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THE LARGEST CIRCULATED ENGLISH DAILY IN SOUTH INDIA HYDERABAD I WEDNESDAY I 1 APRIL 2020 WEATHER BUSINESS 9 TABLOID Max: 37.3OC WORLD|8 | Min: 23.7OC RH: 31% China may test Covid PSBs’ mega merger Buying ventilators? It Rain: Nil vaccine abroad comes into effect is sheer stupidity Forecast: Partly cloudy sky with haze. Max/Min temp. 37/24ºC deccanchronicle.com, facebook.com/deccannews, twitter.com/deccanchronicle, google.com/+deccanchronicle Vol. 83 No. 91 Established 1938 | 18 PAGES | `6.00 CORONA C UNT CASES DEATHS City has 603 Tablighi suspects 1397 35 Telangana reports 15 Covid positive patients; officials form teams to trace Markaz visitors MADDY DEEKSHITH AND TS: 96 06 JAYENDRA CHAITHANYA T. I DC AP: 44 00 HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 Delhi cops book Telangana state regis- WORLD CONFIRMED CASES tered a steep increase in number of coronavirus 8,00,000 positive cases with the Tablighi Jamaat government on Tuesday DEATHS announcing 15 new cases — the single largest jump in the state in one day. meet organiser 38,540+ All the cases announced COUNTRIES, on Tuesday were of people SHASHI BHUSHAN and AREAS WITH who had either visited the BHASKAR HARI TS OFFICIAL TOO CASES 183 event organised by the SHARMA | DC Tablighi Jamaat at the NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 ATTENDED DELHI Markaz mosque in Nizamuddin of Delhi The Delhi police on between March 13 and 15, Tuesday registered a case MOSQUE MEET ASTROGUIDE or relatives of those who against Maulana Saad DC CORRESPONDENT Sarvari; Uttarayana attended it, health minis- and others under various HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 Tithi: Chaitra Suddha Ashtami till ter Etala Rajendar said in sections of the IPC and the 3.38 am(Thursday) an official statement. Epidemic Diseases Act for A senior Telangana state Star: Arudra till 7.23 pm Tuesday’s cases took the violation of government government official is one Varjyam: Nil total Covid-19 tally so far directives given to the of the 1,030 people who to 96, of which 14 patients management of the have been ascertained to Durmuhurtam: 11.55 am to have been discharged Markaz of Basti Nizamu- have attended the Markaz 12.44 pm while six others have ddin. The government Nizamuddin in Delhi. An Rahukalam: 12 noon to 1.30 pm died, leaving 76 active said so far 1,582 Tablighi animal husbandry depar- HIJRI CALENDAR coronavirus cases under Jamaat workers were tment official, he is said Shabaan 6,1441 AH treatment as on Tuesday shifted to the Narela, to have attended the PRAYERS in different hospitals in People, who came for a religious gathering at Nizamuddin mosque, are being taken to a hospital for Covid-19 test in Sultanpuri and Bakkar- event that was held from Fajar: 5.10 am the state. According to the New Delhi on Tuesday. — PTI wala quarantine facilities March 13 to 16. He is a Zohar: 12.30 pm government, in all, 1,030 that included 441 admit- resident of Masab Tank, persons from the Telang- ted in hospitals. with his house located Asar: 4.41 pm ana attended the Markaz. The police said an FIR close to the GHMC munic- Maghrib: 6.35 pm The immense impact of was filed against Maulana ipal office there. Isha: 7.43 pm the Tablighi Jamaat orga- Saad and others of Tabli- An internal memo was SUNSET TODAY 6.29 PM nised events in Delhi on Tablighi spreads Covid in AP ghi Jamaat for violation sent to department dire- SUNRISE TOMORROW 6.10 AM the spread of coronavirus of the directives issued cts officials to look into MOONRISE TODAY 11.48 AM in Telangana, sent state after the coronavirus out- the matter and conduct MOONSET TODAY NA officials, including the AP adds 21 cases in 1 day; 711 people from AP visited Markaz break. necessary medical inves- police, scrambling to Over 3,000 people had tigations on the official. trace every one of the MD ILYAS I DC Guntur with nine positive to the Guntur General The highest number of gathered March 1 and COUNTER 1,030 persons and bring VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 31 cases, Krishna (five), East Hospital for testing. people who went to attend March 18 at the Nizamu- POINT them to hospitals, or place Godavari (four), Ananta- The Markaz meet was the Delhi meet are from ddin Markaz mosque for a branch on Tuesday asked them under home quaran- The Tablighi Jamaat meet pur (two), and one each conducted from March 15 Kurnool district (189), fol- Tablighi Jamaat meet. A the government to take tine, along with members conducted by the Markaz registered in Chittoor, to 17 and was presided by lowed by districts of Gun- senior police official said action on at least 157 per- of their families and their masjid at Nizamuddin is Kurnool and Nellore dis- Moulana Saadh, head of tur (88), Anantapur (73), the FIR was filed under sons linked to the Tab- other contacts. The gover- turning into a disaster for tricts. the Markaz mosque. Tabli- Nellore (68), Prakasam Section 269, 270, 271 and lighi Jamaat now staying nment poured in manpow- Andhra Pradesh too. Adding to the crisis, peo- ghi Jamaat leader Ikram (67), Kadapa (59), Krishna 120B IPC at the Nizamu- at various masjids and er forming special teams Twentyone new coron- ple are falling for rumours Ali of Hyderabad super- (43), Visakhapatnam (42), ddin police station. other places in Delhi. that fanned out across all avirus (Covid-19) positive wherein even non-coron- vised the programme. Chittoor (36), East Goda- Delhi Chief Minister These include 94 from districts of Telangana for cases were identified in avirus deaths in the family State officials found 711 vari (27), West Godavari Arvind Kejriwal has Indonesia, 13 from Kyrg- the purpose. the state on Tuesday, tak- of any Delhi returnee is persons who attended the (16) and Vizianagaram appealed to religious lead- yzstan, nine from Bangla- In the city itself, 200 spe- ing the total to 44, out of being related to Covid. meet from Andhra (three). ers, irrespective of faith, desh, eight from Malay- cial teams including the whom 18 persons had Besides this, people who Pradesh, in which officials Many of these returnees to not organise any event sia, and some Indian nat- GHMC, revenue and returned from the meet. met any of the Delhi traced whereabouts of 626 transmitted Covid-19 to during the lockdown. ionals. The police warned police officials, fanned out Prakasam district tops returnees in various people and shifted them to their family members, Delhi health minister no “social distancing” is to trace, locate and get 603 the list, with 11 new posi- places in Guntur district quarantine The search is including their wives, and Satyendar Jain said 24 possible at these places Markaz attendees from tive cases, followed by are fearing community on for information on the the officials have shifted people had tested positive. and there was a grave the city to book. “It did Visakhapatnam (10), transmission and rushing remaining 85. them to quarantine. The Delhi police special public health risk. not help any that many of the addresses we had for these people were fake. It has been a Herculean task SC ASKS CENTRE WRITE TO BANK to locate them,” an official IN BRIEF said. TO PREVENT Centre to focus on urban areas IF YOU WANT A senior police official said, “about 90 per cent of DC CORRESPONDENT TO PAUSE EMIS Only BS-6 fuel the people state-wide who MIGRATION NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 visited Delhi for the reli- DC CORRESPONDENT MEDICAL GEAR EXPORT TO SERBIA KICKS UP ROW MADHUSUDAN from today gious event have been NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 The Union health ministry SAHOO | DC Hyderabad: India will switch traced. Those with symp- on Tuesday said that cities SRIDHAR in India by Serbia and “A second cargo Boeing NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 to cleaner BS-VI fuel from toms of Covid-19 were A day after the Uttar and states with the highest KUMARASWAMI | DC was flown from Kerala to 747 landed at Nikola April 1, joining select club of shifted to government Pradesh administration number of positive cases NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 Serbian capital Belgrade. Tesla Airport in Belgrade Several public sector countries. The new fuel hospitals and quarantine received flak for spraying are being treated as major The consignment repor- from Kerala, with 90 banks on Tuesday infor- contains just 10 part per centres for treatment.” migrant labourers with hotspots of Covid-19 and Ending a controversy on tedly includes “35 lakh tonnes load of medical med their branch heads million (ppm) of sulphur All put, official said, the some unspecified chemi- the government is making alleged export of protec- pairs of sterile latex sur- protective equipment as well customers about and reduce nitrogen oxide total number of Covid-19 cals, the Centre told the all efforts to focus on them tive medical equipment gical gloves”. bought by Serbia to com- RBI’s three-month mora- emissions considerably. The suspects in the state con- Supreme Court on to contain the spread of to Serbia in contraven- While the export of bat COVID-19”. torium on all term loans, switch to clearer fuel was nected to Markaz visitors Tuesday that there is a the virus. But at the same tion of a ban, a govern- latex gloves was banned, The reports said “the including home, auto planned in 2016 by the now may be in thousands. possibility that three out time it emerged that till ment official said the con- the government official cost for the transport of and crop loans and credit Narendra Modi government. “But we have to identify of 10 migrant workers now only 42,788 people signment did not contain said the government had the equipment was fully card dues. Private and Though public sector oil and trace every one of heading towards their vil- have been tested in the any item, whose export banned the export is on funded by the European foreign banks, however, marketing companies meet them and check them for lages are carrying the country so far for the dead- was prohibited. Nitrile Rubber (NBR) Union. haven’t begun the pro- April 1, 2020 deadline, auto symptoms,” he added. deadly novel coronavirus. ly virus. The official said 90- gloves. cess by Tuesday evening. companies got 10 day In the city, GHMC offi- The court was also told Since India recorded its tonne consignment was According to reports ■ Page 7: Cochin Port The pause on equated extension to sell vehicles cials were up and running by the Centre that now first confirmed positive purchased from vendors from Europe on Tuesday, tweeted about export monthly installments that run on older BS-IV early and formed 200 spe- there are no migrant case in Kerala on January (EMIs) won’t come into fuels. cial teams to identify 603 workers on the road, a 30, this means that an effect automatically. persons from the city who submission contradicted average of 713 tests have were 1,238 active cases, 123 tracing of those who testing facilities to detect “Customers need to attended Markaz. The by reports and images been conducted every day people have been cured attended the event. Covid-19 in every region. inform their banks that Euro chief warns teams inspected houses of coming in on Tuesday. in a country of 1.3 billion. while one left India. The government is fac- Defending the govern- they want to avail the 463 people and identified In its daily briefing, the During the last 24 hours, The sudden spurt in ing severe criticism for ment, ICMR scientist Dr benefit of the moratori- EU’s break-up that 74 persons have been Union home ministry said 121 new confirmed cases cases in the last couple of having one of the lowest Raman Gangakhedkar um. If there is a standing Brussels: Eurogroup presi- suffering from Covid-19 over 6.6 lakh stranded and and three deaths have days is being attributed to testing rates in the world. said so far 42,788 samples instruction, the cus- dent Mario Centeno warned symptoms, apart from destitute people have been reported in India, the Delhi mosque gather- Over 200 scientists and have been tested for Covid- tomer has to inform the the euro single currency various other ailments. been housed in shelter taking the total confirmed ing in Nizamuddin where members of the Indian 19 out of which 4,346 sam- bank that he want to could break apart if feuding camps across the country. cases to 1,397, and the 24 have tested positive so academic community on ples were tested on Mon- defer EMIs. Otherwise, governments don’t bury the ■ Page 4: A large group death toll to 35. By late far and health agencies Tuesday asked the govern- day, while the private sec- instalments will be hatchet and agree on a res- returned from Delhi by road ■ Full report on Page 5 Tuesday evening, there have intensified contact ment to rapidly enhance tor screened 399 cases. deducted,” a senior bank cue plan to help Italy and official added. Spain. The warning came as Another chief of a pub- the 19 members of the sin- lic sector bank said on gle currency still cannot OFFICIAL | APATHY Experts say TS would have seen fewer cases if suspects were traced earlier condition of anonymity, agree on a rescue plan to “Banks on its own unilat- reverse the impact of the erally cannot stop ECS coronavirus. — PTI payment due to legal issue but the customer has the option of request- Brokerages: Cut TS ignored Centre’s warning on Markaz ing bank to stop it.” The borrowers of pri- KANIZA GARARI I DC them are from one area. was attended only by men, They said they are now points, comes after six ernment about this risk on vate banks and foreign trading hours HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 It is suspected that this most of them middle-aged. scared after being brought deaths were reported in the March 21. banks, however, have Hyderabad: The Association could lead to a cluster The prayer meeting is an to hospital by health work- state. If that was the case, received text messages, of National Exchanges A total of 257 people who transfer of Coronavirus annual event and they go ers and the police. The The cluster of Indonesi- experts are asking why did alerting about the sched- Members of India (Anmi), attended a religious con- (Covid-19) in the state if a there every year. Members queue to get tested was ans, which was being trac- the Telangana government uled EMIs. The bank offi- which represents nearly gregation at Markaz majority of them test posi- claimed that all precau- fairly long and only six ked by the government, take so long to track these cial said customers are 900 brokerages, asked mar- Nizamuddin in New Delhi tive. So far, most of these tionary announcements people were allowed in the showed that there were people. getting such messages ket regulator Sebi reduce a couple of weeks ago came people do not have any made by the government room at a time. The Gandhi smaller groups which had The Indonesians have because the moratorium market hours four hours to the Gandhi Hospital for symptoms. These people were being followed at the Hospital got 15 teams ready splintered in different recovered completely and decision has to be from the current six hours testing on Tuesday. The said they had been to the meet, save the request not for testing purpose and directions. are fine, which implies approved by the board of 15 minutes. The brokerages testing was going on till Markaz, but as they had no to hold congregations. nasal swabs were taken. There are a lot of ques- that had the rest been each lender but in many body want the markets to late night as people were travel history to any for- Since there were no symp- The action of the state tions, which are now com- tracked on time, several cases the board meetings from function from 10 am to waiting for their turn. Of eign country, they did not toms in any of them, none government on Tuesday to ing to fore, especially after lives could have been have not taken place due 2 pm as against the present all the people who have suspect that they could of them felt a suspicion track, quarantine and test a note by Union home min- saved and any others to the lockdown. 9.15 am to 3.30 pm in view come from different parts have been infected by the that Covid-19 could strike all those who attended the istry which says that it had would have been spared of national lockdown. of Hyderabad, about 30 of disease. The congregation the gathering. event, and their touch- informed Telangana gov- the infection. ■ Full report on Page 9 CITY DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | WEDNESDAY | 1 APRIL 2020 pg 2

SHORT TAKES RLY MAKES TWO STATEWIDE HUNT FOR DELHI RETURNEES QUARANTINE COACHES Government is searching for those who attended the Tablighi Jamaat meeting in Nizamuddin, Delhi DC CORRESPONDENT HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 EFFORTS TO The South Central Railway 53 from Nizamabad attended event (SCR) on Tuesday completed TRACE TJ 19 from Warangal the conversion of two coaches NARENDER PULLOOR | DC Nizamabad district are of those identified is being should be up to those who into isolation and quarantine NIZAMABAD, MARCH 31 believed to have attended keenly observed by med- attended the Markaz to VISITORS coaches to help in the Covid-19 the Markaz meeting. One ical teams. Information is approach hospital author- response effort. Officials at the The police in Nizamabad of them is being treated in also being collected about ities and get tested, he LOOK-OUT FOR who took part in Carriage Workshop at district are searching for Gandhi Hospital in the people they have come said. Lalaguda modified two non- people who had attended Hyderabad and another in contact with. The district administra- AC coaches as prototypes. the Tablighi Jamaat meet- died in the Government A Muslim elder who did tion has tentatively identi- Each coach will have nine cab- ing at the Markaz mosque General Hospital in not want to be identified fied around 200 persons 1,030 prayers traced ins of eight berths. Two of in Nizamuddin, Delhi. Nizamabad. One person is told Deccan Chronicle, that who came in contact with these cabins can be used as Following directives from reported t be still in Delhi. people from Nizamabad those who participated in The Centre has ANUDEEP CEREMILLA attended the event, 19 have isolation cabins. the state government, offi- The address, contact num- district regularly attend the Markaz meeting. sent a district- I DC been traced. District col- The cabins will have a mos- cials have been searching bers and other informa- this religious meeting. They hope to trace the WARANGAL, MARCH 31 lector Rajeev Gandhi quito mesh, stainless steel bot- for the men who attended tion of the rest is being Retired men particularly rest during the lockdown wise break-up of Hanumanthu said they tle holders and power sockets. the religious programme collected. participate in Markaz period. the people who After six persons, who have shifted these persons The toilets have been modified as several people who did People from Nizamabad, meetings. Police, revenue, medical attended the two- took part in a Tablighi to an isolation ward and for more regular use. so have shown symptoms Armoor, Balkonda and He said it will be difficult and health teams are day religious Jamaat event in the are looking out for the It may be recalled that the of Covid-19 or have tested other parts of the district to find all those who have searching for whoever Nizamuddin area of Delhi rest. In Mahbubabad dis- Indian Railways has asked all positive for the disease. attended the Markaz meet- returned from Delhi and attended the Delhi meet- event at the died on Monday due to trict three persons who zones to submit designs for the Fifty-three persons from ing. The health condition trace their contacts. It ing from the district. Markaz masjid in coronavirus, officials of attended the event have conversion of coaches. Delhi’s the erstwhile Warangal been quarantined since The Railways will consoli- Nizamuddin. district have been alerted past two days ago. date all designs and pick the 1,030 persons by the state government to Two persons of Mulugu, best features from them to cre- identify all those who took who attended the meeting, ate a uniform prototype. This from TS attended part in the event. have completed their isola- prototype will be used across the event. Accordingly, various dis- tion period but are under the country to augment health trict administrations with- observation by the author- facilities being used for in the erstwhile Warangal ities. Covid-19. district area have swung One person each in into action and started Warangal Rural and tracing those who had Jayashankar Bhupalpally attended the Delhi meet- districts, who travelled to 603 ing as well as those with Delhi to take part in the GHMC LIMITS whom the returnees had religious event, have been ● Nizamabad 80 come into contact. home quarantined. ● In Jangaon district three None of the persons Nalgonda 45 persons who attended the traced out so far in erst- ● Warangal meeting have been traced. while Warangal district Urban 38 While two are asympto- have showed any symp- toms of coronavirus. Most A view of berths to be used as ● Adilabad 30 matic one has been found to be symptomatic. All of them have already been isolation cabins. ● Khammam 27 three have been shifted to placed in quarantine and ● Nirmal 25 Gandhi Hospital in have undergone tests, ● Hyderabad. One of the which turned out to be 300 CAMPS Jagtial 25 three owns a mutton shop negative. ● Sangareddy 22 in Veldhi village of Officials are in talks with FOR MIGRANT ● Karimnagar 17 Narmetta. community elders to trace After coming back from out those who are not will- WORKERS GHMC officials enquire about the people who attended a religious event Nizamuddin Markaz Masjid, New Delhi, ● Ranga Reddy 13 the event, he worked in his ing to identify themselves. between March 13 and 15. ● Mahbubnagar 11 shop for some days and Minister Errabelli ATHER MOIN I DC people bought meat from Dayakar Rao has also ● Bhadradri- HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 his shop. Officials said 35 appealed to people who Kothagudem 11 families in the village have attended the Tablighi Hyderabad police commis- ● Vikarabad 13 been isolated. Jamaat meet in Delhi to sioner Anjani Kumar on Search for 57 returnees in Karimnagar ● In Warangal Urban dis- voluntarily come forward Suryapet 10 Tuesday launched an aware- trict, of the 32 persons who for tests. ness programme on Covid-19 PULI SHARAT KUMAR them. that many of them might ment were given to inten- ● Mancherial 10 by the traffic police at MJ I DC It is learnt from the have contracted Covid-19. sify their search opera- ● Rajanna- Market. KARIMNAGAR, MARCH 31 health department that 57 In view of that, officials tions. Sircilla 9 Speaking to mediapersons on members from erstwhile of the four district are “With the information Search on for 38 from ● the sidelines of the event, Mr Suspecting the risk of con- Karimnagar district visit- directed to identify the received from ASHA Mahbubabad 6 Kumar said the state govern- tracting Covid-19, officials ed New Delhi to attend persons who attended the workers that four people ● Peddapally 6 ment was working hard to are in search of around 57 prayers at the Markaz mass prayers and had visited the Markaz ● Jogulamba Khammam, Bhadradri combat the Covid-19 crisis. members of erstwhile mosque. 25 are from returned to their native mosque and returned on Gadwal 5 The public was extending Karimangar district who Jagtial, 17 are from places in erstwhile March 19, we went and cooperation to ensure that the attended mass prayers Karimnagar, nine are Karimnagar district identified them and after ● Jangaon 4 RAVINDRA SESHU I DC ● OVER 2,000 dele- lockdown is successful. held between March 13 from Rajanna Siricilla and between March 17 and 18. conducting primary med- ● Nagarkurnool 4 KHAMMAM, MARCH 31 gates from India and He said that there were no and 15 at Markaz mosque six from Peddapalli dis- Four members who visit- ical tests on the four and ● complaints of shortage of in Nizamuddin, New tricts. ed the Markaz mosque on their family members, Yadadri- Fear has gripped abroad, including essentials in the city for the Delhi. These 57 members from were identified in including those who came Bhongir 4 Khammam and Bhadradri Indonesia and Malaysia, last five days. The GHMC has The medical and health old Karimnagar district Vemulawada of Rajanna in contact with them, we ● Medak 2 districts following reports had attended the started supplying food packets department alerted all dis- attended an ijtima (reli- Siricilla district and were sent 21 people to the main ● Medchal 2 that 38 persons belonging particularly to migrant work- tricts to trace the persons gious ritual) held in the sent to Siricilla govern- government hospital situ- to the two districts had Tableeghi Jamaat ers from Tuesday, he said. who returned from the middle of March every ment hospital to be ated in Sircilla,” Dr Rao ● Mulugu 2 attended the prayers held congregation. The Chief Minister has Markaz mosque. year in Markaz mosque in tested. said. ● Wanaparthy 3 by the Tablighi Jamaat in ordered that nobody should The authorities of four New Delhi. Speaking to the Deccan However, it is going to be the Nizamuddin area of however, have no informa- ● remain hungry. With this districts — Karimnagar, Thousands of people Chronicle, Dr Mahesh Rao an uphill task for the offi- Jayashankar Delhi. tion on the remaining 17 directive, and with the coordi- Jagtial, Rajanna Siricilla from many parts of the of Vemulawada said that cials of four districts to Bhupalpally 1 Over 2,000 delegates from persons who reportedly nation and all departments, and Peddapalli — intensi- state and even from receiving the orders from trace the remaining 53 ● Warangal throughout India and attended the religious con- including the police, local phi- fied search operations to abroad attend this ijtima collector D. Krishna members from four dis- Rural 1 abroad, including gregation in Nizamuddin. lanthropists, donors and identify the persons in and offer mass prayers. As Bhaskar, medical teams tricts along with others Indonesia and Malaysia, Authorities of Bhadradri- NGOs, feeding programmes their respective districts the meeting was held were alerted and instruc- who had come in contact had attended the Tablighi Kothagudem district too had started in every police sta- by appointing special before the outbreak of the tions to the employees with them keeping in view FOREIGN WORKERS Jamaat congregation in have identified 10 of the 11 tion, Mr Kumar said. teams to quarantine all of pandemic, it is suspected related to health depart- the present situation. OF THE TABLIGHI Nizamuddin West area of persons who attended the In Hyderabad 300 pockets JAMAAT, WHICH Delhi from March 1 to 15. Delhi meeting. Five of had been identified where HELD THE MARKAZ This area has now been them belong to migrant labourers stay. The EVENT, SPREAD IN sealed off following fears Kothagudem, four to city administration has given STATES AS ON that some of those who Manuguru and one is from this programme top priority, MARCH 21 attended the meeting may Charla. Bhadradri district the police commissioner 32 found by Adilabad riverside have contracted Covid-19. collector M.V. Reddy said ● added. Tamil Nadu: 125 According to details the 10 persons disclosed Mr Kumar said medical PILLALAMARRI SRINIVAS Penganga on the state in Delhi. Several people tests. The medical depart- ● Uttar Pradesh: available, 27 persons from their identity voluntarily examinations had been com- I DC border. who were at the event ment has also identified 40 132 Khammam district and 11 and have been sent into pleted on those who returned ADILABAD, MARCH 31 The police shifted the 32 were found to have symp- persons from Nirmal dis- ● Maharashtra: 115 from Bhadradri district quarantine. Tests have from other cities and foreign persons in a special van toms of coronavirus and trict who attended the attended the prayers. They been conducted on them countries. The Adilabad police shift- and took them to Jagtial have been home quaran- same event, and have ● Haryana: 115 were among the 1,030 peo- and their reports are await- He requested the public that ed 32 persons who were via NH-44 to avoid avoid- tined. The police got infor- quarantined them at TELANGANA ple of Telangana hailing ed. Officials are searching if any member of their family returning in a van to the ing going through vil- mation that 52 persons home. from various districts who for the remaining 17 per- shows symptoms of viral state after attending a reli- lages. The 32 persons from Adilabad district had Another 10 people who attended the prayers. sons in Khammam town infection, they should inform gious event at belong to Korutla town of gone to Delhi to attend the attended the event have 82 Following an alert, the and one in Bhadradri dis- the Covid Control or dial 100 Nizamuddin in Delhi, at Jagtial district. At least religious event, but the been identified in ● West Bengal: 70 Khammam district admin- trict. They are not avail- for the police. the state border and shift- six persons who had gone police is not sure where Mancherial district. istration identified and able at the addresses given “The health department will ed them to the quarantine to the Tablighi Jamaat they live. Those who are showing ● Karnataka: 50 quarantined 10 persons on on their railway reserva- guide you. If necessary we will centre in Jagtial on event at the Markaz Thirty of them have no symptom of the disease ● Madhya Pradesh: Sunday. District medical tion application forms. arrange facilities either at Tuesday morning. Police mosque in Delhi’s been home quarantined are asking to be allowed 49 and health officer Malathi G. Venkateswarlu, a their home or at Covid treat- shifted the vehicle with an Nizamuddin have died of and it was after observing home from quarantine said tests were conducted teacher of Khammam, said ment centres,” Mr Kumar escort from the Metpalli the novel coronavirus dis- their health condition that centres. ● Jharkhand: 38 and results that came out those missing must be said. police. ease. the authorities are look- Officials are having a Andhra Pradesh: on Tuesday showed that immediately traced. The police commissioner It is learned that the Meanwhile, the Adilabad ing for the rest. tough time tracing the none of them had contract- “Many of us are hoping said, “we have issued passes to police got the information police and medical and Some political leaders whereabouts of people ed the coronavirus. that the lockdown will end agencies rendering essential of the arrival of several health department are have objected to medical who have returned from 25 With this, Khammam dis- on April 14. We will be services and the traders of people who attended the looking for people from officers subjecting the abroad, since many of ● Rajasthan: 13 trict has retained its record freed of tension if the essential commodities. The religious event in Delhi Adilabad district who had Covid suspects to home them are not staying at the of having zero Covid-19 remaining 18 persons are purpose is to ensure easy sup- and had camped at river attended a religious event quarantine and medical addresses they gave. ● Odisha: 11 cases. The DMHO said they, accounted for.” ply of essential goods.” He requested that the passes not be misused. The additional commission- er of police, traffic, has Many returned 1 booked for fake launched a special drive to Air India flight evacuates curb misuse of passes and more than 45 vehicles have from Delhi by road been seized so far, Mr Kumar audio clip on virus said. From Page 1 Markaz. It was not imme- 38 German nationals He clarified that the expiry diately known if this DC CORRESPONDENT ● THE FAKE audio clip date of passes has been They were sent to the large group, belonging to DC CORRESPONDENT HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 was in circulation on extended for next week and Gandhi and Chest Jagitial, had travelled to HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 there is no need for renew it. Hospitals for further Telangana by road all the A man who shared his social media platforms screening. Another 348 way from Delhi. An Air India flight evacu- conversation with a doc- for quite a few days. It people were placed under In Vemulavada of ated 38 German nationals tor from Apollo Hospital contained a warning home quarantine while 41 Karimnagar, four of the (19 women, 17 men and on Covid-19 on social were shifted to isolation Markaz attendees, along two infants) from the city media, describing it as a that the virus would wards set up the health with 17 others from their on a special flight from the conversation between a infect several lakh of department. families, were moved to a Shamshabad airport on reporter and a doctor, and people if they failed to Across other districts of hospital in Siricilla, to be Tuesday. The flight had created panic among the Telangana, officials were placed under observation taken off from Chennai in citizens, was booked by take precautions. German nationals, who were stranded due to the coro- working overtime to trace and testing if required. the morning with German the Hyderabad cyber- and contact individuals In a sign of magnitude nationals based there. navirus lockdown, board a special flight for Mumbai, at crime police. lodged a complaint with who attended the Delhi of the task facing the gov- From Hyderabad, the air- Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad on The fake audio clip was the cybercrime police on event. In Warangal, 13 of ernment in tracing craft flew on to Mumbai to Tuesday. — PTI in circulation on social March 27. the 32 listed as attendees Markaz attendees and collect more passengers measures such as these. On March 28, the airport media platforms for quite The police said the were yet to be traced, their contacts, Niza- and fly them to Frankfurt. Special screening and had handled another spe- a few days. investigation revealed while in Adilabad, 32 mabad district officials The passengers were other safety measures cial flight to rescue IndiGo It contained a warning that the accused recorded Hyderabad Commissioner of more persons who were said that 53 persons were made to pass through a were put in place, includ- crew stuck in Hyderabad. that the virus would a casual conversation and Police Anjani Kumar launches travelling into Telangana identified along with 200 fully-sanitised Interim ing thermal screening and The airport’s cargo termi- infect several lakh of peo- circulated it through an awareness campaign to in a van, were stopped for of their contacts. International Departures mandatory social distanc- nal is fully operational ple if they failed to take social media. Notices control the spread of checks, to be discovered Officials are searching for Terminal, which was pre- ing via special queuing and is facilitating trans- precautions. have been served on the coronavirus. that they had attended the these people on Tuesday. pared for evacuation arrangements. port of essential supplies. The hospital authorities accused. CITY DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | WEDNESDAY | 1 APRIL 2020 pg 3

