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- .   -       ,   6  R                    O                          "   # ) )6376/*+        ) )6376/*+ !"  #$%&       n a major boost to fight the ) )6376/*+  !   $ % n a clear disapproval of the '(      Icorona pandemic, the .")       Iway the Centre handled the Defence Research and ."   Covid-19 situation, specially   #(   Development Organisation n view of the huge delay in       -           the oxygen shortage crisis in (DRDO) has developed an Idelivery of RT-PCR test the country’s hospitals, the  ( )(;     8 anti-Covid oral drug for emer- reports, the Union Health  $ %   &          ''  Supreme Court on Saturday * &  &   * &  gency use. The Drugs Ministry on Saturday did away formed a 12-members National    '     Controller General of with the necessity of a positive  #         #       Task Force (NTF) to streamline  (         & < (DCGI) has approved the med- Covid-19 test report for admis-        oxygen allocation to different icine which has to be taken sion to a health facility.  . States, review and suggest mea-  6      )(;    after dissolving it in water. Also, no patient will be    1 7*.7    "#"           *    17* $$&'( ) sures to ensure availability of Named 2-deoxy-D-glucose refused services on any essential drugs and medicines,            (2-DG), the drug was devel- account, including oxygen and .7  *  1 * +  $            and adopt remedial measures oped by the Institute of Nuclear essential drugs, even if s/he     to ensure preparedness for Medicine and Allied belongs to a different city, the  )        - future emergencies. Sciences (INMAS), a laborato- Ministry said in its revised  #(  ./&01 The NTF which literally ry of the DRDO in collabora- national policy for admission of          took over the existing work of tion with Dr Reddy’s Covid patients to various ded-        # Union Health Ministry and Biswas, former Vice Medical College, Vellore, Tamil  ($) Laboratories (DRL), icated health facilities, both       other Ministries like Home Chancellor, West Bengal Nadu; Dr Naresh Trehan, '*'*+' Hyderabad, the Defence public and private.    O))     Ministry is comprised of 10 University of Health Sciences, Chairperson and Managing Ministry said here on Saturday. The move aims to ensure  )         P reputed doctors of the country. Kolkata; Dr Devender Singh Director, Medanta Hospital “The drug is expected to the early treatment of the sus-     $+,-3*0O   The Union Health Secretary Rana, chairperson, Board of and Heart Institute, Gurugram;   119/19 save precious lives due to the pected Covid patients, but it  :           will act as Secretary and the Management, Sir Ganga Ram Dr Rahul Pandit, Director, 4581021337 mechanism of operation of the could put further pressure on        Cabinet Secretary or an officer Hospital, ; Dr Devi Prasad Critical Care Medicine and drug in infected cells. This the already strained health       O   in the rank of Additional Shetty, chairperson and ICU, Fortis Hospital, Mulund  181294581097 also reduces the hospital stay of facilities leaving the patients at     $ %   Secretary or above will act as Executive Director, Narayana (Mumbai, Kalyan); Dr Covid-19 patients,” the the receiving end. convener of the NTF. Healthcare, Bengaluru; Dr Saumitra Rawat, Chairman &   121189 Ministry said. For infections are surging         L     M     #+     As per the order passed by Gagandeep Kang, Professor, Head, Department of Surgical 452131067 Clinical trial results have each passing day as India reels Justices DY Chandrachud and Christian Medical College, Gastroenterology and Liver shown that this molecule under the deadly second Covid                    # MR Shah, the 10 members in Vellore, Tamil Nadu; Dr JV Transplant, Sir Ganga Ram  26121836 helps in faster recovery of hos- wave, and there has been the NTF are Dr Bhabatosh Peter, Director, Christian Hospital, Delhi; Dr Shiv Kumar pitalised patients and reports from across the coun-    # Sarin, Senior Professor and  =/01/2122345/31/67 reduces supplemental oxygen try about patients with dipping ;       Head of Department of dependence. oxygen levels running around    )*      +   Hepatology, Director, ILBS, P 1318845861/327 A higher proportion of from one hospital to another,       Delhi; Dr Zarir F Udwadia, patients treated with 2-DG their relatives pleading with : Taking note of the the immediate release of pris- housing around 4 lakh inmates Consultant Chest Physician,   13314581967 showed RT-PCR negative con- hospital authorities to admit “unprecedented surge” in oners who were granted bail or across the country is a matter Hinduja Hospital, Breach version in Covid patients. them, while hospitals have Covid-19 cases, the Supreme parole last year. concerning “health and right Candy Hospital and Parsee )81012/45313237 The drug will be of been making SOS calls to the Court on Saturday moved to The court observed that to life of” prisoners and police. General Hospital, Mumbai. immense benefit to the people Government for oxygen supply. decongest prisons and ordered the decongestion of prisons Continued on Page 4 Continued on Page 4   2101245612387 suffering from Covid-19. Continued on Page 4 "$             &                  ) )   )6376/*+ 7 am as they were called by the Central leaders in Delhi by      resented with tough choice 10.30 to work out the issue as  ' Pof selecting a loyal MLAs of each camp for , from two equally sought to rally around their ) )6376/*+ dominant and influential State respective leaders since May 2 leaders — incumbent Chief when the BJP won 60 seats rime Minister Narendra Minister while its alliance partners AGP PModi on Saturday took part and State Finance Minister got nine seats and UPPL six in in a virtual meeting with the — BJP 126 Assam Assembly. heads of State or Government Central held discussion with Himanta, 52, a Brahmin, is of all the 27 European Union both leaders in Delhi. The known to be aspiring for the member states and discussed State BJP legislature party will Chief Minister’s post which was with them expanding overall meet at Guwahati on Sunday. denied to him in the Congress cooperation in areas of trade, The party is tacking a “dif- by Tarun Gogoi. investment, connectivity, and ficult task” despite a handsome Continued on Page 4  Covid-19. The EU countries EU Leaders with PM @naren- win as either way “some level pledged their support to India dramodi,” tweeted Charles of dissidence” cannot be ruled in its fight against the Michel, President of the out, sources in the party said.       second wave of the coron- European Council. “Don’t ask questions. In R avirus pandemic. He said the two sides are short, a meeting of the BJP leg-      "  )6376/*+ are on oxygen support. Thanking EU and its mem- launching negotiations on three islature party is likely to be held  However, these are just the ber states for their “continued agreements — trade, in Guwahati tomorrow...you    )  90/9( f the total 37,23,446 reported cases that have commitment to strengthening investment and geographical will get your answers then,” Opatients suffering from reached the Government’s relationship with India”, Modi indications. Himanta retorted when ques- he Bengal BJP seems to be a divided house    )) *6))+ Covid-19 across India, at least health set-up and were shared said, “I also thank my friend Modi was scheduled to tioned on the CM selection as Ton the question of choosing Leader of 9,02,291 patients are on oxygen by Union Health Minister Dr Prime Minister @antonio- visit Portugal for the leaders’ he left BJP president JP Nadda’s Opposition. While a section of the party wants major rift has emerged in the AIADMK support while 1,70,841 Harsh Vardhan at the 25th costapm for this initiative and meeting but it was called off in residence here after meeting veteran leader and former Railway Minister Aover the choice of the Leader of the are on ventilators. The Group of Ministers (GoM) according high priority to India view of the coronavirus crisis him, Union Home Minister — often considered a “Chanakya” in Opposition. The newly elected members of the number of patients in ICU meeting held on Friday. during Portuguese Presidency and both sides decided to hold , and BJP general State politics — to lead the party in the House Legislative Assembly had to go back from the beds is 4,88,861. In actuality the data may be of the EU Council.” The the deliberations virtually. secretary (organisation) BL others want to nominate Nandigram MLA party headquarters without electing the LoP due Percentage wise on the higher side as several PM tagged Portugal Prime A strategically important Santosh. a “bold and dynamic organ- to differences between Edappadi Palaniswami this translates to people have died for Minister Antonio Costa, who grouping, the EU as a whole Sonowal and Himanta first iser” on the post. and O Panneerselvam, the two senior-most 1.34 per cent of want of oxygen sup- hosted the meeting. was India’s largest trading part- met central leaders separately While the entire team of the BJP Legislators leader of the party. the active case- port and ventilators The leaders also ner in 2018. India’s bilateral before joining them together is new and inexperienced both Roy and Adhikari While the supporters of Palaniswami want- load in the as health infra- exchanged views on the Covid- trade with the EU in 2018-19 for a “long face-to-face discus- are veterans in parliamentary politics, a State BJP ed him to be the LoP, the camp followers of ICU, 0.39 per structure is 19 pandemic and healthcare stood at USD 115.6 billion sion”. leader who unsuccessfully contested the elections Panneerselvam argued that the latter was the cent of them crumbling across cooperation. with exports valued at USD Sarma was first to meet from northern fringes of Kolkata said wonder- ideal choice for the post. Sources said both lead- on ventilators the country. “We are opening a new 57.17 billion and imports worth Nadda and other leaders before ing whether Roy with his health problems would ers also had a heated argument before the meet- while 3.70 per Continued chapter in #EUIndia strategic USD 58.42 billion. Sonowal followed the suit. want to accept the responsibility. ing was called off. cent of them on Page 4 partnership at the meeting of Continued on Page 4 Both had left Gauwhati by Continued on Page 4 Continued on Page 4 !  # $          R 

     )6376/*+ )     dered in Hathras. formed badly in both the by- /89)03 She attended Kisan polls in October 2019 and in avneet Kalra, the high- Panchayats in Western UP in November 2020, the writing Nprofile restaurateur who is n July, last year the Congress wake of recent farmers’ laws was clear on the walls that the known for living a life of glitz Iindicated that its high-profile and a training camp in Rae electorate had rejected and glamour and is linked with general secretary Priyanka Bareli in January 2020. Priyanka’s tweeter politics from cricket stars and Bollywood Gandhi Vadra will shift her The rest of the time, she New Delhi. celebrities and bookies may base to after she was remained in Delhi and con- Ironically, since taking the have run out of luck this time asked to vacate a Government trolled UP through twitter. charge from her brother Rahul around after the Delhi Police house in Delhi. Her insouciant approach and a Gandhi, who first led the party recovered over 500 oxygen Congress even claimed that she vertical division between the to the new low of winning just concentrators from his famous will shift to Sheila Kaul’s house “new and old” has pushed this 7 seats in 2017 Assembly elec- Khan Chacha restaurant, Town in Lucknow and the same was oldest political outfit into vir- tions and later losing his own Hall restaurant and Khullar renovated. But, she never came. tual non-existence in UP in the Amethi Parliament seat in 2019 farms in Chhattarpur. In fact, senior Congress vote bank politics — this polls, Priyanka attended a Kalra’s social media leaders say Priyanka last came despite Congress being the three-day training camp of accounts are proof of his good to Lucknow in December 2019. front runner in staging protests newly-elected district and city connections with cricket stars, Earlier, Javed and Saleem now become a chain, was first In between, she visited UP against the State Government. presidents held in Rae Bareli in top bureaucrats, politicians, — sons of Khan Chacha’s for- started by Haji Banda Hasan, four times, once in February The poor performance of January 2020. and Bollywood celebrities. mer owner Haji Banda Hasan popularly known as Khan last year to meet activists the Congress in recent pan- This kindled a ray of hope A Page 3 personality, Kalra — had alleged that Kalra had Chacha in the bylanes of Khan injured in the anti-Citizenship chayat elections in Uttar that she is building the party. has been in the news several forged documents and trans- Market in 1972. As Haji Banda Amendment Act protests in Pradesh is testimony to the But the hopes dashed as in one times for wrong reasons, ferred the ownership of the Hasan’s sons Javed and Saleem Azamgarh and then in October eroding popularity of Priyanka year no attempt was made to including his alleged links with restaurant in his name. expanded the business. to meet the family of the Dalit in particular and Congress in hold such a meeting. cricket bookies. Khan Chacha, which has Continued on Page 4 woman gangraped and mur- general. After the party per- Continued on Page 4 #$ '!#&) 0&) 123 

         

    &    #*       #3     #0       -   #   +   ,-.,/$,%.00   1( .  #-  3 +  &       I0&  O7 +           0  (  %/# 2   0   #+    O          #+     9          -,.,.3 #0  # (  '( (      #3         N&  +    #       #      & O#+                      What made you work so actively to help was in dire need of oxygen in Delhi. Her 50-     #*        people by going out of the way? year-old mother reached out to me for help.    #(            The realisation that how serious COVID is. She stays in Mumbai. I arranged everything for          #A     #9    Like many, I too wasn’t taking COVID seriously free, but the person who went to pick up the   #*      -   +  I until my whole family in Delhi contracted the oxygen cylinder took money from both sides, #6       L    & $  virus. That was an eye opener. Things turned bad from the one who needed it and the one who           '  ()*P  $ ,   when my father, who is 80, wasn’t getting a bed. was giving. And then to take everything a notch I took to my social media and posted for help. higher he told the girl’s mother that he didn’t &     $       Immediately, my inbox was flooded with leads, get it. I called him and gave him a reality check.  +            people stood up to help. I would also want to It’s saddening to see such people who are     $  #6  $       thank Manoj Tiwari and his wife Surbhi for making money even at such a scenario. The  & H 7 +         helping me. Thankfully, with all the help, I was good thing is, on the other hand, we do have       #     able to arrange a bed for my father. He is people like Sonu Sood. He is like a God for +      O  recovering, but has suffered memory loss. All this many today.     #     +   coupled with an urge to give back to everyone  A lesson that you learnt during the            who needs it made me take this route. I now try pandemic. +            #(   H  and help people from all over the country with Help people as much as you can and don’t        & H 7 oxygen supply, beds and ventilators. expect anything in return, not even a thank         +H   Your efforts paid off and you were able to you. Keep doing good and karma will come  +          save many lives. How did that feel? back to you.  #0      # The feeling is amazing. It is not as if I am  People loved you in your last show. Can we       L#  &  //   doing it for appreciation, but when people expect you back on TV anytime soon? +    #P  //   $   actually call me to inform that they have got all I did get an offer for a Colors’ show the essentials and thank me, it feels good. Every sometime back, but they were shooting in ;   life is precious and every human being is priority. and I can’t travel. I have three dogs, one    Being able to save someone’s life is a different of which is 17 and he can’t see or hear. It is   feeling. Both my husband Avinash (Dwivedi) and impossible to leave my babies back home and    I want to do our bit and do what best is possible. travel. But, having said that, I would love to be     I do all this for my happiness. back on TV with a dance reality show. If got      Do you also receive backlash from people? a chance, I will definitely grab the opportunity.     There are times when families abuse me  Your YouTube channel is about to hit 2    when I am unable to help them. It does million subscribers. What has been your #+  demotivate me, but I understand their situation success mantra?     and what they are going through. Recently, I I never ran behind numbers. For me, what  +           & H reached out to a family who was in need of matters is the love of people which I am getting        7   oxygen cylinders. I called them up to inform in abundance. As for my vlogs, I just take up             where they can get it from, but the man on the my camera and start shooting. Both Avinash H  #+H      #& phone told me: We don’t know who you are, but and I are humorous people and that is what     #+    how do you expect me to leave my father alone is evident in our vlogs too. The audience loves              and go. I told him that he needs oxygen and I it. I don’t prepare a master plan for content, it    $       am trying to help him, but he was so upset and is all natural. I have always wanted to make   #&             #     for all the right reasons, that he didn’t listen. It people happy and show my unedited self and       /         felt bad, of course. But then I heard his father that is what I am doing on my channel. This  #           #    gasping for air, I took his address and got the can be our success mantra.          +H  # cylinder delivered to his place.  What is keeping you busy during the         # &        You recently posted a video about a black lockdown? +   -               marketer of oxygen. How saddening is it to see This time, the situation is so bad that we        #   +H    #+ such cases? are just trying to stay positive. As compared (    H    +             It’s bad. More so, when a person who calls to last year, I am not making any dishes, just          #&    )"09 someone his sister does it for the sake of money. don’t feel like also because we are on a strict    #          # If you see the video, you will get to know about diet. So the recipes have to wait, but our vlogs L  . & 0/  L- # & .   the whole case. To cut it short, a 29-year-old girl and laugh will continue. #P ) 1  -  #P $ (

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  789: ;    0    (           <  !5       (!)1      )   )6376/*+    )   )6376/*+ elhi Police Commissioner    )   )6376/*+ Delhi on May 7. This is the    )   )6376/*+ DSN Shrivastava on elhi Chief Minister Arvind highest number compared to Saturday reviewed the action DKejriwal demanded the he Central Government previous days, he said. elhi’s Deputy Chief against hoarding and black Centre to supply of around 2.6 Thospitals consumed about Underlining the various DMinister marketing of medicines, injec- crore vaccine doses for inocu- 9.39 per cent of the total allo- facets of donation of oxygen, it on Saturday claimed that the tions and oxygen cylinders in lation of all people above the cated oxygen, the Delhi was highlighted that citizens quantity of oxygen received by the national Capital. The CP age of 18 in the national Capital Government hospitals con- can log on to delhi.gov.in to the city has dipped to 577 MT also reviewed the cases of fraud in the next three months. sumed 20.20 per cent and pri- access cylinders donation sheet on Thursday and further 487 taking place on pretext of pro- “Delhi is not getting an vate hospitals consumed 50.20 and can also book cylinder MT on Friday. viding Covid help, besides the adequate amount of vaccines per cent. Remaining 15.67 per refilling at https://oxygen.jan- He urged the Centre to effective enforcement of the and if it were to get the required cent is reserved for the emer- tasamvad.org. Moreover, Niti maintain 700 MT of medical lockdown in a virtual meeting. amount of doses then the Delhi gency SOS calls. 3.03 per cen- Aayog is the central focal point oxygen supply to Delhi. “Delhi The CP appreciated police Government will be able to tquota was given to districts as to supervise the total number immediately requires 700 MT actions on black-marketing, vaccinate all within three mately 1 lakh vaccines are wave has proven to be very a lumpsum for providing the of donations of oxygen cylin- of oxygen allocation from the receive a surplus in oxygen. A hoarding and covid help cheat- months,” he said. being administered daily - dangerous. Therefore, to pro- facilities to the citizens, Delhi ders, Kundra said. A network Central Government in order need has emerged for the ing. He told the district’s DCsP Addressing the media, around 50,000 to those below tect ourselves from the third Government said on Saturday. team has been formed which is to manage oxygen supply to Central Government to to obtain orders from courts as Kejriwal said that in Delhi’s two 45 and about 50,000 to those wave, a complete vaccination Furthermore, a dedicated giving real time information hospitals in the capital. It is my streamline their processes, early as possible for release of crore population, more or less above 45. Thus, more or less drive is imperative to protect team of officers is working from different parts of the coun- humble appeal to the manage supply better and seized medicine, concentra- 1 crore fall in the 18-44 age one lakh vaccines are being ourselves from the third wave,” 24X7 to monitor the status of try on the oxygen management to ensure that all States receive tors and oxygen cylinders for group, 50 lakh are under-18 administered daily in Delhi. he said. “The Delhi demand and supply of the oxy- system. District Magistrates are increase Delhi’s oxygen alloca- supply in better quantities so use by needy patients. and 50 lakh are above 45. Due to good arrangements in Government is making efforts gen in the national Capital. tracking through their teams that tion to 700 MT as soon as pos- that they do not have to fight Shrivastava asked the DCsP Therefore roughly 1.5 crore Delhi, people from NCR towns in this direction. I’m hopeful “More than 1100 cylinders were the oxygen is reaching the ear- sible” he said. for oxygen supply.” to intensify action of covid people are above 18, he said, like Noida, Ghaziabad were that the Central Government distributed on May 7 for the marked hospitals and institutions “At present, Delhi requires Senior AAP leader and online fraudsters in coordina- adding that over three crore also reaching here to get the will provide assistance. We are patients in home isolation who on a timely basis, he added. a minimum of 700 MT oxygen national Spokesperson Raghav tion with the cyber cell and doses will be required to vac- vaccines. So, Delhi will require particularly concerned about need this supply of oxygen. More than 1100 cylinders supply to cater to patients and Chadha said “We are somehow crime branch for interstate cinate all people in Delhi, out a little more than three crore children. Youngsters and chil- Ashish Kundra, Principal were distributed on 07.05.2021 an increase in Covid beds and managing the situation even investigation as most of the calls of which around 40 lakh have doses, he said. dren under 18 cannot get vac- Secretary Transport and OSD for the home isolation patients health infrastructure would with 488 MT. Staff are working involved in cheating are origi- already been received. “We have been reading cinated right now. Health, said that an average of needing the oxygen supply. 174 needed oxygen allocation of on efficient and effective dis- nating from , Bihar, The Chief Minister reports that the Prime I appeal to all experts and 29 percent oxygen is supplied hunger relief centers are formed 976 MT in the city. Delhi tribution and management of West Bengal, MP and Mewat. requested the Central Minister’s principal scientific the Centre to arrange a vaccine by the Railways, an average of by the Delhi Government across received 730 MT of oxygen for oxygen. In view of the tendency Government to provide Delhi advisor has issued an advisory, for them too so that they can 71 percent oxygen is supplied the city. This initiative of the the first time ever on 5th May Their good governance is observed from certain pockets with the required amount of a warning of sorts that a third also get inoculated. As of today, through roadways. An average Government will make sure however, we saw a persistent helping us moderate even the of public to come out unnec- vaccines. He said that vaccina- wave is looming at large. The we have 5-6 days of vaccine left of 507.5 MT of oxygen is sup- that the poor and needy are decline from 6th May shortage that we are facing essarily in violation of the tion is the only Suraksha Supreme Court has also that we are rapidly adminis- plied to Delhi on a daily basis. being given food on a daily onwards,” he added. today because of decreased lockdown, district DCsP were Chakra that can stop the third expressed its concerns on this tering. I hope that the adequate A total number of 10 SOS basis. In the last one week close Sisodia further said, supply by the centre. However, instructed to identify the areas wave of the Covid-19 pan- and naturally the general pub- vaccine is sanctioned for the calls were received on May 7. As to 09 lakh meals have been dis- “During court proceedings, if we do not receive 700 MT and specific spheres which are demic in India. lic is extremely anxious about people of Delhi as soon as pos- many as 114657 Covid-19 vac- tributed for the needy in the city, the Central Government every day, a huge problem will problem areas in lockdown “Today, in Delhi, approxi- this considering that the second sible,” he added. cinations were administered in Kundra said.. claimed that India continues to befall upon us,” he said. implementation.  $ #+ #  0# 23&456 728  &449   96     )   )6376/*+ far recorded 1310231 cases, of on 29th April, it was 32.8 and “This is the fourth time in which over 1203253 have on 30th April, the Covid pos- the last four days that the     677  77)  elhi recorded 17364 new recovered. The death toll due to itivity rate was 32.7 per cent, it number of new cases remained DCovid-19 cases and 332 the viral disease stands at said. below 20,000. During these deaths on Saturday. The posi- 19071, the bulletin stated. At the beginning of this days, the Delhi Government    )   )6376/*+    )   )6376/*+ tivity rate, however further The case positivity rate month, 31.6 positivity rate was has not only ramped up testing dropped to 23.34 per cent. (23.34 per cent) is lowest since recorded on day one, which but also worked relentlessly in elhi Cabinet Minister hief Minister Arvind A total of 74384 tests, April 16, when it was 19.7 per came down to 28.3 on 2nd increasing the number of beds DRajendra Pal Gautam on CKejriwal on Saturday said including 62,921 RT-PCR tests cent. It is also significant that May, followed by a positivity across Delhi. The government Saturday conducted a surprise the number of Covid-19 vac- and 11,463 rapid antigen tests, Delhi’s Covid positivity rate has rate of 29.6 on 3rd May. On is also giving an aggressive push inspection of old age home in cination centres will be were conducted the previous fallen each day during these May 4th, the positivity rate to the vaccination drive, which Bindapur and reviewed the increased to 300 from 100 by day, according to the bulletin nine days. stood at 26.7, on the fifth, this will further help bring down facilities being provided to the the Government. issued by the Delhi health On 27th April, the posi- was 26.4, on 6th it was 24.29 the positivity rate in the com- senior citizens in old age home Talking to the media, the department on Saturday. tivity rate of Delhi was 32.7 per and on 7th it was 24.92 per ing days”, a senior official including food, healthcare, san- chief minister said that to The national capital has so cent on 28th April, it was 31.8, cent. added. itation etc. The Minister inter- achieve the target of vaccinat- acted with all the residents of ing the entire Delhi in three the old age home to know the months, three lakh vaccines quality of these facilities and if needs to be administered daily. they are facing any issue. He visited a vaccination centre Bindapur Old Age Home is at Chirag Delhi on Saturday run by Delhi Government and and spoke with the youngsters cinated in three months, we those below the age of 45, I has a capacity of 50 residents. who appreciated vaccine need a monthly dose of 80 to have witnessed great enthusi- “All senior citizens are being arrangement by the Delhi 85 lakh vaccines. asm amongst the youth, many provided nutritious food as Government. The Chief Minister said of whom are getting vaccinat- well as all kinds of medical Kejriwal said that the Delhi that the Central Government ed. The people are visibly facilities. The elderly living in Government is going to has always extended its help happy with the arrangements the old age home informed me increase the vaccination centres and expressed hope that it will made by the Government. We that they get food, milk, food, from 100 to 300 to achieve the do the same in this case too. have made these arrangements fruits on time and all their facil- capacity of applying three lakh “The vaccination drive in Delhi in around 100 schools and are ities are being taken care of,” vaccines daily. He said that if is in full swing. “Since the day going to increase it about 250- said Gautam. the entire Delhi has to be vac- the vaccination drive began for 300 schools,” he said. .     (8  ;        "7   "     )   )6376/*+    )   )6376/*+ to attend to issues and griev- ances related to children affect- he Delhi Police has arrest- he Ministry of Women and ed by Covid-19, he said. Ted three men from west TChild Development has An orientation cum stake- Delhi’s Janakpuri area for constituted a task force at dis- holders meeting was organised allegedly black-marketing oxy- trict level to solve the issues and by the Department in virtual gen concentrators in the city. grievances of children affected mode with the district task Police said that 19 imported by Covid-19. force members and other stake- oxygen concentrators, three Minister Rajendra Pal also holders on May 7th. The meet cars and 7.80 lakh have been the accused persons. The convened a web based orien- was addressed by Chairperson, recovered from the possession accused were selling these con- tation session for the same. He JJC Justice Rajiv Shakdher, of the accused. centrators at 1,30,000 per also paid tributes to the front- Rajendra Pal Gautam, Minister, The accused have been piece, however, the market line workers of Delhi Women and Child identified as Bharat Agarwal value of per piece is around ‘Integrated Child Development Development, Anurag Kundu, (42), a resident of Janakpuri, 30,000 to 50,000,” said the Services’ who lost their lives. Chairperson (DCPCR) and Ishant Gosain (31), a resident DCP. In another incident, the Recognising the vulnera- Madhu garg, Secretary of of Pitampura and Ranbir Singh Delhi Police claimed that they bility of children during Covid WCD. (29), a resident of Rohini. have arrested a person from pandemic, especially those who The objective of this meet According to Urvija Goel, for allegedly cheating lost their parents or families, was to develop a common the Deputy Commissioner of people on the pretext of pro- thereby losing meager source of understanding on roles and Police (DCP), west district, on viding oxygen cylinder. income, the department has responsibility of the district Thursday, information was The accused has been iden- recently initiated a series of task force to bring coordina- received that one Bharat tified as Ran Vijay, a resident of measures for strengthening its tion with other concerned Agrawal was selling oxygen Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh,. efforts for protection and care agencies to provide immediate concentrators at exorbitant Due to the ongoing oxygen of vulnerable children, a senior care and protection to all vul- prices. crisis, the accused started send- official said. nerable children in their dis- “Police laid a trap near ing messages to people with the Amongst one of the initia- tricts affected due to Covid and parking of District Center, assurance to arrange oxygen tives is the constitution of a dis- for effective management of Janakpuri and apprehended cylinders. trict task force for each district child care institutions. ,   09:7     )   )6376/*+ heroin worth 860 crore in international market. he Delhi Police has arrest- “On Friday, police received Ted an Afghan couple from specific inputs that two persons western part of the city and would come from Wazirabad recovered over 100 kilograms with heroin in their car and of heroin worth 860 crore in they will go towards Khyala. the international market. Later, a trap was laid and the The accused have been accused were apprehended identified as Mohammad Shafi around 4.35 pm from Ganda (48) and Tareena (36), both Nala Road, near Gas Agency, natives of Kandhar in Khyala area,” said the DCP. Afghanistan.According to “A total of 125.840 kg hero- plying heroin from Wazirabad supply of heroin and both were Urvija Goel, the Deputy in has been seized from the car to Khyala and thereafter to going to deliver the recovered Commissioner of Police which was kept in seven plas- Punjab,” said the DCP. drug, police said, adding that (DCP), West district, police tic bags. During interrogation, Tareena is his wife and he further investigation is under- recovered 125.840 kilograms Shafi disclosed that he was sup- took her with him for help in way. #$ '!#&) 0&) 123  

