BENGALURU  TUESDAY  MARCH 31, 2020  `6.00  PAGES 16  LATE CITY EDITION SAME TIME NEXT YEAR: NEW NO CHANGE TO DURATION OF GAMES ICONIC STADIUM TO BE QUARANTINE FACILITY The Games will be held over 16 days, as had been originally planned and The Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex in New Delhi will be used as a TOKYO OLYMPICS DATES OUT will now end on August 8. They were due to open on July 24 this year but quarantine facility. As reported by this newspaper, Sports Authority 10 the COVID-19 pandemic forced the first peace-time postponement of the of India had already offered it last week if the need arises. A letter The Tokyo Olympics will begin on July 23 next year, officials Games. In a statement, the IOC said the new dates would give officials the district magistrate sent to the SAI secretary on Monday said it SAI HAS TEN REGIONAL said, just a week after the decision to defer it by a year time to deal with the disruption caused by the pandemic would acquire the complex with immediate effect. CENTRES ACROSS INDIA

CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOGGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ WARANGAL ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI

KARNATAKA COVID-19 ROUNDUP

Total Tested Total Total cases till positive on number discharged 91 Monday 8 Monday 3of deaths 6 patients

EXODUSGovt seeks to swat rumours on the extension EBBS of the 21-day lockdown, AFTER with Cabinet Secretary SEAL Rajiv Gauba calling it fake news; SC seeks Centre’s report on measures taken to prevent migrants from going to their native places With 8 new positive