SHORT TAKES Question hour MAN WHO MADE Agents not willing to FAKE G.O. ON LIQUOR ARRESTED carry medical items JAYENDRA CHAITHANYA T. | DC HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 Despite proper documents, vehicles are not allowed A man from Uppal was arrest- KANIZA GARARI I DC required for emergency ed by the Hyderabad cyber- HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES TO MANUFACTURERS patients. There are high crime police for creating a ● Raw materials, chemicals for medicines end molecules which are fake government order (GO) Police action against phar- sent only by aircraft couri- on the opening of wine shops maceutical company ● Components to make masks, sanitisers er services and we need in the city, on Tuesday. The employees, drivers and ● them to be operational to police also booked a case on staff ferrying medicines Medical devices like gloves, consumables, dis- transport those goods.” four others for circulating the has raised serious con- posables, electronics, equipment, instruments, The Centre has issued fake information and served cerns and transporters implants and IVD reagents notices to the state govern- notices to them. are not willing to carry ments to allow vehicles On March 28, Excise depart- medicines, medical equip- SHORTAGE AT STOCKIEST AND CHEMIST carrying medicines and ment officials lodged a ments and other impor- POINTS medical devices and complaint with the cyber- tant medical devices. equipment to ply. But crime police that some Those who are stuck on ● Masks and sanitisers bureaucratic tangles are unidentified persons had cre- national highways, inter- ● making it difficult. “In ated a fake GO by forging the state borders are not mov- Prescription drugs under Schedule H states, police and collec- signature of the Director of ing at all as police officials ● Gloves, disposables, surgical masks and tors are not listening as Prohibition and Excise, that and local administrations surgical equipment they have not been sensi- wine shops will be opened. are being violent. tised by their senior offi- Police question the motorists for roaming on the streets during the lockdown in The fake GO went viral on Despite documents per- cials. This means that the Secunderabad on Tuesday. — S. SURENDER REDDY. social media and at several taining to medical equip- and prescription drugs for mit papers from industry order of the central gov- places the public had gathered ment, devices and invento- withdrawal symptoms are with government stamps. ernment, if it has reached at the wine shops believing it ries of products being not available in the mar- This has made it very the states at all, has not to be true. given to them, the move- ket. Stockists are not sup- difficult as these materials been communicated to The cybercrime sleuths iden- ment of vehicles is not plying products as the peo- are stuck at borders and officials. It is a clear case tified the origin of the post allowed. Official letters ple in depots are not pharmaceutical company of bureaucratic lapse.” Junior doctors in govt from Uppal, and held from government depart- reporting to work. There officials who have negoti- Mr Pavan Choudary, K. Sanish Kumar alias Sunny, ments are being demand- is no public transport for ated on behalf of compa- chairman, Medical Techn- 38. It was found that five oth- ed and providing them is them to travel. Despite the nies have also faced very ology Association of ers had circulated the fake not possible, say manufac- police issuing passes, they rough behaviour from India, said, “We have had hospitals get PPE, N95 order on social media plat- turers. Company officials, are not willing to come to police officials. the department of phar- forms, and the police served manufacturers, stockists work. Most of them are Mr Rajiv Nath, forum co- maceuticals, Cabinet Sec- DC CORRESPONDENT communication gap betw- society and is in an notices to them seeking an and distributors are talk- scared that they will be ordinator of Association retary and home ministry HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 een them. We were made immune compromised explanation. ing to officials but it is of beaten up. of Indian Medical Device to co-ordinate and instruct to work but no protection state. The parents are run- no use as the response is Similarly, those who live Industry, said, “We have the states to allow move- It took a warning from the was offered, which is not ning around for funds for ● ON MARCH 28, Excise different at the ground on inter-state borders are been talking to the central ment of medicines. We are Telangana Junior Doctors fair.” medicines. How did the department officials lodged a level. not able to come to work as government and they have hoping that they allow as Association to make the The 16 junior doctors child get Covid-19?” This complaint with the cybercrime Due to the lockdown, they have to cross borders understood the situation it is a major challenge co- government aware that and post graduates at lapse has put the health police that some unidentified inter-state borders are and that is a cumbersome but there are many chal- ordinating at the local there is no personal pro- Niloufer Hospital, who officials on the alert and persons had created a fake GO closed and convincing offi- task. This has led to prob- lenges and states have to level.” Delay in the supply tection equipment in came in contact with a they have asked junior cials on both sides to allow lems at the manufacturing co-operate. Their co-opera- of finished products will Osmania General three-year-old child in the doctors to directly report by forging the signature of the the vehicles to cross over level, delaying production tion in allowing workers, be covered as soon as Hospital, Gandhi Hospital general ward who tested to them if they find any Director of Prohibition and is a very difficult task of schedules. transporters and company states co-operate but the and Niloufer Hospital. On positive, are having mild suspicious cases or lapses Excise, that wine shops will be which most drivers are Interstate borders in officials to move the goods biggest challenge is at the Tuesday personal protec- symptoms of Covid-19. in providing facilities. opened. not capable of. south, west and north is very important. If they manufacturing level. tion equipment (PPE) and The first test has turned The office of health min- This has led to shortage India are where major do not help, there are com- Workers will not come to N95 masks were provided negative but they have ister Etala Rajendar has of medicines, equipment complaints have come, plaints of shortage of work till they are assured in all the three hospitals. been asked to stay at asked TJUDA to be in PRISON INMATES and devices in hospitals as from manufacturers and masks, sanitisers, person- that they will not be beat- A junior doctor said, home. This exposure has touch for any of their pro- well as with pharmacists. pharmaceutical compa- al protection equipment, en by police. Till that time, “We have been demanding also shown the lack of blems. The minister has BUILD HYGIENE Stents, pacemakers for nies, as police and collec- implants and many other there is no possibility of these masks and PPE clinical understanding at also asked Telangana St- cardiovascular diseases tors are demanding per- devices which are them returning to work. since the outbreak but no the government level to ate Medical Services and KITS FOR `900 one was listening to us. diagnose the disease. Infrastructure Developm- Hospital superintendents A senior doctor at ent Corporation to ensure T.S.S. SIDDHARTH I DC are not forwarding our Niloufer Hospital that there are enough HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 requirements to depart- explained, “The child is masks and personal pro- Rachakonda cops rush to help migrants ment. There is a major from the poor strata of tection equipment. In a bid to cater to the require- ment for hand-sanitisers, SANJAY SAMUEL masks, soaps and phenyl, PAUL | DC whose demand has risen HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 MANGO LOVERS astronomically, the prisons Students stuck in department, has come up A video made by migrant with a home health and workers about their sorry HIT BY CLIMATE, hygiene kit. plight, and sent to Deccan These kits which are manu- Chronicle, got them the Ukraine, need help LOCKDOWN factured by as many as 100 help they required. inmates are made in the Migrant labourers who ADITYA CHUNDURU | DC ● JAYANTH, A first-year DC CORRESPONDENT prison itself. work in the marble and HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 student of Bogomolets HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 The kit consists of two bot- granite stores at LB National Medical tles of phenyl, two containers Nagar, Nagole, and Several Telugu medical Mango production has of hand sanitiser, three bars of Chaitanyapuri are in deep students are stuck in University in Kiev, said undergone a slump this soap and 12 washable masks. trouble following the Ukraine due to the Covid- there are around 20-25 year as a result of a poor This kit is priced at `900, say nationwide lockdown. 19 pandemic. They have students from the Telugu winter that affected the officials of the department. A group of these work- appealed to political lead- states in his hostel. They trees and now a shortage It said that they would be ers, who made a video of ers from Andhra Pradesh are running low on of manpower to pick the able to do door delivery if their grievances and sent and Telangana to some- supplies and need their fruits in time has wors- there are 15 or more orders, it to Deccan Chronicle, said how get them out and families to send money to ened matters. making it suitable for a resi- they are without work, back home. survive. “More than one-third dential community or apart- income, or food. Jayanth, a first-year of the area allocated for ment block to purchase. The video was forwarded student of Bogomolets mangoes did not reap “We have seen that people to Rachakonda police National Medical power to keep the Indian any yield this year. Also, are scrambling for these commissioner Mahesh University in Kiev, the co- community safe and hea- a majority of mango hygiene products. So, we Bhagwat, who responded untry’s capital city, said lthy and to address their grown here in the state thought we can rope in the jail and made arrangements there are around 20-25 concerns in this difficult is of the pulp variety inmates to produce these for necessities and food for students from the Telugu situation.’ This is of little exported to the northern items on a large scale,” Rajiv the labourers till the lock- states in his hostel. They comfort to the students. states for manufacture Trivedi, Director General, down ends. are running low on sup- Sai, another student of juices, jams and other prisons and correctional serv- The migrant labourers Migrant labourers que in large numbers to collect the ration and money assured by plies and need their fami- from Hyderabad, said such products,” Dr G.V. ices, told Deccan Chronicle. from Rajasthan, Bihar, lies to send them large Indian students in Kiev Ramanjenayulu, execu- the government in Vittalwadi, Narayanaguda on Tuesday. — P. SURENDRA The prisons department has and Uttar Pradesh, work sums of money to sur- have to deal with racism. tive director, Centre for been receiving as many as in the granite and marble vive. “The prices of all “When we go to shops, Sustainable Agriculture 150 orders for these kits per stores, loading and Rachakonda police commis- Along with these 80 goods have gone up. they don’t treat us as told Deccan Chronicle. day. unloading the stone or as sioner Mahesh Bhagwat dis- migrant labourers, there Everything is two or equal to Ukrainians. Two of the most com- “One kit can last a family of polishers. They get a daily tribute necessities and food are other groups of three times more costly,” Recently, we tried to buy monly consumed vari- four for three weeks at least. wage of `500. From the to migrant labourers on migrants in this locality. he said. N95 masks at a pharmacy eties of mango are Beni- And, if used conservatively, it time the lockdown was Tuesday. The police have extended The Indian Embassy in but they refused to sell shan and Rasalu. Distr- could go up to one month,” he imposed, these men have a helping hand to all of Kiev is unable to help. them to us. Yesterday, a icts like Karimnagar in added. been jobless and therefore them. “The officer there told us female student from our Telangana and Kurnool For placing orders, it has have earned nothing Inspector Janaki Reddy it is impossible to organ- college was not allowed to in Andhra Pradesh are said that people should call and their savings have of the Chaitanyapuri ise a flight since both enter a supermarket. The hotspots for the Beni- 9866092127. been exhausted to the police distributed fruits Ukraine and India are not people there told her it shan variety of mango. point where they don’t to our native places,” them who are still here and later lunch was pro- allowing flights to oper- was only for Ukranians,” Official records show ● THE DEPT said it would be have money to pay for Ramjeet Rajdhar from while the rest have left for vided. The men also got a ate,”Jayanth said. he said. that mango plantation food. Siddharthnagar district of their native places hiding lecture on precautions The Indian Embassy’s The students are tweet- takes place on 2.8 to 3 able to do door delivery if “We are also worried Uttar Pradesh, who works in trucks. “I live in a they must take to protect website carries a notice ing to the handles of lakh acres and bears 10 there are 15 or more orders, that our landlords will as a stone polisher said in shared single room with themselves from the that says: ‘The political leaders, the lakh metric tonnes of making it suitable for a resi- now ask for room rent. We the video. eight persons. People liv- Coronavirus. A patrol car Government of India is Ministry of External fruit. dential community or apart- request the authorities to The group also men- ing in four rooms share has been attached to these committed to carry out all Affairs and the prime “There are mangoes, ment block to purchase. either provide us a place tioned that there are one bathroom,” said migrant labourers for necessary steps within its minister to help them. picked for manufacture to stay and food or send us around 80 people like Ramjeet Ramdhar. future assistance. of pickles this year, that are still lying in godowns as there is no transport willing to col- DRUG | ABUSE Sudden unavailability of liquor has forced addicts to get their highs from cough syrup, analgesic lect them. Growing man- goes has also become an arduous task because there is no manpower to come and collect the Medical shops become go-to places for alcoholics mangoes. Usually, by this time of the year, we VIKRAM SHARMA I DC to take anything to get high. ● PEOPLE USING cough non-availability of liquor. very confusing,” Dr Reddy also been witnessing mas- second group of people have receive several stock- HYDERABAD MARCH 31 Alcoholics are now getting “Whenever prohibition of added. sive abuse of drugs such as co-morbid mental health piles of the fruit in hooked on cough syrups, syrup or injections tend to liquor is enforced in any A doctor who has several buprenorphine, and cough issues such as depression, godowns at Uttar Pra- Late on Sunday evening, and injectable medicines, have extreme anxiety, state, people get used to VIP patients, disclosed that syrups and injections. anxiety, personality issues desh and Maharashtra, this 32-year-old complained both of which are cheap and memory impairment, other cheap forms of intoxi- it is not only the lower stra- “Most of the abusers of and they use alcohol as self- we do not have that as of nausea, dizziness, was easily available over the hallucinations, paranoia, cation,” he said. ta of society that consumes cough syrup or injections medication. This group also yet,” said S. Insram Ali, sweating profusely, and counter. Industrial spirits “While there is a sudden cough syrups to get high. take them in higher doses. starts looking for substi- president, mango appeared confused. His and even diluted bleach are restlessness, sleep surge of patients with alco- “Businessmen, housewives This causes dizziness, tutes when alcohol is growers association of father, a small-time busi- other options, besides adhe- disturbance, poor appetite hol withdrawals since the from affluent families too impaired judgment and hal- unavailable. India. nessman, frantically called sives used to patch up cycle and in extreme cases, last three days, some of have used it at some point or lucinations. Some cough An official in the Concurring with that, up a doctor and insisted that tubes and soles of footwear, cardiac arrests. them have also come with the other. After all, rock and cold syrups in higher Narcotics Control Bureau officials of the horticul- he wanted to see him right and other forms of glue and symptoms of usage of other stars and hip-hop artists too doses can cause life threat- (NCB) said that there is no ture department say away after home remedies whiteners. substances like cough have taken cough syrup, ening problems including way this misuse of syrups that the rearing of the failed to provide relief. According to officials easy task and comes cheap. syrups, some unknown liq- which sort of made it a cool cardiac arrest. I have per- and injections can be con- fruit took a hit due to The patient reluctantly dealing with narcotics and Moreover, now that medical uids mixed with industrial thing to do and people just sonally come across some trolled in the present situa- the lack of manpower informed the doctor that he doctors who were inter- shops are not insisting spirits and even diluted followed. In a situation youngsters who have been tion. which tends to the was addicted to alcohol. viewed by Deccan Chronicle, much on prescriptions due bleach,” says Dr Bharat where alcohol is not avail- using these forms of intoxi- “Panic buying of medi- orchards. “But now there is no alcohol the sudden unavailability of to the long queues amid the Kumar Reddy, senior con- able, the use of other cheap- cants,” says Dr Subhash cines has become the order “It is not just the lock- available, right?” the doctor liquor due to the lockdown coronavirus scare, it has sultant psychiatrist of ly available forms of intoxi- Kaul, consultant neurolo- of the day and how does one down that is to blame said. After persistent ques- has forced addicts to get th- become much easier,” an Apollo Hospitals. cation obviously goes up,” gist at KIMS hospital. tell who is buying the medi- here, even climatic rea- tioning, the patient admit- eir highs from other cheaply official said. “Because addicts have he said. Dr Bharat Reddy explains cine for what purpose? The sons like the lack of win- ted that he had been getting available substances. He says that though cough stopped drinking suddenly, In fact, states such as that alcoholics usually fall responsibility lies on ter, has also contributed high on cough syrups for “Purchasing a few bottles syrups, injections, adhe- they are experiencing alco- Bihar, which imposed total into two groups. One group the parents or spouses to to the lack of mango pro- the past one week. of cough syrup or injecta- sives, different forms of hol withdrawal effects. prohibition in 2016, saw a of addicts cannot tolerate check whether the family duction,” said Kiran With liquor shops shut ac- bles like Fortwin (a potent glue, ganja, etc., have They would also be having sudden spurt in the use of abstinence and develop member is consuming Kumar Adapa, associate ross the state, medical shops analgesic medicine used in always been used by addicts, the effects of whatever sub- other forms of intoxication. withdrawal symptoms and cough syrups or injections dean of the horticulture have become the go-to place the treatment of severe their use is bound to stitute they have taken, Punjab, which has many in desperation, use whatev- to get high in the absence of university in for those desperate enough pain) over the counter is an increase manifold due to making the clinical picture cases of drug addiction, has er substitute they can. The alcohol,” he said. Rajendranagar. CITY DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | WEDNESDAY | 1 APRIL 2020 pg 4