A    )* 222 website on Saturday. 2       There is a serious concern   From Page 1 about the spread of Covid-19 in A bench headed by Chief “overcrowded prisons where Justice NV Ramana said all there is lack of proper sanitation, ;      +2-   those who were allowed to go hygiene and medical facilities”, out on bail in March last year by the bench said, adding “there is Mumbai: At least eight He had also said when the as among those suffering from Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh the high-powered committees of a requirement for effective man- Covid-19 survivors have died same Covid-19 patient is put on chronic diabetes, or those who saw a big surge in Covid fatali- states and Union Territories agement of pandemic from due to mucormycosis, a fungal oxygen support, which has a have gone through a kidney ties and new cases during the 24- (UTs) be granted the same relief within the prison walls so as to infection, during treatment in humidifier containing water, transplant among others. hour period ending 9 a.m. on without any reconsideration to defeat this deadly virus.” , a senior official the chances of him or her get- "Though this fungus is pre- Saturday. avoid delay. The top court took note of said on Saturday, adding the ting the fungal infection sent in the environment, people The virus claimed 96 lives “Further we direct that, its March 23, 2020, order by total 200 such patients are being increase. with suppressed immunity as during this period while 20,065 those inmates who were grant- which it had directed all states treated. Dr Lahane said the fungal well as who have received new cases were detected in this ed parole, pursuant to our ear- and UTs to constitute high- According to Dr Tatyarao disease is already known but the steroids during Covid-19 treat- 24-hour cycle. lier orders, should be again powered committee (HPC) to Lahane, who heads the cases are increasing because of ment are more susceptible to it. The fresh fatalities pushed granted parole for a period of 90 consider releasing on parole or Directorate of Medical Covid-19 related complica- Covid-19 patients with co-mor- the state's cumulative death toll days in order to tide over the interim bail prisoners and the Education and Research tions, wherein the use of steroids bidities are also vulnerable and to 8,615, while its overall case pandemic,” the bench, also hav- under trials for offences entail- (DMER), cases of mucormyco- elevates the sugar level in blood can catch the infection early," he tally rose to 12,65,439. ing Justices L Nageswara Rao ing up to 7-year jail term to sis are on the rise. while some medicines result in explained. West Godavari district ;         728    and Surya Kant, said in its order decongest prisons in the wake of "Eight out of 200 such suppression of immunity of Dr Lahane said the gener- accounted for the maximum    )< uploaded on the apex court’s coronavirus pandemic. patients treated so far in various patients. al symptoms of mucormycosis deaths (14), followed by 12 in parts of the state have died due "In such a scenario, the include headache, fever, pain Visakhapatnam, 10 each in to mucormycosis, also known as black fungus infects the patient under the eyes, nasal or sinus Anantapur and Guntur, nine    888 a black fungus. They survived easily and spreads. If the fungus congestion, and partial loss of each in East Godavari and ,   6 888    888 Covid-19 infection but the fun- reaches the brain of the infect- vision among others. Vizianagaram, seven each in From Page 1 From Page 1 gal infection attacked their weak ed person, it can prove fatal. In Speaking about treatment, Kurnool and Nellore, six in The next hearing in the case is scheduled From Page 1 “Mukul da is already the immune system which proved one such case, one of the eyes he said, "A patient generally Chittoor, five in Kadapa, four in on May 17. She even appointed Ajay Kumar Lallu as the vice-president of all-India party fatal," Dr Lahane told of a patient had to be removed needs a particular type of injec- Krishna and three in Explaining the rationale behind setting up new State president and made a new team of office … He could be an effective PTI. permanently to save his life," he tion to be given for 21 days. The Srikakulam. the NTF, the apex Court said the establishment bearers removing all the veterans as if making Opposition Leader but may be Niti Aayog Member said. basic cost of this injection According to state health of such a task force will enable the decision them responsible for the poor shows of the party doubtful because of his health,” (Health) V K Paul on Friday Dr Lahane said mucormy- comes around Rs 9,000 per officials, the government and makers to have inputs which go beyond find- in the hustings. However, the seriousness of the leader said. said mucormycosis is caused by cosis is a serious fungal infection day. Treatment expenditure private laboratories in the state ing ad-hoc solutions to present problems. The Priyanka to boost the prospect of the Uttar Another senior leader and a fungus named mucor, which that is found among people with escalates with other facilities, tested 1,01,571 samples during order also said that Solicitor General Tushar Pradesh Congress was exposed as since January a party MP said “strongest is found on wet surfaces. a low level of immunity as well medicines etc". PTI the 24-hour period. IANS Mehta has appraised the Bench about the con- 2020, she distanced herself from UP politics and argument in Adhikari’s favour sent of Central Government and its members started taking more interest in the national pol- is that he has defeated none on the formation of the NTF. itics especially when Rahul quit as party president. other than Chief Minister directive to all the States and UTs said. The likely future course of the pandemic “There was euphoria among party workers ” to win the    ::: It said no patient will be refused !  # $ ::: must be taken into contemplation at the pre- when news came that Priyanka will set up her base Nandigram seat by a (wafer- services on any count which includes From Page 1 sent time. This, the court emphasised, will in Lucknow. There was the belief that she will now thin) margin of 1,953 votes. From Page 1 medications such as oxygen or essen- + ' '     ) 9# ensure that projected future requirements can lead the party from Lucknow. You would not “Besides, he is young, a good Shortage of basic medicines and tial drugs even if the patient belongs to *    ' O    be scientifically mapped in the present and may believe that a separate office for her was also con- organiser and energetic with medical facilities like the availability of a different city.            be modulated in light of experience. structed in Nehru Bhawan (UPCC headquarters). vast ministerial experience.” ambulances has made the matter worse “No patient shall be refused admis-    9 # “Estimating projected needs is crucial to But she never came and now party workers are Both Roy and Adhikari for the patients. The toll is surpassing sion on the ground that s/he is not able (      9  ensure that the country remains prepared to feeling disappointed,” an old-timer in the party had been two closest aides of each passing day. to produce a valid identity card that *A*         meet future eventualities, which will cause a said. Mamata Banerjee and left the As per the guidelines which the does not belong to the city where the # demand for oxygen, medicines, infrastructure, “The approach Priyanka has undertaken is Trinamool Congress to join the Ministry termed as “patient-centric hospital is located,” it said. "     9   manpower and logistics. The establishment of baffling,” said another veteran leader. “She is in BJP. While Roy joined the BJP measure aimed to ensure a prompt, The Ministry also said admis-         the Task Force will provide the Union Delhi and has appointed some leaders with in 2017, Adhikari, a State effective, and comprehensive treat- sions to the hospital must be “based on     9 B6 Government with inputs and strategies for Communist bent of mind to manage the show in Minister with multiple port- ment of patients suffering from Covid- need”. * G9 C " meeting the challenges of the pandemic on a Lucknow. State Congress president’s role is con- folios left his party a few 19,” hospitals under the Central “It should be ensured that beds are "         transparent and professional basis, in the pre- fined to sitting on dharna or staging protest. months before the elections. Government, State Governments and not occupied by persons who do not      (* & B  sent and in future,” the order said. Nobody is sparing a thought about party organ- The backers of Adhikari UT administration, including private need hospitalisation. Further, the dis-    9# The apex court further said the Task Force isation. The old-timers who had an organisational also want to provide some hospitals managing Covid patients charge should be strictly in accordance ( P $ $ 70     P would be at liberty to draw upon the human skill were either sidelined or expelled from the kind of “immunity” against shall ensure that requirement of a pos- with the revised discharge policy,” it  7 $)9   #O  resources of the Union Government for con- party,” he said. any “possible victimisation” by itive test for Covid-19 virus is not said.  70  9      sultation and information, including a mem- Congress leaders of all ages agree that the the Chief Minister, inside mandatory for admission to a Covid The Ministry said it has advised the 7 O   9& # ber of NITI Aayog to be nominated by the party organisation is in shatters. Priyanka needs sources say quoting informa- health facility. chief secretaries of States/Union terri-    "    G Vice-Chairperson; Secretaries from Ministry to build the structure from booth to district and tion that “files are being read- “A suspect case shall be admitted tories to issue necessary orders and cir- *          of Human Affairs; Industries, Transport and to State-level brick by brick. “If you want to make ied” to pin him down. to the suspect ward of Covid Care culars, incorporating these directions 7 O /   7 @ Highways, Director of AIIMS, Delhi, DG of the Congress strong, bring the foot soldiers back. The Chief Minister had Centre (CCC), Dedicated Covid Health within three days, which shall be   %O     ICMR, DG of Health Services, DG of NIC and They will help her to win the war. Otherwise, it already said in election rallies Centre (DCHC) of Dedicated Covid enforced till replaced by an appropri-     9    Head of Centre for Development of Advanced is a requiem for the party,” a veteran leader that after returning to power Hospital (DHC) as the case may be,” the ate uniform policy.   (* ;# Computing (C-DAC). said. her Government would probe irregularities in some of the institutions that were chaired "$  888 25,459 are ICU Beds and 1,00, had earlier asked the States and by Adhikari.    ::: 175 are Oxygen Supported Union Territories to identify The old guards in the BJP From Page 1 From Page 1 Beds. Total 12,673 quarantine districts that should be consid- do not want Roy or Adhikari. He crossed over to the saffron party in 2015 Data speaks: In the last 24 centres and 9,313 total Covid ered for taking intensive and They want an RSS man to be and charmed its leaders, particularly Shah, hours, 4,187 people died, tak- Care Centres have also been set local containment measures. chosen for the post. This to whom he is known to be close to and backed by. ing total deaths to 2.38 lakh up with 28 Covid Care Centres “The districts/metropolis send across a message that the Himanta’s challenge to the West Bengal Chief while India recorded 4.01 cases alone in Delhi with 9,421 total of Bengaluru (Urban), Ganjam, BJP does not rely on turncoat Minister on “exodus” of victims of the alleged on Friday, taking the active isolation beds, the Minister Pune, Delhi, Nagpur, Mumbai, politics only. TMC violence is seen by some as his “rising con- caseload to 37,23,446 as India had said, as per the statement. Ernakulam, Lucknow, A top functionary of the fidence”. witnessed the second Covid The Union Health Minister Kozhikode (Calicut), Thane, RSS said, “We had built a Sonowal, 59, the incumbent CM hails from wave is more lethal and infec- also requested States to set Nashik, Malappuram, Thrissur, ground for the BJP that result- the dominant Kacharis tribe, and has the cred- tious. aside 70 per cent of vaccines Jaipur, Gurgaon, Chennai, ed in our massive win in the it of leading BJP to a successive second win in Unlike the earlier Group of received through the Central Thiruvananthapuram, 2019 elections … but those Assam, the biggest state in the north-east and is Minister’s meetings, Dr Harsh Government route for admin- Chandrapur, Kolkata,and advances were lost as we went thus a “natural claimant” to the top post, said a Vardhan did not share data to istration of the second dose. Palakkad are the top 20 con- to break the TMC (by engi- BJP leader. All in the BJP aver that Sonowal has the GoM on the number of Also, 5.32 million vaccine tributors of active cases neering defections) rather than a “clean image” via-a-vis his his contender who beds available for the critical doses are in the pipeline and in the country,” as per the state- strengthening our own organ- is currently sees as a ‘trouble-shooter’ for the party patients in the statement issued will be supplied to the States ment. sational network … taking and is also heading the Northeast Democratic by the Ministry on its website. shortly, said the Minister. The meeting was attended turncoats clearly backfired… Alliance (NEDA). NEDA was floated by Sarma For instance, in 24th GoM “84,08,187 doses are still avail- by Union Minister of External now the party should go back to unite non-Congress parties in the North-East. held last month, to be precise able with the states while a total Affairs S Jaishankar, Union to basics and appoint a pure BJP’s decision not to name incumbent on April 9, the Minister had of 53,25,000 doses are on the Minister of Civil Aviation RSS man as the Opposition Sonowal as party candidate for the top post has said that of the total 4,68,974 pipeline and will be supplied to Hardeep S Puri, Minister of Leader.” triggered a strong buzz that his Cabinet colleague total Covid beds available in the states soon.” State for Ports, Shipping and He is also skeptic of the Sarma is backed by the leaders “who matter in them, 2,63,573 are isolation “The cumulative number of Waterways and Chemical and “migratory birds” saying, “you the party.” beds, 50,408 are ICU beds and Covid-19 vaccine doses admin- Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya do not know when they will fly However, Sonowal, who had a much longer 1,54,993 are oxygen supported istered in the country has and Minister of State, Ministry back … mind you none of stint in the party and been able to beat anti- beds. crossed 16.73 crore as on of Home Affairs Nityanand them have clean track records incumbency against him makes the task of ignor- Also, 4,043 (Centre:85 and Saturday. A total of 17,49,57,770 Rai. …” Such rumors had already ing him an uphill task for the BJP leadership. BJP States: 3,958) dedicated Covid doses have been delivered to the Ashwini Kumar Choubey, been doing the rounds about vice-president Jay Panda who is State in-charge health centres have been set up. States, out of which Minister of State, Health and some of the BJP leaders like had said after meeting elected MLAs in Gauwhati It consists of 3,57,096 total 16,65,49,583 doses have been Family Welfare and Dr Vinod Mukul Roy after May 2 when that BJP’s parliamentary Board would decide the Covid beds, out of which consumed.” K Paul, Member (Health), NITI the election results were issue. The Board had, so far not met. 2,31,462 are Isolation Beds, The Union Health Ministry Aayog were present virtually. declared.         

From Page 1 entire 27-member bloc in eight country was being ravaged by the In the 15th India-EU summit in yearsThe 27 leaders of EU have met pandemic last year, the sources July last year, Prime Minister Modi in this format only once before, with said. had pitched for bringing out an the US President in March this year. Belgian PM Alexander De Croo “action-oriented” agenda to further European Commission reportedly greeted PM Modi, ask- expand ties between the two sides. President Ursula von der Leyen ing “Kem Chho” (the Gujarati for In a series of tweets, Modi said tweeted: “Today’s meeting with ‘how are you’). the India-EU “collaboration is could not be more “We deeply condoled the loss of essential to stopping the Covid-19 timely. The EU stands at India’s side lives and expressed the deepest pandemic and ensuring a sustain- in this most challenging time. We sympathy with the families of the able and inclusive recovery in a will also discuss how to further victims of this pandemic in India, more digital and greener world”. strengthen our strategic partnership. Europe and the rest of the world,” “Our stronger partnership is The EU and IN can achieve a lot a joint statement on the India-EU essential for achieving peace and more by working “Ek Saath” - leaders’ meeting said. prosperity for our peoples. We wel- together.” “India appreciated the EU’s & its comed the resumption of negotia- French President Emmanuel Member States’ quick support & tions for Trade and Investment Macron hailed India’s role in pro- assistance, coordinated through the Agreements, as well as our new viding humanitarian support to EU Civil Protection Mechanism, Connectivity Partnership,” he tweet- way of medical supplies when the thus keeping the spirit of solidari- ed. world battle Coviod-19 last year, ty and cooperation that has been the This was the first such interac- Spainsh PM Pedro Sánchez also hallmark of India-EU relations,” it tion between the Indian PM and the talked about India’s help when his added.

R 222 er by 20 or more seats,” said a leader who was present during the meeting. From Page 1 Govindarajan Satyamurthi, a politi- Palaniswamy and his followers claim cal commentator who has an in-depth that the party could retain a respectable knowledge of the functioning of the figure in the new assembly because of the AIADMK, says the end is near for the hard work put up by him. They claim that party. “The AIADMK will soon disinte- the AIADMK made a clean sweep in grate. But I cannot tell you the exact date. South West districts of Tamil Nadu, home The leaders are enchanted with power and to Vellala Gounder, the community to wealth and the perks associated with the which Palaniswamy belongs. position of the leader of opposition,” said But the supporters of Panneerselvam Satyamurthi who is leading a retired life argue that the failure of Palaniswamy to at Coimbatore. accommodate TTV Dhinakaran and his Gokula Indira, former Rajya Sabha Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhakam member and a minister in Jayalalithaa’s (AMMK) led to the AIADMK losing 21 Cabinet refuted all such prophets of doom seats in southern seat. “Had the AMMK and said that the party would come back been with us, we would have been rich- with renewed vigour. #$ '!#&) 0&) 123  

  =4< *    !9 ! P  '7$+" 01       ' %" "%+"# " ) )6376/*+

:     he World Health   TOrganisation (WHO) on ) )6376/*+ Friday finally granted condi- !"#$%"& tional approval for China’s n order to provide uninter-  '()*! Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine Irupted passage for tankers for emergency use — the first and containers carrying Liquid %""'!#+" Chinese jab to receive the Medical Oxygen (LMO) across '" '  ,# ' WHO’s green light. China was National Highways, the user fee eagerly awaiting the global for such vehicles at Toll Plazas -"'  +" health body’s nod for it to has been exempted. % !" aggressively push the vaccine Keeping in view the cur- among different countries. !"01"'! "'#  rent unprecedented demand #% The WHO on Friday said for Medical Oxygen across the it had validated the “safety, "%!"+" 3"%"  #'"'  country due to Covid-19 pan- assist the Government and pri- efficacy and quality” of the    %  4 " # ' demic, containers carrying vate efforts to fight the pan- Sinopharm jab developed by $""  "' %! +"+%# Liquid Medical Oxygen will be demic in helping them in pro- the Beijing Institute of treated at par with other emer- active manner. Biological Products. China’s gency vehicles such as ambu- The outbreak of Covid-19 Sinopharm vaccine was autho- facturing practices. It said the United Arab Emirates, Serbia lances for a period of two has created huge demand of rised by 45 countries and vaccine’s efficacy for sympto- and Seychelles, among others. months or till further orders. Liquid Medical Oxygen across jurisdictions for use in adults, matic and hospitalised cases of An emergency use listing by Besides the Road Transport the country. with 65 million doses admin- Covid-19 was estimated to be the WHO paves the way for and Highways (MoRTH) During the ongoing crisis, istered. But many countries 79%. countries worldwide to quick- Ministry has also made it the timely delivery of Liquid hesitated using the vaccine as The WHO noted that few ly approve and import a vac- mandatory for oxygen con- Medical Oxygen to hospitals it has not secured recognition adults over the age of 60 were cine for distribution, espe- tainers, tankers and vehicles to and medical centers is of para- from the WTO. included in clinical trials, so cially those states without an be fitted with Vehicle Location mount importance to save lives The WHO said the addi- efficacy could not be estimat- international-standard regu- ) )6376/*+ women soldiers at the ment of prisoners of war, cer- Tracking (VLT) devices. of patients critically affected by tion of the vaccine had “the ed for this age group. But it lator of their own. Dronacharya Parade Ground emonial duties and skill devel- GPS tracking will ensure Covid-19. Exemption of pay- potential to rapidly accelerate said there was no reason to A decision is expected in n a major step towards pro- on Saturday. The parade was opment to include driving proper monitoring and pro- ment of user fee at the Toll Covid-19 vaccine access for think that the vaccine would the coming Ividing employment oppor- conducted as a low-key event and maintenance of all vehi- tection of these tankers, besides Plazas will ensure faster move- countries seeking to protect act differently in older recip- days on another Chinese vac- tunities to women, the first while observing all Covid cles and signal communica- ensuring that there is no diver- ment of Medical Oxygen on the health workers and popula- ients. cine developed by Sinovac, batch of 83 women jawans or protocols. tions. sion or delay. National Highways, said the tions at risk”. The two-jab However, the WHO has while Russia’s Sputnik vac- soldiers were inducted into The Commandant of the While extolling the virtues Although the toll plazas order. vaccine is an inactivated vac- okayed Sinopharm usage from cine is under assessment. the Army on Saturday. These CMP Centre & School while of dedication to duty, right- have nearly zero waiting time In order to meet the time cine called SARS-CoV-2 18 years and above, clarifying WHO also listed the women will serve in the Corps reviewing the parade compli- eousness and selfless service to after implementation of of the life-saving oxygen, the Vaccine (Vero Cell). Its easy lingering doubts about its Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for of Military Police. The Corps mented the newly attested the nation, he expressed his FASTag, National Highways MoRTH has made it manda- storage requirements make it usage for people above 59 emergency use on 31 December plans to induct nearly 1,000 women soldiers for their confidence that the training Authority of India is already tory for Oxygen highly suitable for low- years. 2020; two AstraZeneca/Oxford women soldiers in the next impeccable drill and congrat- imparted to them and the providing priority passage to containers/tankers/vehicles to resource settings, the WHO With little data released COVID-19 vaccines on 15 two to three years. ulated them on their success- standards achieved would such vehicles for quick and be fitted with Vehicle Location press release said. internationally early on, the February 2021, produced by Giving details here, Army ful completion of the intense hold them in good stead and seamless transportation of Tracking (VLT) devices. “GPS The decision on Friday to effectiveness of the various AstraZeneca-SKBio (Republic of officials said the Corps of 61 weeks of training on help them prove to be a force medical oxygen, said a MoRTH tracking will ensure monitor- approve the vaccine for emer- Chinese vaccines has long Korea) and the Serum Institute Military Police Centre & aspects related to Basic multiplier at their new units, statement. ing and protection of these gency use was made by the been uncertain. Besides China, of India; and COVID-19 vaccine School (CMP C &S), Military training, Provost located across varied terrain Instructions have also been tankers, besides ensuring there WHO’s technical advisory it is being used in Algeria, Ad26.COV2.S developed by Bengaluru held the attestation training to include all forms of and operational conditions in issued by NHAI to all its offi- is no diversion or delay,” the group, which reviewed the Cameroon, Egypt, Hungary, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) on parade of the first batch of 83 policing duties and manage- the country. cials and other stakeholders to Ministry officials said. latest clinical data and manu- Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Peru, the 12 March 2021.

