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THESUNDAYEXPRESS MAGAZINE BRIDGING THE NEWDELHI,LATECITY DISTANCE MAY17,2020 As state struggles to help millions 18PAGES,`6.00 stranded in lockdown, citizen-led (`8PATNA&RAIPUR,`12SRINAGAR) initiatives and civil society organisations have stepped in DAILY FROM: AHMEDABAD,CHANDIGARH, DELHI, JAIPUR,KOLKATA, LUCKNOW, MUMBAI, NAGPUR, PUNE,VADODARA WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM PAGES 15, 16,17

26 MIGRANTS DEAD, 17 IDENTIFIED: Arjun Chauhan, 22 (Kushinagar,UP); Kedar Yadav, 25 (Gaya,Bihar); Mukesh Vishwakarma, 30 (Bhadohi, UP); Satendra, 21 (Gaya); Govardhan Kalindi, 25 (Bokaro, Jharkhand); Ganesh Rajwad, 25 (Purulia, West Bengal); Chandan Rajwad, 24 (Purulia); Uttam Goswami, 30 (Bokaro); Doctor Mahato, 20 (Bokaro); Kirti Kalindi, 35 (Bokaro); Milan Badhokar,28(Purulia); Kaanilal, 45 (Bokaro); RaTragehul, 28 (Bokaro); Somnath Goswami,dy26 (Bokaro); Raja Goswandami, 28 (Bokaro); AshokShaYadav, 25 (Gaya); Ajit meMahato, 26 (Purulia)

CM suspends Nirmala Sitharaman announcing the fourth partofthe SHOs aftertrucks Covid-19economic package, in Delhi on Saturday. PTI carrying migrants collide in UP; DGP Tranche 4: Mining admitsnumbers on move “huge” to aviation, Govt

ASADREHMAN pushes reforms it AURAIYA(UP),MAY16

TWOTRUCKScarrying migrant has already pushed workers from Rajasthan,Delhi and Ghaziabad collidedonNH- 24 at MihauliunderAuraiya AANCHALMAGAZINE, BUSINESSASUSUAL PoliceStation in Uttar Pradesh PRANAVMUKUL around 3amonSaturday, killing &ANILSASI BY UNNY 26 people. Seventeen of them NEWDELHI,MAY16 had been identifiedbySaturday evening. MOSTOFthe measures foreight CircleOfficer(City) Surendra- sectors announcedSaturdayun- nath Yadavsaid32people were der the fourth tranche of Union still in hospital, whilefour had Finance MinisterNirmala been dischargedand sent to a Sitharaman’sCovid economic quarantine facility in the district packagewereeither anew push aftertreatment. to old reforms proposalsoran The collision involveda aggregation of earlier decisions. trailer truckand atruck. While The latter includes: commer- 45-odd men were travellingin cial coal mining; coal gasification the trailer truck, that wascarry- projects; building ahub forair- ing sacks of wall putty, around craftmaintenance, repair and

22 were in the truck.“The trailer overhaul (MRO); privatisation of ED had sloweddownatadhaba airports,and optimisation of when the truckhit it from be- Indian airspace. Lessofa hind, causing both vehicles to fall The renewedpush forcom- PLAIN E stimulus ● intoaditchbythe roadside. Food being carriedbymigrantsatthe siteofthe accident on NH-24,atMithauli near AuraiyainUttar Pradesh, Saturday. Vishal Srivastav FULLCOVERAGE P6 mercial mining is aproposal EX Twenty-four of thedead were over twoyearsold.Away to travelling in the trailer truck. auction coal mines/blocks for THE FOURTH tranche Theygot buriedundersacks or Can’t help but sale of coal under the provisions entails astimulus of alit- the truck,”Yadavsaid, adding Among those in truck: Some who failed of the CoalMines (Special tle over Rs 63,000 crore, that police were at the spot Provisions) Act, 2015,and the of whichthe costtothe withinhalf-an-hour. cryatmigrant Minesand Minerals (Develop- exchequer is onlyabout Police suspect the driverof to get on train, workersdenied wages plight, says ment and Regulation) Act, 1957, Rs 8,100crore.The focus the truckmay have fallen asleep it wasapproved by thegovern- is moreonindustrial at the wheel,rammingintothe ment in early 2018 and an order reforms but manyof other vehicle. Theyare yetto Jharkhand’s Bokarodistrict, is MadrasHC, wasissuedonFebruary 27, these measures have identify either of the drivers. ASADREHMAN& resting with tears in his eyes and 2018.Subsequently, theCoal been mired in imple- On Saturdayafternoon, the ABHISHEKANGAD wall putty on his clothes and seeks report Ministrysaid it had identified mentation issues. spotofthe accident laystrewn AURAIYA,RANCHI,MAY16 hair.Kalindi lostthree members “15large coal blocks”for thepi- with the belongings of the work- of his family in the accident. lotround of biddingin ers, including ablanket,clothes, THE GENERAL ward at Combined “I lostmybrother Yogeshwar, ARUNJANARDHANAN December that year. DEFENCE TO CUT abelt, waterbottles, slippers and DistrictHospital in Auraiyadis- my nephewand my cousinin CHENNAI,MAY16 In Januarythisyear,the IMPORTS PAGE 9 the rotis theywerecarrying. trict has onlyfourpatientson the accident,” says Umesh,who Cabinetclearedanordinance to Kaajal Kumar,21, anative of Saturdayafternoon. The four are worked at amarble factoryin “ONE CANNOT control his/her introduce the amendments BokaroinJharkhand, told The survivors of the early Saturday Jaipur.Another of his nephews, tears afterseeing the pathetic neededtorelax conditions in the be incentivisedthrough rebate SundayExpress he wastravelling morning accidentinUttar Vikas, survivedthe accident. condition of migrant labourers twolawstoopen up thesector in revenue sharebut project roll- with three others and that most Pradesh’s Auraiyadistrict, where Umesh says he along with 30 shown in the media forthe past to commercial mining. outshavealreadybegun. of them in the trailer were lying atruck carrying migrantsfrom others from the marble factory one month,” the Madras High The government said coal ArevivalofTalcherunit of amidstthe putty sacks when a DelhiandGhaziabadcrashedinto leftonfoot from Jaipur aftera Courtsaid on Friday, andsought gasification and liquefaction will CONTINUEDONPAGE2 suddenjoltwokethem up. “The atrucktrailer from Rajasthan, labour unrestoverdelayedpay- adetailedreport from theCentre whole truckwas on us.Igot killing 26 people, at leasteight of ment of salaries. and the stateontheir numbers buriedunder the sacks,but them from Bokaro, Jharkhand. “It wasimpossible to con- and status in the next six days — managed to breatheasmyhead On bed number 14,Umesh Govardhan Kalindi’sfamilysurvivedonhis earnings. Express tinue without money, so on May by May22. TRACKING INDIA’S COVID CURVE CONTINUEDONPAGE2 Kumar Kalindi, 27,native of CONTINUEDONPAGE2 Hoststatesmustbemadeac- LOCKDOWN countable forthe safetyand DAY CASES: RECOVERED:30,152 |DEATHS:2,752 well-being of migrant workers, TESTS:2,134,277 | DOUBLINGRATE:13.45** the courtsaid. 53 85,940 For every dead in Auraiya accident, 119 killed, countless The courtwas hearing a habeas corpus plea movedby alakh are waiting to return home stuck: On anniversary, advocateAPSuryaprakasam seeking adirection to thepolice to increase,” the official said. of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra ABHISHEKANGAD DEMANDvsTRAINS Bihar,Uttar Pradesh, West ashadow on the road to locateand produceover400 RANCHI,MAY16 Bengal, Rajasthan and Odisha Tamil workers alleged to be un- 2.5 lakh migrant aresome of the other states der illegal detention in KEYSTATES TOTAL SURGEIN 7-DAYAVG. DOUBLING FOREVERYmigrant worker workers from West besides Jharkhand whichpri- LIZMATHEW& Maharashtra. TOWATCH CASES 24HRS GROWTH* RATE** who diedinthe Auraiyaroad ac- Bengal, 2.69 lakh from marilyfeedthe labour markets KRISHNKAUSHIK SUNDAY The division BenchofJustice ■ Maharashtra 29,100 1,576 6.23% 11.56 Chhattisgarh, 10 lakh cident, alakh moreare waiting in Maharashtra,Gujarat and NEWDELHI,MAY16 NKirubakaran and Justice R ■ Gujarat 9,932 340 4.29% 16.79 to return to their native homes from UP,5.5 lakh from the southern states including STORY Hemalatha said that while gov- Rajasthan, 2.7 lakh from ■ Delhi 9,333 438 5.21% 13.83 in states. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telan- SATURDAYMARKEDthe sixth PAGE 13 ernmentshavetaken careof On May2,Jharkhand started Bihar believedtobe gana and Kerala. anniversaryofthe Modi govern- everysection of the society to the ■ Tamil Nadu 10,108 434 7.71% 9.34 an online portalasking its stuck Manymigrant workers do ment’s coming to powerbut maximum extent possible, ■ Rajasthan 4,635 207 4.21% 17.12 strandedpeople to registerif notwant to wait to return home, hangingoverthe celebrations by “guestworkers and the agricul- JHARKHAND: 6.92 lakh ■ West Bengal 2,461 84 5.62% 12.80 theywant to travel back home. registered, 50 trains to especiallysince theythe the party were images of the tural work forceare the neg- *Compounded Daily Growth Rate over last 7days**Calculatedover7-daygrowth BetweenMay 2and May14, 6.92 state so far Shramik Special trains have not tragedyinAuraiyaand from lected lotand they arethe suffer- lakhpeople registered, accord- been able to meet the hugede- across the nation. Of hapless mi- ers to themaximum”. WEST BENGAL: 2.5 lakh Begin Again CONCERN CAUTION AGLIMMER ing to an official in thestate’s mand. While Union Railway grantsonthe road with no suc- “In this Covid-19crisis, the registered, 8trains HIMACHAL KERALA: A PUNJAB: Aslight labour department. “Morethan MinisterPiyush Goyalblamed cour in sight. Pushedbythe eco- It’sbacktothe start persons who fedthe entirenation PRADESH: Numbers resurgence seen here slowdown in last three 10 lakh peopleare strandedin CHHATTISGARH: 2.69 the states fornot giving permis- nomic distress in the cities and forthe migrant arethe agriculturists and notthe small, but almost 30 too. 52 cases in last days, thoughone of new cases in last week three weeks fastest growing states various states. The number of lakh registered, 8trains sion to receive the trains, chief drawnbythe reassurance of workersbackhome people in anyother occupation, registrations areonlyexpected CONTINUEDONPAGE2 CONTINUEDONPAGE2 CONTINUEDONPAGE2 Based on daily data by Centre, ICMR,stategovernments

RAHULMEETS MIGRANTS; OPPN ATTACKS GOVT Train lotteryleaves migrants in lurch: ‘Whenwillmyturn come?’ P3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14

workerinJogeshwari leftthe istration process and completely And in Mumbai, whichhas Meanwhile, Tiwari’s storyil- IRAMSIDDIQUE& city on aspecial train to UP.He dependent on the destination emergedasthe epicentreofthe lustrates thesituation on the VISHWASWAGHMODE had submitted his application states that either approveorput Covidcrisis with 17,671 cases ground. HEALTH CARE AND WORLD MUMBAI,MAY16 justthree days earlier at thelo- on holddistrict-basedlists with and 655 deaths, at least1.13lakh “Wefilledupthe forms on HYPERTENSION DAY cal police station. no clear explanation. migrant workers have leftthe May6,with25others, at the Kala LONG BEFORE dawn on May15, Wedged between the two In Maharashtra, the country’s metropolitan region. Chowki police station.But no Om Prakash Tiwari slippedout of journeys is the despair thathas industrial powerhouse and key On Friday, these migrant one wasclear about whenmy Mumbai with his familyofsix on forced thousands of migrants destination formigrantsfrom trains were at the centreofapo- turn would come. We triedtoget a1,500-km journeyinhis taxi to away from railway stations and across the country, the numbers litical firestorm with Railways apermitfor abus but failedbe- home in UP’s Pratapgarhdistrict. ontohighways in adesperate aretelling: 2.25 lakh people left MinisterPiyush Goyalaccusing causethe vehicle’s taxpapers He hadregistered10days agofor and dangerousbid to reach on 191Shramik Specials be- West Bengal, Jharkhand, had notbeencleared,” he said. tickets on the special train formi- their homes, driven by the lack tween May1and 15 —ofthe first Chhattisgarhand Rajasthan of not “That’s when we decidedto grants, butcouldn’t wait any of jobsand rapid urban spread 100trains, 50 were to UP and 25 givingpermissionto receive these leave in my taxi.But they still morefor the answer to his ques- of the coronavirus. to Bihar;over1lakh othersare trains,drawing strong rebuttals would notgivemeapermit, say- tion: “When will my turn come?” Formany, gettingaseat on estimated to have leftinprivate Police trytocontrol aqueue to catchtrains to Uttar Pradesh, from the states —the firsttrain ing onlyone other person wasal- Around sunsetonMay 8, these special trains is likealot- vehicles and buses, basedon outside CSMT Station in MumbaionSaturday. Ganesh Shirsekar from MaharashtratoWestBengal lowedtotravel. Therewere Adil Khan, a25-year-old zari tery,basedonaconvoluted reg- permitsissued. leftSaturday. CONTINUEDONPAGE2

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119 killed migrantworkforceinthecountry The governmenthad in stategovernments to file ade- at over 10 crore. Februaryannouncedsettingupof tailedreport on whether such safetyathomeinrural Bihar, UP Forthegovernment,aspecific VGFwindowhospitals in the PPP datawerebeingmaintainedand, and Odisha, countless have hit concernhasbeenthatmostofthe Tragedy and Shame: 26 dead modeto improvecoverageunder if so, what the numbers of mi- highwaysacross the country. migrantshavebeen seeking to AyushmanBharat. grantworkersineachstate/Union TheBJPlaunchedasocialme- move out from the Redzones of The government also an- Territorywere. dia video, “6 saal, bemisaal”, to thebig cities to the Green zones wasnot coveredbythe putty.I thedistricthospitalwithinjuries longed to Bihar,WestBengal, Adityanathorderedsuspension nouncedranking of industrial “What is the number of mi- highlighttheachievementsofthe of theirtownsandvillages,where could hear others crying for on his rightleg, Mahato said, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar of SHOsof twopolicestationsin parksin2020-21alongwithmap- grant workers strandedineach government and thereisasense the case load of the pandemic help,”saidKumar,whoescaped “Around5-6pm,50-oddpeople Pradesh. Mathuraand Agra.While ping the land banksonIndustrial state, whatare allthe assistance of relief over the nationalCovid continues to be low. Allowing with minor injuries and is ad- in the trailer truck, mostlyfam- The truckhad startedfrom Mathuraand Agra border Information System. providedtothose migrant work- figures. But thereisalso disquiet themto travelwouldincreasethe mitted to AuraiyaDistrict ilies, got off. It wasnot that hot Delhiand, afterentering UP via Rajasthan, Agra bordersDelhi Though 3,376 industrial ers by the respective states and in asectionofthe partyand the risk of the virusspreading, and Hospital. anymoreand theyfelt they Ghaziabad, wasonits wayto too. Explanation has been parks/estates/SEZs in 5lakh the Uniongovernment, and government,attheCentreandits threatenthealreadyfragilehealth His three companions, ad- couldwalk.Iftheyhadstillbeen ChhattarpurinMadhya Pradesh. sought from police officers of hectares have been mappedon whether those migrant workers governmentsinUPand Bihar, infrastructureofsome of India’s mitted to the Uttar Pradesh in the trailer truck, morelives “It is notclearhow manygot on the twoareas. The CM also or- IIS, this proposal isn’t new. areallowedtocross stateborders overthelackofanticipationofthis pooreststates. University of MedicalSciences, wouldhave beenlost,including at Delhi, and howmanylater,” dered acase againstthe drivers The Department of or prevented from crossingthe crisis whichmanythink will BJP leaders from states con- Saifai,Etawah, all receivedseri- women and children.” the police officer said. and owners of the twotrucks, Commerce, waybackon borders and if theyare pre- snowball as the stageisset fora cededthe enormity of the mi- ous injuries. Kumar said he TheCircleOfficersaidthatas Anex-gratiaof Rs2lakheach whichhavebeen seized. September 13,2013, hadadvised vented,whether theyare pro- further easing of the lockdown. grant crisis. Severalofthese lead- managed to borrowsomeone’s per the information theyhad forthe next of kin of those who TheCMhadFridayaskedpo- statestoensure that de-notified videdwith basic amenities such First, the Centre attempted to ers expressedconcern that the phoneandcalledhisfamilyback collected so farfromthe sur- died, apart from Rs 50,000 for lice officials to checkmigrants landofSEZsbeutilisedforthecre- as food, shelter and medical as- shifttheblameontostates,espe- “intensity” of the crisis maynot home. “Theyasked about the vivors,the trailertruckwas car- eachoftheinjured,hasbeenap- from walking or travellinginan ation of infrastructure. sistance?” the courtasked. ciallythose ruledbythe have been entirelyrevealedyet. others,ItoldthemIdon’tknow.” ryingputtyto PatnafromAlwar, proved from the PM’s National unsafemanner on the road. As on June 30, 2017,onthe re- It also sought areport on Opposition. Thus, aday after Aleader in Bihar,whichis Gopal Mahato, 22, who be- and had pickeduppassengers Relief Fund. The Uttar Pradesh DGPPoliceHCAwasthy said questofthe Special Economic the number of migrant labour- Railway MinisterPiyush Goel ac- slatedforelections later this year, longstoWestBengal’s Purullia along the wayinRajasthan, in- government has also an- steps were being takentoen- Zone(SEZ)Developers,theBoard erswho had diedonthe wayto cusedWestBengal, Jharkhand, said:“Nothingthatwehavedone district,said the toll could have cludingatUdaipur, Jaipurand nouncedsimilar relief. sure this, but “the number of of Approval(BoA)onSEZshasap- their home states, and the Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan of so farseems to be enoughinthe been muchhigher. Admitted at Bharatpur.The passengers be- Chief MinisterYogi peoplewhoaremovingishuge”. proved81 casesof de-notification compensation that waspaid to notallowing Shramik Special face of the enormity of this chal- of SEZssubjecttotherefundof all their families. trains to bring backmigrants, lenge.We areinpowerbothatthe dutiesandtaxbenefitsandonre- Urban Affairs MinisterHardeep Centre and in the state, and we ceiptof‘No-objection’ from the Train lottery Singh Puri postedonTwitter on couldbecome an easy target for Some whofailedtoget on train,factory workers stateconcernedgiventhatlandis trucks leavingwith hundreds Saturdaythat“the Auraiyaacci- the people’s anger.” astate subject. crammedinside, but theydid- dentunderlines the necessity for KCTyagi of the JD-U said: 14,weleftonfoot. Afterwehad been asking him to come back. thosewhosurvived,says hewas JCCrossing in Auraiyaare four Anannouncementonthepri- n’t allowme. So at 2amFriday, stakeholders,includingreceiving “Thegovernmentistryingto han- walked afew kilometres, we “She wasstruggling with no lying on the truckwith his other survivors -all of them vatisation of discoms (distribu- Ileftwithoutany permit,”said states, to ease restrictions forall dle the situation withthe re- were stoppedatapolicechowki money. Therewas no problem brotherRanjan,talkingof home, were travelling in the trailer tion companies) in Union Tiwari, 59. affected people, particularly mi- sources that it has. As of now, we and kept at aquarantine facility of food at the factory, but how family“and howtokeep them truckthatmetwiththeaccident. Territoriesisalso an extension of According to Maharashtra grants&allow limited air, road & notthinking aboutthe election.” for24hours.Then,alocalleader couldIeatknowingmy children happy”. At somepoint,the con- Ankush Chauhan, 23, who thechangesproposedinthedraft governmentofficials,thefirststep rail connections”. ABJP leader in Madhya arranged abus forusthe next were goinghungry,”says thefa- versationtrailedoff and they worksasacarpenter at ahome Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 is forticket hopefuls to submit PrimeMinisterNarendra Pradesh said thatatone point on day. Aroundtwohoursafterthe ther of two, the elder one three driftedintosleep. décor firm in Bharatpur, releasedlastmonth. registrationformsatthelocalpo- Modidescribedthetragedyasex- the state’s border with busstarted,we were stoppedat and the youngerayear old. “Suddenly, therewas ajerk Rajasthan,says heregisteredfor Said DKSrivastava, Chief licestation,wherethe names are tremelysad. In amessageposted Maharashtra, the party has been Bharatpuratapolicecheckpost. Asked whyhedid notwait and Iwas thrownaway. My the train service to take him Policy Advisor,EYIndia, “Once groupedinbatches of 25-30 on Twitter,heexpressedsympa- distributing 150kgofkhichdito The police official askedthebus foratrain from Rajasthan to go brother came under the truck... back to KushinagardistrictinUP. again, it is the supplyside which based on destination districts. thyfor the families of the dead, themigrantswalkingineveryday. drivertotakethe bus back. home,Umesh says,“Iwaitedall Ithought he wasnomoreand “Tendays ago,Ihadgoneto aJan has receivedemphasiswhilede- Then, the DCP’s office clubs and wishedthe injured aspeedy TheBJPhassetupcommunity Fifteen minutes later, he told us this while, but people who so Icalledmyfamily and told Sewa KendrainBharatpur and mandinitiativesare stillawaited.” the lists receivedfromthe three- recovery.Home MinisterAmit kitchensand helplines, and has to getontothe trailer truckcar- worked at the factorywere them. But nowIcan’tfind him registeredfor the train service.I RSS-affiliated Bharatiya fourstationsunderitsjurisdiction Shah tweetedasimilar message been providing medical assis- rying putty,whichwould have graduallyleaving and Ifelt likeI among the dead. Koikuchbol got amessageonmyphonethat Mazdoor Sangh said the govern- in largerbunches basedonthe of sympathyand condolence. tance, rations, masks, and hand droppedusatGaya (Bihar),”says wasbetraying my familyby nahin raha hain. Meradimag day, but afterthat,therewas no ment statingthatithasnooption same criterion. The districtsare Days intothefirstphaseof the sanitisers across the country. Umesh,who earnedaroundRs staying at the factory. Howlong kharab ho gaya hain (Nobody is response. Iwenttothe kendra exceptprivatisation is a“showof verifiedwith thehome address lockdown, the Central govern- On Thursday, party president 12,000 at the factoryand sent couldIhavewaited?” saying anything. My mindisn’t again, but the personthere dearth of ideas on economic re- onAadhaarcards,acopyofwhich menthadtoldtheSupremeCourt JPNaddamet his general secre- half the moneyhome. But the Umeshsays helost allhisbe- working),” he said. asked me to wait foramessage vivalintimes of crisis. “Without has to be submitted with the ap- that nearly 14.3 lakh people had taries in avideo conference. The lasttimehegot hissalarywasin longings in the accident. “I had At Kheerabadi villagein regarding my travel.Thatnever anysocial dialogue,thegovern- plication. been housedin37,978relief partyhasaskeditsworkersto dis- February, he adds. kept my mobile phones, my Chas blockofJharkhand’s camesowedecidedtowalk. mentisbringinggross changes “A requestismade to the re- camps, and that an additional tributefood,water,andfootwear, “I leftJharkhandfor the first Aadhaar cardand other IDs in Bokarodistrict, Vikas and When thereisacrisis, everyone and is goinginthe wrongdirec- ceiving stateindependentlyby 26,225 food camps had been andorganisedaysheltersandam- time in December lastyear be- someone else’s bag. Now, Ihear Ranjan’s mothercriedincon- wantstogohome. Whydoyou tion...Governmentbecomingshy therespective DCPwhileinform- opened to provide food to 1.3 bulance services every100-150 cause my mother wasdiag- that the person is dead. Ihad Rs solablyonthe phone.“My thinkpeoplehave beenwalking of consultationanddialoguewith ingusatthesametimeforfollow- crorepeople. Nearly 16.5 lakh km on the highways. nosedwith akidneyinfection 2,500too,butIguessthatisgone younger son calledand said fordays,” says Ankush, who trade unions, social representa- upaction.Oncetherequestiscon- workers had been givenshelter On Saturday, Nadda ex- and we neededmoney,”says now,”saysUmesh. Ranjan is no more. Nowhe earnedabout Rs 20,000 a tivesandstakeholdersshows lack firmedbythe receiving state, and food by their employers, the pressedhis condolencesfor the Umesh. Recalling the momentsbe- says kisi ne confirm nahin month. Next to him arehis be- of confidenceintheir own usuallybythenextday, we sendit government hadsaid. dead and injuredinAuraiya. He says he didnot want to fore the accident, Umesh’s kiya,” she said. longingsinabig bag coveredin ideas...,” it said. to the Railways.Ittakes another However, the streams of mi- leave Jaipur,but his wifehad nephew Vikas, who is among At PandeyGuestHousenear whiteputty. WITHNUSHAIBAIQBAL dayfor the train to be arranged grantsonthe road nearly two Waitingtoreturn and simultaneously, those who monthsafterthelockdownbegan ministers of West Bengal, MadrasHC had registeredare informedand on March 24,underlines the gov- Rajasthan,Jharkhand and SecretarySonmani Borah said. transported 16,167 migrant nominated PSUsfor manufac- fortheaviationsector,inaddition whichwould go to showthat busesorganised to take them to ernment’sunderestimationof the Chhattisgarhhit back, giving de- Of these 56,140 people have labourers to states including turing of urea through Coal to reducingflight timings. without agriculturists theworld thestations,”saidAdditionalChief scaleof thedisruptionthatitsde- tails of the number of trains for managed to reachtheir homes. Bihar,Jharkhand and Uttar Gasification routewas clearedin Also, forgeneration of more cannotsurvive,” the court said. Secretary(Revenue),NitinKareer, cision,announced by the Prime whichtheyhavealready given Thestatehaddemanded30trains Pradesh,” the datarevealed. December lastyear. revenue as well as to bring in “Thoughbelated,thiscourtwould the IAS officer who heads anodal Ministerwithbarelyfour hours’ theirconsent. fromtheRailways.“Theyhaveap- Asfarasthenationalcapitalis RashtriyaChemicalsand moreefficiencyattheairports,the like to knowwhethercoordinated team forthe process at notice,would trigger. Caught in this fight between provedonly 15 trainsbecausewe concerned, atotal of 30,000 mi- FertilizersLimited,GasAuthority MinistryofCivil Aviation was, in effortshavebeen takenbyall the Mantralaya,the statesecretariat. The deaths of migrantswalk- the Centreand states, and find- have been able to payfor only grantsfromdifferent stateshave of India Limited and Coal India that meeting, asked to expedite stategovernmentsinconsultation ShivajiDaund,divisionalcom- ing, cycling, or travelling packed ing nomeans to returntothe those as of now,”Borah said. Of leftDelhi through 22 Shramik Limited entrustedPDIL to carry the process of handingoversix with the central government to missionerofKonkanDivision, togetherinthebackoftruckshun- safetyoftheir homes, migrant these15 trains,eighthave already Specials as on Friday. In addition outafeasibilityreportforproduc- moreairports on public-private address the sufferingsofthe mi- said the policecommissionerate dredsofkilometrestotheir vil- workers have startedtowalk. broughtinmorethan11,000mi- to these, severalbuses have been tion of ammonia through coal partnershipbasis,bycommenc- grant labourers..” inMumbaiandthedistrictcollec- lages with their children and be- Some 2.5 lakh migrant workers grant workers. “Weare trying to arranged by thehome states of gasification route. ing the tenderprocesswithin Referring to reports of mi- tors also coordinatewith the longings, have thrownintosharp from West Bengal, 2.69 lakh getapprovalformoretrains from the migrantstobring themback On the liberalisation an- three months. grant workers starving to death, Mantralaya. relief theextentof boththeirdes- from Chhattisgarh, 10 lakh from Railways,” he said Friday. from Delhi, including 13 buses to nouncedforotherminerals,asper The government, however, and of 16 workers beingcrushed Daund said “all thosewho peration and the government’s Uttar Pradesh, 5.5 lakh from According to sources in Uttar Punjab, five to Ladakh, and three rules,all concessionshavetobe announcedthatthe Airports to death aftertheyfell asleep on have registered” will gettoboard misreadingof theimpactof anex- Rajasthan, and 2.7 lakh from Pradesh government, about 10 eachtoArunachal Pradesh and granted by respective stategov- Authority of India will receive Rs railway tracks in Maharashtra, the trains basedonreceiptofap- tended lockdown. Biharare believedtobestuckei- lakh additionalmigrantworkers Assam, the spokesperson said. ernments through e-auctions. 2,300crore in down payment the courtsaid: “Evenafter the proved lists.“Thestationfrom With the deaths in Auraiya, ther in rented spaces, or shelter areexpectedto returninthecom- “The government has alsore- Whilethe mineral indexap- fromrevenuesharingby theparty sorrowofsufferings of the mi- wheretrainwilldepartisbasedon the number of migrant workers homes, or to be justonthe roads ingweeks.TheysaidMaharashtra ceivedclose to 28,500 applica- pearstobeanew proposal,data takingovertheprivatisedairports. grant workers were reportedin the number of peopleonthe list killedonthe roads in the last54 walking through the night. had 5.6 lakh workersfromUP, tions on itsweb portal by mi- formineral-wise, state-wise re- Sitharamanspokeaboutplans the media, nothing happened residing in the vicinity,” he said. days has reached119. Jharkhand Transport Delhi had 5.1lakh, Gujarat 3lakh, grantswho areliving in rented servesinleasehold and freehold to makeIndia ahub foraircraft forthe pastone monthasthere Referring to cases likethose The majority of these deaths SecretaryKRavi Kumar told The Haryana 1.3lakhs, and Punjab accommodations in the cityand areasisalreadyavailableinthevo- MRO,somethingthatwasalready wasnocoordinated effort be- of Tiwari and Khan,anothersen- have occurredinthe thirdphase SundayExpress therewas no about 77,000. wish to go backtotheir home luminous National Mineral announcedinthe full budget for tween the states.” ior official acknowledgedthat of the lockdown that beganon pendencyatthe state’s end. “We As manyas3.39 lakh migrant States.The applications would Inventorycompiledby theIndian 2019-20 backinJuly2019. States wheremigrantsgoto thereisno clear order to the May4.SinceMay6,atleast96mi- have sharedwithotherstatesalist workers have already returned concern an estimated 82,000in- BureauofMines. Followingthis,theGoodsand work have aduty to ensuretheir process —for instance, the des- grantshavebeenkilledin19inci- of strandedpeople who regis- to Madhya Pradesh, including dividual migrantsasmanyare The government also an- Services Tax(GST) Council, in safetyand well-being, the court tination statemay notclearalist dentsonthe roads and railway teredinour travel portal.Asper about 2.43 lakh by buses, ac- combinedapplications having nouncedahikeinFDI limit for March,hadslashedGST onmain- said. “India is awelfarestate and of migrantsheadedtoone spe- tracks,news reports show. theSOP,itisuptothesenderstate cording to Additional Chief twotothree nameseach, made automaticapproval to 74 per tenance repair overhaul(MRO) Article 21 of the Constitution of cific district, but clear another for Struggling to getameasureof to sharealistofpassengersalong Secretaryand in-chargeofstate by families,” aDelhigovernment cent from 49percentindefence services foraircraftto5per cent Indiaisparamountandsafetyand adifferent location. theeconomicdistress,theCentre withthetrains,forwhichwegive control room, ICP Keshari. Of spokesperson said. production. At present, FDI is al- from 12 percent with fullinput security and supplyfor food are “Thestateshaveseveralissues hasbeenfumblinginitshandling aNoObjection Certificate. Till these, 1.72 lakh arefromGujarat, Nitin Kareer,Additional Chief lowedunder the automatic taxcredit (ITC) and changed the important,” it said. to besortedout,includingarrang- of the migrant crisis. Thursday, we gave ago-ahead to 78,000 from Maharashtraand Secretary,Maharashtra, said routefor up to 49 per cent and placeof supply forB2BMROserv- “There areanumberoftoll ing busestoferry themigrantsto In the lastweekofMarch,the 104trains, andthe remainingsix 52,000 from Rajasthan. Others while he couldn’t sharethe total above 49 per cent through the ices to thelocation of recipient. gatesavailable and those toll variousdistricts, organising for Centreasked states to seal their were cleared on Friday,”hesaid. have returned from Delhi, numberof migrantswhowantto government route. Asked whether anynew gatesshould have been made as transit and food, and ensuring borders to ensuremigrantsdid Jharkhand Chief Minister Kerala, Haryana, Punjab, Goa, go back, as he wasyet to getfig- The inflows,though,have measureswere beingannounced checking pointstoprovidefood, quarantine.Thishasposedmajor notattempt to walk to their Hemant Sorenhad Friday Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. ures from Mumbai Police, “As of been dismal. As per datafur- forthe aircraftMRO sector, shelter and medical helptothe challenges,” said the official. homes. Amonth later,however, tweeted, “Wehavegiven NOC “About one lakhmoreare ex- nowwehaveplannedanother nished by 79 companiesin RevenueSecretaryAjayBhushan migrant labourers. However, it “Also, as the Shramik trains the Home Ministryallowed the to 110trains of which50have pected to return,” said Keshari. 200trains.Soyoucanroughlysay Defence and Aerospace sector, Pandeysaid: “In India, we have a is very pathetic to note that nei- were startedfromMay 1, there movement of strandedmigrants arrived, bringing around In Rajasthan,asonFriday more2.5lakhmigrantstobesent untilDecember,2019,FDIinflows very promising civil aviation sec- ther the native states northe werenot more than two-three beginningMay 4. 60,000 migrants.” morning, 21,26,479 migrantsor back.”Tilldate,2.45lakhmigrants of onlyaroundRs1834crorewere torsowewant that MROindus- states through whichtheywere trains per dayuntil about three The government alsoan- West Bengalsaiditsought105 peoplehadregisteredonlinewith have beensentbackon191 trains reportedinDefence and trybelocatedinIndia andas walking all along took careof days ago. But now, we have at nouncedthe Shramik Specials, trains, with only eightreaching the stategovernment to travel - across Maharashtra. Aerospace sector after2014. much(aspossible)repairsshould them and failedtoprovideeven leastseven-eighttrains leaving and the firsttrain left from the statetill Friday. Stategovern- from Rajasthantootherstatesor Inaddition,1.41 lakhmigrants The reform announcements be donewithin the country. One the basic amenities suchasfood Mumbai eachday.The stategov- Telangana forJharkhandonMay ment sources said 2.5 lakh mi- from otherstatesbackhometo have beensenton11,379busesto in civilaviation were largely cov- problem usedtobethe competi- andshelterand even if theyhad ernment is arranging foratleast 1. OnFriday, HomeSecretaryAjay grantworkershave appliedtore- Rajasthan.Of these,9,55,575peo- MadhyaPradesh, Telangana, eredon May1when the PM held tiveness. the GSTrateusedtobe been provided, theywerenegli- 200moretrains forwhich appli- Bhallawrote to statesaskingthem turn home.Trade unions plehave registeredtotraveloutof Gujarat and Chhattigarh. ameetingwhereitwas decided 18 percent.theratehad been gible,”the judges said. cations have been received, and to ensurethat migrantsdid not estimated the number of the stateand 11,70,904, currently (Withinputs from Deep that the Indian Air Space “should brought down to 5per centwith Thecourtsaidthatallrelevant requests forNoCs sent to other walk on the highways,and in- strandedworkers from the state livingoutsideRajasthanhave reg- MukherjeeinJaipur,GargiVerma in beeffectively usedinsuchaman- fullinput-taxcredit.Thatissome- dataofmigrant labourers in all states,” the official said. stead took the trains home. at about 25 lakh. isteredtoreturnback. Raipur,Atri MitrainKolkata, Santosh nerthattheflyingtimeisreduced thing that will makethe MROin- states mustbecollected,and the That, however, is of little con- Until Friday, close to 1,000 InChhattisgarh,2.69lakhpeo- Dataobtainedfromthe gov- SinghinPatna, MaulshreeSeth in benefiting the... publicand also dustryverycompetitive”. hoststate mustbemadeaccount- solationto peoplelikeTiwari.“My ShramikSpecialshadferriedover plehadregisteredtoreturnto the ernmentshows that 1,24,633mi- Lucknow, Zeeshan Shaikh in Mumbai) helping the airlines to save costs The government announced able fortheir safetyand well-be- moneywas runningout in 10 lakh migrantsaround the statethrough socialmedia and grants/ labourers have been sent in close co-operation with the viabilitygapfundingforsocialin- ing -and that all states were ex- Mumbai,Icouldnotaffordtowait country. Butthatseeminglylarge phonecalls. “Wehad registered to other states by Rajasthan and Tranche 4 Department of MilitaryAffairs”. frastructure withanaim to boost pected to acttogethertorender forthe trains anylonger,”hesaid. numberisstilladropintheocean only 1.7lakhpeople in lockdown 4,75,236 migrants/ labourers Fertilizer Corporation of India This move,Sitharaman an- private investment —similar assistance to thesepoorersec- By Saturdayevening, his taxi had —the Economic Survey of India part2.Now the numbers have have been brought to thestate so Limited via aJoint Venture/ nouncedSaturday, willresult in measures were outlinedinthis tions of society. reachedKanpur,justabout 250 2016-17estimatedthesizeofthe grownbyalakh,” stateLabour far. “Atotal of 13 trains have so far SpecialPurpose Vehicles of savingsofRs1,000croreannually year’sBudget. It directed the central and km from home.