SHORT TAKES HALF SALARY, Workers angry with KCR over pay cut PENSION UNFAIR, SAY PARENTS Employees, families find decision unpalatable; move may also demoralise them amid Covid fight DC CORRESPONDENT employees. But, now they HARLEEN MINOCHA | DC HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 are pained as resources OTHER STATES HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 into exchequer ebbed for The decision of Chief KCR says state is revenue surplus, no fault of ours.” The Telangana Parents Minister K. Chandrashe- The state government GIVING ADVANCE Association (TPA) vehemently kar Rao to cut the monthly employees were looking opposed the state government pay of state government forward to amounts they PAY, SAY DOCTORS order to pay half the salar- employees by half has why cut salary, ask Congress, BJP might receive as arrears ies and pensions of state come as a shocker to and enhanced monthly KANIZA GARARI | DC employees and pensioners for employees. Though S.A. ISHAQUI I DC ● KOMATIREDDY VENKATA REDDY He said “while expendi- pay, once pay-revision HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 March. nobody has dared to chal- HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 ques- ture to deal with the coro- commission submits its Nagati Narayana, state pres- lenge it, considering the tioned how could the state became poor navirus situation should recommendations and the Upset that 50 per cent of ident, TPA in a letter to the war-like situation, the The state Congress has within less than 15 days and be unable to be the top priority, it can- same were implemented. their salary will be cut, Chief Minister over the issue phlegmatic posturing by strongly opposed the deci- pay the full salaries and pensions. not be used as an excuse to The PRC would have to be government doctors dema- said that it was irresponsible employees could not be sion of the state govern- cut salaries of govern- implemented from July 1, nded that they ought to be of the government to pass considered as a red her- ment to cut salaries of ment employees.” 2018. Now, with Covid-19 given a bonus and appreci- such an order during the lock- ring. government employees private and even unorgan- avirus operations and the Mr Komatireddy casting its darkest shadow ated. Instead, the govern- down. Through a late evening and slash pensions. BJP ised sectors for the lock- health, police, energy and Venkata Reddy reminded on prospect of implement- ment has angered them by “In the situation that we see government order (GO), state president Bandi down period. If the gov- municipal administra- that during the announce- ing PRC, government not even paying their dues today, the expenditure being the TRS government Sanjay Kumar also vehe- ernment cuts salaries, it is tions departments are ment of lockdown, the employees are despondent. , despite their working in incurred by the people is announced a 50 per cent mently opposed the deci- obvious that the private working round the clock Chief Minister had “They are now feeling it conditions where there is immense. Most of the salary pay cut to 70 per cent of sion of Chief Minister K. sector will take advantage basis to provide essential announced spending of would be enough if cur- not adequate personal pro- and pension goes into paying employees and pensioners Chandrashekar Rao. of it, Mr Sanjay said. services to the people dur- `10,000 crores to combat rent salary hits their tection equipment and N 95 rent and EMIs, stocking up — rest being staffers of Mr Kumar requested the Several Congress lead- ing the lockdown, employ- Covid-19 as Telangana accounts without a cut, masks to protect them basic essentials and fulfilling Public Sector Undertak- Chief Minister to recon- ers including MPs ees of other departments state is rich. leave alone a revised and from Covid-19. medical needs. ings (PSUs) and out- sider his decision of pay- Komatireddy Venkata are taking care of logis- He questioned how could enhanced pay check,” said Government doctors have Families are facing financial sourced employees. Even ing only 50 per cent of Reddy and A. Revanth tics and other managerial the state became poor a union leader. been messaging each other problems. This order will employees of PSUs, salary to government Reddy, former minister tasks.While demanding within less than 15 days The dole promised to on social media that the gov- defeat the spirit of the lock- including the Singareni employees, teachers and Mohammed Ali Shabbir, that the government issue and be unable to pay the government staff during ernment must take a look at down,” he said. Collieries Company Ltd, pensioners and deferring and TPCC treasurer a White Paper on the state full salaries and pensions. elections includes enhanc- other states like Tamil Nadu Mr. Narayana, on behalf of would also be affected salaries and pensions to 10 Gudur Narayana Reddy, finances and explain the Dr Sravan said state ing retirement age to 61 and Odisha where advance the Telangana Parents under the 50 per cent pay per cent of Class IV AICC official spokesper- sudden economic crisis, employees who had and scrapping of Contr- salaries have been given. Association, demanded that cut scheme, though the employees and pension- son Dasoju Sravan and Mr Shabbier Ali said, “it retired depend solely on ibutory Pension Scheme; “Doctors and healthcare the government retire the employees of electricity ers. TPCC spokesperson will be a shock for all the their pensions. f they get now, these two are also staff are carrying out untir- order and pay full salaries and department might be Expressing complete sol- Indira Shoban while employees to learn that only 50 per cent of their unlikely to happen. ing work in this pandemic pensions. exempted. idarity with Mr Rao’s opposing the state’s deci- they would be getting only pension at this crucial Employees are irked that and instead of rewarding A ballpark estimate is efforts to contain the sion said Mr 50 per cent of their salary hour they would suffer Chief Minister Rao sud- them, the TS want to impose that the monthly salary spread of Covid-19, he Chandrashekar Rao was this month.” mental agony and trauma. denly announced the deci- a salary cut of 50 pc,” asked bill of Telangana runs to pointed out that the Chief wrongly trying to take He accused the govern- Ms Shoban said that sion to cut their pay. “He one. SALARIES WILL almost `3,200 crore. Minister had declared advantage of an epidemic ment of forcing the instead giving incentives could have discussed opti- A senior doctor wrote, Excluding the electricity Telangana as a surplus to cut down the salaries of employees to share the to the employees who are ons and cut pay by 25 per “This is truly disgusting and NOT BE CUT BUT employees and outsourced revenue state. employees and pensions. financial burden of war on 24x7 duty since the out- cent and cut expenditure demoralising the doctor fra- employees, the salary He said, “I am unable to They said that the move against coronavirus. break of Covid-19, the on welfare schemes par- ternity. Instead of boosting DELAYED: STATE outgo aggregates to about understand how could the would demoralise the gov- Mr Narayana Reddy said move to cut salaries was tially too,” he said. our morale, the Telangana S.N.C.N. ACHARYULU | DC `2,850 crore. A cut by state financial position ernment staff which has that the Chief Minister inhuman. “The state is spending government is diverting our HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 means the state govern- deteriorated in less than been working relentlessly should first disclose the Congress leaders almost `25,000 crore for attention as we will not get ment will save `1,400 crore 15 days of announcing of for the last 10 days to pre- figures for funds spent by demanded that the gov- purchase of more than one our regular rightful salary. The state government has a month owing to this deci- the lockdown.” vent the spread of coron- the state government to ernment withdraw the crore metric tonnes of pa- Scarcity of funds is only an clarified that it has not cut the sion. He reminded that Prime avirus in the state. deal with the coronavirus decision for and re-assure ddy and entire output of excuse not to carry out their salaries of its employees but Despite the Covid-19 Minister Narendra Modi They said that employ- and the estimated revenue the employees they would maize. If the state had pur- duties and appreciate those has only deferred their pay- being a global crisis and had directed paying of ees of all departments are the loss to the exchequer not face any financial bur- chased only 50 per cent of who are fighting day and ment. no one being immune to it, salaries to employees of involved in anti-coron- due to the lockdown. den. these two crops, it could night with minimal It may be recalled that the Telangana government have utilised the remain- resources in hospitals.” Telangana government had staff find the pay cut an ing `12,500 crore for other The Telangana Joint earlier announced a cut in unpalatable decision, with salaries are deposited. There is also confusion ing “this is not the right activity. The service of things,” said a senior bure- Action Committee (TJAC) salaries of all government employee and their fami- There is still confusion whether it applies to per- time to blame it on govern- employees in making this aucrat. of health and medical dep- employees including All India lies being furious at Mr over the announcement sonal loans and credit ment”, said it is employees project a reality was not “CM Rao could have bal- artment got into action as Service (AIS) officers and pub- Rao’ decision. For almost made by Union finance cards, and if individuals who make any govern- small. Yet, today we are anced other welfare sch- doctors demanded that go- lic representatives including all employees who depend minister Nirmala should apply to respective ment scheme a success, being punished,” he said. emes to maintain salary vernment must be appri- MLAs. on salaries, the equated Sitharaman about morato- banks seeking to avail the though politicians take Leader of another union and pension bill. Instead, sed of their work and their Employees and others monthly instalments rium or deferment on EMI moratorium. Most employ- credit. said, “half pay would he forced his own mac- salaries must not be cut. thought that they will lose a (EMIs) of housing loan, payments, including if it ees, who would receive “Everybody perceived mean half work or half- hinery to sacrifice gove- The TJAC explained that part of their salary due to the car loan, personal loan, applies from April 1, only 50 per cent of salary, huge expenditure on hearted work. For that rnment staff earnings. out-patient department is government’s decision. and in some cases, house whether banks have cali- are keeping their fingers Kaleswaram project and matter, every scheme Maybe employees would everyday seeing patients According to an order issued rent, milk bill, grocery, brated their software to crossed. other irrigation schemes, launched by TRS govern- grudgingly hold their with cough, cold and fever by the state administration on cable TV bill, electricity defer deduction of instal- A several staff union close to ` 1.20 lakh crore, ment has been a big hit anger for now and uncork and many of them are not Tuesday, the government is bill, often empties the ments towards loans leader in Telangana, who an investment to generate with wholehearted and bottled-up anger later,” he revealing their travel and only deferring the payment of bank accounts where through auto-debit mode. requested anonymity say- a permanent economic full-fledged support of said. contact histories. salaries, wages and allowances. The order says due to the present crisis, the state gov- ernment has decided defer- Revanth opposes CM’s ment in payment of salaries from the month of March 2020, payable on 1st April. This order will be in force till decision on salary cut a further order is issued in this regard. IREDDY SRINIVAS tors and Class 4 employ- Pharma City complex in Officials too have clarified REDDY I DC ees and police, all of Ranga Reddy district. that only a part of the salary HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 whom are on 24x7 duty He said revenue will be paid for the month following the outbreak authorities are holding of March. The balance salary TPCC working presi- of Covid-19. a public hearing on will be paid to all at a dent and Malkajgiri The MP said: “The April 3 in this regard. later date. Officials maintain Congress MP Revanth country is facing a Mr Revanth Reddy also that the government is not in a Reddy has found fault calamity because of questioned the irriga- position to pay the full with the decision of Covid-19. In such a cri- tion department’s move salaries at present due to Chief Minister K. sis, the government calling tenders on financial constraints. Chandrashekar Rao to should not take hasty Monday for works to be impose 50 per cent cut in decisions.” undertaken for the third ● salaries of state govern- He regretted that on phase of lifting water OFFICIALS TOO have ment employees and one hand, the govern- from the Kaleshwaram clarified that only a part pensioners. ment was appealing that project. of the salary will be paid In an open letter writ- people stay away from “Is it time for tenders for the month of March. ten to the Chief gatherings and main- or conducting public The balance salary will Minister on Tuesday, he tain social distance. On hearing for land acquisi- opposed the decision, the other, it has asked tion,” he asked, appeal- be paid to all at a later stating that it will revenue officials to ing to the CM to re-think date demoralise employees, issue notices for land on the issues raised in paramedical staff, doc- acquisition to build the his open letter. Covid cricket

Youth kill time playing cricket in an open space near Jamai Osmania railway station on Tuesday. —GANDHI 2 nabbed for arson attempt JAYENDRA CHAITHANYA police found that they were Task Force Additional DCP they hatched a plan to dis- T | DC filled with kerosene, and it G. Chakravarthy. “They turb the peaceful atmos- HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 was an attempt to set ablaze closely observed the inci- phere in the city. the place. There was no dents in Delhi and at In the course of the inves- Two men from the city damage to property or life. Shaheen Bagh. They also tigation, police found that attempted to burn a reli- The South Zone Task watched the recent riots in Arshad and Wasi were also gious place, an RTC bus and Force sleuths on Tuesday Delhi on social media appli- involved in attempts to set an ATM centre. They apprehended Arshad, 22, cations. They were attract- ablaze an RTC bus at Kanc- hurled petrol bombs at the and Abdul Wasi, 20, both ed to the speeches against hanbagh, an Axis Bank religious place last week residents of the city, and the CAA and assumed that ATM kiosk at Chandraya- but there was no damage to childhood friends, for these their community may be ngutta and a religious place property or life, said the crimes. expelled from the country,” at Madannapet, said the Hyderabad police. The two were motivated Mr Chakravarthy said. Additional DCP. He said On March 14, some bottles by the imposition of the He said the accused further investigation is of liquor were found at a Citizenship Amendment believed that the Centre underway in all the three place of worship in Act and the National was suppressing the cases and the accused will Madannapet. On checking, Register of Citizens, said Muslim community and so be produced before a court. NATION DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | WEDNESDAY | 1 APRIL 2020 pg 5

SHORT TAKES TABLIGHI EVENT RINGS ALARM Lens on 299 from Assam who went to Delhi event MAHA ANNOUNCES MANOJ ANAND | DC tify and trace the persons the religious congregation report voluntarily to the told reporters, “We have decided to ease lockdown BELLS IN GUWAHATI, MARCH 31 who came in contact with at Nizamuddin in Delhi. nearest government hospi- received information that norm and said that con- 8% CUT IN POWER the patient and quarantine Asking the citizens to tal or by calling Helpline 216 persons from Assam struction of embankments KERALA TOO Assam health minister them to check the spread. voluntarily report them- no # 104. Please treat this had attended the religious and work in tea gardens TARIFF FOR 5 YRS Himanta Biswa Sarma The hospital sources said selves to health authority, as very important." congregation and out of and agricultural farms here on Tuesday said that that patient is resident of Assam health minister Pointing out that Assam them, 28 are from Nagaon would be exempted from DC CORRESPONDENT GILVESTER ASSARY | a 52-years old person who Karimganj and had trav- Himanta Biswa Sarma in government is now in pos- district. The Nagaon dis- the ambit of the lockdown MUMBAI, MARCH 31 DC travelled to New Delhi elled to new Delhi recently. an appeal through various session of a list of per- trict Deputy Commi-ssion- from April 1, that will free THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, recently was detected posi- He was first tested on means including social sons, who were present in er and Superintendent of lakhs of people from the The Maharashtra government MARCH 31 tive for coronavirus. March 18 and thereafter media also asked people in and around the hotspot Police told me that none of restrictions of social dis- on Monday announced an In a social media post, his sample was sent to neighbourhood either to near Nizamuddin Dargah the 28 persons have tancing. average of eight per cent elec- The death of a few due the minister said that NIV, Pune which on persuade or report about the health minister said, returned to the district so The cabinet meeting also tricity tariff cut for the next to Covid–19 who attend- coronavirus positive Tuesday confirmed that the presence of such peo- “We’ve alerted district far. But we are alert. The decided to allow all trucks five years to help business and ed the Tablighi Jamaat patient was undergoing patient was suffering from ple on helpline number administrations to find figure may go up. I appeal carrying food items and people tide over the Covid-19 religious congregation treatment at Silchar Covid-19. 104. out if these people have to the people who attended other essentials stuck at crisis. While the industry has in Nizamuddin has Medical College and his In related development He said, “"If there is any- returned to Assam. We the Nizamuddin event and Sri Rampur gate along the been given the highest bene- prompted Kerala condition was stable. The Assam government on one from Assam who have also issued strict returned to the state to Assam-West Bengal bor- fits, farmers will have to con- authorities to sound an minister, however, refused Tuesday launched a attended the religious con- instructions to quarantine immediately voluntarily der from April 1. Besides, tend with one per cent reduc- alert in the state to to divulge more details in search operation and gregation of Tablighi them if they are in the report to the nearest gov- the state government also tion in electricity costs, locate people who this regard as detection of sought help of citizens in Jamaat at Hazrat state.” ernment hospital.” allowed to open all facto- according to an official state- returned from the Delhi a positive case involves a tracing the whereabouts of Nizamuddin in Delhi, The minister of state Meanwhile, Assam gov- ries producing rice, flour ment. event. series of exercise to iden- 299 persons who attended please IMMEDIATELY health Pijush Hazarika ernment on Tuesday and biscuits. According to an official What is of concern for statement, the Maharashtra Kerala is the death of a Electricity Regulatory retired professor who Commission has approved a belongs to Melevetti- 3 FROM ODISHA move to cut tariffs by an aver- puram in Pathanam- age of seven to eight per cent, thitta who died while WHO ATTENDED which is first such measure in taking part in the the past 10-15 years. New tariff Nizamuddin event. M will be implemented from Salim died of cardiac DELHI EVENT April 1. arrest on March 24. Meanwhile, the Mahara- As the results of his IN ISOLATION shtra government on Tuesday samples are awaited, it has decided to pay the salaries cannot be said conclu- AKSHAYA KUMAR of the elected representatives sively that he died due to SAHOO | DC and government employees in Covid–19. BHUBANESWAR, MARCH ‘two installments’ to combat The funeral of the 31 financial crisis owing to the patient took place in outbreak of coronavirus. The Delhi as the body could Odisha government has government alleged that the not be brought to his identified three persons decision was taken as the native place because of who attended the reli- Centre failed to pay its dues of the nation-wide lock- gious congregation at `16,654 crore of the financial down. Hazrat Nizamuddin in year 2019-20. After reports came in Delhi. The identified A Government Resolution that ten persons who persons have been kept (GR) issued later said that took part in the event under hospital quaran- elected representatives died of Covid–19, 25 par- tine while efforts were including the chief minister, ticipants were tested on to find if more per- ministers and MLAs will get positive and 700 have sons had attended the their salaries for March with been quarantined, the event. 60 per cent deduction. The Pathamathitta district “So far we have identi- salaries of group A and B will administration is not fied three persons who be deducted by 50 per cent. taking any chances. attended the religious Six persons who congregation and returned from Delhi Hazart Nizamuddin and COPS ASK BJP after attending the event they are currently under and two persons with hospital quarantine. MLA IN WB TO whom he stayed in Delhi Our surveillance teams have already been put are working to find out if STAY AT HOME on home quarantine. any more persons had The district adminis- attended the event. RAJIB CHOWDHURI | DC tration is preparing a Family members of the KOLKATA, MARCH 31 list of people with whom identified persons have Salim came into contact been kept under home An MLA in West Bengal has recently. All will be put The house of a person who attended the religious congregation at a mosque in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area being sanitised at Velladichivila near isolation,” Odisha gov- been allegedly threatened by under quarantine. Nagercoil on Tuesday. - PTI ernment’s Covid-19 chief the police to stay home or face spokesperson Subrato action after he was found dis- Bagchi said on Tuesday. tributing food among people Mr Bagchi said the near his residence at CE Block Covid-19 situation in in Salt Lake for the past three Migrants may Odisha was quite under days amidst nation-wide lock- J&K bizman feared to control as there has not down due to Covid-19 pandem- been any addition to the ic as the death toll rose to 3 affected persons since with the total number of con- be virus carriers, March 26 and attributed firmed cases at 27 in the state. the credit to the over- On Monday evening a senior whelming support of the officer of the Bidhannagar be ‘super spreader’ people to the lockdown North police station knocked Centre tells SC call by Prime Minister the door Sabyasachi Dutta, the Narendra Modi. New Town legislator who Man travelled by air, train and road; attended Delhi event DC CORRESPONDENT were being taken to test “So far, 473 samples recently defected from the NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 and segregate positive have been examined out Trinamul Congress to the BJP. New Delhi, March 31: A Being referred to as a tined. On March 16, the least four people from cases from others. of which three tested He told him that he would Srinagar-based business- “super spreader” by some, businessman, little sus- Bandipora district who A day after the Uttar Separately, the Union positive. However, we not be allowed to step out of man who attended the officials said the Kashmiri pecting that he might be a had attended his Sopore Pradesh administration home ministry said in its are not complacent nor home further due to the lock- Tablighi Jamaat congre- businessman left Delhi on full blown case of Covid-19 congregation and maybe received flack for spray- daily briefing on Tuesday do we think it’s an down. gation in Nizamuddin March 9 and took a sleeper and a carrier of the virus, more as well. ing migrant labourers that over 6.6 lakh strand- achievement. We are Mr Dutta, who was also the travelled by air, train and coach of a train for took a flight to Srinagar The passenger lists of with some unspecified ed and destitute people taking all precautions to Bidhannagar Mayor during road to Delhi, Uttar Deoband, where he attend- from where he drove to the flights on which he chemicals, the Centre told have been housed in ensure that the disease his stint with the Trinamul, Pradesh and back to ed a meeting at the Darul Sopore in north Kashmir, travelled were also pulled the Supreme Court on 21,000 shelter camps does not assume serious wondered, “Why can’t I help Jammu and Kashmir Uloom seminary. about 54 km away. out and every individual Tuesday that there is a across the country and proportions. Many of the people in their need if the before he died of Covid-19, Two days later, on March Two days later, he was picked up and put possibility that three out over 23 lakh people are our cities and towns like ruling party’s leaders are raising fears he may have 11, he took another train returned to his home in under necessary quaran- of 10 migrant workers being provided with food Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, doing the same?” infected many others to Jammu. Srinagar, again by road. tine, they said, adding the heading towards their vil- at these camps. Puri, Bargarh and On Tuesday morning when along the way, officials Tracking the travel his- “He complained of chest two doctors who had lages are carrying the The Supreme Court, Jeypore have equal or he was about to go out of his said on Tuesday. tory of the man, who was pain and normal flu on examined him were also deadly novel coronavirus. hearing petitions seeking more per-square-km residence, another cop visited Among his possible vic- in his mid-60s, officials March 21 and was taken to taken for quarantine. The court was also told directions to provide food population than Rome, and cautioned him that he tims is a doctor battling said many of the passen- a nearby hospital and Authorities across the by the Centre that now and shelter to migrant New York and San would be booked in a case for life in a Jammu hospi- gers travelling with him later to the super specialty country have swung into there are no migrant workers, told the Centre Francisco,” said Mr which may lead to his arrest. tal. in the trains have been put SKIMS hospital in Soura action to trace the con- workers on the road, a that with summer knock- Bagchi. Undeterred, Mr Dutta how- The businessman died under quarantine after on the outskirts of tacts of those who attend- submission contradicted ing there should be ade- Stating that 57 persons ever vowed to go out to help on March 26 in a Srinagar authorities dug out their Srinagar,” an official said. ed the Tablighi Jamaat by reports and images quate water, including were kept under hospi- the people. hospital, 19 days after he details. Doctors were initially of congregation, attended by coming in on Tuesday of drinking water, food, tal quarantine, he said “The threat and warning by set off for the national In Jammu, the business- the opinion that he had a hundreds of people, thousands of migrant beds, medicine and peo- 11,575 people with for- the police reflect the state gov- capital. man met up with his doc- pollen allergy, common in including from Malaysia, workers stuck at borders, ple should not face any eign and domestic travel ernment’s excesses,” he He could have infected tor friend and both Kashmir during spring. Saudi Arabia and sleeping under flyovers, force or intimidation at history were advised claimed. scores of people during addressed a religious con- The next day, however, Indonesia. on footpaths, bus stands. the camps. home isolation. State BJP president and his travels and about 300 gregation in a mosque in his condition deteriorated Delhi Health Minister “We are trying to ensure “You will ensure that all On Odisha’s migrant Midnapore MP Dilip Ghosh, people have been put Samba on the outskirts of and he was shifted to the Satyendar Jain said 1,033 that no migration is per- those whose migration workers stranded in also a resident of Salt Lake, under quarantine because the city. Chest and Disease people in Nizamuddin mitted. It would be risky you have stopped are other states, Odisha rushed to Mr Dutta who later of him, officials said. The two were together Hospital in the city where West have been shifted to for them and for the vil- taken care of in terms of home secretary Sanjiv met a senior officer of the Recapping his move- till March 16 and stayed at he died on March 26. various places. lage populations. So far, food, shelter, nourish- Chopra said senior offi- Bidhannagar Police ments, they said he left by a lodge, since sealed, in The elderly gentleman “An estimated 700 people rural India is unaffected ment and medical aid,” cers were in touch with Commissionerate to allow his air from Srinagar to Delhi Bari Bramhmana outside was the first coronavirus who attended this congre- by coronavirus but there Chief Justice Sharad A. their counterparts in social work. on March 7 to attend the Jammu city. fatality in Jammu and gation have been quaran- is possibility of three out Bobde told the Central other states to ensure congregation of the The doctor, now in a Kashmir, which has tined while around 335 of 10 moving from cities government, represented shelter and food to them. Tablighi Jamaat, an ortho- Jammu hospital in a criti- reported 55 cases. people have been admitted to rural areas carrying by Mr Mehta. In Jharsuguda, health WON’T GIVE MP dox Muslim organisation cal condition, belongs to As news spread about to hospitals,” he told the virus,” solicitor gen- CJI Bobde, heading the minister Naba Kishore at the centre of the coron- Rajouri district of Jammu the death, officials began reporters. eral Tushar Mehta told bench, also emphasised Das said the state gov- FUNDS, SAYS avirus spread with 24 of region, officials said. At tracking his movements Besides, all those who the court, without speci- that shelters should be ernment would set up the 2,000 odd participants least 45 people from his closely. He is believed to participated in the event fying how this figure was free from the use of force Covid-19 hospital in all AIMIM MP testing positive. area have been quaran- have spread the virus to at are being screened. arrived at, or what steps or intimidation. 30 districts.