and polio vaccination drives in  !" 3,  1  the past, the IMA said that the country had been able to suc- =    ceed on account of free vaccine  provision for all age groups      0 across the country. On the oxygen shortage, -   #   IMA said that despite enough production of Oxygen in the ) )6376/*+ country large numbers of pri- )6376/*+ 5' %" "' vate hospitals are bearing the '  # !"%  he Indian Medical shortage brunt due to faulty n its first ever meeting with TAssociation (IMA), a body distribution management of )6376/*+ pating. IIndia in the EU+27 format,  " of professional doctors in the the life-saving gas. During the CPP meeting European Council on Saturday % '"'$!" country on Saturday, went Questioning the govern- ith the rout in the recent on Friday, Congress president agreed to strengthen the down heavily on the Union ment data on the number of WAssembly elections in Sonia Gandhi termed her “India-EU Strategic '  Health Ministry, questioning its new cases and covid-19 mor- Assam, West Bengal, Kerala party’s performance in the Partnership” based on a shared " $"% "  role in handling coronavirus talities, the IMA wondered and Puducherry, the Congress state assembly elections commitment to democracy, second wave across the States why the government was hid- Working Committee (CWC), “unfortunate, disappointing fundamental freedoms, rule of  $  even as it batted for complete ing actual Covid-19 statistics. the highest decision making and unexpected”. law and multilateralism. "' ' lockdown. Citing an example of false RT- body of the grand old party, In the recently concluded India and the EU also " Terming the response of PCR negative tests, the IMA will meet on Monday to discuss assembly elections, results of agreed to enhance bilateral the Ministry extremely lethar- said that health authorities are the issue. which were declared on May cooperation on digital and gic, the IMA alleged that advi- not adding Covid-19 cases In a letter to all CWC 2, the Congress could not reg- emerging technologies such as an intention to achieve early sories and suggestions made by that are getting traced through members, Congress General ister win in any state, and its “5G, AI, Quantum and High- conclusion of both agreements health professionals were not 19 cases in the country. failed to chart out a proper CT-scan reports. Secretary (Organisations) K.C. only consolation was in Tamil Performance Computing together. paid heed and the govern- The IMA also said that road map and arrange vaccine The statement signed by Venugopal said, “A meeting of Nadu where the party con- including through the early This is a major outcome ment is taking decisions with- individual lockdown by dif- stock which has led to the sus- National President, IMA Dr. J CWC will be held on May 10 tested along with DMK as its operationalization of the Joint which will enable the two sides out realising the ground real- ferent states and night curfews pension of vaccination drive at A Jayalal concluded that there at 11 a.m. via video confer- partner, and managed to win Task Force on AI and the to realise the full potential of the ities. were ineffective in breaking the several vaccine centres in the should be a complete revamp encing.” 18 seats. Digital Investment Forum”. economic partnership. Citing instances of many chain of Coronavirus. country. of the entire Covid-19 man- The notice of the CWC Addressing the party MPs At the invitation of India and the EU also experts requesting the gov- On the vaccination front, The health professionals’ agement by the central gov- meeting comes a day after the on Friday during a virtual President of the European announced dedicated dialogues ernment to impose nation- the IMA said that despite body also criticised the differ- ernment ranging from con- Congress Parliamentary Party meeting, she said, “Most Council Charles Michel, Prime on WTO issues, regulatory wide lockdown, the IMA said Prime Minister Narendra ential pricing system for vac- tainment measures, vaccine (CPP) meeting was chaired by unfortunately, our own per- Minister Narendra Modi par- cooperation, market access that refusal of the central gov- Modi’s announcement of phase cine purchase by states and pri- shortage, drugs shortage, and party chief Sonia Gandhi on formance in all the states was ticipated in the India-EU issues and supply chain ernment to impose lockdown 3 vaccination rollout from vate medical institutions. manpower shortage among Friday with all the Rajya Sabha very disappointing and if I Leaders’ Meeting that was vir- resilience, demonstrating the has led to 4 lakh daily Covid- May 1, the Health Ministry Citing the instance of smallpox others. and Lok Sabha MPs partici- may say, unexpectedly so. tually held in a hybrid format desire to deepen and further with the participation of lead- diversify economic engagement. ers of all the 27 EU Member India and the EU launched 5' P ' ' "   ;>  States as well as the President an ambitious and comprehen-        of the European Council and sive ‘Connectivity Partnership’ +"%'#  .)  the European Commission. which is focused on enhancing A statement issued from digital, energy, transport and %" "'*4 -    &  Prime Minister’s Office men- people-to-people connectivity.   tioned that it was the first The Partnership is based on time that the EU hosted a the shared principles of social, )6376/*+ tricts were bereft of any fresh )6376/*+ Tathagatha Roy openly criti- believes that by not presenting )6376/*+ meeting with India in the economic, fiscal, climate and cases in the last 28 days.” cized the ticket distribution a local credible face the party EU+27 format. The meeting environmental sustainability, he production of Liquid The number of critical espite increasing its tally and the role of central failed to attract the state’s intel- ormer Congress president was the initiative of the and respect for international law TMedical Oxygen (LMO) cases thus far includes 4,88,861 Dfrom three seats to 77 in appointees for affairs of the state ligentsia and the Bengali FRahul Gandhi on Saturday Portuguese Presidency of the and commitments. It will catal- has been maximised to meet patients who required ICU the 294 member Assembly, unit. Blaming state in-charge Bhadralok in the urban areas. slammed the Government over Council of the European yse private and public financing the present demand of Covid- beds, 1,70,841 patients who many West Bengal BJP leaders , co- The saffron camp in West the goods and services tax Union. for connectivity projects. It will 19 patients and the domestic required ventilator support and feel that the Central leadership’s incharge Arvind Menon, Shiv Bengal feels that sidelining of (GST) on vaccines, saying lives The leaders noted with sat- also foster new synergies for production currently exceeded 9,02,291 patients who were failure to gauge the mood on Prakash and state unit Chief the local leaders had worked can be lost but the Prime isfaction the growing conver- supporting connectivity initia- 9,400 Metric Tonne per day, the given oxygen support, the the ground and ignoring the Dilip Ghosh, Roy had tweeted, against the party. “Most of the Minister’s tax collection should gences on regional and global tives in third countries, includ- Government said on Saturday. Minister added. local leadership were the main “These people have heaped the local leaders, instead of work- not be lost. issues, including counterter- ing in the Indo-Pacific. Giridhar Aramane, As on date, Vardhan said, reasons for losing the high worst possible insults on ideo- ing on the ground engaged in In a tweet in Hindi, Rahul rorism, cybersecurity and mar- India and the EU leaders Secretary, Ministry of Road, 1.34 per cent of the active stakes battle to the Mamata logically driven BJP workers overseeing and arranging logis- Gandhi said, “Lives of people itime cooperation. The leaders reiterated their commitment Transport and Highways caseload is in ICU, 0.39 per cent Banerjee-led Trinamool and devout Swayamsevaks who tics of leaders sent by Delhi and can be lost, but the tax collec- acknowledged the importance to achieving the goals of the informed while presenting the of them are on ventilators and Congress (TMC). had been relentlessly working they behaved like a king giving tion of the Prime Minister of a free, open, inclusive and Paris Agreement and agreed to current scenario of LMO pro- 3.70 per cent of them are on Listing the reasons for the for the party since 1980s.” orders to the local cadre,” (Narendra Modi) should not be rules-based Indo-Pacific and strengthen joint efforts for duction, allocation and supply oxygen support. party’s failure to form the gov- Other West Bengal BJP another leader said. lost.” agreed to closely engage in the mitigation, adaptation and during the 25th meeting of the Vardhan informed the ernment in West Bengal, which leaders including a few who lost The West Bengal BJP He also used the hash tag of region, including in the context resilience to the impacts of cli- high-level Group of Ministers GOM that, “the cumulative was considered the last frontier in the Assembly polls said, “All workers pointed out that the GST. His remarks came after of India’s Indo-Pacific Ocean’s mate change, as well as pro- (GoM) on Covid-19 through number of Covid-19 vaccine by the saffron party along with the Central leaders assigned to leadership also failed to gauge several Congress-ruled states Initiative and the EU’s new viding means of implementa- video-conference. doses administered in the Kerala, West Bengal leaders manage the the mood of women voters. questioned the five per cent strategy on the Indo-Pacific. tion including finance in the Union Health Minister country has crossed 16.73 crore told IANS that there was little party’s poll affairs had “Welfare schemes of the Modi GST on the Covid vaccines. During the meeting, the context of COP26. India wel- Harsh Vardhan chaired the on Saturday which includes involvement of the state lead- failed to do their homework government did not work in With the five per cent GST leaders exchanged views on comed the EU’s decision to meeting that was also virtual- nearly 23 lakh doses given on ership in the and worked as dictators, ignor- our favour but women welfare on Covid vaccines the state gov- three key thematic areas-- for- join CDRI. ly attended by External Affairs Friday”. decision making, there was ing the feedback from the local work of Mamata in the rural ernments have to pay Rs 15-20 eign policy and security; Covid- Coinciding with the Minister S. Jaishankar, Civil “A total of 17,49,57,770 too much deployment of cen- cadre.” areas worked magic for the extra per dose to the central 19, climate and environment; Leaders’ Meeting, an India-EU Aviation Minister Hardeep S. doses have been delivered to tral leaders from other other A West Bengal BJP leader ruling party. government. The and trade, connectivity and Business Roundtable was Puri, Minister of State for the states, out of which parts of the country, especial- claimed that the party strate- From the very start the and governments technology. organised to highlight the Ports, Shipping and Waterways 16,65,49,583 doses have been ly from North India, and a fail- gists failed to present a credible central leadership insisted that have opposed the move of col- They discussed forging avenues for cooperation in and Fertilizers Mansukh consumed and 84,08,187 doses ure to present a credible and local face and made it Bengali like Bihar, women voters in lection of GST on Covid vac- closer cooperation on combat- climate, digital and healthcare. Mandaviya, Minister of State are still available with the effective Bengali leadership. (Mamata Banerjee) versus non West Bengal would vote for cines manufactured in India. ing the Covid-19 pandemic A finance contract of Euro for Home Nityanand Rai, and states,” said the Minister, A section in the West Bengali (Prime Minister the BJP but it did not happen,” Even Odisha Chief and economic recovery, tackling 150 million for the Pune Minister of State for Health adding a total of 53,25,000 Bengal BJP unit feels that if the Narendra Modi and Amit he said. Minister has climate change, and reforming Metro Rail Project was signed Ashwini Kumar Choubey. doses are on the pipeline and Central leadership had heard Shah). “TMC used it and con- Sexist comments like the written to Finance Minister multilateral institutions. by the Ministry of Vinod K. Paul, Member will be supplied to the states the local cadre the result could tinuously attacked us and called ‘Didi O Didi’ remark of the for waiv- India appreciated the Finance, Government of India, (Health), NITI Aayog was pre- soon. have been better. “Local lead- the Prime Minister and Home Prime Minister and Ghosh’s er of GST on Covid vaccines. prompt assistance provided by and European Investment sent virtually. He requested the states to ers are well connected with the Minister tourists. comment that Mamata should Rahul Gandhi on Friday the EU and its member states to Bank. At the outset, the Health set aside 70 per cent of the vac- people and aware of issues Most of the star campaign- wear shorts also worked wrote to the Prime Minister combat its second Covid wave. India-EU Leaders meeting Minister apprised other mem- cines received through GoI concerning them and by ignor- ers including Modi, Shah and against the BJP, claimed a saying his government’s lack of The leaders welcomed the has set a significant milestone bers of GOM about the steadi- channel for administration of ing them the Central leadership others had addressed voters in party leader. a clear and coherent Covid decision to resume negotia- by providing a new direction ly growing trajectory of daily the second dose. completely disconnected itself Hindi. This helped Banerjee’s Another leader suggested and vaccination strategy, as tions for balanced and compre- to the Strategic Partnership recoveries and also observed On the tests being con- from the ground,” claimed a narrative that the BJP is an out- that the party should now well as its hubris in declaring hensive free trade and invest- and giving a fresh impetus for that “180 districts have showed ducted in India, the Health BJP leader. sider party with no respect for start identifying candidates premature victory as the virus ment agreements. Negotiations implementing the ambitious no fresh cases in the last seven Minister noted that the coun- Former West Bengal BJP Bengali identity and culture.” he for the next general elections was exponentially spreading, on both the Trade and India-EU Roadmap 2025 days, 18 districts in 14 days, 54 try has reached a testing capac- Chief and former Governor of said. in 2024 instead of parachuting has placed India in a highly Investment Agreements will be adopted at the 15th India-EU districts in 21 days and 32 dis- ity of 25,00,000 tests per day. and Meghalaya, The local BJP unit also in outsiders. dangerous position. pursued on parallel tracks with Summit held in July 2020. #$ '!#&) 0&) 123  3

92  ;/   728 2  +    ? #         )  90/9( the Centre repeatedly about Jaipur: Around 21 persons However, Lakshmangarh setting aside Rs 30,000 crore lost their lives at a village in sub-divisional officer Kulraj elentless with her attack on which is nothing for them … Rajasthan's Sikar district Meena said that out of the 21 Rthe Centre and the Election I told them to go for free vac- allegedly after the burial of a deaths, only 3-4 deaths Commission,Bengal Chief cination during this national Covid victim, whose body was occurred due to Covid-19. Minister Mamata Banerjee on crisis … but they would not do brought from Gujarat, without "The other deaths have Saturday advocated reforms in that to save the lives of com- following any Covid proto- been reported from the older the poll panel itself. mon man … while on the cols. age group. We have collected Making her first speech in other hand they can spend Rs The incident was reported samples of 147 members of the State Assembly in her third 50,000 crores for purchasing recently from Kheerva village families where deaths have term as the Chief Minister, India … many states are now luxury air craft for Prime in Sikar, the Assembly con- been reported to check whether Mamata said the way the agen- feeling relieved that they have Minister’s residence and con- stituency of Rajasthan it is a case of community trans- cies including the Election been restrained … the TMC struction of new parliament Congress chief and state mission," Meena told the Commission were being used has saved India.” etc.” Education Minister Govind media. by the Centre a time had come Attacking the Centre for “I wrote four letters but Singh Dotasara. Meena and other officials when EC reforms should be sending a central team and none was replied,” she alleged Officials said that the visited the village after receiv- considered. shooting off strong letters saying how “Bengal is being corpse was brought from ing the report along with a Attacking the poll panel for “within 24 hours of my gov- deprived of vaccines and oxy- Gujarat and around 21 people, medical team which directed its "biased approach" towards a ernment taking the charge,” gen… they are taking away who came in contact with the for immediate sanitisation of specific party Chief Minister Banerjee said “failing to digest oxygen produced here … they body, lost their lives in the days the village. Medicine kits were said, “I can challenge that they the defeat they are spreading are not sending vaccines,” she after the final rites were per- also distributed to cure the @#            -      )< (BJP) could not have won even rumors of violence by posting alleged. formed in the village. other infected people. 30 seats had the Election fake videos,” warning “those The BJP is boycotting the According to the officials, Sikar district collector Commission not helped them posting videos would be strict- Assembly session alleging ram- the Covid victim's infected Aviral Chaturvedi said that directly, In this election, rigging ly dealt with. pant violence. Meanwhile in body was brought to the village officials visited the village and * /#  #       took place in some places In an apparent bid to use continuing violence a TMC on April 21 and over 100 peo- made the people aware of the under the watch of the poll the massive electoral victory in man was killed at Dubrajpur in ple attended the funeral which fact that all social gatherings,    ))  90*+ were reports about Covid ister who has been claiming panel,” adding there was a Bengal as a launch pad for 2024 Birbhum when a skirmish took was conducted without fol- including for last rites, should afflicted persons in serious everything was fine all these strong need to bring about a general elections Banerjee con- place between the BJP and lowing the Covid guidelines. follow the proper Covid pro- s Kerala diagnosed 41, 971 condition were transported to months have made a volte face reform in the Commission tinued her tirade against the Trinamool supporters, police The body was taken out of tocols. Anew persons with Covid- hospitals in two-wheelers today and blames the local self- itself. Centre wondering why it failed said. The violence took place the plastic bag and many peo- Door-to-door survey was 19 and 64 patients succumbing because of the non-availabili- government bodies. This can She said the “defeat of BJP to tackle the pandemic. hours after the central team vis- ple had touched it during the also conducted to know the to the pandemic on Saturday, ty of ambulance. The incident never be justified,” said the has saved not only Bengal but She said “I had written to ited the spot. burial, they said. actual situation, he said, IANS Chief Minister happened in a first line covid retired secretary who did not blamed local self-governments treatment centre in Alappuzha want his name to be quoted. like panchayat and munici- where there were no medical With the death of 64 per- ;<=  :7    palities for their complacency attendants or vehicles to shift sons on Saturday, the toll in the 8 #"  and lethargy in dealing with the the patient who was gasping fir State reached 5,746. There emergency situation. breath to the nearest hospital. were 4,17, 101 Covid-19      B&&8 bulletin, out of 4788 new posi- The Chief Minister, who in Two volunteers who had patients across the State. Even tive cases of novel Coronavirus &' % -) his daily press briefings till yes- dropped in at the centre had to the serene and beautiful villages espite augmenting patient (COVID-19),1529 were report- terday has been highlighting carry him in their two wheel- in Keala, known for their scenic Dcare facilities across differ- ed from Jammu division and the shortcomings in the help er and this picture went viral in landscapes , ponds, rivers, lakes ent hospitals in Jammu & 3259 from Kashmir division.    ))  90*+ booths and vegetable vendors in as Chief Secretary sup- from the Centre. But on the social media. and backwaters have been Kashmir in recent days the With 60 more deaths the death have been given green signal to planting incumbent Rajeev Saturday, he said the local self- According to Vijayan, there infected with the pandemic. death toll due to Covid-19 is on toll due to covid 19 saturday ince there is no sign of any function without restrictions. Ranjan who has been shunted bodies in the State had failed in were shortages of Covid Saturday’s press briefing the rise. On Saturday, 60 patients touched 2672. Sabatement in the ever grow- The decision to go for the out as the managing director of mobilizing emergency facilities Treatment Centres as well as by the chief minister was more died, 42 across Jammu region On the recovery note, 2500 ing number of daily Covid-19 fortnight-long lockdown was Tamil Nadu Newsprint and like transport, pulse oxy meters medical professionals in the of dos and donts meant for the and 18 across Kashmir while more COVID-19 patients were cases, Tamil Nadu Government taken after Chief Minister M K Papers Ltd. and emergency medical staff to State. “Each of the local self- local self-governments. He 4788 fresh cases of coronavirus recovered and discharged from declared total lock down all Stalin took stock of the situa- Stalin also brought in four attend to the patients afflicted bodies should have at least five repeatedly said that there was were detected taking the tally of various hospitals including 910 over the State from May 10 for tion with the district collectors senior IAS officers to control with Covid-19. ambulances on round -the- severe shortage of vaccine in active positive cases to 46535. from Jammu Division and 1590 a fortnight. and superintendents of police. the Chioef Minister’s Office. Situation is really shocking clock basis in times like pan- the State. Many emergency The overall positivity rate from Kashmir Division. As a As on Saturday evening , Out of the 27, 397 cases of They are T Udhayachandran, P in Kerala as four out of the 14 demic. But as on today, our surgeries in the Regional stood at 10.23 percent on large number of people contin- the State diagnosed 27, 397 new Covid diagnosed on Saturday, Umanath, M S Shanmugham districts have more than 4,000 local bodies do not have these Cancer Centre had to be post- Saturday. ue to remain in home isolation persons with Covid-19 while Chennai accounted for 6846, and anu George . Umanath, covid patients each. The virus arrangements,” said the chie poned due to oxygen shortage,” To tide over the shortage of the death rate too is increasing the pandemic claimed 241 lives while Chengalpattu came sec- who was the managing direc- that is causing the pandemic in minister. said the chief minister. covid beds the UT administra- alarmingly. On Saturday 10 across Tamil Nadu. This took ond with 2458 patients and tor of Tamil Nadu Medical Kerala is unique as it is capa- A former panchayath sec- The none-day long total tion in Jammu decided to patients were declared brought the death toll in the State till Coimbatore followed closely Services Corporation, earned ble of causing Covid of retary to the Government of lockdown declared by the State reserve at least 50 percent beds dead as they arrived very late in date to 15,412. with 2117. encomiums from all over for extremely serious nature. But Kerala, who was watching the administration came into effect across four leading nursing the hospital. The UT adminis- Eateries could serve only There was a rejig in the building the capacity and capa- what I see is thoroughly unpre- chief minister’s media briefing early Saturday morning. homes for Covid patients. tration is spreading awareness parcel food while Amma State bureaucracy immediate- bility of hospitals across the pared local self-bodies and said the latter was trying to Normal life in the State has Meanwhile, work has been ini- across different platforms to Restaurants are allowed to ly after Stalin took charge at State by ensuring that they their complacent and lethargic ‘pass the buck’ to government come to a standstill following tiated on ground zero to estab- immediately report symptoms of function. Banks and other Fort Saint George (Tamil had sufficient stock of oxygen, attitude,” said Vijayan. employees and local self-gov- stringent measures announced lish two 500 bedded covid hos- coronavirus to a specialist and offices have been allowed to Nadu’s centre of power) on kits for testing the pandemic The chief minister was ernment bodies. “It is more by the administration as part pitals by DRDO in the coming avoid delay in receiving treat- operate with 50 per cent staff Friday. V Irai anbu, a 1988 and the necessary drugs to caight in an embarrassing sit- than a year since the Covid od the measures to counter the days. According to the media ment to contain the death rate. while medical stores, milk batch IAS officer was brought combat Covid-19. uation on Friday when there struck Kerala. The chief min- spread of pandemic. 1    9433 " ' !%+"' 7O  (        #%' -!% !%   =7       &8&A+ to remain below 5,000 mark as the daily        # cases dropped from 3,040 to 2,664 on : Tripura Chief Minister his government has taken mea- record 82,266 patients were dis- Saturday. With the new infections, the Biplab Kumar Deb on Saturday sures to speed up the vaccination Lucknow: With the bodies of deceased Covid- )  @)B+ Acharged from various hospitals in total caseload in the metropolis increased said the State has adequate stock drive and appealed to people 19 patients piling up in large numbers, the Uttar Maharashtra on Saturday after their full from 671,125 to 673,235. There has been of oxygen for treatment of Covid- above 45 years of age to get inoc- Pradesh Government on Saturday passed an he Government has been urged to set up spe- recovery from Covid-19, even as the State a vast improvement Covid-19 situation 19 patients and urged people not ulated immediately. order according to which it would hold the Tcial Covid-19 centres in the State for people with crossed a grim milestone of 75,000 deaths since April 4, when the metropolis had to panic amid the raging coron- "Tripura is one of the first two funerals of all those persons who died of the virus disability and their family members. and 50 lakh infections, after the pandemic recorded highest-ever record 11,206 avirus pandemic. states in the country to have the without charging any money. This Government Demand has also been made to prioritise vacci- claimed 864 more lives and left 53,605 cases. The State has a stock of 4,000 highest vaccination rate. We will order would be applicable within the Municipal nation for persons with disability in the age group of infected. Similarly, the Covid-19 deaths oxygen cylinders and 750 con- soon start the immunisation drive Corporation limits. 18 to 45 years and to administer jabs at home for those Amid the continued surge in the dropped from 71 on Friday to 62 now and centrators, he said. for people in the age group of 18 Chief Minister announced differently-abled who have no one to take them to number of deaths and infections, the total fatalities in the metropolis "We have adequate stock of to 44 years and have placed orders this decision after reviewing the matter with health centres. Maharashtra witnessed an overwhelming climbed from 13,651 to 13,713. oxygen and people of the state to procure vaccines for the pur- Team Nine about the exorbitant amount of "We are receiving complaints from persons with 82,266 recoveries which took the total The total “active cases” in the state should not be worried about the pose," he said. money charged for a funeral following death due disability and their family members that COVID hos- number of people discharged from vari- dropped substantially from 6,54,788 to availability of the life-saving gas. Around 14 lakh people have to Covid-19 in several districts. pitals and care centres are not accessible for persons ous hospitals after full recovery to 6,28,213. The fatality rate in the state stood The recovery rate among coron- been inoculated in the state so far, Additional Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar with disability, the staff is not sensitised to handle per- 43,47,592. As a result, the recovery rate static at 1.49 per cent. avirus patients in Tripura is at 92 a health department official said. Singh has sent a letter to all the municipal cor- sons with disability and the family members are not in the state climbed from 85.36 per cent While Pune accounted for a maxi- per cent, which is better than sev- Senior minister and cabinet porations and civic bodies directing them to allowed to stay with the special children," Disability to 86.03 per cent. mum 1,06,829 “active cases” in the state, eral other states," Deb said. spokesperson Ratan Lal Nath said arrange free funerals of deceased Covid patients Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) chief Avelino De A day after the state recorded 898 Nagpur stood second 62,159, followed by The health department has the government has decided to falling within the limits of the urban bodies. Sa stated in a letter written to State Commissioner for deaths and 54,022 new cases, the number Mumbai with 52874, Thane (43,510) taken a slew of steps to make sure appoint 164 doctors through The municipal corporations will bear the Persons with Disability. DRAG is an NGO of deaths dropped marginally by 34, while Nashik (40141), Chandrapur (26,245), sufficient supply of oxygen to all Tripura Public Service expenses of funerals at all crematoriums, ceme- working for the cause of differently- abled people in the 53,605 new infections on Saturday, as Ahmednagar (24,427), Satara (22,607), the districts and sub-divisional Commission on a contractual teries and cremation grounds falling within the the state. against 54,022 new cases recorded on Solapur (22,438), Beed (13859), Jalgaon hospitals, the CM said. basis to strengthen human limits of the corporation. "We request you to direct concerned authorities Friday. (13,484), Aurangabad (12441), Parbhani He visited an oxygen plant at resource in hospitals across the It has been made mandatory to follow to open special COVID centres (one in each district) With 864 new deaths, the total num- (10,971), Latur (10565), Buldhana (8914), Bodhjungnagar here and took state. As many as 148 posts of doc- Covid-19 protocols while conducting such of at least 15 beds capacity for persons with disabili- ber of deaths in the state climbed crossed Bhandara (7519), Jalna (7041) stock of the supply situation from tors are vacant in state- run med- funerals. ty and their family members," the DRAG said. 75,000 mark as the number of cases Osmanabad (6771), Nanded (5802) and the facility. ical facilities, he said. The expenditure incurred on the funerals These COVID centres should be equipped with climbed from 74,413 to 75,277. Similarly, Nandurbar (4990). Deb said Prime Minister At least 359 more people test- will be met by the urban bodies from their own oxygen and ventilator facilities, De Sa added. with 53,605 new infections, the total num- Of the 2,91,91.331 samples sent to Narendra Modi had assured all ed positive for Covid-19 in resources or from the State Finance Commission. As of May 7, Goa's Covid-19 tally stood at 1,12,462 ber of cases crossed 50 lakh mark as the laboratories, 50,53,336 have tested posi- help to the state in its fight against Tripura on Saturday, pushing the A maximum amount of 5,000 will be spent on and the death toll was 1,557, health officials had cases rose from 49,96,758 to 50,53,336. tive (17.31 per cent) for COVID-19 until the COVID-19 pandemic. tally in the state to 37,208, the offi- each funeral. IANS said. The infections in Mumbai continued Saturday. The chief minister stated that cial said. PTI           0 

