Voice of South Asian Community Since March 2002 Vol. 16 Issue 47 Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 $1 www.thesouthasianinsider.com India’s Covid-19 India can’t bear the costs Response: Saving of the lockdown anymore 1.3 Billion People It is causing grave anxiety, unemployment, and can undermine the nation’s agriculture and industry sectors

(New York) :When on April 14, 2020 Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India addressed the nation for the fourth time in four weeks to announce that the lockdown in the country will be extended to May 3, 2020, the decision was largely welcomed by all despite the economic hardship it entails for the country, particularly for the poor. There is national consensus that lockdown and social distancing is the only effective way to prevent the spread of the virus and also reduce the (Contd on page 21) burden on the healthcare system. (Contd on page 26) Obama endorses Biden for Coronavirus takes a Cartels, gangs and rebels around president in video message serious turn in Russia the world join coronavirus fight (News Agencies) World leaders have (News Agencies) In Afghanistan, the world’s nation-states as the coronavirus been working from home during the Taliban has dispatched health teams to has, providing an opening for armed groups coronavirus pandemic, and Vladimir Putin far-flung provinces to confront the to step in where presidents, police forces is no exception: On Monday, the Russian coronavirus. In Mexico, drug cartels are and parliaments have failed.Some groups President held a videoconference from his offering aid packages to have attempted to weave official residence outside Moscow with those feeling its economic governments’ failures to some of the officials leading the impact. In Brazil and El control the virus into their government’s efforts to tackle the disease. Salvador, gangs enforce own propaganda It was an unusually somber meeting. Less curfews to prevent its narratives. In Somalia, al- than a month ago, Putin had radiated spread. As governments Qaida-linked al-Shabab (News Agencies) Former President confidence about his government’s around the world have fighters say the pandemic Barack Obama offered his formal response to a growing global crisis, responded to the was spread “by the endorsement of Joe Biden on Tuesday, reassuring his citizens that the situation coronavirus, so too have crusader forces who have injecting himself squarely in the was “under control” thanks to early armed insurgents and terrorist groups and invaded the country.” The Islamic State has presidential race for the first time by intervention measures. A few weeks later, drug cartels and gangs, a parallel told followers to prepare to exploit their urging Democrats across the party’s Putin played the role of international underworld of public health policy and enemies while they are overwhelmed by ideological spectrum to rally behind rescuer, dispatching a planeload of strategic messaging.It is hardly the first outbreaks. In Yemen, Houthi rebels have Biden and form a unified front to defeat medical supplies to New York’s John F. time such groups have attempted to fill the accused Saudi Arabia of airdropping masks President Donald Trump and win back Kennedy Airport. role of government. But few crises in infected with COVID-19. the White House. (Contd on page 21) (Contd on page 21) modern times have tested the limits of the (Contd on page 21) Home Business Auto NLIGHT INSURANCE Insurance (A Division of Nlight Financial LLC) (See Full Page Advt. on Page 16) Call : 917-612-3158 Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 COMMUNITY 2 ‘Stay where you are’: SC tells Indians stranded abroad “The numbers are many. Stay where you are. People in other countries cannot be brought back,” the SC bench said. there. How will you get them of stranded Indian workers from The Centre told the SC that in back” “The numbers are many. the Persian Gulf countries was this scenario, countries across Stay where you are. People in also adjourned by four weeks. the world are extending visas. The other countries cannot be EVACUATION FROM US, IRAN apex court asked the Centre to brought back,” the bench said. The SC bench decided to hear submit a status report regarding Advocate Madhurima Mridul has on April 20 the petitions stranded Indian students in the filed one of the PILs, while CM demanding the evacuation of US, and will hear the matter on Jayarajan filed the other. The SC Indian students from the United April 20. adjourned the hearing of both States (US) and Indian fishermen On a separate petition filed on these PILs by four weeks after stuck in Iran due to the Covid-19 behalf of Indian fishermen stuck the petitioners refused to pandemic. in Iran, the Solicitor General, withdraw them claiming the Senior advocate Vibha Dutta Tushar Mehta, sought a copy of government needs to put in place Makhija has filed the plea the plea, which will also be heard (News Agencies) The three- evacuation of students stuck in a mechanism to ensure the regarding stranded Indian on April 20. The petition claimed member Supreme Court (SC) the United Kingdom (UK) safety of stranded Indian students in the US. The petition that around 860 Indian fishermen, bench of Chief Justice of India because of the ongoing students in the UK. stated that the visas of most of mostly from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, (CJI) SA Bobde, and Justices LN lockdown to contain the spread The British authorities had issued these students would expire by and Gujarat, are stranded on the Rao and MM Shantanagouder, of the coronavirus disease (Covid- around 20,000 education visas to Tuesday (April 15) and they were shores of Bandar-e-Moqam and while hearing two separate public 19), observed on Monday that Indian students last year. liable to be declared aliens by the Lavan Island in Iran’s Hormozgan interest litigations (PILs) on the “there are 50,000 students stuck A similar plea for the evacuation US authorities. province. Bringing citizens back could pose risk to population here: Govt tells SC The Centre made the submission in response to a batch of petitions seeking return of Indian students stranded in the United States and the United Kingdom.

(News Agencies) The Centre on students stranded in the United evacuate their citizens from India. Monday told the Supreme Court States and the United Kingdom. The Centre, in its status report that evacuation of Indian students In the U.K alone, there are close said that the country had and expatriates stuck abroad to 4 lakh Indian expatriates evacuated citizens from China, amid the lockdown to curb the including 50,000 students. Iran, Japan and Italy when the spread of the coronavirus disease Several petitions were filed in the condition in India was not as could pose a risk to India’s apex court seeking the court’s grim. domestic population. Echoing the intervention for evacuation of “However, given the present Centre’s concerns, the bench of Indian migrants stranded in the situation of the corona virus reasons,” the report by the Centre country of a population of over 1.3 Chief Justice SA Bobde and Middle East, Indian fishermen in outbreak in India and the said. billion.” justices LN Rao and MM Iran and students from the US available limited resources, it is The Centre’s status report said The bench also noted the Shantanagouder said, “Stay and the UK. not feasible to selectively that passengers from these logistical constraints in arranging where you are”. The petitioners criticized the evacuate Indian citizens from countries are at higher risk of quarantine facilities for all The Centre made the submission travel ban on return of citizens at abroad when a large number of infection. “Travel back of such returnees. It was for this reason, in response to a batch of a time when other countries were them from a number of countries passengers to different regions the Centre proposed to the Court, petitions seeking return of Indian making arrangements to get want to return back due to various of India poses a grave risk to the “The approach of the Government has, therefore, been to advise the Indian nationals to stay put where Covid-19: US allows H-1B visa extension, relief for stranded Indians they are in line with Government’s approach to contain the further The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a new notification has said it recognises that spread of the virus within India and there are immigration-related challenges as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic. allowing health machinery to focus on domestic containment (News Agencies) In a big relief for thousands action to protect the American people and effectively.” The government of stranded Indian professionals in America due our communities, and is considering a informed the court that the Indian to the coronavirus pandemic, the US number of policies and procedures to improve High Commission in London is government has decided to accept their H-1B the employment opportunities of US workers making all arrangements to visa applications for an extended stay in the during this pandemic,” it said. ensure the well-being and safety country. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa Generally, non-immigrants must depart the of stranded Indian students. The that allows US companies to employ foreign United States before their authorised period Centre’s status report did not workers in specialty occupations that require of admission expires, it said. Non-immigrants make specific averment about theoretical or technical expertise. The could apply for an extension of stay (EOS) extension of visas of Indian technology companies depend on it to hire tens or change of status (COS) permit. Without a number of H-1B visa holders stranded in the students stuck in the US. of thousands of employees each year from visa extension, thousands of students and US with their visa permits soon to expire. The court will hear a petition for countries like India and China. professionals in the US would have suffered. However, the DHS will shortly start accepting these Indian students stranded The US Department of Homeland If applicants put in their forms within the applications for the extension of expiring in the US, filed by senior Security (DHS) in a new notification has said it specified time frame, their presence will not visas. “We recognise that non-immigrants advocate Vibha Dutta Makhija recognises that there are immigration-related be taken as “unlawful” and where applicable, may unexpectedly remain in the United next Monday. The court will challenges as a direct result of the coronavirus “employment authorization with the same States beyond their authorised period of stay also hear a petition seeking pandemic. The announcement comes at a time employer, subject to the same terms and due to COVID-19,” the DHS said. “We the return of some 860 Indian when countries around the world have closed conditions of the prior approval, is continue to carefully analyse these issues fishermen stranded on the their borders and all international passenger automatically extended for up to 240 days and to leverage our resources to effectively shores of Bandar-e-Moqam flights have been suspended globally. …when an extension of stay request is filed address these challenges within our existing and Lavan Island in The travel restrictions have left a on time,” the notification said. authorities. The DHS also continues to take Hormozgan province of Iran. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 3 Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 4 Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 OP-ED 5 Why The Giant America Appears Helpless Against Coronavirus In a country with the world’s finest healthcare system and renowned epidemiologists, these crucial early weeks were literally squandered, writes

surfaced in November 2019, what the only way to prevent its cases, he kept downplaying about the myriads of people who transmission. Countries like India, the virus threat and reassuring travelled from China to the United Italy, Spain and Germany have Americans of the extreme States until January 31? And how locked down entire regions or the preparedness of the White House When a new virus first hit the shutting down public many of those were carriers of the country as a whole, following suit Coronavirus Taskforce to deal Chinese city of Wuhan, the transportation, high–tech virus who inadvertently with China. India’s Prime Minister with it.Trump was banking on nation’s authorities did not have surveillance that helped ensure transmitted it to tens of Narendra Modi, imposed a what he calls the “greatness” of the luxury of ‘advance notice’. In compliance with mass thousands others? The first novel mandatory 21-day lockdown for America’s mighty healthcare the crucial early days of what was quarantines, etc. Coronavirus case in the US its 1.35 billion people, the largest system to fight the virus. Trump going to become one of the The United States, on the surfaced on January 21, 2020. cordon sanitaire in history! believed he could address this by deadliest global pandemics in other hand, had the luxury of Fast forward to the present: As “An ounce of prevention is ordering more ventilators, paying history – COVID-19 – the ‘time’ to prepare for this. Yet, in of April 2, the American state of worth a pound of cure” is the only Americans for the lost income, Chinese government obfuscated a country with the world’s finest New York alone has more COVID- magic drug available in the pumping in more money into the and censored important healthcare system and renowned 19 patients than the entire market right now, especially economy, etc. Little was he information, which did nothing to epidemiologists, these crucial country of China! With 2,45,000+ when a medical remedy is possibly aware that the only cure halt the contagion of this invisible early weeks were literally cases and counting, America is beyond the horizon. So what available was a “complete enemy. It is now, months after the squandered. Whereas the World now the hub.And all of this is has stopped the Trump lockdown”- a remedy even the first case was officially Health Organization (WHO) albeit the fact that the US administration so far from a poorest of the nations could reported,that the COVID-19 issued a warning on December population is one fourth that of prophylactic nationwide afford. Those measures he took cases have completely dwindled 31, 2019, the Trump China! What exactly is causing lockdown? Well, it turns out could only complement a down in China after an administration on January 31 of the number of cases to rapidly that Trump only shares partial mandatory lockdown and not unparalleled, draconian yet this year suspended entry into proliferate even though President blame for this. Initially, Trump substitute it. Trump even went on systematic “lockdown” of millions the United States for only the Donald Trump has pumped in did not want the fear of virus’ to state that America would be of its citizens. The Chinese foreign nationals who had Trillions of dollars to tackle spread to affect the US “open for business” by Easter, lockdown was accompanied by travelled to China in the past 14 this? Well, the reason behind the economy negatively, April 12. Further astonishing was measures like forcibly removing days, excluding the immediate spread is simple: Lack of especially in view of the the fact that he declaredthat up people exposed to or infected family members of American complete lockdown. upcoming Presidential to 240,000 Americans would with the coronavirus and putting citizens or permanent residents. The nature of this deadly virus elections later this year. Even eventually succumb to this evil! them into isolation centres, If the first signsof this virus is such that social distancing is after the US had 500 confirmed (Contd on page 22) India will overcome Covid-19, but will need a ‘New Deal’ After extending the lockdown until 3 May, the government has decided to gradually open up some areas after 20 April, with an exhaustive list of do’s and don’ts. After extending the lockdown fixed by the government. This universities in the second week examination process too - which suffered academically in any way. until 3 May, the government has will, to some extent, absorb the of March. As things stand, there as per present indications - The time has come for our decided to gradually open up rural labourers and also provide is absolutely no possibility of cannot begin before the end of teaching community to rise to the some areas after 20 April, with them means of livelihood. reopening them over the next few May. So, the most-likely occasion and handle the an exhaustive list of do’s and Similarly, the removal of months. Fortunately, almost all scenario appears to be that the situation to the best of their don’ts. This step has been restrictions on the industries the state governments had university exams can only be ability, which they undoubtedly welcomed by not only all the located in rural areas, unhindered allowed the board examinations conducted in the month of July. have in abundance. Any talk of major political parties but also by movement of trucks and allowing to be completed so there is We, as a nation, have the holding the exam online, or the business community at the roadside eating joints to nothing to worry about on that experience to handle these kinds suggesting such innovations to large. As the rabi harvesting operate will certainly help account. The state governments of unforeseen situations in the the detriment of the student season is at its peak, the absorb a huge number of and respective state boards and past. The early seventies were community, should not be government needed to workers. Likewise, letting a the CBSE have already taken the the JP movement days when deliberated. Let us wait and commence the foodgrain select group of industries open decision to promote all the 9th strikes in colleges and watch as things unfold and plan procurement operations without up will help augment the supply and 11th grade students. That universities were the norm. to schedule the examinations in any further delay so that no chain. In the coming weeks, was a wise decision in the During those years, our the month of July. The university hardship is caused to farmers based on the spread of the interest of students. universities used to normally admissions process should be who are hoping to harvest a coronavirus disease, the It seems the Central Board remain closed for two to three accordingly planned in the best bumper rabi crop. government is likely to ease the of Secondary Education (CBSE) months in a year and students interest of students. Opening of agriculture restrictions further to bring the could not complete the used to protest against the Similarly, several entrance produce marketing mandis, economy back on rails. examination process and still annual examinations scheduled examinations such as the Joint permitting trading in food grain Another important area that has to conduct tests in a few for April-May. As a result, the Entrance Examination had to be and their transportation to must be uppermost in the minds subjects. This can be university used to hold the exams postponed. Now, there is a warehouses and godowns of the of decision makers is the critical accomplished in a short span of in July. Consequently, the possibility that the prestigious Food Corporation of India had education sector. Due to this time when the situation academic session used to get Civil Services Examination become imperative to enable the virus, most of the state normalises. Naturally, delayed by a couple of months. conducted by Union Public farmers to sell their surplus governments ordered the closure universities across the country To the credit of the teaching Service Commission will also produce at the support prices of all the schools, colleges, have to go through the community back then, we never have to be rescheduled. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 6 Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 EDITORIAL 7 No matter how you crunch the numbers, The State needs to step up, urgently The harrowing images of migrant afford to repeat the mistakes of the last workers desperate to go home, hours 21 days. Going forward, at a minimum, this pandemic is only just getting started after Prime Minister Narendra?Modi three things need to be done. There has not been a lot of good news is demolished around you and the piano announced a 19-day extension to the First and foremost — this has been lately. But with the discharge of Boris player gets decapitated. nationwide lockdown on Tuesday, serve said many times since March 25, but it Johnson from hospital on Sunday, and There have been more than 93,000 as an important reminder of just how needs repetition — universalise the public statements that the “peak” strain on the cases of Covid-19 identified in the UK. brutal the last 21 days have been, and distribution system (PDS), expand cash National Health Service would be over the Let’s round that up and say it is 100,000. how challenging the next 19 days will be transfers and remove all hurdles to Easter period, you might be under the So if the reports from the BMJ editorial for the lives and livelihoods of most accessing entitlements for the next three impression that the storm is passing, and are accurate, the actual number would Indians. Our political leadership has months. If any further proof is needed of the Covid-19 pandemic will soon be a be that multiplied by five, in which case collectively determined that the blunt how acute the crisis of hunger is, memory. there would have already been half a instrument of lockdowns are necessary especially (although not exclusively) for Fueling this mood are reports from million infections in the UK. If this really to fight the coronavirus disease (Covid- our migrant workers, here are some studies of communities already hit by the is the peak and we see as many cases 19). Inexplicably, however, the task of frightening statistics. Data collected from pandemic. At long last we are beginning on the way down as on the way up, that implementing an appropriate national 11,000 distressed workers across the to see the results of work looking for signs would total 1 million infections from the response to the economic crisis this country by the Stranded Workers Action that people have already been infected, initial surge in the UK – hopefully all of poses has barely begun. Network (SWAN), a group of volunteers through the presence of antibodies those people would then be immune. State governments are stymied by the working to provide relief, reports that by against Sars-CoV-2, the virus which That would leave about 65 million lack of resources. The Centre is yet to the third week of the lockdown, 50% of causes Covid-19. Some of this data people in the UK still without immunity. announce a robust fiscal relief package. workers had less than one day’s worth of suggests strongly that many infections I am going to be unusually optimistic Finances apart, the sheer scale of relief rations. More worrying, 96% had not may have passed unnoticed, with the only here, and assume that everyone who has required, combined with the lack of received rations from the government symptoms being mild things such as loss Covid-19 becomes fully immune (not a planning when the first lockdown was while 70% had not received any cooked of the ability to smell and taste, and that given), and that the virus is towards the announced on March 25, has presented food. There is no time to be lost. Grains as a result, more people may be immune less transmissible end of the range of our bureaucracy with an unprecedented need to move immediately from the Food than had been thought. Surely this is a estimates currently available. If this is the logistical challenge. The last 21 days have Corporation of India godowns, and, sign that communities around the world case, you would need half your population been spent desperately firefighting anyone who approaches the PDS stores can breathe a sigh of relief and start getting to have been infected to achieve a level through a plethora of government orders should be given their entitlement, back to work?Unfortunately, it is nothing of population immunity that would stop to get relief measures, supply chains and regardless of ration cards. of the kind. the epidemic continuing to grow and essential services moving, leaving little In the medium-term, India may well Talk of the “peak” can be misleading, overwhelming healthcare systems. time to devise systems that ensure live through periodic cycles of because it’s not clear whether you are As I write the UK is reporting more communication, coordination and ground- lockdowns and graded opening up. If talking about the Matterhorn or Table than 10,000 deaths from Covid-19. Due level feedback. This is one reason why workers come back to cities, it will Mountain – both have a summit, but the to the realities of collecting data during the police have so freely used their lathis be critical to ensure the hunger crisis peak is far more pronounced in one than an infectious disease emergency like and workers for essential services remain doesn’t repeat itself. To do this, the the other. In countries such as Italy (unlike this, that is likely to be an underestimate. in short supply. Now, as the country enters Centre and state governments need Wuhan) the initial surge in the Covid-19 Again, if we assume this is the peak and the next phase of the lockdown with a to, on a war-footing, put in place a pandemic has not evaporated quickly. there is the same number on the way likely phased opening up of the economy secure, portable food-and-cash There are multiple reasons for this but down that’s 20,000 total from the initial from April 20 onward, these logistical security system that allows migrant the most important is that the impact of surge. And to get to population immunity challenges will become even more acute workers access to benefits from any physical distancing achieved in China has you have to multiply that by at least 30: and threaten to undermine potential part of the country. been hard to accomplish elsewhere, based on the current data, that’s about economic gains. India simply cannot (Contd on page 25 ) mostly because of the freedoms we 600,000 deaths to get there, minimum. correctly value in liberal Finding a vaccine to offer a complete democracies.Worse, there may be a solution to this pandemic is, even in the mountain range. In other words, what is best scenarios, is still a long way off But happening right now could be just one it is not hard to see many ways we can peak – not the peak. And the reason for slow the pace of the pandemic and save ISSN No. 1554 06X this is that despite all those positive signs lives. One of them is greatly improved from antibody testing, the huge majority testing to identify cases and their Editor in Chief & Publisher : Sharanjit Singh Thind of the population is not immune. contacts, which could be supplemented Editor (Political Affairs-India) : An editorial in the British Medical by clever digital methods to spot who has Aruna Singh Journal has reported data from China been at risk. Governments around the suggesting that as many as four in five world are attempting ways to keep jobs Chief Photographer : Vijay Shah Special Correspondent : cases of Sars-CoV-2 infection could be and businesses afloat while lockdowns Photographers: Hamad Gagandeep Singh (INDIA) asymptomatic. It then goes on to quote are in place – but the pressure remains Editorial Intern: Roubin Singh Thind Web Coordinator : Harpreet Singh people from the Centre for Evidence- to swiftly end such shutdowns. I get that Based Medicine in Oxford, who say that this is going to be a mammoth strain on A Publication of Media Partners Capital, Inc. if this is true “What the hell are we locking the economy. But the deaths of many down for?” I wish those people would be thousands of people would be too: it is REGD & MAILING OFFICE : brave enough to go and repeat that simply not possible to thoroughly insulate P.O Box 7005 Hicksville New York 11801 opinion in an ER in the Bronx right now, an economy from the impact of a in which actual medicine is going on. pandemic of this kind. Phone: 917 612 3158 TelFax : 516 342 1076 Worrying about the exact rate of Where I live, in Cambridge [email protected], [email protected] asymptomatic infection, or the currently Massachusetts, I keep hearing sirens. www.thesouthasianinsider.com unknown duration of immunity and a This crisis is not close to over, quite the possible “second wave”, is like politely reverse. The pandemic is only just getting Disclaimer The South Asian Insider is a weekly newspaper published every week by The South Asian Insider. 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We are in the business of selling space and claims made by the advertisers are not authenticated or confirmed by an independent source Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 OPINION 8 What the pandemic means for Europe The EU and its member-states were inept. But the Union will survive Another international crisis, ravaged Italy and Spain having to other. The European Central Bank another poor show by Europe. No fend for themselves, with China has spearheaded a swathe of government or multilateral institution providing the only outside financial relief efforts, including for has covered itself in glory in the assistance. developing countries. Much will be current coronavirus pandemic. Even Yet, the idea that a united Europe forgiven if a post-crisis Brussels by these low standards, the will be one of the victims of the uses the opportunity to expand the response of the European Union (EU) pandemic is an exaggeration. The ambit of the EU’s policy action. and its member-states has been EU is not responsible for medical New Delhi will be among the remarkably inept. Existing protocols crises because the member-states capitals that will hope Europe can on sharing medical supplies during never came up with a common restore some of its credibility. India a health crisis were ignored. health policy. Euroscepticism has and the EU have made progress in Freedom of movement principles so risen, but mostly in Italy, and has their relations, moving beyond beloved of Brussels was hastily been partly offset by the poor seemingly endless trade and human abandoned. There was a eurozone example set by Brexit Britain. The rights disputes, and starting to crisis redux over “coronabonds,” with supplies provided by China, much recognise that they have common frugal northern Europeans fearing of it paid for and subsequently strategic concerns that must be they would end up paying for the shown to be defective, have been prioritised. The hope is that these fiscal irresponsibility of southerners. surpassed by what European strands can be picked up again after There was a palpable sense of virus- governments have given to each the virus is defeated. Covid-19 and the contours of a new world order The world will be more integrationist than isolationist. India can play a key role in creating new institutions

