AHMEDABAD l THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 l Pages 12 l 3.00 RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208 l Vol 2 l Issue No. 166

Retail infl ation eased to 4.29 per cent in April 2021, owing to a Petrol and diesel prices were hiked for the third straight day this RETAIL INFLATION CLIMBS drop in food prices, government data showed. The infl ation rate FUEL PRICES TOUCH week, touching a fresh record of all-time highs across the metros on DOWN TO 4.29% IN APRIL was slightly higher than a poll conducted by Reuters last week, NEW HIGH, PETROL Wednesday. This is the seventh increase in prices since May 4. Petrol which estimated that the retail infl ation eased to 4.20% per in Madhya Pradesh’s capital Bhopal breached the Rs 100-mark for the FROM 5.52% IN MARCH cent in April. Food infl ation dropped to 2.02 per cent in April. CROSSES `100/LITRE fi rst time ever costing Rs 100.08 while diesel is priced at 90.95.

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, AHMEDABAD & LUCKNOW www.fi rstindia.co.in I www.fi rstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefi rstindia I facebook.com/thefi rstindia I instagram.com/thefi rstindia

CORONA CATASTROPHE INDIA DELHI, BB EXCHANGE 3,48,421 New cases 4,205 JABS OVER VACCINE New fatalities

Bharat Biotech refused GUJARAT  At least 43 people have been reported killed in Gaza. to supply 67 lakh doses 11,017  Hamas launches 130 rockets in retaliation. of Covaxin to Delhi on New cases Centre’s directives: Dy Israeli strike brings CM Manish Sisodia 102 New fatalities down most of Gaza JUSTICE DY Disheartening to CHANDRACHUD high-rise building see some states TESTS +VE, SC Gaza: Israeli airstrikes INDIAN WOMAN complaining about HEARING IN SUO toppled most of a mas- MOTU PANDEMIC IN ISRAEL DIES IN co’s vaccine supply sive high-rise building CASE DEFERRED in central Gaza City on ROCKET ATTACK intentions: Bharat New Delhi: Supreme Wednesday, in the latest Tel Aviv: Soumya San- Biotech Court judge Justice DY escalation in Israel-Ha- tosh, a 30-year-old Indian Chandrachud has mas fighting. The col- woman in Israel, was tested positive for lapse was broadcast on killed in a Covid-19. On Israeli TV channels, rocket attack Wednesday, the apex with commentators pre- by Palestin- court issued a notice dicting Gaza militants ian militants which said a hearing would respond with a from Gaza, scheduled for Thursday rocket barrage. reported PTI, New Delhi: Bharat Bio- before a bench headed Earlier in the day, the citing offi cials. The wom- tech has refused to sup- Govt: Reports on WHO Using term ‘Indian by Justice Israeli military said it an belonged to Kerala’s ply the required doses Chandrachud, in the has killed several senior Idukki district and was of its Covid-19 vaccine suo motu case for Hamas militant com- employed as a caregiver, Covaxin to Delhi, Depu- Variant’ for B.1.617 strain have no basis at all ensuring distribution of manders in airstrikes in attending to an 80-year- ty Chief Minister Man- New Delhi: Taking um- COVID CATASTROPHE “COULD HAVE essential supplies and Gaza and Khan Younis. old woman at a house in ish Sisodia claimed on brage against the B.1.617 BEEN PREVENTED”: GLOBAL PANEL services during the The army released a the Israeli coastal city of Wednesday. mutant of the novel cor- Covid-19 pandemic, statement on Wednes- Ashkelon. Addressing a press onavirus being termed Geneva: The catastrophic scale of the Covid-19 pandemic had been deferred. day, saying that it car- conference, Sisodia said an “Indian Variant”, the could have been prevented, an independent global panel ried out a “complex and Israel carried out hun- that Delhi had asked for Union Health Ministry concluded on Wednesday, but a “toxic cocktail” of dithering KEY HIGHLIGHTS first-of-its-kind opera- dreds of air strikes in and poor coordination meant the warning signs went un- total 1.34 crore doses of on Wednesday said the tion.” Those targeted, it Gaza into Wednesday heeded. The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness  Vaccine shortage two Covid vaccines - 67 WHO has not used the and Response (IPPPR) said a series of bad decisions meant prompts Bengaluru said, were “a key part of morning, as Hamas and lakhs each of Covaxin word “Indian” for this Covid-19 went on to kill at least 3.3 million people so far and city dwellers to head the Hamas General other Palestinian mili- and Covishield. However, strain in its document. devastate the global economy. Institutions “failed to protect to rural districts Staff” and considered tants fired multiple rock- Bharat Biotech informed The ministry dis- variant” for the B.1.617 people” and science-denying leaders eroded public trust in close to the head of the et barrages at Tel Aviv the Delhi government of missed as “without any mutant strain, which health interventions, it said in a long-awaited fi nal report. Ear-  Maharashtra Lock- group’s military wing. and Beersheba. Turn to P6 its inability to supply the basis and unfounded” the WHO recently said ly responses to the outbreak detected in Wuhan in December down Likely To Be said doses as it is “mak- media reports that have was a “variant of global 2019 “lacked urgency”, with February 2020 a costly “lost Extended Till May 31 month” as countries failed to heed the alarm, said the panel. ing dispatches as per di- used the term “Indian concern”. Turn to P6 rectives of concerned Sensex tanks 471 pts; government officials”. Sisodia claimed that NET ACROSS GANGA IN BIHAR Nifty drops below 15K it was obvious that Stop Central Vista, act against covid: Bharat Biotech was TO CATCH COVID-19 CORPSES New Delhi: Indian indi- talking about central Patna: Authorities in northern India said they have 12 Oppn parties jointly write to PM ces continued to trade in government officials. installed a net across the Ganga river after the bodies the red zone for the sec- Meanwhile, In a tweet, of dozens of suspected COVID-19 victims washed New Delhi: Twelve major bution of free vaccines, a ond continuous session Bharat Biotech Joint up. The discovery of 71 corpses in Bihar stoked fears opposition parties have stop to the work on the on Wednesday, with eq- Managing Director that the virus was raging unseen in India’s vast rural written to Prime Minister Central Vista project and uity benchmark Sensex hinterland where two-thirds of its people live. Locals Suchitra Ella said the Narendra Modi, demand- a repeal of farm laws. losing 471 points. Nifty suggested to AFP that relatives immersed the bodies company has already in the river because they could not afford wood for ing that the Centre take “We have repeatedly in and Sensex were per cent to 14,696.50. dispatched Covaxin lots traditional Hindu cremations or because crematoriums immediate action as the the past drawn your atten- dragged by selling in IndusInd Bank was to 18 states on May 10. were overwhelmed by the number of funerals. Bihar’s ferocious second wave of tion, independently and heavyweights such as the top loser in the It is quite dishearten- water resources minister Sanjay Kumar said on Twitter Covid rips through the jointly, to the vari- ICICI Bank, HUL and Re- Sensex pack, shedding ing to listen to some on Wednesday that a “net has been placed” in the river country, leaving hospitals ous measures liance Industries amid over 3 per cent, followed states complaining on the state border with Uttar Pradesh and patrolling overwhelmed and hun- that are abso- mixed cues from global by HUL, ONGC, ICICI about Bharat Biotech’s increased. He said the impoverished state’s govern- dreds of thousands dead. lutely impera- markets. Bank, Axis Bank, Kotak ment was “pained at both the tragedy as well as harm intentions, she said. Calling it an “apocalyp- tive for the The 30-share BSE in- Bank, M&M and Tech to the river Ganga”. Kumar added that postmortems “18 states have been confi rmed that the corpses had been dead four to fi ve tic human tragedy”, the Central gov- dex ended 471.01 points Mahindra. covered though in small- days. “It is possible that in hurry some disposed of the opposition parties sug- ernment to or 0.96 per cent lower at On the other hand, Ti- er shipments. Quite dis- bodies in the river like this,” Hitendra Krishna, a local gested a series of meas- undertake 48,690.80. Similarly, the tan, Maruti, PowerGrid, heartening to the teams police offi cial was quoted as saying. ures that included distri- Turn to P6 broader NSE Nifty tum- SBI and NTPC were Turn to P6 bled 154.25 points or 1.04 among the gainers.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER Gujarat to survey 348 PHCs to set up O2 plants CM Rupani urges GMTA to call government will survey them. The state will 348 PHCs to set up oxy- soon take a call on it and off strike, assures “demands will be gen plants. The govern- their demands will be ment has also decided to met,” said Minister of met”; deceased crematorium treat crematorium staff State for Home Prad- as frontline warriors. If ipsinh Jadeja. employees’ kin to receive Rs25L any employee working Meanwhile, the state at a crematorium dies has assured citizens that compensation from govt due to COVID-19, the the medical expenses for First India Bureau pealed to the Gujarat employee’s kin will re- one family member of Medical Teachers Asso- ceive Rs25 lakh as com- Ma, Ma-Amrutum -Vat- Gandhinagar: The ciation (GMTA) to with- pensation from the state. salyum, and Ayushman state government has draw their strike as the The GMTA and the salary hike, allowances el officers to study the Bharat cardholders will decided to carry out sur- government considers Nursing Association and filling of vacancies demands raised by the be borne by it. The daily veys at 348 Primary their demand for pay continued their protest have not been met for GMTA. The matter was day bill limit has been Health Centres (PHCs) hike. on Wednesday at all the past two years. brought up before CM set at Rs5,000 for a maxi- to set up oxygen plants. The Minister of State civil hospitals across “The state govern- Rupani, and he has ac- mum period of 10 days. Meanwhile, Chief Min- for Health, Kumar Ka- the state. They alleged ment has assigned three cepted two important This benefit can be ister Vijay Rupani ap- nani, has stated that the that their demands for Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. —FILE PHOTO principal secretary-lev- demands raised by availed till July 01, 2021. NEWS www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 02 India’s edible oil ‘DAILY COVID-19 EMERGENCY imports increased ’ by 1% in April CALLS IN STATE HAVE FALLEN First India Bureau A 32% rise in total import of oils has 108 AMBULANCE SERVICES HAVE CLAIMED A DECLINING TREND Ahmedabad: The im- port of edible oils also been recorded into India increased this year IN CALLS AS GUJARAT CASE NUMBERS CONTINUE TO DROP by 1% between No- vember and April of 2020-21, according to tonnes. A 32% incre- a trade body. Accord- ment in imports of oil ing to a statement by was seen in 2021 as BV Mehta, director of compared to April, 2020 the Solvent Extrac- where imports were af- tors’ Association fected by the lockdown (SEA) of India, the thereby totalling only country imported 7,98,715 tonnes. 10.53 million tonnes One of India’s major of edible oil during imports of palm oil that period, a 1% in- come from Indonesia crease as compared to and Malaysia. From the previous year. November-April of According to re- 2020-21, the country im- ports, the temporary ported 19,49,432 tonnes halting of imported ed- of palm oil from Ma- ible oil consignments laysia and 16,97,559 in the country’s ports tonnes of palm oil from has caused the supply Indonesia. India im- pipeline to dry up. ported 9,20,151 tonnes The overall vegeta- of crude sunflower oil ble oil imports from from Ukraine, 82,673 November-April of tonnes from Russia 2020-21 were 64,28,350 and 72,607 tonnes from tonnes compared to Argentina. 63,17,928 tonnes in Last year, the coun- April 2020. As a result try imposed import of a sharper rise in restrictions on re- prices, the imports of fined palm oil and crude sunflower oil palmolein. However, have also decreased. In the government has the month of April this issued licenses to im- year, edible oil imports port refined palm- were recorded at olein from Nepal. For 10,29,912 tonnes and this reason, crude oil non-edible oil imports imports are increas- were 23,435 tonnes, to- ing in the country, talling to 10,53,347 sources said.