Aurangabad, March 31: Aurangabad Lok Sabha MP and Maharashtra AIMIM chief Imtiyaz Jaleel on Tuesday said Not the time to his local area development 20,000 houses marked home quarantine funds were meant for his con- stituency and he would not DC CORRESPONDENTS increase the number of up medical facilities to be after the doctor was tested March 10, and visited the find faults: Centre hand it over to the Prime NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 food distribution centres expedited,” Lieutenant positive, a similar notice clinic with symptoms of Minister’s Relief Fund in view from the present 500 to Governor tweeted. was put outside the Covid-19. The doctor was of the novel coronavirus out- Over 20,000 houses have 2,500 so that social distanc- Maujpur clinic asking peo- exposed to the virus when New Delhi, March 31: need to understand and break. been marked as “home ing is adhered to effective- Another doctor tests ple who came in contact the 38-year-old woman vis- Amid apprehensions of appreciate that this is not He said there were many quarantine” by the Delhi ly. Home quarantine has to positive with the doctor to quaran- ited the clinic on March substantial spread of the time to do any fault problems in his area that need government in the wake of be strictly monitored. Another doctor from a tine themselves. 12, according to Delhi Covid-19 after a religions finding. What is impor- to be tackled and he would use the novel coronavirus out- More than 20,000 homes mohalla clinic in Delhi The first doctor had con- Health Minister congregation in tant for us is to take the funds, also called the break, Lieutenant have been identified by has tested positive for tracted the coronavirus Satyendar Jain. Nizamuddin in the action as per our contain- Member of Parliament Local Governor Anil Baijal said GNCTD for home quaran- coronavirus. infection on March 21 Five days later, she tested national capital left many ment process in any area Area Development fund, for on Tuesday. tine,” he tweeted. A notice outside a com- from a 38-year-old woman positive. That day, the doc- infected with the virus, where a positive case gets this purpose. Taking to Twitter, the L- In another tweet, the munity clinic in Delhi’s from Dilshad Garden, who tor was also admitted to the Health Ministry on reported,”Agarwal said “I had got a call from the G said the number of food Lieutenant Governor said Babarpur asked patients had visited the doctor’s the hospital. Tuesday said it was not in response to a question Union Urban Development distribution centres will that the decision to who visited the clinic private clinic on March 12, According to informa- the time to find faults. on whether there was an ministry on Tuesday about also be increased to increase food distribution between March 12 and 20 with symptoms such as tion available, five more The Delhi Police has “intelligence failure” on handing over funds to the PM ensure social distancing centres was taken after to quarantine themselves cough and fever. persons had tested posi- cordoned off a major area the administration's part Relief Fund. I welcome the in the national capital. reports that social distanc- at their homes for the next It may be noted that tive for the virus from in Nizamuddin West to prevent the religious steps taken by Prime Minister Baijal held a meeting ing norms were violated at two weeks. Delhi has recorded nearly direct contact with the where many people mass gathering. Narendra Modi to fight the with Chief Minister some centres. This is the second such 50 cases in the last two woman – her mother, showed symptoms of Meanwhile, Delhi Chief novel coronavirus outbreak. Arvind Kejriwal, Chief “My advice to adminis- incident at a Delhi mohal- days as the Covid-19 count brother and two daugh- coronavirus and 24 have Minister Arvind Kejriwal But the MP fund is for con- Secretary Vijay Kumar tration & police is to keep la clinic in one week. crossed the 100-mark; two ters, and a relative who tested positive after tak- on Tuesday said 1,548 peo- stituency development,” he Dev and Police very strict watch on social The clinic in Mohanpuri deaths have been reported picked her up from the ing part in a religious ple have been evacuated said. Commissioner through distancing & home quar- area of Maujpur was from the city so far. Delhi airport on her congregation that was from Nizamudddin He said he would hand over a video conference to dis- antine. Take deterrent closed and sanitised. The chain of infection at arrival. attended by over 2,000 markaz (centre) here of letter about his funds to the cuss measures to combat actions for any violation & The doctor’s wife and Maujpur started with a Some 74 persons in her people. which, 441 were hospi- district and state administra- Covid-19. ‘ widely publicise. daughter also tested posi- woman who returned neighbourhood are also “With respect to the talised after they showed tion in a day or two. “It has been decided to Separately, action to ramp tive for coronavirus. Soon from Saudi Arabia on under watch. Nizamuddin area, we all coronavirus symptoms. EDIT DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | WEDNESDAY | 1 APRIL 2020 pg 6

1 APRIL 2020

More vigilance needed Subhani to keep Covid-19 at bay he sudden outbreak and detection of a large number of coron- avirus cases that can be traced back to a thousands-strong reli- gious congregation held in New Delhi’s Nizamuddin area, that has Talready caused the deaths of at least 10 Indians and one foreigner in different parts of the country (including six in Telangana), is a warning on the perils of not taking “social distancing” seriously. At least 250 for- eign nationals — including from virus-hit Malaysia and Indonesia — had come to attend the congregation hosted by the Tablighi Jamaat at its Markaz facility in the first half of March, many of whom were among the 1,500-odd people still there on Monday, when the city’s health authorities swung into action and took at least 300 of them to hospitals. At least 24 of them have tested positive. True, the event was held before the lockdown went into effect in Delhi and the rest of India, but given the flurry of advi- sories early on cautioning people against gatherings of large numbers of people due to the virus threat, the actions of both the Tablighi Jamaat and LETTERS the governmental authorities in allowing it to carry on was irresponsible, to say the least. The area was finally cleared on Tuesday morning, with DISINFECTANTS the police moving 700-plus people to quarantine in different parts of the Overcoming effects of city, and a police case lodged against the mosque administration, but the In these times of the coro- damage has largely been done. While the Talbighi incident is a wake-up call on the consequences of navirus epidemic, it is cor- slackness in the face of a health emergency, the callous actions of those in rect medical procedure to authority in the face of the grave humanitarian crisis that we face — par- spray disinfectant on visi- ticularly the plight of migrants with no food or shelter who feel compelled tors. This is not a new pro- to make the long trek homewards — is also a cause of great alarm. The ill-conceived policies shocking action of the municipal authorities in Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh cedure. For centuries, dis- — in hosing down a large group of migrants on the move with a chemical often exceeding 60,000 they said, the restrictive infectant usage is being solution described by some as “insecticide” — was brutal and inhuman, to per square mile. India episodes may be shorter, practised in every hospital say the very least. In the face of outrage in the social media after a video has over 410 million with longer intervals of the spraying went viral, and vociferous protests by Opposition leaders, Mohan workers in the unorgan- between them. Clearly, across the world in one the district magistrate of the area was forced to admit that the municipal ised sector, the vast the nationwide simulta- way or the other. Let there authorities had “gone too far”, but who will be held responsible for this Guruswamy majority of whom are neous social distancing be no sentiments attached horror? This was one more example, if any was needed, that the rights and daily wagers making a norms’ imposition was protections that our middle classes take for granted — even in extraordi- little more than the pre- ill-conceived. to this practice. Because of nary times — do not seem to apply to the poor in India. scribed official wage and The IMF has now not carrying out such prac- There was no real alternative to the nationwide lockdown that was often much below that. announced a global tices in the initial stages on announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a week ago. Those who This working age cohort recession due to disrupt- foreign visitors, the entire believe that it could have been avoided just need to look at the plight of t has been three finding a home in human is mostly made up of ed supply chains and New York — a shining symbol of the richest and most powerful country in weeks since the beings. Covid-19’s natur- younger Indians. The contraction of consump- world is suffering. the world — which now threatens to be the epicentre of the coronavirus World Health al reservoir seems to be youthful age group (14-35 tion. In India, consump- T. Satvik Rithika pandemic — to see what could have happened had India delayed any fur- Organisation dec- bats, like the earlier years) accounts for about tion (C) accounts for 63 Secunderabad ther. But our government failed to realistically assess the impact this lared a Covid-19 coronaviruses Sars and 34 per cent of India’s pop- per cent of GDP. Given measure would have on the most vulnerable sections of our population, Ipandemic. It’s not the Mers. But the fact ulation. This cohort is GDP is = C + I + G + (X – and plan accordingly. Some steps are now being taken, but much more world’s first coron- remains the spread of about as much as the 35- M), or GDP = private con- EXEMPT PENSIONS needs to be done. avirus. We have had Covid-19 has been faster 65 years cohorts. Thus, sumption (C) + gross The coronavirus crisis has unset- Sars, Mers, H1N1, swine in areas with colder even if the pandemic is investment (I)+ govern- tled the financial position of not flu and the like, some climes. real for India, the fatality ment investment + gov- only Centre but also of all the states. with much higher rates The essential facts due to it will be very low. ernment spending (G) + CM K. Chandrashekar Rao’s deci- A political pardon of fatality. But this is about Covid-19 is that The vast majority of (exports – imports), the sion to pay reduced salaries is a unique in its sweeping while it is virulent, its Indians who might get impact of the collapse of step in the right direction to mop up ri Lanka refuses to be accountable to the world for the war crimes virulence. America’s fatality is around one per infected by Covid-19 private consumption in revenues to meet medical expendi- committed in the course of winning the war against the Liberation Centres for Disease cent, and this is princi- won’t even know it. the economy can be easi- tures. But to reduce the payment for STigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The decision of its president Gotabaya Control (CDC) says the pally concentrated Now assume that the ly understood. Many pensioners is certainly unfair as it Rajapaksa to pardon the solider R.M. Sunil Ratnayake is not only deeply annual percentage of the among the elderly and Covid-19 pandemic will respected analysts are is already a hand-to-mouth situa- disappointing but also sends quite the wrong signal to the UN and the US population infected already ailing. Its symp- overwhelm India, and agreed that it will be no tion for many of them with rising world that the island nation will not bow to international opinion on with the flu is about toms are mostly akin to consider India’s abysmal less than 20-30 per cent in rents, living and medical expenses. respecting the law against war crimes. eight per cent, which common seasonal flus healthcare scene. We Q1. The government They have no other means to sur- The hand of the Rajapaksas, who returned to power last year, is behind translates to 26 million often attributed to a have six physicians; nine pledged to step up its vive except with the existing pen- this decision to exonerate the only soldier of five who had been sentenced people a year. Of these, change of season, etc. hospital beds and 13 spending by `1.7 lakh sions with hand loans etc. to death for a war crime in the village of Mirusuvil in December 2000 the CDC estimates up to Covid-19 can only be con- nurses per 10,000 people. crores. We won’t go into Katuru Durga Prasad Rao where the Sri Lankan Army had killed Tamil civilians who had returned 60,000 persons die. It firmed by testing and the Nationwide, we have less how this was arrived at Hyderabad home to the Jaffna Peninsula to see the state of their village. The decision stands to reason that cheapest test costs about than 40,000 ventilators now, but just consider is seen to be linked to the parliamentary polls that were to be held on April many more in India get `5,000 each. Clearly, we and only 70,000 intensive how inadequate it is 25, but which were postponed due to the global pandemic. afflicted by flus and cannot afford to test care beds. This calls for a compared to the hit EXODUS TRAGIC How exceedingly political the brothers — President Gotabaya and Prime influenzas each year, enough, which means we policy that will help stag- taken by consumption. The exodus of migrant workers to Minister and former President Mahinda — can be is signified in their possibly with larger won’t ever know how ger the load and allow The government clearly their home states has added a tragic chauvinistic support for Sinhalese soldiers and their disregard of the fatalities. many immu- needs to do more. It dimension to the Covid-19 related Human Rights Council of the United Nations that has been fighting for Given this knowledge areTACKLING COVID-19 nity to needs to pull out all the lockdown. The dread of starvation accountability in war crimes. The island’s history was punctuated with and some very recent truly build stops to do this. and the urge to seek refuge in the extreme violence in the three decade war against the Tamil rebels of the hindsight, it’s time to sit afflicted by the virus. up without overwhelm- The question is: where safety of home has overwhelmed equally brutal guerrilla force of the Velupillai Prabhkaran-led LTTE. His back and objectively The average life ing the critical care sys- is the money? Even if it their fear of catching the infection own death, as well as that of his elderly father and his minor son, are reconsider the draconian expectancy of Indians is tem. sequestered 20 per cent in the midst of their desperate jour- thought to have been engineered in possible war crimes generally attrib- policy measures unleash- 68.7 years. The above-65 Harvard’s Yonatan of the cash reserves with ney. Would they have embarked uted to the command of Lt General Shavendra Silva, who was the Army ed in India. The four years cohort accounts for Grad, professor of our 100 top corporations, upon this arduous journey had the Commander at the time of the final battle. If the soldier had not been par- hours to midnight order only about six per cent of immunology and infec- it will be substantial. The host states taken care of them when doned, he would simply have stayed in jail as the nation has suspended for a nationwide “cur- India, which suggests tious diseases, and col- top 10 corporations alone they had no income to meet their executions, making it clear that the Rajapaksas are using him to make a few” to enforce social dis- that the incidence of leagues conducted have a hoard of over `10 basic needs? statement of political intent in this selective exoneration. tancing has caught our fatality here will be research on how to pre- lakh crores. (Reliance G. Thirupathaiah public and administra- lower. Bubonic plague vent overwhelming the has cash reserves of Kothapet tion woefully unpre- has a mortality of over 80 US healthcare system `398,000 crores. TCS has DECCAN CHRONICLE pared. The consequences per cent, while even during the pandemic. almost `100,000 crores, of Covid-19 to the Indian diphtheria has a mortali- This indicates the only ITC has `60,000 crores.) Attempt on Basu’s economy and consequent ty rate of 32 per cent. possible method for deal- Our government’s wage ADITYA SINHA T. VENKATESWARLU life: One held Editor Printer & Publisher loss of lives and longevity Covid-19 is not a killer ing with the epidemic and pensions bill seems likely to exceed virus. In developed coun- may be multiple “inter- accounts for 11.4 per cent PATNA, March 31 DECCAN CHRONICLE offices are located at: the loss due to any mass tries like the United mittent” social-distanc- of GDP. Holding back Mr Jyoti Basu, Marxist former spread of the virus. States, Italy and else- ing periods that ease up only 10 per cent of this, Deputy Chief Minister of West Hyderabad: 36, Sarojini Devi Road, Secunderabad - 500 003, Ph: 040-27803930-4; Fax : 040-27805256 Epidemiological stud- where with substantially when cases fall to a cer- or just the annual LTC, Bengal, escaped unhurt after an Vijayawada: No.C-3 & 4 Patamata, Industrial Estate, Auto Nagar, Vijayawada (A.P.), Ph: 0866- ies by several well- higher life expectancy, tain level, and reimposed will fetch the Central and unknown assailant had fired a 2555284/2555287; Telefax: 0866-2555234 regarded institutions the 70-plus cohorts are when they rise past a key state governments over shot at him at Patna railway junc- Visakhapatnam: Survey No.1/3A Beach Road, Near Kailasagiri Ropeway, Sector-9 MVP Colony, threshold. As time pass- `2 lakh crores. It only Visakhapatnam - 530 017 (A.P), Ph: 0891-2552333/2552334; Fax: 0891-2755285 like MIT and the Global much bigger. The mor- tion this morning. But an officer Rajahmundry: Vemagiri, Dhawaleswaram Rd, Rajahmundry, Ph: 0883-2417618/2417208; Telefax: 0883- Virus Network (GVN) tality rate has been the es, and more of the popu- calls for will and vision of the Life Insurance 2417208 seem to suggest that this highest in Italy, with lation gains immunity, to accumulate the cash to Corporation, Mr Ali Imam, was Anantapur: Thapovan colony, Bangalore By-Pass Road, Anantapur - 515004, Ph: 08554-276903; Fax: particular coronavirus is about nine per cent. begin reconstruction of a hit by the bullet and was killed. 08554-276904 endemic in populated Almost 86 per cent of The only possible devastated economy. The The assailant who Mr Basu Karimnagar: Survey No.1341, Vavilalapally Colony, Jagityala Road, Karimnagar - 505 001, Ph: 0878- areas falling in the tem- Italians who died were pain cannot and must pointed out made his escape in 2228908; Telefax: 0878-2220433 perature band of 3-17C over 70. Italy has the sec- method for dealing not be borne by the poor- the large Nellore: Survey No.527/2, Burranpur Village, Venkatachalam (M), Chemmudugunta Panchayat, Nellore, with a humidity between ond oldest population in with the epidemic est alone. PM Narendra crowd gath- 50 YEARS AGO IN Ph: 0861-2348581/82; Telefax: 0861-2348580 51-79 per cent. These the world after Japan, may be multiple Modi has formidable ered to Chennai: SP-3 Developed Plot, Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032, Ph: 044-22254747/ communication skills, 48/50/51; Advt Fax: 22254765/22254766/42305325 findings suggesting a with over 23 per cent ‘intermittent’ greet the and he must use it now. Bengaluru: 5th Floor, BMTC Commercial Complex, 80 Feet Road, Koramangala, Bengaluru-560 095 Ph: correlation between lati- over 65. Experts believe social-distancing Marxist 080-43460500; Fax: 080-22960552. tude and incidence have this was the determining leader as he Coimbatore: 77, Vivekananda Road, Ramnagar, Coimbatore - 641 009, Ph : 0422 2231255 the powerful endorse- factor in its high periods that ease The writer, a policy ana- arrived from Calcutta. Kochi: No.3-B, 3rd Floor of DD TRADE TOWER, Kaloor-Kadavanthara Road, Ernakulam, Ph: 0484- ment of Dr Robert Gallo, fatality rate. up when cases fall lyst studying economic Police later took into custody 4039408 famed virologist and The goal of social dis- to a certain level, and security issues, held one man on suspicion. They also Thiruvananthapuram: St Joseph�s Press, TC 15/1040, Cotton Hill, Thycaud (PO), Thiruvananthapuram GVN head. tancing is a hugely unful- senior positions in gov- took possession of a car parked 695 014 Mind you, it’s been just filled aspiration. The and reimposed ernment and industry. outside the staircase as also the Kozhikode: Door No 6/1002 E, First Floor of City Mall, Opp. YMCA, Kannur Road, Kozhikode - 673 when they rise past He also specialises in the 001, Fax : 0495 4019 018 a few months that Covid- poor in India live cheek car of Mr Ali Imam. Gram: CHRONICLE Postal registration no: No. H/SD-348/2006-08 19 jumped species by by jowl, with densities a key threshold Chinese economy.

here is nothing quite like a also expressed the desire to be up in his face, burning him and his and beauty. one is to use these microscopic global pandemic to remind around long enough to see it entire house: he had not found the In the modern iteration of this tech- machines to cure life-threatening Zarrar you of your own mortality, is through. Seeing as the Qin state was secret of immortality, but had in fact nique, a company called Ambrosia, diseases like cancer, delivering their Khuhro Tthere? All day long, we are also arguably the world’s first proper discovered gunpowder, which has led not by count Dracula, but by a Dr payload directly to malignant cells. subjected to an ever-increasing tally police state, he simply ordered his played a major part in ending so Karmazian, is infusing the blood of Similarly, custom-built nanobots are of infections and deaths, as if the governors to search for the elixir of many lives since then. the young into the veins of the old, a being designed that could actively whole world were glued to the score- immortality, and newly discovered Of course, the quest did not start process it claims can rejuvenate the work to remove the plaque that boards of a morbid, seemingly never- records show a fascinating series of with the Chinese. The ancient Epic of recipient at the trifling cost of up to builds up in arteries leading to heart ending Olympics. At some point, you exchanges between an increasingly Gilgamesh revolves around the $12,000 for two litres of a young per- attacks and disease. Extend that con- have to wonder if you too will end up impatient emperor and “assorted mythical king’s search for the plant son’s plasma. While the US Food and cept and you could, sooner than you as a statistic on a government chart. awkward replies from regional gov- that confers immortality, and millen- Drug Administration has warned think, have armies of nanobots in But, as singer Hank Williams ernments who had failed to find the nia later we have the apocryphal that this treatment has “no proven your body repairing cellular damage lamented, “No matter how I struggle key to eternal life”. quest of Ponce de Leon for the clinical benefit”, effectively shutting in real time. and strive, I’ll never get out of this Qin Shi Huang died at the age of 49, Fountain of Youth. down Dr Karamazian’s business, the The most promising frontier for Since millennia, world alive,” and while we will, as a but the quest continued for millen- And today, we have medicine overall anti-aging industry is consid- life-extending technology lies in the species, survive this latest plague, it nia, with subsequent emperors and replacing sagas and superstition, ered to be a safe investment bet, field of genetic research, where sci- is also certain that, at some point, noblemen remaining wedded to the and we have scientists looking to given that, according to Merrill entists are studying the genetic man has strived our individual lives will come to an idea of discovering the elixir of succeed where heroes and kings Lynch, it is expected to reach a value structures of long-lived species like end. After all, only two things are immortality, often with deadly failed. The end-goal, however, of at least $600 billion by 2025. whales, turtles and tortoises in an certain: Death and (depending on results. Ironically, the elixirs brewed remains the same: to defeat or at That is a lot of money, and so you effort to unlock their secrets. As where you live) Taxes. by Chinese alchemists were better least delay death. can expect that a lot of different tech- creatures age, their DNA strands to either defeat Still, trying to forestall the suited to ending lives rather than That is not to say some of these niques are being tried right about become increasingly prone to dam- inevitable has always been a human prolonging them, containing as they techniques are not inspired by leg- now, such as organ replacement age and breakage, and learning to obsession, and it is no different when did toxic metals and minerals such end and history. Bram Stoker’s technologies, in which the most control that may prove to be a key to or delay death it comes to trying to outwit or dodge as mercury, lead and arsenic. Dracula believed that “the blood is promising is currently the prospect longevity. This is what the future death itself. Over 2,000 years ago, Qin An even greater irony perhaps is the life” and so did the real-life ‘blood of 3-D printing working human holds, let us see if we live long Shi Huang, the first emperor of unit- that the experiments of one countess’ Elizabeth Bathory, who organs to replace failing ones. enough to see it. ed China, proclaimed a dynasty that alchemist, who was using saltpetre reportedly bathed in the blood of Nanotechnology offers another life- “would last 10,000 generations”. He in his concoctions, ended up blowing young women to preserve her youth line with two potential applications: By arrangement with Dawn NATION DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | WEDNESDAY | 1 APRIL 2020 pg 7