actively crisscrossing each instrumental in building the role Woodrow Wilson other’s paths. two global institutions. had played at the end of Prime Minister Through the Bretton World War I. “Wilson Narendra Modi has to lead Woods Conference in saw America’s mission in India into that world after 1944, he laid the World War I not as the pandemic. Modi foundation for the World material aggrandisement described the situation as Bank and International but as leading all nations “World War-like”. That has Monetary Fund. The US into a new international catalysed the building of a dollar emerged as the community organised to narrative around World global currency. In April achieve right ends,” wrote War II. Comparisons are 1945, the United Nations political scientist, Joseph being drawn between Modi Organization (UNO) was Nye. Wilson’s famous and Franklin D Roosevelt, born with the US and its 14-point charter for world who led America into allies in the driver’s seat. peace, outlined in his WWII. At a time when this address to the American Incidentally, both post-Covid-19 world Congress in January Roosevelt and Adolf Hitler order appears to be in 1918, underscores the The world is grappling imported masks and has become a fad with came to power in America disarray, it will be moral leadership of with the coronavirus testing kits from some political scientists to talk and Germany respectively tempting to expect Modi America. pandemic. People are countries, while exporting about multi-polarity. But in the same year (1932). to don the Rooseveltian Wilsonianism of the dying in large numbers. critical drugs such as the 21st-century world is While Hitler turned into a mantle and take the lead 20th century was Health care and the hydroxychloroquine to no longer being led by despot, subjecting in building new global represented by liberal economy are under many countries, including countries alone. We have European neighbours to institutions. Institutions internationalism, severe stress. Countries the United States (US). corporations that have domination and of the WWII vintage such democracy, non- are turning inwards, Global supply chains have bigger GDPs than many aggression, Roosevelt as the World intervention, collective closing borders, to become critical not only for countries in the world. We focused on rebuilding Health?Organization and security and protect their people. As health care products, but have players outside the America. His “New Deal” United Nations Security humanitarian historian Yuval Noah food and other supplies too. State that wield enormous led to massive Council have become cooperation. In the last Harari wrote, more and In fact, one big influence on people across infrastructure building such overtly partisan and lost six years, Modi has more countries are realisation for countries national boundaries. More as highways, bridges and their credibility today. shown his commitment becoming nationalist and from the pandemic has important, in the era of railways in America, and “The United Nations is to all these political protectionist, even, in been that nationalism of social media, a number of helped the country come far less credible today ideals. In fact, during some cases, even the closed kind won’t work. power groups have out of the Great Depression than it has been through his Covid-19 authoritarian. Donald Trump’s “America emerged in the world that of the 1930s. Expectations its history”, S consultations with the But the coronavirus first” nationalism didn’t defy national boundaries. are that Modi will also do Jaishankar, India’s G20 and South Asian disease (Covid-19) has work. He had to turn to While nationalism as a something similar. external affairs minister Association for Regional taught us a different China, India, and South political ideology is making Japan’s bombing of said recently. With the Cooperation partners, he lesson, a lesson of Korea for supplies. A a return, the world is also Pearl Harbor in US?facing its worst presented his model interdependence. The recurring theme of many a slipping into what author, December 1941 forced nightmare, and the centred on humanism as pandemic is global. The political scientist about Parag Khanna has Roosevelt into the war. credibility of the Chinese “human-centric battle to combat it too American exceptionalism described as hetero- By the end of the war in leadership at an all-time development must be global. We stands shattered today. polarity. It may be 1945, the US emerged low, the presumption that cooperation”. depend on each other for Isolationists in all premature to predict the as the leading world Modi should step into the Modi-ism of the post- our health care countries, including India, post-Covid-19 world order, power replacing Great role that Roosevelt played Covid 21st-century world equipment, services, must realise that post- but it can conclusively be Britain. But Roosevelt’s 75 years ago sounds can be borne out of the transportation facilities, Covid-19 world will be more said that we are moving contribution to the War logical. democratic and humanist and, finally the vaccines, integrationist than into a hetero-polar world, was not just about the Perhaps, Modi should credentials that he has as and when they are isolationist. with multiple State and non- defeat of the Axis go back, not 75 years, but displayed in the fight invented. India has For some time now, it State power players powers. Roosevelt was by a century, and look at against Covid-19. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 OPINION 9 Time for Parliament to meet, virtually It is an institution of public trust and needs to scrutinise executive actions, especially in a crisis

With the coronavirus wireless Internet on their person. One, when they proceedings can be done conducting the proceedings in India and around the world disease (Covid-19) upon phones and tablets inside meet as a whole to virtually before the house of their committees digitally. are marked by ceremony and us, it is inevitable that there the Houses. Gone are the constitute a sitting of the resumes next week. The Its treasury committee rigid rules of functioning. But will be changes in how we days when MPs or their House. This situation will second occasion when MPs recently heard witnesses on they also have an advantage. engage to get things done. staff had to visit the arise in July when MPs meet in person is during a video conference on the They can regulate their Prime Minister Narendra Parliament House to assemble for the monsoon meetings of parliamentary subject of the economic functioning, allowing them to Modi is holding Cabinet submit notices for their session of Parliament. committees. These impact of the coronavirus effect institutional changes meetings and interacting interventions. Now, there is Parliaments around the committees are smaller sub- pandemic. In New Zealand, quickly. Working remotely is with political leaders a dedicated portal where world are gearing up to groups of MPs which meet the Epidemic Response the new normal, and for through video conferences. they can electronically file ensure that some parts of outside the House to Committee, led by the leader Parliament to adapt to it is a Last month, 82 Congress their questions, zero-hour their proceedings can be deliberate on issues. The of opposition, has been necessity. leaders discussed the submissions and other conducted online. For committees play a critical role operating via video This disruption by the party’s response to Covid- notices for participating in example, the Scottish as they are tasked with the conferencing to evaluate the pandemic is an opportunity for 19 on a video call. The debates. parliament recently in-depth examination of government’s response to our Parliament. It should Supreme Court is using Second, there has been conducted its question government bills. Currently, Covid-19. The proceedings of evaluate which aspects of its video conferencing to hear rapid technology adoption hour virtually for the first there are six bills being the committee are streamed functioning are amenable to cases. Government in the two parliamentary time. Meanwhile, in examined by different on social media and on the being done online. The virtual conferences are moving secretariats. They started London, 100 MPs signed a committees. Parliament website. The working of parliament in other online. using computers for their letter calling for the There are international Australian Parliament also countries underlines one key Parliament has been work in the mid-1980s. An creation of a virtual examples that our Parliament has a provision in its rules principle. Parliament is an disrupted and the Budget example of their digital parliament. In response, the could examine to restart the of procedure to allow for institution of public trust and session was cut short by prowess is the daily Speaker of the House of functioning of committees. audio and video links to be needs to continue its role of eight days, delaying the uncorrected debate: A Commons has urged the For example, the House of used for committee scrutiny of government’s debate on key bills. Many transcript of proceedings in government to ensure that Commons has successfully proceedings. actions, especially in times state legislatures such as the Houses is uploaded some part of parliamentary completed a trial in The workings of legislatures of crisis. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, online on the same day the Karnataka and Kerala debate takes place. curtailed their sessions. Making Parliament an There is an oil deal. But India need not worry Madhya Pradesh and open and transparent Andhra Pradesh issued institution is the third area Production cuts have pushed up oil prices, but conditions still favour buyers ordinances to enable them where the institution has Russia, Saudi Arabia and other major up just half the drop in global industry will come back to life. Also, to spend money in the new leveraged technology. The oil producers have agreed to reduce demand. India, along with other major Saudi-Russian rivalry will continue in financial year. proceedings of the Houses oil production. Combined with other oil importers, will remain overall some form or another to some It is here that technology- are broadcast on dedicated measures, the amount of oil extent — India will benefit as centric solutions can TV channels and also sold in global markets will fall a consequence. Saudi Arabia ensure work continuity in streamed online. The by nearly 15 million barrels a has offset the oil price law-making institutions. parliamentary websites day. The entire price drama has increase by offering Asian Parliament has been agile maintain records of all its led oil prices to rise about 2% buyers a discount of over $4 in its adoption of work, and the two a barrel, but they remain half a barrel while increasing its technology through its secretariats have also of the $60 to $70 spread they demand price for Europe and history in three key areas. digitised parliamentary enjoyed just a few months ago. North America. This reflects First, to empower debate since 1858, and The main consequence of the a determination to hold and members of Parliament made them freely available present agreement is an end increase market share in Asia (MPs) to work more to the public. to the price war between Russia and beneficiaries of historically low oil at the expense of other producers efficiently, as early as The pandemic challenges Saudi Arabia. The enormous drop in prices.Even if the pandemic comes such as Russia and the United 1954, a teleprinter was the ability of the institution oil demand that followed the to a grinding halt, the future of oil States. In the meantime, India can installed in the lobby of the to physically assemble pandemic outbreak has rendered the prices remains bleak. A supply- continue to expect low oil prices as Lok Sabha to enable MPs and debate matters of price war meaningless. Even with demand mismatch will remain. Oil well as a useful period of price to keep up to speed with national importance. There Moscow and Riyadh patching up, the producers will immediately open up stability in the coming several important developments. are two occasions when resulting production cuts will make their spigots. The United States shale months. Now MPs can access MPs have to assemble in Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 OPINION 10 Covid-19:What India must do next This war will be won by smart data-driven defence, coupled with strategic offence The decisive action taken be met by focused by the Indian leadership in science. Towards this, flattening the coronavirus Indian research disease (Covid-19) curve is organisations are using laudable. In choosing cross-sectoral strengths to between the proverbial create the necessary kuan (well) and khai pipeline of products. When (chasm), one takes steps biohazard suit production to avoid the most was constrained by the catastrophic scenario. unavailability of seam With the Prime Minister sealing tape, a sealant glue announcing the extension from submarine of the lockdown, the applications was valuable time that has been substituted by Defence bought must now be used Research and to prepare. But for what? A Development Organisation, defensive war or an ensuring that these suits offensive one? The first will can be produced in large be fought by socio-political numbers, forming a robust measures such as line of defence for frontline lockdowns and care of the health workers. An vulnerable; the latter will be indigenous oxygen fought by science and concentrator from the technology. the least, learn from offensive against the ups, supported by futuristic alternatives such CSIR Venture Centre may When physician Harvey research to continually enemy. We must innovate academia, are developing as a Clustered Regularly make the difference Fineberg recently talked improve. These principles at every step, use our indigenous alternatives. Interspaced Short between life and death for about 10 weeks to crush apply equally to India, but fabled “jugaad” as a stop- Medical researchers, Palindromic Repeats hypoxic patients, if central the curve in America, he the relative difficulties of gap defensive measure, epidemiologists, molecular (CRISPR)-based paper oxygen supply runs short. outlined six key steps. each step are very different. while our premier research biologists, and technocrats strip test, which may Lifesaving drugs, with With slight modifications, For India, the command institutions work to provide are jointly formulating eliminate the need for promise in Covid-19 these are the following: system is clear and active, new weapons in this fight. strategies for minimum expensive and scarce real- treatment, are being One, establish a clear the public is engaged, but While the challenges are testing for maximum time Polymerase Chain synthesised by CSIR labs command system. Two, testing is low, the severe, the unified insight. Reaction (PCR) machines, in collaboration with test widely. Three, protect determination of the five response of the Apps like Aarogya Setu came from years of pharma majors. Inspiration health workers with proper classes (of step four) is not government, industry and leverage India’s digital and background work. from traditional medical gear and equip hospitals for yet clear, and supply academia in this time of telecom infrastructure and While issues remain in systems is guiding the a surge in demand. Four, chains of protective gear crisis has been heartening. tech talent to supplement expeditiously bringing new ministry of Ayush’s efforts. determine and track who is and hospital equipment are For example, to test community testing and tech to market — for The idea is to not blindly infected, likely to be thin and fraying. widely, we need diagnostic provide virtual intelligence. example, sufficient copy anyone, but to take infected, exposed, The sixth step, research, kits. As global supplies of Previous investment in quantities of the input the best of what is available unexposed, or recovered. has to not only meet these kits and their components high-quality basic research materials for the CRISPR and by using universally- Five, inspire and mobilise defensive challenges, but start becoming scarce, is also paying off. The test are difficult to find — a recognised scientific the public. And last, but not also launch an all-out Indian industry and start- recent development of strong academia-industry principles, modify it to local combine is working hard to contexts and needs. We overcome the obstacles. have bought ourselves time Meanwhile, numerous to prepare and have the PM Modi’s speech: A mixed bag research labs across the scientific capacity to nation are using their deliver. This war will be won Extending the lockdown is right. Address economic issues now infrastructure to enhance by smart data-driven the national Reverse defence, coupled with Prime Minister Narendra Modi contagious virus. India, with its weak everyone — individuals, businesses, Transcription (RT)-PCR strategic offence. announced the extension of the health infrastructure, does not have and provinces. Just as India has led testing capacity. Young While the medical side national lockdown for 19 more days, the capacity to deal with a high on the lockdown front, it has lagged companies funded by the defends with what they till May 3. This means India will have number of cases. The hope remains, on this. India should have, by now, Council of Scientific and have, the research side a lockdown of 40 days — the longest just as it was when the lockdown outlined specific measures for Industrial Research (CSIR) must support them with any country, especially of India’s was originally announced on March businesses which are becoming and the Department of what they need. size, population and complexity, has 24, that this period will help India increasingly unviable; workers who Biotechnology industry Importantly, we must not had in the world so far. To be sure, “flatten the curve”; it will also give time stare at long-term unemployment; programmes are coming take our eyes off the real there is a caveat. Depending on the and space to the government to the poor who are already confronting out with affordable and solution — effective spread of the disease over the next enhance testing, focus on the possibility of starvation and simple indigenous treatment and vaccines; week, there will be relaxations, containment zones, provide personal hunger; and states, which are at the diagnostic systems that developed in India for the starting April 20, for necessary protective equipment to health frontlines of the battle but are can be used by local world. We have the activities in states, districts, or workers, embark on antibody testing, fiscally constrained and have centres without leadership to inspire and subregions which have not and gradually prepare the country for been seeking support. It was not advanced infrastructure. mobilise the public. Can witnessed cases, have brought it a return to economic life. enough for the PM to Together, these form a science guide decisions under control, or have succeeded in But this can only be one part of the acknowledge that he was aware viable plan to widen the to shape the public the controlling the situation in story. The public health strategy has of these difficulties; it was time testing net and health response and to hotspots — clusters with a high enormous economic costs. It is true to show, in detail, how the Centre effectively determine restart the economy? If number of cases. lives have to be saved. But along with plans to help specific sectors, local and personal risks. we do this well, not The PM is right about the lockdown. the lockdown, India should have vulnerable citizens, and state Similarly, procurement only will we save grief Till there are medical remedies to announced a comprehensive governments in this battle. This challenges in personal to hundreds of deal with the coronavirus disease stimulus for the economy just as must be the next step in the protective equipment thousands of Indians, (Covid-19), social distancing remains other countries have. Around the government’s plan — and the PM (PPE), hospital beds, but also contribute to the most effective tool to prevent the world, countries have unveiled should take personal ownership oxygen, ventilators, and global good and emerge transmission of this highly economic relief packages for and announce it himself. newer anti-viral drugs, must a stronger nation. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 11 Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 VIEW POINT 12 The pandemic will change public life as we know it The State’s role will expand. There will be more welfare projects, and a greater openness to technology major factor in enabling the hand work well could organisations to display vote persons without US economy to recover. perhaps push democratic greater flexibility in offering meaningful expertise in public Indian must move to a 5% nations towards greater work-from-home (WFH) office. Governance is for fiscal deficit for some years authoritarianism. options. However, even serious persons who have — as long as the money Another medium-term enlightened companies have dedicated their time to politics is used in a directed impact of Covid-19 should generally offered WFH and administration. It is no manner. be a greater openness to facilities for a maximum of two surprise that the best Greater governmental using technology. or three days a month. The administrative responses powers do come with their Telemedicine, which has pandemic has shown that it have come from thoughtful own risks. Kishore been untapped, will see a is indeed possible to manage leaders in Singapore, South Mahbubani, dean at the surge. It has always some parts of our business Korea, or Germany. One No one should seek to read the envelope of what Lee Kuan Yew School of seemed unambitious that on a remote basis. This is a hopes that we will see a much into the economic government can do has Public Policy in Singapore, this market is estimated by dramatic change in lifestyle diminished enthusiasm to predictions at the moment clearly been expanded has pointed out that at a India to be just about $32 for those who need it. One vote for TV stars, actors and with the coronavirus way beyond what people cultural level, so far, East million, roughly one day’s would expect the share of sportsmen. Several of these disease (Covid-19) in full would have expect only a Asian economies have revenues of one of the women in the workforce, changes may well usher in a flow. However, Covid-19 is few weeks ago. demonstrated better many IT majors. In the which has been dropping in period of more egalitarian likely to profoundly impact For long, there has been an capability in handling the sphere of education, India in recent years, to see growth, driving investments the way governments, uncritical acceptance of pandemic. Taiwan, Hong several lobbies have taken some revival. The 2008 the government should companies and citizens lower wages in some jobs Kong, South Korea and the position that no version financial crisis led to a distrust always have made and behave, changing public life such as nursing and Singapore, all stand as of online education will be of experts, especially those enabling a wider base of as we know it. teaching. Caught in the poster children of good acceptable for the award of prone to making economic consumption. Former United States middle of a pandemic, we administration. This crisis formal degrees. Now, they prognostications. This The trente glorieuses (three President Ronald Reagan now see that these groups will be a shot across the have scrambled to find ways distrust of a small part of the decades of high growth) in famously said that the nine take on an unusual level of bow of those in the West to make online learning and educated elite spilt over into France and the Golden Age most scary words in the importance. To this list of who claim that their models assessment possible. scepticism of other classes in the US were driven by English language are: “I’m critical roles are included of government have little to In a similar vein, for long, of experts who indeed had deep-rooted and sensible from the government and not just doctors and nurses learn from others. Citizens, working mothers, those with something useful to say. A governmental I’m here to help”. This but also teachers, delivery in many countries, seeing ageing parents, and the consequence of this trust interventions. India has to approach influenced staff, store clerks and bank governments with stronger disabled have requested deficit was the inclination to do the same. political thought for a tellers. While granting that, quarter-century. But Covid- in most cases, wages will 19 has put governments at be determined by market Trump rages at criticism while governors craft the forefront of the forces, other forms of response. There is now a benefits such as additional greater questioning of why income support could be the role of the government promised to such groups to their own plans to reopen the economy has been needlessly partially offset the personal With 23,000 Americans reduced in many risks taken by these dead and millions without countries. India too has groups when they are a paycheck, President edged towards an expected to keep essential Donald Trump dimmed erroneous consensus that services afloat. the lights in the White we need to keep Historically, governments House briefing room, fired government small. This is have claimed an absence up a misleading likely to change. of fiscal space to fund such propaganda video and Former national security welfare activities. In India, boiled over. In one of the adviser and foreign there should now be a most unchained secretary, Shiv Shankar strong case to increase presidential tantrums Menon, wrote in Foreign spending on health care ever captured on Policy that governments and insurance. Budget television, Trump's will take on a renewed 2021 will hopefully place Monday display flouted confidence in their power to greater importance on every notion of calm shape the destinies of their these. As we debate how leadership by the conference, Trump administration actions. economies, including nations. In responding to adverse individual health commander in chief in a moaned that the press was When the Category Five shops, schools and the crisis, governments outcomes impact society crisis. He claimed not giving him credit presidential storm had restaurants closed by have perhaps found powers at large, there will also be powers never envisioned because "everything we blown out, Trump had governors and mayors. He they either did not know a recognition that large- by the Constitution and did was right" in the offered no new did not explain, either, they had or were unwilling scale unemployment, insisted his "authority is coronavirus pandemic. guidance on the key how he would convince to use. partly caused by a potential total" to order states and Raging at reporters, the issues -- for instance, the public to get back to This new-found power will economic slowdown, too cities to get moving again President used the the continued normal if people did not influence how other damages the economy. to break out of the frozen campaign-style video to inadequacy of testing, feel confident they were matters of state are dealt Governments will need to economy. His warning mislead the nation about which will hamper the safe. "The President of with later. The climate implement Keynesian came as two blocs of his sluggish recognition of nation's economic the United States calls crisis fraternity may now steps to create more jobs Eastern and Western the threat from the virus, opening. He vowed that the shots," Trump said. see greater receptiveness and would be well advised hot-spot states banded after once predicting a the economy would fire But after the briefing, to demands for more to breach their current together in an implied "miracle" that would make up "ahead of schedule" Democratic New York stringent environmental fiscal target. Now they challenge to his vow to it go away. He called up his but did not explain how, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said emission standards. should have the confidence get people back to work top medical adviser, Dr. when many states are he disagreed with Demands for strengthened to push back on the deficit soon, setting off a Anthony Fauci, to publicly at or are approaching Trump's interpretation of health care, better social hawks. Fiscal deficits in brewing confrontation repudiate his own words their peak infection his powers, stating that security nets and the like the United States rose to over the power of the Sunday on CNN, which had rates. And he appeared the President is not a have been denied for long, 10% of GDP under federal government. been interpreted as to warn he would try to monarch. due to various fiscal Roosevelt’s “New Deal” in During the news criticism of early force open state (Contd on page 22) reasons. The boundaries of the mid-1930s. That was a Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 INDIA-CURRENT AFFAIRS 13 Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi urges Muslims to avoid congregating during Ramzan Union minister for minority affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday urged the Muslim community to follow the social distancing protocol and adhere to the lockdown guidelines during the holy month of Ramzan starting later in April.

