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` *Late City Vol. 2 Issue 145 VIJAYAWADA, SATURDAY MARCH 28, 2020; PAGES 12 3 *Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable BALAYYA, RANA IN AYYAPPANUM KOSHIYUM TELUGU REMAKE? { Page 12 } www.dailypioneer.com ON PUBLIC DEMAND, "RAMAYAN" PRINCE HARRY-MEGHAN MARKLE SET NEW CORONAVIRUS TEST SHORTENS CANADIAN RESEARCHERS DEVELOPING WILL AIR ON DOORDARSHAN AGAIN UP PERMANENT HOME IN CALIFORNIA WAIT FROM TWO DAYS TO 2.5 HOURS DNA VACCINE AGAINST COVID-19

amanand Sagar's Ramayan, which was Sunday morning appointment he UK's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have left Canada obert Bosch GmbH became the latest company to roll out a Covid-19 anadian researchers are developing a DNA vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, Rviewing nationwide in 1987-1988, is returning to Doordarshan. On Tamid the coronavirus pandemic and moved permanently to Rtest, saying it can diagnose in less than 2.5 hours and help efforts to Cthe coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and has currently infected Friday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar tweeted to California, according to a media report. According to the fight the outbreak. The new test uses the Vivalytic molecular diagnostics nearly 5,00,000 people worldwide and crippled the say that Ramayan will now air on DD National twice a day starting Saturday report published on Friday by London-based The platform made by Bosch's health-care division. The device is already used global economy. Entos Pharmaceuticals, a health- (March 28). Earlier this week, as India prepared for a 21-day Sun newspaper, the couple along with their son, in hospitals, laboratories and medical practices to care biotechnology company headed by a University lockdown against the Coronavirus, Twitter was flooded Archie left the 10.7 million-pound mansion they identify a range of bacterial and viral diseases of Alberta researchers, develop new therapeutic with messages asking for reruns of Ramayan and B R were borrowing in Vancouver and took a flight out including influenza and pneumonia. It will be available compounds using the company's proprietary drug- Chopra's Mahabharat, which was telecast after of the city shortly before US President in Germany in April and sold in international markets, delivery platform and has begun manufacturing Ramayan ended in 1988. "Happy to announce that on Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Bosch said. "Infected patients can be identified and vaccine candidates against the novel coronavirus. public demand, we are starting re-telecast of Ramayan Minister Justin Trudeau closed the border isolated faster," Bosch Chief Executive Officer "Given the urgency of the situation, we can have a lead from tomorrow, Saturday March 28 on DD National. between their countries. Volkmar Denner said in a statement. candidate vaccine within two months. Foreign arrivals upset Centre’s ‘Entered into recession that Covid-19 soft landing plan will be worse than 2009’ PNS n WASHINGTON n States told to plug ‘gap’ in monitoring international passengers The coronavirus pandemic has driven the global economy PNS n NEW DELHI ry of international travel. It into a downturn that will is important that they are put require massive funding to More than 15 lakh foreign under close surveillance to help developing nations, IMF travelers came to India over the prevent the spread of the epi- chief Kristalina Georgieva said last two months but a "gap in demic," said the Cabinet Friday. Modi's lockdown monitoring" by states could Secretary. "It is clear that we have address best in "seriously jeopardize" India's He added: "I understand entered a recession" that will be efforts to check the spread of that the ministry of health worse than in 2009 following terms of TV coronavirus or COVID-19, the and family welfare has repeat- the global financial crisis, she ratings centre has said. edly emphasized this and said in an online press briefing. Cabinet Secretary Rajiv requested the states and UTs to With the worldwide eco- Gauba, the country's top take immediate steps in this nomic "sudden stop," bureaucrat who is leading the regard." India has more than Georgieva said the fund's esti- 4 COVID-19 crisis management 700 coronavirus cases and 17 mate "for the overall financial group, wrote in a sharp letter persons have died. needs of emerging markets is yesterday to states that there There have been instances of $2.5 trillion." The IMF chief spoke to reporters following a was a gap between the actual people skipping quarantine or But she warned that estimate monitoring of international hospital visits after returning "is on the lower end." virtual meeting with the Washington-based passengers for COVID-19 and from abroad. In Punjab, a man Governments in emerging lender's steering committee, when she the total arrivals from abroad. who died yesterday, and his markets, which have suffered officially requested a increase in the fund's He stressed that "concerted This may seriously jeopardise our efforts to contain the spread of two fellow travelers, met hun- an exodus of capital of more and sustained action" was dreds of people after returning than $83 billion in recent fast-deploying emergency facilities from needed urgently to ensure that COVID-19, given that many among people who have tested positive from a two-week trip to weeks, can cover much of that, their current level of around $50 billion passengers not on the radar are so far in India have a history of international travel It is important that Germany and Italy. Fifteen but "clearly the domestic placed under surveillance they are put under close surveillance to prevent the spread of the epidemic Punjab villages have now been resources are insufficient" and immediately. — RAJIV GAUBA, CABINET SECRETARY sealed. many already have high debt that the fund is aiming to beef gency facilities from their The centre had started In Kolkata, a teen who loads. up its response "to do more, do current level of around $50 screening international pas- returned from London tested Over 80 countries, mostly of it better, do it faster than ever billion. sengers at airport from sengers with states and Union sengers being monitored," positive after he showed up at low incomes, have already before." She also welcomed the $2.2 January 18, the letter pointed Territories for monitoring Gauba said in his letter. the designated hospital two have requested emergency aid The IMF chief spoke to trillion economic package out. "I have been informed COVID-19. However, there "This may seriously jeop- days after his arrival. His moth- from the International reporters following a virtual approved by the US Senate, that upto March 23, cumula- appears to be a gap between ardise our efforts to contain er, a senior bureaucrat, even Monetary Fund, she said. meeting with the Washington- saying "it is absolutely neces- Encourage civil tively, the Bureau of the number of international the spread of COVID-19, attended office and meetings in "We do know that their own based lender's steering com- sary to cushion the world's Immigration has shared passengers who need to be given that many among peo- the state government building, reserves and domestic mittee, when she officially largest economy against an society, pvt details of more than 15 lakh monitored by states and UTs ple who have tested positive where Chief Minister Mamata resources will not be suffi- requested a increase in the abrupt drop the economic sector to partner incoming international pas- and the actual number of pas- so far in India have a histo- Banerjee also sits. cient," Georgieva said, adding fund's fast-deploying emer- activities." with govt: VP Sitharaman, Two more test 5 Cabinet nod for Ordinance Kishan to Naidu hails PM’s efforts, positive for to tide over state spending monitor Covid Covid-19 in AP in Telugu states says people backing fight PNS n AMARAVATI PNS n VIJAYAWADA PNS n VIJAYAWADA PNS n HYDERABAD The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet TDP supremo N Andhra Pradesh reported on Friday gave its nod for In a sudden development, Chandrababu Naidu on Friday two new Covid-19 positive promulgating an ordinance Prime Minister Narendra lauded the determined steps cases on Friday, taking the on the Vote-on-Account to Modi on Friday appointed being taken by the Modi gov- number of those infected to meet the state's ways and Union Minister of State for ernment at the Centre by 13 in the state. means till the end of June in Home G Kishan announcing Rs 1.75 lakh- According to a bulletin the 2020-21 financial year Reddy and crore special package. released by the director beginning April 1. Union Naidu termed the decision Health and Family Welfare, The government decided to Finance to provide Rs 50 lakh insur- Patient-12, a resident of bring in an ordinance as the Minister ance cover to frontline war- Visakhapatnam district, is Budget session of the state Nirmala riors and health workers who teh primary contact of Legislature could not be con- Sitharaman are risking and sacrificing Patient-7 who had returned ducted in view of the ongoing as incharges their lives in the field-level bat- from Birmingham. GDP likely to nation-wide lockdown to check of Telangana tle against Coronavirus as a He came into contact with grow just 2 per the spread of coronavirus. State and ‘proactive measure’. We are confident that India Patient-7 on March 17 and The Vote-on-Account could Andhra In a letter addressed to under your able leadership was admitted to hospital on cent in 2020-21: be around Rs 70,000 crore to Pradesh Prime Minister Narendra March 21 and has been in Icra meet the government revenue respective- Modi, Naidu expressed confi- would effectively retaliate the isolation since. Patient-13 is and capital expenditure for ly to moni- dence that under the former’s threat of corona virus by setting an from Guntur district and is a the first three months of the tor the able leadership and his eco- example to rest of the world, primary contact of Patient- fiscal year, official sources said. convene the budget session planned elections to the rural Coronavirus nomic stimulus, the country —N. CHANDRABABU NAIDU 10, who had attended a reli- Information and Public due to the pandemic, the gov- and urban local bodies. situation in the would bounce back coura- TDP President gious meeting in Delhi. She 8 Relations Minister Perni ernment is bringing-in the In the normal course, the Telugu States at the ground- geously not only from the got into contact with Patient- Venkataramaiah (Nani) told ordinance," the Minister said. government wanted to hold a level and report to the Centre looming threat of Covid-19 10 on March 19 and was reporters after the Cabinet meet- Though normally the Budget brief four-day session of the directly. They have been but would also regain its posi- vide a financial package to the admitted to hospital on TODAY ing that the exact quantum of session of AP Legislature is held Legislature towards the month given the power to hold tion in global economy. The Micro, Small and Medium March 23 and has been in ALMANAC Vote-on-Account budget would from the first week of March to end after the elections ended but review meetings with collec- package would provide relief Enterprises (MSMEs) which hospital isolation since then. Month & Paksham: be known after the ordinance was pass the Finance Bill, the gov- the Covid-19 outbreak and the tors and other officials in all to two-thirds population now remain the backbone of Indian A total of 53 samples were promulgated by the Governor. ernment did not convene the consequent lockdown threw the districts. in this crucial time. In this economy. tested on Friday, of which 51 Phalguna & Krishna Paksha "Since it is not possible to meeting this time because of the the plans awry. 3 light, it is also pertinent to pro- 3 came negative. Panchangam: Tithi: Chaturthi: 12:17 am (Next Day) Nakshatram: Bharini: 12:52 pm Time to Avoid: MEGA CONTRUBUTION (Bad time to start RBI puts EMIs on hold, big-bang interest rate cut any important work) Rahukalam: 09:19 am – 10:50 am PNS n MUMBAI Global slowdown could Ratio (SLR) with immediate Yamagandam: 01:52 pm – 03:23 pm The Reserve Bank of make things difficult for India effect till June 30. Varjyam: 02:05 am – 03:50 am The RBI on Friday put on hold India (RBI) cut repo too, despite some help from Combined, these three mea- EMI payments on all term falling crude prices, Das said, sures will make available a Gulika: 06:17 am - 07:48 am to 4.4 per cent, the Good Time: loans for three months and cut adding food prices may soften total Rs 3,74,000 crore to the (to start any important interest rate by steepest in lowest in at least 15 even further on record crop country's financial system. work) more than 11 years as it joined years. Also, it production. After cutting policy rates five Amritakalam: 07:31 am - 09:18 am the government effort to rescue reduced the cash Aggregate demand may times in 2019, the RBI had Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:56 am – 12:45 pm a slowing economy that has weaken and ease core inflation been on a pause since now got caught in coronavirus reserve ratio further, he noted. December in view of high VIJAYAWADA whirlwind. maintained by the The liquidity measures inflation. WEATHER The Reserve Bank of India banks for the first announced include auction The measures announced (RBI) cut repo to 4.4 per cent, of targeted long-term repo come a day after the govern- Forecast: Clear the lowest in at least 15 years. time in over 7 years operation of 3 year tenor for ment unveiled a Rs 1.7 lakh Temp: 37/23 Also, it reduced the cash total amount of Rs 1 lakh crore crore package of free food- Humidity: 43% reserve ratio maintained by the across banking system. Das predicted a big global at floating rate and accommo- grains and cash doles to the Sunrise: 06.13 banks for the first time in over The reverse repo rate was cut recession and said India will dation under Marginal poor to deal with the econom- Sunset: 06.28 seven years. CRR for all banks by 90 bps to 4 per cent, creat- not be immune.It all depends Standing Facility to be ic impact of the unprecedent- Megha Engineering and Infrastructure MD PV Krishna Reddy hands over a cheque Current Weather Conditions was cut by 100 basis points to ing an asymmetrical corridor. how India responds to the sit- increased from 2 per cent to 3 ed 21-day nationwide lock- of Rs 5 crore to AP Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy as part of his company’s Updated March 27, 2020 5:00 PM release Rs 1.37 lakh crore RBI Governor Shaktikanta uation, he said. per cent of Statutory Liquidity down. contribution to the fight against Coronavirus. VIJAYAWADA | SATURDAY | MARCH 28, 2020 vijayawada 02 CAPSULE Corona: Cops permission VIMS to be State Governor condoles death of Brahma hospital for coronavirus Kumaris’ chief sought for food distribution PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM VIJAYAWADA: Governor Visakha Institute for Medical Biswa Bushan Harichandan SUMIT ONKA n Sciences was turned into the expressed grief over sudden n VISAKHAPATNAM Association for State hospital for Covid-19 affect- demise of Rajyogini Dadi Urban and Tribal ed patients, said Vizag District Janki Ji, Chief of Brahma As complete lock down was Development Collector V Vinay Chand here Kumaris in Mount Abu, imposed to contain the coron- on Friday after holding a review Rajasthan, in the early hours avirus outbreak across the coun- Corporation (AUTDC) meeting with top officials of the of Friday. The Governor said try, beggars and destitute persons runs three night district. Rajyogini Dadi Janki Ji, who were unable to get alms or food shelters – two at TSR Briefing the media after the joined the Brahma Kumaris for their survival. Many beggars meeting, the Collector said the Institution in 1937 at the age complex each for men are lying idle near railway station, and women and VIMS with 400 isolated bed facil- of 21 at the very beginning of theh Beach Road and footpaths ities would treat coronovirus the institution, dedicated her depending on the mercy of peo- another in positive patients from life to the service of the ple in neighbourhood. Bheemnagar Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Brahma Kumaris Institution. Amid curfew, lock down and n Visakhapatnam and East He said Dadi Janki Ji devoted social distancing during the last few The shelter at TSR Godavari. Similarly, GITAM her life in the pursuit of days, beggars are thronging across complex is the biggest Institute for Medical Science intense spiritual endeavour, the streets. Though there are night and Research would function as soul consciousness, spiritual one with a capacity to Collector Vinaychand said the VIMS shelters for the homeless in each accommodate 100 a district hospital. attainment and meditation. district of the State, many beggars These two hospitals, along with 400 isolated bed facilities would He offered condolences to are unaware of these centres. They persons, while the with the Government Hospital treat coronovirus positive patients from members of the Brahma are habituated to stay near railway latter has a capacity of for Chest and Communicable Kumaris Institution. Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, stations, bus stops and temples. 70 inmates Diseases, will treat the patients. Visakhapatnam and East Godavari In spite of having eight night n “We asked all the big hospi- Rumours on shelters in Vizag, the beggars and AUTDC secretary tals both government and corpo- coronavirus destitute are seen sleeping on foot- Pragada Vasu, who rate to get prepared with equip- pared to treat large number of being put into use to create paths without food. Showing sym- maintains these ment to treat the patients,’’ he positive patients in the region. awareness among people on the rule the roost pathy on them, some NGOs are said. He said four patients have He said several committees do’s and don’t’s. Pamphlets were trying to supply food to such needy Beggars sleep near a bus stop at the RK Beach junction in Visakhapatnam shelters with a team tested positive so far and there have been formed at the district being distributed to every house KANIGIRI: Rumours about of 12 members, said: Covid-19 ruled the roost in but police personnel obstructing ters with a team of 12 members, ence. Instead of obstructing was possibility of more patients level to monitor the progress of in the district in addition to the Prakasam district’s Kanigiri the volunteers not to move around said: “We are providing food them, the AUTDC secretary “We are providing testing positive during the next the virus and the efforts being media. Utmost safeguards were panicking the people and the the city during the lockdown. three-times a day to all the urged the Collector to allow food three-times a day two months. Hence, the district made by the officials at the being taken to protect the health rumour mongers asked Association for Urban and inmates with the support of the them in doing the humanitarian to all the inmates with administration has been taking ground level. of thousands of sanitation work- people of the region not to Tribal Development Corporation government and NGOs. We work. all measures to contain the virus The Collector said every ers, who have been working (AUTDC) runs three night shel- were trying to distribute food He further said, “In spite of the support of the and at the same time getting pre- medium of communication was round the clock, he added. sleep during the night. government and They even say that a cow has ters – two at TSR complex each packets to the homeless affected having pending arrears of three delivered a baby girl, hence, for men and women and anoth- by the lockdown. But we were months, our team is working NGOs. We were trying the coronavirus threat. The er in Bheemnagar near intercepted by police several round-the-clock in eight-hour to distribute food Siddhartha video, first went viral in Uttar Allipuram. The shelter at TSR times.” shifts at night shelters. We have complex is the biggest one with There are several voluntary been urging the government to packets to the Pradesh and circulated in homeless affected by Academy donates Andhra Pradesh too. As a a capacity to accommodate 100 organisations in the city that they clear the dues and provide addi- result, residents of the region persons, while the latter has a are ready to provide food to the tional fund to distribute food to the lockdown. But we Rs 1.30 cr to did not sleep on Thursday capacity of 70 inmates. needy at the railway stations, bus the stray persons outside the shel- were intercepted by night to check the virus. AUTDC secretary Pragada stands and other places. However, ters at places like the RK Beach police several times” CMRF Vasu, who maintains these shel- they are afraid of police interfer- and RTC complex.” n Collector Md Imitiaz speaks at a video conference in Vijayawada on Friday PNS VIJAYAWADA A cheque for Rs 1.30 crore Free tele medicine was handed over to Chief services at Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy at the camp office in Andhra Hospitals Free essentials for Tadepalli by the manage- ment of Siddhartha PNS n VIJAYAWADA Educational Academy here white card holders on Friday. In the wake of the widespread PNS n VIJAYAWADA of health officials and if they The cheque was handed of coronavirus (Covid-19) in found that they violated the over to the Chief Minister by the country, as a social respon- The list of foreign returnees rules, they shall be identified Siddhartha Academy chair- sibility, Andhra Hospitals has should be thoroughly and kept under home isola- man Paladugu Laxman Rao. launched 24/7 telemedicine checked time and again, tion. Treasurer S Venkateswara services. People can contact the opined District Collector Md The special officer will be Rao, Chief Minister’s pro- numbers 0866 Imtiaz. Through a video con- appointed at mandal and gramme coordinator T 2571122/2576757 for any med- ference, he instructed the ward levels to monitor the Raghuram, YSRCP city in- ical assistance, said Dr PV health, revenue and panchay- pandemic situation from charge Devineni Avinash Ramana Murthy, Managing at raj department officials to spreading further and take were also present. Director, Andhra Hospitals, in check people coming from appropriate measures by a release on Friday. various countries to Krishna keeping the surroundings He said that respective spe- district. clean. Mike announcement VSP procures 100 thermal scanners cialty consultant would talk to Speaking on the occasion, should be carried out to cre- patients over the phone and he said that 60 per cent of for- ate awareness among people PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM give necessary medical advice. eign returnees in the district on preventing the pandemic. n Employees are being General medicine, surgery, are from Vijayawada city and People should come out in the In a bid to fight against the scanned at all entry pulmonology, neurology, car- surrounding places. Hence, morning hours only to buy Covid-19, more than 100 ther- points round-the-clock in diology, gastroenterology, those returning from abroad essentials and should not mal scanners have been pro- orthopaedics, consultant spe- should be kept on house iso- move in groups and maintain vided at various places inside G, A, B and C shifts cialists are available 24/7. lation under the surveillance social distancing, he added. the Vizag Steel Plant, including n Social Distancing was the administration building, Visakha Steel General Hospital accorded top priority and at all the office buildings situated outside the plant. Corona suspects commit suicide Employees are being cialist, VSGH, was also shared scanned at all entry points on social media explaining PNS n RAJAHMUNDRY them, found at the crime pital prescriptions giving ly on suspicion of contract- round-the-clock in G, A, B and people about the precautions scene, indicated that the credence to the “suicide due ing Coronavirus. C shifts. Procurement for more and safety measures to be In a shocking incident, half- couple committed suicide to virus symptoms” theory. Further investigations number of thermal scanners is taken in the fight against burnt bodies of a couple as they suspected to have The police investigation have revealed that the cou- underway. Covid-19. were found in bushes under been infected with veered round whether the ple got married about 10 Social Distancing was larger school compound where while addressing the RINL In a first of its kind, RINL Prakash Nagar Police Station Coronavirus. couple belonging to the local years ago, but were childless. accorded top priority. Focus is enough space is available to collective on the occasion of manpower deployment has limits in Rajahmundry on Ramesh’s relatives told the area or had returned from Meanwhile, Venkatalakshmi on the places where the likely maintain social distancing, Ugadi festival also appealed been staggered and wherever Friday. The couple was iden- police that the couple had overseas. Further, the police developed a kidney ailment. congregation of people will while purchasing vegetables. everyone to follow social dis- possible work from home was tified as Ramesh, an auto- been suffering from financial have been expressing doubts Depressed at not having take place such as cooperative Marking has been done to tancing through a video mes- considered to comply with the rickshaw driver and his wife problems for the past sever- whether is it a case of suicide children, the couple are stat- stores, grocery and medical guide people to stand, wait and sage. guidelines issued by the Venkata Lakshmi. al days. or murder as it appears ed to have immolated after shops in all the shopping com- go in queue to purchase the In addition to that a video Ministry of Health and Family A two-line suicide note, A bag found near their improbable that anyone dousing themselves in plexes and Rythu Bazaars. goods. containing an expert advice by welfare and the district admin- purported to be written by bodies contained some hos- would commit suicide mere- petrol. Rythu Bazaar is shifted to a RINL-VSP CMD PK Rath Dr Naveen Kumar, senior spe- istration. Labourers trudge back home 700 km away with lugg Bars violate PNS n NEW DELHI for the shutdown has affected This is not the first group of people the country's crores of migrant It's 11 a.m. and raining in workers, almost pushing them norms in Nellore Greater Noida. A group of 20 migrating from the national capital region in a no man's land situation (NCR)to their homes in Uttar Pradesh or n labourers trudge along lugging across the big cities in India. PNS NELLORE As part of the at their belongings with one car- Bihar. Thousands have been marching The closure of all but essen- rying a three-year-old child on tial services has made it impos- Violating Section 144 and cur- clamp down, bars his shoulders, walking towards along roads to reach their homes sible for the daily wagers to live few, many bars have been sell- have been closed their native place in Uttar in the rented shanties of big ing liquor at exorbitant rates Pradesh's Ambedkar Nagar, a old child, he said, "I cannot leave When asked if the landlord cities. through back-door methods. till March 31. distance of over 700 km, as the my family to die here. I have to has asked them to vacate their On the other hand, the clo- The wine shop owners have Moreover, wine 21-day nationwide lockdown take him to my home and on rooms, he said, "No, the land- sure of the railway passenger been exploiting the unprece- shops and bars has brought all work to halt. the way I shall feed them with lord didn't ask us to leave. But, services and inter-state road dented demand selling This is not the first group of whatever Rs 100 or 200 left with as we don't have any money to services has also added to the Mansion House brand full have been sealed people migrating from the me can help buy." feed our family, then what we misery of the labourers across bottle at Rs 3,500 and a full by officials national capital region (NCR)to Pointed out that it was rain- shall do here." the country. bottle of Black Cat at Rs 6,000. their homes in Uttar Pradesh or ing, he said, "I shall cover him He said, as there are no Much like this group of 20 There are 280 wine shops Bihar. Thousands have been with the plastic sheet so that he chances of getting work here in labourers, thousands of and 46 bars in the district. The of the District Collector, who marching along roads to reach does not get wet." next 15-20 days, it was better migrant labourers can be seen city has 31 bars. As part of the ordered police to register a their homes. Indresh is travelling on foot to leave for the village rather marching on foot, trying to clamp down, bars have been case. Indresh, who is in his late 30s along with 20 other labourers, than stay here. reach their homes in Uttar closed till March 31. There were reports of wine and works as a labourer in ditions, but the only thing he members had not eaten since who originally hail from Prime Minister Narendra Pradesh and even far away Moreover, wine shops and shops and bars selling liquor Greater Noida, has also started knows is that he must not stop. Thursday. Faizabad and Ayodhya, and are Modi on Wednesday in his sec- Bihar. Many can be seen carry- bars have been sealed by offi- unauthorisedly at Ayyappa to walk back home as he has no Indresh said, "I used to work He said, "For the last one day also going back to their homes ond national address ing backpacks, bags and what- cials. Sensing the closure temple, Vijaya Mahal Gate, money to feed his children and as a labourer in the high rise we had nothing to eat. due to lack of work. announced the 21-day nation- ever handy material they can before hand, some dealers Patte Khan Pet, Podalakuru other family members. societies, but due to the lock- Whatever money I earned as a Shivanand Ram, another wide lockdown to combat the hold to travel long distances. smuggled out some cases of Road and the adjoining areas. The rain is adding to his mis- down I don't have any work. So, daily labourer has ended. I have member of the group said, COVID-19 spread, which has Woman and children can be wine bottles. A bar at In spite of all these, the ery and he has no idea how he I am leaving for my home." no option but to go back to my "After the nationwide lock- claimed 17 lives across the seen trudging along, taking Leelamahal Centre, in viola- excise department is being will reach home with his three- Briefly, he narrated his ordeal home." down, we are not left with any country. small breaks but not stopping tion of rules, publicly sold accused of turning a blind eye year-old kid in such rough con- and said that he and his family Asked about his three-year- work and food." The short four-hour notice for long. liquor, attracting the attention to the happenings.

