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VOL 14 ISSUE 18 ● NEW YORK / DALLAS ● MAY 01 - 07, 2020 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458 www.theindianpanorama.news AMERICA Indian-American-led clinical trial of remdesivir UNITED AGAINST in COVID-19 treatment shows positive results COVID-19 'A drug can block this virus': Dr. Fauci hails Covid-19 treatment breakthrough FOSTER CITY, CA (TIP): The phase preliminary results showed that 50 per KEEP SAFE three clinical trial of the antiviral drug cent of the COVID-19 patients treated ● Follow President Trump's remdesivir, led by a team of with a 5-day dosage of remdesivir Guidelines on Coronavirus investigators including an Indian- improved and more than half were ● Observe Social Distancing American physician, for the treatment of discharged from the hospital within two ● Wash Hands Frequently the coronavirus patients has shown weeks. A phase three clinical trial is said ● No Panic Buying positive results, a US pharma company to be the final step in the process of the ● No Price Gouging announced on Wednesday, April 29. drug approval. "Certainly, it's a positive KEEP AMERICA SAFE The California-based pharma it's a very positive event," Picture for Representational purpose company Gilead Sciences said that the contd on Page 32 Indian Origin Long Island Congress questions Two cinema legends Open up economy in Man Charged under 68,607 crore loan die a day apart measured way: Defense Production Act write-off due from 50 Buddies Raghuram Rajan for Price-Gouging of PPE stayed economic offenders together and NEW DELHI NEW died almost (TIP): Former Mehul Choksi together, a YORK (TIP): and Nirav day apart RBI Governor A criminal Modi , two Raghuram Rajan complaint fugitives said here, April whose bank was filed loans running 30, that India April 24 in into thousands should open up Raghuram Rajan, of crores were federal court former RBI Governor its economy in a in Central written off NEW YORK (TIP): Irrfan Khan, the measured way Amardeep Singh wears a Islip charging NEW DELHI (TIP): The Congress on actor who excelled in both Bollywood soon to enable people to have jobs and face shield as he poses Amardeep Tuesday,April 28, asked Prime Minister and Hollywood cinema died fighting underlined that Rs 65,000 crore should beside stocks of Singh with Narendra Modi to 'explain' why his cancer on April 29. In Mumbai, India. A be spent to support the poor during the disinfectant in an violating the government has waived ?68,607 crore day later, on April 30, another legendary Covid crisis. Instagram post on April 7. Photo / courtesy US Defense worth of bank loans taken by the top 50 actor Rishi Kapoor who, too, suffered contd on Page 32 Attorney's office for the Production defaulters including Nirav Modi, Mehul from cancer, died in a hospital in Eastern District Act of 1950 by Choksi and Vijay Mallya at a time when Mumbai. No respite for US; 2,500 hoarding personal protective the country is fighting the coronavirus READ THE INDIAN PANORAMA equipment ("PPE") at a warehouse in [COVID-19] pandemic. TRIBUTE TO RISHI KAPOOR ON die in 24 hours contd on Page 32 contd on page 32 PAGE 17 AND TO IRRFAN KHAN ON PAGES 18-19. Story on Page - 12 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 2 CORONAVIRUS CRISIS FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 DEAD VIRUS PARTICLES MAY AFFECT TEST RESULT After over 26,700 deaths, PM

oronavirus patients who remain positive weeks after diagnosis may harbour dead virus Cparticles that can’t be distinguished from Boris says UK is past peak infectious ones in tests, scientists in South Korea found. The virus dies one to two weeks after infecting and LONDON (TIP): The proliferating inside respiratory cells, doctors at the death toll in the United National Medical Center in Seoul said. Kingdom from TRACKING THE VIRUS Pieces of the virus’s RNA may remain in cells and coronavirus was 26,711 on be detected by a nucleic acid test a month or two after Thursday, but a slower infection, underscoring the limitation of Covid-19 rate of new infections and GLOBAL INDIA testing, they said. dwindling rate of deaths Some Covid-19 patients have continued to test prompted Prime Minister Cases Deaths Cases Deaths positive over more than a month, said Peter Boris Johnson to declare Collignon, a professor of clinical medicine at the that the country is past 3,308,290 234,108 35,043 1,147 Australian National University Medical School in the peak. Canberra. Addressing the daily It’s possible that the virus detected in these patients briefing for the first time isn’t viable or capable of causing an infection, “but we after returning to office, need better animal models to see if it’s dead or alive,” Johnson, who had a brush he said. with death after How long an individual excretes infectious virus in contracting the virus, said their respiratory secretions and faecal matter is key he was “very, very lucky” to determining the optimal time an infected person when he was admitted to should self-isolate or be quarantined. Previous studies the intensive care unit, indicate that very ill patients remain infectious but regretted that many longer than people who experience a mild illness. people had lost their lives that. ‘MAJOR STRATEGIC He said: “Today the number of Covid hospital ACHIEVEMENT’: XI JINPING admissions is falling. The number of patients in ICU HAILS CHINA’S COVID-19 BATTLE is falling. We have so far succeeded in the first and BEIJING (TIP): Chinese President Xi Jinping has most important task we termed China’s battle against Covid-19 as a major set ourselves as a nation. strategic achievement, as the ruling Communist To avoid the tragedy that Party is all set to hold the postponed Parliament engulfed other parts of session on May 22 amid a steady decline in the the world. Because at no coronavirus cases. China’s National Health stage has our NHS been Commission (NHC) on Thursday said the country overwhelmed”. reported only four new confirmed Covid-19 cases on Five mega hospitals COVID-19 CURVE IN BRAZIL ON THE RISE, Wednesday,taking the total number to 82,862, while no were quickly set up with death due to the disease was registered. The virus has help from the military,but DEATH TOLL HITS 5000 claimed 4,633 lives in the country. after admissions slowed, China’s arduous efforts to contain the coronavirus the NHS was left with razil saw the total number of have brought a decisive outcome to the fight of considerable capacity. deaths due to coronavirus surpass defending Hubei and its capital city Wuhan, Xi told a Figures released on B5,000 on Tuesday after reporting high-powered Central Committee meeting of the Friday said the number 474 deaths over the past 24 hours, making ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) on cases across settings in its overall pandemic-related toll the Wednesday. the UK were 171,253. ninth-highest worldwide. The nationwide battle against the epidemic has Johnson said: “And it is In contrast to other parts of the world, gained major strategic achievements, the state-run thanks to that massive Brazil’s coronavirus curve is climbing, Xinhua news agency quoted Xi as saying. Xi said collective effort to shield Health Minister Nelson Teich announced Hubei, including Wuhan, should continue the NHS that we avoided during a news conference Tuesday. As of strengthening community-level epidemic prevention an uncontrollable and Tuesday, the country had counted nearly and control. He asked officials to make efforts to catastrophic epidemic 72,000 positive cases, 5,017 deaths, and a contain the virus case at Heilongjiang Province where the reasonable 7% death rate. crowded bakeries and markets as a bordering Russia, where a large number of Chinese worst case scenario was When asked during the same news rebellious gesture. returning from Russian cities were tested positive for 500,000 deaths. And so I conference about mounting fatalities, Even as increasing numbers of coronavirus. can confirm today for the President Jair Bolsonaro answered, “So Brazilians fall victim to the virus, some first time that we are past what? What do you want me to do about businesses across the country have taken Antiviral drug could hold promise the peak of this disease. it?” before joking that even though his Bolsonaro’s lead. Popular clothing store We are past the peak and middle name means messiah in Hering announced Tuesday it would in fight against Covid-19: Study we are on the downward Portuguese, “I can’t make miracles.” immediately reopen their 104 stores, and slope”. The leader has refused to follow World more than 50 shopping malls are back in NEW DELHI (TIP): An investigational antiviral Russia’s Coronavirus cases Health Organization guidance on business, welcoming crowds of masked drug could hold promise in devising a treatment for combating the virus throughout the consumers. Covid-19. In a trial, evaluating 5-day and 10-day dosing surpass 100,000 outbreak. On the domestic front, he’s In other places in the country, the durations of the drug remdesivir in coronavirus Russia’s coronavirus criticized governors who called for outbreak is ravaging fragile health patients, it was found that the administration of the caseload surpassed quarantines, fired his health minister for systems: hospitals overwhelmed, and drug in patients with a severe manifestation of Covid- 100,000 on Thursday, with advocating for restrictions and beds and ventilators in short supply. 19 achieved improvement. the number of deaths containment measures, and personally Images of hastily-dug cemetery plots in “The data shows that remdesivir has a clear-cut, exceeding 1,000. took to the streets without a protective Sao Paulo are splashed across front pages significant, positive effect in diminishing the time to Russian health officials face mask, shaking hands and visiting of international newspapers. recovery,” Anthony Fauci, the top US epidemiologist reported a record daily who oversaw the study, told reporters at the White spike of 7,099 new House as reported by news agency AFP. confirmed cases on exhibiting any grocery shops, for gradually reopening It was found that coronavirus patients receiving a Thursday morning, symptoms. pharmacies and banks, the country. Kremlin 10-day treatment course of remdesivir achieved which brought the The vast majority of operating. spokesman Dmitry similar improvement in clinical status when country’s total to 106,498. Russian regions have On Tuesday, Russian Peskov pointed out that compared to those taking a 5-day treatment course. The number of infections been on lockdown since President Vladimir Putin the timeline for the The trial was conducted by Gilead Sciences, Inc., a is likely to be much late March, with people extended the lockdown reopening will be research-based biopharmaceutical company higher, as not everyone is ordered to stay at home until May 11 and tasked contingent on how the headquartered in California, US, with operations in being tested and many and only essential the government with outbreak continues to over 30 countries. carry the disease without businesses, such as putting together a plan unfold. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 NY/NJ/CT 3 New Jersey Gets Special Financial Aid from White House, Trump Praises Murphy Parks, Golf Courses to Reopen May 2

TRENTON, NJ (TIP): New Jersey determine whether county parks will be Governor Phil Murphy had a "good open or closed. The order takes effect at discussion" with President Donald sunrise on Saturday,May 2. It's Murphy's Trump at the White House, April 30 on first major move to begin lifting the near- the coronavirus pandemic and detailed lockdown orders he installed to slow the him part of the plan for his state's virus' spread in the Garden State. reopening. The outcome of the meeting "We understand that New Jerseyans was good indeed as the Garden State is want to get outside and get some fresh receiving additional grant from the air as the weather warms up," said White House. Governor Murphy. "However, this should I had a very good and productive not serve as an open invitation to rush meeting at the back to normalcy and break the @WhiteHouse necessary social distancing measures with President we've put in place. This approach will @realDonaldTrump also bring New Jersey in line with our earlier today. As a result, we are neighboring states, which will receiving 550,000 new #COVID19 test discourage residents from needlessly kits and 750,000 swabs from the crossing state lines for recreation." Trump Administration. This is a tremendous boost to our overall testing New Jersey's COVID-19 death toll hit a capacity., Murphy tweeted Thursday, new high on Thursday with 460, April 30 afternoon. Governor Murphy announced Thursday. "We've been crushed as a state. As you 79 of those deaths were reported in know, it's a state you know very well. We President Trump held a Meeting with New Jersey Governor Murphy, April 30 Twitter picture Bergen County alone. have 6,770 fatalities. But the curves, Trump also praised the Democrat getting myself in trouble, but that's okay. The state's death toll is 7,228, and thank God, are beginning to show Governor for his leadership during the (Laughter.) I have to tell the truth. He's - 118,652 people have tested positive for promise. And we're beginning to take crisis. "I have to speak as President but I - he's something", Trump jokingly added. COVID-19. some baby steps on that road to reopen. also speak as somebody that is in New Governor Phil Murphy thanked New Jersey has now lost more people In fact, we've announced that, as of this Jersey a lot. It's a great place. It's a President Trump for his help on to coronavirus than residents lost in weekend, our state and county parks, beautiful state. People don't understand coronavirus relief efforts in the state. World War I, the Korean war, the golf, under certain protocols, as of New Jersey quite. But it's a beautiful -- On April 29, Murphy signed an Vietnam war, both Gulf Wars, Saturday morning will be able to be open it's a beautiful state. And it's great to executive order reopening state parks Afghanistan, September 11th and again" Murphy told Trump at the have you as the governor" said Trump. and golf courses, and restoring the Superstorm Sandy combined, Governor meeting. "And, by the way, he's a Democrat, so I'm authority of county governments to Murphy said. New York City temporarily suspends South Asian Arts Resiliency Fund Gains overnight subway service due to coronavirus concerns Grassroots Momentum in USA NEW YORK NEW YORK (TIP): As the coronavirus pandemic (TIP): New continues to take its toll on the livelihood of artists York City's and arts organizations across every major discipline, subway grassroots communities are uniting to show their system will support for The South Asian Arts Resiliency Fund close down in (SAARF), a grant program created by the India the overnight Center Foundation for South Asian artists and arts hours as the workers in the U.S. who have been impacted by the state combats economic fallout of COVID-19 because of postponed the or canceled performances, events or exhibitions. coronavirus Supported by ICF seed money, a crowdfunding crisis, Gov. campaign and multiple live streaming experiences, Andrew the Fund has already raised more than $25,000, with Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday, a targeted goal of $500,000, which the organization To date, more than 80 artists and arts workers have April 30. hopes to raise over time from generous support by applied for a grant through SAARF The overnight shutdowns for the largely 24 hour a day, arts patrons and philanthropic communities. In fact, seven day a week system will begin on May 6, with multiple solo artists and groups, like Third Eye "We are humbled by the response SAARF has been trains being stopped for cleaning between 1 am and 5 Collective, Non Resident and Kathak Meetup NYC, getting over the past two weeks, especially from a.m. every night, Cuomo said at his coronavirus have already hosted online performances and live artists, patrons and community groups" said Raoul briefing. stream festivals to benefit the Fund, while other Bhavnani, one of ICF's Co-Founders. "But we have a The decision to close the country's largest subway arts/community organizations are sharing long way to go to even make a DENT in repairing system follows multiple published reports about a information about the program with its patrons. some of the havoc this pandemic has wrecked on the growing homeless population and poor sanitary To date, more than 80 artists and arts workers have lives of the South Asian artist community. We are conditions that had been growing for weeks. applied for a grant through SAARF; their ancestral surviving our respective lockdowns, in part, "You now have more homeless people on fewer trains origins range from across South Asia, including because of the art we are consuming on a daily and you have fewer people to conduct outreach for the Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, basis, whether it be a film or television series, a homeless people," Cuomo said. Afghanistan and India. Sixty percent of these virtual museum tour or an online live music Subway ridership has plummeted since New York's applicants say they have lost more than 80% of their concert. Our artists' livelihoods have been paused, stay-at-home order went into place last month. income due to COVID-19. Applications have also and they have very few places to turn. We need Buses, vans, and for-hire vehicles will be used to originated from 10 of the 50 states in the United everyone to pitch in to make this initiative the transport essential workers during the hours the States, primarily from the 'performing arts' field, and success it has the potential of becoming for the subways are shuttered, the governor said. within that, predominantly 'dance.' South Asian arts community." THE INDIAN PANORAMA 4 INDIANS ABROAD FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020

Indian American Neera Tanden named Indian American Renu Khator to NJ Governor's Restart and Recovery Elected to Prestigious American of State Economy Commission Academy of Arts and Sciences

HOUSTON (TIP): Renu Khator, develop my leadership skills," Khator University of Houston System said. "Being included with such an array chancellor and UH president since 2008, of eminent individuals is humbling, and has been elected to the American I am proud to join my fellow UH Cougars Academy of Arts and Sciences in the in the Academy." field of Educational and Academic Born in Uttar Pradesh, India, Khator Leadership, AAAS announced this week. is UH System's first woman Chancellor She joins more than 250 exceptionally and the first Indian immigrant to head a accomplished artists, scholars, scientists comprehensive research university in and leaders in the public, nonprofit and the United States. She earned her private sectors as members of the AAAS bachelor's degree at the University of class of 2020. Kanpur, and her master's and Ph.D. Renu Khator joins more than 250 "While recognition from this esteemed exceptionally accomplished artists, scholars, degrees in political science and public organization is personally very scientists and leaders in the public, nonprofit administration from Purdue University. gratifying, I am even more pleased with and private sectors as members of the The American Academy of Arts and the honor it brings to the University of American Academy of Arts & Sciences class Sciences represents innovative thinkers Houston and UH System, which has of 2020 in every field, including more than 250 given me such a valuable opportunity to Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners. Indian American Manisha Indian American Indian Couple Found Neera Tanden is President and CEO of the Singh Nominated by Trump Seema Nanda Steps Dead in Murder-Suicide Center for American Progress and the CEO of the Center for American Progress as US Envoy to OECD Down as CEO of in New Jersey Action Fund WASHINGTON (TIP): US President Democratic National Donald J. Trump announced his Committee TRENTON, NJ (TIP): Neera intent to Seema Nanda who Tanden, President and CEO of the nominate took over Center for American Progress and Manisha Singh, asDemocratic National Committee the CEO of the Center for American of Florida, to be Chief Executive Progress Action Fund, has been a Representative Officer in June 2018, member of commission announced of the United has stepped down. by New Jersey Governor Phil States of Murphy charged with advising the America to the WASHINGTON (TIP): Indian- Garima Kothari was found murdered in her apartment and her husband Man Mohan Mall administration on the timing and Organization for American Seema Nanda has was found dead in an apparent suicide in the preparation for New Jersey's Economic announced her decision to step Hudson River in Jersey City recovery from the COVID-19 Cooperation and down as the CEO of the US shutdown. Development Democratic National Committee. The Governor's Restart and (OECD), with "After two years, I will be stepping JERSEY CITY (TIP): Following an Manisha Singh is currently Recovery Commission will be the Assistant Secretary of the rank of down as CEO of the DNC. I couldn't autopsy by the Regional Medical comprised of 21 members, all with a State for Economic and Ambassador. be prouder of the infrastructure we Examiner, the cause of death of the 35- vast wealth of experience in health Business Affairs at the State Manisha have built, the primary process we year-old Jersey City woman found dead care, business, finance, academics, Department Singh is have run, and the team we have in an apparent murder-suicide on and economics and will be chaired currently the built. I look forward to continuing Sunday April 26, Garima Kothari, has by Princeton Professor and former Assistant Secretary of State for Economic the fight for our democracy and to been ruled multiple upper body injuries University President Shirley and Business Affairs at the State elect Democrats everywhere" she and the manner of death has been ruled Tilghman and Ken Frazier, Chief Department. She previously served as the twitted. homicide. Additionally, the Medical Executive Officer of Merck and Co., Acting Under Secretary of Economic In June 2018, Democratic National Examiner determined that Ms. Kothari Inc. Growth, Energy, and the Environment and Committee announced Seema was approximately five months "With this task force we are as a Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Nanda as Chief Executive Officer. pregnant. bringing together some of the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business As CEO, Seema managed the day-to- The cause and manner of death for sharpest minds our state and nation Affairs at the State Department. day operations of the organization. the deceased male, Man Mohan Mall, have to offer," said Governor Ms. Singh also previously served as Seema served on DNC Chair Tom age 37, of Jersey City, who was found Murphy. "As I have said from the Deputy Chief Counsel to the United States Perez' transition team, which took a dead in the Hudson River near start, public health creates Senate Foreign Relations Committee. She fresh look at the committee's Exchange Place, is still pending with the economic health and these was also the Senior Fellow for International operations following the 2016 Regional Medical Examiner. individuals will help us decide Economic Affairs at the American Foreign election and put in place an On Sunday, April 26, 2020, the Jersey when and how to restart the Policy Council and was a term member of infrastructure that contributed to City Police Department responded to a economy to best benefit both." the Council on Foreign Relations. wins in 2017 and 2018. report of a possible suicide attempt in The Commission will begin Ms. Singh's private sector experience Seema also served as Executive the Hudson River near Montgomery virtual meetings immediately as the includes practicing law at multinational law Vice President and Chief Operating Street in Jersey City. Upon arrival, administration tackles the work of firms and working in-house at an Officer at The Leadership responding officers found an restarting the state and putting New investment bank. She earned an LL.M. in Conference on Civil and Human unresponsive male in the river near Jerseyans back to work. Among the International Legal Studies from the Rights, where she oversees strategy Montgomery Street and Exchange Place. Commission's first tasks will be to American University Washington College of and manages day-to-day operations. The male, later identified as Man advise the governor on the timing of Law, a J.D. from the University of Florida Prior to that, Seema was Chief of Mohan Mall, was pronounced dead at the restart as it aligns with College of Law, and a B.A. from the Staff to then-Secretary Tom Perez at the scene at approximately 7:55 a.m. predetermined public health University of Miami. In addition, she the U.S. Department of Labor. metrics. studied at the University of Leiden Law (Read full story at (Read full story at School in the Netherlands. www.theindianpanorama.news) www.theindianpanorama.news) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 INDIANS ABROAD 5 Indian -Americans have been "extraordinary source of strength during pandemic", says Ambassador Sandhu