Ambulances queued up outside Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, as seen in the second week of April. —FILE PHOTO

First India Bureau call volume dropped to of May saw a decline in COVID-19 and non- 12.59 lakh emergencies the state has begun ex- an average of 10,000 nCoV emergencies and nCoV. However, with since March 2020. A to- periencing a downward Ahmedabad: The 108 calls. in the first week itself, the deluge of calls in tal of 2.02 lakh patients turn in nCoV cases, the EMRI emergency am- The first week of the number of emer- the third week of April, with COVID-19 symp- call numbers have low- bulance services on April saw over 42% gency calls recorded the response time of toms have been shifted ered to 550 calls per day Wednesday issued a emergencies being re- fell to 50% across Guja- 108 emergency services to the hospital so far. across Gujarat and 250 press statement claim- ported through the 108 rat and 54% in increased to two hours A similar trend was calls per day in ing a declining trend in ambulance services Ahmedabad. across Gujarat and four also witnessed in the Ahmedabad. As per of- number of emergency across the state. Over Mentioning the re- to five hours in calls received by the 104 ficial data, the 104 calls. The call volume at the next two weeks, sponse time of emer- Ahmedabad. Now, it health helpline estab- health helpline has re- 108 Emergency Re- that number reached gency services to calls, has come down to 30 lished by the state gov- ceived 4.89 lakh nCoV- sponse Centre that had 62%. The city of the press statement minutes for Gujarat ernment. During the related calls since averaged over 10,000 Ahmedabad averaging stated that it increased and 25 minutes for third week of April, March 2020. It has pro- calls in the first week 59% COVID-19 related to 20 to 25 minutes at Ahmedabad. over 4,500 calls per day vided home treatment of April 2021 had then emergency calls in the first. In order to pro- According to official were the norm for Gu- to over 3.19 lakh pa- increased to 64,000 in first week of April, vide better services, 108 data, 108 emergency jarat and 1,900 calls tients with novel coro- the third week. In the which hit 91% in the ambulances were di- ambulance services every day for navirus symptoms in Vegetable oil imports from November-April of 2020-21 were first week of May, the third week. The month vided into two sections: have responded to over Ahmedabad. Now that the state. 64,28,350 tonnes compared to 63,17,928 tonnes in April 2020. 2ND VACCINE DOSE SURGE IN MUCORMYCOSIS CASES, ONLY AFTER 42 DAYS CIVIL HOSP SETS UP NEW WARD First India Bureau

Ahmedabad: In the The dental wing has also been absence of a uniform pressed into the treatment of policy in place to com- bat COVID-19, rules patients as average number and norms are changed on a daily ba- infections touch 30 per day

sis. Keeping with the BY HANIF SINDHI —PHOTO trend, now, a second First India Bureau (ENT) department reg- dose of the COVID-19 istered more than 150 vaccine will not be ad- Ahmedabad: Last mucormycosis cases in ministered to people week, the state gov- one week. The daily av- for the next five ernment had an- erage of new cases cur- weeks. The govern- nounced its plan to rently stands at 35 pa- ment has now estab- establish two wards tients. While three lished a new policy A woman getting the vaccine shot in Nikol area of Ahmedabad. for mucormycosis pa- wards are functional in requiring a 42-day gap tients amid a case the ENT wing, another Arrangements for beds being made for the new mucormycosis ward. between the primary sued a guideline on ered at a vaccination surge at Civil Hospi- ward has been started and booster doses. Wednesday stating that centre in Khokhra. No tal (Asarwa campus) in the dental wing to new cases, but the num- to surge, the injectable ment had announced On Wednesday, chaos individuals who have social distancing ar- in the city. Despite treat mucormycosis pa- ber has shot up to 30 drug Amphotericin B special mucormycosis erupted at the received the first dose rangements were made setting up three tients. Around 10 pa- cases.” used to cure patients wards in Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad Municipal of Covishield vaccine for citizens, and no in- wards for patients tients are said to be un- Patients with fungal seems to be in short Vadodara, Rajkot Surat, Corporation’s (AMC) will be able to receive formation about the suffering from the dergoing operative pro- infection in their teeth supply. An anti-fungal Bhavnagar and Jamna- Khokhra ward, where their second dose only second and first doses fungal infection, cedures daily, said and mouth are being ad- injection that needs to gar, but cases have also people were not given a after 42 days. Even the of the vaccine were pro- growing number of sources. mitted to the dental be administered for 30 been reported in Suren- second dose of vaccine. CoWin online portal vided. cases has compelled Dr Kalpesh Patel of ward for treatment, days, it is priced at dranagar, Banaskantha Vaccination for people will not accept entries Those who came for state administration the ENT department said Dr Girish Parmar, Rs2,500 in the market and other districts. The aged 45 years and above for the second dose if a the second dose on to start another ward told mediapersons, “All Dean of the Govern- but, family members of government must take has also been halted at patient has not complet- Wednesday without to meet the demand. beds in the three wards ment Dental College & patients are being asked action and set up wards Tagore Hall for the past ed 42 days. registering in the CoW- In just two days, 112 set up in the ENT wing Hospital, Civil Hospital to cough up Rs8,000 to in all the affected dis- 10 days. In the early hours of in application had to cases were reported at are occupied. The hos- (Asarwa campus). Rs10,000 per injection, tricts to avoid dumping According to AMC of- Wednesday morning, a return home without the hospital, and the pital estimated a daily As mucormycosis in- said sources. the caseload of the state ficials, the Centre is- large crowd had gath- getting the shot. Ear Nose and Throat average of five to 10 fection cases continue The state govern- on a few cities. GUJARAT www.fi rstindia.co.in I www.fi rstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefi rstindia I facebook.com/thefi rstindia I instagram.com/thefi rstindia AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 03 CYCLONE TAUKTAE LIKELY TO HIT A’bad Bar Association demands `50 crore aid First India Bureau legal practitioners in According to last year’s SAURASHTRA-KUTCH COAST the city. Supreme Court order —FILE PHOTO The first such STORMY WEATHER Ahmedabad: The He informed the state following the lockdown, Ahmedabad Bar Asso- that the COVID-19 crisis advocates are not per- weather event of the ciation (ABA) has urged had left several lawyers mitted to practice any year may reach the the state government to without an income. other profession or provide financial assis- Jani also cited the deci- earn a living in any state on May 19-20 tance to lawyers strug- sions taken by the gov- other way. with winds of up to gling financially due to ernments of Rajasthan, He also stated the 35-40 kmph the COVID-19 pandem- Goa, Delhi, and Kerala hardship being faced by ic. Advocate Paresh to provide financial as- female lawyers in the Jani, president of sistance to members of city. Jani stated that if First India Bureau Ahmedabad’s City Civil their respective bar the state is unable to an- Court’s Bar Association councils. nounce a financial Ahmedabad: A low and a member of the According to Jani, package, it should at the pressure system in the Bar Council of Gujarat, nearly one-third of the very least offer a soft southeastern Arabian wrote a letter addressed 75,000 advocates regis- loan package to advo- Sea was forecast by the to Chief Minister Vijay tered with the Gujarat cates who are experi- India Meteorological Rupani, seeking assis- Bar Council are facing encing financial diffi- Department that would tance of Rs50 crore for financial difficulties. culties. manifest on May 14, and Fishermen have been warned by the IMD not to venture out to sea for the next few days. was likely to turn into a cyclonic storm in the Bhanvad, Salaya, Dwar- blowing up to the city of created. It has been esti- east-central Arabian ka, Jamnagar, Morbi, Ahmedabad. Tauktae, mated that the cyclone Sea on May 15 and move Kuda on the coast of the first cyclone of the will cross the sea of tem in the Arabian Sea north-northwest. Now, Saurashtra. It may be year 2021, has been Oman by going in any on May 14 which will Gujarat is likely to be more in Mandvi, Gan- named by India’s neigh- direction. There is also turn into a depression hit by Cyclone Tauktae dhidham, Naliya, Bhad- bouring nation Myan- a possibility that it may on May 15. As a result, a on May 19-20 in Sau- li, Rapar, Khavda and mar. However, the direc- move towards South Pa- cyclone may hit the rashtra-Kutch region Lakhpat of Kutch. tion in which it will kistan, due to which the coast of Saurashtra on and winds of up to 35-40 According to the me- move has remained un- coastal part of Gujarat May 17, 18, and 19. kmph may be witnessed teorological depart- clear. may be affected. Strong winds were wit- as well. ment, on May 19-20, the The direction of the If the Saurashtra- nessed in Mota Dadva, The effect of the severe storm will reach cyclone will be con- Kutch region is greeted Baldhoi and Virnagar storm will be seen in its peak in Gujarat with firmed only after the with rainfall, it will cre- of Rajkot district on Veraval, Porbandar, winds up to 35-40 kmph low pressure system is ate a low pressure sys- Wednesday. City Civil and Sessions Court, Ahmedabad. —FILE PHOTO MARGINAL RISE WITNESSED IN DAILY COVID-19 CASES Strict action First India Bureau pound. A total of 5,000 additional beds for nCoV COVID-19 UPDATE Gandhinagar: With a patients are being marginal rise in cases, planned in government TOTAL CASES against bribe- Gujarat recorded 11,017 and trust hospitals. 7,14,611 new cases of COVID-19 Meanwhile, a symbolic on Wednesday and 102 protest was held by nurs- +11,017 for-nCoV bed deaths. The tally of cas- es at the New Civil Hospi- TOTAL DEATHS es in the state so far is tal in Surat on Wednes- 8,731 7,14,611 and the death day. Staffers wore a black scamsters toll rose up to 8,731. Ac- ribbon on their uniforms +102 cording to the state Nursing staff at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital organized a silent to highlight their de- RECOVERED Staffers at Gandhinagar Civil health department, protest to demand hike in allowance, 7th Pay Commission on mands for salary hike, 5,78,611 15,264 patients recov- Wednesday. They held up placards and banners to present their opposition to obstructing Hospital had been accepting ered in the last 24 hours grievances to the administration. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI outsourcing of manpow- ACTIVE CASES and were discharged er, and increasing the sti- kickbacks for arranging beds from hospitals across (1,148) and Surat (1,045). or November this year, pend of interns. 1,27,483 the state. The total tally The state has 1, 27,483 officer on special duty The protest was or- for nCoV patients A’BAD 2,883 JAMNAGAR 511 of recoveries now active cases, of which, Vinod Rao and his team ganized after a joint stands at 5,78, 611. 804 patients are on ven- may be working on plans meeting of district rep- SURAT 1,045 MEHSANA 411 First India Bureau cure ICU beds for pa- The highest number tilator support. for a new four-storey resentatives of United V’DARA 1,148 B’NAGAR 436 tients, as per reports. of cases emerged in In preparation for the building with 1,000 beds Nurses Forum from G’NAGAR 484 Gandhinagar: After Dr Lakhani urged Ahmedabad (2,883), fol- pandemic’s third wave at Sayaji Hospital and across the state was RAJKOT 621 denying rumours of hospital authorities lowed by Vadodara anticipated in October Gotri Hospital com- held in Ahmedabad. staff members at the to crack down on the Gandhinagar alleged bribe-for-bed GMERS Civil Hospi- scam so that the hos- CLOSE SHAVE tal taking kickbacks pital’s image is not 68 BJP councillors for allocating beds to tarnished any fur- COVID-19 patients ther. for the past month, “It has come to the grant `3.4 crore for 2 INCIDENTS, 2 NCOV HOSPITALS, the hospital’s medi- attention of the rele- cal superintendent vant authorities that Dr Niyati Lakhani some of the staff is pandemic relief efforts NO CASUALTIES REPORTED issued a notice to all accepting bribes to First India Bureau employees advising assist COVID-19 pa- While an oxygen leak occurred at a Samras facility in Vadodara, against the practice tients in obtaining Rajkot: A day after on Wednesday. hospital beds. They four Congress Rajkot a minor fire broke out at a hotel-cum-hospital in Bhavnagar It has been clearly first admit patients Municipal Corporation stated in the notice to other wards in the (RMC) corporators an- that those found tak- hospital before trans- nounced a grant of Rs10 ing bribes to arrange ferring them to the lakh towards purchase hospital beds for COVID-19 ward. This of medicines, oxygen COVID-19 patients action is unethical in and other medical sup- will face strict disci- the midst of a pan- plies for COVID-19 pa- Rajkot mayor Pradeep Dav. plinary action and a demic and harms the tients, 68 Bharatiya Ja- possible criminal hospital’s reputa- nata Party (BJP) corpo- including Ddimer, CRP, case. Taking advan- tion,” read the no- rators announced their Ferritin, cell count done tage of a shortage of tice. intention to contribute free of charge. Current- hospital beds in both Earlier, the au- Rs3.4 crore on Wednes- ly, the corporation has private and govern- thorities at Civil day. The funds will be 11 ambulances but, none ment hospitals in the Hospital had denied used to provide treat- of them are equipped state, staff members the allegations, say- ment to COVID-19 pa- with oxygen kits. Now, Patients being shifted to another ward at Samras COVID-19 Hospital in Vadodara, Gutted room at Hotel Generation X in Bhavnagar. of the hospital alleg- ing they had been tients in Rajkot. all of them will have edly took bribes levelled to defame Speaking to First In- oxygen supply.” First India Bureau istration stated that al- there were no reported saw the smoke I brought from families to se- the hospital. dia, Rajkot mayor “If need arises in the ternate arrangements casualties. The fire at him downstairs with Pradeep Dav said, “Eve- future as well, we (the Vadodara/Bhavna- had been made to pro- the Hotel Generation X great difficulty,” ex- ry councillor is entitled BJP) are ready to con- gar: A disaster was vide uninterrupted oxy- facility, which was con- plained Mannsinh. to a development grant tribute more from the averted at the Samras gen to their patients. verted from a hotel to a According to chief of Rs10 lakh each. monthly amount re- COVID-19 Hospital in “The gas leak was COVID-19 care centre, fire officer MM Hirpara Therefore, 68 BJP coun- ceived by every corpo- Vadodara when oxy- stopped within minutes was extinguished im- of Bhavnagar munici- cillors have decided to rator”, he added. gen gas leaked on the and there was no major mediately, according to pality, 61 patients were contribute Rs5 lakh to- Talking about the de- hospital’s third floor reason to worry. Sam- officials. transferred from the wards expenses in- lay in announcement of late on Tuesday night. ras COVID-19 Hospital Mannsinh Jadhav, hospital to other hospi- curred for various medi- aid by RMC councillors, Following the leak, is under the supervi- who was present at the tals in the city. He also cal equipments, oxygen Dav stated, “RMC al- the hospital’s medical sion of the SSG Hospi- hospital at the time of stated that thorough in- kits and medicines. This ready had granted Rs8 and paramedical tal, said Dr Rajan Aiyar, the fire, stated that vestigations will be car- will also include pur- crore in funds which teams immediately superintendent, SSG smoke engulfed the hos- ried out by the fire de- chase of blood testing were being utilized for transferred five novel Hospital, Vadodara. pital while they were partment as well as the machines at 21 health the pandemic. So far, coronavirus patients In another incident, a sleeping. “My uncle Forensic Science Labo- centres in the city. Peo- Rs6.5 crore has been to another ward, said minor fire broke out at Khumansinh was un- ratory (FSL) officials to ple will now be able to spent on treatment of officials. a private COVID-19 hos- dergoing treatment at determine the cause of Gandhinagar GMERS Civil Hospital. get various blood tests patients.” The hospital admin- pital in Bhavnagar, but the hospital, and when I the fire. PERSPECTIVE www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 04

