# 1 Indian American Weekly: Since 2006

VOL 14 ISSUE 15 ● NEW YORK / DALLAS ● APR 10 - 16, 2020 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458 www.theindianpanorama.news AMERICA We Wish Our Readers A Happy Easter & A Happy Vaisakhi UNITED AGAINST Joe Biden Becomes Presumptive COVID-19 KEEP SAFE Democratic Presidential Nominee ● Follow President Trump's Guidelines on Coronavirus Bernie Sanders Quits Race and Endorses Biden ● Observe Social Distancing WASHINGTON (TIP): Joe Biden has ● Wash Hands Frequently become the presumptive Democratic ● No Panic Buying nominee for US President after his last ● No Price Gouging opponent leftist Senator Bernie Sanders KEEP AMERICA SAFE ended his campaign, clearing the former Vice President's path to nomination and a showdown with Global Coronavirus President Donald Trump in the cases top 1.5 million; November elections. Hours after becoming the More than 87,000 presumptive nominee of the Democratic reported dead party on Wednesday, April 9, Biden held a virtual fundraiser with Kamala New York reported 7,067 statewide Harris as special guest, deaths and 159,937 confirmed cases contd on Page 32 as of Thursday, April 10 morning, including 5,280 deaths and 87,028 Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders cases in New York City alone WHO Chief Calls for Unity and a Halt to EU Ministers Seal Deal Governor Cuomo: "Stay Politicization of the Global Health Crisis on half a Trillion Euro Home - Stop the GENEVA / NEW YORK (TIP): WHO COVID-19 Rescue Plan Spread - Save "Will have many French Finance Minister Lives." body bags in Director-General Tedros Adhanom Bruno Le Maire said File photo front of us if we Ghebreyesus, April 9, called for unity Europe has agreed on don't behave': and a halt to "politicization" of the global the most important WHO chief on NEW YORK (TIP): More than 1.5 health crisis, specifically urging China economic plan in its Trump's criticism million cases of the novel coronavirus and the United States to show "honest history. have been registered worldwide, leadership". Chief of the World Health according to a tally compiled by AFP at Organization gave a strident defense of PARIS / NEW YORK (TIP): EU 0530 GMT Thursday, April 10, from his agency's handling of the coronavirus powerhouse Germany,as well as France, official sources. pandemic in response to US President put their feet down to end opposition contd on Page 32 cond on page 32 contd on page 32 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 2 NY/NJ/CT FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 Latest Coronavirus Myths: Malaria Drug, Face Masks, Mail Safety Is hydroxychloroquine, long used to treat malaria and lupus, a "silver bullet" for the new coronavirus? Should Americans wear masks? NEW YORK (TIP): In these CLAIM: Although people age 60 and frightening times, when we're older appear to be most vulnerable to the increasingly touched by someone who coronavirus illness and most often show has been sickened by or died from the symptoms, younger people who are new coronavirus illness, myths, hoaxes asymptomatic can unknowingly carry and outright lies are dangerous. and spread the virus and should also Many of these hoaxes and rumors start follow the government's social distancing on social media and have just enough recommendations. truth that they may appear plausible in TRUE: Researchers don't know if some an atmosphere of confusion and fear in people are more immune than others, but the United States, which currently leads they do know no one is completely the world in the number of cases of the immune. The coronavirus is still in its new virus. early stages in the United States, but Patch took a look at some of the more- what public health officials know so far is pervasive myths. This list will be that more than a third of patients who periodically updated as more have been hospitalized so far are between information becomes known. the ages of 20 and 54. CLAIM: The drug hydroxychloroquine A CDC report says that Americans of - long used to treat malaria, lupus and all ages are being seriously sickened by rheumatoid arthritis - is an effective the coronavirus. It's true that COVID-19 treatment against COVID-19, the illness patients in their 70s, 80s and 90s have the caused by the coronavirus. President most risk of dying, but the report showed Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, pictured Donald Trump said in a news briefing with President Donald Trump at a coronavirus news briefing, says hydroxychloroquine hasn't 38 percent of the 508 patients hospitalized April 4 that the government is been tested as a treatment for the new coronavirus. have been between the ages of 20 and 54. stockpiling millions of doses of the drug And nearly half of the 121 patients who to make it available to patients. "What do determine if any intervention, whether Health Organization is continuing were admitted to intensive care units you have to lose?" he said. "Take it. I with this drug or others, still need to be studies to learn more about how the virus were adults under 65. really think they should take it. But it's done to determine safety and efficacy. infects people. But it says the chances of Public health officials have implored their choice, and it's their doctor's choice, In a joint statement, the American becoming infected from a commercial millennials and others who aren't in a or the doctors in the hospital. But Medical Association, the American package from China, the original high-risk group to behave as if they are. hydroxychloroquine - try it, if you'd like." Pharmacists Association and the epicenter of the virus, are low because it White House coronavirus task force He repeated the claim at a news briefing American Society of Health-System has traveled over several days and has coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx says April 5. Pharmacists had previously cautioned been exposed to different temperatures millennials can play a key role in UNVERIFIED: The drug, which can against "prophylactically prescribing and conditions during transit. promoting the urgency of the situation to have serious side effects, has not been medications currently identified as Researchers are studying the new their peers. approved for treating COVID-19, and the potential treatments for COVID-19." coronavirus to learn more about how it CLAIM: The coronavirus remains president's own health experts say more CLAIM: All Americans should wear infects people. alive for hours or days on plastic and studies are needed to know if it's safe and non-surgical face masks, as well as The CDC said on its website: "In metal surfaces. effective to use. A small number of practice social distancing. general, because of poor survivability of LIKELY TRUE: A team of researchers studies have shown hydroxychloroquine TRUE: On April 3, the federal Centers these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is from the National Institutes of Health, may help prevent the coronavirus from for Disease Control and Prevention likely very low risk of spread from Centers for Disease Control and entering cells and possibly help clear the recommended that all Americans wear products or packaging that are shipped Prevention, University of California-Los virus sooner, and doctors already can cloth face coverings in public settings over a period of days or weeks at ambient Angeles and Princeton University found prescribe it under a method known as off- where other social distancing measures temperatures." the coronavirus can last for hours or days label prescribing. are difficult to maintain, such as in CLAIM: The coronavirus can spread on some surfaces. The study found the No drug is totally safe, but grocery stores or pharmacies - especially through food. virus lasts: hydroxychloroquine poses significant in areas with significant community- MOST LIKELY FALSE: The CDC says Up to three hours in the air. risks to patients with heart conditions based spread of the illness. Previously, "it seems unlikely" that COVID-19 can be Up to four hours on copper. and could worsen or even kill them, the agency had said face masks wouldn't transmitted through food but that said Up to 24 hours on cardboard. according to the Food and Drug protect against a coronavirus infection. additional investigation is needed. Up to two or three days on plastic and Administration. The agency said the The CDD pointed to recent studies The Food and Drug Administration stainless steel. drug also may interfere with other showing a significant number of people says there is currently no evidence to The researchers said their findings medications prescribed for diabetes, infected with the coronavirus lack support the idea of transmission of the show that secondary cases of the new including insulin, and that "irreversible symptoms and those who eventually coronavirus associated with food. But the coronavirus - those not associated with retinal damage has been observed in develop COVID-19 can transmit the virus FDA says that for general food safety, it's travel - occur in communities rather than some patients" who took the drug. Read to others before showing symptoms. important to wash your hands with soap health care settings, although they the label warnings. "This means that the virus can spread and water for 20 seconds before handling emphasized health care facilities are The FDA has allowed the drugs into the between people interacting in close food. vulnerable to the spread of the virus and national stockpile as an option for proximity - for example, speaking, In general, because of poor that the stability of the virus in aerosols doctors to consider for patients who coughing or sneezing - even if those survivability of these coronaviruses on contributes to its spread. cannot get into one of the studies. But it people are not exhibiting symptoms," the surfaces, there is likely very low risk of CLAIM: Pets can get the virus from emphasized that the drugs shouldn't be CDC said, adding "it is critical to spread from food products or packaging humans. used without a prescription and the emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social that are shipped over a period of days or POSSIBLY TRUE: The CDC had drugs being explored "are not FDA- distancing remains important to slowing weeks at ambient, refrigerated or frozen previously said there was no evidence approved for treatment of COVID-19." the spread of the virus." temperatures, the FDA says. companion animals can spread COVID-19 Infectious disease specialist Dr. Trump said the face mask guidance is You should always handle and prepare or might be a source of the U.S. Anthony Fauci, of the National Institutes voluntary and that he doesn't plan to food safely, including keeping raw meat infections, but that pets have other types of Health and a member of the White wear a mask. separate from other foods, refrigerating of coronaviruses that can make them House coronavirus task force, says CLAIM: Items shipped through the perishable foods, and cooking meat to the sick - but not the people around them - Americans shouldn't consider mail or from overseas can spread the right temperature to kill harmful germs. and are not related to the current hydroxychloroquine a "knockout drug." coronavirus. See CDC's Food Safety site for more pandemic. He said definitive studies are needed to MOST LIKELY FALSE: The World information. contd on Page 6 THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 NY/NJ/CT 3 A COVID-19 Survivor's Reflections Coronavirus, my Trojan Horse, which sought to overcome my Walls of Troy "All of us started to pay some attention by February to this By Ravi Batra beautiful image of this

roving that we have no control over new virus, the anything, I got the coronavirus coronavirus. Indeed, the Pinfection. I don't know when, from whom or from where. All I know is that on image looks like an March 14th I not only had a fever, but a exotic bouquet of strange feeling in my body. By late afternoon, concerned with my flowers prepared by an temperature and my odd feeling, I called expensive florist. the New York State Department of Health to request it for COVID-19 test. The person on the other side was very gracious, but that neither she nor Angela take it - unless during the 104.3 days, I took 4 dosages a again. I did. And I love them even more said they were just getting set up and that their fever got really elevated. Otherwise, day). Finally, after sixteen days, on March that before, and more than I knew. they would be back in touch with an they should just rely upon my 3rd 29th, Sunday I hit 98.6 and became fever I wish for humanity to survive this appointment. Not having heard anything medicine: Tylenol. They were right, as free (without taking Tylenol). deceptively friendly coronavirus. I expect for five days, living in the City of New their fevers never went past 102, while I hit Since then, we've continued to remain in China to tell all - the raw truth - so every Rochelle, albeit 3 miles away from the area 104.3 and was on fire. quarantine and self-isolation, which nations' scientists and doctors, not just our of containment ordered by Governor Daily, I'd get checked by phone by our means we sleep in separate bedrooms and hero, Dr. Anthony Fauci, can use "open Andrew Cuomo, "ground zero," so to doctor, Sammy, who has the best bedside have separate individual bathrooms. Even speak, I called House Foreign Affairs manners - in person, on the phone or text. when we sit around the dining table for Let honor and humility, not greed Chairman Eliot Engel's wonderful chief of I'd also get a call from Minister Hardeep meals, we maintain social distance of 6-10 and arrogance, define the brave staff, Bill Weitz and told him my concerns Singh Puri - a call I'd not only take, but feet. We've continued to remain in and needs. He helped by giving me needed quarantine and self-isolation, to new world after coronavirus is advice. I then called our talented family The best that has come out of recuperate and recover. whipped, even as our casualties doctor Dr. Sammy Chitayat. He asked me a these three weeks' "Groundhog The best that has come out of these three will be enormous during this battery of questions, and concluded we Day" quarantine is: I realize more weeks' "Groundhog Day" quarantine is: I near-Biblical war with Mother needed to be tested for Coronavirus and realize more than ever how much I love, Nature. issued prescriptions for my wife, Ranju, than ever how much I love, and how and how dear my family is to me and that our miracle daughter Angela and me. Our dear my family is to me and that they are the core joy of my life. That precious son Neal was not then issued they are the core joy of my life. dearest Hardeep was at least as powerful source" data and find a vaccine ASAP. such a prescription as he was staying in as all the medications I took to beat Until a vaccine isn't available, nobody is Manhattan, while we were on the water in Covid19, and love him for it even more, if coming out to work, play or go to school. New Rochelle. wait for, as he'd boost my strength and that's possible. The economy,national, regional and global Armed with our doctor's prescription soul. Finally, the tsunami of prayers we we knew is dead; it's not coming back. for a coronavirus test for my family,off we During the 104.3 fever days, when I was received from dear friends - be they We are going to see global supply lines went to Glen Island parking lot where NYS on fire and was putting ice cubes in my everyday people, members of congress, become domestic. Ricardo's "Comparative had set up its first testing site. The place eyeballs, head and wrists to cool my blood, administration, local and state political Advantage" principle is dead in these was set up professionally as an organized I rejected Ranju's calls to go to the hospital leaders, judges, lawyers, ambassadors and pandemic days. Our ventilators have parts maze. Instructed to keep all windows - as I knew our home was cleaner and had ministers across the globe - was as made all over the world. This will stop. We closed, we went thru the gauntlet until we fresh air from Long Island Sound. These heartwarming - as putting logs in a will make our ventilators and N95 masks were in a large tent. There, the testers fire days lasted 2-3 days, and I was richly fireplace to keep the fire bright and in the good ole USA. Export-based wearing masks and clear face shields, did a aware that death was waiting outside my roaring. The warmth and light never left economies will shudder. Globalization is nasal swab on each of us through each door for me. our home or our life. We are so grateful to the OBOR for pandemics, and that too, passenger's slightly open window - open I calmly and honestly - how can one not each and every friend - who contributed must be disrupted for public health for 5-10 seconds. Test done, we were told we be honest with God - negotiated for my life, beyond mere medicine - and credit them reasons. would get the results. By this time, we had citing Robert Frost's "walking in the for our beating Coronavirus. Having talked to death, I feel energized fevers ranging from 101 - 103, mine the woods'": "I have promises to keep (to my A word about this virus. I'm a lawyer not to do good as never before. And I'm highest. Later, it would be obvious, that the family, always serving and caring Ranju, a bio- chemist, but it is obvious to me from enjoying it. Even some strangers have coronavirus Ranju & Angie got must have miracle Angie and precious son Neal), and my experience that the coronavirus strain stopped me to ask if I was the one at such been the original strain, while mine was a miles to go before I sleep...". I also argued that I got was dressed to do a very friendly and such place, when I did what I did. They mutated one as it was more potent. that if God wanted me to continue to serve "handshake, a warm hug," with my body's tell me they saw it, and it touched their Friday, March 20th several things the Greater Good in society, then, that too auto immune system, fool it as if it was a heart. I'm swimming in blessings. How happened. Neal had called the night before militated in my continuing to live. I freely dear friend, as a Trojan Horse, get in, and can life be better, than to have a happy to alert us to a possible magic bullet - use of admitted that I had no reason to live for then start a war against my immune family and to try to make humanity happy an anti-malaria drug and Zithromax - to myself, as I'd had a most blessed life and system - my Walls of Troy. Had it beaten and safer too... fight Covid19. On Friday, I confirmed with was content - as in Frank Sinatra's my auto immune system and I succumbed Let honor and humility, not greed and Neal that I understood what he was saying rendition of the song "My Way." With God's to high fever, then my organs, lungs etc. arrogance, define the brave new world thru the fog of my brain. Also, I got calls Grace I'm here to enjoy and protect my was for it to feast on, and I to exit this after coronavirus is whipped, even as our from Albany NYS DOH that we were all family and serve the Greater Good from mortal soil. casualties will be enormous during this positive and given instructions of when to the "shining city on the Hill." Thanks to the joy of seeing Ranju and near-Biblical war with Mother Nature." go to the hospital. I called our doctor On the 5th day of taking meds, Sammy Angela daily, spending whatever waking (Ravi Batra is a New York based Attorney-at- Sammy, updated him, and he prescribed called to say he had learned that Plaquenil time together, accepting dearest Hardeep's Law. He is Chair, National Advisory Council Plaquenil & Zpak for all 3 of us. Luckily,we had a side effect: can cause heart damage, daily booster call, and the tsunami of South Asian Affairs. He can be reached at were able to get it that afternoon. I started arrhythmia, and told me to stop. I did. So, I prayers - we are alive today. President [email protected]) taking both. Neal, in consultation with finished Zithromax, while Tylenol was my Donald Trump was right: with this Follow Ravi Batra on Twitter: @ravibatra Ranju, over my objection, convinced Ranju constant companion (3 dosage a day; lockdown we will discover our family THE INDIAN PANORAMA 4 INDIANS ABROAD FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

Indian- Origin Rishi Sunak next in line as Indian Origin British Parliamentarian Lisa UK PM deputy after foreign minister Nandy is appointed UK Shadow Minister LONDON (TIP): Indian-origin British Besides Nandy, his top team includes parliamentarian Lisa Nandy on Monday Welsh parliamentarian Nick Thomas- promised a constructive Opposition to the Symonds as shadow home secretary and UK government as she got to work as the Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds as shadow foreign secretary in the newly shadow chancellor. elected Labour Party leader Keir Among the other appointments, Angela Starmer's top team. Rayner, the newly elected deputy leader, The 40-year-old MP for Wigan in Greater was also made the Labour Party chair. Manchester was one of the first "I will have in my shadow cabinet those appointments to be announced by that want to serve towards the future aim Starmer, who took over from Jeremy Lisa Nandy said her first focus will be on the of winning that next General Election. It'll Corbyn as Leader of the Opposition over Given the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the "pressing matter" of Britons stranded abroad be a talented, balanced shadow cabinet," UK, where the death toll has crossed the weekend, and makes Nandy effectively due to the coronavirus pandemic worldwide said Starmer, stressing that the party's 6,000, and its impact on frontline his second in command on the lockdown will be keeping an eye on the 2024 General ministers, questions around leadership frontbenches of the House of Commons. Nandy. Election. have been increasingly doing the rounds British Sikh Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill "It's a real honor to be tasked with "We just lost four elections in a row and also made it to the new Starmer-led team leading Labour's foreign policy response therefore of course we need to change. If LONDON (TIP): The UK's as shadow international development in these difficult times," she posted on we don'tchange, we will lose the next Indian-origin finance minister, secretary and Goan-origin Valerie Vaz Twitter soon after her shadow cabinet general election," he said, in one of his Rishi Sunak, is next in line to was chosen as shadow leader of the appointment on Sunday night. first interviews as Labour leader. deputize for British Prime House. Nandy came in third in a three-way His win has been welcomed by Indian Minister Boris Johnson while he Former Labour leader Ed Miliband also Labour Party leadership postal ballot, diaspora groups, who hope for a new is in hospital with coronavirus returned to the frontbenches as shadow which was won by Starmer who polled chapter in the party's connect with the 1.5- and in case UK Foreign Secretary business secretary. 275,780 votes followed by Rebecca Long- million-strong Indian-origin voter base in Dominic Raab is unable to carry Nandy thanked the new party leader for Bailey in distant second with 135,218 the UK which felt increasingly alienated on amid the pandemic, Downing the "opportunity to serve" and in response votes. Though Long-Bailey was seen as under Corbyn's perceived anti-India focus Street has said. Sunak, who has to her counterpart in government, aligned to the old guard led by Jeremy on contentious issues such as human been leading the UK government's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab's Corbyn, she has been appointed to the post rights in Kashmir. economic response during the congratulatory message, said her first of shadow education secretary. "I am confident that under your COVID-19 lockdown as the focus will be on the "pressing matter" of Nandy, a vocal critic of the former leadership the Labour Party will further Chancellor of the Exchequer, will Britons stranded abroad due to the leadership over its Brexit policies, is strengthen its historic bonds with India automatically step in as part of an coronavirus pandemic worldwide expected to emerge as a key Opposition and will build enduring bridges to connect established order of precedence in lockdown. "You can be assured of voice under the new guard. with the Indian diaspora in the UK," said the UK - which does not have a constructive opposition and I look Her appointment in the top team is seen Ruchi Ghanashyam, the Indian High written constitution. forward to speaking at the earliest as among the many signs of Starmer's Commissioner to the UK, in her "There is an established order of opportunity about the coronavirus crisis plan to revamp the Opposition Labour congratulatory message for Starmer. precedence. The Prime Minister and the pressing matter of Britons Party, which had suffered a bruising (Except for the headline, this story has not been has appointed the Foreign stranded abroad," said Nandy, the defeat during the December 2019 General edited by TIP staff and is published from a Secretary [Raab] as his First daughter of India-born academic Dipak Election. syndicated feed.) Secretary of State. In line with the order of precedence, the Chancellor [Sunak] would follow Indian Origin Technology Indian Origin Surgeon in 11 Indian Citizens from the Foreign Secretary," Executive Arvind Krishna UK Dies of COVID- 19 infected with Johnson's spokesperson at Downing Street told reporters in Takes Charge as IBM CEO Dr Rathod, who Coronavirus die in US, response to a question about the Over his 30-year was based in Sixteen more test chain of command at the top of career at IBM, Wales,was an the British government. Arvind led a associate Positive specialist in Given the rapid spread of series of bold transformations cardio-thoracic COVID-19 in the UK, where the and delivered surgery at the death toll has crossed 6,000, and proven business University its impact on frontline ministers, results Hospital of Wales questions around leadership have been increasingly doing the LONDON (TIP): Jitendra Kumar rounds. Rathoda prominent Indian origin Sunak, 39, has had to table his cardiac surgeon who worked for years maiden Budget as well as a series in the National Health Service (NHS), of mini budgets over the past few NEW YORK (TIP): Indian-origin has died after testing positive from NEW YORK (TIP): At least 11 weeks to try and address the crisis technology executive Arvind Krishna coronavirus. Rathod, 58, was admitted Indians have died of COVID-19 in the faced by UK businesses as a result took charge as the new Chief Executive to the University Hospital of Wales, United States with another 16testing of the lockdown. Officer of American IT giant IBM on Cardiff where he died on Monday, April positive for the infection that has Johnson, 55, is said to be stable April 6. As a business leader and 6 morning. claimed more than 16,000 lives and and responding to treatment after technologist, he has led the building and Rathod, who was based in Wales,was afflicted more than 460,000 people in the he was admitted to St. Thomas' expansion of new markets for IBM in an associate specialist in cardio- US. All Indian citizens who have died Hospital in London with artificial intelligence, cloud, quantum thoracic surgery at the University due to the deadly infection in the US are persistent coronavirus symptoms computing, and blockchain. He has also Hospital of Wales (UHW). His death was male. Ten of them are from New York and later moved to its intensive played a significant role in the announced by the Cardiff and Vale and New Jersey area while four of them care unit (ICU) to be close to a development of innovative IBM University Health Board in a statement: are said to be taxi drivers in New York ventilator. products and solutions based on these "It is with profound sadness that we City. New York City has emerged as the "The Prime Minister's condition emerging technologies. must inform you that Mr Jitendra epicenter for COVID-19 in the US, is stable and he remains in Over his 30-year career at IBM, Rathod, associate specialist in accounting for more than 6,000 deaths intensive care for close Arvind led a series of bold cardiothoracic surgery,has passed away. and over 1,38,000 cases of infections. monitoring. He is in good spirits," transformations and delivered proven He died early this morning on our New Jersey accounts for 1,500 deaths a Downing Street spokesperson business results. general intensive care unit after testing and nearly 48,000 infections. said earlier on Wednesday. (Read full story at positive for Covid-19. (Read full (Read full story at www.theindianpanorama.news) story at www.theindianpanorama.news) www.theindianpanorama.news) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 5