WASHINGTON (TIP): Applauding stakeholders in the India-US with Indian-American doctors," he said. the Indian-Americans for their sense of relationship, he said that the community In fact, AAPI has set up a dedicated e- community service and duty, Mr. Sandhu is the common bond which brings the two mail helpline to assist those in need of said they have gone above and beyond in countries together. "As global strategic medical prescriptions. The AAPI has also extending a helping hand to those who partners, we have close co-operation in tied up with Telemedicine to assist in need. all spheres of human activity including prescription of medicines. These are The Indian-American community has scientific and medical research." only a few among the countless instances been "an extraordinary source of Observing that Indian students in the where the community has stepped strength during the coronavirus United States have been facing an forward, he said. pandemic", India's Ambassador to the US unpredictable situation due to the Sandhu said that many of the Taranjit Singh Sandhu said Wednesday, lockdown and classes going online, he community organizations/associations, April 29, asserting that they have stepped said he has succeeded in persuading either individually or jointly as a group, up and shown leadership in these many Universities in allowing them to have constituted Task Force/Teams, to difficult times. continue in their accommodation, some provide help. "The Indian community in the United were unable to do so due to closure of "I have seen the helpline of NCAIA States has been an extraordinary source dormitories. (National Council of Asian American of strength and support for our Embassy "When they had no other place to go, Associations). Sewa International has since the time this crisis broke out. You Hotel Owners came forward to offer been helping out students and other have stepped forward and shown accommodation to stranded students and stranded Indians on a range of issues and leadership in difficult circumstances and other short-term visitors. It gives me a mobilizing volunteers for assistance," the demonstrated the strength of the Indian great sense of pride that through the top Indian diplomat said. diaspora," Mr. Sandhu said in a virtual pooled resources from all of you, over The Indian-American community Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu praised interaction with a group of eminent 5000,-such rooms have been arranged. leaders praised Sandhu for his efforts to the Indian American community for their Indian-American community leaders Special thanks to Indian Hotel owners connect with the community during this selfless service in the difficult times of from across the country. including AAHOA for this," he said. coronavirus pandemic. pandemic "You are example not just for India but "When some students did not have "Due credit should be given to the Photo / Jay Mandal-on assignment also for the United States. The selfless enough resources to take care of the daily Indian mission under the guidance and service that many of you are providing needs, you came forward to help with leadership of Ambassador Taranjit government official that they care about amongst your local communities in the provisions and food packets," he said. Singh Sandhu who are doing a great job, Indian citizens overseas and the United States has been appreciated by The Indian Embassy had reached out to tirelessly reaching out to the Indian- diaspora," he said. leaders here and makes me very proud, many community doctors in anticipation American community in this Pandemic" "The community is doing its best in he said. of the worsening health situation in the said New York-based Al Mason. this hour of crisis. We hope that things "Needless to say, Indian-Americans are United States. Indian-American Sikh leader Sukhpal get better here and in India. Some leading this country in the fight against "Many of our stranded Indians here in Singh Dhanoa, said Ambassador Sandhu (Indian) students really want to go back Covid19. Whether as healthcare workers; the United States are elderly, visiting has been proactively reaching out to the and some students are scared as to what doctors; scientists, business-owners -- you parents. One of the main problems they community during this hour of crisis. will happen. We give them moral are leading the charge against Covid and are facing is shortage of prescription Kalpesh Joshi from AAHOA said that it support," said Joshi, who has been your contributions will not go medicines due to their extended stay. was very nice of the Ambassador to take leading the AAHOA efforts to provide unacknowledged," he said. When they approached us, due to your this initiative. "I have never seen this accommodation to the stranded students. Describing them as important support, we were able to connect them extraordinary response from (Source: PTI) Indian-American wins Indian-American Congressman seeks Indian American Republican primary for Lawmaker Leads Ohio's sixth senate district refugee status for Afghan Sikhs, Hindus Special Order on Indian-American Niraj Congressman Ro Importance of U.S. Antani has won the Khanna has urged Republican primary for the Trump Global Leadership the US state of Ohio's Administration to sixth Senate district. give refugee status During COVID-19 Antani, 29, is currently to the minority Sikh Rep Bera also serving in the Ohio and Hindu families strongly General Assembly as a in Afghanistan recommended state representative. WASHINGTON (TIP): Indian- that the U.S. American Congressman Ro Khanna has must continue COLUMBUS, OH (TIP): Indian- urged the Trump Administration to give to lead on American Niraj Antani has won the refugee status to the minority Sikh and global health Republican primary for the US state of Hindu families in Afghanistan who are Ohio's sixth Senate district. Antani, 29, increasingly facing persecution by The gurdwara after the attack in Kabul. A is currently serving in the Ohio General terror outfits in the Asian country. lone Islamic State gunman rampaged through WASHINGTON (TIP): Rep. Ami a Sikh house of worship in the heart of the Assembly as a state representative. "There are approximately 200 Hindu Afghan capital, Kabul, on March 25, killing at Bera, M.D. (D-CA) joined Rep. Ted Yoho Antani had nearly 65 per cent of the and Sikh families left in Afghanistan," least 25 worshippers (R-FL) on April 28 in leading a virtual vote in the Republican primary, Khanna said in a letter to the Secretary Special Order to highlight the according to unofficial results. In the of State Mike Pompeo and the Acting wrote. "Because the rampant religious importance of U.S. global leadership November election, Antani will face Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F violence against Afghan Sikhs and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Democrat Mark Fogel in the Wolf, expressing concerns about the Hindus poses an existential threat for "Several decades of leadership and Republican-leaning district. If he wins, health and safety of religious minorities them, I urge the US Embassy in Kabul to investment in global health have not Antani would become the first Indian- in the war-ravaged nation. refer Sikhs and Hindus still in only saved the lives of people across the American to get elected to the Ohio state "The US proposed resettling 18,000 Afghanistan for emergency refugee world, but have proved vital to Senate in history."I am truly honored to refugees in this fiscal year, including up protection under the USRAP and for the protecting the health, security, and have won the Republican primary to 5,000 individuals who are persecuted Department of State and Department of economic interests of Americans election for State Senator! Thankful to for their religion or other protected Homeland Security to accept this within our own borders. In our have won an overwhelming majority of grounds. Additionally, up to 7,500 referral without objection to ensure interconnected world, it can take 36 over 64 per cent despite a competitive individuals can be referred to the US their safety," Mr. Khanna said. hours for a virus to travel from a remote three-way race! (Read full story at Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) (Read full story at village to all six continents. (Read full www.theindianpanorama.news) by a US embassy in any location," he www.theindianpanorama.news) story at www.theindianpanorama.news) THE INDIAN PANORAMA 6 NY/NJ/CT FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020

Coronavirus Testing by Science of Spirituality/SKRM Feeds Tens of Pharmacy and retail chains Thousands During India's Nationwide Lockdown NEW YORK (TIP): As the NEW YORK / NEW DELHI (TIP): As the world comes to coronavirus outbreak continues grips with a global pandemic of epic proportions, countries have to take a toll in the U.S., major taken strong measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. pharmacy chains - including On March 24, a nationwide lockdown was instituted in India in CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens - as an effort to protect its 1.3 billion-strong population by breaking well as big retailers such as the cycle of infection and containing the outbreak. However, as Kroger and Walmart are stepping declared by Dr Tedrous Ghebreyesus, director general of the up efforts to offer testing options World Health Organization (WHO), "these steps can have in local communities. All tests unintended consequences for the poorest and most vulnerable are free to patients who meet within a population." In India, millions of migrant workers eligibility criteria established by dependent on daily wages have been impacted. Government the Centers for Disease Control programs are being implemented to ensure food and essentials and Prevention (CDC). Typical reach the most vulnerable at this time. symptoms of COVID-19, the Complementing the national efforts, under the leadership and Getting ready to load the van disease caused by the new guidance of Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, spiritual head of coronavirus, include shortness of US based Science of Spirituality (SOS)/Sawan Kirpal Ruhani breath, fever and cough. Some Mission (SKRM), SOS volunteers across the country have retailers also are extending mobilized to set up food kitchens and food drives, bringing warm testing options to meals and basic essentials to individuals in need. From Delhi to nonsymptomatic health care Jalandhar, Amritsar to Hyderabad, Mumbai to Dehradun, SOS workers and first responders. volunteers, while practicing social distancing, have united to In general, patients seeking prepare and package meals and supplies at SOS Centers around testing must first undergo an the country. These packages are then distributed in online screening process to collaboration with the local government authorities on a daily determine eligibility and secure basis as a means of alleviating hunger within the communities. an appointment. Once at a testing With over 3000 satellite centers around the world, and over 2000 site, usually arriving by car, the centers in India alone, the organization's large footprint affords patient will be asked to self- it the expansive reach necessary to feed tens of thousands administer a nose swab under the during these challenging times. Distributing food in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra guidance of a pharmacist or Service to humanity or seva, as it is known in Hindi, is a core other health care professional. tenet of Science of Spirituality, a worldwide spiritual Patients typically remain in their organization dedicated to transforming lives through vehicles during testing. Some test meditation. In the words of Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, results are delivered on-site; service is "the sweetest fruit on the tree of love." It is an most, however, are delivered later acknowledgement of the fundamental unity underlying our by phone or email. existence, and when carried out with kindness, compassion, and Michael Mina, an assistant in a spirit of selflessness, such service has the power to change professor of epidemiology at the world, one heart at a time. Harvard T.H. Chan School of This spirit of selflessness, kindness, and generosity has been Public Health, raises concerns growing around the world as individuals and communities about the effectiveness of self- embrace their common humanity and find creative ways to help administered nasal swab tests. each other at this time. So much so that when the definitive "There's some evidence that it history of the coronavirus pandemic is written, it will not only does not work as well," says Mina, relate a story of loss and despair, but also one of human unity, Distributing food in Ahmedabad, Gujarat who specializes in immunology where we came together as a global community to meet one of For more information about Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj and infectious diseases. "It might the greatest challenges of our time. and Science of Spirituality, visit www.sos.org have 15 percent loss in sensitivity, for example. We're trying to understand maybe saliva works better in self-swabbing than nasal AAPI writes to President of US, Governors and pharyngeal swab." In the rush to combat the coronavirus spread, the Food and Lawmakers urging for Plasma Drive Drug Administration has NEW YORK (TIP): The Corona virus patients, AAPI has launched the Plasma AAPI's Covid Plasma Local Hospital granted what's called emergency COVID-19 pandemic is the defining global Drive from patients who have been cured Administrators committee is being use authorization (EUA) to health crisis of our time and the greatest of COVID-19 and are now without Corona- chaired by Dr. Binod Sinha, who will coronavirus tests, which means challenge we have faced since World War virus related symptoms for at least the contact the hospital administrators for the tests have not gone through II. Since its emergence in Asia late last past two weeks. AAPI has created three the policy implementation in all the the typically rigorous regulatory year, the virus has spread to every separate committees on Convalescent hospitals in the country. approval process. Some retailers continent except Antarctica. Cases are Plasma treatment. AAPI's Covid Plasma Collection are using a rapid test developed rising daily around the globe with no "An official letter of recommendation committee is led by Dr. Madhavi Gorusu, by Abbott called ID Now, which effective remedy or vaccination found to on Convalescent Plasma Therapy from who is responsible for coordinating with can deliver results on the spot. deal with this deadly virus. AAPI has been sent the President of the the Red Cross and other agencies to work Others are using tests that "There is enormous anxiety and United states, state Governors and to all with Plasma Donations and donors. require swabs to be sent off to numerous questions among general members of US Congress and Senators. "Following the recommendations for central labs for processing to get public about the pandemic and the havoc Thank you all for your efforts to reach disbursements of AAPI Covid 19 funds. test results. it's creating. In the past few week, AAPI our goal," said Dr. Sudhakar approved by the fund committee, "The normal solution that the has taken several initiatives to educate its Jonnalagadda, President-Elect of AAPI. comprising of Dr. Jayesh Shah (chair), Dr. swab gets placed back into after members and the public, and to provide AAPI's Covid Plasma Government Suresh Reddy,Dr. Seema Arora, Dr. Sajani being taken seems to inhibit much needed help and support through Policies Committee is being headed by Dr. Shah, Dr. Sudhakar Johnlaggada, Dr. some of the Abbott ID Now helping obtain much needed PPEs and Dalsukh Madia with the task of "Writing Anupama Gotimukula, Dr. Chander process, and there's a loss of distributing them to medical institutions Letters to the President, Governors and Kapasi, Dr. Surendra Purohit, AAPI has sensitivity there," says Mina, who around the country," said Dr. Suresh Senators and other Government officials distributed funds to the locations based favors tests that are processed in Reddy, President of AAPI. urging them to encourage individuals and on local needs," Dr. Seema Arora, Chair of central labs. (Source: AARP) As Convalescent Plasma appears to be medical facilities to harness this much AAPI's BOT, announced here. (Read full the promising treatment for Covid needed resource. story at www.theindianpanorama.news) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL 7 TRIBECA 2020 VIRTUAL FEST: NARRATIVE FILMS By Mabel Pais "While we cannot gather in person to lock arms, laugh, and cry, it's important for us to stay socially and spiritually connected. Tribeca is about resiliency, and we fiercely believe in the power of artists to bring us together. We were founded after the devastation of 9/11 and it's in our DNA to bring communities together through the arts." - Jane Rosenthal, Co- Founder - Tribeca Film Festival TFF 2020 DEBUTS SELECT VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING, BRINGING AUDIENCES & People crossing river between Haiti and Dominican Republic STORYTELLERS TOGETHER Photos / Courtesy TFF-2020 Here are highlights of some narrative films available. Jomarla Melancon (foreground) with Shara McGlinn BLOOD AND GLORY In 1937, tens of thousands of Haitians and DIR/WR/CO-PROD: SATINDER KAUR l US l 12M l Reporter" Dominicans of Haitian descent were exterminated by NARRATIVE SHORT "This is a film about motherhood, sacrifice, and love. the Dominican army, based on anti-black hatred "This story is very close to my heart because It's about the ability and the choice to take fomented by the Dominican government. Fast-forward I'm a combat veteran myself. I joined the Army responsibility for another person's life. Even when it to 2013, the Dominican Republic's Supreme Court when I was 18 and deployed to Iraq when I was means letting go." - Ruthy Pribar, Director (April 2020) stripped the citizenship of anyone with Haitian 21. Transitioning back to civilian life was Developed in the prestigious Cannes Film Festival parents, retroactive to 1929. The ruling rendered more residency program; Featuring Shira Haas star of the than 200,000 people stateless, without nationality, difficult, but I was lucky to have a community Netflix series "Shtisel" and "Unorthodox." identity or a homeland. In this dangerous climate, a and resources. I wrote "Blood and Glory" to Asia's (Alena Yiv) motherhood has always been an young attorney named Rosa Iris mounts a grassroots explore this intersectionality of invisibility ongoing struggle rather than an obvious instinct. campaign, challenging electoral corruption and through film. - Satinder Kaur, director Becoming a mother at a very early age has shaped advocating for social justice. To learn more, visit FILM FACTS Asia's relationship with her teenage daughter Vika tribecafilm.com (Shira Haas) . Despite living together, Asia and Vika Satinder Kaur (Director) - U.S. Army Combat Veteran and barely interact with one another. Asia concentrates on PACIFIED, New York Jomarla Melancon (Lead actress) - Navy Veteran her job as a nurse while Vika hangs out at the skate- - More than 85% Female crew park with her friends. Their routine is shaken when - Powerful Women of Color in lead roles Vika's health deteriorates rapidly.Asia must step in and Premiere become the mother Vika so desperately needs. Vika's "BLOOD AND GLORY" was the grand prize winner in illness turns out to be an opportunity to reveal the great DIR/WRIT: PAXTON WINTERS l BRAZIL/US l 2H l NARRATIVE FEATURE Women in Media's CAMERAderie Initiative. love within this small family unit. GOLDEN SHELL WINNER - SAN SEBASTIAN FILM "Blood and Glory" is a drama about the friendship Ruthy Pribar's work focuses on delicate moments of FESTIVAL, 2019 between two homeless veterans living on the streets of human emotions and interactions. "ASIA" is her debut Los Angeles. Jackie is a dreamer and a hustler who is feature film. To learn more, visit tribecafilm.com "PACIFIED," the new film by American filmmaker trying to get her life back on track. She also takes care Paxton Winters was born of a seven-year creative of her battle buddy Rosa, who suffers from debilitating STATELESS collaboration between him and the community of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). The day that 'Morro dos Prazeres' - a favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Jackie finally gets a job interview, she wakes up with a - where he's resided for the past 8 years. super heavy period. Without money for pads or (APÁTRIDA), World "PACIFIED" offers a bracingly intimate portrait of a tampons, Jackie has to figure out how to get through the family trying to find peace in the ever-shifting urban day without letting her blood stain her clothes or her battlefield they call home. dignity. Premiere Tati (Cassia Gil), is an introspective 13-year-old girl Satinder Kaur, U.S. Army veteran, writer and DIR: MICHÈLE STEPHENSON l CAN l 1H36M l living in a Brazilian 'favela' (a tight-knit community director, loves to write about female friendship and NARRATIVE FEATURE within a slum or shantytown located within or on the explore themes of human resilience and A Race Against Time. A Time Against Race. outskirts of the country's large cities). Tati (Cassia Gil), transformation against all odds. She won the Grand "My objective is to connect the film to a struggles to connect with her estranged father and Prize in 'Women in Media' CAMERAderie initiative former leader of the 'favela', Jaca (Bukassa Kabengele), 2019 for her short film "Blood and Glory." In partnership network of committed partners in the after he is released from prison in the turbulent wake of with Ensaaf, she spearheaded the largest human rights Caribbean region, Latin America, the US, and the Rio Olympics. As Brazilian "Pacification" Police video advocacy efforts in Punjab, India, by interviewing internationally, to utilize the film as a platform battle to maintain a tenuous occupation of the survivors of torture and families impacted by enforced for their work on protecting the rights of surrounding Rio 'favelas,' Tati and Jaca must navigate disappearances. the clashing forces threatening to derail their hope for For more information on 'Women In Media,' visit migrants and citizens, and to deepen people's the future. Tati's mother Andrea (Débora Nascimento) womennmedia.com. To learn more about Satinder understanding of the intersection between wants to escape with Tati but struggles due to her drug Kaur, visit satikaur.com anti-Black racism, migration, and citizenship addiction. Her family and living situation changes To learn more the Tribeca Film Festival, visit rights." - Michèle Stephenson abruptly when Jaca is released from prison and tribecafilm.com FROM EMMY-NOMINATED AND SUNDANCE returns. His presence creates tension between the WINNING DIRECTOR MICHÈLE STEPHENSON community and the new leaders that have taken his ASIA, World Premiere "Stateless," director Michèle Stephenson's new place. documentary traces the complex tributaries of history The film takes place during the Olympics in Brazil, DIR: RUTHY PRIBAR l US l 1H26M l NARRATIVE and present-day politics, as state-sanctioned racism when the country's police and government FEATURE seeps into mundane offices, living room meetings, and implemented an operation called pacification, aiming "Ruthy Pribar makes an assured feature debut, street protests. to quell violence in the 'favelas' by sending armed police balancing sobriety with emotional intensity in "Stateless," filmed with a chiaroscuro effect and forces to these neighborhoods. What this policy created richly imbued with elements of magical realism, was a complex layer of violence that was mostly 'Asia.' The maturity of the directorial voice is combines gritty hidden-camera footage with the legend sustained by the criminalization of poverty. To learn evident in its clear-eyed, rigorously of a young woman fleeing brutal violence to flip the more, visit tribecafilm.com unsentimental assessment of a shattering narrative axis, revealing the depths of institutionalized (Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and situation."- David Rooney, "The Hollywood oppression. Entertainment, Health & Wellness, and Spirituality) THE INDIAN PANORAMA 8 EDITORIAL FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 AS I SEE IT

