggest issue” in the involving the Civil Defence tional Tamil areas,” says an Province. Force — or carrying out ar office bearer, requesting Meera Srinivasan Mr. Raveendrakumar’s vil mine sand in the resource chaeological investigations, anonymity. BATTICALOA lage which lacks motorable rich area. “We would be far Landrelated conflicts according to Jaffna parlia The Tamilmajority dis Over the last few months, roads — it takes over 45 mi more careful and not mine The government’s efforts mentarian M.A. Sumanthi trict is flanked by Trincoma farmers of Mavadi Odai in nutes to cover a 3km stretch as deep as them, because we are yet to inspire confidence ran, a senior lawyer appear lee and Ampara, that togeth Sri Lanka’s eastern Battica to reach here — do small know our terrain, we know among the people, going by ing for them. At least a er make the multiethnic loa district frequently spot scale farming for a living. A how our village gets flooded their accounts. In fact, land dozen such cases have been Eastern Province that has ted something crop up on plot of land is all they have every monsoon,” says a related conflicts in Battica filed in the last year. been home to Tamils, a size their land overnight — a bor assuring them of a liveli farmer. loa have escalated after Pre able Muslim population who der stone they had not hood. A majority owns un sident Gotabaya Rajapaksa Task force are also Tamil speaking, and planted. der 5 acres. “But every day, ‘Sand mafias’ came to power, they note. Further, six months into of a smaller proportion of Sin “The Forest Department the Forest Department is “The mining companies ex Sites such as the Kusalanamalai temple in Batticaloa district Livestock farmers in May fice, President Rajapaksa set halese. The clamour for people come and put their claiming a new patch of land ploit the villagers’ poverty, are increasingly under threat, say locals. * MEERA SRINIVASAN ilathamadu, about 70 km up a task force for Archaeo land from different agen stones when we are asleep, here to be theirs,” he says. get cheap labour, and make from town, have been agitat logical Heritage Manage cies, according to Batticaloa and then claim the land to Apart from tackling the huge profits selling the sand. ing is going on in a “drastic instances, land is being ing for months, against colo ment in the Eastern Pro parliamentarian Shanakiyan be theirs,” says Marimuthu Forest Department’s moves, They don’t care about how manner” in the province, freshly demarcated to indi nies of Sinhalese agricultu vince last June that has Rasamanickam, is not a Raveendrakumar, 51, speak the people of Mavadi Odai that damages the environ Anuradha Yahampath, Go cate forest areas. “There are ral families, set up emerged another source of coincidence, but has a more ing of a growing insecurity constantly dread wild ele ment here,” says Kanapathy vernor of the Eastern Pro some other cases where pe reportedly by the country’s apprehension for Tamils. sinister motive. “It is noth among residents over land phants, and more recently, pillai Mohan, who heads vince, says the Geological ople have encroached into Mahaweli authority that ad The panel, with only majori ing but a systematic effort to that they returned to only in powerful humans eyeing ‘Thamizh Unarvaalargal’, a Department takes “all fac forest areas, and we are ministers land and irriga ty Sinhalese members — in change the demographics of recent years, after years of their natural resources. Not locallyrun organisation that tors into consideration” looking at alternative lands tion, on fields their cattle cluding senior Buddhist the Tamilmajority areas.” displacement during the ci far from their homes, a ra “stands up for Tamil peo while issuing licences, but that can be offered to them. have been grazing for de monks — has taken steps Pointing to past moves by vil war. According to many pid sand mining operation ple’s rights”. some who obtain the licence It is very important that we cades. Like some other that Tamils fear, will threa “majoritarian governments” in Batticaloa, the land where has begun, with huge ma “We had seen sand mafias are “violating” the condi provide agricultural land to farmers’ organisations and ten their places of worship, in postIndependence Sri Tamil communities have re chines extracting truckloads only in films, but here we tions. our people, and at the same residents in the civil waraf like the Kusalanamalai Kum Lanka, of “settling” Sinha sided and farmed for gener of sand on a daily basis, vil see them in action right in Asked about allegations time, protect our forests,” fected north and east, they aran temple in Batticaloa. lese people in Tamilspeak ations, is increasingly under lagers note. Following the front of our eyes, that too of the Forest Department Ms. Yahampath says, adding too have recently filed a The stones placed by the Ar ing areas, the MP said: “We threat from different govern intervention of local MPs, with the blessings of some taking over agriculture land, that a “strong environmen case, accusing governmen chaeology Department are only seeing similar at mental bodies that oversee district authorities ordered prominent local politicians the Governor, the highest of tal committee” headed by tal departments of taking around the shrine have al tempts now. And they are agriculture, conservation that it be paused. aligned to the Rajapaksa go ficial in the Province ap the Governor, with mem control of their lands in the ready made temple adminis happening at an accelerated and archaeology. Locals have not been able vernment,” he alleges. pointed by and representing bers of the Navy, Army and pretext of expanding forest trators nervous. “The mo pace after the Rajapaksas re The 36 Tamil families in to obtain permission to Admitting that sand min the President, said in some special task force, is looking cover, boosting domestic tive appears to assert turned to power.” Raul Castro steps down as head Junta leader set to join ASEAN summit The summit on Myanmar’s situation Over 23,000 of Communist Party of Cuba will be held in Jakarta on April 24 prisoners Agence France-Presse vants have boycotted work His family’s sixdecade rule comes to an end; Miguel DíazCanel is the likely successor Yangon in a bid to shutter the junta’s released Myanmar junta leader Min administration. Associated Press the young people,” said 64 Aung Hlaing will join a spe The military has deployed Associated Press HAVANA yearold retiree Juana cial ASEAN summit next lethal force to quell the anti Yangon Raul Castro said on Friday he Busutil. week, the Thai Foreign Mi coup movement, killing Myanmar’s junta on is stepping down as head of nistry said on Saturday, his more than 720 people. Saturday announced it Cuba’s Communist Party, Pace of reforms first official trip since master The international com Min Aung Hlaing pardoned and released ending an era of formal lea The transition comes at a dif minding a coup against the munity has largely con more than 23,000 dership that began with his ficult time for Cuba, with deposed civilian leader Aung demned the generals for use tions with the regime, and prisoners to mark the brother Fidel and country’s many on the island anxious San Suu Kyi. of force against unarmed ci on Saturday Thailand’s Mi traditional New Year 1959 revolution. about what lies ahead. The February 1 putsch vilians — imposing targeted nistry of Foreign Affairs con holiday, but it wasn’t The 89yearold Castro The pandemic, painful fi triggered a massive uprising, sanctions against top mili firmed that a Summit of immediately clear if they made the announcement in nancial reforms and restric bringing hundreds of thou tary brass, their families and Southeast Asian leaders in included prodemocracy a speech at the opening of tions imposed by the Trump sands of protesters to the armylinked businesses. Jakarta on April 24 on Myan activists who were the eighth congress of the An era ends: Raul Castro at the 60th anniversary of Cuban administration have bat streets to demand a return to But regional leaders have mar’s situation will include detained in the wake of ruling party, the only one al revolution in Santiago de Cuba on January 01, 2019. * REUTERS tered the economy, which democracy, while civil ser sought to open communica the senior General. the coup in February. lowed on the island. shrank 11% last year as a re He said he was retiring more force than ever.” Photographs released by sult of a collapse in tourism with the sense of having “ful Mr. Castro didn’t say who the official Cuban News and remittances. Long food filled his mission and confi he would endorse as his suc Agency showed Mr. Castro, lines and shortages have ‘Insulting Prophet should be U.S. woman charged for dent in the future of the fath cessor as first secretary of dressed in an olive green un brought back echoes of the erland.” the Communist Party. But he iform, entering the com “special period” that fol “Nothing, nothing, noth previously indicated he fa pound with Mr. DíazCanel lowed the collapse of the So same as denying Holocaust’ ‘threatening’ to kill Harris ing is forcing me to make this vours yielding control to 60 by his side. viet Union in the early 1990s. decision,” said Mr. Castro, yearold Miguel DíazCanel, Mr. Castro’s retirement Much of the debate inside Pak. PM speaks after antiFrance protests Nurse held after Secret Service probe part of whose speech to the who succeeded him as Presi means that for the first time Cuba is focused on the pace closed Congress was aired dent in 2018 and is the stan in more than six decades Cu of reform, with many com Agence France-Presse such disrespect & abuse.” Press Trust of India on state television. “As long dard bearer of a younger bans won’t have a Castro for plaining that the socalled Islamabad The group Tehreeke Houston as I live I will be ready with generation of loyalists who mally guiding their affairs “historic generation” repre Western governments Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) was A 39yearold nurse in Flori my foot in the stirrup to de have been pushing an eco and many had been expect sented by Mr. Castro has should treat people who in banned on Thursday after da has been arrested for al fend the homeland, the re nomic opening without ing the change. been too slow to open the sult the Prophet Mu days of violent protests. legedly threatening to kill volution and socialism with touching oneparty system. “One has to step aside for economy. hammed the same as those “I... call on Western govts VicePresident Kamala Har who deny the Holocaust, Pa who have outlawed any ne ris, according to media re kistan Prime Minister Imran gative comment on the ho ports on Saturday. Khan said Saturday. locaust to use the same stan Niviane Petit Phelps was Speaking a week after dards to penalise those arrested following an inves Kamala Harris Iran names man behind Natanz attack violent protests in Pakistan deliberately spreading their tigation by the U.S. Secret by a radical Islamist party message of hate against Service, CNN reported. In one of the videos, Associated Press damage from the April 11 sa three times higher than ever State television named the outraged by French govern Muslims by abusing our Pro Phelps knowingly and “Phelps stated: ‘Kamala Tehran botage remains unclear, it before, though in small suspect as Reza Karimi, 43. It ment support for magazines phet,” Mr. Khan tweeted. willfully made threats on vi Harris you are going to die. Iran named a suspect on Sa comes as Iran tries to nego quantities. The sabotage and showed a passportstyle publishing cartoons of Mo Denying the Holocaust is deos to kill and inflict bodily Your days are numbered al turday in the attack on its Na tiate with world powers over Iran’s response to it also photograph of a man it iden hammed, Mr. Khan said in illegal in several EU coun harm upon Ms. Harris, ac ready.” Phelps expressed tanz nuclear facility that allowing the U.S. to reenter have further inflamed ten tified as Karimi, saying he sulting the Prophet hurt tries — including France — cording to the criminal com how she believes Ms. Harris damaged centrifuges there, its nuclear deal and lift the sions across the West Asia, was born in the nearby city Muslims around the world. and offenders can be jailed. plaint filed against her. is not actually ‘Black’ and saying he had fled the coun economic sanctions it faces. where a shadow war bet of Kashan, Iran. The report “We Muslims have the Mr. Khan suggested the The complaint said how during inauguration try “hours before” the sabot Already, Iran has begun ween Tehran and Israel, the also aired what appeared to greatest love & respect for ban on TLP was not because Phelps had sent the videos she disrespectfully put her age happened. enriching uranium up to prime suspect in the sabot be an Interpol “red notice” our Prophet,” he tweeted. of its motivation, but rather to her husband, who is im hand on her clutch purse in While the extent of the 60% purity in response — age, still rages. seeking his arrest. “We cannot tolerate any its methods. prisoned. stead of the Bible.