New Delhi WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 3 THE OUTBREAK THE CITY THE SUNDAYEXPRESS,MAY17,2020 CentrefiguresonPPE,N-95don’tmatchours:DelhigovttoHC

pliedtothe Government of It said thattheyhavereceived has notreceivedtothe said ex- that “presently2,263 sanitation the infection. PRITAMPALSINGH NationalCapitalTerritoryof Delhi “coverall–1,01,363;N-95(masks) tent, it is deemedappropriateto workers areemployedwith the It said that unlikedoctors, NEWDELHI,MAY16 (GNCTD)doesnotmatchwiththe –2,55,700;gloves(size 6.5) – direct both the departmentsto Department of Health, out of whowork in more controlledand logbook of the storagebranchof 91,250; gloves (size 7) –90,500; clarifythepositionby filing sepa- which415 areemployedonareg- sanitisedenvironments, sanita- THE DELHI government has sub- the Department of Health (Delhi andgoggles –1,23,958”. rate affidavitswithin five days.” ular basis while 1,848are on out- tion workers function in unhy- mitted before the Delhi High government),” said the Health ComponentsofPPE aregog- The benchlistedthe matter source basis”. gienicconditions andrunahigher Courtthatthe numbersofN-95 Department in their statusreport gles, face-shield, mask,gloves, forfurther hearing on June 1. Singh, asocial activist, had first risk of getting infected with the masksand PPE kits, whichthe filedthrough Delhi government’s coverall/gowns (with or without The courtwas hearingaplea approachedthe Supreme Court, virus.To which, the Delhi govern- Centresays it has providedtothe Additional Standing Counsel aprons), head coverand shoe by petitionerHarnamSinghwho, whichhad givenhim the liberty ment contendedthat it is not capital, does notmatchwith the Gautam Narayan. cover, the benchwas told. through his advocateMehmood to move the High Courtifhehad seekingto contestthe presentpe- logbook of their Department of The hearing wasconducted Taking note of this,the bench Pracha, sought directions that all anyspecific case on the issue. tition as an adversarial litigation. Health’s storagebranch. before abenchofJustices Hima ordered,“In viewofthe fact that sanitation workers on coron- The petitioner claimedthatas Theycontendedthat the “It is respectfully submitted Kohli and Subramonium Prasad thereappears amismatchinthe avirus duty be providedwith the situationisworsening and Department of Health is well thatthe information providedby on Friday. inventoryofthe PPE kits, N-95 proper PPEs and other protective sanitation workers areleftex- awareofthe riskinvolvedinthe the Government of India that The benchwas givendetails masks, gloves, etcbetween what gear likemaskand gloves. posedtoCovidwithoutadequate line of duty of itsemployees, and 3,79,429 N-95 masksand of itemsreceivedbythe GNCTD the Union of India claims in itsaf- The Delhi government’s equipment, some of them have is thereforetaking allpossible 1,16,890PPE (personalprotective fromtheGovernmentof Indiatill fidavit,have beensuppliedtothe Departmentof Healthand Family contracted the virus, exposing measures to ensuretheir safety equipment)kitshavebeen sup- May5,2020. GNCTD, whichthe latter states it Petitioner sought PPEs forsanitation workers. Amit Mehra Welfarealso apprisedthe court their families and community to and security. Women standing in food line caned by Noida sub-inspector

AMILBHATNAGAR NOIDA,MAY 16

ANOIDAPolice sub-inspector has been suspendedafter a video emergedofhim beating up awomanand shoving others in afooddistribution queue. Officials said an enquiry has been setupintothe incident involving sub-inspector Saurabh Sharma, the in- Avideograbofthe cop charge of Sector19police beating the women booth. "It wasbrought to ourno- ticethat avideo ofapolice- shouting at awoman stand- manassaulting women had ing in the middle of the line. gone viral on social media. He then proceeds to hit the Afterverification, it wasfound woman with his cane. thatthe videobelongedto The woman movesbehind Sector 19 and wasshotduring to avoid the blow andthe po- ration distribution,” said liceman hitsher again. VrindaShukla, DCP,Crimes He can also be seen wav- Against Women ing his stickangrilyand shov- “NoidaPolicedoesnot ing other women in the condoneviolenceoncitizens, queue, even as another police- and in viewofthatthe erring man is seenleaning on avehi- policeman has been sus- cleand notintervening. pendedwith immediateef- TheSector19policebooth fect,” she added. falls underSector20police In the video, alongqueue station, and the sub-inspec- of women can be seen outside torreports to SHO Rakesh aration distributioncentre. Kumar. Afew seconds intothe The SHO did notrespond video,Sharma can be seen to calls seekingacomment.

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INTERVIEW Hypertension– The many facets of The impact of Hypertension The Silent Killer hypertension and strokes on COVID-19 outcomes

nIndia, every year almost 10 million ypertension(High Blood Pressure) sper initial reports,itisclear that people suffer from hypertension or is the number one preventable there are some risk factors,including Ihigh blood pressure.Thisdiseaseini- H risk factor for stroke. High blood Ahypertension, heart diseases,ar- tially shows no symptoms and devel- pressure can weaken the arteries rhythmiaetc, that increase the mor- ops,typically,over thecourse of several of the brain, damaging the inner lining of talityrateinCOVID-19patients.Allthese con- years.Its early detection is not easyasusu- the blood vessels and that, in turn, can ditions develop in people with hypertension ally you won’t notice any symptoms.Even causethe blood vesseltoburst (haemor- foralong time.Heartdisease andhyperten- undetected, it can cause serious damage rhagic), or there canbethe formationof sion can independently increase the death to blood vessels and organs,especially the blood clotsinthe brain (ischemic stroke). rate in COVID-19 patients,almost2-3 times. brain, heart,eyes,and kidneys.The symp- Wheneither of the stroke happens,apart of So,aperson whohas COVID-19 and hyper- toms mayoccur after someyears and can the brain is no longer getting the blood tension has chances of succumbing to COVID- include irritation, severe headache,fa- and oxygenitneeds,sothe cells startto 19 at leastdoublecompared to someone who tigueorconfusion, visionproblems,chest die.Every minute,millions of brain cells doesn’t have hypertension. So,that is the pain, difficultybreathing, irregularheart- can die if not treated in time. Strokes can grave impact of hypertension on these pa- beat, and poundinginyour chest, neck, or threaten your ability to think, move and tients. ears.Hypertension is of two types –benign function, ultimately,leadingtodisability. And it is not just death, patient infected essential hypertension (usually hereditary Strokeisthe second most common cause with COVID-19 can get very sick requiring hos- or environmental in nature) andacquired of mortality worldwideand thethird most pitalisation andICU care.They develop acon- Dr.Sameer Gupta, Interventional bloodpressure (due to problems in other common cause of disability impacting your dition calledARDS or AcuteRespiratory Dis- Cardiologist, Endovascular bodyorgans).Most of the cases of hyper- quality of life.Thus,it's very importantto tressSyndrome where your Lungs start to fail, Interventionalist,Director Cardiac Cath tensionare usuallyhereditary or environ- Dr.Purshotam Lal, Director controlyourblood pressure to help prevent develop shortnessofbreath and often require Lab, MetroGroup of Hospitals mental.Since we’re livinginanera of high Interventional Cardiology, Founder & strokes that can lead to life-long disabili- incubation and ventilator support. We have stress,itisimperative to stay abreast re- Chairman, MetroGroup of Hospitals ties.Asimple formula to remember symp- seen from experience in Chinathatpatients tients do notstop these medicines. gardingour healthsoastoavoidany fu- Padma Bhushan,Padma Vibhushan & toms of strokeisFAST-weaknessofthe who have hypertension have twice the chance Another interesting finding that is coming ture complications. Therefore, it is strongly Dr.BCRoy National Awardee Face,Arm, Speech disturbance and Tfor of contracting acuterespiratory distresssyn- up,isthe number of peoplewith heartattacks recommended that everybody should get time –asits important to get to the hospi- drome (ARDS). So,hypertension not only andothermedical emergenciesare avoiding their periodic physical check-ups done.For ture problems.Anewly diagnosedhyper- tal as soon as possible Dr.Sonia Lal Gupta, Director & makesyou very very sick butalsoincreases goingtothe hospital.Thishas beenseen in an earlydetection, peopleagedaround25 tension patientisadvised to takemedica- Having uncontrolled high blood pres- Sr.Consultant Neurologist, Metro yourchances of death. hospitals from the US,Italy,China and even years should get their physical check-ups tions on time,exercise regularly,reduce surecan cause not only major strokes but Group of Hospitals There wassomeinitialconcern if some from our experience in India.Inour practice, done,includingblood pressure readings, weight, lower salt intake, including de- also blockage of the smaller arteries in the commonly used medicines called “ACE In- we are seeing complications from heart at- checked every 2years.Similarly,people stressingexerciseslikeYoga and Medita- brain leading to damage in important parts stopping smoking, controllingyour salt in- hibitors” or “ARB Blockers” are safeinthe tacks that we haven’t seen in 20-25 years above 30 yearsshould gettheir physical tion. In conclusion,hypertension is an un- of the brain affecting memory.This can take, exercising regularly and eatinganu- era of theCOVID-19 pandemic.This concern since angioplasty andstenting havebecome check-ups done, includingblood pressure der-estimated but adangerous problem. If leadtoaconditioncalled Vascular demen- tritious healthy diet, one can help keep wasbrought forward because the COVID - the standard for treatment of heart attacks.Itis readings,checked every1year or so.The it goesundetected for several years,itcan tia where people can start having prob- their bloodpressureunder control. If you 19 virus infectsvia the same ACEreceptors important thatifsomeoneexperiences chest cases of hypertension are rampant among result in huge complicationsfor an individ- lems with their memory that can affect have been prescribed medications for your that is targeted by these medicines.The pain,suddenshortness of breath,palpitations, kids due to their sedentary lifestyle and ual, including strokes,heart attacks, blind- their day to day activity.Other riskfactors of blood pressure,please remember to take medicinesare available as Temisartan, dizziness or any stigmata for which they obesity. ness,kidney failure, and blocking of arteries vasculardementia includeuncontrolled di- them on time, keep abloodpressurediary Olmesartan, Ramipril, Captopril etc. Multi- would otherwise seek medicalattention,then Since high blood pressure damages of legs.Therefore, diagnosisand treatment abetes,highcholesterol etc. andfollowupwithyour doctorregularly. ple research studieshave now confirmed the they should notwastetheir timeand visitthe other organs,itisessential that these kids for hypertension under the care of doctor is It is hence essentialtocontrol hyperten- All these steps can help keep your blood safetyofthese medicines even in patients hospital rightaway. are regularly checked so as to avert any fu- very important. sion through lifestyle modification. By pressureincheck and help prevent strokes. with COVID-19, and it is important that pa- –Abhishek Pathak

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New Delhi WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 4 THESUNDAY EXPRESS,MAY17,2020 THE OUTBREAK TheCity

RECOMMENDATION TO CENTRE Delhi tally past 9,000, more Lockdown4.0:Haryanaproposesto hospitals will offertreatment

patients. ASTHASAXENA At present, eightprivate hos- openshopsusingodd-evenformula NEW DELHI, MAY 16 pitals and sixgovernmenthos- pitals in Delhi aredesignated to WITH 438 freshcoronavirus treat Covidcases. ations. The Centreisstudying all arrangementsshould also be 4.0 shall focus on resuming maxi- cases reportedinthe last24 As manyas1,424patients VARINDERBHATIA suggestionsbeforedrafting the fixed. No tokensshould be al- mumeconomicactivitiesandnor- hours, the capital’s tally areadmittedtothe sixgovern- CHANDIGARH,MAY16 futurecourse. lowed.Initially, essential services malising the situation. The Union crossedthe 9,000 mark, while ment hospitals and 334tofive The final nod will come from people categoryshouldbeal- governmentshouldallowstatesto the toll reached129, includ- private hospitals. HARYANA HAS suggested to the the Centreand Haryana will fol- lowedtoboardthe Metro,”oneof take acall on identifying their re- ingsix deaths reported On Friday, thegovernment central government that all shops lowguidelines and instructions the officers privy to the develop- spective red, orangeand green Saturday. 438 fresh caseswere clarifiedthat the cumulative in main markets andshopping issuedonMay 18. mentstold The Indian Express. zones,”deputy chief minister At the startofthis week, reportedinthe capital on number of deaths so farare complexesbeallowedtoopenin The Haryana government also “Salonsandoptical shopsmay Dushyant Chautalasaid. Delhi had recorded7,233cases Saturday. Amit Mehra wherethe primarycause of the Lockdown 4.0 beginning May mentioned thatifMetro opera- At Gurgaon's Ambience Mall also be allowedtoopenonalter- Till Saturdayevening, and 73 deaths. deathisfoundtobeCovid. 18,irrespective of thezones—red, tions of Delhi MetroRail in March.Malls willcontinue natedays.Odd-evenformula can Haryana had recorded887 Covid Atotal of 1,30,845 testshave Thedeaths have been au- orangeorgreen. However, curbs Corporation areallowedtore- to remain shut. Amit Mehra be implemented forshops in cases, of which360 areactive. been done so far, with 5,656 be- twomoreprivate hospitals for dited by athree-member com- incontainmentzonesshouldcon- sume, extending to Faridabad and main markets and shopping Thirteen people have died, while ing processedinthe last 24 admitting confirmedand sus- mittee formedbythe govern- tinue, the stategovernmenthas Gurgaon, thereshould be some complexes. This formula is easier 514patientsrecoveredand been hours. pected cases on apaymentba- ment to assess all cases where suggested.Shoppingmalls,multi- restrictions. The statehas sug- missionto over25 lakhshopsand to implement and also helps re- dischargedfromhospitals. The highestnumber of sis. BatraHospitaland Research thedeceasedhad tested posi- plexes, educational institutes will gested that to begin with, people industries acrossthe state, resum- duce rush in markets. However, The stategovernment, which coronavirus cases have been Centreand CygnusOrthocare tive forCovid. The datahas continue to remain shut. with Metrosmartcardsshould be ing bus service in at least10dis- shops of essential commodities had sealedits borders with Delhi recordedinMaharashtra Hospital have been askedtoal- been updatedonthe basis of TheCentrehadaskedallstate allowedtoboard the train, which trictsand even allowing schools andchemists continue to remain in Sonepat, Gurgaon, Faridabad (29,100), followedbyTamil locate50and 40 bedsrespec- case sheets receivedfromhos- governmentstosubmit sugges- should notstopatall stops for to resume administrative work. open on all days,” asource in the and Jhajjar,isalsolikelytoreview Nadu (10,108) and Gujarat tively forpatients. pitals. tionson relaxationsto begivenin boarding but onlymain ones. “For Metrooperations,the stategovernment said. itsdecisiononwhether to open (9,931). Lastweek, threeprivate hos- Meanwhile, Delhi govern- the next phase of the lockdown, Haryana has already resumed stategovernment has also sug- “Weexpectthattheuniongov- these borders or relax the traffic Atotal of 408 people have pitals —Fortis,Shalimar Bagh, ment's BabuJagjivan Ramhos- whichwillsee significantrelax- economic activity by giving per- gested that specialseating ernment’sguidelinesforLockdown movement May18onward. been discharged/migrated/re- Saroj Medical Instituteand pital, whichwas shut aftermore coveredsofar in Delhi. Khushi hospital —wereasked than 75 healthcareworkers BRIEFLY The capital has alsoadded to startprovidingtreatmentto tested positive,has reopened. Armyhospital Covid shadow as 15 inmates totreatcops NewDelhi: TheArmy’s test positive at Rohini jail Base Hospital in Delhi Cantonment has ex- tendedits medical facili- tact with officials at other prison force(STF) forcontact tracing. ties to the Delhi Police af- SOMYALAKHANI complexes, including Mumbai’s Goel said, “In this case, contact terarequestwas made NEWDELHI,MAY16 Arthur Road Jail, where158 in- tracing is still on. Moretesting foradmitting Covid-19 matesand 26 staffhad tested will be done if needed, in accor- cases from the force. At THREE DAYS afteraninmateat positive.Goel said, “I have been dancewith ICMR guidelines.” present, sevenpolicemen Rohini Jail tested positive for interacting with other DG On Thursday, The Indian areundergoing treat- Covid-19, at least15morein- Prisons as well... Mutual experi- Express hadreportedthata28- ment at the Base mates and astafferhavecon- ence sharing always helps." year-oldinmateofRohiniJail,who Hospital. Senior Armyof- tracted the virus. Aftercontact An isolation centrehas been underwentasurgeryatDDUhos- ficers told TheIndian tracing, 24 people —inmates built in eachDelhi jail. ARohini pital on May11, had tested posi- Express that the hospital and staffers —atRohiniJail had jail official said thatthe 15 in- tive forthevirus.Thiswasthefirst wasthrownopenfor po- been tested. mates whotestedpositive are reportedcase of the virus across licemen afterarequest by “Wehad conducted Covid-19 under-trialprisoners, underthe the three Delhi prisons. Delhi Police. testing for19inmates of Rohini ageof35years, andaccusedof Goel said that so farnocases Jail who shared thebarracks crimes suchasattempt to mur- have been reportedfromTihar Mancrushed with the firstinmate... 15 out of der,robbery, and assault. “Each Jail and Mandoli Jail, although a these 19 inmateshavetested jail is equippedtoisolateatleast fewinmateshavebeen tested at undertree positive.Fivestaff members 150inmates if it reaches that both.In MandoliJail, an inmate At Dadri Railway Station, from whereatrainleftfor Bihar, Saturday. GajendraYadav were also tested and one (head point, even though we aretak- wastestedafter jail authorities NewDelhi: A36-year-old warden) has tested positive,” DG ing allprecautions.Some bar- receivedinformation that he driverofanOfficeron Prisons SandeepGoelsaid. rackshavebeen emptiedout and had tested positivejustdays be- Special Duty to the Goel said that all 16 who turned intoisolationcentres,and fore he wasjailed. President diedafter atree tested positive areasympto- in eachisolation cell,not more "The information we re- fell on him during heavy On trainfrom Gautam Budh Nagar: matic. “The inmates have been than15positivepeople willbe ceivedwasn't correct,welater rain near the Rashtrapati separatedfromothers. They kept,eventhough it can accom- figured. We gothim tested again BhavanThursday. Police have been kept in theisolation modateover30,” the official said. anyway,and thatresult was said the man, Arshad, was quarantine barrack.The head Everyday,adoctorequipped negative," said Goel. on his wayhome when it Barber, student, factory worker warden is in home quarantine. with aPPE willvisit the isolation Across Delhi prisons,1,056 startedraining. He took Afew other staffers toohave centre. “Thestaff giving them convicts have been releasedso shelter under atree been sent to home quarantine,” food arealso kept separate from faronemergency parole; 2,177 whichfell on him. DCP Notall who registeredturnup, admin said Goel. the rest of the staffand under-trials have been released (New Delhi) Eish Singhal For those in wait Meanwhile, officials of the equippedwith PPE,” said the of- on interimbail; 301inmates re- said he wasrushedto lets those notonlisttoboard train three Delhi prisons —Rohini, ficial. leased on personalbond; and 39 RML hospital wherehe Mandoli and Tihar —are in con- Eachjailhas aspecial task granted specialremission. diedduring treatment. nearesthospitalifsymptoms are outsideNew DelhiRly ASHNABUTANI detected,” said ahealth official. 14newcasesin NEWDELHI,MAY16 District MagistrateSuhas LY Station, some relief More voices said, “In the firstphase, we have Gurgaon,4in THE TRAIN’S whistle at Dadri attemptedtosendpeoplebackto Railway Station at 1pmon their homes in Bihar.This will those who had been shiftedtoa against DU Faridabad Saturdaywas music to the ears of continueoverthe next fewdays. SUKRITABARUAH school in MintoRoad on Friday Radha Devi (33) and her family, We requestpeople to wait pa- NEWDELHI,MAY16 evening. plan for open Gurgaon: Gurgaon who have been waiting 53 days tiently. Theywillreceivemes- “Authorities came at around recorded14new cases of to be able to head home to sages on their phones that will FIVE DAYS afterpassenger trains 7pmand broughtmeand other coronavirus Saturday, Aurangabad,Bihar. serveastrain tickets. People will startedplying, around 100peo- peopletothe school on abus. Our book exam bringing the total count of This is the firstmigrant train be picked up from common ple were shiftedfromoutside temperaturewas checkedbefore those who have tested to have leftfromUP’s Gautam points near theirhomes and NewDelhi railwaystation and we could enterand we have been positive in the district to Budh Nagardistrict. Beforeitleft, brought to therailway station." placedinrelief shelters by district gettingmeals here. Around 20 EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE 193. “Of those who have RajeevRai,the DadriSDM,said, Regardingpeople whodonot authorities. Officials said they peoplefromBihar whohad been NEWDELHI,MAY16 tested positive,seven are “1300people had registeredfor have asmartphone and cannot were also being registeredfor brought with me have already contactsofpersons who this trainonthe jansunwai web- applyonanonline portal, the DM Shramik trains heading to their been put on trains and theyare THE ONLINE openbook exami- tested positive earlier,” site;wewerewaitingfor more to said, "Our team is on the ground, home states as soon as possible. on theirway home. Ihavebeen nationbeingconsideredbyDelhi said aspokesperson of turn up.” Eventually, the train left trying to identify such peopleand Special trains have been leav- told thatmyturnwill come in a University (DU) forits final year the district administra- with 978migrants. makearrangementsfor them.” ing NewDelhirailwaystationto dayortwo,” shesaid. Rahul Gandhi with migrantsonMathura Road,Saturday students hascomeintomorecrit- tion. Meanwhile, new WhenDevi’s familyfirstre- Also on the train wasagroup various statessince Tuesday,car- DM (Central Delhi) Nidhi icism, with severalHeads of cases were also reported ceivedamessage about the train of 20 young men, both workers rying thousands of people. Srivastavasaid authorities are Departments (HoD) speaking out in Faridabad (4), Nuh(4) at 4:30 on FridayfromGautam andstudents. “Westarted walk- Ticketsfor these Rajdhani-type trying to account forpeople be- againstthe decision in ameeting and Jhajjar (2). Budh Nagarofficials, they started ingfromNew Ashok Nagar, but trains have to bebookedandpaid yond those who had been living Saturday. Afew teachershavealso packing immediately.Atthe rail- once we reachedGreater Noida, foronline. However, as TheIndian by the road.“On Fridayevening, Rahul meets migrants, written to PresidentRam Nath ‘AquaLinecan waystation, she said, “My hus- authorities caught us andtold us Express hasbeen reporting from we shiftedout 75 peopleand on Kovind expressing concern. band, abarber in Noida, now we cannotgoany further.This Tuesday, migrant labourers with- Saturday morning, we shiftedan- The Academicsfor Action & resumeif plans to startabusiness in our wasseven days ago, andwehad out tickets aremakinglongjour- other 25 people. We had also told Congress sayspolice Development(AAD),ateachers’ hometown. Everyday forthe last been quarantinedatGautam neys —fromfar corners of the police personnel to referanybody body,claimedthat around 20 lockdownlifted’ twomonths, ourlandlordhas Buddha University ever since. city andevenfromGurgaon, coming to the station without a HoDs had comeout againstthe been asking forrent.When we Eventually, officials helpedus Faridabad and Noida —tothe sta- tickettous, and we have made triedtodetainthem “arbitraryand autocratic deci- Noida: Noida MetroRail went to collect food from cen- registeronthe websiteand now tion everyday in the hope of get- transportavailabletoferrythem sion”oftheuniversityintheirvir- Corporation (NMRC) has tres, we would receive food for we areall on thistrain,going ting on atrain back home. to schools. We areregistering cars and being drivenaway. tual meeting held Saturday. said it is prepared to four instead of six. So my hus- home together,” said Vishal The Indian Express hadFriday them forShramik trains and EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Congress workers,however, An HoD, who did notwish to restartAquaLine services band and Iwould hardly getto Kumar (24), who travelledto counted at least30suchpeople sending them backtotheir home NEWDELHI,MAY16 claimedpolice had firsttriedto benamed, said, “Therewas adis- afterthe lockdown is eat because we would save it for NCRtoappear forhis ITI exami- who had startedstaying on the states at the earliest. We arealso take themigrant workers away cussion on themodeof examina- lifted. In alistofguide- our kids.Athome, food and rent nation. road outside the station entrance. trying to makethispossiblefor THE CONGRESSallegedSunday in abus. tion suggestedbythe university lines releasedMay 16, will notbeabother.” While mostpeoplecarried On Fridayevening, the district people living in the gullies near that police triedtodetain migrant “AfterRahulGandhi left, po- administration in whichseveral NMRCsaiditwill notstop Because the turnoutwas only essentials,Pinki Devi (29), a administration beganshifting the station,” she said. workers who interacted with licecame and asked thepeople spokeagainstthe open book at stations in anyofthe lowerthan expected,authorities factoryworker, “carriedevery- thosecampingoutside the sta- On Saturdaymorning,police party leader Rahul Gandhi at who were speaking to us to get exammode.Therewas also adis- containment zones. made exceptionsfor afew who thingthatweown”.“Afterthe tion and placedthem in schools personnelthere made an an- MathuraRoad on Saturday —a intoapolice bus.Messageswere cussion on whether exams While face masksand were notregisteredand allowed kind of issues that we facedhere, converted intorelief shelters. nouncement on amicrophone charge deniedby the Delhi Police. sent out to party people and cars should be online or offline but thermal screening are them to boardthe train. Among Idonot think Iwant to come Pari (20), atrans woman from that those who were strandedin Rahul spoketoagroup of mi- were arranged andthe workers therewas no consensus.” mandatory, only “those them wasGhanori Ram(38), a back. The children arereally Uttar Pradesh’s Balliadistrict Delhi could boardDTC buses grant workers, who areamong were takenwhere theywanted Four teachers of the university having AarogyaSetuapp dailywagelabourer. “I heard happytogobackhome. My six- who stayed outside the station present outside the station and hundredsonDelhi roads unable to go,” claimedaparty official. also wrotetothe President safestatus will onlybeal- from an acquaintance around month-old daughter will be go- forthree nights,was among avail of thissystem. to afford train faresand trying to Rahul metwithagroup of Saturday, saying the decision lowed” to board Metro. 11.30 am that thereisspace on ingtoher village forthe first walk backtotheir home states. people foraround an hour on the would especiallypush thosefrom the train. My brother and I time,"she said,fillingwater bot- "Rahul Gandhi metsome footpathatMathuraRoad. “He reserved categories, poor back- Palwalcivil packedimmediately andleft. I tles before thejourney. labourers,spoke to them, and had an impromptuhour-long grounds and persons with dis- had appliedonthe websiteear- Another train leftfromDadri left. Local police were present meeting with agroup of 20 mi- abilities “on the wrong sideofthe hospitaltoget lier,but Idid notreceive any to Sasaram on Saturday with and thereweresome Congress grants, including women and digital divide”. itsfirstICU message." 1,524peopleonboard.Trains left workerstoo, whowanted to take children, walking from their “Wehave60per cent of stu- Coaches with acapacity of 75 from Gautam Budh Nagar’s the workers withthem in acar. work site near Ambalatotheir dentscoming from SC, ST,OBC, Gurgaon: The Civil carriedaround 50 people. Health DankaurtoSiwan with1,520 We told them that everyone villagenear Jhansi —adistance EWS, PwD and remote areas like Hospital in Haryana’s teams were stationedtoconduct peopleand to Buxar, with 656 can't be put in one car and that of over 700kilometres… While NorthEastand J&K, who are Palwal is likelytoget its thermal checks —once before people. “Around 70,000 people theyhavetofollowsocial dis- adhering strictlytothe law, at the mostlylacking requisite hard- firstICU next month, with entering the station and again af- had appliedonthe websitetogo tancing norms.Theygot more requestofMrGandhi, volunteers ware and software,” wrote officials from the health tereveryone took theirseats on to Bihar.But keeping their health cars and the labourers leftin from the Delhi Pradesh Congress Assistant Professors Kaushal department saying prepa- the train. "Those withatemper- in mind, we could not register all those cars,"DCP (Southeast) RP Committee steppeduptohelp Panwar,Premchand, Anil Kumar rationsare underwayto atureover100 arenot to board of them. Manywho were regis- Special trains have been leaving from NewDelhi railway Meena said. the groupget back to their vil- and Deepankar. DU Registrarand createasix-bed unit. ENS the trains. Ambulances will be teredhavenot turnedup," said station forvariousstatessinceTuesday. Amit Mehra Police also shared videos of lage,” the Congress leader's of- Dean Examinations did notre- arranged to take people to the the DM. migrant workers getting into fice said. spond to calls and texts.

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Don’t Ignore the liver

■ ABHISHEK PATHAK “Liver is the central pivotal organ intricately How important is the livertoour involved in metabolism of macronutrients body? Whatisacompromised liver? (proteins, carbohydratesand fats), synthesis of Beingthe biggestimmune system of the body,liver is an organ which is meta- proteins, excretion of waste products,storage bolically most active—anything and everything you eatand consume has to and absorption of vitamins and food be metabolised through liver.This means that liverhas to be robust and have pur- constituents in addition to metabolism and poseful healthy function for proper living and performingday-to-daymetabolicac- detoxification of ingested drugs. So it is not tivities. surprising to note that any systemic effect of Acompromised liver means either accu- mulation of fat, known as non-alcoholic eitherlow oxygen in the lungs or falling oxygen fatty liverdisease,diabetes-related fatty liver,obesity, alcoholicliver disease or concentration in the blood, or adrop in blood damagedliver due to other diseases in form HepatitisB,Cetc.These are the major pressure is likely to have alasting, detrimental reasons behindthe compromisedliver these days. effectonthe structure and function of liver. In India, 40% of liver-related disease is Moreover, the liver itself is the organ that due to alcohol, 40% due to obesity,diabetes,irregular eatinghabits, eating at actively participates in defence responseofthe odd hours or consuming junk food, and not having adequate and timelysleep. body by boosting its immunesystem. Once its Theseare thethingsthat are averse to Nature that, in turn, are aversefor our structure or function is compromised, eitherby body constitution. What is decompensated cirrho- physicaldamage or because of diabetes, sis? What does it mean for liver concurrent viral infections, drugsoralcohol, patients? In decompensated cirrhosis, the liver then certainly the immune system won’t be as becomes fibroticand becomes stiff.Evenif 85% of the liver becomes cirrhotic then robust as one would expect or wish it to be the remaining 15% of it is good enough to take care of the normal day-to-day duringthe time of any crisislike the current functioning of the liver as it has that much of reserves.However,oncecirrhotic liver COVID-19 pandemic,” says Dr Anil Arora, starts failing then you start developing Chairman and Senior Consultant, MD, DM, signs likeswelling in the feetcalled pedal edema ,deposition of the fluid in the ab- Institute Of Liver Gastroenterology & dominal cavity called ascites,development of yelloweye called “jaundice” and Pancreatico BiliarySciences, SirGanga Ram vomiting of the blood resulting in “GI Bleeding”. Hospital, New Delhi So,swellinginthe feet,fluid in the abdomen, jaundice,and occurrence of the GI bleeding or “hepatic coma” are the signs that the liver that wasinacompen- sated state, but wasstill functioning has fi- IN INDIA, 40% OF huge problem? nally gotmore fatigued referred to as the TIPS FOR In SARS(in2002),unlikethe COVID-19, decompensated state. In the decompen- LIVER-RELATED Healthy Liver the disease spreaderswereonly those sated state,without aliver transplant, life DISEASES ARE DUE TO people with cough and fever symptoms, spanislimted.Almost90% of people can ■ Stop alcohol whereasinCOVID-19 alarge number of liveinthe compensated state for another asymptomatic and presymtomaticpersons ALCOHOL, 40% DUE TO ■ Lose weight 10 yearsifproper care is taken to ensure have become the disease carriers un- that the liver doesn’t decompensate. OBESITY,DIABETES, ■ Exercise regularly knowingly.This is whyCOVID-19 has However,once the liver decompensates, IRREGULAR EATING ■ In takeofhigh protein. spreadlikeawildfirethroughout the only one thirdwillsurvive over the next ■ Controldiabetes effectively world in ashort span of time.This is the two years.and rest two third will succumb HABITS,EATING AT ■ Lower the amount of salt intake basic differencebetween the first SARS to deteriorating liver disease without liver ODD HOURS OR ■ Take care of your abnormal pandemic (2002) and the current pan- transplantation. Hence,all efforts should lipid profile demic.As per newreports, the chances of be made to keep the liver in acompen- CONSUMING JUNK asymptomatic person spreading COVID- sated state. FOOD 19 is much higher than the personwho If aperson has an underlying has the confirmed infection because such a liver disease.How can he be af- DIABETIC PATIENTS person hopefully is being quarantined or fected if he gets infected with CAN’T BE COMPLACENT kept in self-isolation. Clearly,anasympto- COVID-19? cirrhosis), in which the fatigued liveris maticperson posesthe maximum riskof Since liver is abasic organ responsible looking forwardtoanexcuse to further AND THEY HAVE TO infectiontothe society today. for nutritionand metabolism of food as collapse,inflammation in liverorinany HAVE STRICT CONTROL What arethe facilities that are well as all the drugs that we take, it is im- part of the bodydue to COVID-19 can currently being provided at the Sir munologically most active organ of our quickly result in catastrophic liver failure OF BLOOD SUGAR, GangaRam Hospital with respect to body.Any disease that affects other parts What areautoimmune liverdis- COVID-19 situation? of ourbody in amoderately severe form eases?How arethese peopleaf- LIPID PROFILE, REDUCE At Sir Ganga Ram Hospital,weare doing will definitely have asecondary effect on fectedbyCOVID-19? WEIGHT IF everything to look after the patents in the the liver. InAutoimmune Liver Diseases(AILDs), best possible manner.However,due to the Similar thing happensincase of body’sown immunesystem attacks the OVERWEIGHT AND pandemic, the routine procedures like COVID-19.This diseaseprimarily starts in liver resulting in persistent inflammation MAINTAIN AN IDEAL healthcheck-ups,are being deferred.This is the lungs and then, dependingupon its and injury.This is achronic conditionand being done to avoidcrowdinginhospitals severity,itcan damage the lungs result- can lasts manyyears.Ifleft untreated, it WEIGHT AS PER THEIR andensure social isolation to keep the pa- ing in acute lung injury calledAcute Respi- can leadtocirrhosis and, ultimately,to HEIGHT AND BMI tientssafeand sound.All emergency pro- ratory Distress Syndrome(ARDS). Now, liver failure.AILDs comprisesprimary bil- cedures andsurgeries are being taken care once youhaveaserious disease in the iary cirrhosis (PBC),primary sclerosing of at this hospital. lungs because of COVID-19 part of it may cholangitis(PSC) and autoimmune he- the immunosuppressive medications.This dence that attachment of the virus causes What will be your recommenda- What is yourmessage to the spill over into the liver because of the ex- patitis (AIH). should be strictly done under the super- liver injury.Thereisevidence that the in- tion to people on steroid treat- readersofTheIndian Express? aggerated immune response of our body. In autoimmune liver diseases,the pa- vision and guidance of your doctor. flammation and thedysregulated im- ments? Themessageisloudand clear forliver Thepresence of coronavirus in the body tientisgiven drugs to suppress the over What can be the implications of mune response generated by the body is Thecurrentrecommendationisthat, if patients,whetherinfected by COVID-19 or generates response from ourimmune sys- activitiesofthe immune system to keep it COVID-19 in hepaticdysfunction or responsible for an injury to the lung and possible,try to reduce the dose of steroids, not.Prevention is thebestway of cure. tem, of which liver may be an innocent under check and balance.So, thesepeo- liver failure? part of this cytokine,orpro-inflammatory in consultation with your doctor and not ■Thebest preventive measures include bystanderNow,due to the lackofoxy- ple areimmunocompromised, meaning If you’re infected with COVID-19, your damaging mediatorsofinflammation, on your own.Thedoseshould be reduced regular exercise, maintainingyour ideal gen, alteration in the blood pressure be- their immune system is already overactive nutrition will be affected,immune system tend to spillintothe bloodand secondar- in such amannerthat it does not compro- body weightand blood sugar andlipid pro- cause of theinfection, and due to cy- andyou need to keep it suppressed. How- will be compromised, you may have low ily injure the liver. mise your underlyingdisease and youare filestopconsuming alcohol andensurepre- tokine storm i.e –inflammatory products ever,ifyou keep your immune system sup- bloodpressure andlow oxygen in the How can adiabetic person take still likely to remain stable on that mini- ventive vaccination for HepatitisAand B. arising out of the inflamed lungs,the liver pressed, then you'relikely to getmore in- blood, and you will be on various drugs careofhis liver? mumneededstabilisingdoseasdirected ■ If you already haveanunderlying liver can be secondarily involved. In fact, once fections, from weird anduncommon and antibiotics.All these,inturn, will have Diabetic patientscan't be complacent by your physician. disease then you have to be on your guard the liverisinfected duetoCOVID-19, it pathogens which will not be harmful for a asecondary effect on the liver.Now,ithas and they have to have strict control of Do not reduce the dosetosuch an ex- and go an extra mile,taking strict precau- connotes the advanced stage of the dis- person with normal body defences. alsobeen establishedthatthere are parts blood sugar, lipid profile,reduce weight if tent that it flares up your underlying conditions,including wearingface masks,fre- ease. It is recommended that anybody who of the liver likecholangiocytes ,the lining overweightand maintain an ideal weight tion requiringhospitalisationasthat will quently washing of hands,using hand Hence aperson withunderlying liver is on immunosuppressive drugs to com- of the outflowtrack of the liver called bil- as per theirheight andBMI. do you much more harm than the advan- sanitisers,and avoiding crowdedplaces. disease of any aetiology likehepatitisB, bat such autoimmune liverdiseasesor iary ducts,which tend to harbourthe re- Adiabetic personshould consult his tage of reduction of dose.Therehas to be a ■ If you already have Hepatitis BorC, Hepatitis C,Non-alcoholic fatty liver dis- otherconditions of the guts,likeinflam- ceptorsthat are relevant for the attach- doctor and also avoid all high-calorie stuff balance betweenthe two situations. please continue the medication as advised ease ,alcohol relatedliverdisease and di- matory bowel disease,ulcerative colitis, ment of the virus to those particular likefast food, candies,chocolates,and ice Therefore,the advice is that you should by your doctor. If you haveautoimmune abetes,autoimmune liver disease has a Crohn's colitis,etc., should decrease the receptors.Theseare calledthe ACE-2 re- cream. They should try to reduce total only reduce the dose of steroidsafterhav- liver diseases then takethe dose of high chance of secondaryeffect in the dose of steroids that they are on. It should ceptor.So,ACE-2 receptors are present in calorie intake and maintain ideal body ing consultations with yourdoctor who steroids in consultation with the doctor liver due to inflamed lungs. be decreased so as to strikeabalance of the biliary system to which this virus weight. Proteinscan be taken in good has the knowledge of your past medical only.Ifyou have decompensated liverdis- Similarly,people with decompensated continued immunosuppression and risk can attach. quantity,while substantiallyrestricting the history. ease,takeextraprecautions to protect advanced liver diseases (decompensated of flair of the disease after reduction of However,asofnow,there is no evi- fatsand calories in the diet. How has COVID-19 become such a yourself from COVID-19.