SHORT TAKES ARMYMEN TOLD Kerala records second Covid-19 death NOT TO SHARE VIDEOS IN UNIFORM Health officials on high alert as the deceased had no travel history; efforts on to trace origin of infection DC CORRESPONDENT DC CORRESPONDENT ventilator support till NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, death. MARCH 31 During the course of his Indian Army on Tuesday treatment in ICU, the man 7 persons test +ve for virus, Oldest patients in issued an advisory asking its Kerala recorded second suffered paralytic stroke personnel not to share videos death due to Covid-19 on and cardiac arrest. in uniform on social media Tuesday after a 68-year-old What is bothering the state recover fully sites as it can reveal their per- man, who had no travel authorities now is the lack 1.63 lakh under surveillance sonal identities. history, succumbed to the of clarity on his travel DC CORRESPONDENT deft handling by doctors There have been certain infection at the details. DC CORRESPONDENT ● KASARGOD HAS the piratory problems . The THIRUVANANTHPURAM, and nursing staff, they cases in recent times where Trivandrum Medical Before being admitted to THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, highest number of people samples of such persons MARCH 31 could be brought back to personnel from defence forces College Hospital. medical college hospital, MARCH 31 in hospitals 163 followed will be taken and set for life. One of the nurses who have been honey-trap by the The death of the Covid-19 the patient had visited sev- by Kannur 108 and testing. Kerala’s oldest Covid-19 treated the couple con- Pakistan’s spies on social med- patient Abdul Azeez has eral places attended mar- Seven more persons tested The facilities of patients Thomas, 93 and tracted the infection. She ia like Facebook. Last year, troubled the health riages, funeral ceremony, positive for Covid–19 in Malappuram 102. Kasargod medical college his wife Mariyamma, 88, has been extended all sup- Indian Army was able to iden- authorities as he had not went to government Kerala on Tuesday taking has been improved by have fully recovered from port from the government tify around 150 social media reported any travel histo- offices to collect pension, the total number of infect- found negative. This was turning it into Covid the infection. for treatment. profiles of Pakistani spies wh- ry. Efforts are now being took part in prayers in ed persons in the state 215. disclosed by Chief Hospital. Kasargod central The couple who contract- Meanwhile, Kerala ich were using various modus made to trace the origin of mosques. Of the seven cases, two Minister Pinarayi Vijayan university has received ed the infection from their police on Tuesday warned operandi to try to trap its men. infection. The authorities suspect each were reported from at a press conference after the nod from ICMR for son, daughter-in-law and of arrest and cases again- “It has been noticed that The state had reported that he might have come Kasargod and Thiruvan- a high level review meet- starting testing facilities. grandson who returned st persons sending April serving Indian Army person- its first Covid- 19 death on into contact with people anthapuram, one each ing. He said as of now Vijayan said the state is from Italy on February 29, fool messages pertaining nel are creating or sharing March 28 when a 69-year with infection during from Kollam, Thrissur there is no indication of facing a problem in con- were successfully treated to Covid-19 and lockdown. videos on social media giving old-man died at the these events. and Kannur respectively. community spread at the nection with the people at the Kottayam Medical Those found to be send- their identity as also in Ernakulam Medical The authorities could not Baring one person, all con- moment. who have returned from College. ing such messages will be Uniform. All personnel are College. take much details about tracted the infection He said laboratories in Nizamuddin in Delhi and Health minister K.K. arrested instantly. advised to follow existing The health officials have his travel because of criti- through contact. the state had started col- Malaysia after attending Shailaja hailed the recov- In a statement here, state guidelines and refrain from begun a detailed exercise cal condition. As on Tuesday 1.63 lakh lecting more samples with the Tabligi conference. It ery of the elderly patients police chief Lokanath such activities,” said the advi- to locate the primary and His native village people are under surveil- improvement in testing needs to be examined who had developed severe Behara said such fake sory on Tuesday. secondary contacts of the Pothencode and adjoining lance including 1.62 lakh facilities. More samples whether such people have complications warranting messages intended to An army dossier last year patient who was a retired areas have been put under under home quarantine, are being collected and contracted the infection. ICU support during the make fool of people, will had warned its men against additional sub inspector of total lockdown and sur- 658 persons admitted to sent, reports being pro- The police has conducted treatment. Apart from car- be viewed seriously. Cases honey-trap by Pakistan spies police. veillance has been stepped hospitals including 150 on cured in time. a detailed inquiry and diac problems, the elderly will be registered under who create fake female pro- Azeez was admitted to up in areas bordering Tuesday. The Chief Minister said with the help of district persons had blood pres- relevant IPC sections as files on social media like the Trivandrum Medical other panchayats. Kasargod has the highest a special action plan collectors have prepared sure, hypertension and fake messages could cause Facebook, Twitter or Instagr- College on March 23 after Meanwhile, health min- number of people in hos- would be implemented in list of people who partici- urinary tract infection. distress and fear among am. It had asked its personnel he developed symptoms of ister K.K. Shailaja said the pitals — 163 followed by Kasargod which is the epi- pated in these confer- During the treatment the people . The people cre- to avoid accepting friend requ- Covid-19. body of the patient would Kannur 108 and center of the infection. ences. Thomas had also reached ating such messages, shar- ests from unknown people, He was in a highly criti- be buried complying with Malappuram 102. Panchayat level data will Required preventive a critical stage and was ing and forwarding these avoid suspicious websites and cal condition since past the World Health Of the 7455 samples sent be collected of persons measures will be taken at even put on ventilator sup- on the social media would not to take calls from or chat five days and remained on Organisation protocol. for testing 6,380 have been with fever, cough and res- the district level. port, however, due to the be taken into custody. with unidentified people. It had advised its men to change the privacy settings on Face- book and other apps to “only COCHIN PORT Taking Covid head on friends.” TWEETED Migrants beat CONG ASKS GOVT ABOUT EXPORT TO SCALE UP youth to death From Page 1 NAYEAR AZAD | DC ● A CASE against six COVID-19 TESTING with agency inputs persons was registered in The European Union PATNA, MARCH 31 Muzaffarpur under rele- DC CORRESPONDENT had announced the 93 vant sections of the IPC, NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 million euro package for A person was allegedly Serbia, which provides killed by a group of men further investigation into Expressing apprehensions immediate as well as in Bihar’s Sitamarhi dis- the matter is underway. that India might soon enter short and medium term trict for informing the ● HUNDREDS OF such the phase 3 of the Coronavirus assistance to help Serbia health authorities regard- migrants have defied outbreak, the Congress on to fight Covid-19. ing two migrants who Tuesday asked the govern- According to the Indi- returned from Mahar- restrictions imposed on ment to scale up testing as an government notific- ashtra following the coro- their movement and advised by the World Health ations in the past few navirus lockdown. are trying to reach their Organisation. It also demand- weeks, the items that are The incident occurred villages on foot ed that a consolidated amount prohibited for export in- in Madhaul village under of `10,000 be put into Jan clude N-95 masks, surgi- Runnisaidpur block on SP Anil Kumar said. Dhan accounts of all vulnera- cal masks, disposable Monday. Thousands of migrants ble sections. masks, all ventilators, According to reports, who work in other states According experts in the textile raw materials for Bablu Kumar, 24, had have been returning to field of medicine, the situation masks and coveralls, informed the local health their homes after the on Tuesday points towards the NBR gloves and medical authorities that the union government country entering stage 3 of goggles. However, the migrants from imposed a 21-day national Coronavirus transmission, items that can still be Maharashtra could be lockdown to prevent the Congress Spokesperson exported include gloves infected with the deadly spread of deadly coron- Manish Tewari said address- (except NBR gloves), coronavirus. avirus. ing the media through video- surgical blades, PVC Based on the informa- Fearing that migrants conferencing. conveyor belt, plastic tion provided by the returning in large num- “The only antidote to Covid- tarpaulin and certain youth the health officials ber may pose a threat of 19 spreading is test, test and kinds of breathing appli- carried out extensive community spread the more test,” he said adding that ances as well as well as Railway employees make sanitisers during a nation-wide lockdown in the wake of coronavirus pandemic in Prayagraj screening of both the sus- state government has set this is what has been advised ophthalmic instruments on Tuesday. — PTI pects who were later up isolation camps near by the WHO. and appliances. released with the advice the border to quarantine He noted that India was pos- On March 28, the of home quarantine. people who are reaching sibly one of the countries Cochin Customs had Sources said that the Bihar. which has tested the least. “We tweeted, “Cochin Cust- entire exercise angered Reports, however, sug- have tested only 32 out of 10 oms in action to clear a both the migrants who gest that hundreds of lakh people. Compared to this, consignment of 35 lakh along with their other such migrants have in England, 1,921 out of each pairs of sterile latex sur- friends attacked Bablu defied restrictions 10 lakh have been tested, while gical gloves to Serbia to while he was on his way imposed on their move- in America the number is support the global war back home on Monday ment and are trying to 2,600,” he said. against Covid-19”. evening. He was later reach their villages on Tewari also sought govern- It may be recalled that rushed to Sri Krishna foot in the absence of any ment intervention on the in a video-conference on Medical College and public transport. plight of migrant workers and Monday evening with all Hospital in Muzaffarpur Meanwhile, on Tuesday landless labourers. 130 Indian envoys posted where he was declared a person from Gopalganj abroad, Prime Minister “brought dead.” district with a travel his- Narendra Modi had According to Sitamarhi tory to Dubai has been U.P. AMBULANCE asked the Indian envoys SP Anil Kumar, the case found infected with the “whether we can source against six persons was coronavirus. WORKERS GO ON medicine, and other registered in Pradip Das, Director of items” from abroad to Muzaffarpur under rele- ICMR Rajendra Memorial STRIKE tackle the situation. All vant sections of the Research Institute, which envoys were directed by Indian Penal Code and is conducting the bulk of DC CORRESPONDENT PM Modi “to identify in further investigation into coronavirus tests in the NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 their countries of accr- the matter is underway. state, said the latest case editation ... sources to “Case has been was that of a resident of Demanding immediate release procure medical equip- registered on the basis of Gopalganj district who of pending salary and protec- ment, for India’s fight the statement given by had returned from Dubai tive gear, the association of against Covid-19”. All the deceased’s brother. before the lockdown came ambulance employees in Uttar the Missions shared the Two persons have been into force. Pradesh has stopped work situation in their coun- Jail inmates stitch arrested and a manhunt According to health from Tuesday afternoon. The tries of accreditations masks at Mathura has been launched to nab department reports, 1051 association of 19,221 workers and had also apparently district jail in others. The case is being samples of suspected which includes pilots (drivers) highlighted the items Mathura on investigated from all coronavirus cases have and emergency technicians which are available in Tuesday. — PTI angles as the matter could been tested in the state of also alleged that their are not that country which cou- also be related to some which 16 have been found provided with basic protective ld be imported by India. local dispute”, Sitamarhi positive. equipment. General secretary of ambu- lance employees association, Brajesh Kumar told this news- SCARE | CONTINUES MP Chief Minister expresses concern over spike in cases paper that employees are not Centre to ensure paid salary since January and workers working on ambu- lance are exposed to infection due to lack of protective gear. movement of trucks Indore records 25 new cases in 24 hours “102 and 108 emergency ambulance services in Uttar DC CORRESPONDENT ● A SPECIAL team has RABINDRA NATH outbreak”, a senior Indore ● AT LEAST 31 people According to each of the devotees who Pradesh are managed and NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 been deployed in the cen- CHOUDHURY | DC district officer told this who attended the Tabligh Intelligence sources, at attended the conference in operated by a private operator tralised control room set BHOPAL, MARCH 31 newspaper. Jamaat religious event in least 107 devotees who MP and quarantine them. GVK — under contract with After managing to con- up in the home ministry Chief Minister Shivraj attended the religious con- Sources said some of the the state government. There tain the large-scale move- Indore, known as ‘mini- Singh Chouhan also Delhi recently have taken ference in Delhi have fled devotees have fled to a vil- are a total of about 4,500 such ment of migrant labour- Mumbai’ of India, has expressed serious concern shelter in two religious to MP after nationwide lage on the outskirt of ambulances deployed across ers/workers, the home diately do a detailed sur- turned new hotspot of over the spike in con- places of minorities in lockdown was declared on Bhopal following the move the state. 19,221 workers — ministry is working with vey of all trucks parked coronavirus outbreak firmed cases in Indore Bhopal. March 22. Out of them, 31 to quarantine them. drivers and emergency techni- states to ensure that thou- on highways and roads in with the city witnessing a while reviewing the situa- ● are currently staying in In another development, cians — are posted to these sands of trucks stranded their areas and identify record 25 new Covid posi- tion at a high level official THE ALERT by two religious places of the state government has ambulances are on contract on national and state those with important tive cases in the last 24 meeting held here on Intelligence was issued in minorities in Bhopal. initiated a probe to find with the private firm,” Kumar highways with essential items. hours. Tuesday. the wake of six devotees The alert by intelligence out if any devotees who added. commodities are allowed “The issue now is to As many as 17 new coro- With this, the total num- who attended the was issued in the wake of attended the religious con- According to Kumar, ambu- to move. ensure supply chains of navirus positive cases ber of coronavirus posi- conference in Delhi six devotees who attended ference held in Tablighat lance workers do not have A special team has been all essential commodities were reported in one day tive cases in MP rose to 64 succumbing to Covid-19 the conference in Delhi in east Pakistan in the sanitisers, gloves or proper deployed in the cen- are fully functional and on Tuesday in Indore, tak- Of the five deaths due to in Telangana recently. succumbing to coron- middle of March this year masks. “We have not received tralised control room set the raw material for them ing the tally of confirmed the virus reported in MP, avirus in Telangana have visited MP recently. salaries for three months. up in the home ministry. should reach the facto- cases in the city to 44. Indore accounted for three Meanwhile, at least 31 recently. Meanwhile, the state When we go to fill oxygen, peo- After tackling the issue ries, else the production On Monday, eight new deaths. people who attended the Chief Minister Shivraj government asked police ple don’t allow us inside. We of thousands of stranded too will be hampered,” a Covid positive cases were Meanwhile, one more Tabligh Jamaat religious Singh Chouhan on to book the violators of told the local chief medical workers walking back to senior official said. The reported in Indore. Covid patient in the state event in Delhi recently Tuesday convened a high lockdown under appropri- officer to arrange better sup- their villages, next on the MHA is also working with “It is a matter of grave succumbed to the virus on have taken shelter in two level official meeting here ate sections of Indian plies but got no response. Our MHA’s priority list is to the surface transport concern. We will enforce Tuesday taking the death religious places of minori- to take stock of the situa- Penal Code, indicating to vehicles have not been sani- ensure the smooth move- ministry to ensure that lockdown in the city strin- toll to five in the state. ties in Bhopal, intelligence tion in the wake of the enforce the lockdown tised either,” said an ambu- ment of trucks. State offi- the toll for these trucks is gently to bring Indore out The patient died in has alerted the MP govern- development. strictly. lance driver. cials were asked to imme- waived. of red zone of coronavirus AIIMS, Bhopal. ment. He ordered to identify WORLD DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | WEDNESDAY | 1 APRIL 2020 pg 8

IN BRIEF Pastor held for New York hospital doc Hungary govt’s sweeping ignoring orders Miami: An evangelical pastor powers sends alarm bells in Florida was arrested on Monday for “repeatedly” prepares for the worst Brussels, March 31: Eu- The European protect the public health ignoring confinement orders ropean Commission chief Commission will of our citizens,” she intended to slow the spread Ursula von der Leyen closely monitor, in a spirit of added. of the coronavirus by holding This is going to be a long and drawn out battle says Patel warned on Tuesday that cooperation, the application But, in a clear but services with hundreds of coronavirus emergency of emergency measures in unstated reference to people, police said. Pastor New York, March 31: ● a little quicker in seeing tal, Patel is also worried measures taken by EU events in Hungary, she THE WAVE of virus all member states, We all Ronald Howard-Browne, 58, With the rapid rise of hos- patients at Beth Israel and assessing and getting about transmitting the countries must be “limit- insisted: “Any emergency was arrested for unlawful pitalisations and a health the treatment plan for virus to his family. ed”, after Hungary’s need to work together to measures must be limited corresponds to the one master this crisis assembly and violating quar- system nearly at capacity, inundating New York City, each patient,” Patel pre- He lives with his 80-year- nationalist leader Viktor to what is necessary and antine orders while holding New York doctor Shamit dicted, noting they “may old father, who suffers Orban took on sweeping strictly proportionate. which shot from 463 con- — URSULA VON DER LEYEN two services on Sunday in Patel is preparing for the have to double or triple the from Parkinson’s, and his powers. European Commission chief They must not last indefi- the eastern Florida city of worst over the next few firmed cases two weeks number of patients you're aunt, who has cancer. “I Brussels’ top official did nitely.” “Democracy can- Tampa, prison records show. days, all while hoping he ago to 36,000 on Monday. seeing.” don’t want to come back not single out Orban or not work without free and The pastor "intentionally and won’t have to start choos- ● FOR PATEL, the worst But, he added worriedly, here and actually give it to Hungary by name in her pletely agree”. “That’s independent media,” she repeatedly disregarded state ing which coronavirus “you can’t really go more them because I don’t think statement, but it came a why the Hungarian state said. and local public health patients to treat. would be a situation simi- than triple the number of they would do well at all,” day after he adopted rule of emergency and extra- Hungary is threatening orders, which put his congre- Just 10 days ago, only lar to that in certain patients you’re seeing in a he said. by decree, claiming ordinary measures are prison sentences for jour- gation and our community in half of the 46-year-old regions of Italy, where the day and provide effective He maintains the mini- extraordinary powers congruent with the tre- nalists who publish what danger,” tweeted internist’s patients at health system is so over- treatment.” mum two meter (six-foot) ostensibly to combat the aties and Hungarian con- it deems “falsehoods” Hillsborough County sheriff Beth Israel — one of the whelmed that it can no In addition to the limita- distance and uses antibac- Covid-19 pandemic. stitution and targeted about the virus or the Chad Chronister. Mount Sinai hospitals in longer take care of all tions of healthcare per- terial wipes generously, “The European exclusively at fighting the measures against it. Manhattan — were suffer- patients. sonnel, Patel is worried while ensuring his rela- Commission will closely coronavirus,” he insisted. Critics at home and ing from Covid-19. “We’re about a potential shortage tives have enough food. “I monitor, in a spirit of “It upholds EU values, abroad have condemned China’s vaccine not over capacity yet, but of equipment, particular- stay pretty much in my cooperation, the applica- rule of law, press free- Hungary’s “anti-coron- we're planning for it to go week,” said Patel. ly of ventilators. room,” Patel explained, tion of emergency meas- dom.” In a separate state- avirus defence law”, say- to be tested abroad over capacity,” he said, Under extreme pressure New York governor “and then I’ll go out there ures in all member ment read out by her ing it gives Orban unnec- Beijing: China, which is adding he thinks the hos- for the past two weeks, he Andrew Cuomo and New and periodically check on states,” she tweeted. “We spokesman, Von der essary and unlimited developing a vaccine for the pital has “planned well.” is preparing for the worst, York City mayor Bill de them.” all need to work together Leyen admitted: “Over the power and is a means of deadly novel coronavirus, The wave of virus even if “it’s something Blasio talk daily about the “If it’s something that to master this crisis. On past weeks, several EU cementing his position plans to conduct additional patients at Beth Israel cor- that we hope we don’t have need for the mchines. “If kicks in, then it goes down this path, we’ll uphold our governments took emer- rather than battling the trials in other countries seri- responds to the one inun- to see.” For Patel, the you get a surge of patients after it peaks, then we can European values and gency measures to virus. ously hit by the pandemic if dating New York City, worst would be a situation coming in, and you only sustain it for a little human rights. This is who address the health crisis After declaring a state of the ongoing trial in the which shot from 463 con- similar to that in certain have a limited number of while,” Patel said. “But all we are and what we stand caused by the outbreak of emergency on March 11, country’s virus epicentre firmed cases two weeks regions of Italy, where the ventilators, you can’t nec- hands on deck for months for.” the coronavirus”. “We are the new law passed on Wuhan proves it is safe and ago to 36,000 on Monday. health system is so over- essarily ventilate on end is something that's Orban’s spokesman for living in extraordinary Monday gives Orban the effective, a Chinese “At the rate that I’m see- whelmed that it can no patients,” Patel said. hard to sustain.” “This is international relations times, and governments, power to indefinitely rule researcher said. The first ing, the peak could be any- longer take care of all “And then you have to going to be a long and responded to the EU state- in principle, need to have by decree until his gov- stage clinical trial for the where from end of this patients. start picking and choos- drawn out battle.” ment directly, also on the necessary tools to act ernment decides the vaccine was started in week to sometime next “You’re gonna have to be ing.” Outside of the hospi- — AFP Twitter, saying: “We com- rapidly and effectively to emergency is over. — AFP Wuhan on March 16 after authorities approved. It has been proceeding smoothly, and its results will be pub- WHO WARNS Flag at half-mast lished in April, said Chen Europe sends Wei, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engine- ‘FAR FROM ering. OVER’ IN ASIA medical gear AI tool can predict AND PACIFIC Berlin, March 31: ● IRAN ON TUESDAY after virus effects Jakarta, March 31: European nations have said 141 more people New York: Scientists have The World Health Organ- delivered medical goods have died from the novel developed an artificial intelli- isation warns that while to Iran in the first trans- coronavirus, raising the gence (AI) tool that may attention has shifted to action under the Instex official toll in one of the accurately predict which pat- epicenters in Western mechanism set up to ients newly infected with the Europe and North Am- evade American sanc- world's worst-affected virus that causes COVID-19 erica, Covid-19 epidemics tions on Tehran, the countries to 2,898. would go on to develop are “far from over” in German foreign ministry severe respiratory disease. Asia and the Pacific. said Tuesday. more transactions and The study, published in the Urging governments at “France, Germany and enhancing the mecha- journal Computers, Materials all levels in the region to the United Kingdom con- nism,” Berlin said. & Continua, also revealed the stay engaged in efforts to firm that Instex has suc- Britain, France and best indicators of future combat the virus, WHO cessfully concluded its Germany were among a severity, and found that they Regional Director for the first transaction, facilitat- list of countries that Iran were not as expected. “While Western Pacific, Dr ing the export of medical reported receiving med- work remains to further vali- Takeshi Kasai says, goods from Europe to ical aid from earlier this date our model, it holds “This is going to be a Iran. These goods are now month as it battles a seri- promise as another tool to long-term battle and we in Iran,” the ministry ous outbreak of the novel predict the patients most cannot let down our said in a statement. coronavirus. vulnerable to the virus, but guard. We need every The first successful On Monday, the number only in support of physicians’ country to keep respond- transaction comes over a of cases in the country hard-won clinical experience ing according to their year after Britain, France passed 40,000, and the in treating viral infections,” local situation.” He said and Germany announced government warned the said Megan Coffee, a clinical the WHO realizes there is the creation of Instex, epidemic could run for assistant professor at New no one-size-fits-all The Italian flag flies at half-mast on the Altare della Patria, Vittorio Emanuele II monument in Rome on Tuesday as months that have been several more months and York University in the US. approach but there are flags are being flown at half-mast in cities across Italy to commemorate the victims of the virus, during the coun- marked by Iranian chaf- cost over 10,000 lives. common tactics. “Those try’s lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the Covid-19 infection, caused by the novel coronavirus. — AFP ing against European Tehran’s struggle to bring are: finding, isolating delay. the virus’ spread under After Bibi, Israel’s and testing case early, tr- “Now the first transac- control has been made acing and quarantining tion is complete, Instex more difficult by US sanc- army chief isolated contact quickly, and put- and its Iranian counter- tions. Jerusalem: The Israel ting in place multiple pu- part STFI will work on — AFP Defence Forces (IDF) Chief blic health interventions Global death toll crosses 40,000 of Staff, Lt Gen Aviv Kochavi, to place physical distanc- along with two of his senior e between people to slow Madrid, March 31: Spain record daily coronavirus The government figures ● INDIAN-AMERICAN for- commanders, went into isola- and stop transmission.” recorded its highest sin- toll of 381 on Tuesday, cover those who have been mer Barack Obama cam- tion on Tuesday after a sen- Takeshi also cautioned gle-day death toll from the more than double the taken to hospital and test- paign staffer, Suraj Patel Russia’s doctor who ior commander they came in that countries still need coronavirus Monday into number of deaths posted ed for the virus whereas who is running in the contact with recently was to prepare for large-scale Tuesday as 849 people in the previous 24 hours. the ONS data is for deaths tested positive for coron- community transmis- died. “As of 5pm (1600 GMT) in the community where Democratic primary for a avirus, the army said. The sion. — AP Spain’s Health Ministry on 30 March, of those hos- COVID-19 is suspected. Congressional seat in New met Putin tests +ve development came a day reported on Tuesday that pitalised in the UK, 1,789 Sierra Leone has York’s 12th District, has after PM Netanyahu and his it diagnosed 9,222 new have sadly died,” the recorded its first case of been tested positive for Moscow, March 31: The health. “Everything is close advisers were placed cases of the virus and saw health ministry said on its the new coronavirus, the coronavirus. head of Moscow’s main fine,” Peskov said. under quarantine after an CHINA REBOUNDS 849 deaths in a single day. Twitter page, up from government said on ● coronavirus hospital who Protsenko said he tested aide on Parliament affairs The country has report- 1,408 on Monday Tuesday, making it the lat- ● TANZANIA ON Tuesday met with President positive but “felt quite tested positive for virus. Lt AS VIRUS ed more than 94,400 cases The patients were aged est African country to reg- recorded its first death Vladimir Putin a week well”. Gen Kochavi, along with of Covid-19 and nearly between 19 and 98, and all ister an infection. from coronavirus, a 49- ago has tested positive, he Posting a picture of Home Front Command head 8,200 deaths since the coro- but 28 had underlying In a televised press con- year-old man who had said on Tuesday, as the himself wearing a mask Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai and CONTROLS EASE navirus pandemic began. health conditions, NHS ference, President Julius underlying health issues, Kremlin announced the and green scrubs on Operations Directorate Beijing, March 31: Spain has the third most England said in a state- Maada Bio said that a 37- the health ministry said. Russian leader’s health Facebook, he said he self- Commander Gen. Aharon Ha- China’s manufacturing cases behind the US and ment. year-old man who arrived was fine. isolated in his office and liva, had attended a meeting rebounded in March as Italy and has the second The country’s previous in the country from ● 12-YEAR-OLD girl con- Last Tuesday Denis would continue to work. 10 days ago in which a com- authorities relaxed anti- most deaths behind Italy, highest daily toll was 260, France on March 16 had firmed infected with Protsenko met with the Protsenko has become a mander in the reserves, who disease controls and allo- which has seen nearly recorded on Saturday, tested positive. The man COVID-19 has died in Russian leader who high-profile figure on the later tested positive for the wed factories to reopen, 11,600 people die from the with the number dropping had been quarantined on Belgium, health officials inspected the frontlines of Russia’s coronavirus, participated. an official survey sho- virus. to 180 on Monday. arrival in the West said Tuesday. Fatality at Kommunarka hospital fight against Covid-19, wed, but an industry gr- Globally, cases of the Some 25,150 people have African state, Bio said. “It such a young age "is a very while wearing a bright posting daily on Facebook oup warned the economy coronavirus top 800,000 now tested positive for the was not a matter of yellow hazmat suit. But to inform Russians about has yet to fully recover. and death toll tops 40,000. virus in Britain, including whether, but when. Ladies rare occurrence," said gov- the 67-year-old Putin was his hospital’s work and The ruling Communist Spain, as well as Italy, Prime Minister Boris and gentlemen, the when ernment spokesman Dr also seen talking to patients. GREAT PYRAMID Party is trying to revive held a moment of silence Johnson, a daily increase is here,” the president Emmanuel Andre, adding Protsenko without any Over the past 24 hours the world’s second-lar- Tuesday to honor those of 3,009. Data published by said. Sierra Leone had that her death “shook us”. protective gear. Russian authorities have LIGHTS UP IN gest economy after dec- who have died from the the Office for National been one of the few coun- ● Kremlin spokesman reported 500 new cases — laring victory over the coronavirus. The two Statistics (ONS) for tries in Africa to have Country singer Kalie Dmitry Peskov swiftly the biggest daily increase coronavirus even as the countries now account for England and Wales on reported zero cases, des- Shorr says she has con- told Russian news agen- so far — bringing the SOLIDARITY US and other governm- more than half of the Tuesday revealed that the pite neighbouring Guinea tracted the novel coron- cies that Putin took regu- total tally to 2,337 cases Cairo, March 31: Egypt’s fam- ents shut down world’s total death toll. true toll could be 24 per- and Liberia having detect- avirus despite being under lar tests and there was no and 17 fatalities. ed Great Pyramid was embla- businesses. — AP Britain reported a cent higher. ed infections. — Agencies quarantine. reason to worry about his — AFP zoned Monday evening with messages of unity and solidari- ty with those battling the novel coronavirus the world over. ROYAL | SPLIT The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will hold on to their titles but will not be actively using them “Stay safe”, “Stay at home” and “Thank you to those keeping us safe,” flashed in blue and green lights across the towering structure at the Giza plateau, Harry, Meghan bid formal farewell as royals southwest of the capital Cairo. Egypt has so far registered London, March 31: The Duke and Duchess of issues that have presented future. On a more philo- ● THEY WILL now be in 656 Covid-19 cases, including 41 Britain’s Prince Harry Sussex will hold on to themselves as a result of sophical note, they a 12-month transition deaths. Of the total infected, and wife Meghan Markle their titles but will not be this pandemic,” the couple referred to the “extraordi- period with the option 150 reportedly recovered. “The on Tuesday bid a formal actively using them or for- said in their final message narily fragile” world as it tourism sector is one of the goodbye to their role as mally representing Queen on their Sussex Royal undergoes the coronavirus for the prince to return most affected industry but our frontline royals as they Elizabeth II from April 1. Instagram. pandemic. to his frontline roles by priority is health,” said settle down to their finan- “As we all find the part “While you may not see “Yet we are confident March 2021. tourism and antiquities minis- cially independent roles in we are to play in this glob- us here, the work contin- that every human being ter Khaled al-Anani, speaking the US. al shift and changing of ues. Thank you to this has the potential and immediate weeks and at the site. Harry, who remains habits, we are focusing community — for the sup- opportunity to make a dif- months, the focus remains Senior antiquities ministry sixth in line to the British this new chapter to under- port, the inspiration and ference — as seen now on the global response to official Mostafa al-Waziri throne, had announced the stand how we can best con- the shared commitment to across the globe, in our Covid-19”. “However, we thanked “all the medical staff royal split along with his tribute,” they said in refer- the good in the world. We families, our communities recognise there are out- who help to keep us safe.” former actress wife ence to their new roles look forward to reconnect- and those on the front line standing questions relat- Egypt has carried out sweeping Markle earlier this year away from the UK as the ing with you soon. You’ve — together we can lift each ing to their future beyond disinfection operations at and, as per the deal struck couple signed off as been great! Until then, other up to realise the full- their household transition archaeological sites, museums with Buckingham Palace, “Harry and Meghan” on please take good care of ness of that promise,” deadline.” and other sites across the coun- they will now be in a 12- social media. yourselves, and of one they add. The statement reiterated try. In tandem, strict social dis- month transition period “What’s most important another,” read their Alongside, Buckingham that they would no longer tancing measures were with the option for the right now is the health and farewell message, which Palace released a state- use the name Sussex Royal imposed to reduce the risk of prince to return to his wellbeing of everyone indicates their return to ment saying: “The Duke for their charitable organi- contagion among the country’s frontline roles by March across the globe and find- social media under a more and Duchess of Sussex sation, Instagram or web- 100 million inhabitants. 2021. ing solutions for the many private capacity in the would prefer that in the site. — PTI Picture of Prince Harry with Meghan Markle. — AP WEDNESDAY | HYDERABAD | 1 APRIL 2020 pg 9  Many public sector banks inform customers about relief Foreign trade quick policy, export Centre to borrow Borrowers await clarity sops extended `4.88 L cr in H1