CORONAVIRUS HELPLINE Dr. VK Raju and Dr. Leela Raju of the Eye Foundation of America will be glad to answer any eye related concerns of the readers of The Indian Panorama during this difficult period of Coronavirus onslaught

DR. VK RAJU IS A DR. LEELA RAJU IS CLINICAL AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PROFESSOR OF OPHTHALMOLOGY OPHTHALMOLOGY AT WEST VIRGINIA AT NYU LANGONE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

They can be reached at [email protected] THE INDIAN PANORAMA 6 MISCELLANY FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 Cardiac arrests surge in New York, Sister of Mother Teresa dies from COVID-19 overwhelming first responders as contracted while taking Food to the Infected at-home coronavirus deaths spike LONDON (TIP): COVID-19 has caused the death of a 73-year-old Sister of the Missionaries NEW YORK (TIP): of Charity in the United Kingdom. Sister Sienna The Fire Department was admitted to Hospital with complications of of New York has the viral infection and died due to the registered a coronavirus on April 1, 2020. staggering increase in The nun was working with the poor in calls for cardiac arrest Swansea, Wales, near London. She was involved patients as the in distributing food to those affected by the coronavirus outbreak coronavirus. A native of Jharkhand state in grips the city. India, Sister Sienna has served the community From March 20 to in England. She was also active in the spiritual Missionaries of Charity Sister Sienna was admitted to a April 5, the agency services of the Indian Catholic community and hospital near London with complications of the viral logged an average of had been a Sister for 50 years infection and died due to coronavirus on April 1, 2020. 195 cardiac arrest calls The Sisters also ask for Prayer because now all rest with our Lord yesterday. She was admitted daily, with 129 people dying. That's compared to 65 cardiac arrest calls a the other sisters in her convent have contracted to hospital due to Covid-19 last week. day and 27 deaths over the same period last year. The surge comes as the the virus. The Statement from the convent said: She is from Jharkhand, India. Please pray for governing body for New York City Emergency Medical Services last week *With deep sorrow, we inform you that Sister the repose of her soul. Kindly pray for the other issued an order that units could no longer transport cardiac arrest Sienna M. C. (Missionaries of Charity founded M. C. Sisters in her convent. All the Sisters in her patients to hospitals unless there were signs of life at the scene. "We had by Mother Teresa), 73, from Swansea Convent community are infected with the same disease & to pronounce the patient on the floor," said one paramedic. "That hurts, (Wales, United Kingdom) contracted Covid-19 one is very serious.R. I. P., Sr Sienna, M.C. because you're leaving them right there in front of their family." while serving the sick & has gone for her Eternal (Missionaries of Charity/AsiaNews) Latest Coronavirus Myths: Malaria Drug, Face Masks, Mail Safety contd from page 2 no different with COVID-19. Gargling President Donald Trump within 48 to 72 paper before the coronavirus pandemic is A Bronx Zoo tiger tested positive for the with home remedies has no effect on the hours. over. new coronavirus in early April in what is illness, according to the fact-checking site FALSE: This is false, for now. The FALSE: Some people are panic-buying believed to be the first known infection in Snopes. president has resisted a national shelter- toilet paper, and that's what's contributing an animal in the United States or a tiger CLAIM: If you can hold your breath for in-place order, leaving those decisions to to empty toilet paper aisles in the United anywhere. Another six tigers at the zoo 10 seconds without coughing, you haven't governors. States and around the world. U.S. toilet have fallen ill and are believed to have been infected by the coronavirus The White House's National Security paper makers are ramping up production been infected by a zoo employee who FALSE: Posts that circulated on social Council also false rumor of a national to ensure an ample supply of toilet paper. wasn't yet showing symptoms of the media and in emails claiming the lockdown rumor was debunked in March The panic buying contributed to a 60 illness. reliability of the breath test were falsely by the White House's National Security percent increase in toilet paper sales in Both the CDC and American Veterinary attributed to a member of the Stanford Council, which said in a tweet: "Text the week ending March 7, according to Medical Association have been Health Care board, but Stanford message rumors of a national Nielsen data, and that has made TP more recommending that out of an abundance spokeswoman Lisa Kim told CNN the post #quarantine are FAKE. There is no expensive. of caution, people who are sick with the contains dangerous, inaccurate national lockdown." CLAIM: The spread of the coronavirus coronavirus illness should limit their information. What's true is that when Trump from China to the rest of the world has contact with animals - advice the CLAIM: Frequently washing hands declared a national emergency, he been accompanied by a rise in racism and veterinary group reiterated after the tiger under hot soapy water for at least 20 invoked the Stafford Act, usually used to xenophobia against Asians. tested positive. seconds - taking care to wash between trigger federal aid to states in natural TRUE: Asian Americans Advancing There have been a handful of reports fingers, around cuticles and under disasters and other times of crisis. Justice and other groups report dozens of outside of the United States that pet dogs fingernails - offers the best protection Importantly, the Stafford Act does not incidents of hate speech and physical or cats have become infected after coming against the new coronavirus, but when give the federal government the authority attacks directed at Asians and calls them in close contact with people who were that's impossible to do, a 60 percent to impose mandatory quarantines. The reminiscent of the 1800s pejorative contagious. After a dog in Hong Kong alcohol-based hand sanitizer is almost as administration also closed the nation's "yellow peril," pinned on Chinese tested positive for a low level of the effective. borders to people traveling from high-risk Americans, suggesting they represented pathogen, agriculture authorities TRUE: That's true, though it's not the countries, except for U.S. citizens coming an existential threat to the Western world. concluded that pet dogs and cats couldn't only protection against the new home, but that wasn't a lockdown. Neither John C. Yang, who heads the group, told pass the virus to human beings but could coronavirus. The CDC's recommendation is the urgent recommendation by public The Associated Press that "words matter" test positive if exposed by their owners. is to avoid being exposed in the first place, health officials that Americans hunker and "in reality, Chinese are not more CLAIM: Home remedies such as by limiting contact with others and down in their homes until April 30. genetically prone to transmit the virus. drinking plenty of water and gargling meeting socially in groups of 10 or fewer; CLAIM: Residents of states where What we all need to do is focus on our with vinegar and warm salt water will maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet National Guard troops have been public health." stop the virus from traveling into the between people; coughing and sneezing deployed to assist after shelter-in-place When the World Health Organization lungs and rinsing the nose with saline into a tissue and immediately disposing of orders were issued are living under named the illness caused by coronavirus will speed recovery. it or, as an alternative, sneezing into your martial law. COVID-19, officials said they were FALSE: The World Health elbow; avoid touching eyes, nose and FALSE: That claim is Part 2 of the hoax guarding against stigmatism and warned Organization addressed this and other mouth with unwashed hands; and detailed above. It's true National Guard against the potential for racial profiling. false coronavirus medical advice regularly wiping down frequently troops have been deployed to some areas Trump has been criticized for repeated circulated on social media and says touched surfaces - for example, with shelter-in-place orders; the soldiers references to the "Chinese virus" in news there's no evidence saline nasal rinses countertops, door handles, light switches, aren't acting as police enforcing civil law, conferences. offer any protection against a television remotes, toilet and bathroom though. Rather, their duties include "This is a time for solidarity, this is a coronavirus infection. fixtures. providing humanitarian aid, closing time for facts, this is a time to move "There is some limited evidence that CLAIM: In various iterations of this, critical service gaps and building forward together, to fight this virus regularly rinsing the nose with saline can text messages people are forwarding to temporary hospitals. together. There is no blame in this," said help people recover more quickly from their friends, families and business Martial law is a rarely used legal power Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the the common cold," the agency said. networks spread information supposedly that isn't specifically written into the WHO's emergencies program. "All we "However, regularly rinsing the nose has from someone who just left a two-hour Constitution, and it's been contentious in need now is to identify the things we need not been shown to prevent respiratory briefing with the CIA and highly placed the handful of times the military has been to do to move forward quickly, with speed infections." government officials. The message warns used to enforce the law because police and and to avoid any indication of ethnic or It's true that increasing water intake people to stock up on everything they'll courts are for some reason unable to other associations with this virus." during respiratory and other illnesses is need for two weeks because a national function. (Source: Patch) important to prevent dehydration, and it's lockdown or quarantine is coming from CLAIM: America will run out of toilet THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 NY/NJ/CT 7 GET WELL SOON Some of our friends are tested positive with Coronavirus. Two of them, well known doctors , got infected while performing their sacred duty of saving lives. Dr.Ajay Lodha, a physician and a former President of national AAPI, the 100,000 strong association of physicians of Indian origin, and Dr. Sunil Mehrra, a pulmonologist, and a senior leader of AAPI, are under treatment. We pray for their speedy recovery and health. Warm regards . Prof. Indrajit S Saluja and family and staff of The Indian Panorama Most New York virus cases came from Europe

The research revealed a previously hidden review. A separate team at NYU Grossman School of spread of the virus that might have been Medicine came to strikingly similar conclusions, detected if aggressive testing programs had despite studying a different group of cases. Both teams been put in place analyzed genomes from coronaviruses taken from New Yorkers starting in mid-March. NEW YORK (TIP): New research indicates that the The research revealed a previously hidden spread of coronavirus began to circulate in the New York area by the virus that might have been detected if aggressive when Mr. Trump said he would block travelers from mid-February, weeks before the first confirmed case, testing programs had been put in place. most European countries. But New Yorkers had already and that travelers brought in the virus mainly from On January 31, President Donald Trump barred been travelling home with the virus. "People were just Europe, not Asia. foreign nationals from entering the country if they had oblivious," said Adriana Heguy, a member of the NYU "The majority is clearly European," said Harm van been in China during the prior two weeks. team. Bakel, a geneticist at Icahn School of Medicine at It would not be until late February that Italy would (Source:NYU) Mount Sinai, who co-wrote a study awaiting peer begin locking down towns and cities, and March 11 You will be missed, Brahm Kanchibhotla

never ever dreamed of losing my friend and fellow And then, on April 3, Parveen Chopra informed me journalist Brahm Kanchibhotla the way he has Brahm was tested positive with Coronavirus. I was Ibeen snatched from us. shocked. I was terribly shaken. The scenes from my I recall vividly my first meeting with him in New first meeting with him to subsequent times flashed York. Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee ji was on his maiden across my mind. I prayed for him. But, sorry, my visit as PM to New York. Media was invited in prayer was not granted. My friend succumbed to strength. I was new to the place. Just did not know Coronavirus, as many in the world have. He died any journalist. I heard my neighbor say, "what April6. newspaper are you representing?". I looked him , gave Later, I learnt that he showed symptoms of Covid- a smile and said, "Shaan-e-Panjab". 19 on March 23 and was admitted to a hospital in Long "Punjabi paper?" , he asked. "Yes", I said. This man Island on March 28 after his condition began to I came to know was Brahm Kanchibhotla, a senior worsen. He was put on a ventilator on March 31. journalist. PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI IN HIS We did not meet for some time. But soon we bumped CONDOLENCE MESSAGE SAID HE WAS "DEEPLY into each other at events and press conferences. He ANGUISHED" BY THE NEWS. "HE (BRAHM) WILL did not drive. So, at times, I will give him a ride. BE REMEMBERED FOR HIS FINE WORK AND EFFORTS TO BRING INDIA AND USA CLOSER. I discovered he was a very conscientious journalist, CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS. having worked long with well-known newspapers in OM SHANTI," MODI TWEETED. New York, which included India Abroad, the number - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 8, 2020 one newspaper at that time. I admired him for his I have no words to condole his sad demise. I am at a professionalism. Later, he worked for the well-known loss of words to express my grief and console his new agency UNI. the present times of pseudo journalists all around, bereaved family. I can only pray to God to grant We met and exchanged views , and I have reason to with publications being managed by people who have eternal peace to my dear departed friend, Brahm believe that despite of my being a bohemian he no idea of journalism. Kanchibhotla. May the Merciful God grant his enjoyed being with me as much as I did. We had I was happy when he told me he had a cushy job bereaved family strength enough to bear the another common friend, Parveen Chopra, who is with Wall Street Journal. His job kept him very busy. irreparable loss, and be always Gracious, Kind and currently Managing editor of a local newspaper. We I stopped asking him for his articles. We hardly ever Merciful to the family! both enjoyed our drinks and light gossip but Brahm met or communicated, except when he was buying a RIP Brahm ji! was a serious kind of a guy. We loved him for his house and informed me he was moving near our place In Grief simplicity and total absence of affectation. in Long Island. I invited him over and he said he will PROF. INDRAJIT S SALUJA I sometimes asked him to contribute to The Indian after he had moved. & Panorama which he graciously did. I knew I could We came across each other one day , may be, 4 THE INDIAN PANORAMA never adequately compensate him for his work which months ago, at a grocery store in Hicksville. He was was immaculate. As I said, he was thoroughly with his wife. I invited the couple over to my place , professional. It is very difficult to find one like him in and, Brahm promised to visit us soon. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 8 EDITORIAL FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 AS I SEE IT

By Sanjiv Arora This is no time for geopolitical debates

It would be in the collective interest of the on how countries are confronting this pandemic, a well- international community to give impetus to known academic and author has portrayed the responses in an East vs West construct and concluded joint initiatives, as has been demonstrated by that Asian democracies are performing much better the setting up of an emergency fund by SAARC than their western counterparts, for reasons which countries. While tangible contributions on the include cultural and sociological contrasts such as table through such engagement would be greater emphasis on individual freedoms in the West. Another writer, one of India's foremost China experts, modest in the situation of overstretched seems to be projecting a decline in China's influence in domestic resources, multilateral initiatives the post-Covid world order, and almost drawing a direct would need to be strengthened when the global correlation between how India deals with this curve of Covid starts flattening. pandemic and its role in the international arena in the years ahead. There are many other arguments being s the world continues to grapple with the pushed in support of different forecasts after this unprecedented crisis caused by Covid-19, pandemic has been contained. Each one counts. All efforts should be directed toward saving Astrategic experts have been engaged in debating Amidst this barrage of views from the strategic maximum lives. the geopolitical implications of this pandemic that has community, they may wish to step back and reflect on already infected over 1.28 million people and claimed the tools of their analyses, as also on the outcomes engagement would be modest in the situation of around 70,000 lives. The themes on which think tanks, projected by them. They may also ask themselves if this overstretched domestic resources, multilateral academics, former diplomats, etc., have been in top gear is the time for geopolitical debates. This suggestion is initiatives would need to be strengthened when the with their analyses, judgements and forecasts include, driven not by any gratuitous idealism, but by global curve of Covid starts flattening. Even as most notably, the systems of governance in different realpolitik. Besides the enormous and incessant efforts countries will get increasingly preoccupied with the countries affected by the pandemic, successes and that every country needs to exert, initiatives at huge task of reviving their economies, collaborative failures of leadership, and the way the global power bilateral, regional and multilateral levels to share mechanisms in critical areas related to public health calculus would play out in the years ahead, based on the information, expertise, research and development and and Medicare, as also in the economic, financial and responses of nation-states to the pandemic and its innovation in critical areas, including masks and PPE; social spheres, would be in collective interest. The economic, social, security and strategic implications. kits for accelerated testing; hospital beds, isolation philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is rooted as All these are important issues, but there are serious wards, respirators and ICUs; clean water, sanitation much in realism as it is in idealism. problems, both with the timing as well as the and public health; last-mile connectivity with mass A rewind of the concerns expressed by some experts approach, in many cases, of this exercise being communication; and safe and swift logistics and supply shows that Covid is not exactly a 'black swan' event for undertaken when the world is fighting a common and chains, are more important than at any other time in humanity as there were forewarnings necessitating invisible enemy. recent history. urgent long-term planning and strategies - a precise Looking at the versatile and vibrant strategic articulation, shorn of jargon, being by Bill Gates in community in our own country and their fraternity in India and the rest of the world 'Ted Talk' in 2015 in the aftermath of the Ebola other parts of the world, one gets an impression that are at war with a common epidemic. It would thus be incumbent upon the their analyses of how countries have and are dealing international community to ensure that history does with Covid are often aimed at trumpeting their enemy, and what is most not repeat itself. predilections and favorite hypotheses. Many of them This is not to undermine the importance of are using their strategic discourse to denigrate important is to save every human brainstorming during the war against Covid. However, countries, be it China, the US, Italy, Spain or the UK; to life. This is the time for action by this discussion would be much more productive if it is proclaim the 'victorious' and the 'vanquished'; to make aimed at augmenting individual and collective sweeping judgements about one system of governance everyone. Debates can wait until expertise and resources, and devising swifter and more having outsmarted another; to engage in frenzied the enemy has been defeated. effective strategies to fight a global threat than to criticism of some governments and obsequious indulge in armchair intellectualism, sweeping adulation of others, instead of giving objective generalizations or games of one-upmanship. feedback and counsel on the pros and cons of the Further, it would be in the collective interest of the India and the rest of the world are at war with a policies and strategies adopted by different countries; international community to give impetus to joint common enemy, and what is most important is to save and to write obituaries of globalization or initiatives, as has been demonstrated by the setting up every human life. This is the time for action by multilateralism or both! of an emergency fund by SAARC countries, in everyone. Debates can wait until the enemy has been One gets an impression that for many strategic pursuance of a video conference at the invitation of PM defeated. experts, Covid is already shaping the contours of a new Modi and the convening of a virtual G20 summit. While (The author is a Former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, geopolitical landscape. For example, in his commentary the tangible contributions on the table through such Government of India) GUEST COMMENT Victory in Defeat: On Withdrawal of Bernie Sanders ernie Sanders' withdrawal from the race for the presidential COVID-19 pandemic relegating the debates, buoyed by support especially as key to overcome the social Bnominee from the Democratic Democratic contest between the two among the youth and the white inequality in a racially divided U.S. did Party at this juncture comes as no septuagenarians to a lower priority working class. By 2020, after not have as many takers among surprise. Ever since the Democratic among American voters, the path to a progressives won a significant number African American voters who Party field narrowed down to just two, nomination soon became non-existent of Congressional seats, most preferred Mr. Biden's "safer" candidacy with former Vice-President Joe Biden for Mr. Sanders. Without a large presidential candidates in the party due to his identification with Barack being endorsed as the overwhelming enthusiastic voter turnout, his chances adopted sections of his programme Obama's presidency in which he favorite of the party establishment, of staging a comeback grew even such as increasing the statutory served as Vice-President. Mr. Sanders Mr. Sanders found the going tough. weaker, forcing him to withdraw. minimum wage for workers and will be remembered for bringing to the After his strong victory in the South Mr. Sanders ran on a social expanding social welfare. But his forefront ideas of social welfare, Carolina primary, Mr. Biden emerged democratic ticket, promising a unapologetic embrace of the term collective action, and liberal as the first among equals among the universal and single-payer healthcare, "democratic socialist" to describe internationalism that had been moderates and consolidated support free college education and a "green himself in a country that fought a half- relegated by the for himself after the rest of the field new deal" to tackle climate change. A a-century-long Cold War for the neoliberal/neoconservative duopoly was winnowed due to dropouts by lifelong independent before he entered triumph of capitalism, his crusade that had firmly established itself in other candidates. In direct contests the Democratic primaries in 2016, Mr. against the wealthy and for campaign the U.S. since the 1980s. He might have after his triumph in the Nevada Sanders' earlier campaign had also financing regulations among other lost the battle, but the war for a caucuses, Mr. Sanders did not fare too ended in defeat, but he managed to systemic changes did not endear him progressive America will now be well and Mr. Biden emerged as the bring his progressive positions to the to the Democratic establishment. Mr. waged by activists inspired by his presumptive nominee. With the center of the Democratic Party Sanders' emphasis on economic justice legacy. (The Hindu) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 PERSPECTIVE 9 Will COVID-19 affect the course of Globalization? Import substitution, which had once become a bad word, may be back in currency interdependence creates. So some countries are facing difficulties in getting medical supplies, some find their manufacturing can't run as value chains are linked with By Vikas Dhoot China. Countries will reconfigure their economies to look at import substitution with a greater clarity now, as the The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on free trade is perils and pitfalls of overdependence on foreign supplies yet to be completely understood. Biswajit Dhar and become clear. Import substitution, that had become a bad Nagesh Kumar spoke to Vikas Dhoot on whether the word, may be back in currency. epidemic would spell an end to open markets as we Q.Mr. Dhar, you mentioned that China might have know it. Here are edited excerpts. a slightly different experience... Q. With several countries and regions locked Biswajit Dhar: Over the past week, news has been down, will there be a redrawing of geographical filtering through that China's manufacturing sector is boundaries? back, with Wuhan coming back into action. Other Biswajit Dhar: I think we are going towards a new countries will remain in a lockdown phase for at least normal now. Much of what we saw in terms of global another two months. Nobody is yet talking of the integration of trade and finance would suffer in the short flattening of the curve, and after that happens, it will take run. If you recall, when the world was hit by economic some more time for normalcy. So, if the Chinese get this recession in 2008, trade dipped by almost 10% in 2009 sort of a lead in getting their act together, they are going Q. How do you see the role of WTO evolving in when there was a 3% decline in global GDP. That's to consolidate their position in the global economy such a situation which has already been roughly the relation between trade and growth. When further. It's very interesting if you look at the two major struggling… there's a boom, trade grows much faster than GDP. The events that took place in the last 20 years - the 9/11 attacks Biswajit Dhar: There are worse days ahead for the World Trade Organization (WTO) has now estimated that (which coincided with China joining the WTO) and the WTO. Trade rules have worked best when the global in a worst-case scenario, global trade could dip as much 2008-09 global recession. After each of these episodes, economy is booming and isn't facing a crisis. The last as 32%, indicating the kind of dislocation they expect in China came out stronger and acted with alacrity, did all time serious discussions took place at WTO was in 2008, large economies. It's going to be a very different ball game the pump-priming to stimulate the economy and enhance before the complete repercussions of the crisis hit home, - the first thing that will happen is countries will try to their global heft… You don't have to go too far to see how and it was all downhill after that. It's only going to get build themselves up. In India, for instance, we can see the India got dependent on China after 2008. So this will be worse, because if countries need to bring their domestic disruption that is taking place - almost 50% of our trade the phase that President Xi Jinping's dream of being the industries back, they would need space for policy is directly linked with the micro, small and medium leader of the globalized world could really come true. You flexibility. And WTO will be redundant there - for enterprises (MSMEs) sector as even large players have don't know how badly it was impacted by the virus. China instance, on the issue of subsidies for small industries, no sub-contracted to the smaller producers. So it is anyone's doesn't really figure in the top of countries that have country will like the WTO to be telling them what to do or guess what the impact is going to be on trade because of announced stimulus packages. But we know for sure they what not to do. The agricultural subsidies issue is going the disruption in production. Going forward, most will do it - and this factor will determine the response of to be junked - on 31st March, India notified the WTO that economies, with the exception of China, are going to see other countries. Countries are going to be extremely it has crossed the 10% limit in rice subsidies as a good a very different kind of dynamic as they will try to build wary of the superpower that China will become and citizen. But do you think, going forward, the government up from where they would be in a few months' time and would like to disengage. I have absolutely no doubt that of India can be restrained from giving more subsidies for then think in terms of how to integrate themselves again India will disengage. Stimulus packages - be it in the U.S., rice or other sectors vital for food security? If the WTO with other countries. My expectation is that this will be a France, Germany - have an overwhelming emphasis on rules are junked, then it's a free-for-all situation. That's whole new normal that we haven't seen - after the first small businesses, which really were at the heart of their the problem. Then you go back to the situation of the round of global integration that we saw in the first post-war industrialization strategy, and you will see 1930s when it was just brute economic strength that will decade of the 20th century. industrial policy whose flip side will be import determine things, like the law of the jungle. Q.How could this impact Asia Pacific as a region substitution. So, globalization will be defined in a very Unfortunately, the impact on global governance systems and India in particular? different way. hasn't been understood yet. I was greatly disappointed Nagesh Kumar: UNESCAP has released its annual Q.Could this dampen movement of labor across with the G20 leaders' and trade ministers' statements. Economic and Social Survey on Wednesday - what we are countries? They should have reflected on global rules being in finding of course, is that the COVID-19 crisis is a Biswajit Dhar: Once you talk of import substitution, further jeopardy. If they have to work out flexibilities challenge never seen before and it is going to be a bigger you focus more on your domestic skills. The movement of within the WTO framework, they should do it collectively. shock for the world economy than the global financial personnel will follow the formula of economic needs, so Q. Shall there be a rethink on existing multilateral crisis which was only driven by a demand shock. This the U.S. may keep importing skilled personnel from India. and bilateral pacts? entails a demand and supply shock and it is still But, the kind of unemployment that you will see will Biswajit Dhar: Countries cede a part of their unfolding. It is now clear that many economies are going require a huge effort on the part of every country to get sovereignty while getting into these trade agreements. In to shrink - developed countries as well as many in the their workforce to where they were before the crisis. We the last quarter of the twentieth century, we saw one Asia Pacific region that are highly dependent on tourism never got back to a pre-2008 high-growth phase. But even driver of governance - market forces-oriented. But now,in and commodities trading will also shrink. Commodity to go back to the pre-COVID period, countries will require major economies, governments have taken center stage prices are at their lowest in the last 10 years. For India, a huge effort. and depending on how long the pandemic drags on, the however, there is a slight silver lining because of low oil Q.Lockdown displaces lakhs of migrants? government will remain in the driver's seat and markets and commodity prices as we are net importers and, also, Nagesh Kumar: The first priority of every government will take a backseat. If governments have to do the heavy since the government is not allowing a full pass-through would be to create jobs for its own people. In a high lifting, then they want full force of their sovereign of the lower global prices, it means that there is some unemployment scenario, hiring expats won't be in favor. powers. So I would think the project of globalization is fiscal space through commodity price reduction. Still, the In any case, there had been rising protectionism on this going to settle at a new normal and it will be a very disruption in work, especially in MSMEs that are the front already. different WTO and trade governance framework, with backbone of manufacturing, trading and services, is very Q.Do you feel that the social fabric in places that different kinds of regional and bilateral engagements. serious. This is a very large shock to the world economy are now open to immigrants could come under India, of course, has already become a reluctant player and many things will change after we come out of it. stress? and had, in a way, started disengaging. Other countries Q.We have seen over the last couple of months a Nagesh Kumar: We have gone into the impact on social were more tightly knit together through pacts like the significant slowdown in trade flows in advanced structure and have emphasized the need for governments ASEAN. The European Union is already in tatters and it economies and a sharper fall in developing to push for universal healthcare and social protection. will be important to see the role of the European countries. Do you consider this a passing phase or is Our experience from the financial crisis is that Commission and the European Central Bank in getting a COVID-19 set to reverse the trend of globalization as economies that paid greater attention to social protection decent stimulus in addition to what individual we know it? were able to recover very quickly.This crisis has exposed governments have done. NAFTA is already being Nagesh Kumar: The process of globalization was the gaps in the health sector and social protection and the rewritten. So going forward, much of the churning is already in retreat and last year, the term 'slowbalization' stimulus packages should focus on closing these gaps going to get bigger in regional formations. If in three was being used. World trade had never really recovered which will also help in achieving sustainable months, we don't get back on track, then I think there will since the global financial crisis - from a 10% growth, it development goals. The first priority will be to create jobs be a substantial rewriting of the rules. had been hovering around 1%-2%. Add to that the trade for those rendered jobless. But I think in certain sectors (The author is a director at the UN Economic and Social wars and the WTO talks process coming to a grinding that are highly skill-intensive, and countries are Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP); Biswajit Dhar is halt. Now, with this pandemic, there is another dependent on outsiders for those skills, that will a Professor at the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, recognition of the vulnerability that global economic continue. JNU) THE INDIAN PANORAMA 10 SOUTH ASIA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