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Food being distributed to migrantswaiting to be screened fortrain travel, in Ludhiana on Saturday. GurmeetSingh

MigrantsfromMaharashtraontheir waytoWestBengal, in Ranchi on Saturday. PTI

Survivors of the accident in Auraiya outside the THE RUSH CONTINUES district hospitalon Migrant workers waitingfor atrain to UP,atLokmanya Tilak Migrantsworkers at Chandigarhrailwaystation rushing to registerfor atrain to Bihar,onSaturday. Kamleshwar Singh Saturday. PTI Terminus in Mumbai, on Saturday. Pradip Das,

MOST AURAIYA VICTIMSWORKED IN JAIPUR Drivingauto from BYTHENUMBERS Delhi to Bihar, In MP, eight Migrantskilledinaccidentsacross country couple killedin 119 since lockdown moremigrants UTTAR PRADESH 54 MAHARASHTRA: 24 UP accident MAY16: 26 dead (24in MARCH 28: 4run over by Auraiya, 2inUnnao) trucknear Mumbai EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE die inmishaps MAY14: 7dead (3 in APRIL 28: 1killedon Barabanki, 2inJalaun, 1 Malegaon-Mumbai Agra Rd LUCKNOW,MAY16 killedwhen avehicle rammed eachinJaunpur,Bahraich). MAY7:3killedonShirpur- AMIGRANT worker and his MILINDGHATWAI intothe backofthe thetruckhe MAY13: 6dead in Mumbai Agra Road wifewerekilled on Saturday BHOPAL,MAY16 wastraveling in. The incident Muzaffarngar MAY8:16 run over by train morning when theautothey happenednear Gavghationthe MAY11: 2dead in in Aurangabad were travelling intoget to MADHYAPRADESH on Saturday Agra-Mumbai Road in the after- Gorakhpur RAJASTHAN: 6 Darbhanga district washit by a witnessedyet another chain of noon. MA 5: 6dead in Mathura MAY8:6dead in Sirohi mini-truckonthe Lucknow- road accidentsinvolving mi- Nagalwadi Police Station in- MAY8:1dead in Lucknow Agra Expressway in Bangarmau grantsthat lefteight of them charge MajharKhan said the BIHAR: 4 region of Unnao district. dead and at least29injured. truckwas carrying45migrant MAY7:2dead in Lucknow MAY14: 2dead in The couple’s eight-year-old In the deadliestofthree inci- labourers from Mumbai to MAY12: 3dead in Kanpur Samastipur son Krishna, who wastravelling dentsthat took place Saturday, Azamgarh. Dehat MAY5:2deadinArrah with them, survivedthe acci- four women and twomen were Morethan 25 migrantshave MARCH 29: 1dead in Survivors of theAuraiya accident admitted to adistrict hospital on Saturday. VishalSrivastav dent, officials said. killed, and twelve were injured, losttheir livesinroad accidents Rampur UTTARAKHAND: 3 The deceasedwereidenti- afteratruckoverturnednear in Madhya Pradeshinrecent MAY15: 3dead in fied as Ashok Chowdhary(35) Buxwaha in Chhatarpur district days. MADHYA PRADESH 24 Champawat -who usedtodrive an auto in on the Sagar-Chhatarpur road. MP seeksadvance MAY16: 6dead between CHHATTISGARH: 2 Delhi-and his wifeChhoti(33). Agroup of 20 migrantshad Sagar and Chhatarpur AtJaipurunit,workers The familyhad leftthe national boardedthe truckatBhopal and notice from states APRIL21: 2migrant capital forDarbhangaonFriday. were on their waytoSidharth The stategovernment on MAY15: 3dead near Guna workers dead According to the police, the NagarinUttar Pradesh.The over- Saturdaywrote to Chief MAY14: 9dead near Guna JHARKHAND: 2 auto hadpulledovertothe side loadedvehicle wasreturning Ministers of sevenstatesseek- MAY9:6dead near MAY10: 2dead in of the highway and Krishna had from atextile unit in Budhni in ing advance intimation of the Narsinghpur Ramgarh saynotpaidformonths steppedout to relieve himself Madhya Pradesh. movement of migrant workers. when atruckrammedthe ve- Buxwaha police station in- “Though we arearranging hicle from behind. charge RNTiwari told The Indian food, vehicles and medicines “Wedid overtime in March centive forus. If at all we com- Both Ashok and Chhoti suf- Express that the driverwas al- free of cost to the migrants, the Oppn takes on Yogi govt, HAMZAKHAN and areyet to be paid forit. It’s as plain we aretold that we arefree feredserious injuries, they legedly drunk and wasamong system falls apart because we JAIPUR,MAY16 good as forgetting about it now. to leave,” the employeesaid. added.Local residents rushed the injured.Heand the cleaner don’tget to knowhow manyare And we don’t knowwhen we Theysay that their colleagues in the couple to ahospital where had chargedRs1,000 eachfrom reachingMP, at what time and Centre over migrant deaths AT ONE of the Jaipur unitsofRSG willbepaidfor April,” said an- Mahlan too, who worked under theyweredeclared the travellers. by what means (of transport),’’ Stones, namedafter itsfounder other,astheycrowd around a acontractor,wereunhappy ‘brought dead’. Five of the migrantsdiedon Chief MinisterShivraj Singh NewDelhi/Lucknow: Hitting out tion as to whythe government is RadheyShyam Gupta, workers mobile phone to see gruesome about the wages. The bodies were sent fora the spotand oneonthe waytoa Chouhan wrotetohis counter- at the BJP government in Uttar notfacilitatingmigrantlabourers’ talk about long working hours images of the accident. Theysay As per their website, RSG post-mortem, Bangarmau hospital. The injured persons partsinMaharashtra, Gujarat, Pradesh, the Congress and the journey back to their homes. and delayedwages.OnSaturday, that their co-workers who died Stones identifies itself as “a lead- Police Station Circle Officer were treatedatBanda in Sagar Rajasthan, Jharkhand, SamajwadiPartycalledthedeath TheUPunitof theCongressac- several of the 24 workers,who in the accidentworkedinabig- ing stonemining and processing Gaurav Kumar Tripathi told The district andthose critical were Karnataka, Telangana and of migrantworkersinaroadacci- cusedthestate governmentof be- diedinanaccident in Auraiyain gerunit in Mahlan, whichis company in India.RSG Stones Indian Express. Krishna suf- referred to the districthospital Chhattisgarh. dentinAuraiyaonSaturday“mur- ing insensitive towardsthe plight Uttar Pradeshusedtoworkat about 44 kilometres away from has operated successfullyinthe ferednoinjuryand is currently in Sagar. “In the absence of advance ders”,whiletheBSPaskedparties of migrant workers and de- RSG Stones, whichhas at least theirworkplace in VKI. stone industry foroveraquarter with officials of the district’s In Guna district, atempo car- intimation, manyworkers ar- in powertorise above petty poli- mandedAdityanath’sresignation. twounitsinJaipur alone. Another employeesays,“The of acentury, bringingyou the Child Line, apolice officer said. rying afamilytrying to reach rive simultaneously, derailing ticsand ensurethe safety of mi- Samajwadi Partychief At theRSG unit in managers couldn’tcareless. We world’s fineststone products The police have seizedthe DharaviinMumbai overturned the arrangement. Manywork- grantstryingto returnhomeamid AkhileshYadavtweeted,“Let’ssee Vishwakarma Industrial Area usedtoworkfrom7am to 7pm and solutions.Weare pioneers truckbut the drivermanaged while avoidingabike. Sharafat ers getdisturbed andcreatelaw the lockdown. forhow longthoseheartlesspeo- (VKI), the workers, talking to The but afterthe Union government in Marble and QuartziteMining to escape, said Bangarmau Ali, 45, diedwhile 11 others were andorder situation. Theythem- In Kolkata, the TMC slammed ple and their supporters would Indian Express,said that their came up with orders foracom- in Rajasthan,India.” PoliceStation House Officer injured,two of them seriously, selvessufferdue to this,’’ said the Centreoverthe incident and justify this negligence despite wageshavebecome irregular in plete shutdown between7pm It says that itsunitsin ShyamPal Singh. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Chouhan, highlighting thelack blamedits “botched-up lock- knowingeverything. These are the lastcoupleofmonths.“For to 7am, themanagers merely Rajasthan “areequippedwith Uttar Pradesh Chief Shivani Gargsaid. The familywas of coordination between the down” and “arrogant” approach notdeathsbutmurders.”BSPchief March,wegot our payfor the changed our timings to 7amto6 Italian Breton and Socomac ma- MinisterYogi Aditynath an- returning from Pratapgarhin states. On Saturday, he asked forthe suffering of lakhs of them MayawatiaskedAdityanathto en- firstten days onlyonApril 17.For pm, so thatsome of us can go chinery, yielding more than nouncedanex-gratia of Rs 2 Uttar Pradesh, whereithad been collectors to ensurethat work- acrossthe country. surethathis directivesonthe the remaining days of March,the backintime.” 200,000 sq. ft.ofpolishedslabs lakhtothe next of kinand di- stuckdue to thelockdown. ers travelling on overloaded In Delhi, Congress leader safetyofstrandedlabourers re- payment came in the firstweek “Duringapandemic we have annually.”Calls to Ashish Gupta, rected officials to make In Barwani district, Aniket trucks aremadetoget off, and PriyankaGandhiVadrasaidthein- turning homewerebeing imple- of May,”aworkersaid, request- to cook our ownfood and work CEO of RSG Stones, went unan- arrangementstosend thebod- Thakur (22), aresidentof vehicles arranged fortheiron- cidenthas again raisedthe ques- mented by the officials. PTI ing anonymity. too. Thereisnorelief or anyin- swered. iestoBihar. AzamgarhinUttar Pradesh, was ward journey. Post-lockdown, quick At Odisha quarantines, migrants Institute suspends Kashmiri turnaround of Kerala being trained as health workers studentover alleged post economy unlikely: study knewthatnot onlythousands son then boardsabus to thedes- to her,but her photograph has Agarwalsaid the collegetook DIPANKARGHOSE but lakhs of migrantswillreturn. ignated quarantine centrein LALMANIVERMA been used. theaction as a“responsible insti- self-defeating. Hence we call for NEWDELHI,MAY16 The government decided to in- their block,”hesaid. DEHRADUN,MAY16 According to collegeauthor- tution”. “Anyfurther action will EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE linking the producers directly volvepanchayats and theywere “In -morning, theyhave ities,inresponse to theallega- depend upon the findings of in- THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,MAY16 with the consumers by making THE ODISHAgovernmenthas giventhe responsibility to setup physicaltrainingfor an hour. APRIVATE engineering college— tions the girltooktoTwitterand quirythatwillbedonebythe po- effectiveuse of the existing insti- startedconducting training ses- quarantine centres. We arecall- Afterbreakfast, thereisaCovid JB InstituteofTechnology (JBIT)— said, “ActuallyIwant to sayall of lice,” he said noting that he has ASTUDYcommissionedbythe tutional architectureand en- sions formigrantsreturning to ing them temporarymedical class.Weare going to develop in Dehradun on Saturday sus- ew that um notaterroristnor a sentacomplaintby emailto Cyber Kerala governmentonthe eco- couraging newinnovative inter- the statetogroom them into camps. As of today, in about them intocommunityhealth pendedaKashmiri girlstudent supporterofterrorism. Ihad Crime police to informabout the nomic and fiscal impact of Covid- ventions,’’ stated the study, community healthworkers. 7,000panchayats, we have setup workers. Once apersonleaves forallegedly makingobjection- deletedmyIGidbeforelock- matter. 19 in the state has stated that an conducted by ateam ledbyGIFT Thesesessions arebeingcon- around 15,000 camps. The bed the quarantine, goes home, he able posts on social media. The down. This is my fake ID my He said that in one post, the immediateturnaround of the Director Prof KJJoseph. ducted at panchayat-level quar- capacity is about 6lakh. will work as abasic health ex- girlisstudentofBTech (Civil name is (name) instead of dateshownisthatof February14, economyafterthelockdownends On the stimulus package, it antinecentres where themi- Currently1lakhpeople arestay- pertfor hishome, his lane, his Engineeringthirdyear) and be- (name) but yeah these pics are 2019 andthepostwasinreference is unlikely. It estimated that a said the Union government grantshavetostayfor awhile ing, but this number is increas- community.Hewill be able to longs to Srinagarwhere she is at mine. That’s yumtweeting. Ire- to thePulwama attackonthe stimulus packageofRs17,000 couldtransfer moneydirectlyto following their return. ing everyday.” tell people whatsocial distanc- present. spect india army. Jai Hind (sic).” same date lastyear. croreisrequired to revive the producers of goods and services The stategovernment is also Singh said, “Wethought that ing means, howtotakecareof In the letter,ithas been said Agarwal, however, said that Agarwalsaid he and other Kerala economy. and workers, or give it to the offering an honorarium of Rs 150 since these people arestaying, it old peopleand so on,” Kulange thatthe InstitutehaD received the girlhad been suspended to collegestaff and studentshad re- The study wasconducted by stategovernment foronward per dayfor thoseatthe quaran- would be agoodidea if theyare said. Afterlunch,thoseliving at some screen shots mentioning prevent anyaggression among ceivedthese screen shots from an theGulatiInstituteofFinanceand transfers. tine centres who want to con- sensitised about variousaspects the quarantine centrecan vol- thatthegirl haspostedhighlyob- other studentsand people be- unknown number.Hesaid that Taxation (GIFT), an autonomous The reportestimates loss of tributeindailywork. of notonlyCovid,but other is- unteer forwork. “Then thereis jectionablecontent on social me- cause some had contacted him in screenshot, the girlhad reacted instituteofthestategovernment, stateoutputdue to the lockdown, Odisha has seen asharp rise sues too. So we involved agen- entertainmentinthe evening dia.“As JBITGroup of Institutions over phone on the issue. He said on some posts and her reaction in Thiruvananthapuram. shortfallinrevenue receipts of in the number of Covid-19cases cies like UNICEF.Theyare train- and dinner,” Kulangesaid. is always strongly againstthese the local police as well as the cy- washighlighted as an “anti-na- It has predicted three months the government, loss of earnings following the return of migrants. ing panchayat-levelofficers,civil Singhsaid, “If these people kindofanti-national and anti-so- bercell hadbeen communicated tional” act. as the recovery period formost of the self-employedand work- Ganjam district, forinstance, had society members, Asha and want to volunteer forworksuch cialactivities hereby we strongly with arequest to checkthe au- AfterthePulwamaattack,sev- sectors. However, adverseeffects ers as well as the finances re- twocases on May2,but is now Anganwadi workers who are, in as cooking, development of the condemnthisactivity,” read the thenticity of the screenshots eral rightwing organizations had will likely last sixmonths forsec- quired to revive the economy. the worsthit-districtinthe state turn, training the returnees.” school, whichmostofthese letter.College Director Amit and posts. staged protestagainst Kashmiri tors suchastourism, entertain- The finance of the stateiscru- with252 cases and 1death. The Ganjam Collector Vijay centres have been setupin, Kumar Bansal, who issuedthe The Cyber Crimepolice sta- studentsinDehradunlastyear. ment and travel. ciallydependent on the state’s statehas so farreported737 Kulangesaid, “Morethan 45,000 theywillbeRs150 perday as suspensionletter,wasunavailable tion in-charge Bharat Singh said “When some posts were The studystatedthat agricul- GSDP,whichwas hitbysupply cases of Covid-19and three peo- people have returnedtoGanjam honorarium. This is to keep forcomment. hehasnotreceivedanycomplaint made againregarding that inci- turehas to be the centrestage of shockand demand shock. ple have died, according to an so far. We have developeda them engaged and informed. Collegedeputyregistrar from the college. The Sahaspur dent, then collegehad to be cau- anyrecovery package. The supplyshockonsectors Odisha government dashboard. counter system at the railway Ultimately, theywillgobackto Dinesh Agarwal saidthatthe girl police station senior sub-inspec- tious and have areplyreadyif “Interventionsinthe sphereof heavilydependent on other DKSingh, Principal station. Theyscreen the migrant, their villages and though we wascontacted on Saturday and torRavindra Negi toohad the someone askswhat the institute production alone,without con- states is likelytobeharder and Secretary, Panchayati Rajand register him,stamp him andgive have amassive information she had deniedthe allegations sameresponsewhenaskedabout didinthematter. Thesuspension- comitant initiativesonother moreprolonged than those with Drinking WaterDepartment, him abottle of water, packed campaign, theywillbethe best and she also claimedthat the ID information givenbycollegeau- letterhasbeenpostedoncollege’s parts of the value chain, could be supplychainswithin the state. told The Indian Express, “We food and tissue paper.The per- type of messengers.” shown in the postdid notbelong thorities. facebookIDaswell,”Agarwalsaid.

New Delhi WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM THE SUNDAYEXPRESS,MAY17,2020 EXPRESS NETWORK 7 Kerala to take classes to homes of 45 lakh students

vealedonly6per cent of school- schools from the lowerprimary Kerala is over 90 per cent. SHAJUPHILIP going students do nothaveaTV to highersecondarylevel that Sadath said all local cable TV THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, or smartphones at their homes. followstate boardsyllabus. operators arealready telecasting MAY16 All our schools from lowerpri- These includebothstate-runand VICTERS Channel. “Wehavere- marytohigher secondaryhave privately-run schools. questedthe Uniongovernment TO TIDE over the disruption in at leastone smartclassroom, The classes over Internet and to issue adirection to all DTH studies owing to thelockdown, wherethe online classes can be TVwould mainlybefor students service providers to include the Kerala education department live-streamed. In areas where from Class Vonwards. VICTERS channel.Studentscan has decidedtotakeclasses to the studentsdonot have accessto A2018survey by Cyber also access the sessions on homes of about 45 lakh school delivery platforms at their Media Research,amarketintel- YouTube,’’ he said. studentsfromJune 1. homes, we can take them to ligence firm, had found Kerala He said teachers would also Arecent survey by the de- smartclassroomsattheir ledthe countryinsmartphone be part of the online classes partmentfound 94 per cent of schools while maintaining social penetration. Smartphone pene- through social media groups studentsinstate boardschools distancing,’’ he said. tration in Kerala is 65 per cent as connecting studentsand would have access to InternetorTVat As per datafor the lastaca- compared to the all-India figure collect feedbackfromstudents home. The survey coveredstu- demic year,Kerala has 16,028 of 47 per cent. TVpenetration in and correct their worksheets. dentsuptoClass XIIwho areen- rolledinstate boardschools. The classes would be telecast through educational channel IT@SchoolVICTERSbyKerala Infrastructureand Technology forEducation (KITE), nodal agency forInformation and Communication Technology (ICT) education in stateschools. KITE chief executive officer K AnvarSadathsaid taking online classestostudentsisnot ahur- dle in Kerala. “Our survey re- Kerala hires four private weather forecasters

Pune: The Kerala government Saturdayhired four private weather forecasters forayear and said it would use weather services andwarningsissuedbythe India Meteorological Department (IMD) onlyfor “comparison” ahead of issuing alerts. In asanction order issuedby the Kerala StateDisaster Management Authority, weather services have been sought from Skymet, IBM Weather Company, Earth Networks andWindy.These firms have been granted permis- sion to source appropriate weather prediction and moni- toring tools on apilotbasis, ini- tiallyfor improving “extreme alerts”inKerala. A10per cent budget from the StateDisasterRelief Fund (SDRF) has been allotted towardspro- curement of services from these private agencies. TheKerala government has frequentlybeen critical of the IMD, blaming the latter fornot issuing timely weather warnings. ENS ADVERTORIAL * The Indian EXPRESS An initiativeby

"WE SALUTE THE COVID WARRIORS" The SpectreofCoronavirus As India continues to grapplewith COVID-19, it is time to shift focus to reviving the economic activities in the country sooner than later ■ABHISHEKPATHAK out 6% of India’sentirepopulation. India’sfatality rate continues to be around 3.3% and the Fast forward to acentury later,in2020,theworld is recovery rate has climbed up to 29.9%, as against spectre is hauntingthe worldtoday –the spectre again at loggerheads with novel coronavirus (COVID- Italy’s13%,4.3% in the US,9.73% in Spain,and 12%in Social Activist salutesthe Corona Warriors. of Coronavirus.This global crisis hasbeen 19), apandemic, which has thrownnormal life outof theUK. Theaverage global death rate is 5.98%.The Anamed amany name –apandemic, an un- gearscreating pandemoniumpanic.Notably,the pan- doubling rate in India has been about 12.2 days in the KnowAbout Jeevan KumarMittal.Jeevan Kumar Mittal has madeevery effort to precedented crisis,and acatastrophe of multiple di- demichas beencausing havoc in even the most devel- pastfew days.All thesedataindicate that India has makethe President's Secretariat aware of various problems of the common mensionsaffectingmultitude of human lives and cre- oped countries with much improved healthcare sys- fared betterthan many developed countries. man daily since 2012. Thousands of government's shortcomings,mistakes, atingaworldwide pandemonium. tems.However, the entire Westernworld is currently Not since the Great Depression in the 1930s,the careless people have been sent to the highest platform with full courage in the Asimilar situationexisted almost acentury back in in the grip of this menace and is finding it tough to deal world has seen such amagnanimous global recession public interest with practical solutions.Severalsuggestions sent by Jeevan Ku- 1918, when the world wasgrappling with the Span- with the pandemic. spreading through the lengths and breadths of geo- mar Mittalhave been implementedbythe Government of India. More than ish Flu.In many of its comparisons,COVID-19 has been Thecoronavirus pandemic has intensifed in India, graphies and which hasdoused thedemand for every 3500 topics have been written so far.All letters are available here:www.face- most likened withSpanish Flu,which decimatedbe- with caseloadssoaring in hard-hit states suchasMa- commodity,from crude oil to fresh flowers,except es- book.com/LettersToPresident. Jeevan Kumar Mittal is the only one to raise thousands of problems tween 50 and 100 million lives worldwide —possibly harashtra and Gujarat and new hotspots flaringinal- sentiallive-saving commodities.Itisthusvital and nec- of the common man, the problems boldly on the highestplatform. more than bothworld wars combined —withIndia most every state.There’sbeen aspikeincases after essary to restore the health of our economybefore it is Billions of people face millions of problemsinmillions of works in thousands of departments of being severely affected by it. TheSpanish Flu wiped easing of lockdownnorms in its third phase, however, too late to do so. governments,but the common man is unable to convey commonproblemstothe government, the legislature,the executive,the judiciary.Everyone's slogan: Not here,gotothe Concerned. The common man never reaches the Concerned in the spacious hall on the huge floor of the vast SALUTE TO ALL CORONA WARRIORS ministry.The common mancan send every problem to the President online.The link is: HEARTFELTGRATITUDE & https://helpline.rb.nic.in/GrievanceNew.aspx. Jeevan Kumar Mittal has sent more than3000 com- SALUTE TO CORONA WARRIORS MAHAN ADVERTISING mon problems related to common man on the above site.All posted on www.FaceBook.com/Let- AND MARKETING Om Sai Ram tersToPresident.Youcan watch themanytime. ALL NEWSPAPERAND MAGAZINEADVERTISEMENTS Jeevan Kumar Mittalfrom 2012 to date wrote various criticisms,deficiencies, legal inconsis- tencies,troubles,negligence,protest, suggestions,etc. relatedtothe working municipality,judiciary, SaiAdvertising legislature etc. on more than 3500 different topics,inmatters of publicinterest,the above site.Re- Proprieter: JITENDRA PRASAD SINGH quests are sent to Most of hisletters and repliesreceived from various departments are posted on Phone No.7042590693, 9350304609, (NewspaperAdvertisement Agency) www.FaceBook.com/LettersToPresident. Peopleare unable to tell their various needs,problems, Anil Arora issuesofmind, thinking etc. on anyplatform. Criticism of work council, judiciary,legislatureetc. is Address: A-3, Basement, Christian Colony,Patel Chest, 9811117748 not crime, contempt,treason, loss of value etc.Thesite receives about 2000 requests every month, Delhi-110007.B/O 2031, Outram lines Kingsway Camp, Court Seat: Central Hall,TisHazari Court, of which around 4% are from Jeevan Kumar Mittal. Suggesting to improve the system is patriotism Opp.Nulife Hospital, Delhi-9 Delhi-110054 and indirect public representation. Residence: 10713, Second Floor,Street No.12 Jeevan Kumar Mittal -9810538183 Email:[email protected], Pratap Nagar,Delhi -110007 [email protected] [email protected] Email [email protected]

*(READ. ENGAGE. DELIVER.)ISTHE MARKETINGSOLUTIONSTEAMOFTHE INDIAN EXPRESS GROUP

New Delhi WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 8 THE OUTBREAK THE SUNDAY EXPRESS,MAY17,2020

LOCKDOWN 3.0ENDS TODAY Statesseek more say, want to open up further Separate Whilesome states have suggested to theCentretoextend the lockdown, mostwant to containment CORONA decide on zones and restrictions whenthe third phase of the lockdown ends WATCH HARYANA to open liquor outlets andallow Haryana has suggestedto dining at restaurantsmaintain- planforlarge Centrethat all shops in main ingsocialdistancing. markets andshopping complexes shouldbeallowedto TAMIL NADU open in the Lockdown 4.0 begin- The government has re- outbreakareas ning May18, irrespectiveofthe questedthe Centrenot to resume zone. However, thecurbs in con- regularair,rail services tillMay 31, tainment zones shouldcontinue, exceptspecialtrains formigrants. oneormore districts thatarecon- the state government has sug- Sources said gyms, cinemas, ABANTIKAGHOSH tiguous basedonthe distribution gested to the Centre.The shop- malls andreligiouscentrecentres &DIPANKARGHOSE of cases and contacts.” ping malls, multiplexes, educa- will remain closedinthe statetill NEWDELHI,MAY16 All ILI/SARI cases reportedin tional institutes will continue to further orders. Indicating that the the last14days by the Integrated remain shut. Haryana govern- stateislikelytoextendthe lock- IN Atacitadmissionthat thefight Disease Surveillance Programme Peopleline up for ment has also suggestedthatif down till May31, all public places againstCovid-19inurbanareasis (IDSP) in the containment zone rationinBengaluru the Metrooperations of DMRC suchasparks and beaches also hobbledbythelack of fieldhealth will be trackedand reviewedto on Friday. PTI areallowedtoresume, it should will beclosedtill this month-end, workers, the Centrehas issueda identifyany missedcaseof Covid- have some restrictions, includ- barring exceptions forindustries guidance document thatcalls 19 in thecommunity.The docu- ing allowing onlypeoplewith and some individual shops. uponmunicipalauthoritiesto get mentsdrawontheexperiencesof BIHAR MetroSmart cards. Salons and all hands on deck. This includes 2009 H1N1Influenza pandemic optical shops mayalso be al- Ahealth worker screening visitors at ahospital in ShimlaonSaturday. Pradeep Kumar WESTBENGAL notjusthealth andsanitation on geographic quarantine. Migrant dies lowedtoopenonalternate days. Afterparticipating in the workers on their payroll but any In what could be asign of after snakebite Haryana Deputy Chief Minister videoconferencing with Prime availablemanpowerinnearbyar- things to come in Lockdown 4.0, Dushyant Chautala has sup- non-containment areas,the CM in Assam,” Sonowalsaid. State RAJASTHAN Minister, Mamata Banerjee an- easwhoseinformationcanbeac- when morerelaxations areex- at health centre portedrestarting of domestic announced, adding that lock- health minister HimantaBiswa Chief MinisterAshok Gehlot nouncedthat the State cessedthroughtheCovidWarriors pected,the containment plan flightsaswell as opening of down details will be announced Sarma had said that the govern- has suggested that afterlock- Government will divide the Red website. says:“All mass gathering events Patna: A22-year-oldmigrant schools and universities. by Mondayafter going through ment told the Centrethat it down 3.0, the states should get Zone in three parts. The government has also and meetingsinpublic or private worker,who had reached Centre'sguidelines. The chief does notwanttofollowthe con- to decide the zones and restric- asked forreligious leaders to be places, in the containment and Motihari from Jaipur on PUNJAB ministersaid the stategovern- ceptofclassification by zones — tions. TELANGANA usedascommunityvolunteersfor bufferzonesshall be cancelled/ Fridaynight, diedafter being From May18, therewill be no ment has asked theUniongov- red, orangeorgreen —and The Telangana government better outreach. bannedtill suchtime, the area is bitten by asnakeataprimary curfew in the state, but the lock- ernment forasimpler categori- rather go by localisedcontain- KERALA has issued orderspermitting Thereare 30 municipal areas declaredtobefreeofCOVID-19or health centre. Hari Raiwas down willbethere till May31, sation of containment zones. ment zones. Kerala wantstoresume in- shopsand establishmentsdeal- whichcurrentlyconstitute79per theoutbreakhasincreasedtosuch bitten on Fridaynight and said chief ministerAmarinder tra-state passenger trains, doing with automobiles and their cent of India’s case load. These scales to warrant mitigation diedataquarantine centrein Singh. He indicated the resump- ASSAM BIHAR mestic flightswithin state, metro spare-parts,air-conditioners and areBrihanMumbai, Greater measures instead of EastChamparanonSaturday. tion of limited public transport The Assam governmenthas Bihar Chief Minister Nitish rail service, intra-district public air-coolers in the redzone to re- Chennai, Ahmedabad, Thane, all containment.” Rai's familyalleged that services and the "maximum recommended to the Centreto Kumar has demandedextension transport, auto-taxi and restau- main open in Hyderabad and Delhi MCs, Indore, Pune, Kolkata, Health secretaryPreetiSudan though he had complained possible relaxation" in the non- extend the Covid-19lockdown of lockdown till May-end as rant services when the third municipal bodies. Chief Minister Jaipur,Nashik,Jodhpur, Agra, on Saturdayheld ameeting with about the snakebite, the PHC containment zones from May18. by twomoreweeks. "In addi- Covid case continues to surge.He phase of lockdown ends on May KChandrasekhar Raohad said Tiruvallur, Aurangabad, themunicipalauthoritiesinthese doctors, who asked him to The containment zoneswill be tion, we have submittedtothe has asked the Centretoaugment 17,said the stategovernment in lockdown in the statewould Cuddalore, Greater Hyderabad, 30 places to discuss the govern- stay thenight, did notoffer sealedtoenable theresumption Centreour viewonhow lock- the testing capacity to 10,000 itssuggestions to thePrime continue as it is. Surat, Chengalpattu,Ariyalur, ment’sCovid strategy. anytreatmentand sent him of shopsand smallbusinesses in down should be implemented samples per dayfrom2,200. Minister. Kerala is also planning -ENS Howrah, Kurnool, Bhopal, On Saturdaymorning,India to aquarantine centre, where Amritsar,Villupuram, Vadodara, overtook Chinainthe number of his condition deteriorated. Udaipur, Palghar, Berhampur, Covidcasesafteritstotalcaseload Police took him to to a Solapurand Meerut. touched85,940, with 3,970 new Motihari hospital wherehe According to 2011 Census casesand103deathsinthelast24 diedduringtreatment. ENS To streamline Inform of Shramiktrain need, thereare 2,613 towns/cities with hours. So far, 30,152 people have suchsettlements with 6.54crore recovered. MAHARASHTRA populationresiding in 1.39 crore The guidance document on Another death movement of Rlys tells ground-level staff households, representing 17.4 of preparedness and response to allurban population. This would Covid-19 in urban settlements in Mumbai have increasedsince that time. prepared by the Directorate Uttar Pradesh. “Thisisveryim- parelists of strandedlabour and In what seemedtobeprepa- General of Health Services says: policeforce migrants, Centre AVISHEKGDASTIDAR portant considering the situation destination and applyto ration forgreater flexibilityto “Inmostcities/towns the disease NEWDELHI,MAY16 prevailing in the countrynow,” Railways through the Statenodal states, the HealthMinistry surveillance system is notaswell Mumbai: An assistant police the instructionssaid. officer,” Goyaltweeted,adding, brought out twocontainment organisedasinrural areas. This is inspector who tested positive launches portal THE RAILWAYS,which is run- Divisional railway managers “Along with this, the District plan documents: one forlarge moresopronouncedinthese ur- forCovid-19 diedatacivic ning Shramik Special trains daily who receivedthe communica- Collectors shouldgivealist and outbreaks, and one forothers. A ban settlements. Hencethe sur- hospital on Saturday, an offi- to take strandedmigrantshome, tion told TheSunday Express that destinationtothe StateNodal large outbreak is definedasan veillance system shall be cial said. The 33-year-old offi- The development comes instructed itszonal authorities this was, in away,reiteration of Officer of Railways.” area with 15 or morecases. strengthenedfor surveillance cer,attachedtoShahu Nagar DEEPTIMANTIWARY againstthe backdrop of mi- on Saturdaytoensure that some communications on the In the political circles, it was Both documentsleftout the and contact tracing mechanism. policestation in Dharavi, was NEWDELHI,MAY16 grantswalkinghome hundreds ground-levelfunctionaries, like same lines in the past. at firstviewedasapreludeto size of the perimeterofthe con- This would include identification found unconscious at his of miles away and severalinci- station masters, immediatelyin- Inanapparentbidto reachout Railways wanting to run tainment and bufferzones,and of the health workers in the home in the early hours of the FIFTY-THREE days afterthe lock- dentsinwhich theyhavelost form local general managers or to District Collectors, Railway Shramik trains even to states alsolaid down procedures for health posts/dispensaries, dayand rushed to Lokmanya down wasannouncedand mi- their lives. divisionalrailway managersif MinisterPiyush GoyalSaturday wherethe stategovernments travel related andother cases, for ANMs, ASHAs, Anganwadi Tilak HospitalinSion, where grantshit the road to reach According to the MHA,the district or stateauthoritiesinti- tweetedthat District Collectors were notpromptingivingper- the time when travelling would Workers, municipal health staff, he died, the official said. The home, the Centrehas an- system has been designedina matethem of the requirement shouldgive alistofthosestranded missions forsuchservices,or be allowed. Earlier,these zones sanitation staff, community officer wasonsickleave as he nouncedaportalthat will have manner that states can upload a of suchtrains. intheirareasandtheproposedre- mounting indirectpressureon were clearly definedasa3-kmra- health volunteers and other vol- sufferedfromcoldand anational database on stranded batchfile of individual dataonthe The instructions asked gen- quirement of trains to the state them —anextension of the on- dius containment zone and a7- unteers (NSS/NYK/IRCS/NCC and fever.He had undergone a migrantsinabid to streamline portal. As manystateshaveal- eral managers and divisional nodal officer and also to thestate going political battle between km radius bufferzone. NGOs) etc. The trainedman- swab test on Wednesdayand their movement. ready collecteddataonmigrants, railway managers to use “full nodal officers of Railways. the Centreand Opposition-ruled It laid down: “Geographic poweravailable on www.covid- his reports came out positive Home SecretaryAjayBhalla this canbeintegrated through discretion” and ensuretrains are “Toproviderelief to migrant states, especiallyWestBengal. quarantine (cordon sanitaire) warriors.gov.in will be contacted on Saturday, the official said. Saturdaywrote to all states,in- Application Programming providedatthe earliest. labour,Indian Railways is ready By Saturday,about 15 lakh strategycallsfornearabsolutein- fortheir readiness to deploy- This is the eighth Covid-19 forming them of aNational Interface, MHA has said. This came on aday when 24 to run ‘Shramik Special’ trains strandedpeople had been trans- terruption of movement of peo- ment at shortnotice.” death reportedinthe Migrant InformationSystem It said the key data pertain- migrant workers were killedin from anyDistrict in the Country. portedtohome states by 1,150 pletoand from arelatively large Inaseparatemeetingwithdis- Mumbai police force. PTI (NMIS), an online dashboardde- ingtothe migrating persons — aroad accident at Auraiyain District Collectors should pre- suchtrains running since May1. definedgeographic area where trictadministrationsonSaturday, velopedbythe National Disaster such as name, age, mobile no, thereissingle large outbreak or theHealthMinistryalsosharedan MADHYA PRADESH Management Authority originating station,destination multiplefociof localtransmission ITtoolthatwouldhelpthedistrict (NDMA). district, dateoftraveletc —has of COVID-19. In simple terms, it is administration assess the future 50 Tablighi It will notonlyhelp states ac- been standardisedfor uploading. abarriererectedaroundthefocus needforCovidcareinfrastructure, foreigners cess real-time information on The portal will generate aunique of infection. Geographic quaran- and if thereisapprehension of howmanymigrant workers are ID foreachmigrant. tineshallbeapplicableto suchar- that being insufficient, makeal- sent to jail strandedwhere, but also help In anote,NDMA has said eas reporting large outbreak ternativearrangements. plan futurearrivals. Withmobile NMISis ageo-spatial platformde- and/ormultipleclustersof COVID- FULLREPORTON Bhopal: Morethan 50 foreign numbers of migrant labourers velopedasadecisionsupportsys- 19 spread over multipleblocks of www.indianexpress.com members of the Tablighi being fedinthe database, the temforthe currentpandemicsit- Jamaat were arrestedand sent government also intends to use uation. Allaying anyfearsof to jailfor taking partinreli- it forcontact tracing, keeping central overreach, NDMA has gious activities in violation of the workerinformedofwhen said, “It maybenotedthat the sys- After biggest single-day visa conditions. Theywere and howhe/she can travel temmay notrequireany substan- produced before court after home, reverse migration and tive additionalwork onpartofthe spike, J&K cases at 1,121 their quarantineperiod was even updatemigrantsonwhen field officials. It will also nottake over.Theyhad been quaran- and wheretheycan find work in away thegovernance powerfrom —the twelfth virus-linked fatal- tinedfor morethan amonth the future. the stategovernment,within the EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE ity in the state.The Budgam res- aftercases had been registered “Theportal will maintain a overall guidelines of MHA.” SRINAGAR,JAMMU,MAY16 identtestedpositive afterdyingof againstthem at sevenpolice central repositoryand help the NDMA has said the system cardiac arrest at acityhospital. stations in Bhopal. ADG sending as well as receiving will enable destination states to WITH 108new coronavirus Though the number of cases UpendraJain said the quaran- State/district to askfor andgive plan logisticsmuchmoreeffec- cases reportedovera24-hour has startedtoincrease, the Union tine period waslonger be- their acceptance in an online for- tively as theywould have exact period, Jammu and Kashmir Territoryisahead of moststates cause they were kept together mat seamlessly. This system will numbers before the migrants Saturdaywitnessed itshighest in almostall parameters —are- andproducedbefore thecourt help in speedy communication arrive.“Origin states will also single-dayjumpincases, taking covery rate of 48.34 per cent, onlywhen no case wasre- betweenstateswithout creating have all the dataatone placefor itstallyto1,121. positivity rate of 1.47 per cent portedinthe last14days. ENS additional work at the levelofthe transportation as well as future Passengers arrive in Patna from Delhi via Rajdhani Express, on Saturday. PTI A70-year-old man who had and amortality rate of field officers,” Bhalla’s letter said. planning,” it said. the virus also diedonSaturday 1.07 percent.

