Follow us on: @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneer RNI No. TELENG/2018/76469 Established 1864 ANALYSIS 7 MONEY 8 SPORTS 11 Published From HYDERABAD DELHI LUCKNOW EXPORT SUBSIDIES SENSEX TANKS 883 POINTS AS COVID BRAVO TAKES BHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH FACE WTO CHALLENGE SPOOKS MARKET; NIFTY BELOW 14,400 CSK TO 188 BHUBANESWAR RANCHI DEHRADUN VIJAYAWADA *LATE CITY VOL. 3 ISSUE 155 VIJAYAWADA, TUESDAY APRIL 20 , 2021; PAGES 12 `3 *Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable

‘I’M VERY CRITI- CAL ABOUT MYSELF’ { Page 12 } www.dailypioneer.com TODAY All above 18 eligible ALMANAC Control with Centre, rue states Month & Paksham: Chaitra & Shukla Paksha SNCN ACHARYULU n HYDERABAD State declares holidays for vaccine from May 1 Panchangam Jawahar Reddy given full charge of CCC PNS n NEW DELHI Manufacturers would have to Tithi : Ashtami: 12:42 am (Next Day) The handling of the fight against the for Classes I to IX PNS n VIJAYAWADA Command and Control Centre with make an advance declaration of the Nakshatram : Punarvasu: 06:52 am Covid-19 pandemic by the Central PNS n VIJAYAWADA 21 All India Services officers, to take Everyone above 18 years of age will price for 50 per cent supply that Time to Avoid : (Bad time to start Government, especially its refusal to The State Government on Monday necessary steps for Covid-19 be eligible to get vaccinated against would be available to the State any important work) allow the State Governments to take In the wake of a rapid increase in appointed TTD Executive Officer KS management and vaccination on a Covid-19 from May 1, the Central Governments and in the open Rahukalam : 03:22 pm – 04:56 pm some specific decisions is causing the number of Covid-19 cases, Jawahar Reddy as the chairperson of daily basis. One senior officer was government said on Monday as it market before May 1, 2021, an offi- Education Minister Adimulapu the Covid Command Control Centre deputed to each of the 13 districts Yamagandam : 09:07 am – 10:41 am immense heartburn among the lat- liberalised the vaccination drive to cial statement said. ter, and the anger is building up. Suresh on Monday declared that was revived recently in view of for monitoring and guiding the allow states, private hospitals Based on this price, Varjyam : 03:14 pm – 04:55 pm State Governments feel that the holidays for Class I to IX in schools the Covid second wave. He has been district administrations in taking the and industrial establishments State Governments, Gulika : 12:15 pm - 01:48 pm Centre has centralised all the issues across the State from Tuesday. asked to take charge of the control necessary steps for Covid-19 to procure the doses direct- private hospitals, Good Time : (to start any important work) relating to Coronavirus control, centre immediately. The Government management and vaccination. ly from manufacturers. industrial establish- last Thursday revived the State Covid Amritakalam : 01:17 am – 02:57 am resulting in them appearing to be 2 Under the third phase of ments, etc would be mere puppets, acting only on the 2 the vaccination drive com- able to procure vac- Abhijit Muhurtham : 11:50 am – 12:40 pm directions of the Union Government, mencing next month, the cine doses from the in the eyes of the general public. vaccine manufacturers manufacturers. HYDERABAD State governments complain of Put up for sale, VSP helping critical Covid patients breathe would supply 50 per cent of Private hospitals would WEATHER not being allowed a free hand to their monthly Central Drugs have to procure their supplies of take any decision. SUMIT ONKA corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Visakhapatnam Steel Plant is catering Laboratory (CDL) released doses Covid-19 vaccine exclusively from Forecast: Partly cloudy TRS senior leaders say that though n VISAKHAPATNAM Steel Plant (VSP), has risen to the to the demand of oxygen in the state to the Central government and the 50 percent supply earmarked Temp: 38 the failure of the Central government occasion by helping the critical Covid- hospitals. Oxygen is required in the would be free to supply the for entities other than those com- Humidity: 49% in controlling the coronavirus pandem- In the spotlight due to Union 19 patients to breathe since the steel plants for the production of the remaining 50 per cent doses to ing through the Central govern- Sunrise: 05:56 am ic is glaring, it is the State Governments Government’s decision to privatise it, pandemic broke out. Since the steel with the basic oxygen process. State Governments and in the ment channel. Sunset: 06:33 pm that are getting a bad name. Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited, the outbreak of the pandemic, open market. Current Weather Conditions 2 2 2 Updated april 19, 2021 5:00 PM Navy seizes drugs Virus claims life of two Manmohan Singh, State Govt sanctions revised worth Rs 3,000 cr KCR test positive PNS n HYDERABAD PNS n KOCHI more Secretariat staffers cost of Polavaram project works Former Prime Minister Manm- The Indian Navy has busted an PNS n VIJAYAWADA who have succumbed to the virus, ohan Singh and Telangana Chief PNS n VIJAYAWADA of Polavaram Irrigation Project international smuggling racket V Padma Rao and G Ravikanth Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao are also included in the revised esti- operating through Arabian sea, There is discernible panic among being the other unfortunate vic- have tested positive for Covid-19. The State government on Monday mates. seizing narcotics worth Rs 3,000 the AP Secretariat employees after tims. While Manmohan Singh was issued Revised Administrative “Government accorded Revised crore from a Sri Lankan fishing two more of their colleagues died On Monday, Secretariat employ- admitted to the All India Institute Approval for certain works of Administrative Approval for an vessel which originated from of Covid-related complications on ees demanded permission to of Medical Sciences with a mild Polavaram project from Rs 5,535.41 amount of Rs 7,192.02 crores Pakistan, a Defence spokesman Monday. ‘work-from-home’ and cited the fever, KCR exhibited mild symp- crore to Rs 7,192.02 crore. against the administrative approval said here on Monday. Panchayat Raj department sec- fact that over 50 employees work- toms and has been advised isola- The revised estimates were pre- already accorded on September, 8, The Indian Naval Ship tion officer Shanthi Kumari and ing in various departments have tion. He is staying at his farm- pared for construction of earth 2016 for Rs 5,535.41 crore, subject "Suvarna", which was on surveil- ASN Murthy, a record assistant in tested positive for the virus. house in Gajwel where a team of dam gaps I & III, earth cum rock to the condition that entire cost is lance patrol in the Arabian Sea, the Home department, passed It’s learnt that the senior officials doctors is monitoring his health. fill dam for gap-II, spill channel, within the revised estimates also arrested five Sri Lnakan away, within days of testing posi- are carrying out their duties from Doctors are monitoring approach channel and pilot chan- approved by the CWC, New Delhi nationals on board the vessel, he tive for Covid-19. the HoD offices in Vijayawada and Manmohan Singh’s condition. nel, spillway with crest level +25.72 hydroelectric power house, and also ensure that reimburse- said. Their deaths took to four the Guntur out of fear of Covid. Incidentally, he has taken both and its ancillary works and exca- approach channel, intake structure, ment from the GoI is obtained,” 2 number of Secretariat employees 2 the doses of Covid-19 vaccine. vation of foundations of 960 MW tailrace pool, tailrace channel etc., said the GO issued on Monday. VIJAYAWADA | TUESDAY | APRIL 20, 2021 vijayawada 02 Oppn allegations baseless, Modi leading war on Covid efficiently rime Minister through. Last year, the Centre launched a decisive Covid. Despite his hectic election Ambedkar. At another high- Narendra Modi has The domestic drug compa- If the wind is schedule, he returned to level meeting on April 17, Plaunched the second nies are producing the vaccine battle against the pandemic. Under Modi’s favourable to Delhi and reviewed Modi reviewed the prepared- major war on Coronavirus according to their capacity. leadership, everyone, right from Chief them, TRULY the Covid situation ness of states to face the virus. with the Tika Utsav – begin- The Centre has supplied over Ministers to the common man, endured Opposition many times in April. He enquired about scaling ning from the birth anniver- 14.5 crore vaccines to states. parties harp on SPEAKING On April 4, he up the vaccine production, sary of Dr BR Ambedkar to Another 10 crore vaccines are difficulties to keep the virus at bay. They one thing, if not, addressed a high-level oxygen plants in hospitals, conclude on that of Mahatma under transportation. endured the lockdown clamped on the they sing a different meeting of officials and availability of Remedisivir Jyotiba Phule. The Centre states that there country for months together. tune. reviewed vaccine availability. injections and of ventilators Whether one agrees or not, is no shortage of vaccine and What is the reason for In connection with the World and so on. On April 18, he the country is armed with is supplying it to states accord- Maharashtra achieving the Health Day on April 7, Modi reviewed the Covid situation more experience and ing to a plan. However, the sectors of activity to face the precautions besides receiving dubious distinction of report- called upon the people to in his Lok Sabha constituen- resources to tackle the virus states being ruled by opposi- economic crisis triggered by the the vaccine and taking crucial ing the highest number of take precautions to improve cy and on April 19, he when compared to last year. tion parties are politicising the pandemic. These measures decisions to help the economy Covid cases and over 60,000 their immunity. At the CMs’ reviewed the Covid situation Vaccination is going on at a issue complaining of shortage. helped the economy recover. recover. Y SATYA KUMAR deaths due to the virus? Are conference on April 8, he in the country again with brisk pace in India compared Last year, the Centre Today, the economic growth The Opposition parties are BJP National Secretary there any elections going on called for a united attack on officials. to other countries. China took launched a decisive battle of other nations has slumped singing a new tune blaming there? Is there Kumbh Mela in the virus and made it clear that Can anyone say that the PM 109 days to administer the against the pandemic. Under to 3.3 percent, while the IMF Modi for taking part in rallies elections are held. It is clear- Rajasthan which reported over the people and administrative is not paying attention to vaccine to 10 crore people, the Modi’s leadership, everyone, and World Bank declare that extensively in West Bengal and ly evident that the opposition, four lakh Covid cases and machinery cannot afford to be Covid in view of the series of USA 89 days but India took right from Chief Ministers to India is poised to achieve a for allowing Kumbh Mela. unable to stomach the wel- more than 3,000 deaths due to lackadaisical. review meetings chaired by only 85 days. the common man, endured growth of 12.5 per cent. They blame Modi for rapid come Modi receives wherev- the virus? Launching the Tika Utsav him and guiding the country The PM has gone on record difficulties to keep the virus at No one could ignore the spreading of the virus in the er he goes, is trying to derive In fact, is there any day on April 11, he said that the to implement remedial mea- hundreds of times that every- bay. They endured the lock- leadership of Modi in declar- country. political mileage out of the when Modi ignored the sever- second major war has been sures on a war-footing? one in the country should down clamped on the country ing a decisive war against the As a political leader, it’s pandemic. Rahul Gandhi who ity of the pandemic or the declared against the Winning elections is impor- receive their vaccine and for months together. virus, encouraging scientists to Modi’s responsibility to cam- dared not step on the soil of people’s problems? It is true Coronavirus. He called on tant for Modi but, what is should take precautions till the The Centre announced a manufacture the vaccine, cau- paign for the party not only in West Bengal gave up the fight that he might have addressed Governors of various states on more important is winning the vaccination programme is series of decisions to support all tioning the people to observe West Bengal, but wherever in the middle on the pretext of over 20 rallies in West Bengal. the birth anniversary of Dr BR hearts of people. AP reports All above 18 eligible for Info panel takes its own sweet 27 deaths, 5,963 cases vaccine from May 1 time to clear RTI appeals PNS n AMARAVATI Continued from Page 1 said the important decision to The private vaccination allow vaccination to everyone As many as 27 people suc- providers would need to trans- above the age of 18 from May SNV SUDHIR orders from the SIC orders and another coordinator of the cumbed to Covid-19 in AP parently declare their self-set 1 was taken in a meeting n VIJAYAWADA made sure that orders by all the study, Kagga Venkata Krishna on Monday, the highest toll vaccination price and the eli- chaired by Prime Minister information commissioners told The Pioneer. in a day after October 20, gibility through this channel Narendra Modi. An analysis of orders disposed are covered in the study,” Interestingly information Non-speaking even as the state registered would be opened up to all “Prime Minister said that by the AP State Information Chakradhar said. sought in 65 percent of the 5,963 fresh cases. adults, that is everyone above the government has been Commission (SIC) over a peri- While United Forum for applications comes under After 1.57 crore tests, the the age of 18, the statement working hard for over a year od of time has revealed that not RTI Campaign- AP is a confed- Proactive Disclosure of infor- gross Covid-19 positives in added. to ensure that maximum many women in Andhra eration of around 70 civil soci- mation i.e., Section 4(2) of the orders a concern the state rose to 9.68 lakh, a Vaccination will continue numbers of Indians are able Pradesh are interested in util- ety organisations started in RTI Act. It mandates every PNS n VIJAYAWADA orders were not adequately health department bulletin as before in the government to get the vaccine in the ising Right To Information 2007, LibTech India is a team public authority to provide as reasoned and could be termed to said. In the 24 hours ending of India vaccination centres shortest possible time. He (RTI) Act that was brought in of engineers, social workers much information suo motu to In the orders of 68 percent of the be non-speaking orders. Such 9 am on Monday, 2,569 free of cost to the eligible pop- added that India is vaccinat- by the Centre to bring trans- and social scientists who are the public at regular intervals disposed cases, the SIC did not orders merely summarise the Coronavirus-infected per- ulation – healthcare and ing people at world record parency in the functioning of interested in improving public through various means of com- quote relevant Sections and 37 contention of the information sons recovered, pushing the frontline workers and all peo- pace and we will continue this governments. service delivery in India. munications, including the percent did not have the details seeker and the denial by the PIO total recoveries to 9,12,510. ple above 45 years of age. with even greater momen- It was also found that on an On average the SIC took Internet, so that the public of info sought by the appellant. and conclude by stating that The overall toll climbed to The Union Health Ministry tum," it added. average, the SIC has taken more than 273 days to dispose need not resort to the use of It deprives all the involved intervention of the Commission 7,437, it said. The state now more than 273 days to dispose of an appeal/ complaint regis- RTI Act. parties of the fundamental right was not required, without has 48,053 active cases, the of an appeal. tered with the SIC. The dispos- “If the information was vol- to know the basis of judgment, providing valid reasons under the highest after October 8. As per an analysis done by al period included the number untarily disclosed to the pub- which plays a crucial role when a Act,” Chakradhar Buddha said. As the percentage of active United Forum for RTI of days between the date of lic, the need to apply for infor- judgment goes to legal scrutiny. The Supreme Court has regularly cases increased to five, the Virus claims life of 2 Campaign - Andhra Pradesh appeal/complaint received at mation under RTI would not “In several cases where cautioned against the tendency overall recovery rate dipped and LibTech India, it was found the SIC to the date of dispos- have been there, thereby saving information was denied by the of adjudicators to give cryptic, further to 94.3 per cent. that only 7 percent of the al. resources for all the parties panel, it was found that the unreasoned orders. Once again, Chittoor dis- appellants/complainants are Of the 769 orders analysed, involved,” added Chakradhar. trict reported 1,182 fresh more Secretariat ... women and the remaining 93 the maximum number of days cases in a day, followed by Continued from Page 1 two employees and expressed percent are from men. taken by the SIC to dispose of Guntur 938, Srikakulam 893, condolences to their families. “From these numbers it’s an appeal/ complaint was 866 East Godavari 626, Visakh- AP Secretariat Employees pres- He also maintained two min- evident this transparency leg- days and the minimum was apatnam 565, SPS Nellore ident Venkata Rami Reddy utes of silence in his chamber. islation is not being used by the about 15 days. AP had no separate IC until ’18 491, Kurnool 434 and on Monday thanked the state The Minister appealed to the women population at all. While As of January, 2021, there are Prakasam 280. Krishna, An- government for arranging Secretariat employees to take the reasons for the same are not 3,962 cases, of which 2,530 are PNS n VIJAYAWADA mation commission. without information com- antapur and Kadapa added Covid tests and said that with precautionary measures and to clear, it helps to conduct aware- appeals, 1,432 complaints As per Schedule 10, of mission for the large part 156-189 new cases while more than 40 employees test- undergo tests if they experi- ness activities and campaigns pending at the SIC. On average, After the bifurcation of the Andhra Pradesh so far, post state bifurca- Vizianagaram and West ed positive so far. enced symptoms. to encourage women to use the the SIC disposed of a little the state in June 2014, Reorganisation Act, 2014, tion. Godavari reported 19 each. Venkata Rami Reddy, on Meanwhile, Leader of the Right to Information Act,” more than 519 cases in the last both Andhra Pradesh and a separate Information Based on the directions Krishna district saw six behalf of the employees, Opposition N Chandrababu Chakradhar Buddha of United six months at this rate it will Telangana had a common commission was to be con- of the Supreme Court, as fresh Covid-19 fatalities, requested the Chief Secretary Naidu said that it was very Forum for RTI Campaign –AP take more than 7 and a half Information Commission stituted for AP but only in on date six commissioners Chittoor and SPS Nellore to permit them to work from unfortunate that the Secretariat who coordinated the study months to clear the pending functioning till September, late 2018, Andhra Pradesh were appointed - 3 in four each, Guntur, Kadapa, home or allow at least 50 per- employees succumbed to Covid. analysis, told The Pioneer. cases. 2017 operating from state information commis- October 2018, 1 in May Kurnool, Prakasam, Srikaku- cent of the employees to work He demanded that the state gov- Around 769 randomly cho- “People approach the SIC as Hyderabad. With the con- sion (SIC) was constituted, 2019 and the last 2 in July lam and Visakhapatnam two from home on rotation basis ernment take all measures to sen orders of the State they didn’t receive the request- stitution of Telangana that too under the direc- 2020. The post of Chief each and Anantapur one. so as to get relief from the ensure good treatment to the Information Commission from ed information or on time, if information commission tion from the apex court. Information Meanwhile, state Covid infection, he added. employees tested positive. February 2019 to November the SIC itself takes months to in September 2017, AP Effectively Andhra Commissioner was filled Nodal Officer Arja Srikanth Meanwhile, Panchayat Raj Naidu also demanded per- 2020 were analysed for the dispose of the appeals, com- has been left with no infor- Pradesh has functioned up as recently as July 2020. said that 35,465 patients are Minister Peddireddy mission for the employees to study. plaints received the objective of currently in home isolation, Ramchandra Reddy expressed work from home in the wake “We sampled these 769 transparency law is defeated,” and 7,535 are hospitalised. shock over the death of the of severe second wave. State declares SCR adds record 308.8 km track Control with Centre, rue states holidays for... PNS n HYDERABAD of gauge conversion works. financial year, the zone wit- Continued from Page 1 on condition of anonymity. That's not all, 750 track km nessed unprecedented chal- They point to the fact that While the state governments Continued from Page 1 Despite Covid pandemic, South of railway lines were also elec- lenges in lockdown and also in across the country, it is the state are blaming the Centre for Put up for sale, VSP helping ... Central Railway has added a trified. The maximum permis- operation of special trains. governments that are busy inadequate supply of vaccines, The Minister also said that record 308.8 km track to its rail- sible speed across 3,593 track However, with efforts put by with vaccination and the the Centre accuses the State Continued from Page 1 extraction plants for 7.3 mtpa these classes were exempt way network, which is perhaps km has been enhanced, while staff, the zone has recorded Centre is responsible for sup- governments of mismanaging capacity steel plants. Of this, from exams and the students the highest in the financial golden quadrilateral and high major achievements. The zone ply of the vaccine doses. the administration of doses. Andhra Pradesh was one among three units are of 550 tonnes/day would be promoted. The year history of the zone. density network routes were came up with a variety of new There is huge demand for He said that the govern- the states reporting a significant capacity and two are of 600 Minister clarified that the The achievement also sanctioned for 130 kmph. services such as exclusive milk Covaxin and Covishield in the ments of both the Telugu states number of daily infections during tonnes/day capacity.” Every day Government would go ahead includes commissioning of In addition, provision of special trains, parcel express to country. Bharat Biotech, that are in no position to speak out the first wave. With the oxygen on an average, ASP produces and conduct the SSC 42.5 km of new railway lines, double distant signals for Bangladesh, which led to reg- manufactures Covaxin is locat- openly against the Central gov- production capacity of VSP, AP 2,600 tonnes of oxygen gas and examinations as well as the AP 161.5 km of double lines, 60.4 length of 100 route km was istering the best ever parcel ed in Hyderabad while Covi- ernment on this issue because can produce 200 tonnes of 100 tonnes of liquid oxygen, he Intermediate exams as per km of third lines and 44.4 km taken up. During the last revenue of Rs 108 crore. shield is produced by the Ser- of various factors. medical oxygen. The private added. This liquid oxygen of 100 schedule. He said that the um Institute of India, located A senior officer of the Telan- oxygen supplying agencies are tonnes is being given out for examinations would be in Pune of Maharashtra State. gana government said that the placing indent of around 60 MT medical purposes, he confirmed. conducted taking all VIJAYAWADA The fact is that the Telangana states don’t have any free hand now which shows there is “Rising to the occasion of precautions for Covid-19. The BULLION RATES Government cannot purchase in combating the pandemic. enough medical oxygen available oxygen requirements for Covid department is reviewing the Navy seizes drugs Covaxin from Bharat Biotech “Whatever the Centre orders, in the state so far. patients in the second wave, situation every day and Covid- GOLD directly, nor does the the State governments have to “RINL is committed to meet the RINL has already supplied 19 tests of students are being demand of O2 requirements around 400 tonnes of liquid conducted, the Minister said. ` 47, 460 (10 gm) Maharashtra Government buy act accordingly. Though Cov- Covishield from the SII. axin is being manufactured substantially to AP and other oxygen last week to various SSC exams will be held from ` - 810 worth Rs 3,000 cr states for the alleviation of destinations in Andhra Pradesh June 7 to June 16, 2021. The “The Centre alone is the locally in Hyderabad, our Gov- SILVER Continued from Page 1 will be handed over to the buyer and supplier of all vac- ernment has to look towards human sufferings. Last Fiscal and other states as instructed by timetable for the same was ` 73, 400(1kg) "This is a major catch, not NCB for further investigation. cines to the states. States can- Delhi ( centre) to get doses.” (2020-21), RINL supplied 8,842 the authorities,” said a senior released on February 3, 2021. ` -11300 only in terms of the quantity Earlier, the spokesman said not purchase the vaccines from An AP AP government offi- tonnes of O2 as per officer. For Class 12, the exams will be and cost, but also from the INS "Suvarna" encountered the companies directly as cial said the States cannot even requirement,” said a top brass at About 28 oxygen plants located held from May 6 to May 23, perspective of disruption of the fishing vessel moving required by them. Due to the take a decision on opening or the RINL-VSP. in the steel plants of both public 2021. The Centre had last week CHICKEN the illegal narcotics smug- around in a suspicious manner shortage of vaccines, it is the closing of cinema theatres, A senior officer said, “The Air and private sectors are supplying taken the decision to cancel Separation Plant (ASP) in RINL about 1,500 tonnes of medical CBSE Board Exams for Class 10 RATES `/KG gling routes, which emanate in the Arabian sea. state governments that are bars and pubs. “We have to act from the Makran coast in "To investigate the vessel, being blamed by the common as per the Centre’s directions,” has a total of five units of oxygen oxygen daily. and postpone Class 12 exams. Dressed/With Skin `168 Pakistan and flow towards the ship's team conducted a public,” said a senior TRS leader he said. Without Skin `191 the Indian, Maldivian and Sri boarding and search opera- Broiler at Farm `116 Lankan destinations," the tion, which led to the seizure spokesman said. of more than 300 kg of nar- Navy sources said the fish- cotics substances", he said. EGG ing vessel was brought to The approximate value of Kochi on Monday morning. the seizure in the interna- Jawahar Reddy given full charge of CCC RATES `/100 The crew are being jointly tional market is estimated to Continued from Page 1 Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, pandemic being dynamic in said the GO issued on asked them to report at their HYDERABAD 421 interrogated by officials from be Rs 3,000 crore, he said. Punjab and Haryana, it is nature, the State Covid Thursday. Ten IAS officers of allotted districts immediately, “In view of the increase in important that proactive and Command and Control Centre 2019 batch were assigned on and attend the meeting over VIJAYAWADA 393 various agencies, including the He, however, did not dis- Narcotics Control Bureau, at close the exact location from Covid cases in states like effective steps be taken by the was revived to take appropriate ‘104’ call centre duty. While video link of Chief Minister YS VISAKHAPATNAM 505 the Southern Naval Comm- where the seizure was effect- Maharastra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh government measures to handle the assigning one senior officer to Jaganmohan Reddy with all RETAIL PRICE `4. 01 and, sources told PTI. They ed, or the day. Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, too. With the Covid-19 evolving situation in the State,” each districts, the government district collectors on Friday. (IN HYDERABAD)