Pakistan grapples with increasing coronavirus PAK JOINS SAARC COVID FUND, cases, tally reaches 4,322 PLEDGES $3 MILLION ISLAMABAD (TIP): akistan on ISLAMABAD / NEW DELHI (TIP): Thursday saw a jump of 248 new After sitting out the video conferencing coronavirus cases, taking the tally to of SAARC trade officials on Wednesday, 4,322, as the authorities grappled to Pakistan reversed course to pledge $ 3 contain the fast-spreading disease million towards the SAARC Covid-19 despite over a two-week partial Emergency Fund to support regional lockdown in the country. efforts in the fight against the pandemic. According to the Ministry of With Pakistan’s contribution, the total National Health Services, 63 people corpus of the fund now stands at $ 21. 5 have died due to the infection, million. India has announced a including 5 in one day. A total of 572 contribution of $ 10 million, Afghanistan people have recovered. and Nepal $ 1 million each, Bangladesh $ Thirty one people are in critical 1.5 million, Bhutan $ 1 lakh, Maldives $ 2 condition. lakhs and Sri Lanka $ 5 million. The number of COVID-19 patients in While communicating Pakistan’s Punjab was 2,171, Sindh 1,036, Khyber- decision to the SAARC Secretariat, Pakhtunkhwa (KP) 560, Gilgit- Islamabad said it wanted all proceeds of Baltistan (GB) 213, Balochistan 212, the fund to be administered by the Islamabad 102 and Pakistan-occupied SAARC Secretariat and that the Kashmir 28. modalities for the Fund’s utilisation Pakistan conveyed its intention to pool to India, also reiterated that Pakistan The government is concerned over should be finalised through regional efforts during a telephone remains committed to the SAARC the steady rise in the cases despite consultations with all SAARC members. conversation between Foreign Secretary process and will continue working with more than two weeks of partial Pakistan had cited a similar reason for Sohail Mahmood and Secretary General the Member States to strengthen lockdown in the country that has badly not turning up at the SAARC video SAARC Esala Ruwan Weerakoon. regional cooperation. - Tribune News hit the poor as well as affected the conference of trade ministers. Mahmood, former High Commissioner Service national economy. Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday expressed concern that the Rhino strolling on situation "can further deteriorate" and Boat with 202 suspected "our hospitals may not be able to cope" streets, chasing man with the increasing number of away, amid coronavirus patients. Pakistan is making frantic Rohingyas intercepted efforts to tackle the pandemic. lockdown Khan has again warned the people to KATHMANDU (TIP): An Indian follow official guidelines on self- Forest Services officer, Parveen isolation or the virus would spread Kaswan, shared a clip on Twitter which further. shows a rhinoceros walking down a He, however, defended his decision mostly-empty street in Nepal. to not impose a total lockdown, saying The video went viral amid a over 50 million people were below the nationwide lockdown that has been poverty line in the country, and they imposed in the country to control the could die of hunger if such step is spread of coronavirus. Nepal taken. announced a week-long lockdown on Meanwhile, the prime minister on March 24, which has now been extended Thursday launched the "Ehsaas until April 14. Because of the lockdown, Emergency Cash Programme" to the country's markets have been shut transfer a total of Rs 144 billion cash to down and people have been asked to 12 million poor families hit by the KUALA LUMPUR (TIP): Malaysian Malaysian peninsula, the Malaysian avoid stepping out, according to The coronavirus crisis. PTI authorities said on Sunday they had maritime enforcement agency said. Diplomat. Amid this, a 45-second clip of intercepted a boat ferrying a group of The group included 152 men, 45 women the rhino walking on streets emerged. Pak puts off Panja 202 persons believed to be ethnic and 5 children. All 202 have been After a few seconds, it chases a man Sahib Baisakhi Rohingya. detained at the coastguard’s Kedah state away walking on the same road before Malaysia, which does not recognise headquarters. The group will be handed losing interest and going on its own way. celebrations refugee status, is a favoured destination over to immigration authorities for "So this #rhino thought to take things LAHORE (TIP): Pakistan has for ethnic Rohingya fleeing a military- attempting to enter the country illegally, in his own hand. Went for an inspection," cancelled the Baisakhi celebrations at led crackdown in Myanmar and squalid the coastguard said. wrote Mr Kaswan while sharing the Gurdwara Punja Sahib in Punjab conditions at refugee camps in The agency said it would also video. "Btw rhino venturing out from province from April 14, in which Bangladesh. investigate complaints from the forest happens a lot, even without around 2,000 Sikhs from India were to The boat was found adrift around one migrants about three alleged members lockdown," he added. The video was participate, due to the coronavirus nautical mile from a luxury beachside of a migrant smuggling syndicate who taken at the Chitwan National Park area. pandemic, authorities said on Monday. resort on the holiday island of escaped from the boat while out at sea. — The national park has a sizeable rhino The number of the coronavirus cases Langkawi, off the west coast of the Reuters population. (TNS) in Pakistan on Monday reached 3,277 with the infections in the worst-hit Afghan govt to release Punjab province approaching 1,500. Sri Lanka conducts first-ever online tea 100 Taliban prisoners: "The government has cancelled both Baisakhi and Sadhu Bela festivals auctions KABUL (TIP): The Afghan scheduled to be held in April and May, government will release 100 Taliban respectively, because of coronavirus," COLOMBO (TIP): The Colombo Tea outbreak in the country, transitioned to prisoners on Wednesday, an official told said Mir Hashmi, the Evacuee Trust Auction, one of largest and oldest ongoing an online platform in order to allow AFP,a day after the insurgents said they Property Board spokesperson. He said tea auctions in the world, conducted its traders to buy and sell remotely. The were walking out of talks with Kabul the Pakistan government was to issue first online sessions amid the coronavirus online auctions were successfully held, over a delayed prisoner exchange. "The over 2,000 visas to Indian Sikhs for the pandemic. The Colombo Tea Auction, dealing with 720,000 kg of Ex-Estate tea in peace process should move forward," Baisakhi festival but it has stopped the which was suspended for two weeks due 680 lots. Imperial Teas, a leading local tea Javid Faisal, spokesman for process earlier because of the to a curfew imposed by the Sri Lankan exporter, made the first successful bid at Afghanistan's Office of the National pandemic. PTI government to contain the coronavirus LKR 2,100 ($11) a kg. IANS Security Council, told AFP. AFP THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 11 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 12 US FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 TikTok pledges USD 250 million for COVID-19 relief WASHINGTON (TIP): TikTok, the fast- "We want to magnify all we are seeing performances and gig work. growing mobile video app, pledged across our community and translate it into Another USD 50 million will be applied to Thursday, April 10, to contribute $250 concrete relief for those most affected by a "creative learning fund" to support million to coronavirus relief efforts around this crisis." distance learning efforts worldwide. the world. TikTok said USD 150 million of the funds TikTok, popular with teens for its short The Chinese-based firm, which US would be allocated for medical staffing, music videos, has become one of the most officials and lawmakers have assailed for supplies, and hardship relief for healthcare widely used social platforms in recent potential security risks, said the funds workers through the US Centers for Disease months and has seen interest surge during would be for "front line medical workers, Control, World Health Organization, and the pandemic. educators, and local communities deeply agencies working to distribute supplies in The application, owned by Chinese tech affected by the global crisis". hard-hit countries including India, company ByteDance, saw 65 million TikTok's move follows similar Indonesia, Italy and South Korea. worldwide downloads in March, according announcements from technology firms, Another USD 40 million will be donated to analytics site SensorTower. including Google, Facebook and Netflix, as to "organizations that serve groups officials from the FBI, the Justice well as from leaders of Microsoft, Amazon representative of TikTok's diverse user Department and Homeland Security have and Twitter. communities, including musicians, artists, warned that the video-sharing app could "We are committed to playing our part in nurses, educators, and families that have become another tool exploited by Chinese that global outpouring of mutual support come together on our platform," Zhu said. relief fund," with some of that going to intelligence services. and giving," TikTok president Alex Zhu TikTok said it would match USD 10 artists, songwriters, and music TikTok has denied any ties with the said in a statement. million in donations to its "community professionals hurt by cancelled Chinese government. (Source: AFP) IRS TIPS IRS extends more tax IRS urges taxpayers to use electronic IRS provides guidance deadlines to cover under the CARES Act to individuals, trusts, options; outlines online assistance taxpayers with net WASHINGTON (TIP): The Internal estates corporations Revenue Service, April 10, reminded operating losses and others taxpayers and tax professionals to use WASHINGTON (TIP): The Internal electronic options to support social Revenue Service issued , April 10, WASHINGTON (TIP): To help distancing and speed the processing of guidance providing tax relief under the taxpayers, the Department of Treasury tax returns, refunds and payments. CARES Act for taxpayers with net and the Internal Revenue Service "To protect the public and employees, operating losses. Recently the IRS issued announced April 10 that Notice 2020-23 and in compliance with orders of local tax relief for partnerships filing extends additional key tax deadlines for health authorities around the country, amended returns. individuals and businesses. certain IRS services such as live until further notice. We are not able to COVID Relief for taxpayers Last month, the IRS announced that assistance on telephones, processing take any orders for forms or publications taxpayers generally have until July 15, paper tax returns and responding to to be mailed during this time. Most claiming NOLs 2020, to file and pay federal income taxes correspondence are extremely limited or forms and publications are available for Revenue Procedure 2020-24 provides originally due on April 15. No late-filing suspended until further notice. All download electronically at guidance to taxpayers with net operating penalty,late-payment penalty or interest Taxpayer Assistance Centers remain www.IRS.gov/forms. losses that are carried back under the will be due. temporarily closed as are many WEB OPTIONS: IRS.gov remains the CARES Act by providing procedures for: Today's notice expands this relief to volunteer tax preparation sites until best source for tax law questions, checks waiving the carryback period in the case additional returns, tax payments and further notice. This will not affect the on refund status and tax payments. All of a net operating loss arising in a taxable other actions. As a result, the extensions IRS's ability to deliver Economic Impact IRS updates on the Economic Impact year beginning after Dec. 31, 2017, and generally now apply to all taxpayers that Payments, which taxpayers will begin Payments and other Covid-19 related before Jan. 1, 2021, have a filing or payment deadline falling receiving next week. issues also will be posted immediately disregarding certain amounts of on or after April 1, 2020, and before July "Although the tax filing deadline has on www.IRS.gov/coronavirus. Taxpayers foreign income subject to transition tax 15, 2020. Individuals, trusts, estates, been extended to July 15, 2020, from can check their refund status at Where's that would normally have been included corporations and other non-corporate April 15, the IRS continues to process My Refund? or obtain a tax transcript at as income during the five-year carryback tax filers qualify for the extra time. This electronic tax returns, issue direct Get Transcript Online. Tax transcripts period, and waiving a carryback period, means that anyone, including deposit refunds and accept electronic are only available online at this time. reducing a carryback period, or revoking Americans who live and work abroad, payments. As of April 3, the IRS received Taxpayers also can make tax payments an election to waive a carryback period can now wait until July 15 to file their over 97.4 million tax returns and issued through Direct Pay. Taxes due must be for a taxable year that began before Jan. 2019 federal income tax return and pay over $213 billion in refunds. paid by July 15. The Interactive Tax 1, 2018, and ended after Dec. 31, 2017. any tax due. IRS operational status and Assistant can help answer tax law SIX-MONTHEXTENSION OF TIME Extension of time to file beyond questions. There currently are no email FOR FILING NOL FORMS : In Notice alternatives options that will generate answers to 2020-26, the IRS grants a six-month July 15 PAPER TAX RETURNS: All questions posed by taxpayers. extension of time to file Form 1045 or Individual taxpayers who need taxpayers should file electronically Publication 5136, IRS Services Guide, is a Form 1139, as applicable, with respect to additional time to file beyond the July 15 through their tax preparer, tax software good source of information. the carryback of a net operating loss that deadline can request an extension to provider or IRS Free File if possible. The TELEPHONE OPTIONS: Automated arose in any taxable year that began Oct. 15, 2020, by filing Form 4868 IRS is not currently able to process phone lines: which handle most taxpayer during calendar year 2018 and that ended through their tax professional, tax individual paper tax returns. If you calls - also will remain available during on or before June 30, 2019. Individuals, software or using the Free File link on already have filed via paper but it has this period. Some tax compliance lines trusts, and estates would file Form 1045, IRS.gov.Businesses who need additional not yet been processed, do not file a also remain available. IRS phone lines and corporations would file Form 1139. time must file Form 7004. An extension second tax return or write to the IRS to supported by customer service COVID RELIEF FOR to file is not an extension to pay any inquire about the status of your return representatives for both taxpayers and PARTNERSHIPS WITH NOLS : On taxes owed. Taxpayers requesting or your economic impact payment. tax professionals are not staffed at this April 8, 2020, the IRS issued Revenue additional time to file should estimate Paper returns will be processed once time. To check on regular tax refund Procedure 2020-23, allowing eligible their tax liability and pay any taxes processing centers are able to reopen. status via automated phone, call 800-829- partnerships to file amended partnership owed by the July 15, 2020, deadline to This year, more than 90% of taxpayers 1954. (This line has no information on returns using a Form 1065, avoid additional interest and penalties. have filed electronically. Economic Impact Payments.) (Read full story at (Read full story at ORDERING FORMS: The IRS's (Read full story at www.theindianpanorama.news) www.theindianpanorama.news) National Distribution Center is closed www.theindianpanorama.news) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 MISCELLANY 13