By G. Parthasarathy Disasters of Trump's Making The President has taken a series of wrong decisions, alienating even "The US is now going through a situation, where rather than dealing seriously with the White House immense challenges, its President is virtually out in January, he refused to take any action against at war with his own advisers and America's China, with his attention then focused on a trade 'deal' best experts. He is isolated and opposed even with it. Covid had picked up momentum by December within the White House, because of his 2019, yet, on January 24, he proclaimed: 'China has been working very hard to contain the coronavirus. The readiness to back Conservative State United States greatly appreciates their efforts and Governors and his party's right-wing, which transparency.' Adding to the confusion in the US was wants a rapid drawdown and end of his propensity to make sweeping proposals, which were restrictions on the movement of people." at total variance with reality. One of these proposals, which he initially pushed, despite strong expert hen PM Modi visited Houston for his 'Howdy, opposition, was his belief that the virus could be Modi!' Summit last year, an important item on eliminated by people consuming hydroxychloroquine. WIndia's agenda was to promote energy Much time and efforts were expended in importing cooperation by investments and imports of natural gas large quantities of this drug, to little or no avail. from the US. New Delhi was putting in place plans to The US is now going through a situation, where diversify its energy imports, as the earlier monopoly of Me first: Trump's sole priority today is to ensure that he is re- rather than dealing seriously with immense challenges, traditional exporters like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq elected. its President is virtually at war with his own advisers was coming to an end, with the discovery of vast and America's best experts. He is isolated and opposed reserves of shale gas in countries like the US and What has followed is an unprecedented fall in global oil even within the White House, because of his readiness Canada. Russia was also emerging aggressively on the prices, which has shaken not only major traditional to back Conservative State Governors and his party's world stage with its vast energy resources, and producers like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and right-wing, which wants a rapid drawdown and end of arrangements were underway for increasing imports of other Gulf monarchies but also countries like Iraq, restrictions on the movement of people. Russian natural gas by India. The OPEC countries were Nigeria, and Venezuela. Global oil consumption arises Xi Jinping, meanwhile, appears determined to finding it difficult to charge extortionist sums for oil primarily from road, rail, and air transport, which are replace the US as the most formidable power. There and gas. Energy cooperation with India was an today used minimally, or not at all. Oil storages should be no illusion that China will give minimal important item during Trump's visit to India last year. worldwide have hardly any capacity left. While OPEC strategic space to India in a world order it dominates. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, meanwhile, had agreed to was expected to reduce supplies because of falling PM Modi has handled the diplomatic crisis following make substantial investments in developing the oil and demand, global demand has fallen well below what was the coronavirus challenge skillfully. India played a gas sector in India. expected. constructive role in persuading Saudi Arabia to Global oil production was keeping pace with Trump's efforts to provide some respite to his convene both a summit and a meeting of health international demand, even before the Covid crisis potential electoral backers in the US oil industry are ministers of G20 - the most representative global broke. It was, however, becoming evident that with now in tatters. Large sections of the oil and gas economic grouping. Modi is among the very few leaders Russia and the US entering the global supply chain, industry are now fast running out of potential buyers. in the world who has a good personal equation with the OPEC would be compelled to cede greater space in Covid has resulted in the prices falling from $60 a barrel mercurial Trump. One is looking forward to a carefully determining oil prices. Things reached the breaking in January to around $20 a barrel. It is going to take calibrated phase to reduce the rigors of the present point when Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Salman decided quite some time before the US, Russia and OPEC can restrictions on movement and economic activity in to challenge Russia's demands for higher prices by restore some semblance of earlier normalcy in prices. India. While global industrial and energy cooperation suddenly increasing production a few weeks ago. He bit With over six million Indians living in Arab countries, can realistically move only in a measured and slow off more than he could chew, as Russia responded with our foreign exchange reserves received $83 billion manner, India can be very satisfied if its agricultural increased production which sent global prices on a remittances last year. These remittances are expected to sector successfully meets national needs. How we downward spiral. Coming under pressure from US fall by 20% this year. We will be able to balance our handle the coming harvest seasons is of crucial producers of shale oil and gas, President Trump, who books, because the drastic fall in demand globally will importance. One hopes that in the meantime, research needs their financial support for the forthcoming significantly reduce the massive amounts spent by scientists across the world will find remedies to presidential elections, caved into the pressures. He annually on energy imports. overcome the dangerous challenges we now face from forced Saudi Arabia and Russia to reach a compromise What is adding to the problems that have Covid. that would not undermine the US oil and gas industries. accompanied the oil crisis is the whimsical approach of (The author is Chancellor, Jammu Central University & former Not surprisingly, the agreement brokered by Trump President Trump. His sole priority today is to ensure High Commissioner to Pakistan) amidst the usual fanfare he is given to, soon collapsed. that he is re-elected President. When the crisis broke GUEST COMMENT Religion and freedom: On India and communal violence India must protect its The autonomous, bipartisan embracing and celebrating laudatory religious democracy and as an adherent freedoms, and come commission's influence over any U.S. ones and rejecting inconvenient ones. to global norms of rule of law. It also executive action is limited and The frantic, and relatively successful, aspires to be on the table of global rule down heavily on occasional but its presumption of global efforts to raise its Ease of Doing making. For a country with such stated religious violence authority appears amusingly expansive. Business ranking by the World Bank is ambitions, its record on religious Whether or not the U.S. government a case in point. Many of these reports freedom as reflected through events of eligious freedom is of paramount acts on its recommendation to impose have a circulatory life - the USCIRF the last one year is deeply importance, not because it is targeted sanctions on Indian report quotes U.N. Special Rapporteurs disconcerting. The catalogue of Rabout religion, but because it is government agencies and officials to buttress its point on the religious violence, incitement and about freedom. The characterization by depends on American strategic discriminatory outcome of the National wrecking of the rule of law in several the U.S. Commission on International interests. The U.S. has used arguments Register of Citizens in Assam. Overall, parts of the country remains an Religious Freedom (USCIRF) of India as of freedom, democracy, tolerance, and such reports contribute to the unsettling fact. The partisan nature of a country of particular concern, in its transparency as tools in its strategic construction of an image of a country, the ruling dispensation is also difficult annual report, is not entirely pursuits, but there is no proof of any and the Indian government is cognizant to wish away. Reputation is important surprising, considering its dim and uniform or predictable pattern of of this pattern. In March, the Indian for a country's economic development known views about sectarian violence enforcement of such moral attributes. government told Niti Aayog to track 32 and global standing but beyond that and aggravating governmental The process can be selective and often global indices and engage with the instrumental perspective, rule of law measures over the last year. The Indian arbitrary in spotlighting countries. bodies that measure them, to advance and communal harmony are essential government not only repudiated the Mirroring this pattern, India selectively reform and growth. for any functioning democracy. report but also ridiculed the USCIRF. approaches global opinions on itself, India advertises itself as a multi- (The Hindu) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 PERSPECTIVE 9 The script of disruption and a new order While the UN Security Council is under attack for being slow in dealing with a situation that appears, at least on the surface, far graver than any military threat in recent decades, WHO has been By M.K. Narayanan tarred with the charge of bias and of grossly underestimating the nature of the epidemic. That prestigious global "The geopolitical fallout institutions should have been singled out for attack at this time speaks volumes of this pandemic could about the mood prevailing across the world. be still more serious. There are many other aspects of the One distinct possibility COVID-19 crisis that will drastically impact the globe. On the economic front, is that COVID-19 would the World Bank has already predicted effectively put paid to negative growth for most nations. India's growth forecast for the current fiscal the existing global order year has been put at 1.5% to 2.8%. Across the globe, the geopolitical and geo-economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic could be that has existed since Contraction of the economy and the loss serious of millions of jobs across all segments the late 1940s. The will further complicate this situation. now seeks to benefit from the fact of its One distinct possibility is that COVID- What is likely to change even more 'early recovery' to take advantage of the 19 would effectively put paid to the United States which is dramatically are certain other aspects travails of the rest of the world, by using existing global order that has existed already being touted in relating to political management and its manufacturing capability to its geo- since the late 1940s. The United States security. Both terms are set to gain new economic advantage. Simultaneously, it which is already being touted in some some circles as a meanings. The role of the state as an seeks to shift from being a Black Swan circles as a 'failing' state, will be 'failing' state, will be enforcer of public good will almost (responsible for the pandemic), to compelled to cede ground. Weakened certainly become greatly enhanced. The masquerade as a White one, by offering economically and politically after compelled to cede dominant imperative would be to not put medical aid and other palliatives to COVID-19 has ravaged the nation, the ground. Weakened limits on the role of the state even where several Asian and African countries to U.S.'s capacity to play a critical role in the situation may not be as grave as the meet their current pandemic threat. In world affairs is certain to diminish. economically and present one. Many pieces of legislation turn, it seeks to gain a geopolitical The main beneficiary of this politically after COVID- of yesteryears that had been relegated to advantage by this action. geopolitical turnaround is likely to be the archives - they were perceived to be China also seems to be preparing for China, a country that does not quite 19 has ravaged the anachronistic in a modern democratic the eventuality that the current believe in playing by the rules of set-up - may get a new lease of life. Some pandemic could hollow out the financial international conduct. Europe, in the nation, the U.S.'s pieces of legislation such as the Disaster viability of many companies, short and medium term, will prove capacity to play a Management Act already reflect this institutions and banks across the world. incapable of defining and defending reality today. Other pieces of legislation There are enough reports of China's its common interests, let alone having critical role in world could follow in its wake. intentions to acquire financial assets and any influence in world affairs. affairs is certain to This trend is already becoming evident stakes in banks and companies across Germany, which may still retain some to some extent across the world. Europe the world, taking advantage of the of its present strength, is already diminish." has shown a willingness to sacrifice scaled-down value of their assets to turning insular, while both France personal liberties in favor of greater support this. India seems to have woken and a post-Brexit United Kingdom will he COVID-19 pandemic is state control. up only recently to this threat, after the be out of the reckoning as of now. unprecedented, involving as it There are no serious protests over the Peoples' Bank of China acquired a 1% West Asia and India Tdoes far too many variables. The fact that many of the powers being stake in India's HDFC, taking advantage very complexity of the novel vested in the instruments of state in of the sharp decline in the price of Coming to West Asia, both Saudi coronavirus leads to radical uncertainty. democracies today, to meet the current HDFC stocks. Across the world, Arabia and Iran are set to face Hence, it is unlikely that the world will challenge, are eerily similar to those meanwhile, the clamor against China's difficult times. The oil price meltdown ever be the same again. Abnormal could already practiced by authoritarian hostile takeover bids is becoming will aggravate an already difficult well become the new normal. regimes such as China. stronger. Several countries apart from situation across the region. There Pandemics have often changed the China in the spotlight India, such as Australia and Germany, may be no victors, but Israel may be world and reshaped human society. have begun to restrict Chinese foreign one country that is in a position to Empires have collapsed. Commentators Far-reaching changes can also be direct investment in companies and exploit this situation to its advantage. are already talking of fundamental anticipated in the realm of geo- financial institutions in their countries, In the meantime, the economic alterations in governance and business economics and geopolitics. The world recognizing the inherent danger of a downturn greatly reduces India's norms. What is left unsaid - and likely to needs to prepare for a sea change. One possible Chinese hostile takeover of room for maneuver. In South Asia, it pose an even bigger challenge - is the nation, viz. China, is presently seeking to their critical assets. faces the prospect of being isolated, extent to which the pandemic will impact take advantage of and benefit from the This may not, however, be adequate to with the Chinese juggernaut winning human values and conduct. There is problems faced by the rest of the world in checkmate China, which is poised to Beijing new friends and contacts already concern that a diminution in the wake of the epidemic. Already one of dominate the Regional Comprehensive across a region deeply impacted by the human values could occur, and with this, the most prominent nations of the world Economic Partnership (RCEP), thus economic consequences of the COVID- the concept of an international and an important player in international enabling it to exploit market access 19 pandemic. Likewise, India's community might well cease to exist. institutions, China remains totally across the Association of Southeast leverage in West Asia - already greatly Each nation is tending to look inwards, unfazed by the stigma that the current Asian Nations, East Asian nations, diminished - will suffer further, with concentrating on its narrowly defined world pandemic owes a great deal to its Australia and New Zealand. Together oil prices going down and the Indian national interests. negligence - the first identified and with its Belt and Road Initiative, which expatriate community (who are Institutions under fire detected COVID-19 victim in Wuhan was seeks to combine regional connectivity among the hardest hit by this on December 1, 2019, but it was only in alongside gaining a virtual economic downturn) out on a limb. Many of the It is singularly unfortunate that at a the second week of January 2020, that and substantial stranglehold across latter may seek repatriation back to time like this, existing international China sounded the alarm. More Asia, China is ostensibly preparing the the host country, substantially institutions such as the United Nations, importantly, it is seeking to convert its way for a China-centric multilateral reducing the inflow of foreign funds the United Nations Security Council and 'failure' into a significant opportunity. globalization framework. to India from the region. the World Health Organization (WHO) This is Sino-centrism at its best, or A faltering West (The author is a former National Security are seen to have failed to measure up to possibly its worst. Adviser and a former Governor of West the grave challenge posed by the Already indispensable as the world's The geopolitical fallout of this Bengal) pandemic. supplier of manufactured goods, China pandemic could be still more serious. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 10 SOUTH ASIA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020

UNICEF warns of health crisis for kids in Pak PM warns coronavirus South Asia UNITED NATIONS (TIP): South crisis could continue for months Asia could face another health emergency if the unimmunised or partially immunised children in the region — nearly 4.5 million of whom as tally rises to over 16,000 live in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan — do not receive their ISLAMABAD (TIP): Pakistan Prime life-saving vaccine shots due to the Minister Imran Khan on Thursday COVID-19 lockdowns, the UNICEF has warned that the coronavirus crisis warned. could continue for months and Sporadic outbreaks of vaccine- lockdown was not a solution to the preventable diseases, including pandemic, as the total number of the measles and diphtheria, have already COVID-19 infections rose to 16,117 with been seen in parts of Bangladesh, 358 deaths so far in the county. Pakistan and Nepal, the UN Children’s “We don’t know if the current Fund said. situation will continue for six months “With lockdowns in place as a part of or a year,” Khan said while addressing the novel coronavirus response, the media along with his top advisors. routine immunisations have been “I know that the worst hit due to the severely disrupted, and parents are lockdown will be poor.” increasingly reluctant to take their Khan said the government so far children to health centres for routine disbursed 81 billion rupees among 6.6 jabs,” it said. million deserving families under “Vaccine stocks are running Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme. dangerously low in some countries of He said the third category of the the region as supply chains have been programme covered all provinces and disrupted with travel bans and Sindh was given the maximum relief cancelled flights. The manufacturing funds under the Ehsaas programme. of the vaccines has also been He said the COVID-19 brought major countries,” he said. 174,160 tests, including 8,249 on 29 disrupted, creating additional devastation in counties like the United He said that easing of the lockdown April. The ministry also said that local shortages,” Regional Health Advisor States and Italy, but the circumstances after May 9 will depend on whether transmission was 84 per cent and for UNICEF Regional Office for South are quite different in Pakistan. He said people were following the restrictions foreign travel 16 per cent. Asia (ROSA) Paul Rutter said. the death rate in the country from the and social distancing measures or not. The government said that 3,560 “As long as frontline health workers virus was lower than feared. Meanwhile, the Ministry of National patients were admitted across the take the appropriate precautions, Khan said the COVID-19 Tigers Force Health Service said that Pakistan’s country in 717 hospitals with COVID-19 particularly washing their hands, would be made operational from next coronavirus cases jumped to 16,117. facilities, while others were isolated at there is no reason not to vaccinate – in week and would be asked to go the rural It showed that Punjab reported 6,061 their homes. fact, it is crucial that vaccination areas and help the people. cases, Sindh 6,053, Khyber- Meanwhile, the aviation ministry continues,” Rutter said. — PTI Planning Minister Asad Umar said Pakhtunkhwa 2,313, Balochistan 978, said that the suspension of domestic that the coronavirus was still under Gilgit-Baltistan 333, Islamabad 313 and airline operation will continue until Virus pushes Indonesia control in the country. Pakistan-occupied Kashmir 66 cases. May 7. zoo animals to brink of “It is true that we have a big number It said that 12 more patients died on Separately, Islamabad administration of cases and deaths. The number of Thursday, taking the death total toll to sealed some areas in I-10 Sector after starvation deaths will increase in the coming days 358. So far 4,105 patients had recovered. several cases of the coronavirus were JAKARTA (TIP): Thousands of but our situation is not as bad as other The authorities so far conducted found there. PTI animals, including endangered Sumatran tigers and Bornean orangutans, are facing starvation at Suicide bombing in Bangladesh’s tallest Bangladesh cleric tests Indonesia's zoos as the global Kabul province kills 3, man passes away positive for Covid-19 pandemic pushes shuttered facilities toward collapse, officials say. wounds 15 DHAKA (TIP): Bangladesh’s tallest after leading Ramzan Some 60 cash-strapped animal parks Not yet clear who was man -- 24-year-old Jinnat Ali—died on prayers — home to roughly 70,000 creatures — responsible for the blast Tuesday after a long battle with brain across the Southeast Asian tumour. Jinnat, also the world’s second DHAKA (TIP): A Muslim cleric has archipelago have been closed since KABUL (TIP): A suicide bombing tallest man with the height of 8 feet 6 tested positive for coronavirus after he mid-March and most say they have in Kabul province not far from inches, died while receiving treatment conducted the Ramzan prayers for a only enough food until the middle of Afghanistan's capital killed three at the neurosurgery department of group of nearly two dozen people at a May. "If a few more months pass and people and wounded 15 on Chittagong Medical College & Hospital local mosque in southwest Bangladesh, we don't get any aid from the Wednesday, the Ministry of Interior on Tuesday, Dhaka Tribune reported. according to a media report. government or other international said. Born on 1996, Jinnat was diagnosed The cleric led the prayers at a mosque organisations, then with a heavy heart "A suicide bomber detonated his brain tumour some five years ago. He, in Adadanga village in Magura district we'll have to feed herbivores... to the explosives among civilians in however, refused to go for an operation on Saturday and was found to be carnivores," Syafi'i said. "Most zoos Reshkhor area of Char Asiab district for the disease, the paper said. infected with the disease the following relied on ticket sales so when they of Kabul on Wednesday morning," He was also suffering from diabetes day, bdnews24 reported. closed everything collapsed," said Ministry of Interior spokesman and other ailments. According to the report, authorities Indonesian Zoo Association Tariq Arian said in a statement, “He was first admitted to the are making a list of around 20 to 25 spokesman Sulhan Syafi'i. "We've had referring to the district which is neurology department of CMCH on people who attended the prayers and to rely on creativity to survive," he about 11km from Kabul city. Sunday. Later, he was placed on life will be tested for the virus. added. It was not immediately clear who support at the neurosurgery Tanveer Rahman, chief executive "If a few more months pass and we was responsible for the blast, which department of the hospital as his officer of Shalikha sub-district, was don't get any aid from the government came during the Islamic holy month condition worsened,” Jinnat’s brother quoted as saying in the report that the or other international organisations, of Ramzan, and as the coronavirus Illias Ali was quoted as saying by the cleric’s Bagharpara Pashchima village, then with a heavy heart we'll have to pandemic and US-led efforts to paper. which is one-and-a-half kilometres from feed herbivores... to the carnivores," broker peace talks between the Citing family sources, the paper said the mosque, had been put under Syafi'i said. Zoo keepers have taken up insurgent Taliban and the Afghan that Jinnat’s body suddenly started to lockdown following the discovery. the task of collecting grass and plants government have left many calling grow abnormally at the age of 11 and Bangladesh reported a total of 5,416 to boost food stocks for giraffes and for a ceasefire and reduction in continued to grow further with his age. confirmed Covid-19 cases and 145 deaths other herbivores. AFP violence. — Reuters PTI till Sunday. PTI THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 11 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 12 US FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020

No respite for US; China wants me to 2,500 die in 24 hours Jobless claims top 30 million lose: Trump "China will do anything they Death toll crosses 62,000 mark | as coronavirus continues to can to have me 35 states unveil reopening plans lose this race," as Trump talks of better days said Trump ahead devastate economy WASHINGTON (TIP): The US Around 18 percent of the workforce is currently unemployed. recorded 2,502 coronavirus deaths in WASHINGTON (TIP): President the past 24 hours, according to the Additional 3.8 million more workers file for unemployment, total now Donald Trump said on Wednesday,April latest tally reported by Johns Hopkins exceeds 30 million 29 that he believes China's handling of University on April 30. After two days the coronavirus is proof that Beijing of a relative easing in the toll on WASHINGTON (TIP): Nationwide claims," California Labor Secretary "will do anything they can" to make him Sunday and Monday,the numbers have lockdowns led to the abrupt shutdown of Julie Su told NBC News. "In California lose his re-election bid in November. spiked again in the past two days. the economy in mid-March, leaving just in the last six weeks alone, we had Trump talked tough on China and said The reported US death toll on millions of people scrambling to file for over 3.5 million people file for he was looking at different options in Wednesday,April 29 crept past 60,000, a unemployment insurance. The sheer unemployment insurance. To put that in terms of consequences for Beijing over figure, which President Donald Trump volume of applicants overwhelmed the perspective, two weeks ago that was the virus. "I can do a lot," he said. had suggested in recent weeks, might system, with many states reporting already more than we had in all of 2019." Trump has been heaping blame on be the total death count. He had cited website outages and hourslong delays on Virginia and Rhode Island have only China for a global pandemic that has the estimate as a sign of relative telephone helplines. That has led to processed half their state's claims, and killed at least 61,000 people in the United success after the White House inaccurate accounting of the jobless, the Texas Workforce Commission said States and thrown the US economy into previously warned the US could suffer with many people reporting waits of six more than 2 million people tried to call a deep recession, putting in jeopardy his 1,00,000 to 2,40,000 deaths. weeks or more. in on just one day seeking to file for hopes for another four-year term. In New York state, the epicentre of States have ramped up staff at unemployment. "China will do anything they can to the pandemic in the US, nearly 3,00,000 workforce centers, with New York In many cases, chronic underfunding have me lose this race," said Trump. He coronavirus cases have been reported, adding 1,000 more workers and Texas and aging technology have left states said he believes Beijing wants his while its daily death toll fell to the tripling the size of its phone center staff. vulnerable. In Michigan, where jobless Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, to win lowest since early March, according to But that is still not enough. claims have risen by 2,200 percent, the the race to ease the pressure Trump has Governor Andrew Cuomo. In his daily According to new data from the Labor state's unemployment site was down for placed on China over trade and other briefing, Cuomo said that with 4,585 Department, California - the first state to several hours. issues. -Reuters additional cases, the state's overall issue a stay-at-home order - paid only 1 in Several state governments have Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry tally reached 299,691, and the daily 8 claims in March. With an estimated teamed up with tech giants such as spokesman Geng Shuang said. "The US death toll fell to 330, the lowest since labor force of 19.5 million, 3.3 million Amazon and Google to boost the number presidential election is an internal early March. With as many as 35 of the Californians have filed unemployment of claims they can process. Other states affair; we have no interest in interfering 50 American states unveiling formal applications in the four weeks after are asking retired employees to come in it.We hope the people of the US will reopening plans, President Trump March 14. "We're paying about $1 billion back and deal with the onslaught of not drag China into its election politics." expressed confidence that "much a day in unemployment insurance forms. (Source: NBC News) (Agencies) better days" were ahead". It was on April 16 that Trump laid out a plan for opening up America again. "And we sit here today. I am Rare complication seen in some informed that 35 states have already released formal opening plans many of which are consulting directly with our kids with COVID-19 team here in the administration and we are going to continue to work with The vast majority of coronavirus cases in children are mild. But for some, a all of them," Vice-President Pence said. (Agencies) dangerous complication can emerge.

Indian-origin girl names DALLAS (TIP): Last Friday, high coordination with St. Jude Children's NASA's 1st Mars copter school junior Jameela Barber called her Research Hospital and other major teacher in Dallas County, Texas, to children's hospitals across the country, Rupani came up with the apologize for neglecting to turn in her have just begun to collect data on kids name schoolwork. diagnosed with COVID-19. 'Ingenuity' Her school's principal, Eleanor Webb, It's unclear why most kids appear to be during said Barber told her teacher she hadn't spared. It could be that kids tend not to "name the been feeling well. have the same chronic health problems, rover" contest. "She said, 'As soon as I feel better, such as high blood pressure or Type 2 because I'm feeling really, really sick, I'm diabetes, found in the most serious going to turn in my missed COVID-19 cases in adults. assignments,'" Webb told NBC affiliate It could also be that children's immune WASHINGTON (TIP): NASA's first station KXAS. systems don't react to this coronavirus Mars helicopter has a name now and the The next day,Webb said, Barber died of infection with the same hyper- credit goes to 17-year-old Indian-origin complications from COVID-19. She was inflammatory response that's been girl Vaneeza Rupani. Rupani, a high 17. documented in adults. school junior from Northport, Alabama, Barber's case is rare; only a handful of "This is very perplexing," Dr. Adrienne earned the honor of naming the pediatric deaths related to the Randolph, a senior critical care helicopter after she submitted her essay coronavirus have been reported in the physician at Boston Children's Hospital, into NASA's "Name the Rover" contest. United States. However, the exact Jameela Barber.Lancaster Independent said. "What is it about their immune Destined to become the first aircraft to numbers for kids are hard to pin down: School District system and their immune reaction to attempt powered flight on another The Centers for Disease Control and U.S. and Europe: A handful of kids have this virus that is making it so they're planet, NASA's Mars Helicopter Prevention told NBC News that it does developed dangerous inflammation really not getting sick?" officially named: Ingenuity,as suggested not track COVID-19 deaths in children around the heart and other organs. It's Randolph is leading a nationwide by Rupani. While NASA announced in under age 18 the way it does for the flu. similar to a rare condition called research project that aims to figure out March that its next rover would be Early data on pediatric COVID-19 cases Kawasaki disease, which causes swelling why the virus acts differently in kids, named Perseverance based on seventh- suggested that, for the vast majority of of the coronary arteries, primarily in and why a few, like Barber, have more grader Alexander Mather's essay, the children, the illness is relatively mild. children. Efforts to gather data on how serious and even deadly outcomes. The agency decided to also choose a name for Recently, however, reports of potential the virus affects children are in their goal is to enroll 800 children and young the helicopter. (Read full story at serious complications specific to early stages. The Pediatric Infectious adults up through age 25. (Read full www.theindianpanorama.news) children have begun to emerge in the Diseases Transplant Network, in story at www.theindianpanorama.news) THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 US 13 WHO should be ashamed of itself; it is like a PR agency for China, says Trump

WASHINGTON (TIP): U.S. President chastised efforts to restrict travel, and Donald Trump Thursday, April 30, said continued to praise China as a global the World Health Organisation should be leader in public health despite mounting "ashamed of" itself, as he likened it to a evidence to the contrary. public relations agency for China. "The WHO's inaction and delay The Trump Administration has undoubtedly cost American lives. For launched a probe into the role of the these reasons, we commend the WHO on coronavirus, and has President's decision to temporarily pause temporarily suspended the U.S.' financial the WHO's funding," the lawmakers said. assistance to it. Congressman James Comer, Ranking "I think that the World Health Member of the Subcommittee on The Organization should be ashamed of Environment, said it would be an utter themselves because they are like the failure of the Committee to not public relations agency for China," Mr. investigate the WHO's failures to address Trump told reporters in the East Room of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and its the White House. effect on the American people. The United States, he reiterated, pays Congressman Glenn Grothman, the WHO almost $500 million a year and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on China pays them $38 million a year. National Security, said that like many I think that the World Health Organization should be ashamed of themselves because they are "Whether it's a lot more, it doesn't matter. like the public relations agency for China," Mr. Trump told reporters in the East Room of the international organizations, it appears They shouldn't be making excuses when White House, April 30. that the WHO has been "infected" by anti- people make horrible mistakes, especially Western bureaucrats. mistakes that are causing hundreds of they had one job, right? A single mission: American people to do our best to make "Had they stood up to the Chinese and thousands of people around the world to To prevent the spread of a pandemic. We sure that we fix that, that we prevent their wet markets at some point in the last die." know that the leader of that organization those things from ever happening again," 10 years, I believe hundreds of thousands "I think the World Health Organisation travelled to China and then declined to he said. Meanwhile, several Republican of people would be alive today," he said. should be ashamed of themselves," said declare it a pandemic until everyone in lawmakers demanding a Congressional The WHO deserves a thorough the President. the world knew that was already true," hearing alleged that the WHO parroted congressional investigation for its alleged Secretary of State Mike Pompeo alleged Mr. Pompeo told Fox news in another the Chinese regime's "disinformation" on mishandling of the coronavirus response, the WHO failed to deliver and misled the interview. multiple occasions, including denying and for accepting and promulgating a world on coronavirus. "The World Health "It's unfortunate, but this is not the first human-to-human transmission of the communist Chinese propaganda, said Organisation simply failed to respond in time there has been a virus go around the virus. Congressman Chip Roy, a Ranking this case," he told Scott Sands of The Scott world from inside of China, and it's not They alleged the WHO prolonged Member of the Subcommittee on Civil Sands Show in an interview. the first time the WHO has failed in its declaring COVID-19 a Public Health Rights and Civil Liberties. "With respect to the WHO, we know that mission. We have an obligation to the Emergency of International Concern, (Source:PTI)