Although every possible care and caution has been taken to avoid errors or omissions, this publication is being sold on the condition and understanding that information given in this publication is merely for reference and must not be taken as having authority of or binding in any way on the writers, editors, publishers, and printers and sellers who do not owe any responsibility for any damage or loss to any person, a purchaser of this publication or not for the result of any action taken on the basis of this work. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent court and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only. Readers are advised and requested to verify and seek appropriate advice to satisfy themselves about the veracity of any kind of advertisement before responding to any contents published in this newspaper. The printer, publisher, editor and any employee of the Pioneer Group's will not be held responsible for any kind of claim made by the advertisers of the products & services and shall not be made responsible for any kind of loss, consequences and further product-related damages on such advertisements.

Printed and published by B Krishna Prasad for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd., Phone: 040-23322341, Hyderabad Office: F-502, Diamond Block, Lumbini Rockdale, Somajiguda, Hyderabad - 500 082. Telangana. Printed at Sree Seshasai Enterprises, Plot No.19, IDA Balanagar , Hyderbad-500037, Medchal -Malkajgiri District, Telangana. Chief Editor: Chandan Mitra. Resident Editor: B Krishna Prasad, AIR SURCHARGE of Rs 2.00. VIJAYAWADA | TUESDAY | APRIL 20, 2021 vijayawada 03 ‘Vaccines don’t lead to Covid infection’ CM releases first tranche of ̈ Covid Nodal Officer Arja Srikanth clears the air on post-vaccination symptoms Jagananna Vidya Deevena PNS n VIJAYAWADA PNS n VIJAYAWADA

With ambiguous reports and Chief Minister YS misleading rumours doing Only health, frontline workers, Jaganmohan Reddy on rounds on social media, peo- Monday released the first ple raised doubts over the instalment of Jagananna safety and efficiency of these Vidya Deevena of Rs 671.45 vaccines being administered to vaccinated on Monday crore, the money being people as part of the ongoing directly credited into the drive. Confusion prevailed PNS n VIJAYAWADA bank accounts of the mothers among people because of these worried about. Treatment is of 10.88 lakh students pursu- misleading posts on post-vac- with paracetamol 650 mg People made a beeline to vacci- ing higher studies. cination symptoms. only," said the official. nation centres on Monday morn- Speaking about the Many people got relief and According to the command ing, but they were disheartened scheme, the Chief Minister assumed that they were not centre, Covaxin is an inactivat- to know that the vaccine was said that it has been designed infected with the coronavirus ed vaccine, which means it being administered only to health to make education accessible when a post conveyed the contains a killed vaccine and staff, frontline workers and per- to the poor and the needy in message that whoever tests not attenuated vaccine. sons seeking a second dose. the state. “The real wealth positive after vaccination is not Covishield is a viral vector vac- Miscommunication among the which can be given to the actually Covid positive. cine and not an attenuated government departments led to future generation is educa- However the State Covid vaccine, which does not con- the confusion and the beneficia- tion, which alone can eradi- ted to the education sector ments. If any problem arises Nodal Officer Dr Arja tain SARS-Cov-2 but only a ries had to come all the way to cate poverty and change their and thus rolled out schemes with college management or Srikanth rubbished the portion of genetic material of the vaccination centres in scorch- lives, and this is the purpose like Jagananna Goru Mudha, with Vidya Deevena, benefi- rumours spread over the social SARS-Cov-2. ing sun and return home without behind the Jagananna Vidya Amma Vodi, Vasati Deevena ciaries were advised to call on media. Andhra Pradesh Covid Covaxin is manufactured by receiving vaccine shot. The state Deevena,” he said. to ensure that no family runs toll-free number 1902. command and control centre Hyderabad based Bharat government on Sunday took a Krishna district Collector A Md Imtiaz inspects Covid vaccination centre at As promised during Jagan’s into debts for the sake of get- Under Jagananna Vidya on Monday clarified that a Biotech and Covishield by decision to vaccinate healthcare Tummalapalli Kalakshetram in Vijayawada on Monday. 3,648 km padayatra, the gov- ting educated. Deevena, fee reimbursement positive report even after inoc- Pune-based Serum Institute of and frontline workers in the state ernment had released Rs So far, a total of Rs 4,879 will be credited into mothers’ ulation indicates that the virus India. from Monday. However, the vac- have been waiting for the past at 66 vaccination centres in the 4,207.85 crore towards the fee crore has been spent under accounts in four instalments, was already present and pos- It is reported that reports cination programme for people three days for getting vaccinated district. He inaugurated the vacci- reimbursement for the year Jagananna Vidya Deevena where the government has itivity was not because of the that unfounded and mislead- above 45 years seeking a dose is as the doses have exhausted nation drive at Tummalapalli 2019-20, besides clearing Rs benefitting 10.88 lakh stu- released the first tranche on vaccine. ing rumours are circulating on in progress. The vaccination pro- completely by Friday (April 16). Kalakshetram and Police Parade 1,880 crore pending dues of dents. Monday and the second will "Post vaccination if RT- social and other media, creat- gramme came to a grinding halt People above 45 years rushed to grounds in Vijayawada on the previous government Earlier, the money was be released in July, third in PCR is positive, it means that ing doubts about the safety due to unavailability of vaccine vaccination centres on Monday Monday. He said that frontline during 2018-19. paid directly to college man- December, and the fourth the disease is already present. and efficacy of these vaccines. doses.The Union government on only to know that vaccine doses and healthcare workers, who Jagan pointed out that agements, but from now on tranche in February next The positivity is not because of Such kind of rumour mon- Saturday had released about six were being given to healthcare, haven’t received the shot yet, none of the previous govern- it’s being credited to the year. the vaccine," said an official gering, particularly by vested lakh doses of Covid vaccine and frontline workers and people who would be given vaccine shot. ments have cleared fee reim- mother’s accounts as they Last year, around 10.11 from the command centre. interests, can create unwar- on Sunday it has sent another have already received the first The collector said that beneficia- bursement arrears on such a could have better supervision lakh students had benefited He said neither Covaxin ranted doubts among people at two lakh doses which are being dose. Meanwhile, Krishna district ries who took the first dose of large scale. on the college facilities and and this year the number nor Covishield will lead to RT- large. Spreading fake news distributed across 13 districts of Collector A MD Imtiaz said that vaccine were given the second Further, the Chief Minister students’ wellbeing, which increased by 77,000, benefit- PCR positive status. "Fever will be punished under the IT state. A total of eight lakh doses vaccine would be administered to dose at all the vaccination cen- said that the state government would also improve account- ing 10.88 lakh students, said post vaccination is not to be Act. are ready for vaccination. People frontline and healthcare workers tres in the district. has been very much commit- ability from college manage- the Chief Minister. SHORT TAKES Man tortures 2 wives suspecting fidelity Naidu writes to Voluntary half-day PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM trict. For two years, Venkanna, an lockdown in Vizag Agency In a horrific incident of bru- alcohol addict, used to torture Vasireddy Padma seeks stern ECI against code VISAKHAPATNAM: All the traders and business establishments have tality, a man subjected his his wives Sumati and Jayamma decided to observe half-day lockdown in Araku from Tuesday two wives to torture suspect- both physically and mentally ing their fidelity in Chatti vil- since he suspected their fideli- action against accused onwards. The shops will open at 6 m and close at 2 pm, barring PNS n essential services like medical shops and milk booths. Bakeries and lage under agency mandal of ty. The police said that he had VIJAYAWADA who tried to kill his both wives violation in by-poll sweet shops were allowed to open till 4 pm and the motor and Chinturu in East Godavari dis- the active support of his moth- by torturing them inhumanly. PNS n vehicle mechanics could open any time with the permission of the trict. er Maremma in the torture. AP State Mahila Commission Vasireddy Padma said that if the VIJAYAWADA traders association in case of emergency. The Araku Valley Traders’ According to the police, According to the complaint, Chairperson Vasireddy Padma victims had not escaped, the Welfare Association and Civil Welfare Society held a meeting on the accused tied up his wives the accused doused petrol, on Monday urged the East Venkanna would have killed TDP chief and leader of the Sunday and took the decision as there was sudden spike in the and forced them to place their put one of the victim’s hands Godavari district SP Nayeem them. opposition N Chandrababu positive cases. The decision has been conveyed to the local MLA hands in boiling oil to prove in hot water and tortured her Hasmi to take strict action She reminded that Chief Naidu on Monday wrote a let- Chetti Palguna, Inspector and local sarpanch P Dasbabu. The traders chastity. Taking his depravity ruthlessly. The second vic- against Kalyanam Venkanna Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy ter to Chief Election also observed a similar lockdown last year in June and July months a step further, the accused, tim's hands were tied up and who brutally tortured his both has initiated various laws to Commissioner alleging gross and MLA himself announced a voluntary lockdown form August 7 to identified as Kalyanam her nose and ear were cut with wives suspecting their fidelity. punish the persons that misbe- violation of model code of August 10. Elders of the valley and some youth organisations Venkanna put chilli powder in a sickle and pliers and the She asked the SP to arrest the have with women and children. conduct by YSRCP leaders launched a vigorous campaign educating the shop owners, their his wife's private parts. entire sordid act was video- accused person immediately She further said that the depart- during by-election to Tirupati employees and fast food centres on the necessity of using masks, According to Chinturu DSP taped by another person. and provide security to the vic- ment would take stern action on parliamentary constituency sanitisers and maintaining social distance. President of the traders Khadar Bhasha, Venkanna The torture took place on tims. Rajesh Yadav of Ashok Nagar in held on April 17. association K Krishna Rao warned that action would be taken against and his mother Kalyanam April 3, but came to light 15 Vasireddy Padma said that Kakinada who was sexually He said that the Tirupati by- the shops for violating the lockdown. Maremma are the natives of days later after the two victims Venkat tortured both his wives. harassing a few young women election would go down in the Chatti village under Chinturu complained to the Chintur Padma asked the SP to initiate on the pretext of helping them history in Andhra Pradesh as mandal in East Godavari dis- police. severe action against the culprit for their education. the most dubious election Two employees of State held so far. The TDP has given a series High Court succumb to virus TTD extends of complaints to the Returning VIJAYAWADA: Officer, Tirupati, Chief As the state reels under second wave of Covid, two Strictly implement social distancing Electoral Officer, AP and TDP chief employees of the Andhra Pradesh High Court succumbed to `300 ticket quota Election Observers and ECI Chandrababu coronavirus on Monday. The deceased were identified as Sri Latha, a and brought to their notice the junior assistant, and Subramanayam, a typist, working at the High up to 90 days serious and potential issues Naidu alleged Court. As many as four people working in AP secretariat had died due in public places, CM tells officials that would mar the elections to coronavirus during the past week taking the death toll due to Covid that the local PNS n TIRUPATI PNS n VIJAYAWADA between two persons in cine- and derail democracy. to six in Amaravati. As many as 5,963 new positive cases were ma halls. Naidu alleged that the local election authori- reported across the state during the past 24 hours. In all, 29 The Tirumala Tirupati Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan The Chief Minister asked election authorities were com- succumbed to corona taking the toll to 7,437. The state has 48,053 ties were compl- active cases after 2,569 people made complete recovery from the Devasthanams (TTD) on Reddy on Monday instructed them to monitor preparedness placent or cooperated with the acent and virus. Monday extended the Rs 300 the officials to focus on trac- of hospitals, availability of ruling YSRCP and followed ticket quota to devotees for ing and testing and also to doctors, sanitation etc round- their dictums. helped the the next 90 days in case they strictly enforce social distanc- the-clock. He had asked them “The low voter turnout of YSRCP leaders EG SP Adnan inaugurates had missed the opportunity ing at hotels, convention cen- to ensure that the state receives 64.29 per cent when compared between April 21 and 30 tres and cinema halls. its share of oxygen from Vizag with the voter turnout on and followed rest house for Home Guards amid the rising Covid cases. He also asked them to step steel plant. He also told them April 11, 2019 is an evident of their dictums. “As the Covid cases are up the door-to-door survey for to monitor oxygen production the nexus between the ruling KAKINADA: East Godavari Superintendent of Police Adnan Nayeem increasing across the country fevers by the volunteers and in the state. party leaders and officials,” he Asmi on Monday inaugurated the Home Guards’ welfare rest house from the past few days, TTD also ensure sufficient oxygen n Jagan tells officials to The officials apprised the alleged. situated on the first floor of the police subsidy canteen building in the has taken some important supply to hospitals. He also strictly impose social Chief Minister that the state Interestingly, while the cates that fake voters from out- District Police Office campus here on Monday. Addressing a meeting decisions keeping in view said that a fine of Rs 100 distancing in hotels, government had signed agree- number of voters had side had landed in large num- on the occasion, he said that the renovated barrack would be of great the pilgrims' health and secu- should be imposed on persons cinema halls ments with several agencies for increased, voter turnout bers in Tirupati,” he alleged. use to the Home guards visiting the district headquarters from distant rity,” said a TTD official. for not wearing masks. supply of 310 tonnes of oxygen. dropped by 15.17 per cent. The YSRCP henchmen con- places on various official duties. He advised the Home guards to The Temple had stopped Participating in a review n CM reviews oxygen At present, around 26,446 oxy- The ruling YSRCP had creat- centrated more on Tirupati make proper use of the facility and instructed the officials concerned issuing Slotted Sarva Darshan meeting with the officials on supply to hospitals gen beds in 146 hospitals are ed a sense of fear among the assembly segment as it is an to maintain the premises clean. Additional SP administration Karanam (SSD) tokens amid the pan- Covid situation, the Chief available across the state. voters, while there was poor urban constituency and voters Kumar, Special Branch DSPs Ambika Prasad, Venkateswerarao, demic. Minister asked them to give n Rs 100 fine for not If all these beds are occupied distribution of voter slips to often remain anonymous and Home Guard RI Sriharirao, Armed Reserve Inspector Sk Mehabuba, Meanwhile, the TTD man- wide publicity to 104 call cen- wearing a mask around 347 kilo litres of oxy- the voters by the Booth Level do not know each other. RI anti-naxal squad Ramesh Kumar, District Police Association agement has appealed to the tre so that it becomes the gen is required in a day. State Officers (BLOs), he said. Further, in the early hours of President Satyamurty, Treasurer Balaramamurty and others attended devotees, suffering from solution for all the Covid- has the storage capacity of “Low voter turnout regis- polling day impersonators the event. fever, common cold and related queries and inquiries. between two persons at the 577 kilo litres of oxygen which tered in all the seven assembly from outside had deterred the other health issues, to post- He asked the officials to function halls, convention cen- will be sufficient for one-and- segments in Tirupati parlia- genuine voters from casting 600 litres of jaggery wash pone their Tirumala visit. strictly enforce 6 feet distance tres and also a two seat gap half day. mentary constituency indi- their votes, he said. destroyed, three held KAKINADA: The Jaggampeta police on Monday conducted a raid on illicit liquor brewing dens in Mallisala village and destroyed 600 litres Hyd has more Aadhaar Spiritual tourism leads to Covid spike in dist. of fermented jaggery wash ready for distillation. As many as 20 litres of ID liquor was also seized .Three persons were arrested and sent to PNS n TIRUPATI Karnataka with huge passenger judicial remand. and cargo traffic. Daily 120 cards than population With Covid-19 positive increas- trains and around 3,000 buses ing rapidly in the state during touch Tirupati ferrying 2 lakh Covid claims life of two cops PNS n HYDERABAD Jarkhand, Bihar, MP, Odisha, the second wave, the Chittoor persons.” HYDERABAD: Two policemen working in different police stations in Rajastan and those from the district administration, health Besides tomato and ground- the Hyderabad City Police limits passed away due to Covid. An The city created a record in North-East migrate to here authorities and TTD officials nut trade, the spiritual tourism Assistant Sub-inspector Radhakrishna working at Bowenpally Police issuing the Aadhaar cards. It because of educational and are taking strict measure to con- of Sri Venkateshwara temple is Station passed away on Monday at a private hospital while issued more cards than the employment opportunities tain the further spread of the allegedly leading to spike in undergoing treatment. The ASI was admitted on April 8 at the local population. This is attrib- here. Moreover, the city has deadly coronavirus. positive cases in the region. hospital after he tested positive for COVID-19. He was also fighting uted to migrant workers and become IT, health and indus- The district has so far record- TTD has been providing other health issues as well, officials said. In the second incident, a students registering their trial hub. Students who arrive ed 918 Covid deaths and darshan for over 55,000 devo- head constable attached to the Dabeerpura Police Station passed names for Aadhaar cards from here for education live here for 10,0254 Covid positive cases tees daily with Rs 300 special away due to COVID-19 at a private hospital. T Jitender was admitted Hyderabad, leading to issuing years altogether. As a result, since the outbreak of the pan- reopened Sri Padmavati Covid cases were on the rise in darshan online tickets and sarva to hospital after he tested positive earlier this month and died while more cards than the local several civic services, banking demic, with majority cases and Nilayam on the outskirts as a April and patients were coming darshan tokens issued at undergoing treatment early on Monday. population. and other activities Aadhaar casualties arising in pilgrim Covid isolation centre in the from all over five districts. Tirupati till April 12. According to the UIDAI serves as a valid identity. The city of Tirupati ,the devotional first week of April. District Collector Hari TTD officials say they would statistics, over 1.21 crore population growth in city has destination of Lord Sri The Covid wards at Ruia Narayana said that 12.5 lakh soon reduce or stop the online Toddler sold by father rescued received Aadhaar card in come down. The growth rate Venkateshwara shrine at Government hospital and Covid tests were completed in darshan tickets from May HYDERABAD: The Rajendranagar police on Monday rescued a two- Hyderabad. The metropolitan was 28.91 per cent during Tirumala attracting over a lakh TTD's SVIMS hospital are the districts so far and the onwards if the Covid scenario month-old boy, who was sold by his father last week. According to the cities of Delhi and Mumbai 1991-2001 period, while it pilgrims daily from all over brimming with Covid cases number of positive cases was on continued unabated. Since last police, Syed Hyder had sold the child to a relative a few days ago for occupied the next two places came down to 26 per cent by country.. and even the TTD's BIRRD the rise. week, TTD has stopped issuing money to clear debts. The relative then sold the baby to another couple. because of very high migrant 2011 and further down to 17 As the second Covid wave hospital has been pressed into Explaining the reasons for 25,000 sarva darshan tokens at Based on a complaint from the child’s mother, Shahana Begum, the population there too. per cent by 2017. According to spiralled with more cases and Covid treatment. surge in positive cases in the Tirupati. But summer vaccina- police registered a case and took Hyder into custody. Following the People from AP, Tamil Nadu, 2011 census, the city popula- deaths being registered in Dr Vengamamba, AP Covid district, he said: “We are a tion and cancellation of exams hints he gave, police tracked the couple and rescued the child. Karnataka, Maharashtra, tion is 74.04 lakh, but it Tirupati city, the district the hospital in-charge and director gateway district by road and rail has also hindered pilgrimages to Chhattisgarh, Assam, reached 93.06 lakh by 2017. Chittoor administration has of SVIMs hospital, said that the to Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Tirumala. VIJAYAWADA | TUESDAY | APRIL 20, 2021 vijayawada 04 Agri yield promising in School HM, son held in fake Dalwa season: Kannababu certificate racket in Prakasam PNS n KAKINADA PNS n ONGOLE