BITES for one year MADHUSUDAN SAHOO than Rs 7.1 lakh crore NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 estimated in the current New Delhi, March 31: fiscal. on EMI moratorium The government on INDICATORS % Amidst an unprecedent- “The government has Tuesday extended the ed financial crisis due to factored in higher spend- Sensex 29,468.49 3.62 MADHUSUDAN SAHOO State Bank of India, have existing Foreign Trade the 21-days long lock- ing due to Covid-19 out- Nifty 50 8,597.75 3.82 NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 started messaging their Policy 2015-20, including down in the country, the break and it will provide S&P 500* 2,637.55 0.41 customers individually on fiscal incentives for goods' government on Tuesday all necessary help for the Even as borrowers groped their mobile number about exports for one year till said it would borrow Rs health sector, for recov- Dollar (‘) 75.67 -0.06 in the dark about the the deferment of equated March 2021, amid the coro- 4.88 lakh crore during ery of the industry and Pound Sterling (‘) 93.53 0.25 repayment moratorium monthly installments navirus outbreak and the the first half of the new any stimulus needed for announced by the Reserve (EMI) for the months of lockdown to contain the fiscal. the economy,” said Euro (‘) 82.78 0.92 Bank last week, several March, April and May. virus spread. Announcing the Chakraborty. Gold (Oz)* ($) 1,611.30 -0.66 public sector banks (PSBs) This comes at a time The commerce ministry aggressive borrowing Generally, the govern- Brent crude ($/bbl)* 22.64 -0.53 on Tuesday informed their when many customers of said that in view of the plan, Depart-ment of ment raises funds from branch heads and cus- banks, mostly rural farm- "unprecedented current Economic Affairs secre- the market to fund its fis- IN 10-Yr bond yield 6.138 1.014 tomers about the three- ers, are not being able to go situation" arising out of tary Atanu Chakraborty, cal deficit through dated US 10-Yr T-bill yield* 0.693 3.279 month moratorium on all to banks for payment of the Covid-19 pandemic, it however, said, “The gov- securities and treasury term loans, including their loan dues on account has decided to continue ernment will borrow Rs bills. The budget had * As of 9:30 pm IST home, auto and crop loans. of restrictions imposed relief under various 4.88 lakh crore in the pegged fiscal deficit at But private and foreign due to the 21-day long lock- export promotion schemes first half of fiscal 2020-21 3.5 per cent for the next banks are learnt to have down. by granting extension of starting April 1 to shore fiscal, down from 3.8 per not begun the moratorium A top public sector bank the existing policy by up resources amid a war cent of the GDP in the Core growth up process yet. received SMSes from their Moreover, the official official said, "All the another one year. it is waging to contain current financial year. With many getting pay- lenders reminding them said, customers would branch heads have been "The existing Foreign economic fallout of coro- “The loss of economic ment reminders, confusion that they need to maintain have to inform their banks informed with respect to Trade Policy 2015-20, navirus pandemic.” activity is expected to 5.5%, highest in prevails among borrowers, sufficient balance on the that they want to avail of moratorium on all term which is valid up to March The government’s dampen tax collections term-plan investors and due date. the moratorium benefit. loans. In case of those who 31 this year, is extended up gross borrowing target in Q1 FY2021, which 11 months credit cardholders over A public sector bank offi- "Wherever there is a have opted for electronic to March 31, 2021. Various for the first half of FY21 would constrain the cash Eight core sector industries implementation of the cial said such messages are standing instruction, the fund transfer for EMI other changes are also is 62.56 per cent of the flows of the central and recorded a growth of 5.5 per moratorium advised the being sent to customers as customer has to inform the deduction, they are given made extending the date of annual target. Finance state governments. cent in February, highest in 11- central bank in view of the the moratorium decision bank that he or she wants the option of availing the exemptions by one year minister Nirmala Additionally, expendi- months, mainly due to healthy disruptions caused by the has to be approved by the EMIs to be deferred. facility by informing the and extending validity of Sitharaman had in her ture may rise sharply in expansion in output of coal, nationwide lockdown over board of each lender but in Otherwise, instalments branch concerned through DFIA and EPCG authori- budget for 2020-21 pegged H1 FY2021, especially if refinery products and electrici- coronavirus outbreak. many cases, the board will be deducted," a senior mail or other digital medi- sations for import purpos- gross borrowing in the additional stimulus pro- ty. The core sectors had Many borrowers, credit meetings have not taken public sector banker said. um. However, banks on its es," the Directorate Gener- new financial year at Rs grammes are provided,” expanded by 2.2 per cent in cardholders and mutual place due to the nationwide However, over 13 public own unilaterally cannot al of Foreign Trade said in 7.8 lakh crore, higher Aditi Nayar of Icra said. February last year and by up to fund investors have lockdown. sector banks, including stop ECS payment. a notification. —PTI 5.8 per cent in March 2019. In January this year, these sectors grew by 1.4 per cent. The sec- tors have 40.27 per cent weight in the IIP. Merger of 10 public sector IndusInd deposits Interest on small shrink by 10-11% banks takes effect today FALAKNAAZ SYED ry by 25 bps to accelerate savings schemes MUMBAI, MARCH 31 this," IndusInd Bank said. FALAKNAAZ SYED banks in India will come The impact of integra- Indian Bank will be The IndusInd stock MUMBAI, MARCH 31 down to 12. There will be tion on asset quality, prof- merged with Allahabad Shares of private lender closed 14.68 per cent down cut by up to 1.4% six merged banks--SBI, itability and capital of the Bank. IndusInd Bank crashed on at Rs 351 on the BSE. The Ten public sector banks Bank of Baroda, Punjab merging banks will be vis- In a statement, Indian Tuesday after the lender, in stock price has corrected will be amalgamated into National Bank, Canara ible upon the declaration Bank assured customers an investor conference call steeply in recent days, four banks effective April Bank, Union Bank of of the merged balance of both lenders that they on Monday, disclosed that owing to concerns about 1. India, Indian Bank in sheet which is likely to be will not face any disrup- it saw an outflow of 10-11 asset quality and strength The consolidation of the addition to six independ- disclosed by the end of tion in services. Similarly, per cent of its deposits-- of funding franchise. In Indian public sector bank- ent banks namely Indian May 2020.” In a statement, Union around Rs 22,000 crore- the last five trading ses- ing space was a long over- Overseas Bank, Uco Bank, Oriental Bank of Bank of India said, “Post post-the Yes Bank saga. Of sions, the stock hit 10 due process and key meas- Bank of Maharashtra, Commerce (OBC) and the amalgamation, the the total fall in deposits deposit reduction is least of upper and lower circuits. ure in improving trans- Punjab and Sind Bank, United Bank of India will combined entity will have since the December quar- the above categories," said However brokerages gave a parency and accountabili- Bank of India and Central be merged into Punjab the 4th largest banking ter (Q3FY20), 70 per cent IndusInd in the investor buy rating on the stock. ty in banking operations. Bank of India. National Bank (PNB) to network in the country was in state government presentation. "Near-term asset quality Apart from enhancing the Anil Gupta vice-presi- form the second-largest with more than 75000 deposits and 30 per cent in However, the bank said stress is inevitable due to The government slashed inter- lenders capabilities to dent and head financial public sector bank in the employees, 9500+ branch- corporate deposits. that it has replaced bulk of lockdowns, mainly in est rates on small savings meet capital adequacy sector ratings at ICRA Ltd country, after State Bank es and over 13,500+ "The total deposits are these deposit outflows via cards, personal loan, MFI, schemes, including National norms, the amalgamation said, “The merger of pub- of India (SBI) with the ATMs.” lower by approximately 10- longer duration refinance real estate, loan against Savings Certificate and Public is likely to streamline lic sector banks is going to merged entity having Meanwhile post-enor- 11 per cent. Almost 2/3rd of / forex borrowings property, and vehicle Provident Fund, by up to 1.4 banking operations, be beneficial in the long 11,437 branches. mous liquidity infusion reduction is on account of swapped to rupee, bank finance, but moratorium per cent for the first quarter of improve customer service term as it will reduce Syndicate Bank will be and a steep 75 basis repo government related certificate of deposits, should help limit NPAs… 2020-21. Interest rates are noti- and build economies of redundancies within the merged into Canara Bank, rate cut from the Reserve accounts-this is largely term money borrowings, We believe that the bank's fied on a quarterly basis. Term scale to build global com- public sector banking which will make it the Bank of India, several related to general private repo of excess statutory near-term performance deposits of 1-3 years will now petitiveness. space. However, there fourth-largest public sec- public sector lenders sector bank stance. This liquidity ratio/ non-SLR will track its ability to be fetching an interest rate of On August 30, 2019, the could be a near term tor lender. name PNB, Indian will also result in lower securities and call money. manage Covid19-led dis- 5.5 per cent against 6.9 per Finance Minister impact on the integration, Union Bank’s big amal- Overseas Bank, Bank of CASA ratio, but reduce our But analysts believe this ruption on its growth/ cent while the five-year term Nirmala Sitharaman had credit growth and asset gamation with India, Union Bank dependency on this catego- should inch up funding asset quality. However, we deposit will earn 6.7 per cent announced the merger of quality in the slowing eco- Corporation Bank and announced a cut in their ry for deposits in future. cost in the near-term, maintain Buy with a against 7.7 per cent. 10 PSBs into four entities. nomic growth and near Andhra Bank will create MCLR and external Some reduction is in the weighing in on its margins. revised target price of Rs From Wednesday, the term operational chal- the fifth largest PSU bank benchmark linked lend- wholesale (deposits), possi- "Deposit traction will 630, mainly due to its lower number of public sector lenges post by Covid 19. in the country. ing rate. bly attributable to stock rebuild in April…We have valuations, said Anand price fall. The retail enhanced a deposit catego- Dama of Emkay Global. Banks asked to give doorstep Stocks bounce back, but indices lose 23% in March Unorganised retailers services to elders RAVI RANJAN PRASAD highest level.” S Ranganathan, head of The Reserve Bank of India said MUMBAI, MARCH 31 For the fiscal year 2019-20, Research at LKP Securities many banks are not extending the Sensex closed 23.80 per said, ''Markets were up doorstep services for senior Financial year 2019-20 con- cent down at 29,468.49(as today led by key heavy- peg loss at $30 bn citizens above 70 years and cluded on a happy note against 38,672.91 on March weights and supported by differently abled persons even with Sensex and Nifty-50 29, 2019) while the Nifty-50 Technology stocks. after three years of it issuing recouping most of closed 26.03 per cent lower Auto stocks continued to SANGEETHA G advisories, and asked for "strict Monday’s loss with over 3.5 at against 11,623.90 on play the spoilsport ahead CHENNAI, MARCH 31 compliance" on the same by per cent gains but the March 29, 2019). of the monthly numbers to April 30. The directions assume benchmarks posted biggest For the fiscal year gone be released on Wednesday Retail trade has incurred significance as they come amid monthly loss by 23 per cent by BSE’s market capitalisa- which are expected to be losses amounting to $30 the Covid-19 pandemic, where each in March 2020. tion was down by Rs 38.75 weak. Today's trade wit- billion in the past 15 the senior citizens have been Led by heavy buying by lakh crore to Rs 113.48 lakh nessed spirited buying days, says a traders' body. marked out as the most vulner- domestic institutions on crore as compared to Rs across sectors like The unorganised retail able. the last day of the financial 152.24 lakh crore on April 1, Pharma & FMCG as the sector, comprising 70 mil- year, the Sensex gained 2019. street moved funds lion small, medium and 1028.17 points or 3.62 per However, the financial towards defensives across big traders and employ- cent closing at 29,468.49 year closing saw big gains companies who are likely ing 450 million people, while the Nifty-50 gained in index heavy weights on to navigate through the does a monthly business 3.82 per cent or 316.65 Tuesday led Reliance lockdown with minimum of about $70 billion, said economic stress will be Sebi fines 2 Yes points closing at 8,597.75. Industries (7.76 per cent), damage.'' the Confederation of All slower as the demand Domestic institutions sional data showed. Monday’s losses. We can ITC (7.84 per cent), The market volatility India Traders. from Indian consumers Bank promoter were net buyers by Rs Shrikant Chouhan, exec- call it a yearly and quarter- Hindustan Unilever (5.08 indicator India VIX index Traders are likely to after the lock-down 3,576.23 crore while the for- utive vice president- ly NAV(net asset value) per cent), HDFC (4.34 per fell 10.29 per cent to 64.49 pay a higher than expect- might be subdued. A eign portfolio investors Technical Research, Kotak management day for the cent), HDFC Bank (3.48 per indicating significant ed price for the lock- large share of the con- entities remained net sellers by Rs Securities said, “ Nifty market. Many large-cap cent) and ICICI Bank (3.34 reduction in daily market down, which has shut- suming class will be cash 3,044.94 crore, the provi- completely reversed stocks closed at the day's per cent). volatility in coming days. tered stores across the strapped and hard The Sebi imposed a penalty of country. "The ramifica- pressed for disposable Rs 50 lakh each on two pro- tions will reverberate for income. moter entities of Yes Bank for a longer time than "Even after the epidem- not making requisite disclo- expected," said Cait sec- ic, people will largely sures pertaining to encum- retary general Praveen spend on essential items brance of shares. The two enti- India, China may escape global recession: UN Khandelwal. and hence recovery of ties are Yes Capital (India) and YOSHITA SINGH Towards a 'whatever it takes' pro- G20 economies and a two percent- According to him, a stores selling non-essen- Morgan Credits. Yes Capital UNITED NATIONS, MARCH 31 gramme for the two-thirds of the age point turnaround in global large percentage of the tial goods will take time," had raised Rs 630 crore from world's population being left output. Indian traders are too said Jhina. Franklin Templeton Mutual The world economy will go into behind', commodity-rich export- "Even so, the world economy small to have enough Further, the import Fund in Sept. 2017. Morgan recession this year with a predict- ing countries will face a $2 trillion will go into recession this year surplus to survive a pan- cycle has been disrupted Credits had raised Rs 950 crore ed loss of trillions of dollars of to $3 trillion drop in investments with a predicted loss of global demic like this one. But and traders may not have from Reliance Mutual Fund in global income due to the coron- from overseas in the next two income in trillions of dollars. they still have to pay enough goods to sell even April 2018. avirus pandemic, spelling serious years. This will spell serious trouble for salaries, rentals, taxes after the lockdown is lift- trouble for developing countries The Unctad said that in recent developing countries, with the and other levies. ed. Imports of finished with the likely exception of India days, advanced economies and likely exception of China and the While 50 to 70 per cent goods from countries Printed & Published by and China, according to a latest China have put together massive possible exception of India," the kirana stores selling gro- like China will take more T Venkateswarlu on behalf of Deccan UN trade report. government packages, which, Unctad said. cery and other food sup- time to normalise. Chronicle Holdings Limited, Printed at With two-thirds of the world's according to the Group of 20 lead- The report, however, did not plies are allowed to oper- Indian manufacturers, Deccan Chronicle Press at Deccan population living in developing ing economies (G20), will extend a give a detailed explanation as to ate partially, a large por- dependent on imported Chronicle Holdings Ltd. #563/9/D&9/E, countries facing unprecedented $5 trillion lifeline to their why and how India and China will tion of the unorganised raw material and compo- Behind Andhra Bank Pet Basheerbagh, economic damage from the Covid- economies. be the exceptions as the world retailers selling non- nents, will take a long Kompally, Ranga Reddy Dist. Editor: 19 crisis, the UN is calling for a It added that while the full faces a recession and loss in glob- essential items is closed, time to resume their T.Venkatram Reddy, RNI Reg $2.5 trillion rescue package for details of these stimulus pack- al income that will impact devel- said Ashish Jhina, co- operations. No.APENG/2008/24282. © All rights these nations. ages are yet to be unpacked, an oping countries. founder, Jumbotail, an Resumption of services reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part According to the new analysis initial assessment by the Unctad The Unctad estimates a $2 tril- online wholesale market- will also take time due to without written permission of The Editor, from United Nations Conference estimates that they will translate lion to $3 trillion financing gap place. migration of labour from Financial Chronicle ® is prohibited. on Trade and Development opment body, titled 'The Covid-19 to a $1 trillion to $2 trillion injec- facing developing countries over The recovery from the cities to rural areas. (Unctad), the UN trade and devel- Shock to Developing Countries: tion of demand into the major the next two years. —PTI GAMES pg DECCAN CHRONICLE | HYDERABAD | WEDNESDAY | 1 APRIL 2020 10