IRS accepting Economic Impact applications for 2021 USCIS Offices Preparing Payments continue to grants for Low Income be sent, check IRS.gov Taxpayer Clinics to Reopen on June 4 for answers to common WASHINGTON questions (TIP): The WASHINGTON(TIP): As Economic Internal Revenue Impact Payments continue to be Service today successfully delivered, the Internal announced that Revenue Service today reminds the application taxpayers that IRS.gov includes period for Low answers to many common questions, Income Taxpayer Clinic grants for including help to use two recently calendar year 2021 will run from April launched Economic Impact Payment 30, 2020, to June 16, 2020. tools. The LITC Program is a federal grant The IRS is regularly updating the program administered by the Office of WASHINGTON (TIP): On March 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Economic Impact Payment and the Get the Taxpayer Advocate at the IRS, which temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and My Payment tool frequently asked is led by National Taxpayer Advocate application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID- questions pages on IRS.gov as more Erin M. Collins. Under Internal 19). USCIS is readying offices to reopen on or after June 4. Employees in these offices information becomes available. Revenue Code Section 7526, the IRS are continuing to perform mission-essential services that do not require face-to-face Get My Payment shows the projected awards matching grants of up to contact with the public while the offices are closed. date when a deposit has been $100,000 per year to qualifying While offices are temporarily closed, USCIS will continue to provide limited scheduled. Information is updated organizations to develop, expand or emergency in-person services. Please call the USCIS Contact Center for assistance once daily,usually overnight, so people maintain an LITC. An LITC must with emergency services. only need to enter information once a provide services for free or for no more USCIS field offices will send notices to applicants and petitioners with scheduled day. Those who did not use direct than a nominal fee. appointments and naturalization ceremonies impacted by the extended temporary deposit on their 2018 or 2019 tax return The IRS welcomes all applications and closure. USCIS asylum offices will send interview cancellation notices and can use the tool to input information to will ensure that each application automatically reschedule asylum interviews. When the interview is rescheduled, receive the payment by direct deposit receives due consideration. The IRS is asylum applicants will receive a new interview notice with the new time, date and into their bank account, so that they committed to achieving maximum location of the interview. When USCIS again resumes operations for in-person can get their money faster. access to representation for low income services, USCIS will automatically reschedule ASC appointments due to the Frequently asked questions taxpayers under the terms of the LITC temporary office closure. Individuals will receive a new appointment letter in the continually updated on IRS.gov Program. mail. Those who had InfoPass or other appointments must reschedule through the Read full story at Read full story at USCIS Contact Center once field offices are open to the public again. Please check to www.theindianpanorama.news www.theindianpanorama.news see if the respective office has been reopened before calling the Contact Center. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 14 INDIA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 Covid-19 toll in India rises to 1,147; cases 35,043 NEW DELHI (TIP): The death toll due to the novel coronavirus pandemic rose to 1,147 with 72 more fatalities and the number of cases climbed to 35,043 in the country on Friday, the Union Health Ministry said. The active COVID-19 cases stood at 25,007, while 8,888 people have recovered, and one patient has migrated. The total number of 35,043 cases includes 111 foreign nationals, 145 NANDED PILGRIMS according to the ministry data updated in the morning. AMONG 164 TEST POSITIVE Seventy-two deaths were reported since Thursday evening, out of IN PUNJAB IN A DAY which 27 fatalities were from CHANDIGARH (TIP): Punjab witnessed the Maharashtra, 17 from Gujarat, 11 sharpest single-day in Covid-19 cases on Thursday as from West Bengal, seven each from the state recorded 164 infections, including 145 Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, and Expect some announcement next week on Hazur Sahib pilgrims who were brought back from three from Delhi. Nanded in Maharashtra over the last four days. This Out of the total 1,147 deaths, return of stranded Indians, says Centre is first ever three-digit jump in Covid-19 cases in a Maharashtra tops the tally with 459 day in the state, which has now 544 infections. fatalities, followed by Gujarat with NEW DELHI (TIP): People can be available for them. Unless the Amritsar, Ludhiana and SAS Nagar were the main 214, Madhya Pradesh with 137, Delhi expect some announcement next international flights are operated contributors to the Thursday tally with 76, 48 and 13 with 59, Rajasthan with 58, Uttar week on the return of Indians we can't do anything for their cases, respectively. Pradesh with 39, West Bengal with 33 stranded abroad due to non- travel back to India," he said. Seventy-six people tested positive for Covid-19 at and Andhra Pradesh with 31. operation of flights amid the However, the respective Indian Amritsar’s Government Medical College (GMC) on The coronavirus disease (COVID- ongoing lockdown to combat the embassies and consulates, in Thursday and all of them are Hazur Sahib pilgrims, 19) toll reached 27 in Tamil Nadu, 26 novel coronavirus, Minister of cooperation with the governments Punjab medical education and research Minister OP in Telangana, while Karantaka has State for External Affairs V there, are helping all those Soni confirmed. With this, the district’s count went reported 21 deaths. Muraleedharan said on Thursday. Indians seeking assistance by way up from 14 to 90. Punjab has registered 20 fatalities so Talking to PTI over the phone, of food, medical facilities and Ludhiana recorded 48 cases on Thursday,of which far, while the pathogen has claimed he said that there were so many accommodation in every possible 37 patients are Hazur Sahib-returnees, while 10 of eight lives in Jammu and Kashmir, Indians stranded. "Flights should way, he said. the 13 people who tested positive in Mohali also had four in Kerala. Jharkhand and Nanded link. Haryana have recorded three deaths Pradesh and 1,038 in Telangana. Andaman and Nicobar Islands has 33 The border district of Tarn Taran recorded seven each. The number of confirmed cases has COVID-19 cases while Ladakh has Covid-19 cases, including three women, and all had Bihar has reported two deaths, risen to 795 in West Bengal, 614 in reported 22 infections so far. returned from Hazur Sahib in the recent days. With while Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, 565 in Meghalaya has reported 12 cases, this, the total number of patients in the district has Odisha and Assam have reported a Karnataka, 497 in Kerala, 418 in Bihar Puducherry has eight cases, while risen to 14. fatality each, according to the and 357 in Punjab. Goa has seven COVID-19 cases. Four cases were reported in Kapurthala and three ministry data. The highest number of Haryana has reported 313 Manipur and Tripura have two of them have Nanded link. Three members of family, confirmed cases are from coronavirus cases, while Odisha has cases each, while Mizoram and including a 12-year-old, who tested positive on Maharashtra at 10,498, followed by 142 cases. A total of 109 people have Arunachal Pradesh have reported a Thursday in Gurdaspur, had also returned from Gujarat at 4,395, Delhi at 3,515, been infected with the deadly virus in case each. Nanded. Madhya Pradesh at 2,660 infections. Jharkhand and 57 in Uttarakhand. "Our figures are being reconciled Of the two infections detected in Sangrur, one was Rajasthan has reported 2,584 Chandigarh has reported 56 cases, with the ICMR," the ministry said on Hazur Sahib pilgrim. Muktsar reported three cases infections, Tamil Nadu 2,323 and Uttar Assam has 42, while Himachal its website, adding, "291 cases are and all of them had been brought back from Nanded Pradesh at 2,203 cases. The COVID-19 Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have being assigned to states for contact recently. One person was declared positive for the cases have gone up to 1,403 in Andhra registered 40 infections each so far. tracing." virus on Moga and another in Ferozepur. One of the three cases reported in Jalandhar also has Nanded link, while a pilgrim was found positive in SBS Nagar. Rupnagar recorded two cases on CENTRE ALLOWS INTERSTATE TRAVEL OF Thursday and both of them are Hazur Sahib pilgrims and Patiala also recorded a patient with MIGRANT WORKERS, TOURISTS Nanded pilgrimage history. Railways serves 30 lakh meals NEW DELHI (TIP): The Union home ministry on Wednesday issued fresh guidelines for interstate to needy amid lockdown movement to allow stranded migrant labourers, tourists and students to return to their homes. NEW DELHI (TIP): The Indian Railways has It said the new guidelines will come into effect from 4 provided cooked meals to over 30 lakh people during May, “which shall give considerable relaxation to many the nationwide lockdown, announced to combat the districts." coronavirus infection. So far, only interstate movement of essential "We have distributed free, hot cooked meals to 30 commodities has been allowed, while migrant workers lakh people during the lockdown due to Covid-19," could travel to their workplaces within city limits if said the Railway Ministry spokesperson here on they showed no symptoms for coronavirus. Thursday. Wednesday’s guidelines says all stranded people can On April 20, the railways had reached 20 lakh- return to their home towns after undergoing strict mark in distribution of free meals. In the last 10 medical screening both at the source and destination days, 10 lakh more free meals have been distributed. cities. States must also organize thermal testing units between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief The official said the railways staff from a number and quarantine facilities for all those who are stranded, ministers, wherein the issue of stranded migrant of rail organisations were working tirelessly since in order to clear asymptomatic cases, before sending labourers and students was discussed. Uttar Pradesh, March 28 to provide cooked meals to the needy. them back. However, the movement of migrants, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, states where large The distribution of food to the needy is being done tourists and students will be restricted to non- numbers of migrants come from, had requested that with the help of RPF, GRP, commercial departments containment zones. they be allowed to return home. The Odisha of zonal railways, state governments, district States must arrange for sanitized buses for government said that the Centre must set standard administrations and NGOs even beyond the station transportation, it said. operating procedures (SOP) for people who are vicinity and in areas surrounding the railway The decision comes just two days after a meeting returning. stations. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 INDIA 15

Indigenous COVID-19 testing kits Govt bats on ‘plug and play’ will be available in May: Minister infrastructure, attract more foreign investment

NEW DELHI (TIP): Amid the coronavirus menace which has led to the nationwide lockdown hitting the economy hard, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a NEW DELHI (TIP): Union Health Minister Dr comprehensive meeting with Home Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday said that the country will Minister Amit Shah, Finance be able to produce indigenous coronavirus-testing Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, kits by May. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal "We will be able to produce RT-PCR and antibody and other senior government test kits in India by May.All processes are in advanced officials to discuss the steps to stage and production will start after getting approval attract more foreign investment and from ICMR. It will help us in meeting our target of boost the economy. one lakh tests per day by May 31," the Union Health The meeting was held to discuss Minister said. measures to attract more foreign Earlier, Dr Harsh Vardhan held a review meeting investment as well as promote local via video conference with the Delhi LG, Delhi Health investment to boost the economy Minister, MCD Commissioners, DMs and DCPs of all amid the COVID-19 pandemic. districts of Delhi and Central/State and District “It was discussed that a scheme surveillance officers and heads of government should be developed to promote hospitals. more plug and play infrastructure A total of 29,435 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have in the existing industrial been reported in India. 6,869 persons have recovered lands/plots/estates in the country strategies & be more proactive in The meeting came amidst the or migrated, the Ministry of Health and Family and provide necessary financing attracting investments,” it said. prolong lockdown leaving the Welfare said on Tuesday. support,” said the statement It was also discussed that the economy almost crippled. On There are 21,632 active cases of COVID-19 in the released by the government. reform initiatives undertaken by Tuesday, rating agency Moody country. 934 people have lost their lives due to the “During the meeting, the PM the various Ministries should forecasted India’s growth to 0.2 per coronavirus in the country to date. directed that the action should be continue unabated and the action cent which was earlier 2.5 per cent. taken for a more proactive approach should be taken in a time-bound Pune-based defence institute to handhold the investors, to look manner to remove any obstacles India is in the second phase of into their problems and help them which impede the promotion of complete lockdown which will end develops microwave steriliser in getting all the necessary Central investment and industrial growth. on May 3. The uncertainty over the and State clearances in a time- After the meeting, PM Modi extension of lockdown is still not NEW DELHI (TIP): Pune-based Defence Institute bound manner,” it added. tweeted, “Chaired a high-level called off as the cases are nowhere of Advanced Technology (DIAT) has developed a “Various strategies to bring meeting to discuss ways to boost near to containment. microwave steriliser 'Atulya' that can disintegrate the investments into India in a fast- investment, both international and However, last week, after a novel coronavirus, the Defence Ministry said on track mode and to promote Indian domestic. Issues relating to India’s meeting with 13 chief ministers, the Thursday. domestic sectors were discussed. reform trajectory were also government re-started some "The virus gets disintegrated by differential heating Detailed discussions were held on discussed so that growth can be economic activity in parts of the (of Atulya) in the range of 56 degrees to 60 degrees guiding states to evolve their accelerated.” country least affected by the virus. Celsius," the ministry said in a release. The DIAT is a deemed university under the ministry's Defence Research and Development Organisation. Atulya is a cost-effective solution that can be operated in portable or fixed installations, the 65% OF COVID DEATHS IN INDIA ARE ministry said. "This system (steriliser) was tested for MEN, SHOWS GOVT DATA human/operator safety and has been found to be safe. Depending upon the size and shape of various objects, time of sterilisation is from 30 seconds to one minute," NEW DELHI (TIP): Fewer it said. women are dying of the coronavirus Atulya weighs around three kilograms and it can be disease (Covid-19) in India as used for sterilisation of non-metallic objects only, the compared to men, and at least half ministry said. of those who died were over the age of 60, according to data from the States seek trains to move union health ministry. Of the 1,074 Covid-19 deaths migrants as lockdown nears end reported from across the country till April 30 afternoon, 65% are men, NEW DELHI (TIP): A day after the Centre allowed which is in line with the evidence so movement of migrant workers and directed states and far that Covid-19 kills more men Union territories to use sanitised buses to transport than women. them, many states including Bihar, Punjab, Rajasthan According to an April 22 study and Telangana have demanded that special trains be published in the peer reviewed deployed as it is very difficult to operate buses for American journal, JAMA (Journal long-distance travel. of the American Medical Telangana Animal Husbandry Minister T Srinivas Association), an analysis of 5,700 Yadav went a step ahead and asked the Centre to bear Covid-19 patients hospitalised in 12 the full cost of transportation of migrant workers. hospitals in New York City showed conditions, such as diabetes, age of 60, 42% are between 60 and 75 The Maharashtra government, too, made similar that at least 60% were men, and of hypertension, kidney or heart years of age, and 9.2% were above 75 suggestions saying the travel cost should be either the 373 patients who were disease, are also being seen as risk years of age. borne by the central government or by the native undergoing treatment in the factors for developing a severe form “The data clearly shows that the states of the migrant workers. intensive care unit (ICU), 66.5% of the disease in Indian patients. As elderly people and those with According to sources, the Ministry of Home Affairs were men. The most common co- many as 78% of those dead were underlying medical conditions need (MHA), which is supervising the Covid-19 shutdown morbidities were diabetes, suffering from some form of to be extra careful as they tend to across the country, is likely to take a call on this soon. hypertension, and obesity among chronic health condition, and 51.2% develop a severe form of the Meanwhile, sources also said the railway ministry critically ill patients. were above 60 years of age. disease,” said Lav Agarwal, joint has already lined up a plan to operate 400 special Age and underlying medical Of the 51.2% of those above the secretary, Union health ministry. trains, if necessary. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 16 FEATURE FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020

other’s Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is Mobserved in different forms throughout the world. In the United States, Mother’s Day 2020 occurs on Sunday, May 10. The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created MOTHER’S DAY by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Jarvis would later denounce the holiday’s commercialization and spent the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar. While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day traditionally involves presenting moms with flowers, cards and other gifts. History of Mother’s Day Celebrations of mothers and motherhood can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who held festivals in honor of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele, but the clearest modern precedent for Mother’s Day is the early Christian festival known as “Mothering Sunday.” Once a major tradition in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, this celebration fell on the fourth Sunday in Lent and was originally seen as a time when the faithful would return to their “mother church”—the main church in the vicinity of their home—for a special service. Over time the Mothering Sunday tradition shifted into a more secular holiday,and children would present their mothers with flowers and other tokens of appreciation. This custom eventually faded in popularity before merging with the American Mother’s Day in the 1930s and 1940s. give to their mothers, and this eventually evolved into a tradition of gift giving. Mother’s Day Around Mothering Sunday became less practised the World through the early-20th century, until the 1950s when merchants noticed a While versions of Mother’s Day are commercial opportunity, paving the way celebrated worldwide, traditions vary for today’s traditions in the UK. depending on the country. In Thailand, Mother’s Day traditions in the United for example, Mother’s Day is always States began with Anna Jarvis. She once celebrated in August on the birthday of overheard her mother, a social activist the current queen, Sirikit. who formed clubs to promote peace and Another alternate observance of friendship during the American Civil Mother’s Day can be found in Ethiopia, War (1861-65), pray for a commemoration where families gather each fall to sing day to acknowledge the service mothers songs and eat a large feast as part of give to humanity. After her mother’s Antrosht, a multi-day celebration death, Jarvis spent the early years of the honoring motherhood. 20th century campaigning relentlessly – In the United States, Mother’s Day and, eventually, successfully – for continues to be celebrated by presenting Mother’s Day to be a recognised holiday mothers and other women with gifts and honouring all mothers. Similarly to flowers, and it has become one of the citizens of Australia and South Africa, biggest holidays for consumer spending. Americans celebrate the special day Families also celebrate by giving annually on the second Sunday in May, mothers a day off from activities like and gifts usually consist of carnations, cooking or other household chores. the official flower of the day. At times, Mother’s Day has also been a Many other countries around the date for launching political or feminist world also celebrate on the second causes. In 1968 Coretta Scott King, wife of Sunday of May – including New Zealand, Martin Luther King Jr., used Mother’s Canada and India – with festivities, Day to host a march in support of dinners, pampering and gifts. In Mexico, underprivileged women and children. In colourful Mother’s Day celebrations the 1970s women’s groups also used the occur on 10 May, where children hand- holiday as a time to highlight the need make their presents, and churches hold for equal rights and access to childcare. special masses. In the UK and Ireland, Mother’s Day Egypt and several other Middle can be confused with Mothering Sunday, Eastern countries celebrate on 21 March, as the two share the same date. In the the first day of spring, and on 12 August, 16th century,Mothering Sunday began as Thailand holds prodigious festivities in a Catholic and Protestant Christian honour of its Queen. In Russia, people holiday, where people would visit their used to celebrate on 8 March, which is ‘mother’ church – the church in which International Women’s Day, but now do they were baptised or the one they grew so on the last Sunday of November, up attending – for Laetare Sunday, the though still typically giving presents in fourth Sunday of Lent. March. This was potentially the only day in All traditions, however, do share the year on which families could all be characteristics and ultimately honour together, as servants were only allowed a mothers and women who have brought respite from their duties on Laetare peace and improvement to the world. Sunday. On the way to church, children Despite consumerism gradually would pick flowers to make bouquets to overpowering authenticity, the day will THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 TRIBUTE 17