The agriculture production in An incident that brought dis- the district was promising as grace to the teaching profession expected and harvesting of 30 came to light in which a school per cent of Dalwa crop was headmaster was involved in a 30 pilgrims hurt as RTC completed in the current sea- fake certificate racket in son, Agriculture and Prakasam district. Cooperation Minister Yalamanchili Kannaiah was bus overturns in Kurnool Kurasala Kannababu said on working as a headmaster in PNS n KURNOOL Aallagadda Government Monday. Donakonda mandal and his son Hospital. The bus driver and While reviewing with the Krishna Kant were arrested on At least 30 pilgrims injured the conductor were among the agriculture officials at his Monday in connection with the when an RTC bus in which injured. Driver Subbanna's camp office here on Monday, fake certificates at Kakarla village Headmaster Kannaiah, son Krishna Kant they were travelling met with right leg got fractured, while Kannababu said water supply in Ardhaveedu mandal of an accident and overturned at conductor Nagaraju received to irrigation canals was Prakasam district. Ramakrishna by offering him a his father's conspiracy with his Pedda Bodanam in minor injuries. stalled from March 31 due to Surprisingly, the accused were peon job in a Gurukul mother. Both had approached SP Chagalamarri mandal of The accident occurred while ongoing works of Polavaram sent behind the bars following a (Residencial) school. Siddhartha Kaushal along with Kurnool district on Monday. the bus was going to Kurnool project cofferdam. It was complaint lodged by his wife and Headmaster Kannaiah's son victim Ramakrishna and com- A group of pilgrims were from Kadapa. A woman, who decided in the interest of the his son, who was also co-accused Krishna Kant was also involved plained against Kannaiah and his travelling in the APSRTC bus suffered a severe head injury, farmers and however, irriga- with Prakasam district SP in the racket helping his father fake certificate racket. (AP04T X2556) from the belongs to Vankamarri in tion water would be sup- Siddhartha Kaushal. in preparing fake certificates. On the directives of SP Kadapa depot to visit some Kadapa district. Some pil- plied for the eastern delta till According to the police, The police said Kannaiah Siddhartha Kaushal, temples in the Kurnool dis- grims from Telangana were April 17 and central delta up Kannaiah was working as had differences with his wife Ardhaveedu SI B Sambasiva trict. One of the tyres got burst also among the injured who to April 20. headmaster of Donakonda Manoharamma and they were Rao conducted searches in and the bus flipped and then boarded the bus at Mydukur. Kannababu said the weath- mandal ZP high School. He living separately. However, their Kannaiah's house at Kakarla overturned about 8.30 am on They said that they were er conditions were conducive threshing machines were farmers received Rs 630.73 habituated to make money son Krishna Kant was with his village and seized some blank Monday. returning from pilgrimage in for the agriculture crops in the available in the district and lakh in East Godavari district, fraudulently. The headmaster father and taking part in the fake certificates, rubber stamps About 51 people were trav- Brahmamgari Mutt to their current season and the average another 120 would be made which has been credited to issued fake certificates and illegal affairs along with him. In and fake TCs. elling in the bus at the time of destination. The injured were crop yield in the district was 46 ready in a week. their savings accounts, he TCs by collecting money from a bid to eliminate his wife, Kannaiah and his son were the accident and 30 people shifted to Allagadda bags per acre and 75 kg more Chief Minister YS added. people by promising jobs, the Kannaiah asked his son taken into custody. They were received injuries. The condi- Government Hospital in 108 per acre than that of last year Jaganmohan Reddy deposited VT Rama Rao, Joint police said. Krishna Kanth to kill her. So remanded to judicial custody. tion of the two pilgrims was vehicles. The Chagalamarri yield. the interest amount to their Director of Agriculture and They further said Kannaiah that he could inherit all her Incidentally, Kannaiah was about said to be critical. police reached the spot and are The Minister said as many respective bank accounts on others were present on the took Rs 80,000 in two instal- wealth. to retire from service in three The injured were rushed to investigating the case. as 414 rice harvesting and Tuesday. A total of 39,671 occasion. ments from one Venkata In turn, Krishna Kanth shared months. ‘Many students Announcement on Hanuman’s denied fee Institutions cautioned against Covid threat birthplace on April 21: TTD EO reimbursement’ PNS n ONGOLE PNS n RAJAHMUNDRY The managements of prayers PNS n TIRUPATI halls, religious institutions, TDP senior leader Gorantla cinema theatres, quarries and Tirumala-Tirupati Butchaiah Chowdhary has rice mills were cautioned Devasthanams (TTD) alleged that the fee reim- against Covid prevalence and Executive Officer Dr K bursement was being given to advised to take strict measures Jawahar Reddy on Monday only one member of a fami- to contain the pandemic in the asked the researchers to get ly, thereby greatly reducing Prakasam district because of ready with adequate evidence the number of beneficiaries. increasing corona cases. to prove Hanuman's birth- Making a strong criticism District Joint Collector place was Anjanadri. An against the 'Jagananna Vidya Venkata Murali held a special They have been educated controlling the surge of the were asked to strictly enforce announcement would be made Deevena' scheme for which meeting at Prakasam Bhavan about the precautionary mea- corona. In the wake of the Covid regulations. on the facts of Hanuman's the Chief Minister deposited here on Monday with the rep- sures to be taken in the wake Ramadan month, he advised Later, a poster to create birthplace on April 21, the aus- funds to the beneficiaries on resentatives of prayer halls and of the increasing number of to maintain physical distance awareness was released to pre- pices day of Srirama Navami. Monday, Butchaiah other religious organisations, cases day by day in Ongole as during mass prayers and it vent the spread of corona. The EO said that the devo- front of the temple at 11 am Annamacharya Project Chowdhary asked what about cinema theatres, quarries and well as in the district. should be made mandatory to Additional SP B Ravi Chandra tees after having darshan at with proper evidence through Director Dakshinamoorthy the rest of the students who rice mills and suggested them The JC said that everyone wear masks. The representa- and other officials participat- Srivari temple on Sri Rama the media. Sharma, SV Higher were studying at home? He to maintain high alert. was asked to cooperate in tives of the establishments ed in the meeting. Navami should be informed Later, JEO Dharma Reddy, Theological Institute Project lashed out at the government about the birthplace of National University of Sanskrit Officer Dr Akella Vibhishana for changing the names of Hanuman on the Nada Vice Chancellor Acharya Sharma and others discussed education schemes sponsored Neerajanam stage located in Muralidhara Sharma, it at length. from the Central budget. Partial lockdown clamped in Repalle Doctors set up PNS n GUNTUR with representatives of all gov- ing decided to allow medical Covid helpline ernment departments and shops to keep open and other A partial lockdown would be business representatives at her business establishments such in Nellore Rs 45.63 cr under ‘Jagananna Vidya imposed in Repalle from office on Monday. as hotels and restaurants would Tuesday to May 2 following a The Tahsildar said that as be opened only between 9 am PNS n NELLORE high incidence of Covid, per the instructions given by and 2 pm. Repalle Tahsildar Vijayshree the government and consider- However, food parcel service A group of doctors of Nellore Deevena’ disbursed in Kadapa announced here on Monday. ing the suggestions given by would be made available till 4 have set up a helpline center She held a review meeting the business people, the meet- pm. voluntarily to serve the needy PNS n KADAPA as part of corona prevention measures. The experienced The main objective of the ‘Vidya Deevena' doctors as well as the volun- State government was to BIRTHDAY WITH A DIFFERENCE teers were made available to ensure that poverty should a boon for poor provide assistance to the not be a barrier to education Covid patients. and hence, Chief Minister YS Following are the details of Jaganmohan Reddy credited students: MLA doctors who were available at the first instalment of Nellore Doctors Corona "Jagananna Vidya Deevena" PNS n AVANIGADDA Helpline Center include: Dr. for the academic year 2020- B.Rajeshwara Rao - 2021 to the accounts of stu- The 'Jagananna Vidya 9490300445, Dr. MV dents' mothers, Deputy Chief Deevena' scheme implemented Ramanayya - 94903 00431, Minister State Deputy Chief by Chief Minister YS Dr. K. Srinigavas Naik - Minister Amzad Basha Shaik Jaganmohan Reddy would 92464 34342, Dr. G. Bepari said on Monday. change the fate of poor Dayakarao - 93900 61333, Dr. He said about Rs 45.63 crore students in the state, Seven Hills - 94405 03813 was deposited in the accounts Avanigadda MLA Simhadri and Dr. Khader Basha - of 54,502 mothers of 72,039 Joint Collectors M Gautami getting 'Vidya Deevena' Ramesh Babu said on Monday. 9849238745. The volunteers eligible students across Kadapa and Dharmachandra Reddy amounts. The distribution of cheques available to help in the district. After participating in were also present on the occa- The event was attended by was organized on Monday in helpline center are G. the video conference with the sion. The Deputy CM said the District EDs of SC, ST, BC, the conference hall of the local Kamayya - 9490300435, Chief Minister, he said a total students could meet the Minority Welfare Tahsildar office here. Simhadri Bujjaya - 9490300432, P. of Rs. 45.63 crore was given to District Officer of the con- Departments, Education said that in the first quarter, Srinivasu - 9441625825, Ch. the beneficiaries in Kadapa dis- cerned Welfare Department or Officers, students of various Rs.4.47 crore was credited to Anand Ram Singh - trict under the "Jagananna the State Government by call- degree and engineering col- the bank account of students' 9490098916, R. Nagesh - Vidya Deevena" scheme, ing the Call Center '1902' if leges and their parents partic- mothers. Rural MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy distributing sarees to poor women in connection with the birthday celebrations of 9440893123 and G. Srinivasa Amjad Basha said. they faced any problem in ipated in the programme. Rajya Sabha MP and YSRCP leader Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy in Nellore on Monday. Rao - 949035860. TIME FOR WORSHIP Gurjanapalli Lord Venkateswara looks for shelter! DHV SAMBASIVA RAO Venugopala Swamy. Believing was previously acquired by the n KAKINADA that the Lord would solve their government for building a problems, people worship him by cyclone shelter and a school Though the Lord Venkateswara promising vows and fulfil them building. Swamy was known as the world's later. But the Lord Venkateswara Revenue Inspector VL richest God in Tirumala, the of Gurajanapalli was himself Narasimha Reddy said the mat- Lord Venkateswara in looking for help to have a shel- ter was reported to the district Gurjanapalli of Karapa mandal ter. Collector stating that a private of East Godavari district was Earlier, Former Executive individual had been cultivating looking for a shelter after the Officer Pubbinidi Venkateswara a eucalyptus garden for the past existing temple was totally dilap- Rao of the village had com- two years. He, however, said he idated and ruined. plained to the revenue and would submit a report to the gov- Unfortunately, Lord Venkanna endowment officials explaining ernment about the ongoing was taking shelter in a makeshift the plight of the Lord. The vil- encroachments where a hatchery shed in the village despite hav- lagers said no officer responded was being constructed. ing many lands in the name of till now. Some persons occupied A notice had been served to the temple. the temple land and construct- the private individual, who was According to the revenue ing a fisheries hatchery. building hatchery earlier. records, Sri Venugopalaswamy Speaking to 'The Pioneer', Similarly, the AP Transco had and Sri Venkateswaraswamy Venkateswara Rao said that the also lodged a complaint with the temple has owned about 7.81 Lord's land encroached and the land acquisition. It was distrib- Kannarao informed that some initiated against him till now. AE and Karapa tahsildar, temple acres of land donated by donors value of the land as per the pre- uted as house-sites to the poor. portion of the revenue land Meanwhile, District Collector administrator Vadadi and it was recognised as a 6C sent market value would be The government has to com- acquired for housing was still Muralidhar Reddy inquired Satyanarayana Murthy said. grade ancient temple. The around Rs 1 crore per acre. pensate if the endowment land vacant. Some people were occu- about the recent encroachments But no action initiated against Endowments Department was Earlier, the government has taken was acquired. But it was not done pying it and many buildings of Lord Venkateswara Swamy's the encroacher. He urged the maintaining the temple, but no about 2.20 acres of land for set- till now, Venkateswara Rao said. were coming up. When an indi- temple lands. Following his officials of the Revenue effort was made to build a new ting up a government school and The Supreme Court had issued vidual grabbed a two-acre direction, Revenue Assistant Department to pay compensa- temple for the Lord. another 1.56 acres of land was clear guidelines that the govern- orchard, the villagers had com- District Commissioner KNVD tion for the temple lands so that Minister for Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Kodali Nani coming out of the The villagers raised funds to taken by the Revenue ment has to give alternate land in plained to the Endowment Prasad reported the matter to the a new temple could be built for temple after having darshan at Srisailam on Monday. He was accompanied by his build a temporary shed to house Department from the lieu of the land acquired. Commissioner and Deputy government that no compensa- Lord Venkateswara and Sri wife Anupama and daughters Kanakadurga and Vijayadurga Lord Venkateswara and Lord Endowment Department under Ex-sarpanch Pampana Commissioner, but no action was tion was paid for the land, which Venugopala Swamy. VIJAYAWADA | TUESDAY | APRIL 20, 2021 nation 05 Covid: India logs record surge of ‘Congress-ruled states busy raising doubts about vaccines’