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Printed and published by B Krishna Prasad for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd., Printed at Sree Seshasai Enterprises, D.No. New 3-88, Old 3-22, Chandra Theatre, Gosala, Penamaluru Mandal, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh - 521 151, Resident Editor: B Krishna Prasad, AIR SURCHARGE of Rs 2.00. VIJAYAWADA | SATURDAY | MARCH 28, 2020 vijayawada 03 Citizen-centric governance is hallmark of KCR administration n commonsensical terms, the capacity and fairness of most practical way. He did not Rs 1,500 cash. and easy access to all informa- a government consists of administration almost all over KCR did not hide from the people the danger press the panic button, but KCR did not hide from the tion relating to Coronavirus I a group of individuals that the country. instead assessed the situation people the danger looming spread and the steps taken by share a defined responsibility. Governance has to extend looming and took the people into confidence, and prepared an action plan. and took the people into con- the government. The mea- It is the common concern of beyond conventional bureau- thereby inspiring each and every elected The fact that there is such a fidence, thereby inspiring each sures taken by the government every citizen to have an effi- cracies to involve active citizen small number of Coronavirus and every elected representa- and the dos and don’t for the cient, open, responsive, and consumer groups at all representative, from the Gram Panchayat positive cases in the State tive, from the Gram Panchayat public have also been widely accountable, clean and dynam- levels. member to the MP, made them work as and no causality till date is member to the MP, made publicised. ic administration that is open Governmental support for volunteers in the movement to defeat the virus proof of his practical admin- them work as volunteers in the It appears that for the peo- to make adjustments at all lev- these measures, and eliciting istration. movement to defeat the virus. ple of Telangana, the search for els, as and when required. In the widest possible response When the PM announced He also inspired prominent good governance seems to India especially, it’s very from all sections of society and Chief Minister K responsibilities are aimed at the three-week lockdown, citizens, industrialists, and have become a reality with important to change the neg- citizen groups on the context Chandrashekhar Rao has been bringing in a radical change in there was little panic in businessman, elected represen- KCR. ative perception of public ser- and direction of the changes insisting on since the begin- governance. Telangana as KCR, in his time- tatives to donate liberally to the Good Governance, howev- vices as apathetic, insensitive, required is needed. ning. KCR, a visionary that he The host of programmes ly press conferences, explained CM’s Relief Fund. er, is not a finished product. It VANAM JWALA NARASIMHA RAO dilatory, corrupt and discrim- The crisis in administration is, had been implementing a conceived by KCR have CPRO to Chief Minister in simple terms about the What stands alone as far as is a dynamic concept. It inatory. calls for a redefinition of the plethora of out of the box poli- brought in a qualitative change virus and how it spreads. KCR’s governance concerned encompasses fast changing The rationale for a vibrant role of government and its cies, programmes which are in the State. KCR’s foresight as His precise, clear and mat- is his uncanny approach to the political, social and econom- public service in promoting functions and its real focus to leading the state from darkness far as public health is con- As far as crisis manage- ter-of-fact approach helped crisis and problems. He is ic milieu, along with interna- the progress and integrity of serve the public effectively as to light. cerned can be gauged from the ment is concerned, none can people prepare mentally to unconventional in that sense. tional environment and con- the country, and pursue ideals much as to ensure efficient and His innovative welfare fact that he was the first to match KCR’s administrative face the lockdown. Being a He comes out with innova- ditions of operational gover- of social justice, is as valid cost-effective administration. schemes, total overhaul of the introduce programmes like skills. How he is handling the leader who understands the tive and novel solutions to the nance. today as when the Republic Accountability, transparency administration, replacing KCR Kits and Kanti Velugu. Coronavirus outbreak will be plight of the masses especial- problems, as he knows the Hence, the need for period- came into being. and cleansing public services archaic Acts with new ones in He had embarked upon an a process document for future ly the poor, KCR made it clear state and its people like back ical rethinking on and even It is necessary to devise are all interconnected issues, tune with the present-day soci- ambitious programme like generations. that the restrictions are neces- of his palm. remodeling of the concept urgent steps to restore the for ensuring a clean and etal requirements, total trans- conceiving the idea of compil- Without pressing the panic sary but not overwhelming. He In the present scenario, cit- and institutions of governance. confidence of the public, espe- responsive administration. parency in administration and ing the health profile of the button, the CM from day one also ensured that the poor and izens in urban and rural areas And this is what KCR is doing cially the vulnerable groups, in This is what Telangana decentralisation of power and people in Telangana State. has been handling it in a marginalised get 12 kg rice and are provided with widespread on a regular basis. NRIs booked Armed Forces to open for violating Coronavirus curfew quarantine quarantine centre in Vizag PNS n MACHILIPATNAM PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM Two NRIs who returned from bugs alcohol addicts Director General the US earlier this month Armed Forces have been work- Armed Forces have been booked for alleged- ing relentlessly to provide Medical Services ly violating home quarantine SUMIT ONKA A liquor shop was medical and logistics support directives in Krishna district n VISAKHAPATNAM to civil authorities in the coun- (AFMS) Lt Gen in Andhra Pradesh, police burgled in Vizag, try’s fight against COVID-19 Anup Banerji told said on Friday. As the liquor shops were while an alcohol pandemic. The Armed Forces the media that 28 Cases under relevant sec- locked down in a bid to check addict ends life in Medical Services (AFMS) has Service Hospitals tions of Indian Penal Code the spread of coronavirus, alco- deployed all resources at its including 188 (disobedience hol addicts are bearing the Kerala disposal to aid the civilian have been to order duly promulgated by brunt of it showing withdraw- authorities, shouldering earmarked as public servant) had been reg- al symptoms. addiction and rehabilitation responsibility in the time of COVID hospitals for istered against the two men The desperation is so much centre, said: “Family support is extraordinary crisis. managing purely from Velvadam village in so that liquor shop was burgled crucial in this time when liquor Besides, six active quaran- coronavirus cases. Myalavaram Mandal, District in Vizag. On Thursday, is out of reach. Moreover, they tine facilities run by the Armed Superintendent of Police M. unidentified miscreants barged should be kept engaged with Forces, more facilities have Ravindranath Babu said. into a closed liquor shop and recreational activities or indoor been readied and may be made besides the IAF and medical which can carry out COVID He said they had been made away with 144 bottles of games. I hope the government operational within 48-72 crew. Three hundred ninety test. These include Army instructed by district officials booze in Gajuwaka area. All will deal the issue pragmatical- hours, if needed. These facili- evacuees from China, Japan Hospital Research and to remain under home quar- the liquor shops in the State are ly.” ties are at Visakhapatnam, and IAF evacuation flight Referral, Delhi; Command antine and not to venture out maintained by the excise The de-addiction centres Kolkata, Kochi, Dundigal near crew have been discharged Hospital Air Force, Bengaluru after arrival in the state on department with government toms. and physically. It sounds silly, also cannot hold group support Hyderabad, Bengaluru, following completion of their and Armed Forces Medical March 14. staff only and the shop was Some alcohol addicts expe- but preventing liquor could sessions when the curfew is on. Kanpur, Jaisalmer, Jorhat and mandatory quarantine peri- College, Pune; Command However, the two were very close to the police station. riencing the withdrawal symp- force tipplers to take extreme Counsellors say hundreds of Gorakhpur. od. Hospital (Central Command) found moving around in Down south in Kerala, a 38- toms argue that the govern- step. We will make a normal addicts may suffer and end Six quarantine facilities are Director General Armed Lucknow; Command Hospital public places on Thursday year-old daily wage labourer ment should not close liquor life abnormal,” reasoned psy- lives as the lockdown seems to being run by the Armed Forces Medical Services (Northern Command) following which the local vil- committed suicide on Friday shops abruptly. “Overnight, chologist Parvati Kashyap, a be clamped down for a long Forces are currently opera- (AFMS) Lt Gen Anup Banerji Udhampur. Six more hospitals lage secretary lodged a com- allegedly frustrated over not we cannot stop our habit and counsellor. time. The hospitals may need tional at Manesar, Jaisalmer, told the media that 28 Service are being equipped shortly plaint in Mylavaram Police getting liquor following the body would not support too. “Moreover, in the time of to open additional de-addic- Jodhpur, Chennai, Hindan Hospitals have been ear- with the resources to begin station, he added. coronavirus lockdown and Liquor bottles are being sold in pandemic, the tippler may go tion wards. and Mumbai. So far, in all, marked as COVID hospitals testing. after struggling with with- black and only rich can afford out of their home and franti- Notably, the Andhra 1,463, including foreigners, for managing purely coron- Lt Gen Banerji also drawal symptoms. that to buy. I am not getting cally search for booze, giving a Pradesh State Beverages evacuated from the COVID- avirus cases. This will include informed that as of now, only Alcohol withdrawal is the proper sleep for the last two scope the virus to spread,” she Corporation Limited (APSB- 19 affected countries have Armed Forces as well as civil- one serving soldier has been Man falls while changes the body goes through days,” rued a tippler. warned stressing the need of CL), which has taken over the been housed and observed at ian patients transferred from tested positive for COVID-19. when a person suddenly stops “Liquor should be made liquor shops opened. retail of liquor in the state curb- these centres. Of them, 1,073 the State health authorities, in He was on leave at his home in trying to dodge drinking after prolonged and available. I am not advocating Suggesting different ways ing the sales by private players. persons are presently under case their capacity is over- Leh, taking care of his father, heavy alcohol use. Symptoms use of alcohol but it is like to take care of the regular The YSRCP had promised the quarantine and being provid- whelmed. who had returned recently include trembling (shakes), essential item in life for the boozers, Uma Raj, the founder people to go for total prohibi- ed with proper care. These He added that as of now, from Iran and suffering from cops, dies insomnia, anxiety, and other addicts. Abruptly stopping of the city-based Green Valley tion of alcohol during the elec- include evacuees from Iran, there are five hospitals across COVID. The soldier has recov- PNS n KURNOOL physical and mental symp- would disrupt them mentally Foundation, which runs a de- tion campaign in 2019. Italy, Japan and Malaysia, Army, Navy and Air Force, ered. In a Coronavirus-related inci- dent, a 30-year-old man who tried to evade cops died after Vizag district Waltair he fell and suffered head Enforce lockdowns injuries late on Thursday at Sitharaman, Kishan to monitor... admin for Division keeps Pedda Harivanam village in Continued from Page 1 were reported on a single day, Hyderabad to Kurnool district. the highest ever in state. their native places in AP. The door delivery supply chain According to reports, the Accordingly, Kishan Reddy The PM's decision to depute police issued passes to thousands perfectly, says Naidu young man, identified as can hold review meetings on two Central ministers to review of students who ventured onto of groceries on track Veerabhadra Swamy violated corona with officials of all 33 dis- the Covid-19 situation also the roads on their private vehi- PNS n VIJAYAWADA standing the extent of coron- the curfew and emerged from tricts in Telangana while assumes significance in the cles to reach AP only to be PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM avirus threat. South Korea got PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM his home to meet some Sitharaman can do the same backdrop of the logjam on the stopped by AP police, who TDP chief N Chandrababu the capacity to complete one acquaintances. When he saw with officials in the 13 districts TS and AP border on denied entry. Majority of them The district administration has Naidu on Friday appealed to test in seven minutes. In the time of national crisis, a police party, he tried to run of AP. Wednesday and Thursday that were forced to return Hyderabad decided to facilitate home deliv- both the State and Central Complete data should be the Indian Railways is contin- away fearing a thrashing. Both have been given the led to huge congregation of again after they were denied ery of vegetables and groceries governments to enforce quar- made ready on number of for- uing its supply chain to entire In the process, Swamy fell responsibility to work indepen- people at the border points entry by AP police. in a bid to prevent people from antine procedures and lock- eign returnees, their coverage country. When the entire and sustained head injuries and dently and submit reports to the defeating the very purpose of This led to tussle between coming out of their houses dur- downs perfectly without any under testing and the precau- nation is on lockdown due to died on the way to hospital. Centre directly. lockdown and raised fears of police and people at border ing the lockdown period. compromise considering tionary measures being the pandemic COVID-19, the Adoni Tahsildar This move assumes signifi- spread of the infection. points and even turned violent Joint collector L Siva Sankar the looming threat taken. unsung heroes of railways are Ramakrishna visited the cance in the backdrop of There was utter lack of coor- on Thursday night due to pelt- held a meeting with senior offi- from coronavirus He said that the working round-the-clock to bereaved family at Swamy’s Telangana and AP witnessing dination between AP and TS ing of stones at police in which cials following reports of con- epidemic. governments and carry the essential commodi- home and assured help for consistent increase in governments on the issue. several injured. gestion at Rythu Bazaars, fish He called upon the people should ties to various parts of the the family under various gov- Coronavirus positive cases Hundreds of hostels and paying The Centre is learnt to have markets and grocery stores. the people to set aside any country. ernment schemes. despite observing lockdown guest accommodations housing taken a serious view of the Crowds at fishing harbour cooperate with minor differ- Waltair Division authori- The government has given since March 22. thousands of students and pri- chaos. retail market shocked officials officials, civic ences and put up ties took all possible steps to strict instructions to the In fact, Chief Minister K vate employees in Hyderabad To avoid a similar situation in for the second day on Friday. staff and frontline a united struggle. keep on the movement of police not to allow anyone to Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday were abruptly closed down on the future, the PM is learnt to After the prices of fish and warriors at a time He appealed to all goods trains with its dedicat- venture onto the roads to announced that the total num- Wednesday. With this, thou- have deputed his two Cabinet shrimps crashed, the market when too much the State govern- ed work force. Keeping in curb the spread of ber of corona positive cases in sands queued up before local colleagues to monitor the situ- was flooded with people who harm was already done ments to take care of view of the necessity of the sit- Coronavirus. Telangana have shot up to 59, police stations in Hyderabad to ation in Telugu States and report jostled to take their favourite due to lack of tough quaran- people belonging to other uation, as rightly said life line which means that 15 new cases seek police passes to leave from to him directly fish home. tine of foreign returnees and States as a mark of goodwill in the of, the freight movement affected persons in the initial these tough times. The gov- continued with all possible days of the virus attack. ernment should respect the precautions. Naidu stressed the need for sentiments of people living Except the essential staff, enhancing testing capabilities outside the State and they required for trains operations, CP warns of action against cop abusers in both Andhra Pradesh and should also follow guidelines all the employees were cau- in the country, as this would to mostly stay where there as tioned to remain at home to PNS n VIJAYAWADA should maintain distance to play a crucial role in under- to avoid any complications stay safe. prevent the virus from spread- In the wake of lockdown ing. announced by the Central and People can order and get State governments to prevent the things delivered at home the pandemic from spreading during the lockdown period. in the city, Police Medical and health, essentials Naidu hails PM’s efforts... Commissioner Ch Dwaraka will be made available to peo- Continued from Page 1 would now bravely fight scheme, he wrote. Tirumala Rao on Friday made ple and they should carry against the virus. The financial Naidu said that the distrib- a surprise visit to a few grocery papers pertaining to the pur- Stating that the people were package to farmers, ex-gratia ution of pulses to ensure that shops in the city. pose of their coming out of sincerely following the Centre's to poor women, free LPG everyone gets proper nourish- Later, addressing the media their house. Stern action will 21-day lockdown, Naidu cylinders to poor families, ment is visionary in its thought he said that customers’ flow has be taken against people, who assured all support to the support to low-wage earners in and action. reduced compared to previous misbehave with police on Modi government's fight organised sector and support Timely steps are taken to days. duty. against Coronavirus threat and to senior citizens are fitting increase wages under MNRE- He said that people should All foreign returnees should to set an example to the rest of steps towards protecting them GA, benefit workers in organ- feel the responsibility and stay be under home isolation and if the world by waging a united from ill-effects of the epi- ised sector through Employees’ at home and if necessary necessary should consult doc- battle to eradicate the pandem- demic during lockdowns. It is Provident Fund (EPF) and should come out in the stipu- tors, said the Police ic from the Indian soil. As part a huge gesture of humanity on grant additional credit to lated timings and maintain Commissioner. of this, the countrymen are the part of the Modi govern- women self-help groups social distancing. Furthermore, cases were reg- staying at home and are follow- ment to ensure that no Indian (SHGs). Appropriate steps are All the Covid-19 positive istered on 12 shops for violat- ing the epidemic guidelines, he would go to bed on an empty taken to build confidence cases identified in the city are ing the rules and cases were wrote. stomach during this hard time. among the poor and down- foreign returnees. People visit- booked against 22 people The TDP chief said that the About two-thirds of the pop- trodden of our society in ably ing malls and restaurants besides seizing a motorbike. Police Commissioner Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao interacts with staff at a mall during his surprise visit in Vijayawada on Friday hugely diverse population ulation will benefit from the fighting Covid-19. VIJAYAWADA | SATURDAY | MARCH 28, 2020 vijayawada 04