MIZORAM Anonymous samaritan pays off NOW EXPECTED TO RUN AT REGULAR INTERVALS loans of peopleindistress As Rajdhani arrives in Goa, mosthappy to

startapoultryfarm.Thebusiness, the samaritan, whoeverheis. ABHISHEKSAHA however, ranintotrouble and he Fanai calledhim “a guardian an- be home, some object to Covid testcharge GUWAHATI,MAY16 founditdifficulttopay offhisloan. gel” on social media. Both of them were among four TheSBIbranch’sassistantgen- strandedworkers to their home eachpassenger wasgiven a NewDelhi." Minister, according to onefamily A52-YEAR-OLD woman who re- peoplewho found themselves eral manager,Sheryl Vanchhong, SMITANAIR states, the Rajdhani emergency stampedpass to take aseat in the With Chief MinisterPramod member.Officialswereover- coveredfromabrain tumour free of debt earlier this week. said,“Hecalledusandsaidthatin MARGAO,MAY16 train service is nowexpected to statepublic transport’s bus serv- Sawant announcing on heardtelling the passengers that and aman with astruggling “I got acall from the bankthat these times of distress,hewants run at regular intervals, ferrying ice to the hospital in Margao Thursdaythatonlynon-Goans theywereinformedofthe business were among benefici- agoodsamaritanwantstopay off to help. He is acustomer of our AS THE Rajdhani on Saturday thosewho can afford to paytrain wheretheywould undergo willbeasked to payfor theCovid guidelines before booking aries of unexpectedgenerosity certainloanamountsandthatthe bank.Hesaid that he wantsto brought 282 passengers —from tickets to return home, or settlers TrueNat tests. The buses then left tests, some were upset with the ticket, along with an SMS from an anonymous Aizawl- bank had selected mine in that help those who had mortgaged New Delhiand afew other sta- who have their second home forthe Jawaharlal Nehru everyone being charged. “I am a that wassent to them before basedbusinessman, who dis- list,” Rodingliani told TheSunday theirpropertyagainstloanswhich tions —toGoa, afew passengers in Goa. Stadium at Fatordawhere the Goan from Goa. Icannotreturn boarding the train. creetlypaid offtheir loans Express over phonefromAizawl. theywerefinding difficult to pay. The Sunday Express spoketoex- “Initiallythe train bookings passengers had to wait fortheir to Delhi. IamfromAldonha and Officials said theycannot amounting to lakhs of rupees This man is an Aizawl-based His budget wasRs10lakh.” pressedtheirgrievancesonbeing were for 629 passengers, but as test resultsbeforebeingsentto Iliveand work here... Iamwilling makeexceptionsand were di- while refusing to take credit. trader who prefers to remain It wasacoincidence,said chargedRs2,000fortestingwhile thetrain hadseveral stops... we home quarantine. to go through all the testing and rected to charge the testing fee The woman, Rodingliani,had anonymous. Bank authorities Vanchhong,thatonthe daythe others were happytobehome. nowunderstand manyhavegot Colonel Anil Jotwani who has quarantine guidelines but why from everypassenger. takenaloan of around Rs 4lakh refusedtodivulge his contactde- bankwasprocessingtheloanpay- Saturday’s trainsaw massive off,” said an official. ahouse in Colva wasseen re- is aGoan being asked to pay. We “Emergency trains aregoing to from the SBI’s main branch in the tails as he wishedtostayaway ments, some reporters had come arrangementsbythe stategov- The train chugged intothe questing afreetest, referring to arereturning home too,” said increase and we areexpecting city fortreatment in Kolkata. The from the spotlight. Attempts by theretotalkabout the shifttoon- ernment as theyexpected over Margaoplatform around 2.20 his documents. “I am aretired Linita Fernandes.“We have al- full capacityarrivals. If everytest widowwho has twodaughters TheSundayExpress to reachhim line banking methods. The good 600passengers to reachGoa. pm. The administration had Armyofficer and my documents ready paid forour tickets which gets paid forbythe stategovern- hadalsoprofesseddifficultyinre- were unsuccessful. samaritan’s act came up during This came afteratrainreached fielded10officers to collectRs clearly sayIamnot supposedto comes to Rs 3,500.” ment, then we arelookingatRs paying the sum, months afterher It was, as an Aizawl journalist thatconversation.“Hedidnotlike Goa from NewDelhiwithahalt 2,000 from everypassenger be chargedthis fee. Nobody Therewas another case of a 15 lakh per train. This is some- treatment, an official at SBI said. summedup, “the perfect charity it,whenhesawthestoryinthelo- in MargaoonThursday. with 10 tables usedasbarricades heardthe plea though,”hesaid. familyofseven refusing to payas thing the stategovernment, es- Likewise, Muana LFanai had —anonymous”. Rodinglianisaid calmedia,” said Vanchhong. “He While the Shramik Express forexit from thetrain platform. “My children live hereand Ihad theykeptmakingcalls, includ- peciallyGoa,cannotafford,”said borrowedaround Rs 2.5 lakh to she wasimmenselythankful to did notwantanyone to know.” ferries dailywagersand Oncethe testing feewas paid, to return.Iamtraveling from ing to theoffice of theChief an official.

New Delhi WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM THESUNDAY EXPRESS,MAY17,2020 EXPRESS NETWORK 9

UP withdraws movetoextend Notloan,givecashto work hours, but ordinance thepoor,saysRahul remains have faith in our small and EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Congress medium businesses, should ENSECONOMICBUREAU NEWDELHI,MAY16 leader have faith in our people, in our NEWDELHI,MAY16 Rahul farmers, faith in the people who EXPRESSING“SERIOUS reserva- Gandhi arewalking on the streetsand THE UTTAR Pradesh government tions” withthe “nature”ofthe immediatelygivethemmoney haswalkedbackitsdecisionto ex- Rs 20-lakhcrore economic pack- —without asingle thought. tenddaily workinghoursinindus- ageannouncedbythe Centre, ees, and pensioners. “And thereisareason forthis. trialunitsto12hours,butitsordi- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Rahul said he firmlybelieves If we don’t notsupportour small nance proposing similar Saturdayasked Prime Minister thatthe Prime Ministerwill take businesses, farmers, migrants, timings—andawaiting the NarendraModitoreconsider the his suggestionsseriouslyand our economywillnot start; and if President’s approval—still re- thrustofthe package. will trytoimplement it. our economydoes notstart the mains in place. Arguing that the government Talking to journalistsfrom question of ratings does notstart.” The withdrawal of the deci- should notact likea“money- the regionalmedia, Rahul said Rahul said: “I am notsaying siontoraisetimings from eight lender”,hesaid the needofthe the government should makeef- the governmentshould do direct hours wascommunicated to the hour is nottoroll outbankcredit fortstorestartbothdemand and cash transfer permanently.Doit AllahabadHighCourtonFridayby or loan but putting moneydi- supply. “Thereshould be acom- temporarily, forsay three to five UttarPradesh’sPrincipalSecretary ALL ABOARD rectlyintothe hands of the peo- ponent in the packagetofireup months.. If we do not, we will forLabour,SureshChandra,fol- ple, including farmers, migrant demand.Ifthe people do not have acatastrophic result. What lowing anotice on apublic inter- Inside INSJalashwa, which sailedfromMale, Maldives, on Saturday with 588 Indians strandedinthe islandnation. The Navy workers and those who run have moneyintheir pockets, is going to comeifwedonot do estlitigation. Thehearing of the ship will arrive in KochionSunday.Another Navy ship, INSMagar, had evacuated 202 Indians from Maldives on Tuesday. PTI small businesses. howwill youcreatedemand?” thatisgoing to be muchworse PIL wasscheduledfor Monday. The Congress leader said if “I don’t want to makeapolit- that what we have seen; it is go- The statehad decidedtoin- the government does notdothat ical statement, but Ihaveaseri- ing to overshadowthe diseaseof crease working hours using right now, theresult is going to ousreservation about the nature Covid.” Section 5ofthe Factories Act-a be catastrophic forthe economy, of the packagethatthe govern- Rahul also asked the govern- measure thathasalsobeenimple- and the fallout would be worse ment has given, and Iwouldlike ment liftthe lockdown “intelli- mented in at leastten states in- Sitharaman announces reforms to that the coronavirus pandemic thegovernment to reconsider.It gently”.“Lockdownnot asimple cluding Rajasthan, Punjab and and will hit the countrylikea is good that theyhavetaken this thing,” he said.Itisveryimpor- Himachal Pradesh. “storm”. He said the government step —itisnot abad step —but tant that we open thelockdown TheFactoriesAct,1948allows has takennoconcretesteps to re- the mostimportant thingright intelligentlyand carefullywith- stategovernmentstoexemptfac- slash defence import expenditure lieve farmers of their sufferings nowisthatweput moneydi- out sacrificing the vulnerable tories from provisionsrelated to other than “rehashing old rectlyintothe hands of our poor people. We cannotsacrificeour working hours foraperiod of creasingthe indigenisationofthe ficiency in ordnance supplies”, realistic General StaffQualitative schemesand makingsomead- people,” he said. old people, our people who have threemonthsiffactoriesaredeal- KRISHNKAUSHIK defenceplatforms.Theshareofin- Sitharamansaidtheymay evenbe Requirementsofweapons and vances againstthem.” Rahul, Lok Sabha MP from diabetes, heartdisease,lung dis- ing with an exceptional amount NEWDELHI,MAY16 digenisationindefenceplatforms listedonstock marketsforgreater platformswill be set. Instead of concretefinancial Wayanad, said the government ease, hyper tension and kidney of work. went up from 72.4 per cent in transparency. The government willalso relief, theCongress leadersaid, shouldnot worryabout fiscal disease.lockdownisnot an on However, the Uttar Pradesh WITH AN aim to reduce India’s 2016-2017 to 75.9 per centin It has been along-pending overhaulthetrialandtestingpro- the government has offeredthe deficit shooting up, or interna- and offswitch. It is notanevent. government has issuedanordi- importbillfor the defence sector, 2018-2019. idea,whichhasbeenfraughtwith cedures. MSME sector loans, “driving tional credit rating agencies It will have to be done intelli- nance, forwhichapproval from UnionFinance MinisterNirmala ThegovernmentSaturdaysaid controversy.Lastyear,thousands On Friday, theDefence them intoadebt trap from downgrading India. “The gently, carefullyand smartly.” thePresidentisstillpending,pro- Sitharaman on Saturdaysaid the therewill be anotifiedlistof of workers of ordnancefactories Ministryhad announcedanew whichmanywillnever exit.”The Government of India shouldnot In astatement issuedlater, posingathree-yearexemptionto governmentwillbringreformsto weapons and platforms that will wentonastrikeagainst“privatisa- scheme forprivate players to set story, he said, is no different worry what the foreigners are Rahul said the contours of the all factories and establishments makeIndia more self-reliantin be bannedfor imports andthere tion”. The strikeendedafter the upcommontestinginfrastructure when it comes to small traders, going to say, what the agencies packageand itstrue extent are engaged in manufacturing from defence production. will be apushtowards “indigeni- government assured them that in the countryfor defence and shopkeepers, the salaried mid- aregoing to say. The notyet cleartothe public and are all labour laws exceptprovisions The main movesincludecor- sationof importedspares”.Thelist therewas no plan to privatise. aerospace,inpartnershipwiththe dle class, government employ- Government of India should rather opaque. of BondedLabour System poratisationofOrdnance Factory of equipmentbannedforimports Corporatisingordnancefacto- government. (Abolition)Act,andthoserelating Board(OFBs),raising FDI limits in will be preparedbythe ries waspartofthe government’s The terms of reference of the to employment of children and defence manufacturing, havinga DepartmentofMilitaryAffairs 100-dayagendaafter the BJP re- 15th Finance Commission were Gujarat: Rupani, women. time-bound procurement headedbythe Chief of Defence turnedtopower. changedlastyearto lookintocre- Cong, Left oppose FDI The ordinance had proposed process, notifying alistof Staff. The government will,how- Severalcommittees ap- atingaseparateandnon-lapsable Ahmed Patel in thatworkers “cannotberequired weaponsthatcannotbeimported ever,allowimport of necessary pointedbythe government have fund fordefence and nationalse- to work morethanelevenhoursa and indigenisation of spares, she equipment notmanufactured in recommendedcorporatisationof curity. Twitter spat over limit hike in defence, dayand thespread of work may said. India. OFB. Saturday’s announcement ‘reduced’ testing notbemorethan12hoursaday”. India is amongthe topthree Sitharamanmentioned that Project Management Units comes aday afterIndiasigneda slam stimulus tranche “Tobring economic activity importersof armsintheworld.In theFDIlimitindefencemanufac- willbesetuptosupportmanage- deal to buy 24 MH-60R helicop- backontrack,new investment March,MoS,Defence, Shripad turing under the automatic route ment of contracts, Sitharaman ters from American arms giant EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE opportunities would needtobe Naik told Parliament that India will be raisedto74per cent from mentioned, and said thatthe un- LockheedMartin foroverUS$ 2 AHMEDABAD,MAY16 best practices,” Vallabh said. created along with fastening the importeddefence equipment 49 percentnow. realistic performance criteria for billion. The deal wasannounced EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Chakravarty said, “Hundredsof businessesprocessesandproduc- worthRs45,705.57crore in2018- On the corporatisation of the equipment in the pasthad re- when US President Donald AWAR of wordsbroke out on so- NEWDELHI,MAY16 migrantsare walkingbacktotheir tivity,” astatement issuedlast 2019. 41 ordnancefactoriesto“improve sulted in delayedsearch and sin- Trumpcame to India in cialmediabetweenChief Minister home states withoutfood, water week by thestate had said. India has been graduallyin- autonomy, accountability and ef- glevendorselection.Shesaidthat February. VijayRupaniandCongressleader REITERATING THAT theBJP-led and transport...and the Finance AhmedPatelwhenthelattertook Uniongovernmentisrepackaging Ministermakes aproposal for to Twitter to question the Gujarat olddecisionsandannouncements Indiansto travelto space.Itisvery governmentonthe reducedtest- and presenting it as partofthe Rs ironical.” ‘Lack of sensitivity of some states led to migrant issue’ ing,onSaturday. 20-lakh croreeconomic package, On the Finance Minister’s an- Rupani also took to Twitter to theCongressonSaturday alsoop- nouncements regarding fiscal DHARMENDRA PRADHAN, grants’ issue... Thesteel sectorhas anumber The oil industryisfacing atwin rebuttheclaimandsaidthattest- posedand condemnedthe deci- stimulus, senior Congress leader UnionMinisterofPetroleum & of MSMEs. Howdoyou think assault currently duetothe ing per million wasuptothe sion to hikeFDI limit in defence and formerUnion ministerP Natural Gas and Steel, speaksto Howare the changes to labour this pandemic will impact drop in the demandand the mark. Within minutes of this ex- manufacturing from 49 per cent Chidambaram stated,“In oures- LIZ MATHEW on the migrant laws in many going to affect them? priceissueinthe global change, thestate machineryan- to 74 per cent throughthe auto- timate, the fiscal stimulus partof labour crisis, changes in labour labourers? Thereisadefinitedemand market?How badlywill it nouncedatargetedactionplanfor matic route. The party said this the 2nd tranche of announce- laws and the Covid-19impact on Labour laws have an impor- contractiondue to the pandemic affect India’s projects? intense testing focusedinthe 10 will have “serious national secu- mentswas Rs 5,000crore.Most steel and oilsectors. Excerpts tant role in creating the right at- and it is bound to reveal itself in Oil and gasisone of the criti- wardsinAhmedabadwhichhave rity analysts agree. In today’stranche mosphere forindustrial activity... moreways than we expect. The cal areas of oureconomy. It’sa been declaredascontainment ramifications.” it is closetozero. Even the FM de- The countryhas been Since it is asubject whichisalso economicspaceiscertainlygoing matter of immense satisfaction zones. The Left partiesalsoaccused clinedtoanswerhow manyofthe witnessingvisuals of under stategovernments’juris- to be achanged one, and this de- thatthesectorhasrisento theoc- Around noon, Pateltweeted, thegovernmentof usingthepan- amountsmentionedtodaywere hundredsofhelpless migrant diction, it is theirprerogative to pendsonthetrajectoryofthedis- casioninthetimeof crisis.Initially, “WhyisGujarat government re- demictoaggressivelypursueneo- already partofthe Expenditure workers walking to reachtheir pursuespecialdispensationsthat ease, the public health response due to restriction on movement ducing testing? This is very dis- liberal economic policies and Budget andhow manyare addi- home states. Did the theywould liketomakeavail- the worldisable to makeand of people andmaterial,progress turbing &iscontrarytonational usher in privatisation in tional sums of money.”On governmentforeseesucha able... Codifyinglabour laws and compoundingfactors... The of projectswasaffected.However, policyof increasingtests.Inapan- allsectors. Saturday’s announcements, he situation? simplifyingthemwilladdvalueto MSMEdefinition,however, would oil and gascompanies have re- demicitisimportantto behonest Congress spokesperson stated,“My one line comment on In this issue, thereare three the protectionavailable to labour THEEXPRESS notapplytosecondarysteelsector spondedwell andare on the path about the problem rather than Gourav Vallabh andthe party’s FM’s fourth tranche: No fiscal players—thecentralgovernment, whileassuringanenvironmentin players even afterthe revision. to normalcy. trying to conceal it.” technologyanddatacellchairman measure, ZILCH.” states thatsendthe workers and whichenterprisethrives. INTERVIEW To supporthisargument,Patel PraveenChakravarty questioned CPI general secretaryDRaja the states that receive them. The WITH Thereisaserious case of The governmenthas promised also attachedaline graph repre- the decision to make reform an- said Finance MinisterNirmala government of India’s job is to But the Centrehas already DHARMENDRA unpaid dues forMSMEs. The free LPG cylinderstothe poor senting the decline withthe daily nouncementsinthemiddleof the Sitharaman’s announcements maketrains available... The issue initiated the processof PRADHAN government announcedits during the crisis. Howmany numbers of samples takenfor Covid-19 pandemic. were all about pushing privatisa- is with the states. Forexample, introducinglabourcodes. UNION MINISTER, payment in October also. The cylinders have been testing in Ahmedabad starting “Westrongly objectto privati- tion.“From atomicsectortoavia- Peoplewantedto leave Delhifrom Whyshould thestatesthen go PETROLEUM &NATURAL PSUsinthe sectorsunder your distributed?Has the May1when the graph showed sation of ordinance factories. tionsector,defencesector....every- GAS AND STEEL day1.Has the Delhigovernment forsuchamove thathurt ministryalso have dues to governmentfixed adeadline? 2,592samplestaken in Whattheyneedismodernisation, wheretheywant to usher in requestedfor anytrain so far? workers’ interests? pay? Is thereany plan or time- The Centrehas proposedfree Ahmedabad, and up to May14, and modernisation can be done corporatecapitalism. Thereisno Sameiswith the states thathave Idonot think theyhurtthe frame forthe payment? refills forPradhan Mantri Ujjwala when1,240 samplesweretested. by newinvestment, introducing sensible, reasonable attempt to to receive trains,stateslike workers’interests.Statesare now ject—respective stateshave their Letmejusttellyou,thereisno Yojana (PMUY)consumers for HourslaterRupaniresponded newtechnologies and adopting addressthecurrentcrisis,”hesaid. Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, etc. concernedwithcreatingmorejob ownlaws. States arefreetohave crisis. The Finance Ministerhas three months —afinancialassis- to thetweetdenyinganysuchde- People from therestarted walk- opportunities.Thewholeprocess theirowneconomymodel,policy announcedpackages forMSMEs tance of Rs 13,500crore.The cline, and said, “Mr.AHMED PA- ing... Kerala government has re- is to protect labourers’ interests. model to attract investment and and one is forpayment of the scheme hasbeen operational TEL, Gujarat has notatall de- Bengaltocover cost of migrants’train journey questedfor trains and everyday Unions have aspecific role and moreinvestmentmeans more dues.Butthereare certainqueries since April 1. As on May14, Rs creasednumberoftests.Kindly Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata The move cameadayafter twotrainsleave from Ernakulam theyseeitinaspecificangle.They employment. Howcan it be anti- leftandtheyhavetobeaddressed. 8,432 crorehavebeen trans- recheckyourinformationsources Banerjee Saturdaysaid her gov- Railway MinisterPiyush Goyal forOdisha.Gujarattoodid.Butthe areright in their ownway.But for labourer?... at one point of time, The government is in the process ferred intothe bankaccounts of whichare farawayfromfactsand ernment would to bear the cost accusedstates, including West states thathavetoreceive people the states,primary responsibility business, entrepreneurship, etc of clearing themonafast-track PMUYbeneficiaries. PMUY ben- ground realities.” Attached wasa of the return journeyofstranded Bengal, of notgranting permis- arenot receiving them. Uttar is to create more jobs, moreeco- were consideredtobesinful mode. The FinanceMinisterhas eficiaries have availeddeliveryof screenshotofanexcelsheetrepre- migrant workersfromBengal. sion to receive thetrains. ENS Pradesh, Biharand Madhya nomic opportunities. It has to be words. But in the newera,weall told ministries to complywithit 613.87 lakh cylinders under senting cumulative testsin Pradesh have receivedtrains, but accepted by both the parties. areconcerned about howwecan as early as possible.With thisand Pradhan MantriGareeb Kalyan Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, notWestBengal, Chhattisgarhor People areunemployednow. createnew businessmodels,eco- thepackage,MSMEswillgetacer- Yojana. Gujarat and India along with the GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Rajasthan... Lackofsensitivity of Parliamentisdeliberatingoncer- nomic opportunities and jobs. tainliquidityandthebusinesswill FULLINTERVIEWON testsper million forthe five,ason MINISTRYOFHUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT some states has created this mi- tain labour issues. It’saquasi sub- be on. www.indianexpress.com May 16. DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION Appointment of Vice Chancellor of Central University of Tamil Nadu The Vice Chancellor,being the academicaswell as administrative Bengaluru’s ‘godfather’ dies of brain cancer head, is expected to be: Aperson possessing the highest level of competence, integrity,morals Raiathis estate at Bidadi, on the tenaccusedofbringing the gun and institutional commitment. EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE outskirts of Bengaluru on Friday, culturetoBengaluru, where Adistinguished academician, with aminimum 10 years’ of experience BENGALURU,MAY16 afew of hisassociatesfiredrounds crimesfeatured only knivesand as Professor in aUniversity or 10 years’ of experience in areputed in the air to paytribute, resulting sicklestill the late1980s. research and /oracademic administrative organisation with proof of IN2008,afterhewasprovidedac- in acase over illegal use of arms. AfterRai’sacquittalinallcases, having demonstrated academic leadership. cess to “reformed” mafia boss N Muthappa On of hismostrecentbrushes gang wars had abated with the Preferably not more than 65 years of age as on the closing date of Muthappa Raiathis sprawling Rai with the lawwas on April 16 groups allegedly deciding to split receipt of applications of this advertisement. mansion on the outskirtsof when the police questionedhim thespoilsof illegalactivitiesinor- Salary and Service Conditions Bengaluru,journalistScottCarney overastatementmadeby under- der to maintain peacein The post carries apay of Rs. 210000/- (Fixed) per month with Special wrote an article in Wired maga- mentfromthehospitalwherethe worldoperativeRaviPujarionthe Bengaluru. Allowance of Rs. 11250/- and other usual allowances. zine calling Rai“The Godfatherof former underworldbossdied. killing of realtor Subbarajuin However, the former mafia The terms and conditions of the services will be those as set forth in the Bangalore”. It wasnever quiteclear 2001.Pujari wasabsconding bosseshave remainedkey figures Act, Statutes and Ordinances of the University. Rai(68), aformer bankclerk whether Rai, who donnedthe when Raiwas acquitted in the in settling realty deals and dis- Procedure for appointment from Mangaluru who wasone of garb of areal estate businessman case. putes in Bengaluru—withsome Appointment will be made from apanel of names recommended by a the mostnotorious mobsters in withinterestsinhotelsandnight- Rairosetonotoriety afterhe issues reportedlylanding at Rai’s Committee constituted under the provisions of Central Universities Act, the annals of crime in Bengaluru clubs, had reallyexited thecrime lefthisjobasabankclerkandven- doorstepwhen thelocal gangs 2009. and Mangaluru,diedafter abat- world.Despitethecleanrecordaf- tured into the nightclub and ho- were unabletoresolve them. The advertisement and the format of application are available on the tlewithbraincanceronFriday. He terhis acquittals and the nurtur- telbusiness in Bengaluru in the Since January2020, manyof websites http://mhrd.gov.in and http://www.cutn.ac.in wasextradited from Dubai in ing of abenevolent imageofa 1980s. He got involved with the Rai’s close associates begandis- The applications in the prescribed proforma should reach within 30 2002, and acquitted in over a man moreinterestedinthe good mafiabossesof thetime—Kotwal tancing themselvesfromhim as days from the date of the publication of this advertisement, by dozen cases in Karnataka in the thingsinlife—horseracing,gam- Ramachandra,MPJayaraj andOil news of his battle with cancer Registered /SpeedPost to: Deputy Secretary (Central Universities), subsequent years. bling,protectionof locallanguage Kumar alias BootHouse Kumar. spread,sayassociates.“Thereisno Department of Higher Education, Ministry of HRD, “Afteraprolonged illness and andculture (like theKambalacat- He wasaccusedofbeingin- one who can replace him from Room No 213, “C” Wingh, ShastriBhawan, New Delhi –110 001 hospitalisation, we regret to in- tle races)— thereremainedcon- volved in eliminating the three, withinthe outfit...Mostofhis as- “Application for the post of Vice Chancellor,Central University of form the demise of 68-year-old stant whispersofthe presence of establishing himself as the top sociates will go theirown way,” Tamil Nadu” should be super-scribed on the envelope. Mr Muthappa Rai... Manipal “MR”, as he wasknown among dog in subsequent years. said an advocateassociated with This Department is not responsible for postal delay Hospitals expresses condolence his associates, in real estate deals. With hisconnectionstothe Rai’s cases. FULLREPORTON Date:17.05.2020 to his entirefamily,” saidastate- At thefinalritesconductedfor Mumbaiunderworld,Raiwasof- www.indianexpress.com

New Delhi WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 10 EXPRESS NETWORK THE SUNDAY EXPRESS,MAY17,2020 J&K policeman killedinmilitant attack

said militantsopenedfireonthe Mohammad Amin who made tantassociates”.“...Budgampolice, ADILAKHZER joint team at YariporainKulgam supreme sacrifice in the line of alongwith53RRand153BnCRPF, SRINAGAR,MAY16 around 5.30 pm. Theyidentified duty at Frisal #Kulgam. We stand arrestedaterroristassociateiden- thedeceased as Head Constable by his family at this critical junc- tifiedasZahoorWanifromvillage AJAMMU andKashmir Police Amin Bhagat. Asenior health of- ture.May the departedsoul rest Arizal in jurisdictionofPS head constable waskilledina ficial told TheSundayExpress that in peace,” Kashmir Police Zone Khansahab. On his disclosurea militant attackonajoint team of Bhagatwas declaredbrought said on Twitter. terroristhideoutwasbusted,”said the CRPF and police in South dead at ahospital in the area. Separately, on Saturday, the apolicespokesperson. M.P. MADHYA KSHETRA VIDYUT Kashmir’s Kulgam district on “IGPKashmir on behalfof J&K Police in Budgam saidthey Police said during the course Saturday, officials said. #Police #Parivaar has paid rich bustedaLashkar-e-Taiba “terror of investigation, four moreasso- VITARAN CO. LTD. AJ&K police spokesperson #tributes to #martyr HC module” and arrested five “mili- ciates were arrested. (Govt. of M.P. Undertaking) Nishtha Parisar, Bijalee Nagar, Govindpura, Bhopal-23 Phone No.:0755-2602033-36, Fax :2589821, 2586636 Record wheat Ref. :MD/MK/04/Abgd.NIT/95 Date :15.05.2020 Classifieds Civilian killed in Army TENDER NOTICE ‘crossfire’ in Arunachal procurement MPMKVVCL, Bhopal, invites following bids from manufacturers through PERSONAL e-tendering. in MP: FCI data whichtheywerestopped by Tender Particulars Approx.Tender Date of Date of I, Neha Khurana W/o Hemant Specifi- Value Fee Pre-Bid opening Khurana R/o-27-30, Old ABHISHEKSAHA women society of the village,” cation (Rs. inclusiveCon- of tender Rajinder Nagar, N.Delhi- GUWAHATI,MAY16 the DC said. MILINDGHATWAI Number Lakh) of GSTference 60.have changedmyname to “Meanwhile certain youth... BHOPAL,MAY16 (in Rs.) Nehaa BKhurana. ACIVILIAN waskilled, reportedly startedpelting stones. In re- 0040537721-2 MD/MK/ Procurement of 50.00 2360/- 06.06.20 24.06.20 in Armyfiring,inArunachal sponsethe army personnel MADHYAPRADESH, whichwas 04/669 Testing Equipment03:30 PM 03:30PM I, Hemant Khurana S/o,Krishan Pradesh’s Longding district on opened fire,” Yadavsaid, adding forced to put offwheat procure- for testing of 33 KV Khurana R/o-27-30, Old- Saturday, asenior district official that one Lamdam Lukham re- ment twice this year -firstdue &11KV AB switches Rajinder-Nagar, N.Delhi- said.The Army said it wasonan ceivedabullet injury to the head to political uncertaintyand then Polymer Pin &Disc 60,changed my minor son’s operationinPumao villageto and diedonthe spot. Lukhamis the lockdown due to Covid-19- Isulators, Lightening name YuvanKhurana to Uvan HKhurana. 0040537721-3 trackdownNSCN(IM)cadre, said to be around 60. has procured 86.62 lakh million Arrestor andDO who openedfireonthemfirst, The Armysaid it had tonnes (MT) of wheat so far, the Fuse Units I, Harish Chander Joshi s/olate using villagers as human shields. launched asearch operation af- highesteverinthe state. Itspre- HiraBallabhJoshi r/oH-413, Other detailsare available on Company website https://portal.mpcz.in & “In this crossfireitisbelieved ter“inputs” on “activities of NSCN vious best was84.62 lakhMT, www.mptenders.gov.in UdayNiketan, NarainaVihar, New Delhi-110028 have fewvillagers have gothurtand (IM) cadres”. whichwas in 2012. M.P. Madhyam/97365/2020 CHIEF GENERAL MANAGER (PROC.) changed my minordaughter’s one villager has expired. Indian “Therewas agathering of vil- At ameeting calledtore- //SAVE ELECTRICITY// name from Muskan Joshi to Armyoffers condolences to fam- lagers whichstarted protesting viewthe procurementprocess MAAYANJOSHI for all future ilyofthe deceased villager,” an againstsecurityforcesand re- on Saturday, Chief Minister purposes. 0040537709-1 ´fdV¨f¸ffa¨f»f d½fôb°f d½f°fSX¯f d³f¦f¸fd»f. Armystatement said. sortedtostone pelting. Troops Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the I VIKAS S/OHARISH KUMAR CheshtaYadav, theDeputy identifiedsuspicious movement quickprocurement had BÊ-d³fdUQf Àfc¨f³ff R/O-C-95Y BLOCK-C D.D.A- Commissioner of Longding, and startedmoving towardsa brought immense relief to A²fûWÀ°ffÃfSI°ffÊ õfSf d³f¸³fd»fdJ°f If¹fÊ Ie d³fd½fQfBÊ-MZ¯OdSa¦f IZ ¸ff²¹f¸f ÀfZ ISf³fZ WZ°fb FLATS,JAHANGIRPURI, AZADPUR, NORTH/WEST statedthat the troops of the 19th house whichdrew twotothree farmers in the stateinthe back- A³fb·f½fe E½fa´fid°fd¿N°f NZIZ QfSûÔ ÀfZ ¸fbWS¶f³Q d³fd½fQf¹fZÔ Qû A»f¦f-A»f¦f ·ff¦fûÔ ¸fZÔ Af¸fadÂf°f Ie DELHI-110033 HAVE CHANGED Sikhregiment stationedat bursts of fire on IndianArmy drop of the lockdown. ªff°fe W`ÔÜd³fd½fQf Vfb»I ½f ²fSûWSSfdVf BÀf If¹ffÊ»f¹f IZ Jf°ff Àfa. 10880224116 MY NAME TO VIKAS KUMAR. Pumao “werenegotiating with party.Civilians were told to dis- According to statedata, AfBÊ.ER .EÀf.Àfe. IûO SBIN0000685 ·ffS°fe¹f ÀMZM¶f`ÔI ,Sm»f½fZ SûO, ¸fbªfµR S³f¦fS ¸fZÔ 0040537721-1 the villagers about beating of one perse and to safeguardlives and wheat wasprocured from 12.61 AfS.Me.ªfe.EÀf./E³f.BÊ.ER .Me. IZ ¸ff²¹f¸f ÀfZ ªf¸ff ISf¹fe ªff¹fZ¦fe E½fad³fd½fQf If´fi±f¸f·ff¦f ¸fZÔ individualnamed Jingmoh property controlledretaliation lakh farmers in the stateand d³fd½fQf Vfb»I ½f ²fSûWSSfdVf ªf¸ff IfÀffÃ¹f¹f±fû¹fûª¹f ¹fc.Me.AfS.´fZ-B³f-dÀ»f´f ¸fc»f Ie´fid°f, PUBLIC NOTICE Wangnow”. During the negotia- wasresortedbyfiring eightsingle nearlyRs10,000 crorehas al- ¶f`ÔI ¦ffS¯Me¸fc»f Ie´fid°f (BV¹fcdBa¦f ¶f`ÔI IZ I³R¸fZÊVf³f ¸fZ»f Ie´fid°f) ´f`³f IfOÊ,ªfe.EÀf.Me., tion, Yadavsaid, the Armymen shots,” the army statement said. ready been transferredtothe ac- MZ¢³fûI f¸fdVfÊ¹f»f Vf°fZË BÊ-MZ¯OS´fi´fÂf IZ Àff±f Af³f»ffBÊ³f BÊ-d³fd½fQf dQ³ffaI 08.06.2020 Iû PUBLIC NOTICE were surroundedbythe villagers. “In all this meleeinsurgents countsof10.10 lakh farmers. 12:00 ¶fªfZ °fI A´f»fûO Ie ªff¹fZ¦fe °f±ff d³fd½fQf If dõ°fe¹f ·ff¦f (´fifBÊÀf d¶fO) Af³f»ffBÊ³f Be it known to all that my clients Sh. Vijaypal “Fearing alaw and order situa- managed to escape,” the state- Also,72.80lakhMTofpro- Singh Rana &Smt. Prabha Rana R/o H. No. tion theycame out of thehouse ment added. cured wheat has already been dQ³ffaI08.06.2020 Iû Àf¸f¹f12:00 ¶fªfZ °fI ½fZ¶fÀffBÊM www.etender.up.nic.in ´fS 539, Bijwasan, South West Delhi, Delhi- 110061 have disowned their son Sh. Deepak andgot backintotheir vehicles. Ajudicial inquiryhas been or- transportedand stored.The ·fSeªff ÀfIZÔ ¦feÜ d³fd½fQf If´fi±f¸f ·ff¦fdQ³ffaI 08.06.2020 IûÀff¹fa02:00 ¶fªfZ C´fSf³°f BÀf Rana &his wife Smt. Divya from all of their movable and immovable properties and have Theyweretrying to leave during dered intothe matter. process beganonApril15and If¹ffÊ»f¹f ¸fZÔ Àff½fÊªfd³fI ø´fÀfZ Jû»fe ªff¹fZ¦feÜA²fûWÀ°ffÃfSeIûdIÀfe ·fe EI A±f½ff Àf·fe severed all relations with them, owing to their rude and unruly behaviour. Anyone who deals will go on till May31. d³fd½fQfAûÔ Iû d¶f³ff IfS¯f¶f°ff¹fZ, dI Àfe ·fe Àf¸f¹f d³fSÀ°f/ÀfaVfû²f³f IS³fZ If ´fc¯fÊ Ad²fI fS with them in any matter whatsoever shall do so at his/her risk. Encouraged by the bumper ÀfbSdÃf°f W`ÜIÈ´f¹ff d³fd½fQfAûÔ Ied½fÀ°fÈ°f ªff³fI fSe/d³fd½fQf ÀfaVfû²f³f/d½fÀ°ffS¯fd°fd±f/d³fÀ°ffSeI S¯f Sd/- arrival, the stategovernment has RAJESH KAJLA IZ d»f¹fZ ½fZ¶fÀffBÊM www.etender.up.nic.in/ www.pvvnl.org ´fS »ffg¦fAf³f ISmÔÜ ADVOCATE nowscaledupits procurement 1:- BÊ-d³fd½fQf Àfa£¹ff 09/2020-21:- d½fôb°f d½f°fS¯f J¯O-´fi±f¸f, ¸fbªfµR S³f¦fS IZ If¹fÊ Enrolment No. D/1594/93 CHAMBER NO. 336-A, target from 100lakhMTto110 ÃfZÂff³°f¦fÊ°f 33/11 IZ ½fe C´fIZ ³ýi ªfÀfûBÊ ÀfZ d³f¦fÊ°f 11 IZ ½fe ªfÀfûBÊ MfC³f´fû¿fI IZ Ad°f·ffdS°f WESTERN WING, lakh MT. TIS HAZARI, DELHI-110054 Wû³fZ ´fS C¢°f ´fû¿fI If·ffS I¸fIS³fZ WZ°fb ³f¹ff 11 IZ ½fe ·f¸fZÔ»ff-2 ´fû¿fI Ifd³f¸ffÊ¯f If¹fÊ M.: 9811239251 ¶ffÁ¹f EªfZ³Àfe IZ ¸ff²¹f¸f ÀfZ ISf³fZ WZ°fb If¹fÊÜ ²fSûWSSfdVf ÷.-2,000.00/-¸ffÂfÜ d³fd½fQf Vfb»I Office of Superintending Engineer ÷.-1180.00 ¸ffÂfÜ rd WXÀ°ff./- 3 Circle P.W.D. Pithoragarh A²feÃf¯f Ad·f¹f³°ff National Competitive Bidding d½fôb°fd½f°fSX¯f ¸f¯OX»f-´fi±f¸f (E-tendering) ¸fbªfµRYSX³f¦fS Latter No 1594/ 62M 03/2020 Date 16 -05-2020 ´fÂffaI:1668/d½f.d½f.¸fa.´fi.-¸fb.³f¦fS/I`¸´f dQ³ffaI :15/05/2020 Short Term Tender Notice The Superintending Engineer 3rd Circle, PublicWorks Department Pithoragarh invites tender through E-Tendering (Single Bid System )on behalf of Hon'ble Governor of Uttarakhand for following works. All other information will be available form date 23-05-2020 &onward on website http://www.uktenders.gov.in SI. Name of Work Earnest Cost of Validity Period of Contractor’s No. Money Tender of Completion category of (in Lac) (in Rs.) Tender registration 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 GOVERNMENT OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR 1 Improvement & 1.52 4000.00 90 12 Category 'C' OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER RURAL WATER SUPPLY DIVISION, GANDERBAL Reconstruction + Days Month or Above for H.Q:CHEKIDUDERHAMA GANDERBAL. work in Simalta 18% Road works motor road km GST in any State E–mail. [email protected] /pherwsd@ yahoo.in Phone/ Fax: 0194 –2416292. 4.00 &5.00 in Govt./ Govt. of NOTICE INVITING E–TENDERS: constituency India/ Govt. e–NIT No:- 05/PHED/RWSD/CIVIL –SHG OF 2020 –21. champawat Undertaking Forand on behalf of the Lieutenant Governor of UT of J&K e-tenders (Two coverSystem)onTurnKey Basis are invited on Turn Keybasis including the maintenance cost foraperiod of Fiveyears from District- reputed and resourceful contractors/Firms/companies/SHG’S joint venture of repute in PWD or Equivalent in CPWD/Railwaysand other state Governments forthe following works: champawat under TABLE (I) State Sector Sr.Name of Work Tender Cost Cost of EarnestTime of Tender Tender openingClass of No. including all TaxesDocumentMoneyCompl-Call Place and Contractor NOTE- It is mandatory to submit the price of the tender and the draftofGST amount Construction Maintenance (Rs. in Lacs) Deposit etion date separately. Part Part (Rs. in Lacs) (Technical (Quotable) (Fixed Cost) Cover only) 1. “Design, Construction, successful testing &Commissioning of 0.20 MGD Rapid Sand ` 171.24 `25.00 lacs `0.04 ` 3.43 Lacs 07 1st Office of the “A” Class -Reputed Filtration Plant along with flash fixer,clorifloclator with inbuilt backwash tank ,Chain link Lacs (Favoring (Pledged to the Months Superintending and resourceful con- fencing, construction of catch water drain, retaining/ breast wall, approach road and Executive Superintending Engineer,Hyd. tractors/ Firms/ wash room including water closet facilities complete ,construction of drystone bund at Engineer Engineer Hyd. Circle Companies/Joint Baba Reshi Gasul for WSS Baba Reshi Cheerdara with Tr ial runfor 06 monthsafter RWSDivision Circle Srinagar/Gand Venture of repute in completion of the Construction work and maintenance foraperiod of fiveyears Ganderbal Srinagar/ erbal on PWD or Equivalent including other existing Structures likeService Reservoir,PST ,RWM ,mains ,sub under MH Ganderbal) 06.06.2020 in CPWD/Railways mains &distribution NetworkonTURNKEY BASIS under NABARD including 0215) and other state Conducting complete necessarysoil tests as requiredatselected site ,asper the Governments. Parameters/Specification mentioned in the tender document”. Architectural aesthetics shall also be kept in consideration to make the structures appealing.”.