(News Agencies) Union the people to pray and practice and Ulemas to drive home the members to desist from minister for minority affairs rituals such as breaking the message of adhering to the congregating have been Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on fast inside the safety of their lockdown guidelines and also issued. There are seven lakh Monday urged the Muslim homes instead of congregating stress the importance of registered mosques and community to follow the social in mosques and other public breaking the chain of Imambaras and dargahs under distancing protocol and adhere places. Naqvi told Hindustan coronavirus pandemic. Naqvi the Central Waqf Council. In to the lockdown guidelines Times on Monday that he said on behalf of the Central the wake of restrictions during the holy month of would reach out to the State Waqf Council, of which he is imposed on public meetings Ramzan starting later in April. Waqf Board members, the chairperson, messages during the lockdown, religious temples, mosques, churches and In a statement, Naqvi asked custodians of various mosques urging the community activities and festivities in gurdwaras have been cancelled. Jamaat brought collective shame and Islamophobia, Muslims say To some Muslims, the war on coronavirus has begun to look like a war on the community itself. The community finds itself blamed for the spread of the coronavirus.

minister Aslam Shaikh said Madhya Pradesh, leading to Muslims linked to mosque in Delhi’s Kotla The religious event led to to three arrests, according Tablighi Jamaat, who he Mubarakpur. outrage among both to the Delhi Police. labelled “jihadi”, a synonym The government seems to Muslims and non-Muslims. On April 4, Mohammed for terrorists. Crucially, have been slack too, said However, Muslims then Dilshad, who had a officials like Gupta are Naved Hamid Moemin, the began to be accused on connection to Tablighi tasked with deciding the chief of All India Majlis-e- social media sites of Jamaat, hanged himself in fate of people stripped of Mushwarat, a Muslim deliberately spreading the Himachal Pradesh’s Una citizenship in the state on advocacy organisation. (News Agencies) Jehirul from Malaysia, Sri Lanka virus as part of a “jihad”. Bangarh village, allegedly suspicion of being illegal “The police made no effort Islam, a coronavirus and Kyrgyzstan, led to a The hashtag “coronajihad” because of social boycott. foreign migrants. to separate foreigners from disease patient, made a dramatic spike in Covid-19 was circulated 300,000 In Assam’s Nalbari district, It is true that the Tablighi Indian preachers at the final call on April 10 from cases in the country, with times, according to Hindu shopkeepers refuse Jamaat congregation led gathering despite serving a his hospital bed in Indian attendees Equality Labs, a digital to serve people from a to a steep spike in the notice on them,” Moemin Maharashtra’s Akola to his presumably infected by the advocacy group, quoted by Muslim village, according number of Covid-19 said. family in Assam. He foreigners then going on to Time magazine. Ordinary to Rehmat Ali, a farmer of cases. A senior health Last week, the Union home sounded grim, fearing infect people across the Muslims say the Jamaatis the area. In another ministry official, Lav ministry issued an advisory something he imagined to country. At one point the were “irresponsible and instance of Islamophobia, Agarwal, addressing on preventing “social be far worse than dying of congregants or their condemnable”, but the an official of the State reporters, said on April 5 stigma” attached to Covid- Covid-19. The next day, contacts accounted for a incident has given rise to Foreigners’ Tribunal in that the number of days 19 patients or their hospital staff found him third of the total cases. reprisals. Assam on April 7 wrote a it would have taken for communities. It said dead, his throat slit, in an Fears of cremation of There have also been letter to the state’s health India’s coronavirus cases “certain communities and apparent suicide. Muslims, based on several reports of them minister Himanta Biswa to double had quickened to areas are being labelled “He was worried he won’t rumours, were unfounded. misbehaving in quarantine, Sarma that shocked 4.1 days from 7.1 due to purely based on false be able to make it back “The government’s including at Delhi’s LNJP Muslims. In it, Kamalesh the congregation. reports”, adding that such home and that, if he were guidelines state that hospital where the police Gupta, the official, said he “The Jamaat people should prejudices need to be to die, his body would be Muslim Covid-19 victims had to be called in. and his colleagues had have deferred their meet. “countered urgently”. The cremated, rather than should be buried at a In Delhi’s Bawana, a mob made donations to the They have brought federal health advisory buried in a Muslim cemetery closest to the attacked Mehboob Ali, who state’s coronavirus fund. miseries on the urged officials to “never cemetery,” his brother place where the patient had attended a similar However, he urged that community,” said Maulana spread the names or identity Moinul Islam said from died,” Maharashtra Islamic gathering in “help may not be extended” Asghar Ali, the imam of a of those affected”. Singimari, a village in central Assam’s Nagaon district. For Dharavi’s sanitation problems, K Two?suicides have been driven by stigma, rumours VijayRaghavan pitches for some frugal solutions and slurs directed toward India’s 200-million Principal Scientific Adviser K VijayRaghavan said the foot-operated hand wash stations was an Muslims. example how frugal and effective tools could have a disproportionately positive impact To some Muslims, the war (News Agencies) The country’s chance of transmission of impact,” K VijayRaghavan said. enforce the lockdown and social on coronavirus has begun top scientist’s team has come up disease by eliminating direct He urged community leaders, distancing norms. to look like a war on the with a ‘do it yourself’ hand wash contact with potentially high- NGOs and corporate houses to The sprawl of shanties spread community itself. The station that could be used in infection areas but also reduce take up to implement such across 240-hectare is home to community finds itself densely-populated the amount of water used to wash solutions. 8,50,000 people. At a population blamed for the spread of neighborhoods such as Dharavi hands, the office of Principal Mumbai’s Dharavi, Asia’s biggest density of 66,000 people per the coronavirus. This to raise the sanitation bar. This Scientific Adviser K slum cluster, has already square kilometre, it is one of followed a global religious one is operated by foot and can VijayRaghavan said in a reported 49 Covid-19 cases. Five Mumbai’s most congested spaces. congregation in New Delhi be assembled by community statement on Monday. of them have died. Given how the A set of guidelines issued by in mid-March, held by volunteers and authorities using “Our densely populated places, residents of Dharavi are short on VijayRaghavan’s office on Monday Tablighi Jamaat, an Islamic affordable and locally available Dharavi is but one example that space and basic amenities, there said some basic steps would, with movement of preachers, material even during the needs special attention. The has been a lurking concern that precautions and measures, help which met in defiance of lockdown’s supply-chain manual, put together by the team the highly contagious disease control the spread of Covid-19 in official restrictions. challenges. at the PSA’s office, brings out could spread rapidly prompting such densely populated areas The gathering of nearly These foot-operated hand wash how frugal but effective tools can the state to bring in hundreds of where toilets, washing or bathing 2,500 delegates, some stations not only reduce the have disproportionate positive reserve police personnel to facilities are shared. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 INDIA-CURRENT AFFAIRS 14 The Cost Of COVID-19 Lockdown: Rise In Bonded Labour And Human Trafficking In India Foresight and preparedness in the midst of the current lockdown can save the lives of crores of women, men and children and avoid an impending humanitarian crisis (News Agencies) As most makes them the easiest forced out of school, bearing Pornhub, the largest government must assess the budgetary allocation to parts of India seek a target for the organised crime the burden of sustaining their pornography platform in the existing criminal law on combat bonded labour and seamless supply of essential network of human trafficking. families. Thousands of world, has seen a 20-time trafficking and its ability to trafficking. Up to 2016, 3.13 goods in the midst of the Deprivation and hunger await children will likely be trafficked jump in India, from 0.9% on counter the crime and meet lakh bonded labourers have countrywide lockdown to fight them before and after they across the country to work in February 24 to 18.1% as on the needs of the victim. The been rescued. The COVID-19, the central reach their villages across manufacturing units where March 16. A large segment lapsed anti-trafficking bill rehabilitation framework for question that assumes several states. They will be they will be paid meagre to of this ‘content’ includes needs to be amended and rescued bonded labourers importance is – what are the forced into debt and predatory no wages and will most likely trafficked children who are passed in Parliament was strengthened in 2016, conditions under which the interest rates even for their face extreme physical, exploited to create urgently. though, a central government labour force is meeting the daily subsistence. This will mental and sexual violence. pornographic material. Adults . Inspections of factories and scheme provides for demand of mass production trigger decades of inter- Underage girls will be married and children who consume manufacturing units: Small compensation up to Rs 3 lakh and delivery at low costs? generational bondage and and bought and sold into this content are likely to and medium business will try to victims. From the date of The national lockdown came wage-less labour. Hundreds prostitution. According to ‘normalise and fetishise’ child and operate through the notification of this scheme into effect on March 26, of thousands of children will government data (2007), there rape and sexual violence, unregulated manufacturing till December 2019, Bachpan backed by health experts as be enslaved. are at least 30 lakh women, which may translate into units to subvert inspection Bachao Andolan, founded by a necessary step for Once the lockdown is lifted including 12 lakh girls below offline sexual violence. and must be contained within Nobel Peace Laureate containing the rapid spread of and normal manufacturing the age of 18 years, involved Preparedness to counter the system of accountability. Kailash Satyarthi, has the virus. There are, however, activity resumes, factory in sex work. The forces bonded labour and trafficking The enforcement and rescued 1,550 child bonded consequences of the owners will look to cover their behind the business of As the central and state compliance of child labour and labourers and 2,823 child contagion that go beyond the financial losses by employing pushing girls and women into governments struggle to bonded labour laws will require victims of trafficking. The health-related challenges, cheap labour. Increasingly, commercial sexual contain the immediate health increased focus, including rehabilitation of these children and raise, possibly, more desperate and vulnerable exploitation have faced and economic challenges, a extensive combing exercises alone required a minimum of Rs long-term humanitarian populations of unorganised ‘financial loss’ as a great amount of planning of registered factories and 100.2 crore. Yet, the total concerns. workers, who are in no consequence of the lockdown must go into dealing with the other manufacturing units, for allocation for the scheme in the The huge number – over 39 position to negotiate wages will seek to overcome this imminent impact of this crisis, at least two years, to prevent national budget is only Rs 100 crore – of unorganised and or their rights, will be a loss through high-return especially in terms of the the use of child labourers. crore annually. This calls for an migrant workers on the massive pool for cheap investments, i.e. a girl from a safety of the most vulnerable 3. Increase in budgetary immediate hike, especially fringes or outside the socio- labour. family which has lost its children. allocation for law enforcement focused on the rehabilitation economic security umbrella, A large number of these means of subsistence and 1. Assessment and review of and victim rehabilitation: There of rescued bonded labourers are the most vulnerable. This labourers will be children, survival. legal framework: The central is a gross deficit in the and trafficking victims. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 INDIA-CURRENT AFFAIRS 15 ‘Cry, my beloved country’ US clears sale of Harpoon missiles, Chidambaram takes on PM Modi’s lockdown extension torpedoes for India’s P-8I aircraft The US State Department approved the sale following a request for these two military hardware made by the Indian Government, the Pentagon said amidst China flexing its military muscles in the strategic Indo-Pacific region and the Indian Ocean.

(News Agencies) Shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced lockdown extension till May 3 to fight Covid-19, Congress leader P Chidambaram attacked the central government saying the poor have been left to fend for themselves. “We reciprocate the PM’s New Year greetings. We understand the compulsion for extending the lockdown. We support the decision. CMs’ demand for money elicited no response. Not (News Agencies) The US State threats and to strengthen its homeland policy and national security of the a rupee has been added to the miserly Department has cleared two deals to defense. India will have no difficulty United States by helping to strengthen package of March 25, 2020. From Raghuram sell India Harpoon Block II air launched absorbing this equipment into its armed the US-India strategic relationship and Rajan to Jean Dreze, from Prabhat Patnaik to missiles and lightweight torpedoes forces,” the Pentagon said. to improve the security of a major Abhijit Banerji, their advice has fallen on deaf worth $ 155 million. The anti-ship The proposed sale, it said, will defensive partner, which continues to years,” Chidambaram said on Twitter on missiles and the torpedoes would be improve India’s capability to meet be an important force for political Tuesday. integrated with the P-8I aircraft, also current and future threats from enemy stability, peace, and economic called the “submarine killer”. weapon systems. progress in the Indo-Pacific and South “The poor have been left to fend for themselves The 10 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II The Harpoon missiles will be Asia region. for 21+19 days, including practically soliciting air launched missiles that have a range manufactured by Boeing and will be China is engaged in hotly contested food. There is money, there is food, but the of about 124 km is estimated to cost $ integrated into the P-8I aircraft, the territorial disputes in the South and government will not release either money or 92 million. The 16 MK 54 All Up Round Indian variant of Boeing’s P-8s. This is East China Seas. Beijing has also made food. Cry, my beloved country,” he said in Lightweight Torpedoes and three MK 54 a multi-mission aircraft designed for substantial progress in militarising its another tweet.PM Modi on Tuesday extended Exercise Torpedoes are expected to long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti- manmade islands in the past few years, a nationwide lockdown until May 3 as the cost $ 63 million, the Defense Security surface warfare, and intelligence, which it says it has the right to defend, number of coronavirus cases crossed 10,000 Cooperation Agency said in two surveillance and reconnaissance according to news agency PTI. despite a three-week shutdown. separate notifications to the Congress. mission. China claims sovereignty over all of PM Modi, in his third address to the nation, According to the Pentagon, the The 3.84 metre long missile has a the South China Sea. But Vietnam, said the challenge was to stop the virus from Harpoon missile system will be 500-pound penetration, high-explosive Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and spreading to new parts of the country. integrated into the P-8I aircraft to blast warhead that gives it enough Taiwan have counter claims. In the East conduct anti-surface warfare missions firepower to destroy coastal defence China Sea, Beijing has territorial “Till May 3, every Indian will have to stay in in defence of critical sea lanes while and surface-to-air missile sites, disputes with Japan. The South China lockdown. I request all Indians that we stop enhancing interoperability with the industrial installations and docked Sea and the East China Sea are stated the coronavirus from spreading to other areas,” United States and other allied forces. ships. to be rich in minerals, oil and other he said.The current three-week-old lockdown “India will use the enhanced According to the Pentagon, this natural resources. They are also vital was scheduled to end at midnight on Tuesday. capability as a deterrent to regional proposed sale will support the foreign to global trade. Prashant Bhushan, Kannan Gopinathan booked by Gujarat police Bhushan was charged for allegedly using objectionable tweet against the Ramayana and Kannan Gopinathan was booked for using government orders on social media to mislead people. (News Agencies) Lawyer and activist the army identified as Jaydev Bhai Mathew, the news editor of National verifying the tweet. Further investigation Prashant Bhushan and former Indian Joshi, a native of Rajkot. In his Herald newspaper, tweeted is on,” Rawal added.Prashant Bhushan Administrative Service (IAS) officer complaint, Joshi accused Bhushan government orders in a misleading refused to comment. Gopinathan had Kannan Gopinathan booked were of using word opium with Ramayana manner which can lead to a tweeted on Monday that Gujarat police booked by Gujarat police over their and Mahabharata in a tweet made on disturbance of peace in society. registered an FIR against him for social media posts on Sunday. While March 28 which has hurt the “On the basis of the complaint, we allegedly misinterpreting government Bhushan was charged for allegedly using sentiments of many Hindu people,” have registered a case against the order. “Nice try. You can arrest. But objectionable tweet against the Rohit Rawal, a police inspector with trio under section 34 (criminal act you won’t silence. No one is afraid Ramayana, Kannan Gopinathan was SOG, said.Rawal is also the done by several persons), 295-A of you here,” he said. The former IAS booked for using government orders investigating officer of the case.“As (deliberate and malicious acts officer was recently asked to join his on social media to mislead people. crores starve & walk hundreds of intended to outrage the religious duty immediately in the wake of The first information report (FIR) was miles home due to forced lockdown, feelings of any class by insulting its Covid-19 pandemic but he said he registered at Bhaktinagar police our heartless ministers celebrate religion or the religious beliefs), will extend his “services in health, station of Rajkot city on Sunday consuming & feeding the opium of 505(1) (publishing or circulating any wealth and mind to the government evening. Later, the investigation was Ramayana & Mahabharata to the statement, rumour or report which can in this fight against Covid-19 transferred to the special operations people,” Bhushan had tweeted on cause fear and alarm amongst people) pandemic, it will be as a free and group (SOG). “A complaint was March 28. The complainant also and section 120 –B (criminal conspiracy responsible citizen and not anymore submitted by a retired captain from alleged that Gopinathan and Ashlin of the Indian Penal Code. We are as an IAS officer.” Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 16 Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 17 Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 18 Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 ADVERTISEMENT 19 Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 CONTD. 20 Obama endorses Biden for president in video message Obama, in a lengthy video “And that’s why I’m so proud designed to address this US Senate are not interested campaign, often giving them candidates. As Sanders taped on Monday and posted to endorse Joe Biden for particular moment in in progress,” Obama says. advice both before they worked to determine the on Tuesday, lauds Biden’s President of the United America and around the “They’re interested in power.” announced their bid and after future of his campaign, character and resilience, States,” he adds. world, particularly in the Obama casts Trump as a they dropped out. Advisers to Obama and the Vermont touting him as the right kind The endorsement reunites wake of the coronavirus leader who is more interested the former president said his senator spoke multiple of candidate to lead the the former running mates and pandemic. in helping the wealthy in the advice was often the same: times, a source familiar country through a crisis like positions Obama, whose Obama also spoke directly midst of a pandemic than Consider why you believe with the conversation told the ongoing coronavirus endorsement of Biden was to progressives, praising the average Americans. He you should be president, CNN. Sanders endorsed pandemic. Obama also seen as a forgone spirit of their movement argues that the President what impact it will have on Biden on Monday in a highlights the stakes of the conclusion once Vermont before outlining why he and Senate Republicans your family and whether you livestream, pledging to 2020 election by arguing Sen. Bernie Sanders believes they should embrace have repeatedly “disregarded can actually win.”We have a help him defeat President Trump and Republicans in dropped out of the race last Biden’s candidacy. The American principles of rule of field of very accomplished, Trump. “We need you in the Senate are solely week, to be one of Biden’s former president also offered law, and voting rights, and very serious and passionate the White House. I will do interested in power, not most powerful surrogates in full-throated praise of Sanders transparency,” and have been and smart people who have all that I can to see that making progress for the race against Trump. and noted what his candidacy helped by “a propaganda a history of public service,” that happens, Joe,” Americans. It also marks the public re- has meant for the pursuit of network with little regard for Obama said at a private Sanders said to Biden. In “If there’s one thing we’ve emergence of Obama into liberal ideals. the truth,” seemingly a knock fundraiser in late 2019. the few moments where learned as a country from the political arena. The former “Bernie’s an American against Fox News. While “Whoever emerges from the Obama did speak out moments of great crisis, it’s president kept a low public original — a man who has those comments are meant primary process, I will work about the race, the former that the spirit of looking out profile throughout much of the devoted his life to giving to rally loyal Biden my tail off to make sure they president warned voters of for one another can’t be Democratic nomination fight, voice to working people’s supporters against are the next president.” worrying too much about restricted to our homes, or but he was active behind the hopes, dreams, and Republicans, they are also Obama had long said he the bruising nature of a our workplaces, or our scenes. frustrations. He and I aimed squarely at some would get behind the primary, reminding them neighborhoods, or our Biden thanked Obama for the haven’t always agreed on liberal Democrats skeptical eventual nominee, but the that he and then-Sen. houses of worship,” Obama endorsement on Tuesday everything, but we’ve of the former vice president former president’s deep Hillary Clinton had a tough says in the over 11-minute shortly after the video posted. always shared a conviction by clearly highlighting the affection for Biden was well primary in 2008. And the endorsement video. “It also “Barack — This that we have to make stakes of the election. Many known to all those who ran former president told the has to be reflected in our endorsement means the America a fairer, more Democrats who ran for against the former vice candidates to avoid going so national government.” world to Jill and me,” he just, more equitable president made this president this year. Biden far left that they go beyond He continues: “The kind of wrote. “We’re going to build society,” Obama says. argument throughout the even jokingly posted an where voters actually are. leadership that’s guided by on the progress we made The former president also campaign, but top homage to Obama on “My one cautionary note is knowledge and experience, together, and there’s no one offered some of his most Democrats believe it could “Best Friends Day” in I think it is very important honesty and humility, I’d rather have standing by direct criticism yet of his be more powerful coming 2019, featuring a for all the candidates who empathy and grace — that my side.”Two people familiar successor without calling from someone who had friendship bracelet that are running at every level kind of leadership doesn’t with Obama’s video say it is Trump out by name. previously handled the featured the names “Joe” to pay some attention to just belong in our state intended as more than a “One thing everybody has decisions before Trump right and “Barack”. That where voters actually are,” capitols and mayors offices. simple endorsement of his learned by now is that the now. Obama in November relationship, though, did Obama said in November, It belongs in the White friend and former vice Republicans occupying the said he had spoken to all of not keep Obama from specifically saying he House.” president. His message is White House and running the the candidates during the giving counsel to other doesn’t think candidates should be “deluded into thinking that the Coronavirus takes a serious turn in Russia, resistance to certain approaches to things is simply because voters and Putin no longer radiates confidence haven’t heard a bold enough proposal.” It is this How quickly things can change in in the coronavirus situation,” she controversial digital tracking system the accuracy of the tests. period of the campaign, the time of coronavirus. In his wrote. “He only addressed the designed to keep residents indoors. In his Monday videoconference, however, when some Monday videoconference, Putin took nation briefly twice and went to the A recent outbreak in China has also Putin said the next few weeks supporters of other stock of a worsening situation. [coronavirus] hospital in underscored the severity of the would be critical for determining candidates, especially “We have a lot of problems,” Putin Kommunarka, but he neither gave situation in Russia. Health whether Russia is able to Sanders backers, feel said. “There is nothing to boast his own assessments of the crisis authorities in Shanghai recently effectively flatten the curve and like their hopes were about, and we must not let our guard nor proposed a plan of action, but reported a surge in imported cases, reduce the spread of coronavirus. dashed once their down, because in general, as you limited himself to scattered tracing dozens of cases to a single And he said that the Russian candidates dropped out, and your specialists say, we have measures and general words. No flight that arrived in Shanghai from military “can and should be where Obama’s team not passed the peak of the epidemic drama, empathy or attempts to Moscow on April 10. Chinese deployed here, if necessary.” believes the former yet.” mobilize.” authorities are also fighting an The next two or three weeks may president can be most The trendline speaks for itself. While Putin, Stanovaya argued, does not outbreak in city of Suifenhe, on the be critical for another reason. The useful. “He is uniquely Russia has comparatively few cases wish to be associated with harsh border with Russia’s Far East, a Kremlin is still planning for an positioned to galvanize the compared with the United States or or unpopular measures, leaving wave of cases attributed in large important date: the May 9 party around the nominee and the hardest-hit European countries, such chores to local subordinates. part to Chinese nationals returning Victory Day parade, a major increase voter turnout so that the number of confirmed cases has In the case of the coronavirus, the from Russia.Kremlin spokesperson celebration to mark the 75th a Democrat is successful in surged in recent days. On Monday task of rolling out some of the most Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday anniversary of the end of World the general election,” Valerie , Russia reported a record one-day heavy-handed restrictions has deflected questions about the War II in Europe. The Kremlin Jarrett, a longtime Obama rise in cases, with 2,558 confirmed fallen to Sergey Sobyanin, the planeload of coronavirus cases that says plans are still underway to adviser, told CNN in March. over the previous 24 hours.On mayor of Moscow. arrived in China, referring reporters hold the event, which centers Jarrett said that they believed Tuesday, Russia hit a fresh record: The Russian capital has been the to other agencies. But the spike in around an impressive display of it was “important” to let all the 2,774 confirmed cases. And Putin hardest hit by the virus. Officially, cases imported to China from military hardware rumbling candidates “stand on their is coming in for serious criticism Russia has 21,102 cases, Russia has raised a larger through Red Square. Officials own two feet” but that once a over his handling of the crisis. according to the government’s question: The reliability of Russian are reviewing plans amid nominee was selected, In a recent essay, Tatiana official tracking website, and the official statistics. coronavirus. But this prestigious Obama would use the Stanovaya of the Carnegie Moscow death toll has reached 170. Around The Russian government says it event — on a holiday that is an support he enjoyed from a “a Center said the coronavirus half of the country’s recorded cases has carried out over 1.4 million tests occasion for near-religious broad spectrum of the pandemic had underscored Putin’s — 11,513 — are in Moscow, and for Covid-19. But Moscow doctors reverence in Russia — presents a Democratic Party, both the isolation from ordinary Russians. 82 Muscovites have died. have recently begun diagnosing hard deadline, and a hard problem, progressive and moderate “One of the main topics today is Sobyanin has taken the lead in patients as positive based on lung for Putin’s anti-coronavirus wings” to bring the factions why Putin is almost imperceptible enforcing lockdown measures, scans because of questions over campaign. together. including the introduction of a Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 CONTD. 21 India can’t bear the costs of the lockdown anymore On Sunday afternoon, an mosque instead of Nihangs in a sudden unemployment can very time. and Industry (FICCI), India SUV tried to enter the sabzi gurudwara. I suspect it would well lead to violence in other The shutting of industries and cannot sustain the burden of a mandi in Patiala. The Punjab have led to a public furore. Sikhs places. small-scale industries for a lockdown for much longer. The police personnel on the premises and Muslims both are minority If the lockdown period is longer duration will harm not just federation has also appealed to tried to stop the vehicle. The communities, but the incident extended — some states have the people but also the economy. the government to advise district driver veered into the barricades reflects the kind of contradictions already done so — substantial Industrialists and entrepreneurs magistrates that they should take and tried to push on ahead. But we live with as a society. efforts have to be made to give have voiced their fears, and the help of the Mahatma Gandhi since the barricade got entangled The national lockdown has daily-wage workers assistance. demanded that they be allowed National Rural Employment with the car, it got stuck. Upon led to serious unemployment This lockdown has become a to run at least one shift daily. Air Guarantee Scheme for workers this, five Nihangs ( a Sikh sect, issues. This has led to frustration cause for anxiety, hunger and routes, trains and national engaged in harvesting the rabi members of which specialise in and misery. This explains why restlessness among them. The highways will also have to be crop. It has also suggested traditional martial art) got out of some workers from other states government must be sympathetic opened alongside. imposing heavy taxes on imports the car and assaulted the more came out on the streets in Surat to their plight. This is not to undermine the for the next six months to help than half-a-dozen policemen who on Friday, their helplessness and Agriculture is the main source scale of the health challenge. the domestic small-scale were present. A violent conflict anger turning very quickly into of livelihood for a majority of the Some restrictions can be industry get back on its feet. took place in which an assistant violence. The police responded people and the rabi crop is ready enforced to prevent the spread of It’s obvious that while sub-inspector was grievously with force to disperse them. It to be harvested. Workers will be the pandemic. For example, the grappling with this pandemic, the injured. Taking advantage of the was migrant workers like them required for the harvesting, which number of passengers travelling government will have to find ways ensuing chaos, the offender left who fled cities and went back seems difficult given the in buses, trains and planes can to deal with the economic crisis. the scene and took refuge in a home after the lockdown was lockdown and the norms on be limited so that social As far as the communal virus is nearby gurudwara. declared. Given their numbers, social distancing. Even if distancing rules are not concerned, all of us, as a They were later arrested by no action was taken against harvested in time, the crop has compromised. This will not only society, will have to fix it. If we commandos of the Punjab them. But the workers in Surat to reach the mandis and farmers restart the economic process but don’t, then the future police. They recovered weapons were smaller in number and so have to be given a fair price for create a sense of hope for the generations could well ask us and lakhs of rupees from the the police did not hesitate to take their produce. For this, the supply future. In districts still free of the whether even an enormous gurudwara. I could not help but them on. One could argue that lines will have to be opened up. virus, the rules can be relaxed blow like the coronavirus was think what would have unfolded the police was left with no choice. Not doing this will create several toa greater extent. not enough to bring us to our had the perpetrators of violence But the frustration and challenges, the consequences of According to the Federation senses and make us banish been maulanas hiding in a helplessness caused by this which could hurt us for a long of Indian Chambers of Commerce the communal virus forever. Cartels, gangs and rebels around the world join coronavirus fight In eastern Afghanistan, where “In some cases, the oil and other staples distributed have fought each other for Watch proposed the Afghan government and the government just isn’t coming to in large piles. On the top of each years. videoconferences with Taliban have clashed for nearly help, so this is a chance for box was plastered the name of But it also reflected a reality “representatives from the Public two decades, the rivalry over nonstate armed groups to appear the donor: “Gulf Cartel,” they in much of El Salvador: The Health Ministry, the Taliban’s which group has a more effective to be the responsible, said, “in support of Ciudad police have limited access in health commission, the U.N. health policy is now on full accountable actor,” said Sarah Victoria,” the state capital. neighborhoods under criminal Assistance Mission in display.Esmatullah Asim, a Parkinson, an assistant professor Falko Ernst, an analyst with control, and in those places, only Afghanistan and key international provincial council member from of political science and the International Crisis Group in a gang-enforced curfew would be humanitarian agencies.” Wardak province, watched the international studies at Johns Mexico, said there was an observed. MS-13 explained its In many countries, police arrival of Taliban forces in medical Hopkins University. “In other “obvious tension” in the effort. reasoning to the San Salvador have been redeployed from rural gear this month and was cases, it’s concern for their own “These groups are trying to newspaper El Faro: The policy to urban areas, giving criminal impressed. Asim said the members. And in others, it’s an be seen as catering materially was about protecting its own groups more room to operate government quarantines only attempt to use a piece of and providing a notion of members, who probably wouldn’t with impunity — and to enforce those who show symptoms at evidence in their own propaganda security in places where they have access to medical their own health policy as the the border, but the Taliban war.” are also directly preying on the treatment if they were infected. pandemic spreads. quarantines every person who Some governments have population through extortion “If there are no respirators left In some cases, “criminal has returned recently from Iran. acknowledged that armed and kidnapping and violence,” and one of us is gravely ill, all groups will play the role of “The Taliban quarantine is groups could exploit their he said. “But in a lot of places, tattooed, and an old woman enforcer with full agreement and much better than the weaknesses after the virus fades, these groups are the least bad appears who is in serious even at the request of the state,” government,” he said. The group seizing on the aftermath of solution for populations that condition, they are going to wrote Vanda Felbab-Brown of the also raises awareness about the economic dislocation.The mayor don’t have anywhere else to disconnect the gang member Brookings Institution. “Such virus in the territory it controls, of the Italian city of Palermo, turn.” and they are going to let him die,” deals in which governments he said. “They stop the vehicles, Leoluca Orlando, warned this In Brazil’s favelas, the one member said. outsource the rule of urban and telling the passengers how to month that “a den of Mafia messages come through A similar overlap in policy has rural peripheries to criminal prevent the spread of the virus.” jackals” is poised “to exploit the WhatsApp. occurred in Afghanistan, where groups long preceded COVID- Even the U.S. State desperation of the new poor from “Whoever is caught on the the Taliban has dispatched 19.” Department conveyed coronavirus.” Other Italian street will learn how to respect teams that distribute gloves, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the kudos.”We join the Afghan officials have suggested that the the measure,” one gang warned soap and masks in areas under militant group that dominates Ministry of Public Health in mafia could provide its own loans a Rio de Janeiro slum. “We its control. Syria’s northern Idlib province, welcoming the Taliban’s efforts to or cash handouts to undermine want the best for the But while the insurgents and has used the virus to burnish its raise awareness against the government. population. If the government the government agree on the credentials as a legitimate #COVID19 and their offer of safe In Mexico, at least two drug is unable to manage, need to combat the virus, they governing body, issuing orders passage to health workers & cartels have begun providing aid organized crime continue to fight each other. restricting gatherings and international organizations packages to residents in places resolves.”Last month, as “We can’t completely stop our distributing health information to working to prevent the spread of partially controlled by armed the Salvadoran government attacks,” Taliban spokesman the public. the virus,” the department wrote groups. In Michoacán, a video was enforcing one of Latin Zabiullah Mujahid said. He No cases have been reported in a tweet. emerged last week of the Los America’s earliest and most blamed the government for in the province. Public health Analysts who study the Viagras cartel handing out stringent lockdowns, leaders “compelling” them. officials and aid workers say the organizational structure of armed plastic bags of food to hundreds of MS-13 decided that they Advocacy groups have spread of the virus in the crowded groups are now cataloguing of people. In Tamaulipas, a would institute their own encouraged more coordination refugee camps of Idlib, among a dozens of instances of rebels Mexican state that borders curfew. It was a rare overlap between the Taliban and the population with little access to and bandits making forays into southern Texas, photos of policy between the gang Afghan government to tackle the health care, would be public health policy. circulated of boxes full of sugar, and the government, which coronavirus. Human Rights calamitous. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 22