2,73,810 new cases, 1,619 fatalities PNS n NEW DELHI Hitting back at senior Congress PNS n NEW DELHI from Delhi, 127 from Uttar leader Manmohan Singh for his Pradesh, 110 from Gujarat, 81 critique of the government's India's total tally of COVID-19 from Karnataka, 68 from Punjab, COVID-19 management, cases crossed the 1.50-crore 66 from Madhya Pradesh, 50 Union Health Minister Harsh mark with around 25 lakh cases from Jharkhand, 42 each from Vardhan on Monday alleged the being added in just 15 days, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, 29 second wave of the pandemic while active cases surpassed the from Haryana, 28 from West was instead fuelled by Congress 19-lakh mark, according to the Bengal and 25 from Kerala. ruled states as they were busy Union Health Ministry data A total of 1,78,769 deaths have raising doubts about vaccines updated on Monday. been reported so far in the rather than vaccinating people. The nationwide tally of country including 60,473 from Responding to Singh's letter Tweeting the letter to Singh, not seem to share your view." COVID-19 cases mounted to Maharashtra, 13,351 from to Prime Minister Narendra the health minister said, "History He expressed shock that 1,50,61,919 with a record single- Karnataka, 13,113 from Tamil Modi, Vardhan also said that the shall be kinder to you Dr senior members of the Congress day rise of 2,73,810 coronavirus Nadu, 12,121 from Delhi, 10,568 letter drafters of the senior Manmohan Singh ji if your party are yet to utter a single infections. from West Bengal, 9,830 from Congress leader have done a offer of 'constructive coopera- word of gratitude towards scien- The death toll increased to Uttar Pradesh, 7,902 from great disservice to his standing. tion' and valuable advice was fol- tists and vaccine manufacturers 1,78,769 with a record 1,619 Punjab and 7,410 from Andhra Acknowledging that while lowed by your @INCIndia lead- for innovating under trying cir- daily new fatalities, the data Pradesh. Singh understands the impor- ers as well in such extraordinary cumstances and empowering updated at 8 am showed. The health ministry stressed tance of vaccination as an times !" the world with vaccines. The country's total COVID- active cases increased to dropped to 1.19 per cent, the November 20 and surpassed that more than 70 per cent of the important method of fighting Singh on Sunday wrote to "Let alone thanking our sci- 19 infections had surpassed the 19,29,329, comprising 12.81 per data stated. the one-crore mark on deaths occurred due to comor- the COVID-19 battle, Vardhan Prime Minister Modi suggesting entists, many Congress mem- one-crore mark on December 19 cent of the total infections, while India's COVID-19 tally had December 19. According to the bidities. said in his letter that "irrespon- five measures to battle the bers and Congress ruled state after which it took 107 days to the national COVID-19 recov- crossed the 20-lakh mark on ICMR, 26,78,94,549 samples "Our figures are being recon- sible" public pronouncements COVID-19 crisis, including governments have taken extra- cross the 1.25 crore on April 5. ery rate has dropped to 86 per August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, have been tested up to April 18 ciled with the Indian Council of made by some Congress leaders ramping up vaccination and ordinary interest in spreading However, it only took 15 days for cent. 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 with 13,56,133 samples being Medical Research," the min- have resulted in a below nation- boosting supply of medicines. falsehoods regarding the effica- the cases to cross the 1.50-crore The number of people who lakh on September 16.It went tested on Sunday. istry said on its website, adding al average vaccination coverage Vardhan said, "People in respon- cy of these vaccines, thereby mark. have recuperated from the dis- past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 The 1,619 new fatalities that state-wise distribution of fig- of senior citizens and even sible positions in your party as fuelling vaccine hesitancy, and Registering a steady increase ease surged to 1,29,53,821 and lakh on October 11, crossed 80 include 503 from Maharashtra, ures is subject to further verifi- front-line workers in some of the well as in the state govern- playing with the lives of our for the 40th day in a row, the the case fatality rate has further lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on 170 from Chhattisgarh, 161 cation and reconciliation. Congress-ruled states. ments formed by your party do countrymen. INDIA CORNER Delhi court Cabinet secy to discuss on NGT fiat to Jal Over 1.22 crore people vaccinated judge dies of in Maharashtra so far medical oxygen with states Shakti Ministry total of 1,22,83,050 people COVID-19 PNS n NEW DELHI have so far received PNS n NEW DELHI ACOVID-19 vaccine in Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Maharashtra, the state A 47-year-old district Gauba has convened a meet- on groundwater government said on Monday. court judge succumbed to ing of chief secretaries and On Sunday, 1,27,079 COVID-19 at a govern- senior officials of 10 states PNS n NEW DELHI sources. Thus, the supply and beneficiaries received the jabs ment hospital here on and Delhi on Monday to dis- demand of groundwater were in 1,515 sessions, an official Monday. cuss the issue of medical The National Green Tribunal required to be balanced for sus- statement said. So far, Kovai Venugopal, who oxygen, officials said. has directed the Ministry of Jal tainable development, it said. 10,67,486 health care workers was a judge at the Saket There have been reports of Shakti to consider the extent to "Ministry of Jal Shakti may have receivedtheir first dose of Family Court, died at 11 shortage of the medical oxy- which groundwater extraction consider the extent to which vaccine, it said, adding that 5,42,627health care workers have got their am at the Lok Nayak Jai gen for COVID-19 patients can be allowed for swimming groundwater extraction can be second dose. Similarly, 11,13,691 frontline workers have till now taken Prakash Naryan Hospital. in different parts of the coun- pools in water deficit areas. allowed for swimming pools in the first dose and 3,67,965 of them have been administered the second According to the court try in the last few days due to A bench headed by NGT water deficit areas, as per data dose, it said. So far, 87,86,940 aged above 45 have received their first sources, he was admitted a surge in cases. Chairperson Justice A K Goel available with it. The applicant dose and 4,04,341 have taken their second dose, the statement said. to the hospital on Sunday The meeting is scheduled said since drinking water is first is at liberty to make any further and was being treated in at 3 pm and it will be held priority, reckless extraction of representation to the Ministry of the Intensive Care Unit virtually. The cabinet secre- Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, that they must not impose groundwater to the determent of Jal Shakti." the bench said. (ICU) ward. tary has convened a video Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and any curb on production and environment could not be The tribunal was hearing a Summer vacation in Bengal Saket Bar conference for Monday on Delhi, a government official supply of the essential pub- allowed so that needy persons plea filed by Neha Singh against Association secretary the issue of medical oxygen said lic health commodity any- can access drinking water. reckless extraction of ground schools to start from April 20 Dhir Singh Kasana with chief secretaries and The Centre on Friday had where. On Sunday, the gov- The NGT said that extraction water for commercial purposes alleged that the inci- senior officials of directed states to ensure ernment banned supply of of groundwater in water scarci- at the cost of causing further he West Bengal dent was a result of Maharashtra, Madhya uninterrupted movement of oxygen to industrial units, ty areas also affects the flow of shortage of drinking water in government on "negligence on the part Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, medical oxygen carrying except in nine specified cat- the rivers and the potential for violation of Sustainable TMonday said of the government". Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, vehicles borders and said egories. recharge of the groundwater Development Rules. summer vacation in schools will begin from as early as Tuesday in view of rising COVID-19 cases ‘Bengal shouldn't be a party Remdesivir row: Sena in the state. The Bengal: BJP summer break usually starts from the first candidate's week of May. "Classes to national degeneration’ alleges bid to disturb for 9th, 10th, 11th and house 12th standard had PNS n KOLKATA assembly elections will have a resumed from mid- bearing on national politics. law & health order attacked February (in state-aided and state-runschools). "But, due to the present Bengal should not be a party to He emphasised that Bengal COVID-19 situation, we are forced to prepone the summer vacation. The the "national degeneration" by wants unity, not divisions. PNS n BARRACKPORE education department will issue necessary notifications today," Education choosing to be governed by "It is not surprising that PNS n MUMBAI lives of people and no one Minister Partha Chatterjee said. Chatterjee said he would also urge central leaders instead of the identity issues will tend to should seek political mileage A BJP candidate's house private schools to follow suit.The decision comes amid reports of many local ones as that would come into electoral propa- The Shiv Sena on Monday out of pyres of people dying was attacked with crude teachers in schools testing positive in the past two months. The strengthen the concentration of ganda. However, the focus slammed BJP leaders for want of the drug, which is bombs in West Bengal's headmaster of a state-run school in Jadavpur,however, told PTI that power in the hands of those has often been much narrow- Devendra Fadnavis and in high demand for treating North 24 Parganas dis- online classes will continue for students of Class 10 and 12 during the whose record on economic er than the Indian identity or Pravin Darekar for objecting COVID-19 patients. Mumbai trict, police said on vacation "or the early phase of the vacation". policy and social justice are the Bengali identity. It has to Mumbai police's grilling of police questioned a pharma Monday. "seriously defective", Nobel thing that Bengali luminaries - gone further than Bengali a pharma firm's top executive company director on The house of Sanmoy laureate Amartya Sen said. - from Rabindranath Tagore to sub- nationalism. over alleged stocking of Saturday following informa- Bandopadhyay, BJP's Odisha reports record Lauding the Mamata Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose - The fanning of the danger- Remdesivir vials, and won- tion that thousands of vials of Panihati candidate, was Banerjee government for its - had "worked hard to replace ous flames of communal divi- dered if there was a conspir- Remdesivir were to be flown attacked late on Sunday, |4,445 new Covid cases welfare programmes, especial- with a peaceful understanding". sions has not occurred as acy to disturb the law and out of the country, despite a they said. disha reports record 4,445 ly the ones meant for girls, the "If Bengal ends up being gov- strongly in Bengal since 1946, health order. ban on its export. The incident hap- new COVID-19 cases, inter- beneficial expansion of rural erned by central rulers, not local as it is happening now." An editorial in the Sena On learning that the com- pened in the Khardaha Ostate bus services Odisha infrastructure and assurance of leaders, it will vastly strength- Sen, a fierce critic of the mouthpiece 'Saamana' pany director was being ques- police station area where on Monday reported the food security, the renowned en the concentration of power Narendra Modi government, accused the BJP of having a tioned, former chief minister Bandopadhyay lives, highest ever single-day rise in economist, however, stressed in India in the hands of those further said, "What Mahatma clear agenda that the Fadnavis and another state they added. COVID-19 cases as 4,445 that corruption issues in the whose conception of minority Gandhi did in the 1940s can Maharashtra government BJP leader Darekar had A person was arrested people tested positive, pushing state have to be addressed. rights is extremely limited and be undone with a huge cost should fail in handling the rushed to the police station. in connection with the the coastal state's tally to over In an interview with PTI, Sen whose record on economic and sacrifice in Bengal, and COVID-19 situation, and They said the BJP was incident, a senior officer 3.72 lakh, a senior official said. rued the fact that identity pol- policy and social justice seems this evil negation has unfortu- charged it with making per- reaching out to pharma of the Barrackpore Four more people died in the itics has reared its ugly head in seriously defective. nately received much encour- sistent efforts in that direction companies due to the short- Police said. state, following which the toll Bengal's political landscape and "Bengal should not have to be agement in this election. with the help of the Centre. age of Remdesivir in the There was no report of rose to 1,948, he said. The previous daily high was recorded on blamed the flag-bearers of a party to that national degen- Bengal wants unity, not divi- It said the Maharashtra state. Fadnavis said it was any injury to anyone, he September 25last year when the state reported 4,356 cases. All 30 Hindutva for sharpening the eration," Sen said when asked sions -- as Gandhiji so clear- government and the opposi- their sincere attempt to get said. districts in the state reported new cases, the official said. Of the new communal divisions some- whether the outcome of the ly explained." tion should be unanimous at Remdesivar for cases, 2,574 were reported from the quarantine centres, while the rest least on the issue of saving Maharashtra. 1,871 were local contacts. Sundergarh, bordering Chhattisgarh, reported the highest 722 new cases.Khurda reported 587 cases, followed by Nuapada (437), Kalahandi (273), Cuttack (251) and Sambalpur (241). Raut for special ‘Double protection with fitted mask’ PNS n NEW DELHI port attached to tubing in the due to each individual's unique Take up only urgent matters via exposure chamber that mea- face and mask fit. Parliament session Wearing two tightly-fitted face sured the concentration of Generally, a procedure mask video conference: Delhi HC masks can nearly double the particles entering the breath- without altering the fit, is effectiveness of filtering out ing space underneath the about 40-60 per cent effective n view of an exponential rise in to discuss Covid SARS-CoV-2-sized particles, researcher's mask. at keeping COVID-19-sized COVID-19 cases in the national preventing them from reach- A second tube measured the particles out, the researchers Icapital, the Delhi High Court on PNS n MUMBAI ing the wearer's nose and ambient concentration of par- said. Monday ordered district courts to mouth and causing COVID- ticles in the chamber. A cloth mask is about 40 per take up only urgent matters and Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on 19, according to a study. The researchers determined cent effective, they said. that too through video Monday called for convening The research, published in the FFE by measuring particle Their latest findings on dou- conferencing. Delhi on Sunday a special session of Parliament the journal JAMA Internal concentration in the breathing bling of face masks shows that recorded the biggest jump in its for at least two days to discuss Medicine, shows that the rea- space underneath the mask when a cloth mask is placed daily COVID-19 tally with 25,462 the COVID-19 situation in the son for the enhanced filtration compared to that in the cham- over a surgical mask, the FFE fresh cases, while the positivity country. is not so much adding layers To test the fitted filtration ber. improved by about 20 per rate shot up to 29.74 per cent -- meaning almost every third sample being Terming the COVID-19 sit- of cloth, but eliminating any efficiency (FFE) of a range of "We also had the researchers cent. tested in the city is turning out to be positive. The direction by the high uation as "unprecedented and gen & no vaccination as well gaps or poor-fitting areas of a masks, the team filled a 10-foot in the chamber undergo a The filtration efficiency court comes a day after it decided that from April 19 onwards it will only almost war-like", Raut said ! It's nothing but TOTAL mask. by 10-foot stainless-steel expo- series of range-of-motion improved even more with a take up "extremely urgent matters" filed this year. In the office order issued he held discussions with some CHAOS ! A Spl session of the "The medical procedure sure chamber with small salt activities to simulate the typ- snug-fitting, sleeve-type mask, in respect of the subordinate courts, the high court said, "In view of the key leaders from across the Parliament for at least 2 days masks are designed to have particle aerosols. ical motions a person may do such as a gaiter, according to alarming rise in COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, in country on Sunday over the should be called to discuss the very good filtration potential The researchers wore a throughout their day -- bend- the researchers. continuation of this court's office order dated April 8, 2021, it is ordered that issue andn all of them were of situation!" the Rajya Sabha based on their material, but the combination of masks to test ing at the waist, talking, and When layered over proce- all the judicial officers of district courts in Delhi shall take up only urgent the view that the situation is member tweeted. way they fit our faces isn't per- how effective they were at looking left, right, up and dure masks, cloth masks cases of their respective courts, through video-conferencing mode.""It is "serious". Interacting with reporters fect," said Emily Sickbert- keeping particles out of their down," said Phillip Clapp from improve fit by eliminating further ordered that all other matters listed before Delhi district courts be "It's an unprecedented & here, Raut, without taking any Bennett, an associate professor breathing space. the UNC School of Medicine. gaps and holding the proce- adjourned en bloc by respective courts and information in this regard be almost a war like situation. names, claimed that some at the University of North Each individual mask or According to their findings, dure mask closer to the face, uploaded on the website(s) of Delhi district courts," the order, issued by the Utmost confusion & tension states hid the actual the num- Carolina (UNC) in the US, layered mask combination was the baseline FFE of a mask dif- consistently covering the nose office of the Delhi High Court Registrar General, Manoj Jain, said. everywhere! No beds, no oxy- ber of COVID-19 cases. and lead author of the study. fitted with a metal sample fers from person to person, and mouth. VIJAYAWADA | TUESDAY | APRIL 20, 2021 06