     &8&A+ developing a state-level app for government has kindly sup- interface and experience for the the impact of the possible third citizens’ vaccination registra- plied to the State at various times citizens who are really keen to wave in the country. mid the ruling Shiv Sena’s tion. in the past few months”. take the vaccine shot,” Uddhav In a related development, Asevere criticism of the Modi In tweets put out after Among other things, the wrote. the Shiv Sena’s mouth-piece Government for its "ineffec- Uddhav’s telephonic conversa- chief minister – in his letter – Dwelling upon the chal- “Saamana” – in its editorial tive" handling of the Covid-19 tions, the Chief Minister’s Office spoke about the State lenge faced by the state govern- –stated that with the Covid-19 crisis at the national level, Prime (CMO) tweeted, “In a tele- Government’s plans to “open ment in getting vaccine supplies, triggered death of astounding Minister Narendra Modi — in phonic conversation with CM up” the vaccination for 18-45 the chief minister said that the 36,110 people during the past 10 a telephonic conversation with Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, years’ age group by way of state government was willing to days, India had left most sever- — on the Hon’ble PM @narendramo- procuring the vaccines from its procure vaccines stocks in a sin- ally affected countries like Saturday commended di sought details about resources, touched up on the gle procurement if possible so as United States and Brazil behind. Maharashtra for its efforts in Maharashtra's fight against technical glitches noticed in the to safeguard our citizens and to “The fear that India aroused in countering the “second wave” of Covid and commended its CoWin App and proposed to give a boost to the country’s vac- the minds of the governments in pandemic in the State. efforts in countering the second the Centre about the need for a cination programme. other is of immense nature. Hours after the Shiv Sena wave”. separate App for States or a “However, the producers They have stopped their people mouth-piece “Saamana” in its “The CM requested more CoWin App for each State. do not have enough stocks.... If visiting India for trade and busi- editorial tore into Modi for the linkages in the procurement of “Seeing the sudden surge of the states are allowed to procure ness. In India, there are restric- sloppy manner in which he oxygen for the state, gave infor- the number of citizens wanting (vaccines) from other manu- tions on air and general travel,” handled the Covid-19 crisis in mation about several measures to register nationally, there is a facturers as well, we would be the editorial stated the country and called for prac- taken & plans to counter the fear about the App malfunc- able to cover a larger population “As a result, India has suf- tice of “politics-free nationalism”, third wave. The CM thanked the tioning or crashing as it did on in a shorter time and help fered huge financial losses. If the Sena president and Chief PM for continuous guidance & the day 1 of the (vaccination) reduce the impact of the possi- country is trudging along, it is Minister Uddhav Thackeray for accepting various requests registrations,” the chief minister ble third wave,” the chief minis- because of the contributions of and the Prime Minister inter- made by the State,” the CMO stated. ter said. Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, acted with each other on tele- said in another tweet. “We therefore propose Uddhav proposed that the , , P. phone over the Covid-19 situa- Meanwhile, in a letter writ- either a separate App developed Indian Council of Medical V. Narasimha Rao, Manmohan tion in the State. ten to the Prime Minister, by the states where the data can Research (ICMR) set up medical Singh and their visionary poli- Simultaneously, Uddhav Uddhav stated, “The vaccination be shared with the Union gov- framework for the respective cies. It is time now for Modi to wrote to the Prime Minister drive in Maharashtra has been ernment’s Ministry of Health or FDAs of each starwe, within take steps in the interests of the about matters relating to the sup- one of the fastest and most effi- a Co Win App developed and which the states would be able country. He should begin prac- ply of vaccination, technical cient in the country with every assigned by the Government of to cover a larger population in tising “politics-free national-      0@  7        )< glitches on the CoWin App & stock of vaccine that the Union India. This would ensure better a shorter time and help reduce ism,” the Saamana stated. #$ '!#&) 0&) 123 % ':     ; '    ,",>   > '$ '<!& $>,@ ) B68/6& ) A"*77 !AB$> &=-:<C: ) 9A8/ alestinian worshippers $:<==AB<1 :<=:C n mid-April, A drone strike Pclashed with Israeli police bomb exploded near a girl’s Iearly on Saturday targeted a ='$ :AB$===AB<='='$ late on Friday at the Al-Aqsa Aschool in a majority Shiite military base in Iraq that hosts =-$=$>='$ $A, mosque compound, a major district of west Kabul on US troops, causing only minor $<$,A$, -'>>,> holy site sacred to Muslims and Saturday, killing at least 30 damage and no casualties, &=!<$<A:<<F Jews, in an escalation of weeks people, many them young Iraq’s military and the US-led of violence in Jerusalem that pupils between 11 and 15 years coalition said. damages. The base also hosts has reverberated across the old, Afghan government The pore-dawn attack US troops. region. spokesmen said. The Taliban damaged a hangar, tweeted The attacks have been fre- The Palestinian Red condemned the attack appar- coalition spokesman Col. quent since a US-directed Crescent emergency service ently aimed at civilians, and Wayne Marotto. He said the drone strike killed Iranian said 136 people were wounded denied any responsibility. attack was under investiga- General Qassem Soleimani in clashes with police there and The explosion is being tion. An Iraqi military state- near the Baghdad airport last elsewhere in Jerusalem, includ- investigated, said Interior ment also said no losses were year. ing 83 who were hospitalised. Ministry spokesman Tariq reported. No one has claimed Iraqi militia leader Abu It says most were wounded in <  #                  Arian who added the death toll responsibility for the attack. Mahdi al-Muhandis was also the face and eyes by rubber-       &       ' could rise further. The US has blamed Iran- killed in the attack. The strike coated bullets and shrapnel Ambulances were rushing '           # #   backed militia groups for pre- drew the ire of mostly Shiite from stun grenades. Israel said before Israel lifted the restric- threatened evictions. to evacuate wounded from the   $#   ' vious attacks, most of them Iraqi lawmakers and prompted six police officers were tions. “It’s critical to avoid uni- scene of the blast near Syed Al- rocket attacks that have target- parliament to pass a non-bind- wounded. But in recent days, clashes lateral steps that would exac- Shahda school, in the Shiite there was no official confir- claimed by the Afghan Islamic ed the American presence in ing resolution to pressure the Earlier on Friday, Israeli have resumed due to Israel’s erbate tensions or take us fur- majority neighborhood of mation of multiple blasts. State affiliate. Baghdad and military bases Iraqi government to oust for- troops shot and killed two threatened eviction of dozens ther away from peace. And that Dasht-e-Barchi, Interior Rahimi also said he believed The radical Sunni Muslim across Iraq. eign troops from the country. Palestinians and wounded a of Palestinians in the Sheikh would include evictions, set- Ministry spokesman Tariq that the sheer power of the group has declared war on Drone strikes are less The Biden administration third after the men opened fire Jarrah neighbourhood in east tlement activity, and home Arian said. explosion meant the death toll Afghanistan’s minority Shiite common. In mid-April, an has resumed strategic talks on a base belonging to Israel’s Jerusalem, who have been demolitions,” US State Residents in the area said would almost certainly climb. Muslims. Washington blamed explosive-laden drone targeted with Baghdad, \initiated under paramilitary Border Police embroiled in a long legal bat- Department spokeswoman the explosion was deafening. While no one has claimed IS for a vicious attack last year the military section of the President Donald Trump, in force in the occupied West tle with Israeli settlers trying to Jalina Porter told reporters in One, Naser Rahimi, told The responsibility for the bombing, in a maternity hospital in the international airport in Irbil, in which the future of US troop Bank, the latest in a series of acquire property in the neigh- Washington. Associated Press he heard three previous brutal attacks in the same area that killed pregnant Iraq’s northern Kurdish-run presence in Iraq is a central deadly confrontations in recent bourhood. The Al-Aqsa mosque com- separate explosions, although same neighborhood have been women and newborn babies. region, causing no casualties or point of discussion. weeks that has coincided with The United States said it pound is the third holiest site the Muslim holy month of was “deeply concerned” about in Islam. The site is also the Ramzan. More unrest appears the heightened tensions and holiest site for Jews, who refer .0        '       @   likely next week. called on all sides to work to to it as the Temple Mount and Tensions have soared in de-escalate them. It also revere it as the spot where the   ;   (     recent weeks in east Jerusalem, expressed concern about the biblical Temples stood.       which is claimed by both Israel  (         and the Palestinians. At the   '   beginning of the Muslim holy   7//     Male: A top official in the  (#      month of Ramzan, Israel Islamabad: In a first, a Hindu stage when final merit is deter- Maldives said on Saturday that blocked off a popular gathering woman in Pakistan has cleared mined. Islamic extremists were respon- Washington: A company that ) 0(A(0.@*+/+@@+)61 spot where Palestinians tradi-       the country’s prestigious After the result, Ramchand sible for an explosion earlier operates a major US energy tionally socialise at the end of Central Superior Services tweeted: “Waheguru Ji Ka this week that critically wound- pipeline says it was forced to ozens of Muslim militants their daylong fast. The move set ) B68/6& ering place and have reignited (CSS) examination and has Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh”, ed former President Mohamed temporarily halt all pipeline Doccupied a public market off two weeks of clashes in recent days over threatened been selected for the elite and added, “I’m pleased to share Nasheed, as police said they operations following a cyber- overnight in the southern night of heavy clashes eviction of dozens of Pakistan Administrative that by the grace of Allah arrested two of four suspects. security attack. In a statement, Philippines before fleeing after a Abetween Palestinians and Palestinians from their homes Services (PAS). Sana Almighty, I have cleared the CSS Hospital officials said Colonial Pipeline said the tense standoff with government 2    ,   Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa in east Jerusalem, which is Ramachand is an MBBS doc- 2020 and been allocated to PAS. Saturday that Nasheed is con- attack took place Friday and forces, officials said on Saturday. mosque compound and else- claimed by both sides in the tor, hailing from rural area of All credit goes to my parents.” scious and no \longer needs also affected some of its infor- The Bangsamoro Islamic    where in Jerusalem left more decades-old conflict. Shikarpur district in Sindh The pass percentage in the breathing support. mation technology systems. Freedom Fighters did not take than 200 Palestinians wound- It was unclear what set off province, which has the largest latest CSS has been less than 2 Two of his bodyguards and The company describes any hostage or put up resistance    ed, medics said on Saturday, as the violence at Al-Aqsa, which Hindu population in Pakistan. per cent which shows the tough two apparent bystanders, itself as the largest refined when army troops and police the city braced for even more erupted when Israeli police in She is one of the 221 can- competition as well as the rig- including a British citizen, were products pipeline in the United took positions at dawn Saturday Q  ;R violence after weeks of unrest. riot gear deployed in large didates declared successful in orous standards applied by the also wounded in Thursday’s States and transports roughly near the public market in the Nightly protests broke out numbers as thousands of the CSS examination out of the Federal Public Service blast. Prosecutor General 45 per cent of all fuel, includ- farming town of Datu Paglas, Porto: European Union lead- at the start of the holy month Muslim worshippers were 18,553 who had appeared in Commission responsible for Hussain Shameem told ing gasoline, diesel fuel and said military spokesman Lt. Col. ers cranked up their criticism of Ramadan over police holding evening prayers at the the written tests. The final these recruitments. The PAS is reporters that investigators still home heating oil, that is con- John Paul Baldomar. of the US call to waive Covid- restrictions at a popular gath- sprawling hilltop esplanade. selection has been made after the top tier often followed by do not know which extremist sumed on the East Coast. “They went into the market 19 vaccine patents Saturday, an elaborate medical, psycho- Pakistan Police Services and group was behind the attack, The Alpharetta, Georgia- and stole food but got stuck arguing the move would bring ;< logical and oral tests. The Foreign Services of Pakistan which left Nasheed, 53, in crit- based company said it hired an inside when they saw that our no short or midterm relief. '    groups are allotted at the last and others. PTI ical condition. AP outside cybersecurity firm to forces have taken positions to They instead urged 58; investigate the nature and scope ensure other buildings could not Washington to lift export of the attack and has also con- be threatened,” he told reporters. restrictions if it wants to have    6    tacted law enforcement and There were no immediate a global impact on the pan-  )  federal agencies. AP reports of injuries or deaths. demic.  ;  )$<'       The rebel group broke off “We don’t think, in the       from the Moro Islamic short term, that it’s the magic      Liberation Front, the largest bullet,” said EU Council       Muslim rebel group in the President Charles Michel on )  7*9:0/0&A0       south, after it entered into the second day of an EU sum- @ O 9 @ peace talks and later signed a mit in Portugal. French ndia’s neighbours- Sri Lanka     #(  Muslim autonomy deal with President Emmanuel Macron Iand Bangladesh- have report-        the Government in 2014. insisted that giving any prior- ed the first cases of the Indian &   ity to discussing intellectual variant of coronavirus, also      property rights now, “is a false known as B.1.617, prompting     D debate.” authorities to exercise caution         Instead, they joined previ- to contain its spread.     #   ous EU calls for US President Bangladesh overnight      Joe Biden to start boosting US detected six people, who had       # vaccine exports to contain the recently visited India, infected global Covid-19 crisis, insisting with the Indian variant of the )  . it was the most urgent need. Covid-19, Directorate General .  “We encourage all the part- of Health Services (DGHS) :,>:, 89@ &  A ners to facilitate the export of spokesman Professor Dr B      (vaccine) doses,” said Michel. Nazmul Islam Munna said on     France added its weight. Saturday. $      “I’m very clearly urging the Out of the six people, two    US to put an end to the ban on were detected in the national @#+     exports of vaccines and on capital Dhaka. All of them are      components of vaccines that currently kept under quaran-    A   are preventing them being pro- tine. 0  /@  duced,” Macron said. Hundreds “Six people have been  $     of components can go into a found to be carrying the Indian  *  vaccine. He mentioned the variant so far and we expect $  6  Curevac company, saying it more people to be detected     # could not produce a vaccine in with identical types of virus in Europe because components the coming days,” Munna told )))  )) are blocked in the United PTI.  "  States. “This development means ':$ @ O 0     While the US has kept a we in Bangladesh need extreme   tight lid on exports of caution, perfect compliance of    89 American-made vaccines so it health guidelines... If we main- O     can inoculate its own popula- tain the guidelines, no variant      tion first, and the UK has —deadly or not —can cause      acted similarly, the EU has major problems,” Munna said.       # become the world’s leading Following the detection of the       provider, allowing about as Indian variant, Bangladesh on / 7 many doses to go outside the Saturday extended the closure       27-nation bloc as are kept for of land borders with India for /  '$- its 446 million inhabitants. AP 14 more days. Q#  0 0* ( 

) +076B)6+0 that looks like conjugal canoodling. Sometimes she ome have claimed she’s just sits, relishing the presence Sindulging a forbidden of others. She is quieter — romance. More likely, loneli- shier? more coy? — than her ness compels her to seek com- squawking chums. pany at Rio de Janeiro’s zoo. Blue-and-yellow macaws Either way, a blue-and- live to be about 35 years old yellow macaw that zookeepers and Juliet — no spring chick- named Juliet is believed to be en — should have found a life- the only wild bird of its kind long mate years ago, according left in the Brazilian city where to Neiva Guedes, president of the birds once flew far and the Hyacinth Macaw Institute, wide. an environmental group. But Almost every morning for zoo enclosure where macaws Juliet hasn’t coupled, built a the last two decades, Juliet has are kept and, through its fence, nest or had chicks, so at most appeared. She swoops onto the engages in grooming behavior she’s “still just dating.” "9 #$ '!#&) 0&) 123