SEPTEMBER 4, 1952-APRIL 30, 2020 RISHI KAPOOR, BOLLYWOOD’S EVERGREEN HEARTTHROB, DIES AT 67

ctor Rishi Kapoor died on April 30 CONDOLENCES POUR IN after a two-year battle with Aleukaemia. He was 67. Rishi The news of Rishi’s tragic demise breathed his last at the Sir HN Reliance has shocked and saddened the nation. Foundation Hospital in Mumbai. His Prime Minister Narendra Modi called wife and actor Neetu Kapoor was by his the actor a ‘powerhouse of talent’ and side. wrote, “Multifaceted, endearing and Rishi was always fated to be a star. lively...this was Rishi Kapoor Ji. He was Born in Bollywoods first family long a powerhouse of talent. I will always before the industry was overrun by recall our interactions, even on social nepotism debates, Rishi Kapoor media. He was passionate about films announced his arrival with a National and India’s progress. Anguished by his Award as Best Child Artiste for his role demise. Condolences to his family and in the 1970 gem, "Mera Naam Joker". fans. Om Shanti.” Three years later when his father, Amitabh Bachchan, who worked showman Raj Kapoor, launched him as a with him in films such as Amar Akbar hero in teenybopper romance "Bobby", Anthony, Kabhie Kabhie and most he was the hottest young star in town. recently, 102 Not Out, tweeted, “He’s The chocolatebox hero was born. GONE .. ! Rishi Kapoor .. gone .. just For nearly three decades after that passed away .. I am destroyed !” Rishi Kapoor was synonymous with Akshay Kumar remembered the romance, becoming Bollywood''s face of ‘legend’ and wrote on Twitter, “It seems mush as no other actor has managed to like we’re in the midst of a be. From the naive romantic of "Bobby" nightmare...just heard the depressing to the loverboy prankster of "Rafoo news of #RishiKapoor ji passing away, Chakkar" and "Khel Khel Mein", from it’s heartbreaking. He was a legend, a being cast in the more classic backdrop great co-star and a good friend of the of Bollywood romance in "Kabhi Kabhie" family. My thoughts and prayers with or "Laila Majnu", to the unconventional his family.” lover with grey shades in "Zehreela Aamir Khan mourned the loss of the Insaan", it didn''t take him long to ‘amazing actor’ and ‘wonderful human establish himself as the king of masala being’. “We have lost one of the greats mush. today. An amazing actor, a wonderful In all this, he discovered the power of human being, and 100% a child of song and dance to prop the endearing Cinema. Thank you for all the joy you glamour as a romantic hero in that early brought to our lives. Thank you for phase. Rishi Kapoor emerged as a super being the actor and human being that dancer in the songs of "Hum Kissise you were. You will be badly missed Kum Nahin", "Yeh Vaada Raha", Rishiji. Love. a,” he wrote. "Sargam", "Dhan Daulat" "Zamaane Ko Priyanka Chopra shared a picture Dikhana Hai" and "Karz". with Rishi and his wife Neetu Kapoor, The romantic-musical star tag was in scripts primarily written for the taken while he was undergoing cancer important for Rishi, because he was out machomen demanded lots of screen treatment in New York. “My heart is so carving a niche in an era that primarily presence. Kapoor came up trumps every heavy. This is the end of an era. belonged to the Angry Young Man. Sure time, despite never losing his essential #Rishisir your candid heart and he did get on with the occasional characteristic as a loverboy in films such immeasurable talent will never be guntotting antic or some good old- as "Naseeb", "Coolie" or "Katilon Ke encountered again. Such a privilege to fashioned filmi dishoom-punch, but that Kaatil". have known you even a little bit. My wasn''t his image. The audience went in Yet the multistarrer phase would pass, condolences to Neetu maam, Ridhima, to watch him romance, and dance. and by the late eighties it would be time Ranbir and the rest of the family. Rest Yet, Rishi was quietly reorganising his for Rishi Kapoor to reinvent again. in peace Sir,” she wrote. image with his roles -- at least as much as There was a rough phase around this I've had the honour of working with the restrictive commercial Hindi cinema time. As the eighties were drawing to a Rishi ji. A larger than life person, so of the seventies and the eighties would close, a whole new generation of stars outspoken yet so warm. We have lost a let him. He carved a unique comic style and directors moving in. An aging brilliant actor today. Still can't believe for himself ("Rafoo Chakkar", "Amar romantic hero doesn''t find many takers it.. absolutely heartbroken. My prayers Akbar"Anthony") that was, quite unlike in a fickle world as Bollywood. Rishi did are with the family during this tough what worked back then, without over- what few expected him to -- he started time, said Madhuri Dixit. the-top tendencies. signing up heroine-oriented projects in By the turn of the decade and into the the later eighties through the early media. When he joined Twitter in eighties, it was abundantly clear that nineties, opposite top actresses of the era January of 2010, people expected just Rishi Kapoor would not fade away -- such as Sridevi ("Nagina", "Chandni"), changed with the millennium, medium another wise old Bollywood star, who unlike most other chocolatebox heroes. Rekha ("Sheshnag","Azad Desh Ke of infotainment was changing and, just would spew niceties and knowledge. As much as he loved romancing and Gulam"), Madhuri Dixit ("Yaarana"), and when people started saying that playing What they got was a firebrand who dancing, he also realised the market for Juhi Chawla (Daraar"). the heroine''s dad was the first sign of an would take on any and everybody. Rishi such heroes was shrunken at that point Qualitatively, Bollywood had hit an actor''s end, Rishi Kapoor sprung his Kapoor, always known to have spoken his of time. He quickly latched on to the unprecedented low in this era, and the most glorious twin surprises. mind, found a natural space to let off multustarrer bandwagon -- the new in- sole criterion of success seemed to be First, he reorganised his image. With some steam. Sure, it got him trolled thing for the Bollywood big screen. visibility. These films, as well as the the advent of the 2010s, Kapoor moved often, but it also did leave social media Therein lies the secret of Rishi multistarrers that he continued doing, away from all things nice that had ever impressed with his guts. Kapoor''s survival and success. Above all helped him stay in the limelight. Very defined his image. As the sinister face of That streak of guts defines everything else through the decades, he has been a few of his solo hero projects back then evil in "Agneepath" and "D-Day", he was he has ever lived for. It is something that master of reinvention. It is the sort of made any impact. suddenly reinventing villainy, in the resonates in his autobiography strategy that underlines abundant By the 2000s, having made a move into same way he had redefined the hero all "Khullam Khulla" -- published in 2017. It versatility, not just on screen but off it, supporting role, Kapoor had taken to those years ago, arriving as the teen is the guts that let the moviestar embrace too. On screen, because matching up to playing the daddy roles in films like "Yeh sensation in "Bobby". career changes as smoothly as his mind action heroes such as Amitabh Hai Jalwa" and "Kuch Khatti Kuch But more interesting was Kapoor''s and spirit took on the fight against Bachchan, Dharmedra or Vinod Khanna Meethi". An era in Bollywood had reinvention off screen. He took to social cancer head-on. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 18 TRIBUTE FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020

Who could've predicted that Khan would, like his character in the film, The Namesake, leave us young and without much warning Alvida IRRFAN!!

lockdown. Irrfan recorded an audio message for his "An incredible talent, a gracious colleague, a prolific fans during the trailer release of Angrezi Medium. His contributor to the World of Cinema … left us too soon," Bachchan tweeted. last message played along with a promotional clip of his film. "There is a saying… 'When life gives you lemons, (2007), a collage of intersecting tales. you make lemonades out of it. It sounds good. But when hen it comes to independent cinema, Ritesh By Jaskiran Saluja life actually puts lemon in your hands, it becomes really Batra's The Lunchbox (2013) features one of tough to make lemonade," Irrfan says. Whis most moving performances. The film, n 1986, when director Mira Nair was scouting for The film ended up being the bookend to a singular which documents an epistolary bond between two her film Salaam Bombay! at the National School of body of work that had begun in 1988 with Salaam lonely souls, gives Khan a role that bears amusing IDrama in New Delhi, she fixed her gaze on a young Bombay! After that movie, Khan spent more than a parallels to his Salaam Bombay! character. He plays a man from Jaipur. "I noticed his focus, his intensity, his decade appearing in television serials and supporting widower named Saajan who marches through each day very remarkable look-his hooded eyes," she later roles on film, before breaking through with his listlessly. Yet he forges a connection with a stranger, an recalled of seeing Irrfan Khan. Though she cast him, dynamic lead performance as a feudal soldier in Asif equally forlorn housewife named Ila (Nimrat Kaur), she soon decided that he was too towering at more than Kapadia's The Warrior (2001). That performance kick- when they begin exchanging letters by accident. The six feet, that he seemed too well fed to convincingly play started a career that has no precedent in Indian film correspondence seems to awaken Saajan, and Khan a malnourished child. To Khan's dismay,Nair pared his history. makes the character's decision to gradually let his role down to scraps. "I remember sobbing all night Khan's featherlight touch made the job look simple, guard down feel organic. Much of the performance when Mira told me that my part was reduced to merely distracting you from the fact that acting is, at its core, depends on voice-over, and Khan was blessed with a nothing," the actor told the Indian magazine Open in work. He could play the romantic lead with flushed honeyed voice that recalls the tired maxim about an 2015. "But it changed something within me. I was ardor, as he did in Shoojit Sircar's Piku (2015), but he actor being able to recite the phone book without prepared for anything after that." knew how to cede the spotlight as a supporting player sacrificing a viewer's attention. The actor died Wednesday in Mumbai, two years after too. His style was free of the vanity or self- His talents would ferry him to American and British being diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer. On consciousness that could've made him seem larger than cinema in the late aughts. These films mostly cast Khan Wednesday when Irrfan breathed his last, his last words life. As his fame grew, he retained the essential quality in supporting roles, such as his wordless cameo as a reflected how much he missed his mother. "See, amma that endeared him to viewers: a sense of relatability. villager in Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited has come. She is sitting next to me. Amma has come to Khan was an everyman who, improbably,became a star. (2007) or his part as a scientist in The Amazing Spider- take me," was Irrfan Khan's last words. He then adds, He was born Sahabzade Irfan Ali Khan-just one R-to a Man (2012), that only suggested the depth of his talent. "But what is the choice apart from being positive in middle-class Muslim family in the city of Jaipur, (Television, in contrast, gave him a rich showcase in tough situations. We have made this film with the same Rajasthan, in 1967. A shy and gentle kid, he'd wanted to Season 3 of HBO's In Treatment, where he once again positivity.And I hope this film will teach you, make you be an actor since he was small, according to a recent played a widower, this time an immigrant from laugh, make you cry and then make you laugh again. biography by the writer Aseem Chhabra. Khan's Kolkata.) These movies didn't deserve him, but Khan Enjoy the trailer and be kind to each other…And yes immediate family didn't watch many movies, though, dignified them with his presence, refusing to sink with wait for me". forcing him to nurture his dreams in secret. He the flimsy material he was given. han's final movie, Angrezi Medium, was the last understood that his physical attributes, including his Unlike those works, Nair's The Namesake, a 2006 film Bollywood film released in theaters before the darker complexion, could be professional limitations, adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri's novel of the same name, KCOVID-19 pandemic resulted in a nationwide but he went on to attend the National School of Drama, gave his skills more breathing room. As the professor where he arrived as a bundle of raw potential. Ashoke Ganguli, Khan embodies an ideal of the Bengali On-screen, Khan's most vital instrument may have immigrant father in the eyes of his son, Gogol (Kal been that pair of soulful eyes that captured Nair's Penn). He is at once a figment of memory and a person imagination three decades ago. They could exude whose struggles and desires feel achingly real. Ashoke menace or innocence, depending on the role. His eyes is a specific kind of person, a Bengali intellectual who helped him bring sensual urgency to his early adapts to life in America after a rough period of performance as Rahul, a young musician who has an adjustment. The eventual tragedy at the heart of the affair with a married woman named Sandhya (played narrative-Ashoke's sudden death-is piercing because of by Dimple Kapadia) in Govind Nihalani's Drishti (1990). how vividly Khan portrays this man. When the two lovers lock gazes, whatever's transpiring Who could've predicted that Khan would, like his between them feels electric. The film offers Khan just a character in that film, leave us young and without much few short scenes before he more or less evaporates from warning? It's tempting to wonder what characters Khan the narrative, yet the memory of his character lingers would've introduced us to as he eased into old age, as his long after he's gone. That role was just a preview of the hair began to gray. That viewers are deprived of great work Khan would deliver after the turn of the knowing feels like theft. Among The Namesake's most millennium. Trying to pick highlights from this era is a arresting moments is a scene in which Ashoke narrates fool's errand. He shone in bigger releases such as Vishal the story of how he named his son. The sequence plays Irrfan with friend and wife Sutapa. "If I get to live, I want to Bhardwaj's Maqbool (2003), a riff on Macbeth set in the on Khan's strongest devices: You see those eyes glimmer live for her. She is the reason for me to keep at it still," he said towards the dusk of his life. Mumbai underworld, and Anurag Basu's Life in aMetro contd on Page 19 THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 TRIBUTE 19 contd from Page 18 trust, irrespective of the outcome, irrespective of with pain and pride, and Khan's voice shepherds you where this takes me, eight months from now, or four through this man's past. His is a love you recognize as months from now, or two years. The concerns took a human, but Khan expresses the sentiment with back seat and started to fade and kind of went out of my restraint. It's a kind of beauty, in other words, that you mind space. only see in movies. For the first time, I felt what 'freedom' truly means. It felt like an accomplishment. As if I was tasting life for The Bollywood superstar wrote this open letter the first time, the magical side of it. My confidence in the intelligence of the cosmos became absolute. I feel as that was published by Times of India before if it has entered every cell of mine. starting his treatment for cancer in 2018. Time will tell if it stays, but that is how I feel as of "It's been quite some time now since I have been now." diagnosed with a high-grade neuroendocrine cancer. Irrfan also talked about his well-wishers and those This new name in my vocabulary, I got to know, was praying for him across the world. rare, and due to fewer study cases, and less information Throughout my journey, people have comparatively, the unpredictability of the treatment was more. I was part of a trial-and-error game. been wishing me well, praying for me, I had been in a different game, I was travelling on a “ from all over the world. People I know, speedy train ride, had dreams, plans, aspirations, goals, people I don't even know. They were praying was fully engaged in them. And suddenly someone taps from different places, different time zones, on my shoulder and I turn to see. It's the TC: "Your and I feel all their prayers become ONE. One destination is about to come. Please get down." I am confused: No, no. My destination hasn't come. No, this is big force, like a force of current, which got it. This is how it is sometimes. inside me through the end of my spine and has The suddenness made me realise how you are just a germinated through the crown of my head. cork floating in the ocean with unpredictable currents! And you are desperately trying to control it. It's germinating - sometimes a bud, a In this chaos, shocked, afraid and in panic, while on leaf, a twig, a shoot. I keep relishing and one of the terrifying hospital visits, I blabber to my son, looking at it. Each flower, each twig, each leaf 'The only thing I expect from ME is not to face this crisis which has come from the cumulative prayers, in this present state. I desperately need my feet. Fear each fills me with wonder, happiness and and panic should not overrule me and make me miserable'. curiosity. A realisation that the cork doesn't That was my intention. And then the pain hit. As if need to control the current. That you are being all this while, you were just getting to know pain, and gently rocked in the cradle of nature." now you know his nature and his intensity.Nothing was :"You fought and fought and fought. I will always be proud of working; no consolation, no motivation." In his recent interview to Mumbai Mirror, Irrfan said you.. we shall meet again" Tweeted Award-winning filmmaker Irrfan also wrote about finding peace during this "It's been a roller-coaster ride, a memorable one. Happy Shoojit Sircar painful time and said the only thing certain is the moments were underlined because of the inherent uncertainty. uncertainty. We cried a little and laughed a lot. We online. became one huge body," he said. "THE CHARISMA YOU BROUGHT TO Khan went on to talk about how crucial it was for him EVERYTHING YOU DID WAS PURE MAGIC," "The charisma keep his thoughts from wandering. "You screen out TWEETED INDIAN ACTOR AND MODEL you brought to PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS. everything you noises. You are selective about what you want to filter did was pure in. I have gone through tremendous anxiety but have magic," somehow managed to control it, then, let go. You are AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER SHOOJIT tweeted Indian playing hopscotch all the time," he said. SIRCARALSO POSTED A TRIBUTE ON actor and TWITTER, WRITING, "YOU FOUGHT AND On the subject of his wife Sutapa, Khan called her model Priyanka FOUGHT AND FOUGHT. I WILL ALWAYS BE Chopra Jonas "the reason" he's still able to power through. "What to PROUD OF YOU.. WE SHALL MEET AGAIN." say about Sutapa (wife)? She is there 24/7. She has evolved in care-giving and if I get to live, I want to live AMITABH BACHCHAN, ANOTHER for her. She is the reason for me to keep at it still," he BOLLYWOOD ICON, SAID IN A TWEET THAT said. KHAN'S DEATH CREATED "A HUGE VACUUM." Sutapa had previously written a post on Facebook where she discussed the family's year long struggle "AN INCREDIBLE TALENT, A GRACIOUS with Khan's cancer. "Longest year of our life . Time was COLLEAGUE, A PROLIFIC CONTRIBUTOR TO never measured with pain and hope at the same time THE WORLD OF CINEMA … LEFT US TOO ever. While we take our baby steps back to work,to life I SOON," BACHCHAN TWEETED. am submerged in prayers wishes and faith from friends ,relatives, strangers and a connection with universe which gives us a small chance for this new start." She added, "It seems unbelievable never ever I realized the meaning of the word unpredictable so well never ever I could feel peoples wishes on my bones my "As I was entering the hospital, drained, exhausted, breath my heartbeat which helped me to stay focused listless, I hardly realised my hospital was on the and kicking.. I can't take names because there are opposite side of Lord's, the stadium. The Mecca of my names and there are names I don't even know who childhood dream. Amidst the pain, I saw a poster of a played angels. Sorry for not been able to answer smiling Vivian Richards. Nothing happened, as if that individually but I know what you mean to us." world didn't ever belong to me. He leaves behind a wife and two children. This hospital also had a coma ward right above me. he whole world, it appears, is mourning the loss "Irrfan Khan's demise is a loss to the world of cinema and Once, while standing on the balcony of my hospital of Irrfan Khan. In New York, many, already theatre," tweeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "He room, the peculiarity jolted me. Between the game of Tcooped in their homes because of lockdown, will be remembered for his versatile performances across life and the game of death, there is just a road. On one watched Irrfan's movies over and over again, as if they different mediums. My thoughts are with his family, friends side, a hospital, on the other, a stadium. As if one isn't wanted neve to be separated from the man. and admirers." part of anything which might claim certainty - neither "Irrfan Khan's demise is a loss to the world of cinema the hospital, nor the stadium. That hit me hard. and theatre," tweeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra I was left with this immense effect of the enormous Modi. "He will be remembered for his versatile Alvida Irrfan!! power and intelligence of the cosmos. The peculiarity performances across different mediums. My thoughts of MY hospital's location - it HIT me. The only thing are with his family, friends and admirers." Cinema won't be the certain was the uncertainty.All I could do was to realise Other prominent politicians, like Home Minister my strength and play my game better. Amit Shah and former Maharashtra Chief Minister This realisation made me submit, surrender and Devendra Fadnavis, also shared their condolences same without you! THE INDIAN PANORAMA 20 BOLLYWOOD FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 14 YEARS OF KANGANA RANAUT: FANS MARK ACTRESS’ FILMY ANNIVERSARY angana Ranaut's first film, Gangster, had released on 28 April in 2006 and Kthe actress completes 14 years in Bollywood today. Her fans took to social media to show some love. Check out their reactions. Kangana Ranaut is one of the fiercest actress in Bollywood and has risen to the SUSHMITA SEN CREATES ranks with her impressive filmography. From playing varied characters to speaking her mind on issues of national importance, MEDITATIONAL TUNE WITH Kangana has managed to win many hearts. The actress completes 14 years in Bollywood BOYFRIEND ROHMAN SHAWL today and her fans took to social media to ushmita Sen, along with daughters Renee and show some love. Kangana's first film, Alisah and boyfriend Rohman Shawl, have Gangster, released on 28 April in 2006 and the Screated a special tune for soothing the mind and actress back then had received praise from the heart. The actor shared an audio which seems to all quarters for her performance. be music for mediation and has the actor reciting ‘Om’ Today, as she completes 14 years, Kangana throughout the tune in the most soothing manner. has lot to cheer about. From acting to Sharing it on Instagram, she wrote, “We are all directing, Kangana has been climbing the #energy. HEADPHONES PLEASE. Physical ladder of success for quite sometime now. distancing doesn’t mean emotional distancing. In fact With absolutely no filmy background, the our energies are much more in synch & better aligned 'Tanu Weds Manu' actress is remembered for than ever before!! Great time to realise that despite her fun and crazy roles. While she floored us being quarantined, we don’t live in isolation. Sending with her act in Manikarnika, Kangana won you something to help keep your spirits high for ‘low’ hearts in Queen which further catapulted is not an option.. created by the Inhouse technical her into stardom. crew of Alisah, Renee @rohmanshawl & #yourstruly. Apart from her impressive filmography, we of course used a background track that you all love Kangana's personal life has also hit the so much...by #roudeep called “Desert Rose”. #sharing headlines. From relationships to her take on #faith #hope #love #happyvibrations #duggadugga...I nepotism in Bollywood, Kangana has never love you guys!!!!” held back and often conveyed what she truly The actor is quarantining with her family at her feels. Today, as she completes 14 years, fans Mumbai residence and practices yoga to stay fit. shared their favourite Kangana moments on Sushmita and Rohman have also shared several Twitter. From photos and video to quotes, the glimpses of their tough yoga challenges they throw at actress has quite a fan following. each other. KRITI KHARBANDA SHOWS OFF BOYFRIEND KATRINA KAIF DISPLAYS PERFECT CHOPPING PULKIT SAMRAT’S COOKING SKILLS SKILLS IN NEW VIDEO mid the nationwide lockdown due to the outbreak of ith the Acoronavirus in the country, nation is in Bollywood celebrities have been Wlockdown flaunting their culinary skills on mode due to the social media. Actor Pulkit Samrat coronavirus treated his actor-girlfriend Kriti pandemic, many are Kharbanda to some prawns. using the downtime Kriti took to Instagram, where she to learn a new skill, shared a photograph of the prawn and Katrina Kaif is curry made by Pulkit and she no different. She has captioned it: "And then, death by been sharpening amaze food happened! @pulkitamrat her culinary skills showing off his cooking skills." and displayed the Recently, Kriti shared a post where perfect chopping she could be seen enjoying a champi technique in a new (oil massage on the head) by her video shared on her boyfriend Pulkit Samrat. She also Instagram account. jokingly claimed that her new motto In the clip, in life is to make Pulkit give her a Katrina smiles at the camera, before it pans to champi! her chopping board on which she is seen Meanwhile Pulkit took to chopping like a pro. From the looks of it, Instagram and posted a black and Katrina has picked up some skills since the last white picture of himself along with cooking video she shared with her sister Isabelle his dog -- a husky. "Ek Dooje Ke Liye Kaif earlier this month. The two were seen (for each other)" he captioned the wearing matching aprons as they experimented image. in the kitchen, making what appeared to be a On the work front, Kriti and Pulkit pancake. “We’re not sure what it is either...we’ll were together seen in Anees let you know when we do,” she joked in her Bazmee's comedy caper Pagalpanti. caption, as fans’ guesses ranged from dosa to Kriti will next be seen in Taish. omelette. Katrina has been sharing glimpses of Pulkit will next be seen in Haathi her daily activities from quarantine, be it her Mere Saathi and Taish. home workout or her ‘professional tutorial’ on how to wash dishes. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 HOLLYWOOD 21 SCARLETT JOHANSSON SAYS SHE’S MADE A CAREER OUT OF BEING SECOND CHOICE ollywood star Scarlett Johansson confessed that she was "rejected Hconstantly" in her professional life, adding that she has "made a career out of being second choice". In an interview with Parade, the Avengers actor looked back at her career. Shakira graduates in "Since a very young age, I've been rejected constantly ... the best call you can receive is Ancient Philosophy after you are rejected for something and then you get it. You appreciate it more. I've during lockdown basically made a career out of being second hakira has graduated with a degree choice," she added. in Ancient Philosophy from the Johansson became one of the highest paid SUniversity of Pennsylvania. actresses in the world after playing Black The 'Hips Don't Lie' hitmaker has taken Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but to Instagram to reveal she managed to she wasn't originally cast in the role. She got complete the long-distance four-week the part after Emily Blunt had to drop out course alongside being a full-time mother due to scheduling reasons. to kids Milan, seven, and Sasha, five. In the past, the Oscar nominee has The 43-year-old singer - who is married expressed frustration at roles she had to turn to soccer star Gerard Pique - took to the down. She also stepped down from the project photo-sharing platform to pose with her Rub And Tug after criticism that a certificate, which revealed she had transgender actor should have been cast as studied a module about "Plato and his the trans character. predecessors". At that time, in an interview to As If Alongside the picture, Shakira - who is magazine in 2019, she said: "You know, as an fluent in Spanish, English, Arabic and actor I should be allowed to play any person, Portuguese - wrote: "I just graduated from or any tree, or any animal because that is my my 4 week Ancient Philosophy course job and the requirement of my job. There are with the University of Pennsylvania a lot of social lines being drawn now, and a (@uofpenn). lot of political correctness is being reflected "I know ... my hobbies are very in art." impractical, but it took a lot of hours after Johansson's next release will be Black the kids were asleep. Thank you Plato and Widow, which is slated to release on predecessors for all the "fun" over the past November 6. month! (sic)" WHEN KATE WINSLET WAS EXTRACTION 2 ON THE CARDS, RECOGNISED AS ROSE FROM CHRIS HEMSWORTH COULD TITANIC IN HIMALAYAS RETURN FOR MORE ACTION ollywood star Kate Winslet says she was overwhelmed when an irector Sam Hargrave has said Hold man in the Himalayas that there is potential for a sequel recognised her as Rose from Titanic Dto his film, Extraction. Hargrave, during her trip to India. The 44-year-old who made his feature debut with the actor, who starred alongside Leonardo Netflix action thriller, added that it DiCaprio (Jack Dawson) in the 1997 wasn’t always a part of the plan, but blockbuster as Rose DeWitt Bukater, said discussions about a follow-up began the moment made her emotional. after studio executives saw potential in “Titanic was everywhere. A couple of the story. years after it come out, I went to India.I He told Collider, “It wasn’t something was walking in the foothills of the (discussed) on set. As soon as it got Himalayas, just me with my backpack on mentioned, that thought of a sequel — my back and a man came towards me because, I guess, Netflix was enjoying with a walking stick - he must have been the dailies and things were coming 85 and was blind in one eye. together and people were like, ‘Oh, this “He looked at me and said, ‘You - could be…’. You know, you talk about all ‘Titanic’.I said yes and he just put his these things. Is it a franchise? Is it all hand on his heart and said, ‘Thank you’. these things? Who knows until the backwards in time — that you could I burst into tears. It really helped me movie comes out and the audience play with the prequel to a story like understand how much that film had responds. They’ll be the ones who this.” given to so many people,” Winslet told decide. But it was talked about.” The filmmaker was referring to the Candis magazine. Hargrave added, “As soon as it was, dynamic between Chris Hemsworth’s The actor said she is proud of the things about me which were just untrue. Joe brought up an interesting point that character, the mercenary Tyler Rake, James Cameron-directed movie, but the I’m only human and that hurt! most of the time, you get a sequel. and his old ally, played by David “huge success” made her uncomfortable. “My twenties were a bit of a roller Rarely do you go back in time into Harbour. The film ends ambiguously, “I was leading quite a public life, which I coaster, in fact, with some amazing times prequels. […] You get the sense that and Hargrave had previously spoken was not prepared for at all. All of a but some hard times too. These days I Chris and Harbour have a great about how Netflix had mandated that he sudden, people were looking at me, look back and think, ‘Whew - I went chemistry […] so we thought that was a leave the story open-ended, perhaps to talking about me - I would read or hear through all of that?’‘‘ she said. very interesting way — if you were to go leave room for a sequel. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 22 WORLD FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 Europe still ‘in the grip’ of virus: WHO leader GENEVA (TIP): The head of the World Health Organization’s European office is warning the continent remains “in the grip” of the coronavirus pandemic even as about three-fourths of the region’s countries are easing restrictive measures. Dr Hans Kluge noted a reduction of cases in the region thanks to social distancing measures, adding: “We must monitor this positive development very closely.” South African anti- He said Italy, Britain, France, Germany and Spain still have high apartheid activist numbers of cases, and pointed to Denis Goldberg dies increases in cases in Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. JOHANNESBURG (TIP) : South Of the 44 countries in WHO African anti-apartheid activist Denis Europe’s region that have enacted Goldberg has died at his home near domestic restrictions, 21 have already Cape Town, aged 87. started easing those measures and Goldberg was a prominent member another 11 plan to do so in the coming patient, ready to ramp up measures as 46 percent of cases and 63 percent of of the now-ruling African National days, Kluge said. and when needed,” he said. “COVID- deaths globally,” he added. “The Congress and stood trial alongside “This virus is unforgiving. We must 19 is not going away anytime soon. region remains very much in the grip Nelson Mandela. He spent 22 years in remain vigilant, persevere and be “The European region accounts for of this pandemic.” AP prison for his involvement with the ANC’s fight against apartheid, the racist system of oppression imposed by the white minority government. When his fellow accused were sent to UK admits it could miss 100,000 Robben Island, as a white prisoner Goldberg was separated from them and imprisoned in the capital, daily virus tests target Pretoria. Goldberg’s niece, Joy Noero, said the LONDON (TIP): The British liberation stalwart died peacefully government has acknowledged that it Wednesday after having lung cancer may miss its self-imposed goal of and diabetes. conducting 100,000 tests for coronavirus Goldberg had continued his activism a day by the end of Thursday. in post-apartheid South Africa and But officials insist the UK is rapidly was a critic of former president Jacob expanding the country’s testing capacity Zuma, who stepped down in 2018 and as it prepares to gradually ease a faces multiple allegations of nationwide lockdown. corruption. The government has been criticised Goldberg was a critic of the ANC’s for failing to catch most cases of COVID- performance in government and the 19 and now says wide-scale testing will socio-economic conditions of the be key to controlling the virus and lifting largely black poor majority in South restrictions on business and daily life Africa, one of the world’s’ most that were imposed more than a month unequal countries. ago. Tributes poured in Thursday for Earlier this month, the government Goldberg, with many acknowledging vowed to perform 100,000 tests a day by the role he played in the fight against April 30. apartheid. The number has been climbing “His commitment to ethical steadily, but the highest daily total leadership was unflinching and even reached so far is 52,000 on Wednesday. during his advanced age he formed Justice Secretary Robert Buckland “What we need to know is what Meanwhile, as other European part of the movement of veterans of said that “we’re well on our way to are we going to do in terms of the countries begin to reopen businesses and the struggle calling for reassertion of ramping this up ... even if the target isn’t schools, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is moral center of society,” President met today”. testing regime over the next six, under pressure to reveal when and how Cyril Ramaphosa said. He told the BBC that “100,000 is an eight, 10, 12 weeks as we come the government will ease a nationwide “We will hold him in our thoughts important milestone, but frankly we out of lockdown,” Hopson said. lockdown that was imposed on March 23. and prayers as we say farewell at a need more”. Britain’s Conservative The restrictions are due to last at least time when we are not allowed to gather government is facing growing criticism Providers, an umbrella group for UK until May 7.Johnson is due to speak at a in numbers to say our goodbyes.” “He as it becomes clear the country will have hospitals, said the 100,000-a-day target news conference later and may give hints was a member of a generation of one of the world’s highest coronavirus was a “red herring,” and urged the about the path ahead. He has warned leadership which shaped the country’s death tolls.On Wednesday the UK’s government to set out a detailed strategy that lifting restrictions too soon risks a history in profound ways,” said Nelson official death toll from the virus leaped for who would get tested and when. second, even deadlier, wave of the Mandela Foundation chief executive to more than 26,000 after several “What we need to know is what are we outbreak. Sello Hatang. thousand deaths in nursing homes were going to do in terms of the testing Johnson, 55, only returned to work on The ANC also paid tribute to added to the hospital total. regime over the next six, eight, 10, 12 Monday after recovering from a bout of Goldberg, saying “his was a life well- Only the United States and Italy have weeks as we come out of lockdown,” COVID-19 that put him in intensive care. lived in the struggle for freedom in SA. higher tolls, though not all countries use Hopson said. He said 800,000 healthcare On Wednesday his fiancée, Carrie We will miss him.” — AP the same measures. workers will need to be tested regularly Symonds, gave birth to the couple’s son. Chris Hopson, who heads NHS to ensure they remain free of the virus. AP THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 WORLD 23