hardships but at least people around the time when a balance of stayed alive,’” she said. “But if the payments crisis brought down the numbers grow, their handling will sitting government and led to the be questioned along with the creation of a new administration bungling in the economic sphere, focused on economic reform rather which is significant and severe.” than political in-fighting. While India’s The government is aware the economic fundamentals are far country will need to address labor stronger today than two decades shortages to restart the economy, ago, the nation’s poorest citizens Nitin Gadkari, minister of roads and have been directly hit for the second small and medium scale time since 2016, when Modi enterprises, said in an interview. abruptly invalidated almost all bank India will allow makers of notes in a similar late night edict information technology hardware, aimed at combating corruption. Yet, farmers and industries in rural unlike during demonetization when Migrant Workers in India May Shun Cities After Lockdown Migrant workers fled India’s cities year as a surge in defaults. hardship caused by the sudden areas to resume operations after workers felt the rich man suffered en masse last month after Prime Companies such as Jindal Steel lockdown — announced at April 20, the Ministry of Home more, the virus lockdown hurts Minister Narendra Modi’s Ltd. are facing a shortage of crane dinnertime March 24 and brought Affairs said in a statement on mostly the poor, said Chinmay lockdown left them suddenly operators at ports. into force at midnight — which Wednesday. It will also lift Tumbe, an Ahmedabad-based unemployed. Now the employers Unprecedented Hardship’ denied as many as 100 million restrictions to allow e-commerce economist with the Indian Institute that let them go may need to offer The labor shortages could persist workers the chance to collect their companies, goods movement by of Management and author of ‘India big incentives to lure them back. for as long as six months before pay and triggered the biggest roads, as well as restart port and Moving: A History of Migration.’ He Sontosh Das, 24, lost his job broader unemployment becomes forced migration since the partition air cargo operations. sees closer parallels with the driving for a family of doctors in a bigger concern, said Sujan Hajra, of India in 1947. Yet, for the Seasonal Labor Bombay bubonic plague of 1896, India’s capital of New Delhi and Mumbai-based chief economist at hundreds of thousands of laborers India’s internal migration flow when migrants fled the city (since fled to his village in West Bengal Anand Rathi Financial Services who began trudging back to their changes with the seasons, with renamed Mumbai) and locals some 1,400 kilometers (870 Ltd. About 20% of India’s workforce villages after being rendered millions of workers heading to cities perceived the colonial government’s miles) away,just before the comprises migrants journeying unemployed and homeless, anger for most months of the year to build handling of the outbreak as lockdown took effect on March 24. from another state, while a larger against Modi will depend on how cars, load ships, or clean houses, excessive, leading to the slaying of Now home in eastern India, he said share is made up of people who long the pain lingers. “Modi’s before going home in time for the a British bureaucrat that foretold the he’d rather try his luck with the travel from different parts of the government has been clever about village harvest. Bihar, a state due to start of militant nationalism in India. government’s rural job-guarantee state where their workplace is putting the onus of safety and hold elections this year and home Tumbe predicts the coronavirus program than risk being left with located, he added. “The health on the citizens and not on to India’s second-highest migrant crisis will force businesses to offer nothing once again. unprecedented hardship faced by the state,” said Yamini Aiyar, labor population, will be worst hit due incentives to retain workers for Tens of thousands of workers who migrant workers since the president at the Centre for Policy to the reverse migration, economist coming months, just like the returned to villages are now outbreak of Covid-19 might result Research in New Delhi who and workers’ rights activist Jean 1896 exodus shifted bargaining similarly weighing whether to in fear psychosis,” Hajra said, formerly worked with the World Dreze wrote in the Outlook power to labor from capital at the return at the end of the lockdown, predicting a worsening of India’s Bank on rural development. If magazine. Goldman forecasts turn of the century. “We will see which Modi this week extended “already precarious employment fatalities stay low, “the Modi India’s gross domestic product will tremendous labor shortages,” he to May 3. Companies are already situation.” government could spin this as a grow 1.6% in the year that started said. “There will be a reporting labor shortages at ports Modi has apologized for the victory — say ‘yes, you faced April 1, the slowest pace since 1992, psychological impact.” and factories, potentially exacerbating an economic slowdown. Goldman Sachs Group $4 a Day Indian Worker Worries: If Virus Won’t Kill Me, Hunger Will Inc. this month slashed its annual Chandrakant Thakur ekes out a living by many of whom work in India’s vast informal -- account for around 85% of overall growth forecast for India to the zooming around Mumbai on his beaten up sector, that are the most vulnerable. employment and around 40% of GDP. As slowest pace since 1992, around scooter dodging pedestrians, street dwellers, Hundreds of thousands of them decided to millions are reduced to subsistence living, and when a balance of payments cars and sometimes cows to deliver meals. leave for their homes before the lockdown even worse in some cases, consumption is crisis brought down the sitting Now, with the streets eerily empty amid the kicked in on March 25, sparking an exodus set to spiral lower, weighing on a sector that government. city’s virus lockdown, he faces a stark choice: that many are making by foot back to their makes up some 60% of India’s economy. It’s Automobile makers, which include stay and survive on half his regular pay or villages -- a scene reminiscent of the days yet another headwind for Prime Minister the local units of Nissan Motor Co., return to his family in the state of Bihar. “If immediately after India’s independence in Narendra Modi’s dream of doubling the size Ford Motor Co. and Suzuki Motor the virus doesn’t get me, hunger will,” said 1947. “India’s large informal sector is likely of the economy to $5 trillion by 2024. In a bid Corp., are discussing potential the 28-year-old. While his income from to be the worst hit,” said Pranjul Bhandari, to cushion the blow, the government has labor shortages after India lifts its delivering dishes like chicken curry and fried chief India economist at HSBC Holdings Plc announced cash support for informal sector lockdown, according to people rice has been as low as 300 rupees ($4) a in Mumbai. “Informal firms have insufficient workers and Modi has even made a rare familiar with discussions. day recently -- barely enough to survive on -- access to formal finance and can go into apology for the hardships they face. Jewelers, India’s second-largest he’s going to stick it out for now in the nation’s distress quickly when cash flow becomes Meantime, the central bank stepped in on export sector, see production financial capital as the outlook in his home irregular.” In Delhi, the usual hustle and bustle March 27 with unprecedented measures that suffering for at least two months, province is even grimmer. of business on the roads and in markets has included lower borrowing costs, $50 billion of said N. Anantha Padmanaban, India’s formal economy -- the part that can fallen silent -- the little shops and food liquidity to banks to expand credit and chairman of the All India Gem and be measured through tax receipts -- was just vendors on the sidewalks are gone and freedom to lenders to suspend some loan Jewellery Domestic Council. Real starting to show some signs of bottoming out almost every shop except the odd grocery repayments for three months. Even with that estate developers, an industry that after a poorly conceived ban on high-value store or pharmacy in usually crowded fiscal-monetary combination, the economy is includes investors Blackstone currency, new sales tax and shadow banking shopping areas is shut. It’s a similar scene poised to shrink in the quarters ahead. While Group Inc. and Brookfield Asset crisis had hobbled growth in recent years. in Mumbai, where the few people who do slower growth means economic hardships and Management Inc., predicted more Then the virus came, prompting an venture out maintain distance from each joblessness in developed nations, that scale incomplete apartments and office unprecedented 21-day lockdown of 1.3 billion other in queues at grocery shops, which are of slowdown in India is set to see millions buildings that could ripple through people to prevent its spread. exempt from the lockdown. Informal suffer in poverty, struggling to even feed their the financial sector in the coming It’s gig workers and migrants like Thakur, enterprises -- the so-called parallel economy families. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 23 How Unfortunate, Migrants Treated As Black Holes And Black Boxes Of Corona Chronicles During corona times, the migrant discovered he was marginal, suspect and jobless. Haunted by vulnerabilities, he had to face hunger and humiliation, writes academician Shiv Visvanathan with senile dementia, now appear obsolescent. They feel apologetic in the presence of company, clear that time is no longer on their side. Our society has few narratives or myths to make sense of the trauma of mass death. Yet, what includes all citizens is that the coronavirus has created an ecology of death, mass death, around the Indian city. An individual death is understandable, but mass death creates fear and trembling of a different kind. It has an apocalyptic inevitability that puts a stop to ordinary life. This everydayness of mass death is measured with the banality of weather reports as newspapers announce body A trauma is a physic wound suspect and jobless. Haunted by began the police crackdown on convinced that all of them are counts for the day. The word that goes beyond the physical vulnerabilities, he had to face all the little shops and dhabas. infectious and wants to extern exponential has a magical to damage the soul. It carries hunger and humiliation. He was The daily-wage worker found he them. This places doctors and quality of fatalism. People feel shades of stigma. It is usually treated as a mass organism and had no employment. He had to social workers in an ironic helpless and sense that the confined to the backstage of was sprayed with chemicals at wait day after day to watch the situation. The sadness is that virus could claim one and all. most disasters and is the borders. The middle-class scene unfold. Joblessness, both the trauma and the Mass death creates a deep constructed as an tourist also discovered this hunger and uncertainty haunt the authoritarianism of the city go sense of trauma and our afterthought. The trauma of the underside of life as he rushed informal economy. As a woman unreported. To be fair, while society has few narratives or coronavirus pandemic faces a borders that had been shut in a Chennai slum told me, “A trauma, unstated and myths to make sense of it. similar fate. down, confronting the police that few woman as domestic workers unreported, haunts the informal Vulnerability, violence, non- As India sees itself as a middle- had fused the migrant and the hold on to their jobs, but what economy, it is beginning to being, an ecology of class society, it defines itself tourist in his mind. Suddenly, the about our men who hang around haunt the middle-class as well. indifference and uncertainty, in middle-class terms. The ordinary Indian faced fear, anxiety and wait?” Waiting is the trauma Here time is a major factor create wounds that are not whole idea of the lockdown was and aloneness as he found there that the rich do not understand. because the certainty of visible but real, and whose seen as a disciplinary was no sense of homecoming. Waiting empties identity, breaks timetables is what defines force corrodes the human being exercise, an attempt to The migrant as an ambiguous confidence and questions middle-class identity and by making him feel less than redefine life as a timetable. The creature was trapped in a competence. Waiting is greeted stability. A housewife human. India needs to take middle class lives by liminality that bureaucracy in silence because it is cloaked complains that people had little mental trauma seriously and timetables. It is a mindset and refused to understand. The Bihari in anonymity. The slums fester place for her fears; she told me systematically. We have to a way of life. When timetables workers who had left their ration in a trauma of waiting and she suffered from the guilt that consider trauma medically and are frozen, the middle class cards home found themselves uncertainty, yet the media had she might infect someone psychologically as part of the goes into confinement and its confronting a hunger that left little place for them. It celebrates innocently. She also violence of our lives, and certainties are destroyed. With them helpless. Sadly, their ‘work from home’ for corporate complained she gets haunted respond to it professionally and the lockdown, the upper middle anxiety and fear found no executives. by fears that are further ethically. class discovers boredom, narrative, and the mental woes One has to face the stark exaggerated by the rumours Trauma is more than isolation, anxiety, leisure and, went backstage. Added to the uncertainty of what is called civic and reports from the street. loneliness and isolation. It is of course, work from home. Yet indignity of treatment, they also life today. A lockdown creates a One of them mentioned the a festering wound that needs the middle-class mentality found the absence of their place Hobbesian policy, a set of story of a mob attacking a man society to help it heal. Care, displayed a complete in the emerging narratives. They authoritarian territories patrolled merely because he coughed community and indifference to the marginal, the were the black holes and black by cops and clerks. The police obsessively. The ordinary communication are the basis migrant, the nomad—and the boxes of the corona chronicles. handle all such challenges by cough, once a mark of everyday of cure. Our society must trauma induced by the The migrant discovered that reducing it to a law-and-order presence, now becomes learn to listen to suffering coronavirus begins with these some disasters are more equal problem, where everyone is by sinister. She also added that again. The tragedy is, trauma very categories. than others. For example, definition suspect. They old people now feel vulnerable is still an embarrassment, a The trauma of the informal cyclones and floods have rituals lathicharge people thoughtlessly, as they have been statistically taboo word. One hopes the society accelerated at the very of response and narratives, but including even those returning singled out. Vulnerability and virus brings all these moment the national lockdown the coronavirus had a few from official responsibilities. The susceptibility now become narratives into the open. was announced, when the explanatory myths to make life terrifying indifference of cops is marks of stigma.As a 70-year- Democracy needs to look worker faced the very easier. complemented by landlords old man put it, “I felt hard as a systematically at the travails temporariness of its citizenship The slum, usually throbbing with creating a web of stigma around rock, but now people treat me of the worker, the homemaker and being. The migrant life and activity, had completely patients, doctors and social as a question mark.” Worse, and the patient as it does for discovered he was marginal, emptied out. With the lockdown workers. The landlord is old people, especially those the voter and the consumer. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 FRONT PAGE FEATURE 24 Blame It On COVID-19: No Work, Breaching The Lakshman Rekha! From Mega Religious Gatherings To Empty Stomach And The Mind Of A Daily Wage Earner Labourers, How An Underprepared Government Was Caught Napping A sense of nation-wide emergency, across insularity of congregation leaders. Corona was finally restored after states set up For over two weeks, Sahadat Ansari all aspects of life, now pervades governance. fears were widely known by then, and each shelters for migrants, whose homeward has been spending sleepless nights. Coordination is maximum, and conflict was a likely super-spreader event. march was halted.In a shocking revelation, When he drifts into sleep, the image of minimum, across Centre and states— The fears proved acutely true with the Tabligh the Centre told the Supreme Court that the his three-year-old daughter’s wailing indeed, across the political sphere. Everyone event, where the organisers really should exodus had to be stopped as almost one- face jolts him awake. Ansar is realises how crucial this period is. The have known better—their footfalls are third of the returning migrants could be consumed by guilt as he imagines that expression ‘Lakshman rekha’, a recent typically global, and their February event in infected. The apex court, in turn, said large- his daughter is crying from hunger. Till appearance in the lexicon of words Malaysia had already been designated the scale migration out of “fear and panic” was dawn breaks, the 36-year-old daily associated with the fight against COVID-19, “largest viral vector in Southeast Asia” by New a bigger threat than the pandemic itself. Not wager paces up and down the cramped reflects that. A day after Prime Minister York Times as early as March 3. As it that the latter isn’t. In a status rep-ort filed room he shares with four others. The Narendra Modi announced the 21-day transpired, some 1,900 people had to be on March 31, home secretary Ajay Kumar future looks grim for Ansari, who came lockdown on March 24, Doordarshan began evacuated on March 31 from their Bhalla told the SC: “So far rural India has to Delhi 16 years ago looking for a job. a rerun of Ramanand Sagar’s TV serial Nizamuddin HQ and sent into quarantine, remained safe from this infection. If migrant He has been working as a mason and Ramayan, and soon someone realised this weeks after they arrived from Malaysia, labourers are allowed to…reach their home earned Rs 500 daily. But with no work metaphor from the epic resonated particularly Indonesia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia et al. Over village(s), there is a serious and imminent in the last fortnight, he’s gone to bed well in these unusual circumstances. What 100 of them have been confirmed as pot-ential of the infection penetrating rural hungry most days. The uncertainty and was this new proscription—stay at home, coronavirus positive. Many had travelled India also.” That would make it helplessness is now driving him into going out would invite danger—if not a across India, almost certainly infecting “unmanageable to contain,” he wrote, despair. A psychiatrist is a foreign term modern form of Lakshman rekha? others, and who are now being traced. The “dangerous for the migrant workers” and “also to him; he reads the Quran when things Reality, of course, soon defied the epical Nizamuddin colony has been sealed. March for rural India”. The Centre was working in reach a breaking point. metaphor. Thousands upon thousands of 31 also saw the biggest spike in cases— close coordination with the states to ensure Ansari’s family of nine, including his Indians had no option but to observe it in the 237 in 24 hours. food, shelter and medical facilities to the elderly parents, lives in Bihar and he is breach. Having left their villages for a But if the Tabligh was myopic, so also other migrant workers, he added. “Around worried about how to feed them. hardscrabble life in the glittering cities— religious congregations; was it not part of a 6,66,291 persons have been provided shelter; Contrary emotions tear at him from where they worked on highways, built larger myopia at the level of government? 22,88,279 persons have been provided food,” opposite directions: he wants to be with condominiums for others, served tea, Policy has to be fed by sharp information- the status report said. The system had them, yet knows that his village has cleaned, and did hundreds of other jobs— gathering. Both were sloppy. The fact that cranked into action, if belatedly. nothing to offer. The Delhi government they never had the safety net implied by a the Tabligh event went on for a fortnight is The policy drift that defined much of has announced some piecemeal Lakshman rekha. The national lockdown left now being seen at least as an ‘intelligence March was now being analysed at large. measures which is not helping them without work, money and food, or even failure’ (if not an administrative one). So is Among other things, Union home minister labourers much, he says. Though some buses or trains to go home. So they packed the exodus of migrant lab-our—which Amit Shah had been keeping a noticeably government agencies and NGOs are their meagre belongings and started on a produced intense concentrations of humans, low profile all through. MHA officials say distributing food, Ansari says the determined long walk, on highways they had the very opposite of the effect intended by he has been holding regular review serpentine queues, or the unruly jostle themselves built. If anything, it resembled the PM. Another pot-entially spreading web meetings at his Krishna Menon Marg to grab the meagre meals, dissuades another image from the epic—that of a not foreseen. So far, so flat-footed. residence. But that’s one aspect. Overall, him from joining them. collective vanwas. What now? A mess had been created, it had says former cabinet secretary K.M. Nimesh G. Desai, director, Institute The government had clearly not seen it to be cleaned up. An urgency previously Chandrasekhar, the situation should never of Human Behaviour and Allied coming. Much like it did not foresee several missing was now in evidence—some of it have come to this pass. “The PM had no Sciences (IHBAS) Delhi, says that other things. Take the fortnight-long Tablighi desperate. The government scrambled to choice other than the national lockdown his team has already started Jamaat event in Delhi, which became a stop the exodus, closing all district and state to ‘flatten the curve’. But it should have reaching out to migrants stranded in ‘hotspot’ unto itself. No religious congregation borders. Before that, heart-wrenching scenes been handled in a better way,” he tells the city. He says though life for them had yet been banned (the event was from were witnessed at Delhi’s Anand Vihar bus Outlook. According to him, Modi could is uncertain, progressive policies March 1-15)—crowds still thronged Vaishno terminal as migrants jostled to get a seat on have signalled an imminent lockdown should help the community. “Migrant Devi, Keoladevi in Rajasthan and Shani buses arranged by the Delhi and UP when he addressed the nation for the first labourers do not worry about larger Shingnapur in Maharashtra. Even on March governments (the chain of authority not very time on March 20. His March 22 ‘janata issues. If their basic needs such as 20, thousands gathered in ‘literate’ Kerala’s clear), and also at the Bihar border where curfew’ also created contrary effects on food and shelter are fulfilled, they feel capital Thiruvananthapuram for an ‘arattu’ they were all kept locked up in a facility—for the streets, and lockdown day finally set assured. Our team finds that they are procession at a local temple. Even without a a disease best prevented by maintaining off a panic shopping frenzy too, after word mostly amenable,” says Desai. ban, each one of them spoke of the criminal physical distance. Some semblance of order came at 8 pm. The State needs to step up, urgently One positive fallout of the movement of essential services fiscal package, when it is finally to ground-level needs. to ensure compliance without current crisis is that chief to delays in procurement of announced, will require Reviving the inter-state council State coercion and ministers (CMs) have willingly Personal Protective Equipment consultation and coordination is one option that ought to be harassment of citizens. Finally, taken on financial responsibility (PPE) and testing kits and the with states. To explain, Covid-19 considered. Third, better as the hardships of the for the citizens of their states, multiple clarificatory orders outbreaks will be localised within communication and lockdown mount, we must while their host state has been issued, have only underscored states placing differential transparency. In this phase of remember that a democracy entrusted with providing benefits. why coordination matters. In financial needs, linked to state- graded lockdowns with states, that treats its citizens with Domicile states are also recent days, forums for specific health capacities and districts and clusters moving callousness and a complete experimenting with finding ways deliberation with states have socioeconomic profiles. The between red, orange and lack of compassion, cannot of delivering cash to their migrant begun to emerge. Consultations appropriate financial response green, and local economies survive, regardless of the populations through mobile apps. with CMs are more frequent and will thus have to be agile and opening and closing consequences of an epidemic. These emergency responses individual ministries too are mindful of state- and disease- abruptly, the government will The very fact that migrant need to be institutionalised and setting up issue-specific specific needs. This can only need to be far more workers have been denied the could serve as the basis for coordination centres, but we need be achieved through an transparent and credible basic dignity of going home portability. a more systematic institutional platform for about its data, district and two square meals a day, in Second, Centre-state institutionalised response to consultation with states, akin compliance levels and the a moment of crisis, is a serious coordination. This column has reduce the kind administrative to the Goods and Services Tax rationale behind decisions blot on our democracy. repeatedly made the case for failure witnessed in these last (GST) council. Such a platform for locking down, about Responding to an epidemic robust coordination mechanisms weeks. will also serve as a check testing strategies, health requires a compassionate State. in dealing with this crisis. Going forward, the against deploying a central system preparedness, On this metric, the Indian State Hiccups in the last 21 days, from coordination challenge will likely government-controlled fiscal economic relief and exit plans. has thus far failed. It needs to difficulties with inter-state become far more complex. The package that fails to respond Transparency is the only tool step up, urgently. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 CONTD. 25 Trump rages at criticism while governors craft their own plans to reopen the economy "We don't have a king. We have the nuclear aircraft carrier that had emails by officials that suggested their early reviews, judging that Rhode Island and an elected president," Cuomo its captain fired for warning that he had waited weeks to recognize he had torched his media Massachusetts' Republican said during an interview with the disease was ravaging his the threat of the virus and did not questioners. governor announced that they CNN's Erin Burnett. "The command. act quickly enough. The lesson of every previous each planned to name a public Constitution clearly says the Shortly before the briefing, two The report is supplemented by Trump outburst and controversy health and an economic official to powers that are not specifically groups of states on each coast numerous public remarks by is that his supporters are far a regional working group, along listed for the federal government encompassing millions of people Trump early this year in which he more likely to believe his version with their respective chief of staffs. are reserved for the states, and banded together to study when predicted the virus would fizzle out of events than media fact checks That group will immediately begin the bounds between federal and and how to ease social-distancing in the US. and that the President may see working to design a reopening state authority are central to the restrictions in a way that does not It was the latest indication of how, some of his intended effect -- plan. Cuomo noted that health Constitution -- one of the great lead to a resurgence of the virus. even in a pandemic, Trump's causing confusion and officials in his state believe they balances of power." Many local officials have warned primary concern is his own controversy that obscures the have reached a plateau in cases, The Founding Fathers "didn't want that far more diagnostic and image. And it hinted that he true story of the federal response. but he cautioned that a regional a king, otherwise we would have antibody testing -- on the order of believes the final verdict on how Earlier in the day, governors on approach was necessary to avoid had King George Washington," millions per day -- is needed so his administration handled the the coasts announced that they a resurgence. He said it was Cuomo added. that states can safely relax outbreak could be the key issue had formed their own pacts to important to do so step-by-step Trump's anger erupted at a time distancing precautions and in November's presidential coordinate the steps they will with a "smart plan," evaluating when there are encouraging signs isolate those who are infected. election. take to reopen the economy in data at each juncture and working that the virus may be reaching its The President's remarks raised The irony was that the President's their states. With that move, the in concert with states in the apex in some hot spots, such as the prospect of a massive tirade overshadowed some good governors were essentially calling region. "Because if you do it New York -- despite a continuing constitutional confrontation with news on the crisis, albeit at a Trump's bluff, asserting their own wrong, it can backfire," Cuomo terrible death toll. More than governors if he sticks to his tragic time. There are signs that authority hours before the said. "We've seen that in other 23,000 Americans have now died position ahead of his hoped-for the murderous rates of infection President proclaimed that his places on the globe." "Everyone and there are more than 580,000 May 1 opening date. and death in hot spots such as authority was "total" and prepared is very anxious to get out of the confirmed infections. And they threatened to carve the New York and elsewhere are to announce his "Opening Our house, get back to work, get the But there are worrying indications nation deeper on partisan lines stabilizing. The President's top Economy" task force Tuesday. economy moving. Everyone of the virus spreading among between mostly Democratic-run medical lieutenants, Fauci and Governors on each side of the agrees with that," he said. "What workers vital to the food chain in states that have been heavily hit Dr. Deborah Birx, sat grim-faced country hammered out the notion the art form is going to be here is meat-processing plants in South by the virus and GOP governors in the briefing room for more than that their decisions will be driven doing that smartly and doing that Dakota and Colorado and in who want to please Trump an hour while his temper raged. by facts, science and public productively, and doing that in a supermarkets that suggest politically. But while Trump's behavior was health professionals, not politics. coordinated way, doing that in normal life is nowhere near Trump's performance was a alarming, it is also certain to On Monday morning, the coordination with the other states resuming. And a crew member product of a weekend fuming at cement the divides opened by his Democratic governors of New that are in the area, and doing it died from Covid-19 after serving news coverage, including a New presidency. His conservative Jersey, Connecticut, as a cooperative effort, where we on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, York Times report based on media boosters were jubilant in Pennsylvania, Delaware and learn from each other." Why The Giant America Appears Helpless Against Coronavirus As the number of cases response. The United States’ India) on the other hand can a few negligent others for that a compulsory lockdown started rising exponentially, constitution does not directly restrict travel among the states whom its “business as usual” would not be legally possible in many of the 50 American allow the President to order or give the President the in the absence of a lawfully the United States. Unfortunately, states started acting to and enforce major public authority to do so. Even if any enforceable mandate. that was the only and sharpest contain the viral spread by interventions such as social of that happens, Americans If Americans are expected tool in the shed to prevent the suggesting closures of non- distancing and mass opine that the nation would not to comply with these spread of this nocuous monster essential businesses and quarantines. That authority tolerate extreme limitations on “guidelines” of physical and buy some time to prepare simply “advising“ its people to lies primarily with the U.S. individual liberties like the right distance and self-imposed for the worst that lay ahead. stay home. The nebulousness states’ Governors (the to travel or associate. The use lockdown over a period of The only other way to make of the definition of “non- equivalent of Chief Ministers in of electronic surveillance for maybe months, the lawful social distancing work essential” is an entirely India) and local authorities quarantining like China could government has to reciprocate in America would have been different story. Even the through their “police powers” result in an invasion of with measures to make this the presence of a Modi-like Centers for Disease Control and that is where America personal privacy. The only compliance safe and feasible. figure who could strongly and Prevention differs from countries like option that then remains with Social distancing would have appeal to the masses who in (CDC,America’s health China, Italy and India. The the state Governors and local to be accompanied by easy turn would meticulously protection agency) has been President’s powers are Mayors-and many of them did access to key necessities like obey his word just like they issuing “recommendations” expansive at the country’s utilise it- is a “virtual lockdown” food, medicines, testing and did during the recent “Janata amidst a still-exploding borders, which allowed Trump through a multitude of treatment. Another major Curfew” in India. The pandemic.However, in the to ban travel from China and measures including “stay at assurance that the apprehension in Modi’s absence of a nation-wide Europe and close borders with home” advisories, government has to provide speech and body language order, such measures are not Canada and Mexico, even if he recommending non-essential to people under self- automatically conveyed the uniform across the entire was a little late in doing so. businesses to temporarily shut quarantine is ‘job security’, seriousness to its billion country and Americans could Inside the states, the down, having assembly limits especially to people who are plus citizens while that of still easily travel within the President has little to no power and travel restrictions. These voluntarily staying home or Trump was completely nation, potentially carrying the to act because of the states’ would be deemed virtual since who are taking care of their deficient in it. The unlawful virus from the hot spots such sovereign rights to exercise they are not enforceable by kids who are out of school. yet essential restrictions as New York and New Jersey their police powers. Even in a law. For instance, if you were Prime Minister Modi’s plan would work in the United to the low-risk regions. national emergency, the to roam around on the streets lacked these measures States if it had some “real” The other portion of the President is not empowered to of New Jersey for recreation, which eventually led to leadership to make its blame goes to America’s direct the governors to enforce you would not be objected by outbursts of incidents in citizens grasp the gravity of Federalist system. Even if or not enforce anything. And law enforcement officials. several parts of India which this disaster. With that absent, President Trump decided to the governors can only restrict Although most people in further made the lockdown tens of thousands would take stronger action, the intra-state travel to a certain America have voluntarily somewhat inconsistent unnecessarily perish- the Federalist system would extent. The Congress (the stayed at home for the fear of throughout the country. unfortunate road America hamper a nation-wide equivalent of Parliament in contracting the virus, there are All in all, this goes to show seems to be headed on. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 FROM FRONT PAGE 26 India’s Covid-19 Response: Saving 1.3 Billion People However, India’s anti corona virus the lockdown and the compliance A massive contact tracing population is a very high strategies are not limited to the it has received are unique. It was operation is continuing on a priority and is being lockdown. In fact a layered multi- an India specific crisis response nationwide scale to pre-empt constantly monitored. pronged strategy is India’s measure tailored to Indian transmission. A public health PM CARES governance response to the conditions and has demonstrated communication exercise has been Keeping in mind the need COVID-19 pandemic. It is results. Governments, central and in operation since January 2020. for having a dedicated noteworthy that India, a country of states, have used this period to Social media platforms and national fund with the 1.3 billion, has been able to limit trace and isolate positive cases webpages of the Government are primary objective of the number of deaths to 488 in the and their contacts. The graph of pushing out information about dealing with any kind of period since January 30, 2020 COVID 19 cases is flattening. As basic preventive steps. TV & Radio emergency or distress when the first case was detected of April 17, 2020 cases are channels were mobilized and an situation, like posed by the COVID- these medicines during this hour to April 18, 2020. Reported cases doubling in 10 days. advertisement campaign 19 pandemic, and to provide relief of need. MEA has also in India are much lower than the Projections of the trajectories the launched. Aarogya Setu (https:// to the affected, a public charitable coordinated inward and outward global incidence rate. The pandemic would have taken had www.mygov.in/aarogya-setu-app/), trust under the name of ‘Prime evacuations on a massive scale. pandemic has also been there been no lockdown or only a a mobile app has been developed Minister’s Citizen Assistance and It is also important to note that contained geographically with partial lockdown are frightening as by the Government of India to Relief in Emergency Situations evacuation is possible only under negligible “community” can be seen in the graph. connect essential health services Fund’ (PM CARES Fund)’ has very special conditions and for a transmission. The lockdown was not with the people of India in our been set up. It’s objectives include: limited number of people. For Prime Minister Narendra the beginning but the logical combined fight against COVID-19. • undertake and support relief or some countries such as the USA, Modi has led a pandemic continuation of a strategy. The App is aimed at augmenting assistance of any kind relating to evacuation is not a readily feasible response that is historic in its Surveillance at points of entry the initiatives of the Government a public health emergency or any option due to the large number of ambition and complexity. (airports, major and minor ports, particularly the Department of other kind of emergency, calamity people involved as well as the Technology and administrative land borders) was initiated on Health, in proactively reaching out or distress, either man-made or risks posed by international methods are supplemented by the January 17, 2020. Visa and travel to and informing the users of the natural, including the creation or travel. strengths of our collective restrictions were imposed on app regarding risks, best upgradation of healthcare or Team India USA led by consciousness and our ancient foreign nationals on February 5. All practices and relevant advisories pharmaceutical facilities, other Ambassador Taranjit Singh philosophy. It is a sui generis crisis visas were suspended on March pertaining to the containment of necessary infrastructure, funding Sandhu based out of India’s management operation. The 11 and incoming flights were COVID-19. relevant research or any other type Embassy in Washington and strategy leverages the deep suspended from March 19. MIGRATION OF WORKERS of support. Consulates in five cities including reservoir of national resolve to Incoming passengers were As expected, the • render financial assistance, New York are actively involved in confront the current challenge as placed under daily surveillance lockdown produced a number of provide grants of payments of supporting the members of Indian one nation and one people. It is through the Integrated Disease challenges. A movement of money or take such other steps community who are facing being conducted in a democratic Surveillance Program (IDSP) migrant labour occurred during the as may be deemed necessary by difficulty due to the lockdown in setting. Parliament has debated Network and monitored through a initial period of the lockdown. A the Board of Trustees to the India and suspension of flights. this crisis extensively. Prime national online portal. The portal national effort was launched to affected population. Prime Minister The Consulate General of India Minister has also consulted and aggregates data and maintains a mitigate the hardship faced by is the ex-officio Chairman of the in New York has created a special sought inputs from the entire log of all community contacts of them. A detailed protocol was PM CARES Fund and Minister of facility in its Pramit web political spectrum. In fact, this is a positive cases. 621,000 evolved to manage the migrants, Defence, Minister of Home Affairs application for addressing the time when our federal structure passengers were monitored and and guidelines were issued to and Minister of Finance, needs of people has stood the test of need and is not a single positive case in this ensure essential supplies, rations Government of India are ex-officio (www.indiainnewyork.gov.in). We an example of cooperative universe has been able to mix with and food packets for them. Relief Trustees of the Fund. The fund have been able to assist in a wide federalism at its best. the general population. camps providing food and shelter consists entirely of voluntary range of situations including Union and State executives have MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS were organised on an contributions from individuals/ support for accommodation, food, mobilized and are working as an The lockdown is unprecedented scale within days. organizations and does not get any medicines and even personal integrated unit. Prime Minister accompanied by a nationwide This massive administrative effort budgetary support. The fund will counseling. In this we are manages the effort at the highest effort to enhance medical across a number of states be utilised in meeting the receiving valuable support from political and executive level. A preparedness. A network of labs established more than 27,000 objectives as stated above. PM community organizations. As Group of Ministers, Committee of across the country has been set camps and shelters housing 1.25 CARES Fund has also got people are doing their bit by Secretaries and Empowered up to facilitate early and timely million individuals. An additional exemption under the FCRA and a staying at home, we are doing our Groups provide political sample testing. 223 labs are 360,000 workers have been separate account for receiving bit by taking our programming leadership and operational operational. State Nodal Officers provided shelter by industry. 7.5 foreign donations has been and events directly to their homes direction. At the operational level, have been appointed and specific million individuals are being fed opened. This enables PM CARES by innovative use of social media Cabinet Secretary and Health labs have been designated for through this network of camps and Fund to accept donations and tools such as Facebook and Secretary are coordinating in real- States. A national Hospital shelters plus another 19,460 food contributions from individuals and Twitter. I would encourage time, through multiple video- preparedness effort is underway camps/distribution points. The organizations based in foreign readers to like our Facebook page conferences, a system-wide to ensure availability of beds. public health aspect of this countries. Finances available from (@indiainnewyork) so that they response that is being Health facilities of the Defence, movement has not been this fund will go a long way in remain virtually connected while harmonized across all of India’s Labour, Railways, Home (para neglected and the camps have supporting the sections of the being socially distant. 728 districts. The decisive Indian military forces) and Steel Ministries been linked to a network of society most affected by the Covid The Government of India response was initiated much and other Central and State quarantine facilities and testing pandemic and the resultant is acutely aware of the need to before WHO declared COVID 19 government Institutions can be laboratories. The nationwide lockdown. Those willing to balance our central concern about to be “Public Health Emergency of enlisted to augment hospital response to assist these workers contribute from abroad to the fund the welfare of our citizens with our International Concern” on January capacity if required. Currently there and their families highlighted the may please do so. global responsibilities. India is a 30, 2020 and before the first are 1,71,415 isolation beds popular understanding of the INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS major source of pharmaceuticals. confirmed COVID positive case available in Govt. Sector, in rationale behind the lockdown. This is a global We are committed to acting was reported, also on January addition 24,383 beds are MITIGATION MEASURES pandemic and requires a global responsibly during this crisis. 30, 2020. This was a day before available through Army, Para- Prime Minister’s Garib response. Prime Minister Modi There is no outright ban on Italy saw its first case on Military forces, Railways and Kalyan Package (PMGKP) was has led the SAARC initiative and exports of critical drugs and January 31. By that time, Labour Ministries. In a major launched to mitigate the hardships is also actively involved in G-20 requests are being examined and surveillance and screening of innovation, Indian Railways being faced by the poor and wide coordination. The Ministry of responded to appropriately. The passengers had commenced in have converted their coaches disadvantaged. It attempts to External Affairs (MEA) has created UN Secretary General has India and States had been into isolation beds. Personal create a security net particularly for a COVID cell and is actively commended India’s supply of alerted. The crisis management Protective Equipment (PPEs), the disadvantaged sections of coordinating the global essential medicines to a large system had started operating at full ventilators, essential drugs and society that are worst affected in response. It is monitoring the number of countries. Several speed. What are the strategies in other consumables are being such situations. Senior citizens, condition of stranded Indians on consignments of critical place? Let’s look at some of them. stockpiled and buffer stocks are widows, the physically challenged, a regular basis. A global medicines have been cleared LOCKDOWN being constantly monitored. women, workers and others who procurement and supply chain and dispatched to the United The whole country had Guidelines on every aspect of are most vulnerable have been support effort has been launched States. Cooperation between been placed under a lockdown COVID-19 management have identified. Food supplies, cooking to enhance our medical Indian and US scientific since March 25 for 21 days. The been widely disseminated. gas, financial support and other preparedness. More than 4000 organizations is also going lockdown which was intended to Medical and paramedical forms of support are being requests from 63 countries/ ahead on how to mitigate and break the transmission through personnel and Rapid delivered on a nationwide basis. regions for medicines like combat the virus. In a tragic way social distancing met with Response Teams nationwide This enormous exercise involves paracetamol have been cleared this crisis has brought us unprecedented and voluntary are receiving orientation on a financial outlay of INR 170,000 on humanitarian grounds. It is part together and we can visualize nationwide response. As we all infection prevention, clinical crore/ USD 22 billion. Disbursal of India's efforts to contribute to much greater India-US strategic know prior to the lockdown, on management and protocols etc. has commenced and the support the global efforts to combat the and economic cooperation in a March 19, the nation had placed Video-conferences are held is reaching those who need it the Covid-19 pandemic. It is also a post-Covid world. itself under a “Janata” or regularly between central and most. The management of symbol of our solidarity towards By Sandeep Chakravorty, people’s curfew. The extent of state authorities to review status. essential services for the general all the countries who require Consul General of India, Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 INDIA-CURRENT AFFAIRS 27 ‘No DTC or UP buses to take you home’: Kejriwal asks Delhi migrants to stay put Migrants rush in Bandra triggered fears of a re-run of the Anand Vihar fiasco (News Agencies) Delhi labourers, said to be the false hope that they will rumours. Someone will say Chief Minister Arvind mostly from Uttar Pradesh be provided transport they can take you to your Kejriwal on Tuesday moved and Bihar, gathered at a home. The incident had led home if you pay them so to pre-empt a repeat of bus stop near the Bandra to a political war of words much. No one can take migrant workers’ exodus railway station demanding between the UP and the you to your home or village from the national capital, the resumption of transport Delhi government with the right now. Someone might seen last month at the services enabling their former alleging that the tell you DTC buses are beginning of the first phase return home. They had to Delhi government standing somewhere. No of three-week-long national be lathicharged first conspired to drop the DTC bus is taking you lockdown, by issuing a followed by assurances migrants at Anand Bihar anywhere..,” Kejriwal said. clarification in advance that that they will be provided Bus Terminal using Delhi He asked migrants from May 3. Control your want anything we will have it was impossible for food and taken care of in Transport Corporation other states to show little anxiety and desperation it delivered at your home,” anyone to take them home the migrant camps in the buses in violation of the bit more patience so that now, because chaos at this Kejriwal added. right now and that they state till the duration of the lockdown norms. The the gains made in the first stage will create huge Prime Minister Narendra should stay put in the lockdown. incident also led to action phase of lockdown are not problems,” Kejriwal said. Modi, too, told people this national capital until May The scene was an instant against senior bureaucrats lost by showing The Delhi chief minister morning that the country 3, when the second phase reminder of the crisis that in the Delhi government. impatience. added that his government needed to extend the of the national lockdown-- unfolded on Delhi streets Kejriwal, on this instance, “Several of you have come had made more than lockdown by another couple announced today-- comes and its borders with Uttar made it clear that the to Delhi from other states sufficient arrangements for of weeks if India was to not to an end. Pradesh last month when migrants should not believe like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar or food in the national capital go the way of the European Kejriwal was forced to hundreds of thousands of even if told that there were Haryana. Some of you are and no one needed to nations overwhelmed by issue the clarification after migrant labourers gathered DTC buses ready to ferry desperate to return to your worry on that count. the pandemic, and the a similar crisis erupted in at the interstate bus them to some other place. home. I pray to you with “We are arranging for resultant loss of thousands Mumbai, where migrant stations near UP border in “People may try to spread folded hands to wait till medicine and food. If you of lives. Hundreds reached Mumbai’s Bandra railway station to go home; lathicharged The huge crowd of migrant workers at Mumbai’s Bandra railway station prompted Maharashtra minister Aditya Thackeray to attack the Centre for not accepting its demand to send the workers home.