IN-DEPTH AFTER HCQ, INDIA, TIBET AND CHINA NOW A DEBATE RAGES OVER IVERMECTIN ast year, then US President Donald Trump described hydroxychloro- quine (HCQ) as a “game-changer” L in the fight against the novel coro- navirus which had brought the western countries to their knees. He requested India to rush a consignment of the drug whose efficacy in treatment had not been proven. In- dia responded by sending 50 million tablets of HCQ to the USA which wanted to use it for res- piratory complications due to Covid-19 despite warning that the anti-malarial drug may have harmful side-effects. The move became contro- versial for Trump who swore by its efficacy. In the meantime the prestigious journal The Lan- cet carried an article which vouched for HCQ’s prophylactic qualities. The article immediately stirred a hornets’ nest as the scientific commu- nity questioned the scientific study. The outcry led to the paper being sent for peer review. The reviewers found that the primary data sources cited by the authors could not be accessed, em- barrassing The Lancet which retracted the paper. Opinions remained divided on HCQ. Northern neighbour, and there my” for Tibet. Meanwhile , France banned the use of the drug as a treat- DR SANJEEV was no reference whatsoever to pursuant to Bajpai’s note ment for Covid-19, US Food and Drug Adminis- CHOPRA China on any Indian map. Mean- FOR NEHRU, TIBETAN ,Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel tration withdrew its authorization but Oxford while, it’s also important to AUTONOMY HAD TO BE wrote to Nehru - warning that BALANCED WITH THE THEN University researchers said the drug should The writer is a historian, public policy place on record that India’s post- China’s forcible occupation of not be dismissed prematurely. 1947 relations with Tibet were SURGE OF INDIAN Tibet was only the beginning analyst, and Festival Director of Valley FRIENDSHIP FOR CHINA. IT Almost one year later when HCQ has virtu- of Words, a literature and arts festival temporarily overshadowed by of India’s troubles with China. ally been forgotten, a new controversy has based out of Dehradun. Till very Tibetan procrastination in rec- ALSO HAD TO BE However, given the Sardar’s COGNISANT OF INDIA’S erupted over the use of Ivermectin in the treat- recently, he was a member of the IAS ognising our Independence - on perilous health and his preoc- INVOLVEMENT IN GLOBAL ment of Covid-19. Nearly all Covid patients and posted as the Director of LBS the grounds that India needed to cupation with many other mat- ISSUES THAT MADE ITS have been, and probably they still are, being National Academy of Administration respect Tibetan claims to some ters , including the integration TRUSTFUL RELATIONS prescribed Ivermectin as a drug which acts as territories south of the McMa- of Indian states, Nehru’s view WITH CHINA IMPORTANT. a prophylaxis against Covid-19. It is given free s the successor hon line around Darjeeling, Ka- NEHRU WAS ALSO LED TO prevailed, and he veered to Covid patients while others are advised to state to British limpong, and Tawang. BELIEVE THAT TIBETAN around to the view that China take it as a preventive. But Merck, the company India, the Do- However , though we inher- AUTONOMY WOULD NOT indeed exercised some ‘suze- making the drug, has found that “there is no minion, and then ited the border, we lost track of BE UNDERMINED BY rain’ powers over Tibet . scientific basis for a potential therapeutic ef- the Republic of the realpolitik . Rather than CHINA’S OCCUPATION, FOR For Nehru, Tibetan autono- fect against Covid-19”. At the root of the con- India took the make a clear assessment about EVEN THE COMMUNIST my had to be balanced with the troversy is Goa’s Health Minister Vishwajit view that the the nature of the new regime PARTY OF CHINA (CPC) then surge of Indian friendship Rane who announced all aged 18 and above All maps published A Treaties, prece- in China, our Ambassador to RECOGNIZED TIBETANS AS for China. It also had to be cog- should be given Ivermectin “as prophylaxis to by the Surveyor dents and conventions with re- Beijing KM Panikkar ( later a A SEPARATE NATIONALITY nisant of India’s involvement bring down mortality amid a surge in Covid General of India till gard to the McMahon Line as member of the SRC) and our in global issues that made its cases”. Rane based his claim on a study in Ita- 1952 always showed the effective boundary between Prime Minister continued to trustful relations with China Tibet as our Northern ly, UK, Spain and Japan which “found a large, India and Tibet should be re- look at China through an ideo- important. Nehru was also led neighbour, and there statistically significant reduction in mortality, was no reference garded as axiomatic. However, logical prism. In 1948, Panik- within the framework of Chi- to believe that Tibetan autono- time to recovery and viral clearance in Cov- whatsoever to China this perception was not shared kar wrote to Nehru that the nese sovereignty”. This unan- my would not be undermined id-19 patients treated with Ivermectin”. on any Indian map. by China, which was not a party newly-victorious Communist ticipated concession caused a by China’s occupation, for even World Health Organisation’s Sowmya Swami- Meanwhile, it’s also to the Anglo-Tibet Agreement Government in Peking( as Bei- raging debate in India’s Minis- the Communist Party of China nathan cautioned, “Safety and efficacy are im- important to place on of 1914. At one level this agree- jing was then called) headed by try of External Affairs, a de- (CPC) recognized Tibetans as a record that India’s portant when using any drug for a new indica- post-1947 relations ment gave India exclusive ac- Mao Zedong is likely to “take a bate that did not, however, separate nationality. tion. WHO recommends against the use of Iver- with Tibet were cess to trading posts like Gyant- forward policy” in respect of clarify why and how such a Be that as it may, China mectin for Covid-19 except within clinical trials. temporarily se, Gartok, and Yatung, besides Tibet; that independent Tibet fundamental shift in stance (Cheen) made its appearance Such claims leave the people flummoxed. overshadowed by agreeing on the McMahon line would actually be India’s ben- came about. Consternation in for the first time on the first Should Ivermectin be consumed as a cure or Tibetan as the boundary between the efit; and that it would, in this the Ministry led to its Secre- Hindi Map of India published procrastination in for prevention? Should it be taken for five recognising our two countries. These agree- context, be useful to recall that tary-General Girija Shankar in 1952. However, by 1956, Tibet days at a stretch or for two days, then one after Independence - on the ments confirmed the freedom “Chinese sovereignty over Ti- Bajpai, hastening to explain, disappeared from India’s carto- a week another pill after a month? Doctors grounds that India which Tibet enjoyed in its for- bet has not been recognized by on October 31, 1950, that Panik- graphic imagination , till it prescribing the drug differ and the ignorant needed to respect eign relations and the extent us”. Panikkar dutifully reflects kar’s use of the word “frame- made its reappearance in 1959 patient keeps swallowing it. A similar debate Tibetan claims to that weak central governments this posture until August 1950 work” signified Tibetan au- by which time the romance of arose over the use of Remdesivir injections some territories south in China left Tibet to its own de- when, in an aide memoire sub- tonomy within Chinese suze- Hindi Chin Bhai Bhai had of the McMahon line and the use of steroids. To save Covid patients around Darjeeling, vices. All maps published by the mitted to the Chinese Govern- rainty; and that Chinese “sov- turned irretrievably sour! from being administered drugs recklessly, the Kalimpong, Surveyor General of India till ment he inexplicably describes ereignty” over Tibet was THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY ICMR must issue a detailed guideline. and Tawang 1952 always showed Tibet as our Tibet’s status as “autonomy “qualified by complete autono- THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Top What it will take to overcome the pandemic TWEET s special envoys more than a health emer- from all countries to imple- Smriti Z Irani on COVID-19 for gency. It has become a glob- ment the International @smritiirani the director-gen- al whole-of-society crisis. Health Regulations, the Apart from meeting future needs eral of the World In this context, one of WHO’s legal framework es- of sustainable and transformative A Health Organi- our greatest fears is that tablishing how they should mobility, application of ACCs in EVs zation, we have witnessed after decades of improve- prepare for and respond to and stationary storage is expected to exponentially contribute towards firsthand the intensity of ment, future generations’ the cross-border transmis- fulfilling India’s global commitment the suffering caused by the prospects have suddenly sion of pathogens and oth- of providing ample clean & pandemic, especially in plummeted. Some regions er health emergencies. renewable energy resources. poorer communities. This are experiencing a reversal Beyond following profound tragedy has been of gains achieved in the through on these existing Prakash Javadekar evolving before our eyes and past 20 years. Achieve- measures, world leaders @PrakashJavdekar still is nowhere near its end. ments such as higher em- should take six additional The #Cabinet chaired by PM @ In our experience, the ployment, expanded essen- steps. First, we must dra- narendramodi took a significant first priority in responding tial services, and better matically scale up invest- decision which will give a big push to an infectious disease is education (particularly for ment in global prepared- to electric mobility, benefiting to save lives and protect the girls) are at risk. So are im- rollout. Through extraordi- have been administered longer we delay, the greater ness, so that we can spot the 3-wheeler, 4-wheeler and heavy vehicles. Rs 18,100 crore under health and well-being of provements in infrastruc- nary global scientific coop- globally, there are deep dis- the risk that dangerous next potential pandemic as the PLI incentive scheme for current and future genera- ture, water and sanitation, eration, the international parities. In high-income new variants will emerge. early as possible. There is increasing the battery storage tions. At the same time, we disease control, political community has created an countries, vaccine supplies SARS-CoV-2, the virus now ample evidence of capacity has been approved. are increasingly concerned stability, and governance Access to COVID-19 Tools are sufficient to provide for that causes COVID-19, is what works well, and we by the tremendous social institutions. Accelerator (ACT-A) to fa- around one in four people, certainly not the last con- have gained hard-earned and economic damage that This loss of momentum cilitate the sharing of tech- on average; in low-income tagious pathogen that hu- experience in getting the Spiritual COVID-19 has wrought. toward the international nology, and the COVID-19 countries, this figure drops manity will face. But it necessary systems to func- With people everywhere community’s Sustainable Vaccine Global Access (CO- to one in 500. At this point, could be the last one that tion as they should, every- SPEAK struggling to preserve Development Goals for 2030 VAX) facility to deliver vac- it should go without saying inflicts such exorbitant where. All countries should their livelihoods under the will have far-reaching cines equitably and effi- that no one will be safe un- costs. Whether the next commit to sharing relevant Do to others as you would constant threat of the coro- costs, most of which will be ciently around the world. til we have made these pandemic can be prevented information rapidly and have them do to you. navirus, it has become borne by the most vulner- But while hundreds of cutting-edge technologies is up to us all. Success will ensuring its reliability. —Luke 6:31 clear that this pandemic is able. Consider the vaccine millions of vaccine doses available to everyone. The depend on commitments SOURCE: PROJECT SYNDICATE l Vol 2 l Issue No. 166 l RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Planet Survey No.148P, Changodar-Bavla Highway, Tal. Sanand, Dist. Ahmedabad. Published at D/302 3rd Floor Plot No. 35 Titanium Square, Scheme No. 2, Thaltej Taluka, Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad. Editor-In-Chief: Jagdeesh Chandra. Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