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 )6376/*+ ship of the jewellers. The order < 7D, )'  A<< stated that further contention he Nagpur Bench of is that in proportion to such )  )6376/*+    TBombay High Court multitude of jewellers in India passed an interim order on - the percentage of hallmarking mplementation of the pro- May 7 which stops Bureau of centres available in India, is just Iposed free-trade agreement 3+(*08(;8)+*+)"A0)7(08(0& Indian Standards (BIS) from about 34% of the 733 districts between India and the taking any coercive action on in the country and that there European Union (EU) will jewellers across India or impose are at least 488 districts in the benefit both the sides and the )  )6376/*+ penalty on those who may not country, which do not have any domestic businesses will wel- comply with BIA (BIS Act, hallmarking centres. It is fur- come the resumption of formal he Central Board of 2016) regulations, Section 29(2) ther submitted that there are negotiations on the long-stalled TIndirect Taxes and Customs on mandatory hallmarking due about 6,000 crore pieces of jew- pact, industry body CII said on (CBIC) on Saturday allowed to the lack of adequate infra- ellery, which still need to be Saturday. businesses to import and structure in terms of assaying hallmarked.” The proposed Broad-based export goods without furnish- and hallmarking centres. Nitin Khandelwal, Past Trade and Investment ing bonds to the customs The Court ruled: “The Chairman, GJC, said, “Courts Agreement (BTIA) between authorities until June-end, a contention is that the new reg- have been reasonable and strict the two sides has been stalled move aimed at ensuring no ulation making it compulsory with BIS as further contention since May 2013 as both sides delay or disruption in EXIM to hallmark gold jewellery is that if there is any breach of there are also other problems Dinesh Jain, Director, GJC are yet to iron out differences trade due to COVID-19. before it is stored or sold, the said mandate of law as pro- arising out of the present who represented GJC in the over several issues. The BTIA In a circular, the CBIC which has to come into force vided under Sections 14 and 15 COVID restrictions, which writ petition filed, commented, is a kind of comprehensive free said importers and exporters w.e.f. 1st June 2021, is likely to of the Bureau of Indian prevent a person to travel from “The writ has been admitted on trade agreement being negoti- will have to furnish an under- result in great hardships to Standards Act, 2016 (BIS Act), one district to another district merit and notice has been ated by the two sides. taking to the Customs author- lakhs of jewellers in India and there is a penalty in offence as and that there are several dis- issued to BIS and all respon- Speaking at the EU–India ities in lieu of the bonds till tion of legitimate trade, the Last year too in the wake their number is stated to be 5 provided under Section 29 of tricts, which do not have any dents. Business Roundtable, CII June 30. CBIC said it has approved of COVID pandemic, the CBIC lakhs.” the BIS Act, 2016 punishable hallmarking centres yet. BIS is wise enough to Director-General Chandrajit The indirect tax body said relaxation of the requirement to had allowed businesses to The writ petition was filed with maximum imprisonment And the court has in the know what to do in such a sit- Banerjee said that BTIA will it has received representation submit bonds. import and export goods with- by All India Gem & Jewellery of one year. meanwhile, directed that no uation and we are sure that BIS really benefit the EU with bet- from traders to accept under- “...The Board has decid- out furnishing bonds to the Domestic Council (GJC), It is also submitted that coercive action shall be taken shall not proceed with manda- ter access to the huge and taking in lieu of bonds in cer- ed to restore the facility of customs authorities. AMRG & which is the industry’s apex within the time available, it against the jewellers under tory hallmarking without doing rapidly growing Indian market tain cases of Customs clear- acceptance of an undertaking Associates Senior Partner Rajat domestic Council that ensures could not be possible for all the Section 29(2) of the BIS Act, their homework properly. GJC and India with technology and ance, in view of the difficulties in lieu of bond by Customs for- Mohan said due to the resur- promotion, protection and jewellers and for every piece of 2016, till next date of hearing is fully supporting Hallmarking innovation access. being faced in the ongoing mation ... Till June 30, 2021. gence of the pandemic, cus- progress of jewellers. GJC was jewellery presently available to on 14th June 2021. and pray in the writ petition “Several rounds (of talks) lockdown/constraints imposed Importers/exporters availing toms has yet again eased out represented in court by coun- be hallmarked before these This is a big relief to the that a ‘High Level Committee’ held until 2013, but the nego- in different regions of India. this facility shall ensure that the certain customs procedures. sel, Rohan Shah. provisions of law come into jewellers who shall now be fully be constituted by Honourable tiations could not be complet- To expedite Customs undertaking furnished ... Is “These measures would facili- Ashish Pethe, Chairman, force.” protected from any actions court to streamline and resolve ed as differences remain over clearance of goods and for duly replaced with a proper tate international trade and All India Gem & Jewellery Saiyam Mehra, Vice from BIS even though they all issues for the benefit of some key issues. But Indian maintaining balance between bond by July 15, 2021,” the ensure continuance of business Domestic Council (GJC) stat- Chairman, GJC, commented, may wish to still go ahead with Consumers, Jewellers and core industry will welcome a Customs control and facilita- CBIC said in a circular. operations,” Mohan added. ed, “Courts have seen the hard- “It is further submitted that mandatory hallmarking.” objective of BIS.” resumption of formal negotia- tions for the BTIA and is ready to support the negotiations in ;/ ;   any way possible,” he said. -  - R  ;&  @8  '  He also said that both the   A2B   regions need to focus on investment facilitation and pro-   97?   '     #  tection. Speaking at the function,    Markus J. Beyrer, Director         (  General of Business Europe – Confederation of European )  )6376/*+ finance ministry has asked Jaipur: Chief Minister Mr Business, said he  &8&A+ 4.6 per cent to Rs 1,757.0 crore PSBs to be extra vigilant and  )6376/*+ to the conditions and the direc- has approved completely agreed with CII as against Rs 1,680.0 crore in he finance ministry has immediately report back any tions or exemptions issued by the proposal of allotting 15 Director General on resuming andhan Bank on Saturday the corresponding quarter of Tasked public sector banks attempt Cairn makes to legal- he Centre is providing con- the ministry. acres of land in village the FTA talks. Breported an 80 per cent the previous year. (PSBs) to be on high vigil ly attach the deposits, two Tditional exemption for This exemption shall be Sambhara of Pachpadra tehsil Confederation of decline in its net profit for the Its gross non-performing against any attempt being made sources aware of the matter experimental drone flights for valid for a period of one year for the construction of a hos- Portuguese Business President quarter ended March at Rs asset (GNPA) as on March 31, to seize their overseas deposits said. vaccine delivery as part of its from the date of approval of the pital to HPCL Rajasthan António Saraiva informed that 103.03 crore. 2021 was at 6.8 per cent against to recover USD 1.2 billion that This will allow the Indian endeavour to enhance the SOP or until further orders, Refinery Limited, a joint ven- CII has inked an MoU with During the same period of 7.1 per cent as on December the UK’s Cairn Energy plc has government to quickly take scope of drone usage in the whichever is earlier, said the ture of the central and State them to increase business the FY20, the bank had report- 31, 2020. been awarded against India legal recourse to prevent the country and assist the fight statement from the Civil Government. cooperation between the two ed a net profit of Rs 517.28 Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, levying retrospective taxes, assets from being taken over, against Covid-19 pandemic, Aviation Ministry. With the approval of Shri countries. India’s exports to EU crore. Managing Director and CEO of sources said. they said adding that this has said an official statement. Last month, the Gehlot, the personnel working member countries stood at The sharp decline in prof- Bandhan Bank said: “A very Cairn had previously stat- been done out of abundant cau- The Ministry of Civil Government of Telangana was in the refinery area and the about USD 54 billion in 2019- it came on the back of higher challenging year ended on a ed that it can seize Indian tion and funds with banks are Aviation and Directorate granted conditional exemp- regional people will be able to 20, while imports aggregated at provisioning. During the last positive note with growth and assets abroad if it is not paid not of Govt of India but of pub- General of Civil Aviation have tion for conducting experi- get better medical facilities. USD 52 billion. quarter of FY21, Bandhan collection coming back to nor- USD 1.2 billion plus interest lic.A nodal officer has been granted conditional exemption mental delivery of Covid-19 Bank’s provisions rose to Rs malcy. With accelerated provi- and cost that an international appointed to deal with this sub- to the Government of vaccines within Visual Line of 1,594.30 crore, compared to Rs sioning and write off, we are arbitration panel had awarded ject in the finance ministry for Telangana for conducting Sight (VLOS) Range using 827.36 crore in the corre- now well placed as we enter FY against levy of retrospective escalating the matter to the experimental Beyond Visual drones. sponding quarter of the previ- 22. We remain cautious but taxes. competent authorities for the Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone To accelerate the drone ous fiscal. confident as we deal with the Cash of Indian banks lying further action, the sources flights for delivery of vac- deployment process to formu- The bank’s net interest Covid-19 second wave. in nations such as the US and added. The sources also said cines. Exemption has been late application-based models, income (NII) rose 4.6 per cent “We remain committed to the UK are said to be easy tar- banks are keeping enough granted from Unmanned the grant has been extended to at 1,757 crore as against a,1,680 our strategy that we have pre- get for seizing and enforcing funds in their nastro account so Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, Beyond Visual Line of Sight crore in Q4FY20. sented last quarter of granular, the arbitration award. that they can carry on activity 2021. (BVLOS). The Net Interest Income diversified and quality growth,” To guard against such of trade finance and other This exemption shall be The trials may commence (NII) for the quarter grew by Ghosh said. cash being taken over, the overseas businesses. subject to complete adherence by end of May 2021. $   .       P 28C:56                   Dehradun:The Govt on Saturday said an amount of 198.64 crore  )6376/*+ to make polluters pay for environmen- has been given to public and cooperative sector sugar mills for making imme-   tal pollution in India’s choking cities. diate payment to sugarcane growers.The amount was made available after Chief ith the government imposing a While welcoming the move as a step Minister was apprised with the situation, the state’s Minister Seoul:South Korea has said it Wgreen tax on old polluting vehicles, in the right direction, Indian Auto for SugarcaneDevelopment and Sugar Industries Swami Yatishwaranand said. plans to expand investment Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC) is LPG Coalition has suggested that penal- and tax incentives for the semi- advocating the need for this deterrent ising polluters should be accompanied conductor segment in line with to be accompanied by incentives to peo- by reward for users of clean fuels. efforts to foster the non-mem- ple shifting to cleaner alternative fuels “India’s choking cities need to shift ory chip industry and cope with such as auto LPG. a large number of their private vehicles the global supply shortages of The Union Ministry for Road to clean alternative fuels immediately automotive chips. “To cope Transport and Highways recently and pushing consumers to switch their with the supply shortages in the approved a proposal to levy a ‘green tax’ existing vehicles to clean alternatives is automotive chips, we plan to on old vehicles in a bid to curtail pol- the quickest way to achieve this. This is focus on expanding support for lution and push consumers to switch to why a penalty for polluters must also be the 8-inch wafer foundry indus- environmental-friendly alternatives. accompanied by reward or incentives for try,” new Industry Minister Notably, hybrid vehicles and vehi- citizens switching to clean fuels to Moon Sung-wook said during cles running on clean alternative fuels make it more impactful,” said Suyash his visit to Silicon Mitus, a local such as LPG, CNG and ethanol will be Gupta, Director General, Indian Auto fabless company. exempt from this tax. The initiative aims LPG Coalition. #$ '!#&) 0&) 123 "  *

   

(        0G+7$%   -  #;      ;     (           -  #7    ;Q 0&&0)Q86+6     //A08((60+7  Are steroids helpful?  What is this new strain? ")  ")  Corticosteroids, or a more commonly used term steroids, Viruses and other pathogens are known to are a type of anti-inflammatory drugs. This drug is used mutate and differentiate by nature. to treat many conditions in which the body’s defense sys- @) #;   According to the WHO, a virus replicates tem doesn’t work properly and causes tissue damage. or makes copies of itself, which is usual. $-=$ ):<=$ #R Steroids have proven to help patients in the COVID-19 fight. These changes, by definition, are called .  1 But if the patient does not have serious systemic inflam- “mutations”. A virus with one or more new )$A=:,< ?#*  mation, a steroid might backfire. It may hamper the mutations is referred to as a variant of the #+    immune system’s ability to fight the virus. original virus. #*@ 7  @) @)  When does one start them? Mutations in viruses — including the coro- ?#9    )  @  CRP tests (Blood levels of a substance called C-reactive navirus causing the COVID-19 pandem-   R protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation) are standard.  ic — are neither new nor unexpected. All Should lung CT be done? Who qualifies?      $<= $= $,= If patients’ CRP is high, treatment with steroids, on doc- RNA viruses mutate over time, some COVID-19 pneumonitis is seen in a par-  #&  #(7 '' . $  1 tor’s advice, can cut the risk of death or ventilation by 77 more than others. For example, flu virus- ticular pattern on HRCT and is a quick- #(  # (+     per cent. es change often, which is why doctors rec- est way to direct treatment. However RT However, the AIIMS Director has warned against taking ommend that you get a new flu vaccine PCR is the gold standard test to establish $= $,= ?#7  @ .0     1 steroids in the early stages of the infection, which can lead every year." diagnosis. #(  ?#(&/.   to severe viral pneumonia. The three infamous COVID variants The test is recommended only to those P'' .0     1  What are the steps/precautions to be taken by people which are said to carry the most risks- ones who need it. Inexplicable exposure can lead < 1 D#(O'   with comorbidities? which have emerged from Kent, UK ( to cancer risk. The timing and the patient #(K .    By definition, Comorbidities is when a person has more B.1.1.7 variant), South Africa (B.1.351 vari- selection is paramount. .0 1 P#(7OP' .? 1 than one underlying health-related conditions at once. If ant) and Brazil (B.1.1.28.1 or P.1 variant)  What is the purpose of lung CT as ?#(G J O# (@)W7.   patients with milder symptoms but comorbidities consume are all variations of the original virus strain. opposed to a cbc blood test which will K.0 1   1 steroids with medical consultation can lead to increased A double mutation, however, emerges show infection in any case? D#(7OP'  risk for medication-related adverse effects such as delir- when two mutations of a virus strain come CT Scan helps doctors decide about the .+    ;  $$$:,>=:,< ium. In such cases the viral infection may less likely to ben- together to form a third, super infectious severity of disease. Also in some cases efit from corticosteroids. strain. where RT PCR is negative we treat patients R 1    #+      '   ;  Under what conditions are they to be taken?  Should blood thinners be taken? For on the lines of COVID if HRCT suggests & @    O .    It has been seen that patients with severe COVID-19 can whom? do. The timing and the patient selection       1 develop a systemic inflammatory response that can lead Doctors decide on the use of blood thin- is very important when it comes to CT    to lung injury and multisystem organ dysfunction. In such ners on patient to patient basis. Blanket use Scanning. #;  O   cases, corticosteroids of certain potency can help in pre- of blood thinners on every COVID patients L0 '  $  &     (     venting or mitigating the deleterious effects. can be harmful. ;    -  H &      ?#; T    What is potency?    Only a certified medical practitioner can suggest the poten- cy of a particular steroid. A patient’s blood reports and appropriate CT scan can help the doctor to decide the right 9)03(*+(00 but for any disease, but still FDA has given definitely be the norm rather than the excep- tion again? dose of the steroid. it approval so it is the only FDA approved tion. There is no need to get a test done after you  What do Diabetics do? drug without any effective trials in place.  Should children below 10 also wear masks, have got infected. You can actually contin- It has been reported that steroids can increase blood glu-  Are Fabiflu and Remdesivir really helpful? And that is why it is being prescribed every- if a family member tests positive? ue your routine work after 17 days, and there cose levels. These levels need to be controlled to avoid sec- Fabiflu and remdesivir are weak antivirals. where for COVID ICU patients. And that Yes, everyone should be wearing masks if is no need to get retested. But if you do step ondary bacterial and fungal infections. Therefore, experts Remdesivir, as we all know, is being sold in is the reason the demand has shot up so there is a patient in the house even children, out, of course, you can get infected again, have suggested rational use of steroids in diabetic patients. black all over as is fabiflu, which is very sad. much. Similar is the case with favipiravir because this particular strain is causing the there is a very little chance less than 1 per  Why are steroids being recommended now and how are Remdesivir was made 10 years ago as a med- which is available as Fabiflu, there is no actu- disease in children as well. We have seen cent. Also, there is a chance that when you they to be tapered? icine for hepatitis C. Unfortunately, it did- al trial to show that it is beneficial. But still, children as young as 10 months old being step out, you can touch surfaces which have After closely observing its effects, the Union Health n’t work out well. And then it was tried for doctors are prescribing and people are affected. been touched by an infected person and the Ministry has mentioned the use steroids for the treatment Ebola as well. About 500 patient trials buying it.  If you tested positive when to take vaccine? virus can be on your hands. It may not infect of COVID-19 patients in moderate to severe stages of ill- showed that there was no benefit of  Should everybody wear a mask at home, If you have tested positive, it is better to wait you, but your hands and your clothes can ness among other therapeutic measures. Time and dura- Remdesivir and now it has been given emer- at all times? for some time before you take the vaccine. still carry the virus. This way you can def- tion of the medication can only be monitored by a treat- gency approval for COVID as well. But the Wearing a mask every time at home maybe So the recommendation is that you should initely bring the virus home. Hence, you ing doctor. biggest trial that WHO did, solidarity trial too much if there is no infection and if peo- wait for 45 days after you’ve tested positive have to be very careful once you come in.  Can they be taken without prescription? which had more than 12,000 patients ple are not going out, but if somebody is and even longer if you have serious disease. Change your clothes, have a bath, discard No. If these drugs are not taken under the doctors’ guid- showed no benefit of Remdesivir in any going outside and there is a chance that he So if you’ve been in ICU you can wait for your mask, wash your self thoroughly and ance, it may hamper affect natural course of Covid treat- patient on mortality or outcomes. So WHO may bring the infection home, then wear- as long as 90 days. put your clothes in hot water. ment & lead to patients reporting additional side-effects. actually removed the placebo from its list of ing a mask is advisable. Also, if somebody  Can a Covid positive person, after 14 days L 0  //&  0   &,/ .  L0 0* &<  -  & # '    &. # authorised medicines not just for COVID is ill at home then wearing a mask should step out for a test? Is he vulnerable to infec-     F, -    G =58

 Is it mandatory to take the vaccine? tion. If after vaccination, they do experience any consult prior to taking the jab Several international studies have proved that however advised to wait at the vaccination cen- Anyone above the age of 18 can get the vaccine complication, they must contact their doctors Those with autoimmune disorders vaccination has no clinical effect on the foetus. tre for 30 minutes after receiving the shot to in accordance with the Government guidelines. immediately. Post vaccine precautions are Those with allergies to a particular food item Even the United States based Centre for ensure that no adverse reaction occurs. So, it is advisable that everyone take the vac- same for everyone. Those who are immuno-compromised and on Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has Patients who have had a history of severe aller- cine as soon as they possibly can. Since the vac-  Is it better to donate plasma/ blood before get- steroids advised that pregnant women can get vacci- gic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous cine builds up immunity, it is in everyone’s inter- ting the vaccine or after? Those on blood thinning medication nated. However, no such clinical data is avail- dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or any of its com- est to get vaccinated. Donating plasma or blood depends on when a Those having got a rare case of severe allergic able about the vaccines currently available in ponents, are advised to avoid vaccination.  How long do those having recovered from person gets infected with Covid and receives an reaction to the first vaccine India. Hence it is advisable that pregnant  How many doses of COVID-19 vaccines are COVID-19 have to wait before they can get RT PCR positive report. The most appropriate  Is it safe for women to get vaccinated during women consult their personal gynaecologist given? their vaccine? Can a person test Covid posi- time to donate plasma or blood is one month their periods? before making their decision. Two vaccination doses, 4 to 8 weeks days apart, tive soon after getting vaccinated? post recovery from infection, as the immuni- Menstruation is a completely natural process  If one is on medications for ailments like can- must be received to complete the COVID-19 The waiting period for the vaccine is one month ty is at its peak at that time. which doesn’t hamper the immunity level. cer, diabetes, hypertension etc., can they still vaccination schedule. post recovery. If exposed to the virus, a person  How soon can a person, who has been vacci- Similarly, there is no clinical evidence to sug- take the vaccine?  Can I take over-the-counter pain killers may get Covid positive as it takes time to build nated for some other infection like anti-rabies, gest any adverse effects of vaccination during This population is at a higher risk of compli- before or after COVID-19 vaccination? immunity against the virus after vaccination. get vaccinated? menstruation. Hence it is advisable for all cations from Covid infection hence, it should It is not recommended to take pain killers before Although the severity of infection reduces dras- There must be a two-week gap between the women to get vaccinated without worrying be a priority for all of them to get vaccinated COVID-19 vaccination. However, you can take tically after the second dose to an extent that Covid vaccine and any other such vaccine. about their menstrual cycle. as soon as possible so that they can build immu- such medication after COVID-19 vaccination, they may be asymptomatic. In general, a per- Hence, one can get the jab two weeks after their  Tips for pregnant women and lactating nity against Covid at the earliest. unless contraindicated by your vaccine admin- son will be immune from infection, two weeks current vaccine or they can get another vaccine mothers on vaccination.  What precautions must severe asthma istrator. after the second dose of vaccine. But they may only two weeks after their Covid vaccine. Vaccines used in international studies are dif- patients take before getting their jabs?  When will I develop antibodies after taking infect others, so it is advised to still follow mask-  Are there any precautions that one needs to ferent from the ones available here, and we have Asthma is an allergic condition, so some asth- the vaccination? ing, hand hygiene and social distancing norms observe post vaccination? no data to suggest that vaccine use is advisable matic patients may have certain allergies like Protective antibody levels are generally devel- for the safety of others. It is advised to take rest for a day or two as one for pregnant women. We also lack any data cor- allergy to a particular drug, hence they must oped after two weeks of receiving the second  Should people be empty stomach before may develop mild fever, body ache or a roborating the safety of vaccination in lactat- inform the vaccine officer about this and dose of COVID-19 vaccine. taking the jab? headache or may even feel dizzy. Therefore, it ing mothers. accordingly get the jab. If they have faced an  Can I get COVID-19 from the vaccine? They can eat, stay hydrated, and take their med- is appropriate to rest post a jab. However, pregnant women and lactating moth- allergic reaction to any vaccine (not COVID) No. COVID-19 vaccines are free from any live ications as well. There are no special prerequi-  What are the commonly experienced side- ers can consult their gynaecologist to ascertain in the past, they must inform the vaccine offi- virus. The currently available vaccines are pre- sites to taking the vaccine. effects post vaccination? if the risk of exposure to Coronavirus is cer about this as well. They also should take their pared from a small RNA piece (free from virus).  What are the tips for those suffering from The common side effects observed post Covid greater than the risk of vaccination and decide regular medications, even on the day of vacci- It helps in activating a person’s immune cells such conditions as hypertension and sugar vaccine are headaches, body aches, mild fever, accordingly if they should opt for vaccination. nation. to manufacture antibodies against the viral spike problems if they feel sick after getting their inoculation pain or stiffness in the arm and Since there is no clinical evidence to suggest that  Can people with skin diseases such as psori- protein, signifying that if or when a person gets jab? dizziness. the pregnant or lactating women are more like- asis and vitiligo get the vaccine? exposed to the virus, he or she will already have When they come for vaccination, they must  Who all are not eligible for the vaccine? ly to be infected by COVID-19 than the gen- There is no evidence to support that people with defensive antibodies in their system. ensure that their blood pressure and sugar lev- Anyone experiencing high fever should any way eral population, they should maintain a nutri- skin diseases should avoid vaccination against  Can COVID-19 vaccine cause infertility in els are normal and under control. If due to some not be taking the vaccine tious diet, high on vitamins, micronutrients and Covid-19. The vaccine is safe for patients on men or women? reason, the levels are fluctuating, they should The following need to consult their doctors before proteins, wash hands regularly, wear mask if immunosuppressive or biologic drugs such as There is no scientific evidence that COVID- avoid taking the vaccine until under control. taking the vaccine: going out and maintain social distancing. Omalizumab, Secukinumab etc. as well. People 19 vaccine causes infertility in men or women. They should ensure that they take their med- Those already infected with Covid  Is it safe for the baby in the womb if the preg- with allergies to food/ pets/ dust/ pollution/ latex ications on time, even on the day of vaccina-  Pregnant women and lactating mothers must nant mother takes the vaccination? etc. can also take the vaccine safely. They are L-    #$ '!#&) 0&) 123 %)