GoAir offers its aircraft, crew, SHORT READS Modi's lockdown address airport staff to govt best in terms of TV ratings PNS n NEW DELHI GoAir on Friday said it has PNS n NEW DELHI offered government its air- Television rating craft, crew and airport staff to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's agency BARC carry out emergency services address announcing the 21-day and repatriation of citizens, lockdown got more viewership India's ratings two days after another low-cost Kejriwal to discuss than his previous televised indicate that the carrier IndiGo made a similar coronavirus pandemic addresses, including the demon- offer. etisation speech in 2016, accord- telecast was Currently, while there is a with world's city leaders ing to BARC India ratings. watched by more ban on international and NEW DELHI: Chief Minister On Tuesday, Modi domestic passenger flights in Arvind Kejriwal will represent announced a complete lock- viewers, compared the country, all-cargo flights Delhi and India at a global down across the country for 21 to Modi's previous can operate as usual, according meeting of city leaders on days, asserting that social dis- speeches to aviation regulator DGCA. Friday evening via a video- tancing was the only way out However, the Directorate services in the wake of a com- ship essential services such as conference organised by the for India in its decisive battle announcing General of Civil Aviation plete lockdown across the medicines, food grains and C40 Cities Climate Leadership against the coronavirus. demonetisation or (DGCA) is yet to give permis- nation," the airline said in a ship manpower who would Group to discuss the Television rating agency sion to airlines to conduct press release. carry out the emergency ser- coronavirus pandemic. A Broadcast Audience Research the "janta curfew" flights using their commercial "The Wadia-Group con- vices such as doctors, nurses, government official said at the Council's (BARC) India's rat- passenger aircraft with just trolled low-cost carrier has para medics and relief workers. meeting, the chief minister will ings indicate that the telecast highest TV viewership (unique while 19.7 crore people Modi's address on abrogation cargo in their belly. offered its aircraft, pilots, cabin According to GoAir, in the address around 35 top city was watched by more viewers, viewers greater than IPL watched Modi's address on of Article 370 of the Constitution India has suspended domes- crew and airport staff to carry letter, it has also offered to leaders from across the world. compared to Modi's previous Finals) with more than 201 television. The prime minister's on August 8 last year had a view- tic passenger flights from mid- out emergency services and repatriate Indian citizens who He added that the mayors of speeches announcing demon- channels carrying it," Prasar address to the nation on March ership of 6.5 crore people across night on March 24 and all repatriation of citizens," it noted. are stuck overseas, repatriate Los Angeles (Eric Garcetti), etisation or the "janta curfew". Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar 19, announcing a 14-hour 163 channels, while his address international flights from 1.30 The letter submitted by expats in our country back to Seoul (Won-soon Park), Paris "According to data shared by said in a tweet. "janata curfew", garnered a on November 8, 2016 announc- am on March 23. GoAir to the Union Civil their base countries and repa- (Anne Hidalgo), Milan @BARCIndia the speech by The final match of the Indian viewership of 8.30 crore people ing demonetisation was viewed "GoAir has reached out to Aviation Ministry offers the triate Indian citizens within (Guiseppa Sala), Istanbul PM @narendramodi on Total Premier League (IPL) had a across 191 television channels, by 5.7 crore people on 114 the Ministry of Civil Aviation following services -- ship cargo our various states and union (Ekrem Imamoglu) and Rome Lockdown on 24th March had viewership of 13.3 crorepeople, according to the BARC ratings. channels. and the DGCA and offered its on behalf of the government, territories. (Virginia Raggi) would join the meeting, among others.

Top BJP leaders condole Central Vista project should be RBI's decision progressive, timely: Nadda demise of Brahmakumaris put on hold indefinitely: Jairam NEW DELHI: Describing RBI's decisions, including lowering PNS n NEW DELHI the repo rate, as progressive chief Dadi Janki He also shared a and timely, BJP president J P Senior Congress leader Jairam news report Nadda on Friday said the PNS n NEW DELHI Nadda said Dadi Janki, who Ramesh on Friday called for announcements will help the was 104 years of age, steered indefinitely putting on hold the claiming that the middle class and strengthen Top BJP leaders on Friday the society toward positivity all government's ambitious project is likely to If govt agrees, will fly economy. "Our Government is condoled the demise of Dadi her life. Central Vista project, saying taking all necessary actions to Janki, the head of spiritual Advani recalled his long the thousands of crores of be delayed by a help the citizens in this difficult organisation Brahmakumaris, association with her and said rupees that will be spent on it few weeks due to a time. Yesterday, Gov announced with BJP president J P Nadda her divine presence was always could be used for more press- migrants from Delhi, relief package. Today, in another and Home Minister Amit Shah overwhelming for him. ing issues. nationwide important step RBI has taken saying that she dedicated her "Dadi Janki's lifelong selfless He said it is "obscene" that lockdown to many important decisions to life to serving humanity. service to society will contin- the government is going ahead contain the spread Mumbai to Patna: SpiceJet give support and stability to Veteran BJP leader L K ue to inspire and guide us for with the project even now, crores that will be spent to sat- Indian economy," he tweeted. of COVID-19 Advani expressed his deep years to come. She served referring to the country's isfy one man's ego," the PNS n NEW DELHI been banned till April 14 mid- Noting that the central bank has pain and said she was a high- society with diligence. She efforts to contain the spread of Congress leader said in a tweet. night, IndiGo and GoAir have slashed repo rate, reverse repo ly admired and respected spir- toiled to bring a positive dif- coronavirus. He also shared a news report power corridor — envisages a SpiceJet has offered services of also offered their aircraft and rate and cash reverse ratio to itual leader who for many ference in the lives of others. Ramesh's comments come claiming that the project is triangular Parliament building its aircraft and crew members to crew and staff members to the strengthen economy, he said it years steered the Her efforts towards empower- in the backdrop the Centre likely to be delayed by a few next to the existing one, com- the government for any human- government for any mission has also helped the middle Brahmakumari movement ing women were noteworthy," approving the land use change weeks due to a nationwide mon Central Secretariat and itarian mission during the 21- required to contain the spread of class by giving moratorium of very effectively towards he said. for execution of the Central lockdown to contain the revamping of the 3-km-long day lockdown and the airline is coronavirus. three months and also waived women empowerment, wel- Dadi Janki passed away at Vista redevelopment project in spread of COVID-19. Rajpath -- from Rashtrapati ready to operate some flights "We have offered our aircraft interest on EMIs. "I welcome fare of humanity and world the age of 104 after prolonged Lutyens' Delhi last week. Over the past few days, sev- Bhavan to India Gate. from Delhi and Mumbai to and crew for any humanitarian these progressive and timely peace. illness. She breathed her last at "It is not just insensitive, but eral opposition leaders have The new Parliament House Patna to alleviate the suffering of mission that the government measures," he added. Shah said she epitomised 2 am on Friday at a hospital in obscene to be thinking of the criticised the government for building will come up on a 9.5- migrant workers, especially needs us to fly. We are already humanity, simplicity and com- Mount Abu in Rajasthan. She New Central Vista project now. notifying the land use change acre land near the existing those from Bihar, its CMD Ajay flying food, medicines and med- Maha: 40 workers passion and dedicated every was suffering from respirato- It should be put on hold indef- for the project. building. Earlier, the plot was Singh said on Friday. ical equipment for government moment of her life to serving ry and stomach-related prob- initely. There are more press- The redevelopment project meant for development of a While domestic and interna- every day (on our freighter air- trying to flee to UP in the mankind. lems for the last two months. ing uses for the thousands of of Central Vista — the nation's district park. tional passenger flights have craft)," Singh said. truck caught, booked THANE: Around 40 migrant labourers working in Mumbai were caught here on Friday Jamiat urges Muslims to pray at home Madgaon railway stn platforms in UP govt asks morning for allegedly trying to n escape to Uttar Pradesh in a PNS NEW DELHI states to truck amid the ongoing nationwide lockdown imposed Prominent Muslim body Goa to provide shelter to homeless for curbing the spread of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind on arrange food n coronavirus, police said. The Friday appealed to Muslims to PNS NEW DELHI driver of the truck had told the offer prayers at home instead for workers n police that he was carrying of congregating in mosques The Disaster Management PNS LUCKNOW vegetables in the vehicle, an amid the coronavirus out- Authority in Goa will take over official said. "The 40 migrant break. Jamiat President platforms of the Madgaon rail- Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary labourers work in Mumbai. Due Maulana Arshad Madani said way station to provide shelter R K Tiwari has urged govern- to the coronavirus scare, they he himself is offering prayer at to the homeless people in the ments of neighbouring states were trying to go to their native home. wake of the lockdown to con- to arrange food and lodging places in Uttar Pradesh in the For daily prayers, he said tain the spread of the novel facilities for residents of the truck. They had reached Nashik, Muslims should pray at home, coronavirus pandemic, accord- state stranded there amid the where the police caught them instead of congregating in ing to an order. lockdown imposed to control and asked them to return to mosques. Muslims are sup- Three persons, all with trav- the spread of coronavirus. Mumbai in the same vehicle," posed to pray five times in a el history to abroad, tested pos- In a letter to the chief secre- inspector (crime) D Gawde of day at designated hours of the itive in Goa for the deadly taries of different states, Tiwari Kopri Police Station said. day. three persons should offer All people must COVID-19 on Wednesday. made to the station master of 2011, 1.35-lakh people migrat- has requested them to make "Scared of the action, the driver "All people must avoid gath- Jumah prayers at mosque so avoid gatherings The order from Ajit Roy, the the railway station. ed there from other states, arrangements for proper food started driving back to Mumbai. erings at any place, and follow that obligation can be ful- collector and chairperson of Madgaon railway station in according to the Census 2011. and lodging in their respective When the truck reached Anand the Shariah guidelines for the filled. It is our religious and at any place, and the South Goa District Disaster Goa has direct rail connection Goa receives the most states for people of UP, an offi- Nagar check-post in Thane, the protection of human life," he social responsibility to protect follow the Shariah Management Authority, has with several major cities in migrants from its neighbour- cial spokesperson said. police checked the vehicle and said. ourselves and others from this guidelines for the issued a requisition under the India like New Delhi, Mumbai, ing states of Karnataka and Tiwari has stressed that in found the labourers travelling in Earlier in the day, he said in harm," Madani said in a state- Disaster Management Act, Kolkata and Chennai. It has Maharashtra, the data revealed. the event of movement of it," he added. When asked why the light of government direc- ment. protection of human life 2005, of the services of all plat- four platforms, which will now While persons from people from one state to they were going to UP, the tives issued regarding coron- Madani lauded the commu- — MAULANA ARSHAD MADANI, forms and station premises of be used as shelters for the Karnataka migrated the most another, the nationwide lock- labourers told the police that avirus, he would advise that nity for adhering to appeals of Jamiat President the Madgaon railway station, homeless. into Goa, with over 53,000 down announced in view of they were concerned about the people must avoid gathering in clerics and offering the Friday which belongs to the Konkan Goa has a steady onslaught shifting residence to the state, the coronavirus outbreak spread of coronavirus in mosques on Friday as well and prayers at home. He said it was Railway, for shelter homes of migrant population coming Maharashtra came second with would be flouted and chances Mumbai and hence wanted to offer prayers at home. praiseworthy that only 3-4 muezzin, prayed at mosques effective immediately. into the state for employment 30,644 migrating from there to of spread of the disease return to their native places, "Only Imam, muezzin and people, including imam and while others prayed at home. The requisition has been and in the decade preceding Goa, as per Census 2011. would increase. Gawde added. Odisha Assembly staff Pvt hospitals not following COVID-19 protocol: Odisha govt asked to go on home PNS n BHUBANESWAR repeated advisory, some private Delhi or on the way back to The man had gone healthcare facilities are not Bhubaneswar. The Odisha government on complying with the COVID 19 Therefore, the number of quarantine, session shifted Friday asked people to refrain to Delhi on March 7 Regulations. Government contacts of the third patient PNS n BHUBANESWAR from visiting a private hospital and during his stay urges them to act responsibly could be much more, an offi- here and directed it to isolate and follow the Regulations cial said. Odisha Assembly Speaker S N all its staff, including doctors, there, he had also while treating patients with flu- Stating that the state is pass- Patro on Friday asked all the who came in contact with a visited Rewari in like symptoms. Non-compli- ing through a very sensitive peri- Vidhan Sabha employees to go patient after he was found to be ance shall be viewed seriously, od, Bagchi said the state govern- on home quarantine after the COVID-19 positive. Haryana, the state it in a tweet. ment has already made it clear state's third COVID-19 patient The 60-year-old man, who governments chief Official sources said at least that the more than 78,000 came in contact with one of was detected as Odishas third 10 teams are now engaged to migrant workers who returned the staffers. COVID-19 patient on spokesperson on trace all those who might have from other states, badly hit by He announced that the Thursday night, does not have COVID-19, Subroto come in contact with the third COVID-19, must be placed assembly, which suspended overseas travel history and he COVID-19 patient, a resident under isolation for 14 days. its proceedings on March 13 in had come here by a flight from Bagchi, said of Bhubaneswar. Referring to the latest case, he the wake of coronavirus out- New Delhi on March 10, a They have been instructed to said, people ought to observe break, will conduct the busi- spread of the deadly virus," the senior official said. went to Assembly dispensary tive for coronavirus on the contact with him, Bagchi said, find out all the people who maximum precautions and act ness of passing the speaker said. The man had gone to Delhi and subsequently visited the night of March 26, Bagchi said. adding that all those people came in contact with the man, responsibly to prevent the dead- Appropriation Bill for 2020-21 "The House will resume at on March 7 and during his stay private hospitals OPD on A senior official of the must remain in isolation. who tested positive after 17 ly disease from becoming an in a special sitting at the Lok Lok Seva Bhawan. I have direct- there, he had also visited March 21, Bagchi said, adding Health and Family Welfare The Health and Family days of initial symptoms. epidemic in the state. Seva Bhavan, the state secre- ed all the Members of Legislative Rewari in Haryana, the state that on March 23 he was department said that the man- Welfare Department will soon They said the second "If you have travelled by the tariat, on March 30. Assembly to maintain a distance governments chief spokesper- admitted to the ICU of the hos- agement of the hospital has send fresh guidelines to all doc- COVID-19 positive case, a 19- same flight, went to the same "As the third COVID-19 of two metres from each other son on COVID-19, Subroto pital with pneumonia and dis- been asked to take all possible tors, clinics and hospitals which year-old man, who returned clinic or have been to the patient came in contact with while sitting," he added. Bagchi, said. charged on March 24. measures — solate the doctors, must be strictly followed, he from London, had come in Assembly dispensary, then get the staff of the assembly, all the The speaker said that lead- He returned to Bhubaneswar On the same day he went to nurses and all those who had said. contact with at least 55 persons. yourself quarantined and con- officials need to put them- ers of all the parties have on a flight along with his wife the Capital Hospital was admit- attended the patient. The department also In the latest case, the man tact helpline number 104," he selves on home-quarantine been requested to send only 30 and daughter, he said. ted there on March 25. A massive exercise is in expressed its displeasure over had not been to any foreign said. We all should cooperate and the entire building will be per cent of their members to On March 13, he became His sample was sent for test- progress to identify the people how the private clinic handled country, but likely to have with the government and oth- disinfected to prevent the the March 30 session. unwell and on March 16 he ing and it came back as posi- who had met him and come in the sensitive case. In spite of been infected during his visit to ers, he added. VIJAYAWADA | SATURDAY | MARCH 28, 2020 nation 05