SHORT TAKES CORONA | CONTRIBUTION Red Bull wanted drivers infected! Athletes continue Vienna: Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko has FREEZE FRAME admitted that he wanted the to donate money team’s Formula One drivers to deliberately contract coron- Mumbai, March 31: Star overcome this pandemic,” avirus before the potential start Badminton body blocks rankings amid suspension India batsman Rohit the Commonwealth Games of the new season. Sharma has donated `80 gold-medallist tweeted. The 76-year-old said his idea New Delhi, March 31: lakh to fight the rapidly- Chopra, who hails from was to bring the team’s senior The Badminton World spreading Covid-19 pan- Panipat, has qualified for drivers, Max Verstappen and Federation (BWF) on demic, saying the onus is the Tokyo Olympics and is Alexander Albon, together with Tuesday decided to freeze on the citizens to help the considered a strong medal the junior drivers in a training the world rankings, say- country get back on its contender. camp. ing standings as on March feet. TT BODY CHIPS IN `5 LAKH “The idea was that we could 17 will be the basis for Rohit, who is the vice- organise a camp where we entry and seedings when captain of the Indian ODI The Table Tennis could mentally and physically it restarts the internation- team, has donated `45 lakh Federation of India (TTFI) fill this dead time,” Marko told al calender that has been and `25 lakh to the and on Tuesday pledged `5 Austrian television channel thrown haywire owing to CM’s Relief Fund lakh to the Prime ORF. the Covid-19 pandemic. (Maharashtra) respective- Minister’s Relief Fund for “Then of course it would’ve There was a clamour for ly. the battle against the fast- been ideal for the infection to freezing the world rank- He has given `5 lakh to spreading Covid-19 pan- come,” the 76-year-old added. ings with Indian shuttlers ‘Zomato Feeding India’, demic. “They are all young, strong Saina Nehwal, B. Sai which is helping families “The TTFI, as a part of its men in good health. Then you Praneeth, Parupalli affected by the ongoing social responsibility, decid- would be prepared for whenev- Kashyap and H. S. national lockdown, and ed to contribute in its own er you start, and you would be Prannoy leading the way another `5 lakh to help aid small way a sum of `5 lakh ready for a very tough world in expressing their con- the welfare of stray dogs. to the Prime Minister’s championship,” Marko futher cerns. “We need our country Relief Fund,” TTFI said in stated. “The Badminton World back on feet & the onus is a statement. Marko also admitted that his Federation (BWF) can on us. I’ve done my bit to “A cheque for the amount plan was “not well received”. announce it will freeze donate `45lakhs to was sent to the Indian — AFP World Rankings and #PMCaresFunds, `25lakhs Olympic Association World Junior Rankings to #CMReliefFund (IOA), which had requested until further notice. The Maharashtra, `5lakhs to all National Sports Lancashire chief freezing of rankings will @FeedingIndia and Federations (NSFs) to be backdated to Week 12, `5lakhs to make contributions to the dies of corona which is the week follow- #WelfareOfStrayDogs. Fund,” it added. ing the last international Let’s get behind our lead- AUGUSTA PLEDGES $2m London: Lancashire county tournament that was ers and support them cricket club chairman David played the YONEX All @narendramodi Augusta National Golf Hodgkiss has died after being England Open 2020,” BWF @CMOMaharashtra,” Club, which in most years infected by the dreaded coron- said in a release. tweeted the elegant right would be preparing to host avirus. He was 71. “The ranking lists handed batsman on the Masters, announced on Although Lancashire did not issued on 17 March 2020 Tuesday morning. Monday it will give $2 mil- give the exact reason of his will serve as a basis for NEERAJ GIVES `3 LAKH lion to help fight the coron- death in their official statement, entry and seeding into the avirus pandemic in its a club spokesperson told the next international tourna- Asian Games gold medal- region. ‘Press Association’ that ments dalthough it is diffi- winning javelin thrower This year’s Masters, Hodgkiss’ death was “coron- cult to say at this stage Neeraj Chopra on Tuesday which was to have lured avirus-related.” when this may be.” People wearing masks walk past a countdown clock showing the adjusted time remaining for the postponed donated a total of `3 lakh golfers and fans from “Further to the announcement Shuttlers in the singles Tokyo Olympic Games, outside the Tokyo station on Monday. — AFP to the central and Haryana around the world to the from his family, it is with great competition have to be state relief funds to com- famed Georgia layout next sadness that Lancashire Cricket inside top-16 of world bat the Covid-19 pandemic week, was postponed indef- announces the passing of its rankings to qualify for the in the country. initely due to the global Chairman, David Hodgkiss Olympics. The cut-off for Chopra is currently in outbreak of the deadly OBE,” the club said in a state- doubles is also top-16. self-isolation at the virus. ment. The BWF had suspended National Institute of “It is our hope these gifts According to reports, Task cut out for Tokyo all tournaments post the Sports (NIS) in Patiala will help address the many Hodgkiss had some prior health All England Tokyo, March 31: The picked for 2020. after flying back from a challenges brought about issues as well. Championships until countdown clocks have Organisers are hoping to training trip in Turkey. by the coronavirus Hodgkiss had been on the April 12 due to the pan- been reset and are ticking NEXT YEAR’S ATHLETICS overlay the old plans with “I have donated a sum of throughout the city of board at Emirate Old Trafford demic. again for the Tokyo new plans, keeping ven- `2 Lakh to #PMCARES Augusta and the greater for 22 years, serving as a mem- These tournaments Olympics. ues in place, securing fund and `1 Lakh to the region. We believe Augusta ber, treasurer and vice-chair- include big-ticket events The model outside WORLDS MOVED TO 2022 thousands of rooms in the Haryana Covid Relief National has an important man before becoming the like India Open (Super Tokyo Station, and others Paris, March 31: The 2021 World Athletics Athletes Village, deploy- Fund. I hope we all can responsibility to support chairman, succeeding Michael 500), Malaysia Open across the Japanese capi- Championships in Eugene, Oregon (USA) will be ing the same volunteers, come together in our own and protect the communi- Cairns in 2017. — AFP (Super 750) and Singapore tal were switched on shifted to 2022 to accommodate the re-arranged and letting people who individual capacities to ty,” Augusta National Open (Super 500), apart almost immediately after Tokyo Olympics, World Athletics said. bought tickets keep them. bring relief during this chairman Fred Ridley from the three organisers announced the The announcement came immediately after The summer date also time and help our nation said. — Agencies Paine’s wallet Continental Confeder- new dates — July 23 to Olympics organisers said the 2020 Tokyo Games will avoids conflicts with the ation championships. August 8, 2021. now take place on July 23-August 8, 2021. crowded North American “Due to the Covid-19 out- The clocks read 479 days That means the World Athletics Championships and European sports stolen from car break, the badminton to go. This seems a long that were scheduled to take place in Eugene on schedules. But summer in Melbourne: Australia Test cap- community has experi- way away, but also small August 6-15, 2021, can no longer be held on those Tokyo also means grap- NEHRU STADIUM IS NOW tain Tim Paine’s wallet was enced an unprecedented and insignificant com- dates. “We support the new 2021 dates for the Tokyo pling with intense heat stolen from his car on Tuesday suspension to internation- pared with the worldwide 2020 Olympic Games announced by the Japanese and humidity, the major after he parked the vehicle on al tournaments from mid- fallout from the coron- organisers and the IOC,” World Athletics said in a worry for games organiz- A QUARANTINE FACILITY the street outside his home in march 2020 to the end of avirus. statement. ers before the pandemic. New Delhi, March 31: The Sports of Authority of Hobart to convert his garage April 2020. Then again, it’s not “This gives our athletes the time they need to get “Obviously in the sum- India (SAI) said it is handing over the Jawaharlal into a gym. His makeshift prac- The world body said it much time to reassemble back into training and competition. Everyone needs mer there might be Nehru Stadium here to the Delhi government for using tice area was just a day old will take time to decide on the first Olympics to be to be flexible and compromise and to that end we are typhoons and the heat it as a quarantine facility for patients infected with the when Paine woke up this morn- the process of unfreezing postponed since the mod- now working with organisers of the World Athletics problems. However, this novel coronavirus. ing to realise that his car had the world rankings as it ern games began 124 Championships on new dates in 2022 for our World situation is the same. We SAI handed over the stadium after the District been broken into. “I’ve actually will depend on how the years ago; not for 11,000 Athletics Championships,” it said. — AFP always had those prob- Magistrate had on Monday day asked if it could be just turned the garage into a bit international calender Olympic athletes, 4,400 lems so we will be pre- used for the purpose of quarantine. of a home gym and I want to looks once things Paralympic athletes — pared for those issues,” The Sports Ministry had on March 22 announced hang the (stocking) off the bit improve. and not for sponsors, nificance,” Yoshiro Mori, includes the new dates for Mori said. that facilities under SAI across the country will be where the garage door opens,” “Following the broadcasters, the fans the president of the Tokyo the Paralympics now set Though the internation- made available for usage as quarantine facilities. he told ‘SEN Breakfast’. announcement to resched- that have already bought organiSing committee, for Aug. 24 to September 5. al sports federations went More than 1,250 positive cases for the novel coron- “I figured if I can, I can work ule the Tokyo 2020 tickets, and Japanese said after confirming the “This is a prayer that we along with the new dates, avirus have so far been reported across the country on my cover drive while I’m at Olympic Games to 23 July organisers and taxpayers new dates. have and I do believe that some like the besides 36 deaths. — PTI it, but I’ve actually hit a bit of a to 8 August 2021, BWF will who have spent billions, Mori, an 82-year-old for- someone is going to listen International Triathlon snag today because I moved now also initiate a review and will have to come up mer Japanese prime min- to our prayers,” Mori said. Union preferred the cool- the car out onto the street only process to confirm any with billions more to pay ister, also recalled there’s After cursory talk about er spring during Japan’s to wake up this morning to a impacts on the Olympic for the setback. no guarantee that the an Olympics in the spring, cherry blossom season. text from NAB saying my credit qualification system,” “I believe that these coronavirus pandemic the new summer dates But that was overridden card has been used. I went out BWF said. Olympics are going to will be under control a overlap perfectly with the by the easiest route to lin- Flushing Meadows and the (car) door was open — AFP have great historical sig- year from now. That same time slot that was ing up venues. — AP and my wallet and a few other things had gone,” Paine added. — AFP turns Corona Park BWF eyeing new New York, March 31: The strain from the growing site of the US Open tennis Covid-19 cases, officials are tournament here will be permitting setting up of SONY EXTENDS used to build a 350-bed temporary medical infra- dates for Worlds facility in an effort to pro- structure at various vide additional medical sprawling spaces in New DEAL TO BEAM New Delhi, March 31: need to reschedule the infrastructure to the city York. The Badminton World World Championships as it battles the growing A 68-bed field hospital is Federation (BWF) is in 2021 normally staged in coronavirus outbreak. being constructed in the WWE SHOWS talks with hosts Spain to August with suitable A report in The Wall city’s Central Park to help Mumbai: Sony Pictures reschedule the 2021 World alternatives being dis- Street Journal said that enhance medical capacity. Networks (SPN) India Private Championships after the cussed with hosts Spain,” New York city’s emergency LORD’S OPENS UP FOR Limited and WWE on Tuesday Tokyo Olympics were the governing body said management office plans HEALTHCARE WORKERS announced a five-year exten- pushed to next year due to in a statement. to build a 350-bed facility at sion with an expanded broad- the Covid-19 pandemic. World Championships is the Billie Jean King Custodian of cricket laws, cast agreement that will deliver Huelva, a city in south- a annual event with the National Tennis Centre in the Marylebone Cricket WWE’s weekly flagship pro- west Spain, is scheduled exception of the Olympic Flushing Meadows-Corona Club (MCC), has decided to gramming and localised con- to host the 2021 year. P. V. Sindhu had won Park. provide parking and stor- tent in India and the Indian sub- Badminton World the World Championships The report said construc- age spaces available at the continent, making SPN the Championships in August title at Basel, Switzerland tion could begin as early as iconic Lord’s cricket exclusive home to WWE in-ring but with the Tokyo Games in 2019. Tuesday at an indoor train- ground to the National content across its television now rescheduled to July The BWF has suspended ing center at the facility, Health Services (NHS) staff and digital platforms. 23 to August 8, BWF is all tournaments until which has multiple courts who are fighting the Covid- As part of the agreement, looking for alternatives. April 12 due to the pan- and wide spaces, according 19 pandemic. SPN will have the rights to air “BWF is aware of the demic. — PTI P. V. Sindhu in this file photo. to a spokesman for the US “The close proximity of a Raw, SmackDown, NXT as well Tennis Association. number of hospitals to as WWE pay-per-view specials The beds will likely be for Lord’s gives the Club the live on its sports and digital patients who do not have opportunity to assist med- platforms in English, Hindi and Covid-19, the illness caused ical staff so they can con- regional languages. by the novel coronavirus. centrate on their ongoing The expanded partnership We want to train, Hima tells Rijiju Additionally, the tennis battle against the virus,” also provides SPN the rights to centre’s Louis Armstrong the MCC said in media WWE Network which hosts New Delhi, March 31: are expecting a reply from We will know about it in a or throwing together, one Stadium will become a release. thousands of hours of content Confined to their hostel the ministry in a day or day or two,” he added. will run alone and finish commissary that will pack- The club has provided 75 to be made available to audi- rooms at NIS Patiala amid two. Nair said he and other it and then another will age 25,000 meals per day for car parking spaces for NHS ences in India exclusively the coronavirus-forced “Hima and some other coaches have supported run after him or her. This medical professionals and staff at the nearby through SonyLIV, SPN’s OTT lockdown, some athletes, athletes have written to the idea as there is no risk way we can practice social others. Construction may Wellington Hospital, platform. In addition and for led by star sprinter Hima the Sports Minister that of any camper contract- distancing and be safe,” begin as early as Tuesday, a University College the first time, SPN will curate Das, have requested the they be allowed to train ing the dreaded coron- the top athletics coach report in NPR media said. Hospital, and the Hospital content from WWE’s extensive sports ministry to allow one or two hours a day in avirus as nobody is com- said. As public and private of St John and St video library which includes live them to train outdoors small groups at different ing in and going out of the “Athletics is different. In hospitals across the state Elizabeth. events, iconic matches, inter- within the campus, which times so that they can also facility. “We have 41 ath- many sports, the athletes come under immense — AFP views with Legends, reality is out of bounds for out- practice social distancing Hima Das letes at NIS and the track utilise a small space but a shows, documentaries and siders right now. while training at the same try is in a lockdown and and field area is just 50m runner or a thrower or a more, on its own platforms. Deputy chief national time,” Nair confirmed Prime Minister has said from the hostels. We can jumper covers a lot of dis- Regd. No. H/SD/509/2018-20 WWE will also return to India athletics coach from Patiala. everybody should be have small groups say tance and their cardiovas- Printed and Published by T. Venkateswarlu on behalf of Deccan with even bigger live events Radhakrishnan Nair, who “They have written to where they are. eight athletes each and cular system and physical Chronicle Holdings Limited. Printed at Deccan Chronicle Press and Superstars will visit the is supporting the move, Rijiju that they be sent “So, the ministry will only one group will train strength has to be built situated at Plot No. 9 Alwal Village, Vallabh Nagar Taluk, Medchal region for promotional tours to said that the Hima-led home if no training is not allow them to go back at a time for one or two continuously over a peri- Malkajgiri Dist. Telangana and Published at 36, S.D. Road, engage with fans. Secunderabad-3. campers at the National allowed. (But) going home home but this outdoor hours. All the athletes of a od of time,” he added. RNI Registration No. 3081/1957. Editor: Aditya Sinha — Agencies Institute of Sports (NIS) is not feasible as the coun- training idea is feasible. group will not do running — PTI c m y k c m y k the buzz t’wood Humour in ‘Watching old, times of distress hyderabad classic films’ 4 >> CHRONICLE 5 >> WEDNESDAY | 1 APRIL 2020

“This is sheer stupidity and waste of resources. It’s like buying a fighter jet for whenever we may have a war even when one does not know how to fire a missile, let alone fly a plane” Dr Sundeep Lakhtakia, senior consultant, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology

“Unless they have an inten- sivist — a spe- cialist doctor handling ICUs — at home, it’s of no use. We just don’t have enough staff to run hospitals, let alone home ventilators” Dr Khizar Raoof, Consultant Urologist, Olive Hospital

“Buying an oxy- gen concentra- tor at home is acceptable, but Forget sanitisers, masks, gloves and essentials; the latest COVID-19 reality is that the richie rich a ventilator at folks are buying ventilators for personal use at home, should the need arise. However, experts home is not fea- say it is a dangerous and foolish move because using a ventilator needs expert supervision sible. Ventilators also need an oxygen supply and compressed air, which is again not possible at Buying ventilators? It is home” Dr Chaitanya Challa, Challa Nursing Home sheer stupidity, say experts

SWATI SHARMA shortage in hospitals, the uber-rich are the Indian scenario, Dr Khizar Raoof, DECCAN CHRONICLE panic-buying and hoarding ventilators Consultant Urologist, Olive Hospital, at home at the cost of `10 lakh. shares his thoughts. “Unless they have Billionaire technology Ventilators are used for patients suffer- an intensivist — a specialist doctor han- entrepreneur Elon Musk ing from coronavirus to keep them alive dling ICUs — at home, it’s of no use. We WORD OF THE WISE had recently taken to the if they struggle to breathe. just don’t have enough staff to run hos- microblogging site to tweet, But is this a sensible move? Experts pitals, let alone home ventilators,” he Considering possible “Yes. Just as with gro- including Dr Sundeep Lakhtakia, who is cautions. Adding to the above thought, ceries, the panic is also a senior consultant at Asian Institute of Dr Sunil Kapoor, senior Interventional complications at this point, it is causing hoarding of Gastroenterology, feel otherwise. “This Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals, says, “It essential to use ventilators ventilators, pre- is sheer stupidity and waste of needs to be connected to a high-pressure only in hospital ICUs for venting them resources. It’s like buying a fighter jet oxygen line, which is available only in patient safety and better chances of from reaching for whenever we may have a war even the ICCU of hospitals.” their survival. It’s a scary thought to the hospitals when one does not know how to fire a use ventilators at home, and it where they missile, let alone fly a plane,” he says. PROCEDURE AND INFRASTRUCTURE are needed.” To begin with, those buying/hoarding In addition to the above, ventilator set- is a bad practice to hoard them Even though a ventilator tend to forget that they will tings also must be monitored and at home. I believe it is something thestill need someone to manage the changed as per the patient’s need, that needs to be reported to Government machine at home. Moreover, where will depending on the patient’s condition. Government agencies so that such of India, they find the necessary therapist or doc- What’s more, the patient must be appro- hoarders are taken to task,” warns recently, prohib- tor to run the ventilator if it comes to priately sedated to tolerate the ventila- Sanjay Waghray, CEO, SS Associates. ited the export of that? For those wondering if it is, in the tor. So essentially, the issue here is about surgical masks and first place, possible to run a critical care how to set it up. ventilators because of its patient privately at home especially in TURN TO PAGE 2 Wednesday 1 April 2020 2

in focus Deccan Chronicle

THE SCORE KEEPERS SAY... Buying ventilators? It is sheer stupidity, ‘Ours is a thankless job’ say experts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Cricket scorers are an integral part of the game but are usually “Adjustment of a ventilator is an hourly unknown. We speak with some, who articulate the challenges and issue,” explains Dr Chaitanya Challa, Challa Nursing Home. “A doctor has to be constantly neglect they face present to adjust it. Buying an oxygen concen- trator at home is acceptable, but a ventilator at BIPIN DANI home is not feasible. Ventilators also need an oxygen supply and compressed air, which is again not possible at home.” ICC has panels for umpires and According to Dr K. Subba Reddy, Sr match referees, who declare Consultant Critical Care, Apollo Health City, thousands of boundaries and ventilating a patient requires the entire inten- verdicts on “outs” and “not out” deci- sive care infrastructure. “Just buying ventila- sions. However, there are no ICC pan- tors and keeping them ready outside ICU set- els for scorers yet, who record players’ tings is not advisable. Sometimes, they may runs and wickets and are an integral require prolonged ventilator support,” he adds. part of the game. “Further, they require good doctors and nurses “Yes, scorers should be recognised to take care of them. They may also require by the ICC. If one wants to improve other organ perfection in the game, this system “Just buying support such should be introduced,” says Sejal as dialysis Dave from Rajkot, one of the women ventilators and and multiple scorers in the country. keeping them other consul- Another woman scorer is Hemali ready outside tants’ involve- Desai, who has been in the job since ICU settings is ment. Added 1994, handling the pile of runs scored to it all, they by legends in the middle. Sejal and not advisable. Sometimes, will require Hemali, members of the BCCI panel, very close made history when both officiated in they may monitoring to the Ranji Trophy finals (between require prolonged ventilator wean off the Saurashtra and Bengal). While Sejal support. They require good ventilator. So, was the official scorer, Hemali was doctors and nurses to take it is not possi- designated in the press box. But ble to create women scorers are a rarity in the care of them. They may also require other organ support efficient ICUs country. at home.” “Scorers perform the most impor- (above) Sejal Dave and Hemali such as dialysis and multiple tant duties of maintaining all details Desai other consultants’ involve- OTHER VALID of a given match. Unfortunately, this ment. CONCERNS faculty is most neglected,” chimes in (L-R) Gopal Krishna and M. Dr K. Subba Reddy, Sharmila Thakur, another BCCI Nagaraj In govern- woman scorer. Sr Consultant Critical Care, Apollo Health City ment-run hos- “Cricket statisticians pitals, it is UNRECORDED RECORDERS very difficult form the backbone of “COVID-19 commentators and cricket to get vacant Besides the women scorers, even a few infection ventilators. In cricket statisticians favour due recog- websites, but they are results in res- private hospi- nition by the highest governing body often the most neglected piratory dis- tals, ventila- of the game. “Cricket statisticians lot” tress syn- tors are avail- form the backbone of commentators C. Keshav Murthy, able but are and cricket websites, but they are drome in only highly priced. a renowned cricket statisti- 2–4 per cent often the most neglected lot,” says C. cian So also, Keshav Murthy, a renowned cricket of people. For experts think statistician. instance, as of it unwise and When asked for his opinion on why “Scorers perform the now, there are 40 patients warn against they are not a part of any panel, most important duties admitted in the COVID-19 anyone get- Keshav says, “Scorers are in larger of maintaining all details of ting into an numbers, which may have prompted ward of the Gandhi Hospital unnecessary a given match. and not a single patient is on the ICC to not form a panel. However, Unfortunately, this faculty panic-buying this suggestion should be welcome. ventilator” of ventilators BCCI and other cricket associations is most neglected” Dr Sunil Kapoor, during this should step in and fight for it.” Sharmila Thakur, Senior Interventional time. Gopal Krishna, another cricket sta- a BCCI woman scorer Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals “In the tistician who has officiated in more Indian sce- than 100 international matches for the nario, if radio tells us that the BCCI has a grad- If Sachin Tendulkar has things go ed panel for scorers. “But the ICC worse, the government will take over all the should have its own panel. It would be scored thousands of runs ventilators. Even the ones in private hospitals,” the best thing to happen for the and Muralitharan and warns Dr Khizar Raoof. “They’re already get- game,” he adds. Shane Warne have grabbed ting private medical colleges ready, and if the hundreds of wickets, it is need arises, private hospitals will also become a UNSUNG BUT NOT DONE because these score keep- part of the war against corona.” ers have recorded them all Dr Sunil Kapoor also reminds people that very M. Nagaraj, another scorer-cum-sta- Score keepers on the job few of the corona patients need ventilators in tistician, feels a panel for umpires is correctly the first place. necessary because they officiate in or media.” ed them “COVID-19 infection results in respiratory dis- neutral countries. “Scorers are not Another Mumbai scorer, Vivek all correctly,” shares Vivek, adding, tress syndrome in only 2-4 per cent of people. required to be neutral as their main Gupte, adds to the sentiment. “The BCCI has given us an iPad and For instance, as of now, there are 40 patients duty is only to record the happenings “Ours is a thankless job! If Sachin an app. We record the matches, which admitted in the COVID-19 ward of the Gandhi of the game, but yes, it is a thankless Tendulkar has scored thousands of gets instantly uploaded on the BCCI Hospital and not a single patient is on ventila- job,” adds Nagaraj. “Scorers and sta- runs and Muralitharan and Shane website. General public can view the tor,” elaborates Dr Sunil Kapoor. tisticians working behind the scenes Warne have grabbed hundreds of live scores but nowhere are our efforts and their names hardly appear on TV wickets. It is because we have record- being recognised.” Wednesday 1 April 2020 3

glam sham Deccan Chronicle Disconnected from reality? Internet in our country, almost With Bollywood everybody, intentionally or unintentionally, follows their celebs going all favourite celebrities. Now, out with their because of the lockdown when people are asked to stay inside, workout videos in it’s right on part of the celebri- ties to upload workout videos or the face of the of them doing home chores pandemic, it’s because it influences people to stay back home,” he says. debatable First one to react, Deepika Padukone, in a Hangout video, whether it’s a defended putting up exercise way to connect videos on social media. “I know a lot of people have a problem with fans or being with exercise videos that are Katrina Kaif Isabelle Kaif going up. But to be honest, too self-indulgent putting up exercise videos — at these times rather, exercising, not putting I can understand up videos — it’s more about SHALKIE that you all are how you feel. It’s not really about how you look.” While The ongoing coronavirus privileged and you there is a gaping gap between pandemic has opened a don’t have any the privileged and the under- Pandora’s box of chal- other worries privileged in this country, the lenges for those trying to curb crisis has dawned on everybody. its spread. ‘Stay Home, Stay except for looking But it’s the disproportionate Safe’ is the message en vogue after your figures, effect of the crisis that’s being endorsed by almost but most of us have fuelling this debate. everyone, including our Social media may have favourite celebrities who have bigger concerns become a medium to find a sem- been posting videos and pic- during this crisis. blance of normalcy for the tures on social media that most- —FARAH KHAN Sara Ali Khan celebrities, but they should also ly include their workouts, sun- not ignore the harsh reality and kissed happy faces and daily ing your workout videos and At a time when film releases Fernandez, Katrina Kaif, Sara do whatever they can to unbur- chores of cooking and mopping bombarding us with it. I can and film shootings have come to Ali Khan and Vicky Kaushal den the burdened, says image in the absence of their house understand that you all are a halt, our B-towners, while among others are some of the consultant Chetna Mehrotra. help and maids. privileged and you don’t have under a lockdown, have been actors that have shared their “One side is definitely to let Probably as an aftermath of any other worries in this global posting videos of them exercis- slice of fitness routine on their people know that they too are such images and videos, the pandemic except for looking ing at home as a means to stay- social media. However, the equally a part of this entire choreographer-turned-film- after your figures. But some of ing relevant among their fans question arises whether such a lockdown. And the other part is maker Farah Khan recently us, most of us have bigger con- and followers. According to the blatant display of cushioned that when you are an influ- took to social media to high- cerns during this crisis.” image consultant Chhaya privilege is the need of the encer, you need to validate and light the privilege of her fit- Echoing the same, in what is a Momaya, “Celebrities are glam- hour. endorse what’s happening with ness-video-posting colleagues photoshopped image, Diljit our-based, and the best way to According to the social media those who are less privileged. from Bollywood. In the video, Dosanjh superimposed his face show glamour is through your strategist Mayank Jain, these Now is the time when these which has gone viral on the on the popular Instagram body. To remind their fans that videos are not a display of priv- celebrities can break the barri- Internet, the Om Shanti Om celebrity Dude With Sign’s they are still glamorous, and ilege, as it encourages fans to er and show that even though director says, “It’s my humble image, in which he is carrying that they are still looking good, stay indoors, which is the actu- they are privileged, they are request to all the ‘celebrities’ a sign board that says: ‘Stop posting fitness video is a fantas- al need of the moment. “With also not that privileged,” she and ‘stars’ that please stop mak- Posting Your Home Workouts’. tic idea.” Jacqueline the deep penetration of the concludes.