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 ( 0# 0     (     )6376/*+ India’s first-choice left-arm pacer T Natarajan, who played )  )6376/*+ eft-arm pace bowler Arzan the fourth Test against LNagwaswalla was “speech- Australia in Brisbane, is ndian cricketers will complete an $    less” before his eyes were injured, Nagwaswalla could be eight-day hard quarantine period filled with tears on Friday in line to follow the path of the Iin Mumbai before leaving on June Chennai: IPL team Chennai Super bution. when he received news of his Tamil Nadu pacer. 2 for a marathon tour of United Kings has extended support to the The first consignment of Oxygen selection as a standby to Natarajan went as an Kingdom, where they will play six Test people of Tamil Nadu in their fight concentrators has arrived and the Indian squad for the England uncapped player to Australia matches including the marquee World against Covid-19 by arranging for the remaining is expected to reach early tour. but made debut in all three Test Championship final against New delivery of 450 oxygen concentrators next week. “I called up mom and formats and also impressed. Zealand. for the affected patients. CSK has been spreading aware- dad the first thing after I India play the World Test The BCCI is still carrying out Chennai Super Kings Cricket ness through Mask Podu (Wear came to senses. I was so excit- Championship final in June negotiations regarding the duration of Ltd (CSKCL) Director R Srinivasan Mask) campaign and regular distri- ed,” Nagwaswalla said from and then five Test matches 10 days of soft quarantine (training handed over an Oxygen concentra- bution of relevant information Nargol on Saturday. against England in August- allowed) for players after reaching the tor to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK through their social media plat- The 23-year-old player was September. An injury to a UK where they will be based for three Stalin, on Saturday in the presence of forms, the release said. returning from Delhi where he bowler could provide and half months. TNCA president Rupa Gurunath. "The people of Chennai and was a net bowler with the Nagwaswalla with an oppor- “Indian team will have eight days Bhoomika Trust, an NGO Tamil Nadu form the very heartbeat Mumbai Indians, after the tunity. of hard quarantine (confined to hotel involved in Covid-19 relief opera- of the Super Kings and we want them Indian was Nagwaswalla calls the rooms) in India with mandatory neg- tions, helped CSKCL in arranging the to know that we are all together in this postponed due to the raging stint at MI nets fruitful. ative RT-PCR reports on second, supply of the Oxygen concentrators fight against the pandemic,” CSK Covid-19 pandemic. “It was a great experi- fourth and seventh day required to and will also coordinate in the distri- CEO KS Viswanathan said. PTI “I did not expect the call. ence. I got an opportunity to board the flight,” a senior BCCI offi- Everyone has confidence that bowl to some good batsmen. cial said on Saturday. August 4. the second jabs in the UK as it’s the I would get through one day I spoke to Zaheer sir. If I “Since we have a bubble to bubble Oxford vaccine. or the other. I also had that would have remained at home, transfer, it needs to be seen if the dura- PRASIDH & VACCINATION confidence. (But) this was nothing would have happened tion of the 10-day quarantine can be The BCCI is also confident that all GANGULY, SHAH TO BE IN UK very unexpected and surpris- because of the lockdown. So, reduced a bit. However players during the players will get their first dose of BCCI president Sourav Ganguly ing,” said Nagwaswalla. it was great that I could prac- soft quarantine can go for training. In vaccine before embarking on their and secretary Jay Shah are expected to Nagwaswalla thinks of tice and kept doing training,” any case, Hotel Hilton where the journey to the UK. However it will be be present in Southampton for the himself being a left-armer he added. teams will be put up in Southampton, difficult for Prasidh Krishna, who has WTC final. was an advantage that helped It was a dream come true is a part of the Ageas Bowl property,” tested positive, to get vaccinated “Both president and secretary are him make cut. “Maybe to be with former India pacer the source added. before leaving for UK. supposed to be present during the because I am a left-arm fast Zaheer, MI director of crick- In case it’s a 10-day quarantine, the “You have a gap between the time World Test Championship final as of bowler (I was picked). I am et operations, since he had fol- Indians will be allowed to move you test negative for Covid-19 and get now,” the source added. young. That is the only thing. lowed him while growing up around the city from June 13 while the your vaccination. So even if Prasidh One could expect them having Also, my last season went and was inspired by him. WTC final against New Zealand will tests negative by May 18th or 20th, he some discussions with ECB brass well,” he said. “He didn’t do much on start on June 18. would need a four week gap before he with regards to the option of hosting The pace bowler, the bowling aspect. He It is also learnt that looking at the However it is still not clear after the WTC final when there is a gets his first dose,” the source said. the remaining 31 games of IPL in the who represents Gujarat said it is fine, just that if length of the tour, players’ families will whether the WAGS and children will substantial gap of more than a month If all Indian players get Covishield United Kingdom apart from various in Ranji Trophy, has you train well, you will accompany them. join from the start of the tour or come before the start of the Test series on vaccine in India, it will be easier to get ICC policy decisions. picked 62 wickets in 16 see more benefit in your first-class matches. He bowling. He asked me to took 41 wickets in eight train well. He told me matches in the 2019-20 certain technical things,” (()Q+  , Ranji Trophy sea- said Nagwaswalla. son. “I was left- Former handed. That )  *+(*8* his franchise. stand-by on Friday, is the fourth Gujarat was my advan- “It’s really unfortunate for KKR player to have contracted coach Vijay tage. We did- ew Zealand’s wicketkeeper- Tim and we’ll do everything for the dreaded virus. Patel calls n’t have too Nbatsman Tim Seifert, who him that we can from this end, “Prasidh is Covid positive him a many left- represented Kolkata Knight and hopefully he will be able to and currently in home isolation in “swing armers in our Riders in the postponed 2021 test negative, and be cleared and Bengaluru,” a BCCI source said. bowler and district or edition of IPL, has tested positive approved for discharge as soon as According to the BCCI someone even state for Covid-19 and will not be on he’s well again. source, both Krishna and Warrier who has level. I used the charter flight back home Once Seifert serves the statu- contracted the virus from come to watch with other players and support tory period of isolation and tests Chakravarthy during one of the through Zaheer and I staff. negative for Covid-19, he will be training sessions. He said age-group got interested He will, instead, stay in iso- transferred back to New Zealand Krishna is Chakravarthy’s close cricket”. in bowling lation in Ahmedabad before where he will serve the manda- friend. “Yes, I fast,” he said. returning to Chennai, where he tory 14-day period of managed “Prasidh like all India players am a swing The pacer will be treated at a private hos- isolation. left bubble on May 3 after getting bowler. My could become pital. Seifert failed both his pre- KKR pacer Prasdih Krishna two negative results. However on speed is the first crick- departure RT-PCR tests and “is also tested positive for coron- reaching Bengaluru he tested 130-135, eter in India’s experiencing moderate symp- avirus and is in quarantine in his positive,” the source said. but I try to main squad toms.”   $  K$$;  home town Bengaluru, a BCCI The BCCI is hoping that by swing the from the Parsi < )   ?  7  '/ ;     New Zealand Cricket (NZC) source said. the time the UK-bound players ball,” community     728 :M.      chief executive David White said up to his pre-departure proto- The 25-year-old Krishna, enter the bio-bubble in India on Nagwaswalla after 46 years   :<         Seifert had returned seven neg- cols, and was confident he would who was named in the Indian May 25, Krishna will test nega- explained. since Farokh Engineer   & ?   #&N  ;     : ative tests in the 10 days leading be receiving the best of care from squad for the England tour as a tive. While played in 1975. Abid headlines Pak’s dominant day  "'5 !# '$" !" ' >  ""%  $// 6    ) *6 lunch on Saturday but took a hammering during the after- London: Former England cap- England. went on to win to take the first akistan took total control on noon as Abid and Nauman tain Kevin Pietersen wants the “Mid-to-late September is step on the road to becoming Pthe second day of the sec- plundered 169 off 199 balls for remaining matches of this year’s the most beautiful time in the Formula One’s most successful ond Test against Zimbabwe at the eighth wicket. postponed IPL to be shifted to UK. They could use Manchester, driver. Harare Sports Club on The innings ended in the United Kingdom in Leeds, Birmingham and the He drew level and overtook Saturday, outclassing the home bizarre circumstances. September, instead of the UAE. two London grounds. There is Schumacher’s record haul of 91 side with both bat and ball to Nauman was 93 not out at Pietersen feels moving the also a good chance that crowds wins last season and leads the take a big step towards sealing tea. He hit the first ball after the IPL to UK would be the best will be allowed in the grounds. drivers’ standings this season as a 2-0 series victory. interval for four but lifted his decision as there is a window in And there will be great atmos- he goes for an unprecedented Zimbabwe were 52 for four back foot after left-arm spinner September just after England pheres. eighth world crown. at the close in reply to Pakistan’s Tendai Chisoro bowled a wide. host India in a five-match Test “The IPL has been to the Verstappen, eight points 510 for eight declared, 458 Wicketkeeper Regis series that concludes on UAE; it’s been to South Africa, behind Hamilton in the nip and runs behind. Chakabva reacted quickly and September 14. and I think England would now tuck battle for the drivers’ crown Opening batsman Abid Ali took off the bails, with a tele- “I have seen people talking be the perfect place to house the after the first three races, at last made 215 not out and Nauman vision replay confirming that about the UAE as a possible des- remaining fixtures,” Pietersen has a car up to the job of Ali slammed 97 before being Nauman was out. tination to finish the IPL in said. mounting a serious title chal- stumped off a wide. He had hit 97 off 104 balls September, but I actually think lenge. The Zimbabwe innings got with five sixes and nine fours. the IPL should move to the UK. PANT DONATES  ) A6/0) record-extending 98th win in The Dutch driver got to off to a bad start when 36-year- Having scored most of his “There is a window in India wicketkeeper bats- Sunday’s race. within 0.036sec to Hamilton’s old debutant Tabish Khan runs behind or square of the September after the England vs man Rishabh Pant on Saturday orld champion Lewis “I’ll always remember that fastest lap on Saturday to join struck in his first over before a wicket in scoring his first 150, India Test series has finished. All joined the fight against the rag- WHamilton celebrated his one,” he beamed. him at the head of the run had been scored. Friday. Abid blossomed with some the best Indian players would ing COVID-19 pandemic, 100th pole on Saturday after set- Alongside the 36-year-old Montmelo circuit grid, with Three more wickets fell Kaia was Zimbabwe’s top- handsome drives during the already be there, and all of the pledging an undisclosed amount ting the fastest time in qualify- Briton on the front row in Valtteri Bottas in the second before the close and Zimbabwe scorer with 48 when Zimbabwe afternoon. best English players would be to procure oxygen cylinders ing for the Spanish Grand Prix. Barcelona will be his Red Bull Mercedes and Charles Leclerc looked in desperate trouble were routed by an innings and Abid faced 407 balls and available as well,” Pietersen wrote with beds and kits for the affect- The Mercedes driver’s latest title rival Max Verstappen. for Ferrari on the second row. with Roy Kaia not coming out 116 runs in the first Test of the hit 29 fours in beating his pre- in a column for Betway. ed patients. The 23-year-old milestone puts him 32 clear of Hamilton reached his cen- Hamilton has a superb to bat after being struck a two-match series. vious highest score in Tests of The 40-year-old said the said he will donate the amount Michael Schumacher in the all- tury 14 years after securing his record in Catalonia, winning the heavy blow on his left knee Zimbabwe’s bowlers com- 174 against Sri Lanka in weather in September would be to Hemkunt Foundation, a time pole chart and leaves him maiden pole in the Canadian race in each of the last four years while fielding at short leg on peted reasonably well until Karachi in 2019/20. ideal to host cricket matches in Gurugram-based NGO. PTI in prime position to secure a Grand Prix in 2007, which he with five wins altogether. ; &     ,     Q$   (     R       ) C7)6C outbreak remains much small- on there being no vaccine, so )   )6376/*+ " A    er than in many countries, with that situation has improved. nternational Olympic just over 10,500 deaths, its The Games will go ahead.” ndian women’s hockey cap- ICommittee vice-president vaccine rollout is moving slow- US drugs giant Pfizer and Itain Rani Rampal, her six )   0;+ John Coates was adamant on ly and polls show most its German partner BioNTech team-mates and two support Saturday that nothing could Japanese people support can- on Thursday announced a deal staff members have recovered eema Bisla added a Gold stop the Tokyo Olympics from cellation or another delay. with the IOC to provide vac- from Covid-19 infection after Smedal to her Olympic qual- going ahead, despite ongoing Coates, the point man for cines to competitors and staff spending two weeks in quaran- ification but India’s Greco risks from Covid-19. the Games as head of the at the Games. tine at the Sports Authority of Roman wrestlers drew a blank Asked if there was any sce- IOC’s coordination commis- Coates said it was a big step India’s (SAI) Centre in at the World Olympic Qualifiers nario in which the Games, sion, said a huge amount of forward. Bengaluru. as none of them could earn a which are due to start on July work had been done to ensure “All of the precautions that The six other India players Tokyo Games quota, here on 23, could be cancelled or post- the safety of athletes and the we have been taking are aimed are Savita Punia, Sharmila Devi, Saturday. poned again at this late stage, Japanese public. at the health of the athletes and Rajani, Navjot Kaur, Navneet Seema, who secured her he replied: “No, there’s not. “We spent the first half of the health of the people of Kaur and Sushila while the Olympic qualification on Friday, “The Prime Minister of      &  &    )9L9L!    last year identifying all the Japan,” he said, denying the two support staff are video took the 50kg Gold without get- Japan said that to the President  &# &     &   = '      worst-case scenarios,” he told IOC was putting sport and analyst Amrutaprakash and ting on mat as her rival from of the United States two or             ' reporters in Sydney on the financial considerations before scientific advisor Wayne Ecuador, Lucia Yamileth Yepez was Gurpreet Singh but he was three weeks ago. He continues sidelines of the Australian health. Lombard. Guzman withdrew from the ousted after losing his 77kg to say that to the IOC. President Joe Biden in April be raised about the viability of Olympic Committee’s annual “We’ve put an amazing “Thank you everyone for final due an injury. pre-quarterfinal in just 48 sec- “We’re working with him and stressed the Asian nation the Games, given the ongoing general meeting. amount of work into the pro- the love and mental support It is first International title onds to 2020 European cham- (Japanese Prime Minister is doing everything possible to pandemic and a virus state of “We spent the next six cedures that ensure the safety through messages/calls during for 29-year-old Seema since she pion Rafig Huseynov from Yoshihide Suga) on all of the contain Covid-19 infections emergency in Tokyo and other months looking at the counter- of the athletes through testing the last two weeks. Me and my triumphed at the Yasar Dogu Azerbaijan. safety measures. It’s going and hold a “safe and secure” parts of Japan being extended measures that are necessary. ... boosted now by all athletes teammates and support staff are event in July 2019. All Greco Roman wrestlers ahead.” Olympics. on Friday. “We’re implementing those around the world now having fully recovered from the Covid In the Greco Roman com- cut a sorry figure as none of Suga held talks with US But questions continue to While Japan’s Covid-19 countermeasures, predicated access to the vaccine.” now,” Rani said in a statement petition, India’s brightest hope them could win a bout. on her Twitter handle. #$ '!#&) 0&) 123 %))

,   ( (   6 #  Leeds: Leeds beat managerless Tottenham 3-1 on Saturday to    R+(" 0       put a huge dent in Spurs’ ambi- tions of securing a coveted )  &)*6(6 Premier League top-four spot. the competition regardless of Son Heung-min cancelled o title celebrations yet the domestic placing, but out Stuart Dallas’s early goal for for Manchester City, just Chelsea would have to over- Leeds midway the first half but Nso much frustration. come City again in three weeks Patrick Bamford restored the Losing to Chelsea 2-1 on in the final. home side’s lead shortly before Saturday left City still needing It wasn’t much of a dress the break and substitute one win from its remaining rehearsal for the Champions Rodrigo struck late on. three games to clinch a third League final. More of a stage Spurs, who sacked Jose English Premier League title in for understudies. Mourinho last month, remain four seasons. How much is Guardiola seven points behind fourth- Surely that’s enough breath- regretting making nine changes placed Leicester and now have ing space to hold on to top spot from the City side that beat just three games left. and for Sergio Agüero not to be Paris Saint-Germain here on It means Tottenham, beat- regretting the fluffed penalty Tuesday? en Champions League finalists Mason. “Today was a massive when City’s lead could have “We played a system we’re in 2019, are almost certain to “Leeds know what they’re game for us, to lose it hurts. It’s been doubled in first-half stop- not used to,” Sterling said after miss out on playing in Europe’s doing, they play a certain way difficult to win in the Premier page time just after Raheem Guardiola played Rodri as the elite club competition for a sec- and it took us a while to get into League but we’ve got to have Sterling’s opener. only midfielder. ond consecutive season. the game,” Mason told BT our full attention on next week Rather than blasting the But Tuchel also made five They even face a fight to Sport. “In the second half we now.” kick into the net, City’s record changes from Wednesday’s vic- qualify for the Europa League were the better team. The Meanwhile, Leeds climbed scorer nonchalantly chipped a tory over Real Madrid and it after their first league defeat moments we had, you have to above Arsenal into ninth place Panenka penalty centrally lack- paid off. under interim boss Ryan take them in these games. with the win. AFP ing pace so that it was easily saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy with one hand. No wonder on the substi- /1Q1# tutes’ bench Fernandinho threw his arms in the air and Eric Garcia flung a florescent bib  ) /6+6(6 in the 22nd minute at the King end, are now in danger of fresh over his head. Power Stadium as he scored in Champions League heartache In the second half, the City ewcastle United derailed his fourth successive top-flight after they missed out on the top subs were howling in frustra- NLeicester City’s bid to qual- game for the Magpies. And the four of the final day of last sea- tion again, flinging their arms ify for next season’s Champions visitors doubled their lead before son. up. This time, their target was  ? ) =  & & ? -  ' &  &#          @    League with a 4-2 win on Friday half-time with a rare goal from Their three remaining referee Anthony Taylor. -     D     -     ' that all but secured their place . league games are all against Chelsea defender Kurt in the Premier League. Callum Wilson appeared teams currently in the top six, Zouma clipped Sterling in the properly,” Sterling said. “I for Chelsea that spoiled the this victory for Chelsea away Defeat left Leicester fourth, to put the result beyond doubt with Brendan Rodgers’ men penalty area but no second thought the VAR was here to party. from the title race, as the west a point behind Chelsea and five with two second-half goals for travelling to Man United on spot kick was awarded, howev- help.” There’s still time to get the London club moved into third ahead of West Ham, with Newcastle. Tuesday before they face Chelsea er much City manager Pep In 2012 it was a stoppage job done. In fact, the title place having been five points Hammers having a game in Marc Albrighton and and Tottenham after their Guardiola berated fourth offi- time goal — by Agüero — that could be won before City plays from the four Champions hand over the Foxes. Only the however, Wembley clash with the Blues. cial Jonathan Moss — appeal- sealed City’s first Premier again on Friday if second- League places when Frank top four at the end of the both scored inside the final 10 “We lacked concentration ing in vain for a full VAR League trophy with almost the placed Manchester United loses Lampard was fired in January Premier League season qualify minutes for Leicester before and if you do that against good review. last kick of the season. Nine any of its three games before and Thomas Tuchel was hired. for the Champions League. Newcastle saw out the game. teams and good players they “I don’t know how it’s not years later, it was Marcos then. Winning the Champions Joe Willock, on loan from Leicester, who face Chelsea punish you,” Rodgers told Sky been a penalty or reviewed Alonso scoring in injury time There’s a significance to League would clinch a spot in Arsenal, fired Newcastle in front in the FA Cup final next week- Sports. +       <         &  ) &+/) beat Spezia 4-1 to move     - (0A   -   second in on nter Milan fans cele- Saturday to keep in the )  &8)+*:70(&8)7 Bayern ended the game before running to accept the Ibrated their Serie A title chase for a return to  ) A6/0) with 10 men after Tanguy ball back and score in the 87th. before the match against Champions League foot- ayern Munich clinched its Nianzou was sent after a VAR The injured Erling Sampdoria and the players ball next season. arcelona and Atletico Madrid knew victory Brecord-extending ninth consultation for taking down Haaland celebrated enthusias- marked the occasion by Piotr Zielinski had Bcould fire them towards the La Liga title but consecutive title Breel Embolo as the last tically. Dortmund is hoping the turning on the style in a 5- opened the scoring after a Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Camp Nou handed Real without even kicking a ball, defender in the 73rd. star striker will be fit for 1 win. quarter of an hour against Madrid the chance to go top. then celebrated with a 6-0 It made no difference. Thursday, when the teams Inter won its first the Ligurian side with Four wins from their last four games will rout of Borussia Serge Gnabry set up Leroy meet again in the German Cup league title since 2010 last Osimhen getting two now be enough for Zinedine Zidane’s side to Mönchengladbach on Sané to complete the rout in final. weekend after Atalanta more in the first half and retain their La Liga crown, with a crunch game Saturday. the 85th. Leipzig coach Julian failed to beat Sassuolo on then setting up Hirving at home to fourth-placed Sevilla up first on Robert Lewandowski’s hat Nagelsmann, who is taking Sunday. Lozano for a fourth with Sunday. trick lifted his season tally to 39 DECISIVE DORTMUND over at Bayern next season, was Thousands of fans cel- 11 minutes to go. The first part of a blockbuster weekend in goals, just one off the all-time Leipzig’s defeat meant it evidently disappointed his cur- ebrated in the streets of Napoli are one-point the Spanish title race pitched first against third record of 40 by Bayern great could no longer overhaul rent team couldn’t push the Milan then, and they did ahead of three teams — but neither could take a decisive step forward, Gerd Müller in the 1971-72 Bayern, which held a seven- Bavarian so again in front of San Atalanta, Juventus and AC despite the best attempts of Lionel Messi and Luis season. point lead before the late game. giant Siro on Saturday. They waved flags and for Samp. Andrea Milan — who are tied on Suarez, who faced each other for the first time Bayern was already Two rounds remain after this harder. Around 3,000 fans banners and lit flares. Pinamonti netted his first 69 points before they play since Suarez departed last summer. assured of the title thanks to weekend. were outside the stadium The Inter players were goal for Inter in the 61st, this weekend. A point each leaves Atletico three points old rival Borussia Dortmund “Of course they deserve to to welcome the Inter team given a guard of honor by and Lautaro Martínez Gennaro Gattuso’s clear of Real Madrid, who have a game in hand beating second-placed Leipzig be German champions, after buses. They started gath- Sampdoria when they added a penalty following side had lost 2-1 to Spezia and also the superior head-to-head over both 3-2 earlier. this very good season, ering a couple of hours went out on to the pitch. a handball by Samp mid- in Naples back in January, Atleti and Barcelona. “I think it’s the first time in very consistent sea- before, chanting and Roberto Gagliardini fielder Adrien Silva. but hit back against the Barca remain two points off the top but their history that the German cham- son,” Terzic said of singing as they jumped scored in the fourth relegation-threatened side chances took the biggest hit, given they now need pions were crowned in the Bayern. “But we’re hap- and clapped with little minute, Alexis Sánchez NAPOLI GO 2ND to extend their unbeaten both Atletico and Real Madrid to slip up in the bus,” Dortmund coach Edin pier about the points heed to coronavirus added two in the first half, Victor Osimhen run to 12 consecutive final stretch. Terzic said. that we got today.” restrictions. either side of a Keita goal scored twice as Napoli games. Yet Atletico will be disappointed too, given Bayern moved the celebra- Jadon Sancho they spurned a number of tions to the field. scored twice for chances in during a dominant Lewandowski got the Dortmund to move to first half, before Ronald newly crowned champions off fourth after captain $ "&%" +  #%" " Koeman’s side recovered in the mark in the second minute Marco Reus fired his team the second. and Jamal Musiala pulled the into a seventh-minute lead. Jan Oblak had to deny ball back for Thomas Müller to Sancho capitalized on some )  &7+7 ics of the rival. It gave him to scratch Messi after a vintage run for- score the second goal in the lackluster defending to make it the only set yielded by the winner. ward from the Argentine, 23rd. Müller crossed for 2-0 in the 51st. he Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, 23 Sabalenka was about to give up who then had a well- Lewandowski to score his Germany defender Lukas Tyears old and No 7 in the world, is Madrid due to some physical discom- placed free-kick in the 200th goal for Bayern with a Klostermann pulled one back the new champion of the Mutua Madrid fort. That is why he appreciated the last minute, only for scissors kick in the 34th, and for the visitors in the 63rd, and Open after beating No 1, the Australian help of the physiotherapist. In his favor Atletico to watch the still the home side looked for Leipzig’s equalizer came in the in the final Ashleigh barty, for 6-0, 3- also how he reacted in the third ball spin inches wide. more. 77th when Hwang Hee-chan 6 and 6-4 in 1 hour and 39 minutes. sleeve, when Barty began to show the Atlético Lewandowski set up shrugged off Mats Hummels’ Sabalenka has rolled into the Magic solidity of other days. He lifted two remained winless at Kingsley Coman for the fourth challenge to set up Dani Olmo. Box to stand in the final, which opened break balls with 1-2, once again the Camp Nou before the break, then complet- But Sancho saved the best with a spectacular 6-0 in 25 minutes. yelling out the tension. since Diego ed his hat trick with a penalty for last, playing Raphaël The maximum expression of the pow- At 4-4, suddenly a bad game from Simeone took over in the 66th. Guerreiro in with his heel erful tennis of the Belarusian, who Bary, including a double fault, and as coach in late 2011. breaks every ball without thinking Sabalenka unleashing himself to vic- The team is winless about it. tory, her 10th WTA tournament in 15 in 15 consecutive She also showed her dark side, finals, her second of the season, away matches against those nerves that sometimes betray her which she successfully opened in Abu Barcelona, since 2006. $( ' 1   in relevant events, which opened a way Dhabi. A Masters 1000 WTA in his However, a 1-1 draw at for Barty, who opted to vary her game record, the best square in the rank- the stadium in 2014 was with cut blows and varying heights try- ing rising from the seventh to the enough to clinch Atlético  ) @+ ing to avoid the overwhelming dynam- fourth and a heel of 315,180 euros. its last league title. eymar has signed a contract extension @     Nthat will see him stay at Paris Saint- Germain until the end of the 2024-2025 sea- Lens: leaders Lille held their - .  son, the reigning French champions nerve to win 3-0 at local rivals Lens on announced on Saturday. Friday and put the pressure back on The Brazilian has claimed three Ligue their pursuers who play later in the  ) &7+7 second set, but had too much to 1 titles with PSG since arriving in 2017 from weekend. do to reach a third Madrid final. Barcelona for 222 million euros in what Lille took early control when veter- lexander Zverev produced The Austrian third seed remains the most expensive transfer in his- an Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz con- Aan impressive display to will now turn his attentions to tory. verted a second-minute penalty. beat Dominic Thiem in straight Rome next week and then the “I’m really pleased to continue my They cruised to victory after Lens sets on Saturday and book his French Open which starts later adventure at Paris Saint-Germain,” the 29- defender Clement Michelin was sent off spot in the Madrid Open final. this month, where he is also a year-old said in a club statement after sign- for the second time in the Derby du Fifth seed Zverev, who two-time runner-up. ing a contract extension until June 20, 2025. Nord this season. stunned five-time champion The tournament has seen a “I’m very happy in Paris, and proud to Lille have two matches left and the Rafael Nadal in the quarter- welcome return to form for be part of this squad, to work with these victory puts them four points ahead of finals on Friday, saw off Thiem Zverev, who had won only two players, a great coach and to be part of the reigning champions Paris Saint- 6-3, 6-4 in a repeat of the 2018 matches in his previous three history of this club.” Germain, who visit Rennes on Sunday final, which was also won by the events since lifting the Acapulco PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino said in evening. Third-place Monaco are eight German. title in March. a press conference: “Everyone in the PSG Champions League final where they were points behind with three games to play. “It is going to mean a lot to The world number six will family is happy that a player of Neymar’s tal- beaten by Bayern Munich but the club’s Lens, meanwhile, surrendered their me (if I can win the final) I am be a strong favourite in Sunday’s ent has extended his contract.” chances of reaching the final again were hold on a guaranteed Europa League definitely looking forward to it,” final. Neymar has also won two French Cups crushed by Manchester City on Tuesday — place, dropping below Marseille on said the 24-year-old Zverev, bid- It was Zverev and Thiem’s with PSG, but the major honour that he was and Neymar was ineffectual in the 2-0 semi- goal difference. AFP ding to win the title without first meeting since the latter’s bought by the Qatari-owned club to win, the final second-leg defeat in England. dropping a set, as he did three dramatic triumph in the 2020 Champions League, continues to prove elu- There has frequently been speculation deal in the French capital is not a surprise years ago. US Open final, when he came sive. in Spain that Barcelona wanted to re-sign as he has looked increasingly settled at PSG Thiem threatened a late back from two sets down to win He helped PSG to reach last season’s him, but Neymar’s decision to extend his in recent months. fightback after trailing 4-1 in the 'M &  & #  0  )         7  K') in a deciding-set tie-break. #$ '!#&) 0&) 123 $&&)   ! % # /3B" A    0 (C!7!   52 5     3 06D77  2,      0    0    0 (   2.,3$3,=$,     /3B0  0    0  R  