2. “Design,Construction ,successful testing &Commissioning of 0.65 lac Gallons ` 164.42 `25.00 lacs `0.04 ` 1.65 Lacs 07 1st Office of the SELF HELP Capacity Service Reservoir including Chain Link fencing around various structures, Lacs (Favoring (Pledged to the Months Superintending GROUP Catch water Drain, Sluice Chambers,Retaining/Brest Walls,Anchor Blocks ,approach Executive Superintending Engineer,Hyd. road ,Bath room including Laying/fitting of Supply Mains .sub Mains and distribution Engineer Engineer Hyd. Circle Pipe Networkfor WSSTelaliBasti Wussan with Tr ial runfor 06 monthsafter completion RWSDivision Circle Srinagar/Gand of the Construction work and maintenance foraperiod of fiveyears forexisting Slow Ganderbal Srinagar/ erbal on Sand Filtration Plant ,Service Reservoir &allied system including existing/new Pipe net- under MH Ganderbal) 06.06.2020 work on TURNKEY BASIS under NABARD including Conducting complete necessary 0215) soil tests as requiredatselected site ,asper the Parameters/Specification mentioned in the tender document. Architectural aesthetics shall also be kept in consideration to make the structures appealing.”

3. “Design, Construction, successfultesting &Commissioning of of 1.00lac gallons R.C.C. Tender Cost including `0.04 ` 2.07 Lacs 05 1st Office of the “A” Class -Reputed Service Reservoir,Laying/ fitting, testing, commissioning of rawwater main &sub-main of all Taxes (Favoring (Pledged to the Months Executive and resourceful con- 200/150/0100mmdia and distribution system from S.R. to Baderekundand Bandaybagh (QUOTABLE) Executive Executive Engineer PHE tractors/ Firms/ etc. Constructionofchainlink fencing around filtration plant, construction of C.W.D, truss Engineer Engineer PHE RWSDivision Companies/Joint forRapidSandFiltration Plant /Chowkidar'squarter at Kawajinar springatShahporaand ` 103.18 RWSDivision RWSDivision Ganderbal/ Venture of repute in nearfiltrationplantsBudderkund for WSS Budderkund with Tr ial runfor 06 months after Lacs Ganderbal Ganderbal/Sgr. SGR. H.Q. PWD or Equivalent completionofthe Construction work on TURNKEYBASIS under NABARD including under MH H.Q. Chewki Cheki in CPWD/Railways Conducting completenecessary soil tests as required at selected site ,asper the 0215 Duderhama Duderhama and other state Parameters/ Specificationmentioned in the tenderdocument”. Architectural aesthetics Ganderbal) Ganderbal on Governments. shall also be kept in consideration to make the structures appealing..”. 06.06.2020 Position of Funds:-Available; Major Head of Account: NABARD The BiddingDocuments and other details can be downloaded from the website: https://jktenders.gov.in From 16.05.2020 (10.00 A.M.) To 09.06.2020 upto (04.00 P.M.) The Biddingdocuments consisting of qualifying information,eligibilitycriteria, specifications, Drawings (if any), Book of quantities (B.O.Q), Set of terms,conditions of contract and other details can be viewed/ OFFICE OF downloaded from the website: www.jktenders.gov.in Note:- Twoormore Self Help Groupscan form aConsortium to execute worksupto ?2 (two) Croressubject to the condition that the SHGs forming Consortium have been graded by the Superintending THESUPERINTENDING ENGINEER Engineers R&B/PHE/ I&FC/UEED/PDD,asthe case maybe, as very good and/or excellent. Furthermore,SHGs forming the Consortium must have aminimum six years of experience,each. Forworks beyond ?2 (two) Croresnospecialincentive like30% quota or 1% earnest moneyshall be available forthem and the Consortium shall have to participateintenders, likeother contractors,for worksinthe P.W.D. (B&R) AMBIKAPUR CIRCLE AMBIKAPUR common pool. Provided where there is no Superintending Engineer,the SHG shall be graded by Chief Engineer concerned. (For full details please refer to the Tender Document). The Schedule showing the critical dates is given below Invitation Date:11/05/2020 TABLE (II) 01 Date of Publishing of Tender Notice 15.05.2020 02 Date of downloading of biddingdocuments From 16.05.2020 (10.00 A.M.) To 09.06.2020 upto (04.00 P. M.) E-PROCUREMENT TENDER NOTICE 03 Date of Pre-bidmeeting In the Office of the:- 1. Superintending Engineer,Hyd. Circle Srinagar/Ganderbal, H.Q. Srinagar.(forthe Work at S.No.1,&2on 02.06.2020 at 10.30A.M.) 01. For tender detail please visit http://eproc.cgstate.gov.in 2.ExecutiveEngineer, RWSDivision Ganderbal, H.Q. Duderhama Ganderbal (for the worksatS.No.3on 01.06.2020 at 10.30 A.M.) 04 Last date of submission bid Queries 06.06.2020 upto 3.00 P. M. 02. Bid Due Date -26.05.2020 05 Bid submission startdate 16.05.2020 (10.00 A.M.) 03. Concern Division -S.No.1-Surajpur Division, S.No. 2,3,4 06 Bid Submission end date 09.06.2020 upto (04.00 P. M.) 08 Date &time of openingBids (Technical Cover) 11.06.2020 at 11.30 A.M. PathalgaonDivision S.No. 5Jashpur Division Sd/- (Er.M.AslmanZargar), No: -PHED/RWSD/Corrs./774–99Executive Engineer,PHE RWSDivsiionGanderbal/Sgr. S. N.I.T. ONLINE NAMEOFWORK P.A.C.IN Dated:- 15.05.2020 DIPK-NB-279/20 H.Q.: ChekiDuderhama Ganderbal. No. NO. SYSTEM LACKS NUMBER 1 2 3 4 5 1 19 63774 Construction of 1Nos DType 139.26 1ST CALL C and 1Nos EType Qtr. for Jud CLASS & icial Officers at Pratappur ABOVE Distt. Surajpur (C.G.) 2 20 63775 Construction of Higher 116.54 1ST CALL C Secondary School Building at CLASS & Dokda Block Kansabel Distt. ABOVE Jashpur including Electrification works 3 21 63777 Construction of Higher 116.54 1ST CALL C Secondary School Building at CLASS & Chetba Block Kansabel Distt. ABOVE Jashpur including Electrification works 4 22 63779 Construction of Higher 121.16 1STCALL Secondary School Building at CCLASS & Pandrapath BlockBagicha ABOVE Distt. Jashpur including Electrification works 5 23 63812 Construction of High Sthool 69.02 1ST CALL BuildingatKunjaraBlock DCLASS & Kunkuri Distt. Jashpur. ABOVE sd/- Superintending Engineer P.W.D. AmbikapurCircle 80766 Ambikapur

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THESUNDAY EXPRESS,MAY17,2020 Crude Wa tch OIL PRICES JUMP AS DEMAND PICKSUP NewYork: US crude prices jumped 7per cent on Fridaytotheir highest since March, on strengthening fuel demand as countries 11 ECONOMY around the world eased travel restrictions they had imposed to curb the spread of thecoronavirus. REUTERS

NON-LIFE INDUSTRY EXPANDED 14% TO `15,866 CR IN YEAR-AGO MONTH Facing harassmentas RILrights issue set to open on Lockdown,pandemictaketollongeneral we denied MCA official May 20, closing insurerbusiness,contracts10.4%inApr clubmembership, says date is June 3 Delhi Gymkhana Club ENSECONOMICBUREAU MUMBAI,MAY16 wascompensated by healthand domestic general insurance in- BajajAllianz GeneralInsurance GEORGEMATHEW ‘FALLMAYCONTINUE property segments. The pre- dustryhad grown15to16per showedadegrowth of 21 per AASHISHARYAN The allegations by the RELIANCE INDUSTRIES (RIL) on MUMBAI,MAY16 TILLSEPTEMBER’ mium forproperty riskshave cent on average. cent at Rs 876crore premium NEW DELHI, MAY 16 Delhi Gymkhana Club Saturday said itsRs53,125-crore gone up,” said Atul Sahai, CMD, United India Insurance has income. HDFC Ergo General rightsissue will open forsub- THE ONGOINGnationwide lock- NIA. seen itspremium remaining al- Insurance (Rs 601crore,down THE DELHI Gymkhana Clubhas areapartofits reply scription on May20. The closing down forced by the COVID-19 ■ The overall The listedNIA has also man- mostflat at Rs 1,389 croredur- 16 per cent),Reliance General alleged that it wasfacingha- affidavit filedwith the dateofthe issue is June 3, RIL pandemic has hit the general in- depressivetrends in aged to grow itsmiscellaneous ing the month. Standalone Insurance (Rs 721crore, 9per rassment at the hands of the said in astock exchangefiling. surance industry,with mostof the industrydue to business whichhas compen- health insurer,StarHealth, at Rs centdecline), Tata AIG General MinistryofCorporate Affairs National CompanyLaw The issue wasapproved by the players witnessing negative COVID-19pandemic sated itsloss of premiums in 402 crore, has pulledoff the Insurance (Rs 602 crore, 10 per (MCA) as it “resistedpressure” Tribunal the rightsissue committee of growth in their premium in- willcontinue till cargo,hull and aviation, afew highestgrowth at 50 per cent y- cent fall), and Iffco Tokio gen- to give membership to Navrang the boardofdirectors at ameet- come in April 2020, and antici- September 2020, segmentsseverelyimpacted by o-y in the industryduring April eral insurance(Rs 503 crore, 25 Saini, ahigh-ranking official at ing heldonFriday. The letter of pating the decline in the busi- expectsthe industry. the ongoing countrywide 2020. per centfall)facedaslowdown the Ministry. on Monday. offerwill be filedwith the BSE, ness to continue till September lockdown. ICICI Lombard, whichhas in April. “Insofarasthe complaint of In itsreplyaffidavit, the the NSE and the Securitiesand this year. The overall depressivetrends been degrowing itspremium in- Afterexpandingat15per Navrang Sainiisconcerned, it club has, without naming any- ExchangeBoardofIndia (Sebi). The domestic general insur- down. Bucking the trend, NIA, in the industry due to COVID-19 come to seekaprofitablegrowth cent to 16 per cent till February, arises out of the Clubhavingre- one, also said thatregionaldi- The abridged letter of offer, ap- ance industry, consisting of 33 the largest Indian general in- pandemic will continue till forthe lastone year,has seen a9 the domestic general insurance sistedpressuretogivehim rector of the northern wing of plication form of therightsis- players, has contracted 10.4 per surer,has managed to grow its September 2020. “Hopefullyall per cent decline in itspremium industryhad starteddegrowing membership.The Club verily MCA, approved action“with- sue and rights entitlement let- cent year-on-year(y-o-y)toRs monthlypremium by 7per cent the segmentsincluding motor income to Rs 1,395 croreinApril, since March 2020. believesthat since (Mr) Saini out application of mind”. terwill be sent to the eligible 14,206crore in April. In April y-o-y to Rs 3,161crore in April, portfolio willlookup,” Sahaisaid. as against9per cent growth rate The general insurance in- wasahigh-ranking member in “It is trite that in the matter equity shareholders of the com- 2019,the industry expanded 14 the firstmonth of the newfiscal The industrywithRs at Rs 1,533crore in April 2019. dustryhad missedits muchex- the MCA, theharassment that of aprivate club, such as the pany. The companyhad earlier per cent to Rs 15,866crore. 2020-21. 15,784.66crore of premium, “Wehaveseen degrowth in pected target of Rs 2trillion the club has been facing from answering respondent, there fixedMay 14 as the recorddate Exceptstate-owned New “It could become possible showeda10 per centdecline in motorand travel but managed croreannual premium markin the Department of Corporate cannotbeany element of pub- forthe issue. India Assurance (NIA) and duetothe company’s strong March while forthe whole year to retain the growth in health 2019-20 as disruptions caused Affairs harpsbacktothat lic interestassounderstood to This is the firstrightsissue by United India Insurance (UII),all presence on the digital platform. at Rs 1.89 lakh croreofannual and property portfolio in April,” by nationwide lockdown trig- episode,” the club said. enable the Petitioner,the RIL in nearly three decades. It top10general insurers in the Our entireteam has risen to premium, it has grown11per companysources said. geredbyCOVID-19pulled Saini, currentlyawhole- Union of India to file apeti- willbepricedatRs1,257ashare country,mainlyfromthe private meetthe challenges. The lossof cent —the lowest in recent years. Mostofthe othermajor pri- down the industry’s total pre- time member of theInsolvency tion,” the club said in itsreply. in the shareratio of 1:15(one sector,havebeen hit by the slow- premiumsinthe motorsegment Forthe rest of the11months, the vate sector generalinsurerslike miuminMarch. and Bankruptcy BoardofIndia, “He has mechanically, with- rightssharefor every15shares wasserving as adirector gen- outapplication of mind agreed held). The issue amount is Rs eral duringhis laststint at the with the investigating officer 53,125crore. BRIEFLY MCA. and recommendedaction,a The payment terms will be The race to deployCOVID-19 FIRSTGENERATIONAPPS APPSTHATUSEPHONE The allegations by theDelhi glaring defect that goes to the 25 per cent on application and Exportsof THATUSEBLUETOOTH LOCATIONDATA GymkhanaClubare apartofits root of his formationofhis balance in one or morecalls. On contact tracing apps TECHNOLOGY TheGPSsatellitesystem,aswell replyaffidavitfiledwiththe opinion and renders it non-est,” application, theshareholders non-medical Singapore’sTraceTogether, ascellphonetowers,makeit National CompanyLaw the club said in itsreplyaffi- will payRs2.50onface value launchedinMarch,wasthefirst possibleforgovernmentsand Tribunal (NCLT). The Indian davit. and Rs 311.75 on premium,to- masksallowed Technologists and healthofficials aroundthe worldare Bluetooth-basedcontact-tracing networkoperatorstotrack Express has reviewedacopyof Asserting that therewas “no talling to Rs 314.25 per rightseq- racing to develop smartphone apps to trace who has been in app smartphonesandmanyother the affidavit. element of public interest” as uity share. Theremaining Rs NewDelhi: The government contact withcarriers of thenovel coronavirus Australia,Malaysiaandthe typesofmobilephones The MCAhad latelast the DelhiGymkhanaClub was 942.75 will be payable in one or on Saturdayeasedmask ex- month on April 24 movedaplea a“privateclub formedfor the more subsequent calls as deter- WHATISCONTACT UnitedKingdom havelaunched portrestrictions by permit- similarBluetoothapps before the NCLT that amanage- use of itsmembers or other per- minedbythe boardofdirectors ting outbound shipmentsof TRACING? APPSTHATGOBEYOND ment committee appointedby mitted persons”, the manage- from time to time. non-medicalandnon-surgi- Contact-tracing,atacticthat CONTACTTRACING it should immediatelytakeover ment committee of the club has Ambani had in Augustlast calmasksofalltypes,includ- traditionallyreliesonpatients’ APPSTHATWILLUSETHE Somecountries,notablyChina, Delhi Gymkhana Club as there requestedthe NCLT to dismiss year unveiledplans to cut debt ing cotton, silk,wool and memoriesoftheirmovements, APPLE-GOOGLE havedevelopedappsthatcollect was“fraudulent and rampant the management takeover pe- tozeroby2021. As partofthis knitted.However,all other identifiespeopletheymighthave BLUETOOTHAPPROACH personalhealthdata,traveland mismanagement of affairs” tition filedbythe MCA. plan, RIL has been seeking types of maskssuchasN-95 infectedsotheytoocanbeisolated Noapp:Laterthisyear,Appleand otherinformationusefulfor prevalent at thecentury-old The “real aim, intent and strategicpartnerships across its andsurgicalmaskswillcon- Googlewillincludethetoolin diseasecontrol club. purpose” of the petition by businesses while targeting to tinue to remain prohibited AMAJORCONCERN softwareupdates,meaningusers Healthcodeapp:Chinesecitizens The NCLT had then agreedto MCA, the management com- deleverage the balance sheet. forexports. Anotification is isthatappswilllogan canlogcontactswithouthavingto mustcarrya“healthcode” hear the petition and asked the mittee of the club said, wasto At the endofMarch quarter, “amendedtoallowthe ex- overwhelmingnumberoferroneous downloadanapp.Theysaidthey appthatratestheirrisklevelto club’s 16-member governing cause the “corporatedeath” of RIL had an outstanding debt of portofnon-medical/non- contacts.Privacyworriescould wouldbuildspecialsoftwareto entershopsorrideontrains, body, headedbyretired the place, and thereforeitwas Rs 3,36,294crore.Italso had surgical masksofall types Lieutenant GeneralDRSoni to shocking that the government cashinhand of Rs 1,75,259 limituptakeoftheapps makeBluetoothappsworkbetter forexample Source: Reuters (cotton, silk,wool,knitted),” respond to MCA’s plea by May wanted to takeover the club, crore, bringing the netdebt po- theDGFTsaid. 13.The plea will nowbeheard the club said in itsaffidavit. sition to Rs 1,61,035crore. Powerministry writestostates Cabinet may soon okay plan to Jio, Airtel, Voda Idea seek GST input credit aboutpackage promulgate Ordinance to amend dues or soft loans against pendingrefunds NewDelhi: The Power Ministryhas written to all lendingrate)beallowedtous.We states and UTsextendingRs Essential Commodities Act AASHISHARYAN have notheardbackonthat,” an 90,000crorefinancialpack- NEWDELHI,MAY16 Telcosmayneedto executive atoneof thetelcos,said. agetoassistthestresseddis- this law. findanotherway ApartfromtheRs35,000crore tributioncompanies (dis- HARIKISHANSHARMA Asked about the Interacting withmedia via THETHREEmajorprivatetelecom ITCrefunds, originalequipment com). The Ministryhas NEWDELHI,MAY16 videoconference,Paswansaidthe companies,RelianceJioInfocomm outofliquiditycrisis manufacturers (OEM) arealso informedthe states that timeline by whichthe government is sensitive to the Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, learntto have approachedthegov- powergeneration compa- AS PART of the COVID-19relief government wantsto plightof themigrantlabourersand have approachedthegovernment ernmentaskingittoclear the Rs niesaresuggestedtogive20- package, the Union Cabinetmay amend the EC Act, Food thepoor,andhisMinistryisdoing seeking either refunds of their WHILE AsoftloanagainstGST input credit is likelytohelp 20,000 crorepending dues owed 25percentdiscountonfixed soonapproveaproposalto prom- everythingpossibleto ensurethat pending Goods and ServicesTax telcos tide over the current liquidity crisis, it maybe to them by various public sector chargestodiscoms. ulgateanOrdinanceto amendthe MinisterRam Vilas no one is hungry. (GST) input credit or softloans problematicfor the government to allowthe same as it units.Therehasbeennoresponse Communication in this re- Essential Commodities (EC) Act, Paswan said “nothing Paswansaidfreefoodgrainsto againstthefundtohelpthem tide would have to followthe same processfor other on that either,the sources said. gard has been sent lateon 1955, it is learnt. is impossible” 8crore migrantlabourersandtheir overtheliquidityissuesdueto the companies and sectors as well. “Both (telcos and OEMs) were Friday, the Ministry said. According to sources, the families will be providedunder ongoing lockdown, sources close The telcos mayhavetofind another wayout from the told by the Finance Ministrythat MinistryofConsumerAffairs,Food Atmanirbhar BharatAbhiyaan. to the developmentsaid. current liquidity crisis as thereislittle hope of input tax therewould be no paymentsor and PublicDistribution has circu- Afterthe amendment, com- “Thisdecisionisintheinterest Thethreecompanieshave sent credit refund from the Finance Ministry. refunds as of nowdue to severe NRAIpartners lated adraft of theOrdinanceto modities suchascereals, edible of migrants.Congressmaysay give letters asking that either these in- liquidity crisis in the govern- DotPefor amend the EC Act, and the same oils, oilseeds, pulses, onions and morequantity of foodgrains for puttaxcredit(ITC)fortheGSTpaid ment,” an executive who at- maybeapproved by the Union potato areexpectedtobederegu- free. The NFSA, underwhich5kg be allowedtothem or theybeal- tendedthe meeting with the digitalordering Cabinetinits next meeting. lated.“Stock limitwillbeimposed per person subsidisedgrain is lowedtotakeloans usingthis (COAI) and DoTofficials. TheDoT, November lastyear as well when Finance Ministrysaid. However, asked about the under very exceptional circum- givento81crorethroughPDS,was credit as acollateral. however, hasnotrespondedtothe the SC had ruledagainstthe tele- Under pressuretoworkout a NewDelhi: National timeline by which the govern- stances likenational calamities, framedduringthe UPAtime. But, RelianceJiohaspendingITCre- COAI or the telcos’ demands, accom companiesinthe adjusted solutionto keepthetelcosalive fol- Restaurant Association of ment wantstoamend the EC Act, famine with surge in prices. the Modi government is doing fund of Rs 18,000 crore, while cording to sources. gross revenue (AGR) matter.The lowingtheAGRjudgment,theDoT India(NRAI)onSaturdaysaid Food MinisterRam Vilas Paswan Further,nosuchstock limitshall maximum.This is notthe end of BhartiAirteland Vodafone Idea “Wehavenot heardanything telcos then approachedthe hadlastyearwrittento theFinance it has partnered commerce on Saturdaysaid “nothing is im- applytoprocessorsor value chain all.ThePrimeMinisterissensitive have pending Rs10,000croreand definitive on what the govern- FinanceMinistryseekingarefund Ministry, requestingthematterto platform, DotPe, to increase possible.” participant, subjecttotheir in- and awareofthe situation,” Rs 7,000 crorerespectively. The mentintendstodowiththis ex- of theITCowedtothem,butfailed refundthependingITCoftelecom omnichannel sales, provid- “Weare examining it. It has to stalledcapacity or to anyexporter Paswan noted. three companies did notrespond cess moneythat is nowowedto to getapositiveresponse. firms be referred to the GST ing business-to-business bedecidedattheCabinetlevel.We subjectto theexportdemand,”the According to Food Ministry, to mailsseeking theirresponse to thecompanies.We hadameeting “As of now, this hasbecome Council,soitcould be expedited. digital ordering solutions needtolookatthe practicality,” governmentsaidinastatementis- about 8lakhmetrictonsoffood- theletter,oriftheyhadgottenany asrecentlyasabouttwoweeksago theITCforentire lastfinancialyear. “Nearly half of allthesmalland fully integrated withapay- Paswan said. sued on Friday. grains have been allocatefor free responsefromthe Departmentof whenwe metwiththeDoTsecre- We had approachedthe finance large telecomvendorsandoutlets ment gateway forits mem- Paswan’s commentscamea Describing the EC Actas foodgrains(5kgperindividualper Telecommunications (DoT). taryandraisedthisconcern,”COAI ministryinthelastweekofMarch have remainedclosedoverthelast berrestaurantsand cloud dayafterFinanceMinisterNirmala “anachronistic”, the Economic monthduring Mayand June) dis- Ameeting in this regard was director general Rajan Mathews withthesamerequestthatitbere- 7-8weeks.Sothereisnocashflow kitchens. PTI Sitharaman announced that gov- Survey 2019-20, too, recom- tributionto 8crore migrantwork- also held between the Cellular told The Indian Express. fundedorsome loans at MCLR as such,” asenior executive at ernment will amend the EC Act. mendedthe “jettisoning”of ers who don’t have arationcard. Operators Association of India The issuewas raisedin (marginal costoffundsbased Vodafone Idea said. US adds new sanction on Saudiwealth fund boosts ‘CCI reviewing antitrust Chinese tech giant Huawei US holdings, buys stakes allegations against WhatsApp’ in Citi, Boeing, Facebook whichisworkingto fullylaunchits “There has been avery Chinesecompanythatwerepro- REUTERS ‘ABUSINGMARKET paymentsplatforminIndia,where ASSOCIATEDPRESS highly technicalloophole ducedusing US technology. STAKEINMARRIOTT NEWDELHI,MAY16 POSITION’ it has been beta testing it with 1 BOSTON,MAY16 through which Huawei The move “lookslikeavictory REUTERS millionusers since 2018. has been able to in effect forthe people who reallywantto DUBAI/BENGALURU,MAY16 THEANTITRUSTwatchdogislook- ■The Competition Lackofregulatoryclearances THEUSgovernmenthasimposed drive the nail,orwhat theythink ingintoallegationsthatFacebook’s Commission of India have meantWhatsApphasstrug- newrestrictions on Chinesetech use US technology” willbethenail,inHuawei’scoffin,” SAUDIARABIA’Ssovereignwealth $514mn WhatsAppisabusingitsdominant (CCI) is reviewing a gled to offerthe service to its giant Huawei’s abilitytouse WILBUR ROSS saidAdamSegal,aseniorfellowat fund hasbought minority stakes positionby offeringpaymentserv- complaint filedinmid- around 400millionusers in India, Americantechnology,steppingup the Council on Foreign Relations. in major American companies in- ■The PIF has anearly $514 ices to itsvastbase of messaging March alleging that itsbiggestmarketworldwide.The COMMERCE SECRETARY aconflict with Beijing over indus- Chinathreatenedretaliation cluding Boeing, Facebook and million stakeinMarriott and a app users in the country, three WhatsApp was CCIcanorderitsinvestigationsarm trydevelopmentand security. China’sfirstglobaltechbrandand againstUScompanies. Citigroup ,aregulatoryfiling small holding in Berkshire sourcestoldReutersonFriday. The bundling itsdigital to conduct awider probeintothe Commerce SecretaryWilbur amaker of networkequipment China’s foreign ministrysaid showed, givingitaportfolio of Hathaway, according to the CompetitionCommissionof India payment facility within allegations,orthrow outthecaseif Ross said FridaythatWashington and smartphones, is at the center on Saturdaythe United States nearly $10billion in U.S.-listed filing. The PIF also disclosed (CCI)isreviewingacomplaintfiled itsmessaging app, it finds no meritinit. wantstoprevent Huawei from of US-Chinese conflict over neededtostopthe“unreasonable stocks.The $300 billion Public an $827.7million stake in oil in mid-March alleging that allowing it to abuse its “The caseisininitial stages ... evadingsanctionsimposedearlier Beijing’s technology ambitions. suppression” of Chinesecompa- Investment Fund (PIF) has been companyBP, whichhas WhatsApp wasbundling itsdigi- market position. seniormembersof CCIarereview- onitsuseof Americantechnology American officials sayHuaweiisa nies likeHuawei, and aChinese buyingminoritystakesincompa- American DepositoryReceipts talpaymentfacilitywithinitsmes- ing it but afinal decision hasn’t to design and produce semicon- security risk,whichthe company newspaper said the government nies across the world, taking ad- (ADRs) listedinthe US. sagingapp,allowingitto abuseits been reached,” said the firstofthe ductors abroad. denies. China’s government has wasreadytoretaliate against vantageofmarketweaknessinthe market position and penetrate the complainantinthe case wasa three sources. “Therehas been averyhighly accusedWashington of misusing Washington. wakeof thecoronavirusoutbreak. India’s booming digital payments lawyer,butdeclinedtodivulgethe The antitrustcomplaintal- technicalloopholethroughwhich securitywarningsto harmarising China will firmlydefend its ThePIFdisclosedstakesworth Securities and Exchange market,the sources said. identityofthe person. Reuters leges that WhatsApp’s large user Huaweihas been able to in effect competitorto UStechnologyfirms. companies’legalrights,theforeign $713.7 millioninBoeing, about Commission(SEC)filingonFriday WhatsApp and Facebook did couldnotindependently ascertain base meant it wasdominant in use US technology,” Ross told Fox Under the newrules, foreign ministrysaid in astatement in re- $522 million in Citigroup, $522 showed. notimmediatelyrespondtore- who filedthe case. the messagingapp market,and Business.“Weneverintendedthat semiconductor makers mustob- sponse to Reuters’ questions on million in Facebook,$495.8 mil- The PIF has anearly $514 mil- peatedrequestsforcomment.The Thecomplaint,whichhaspre- the companywas forcingits pay- loophole to be there.” tain aUSlicense to ship Huawei- whether Beijing would take retal- lion in Disneyand $487.6 million lion stakeinMarriott and asmall CCI also did notrespond. viouslynot been reported, comes mentsfeatureontoits existing HuaweiTechnologies Ltd, designedsemiconductors to the iatorymeasuresagainstthe US. in Bank of America, the US holding in BerkshireHathaway. TwoofthesourcestoldReuters at acritical time forWhatsApp, users.