Indian-American Pence says Americans will begin to body launches initiative for see checks at the end of next week underprivileged WASHINGTON (TIP): Vice President May go further," Mr. Trump said, Mike Pence said eligible Americans with extending a 60-day waiving of student communities in India direct deposit set up with the IRS will loans announced in late March. begin to see their checks dispensed But as the nation holds out hope for during Covid-19 under the CARES Act at the end of next some return of normalcy, the president The American India Foundation week. The average family of four, Pence said he doesn't think pervasive testing said, can expect to see roughly $3,400. will be needed, certainly not for every (AIF) said it will use its existing The vice president gave the update American. Pence said the nation is "service delivery platforms" during April 10 Coronavirus Task Force testing 100,000 people a day andhas comprising frontline health briefing, after the Department of Labor topped testing 2 million people. announced Thursday, April 10 morning More than 16,000 Americans have died workers, teachers, community that 6.6 million more Americans applied due to COVID-19, and the number of mobilisers and local self- for jobless claims in the last week alone. VP Mike Pence announced checks under he confirmed cases is approaching half a Mr. Trump also said the six-month CARES Act will be on way "at the end of next million. But social distancing, Pence governments to contribute to waiving of student loans under the week". said, is paying off, as the U.S. appears to the COVID-19 preparedness and CARES Act could be extended further. since the Great Depression. be reaching a leveling-off of cases in response and strengthen India's Many students at colleges and "Previously we waived student loan some places. New York, for instance, is universities are graduating, with virtual payments for six months, so student loan seeing a decrease in hospitalizations. healthcare system. ceremonies, into what is beginning to payments have been waived for six "There are signs of progress. And hope WASHINGTON (TIP): An Indian- look like the worst economic downturn months, and we'll discuss it after that. abounds," he said. American non-profit body has launched an initiative to serve and protect underprivileged communities in India against the coronavirus New York sees highest single-day death pandemic, as well as to help them emerge strongly through the resulting toll for third straight day social and economic crisis. The American India Foundation NEW YORK (TIP):New York that day killed 2,753 people in New York (AIF), which was founded in 2001 in recorded its highest single-day death toll City. "9/11 was so devastating, so tragic, the aftermath of the devastating due to the coronavirus for a third and then in many ways we lose so many Gujarat earthquake, on Friday said it straight day: Governor Andrew Cuomo more New Yorkers to this silent killer," will use its existing "service delivery said that 799 people died from COVID-19 he said, referring to COVID-19. NY Governor Cuomo urged New Yorkers to platforms" comprising frontline be disciplined and unified, and stay at home on Wednesday, April 9. Cuomo said efforts to slow the spread health workers, teachers, community Cuomo said more than 7,000 people in of the virus, which have included social where we are," he said. mobilisers and local self-governments the state have now lost their lives distancing and school and businesses "We can't handle the worst-case to contribute to the COVID-19 because of the virus. He called it a silent closures, are working. He said the state is scenarios," he said. "We can't even preparedness and response and explosion rippling through society with flattening the curve - "a direct handle the moderate-case scenarios, strengthen India's healthcare system. "the same randomness, the same evil, consequence to our actions." with all we've done. So it is essential that "We believe that India's poor, who that we saw on 9/11." But Cuomo urged New Yorkers to be we keep that curve flattened because we have limited access to the right He said that September 11, 2001 was disciplined and unified andstay at home. don't have an option of handling the information, healthcare and are "supposed to be the darkest day in New "Sometimes it's not about you, right? It's curve if it goes higher." predominantly employed or self- York for a generation." Terror attacks not about me, it's about we. And that's "You can't relax," he said. employed in the unorganized sector, are expected to bear a disproportionate brunt of the economic fallout of this More Than $8.2 Million In donations to support Health unprecedented health emergency," AIF Chief Executive Officer Nishant Care Workers on the front lines of the Covid-19 Pandemic Pandey said, launching the intervention framework for COVID-19 Laurie M. Tisch, Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively, Nike, Inc. and Uber Eats response. "In the medium to long term, the Among Generous Donors Funds Raised are Dedicated to Securing Personal impact of job losses, disruption in Comfort Items of Meals, Groceries, Taxi Rides and Hotel Rooms for Heroic children's education and social isolation might turn out to be greater Health Care Workers than those from the health emergency," he said, adding that the NEW YORK (TIP): NYC Health + Quality Officer and Emergency Medicine Tang Tang $10,000 organization will try to ensure that Hospitals, the largest public health care Specialist who is leading the fundraising David Geffen Foundation the communities with the greatest system in the country with 11 hospitals at operation for the health system. "We are $50,000 needs are not affected the hardest the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, has equally grateful to the more than 5,000 Alexis Le-Quoc $10,000 during this crisis. raised more than $8.2M since it began to supporters who have donated to our Nike, Inc. $50,000 The AIF's intervention framework accept donations last month. The Network for Good page - many of those Bing Han $10,000 for COVID-19 response includes fundraising campaign will direct funds to are $5 and $10 contributions - every Elizabeth Strickler Undisclosed behavior change communication, purchase comfort items like meals, dollar matters to us, and we know those AdaCore Technologies, Inc. promoting community preparedness groceries, taxi rides and hotel rooms to often come with a lot of heart and $10,000 and building long-term resilience of support the heroic health care workers sacrifice." In response to many offers of support, communities. on the front line of care to New Yorkers NYC Health + Hospitals has the public health care system last month The AIF has earlier worked in the with COVID-19. created an official way to donate to relief needs and reconstruction "On behalf of our amazing, brave received major gifts from the support the purchase of items that efforts in several catastrophes in workforce, we would like to thank the following generous donors: provide personal comfort to employees India, including the 2001 Bhuj many individuals and organizations that Laurie M. Tisch $500,000 on the front lines of patient care. earthquake, 2004 Tsunami, 2008 Bihar have donated generously in cash and Paul & Donna Ullman Undisclosed Donations can be made through the NYC flood, 2013 Uttarakhand flood, 2014 valuable goods to provide comfort to our Uber Eats $250,000 Health + Hospitals Network for Good Kashmir flood, 2015 Chennai flood and courageous employees who are working Tim C Xin $10,000 fundraising page. Donations for 2018 Kerala flood. day and night to save lives," said Dr. Eric Ryan Reynolds /Blake Lively equipment and supplies should be Wei, NYC Health + Hospitals Chief $100,000 directed to Help Now NYC. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 14 INDIA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 Death toll due to Covid-19 reaches 200-mark in India; more than 6,400 cases NEW DELHI (TIP): The death toll due to the novel coronavirus rose to 199 and the number of cases to 6,412 in the country on Friday, according to the Union Health Ministry. While the number of active COVID-19 cases is 5,709, as many as 503 people were cured and discharged and one had migrated, it said. The ministry said at least 30 new COVID-19 test now must for all deaths had been reported since Thursday evening. with cough, fever, runny nose in Twenty-five deaths were reported from Maharashtra, three from Delhi hotspots, migrant centres and one each from Gujarat and Jharkhand. NEW DELHI (TIP): Anyone suffering from fever, Maharashtra has reported the cough, sore throat or runny nose in COVID-19 most coronavirus deaths at 97, hotspots will now have to be tested for the disease followed by Gujarat at 17, Madhya within seven days of the onset of illness. Pradesh 16 and Delhi 12. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Punjab and Tamil Nadu have Thursday revised the testing strategy for COVID-19 reported eight fatalities each while Health Ministry figures, compared Punjab has 101 positive patients so disease clusters where it had earlier recommended Telengana has reported seven to the number of cases announced far. Odisha has reported 44 antibody (blood-based) tests for anyone reporting deaths. by different states, which officials coronavirus cases. Thirty-nine influenza like illness (ILI) symptoms. West Bengal and Karnataka have attribute to procedural delays in people were infected with the virus Revising the old guidance today, ICMR mandated registered five deaths each. Andhra assigning the cases to individual in Bihar while Uttarakhand has 35 nose/throat swab based current Covid test for all Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and states. patients and Assam 29. symptomatic people in hotspots or migrant centres. Uttar Pradesh have reported four According to the ministry's data Chandigarh and Himachal “All symptomatic ILI (fever, cough, sore throat, deaths each while Haryana and updated in the morning, the highest Pradesh have 18 cases each while runny nose) will be tested with RT-PCR (swab test) Rajasthan have recorded three number of confirmed cases in the Ladakh has 15 and Jharkhand has within seven days of illness. After seven days of deaths each. country are from Maharashtra at 13 positive patients so far. Eleven illness, these same people will be administered the Two deaths have been reported 1,364, followed by Tamil Nadu at 834 cases have been reported from the antibody test. If the test is negative, it must be from Kerala. Bihar, Himachal and Delhi with 720 cases. Andaman and Nicobar Islands confirmed by RT-PCR,” ICMR said. Pradesh, Odisha and Jharkhand The cases have gone up to 463 in while 10 were reported from Besides the above hotspot category that also covers reported one fatality each, Rajasthan, while they have risen to Chhattisgarh. large migration gathering centres, the following sets according to the health ministry 442 in Telengana. Uttar Pradesh has Goa has reported seven COVID-19 of people are to undergo Covid testing in India as per data. The 6,412 figure includes 71 410 cases so far, followed by Kerala infections, followed by Puducherry current ICMR guidance — all symptomatic foreign nationals. at 357 cases. Andhra Pradesh has at five cases. Manipur has two while individuals who have undertaken international travel The death toll on Thursday reported 348 coronavirus cases. Tripura, Mizoram and Arunachal in the last 14 days; all symptomatic contacts of evening was 169. Novel coronavirus cases have risen Pradesh have reported one case laboratory confirmed cases; all symptomatic However, a PTI tally of figures to 259 in Madhya Pradesh, 241 in each. healthcare workers; all patients with Severe Acute reported by various states as on Gujarat, 181 in Karnataka and 169 in "State-wise distribution is subject Respiratory Illness (fever and cough and/or shortness Thursday late evening showed at Haryana. to further verification and of breath); asymptomatic direct and high-risk least 6,640 cases and 227 deaths. Jammu and Kashmir has 158 reconciliation," the ministry said contacts of a confirmed case have to be tested once There has been a lag in the Union cases, West Bengal has 116 and on its website. between day 5 and day 14 of coming in his/her contact. Odisha lockdown till April 30, ADB assures USD 2.2 bn support package schools closed till June 17 BHUBANESWAR (TIP): The Odisha Government to India for COVID-19 response today decided to extend the ongoing lockdown in the state till April 30 to effectively contain the spread of NEW DELHI (TIP): Asian Development Bank (ADB) coronavirus. Odisha is the first state in the country to President Masatsugu Asakawa on Friday assured do so. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of USD 2.2 Schools and other educational institutions will billion (about Rs 16,500 crore) support to India in its remain closed till June 17, Chief Minister Naveen fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Patnaik announced after a video conference with his In a call, Asakawa commended the Indian ministers. government’s decisive response to the pandemic, “We have decided to extend the lockdown till April including a national health emergency program, tax 30 and a recommendation in this regard will be sent to and other relief measures provided to businesses and a the Centre,” he said in a video message. USD 23 billion (Rs 1.7 lakh crore) economic relief Patnaik said the state had as also urged the Centre package announced on March 26 to provide immediate to stop train and flight services to Odisha till April 30. income and consumption support to the poor, women, Odisha has recorded 44 positive cases of coronavirus and workers affected by the three-week nationwide so far. lockdown. The state government also promulgated an “ADB is committed to supporting India’s emergency ordinance with a provision of imprisonment up to needs. We are now preparing USD 2.2 billion in its financing needs during this period, ADB said in a two years for those violating the epidemic immediate assistance to the health sector and to help statement. regulations. The ordinance amends a section of the alleviate the economic impact of the pandemic on the “ADB assistance for India will be further increased if Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. poor; informal workers; micro, small, and medium- needed. We will consider all financing options available As per the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) sized enterprises; and the financial sector,” Asakawa with us to meet India’s needs, including emergency Ordinance, 2020, anybody who disobeys any said. assistance, policy-based loans, and budget support to regulation is liable for imprisonment up to two years ADB is also engaged with the private sector to meet facilitate swift disbursement of ADB funds,” he said. or with fine up to Rs 10,000 or with both. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 INDIA 15

ICMR report on random Modi govt announces 3-phased sampling test shows possible Covid-19 Emergency Response community transmission NEW DELHI (TIP): For weeks now,the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has been conducting random sampling tests on patients from various states to package for states, UTs check for signs of community transmission. This time, the data compiled by the health research agency, ICMR, NEW DELHI (TIP): The Modi drops possible hints at community transmission in government has drawn a three- clusters in India. phase plan to fight the novel For five weeks between, February 15 and April 2, ICMR coronavirus pandemic. The tested 5,911 SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses) government has released an patients for Covid-19. Of these cases, 104 tested positive (1.8 Emergency Response and Health per cent of those who were tested) and these were from 52 System Preparedness package to districts in 20 states and union territories. the states to fight Covid-19. The At least 40 cases (39.2 per cent of those tested positive) centrally-funded package is aimed didn't have any foreign travel history or any connection at boosting national and state with a foreign traveller.These cases were reported from 36 health systems to support the Indian districts in 15 states. procurement of essential medical In 15 Indian States, more than one per cent of SARI equipment and drugs, and the patients were Covid-19 positive. strengthening of surveillance The ICMR report said, "These districts need to be activities. prioritised to target Covid-19 containment activities. Only The Centre expects a long haul two cases ( two per cent of those tested positive) reported fight against Covid-19 pandemic. As contact with a confirmed case, one case ( one per cent of per the communication sent to the those tested positive) reported recent international travel, states and UTs, the project will be and, for about 59 such cases (57.8 per cent), exposure implemented in three phases - for implementation of phase 1 up to personal protective equipment, N- history was not available. Phase 1 January 202 to June 2020, June 2020. 95 masks and ventilators over and In the first ICMR study that was done weeks before Phase 2 July 2020 to March 2021 and "The key activities to be above what is being procured and March 14, no SARI patient had tested positive for Phase 3 April 2021 to March 2024. implemented under Phase 1 include supplied by the central coronavirus. After the testing policy was changed, to "With the objectives of support to states and UTs for government. include SARI patients, only two of 106 patients were found emergency Covid-19 response, development of dedicated Covid-19 The activities to be undertaken positive between March 15 and March 21. Of the 2,877 strengthening national and state hospitals, isolation blocks, ICUs also include disinfection of patients tested between March 22 and March 28, a total of health systems to support with ventilators oxygen supply in hospitals, government offices, 48 (1.7 per cent) were found positive. prevention and preparedness, hospitals, strengthening of public utilities and ambulances, the The second report also shows a higher number of cases procurement of essential medical laboratories, hiring of additional letter said. among men and patients aged above 50 years. A total of 85 equipment, consumables and human resources and incentives to The project is the outcome of cases (83.3 per cent) cases were men and 83 cases (81.4 per drugs, strengthening of human resource and community various rounds of interactions cent) above 40 years of age. Detection of Covid-19 among surveillance activities, including health volunteers," the letter added. between the Centre and the states. SARI patients increased from 0 per cent before March 14, setting up of laboratories and bio- It also includes strengthening of The state governments had been to 2.6 per cent by April 2. security preparedness," the letter identified laboratories and demanding a special package to ICMR's overall conclusion on the basis of this report said. expansion of diagnostic capacities fight the Covid-19 pandemic. The stated, "Covid-19 containment activities need to be According to the letter, the Union and mobility support for sample issue had also come up during targeted in districts reporting Covid-19 cases among SARI Health Ministry is releasing funds transport. The ministry has also Prime Minister Narendra Modi's patients. Intensifying surveillance for Covid-19 among for states and Union territories asked states and UTs to use the interaction with chief ministers of SARI patients may be an efficient tool to effectively use under the National Health Mission funds for the procurement of the states. resources towards containment and mitigation efforts." Five states worst hit by coronavirus in India

NEW DELHI (TIP): The total number In terms of deaths, eight people have of novel coronavirus cases in India died in Tamil Nadu due to Covid-19, crossed the 6,000 mark on Friday which is relatively much lower than morning. As per the Union Health Maharashtra. Besides this, 21 people Ministry, a total of 6,412 people in India have recovered in the state so far. have tested positive for Covid-19, the disease caused by novel coronavirus, so Delhi far. Delhi is the third worst-hit state in While the number of cases has swelled terms of the total number of Covid-19 in the last two weeks and cases have cases. The national capital has so far already been reported from 31 states and reported 720 Covid-19 cases, of which 25 Union Territories, these cases are not have recovered and 12 have died. evenly spread out across the country. The city-state accounts for 11 per cent States like Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil of India's novel coronavirus patients. Nadu, Rajasthan and Telangana have However, number of deaths have been emerged as hotspots and are the worst much lower than in Maharashtra. hit states in India in terms of the total number of Covid-19 cases that have been Rajasthan reported. With 463 covid-19 cases, Rajasthan Taken together, these five states accounts for 7.2 per cent of India's total account for 59 per cent of all Covid-19 cases. The state, like others, has seen a cases in India; 64 per cent of all Covid-19 spike in new cases in the past one week. deaths, and 45 per cent of all recoveries. It was also among one of the first states Here is a quick look at India's five where Covid-19 cases were reported in worst-hit sates and what the numbers But besides the total figure, what is Tamil Nadu the first week of March. tell: also worrying is the high number of As per government figures, so far three people who have died due to Covid-19 in After Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu has people have died due to Covid-19 in Maharashtra Maharashtra. As per the Union Health the highest number of Covid-19 cases in Rajasthan and 21 have recovered so far. Maharashtra is clearly the biggest Ministry' data, 97 people have died in India. As of today morning, the state had hotspot for novel coronavirus cases in Maharashtra due to Covid-19 so far. This 834 cases. This is 13 per cent of India's Telangana India. As of 8 am today morning, is the highest in the country and is total figure. Most of these cases were The fifth worst-hit state in India is Maharashtra had a total of 1,364 Covid-19 nearly 49per cent of the country's total reported in the last one week that saw a Telangana. The state had reported 442 cases. Of these, 125 have recovered. death toll. surge in Covid-19 cases in the state. cases until Friday morning. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 16 CORONAVIRUS CRISIS FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 COVID-19 fatality rate to be 10 times higher than influenza: WHO chief

GENEVA (TIP): The fatality rate of COVID-19 is estimated to be 10 times higher than influenza, TRACKING THE VIRUS World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros GLOBAL Adhanom Ghebreyesus INDIA said. Speaking at a Mission Cases Deaths Cases Deaths UK TO CONTINUE LOCKDOWN briefing on COVID-19 1,604,500 95,732 6,412 199 from Geneva on Thursday, AS CORONAVIRUS DEATH the WHO chief said that so far, more than 1.3 TOLL NEARS 8,000 million people have been infected, and almost 80,000 LONDON (TIP): It is too early to lift the ongoing people have lost their lockdown, foreign secretary Dominic Raab said on lives, reported Xinhua Thursday as Prime Minister Boris Johnson continued news agency. to improve in the intensive care unit, while the UK’s "This pandemic is much death mounted by another 881 to 7,978. more than a health crisis. “Thank you for your sacrifice but we’re not done It requires a whole-of- yet. We must keep going. The measures will have to government and whole-of- stay in place until the evidence shows we have moved society response," he said. beyond the peak”, Raab, who is deputising for He added that the world Johnson, said at the daily briefing. The number of is yet to see the cases rose to 65,077. devastation it could wreak “The early signs suggest they are having an impact. in poorer and more We mustn’t give the coronavirus a second chance to vulnerable countries. kill more people. I know it is tough going but this is a Without help and action team effort. The measures will have to stay in place now, poor countries and until we have got evidence that shows we have moved vulnerable communities beyond the peak”. could suffer massive Chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance said social devastation. distancing is helping to stop the virus spreading "The window for within the community. There “might even be some containing the virus at flattening” of new cases, he said, because had it not the sub-national and been flattening, there would have been “many, many national level is closing in more” cases. Meanwhile, initial data and anecdotal many countries. The evidence of medical professionals suggested that 35% infection numbers in of critically ill coronavirus patients are of Indian and Africa are relatively small Covid-19 case. other non-white origin in the UK, with London now, but they are growing The study, published in China lifts 76-day boroughs with large Indian population figuring fast," he warned. the Indian Journal of among the most afflicted. "As I said in the press Medical Research (IJMR) conference yesterday, we on Thursday, found that lockdown on Wuhan Pandemic no ‘blank cheque’ to must quarantine Covid-19 positivity among WUHAN (TIP): China has ended its lockdown of politicizing this virus at severe acute respiratory Wuhan, the original epicenter of the coronavirus crisis, flout civil liberties, says UN national and global levels. infections (Sari) patients as the city reemerges from a deadly outbreak that is We have to work together, is 1.8% out of 5,911 now raging across the globe. GENEVA (TIP): The coronavirus crisis is not a and we have no time to samples tested between But even as Wuhan reopens its borders after 76 days, “blank cheque” to flout civil liberties, the UN human waste," he added. February 15 and April 2. some restrictions within the city will remain in place, rights commissioner warned on Thursday as she Respiratory illness study Among the 965 Sari and officials warn that the threat of further infections criticised some states’ adoption of “unlimited” samples tested between remains far from over. emergency powers. hints at community spread February 15 and March 19, The metropolis of 11 million, where the coronavirus “Emergency measures may well be needed to NEW DELHI: About only two (0.2%) were was first detected in December, had been sealed off from respond to this public health emergency. But an one in 50 people positive for Covid-19. But the outside world since January 23 in an unprecedented emergency situation is not a blank cheque to hospitalised with acute when the testing strategy effort to contain the outbreak. disregard human rights obligations,” said Michelle respiratory infections was expanded to include On Wednesday, healthy residents and visitors will Bachelet. such as pneumonia are all Sari patients, out of finally be allowed to leave Wuhan, the capital of Hubei The former Chilean president was addressing the suffering from the 4,946 samples, 102 (2.1%) province, with trains and flights resumed and highway first-ever virtual meeting of the United Nations coronavirus disease were positive for Sars- entrances reopened. Human Rights Council in Geneva. (Covid-19), according to a CoV-2 (the virus that Wuhan's railway authority estimated more than “Emergency measures should be necessary and new study by the Indian causes Covid-19). 55,000 passengers will leave Wuhan by train Wednesday, proportionate,” she said. Council of Medical According to the survey, with about 40% bound for the Pearl River Delta region, “I am profoundly concerned by certain countries’ Research (ICMR) and the of the 102 Covid-19- a major manufacturing hub in China, according to state adoption of emergency powers that are unlimited.” National Centre for positive Sari patients, one broadcaster CCTV. Many countries have adopted extraordinary Disease Control (NCDC) reported a recent history The easing of travel restrictions on Wuhan is the measures to deal with the pandemic, which has killed — findings that some of international travel, latest milestone in China's fight against Covid-19. The nearly 100,000 people worldwide since it emerged in experts said suggested the two reported contacts country reported nearly zero new local infections in China in December. disease has entered the with a confirmed case, recent weeks, leading to similar restrictive measures In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban is now “community and 40 (39.2%) did not being lifted for other parts of Hubei province late last ruling by decree until his government says the crisis transmission” phase in report any history of month.Luo Ping, an epidemic control official in Wuhan, has passed. the country. international travel or told CCTV Sunday that the lifting of the lockdown “In a few cases, the epidemic is being used to justify Close to 40% of these contact with a Covid- marks a "full restart" of the city's economic and social repressive changes to regular legislation, which will patients did not have positive person. The data activities from their previous "suspension." But he remain in force long after the emergency is over,” said recent travel history or on exposure history was warned the city faces an arduous task preventing Bachelet. known contact with a not available for 59 cases. imported cases and a recurrence of local infections. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 TFF 2020 17 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL 2020 GOES VIRTUAL: TOGETHER, APART

By Mabel Pais and seasoned filmmakers. "While we cannot gather in person PILOT SEASON to lock arms, laugh, and cry, it's Tribeca continued its tradition of important for us to stay socially opening submissions to independently and spiritually connected. Tribeca produced TV pilots in 2020. The following group of filmmakers participating in the is about resiliency, and we fiercely virtual N.O.W. Creators Market were to believe in the power of artists to debut their pilots as part of the 2020 bring us together. We were founded Tribeca TV Pilot Season program. after the devastation of 9/11 and INDUSTRY EXTRANET it's in our DNA to bring TRIBECA N.O.W. 2020 Programs Showcase. Photo / TRIBECA FF2020. tribecafilm.com. from science fiction and horror, to Tribeca Extranet, the festival's online communities together through the The Tribeca Industry Extranet romance and comedy, proving that there's resource hub for industry, will launch as arts." - Jane Rosenthal, Co-Founder Resource Hub that is hosting truly something for everyone. planned, providing accredited industry - Tribeca Film Festival participating films will be available for Additionally, 10 of the 15 creators make with resources on the 2020 program TFF 2020 DEBUTS SELECT VIRTUAL industry and press. The Tribeca Extranet their global premiere at Tribeca Film including rights availability, delegate PROGRAMMING, BRINGING is the Festival's online hub providing Festival. directory, and sales contacts. AUDIENCES & STORYTELLERS accredited industry with resources for In addition to screening the entire 2020 JURIED AWARDS TOGETHER the program including rights availability, Tribeca Cinema360 slate, Oculus is also FF2020 to present Tribeca delegate directory, and sales contacts. releasing "The Key," which will be The Tribeca Film Festival is moving Immersive Cinema360, N.O.W. The juried awards for feature and available as an app for Oculus Rift, Oculus forward with announcing the 2020 jury TCreators Market, Industry shorts categories will be presented by the Rift-S, and Oculus Quest. members who will select the winners in Extranet Resource Hub, Jury and Art jury who will select the winners to be "Now, more than ever, we are feeling the film competition sections for the 2020 Awards, Tribeca X Program announced on tribecafilm.com within the incredibly isolated from one another," program. For further information on The Tribeca Film Festival 2020 window of the original Festival dates. The said Loren Hammonds, Senior participating Jurors and Award (TFF2020) presents online select jury includes leaders of the creative Programmer of Film & Immersive. "The Categories, visit programming from the 19th Annual community including Danny Boyle, XR community is very much a global tribecafilm.com/festival/jurors2020 Festival. Aparna Nancherla, Regina Hall, Yance community,as evidenced by this program To view an online gallery of artwork Tribeca is dedicated to supporting Ford, Lucas Hedges, Pamela Adlon, Marti which features work from China, South and artists bios, visit filmmakers, creators, and artists that Noxon, Asia Kate Dillon and Sheila Korea, Spain and Ethiopia, just to name a tribecafilm.com/festival/art2020 breathe life into the Festival, the New Nevins. few." TRIBECA X York Community, and the industry. To Winners in select Competition "We are also announcing the official bring new work from incredible categories will be eligible for the Art selections for this year's Virtual Arcade, The Tribeca Film Festival will continue storytellers to an audience eager to Award where world-class artists donate a including the Storyscapes nominees," Tribeca X, it's competition to celebrate connect with their stories. Since its piece of their work to be awarded to says Senior Programmer, Film & the intersection of advertising and inception, Tribeca has pushed the Festival filmmakers. The awards have Immersive Loren Hammonds. "The entire entertainment. The 5th annual Tribeca X boundaries of storytelling and innovative been a tradition since the Festival's list of officially selected projects can be Award will honor the best brand and ways to connect with audiences. This founding in 2001. The 2020 Art Awards found at tribecafilm.com." filmmaker collaborations of the year and online program is the latest iteration of features the work of alumni and new TRIBECA N.O.W. CREATORS recognize best in class branded content that commitment. artists curated by notable gallerist, Vito told through the lens of storytelling. The First, TFF2020's focus is to ensure the Schnabel. MARKET selected finalists can be viewed at: Tribeca industry and filmmaking Tribeca's immediate response to the The N.O.W. (New Online Work) section tribecafilm.com/festival/tribecax2020 community can continue to connect and current pandemic was to launch will host its fifth annual private industry About the Tribeca Film Festival: develop their careers. To support that initiatives that could give the community market that brings together leading mission, TFF2020 is bringing a mix of something to look forward to each day. online, episodic and immersive The Tribeca Film Festival brings programming online that celebrates and "A Short Film a Day Keeps Anxiety storytellers (2020 N.O.W. Showcase visionaries and diverse audiences promotes creators. The programming Away," a daily curated online short film creators, 2020 TribecaTV Pilot Season together to celebrate storytelling in all its includes the N.O.W.Creators Market, Jury series featuring select award winning creators and an additional curated group forms, including film, TV, VR, gaming, and Art Awards, our Industry Extranet shorts and target premieres from of online, indie episodic and VR music, and online work. With strong roots Resource Hub, and the brand storytelling multiple Tribeca alumni; Soundtrack writers/performers/influencers) to pitch in independent film, Tribeca is a platform Tribeca X Awards. Sunday, live performances and celebrity new projects to a wide-range of industry, for creative expression and immersive "We want to ensure we are meeting the soundtrack selections happening across including distributors, production entertainment. The Festival champions urgent needs of our community by Tribeca social media channels; and companies, streamers, and online emerging and established voices; continuing with 2020 festival #TribecaTakeoutChallenge, an platforms. Participating companies discovers award-winning filmmakers and programming that can evolve into virtual Instagram call-to-action campaign to taking pitch meetings include Albyon, creators; curates innovative experiences; or remote initiatives," said Tribeca's inspire people to support their local Atlas V, BRON Studios, CNN Original and introduces new technology and ideas Festival Director Cara Cusumano. "We restaurants while watching their favorite Series, Giant Spoon, Gunpowder & Sky, through premieres, exhibitions, talks, identified these five programs as ones film. NOWNESS, Topic Streaming, Topic and live performances. that could easily pivot online and still TRIBECA IMMERSIVE Studios, Tribeca Studios, and more. The Festival was founded by Robert De deliver the same impact for creators and The N.O.W. Creators Market will take Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff industry. We are excited to share these Tribeca Immersive, the incubator for place virtually April 21 and 22, 2020, in 2001 to spur the economic and cultural most immediate announcements, while innovation in storytelling, will move setting up hundreds of 20-minute, video revitalization of lower Manhattan we continue to look ahead to our Festival's forward with the first edition of pitch meetings between Creators and following the attacks on the World Trade next steps." Second, TFF2020 is moving as Cinema360 programming to be offered Industry looking to collaborate on future Center. Now in its 19th year, the Festival fast as possible to bring some of the remotely. In partnership with industry projects. has evolved into a destination for programming from the upcoming festival pioneer Facebook's Oculus, Cinema360 N.O.W. SHOWCASE creativity that reimagines the cinematic to audiences worldwide. Tribeca will feature 15 VR films, curated into four experience and explores how art can Immersive'saudience facing Cinema360 30-40-minute programs. Films are Tribeca's New Online Work ( N.O.W.) unite communities. will debut in partnership with Oculus and viewable from April 17 through April 25 section highlights independent Website: tribecafilm.com/festival features 15 VR films, curated into four 30- in Oculus TV, available for Oculus Go or filmmakers who create original, short Twitter: @Tribeca 40-minute programs. Oculus Quest headsets. form and episodic work specifically for Instagram: @tribeca Tribeca X Awards was launched on Featuring eye-popping visuals and the online exhibition space. This year's Facebook: facebook.com/Tribeca (Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and April 3 where the finalists will be compelling storytelling, this year's slate includes episodic, short form and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & available for audience viewing on Cinema360 selections include everything documentary work from up-and-coming Wellness, and Spirituality) THE INDIAN PANORAMA 18 BOLLYWOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 LOCK YOURSELF UP: ANUSHKA TO KJO