he rising numbers of  - 1F G&   FGA COVID-19 in the coun-   F   G&  A1 /1 '1 Q ##  $  # try say it all — that there is chaos, carnage and Tcries for help all around. Coronavirus is killing humans but humanity is not dead. People &'  &( R from all walks of life have stepped out from the safety and comforts of their homes to help those in he nation-wide lockdown due to need. Besides helping people get the present pandemic last year led lifesaving medicines, these Tto many people experimenting COVID warriors are also cook- with food and trying out new dishes. So ing food and sending it to fami- much so that they excelled at it and more lies who are unable to cook dur- and more people got inspired with what ing these testing times. these people were doing and more home One such person is Sarika chefs grew. From baking breads to Malhotra Yadav in Anand Lok in Dalgona coffee to made from scratch thin the Capital. For Yadav, the jour- crust pizzas, the list was endless. Groups ney started last year, as soon as the came up where friends and family shared lockdown began. “Last year, due what they had made that day. One such to the pandemic, when the group — House of Kitchens — came up nation-wide lockdown was in Panchsheel Enclave in the Capital with announced, I started distributing Anupriya Singh as its founder. free food to people who were in “When the lockdown happened last need, especially the labour class year, almost everyone was experiment- '  &   $ who found itself jobless, no ing with new dishes at home. People were money and hence no means to scared to order out. We have a group of someone who could provide home- feed their family. Come April 200 in my colony where the women cooked food because the entire family was 2021, the situation is even worse. shared what they had made that day. It down with the virus. Singh only had bak- It is not just the poor who are in is a group to share information and noth- ers in that area but she asked if they could need. This is when I requested my ing else is allowed to be shared here. But provide this service at a nominal rate. full-time maid if she would help due to the COVID-19, there was a Some agreed and the list of demands kept me to cook food and send it to relaxation. People started posting photos going up. A list was prepared that had 12 those in need. Usually, she cooks of what they had cooked. Then a com- chefs with their numbers from HoK will- for four people but she would end petition was announced. After three ing to provide home food and circulat- up cooking for 30-odd people weeks of lockdown and things didn’t ed on social media. everyday which is not easy given open, people started selling the food. Kids “In a few hours, I was bombarded that it is breakfast, lunch and din- are used to ordering out so they started with calls and messages that we needed ner. She readily agreed,” Yadav for him. I agreed. I have tied up From day one calls started com- ordering food from them. Parents allowed food and if you could deliver it there. The says. with a delivery app. I charge a ing in and the process began. it since it was home-cooked and safe,” list was intended for 500 members on my Since then, Yadav has been nominal amount from those who People requesting for lunch and Singh recalls. HoK. I never realised that it would spi- supplying food 30 meals daily. can afford to pay and provide free dinner. To begin with I was pro- This mutual exchange kept everyone ral so much. Messages kept pouring in While it may not sound as if it is food to those who can’t. These viding 60 meals daily. But then it happy and continued for some time. But from volunteers as well willing to provide a big number but it does involve include security guards,” Yadav got too much. I was all alone and there was a problem. The colony is small meals. I kept asking people to check the a lot of time. “I prepare a three- says who is supplying vegetarian it got to me. Now, I only do lunch. and how often could one order the same latest date. No one did. I had no option day menu in advance since I don’t food only. I have tied up with a couple of dishes again and again even though they but to pull down my website. All that it want people to feel as if they are She tells you that sometimes delivery apps. Since I have this tie- were excellent. Two glaring issues came has is a list of 300 home chefs providing eating the same daal or vegetable. the pressure gets to her and her up, it makes it easy to deliver up. First, these people were unable to post food. We keep adding the numbers but Then there are the aged who want maid, Sushita, due to the within seven-eight km,” Roy says. what they were doing. The texts were long there is no time to verify this since we are to eat light food; the young want demands that some people make. He ensures that the meals are messages detailing what they were doing all so busy. Many people thought that this their rajma. So, I add rajma to the “I tell her that it is a matter of cooked with minimum oil and it for that week. One didn’t want to read was a great way to establish a home food daal. Young people like kadhi. time. There are days when peo- is vegetarian so that the patient such long messages. What was missing business. But this service is not for this The elderly don’t want to eat it. ple want to eat sprout cheela or   ;&  $ can easily digest it. “I set a menu was a visual that would attract people and purpose,” Singh explains. A call is made Instead, I made a quick paneer even besan cheela. I tell my kids and stick to it. It is thali concept make things easier. for a quick interview with a tour of the bhurji with panchrangi daal with as well to eat whatever has been and has four things — daal, “I launched House of Kitchen (HoK) kitchen to see the level of hygiene. jeera tadka. This is easy to cook cooked for the day instead of lucky that till now nobody in my and dinner,” Jain says. chawal, roti and sabzi. Daal and with an aim that I would be able to pro- She recently got a request from the and it is nutritious. My work what they want to eat,” Yadav says. family has suffered the way I see He tells you that it would be sabzi are different each day. There vide these home chefs very nominally Bar Association of Delhi to sponsor meals starts at 8 am with breakfast It is not just food that she people suffering today. I lost my much easier if he could just do are people who need an early priced design services. They could either to the lawyers down with COVID-19. which is delivered by 10:30, lunch provides. Once she is done with friend to the virus last week. simple daal, chawal, roti and meal or our Diabetic and can’t eat reach out to people on their own or join From April 18, 2021 till May 3, 2021, they by 1:30 pm and dinner by 8:30 cooking and sending off meals, Sadly, I couldn’t be part of his last sabzi. “Unfortunately, this is not rice. Many of the people I cater my platform with a delivery service and have sent out 2.75 lakh meals by 300 pm. I also send kada. I tell them the rest of her time is spent in journey nor can I go to his house the case people do come up with to our Jains, they don’t want gar- reach out to people living in GK 1, or home chefs across Delhi. This is not all. what I put and if they want, they making arrangements of medi- to pay my condolences in person. their demands and we try to take lic or onions. I try to accommo- Nehru Place or CR park or Defence Singh has a Meals of Wheel initiative as can drink it,” Yadav tells you. cines and oxygen for her staff, But such is life,” Jain says. care of what they want. date everyone's needs. I make a Colony. By September I had 500 cus- well. In this endeavour, Yadav is family and friends. Her son He saw a flier on his Sometimes, there are limitations standard meal that works for tomers and chefs with different groups The van carries 100 lunches and 100 being helped by her son, study- spends time verifying the infor- WhatsApp group 10-15 days so it is not always possible to give everyone. As it is, it takes me for areas like Gurugram, Noida, Delhi dinner meals to LNJP hospital. “To ing in IIT who help her to pack. mation that comes on social back requesting people to come what they want. We have no three-four hours from cutting and had two group. To avoid conflict of inter- begin with we would send the van to Her daughter, in Class XI, helps media. “He and his friends veri- forward and provide home- option but to apologise. The cleaning to cooking,” Roy tells est I don’t add-on chefs from the same other hospitals as well since we didn’t to organise everything else that is fy information that comes over cooked food to those in need. “I only complaints that we got in the you. area serving the same good. Take an know where the need was. But then we needed. Yadav who has an IT various social media platforms, immediately contacted the num- beginning was related to delivery,” He also provides free meals example. If I have four bakers in South went to LNJP and we realised that there company, has put her work on make an Excel sheet and share it ber and offered my services. I Jain says. to a few elderlies who can’t afford Delhi, I will not add a fifth. I can fill the was a genuine need. So now, the van goes hold to provide this service to with parents and family to cir- have two people who help me in Bonku Roy, who is part of the to pay; for others, who can afford group but no one will get a sale. This con- directly to this hospital. These meals are those who need it. “I am not a culate so maximum correct infor- my endeavour. It takes around House of Kitchens (HoK) that to pay the charges are 110 per tinued till April this year. That is when free of cost. But I can’t sponsor 100 meals professional chef. I have an IT mation reaches people,” Yadav three hours to prepare the meals started last year during the lock- meal. There is an interesting people started asking if COVID meals each time. We asked people if they would company. Our aim is to help out says. — from sorting to cutting to final down, and stays in Mayur Vihar story about how he learnt to cook. could be provided. ‘I am down with the sponsor. We now get sponsors for these people in their time of need in our Elsewhere in RK Puram, cooking. We prepare the meals Phase I has been providing food “When I went abroad, I didn’t virus. Can you provide food’? My chefs meals. We got help from a lady in area. I try to restrict myself to Swapan Jain, (39) is out deliver- and even deliver it ourselves to to families in East Delhi. “I am even know how to make tea. It were providing exotic dishes. I reached Singapore who helped us set up the sys- two-three km to supply food. But ing food to those in need. He lost make sure people don’t have to part of the House of Kitchens was a struggle for me. I learnt how out a few chefs in GK who agreed to pro- tem and sent 90,000. Another lady who then I got a request from a fam- his friend to COVID-19 a couple pay extra for delivery. We cater to group of home chefs. The group to cook. I then became part of the vide meals in their area,” Singh recounts. sent 1.5 lakh. Now people ask how many ily in Jor Bagh that their son is of days back but for Jain, his RK Puram, Moti Bagh, Shanti was looking for people who home chef for HoK. While this is This started something totally dif- days left. The minute we are down to two wheat intolerant and could pro- commitment made to the people Niketan and Munirka and pro- could provide food in East Delhi, on hold for now, I will get back ferent. There were people who were writ- days, we get money to get this initiative vide meals that were gluten-free is more important. “I have been vide 50-60 meals daily — lunch I readily agreed to do the same. to it as soon as possible,” Roy says. ing in from Patel Nagar asking if there was going,” Singh says. TO ALL THOSE WHO MOTHER % #    R B ($B,E3$*  0 (     (R  (     

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Restaurants are built for social contact. Eating ty was deeply worried and the sentiment to we were ready to manage inventories well, keep Chef Anuj Wadhawan feels that in order to out gives joy, it allows people to create memories survive was breaking down on an hourly basis. our costs down, halt our expansion plans, survive or stay afloat, “every restaurant should that last a lifetime. I am optimistic that if we are We were the first to close, and last to open. renegotiate terms of trade, and more impor- have a permanent delivery module as well a able to survive this period, we will resurge. We Half of us closed never to open our doors tantly, sit this one out. This time, we knew how proper business plan and not as a backup plan. will not be the same; the numbers will be differ- again, but the rest fought back. We paid our the ball will roll. The backup plan always takes the back-burner ent, the discussions will be different, but we will dues, gave license fees, rents, salaries, electrici- Rahul Gomes Pereira, a celebrated Chef and this is what we saw last year — every have something new that we can build upon. ty bills, got down to a 50 percent capacity, and a friend believes, “the F&B industry has restaurant came up with delivery but once Once the vaccine is available, all this will be invested in new technology, invested to ensure taken to this wave much better than the first. things seemingly reverted to normal, it was behind us. guest and employee safety, worked on contact- The industry as a whole is going through just a backup plan. If this plan would have wrote this about a year ago and till about less everything, surface cleaning, digitised almost a purge of sorts. Good food, great been executed last year in full force, then this February 2021, it was all falling into menus and payment gateways, reduced staff, drinks won’t go out of style and that’s the only year it must have showed some result.” place as predicted. The worst was over, or immunity boosting menus, helped guests to trend that’s going to survive. From the perspec- Saurabh Khanijo, CEO, Kylin Experience, so we presumed. The Vaccine Drive, the cook at home, gave back to the community and tive of a chef, he feels that chefs should under- started delivery under the brand “House of flattening of the curve, the return of the even became Covid warriors ourselves. stand the importance of being involved with Kylin” and is of the opinion that the delivery Ipositive consumer sentiment, revenge buying, Were we prepared for it the first time the business and understanding the numbers business will grow four times from where it new launches in the restaurant and dining-in around? Absolutely not, but we came out with even more post this pandemic. It is important was pre-Covid and the route to success is to ecosystem, and our favourite food awards all plausible solutions, swinging hard to knock to be self-reliant and not at the mercy of deliver restaurant level taste at delivery pricing. seemed to indicate that after languishing in the down our opponent. We were ready to investors or restaurant owners.” deep end after the first coronavirus wave, the embrace and build the new normal as per the    restaurant industry had finally found its feet new rules of engagement, and the consumer     Once we address the elephant in the room, again. played ball too. It was all coming together, the (*6+)7+);007)7 There is no point debating this further. there will be multiple road maps for recovery We also saw leniency in travel restrictions, salaries were almost back to pre-Covid days, Lives win hands down when it is Lives versus and every restaurant establishment, hotel chain the hospitality industry investing heavily in sales were up to 70%, the staff strength was A6G6"6+)78(C(*( Livelihood. We will surely fight the livelihood etc. will create its own unique path. Some will digital-first initiatives, a rise in staycations, all- increasing, the grandiose caterings were hap- A+)"+)08"*/C battle once we win the first war. It’s time to be take more time than the others, some might inclusive packages, contactless dining, chef-led pening and the sentiment to celebrate was O'A+//+0)70// safe, keep your loved ones safe, keep your change the offering, and some might change delivery models, restaurants full to (the new) back. Within the industry we started using the ))8//C)76&@/0C employees safe, customers safe, and take it one their location. capacity, return of the big fat Indian weddings, term “Post Covid” and I think we jumped the day at a time, one win at a time. If we some- From a consumer perspective, safety assur- the Sunday night bazaars, tourism regaining gun. 08)7<&+//+0)@60@/6 how get over this wave, get over the gloom, the ance will be the focal point when making a acceptance in the Maldives, Mussoorie and .0+&CC<&+//+0) road to economic recovery in this sector dining out decision. The consumers will make Goa. We saw it all and became a part of the  ;&+/+61 37+6(/C should not be a cause for concern and we have informed choices basis what has been shared counter punch. We were close to the end of the I can’t say it happened overnight but the +&@(673*6)(*6;+( seen this happening in the last eight odd with them. Even more than the information, it tunnel and it seemed there was enough light turn of events was extremely swift. From a fast- months. will be the on-ground implementation of the there to make it through. paced road to recovery to being the #1 country 3G6*+(#(*6;(6)+(C Srijan Vadhera, GM Hilton Hotels laid-out hygiene and safety standards that will It became an exciting time for food and “in covid terms” broke us badly. For the frater- 3766@/C30+67)7 Bangalore, is as seasoned Hotelier. As he puts make or break any restaurant, bar, club or café. beverage players as the vertical got some due nity, it meant us going back to the drawing (*66)(+&6)((0 it: “Travel is an essential part of our everyday I am an optimist and believe that the places course correction. People who did not have board without new answers to the same old lives and travel makes the world a better place that will survive the Covid onslaught will their skin in the game moved out, the investors problem that has now returned with a 8G+G63A69+)" to live in. While there is a temporary pause, it’s bounce back leaner and stronger. A new nor- moved out, the sharks moved out. There was a vengeance. As I write this piece, we are closed. 703)0))*08/C inevitable that travel will resume sooner than mal yet again awaits the industry and the return to hardcore hospitality that was product We started with a night curfew (surprisingly A+#36366(*6;+( later across the globe. With most governments country, and it would be exciting and extreme- and content centric. We had no surprises on cinemas were on during this time) and are now (0/06 )7/((0 across the world having started the vaccination ly fruitful. the places that did well post the first lockdown. down to a “delivery only” that features as a part drives and Indian government opening up the These were establishments that were built on of essentials. “Bars” cannot deliver alcohol but 0@6)#*/;0;8/067 vaccination for citizens who are 18+ years old,   the core competencies of hospitality, product have recently been made to pay the full )6G6(00@6)08 I’m fairly optimistic that some amount of nor- We need the government to acknowledge and service orientation. increased excise license fee for the entire year. 700"+) A8((*6 malcy may return to our markets in Q3 or Q4 that the Food and Beverage industry that is The second wave has done damage in more It is déjà vu with one change — a lot more 6(;08"*(A9 (FY22). Food & Beverage are going to be the roughly 3 percent of our GDP and possibly the ways than one. It has made a mockery of all people you know are testing positive, many drivers of recovery for most hospitality estab- single largest employer is in trouble. We need our insights, predictions and readiness. By the more have lost their loved ones, and the infra- lishments once again in a few months.” the governments, both State and Central, to act time, this ends and we attain herd immunity, structure that is meant to curtail all this, is now and tell us that we will be taken care of. and some sort of normalcy prevails, we will all crumbling. Covid is all around us, and it is    We have been waiting for over a year now. be starting from a sub-zero level. For the Food time for sheer survival and nothing else. Delivery has become a choice for some and Liquidity is our biggest problem and a rebate and Beverage Industry vertical, globally things a necessity for the others. For some, it means a or a waiver in statutory dues, compliances have improved drastically. People are back to      business vertical extension and for others it could be one of the things that governments eating out, spring break is almost back, and For sure we were, while hoping that this means to be relevant in the consumer’s mind can re-evaluate. Things like license fees, VAT, summer set to bloom. For us in India, the preparedness never comes into effect. When I space. Irrespective of how and why, ever since GST inputs, interest on tax, and electricity bills vision will take its time. say ‘prepared’, it does not mean that we have a the pandemic struck, the case for “dining-in” could all be looked at to improve liquidity. The Indian Food and Beverage Industry magic wand. We are just more cognizant of the has become really strong, almost like a service Lastly, once we survive the pandemic, we will that brings in roughly 60 billion dollars annu- fact that we will lose more business, more time game in tennis “Advantage Delivery”. Your need policy changes that are pro-business and ally and employs around 7 million people (or I will be taken, we will yet again need to invest favourite dishes that tantalised your taste buds pro-tourism. We hope our voice will be heard. may say 7 million families), was directly both in product and in the sentiment. We were and got you salivating were suddenly available The writer is a celebrated chef, restaurateur, food impacted when the first wave hit. The fraterni- ready this time to accept things and be patient, only via delivery. and beverage entrepreneur     /+&(6*)"6+(*66G66( 0;//@0A/6& (*6(*0)+6( *//6)"6;+)"*8&)9+)7 8tdiaƒuxrd  K/63+"070)@8"*   

atleast 40% of its energy from renewable and sequester additional 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2eq through afforestation by 2030. According to Climate Action Tracker, India is the only major country whose actions to combat emissions are compatible with the goal of limiting global warming to 2oC. While India is on its way to fulfil first two pledges, it needs to reorient some of its policies and regulations to fulfil the third pledge along with tackling food and water insecurity and ecosystem damage. The administrative planning levels like states and districts do not usually match up with the relevant agro-ecological zones or catch- ments. The probabilistic forecasting, urban resilience and adaptive capacities of states are usually very weak. The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) is done by con- sultants hired by project proponents them- selves and around 20% of the project fees is made only on grant of approval, which results in increased possibility of manipu- lation of documents by underplaying the environmental and social impacts of the pro- jects under consideration. If small and mar- ginal farmers plan to switch to hardy crops like chickpeas and traditional grains like sorghum and pearl millet, they face con- straints of timely credit, seeds, irrigation, labour, insurance & market access leading to high and unsustainable cost of cultivation. Focus on forests and urban green spaces could mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration, enhance resilience to droughts, flash floods and land- slides, improve resilience of coastal infra- structure, reduce vulnerability to extreme heat by reducing ambient temperatures and support native wildlife and biodiversity. Drip irrigation and water sprinklers coupled with solar pumps, mulching and bed plantation can boost water availability at a fraction of the cost of large bridges and irrigation pro- jects. Old water harvesting structures like CLIMATE CHANGE & INDIA water tanks and check dams should be reju- venated for water harvesting and conserva- tion, which suits local ecology and managed by local communities. Government can   +        encourage shifting away from rice and wheat by providing appropriate scientific support and financial incentives (like MSP) to the           &0*+("" farmers. Switching to Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) from EIA would be s the world faces the dual chal- commitments) while not hindering their monsoon patterns threaten agriculture out- viation measures would result in 50% instrumental in evaluating ecological ram- lenges of Covid-19 and climate economic growth. put and fresh water supplies. Rapid urban- increase in GHGs. But this increase can be ifications of projects and ways to address change, there has been growing India is one of the fastest growing isation, rising temperatures, changes in pre- contained by designing adequate food, them at the initial stage itself, by making acceptance of the fragilities of economies with third highest GHG emis- cipitation, extreme rainfall events, altered energy and transport policies. India has regional plans rather than individual pro- our energy, economic and sions in the world. According to the first ever coastlines, depleting water tables and potential to raise its RE capacity from the ject assessments to evaluate the cumulative healthA systems. India has been hailed as a climate change assessment report of India destroyed biodiversity hotspots affect migra- initial goal of 175 GW to 500 GW by 2030. impact of the projects in a region, by hir- global leader by Antonio Guterres, Secretary prepared by the Ministry of Earth Sciences tion, conflicts and spread of diseases. 07+)"(0 Switching to RE would reduce dependen- ing independent consultants for individual General of the United Nations for its (MoES), India’s average temperature has Around 44% of India is under various cy on uncertain coal and gas supplies while large project EIAs and by ensuring public Covid-19 response efforts of supplying already risen by 0.7oC between 1901 and degrees of drought conditions. The worst /+&(6(+0) at the same time reduce GHG emissions of participation to improve assessment and critical medicines to more than 150 coun- 2018 due to Green House Gas (GHG) emis- affected are the poor, marginalised, indige- the country and create more employment. scrutiny. tries. During the 19th Darbari Seth sions and is expected to rise by 4.4oC by nous, women and the future generations. (96 +)7++(*6 Co-benefits like improved air quality, water While India is committed to NDCs till Memorial Lecture, Mr. Guterres also 2100. Climate change has multiple repercus- While much of climate change crisis in 0)/C&B008)(C use, land use and biodiversity; improved 2030, it needs long term goals for sustain- acknowledged the role of India as an sions on development, food and water secu- India is a result of the excesses of industri- social sustainability related to livelihoods, able, equitable and carbon free growth to fol- emerging superpower in the fight against cli- rity, health, gender equity and poverty alle- alised world, there are domestic drivers as 3*06(+0)(0 income distribution, migration and hous- low a 1.5oC path through confluence of tech- mate change. During the pandemic, India’s viation efforts of India with a densely pop- well. Primarily the overwhelming reliance ing has incentivised political support. India nology, policy, financial and social actions. proportion of Renewable Energy (RE) rose ulated 7500 km coastline susceptible to on thermal power in energy generation 0&A(6&++0) has pledged to invest USD 100 billion in In the build up to Glasgow Climate Summit, from 17% to 24% while coal-fired power extreme weather events like sea-level rise, which accounts for roughly 68% of total clean energy over five years. The Smart a rapidly growing and changing country like declined from 76% to 66%. This has been storms and floods, third largest ice mass in GHG emissions, and an inefficient agricul- 60&@(+A/63+(* Cities and Smart Mobility plans coupled India should focus on avoiding emissions a phenomenal leap for India that pushed for north — the Great Himalayas, biodiversi- tural policy which encourages high yield, low (*6"0/0;/+&+(+)" with policies like Faster Adoption and by setting key sectors on a low carbon ‘Common but Differentiated Responsibilities ty rich Western Ghats and North East and nutrition, excessive water guzzling crops like Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric growth path, with robust climate institutions and Respective Capabilities’ based on his- nearly one billion people living in rural areas rice and wheat in arid and semi-arid "/0A/3&+)" Vehicles (FAME-II) would ensure that and laws. This would help in further gar- toric emissions in 1990s and championed whose livelihoods depend on climate sen- regions which exacerbates any climate 0 India embarks on a sustainable transport ner political support for enhanced mitiga- the idea that industrialised nations (global sitive sectors like agriculture, fisheries, live- change induced monsoon variations. About (0  growth. tion and setting net-zero targets which are north) must reduce their emissions and cre- stock and forests. 90% of its groundwater goes into irrigation India’s Nationally Determined achievable and credible. ate an institutional mechanism for climate India ranked fifth in the Global Climate and about 80% of it goes to rice and wheat. Contribution (NDC) at Paris COP21 The writer is Fellow, Anant Fellowship action funding for global south to augment Risk Index 2019. Earlier seasonal snowmelt, According to Research Institute of includes pledge to reduce its emissions inten- for Climate Action and Superintendent of their mitigation capacities (without binding depleting glaciers and uncertainties in Humanity and Nature Japan, poverty alle- sity by 33-35% over 2005 levels, produce Police, Narayanpur District, Chhattisgarh ,    - "   3     < (      2,0  <  (      #           #(  0 .*E,-,