SHORT READS FIGHT AGAINST CORONAVIRUS Getting battle-ready for COVID-19 Encourage civil society, pvt sector to emergency: NDRF chief partner with govt: VP PNS n KOLKATA trained for medical first Our men are response (MFR) and pre-hos- The NDRF, the specialised deputed in the pital treatment (PHT), and Prez, V-P holds video- force to tackle disasters, is get- can function as the facilitating conferencing with TN ting battle-ready should its dedicated control arm of states for the frontline services are required amid ris- rooms of states health workers. guv on COVID situation ing cases of the deadly COVID We are not in the frontline CHENNAI: President Ram Nath 19 that has put the country so that we are on like doctors or in the second- Kovind and Vice President M under an unprecedented lock- line like paramedics, but prob- Venkaiah Naidu on Friday down, its Director General S N the same page ably feature right after them... interacted with Tamil Nadu Pradhan said. with the local NDRF men can be of help at Governor Banwarilal Purohit Pradhan said personnel of the quarantine centres or in regarding the containment of the National Disaster Response authority in places where there are mass COVID-19 in the state, the Raj Force are also present in all the terms of the cases, he said. PNS n NEW DELHI tribute to this urgent cause by Bhavan said. The two interacted COVID-19 state control rooms The Odisha-born IPS officer freeing up spaces to allocate with Purohit through video as part of its preparedness. information, work also said it will have enough per- Vice President M Venkaiah spots for isolation wards for conferencing, it said in a We have prepared 84 small the local authority in terms of tend to segregation activities at and tasking, sonnel to respond to any natur- Naidu on Friday urged gover- COVID-19 patients. release. Kovind and Naidu core teams per battalion. The the information, work and railway stations, he said. al disaster that may arise amid nors and lieutenant gover- As chancellors of various interacted with the Governor force is trying to cover 600 per- tasking, he added. The force has so far trained Pradhan said the COVID-19 crisis, notwith- nors to enhance awareness universities, Naidu wanted "about the overall situation sonnel in each battalion with NDRF has 12 battalions, nearly 28,000 personnel, standing the nearly 50 per cent among people, and encourage them to explore the possibili- prevailing in Tamil Nadu, personal protection equipment each consisting of 1,150 per- including those from the CISF training all the outward- facing of its strength in all readiness for civil society organisations and ty of conducting online class- regarding the containment (PPE)... we have informed the sonnel. Pradhan said Bihar and other forces, and will con- staff across the landports, air- a possible coronavirus call. We the private sector to partner es to complete the curriculum measures" against the spread chief secretaries of all the states and Tamil Nadu have already tinue with the routine every ports and seaports for the last will work in a collaborative with the government in the and ensure academic schedule of coronavirus, it added. Tamil that we are on standby mode sought its help for coronavirus day, but in smaller batches to one month on how to wear model with the states for exam- fight against coronavirus. was not disturbed. Nadu has so far reported 35 and can be called in as and prevention exercise. On maintain social distancing. PPEs, especially the gloves and ple, there will be a local police- Interacting with governors He appealed to private hos- positive cases of coronavirus when required in terms of the Thursday, the Bihar govern- Pradhan said the NDRF has masks and how to handle them, man, a local medical profession- and LGs during a video con- pitals to earmark some beds and this included a 45 year-old protocol, he told PTI in a tele- ment had asked for two NDRF been successful in clearing a lot and the basic aspects of social al, then there will be an NDRF ference by President Ram for COVID-19 patients and man discharged after treatment phonic interview. Our men teams to be on standby in of apprehension of the staff of distancing, the NDRF chief said. personnel so that we can Nath Kovind, he observed urged civil society organisa- and another who died of the are deputed in the dedicated Patna and Munger for support other forces about the coron- Pradhan, who assumed economise the whole exercise that as first citizens of their tions, including the Red Cross, infection and other co-morbid control rooms of states so that to the local police and medical avirus safety precautions. charge in January last year, said and judiciously use our force, respective states, they were in to take up humanitarian assis- conditions. The state we are on the same page with staff. Tamil Nadu called us to We have been preparing and personnel of the force are Pradhan said. a unique position to play a tance activities for the poor, government has announced a very creative role in this elderly and sick members of slew of measures to tackle the moment of national crisis by our population. spread of the contagion with a motivating and guiding their Naidu asked the governors focus on staying indoors. CORONAVIRUS: respective sates and UTs. and LGs to involve religious "Your leadership is crucial and spiritual leaders, film and Remove postal dept and your guidance, facilitation sports celebrities as also well SC seeks Centre's response on and motivating ability can be known public figures to pro- from essential services most valuable," he said. mote awareness to combat during lockdown: A Raja According to an official COVID-19. He also urged the evacuating 850 pilgrims from Iran statement, Naidu wanted the private sector which has infra- NEW DELHI: DMK MP A Raja governors and LGs to motivate structure and resources to on Friday requested Prime PNS n NEW DELHI new partners such as univer- play a more proactive role in Minister Narendra Modi to sities, kendriya vidyalayas, supplementing efforts of gov- remove the postal department The Supreme Court on Friday other educational institutions ernment and mitigate the from the essential services as sought response from the Centre and religious bodies to con- hardship faced by people. all modes of transport have been stopped during the 21- on a plea seeking directions for day coronavirus lockdown and immediate evacuation of around there is no work for its 850 pilgrims stranded in Iran's Qom city in the wake of the employees. The former Now, an app to allow COVID-19 battle is war, draft Telecom minister said it has coronavirus outbreak. become difficult for the A bench of Justices D Y department to continue with Chandrachud and Surya Kant, final year medicos for the job students continue studies which heard the matter through its services and postal n n employees are at crossroads PNS KOCHI Kalamassery near here. video-conferencing, issued PNS BENGALURU and suffering inability as there The app, which is already notice to the Centre on the plea is no work. "I do appeal the The Kerala Startup Mission being used by close to 100 which has sought a direction to India should take a cue from honourable Prime Minister to (KSUM) on Friday said a firm higher education institutions the government to provide ade- "The petitioner is constrained Iran who conducted the test on the UK and Italy and allow remove the postal department associated with it has come up in the country, entrusts the quate medical support to these to file the present writ petition 850 people. However, this final year medical students to from the essential services as with an app that enables stu- head of a department or Indian citizens who are strand- seeking an order of evacuation process was conducted only skip exam and bring them into train and other modes of dents and teachers to contin- school with the authority to ed in Iran till their evacuation. of about 850 citizens of India once," it claimed. the hospital system immedi- transport have been stopped ue with their studies that have direct the conduct of classes. Iran is one of the countries who are currently stranded in the It alleged that the Iranian ately to fight the war against due to lockdown in lieu of gone off-track following early From there, the lessons worst affected by the COVID-19 city of Qom, Iran," the plea said. government has accommodated COVID-19, noted cardiac sur- coronavirus,” Raja said. Prime closure of schools amid the reach the students. The app pandemic and has reported over It said that several citizens of stranded passengers in various geon Devi Prasad Shetty on Minister Modi on Monday outbreak of novel coronavirus. facilitates access to video lec- 2,000 deaths so far. Ladakh had brought this issue to hotels but most of these pilgrims Friday said. tors following the move to cut announced the 21-day Linways Technologies has tures and provides an update Petitioner Mustafa MH, a res- the notice of the Ministry of are not in a position to pay for The Chairman and Founder short the duration of MBBS by nationwide lockdown to devised the software which on who all have viewed them. ident of the Union Territory of External Affairs after which the it since they do not have suffi- of the city-based Narayana nine months, according to contain the spread of the keeping in tune with social It also provides details of the Ladakh, has said in his plea, government took steps but these cient funds with them. Health said there should be him. novel coronavirus. distancing that is essential to portions covered and the stu- which was argued by senior stranded pilgrims "have not "Besides, they have been some reforms in medical edu- COVID-19 battle can be contain the pandemic. dents who have read the mate- advocate Sanjay Hegde, that been able to receive proper accommodated in hotel rooms cation like the UK and Italy. only won by young doctors "We are providing it for free rial. some of his relatives had travelled accommodation or health care". in groups of four-five. It is In the UK, he noted, final and young nurses. Its like a Kerala tippler ends for the next couple of months. The app features quiz, quick to Iran along with a group of Referring to the statement extremely important to note year medical students have war, Shetty told PTI. We are also considering tests and a facility to clarify about 1,000 pilgrims in given by the external affairs that the situation of spread of been told that they dont need He said: Senior doctorsnone life upset over closure whether it should be extend- doubts. "Linways is deter- December last year. minister, the plea said, "various coronavirus is extremely critical to appear for the exam, and of them will be able to touch of liquor shops: Police ed based on the situation," mined to support teachers He said his relatives were steps were taken and total num- in Iran," the plea said, adding that they will be given pass based the patients because they are THRISSUR: A 38-year-old daily according to Bastin Thomas, and students all across the scheduled to return to India in ber of around 389 people were accommodating them together on the past performance and past the age of 50. A person wage labourer here committed co- founder of the company globe to survive, and come the first week of March but they evacuated from Iran which is a serious health hazard and they can get into the hospital who is past the age of 50 is 'suicide' on Friday, allegedly based in KSUM's Integrated together stronger than are stranded in Iran due to the includes students as well." could lead to disastrous conse- system to fill the shortage. very vulnerable himself. This frustrated over not getting Startup Complex in ever,"Thomas said. coronavirus outbreak. "A team of doctors was sent to quences. Italy got 10,000 more doc- is a very contagious disease. liquor following the coronavirus lockdown and after struggling with withdrawal symptoms, police said. Sanoj, a painting Blood banks in Maha Cop sings to worker, was found hanging KMC reserves burial grounds, from a tree next to his house, convince people they said. "In our preliminary may run dry soon: Tope investigation, his family told us n to stay at home that he was frustrated over the PNS MUMBAI cremation centre for COVID-19 victims n closing of liquor shops. He was PNS MUMBAI n showing withdrawal symptoms Maharashtra Health Minister The video of a Maharashtra PNS KOLKATA Of the 10 afflicted with as he was not getting alcohol Rajesh Tope on Friday urged policeman singing a popular COVID-19 in the state, one has for last two days," police said. A the people to donate blood as Hindi film song to persuade The Kolkata Municipal died. case has been registered for the state's blood banks are like- people to stay indoors amid Corporation (KMC) has The last rites of an elderly unnatural death and further ly to face an acute shortage of rising coronavirus positive reserved two burial grounds man, who became the first investigation was on, police supply due to the ongoing cases in the state has gone viral and a crematorium for last rites casualty of the novel coron- said. All liquor outlets, both lockdown. on social media. In the video, of coronavirus victims in the avirus in Bengal, was consider- private and the state-run Blood supply is required not apparently shot in north city, days after a controversy ably delayed on Monday as beverages corporation, have just for coronavirus patients, Maharashtra, the policeman erupted over the cremation of wary locals put up a road block- been closed in Kerala as part of but also for people suffering can be seen with a cordless mic West Bengal's first COVID-19 ade in the city's Nimtala area to the nationwide lockdown to from other illnesses, he said in hand, asking people stay at casualty. stop government officials from check the spread of coronavirus during a Facebook live. "The without it. Blood has a shelf home as part of the social dis- According to the mayor in cremating him, saying it could which has affected over 120 State Blood Transfusion life of 35 days," he said. tancing to contain spread of council (MIC), health, Atin lead to virus transmission. people in the state. State excise Council (SBTC) told me that Therefore, police and the coronavirus. "Zindagi maut Ghosh, KMC has designated a KMC officials said the Minister T P Ramakrishnan had we have blood stock that administration must ensure na ban jaye, sambhalo yaaron... two-furnace cremation centre municipal solid waste dumping yesterday urged the tipplers, would just suffice for seven to that blood donation camps are (Friends, ensure that life does- at Dhapa grounds, a burial "We have taken this decision and cremation centres have ground at Dhapa was identified who have withdrawal eight days," Tope said. held, the minister said. "But n't turn into death)", the cop is ground at Baghmari for so that there is no repetition of been reserved so that there is for cremating the COVID-19 symptoms, to approach the de- "Blood is something that has they should also keep social seen crooning the song from Muslims and another at Topsia the incident that took place on no confusion and commo- fatalities as the area is sparse- addiction centres in districts. no alternative. We can't do distancing in mind," he said. Aamir Khan-starrer Sarfarosh. for Hindus. Monday. These burial grounds tion," Ghosh told PTI. ly populated. Noted fisheries scientist IAS officer booked in Kerala for violating quarantine A Ramachandran is dead PNS n KOLLAM tine, as per the protocol for left. It is a serious matter, the col- overseas returnees in the back- On his return to lector said adding Mishra has PNS n KOCHI Director of the School of A young IAS officer in Kerala has drop of coronavirus outbreak. Kerala from the been asked to provide his current Industrial Fisheries of Cochin been booked by police after he On his return to Kerala from address and travel details to Noted Fisheries scientist and University of Science and left the state violating instructions the foreign trip, Mishra had foreign trip, Mishra Bengaluru." Vice Chancellor of Kerala Technology (CUSAT), to remain under home quaran- undergone medical examina- had undergone When an officer leaves his University of Fisheries and Ramachandran was elevated to tine following his recent return tion and did not show symptoms. medical jurisdiction, he is supposed to Ocean Studies (KUFOS) Dr A the position of Vice Chancellor from honeymoon abroad, offi- His personal staff, including inform the government, which Ramachandran died due of KUFOS in June 2016. cials said on Friday. gunman, have also been kept examination and did Mishra did not do. He has also to cardiac arrest at his It was under his leader- An FIR has been registered under observation. not show not taken prior permission for residence in ship that the first ever against Kollam sub-collector However, the officer had left symptoms. His leaving the state, the later told Kalamasery here on International Blue Anupam Mishra, who hails from for his brother's place in reporters. The state government Friday, the university Economy Congress in Uttar Pradesh, based on a report Bengaluru without informing personal staff, has sought an explanation from said. Ramachandran, the country was held from the Health department anyone, Nasser said. including gunman, the officer in this regard. 61, had been the here in November last about the violation, Kollam When the Collector got in have also been kept Case has been registered Fisheries Advisor to year. Ramachandran who Superintendent of Police T touch with him, Mishra against him under various sec- Sultanate of Oman and expert secured his Post Doctoral from Narayanan told PTI. informed him that he was in under observation tions of the Indian Penal Code member in many a national and Delft Technical University, The Describing the action of the Bengaluru. including 188 (disobedience to international fisheries councils Netherlands, had published over officer as a "serious matter", "He was on leave after his mar- family at Bengaluru," Nasser Thursday that Mishra, who had house switched off, police sources order duly promulgated by pub- and organisations. Son of former 300 internationally recognised District Collector B Abdul Nasser riage and took permission to told PTI. been staying alone in his quarters said. lic servant), 269 (Negligent Act Cochin Mayor and Congress research papers and authored said Mishra had returned to travel to Malaysia and Singapore. However, police said Mishra's at Kollam, was not there after "The officer has gone without likely to spread infection of dis- veteran late K S N Menon, many books in fisheries and Kerala on March 19 from his On his return I advised him to mobile tower location shows health department staff, who prior permission or leave. He did ease dangerous to life) and 271 Ramachandran is survived by guided as many as 132 research Malaysia-Singapore trip and was remain under home quarantine. Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. regularly visit people in quaran- not have any symptoms of the (disobedience to quarantine wife and a son. While being the scholars to secure their PhDs. advised to remain under quaran- Seems like he left to be with his Authorities came to know on tine, found the lights in his virus. Without informing us, he rule), police said. VIJAYAWADA | SATURDAY | MARCH 28, 2020