ELSEWHERE Prince Philip After outcry, Biden set to laid to rest at lift cap on refugees in May royal funeral Agence France-Presse President had signed an order limiting admissions at 15,000 WINDSOR Queen Elizabeth II on Sa NASA picks SpaceX to Associated Press turday bid farewell to her take humans to moon Washington WASHINGTON late husband, Prince Phi NASA said on Friday it has Facing swift blowback from lip, at a royal funeral like awarded Elon Musk-owned allies and aid groups, the no other, restricted by co space company SpaceX a $2.9 White House said President ronavirus rules but reflect billion contract to build a Joe Biden plans to lift his ing his long life of military spacecraft to bring predecessor’s historically and public service. astronauts to the moon as low cap on refugees by next The Duke of Edinburgh, early as 2024, picking it over month, after initially moving who died on April 9 at age Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and only to expand the eligibility 99, was interred in the defence contractor Dynetics criteria for resettlements. Royal Vault at St George’s Inc. NASA said it would In an emergency determi Chapel at Windsor Castle require a test flight to the nation signed by Mr. Biden Looking for a home: Migrants at a U.S. Customs and Border after a 50minute service moon before humans make earlier on Friday, he stated Protection processing area in Mission, Texas. * AP/FILE attended by just 30 guests. the flight. REUTERS the admission of up to The Queen, 94, seen for 15,000 refugees set by form condranking Senate Demo Psaki said. “Given the deci the first time since his Bangladesh: 5 die in stir er President Donald Trump crat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, mated refugee admissions death, sat alone dressed in at Chinese-funded plant this year “remains justified who called that initial limit program we inherited,” she mourning black, with a CHITTAGONG by humanitarian concerns “unacceptable.” said it’s now “unlikely” Mr. whitetrimmed, black face At least five people were shot and is otherwise in the na White House press secre Biden will be able to boost mask. Close family, also dead and dozens injured tional interest.” But if the tary Jen Psaki said later that that number to 62,500, as he masked, sat socially dis when police opened fire on cap is reached before the Mr. Biden is expected to in had proposed in his plan to tanced in the historic 15th Saturday on demonstrating end of the budget year and crease the cap by May 15. Congress two months ago. century Gothic chapel. workers at the construction site of a Chinese-financed the emergency refugee sit Mr. Biden has been con The new allocations pro Prince Philip — de power plant in Banshkhali. uation persists, then a presi sulting with his advisers to vide more slots for refugees scribed by royals as “the Police started shooting after dential determination may determine what number of from Africa, West Asia and grandfather of the nation” workers agitating over unpaid be issued to raise the ceiling. refugees could realistically Central America and lift Mr. — was Britain’s longest wages, working hours and That set off a deluge of be admitted to the U.S. bet Trump's restrictions on re serving royal consort and alleged discrimination turned criticism from top allies on ween now and October 1, the settlements from Somalia, was married to the Queen violent, said officials. AFP Capitol Hill such as the se end of the fiscal year, Ms. Syria and Yemen. for 73 years. CM M ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

DELHI THE HINDU 10 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE SNAPSHOTS Can Covaxin booster dose prolong protection?

The booster dose will be given six months after the second dose, the company is to follow up the participants for at least six months

R. Prasad should be given 28 days apart and at least eight weeks gap after the and five cases in government hos the third dose should be given first resulted in higher antibody le pitals six years later in 1995. “The In a meeting held on March 24, the with a minimum gap of four vels and longer duration of protec intervention was not to eradicate Subject Expert Committee (SEC) months after the second dose and tion. However, a booster dose is but to contain polio,” says Dr. John Star dust of the India drug regulator permit optimally five months after the se still required and so the third dose recalling the study. In six expeditions led over the last two decades, researchers ted Bharat Biotech to carry out a cond dose,” he says. is given a year after the second Even in the case of the HPV vac led by those from CNRS in phase2 trial of Covaxin wherein a dose. cine, three doses were initially gi Paris have made an estimate of booster dose is to be administered Priming and boosting In the North Arcot Polio study ven, with the second dose given a the amount of extraterrestrial six months after the second dose According to him, when only two of 1986–1995, Dr. John and his month after the first and the third dust falling on the Earth every to further improve vaccine effica doses of the vaccine are given with team administered the first dose at dose given at six months. “Scien year. In the expeditions, the cy. Currently, two doses of Covax a gap of 28 days between doses, 14 weeks and the second dose 22 tists soon found that the second researchers collected in are administered 28 days apart. the immunity would last for about weeks later. The third dose was ad dose was irrelevant. If the gap bet micrometeorites that measure In the phase2 trial 380 partici a year or so. “So if the disease is ministered at nine months of age. ween the first and second dose is between 30 and 200 pants were recruited in all and around for more than a year, then “Polio almost disappeared,” Dr. more than five months then a micrometres and estimated were split into two groups of 190 a booster dose is needed after a John vividly recalls. Despite the ve third dose is not required,” he that 5,200 tonnes of them fall each to receive either 3 microgram year if only two doses are given ry encouraging results of the stu says. “Protection between the first on Earth every year. or 6 microgram of the vaccine. one month apart,” says Dr. John. dy, the government dumped inac and second dose is not good. But With the SEC directing Bharat Bio “The reason being that the first tivated polio vaccine and instead since there is no pandemic and we tech to conduct the booster dose dose is a priming dose while the went ahead using oral polio vac don’t need shortterm protection, study only in the cohort that re second dose given 28 days later is Working sequence: The first dose is a priming dose while the second dose cine to combat polio in the coun the second dose of HPV is general ceived 6 microgram of the vac partially priming and partially given 28 days later is partially priming and partially boosting, and hence try. Unfortunately, even the results ly administered six months later. If cine, the phase2 booster dose boosting. As a result, the boosting its boosting effect is shortlived, says Jacob John. * GETTY IMAGES of the study were not published. both shortterm and longterm trial will be limited to 190 partici effect of the second dose is short protection is needed then three pants. lived, which is about a year.” around. “If the third dose is admi cine was tested as three doses un Drop in cases doses at 016 months interval are The booster dose will be given Since Covaxin uses an inactivat nistered four–five months after the der the government’s watch. As re But in 1998, Dr. John and three needed for HPV.” six months after the second dose ed virus platform, the virus does second dose, the immunological quired by ICMR, the study others included the critical data of Given the immunological prin T.rex, a total and the company has been direct not multiply in the body and so principle is that the immunity will compared oral polio vaccine the North Arcot Polio study in a ciple that immunity will be long In all, 2.5 billion Tyrranosaurus ed to follow up the participants the antigen level is maximum only be longlived. This is because the (OPV) and the inactivated polio paper in The Lancet. The paper lived when a third dose of inactiv rex individuals have walked on who get a booster dose for at least for a day or two. In order to stimu antibody secreting cells will be vaccine (IPV). dealing with districtlevel disease ated vaccine is given four–five the Earth, a new study six months. late the immune system, a second treated specially by the body and While the CDC recommends surveillance showed that increas months after the second dose (SEC published in Science estimates. Virologist Dr. Jacob John, for dose is needed. will be taken into the bone mar four doses, most countries use ing vaccine coverage both in priv has asked Bharat Biotech to give Using facts known about T. rex merly with CMC Vellore, feels that He warns that when the second row and will live for years and con three doses of inactivated polio ate and public health facilities re the booster dose six months after and the relation between body mass and population density providing a booster dose will be a dose is given less than 28 days af tinue secreting antibodies,” Dr. vaccine. In the beginning, three sulted in a substantial drop in the the second dose) and examples of observed in living creatures, good idea in increasing the dura ter the first, no boosting effect is John says. doses of inactivated polio vaccine prevalence of vaccinepreventable longlived immunity in case of IPV the study estimates that at any tion of protection. “The immuno achieved, and when given after 28 were given, with the second and diseases. In the case of polio, the and HPV vaccines, which too are time about 20,000 individuals logical principle says that to make days, the booster effect is only par North Arcot study third doses given with one month drop was from 150 cases in private inactivated vaccines, Dr. John is inhabited the Earth. Multiplied longlived antibody secreting cells tial and will last for about a year. He recalls the North Arcot (in Ta gap. But even after three doses a hospitals and 116 cases in govern optimistic that protection from by 1,27,000 generations, this as well as longlived memory T So a booster dose will be needed mil Nadu) Polio study of 1986–95 booster was needed a year later. ment hospitals in 1989 to just 14 Covaxin can be prolonged with a yields the total number. cells, the first and second dose after a year if the disease is where the inactivated polio vac But the second dose given with polio cases in private hospitals booster dose. J&J scientists refute ‘class effect’ to blame The story of 220millionyearold for clots in those who got its vaccine ratlike creatures via microfossils They say the two vaccines are ‘substantially different’ and have different effects The teeth were studied and compared with previously reported cynodonts Reuters chimpanzee adenovirus. The vectors are also from diffe Aswathi Pacha for example, different teeth Scientists at Johnson & John rent virologic families or spe in the front of mouths com son on April 16 refuted an as cies, and use different cell re The Tiki Formation in Mad pared with the back), a se sertion in a major medical ceptors to enter cells. hya Pradesh, a treasure trove condary palate in their journal that the design of The J&J shot also includes of vertebrate fossils, has now mouths, which, like hu their COVID19 vaccine, mutations to stabilise the so yielded a new species and mans, allowed them to which is similar AstraZene called spike protein portion two genera of cynodonts, breathe and eat at the same ca’s, may explain why both of the coronavirus that the small ratlike animals that time. Some cynodonts show have been linked to very rare vaccine uses to produce an lived about 220 million years evidence for the inferred brain blood clots in some immune response, while the ago. presence of whiskers and vaccine recipients. AstraZeneca vaccine does The researchers from the fur.” The U.S. earlier this week not. Indian Institute of Technolo paused distribution of the “The vectors are very dif gy Kharagpur, used scanning DNA analysis J&J vaccine to investigate six ferent,” said Dr. Dan Barouch electron microscopy to stu When asked if DNA studies cases of a rare brain blood of the Center for Virology dy about 10 teeth samples can be done on these teeth Lively ancestor: Artist's impression of a cynodont, a group clot known as cerebral ve Rare adverse effect: Both Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca and Vaccine Research at Har collected from the village of Dr. Ray explained that as the that ultimately gave rise to the presentday mammals. * JULIO vaccines have witnessed very rare brain blood clot events in a nous sinus thrombosis vard’s Beth Israel Deacon Tihki in Shahdol District, LACERDA samples are extremely old, (CVST), accompanied by a few vaccine recipients. * GETTY IMAGES ness Medical Center in Bos Madhya Pradesh. the organic matter would low blood platelet count, in ton, who helped design the named Tikiodon cromptoni, ry near to the mammalian have completely degraded U.S. women under age 50, In a letter on Friday in The “Whether that is the rea J&J vaccine. Teeth trail after Tiki Formation and line of evolution.” She is making it impossible to look out of about 7 million people New England Journal ofMed son, I can’t say for sure, but it “The implications of is The teeth were studied for Greek word odon meaning from the Department of Ge at DNA. who got the shot. icine, J&J scientists refuted a certainly is something that sues with one vector for the size, crown shape, structure tooth. The species name is ology and Geophysics at the About eighty cynodont The blood clots in patients case report published earlier raises suspicion,” Dr. Fauci other one are not clear at of the cusps and compared after paleontologist A.W. Indian Institute of Technolo genera have been reported who received the J&J vaccine this week by Kate LynnMuir said. this point,” he said in an in with previously reported cy Crompton. gy, Kharagpur. from around the world. The bear close resemblance to and colleagues at the Univer In the correspondence on terview earlier this week. nodonts. The results showed Advait M. Jukar from the ones similar to the newly dis 169 cases in Europe reported sity ofNebraska, who assert April 16, Macaya Douoguih, a The J&J scientists said in that they had found a new Evolutionary link Department of Paleobiology covered ones were previous with the AstraZeneca vac ed that the rare blood clots scientist with J&J’s Janssen the letter there was not species, and they named it Sanghamitra Ray, the corres at the National Museum of ly found in Laurasia which cine, out of 34 million doses “could be related to adenovi vaccines division, and col enough evidence to say their Rewaconodon indicus, indi ponding author of the work, Natural History, Smithso includes North America, En administered there. ral vector vaccines.” leagues pointed out that the vaccine caused the blood cating India, the country it explains: “Cynodonts are im nian Institution, who was gland, Germany, Switzer Both vaccines are based In an interview with Reu vectors used in its vaccine clots and they continue to was discovered from. portant in evolutionary stu not involved in the work ex land, France, and Belgium. on a new technology that us ters on Thursday, Dr. Antho and the AstraZeneca shot are work with health authorities The team also identified dies as this group ultimately plains some more: “Cyno “This possibly suggests es a modified version of ade ny Fauci,the top U.S. infec “substantially different” and to assess the data. two new genera from the gave rise to the presentday donts and living mammals abiotic interchange between noviruses, which cause the tious disease expert and an that those differences could A panel of advisers to the area. The first was named In mammals. By studying their both belong to a group of India and Laurasian regions common cold, as vectors to adviser to the White House, lead to “quite different bio U.S. Centers for Disease Con ditherium floris, after India molar and premolar teeth, egglaying vertebrates (am and/or similarity in paleocli ferry instructions to human said the fact that they are logical effects.” trol and Prevention are ex and the Latin word therium we see how they slowly niotes) called synapsids. The matic conditions, but this re cells. Several scientists have both adenovirus vector vac Specifically, they noted pected to meet on April 23 to meaning beast. As the teeth evolved and modified. Their close relationship of cyno quires further study,” ac suggested the issue may be a cines is a “pretty obvious that the J&J vaccine uses a determine whether the had a flowershaped crown, crown shape shows that donts with living mammals is cording to the paper, which “class effect” linked to this clue” that the cases could be human adenovirus while the pause on use of the J&J vac it earned the species name these animals are actually in seen in their bones. They al is recently published in the type of vaccine. linked to the vector. AstraZeneca vaccine uses a cine can be lifted. floris. The second was termediate forms that are ve so have differentiated teeth ( Journal of Paleontology.