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INDIA www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 05 Impossible to fight Vikas’ is back with Covid without door- HOW LONG WILL INDIANS petrol touching Rs to-door vaccine BEAR CENTRE’S CRUELTY? 100/ltr: Congress New Delhi: Congress New Delhi: Congress General Secretary Pri- leader Rahul Gandhi on NURSING STAFF yanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday asked how AT FOREFRONT: Wednesday slammed long will Indians con- PM MODI the government for cel- tinue to bear the cruelty New Delhi: Prime ebrating Vaccination of the Centre as the ba- Day on April 12 and sic problems arising out Minister Naren- claimed that the vacci- of the COVID-19 crisis dra Modi praised nation rate was down are yet to be resolved. nursing staff on the Priyanka Gandhi by 82 per cent within 30 He also alleged that International Nurses days. She also said that those who are account- Day on Wednesday, it is impossible to fight Narendra) Modiji went able during the pan- saying their sense coronavirus without de- to vaccine industries demic are hiding some- of duty, compassion livering the vaccines and got his picture where. “Sad news is and commitment New Delhi: As petrol door to door. In a series clicked.” coming again and towards a healthy crossed Rs 100 a litre of tweets in Hindi, “Why did his govern- again. The basic prob- India is exemplary. mark in many parts of Vadra, who is also in- ment order the vaccines lems have not yet been International Nurses the country, the Con- Randeep Singh charge of Uttar Pradesh in January 2021? US resolved. How long will fort to the health work- hospital-drug shortag- Day is observed to gress has taken a jibe Surjewala@ Congress, said, “India and other countries or- our fellow citizens bear ers, who have lost their es. Putting one’s head in mark the birth an- at the government say- is the biggest manufac- dered for vaccines with the cruelty of the cen- loved ones, is like mak- the sand is not positivi- niversary of founder ing, Vikas is back after Vikas had to be sus- turer of vaccines. BJP Indian government tral government in this ing fun of them. ty, but cheating fellow of modern nursing elections. pended briefly due to celebrated vaccine day much earlier. Who will pandemic? Those who “Giving false comfort citizens,” he said. Florence Nightingale. Congress General Sec- state elections. Parivar of on April 12 but did not take responsibility of are accountable are hid- of positive thinking is Gandhi also lauded In a tweet, Modi said, retary Randeep Singh “Reformists” & “Positiv- make arrangements for the same? It is impossi- ing somewhere,” the making fun of the the role of nurses on In- “International Nurses Surjewala on Wednes- ists” will be pleased to vaccines and within 30 ble to fight Covid-19 former Congress chief health workers and ternational Nurses Day Day is a day to ex- day tweeted, “Vikas had note that Vikas is now days vaccination rate without delivering the said in a tweet in Hindi. their families who have and expressed his admi- press gratitude to the to be suspended briefly firmly back on track. As petrol has now crossed was down by 82 per vaccines door to door,” In another tweet, he lost their loved ones ration for their altruis- nursing staff.” —PTI due to state elections. Rs 100 in Bhopal. cent. (Prime Minister she said in tweet. said giving false com- and are facing oxygen- tic spirit. —PTI Parivar of “Reformists” & “Positivists” will be pleased to note that Vi- country as well the pet- kas is now firmly back rol and diesel prices in- Bengal govt ready to provide land, for manufacturing vaccines on track. As petrol has creased on Wednesday now crossed Rs 100 in but its quantum varied Kolkata: Mamata Ba- port vaccines from Bhopal.” The fuel prices depending on the level nerjee on Wednesday PROTOCOL VIOLATION! DIDI WARNS them from world,” she increased for the third of local levies in respec- said her government is GOVERNOR JAGDEEP DHANKHAR said. “Liberal, proac- day in a row on Wednes- tive states. ready to provide land Kolkata: On the eve of West Bengal Governor Jagdeep tive and discerning im- day as state-owned fuel In Mumbai, petrol and all the required sup- Dhankhar’s scheduled visit to post-poll violence-affected port of vaccination is retailers hiked rates of now comes for Rs 98.36 a port for manufacturing Cooch Behar district, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee the paramount need to- petrol and diesel by 25 litre and diesel for Rs COVID-19 vaccines. In a on Wednesday (May 12) wrote to him claiming that it day,” the chief minister paise per litre each in 89.75, according to a letter to Prime Minister violates long-standing protocols followed by his prede- added. Banerjee said the national capital. price notification from Narendra Modi, Baner- cessors in case of field visits. In her letter, Banerjee also world players could also In Delhi, petrol now oil marketing compa- alleged that Dhankhar has been directly communicating jee also called for liberal be encouraged to open costs Rs 92.05 per litre nies. Petrol prices in with state government officers and dictating them. and proactive import of up franchise operations and diesel is priced at some states including vaccines. in India. “We, in West Rs 82.61 up from yester- Rajasthan, MP and in “Production of vac- Globally, there are identify the reputed Bengal, are ready to day’s level of Rs 91.80 some places in Maharas- Mamata Banerjee cines in the country is many manufacturers and authentic manufac- provide land,” the TMC and Rs 82.36 a litre re- tra have breached the Rs extremely inadequate. now, it is possible to turers and speedily im- boss said. —ANI spectively. Across the 100 per litre. —Agencies