New Delhi WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 12 OPINION THE SUNDAY EXPRESS,MAY17,2020

Across Fifth THEAISLE COLUMN TAVLEENSINGH TheRs20lakhcrorewhodunit Twitter@tavleen_singh

IN BUDGET 2020-21, the Centralgovern- had run out of cash and wasforcedto mentplannedtospend Rs 30,42,230 REVENUE EXPENDITURE borrow; and (8)nearly 5.8 croreMSMEs croreinthe current year.The shortfall on All revenue Rs 30,42,230 All expenditureRs30,42,230 who fell outside the Finance Minister’s Humanity the revenue side would be financedby (Tax, non-Tax, Capital Receipts, Less Cut in MPLADS 3,960 MSME package. (In the second tranche borrowing Rs 7,96,337crore.This wasthe the FM announcedone fiscal measure Borrowing) Less WIthholding budgeted fiscal deficit, equivalent to 3.5 formigrants: free food grain fortwo Addl borrowing 4,20,000 DA,DRincrease 37,530 needed, PCHIDAMBARAM per cent of GDP. months valuedatRs3,500crore.) Less Shortfall in Revenue 4,20,000 Website:pchidambaram.in Coronavirus changed all those calcu- NET TOTALEXPENDITURE 30,00,740 On analysing the firsttranche,and Twitter@Pchidambaram_IN lations. It wasevident to everyecono- NET TOTALREVENUE 30,42,230 (in crorerupees) giving awide berthtothe government, I mistthatthe borrowing could notbe concluded thatRs3,60,000croremay be not charity limited to Rs 7,96,337 crore, India must the additional expenditure. On similar borrowmore; onlythe government was Thereisnoclarity whether the it may, the RBI has providedadditional analysis, the second tranche yieldeda in denial.OnMay 8, the government government will makecutsinother liquidity supportofRs5.24lakh crore figureofRs5,000 croreand the third, IT HAS takenthis pandemic to bring home reluctantlyadmitted that it will borrow items of expenditure. The cutsan- since March 27;inturn, the bankshave regretfully, nothing clear. the horrible reality that decades of bad an additional amount of Rs 4.2 lakh crore nouncedsofar will save the government parkedwith the RBI an additional about political and economicpolicieshave taking the total borrowing to about Rs 41,490 croreand will be available for Rs 4.14 lakh croresince that date! By dehumanisedmillions of Indians. It is sad Rs 12 lakhcrore.The fiscal deficit (assum- Covid-19-related expenditure. That ex- stretching the argument in favour of the EXPENDITURE SANS but true that the desperatepeopleforced ing no changeinthe estimateofGDP) penditure will only restore the original government, if theadditional liquidity BORROWING? to walk hundredsofkilometres home are would be 5.3 percent. levelofexpenditureand, therefore, will translatedintoadditionalcredit that car- seen as lesser human beings than their notamounttoafiscal stimulus. riedasubsidisedinterestrateoriswrit- All these numbers, Iamafraid, miss moreprivileged brethren, brought back tenoff,perhaps the interestsubsidy or the central issue. Additional expenditure on Air India flightsand navalwarships.I MERE GAP-FILLING written-offamount canbecounted as is possible onlyifthereare additionalrev- am deliberatelynot using the words‘mi- Ihad pointed out that the additional LIQUIDITYNOT FISCAL fiscal stimulus.All that is in the realm of enues/resources.Ifnot,weare stuck grant workers’ to describethose who have borrowing would be a fiscal stimulus STIMULUS conjecture. Besides,outstandingbank with the budgeted expenditureof endured unspeakable suffering. It is labels onlyifitwas used to provide cash and credit has fallen from Rs 103.8 lakh crore Rs 30,42,230 crore. On additional rev- likethis that help dehumanise those There is no claritywhether otherformsofsupporttothe poorest Isuspect the government will count on March 25 to Rs 102lakh croretoday. enues/resources, the government is omi- Indians who continuetolivethe most the government will make familiesatthe bottom half of the popu- the mis-labelledRs1.7 lakh crorepack- On May12, thePrime Minister nouslysilent. degradedlives because of ‘socialism’. cuts in other items of lation and to re-start the completely ageannouncedonMarch 25 as a fiscal grabbed the headlinewith the announ- Letmestate categorically, if there is Speaking of socialism,Sonia Gandhi stalledeconomy. Worryingly, Ihearthat stimulus.Actually, the additionality was cement of aRs20lakhcrore Economic no additional borrowing, therecan be no and her children surfaced,lastweek, to at- expenditure. Thecuts the additional amount of Rs 4.2 lakh only Rs 60,000croreincash transfer plus Stimulus Package—but left thepage additional expenditureand, logically, no tack the Modi government on behalf of announced so far will save crorewillbeusedfor ‘gap filling’.The Rs 40,000 crorebeing the value of the blank! Beginning May 13,the Finance fiscal stimulus.All over the world, addi- the suffering. Theyhavenorightto. It is the government Rs 41,490 government expectstotakeabig hit on grain (notbudgeted earlier). We can Ministerstarted giving out the ‘details’ tional borrowing is the keytofiscalstim- becauseofeconomic policies followedby crore and will be available for estimated taxrevenuesand proceeds of thereforecount Rs 1lakh croreasa of the package. Thepeople leftfuming ulus: borrowmoreand spend more, and the Dynasty to whichtheyare heirs, that disinvestsment. If the ‘gap’ has been fiscal stimulus. were the (1) farmers; (2) migrants; (3) if the borrowing reachedanuncomfort- millions of Indians still live in extreme Covid-19-related expenditure. estimated at about Rs 4.2 lakh crore, the Ialsosuspect thegovernment will workers who had been laid offorre- able level, monetise part of the additional poverty. These policies areborn of an That expenditure will only additional borrowing will fill that ‘gap’. countthe RBI’s steps to provide addi- trenched; (4) workers in unorganised borrowing/deficit, that is, print money. ideologythatIliketocallfeudal socialism. restore the original level of This is unavoidable, but the amount of tional liquidity as a fiscal stimulus.To and unregistered businesses who had Absent additionalborrowing, there This feudal socialism is basedonthe expenditure and,therefore, Rs 4.2 lakh crorecertainlycannotbe confuse liquidity with expenditure is lost theirjobs;(5) self-employedwho will be no fiscal stimulus to stimulate premise that at the topwillalways exista counted as a fiscal stimulus. conceptual confusion.Liquidity works had no work;(6) the poorestfamilies demand in the economy. The Rs 20 lakh small, privileged ruling class that controls will not amount to a Look at asimple statement on the supplyside, fiscal stimulus is who livedevery dayfromhand to crorewillbeanother jumla.Wewill be the destinyofour poorestcitizens by fiscal stimulus of accounts: neededfor the demandside. Be that as mouth; (7) the lowermiddleclass that self-reliant (Atma Nirbhar)injumlas. takingresponsibility for‘alleviating’ their poverty. As longastheyare happytolive in poverty, we bestow uponthemsuch scraps from the high table as free electricity,water,foodgrain andothersubsidies. Instead of real jobs we give them MGN- Iyothee Thass, India’s Life REGAdole. We build forthem schools that RWAand balanceina arenot reallyschools and healthcare that &WORK is notreally healthcare.The people we firstsubaltern historian have seeninthe food queues in our slums, AMEENATALWAR worldhit by coronavirus penned up in urban hovels and being [email protected] beaten whentheytriedtowalkhome, are his community and religion in his weekly the ‘beneficiaries’ of feudal socialism. Tamizhan in 1907. Thamizhan had a My reason forsupporting Narendra Dalitality separatecolumn devoted to women. Modi in those early months thathewas Along with contemporarypoliticsThass THE PRESSURES of running aResidents’ Prime Minister, wasbecause Ibelieved DRAVIKUMAR also extensively wrote on classical Tamil WelfareAssociation, or RWAastheyare him when he promisedtotake India in a literature. He startedserialising the biog- better known in Delhi, areverysimilar to neweconomic direction. The millions of raphyofBuddha in the same journal. He running ahome. What youhaveisahuge Indianswho voted himbacktopowerfor usedthe question and answer section of joint family. But, at the end of the day, asecondterm also believedthis. Theysaw the journal to address various social and whatmatters is oneshouldfeel happy that he did notmanagetocreatethe mil- cultural issues. He wasalsoapioneerprior about coming home. lions of newjobs theyneededbut were AMIDSTTHE trying times of Covid-19, the to Ambedkar in criticising the Swarajya Over the 10 years that Ihavebeen as- happythathehad at least run thewelfare DalitsofTamilNadu aregearinguptocel- movement. He observed thatthe move- sociated with the RWAinmyVasantKunj schemes that makeuptheir safetynet bet- ebratethe 175thbirth anniversaryofPandit ment wasdrivenbyfourkinds of arro- society, therehavebeenups anddowns. terthan Congress governments ever did. Iyothee Thass on May20. Thass is aleg- gances —caste,religion, education and Likeinafamily, ourshareofdisagree- Todaytheyfeel trulybetrayed thathedid endaryfigureinclassical Tamil literature wealth. Simultaneously, he also attacked mentsand disputes. However, my team notcareenough forthemtoensurethat and philosophy, and practitioner of the the renownedpoetSubramanya Bharathi and Ihavemanaged to earn the confi- theyhad transporttoget home before the Siddhasystemofmedicine who could also formentioning the word ‘pariah’ in one of dence, goodwill and faith of itspeople. firstlockdown. If keeping them in the cities easilyworkinEnglish, Sanskrit and Pali. his poem. He also criticisedcongressmen It’s this that has come in handy forus, wasdeliberate, then whyweretheynot Afterorganising the tribals of Nilgris who were shedding tears to the sufferings as RWAs across Delhi chartout their givenshelter, food and financial support? in 1870s, he establishedAdvaidananda of people in SouthAfrica but ignored the course in the post-Covid-19world. We As someone who belongs to the Khan Sabha in 1876.Helaunchedamagazine plight of untouchables in India. have all heardaccountsofRWAs’ high- Market gang Modi has suchcontempt for, called Dravida Pandian alongwith Rev Thass alsointerpretedTamilclassics handedness, RWAs going beyond their it givesmepleasuretotell him thathehas John Rathinam in 1885. In 1886, Thass is- from Buddhistviewpoint as well as brief in interpretation of government re- created anew KhanMarket gang that is suedastatement,almosthalf-a-century rewrote Indian history in an entirelydif- laxations, and members havingtoseek moreheartless thanweeverwere. This before Ambedkar,saying that the so- ferent light. His book, Indirar Desa police help to getaround them. Delhi govt had asked RWAs to allowmovement of essentialservices. Amit Mehra gangspeaksforhimonsocialmediaandare calleduntouchables were notHindus. Sarithiram (History of India), can be clas- From the beginning of the lockdown, ‘proud to be followedbyModi’. When Thass wasagainst sub-caste identifi- sifiedasthe firstbookofsubaltern history my team and Ikeptcommunication open journalistslikeBarkhaDuttandRanaAyyub cations.When Rettamalai Srinivasan,an- in India. He worked withliterarytexts and and leftalotofthe decision-making to had told us to be very,verystrict. What we but hereitgoes, thanks forensuring try, throughtheiroutstandingreportage,to other prominent Dalit leader,who partic- epigraphical evidences publishedduring residents. One of the firsthurdles we faced were,werefirm and reasonable, advising sanity prevails in B-5&6 during the draw attention to the horrible suffering of ipated in Round Table Conference along that time. His technique involved using wasinthe delivery of newspapersassome precautions, trusting the residentsand lockdown. From all that Ihaveheard,from ourpoorestcitizens,thisgangabusesthem with Ambedkar,started ‘Paraiyar oral narrativestoconstruct history. feared these could be carriers of the virus. praying that everyone knewwhat was office and friends, depending on people’s andchargesthemwithbeing‘anti-national’ Mahajana Sabai’ at Madras in 1891,Thass Celebrating the birth anniversaryof We decided that people who wanted the safe and whatnot. good sense rather than cracking down, it and‘anti-Hindu’.Theyfeelnothingforthose established‘Dravida Mahajana Sabai’. Thassisnot aritual. It is to emphasise the papers should be allowedtoget them. For One onlyneeds to be adictator if there is rare.” Another wrote,“I’m proud our whohave sufferedsoterribly. To themthey Thass submitted apetition to the Congress relevanceof hisideasto understandandin- several days,the supplygot stoppedasthe is no communication; rigidity has no RWAhas adoptedalogical approach arenot human at all, theyare just ‘migrant Committee, with hundredsofsignatures terpret the cultural history of contempo- agent himself felt the trip wasnot worth place in ‘welfare’, the second word in that to the whole thing and is notbehaving as workers’. Theyfeel only fortheirown kind. by Dalits, asking them to declarethe word raryDalits.Thoughhereceived dikshafrom the costasnot enoughpeople were tak- RWAacronym. Our message to residents adictator”. If thosebrought home by Vande Bharat ‘pariah’ as contemptuous. During the time amonk in Sri Lanka, his interpretation of ing the newspapers, buteventually, it consistentlywas: this tooshallpass. Severalother RWAs have talked to us, were madeto walkhundredsof kilometres of the1901Census, he urgedthe untouch- Buddhismwasentirelydifferentfromboth came down to choice. Paraphrasing an appreciative resident, asking howwehaveput in placethe grad- inthesun,orlineupinfoodqueues,thenew ables to registerthemselvesascasteless the schools of Buddhism.That’s whyhe We advisedthat residentsnot use the givenachance to be “hostelwardens”, we ual un-lockdown. Wheneverasked,we KhanMarketgangwouldbeappalled.They Dravidians. He repeated the demand dur- calledit‘TamilBuddhism’.Heinsistedcaste- neighbourhood parks,inaccordance with triedbeing “local guardians”. The ball was have shared our experience. arefranklyadespicable lotand do Modi no ing the 1911 Census.Thass also urgedthe lessnessasthefoundingvalueof Buddhism. lockdown regulations regardingover- leftinthe residents’ court. We understand thatthese wordsof favours by speaking forhim on Twitter. British to refertountouchables as ‘original HedifferedwiththeMahaBodhiSocietyon crowding, but if people came out to take Holding our nerves, conveying posi- appreciation could reallybewords of Lastweek the Prime Ministerreturned Buddhists’evenifDalitschose to mention the question of caste and nevercompro- awalk in accordance withbasic precau- tivity,emphasisingprecautions andnot relief, and could as easilychangeinto to those old promises he made of taking their sub-caste. mised withanyone lenienttocaste. tions suchasmasksand social distancing, giving in to paranoiaworkedlikeitwould wordsoffuryifthings don’t go as hoped India in anew economic direction. This Thass wasaforerunner to Ambedkar His strong position on refusing sub- therewas no finger-pointing or shaming. at anyhome —whatever the apexbodyof for. However, Covid-19 is notgoing to time those same old promises were pack- in conversion to Buddhism. He met casteidentitybecomesveryrelevant to We equippedthe security guards with the house portrays,carries down. This was leave us anytime soon. If we knewthat aged as Atma NirbharBharat Abhiyan.He Colonel Olcott of the Theosophical Society thecontemporaryDalit movement. Sub- masksand thermal scanners. Deliveries notaseasy it sounds as the same lockdown twoweekslater all will be normal, we per- is going to buildaself-reliant India, he tells along with adelegation of prominent casteidentity is the main obstacle in or- to doorsteps were stoppedbut people movement rules applied to us as well. haps would have reasonedwith our resi- us, by reforming the economy, building Dalitsin1898and pleadedhis help in ganising Dalitsunder abroader political could always step out fortheir needs. One of the contentious issues that this dentsand restrainedmovement.But,as modern infrastructure, using technology reestablishing Tamil Buddhism. With platform. Dalitshaveone strengthattheir The elderly staying alone were allowed approachhelpedusdeal with wasthat of we all know, thatisnot going to happen. to improvegovernance andcreating ade- ColonelOlcott’s help, Thass visitedSri disposal, and that is their numerical to bring in help if theyneeded, including domestic helps. We leftittothe discretion Ithink the crisis has forced us allto mand and supplychain that will be local. Lanka and got diksha (initiation)from strength. Asub-caste identity spoils it. getting vegetables and household of residents again,after setting abasic SOP. changeour ways and our thinking. Sounds good. MayIsuggestthough that BikkhuSumangalaNayake. On hisreturn, Dalitscannotescape it if theycontinuein goods delivered. Yes, mostofthe residents chosenot to call Changeisnever easy butitisnecessary. allhereallyneeds to do is throw govern- he establishedthe SakyaBuddhistSociety the religionwhichsupportsit. So, conver- Yes, thereweremomentsofdespair backtheir helps, but it wastheir personal At your individual leveltoo,don’t yousee ment regulations and inspectors intothe in Chennai with branches in Burma (now sion to Buddhismisthe onlyway out. among residents, calls saying theywere choice; theyknewtheycould. changeinthe waythingsare being done trash and letthe economybreathe. It is not Myanmar),Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Fiji and That is the messageThass leftus. mentallyand physicallyexhausted. But Over thecourseofthe pastfew days, at your home or office? government helpthatisneededtocreate South Africa —gesturing to his acceptance while it wastough and important to take as the government comes around to the Ameena Talwar wealth, it is whengovernment gets out of among India’sindentured labourersin Ravikumar is an MP representing the steps needed, what wasalso impor- viewthat“We have tolearn to live with is part of RWA, B5&6,Vasant Kunj, the waythatwealth gets created. these colonies. Viluppuramconstituency in Tamil Nadu. tant is that we retainedbalance. In talks this virus”, we have receivedinnumerable South-West Delhi Those desperatemen andwomen Thass wasapioneering Dalitintellec- Suraj Yengde,author of CasteMatters, we had with them on coronavirus regu- messages from residents. One of them who have spent the pasttwo months tual who theorisedthe epistemology of curatesthe fortnightly ‘Dalitality’ column lations, police and government officials wrote, “Should have thanked your earlier, Theentirenationalcapital is ared zone walking home arecogs in the wheels of the great entrepreneurial machines that existdespitegovernment. Toomuchtime has been wasted in the pastsix years by Modi on his government schemes to createentrepreneurs, skill India and get Indiato‘standup’.Theyhaveall failed, Outof Crisis offersModi an opportunity becauseinademocracy thataspires to MYMIND building afreemarketeconomy, allgov- ernment needs to do is getout of the way. MEGHNADDESAI India but leftthe oldCongress economy among the retired economists as to invalidates all those rules. Inflation is no than making machines to makemachines. What is the government’s job is to intact. He wanted to makeitworkbetter whether the latestpackageisreally10% longerthe principal threat. It is livelihoods It will requiremassive industrialisation in ensurethatour mostvulnerable citizens butnot changeit. He openedupnew ini- of GDP or only8.25%, butits boldness is of millions. The debt GDP ratio is ques- rural andsmall-townareas. It will require arenot abandonedwhen thereisapan- IN MAY2014, whenNarendraModisur- tiativesonhealth, cleanliness,and gen- welcome. India wasthe joint fourth tionedasasuitabletarget. What matters is taking subsistence farmers out of peren- demic. What is the government’sjob is to prisedeveryone by winning amajority for der-friendlypolicies such as on LPG and largest economy pre-Covid-19with the the costofservicing the debt as compared nial poverty andgivethemfull-timein- help those stillwalkingonthe highways to the BJP on itsown, many dreams were be- outdoor defecation. United Kingdom. It candoits ownthing to the GDP.Aslong as the GDP growth rate dustrial employment. All the shibboleths gethome. When theyget home, instead ingfloated about India 2.0. He wasbold, a It has takenthe coronavirus crisis to justasthe UK can.The rating agencies in nominal terms exceeds the interestrate, —the factoryActs, labour laws and restric- of throwing bags of food grain at them, masterofcommunications and had exec- bring out the radical in Modi. He has a maycomplain but theyalwaysdo. In the youare fine. Modi has rightlydecidedto tionsonlandsales —whichhavekeptmil- please encouragelocal officials to open utive experience as Gujarat chief minis- spectacular second victorytohis credit post-Covid-19world,the Indian economy go forthe bold option. lions in the low-income trap fordecades free kitchens that cansupply them with terfor over 12 years. But even so, he pro- with alargermajority.Hehas nothing to will emerge moreintact thanmanyde- The GSS has exposedthe long-run sick- have to be jettisoned. twomeals aday.These arethings only ceededwith cautionineconomic matters. fear from the Congress whichhas inflicted velopedcountries. ness of 70 years of Indian planning —chro- India fritteredawaythe demographic governmentscan do. Is it because these He wasastaunch champion of fiscal pru- injuryonitself. The emergency has In reaction to the oil priceshocks of nic open and disguisedunemployment dividend. But nowthe population growth desperatepeopleare seen as ‘migrant dence and Arun Jaitleydeliveredadeclin- brought him the opportunity to become 1973 and 1979, inflationbecame the whichcompels massive migration across has peaked and willfall.The population workers’ and nothuman beings thatthese ing budget deficit, Budget afterBudget. the leader of the entirenation morethan biggestenemy, imposing the disciplineof India.India’smostpreciousresource are is young and will be so forthe next 30 things have notbeendone? Meanwhile, Modi leftthe economic policy machinery just HinduHridaySamrat.Hehas thrown lowdebt GDP ratio, lowbudget deficitsand itspeople, who have sufferedneglect. Here years. This is the windowfor India to get since the Prime Ministeristalkingofeco- he had inherited pretty muchalone. He offthe defensive postureofthe fiscal con- Central Bank independence. The Great is achance to forgeaneconomic strategy to the top. Quite rightly, Modihas decided nomic reforms, could he begin by dump- setupnew initiativessuchasMakein servative.Theremay be skittish debates Sudden Stop (GSS) —the Covid-19shock— whichwill aim at fullemploymentrather to ‘Spend WhateverItTakes’. ingfeudal socialism forgood?

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THESUNDAYEXPRESS,MAY17,2020 13 SUNDAY STORY

‘I’ll find work BeginAgain here or leave when it opens Pramod Rai, Kamlesh Sahu, Ravi Maurya,Dinesh Kharadi and AjayManjhi arethe “luckier” ones, having made theirway backto up. We will not their villages afterlong journeys.Astheyreworktheir budgetsand life,whatkeeps themgoing is the whiffoftheir dreams starve, I’m sure’

‘Jobs that pay in the village GARGIVERMA don’t lastlong... Citylife is KAMLESH SAHU,27, CONSTRUCTIONWORKER BACKHOMEIN: Nandgaon, Raipur, Chhattisgarh stressful but reassuring’ RETURNEDFROM: Hyderabad, on April 4 fare backhome,” he says. SANTOSHSINGH In thepastmonth,Raihas been in constant NTHEfirstweekof April,Sahu touchwith his truckowner in Kolkata, Rama- returnedtoNandgaonfrom shanker Yadav, to checkifhestill has his job. Hyderabad, about 780 km PRAMOD RAI, 40, I away,hitch-hikingand walk- TRUCKDRIVER FAMILY: Wife,and four children (ages 2, 4, 5, ingmostoftheway. “Itooklifts from BACKHOMEIN: 7). Rai’s twobrothers, Vinod and Subodh, truckdriverscarryingessentials,and Danapur Diara, Patna, Bihar work in Kolkataand Haryana respectively walkedwhenIcouldn’tfindanythi- RETURNEDFROM: and haven’t returnedhome since the lock- ng. At theOdisha border,Iwas put Kolkata, on March 27 down began. Rai’s familyand his brothers’ inagovernmentvehiclethatdropp- families —10members in all—sharethe ed me at theChhattisgarhborder.I NMARCH 26, afterthe first three-room brickhouse theybuilt afew sneaked in undetected at night,”he phase of the lockdown was years agowith their pooledsavings. recounts. “I didn’t want to be put in announced, Raiset offfor his “Together,the threeofusown one bigha aquarantinefacility.Iwalkedall the village on atruck alongwith of land, from whichweget about 250kgof waytobewithmychildren.Idon’t O 44 other men. The group wheat ayear,” says Rai. want to leave them,” he adds. completedthe 700kmjourney in 20 hours. “Throughout the journey, the thought of re- MONEY IN HAND: Rs 2,000.“When he ar- THE JOB HE LEFT BEHIND: Sahu uniting with my familykeptplaying on my rivedatthe quarantine centreatthe village earnedabout Rs 5,000 working at mind,” he says. high school, he gave me all his savings. With constructionsitesinHyderabad.He “Unlikeearlier,hedid notbringanything that money, Ibought ration forthree months, Raiearnedaliving in Kolkatafor thepast15years,transporting essential goods between local markets. SantoshSingh managed to send home mostofthe forthe family this time, noteventhe famous but Idon’t knowhow we will manageafter salary. “I am the eldestinmyfamily. Kolkata sindoor (vermillion) or sandesh.He that.Ithas been amonthsincehereturned Ihavetwo younger sisters, both of also did notbringclothes forthe children,” from thecentre, but he still hasn’t found a children to study in private schools as gov- Kolkatahas always been apreferreddestina- rememberourweddinganniversary. Iwillbe- whomneedtobemarried. My fa- says wifeSeema, 37. job. He spends all his time with the children ernment schools do notoffer proper education forthe men of the village, Rohit hopes to lieve himonlyoncehetakesusthere,”shesays. ther diedfiveyears ago, afterwhich or playing cards,” says Seema. tion,” she says.The couple’seldest son Rohit, go to the city too. “Our forefathers also Ihad to take up abetterpaying job THE JOB HE LEFT BEHIND: Raiearnedaliv- Raisays thereare very fewopportuni- 7, goes to aprivate school. “I payRs300 per worked in Kolkata. It is closer home than SAVINGS: None, no debt. outside the village,” he says. ing in Kolkatafor 15 years, transporting grains ties in agricultureeither in the village.“This month at the school. It is tough, but Iwantall Delhiand Haryana. We feel at home there,” and essential goods between local markets. region (the Gangariverine belt) remains my children to study well so thattheydon’t says Rai. WHATNEXT FAMILY: Mother,wife, twodaugh- Fordriving his truckfor 18 hours everyday, floodedfor four to six months everyyear have to face hardships,” says Rai. “Wehave Seema says she lovedhow Raidescribed “Setting up adairyisanoption but we ters(ages6and3),andtwoyounger he earnedaround Rs 7,000 everymonth. “I and that is whywegrowonlyone crop here spent Rs 800onbuyingpulses, spices and the city,during his visitshome once or twice don’thavecooperativestobuy milkata sisters.“Mywifealsoworkedatcon- sent Rs 6,000home,” says Rai, who has stud- —eitherwheatormaize,” he says. noodle packetsalready.Ihave only about Rs ayear.“Iwas hoping to see the Dakshineswar good price,” says Rai. “Thereare jobs that structionsitesinandaroundourvil- iedtill Class 6. His employerpaid him Rs 1,200leftnow.” temple, but he nevertook us,”she complains. payRs300 aday,but theydon’t lastmore lageandinRaipurto supplementthe 5,000forhis work till March 22. “But Ihad to EXPENSES: Seema says thelockdown and Sittingonthe cotwithhis father,Rohit “MaybeIcan plan the trip once coronavirus than 10-15days... Villagelifeispeaceful but family’sincome.Sincethelockdown payRs2,000 to alocal dhaba owner before her husband’s situation have made her re- talksabout howheislearning alphabetsnow. is over,” says Rai. has alot of uncertainty.InKolkata, lifewas began, we have all been at home,” leaving, and Rs 1,000 wasspent on the truck alise the value of education. “I want all my Likeothergrown-ups in the villagefor whom ButSeemaisn’tconvinced.“Hedoesn’teven reassuring.” he says.Sahu livesinatwo-room kuchcha home with his family.

MONEY IN HAND: No cash. “We have Rs 4,000 in my mother’sbank account.Itisthepensionthatshere- ‘The workwas gruellingbut Icould ceivesunderagovernmentscheme. The moneywillbeusedfor my sisters’ weddings,”hesays. buy ice-cream,clothes once in awhile’ Though he worked in March, Sahusays thecontractordidnotpay his wages. “When Icall the contrac- 2),sisterandfather.Theseven- to stretchittotwo weeks. We tor, heabusesmesayingthathewill DEEPMUKHERJEE member familyshares atwo- have no moneyleftand soon notpay the moneybecause Ileft roomkuchcha home.Hisfather we maynot have enough to withouttellinghim...Iwillnow find owns two bighas of land on eat,” says Jija. work hereorgowithmywifewhen DINESH KHARADI,24, whichtheygrowmaize. Of the Rs 2,000 that she shestartsworking.Wewillnot die LABOURERATACHEMICALFACTORY However, dueto scarcityof wa- withdrew from thebank, the of hunger,Iamsure,”hesays. BACKHOMEIN: ter, Kharadi says,the crophas- familygaveRs1,000 to repay Dungarpur,Rajasthan n’t been sown yet. “Nowthat aloanthattheyhad taken EXPENSES: “Recently, we received RETURNEDFROM: he is here, we don’twant him from aneighbour.Another rice from the stategovernmentand Himmatnagar,Gujarat, on May3 to leave again.Hecan find Rs 700, says Jija, wasspent on some salt. We still had to buy the some mazdoori (dailywage buying grocery items “We sugar... We have some potato and NMAY 2, afterbeingstrandedfor work)here,” says father have Rs 300left,”she says. tomatogrowing in front of the “Not many dreams,but if Iworkhere, Ican stay with my wife,” says Maurya. Express amonth on thepremises of a Chunilal, 45. None of the couple’s chil- house. We have been eatingthat till chemicalfactoryinHimmatnagar, dren attends school, but Kha- now,”saysAnusuia,25, Sahu’s wife. OKharadilefttownwithnineother MONEYINHAND: Rs 300. radisays educatingthemishis “I had told him nottogosofar in the labourerswithout informing his employer. It “Whenhereturnedhome, “Little to do here,but not onlydream. “I don’t want firstplace... buthewanted to earn ‘I bought amini Taj Mahal replica tookthegroupoveraday to coverthe100-km therewas hardly anymoney. I sureIwanttogotocity themto belabourers,”hesays. some extramoney,”she says. distance to Dungarpur districtonfoot. walked for7kmtogotothe now”: Kharadi. Express Anusuiaisalsoconcernedabout during one of my Mumbai trips... bankandwithdraw Rs2,000,” SAVINGS: None. “My father hercrumbling home. “The house THEJOBHELEFTBEHIND: Forthepasttwo says Jija, 22, Kharadi’s wife. It has around Rs 50,000 in his needsto berepaired,butwe can’tdo years, Kharadi helpedmanufacturecopper waspart of theRs2,500the family got from account,collectedoverseveralyears.Heisout itnow. We needthemoneyforfood. It reminds me of my room there’ powder formakingpower cables at the fac- the stategovernment when their daughter of work nowtoo. My wifeand Ihavenosav- Once Istart working,wewillfix it,” tory.Hewas paid Rs 300dailyfor a12-hour turnedone.“We wantedto spendthe money ings,” says Kharadi. she says. SinceMaurya isstillinquarantine,hecan’t shift.Afterthefirstphaseof thelockdownwas on her,but nowweare using it forour sur- ASADREHMAN go.“MywifeandIare responsibleforprovid- announced, work dried up and he did notre- vival,” she adds. DEBT: None; repaid loan to neighbour. SAVINGS: Rs 4,000 (mother’s ing lunchathome, while my parents payfor ceive anysalaryfor April.“My cousin worked Kharadisays hehasbeenstrugglingto find pension). the items neededtocook dinner,” he says. at the factoryand he encouragedmetojoin. I work since his return home. “I can’t afford to WHATNEXT RAVI MAURYA,25, earnedaboutRs9,000everymonth,of which sit at home. Iknowhow to paint and will try “I am notsureabout going to anycityfor DEBT: None.Herecentlypaid offa FACTORYWORKER MONEYINHAND: “Right now, Ihaveno Isent backRs6,000-7,000,” he says to find something to do here,” he says. work anymore. Ispent the lastfew days loan of Rs 3,000with aheavy inter- BACKHOMEIN: moneywithme. My grandfather doesn’t Looking backonhis life in Himmatnagar, in Gujarat without money. Ididn’t have est.Hehadtakenthemoneytocarry Mahuli village, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh sharethe moneythatheearns from the pro- Kharadisays hedoesn’tmissmuch.“Gruelling EXPENSES: The family, says Kharadi, needs anyfood to eat, and my employerdidn’t outhis father’s last rites. RETURNEDFROM: duce of the field withus, only givesusfood work hoursisthe onlything Iremember,” he atleast50kgofwheat(aroundRs20/kginthe help,” he says.“But thereishardly Kalyan, outside Mumbai, on May3 grains,” says Maurya. says.“Ihad anice-cream occasionally. Some- market)and oilworth Rs 1,500every month. anything to do hereeither... But Iam WHATNEXT He had come home forHoli, and says he timesIboughtclothesfromthelocalmarket.” “For now, we just have 10 kg of wheat which afraid to speak to my employerin “I will do anyjob here, take loans INCE 2015,Mauryahas been work- spentall his savings —around Rs 3,000 — FAMILY: Wife,three children (ages 6, 4, and wasgiven by thegovernment. We aretrying Gujarat. Ileftwithout informing him.” and paythem off... ButIwill not ing in Kalyan at afactory whichdyes on the celebrations. “I thought Iwould earn go back,”saysSahu. cloth. When the firstphase of the when Iresumed work,but then afterthe Slockdown wasannounced, he set lockdown wasannounced,wedidn’t even offfor hisvillagewith agroup of men but have enough food, forget salary,”hesays. wascaughtbypoliceand kept at ashelter home in Nashik.OnMay 2, Maurya was EXPENSES: Maurya’s wifespends about ‘Never saw evenafilm therebut city gaveachance’ among the 847migrant workers who retur- Rs 2,000 to purchase grains, pulses,vegeta- nedtoLucknow on aspecial train. “I only bles andoil forthe familyevery month. “We had Rs 500then, of whichIspent Rs 370on mostlyeat meals without vegetables now... MONEY IN HAND: Rs 1,000 when he re- the train ticket,” he says. Sometimes,wejusthavesaltorchutneywith ABHISHEKANGAD turnedfromHyderabad. roti,” she says.“Earlier,ifImanagedtosave “In March,hesent us Rs 25,000,whichwe THE JOB HE LEFT BEHIND: At the factory, somemoney, Iwouldbuymake-upitemslike have been using foragricultureworkand to says Maurya,heearnedRs11,500every bindi, kajal.Now,wedon’t have money for AJAY MANJHI, 23, sustain ourselves. My son has providedfor us month. “I would send my wifeRs4,000 food, so Idon’t buy them anymore. Earlier,I CONSTRUCTIONWORKER forlong, but Idon’twant him to go backtothe everymonth. She kept half of the money would also give Rs 200tomyfather-in-law, BACKHOMEIN: city again... The government needs to give us and gave the rest to my mother,” says the who has been saving up to getthe house re- ChotaAmra, Saraikela district, Jharkhand some support,” says Manjhi’s father. 25-year-old. “I got onlyhalf my salaryfor paired;not now,”she adds. RETURNEDFROM: March,and haven’t receivedany money Hyderabad, on May2 EXPENSES: The familyspendsabout Rs 200 from my employers since,” he adds. SAVINGS: None, no debt. everyday onbuyinggroceries.Manjhi’sniece While his wifeVeenu, 23,ishappythat ORTHEpastthreeyears,hehadbeen Manjhi is yettoreceive payment forthe lost work days in April. Abhishek Angad attends the local governmentschool, so they her husband has returnedsafely, “it has been WHATNEXT working as a‘metalbender’ at the IIT don’t have to payany fee. very difficult to ensurefoodfor the family”. “Aftermy14-dayquarantineends, Iwill Hyderabad expansion project. On “For almosttwo months nowhehas not look forjobs. Ihaveheardthat the gove- F March 21,workatthe sitestopped tin sheds. We didn’t have to payrent. Ionly reality of being amigrant worker),”headds. SAVINGS: Rs 60,000,nodebt. givenmeany money. We have been living rnment is trying to arrangeworkfor and, around mid-April,the workers got agi- spentRs400-500per monthonsoap, sham- Manjhi says he receivedhis wagesfor onroti anddal.Wehavesome landonwhich migrants,” he says.“Idon’t have many tatedandsomeviolenceensued.WhileMan- poo etc. Inever even sawafilm, Isaved all the Februaryand March,and his companypro- WHATNEXT we grow wheat, sugarcane and sometimes dreams. If Iget the job, Iwill be able to jhi says he wasn’t partofit, the incidentmade money,”says Manjhi,who discontinued his misedhim paymentfor the lostworkdays in “I feel good to be backhome, but that is not vegetables.Thewheatwe harvestedrecently stay withmywifeand won’tevenhave himlongforhome.“Ijustwantedtoget back,” educationafterClass5becauseof lackoffunds. April as well. “I am in touchwithmycontrac- enough.IfIam unable to goback, lifewill wasn’t very good, but we grounditand are to payrent...Ican also getmyhouse he says.OnMay 1, he boardedthe Shramik The 23-year-old says he chose to go to tors. Theysaid theywilllet me know when be very difficult forus. In the meantime, I usingittomake chapattis,” says Veenu. repaired sooner,”saysMaurya. Specialtrain organisedbyHyderabad “onlybecause it offeredopportu- work resumes,” he says. mayhavetoworkunder the MGNREGA, Whilehedoesn’t want to return,he thegovernmentformigrantworkersto return nitiesforabetterlife”.“Aneighbourwhowork- but the job pays onlyabout FAMILY: Wife,parents, and twoyounger hasbrought aminiature TajMahal sou- home. ed in Hyderabad told me thatthe jobwould FAMILY: Parents,anolderbrotherandhiswife Rs 200per day,and the wagesare often brothers. Thefamily livesinacrumbling two- venir as areminder of this time in the getmegood money. Ijumpedin,” he says. anddaughter,andayoungerbrother.Thefam- delayedbyamonth.Icould also sell room kuchcha house and all members work town. “I had bought it duringatrip to THE JOB HE LEFT BEHIND: At the IIT Hyde- “Hyderabad offeredmethe opportunity to ilystays in atwo-room pucca home, and his vegetables hereorgotoRanchi to work as a on atwo-bigha field ownedbyMaurya’s Mumbai. It reminds me of my room rabad project, Manjhiearned Rs 400per day earnandsave somemoney. That’sall.We were parentsand brothersworkonthe three bigha dailywagelabourer,”hesays,adding, “One grandfather.“We aregrowing some vegeta- there... But lifeinthe villageismuch (about Rs 11,000 everymonth). “Wepaid happy, until the lockdown. Tabmazdoorhone land that they own. Theyare nowpreparing dayIhope everything returns to normal bles on the field now,”says Veenu. better,” he smiles. Rs 70 dailyfor mealsand stayed in makeshift ka asli matlab pata chala (Werealisedthe ugly the fields forsowing paddy. again.”