sex chromosomes, while ARIES facility will host the support centre for Aditya-L1 females have ZW sex chromosomes. However, hot temperatures can The group has L1 and aligned in time and override the ZZ sex The centre will expand the visibility of <> developed several space so that they comple chromosomes, causing a AdityaL1 in the international arena advanced image ment AdityaL1 observations. Question Corner male lizard to develop as processing algorithms to a female. Shubashree Desikan this centre will come up at Long-term plans detect finescale structures The researchers Haldawani, where ARIES is The centre will host a com Warmth and change in the solar atmosphere. discovered that, initially, The Indian programme to setting up a data centre also. pendium of the location and different sets of study the Sun and the region duration of different features How does temperature developmental genes are between the Sun and the Guest users CMEs in the solar atmosph on the solar surface such as determine the sex in active in the two types of Earth from space – AdityaL1 Researchers who may not ere.” coronal holes, prominences, some specific reptile females, but that – is due to be launched next even be associated with core The group has also deve flares, CMEs and sunspots. and fish embryos? ultimately the pathways year. It will carry seven pay AdityaL1 team will be able to loped several advanced im “We will employ automated converge to produce loads which have been deve book a specific payload to age processing algorithms to methods to detect these fea Bearded dragon embryos ovaries, according to a loped by various institutions conduct observations for a detect finescale structures tures,” he says. Continuous can use two different sets release. across the country. Once the particular time. Any PhD stu in the solar atmosphere. monitoring of the location of genes to become a The findings support mission is launched, there dent or postdoctoral fellow Ground station: The AdityaL1 Support Centre, to come up Such techniques are impor and duration of these fea female lizard — one recent research will be a need for a ground in a research institution can near Nainital, will provide training through regular workshops tant to capture dynamics at tures will help in monitoring activated by the sex proposing that ancient support centre to monitor submit observing proposals for guest users. * ARIES different spatial and tempo the Earth directed CMEs and chromosomes and the signalling processes and coordinate the work on through the online proposal ral scales. Prof. Banerjee thereby, the space weather. other activated by high inside the cell help its various payloads. This submission system. “The ta analysis during interna cently developed an algo gives an example of this: “Also, it will help us to under temperatures during translate high role will be played by the main aim of this centre is to tional meetings and online rithm to study the accelerat “While ISRO will provide raw stand the longterm evolu development (PLOS temperatures into a sex ARIES facility (short for let every researcher in India training in the later phase of ing solar eruptions in the and calibrated spectra of the tion of these features and un Genetics). reversal. Aryabhata Research Institute perform analysis over scien the mission,” he adds. lower corona called CMEs solar atmosphere, at ASC we derlying physical This socalled This study is the first for observational Sciences) tific data obtained from Adi Identification in Inner Solar will further process the spec mechanisms responsible for temperaturedependent to show there are two which is situated near Naini tyaL1. The total number of Studying lower corona Corona (in short, CIISCO), tra to derive meaningful this,” says Prof. Banerjee. sex determination was ways to produce an tal. In January 2021, an agree guest users will be from a few The AdityaL1 Support where CME stands for coro quantities such as intensity, “This centre will expand discovered in the 1960s. ovary in the bearded ment was signed to this effect tens to a few hundreds,” says Centre (ASC) will provide nal mass ejection. Prof. Ba Doppler velocities and line the visibility of AdityaL1 Now, for the first time dragon, revealing based on the proposal sub Prof. Banerjee. A time alloca training through regular nerjee explains how this will widths and provide these beyond India at the interna the molecular details of partially how mitted by the ARIES team, tion committee comprising workshops for the guest us be put to use: “The centre quantities to the scientific tional level. how it happens have temperature determines led by Dipankar Banerjee, Di senior and expert scientists ers. Apart from this, it will will also provide source code community.” Also, it will expand its been found by scientists sex. rector of ARIES, who is a so will evaluate proposals based provide readytouse Python for advanced data analysis. The facility will store co reach within India. It will al from the University of lar physicist and cochair of on their merit and feasibility and Java apps for the satellite For example, it will provide aligned data from other ob low every interested indivi Canberra. the science working group of to decide the priority. “We data and demos and han the source code for CIISCO servatories. That is, data ta dual to be able to perform Readers may send their It is known that male questions / answers to the AdityaL1 mission. With are open to users outside In douts to facilitate the guest that we have developed in ken at other wavelengths of scientific analysis of the da bearded dragons have ZZ [email protected] about four to five personnel, dia by giving handouts of da users. An ARIES team has re ARIES to detect accelerating observation than by Aditya ta,” he adds.

CM M ND-NDE YK THE HINDU DELHI SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021 FAQ 11 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE COVID-19 vaccines and blood clots Why are adverse events after immunisation of concern and what do experts say?

Ramya Kannan

* REUTERS The story so far: Reports of rare blood clots occurring after COVID19 vaccination have led Copyright war some countries to limit the usage of AstraZeneca’s vaccine for certain categories of people, while other countries have paused How will the U.S. Supreme Court the administration. More recently, the United verdict in the Oracle vs. Google States put the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on hold after reports of blood clots emerged. case affect the software industry? What are these adverse effects? Sriram Srinivasan An adverse effect following immunisation with the AstraZeneca jab is not merely blood