ne of the grave realities Vulnerability describes the char- men dawn the role of the bread amongst all stakeholders from and challenges of today’s acteristics and circumstances of a earner of the house. They take local to national level should be Otime and era is Climate community, system or asset that care of the belongings that hap- key in disaster reduction. change. It has become integral at make it susceptible to the damag- pen outside house premises. Capacity building from the per- all levels of the existing world. ing effects of a hazard. Risk (or When disaster strikes in such set- spective of gender keeping in Just like Newton’s third law — more specifically, disaster risk) is tings, women find themselves mind the socio-economic and “Every action has an equal and the potential disaster losses (in incompetent and are at risk more cultural phenomenon should be opposite reaction”, Climate change terms of lives, health status, liveli- when it comes to face danger. approached. Basic life saving is the consequence of our various hoods, assets and services) which They lack skills like swimming or skills should be taught at all levels actions which is constantly affect- could occur to a particular com- climbing the trees which are tra- like swimming, climbing tree, ing and altering our living sys- munity or a society over some ditionally taught to men. They are first-aid, etc., irrespective of gen- tems. One such long term alter- specified future time period. reluctant to move to shelter places der. Risk assessments should also ation has been the increase in fre- Resilience is the ability of a sys- as these communal facilities are be done through a gender quency and severity changes in tem, community or society devoid of private spaces for them. focused lens. Toolkits like sur- extreme weather such as hurri- exposed to hazards to resist, In some countries, the women veys, questionnaires and software canes, heatwaves, wildfires, absorb, accommodate to and also have lesser intake of nutrition should be developed to train and droughts, floods, and precipita- recover from the effects of a haz- leading them to be weaker than equip individuals for risk preven- tion; and cloud and vegetation ard in a timely and efficient man- men in strength. They are unable tion and emergency prepared- cover changes. These disasters are ner, including through the preser- to cope up with harsh adversities ness. Gender-responsive recovery occurring at a continuous pace vation and restoration of its increasing in the number of should also be taken up. Financial and pose critical harm to the essential basic structures and deaths. Post disaster many aid becomes crucial for the com- environment and society at large. functions. For every term women, girls, transgenders face munities and the individuals post According to Climate Risk Index explained above, community and brutal circumstances where they a disaster. Not only from the per- 2019 by German watch, in the society are the central themes are sexually assaulted, raped and spective of supplying food, water past 20 years 5,25,000 people have where Gender of an individual are beaten to death. Human traf- and temporary shelter, the gov- been killed by more than 11,500 plays a very important factor in ficking also increases in certain ernments should also help the extreme weather events and tril- shaping the needs of these soci- scenarios. Living in communal affected people to set up their lions of dollars have been lost in eties. tents and shelter homes, they are own source of livelihood. For damages. Gender identities determine constantly harassed for sexual example, In Haiti, post 2008 hur- Disasters do not occur in opportunities, responsibilities and Gender sensitisation provides the brunt of these “not so higher mortality rates than men favours to gain access to relief or ricanes and tropical storms, silos. Whether it is a natural or resources, as well as powers asso- a space to understand the thought” decisions. Due to differ- in the wake of a natural disaster recovery assistance. In a lot of United Nations Development man-made disaster, other than ciated with being, male, female, inequalities of exposure, risks and ences in adaptive capacities which affects them more adverse- societies men being the sole earn- Programme (UNDP) conducted being an environmental phenom- transgender, agender etc. Gender the ability to adapt to one gender according to situations and con- ly if the intensity of a disaster is er of the family face a lot of post-disaster recovery support by enon, it is also an amalgamation also defines the relationship over the other. Several research texts, any gender other than the very strong. Having said that, the depression when they lose their uplifting the women’s position in of economic, social and cultural between these individuals. studies and observations have male gender has been on the socio-economic status also deter- source of income. They feel the society by giving them access phenomenon. We often associate Difference in the socio-economic shown that both communities of receiving end of miseries from a mines the life expectancy of the ashamed in asking money from to funds to restart their business- disasters with loss of lives and and cultural background with dis- developed and the developing very long time. While assessing female gender. Lower the socio- the lenders or working at a lower es and revive their agricultural damage to the environment and tinct vulnerabilities make a man, world have indicated a skewed risk, one can argue that a woman, economic strata more the gap position than before. In these cir- fields which in turn helped in the property. But we seldom tend woman, girl, boy, eunuch etc. of representation of facilities, girl or transgender etc, fall in the between male and female deaths cumstances, the increased work- reviving the Haiti economy. to forget that it is deep rooted in different age groups shape their resources, opportunities and most vulnerable category. They and higher the socio-economic load puts a burden on the females Therefore, to have a holistic and a the social and cultural phenome- risks and recovery during and access when it comes to gender. are the main victims of natural strata, lesser the gap between of the house. They must take care comprehensive way forward in non when it comes to vulnerabili- post disaster in a unique way. The decisions taken in pre and disasters. There are several exam- male and female deaths. In devel- of both households and earn a liv- disaster risk reduction and recov- ty, risk and resilience. Before They are context and time-specif- post disaster management are ples from all over the world where oping countries where societies ing. ery, one should realize and moving on, let us try and define ic and changeable too. skewed in favour of the male gen- these genders have faced inci- are more patriarchal in nature it Thus, integrating gender in remember the power associated the terms vulnerability, risk and Understanding and sensitising der in majority of the times. dences of violence, sexual abuse, has been observed that women disaster management and recov- with any Gender in every aspect resilience. According to the gender differences before, during Women or girl child or transgen- injustice and deaths during the tend to remain within the premis- ery is of utmost importance. of life. United Nations Office for Disaster and post a disaster is critical and der or any other gender knowing- disaster recovery phase. es of their own house and take Awareness and advocacy of disas- The writer is Fellow, Anant Risk Reduction (UNDRR), crucial. ly or unknowingly have to bear Women and girls tend to have care of the household whereas ter risks and vulnerabilities Fellowship for Climate Action   uvitiut /%34 45 , *    2   ,

he Senkaku Islands have Beijing tries to force its rule over Temerged as the new flashpoint Senkaku. between Japan and China in the East However, the so-called normal- China Sea (ECS). While China has isation of Sino-Japanese relations is intensified its campaign to assert its a misnomer. In 2018, China and claim over the territories they call the Japan celebrated the 40th anniversary '$A$,=A<<:$ Diaoyu Islands, Japan has tried to of the signing of the China-Japan make the US back its sovereign rights Treaty of Peace and Friendship, but ='$$,BB<&,><, over the area. then global situation soon deterio- ='$<=',$< Both the nations are gearing up rated as the Covid-19 came with a +<=='$=:C='$ to enhance their military prepared- barrage of charges against China for ness, particularly the radar and mis- spreading the pandemic. In the A$!$-;#P< <<$ sile systems around the region. The same year, Chinese Premier Li $,<:,&,,='$ total area of disputed islands is Keqiang paid a maiden visit of Japan around 81,000 square miles and the in May, and in October then Prime C: :C :) number of islands is eight. As per the Minister Abe visited China. ='$=$,<$A$,> record of the US Energy Information On the ECS, China and Japan =,F&&=,,> Administration, the ECS has an agreed to strengthen maritime crisis estimated 200 million barrels of oil. management, establish a diplomat- :,>='$$-:,; Historical records say that Japan ic consultation mechanism and sign ='$1&:,- formally claimed the Senkaku Islands a maritime rescue agreement. <$<<:,:C in the year 1895. And some of the However, Sino-Japan relations will Japanese individuals have been occu- always be troublesome as there are >$ :A=A-'=<, pying these islands for the last 120 several potential face-off points. The :,-:,-1 ,P< years. However, only during the problems in the South China Sea and A:,=,$>A& C: Second World War, America occu- in the East China Sea, the traditional pied these territories from Japan. But rivalry between the two Asian giants, <:$$-,=1 !$=,P< afterwards, Japan brought them back an increasing and sustained presence &:,->,C:='$ under its control. Until 1960s, China of US military support behind Japan, hardly paid any attention to Senkaku, and a new alliance called QUAD -- $A:-,=:,:C='$ as per archival records. However, the - a grouping of the US, Australia, ,F$,$<<1='$=:=$ year 1969 turned out to be a decisive India and Japan to prevent grand :,='$ -'<& moment for China in the recent his- Chinese expansion in the region -- tory of Senkaku. The offshore oil - have certainly strained Sino-Japan ,:=$<,>:='$ development potential attracted bilateral relationship. $=',A-:<, China’s attention towards the Island Therefore, the current crisis in #,+,-1,>C,&&1 chain. China had in 1979 discovered the ECS is just the tip of the iceberg. that there was huge field of hydro- China’s claim over the Senkaku A:,=$<=$>A& :C carbon in the area, experts claim. Islands will only deteriorate the ,,$-'!:<:$ In January, China passed its bilateral relations with Japan. Xi’s Coast Guard Law to increase its pres- interest.” Senkaku Islands must be settled by with then Japanese Prime Minister forming an “alliance of democracies”. massive expansion plans, whether in ='$:='',$$ ence in and around the Senkaku This kind of statement is rare the three conflicting parties involved Shinzo Abe, Trump expressly high- Again, US-Japan joint military the form of Belt and Road Initiative ='$$ ,$,=<:$ Islands. This set off the Yoshihide from the Chinese Government, and i.e. Japan, Taiwan and China. This lighted that the US-Japan Security exercises around the Senkaku Islands or China-Pakistan Economic :,=<C: $+,- Suga Government to revise the when they are released, they really stance continued till 1995. But 1996 Treaty is applied to the Senkaku under Trump strengthened pre- Corridor, all threaten peace and Japanese Coast Guard Law so as to indicate something serious. In onwards, during the reign of Islands. And also, the declaration paredness for any armed interven- tranquillity in and around the region. shoot any intruder that tries to land Chinese political lexicon, “core inter- President Bill Clinton, the US poli- made it public that the US opposes tion from China. In fact, Lieutenant Further, long suppression of demo- in these islands. What has changed est” is meant to be a zone of vital cy makers came up with a new per- any unilateral action aimed at con- General Kevin Schneider, the com- cratic rights in Hong Kong, Taiwan’s the status quo in favour of Japan was importance for the country’s territory spective on the disputed island. The testing Japan’s administration over mander of the joint military exercise continued claim for sovereignty, the buying of three islands of the and sovereign identity. The terms American diplomats aired the view Senkaku Islands. in October 2017 made the real Tibetan’s long drawn war for the Senkaku group by the Government “core interests” are specifically that the Senkaku Islands are covered In fact, the Trump-era China intentions behind the drill clear, recognition of their uniqueness, the from a private citizen who owned reserved for top security-related and under Article 5 of the US-Japan policy was nothing less than a great when he said: “The United States is torture on the Uighur Muslim them in 2012. Since then the pres- troubling areas such as Xinjiang Security Treaty as Japanese admin- war of sort against Beijing’s sustained 100 per cent absolutely steadfast in minorities and other ethnic groups ence of Chinese Coast Guards Uighur Autonomous Region, Tibet istered territory. From this position, aggressive attitude both towards its its commitment to help the in Xinjiang, and finally, a contested around the islands has increased. and Taiwan. Therefore, it is strictly Washington took a pro-active step in neighbours and to the major powers Government of Japan with the situ- claim of many neighbours over the Precisely, the routine confrontation maintained that on such areas there 2014 under Barack Obama of the world, particularly the US. His ation of defending the Senkaku South China Sea are the permanent between the two nations over the is no room for any manoeuvrabili- Presidentship. He became the first policies towards China symbolised Islands. That is 365 days a year, 24 troubled issues for Beijing. islands has reached flashpoint. ty. It brings home the message that sitting American President to declare two featured separate tracks: one, hours a day, seven days a week.” Xi’s muscle power and econom- China’s territorial claims over the Beijing treats the dispute over that the US will defend the “Japanese policies Trump personally pursued, Thus Tokyo has all ensured the ic debt trap in the name of aid have ECS is unsubstantiated. But China Senkaku Islands as a major concern islands” if attacked. This made the and two, the policies spearheaded by support of Washington for its con- not yielded the desired results for -'$ 'N'<$<' points to historical documents to in bilateral relations with Tokyo. country’s position completely clear China experts serving in his admin- tinued control and safeguard of China to claim a global leadership buttress its claim over these islands. The American position on the on these disputed islands. Further, istration. It was a like virtual war these mineral rich islands in the East role. Forget about the world, in Asia Way back in 2013, as per media Senkaku Islands is noteworthy. Since President Donald Trump in February against the regime of Xi Jinping. China Sea. itself, few nations are ready to accept reports, Chinese Foreign Ministry the coming of Richard Nixon to 2017 took one more step to affirm Therefore, when then US Secretary The overwhelming US support the hegemony of Beijing. claimed: “The Diaoyu Islands are power in 1969 as the 37th President, America’s commitment towards the of State Mike Pompeo visited Japan to Japan over the islands was more about sovereignty and territorial the US has been maintaining that the security of the Senkaku Islands. In a in October 2017, he had issued a than sufficient for China to under- (The writer is an expert on integrity. Of course, it is China’s core territorial sovereignty over the formal joint declaration released public call to counter China by stand what actions will follow in case international affairs)

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s an institution whose Islam, V Khalid, Fathima Beevi, The time has come when Adecisions shape and Faizanuddin, S Sagir Ahmad, the collegium should consider .='<,A=:,$> impact the everyday lives of SS M Qadri, Aftab Alam, MY the appointment of an eminent <=$,-=':C28+>-$<1 Indians, we must do better. We Eqbal, FM Ibrahim Kalifulla. law professor as a Supreme ,A&>,-='$'$C must ensure the diversity of our Presently, Justice Abdul Court judge. This provision to country finds reflection in the Nazeer is the only Muslim appoint distinguished jurists as <=A$:C,>1 make-up of our court… having judge in the top court. Besides judges in the top court was $<$,=&1='$$ $ a more diverse judiciary is an this, two High Courts have incorporated in the Constitution end; a goal in itself, and worth Muslim Chief Justices — by our founding fathers who :='<:,&:,$ pursuing its own sake,” stated Justice Kureshi in Tripura and were inspired by some foreign <& +>-$1:,$ Supreme Court judge Justice Justice Mohammad Rafiq in jurisdictions that had appoint- : ,+>-$1:,$ DY Chandrachud while speak- , today. There ed eminent law professors as ing on the occasion of Justice is a general belief in society that judges in their top courts. )<+>-$1:,$ Indu Malhotra’s retirement the Supreme Court should Has not the time come '<=,+>-$1:,$ from the Supreme Court in have an inclusive and diversi- when a dormant constitution- &=+>-$1!=,: March this year. fied Bench that could demon- al provision should be activat- The judge-makers of our strate the collective image of ed to include the professors of B'1,: >>'<=1,: country should not miss these the country. Let us throw some law in the judicial adjudication ,1,>,:><; words when selecting the light on this issue of great process in the country? '$$'<,$$!$$, judges for the constitutional public importance. Given the above discus- courts. Fortunately, now Justice In India, Muslims consti- sion, it is submitted that the : ,'$C<=A$ Chandrachud has also become tute around 15 per cent of the Supreme Court collegium :C,>;>$<C$> a member of the collegium. population, but their repre- should consider diversifying Hopefully, he would take some sentation in the higher judiciary the Bench by appointing more $ $:=&& initiative in this regard. With a is invisible. Currently, the judges from different sources, '$C@$A',- sanctioned strength of 34 Supreme Court has only one communities, and regions of  A=:,='$!&A judges, including the Chief Muslim judge. Many legal lumi- Supreme Court, to maintain warrant of appointments. collegium to maintain a bal- 70 years of the Supreme Court’s the country to sustain public Justice of India, presently, the naries and thinkers believe that the gender balance and to However, the Central ance in making judicial establishment, no appointment trust and credibility of the =<=,='$$A:= Supreme Court has only one Muslims should get adequate strengthen the legal empower- Government has also a role in appointments to give adequate of a distinguished jurist has judiciary. 'A' <=$C&$A=='$ Muslim judge, one woman representation in the higher ment of women. The Supreme the process of judicial appoint- representation to all sections of been made in the Supreme As of now, the collegium B$@:C='$A:,= judge, one Parsi judge, one judiciary so that the minorities Court collegium has to take a ments. It checks the society, including the Court despite the availability of needs to appoint six judges Christian judge, one Dalit could have faith in the highest serious note of this issue. antecedents of the recom- women and minorities, in the constitutional provisions to immediately in the Supreme judge, but no Sikh, no judicial institution that decides Under the existing practice mended persons deeply Supreme Court. this effect under Article Court, and four judges will Buddhist, no Jain, and the legal destiny of the nation. and procedure of judicial through the Intelligence Bureau Let me highlight one more 124(3)(c). retire by the end of this year. In no Adivasi. In addition to this issue, appointments, the Supreme and other agencies and sends important issue that has been The has toto, within a year, the col- It sends a wrong message women also constitute around Court collegium headed by its report to the collegium for highly ignored by the to identify a “distinguished legium will have to recommend to society. Ever since its estab- half of the population in the the Chief Justice of India has its consideration by mention- Government as well as the jurist” in consultation with the the appointments of around ten lishment, the Supreme Court country, but the Supreme the conclusive power to ing the cogent reasons and judiciary. Under Article 124 of Central Government which judges in the Supreme Court. has had several brilliant Court has only a single woman appoint the judges of the objections along with the sup- the Constitution, the appoint- requires the approval of the This is a great opportunity to Muslim judges. Out of them, judge who will retire next year. Supreme Court and the High porting material. But, if the ments to the Supreme Supreme Court collegium that promote diversity on the bench four judges namely Justices M This is very disturbing news. Courts after the Second, Third, Supreme Court collegium reit- Court are made from three cat- has the final say in judicial of the top court of the country. Hidayatullah, MH Beg, AM There has never been a woman and Fourth Judges cases. erates its recommendations, egories — judges, lawyers, and appointments. Admittedly, It will have a far-reaching Ahmadi, and Altamas Kabir Chief Justice of India even The unanimous recom- the Central Government and professors. India has many brilliant law impact on the functioning and graced the office of the Chief after seven decades of the mendations of the Supreme the President will have no Mostly, the judges of the professors who have made a performance of the apex court Justice of India. Other Muslim Supreme Court’s inauguration. Court collegium are binding on option but to act on the same. High Courts and lawyers are wonderful contribution to the which must reflect the make- @!$DN0;'--'@<$ judges of the Supreme Court In this kind of scenario, women the President of India who acts So, it is the collegium that appointed to the Supreme legal system and can con- up of the country. were: Saiyed Fazl Ali, Ghulam genuinely deserve more repre- on the advice of the Prime is the actual judge-maker in the Court based on their seniori- tribute more if the collegium Hasan, Syed Jafar Imam, Syed sentation in the constitutional Minister and Union Law country. This is why it becomes ty, professional competence, provides them opportunities (The writer is an advocate, Murtaza Fazl Ali, Baharul courts, particularly the Minister to issue the formal necessary on the part of the integrity, and merit. Even after on the Supreme Court Bench. Supreme Court of India.)     +)6G6C3/93+(* )(860)6 66+G6;&06 €axu€ ! (*)*6669 KB0*)&8+   

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other Goddess Saraswati is The Mother uses a peacock as her its script in real terms on a regular basis, issues in hand. But mere awareness is not shown to be moving freely in a carrier for moving about in the skies. we shall be able to acquire the wisdom enough. The concept needs to be drilled Mwater body, with beautiful Lotus This indicates that we cannot afford to necessary to ensure a smooth run of life in the deep realms of the mind and flower around. Lotus blooms in muddy lose sight of the forces routed through with ease and comfort. absorbed well, for it to spontaneously waters. This is in acknowledgment of the the infinite, inaccessible and indestruc- outplay in our day-to-day conduct. fact that the earthly matter acquired its tible Akasa either. It is important to note  ) K   To do so, one must meditate with form-existence when aided by water ele- here that the world is a unified organism, . ". focus on Lord Ganapati on a regular ment, and so does Lotus. Lotus acquired covering the living world as well as all Despite acquiring necessary wisdom basis. Meditating regularly on his its beauty and dynamism out of the Sakti existences in the cosmos. And, obviously by following the script laid down in the imagery helps educate the mind to con- provided by the consciousness element, tracking down the information laid in imagery of Goddess Saraswati, the jour- duct smartly in life. contextually symbolised by Mother. The the space above is no easy task. ney of life in real terms may not be that The story line running around Lotus flower here symbolises both cre- Remember, the prized feed of a pea- easy. Particularly, given the enormity and Ganapati throws light on some vital ativity and lustre evident with knowl- cock is poisonous snake. When the pea- diversity of the living world, and with truths of life. Seeing its importance in edge. Though born in muddy waters, not cock digests the snake, it leads to changes people displaying varied interests, some our day-to-day conduct, this imagery has even a drop of water or mud particle can in its body chemistry. That holds the key of them even disparate. Bear in mind, been accorded special status. Ganapati is stick to the lotus leaves. It, thus, implies a to the beautiful colours of peacock’s each one of us is born unique, carrying perceived as Vighnavinasaka (destroyer sense of detachment. plumage. Similarly, knowledge acquisi- varying mind-traits. That leads to arousal of evil). Keep in mind: difficulties could So, true wisdom can be acquired tion cannot be an easy task. It implies of competing interests. With mind, guid- be kept at bay only through intelligent only when explored with a sense of that only those who take the pains asso- ed by an indwelling sense of duality, a and balanced conduct, which this detachment from all tempting worldly ciated with learning process kindly, are being becomes subject to self-excited imagery very well symbolises. No won- influences. Otherwise, it will be difficult able to acquire the knowledge and wis- conflicting thoughts as well. The world, der, no ritualistic puja in Indian tradition to remain focused on the subject matter dom vital to turning life into a beautiful thus, remains a natural breeding ground begins without first remembering under consideration. The sense of duality experience. for arousal of conflicting thoughts and Ganapati. driving a human mind does not let it Belief driven people may observe competing interests. Amidst all this, we Let me add here that the concept identify the thin line dividing truth and Saraswati puja in a ritualistic mode every ought to conduct and perform, with ease underlying Goddess Saraswati and untruth. This makes it difficult to year on the date specified for the purpose and comfort. How does this work? you Ganpati runs hand in hand. acknowledge eternal truth it stands. As a in our annual calendar. But nothing tan- may ask. )     &     matter of habit, it tempts us to get into gible would be achieved. If, however, we The answer lies in becoming aware     :    comparison mode and judge things understand the concept underlying the of the conduct rules of life — how to )A8827222788C2CL43934H8C32L43939 based on preconceived notions. imagery of Goddess Saraswati and follow engage with the world around and the D  A##  #  K  :

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