from the area but they did not on arranging a way back to reach home,” he said. relent… The crowd only home for migrant labour. Thackeray said a mutual road dispersed after lathi charge,” They don’t want food or map set by the union added the railway official. shelter, they want to go government will largely help Maharashtra minister Aaditya back home.” tweeted migrant labour to reach home Thackeray took to social Adityafrom one state to another media to announce that the Thackeray.Thackeray also safely and efficiently. Time and crowd had been dispersed but reiterated the state again this issue has been also took a swipe at the government’s demand to raised with the centre. The central government. operate trains for 24 hours law and order situation in Thackeray said the migrant for migrant labourers. Surat, Gujarat, largely has workers wanted to go back “Right from the day the been seen as a similar to their hometowns and trains have been shut down, situation and the feedback many were refusing to eat the State had requested trains from all migrant labour and stay in labour camps. to run for 24 hours more so camps is similar. Many are “The current situation at that migrant labour could go refusing to eat or stay in. (News Agencies) In a station to augment the to lathi charge to disperse Bandra Station, now back home. Chief Minister Currently more than 6 lakh replay of scenes at Delhi’s strength, however, the crowd outside the dispersed or even the Uddhav Thackeray raised this people are housed in various border with Uttar Pradesh prevented them from station. rioting in Surat is a result issue in the PM- CM video shelter camps across last month, hundreds of entering the station “The city police tried to of the Union Government conference as well requesting Maharashtra.” tweeted migrant workers gathered premises. Police resorted convince the workers to move not being able to take a call a roadmap for migrant labour Thackeray outside Bandra West railway station on Tuesday evening to demand that the railways run trains to Long queues in the sun for a meal, yet hundreds go hungry in Chandigarh take them home. The migrant workers, who Almost 3,000 families of labourers are struggling to make ends meet as jobs defied the lockdown to have dried up following the curfew because of the Covid-19 outbreak reach the railway station, were eventually dispersed (News Agencies) Chandigarh: It Food not sufficient cooked rice and pulses (dal) and rice, meals “I spend the whole day by the police after a is 9 am, but hundreds have gathered Hindustan Times on Tuesday found is over, while over a 100 people wait standing in line for lunch and then lathicharge was ordered. at the Tin-Shed Colony in Sector 52 the queue for free meals stretching to be fed. Others say whatever food dinner. I don’t know how long this “The workers were for free meals to be distributed four almost up to one km. Almost 3,000 they have collected is not enough to ordeal will last,” says 28-year-old protesting against hours later. families of labourers here are feed their families. “There are eight Rashmi Soaring temperatures a big extension of the lockdown, Among them are 14-year-old struggling to make ends meet as jobs members in my family, but I’ve got challenge The heat as temperatures saying they do not have Ranjana and her 8-year-old brother. have dried up following the curfew food for just three. I was turned away in Chandigarh cross 36 degrees access to food and other They are surviving on the two meals because of the Covid-19 outbreak. when I asked for more,” rues 40-year- Celsius, is making things worse. essentials,” said a western provided by the UT administration in In fact, some people, in their old Sunita. “We are dying of hunger. Bimla, 45, worries she will get a heat railway official who was a day as their parents remain desperation to be ahead of others, What will we do with just a handful stroke after standing in the sun for present outside the railway stranded in Uttar Pradesh. have left their plates to reserve places of rice and daal?” questions 35-year- hours. “My husband is ill. I have three station.Scores of police Sometimes, however, the food in the queue by as early as 7 am. old Sandeep. “Issey acha hai ki hum daughters, what can I do?” she asks. personnel, who were finishes quickly before their turn One hour after lunch distribution mar jaye (It’s better to die).” For many, “What if I also fall ill? Who will take rushed to the railway comes. begins at 1 pm, the food, comprising a whole day goes by waiting for care of me and my family?” Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 HEALTH 28 HowHow nutritiousnutritious isis youryour diet?diet? Maintaining a good diet and keeping a check one, you might want to consider If you use other fitness apps GOQii, a fitness tracker that is already to track your runs or on your nutritional intake is easy now with backed by an ecosystem of workouts, you should look at nutritionists, personal trainers, apps like Lose It!, Lifesum, cools apps and gadgets and wellness experts. GOQii MyFitnessPal, or MyNetDiary aims to tap the otherwise which sync with RunKeeper, meaningless stream of data that Endomondo, Strava, et al as well fitness wearables throw at you as Apple HealthKit, Google Fit, and make it useful for you via and Samsung Health. intervention of qualified experts LifeSum is actually very good remotely. and includes meal plans for An easy way to get started with several popular diets like keto, diet management is via low carb, and others. You can smartphone apps that help you also try MyNetDiary if you want with logging your food intake and to keep a track of things like your keeping a tab on your diet, with blood glucose, heart rate, additional features like cholesterol, and more. customized diet plans, nutrition MyFitnessPal is one of the more charts, weight tracking, et al. popular and older ones in this Calorie Counter by FatSecret is segment and is easily one of the a basic, and completely free, most well-rounded fitness and dietary diary to keep a record of nutrition app. the food that you eat and the There's also HealthifyMe calories that you burn. It also which is quite popular in India features a diet calendar and a since as a homegrown service, reference guide to check it has the broadest catalogue nutritional value of a variety of of Indian food items. foods. Then there's Fooducate These apps also connect to One of the key factors researched crash diet programs, or similar wearables, you can that goes beyond diet and weight your Fitbit, Misfit, and Garmin of staying healthy is maintaining but thankfully, like with most keep a tab on your calorie count loss management by not just wearables so that your a good diet and keeping a check things these days, there are by logging your food intake on counting your calories but also workouts and everything else on your nutritional intake. smarter and seamless ways to their companion apps. But that's helping you analyze the value of are also integrated for Most people just focus on their go about it now. that. the calories consumed to comprehensive health workout routines or opt for self- If you use a Fitbit or Apple Watch If you are in the market for a new improve your diet. management. New drug to treat deadliest TB approved by US drug regulator Pretamonid, a novel compound developed by the non- profit organization TB Alliance, was approved by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on August 14. The US drug regulator Antifungal Drugs (LPAD The three-drug regimen has approved a new tuberculosis pathway) as part of a three-drug, consisting of bedaquiline, (TB) drug for treating hard-to-treat six-month, all-oral regimen for the pretomanid and linezolid - drug-resistant TB that makes the treatment of people with XDR-TB collectively referred to as the treatment regimen shorter and or MDR-TB, who are treatment- BPaL regimen - was studied in simpler. intolerant or non-responsive. the pivotal Nix-TB trial across Pretamonid, a novel compound The LPAD pathway was three sites in South Africa. The developed by the non-profit established by FDA as a tool to trial enrolled 109 people with organization TB Alliance, was encourage further development of XDR-TB and also MDR-TB. some involving daily injections, patients could also access it. approved by the US Food & Drug antibacterial and antifungal drugs Nix-TB data demonstrated a for 18 months or longer. "As the third new drug developed Administration (FDA) on August to treat serious, life-threatening successful outcome in 95 of the "Until very recently, people for TB in over half a century, and 14. infections that affect a limited first 107 patients after six months infected with highly drug-resistant the first to be developed as part TB is the leading infectious population of patients with unmet of treatment with BPaL and six TB had poor treatment options of a ready-to-use treatment cause of death worldwide, killing needs. months of post-treatment follow- and a poor prognosis," said Dr. regimen, pretomanid's approval at least 1.6 million people "FDA approval of this treatment up. For two patients, treatment Francesca Conradie, principal represents another potent tool for annually. There are more than represents a victory for the people was extended to nine months. investigator of the Nix-TB trial. tackling difficult-to-treat drug- half a million cases of multi drug- suffering from these highly drug- TB, in all forms, is treated with "This new regimen provides hope resistant forms of TB," said resistant TB (MDR-TB) annually, resistant forms of the world's a combination of drugs; the most with 9 out of 10 patients achieving Médecins Sans Frontières with about 6% of those cases deadliest infectious disease," drug-sensitive forms of TB culture negative status at 6 (MSF), in a statement. being extensively drug-resistant said Mel Spigelman, MD, require six months of treatment months post-treatment with this "However, it must be made TB (XDR-TB) cases. India president and CEO of TB using four anti-TB drugs. short, all-oral regimen." affordable to everyone who needs accounts for nearly a quarter of Alliance. "The associated novel Treatment of XDR-TB or MDR- The drug is likely to be available it, especially considering the the global TB cases. regimen will hopefully provide a TB takes longer and is more in the US markets by the end of substantial taxpayer and The new drug was approved shorter, more easily manageable expensive, with patients 2019. philanthropic contributions that under the Limited Population and highly efficacious treatment currently taking a combination TB activists want the drug to be went into its development," it Pathway for Antibacterial and for those in need." of as many as eight antibiotics, made affordable so that poor added. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 SPECIAL FEATURE 29 Shoppers are back on the streets in Italy and Austria while Spanish police hand out millions of masks as Europe takes its first steps out of lockdown