The story so far: On April 5, the U.S. Supreme Court clots in large vessels, but also a low platelet People waiting in a queue for vaccination, in New Delhi on April 10. * AFP ruled in favour of Alphabet Inc.’s Google in a case where count. The effect is similar to heparininduced it was accused by Oracle of violating the country’s thrombocytopenia (HIT), where heparin, Researchers at caused due to people infected with SARSCOV2 develop copyright law. The case, dubbed “the copyright case of which is used to clear clots, actually causes Oxford University clots) were major abnormal blood clotting … In the lungs the century”, began with Oracle’s charge in the San blood clots and a fall in the platelet count. state that the risk of factors for (pulmonary embolism), legs (deep vein Francisco federal district court in 2010 that Google’s “The heparin combines with platelet factor 4 hospitalisation thrombosis) and elsewhere.” Android platform infringed upon its copyright in a to form a complex. This immune complex rare blood clotting and deaths. A recent study by researchers at the platform called Java SE. In the process of finally being induces an abnormal immune response, in following COVID19 In India, where University of Oxford stated, “The risk of the decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 62 verdict, this which antibodies are generated against the infection is several Covishield (from rare blood clotting known as cerebral venous case made its journey through a federal district court complex. This antibodyplatelet factor 4 times higher than it the AstraZeneca thrombosis (CVT) following COVID19 and an appellate court twice. heparin immune complex binds to platelets is after vaccination stable) is being infection is around 100 times greater than and activates them. The platelets form clots used widely, an normal, several times higher than it is post What is the background of the case? everywhere. The low platelet count is because analysis, by the vaccination or following influenza.” The Oracle’s lawsuit came shortly after it acquired Sun the platelets are used up,” said Vincent expert group authors counted the number of CVT cases Microsystems, which had developed the Java language. Rajkumar, haematologist and oncologist, investigating serious adverse events following diagnosed in the two weeks following the Consequently, it came to own the copyright in Java SE Mayo Clinic, United States. immunisation (AEFI), of 79 deaths caused diagnosis of COVID19, or after the first dose (standard edition), a platform that programmers use to A similar process seems to follow after vaccination found that over 50% of the of a vaccine. They then compared these to build programs that work on any personal computer. vaccination, except there is no heparin people had heart attacks and brain strokes. calculated incidences of CVT following Oracle’s charge was that Google copied a part of this trigger. Scientists are still trying to establish a The concern is that even with the very low influenza, and the background level in the platform’s program while developing the Android clinical definition for this adverse effect. rate of occurrence, in a few otherwise healthy general population. They concluded that platform for programmers. The World Health Organization’s Global people, such adverse reactions have proven to compared to current COVID19 vaccines, the Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety be fatal. Another issue is the current inability risk of CVT following COVID19 is eight to 10 What did the courts find? conducted a review of the latest evidence of to identify vulnerable groups in a population. times higher, and compared to the baseline, The courts found that Google did negotiate with Sun rare adverse blood coagulation events with approximately 100 times higher. Microsystems, prior to it being bought by Oracle, to the AstraZeneca COVID19 vaccine. It said, “A Does the vaccine prevent more harm license the use of the Java platform in Android. But very rare new type of adverse event called than it may cause? What lies ahead? negotiations fell through. Eventually, as the Supreme Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Decisions in the medical field are governed by Dr. Kang has a prescription: “We know what Court noted, it created the Android platform software Syndrome (TTS), involving unusual and the riskversusbenefit principle. If the we have to do. You need to watch out for using the services of about 100 engineers who worked severe blood clotting events associated with benefits of undergoing a procedure or taking symptoms to indicate clotting, and you must for more than three years. But Google also wanted the low platelet counts, has been reported after a drug far outweigh the risks, then it is know when it occurs — adverse effects usually millions of Java programmers around the world to be vaccination with COVID19 vaccines Vaxzevria sensible to proceed. But in this case, the clots occur four to 20 days after the first dose right able to work with Android seamlessly. As Justice Stephen and Covishield.” Further, the WHO committee have the potential to cause fatalities, and that now.” While fever, body pain and tiredness Breyer wrote in the majority opinion, “It also copied said that a specific case definition for TTS is is seen as an “unacceptable risk” by some. after vaccination last a couple of days and are roughly 11,500 lines of code from the Java SE program.” being developed by the Brighton Gagandeep Kang, eminent virologist and not worrisome, symptoms of concern during Collaboration to assist in identifying and vaccinologist who worked on the Rotavirus this extended period include chest pain, The Supreme Court What were the legal evaluating reported TTS events and aid in vaccine, said, “I’d like for every vaccine and persistent abdominal pain, shortness of said Google’s copying questions that the supporting causality assessments. drug to be 100% safe. But that is not possible. breath, pain in the extremities, severe Supreme Court had to At this stage, a ‘platformspecific’ So, we have to try and handle the situation as headache and blurry vision. “Fortunately, we was transformative, as weigh in on? mechanism related to the adenovirus best as we can.” Her argument is that adverse know that HIT has a specific treatment — it ‘copied only what Prior to Google bringing vectored vaccine is not certain, but it cannot events are bound to occur, but we need to treating with intravenous immunoglobulin was needed to allow the case to the Supreme be excluded. Research should include all make sure that every such event is and anticoagulants (other than heparin). We programmers to work Court, the Federal Circuit, vaccines using adenoviral vector platforms. investigated thoroughly. With any adverse will be able to prevent deaths as a result of in a different an appeals court, had So far, TTS has not been linked to vaccines event, there will be reasonable geographic vaccination,” said Dr. Kang. A simple Ddimer ruled in Oracle’s favour. built on mRNA platforms (Pfizer or Moderna), variation. For instance, there is a difference in test can also be done to check whether blood computing The lower courts had the group added. the occurrence of TTS between the U.S. and clots have formed. environment’ (which is focused on two major the U.K. In India, there is a mechanism in There are two takeaways, said Dr. Kang. Android) using a questions, something that Why are we discovering this only now? place and an analysis of deaths after First, a rare side effect does not have the same familiar programming the Supreme Court had to The answer lies in the rarity of such incidents. vaccination is available in the public realm. rate of occurrence around the world. So, each language (Java) review. The first was “The EU data put the deaths at 1 in 1,00,000, But detailed analysis for every case is country must pay attention to AEFI that whether Oracle could while in the U.K., it is one in 25,000, and in important, added Dr. Kang. manifest as TTS. Second, since a class effect is copyright the part of the the U.S., it is one in a million. Since the event As of now, since a larger number of people suspected, paying attention to vaccines built code that Google copied, is so rare, it is unlikely that any kind of have got their first dose, we are seeing these on adenovirus platforms is important. and the second was whether the copying constituted fair vaccine trial could have thrown up such rare adverse events among them. When the Meanwhile, a German and Austrian group use, if the answer to the first was in the affirmative. side effects. You probably need two million or population that is totally vaccinated led by Andreas Greinacher of University In ruling in Oracle’s favour, the Federal Circuit had more trial participants to find such a rare increases, it might even manifest among that Medicine Greifswald, Germany, has held that the portion of the copied code is copyrightable event, and it is practically impossible to study group, said Dr. Kang. But she added, “Is this differentiated the blood clots arising after and that Google’s act did not constitute fair use. The so many,” said Dr. Rajkumar. serious enough a risk? Actually, the risk is vaccination. It has also outlined a way to test Supreme Court decided to sidestep the first question, While specific TTS has not been assigned to greater with COVID19 infection than with the patients exhibiting the symptoms. The group saying, “In reviewing that decision, we assume, for any postvaccination adverse event in India, vaccine, I’m going with this point of view.” has developed a screening assay to determine argument’s sake, that the material was copyrightable.” post facto analyses have shown that heart In fact, Panagis Galiatsatos and Robert whether the person has developed these The question of the copyrightability of the code remains attacks and brain strokes (that could be Brodsky said in Hopkins Medicine, “Some specific antibodies. significant also because the lower courts gave different judgments on it. But the Supreme Court decided the second question in Google’s favour, saying that its copying of a part of the code constituted fair use, and therefore it did not violate the copyright law. Assessing students amid a pandemic

What is fair use? According to the U.S. Copyright Office, “Fair use is a legal What methods can Boards employ for evaluation after the cancellation of exams? doctrine that promotes freedom of expression by permitting the unlicensed use of copyrightprotected G. Ananthakrishnan Educational, Scientific and Cultural Javadekar, as the removal of discrimination works in certain circumstances.” So, activities such as Organization (UNESCO), the key aspects of against 1.93 crore secondary students of State “criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, The story so far: Faced with a massive surge this pattern are use of observation, quizzes, and other Boards who continued to take an scholarship, and research” may qualify under fair use. In in COVID19 cases, the Central government assignments and feedback. While exit examination. other words, these activities can be exempt from cancelled the Central Board of Secondary summative assessment is described copyright infringement charges. Education’s (CBSE) Class X examination and as a ‘testing of learning’, formative Can all schools assess fairly? postponed the Class XII examination assessment is ‘testing for learning,’ The question of schools’ How did the court decide that Google’s action scheduled to be held from May 4. The which helps teachers assess the capabilities to conduct sound came under the ambit of fair use? decision, which will be reviewed by the strengths and weaknesses of formative assessments has become Section 107 of the U.S. copyright law provides a Ministry of Education on June 1, was followed individual students and suggest important because not all have framework to judge fair use. It contains four factors, in by the Indian Certificate of Secondary remedial measures. The CBSE similar facilities. While CBSE the following order — the purpose of the use, the nature Education (ICSE or Class X) and Indian School introduced a formative assessment schools may be more urbanised, of the copyrighted work, the substantiality of the portion Certificate (ISC or Class XII) examinations also system through a Continuous and the picture for other Boards is used in relation to the whole work, and the effect of the being postponed, with a review scheduled in Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) framework mixed. The Unified District Information usage upon the potential market. the first week of June. As of Saturday, the in 200910, but abandoned it in favour of a System for Education data show that in 2017 The court decided to start with the second factor, the International Baccalaureate and several State compulsory public examination for Class X, 18, there were 1,88,742 rural schools and nature of the copyrighted work. What worked in Boards had taken similar decisions. eight years later. 83,207 urban schools under all managements. Google’s favour was that the court made a distinction However, the year 202021 stands apart due Data from the National Sample Survey between a code “that actually instructs a computer to What are the challenges? to the disruption to routine schooling and the (NSS) for the same year indicate that only 4% execute a task” and the code that Google copied, which Aligning examinations of various Boards is a use of online and remote instruction. of rural households and 23% of urban were the lines of an API (application programming practical necessity since admission to higher UNESCO says that in such a remotelearning households had a computer. Internet access interface), which “allows programmers to call upon education courses must be done uniformly situation, formative assessment has to rely on was restricted to 15% of rural and 42% of prewritten computing tasks for use in their own and entrance examinations have to be Learning Management Solutions and digital urban households. programs”. To understand this, it is best to go back to conducted for professional courses. While the tools such as the opensource Moodle, Google the district court’s explanation of what happened. That government has bought itself time to address Classroom and Schoology, and other tools What reforms are needed? court said, “An API is like a library. Each package is like a the wildfire spread of COVID19 by getting that facilitate the creation of adaptive As COVID19 cases from the first wave bookshelf in the library. Each class is like a book on the public examinations out of the way, students instructions for personalised learning. dropped, CBSE launched a competencybased shelf. Each method is like a howtodoit chapter in a are left wondering about the nature of Many teachers in India used videocalling assessment plan for Classes VI to X in March book. Go to the right shelf, select the right book, and formative academic assessment that will be tools to deliver instructional material and to this year, aligned with the National Education open it to the chapter that covers the work you need.” applied to their Class X performance during coach and assess students. The Boards must Policy (NEP), 2020. It was prepared jointly The Supreme Court said Google’s copying was the year gone by, which was marked by a shift now come up with a formative assessment with the British Council, for science, transformative, as it “copied only what was needed to to online classes and TVbased instruction. framework that fixes clear metrics. mathematics and English. The aim was to allow programmers to work in a different computing For many, it was a total lack of access without strengthen critical thinking and analytical environment” (which is Android) using a familiar electricity, connectivity, computers and How have schools responded? capacity for competencybased learning. programming language (Java). smartphones. The challenge now is to take up After the latest move by the Centre, In fact, even the National Policy on formative assessments where penandpencil prominent CBSE schools say they will not face Education, 1986, had deemphasised rote What is the implication of this ruling? annual examinations cannot be held. disruption because they conducted periodic learning and recommended a CCElike There is a view that the software industry is relieved that internal examinations, practicals, as well as framework. The NEP 2020 emphasises the Supreme Court differentiated between the type of What is formative assessment? “preBoard” testing for Class X. This will be (formative) assessment for learning and code Google copied, i.e., software interface, and other The annual highstakes public school useful to evaluate students. critiques existing Board examinations as creative codes. Digital rights group Electronic Frontier examination is referred to as a summative However, the switch from a reformist forcing students “to learn a very narrow band Foundation said, “This decision gives more legal assessment. It had to be cancelled or deferred model of formative assessment to the of content/material in a single stream”. Future certainty to software developers’ common practice of this year due to the pandemic, and the traditional public examination was not seen as reforms would, therefore, have to work on using, reusing, and reimplementing software interfaces academic system had to fall back on a move forward by others. The decision to two fronts — to ensure access to learning for written by others, a custom that underlies most of the continuous evaluation techniques or other reintroduce a public examination for Class X every student, in classrooms or remotely, and internet and personal computing technologies we use metrics. This is known as formative in CBSE was defended by the then Human make formative assessment possible through every day.” assessment. According to the United Nations Resource Development Minister, Prakash a scientifically designed set of metrics.