IN THE COURTYARD Bhima Koregaon case: Supreme Court dismisses Gautam Navlaka’s bail plea New Delhi: The Su- while denying default preme Court on bail to Navlakha. vius ?kj dks ekSle dh ut+j u yxus nsa Wednesday dismissed a The High Court had plea filed by Gautam rejected Navlakha’s gj ekSle lqj{kk ds fy, flQZ lqij LVªkWx osnj ‘khYM Navlakha, an accused plea on February 8 say- in the Bhima Koregaon ing that the period for violence case, challeng- which an accused is ing the Bombay High under illegal detention Court order rejecting cannot be taken into his plea for default bail. account while comput- A three-judge bench ing the 90-day custody headed by Justice UU period for grant of de- Lalit dismissed the plea fault bail. PIL for uniform Final verdict in Tarun Tejpal EC failed to see policy for free risks from holding rape case on May 19 polls: HC COVID-19 Panaji: The final ver- vaccination dict in the alleged rape Allahabad: The HC case against former Te- here observed that the helka editor-in-chief EC, the Higher Courts Tarun Tejpal will be and the Governmen t pronounced on May 19 failed to fathom the dis- by a session court in astrous consequences Goa. The verdict was of permitting the elec- scheduled to be pro- tions in few States and nounced today but was a “minimum of 10 the panchayat elec- adjourned. Earlier, years to a maximum tions in UP. According speaking to media per- life sentence” depend- to a report, the court New Delhi: A petition sons, Special Public ing on the “discretion said that the infection has been filed in the Prosecutor Francisco of the judge”. Tejpal had not reached the vil- Supreme Court seek- Tavora had informed was arrested on No- lage population in its ing direction to the Un- that if the accused is vember 30 in 2013 after first wave last year, it ion of India to formu- convicted then there being accused of rap- has now spread there late a uniform pan In- might be a sentence of ing a colleague. as well. dia policy for free of cost Covid-19 vaccina- tion to every Indian Four accused granted bail in alleged citizen. The PIL filed by the oxygen concentrator black marketing Social Democratic Par- ty of India through ad- New Delhi: Four per- mar Garg granted the vocate A Selvin Raja sons, including the four accused bail but also requested the top CEO and vice presi- did not pass any order court to constitute an dent of Matrix Cellu- on the fifth accused, independent body un- lar, have been granted Hitesh, pending clarifi- der the direct supervi- bail by a Delhi court. cations. The orders will sion or monitoring of They were arrested in be communicated to the this court to ensure connection with the al- jail superintendent and Call us at : 1800-266-4606 free and uniform vac- leged black marketing restaurants in the na- the accused will be re- cination across all the of oxygen concentra- tional capital. leased following the fil- 304, 3rd Floor, 3rd Eye II, Opp. Parimal Garden, Nr. Panchwati Char Rasta, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad-380015 | Ph. : 79-40050660-61 | Fax : 40050662 4th Floor, Plot No. A-2, UDB Corporate, Tower, Near Jawahar Circle, JLN Road, Jaipur – 302017 states and union terri- tors that were recov- Chief Metropolitan ing of bail bonds of Rs www.jkcement.com | E-mail : [email protected] tories. ered from three top Magistrate Arun Ku- 50,000 each. INDIA www.fi rstindia.co.in I www.fi rstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefi rstindia I facebook.com/thefi rstindia I instagram.com/thefi rstindia AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 06

Centre to procure1.5 lakh units of POWERGallery WHO WILL BE DELHI POLICE COMMISSIONER? In the top circles, names of two UT Cadre IPS offi cers Dilbagh Singh and Balaji Srivastava have DRDO’s Oxygen supply systems already started doing the round. While Singh is 1987 batch offi cer Balaji is from 1988. 1lk manual and 50,000 automatic Oxycare systems along with non-rebreather masks are being procured NIA CHIEF RETIRING THIS MONTH New Delhi: The gov- Yogesh Chandra Modi, Chief of NIA is superannu- ernment on Wednes- CORONA: KEY HIGHLIGHTS ation this month. The 1984 batch AM cadre IPS offi - day approved the pro-  Dr Reddy’s enters into licensing won’t touch India’: MP Minister cer is heading the agency since October 30, 2017. curement of 1,50,000 agreement with Eli Lilly for COV- Usha Thakur units of ‘Oxycare’ sys- ID-19 treatment drug K RAMCHAND QUITS INDIAN tem developed by the  Karnataka dy CM launches ‘O2 for TELECOM SERVICE Defence Research and  Delhi’s COVID vaccine reserve ex- India’ to provide doorstep delivery K Ramchand, DG Telecom and holding additional Development Organi- hausted, 100 vaccination sites forced of oxygen concentrators charge of Member (Technology), DoT has resigned sation (DRDO) to help to close: Dy CM Manish Sisodia from the Indian Telecom Service (ITS) with effect  International Nurses Day: Tendulkar in the treatment of from May 13, 2021. COVID-19 patients.  India received 200 oxygen concen- pays tribute to frontline workers trators as foreign aid from UK Oxycare is an oxy-  It’s time to stand together and not to SANJAY BANGA SELECTED AS CMD, gen supply system  ‘Perform yagna, COVID third wave criticise: Sibal CEMENT CORPORATION LTD based on SpO2 (oxygen Sanjay Banga, Chief Engineer, MTNL, has been saturation) level. The selected for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing DRDO has already GOVT RAMPS UP AVAILABILITY OF AMPHOTERICIN B TO Director, Cement Corporation of India Limited (CCI) transferred the tech- “PM-Cares Fund being procured. FIGHT POST COVID COMPLICATION MUCORMYCOSIS at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) nology to multiple in- has accorded sanction “The Oxycare sys- New Delhi: The govt observed in some Ministry of Chemicals meeting held on May 11, 2021. dustries in India for for procurement of tem delivers supple- of India is engaging states for Ampho- & Fertilizers said. large-scale production 1,50,000 units of ‘Oxy- mental oxygen based with manufacturers to tericin B which is be- The Government RAM KARAN VERMA of the Oxycare system. care’ system devel- on the SpO2 levels and ramp up production ing actively prescribed of India is therefore CONCURRENTLY ACCREDITED The ‘Oxycare’ sys- oped by the DRDO at a prevents a person of Amphotericin B - to by the physicians to engaging with the AS AMBASSADOR TO THE CAR tems will be procured cost of Rs 322.5 crore,” from sinking into a fi ght Mucormycosis. patients suffering from manufacturers to Ram Karan Verma (YOA:2007), presently Am- for Rs 322.5 crore using it said. The ministry state of hypoxia which A sudden increase Mucormycosis, a post ramp up production bassador of India to the Democratic Republic of the PM-Cares Fund, ac- said 1,00,000 manual can be fatal,” the min- in demand has been COVID complication, of the drug. Congo, has been concurrently accredited as the cording to the defence and 50,000 automatic istry said in a state- next Ambassador of India to the Central African ministry. Oxycare systems are ment. —PTI Republic (CAR), with residence in Kinshasa.

DEVESH GUPTA APPOINTED AS DEPUTY SECRETARY, COMMERCE India mostly Devesh Gupta has been appointed as Deputy Sec- IAF flown 1400 hours in 21 days dependent on retary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He is a 2008 batch IRS-C&CE offi cer. other countries to improve oxygen supply in country JUSTICE KARUNA NAND New Delhi: Deeply aircraft including six each for equipment BAJPAYEE APPOINTED AS JUDICIAL MEMBER, NCDRC engaged in the transpor- C-17 and Ilyushin-76 New Delhi: India has a tation of medical oxygen transport planes and huge requirement of Justice Karuna Nand Bajpayee, retired Judge, Allahabad High Court has been appointed as Ju- and COVID relief opera- 30 medium lift C-130Js oxygen with the supply dicial Member in the National Consumer Disputes tions, the IAF has fl own and AN-32 aircraft for chain not being robust Redressal Commission (NCDRC). over 732 sorties of its this mega operation. “In and the country is most- transport aircraft and the domestic sector, our ly dependent on other JUSTICE RAM SURAT RAM helicopters to move 498 pilots have fl own 634 countries for critical oxygen tankers from both sorties for 939 hr to move MAURYA APPOINTED AS JUDICIAL equipment like oxygen within India and abroad to 403 oxygen containers MEMBER, NCDRC concentrators, NITI help the country fi ght the which can carry 6856.2 Justice Ram Surat Ram Maurya, Retired Judge, Aayog member Dr VK pandemic. The Air Force MT of oxygen,” an Indian Allahabad High Court has been appointed as Ju- Saraswat has said and has deployed 42 transport Air Force spokesperson. dicial Member in the National Consumer Disputes noted that there is need Redressal Commission (NCDRC). for scientific commu- nity and industry to SUBHASH CHANDRA APPOINTED AS find ways to reduce im- NON JUDICIAL MEMBER, NCDRC port dependence. He Subhash Chandra, retired Secretary, Defence, has was addressing an on- been appointed as Non Judicial Member in the Na- line meeting ‘Address- tional Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ing COVID Resurgence (NCDRC). He is a 1986 batch retired IAS offi cer of - S&T Perspective’ or- Karnataka cadre. ganised by Technology Information, Forecast- BINOY KUMAR APPOINTED AS NON ing and Assessment JUDICIAL MEMBER, NCDRC Council (TIFAC), an au- Binoy Kumar, retired Secretary, Steel, has been ap- tonomous body. pointed as Non Judicial Member in the National Con- sumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC). He is a 1983 batch IAS offi cer of Telangana cadre. Vax big weapon in Phase 2, 3 trials on children gets nod SANJAY KUMAR SINGH APPOINTED AS BHUBANESWAR MUNICIPAL New Delhi: In a bid to ble third COVID-19 COMMISSIONER fight: Harsh Vardhan extend the country’s wave in India is likely Sanjay Kumar Singh has been appointed as Com- New Delhi: Union presence of Union Min- vaccination drive to in- to be dangerous for missioner, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Health Minister Harsh ister of State for Health, clude people below 18 children. (BMC) while Prem Chandra Chaudhary posted as Vardhan said on Ashwini Kumar years, an expert panel Experts say that the OSD, GAD in Odisha. Wednesday that vacci- Choubey. on Tuesday recom- first wave affected older nation is a big weapon The eight states/UT mended Hyderabad- people, and in the ongo- VAIBHA BAJAJ APPOINTED AS PS TO in the fight against Cov- included Jammu and based Bharat Biotech’s ing second wave, young- DR HARSH VARDHAN id-19. Kashmir, Uttarakhand, COVID-19 vaccine COV- sters are getting more Vaibha Bajaj has been appointed as Private Harsh Vardhan on Haryana, Punjab, Bi- AXIN for phase 2/3 clin- infected, while the third Secretary to Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister for Wednesday interacted har, Jharkhand, Odisha ical trials on children Representational picture of a kid getting vaccinated wave could see more in- Health and Family Welfare. He is a 2009 batch with the health minis- and Telangana, all de- and adolescents aged fections in children. IRS-C&CE offi cer. ters and principal sec- picting a rise in the two to 18 years. sites, including AIIMS- es, Nagpur, among oth- Hence, ensuring vacci- retaries/additional number of daily cases The trials would be Delhi, AIIMS-Patna, ers. Notably, this devel- nation of children is By arrangement with: http:// chief secretaries of with growing positivity conducted on 525 sub- and Meditrina Insti- opment comes amid crucial to prepare for whispersinthecorridors.com eight states/UT in the rate. jects across numerous tute of Medical Scienc- reports that the possi- the third wave.