Shoppers were back on the been extended until May 3 but of small shops today, and is eventually gets back to normal,’ their jobs yesterday while others streets in Austria and Italy today bookshops, stationery shops hoping to open larger stores and he told Austrian media, saying will resume today because as Europe takes its first and stores selling children’s shopping centres on May 1 if that people would have to get Easter Monday is a public cautious steps out of the clothes are allowed to re-open things go well. used to shopping again. holiday in some regions of Spain coronavirus lockdown. from today. Shops up to 4,300 square feet - Shops are not being forced to but not others. Italy is opening a handful of The slightly loosened about twice the size of a tennis open against their will. Austrian Figures released by the Madrid stores including bookshops and restrictions also include forestry court - can open today, along media said there were 4,654 metro showed passenger traffic stationery shops in a trial to see and the wood industry on the with home improvement stores shops eligible to re-open in on Monday was up 24 percent how social distancing measures list of permitted economic and garden centres. Vienna today, but it was unclear compared with the same time can work after the lockdown, activities. There are limits on the number how many actually would. last week. which otherwise remains in A worker in a full protective suit of people allowed inside, and Austria’s infection rate has With workers heading back to force. including gloves and a mask customers are required to wear stabilised and it has only their jobs, the government However, some regions have was today examining the stock face masks. Most people are reported 368 deaths in total, began a huge operation to chosen not to take full at a children’s clothes shop in still being advised to work from despite sharing borders with distribute 10million masks this advantage. Bookshops will not Rome, with a full bottle of home if possible. hard-hit Italy and Germany. In week. open for another week in Rome sanitary gel nearby. ‘Economically, too, we want to Spain, workers in the Some 4,500 police, Red Cross and will stay closed altogether Italian prime minister Giuseppe come out of this crisis as quickly construction and manufacturing volunteers and security in Lombardy. Conte wants a wider economic as possible and fight for every sectors returned to their jobs on guards handed them out at In Austria, which was the first restart ‘as soon as possible’ but job in Austria,’ said chancellor Monday after a two-week 1,500 locations across the European country to announce the government says that ‘the Sebastian Kurz. ‘hibernation’ of all non-essential country, the interior ministry specific plans for ending the conditions are not yet in place’. Restaurants and hotels could business. said. Masks have been hard lockdown, shoppers were Italy has been under a reopen progressively from mid- Spain had imposed the to come by in recent weeks queuing outside hardware nationwide lockdown since May, Kurz has said. measure on March 30, going and some commuters said the stores wearing compulsory March 9, longer than any other However, Peter Buchmueller of further than other nations such handouts put them at ease masks as small shops re- European country, and has Austria’s chamber of commerce as Britain where people have during their trips to work. ‘It’s opened today. seen the infection rate slow said traders were not expecting always been allowed to travel to wonderful because it’s so Experts are not expecting a considerably in that time. a surge in customers because work if they cannot feasibly necessary and it helps those surge in customers, because There is also some many shoppers will still be work from home. of us who have to use public some people will still be too disagreement among regions. concerned about going outside. But the measure has not been transport,’ said office worker worried to make unnecessary The governor of Lombardy says ‘It will take a bit of time before it renewed, and many returned to Jose Antonio Cruces. shopping trips and certain stores bookshops in his hard-hit region may choose to stay closed. will remain closed, but the Meanwhile, industrial and leader of Liguria wants some construction work is resuming construction sites to re-open, in Spain where some workers Italian media says. were back at their jobs The Lazio region which includes yesterday while other regions Rome will delay the re-opening are returning today after an of bookshops until next week so Easter Monday holiday. that they can be cleaned, while Some commuters in Spain said Campania will open the they felt reassured by the children’s clothes shops only 10million masks which two mornings a week. authorities are handing out this Piedmont, which includes Turin, week. is not loosening the lockdown Elsewhere, Denmark is lining up at all, according to news a quicker-than-expected end to agency ANSA. the lockdown after hospital Some people were out and cases continued to fall while about in Venice today, travelling Iceland says it will start easing on the city’s water buses and restrictions next month. In Italy, buying from newsstands. most lockdown measures have Austria is opening a wider range Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 SPECIAL FEATURE 30

Double Whammy For Indian Muslims A Failed Secular State And Lack Of Progressive Leadership Muslims are openly being demonised as the religious and cultural other who must be hated, maligned and thrown out Recently, Outlook published religious and cultural other who stand up and be counted as themselves to think an unequivocal recognition of two articles – one by Shajahan must be hated, maligned and democratic voices. There is a independently. There is a need what is wrong with the Madampat and another by thrown out. With the passage lot to learn from Dalits and other to build critical consciousness community. There has to be a Nissam Syed – on the future of the Citizenship Amendment communities towards engaging among ordinary people based serious reflection on what can possibilities for Indian Muslims Act (CAA) and the looming in social education and reform. on democratic values. be done differently and to fight to organise themselves NPR-NRC, the threat to Educated Muslims must What should be the values the stereotypes. Even as politically. Both make some citizenship has become real. engage with the poorer sections guiding social organisation for religious polarisation is at a valid points although their The social and political in whatever measure possible Muslims? The Constitution of severely high level, most fellow approaches differ. marginalisation of the Muslim from one’s respective location. India with its intrinsic values of Indians do not subscribe to After reading their arguments, I community predates the Modi Just giving annual zakat or fitra justice, equality and pluralism Hindutva politics of violence and put across my thoughts based government. On one hand, the has not proved to be enough. offer abundant guidance. These hate. Many of them do not on two decades of my work secular state failed to deliver on Only a democratically values are in consonance with understand our behaviour. within the community. the Constitutional obligations empowered and organised the Quranic values of justice and Let me take a recent example. After seven decades of India’s and matters were made worse community can make the state fairness. Kindness and The movement against triple independence, Muslims live in by the lack of progressive social and political parties compassion are enshrined in talaq was led by Muslim poverty, social and educational leadership within the accountable. both. The Constitution is an women. It received extensive backwardness in ghettoes community. Today, all political Muslims would need guiding article of faith; the Quran support from ordinary Indians, across the country. The parties have abandoned the values and principles to teaches Muslims watanparasti both Muslims and non- constitutional promise of Muslims and their organise themselves. Thanks to or love for the country. It must Muslims. And yet, there have justice, equality and non- disenfranchisement is the way religion is be said that our demand for been several notables who discrimination has not imminent. The Muslims should [mis]understood and practiced justice and equality from the wrote extensively to justify the translated into reality for the have socially and politically in our country, ordinary Indian state is lame without our practice and undermine the largest minority in India. The organised much earlier but as Muslims are perpetually in a belief and adherence to these movement. Some Muslim Sachar Committee highlighted someone said, better late than state of dilemma. How much principles in our own lives. The intellectuals dismiss the issue that besides socio-economic never! importance should be given to violation of women’s rights in of triple talaq as a political deprivation, Muslims live with a Indian Muslims do not have a Islam and to the temporal the name of Shariat will have to gimmick of the BJP. They sense of fear and insecurity tradition of democratisation exactly? The clergyman is stop. The right to religious forget that the entire country owing to communal riots and within the community. There continuously telling him that freedom granted by the is watching the women violence. Avowedly secular have not been any noteworthy 100% time and energies should Constitution is a cherished right undergo pain and suffering governments did not take efforts to build critical be devoted to religion and which cannot be played around owing to this un-Quranic serious steps for inclusion of consciousness of our women nothing else. Ordinary Muslims with to justify patriarchal and practice. They can’t Muslims in the democratic and men in the last several are hard-working, patriotic and misogynist practices. There acknowledge that lack of processes. They did not do decades. Unfortunately, we have law-abiding citizens. Most has to be unequivocal support from so-called secular much other than pandering to not had an Ambedkar or a Phule religious leaders have an recognition of our nation being parties has left the ground conservative clergy within the or social awakening obsession with after-life and no multi-faith and multi-cultural as open for the BJP to fill in. This community in the name of movements. Adversely, we have concern for the here and now. we demand and practice mutual partly illustrates the double secularism. had the singular misfortune of They have no interest in respect and understanding from standards adhered to by With the political rise of being led by the orthodox democracy and affairs of the those who believe in other leading lights within the Muslim Hindutva, the onslaught on the clergymen! It is high time state. In the absence of any religions. community. This hypocrisy community became direct and middle-class Muslims who have alternative leadership, ordinary No community is perfect and must end. Any movement for more strident. Today, Muslims had the advantage of education women and men often do not that includes the Muslim equality and justice cannot be are openly demonised as the and economic empowerment get the opportunity to empower community too. There has to be a compartmentalised one. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 SPECIAL FEATURE 31

Animals reclaim lost territory, courtesy Covid-19 lockdown Some wildlife experts termed it as a behavioural change, saying curiosity was driving animals out of the jungle.