midst the Coronavirus lockdown when all of us are locked indoors, Karan Johar, well Aknows how to entertain himself and his fans as he continues his toodles saga, by sharing videos featuring his kids everyday on social media. From Yash and Roohi dismissing Karan’s sartorial choices to his pink shoes, to mistaking Mick Jagger for Shah Rukh Khan, to pointing at Karan’s tummy, the twins have been making everyone go hysterical with their cute antics. Now in the latest, we had Karan post a video from his closet wherein Yash and Roohi are seen wearing Karan’s oversized stylish sunglasses and calling URVASHI DHOLAKIA them stupid. Sharing the video on Instagram, Karan wrote, LAUNCHES HER CHAT SHOW “Glass game is NOT on!! So I have been told #lockdownwiththejohars #toodles.” In the video, ctress Urvashi Dholakia has launched her we see that while Yash and Roohi are wearing digital chat show called "Trending Now". In daddy’s glasses, Karan catches the two kids Athese times of lockdown and home quarantine, walking around and that is when Karan asks Yash, Urvashi hopes to make good use of the digital platform who is wearing quirky black and yellow glasses, by creating personalised content which is informative about who he was and to this, Yash replies, as well as light and fun. “stupid.” When Karan asks them again if they Through the course of the show, Urvashi will be think their father is stupid, his daughter Roohi, seen chatting up with personalities from diverse who is seen wearing big yellow glasses which cover fields. almost half of her face, says, “I am not stupid.” In She has interviewed celebrities like Tony Kakkar, the end, Karan, who is fed up of the fact that his Sriti Jha and Sumona Chakravarti. children are dismissing his choices, says, “I think Speaking about "Trending Now", Urvashi said: your dadda is stupid who has bought these "Digital media has taken over every possible medium glasses.” at this moment, and it is the one thing that is Soon after, Anushka Sharma, who has been successfully moving forward on a high." visibly enjoying the toodles videos, left a "So I too thought of making good use of this space, comment asking Karan to lock himself up as his especially during this home quarantine phase where kids are not ready to spare him as she wrote, people are only resorting to what's happening in the “You should lock yourself up in your room.” On digital space. The idea of a candid, fun and light chat the work front, Anushka Sharma was last seen show was something that instantly crossed my mind in Aanand L.Rai’s Zero co-starring Shah Rukh because I am someone who loves to talk and connect Khan and Katrina Kaif and as of now, she hasn’t with people, and get the best out of them with my announced her next project. humourous and witty side!" she added. SARA PLAYS KNOCK-KNOCK JOKE ON IBRAHIM ‘GENDA PHOOL’: BADSHAH PAYS RS 5 LAKH ctor Sara Ali Khan has shared a new Instagram video of her and TO ORIGINAL WRITER Aher brother, Ibrahim Ali Khan, goofing off together. Sara posted the video on Wednesday. She wrote in the caption, "Throwback to when you could... But for now #stayhome #staysafe and don't go knocking." In the video, Sara does a knock-knock joke with Ibrahim. "Knock knock," she says. "Who's there?" Ibrahim asks. "Annie," Sara replies. "Annie who?" Ibrahim asks. "Annie- thing you do I can do better than you," Sara laughs, as Ibrahim facepalms. Sara and Ibrahim, the children of actors Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, recently appeared together on a magazine cover. In the feature, the ollywood sensation Badshah and actress siblings also spoke about their Jacqueline Fernandez made waves with relationship with each other, and their Btheir chemistry in Genda Phool and the parents. song went on to become a trend, however, not "The relationship we (Sara and I) without getting mired into controversy. share is just perfect - we rarely fight Badshah kept his word after promising to help and that's perhaps because we have a out Boro Loker Biti Lo's original creator Ratan five-year gap between us. On occasions Kahar on "humanitarian grounds" and that we do, it's over the stupidest things. deposited Rs 5 lakh to the veteran folk artist’s We are very close and love each other a bank account. lot," Ibrahim said. Amrita described For the uninformed, Badshah was accused of Sara as "a very God-loving child (who) plagiarism for using Ratan Kahar’s song Boro has immense respect for every belief. Loker Biti Lo in his latest single Genda Phool She is also an extremely disciplined without giving him due credit. The rapper had girl, be it her work or her mind and also addressed the controversy and had said via body, I see the effort she puts in every his social media account that he would like to do day to keep the balance and that's really "whatever possible on my part on humanitarian commendable." grounds to put this right". THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 HOLLYWOOD 19 JENNIFER LOPEZ AND ALEX RODRIGUEZ’S WEDDING AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS ennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez's wedding has been Jaffected by the coronavirus pandemic "a little bit". The 50-year-old singer revealed the couple has shifted plans while speaking on Ellen DeGeneres' at-home talk show, after the host suggested Katy Perry, Orlando Jennifer had been planning to walk down the aisle "any day now". "Any day now?! Actually, it did affect Bloom expecting a girl it a little bit, so we will see what inger Katy Perry, who is expecting happens now," she said. "Honestly, I her first child with actor Orlando really don't know what's going to SBloom, has revealed that they are set happen now, as far as dates or anything to welcome a baby girl. like that. We're just kind of in a holding The 35-year-old singer shared the news pattern like the rest of the world. It's on Instagram on Friday. something that we'll have to wait and “It’s a girl,” Perry captioned a picture of see in a few months, how this all pans Bloom, 43, with his face covered in pink out." icing. It included Beyonce’s all-time hit Jennifer didn't go into further “Girls Run the World” in the post. details about the original date for the The “Firework” hitmaker, who opened wedding, but it was previously the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World reported that it had been scheduled for Cup in Melbourne last month, had earlier summer 2020. her wish of giving birth to a girl. The multi-talented star is currently “I hope it’s a girl,” Perry had told the on lockdown with her children, 12- crowd of over 80,000 at the post game year-old twins Max and Emme, and performance while singing her hit “Wide Alex and his children, Natasha, 15, and little time off after the whole Super right now it's making lemonade out of Awake”. 11-year-old Ella. And despite self- Bowl thing and World of Dance that I lemons. It's a terrible time for all of us Bloom already shares nine-year-old son isolation causing havoc with her just finished filming a few weeks ago. - a weird, scary and anxious time - we Flynn with his ex-wife, model Miranda schedule, Jennifer is enjoying having So it's been nice so far. don't know what's going to happen. But Kerr. some downtime. "I don't know, if it goes on a long having a reconnection with the family, Perry is due sometime in summer. "I've been so on the run for the past time - check on with me in a month or and Alex, and not having to run The couple was also set to have a few years that it's nice to be home," she two and I might be wanting to jump off around so much is kind of nice too. So, summer wedding, which was delayed in explained. "I had planned to take a the edge of the roof over there. But (I'm) making the best of it." the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. FINALLY, I CAN BE A SUPERHERO: ALLEN GARFIELD, ELITE ’70S CHARACTER SALMA HAYEK ON ETERNALS ROLE ACTOR, DIES AT 80 DUE TO CORONAVIRUS llen Garfield, the veteran character actor who was a vital Aplayer in classic 1970s films like The Conversation and Nashville, has died. He was 80. Garfield’s sister, Lois Goorwitz, said he died Tuesday in Los Angeles due to complications from COVID-19. Garfield had been a resident at the Motion Picture Television Fund Home, the industry retirement facility where several staffers and some residents have tested positive for the virus. The Newark, New Jersey-born Garfield first set out as a boxer and a sportswriter. While covering sports for New Jersey’s Star-Ledger, he studied acting at night and was eventually taken in by the Actor’s Studio. There, he studied under Lee Strasberg. ollywood star Salma Hayek is At 53, finally! I can be a superhero. I Performing with naturalism and happy that she got to fulfil her play Ajak, who is the leader of the method-style commitment, Garfield H wish of playing a superhero superheroes and all of them are found he could transfer journalism into with upcoming movie The Eternals. people you would never have acting. In the Marvel Studios film, the imagined. Except for Angelina, she “I became an actor in order to be Mexican-American actor features was born to be a superhero, the actor trained by the masters, which I was, at alongside the likes of Angelina Jolie, said. the Actor’s Studio,” Garfield said in a player mainstay of some of the best Richard Madden, Kit Harington, The rest of us (Eternals) are like public-access TV interview. “From the films of the ’70s, including Francis Ford Gemma Chan, Kumail Nanjiani, Brian misfits, and we’re all superheroes, moment I stepped foot in the Actor’s Coppola’s The Conversation; The Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Lia and I get to be the leader. That sounds Studio, I audaciously stepped out and Candidate, with Robert Redford; Robert McHugh, Don Lee and Barry Keoghan. really appropriate! Yes, why not? Let’s said who I was, for better or for worse. I Altman’s “Nashville”; Woody Allen’s In an interview with Total Film, go! It just made me feel like, maybe put my stamp on things as an actor and Bananas; Billy Wilder’s The Front Page; Hayek described the titular Eternals they’re doing something different.” as a director.” William Friedkin’s The Brink’s Job and as a gang of misfits, except for Jolie. “And they are,” she added. Garfield would become a supporting- Richard Rush’s The Stunt Man. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 20 FEATURE FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 BAISAKHI: THE HARVEST FESTIVAL aisakhi also known as Vaisakhi marks the Punjabi and Sikh New BYear and is a spring harvest festival celebrated in Punjab and Northern India. Baisakhi falls on 14 April this year and it commemorates the formation of the Khalsa Panth, under Guru Gobind Singh in the year 1699. Hindus celebrate the descent of Goddess Ganga on Earth, on Baisakhi. In Punjab, Baisakhi marks the ripening of the rabi harvest and farmers pay their tribute by thanking God for the abundant harvest. On the day of Baisakhi, Khalsa Sikh order was founded after which the Guru Teg Bahadur was persecuted and beheaded by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb for his refusal to convert to Islam and standing up for religious freedom. Following these events, in the year 1699, the tenth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh laid down the foundation of Panth Khalsa, by baptizing Sikh warriors to defend religious freedom. On the occasion of Baisakhi, Hindus take a holy dip in river Ganga. This festival is celebrated across Punjab and a number of processions called Nagar Kirtan led by five Khalsas dressed as Panj Pyaare passes across the streets in the early hours of the to a halt at a particular Gurudwara where day. Sikhs visit Gurudwara and a number Ardas (prayers) is offered. of fairs are organized across Punjab where COVID-19: AKAL TAKHT ASKS SIKHS festivities are observed through the folk Worshippers dance dance Bhangra along with songs, their heart out amusement rides and good food. TO STAY HOME THIS BAISAKHI Any Baisakhi celebration is termed to Welcoming the Festival be incomplete without the memorable HE AKAL Takht has asked report said. of Joy and Happiness dance performances. There are two Sikhs to celebrate this Baisakhi The Baisakhi celebrations were prominent forms of dance that are Tby staying homes and praying scheduled to begin at the revered Baisakhi is celebrated with great pomp performed by the Sikhs – bhangra and for world peace amid the coronavirus Gurdwara in Hasan Abdal city of and extreme happiness, especially by the gidda. Bhangra is essentially a high outbreak. Punjab province on April 14, Dawn Sikhs. The gurdwaras are cleaned and energy dance that involves plenty of Baisakhi, observed on April 13, is News reported. decorated. Many people throng to the jumping. It is generally performed by both usually celebrated with much fervour Now only a symbolic event would be gurdwaras to offer prayers and seek the men and women. Gidda is another folk in Punjab because it marks the start of held on the day, it said. blessings of the almighty for the dance traditionally performed by the harvesting season and this year, it is Evacuee Trust Property Board prosperous year ahead. Overall, the women. The dance reflects the celebratory also the 321st Foundation Day of the (ETPB) Deputy Secretary Shrines Baisakhi celebrations are carried out by mood of the women and their joyful Khalsa. It is celebrated in all Imran Gondal said that a meeting of the Sikhs in a very well planned manner. spirits. gurdwaras. Big gatherings are called the ETPB and the Pakistan Sikh at Takht Damdma Sahib Talwandi Gurdwara Parbadhank Committee Morning Prayer in Day to Receive Guru's Blessings Sabo and Anandpur Sahib. (PSGPC) unanimously decided that the Gurdwaras for Sikhs However, this year the Akal Takht there would be no Baisakhi has asked Sikhs to defer all religious celebrations at the Gurdwara Punja In the morning, the Sikh people take According to a popular legend in congregations. Sahib this year and the scheduled bath and wear the new clothes. The Sikh Sikhism, it was on the day of Vaisakhi in “Like every year, the Sikh visits of Sikh pilgrims has been families then assemble at the gurdwaras to 1567 that Guru Amar Das had first community was excited to celebrate cancelled, the report said. attend a specially organized prayer in the institutionalized Vaisakhi as one of the the Foundation Day of Khalsa on The ETPB looks after the holy places morning. After the prayer is over, the special days when all Sikhs would gather coming Baisakhi. But right now the of the minority community in the devotees are distributed a sweet known as to receive the guru's blessings at Goindwal. whole world is in the grip of country. the ‘Kada Prasad’. coronavirus. According to World Gurdwara Punja Sahib has a Foundation of Arya Samaj Health Organisation, this virus spread handprint of the founder of Sikhism, Langar for the worshippers The day of Vaisakhi Festival is also from one person to another at a very Guru Nanak Dev, on a boulder of the In the afternoon, around lunch time, a important for the Hindus as it on this day high rate. Also there is a lockdown in shrine. langar (vegetarian food) is organized for in 1875 that Swami Dayanand Saraswati many countries of the world, making Around 3,000 Sikhs from India and the devotees in the gurdwara. All the founded the Arya Samaj - a reformed sect it impossible to call big gathering,” 2,000 from around the world were to people whether they are rich or poor are of Hindus who are devoted to the Vedas for read the statement issued by the five participate in the celebrations, the equally served the same food. There is no spiritual guidance and have discarded idol Sikh Takht jathedars. report said. discrimination followed in the gurdwara. worship. Baisakhi is celebrated to mark the Pak cancels celebrations at beginning of a new harvest season. Procession of Guru Attainment of Nirvana Gurdwara Punja Sahib Under the framework of the Granth Sahib by Gautam Buddha Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Pakistani authorities have cancelled Religious Shrines of 1974. The procession of Guru Granth Sahib is For the Buddhist, the day of Vaisakhi the Baisakhi celebrations at Every year, a large number of Sikh known as Nagar Kirtan in Punjabi. It is a Festival is significant, as according to a Gurdwara Punja Sahib in Punjab pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to religious procession accompanied by holy popular legend it was on this auspicious province from April 14, in which observe various religious festivals and hymns and is an important part of the day that Gautam Buddha attained around 3,000 Sikhs from India were to occasions. festival of Baisakhi. The procession is enlightenment or Nirvana under the participate, due to the coronavirus In 2019, over 2,200 Sikhs from India always led by the Panj Pyare (the five Mahabodhi tree in the town of Gaya. For pandemic in the country, a media visited Pakistan to celebrate Baisakhi. beloved ones who form the central part of this reason, the day of Vaisakhi is the Khalsa), who are dressed in saffron. celebrated as Buddha Purnima is several They are followed by the holy book of the parts of the country. rituals. People of Assam celebrate April 13 Nadu as Puthandu. In Kashmir, a Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib, and other as Rongali Bihu, while those in West ceremonial bath and general festivity members of the procession. The road Vaisakhi Celebration in India Bengal celebrate it as Naba Barsha. Bihar mark Vaisakhi while in Himachal Pradesh through which the procession is to pass is The auspicious day of Vaisakhi is celebrates Vaisakhi as Vaishakha in devotees flock to the temple of cleared beforehand by the sewadars celebrated all over India though under honour of the Sun God, Surya while Jwalamukhi and take a holy dip in the Hot (volunteers). The procession finally comes different names and with different set of Kerala celebrates it asVishu and Tamil Springs. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 FEATURE 21

t was the Baisakhi. The year was 1699. As usual, Sikhs from far and near had Igathered together at Anandpur to celebrate the New Year Festival. However, the gathering was a bit THE BIRTH OF KHALSA different that day. This year Guru Gobind Rai had sent a message that every Sikh who could afford to come, must come to the annual fair. They should come to Anandpur with their hair and beard uncut; and that they should wear turbans instead of caps or scarves. By noon, well over twenty thousand Sikhs (eighty thousand by one estimate) had assembled in the fair ground at Anandpur to participate int he festivals of the Baisakhi Day. Everybody was excited and looked forward to meeting the Guru as if tis unusual 'message' was especially sent for him. Also, there was a large and richly festooned tent pitched on a hillock overlooking the extensive fair grounds. It was afternoon. Word went round that the Guru was in the marquee and he would be coming out soon to meet his Sikhs. All eyes were turned towards the tent and everyone was waiting patiently for Guru's Darshan (appearance) and to receive his blessings. But it took a little longer than expected. At last their patience was rewarded. Guru Gobind came out of the tend clad in a strangely coloured uniform. It was saffron coloured from top to toe with a blue waist band. There was a long sword hanging from his left side. He walked challenge the Guru for his seemingly briskly and came to a specially erected wrongful act. However, as he was platfrom near the tent. The skies were repeating his strange call, another Sikh clear and bright; and the Guru seemed to began to move forward. His name was be standing so near, although he was Dharam Das, and he was from Delhi. actually at some distance from the people Dharam Das stood before the Guru and in the back. He had a strange smile on said in a humble voice, "O, my true king, his face. Suddenly he stopped staring at I offer my head to you, please take it, it is the crowd, he pulled his sword out and yours." Now the Guru seemed pleased as raised it high with his right hand. There he quickly took him inside the tent. This were a million voices and then a sudden time again, the crowd heard a voice hush. saying Waheguru and then a loud Now, like a thunder, the Guru spoke, thud.Everyone gasped. They were sure "My dear Sikhs, I am glad to see so many that Dharam Das, too, had been put to of you here today. Today I have planned death. to offer you something special. but for Again the Guru emerged from the tent this I need your help. Indeed, I need your with a sword drenched in blood. He head. I need the head of a Sikh who looked as fierce as before. With a claims his faith in me." terrifying look in his eyes he agains There was a deadly silence all around. shouted to the crowd, "Come, come my Everybody was too stunned to walk away Sikhs, who comes next. I still want some or even whisper. Then the Guru flashed more. Now I want a third head. I want a his sword again, raised his voice and Sikh who has faith in me." very faithful had stayed behind. But They could not understand. 'Had the repeated, "My Sikhs, I want a head and The people were terrified. They there seemed to be no shortage of dead been brought back to life?' nothing less than a head. If anyone thought perhaps the Guru had gone mad. volunteers. Soon, another Sikh named When the cheering crowd had stopped, among you claims to be a true Sikh, then He was asking too much. Now they were Himmat Rai moved forward. He was, at the Guru spoke to the crowd, "My dear come forward and prove it." He looked so no longer spell bound by the events once, led to the tent, but this time the Sikhs; we all remember that when Guru fierce and blood thirsty. which had taken place just before. They Guru did not return quickly. The people Nanak gave a test to his Sikhs only one Before he had finished his last could think. They began to move; they outside began to wonder. Their horror passed it. His name was Lehna, who then sentence, a tall lean Sikh was already whispered with each other. They began began to change into hope. At least the became Guru Angad. Now two hundred moving forward towards the Guru on the to slip away from the crowd. Some just Guru had stopped asking for more heads. years after the first test, I have given you platform. His name waas Daya Ram and fled for their lives. They waited nervously and prayed another final test. However this test was he was from Lahore. Reaching the Guru, In the mean time another Sikh named 'Waheguru'. not for Guruship, but for the he folded his hands, bent his head Mohkam Chand had reached the Guru Then the Guru appeared. He was 'nationhood'. I call it the Khalsa, the forward and said, "O, Lord, the true on the platform. He was from Dwarka. followed by five other men. They, too, brotherhood of the pure at heart. You Guru, I claim to be your humble Sikh. With folded hands he requested the Guru were dressed in saffron colour, with blue have witnessed the birth of the Khalsa. My head is ready for you. Please take it." to accept his head. The Guru did not wait scarved tied round their waists and These Sikhs standing beside me are my Hurriedly, the Guru held him by the or waste a minute, and did the same as he turbans. They looked very much like the Panj Piaray (five beloved ones). Each of arm and led him into the tent. Soon after had done with the other two. Guru himself. All stood on the platform them is a saint and a soldier in one. the crowd inside heard the sound of a For the fourth time, the Guru stood facing the crowd. Their faces beamed These five Sikhs are dedicated and sword striking a body. They then heard a before the crowd and repeated his with joy and satisfaction. daring enough to lead; and strong voice, Waheguru and then a loud thud. demand for yet another head. Now the As soon as the people near them enough to support the edifice of the Then they saw the Guru coming out of crowd was even more restless. Some recognised that they were the same Khalsa." the tent, looking even more fierce. Fresh people were slinking away but most Sikhs who they thought had been killed Later the Guru introduced his Sikhs to blood dripped down his sword. The stood their ground. They all were really by the Guru, they immediately started a new kind of initiation ceremony called crowd was truly horrified. Nobody scared, and it did not take long before cheering them and saluted them with the Amrit (Baptism). First he Baptised needed to be told what had happened they saw yet another Sikh on the loud shouts of 'Sat Siri Akal!' Soon the 'Panj Piaray' and gave them a new inside the tent. platform offering his head to the Guru. everybody joined in, and the whole name - 'Singh'. Then he himself was Once again the Guru stood on the His name was Sahib Chand and he was atmosphere was vibrant with the baptised by 'the five' and called himself platform. Once again he raised his sword from Bihar. The Guru dealt with him in deafening sounds Sat Siri Akal. Many Gobind Singh. After this all Sikhs and addressed the crowd, "Well, my the same way as with the other three people who had left the fair ground in present at the fair ground were asked to Sikhs! I want a second Sikh who would before him. fear and disappointment heard these receive Amrit. It was estimated that well willingly offer his head to me." This new The crowd was getting thinner every cheers and rushed back to see what was over 20,000 Sikhs were baptised the same demand made the people even more moment. By the time the Guru came happening. They could not believe their day. scared. But they dare not ask or back and asked for a fifth head, only the eyes. Everything had happened so fast. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 22 WORLD FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