$45 mn aid for global UK Announces Fifth Round of students in Australia MELBOURNE (TIP): Australia’s Charter Flights from India Victoria state on Wednesday announced a 45 million dollars relief NIRPAL SIHERGILL IN LONDON package for international students LONDON (TIP): The UK has facing economic hardships due to the announced seven further charter flights coronavirus related restrictions, a to bring over 2,000 stranded British move which would benefit thousands travelers' home from India. of students including Indians. Once these flights are completed, over Over 40,000 overseas students, 15,000 British travelers will have been including those from India, are brought back from India on 59 flights expected to receive a relief payment of chartered by the Government. up to 1,100 Australian dollars ($716) as Details of the flights are: part of a state emergency support package. o Amritsar to London Heathrow on 5 State premier Daniel Andrews, May,6 May,7 May,8 May,9 May,10 May,11 while making the announcement, said May to ensure Victoria’s international Minister of State for South Asia and students can buy the basics and get the Commonwealth, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad Commissioner to India, said: government's online booking portal - through to the other side of the crisis, of Wimbledon said: "This fifth round of flights brings the CTM. Staff at the British High the state government will establish a "Our charter programme has already total number of planes we have Commission in India will continue to $45 million International Student helped more than 10,000 British travelers organized from India to 59. There have provide assistance to those waiting to Emergency Relief Fund. return home from India by ensuring been daily departures from across the return to the UK. Another state of Australian Capital flights to the UK have run every day country for weeks, which have helped Since the coronavirus outbreak began, Territory (ACT) on Tuesday since 8 April, with thousands more due thousands of people get back to their the UK has worked consistently with announced a new $450,000 package to to depart in the coming days. friends and families in the UK. governments, air carriers and travel support vulnerable people living in "These additional flights will help over "My team and I will continue to do all companies to minimize disruption and ACT on temporary visas and 2,000 more people get back to their loved we can to support British people who help British travelers return home safely international students who have lost ones here in the UK. I would like to thank remain in India." - supported with £75 million for special their income. —PTI the Government of India for their help in As with the last round of flights, seats charter flights to priority countries like making it happen." on the planes will be allocated to those India, focused on helping the most Johnson, Carrie Jan Thompson, Acting High who have already registered via the vulnerable people. announce birth of son

LONDON (TIP): TheBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson and fiancee China’s battle against coronavirus major Carrie Symonds on Wednesday announced the birth of a ‘healthy baby boy’. The birth is believed to be slightly premature but both mother strategic achievement: Xi Jinping and baby are said to be doing well. Johnson, who has just recovered BEIJING (TIP): Chinese President Xi Wednesday were imported cases. from coronavirus, was present Jinping has termed China’s battle The number of imported cases rose to throughout the birth, at a government- against COVID-19 as a major strategic 1,664, including 13 patients in severe run hospital in London. Johnson is set achievement, as the ruling Communist condition, it said. to miss his first Prime Minister’s Party is all set to hold the postponed The CPC Central Committee meet was Questions (PMQs) in the House of Parliament session on May 22 amid a held amid mounting pressure for an Commons with the newly-elected steady decline in the coronavirus cases. international inquiry into the origin of Opposition Labour Leader Keir China’s National Health Commission coronavirus and the allegations that the Starmer, who congratulated the UK (NHC) on Thursday said the country deadly virus was originated from the PM on the “wonderful news”. reported only four new confirmed Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) The news comes days after Johnson, COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, taking before it spread across the world and 55, returned to 10 Downing Street after the total number to 82,862, while no death especially micro, small and medium- wreaked havoc. hospitalisation for complications from due to the disease was registered. The sized enterprises address difficulties, China has come under increasing COVID-19. virus has claimed 4,633 lives in the and promote the recovery of pillar global pressure over lack of The baby becomes the third to be country. industries such as auto manufacturing, transparency in its handling of the born to a British Prime Minister in China’s arduous efforts to contain the electronic information, new materials coronavirus pandemic, which has so far office. —PTI coronavirus have brought a decisive and bio-medicine, the report said. infected over 3,193,960 people and outcome to the fight of defending Hubei The meeting stressed accelerating claimed more than 227,640 lives across 38 killed in S Korea fire and its capital city Wuhan, Xi told a high- farm production and expanding sales the world. SEOUL (TIP): At least 38 people powered Central Committee meeting of channels for agricultural products to State-run CGTN TV on Wednesday were killed on Wednesday when one of the ruling Communist Party of China boost income for farmers. reported that American scientists are South Korea’s worst fires in years (CPC) on Wednesday. The Hubei province and its capital working with their Chinese broke out at a construction site near The nationwide battle against the Wuhan—where the COVID-19 first counterparts to investigate the origin of the capital, officials said. They said the epidemic has gained major strategic emerged in December last year—were the novel coronavirus, a prime demand death toll could rise because more achievements, the state-run Xinhua the epicentres of the deadly virus, which of US President Donald Trump and people could be trapped inside the news agency quoted Xi as saying. later turned into a pandemic, bringing several other countries. warehouse that was under Xi said Hubei, including Wuhan, the world to a standstill. The report said the China Centre for construction in Icheon, just south of should continue strengthening The COVID-19 pandemic continues its Disease Control and Prevention Seoul. community-level epidemic prevention explosive growth overseas, Xi said, (CCDCP) is facilitating the cooperation The blaze erupted early in the and control. He asked officials to make noting the mounting pressure to prevent between Dr Ian Lipkin, Director for afternoon and hundreds of firefighters efforts to contain the virus case at imported infections and the growing Centre for Infection and Immunity of took several hours to put it out. Heilongjiang Province bordering Russia, complexity of stemming domestic Columbia University,and Prof Lu Jinhai Officials were investigating the where a large number of Chinese epidemic resurgence. of Sun-Yat-Sen University of Guangzhou cause of the fire, which was possibly returning from Russian cities were Xi demanded no relaxation in to conduct the probe. “The two are triggered by an explosion while tested positive for coronavirus. epidemic control to safeguard the hard- working together to determine whether workers were working on an The meeting emphasised the need to earned achievements, the report said. the virus emerged elsewhere in China underground level at the site. — AP accelerate work resumption and According to the NHC, all the four before Wuhan in December” last year, business reopening, help companies COVID-19 patients reported on the report said. PTI THE INDIAN PANORAMA 24 WOMEN FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 HERBAL PASTES, OIL FOOD CORNER MASSAGES TO COLOR YOUR GREY HAIR ired of applying chemical dyes to colour your grey Thair?? Here are a few homemade pastes and mixes that you can use to naturally colour your hair. Natural colouring causes less damage to the hair say experts.Skin care expert Vasundhra Ravi suggests a few oil massages and herbal mixes to darken your hair. Bread Biryani "They will not darken your hair like Ingredients a chemical mix, but they will colour your hair and help keep it healthy ," Basmatic rice - 1 cup she says. Coconut milk - 1 1/2 cup Green peas - 1/4 cup HOMEMADE OIL Radish - 1/4 cup, grated Take 50ml coconut oil, 50ml Carrot - 1/4 cup, grated gingelly oil and 50ml olive oil. Mix Coconut - 1/4 cup, grated all these and heat on low flame. In Grind all the above to a smooth washing the hair. This paste gives a Onions - 2, chopped kadai, spurt 10gm mustard, 20gm paste, add the juice of half a lemon beautiful maroon tint to your hair. It Bread slices - 4, crusts removed, sliced in small pieces curry leaves, 20gm dry amla and 20 to this mixture and apply on the also prevents further greying. Cashews - 5 henna leaves. Saute till they are hair. Apply 10ml olive oil on hair Almonds - 5, soaked, peeled almost dry . Now, add the oil and prior to applying this pack. Leave TO GET NATURAL Black pepper powder - 1/2 tsp heat this mixture for another 10 on for 20 minutes and rinse to get a BURGUNDY TINT Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp minutes. Store it in an airtight reddish-brown tint to your hair. Gasa gasa - 1 tsp bottle and keep it in direct sunlight Henna leaves 100gm, beetroot one Cardamom - 1 Cloves - 1 for four days. Let the ingredients OLIVE OIL MASSAGE (small), aloe vera 100gm and Cinnamon - 1 settle at the base. Now, use this oil Olive oil is an excellent hair multani mitti 2tsp. Make a hair pack Ginger garlic paste - 1 tblsp and massage your scalp and hair darkener. Slightly warm 20ml of by blending henna leaves, beet root Ghee - 3 tblsp every day . This oil helps darken olive oil and apply it on the scalp and aloe vera. Mix some multani Curry leaves - few your greying hair. and give a gentle massage for eight mitti to the mixture. Apply this on Coriander leaves - few minutes. Leave it on for one hour. your hair and leave it on for one Salt as per taste HENNA PASTE Wash with homemade shikakai. hour. This paste gives a burgundy Make a paste out of henna and Apply this twice a week to get back tint to hair. Method apply over the hair for two hours and your beautiful dark hair. „ Dry roast and grind the cardamom, cloves and rinse. After a few hours, mix 100g of PREVENT PREMATURE cinnamon to a fine powder. indigo (auri) powder with warm HENNA-AMLA-KADUKAI GREYING „ Heat little ghee in a pan.Fry the basmati rice for 30 to water and make a paste. Apply this PASTE 45 seconds. Remove and keep aside. paste all over the hair. Leave it on for Take a handful of curry leaves, „ Add a little ghee to the pan and fry the bread pieces 45 minutes and rinse. You will be Take henna powder 200gm, amla hibiscus leaves, karisalai leaves, till crisp. Keep aside. surprised to see that your grey hair powder 25gm, kadukai powder coriander leaves and grind them „ Grind the almonds, cashewnuts, coconut and gasa gasa has turned black to an extent. Apply 10gm, tulsi powder 10gm, tea together into a smooth paste. Add to a smooth paste. this paste once a week. decoction 100ml, eucalyptus oil 2ml, five drops of lemon juice to this „ Heat a little ghee in a pressure cooker. curd 100ml, lemon juice 10 drops, paste. Apply on the scalp and the „ Add the cinnamon powder, ginger garlic paste, onions, HAIR PACK and olive oil 2tsp. Mix all the hair. Leave it on for an hour and salt and curry leaves. Saute well for a minute or two. Make your own hair darkening ingredients in an iron vessel and then wash. Apply this paste once a „ Add the radish, carrot, green peas and ground coconut pack by mixing the following soak overnight. Next morning, week. Regular application of this paste. together: henna leaves 50gm, aloe apply this mixture on the scalp and pack can darken existing grey hair „ Stir well and add the coconut milk. Bring to a boil. vera gel 20ml, haritaki or kadukkai hair.Leave it on for two hours, and and it also prevents PREMATURE „ Add the rice and pressure cook till 2 whistles. skin 5gm, fresh seedless amla 20gm. rinse. Do not apply shampoo while GREYING. „ Add the cumin powder, pepper powder, bread slices, coriander leaves and mix well. Serve. COMPARING PARTNER COULD MAKE OR BREAK YOUR RELATIONSHIP

our happiness in a -- who had been in relationships for partners less desirable than relationship and how much an average of seven and a half themselves were happy with their Yenergy you devote to maintain years. Each participant rated the relationship only if their partner that relationship depend on how the importance of 27 traits in an ideal fulfilled their ideal preferences partner compares with other mate and the extent to which they better than most other potential potential mates you may have, felt each trait described both their mates in the group, Conroy-Beam suggests new research. actual partner and themselves. said. The findings suggest that how Participants also reported their In a follow-up study, the well our partner fulfils our ideal relationship satisfaction and researchers again tested preference is not very happiness. relationship satisfaction but also important."We do not need ideal The study discovered that surveyed participants' mate partners for relationship bliss. satisfaction was not reliably retention efforts -- energy devoted to Instead, satisfaction appears to dependent on how a partner maintaining their come, in part, from getting the best compared with a person's idea of the relationships.They found that partner available to us," said one of perfect mate, but rather whether people with partners difficult to the researchers Daniel Conroy- other potential mates better replace, either because their partner Beam from the University of Texas matched a person's ideal was more desirable than themselves at Austin in the US. preferences.Those with partners or their partner more closely For the study, published in the more desirable than themselves matched their ideal preferences journal Evolution and Human were satisfied whether or not their than others in the group, reported Behavior, the researchers surveyed partners matched their ideal being happier and devoted more 259 adults -- 119 men and 140 women preferences. But, participants with effort to mate retention. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 HEALTH 25 SIGNS, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF LEUKEMIA