www.dailypioneer.com 06 facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ op nion PAPER WITH PASSION States take charge They may not have the halo but some CMs are coming up Costly skin in the game with effective systems for managing the virus spread his is a chilling reality. Fifteen lakh interna- tional travellers arrived in India between With the certainty that the Taliban will return to the corridors of power in some form or the TJanuary 18 and March 23. And the Government is trying to find all of them with other, it is a no-brainer to conclude that New Delhi needs dexterity than ever before respective States to gauge the extent of infectiv- ity they have set off. There is no doubt about the whole-heartedness of efforts by the Centre in tack- ling the COVID-19 and attempting a national lock- down on a colossal scale, the biggest in the world, to build a culture of social distancing as the only preventive. The economic relief package and food- grains for the poor may still not be enough but India is a huge country with several challenges and this is the time when our fed- VIVEK MONISH eral structure is being tested. And while it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi who MISHRA TOURANGBAM gets the national attention, the work done by some Opposition Chief Ministers in n 2001, General Abdul Rashid their respective States proves that unitedly each could learn from the other and forge Dostum, then a fierce warlord, the a united front with the Centre. In the process, we are developing innovative mod- first Vice President of Afghanistan and a key political figure for the els of crisis management that may hold us in good stead to manage not only this northern Afghan provinces now, wave of the virus but future pandemics as well. One such Chief Minister is Kerala’s Iapparently said the following to the Captain Pinarayi Vijayan, heading a State that has not only tamed the deadly Nipah virus of the US Army Special Forces ODA 595 fighting the Afghanistan war. The latter was but confined, choked and controlled it. Kerala’s model of testing, finding, isolating on a classified mission in the wake of the and contact-tracking with a round the year follow-up surveillance is paying off results. September 11 attacks that led to the fight Even before a Central package, the Vijayan Government announced a `20,000 crore for Mazar-i-Sharif. “There are no right choices here. This is Afghanistan. relief measure and is the first to give some dignity to migrant labourers, who are Graveyard of many empires. Today you are homeless and without food post-lockdowns, by officially designating them State our friend, tomorrow you are our guests. Not only that, having learnt hard lessons in disaster management during enemy…You will be cowards if you leave. And you will be our enemies if you stay.” the floods, Kerala is also opening community kitchens and shelters for the displaced. With close to 100 attacks in This inclusivity is not just a tokenism or a political plank to be used at opportune Afghanistan post the signing of the US- moments; the Vijayan Government has always tried to integrate migrant workers, Taliban deal, the decree by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to release 1,500 paying them three times the minimum wage in other States, providing for their chil- Taliban fighters and competing power axes dren’s education and enrolling them for several State schemes. The Arvind Kejriwal in the country with Opposition leader Government in Delhi has eased lockdown pressures, although the city is one of the Abdullah Abdullah and Ghani holding par- stance, New Delhi welcomed of the Taliban as a legitimate try, with involvement in the 28 Sikhs portrays the complexi- allel inaugurals of the new Government in the pact between the US and the political player. Despite the security sector limited to train- ty of the challenge for India in hotspots of COVID-19 in India, and created a three-layered response model of pre- Kabul, Afghanistan threatens to come full Taliban. During his first foreign Americans calling it an agree- ing Afghan officers in Indian mil- Afghanistan as the only legitimate paredness. It has allowed e-tailers, 24X7 operation of shops selling essential pro- circle from its Taliban-ruled days. Indeed, trip, Indian Foreign Secretary ment “between the Islamic itary institutions, and a rather backer of the elected Afghan visions and medicines and is converting abandoned buildings as either shelters or 18 years later, the US is caught between the Harsh Vardhan Shringla reached Emirate of Afghanistan, which is restrained willingness to supply Government even as the US coward-enemy binary, with the Taliban Kabul for a two-day visit and met not recognised by the US,” there military platforms and equip- purposefully recedes. If India quarantine areas. It even has a graded action plan for the spike in cases, from 100 spokesman Za-bihullah Mujahid announc- top Afghan political leaders a day is no denying the fact that the ment. Owing to recent develop- continues to guard its stakes, irre- to 500 and upwards, and has roped in voluntary services of private doctors to stem ing, “As per the US-Taliban agreement, our before the US-Taliban peace peace deal has brought a sense of ments, questions over the nature spective of the nature of the next the tide once the cases rise. The four lakh community kitchens in school premis- mujahideen will not attack foreign forces agreement was signed in Qatar legitimacy to the Taliban. This of India’s role in Afghanistan are Government over there, it should but our operations will continue against the on February 29. The Indian compels a shift in New Delhi’s being acutely debated in the brace for a long resistance and es for the poor will hopefully stem the exodus of daily wagers. The Gehlot Kabul administration forces.” Moreover, as Ambassador to Qatar, P Afghan strategy. Indian strategic community. fight with the Pakistani deep state. Government in Rajasthan has set an example in Bhilwara, the State’s epicentre of the Trump administration has deliberate- Kumaran, was also an invitee of There are at least three fac- The Ghani-led Afghan As was evident in the gurudwara the virus, by locking it down completely before the national diktat, aggressive con- ly concealed two written annexes of the deal the Qatari Government to the tors that point to India’s shifting Government in Kabul has bare- attack, Pakistan will intensify tact tracing and now possibly testing every citizen in clusters. Captain Amarinder from the public, much remains in the realm signing ceremony. policies in Afghanistan, albeit ly emerged from a divided elec- the use of the Haqqani network of speculation regarding the details of the In November 2018, two without an endgame. First, India’s tion result and is faced with an and other terrorist factions that Singh in Punjab, the State which sees high international arrivals, completely cut it pact. This would lead one to make assess- Indian representatives participat- improved relations with the US uphill task in terms of thrashing it has a leverage on, as a front to off before any other State had. ments, whether or not the Taliban is liv- ed, non-officially, in the Moscow and its increasing convergences out the future of the country with attack India. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee in Bengal, true to her style, took to the streets, ing up to the end of the bargain, which is chapter of the Afghan peace with Washington have left little the Taliban, which has steadfast- The India-Afghanistan almost impossible. talks, which included a high-level room for it to be on a side that’s ly refused to recognise its legiti- strategic partnership, among distributing masks and drawing circles in public markets to educate people about The US Secretary of State Mike representation from the Taliban. vehemently opposed to the latter. macy, calling it a puppet of the US other things, is based on a res- the norms of social distancing. She has pledged no food shortage and is prepar- Pompeo’s latest dash to Kabul to reconcile Besides the fact that it doesn’t More so when China is becom- Government. Much is also con- olute Afghan Government in ing for the surge with makeshift medical facilities. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen warring parties in Afghanistan, to form a want to be in a camp opposite to ing a key player in Afghanistan. tingent on the release of the Kabul. At this juncture, with the unity Government and begin intra- the US, an increasingly close part- US President Donald Trump, remaining 3,500 Taliban fighters certainty that the Taliban will Patnaik may have been extremely low-key but has been one of the first to set up Afghanistan talks, did not see any progress. ner of India in global endeavours, during his recent visit to India, is as promised by the Ghani return to the corridors of power a network of quarantine and care centres, his post-flood management holding him However, the Trump administration’s there is an apprehension in New said to have solicited support Government. Therefore, while in some form or the other, it is a in good stead. In fact, going by reports, States and Union Territories with more test- threat of slashing $1 billion in assistance to Delhi about being left out of the from New Delhi for the Taliban New Delhi, Washington and no-brainer to conclude that New Afghanistan has yielded some result with processes that are shaping deal. Second, America’s with- Kabul may still call for an Delhi needs dexterity than ever ing centres are reporting higher cases of incidence. In the end, this is a big test of the Ghani Government and the Taliban Afghanistan’s politics if the latter drawal from Afghanistan tacitly Afghan-owned and Afghan-led before. Add to this, the complex endurance and leadership. If we pass this, then we might just go back to cooper- agreeing to prisoner-swap, starting March continues strategic distancing thrusts a greater regional respon- peace process, it will be naïve not picture of China, which has ative federalism than a competitive one. Welfarism could be shared. 31. There has been little progress on the from the Taliban. sibility on India. This is not just to consider the return of a full- shown its willingness to invest in issue of two parallel Governments in Pakistan’s role as one of the in correspondence to the emerg- fledged violence by the Taliban. Afghanistan. The US pullout, Kabul. As the US is dealing with one of the facilitators in bringing the Taliban ing regional expectations on the For India, the most perti- therefore, can be an opportuni- worst pandemics in its history right now, to the negotiating table has fur- part of Afghanistan but also a pal- nent question is: What kind of ty for India to fill the strategic gap. its resolve to leave Afghanistan in the next ther shrunk New Delhi’s diplo- pable realisation in its scheme of leverage has Pakistan gained in But to do this effectively, it would Stepping up 14 months is going to further strengthen. matic heft, apropos Afghanistan regional leadership. Finally, hav- the entire gamble, in exchange for either require an enhanced secu- To this end, there are a few questions that at the global high table. As such, ing a greater skin in the game for its role in the US-Taliban talks, rity apparatus in Kabul, whether The Indian state is finally responding to the need clear answers from India’s point of there are signs of greater skin in India in Afghanistan, albeit with given its influence over the by partnering with another coun- view. What does the emerging situation the game in Afghanistan for deliberate moderations in its Taliban leadership and intentions try or by itself. Both will have Coronavirus outbreak with more alacrity mean for peace in Afghanistan and the larg- India to pre-emptively deal with role over there, seems to be the to maintain strategic depth in that tremendous and long-drawn er regional stability in the region? How will an emerging politico-strategic best option for New Delhi as the country? Pakistan’s regaining of repercussions. he Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) announce- the resultant geopolitical and geostrategic dynamic over there. choice is between being there and the “strategic depth” runs counter (Vivek Mishra is deputy direc- ment that it will infuse close to `3.74 lakh space in Afghanistan be used by external Afghanistan has come full being left out. to all efforts to establish an influ- tor, KIIPS, Bhubaneswar, and Tcrore into the Indian financial system to deal powers? What should be India’s role in a circle — first the ouster of the India’s role in Afghanistan ential Indian presence in research fellow, ICWA, New Delhi. with the COVID-19 pandemic is welcome. new Afghanistan, where the Taliban has Taliban Government, then a since 2001 has largely been Afghanistan. Monish Tourangbam is assistant gained renewed legitimacy? democratic Afghan Government focussed on the civilian recon- The recent heinous attack at professor Manipal University, Alongside, its move to cut the repo rate and reduce Depicting a change from its earlier with security force, to the return struction of the war-torn coun- a gurudwara in Kabul that killed Karnataka) the cash reserve ratio will give the economy the much-needed boost it will sorely require once the lockdown ends, hopefully without thousands of S O U N D BITE more victims. The reverse repo rate has been The Army is undertaking its Hello kids, I really need your I hope that the US will take There’s a gap in the number of slashed by 0.9 per cent while the cash reserve operational tasks like before. help. Now only you can beat substantive actions to improve passengers who should have ratio of lenders has been lowered by a whole per- There are contingency plans Coronavirus. I feel some Sino-US relations, and both been monitored and the actual in place and spread of people are grown-ups only in sides can work together to number. This may jeopardise centage point. According to the Central bank’s Covid-19 will not affect the age, we need to wake them strengthen cooperation in our efforts to contain the own admission, the repo rate currently stood at 4.40 per cent, down from 5.15 per core efficiency of the Army. up to beat Coronavirus. fighting the epidemic. spread of Covid-19. cent earlier. Given that the Indian economy was already reeling and now that the Indian Army chief Actor Chinese President Cabinet Secretary entire country has been put in lockdown, halting all commercial activities, such a —Gen MM Naravane —Hrithik Roshan —Xi Jinping —Rajiv Gauba move was all but essential and expected. We should all understand that the Indian economy, in fact, financial systems across the world, will take several months if not a few years to recover from the mess that the Chinese recalcitrance has wrought L E T T E R S T O TH E EDITOR on supply chains, banking systems and even on the informal economy back home. In fact, we would be lucky if we register any growth this financial year. While the Unique emergency structure in a mess with an allo- Care for the poor and the marginalised cation of less than two per cent of Government’s earlier relief package of `1.70 lakh crore was meant to help the poor the GDP? Why were adequate pre- and dispossessed, the Central bank’s move makes it amply clear that India’s con- Sir — This refers to the editorial, ventive measures not taken earli- sumer economy is what keeps the wheels of the economy greased. It may include “Total lockdown” (March 26). his refers to the editorial, “Total lockdown” (March er in spite of the outbreak of the The 21-day lockdown to counter 26). It is perplexing as to why the announcement for disease in many other countries? a minuscule number of Indians but they do matter. Making sure that they stay afloat the Coronavirus pandemic comes a 21-day lockdown was made in the same manner Yet, the Prime Minister urged after the crisis ebbs will help the poor in the long-term as well. This is not making with the crippling effect of thou- asT it was done during demonetisation. The citizens were Indians to beat plates and ring bells light of the situation but simply stating a fact. Several industries will be badly sands of people losing their jobs. given almost no time to settle down. The lockdown orders in “honour” of those rendering Daily wage earners and those dri- should have come a few days ago. The migrant work- yeoman service in times of crisis. impacted. Even after domestic and international flights are allowed again, it is unlike- ving autos and taxis have to stay ers should have been given some time to return home. People did answer his call. Gullible ly that India’s aviation sector will resume with the numbers that it did before flights at home. They will find it hard to Visuals of labourers, some with babies on their shoul- Indians marched out to their bal- stopped. It is quite likely that the restrictions on flights will be lifted slowly but with make ends meet. At present, we ders, walking hundreds of kilometres to reach their homes conies and the streets with plates, cannot judge how the spread of went viral on the very first day of the lockdown as they pots, pans, bells and what not, the consumer economy devastated and the fact that there are bound to be thou- the disease will affect the econo- were asked by their employers to vacate their quarters. susceptible to diseases like pneumonia and tuberculo- making a mockery of the idea of sands of white-collar job losses, it is unlikely that vacation travel will pick up any- my but what is sure is that fallouts Failing to get any transport, they started walking. sis. If they are not immediately provided with nutritious social distancing. time before 2021 at the earliest. Many people are likely to be holding onto cash will be severe. The Government, What has happened cannot be rectified now. But it food, they can become the epicentre of COVID-19. India Rightly has a reputed journal- too, cannot be blamed entirely for ist quipped that we have won the reserves for a while and only pay essentials such as educational fees. People must is welcome that without any delay, the Union Government has enough food stocks to tide over the Coronavirus cri- this. For, we are in the midst of a came up with a relief package worth `1.7 lakh crore to sis but the problem is of management. The FAO estimates World Championship of Stupidity. be encouraged to spend because this is what keeps chefs, waiters, housekeeping unique emergency, one we have shield the poor during the ongoing COVID-19 pandem- that 30 per cent of cereals are lost in India due to inef- As such, the directive to stay at staff and even pilots employed. never seen before. The bailout ic. Many State Governments like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar ficient supply chain management. The Government must home does not hold water. Those plans of the Reserve Bank of India forced to venture outside out of While the RBI has announced a moratorium for term loans, a lot will now depend Pradesh and Punjab have announced relief measures to buy the surplus food and distribute them to the needy. as well as the Finance Minister alleviate the sufferings of the vulnerable. Several State This will not only solve the problem of hunger and mal- need are being harassed on social on the banks and other lending institutions to act and pass on the benefits to the may not be enough. Some busi- Governments and civil society groups have been provid- nutrition but also improve the condition of the farmers. media. It seems that while the people. Instead of increasing Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates, may be the ness sectors need direct support. ing cooked food to the homeless. Given the fact that 194.4 Sujit De credit for any success goes to the Jubel D’Cruz million of our population are undernourished, they are Kolkata Prime Minister, the failures are Government should consider reducing rates, particularly on high-value items such Mumbai attributed to the common people. as automobiles, to encourage consumption. We should all understand that the year If people clanging utensils truly 2020 will be a dead loss in terms of economic growth. Projections of a two-three Strict adherence omy is threatening to slip into a It is now the duty and responsi- Utter stupidity revered doctors, they would not recession. Amid the lockdown bility of every family member not have forgotten Kafeel Khan, who per cent growth might be too optimistic if the visitor from Wuhan stays on till the call given by the Government to to step out and respect the is languishing in jail. winter, when the entire economy could even regrow. We can only hope that there Sir — This refers to the editori- strictly stay indoors and stay restrictions laid down by the Sir — This refers to the editorial, Kajal Chatterjee is a rebound of sorts when things get back to normal, whenever they do. And for al, “Total lockdown” (March 26). calm, this is an opportunity for Government to prevent further “Total lockdown” (March 26). Far Kolkata that to happen, confidence has to be kept high. Therefore, the RBI’s decision is a The outbreak of Coronavirus the people to build deep bonds spread of the pandemic. from questioning what concrete has impacted the common man’s with their family members and Varun Dambal action was being taken to stop the Send your feedback to: positive for India. Now over to the Indian corporate sector and the consumer. daily activities even as the econ- cherish the value of relationships. Bengaluru contagion, why is our health infra- [email protected] VIJAYAWADA | SATURDAY | MARCH 28, 2020

www.dailypioneer.com 07 FIRSTCOLUMN analysis Humanity united POINTCOUNTERPOINT YOU’RE WASTING EVERYONE’S TIME WITH THIS PETER, IF YOU THINK THAT SPEAKING IN FACTS AND like never before (TALK OF SHORTAGE OF VENTILATORS). YOU ARE TRUTH IS FRIGHTENING TO THE PEOPLE, THEN FRIGHTENING AMERICA WITH THAT KIND OF STUFF. YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. China's response to the Coronavirus outbreak is a —PETER NAVARRO —BRIANNA KEILAR lesson on how to stay strong in times of a global community crisis WHITE HOUSE TRADE ADVISER CNN HOST A mixed bag HIMADRISH SUWAN While some of the relief measures announced by the FM are just financial ith nations being plagued by the alarming spread of COVID- 19, the concept of world unity has acquired a new meaning jugglery, the remaining items offer some concrete benefits to the poor Wand dimension. The world is unitedly trying to stop the march of the Coronavirus and scientists, researchers and doctors are look- ing for solutions on a war footing. Spreading and multiplying with expo- nential spikes, the COVID-19 has claimed 24,863 lives and affected 5,49,220 people around the world till date and the numbers are grow- ing by the day. These are tough times and many world leaders are also in the grip of the Coronavirus, with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson being the latest addition to the list. It is times like these that make us question the idea of free move- ment across boundaries and borders. Though, over the decades, glob- al connectivity has contributed to the exponential growth of trade, com- UTTAM GUPTA merce and technological developments, such pandemics make us rethink and measure the perils of having superior transportation net- n his address to the nation on March 19, Prime works. However, a snag in the fabric of humanity is far from what it Minister Narendra Modi announced the set- ting up of an Economic Response Task Force will take to make us abandon our collective consciousness and human I (ERTF) under the Union Finance Minister (FM), integrity. Nirmala Sitharaman to come up with a package Given China’s rampant growth and the high population density of measures to alleviate the problems faced by based on the millions of businesses operating here, it is no mystery industries, sectors, businesses and workers due to why the containment and arrest of the COVID-19 outbreak was dif- the economic disruption caused by COVID-19. ficult to manage. To add to this, China’s booming economy and indus- The most seriously affected sectors, such as trial network made the virus travel and assault other nations faster aviation, transport, hospitality, tourism, retail, than anticipated. Having no real history to speak of and completely micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), based on hygiene checks and regular sanitisation, there is no tangi- are looking for a host of concessions such as addi- ble measure to hold on to. This has quite naturally spread panic and tional interest subvention (for instance, MSMEs are demanding three-five per cent over and hysteria among people, who are majorly concerned about the col- above the two per cent that they are already get- lapse of aid and governance with time. ting), moratorium on repayment of loans and inter- China, on the other hand, has been lauded for its determined est dues, relaxing the repayment schedules and lib- response in fighting and containing the epidemic. Being the epicen- eralising the norms for declaring a loan a non-per- tre of a mortifying disease with unknown capabilities, it must have forming asset (NPA). At present, a loan is classi- been an uphill task. But, despite the world slamming the nation for fied as a NPA if it is not paid within 90 days and bringing the Coronavirus epidemic upon it and being fixated on how now the demand is for increasing this to 180 days. Beijing tackles this crisis, what China has done, as a community, is The industries are also seeking reduction in spectacular. Right from proactively locking down its borders and sus- policy rate, the interest rate charged by the pending travel from and into the country — which seems like a huge Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on loans given to decision to take considering how deeply-entrenched trade and busi- banks, by 50 basis points and reduction in the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) to inject more liquidity into ness is in Chinese functioning — the response has been fast and the economy and so on. HOWEVER, WE competent. However, the worst-affected are tens of mil- Having an established reputation for being miles ahead in tech- lions in the “informal” sector such as street ven- SHOULD ALSO NOT crore farmers in the first week of April; already being done. The proposed relief 2019-20 at `12,00,000 crore) — fixed nology and development, discipline and excellence, China has indeed dors, craftsmen, construction workers, domestic BE OBLIVIOUS OF an ex-gratia amount of `1,000 for the for construction workers and healthcare prior to the crisis — was highly unreal- lived up to the world’s expectations by rapidly acting against the spread workers, agricultural labourers, the self-employed THE FISCAL next three months in two instalments to from the respective funds is not amenable istic. Post-crisis, this may look like day- of the Coronavirus, taking drastic measures to lock down and iso- and so on. They are in need of immediate finan- IMPLICATIONS OF three crore widows and senior citizens; to any precise quantification. dreaming. With the inevitability of glob- late its population. When every major Virology expert is stressing on cial relief and in substantial measure. What EVEN A LIMITED free gas cylinders to 8.3 crore women The increase in loan limit for al recession and lack of market appetite, the need to quarantine and restrict movement among citizens, the com- should be the relief amount per person? What will PACKAGE. THE Ujjawala scheme beneficiaries for three Women SHGs is not a cash transfer or the target for proceeds from disinvest- plete shutdown of Wuhan and other Hubei provinces within a few weeks be its impact on the Budget? NERVE-SHATTERING months; and an increase of `20 in wage grant. The 24 per cent contribution to ment of its shareholding in Public Sector ` of the outbreak of the COVID-19 contagion was a monumental fac- India’s working population is about 40 crore. COVID-19 HAS rate of workers under the Mahatma EPF may sound attractive but is ham- Undertakings (PSUs) i.e. 2,10,000 crore Of this, 94 per cent or 37.6 crore are in the infor- Gandhi National Rural Employment strung by a rider; thus, even if the num- (a major source of non-tax revenue) is tor in slowing down the virus’ spread. COME AT A TIME mal sector. The national minimum wage of an WHEN THE Guarantee Act (MNREGA) to benefit ber of employees earning less than clearly out of reach. It is almost unheard of, in the recent past, of a major superpow- informal worker is approximately `175 per day or five crore people. `15,000 per month is 89 per cent of the Some experts have suggested that the er completely alienating itself and strictly imposing travel restrictions, `4,550 per month (26 working days) and when s/he GOVERNMENT IS For construction workers, State total, the concerned establishment won’t Government may relax the fiscal deficit effectively jeopardising its economy and trade relations, just to com- doesn’t get to work, s/he loses this much income. STARING AT A BIG Governments have been directed to use be eligible. The change of EPFO regula- (FD) target for 2020-21 by one percent- bat an illness. Not just this, being the flagbearer of human capital avail- For 37.6 crore workers, this comes to about SHORTFALL IN TAX the welfare fund for building and con- tion merely allows the worker to with- age point to release about `2,00,000 crore. ability, China was able to construct two gigantic, 1,000-bed hospi- `1,70,000 crore per month. If the lockdown con- COLLECTION. struction labourers (it has around draw his own money. But this can’t be viewed in isolation from tinues for three months, the loss will be `5,10,000 AS IT IS, AT `31,000 crore) to help people face eco- The remaining items offer some con- the existing fiscal position. If, deferred tals, with state-of-the-art facilities and test kits, within days. Such a ` dedicated and coordinated effort by the healthcare professionals, first crore. This should be the quantum of Direct 15,75,000 CRORE, nomic disruption because of the lock- crete financial benefit. Let us attempt to subsidy payments (DSPs), extra-bud- responders and construction workers, is no mean feat. They stood Income Support (DIS). What has the FM offered? THE TARGET FOR down. arrive at a number by putting relevant getary resources (EBRs) are included, by their nation and poured their hearts and souls into those develop- On March 24, for the industries and business- 2020-21 (INCREASE Likewise, the funds available under pieces together. already the FD should be six per cent (as es, Sitharaman announced reliefs which are large- the District Mineral Fund (DMF) can be For a woman Jan Dhan account against the budgeted 3.5 per cent). The ments, all the while being dangerously susceptible to exposure. OF 31 PER CENT ly “procedural.” These include extending the date OVER THE LIKELY used for testing activities, medical screen- holder, who is also the head of the house- steep decline in both tax and non-tax rev- China has been called the fasting-growing economy for years. for filing returns (income-tax, Goods and Services ing and providing healthcare to fight the hold, the value of 35 kg rice (for a fam- enue (courtesy the Coronavirus) will With its booming industrial markets, it has achieved stellar heights of Tax, customs, excise and statutory filings under the ACTUAL DURING pandemic. ily of five people at five kg per person) increase it further. 2019-20 AT business leadership. With the COVID-19 contributing to plunging stocks, Companies Act), reducing interest chargeable on ` Besides, under the Deen Dayal and one kg pulse is `955 (market price On top of this, a further relaxation decimated production chains and halted exchange of raw materials delayed payments, exemption from penalty, 12,00,000 CRORE) National Livelihood Mission (DDNLM), of rice: `35 per kg and pulse `80 per kg); of one per cent to meet expenditure com- to industry leaders like Apple and Tesla, it is amazing how the coun- increasing threshold of insolvency filing and so on. — FIXED PRIOR TO Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will `500 ex-gratia; `500 value of subsidised mitments under PMGKS will lead to a try has managed to hold on to its nerves and not crumble under this She also indicated that the financial package for THE CRISIS — WAS get collateral-free loans up to `20 lakh gas cylinder and `600 increase in wage fiscal catastrophe. We may defeat the onslaught. affected sectors will be separately notified based HIGHLY (up from `10 lakh earlier) to benefit under MNREGA. All put together, the Coronavirus eventually but the vast Interestingly, while the number of Coronavirus cases has been on recommendations of the ERTF. UNREALISTIC. 630,000 SHGs. benefit comes to `2,555 per month. majority of the poor will be crippled by growing across the world, it is on the decline in China. This goes to On March 26, apart from providing insurance POST-CRISIS, THIS For the organised sector, the This is a good sum, though far below resulting high inflation (for the first time cover worth `50 lakh for doctors, nurses, para- Government will pay the Employees’ the amount required to offset the loss of in decades, the Centre is asking the RBI prove that suspending schools, offices, all major gatherings and even- MAY LOOK LIKE medics and sanitation workers, she announced the DAYDREAMING Provident Fund (EPF) contribution of income resulting from the lockdown. to buy its bonds which in plain words tually going into a lockdown, indeed turned the stakes in humanity’s PM Gareeb Kalyan Scheme (PMGKS) aimed at both the employer and the employee or Besides, an overwhelming numbers of means “print new currency” and is favour. Having a responsive and watertight public healthcare system providing immediate assistance — in both cash and 24 per cent for three months. However, workers in the informal sector will be left inflationary), high interest rates, high cost also nipped the problem in the bud, historically speaking. kind — to millions of poor. The scheme entails a this is only for those establishments with out; their benefit may at best be restrict- of capital to industry, plummeting real It is hard to imagine what would have transpired if this decision total expenditure commitment of `1,70,000 crore. up to 100 employees, 90 per cent of them ed to five kg of free wheat/rice and one wages and so on. had been delayed by Beijing. The pandemic, that is taking a new and The package includes giving five kg of earning less than `15,000 per month. kg pulse (that too subject to the capabil- All this points to a dire need for aggressive shape each passing day, would have become an even big- rice/wheat per person per month for “free” to Further, the Employees’ Provident ity of the existing distribution network expediting reforms in all crucial areas viz. ger monster, impossible to fight. around 80 crore people through the Public Fund Organisation (EPFO) regulation to supply these grains to the needy). food, fertilisers, fuel, power, irrigation, The Coronavirus outbreak and China’s response to it is indeed Distribution System (PDS) plus one kg of preferred will be amended so that workers can However, we should also not be credit, taxation, banking and PSUs so as a lesson on how to put barriers around panic and keep a strong face and region-specific choice of pulse per household withdraw up to 75 per cent for contin- oblivious of the fiscal implications of even to result in a “sustainable” reduction in for three months (this is in addition to the five kg gency expenditure as non-refundable a limited package. The nerve-shattering spending and achieve the desired buoy- in times of a global community crisis. And finally, it is a sight to behold, of rice/wheat already being given to them per advance or three months of wages in COVID-19 has come at a time when the ancy in tax revenue. But, for now, it seems how we humans have united against a common enemy and are fight- month); ex-gratia of `500 per month for three advance, whichever is less. This is Government is staring at a big shortfall all reforms have been put in the deep ing for mankind’s survival, shoulder to shoulder. months to Women Jan Dhan account holders to expected to benefit 4.8 crore workers. in tax collection. As it is, at `15,75,000 freezer. (The writer is Chairman, Confederation of Young Leaders and benefit 20 crore women; release first installment Of the 10 items, payment under PM- crore, the target for 2020-21 (increase of (The writer is a New Delhi-based Director, Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership) of `2,000 under the PM-KISAN scheme to 8.69 KISAN is merely a rehash of what is 31 per cent over the likely actual during policy analyst) An ocean of opportunity in assistive products All that marketers need to do is deliver value in the form of access to an equal lifestyle at a reasonable cost to divyangs and they would find huge numbers of loyal and proud customers significantly. Thus was opened a new that it is a lucrative-enough market to individuals with mobility and senso- aspirations, preferences and attitude needs appreciation of the fact that dis- mounted laser pointers for comput- frontier which corporates had not pursue with earnestness. Are mar- ry impairments use computers and towards brands and products as peo- abilities are varied and a one-size-fits- er keyboards for cerebral palsy thought of till then. On similar lines, keters scanning the demographic mobile devices. Tools to help learn- ple without. And yet this niche mar- all approach will be counterproduc- patients and so on. today it might be worth looking at and divyang data well enough to ers with disabilities participate in edu- ket is underserved. While the big tive. For instance, a visually-chal- There is an acute need for “assis- special needs groups like PwDs as aggressively chase this segment? cational activities with the help of companies focus on the vast majori- lenged person’s needs would be quite tive technology products”, much more profitable target segments in a Could it be a new frontier for early automatic page turners, book holders ty of the market, smaller firms and different from that of a mobility- than what marketers have cared to focussed manner. starters in this domain? and adapted pencil grips. Also, closed entrepreneurs will do well to engage impaired one. explore. With Government policies According to the World Bank, the Intervention experts who work captioning via apps to help people with this niche segment. Marketers would also do well to like Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan size of this market is in the range of with PwDs have time and again with hearing problems watch visual People like to buy from people bear in mind that instead of trying to (Accessible India Campaign) in approximately 15 per cent of the glob- exhorted industry doyens to design content. who look like them. So divyangs may bring new products, tweaking exist- motion since 2015, marketers could JONES MATHEW al population. That is to say, approx- and develop assistive devices that will It can also include physical mod- be engaged in advertisements to ing ones to improve accessibility deliver a better quality of life for PwDs imately one billion people on the plan- help an individual to do something ifications in the built environment, PwDs. Marketers should test-market could be quicker. For instance, a because there is now a structured t is often said that marketing is the et are in dire need of products that can that they otherwise might be inca- including ramps, grab bars, wider products on PwDs and their family braille smartphone for the visually- approach and framework available. link between (a segment of) soci- help solve their problems of fitting in, pable of doing. It often helps people doorways to enable access to build- members or care givers to obtain pre- impaired; Artificial Intelligence- based Importantly, such marketing must not Iety’s needs and its economic holding down jobs, or simply surviv- overcome a handicap. ings, businesses/workplaces and yel- cise feedback. Some researchers con- software that converts speech into text be pursued as a charity or philan- response patterns. However, one ing with dignity. In India, the num- Some examples of assistive tech- low strips to outline safe walking tend that when companies marketing for the hearing-impaired; cars thropic activity. major group of customers that has ber of divyangs is nearly 2.7 crore. Add nologies are: Aids to help mobility like areas. Plus, high-performance mobil- to PwDs have divyang employees in designed to allow wheelchair- bound Divyangs value their self-esteem largely been ignored by marketers is to this another 150 million senior cit- wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes, ity devices made with lightweight their organisation, it helps in connect- people to enter the vehicle directly and personal dignity just as much as persons with disabilities (PwDs) or izens who also face varying degrees crutches, prosthetic devices, and materials that enable divyangs to ing with the target group as having a with the wheelchair and then drive sit- any other person. All that marketers divyangs. of disabilities and impairments as they orthotic devices. Devices that help play sports and be generally active varied customer base appears to be ting in the wheelchair itself; voice/ges- need to do is deliver value in the form When the corporate strategy age. A further impetus comes from hearing-impaired individuals physically. Also, adaptive switches and more acceptable to PwD customers. ture-activated home appliances for the of access to an equal lifestyle at a rea- guru CK Prahalad exhorted compa- the knowledge that as lifespans hear/hear more clearly. Aids to assist utensils to allow those with limited Marketers must also exhibit genuine mobility-impaired; medicine boxes sonable cost and there could be nies in the late 20th century to alle- increase due to better healthcare cognitive functions in people with motor skills to prepare food, consume interest and concern for the PwD seg- with light/sound signals to help elder- found an ocean of loyal and proud viate poverty and profit from the facilities, the proportion of senior cit- memory, attention or information it and accomplish other related activ- ment by engaging with disability-ori- ly and memory loss individuals customers among the PwDs. “Bottom of the Pyramid”, the target- izens will only increase in the future. processing challenges. Computer ities, are the need of the hour. ented organisations and non-profits remember to take/keep track of pre- (The writer is Professor, Marketing, ting horizon for corporates widened It might, therefore, be safe to surmise hardware and software that enable PwDs have the same range of in their activities. Marketing to PwDs scribed drug schedules; spectacles- Great Lakes Institute of Management) VIJAYAWADA | SATURDAY | MARCH 28, 2020 money 08 CAPSULE Sensex snaps 3-day rally, ends 131 pts lower on recession fears