China reclassifies dogs as pets, not UK PM Johnson leaves intensive livestock SHANGHAI (TIP): China has care, remains under observation drawn up new guidelines to reclassify dogs as pets rather than livestock, the LONDON (TIP): Prime Minister Boris agriculture ministry said, part of a Johnson left intensive care on Thursday UK PM Johnson was the first world leader to be hospitalised with the response to the coronavirus outbreak evening as he continues to recover from coronavirus. that the Humane Society called a COVID-19, but he remains under close potential “game changer” in animal observation in hospital, his office said on welfare. Thursday. Though dog meat remains a delicacy Johnson, 55, was admitted to St in many regions, the Ministry of Thomas' Hospital on Sunday evening Agriculture said in a notice published with a persistent high temperature and on Wednesday that dogs would no cough, and was rushed to intensive care longer be considered as livestock. It on Monday where he spent three nights uses that designation for animals that receiving treatment. can be bred to provide food, milk, fur, "The prime minister has been moved fibre and medicine, or to serve the this evening from intensive care back to needs of sports or the military. the ward, where he will receive close “As far as dogs are concerned, they monitoring during the early phase of his have been ‘specialised’ to become recovery," a spokesman from his office companion animals, and said in an emailed statement. internationally are not considered to "He is in extremely good spirits." be livestock, and they will not be Johnson was the first world leader to regulated as livestock,” it said. be hospitalised with the coronavirus, Re-test of recovered patients forcing him to hand control of the world's fifth-largest economy to foreign minister GOVERNMENT SPENDING government would not be able to say more China on Thursday released a new Dominic Raab just as Britain's outbreak With Johnson absent and the death toll about the duration of the lockdown until trial protocol on recovered patients’ approaches its most deadly peak. still mounting, the British government is late next week, once experts have had quarantine which included return Raab tweeted that the improvement in wrestling with two major issues - how to chance to analyse data on how well it is visits by doctors, re-testing and their Johnson's condition was "the news we all finance a vast increase in state spending to working. It was introduced last month. health monitoring. wanted to hear". U.S. President Donald support the shuttered economy, and when "The measures will have to stay in place According to the protocol, recovered Trump described it as "great news". to start easing lockdown measures. until we've got the evidence that clearly Covid-19 patients should stay in Johnson's ongoing recovery prompted With the economy facing potentially the shows we've moved beyond the peak," he quarantine for 14 days either at home a small rise in the value of sterling worst hit since World War Two, the said. While Johnson's condition was or in an isolation centre for medical against the dollar. government said it had expanded its improving, the likely length of his observation, the state-run Xinhua However, the government statement overdraft facility with the Bank of recovery remained unknown, with some news agency reported. —PTI did not give any details on when Johnson England. The central bank has agreed political commentators saying there was a may be able to resume leadership, and temporarily to finance government power vacuum in his absence. Raab said Hong Kong unveils Raab - speaking before the latest borrowing in response to COVID-19 if on Thursday he had the power to make $17.7bn package to announcement - had stressed the funds cannot immediately be raised from "necessary decisions" in the prime importance of allowing the prime debt markets, reviving a measure last minister's absence and that government save jobs minister to focus on recovery. widely used during the 2008 financial will continue to follow the strategy set out HONG KONG (TIP): ong Kong No further updates on Johnson's health crisis. The BoE said it was a short-term by Johnson. The United Kingdom is announced relief measures worth were expected on Thursday. measure and both it and government said entering what scientists say is the HK$137.5 billion ($17.7 billion) on Raab is deputising for Johnson during any borrowing from the Ways and Means deadliest phase of the outbreak, with Wednesday to help businesses and the most stringent shutdown in Britain's facility - effectively the government's deaths expected to continue to rise over people crippled by the coronavirus peacetime history. overdraft with the Bank - would be repaid the Easter weekend. But in a sign the outbreak to stay afloat, as the city joins Earlier he told a news conference it by the end of the year. shutdown measures were working, health global efforts to cushion the impact of was too early to end the lockdown The government has made pledges officials have said the number of the pandemic. because Britain had not reached the peak costing tens of billions of pounds to coronavirus infections and hospital Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam also of the outbreak yet. support businesses and workers hit by the admissions had begun to show signs of pledged to take a pay cut of 10 per cent The UK death toll in hospitals from virus. On Thursday, the government said flattening. Police said they would be taking for a year and said the government coronavirus now stands at 7,978, a rise of an additional 1.2 million claims for welfare tougher action to do just that before the would pay 50 per cent of workers’ 881 on the day but a smaller increase than payments had been filed since March 16. four-day Easter holiday weekend because salaries for six months, with the the 938 seen in Wednesday's data. Raab said the peak of the virus outbreak many people were continuing to ignore the monthly subsidy for each worker had yet to be reached and that the ban on social gatherings. Reuters capped at HK$9,000.The financial relief measures would see this year's budget deficit swell from HK$139.1 billion to HK$276.6 billion, equivalent to 9.5 per Brazilian Prez invokes Hanuman while seeking cent of gross domestic product. Announcing the HK$80 billion hydroxychloroquine from India salary scheme, Lam also urged employers not to lay off workers as the NEW DELHI (TIP): In a letter to Prime America, has recorded close to 14,000 sharing blessings for the sake of all city grapples with the impact of the Minister Narendra Modi seeking supply coronavirus cases and over 660 deaths due peoples,” Bolsonaro said in the letter on new coronavirus which has piled of anti-malarial drug to the disease. Globally, the virus has Tuesday. According to the Ramayana, pressure on an economy already hydroxychloroquine, Brazilian President killed over 75,000 people and infected more Lord Hanuman brought ‘Sanjeevani reeling from months of often violent Jair Bolsonaro invoked ancient Indian than 13 lakh. Besides the Ramayana, the Booti’ from the Himalayas to save Lord anti-government protests. epic Ramayana, mentioning the story of Brazilian leader also referred to Jesus Rama’s brother Lakshmana after he was The stimulus package came just how Lord Hanuman brought a holy Christ, while exuding confidence that the injured in a battle in Lanka. Bolsonaro hours after the government extended medicine from the Himalayas to save the two countries will overcome the global said Brazil hopes that use of the social-distancing restrictions, life of Lakshmana. crisis by joining hands. hydroxychloroquine will help in including the closure of some bars and India has partially lifted a ban on export “Just as Lord Hanuman brought the treatment of the virus infected people in pubs and a ban of hydroxychloroquine, cited by many as holy medicine from the Himalayas to save his country. “Like many other countries, on public gatherings of more than a viable therapeutic solution to fight the life of Lord Rama’s brother Brazil places hope in the use of four people, until April 23 as it battles coronavirus infection. India is supplying Lakshmana, and Jesus healed those who hydroxychloroquine as an effective means to halt the spread of the virus. — the drug to the US and several other were sick and restored the sight to to treat patients who have contracted Reuters countries hit by the pandemic. Bartimeu, India and Brazil will overcome COVID-19,” the Brazilian leader wrote in Brazil, the largest country in Latin this global crisis by joining forces and the letter. PTI THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 WORLD 23

Syrian air force behind Air Canada to rehire 16,500 workers chemical attack: OPCW THE HAGUE (TIP): The world’s laid off due to pandemic chemical weapons watchdog on Wednesday for the first time explicitly MONTREAL (TIP): Some 16,500 Air blamed Syria for toxic attacks in the Canada employees who were laid off country, saying President Bashar al- because of the coronavirus pandemic Assad's regime used sarin and will be rehired under a government chlorine three times in 2017. relief package for businesses, the The Organisation for the airline said Wednesday. Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (OPCW) said it “has concluded that announced during his daily news there are reasonable grounds to conference that the program would now believe that the perpetrators of the use be open to companies that suffered a of sarin as a chemical weapon in drop of more than 15 percent in their Latamenah in 2017 and the use of revenues in March, against 30 percent chlorine were individuals belonging to previously. the Syrian Arab Air Force”. Air Canada furloughed nearly half of The OPCW Investigation and its Canada-based workforce of 36,000 on Identification Team (IIT) said more March 30 after seeing business abruptly than 100 people were affected by the dry up by more than 90 percent as attacks, carried out on March 24, 25 country after country imposed travel and 30 in 2017 in the town of restrictions and people stopped flying. Ltamenah. —PTI The Canadian government stepped in April 1 with the emergency wage No press, no family: subsidy plan designed to help employers Space crew set for keep their workers or bring back ones unemployment figures to be released that were laid off because of the Air Canada furloughed Thursday. launch during pandemic. nearly half of its “It’s going to be a hard day for the pandemic It is retroactive to March 15 and the country,”he said. “But I know that if we government will pay 75 percent of hard- Canada-based pull together, our economy will come ALMATY (TIP): A three-man space hit companies’ payrolls through June 6. workforce of 36,000 on roaring back after this crisis.” crew finished preparations on Air Canada said that under the More than four million people have Wednesday for a mission to the “CEWS” relief package it will bring March 30 after seeing applied for emergency aid offered by the International Space Station, which is back the people it had furloughed. government since mid-March, about going ahead despite the coronavirus “Subject to its adoption into law business abruptly dry one fifth of the country’s active pandemic. Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan substantially as announced, Air Canada up by more than 90 population. Vagner of Russia’s Roscosmos space intends to adopt the CEWS for the The figures point to an explosion in agency and NASA’s Chris Cassidy will benefit of its 36,000 Canadian-based percent as country after the unemployment rate for March from blast off from Kazakhstan for a six- employee workforce,” the company said country imposed travel 5.6 percent in February. month mission at 08:05 GMT Thursday. in a statement. Canada on Wednesday had more than But with journalists and relatives Trudeau also warned Canadians to restrictions and people 19,000 officially declared cases of unable to travel to Baikonur due to brace for painful monthly stopped flying. coronavirus, and 456 deaths. — AFP restrictions related to COVID-19, the traditional farewell press conference broadcast by Roscosmos had a more distant and sombre feel. “Instead of talking only to some cameras we would Australian police seize ‘black box’ be talking to some people right now,” said Cassidy, who is readying for his third stint in space. in raid on virus-hit cruise ship Cassidy, 50, admitted that the crew was “affected” by their families not SYDNEY (TIP): Australian police being able to be in Baikonur for their have raided the coronavirus-stricken blastoff to the ISS. “But we understand Ruby Princess cruise ship and seized its that the whole world is also impacted ‘black box’, they said Thursday, as part by the same crisis.” Quarantine and of a criminal investigation after isolation from the rest of the world are thousands of passengers were allowed to not new habits for astronauts. disembark in Sydney and 15 later died of The glass barrier that separates the illness. them from media and loved ones Police wearing protective suits and during regular pre-launch events is masks boarded the vessel in Port specifically meant to protect them Kembla, some 80 kilometres (50 miles) from potential infection. This time, south of Sydney, on Wednesday night, however, their isolation has been “even New South Wales Police said on more thorough”, said Ivanishin, after Thursday. the crew opted out of visits to sites in “Police officers entered the Ruby Moscow during their training an hour Princess to gather evidence... ships have outside the city. a black box very similar to international Thursday’s launch will be the first planes and that and other evidence has time a manned mission uses a Soyuz- been seized,” NSW Police Commissioner 2.1a booster to reach orbit, after Mick Fuller told media. led to thousands of passengers Over a thousand crew members Roscosmos stopped using the Soyuz- The Ruby Princess berthed on Monday disembarking in mid-March despite remain on the vessel and the majority FG rocket last year. The newer after weeks stranded at sea to allow some exhibiting flu-like symptoms. wanted to stay onboard, Fuller said, boosters have been used in unmanned doctors to assess sick crew members and Hundreds of passengers were later adding: “They feel safe on the ship.” The launches since 2004. take the most serious cases ashore for diagnosed with coronavirus and at least Ruby Princess could remain at port for The upgraded rocket relies on a medical treatment. 15 have died, accounting for nearly a up to 10 days to refuel and restock before digital flight control system rather Police have launched a criminal third of Australia’s death toll of 51. The leaving Australia, but authorities said than the analogue equipment used in investigation into operator Carnival country has recorded over 6,000 crew would not be allowed off unless it prior Soyuz models. Australia over the circumstances that confirmed cases of COVID-19. was an emergency. — AFP AFP THE INDIAN PANORAMA 24 WOMEN FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 TIPS TO MAKE YOUR FOOD CORNER BEDROOM A HAVEN OOK AT YOUR WALLS: Your walls are the key Lfeatures in your bedroom. In fact, it’s likely that the first thing you’ll notice when you walk into any home are its walls. What colour are they? Are they decorated? Are there pictures or mirrors hanging on them? A plain white wall will CHICKEN BALTI make your space seem unfinished and bare, whereas overly bright Ingredients colours can be overbearing to live with. 450g skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite- The best colours to have in your sized pieces room on the walls are muted, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp paprika, ¼ tsp hot chilli natural colours that inspire a sense powder. 1½ tbsp sunflower or groundnut oil, 1 of calm and tranquility. However, a cinnamon stick, 3 cardamom pods, split, 1 small to statement wall with a vibrant medium green chilli, ½ tsp cumin seed, 1 medium colour can add dimension to your onion, coarsely grated, 2 garlic cloves, very finely room. chopped, 2½ cm-piece ginger, grated, ½ tsp turmeric, 1 If you’re renting and cannot tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp garam paint, or a statement wall does not masala, 250ml organic passata, 1 red pepper, deseeded, appeal to you, a wall hanging could cut into small chunks, 1 medium tomato, chopped, 85g be the answer to break up the Keep in mind too, that you can baby spinach leaves, handful fresh coriander, chopped, monotony of the single colours. You SPRUCE UP YOUR BED: As add a tapestry, rug or even chapatis or basmati rice, to serve (optional) can look into an interesting tapestry mentioned above, a third of your arrangements of fabrics and lights to drape on your wall. Make sure life is spent sleeping. Investing in above the bed to round off a calming Method you choose one that suits your your bed and mattress can be one of and visually appealing look. A Put the chicken in a medium bowl. Mix in the personality and interests. If a the biggest favours that you can do headboard can also add an element lime juice, paprika, chilli powder and a grinding natural landscape appeals to you, a for yourself. The mattress, for of interest and can offset plain of black pepper (step 1), then leave to marinate for simple mountain tapestry could example, is a key element in your walls and linens. Neutral at least 15 mins, preferably a bit longer. offer a design that will add that sleep patterns and body support as headboards are easy to decorate Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large non-stick wok or splash of personality you need for you sleep. around, but if your personal taste sauté pan. Tip in the cinnamon stick, cardamom your walls. The bed can be made to be the key allows it, a statement headboard pods, whole chilli and cumin seeds, and stir-fry ADD PLANTS TO YOUR SPACE: feature of the room, with the can add that splash of colour for a briefly just to colour and release their fragrance Adding plants to your bedroom not colours of the walls and plain wall. (step 2). Stir in the onion, garlic and ginger and only adds an interesting and miscellaneous decorations When you decide to decorate, or fry over a medium-high heat for 3-4 mins until the beautiful element to your space, but combining to create an overall even redecorate your bedroom, it’s onion starts to turn brown. Add the remaining oil, they have various health benefits integrated look. Choose the colours advisable to spend some time then drop in the chicken and stir-fry for 2-3 mins for body and soul. House plants of your linens according to your researching what you want to do or until it no longer looks raw. Mix the turmeric, significantly improve the air wall and bedroom colours. You can before hitting the shops and making cumin, ground coriander and garam masala quality in your home, as well as choose to add patterned linens to snap purchases. Look what is together. Tip into the pan, lower the heat to emit vapour to keep the air humid add a pop to plain walls, or plain trending at the moment, what medium and cook for 2 mins (step 3). Pour in the and moist. It has also been said that linens to balance a busy room. colours are currently a hit, and passata and 150ml water, then drop in the chunks plants emit negative ions that The minimal look of plain linen what patterns are in this season. of pepper. When starting to bubble, lower the heat attach themselves to remove toxic and walls is also currently popular Remember, elements like cushions and simmer for 15-20 mins or until the chicken is particles from the air. as you can add patterned pillows, rugs are easily interchangeable and tender. Plants can be one of the most throws, and cushions to complete you can keep changing them Stir in the tomato, simmer for 2-3 mins, then add interesting and unique ways of the look. Investing in luxury linens annually or seasonally. Match your the spinach and turn it over in the pan to just wilt. decorating your bedroom. There are like Egyptian cotton can add a colours before simply choosing Season with a little salt. If you want to thin down literally hundreds of ways that you glamorous, wholesome feel to your something. Make sure that they the sauce, splash in a little more water. Remove can arrange your plants to create a room, and make your bed work together and create a the cinnamon stick, chilli and cardamom pods, if visually stimulating environment comfortable and heavenly to sleep dimensional and blended look in you wish, before serving. Scatter with fresh in your favourite room. in. your home. coriander and serve with warm chapatis or basmati rice, if you like. Night time skincare routine for every woman Makeup Removal balancing skin pH and prepping skin Applying an oil overnight will for all of the ingredients and formulas enable the skin to combat the Your eye area is host to the most that follow.After patting skin dry with overproduction of sebum and pore sensitive skin on your face and is also a towel, apply a quarter-sized amount clogging oil that leads to the this first area to show aging. Avoid of product by pressing it onto your breakouts, blackheads, and enlarged having to scrub and tug at this gentle face, not swabbing it on with a cotton pores of combination and oily skin. area by using a dissolving eye makeup pad. Dry and sensitive skin will also remover and cotton pad, few makeup greatly benefit from the additional removing wipes are saturated with Serum moisture. enough product to be effective in this Serums are the most potent and way. customizable step in your skincare Night Cream routine, and, depending on what The final step in your nightly Cleanser issues you’re having with your routine should always be a viscous A water based cleanser is necessary complexion, will determine exactly moisturizer to seal in the effects of all to lift and remove water based free which product you will need. A good the hard work you’ve put in to the radical damaging agents at the end of rule of thumb is to focus more on previous steps. Sleeping masks and the day. Bonus points if you double hydration and regeneration with your night creams are intended to still be wash with an oil-based cleanser. nighttime formula, while sticking lingering in the AM, therefore also with a Vitamin C or antioxidant-rich starting your morning routine with Toner option during the day. an oil based cleanser is an absolute The unsung hero of the skin care must in order to begin your day with regimen, toner is essential for Oil properly cleansed skin. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 HEALTH 25 SUGAR FREE DIET: TAKE THESE EASY STEPS TO CUT OUT SUGAR sugar-free diet is the dream for many us, with the Aevidence overwhelmingly pointing to sugar's harmful effects on our health. Studies have linked excessive sugar consumption to increased risks of heart disease, obesity, tooth decay, and even some types of cancer. That said, going sugar free can be very difficult indeed, with some people struggling with withdrawal symptoms while trying to give up the sweet stuff. Besides, a true no WHY HEALTHY YOUNG sugar diet involves quite a bit more than passing on dessert. We take a PEOPLE ARE DYING FROM look of other food types you'll need to watch out for – and dispel some CORONAVIRUS myths about giving up sugar. same way as soft drinks with added replace the sugar with whole rather oronavirus has swept across the globe, killing Do I need to give up fruit if sugar. than skimmed milk for better, thousands of people and leaving thousands I'm cutting out sugar? Basically, if it's between eating a richer flavour. Cmore in hospital. whole apple or drinking apple juice, The majority of fatalities have been in older age No, and this is a common mistake choose the apple. If it's savoury, it's sugar groups and those with underlying health conditions. many people make when trying to free, right? This can mean many think of the virus as quit sugar. While both fruit and Should I go low fat when something which only seriously affects the elderly. vegetables do naturally contain I'm giving up sugar? Unfortunately not, and you'll need But the virus doesn't care about your age, and young sugar, your body does not process it to be especially watchful of your people are also dying after catching Covid-19. in the same way as refined sugars. Again, the answer is no. Going processed food intake – think pizzas, If you're young, then you are far less likely to die Eating whole fruit and vegetables low fat at the same time as trying to burgers, white bread, and shop- after contracting coronavirus. But some are, and it's increases your fibre and intake, as quit sugar is one of the most bought sauces and condiments their own immune system that is often the cause. well as your vitamin intake, and you punishing things you can do to your (commercially made ketchup is Imperial College London researchers looked at definitely shouldn't stop eating body. If anything, it makes sense to especially high in sugar, for which age groups are most likely end up in the fresh produce in order to go sugar slightly increase your fat intake in example). Breakfast cereals are also hospital with coronavirus. They found that fewer than free. In fact, many people find order to compensate for the loss of very high in sugar; if you eat cereal 5% of under-50s needed to be hospitalised because of giving up refined sugar easier if flavour you'll experience by giving for breakfast, choose sugar-free, their symptoms. The figure rose to 24% for people they eat fresh fruit instead. up sugar. wholemeal types. aged between 70 and 79. What you do need to be careful For example, if you're switching The best aid to quitting sugar is Only 5% of under-40s who ended up in hospital with is fruit juices and smoothies. to sugar-free yoghurt, go for the full cooking from scratch as much as required critical care. But again, this rose to 27% of Despite being marketed as healthy fat option – it will taste much nicer possible and opting for meals that people in their 60s and 43% of people in their 70s. and natural, these drinks are than low fat. The same goes for not don't contain white bread when Despite the figures, young people have been absorbed by your body in much the putting sugar in your tea or coffee: eating out. criticised for acting like they are "invincible" to the virus. In March, the head of the World Health Organisation, Adhanom Ghebreyesus, issued a stark warning. Foods rich in vitamin D may He said: "I have a message for young people: you are not invincible, this virus could put you in hospital for weeks or even kill you. "Even if you don’t get sick the choices you make benefit heart health about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else.” ating foods high in vitamin D may help to protect But how is the disease-causing the death and heart health, researchers report. The vitamin is hospitalisation of young people? Seemingly fit and Ecritical for keeping bones, teeth, and muscles healthy people are ending up in hospital after healthy, with most people able to get all they need from contracting the virus, and a smaller number are sunlight during the summer months and from foods dying. and dietary supplements in the winter. But in a study involving around 1,500 men and 1,500 women conducted by academics in Greece, experts PAGE SPONSORED BY found that in the lowest, middle, and highest categories of vitamin D intake, cardiovascular events occurred in DR. SATISH AND GITANJLI ANAND 24 per cent, 17 per cent, and 12 per cent of men, and 14 per cent, 10 per cent, and 11 per cent of women. DR. SATISH ANAND Accordingly, the team noted that in contrast with Former Chairman, Board of vitamin D supplementation trials that have shown Trustees, AAPI National modest to neutral beneficial effects on heart health, this E-Mail: study revealed that increased vitamin D intake from [email protected] food sources may protect against heart-related problems, especially in men. "To the best of our knowledge, the study is one of the GITANJLI ANAND very few to evaluate the separate association of vitamin Former President, India D intake received exclusively from food," the authors and mackerel. Association of Long Island said in a statement. It is also available in fortified spreads and some (IALI) Vitamin D is found in foods including red meat, liver, breakfast cereals, as well as cow's milk in some E-mail: egg yolks, and oily fish like salmon, sardines, herring, countries. [email protected] THE INDIAN PANORAMA 26 SCIENCE & TECH FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 ANTI-PARASITIC DRUG KILLED CORONAVIRUS IN LAB WITHIN 48 HOURS SYDNEY (TIP): Amid a barrage of research on finding treatment for new coronavirus, Australian MISCONFIGURATION TOP scientists have found that a common anti-parasitic drug killed CYBER SECURITY RISK ON SARS-CoV-2 virus, growing in cell culture, within 48 hours in lab CLOUD: REPORT settings. Ivermectin is an FDA-approved isconfigurations are the primary cause of anti-parasitic drug that has also cyber security issues in the Cloud, according been shown to be effective in vitro Mto a new report. against a broad range of viruses, Misconfiguration means that the public cloud including HIV, dengue, influenza server instances, such as storage and compute, are and zika virus. configured in such a way that they are vulnerable to Published in the journal breaches. Antiviral Research, the study from According to Cloud security firm Trend Micro, 230 Monash University showed that a million misconfigurations are happening in Cloud on single dose of Ivermectin could stop average each day, proving this risk is prevalent and the coronavirus growing in cell widespread. culture -- effectively eradicating all “Cloud-based operations have become the rule genetic material of the virus within global pandemic and there isn't an activity with Monash Biomedicine rather than the exception, and cybercriminals have two days. approved treatment, "if we had a Discovery Institute's Professor adapted to capitalize on misconfigured or "We found that even a single dose compound that was already David Jans, also an author on this mismanaged cloud environments,” said Greg Young, could essentially remove all viral available around the world then that paper. vice president of cybersecurity for Trend Micro. RNA by 48 hours and that even at 24 might help people sooner". Professor Jans and his team have “We believe migrating to the cloud can be the best hours there was a really significant "Realistically it's going to be a been researching Ivermectin for way to fix security problems by redefining the reduction in it," said study lead while before a vaccine is broadly more than 10 years with different corporate IT perimeter and endpoints,” Young said in author Dr Kylie Wagstaff. available," she said. viruses. a statement on Wednesday. Dr Wagstaff, however, cautioned Although the mechanism by Dr Wagstaff and Professor Jans Gartner predicts that by 2021, over 75 per cent of that the tests conducted in the study which Ivermectin works on the started investigating whether it midsize and large organizations will have adopted were in vitro and that trials needed virus is not known, it is likely,based worked on the SARS-CoV-2 virus as multi-cloud or hybrid IT strategy. to be carried out in people. on its action in other viruses, that it soon as the pandemic was known to "Ivermectin is very widely used works to stop the virus 'dampening have started. Facebook quietly launches and seen as a safe drug. We need to down' the host cells' ability to clear The use of Ivermectin to combat figure out now whether the dosage it. COVID-19 depends on pre-clinical private dating app only you can use it at in humans will be Dr Wagstaff made a previous testing and clinical trials, with effective - that's the next step," breakthrough finding on funding urgently required to for couples Wagstaff informed. Ivermectin in 2012 when she progress the work, the researchers In times when we're having a identified the drug and its antiviral noted. SAN FRANCISCO (TIP): Facebook has quietly launched a new app just for couples who can connect to each other intimately like a personal dating app especially in these social distancing times in the Coronavirus lingers in rooms and wake of COVID-19 pandemic. Called Tuned and currently available for iOS users only, the app was first spotted by The Information toilets but disinfectants kill it that allows couples to share their mood, exchange music via Spotify and create a digital scrapbook. "Tuned lets two people send each other text and ew research from Singapore voice messages, along with photos and songs, after published Wednesday adding each other's phone numbers. The app was Nshowed that patients with recently made available for download in Apple's App the novel coronavirus extensively Store in the US," the report said. contaminate their bedrooms and The app is brainchild of the New Product bathrooms, underscoring the need Experimentation team at Facebook and is billed as a to routinely clean high-touch "private space" for the couple to connect. surfaces, basins and toilet bowls. The couple can send each memos or voice notes The virus was however killed by with photos on any messaging app. twice-a-day cleaning of surfaces Currently,the couple-only app doesn't appear much and daily cleaning of floors with a different from other such relationship apps where commonly used disinfectant -- people can chat directly with one another. suggesting that current The social networking giant last year launched a decontamination measures are Facebook Dating app that helps users explore sufficient as long as people adhere potential romantic relationships within their own to them. extended circle of friends. The feature is called The research letter was published "Secret Crush" where the users can select up to nine in the Journal of the American Facebook friends who they want to express interest Medical Association (JAMA) and Researchers at Singapore's while the rooms of the other two in. On Facebook Dating, you can opt in to discover comes after cases in China where National Centre for Infectious patients were sampled after potential matches within your own Facebook the pathogen spread extensively Diseases and DSO National disinfection measures. communities: events, groups, friends of friends and through hospitals, infecting dozens Laboratories looked at the cases of The patient whose room was more. "We will also be integrating Facebook Groups, of health care workers and other three patients who were held in sampled before cleaning had the making it possible to meet new friends from your patients. isolation rooms between late mildest symptoms of the three, only most meaningful communities on Facebook," said the This led scientists to believe that, January and early February. experiencing a cough. The other company. beyond catching the infection They collected samples from their two had moderate symptoms: both The Facebook New Product team has also created a through coughing, environmental rooms on five days over a two-week had coughing and fever, one meme-making app and another one similar to contamination was an important period. experienced shortness of breath Pinterest but they are yet to be marketed well from factor in the disease's transmission, The room of one patient was and the other was coughing up Facebook. but its extent was unclear. sampled before routine cleaning, mucus. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 BIZ & FINANCE 27 US FED ROLLS OUT India’s GDP for FY21 projected $2.3-TRILLION PACKAGE TO at 4.8%, COVID-19 to have SUPPORT ECONOMY WASHINGTON (TIP): The Federal Reserve on Thursday announced another series of financing facilities to provide $2.3 trillion to support the US adverse economic impact globally economy amid the coronavirus pandemic. The programmes aim to help businesses, UNITED NATIONS (TIP): households and state and local governments facing a India’s GDP growth for the current cash crunch as large parts of the economy have been fiscal is expected to slow down to 4.8 shut down. per cent, a UN report has said, “The Fed’s role is to provide as much relief and warning that the COVID-19 stability as we can during this period of constrained pandemic is expected to result in economic activity, and our actions today will help significant adverse economic ensure that the eventual recovery is as vigorous as impacts globally. possible,” Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said. The UN ‘Economic and Social To “ensure credit flows to small and mid-sized Survey of Asia and the Pacific businesses,” the Fed opened a new Main Street (ESCAP) 2020: Towards sustainable Lending Program, to purchase up to $600 billion in economies’ said that COVID-19 is loans owed by those firms, with the support of funding having far-reaching economic and from the massive $2 trillion that Congress approved social consequences for the region, late last month. with strong cross-border spillover effects through trade, tourism and financial linkages. India’s GDP growth for the fiscal year 2019-2020 was estimated at 5 per economies in the Asia and Pacific in The report noted that COVID-19, cent and is forecast to slow down to the report says. first reported in China and 4.8 per cent for the current fiscal “India’s economic growth subsequently globally, has 2020-21. Economic growth for the declined considerably by more than significantly increased the country could stand at 5.1 per cent the earlier estimate (5 per cent in downside risks to the Asia and for fiscal year 2021-22, the report 2019 compared with previous Pacific region’s near-term economic said. estimate of 7 per cent), as outlook. The report noted that these are uncertainties ahead of the general “While the pandemic was initially very preliminary forecasts based on election and tighter credit expected to affect primarily China’s the data and information available conditions weighed on economy (mostly in the first quarter up to March 10. manufacturing activities and of 2020), its spread worldwide, Apple to make 1 million face “As the COVID-19 pandemic is investments. Weakness in income including in the Asia-Pacific region, still evolving rapidly and showing growth and a rising unemployment could result in significant adverse shields a week for medical no signs of abating as of March 31, rate also undermined consumer economic impacts. 2020, its negative impacts on sentiment. Its exports were affected “High economic integration workers battling COVID-19 economic performance of countries by global trade tensions as well, regionally and internationally and territories in Asia and the while extreme weather events - could exacerbate the economic SAN FRANCISCO (TIP): Apple has said it will Pacific will likely be very especially rainfall - disrupted slowdown through multiple soon be producing one million face shields a week for significant,” a disclaimer agricultural activities,” the ESCAP channels, such as trade, tourism medical workers battling the coronavirus pandemic. accompanying the GDP chart for report said. and financial markets,” it said. The tech giant had already sourced 20 million surgical masks from around the world to help address a global shortage, chief executive Tim Cook said in a GLOBAL TRADE WILL video posted to Twitter on Sunday. World’s biggest oil producers But the company had also designed its own PLUNGE BY UP TO A THIRD IN transparent protective face shield and begun mass at odds ahead of talks on production at its factories in the US and China, he 2020 AMID PANDEMIC: WTO added. major cuts “We plan to ship over one million by the end of this GENEVA (TIP): Global trade growth is expected week,” said Cook. to plummet by up to a third in 2020 due to the Initial distribution would be focused on the US but WASHINGTON/DUBAI/LONDON (TIP): The world's coronavirus pandemic, the World Trade the company hoped to “quickly expand distribution” top crude oil producers, Saudi Arabia, Russia and the United Organisation said on Wednesday, warning that the to other countries, he said. States, remained at odds on Wednesday over how to shore up numbers would be “ugly”. global crude prices hammered by the coronavirus crisis and “World trade is expected to fall by between 13 per IMF chief warns of recession a price war, as meetings on the topic loomed this week. cent and 32 per cent in 2020 as the COVID-19 The tensions have raised the chances that global oil pandemic disrupts normal economic activity and worse than 2008 financial crisis nations will again fail to reach a lasting agreement to tighten life around the world,” the WTO said in a statement. the spigots as a glut in supply threatens to overwhelm There were a wide range of possibilities for how WASHINGTON/GENEVA (TIP): The coronavirus storage tanks and tip drilling companies into bankruptcy. trade would be hit by the “unprecedented” health pandemic has brought the global economy to a Saudi Arabia and Russia have signalled they could agree to crisis, it added. standstill and plunged the world into a recession that cuts but only if the United States and others outside a group However, WTO chief Roberto Azevedo warned will be "way worse" than the global financial crisis a known as OPEC+ chip in. Washington has pushed back, the downturn “may well be the deepest economic decade ago, the head of the International Monetary saying US drillers have already reduced output for economic recession or downturn of our lifetimes”. Fund said on Friday, calling it "humanity's darkest reasons, and that it had no plans to orchestrate further cuts. In its main annual forecast, the 164-member WTO hour." "Look, we already cut. If you look at Texas, North Dakota, pointed out that trade had already been slowing in The IMF's managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, some of our states that do this very well, they've already cut 2019, before the emergence of the novel speaking at a rare joint news conference with the way back, they've cut back automatically," US President coronavirus. But the virus has now infected some leader of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Donald Trump told a news conference on Wednesday. 1.4 million people since late last year, killing more called on advanced economies to step up their efforts Trump added that he had "lots of good options" if OPEC+ than 80,000 and forcing governments across the to help emerging markets and developing countries fails to reach a deal, but did not elaborate. "We have a world to take radical measures. survive the economic and health impact of the tremendously powerful energy industry in this country now, More than half of humanity has been asked to pandemic. No. 1 in the world, and I don’t want those jobs being lost." He stay at home and economic activity has ground to a "This is a crisis like no other," she told some 400 has said in the past he could impose import tariffs on oil to virtual standstill in many places. reporters on a video conference call. "We have help domestic producers. US lawmakers have threatened Global trade, already hit by trade tensions and witnessed the world economy coming to a standstill. Saudi Arabia with legislation that would pull economic and uncertainties around Brexit, is expected to register We are now in recession. military support for the kingdom if it does not stabilize oil “double-digit declines in trade volumes” in nearly “It is way worse than the global financial crisis" of prices. all regions this year, the WTO said. 2008-2009. Russia said a natural decline in US oil output due to weak “This crisis is first and foremost a health crisis World Bank President David Malpass echoed her oil prices did not count as a contribution to global which has forced governments to take outlook in a post on LinkedIn, writing, "Beyond the production cuts: "These are absolutely different reductions," unprecedented measures to protect people’s lives,” health impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Azevedo said in a statement. expecting a major global recession." THE INDIAN PANORAMA 28 ASTROLOGY FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