As Covid threat looms FROM PG 1 Israeli strike... off air-raid sirens and “These media reports Tripura, Madhya versal mass vaccination  Free distribution of large on rural UP, CM The severity of violence explosions throughout are without any basis, Pradesh, UP, Gujarat, campaign foodgrain to the needy has escalated as 43 Pales- the densely populated and unfounded,” it said. Maharashtra and West  Compulsory licensing  Repeal of farm laws Yogi takes guard tinians were killed in Tel Aviv metropolitan Bengal. to expand domestic vac- to protect farmers falling Gaza and five in Israel area. It was the heaviest Delhi, BB... cine production victim to Covid First India Bureau ers have been deployed following airstrikes. One fighting between the to hear some states com- Stop Central... in 97,941 villages to multi-story residential bitter enemies since plaining about our in- and implement. Unfor-  Spending the Rs The letter was signed Lucknow: As Covid 19 prevent the infection building in Gaza col- 2014, and it showed no tentions. 50 of our em- tunately, your govern- 35,000 crore budgetary by representatives of makes inroads into ru- among villagers. lapsed and another was signs of slowing. ployees are off work due ment has either ignored allocation for vaccines all key political parties ral Uttar Pradesh, the The massive five-day heavily damaged after to covid, yet we continue or refused all these sug- except Mayawati’s Ba-  Stopping the Central state government is testing campaign, they were repeatedly hit Govt: Reports... to work under pandemic gestions. This only com- Vista construction and us- hujan Samaj Party and pulling out all stops to which has been ex- by Israeli airstrikes. Is- “Several media reports lockdowns 24×7 for U,” pounded the situation ing the money for oxygen Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam prevent its spread tended, is being under- rael said its jets had tar- have covered the news she said in a tweet. to reach such an apoca- and vaccines Aadmi Party. from taking an epi- taken by a team of geted and killed several of World Health Organ- The Hyderabad- lyptic human tragedy,” The parties also demic proportion with 1,41,610 Health Depart- Hamas intelligence lead- isation (WHO) classify- based firm is supplying the letter read.  Releasing all money sought a response. its trace, test and treat ment staff, who are ers early on Wednesday. ing B.1.617 as variant of Covaxin to 18 states, in- The list of do-s they held in the “unaccounted “Though it has not been approach. Chief Min- making door-to-door Israeli Prime Minis- global concern. Some of cluding Andhra sent included: private trust fund”, the practice of your of- ister Yogi Adityanath, contact identifying ter Benjamin Netanya- these reports have Pradesh, Haryana, Odi-  Central procurement of PMCares to buy vaccines, fice or government, we who is monitoring the people with covid hu vowed to expand the termed the B.1.617 vari- sha, Assam, J&K, Tamil vaccines from all avail- oxygen and medical would appreciate a re- Covid situation close- symptoms in villages offensive, while Gaza ant of the coronavirus Nadu, Bihar, Jharkhand able sources - global and equipment sponse to our sugges- ly with his Team 9 of- and get them hospital- militants unleashed a as an ‘Indian Variant’,” and Delhi. Other states tions in the interests of domestic.  Rs 6000 per month for ficials, on Wednesday ized for immediate fierce late-night bar- the ministry said in a are Chhattisgarh, Kar- the unemployed India and our people,” said that 21,242 observ- treatment. rage of rockets that set statement. nataka, Telangana,  Immediate free, uni- the letter read. TALKING POINT www.fi rstindia.co.in I www.fi rstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefi rstindia I facebook.com/thefi rstindia I instagram.com/thefi rstindia AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 07

KIDS with a desk and a quiet place to study do better

in school, data shows Seventeen percent of students around the world lack a desk at home. —MAYUR KAKADE/GETTY IMAGES

ally, 7% of students are without a desk at the highest achievement DAVID RUTKOWSKI benchmark, compared to 26% at the lowest. In Associate Professor of Education other words, students Policy, Indiana University without a desk are three DIRK HASTEDT times more likely to be at the bottom academi- Executive Director IEA, Indiana cally than at the top. University Of course, other fac- tors come into play. Plop- sk what students ping a desk in a child’s need to learn at home won’t automatical- A home, and the an- ly change the child’s aca- swer often involves access to demic trajectory, especial- Some students in Mumbai use quiet public spaces Wi-Fi or a digital device. For ly when other, potentially like street corners to study. —EMMANUAL YOGINI example, the American Res- more serious factors are at cue Plan Act of 2021 sets aside play, such as lack of ade- US$7.1 billion to support ac- quate food and clean water. A desk won’t automatically change the child’s academic trajectory, cess to high-speed internet for world, TIMSS also looks at desk at home – nearly three Our findings may show especially when other, potentially more serious factors are at play. schools and libraries. whether students have desks times the average percentage that the absence of a desk is What often gets overlooked at home, as well as a quiet of students around the world an indicator of poverty, is whether kids have a desk at place to study, a computer or – 17% to be precise – who don’t. which research has shown home or a quiet place to study. a tablet and their own room. Close to that international av- to be highly correlated As researchers who focus We took a look at TIMSS data erage, the percentage of stu- with academic perfor- on education policy and how collected in 2019 – just before dents in the U.S. who lack a mance, both in the students perform on standard- the COVID-19 pandemic dis- desk at home is higher than it U.S. and internation- ized tests, we decided to take a rupted education around the is in Australia (10%), France ally. closer look – on a global scale world and led hundreds of (8%) and Japan (7%). While there are dif- – at the degree to which stu- thousands of schools to go re- Internationally, 11% of stu- ferences between coun- dents have desks at home and mote. We found that many dents in TIMSS-participating tries, key differences whether that’s linked to how students around the world countries lacked a computer, also exist within coun- well they do in school. To do lacked suitable resources to and 25% did not have their tries. But the differences this we turned to the Trends study at home during a time own room. play out largely the way in Mathematics and Science when they needed those they do throughout the Study, also known as TIMSS, things the most. world – with students who an international assessment ANALYZING don’t have a study desk administered every four years performing worse than by the International Associa- BIG DISPARITIES PERFORMANCE those who do. tion for the Evaluation of Ed- As one might expect, access to When analyzing student per- We believe that home re- ucational Achievement, a desk varied greatly in differ- formance, significant differ- sources such as desks and where one of us is the execu- ent countries. ences appear. a quiet place to study tive director. For instance, nearly half the Students without a desk are should be a part of any con- Besides providing informa- students in Morocco (48%), far more likely to be bottom versation about what chil- Only a small number of students achieve high reading and math test scores without tion about reading and math 45% in Saudi Arabia and 43% performers than those with a dren need at home to suc- a computer or desk at home. —GREENAPERTURE/E+ VIA GETTY IMAGES scores of students around the in South Africa did not have a desk. On average internation- ceed academically. THECONVERSATION.COM Think big in work and action but take pleasure on the smallest things of life- the key to success and happiness lies therein. —Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, First India 2ND FRONT www.fi rstindia.co.in I www.fi rstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefi rstindia I facebook.com/thefi rstindia I instagram.com/thefi rstindia AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 08 MAN THRASHES HIS MOTHER FOR MEETING HER BROTHER THIS IS A 50-YEAR-OLD BASHING UP HIS 75-YEAR-OLD MOTHER JUST BECAUSE SHE MET HER ESTRANGED BROTHER First India Bureau COPS AWAIT Rajkot: You may have COMPLAINT heard it happening in Bollywood movies, The procession, for which the police took action. but this shocking inci- dent occurred in Mor- bi district in Gujarat 125 booked for religious when a 75-year-old woman, who could hardly walk, was al- procession amid pandemic legedly dragged and brutally thrashed by First India Bureau Around 125 men and fied, the remaining her 50-year-old son at women had taken part ones are yet to be iden- their house. Gandhinagar: Police in the procession to of- tified, he said. Several disturbing on Wednesday regis- fer prayers, he said. They were booked videos showing the el- tered an FIR against ‘’Despite creating under IPC sections 188 derly woman being as- around 125 people for awareness among rural (disobedience to order saulted by her son allegedly flouting Cov- people against holding duly promulgated by spread like wildfire in id-19 guidelines after such prayers during public servant), 269 (act cyberspace on Tuesday, they took out a reli- the Covid-19 pandemic likely to spread the in- prompting the local po- Man beating his mother. gious procession at and despite the instruc- fection of any disease lice to initiate an inves- Palodia village in Gan- tions to sarpanchs (vil- dangerous to life), and tigation. mar. When Mansukh launched an investi- a complaint against willing to file a com- dhinagar district. lage heads) to inform provisions of the Epi- According to reports, learnt about it, he lost gation. “The video him. If she wishes to plaint against him. The So far, 15 people have the police about such demic Diseases Act, he the elderly woman, his temper and dragged which has gone viral go to an old-age home, accused man’s es- been arrested in con- gatherings, these peo- said. identified as Rambha- his elderly mother and on social media on we will arrange for it tranged younger broth- nection with the inci- ple assembled at one ‘’We have arrested 15 ben, stays with her el- brutally thrashed her Tuesday is of Kan- as well,” a news re- er, identified as Amrut dent that took place place in a large num- of these accused per- der son, Mansukh Par- with a broom. tipur village, and we port quoted Morbi SP Parmar, has been ar- around 10 am on Tues- ber,” Solanki said. sons, and the video mar, in Kantipur village A video of this sur- have ordered an inves- SR Odedara as saying. rested under the Prohi- day in Kalol taluka, The FIR was regis- footage of the event is in the district. Recently, faced on social media tigation into the case. The police said the ac- bition Act as the police Deputy Superinten- tered at Santej police being scanned. Soon, Rambhaben went to and went viral. Tak- If the victim woman cused was picked up for found him drunk when dent of Police (Kalol station on Wednesday. we will identify and ar- meet her estranged ing cognisance of the lodges an FIR against questioning. His elderly they went to interrogate division), V N Solanki, While 35 of the partici- rest all of them,’’ younger son Amrut Par- video, the police her son, we will lodge mother, however, is un- him. said. pants have been identi- Solanki said. Gujarat board Over 1 lakh cops deployed 5 KILLED, 10 HURT AS VAN FALLS INTO RAVINE class 10, 12 First India Bureau The incident took group of factory work- identified as Chandrika place when a van carry- ers had hired the van to Vasava (23), Sonika exam dates Bharuch: Four women ing 15 factory workers return home after fin- Vasava (22), Pravina to enforce Covid norms and a man were killed was heading towards ishing their shift. At Vasava (18), Jyotsna likely this week First India Bureau and 10 others injured Rajpipla town from Ne- Vandarveli village a Vasava (18) and Tiras when the vehicle they trang. speeding truck hit the Vasava (22), all from Ahmedabad: More were travelling in It was hit by a speed- vehicle from behind and Bharuch district, he than 1 lakh cops have plunged into a ravine ing truck from behind, drove off. The impact said. A case has been been deployed across after being hit by a sub-inspector BK caused the van to fall registered and efforts Gujarat to ensure en- truck in Bharuch dis- Pachani of Netrang po- into a ravine,” he said. were on to nab the uni- forcement of Covid-19 trict on Wednesday. lice station said. “A The deceased were dentified truck driver. guidelines. At least 56,000 police personnel, 5,000 staffers of the State Reserve Po- First India Bureau lice (SRP), over 13,000 home guards and 30,000 COUNT- Gandhinagar: The Gu- jawans of the Gram —FILE PHOTO jarat Secondary and Rakshak Dal (GRD) DOWN Higher Secondary edu- have been deployed cation board (GSHSEB) across the State, offi- and directed them to public celebration of up- TO EID! is expected to announce cials said. strictly enforce the rules coming festivals, mainly People buying eating the revised schedule for The Gujarat Govern- and guidelines issued by Eid and Lord Parshuram items ahead of Gujarat Board class 10 ment on Tuesday ex- the State Government. Jayanti. Eid celebrations at and 12 Board Exams 2021 tended the night curfew All police officers Officers have also Sarangpur Crossroad this week. and other day-time re- have been directed to en- been directed to keep a in Ahmedabad on Wednesday evening. While announcing the strictions in 36 cities by sure that people in their check on weddings and postponement, Chief another week, in order respective areas wear ensure that not more —PHOTO BY Minister Vijay Rupani to contain the viral masks, maintain social than 50 persons are pre- HANIF SINDHI had said, “In the wake of spread. Following the distance and follow all sent. The police have so Covid-19 pandemic, Guja- announcement, Gujarat the Covid-19-related far registered 514 cases rat Govt decides to post- Director General of Po- standard operating pro- and arrested 666 persons pone Class 10 & 12 board lice (DGP) Ashish Bha- cedures. for violating wedding- examinations, scheduled tia on Tuesday held a According to a press related notification that to be held between May virtual meeting with release, the police have prohibits gatherings of 10 to 25, and mass promo- senior police officers been asked to stop any more than 50 persons. tion for students of std 1 to 9 & 11. The new dates will be announced after SAFE HAVEN? reviewing the coronavi- rus situation on May 15.” Several boards includ- ing CBSE, CISCE and With a ban in Mumbai, TV industry moving to Gujarat state boards cancelled the exams for class 10 Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Ahilya Bai, Dance Dee- hours away from Mum- and postponed class 12 wane and Mere Sai- bai, for over a decade exams, although no final Chashmah and Yeh Rishta Kya Shraddha Aur Saburi. It now, having shot myth- dates have been an- is equipped with 17 ological epics such as nounced yet. Kehlata Hai are shooting in Vapi, shoot floors, which in- Mahabharat and Porus Apart from the GSBE clude “picture-perfect there. board exams, the Odisha Tera Yaar Hoon Main in Rajkot, palaces with mesmeris- Union territories bor- government has also ing indoor and outdoor dering Gujarat are also suspended class 10 and and several others courtrooms, along with in demand. Daman is 12 exams while the Uttar First India Bureau ducers shifting their markets with different now home to the con- Pradesh board has post- cast and crew to Guja- flooring designs” and testants and judges of poned the board exams Mumbai: The Maha- rat. “royal rooms for kings Super Dancer and Indi- till May 20. Madhya rashtra Government’s Albeit, this is in strict —FILE PHOTO and queens”, as de- an Idol, while Silvassa Pradesh, Rajasthan, move to put a halt to bio-bubbles. Gujarat scribed on the website. is where the highest- Himachal Pradesh, Pun- shooting of any televi- has benefitted the most Swastik Bhoomi studi- rated show Anupamaa jab, Haryana, and Maha- sion shows, film or web from this shift. Two of in Vapi. Other locations (Kaatelal & Sons). studio Swastik Bhoomi, os also offers accommo- is being shot, along rashtra have also post- series starting April 15 the most popular include Rajkot (Tera Producer Siddharth spread over 25 acres in dation options for the with Wagle Ki Duniya— poned their respective until May 15 to contain shows—Taarak Mehta Yaar Hoon Main), Surat Kumar Tewary has be- Umbergaon in Gujarat, production team. Nayi Peedhi Naye Kis- state board exams due to the spread of Covid-19 ka Ooltah Chashmah (Hero: Gayab Mode On, come a knight in shin- has opened its doors to Tewary has been sey, Yeh Rishta Kya Ke- the alarming surge in has resulted in an exo- and Yeh Rishta Kya Ke- Kyun Rishton Mein ing armour for many at least four shows, in- shooting in the beach- hlata Hai and Mann Ki Covid-19 cases. dus with TV show pro- hlata Hai, are shooting Katti Batti) and Valsad production houses. His cluding Punyashlok side city, two and a half Awaaz Pratigya 2. www.fi rstindia.co.in I www.fi rstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefi rstindia facebook.com/thefi rstindia I instagram.com/thefi rstindia 09 AHMEDABAD, THURSDAY MAY 13, 2021