ishi Kapoor, who was admitted to H N Reliance RHospital, Mumbai on 29 April 2019 after he complained of having breathing problems, passed away LOCKDOWN CHALLENGE: today. He was diagnosed with leukemia in 2018 and died after GUIDE TO LOSE FACE FAT battling the disease for 2 years. Bollywood’s original chocolate boy died at the age of 67. After Irrfan WITH HOME REMEDIES Khan’s death, another beloved osing face fat and that double chin is no easy task celeb’s death has sent shock waves and it takes time and effort to do so. If you are through the Bollywood industry Lconfused about what plan to follow to lose those and the nation. It has left people chubby cheeks and get the jawline of your dreams, wondering what exactly is leukemia follow this ultimate guide to chisel your face. This list and how dangerous could it be? will walk you through a detailed 21 Day plan. Each day Leukemia is a type of cancer that follow a skin care home remedy and a simple exercise, affects the blood and bone marrow. following which you will notice a visible change in It is caused by the elevated number your face. However, you have to make sure that there of white cells in the body. White are no cheating moments involved while following this blood cells protect our body from rigorous plan. The best part is that you can continue the invasion of harmful bacteria following this even after the lockdown. and other pathogens and control the growth of the abnormal cells. When Coconut Oil Massage they don’t function properly,it leads Risk Factors type and stage of cancer. The Rich in vitamin E, coconut oil is an excellent skin to the growth of unnecessary white treatment includes chemotherapy, moisturiser. Not just that, it keeps the skin hydrated blood cells in the body. The excess The causes of this disease are not radiation therapy, stem cell which is necessary for your skin flexibility and growth starts to affect the organs known, as reported by Healthline. transplantation, biological or elasticity. Apply this oil on your face and neck instead and the body becomes unable to But there some risk factors that immune therapy. If the treatment of face cream and let it stay for an hour. Then take fight infections. may lead to the disease: doesn’t work or cancer comes back, warm water and lightly rinse your face to remove the Smoking the doctor may go for gene therapy excess coconut oil and let the remaining sit for the Common Symptoms A genetic disorder like Down along with medications. whole day. Excessive sweating syndrome Lethargy and weakness Blood disorders Prevention Chew A Sugar Free Gum Sudden weight loss Continuous exposure to While some risk factors can’t be Chewing gum is the best when it comes to losing face Night sweats radiation avoided, so there is no permanent fat, in the form of a workout. It keeps the face muscles Shortness of breath Exposure to chemicals way to prevent the disease. active and keeps the skin toned. It cuts down the Headaches Family history of leukemia However, you can do certain things calories from your chubby cheeks. Do it for at least 20 Pain in the bones to alleviate the risk: minutes twice a day. Swollen lymph nodes Types of leukemia Avoid smoking or stop Red spots on the skin There are several types such as completely. Turmeric Face Pack Fever or chills acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Limit exposure to radiation. This king of spices has curcumin which has anti- Tendency to get bruises or acute myeloid leukemia and Do not have close contact with aging properties. These properties help in bleeding easily chronic lymphocytic leukemia. high-risk chemicals. maintaining healthy skin. Mix some turmeric powder Swollen spleen (pain under the Eat a healthy diet and exercise with gram flour or besan and some curd to make a left lower ribs) Treatment to support a strong immune paste. Apply it on your face and leave it for 30 minutes. Frequent infections The treatment depends on the system. Wash it off with cold water. This will ensure a good tight skin texture. Rotating Tongue Exercise The easiest face exercise to lose fat, this workout How our phones might be ‘Trojan requires you to rotate your tongue with the mouth closed. Your tongue should touch the outer surface of your lower and upper teeth. Do this for 15 minutes horse’ for COVID-19 both anti-clockwise and clockwise. f you've been wondering what to blame for the Cucumber Peel Mask coronavirus' rapid spread, there's a good chance Want to reduce a bloated face? Cucumber is your Iyou're looking at it right now. answer. This vegetable or salad is amazing for Scientists say our phones are "five-star hotels with refreshing your skin and livening up. For face fat, all premium heated spas, free buffet for microbes to thrive you got to do is make a paste of cucumber peels and on" which should be washed as often as we wash our apply that on your face. hands. "You can wash your hands as many times as you like - and you should - but if you then touch a contaminated PAGE SPONSORED BY phone you are contaminating yourself all over again," said Australian molecular geneticist Lotti Tajouri. DR. SATISH AND GITANJLI ANAND He led a team which reviewed 56 prior studies on phone contamination, and concluded at the very least, DR. SATISH ANAND our "third hand" should be cleaned at least once a day - Former Chairman, Board of preferably with the kind of hand sanitiser that's been in In addition, while border control officers can ask Trustees, AAPI National short supply lately, or devices which blast them with questions and even check for symptoms of disease, they E-Mail: UV rays. typically aren't in the habit of taking swabs from our [email protected] Phones are ideal breeding grounds for microbes, he phones away for testing - making them an ideal "Trojan said. horse" for bringing the virus in, Dr Tajouri claims. "They have temperature control, we keep them in our SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19, eventually GITANJLI ANAND pockets, we are addicted to them. We talk into them and dies if it can't infect a new host. But research earlier Former President, India deposit droplets that can be full of viruses, bacteria - this year found it can survive three or four days on Association of Long Island you name it. We eat with them, so we give nutrients to plastic and glass surfaces. Soap, strong UV light and (IALI) micro-organisms. And nobody - absolutely nobody - sanitisers of at least 70 percent alcohol are effective E-mail: washes or decontaminates their phone." killers when used correctly. [email protected] THE INDIAN PANORAMA 26 SCIENCE & TECH FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 RESEARCHERS DEVELOP HYDROGEL TO COOL DOWN ELECTRONIC DEVICES sing electronic devices for too long can cause them to Uoverheat which might slow CANON SOFTWARE TURNS them down but now researchers have developed a hydrogel that YOUR EOS CAMERA INTO AN can both cool down electronics, such as cell phone batteries, and OVERPOWERED WEBCAM convert their waste heat into electricity. f you’ve been video chatting more often during the According to the study, published pandemic, you’ve probably noticed that most PC in the Nano Letters, some Iwebcams are... not great. Canon might have a components of electronic devices, solution if you have one of its cameras hanging including batteries, light-emitting around, at least. Its newly released (via DPReview) diodes (known as LEDs) and EOS Webcam Utility Beta turns supporting DSLRs, computer microprocessors, mirrorless cameras and point-and-shoots into USB generate heat during operation. webcams for Windows 10 users. Yes, if you have an Overheating can reduce the EOS-1D X Mark III hanging around, you can have one efficiency, reliability and lifespan of of the most professional-looking Zoom chats on the devices, in addition to wasting planet. energy. The beta currently only supports 25 cameras, The researchers from Wuhan although they include some of Canon’s more popular University in China wanted to interchangeable-lens cameras. These include more design a smart thermogalvanic affordable cameras like the EOS Rebel series (such as hydrogel that could convert waste the T100 and T6), the EOS M200. The PowerShot G5X heat into electricity, while also Mark II, G7X Mark III and SX70 HS will also work. As lowering the temperature of the we hinted earlier, though, you can also use higher-end device. cameras like the full-frame EOS R mirrorless. So far, scientists have developed This concept isn’t completely new. It’s common to devices that can do one or the other, see many livestreamers on Twitch and other services but not both simultaneously. using DSLRs to boost the production quality of their According to the findings, the the hydrogel evaporated, cooling it. electricity, and the temperature of feeds. Canon’s utility makes that upgrade not only research made a hydrogel After use, the hydrogel the battery decreased by 68 much more accessible, however, and expands it to a consisting of a polyacrylamide regenerated itself by absorbing Fahrenheit. wider range of apps. If you happen to have framework infused with water and water from the surrounding air. To The reduced working compatible hardware and want a more flattering view specific ions. demonstrate the new material, the temperature ensures safe operation of yourself than the mediocre cam built into your When they heated the hydrogel, researchers attached it to a cell of the battery, and the electricity laptop, this might do the trick. two of the ions (ferricyanide and phone battery during fast harvested is sufficient for ferrocyanide) transferred electrons discharging. monitoring the battery or Google's Zoom rival, called between electrodes, generating Some of the waste heat was controlling the cooling system, the Meet, is now free to consumers electricity. Meanwhile, water inside converted into five microwatts of researchers noted. oogle on Wednesday said it's making its teleconferencing service, called Google Meet, WHATSAPP CALLS TO NOW SUPPORT Gfree to consumers. The move takes aim at Zoom , the rival video chat service that's become a household name during the stay-at-home era spurred UP TO EIGHT PARTICIPANTS by the novel coronavirus. Previously, Meet was only available to paying hatsApp on Tuesday said it customers of G Suite, Google's line of enterprise apps will now allow up to eight that includes Gmail, Drive and Docs. Until now, Wpeople to connect on a anyone could join a meeting by clicking on a link, but group video call as an increasing creating a meeting required a G Suite membership. number of people turn to digital The free version of the product requires a Google platforms to connect with friends account, and video calls have a 60-minute cap. But and family amid the COVID-19 Google said it won't enforce that rule until after Sept. pandemic. 30. The free version will also allow up to 100 The Facebook-owned company participants and include features such as screen said over the last month, people on sharing and real-time captions. average are spending over 15 billion The move underscores how crucial video chatting minutes talking each day on has become for a world stuck in physical isolation. WhatsApp calls, well above a typical Around the globe, schools, libraries, bars and other day before the pandemic. businesses deemed nonessential in a time of “...we see that people all over the contagion crisis have closed their doors. world are turning to voice and video As millions of people shelter in place, Google says calling on WhatsApp more than usage of Meet has surged. On Tuesday, CEO Sundar ever before. Group calling has been Pichai said the service is adding 3 million new users particularly useful and our users “We have built group calling in a others have also seen a significant a day during the pandemic, up from 2 million new have asked to connect with more way that makes it available for as jump in user base and traffic as users a day earlier this month. Pichai said the service people at once,” WhatsApp said in a many users as possible, including people connect while maintaining has 100 million meeting participants a day. blogpost. people on lower-end devices and social distancing amid the Still, the breakout product of the coronavirus Starting Tuesday, the company is slow network conditions,” it added. coronavirus outbreak. lockdown has undoubtedly been Zoom. The service doubling the number of WhatsApp said that to access the Last week, Facebook had has ballooned from 10 million daily users in participants one can have on a new, higher participant limit on introduced Messenger Rooms that December to 300 million daily users now. But the WhatsApp video or voice call from 4 WhatsApp calls, all participants in a will soon hold up to 50 people with service has been plagued by data-sharing issues, as to 8 people at a time, it added. call need to update to the latest no time limit. well as "Zoombombing," in which uninvited WhatsApp emphasised that like version of WhatsApp available on It had added that the company participants invade a video session. The drop-ins are written messages, all calls on its iPhone or Android. will also add ways to create rooms sometimes coordinated attacks, filled with hate platform are protected with end-to- Video calling tools like Google from Instagram Direct, WhatsApp speech and harassment. end encryption. Meet, Microsoft Teams, Zoom and and Portal. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 BIZ & FINANCE 27 INDIA NEEDS TO OPEN RBI’s liquidity support for ECONOMY IN MEASURED WAY: RBI EX-CHIEF RAJAN

mutual funds may struggle to NEW DELHI (TIP): India needs to be cleverer in lifting the lockdown and open up its economy in a "measured way" soon as it does not have the capacity to support people across the spectrum for too long, be effective: Fitch former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan said on NEW DELHI (TIP): The Reserve Bank of India’s Thursday. liquidity support for mutual funds may struggle to be He was deliberating on the economic impact of the effective, as its success will hang on banks’ appetite to COVID-19 in a conversation with former Congress take up the risks involved, amid low capital headroom president Rahul Gandhi. and a likely increase in fresh non-performing loans, Rajan also asserted that India cannot afford to be a according to Fitch. divided house especially in times when "challenges The RBI’s Rs 50,000 crore Special Liquidity Facility are so big". for Mutual Funds (SLF-MF) will provide 90-day repo The dialogue between Gandhi and Rajan was a first funding to banks, to extend liquidity to -- or purchase of its kind initiative that was broadcast on Congress' commercial paper and debt securities from -- local social media handles. mutual funds. To Gandhi's question on how much money would be The size of the SLF-MF appears broadly needed to help the poor in the current situation, the commensurate with the scale of the funds most at risk, former RBI chief said India needs Rs 65,000 crore to Fitch notes. help the poor in the times of pandemic and “The official support measures announced for considering its total GDP, it can afford to do that. mutual funds in India may struggle to be effective, as undercapitalised banks are unlikely to be tempted to Indians buy US stocks as extend liquidity to the sector without capital relief on the facilities,” Fitch Ratings said in a statement. markets slump at home The facility’s structure places the onus on banks to absorb the associated credit and capital risk, which India, saw assets jump by almost 50 per cent, whereas MUMBAI (TIP): More Indian investors are turning may hinder their willingness to participate, it added. most other fund types saw outflows. to US stocks to escape tumbling markets at home and The move by the banking regulator followed the “Fitch believes funds classified as “Credit Risk pick up exposure to global technology giants that are suspension of redemptions in six Franklin Templeton Funds” are most at risk if redemptions continue (their rising through the coronavirus-led market turmoil. bond funds, with combined assets under management AUM declined by 10 per cent in March), particularly With more mom-and-pop investors chasing overseas (AUM) of approximately USD 4.1 billion equivalent, on where funds have exposure to less liquid securities, stock investments that were until now a hobby of the April 23, 2020, and outflows from other funds in March such as unlisted securities, and/or have demonstrably wealthy, brokers that help investors navigate these 2020. higher risk appetite through exposure to defaulted trades through India’s highly restrictive cross-border Fitch further said that “the success of the SLF-MF entities such as IL&FS, Religare Finvest, and/or Dewan investment rules are thriving. will hang on banks’ appetite to take up the risks Housing,” it said. Vested Finance, an investment firm that helps involved, against the system-wide backdrop of low Fitch said Mutual funds form a conduit between Indians buy or sell US stocks, opened 4,000 new capital headroom and a likely increase in fresh non- retail and institutional investors and financial markets. accounts in March, double than in February. The performing loans.”. Most mutual funds assume liquidity risk, through company usually sees a 30% rise in account openings Indian open-end mutual funds saw aggregate offering investors the ability to redeem daily, while each month. outflows of almost 20 per cent in March. Within this, investing only a limited portion of their portfolios only Pranav Mehta, who owns an electronic parts overnight funds, the most conservative variant in in risk-free assets or cash. manufacturing company, is one such investor. As his business hit a downturn, Mehta bought one share each of Amazon.com, Adobe, Microsoft, NVIDIA and Mastercard last year. Google ad sales steady after “Technology is the future,” Mehta said. “If you want coronavirus drop; Alphabet exposure to technology, you have to bag US stocks.” Oil prices rise amid early signs leads tech share rally of fuel demand picking up SAN FRANCISCO/BENGALURU (TIP): A drop in Google ad sales steadied in April and some consumers il prices jumped on Thursday, buoyed by signs returned to using the search engine for shopping in addition that the US crude glut is not growing as quickly to finding novel coronavirus information, parent Alphabet Oas expected and that fuel demand battered by Inc said on Tuesday, sparking an 8% rally in shares. Covid-19 restrictions is starting to pick up. The share rally to $1,329.81 after hours brought the stock West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures almost back to where it started the year. climbed to a high of $17.75 a barrel and were up 9.2%, Some financial and advertising analysts had estimated ad or $1.39, at $16.45 at 0640 GMT. The US benchmark sales declines of up to 20% in the coming quarters, with 305 mn may lose job due to surged 22% on Wednesday. hotels, airlines, film studios and other big spenders cutting Brent was up 5.6%, or $1.27 at $23.81 a barrel in light ad buys because of the coronavirus pandemic. trading, with the June contract expiring on Thursday. But Alphabet said search ads, its most lucrative business, Covid: Int’l Labor Organization The contract hit a high of $25 earlier in the session, saw revenue decline by a mid-teens percentage in late March GENEVA (TIP): The United Nations’ main having posted a 10% gain on Wednesday. compared with a year earlier and that the slowdown did not labour body again raised its prediction of job The most active Brent crude contract for July was up worsen this month. losses due to the coronavirus pandemic, $1.15 or about 5%, at $25.38 a barrel. The company also is working to lure money from estimating the equivalent of 305 million full-time US crude inventories grew by 9 million barrels last advertisers that normally sponsor sporting events canceled jobs could be lost in the second quarter alone. week to 527.6 million barrels, US Energy Information by the coronavirus. "While, obviously, there's an impact on The International Labor Organization (ILO) Administration data showed, well below the 10.6 million- the economy and we're not immune to that, the engagement says the expansion of longer lockdown measures barrel rise analysts polled by Reuters had expected. US from advertisers across our products and with our teams has has underpinned the increase from its previous gasoline stockpiles fell by 3.7 million barrels from record been very robust," Alphabet Chief Executive Sundar Pichai estimate of losses 195 million full-time job highs the previous week, with a slight rise in fuel told analysts on Tuesday. equivalents — based on an average 48-hour work demand offseting a rebound in refinery output. Alphabet Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat still warned week — in the current quarter. “If we see a continuation of this trend in the coming that she anticipated "the second quarter will be a difficult The agency, which unites business, labour weeks, it could suggest the worst might be behind the oil one" because the early April trends may not hold. groups and governments, estimated how many market,” ING’s head of commodities strategy Warren But Nicole Perrin, an analyst at ad consultancy eMarketer, work hours are likely to be lost, and calculated Patterson said. Adding to positive sentiment, China said the first-quarter results matched "relatively optimistic how many full-time jobs that would make. Petroleum & Chemical Corp (Sinopec) said on Thursday scenarios" and left her "cautiously optimistic" about the The International Labor Organization also its daily sales of refined oil products have risen to more current quarter. projects that 1.6 billion workers in the “informal than 90% of levels seen before the coronavirus Alphabet’s overall revenue in the first quarter was $41.2 economy,” which includes work without proper outbreak. billion, up 13% compared with the same period last year. The contracts or oversight by government regulation “WTI could quickly move to $20 a barrel and Brent to average estimate among financial analysts tracked by and taxes, “stand in immediate danger of having $30 a barrel in this environment,” said Jeffrey Halley, Refinitiv was $40.29 billion, up 10.87%, expecting the slowest their livelihoods destroyed.” That’s nearly half the senior market analyst at OANDA brokerage in growth since 11.1% in the second quarter of 2015. global workforce of 3.3 billion people. Singapore. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 28 ASTROLOGY FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020

Shree Ganeshaya Namah

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

The Indian Panorama brings you Weekly and Birthday Horoscope from the World's most trusted astrologer Bejan Daruwalla. Latest correct prediction: Modi's historic victory Weekly Horoscope May 4 - May 10, 2020 ARIES: Ganesha says Balance, peace, a sense of LEO: You realise that your future happiness SAGITTARIUS: A time when you will re - think equipoise are all there for you from the beginning. depends on choices made now - it is your own your priorities, and two strong concerns - You are in greater harmony with your attitude that will decide whether you're a winner achievements at work, and pleasurable times with environment - both at home and at work. There is or not. Once again, there will be a preoccupation family - emerge as equally balanced. It's what most far less tension as a result. Loved ones, family and with extra income - you think of extra work, people strive for. You continue to be more spouse see the tender, caring side of you and love moonlighting, even a job - switch if it will help restrained, more low - key in all your activities. it, as you do! You're virtually willing to go out on a matters. BUT there is no selfish motive in the spurt Funds and finances are low - key, but are limb to do things for those who matter to you. It in your creativity and inventiveness. You gain approaching a point of either clearer investment makes the domestic scene comfortable, happy, much in terms of strength and support as well as or shared use so that there is a sense of relaxed. inspiration. achievement. TAURUS: This period it's all about people, your VIRGO: An about - turn seems to come over you in CAPRICORN: A period of daring, courage and reactions to, as well as interaction with them. this phase. Your mood is one of rashness, or certainly determination. You are willing, even eager, to take There's a greater depth in all relationships. Even if a keenness to take calculated risks, in an attempt to risks, chance your arm and your heart. You are you don't get on with someone, you will be intense brighten future prospects. Perhaps you need to think willing to lay down your heart for your sweetheart about it. So also, with those you love / care for / are seriously and pray for inspiration to make the right to trample over, if it gets you what you want, but it affectionate with, there is greater intensity. In any choices. It's not a time for bluster and bravado. You just may not. This realisation will come and it case, you have to think about and keep busy with are convinced that you (and by extension your mellows you, so that you will be less demanding your own keenness, not only to handle money family) want a better lifestyle and so embark and more reasonable in your approach to both matters, but to create / explore new avenues of seriously on shifting to a better house / locality. work and relationships. earning. LIBRA: Ganesha sends you a time in which you AQUARIUS: Courage came to you last period, GEMINI: Hard work is your mainstay now. You will bend every sinew to get things just right. Ideas and the testing times comes now. The reasons are: want to get places - and in a real hurry, too. You're flood in and preoccupy your mind greatly, mainly a) sky - high expenses and outflow of money; b) happy at the workplace and it's easy to put in your regarding new ventures / deals. Your thinking has extra assignments, perhaps even a stint of best. Effort and enterprise fuse beautifully. It's all put you dead - centre on the right track! It will moonlighting to cope with expenses; in short, extra the result of your own changed attitude which is reflect most strongly in those aspects of life where work, c) putting yourself out on a limb in your more attuned to, and in harmony with, those equality of partners is desirable - both love / efforts to help someone else whom you have around you. A good start, indeed, says Ganesha. marriage and business. Also, in striving to balance sympathy for. Risks and chances need to be Harmony at work reflects on the home front too. income and expenditure. weighed carefully. CANCER: You're thinking big, and operations SCORPIO: You're energized, enthusiastic, PISCES: A sense of ease and relaxation comes to are now definitely on the mega - scale for you, says forward - looking. In this phase, your plans may go you in this phase; you are far less keyed - up, much Ganesha. Larger financial issues like funds / loans into top gear. A marvellous boost to your creativity more laid - back than before. It could be because the / taxes / stock options are handled, perhaps for the as I've just said. You also derive strength and theme of the new monthly trend is family, and office / business. You need to continue to be support as well as inspiration from close friends, family matters. This is partly because of your own realistic and also gentle in your handling of all family and your spouse / partner. Closeness, sympathetic handling of matters that pertain to this. However, the main trend for this month is bonding, "good vibes", and therefore, meaningful your property,house and home, ancestral property strongly and squarely on family and money achievements all come to you. You are open to new / wealth / assets shared with other members / matters, though not necessarily in that order. ideas, new approaches. relatives / kin.