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PANDEMIC WATCH From‘respect’to‘sickandtwisted’: US-Chinatiescontinuetodeteriorate

CHRISBUCKLEY& TRUMPSAYSHE STEVENLEEMYERS MAYRESTORESOME NawazSharif NEWYORK,MAY16 W.H.O.FUNDING “EVIL.” “LUNACY.”“Shameless.” PAKISTAN “Sickand twisted.” China has hit US PRESIDENT Donald Residents queue fortesting in Wuhan on Saturday. Reuters back at American criticism over Trumpsaid on Saturday 2moregraft itshandling of the coronavirus his administration was casesagainst pandemic with an outpouring of consideringproposals vitriol as acridasanything seen about the WHO, including ex-PMSharif in decades. one in whichWashington In Wuhan, anew fear: The bitter recriminations would payabout 10%of Lahore: Pakistan's anti- have plunged relations between itsformer level graftbody has approved China and the United States to a whethermass testing the filing of twoadditional nadir,withwarningsinboth TRUMP UNDERSCORED corruption cases against countries that the bad blood that no final decision embattledformerprime threatens to draw them intoa had been made and that could rekindle disease ministerNawaz Sharif, newkind of Cold War. United States funding who is currentlyin Acycle of statementsand ac- forthe WorldHealth London formedical treat- tions is solidifying longstanding Organisation remained BRENDAGOH ment. The NABLahoreon suspicions in Beijing that the US frozen at present, in a WUHAN,MAY16 Fridayalso initiatedan- and itsalliesare bent on stifling President Donald Trumpwith senior military leaders in the WhiteHouse on Saturday. AP posting on Twitter other probeagainst China’s rise as an economic, AS WUHAN, the Chinese city Nawaz, Shehbaz and diplomatic and militarypower. wherethe COVID-19pandemic Maryamfor acquiring “Afterthe pandemic,the in- whenChinasaidthattheurgency ship, but Ijust—right nowIdon’t astrouslymismanaged the cri- and panic on behalf of began, revs up amassive testing Chartinglong thousands of kanals in vi- ternational political landscape of the pandemic demandedthat want to speak to him,” Mr. sis. China has repeatedly held Washington elites.” campaign,someresidentscrowd- termmeasures olation of rulesmakingit will totallychange,” Wu Shicun, the United States payits delin- Trumpsaid of Mr.Xion up itsresponseasamodel that CommunistParty-run news ingthetest centresexpressedcon- partoftheir Jati Umra president of the National quent U.N. assessment,whichby Thursday. Aspokesman for other countries should follow, outlets have lashed out specifi- cernonSaturdaythattheveryact Raiwind Lahoreresidence. Institutefor South China Sea somecalculationsexceeds $2bil- China’sforeign ministry,Zhao notcriticise. callyatMr. Pompeo forarguing of gettingtestedcould expose FORSOME countries that Maryamrecently said her Studies, said in atelephone in- lion. The American Mission to the Lijian, brushedaside Mr.Trump’s “Suchlunacy is aclear that the outbreak might have them to thecoronavirus. have reopenedfor the father is ahigh-risk patient terview. “The confrontation be- U.N. respondedby saying that the threat to severrelations, saying byproduct, firstand foremost, of leaked from aChinese lab. Safetyhas become ahot topic mostpart, the next chal- and thereforehis cardiac tween China and the United UnitedStatescustomarilypays its on Fridaythatthe twocountries the proverbialanxiety that the “If this evil politician Pompeo on social mediagroupsamong lengelies in finding ways catheterisation/coronary States —interms of trade, tech- assessmentsatyear’send and should cooperate. U.S. has sufferedfromsince is allowedtocontinuehis swag- the 11 millionresidents of to prevent newwaves of intervention has been nology,the Taiwan issue, the that China was“eager to distract China’s leaders have struck China beganits global ascen- gering bluff, one fears thatUnited Wuhan, peopletold Reuters as infection while resuming postponeddue to the South China Sea issue —will be a attention from itscover-upand backthrough party-runmedia sion,”Global Times, anational- States ‘great again’ can onlybea theyconverged on open-air test various activities.The COVID-19outbreak. bigger problem.” mismanagement” of the coron- outlets that said the United istChinese newspaper,said on joke,” said acommentarybroad- sites at clinics and other facilities. mass testing in Wuhan The tensions spilledoverinto avirus crisis. States andotherdemocracies FridayofMr. Trump’s comments. cast on CCTV, China’s main state Manysaid, though, that they has drawnconcern from the United Nations on Friday “I have averygoodrelation- had ignored warnings and dis- “It is also acombination of envy television network. NYT support the voluntarycampaign. some experts,who ques- Wuhan health authorities tionedthe efficacy of the NEPAL sprang backintoactionaftercon- exercise while highlight- firming lastweekend the central ing itsexpense —partic- FirstCovid-19 No cases, Chinese city’s firstclusterofnew ularly if it’s replicated deathastally infections since it wasreleased multiple times or over a all patients from virtual lockdown on April8. largerregion. risesto281 The newcases —all of them people whohad previouslyshown no Kathmandu: Nepalregis- recovered: symptoms of the disease — spraying disinfectant at along teredits firstCOVID-19 spurredWuhanauthorities to line of people. Manypeopleob- death aftera29-year-old Cambodia launchacitywidesearch for served social distancing, suchas woman diedfollowing asymptomatic carriers. queuing 1metre apart, and there breathing difficulty, the “Some people have expressed were signs to remind them. But health ministrysaid on REUTERS worryinthe (social media) justasmanydid not. Saturday. The woman PHNOMPENH,MAY16 groups about the tests, whichre- At another open-air testing who diedonThursday quirepeople to cluster, and kiosk,wherethroat swabs were wasconfirmed as coron- CAMBODIA’S LAST patientwith whether there’s anyinfection taken, yellowand blackstickers avirus positive during the newcoronavirus has recov- risk,” said one Wuhan resident on the ground kept people from PCR test at the National ered andlefthospital, leaving the whoaskednottobenamed.“But converging. But at the backofthe Public Health Laboratory Southeast Asian countrywith others rebutted those worries, long queue, about 40 people here, the ministrysaid in zerocases, the healthministry saying suchcommentsare not gathered withnoguidance from astatement. "A detailed said on Saturday, while urging supportive of the government.” officials or volunteers.Residents investigation and aseries continuedvigilance. At atesting kiosk in Jianghan said the authorities have nottold of testsshowthatthisis No easing of restrictions re- district in central Wuhan, avol- them when theywould getthe the firstdeath due to lated to the virus —including unteer waspatrollingand resultsoftheir tests. REUTERS COVID-19inthe coun- school closures and border entry try,”read astatementby checksandquarantines-werein- Dr Sameer Kumar cludedinthe MinistryofHealth Adhikari, deputy statement. Cambodia has re- Germany: Thousands spokesperson forthe ported122 cases and no deaths. HealthMinistry. AT AROHINGYA CAMP A36-year-oldwoman from protest against curbs Cambodia’s northwestern THAILAND Refugees at Kutupalong RohingyacampinCox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Aday afterthe firstcoronavirus caseswereconfirmed in province of BanteayMeanchey suchcamps, officials said those who tested positive have been isolated. AP wasreleasedfromthe Khmer REUTERS Nonewcases, SovietFriendship Hospitalinthe BERLIN,MAY16 noadditional capital, Phnom Penh,and was presented to the media in a THOUSANDS OF Germans deaths:Govt livestream on Saturday, thank- acrossthe countrytooktothe Possible new risk to younger patients: strokes ing the health authorities. streetsonSaturdaytoprotest Bangkok: Thailand on Cambodia’slastreportednew againstrestrictions imposedby Saturday reported no new dayand didn’t havediabetes, that the coronavirus attacks not case wasonApril 12. the government to contain the cases or deaths as the RONICARYNRABIN high bloodpressure or the kinds justthe lungs, but also the kid- Health MinisterMam coronavirus pandemic, police countrybegins to reopen NEWYORK,MAY16 of medical conditionsthatcan neys,brain, heartand liver. Bunhengurgedpeople to remain and organisers said. In Munich, Saturday. Reuters businesses and ease re- setthe stage forstrokes in young Doctors at Mount Sinai vigilantandtake precautionssuch Germany’s death toll from strictions.“Today thereare RAVI SHARMA wasdoubledover adults, whichare rare. Health System in NewYork as notgathering in large groups. the virus has been lowerthan twozeros ... thank youall on hisbed whenhis father found Neurologists inNewYorkCity, have also seen an unusual “Wethink that mostofthe cases, mostofits European neighbours second waveofinfectionsthat Thaiswhohave giventheir him. He’d had abad cough fora Detroit, NewJerseyand other number of young stroke pa- generally, areimported, so we and some lockdown measures could lead to atightening of re- cooperation,”aspokesman week and had self-quarantined partsofthecountryhavereported tients. Though strokesseem to mustbecarefulwith all check- have already been relaxed. strictions, protesters staged forthe government’s in his bedroom. As an emer- aflurry of suchcases. Manyare affect averysmall numberof pointsattheborder,atairports,at However, protests againstthe demonstrations at several Centrefor COVID-19 gency medical technician, he Cases were reportedinareas nowconvincedthat unexplained Covid-19patients, theyappear ports,atland checkpoints,” Mam measures ChancellorAngela locations across the capital Situation Administration, knewhewas probably infected likeNew York,Detroit. NYT strokesrepresentyet anotherin- to be related to abroader phe- Bunhengtold reporters. Merkelinsists areneededto Berlin and the surrounding state Taweesin Wisanuyothin, with the coronavirus. sidiousmanifestationof Covid-19. nomenon that has emergedin “People who travel from slowdownthe coronavirus outof Brandenburg. said.This is the second day Now, Sharma, 27,could not Though manyofthose patients criticallyill patients: excessive abroad musthaveacertificate break have become morevocal In Stuttgart,where some pro- since March 9that the move theright side of his body, the sounds.“Call 911,”she told had diabetes and hypertension, blood clotting. confirming theydon’t have and demonstrators have filled testers lastweekend had been countryhas reportedno and could onlygrunt in his fa- her father.“Ithink Ravi’s having nonehadheartrisksknownto in- PatientswithsevereCovid- COVID-19. Onlythenwould we the streetsfor thesecond week- flouting social distancingrules newdailycases.Thailand ther’s direction. His sister, Bina astroke.”She wasright. crease the odds of astroke. Many 19 maydevelop clots in the legs allowthem in,and once theyare end in arow. and notwearing face masks, po- on Sundaywill allow Yamin,onthe phone from her Sharma wasfar tooyoung for were underage 65. and lungs that can be life-threat- in, theywillbequarantinedfor Deridedonsocial media as lice expected another rallyofup malls and department home in Fort Wayne, could hear astroke. He worked out every The cases add to evidence ening, doctors said. NYT another 14 days,” he said. “covidiots”who risk causing a to 5,000 people. stores to re-open. It will alsoshorten anighttime curfew by one hour.

SOUTH KOREA SHE’S FORREST GUMP,SAID ANEPHEW 162cases tracedtoSeoul She’s 108, lived throughthe Spanish flu and just beat Covid-19 nighclubs “They told us, ‘She’s fullyre- wasbornonDecember29, 1911, “She’spretty spunky,andit seems forher outspokenness and her Seoul: South Korean offi- COREYKILGANNON covered,’”said Chazen, whose and grew up in the Bronx, the likepeople wholivethat long advocacy forfellowresidents. cials saytheysofar con- NEWYORK,MAY16 aunt has become one of the old- eldestoffourchildren of Russian have good immune systems.” She uses awheelchair and has firmed162 coronavirus estCovid-19survivors in the immigrant parents. Michael Brienza, an adminis- lostsome vision and hearing in cases linked to club goers LAST MONTH, relativesofSylvia world. As achild she livedthrough trator forthe Allendale center, recent years, relativessaid, but in the denselypopulated Goldsholl receivedtroubling Goldsholl’s case is arare the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918 said Goldsholl wasnever hospi- she remains active and social, Seoul metropolitan area, news from her NewJerseynurs- bright spotinNew Jersey,whose and 1919,and shealso lived talisedorput on aventilator. whether playing bingoorholding but also expressedcau- inghome:Shehadcontractedthe current death toll from the virus through twoworld wars and the “She’s got asurvivor’s men- courtinthe center’s dining room. tious hope that infections coronavirus and wasinisolation. —9,946 through Thursday—is Great Depression. tality,” he said. “Her familysup- “You’ll neverfind her sitting arebeginningtowane. With the coronavirus prov- second onlytoNew York State’s. “She’s ForrestGump,”said a portedher through all this and, alone in her room —she’s always Health Ministryofficial ing especiallydeadlyfor older Roughlyhalf of the deaths in nephew, Larry Goldsholl. likeshe says,lovehelps youget with people,” Chazen said, Son Young-rae on people, the prognosis seemed NewJersey—5,168through Goldsholl told News 12 New through things.” adding that her aunt has always Saturdaysaid the country direfor Goldsholl,who turned Thursday—havecome atnurs- Jerseythat,“Isurvivedevery- Goldsholl worked as abook- stuckupfor others. “She has al- mayhaveduckedamajor 108inDecember. ing homes and other long-term thing because Iwas determined keeper and nevermarriedorhad ways had areputation forspeak- surge in transmissionsin “This is killing peopleinnurs- carefacilities. to survive.” children, her relativessaid.She ing up,” Chazen said. “If she aregion wherehalf of its ing homes all over New Jersey Nationwide, roughlyone- Larry Goldsholl said that livedinher childhood home un- thinkssomething is unfair,she’ll 51 millionpeoplelive, and the country,”said Nancy thirdofthe 86,607coronavirus Sylvia Goldsholl’scaseisararebright spotinNew Jersey. NYT when he heardhis aunt had con- til moving to NewJersey 20 years makesurepeopleknow.” pointing out that the daily Chazen,aniece of Goldsholl. deaths have been nursing home tractedthevirus, “wedidn’t know agoand finallymovedintothe “If she wantstomailaletter increase in infections “Quitehonestly, Ithought that patientsorworkers. what to think because she has center in Allendale 13 years ago. to themayor of NewYorkCity, have been within 30 over wasgoing to be the end —I Long-term carefacilities between residentsand caretak- equipment. survivedsomuchatthis point.” Officials at the home de- she’ll mail the letter,” she said. the pastdays despite a mean,she’s 108.” have become hotspots,filled ers, manyofwhom have com- Goldsholl, who livesinthe “Wethought, ‘Well, this could scribed her as an inquisitive per- “I don’t knowher secret to jumpintests. Twoweekslater,relativesre- withavulnerable population plainedthat theyhad notre- Allendale Community forSenior beit,’butknowing Sylvia, Ishould son who likes smartconversation longevity,” her nephewsaid, “but ceivedanother call. and requiring close interactions ceivedenough protective Living in Allendale, NewJersey, have known better,” he said. and who is known as “Big Sister” she’s very feisty.” NYT

New Delhi MAY 17,2020 | WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM | PAGE 15 THE SUNDAYEXPRESS MAGAZINE

SPOTLIGHT, PAGE 16 ARTS etc, PAGE 17 No Means No TheOrangeMinivet Deconstructing the nuts and bolts Dropsby of rape culture,consent and active accountability Ruskin Bond on windows,and the joys of eye simple living in complicated times

Surbhi Gupta forthe community,too.“Those who buyin with SmitaNair,BenitaFernando, bulk have cancelled all orders.But our elders Sreenivas Janyala, DivyaGoyal, would saythat no matter what disaster Vishnu Varma andAmrita Dutta strikes, everyone hastolivetogether, no one should go hungry,”says Dosaya. Formanyvolunteers,the crisis has meant TBEGAN with amessageona anew familiarity with the city theysharewith WhatsApp group. “Someone on our fellowcitizens.Beforehebegan going thereto alumni group postedabout agroup of distributefood, NakulHeble wasonlyvaguely workers from Madhya Pradesh run- awareofthe existence of acommunity of Iningout of food.When theyhad semi-skilledworkers from north India living stepped outtofetch food, theywerebeaten by alakenearhis home in northBengaluru. backbythe police,” says Miriam Koshy, an Forabout amonth now, Heble and afriend artistbasedinDona Paula. It wasfivedays into have gottentoknowthem better,asthey the lockdown, and allofGoa wasstruggling. makefrequent trips to drop offrations, and But the worst-hit were inter-state workers, watchtheir desperationasmoney and sup- spread acrossthe stateinlittleclusters, who pliesran out.“We dependedalot on people had fallen offthe government’s radar,and within the community to help identify the been abandonedbytheir employers. Koshy most vulnerable. Forthem, this pandemicis headedout to the colonywithabatch of dry notabout the virus,but hunger and survival,” rations, the little she could organiseinafew said Heble. With it, therewas also an anxiety hours. As word spreadamong workers, the about being believed. “Theywould say, ‘Agar calls forhelp became adeluge. Since then, khana mila hai, tohhum kyunjhooth bolenge? Koshyand herteam of volunteers —amix of (Why would we lie if we had got the food?)’” datascientists and researchers, architectsand Heble says.Watching government indiffer- artists —havebeen raising funds, packing ence push the vulnerable to desperatemeas- food and sending them out to labour colonies ures and being swampedbytheir distress for across northGoa.Tilldate, theyhavepacked days can take atoll. Hebleand his friend had 12,687 dryrationpacketsfor 4,000 daily- to “move away from the Googlespreadsheet” wage workers. foraweek when it became toomuch. The lockdown to contain the spread of “Your phone number becomes ahelpline COVID-19has ledtoastaggering humanitar- number.You aretaking calls through the iancrisiswhichthe state has struggledto han- day,”says Seema Mundoli. The author and dle. As strandedworkers and vulnerable fam- academic with Azim Premji University is a ilies run out of food, cash andpatience, BRIDGINGTHE partofagroup of100academics, researchers citizen-ledinitiatives, running out of living and students, who beganbyresponding to rooms and collegehalls, mapping out the distress calls early intothe lockdown.Itgrew needy via WhatsApp group chatsand Google intothe StrandedWorkers Action Network, spreadsheets,havesteppedintothis wide that has takencalls from 16,000 distressed breach. Volunteers and NGOworkers have workers from across thecountry. The SWAN spent hours listening to peopleindistress, DISTANCE worksasacontrol room of relief,with vol- rustling up meals forover100people in their unteers dividedintozones by the language tinyhome kitchens, and coaxinggovernment theyspeak.All calls forhelp areentered into officials to sendrelief, when they have failed. As the state struggles to help millions afirstinformationsheet, and different sec- In areport filedwith theSupremeCourt in tions then take on the work —either of trans- April, the Centresubmittedthat NGOs across ferring cash, or getting local organisations to the countryhad served30.11 lakh meals dur- stranded in the lockdown, citizen-led send food or even making payment to gas ing the firstphase of lockdown —inmany agencies when workershaverun out of cook- states, theywereahead of the government in initiatives and civil society organisations ing fuel. “Sometimes, it can take quiteafew providing this relief. days forthingstomove. We also find that In this upheaval, manyweremovedbythe have stepped in to help with ration kits, even NGOs aregetting overwhelmedand plight of others to step out. When he heardof running out of resources,” says Mundoli. construction workers from Bihar “eating raw She has justgottenoff the phone with a wheat flour mixed with waterand masala” hot meals and empathy workerinBellary, Karnataka, distraught be- in Bandra’s Kherwadi area, Karthikeyan KN, causehecan’t returntoMadhya Pradesh. “It 34, usedsocial media to raise money. The waseasiertosomehowget food and ration to head of analytics and product management at people.Now, aftertwo months,peopleare just apayment solutionsfirm, he collectedRs2.5 franticaboutgoinghome.Buttheprocessisso lakh to supplyrationto40,000adults fortwo non-transparent that we arestruggling to weeks. He alsoplunged intofield work with help,” says Mundoli. The volunteers usually Khaana Chahiye, another citizen-ledinitia- helpworkersregisteronagovernmentportal, tive.Everyday, he steps out at 7.30 am to pick direct them to the nearestpolicestation to up food packetsand deliverthem to Dharavi, againregister—andthentellthemto wait.“We Kurla, Chembur,Govandiand Mahul. “Once I tryconvincethem nottostart walking. In the startedseeing the ground reality,Iunderstood southzone,we have hadnosuccessinhelping the meaning of privilege,” he says. with travel. In Maharashtra,wemanagedto In Mumbai, an extensive networkof collectfundsandarrangeatrucktodropwork- kitchens, deliverypersonnel, grassroots NGOs ers to the Madhya Pradesh border,” she says. andvolunteers have been working to help the ILLUSTRATION:SUVAJITDEY By pitching intothe crisis,the volunteers hungry. The Rotary Club of Mumbai Queen’s have feltthescaleof deprivationacutely. With Necklace has served over 60 lakh hotmeals Some middle-class families were reducedto cies. “Wecannotorganise blood donation the knowledge comes indignation. “I had not and food kitsacross Mumbai, Thane and zero. Hadtheynot been affectedso badly, they camps with social distancing. So, we send 10- realisedhow broken the system is. Politicians Palghar.The project has raisedRs11crore till could have survivedthis lockdown,” says Amir 12 donors dailytohospitals,” says Taranjit andadministratorswhoaretrainedtorespond date,with funding from Rotarians as well as Siddiqui from Project Umeed, whichruns 43 Singh Nimana of the Bhai GhanaiyaJiMission to thecrisishaverespondedwith anutter lack corporatedonors. BusinessmanSanjivMehta, relief centres in the city.Herecountshow dif- Sewa Society,anorganisation in Punjab. “We of care. Afew good officers tryingtheir best is who heads theproject,said,“Thereisamaker, ficult it is forthe suddenlyimpoverishedpeo- have alistof40,000-50,000 blooddonors notenough,” said Mundoli. “By leavingthe afunder and adistributor.Everyoneis ple to seek help,promptingthem to tie up readyinLudhiana.But these days,evenreg- cities, the workershavequestionedall of us in needed.” Mostinitiativestakethe supportof with mosques in the area. “Westarted drop- ular donors arehesitant;justamessageon abig way. Governments would liketolure NGOs, whichoftenhave the logistics, person- ping offrationkitsatthe mosque. Theyfind it WhatsApp is notenough. Youhavetocall and them to stayput, but no one wantstoanswer nel and expertise, but notthe funding. Retail morecomfortable to take it from the imam counsel them.” whytheyleft,” says Goonj’s Gupta. entrepreneur Juveca Panda joinedhands with than to acceptcharity,” he says. Asachild,MuruganSlivedonthestreetsof The “end” of lockdown, then, cannot non-profit Youth forUnity andVoluntary Fortwo-decadeold organisationGoonj, Kochiandbeggedforfoodfromstrangers.One mean aswitchbacktonormal. “I knowalot Action (YUVA) to distributeeight lakh cooked disasters mean activating itsdeep network. day, the police shifted him to an orphanage more about the livespeople live.Empathyhas meals to frontline workers “Butusuallyit’s in acertain wherehewas caredfor by growninme. AndIdon’t and Bhiwandi’s powerloom ●●● pocket of thecountry. We nuns formanyyears. Since ●●● think this work is something workers. Forstrandedcon- had neverthought that all then, he has been paying the Ican stop. Alot morepeople struction workers,food is our networks will be favourforward.The34-year- aregoingtoneedhelp. Jobs preparedinakitchen at a Vo lunteers have neededatonce,”says old’s NGOTheruvoram, ‘Once Isaw the will be lost, people willsuf- stadium in Nerul and then felt the scale of founderAnshu Gupta.To meaning street in ground reality, I fer,”says Heble. Whilethey transportedbyMumbai adapttomanyinter-state re- Malayalam, has been lifting have run out of funds, the Mobile Crèches, an NGO deprivation strictions, the organisation the homelessand the desti- understood the twofriendsare gearing up with expertise in setting up has had to swiftlydecen- PTI tuteoff the streetsinsix dis- to meetmunicipal officers day-carecentres at con- acutely.‘Ihad tralise, says Gupta.“We REACHING OUT trictsofKerala and taking meaningofmy or legislators to bring some struction sites. “Theyhad the startedbuying locallyfrom Tw owomen offerfood to another in Chennai them to safehomesinthe attention to the community. logistics in place to deliver not realised grocery shops, vendors and lockdown. “Almost90per privilege,’ says a In Goa, Koshyhassetupa the food,” Panda says. farmers,” he says.InKolar, cent arefromother states. directoryofworkers to help Hospitality brands, too, how broken this Karnataka, aregion known the organisation has delivered8lakhkgofra- food. Later,asmanydecided to cookontheir We give them abath, fresh volunteer in match their skill sets with leveragedtheir massive forits tomatoand mango tion and provided1.4 lakh meals,says Gupta. own, we provideddryrations and vegetables. clothes and then transport jobs that come up. So far, kitchens andmanpowerto system is’ production, when farmers Elsewhere, too, social workers hit the We arranged counsellingfor those who themto amentalhealthcen- Mumbai theyhavemanaged to find provide meals. The Indian starteddistress selling, ground running as the implications of the showedsigns of depression. Manyfelt guilty treorahospital,” he says. rain harvesting experts to HotelCompanyLimited ●●● Goonj decidedtobuy the lockdownbegan to be clear.Around March that theywerejusteatingand sleeping with- Extending ahand does ●●● train labourers in building (IHCL), whichowns the Taj, produceoverthe costprice 30,membersofAnkuram, aHyderabad- out doing anywork,”says Sumitra. When notalways comefromapo- recharge pitsand areappeal- Vivantaand Ginger brand of hotels, provided and distributedit among 5,000families in the basedNGO, spotted migrants from Madhya theyfinallyfound away to leave,after the eas- sition of privilege.Inthe villageofKaladera, ing to householders to hire them forday jobs. meals forhealthcareworkers as well as district. “Wehad notprepared cooked meals Pradesh walking on the highway. They per- ing of restrictions, some migrantsfromBihar, near Chomu in Jaipur district, acommunity “It is about hunger and survival, and if it is not strandedworkers in NewDelhi, Mumbai, before but we decidedtodosobecausepeo- suadedthem to return, and movedthem to UP andMaharashtra made Sumitraand her of printersand dyershavestarted akitchen takencareofnow,people will getintoalife- Bengaluru, Coimbatoreand Agra. ple were going hungry. In the pastmonth, their shelter,wheretheywereoffered food team members promise that theywould visit to help 900migrant workers stucknearby. longdebtcycle. Eventually,there will be an- In Delhi, wherethe Februaryriots had al- we’vefedover 2,000people in Bengaluru, and and waterand convincedtostay—instead of them in their homes whenever possible. “Thelocal authorities give dryration only to other waveofdistress migration from vil- ready pushedmanyfamiliesintofinancialdis- we stillget at least 100callsaday,” says walking800km home. “Weconvincedhun- It is notjustfoodalone.Asseveral blood native villagers. Howwould the workers lages,” says Gupta. tress, the lockdown has been adouble blow. Chandan Sharma, who looksafterGoonj’s op- dredsmoretostayatthe shelters,” says banksbegan drying up in lockdown, organi- manage?” says Krishna KumarDosaya,a “Manyhomes were burnt during the riots. erations in Karnataka. Through the lockdown, founderMSumitra. “Initially, we provided sations rushedtoarrangeblood foremergen- member of the Chippa Samaj. It is ahardtime Longer versiononindianexpress.com

New Delhi EYE,THE SUNDAY EXPRESS MAGAZINE

16 SPOTLIGHT MAY 17, 2020 DIGITAL No Means No NATIVE Deconstructing the nuts and bolts of ‘rape culture’, consent and active accountability

NishantShah

Nishant Shah is aprofessor of newmedia and theco- founder of The Centrefor Internet&Society,Bengaluru IMAGINE After the by SheljaSen DEAR BOYS,

AM WRITINGthis letterto youwithout anyagendatoblameandshame.If you Crisis have been following the social media stories and news recentlyon“rape cul- Iture”, then youknowwhat Iamtalk- When the pandemic is behind us, ing about. To begin with, Idonot agree with the term “rape culture”that is being loosely the new normal will see acurb on thrownaroundas it assignsasingleidentity to all of us. People aremultistoried, as is our cul- our rights and safeties ture. Asingle storyof“rape culture” removes possibilities of boys and men being compas- HEN THEworld officiallywent online — sionatebeings, who can stand up forgender notjustusedthe internetbut realisedthat equality,respectand uphold consent.The we willhavetoliveonit, amid the shut- other issue Ihavewith it is that it endsup oth- Wdownsand lockups, something strange ering theproblem asif it is out thereandwe do happened. Those of us privileged enough to be able to nothaveanythingtodowithit. There is no work remotely and continue to be productively engaged, “us” and “them” here. Misogynyseeps in our thus hanging on to asemblance of normalityinanuncer- lives, homesandworkplaceswithoutus even tain world, startedtorecognisethe fatigue of screen realising it. space. We were already struggling with thefact that we Letmesay it loud and clear—consentmat- were living with screens—theywereinour hands,pock- ters, whether youare married, in along-term ets, bags; by ourpillows,and,withus, on our toilet seats. relationship, or justtherefor casual sexora And thencame the video-conferencing explosion. All “hook up”. It matters across gender,age,sex- REUTERS work got reducedtostaringatthe screen —suddenly ual orientation, class, caste, religion, every- IT TAKESTWO issue with the perpetrator.Everylittlestep you other gender as abnormal (I will leave the in- heartening to see that the recent social-me- making alot of us realise that despitethe presence of thing. It does notmatter if she has said “yes” TO AGREE take counts. If youstaypassive,you continue justiceofthatforanothercolumn). No wonder dia uproar wasnot shrugged offas“Boys will ubiquitous computation, our work and lifehad alot of earlier,ifyou havedone it before,oryou have supporting patriarchy. when theygrowup, men take charge and be boys,” or “Aisa tohhotarehtahai (These Activists hold a time forin-person and physicalactivities. heardfromsomebody else that she is “easy.” We also needtogobeyondall the mud- women aretaken charge of. Their identities things keep happening)”. The biggesttragedy As we shifted, taking forgranted access, affordability, Andno, youcannotblame it on your raging protest rally in New slinging and talk about active accountability getrestricted,where womenneedprotection will be if we letitgoand resume everyday andaffordances,intothisonline world, we have all been hormones, your manliness, the fact that you Yo rk in oppositionto and what it means. from men who are“tough” and “strong.” The lifewithanother uproar in afew months’ exploring what it means to work in these distributed en- were toointoxicated or that youmisread the US Supreme Court “boycode” or “manningup” does notleave time. Active accountability means that if vironments. Thereare long editorials about “Zoom fa- signals. Thereare no greysinaffirmativecon- nominee AWARENESS: Thereisnolearning inpublic muchscope forsensitivityand gentleness. therehas been awrongdoing, then thereis tigue”, “platform tiredness” and“camera craziness” as sent —itisblackand white. Consent could Brett Kavanaugh humiliation,expulsionsand social-media Suchare the warpedand restricted di- an apologyfor thetransgression and action we feel exhaustedtrying to remain productiveand con- rangefromchecking if she is okayabout get- shaming. It justleads to people nottaking re- chotomies we setupfor ourchildren from a —astatement of commitment, “I am sorry I and in support of nected on theflattenedinterfaces of ourscreens. Thereis ting messages from youtoholding her hand, sponsibility —“Iamnot sureifIeven did any- young age. But then thereisanother danger- messedup. Iwill do what it takestorepair alsoagrowing realisationthat while the digitalworld of- kissingher or having sex. It mightbeawkward Christine Blasey thing wrong”, “Guess Iwill justhavetobe ous dichotomy —goodgirls and bad girls.Bad the damage.” It couldbeinterms of writing fers manyadvantages, it takesanimmense amount of and might break the flowbut do it. Do notkeep Ford, the university morecautious”—togaslighting the victim girls do notneedprotection, theyare “free for an apology,accepting his role in it, meeting labour.This hiddenlabourand itscosts,otherwise per- pushing as youmight have heard, “girlsliketo professor who has with “it’s all in your head”. Altogether,no all”.These arethe girls who fall prey to the atherapist, doing community work,oreven formedbyinvisible workers or insidious algorithms, are be chased.” No means no. Don’t makeas- accused Kavanaugh learning, justice or healing and maximum male gaze,who earn thelabel of “slut” in policeaction, depending on the situation. nowinour faces, clearly showing us thatdigital shiftsare sumptions thatsuityou.Thereare four ele- of sexual assault damage. We needtohaveconversations with school, whereall genders areunitedinsaying, Simultaneously, the girls who have been at notcheapand administrators using it as an excusetore- mentstotransgressions —consent, power, age our boys at home and in schools on sex, espe- “she asked forit.” Media has to acknowledge the end of the harm needhealing, too, so that duce costsare merelyburdening their employees with appropriateness andcontext. SupposeaClass ciallyinterms of gender politics, consent, re- the wayitfeeds into the dangerous discourse theycan move towardstheir preferredfu- additional, invisiblelabour. Xboy posts apictureofaClassVIgirlinhispri- spect, empathy, transgressions. We need around gender and consent (Watchany tureand reclaim their life. Schools and col- The struggle is real. It seems trivialwhen compared vate WhatsApp group, it is atransgression on schools to step upandstartadedicatedweekly Bollywood song to see howitplays out). leges needtohaveaclear protocol for to those who cannotwork, aretrappedawayfromhome four counts—noconsent, no equality of power classes on these and on diversity —onissues restorative justice. and family, or arethreatenedwith loss of job and in- (he is alot older andis amale), notage-appro- of gender,sexuality,neurodiversity,disability, ACTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY: In away,itwas To all of youadultsout there,this is not come as we continue extending the measures to flatten priate, and, in the wrong context. That is why body types, race, class, caste,justice, power, aboutthechildren,thisis aboutus.To raiseour the epidemiologicalcurve. And yet, this is in manyways it is ridiculous to equatethe girl’s Snapchat to religion —not once in their school lifebut ●●● children well, we have to raise ourselvesfirst. the futureofwhat is to come when the worldopens up. the #boislockeroom on Instagram. everyweekfromNursery to Class XII. That We needtocometogetherand take collective One of the things we have to preparefor is that this pan- If, by chance, youare abystander (online or mightbethe mostimportant lesson theywill responsibility in making our worldmoreeq- otherwise), then rather than staying passive, take with them as theystepintothe world. There are four elements to uitable,freeofgenderviolenceandmisogyny. take an active role. If youare achild, talk to an transgressions —consent, Areyou up forit? adult youtrustwho will be ready to take ac- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The seeds of gender SHELJA tion. Reachout to the personwho is beingtar- criminality has itsroots in our language. power, age appropriateness gettedin whateverwayyoucanandshowsol- Languageisthe thread that weaves the dom- DrSheljaSenistherapist,writerandco-founder idarity.Itcould beas simple as saying, “This is inant beliefsregarding gender,wheregender and context ofChildrenFirst,achild&adolescent notokay, what can Idotohelp?” If possible, is seen in binaries —boys as smarter, tougher, mentalhealthinstitute.Writeto gather like-mindedpeople and address the braver,girls as weaker,prettier,nicer and any ●●● [email protected]

ical aid scheme forartistesfacing hardships, GETTYIMAGES simplify theapplicationprocess andexpedite LOST WORLD Healing fund disbursal. Once this is over,the digitalisgoing to be the lever for change Over the pastdecade, The National Missions on Manuscripts and Libraries have scannedthousandsofmanuscripts.Thesedig- demic is an exercise in resource managementand con- ital resources should immediatelybemade trol. In the guise of the emergency,different administra- Touch freelyavailableonline.Scholarsmustbegiven tors who were resisting the digital shiftbecauseoflack grantstobegin translatingthese textsfrom of knowledge or fear of loss of control aresuddenlyac- the ancient languages intocontemporary celerating the shift, being facilitated almostentirelyby The importance of art in tongues. Subventions should be givento for-profit corporateservices instead of community- presses to publish these works. The Ministry drivenopen-source environmentsthat have been devel- the age of the coronavirus should give stipends to humanities re- opingoverthe years. It is also apractice run fornormal- searchers to writeaccessible essays and pod- ising digital labour as apartofour work,evenaswe Nachiket Chanchani casts forabroad audience, includingschool continue to shoulder the full shareofresponsibilities children. Finally, theIndianCouncil of Cultural that we always did. Relations should work with embassies world- Whenweget back,thereisgoing to be ahugethrust AS THE government of India lookstogradu- wide to encourage private collectors andcon- to convince us that things arebacktonormal. Theim- allyreopentheeconomy, creative and cultural noisseursofSouth Asian arttodonatefunds to pulse fornormalisation is notgoing to go back to theold industries, asector that has already been im- artistic organisations in India. baseline. Theworkthatweput in,taking enormousre- pacted by theongoing pandemic, maybe As cultural historian Lakshmi sponsibilityfor caregiving towardsfamilyand colleagues, among the lasttorecoverfromthe economic Subramanian recentlyreflected,music is one working beyond the call of duty to makeupfor thelack downturn. As the arts nurturepublic health of the fewtransmissions in the human chain of institutional andgovernmentalresources,isgoing to and as cultural diversity is an essential aspect that can be safelyamplifiednow. becomethe newnormal. Thedigital is going to becomea of the nation’s fabric, it is critical to keep this Governmentsmight remuneratepractition- leverbywhich peopleare goingtobelaid off, their jobs sector afloat. ers of musicaland performingarts if theycon- replacedbyautomation. It is going to comewith the Forseveral reasons,creativeand cultural sentto teachstudentsbasicsinging techniques promise of efficiency and transformation —code forre- industries arepoisedtosufferenormous through teleconferencingfacilities.Following structuring organisationsfor profit andtransforming the losses. ManyofIndia’s performing arts,mu- the lead of global pop stars, India’s agencies natureofworkand distribution of resources. seumsandheritagesiteshave come to betied WIKIMEDIACOMMONS should initiateschemes that will disburse Thedigital shiftislong in the making, but the sudden to tourism, another sector poisedtorecover reduce anxiety and heal trauma. Therefore, ATHINGOF catedgroup of anthropologists,designers,mu- funds to local musicians who livestream shifthas givenmanyleaders theopportunity to experi- slowlyastraveland social distancing restric- the arts arepromoters of healthier commu- JOYAND seum professionals and government officers melodies from their homes. mentwiththeir employees in real-time, seeing how tions will continue forsome time.The percep- nities in the intermediateand long term. BEAUTY has revivedmanyotherritual arttraditions, Today, India’s eyesareonChina,wherethe muchmoreworkcan be piledonpeople, extorting them tion that the arts and humanities arenot es- If the pastisany guide, then by turning to including some on the vergeofextinction. As pandemic beganand whichisnow carefully to perform more and sacrifice their free time andhealth sential to our society is entrenched. Since itwe might learnofother benefitsofinvesting AMadhubani aresult,theirmakershave enjoyedfame,their reopeningits economy.Ifwealsotake intoac- to the bettermentofaneconomywhere theyare going to manyartists,artsorganisationsand cultural in the arts in times of crisis. As afamine ex- painting by Padma rural communities have prospered and new countChina’s modernising initiatives in the be asked to work more forless even as thefew people workershavebeen the recipient of meagre tendedits grip in Bengal in the 1940s, artists Shri winner Sita forms of cultural expression and regional 1950s and 1960s that aspired to pull millions who controlitwill be the onlyonesthatprofitfromit. In grants fromthe government and philan- suchasZainul Abedin and Chittaprosad made Devi, one of the early identity have flowered. of itscitizens outof grindingpoverty,thenwe the past, technological shifts fueled by other crises —the thropictrustsevenbeforethepandemic, their sketches of the unfolding human tragedy. Mithila artists Alongside arts practitioners, nowisthe willsee that theyled to aparadigm shiftin rise of computationafter theend of WorldWar II, the in- resources willdiminishfirst. To counteract Some exhibitedtheir work,others arranged time to supportartsscholars. Giventhe clo- China’s cultural landscape. Manypractition- creaseindigital securityafter theY2K scare,the naturali- this, the developmentofaforward-looking fortheirspeedyandinexpensive publication. sureofArchaeologial Survey of India-pro- ers of long-cherishedtraditions found them- sation of surveillancetechnologies after9/11, theintro- cultural policy is the needofthe hour.Recent Evenastheseventuresdrew the colonialgov- tected monuments, budgetsallocated for selvestillingfields or working in assembly duction of no-privacy governance databases after symbolic gestures by the Union Ministryof ernment’s ire, theyinspired fellowIndians to repaving walkways,growing exotic flowers lineson factoryfloors,hundredsofkilometres chargesofterrorism, all come to mind —haveled to dra- Culture—suchasinducting regional weaving contributeresourcestoease the suffering of onlawnsandinstallingdynamiclightingsys- from their hometowns. As these erstwhile matic re-orderingoflifeand sociality. traditions intonational lists of intangible cul- those mostimpacted by the catastrophe. tems should be transferredtofellowship practitioners aged and their unique skill-sets This pandemic is notanexception. As allthat we tural heritageand illuminating the forecourt Twodecades later,asevere droughthit schemesfor studentsand scholars of archae- became rusty,anarray of artistic practicesthat knowissuspended, there is astartling shift into auni- of the RedFortwithoil lamps —will neither Bihar.Pupul Jayakar,the then head of the ology.Funds apportionedfor the construction helpedtoshape China were endangered. verse without safeties and entitlements. Thenew normal preservethese practitioners nor the sites. handicrafts board, encouragedthe women of of grandiose experiential museums in the re- Some artistic traditions even disappeared.Our is notgoing to be an olderone —which,evenasitwas Arecognition thattheartspositively affect the Mithila region to transfer compositions cently-concludedbudget session should be creative and cultural industries areessential problematic, at leasthad theboundsofrightsand ourbodies and minds is an elementaryfirst theyhad hithertoreserved fortheir nuptial transferredto charitable trustsdevotedto ad- —theynurturepublichealth and preservecul- safeties. It is going to be one wherethe crisis is goingto step in formulating anew policy.Art fosters chambers to paper.WithIndiraGandhi’s sup- vancing the history,conservation and enjoy- turaldiversity,andso,theseareamongthe na- be normalisedand we areall going to be forced,inour awareness, enhances socialskills, increases port, Jayakar marketedthese rustic paintings ment of art. These trustsshould beallowedto tion’s mostvaluable assets in the ageofcoro- digitalenvironments, to be stuck, experiencing this crisis, self-esteem and slows cognitivedecline.Many to urban audiences by emblazoning their im- helpexisting museumspay thesalariesof po- navirus and in the years to come. in howweworkand live,longafter thecrisis is over. studieshaveshown that activities suchas ages on trains,hanging them in hotellobbies, sitionscritical to theirmissions andcover viewing apainting, listening to music or sellingthem in emporia andshowcasing them other essential expenses. The Ministry of NachiketChanchaniisanassociateprofessoratthe watching aperformance strengthen learning, at internationalfestivals.Since then, adedi- Cultureshould publicise itspension and med- UniversityofMichigan,AnnArbor,US