www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ PAPER WITH PASSION Faith put to test? What Modi really The seers’ response to the PM’s Kumbh appeal must not be seen as weak-willed or forced PRAFULL GORADIA he ongoing pandemic has ravaged everyone alike. It doesn’t matter if one is a means to people common citizen, a bureaucrat, politician or a sadhu (seer) or belongs to which Tgender, the Coronavirus just doesn’t discriminate. The virus is spreading like a wildfire and has put to test not only the economies, Governments and the healthcare Even before becoming the Prime Minister, and ever since, Modi infrastructure, but also faith and religion. The Maha Kumbh Mela at Haridwar, earlier slated to close on April 30, now wears a deserted look — after Prime Minister Narendra has scaled newer peaks of popularity, both at home and abroad Modi’s appeal to keep the remaining part of the Mela “symbolic” in the backdrop of ember of the surging COVID-19 cases. With the pilgrims and seers leaving Haridwar, the skep- Parliament from tics may view it any way they like but no one should see it as a defeat of faith. Here, Arunachal Pradesh the matter of faith and religiosity needs to be seen Tapir Gao, speaking inM Parliament on April 1, through the prism of science — the philosophy as described Prime Minister (PM) followed and professed by the great Indian monk Narendra Modi as an avatar of Swami Vivekananda. The silent exodus from God who is taking the country Haridwar proves yet again that for the flag-bearers in the right direction. Gao said that Modi’s work for tea planta- and followers of the world’s most ancient or pri- tion workers in West Bengal and mordial religious order — the ‘Sanatan dharma’— Assam is “like an avatar of science is as sacrosanct as faith. This is what our Bhagwan”. L a d a k h’s M P seers have done and this is exactly what they have Jamyang Tsering Namgyal hailed the PM as a yug purush been doing since ages. We should be thankful to (man of the era) for realising the seers for heeding the PM’s appeal and decid- BJP ideologue Syama Prasad ing to vacate the site. For thousands of ‘batuks’ (new Mookerjee’s dream. Mookerjee inductees) and numerous others who must have had opposed the special status to Jammu & Kashmir. been waiting to participate in the major religious event, giving up on the Shahi Snan An ordinary mortal, I am (royal bath) or cutting short their stay is no mean sacrifice. unable to either corroborate or But they have done so willingly to serve the greater cause of humanity by help- contradict these opinions. All I ing to break the transmission chain. The Kumbh is not only about ‘Snan’ (holy bath); can do is to quote from the Gita. Chapter 4 of the Bhagwad Gita, party rally in Guwahati, he being hesitant. This denotes Delhi, as the previous PMs it is in fact like a universe in microcosm — representing the very idea and soul of delivered by Krishna to Arjuna had been interrupted by the that Modi has a rare charis- had done, but landed in existence. But it’s always good to surrender one’s interests willingly when it’s a ques- in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, audience who said they would ma that travels electronically, Ladakh at our Army’s for- tion of the greater good of humankind. This behaviour is in sharp contrast to the Tablighi states: “Whenever and wherev- rather hear about how he not merely electrically. ward base, barely miles from Jamaat members’— spitting on policemen and volunteers, urinating/defecating open- er there is a decline of the prac- was tackling infiltrators from The flash of his charisma where the PLA is stationed tice of dharma, O Bharat Bangladesh. Modi told the has not halted here. As the across the Line of Actual ly inside their quarantine centres and abusing doctors and nurses. It’s really for the (Arjuna), and a predominant Mumbai audience to tumul- PM, he made friends with Control, sounding India’s reader to decide for herself/himself which behaviour is close to fundamentalism and rise of adharma (evil) — I tuous applause that his reply President Barack Obama. The determination to roll back which one is sympathetic, accommodative and humane. After the Prime Minister’s incarnate Myself. To deliver the was that in Assam, people next American President, any Chinese adventurism. appeal, Juna akhada’s Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri pious and annihilate the evildo- were oppressed by Donald Trump, went gaga Beijing is now talking about announced the formal conclusion of the Maha Kumbh Mela for their followers, say- ers, as well as to re-establish Bangladeshis but, in Gujarat, over him, sumptuously the benefits of bonhomie and dharma, I appear, era after era.” it was the Bangladeshis who demonstrated at the ‘Howdy peace with India. ing that the remaining Shahi Snan should be observed symbolically on April 27. Many From the time I first met felt oppressed by Modi. Modi’ rally at Houston, Texas, Pakistan remained a bogey people assert that COVID-19 is here, and maybe will stay for long, but the Kumbh — Modi by chance at the Vadodara In 2013, Modi was chosen MODI’S CHARISMA in September 2020. Earlier, until Modi came to power. which represents the primeval culture and its ethos in a nutshell — certainly has been airport in 1991 and had a 15- as the BJP’s prime ministeri- HAS NOT BEEN Modi had commanded a sim- Educated Indians would gen- around much longer. It’s a good time to remember the famous lines by poet Iqbal: minute chat, I feel I met some- al candidate by the RSS with- ilar performance in London, erally caution why New Delhi one extraordinary. He was then out consulting the party’s CIRCUMSCRIBED BY when then British PM David couldn’t be too tough with “Kuchh baat hai ki hasti mit-ti nahi hamaari, sadiyon raha hai dushman daur-e-zamaan the general secretary of the bigwigs; the ambitions of the Cameron was present and Pakistan because of the 20 hamara.” It doesn’t matter if that dushman (enemy) be as mighty as the Coronavirus. Gujarat BJP — the party had yet latter would come in his way. THE BORDERS AND delighted. crore Muslims in India! With faith by our side, we shall surely win. to come to power in the State. It had never happened before. SHORES OF INDIA. Modi’s charisma has not Without harming a single hair We remained in touch after that This was the measure of his been circumscribed by the of any Indian, Modi has and until he became the PM, popularity having spread THE COUNTRY HAS borders and shores of India. silenced Islamabad to the extent PICTALK when I realised that he had throughout the country while The country has risen in the that General Bajwa, Pakistan’s flown to another planet and I he was busy with Gujarat. I RISEN IN THE EYES eyes and minds of the world. de facto ruler, has started had remained where I was. was flabbergasted when I saw AND MINDS OF THE A telling example is India’s singing paeans of peace. In his first term as the him on television as the PM response to the latest round of Prior to Modi, the behav- Gujarat Chief Minister, his name for an exclusive lunch with WORLD. A TELLING Chinese revanchism, particu- iour of India’s political class and fame had spread across the Queen Elizabeth II at the EXAMPLE IS INDIA'S larly the Galwan incident on made our people equate State to West Bengal and as far Buckingham Palace and, on the Ladakh border, wherein themselves with Pakistan. as Assam. The Bengali elite, the same visit, addressing the RESPONSE TO THE China’s People’s Liberation India’s image in the world which generally looked down on British Parliament. Such hon- LATEST ROUND OF Army (PLA) stealthily intrud- alternated between that of a the BJP as communal, invited our has not been showered on ed and killed 20 Indian sol- cat and a rat. Modi has made Modi to the Calcutta Club for a any Indian leader — not even CHINESE diers. Not only did the Indian the world believe that India is seminar on the Uniform Civil Jawaharlal Nehru. Soon Army hit back to inflict 40 or truly a lion. Readers may Code. Years later, in 2006, at thereafter, Modi addressed REVANCHISM, more casualties on the assess what this gentleman Mumbai’s Shanmukhananda the US Congress, which only PARTICULARLY THE Chinese, it also occupied sev- truly is — a human being, a Hall, Modi addressed a packed PV Narasimha Rao had done eral strategic peaks along the superhuman or an avatar. audience, speaking about his before. All this for a man who GALWAN INCIDENT Ladakh border, signalling its (The writer is a well- introduction of new technolo- only until a few years ago had intent to escalate the conflict. known columnist and an gies for agriculture in Gujarat. been denied a visa by More importantly, Modi did author. The views expressed He revealed that earlier, at a Washington, with London not issue mere protests from are personal.) LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SOUNDBITE Passengers at the Anand Vihar terminal after the Delhi Government announced a six-day lockdown PTI The production of CREMATORIUMS CAN BECOME HOTSPOTS Remdisivir is Sir — It is time to set up makeshift crema- Distribute the vaccine fairly adequate. We have toriums and designate more burial grounds banned exports as a The guides for the COVID casualties. With the second should be managed accordingly. The Centre precaution but in wave, the spectre of COVID has become and State Governments are not focussing on panic people are Rahul and Mamata show the way, curb election even more frightening for all of us. The cat- the percentage of the population that has not buying in bulk, which is leading to astrophic spike in cases is coupled with a been vaccinated yet. It is important to increase a shortage. rallies in view of the explosion in COVID cases high death toll. The crematoriums and bur- the vaccination efforts. Some school teach- Union Home Minister ial grounds are struggling to keep up, as the ers, bus, taxi and three-wheeler drivers, — Amit Shah s the number of COVID-19 cases rises exponentially, in West Bengal that is cur- bodies pile up. municipal and panchayat workers and advo- rently witnessing the Assembly elections as well as elsewhere in the country, Why are crematoriums and morgues cates should be considered for vaccination irre- I am in the UAE former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee not considered a priority in our country by spective of their age. for a bilateral visit A the policymakers? How many more pan- The Government should also explain and not an India- have taken a major decision in the larger interest of the State’s population. While the his refers to the editorial ‘Fighting blind- demics do we need to understand the folded' (April 19). I concur with the edi- how it will ensure the distribution of vaccines specific agenda. Congress scion has cancelled all his public meetings My agenda is UAE- importance of such places? The non-func- Ttorial view that the Governments and the among different States in a fair and transpar- in West Bengal, the TMC chief will not campaign in tional morgues and crematoriums in ent manner. Since the last one year, COVID- Pakistan and not scientific community are struggling hard to pin India-Pakistan. Kolkata anymore. Both the leaders have reportedly Mumbai were in a pathetic and deplorable down the virus and the pandemic, but to no 19 has posed a serious challenge to the world and India and has drastically changed our condition even before COVID-19 invaded avail. However, it has been noticed that Indian Pakistan Foreign Minister taken this decision in view of the rising COVID-19 infec- our lives. The tender for the reconstruction behaviour and the way of life. In the meantime, vaccine manufacturers are unable to comply — Shah Mahmood Qureshi tions in the State. While voting in three of the eight- of a morgue at St Georges Hospital is yet to with the contractual terms and conditions laid the lockdown announced by the Delhi phase Assembly elections is yet to be held, the State be floated. The urgent need for a function- down by the UK — the country that has given Government is a welcome step. Such restric- If your script is not on Saturday registered its highest single-day spike of al crematorium and morgue in Mumbai is the license and technology to manufacture tions are needed in Haryana and other neigh- good, your acting being felt now more than ever, so that every Covishield. bouring States as well. We all have a collec- 7,713 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to won't come off well, citizen who ends up there can have a sem- Since the stocks of the domestic vaccine tive responsibility in our fight against the pan- 6,51,508. The death toll rose to 10,540 after 34 fresh blance of dignity in death. demic. The insouciance on part of any one State and I say this even supplies are limited, the imports of vaccines for theatrical fatalities were reported. Around the same time, 2.6 No less weightage should be given to the approved by the European Medical Agency or can weaken our fight against the Coronavirus. dignity of those who have died as compared Yugal Kishore Sharma | Faridabad releases. Why should you have lakh new COVID-19 patients were detected across US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) weaker scripts just because it is India in a single day. While Mamata will hold only one to the safety of the living. We are facing a shortage of crematoriums and burial in the theatrical space? “symbolic” meeting in the State capital on the last day understanding of life. The second wave is attacked our country and we are its help- Actor grounds. As a result the dead, both COVID having a devastating effect on lives and liveli- less victims. It is spreading like wildfire. — Boman Irani of campaigning, which is April 26, her election ral- and non-COVID victims, and their loved hood and is pushing people to live in the Many State Governments have imposed lies in all other districts of the State will not be longer than 30 minutes. ones have to wait a long time for the last rites. shadow of death and despair. The anxiety restrictions on the movement of people, Hardik Pandya, who For his part, Rahul — who had only recently reached the State to campaign for The overcrowding and long wait could turn and suffering caused by the pandemic is a including night curfews. Vaccination, oxy- hasn't bowled at all in these locations into virus hotspots. There is the Congress candidates — has suspended all his public rallies there and advised all reality for us. Lockdown-like curbs have gen and hospital bed scarcity continue to the first three matches also the question of the safety of cremato- exacerbated hardships in many parts of the haunt people. They are unable to get vac- of Mumbai Indians, political leaders to “think deeply about the consequences of holding large public ral- rium and burial ground workers. Is anyone country. The general feeling is that no one cinated in the Government facilities due to could be bowling in lies under the current circumstances”, understandably inviting plaudits from senior lead- listening? can predict what will happen next. the shortage of shots. People are reeling this Indian Premier ers of his party. The Congress leader had earlier taken a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra CK Subramaniam | Mumbai The healthcare system is teetering on the under fear. At this point, night curfew seems League (IPL). edge of collapse as evidenced by the short- to be meaningless and does not serve the Modi after the BJP’s star campaigner praised the people of West Bengal for turning THE ONSLAUGHT OF PANDEMIC age of medical oxygen cylinders, hospital desired purpose since most of the people are Head coach of Mumbai Indians up in large numbers for his political rally on Saturday. Rahul’s move is certain to cre- Sir — To say that India is in the grip of the beds and antiviral drug Remdesivir (its sale already locked in their houses during — Mahela Jayawardene ate pressure on the other main players in the fray, most notably the BJP and the TMC. COVID-19 pandemic is to state the obvi- in the black market is a shame) and vacci- night. It should rather have been in the after- While one is free to align with any political party or ideology, nobody is entitled to put ous. The Lancet’s COVID-19 Commission nation doses. The Government appears to noon. Also, police should not deal with peo- When people are forecasts that at the current rate of the run- be floundering helplessly in the face of the ple who come out during curfew hours in pleading for the lives of anybody else on the line simply for the sake of amassing votes, especial- away infection, there could be 2,300 deaths inexorable surge in cases. It is difficult to say a high-handed manner. Remdesivir and ly in these sordid times. In this light, the decision by Rahul and Mamata deserves unreg- every day by the first week of June. The sit- that it has risen to the challenge. Sravana Ramachandran | Chennai struggling for each ulated praise as, if nothing else, it puts the lives of the people of the State at greater uation is so grave that UK Prime Minister G David Milton | Tamil Nadu vial, one BJP leader is hoarding the injection. premium than the lust for votes to form the next Government in West Bengal. Needless Boris Johnson has again deferred his visit to India. The pandemic has brought about POLICE MUST ACT SENSITIVELY Send your feedback to: Congress leader to say, other leaders would do well to take a leaf out of this sensible development. a profound change in our thinking and Sir — The double mutant Coronavirus has [email protected] — Priyanka Gandhi VIJAYAWADA | TUESDAY | APRIL 20, 2021 07 www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ FIRSTCOLUMN Export subsidies face GIVE JUSTICE TO WOMEN LAWYERS WTO challenge UTTAM GUPTA The leeway to withdraw subsidies was meant for those developing nations which in 1995 had GNI in excess of $1,000 per capita. It can’t be availed by India, which is in a different category he Coronavirus pandemic played havoc with the economy of the country during Tthe first half of last year. However, exports were beginning to look up in March — touch- KALYANI SHANKAR ing a record $34 billion which was higher than ustice has always been represented in a feminine form. Everyone $33 billion in March 2019 — and signalling a has seen the statue of Lady Justice wearing a blindfold and holding sharp increase during the current fiscal. But now, a beam balance and a sword. But unfortunately, women are far from the exporters face a triple whammy. First, they J have not received export benefits worth approx- being adequately represented in the judiciary and do not have much of imately `35,000 crore under the Merchandise a role to play in our judicial system. Women have become the country’s Export from India Scheme (MEIS). Under the President, Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and Governors. They have occu- MEIS, which was withdrawn on January 1 this pied other constitutional positions but a woman has never graced the year, exporters were eligible for duty credit scrip office of the Chief Justice of India (CJI). There have been voices calling — a jargon to compensate for their loss on pay- for the better representation of women in the judiciary. Recently, CJI SA ment of duties — amounting to two-five per cent Bobde lamented this gap, just days ahead of his slated retirement on April of the freight-on-board value of the shipment. Against a total approved amount of `55,000 23. Let alone being elevated to the post of CJI, many women judges cross crore, the Union Government has released just their retirement age even before reaching the Supreme Court. In India about `20,000 crore (mostly claims for 2019- as in other countries, including the US and Britain, the number of women 20) thereby leaving a gap of `35,000 crore. MEANWHILE, judges is dismal. It was only in 1981 that US President Ronald Reagan This has led to a liquidity crunch. And, with INDIA HAS appointed Sandra Day O’Connor as the first-ever woman judge of the the Budget provision for export subsidy during ABOLISHED Supreme Court, to fulfil his campaign promise. 2021-22 being just `13,000 crore, the situation THE MEIS AND is unlikely to improve and will seriously impede LAUNCHED the exporters’ capacity to ramp up supplies to RODTEP. THE meet the resurgent demand from key global mar- OFFICIAL THINK kets, particularly the US and EU. TANK MAY FEEL Second, the Government has not yet noti- THAT THE NEW fied the refund rates under the Remission of at a cheaper rate, which was detri- a WTO-compatible scenario. That petroleum products such as petrol, Duties and Taxes on Exported Products SCHEME IS mental to the interests of US man- was not done and when the D-day diesel, ATF, electricity, mandi tax, (RoDTEP) scheme, which replaced the MEIS in ‘COMPLIANT’ ufacturers and workers. Even as arrived, it wanted more time, stamp duty, besides embedded January. Under the RoDTEP, exporters are eli- WITH THE WTO’S export subsidies violate the WTO’s which was a totally illogical move. central GST and compensation gible for reimbursement of various embedded NORMS. BUT rules, a limited exception was The leeway to withdraw subsisting cess (under GST, the cess is levied taxes and levies paid on inputs consumed in DAMOCLES’ made for specified developing export subsidies within the eight- on the so-called demerit products exports — but not subsumed by the Goods and SWORD STILL countries that may continue to year time frame was meant for in the highest slab of 28 per cent Services Tax (GST). A committee headed by for- HANGS OVER US provide export subsidies tem- those developing countries which and the proceeds thereof to be The International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ), a non-gov- mer Commerce Secretary GK Pillai tasked AS THE US HAS porarily until they reach a defined in 1995 had GNI in excess of used for compensating the States ernmental organisation with approximately 4,000 members in 100 coun- with determining the refund rates, after an ALREADY ASKED economic benchmark of $1,000 $1,000 per capita. It can’t be availed for the shortfall in revenue). tries, believes that women judges are unique in advancing women’s rights exhaustive exercise involving scrutiny of embed- THE GOVERNMENT per capita gross national income by India which falls in a different Given the highly complex TO EXPLAIN THIS throughout the world. Attorney-General KK Venugopal had also observed ded levies on 8,000-9,000 tariff lines, had sub- (GNI). Further, developing coun- category. nature of these duties and the wide mitted its recommendations in March. SCHEME AND ITS tries that had a GNI of over $1,000 The Indian position being variations between the Centre and that “improving the representation of women in the judiciary could go a However, it will be some time before the STRUCTURE, per capita at the time when the untenable, the decision of the the States, it may not be easy to jus- long way towards a more balanced and empathetic approach in cases Finance Ministry’s Revenue Department — cur- AND MAY EVEN WTO was set up in 1995, were WTO Dispute Settlement Panel tify giving remission for each one involving sexual violence.” In its plea to the Supreme Court, the Women rently vetting the recommended tax remission FOLLOW THIS UP allowed eight years to wind up (DSP) has gone against New Delhi. of them. A better way of ensuring Lawyers Association has said that the representation of women in the rates — notifies them. The exporters need to fac- BY CHALLENGING their export promotion schemes. We appealed against the DSP that exports are not hamstrung is apex court was “abysmally low” as it brought to the court’s notice that tor in these while firming up contracts for sup- IT AT THE WTO India’s GNI being below the decision before the appellate to bring all the aforementioned the top court had seen only eight women judges and only one out of 25 plies to importers. Although, eventually they will $1,000 per capita-mark, it initial- authority of the WTO’s Dispute products under the GST, besides High Courts (HC) in the country has a woman Chief Justice (CJ Hima get the refunds retrospectively (from January 1) ly availed of the exemption from Settlement Body (DSB) and a ver- abolishing all local taxes. The once the rates are notified, not knowing them no export subsidy obligation. But dict is yet to come. Meanwhile, compensation cess will anyway go Kohli of Telangana HC). There are only 73 women out of total 661 judges in advance creates uncertainty with regard to in 2015, it surpassed the threshold, India has abolished the MEIS and on March 31, 2022 — as per the in HCs while there is no single woman judge in five HCs, namely, Manipur, their ability to decide what price to charge. If, thereby pushing it into the “no- launched RoDTEP. The official extant law. As for the embedded Meghalaya, Patna, Tripura and Uttarakhand. Further, only 12 women have the notified rate turns out to be lower than what exemption” zone. The USTR has think tank may feel that the new central GST, mechanisms are avail- been designated as senior counsels by the top court so far. the exporter has actually built into the offer price, accused India of not just contin- scheme is “compliant” with the able for its refund under the GST The judiciary is a male-dominated field. More importantly, the senior- he will be subjected to a loss. uing with subsidies, but further WTO’s norms. But Damocles’ scheme which treats exports as ity tradition plays a significant role in choosing the Chief Justice. Naturally, The above two factors i.e. the delay in release expanding their scope (the MEIS sword still hangs over us as the US zero rated. This will require a fun- when the number of designated senior women lawyers is disproportion- of pending dues under the erstwhile MEIS and launched in 2015 was rapidly has already asked the Government damental change in the extant the delay in notification of refund rates under expanded to include more than to explain this scheme and its approach of “first burdening ately low, the chances of women becoming judges also remain mini- the RoDTEP, make for a deadly combination 8,000 eligible products, nearly structure, and may even follow this exporters with taxes, then refund- mal. There are many reasons for women not getting the top slot. CJI Bobde hampering the ability of exporters to sustain the double the number of products up by challenging it at the WTO. ing” to one whereby “taxes are not observed that many women lawyers had declined judgeship citing domes- tempo of revival in exports, buoyant demand covered at its inception). The confidence of Team Modi levied in the first place or their bur- tic responsibilities. But women lawyers counter that point saying that many conditions notwithstanding. Add to this a third Accordingly, it wanted India to stems from the fact that the den is kept at a bare minimum.” successful men lawyers had also declined to become judges. Further, factor which relates to the vulnerability of the withdraw the subsidies. But the lat- RoDTEP is a scheme only for the While, this transition may take the income of a successful lawyer is much more than the perks and the Indian export subsidy regime to challenge at the ter insisted on a transition period reimbursement of duties on some time, in the interregnum, World Trade Organisation (WTO). In early 2018, of eight years that, too, from 2017 exported products; hence, there is remission rates under the RoDTEP salary of a judge, though there is prestige attached to the position. the US had challenged at least half a dozen of when the WTO notified the fact of no financial support from the should be notified without any fur- The problem also trickles down to the lower courts where there are India’s export subsidy schemes, including the its crossing the threshold. The Government. The duties consid- ther delay. All outstanding dues to fewer women judges despite no shortage of women entering the legal The writer is a exporters should be promptly MEIS. The US Trade Representative (USTR) New Delhi-based policy Indian stance is anomalous. ered in fixing the refund rates profession. Some States have a reservation policy for women lawyers argued that the schemes provide financial ben- analyst. The views India had ample opportunity include all the levies that are not cleared to enable them to ramp up in the lower courts but it is missing in the HCs and the Supreme Court. efits to Indian exporters, creating an “uneven expressed are personal. to plan. It had 20 years available subsumed by the GST. These are supplies for catering to the resur- Women comprised 44 per cent of candidates who have qualified the 2019 playing field”, thereby enabling them to sell goods (1995 to 2015) to get adjusted to taxes on crude oil, natural gas, gent demand. Common Law Admission Test for National Law Universities. After Justice Indu Malhotra’s superannuation from the top court recently, Justice Indira Banerjee is the only woman judge in the apex court, which has the sanc- POINTCOUNTERPOINT tioned strength of 34 judges. Currently, the Supreme Court has five vacancies. Up till now, only WE MUST RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO LOOK AT THE WHILE YOU UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF eight women judges have graced the apex court. There is no shortage NUMBERS BEING VACCINATED, AND FOCUS ON THE VACCINATION…PEOPLE IN RESPONSIBLE POSITIONS of brilliant women HC judges and lawyers in the country who, if elevat- ed to the top court on time, can become the CJI. The timely appoint- PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION VACCINATED. IN YOUR PARTY DO NOT SEEM TO SHARE YOUR VIEW. ment of more women judges is the way forward. For this, the Supreme —FORMER PRIME MINISTER —UNION HEALTH MINISTER Court collegium should take the initiative. MANMOHAN SINGH HARSH VARDHAN (The writer is a senior journalist. The views expressed are personal.) Women’s participation missing in water resource management To encourage female participation, the Govt has made it obligatory for each water committee to have 50 per cent women members lobally, women are effort spent in water collection than 17 per cent of the water, women’s participation, the parts. As a result, in areas urgent need to rectify the gen- increasingly being hits women’s income-genera- sanitation and hygiene labour Government has made it oblig- served by women mechanics, der imbalance by driving Grecognised for their tion ability, impacts attendance force and only a fraction of pol- atory for each paani samiti there is more preventative awareness, through knowledge- important role in the manage- of girls in schools and interferes icymakers, regulators, man- (water committee) constituted maintenance and fewer break- sharing and developing a sense ment of water resources. Every with the time required to tend agement and technical experts. for water supply management downs. Many of these women of decision-making and entre- International Women’s Day, to the sick at home. Therefore, The participation of to have 50 per cent women understand that a broken hand preneurship among women. there is much noise about the women quickly see the advan- women in the water sector is members. Through the situa- pump results in girls/women With successful revenue inclusion of women in water SEWAK tages of investing in water treat- often assumed to be a rural tion is changing, the having to travel greater dis- streams driven by women-led programmes and the heart- POONAM ment infrastructure and often issue. Women are significantly Government should put greater tances to collect water, losing businesses, the Government breaking statistics regarding play a crucial role in convinc- missing in utilities which can emphasis on building Self-Help productive time and increasing has also started focusing on drudgery, school absenteeism ing the community to under- draw benefits such as lower lev- Groups into a competitive alter- risks to their safety. promoting women entrepre- and so on. Many platitudes are take its construction, operation, els of non-revenue water loss- native to private operators. Initially, society found it neurship covering rural, semi offered but before the end of maintenance and management. es, improved cash flow and bilitation of new and existing Providing safe drinking water futile to train women, but with and urban geographies. March, everything fizzles out, For decades, studies have more resources for investment water supply systems. to 1.35 billion people in urban repeated success, the female To bring down the patriar- until the next year. The Global examined the role of women in in infrastructure and increasing India has set an ambitious and rural India is a huge chal- workforce not only became chal barriers and make signif- Gender Gap Index 2020 ranked the water sector. They have service quality. This will lead to goal, as part of the Jal Jeevan lenge. The emergence of active participants but also icant progress towards achiev- India at 112 out of 153 coun- found substantial improve- the engagement of fewer Mission (Rural) to provide COVID-19 has further accen- modified the entire manage- ing Sustainable Development tries, with an overall unemploy- ments in the governance, trans- Government subsidies which functional household tap con- tuated the need for clean water. ment of community water sys- Goal 6, it is essential to create ment rate of 9.1 per cent. Urban parency and sustainability of can be utilised for other essen- nections, piped water services Prioritising women’s engage- tems. The work-life balance for a successful Private-Public- unemployment was at 8.8 per water supplies when men and tial services. The key to driving to its entire population at an ment to regulate water pro- women has been significantly Partnership (PPP) model for cent and unemployment women are involved in equal user-centred design improve- outlay of $90 billion by 2025. To grammes will ensure effective disturbed in these challenging upskilling and teaching women among women was 18 per measure than when women are ments and reforms across the bridge the gender gap, the usage of water resources. times. groups especially regarding cent. The writer is involved only marginally or urban water sector in develop- Government has tied up with In India, where women However, it has taught post-work gaps, mentoring and vice-president, Any water supply hurdles programme & not at all. Water projects that ing countries is to create con- the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal have been trained and licenced women to multitask and man- feedback process. Through the lead to a substantial economic partnerships, Safe Water involve women in design plan- ditions that can attract, retain, Vikas Kendra to train women as hand pump mechanics, cus- age the household while dili- bottom-up approach of the and social impact that dispro- Network. The views ning and operations are more and promote women in roles in in masonry and impart them tomers rate female mechanics gently working from home. PPP model, economic opportu- portionately affects females. expressed are personal. sustainable than those that do which they can shape the skills to become electrical and as more accessible and respon- With a male-dominated Indian nities need to be created to pro- For instance, the time and not. Yet, women make up less design, construction and reha- motor mechanics. To encourage sive than their male counter- economic system, there is an mote the well-being of women. VIJAYAWADA | TUESDAY | APRIL 20, 2021 Money 08 Sensex tanks 883 points as Covid India will become top EV maker in the world: Nitin spooks market; Nifty below 14,400 PNS n NEW DELHI