Birthday Horoscope May 4 - May 10, 2020

MAY 4: Ganesha says Thinking carefully about Residential, family, or partnership difficulties find it beneficial not to involve others so much what you say and how you're going to say it require attention, but then you should be able in your undertakings. before you open your mouth can keep you out to have some fun. MAY 9: You may find yourself saddled with trouble on this day when communication can MAY 7: If social interactions feel tense, backing obligation or overwhelmed by choices, which set off a powder keg. off will help you regain your comfort level. could put you in a defensive mood. Don't MAY 5: Venus could draw you some positive Saturn's station puts you on the path to surrender so much in your undertakings. attention. You'll also be more inclined to treat expressing yourself more responsibility - MAY 10: If you're not completely off the hook, yourself nicely, and that's not such a bad idea. emotionally, creatively, and sexually. you'll at least have more of an instinct about MAY 6: The stability of home is apt to have MAY 8 : A considerate gesture can promote what to do. The important thing is to keep been forcefully, tensely challenged. harmony. Still, as the day progresses, you may busy. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 SPIRITUALITY 29 KEDARNATH: THE DOOR TOWARDS SALVATION edarnath is amongst the holiest pilgrimages for the devout KHindus. It is set amidst the stunning mountainscape of the Garhwal Himalayas at the head of the Mandakini River. Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva, the protector, and the destroyer. Shiva is considered the embodiment of all passions – love, hatred, fear, death and mysticism which are expressed through various forms. The shrine of Kedarnath is very scenically placed and is surrounded by lofty, snow – covered mountains, and during summer grassy meadows covering the valleys. Immediately behind the temple, is the high Kedar dome peak, which can be sighted from great distances. The sight of the temple and the peak with its perpetual snows is simply enthralling. Due to extreme weather conditions, the temple is open only between the end of April (Akshaya Tritiya) to Kartik Purnima (the autumn full moon, usually November). During the winters, the vigrahas (deities) from Kedarnath temple are brought to Ukhimath and worshiped there for six months. Lord Shiva is worshiped as Kedarnath, the ‘Lord of Kedar Khand’, the historical name of the region. All of us remember Kedarnath to be the worst affected area during the 2013 flash floods in North India. The temple complex, surrounding areas, and Kedarnath town suffered extensive Parvati was held. Adi Shankara was Doleshwar Mahadev located in Sipatol, leaving for Swarga, one of his fingers damage, but the temple structure did not believed to have revived this temple, Bhaktapur, Nepal. fell on the earth. At that place, suffer any “major” damage, apart from a along with Badrinath and other temples On this hind part of Mahesha, a Dharmaraj installed a Shiva Linga, few cracks on one side of the four walls of Uttarakhand; he is believed to have JyotirLinga appeared and Lord which is the size of the thumb. To gain which was caused by the flowing debris attained Mahasamadhi at Kedarnath. Shankara appeared from this light. By Mashisharupa, Shankara and Bheema from the higher mountains. A large rock Behind the temple is the samadhi getting a Darshan of Lord Shankar, the fought with maces. Bheema was struck among the debris acted as a barrier, mandir of Adi Sankara. pandavas were absolved of their sins. with remorse. He started to massage protecting the temple from the flood. The According to Hindu mythology, The Lord told the Pandavas, “From now Lord Shankara’s body with ghee. In surrounding premises and other during the Mahabharatha war, the on, I will remain here as a triangular memory of this event, even today, this buildings in the market area were Pandavas killed their relatives; in shaped JyotirLinga. By taking a triangular Shiva JyotirLinga is heavily damaged. order to absolve themselves of this sin, Darshan of Kedarnath, devotees would massaged with ghee. Water and Bel The unstable temple is not directly the Pandavas undertook a pilgrimage. attain piety”. A traingular shaped rock leaves are used for worship. When Nar- accessible by road and has to be reached But Lord Vishweshwara was away in is worshipped in Garbhagruha of the Narayan went to Badrika village and by 14 kilometers (8.7 mi) uphill trek from Kailasa in the Himalayas. On learning temple. Surrounding Kedarnath, there started the worship of Parthiva, Shiva Gaurikund. Pony and manchan service this, the Pandavas left Kashi. They are many symbols of the Pandavas. appeared before them. Nar-narayan are available to reach the structure. The reached the Himalayas via Hardwar. Raja Pandu died at Pandukeshwar. The wished that for the welfare of the temple was built by Pandavas and They saw Lord Shankara from a tribals here perform a dance called humanity, Shiva should remain there revived by Adi Sankaracharya and is one distance. But Lord Shankara hid from “Pandav Nritya”.[citation needed] The in his original form. Granting their of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest them. Then Dharmaraj said: “Oh, Lord, mountain top where the Pandavas went wish, in the snow-clad Himalayas, in a Hindu shrines of Shiva. It is one of the You have hidden yourself from our to Swarga, is known as place called Kedar, Mahesha himself 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, expounded in sight because we have sinned. But, we “Swargarohini”, which is located off stayed there as a Jyoti. Here, He is Tevaram. will seek You out somehow. Only after Badrinath. When Darmaraja was known as Kedareshwara. The presiding image of Kedarnath in we take your Darshan would our sins the form of lingam is or irregular shape be washed away. This place, where You PAGE SPONSORED BY with a pedestal 3.6 m (12 ft) in have hidden Yourself will be known as circumference and 3.6 m (12 ft) in height. Guptkashi and become a famous ARISH K. SAHANI There is a small pillared hall in front of shrine.” From Guptakashi the temple, that has images of Parvathi (Rudraprayag), the Pandavas went Serving Since 1972 and of the five Pandava princes. There ahead till they reached Gaurikund in Please Call or Write for Your Insurance Needs are five temples around namely Badari- the Himalayas valleys. They wandered year, Madhya Maheswara, Tunganatha, there in search of Lord Shankara. Arish K Sahani (Father) Rudra Nath and Kallesvara. The first While doing so Nakul and Sahadev hall inside Kedarnath Temple contains found a he-buffalo which was unique to Shiv Sahani (Son) statues of the five Pandava brothers, look at. Then Bheema went after the Lord Krishna, Nandi, the vehicle of buffalo with his mace. The buffalo was Priya Sahani Sood (Daughter) Shiva and Virabhadra, one of the guards clever and Bheema could not catch it. of Shiva. Statue of Draupadi and other But Bheema managed to hit the buffalo 7 1 8 - 2 7 1 - 1 9 0 6 deities are also installed in the main hall. with his mace. The buffalo had its face [email protected] An unusual feature of the temple is the hidden in a crevice-in the earth. head of a man carved in the triangular Bheema started to pull it by its tail. In “If Hindus don’t maintain Hinduism, who shall save it?” stone fascia. Such a head is seen carved this tug-of war, the face of the buffalo in another temple nearby constructed on went straight to Nepal, leaving its hind “If India’s own children don't cling to their faith, who shall guard it?” the site where the marriage of Shiva and part in Kedar. The face of the buffalo is “Indians alone can save India, and India and Hinduism are one.” THE INDIAN PANORAMA 30 CLASSIFIEDS FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 31 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 32 TURN PAGE FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 contd from page 1 March, Gilead had expanded to 100 testing sites both in Congress questions 68,607... the United States and abroad, and the NIH trial had Indian-American-led clinical... expanded to 60 sites, 50 of those in the United States, The party cited a reply of the Reserve Bank of India Trump told reporters in response to a question on the Stanford Medicine reported. (RBI) to a Right to Information (RTI) query Act and latest result of the clinical trial of remdesivir. A coronavirus infection occurs when the germ enters claimed that until September 2019, the government has The White House described the development as "quite the body's airways through the nose, mouth or eyes, waived loans worth ?6.66 lakh crore since 2014. good news". then lodges in the cells in the lining of the lung's Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi in a tweet The pharma company also said that it is also aware of airways, where it quickly starts to make millions of said though the government had refused to answer positive data emerging from the National Institute of copies of itself, wreaking havoc on the lungs, him in Parliament, the RBI has now put out the list, Allergy and Infectious Diseases' (NIAID) study of the Subramanian told the Medical publication. including the BJP's friends. investigational antiviral remdesivir for the treatment of The virus makes copies of itself by inserting its own "I asked a straight question in Parliament - state the the COVID-19. genes into the human cell's genetic machinery, names of the 50 top bank loan defaulters in the "We understand that the trial has met its primary basically hijacking the replication process of the country. The Finance Minister refused to answer the endpoint and that NIAID will provide detailed human cell. question. Now the RBI has given the names of Nirav information at an upcoming briefing," it said. Remdesivir, like other anti-virals, is designed to Modi, Mehul Choksi and many of BJP's 'friends' in the Remdesivir is not yet licensed or approved anywhere target the system the virus uses to replicate, acting as list of bank frauds. That is why this truth was held globally and has not been demonstrated to be safe or a cap that prevents the virus from making new copies back from Parliament," Mr. Gandhi tweeted in Hindi. effective for the treatment of the COVID-19. of itself or infecting other cells, she said. (Source: PTI) Addressing an online press conference, Congress The study sought to determine whether a shorter, chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "This is a five-day course of remdesivir would achieve similar Indian Origin Long Island Man... classic case of promoting the 'dupe, deceive and efficacy results as the 10-day treatment regimen used in Brentwood, New York, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, depart' policy of the Modi government, which can no multiple ongoing studies of remdesivir, the company and price-gouging customers of his retail store in longer be accepted and the Prime Minister has to said. Plainview, New York. If convicted, Singh faces up to answer." "These data are encouraging as they indicate that one year in prison. Mr Surjewala said while the entire country is patients who received a shorter, 5-day course of Incidentally, it is the first case in the country under fighting the coronavirus, the Centre doesn't have remdesivir experienced similar clinical improvement the DPA. money to pay to States but still decided to write off as patients who received a 10-day treatment course," According to the complaint, beginning in mid-March ?68,307 crore of defaulters. said Aruna Subramanian, MD, Clinical Professor of 2020, Singh - who operates a retail store selling "This reflects the misconceived priorities and Medicine, Chief, Immunocompromised Host Infectious sneakers and apparel - began accumulating that dishonest intentions of the Modi government," he Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, and merchandise at his store and a nearby warehouse. At said. one of the lead investigators of the study. the same time, he set aside a section of his store for so- Former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on "While additional data are still needed, these results called "COVID-19 Essentials," which he then sold to the Thursday said banks should show loans taken by help to bring a clearer understanding of how treatment public at inflated prices, including but not limited to N- fugitives Vijay Mallya, Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi with remdesivir may be optimized, if proven safe and 95 filtering face piece respirators, PPE face masks, PPE as 'outstanding loans' in their account books instead of effective," Subramanian said. surgical masks, PPE face shields, PPE gloves, PPE writing them off. The company said it will share additional remdesivir coveralls, medical gowns and clinical-grade sanitizing "The only way to undo the monumental error is for data from the company's open-label Phase three and disinfecting products. RBI to direct the banks concerned to reverse the SIMPLE trial in patients with severe COVID-19 disease Between March 25, 2020 and April 8, 2020, Singh entries and continue to show the unrecovered loans shortly. allegedly received deliveries at his retail store and from the fugitives as 'outstanding loans' on their books Dr Anthony Fauci, a key member of the White House warehouse of 40 shipments of disposable face masks and take steps to recover them," said Mr. coronavirus task force, told reporters at a media weighing more than 1.6 tons, 14 shipments of Chidambaram in a series of tweets. briefing with Trump that Gilead results from the disposable surgical gowns weighing more than 2.2 tons, "The debate on waiver or write-off is academic. remdesivir clinical trial for treating the disease showed six shipments of hand sanitizer weighing more than People who are mighty pleased are Nirav Modi, Mehul "quite good news". 1.8 tons and seven shipments of digital thermometers Choksi and Vijay Mallya! Rules are made by human "So that's something that will go with 31 per cent weighing approximately 253 pounds. These and other beings. If a rule can be made, it can be unmade too," he improvement, doesn't seem like a knockout, 100 per items - some of which had been officially designated as added. cent, it is a very important proof of concept," Fauci scarce - were advertised and sold at Singh's retail store said. at prices far in excess of prevailing market prices. For Open up economy in measured "This is very optimistic, the mortality rate trended example, records obtained during a judicially- way: Raghuram Rajan towards being better in the sense of less deaths in the authorized search of the store indicate that three-ply REM designate group. Eight per cent versus 11 per cent disposable face masks that Singh purchased for a per- In a video conversation with Congress leader Rahul in the placebo group. So bottom line. You're going to unit price of $0.07 were resold by Singh for a per-unit Gandhi, Rajan said it was all too easy to have a hear more details about this this will be submitted to a price of $1.00 - a markup of approximately 1,328 lockdown forever but obviously that was unsustainable peer reviewed journal, and will be peer reviewed percent. The seized records also reveal that Singh for the economy."We need to open up in a measured way appropriately," said Fauci. completed bulk sales at inflated prices to organizations but as fast as possible so that people start having jobs. In an earlier interview to Stanford Medicine, serving vulnerable senior citizens and children We do not have the capacity to support people across the Subramanian said that during normal times, a phase battling the virus. spectrum for too long," Rajan said. three clinical trial typically takes months of planning, On April 14, 2020, Postal Inspectors executed a search On a question from Gandhi about which part of the after years of research before it is underway. warrant at Singh's retail store and a consensual search economy could be opened up, Rajan said, "While trying "But these aren't normal times. With a fast-moving of the warehouse and seized 23 pallets containing more to bend the curve of infections, we have to start pandemic bearing down and no approved treatments than 100,000 face masks, 10,000 surgical gowns, nearly thinking about restarting people's livelihoods. First, available, researchers are, like everyone else, desperate 2,500 full-body isolation suits and more than 500,000 open places where you can maintain distancing, not for answers, and they have ramped up their efforts to pairs of disposable gloves. just at the workplaces but also distancing to and from find solutions. Remdesivir jumped to the top of the list Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the the workplace. A lot of work needs to be done both on of potential treatments in part because it was farthest Eastern District of New York, Craig Carpenito, head of creating structures, as well as ensuring that the along in the approval process," Subramanian said. the Department of Justice's nationwide COVID-19 workplace is relatively safe." By the end of February, as the virus spread in the Hoarding and Price Gouging Task Force, and Philip R. On opening the lockdown given the country's limited United States, there were at least five clinical trials of Bartlett, Inspector-in-Charge, United States Postal Covid testing capacity, Rajan said: "We have to be remdesivir underway. Inspection Service, New York Division (USPIS), cleverer about opening up. Perhaps do mass testing. China initiated the first two studies in February, announced the filing of the complaint. Take a mass sample, say 1,000 samples and check if followed later that month by the Gilead trials for severe (Read full story at www.theindianpanorama.news) there is any sign of the virus in those mass samples, go and moderate patients and the NIH trial. By the end of deeper." THE INDIAN PANORAMA PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER: Prof. Indrajit S. Saluja Mohammad Shahzad, Zia Khan , Nisha Rani CHANDIGARH: Manjit Sidhu E-mail [email protected]; Phone: 646-247-9458 VICE PRESIDENT: Chitagam Saluja Vaaho Photographers, Vijay Shah -Photo Journalist. LUDHIANA: A.S. Arora, R.P.Sharma www.theindianpanorama.news CHIEF EDITOR: Prof Indrajit S. Saluja DISTRIBUTOR : Sukhwinder Singh Published by Prof. Indrajit Saluja ASSISTANT EDITOR: Bidisha Roy CORRESPONDENTS : The Indian Panorama CONSULTING EDITOR: Deepak Dwivedi SACRAMENTO: Parminder S. Aujla P.O. Box No. 190067, South Richmond Hill, NY 11419, GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Om P arkash Malik NEW YORK : Chitagam Tel: 646-247-9458 DISCLAIMER DIRECTOR ADMINISTRATION: Gauri Beri Email: [email protected] The Indian Panorama assumes no responsibility for the FRESNO: Tarlochan Singh claims made in advertisements. We only sell space. Views CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: DALLAS EDITION DALLAS: Harjit Dhesi, Amarjit Dhillon published in the newspaper are those of the authors and do Baldev Singh / BJ Videos P.O. BOX 121695, ARLINGTON, TX 76012 OVERSEAS CORRESPONDENTS not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper. All rights Gunjesh Desai / Masala Junction Lovllien Kaurr, VP & Bureau Chief are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without DELHI BUREAU CHIEF: Ashishpal Singh Jay Mandal, Mohammad Jaffer/ SnapsIndia Bureau Chief Phone: 972-330-3139 permission in writing from The Indian Panorama is prohibited. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 TRAVEL 33 UTTARAKHAND: NESTLED IN THE LAP OF THE HIMALAYAS ttarakhand is one of the most beautiful northern states of India Ulocated on the southern slope of the Himalayan range. Mighty Himalayan peaks and glaciers are on its north where it borders Tibet. Nepal is on its east, Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is on south and Himachal Pradesh lies on its west and northwest. 65% of its area is covered by dense forests that are home to Royal Bengal tiger, leopards and many other endangered animal and plant species. The glaciers of two of the most important rivers—Ganga and Yamuna—are located here. It has something to offer to every kind of traveller. For wildlife lovers, Jim Corbett National Park—the oldest national park of the Indian subcontinent is a must visit. Many rare Himalayan birds can also be spotted here besides Pangot and Sattal. For adventure seekers there are some of India's best trekking trails like Valley Of Flowers, Roopkund, and Chopta- Chandrashila. It also provides immense opportunities for adventure sports, such as skiing at Auli and white water rafting at Shivpuri. Popularly known as the 'Land of Gods', it is home to numerous holy places like Gangotri, Yamnotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Rishkesh and Haridwar. Therefore, thousands of pilgrims throng the state every year. Amazing hill stations like Chakrata, Mukteshwar, Dhanaulti and Munsiyari make Uttarakhand a sought after tourist destination for leisure trips. Here's a list of destinations in Uttarakhand that every nature lover would love to visit. CHAKRATA Having breakfast with the view of snow- covered Himalayan peaks on a lazy morning while soft rays of winter sun embrace your body and soul while cool breeze kisses you is something city people green meadows and slopes ranging from a Indian pangolins, langur and many other Dam, a huge water body was created. The always crave for. Chakrata located at a height of 2519 m to 3049 m. It is considered wild animals. Many rare birds can also be tourism department has developed this 44 distance of 330 km from Delhi, is a tiny to be a world-class spot for skiing. GMVN spotted in the region. sq km artificial lake, as a tourist spot with hamlet which is a perfect place to do so. winter resort here provides skiing facility, Gorgeous Corbett National Park is one arrangements of various water sports like There are two routes to drive from Delhi to besides ski training for aspirants. Almost of the favourite destinations equally for jet-ski, kayaking, canoeing, boating, Chakrata, one is via Panipat and from everywhere in Auli, you can enjoy wildlife lovers and weekenders. It is just diving, snorkelling etc on the lake. You can Kurukshetra and the second one is via stunning views of the lofty mountain 235 km away from capital city and can be also visit the botanical garden, located at Loni and Saharanpur,which supposedly is ranges—Nanda Devi, Mana Paravat and reached in couple of hours. It features New Tehri, that features a range of more beautiful and has less traffic. Kamat. The golden rays of sun on the splendid landscapes and offers a good beautiful flowers. Chakrata is a small cantonment town in snow-laden peaks fill the atmosphere with amalgam of hills, rivers, forests, Dehradun district resting at an elevation a divine glow. The 3rd highest peak of the marshlands and grasslands. The park is MUKTESHWAR of about 7500 ft. The town gets a world—Nanda Devi gleams like the crown open from the months of November Staying in middle of fruit orchards in magnificent view of the snow covered of the region. There is an open cable-car to through June. The park is kept closed in tents and eating garden fresh meals while Himalayas and is covered in deodar, go up to the spot where skiing is done. Even the monsoon season as the roads inside looking at the Himalayan peaks covered in Himalayan oak and rhododendron forest. if you do not want to ski, you have plenty of the park get washed away due to rain. fresh snow are a few of the many beautiful Many day trips to places like Deoban, Koti, things to do. Climb up the slopes, play with After the monsoon season, repair work memories I have of Mukteshwar. You can Kanasar can be done with Chakrata as snow, ride a sledge and who knows you starts and ends only by November. walk through the dense pine forest and base. There are some easy treks also might feel like trying skiing too. The best enjoy stunning views of the mighty around Chakrata that your hotel guys can time to visit Auli is in between December TEHRI DAM mountains. Situated at an altitude of 7500 arrange for you. There are not many and March. A beautiful uphill drive through the ft in the lap of Kumaon hills, Mukteshwar hotels in the area so make sure to book hills covered in pines and small villages is an ideal nature get away from Delhi. It your accommodation in advance. CORBETT will take you to this dam. It is built on the just takes 7 hrs from Delhi to reach Chakrata is a year round destination; the Spread across an area of 520.8 sq km, Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand and is Mukteshwar via Gajraula, Rampur, winter season is perfect to experience Jim Corbett National Park is located in the tallest dam in India. It is counted Haldwani and Bhowali. Summer months snow, greenery is at its best during the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. It is the amongst 5 highest dams in the world, with (March to July) are the best months to monsoon season and the summer season oldest national park, and is named after 855 ft high rock and earth-fill embankment visit Mukteshwar. If you want to too is quite pleasant. Jim Corbett who was the main person that makes it an engineering marvel. Its experience snow, visit during Jan or Feb behind this establishment. The park is length is 1886 ft, crest width is 66 ft and when the whole area is covered in snow AULI divided in 5 zones—Bijrani, Jhirna, base width is 3701 ft and generates 2400 and looks stunningly beautiful. If you Auli is one of the most beautiful places of Durgadevi, Dhikala, Sitavani—and is MW of power. There is a viewpoint near happen to visit this place around the Uttarakhand. Bordered by snow-covered inhabited by royal Bengal tiger, leopard, the Bhagirathipuram bus stop from where month of June, the harvesting season, Himalayan peaks, Auli is enveloped in jungle cat, barking deer, hog deer, cheetal, you can have a majestic view of the entire you'd find many fruits like peaches, plum dense golden oak and pine forest with sloth bears, otters, Himalayan goral, dam. During the construction of the Tehri and apricot. THE INDIAN PANORAMA 34 SPORTS FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 Japan’s PM says impossible to hold Olympics unless coronavirus contained

TOKYO (TIP): It will be impossible to host the Tokyo Olympic Games next year unless the coronavirus SANIA MIRZA NOMINATED pandemic is contained, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday. FOR FED CUP HEART AWARD The International Olympic Committee and the NEW DELHI (TIP): Indian tennis star Sania Japanese government postponed the Games last month Mirza on Thursday became the first Indian to be until July 2021 because of the impact of the nominated for the Fed Cup Heart Award from the coronavirus outbreak. Asia/Oceania zone along with Indonesia's Priska With the epidemic's worldwide infection rate Medelyn Nugrorho. climbing and experts suggesting a vaccine is still a long Sania had recently made a comeback to Fed Cup way off, questions are being asked about whether the after four years. huge setpiece event might need to be delayed further. With her 18-month son Izhaan present in the "We've been saying the Olympic and Paralympic stands, Sania had helped India qualify for the play- Games must be held in a complete form, in that athletes offs for the first time. and spectators can all participate safely. It would be "Stepping on to the court for the first time in India impossible to hold the Games in such a complete form colours was a moment of pride for me, back in 2003. unless the coronavirus pandemic is contained," said It has been an eighteen year long journey since then Abe. and I feel extremely proud and privileged to have He was replying to a query from an opposition "When we look at what we face now, we must brace for contributed to the success of Indian tennis," Sania lawmaker whether Tokyo could host the Games next a protracted battle against the pandemic ... We will be in was quoted as saying in an AITA release. year, after this year's delay caused by the pandemic. close contact with the IOC, the Tokyo organising "The Fed Cup result at the Asia/Oceania Tokyo confirmed 112 new infections on Tuesday, said committee and the Tokyo gubernatorial government," tournament last month is one of the greatest national broadcaster NHK. The national tally stands at said Abe. achievements of my playing career. These are the 13,895 infections, including 413 deaths, according to He added that the Olympics "must be held in a way moments an athlete plays for and I am grateful to the NHK. that shows the world has won its battle against the Fed Cup Heart Awards selection panel for this That tally is still low compared to other nations, but coronavirus pandemic. Otherwise, it will be hard to recognition," added the 33-year-old. critics say Japan is not doing enough testing to reveal hold the Games." The winners of the Heart Awards will be the scope of a problem that has driven some hospitals to The comments echoed statements made by other determined by online voting by fans which will go the brink. senior Japanese officials earlier this week. live on May 1 and continue till May 8. INDIA’S LEGENDARY FOOTBALLER CHUNI GOSWAMI NO MORE KOLKATA (TIP): Subimal ‘Chuni’ country was considered one of the Goswami, one of India's sporting giants Asian powerhouses. who captained the 1962 Asian Games Goswami won the Best Striker of Asia gold-winning football team and also Award in 1962. played First-Class cricket, died here on For his service to Indian football, he Thursday after suffering a cardiac was conferred with Arjuna Award (1963) arrest. and Padma Shri (1983). The versatile sports veteran was 82 The Indian Postal Department came and is survived by his wife Basanti and out with a commemorative stamp on his son Sudipto. 82nd birthday in January to recognise "He suffered a cardiac arrest and died his contribution to the game in the at the nursing home at around 5 pm. He country. was brought here for a routine check- Goswami played for a single club, up," said Sudipto. Mohun Bagan, throughout his career Goswami was also battling before his retirement in 1968. underlying ailments, including sugar He captained the club in five seasons and nerve problem. from 1960 to 1964. He was conferred with Goswami needed daily dose of insulin Mohun Bagan Ratna in 2005. and due to the lockdown, his medical In 1966, he took eight wickets with his supervisor was not able to attend to him medium pace for the combined Central regularly, forcing his wife Basanti to and East Zone team, which handed an administer the medicine. innings defeat to Gary Sobers' West Born in undivided Bengal's Indies. Kishoreganj District, which is now in He also captained Bengal to the 1971- Bangladesh, the striker played 50 72 Ranji trophy final, which the side lost international matches, 36 of them to erstwhile Bombay at the Brabourne official, between 1956 and 1964, to become one of India's finest mid- As a cricketer, he represented Bengal Stadium. including the 1960 Olympics in Rome. fielders after making his debut in 1954. in 46 First-Class games between 1962 Goswami also served Indian football He netted 13 goals during his He played his first Santosh Trophy in and 1973. A right-handed middle order as a selector in the 1970s and was part of international career. 1955. batsman, Goswami could also bowl an advisory committee when the India's 1948 Olympic coach BD As India's football captain, he led the medium pace and was a very good National Football League began in 1996. Chatterjee, who was also in charge of team to the Asian Games gold medal in fielder. West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop the Mohun Bagan team, picked a 13- 1962, and a silver in the 1964 Asia Cup in Goswami, PK Banerjee, who also died Biswas visited the bereaved family, year-old Goswami during a trial for the Israel, both of which remain the recently, and Tulsidas Balaram formed while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Mariners' junior side. country's best performances in the a deadly forward-line during the called his son to convey her Under his tutelage Goswami grew up continental showpieces till date. 'Golden Era' of Indian football when the condolences. THE INDIAN PANORAMA FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 35 THE INDIAN PANORAMA 36 ADVERTISEMENT FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020

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

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

They can be reached at [email protected]