PNS n MUMBAI interest on loans and working Bajaj Finance capital has disappointed many. Tata Motors extends Equity benchmark index was the biggest He added that there is no free service, OE Sensex erased early sharp gains doubt that the RBI is playing to close lower by 131 points on loser in the every card in its pocket to pre- warranty period Friday, snapping its three-day Sensex pack, vent a crisis-like situation by GDP likely to grow MUMBAI: Tata Motors on rising streak as concerns over giving banks the ability to lend Friday said it has "proactively" an impending recession height- tanking up to 8 more, but as such no direct extended the last date to July ened after the RBI said the pro- per cent, helping hand has been given to just 2 per cent in 31 for customers whose jected annual growth was at ailing industries as of now. original equipment warranty risk due to the COVID-19 followed by Meanwhile globally, bours- and free service period were outbreak. Hero MotoCorp, es in Shanghai, Hong Kong, due to expire between March In a bid to support the IndusInd Bank, Tokyo and Seoul ended high- 2020-21: Icra 15 and May 31. The step has economy during the pandem- er, while benchmarks in been taken due to the 21-day ic, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Maruti and HCL Europe were trading in the red. PNS n MUMBAI They said the estimate is pan-India lockdown imposed Das unveiled a slew of mea- Tech International oil benchmark guided by the rapidly growing by the central government from sures, including its steepest Brent crude fell 2.20 per cent Despite the Reserve Bank of uncertainties over the duration Wednesday. All Tata Motors interest rate cuts in more to USD 25.76 per barrel in India's (RBI) massive actions of the impact of coronavirus workshops will ensure that the than 11 years. The repo has higher, the 30-share BSE Axis Bank, ITC, NTPC and was being given in view of the futures trade. to spur the economy, India's on economic activity in India customers have been informed been cut by 75 basis points to barometer gave up all the gains M&M were among the top uncertainty created by out- On the currency front, the gross domestic product (GDP) and the rest of the world. of this extension, the company 4.4 per cent - the lowest in at to end 131.18 points or 0.44 per gainers. break of the deadly virus. rupee depreciated marginally is likely to contract by 4.5 per The RBI's policy measures said in a statement. "In the light least 15 years. cent lower at 29,815.59. It hit Despite massive rate cuts, He further said that the to 75.20 against the US dollar cent in the April-June 2020 got welcomed as a set of "com- of the Central Government Further, the Reserve Bank a high of 31,126.03 and a low domestic market turned neg- growth projection of 4.7 per in intra-day trade. quarter and will rise by only 2 prehensive announcements" imposed lockdown due to the reduced the cash reserve ratio of 29,346.99 in day trade. ative on concerns over the cent for the fourth quarter of The death toll due to per cent in 2020-21 on the by the agency. COVID-19 outbreak and the (CRR) for all banks by 100 On the other hand, the annual economic growth 2019-20 and 5 per cent for the COVID-19 rose to 17 in the coronavirus impact, according "The combination of mora- resultant inability of our basis points to 3 per cent to broad-based NSE Nifty closed amid rising uncertainty over whole fiscal was at risk. country on Friday and the to domestic rating agency Icra. toriums, liquidity enhancing customers to avail maintenance release Rs 1.37 lakh crore 18.80 points, or 0.22 per cent, the COVID-19 pandemic, Jimeet Modi, Founder and number of coronavirus cases While announcing a num- measures and the sharper- and repairs, as part of their across the banking system. It higher at 8,660.25. traders said. CEO, Samco Securities said, In climbed to 724, according to ber of measures in the policy than-hoped-for repo rate cut vehicle's warranty policy, Tata also allowed banks to put on Bajaj Finance was the biggest Announcing the decisions of such uncertain times, instead the Health Ministry. review, the RBI refrained from will help to assuage the mar- Motors has decided to extend hold monthly instalment pay- loser in the Sensex pack, tank- the Monetary Policy of fresh funds entities want to The number of deaths giving its estimate on both kets in these increasingly the last date, for customers ments on all term loans for ing up to 8 per cent, followed Committee (MPC), RBI save their skin, RBI's relaxation around the world linked to the growth and inflation, saying unsettled times, and offer whose OE warranty and free three months. by Hero MotoCorp, IndusInd Governor Das said that no pro- of only 3 months instead of 6 new coronavirus has crossed things are fluid and rapidly some protection against wide- service period (not kms.) are After opening significantly Bank, Maruti and HCL Tech. jection for growth and inflation months for moratorium on over 24,000. changing. spread defaults, even though due to expire between March The Indian economy was the actual impact on boosting 15 and May 31, to July 31," the already supposed to clock a economic activity may be lim- company said in the statement. decadal low growth of 5 per cent ited," it said. in 2019-20, according to official A slew of analysts have Biocon, Biologics activate Covid-19 ‘very grave’ in Singapore, estimates, and the coronavirus- been downwardly revising related worries have only com- their growth estimates fol- pounded the problems. lowing the outbreak of the business continuity plans "Regardless of the measures coronavirus pandemic in India will stabilise economy: PM Lee announced now by the RBI, and also a host of developed PNS n NEW DELHI we are lowering our base case countries. India has been Biocon will continue to PNS n SINGAPORE scenario for GDP growth to (- placed under a three-week Biotechnology major Biocon operate essential )4.5 per cent for Q1 FY2021 lockdown till mid-April, Exporters call for and its arm Biocon Biologics pharmaceutical Prime Minister Lee Hsien and to 2 per cent for FY21," which has chilled virtually all one-year repayment have activated business continu- Loong has described the coro- Icra said in a note on Friday. the economic activity. ity plans across their functions manufacturing in full navirus outbreak in Singapore moratorium to prepare for unforeseen events compliance with as “very grave”, saying that his MUMBAI: Appreciating the in light of the evolving COVID- government government will do whatever massive liquidity infusion with 19 situation. requirements, it added it takes to stabilise the coun- a slew of measures that the The plans have been activat- try's economy even if nobody Trade body demands Sebi RBI announced earlier in the ed also to meet the needs of meet our commitments to can tell what lies ahead. day, the national exporters patients, partners, customers patients, customers and part- Speaking to reporters after body has called for specific and other stakeholders, Biocon ners," it added. the government unveiled a action to curb speculation steps for the industry since it said in a filing to the BSE. While supply chain disrup- supplementary budget of 48.4 being the worst hit. "While the Biocon will continue to oper- tions and impaired mobility billion Singapore dollars in moratorium on all loans ate essential pharmaceutical due to lockdowns have a direct Parliament on Thursday to in castor seed futures repayments for three months manufacturing in full compli- bearing on the operations, "we tackle the coronavirus out- PNS n NEW DELHI and 75 bps cut in interest ance with government require- are working to minimise disrup- break, Lee assured that he will a few months of time for it to combat the coronavirus is rates would help exporters as ments, it added. tion to production schedules and do everything possible to sta- assess the situation and put intended to see the country With demand and supply been well, the export sector has "Since we are involved in supply of drugs...," Biocon said. bilise the city state's economy, together a second package. until the end of the year. suspended due to COVID-19 been the worst hit by the manufacturing of essential The current inventory of preserve jobs and help compa- “But we did not expect with- Lee added that Singaporeans lockdown, edible oils trade Coronavirus pandemic and drugs, we are assessing the most of "our raw materials for nies stay afloat. in one month, the picture was must be psychologically pre- body SEA on Friday urged the would thus need bigger relief. impact of the lockdown on our the company is estimated to last "Whatever it takes to do that, totally changed, the health pared for things to worsen in market regulator Sebi to take "The moratorium on loan ability to continue with manu- for the next few months," it we will do them," Lee said. picture was totally changed, the the coming months. action to curb excessive spec- repayments should be facturing operations of essential added. Shares of Biocon were "We want to see people economic picture was totally In such a scenario, the gov- ulation in castor seed futures extended at least to 6-12 pharmaceuticals, biopharma- trading at Rs 276.35 per scrip, through this; we are under no changed,” conceded Lee. ernment is prepared to tap on on the NCDEX platform. months for exporters since the ceuticals and APIs in order to down 2.33 per cent, on the BSE. illusions that this is the end of "This is why the the reserves again, he said. In view of the coronavirus global economy is set to be the story because nobody can Government also completely Singapore is drawing from outbreak, all market yards are slipping into a recession," tell what lies ahead," he added. changed its policy response national reserves to fund the closed, all manufacturing units physical market fundamen- EEPC chairman Ravi Sehgal The city-state has reported and set aside a further 48.4 bil- supplementary budget are shut, most export activities tals," Solvent Extractors said in a statement. 683 virus infections and two lion Singapore dollars to sup- announced on Thursday. are closed. But the NCDEX Association of India (SEA) He said it will be a long haul deaths, but has won praise for port businesses, workers and Lee noted that economies castor seed futures has been Executive Director B V Mehta for exports to resume as its approach and has so far families, he said. around the world have been hitting upper circuit since last said in a letter to the Securities almost the entire world is avoided going into a total It was a Supplementary drastically hit as the flow of two days on very thin vol- and Exchange Board of India under lockdowns. lockdown. Budget nearly seven times the goods and people reach a umes, it added. (Sebi). To protect the sanctity Lee gave a sense of the fast- initial 6.4 billion Singapore standstill. "In the absence of the func- of the market, the industry changing situation, pointing dollars worth of measures in As an open economy, tioning of the physical market body said the Sebi should Govt raises Rs 11,500 out that his government had the February Budget to cush- Singapore is particularly hard due to the COVID-19, the take suitable action as in the thought the measures con- ion the COVID-19 fallout. hit, especially in industries NCDEX futures market is current conditions, the futures cr from sale of THDC, tained in the Budget present- The combined 55 billion such as aviation, tourism and being driven by speculators market is completely unlinked NEEPCO to NTPC ed on February 18 would buy Singapore dollar budget to hotels, he pointed out. without any correlation to the to the physical market. NEW DELHI: The government has raised Rs 11,500 crore through strategic sale of two state-run power companies, RBI steps to help mitigate impact Analysts welcome RBI stimulus measures THDC and NEEPCO, to NTPC. The government has sold n 74.49 per cent stake in THDC PNS MUMBAI sures system-wide both for Rs 7,500 crore and 100 of coronavirus lockdown: Industry through liquidity, rates and per cent in NEEPCO for Rs Analysts were unanimous in regulatory forbearance (retail n 4,000 crore. With this, the PNS NEW DELHI est rate by the steepest in more required a massive dose of welcoming RBI's rate cuts, for- as well as for industry) and also total disinvestment proceeds than 11 years as it joined the gov- monetary stimulus to be inject- bearance on loans and liquid- targeted measures to manage in the current financial year A slew of measures announced ernment efforts to rescue a ed at the earliest. The RBI has ity easing measures, saying the corporate bond markets,” stand at over Rs 46,500 crore. by the RBI on Friday would help slowing economy that has now done just that. This should help the economy requires stimuli Kotak Mahindra Bank's senior The Revised Estimates had mitigate the impact of coron- got caught in coronavirus whirl- lift the spirit of economy, " Ficci in the present circumstances. economist Upasana Bharadwaj pegged disinvestment receipts avirus-related lockdown on wind. The RBI cut repo to 4.4 per President Sangita Reddy said. Some of them also said that said. in the current financial year at businesses, the industry said. cent, the lowest in at least 15 "This, together with a host of the Reserve Bank of India She said the measures Rs 65,000 crore. "DIPAM The industry said that the years. Also, it reduced the cash other measures to boost liquid- (RBI) may have to deepen the should help in tiding issues completed two more strategic steps would help push lending reserve ratio maintained by the ity will address the financial rate cut if the COVID-19 cri- which many banks/institutions disinvestment transactions. rates down, encourage banks to banks for the first time in over stress in the system on account sis prolongs. were fearing and will go a long GoI's 74.49 per cent stake in infuse money into productive seven years. CRR for all banks of the COVID-19 outbreak and The RBI, which advanced a way in cushioning the disloca- THDC at a consideration of Rs sectors, infuse liquidity and was cut by 100 basis points to the consequent lockdown. The meeting of the rate setting tions in various markets. 7500 cr and 100 per cent address the financial stress in the release Rs 1.37 lakh crore across substantial reduction in the CRR panel by a week, announced a The bank expects addition- stake in NEEPCO at Rs 4000 system. The RBI on Friday the banking system. will help banks to reduce their 0.75 per cent cut in its policy ratio and also allowed banks to “RBI, very correctly so, al scope for 0.40-0.50 per cent cr has been disinvested in allowed banks to put on hold “The current situation in the lending rates and aid monetary rates, infusion of Rs 3.76 lakh not treat any term loans as announced a comprehensive cut depending on the nature of favour of NTPC," Secretary EMI payments on all term loans economy and financial markets transmission, " CII DG’s crore of liquidity through NPAs for three months if there bazooka covering all aspects of spread of COVID-19, she DIPAM said in a tweet. for three months and cut inter- is extremely fragile and it Chandrajit Banerjee said. moves like a cut in cash reserve is no repayment. the economy by taking mea- added. PM, FM, industry welcome RBI ‘bazooka' of interest rate cut, liquidity measures