Shree Ganeshaya Namah

Bejan Daruwalla is world's most famous astrologertoday. He appears regularly on world wide TV shows. Bejan who has been a professor in English, hasauthored a number of books on astrology. India'sPrime Minister Narendra Modi , on March 29, 2012,lunched one of Bejan's books, '2012- End of theWorld? Bejan contributes to a number of journals andnewspapers in many parts of the world which includeBerkley Communications Bejan Daruwalla is available for astrological (London) Times of India(Delhi, Mumbai, consultations. He can be reached at Kolkata, Chennai) and The IndianPanorama ( [email protected] and on phone New York and Texas). Bejan's predictionshave mostly been correct and 011-91-8141234275 people the world overrely on his predictions. www.bejandaruwalla.com

The Indian Panorama brings you Weekly and Birthday Horoscope from the World's most trusted astrologer Bejan Daruwalla. Latest correct prediction: Modi's historic victory Weekly Horoscope April 13 - April 19, 2020 ARIES: Ganesha says with foresight and long- LEO: Ganesha says learn to prioritize; it may SAGITTARIUS: Ganesha says you may feel range planning, you will be able to map out your also be a good idea to use the team and see that that the world owes you a living and you may future. You are filled with optimism and believe you don't take on too much. There is no harm in not really deserve it. You may also become that everything will work out exactly as you delegating work; you can do the overall selfish and demanding in personal want it to. Your normally grandiose plans have a management of the assignment. You may also relationships. There is a touch of arrogance practical touch to them. This is an excellent time feel restless for new experiences and may want to now and you feel that others should make the to embark on new projects or to conclude any enlarge your scope of activities. But, Ganesha first move, that they should make the first kind of transaction. It is also a superb time to says, please do not overreach or it may be approach while you bask in supreme arrogance. buy or sell because you will be in the driver's difficult to cope. You have to draw the line and CAPRICORN: Ganesha says there is a seat and will profit from a rich bargain. know your limits. steadying influence now in your affairs. You TAURUS: You move ahead full throttle and VIRGO: There are fun times in store for you, realize that it is best to get off the high horse. It nothing can stop you now. You obliterate all including a touch of romance. The mood sizzles is not a pedestal that works for you and you see opposition with brute force. You want to learn and you may think that you are in love. Go for it that quite clearly.Your love relationships can be more and more, and may even enrol in some and the mystery unravel itself. Leave your over very intense in this phase. It all depends on how education programme. The focus in this period ambitious nature behind and just enjoy these you handle it. There will be feelings of warmth, will be on communication with others and it will beautiful moments to the hilt. With a little care love, generosity and erotica and you will have be exceedingly fortunate. You are optimistic and and restraint, you can convert this period into an many encounters with the opposite sex. positive about life. excellent time. As I always stay, there will be AQUARIUS: Ganesha says life is all about GEMINI: Ganesha says people like you money and honey for the asking. people and the connections you make. What because you say nice things and reinforce their LIBRA: Ganesha says you may also spend a lot goes around comes around. In life, everyone belief in themselves. You are the soul of the and make many purchases. You feel good about gets their dessert some time or the other. So, it party and will win any popularity poll hands yourself and there is no harm at all in basking in is a good idea to keep your slate clean and go down. This is a lucky phase, so make the most of all the glory. You have earned it after months of about the business of life with a clean it, advises Ganesha. If you stand for elections, toil. Ganesha wishes you well. While you conscience. You are in an expansive mode. the chances of winning are high. Emotions are continue to make sustained progress on the work There is international travel and you make at peak now. There are many domestic issues to front, feelings and emotions play an important connections that will play a vital role in the deal with; you may have neglected them thanks part in your life. Your relationships get more years to come. to your desire to get ahead. intense. PISCES: Ganesha says you are driven to CANCER: Ganesha says you feel good now SCORPIO: Ganesha says you are generous and succeed and will leave no stone unturned. There and have the confidence to handle just about giving and people come into your life from the are chances of domestic squabbles; there may anything life throws at you. Optimism runs in past. You may even have multiple partners. I am be a divorce in your life or in the extended your blood now but it may be a good idea not to not saying this in finality; it is a mere family. There could be litigation which could be get too overconfident and bite more than you can suggestion. I am also not suggesting multiple messy.There are mixed trends and you will have chew, though you are quite tempted to take on love relationships. I must underscore this point. to steer the course carefully. The focus is on much more than you can handle. There will be You will have to separate the grain from the chaff family matters: children's health and education, work pressures and you will be tested a great and some relationships will be of greater relations with the spouse or partner and the deal. significance than others. health of elders.

Birthday Horoscope April 13 - April 19, 2020

April 13:Ganesha says the morning starts allies or is a group force, you'll all cross polarization by the power of your resolve. off with good emotional radar, leading you the finish line as empowered victors. April 18:Even your legendary will power may to test the whole day to see if your April 16:There could be jumpy, nervous, not find a strong footing until late this intuition keeps working well - and it does. impulsive, or risky energy that wants an afternoon. Even then, it'll be hard to grasp a April 14:Understanding from a kind outlet. It's okay to play a little and even roll strong enough sense of confidence to start listener during lunchtime or errands the dice a little, but there are no guarantees plunging ahead then. brings you closer together but watch for a today about how the dice will roll. April 19:The Moon polarizes your need for punitive late-afternoon switch. April 17:Passions intensify, possibly with a time alone, away from the hectic daily April 15:You've got the power, drive, friend. In a long time relationships, new levels schedule of work and tasks. But passions are resolve, and skill to overcome and win any of intimacy can be reached. Business so strong that time away may be private love aim you focus on. If it involves friends or alliances are empowered. Hold off time! THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 SPIRITUALITY 29 MESHA SANKRANTI: THE DAY SUN ENTERS THE ARIES ZODIAC esha Sankranti marks the beginning of the New Year in Mthe traditional Solar calendar. On this day, the Sun enters the sidereal Aries or Mesha rashi and so it is called Mesha Sankranti. Regional New Year festivals also take place on this day like Vaisakhi in Punjab, Pana Sankranti in Odisha and, on the next day, it is celebrated asPohela Boishakh in West Bengal, Vishu in Kerala and Puthandu in Tamilnadu, respectively. In 2020 Mesha Sankranti will be occurring on Monday, the 13th of April, in the Purva Ashadha nakshatra. Below is a table with the exact timings of the commencement and closing of the Mesha Sankranti festival along with the Punya and Maha Punya kaal Muhurta. Mesha Sankranti Phalam Benefits