YE DESH HAI MERA UPKAAR STARRING MANOJ KUMAR AND ASHA PAREKH AND OF COURSE PRAN LIVES ON IN OUR HEARTS FOR MANY MANY REASONS… I LIST HERE A FEW OF MINE…

ANITA HADA [email protected]

asme vaade pyaar wafa sab baatein hain baaton ka kya … the reality of life K portrayed on screen with Pran in one of his most powerful and lovable roles! Mere Desh ki dharti sona ugle ugle here moti …. Mere desh ki dharti… Now put your hand on your heart and think – did you speak these lines or did you sing them? Regardless of how old you are- most of you sang them- in tune! Love the song with its unwavering pride in our planning. I missed Asha’s tor who studies in the city simple traditions and be- dances in this movie because but practises in the liefs, there is a joyous sim- she had practically none, a village! plicity to this song that change from her usual roles makes it immortal! Jai of the time. Jawan Jai Kisan slogan The movie definitely glori- brought to life! fies rural traditional family Upkar was a struggle from life and was actually made at beginning to end, life doesn’t the suggestion of former seem to let up on poor Manoj prime minister Lal Bahadur Kumar who is dealt a tough Shastri who, impressed by hand from beginning to end. Manoj Kumar’s Shaheed, re- Regardless that he is the pic- quested him to make ture of dignity throughout! a film around his The struggle which is still slogan, “Jai jawan, echoed across rural India jai kisan” after In- was showcased by Manoj dia defeated Paki- -Bharat Kumar, the farmer stan in the 1965 war. who feeds the nation. The Upkar had everything, struggle between old cultur- glorification of rural life, al values and modern educa- Indo-Pak war and high tion. The different paths cho- doses of patriotism, sen by the two brothers is brothers at war and still seen in many a rural more… Stereotypical household, even today, dec- but seriously today ades later. The farmer of Up- we need more like kar was a man of dignity and Bharat who has pride well aided by Asha solid old-fash- Parekh in her role as the doc- ioned values and tor who promotes family Dr Kavita, a doc- ETC www.fi rstindia.co.in I www.fi rstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefi rstindia I facebook.com/thefi rstindia I instagram.com/thefi rstindia AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 10 To ‘Beal’ Or Not To ‘Beal’: The Wood Apple Story

ABOUT CAULDRON SISTERS Ratika & Richa Khetan, two Sisters, started Cauldron Sisters in 2015. It started as an exotic food gift hamper business, but their love for food encouraged them to start culinary workshops, food deliveries, and slowly and gradually it turned huge as restaurants and cafes started approaching them for consultancy.

eing at your grand- Asia like Bangladesh, Paki- How to incorporate Beal/Wood Apple this summer in your diet? Here are some easy recipes to follow: parent’s house stan and Indonesia. RECIPES during the sum- mer holidays and APPEARANCE BEAL/WOOD APPLE BEAL/WOOD APPLE B not having a big Its leaves smell almost cit- JUICE BEAL/WOOD APPLE MURABBA SMOOTHIE BEAL/WOOD APPLE HOT & SWEET CHUTNEY glass of Beal/Bel/ rusy when crushed and the The fruit gut is re- Remove the pulp and grind it. Using All you need is Beal, For this spicy and sweet chutney, you would Wood Apple/Ben- flowers are pale green or moved and is a strainer, mash the pulp further with yoghurt (non-dairy need strained Beal pulp, rock salt, roasted gal Quince juice just about yellowish. The shell of the mashed to be dis- your hands and take out the juice. In for lactose intoler- cumin powder, green daily was never a choice. Beal fruit is green in colour solved in water. It’s a pan, put a cup of sugar and water ants), water, rock salt, chillies, red chilli You may roll your eyes at and later turns to pale yel- strained before add- and start heating. Once the syrup gets black pepper (option- powder (optional), the strong fragrance of the low as it ages. The pulp, ing some sugar/jag- thicker, add in some ground carda- al), jaggery/sugar (if jaggery and water. fruit but once cracked open however, is pale orange gery to it. You may mom and lemon juice (or either, it is your Beal is not Grind all the ingredi- and made a juice (mixing with seeds in it. Once you choose to add a bit optional as per your taste, adding sweet), and some ents in a paste, (add the inner pulp with water/ open the shell (that needs a of lemon juice if both will make it tangy). Next, strain soaked chia seeds. water as per the con- milk), you would chug it good hammering to break), you are feeling crea- the pulp and mix it well in sugar syr- Strain the pulp and sistency requires) down as your life depended it’s all pulpy from the in- tive, it won’t ruin up. Keep stirring on low flame till it add the rest of the in- and you may add on it. Yes, we all remember side. the experience. To is dark brown and jam-like in its con- gredients together. some chopped chillies those days, and even if we prepare a shake, sistency. Your Beal Murabba is now Give a good whirl in on top. Serve with did not believe our elders BENEFITS grind Beal, Banana ready. Enjoy it with parantha or as the grinder. Your sum- bhel, tikiyas, chat or just parantha. This hot back then, we now know If you belong to a compara- (optional), sugar (if the Bengalis do – with some dal-bhat mer healthy post- and sweet chutney will be a surprise to your how beneficial this huge, tively dry state of India, needed) and milk to- (dal-rice) as a side dish! workout natural taste buds, we promise! heavy fruit is! drinking Beal juice, espe- gether. Serve chilled. smoothie is ready! Please note that when we cially during summers, say Wood Apple, it doesn’t keeps you from dehydra- always mean Beal. The lat- tion. That is because it is a ter is a generic name for known source of energy fruits belonging to the trees and can survive in dry re- from the Aurantioideae gions with minimum water subfamily. Aegle marmelos, and has a cooling nature to commonly known as bael or it. The Beal fruit is also rich wood-apple and elephant- in multiple nutrients that apple, is what we are look- are highly beneficial for the ing for. consumer. This includes fi- and in controlling cholesterol, bres, vitamins, calcium, diabetes and hypertension SIGNIFICANCE phosphorus, protein, iron, The Beal tree has a deep sig- beta carotene and phenolic  it prevents liver problems and nificance in Hindu culture. compounds. haemorrhoids Its leaves are used in reli- More reasons to consume  it has an antioxidant nature gious practices by the Hin- Wood Apple regularly are: that prevents neural degenera- du community during festi-  it prevents digestive system tive diseases problems, constipation, diar- vals and weddings. A native  it enhances immunity as it has to the subcontinent of In- rhoea, dysentery and peptic ulcers antimicrobial functions that dia, Beal is also found in help fi ght viral, bacterial and other parts of Southeast  it helps with respiratory health fungal infections

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER YOUR MAR 21 - APR 20 APR 21 - MAY 20 MAY 21 - JUNE 21 JUNE 22 - JULY 23 A change of job is likely to On the social front, the day Excellent opportunities This is a favourable day for give you better salary and fi nds you in your element. may knock at your door. completing pending jobs. DAY perks. Those in business A family youngster is likely Professionals will be able Your performance at work FACE OF THE DAY Horoscope by will soon get a chance to to do you proud. Your to give their best in a new will be commendable. Your make profi ts. This is the time when strategy to promote yourself on the situation. Financially, this day may own happiness is in your hands Saurabbh Sachdeva you enjoy yourself with a new group professional front will bear fruits. prove lucky for you, so go ask for the today. Spouse may need her space, of friends or colleagues. A new deal You may need to speed up things on raise that is keeping you on respect that. Financially, no problems is likely to come through and give the academic front to remain ahead. tenterhooks. Don’t take any chances are foreseen. It is best to avoid you a taste of success. Something special awaits you. with your health today. outside food.

LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO JULY 24 - AUGUST 23 AUG 24 - SEP 23 SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22 OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22 Those looking for buying a Getting into a favourable You may wait for Good performance on the house can get a good situation on the academic someone’s invitation for a academic front will help bargain. Appreciation is in front is possible. Good luck trip. Your professionalism enhance your reputation at store for some promises to brighten your in handling problem areas work. Some favourable homemakers. A professional victory day. Some positive changes can be will be appreciated. Tenant troubles developments on the social front are is yours if you play your cards well expected on the home front. This are foreseen for some house owners. foreseen. Buying new furniture or a today. Those in business will be able seems a good day for job seekers. You will fi nd family life more than major appliance is possible. With to maintain good earning. You are New avenues for earning open up as fulfi lling. A senior is likely to put in a good networking, a prized posting likely to enjoy good health. you get more determined. good word for you to the higher ups. can be yours.

SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES NOV 23 - DEC 22 DEC 23 - JAN 20 JAN 21 - FEB 19 FEB20 - MARCH 20 You are likely to take up Success is foretold on the You will have to be more You will manage to achieve someone’s cause and earn academic front. Your focussed on the academic what you had aimed for on appreciation from all reputation is likely to boost front. You may get busy the academic front. A quarters on the social front. your image. On the work organising something on the celebration can fi nd you in Remaining on the good side of those front, you will manage to keep your social front. You may need to put your your element today. Praise and who matter on the academic front will superiors in good humour. This is an ideas into action, if you want to prove honour are likely to greet you in help you achieve much. Good tidings excellent day to spend time with yourself. A party may be thrown in something that you have managed to of your well wishers will keep you family. Good planning will see you your honour at work. Your good achieve. You will be a pillar of D’AMBER GURLEY, Rapper going on the professional front. complete a task. performance is likely to be noticed. strength to a friend or associate. www.fi rstindia.co.in I www.fi rstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefi rstindia I facebook.com/thefi rstindia I instagram.com/thefi rstindia ETC AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 11 BACK ON SET

ctress Madhuri Dixit Nene on Tues- day took to Instagram to inform fans that she was “back on set”. The 53-year-old veteran had taken her sec- A ond dose of the Covid vaccine a while back, and on Instagram she has posted a series of pictures where she strikes classic poses in a shimmering silver saree and matching blouse. She completes her look with matching neck piece, earrings and a single bracelet on the right hand. She wears her hair open and goes for matching heels in the photo- op of three images. —Agency

Madhuri Dixit Nene Project Heal India Black Widow’ Release CITY FIRST

he present situation of India battling the pandemic is very grim Lindsay Lohan T as help pours in from all corners. Established per- sonalities and celebrities have also come forward in their own way to help. Anu- Birthday post pam Kher Foundation in col- laboration with Dr Ashutosh indsay Lohan remembered her onscreen mother, Tewari (Global Cancer Foun- Anupam Kher with the team of Project Heal India Natasha Richardson, who featured alongside her dation, USA) and Baba Kaly- in the 1998 film Parent Trap. The 34-year-old ac- ani (Bharat Forge, India), Scarlett Johansson L tress honoured late Richardson on her birthday recently started an initiative tive to help people in need tion devices and oxygen con- in a heartfelt post. Lindsay shared a picture of Natasha called “Project Heal India”. during such worrisome centrators are expected to he highly anticipated Marvel super- and her from Parent Trap in her birthday tribute. In Through this initiative, times. arrive in India within the hero film ‘Black Widow,’ starring her caption, Lindsay wrote, “Happy Birthday An- the aim is to aid in Through the project, the week. Anupam Kher, said, “At Scarlett Johansson, is set to hit Indian gel #natasharichardson.” —Agency the current fight organizations will provide the time of an ongoing world T theatres soon. The film will be re- against COV- critical equipment and other crisis, we human beings have leased in Indian theatres on July 9th. Taran ID-19 across In- life supporting devices to always collectively come to- Adarsh, an Indian film critic and trade ana- dia by providing needy institutions and hospi- gether to respond and pro- lyst, announced the news on his Instagram medical aid and tals across India. The first vide help in any way possible. account on Tuesday. Cate Shortland directed HUM BHI AKELE other relief dur- consignment of CrossVent As India is reeling under a the film produced by Kevin Feige. —Agency ing these unprec- Ventilators (ICU Critical huge crisis, it is our moral edented times. It Care), Medtronic Ventilators, responsibility to pick up the TUM BHI AKELE is a worthy initia- ResMed non-invasive ventila- mantle and do our bit.” On a staycation areen Khan plays a homosexual woman in the recently released film “Hum Bhi rmie Ham- Akele Tum Bhi Akele”. While ROCKY TERRAIN mer, who has Z makers were sceptical to cast her been floating in the role initially, the actress says it is not amir Khan may be A in troubled the first time that she has faced such a situa- Spectacular home-bound present- waters, ever since ac- tion. “It is not the first time that people have ly, but his mind is tick- cusations of sexual been sceptical to cast me in their film if it is A ing away, working out assault and cannibal- a non-glamorous role. They have this whole the nitty-gritty of Laal Singh ism surfaced seems to thing because of all the EVENING Chaddha’s upcoming Ladakh have found love. The previous work aylor Swift had a big schedule among the actor, who has been that I had night at the recently rocky terrain. The su- dropped from several done. This concluded Brit perstar, who had re- projects, is reportedly was not the T Awards 2021 as she cently headed to dating a dental hy- first time became the first female artist Kargil with a four- gienist from Cayman Armie Hammer that people to be honoured with the Global member team for the Islands. Notable, Arm- were scepti- Icon recognition. The Brit recce, returned to ie’s estranged wife Elizabeth Chambers cal,” she said. Awards was a spectacular even- Mumbai last moved to Grand Cayman with their two kids —Agency ing as it was one of the first in- week after for the time being during the Covid-19 pan- Taylor Swift person events that took place this having ze- demic. A source revealed, “He is dating a den- year in London and saw around roed in on tal hygienist on the island. They were recent- 4000 people in attendance. For the locations. ly on a ‘staycation’ out East, the other side of the big night, Taylor dazzled in Joining him the island from where they live.” —Agency a co-ord sequined strappy top on the recce and skirt. was action di- —Agency rector Parvez In Support of Palestine Shaikh. —Agency Aamir Khan igi Had- id and Bella G Hadid Fundraiser for have expressed their support for Palestine in the wake of Covid Aid the recent con- nushka Sharma, along with flict with Isra- cricketer-husband Virat el. Both took to Kohli, launched a fundraiser Instagram to A for the Covid-19 relief fund share powerful on Friday. The initiative has raised posts about Rs 5 crore so far. The actress ex- Palestinian in- pressed gratitude to those who as- justice and Gigi & Bella Hadid sisted them in reaching this land- how human mark. Anushka had written a rights activists cannot remain quiet on the heartfelt note for all healthcare Palestine-Israel conflict. The posts acquaint- and frontline staff on Sunday, ed everyone with the background of the is- praising their efforts. —Agency sue. —Agency Zareen Khan Virat Kohli & Anushka Sharma STAY MASKED

CITY GET VACCINATED BUZZ www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 12 BEAUTIFUL BABBLING WILDLIFE HAPPY BIRTHDAY! —PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

The top cop of Jaipur, Anand Srivastava’s birthday is today, May 13, Thursday. The popular, people’s police officer is not ockdown has left iconic tourist attractions like Jaigarh fully drinking water, while in another, peacocks are enjoying celebrating it this year as he recently lost his beloved mother. Fort deserted, leaving these animals and birds to enjoy their chit-chat session in the beautiful weather. These pictures Anand has just beaten COVID and will soon be seen actively their natural environment without being disturbed. In are shot in Jaipur on Wednesday, in the summer hot days await- on the streets of Jaipur like last year during the pandemic, L above pictures, two peacocks and a wild squirrel is peace- ing monsoon for the trees to spring again. —CITY FIRST ensuring the safety of the people with the perfect mix of care and discipline. City First wishes him a happy birthday! Little Fashion Hunters CITY FIRST only from India but also from abroad. The result WINNERS ndia’s Little for the competition was Fashion Hunt- declared on Monday, ers Online May 10. Gaurav JP Gow- Kids Photo da from Mangalore, I Contest Karnataka has se- Artwork of Tanmay Dutt Season cured the first posi- was organ- tion, Prakashika ised digitally by A Soni from Bikaner, ENDEARING Infinity Takeovers in Rajasthan grabbed Jaipur, in which more the second position and than 5000 children reg- Agastya from Kalladka VIN DIESEL istered. Founder Direc- in Karnataka has se- tor Anup Chaudhary cured the third rank. Gaurav JP Gowda CITY FIRST mented on, and posted said that it is India’s [email protected] several times on social largest online kids pho- anmay Dutt media by the megastar to contest in Sharma, an himself. Tanmay is in- which kids MBBS student spired by his father and partici- T at Sri Devaraj grandfather and as- pate Urs Medical College, pires to fill their shoes. not Rayan Karnataka is a Being a medical stu- 20-year-old Artist dent, he hopes to hailing from juggle well in both Jaipur who brings these worlds. He life to any illustra- said, “While being tion. He has been able the best Doctor, why Prakashika Soni to make a fan out of can’t I be the best Artist Hollywood heartthrob as well. Vin inspires me Vin Diesel. His por- to be a better person traits have been and if he can be multi- praised, enjoyed, com- faceted, why can’t I?”

Agastya Dirti Kale Aarya Token of appreciation HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Future Health Care CITY FIRST CITY FIRST in the program rona survey and aca- through online mode demic excellence. Prin- n the auspicious n the occasion and also participated cipal, Professor (Dr) day of Avtar Divas of Internation- in painting and essay Yogeshwarpuri Gos- of the second Guru al Nurses Day writing competi- wami informed the O of the Sikhs, Guru O on Wednesday tion. Akhil Khan, students about the Angad Dev, Mathuradas at Geetanjali College GNM First year Future Role of Mathur Charitable Trust and School of Nursing, was the winner of Nurses in Health led by (Sharity team) and Udaipur organised a the essay competition Care. Teachers includ- Alpa Kotecha of SES satel- program online on the while Priyanka Vish- ing Kuldeep Patidar, lite, Luxomberg donated 2 2021 theme ‘Nurse a was, BSc. Nursing first Kamlesh Joshi, Akash oxygen concentrators to Voice to Lead: A Vision year won the painting Chavda Deepak BV, Ya- Surjeet Singh of Gurud- for Future Health competition. Certifi- shashwini Deepak wara Saheb, Vaishali Na- Care’ following the cates were also distrib- were also present in gar, Jaipur. guidelines for Covid. uted to students who the session. Managing Trustee of Students participated participated in the co- [email protected] Mathuradas Mathur Charitable Trust, Vishal Mathur said, “our Sikh brothers and sisters al- ways come first to serve people of India when- During the donation ever there is any ca- Youth Icon and Brand Ambassador of The Fashion lamity and it’s time to Vishal Mathur is Finance & Home Minister Connect, Rishee Miglani celebrated his birthday serve them as a small currently working with of Rajasthan. Hardeep on Wednesday, May 12. This is the second year token of appreciation. SES Satellite as Senior Singh Arora, Vishal Ma- where he celebrated his birthday at home with Moving forward more oxy- Sales Director for Asia thur’s school friend also the loved ones. He said, “On this birthday, I am gen concentrators shall be and residing in Singapore. accompanied him for this on a social media detox so that I can enjoy more provided as and when it’s He is the Grandson of late noble cause. time with my family and doing activities I like.” During the event been arranged.” Mathuradas Mathur, ex- [email protected] We wish him all the best!