PNS n NEW DELHI businesses. with a humane touch in Mangaldas: The RBI has Singhania: The interest and principle payments Finance Minister Nirmala attenuating to the needs of the unleashed a bazooka to deal with moves along with a sharp cut in the CRR From Prime Minister Narendra Sitharaman: economy to fight through the the economic pain and uncertainty announced by will ease the liquidity and help Modi to rating agencies and Appreciate RBI pandemic. The large rate cut, the prevailing. This provides a much- RBI today are industry as well other segments economists, all welcomed the Governor adjustment in capital conservation needed respite for borrowers and decisive and a of the economy. More steps Reserve Bank of India's steps to Shaktikanta Das' buffer, the moratorium on lenders in these trying comprehensive might be needed once the reduce the cost of borrowing reassuring words repayments and the bazooka of circumstances and should soften package to ensure the stability of Government comes out with the and infusing liquidity in the on financial conventional CRR cut and the recovery period. financial markets making much-needed stimulus package market in its war against the stability. The 3-month unconventional liquidity measure * BJP president Jagat Prakash borrowing costs as low as to overcome the economic crisis impact of coronavirus pan- moratorium on payments of term of incentivising banks to support Nadda: RBI decision will help the possible with businesses around arising from COVID-19. demic. Following are the com- loan installments (EMI) and CP market - all will help financial middle class. I welcome these the country are closed and the Anshuman Magazine, CBRE: RBI ments made by key leaders, interest on working capital give markets stabilise, lead to progressive and timely measures. economy is showing recessionary is in a mission businessmen and economists: much-desired relief. The slashed immediate rate transmission and Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan: trends. The steps to ease working mode to nurture Prime Minister Narendra Modi: interest rate needs quick address the credit needs of the real Moratorium on capital pain, reduced liquidity the market, Today RBI has taken transmission. economy. Given that we are in payment of costs and providing moratorium preserve giant steps to Alka Anbarasu of Moody's moratorium on loan repayments not be known until a few quarters exceptional times, RBI has played interest on loans on term loans will alleviate stress financial safeguard our Investors Service: will soften the negative credit after the end of the moratorium. the role of championing the cause and working across various stability and economy from "RBI's guidelines impact that the coronavirus has SBI Chairman for the economy and capital will sectors. the timing here the impact of the permitting banks had on their borrowers in the near Rajnish Kumar: financial system! provide much- Essar Ports is crucial. The Coronavirus. The and non-bank term. However, there are still The RBI policy Cyril Shroff, needed relief to both CEO Rajiv decision to defer installments of announcements will financial material downside risks to asset announcements Managing people and businesses. Agarwal: all term loans by three months improve liquidity, reduce the cost institutions to quality given the halt in India's are bold, decisive, Partner, Cyril Raymond Ltd chairman and Moratorium of will provide the necessary of funds, help middle class and grant a 3-month economy, the impact of which will compelling and Amarchand managing director Gautam Hari 3 months for support to homebuyers as well. Follow us on @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/ dailypioneer

Saturday March 28, 2020

With access to the internet, people have Tribals bet on resorted to using USING HUMOUR TO humour to cope with indigenous masks the rapidly spreading COPE WITH DISTRESS Tribals in the Wajedu belt of North Coronavirus. Ever since ollowing the government’s orders, But what makes them so popular? Telangana have been wearing masks to quarantine themselves to fight Harsha Vardhan, a filmmaker opines, the virus started the Coronavirus, most people have “The idea that we’re not alone, that some- made by them out of leaves, to prevent been staying home for almost a body thousands of miles away too, relates spreading, various social F week now. with something that I’m going through, the contact of the virus. The villagers While there are those that are utilising makes it all the more personal, which is have been staying indoors and adhering media platforms like it to spend quality time with their families what makes me want to share it with five at home, others have decided to the make others.” religiously to the lockdown called by Twitter, Facebook and the most of it by tapping into their muse. Ravi Shankar, a media professional, And one of the best results of them are says, “A very small number of the youth the government, reports PV Kondal Rao memes on coronavirus. consume news from newspapers and tele- Instagram have been Some of the most popular memes are the vision. When memes help spread informa- ones on Indians singing bhajans to shoo tion and awareness with humour, you can’t flooded with memes on away the virus, including Union Minister help but want to create, share and derive Ramdas Athawale who dispassionately entertainment from them.” various topics like tissue sloganeered “Go Corona, Corona Go”. There is no better time to explain the Another favourite is the one with ‘Bunty’ phrase ‘Laughter is the best medicine’ than paper hoarding, work from an old Lifebuoy Handwash advert today. On one hand there are people where he tells his friends that one should indulging in panic buying as a result of from home issues, wash one’s hand for a full minute to either misinformation or rumours. And on ensure it is germ-free. There are also the other hand (a clean one — pun intend- frustration over social innumerable ones about the frustrations of ed), memes are not only helping ease panic, working from home. but also informing netizens. But humour distancing and so on Asked how Coronavirus has inspired in times of grief, especially in the face of content on social media, Anindya death, was never encouraged by the major- Dasgupta, a meme lover himself, replies, ity. which are helping bring “We’re at home and have nowhere to go. When did this suddenly become so wide- ecessity is the mother of invention, they say and the very same After a point, it gets frustrating at home ly acceptable? Psychologist and student proverb seems to be guiding the tribal folk on north smiles in such times, doing nothing. Thus, memes have become counselor for Narayana Institutions, Charan Telangana terrain following the spurt of the Coronavirus and writes Rachel Dammala a way to deal with the crisis, albeit in a Gudipati shares that social media, global- N the lockdown season. humorous way.” isation and movies have inspired this Locals in the distant forests are aware of the fact that the Nikita Venkat, a meme fanatic, seconds change. “Our sense of humour has broad- dreaded Coronavirus may cause serious loss to mankind and hence Dasgupta and said, “There’s only so much ened and is becoming universal. Human life precautions were taken with by them with whatever resources were you can do at home. For an introvert like has never been so safeguarded in history. available. This, much before the entry of the government machinery. me and for those who aren't having a great Decades ago, when people heard about The tribal populace in the distant thandas and gudems time at home, these memes are a great sense sickness in a village nearby, they would made masks on their own, with leaves. A picture of the of relief.” evacuate immediately. Today, science has same has been going viral for over two days now. helped allay those fears, giving scope to The Thanda’s elderly and heads of gudems in the bring in humour in times like these,” he Wajedu, Venkatapuram and on the Eturnagaram belt adds. of the Mulugu district have been taking necessary steps A VERY SMALL NUMBER One can’t disagree that laughter is a stress to guide the next generation to contain the spurt of OF THE YOUTH CONSUME buster. And not just memes, but songs on COVID-19. COVID-19 too, have gone viral. From well- Advanced technology that has been fanning into NEWS FROM NEWSPAPERS known stand-up comedian Naveen the interior pasture with the aid of mobile phones, AND TELEVISION. WHEN MEMES Richard’s Corona song that educates view- radio, and TV has played a catalyst in guid- ers about the virus to the recently released ing the tribals of the Mulugu, Bhadrachalam HELP SPREAD INFORMATION AND song by Dinchak Pooja, which advises peo- and other tribal districts and contiguous AWARENESS WITH HUMOUR, YOU ple to practice social distancing, netizens parts of the neighbouring state of are loving it. Our very own Telugu boys liv- Chattisgarh. CAN’T HELP BUT WANT TO ing in the United States, John Chevakula, Though a war-like situation in the Abuzmadh CREATE, SHARE AND DERIVE Srujith Manuka and Pranay Boda too, wrote region continues to prevail between the Naxals and a song on Covid-19 based on the tune of police force, the lockdown period has been taken ENTERTAINMENT FROM THEM pop singer Camila Cabello’s Havana. The as a truce time by both the parties. The Gottikoyas hilarious song touches various issues like and Koyas in the region pleaded both, the govern- social-distancing, work from home and ment and Maoist forces, to not take to any seri- — RAVI SHANKAR A panic buying. ous offensive steps during the lockdown period and appealed them to maintain restraint.

here’s no trespassing in this city or the planet. I’m sorry! Earth is closed today.” Till a month back, this was just a dialogue by Tony Stark aka t Robert Downey Jr in Avengers: Infinity Wars. But now, it is a lived reality. The shopping complex- es, cafes and bars, cinema halls, theatres, museums, pub- Life lic centres, offices, and schools and colleges have downed their shutters and there is not a single soul on the streets amid the ongoing global pandemic of Coronavirus or COVID-19. ‘Netflix and chill’ was the buzzword for hanging out alone or with friends earlier but now, it’s the favourite ‘quar- imitates antine’ activity. And while people juggle with deciding on what to watch online, data shows that streaming and Not just the surge, the film is also becoming a medi- downloads of films, which show global crises or pan- um of learning about the situation for students. Rebecca demics akin to the present one, have seen a sharp rise. Katz, director of the Centre for Global Health Science and One such is Contagion (2011), which gives the viewer a Security at Georgetown University, recently revealed that feeling of déjà vu as the film revolves around a family man she made her students watch the film’s ending to “edu- (played by Matt Damon) who tries to navigate a partial films cate them about the interconnectedness between animals, societal collapse after a deadly virus spreads across the the environment and the humans.” globe. Film writer Scott Z Burns recently told a magazine, that As per the data released by various sources, With binge-watch becoming while the disease in the film was more deadly than the the film is becoming one of the most COVID-19, Scott was more interested in using the virus popular pandemic genre movies the ideal quarantine activity, to explore how the pre-existing conditions in society make of 2020. According to iTunes, us susceptible to fear as well as the virus. He said, “The it is the third most popu- pandemic films are the new similarities between Contagion and the Coronavirus are lar film on the channel immaterial, accidental, and really not that important. What currently as well as favourite genre across the is more important is the societal response and the spread the only film in the of fear and its knock-on effects, which are proving to be top 10 that didn’t world, says Chahak Mittal accurate” and that’s why the film is gaining popularity come out in among netizens across the world. Director Steven 2019 as every except for this one. The film might have not garnered as Andrew Soderbergh also pointed out that Contagion feels film that’s much attention when it was first released due to its “unre- “prescient” as it “not only gives an illuminating glimpse listed in the alistic” and some “highly fictional” assumptions as claimed into what happened — but what might.” top 20 by many critics. There were sequences where a vaccine Well, another film that has taken the internet and neti- waswas developed really quickly and the film depicted that zens by storm is Korean Netflix series My Secret Terrius, released the virus reached humans through contact with animals. which was released in 2018. Viewers believe that the film in However, today, it has returned to make the audience had “predicted” the current virus outbreak. One of the 2019, realise how it predicted the Coronavirus outbreak of sequences in episode 10 depicts a doctor and an infor- 2020 long back in 2011. As per the data released on mation spy talking about a potential virus named March 8 by The Verge and TorrentFreak, which col- Coronavirus, which has allegedly been tweaked to laborated to study the rise of number of downloads make its mortality rate reach 90 per cent as compared of Contagion between January 1 and March 4, thou- to the MERS, which only had 20 per cent mortality sands of people around the world were found to be rate. The doctor says that “the Coronavirus has an illegally donwloading the pandemic film. The incubation period of two to 14 days,” which is results were analysed by checking the IP a more serious concern. She adds that the virus addresses that shared the film and studying has been “manipulated to attack the lungs torrent tracker data. The study also said directly within just five minutes of being ACCORDING TO MUSO, A that before January 24, Contagion was exposed.” The “mutant virus” could be used PIRACY ANALYTICS FIRM, torrented about 200 times per day as a weapon and lead to a biochemical glob- CONTAGION DOWNLOADS, around the world. On January 25, al terrorist attack. The film is unavailable or the number rose to 1,500. As per has been removed from the online platform FROM 546 ON JANUARY 7, the US, after the virus started in many countries now. ROSE TO OVER 30,000 BY spreading there, the downloads Other Hollywood films which are were around 18,000 every day. again making it big because of the pan- JANUARY 30. SUCH A According to MUSO, a piracy demic scare are Pandemic: How to HIGH NUMBER OF PIRACY analytics firm, Contagion downloads, from Prevent an Outbreak (American doc- 546 on January 7, rose to over 30,000 by umentary series, a Netflix Original, VISITS OF THE FILM January 30. Such a high number of piracy vis- 2020), Pandemic (2016), Outbreak HAVE PROVEN WHAT its of the film have proven what heights peo- (1995), Carriers (2009), ple reach up to when they are not able to Containment (2016), I Am Legend HEIGHTS PEOPLE stream any film that they want to watch. (2007), and The Andromeda REACH UP TO WHEN As per the data by Google trends of the Strain (1971). As the virus THEY ARE NOT last 90 days, “Where can I watch Contagion?” claims more and more lives, became the ninth most searched query the films show how the aver- ABLE TO STREAM whereas “Contagion online,” “Contagion age person must maintain ANY FILM THAT full movie download,” or “Contagion Netflix” social distancing, try hard not became the 19th, 20th and 21st queries to touch his or her face, and only THEY WANT TO respectively. The film is now available on stay indoors. Nothing else can be WATCH Amazon Prime Video and Google Play only done until a solution is found, in some countries. which wouldn’t happen overnight. 10

Vijayawada Saturday March 28, 2020 what’s brewing? Meghan Markle Tamil actor-doctor back to showbiz Sethuraman dies of cardiac arrest at 36 as narrator of anna Laddu Thina Aasaiya star and doctor Sethuraman passed away due to a cardiac arrest in the late hours last night at his residence here. documentary He was 36. The actor’s demise comes a shock to his friends, K family and colleagues in the film industry. A dermatologist by profession, Sethuraman was introduced Elephants in Tamil films by his friend actor Santhanam. After his first ctress and Duchess of film, he went on to star in films such as Vaaliba Raja, Sakka Sussex Meghan Markle Podu Podu Raja and 50/50. will be narrating the Actor Santhanam took to his Twitter account to say: Disneynature docu- “Totally shocked and depressed on mentary Elephants. the demise of my dear friend A The show will debut Dr.Sethu.. May his soul rest in on April 3 on Disney Plus, the stu- peace.” dio announced Thursday. The young doctor mar- This will be Meghan’s first pro- ried Uma on February 12, ject in show business after she and 2016 and the couple has a her husband, Prince Harry, Duke child. He had suffered a of Sussex, officially step away from spine injury and under- their roles within the British Royal went a surgery in 2017. It Family on March 31, reports is said that he went variety.com. through serious mental In support of Elephants, and physical stress due to Disneynature and the Disney the same. Conservation Fund are donating to Sethuraman is the owner Elephants Without Borders, an organ- Z clinic —a chain of isation working to protect the ele- skin care and cosmetology phants living in Botswana. clinics in Chennai. Earlier this year, news broke that Markle had partnered with Disney on an unspecified project after she and her husband revealed they would be stepping back from their royal duties. In the announcement, Disneynature’s credits Markle as Taylor Swift surprises Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, rather than including her previous royal title of HRH. Elephant will premiere on Covid-19 affected fans Disney Plus the same day as the pre- viously announced Disneynature documentary Dolphin Reef, which will be narrated by with $3,000 each. Natalie Portman. Penguins, which opened in theaters in 2019, will also debut on the streaming service that day. That'saylor Rs Swift 2.2 is helping lakh fill the blank space where incomes have gone DISNEYNATURE’S CREDITS for several of her fans. Some have gotten thousands of dol- MARKLE AS MEGHAN, THE lars from the Lover and 1989 DUCHESS OF SUSSEX, RATHER T hit maker. One fan, Holly Turner, got a cash infu- THAN INCLUDING HER PREVIOUS sion from Swift after the freelance music ROYAL TITLE OF HRH. ELEPHANT photographer and graphic designer wrote on Tumblr that her livelihood was threatened and WILL PREMIERE ON DISNEY she was considering whether to leave New York City. PLUS THE SAME DAY AS THE Swift sent $3,000 and wrote, “Holly, you’ve always been there for me. I want to be there for you right now. I hope PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED this helps. Love, Taylor.” Turner was understandably shocked. Swift “literally single-handedly saved my abil- DISNEYNATURE DOCUMENTARY ity to stay here. I cannot even believe my eyes right now,” Turner wrote. DOLPHIN REEF Swift also sent $3,000 to another fan who was stressed about bills piling up, prompting this response from the grateful recipient: “This beautiful magical unbelievable human. I don’t even know where to begin.” Other celebrities who’ve made donations during the crisis include Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Kylie Jenner, Roger Federer and more.