DELHI THE HINDU 12 PROFILES SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Illustration: R. rajesh TEHREEK-E-LABBAIK PAKISTAN The rally of the radical clerics

The religious party, which was once backed by the establishment, is turning up the heat on Prime Minister Imran Khan over anti-France protests

Kallol Bhattacherjee militant turn under his son Saad Hussain Rizvi. he banning of the Teh To the outside world, the reekeLabbaik Pakis outrage against France ex Ttan (TLP) by the Imran pressed by a cleric may ap Khan government last week pear diﬃcult to fathom but has added one more chapter the Samuel Paty incident had to Pakistan’s complicated re touched upon the incendiary lations with Islamist politics. topic of blasphemy, which The organisation started by has the potential to stir up the late Khadim Hussain Riz Pakistan’s politics. For sever In Focus vi often drew attention be al hardline Islamist groups in B Khadim cause of the controversial re the country, the issue of blas Hussain Rizvi, marks made by its founder phemy is above and beyond the founder of on social media and TV. In the state of Pakistan. For TLP, rose to recent years, Pakistan saw a them, anyone who attempts prominence when he and his surge in the TLP’s activities, to question what they believe supporters thanks to global develop the core tenet of Islam — res backed the ments and local pect for Prophet Muhammed gious party which was ducts. The TLP also urged of the establishment . These did achieve the goal of ulti The TLP appears to have assassin of opportunities. and the unshakable recogni named TehreekiLabbaik Ya the National Assembly to dis public movements like the mately bringing political become a burden for the es Salman Taseer In an era of globalisation tion that the Prophet is the ﬁ Rasool Allah (TLYRA). They cuss its demands and take le one led by TahirulQadri, a change. Now, an Army tablishment that once had and held protests of information and diseases, nal messenger of the faith — organised public events, call gislative measures. PakistaniCanadian cleric, friendly government is in courted it. The issue before demanding a French school teacher’s les should be punished with ing for the release of Qadri. have served mysterious pur power in Islamabad. the Pakistan government death for sons on freedom of expres death. The TLP has been in In 2017, when Rizvi ap Arrest of leaders poses. Typically boosted by now is how to bottle the ge ‘blasphemers’ sion provided a lifeline to the the forefront of such groups. proached the Election Com When protests continued, media platforms, these new ISI role nie, which is going to be a dif

B Officially TLP, which has built a vast The protest against blas mission to register the new the government arrested age religious figures com New ISI chief Faiz Hameed is ficult affair at a time when launched in support network inside Pa phemy gave a foundational party, the Commission Saad Hussain Rizvi, the cur mand enormous public sup close to the current Chief of the country is under a lot of 2017, the TLP kistan based on its campaign opportunity to the TLP when raised objections over its rent leader. The arrest, in CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC the Army Staff General Qa pressure from the Financial has members in against “blasphemy”. Sa in 2010, Mumtaz Qadri, a bo name. Then Rizvi an turn, sparked countrywide mar Javed Bajwa. According Action Task Force to crack the provincial The 2017 protests Assembly of muel Paty, the middleschool dyguard of the then Gover nounced the formation of protests and gridlock, which to Pakistani columnist and down on terror outfits. For Sindh and has teacher, showed his students nor of Punjab Salman Taseer, the TLP as a political arm of stretched from rural Punjab against the author Ayesha Siddiqa, Mr. now, the government may tens of the controversial cartoons shot him dead in the pictu the TLYRA. Within a few to Karachi and Lahore. The government of Hameed played a role in fo have found it easier to ban thousands of on Prophet Muhammed that resque Kohsar Market of Isla years, the TLP has grown to arrest of the leadership and Nawaz Sharif that menting the 2017 protests the TLP rather than dealing followers across had appeared in the French mabad. Taseer had finished become one of the most po finally the banning of the or against Mr. Sharif by the Ba with the issue of blasphemy . the country satirical magazine Charlie his lunch in an Italian restau werful religious parties that ganisation show the extent of was backed by the relvis that included the TLP. But it doesn’t mean that the B The TLP has Hebdo. His assertion of free rant in the market and had have made blasphemy a key the threat posed by the TLP . establishment helped The protest was part of the authorities are free of the been protesting dom attracted the wrath of a emerged to sit in his vehicle political issue. These factors, however, do the TLP acquire a antiSharif wave that had threat the TLP poses. for months young Chechen who behead when Qadri shot him in the not complete the picture of destabilised his government. Tens of thousands of the demanding the dynamism of its own Pakistan ed him on October 16, 2020. back in point blank range. Street power the organisation and its real Those protests helped the organisation’s followers took government cut Subsequently, French Presi Taseer had championed the The protests demanding ac intentions. That is partially and grow in strength TLP acquire a dynamism of to the streets, protesting the ties with France dent Emmanuel Macron har cause of Asiya Bibi, the Chris tion against France, there met by conspiracy theories CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC its own and grow in popular government decision. The vi and boycott dened his position on Isla tian woman who was ac fore, is not just a challenge that are typical of Pakistan’s ity, at least among the har suals of mayhem and arson French products mist extremism. As Mr. cused of blasphemy by the from a fringe extremist or politics. port and viewership that are dline sections of society. in the past few days will over the blasphemy row Macron attacked radical Isla clerics. As the police arrested ganisation. The TLP has The real strength of the used by them to launch pu The organisation served a serve as a warning of sorts mists, Rizvi called on Pakis Qadri and produced him in elected representatives in TLP lies probably in the fact blic protests. purpose in the establish for the state of Pakistan and tan to end its relationship court, the followers of Kha the Sindh Assembly and has that it was initially sponsored Qadri had launched a simi ment’s fight to create a frien its establishment. with France, and summoned dim Rizvi arrived with flow the street power to bring life by the all powerful ‘establish lar anticorruption move dlier government in Islama In a way, the TLP’s story is his Barelvi followers to flood ers that they showered on in the country’s main cities ment’ of Pakistan — the Inter ment against the Nawaz Sha bad but it did not stop there. not different from many ex the streets of Islamabad. But the killer. When the antiblas to a halt. The TLP has de Service Intelligence (ISI). In rif and Asif Ali Zardari The TLP went ahead, taking tremist organisations that within days of calling for the phemy politics was growing manded Mr. Khan’s govern recent years, several political governments during 2012 to up more causes such as the the establishment once bet protest, Rizvi succumbed to in popularity in Pakistan, ment expel the Ambassador or nongovernmental moves 2015. There was no clarity antiFrance protests and on — a creation of conve COVID19. After his death, several religious leaders of France, cut ties with Paris to mobilise large public gath about the forces behind the eventually putting the Khan nience that has outlived its the organisation took a more joined Rizvi to form a reli and stop using French pro erings had the invisible hand protests but the movements government under pressure. utility.

NAMBI NARAYANAN GUILLERMO LASSO The battles of a space dreamer A victor of circumstances

The former scientist welcomes the SC order for a probe into his arrest in 1994 The centre-right candidate’s win curtails the pink tide in Ecuador further

Illustration: Sreejith R kumar Illustration: J.A. Premkumar Tiki Rajwi exposing the forces that fa Srinivasan Ramani authoritarian” tendency bricated the spy scandal. due to Mr. Correa’s runins hen S. Nambi Na Looking back at the gruell n a turnaround of sorts, with the judiciary and the rayanan, a senior ing court battles, Mr. Na Guillermo Lasso became media. But these steps by WISRO scientist, was rayanan said he was forced Ithe Presidentelect of the other contenders do not arrested on November 30, to fight from a compelling Ecuador following a runoff suffice in explaining Mr. Las 1994, on charges of leaking need to defend himself. second round vote in presi so’s victory. secrets pertaining to the In At one point, his children dential elections in the Latin Ecuador has been rav dian space programme to had encouraged him saying American country. Mr. Las aged by COVID19 with the foreign nationals, little did he alone could prove his in so, a former banker who be GDP shrinking by 7.8%. As anyone think it would one nocence. “They were right longs to the centreright many as three Health Minis day be looked upon as the after all. Now people have a Creating Opportunities ters resigned recently, for starting point of one of the tendency to glorify my fight. (CREO) party, won 52.4% of being unable to implement most extraordinary battles But I was forced to fight out the vote in the runoffs, de a proper vaccine distribu for justice the country has of necessity,” he observed feating his opponent Andrez tion system to stem the ef witnessed. on Saturday. Mr. Narayanan Arauz of the leftist Union of fects of the pandemic. More Mr. Narayanan's name also looks fondly back at his Hope coalition, who se than 17,500 deaths have was closely linked to two days at Princeton University cured 47.7% despite leading been registered for a high Maldivian nationals, Mari instrumental in introducing and means to take appro in 1970. Princeton, where he in the first round with 32.7% power since 2017, living in by indigenous groups dur 5% case fatality rate (among yam Rasheeda and Fousiya the liquid propulsion tech priate steps against the er did his Masters, helped him over Mr. Lasso’s 19.7%. Belgium. Mr. Correa’s com ing his tenure, a clear con the highest in Latin Ameri Hassan, who were arrested nology in ISRO, had been ring officials”. “build the platform for his This was Mr. Lasso’ first ing to power in 2007 herald tradiction emerged between ca). The outgoing President by the police on espionage working on cryogenic pro Mr. Narayanan had ap space dreams”, he recalls. presidential victory in three ed the Ecuadorean version what some scholars call the Lenin Moreno was also a charges. In May 1996, the pulsion when the spy case peared before the commit The story of the initial days campaigns since 2013 but it of the Latin American pink politics of “left in power” handpicked choice of Mr. Central Bureau of Investiga broke. In 2001, he retired tee in December 2020. The of the Indian space pro did not come easily. In the tide, a current that led to defined by “Correismo” and Correa, but who disavowed tion (CBI), which had taken from service without achiev CBI report submitted to the gramme and the gruelling first round, not only was his several leftwing parties “left in resistance” repre his own policy platform af over the case from the Kera ing his goal. But the battle, Supreme Court in 1998 had saga of the spy case were la vote share some distance winning power across the sented by Mr. Perez and oth ter coming to power and un la police, dismissed the in another sense, was only reportedly listed the investi ter recounted in his biogra behind Mr. Arauz’s, but it continent. Mr. Correa, a U.S. er indigenous organisations. dertook severe austerity charges against Mr. Naraya beginning for Mr. gative flaws committed by phy Ready to Fire , which was also barely more than educated economist, reo Mr. Perez called on his measures that led to denun nan and the other accused, Narayanan. then Additional Director came out in 2017. In 2019, that of third place candidate riented government policy supporters to return invalid ciation by Mr. Correa and terming the case a fabricat General of Police Siby Math Mr. Narayanan was awarded Yaku Perez of the indige in Ecuador to effect redistri ballots instead of voting for protests across the country. ed one. Two years later, the Legal fights ews, and SPs S. Vijayan and the Padma Bhushan, which, nous coalition Pachakutik. bution and welfare, spend either Mr. Arauz or Mr. Las While Mr. Arauz could man Supreme Court endorsed He had moved court for K.K. Joshua. In April 1999, according to him, had come Mr. Perez won 19.4% and fell ing programmes that result so and in the second round, age to delineate a clear diffe the CBI's closure report. But compensation and action Mr. Narayanan had also as a pleasant surprise. The short of second place by just ed in significant drops in nearly 18% of the ballots rence with Mr. Moreno and the damage was done. against the police officers moved the National Human upcoming film, Rocketry: 32,115 votes and went on to poverty in the country. were indeed rendered inva promised a revert to the re The incident, which responsible for framing Rights Commission (NHRC) The Nambi Effect , directed challenge the results. Both lid. This reduced the thresh distributive policies of Mr. grabbed headlines as the IS him. It is in this context that claiming compensation by Madhavan, also is based Mr. Aruaz and Mr. Perez’s Radical trident old for Mr. Lasso to win a Correa, the mixed legacy of RO spy scandal, shattered the April 15 Supreme Court from the Kerala government on his life. coalitions belong to the left He also formed a radical tri majority of the remaining Correismo and the new con the lives and careers of ISRO order directing the CBI to for the mental agony that he When the landmark ver side of the political spec dent of sorts in alliance with votes. tradictions within the Ecua scientists Mr. Narayanan look into the report submit had been forced to undergo. dict of the Supreme Court trum as opposed to Mr. Las Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez Besides, the fourth dorean Left allowed Mr. Las and D. Sasikumar. In Kerala, ted by Justice D.K. Jain Com In March 2001, the NHRC came out in 2018, Mr. Na so’s centreright and tradi and Bolivia’s Evo Morales by placed candidate, Mr. Xa so to come up trumps. the spy case fuelled a fierce mittee needs to be viewed. had awarded him an interim rayanan had told the media tionalist platform, but there forming regional coalitions. vier Hervas of the “Demo Mr. Lasso will, however, political controversy, even In 2018, the Supreme Court compensation of ₹10 lakh. that he planned to do so has been no love lost bet Initially, Mr. Correa pro cratic Left” party, a social have a tougher time in the tually leading to the resigna awarded Mr. Narayanan ₹50 The Kerala High Court, in mething that he had been ween the platforms that the mised the recognition of democratic outfit that presidency as the CREO on tion of the then Chief Minis lakh as compensation, not 2012, had directed the State forced to put off for almost former two politicians rights and interests of the in thrived in the old polity be ly has 12 seats in the 137 ter K. Karunakaran. ing that he was “arrested un government to pay the sum 25 years — spending time represent. digenous people, but they fore Mr. Correa’s coming to member National Assembly Following his acquittal, necessarily, harassed and to Mr. Narayanan. with his family. While com Mr. Aruaz was the hand fell out with the government power, also endorsed Mr. with the Union for Hope and Mr. Narayanan was reinstat subjected to mental cruel The 79yearold, who menting on the latest SC de picked nominee of popular over issues such as the poli Lasso. In doing so, Mr. Her Pachakutik controlling 76 ed in ISRO in what he him ty”. The apex court also lives in Thiruvananthapu cision, Mr. Narayanan says exPresident Rafael Correa, cies of mineral extraction vas was privileging his op seats together. But for now, self describes as a ‘desk job’ constituted a threemember ram, views the April 15 Su he has succeeded in fulfill who continues to exert a sig from protected areas. With position against Correismo his win will curtail the pink at the Bengaluru headquar panel headed by Justice D.K. preme Court decision as an ing that dream in the past nificant influence in Ecua Mr. Correa using strongarm — which liberals in Ecuador tide in Ecuador even furth ters. The scientist, who was Jain (Retd.) for finding “ways additional step forward in several months. dor despite being out of measures to quell protests have identified as a “semi er.