Mesha Sankranti festival is considered to be an auspicious period where people perform Puja rituals to gain special blessings from deities like Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali. Below are a few noteworthy points: It is a fruitful period for people who are engaged in laborious tasks. An economically good time as commodities costs would be normal. A gainful phase for people to get stability in life. given Muhurta, it's time for people A healthy prosperous period for to celebrate the festival of Mesha people of different nationalities to Sankranti or Maha Vishuva interact with each other as well as Sankranti. It is celebrated as per a yielding time lap for substantial various solar regional calendars rise in grains and stocks of in India. countries. In Odisha the first day of the year Make your life stable by getting is celebrated on the same day of complete analysis of your past, Sankranti if it occurs before present and future. Order our Hindu midnight. It is called Pana Online Janam Patri/Kundli and Sankranti by the people of Orissa. foresee what you can achieve with The state of Tamil Nadu celebrates your potential. Sankranti after sunrise and before sunset as the year commences on Rituals & Celebrations the same day. If Sankranti or The given rituals are followed during Sankranthi occurs after sunset the Mesha Sankranti: year begins on the following day. People worship Lord Shiva, Puthandu is the name of Mesha Hanuman ,Vishnu and Goddess Sankranti in the state. Kali on this auspicious day.Taking According to the Malayalam a holy dip in the sacred waters of calendar, the day is divided into five Ganga,Yamuna and Godavari is parts from sunrise to sunset. If considered beneficial. Sankranti takes place within the ‘Pana’, a traditional drink first three parts then the year begins PAGE SPONSORED BY prepared out of the pulp of the on the same day or it could Mango fruit, is consumed by commence on the following day. ARISH K. SAHANI people on this day. Precisely, Sankranti occurs till Adhering to the Punya Kaal Madayana or midday and, if not, it Serving Since 1972 Muhurta while performing Puja would be observed on the next day. Please Call or Write for Your Insurance Needs rites is highly recommended for Kerala celebrates Mesha Sankranti getting benefits of past good by the name of Vishu. Arish K Sahani (Father) deeds. While in West Bengal Sankranti The most important aspect of takes place between sunrise and Shiv Sahani (Son) Mesha Sankranti is eating ‘Satvik’ midnight of the day and the year or pure hygienic vegetarian food begins on the following day. If it Priya Sahani Sood (Daughter) and refraining from any bad occurs after midnight, the year habits. begins on the next following day.It is 7 1 8 - 2 7 1 - 1 9 0 6 Chanting stotras or Holy mantras popularly known as Naba Barsha or [email protected] along with hymns while Pohela Boishakh. performing rituals or commencing Besides the given four states, Mesha “If Hindus don’t maintain Hinduism, who shall save it?” celebrations is mandatory for each Sankranti is pompously celebrated community. as Bihu in Assam and Vaisakhi in “If India’s own children don't cling to their faith, who shall guard it?” After performing rituals as per the Punjab. “Indians alone can save India, and India and Hinduism are one.” THE INDIAN PANORAMA 30 CLASSIFIEDS FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 31 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 32 TURN PAGE FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 contd from page 1 and devastating families and wrecking the economy, "Rapid testing is going to be the bridge to the new we're starting to see and magnifying some of the worst economy," Cuomo said. Joe Biden Becomes Presumptive... systemic inequities that exist, amplifying some of the Gov.Andrew Cuomo has received abundant praise for fueling speculation that the Indian-origin US Senator most unjust gaps in our society," Biden said,noting that his performance during the coronavirus pandemic. And may be his running mate in the presidential elections. counties with a majority black population have a few weeks after he effectively ordered a state Biden, 77, emerged as the presumptive nominee of infection rates three times greater than majority white shutdown, it seems that the impacts of Cuomo's the Democratic party after Senator Sanders withdrew counties. mitigation measures have started to pan out. He's now from the race and endorsed the former Vice President Biden said he had reached out to former President saying that the state is experiencing a relative for the November presidential elections against Trump. Barack Obama for advice on the selection process of his slowdown in the number of new cases, at least for now. Indian-origin Senator from California, Harris, 55, running mate. At his April 10 briefing, he said, "Now is not the time withdrew her bid from the presidential race early due to According to some media reports, Biden has to relax and be complacent. I am proud that New low poll ratings. While in race, she and Biden had bitter shortlisted nine individuals as his potential running Yorkers have so far acted responsibly, and diligently, political fights. But she later endorsed Biden after the mate. Among them, include Harris and Minnesota and we are saving lives by the actions we are taking former vice president made substantial gains in the Senator Amy Klobuchar. Biden has said that he will today. I've said we're "New York Tough," because every Democratic primary. pick a woman as his running mate. (Source:PTI) day is tough on many, many levels. Our individual and Hours, later Biden invited Harris as a special guest collective actions appear to be succeeding in flattening for his virtual fundraiser. In view of the social Global Coronavirus cases top 1.5... the curve. As I have said repeatedly, this virus is very distancing measures being enforced across the country Of the 1,502,478 infections, 87,320 people have died good at what it does. It is efficient. We are too. So Stay due to the coronavirus pandemic, Biden campaign has across 192 countries and territories since the epidemic Home - Stop the Spread - Save Lives." resorted to innovative virtual fund raising. first emerged in China late last year. Obviously, New Yorkers have to wait until the In his remarks, Biden expressed how "lucky" he felt to The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national situation warrants return to normal or near normal. have a "partnership" with Harris going forward. authorities and information from the World Health (With inputs from agencies) "The idea, Kamala, that you ran a hell of a race and Organisation (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of you endorsed me means a lot. It's not an easy thing to the actual number of infections. Many countries are WHO Chief Calls for Unity and... do, but, you know, thanks for making the time and for only testing the most serious cases. Donald Trump's criticism and suggestions that being so loyal,' Biden said. The United States, where the pandemic is spreading Washington could review its funding for the agency. "And I'm so lucky to have you as part of this, this most rapidly, has recorded 432,132 cases, including Tedros said he expected US funding to continue with partnership going forward, because I think we're going 14,817 deaths. traditional bipartisan support. together we can make a great deal of difference, and the New York reported 7,067 statewide deaths and 159,937 Trump and his administration repeated their biggest thing we can do is make Donald Trump a one- confirmed cases as of Thursday morning, including criticism, on Wednesday. term president. So I'm coming for you, kid," Biden said. 5,280 deaths and 87,028 cases in New York City alone. As Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington was The former vice president said that Harris shared of Thursday, 18,279 were hospitalized with the re-evaluating US funding to the body, saying admiration for his late son Beau Biden. coronavirus and 4,925 of them were in intensive care international organizationsutilizing US taxpayer According to the Biden campaign, there were 52 units. As of Monday, 13,366 COVID-19 patients had been money needed to deliver on their goals. But he objected people in attendance, including some folks who discharged from New York hospitals. to a leadership change at the WHO at this time. received a shout out during the fundraiser - TV writer Gov.Andrew Cuomo has recognized the power of data US contributions to the WHO in 2019 exceeded $400 and producer Norman Lear and former White House ever since the first cases of the coronavirus in the state million, almost double the second-largest country Press Secretary for the Clinton Administration Dee Dee were reported at the beginning of March. And at his donor, according to US figures. The WHO website shows Myers. daily press briefings, the governor has leveraged the the United States as its top donor, contributing nearly The fundraiser was hosted by former US release of the latest numbers to supplement his 15% of the budget. Ambassador to Germany John Emerson, and Kimberly messaging on the state's response to the pandemic. Trump told the daily White House briefing on the Marteau Emerson, a Principal at KME Consulting. A big drop in new admissions to hospitals and coronavirus that Beijing's payment was a small fraction Emerson said that while the fundraisers goal was USD intensive care units was cited by the governor of Washington's WHO contribution, and that was "not 1,00,000, the group exceeded it, raising USD 1,50,000. Thursday as evidence that the state is "flattening the fair at all." "So, we're going to do study, investigation. Harris, in her remarks, slammed Trump for the curve" enough to ensure that the health care system has And we're going to make a determination as to what "vacuum of leadership" that currently exists in the the capacity to handle incoming cases. As things we're doing. In the meantime, we're holding back. We ... United States and praised Biden for his record of currently stand, the state is utilizing about a quarter of want to see." Trump said the WHO issued a statement leadership. its total capacity of about 90,000 beds, the governor told on Jan. 14 saying, "there was no human-to-human "Joe Biden has a way of working on these issues, not reporters at the state Capitol on Thursday, April 10. transmission" and criticized him "very strongly" when only to improve the lives of all Americans, but to That is well below past projections that the state could he said he was going to shut down flights from China. improve their ability to believe that everything is going need more than 130,000 total beds to deal with the apex (Read full story at www.theindianpanorama.news) to be okay. And that's one of the things I think we all of the crisis. who have known him for a long time love about Joe "We can't handle the worst-case scenarios," he said. EU Ministers Seal Deal on half... Biden," Harris said. "We can't even handle the moderate-case scenarios so it from the Netherlands over attaching economic "He sees people. He understands their pain, He is essential that we keep that curve flattened." That conditions to emergency credit for governments understands their dreams. And what we need is a means social distancing will continue for the weathering the impacts of the pandemic, and after president who has a proven track record of leadership, foreseeable future. assurances for Italy that the bloc would show solidarity. and also who has the ability to lift people up. That's In the short term, New Yorkers will also have to wait European Union finance ministers agreed on what people need right now," she said. until later in the day to learn just how many new Thursday, April 10, on half-a-trillion euros worth of In his remarks Biden addressed Sanders' departure infections there are across the state and how that support for their coronavirus-battered economies after from the presidential race. breaks down by county - though New York City released weeks of wrangling that exposed painful divisions in "He's a powerful voice for a fairer and more just updated numbers Thursday morning. the bloc headed for a steep recession. American, and I want Bernie and his supporters to With data suggesting the rate of infection is But the agreement does not mention joint debt know: I see you. I hear you. I understand the urgency of flattening in New York City,the governor said Thursday issuance to finance recovery - something Italy, France what you've done, and I hope you'll join us because we that the state is increasingly focused on Rockland, and Spain pushed strongly for but which is a red line for need all of you. We need all of you," he said. Nassau and Suffolk counties where the numbers have Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Austria. The former vice president then addressed the been "creeping up" in recent days. "You look at the It only defers to the bloc's 27 national leaders whether ongoing coronavirus pandemic gripping the country concentric circles around New York City," Cuomo said. "innovative financial instruments" should be used. and the anxious time it has brought about while all "The natural spread of concentric circles are towards French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Americans are facing the situation together but in the suburban communities." Europe has agreed on the most important economic isolation simultaneously. New Yorkers seek answer to the key question : When plan in its history. "This disease is not only tearing through the nation will they be able to work and socialize outside the home. (Read full story at www.theindianpanorama.news) THE INDIAN PANORAMA PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER: Prof. Indrajit S. Saluja Mohammad Shahzad, Zia Khan , Nisha Rani CHANDIGARH: Manjit Sidhu E-mail [email protected]; Phone: 646-247-9458 VICE PRESIDENT: Chitagam Saluja Vaaho Photographers, Vijay Shah -Photo Journalist. LUDHIANA: A.S. Arora, R.P.Sharma www.theindianpanorama.news CHIEF EDITOR: Prof Indrajit S. Saluja DISTRIBUTOR : Sukhwinder Singh Published by Prof. Indrajit Saluja ASSISTANT EDITOR: Bidisha Roy CORRESPONDENTS : The Indian Panorama CONSULTING EDITOR: Deepak Dwivedi SACRAMENTO: Parminder S. Aujla P.O. Box No. 190067, South Richmond Hill, NY 11419, GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Om P arkash Malik NEW YORK : Chitagam Tel: 646-247-9458 DISCLAIMER DIRECTOR ADMINISTRATION: Gauri Beri Email: [email protected] The Indian Panorama assumes no responsibility for the FRESNO: Tarlochan Singh claims made in advertisements. We only sell space. Views CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: DALLAS EDITION DALLAS: Harjit Dhesi, Amarjit Dhillon published in the newspaper are those of the authors and do Baldev Singh / BJ Videos P.O. BOX 121695, ARLINGTON, TX 76012 OVERSEAS CORRESPONDENTS not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper. All rights Gunjesh Desai / Masala Junction Lovllien Kaurr, VP & Bureau Chief are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without DELHI BUREAU CHIEF: Ashishpal Singh Jay Mandal, Mohammad Jaffer/ SnapsIndia Bureau Chief Phone: 972-330-3139 permission in writing from The Indian Panorama is prohibited. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 TRAVEL 33 VISAKHAPATNAM: A GEM OF SOUTH INDIA isakhapatnam, also commonly Ananthagiri hills of the Araku Valley in known as Vizag, is one of the Visakhapatnam district. British Voldest port cities in the country. geologist William King discovered this Situated in the heart of Andhra Pradesh, million years old cave in the year 1807 Visakhapatnam is known for its and it has been a tourist favourite ever picturesque beaches and serene since. Breathtaking hilly terrain, landscape, as well as a rich cultural past. beautiful landscape, semi-evergreen The port of Visakhapatnam is renowned moist deciduous forests, and wild fauna for being home to the oldest shipyard in of the Borra Caves are a visual feast. A all of India. Located a short distance marvellous creation of nature, the caves away from Visakhapatnam is Araku were formed when river waters flow Valley, one of the prime attractions of through a limestone area and the Vizag. Situated at a lofty 910 metres calcium carbonate turns into calcium above sea level, Araku Valley is a hill bicarbonate, which is easily washed out station replete with gushing waterfalls, by the running water.The most striking crystal clear streams, lush green gardens feature of the caves is its exquisite and some challenging trekking trails. variety of speleothems ranging in size Vizag is dotted with many beaches and irregularly shaped stalactites and along its coastline, with the most famous stalagmites. Borra Caves are deemed to one being the Yarada Beach. One of the be among the largest in the country and most stunning places to see in all of are perched at a whopping elevation of Visakhapatnam, Yarada beach is about 705 metres. surrounded by majestic hills on three sides, and by the Bay of Bengal on the Submarine Museum other side. One of the best things about really good paragliding facilities. Apart visitors trekking their way to the Submarine Museum is located in Vizag’s beaches is that they are a lot from that there are huge idols of Lord waterfall. It is, therefore, an ideal Visakhapatnam in the south-eastern cleaner and a lot less crowded than other Shiva and Parvathi which gives the place attraction for beginner to intermediate state of India. The museum is inside an famous beaches along the Indian a religious flavor. According to the level trekkers. There are several food actual submarine, INS Kurusura, which coastline, and Yarada beach is no visitors' views, its a great place to visit in kiosks on the way that serve snacks and was India's 5th submarine. The museum exception. It is the perfect place to sit Vishakhapatnam to observe the beverages especially Bamboo Chicken is situated on RK beach, near the War back on the golden sands and witness a development of the hills over the years. and fresh Coconut Water. Taking a pit Memorial in Visakhapatnam. The marvellous sunrise or sunset. The Kailasagiri Park is a park situated stop for a bite before proceeding won't be beautiful scenery of the clear blue on top of a hill which faces the east coast. disappointing. waters and golden sand on the beach Kailasagiri Its a place that offers a mixture of things serves as a perfect location for the Kailasagiri is a hill top park in the city including places of religious Wildlife Sanctuary Submarine Museum. It is frequently of Vishakhapatnam. The hill is at 360 importance, adventure games like Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary is visited by enthusiasts who want to know feet and it overlooks beaches, forests & paragliding, enjoyment for little kids, located on the outskirts of more about living in submarines. The the city of Vishakhapatnam. It is one of wide view of the whole city and many Visakhapatnam and is a perfect example museum has artefacts, pictures and the best tourist spots in the city for a other things for the visitors. of natural harmony between the dry articles that share stories of strength, bird's eye view of the bay. seasonal forest and the evergreen sacrifice and patriotism of the warriors. The Kailasagiri Park is well known for Katiki Waterfalls meadows. They give insights on how difficult its panoramic view, peaceful atmosphere Katiki Falls originates from River The Sanctuary houses many rare surviving can be with limited space and and its scenic beauty, making it a Gosthani about 90 kilometres from species of wild life animals such as resources hundreds of feet underwater. beautiful tourist attraction in Visakhapatnam. The waterfall is located panthers, Sambar deer, spotted deer, The INS Kurusura served the Indian Vishakhapatnam. The place offers plenty near the Borra Caves and is a famous barking deer, jackal, wild boar and wild Navy for 31 years before it was of leisure activities which is also one of attraction for picnickers and nature dog. decommissioned in 2001. Post that, it was the reasons for people visiting the place. lovers. The natural landscape used a museum to spread awareness For small children, circular train is surrounding the waterfall is lush green Borra caves about Indian Naval Forces, the there for fun and enjoyment. Moreover, and goes through an uneven path that Located on the east coast of India, the technology used and its development in among adventure games, it gives visitors adds an element of adventure to the Borra Caves are situated in the India. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 34 SPORTS FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 ATP chief hoping for Roland Garros and clay-court season in September

MILAN (TIP): ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said Thursday he hopes the clay-court season and French Open can be played in Bangladesh postpone Test September as tennis scrambles to salvage a season in danger of being series against Australia wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic. angladesh’s cricket authorities on Thursday “If we manage to start again in said they were postponing a two-match Test August, we’ll save three Slams Bseries against Australia scheduled for June and six Masters 1000, otherwise due to the global coronavirus pandemic, without the problems will increase setting a new date. tenfold,” Gaudenzi said in an The Aussies had been due to play the Tests in interview with several Italian Chittagong and Dhaka between June 11 and June 23. media outlets. It would have been Australia’s third Test series in “We are working on the Bangladesh and second in three years. hypothesis of four weeks on clay The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said it would after the US Open, with Madrid work with its Australian counterparts to find a and Rome before Roland Garros.” future window for the series, which is a part of the Tennis has been in lockdown ICC World Test Championship. since early last month and is not to September-October. out of fear, making a mistake. But “This is understandably disappointing for players scheduled to return until July 13 Gaudenzi said no sanctions they have recognised this.” and fans of both sides,” BCB chief Nizamuddin at the earliest following the would be taken against Roland All this will depend on the virus Chowdhury said in a statement. cancellation of Wimbledon for the Garros for taking the decision which has killed more than 87,000 “The health of our people and communities is the first time since World War II. alone to postpone. people and infected over 1.5 number one priority for both Boards and that is The decision to axe the sport’s “Now we are working together,” million with the United States reflected in the action we have taken,” said Kevin oldest and most prestigious Gaudenzi, 43, who took over as and Europe hit hard. Roberts of Cricket Australia. Grand Slam event followed the ATP chief in January, told “We have made 50 versions of French Open’s unilateral switch Gazzetta Dello Sport. the calendar that we change day First Premier League club defers from its traditional May-June slot “Tennis needs unity, Paris acted by day,” said Gaudenzi. wages as union pleads for fairness India doesn’t LONDON (TIP): Southampton on Thursday BCCI, Star India staring at became the first Premier League club to defer need money, players’ wages as a senior official for their union insisted they were doing their bit for the nation can’t have losses if IPL is cancelled during the coronavirus pandemic. Southampton’s players, manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, his staff and the club’s directors will cricket right defer their salaries for April, May and June. The club said the measure would “help protect the now: Kapil future of the club, the staff that work within it and the community we serve”. NEW DELHI (TIP): Southampton also said they would not be using the The legendary Kapil Dev government scheme to pay the salaries of other on Thursday slammed employees. Shoaib Akhtar’s idea of a The decision comes amid a row about whether made-for-television three- Premier League players -- with an average salary of match ODI series between three million pounds ($3.7 million) -- should be forced India and Pakistan to to give up some of their salary to help the nation. raise funds for the Bobby Barnes, deputy chief executive of the COVID-19 pandemic, Professional Footballers Association (PFA), said saying “India doesn’t players were being demonised by people who ignored need the money” and it is the fact many were helping “extended families” at not worth risking lives for home and abroad. a cricket match. Barnes’s defence of the players came after stars Speaking to PTI, including Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Akhtar on Wednesday NEW DELHI (TIP): The numbers are analyst Darren Rovell in a tweet England captain Harry Kane launched an initiative proposed a closed-door always staggering when it come to the mentioned that Wimbledon could get 141 to generate funds for Britain’s National Health series to jointly raise Indian Premier League (IPL). Be it the million USD from its insurance cover. Service (NHS), called #PlayersTogether. funds to fight the deadly runs scored or the amount of money it “Wimbledon reportedly paid $2 million It will involve players making voluntary virus both in India and generates, the figures are always huge. a year for pandemic insurance for the contributions and has been hailed as a “fantastic” Pakistan. Dev said the That is the reason why the Board of last 17 years (Total: $34 Million). For this initiative by the NHS. proposal is not feasible. Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and year’s cancellation as a result of the “He is entitled to his Star India, the host broadcasters, are Coronavirus, Wimbledon will reportedly opinion but we don’t need staring at losses in crores of rupees if receive $141 million from the policy,” to raise the money. We the league is cancelled in the wake of the Rovell tweeted. have enough. For us, coronavirus pandemic. The report further highlighted the what is important right According to a report in India Today, astronomical figures involved if the IPL now is that how our the IPL has insurance against war and is cancelled. The report stated that host authorities work together terrorism. It does not have any cover broadcasters Star India will lose Rs to deal with this crisis. I against a pandemic like Covid-19. The 3269.50 crore if the tournament is am still seeing a lot of Wimbledon Championships, which was cancelled this year. blame game on television recently cancelled for the year, on the The BCCI could face a loss of Rs 400 from the politicians and other hand has been paying for a crore from the cancellation as part of its that needs to stop,” Dev pandemic insurance and are expected to title sponsorship deal with VIVO of Rs told PTI. be covered for this year. Sports business 2,000 crore for a period of 5 years. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 35 FEATURE FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 EASTER: THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

aster, Latin Pascha, Greek Pascha, principal festival of the Christian Echurch, which celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his Crucifixion. The earliest recorded observance of an Easter celebration comes from the 2nd century, though the commemoration of Jesus’ Resurrection probably occurred earlier. The English word Easter, which parallels the German word Ostern, is of uncertain origin. One view, expounded by the Venerable Bede in the 8th century, was that it derived from Eostre, or Eostrae, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. This view presumes—as does the view associating the origin of Christmas on December 25 with pagan celebrations of the winter solstice—that Christians appropriated pagan names and holidays for their highest festivals. Given the Easter eggs was first recorded in the determination with which Christians 13th century. The church prohibited the combated all forms of paganism (the eating of eggs during Holy Week, but belief in multiple deities), this appears a chickens continued to lay eggs during rather dubious presumption. There is that week, and the notion of specially now widespread consensus that the word identifying those as “Holy Week” eggs derives from the Christian designation of brought about their decoration. The egg Easter week as in albis, a Latin phrase itself became a symbol of the that was understood as the plural of alba Resurrection. Just as Jesus rose from (“dawn”) and became eostarum in Old the tomb, the egg symbolizes new life High German, the precursor of the emerging from the eggshell. In the modern German and English term. The Orthodox tradition eggs are painted red Latin and Greek Pascha (“Passover”) to symbolize the blood Jesus shed on provides the root for Pâques, the French the cross. word for Easter. Easter egg hunts are popular among Fixing the date on which the children in the United States. First lady Resurrection of Jesus was to be observed Lucy Hayes, the wife of Pres. and celebrated triggered a major Rutherford B. Hayes, is often credited controversy in early Christianity in with sponsoring the first annual Easter which an Eastern and a Western position egg roll (an event where children and can be distinguished. The dispute, their parents were invited to roll their known as the Paschal controversies, was eggs on the Monday following Easter) not definitively resolved until the 8th on the White House lawn, in 1878. That century. In Asia Minor, Christians year the event was moved to the White observed the day of the Crucifixion on House from the grounds of the U.S. the same day that Jews celebrated the Capitol Building, where large numbers Passover offering—that is, on the 14th of children had gathered beginning in day of the first full moon of spring, 14 the early 1870s to roll their eggs and Nisan (see Jewish calendar). The play on Easter Monday. Members of Resurrection, then, was observed two Congress were dismayed by the large days later, on 16 Nisan, regardless of the crowds on Capitol Hill and feared that day of the week. In the West the the foot traffic was damaging the Resurrection of Jesus was celebrated on grounds. By 1876 Congress and Pres. the first day of the week, Sunday, when Ulysses S. Grant passed a law that Jesus had risen from the dead. forbade the practice of egg rolling on Consequently, Easter was always Capitol Hill. Some historical records celebrated on the first Sunday after the note that the Hayes first opened the 14th day of the month of Nisan. White House lawn to egg rolling Increasingly, the churches opted for the festivities the following year, in 1877, Sunday celebration, and the prohibits Easter from being celebrated accumulated a great many traditions, after a young boy asked President Quartodecimans (“14th day” proponents) before or at the same time as Passover. some of which have little to do with the Hayes directly for permission to use the remained a minority. The Council of In the 20th century several attempts Christian celebration of the space. Nicaea in 325 decreed that Easter should were made to arrive at a fixed date for Resurrection but derive from folk The custom of associating a rabbit or be observed on the first Sunday following Easter, with the Sunday following the customs. The custom of the Easter lamb bunny with Easter arose in Protestant the first full moon after the spring second Saturday in April specifically appropriates both the appellation used areas in Europe in the 17th century but equinox (March 21). Easter, therefore, proposed. While this proposal and others for Jesus in Scripture (“behold the lamb did not become common until the 19th can fall on any Sunday between March 22 had many supporters, none came to of God which takes away the sins of the century. The Easter rabbit is said to lay and April 25. fruition. Renewed interest in a fixed date world,” John 1:29) and the lamb’s role as the eggs as well as decorate and hide Eastern Orthodox churches use a arose in the early 21st century, resulting a sacrificial animal in ancient Israel. In them. In the United States the Easter slightly different calculation based on from discussions involving the leaders of antiquity Christians placed lamb meat rabbit also leaves children baskets with the Julian rather than the Gregorian Eastern Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, under the altar, had it blessed, and then toys and candies on Easter morning. In calendar (which is 13 days ahead of the Coptic, Anglican, and Roman Catholic ate it on Easter. Since the 12th century a way, this was a manifestation of the former), with the result that the churches, but formal agreement on such the Lenten fast has ended on Easter Protestant rejection of Catholic Easter Orthodox Easter celebration usually a date remained elusive. with meals including eggs, ham, customs. In some European countries, occurs later than that celebrated by cheeses, bread, and sweets that have however, other animals—in Switzerland Protestants and Roman Catholics. Easter Customs been blessed for the occasion. the cuckoo, in Westphalia the fox— Moreover, the Orthodox tradition Easter, like Christmas, has The use of painted and decorated brought the Easter eggs. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 36 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020