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. VIJAYAWADA | SATURDAY | MARCH 28, 2020 sport 11 ‘DHONI WILL GET CHANCE IN T20 WC’ PTI n KOLKATA S Dhoni’s much-anticipated IPL best tourney for T20 WC preps: Langer Mcomeback with the IPL may PTI n SYDNEY were to headline the IPL. not happen anytime soon in light Langer, who is also a member of the fast-spreading COVID-19 ustralia head coach Justin of the national selection panel, pandemic but his childhood coach ALanger feels the IPL is an excel- insists he is not stressed about pick- Keshav Ranjan Banerjee remains lent platform to prepare for the T20 ing players as Australia have a well hopeful that the ageing cricketing World Cup but conceded that settled side. hero will find a place in India’s T20 health is paramount as the league The Aaron Finch-led side World Cup. may become another casualty of defeated South Africa 2-1 in three- The lucrative T20 tourna- the COVID-19 pandemic. match T20 series in February. ment’s 2020 edition, which had “Before this crisis started to “In terms of selection, I’m not already been postponed to April unravel, we were absolutely deter- too stressed about it ... One or two 15, is on the verge of cancellation mined for our guys to play the positions in our World Cup side are James Anderson warms up during nets session AP with the country in a 21-day IPL,” Langer was quoted as up for grabs. It’s a very, very set- national lockdown. saying by foxsports.Co.Au. tled team. We played great crick- Anderson still ambitious Dhoni has been out of action “Because with the T20 et against South Africa,” he added. since India’s semifinal exit in the World Cup coming up, Australia are scheduled to play for England World Cup in July last year. there’s no better to start their T20 World “In the current scenario, IPL grounding, no better Cup campaign against AFP n MANCHESTER looks unlikely and we will have to practice, no better tour- Pakistan on October 24 wait for BCCI’s call. His (Dhoni’s) nament for them to get in Sydney. ngland bowler James Anderson is deter- position will become tough obvi- ready for that,” he The ICC have main- Emined that the coronavirus will not end his ously. But my sixth sense says he added. tained the T20 World illustrious career as he focuses on keeping fit by will get a chance in the T20 World Australia’s Pat Cup will go ahead as per taking part in “virtual” training sessions with Cup, which will be his last,” Cummins, David planned but postponed the his teammates. Banerjee said. Warner, Aaron qualifying events on Anderson, 37, whose 584 Test wickets are The Chennai Super Kings cap- Finch, Steve Smith Thursday. the most taken by any paceman in the history tain trained in Ranchi in the lead of the game, is nearing the end of his playing up to IPL 2020 and also led their days. training camp in Chennai before But the Lancashire veteran says despite hav- the league was postponed. ing no cricket to play until the end of May at “I spoke to him last after he We will talk about IPL once life gets back to normal: Rohit the earliest, the idea of not bowling profession- returned from Chennai and I’m in PTI n MUMBAI Premier League, which has been ally again has not crossed his mind. constant touch with his parents. postponed till April 15 but stands “I’ve not actually thought about never play- He’s doing his fitness training and Mahendra Singh Dhoni listens to India coach Ravi Shastri’s instructions during practice session BCCI/Twitter port is least of priority at a time a good chance of getting cancelled ing cricket again,” he said during a conference is fully fit. shelved this year, the Indian greats much time to adjust.” lier he would train at the JSCA. But Swhen India fights against the if prevailing situation continues. call on Thursday. “I feel like we will play again “Now let’s wait for the BCCI’s including that of Sunil Gavaskar “It would have been a differ- now he’s confined at home and COVID-19 pandemic which has “We should first think about and I will play again at some stage. decision. There’s no tournament. and Virender Sehwag, had raised ent scenario for a beginner. But it’s making use of the facilities at brought life to a standstill, feels star the country. The situation needs to “I’m still hungry to play, I’ve still got ambi- ICC tournaments are off till June. a question mark on the return of not the case with Dhoni he has got home. He has a gym, a badminton India batsman Rohit Sharma, who get better first then we can talk tions to play for England. So we will have to wait and see.” the 2011 World Cup winning a wealth of experience. I think he court, and a running corridor.” wants to talk about IPL only after about the IPL. Let life get back to “So I think the fact I’ve been able to do this Head coach Ravi Shastri had skipper. will get a last chance,” maintained “I’m sure BCCI (presient, normalcy returns. normal first,” Rohit said. for a long time and I get to play a sport as a job earlier said the IPL would decide “True that he has not played a Banerjee. selectors, captain) are aware of the Rohit, who has been out of The opener was responding to means when I do get to do that again, I’m real- the fate of Dhoni, who will turn 39 tournament (since July 2019) but “He is fully fit and trained in scenario. They will make the action for last two months due to questions during an Instagram ly going to cherish it and enjoy every single in July. for someone with 538 International Chennai for a week or so. Now announcement when it’s the right calf muscle injury was due for a chat with teammate Yuzvendra moment of it.” But with IPL about to get matches, I don’t think it would take everything is closed in Ranchi, ear- time,” Banerjee added. comeback in the cash-rich Indian Chahal. With Britain under a coronavirus lockdown, Anderson is keeping fit by working out on-line with teammates including fellow pacemen Stuart Broad and Mark Wood. “A few of the lads are training together vir- tually,” he said. “I did a workout with Stuart Broad and Mark Wood yesterday. AthletesAthletes who had already qualified qualified for Tokyo 2020 will keepof an 2021Olympics in peacetime. spots “We’ve all got Pelotons — the bikes. You can TOKYO: for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics before they However, there is no definite date yet compete against each other. Stuart came out on were postponed will keep their places when for the rescheduled Games with Bach say- top this time, with me a close second and Mark the showpiece takes place in 2021, sources ing Tuesday the Tokyo Olympics “must be Wood in third.” said on Thursday. rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not Anderson made the most recent of his 151 Around 57% of the 11,000 scheduled later than summer 2021, to safeguard the Test appearances against South Africa in Cape participants for Tokyo had already made health of the athletes, everybody involved Town in January before a broken rib ended his sure of taking part when the International in the Olympic Games and the internation- tour prematurely. Olympic Committee (IOC) pushed the al community”. That followed an Ashes campaign last year Games back to 2021 due to the coronavirus Many Olympic sports, such as boxing, in which he bowled just four overs because of on Tuesday. saw the vast majority of their qualifying a calf problem. The IOC and 32 international sports tournaments either interrupted or can- Although he has long been a red-ball spe- federations held a teleconference on celled due to the global health situation. cialist, Anderson said he would be prepared to Thursday where it was decided to respect Others, such as sailing however, play white-ball cricket again, even in the new the qualification process. already had 90% of their competitors qual- Hundred competition. “Thomas Bach (the IOC President) ified. Anderson has an ambassadorial role with first explained the reasons for the postpone- “The allocated quotas remain allocat- the Manchester Originals, one of the franchis- ICC planning ment of the Games, then said that the ath- ed,” confirmed another participant in es, but no contract. letes qualified for Tokyo 2020 would auto- Thursday’s meeting. “I want to be playing cricket and if that is matically be qualified for 2021,” one of the “Thomas Bach has confirmed that a the only cricket going on, if it’s the Hundred or for World T20 participants in the conference said. decision (on a new date for the 2021 event) the T20 Blast, I’d love to be involved in that,” “One of the main subjects was to know and sportswomen are not qualified and it for July 24-August 9, but after telephone dis- will be made within the next four weeks,” he said. when and how to organise the qualifica- takes at least three months for the Olympic cussions between Bach and Japanese Prime he said. “If there wasn’t any red-ball cricket this sum- to go ahead tions. Games to organise them.” Minister Shinzo Abe, a historic joint deci- “Some said they prefer May 2021, oth- mer, it would be a long, long time for me to be PTI n NEW DELHI “In some federations, many sportsmen The 2020 Tokyo Games were scheduled sion was taken for the first postponement ers June ...” AFP ticking over in the nets.” he all-powerful ICC Board on Friday Tdiscussed various contingency plans for its flagship tournaments, including World T20 and World Test BWF fire back at ‘disappointing’ virus criticism Championship in the wake of Covid-19 PTI n NEW DELHI munity speculate on the several high-profile sports Barca cut wages of players pandemic that has brought cricket to a sincerity and motives of the events across the world. BARCELONA: Barcelona have become porary circumstances that we are standstill. adminton World BWF in this time of crisis,” While BWF too had the first Spanish football club to offi- experiencing.” BCCI president Sourav Ganguly was BFederation said it is “dis- Lund wrote. postponed a few tourna- cially announce a pay cut for play- The club added the measures India’s representative when it was being appointing” that some play- “Our number one con- ments, it went ahead with ers and club staff as the country include “a reduction of the working speculated that a former Board president ers, including Indian star cern has always been the the All England grapples with the coronavirus pan- day, imposed by the circumstances would attend the meeting, held via video Saina Nehwal, questioned its health and safety of all of our Championship as planned, demic. and the protection measures carried conference. “sincerity and motives” participants. despite growing cases of the Sports in Spain has come to a out, and, as a consequence, the pro- The sporting world has been under when it continued with the “However, at the same rapidly spreading disease. standstill and Barcelona had to portional reduction of the remuner- complete lockdown and several bilater- All England Championships time, we are deeply con- Top players had make the move so as to pay their ation provided for in the respective al Test series under World Test despite the rapidly-growing cerned about the cancella- slammed BWF for taking support staff. “Faced with this sce- contracts.” Championship also run the risk of threat of COVID-19 pan- tion of tournaments and the deadly disease “too light- nario, the Board of Directors has The measure should lower the being cancelled. demic. the flow-on effect this has on ly” and putting their lives at decided to implement a series of club’s wage bill by around 25 percent “The impact of the pandemic on the BWF’s decision to con- elite players and coaches “risk” by going ahead with measures to mitigate its effects and at a moment when it is not receiv- sport globally was discussed,” an ICC duct the Super 1000 tourna- Spectators enter Arena Birmingham to watch All England Open finals AP whereby they could now be the tournament two weeks reduce the economic effects of this ing any income through gate release stated. ment in the wake of the trators of placing money Championships was based in a position of temporary ago. crisis,” said the club in its statement. receipts. ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney coronavirus outbreak came above players’ safety. on the best advice at that unemployment and loss of India’s chief coach “Among the measures adopted, Barca also explained it would said, “We continue to undertake a com- for sharp criticism from the In an open letter, BWF time. income.” Pullela Gopichand had it’s worth noting those related to the make all of its facilities available for prehensive business continuity and con- top shuttlers of the world, secretary general Thomas “It has been very disap- The coronavirus out- termed it a “wrong decision”, workplace are motivated by the need use by the regional health ministry tingency planning exercise which will including Nehwal, who had Lund said the decision to go pointing to see some mem- break saw the postpone- former world number 8, H to adapt the contractual obligations to help the struggle against the coro- allow us to adapt to the rapidly evolv- accused the sport’s adminis- ahead with the All England bers of the badminton com- ment and cancellation of S Prannoy called it “stupid”. of the club staff to the new and tem- navirus. AFP ing world in which we find ourselves.” While no decisions were taken as any shifting of tournament or change of dates involves gigantic logistical exercise Italy’s sports minister ‘doubtful’ which needs meticulous planning at Liverpool spirits high despite virus lockdown every stage. of early May return for Serie A “The ICC management will contin- AFP n MILAN able to say that in May it is AFP n LIVERPOOL Teammate James Milner played up ue our contingency planning around possible to resume all com- to his “boring James Milner” tag by Bruce wants games every ICC events and will also work with taly’s sports minister petitions regularly, espe- urgen Klopp says the mood at posting a video of himself cutting his Members to explore all options available IVincenzo Spadafora on cially with spectators. JLiverpool is upbeat despite the coro- grass with a ruler and scissors. day to finish season to us based on a range of scenarios con- Thursday said he was “very, “Even scientists have navirus lockdown, even admitting he “I didn’t cut the grass but I tried the LONDON: Newcastle United manager nected to the pandemic.” very doubtful” that Serie A no certainty about the evo- has tried to copy Alex Oxlade- dance of Ox,” said Klopp. “Not as bad Steve Bruce on Thursday suggested When a Board member was asked action would return as lution of the epidemic. We Chamberlain’s dance moves to keep as you probably think. It’s very impor- playing games every day in a bid to get what happens if England, which is due hoped in early May. have to adapt our deci- himself occupied. tant in these times that we all show we Premier League season finished when to host Pakistan and West Indies at home Both Spadafora and sions to changing situa- The Premier League leaders were take this situation seriously, but we are it is safe for the campaign to resume. is unable to do so, he said the matter of Italian football federation tions.” on the verge of their first top-flight title human beings.” “We have to try and get this sea- points allocation will be referred to the chief Gabriele Gravina had All sport in Italy has for 30 years when English football was Klopp praised the efforts of son finished, whatever that takes, technical committee. last week expressed their been suspended until April suspended earlier this month. Liverpool and other clubs in helping everybody wants that,” Bruce said in an “It can’t happen unless an amicable hope that the championship 3. “The final decision will The virus shutdown has since been support more vulnerable members of interview with Daily Telegraph. solution is reached. You might have could resume on the week- be up to the FIGC (the extended until at least April 30 but the community during the current cri- “We can have a ‘Festival of Football’ India playing six series and perched at end of May 2. Italian football federation),” Liverpool do not know when, or if, they sis. month, games every day, teams play- top and England get to play three due “The forecasts that the sports minister added. will get a chance to complete the job. And he urged people to abide by ing two or three games a week. “It is not to lockdown and tight FTP schedule. made us think we could “They could decide to Klopp said his players’ spirits the lockdown. ideal, but if we can play 10 to 15 games You need a solution to distribution of resume sports competitions postpone games until the remained high despite the frustra- “The only way to get football back in December and the start of January, points and matter should be referred to in late April or early May I late summer, but the situa- tions of having no football to play and as soon as possible, if that’s what the we can do it to get this season finished. the technical committee,” a representa- think are a bit too opti- tion is complicated, football praised the efforts of his backroom staff people want, the more disciplined we “It probably means the start of next tive of a member said. mistic,” Spadafora told has taken a little longer than who are looking after the players’ fit- are now the earlier we will get, piece by season will be delayed, we will proba- A couple of Board members felt that Italian television station Rai others to understand the ness. piece by piece, our life back,” Klopp bly have to scrap one of the cup com- World T20 in Australia is not under 3. “I am very, very doubtful. crisis.” “We spoke a couple of times, we everybody is doing, comments on said. “That’s how it is.” petitions and do without a winter break, threat as October is still some time away. I can certainly say that if He added: “We want to have a really intense, big, big group chat what everybody is doing — if Ox is on “At one point we will play football but it can be done. “If things are under control from there are conditions to be ready to start as soon as — the whole of Melwood (training Instagram or whatever.” again as well, 100 percent,” he added. “However, we will find a way.” June, we can then work on a specific resume competitions in it will be possible. Sport will ground) are in that,” he said, speaking Midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain “I couldn’t wish more for it because of Professional football in England has contingency plan. Right now, ICC would certain circumstances, it be one of the engines that to the club’s website by videolink from and his girlfriend, Little Mix singer a few really good reasons, how you can been postponed until at least April 30, be working on various plans and would will certainly take place will allow us to revive this his home. Perrie Edwards, performed a dance imagine. I can’t wait actually, but even and due to govt-ordered lockdown the come up with their proposals in course behind closed doors. country after the health “The boys are really lively in that, routine, which she posted on social I have to be disciplined and I try to be restart could be pushed back even fur- of time,” the senior official said. “To date, it is unthink- crisis.” the boys are just interested in what media. as much as I can.” ther. AFP 12

Vijayawada Saturday March 28, 2020 tollywood PRASANTH VARMA'S NEXT ilmmaker Prasanth Varma, who burst on to he started writing the story late last year, he never the scene with the genre-binding Awe, which expected Covid-19 would spread as it did now. The dealt with psychological issues and social film’s whole theme will revolve around the virus and CENTRES ON COVID-19 problems like child abuse, sexual abuse, and its effects,” pointed out the source. drug abuse among others, is continuing his The source went on to add that he has already start- The film maker has already started shooting the film F experimental streak. As his film with Akhil ed shooting the film without much hullabaloo and has Akkineni got delayed over varied reasons, he has completed close to 40 per cent. “A relatively young cast without much hullabaloo and has completed close to decided to utilise the time by making a compact is spearheading the movie. Given the current situa- 40 per cent, finds NAGARAJ GOUD budget movie à la his seminal maiden film. tion, Prasanth feels it’s not the right time to talk about According to a source in the know, the medi- the film. Once the lockdown is lifted and things set- um budget movie has a coronavirus angle to tle down, he will open up about it. He already has a it. “Prasanth conceived an idea — what if a first look in place and once it’s out, it will be the most- virus attacks us — some six years ago. talked about Telugu film of 2020. That is for sure,” the However, when source concludes.

More donations pour in from T'wood

day after top personalities of the industry — Megastar Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan, Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR, Prabhas, Ram Charan, Sai Tej, Koratala A Siva, Anil Ravipudi, Dil Raju and Sirish — donated handsomely to CMRF, PMNRF and for daily wage employ- ees of the industry, other eminent faces con- tinued the flow of assistance on Friday. Allu Arjun was the first to have announced Rs BALAYYA, RANA 1.25 crore for the governments of Telangana, AP and Kerala. “Covid-19 virus has taken the entire world by storm, changing our everyday lives. During this time of crisis, IN doctors, nurses, policemen and Army and AYYAPPANUM people from other sectors have contributed to the society. Taking inspiration from them, I’m doing a contribution of Rs 1.25 crore Chiru goes down the to the people of Telangana, AP and Kerala,” he said through a video on his social media KOSHIYUM pages. He also advised his followers that the only way to fight the pandemic is to “wash memory lane on your hands regularly and practice isolation”. TELUGU REMAKE? Soon after, production houses Mythri Movie Makers and Haarika & Hassine or the past one week, there has Charan's b'day Creations issued a statement, announcing been intense buzz about Sithara Rs 10 lakh each to the governments of both Entertainments bagging Telugu s Ram Charan turned Returns #Charan (sic),” he Telugu states respectively. Filmmaker rights of recent Malayalam a year older on captioned the picture which Sukumar too will be contributing Rs 5 lakh F super hit Ayyappanum Friday, Megastar has got 70 k likes till Friday each to the governments of Telugu states. Koshiyum. Soon after, there Chiranjeevi — new evening. Tunesmith SS Thaman informed that for have been reports about how Sithara chief entrant to the world Replying to his father, Charan the Cine Musicians Union of Hyderabad S Naga Vamsi eyeing Nandamuri Balakrishna A of social media — wrote, “Heart-stirring words and Chennai, he will be parting Rs to play the cop role that was essayed by Biju went down the memory lane and from my Hero!! I can’t say if the ALLU ARJUN WAS 5 lakh. Menon to perfection. Now, the latest buzz sug- shared a cute throwback picture day had anything to do with it, Meanwhile, Prabhas, after gests that the producer has initiated talks of him playing with tiny toddler but I know my APPA did. Thank THE FIRST TO announcing a donation of Rs 1 with Rana Daggubati to play the other Charan. you for the wishes and every- HAVE ANNOUNCED crore to CMRF of both lead — of a retired Army havildar “I was naturally overjoyed thing else. Love you Appa.” Telugu states on Thursday Koshy Kurien, who had put in 16 when @AlwaysRamcharan was Charan, who not sometime RS 1.25 CRORE evening, decided to con- years of service. Malayalam superstar born. Much later it occurred to back asked his fans to call off his FOR THE tribute Rs 3 crore further — Prithviraj enacted it. me there was perhaps a reason birthday celebrations, decided to this time to the Prime While there has been no director why he was born on 27th March ring in his special day with his GOVERNMENTS OF Minister’s National Relief attached to the project yet, reports #WorldTheatreDay ‘Prapancha family. His wife Upasana posted TELANGANA, AP Fund. He announced the further suggest Vamsi is almost on Rangasthala dinotsavam’! He pictures of the actor slicing latest contribution late the brink of finalising the remake took to acting like a fish to water. home-made cakes to mark the AND KERALA on Thursday evening. deal. As he is also looking to grab On this eve, Many Many Happy occasion on her Twitter page. — NG the Hindi remake rights as well, it’s taking time. Then there is the lock- down. A text to him on whether indeed he is looking at Balayya to spearhead the casting didn’t elic- it any response though. Rs 3.5 crore Directed by Sachy, Ayyappanum Koshiyum, one of Malayalam cinema's biggest hits this year, was about an ego clash IT office set between the parts played by Biju and Prithviraj, trans- forming into an intense psychological game over its for Mosagallu running time. Jakes Bejoy composed the tunes for the flick. osagallu, starring Manchu Vishnu and Kajal Aggarwal, is one of the many films that got hit by Covid-19 outbreak while on production. Having gone to floors last July, the team managed to M wrap up portions in Tirupati, Hyderabad, LA so far and was to shoot some portions in a spe- cially erected IT set in Kukatpally that cost Vishnu Rs 3.5 crore. But with the lockdown in place, the shoot had to be deferred indefinitely. The actor-produc- er is now looking to resume proceed- ings once the situation returns to nor- malcy. In a statement on Friday, he appealed to people to follow the directives of government and maintain social distance. Inspired by Rs 2,800 crore heist, which led to tremors in the entire IT world in Mumbai some seven years, Mosagallu JR NTR’S GIFT TO CHARAN — a Telugu, Tamil and Hindi trilin- gual — also features Naveen ater in the evening, Charan got a gift from Jr NTR, his co-star from their Chandra, Navdeep and Suniel Shetty Lupcoming film RRR. The latter released the visuals of the former’s look from in supporting roles. Directed by the film in the short video, which was filled with Rajamouli’s breathtaking Jeffrey Gee Chin, it is a joint produc- visuals, Keeravani’s riveting background score and of course NTR’s booming tion venture between Via Mar voice. Charan with his physique and emotional intensity helped it further. It Entertainment, AVA Entertainment went viral within no time upon release. Interestingly, for the video NTR dubbed and 24 Frames Factory. for his lines in Tamil, Kannada and Hindi as well — a first for him.