PNS n MUMBAI Infosys were the only COVID-19 cases crossed The Union Minister for Road gainers. 1.50 crore with a record Transport and Highways, Equity benchmark Sensex "Domestic equities, which single-day rise of Nitin Gadkari, recently said plummeted 883 points on were looking resilient for 2,73,810 new coronavirus that India will soon become Monday following a mas- last couple of days, fell infections, while the the number one manufactur- sive across-the-board sharply on sharp spike in active cases surpassed the er of electric vehicles in the selloff as mounting COVID-19 cases across 19-lakh mark, according world. Addressing Amazon's COVID-19 cases spooked the country and enhanced to the Union Health Smbhav Summit virtually, domestic investors. economic restrictions Ministry data updated on Gadkari said he is confident After crashing over 1,469 imposed by several states. Monday. that lithium-ion batteries points in early trade, the Announcements of wider Delhi Chief Minister would be fully manufactured 30-share BSE index pared mobility restriction by Arvind Kejriwal in the country as early as in some initial losses but Rajasthan and Delhi gov- announced a six-day the next six months, giving still ended 882.61 points ernments dented lockdown from 10 pm on the much-needed push to or 1.81 per cent lower at investors' sentiments," Monday till 5 am on April India's EV agenda. Speaking 47,949.42. said Binod Modi, Head 26 which he said was nec- at the summit, Gadkari said, Gadkari also said that the years, the cost of electric Similarly, the broader Strategy at Reliance essary as the city's health "India is moving ahead government wants to encour- vehicles will come down and NSE Nifty tanked 258.40 Securities. system was stretched to towards making electric vehi- age automakers to introduce will be as competitive as points or 1.77 per cent to Barring pharma and IT, its limits. cles. In due course of time, we flex-fuel engines in the coun- petrol and diesel vehicles. 14,359.45. which remained resilient, Elsewhere in Asia, bours- will be the number one elec- try and that he is in the final He expressed the need for the PowerGrid was the top all key sectoral indices es in Shanghai, Hong tric vehicle (EV) maker in the stages of discussion with quality of EVs manufactured loser in the Sensex pack, witnessed sharp correc- Kong, Seoul and Tokyo world. All reputed brands manufacturers in India. in India to be of internation- slumping over 4 per cent, tion. Financials and auto- ended on a positive note. are present in India," Earlier this month, the al standard, as he wants to followed by ONGC, mobiles witnessed steep- Stock exchanges in The Union Minister high- Ministry of Petroleum and make the Indian automobile IndusInd Bank, Kotak er correction. Notably, Europe were also largely lighted the fact that the gov- Natural Gas announced a industry the number one Bank, L&T, Asian volatility index soared by trading with gains in ernment is also working to partnership between state- manufacturing hub in the Paints and Bajaj over 11 per cent, which mid-session deals. launch hydrogen fuel cell run oil company IndianOil world. For that purpose, the Auto. does not augur well. Meanwhile, international technology, which uses chem- and Phinergy, an Israeli start- Government of India is now On the other Investors' wealth got oil benchmark Brent ical reactions between hydro- up company to build encouraging the use of hand, Dr eroded by over Rs 3 tril- crude was trading 0.25 gen and oxygen to generate Aluminium-Air systems in ethanol, methanol, bio-CNG, Reddy's lion today, he added. per cent lower at USD electrical energy, eliminat- India.The Union Minister electric and hydrogen fuel andIndia's total tally of 66.60 per barrel. ing the use of fossil fuels. believes that in the next two cell.

Govt working to save lives: FM Macrotech MONEY MATTERS tells India Inc amid Covid surge shares tumble HDFC Bank embarks on tech PNS n NEW DELHI man Venu Srinivasan and over 10 pc in Hero Moto Corp managing transformation agenda: MD Finance Minister Nirmala director Pawan Munjal to take debut trade aving faced multiple Sitharaman on Monday said their feedback on situation PNS n NEW DELHI Hepisodes of digital she has taken inputs from var- arising out of surging COVID- banking glitches in the last ious industry chambers on 19 cases and local contain- Shares of Macrotech two years, HDFC Bank has concerns of India Inc with ments. Last week, the Finance Developers on Monday embarked on a 'Technology regard to the management of Minister made it clear that the made a tepid market Transformation Agenda' to Sebi to auction PVP Global COVID pandemic and the government would not go for debut, listing with a dis- provide safe and secure centre would continue to work lockdowns in a big way and count of over 10 per cent banking services to its Ventures property on May 12 with state governments to save only resort to local contain- from the issue price of Rs customers. HDFC Bank lives and livelihood. and livelihoods," she said in a ment to break the COVID-19 486. managing director Sashi Jagdishan in a letter to employees said the PNS n NEW DELHI Limited and Expressions Real She sought feedback from tweet. chain. The stock listed at Rs bank has faced five instances of downtime in last 28 months and Estates Private Limited were businesses to deal with the The Finance Minister had "Even with the second wave, 439, registering a decline every instance has hardened the bank's resolve to do better, keeping Markets regulator Sebi on attached in the recovery pro- impact of the second COVID- interactions with heads of we are very clear that we are of 9.67 per cent from the customers in mind. It is to be noted that the RBI temporarily barred Monday said it will auction a ceedings, as offered by the said 19 wave on the country's econ- industry chambers including not going in for lockdowns in issue price on BSE. It fur- HDFC Bank in December 2020, from launching new digital banking property of PVP Global entities along with no objec- omy. CII president Uday Kotak, a big way. We don't want to ther tumbled 13.34 per initiatives and issuing new credit cards after taking a serious note of Ventures at a reserve price of tion for realisation of the dues "Spoke on telephone with Uday Shankar, president Ficci, totally arrest the economy. cent to Rs 421.15. service outages at the lender over the last two years. The bank was Rs 22.55 crore on May 12, to from Shri Prasad V Potluri each of the following busi- and Vineet Agarwal president The local level isolation of On NSE, it debuted at penalised by the RBI for two major outages, one in November 2018, recover dues.The property to and PVP Global Ventures ness/Chamber leaders. Took Assocham. She also spoke to patients, or households which Rs 436, lower by 10.28 per and the other in December 2019. be put on sale is a vacant land Private Limited, through sale their inputs on many business leaders like have people in quarantines cent from the issue price. situated in Telangana, the thereof," Sebi noted. industry/Association related Tata Steel managing director T are the methods through The initial public offer Securities and Exchange Board The regulator has engaged matters. Informed them that V Narendran, L&T chairman which the crisis will be han- of realty major Macrotech of India (Sebi) said in a notice. Quikr Realty Ltd to assist it for GoI at various levels from A M Naik, TCS managing dled, the second wave will be Developers was sub- Gold jumps Rs 411; silver “The said properties stand- the sale of the property, @PMOIndia is responding to director Rajesh Gopinathan, handled. There shall not be scribed 1.36 times earlier ing in the names of Arete Real through e-auction platform, #Covid management. Working Maruti Suzuki chairman R C lockdown," Sitharaman had this month. gains Rs 338 Estate Developers Private C1 India. together with states for lives Bhargava, TVS Group chair- said. old rallied by Rs 411 to Rs G47,291 per 10 gram in the DELHI LOCKDOWN national capital on Monday Prestige Estates reflecting strong buying in the Razorpay raises $160 mn funding global precious metal and rupee depreciation, according forms JV with Complete closure to HDFC Securities. In the previous trade, the precious from Sequoia Capital, GIC, others Century group metal had closed at Rs 46,880 PNS n NEW DELHI greater investor interest in PNS n NEW DELHI not a solution: RAI per 10 gram. Silver also these businesses. gained Rs 338 to Rs 68,335 Razorpay on Monday said it In the past few weeks, a Realty firm Prestige PNS n NEW DELHI per kilogram from Rs 67,997 per kilogram in the previous has raised USD 160 million number of startups in the Estates Projects has trade. The Indian rupee slumped 52 paise to 74.87 against the (about Rs 1,192.6 crore) in country including Meesho, formed a joint venture With the Delhi government US dollar in opening trade on Monday. In the international funding from Sequoia Capital, Groww, ShareChat and Cred with Century group to announcing a six-day lock- market, gold was trading with gains at USD 1,787 per ounce GIC and others with the valu- have raised funding and develop an office park in down, Retailers Association of and silver was quoting marginally higher at USD 26.08 per ation of the payment solutions entered the Unicorn Club. Bengaluru with an esti- India (RAI) on Monday said a ounce. "Gold prices rallied on weaker dollar and fall in US bond provider tripling to USD 3 bil- ness banking solutions to help "But there is more work to mated construction cost complete closure is not a solu- be a balance between lives and yields," according to HDFC Securities, Senior Analyst lion. The Series E funding businesses manage their be done, we believe there is a of around Rs 900 crore. tion, while calling for a balance livelihood to ensure that while (Commodities), Tapan Patel. round was co-led by Sequoia money flow end-to-end. With dire need to develop new Prestige Estates, one of between lives and livelihood. lives are saved livelihoods are Capital and GIC, along with this funding, Razorpay has banking technologies that the leading real estate firm The retailers' body asked the not lost," RAI CEO Kumar participation from Ribbit raised a total of USD 366.5 mil- meet the rising demand. So, we in the country, plans to state government to allow all Rajagopalan said in a state- Capital and Matrix Partners. lion in funding since its incep- plan to use these funds to fur- develop around 2.5 million sizes and formats of non-food ment. Delhi Chief Minister Rupee drops by 52 paise "We will use the capital to tion in 2014. ther expand our banking and sq ft of space in this park. retail to take orders over Arvind Kejriwal announced a scale up our Business Banking The company had entered lending product suite so that "We have formed a joint phone and other electronic lockdown from 10 pm on suite, invest in new acquisitions the Unicorn Club (companies we not only provide a better venture with Century means for home deliveries. Monday night till 5 am next to 74.87 against US dollar and launch in International with valuation of over USD 1 experience to businesses and group for the develop- Further, store premises can Monday, in view of an expo- he rupee plunged by 52 paise to close at markets, including South-East billion) in October last year, their customers but significant- ment of office park in be allowed to be opened to the nential rise in coronavirus T74.87 (provisional) against the US dollar Asian countries," Razorpay when it had raised USD 100 ly contribute to the growth of Bengaluru," Prestige Office limited extent of fulfilling only cases and the city's health sys- on Monday amid a lacklustre trend in the CEO and co-founder Harshil million. The pandemic has our partner businesses," he Ventures CEO Juggy home delivery orders, it said. tem being stretched to its lim- domestic equities as investors fretted over Mathur said. He added that the provided a major boost to added. Marwaha said. Century "We appreciate Delhi gov- its. Rajagopalan asked the the prospects of lockdown in some parts of company also continues to tech-led startups with a sharp Mathur noted that the com- group owns around 16 ernment's efforts to curb the state government to permit all the country amid a surge in COVID-19 hire aggressively to fuel its increase in consumers opting pany's neo-banking platform, acre of land through two surge of the pandemic in the sizes and formats of non-food cases. At the interbank forex market, the growth plans. Bengaluru-based for e-services like online class- RazorpayX, saw 400 per cent special purpose vehicles Capital city. However, we retail to take orders over local unit opened at 74.80 against the green- Razorpay provides intelligent es, e-commerce and digital growth in transaction volume (SPVs), he said. believe that complete closure phone and other electronic back and traded in the range of 74.79 to automated payment and busi- banking. This is also driving in the last 12 months. is not a solution. There has to means for home deliveries. 75.05 during the day.The rupee finally ended at 74.87 against the American currency, registering a fall of 52 paise over its previous close. On Friday, the rupee had settled at 74.35 a dollar. The dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six Top-500 cos' cash cycles currencies, fell 0.49 per cent to 91.11. Forex traders said the surge Automakers fear dent in sales in India in coronavirus infections over the weekend increased the risk of PNS n NEW DELHI tions, Soni said the company more broadbased lockdowns. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stretched by 6 days: EY continues to cautiously pro- announced a lockdown from 10 pm on Monday night till 5 am next Leading automobile companies ceed with vehicle production. Monday in view of an exponential rise in coronavirus cases and the PNS n MUMBAI like Maruti Suzuki India (MSI), "Our immediate focus is to city's health system being stretched to its limits. Toyota Kirloskar Motor and fasten and streamline the The pandemic has impacted Honda Cars fear dent in sales demand and supply processes the working capital manage- as COVID-19 cases surged with more accuracy and man- ment for companies and across the country. age production, along with Internshala, Nestlé bring 350 stretched top-500 listed com- The country's largest car- faster deliveries making it eas- panies' cash cycles by six days, maker MSI stated that the ier and convenient for cus- internships for Ind students a study by a consultancy firm It explained that the pan- auto sales were correlated tomers by reducing the deliv- said on Monday. demic-induced lockdowns closely with economic growth ery time," he added. The recruitment and In the 12 months ended resulted in increased invento- and also (being a discretionary Well-being of the employees training platform, September 30, 2020, business- ry balances and reduced col- purchase) with the consumer as well as dealer and supplier Internshala is hosting es in India saw an increase in lections for companies. sentiment. staff are sacrosanct and the Nestlé India's the cash-to-cash cycle by 6 Prudent companies resorted to "The COVID-19 situation automaker has already reintro- Nesternship. The days year-on- year, the study the strategy of extending deterioration is obviously a COVID-19 situation without only by the end of the month duced monitoring systems internship program of top-500 listed companies by payables. Large and medium negative for customer senti- lockdown also psychological- depending on the severity and which were in place including offers 1000 virtual EY, said. Businesses in India enterprises continue to be ment and thus has a negative ly dents consumer propensity extension of the restrictions. As submission of a self-declaration internships in 2021 in various fields including finance, human have an opportunity to free up more efficient in managing impact on sales," MSI to buy, he noted. of date, we have had a good health form, Soni said. resources, sales, e-commerce, marketing, legal, corporate affairs, to Rs 5.2 lakh crore tied up in their working capital require- Executive Director (Sales and Similarly, Toyota Kirloskar number of pending orders that "As responsible corporates, engineering, food technology, IT, and supply chain. For the summer working capital, which can ments. Higher bargaining Marketing) Shashank Motor (TKM) Senior Vice had to be carried forward from we are continuously monitor- batch, interested students can apply to 350 virtual internships from help businesses rebound much power combined with effective Srivastava told PTI when asked President Naveen Soni the month of February and ing the situation carefully and 22nd April 2021 to 24th April 2021.The initiative aims at enhancing strongly from the crisis, it business processes to manage about the impact of second acknowledged that localised March to April. Therefore, we will take accurate actions, as the competence and employability of the youth in India. These intern- added. The study said 69 per working capital for large busi- wave of the pandemic on the restrictions have impacted are striving to meet the cus- and when required. More ships will offer experiential learning to empower students with skills cent of companies extended nesses resulted in a working company's sales. order flow and delivery sched- tomer demand in spite of the importantly, this time we have and to make them future-ready. Each intern will be assigned a men- their payables to offset the capital cycle of 29 days short- Lockdowns make it physi- ules. local restrictions and lock- precious lessons from last year tor from Nestlé to guide them during the course of their internship. effects of the pandemic on er than the small enterprises, cally not possible to deliver cars "We will be able access downs," he noted. to learn, unlearn and reflect Additionally, each intern will be provided with Amazon vouchers working capital. it added. but even the deterioration in trends and define numbers On manufacturing opera- upon," he noted. worth Rs 5,000 per month. 9