The lockdown to contain of the jungle. “The lockdown has and the animals venture out Recollecting an incident, he reserve. Anil Patel, DFO North coronavirus pandemic has sent impacted the forest area as well as if they are trying to re- said, “I was on the way to Kheri, said spotting animals humans scurrying indoors but because there is no human claim their lost territories,” Pilibhit via Kishanpur road in had become common during has widened the artificial movement on roads passing said Narain. the evening when I noticed a lockdown. “Perhaps the boundaries for wild animals in through it. Only a week ago I saw On the same day, he said he leopard sitting along the animals are moving out due Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, spread a flock of about 35 elephants on also saw a tiger on the main roadside. I asked my driver to to curiosity. Initially, the over 1200 square kilometre in Gauri Panta road that passes road, which was a rare sight. stop the vehicle and wait until animals ventured out on Bahraich and Lakhimpur Kheri through the core forest area and Sanjay Pathak, director of it disappeared into the forest. roads only at night when districts of Uttar Pradesh. ends at Nepal border,” said Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, said But the leopard seemed in no there was little or no traffic. Wildlife enthusiasts and Sanjay Narain, a wild life the lockdown was a big hurry. After waiting for 15 But now since the roads are foresters in the area say that enthusiast, who owns a farm change for animals. “Now minutes I asked my driver to deserted even during the since there is no movement of on the periphery of Dudhwa since they do not hear hearing proceed. Leopard is a shy day, the animals are moving vehicles on the connecting forest. any honking, or engine roars animal, so this kind of freely and also in human roads, the animals venturing out Narain said Gauri Panta Road along the road, they can be behaviour is quite strange.” habitats,” said Patel. The in human territories can be was usually quite busy, with seen moving freely on the He said that before lockdown, forester said wild boar, spotted spotted easily. movement of more than 200 roads through the forest area. more than 300 vehicles moved deer and elephants were Some wildlife experts termed it heavy and light vehicles every This is certainly a big change on this road on a daily basis. commonly seen on Dhira Kukra as a behavioural change, saying day. “But during lockdown, in the behaviour of wild The scene is no different in Road and Pilibhit-Basti Road in curiosity was driving animals out there is no traffic on the road animals,” said Pathak. other parts of the forest Mailani range. Starving 'cannibal' rats are on the march during the coronavirus pandemic block; more rats are being seen violent, killing and then eating said Claudia Riegel, director of in those specific areas where the other rats in order to stay the city’s Mosquito, Rodent and rats were heavily dependent on alive,” added Corrigan, who is Pest Control Board, during a commercial food trash of also a consultant at RMC recent press conference. restaurants and stores that have Pest Management. “Rat “Because the food is limited, closed since the COVID carcasses are being seen on they are going to start fighting outbreak.”In a recent tweet, the streets partially eaten by with each other.” Corrigan, who is based in the stronger or other rats.” With an increased number of New York City area, warned that Corrigan said that while some rats on the street, Riegel also some panicked rat populations rats in New York City have voiced concern for the potential are infighting and killing, resorted to cannibalism, impact on New Orleans’ dispersing openly and even others have not had to change homeless population. “There invading buildings under door their behavior. If their food are pathogens in these gaps. source -- such as sloppy rodents, fortunately we don’t “Starving rats in these blocks are trash cans or dumpsters -- has see many of the health In parts of some U.S. cities, York, Seattle and New Orleans, now wandering both day and not changed, then there will outcomes,” she said. “We starving rats have been taking to as well as other parts of the night; in different directions, and be no change in the rats. don’t have very many disease deserted streets amid the world. if they smell food leaking from “They will be active at night cases that are actually related coronavirus lockdown. Some “It is not a case of MORE rats people’s door gaps, they will and remain mostly unseen,” to rodents, but the potential have even resorted to occurring; it is more rat sightings try to follow their noses and Corrigan said. is there.” cannibalism in their desperate that is occurring but only in squeeze below the doors (i.e., CBS reports that rats have Authorities in New Orleans have search for food. some areas,” urban enter the property),” he told swarmed the empty streets of used the lockdown to “hit Lockdown-related rat sightings rodentologist Bobby Corrigan told Fox News. “Starving rats of New Orleans in search of food commercial areas hard with pest have been reported in a number Fox News via email. “Rat course like most mammals amid the city’s lockdown. control,” according to the city’s of U.S. cities, such as New sightings are a case of block by will become aggressive and “It’s a difficult time to be a rat,” mayor, LaToya Cantrell. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 SPECIAL FEATURE 32 TikTok is the social media sensation of lockdown. Could I become its new star? With families and couples filming themselves dancing or performing skits, the app has become even more popular in recent weeks. I asked its British stars to help me get started Andy Warhol predicted a time When I’ve had videos go viral, that’s everyone would have 15 minutes of when all the hateful comments fame. He was nearly right – it is come in. I think a lot of the time it’s actually 15 seconds. That is the because it’s a young audience. maximum duration of a video clip They don’t understand that it is with music (non-music clips can last actually someone on the other side.” up to a minute) on TikTok, the video- She tells me that it is important sharing platform that has taken the to engage with your audience world by storm. Favoured by under- and let them get to know you. 25s, who make up its core audience, Else likes to ask her audience TikTok this year surpassed questions so they feel part of the Facebook and WhatsApp as the clips. I shoot a video of me in a world’s most downloaded non- tree with a fact about London’s gaming app. green spaces so that my new TikTok’s content doesn’t take itself followers (all two of them) can get too seriously, and ranges from food a sense of who I am. The next to fashion, pranks to pets – as well day I find it is my best performing as the ubiquitous dance challenges. video so far. Well, after the one It is a perfect fit, in other words, for about fish. the lockdown, when many of us are If anyone can tell me about how stuck inside and in desperate need to build an audience based of some silly fun. This may be why, around personality, it is Perrin even if you haven’t downloaded it, received a handful of views and no hurdle. The great illusion of TikTok Doja Cat’s Say So became hits after Hooper, AKA @persworld, an 18- you suddenly find, clogging up your likes. Later, while complaining to a is that the best content is off the being repeatedly used in clips on year-old TikToker with 380,000 social media, clips of Justin Bieber friend’s little sister that headbanging cuff. Some is, but for those who do the site while Lil Nas X’s Old Town followers. Hooper’s style is to talk dancing to I’m a Savage by Megan cats is objectively great content, I TikTok seriously, it is a craft. I was Road was popularised through a viral straight to camera and muse on Thee Stallion, or Jennifer Lopez and was instructed that the issue was shocked by how long my first few dance challenge. life – a video diary with the odd Alex Rodriguez swapping outfits to using the wrong hashtags and not videos took. I needed to convert all Soni’s passion for magic shines dance thrown in. Hailing from Drake’s Flip the Switch. It seems using a TikTok filter. my pictures into short videos, then through on his clips. I realise that if Cornwall, Hooper says: “Where everyone from doctors and nurses Her explanation tells you a lot about find a song that delivered the right I want to be a big TikToker, I need a I live, social media is your main in PPE to bemused parents TikTok culture. The app, which high note, at just the right moment, focus. I choose “London lockdown way of reaching out.”Hooper quarantined with teenagers are launched in 2016 in China under the so it would look as though my nature moments” as my subject. I spends roughly three days a flocking to the app – and sometimes name Douyin with a focus on lip- yawning fox was singing – genuinely figure that seeing flowers, bees and week working on TikTok, and the going viral in the process. syncing, was specifically designed one of my most tricky journalistic beautiful trees thrive in the green rest of the week is spent running What makes it stand apart from with teenagers in mind. The assignments. spots near where I live is exactly an Etsy store selling pendants Snapchat or the now defunct Vine hashtags invite you to take part and The hours I spent honing my little what people want to see. and other crafts. Recently, is one crucial difference: the closely set challenges. Any user not sure clip was no surprise to Arshdeep I check on my first two videos. Hooper – who uses the pronoun guarded algorithm that produces what to create has not only topics Soni, AKA @arshsoni10, a 24-year Weirdly, fish storage is outperforming they – has started producing and the app’s opening dashboard. Unlike but tools at their disposal, from image old TikTok user with 6 million the fox. I pull together another video selling their own merchandise, a other apps, this home screen is not filters to options to use other users’ followers. “Sometimes I stay up until from clips and pictures of a walk I project they are working on with full of people you are following. That music or visuals. two or three in the morning,” he tells had taken in a secluded wood as their mother. Mum does the “nitty is because the algorithm searches I start by figuring out what is popular me. Based in Shepherd’s Bush, part of my government-approved gritty, stuff like costs, margins, for new clips rather than pushing in the hope that I can ride the wave. London, Soni performs magic tricks walk. A friend gives me a tip about packaging” while Hooper takes already popular ones. Translation: As usual there is a dance challenge, on his TikTok. “There’s a lot of work some nearby fields and I plan to care of the creative side of things. you don’t need lots of followers to currently #blindinglights, which sees that goes into it. Planning ideas, head there the next day for my daily Despite its focus on young go viral. It is this tantalising prize that people do a set sequence to a song rehearsing the right tricks for the exercise.. But when I wake up, I feel people, TikTok as a family gives the app its USP, and what by the same name from the right moment, then editing the video. camera shy. I had not worn makeup business is not uncommon. One keeps TikTokers ticking over. Weeknd. But as dancing is not my Then I have to figure out the best in the previous posts and am of the most famous TikTok But how easy is it to become a strong point, I pass. Luckily, nearly time for me to post. There’s lots of suddenly self-conscious. families is the Harfins TikTok influencer? I decided to try all the other current trends are related tactics.” “I try to go makeup-free, or not look (@refelicity) – AKA Felicity and my hand at becoming TikTok’s next to lockdown. As I too am in Soni posts on other platforms, so great some days,” says Abi Else, her sons, Finlay and Harrison – big thing, with the help of some of lockdown, I smell an opportunity. including Instagram and YouTube, AKA @aaaaaaaaaabi, a 22-year old from Edinburgh, Scotland. Their the app’s current British stars. I try out the tools by using two clips but his biggest audience is on TikToker from Brighton who focuses 1.8 million followers watch the am not a total TikTok novice, having I already have. First, using my clip TikTok. When he is recognised on on style. “I think it’s important that family play pranks, dance, cook tuned in almost daily for a year. I of a fox yawning in my back garden, the street, “it’s usually TikTok”. His younger people know that it’s fine and generally muck about. like the food and travel videos, as I’ll shoot myself looking bored TikTok reputation helps him get to not look perfect all the time.” Felicity, a former marketer, runs well as young female comedians (in around the house. Then I’ll add corporate bookings, but he is Pressure to conform to certain the account and has helped to particular Brittany Broski and music so it looks as if the yawning beginning to generate income beauty standards is one of a range turn it into a business giving ChiwithaC). Mostly though, I’m in it fox is singing. For my second video, working with brands such as Burger of pressures women face online; clients – from Mattel to the Brits for the cat videos. (I’m not the only I’ll try a traditional “hands in pans” King to promote their products, as their appearance is often targeted – the chance to be mentioned or one: the #catsoftiktok hashtag has food instruction clip. I have a video well as record labels who pay him in the abuse they receive. And promoted in their videos. Indeed, 5.9bn views.) In fact, my first foray of a big box of Cornish fish I received to use certain songs in his clips in TikTok has come under fire after it is now Felicity’s main job. But into creating TikTok content was a from relatives, as well as pictures of the hope others will borrow that reports that moderators were told to it was the boys who initiated the (now deleted) video of a kitten the process of prepping, portioning music – and so on – until it goes suppress videos from ugly, obese, project. “They grew up watching grooming. I filmed it on Instagram, up and freezing it. I know haddock viral. Indeed, TikTok’s influence on poor and disabled users. TikTok videos online and always wanted added a filter to give it a heavy-metal storage doesn’t sound the most the music industry is huge. It is seen claims the policy was to prevent to create themselves.” It took soundtrack and flames to make it appealing subject for the under-25s, as an incubator for smash hits and bullying and has since changed its them years to persuade her. “I look as though the cat was but I need something. a way to turn lesser-known artists guidelines. Else, however, says her didn’t realise how much fun it was headbanging. Hilarious, right? It That is when I encounter my first into stars: Lizzo’s Good As Hell and 80,000 followers are “really nice ... going to be.” Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 OBITUARY 33 Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 BUSINESS 34 India now needs a new and bold economic plan The plan must aim to preserve businesses , save jobs, and minimise pain. It needs to be to the order of 4-5% of the GDP - around $10 trillion. containment zone — if not the Corresponding numbers for important questions and entire city, then large parts of India are not available, but no answers. It should prevent it. And this, the best-case one will be surprised if the businesses from going under scenario, could play out till the number is at least 34% here. or making deep losses; end of June, maybe even July. In fact, given the safeguard jobs (to the extent It is time to accept this. completeness of the possible); lessen the blow for The economy will likely shrink lockdown in many parts of the those being retrenched; and in 2020-21. It is time to country, it could be 50%. provide cash (liquidity) to both accept this too. That’s the kind of blow some businesses and individuals. A recent report in Mint businesses may not be able There are benchmarks (published, like Hindustan to withstand — they will available. The US has Times, by HT Media), quoted simply go under. Many others announced a package that is India’s former chief statistician will cut costs and jobs. Tens 10% of its GDP. The United and economist Pronab Sen (some say hundreds) of Kingdom has announced one as estimating that roughly 50 millions of people, may be that is almost 15%, but some million people may have plunged back into poverty. of this is in the form of credit already lost their jobs in India. Investment will suffer, as will guarantees, and the actual (News Agencies) The India. The second 100 days zones with significant With the first quarter (April- consumption. The damage magnitude will be far lower. trajectory of the coronavirus will be the real challenge. It is restrictions on the movement June) pretty much a write-off, could set India back three to Anything between 4% and 5% disease (Covid-19) in India time to accept this. of people and goods and the the impact on production will five years, maybe a True to of GDP should be fine. That’s makes it clear that the first Even if India manages to operation of businesses. be brutal. The United States the name of this column, between Rs 7.6 trillion (lakh crore) 100 days (since China dodge the Covid-19 bullet, Mumbai, given the current (US) economy will produce here’s a possible economic and Rs 9.5 trillion. A Mint edit admitted there was a problem) parts of the country will situation there, 1,100 cases 34% less in the first quarter, plan for India to deal with such called for the round number of have been relatively kind on remain so-called containment and rising, is sure to be a according to some reports. a scenario. First off, some Rs 10 trillion. That would do. Amazon halts its shipping Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Chanel put service that competed with UPS and FedEx their fashion muscle behind face masks (News Agencies) New York : joining the global effort to make French financier Bernard making face masks. Ever at the forefront of haute more supplies to protect Arnault is chairman and CEO The company last month said couture, Louis Vuitton, Burberry healthcare workers. The of LVMH Moët Hennessy — it was seeking approval for raw and Chanel are celebrated by company, via Instagram, said it Louis Vuitton. materials and prototypes so fashion connoisseurs for had repurposed several of its British fashion brand Burberry, that its sewing specialists, who defining style in handbags, workshops across France to (BURBY) too, has pivoted part typically make the brand’s dresses and shoes. Now they “produce hundreds of of its fashion production haute couture and ready-to- are putting their fashion muscle thousands of non-surgical face machinery to make masks. wear fashion collections, could (News Agencies) New York : Amazon and supply chain expertise masks” for healthcare The company said it was using start to make face masks and is halting its third-party shipping behind making protective workers.”This initiative will its global supply chain “to fast- hospital gowns. service in the United States, which clothing for those on the front donate the much-needed track the delivery of 100,000 Last month, in Italy, one of the competed with FedEx and UPS, the lines of the coronavirus protective gear to frontline surgical masks to the UK countries hardest hit by the pandemic, which has infected healthcare workers. Thank you National Health Service, for use coronavirus pandemic, Italian company said Wednesday. The more than 1.9 million people to the hundreds of artisans who by medical staff.” Known for its luxury fashion brand Prada started service, called Amazon Shipping, was and killed at least 119,000 have volunteered to create iconic coats, Burberry said it the production of 80,000 medical being piloted in a handful of US cities. worldwide, according to Johns these masks, as well as was repurposing its trench coat overalls and 110,000 masks for Amazon would pick up and deliver Hopkins University.The rapid everyone doing their part to fight factory in Castleford, Yorkshire, healthcare workers in the Tuscany shipments for third party companies spread of the virus since this global pandemic,” the to make non-surgical gowns region. that sell on its site but don’t keep December has created a global company said. Louis Vuitton and masks for patients in UK The company said the protective products at Amazon (AMZN) scramble for protective gear, also said it was making and hospitals. gear was being produced at a warehouses. such as face masks, gloves donating thousands of hospital Another legendary French Prada factory which has stayed The company said it paused and gowns. French couture gowns for six Paris hospitals in fashion house, Chanel, said it open specifically to make the brand Louis Vuitton said it was urgent need of protective gear. is contributing to the effort by supplies. the service after a regular review meant to ensure that the company is best serving its customers. The Shortage of workers, choked ports disrupt supply chains pause comes amid a huge surge in The closure of factories has also left cargo grounded (or in ships in anchorage) . India’s business for Amazon, and online 7,516.6 km long coastline caters to more than 90% of India’s trading by volume. shopping more broadly, as people are urged to stay home and shops remain (News Agencies) At least Mansukh Mandaviya, port across Indian ports, choking by volume. The statistics are shuttered because of coronavirus. 50,000 shipping containers have operators, importers, and shipping shipping lines. There has been a worrying because a snag in the been lying orphaned at container companies raised some of these shortage of workers to handle supply chain could stoke distress. Last month, Amazon announced it freight stations and private issues, including the unavailability cargo and a dearth of truck drivers Cargo volumes at the Indian ports would hire 100,000 new distribution container terminals at three large of trucks (and drivers), the shortage to ferry the cargo to factories were already witnessing some workers to keep up with the demand. ports in Tamil Nadu with no trucks of workers in ports and cargo leading to a huge inventory pile up slowdown in FY2020 on the back It also warned customers they could available to transport them. Most terminals, and choked ports . The at ports. The Centre’s move to of various factors such as the US- see longer-than-usual delivery times Indian ports have declared a so- 21-day lockdown enforced by India waive demurrage charges during China trade war and the ongoing because of the large volume of orders. called force majeure -- declared on March 25 -- it ends midnight the lockdown is acting as a economic slowdown, according to Amazon also said it would limit shipments of when unprecedented events April 14; the Prime Minister is to disincentive for importers to credit rating agency ICRA. non-essential goods coming into its overtake them and prevent them address the nation on Tuesday figure out ways to move cargo. Bottlenecks in the shipping and warehouses to make room for crucial from doing their job . At ports across morning on whether it will be The closure of factories has also logistics part of the supply chain, India, cargo terminals are operating extended and if so, fully or in part; left cargo grounded (or in ships which are critical for timely household and medical products. Amazon at capacities less than 30%. On several states have already in anchorage) . India’s 7,516.6 movement and evacuation from Shipping is available in the United Kingdom, April 3, in a video conference with extended it till the end of the month km long coastline caters to ports, could be an aggravating where it will continue to operate. Union minister of shipping -- has hit the handling of cargo more than 90% of India’s trading factor, the firm noted. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 BUSINESS 35 Google expands its automated AI calling service Duplex to Australia, Canada and the UK An AI service was rolled out by Google in late 2018 in the US followed by New Zealand. Christened as Duplex, the AI is used for restaurant bookings or to book appointments on behalf of its user. Now it has been made available in Australia, Canada and the UK. an automated system or a beta version in iPhones. certainty if the voice on the other manual operator. However, this was limited to end was that of an AI or a A list of numbers which Google the users in the US. For human. Google, since then has states as legitimate are posted iPhone and Android users, taken ample efforts to maintain on the support page. users only have to download more transparency with its alls from these phone numbers Google Assistant App from users and businesses. will be from Google: Australia: the App Store and Playstore Google has tried addressing +61-2-9160-9443 , Canada: +1- respectively and they are these issues by giving a 780-851-3579, New Zealand: good to go. disclosure at the start of the +64-9-884-7777, United This feature is currently call. Moreover, the support Kingdom: +44-207-660-1362 and available on Phones with the page says that any business United States: +1-650-203- Google Assistant app, devices owner has the option to opt 0000, +1-650-206-5555. that can access Search or out if he does not feel like (News Agencies) Google’s AI- user. It is supported by devices VentureBeat was the first to note Maps, Google’s support group talking to an AI. powered calling service Duplex which have Search, Maps or the addition in the list of page said.Google Duplex was Previously, Google had stated is now being extended to Google Assistant app. numbers from where Google launched back in 2018 but it has that businesses could either tell Australia, Canada and the UK. Google’s support page explains Duplex will make calls. Google its limitations. The first issue the company over the phone - Initially, this service was a how-to-know if a call is stated that it will use these was that there was no consent presumably in the form of available in the US and New legitimate. It states that at the numbers while calling from a drawn from businesses or feedback during or after an Zealand. Google Duplex is used start of the call, the reason for distinct country using Duplex. restaurant owners while these ongoing call -- or change their for hotel bookings or booking the call will be stated. It further Last year in April, Google calls were made by the AI. settings in Google My Business appointments on behalf of its states that the call will be from Duplex started rolling out its Secondly, there was no section of their Google accounts. Coronavirus: Global economy to witness worst fallout since Great Depression, says IMF Observing that the world is faced with extraordinary uncertainty about the depth and duration of this crisis, IMF MD Kristalina Georgieva said that it is already clear, however, that global growth will turn sharply negative in 2020. The IMF chief said that given the at high risk, Georgieva said with billion, more than three times necessary containment weaker health systems to begin larger than for the same period measures to slow the spread of with, many face the dreadful of the global financial crisis. the virus, the world economy is challenge of fighting the virus in "Commodity exporters are taking a substantial hit. densely populated cities and taking a double blow from the This is especially true for retail, poverty-stricken slums, where collapse in commodity prices hospitality, transport, and social distancing is hardly an and remittances, the lifeblood of tourism. In most countries, the option. so many poor people, are majority of workers are either With fewer resources to begin expected to dwindle, she said. self-employed or employed by with, they are dangerously The IMF, she said, estimates the small and medium-sized exposed to the ongoing demand gross external financing needs enterprises. These businesses and supply shocks, drastic for emerging markets and and workers are especially tightening in financial conditions, developing countries to be in the (News Agencies) The year 2020 school, going to work, being with exposed, she added. and some may face an trillions of dollars, and they can could see the worst global family and friends -- is now a Of the view that emerging unsustainable debt burden, she cover only a portion of that on their economic fallout since the Great huge risk, she said. markets and low-income said. In the last two months, own, leaving residual gaps in the Depression in the 1930s with Observing that the world is faced nations -- across Africa, Latin portfolio outflows from emerging hundreds of billions of dollars. They over 170 countries likely to with extraordinary uncertainty America, and much of Asia are markets were about USD 100 urgently need help, she said. experience negative per capita about the depth and duration of income growth due to the raging this crisis, she said that it is Wall Street firm dangled up to 175% returns coronavirus pandemic, IMF already clear, however, that Managing Director Kristalina global growth will turn sharply to investors using U.S. aid programs Georgieva said on Thursday. negative in 2020. (News Agencies) BOSTON (Reuters) - A New York and seen by Reuters, Loeb wrote it was a “highly Georgieva made the remarks "In fact, we anticipate the worst investment firm pitched wealthy investors in time sensitive opportunity” and had offered to during her address on economic fallout since the Great recent days on a way to make returns of 22% to discuss it with investors that day or early in the "Confronting the Crisis: Depression," Georgieva said. 175% using U.S. government programs designed week. Priorities for the Global "Just three months ago, we to help Americans keep their jobs and boost the Arcadia’s pitch offers a glimpse into how Economy" here ahead of next expected positive per capita coronavirus-stricken economy, according to a some private investors are looking to quickly week's annual Spring meeting of income growth in over 160 of our marketing document seen by Reuters. Following take advantage of the unprecedented government the International Monetary Fund member countries in 2020. questions posed by Reuters, Arcadia Investment intervention after the novel coronavirus brought (IMF) and the World Bank. Today, that number has been Partners LLC, which has about $1 billion under economic activity to a screeching halt. Under "Today, the world is confronted turned on its head: we now management, said it had put its plans on hold. Arcadia’s plan, which has not been previously with a crisis like no other. Covid- project that over 170 countries The idea was in “formative stages” and the firm reported, the firm would have raised money to 19 has disrupted our social and will experience negative per was not “presently moving forward with this finance loans to small businesses guaranteed economic order at lightning capita income growth this year," strategy given reasons that include uncertainty as part of a $2.2 trillion government aid package, speed and on a scale that we she said.The Great Depression surrounding the regulations,” Dahlia Loeb, the marketing materials show. It called the new have not seen in living memory," was the worst worldwide managing director at Arcadia, told Reuters in an vehicle the “Paycheck Protection Program she said. economic downturn that lasted email on Wednesday. She did not elaborate Fund,” named after the government initiative for The virus is causing a tragic loss for 10 years from 1929, further. The firm had sent the pitch as recently small businesses launched on April 3. Arcadia of life, and the lockdown needed beginning in the US when the as this weekend to “a limited number of proposed to juice profits by borrowing 90% to to fight it has affected billions of New York Stock Exchange on sophisticated investors,” according to the 95% of the money from funding markets that people. What was normal just a Wall Street crashed and wiped marketing materials, which are dated April 4 and were backstopped in recent weeks by the U.S. few weeks ago -- going to out millions of investors. marked confidential. In an email sent Sunday, Federal Reserve. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 US & THE WORLD 36 Apple and Google are working together to help track the coronavirus (News Agencies) San will be able to opt in. A solutions to stop the rapid designers of a popular bison worry about it in terms of a Francisco (CNN smartphone user that tests spread of the coronavirus, with tracking app — to enable person’s freedom,” he said. Business)Apple and Google are positive for the coronavirus can several governments around the contact tracing. “We’re going to take a look partnering to help authorities input their result into an app from world, including Israel, Thailand Privacy advocates and at that.”Apple (AAPL) and track exposure to the a public health authority, which and Hong Kong, using experts around the world have Google, fierce rivals with the coronavirus using Bluetooth will feed into an anonymous technology to track exposure flagged concerns with contact two most popular mobile technology. “identifier beacon,” according to and enforce quarantines. tracing technology, saying it operating systems in the world, The two Silicon Valley giants will an explanation from Google. The US government has been could potentially be used as said privacy will be central to work on a platform to enable That identifier will then be looking to Silicon Valley for a surveillance tool once the their contact tracing efforts. contact tracing, a measure that anonymously exchanged with solutions, with Facebook (FB) pandemic is over. Some Users will have to provide explicit identifies people who have been anyone the user comes into and Google (GOOGL) confirming experts have also expressed consent for the platform to work, exposed to the virus and who contact with who also has the last month they were looking into doubts about the and no information that can be they have been in contact with, service enabled. the use of cellphone location effectiveness of Bluetooth- used to identify individual the companies announced Users then upload their identifier data to help track the spread of enabled contact tracing. users will be collected, they Friday. records to the cloud, following the virus. Some companies have President Donald Trump also added. The companies will first release which they will receive a also used location tracking hinted at the privacy concerns “Privacy, transparency, and interfaces built on existing public notification if they have been technology to track spring when asked about Apple and consent are of utmost health apps in May that can exposed to anyone who has breakers who flouted social Google’s partnership during importance in this effort,” the work on iOS or Android tested positive for the distancing warnings in a briefing on Friday. companies said in their systems, followed by a more virus.Authorities around the Florida. The state of North “It’s very new, new statement. “We will openly comprehensive platform in the world have identified contact Dakota launched its own technology, it’s very publish information about our coming months to which users tracing as one of the key platform — made by the interesting but a lot of people work for others to analyze.” Covid-19: Phones may hold key to catching up with the pandemic Technology lawyer Rahul Matthan, who advised the Indian government in the development of the Aarogya Setu app, said the features in the application need to be looked at in the context of the circumstances of the epidemic. sustained epidemic distance radio wave, which The approach, however, suppression, stopping the is picked up only when has drawn questions about virus from spreading someone is close enough privacy violations. “People further.” to, say, be in the same flat will wonder: who profiteers On April 2, the Indian or office. from these apps? Will government launched its The data will be shared with there by government own contact-tracing mobile health authorities in the intrusion?” said Ding. application and roughly a event that either of the India’s Aarogya Setu has week later, Apple and device’s users test positive drawn criticism by privacy Google – who together for an infection, triggering advocacy groups such as dominate the cellphone an alert to all other devices the Internet Freedom software platform market that may have been in the Foundation, which says almost entirely – contact chain, according the programme has “a announced they are to the workings disclosed systemic lack of working on similar by India’s Aarogya Setu auditability and mechanism for iPhone and (health bridge) app and the transparency”. “[There] Android-based phones. proposed Google, Apple appears to be a much (News Agencies) Tools ineffective, require too added Ding during an The apps work on a simple mechanism. wider collection and such as cellphone-based much manpower, and take interview over video. premise: a phone will Union health ministry joint possible sharing [of data] contact tracing are too much time for effective With a mobile phone-based exchange details – secretary Lav Agarwal, outside of the device, than becoming increasingly containment. tool, “you don’t need the converted into a random, during the daily briefing on envisioned under other apps,” important in the fight to “To defeat this virus, you manpower and it is unique alphanumeric – with Covid-19, said the Aarogya said a working paper by IFF, contain Covid-19, a either need a vaccine or instantaneous – the speed another phone if the two are Setu application was which analysed a similar disease spreading too testing, contact-tracing, is the most crucial aspect. in the range of their downloaded by 35 million application used in Singapore quickly and silently for quarantine, which is the Problems in recalling who Bluetooth radios. people till Monday. and one developed by conventional disease hallmark of epidemiological an infected person met or Bluetooth is a short- PRIVACY WORRIES researchers at MIT. control measures to containment. The issue is where they were too get contain it, according to that normally viruses don’t taken care of,” he said. ICMR researchers detect coronaviruses in two bat species in India experts and researchers spread as fast. Most that Ding led efforts to create (News Agencies) Researchers of the Kerala a couple of years ago. It is suspected who say this could kill or are serious are one of the first such mobile Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) that the severe acute respiratory syndrome fundamentally involve some infectious at a stage when applications back in 2014 have detected coronaviruses (CoVs) among coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes compromises on personal someone gets very sick,” called Germ Theory. two species of bats in the country, coronavirus disease (Covid-19), can also privacy. said Eric Feigl-Ding, an “During the Ebola crisis, highlighting the need for continuous active be traced to bats. India has a diverse The problem stems from epidemiologist at Harvard we realised contact tracing surveillance in the mammal to identify the population of bats. Around 117 species the insidious nature of Sars- University, who was one of is a tedious effort and emerging strains of the viruses that can of bats have been recorded in the CoV-2, the virus that the first prominent public people have terrible recall,” cause an epidemic. Bats are considered country, with around 100 sub-species causes Covid-19: it can be health officials to raise an he said. to be the natural reservoir for many viruses, coming under 39 genera belonging to spread by a person who alarm about the virus in The idea was also floated of which some can potentially infect eight families of the mammal. “To does not show symptoms January when it spread by researchers from humans. Many viruses have had their origin assess the presence of CoVs in bats, (thus probably unaware of mostly within China. Oxford University in a in bat species over the last two decades. we performed identification and the illness), and merely “Contact tracing only works paper published on March Bats have been recognised as the natural characterisation of bat CoV (BtCoV) in breathing, coughing and if you trace far enough and 31 in which they said, “a reservoirs of a variety of pathogenic viruses P. medius and Rousettus species from sneezing could pass it on people remember well mobile phone app such as Rabies, Hendra, Marburg, Nipah, representative states in India collected to anyone close by. enough. And it needs a implementing and Ebola. Bats are known to harbour CoVs during 2018 and 2019,” said the Tracing contacts through huge manpower. In Wuhan instantaneous contact and serve as their reservoirs. In India, an researchers in the paper published in conventional methods, alone, they deployed tracing could reduce association of Pteropus medius bats led the Indian Journal of Medical Research therefore, may be almost 10,000 people,” transmission enough for to the Nipah virus disease outbreak in on April 13. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 US & THE WORLD 37 Nearly a third of Americans didn’t pay rent this month, new data shows (News Agencies) With coronavirus pandemic is but rent was still due. And Almodovar, CEO of nearly 10 million Americans devastating the US job while missing a payment Enterprise Community filing for unemployment in market, and as a result, may not immediately result Partners, a national March, April 1 was always Americans’ financial health. in eviction, continuing to nonprofit developing going to be a difficult day The federal government’s $2 skip them would. affordable housing. have an accurate picture policy at Enterprise for US renters. trillion stimulus bill will pad There are other avenues for There are 44 million renter of what the impact of Community Partners. “In Now we know just how some Americans’ falls: aid, though. Solomon households in the country, millions of people filing for April, there is still time to difficult: Nearly a third of Renters in federally Greene, a senior fellow in and the NMHC data only unemployment will be until get money flowing. What American renters didn’t pay subsidized affordable housing policy at the Urban reflects data from 13.4 May, she said. happens when eviction their rent this month. housing can receive aid, Institute, suggested that million rental units and does “People were working in moratoriums are lifted? Now That’s according to data including a 120-day tenants alert their landlords not include subsidized March. April rent may have there is a critical window to from the National moratorium on evictions and to their inability to pay and housing, a lifeline for many come from their savings,” get emergency assistance Multifamily Housing late fees. seek out aid from low-income people. Almodovar said. “The rent to those who need it.” Council, a trade association But most rental properties nonprofits, or use their Also, Almodovar said, check is probably the first In the meantime, some for the apartment industry. are owned by private stimulus check included in there were likely thing they pay. Now they landlords are offering Of more than 13 million landlords and therefore the $2 trillion bill to cover logistical challenges to may be unemployed, and discounts and payment units in the US that the aren’t eligible, though some some of their expenses. people paying the rent on we don’t know what plans to help renters. report covered, 69% of multifamily landlords with And in other cases, time in April. Many resources will get to them Clay Grubb, CEO of Grubb renters paid their rent federally backed mortgages strangers are footing bills. offices were closed and in time for May.” Properties, a multifamily between April 1 and 5. may receive a forbearance A CNN viewer surprised a standard operating Her organization is calling housing developer based in During the same period in on their payments as long guest on Erin Burnett procedures for much of for direct rental assistance, Charlotte, North Carolina, April 2019, 82% of as they don’t evict their OutFront by paying her rent. daily life was disrupted. in which struggling tenant’s offered a 10% discount to households paid their rent tenants. The guest, like millions of The 5th of the month, rents are paid to landlords renters who paid by April 1. on time, the report said. Ahead of the steep uptick other service industry often when a late fee is by the government. Nearly 70% of his renters And just last month, 81% in unemployment claims, at workers, had lost her job. incurred and when the “It allows money to move up took advantage of the of renters paid rent by least half of states and While the data is NMHC survey period the ladder,” said Flora discount, saving them March 5. dozens of cities temporarily concerning, it should be put ended, also fell on a Arabo, national senior nearly $400,000 in rent It’s evidence of just how the halted evictions in March, into context, said Priscilla Sunday.We won’t really director of state and local altogether. Coronavirus update: New York reports record 824 Covid-19 deaths in 24 hours despite flattening curve The latest spike in deaths, which lag as an indicator of the virus’s spread, comes as the rate of hospitalizations in the city and state is dropping sharply. (News Agencies) New York has worsened by the day. day, which may partly spike in deaths, which lag City reported a record 824 New York reported 799 new account for why the city as an indicator of the virus’s deaths from the coronavirus deaths on Thursday, on top reported more deaths than spread, comes as the rate in 24 hours, a grim reminder of about 1,500 in the prior the state did. A spokesman of hospitalizations in the city that despite flattening two days. Total coronavirus for the governor, Rich and state is dropping infection curves and lower deaths in the state now Azzopardi, said the city and sharply. At his daily virus hospital admissions, the exceed 7,000. state were working to come briefing on Thursday, health crisis in the largest The city and state take up with a unified reporting Governor Andrew Cuomo US city is far from over. snapshots of the virus’s system to eliminate their said there had been only 200 over 24 hours, the lowest reaching a plateau, the Statewide, the fatality rate effects at different times of discrepancies.The latest net new hospitalizations number since the crisis statistics suggest that the broke out. That number had state will need far less US threatens to block China Tele- been as high as 1,400 just hospital capacity than it a week ago. Likewise, the raced to build at the onset rate of new intensive-care of the crisis. After early com from serving American market admissions and intubations models predicted a wave as -- when patients are put on big as 135,000 coronavirus US agencies said China Telecom is vulnerable to “exploitation, a ventilator -- also patients, New York nearly plummeted. But New York doubled its hospital influence and control” by the Chinese government. State also reported more than capacity to about 90,000 (News Agencies) The top departments services to and from the United States. vulnerable to “exploitation, influence and 10,600 new positive cases on beds, with hospitals filling of the US government have endorsed “The Executive Branch agencies control” by the Chinese government. Wednesday, a second day hallways, lobbies and cutting off Beijing-controlled China identified substantial and unacceptable They said it has inaccurately reported above 10,000 after multiple conference rooms with Telecom from serving the US market national security and law enforcement to US authorities where it stores its US days when the number was them. If the spread because of legal and security risks, the risks associated with China Telecom’s records and how it manages trending downward. At more continues to slow, the Justice Department announced operations, which render the FCC cybersecurity. than 159,000 infections, New question may become what Thursday. The departments, including authorizations inconsistent with the The agencies also made the York’s cases have now to do with the excess Defense, State, and Homeland Security, public interest,” the Justice Department recommendation based on “the nature eclipsed those of Spain and capacity the state no longer said after a broad review that the Federal said in a statement. of China Telecom’s US operations,” Italy. It’s unknown how many needs. That wasn’t a Communications Commission should The agencies -- which also included the which they said allow Chinese people have been infected question Cuomo was “revoke and terminate” all authorizations Justice Department, the Commerce government actors “to engage in but never tested.About prepared to answer on for the Chinese giant’s US subsidiary, Department, the US Trade malicious cyber activity enabling 18,000 people in the state Thursday, saying it was too China Telecom (Americas), to provide Representative and US counter- economic espionage and disruption and are hospitalized for the virus. early to begin making such international telecommunications intelligence -- said China Telecom is misrouting of US communications.” If New York is indeed assessments. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 ENTERTAINMENT 38 Bamfaad review Aditya Rawal and Shalini Pandey’s romance implodes Aditya Rawal makes a promising debut but Ranjan Chandel’s directorial debut is riddled with clichés of small-town love stories. Bamfaad at first sight with Neelam puzzlingly hops on the first Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Haasil, Director: Ranjan Chandel (Shalini Pandey). She is bus to Lucknow with Neeraj Ghaywan’s Masaan Cast:?Aditya Rawal, ‘bamfaad’ herself, but has Neelam to get away from and even Shashank Shalini Pandey, Vijay a dark secret of her own, it all. Khaitan’s Dhadak in some Varma, Jatin Sarna which ties her to local Writers Ranjan Chandel scenes. Despite its share In his directorial debut, strongman Jigar Fareedi and Hanzalah Shahid fail to of clichés, the film has its Bamfaad, Ranjan Chandel (Vijay Varma). do justice in their attempt merits. manages to capture the The inter-religious aspect of to embed Nasir and Aditya Rawal makes a old-world charm of the relationship is Neelam’s romance in the promising debut and is a Allahabad - not Prayagraj, unimportant in the scheme power struggles and refreshing departure from but Ilahabad -- as the locals of things in Bamfaad; there politics of a small town. The the star kids with enviable would say. It is the perfect is a one-off reference to subplot of Nasir’s friends physiques but zero acting setting for dramatic young ‘love jihad’ but it is quickly and their romances is an chops. He delivers a love, but Aditya Rawal and forgotten. Instead, the unnecessary diversion, restrained performance, Shalini Pandey’s romance villain in this story is Jigar, and despite having with a convincing UP is not quite the explosive who is determined to strip potential, Jigar’s character accent. Shalini Pandey is and heady passion that it Nasir of his ego. But this arc is up to the mark as the promises to be. face-off, too, lacks undercooked.Bamfaad feisty-yet-vulnerable stands out as the local a been-there-done-that Nasir Jamal aka Naate intensity. And while Nasir’s does not really offer Neelam but reminiscent of strongman with political feel to it. However, it is (Aditya Rawal), the hot- volatile behaviour is anything that we haven’t her Arjun Reddy act. ambitions, the weak writing buoyed by its headed and impulsive son established right from the already seen before in Jatin Sarna is impressive lets him down. performances, and of politically ambitious opening scene, when a small-town love stories; I as the treacherous friend, Bamfaad loses steam in makes for a decent watch Shahid Jamal, falls in love major conflict arises, he was reminded of and while Vijay Varma the second half and has during the lockdown. Season’s Greetings review Lillette Dubey shines in this poetic film that marks Celina Jaitly’s comeback Lillette Dubey is in top form in this film. She barely says a word through half of the film but conveys so much through her body language and expressions.