CM M ND-NDE YK THE HINDU DELHI SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021 BUSINESS 13 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HDFC Bank’s Q4 net rises 16% PLI scheme for ACs, LED lights to exclude ‘mere assembly’ to ₹8,434 cr. as advances climb DPIIT’s norms prioritise production of basic components The private sector lender reports a 13.6% increase in consolidated advances Press Trust of India applicable on incremental New Delhi sales (net of taxes) of manu Press Trust of India Provisions for bad loans The department for promo factured goods (as distinct New Delhi and contingencies were tion of industry and internal from traded goods) over the HDFC Bank on Saturday re raised to ₹4,693.70 crore for trade (DPIIT) has notified base year (201920) subject ported a 15.8% rise in its the reported quarter, from the PLI scheme for ACs and to ceilings. consolidated net profit at ₹3,784.49 crore set aside in LED lights and said that se ₹8,434 crore for the quarter the yearearlier period. lection of companies to avail Focus on ‘Made in India’ ended March 2021, buoyed “The bank also continues the incentives would be “Mere assembly of finished by an increase in advances. to hold provisions as on done to support manufac goods shall not be incentiv “Consolidated advances March 31, against the poten turing of components which ised. Selection of companies grew by 13.6% from tial impact of COVID19 are not made in India for the scheme shall be done ₹10,43,671 crore as on based on the information presently. 202122 to 202829. so as to incentivise manufac March 31, 2020, to available at this point in It said that mere assembly According to the notifica turing of components or ₹11,85,284 crore as on Building a buffer: The bank’s total provisions were 153% of time and the same are in ex of finished goods would not tion, the Empowered Group subassemblies which are