Vijayawada Tuesday April 20, 2021 what’s brewing? PeeCee extends support to The White Alia Bhatt-Ranbir Kapoor leave for Maldives post Covid-19 recovery Tiger director, as he faces racism in US fter recovering from Covid-19 recently, actors Alia Bhatt and Reacting to the same, Ranbir Kapoor left for Priyanka reportedly asks a the Maldives on if America was not sup- Monday. They were posed to be a melting spotted by the paparazzi at the pot of all people from Mumbai airport. all backgrounds. She Alia was seen in a yellow top, added that the US was white jacket and white pants. She built on the back of had her hair tied in a bun and was immigrants in search of wearing a protective mask. Ranbir the American dream, a was also seen in a white T-shirt life of freedom, oppor- and blue pants, carrying a bag. tunity, and a safe place Alia and Ranbir are the latest not only for themselves Bollywood celebrities to leave for but for their families. the Maldives amid rising coron- Bahrani has been avirus cases in India. On Sunday, nominated in the Best rumoured couple Disha Patani Adapted Screenplay cat- and Tiger Shroff took a flight to egory at the 93rd the Maldives from Mumbai. Academy Awards for Before that, on Friday, actor Sara The White Tiger. The Ali Khan flew to the holiday des- film is an adaptation of tination with her mother, Amrita Aravind Adiga's book of Singh. the same name. Alia was diagnosed with Covid- Apart from this, he 19 earlier this month. She took to has films like Man Push Instagram last week to announce Cart, Chop Shop, that she had tested negative for ranian- jected to racial abuse in a bystander passed you run the world. You Goodbye Solo and the disease. Ranbir had tested American the US. Priyanka racial comments on all don’t run s---’ The Fahrenheit 451 to his positive in March and recovered a Alia and Ranbir have been dat- Masand. director Ramin Chopra, who was also a Bahrani when he was in man also shouted at him credit.Priyanka, on the few days later. ing for three years. Ranbir admit- The couple will soon be seen on i Bahrani of The part of the film, com- an interview on the to go back to his coun- other hand, is yet to While Ranbir was under home ted in an interview last year that the big screen together for the White Tiger mented on the issue. streets. The man report- try as he drove away in announce her next quarantine, Alia seemed to be they would’ve tied the knot first time in Ayan Mukerji’s fame was recently sub- According to a report, edly said, ‘You all think his car. Bollywood film. missing him. She took to already had it not been for the Brahmastra. The film is part of a Instagram to share a throwback pandemic. “I don’t want to jinx it fantasy epic trilogy and has long picture of their hands, clasped by saying anything. I want to tick been delayed. It also stars together. “Major missing,” Alia mark that goal very soon in my Amitabh Bachchan and Mouni GABBY BARRETT PRAISES CARRIE had captioned her post. life,” he had told journalist Rajeev Roy. UNDERWOOD FOR MOTHERHOOD Thor: Love and Thunder TIPS AT 2021 ACM AWARDS Leaked photos from

uring the been extremely nice to bedtime, but this is 2021 ACM me,” the former well worth it! set tease Christian Bale's new look for film Awards, American Idol contes- Everything is going d American tant told reporters. good. My real world ctor Christian Bale will Idol’s Gabby “Even when I was has just flipped upside soon be seen playing Barrett discussed one pregnant, she is just down with my sweet Gorr the God Butcher in of her first nights out awesome. She had little girl and I have a Thor: Love and Thunder. since welcoming a said, ‘If you ever need announced that I am Bale, who is known for baby with Cade any advice or any- going to go on tour undergoing dramatic body trans- Foehner. thing, just let me with Thomas Rhett so formations for his characters, will The 2021 ACM know.’ And of course, I I am excited for that.” look totally different in his Awards was a big took her up on that During the 2021 upcoming movie. night for Gabby because I need all the ACM Awards, the 21- His pictures from the set are Barrett. In addition to advice I can have with year-old singer walked going viral on social media in being nominated for babies. She has been away with the award which he’s seen in a slimmed- Single of the Year absolutely amazing for New Female Artist down look and a shaved head thanks to I Hope, the with that.” of the Year. Soon after leaving his fans excited. country singer also Back in January, accepting her trophy, Thor: Love and Thunder, which experienced one of her Gabby welcomed her Gabby admitted she is currently in production in first nights out since first child with hus- “went back and Australia, is scheduled to release becoming a mom. band Cade Foehner. changed a dirty dia- on February 11, 2022. them all. He is totally a new char- Thompson’s Valkyrie will make a While celebrating The Nashville award per.” Gorr the God Butcher is an acter in the Marvel canon. comeback too. her accomplishments, show marked her first While walking the intriguing Marvel supervillain, Thor: Love and Thunder, the Bale, who is no stranger to Gabby couldn’t help major public appear- red carpet, however, who is the nemesis of Thor in the fourth Thor film, is being directed comic-book films, has earlier but give thanks to ance since becoming a things were a bit more 2022 film. In the comics, the by Taika Waititi. The script was worked with Christopher Nolan Carrie Underwood for mom. glamorous. Gabby supervillain grew up on an written by Waititi and Jennifer in the Dark Knight trilogy. He her help away from “I’m normally in worked with celebrity unnamed and barren planet. After Kaytin Robinson, while actors like was also highly appreciated for any stages. bed right now,” she makeup artist Tarryn his family died due to starvation Chris Hemsworth, Natalie movies like American Hustle, “Carrie has been joked to reporters. Feldman for her beau- and an earthquake, Gorr lost his Portman and Tessa Thompson are Henry V, Mandolin, and Exodus: somebody who has “This is way past by ty look. belief in gods and promised to kill also a part of the movie. Gods and Kings. FUN

ARCHIE CALVIN AND HOBBES

GARFIELD REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD

NANCY

SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution

GINGER MEGGS

Rules l Each row and column can contain each number (1 to 9) exactly once. l The sum of all numbers in any row or column must equal 45. Follow us on @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/ dailypioneer

Tuesday April 20, 2021

is filled with stories of tri- work in certain kinds of umph and hardships based films and series. I am real- on her colour at times, yet ly happy that such bold it was her pride that shows are being made and allowed her to fight all the people are loving them. I stereotypes and humilia- am an actress who can be ‘CAN BE A BAHU AND A BEACH tion down the lane. “I a sanskari bahu and a biki- lucked out, I was happily ni babe at the same time pursuing my law profes- because that’s my job! sion and suddenly the However, I do have my set door towards the world of of boundaries.” enchantment — modeling Poulomi doesn’t believe opened for me. I won- that nepotism thwarts the dered at first if I would be chances of other talented BABE AT THE SAME TIME' able to act further on if I artists because she says get a chance because I suc- you can’t blame all the ills cumbed to stage phobia on nepotism. Like she Prince Harry with Oprah often. The obsession with struck gold with many of Winfrey was televised deeply ‘gora rang’ is at her performances on OTT Actress Poulomi Das is across the globe — con- least not concerned when and proved her mettle, versation on racism broke I work today and that gave there are many others too. ruling the OTT scene and the internet. Recently, the me so much confidence to Talking more about it, she former First Lady of the add acting as an ornament says, “You’ll find a star kid the internet too. The Dil United States Michelle to my portfolio. I got my everywhere and this pre- Hi Toh Hai Obama reacted to the first show for my colour, vailing issue of hierarchy actress talks to colourism debate by say- and things snowballed is present in every other The Pioneer ing, “It wasn’t a complete around me and the way I fraternity, not just the 's SHIKHA surprise to hear Meghan’s look,” she chortled. movie business. Ours is feelings.” Closer home, With as many appear- more prominent because DUGGAL about how she fashion designer Masaba ances as she can on OTT, it's on camera! Hereafter, I took to her social media to Poulomi Das can be am going to be a privi- manages to stand strong write, “What if I told you thought about as the leged mother too in the with her head held high, that no matter where you Radhika Apte for the digi- coming times that doesn't come from, the colour of tal entertainment plat- mean I’ll abstain my kids schools trolls like a boss your skin or the hook of forms currently finding it from those advantages. your nose, or the scar immensely vital to speak Nonetheless, those who and lives a wholesome life. from 7th grade is amazing. about colorism issues. “We have it all in the silver You must always keep have more content to spoon mustn’t scorn it your chin up.” watch now, there are ‘orig- either. I’ll constantly Poulomi states, “It never inals’ been made catering pester them about my he’s fearless, beauty filter and is mattered to me the way I to local languages as well. struggles.” and embraced adamant about sharing looked because my audi- It lets you have a good Sharing her cavernous her imperfec- words of encouragement ences always accepted me time in the comfort of camaraderie with Indian s tions by to her followers bringing as I was. To some extent, your home. We still are television’s heartthrob flaunting in skin positivity and showbiz is addressing the eager to watch new movies Karan Kundra, Poulomi them widely bring in a revolution in issues of representation on screen but it’s just that tells that Karan is a com- on OTT screens! the glamour world. and now normalising it. the screens have changed passionate co-star, a sec- Without caring Breaking stereotypes of There were always two to either mobile, televi- ond family that she’s got in about what the the country which was ways for me to look at sion, or tablets. Everyone’s Mumbai and a proper world thinks about once obsessed with milky criticism — either it willing to wait whenever theth Punjabi who taught her skin colour, skin and fairness, Poulomi taught me a lesson or was the next web series is her Punjabi slang. He’s actress Poulomi Das has become the face distressing! The ones who releasing! Many producers that brother from another Das went on to of the relaunched product have the capability of are choosing to release mother who’s just a phone participate in ‘Glow and Lovely’ and we teaching us are the set of their small-budget films or call away, she informs. India’s Next Top can’t help but love her for people who come from a web shows directly on Working seven days a Model garnering advocating for women of well-informed background OTT platforms only due week without taking an praises from colour. To prepare for her while those who speak to its popularity. Even a off, some days, she has Malaika Arora and recent role — Poulomi utter nonsense are the less familiar name has suffered depression and Anusha Dandekar. read up works by a lot of anonymous cowards with- some screen presence some have been the most This South Asian authors, worked on her out any identities online. now!” she added. jolly-good days! The word beauty hailing appearance, and pursued This is, unfortunately, a She talks about the kind Kaali has never been an from Kolkatta is an appropriate diet, how- part of our jobs now and I of summons she had to insult to her and she here to tell us that ever, there was a time prefer paying attention to face, “There are bold strongly believes online we don’t have to when people wondered the former set of people, scenes as per the require- comments represent how hide our so-called earlier if they would ever you’ll see I tried changing ment of the script at times. people actually feel about flaws but rather see a dark-skinned actress accordingly. I don’t give a Being bold and sensuous themselves. The Pioneer celebrate those on television screens. damn about faceless sells the most on the web! wishes Poulomi Das suc- with pride. She Ever since the interview accounts online!” We should not be bound cess for her latest OTT never needed any of Meghan Markle and A lawyer-turned-actress by saying we will only venture Bekaboo 2!

Bollywood super- be a part of the Kings XI star and youth icon Punjab’s development camp Ranveer Singh is a where he trained with the cultural phenome- main team. b non — an actor, a Being a cricketer himself bona fide fashion and a huge fan of IPL, what icon, the face of Indian hip ‘Fan'ning are his expectations from hop, an artist entrepreneur — this year’s IPL? He shares, he is a genuine disruptor and “Growing up, I started play- a true blue game-changer in ing gully cricket for fun and the sphere of entertainment in eventually ended up being a India. Ranveer has carved his fan of all forms of the sport. name in the history of Indian IPL introduced a new brand cinema over the span of a of cricket to me and I expe- decade with his incredible era- rienced this first-hand defining performances. He when I got selected for the says he has achieved every- IPL mania Kings XI Punjab (Now thing in life by believing in K RAMYA SREE Punjab Kings) development impossible is nothing. He him in the hotel but she camp. At the camp, I chose to lead from the front in could only see him sitting trained with the main team was not our year. So, with a the music industry too by ans are the most on the bus and waved at for a couple of days and fresh perspective, CSK will founding an artist collective important and him. She has also done up that made me fall in love return to India for its Inc Ink — a platform that integral part of her house with Dhoni’s with the team and ultimate- fourth title. supports talented musicians the VIVO IPL poster. ly become a fan. With every I am expecting CSK to across the country to shine Debunked the idea that what f 2021, consider- In the virtual era, how is season, IPL sets a new unfurl the yellow flag in bright on a global stage. We ing the current she celebrating IPL this benchmark for enthralling Ahmedabad on May 30, caught up with Ranveer Singh times where the year? She tells us, “My fam- and nail-biting action. So, 2021,” says Saravanan. to discuss how he always I try to achieve is world has seen some diffi- ily and I never miss a game with IPL coming back to “Covid can never damp- believed in the possibility of cult days due to Covid-19. of CSK and we will contin- India, I am expecting a lot en the spirits of cricket achieving the impossible. impossible: Ranveer Singh From kids to the elderly, ue to keep that spirit going of cricketing action every lovers. Fans will keep find- From multiple rejections at everyone is glued to their on. IPL will always be a cel- evening. I am also hopeful ing different ways to sup- the start of your career to my dream became my reality. quency. ‘You do you’, I tell TV and smartphones, busy ebration for my family that KL Rahul and the boys port the team. We prefer becoming people’s superstar Ever since, every day feels like them. Be original, be your watching the IPL.The tour- whether at home or the sta- will continue with their watching the game LIVE now. Tell us about the time I am living a dream.” unique self. And another nament brings families dium. This season, we ning their first match form and help us lift the but we will watch it at home when you stared at uncer- When you joined the film important thing I’ve learned is together, celebrating the planned special south against power-player team cup this year. With a new this year, but the yellow tainty as a struggler and how industry you were told that to keep taking risks. The big- season, wherein everyone Indian Chennai meals dur- CSK – I’m sure DC is going team and a new name, we paint will always go on dur- you kept your eyes on the you didn’t have the quintes- ger the risk, the bigger the sits together and enjoys the ing CSK matches – for the to shine this year. I’m are ought to grab the title in ing all CSK games,” he prize and told yourself that sential looks associated with reward. You may falter during match. The Pioneer catches first match, we had idli- expecting IPL to be 2021.” shares on virtual screenings impossible is nothing. an actor, nor did you have that process, but I believe that up with some of the ardent vada and sambar special. extremely competitive till “I am a person who of IPL. At different points and in film lineage. You are now a there are no failures in life- fans who make IPL happen, We are also wearing CSK the very end. DC’s success enjoys community viewing Nikash Kanhar several instances during my global youth icon of India. there are only lessons.” and chats to understand jerseys and rooting for the mantra for the season is to and talking about cricket, struggling years, I felt like What has been the biggest While your career truly their mantra for this sea- team from the first ball to play tough and be tough. but the pandemic has Like many others, even there was no hope. Getting learnings on your journey to shows that impossible is son. the last one.” The entire team has to restricted us from organis- Nikash is expecting a crazy one’s foot inside the door of a superstardom? nothing for you, you are now Harman Kaur She has a passionate show their strengths and ing an on-ground screen- comeback from RCB team largely exclusive entertain- “When young actors, espe- providing a huge platform to group of CSK fans where come together as a ‘tough’ ing. With the virtual of which he is a die-hard ment industry seemed cially ‘outsiders’ , come up to fellow dreamers who are she lives. They play gully team to defeat,” shares the screening that my parents fan. “With a great start, I unachievable. But I persisted - me seeking advice on how to rank outsiders in the music cricket on weekends wear- youngster. and I organise, we have am certain players like you could say I was both hun- navigate their hustle- the first industry. Tell us about the ing CSK jerseys to cheer the Yash Pathak devised new ways of staying Maxwell and Kohli will rain gry and foolish, and More and most important thing I moment when your decided team and pass the message together and enjoying sixes on their opponents. than anything believed in my tell them is “do it for the right that an outsider has to stand that they are with the team. cricket,” adds he. We just want to see the out- abilities and in my potential. reasons. Do it simply because beside fellow outsiders. CSK for them is like a fami- Saravanan burst of RCB. We too want Even back then, when I had you love performing.” I urge “One can have the passion ly. And the team’s perfor- to live the cup and we are nothing, the same driven, them to not be lured towards and grit and can even prepare mance leaves a deep impact A six or a four, ‘whistle expecting to bring the cup tenacious and meticulous performing arts or the enter- endlessly for the moment that on her. podu’, is a must, and whistle home for the first time,” he work ethic was characteristic tainment business because one gets to shine. But often Podu happens to be one of says. of my hustle. I was well aware success in this field comes times the missing piece of the Gargi Rastogi the biggest fan pages of Painting the body with of what a long shot it was. But with fame and money. Those puzzle is ‘opportunity’. My A hardcore fan of Delhi CSK and Dhoni, who are tri-colors during the IPL I was willing to take that leap are transient , they are frills - hustle was as difficult as it was Capitals, Gargi Rastogi, has into charity and social games was the norm before of faith. When there wasn’t a just trappings. So I say, Be because of the sheer lack of composed a special song on work. They shared the Covid hit. “The only thing good lead in sight for long true to your craft and do it for opportunities. That’s what I DC’s new skipper Rishabh plans about setting up changes are the place where periods, the phone wouldn’t the love of, and for the joy of wanted to create for fellow Pant and she dedicates the screens/ projectors to watch we will showcase our pas- ring for months, my faith was performing. Another thing I dreamers. To provide the An MS Dhoni fan for song to all DC fans and the the match and support the sion, the adrenaline will challenged, but I debunked learned along the way, is that opportunity to young creators over 15 years now, Harman entire team of DC. A 24-year-old up-coming CSK team. always be high, be it a sta- the idea that what I was trying authenticity has the most res- who were burning with pas- Kaur, doesn’t miss a single “IPL this year will be cricketer, who has played “Dhoni Anna has always dium or in front of the TV to achieve was impossible. I onance. If you try being some- sion. To give them a platform CSK game in Punjab. In entertaining for fans, as all cricket at the highest level been and will be our hero! at home. stayed focused in the most thing that you are inherently to showcase their talent. It is 2018, a bandage on one of teams have come back with of Kanga League, a division Every year, we wait for MS We are excited about our testing of times. I almost not, you are doing a disservice my way of giving back. It is her legs didn’t stop her a winning spirit. I am a Training under Pravin Dhoni to don the yellow first win against the best forced the universe into mak- to yourself. If you stay true to my way of paying forward the from going to watch CSK vs huge fan of Delhi Capitals, Amre, Yash Pathak has colour and lead the army to team, and we are sure there ing it happen for me. My sin- who you are , if you lose the blessings I have received. It is Punjab match at Mohali. and with Rishabh Pant been a fan of Punjab Kings. a well-deserved title. will be more wins this sea- gle-mindedness and determi- fear of being judged, only then my way of showing gratitude She had gone to meet leading the side and win- Yash Pathak got a chance to Although we tried, 2020 son,” he adds. nation eventually paid off and will you vibrate at a high fre- to the universe.” VIJAYAWADA | TUESDAY | APRIL 20, 2021 CAPTAIN’S CALL 11

DHAWAN HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE. YOU CAN TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT ANYTHING. END OF THE DAY, WHAT HE'S GIVING TO THE TEAM IS COMMENDABLE — RISHABH PANT