Actor Celina begins with the couple how she is and how her The dialogues offer Jaitly has returned to the making love, and soon, daughter perceives her is perfect perspective into screen in Season’s we get to know it is an already established, even the double-edged sword Greetings, a film that she inter-religion relationship. before we see Lillette that the filmmaker is shot during trying While the discussion is open her mouth to deliver trying to use with his films circumstances -- the rather cold, the a dialogue.Directed by - he targets emotions as actor has said that she occasional poetry and Ram Kamal Mukherjee, well social lost a child and her shayari the two use and the film explores the consciousness with mother while she did the the background score fragile nature of human Season’s Greetings. project. However, it can complete the picture of relationships - be it Sample some of the be safely said that she emotions involved in such between lovers or lines: has worked through that a relationship - especially between a mother and “Allahabad ko Prayagraj immense pain to deliver when the couple is daughter or a daughter bante dekh, kuch nahi one of her finest equally attached to their and her father. It also bole. Thoda waqt do. performance - she does one hour, it is unlikely to performances. respective families. focusses on how love can (They silently watched as not say a single line keep you hooked till the Season’s Greetings Celina, Lillette’s daughter be both beautiful and Allahabad was changed through half of the film end. While the poetic opens with a touching, in the film, is set to bring cruel. to Prayagraj, give them but conveys a lot through portions are well done, heartbreaking description her boyfriend home to The subtle yet strong and some time).” her majestic body the part supposed to take of a woman and her meet her mom. rather deep emotions “Aag me chalna padta hai language, perfect facial the narrative forward and feelings. Lillette is While Celina continues portrayed in the film - Sita ko aur Purushottam expressions and her establish a modern way reading the poem written to describe her parents from those of a grown up, kaun banta hai?” (In the eyes. Celina, too, does of life appear superficial. in a letter addressed to fondly,and mentions how independent woman in Hindu mythological epic quite an impressive job. But if you do stay with the her as she prepares her her mother must be love, to those of a person Ramayan, Sita walks on It is wonderful to watch film, the climax sequence lavish house for a guest’s lonely, Lillette is shown conflicted between love fire but who is declared her in the scenes where has some beautiful visit. Soon, we are taken happy in her space. She and responsibilities to the the best among men? The she doesn’t have any rewards - not only does through the relationship is happy with her dance mixed feelings of joy, answer is Lord Ram, dialogues. Season’s the narrative take a Romita (Celina Jaitly) and music and has a excitement and fear as Sita’s husband)” Greetings, can be easily surprisingly different turn, and her live-in boyfriend special relationship with one prepares to confront Much as expected, considered one of the brilliance of Lillette’s Usmaan (debutant actor Chapala (Shree Ghatak). one’s own child over a Lillette is the winner Celina’s best works. The performance is at its Azhar Khan) share. It The disconnect between relationship. when it comes to short film stretches - at epitome in the last shot. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 ENTERTAINMENT 39 PrincePrince HarryHarry findsfinds newnew lifelife inin NorthNorth AmericaAmerica ‘a‘a bitbit challenging,’challenging,’ friendfriend sayssays

It’s been just a few months since Goodall is unaware of how Harry will launched an appeal to stop the illegal Prince Harry and Meghan Markle transition to earning his own keep hunting of wildlife, according to The embarked on a new chapter in North in the States.”I don’t know how his Guardian. America amid their departure as career is going to map out, but yes, Goodall, also an environmental senior members of the royal family I’ve been in touch, though I think activist, was interviewed by Harry for — and one pal close to the Duke of he’s finding life a bit challenging a special edition of British Vogue Sussex claims he’s still struggling now,” Goodall shared, according to guest-edited by Meghan last year. to find his footing. The Guardian. During the chat, Goodall claimed British primatologist Jane Goodall The ethologist imagined that Harry Harry “hinted” at raising Archie says she has remained in contact has likely put a halt to one of his differently than he was. with Harry, 35, who made multiple the traditional royal pastimes he “I made Archie do the queen’s wave, trips to join his wife Meghan, 38, in once shared with his older brother, saying, ‘I suppose he’ll have to learn Vancouver, Canada, at the start of Prince William. this,’” Goodall recalled. “Harry said, the year before officially making the “They hunt and shoot,” Harry’s pal ‘No, he’s not growing up like move to the Duchess of Sussex’s told the outlet. “But I think Harry will that.’”Since settling down in Los hometown of Los Angeles, Calif., stop because Meghan doesn’t like Angeles, Harry and Meghan’s desire last month. hunting so I suspect that is over for to become financially independent Goodall spoke to the Radio Times him.” has been a topic of debate. The about some big changes Harry is Over the years, Harry and William couple confirmed in a statement to facing in his day-to-day life now that enjoyed hunting trips together, at Fox News last month that they have he’s thousands of miles away from times being criticized for the a plan in place to “personally” cover the British royal family. It turns out controversial sport. In 2014, William their security costs. Priyanka Chopra shares a sunny selfie from lockdown in LA Actor Priyanka Chopra is comments section show unity among all among many other inspiring her fans to stay “Beautiful light on a power people who are affected by celebrities. positive and look forward to woman,” wrote one. COVID-19 and will also Priyanka recently shared better days amid the “Absolutely Gorgeous” celebrate and support that she is helping the coronavirus lockdown. The wrote another. Make up brave healthcare workers students in Los Angeles in actor is at her home in Los artist Pati Dubroff wrote, “I doing life-saving work on adapting to virtual Angeles with singer miss this face.” the front lines. classrooms amid lockdown husband Nick Jonas. The Priyanka will soon be a part Curated in collaboration due to coronavirus couple are practising social of One World: Together At with Lady Gaga, One pandemic. Priyanka took distancing together. Home, a globally televised World: Together At Home to Instagram, where she On Thursday, Priyanka and streamed special in will include performances shared a video of herself shared a sun-kissed selfie support of the fight against and appearances by Billie talking about helping Priyanka and Nick have Cares Fund, Unicef, from her house. “There is the Covid-19 Eilish, Camila Cabello, students with the new also donated to Feeding America and always a light at the end of pandemic.Launched by Chris Martin, David & concept. Priyanka last organisations like the PM- Goonj. the tunnel... Hang in there international advocacy Victoria Beckham, Ellen week pledged to donate world,” she captioned her organization Global DeGeneres, Elton John, $100,000 to women post. Her fans Citizen, and the World Jennifer Lopez, Lilly Singh doing their bit in the Arjun Kapoor on wedding complimented her in the Health Organization, it will and even Shah Rukh Khan health crisis. plans with Malaika Arora Tiger Shroff has the most brother-like reaction to sister Krishna’s racy new post

Actor Tiger Shroff had the most brother- SpotboyE, “He was there to do some like response to his sister Krishna new plantations and pre-monsoon work Shroff’s racy new Instagram post. On and got stuck there. But thankfully, he Monday, Krishna posted a picture of has his staff with him and best fresh herself in a bikini, to which Tiger air, space and all his own organic responded in the comments with an veggies.”Jackie, meanwhile, shared a Actor Arjun Kapoor held a married. There are no emoji of a monkey covering its mouth video from his farm, urging everyone virtual date with a few fans plans as of right now.” with its hands. to obey laws and stay indoors. He said on Thursday and raised Arjun added, “Abhi shaadi Krishna reacted to Tiger’s comment in the video, “It’s your duty to obey the funds to feed 300 daily hogi bhi toh kaise, agar with a kiss emoji. Krishna has been rules of the lockdown, do it for your sharing several posts during the child, think about your family. Stay at wage earners’ families for karni bhi hogi (Even if we nationwide coronavirus lockdown. She home. I think you all should be staying a month. In another live wanted to, how will it be has quarantined herself with boyfriend home, take it easy, do pranayam. interview with Bollywood possible now)?” Eban Hyams.Tiger, meanwhile, has Consume mustard oil, salt and Hungama, fans asked him “Not planned and not been sharing videos of himself pulling turmeric at home. Look into the eyes questions about his work thought about it right off athletic moves. Their mother, of your mother, your wife, your kid, your and also his personal life. now, but like I always Ayesha, recently posted a throwback lover or whosoever you love. Listen to One fan asked about his say, I will not hide it,” picture of the two as children, being your heart, if you plan to go out, you wedding plans with Arjun said. The couple held by their father, actor Jackie Shroff. end up taking tension and giving girlfriend Malaika Arora, have been dating for over Jackie is currently stranded away from tension to your family. Sudhar jao. Even Arjun gave a witty reply. a year now and are often his family at his Khandala farmhouse. God is relaxing above. Breathe a bit, “I will tell all of you all spotted together on Ayesha said in a recent interview to just relax at home.” when I am getting dates and at holidays. Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 40

Voice of South Asian Community Since March 2002 Vol. 16 Issue 47 Saturday 18 April to 23 April 2020 $1 www.thesouthasianinsider.com Hunger and Humiliation r How Unfortunate, Migrants Treated As Black Holes And Black Boxes Of Corona Chronicles. r During corona times, the migrant discovered he was marginal, suspect and jobless. Haunted by vulnerabilities,

he had to face hunger and humiliation Page 23

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