March 31, 2021,” HDFC Bank gross NPAs as of end March 2021. * VIJAY SONEJI cess of the RBI prescribed be incentivised and compa of Secretaries chaired by Ca not manufactured in India said in a regulatory filing. norms,” HDFC Bank said. nies investing in basic/core binet Secretary will monitor presently with sufficient ca The consolidated net The fullyear income gross advances, slightly up The bank held floating components would get a the PLI scheme, undertake pacity,” it said. profit for the year ended (consolidated) in 202021 from 1.26% in the yearear provisions of ₹1,451 crore higher priority. periodic review of the outgo Support under the March 2021 was ₹31,833 rose to ₹1,55,885.28 crore lier period. In absolute va and contingent provisions Earlier this month, the go under the scheme, ensure scheme will be provided to crore, up 16.8%. from ₹1,47,068.28 crore. lue, the gross NPAs were of ₹5,861 as on March 31. To vernment approved a pro uniformity of all PLIs and companies/entities engaged Total income (consolidat worth ₹15,086 crore at the tal provisions (comprising duction linked incentive take appropriate action to in manufacturing of compo ed) increased to ₹40,909.49 NPAs inch up end of FY21, an increase specific, floating, contin (PLI) scheme for white ensure that the expenditure nents of ACs (such as copper crore for the JanuaryMarch On the asset front, the from ₹12,649.97 crore. gent and general) were goods — Air Conditioners is within the prescribed tubes, aluminium foil and quarter of FY 202021 from bank’s gross nonperform Net NPAs were 0.4% 153% of the gross nonper (ACs) and LED lights — with outlay. compressors) and LED lights ₹38,287.17 crore in the year ing assets as of March 31, (₹4,554.82 crore) as against forming loans as of end an outlay of ₹6,238 crore. It DPIIT said that the incen (like LED chip packaging, re earlier period. 2021, stood at 1.32% of the 0.36% (₹3,542.36 crore). March 2021, it said. will be implemented over tive per beneficiary will be sistors, ICs, and fuses). Online advice helps cut SpiceJet eases ‘Pharma exports grew 18.7% in FY21’ free change 45% litigation: LegalKart norm to 5 days Pharmexcil says best performance of $24.4 bn came amid global contraction ‘Most queries on property, family issues’ Special Correspondent any month during the fiscal emerged as the secondlar Press Trust of India HYDERABAD and 48.5% higher than gest market for Indian phar Lalatendu Mishra proach,” he added. New Delhi India’s pharmaceutical ex March 2020’s exports of maceuticals. Exports to the MUMBAI “In the last eight months, SpiceJet on Saturday said ports grew 18.7% to $24.44 $1.54 billion. The yearear country increased 28%, With technology making in we have received feedback passengers will not be billion in the financial year lier period’s performance while Nigeria, Kenya and roads into the Indian legal that with the help of inde charged any fee for chang ended March 31, spurred by was hurt by lockdowns and Tanzania were the other system, citizens are now pendent legal advice ing the date or time on strong demand for the supply chain disruptions, major markets in Africa. seeking legal advice online through our platform and their tickets at least five country’s generic drugs. he said. The March 2021 Growth in exports to Eu at affordable cost, leading to proper documentation, days prior to the date of The industry posted its numbers were provisional, rope, the thirdlargest mar a drastic reduction in litiga more than 45% users were departure. best export performance in the official added. ket, was about 11%. tion, said Arvind Singhatiya, able to cutshort their litiga Earlier, zero fee was ap value terms despite the glo Mr. Bhaskar said the There is a growing de founder & CEO, LegalKart. tion or avoid it completely,” plicable only for changes bal pharma market shrink 18.7% growth was the best mand for Indian pharma LegalKart, an online plat Mr. Singhatiya added. done at least seven days ing by 12% in 2020. This in eight financial years. ceutical products in non form, provides legal advice He said currently 35% of prior to the journey, the was due to a surge in de ment that drug formula North America remains traditional markets such as and all kinds of documenta the users were seeking ad airline said in a press re mand for madeinIndia ge tions and biologicals re the largest market for In Latin America (growth of tion help through an app. vice on family matters, lease. nerics, owing to their quali mained the secondlargest dian pharmaceuticals, ac 14.5%), CIS countries (23.5% “Right legal advice and while 40% were discussing “Under the new offer ty and affordability, said commodity exported by In counting for a more than growth) and Middle East right documentation can property related matters. ing, passengers booking di Pharmaceuticals Export dia. In the previous fiscal, 34% share. Exports to the (17.5%). prevent 50% of litigation,” The rest were startups and rect domestic flight tickets Promotion Council of India pharmaceutical exports U.S., Canada and Mexico re The growth rates for less Mr. Singhatiya said. “Pre people posing miscellane from April 17 to May 10 can (Pharmexcil) Director Gen had increased by 7.57% to corded a growth of 12.6%, unexplored markets such ventive legal care is helping ous queries. enjoy a onetime waiver on eral Ravi Udaya Bhaskar. $20.58 billion. 30% and 21.4% respectively. as Australia (21%) UAE individuals save lot of time For a fee of less than the change fee for the tra Sharing quick estimates “We have observed a big Exports to Africa in (43%), Uzbekistan (125%) and money in uncertain liti ₹500, an individual can buy vel period between April 17 released by the Centre’s De leap in exports in March to creased 13.4% as against the and Ukraine (40.6%) were gation and empowering 15 minutes of time from a la and May 15,” SpiceJet partment of Commerce, $2.3 billion,” Mr. Bhaskar previous fiscal’s growth of also encouraging, Pharmex them with the right legal ap wyer 24x7 on the app. clarified. Pharmexcil said in a state said. This was the highest in 2.24%. South Africa cil said in the release.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE SPORT EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE TV PICKS Ravi Kumar retains his 57kg freestyle title Ankit Narwal IPL: Star Sports 1 & SS Select 1 (SD & HD), 3.30 p.m. & 7.30 moves up p.m. Gets the better of Iranian Alireza Nosratolah Sarlak 9-4 Emilia Romagna Grand BOXING Prix: Star Sports 3, 6.30 p.m. pectively to book a spot in out due to an injury and Premier League: SS Select 2 WRESTLING Sports Bureau (SD & HD), 6 p.m. & 8.30 the goldmedal match. settled for a silver medal, p.m. Y.B. Sarangi “The championship is his third silver and seventh KIELCE (POLAND) FA Cup: Sony Ten 2 (SD & KOLKATA not at the highest level so I continental medal. Ankit Narwal outsmarted HD), 11 p.m. was just trying to be re Bajrang’s loss to Ottogu World championships Uzbek boxer Akhmadjon Serie A: Sony Ten 2 (SD & laxed. ro in the 2018 World cham HD), 4 p.m., 6.30 p.m.; Sony bronze medallist Ravi Ku Akhmedov and advanced pionships final and the Six (SD & HD), 9.30 p.m.; mar Dahiya became the “I am wrestling after four to the men’s 64kg pre 2020 Asian championships Sony Ten 1 (SD & HD), 12.15 third Indian male wrestler months, so I was just keep quarterfinals of the World final had raised the expec a.m. to secure a second Asian ing it simple,” Dahiya told youth boxing champion tations of the Indian’s Moto GP: Eurosport (SD & championships gold medal www.unitedworldwrestling.org ships here. HD), 3.30 p.m. fightback. in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on The results: Saturday. Bajrang pulls out Bajrang got past Yongse Men: Prequarterfinals : IN BRIEF Dahiya defeated Iranian The muchanticipated 65kg ok Jeong of Korea 30 and 49kg: Chongtham Bishwa- Alireza Nosratolah Sarlak summit clash between Bilguun Sarmandakh of mitra bt Parvizi Khosroshahi 94 to retain his 57kg frees All too easy: Ravi Kumar Dahiya brooked little resistance in his threetime Worlds medal Mongolia 70 in quarterfi Mahdi (Iri) 5-0; 56kg: Sachin bt Jose Valdez Jiminez (Col) tyle title, which he had won gold quest. * FILE PHOTO list Bajrang Punia and de nals and semifinals respec 5-0; +91kg: Jugnoo lost to in front of his home crowd fending champion and tively to reach the final. Levente Kiss (Hun) 4-1. in Delhi last year. two Asian crowns but none ter of Uzbek Nodirjon Safa former World champion Karan Mor (70kg), Nars Preliminary rounds: Yogeshwar Dutt and Baj had won it in consecutive rov 92 and Palestinian Ali Takuto Otoguro of Japan ingh Yadav (79kg) and Sa 64kg: Ankit Narwal bt Akh- rang Punia were the other years. Dahiya, an Olympic Aburumaila 110 in quarter ended on a disappointing tyawart Kadian (97kg) land madjon Akhmedov (Uzb) Chawrasia on fire, shares wrestlers to have claimed bound wrestler, got the bet finals and semifinals res note as the Indian pulled ed bronze medals. 5-0; 75kg: Manish bt Daniel fifth spot in Austria Ilyushonok (Isr) 4-1. VIENNA Women: Prequarterfi S.S.P. Chawrasia carded a nals: 48kg: Gitika bt Arailym Manika to Marat (Kaz) 5-0. superb four-under 68 in the Gujrathi returns to Sixers snap second round to grab a share of the fifth position at the train with Austrian Open. At four-under Champions Tour Clippers’ streak 140, he is three shots behind Sharath in Rich haul leader Alejandro Canizares Chennai for India (67, 70). Shubhankar Sharma Praggnanandhaa ta. As a result of the large Embiid writes his carded four-under 68 to be number of wildcards, Shak name into record T-20th. PTI makes debut hriyar Mamedyarov (Azer K. Keerthivasan on final day baijan), Leinier Dominuez CHENNAI books Ko takes over at the top; CHESS SWIMMING Aditi slips to 50th (USA), Sergey Karjakin (Rus), In a bid to start prepara JanKrzysztof Duda (Poland), tions for the mixed doubles NBA KAPOLEI (US) RAKESH RAO Sports Bureau Vidit, Liem Quang Le (Viet table tennis event at the Aditi Ashok slipped to the NEW DELHI Agence France-Presse TASHKENT nam), Gawain Jones (En Tokyo Olympics, Manika 50th spot after a two-under In a first, two young Indians Los Angeles Srihari Nataraj came up gland), Aryan Tari and Jo Batra will train in the city 70 in the third round of the — Vidit Gujrathi and R. Joel Embiid scored 36 points with yet another perso hanSebastian Christiansen with Sharath Kamal and a Lotte Championship here on Praggnanandhaa — will be and grabbed 14 rebounds as nalbest performance, (both Norway) have made it. few others from April 20 to Friday. She is now eight- part of a field headed by the NBA Eastleading Phila bagging the men’s 50m under 208. New Zealand's Iranian Alireza Fiouzja, 17, 25. World champion Magnus delphia 76ers snapped Los backstroke gold in 25.11 Lydia Ko returned a seven- playing under the FIDE flag, “We are planning to do Carlsen when the $100,000 Angeles Clippers' seven seconds on the conclud under 65 to take a one-stroke was voted to be part of the some basick work. First, I New in Chess Classic online game winning streak with a ing day of the Uzbekistan lead. PTI field by premier members of will have to sit and chat event begins on April 24. 106103 win on Friday. Open swimming cham the official broadcast partn with her [Manika] to chart ITF women’s events Embiid became the first pionships, on Saturday. Vidit returns to the $1.5 er, chess24.com after Daniil out our course of action. cancelled Philadelphia player since Joel Embiid. * AP million Meltwater Cham Dubov opted out to honour Rajath Kamal, my brother, Sajan Prakash won the NEW DELHI 2006 to score 35plus points pions Tour as one of the nine his commitment to do com will be the video analyst. Of lost to Memphis Grizzlies 126; men’s 100m butterfly for The two back to back in three straight games. Ov wildcards in the 16player mentary during the Candi course, paddlers Sudanshu Houston Rockets 99 lost to his fourth gold at the $25,000 ITF women’s tennis er the past half dozen games field while Praggnanandhaa dates Tournament. Grover and Manush Shah Denver Nuggets 128; Minnesota event while S. Danush tournaments, scheduled to be Embiid is averaging over 30 gains playing rights as the Carlsen (Norway), Levon will assist us,” Sharath told Timberwolves 119 bt Miami Heat came first in the men’s held on clay in Jhajjar from points and nineplus re 111; Detroit Pistons 110 bt Okla- winner of the recent Polgar Aronian (Armenia), Wesley The Hindu on Saturday. 200m breaststroke. April 26, have been cancelled. bounds per game. homa City Thunder 104; Phila- Challenge rapid event. Sharath plans to travel Maana Patel emerged The organisers of the two So (USA), Teimour Radjabov The results: Dallas Maver- delphia 76ers 106 bt LA Clippers tournaments, Joygaon Tennis Praggnanandhaa, 15, last (Azerbaijan) and Hikaru Na to Pune, which is Manika’s icks 109 lost to New York Knicks 103; Washington Wizards 117 bt victorious in the women’s Academy, expressed faced an elite field in Novem kamura (USA) qualified as training base, in May. “But 117; San Antonio Spurs 106 lost New Orleans Pelicans 115 (OT); 50m backstroke event confidence of hosting the ber 2018 when he was in the topeight players as per that depends on the COVID to Portland Trail Blazers 107; To- Utah Jazz 119 bt Indiana Pacers and Divya Satija secured events in future, in better cluded in the blitz section of the Tour standings after four situation prevailing in the ronto Raptors 113 bt Orlando 111; Brooklyn Nets 130 bt Char- the women’s 100m but times. the Tata Steel event in Kolka events. country,” he said. Magic 102; Chicago Bulls 115 lotte Hornets 115. terfly gold. CM M ND-NDE YK DELHI THE HINDU 14 SPORT SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2021 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE MI pulls off another heist, defends 151 against troubled SRH Bumrah (1/14), Rahul Chahar (3/19) and Hardik (two direct hits) change the game after Pollard cameo gives the side a fighting chance

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD IPL 2021 lapshot against Krunal Pan DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD SCOREBOARD dya. At the other end, War Hit wickets in IPL S. Dipak Ragav ner was cautious during his ● Rahman (not out) 1 (1b), Khaleel 36 before he was run out by a Musavir Khote (MI) vs. KXIP, MUMBAI INDIANS Quinton de Kock c sub (Suchith) Ahmed b Boult 1 (2b); Extras egspinner Rahul Chahar Hardik Pandya direct hit. 2008 ● b Mujeeb 40 (39b, 5x4), Rohit (lb3, w2): 5; Total (in 19.4 once again bowled Mum What followed then was a Misbah-ul-Haq (RCB) vs. L KXIP, 2008 Sharma c Virat Singh b Vijay overs): 137. bai Indians to victory, de familiar story of the SRH mid Shankar 32 (25b, 2x4, 2x6), ●Swapnil Asnodkar (RR) vs. FALL OF WICKETS fending a modest target, this dle and lowerorder strug Suryakumar Yadav c & b Vijay CSK, 2009 167 (Bairstow, 7.2), 271 time against Sunrisers Hyde gling to force the pace and Shankar 10 (6b, 1x4, 1x6), Ishan ● (Pandey, 8.6), 390 (Warner, rabad, at the M.A. Chidamba losing wickets against tight Ravindra Jadeja (CSK) vs. Kishan c Bairstow b Mujeeb 12 Deccan Chargers, 2012 11.3), 4102 (Virat, 14.1), 5104 ram Stadium in Chennai on bowling. (21b), Kieron Pollard (not out) (Abhishek, 14.5), 6129 (Samad, ●Saurabh Tiwary (RCB) vs. MI, Saturday. Earlier, valuable knocks 35 (22b, 1x4, 3x6), Hardik 17.4), 7130 (Rashid, 17.6), 8134 2012 MI had produced a similar from openers Quinton de Pandya c Virat b Khaleel 7 (5b, (Vijay Shankar, 18.5), 9135 ●Yuvraj Singh (SRH) vs. MI, win against Kolkata Knight Kock (40), Rohit Sharma (32) 1x4), Krunal Pandya (not out) 3 (Bhuvneshwar, 19.1). 2016 (3b); Extras (lb6, w4, nb1): 11; Riders in its previous game. and some power hitting from MUMBAI INDIANS BOWLING ●Deepak Hooda (SRH) vs. Delhi Total (for five wkts. in 20 Boult 3.40283, Bumrah 40 Chasing 151, SRH started Kieron Pollard (35 n.o.) at the Daredevils, 2016 overs): 150. strongly, thanks to a 22ball end helped MI post a com 141, Milne 30330, Krunal 3 ●David Warner (SRH) vs. KXIP, FALL OF WICKETS 43 from opener Jonny Bair petitive 150 for five. 0301. Rahul Chahar 40193, 2016 155 (Rohit, 6.3 overs), 271 Pollard 20100. stow. The Englishman added Electing to bat, the open ● Sheldon Jackson (KKR) vs. (Suryakumar, 8.3), 398 (de Toss: Mumbai Indians. 67 with skipper David War ers wasted no time in maxi Rising Pune Supergiant, 2017 Kock, 13.5), 4114 (Ishan, 16.5), MoM: Kieron Pollard. ner for the first wicket, set mising the PowerPlay (53/0) ●Riyan Parag (RR) vs. KKR, 5131 (Hardik, 18.4). MI won by 13 runs. ting a base for his side, before on a pitch that has been 2019 SUNRISERS BOWLING he was dismissed hitwicket. known to become progres ●Hardik Pandya (MI) vs. KKR, Bhuvneshwar 40450, Chahar then triggered a mid sively difficult to bat on. 2020 Khaleel 40241, Mujeeb 40 dleorder collapse with a de Kock started with two ●Rashid Khan (SRH) vs. CSK, 292, Abhishek 1050, Vijay spell of three for 19 before boundaries in the first over 2020 Shankar 30192, Rashid Jasprit Bumrah and Trent while skipper Rohit punished ●Jonny Bairstow (SRH) vs. MI, 40220. Boult finished things off, se the short balls, with a couple 2021 SUNRISERS HYDERABAD curing a 13run win for the of sixes over the leg side. Vi DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD David Warner run out 36 (34b, defending champion. jay Shankar then struck twice In the middle overs, led by 2x4, 2x6), Jonny Bairstow hit Bairstow cut loose in the in quick succession, remov Rashid Khan, SRH pulled wicket b Krunal 43 (22b, 3x4, third over, picking up 18 runs ing Rohit and Suryakumar things back steadily, with 4x6), Manish Pandey c Pollard b off Boult with three fours and Yadav to put the brakes on MI’s second 50 taking almost Rahul Chahar 2 (7b), Virat Singh c Suryakumar b Rahul 11 (12b, a six before hitting Adam MI's scoring. nine overs. Towards the end, 1x4), Vijay Shankar c Suryaku Milne for two sixes in the ve While Rohit mistimed a Pollard, dropped on 18 by Vi mar b Bumrah 28 (25b, 2x6), ry next over. His innings, length delivery straight to jay Shankar, gave the innings Abhishek Sharma c Milne b though, came to a tame end deep midwicket, Suryaku some momentum, signing off Rahul 2 (4b), Abdul Samad run when he stepped on the mar fell to a ball that stopped with two sixes off Bhuvnesh out 7 (8b, 1x4), Rashid Khan lbw Swing factor: Pollard’s innings proved decisive in the final stumps, trying to go deep in on him and prompted a sim war, which proved crucial in b Boult 0 (1b), Bhuvneshwar analysis. * SPORTZPICS/IPL the crease as he attempted a ple return catch. the end. Kumar b Boult 1 (2b), Mujeeb Ur IN BRIEF RCB looking for three in three PBKS faces RabadaNortje test But Kohli’s men will have to deal with wellstocked KKR Rahul’s men eye swift turnaround vs DC after Friday’s collapse