LIVE FROM TODAYTODAY VS 7:30PM IST STAR SPORTS 1 NETWORK

boundarymeter Mayank wasn’t 4s 346 Bravo takes CSK to 188 stressed about 6s 147 DJ impresses in his late cameo which includes six off final low scores PLAYER RUNS ball as others fail to convert good start into big score 1. Shikhar Dhawan (DC) 186 2. Glenn Maxwell (RCB) 176 PTI n MUMBAI SCOREBOARD 3. KL Rahul (PBKS) 157 cameo from Dwayne Bravo CHENNAI SUPER KINGS (188-9) PLAYER WKTS towards the end of the Ruturaj Gaikwad c Dube b Mustafizur 10 1. Harshal Patel (RCB) 9 Ainnings helped Chennai Faf du Plessis c Parag b Morris 33 Super Kings post 188 for nine Moeen Ali c Parag b Tewatia 26 2. Rahul Chahar (MI) 7 against Rajasthan Royals at Suresh Raina c Morris b Sakariya 18 3. Avesh Khan (DC) 6 Wankhede Stadium on Monday. Ambati Rayudu c Parag b Sakariya 27 CSK lost wickets towards the Ravindra Jadeja c Samson b Morris 8 MOST SIXES end with the batsmen going for big MS Dhoni c Buttler b Sakariya 18 1. Deepak Hooda (PBKS) 8 hits and also in the face of some Sam Curran run out (Mustafizur/Samson) 13 good bowling by Royals. 2. Glenn Maxwell (RCB) 8 Dwayne Bravo PBKS batsman Mayank Agarwal plays a shot during his innings @IPL Bravo (20 not out off 8 balls) not out 20 3. Sanju Samson (RR) 7 Shardul Thakur smashed a huge six off the last ball run out (Samson/Mustafizur) 1 PTI n MUMBAI of the innings from Mustafizur Deepak Chahar not out 0 Rahman (1/37) to ensure the Super Extras (b 1, lb 4, w 8, nb 1, p 0) 14 ack in form with a scintillating half-century, Punjab SUMMER SLAM Kings got close to 190. Total (9 wkts, 20 Overs) 188 BKings’ Mayank Agarwal says he wasn’t too stressed Faf du Plessis top scored with Fall of Wickets: 25-1 (Ruturaj Gaikwad, 3.5), 45-2 about not firing in the first couple of IPL matches and tried MOTION PICTURE 33 off 17 balls as the CSK batsmen (Faf du Plessis, 5.4), 78-3 (Moeen Ali, 9.2), 123-4 to stick to the things that worked for him in the last edi- got starts but couldn’t capitalise on (Ambati Rayudu, 13.2), 125-5 (Suresh Raina, tion. them after being put in to bat. 13.5), 147-6 (MS Dhoni, 17.2), 163-7 (Ravindra Mayank, who had amassed 424 runs in the last sea- Young Chetan Sakariya (3/36 Jadeja, 18.3), 174-8 (Sam Curran, 19.1), 180-9 son in the UAE, had scored 14 and 0 against Rajasthan from 4 overs) was the best bowler (Shardul Thakur, 19.4) Royals and Chennai Super Kings to make a dismal start for Rajasthan while Chris Morris Bowling to the ongoing season. finished with 2/33 despite conced- Jaydev Unadkat 4-0-40-0 However, the 30-year-old from Bangalore found his ing 15 runs in his final over. Chetan Sakariya 4-0-36-3 touch on Sunday as he smashed a sizzling 36-ball 69 to Dhoni, in his 200th match as Mustafizur Rahman 4-0-37-1 help Punjab post 195 for four against Delhi Capitals. CSK captain, came in to bat at No Chris Morris 4-0-33-2 “I wasn’t thinking too much, I planned to do and keep 7 but could not get going as quick- Rahul Tewatia 3-0-21-1 the midset that worked for me last year. I thought last match ly as he would have liked. He, how- Riyan Parag 1-0-16-0 I had a good ball, I didn’t want to stress too much about ever, managed two boundaries in it and wanted to look forward and so stuck to what worked his 17-ball 18 before being beaten for me,” he said during a virtual press-conference. by an off-cutter by Sakariya only to fifth and sixth bowlers (Tewatia and “I was batting well in the nets, I was getting into good give a catch to Jos Buttler. He sur- Riyan Parag) employed by Royals skip- positions, it was about holding shape and I don’t want to vived a run-out chance and a few per Samson. live in the previous games and I am happy how I batted.” anxious moments in his brief knock. Tewatia had begun well by conced- The total, however, didn’t prove enough as last year’s Ambati Rayudu (27, 17 balls, 3 ing only five runs in his opening over and runners-up Delhi Capitals romped home in 18.2 overs, rid- Kolkata Knight Riders teammates Prasidh Krishna, left, and sixes) and Suresh Raina (18, 15 balls, got ride of Moeen Ali (26 off 20). ing on opener Shikhar Dhawan’s 49-ball 92. Kuldeep Yadav wearing PPE kits pose for photo in flight as the 1 four, 1 six) added 45 runs in quick Opener Ruturaj Gaikwad’s struggles “I thought it was a good total. It wasn’t as easy in the team travel to Chennai for upcoming IPL matches @KKRiders time for the fourth wicket before the continued as his attempt to hit his way first innings and I thought dew played a factor coming in former perished going for an attack- out saw him miscue a pull only to see it the second innings,” Mayank said. MURALITHARAN DISCHARGED ing shot on the off-side off Sakariya. lob to Shivam Dube off Rahman. He fell “I thought Delhi Capitals batted exceedingly well, also Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan was discharged Chennai Super Kings batsman Dwayne Bravo attempts to hit ball for a six during his on Monday after undergoing a coronary angioplasty at Sakariya struck again a few balls IPLT20.com for 10 (13 balls, 1 four) after adding 25 there was a dew factor. Credited to Delhi bowlers how they later, getting Raina to hit one unbeaten 20 run innings against Rajasthan Royals at Wankhede Satdium runs for the first wicket with fellow open- executed after the 12 overs, they went into death bowling a city hospital in Chennai. The former spinner, who is straight to Morris at mid-off as CSK er du Plessis. and executed it beautifully.” part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad support staff, went for slipped to 125 for five in 15th over. IT WAS ON APRIL 19 IN 2008 THAT CSK PLAYED THEIR Faf showed intent and waded into Asked how can dew be countered to make it an even the planned procedure on Sunday. Muralitharan would Rayudu hit sixes off successive FIRST-EVER IPL GAME, HERALDING MS DHONI'S CAPTAINCY Unadkat in the fifth over, hammering contest, Mayank said: “I don’t think we can do much about rejoin the SRH squad after undergoing the mandatory deliveries in Tewatia’s second over, DEBUT IN YELLOW AND 13 YEARS LATER ON MONDAY, three fours and one six before an ambi- it as players. It boils down to execution under pressure and seven-day quarantine period. scoring 14 runs as he and Raina HE CAPTAINED CHENNAI SUPER KINGS FOR 200TH TIME tious shot brought his downfall off practising that. Those are the things which are under our attempted to take advantage of the Morris’ bowling. control.” PLAY WITH POSITIVE MINDSET: DHAWAN DC batsman Shikhar Dhawan, who played match winning 92 against Punjab Kings says Delhi Capitals will have to play with a positive mindset against Mumbai Indians, “They (MI) have played three games Delhi eye revenge against MI Chennai wickets not unplayable: Mahela in Chennai, so they know the conditions there. For us the challenge will be to switch on mentally according to VENUE: CHIDAMBARAM STADIUM, CHENNAI PTI n CHENNAI has not yet bowled this season the wicket and prepare our plan. Then we just have to KEY PLAYERS due to the niggle he picked up go out there and implement the plan and play with a SHIKHAR DHAWAN he wickets in Chennai are during the ODI series against positive mindset and look to win the game.” HEAD TO HEAD not unplayable but chal- England. Gabbar is in good form and was T ‘WAS WORRIED ABOUT MY TECHNIQUE’ Matches 28 lenging being on slower side, “We were looking forward the highest run scorer in both the insisted Mumbai Indians head for him to be bowling this sea- Prithvi Shaw says he had started "worrying" about his matches Delhi’s won this season Delhi Capitals 12 coach Mahela Jayawardene as son but after those matches technique after being dropped in Australia before Mumbai Indians 16 teams batting first have dom- against England, the last ODI, roaring back to form in domestic cricket, thanks to a RAHUL CHAHAR inated the matches played at I believe he picked up niggle, few technical changes he made in his game. "After the Chepauk stadium, so far. so that is something that we are getting dropped from the Test side after the first Test in Rahul was the wrecker-in-chief LAST YEAR’S MATCHES Australia, I started worrying about my technique on against KKR and SRH helping MI Out of six matches played nursing at the moment.” MI beat Delhi Capitals by 5 here, thrice teams managed Jayawardene however why I was getting bowled. Even if it was a minor defend 150 run target with ease 150-plus score and five times exuded confidence that the mistake, I wanted to minimize that. I started working on wickets in Abu Dhabi the team that has batted first team would be able to use it there itself,” said Shaw. Mumbai Indians won by 9 won the match. Hardik’s services as a bowler. PTI n CHENNAI wickets against DC in Dubai “They are not unplayable “We don’t want to risk it, POINTS TABLE wickets. They are good, com- because it is important that we battle royale is in the offing as heavyweights Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi petitive wickets. And adapting make sure that he (Hardik) is P W L NRR PTS AMumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals cross Capitals by 57 runs in Dubai to challenges is always the key in a position to comfortably 1 RCB 3 3 0 +0.750 6 swords, looking to outsmart each other here on for any batsmen or any team. come in and bowl. So hopeful- Tuesday. (Qualifier 1) We have been consistent with ly in the next few weeks, with 2 CSK 3 2 1 +1.194 4 Up against a resurgent side, defending Mumbai Indians beat Delhi that approach, it is challeng- a bit of work and all that, we 3 DC 3 2 1 +0.453 4 champions MI will need to address their mid- ing, but our bowlers have might see him bowling. dle-order woes if they are to go for a third con- Capitals by 5 wickets in Dubai adapted pretty well,” “It is not that we are delib- 4 MI 3 2 1 +0.367 4 secutive win. (Final) Jayawardene said ahead of the erately trying to not bowl him, 5 KKR 3 1 2 -0.633 2 Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma has got starts team’s game against Delhi we would love to have him and he would be keen to convert it into a big Capitals. bowling, but as soon as the nig- 6 RR 3 1 2 -0.719 2 one and so would be Quinton de Kock. The 43-year-old former gle is off and he is comfortable, 7 PBKS 3 1 2 -0.967 2 MI have the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, 201 Sri Lanka batsman also said Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene we should be able to use that Ishan Kishan, Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya all-rounder Hardik Pandya during team’s nets session @mipaltan asset as well,” he said. 8 SRH 3 0 3 -0.483 0 and his brother Krunal, who can pummel any attack into submission on their day, but they are Kieron Pollard with 201 sixes in yet to fire on all cylinders. 150 innings of 167 matches, is The Mumbai bowlers, led by pace spearhead the only MI batsman to smash shortpasses Jasprit Bumrah, have been splendid in the last UEFA confirm 36 two games when they successfully defended low 200 or more sixes in IPL INDIA OPEN POSTPONED scores of 150 and 152 respectively. Strike NEW DELHI: The India Open Super 500 bowlers Bumrah (3 wickets) and New Zealander tourney was on Monday postponed due to the Trent Boult (6 wickets) have been exceptional raging Covid-19 cases. The $400,000 India team CL reform at the death. Open was scheduled to be held behind closed Leg-spinner Rahul Chahar, whom bowling 194 doors in Delhi from May 11 to 16. AFP n LONDON be the key to qualification and coach Shane Bond described as a “wicket-tak- reconfirms the principles of ing bowler”, has grabbed seven wickets in last INDIA ASSURED OF 4 MEDALS EFA has given the green solidarity. two games. Rishabh Pant who hit 194 fours NEW DELHI: Asian champion Vinka and Alfiya Ulight for a 36-team The traditional group stage Meanwhile, for Delhi in 71 innings of as many Pathan were among the four Indian boxers Champions League reform concept which has seen four Capitals, the biggest positive matches, needs just six fours to who progressed to the semifinals of the youth which will include a single teams compete in eight pools has been the form of Shikhar world championships in Kielce, Poland. Gitika league format to replace the with the top two qualifying for Dhawan, who is the leading become only second batsman and Poonam are the other two boxers. Spurs sack Mourinho group stage. the last 16 will be scrapped in scorer so far in the tournament after Virender Sehwag (266 fours AFP n LONDON European football’s main favour of a single league includ- with 186 runs. in 79 innings) to complete a NAPOLI END INTER STREAK governing body announced a ing 36 teams. NAPLES: Dhawan and young Prithvi double century of fours for Delhi Christian Eriksen claimed a point for ose Mourinho was sacked by Tottenham on number of changes to the com- Each team will play a total Shaw form a lethal opening Serie A leaders Inter Milan whose 11-match JMonday just six days before they play petition on Monday amid of 10 games home and away, combination, but the Capitals in IPL winning streak ended with a 1-1 draw at Napoli Manchester City in the League Cup final as the reports of a rival Super League with the top eight automatical- Mumbaikar needs to Faisel Features on Sunday. But Inter still have a comfortable Portuguese boss paid the price for a turbulent cam- formation which could see 12 of ly qualifying for the last 16 and convert his starts margin (9 pts) at the top of the table. paign. the biggest clubs on the conti- those finishing between ninth into big scores. cleaners. The DC team management Mourinho, 58, was dismissed after only 17 nent breakaway. and 24th to compete in two- Delhi opted for would be hoping that the top-order REAL HELD BY GETAFE months in charge, even though he could have led The changes are slated to legged play-offs to decide who Australian Steve fires in unison against the defend- MADRID: A depleted Real Madrid delivered a the club to their first silverware since 2008. come into effect in 2024, with else makes the knockout stage. major boost to Atletico Madrid's title hopes on Smith on Sunday ing champions, to whom they had T Tottenham have been struggling in their bid fixtures set to be played on The teams that finish lower but, as they are lost in the final last year. Sunday by drawing 0-0 with Getafe in La Liga. to qualify for the Champions League via a top- Thursdays instead of Tuesdays than 24th will exit European next playing on Their pace attack is led by R Atletico had thrashed Eibar 5-0 to reignite their four finish in the Premier League. They are cur- and Wednesdays, and a play-off competition completely, and the slow South African Kagiso Rabada and O own fading challenge and their victory proved rently seventh, five points behind fourth placed round added to the first stage. the last 16, quarter-finals, semi- Chepauk track, Chris Woakes, and the two have P even more valuable after Real’s goalless draw. West Ham, and suffered a shock Europa League UEFA president Aleksander finals and final will all contin- they might go been impressive so far. They have S last-16 exit against Dinamo Zagreb. Ceferin has outlined the main ue with their original format. back to Ajinkya an additional option in Anrich UEFA DELAY FINAL DECISION “The club can today announce that Jose reasons behind the reform in an The calendar has yet to be Rahane, who is Notrje, who has also joined the R MONTREUX: UEFA will announce the final Mourinho and his coaching staff have been official statement , which reads: worked out to accommodate looking better squad. E decision over the host cities for this year's relieved of their duties,” a Spurs statement said. “This new format supports the four additional matches but they suited for such tracks. Delhi played four pacers in the game delayed Euro 2020 on Friday, with Munich, Tottenham’s academy coach Ryan Mason will status and future of the domes- will be played between Skipper Rishabh against Punjab, but in Chennai, they H Bilbao and Dublin in danger of being dropped take first-team training this week and is set to pick tic game throughout Europe as September and January, while Pant has the ability to could play more spinners as the track is T from the list if the trio cannot welcome the team for Wednesday’s Premier League clash well. It retains the principle that France have been handed a fifth take any attack to the conducive for the slower bowlers. O spectators to stadiums. Agencies with Southampton and the League Cup final. domestic performance should qualifying spot from Ligue 1. 12

Vijayawada Tuesday April 20, 2021 tollywood NAZRIYA NAZIM ‘I’M VERY CRITICAL JOINS NANI FOR ANTE SUNDARANIKI atural Star Nani’s 28th film Ante Sundaraniki being, directed by Vivek Athreya under Mythri Movie banner, marks launchpad of Nazriya Nazim Fahadh in Telugu. The actress who is ABOUT MYSELF’ N well-known to Telugu audiences with films like Raja Rani, has joined the shoot of Ante Sundaraniki on Monday. The team is presently canning scenes of Nazriya Nazim and others in Hyderabad. Nivetha has been a force to be reckoned with, ever since The actress is very excited to start the shooting of her first Telugu film. “Andarki Namaskaram. Today I started her debut. The kind of roles and scripts she chose, at shooting for my first Telugu film. First is always special. Ante Sundaraniki will be special,” tweeted the actress. even nascent stages in her career, is commendable. Ante Sundaraniki is a musical rom-com with an original story. “Welcoming the actress, producers of Mythri Movie K RAMYA SREE writes about the actress' recent Makers specified, “Team #AnteSundaraniki welcomes you #NazriyaFahadh & yesss this movie will be special Natural Vakeel Saab star @nameisnani #VivekAthreya #VivekSagar success , how she prepped for the role, her #NikethBommi #NANI28,” tweeted Mythri Movie Makers. Continuing their journey with Vivek Athreya after upcoming projects, and more.. Brochevarevarura, Vivek Sagar is scoring music for the film, while Raviteja Girijala will work as editor, as Niketh Bommi cranks the camera. he was introduced to played a lawyer in this film. What later, she says it was just us as Catherine and Pawan sir did for this film, I don’t papers flying in the theatres. entertained us as think anybody could’ve done.” “I was quarantined when the Pallavi. She was again “Pawan sir carried great film released. For me, the S seen as Pallavi in the responsibility in this film. Venu experience of a movie will recent blockbuster sir took proper care of it and I’m complete only if I watch the Vakeel Saab. Nivetha Thomas super proud of what he did. After film in theatres. After I tested says, she is conscious about the I came out of the theatres, I negative, I immediately roles she does and that she does- straightaway wanted to go Venu watched the film in theatres n’t bother about the screen time, sir and give him a big hug,” adds and that’s when I started read- it's the impression her role will the V actress. ing comments, reviews, and leave that she cares about. Nivetha says she consciously more. It was just papers flying “When I choose a film, it made a choice to not watch Pink around.” should be character-driven. For after she signed Vakeel Saab. “I When asked what made her me, there is no women-centric or watched Pink twice in theatres come on board this film, men-centric film. It is always when it was released. Because the Nivetha shares, “I always won- about the character,” she says. film served the purpose and we dered if I am as strong as Speaking of the biggest compli- started talking about it and had Pallavi, if I really am able to go ment she got after Vakeel Saab, debates on it. I loved watching to the police station and file a she says it is being called Tapsee and her performance. complaint multiple times. I “Pallavi”. “Whenever I posted a When I’m reprising the role of would want to be like Pallavi, a picture or video, people started to Tapsee Pannu, there are compar- strong fierce girl and that made call me Pallavi, and the com- isons, because we are two differ- me do this film.” ments section was filled with ent people, you cannot really “I’m very critical about myself. people calling me Pallavi. It felt compare the nuances of it. I have never been taken myself or nice and happy that Chiranjeevi Personally from an actor’s point my work for granted. Whenever I garu went to theatres with his of view, I made a decision to not listen to compliments about my family to watch the film despite watch Pink after I signed Vakeel work, it always feels like it’s my the rising Covid cases.” Saab. Venu sir and I always said debut work. Being in front of the Sharing her association with Vakeel Saab should have a soul of camera is what makes me thrive,” Pawan Kalyan and what she took its own and not make the audi- adds she. from him, Nivetha explains, ence feel it’s a remake of Pink,” “Right now I am working on a “Pawan Kalyan garu is a quiet she explains. Korean remake of Midnight person. I love the way he talks For Nivetha, the experience of Runners directed by Sudheer sir. I and the command he has over working for a film will conclude think I’m very open to seeing the Telugu language. He is so only after she watches it in the what kind of roles come my way good with his fluency, that I want theatres. As she was tested Covid and what people expect of me. I to watch him speak more and positive, she couldn’t watch the want people to approach me with more. I always wanted to see him film in theatres right after its any kind of role,” concludes the as a lawyer and I’m happy he release, but when she watched it actress. VD, Sukumar’s film will only get bigger Sam’s generous umours were rife that Arjun Reddy gift to auto-driver actor Vijay R Deverakonda’s amantha own NGO, Pratyusha sets of film with director wowed people Support in 2012, which Samantha’s Sukumar, with her gen- provides medical support talk show earlier this year car to help her run a cab announced in September erosity once to poor women and under- and revealed that she was a service. 2020, by Falcon Creations S again by help- privileged children. victim of domestic vio- On the work front, LLP as its debut production, ing a female Recently, the Majili lence. Samantha will be seen has been shelved due to busy auto driver Kavitha. The actress came out in sup- She is an auto driver playing the lead role in an schedule of the actor and the actress gifted her an port of a female auto dri- who ekes out a living dri- upcoming film director. expensive car and ver named Kavitha, by gift- ving an auto from Miyapur Gunasekhar’s mythological The production house on helped her to run a ing her an expensive car to Bachupally. When drama Shakunthalam and Monday put a full stop to all cab service. worth Rs 12.5 lakh to help Samantha came to know she is also waiting for the these rumours. We all known that her start her own cab ser- how Kavitha is struggling, release of the web show “Team Falcon urges every- Samantha started her vice. Kavitha visited the she promised to gift her a The Family Man 2. one not to believe in misin- formation and strongly con- demns rumours. Director @aryasukku and Rowdy Star @TheDeverakonda combina- tion is very much on. only get bigger,” said Falcon. #Sukumar- Currently Vijay Not worried if my films #VijayDeverakonda film is Deverakonda is doing pan- only going to GET BIGGER,” India film Liger while tweeted Falcon, urging every- Sukumar is doing Pushpa will one to not believe in the Stylish Star Allu Arjun. work or not, says Fahadh unwanted rumours. Once both Vijay and “As per the schedule, Sukumar wrap up their com- alayalam tells. Sukumar and Vijay film will mitments, this combination actor Fahadh The actor, who made hit the sets and this film will will go floors. Faasil who is his presence felt in making his films like M Tollywood Thondimuthalum debut with Driksakshiyum, Pushpa was recently Bangalore Days, and seen in Joji and the Kumbalangi Nights, actor’s performance is says he is always think- being appreciated since ing about how to make it dropped recently on his work be better. Amazon Prime Video. “Even when your The National Award- film works, you think winning actor says he that there are so many is never worried about things you could have the reactions his films done and there are so might receive. many things that you “I am not worried missed out on. about my films work- This process is never ing or not. When it complete, and I am in doesn’t work it hurts, love with the process, but for me it’s the which you are explor- process which is ing. You are dealing exciting, to identify with human emotions, a film and work on you are trying to it. understand people bet- You like an ter. I like love this idea, you go to aspect of my job and I the shoot and want to do this as long then you impro- as I can,” he says. vise and finish So what are the qual- shooting, and your ities he looks for in a fight is whether you script? “I want it to be have done justice to as real as looking out what you initially of the window. I need happened somewhere, constantly tried to do conceived. It is a con- that connection and and to approach it is to do real stuff,” says stant fight,” Fahadh need to believe that it honestly. What I have the actor.