New Delhi EYE,THE SUNDAY EXPRESS MAGAZINE

MAY 17, 2020 ARTSetc 17 DOWN IN JUNGLELAND

RanjitLal

Ranjit Lal is an author, environmentalistand birdwatcher The Eyes Have It Lockdown blues? There’s a kaleidoscopic new world waiting to be discovered

ATURE LOVERS these days mustbetormented to be stuckindoors, watching TVdocumen- taries on natural history.And yet, as Idiscov- Nered decades ago, thereare enough astonish- mentslying around, in the house, garden, or even a flowerpot, foryou to discover, enjoy, and photograph. RAVIKANOJIA Decades ago, Ibecame fascinated by what things looked Devyani Onial towns and to thedeep well of solitude.This, likeinmagnum close-up and got myself asmall micro- he feels, could beamomentto reviewand re- scope whose lens wasbasicallyaglass bead. But you orient our relationship with nature. “Thereis could see the features of an ant’s head with it, or details of ONGBEFORE the worlddiscovered The Orange afeeling among people that this, to some ex- abee’s wing. Of course, Ihad to photograph these, so I the virtues of windows in this sea- tent, is the outcome of human interference snappedopen my father’s ancient “fold out” Zeiss Ikon, sonof socialdistancingandstaying with the natural world. Ithink it wasThomas alignedthe lens as close to the microscope’s eyepiece as home,Ruskin Bond letthe worldin Hardy whosaidGod createdabeautifulworld possible and clicked. The pictures resembledprimitive X- Lthrough his. With the mountains and leftittoustolook afterit, whichwedid- ray images but were exciting forme. Youcould see the on one side, thevalleybelowand theroad n’t do toowell. Hopefully, we will take better hooksatthe edgesofthe bee’s wing with whichthe hind ahead, the viewfromIvy CottageinLandour, Minivet Drops By careofthis wonderful inheritance,” he says. and front spans attachsotheyworkasasingle wing. acorner of the hills that wasonce the head- It mayalso be atime to connect to our- Then Igraduated to my firstsingle-lens reflex—a quarters of the Americanmissionarycommu- selves. “Maybepeople will also getachance heavyweight Russian Zenit-E that firedlikearifle and had nity in India, is varied. “A long and ne’er-say- to discoverthemselvesinthis enforcedsoli- an excellent 58 mm normal lens. Igot myself abellows diesearch forthe perfectwindow. This would tude, to becomemore thoughtful becausewe unit, which, when attachedbetween the body and the be one waytosum up my life,” writes Bond, Ruskin Bond on the joys of simpleliving in can’t rusharoundas we usedto, and we must lens, enabledyou to obtain up to afour-times the magnifi- one of India’s mostloved and prolific writers, tryand makelifeassimple as possible to be cation on asliding scale. An entirenew worldopenedup. in ABook of Simple Living (2015,Speaking complicated times, looking inward and gazing out reasonablyhappy and avoid complications. Peer intoawater drop and see the whole worldsus- Tiger). “Windowsare all important,and not To live within one’s means and notbeover- pendedinside it. Or,the photographer’s favourite—spi- justfor writers. Iget the sunrise on my bed ambitious,that’s the road to contentment, if ders’ webs strung likestrings of pearls on the foliageon firstthinginthe morning.Itwakes me up,” he From hisroom now, he can see the road THE CRICKET blessingshavealways perplexed theauthor nothappiness. Of course, it maybetougher to dewy mornings. Even better,abejeweleddragonfly’s says.Athis previoushome,MaplewoodLodge, but the hum of everydaylifeismissing. The STILLSINGS who has remainedsingle lifelong, has dried makealiving nowfor sometime,” says Bond. wings youcould photograph at leisurebecause the insect he foundthesolitudehesought,livingnextto birds seemtohavedecidedtocompensatefor up. Will the ease with whichstrangers turn As someone who always worked from wasstill toochill to fire up itsengines! Mostenthralling of Ruskin Bond at his the forest and writing from his windowseat. themissing footfalls by increasingtheirnum- up at writers’ doors, join and leave conversa- home, his dayhasn’t changedmuch, maybe all, on acool, moistmorning in Mumbai’s Borivali Manyofhis best-knownshort stories, that berofflights. “In the early morning, Isee far home in Landour, tions and the intimacy of touchthat is sucha got busier,writing, and reading out stories for National Park,was discovering what’s calledleaf “gutta- makeupclassics such as TheNight Train at morebirds thanIusedtoand agreater vari- Mussoorie big part of what India is, changeinaworld All India Radio,dipping into hisrichrepertoire, tion”—the exudation of sap from aleaf as spherical Deoli (1988), Time StopsatShamli (1989) and ety, even some thathadn’t been comingbe- scarredbyCOVID-19? “In manyways, India is narrating aghoststory,ahumorous anecdote droplets,arranged likeatiaraonthe edgesofaleaf. OurTrees Still Grow in Dehra (1991), emerged fore.Yesterday,therewas an orangeminivet. an informal sortofacountry. In some other and the tall tales of Jim Corbett’s khansama. Dewdrops on rose petals is another old photographic from that workstation. It’smoreofaforest bird,itdid notventurehere countries, youwould be looked on with sus- The writer promises anew offering soon. cliché, whichyou can fake with asprayer.Another won- It wasn’t lonelythough. Asmall plump earlier.Usuallyyou will seeparrotsinthe picion, whereas hereit’s perfectlynatural to “I have written some 10,000 wordsdur- der wasthe details of askeletonleaf —the intricatefili- squirrelwould climb on to his window-sill, “a plainsbut theyhavebeen coming up forahol- talk to astranger about the journey, or to ing the lockdown. Theyare partlyphilosoph- gree of itsveins is trulyamazing. Youcould see the barbs little out of breath with the effort”and eat idaynow that the tourists aren’t,” says Bond. grumble or makeacomplaint and everyone ical, thoughtsand observations. So farthe ti- and barbules that made up the edgesoffeather vanes, en- groundnutsout of his hand, and, at night, the The hill station that sees trafficjams joins in,” he says.The fear of the virusmay tle is, ‘Wherehaveall thepeople gone?’But that moths would beat softlyagainstthe window stretching to hours in the summer is nowal- makepeople wary of eachother but Bond soundsrather pessimistic. Iwill perhaps panes. “Mussooriehasn’t been thisquietsince mostentirelymade up of itslocal residents. says,“Ithinkpeople willgo back to doingwhat changeitto‘Have aWonderful Life’,” he rumi- Icameherein1963. Therewereonlytwo taxis “Mussoorie, of course, will miss the tourists theywerebefore. We go backtoold habits. In nates. That’s adose of optimism we can all do then. Ithink,wehaveabout 600now.But the because it’s atownthat thrivesontourism.All India, it’s hardtobreak with custom.” with in these uncertain times. We could also streetsare near-empty,”saysthe author,who the business people aresuffering,” he says. Writing foraliving from the 1950s, when turnto thelastlinesof his autobiography, Lone wasborn in Kasauli, grew up in Jamnagar, The days arequieterand the trickle of tourists, he wasayoung man of 21 to now, when he FoxDancing (2017), “I’m afraid science and pol- journeyedthrough Dehradun,England and book lovers and even honeymooners up the turns 86 on Tuesday, Bond has takenus itics have letusdown. But the cricketstillsings Delhi, before puttingdownroots in Mussoorie. stairs to Bond’s room, whose visitsasking for through the naturalworld,pastmofussil on the window-sill.”

RANJITLAL Light Filters In WHO IS THATALIEN? Arobber fly Jericho Brown on winning the PulitzerPrize for poetry abling it to keep itsshape afterabirdhad run itsbeak and being apoet in the time of the pandemic through it. Other “everyday” things, too, when seen real close-up Nawaid Anjum silience. It holds out hope because it changes could take your breath away.The translucent flakes of an our minds.That canlead to achangeofaction,” orange, backlit by the sun (or even alamp) againstavelvet he says.His win comes 70 years afterthe blackbackground waslikeawork of art. And then, Idis- “IT’S FUNNY winning the Pulitzer Prize in the African-American poetGwendolyn Brooks coveredice cubes. When justformed, theyhad the most middle of the pandemic. Youcan’t go out to became thefirstBlackpoettowin the Pulitzer astonishing internal structures, and by using coloured party and shakeabunchofhands,” says for AnnieAllen (1949). “Brooks’s worksmade transparent paper youcould compose the mostmagnifi- Jericho Brown, winner of this year’s Pulitzer wayfor the booksthat Iamable to bring in this cent worksofmodern art. Another source of magical and Prize forpoetry. But even as he stays at home world,” says Brown, who dedicates one of his ghost-likeabstract imaging wasthe swirls and curls of in Atlantainthe UnitedStates, Brown, 44,has poems to her.Between them, six Blackpoets, smokerising from aresting cigarette,inapitch-black suddenly found the worldreaching out to him. including RitaDove(1987)and Yusef room with justone spotlight (I usedmyslide projector) to Since the announcement of the award, he has Komunyakaa (1994), have wonthe award. light them up. Lately, Idiscoveredyou can photograph been giving back-to-backinterviews.“Ihave LikeDove, Brownisinterestedinexploring rainbows on the playing side of aCD, useful forexplaining nevertalked to so manypeople from across “the mostintimatemoments, the smaller, the basic physics of light to children and whyaduck’s the worldinsuchashortperiod of time be- crystalliseddetails we all hingeour liveson.” head shimmers purple and emerald. I’veframedsome of fore,” Brownsays,overthe telephone. Born as Nelson DemeryIII in Shreveport, these images and connedmanybypassing them offasthe Brown’s win —justlikethat Louisiana, Brown’s landscaper Northern Lights! of fellowBlackplaywright parentsdid yard work.His child- STEPHANIEMITCHELL Getupclose to insectsand other creepycrawlies, the Michael R. Jackson forhis off- hood memories areofgoing to APOET politics that runs through them. “When I In The Tradition,Brown inventsanewpo- fearsome details of an ant’s mandibles will reveal them- Broadway musicalAStrange Loop the Baptistchurch with his OF WITNESS write, Iamnot trying to makepolitical state- etic form calledduplex, whichweavesto- selves. You’ll also understand from whereHollywood di- —seemstosymbolise the tri- deeplyreligious parentsand his ments.But Idoknowthatapolitical statement gether elementsofthe sonnet, blues and rectors got their “inspiration” to createthe look of the Jericho Brown, umph of acommunity.The first father beating up his mother. will bemade because that’sthe historyof po- ghazal.Brown, who listens to alot of ghazals, Martians! Look deeplyintothe beady eyes of acockroach Blackqueer poettowin the hon- Having discoveredhis sexual winner of the 2020 etryall over the world,” he says.Anardent ad- besidessongsby MichaelJackson,DianaRoss or those bright, obsidian eyes of ajumping spider on the ourforhis thirdpoetrycollection, orientation early,Brown kept Pulitzer Prize mirer of former US President BarackObama, and Stevie Wonder,says it wasborn of his in- wall. Always focus on the eyes. Arobber flyonce flewinto The Tradition (2019,Copper thinking of committing suicide. in poetry Brownis, however, quicktopointout that terestinlinking forms that could encompass the room and Iwent reallyclose to makeout the thou- CanyonPress), Brownisalso the All of that is in the past. He has therehad been other Blackpeople in the US different kinds of identities. “Apoem is ages- sands of lenses that made up itsgiant compound eye! director of the creative writing changed his name and learnt to who were “capable and smartenough” forthe turetowardhome,” reads one suchpoem. Does To captureflying insectswas acompletely different programme at EmoryUniversity. live with his manyidentities —a job. “He wasthe firstBlackPresident, but he his poetrytakehim home? “What apoem re- ball game. Backinthe mid-1970s, Idiscoveredthe work of Beforethe news of his winbroke, Southerner,aqueer and aBlack wasnot the onlyone we could’vehad,” he says. allyshould do is lend access to all our experi- Stephen Dalton, who had made it his passion to do just he had been busy working on man, blendingthem allintoa And so, Browngrapples with racial injus- ences. It should be honestabout all the forms that, with strobe lightsand infra-red triggers and whatnot some essays about growing up in single,cohesive identity:apoet. tice, normalisation of terror and naturalisa- walking around in you,” says Brown, who has in his very life-likedioramas. He usedthe peerless trans- Louisiana and his work life. “Thereisanotion In his poems, Browndwellsonthe con- tion of inequality in his work.The increasing been living with HIV since 2012.Inone of his parency film, Kodachrome, and the resultswereout- that in the UnitedStates youcan getwhat you tentious relationship with his father,the quiet number of hatecrimes againstBlackmen in poems,hereferstohis bodyas“atempleindis- standing —bees and wasps and butterflies in take-off, or want if youworkhardenough. In the essays, submission of his mother,and the vulnerabil- the US oftencome up in hispoems.“Iam a repair”,inanother,hewrites of being “con- mid-flight, pin-sharp from head to toe! This sortofthing Iwonder howtrue that is in acountrywhere ities of being aBlackman in America. In As a they in most of America,” he writes in Stake. sumedbyasingle diagnosis of health”. galvanises youeventhough there’s no wayyou could de- people work very hardbut barelyget by,” he human being,hewrites about howhefought “Sometimes youiseverybody,”hewritesinan- His illness has longmadehim awareofthe velop the sortofequipment required.So, youdothe next says.Ifthingswerenormal, he would have “your father and won, marredhim/ He’llhavea other poem. uncertainty of lifebut the pandemic has been best thing: wait forwasps to hoverclose to their nests, headedoutforadragshow, akaraokesession scarhecan seeall/ Because of you/ And your Brown’s previous collections include an eye-opener.The US response to it, he says, when theymove the least(but still fartoo much) or you ortoastrip club to celebratehis Pulitzer win. mother/ The onlywoman youevercriedfor...” Please (2008), whichexplored the intersec- has been “embarrassingand humiliating”. go afterthose wonderful flying machines: hoverflies. But, in the newnormal, Browndid the next In his writing, he adheres to the tradition tion of love and violence, and The New President DonaldTrump has recentlyasserted These guyscan suspend themselvesstockstill in mid-air best thing:introspect and meditate. “I did it of American poets likeWalt Whitman or Testament (2014), which meditated on race, that COVID-19will “goawayatsome point and if you’requickonthe draw youcan nail them. Even so, withthe sameintensity thatIwould have par- EmilyDickinsoninthe samemeasureashe sexuality and faith.“Thereisanamountof ten- without avaccine” but Brownknows howfar Iusedupacriminal amount of expensive film on them tiedwith,” he says,bursting intoaguffaw. follows inthefootstepsofBrooksorDove. His derness in allmypoems.No matterhow much from truth thatis. In the poem Virus he writes, (this wasbeforedigital), with justacouple of acceptable The interplaybetween the other and the poems in The Tradition —onawide rangeof steepedinviolence the poem might be,itre- “Iwant you/ To heedthat Iamstill here/Justbe- resultstoshow. But it is worthit, everytime (the equip- self has been the hallmarkofBrown’s poetry. subjectslikeBlackness, queerness, fatherhood, stores tenderness because that, too, is apart neath your skin andin/ Each organ/The way ment is so muchmoreadvancedtoday!). Youmay just Part of what he reflectedon afterthe win was legacy,worship and trauma — capturethe of the human condition. If Iamapoetofwit- angerdwells in aman/ Whostudies thehistory find akaleidoscopic newworld ready to be discovered. the significance of being apoetinthis partic- quests of survival andbeauty amid cruelty and ness,then Ican’t onlywitness atragedy, Iam of his nation...If Ican’t leave you/ Dead, I’llhave/ ularmomentofhistory.“Poetry is about re- violence. Thereisalso adeep undercurrent of apoetwho can also see joy,”hesays. Youvexed.”

New Delhi THESUNDAY EXPRESS,MAY17,2020 @indianexpress.com THOSEMONTHS,THOSEMINUTES Amid an unprecedented lockdown, as sportstaresatanunfathomable despair, The Indian Express relivesthe joyous moments from the past ASLAM SHER KHAN on howIndia wonthe 1975 hockey WorldCup 18 SPORT READTHESTORYON indianexpress.com Behind closed doors, hoopsters prepare Incamerafootballkicksoff to chase their American dream Devoid of the usualriotofcolour andnoise, Germany’s ‘ghostgames’ begin “Start of 2019,Iwas tall and thin, and SHIVANINAIK knewnothing aboutagym,” she chortles. It ASSOCIATEDPRESS MUMBAI,MAY16 took her 2-3 months to even getstarted on DORTMUND,MAY16 the weightsproperly,and playing 3X3 which SIYADEODHAR is in Class 12,but getting compresseshigh intensity playin10-minute GERMAN SOCCER is normallyariotofcolor good grades -although important -isonly spans. “Weusuallyare exhaustedand fin- and noise. No longer. her second priority. ished by the end of the thirdquarter and it The Bundesligaseason resumedSaturday She is 5’7”, wears shoe size 7.5and affectsshooting in the fourth quarter. Ire- with what Germanfans call 'ghost games,' weighs 55 kg -all of whichmean she will get alisedmylegs were very weak and that I playedwithout spectators, and in Dortmund thoroughlybullied on abasketball courtif should work dayand nightonstrengthen- it washardtotell that the city's belovedteam she doesn’t devotethe 17th year of herlifeto ing,” she recalls. wasplaying at all. gaining muscle and strength,and improv- While the lockdown gym work is help- Instead of thousands of fans chatting and ing her speed. “I’m very good at no-look, ing her load up strength, Harsimran went drinking beer outside the stadium,there shortand long passes. But I’m working on to extreme lengths to improveherself. “I were only afew locals out foraweekendbike my accuracy in shooting and have started trainedwith footballplayers on their field ride as Borussia DortmundhostedSchalke attempting 3-pointers,” says the guard, who and sometimes ranonhockeyturfs. I in ausuallyfierce localrivalry. On the field, is trying to crackacollege scholarship in trainedinhurdles and sand jumping and therewerefireworks as Erling Haaland America’s NCAA. with sprinters. My attitude changed com- scored in a4-0 win aftertwo months of no The Nagpur teen has been to abunchof pletelythis lastyear,” says thePunjab girl games. Outside the stadium therewas near Borussia Dortmund players celebrateagoal while practising social distancing. AP camps -including one at Tampa, Florida, that who’s studying forher SATscores aiming silence. Passersbyoccasionallyasked serves as abrief look-in intowhat the lifeof foraDivision1NCAA scholarship. whether agame wasactuallygoing on. an aspiring hoopster in the US could look (Clockwise) Harsimran Kaur,Siya “Also,abig difference wasinfood. Iac- Police relaxedas it became clear that fans stadium. "Anyone who stands in front of the like, in March2019. She’s also been on inter- Deodhar,Grishma Niranjan,Ann ceptedthat Ihad to eat everything -pork, wouldn't gather outside -aconcern forau- ADIFFERENTBALLGAME stadium because theywanttofollowthe national Basketball Without Borders camps MaryZacharia. Express beef, lamb and notjustchickentodowell. thorities ahead of the game -and potentially game has got it wrong,"Dortmundmayor previously, and everyexperience has taught Lockerrooms in US have fruits andprotein spread the virus. "It is really very calm in the UllrichSierau said Wednesday. "It's an ap- her justhow physicallyintimidating the shakes and protein bars. I’vestartedcarry- city and regarding the virus dangers Ican only ■ No one in stands meant no peal to the good sense of all fans, and I'm sure challengeis, to crackthe high echelons of Bangalore’s Grishma Niranjan who wasre- ing them too,” says India’s mostexciting tal- praise the Dortmunders and the fans," police groans foragoal conceded, none of that the fans of both Schalke 04andBorussia prowomen’s basketball. covering from an ACLtear -though she ent, adding “naak,aankhbandkarke khaana spokesman OliverPeiler said.The song "You'll the angryroarifarefereemakes a Dortmund aresensible people." “I have to makechanges to the body and missedmaking the statesenior sideand u18 hai to do well.” Never Walk Alone,"afavoriteofDortmund bad decision and no booing. Dortmund fanNicole Bartelt said she strengthenit. Indian dietisbalanced, but nationals.“If it hadn’t been forthe injury, I’d Another promising youngsterfromthe fans as well as Liverpool supporters, echoed would stay away from the stadium -which usually2-3 months aheadofatournament, have nevergonetothe gym and startedlift- Florida trip ayear on, is Ann MaryZacharia around the stadium aheadofkickoff.Itwas ■Some substitutesdidn't touch she called"the temple" -inthe hope of show- Iget protein powders prescribed,” says the ing weights. The gapinour game and US’ is of Kottayam. A6’1” centre, she’s hamstrung so quietthatthe starting whistlecould be eachother but Jadon Sancho high- ing fans could be trustedtoreturnsooner daughterofabusinessman, who owns a reallyhuge. By the time we startplaying,they by the lack of agym during lockdown near heardoutside -unthinkable at aregular game. fivedThorganHazardbefore rather thanlater forgames. If fans gather, service station and is intoconstruction. A arealreadyinthe gymslifting weights,” says home, but has doubledher squatsand The arena has an 81,000 capacity but comingon. Another social distancing "we'll end up waiting even longer to be back," former judoka himself, Siya’s father told her the 5’6” Karnataka girl. lunges, having watchedindividual trainers league rules permit just213 people, includ- fauxpas wasplayers andsubstitutes she said.Police were spread along the road she should learn to swimlikeeveryone, but Primedfor an offyear at aprepschool in in US work theirchargesintoone almighty ing players, to be inside forthe game, none of allteamswalkingintogetherbut by thestadium in vans, on motorbikes and insistedshe take up ateam sport. “I form Connecticutthis August, Grishma is glad she sweat even without equipment. of them supporters. Players triedtokeep con- sitting physicallyawayfromeach horseback.Therehavebeen clashes between bonds easilywithteammates but as apoint learnt from scratchabout weightsand gym It hit home when she playedanAsian tact to aminimum,evenduringcelebrations other.Itseemedlikethe protocols fans at Dortmund-Schalkegamesbefore, but guard, Ilikebeing the leader on the court,” work.“Iknewnothing till injury forced me u16meetagainst stronger players from and the traditional salutetothe -now empty were tightonthe pitchbut looseoff it. the police had little to do exceptremind TV says the playerwho quicklyrealisedthat intothe gym.Now my body feels stronger Hong Kong. “I’d receive the ball but couldn’t -standsatthe final whistle. crews to stand further away from eachother basketball in Nagpur,whereshe could dom- with muscle gain.” hold ontoitasI’d getpushed afeetback- In the citycenterahead of the match, ■ Take away the background din of as theyfilmed team buses arriving. One bus inateopponents playing as an all-rounder, wards. Icouldn’t even stand steady.You longtime Dortmund fanMarco Perz sat out- fans and suddenly thefocus falls on driverblastedout aDortmund club song as waslikebeing asharkinasmall pond. NCAA inroads need muscle and incredible lower-body side the GermanFootball Museuminajacket words. One of the commentators he droveaway. The American experience wassobering, Perhapsthebiggestimprovement(alsothe strength forpost-play.But also, their speed patchedwith club emblems.Hesaid he has- said Schalkedefenders were 'social Dortmund'slastgamewasinanempty sta- as she says:“It’s physically tough. Thereyou mostoptimal use of being restricted to agym comes from excellent footwork which n't missedahomegame since the 1990s. "I'd distancing' from Dortmund strikers dium too, but withbig crowds outside. have to proveyourself.” So, the lockdown indoors) wasmadebythe hugelytouted Indians arenot thatgoodat. Ihaveonly normallybeonthe SouthStand rightnow, and another compared Erling Braut Thousandsof ParisSaint-Germainsupporters has been spent working on her weak core Harsimran Kaur of Kapurthala, a6’3” talent, dumbbells to trainwith. But through this in the yellowwall," he said,referring to the Haaland to a'blonde greyhound'. gathered outside the Parc des Princes as their and adding zing to her sprintsonher home expectedto makeinroadsintoNCAA,givenshe lockdown, I’vepractisedonfootworkand vast terrace whichunderpins Dortmund's teambeatDortmundintheChampionsLeague court. “I’m studying Commerce, and Imight got themaximumplaying time as FirstFive shadows,” she says. reputationfor passionatesupport. NowPerz onMarch 11.Thosescenes-andthedecisionof pickManagement studies. Or maybeLaw,” whenthegroupof hoopsterstrainedinFlorida Their weaknesses in conditioning and is planning to watchthe game withafriend sale in Dortmund's yellowand black, with PSG players to singalong with thefans - says the determined youngster. last.Harsimran (shoe size 11)isawell-trav- strengthening alltheseyears have kept the over food and abeer."The main thingisto the stallholder sayingtheywerethe most showedthat agame risksspreading the dis- While the worldishemmedinbythe four elledhoopster, with stintsinAustralia,Japan hoopsters fartoo busy in the backroom, to see the game," he added. popular on offer. Local authorities had ease even without letting asingle supporter walls of their homes,the unexpectedbreak and the US -who realisedthat merelyshoot- miss the foreground of playing action. All On the next street,face maskswereon pleadedwithfans nottomassoutside the intothe arena. came at perhaps the right time for ing up in height might also notbeenough. that could changeinthe future. YOURWEEKAHEAD BRIDGE SUNDAY CROSSWORD 2269 If it’s your DealerSouth,bothvulnerable,Teams. ARIES(Mar 21 -Apr 20) LIBRA (Sep 24 -Oct 23) QUICKCLUES NORTH Birthday Having settled You’reentering a ACROSS ♠ Q7 6. An organizedgroup of singers (5) personal matters, fascinating new ❤AK1085 7. Concave (8) youmay sparealittle cycle, one which time forfinancial continues until next ♦10873 10.WestIndian island (7) 11.Rifles, pistols or revolvers ?(7) SundayMay 17 arrangements, especially joint month. You’ll be working ♣103 concerns. Old friends mayoffer behindthe scenes forpartofthe 12.Smallanchor (7) Personal, professional and domestic issues SOUTH (you) 13.Mendedorrepaired (7) the mostsupport, so you’ll be time, keeping manyofyour 14.Beunable to manageproperly ? will be thrown intothe melting-pot. Don’t linking up with people you’ve actionssecret andletting only ♠ 10654 (4,7) worry, as anyconfrontation willbenefit notseenfor some time. At the chosen fewintoyour ❤QJ97 19.Referees(7) from ahardexchangeofviews. work,makeall important private world. Afinancial ♦AQ 21.Find acceptable (7) changes afterTuesday. windfall is on the wayatthe 23.Scopeofconcern(7) endofthe week. ♣AK2 25. Likes better (7) Monday May18 TAURUS(Apr21-May 21) WestleadstheCQagainstSouth’s4HafterSouthopens1NTand 26.Awaterspout (8) There’s asense that anew dawn is about to You’d be afool notto SCORPIO (Oct24-Nov 23) North transfers. Playing in aTeams game, the goal is to make the 27.Move to music(5) break.Justwhenandhow, youcan’tsay, but indulgeyourself Could youbechasing contract,withoutworryingtoomuchaboutovertricks.Youwillneed thingscan onlyget better.Whatyou need nowthat Venus is so alostlove? Perhaps! DOWN pleasantly placed,so The stars indicate tomakesomeextratricksbyruffing(preferablybyruffingdiamonds to do firstismap out astrategy. intheshorthand).Canyouseeanyproblems? 1. Soccer (8) do make an almightyeffortto nostalgiafor 2. StateofU.S.A(6) keep routine chores to a passions past, yetdon’t fall into THEWESTHAND:♠ K3 ❤ 432♦KJ942♣QJ6 3. Ropelike hairstyle (10) TuesdayMay 19 minimum and allowsometime the trap of judging apresent 4. Broad boat (4) THEEASTHAND: ♠ AJ992❤6 ♦65 ♣98754 foryourself.You might meeta partner according to what 5. One before the first(6) Youcould be coming up forafairly easy Iprefer the line of play at the other table. At trick two he didn’tplay 6. Custody (6) period. You’ll have apleasant and fulfilling very fascinating stranger, happenedlong ago. Nostalgia is trumpsatall.HelaiddowntheDAfromhand.Didheforgethowtotake 8. Firstcourse of an elaboratemeal ? periodandgetthemost outof mixingwith perhapssomeone who will be all very well, but needs to be important in your lifeoverthe kept withinstrict limits. afinesse?Ofcoursenot.Inateamseventovertricksareofrelatively (7) peoplewhoaremoreexperiencedthanyou. lowimportance,andbysavinghistrumps,hewasvirtuallyassuring 9. Stagewhisper (5) coming years. SAGITTARIUS(Nov24-Dec 23) histentrickcontract.AftertheDA,hecontinuedwiththeDQ. 13.Tropicalfruit(10) 15.Billowy (7) WednesdayMay 20 GEMINI(May22-June21) You’restillimpaled WestwonhisDKandplayedatrump.declarerwonindummyand 16.Unfinished detail(8) Monday’s Moon falls on thehorns of a ruffedadiamond.Itwasnoweasytoreachdummyagainforanother It’s an energetic period and youmay be 17. Young dog (5) deep in powerful dilemma, diamondruffandtentricks. DOWN 20. Arrivalofmanygetting crossafter readyto dobattle,butyouwouldbeheavily 18.Tenant (6) 1. Thieving gentleman dropping Les afashionable illness (6) parts of your chart, wondering whether Contrastthistowhathappenedatthefirsttable.Declarerwonthe 20.Door (6) afteralittlejazzplayed 22. Prince enters diocesechurchfor advisedtostayyourhandand settle restoring your to go ahead with amajor clubleadandgreedilyplayedatrumptodummytotakethediamond 22. Implores(6) repeatedly forthe rabble (8) theaddress (6) foracompromise. It’s farbetterto morale and re-energising the personal adventure, or to hold finesse. West took the king and played asecond round of trumps. 24.Directions (4) 2. Doctor blamed forpandemonium 24.They’redrunk to sing wildly concentrateonhealingold wounds and partsthatother stars fail to back.Inthe short-term you’ll Oops.Big trouble for declarer –hecould no longer ruffboth of (6) (4) making peace. reach. It might be Wednesday prevaricateand postpone, dummy’slosingdiamondsinhishand.HewasabletotaketheDA, 3. Theycome to tell of theconfusion before youfeel confident so partners willhavetobe crosswithaclubrufftoruffonediamondloser,butthencouldn’tget CRYPTIC CLUES of the confusion of the greens(10) Solutions to 2268 enough to have your say patient, won’t they? Travel backtodummy.Hetriedaspade,butWestwonandplayedaheart, ACROSS 4. Skin problemcausedbycutting ThursdayMay 21 without worrying about what plansmay be subject to slight takingoutdeclarer’slasttrump.Declarerendeduplosingtwospades 6. Mulligan, forone,finding anail ? cane (4) QUICKCLUESAcross: Youare in no mood to compromise,even people willsay in return. delays,but nothingyou (5) andtwodiamondsfordownoneanda12imploss. 5. Recordtime in completion of 1Superintendents,9Recruit,10Chapati, though youare peace-loving.Romantic can’thandle. 7. They’remorethan canbeexcused partition (6) 11Iliad,12Press-gang,13Hoipolloi,15 CANCER (June 22 -July23) DeclarerEast(Contract:6C) (8) Riata,16Forum,18Cogitated,20 connections arehighly-charged, expect 6. People mending pipes ? You’ll be keeping CAPRICORN (Dec. 23 -Jan. 20) WEST 10.Talksvaguelyabout what one (6) Recovered,23Chair,24Antonym,25 your shareofemotionaldrama. Bitbybit the mistis Volcano,26Disciplinarians.Down:1 your cards close to breakfastedoninAmerica 8. ThisArmstrong rested,with clearing. Andlittle by ♠ 863 Straightforward,2Puccini,3Roundworm, your chestuntil mid- (7) companion, on near side of moon little, daybyday, 11.Inany event it lends style (7) 4Notup,5Exceeding,6Dears,7Niagara, FridayMay 22 week at least, ❤92 8Slingsandarrows,14Lachrymal,15 your special long- (7) 9. Partly British waytododgeone’s In the best of allworlds,onlythe best can treasuring your fantasies and Reticular,17Recites,19Tuatara,21Vinci, rangegoals arebecoming easier ♦QJ106 12.Hemakes wayfor us (7) perhapssharing asecret witha debts? (5) 22Divan. happen. That’s the conclusion drawnfrom to achieve.Inlove, amorous ♣A543 13.Apooractor among the graduates special confidant. Yetthe 13.Whatdoltsconvert Sydney CRYPTICCLUESAcross: 1Picture today’salignments. The greatestasset in individualsare primed to enjoy in the islands (7) Harbour intoalake? Moon’s shift of position after EAST postcard,9Riotact,10Effendi,11Obeli, aromantic affair.Those of 14.Burning less material? (4,7) (10) your armouryisraw,purecharm. Wednesdaycould bring 12Resistive,13Appointee,15Egypt,16 youwith responsibility for ♠ A5 19.Furies, in ancient Greece or 15.Delightful place,see,when one’s Ovary,18Tothelast,20Girasoles,23 everything that’sbeen hidden children will have your Ireland?Certainly!(7) in the money! (7) Glove,24Alameda,25Urethra,26 SaturdayMay 23 intothe open. ❤AQJ handsfull. 21.His mark wasmade in India(7) 16.“Remade my scheme”, they AttorneyGeneral. It’s apositive day. That’s whyyou’d do ♦ A 23.Hitting round the wrist ?(7) complained (8) Down:1Personanongrata,2Close-up,3 LEO (July24-Aug23) AQUARIUS (Jan. 21-Feb. 19) ♣KQJ10762 25.Examination onehopes to pass 17. Beautifulgirlhas exercise with Unanimity,4Eater,5Overspent,6Tiffs,7 well to concentrateoninitiativesand It’s difficulttogauge What do youfancy on sight(3,4) Germanexpression (5) Annuity,8Driventothewall,14Titillate, enterprises whichare already underway your mood, foryou South leads the SJ, and you win and draw trumps in one round. this week?A 26. Askedtoappear at court ?(8) 18.Caughttaking percentages forold 15Evergreen,17Abreast,19Another,21 maybebrightand What is your best plantomake twelve tricks? Be specific about Shear,22Slung. before youtry to setupfresh projectsand shoppingtrip?An 27.What youhavehere, we hear, are cars (6) sociable one whichcardsyouintendtoplayfromeachhand. partnerships. extravagant outing? forhanginghammocks (5) moment, quietand secretive Aflutter on the stockexchange? the next. 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Vol.XIX No.9 Regd.No. DL-21046/03-05 R.N.I. No.DELENG/2002/10884. Printed and Published by R.C. Malhotraonbehalf of The Indian Express (P) Limitedand Printed at The Indian Express (P) Limited Press, A-8, Sector-7,Noida -201301and PublishedatThe IndianExpress (P) Limited,Mezzanine Floor,Express Building, 9&10,Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi- 110002. Editorial office: The Indian Express (P) Limited,Mezzanine Floor, Express Building, 9&10, Bahadur Shah ZafarMarg, New Delhi-110002. Phone: 0120-6651500. Advertising office: The Indian Express (P) Limited,B1/B, Sector -10, Noida -201301. Phone: 0120-6651291. Chairman of theBoard:ViveckGoenka, Chief Editor:Raj Kamal Jha, Editor:Unni Rajen Shanker,Editor(Delhi): Rakesh Sinha ** **Responsible forselection of Newsunderthe PRBAct. Copyright:The Indian Express (P)Limited.All rightsreserved. Reproduction in anymanner,electronic or otherwise, in whole or in part, without prior writtenpermission is prohibited.The IndianExpress®

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