Deepika misses Hrithik Roshan: the Padukones DC CORRESPONDENT Textbook hero The ongoing lockdown has been hard on Deepika Padukone, who has DC CORRESPONDENT education for students. been in Mumbai with her husband While this news is lesser- while her parents and sister are far Hrithik Roshan’s life has known, a Twitter user shared: away in Bangalore. The Chhapaak not always been easy. “Felt bored, so I was reading a actress, who is extremely close with her Despite being born into the textbook of my niece. I was sur- family, says that the first thing she will affluent Roshan family, he grew prised to see this page. This is do when the coronavirus pandemic ends up with a stammer and an extra from the value education text- is visit her family. finger on his right hand, which book of class 6. Who else can She said in a recent interview, “I was others made fun of. He has also teach self-confidence better actually scheduled to travel to Bangalore overcome scoliosis just before than him? Proud of you to see them (family) and then leave for becoming an actor. @iHrithik sir @HrfcTamilnadu our schedule (Shakun Batra’s film) — we His story is now being told to @HrithikRules were going to be out for like two months. students of Class 6 under the @HrithikInspires (sic).” I think that’s probably the first thing I’ll chapter of ‘self confidence’ in The WAR actor’s life story do, which is just go and see them in flesh the textbook Life and Values has also been immortalised in and blood.”While most of us are seeing imprinted by S. Chand international author Ben this difficult time through with our fam- Publications. The book is fol- Brooks' book titled Stories For ilies in real life, Deepika has to rely on lowed in the matric schools of Boys Who Dare To Be technology to see her family. Tamil Nadu as part of value Different. Wednesday 1 April 2020 4

the buzz Deccan Chronicle

tion has the ability to laugh at herself. Recounting an older video on Delhi’s air pollution, she laughingly admits, “I look Humour in times very poor in that video. I stay at a hostel in Delhi. I opened the door, it was so hazy, I just woke up, did not wash my face, used my phone camera and started shooting. I look so pathetic.” You’ve got to hand it to Saloni. She exudes remarkable self con- fidence when she says, “People of distress ask me why I don’t apply make up? So when I mimicked Sonam Move over NAYARE ALI actress,” she quickly adds. I put on the best kurta I had, to DECCAN CHRONICLE It is Kangana, who by default do justice to Sonam as she is a paved the way for Saloni’s foray fashion icon. But Nazmi aapi Mallika Dua. Saloni’s twitter account into comic videos. “I used to does not require a makeover,” There’s a new has 98.3k followers and mimic her in school and my asserts the girl who also doubles this charming college friends loved it,” she concedes. up as the background guy who Youtuber in student’s impersonation of This youngster straddles dual comments in her videos. I am Kangana Ranaut who she worlds. She studies economics the guy in the background, I can town. The burqa wickedly calls Kangana and political science by day at imitate Jimmy Shergil too, so ‘'Runnout’, has earned her 34.7k her university and recedes into decided to do the male voice clad Nazma likes on Twitter. “I hope she her hostel, to make comic over.” likes it too. I have seen Queen videos. “Initially I only did Saloni who hails from UP mod- Aapi’s political multiple times and I believe voiceovers but one day a ran- estly states she is not famous in Kangana is a dom video I made went viral her hometown but wickedly commentary has great and my friends suggested that I adds that her relatives are wary should show my face. So I of her as she might just mimic made Saloni bought this wig from Amazon them. “My nani refuses to speak as a part of my get up and in front of me as she is afraid Gaur a national everybody loved it. Everyone that I will imitate her also,” she was making videos. When I laughs. sensation joined insta I noticed that Saloni happily admits that Mallika Dua was making none of her videos have gener- videos. I did not know how to ated any hate mails or com- channel my thoughts into a ments. “I am very balanced and video. My brother Shubham, take care not to offend anyone who has appeared in Amazon in my social commentary.” Prime’s Hostel Days and he’s a The future looks bright as Youtuber, guided me.” Saloni is currently doing collab- And that is how the demure orative videos and ads and will housewife with fierce views be venturing into radio soon. became an instant hit. And the Speaking about the process of biggest high for her was, “When Screenshots of Saloni’s hilari- creating, Saloni says that work- Kusha Kapila messaged me ous videos. Saloni’s latest ing on filmi impersonations after seeing my video. I was on video where she imperson- does not take time but when she cloud nine that day,” she says. ates Sonam Kapoor will leave dons the garb of Nazma Aapi, it Nazma Aapi airs her views you rolling with laughter takes her 2.5 hours to work on nonchalantly on every- the script and shoot. “My par- thing from panic buying ents are supportive. They told post corona virus to a down. Like actress Sonam, who me to not target anybody and desi mother-in- Saloni recently impersonated that is something that I am cau- law’s views and even got an appreciated tious about. My brother too was post lock- response back, the young sensa- very supportive.”

This youngster straddles dual worlds. She studies economics and politi- cal science by day at her university and recedes into her hostel, to make comic videos. “Initially I only did voiceovers but one day a random video I made went viral and my friends suggested that I should show my face. So I bought this wig from Amazon as a part of my get up and everybody loved it,” says Saloni. Born on All Fools Day This year, for the first time in many years, cricketer Murali Vijay will get to celebrate his birthday with his entire family around him. His parents are looking forward to it BIPIN DANI the cricketer’s father, R. very sim- Whenever he is in Murali, said. He was ple cele- Chennai on his birthday, The right-handed speaking exclusively to bration he comes to us for bless- batsman was born on DC from Chennai. at his ings. This year, we don’t April 1, 1984. Over the “Usually, we all go to a home.” expect him to come to us past several years he has nearby temple, but “Vijay with his three children. been busy with IPL because of the stays half a Instead, my wife and I will matches during this time, Coronavirus km away go to his house,” he said. but the Coronavirus crisis, the from us. The family plans to spend threat this year has dis- temples are quality time together. rupted all such schedules. closed,” he “April 1 is the Financial “It (April 1 — All Fools’ said, New Year in India and it Day) is a special day and adding, will be a fresh start for is celebrated throughout “we will both Vijay and the econo- the world with laughter,” have a my, said Murali. The cricketer with his wife and kids Wednesday 1 April 2020 5

tollywood Deccan Chronicle Samantha to ‘Watching old, do a biopic classic films’ The actress will soon be working Actor Adivi SUBHASH K JHA on an interesting project How have you been cop- Sesh, like Qing with the lockdown? Samantha Akkineni, the story, she would like to Initially, one was worried, but one of the top actresses finalise it,” adds the everyone else, slowly you realise the best thing in South Indian cinema source. you can do is to isolate yourself. today, has been approached This is indeed a good is in self So, doing my best by isolating for a biopic, which is to be opportunity for Samantha isolation. He myself. directed by none other to be working with a leg- than senior director endary director such as talks about How are you spending Singeetham Srinivasa Rao Singeetham. We have Qyour time? of the Pushpaka learnt that the script of the how he’s Watching some scenes of what Vimanamu fame. film is ready, and once the we shot for my next release A source tells us that industry is back to normal, spending his Major, reading books I never Singeetham has planned to the details of the film will would have read otherwise, and do a biopic on Bangalore be announced. time, being doing lots of exercise! Oh yes, Nagarathnamma, a forgot the movie binging part. Carnatic singer, cultural alone Been on a classic spree — The activist, social reformer, Director Singeetham Godfather, Roja, Dalapathi and freedom fighter and cour- Srinivasa Rao has many more. I have been watch- tesan. “The director has ing all the old classics. approached Samantha for approached Samantha the biopic, and Samantha for the biopic, and the Are you eating and sleep- has shown positive signs actress has shown Qing more than usual? about taking up this film, I keep falling asleep and it also and once the director gives positive signs about makes me realise my adrenaline a complete narration of taking up this film levels. Working on Major has been most satisfying, looking forward to getting back on set. About eating, as a kid I would eat more if bored, not now. Just Balayya and Rana don’t do it. up for a remake QYour advise to your fans... It is important for all to under- Actor Balakrishna hopes to stand that this is unprece- remake the Malayalam hit, dented in our lifetime. Many people still think of it as Ayyappanum Koshiyum something “someone some- where” is getting. Guys, stay The Malayalam film in, be hygienic and please be Ayyappanum vigilant specially about the Koshiyum has been a big young and the elderly. Monitor hit. Now, word has it that them but keep your distance. our very own Balakrishna You never know, you could be a 55 years of is showing interest in doing carrier and your body is fight- a Telugu remake of the film. ing it just fine. Their bodies The story revolves around the can’t. Take this opportunity to a Tollywood ego problems of a retired and do personal things you never influential military person and would’ve done. We are all guilty a police officer. In the Malayalam of saying ‘If only, I had the time’ legend film, Biju Menon and Prithviraj Well... you have the time now! played the two characters. We hear He was called Andhra’s that Balakrishna looks interested Tell us about your next James Bond, destined to in playing the retired military offi- Qrelease. become a superstar. Krishna has cer’s role for the Telugu remake. It’s strange to put a halt to now completed 55 years in the “Actually, Balakrishna wants to things right in the middle of Telugu film industry. His debut work with veteran director B. Major’s shoot. But the whole film Tene Manasulu, directed by Balakrishna Gopal who was looking for a good world is on pause. Can’t wait to Adurti Subba Rao, had released subject. The former suggested this get back to working on this on March 31, 1965. The film, Malayalam film to Gopal. amazing story. Recently, for which was the first social film to However, Sitara Entertainment March 15, the birthday of Major be made in colour and had intro- had actually bought the remake Sandeep Unnikrishnan, we had duced Krishna and many other rights of the film, and it is up to some massive updates planned actors, was a huge hit back then. them whether they produce the but postponed for obvious rea- Tene Manasulu was also a huge film with Balakrishna,” a source sons. Will do them once the lock- musical hit, all of which tells us. The film also needs anoth- down ends. ensured that it was a great debut er popular actor to play the cop’s vehicle for Krishna. role, and Balakrishna apparently Krishna never looked back and hopes for Rana Daggubati to do it. It is important for all to understand that became a huge star and one of “Rana has also shown interest in this is unprecedented in our lifetime. the pillars of Telugu film indus- doing the film, but he wants full try, who is known to have intro- clarity regarding the director Many people still think of it as something duced many techniques into the and producer,” adds the source. “someone somewhere” is getting. Guys, industry, too. The legendary So, as we have it for the moment, stay in, be hygienic and please be actor’s superstar son Mahesh if everything goes well, Balayya Babu also recognised his and Rana may soon act together in vigilant specially about the young and father’s journey and milestone two powerful roles. the elderly — Adivi Sesh via a post on Instagram. “My all time favourite #timelessclassic Rana Daggubati # Tene Manasulu (sic),” says Mahesh Babu. —Snippets by Suresh Kavirayani Wednesday 1 April 2020 6

coffee-break Deccan Chronicle

Your day today QUICK CROSSWORD Across 3. Ooze out (4) By Dr C.V.B. Subrahmanyam 1. Contagious disease 4. Hire (6) Aries: Trying to accomplish too many things together might (9) 5. Beltlike divisions (5) adversely affect your health. Tell your partner you want to reconnect 6. Bamboo-eater (5) 6. Tamping (anag) (7) romantically. Stay away from negativity. 7. Boxer’s blow (5) 8. Advantageous (7) Taurus: Freedom to be creative 11.Thin covering (6) may result in your best output. 9. Spanish painter (4) Express your feelings in a love let- 10.Petrified relic (6) 13.Tedium (5) ter so your partner realises how eager you’re to rekindle the love life. 12.Lace hole (6) 15.Directive (5) Gemini: Avoid lavish expenditures 14.Laze about (4) 16.Self-satisfied (4) today. Ensure your romantic part- ner doesn’t feel insecure. 17.Slight colouring (5) Professionally, you’d explore new, YESTERDAY’S ANSWER untried opportunities. 18.Mannequin (5) Across: 1. Newlywed, 7. Mural, 8. Wrath, Love is the most important 19.Ignore (9) 9. Apexes, 10. Feel, 12. Tape, 14. Relief, Cancer: 17. Actor, 18. Hades, 19. Hysteria. thing in your life at present. Your Down Down: 1. Nurse, 2. Wolves, 3. Yawn, business will increase, with a possi- 4. Elate, 5. Impartial, 6. Shellfish, ble assignment. Manage your diet 2. Nursemaid (5) 11. Zephyr, 13. Petty, 15. India, 16.Fret. for good health. Word Mine Leo: Love may be difficult to find. bridge Expect happiness around you. Your IT’S NO JOKE; SIMPLE IS performance at work will be strict- PHILLIP ALDER ly monitored. Relatives may offer OFTEN BEST L valuable advice regarding personal life. ermann Hesse hearts will usually work wrote, "Eternity is better than one spade. Virgo: You’d be disappointed if a mere moment, Note also that if South's R U D depending only on subordinates H just long enough for a spade two were in either for completing work. You might joke." minor suit, he would not express your true feelings to I doubt today will last rebid three no-trump, not N E N I E your dream person. Take care of your for an eternity, but if you four spades, to offer his health, especially your skin. TODAY’S RATINGS: 25 AVERAGE; 27 GOOD; 2 OUTSTANDING know a funny, clean joke, partner a choice of How many words of four or more letters please email it to me at games. In four spades, can you make from the letters shown in You share your b’day with phillip@bridgeforevery- South saw four potential today’s puzzle? In making a word, each one.com. losers: one heart, one dia- letter may be used once only. Each word Mackenzie Davis, must contain the letter at the top of the Canadian actress. She This deal features a mond and two clubs. declarer-play technique However, declarer knew pyramid. There should be at least one in best known for her nine letter word. Plurals, foreign words that is almost sure to be that any time he could and proper names are not allowed. roles in Terminator: right. How should South ruff a loser in the shorter Dark Fate, Tully, Blade plan the play in four trump hand, it would be Runner 2049, The spades after West leads the right line of play. Martian, That the club seven to the six, So, he ruffed a club at Awkward Moment, A king and ace? trick two, played a heart ace and gave his partner a Country Called Home When the opener has 5- to his ace and ruffed his diamond ruff, but that and Breathe In 4-3-1 shape and 12 to 14 last club. Then he cashed cost East one of his nat- amongst others. high-card points, opens in the spade ace, getting the ural trump tricks. South his five-card suit and surprising news about took five spades, two hears partner respond in the 5-0 split. After check- hearts, one club and the Libra: Family appreciates changes his three-card major, he ing that West wasn't hav- two club ruffs on the in and around the house. Your should raise to two of ing a little joke, momen- board.’ self-confidence enables you to that major. Even if open- tarily reneging, declarer Copyright United

enhance your prospects. Enjoy

er has 4=3=5=1 or played a diamond to his Feature Syndicate unreel unlined, UNDERLINE, underlie, ruled, rule, rile,

your holiday with your loved ones. Expect relied, reel, lurid, lured, lure, lire, liner, linen, lined, line, lieu, lien, 4=3=1=5, rebidding two jack. West won with his (Asia Features) lied, lender, lend, leer, idler, idle, elude, elder, duel, deli, ANSWERS: desired results in matters of the heart. Scorpio: Keep business interests in mind while hiring professionals. ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ scrabble brand | G2 R1 As Ms S1 Avoid bringing tension home. Try SU DO KU SU DO KU 2 not to find faults in your partner. Travelling is on the cards. Sagittarius: Travel with colleague might begin a new relationship. Friends/family will encourage you to work harder. Plan a nice roman- tic meeting with your partner.

Capricorn: A small company picnic changes your mood. Self-starters may find work productive. Maintain a distance from negative emotions. DIRECTIONS: Make a 2 to 7-letter word from Aquarius: Expect an opportunity to the letters in each row. Add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. 7- prove your mettle on the profes- Did you think the YESTERDAY’S ANSWER WHAT YESTERDAY’S ANSWER letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” sional front. Spending time with SU◆DO◆KU used as any letter have no point value. All seniors would upgrade your pro- TO DO Judd’s words are in the Official Scrabble fessional knowledge and skills. Fill in the grid on the left was easy? Players Dictionary (Merriam-Webster) and so that every Try this. Check the OSW Official Scrabble words (Chambers). row, every solution tomorrow. JUDD’S Solution Tomorrow Pisces: Be tactful when conveying column, and Tips available at www.sudoku-xls.com a message to your beloved. A every 3x3 box DC-AGE SU DO KU financial deal improves your contains the FORUM: Discuss the digits 1 to 9. SU DO KU puzzles monetary condition. Some might Every puzzle printed and con- make jogging a daily routine. Clarify misun- has only one tribute mind teasers correct of your own at derstandings with loved ones. Domestic life www.sudexel.com/ solution. may be disturbed; be cool and careful. forum Wednesday 1 April 2020 257 coffee-break Deccan Chronicle

CALVIN AND HOBBES| Bill Watterson Dennis the Menace

THE WIZARD OF ID| Parker and Hartsd

ARCHIE| Bill Henry Scarpelli & craig boldman hocus focus

BLONDIE| Dean Young and John Marshall

ANDY CAPP | Reg Smythe

jumble

TARZAN| Edgar Rice Burroughs Wednesday 1 April 2020 8

matinee Deccan Chronicle

Alia’s writing Kartik snubs aspirations Alia Bhatt is not just putting up videos of workouts and washing hands during the lock- down but is spending it bettering her craft. The actress is actually doing an online certification course on creative writing from an international institute. “Alia comes from a very creative Ekta? family and it is but evident that the actress — who was goaded into The two were unable to agree on doing her own lines for her film Sadak 2 by her father and director Kartik’s fee, which is reportedly higher Mahesh Bhatt — has been taking the course. Alia is not really a than Shahid Kapoor’s fee writer, but she has also been putting together essays and other stuff, and will be writing a detailed SUBHASH K JHA script at the completion of the course. Her sister Shaheen is also a Rumour has it that Ekta Kapoor good writer, her half-sister Pooja is offered Kartik Aaryan a feature also a director like her father, and film, but he turned the lady tycoon so it won’t be long before we see down. Apparently the Queen of Soaps, her name in the credit list of films who is not used to being turned down, has which does not fall under the star- not taken this snub very well. ring category,” says an industry Some investigation into the royal snub source. reveals further details — “Kartik first Alia was slated to start shooting offered her the age-old ghisa-pita excuse of Takht with Karan Johar, but it has dates nahin hai, shrugging his shoulders now been put on hold as the film helplessly. But it seems Kartik and Ekta was to have its schedules in Italy couldn’t agree on the payment,” an and Spain — two countries that informed source shares. have been heavily affected by Ekta is known to not pay her actors COVID-19. Alia was to also do a unreasonable amounts of money. After a photo shoot with the other women string of hits, Kartik’s fee has shot up sky Apparently in the film, which got cancelled as high. Apparently, goaded by his over- Ekta, who is the schedule has been indefinitely enthusiastic team, the Luka Chuppi star is not used to being postponed till things normalise. asking for a fee higher than Varun turned down, has The actress was about to begin Dhawan and Shahid Kapoor. not taken this shooting for Rajamouli’s film RRR Maybe Ekta should approach him again snub very well as well, which has also been can- now that the miserable failure of Love Aaj celled for the time being. Kal is known to us all. If Kartik hiked his — Sanskriti Media price after the hits, we would ascertain that he must have lowered it after the flop.

Hera Pheri two decades later

With the cult classic film Hera Pheri completing 20 years after its release in March 2000, the buzz about a series revival is stronger than ever before. Starring Paresh Rawal as Baburao with I cannot Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty as Raju and Shyam, fathom the the film got two action heroes into comic roles, doing every- kind of response I thing unheroic on screen and yet managing to entertain the still get about the audience. film. The film is “I cannot fathom the kind of film in a single location in a — who last made Welcome response I still get about the lockdown kind of situation — Back — was last speaking to happening for film,” reminisces Suniel that is how director both Priyadarshan as well as Shetty, who confirms that a Priyadarshan works,” the Ahmed Khan to see who sure remake is in the works. “The actor further reveals. could direct the third part. film is happening for sure. I If one recalls, the second Priyadarshan had directed Dostana duo John Abraham won’t know when,” he had part never came close to the first part while Neeraj and Abhishek Bachchan step- told us recently. being as funny as the original Vora directed the second part. ping in along with Suniel “The first part had both of as most of the actors in the Neeraj was to direct the third playing Ghanshyam, and us, action heroes, doing come- film tried to get loud and get part of the film, but he Paresh retaining his Baburao dy for the first time. We were the plaudits that only expired. Earlier in 2015, they slot. However, that did not shooting for the film in Baburao got in the film. had planned the film with a happen. Chennai and we wrapped the Producer Firoz Nadiadwala partial change in cast with —Sanskriti Media