S. Dinakar Amol Karhadkar gin his IPL14 sojourn. side is unlikely to make And the duo couldn’t changes. here will be some captiv ne of the highlights of have wished for better tim PBKS will be hoping that ating gamechangers in last year’s IPL was the ing to spew venom — it will Mayank Agarwal repeats last Sams joins RCB T O the day game between Royal sight of Kagiso Rabada and be interesting to see wheth season’s heroics against DC. biobubble Challengers Bangalore and Anrich Nortje causing may er the PBKS batting, tor It was Agarwal’s 89 against BENGALURU RCB allrounder Daniel Sams Kolkata Knight Riders at the hem in tandem. Delhi Capi mented by Deepak Chahar’s Delhi that had set IPL13 joined the team biobubble M.A. Chidambaram Stadium tals’ wait to watch the South swing on Friday night, can alight, with a Super Over de on Saturday after clearing in Chennai on Sunday. African duo in action togeth lift itself for what promises ciding the contest. RTPCR tests, ten days after Yet, while RCB has disco er for the first time this sea to be another challenging While the fans won’t testing positive for COVID19, vered the tenacity to edge son will end against Punjab examination. mind a Super Over to end a the franchise announced. The out the opposition in close Kings at the Wankhede Sta With Chris Woakes hav Super Sunday, PBKS will Australian had arrived in encounters to top the table, dium in Mumbai on Sunday. ing impressed in both of want Agarwal, who has Chennai on April 3 and then KKR, the other night in Chen While Rabada made his DC’s outings so far, Nortje is been quiet so far, to get go tested positive on April 7, nai, suffered a brain fade presence felt in his maiden set to replace Tom Curran in ing and offer captain Rahul necessitating a tenday against Mumbai Indians. Game on: Maxwell vs Varun should be a fascinating duel. outing, the loss against Ra the team. Barring that, the muchneeded support. quarantine period as per BCCI Chasing just 153, and 72 jasthan Royals, Nortje — af protocols. without loss at one stage, dew during the critical even And you never know ter serving an extended iso KKR inexplicably dug a hole, ing phase. The contest will when the sleeping giant with lation of 10 nights because India to issue visas to Pakistan players for with its bigstrikers hitting witness home boy Varun the willow, Russell, will wake of a false positive test report World T20 only thin air at the death. Chakravarthy matching his up. for COVID19 — is set to be NEW DELHI When the asking rate was skills against three magnifi The Pakistan cricket team, led a stroll, KKR’s trump card, cent strikers of the ball — Vi by Babar Azam, will have no powerhouse Andre Russell, rat Kohli, AB de Villiers and difficulty in travelling to India could manage just nine off 15 Glenn Maxwell. for the ICC World T20 in balls. The strategy RCB batsmen October as the government is That game was a night adopt against mystery spin set to grant visas to the mare for KKR after a reward ner Varun could hold the players from the neighbouring ing first half when Russell key. Will we see a calculated nation. It has been learnt that employed his strong shoul onslaught? Maxwell, this sea BCCI secretary Jay Shah has ders to generate lift and scalp son, has been batting with informed the Apex Council five. maturity and power. about the government's The dynamics of a day KKR, too, has matchwin decision on giving visas to the game — the match starts at ners in Chennai’s Dinesh Kar Pakistan players. 3.30 p.m. — are different, and thik and skipper Eoin Mor FC Goa shares honours there could be some mois gan. Then the fiery Pat Back in the hunt: Rabada and Nortje, who formed a lethal pair with Al Wahda ture early on and then some Cummins will be a threat. for DC in 2020, will play against PBKS. * SPORTZPICS/IPL MARGAO FC Goa held Al Wahda to a goalless draw in the AFC Champions League group Sevastova helps Latvia Tsitsipas to clash with Rublev in final stage here on Saturday. It was the second such result in as many matches for the Goan seal tie in third rubber Tsitsipas has yet to drop a side, which played out a MONTE CARLO MASTERS set in Monte Carlo this week goalless draw against Qatar's Ankita fights back, but to no avail Agence France-Presse and is through to his third Al Rayyan in their first Group Monaco Masters 1000 final. E match on Wednesday. PTI BILLIE JEAN CUP Sevastova had a different Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Rublev beat unseeded grade of tennis, quite solid Dan Evans 62, 61 in the Norwegian Casper Ruud 63, Tottenham Kamesh Srinivasan as Ankita pointed out about semifinals of the Monte Car 75 to advance to his first NEW DELHI the first set, which was over lo Masters on Saturday and Masters 1000 final, ensuring earns a draw Former World No.11 Anasta in a jiffy. will face Andrey Rublev for there was no letdown after Associated Press sija Sevastova blew hot and At 25, 1540 in the second the title. his elimination of 11time LIVERPOOL cold, but was firmly in con set, Sevastova was too sharp Fourth seed Tsitsipas champion Rafael Nadal in trol of the match as she beat needed just over an hour to Harry Kane scored twice to let Ankita smell any the quarterfinals. Ankita Raina 60, 76(4) to chance of taking the set, dispatch Britain’s Evans, The results: Semifinals: Stefa before limping off with an seal the tie 30 for Latvia in who knocked out World No. ankle injury in Tottenham’s even when she had those nos Tsitsipas bt Dan Evans 62, the Billie Jean King Cup Purple patch: Tsitsipas has yet to drop a set in Monte Carlo 1 Novak Djokovic in the last 61; Andrey Rublev bt Casper 22 draw at Everton in the two set points. It was a mys World Group playoff in Jur tery that the 31yearold Se this week and is through to his third Masters 1000 final.* AP 16. Ruud 63, 75. Premier League on Friday. mala on Saturday. The results: Premier League: vastova actually made mis Newcastle United 3 (Diop 36 When the youngsters takes that gave Ankita hope og, Joelinton 41, Willock 82) were given a chance to get a and stretched the set into bt West Ham 2 (Diop 73, Lin feel of a dead rubber at this the tiebreak. Pole No. 99 for Hamilton Mirabai sets new world level, Rutuja Bhosale and gard 80pen). The results: Latvia bt India 31 Serie A: Crotone 1 (Nwankwo Zeel Desai grabbed the op (Anastasija Sevastova bt Ankita IMOLA GP 68pen) lost to Udinese 2 (De portunity for a face saving Raina 60, 76(4); Patricija record in clean and jerk Paul 41, 74); Sampdoria 3 doubles victory over Patrici Spaka & Daniela Vismane lost Associated Press Y.B. SARANGI (Jankto 46, Gabbiadini 73 ja Spaka and Daniela to Rutuja Bhosale & Zeel Desai Imola pen, Thorsby 82) bt Hellas Vismane. 46, 75, [210]). World champion Lewis Ha KOLKATA Verona 1 (Lazovic 13). milton edged out the Red S. Mirabai Chanu set a new Bundesliga: Borussia M’Glad Bull duo to claim pole posi clean and jerk world record bach 4 (Ginter 10, Hofmann 60, Bensebaini 67, Wolf tion for the EmiliaRomagna on way to the 49kg bronze at 90+5) bt Eintracht Frankfurt Grand Prix on Saturday. It the Asian weightlifting 0; Wolfsburg 2 (Weghorst 35, was his 99th career pole. championships at Tashkent Philipp 54) lost to Bayern Hamilton edged Perez by on Saturday. Mirabai lifted Munich 3 (Musiala 15, 37, .039 seconds and was .087 Hamilton. * GETTY IMAGES 86kg in her final snatch. She ChoupoMoting 24); Freiburg faster than Verstappen, who began her clean and jerk 4 (Holer 7, Sallai 22pen, Gun Ocon (Alpine), Stroll (Aston with 113kg and improved it to ter 50, 74) bt Schalke 0; Un is expected to be his main Martin); 6th: Sainz Jr (Ferrari), challenger this season. 117kg before finishing with ion Berlin 2 (Promel 20, Musa Russell (Williams); 7th: Vettel 119kg (old record 118kg) on 43) bt Stuttgart 1 (Forster Starting grid: 1st row: Hamil (Aston Martin), Latifi (Wil her final attempt. Mirabai. * FILE PHOTO 49); Augsburg 0 drew with ton (Mercedes), Perez (Red liams); 8th: Alonso (Alpine), Arminia Bielefeld 0. Bull); 2nd: Verstappen (Red Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo); 9th: She totalled 205kg to bag Friday: Premier League: Ever Bull), Leclerc (Ferrari); 3rd: Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo), Mick her first medal in the event. said chief coach Vijay Shar ton 2 (Sigurdsson 31pen, 62) Gasly (AlphaTauri), Ricciardo Schumacher (Haas); 10th: Ma “It is a big moment. No other ma. China’s Hou Zhihui and drew with Tottenham 2 (Kane (McLaren); 4th: Norris (McLa zepin (Haas), Tsunoda (Alpha Indian had established a Jiang Huihua took the gold 27, 68). Businesslike: Sevastova sealed it for Latvia. * LATVIAN TENNIS UNION ren), Bottas (Mercedes); 5th: Tauri). world record before this,” and silver.

CM M ND-NDE YK