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE The PILs, filed by advocates WORLDWIDE cases, Karnataka’s @ New Delhi Alakh Alok Srivastava and CONFIRMED CASES TOTAL DEATHS RECOVERED CASES Rashmi Bansal, sought relief, A day after the Centre cracked including food, water, medi- the whip against four senior cines and proper medical facili- 7,52,733 36,226 1,58,700 COVID count at 91 Delhi government officers for ties, for thousands of migrant failing to curb the migrant exo- workers leaving for their native EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE travelled with the deceased dus to check the coronavirus places after being rendered @Bengaluru victim were tested negative. and directed all states to seal homeless and jobless due to the CHEMICAL BATH FOR MIGRANTS Patients 85 to 88 are all col- their borders, there was a sem- lockdown. THE Karnataka government leagues of the Nanjangud pa- blance of normalcy across In- During the hearing, Solicitor on Monday reported eight tient who works at a pharma- dia, though some officials ex- General Tushar Mehta, appear- IN U.P; SOAP SPRAY IN KERALA new positive cases of COV- ceutical company and tested ceeded their brief and sprayed ing for Centre, said the migra- ID-19, taking the total to 91. positive without any contact bleach on bunches of migrants tion needs to be stopped to pre- Though only five new cases or travel history abroad. Pa- in at least two states to disin- vent the spread of the virus had been reported till even- tient 85 is a 32-year-old man, fect them. and the Centre as well as con- ing, three more cases, all from Patient 86 is a 34-year-old The government also sought cerned states have taken requi- a single family in Hosapete of man, Patient 87 is a 21-year- to quell rumours on the exten- site steps to deal with it. Ballari district, were reported old male and Patient 88 is a sion of the 21-day lockdown, But Srivastava pointed to the in the night. 24-year-old male, all of whom with Cabinet Secretary Rajiv lack of cohesion and coopera- Two other members of the worked at the same pharma Gauba describing them as tion between states on the mat- family have been kept under company in Nanjangud. “fake news”. It was those ru- ter. And Bansal said medical observation at District Hospi- Though initially Kalabura- mours that had prodding and safety measures, in- tal in Ballari. The three mem- gi was thought to be the epi- migrants to leave Delhi cluding sanitisers, bers who have been tested centre with one death and in large numbers for ought to be provided to positive have no history of three positive cases, it now ap- their native places. keep the migrants safe foreign travel, but had gone to pears that Nanjangud, Tu- The Army, too, did its and healthy. But the BAREILLY, UP Bengaluru last week to visit makuru and Hosapete too bit to dispel fake news, bench remarked, “You their relatives. After return- have emerged as new clusters rubbishing social media are assuming that gov- ing from Bengaluru, three of of coronavirus. posts about a possible decla- ernment is not doing any- them fell ill and were admit- Jawaid Akhtar, additional ration of emergency in April. thing. It is advising us on what ted to District Hospital two chief secretary, Health and The matter of the migrant steps to be taken. Let us see days ago. Their reports came Family Welfare Department, exodus reached the Supreme what they are doing. Let them positive on Monday. These are said, “The pharmaceutical Court as well, with a bench file a common reply on both Patients 89, 90 and 91. company imported material headed by Chief Justice of In- these petitions.” Patient 84 is a 13-year-old from China. We are testing dia S A Bobde and Justice L Amid a big spike in positive male from Tumakuru and son whether packaging material Nageswara Rao observing that cases in Noida, the UP govern- of the 60-year-old man who received from China spread panic and fear had become a ment transferred Gautam Bud- died in Tumakuru last Friday. the virus. We cannot yet con- bigger problem than coronavi- dh Nagar District Magistrate B The rest of the primary con- clude on the exact reason be- rus. The bench sought a report N Singh. A departmental in- tacts including those who hind his infection as of now.” from the Centre on the meas- quiry has also been initiated ures taken to prevent the mi- against him. grant workers from going to Also, there was a major scare their native places, after hear- in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area as ing two different petitions several people showed symp- WAYANAD, KERALA through video conferencing. toms of coronavirus after tak- The court said it would not ing part in a religious gather- like to create further confusion ing a few days ago. The police (Top) Migrant labourers who de-boarded a bus from Delhi being sprayed with chemicals at Bareilly, UP on Monday; by issuing directions on meas- claimed the gathering was or- (Above) Kerala Fire and Rescue Dept officers spraying disinfectant on people who came from Karnataka in Wayanad ures the government is already ganised without seeking prop- taking. er approval. P7,8 NOT FOR HUMAN DISINFECTION Sodium hypochlorite or “It is mainly used for cleaning floor and metallic Direct use on Exposure to bleach bleach was sprayed on surfaces like door knobs and frames. It is not humans can can also cause Source: migrants; it is a surface meant to be used directly on skin or any body cause irritation in coughing, sore throat, RECOVERED Union chemical that should not parts. It is also not recommended for hand eye and skin and stomach ache, burning health touch the skin or any hygiene,” said Dr Naval Kishore Vikram, professor hair problems, sensation, diarrhoea CASES ministry 99 part of the body at the department of medicine of AIIMS, Delhi added Dr Vikram and vomiting Amidst the prevailing lockdown, migrant workers make their way back home to Ballari by tractor in Bengaluru on Monday | MEGHANA SASTRY EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Lucknow / Wayanad “We have already taken the cognizance of Percentage spread of the virus load the video doing rounds on social media. All THE migrant labourers who managed to trav- those who were allegedly given the chemical Other 12.74% Maharashtra el from Delhi to their home towns in Uttar bath are being treated under the supervision 21.27% OIL PRICES PLUNGE Haryana Pradesh, were welcomed with “chemical of Chief Medical Officer of Bareilly,” said 3.12% bath” when they reached Bareilly, 280 km Bareilly district magistrate Nitish Kumar. Kerala from the national capital, according a video The Bareilly incident brought to the fore a Punjab TO 17-YEAR LOW 17.64% surfaced on social media on Monday. similar incident that happened in Kerala a 3.29% The clip shows hundreds of workers, in- few days ago. In another video that went viral EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi cluding women and children, were forced to on social media, the Wayanad District Fire Madhya Uttar Pradesh squat on the road and undergo a ‘chemical and Safety officials were seen spraying disin- AS the demand for oil has drastically fallen in Pradesh 7.85% 3.38% bath’ by municipal corporation personnel. fectant on people crossing the Kerala-Karna- the wake of lockdown in many parts of the The personnel spraying the disinfectant taka border at Muthanga on March 23. world, crude oil prices dropped to a 17-year low Tamil Nadu could be heard advising the recipients to However, Kerala officials claimed they did of $22.75 on Monday. 3.38% close their mouth and eyes. However, many not use any harmful chemicals. Since February 20, Brent crude oil rates have Delhi Jammu & migrants complained of itiching and irrita- “There are allegations that the firemen declined over 60% from $58.50 a barrel. Howev- 7.09% Kashmir tion in their eyes. Dr Sunil Verma, a general sprayed sodium hypochlorite, which is used er, retail fuel rates in India dropping just 3.3% 4.47% physician in Lucknow, said it was a reaction for sanitising buildings. But the fire person- during this period. In fact, petrol and diesel Telangana caused by any solution containing chlorine. nel used only a soap solution. It was an on- $22.75 prices haven’t changed at all since March 16. Karnataka 5.74% According to sources, the disinfectant was the-spot decision made by the officers on the PER BARREL This, according to sources, is because state- 4.81% Gujarat 5.23% a combo of sodium hypochlorite and water, request of locals,” said A Hemachandran, owned oil marketing companies are still absorb- but district authorities claimed only a plain Director General of Fire and Rescue ing the impact of the Centre’s `3 per litre hike in excise duties Source: National Disaster Management Authority solution of chlorine and water was used. Services, Kerala. on transport fuel made earlier this month. Spike in Kerala, UP; five more dead LOCKDOWN SIDE-EFFECTS Peacocks roam freely EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi out that the rate of increase in India has been slower than some of the de- KERALA continued to be the major veloped nations. in Malleswaram hotspot for coronavirus spread with “Technically, Covid-19 is still in a whopping 32 new cases being re- the local transmission stage in the BOSKY KHANNA @Bengaluru Animals and birds may not ported on Monday. The second big country as there has been no com- know why humans are not ven- spike in cases came from Uttar munity transmission as of now,” IMAGINE peacocks roaming turing out of their homes. As Pradesh, which reported 16 fresh in- said Health Ministry Joint Secretary the traffic-jammed streets of the deadly coronavirus fear fections. Karnataka reported five Lav Agarwal. Malleswaram or Banashankari grips the world and people are new cases. While reports put the to- At least five more deaths were re- or perching on your balcony. Or struggling at various levels, tal number of cases reported nation- ported on Monday from Punjab, a majestic tusker walking on cities are seeing empty roads as ally to have crossed 1,200, the Union A worker sprays disinfectants in Safdarjung West Bengal, Gujarat, Madhya the Karnataka-Kerala highway government has imposed travel health ministry’s bulletin released Hospital in Delhi on Monday | SHEKHAR YADAV Pradesh and Maharashtra, taking as if to see if the lockdown is in ban and a lockdown. at 10.30 am put the total number of 25 fresh cases in Delhi the total toll to 37. place! Or the Indian civet walk- Every resource is being de- confirmed cases at 1,071. The toll in Maharahstra, which ing freely during daytime at ployed to defeat this unkown The virus took 12 days to jump The total number of coronavirus cases has the second largest number of Meppayur Town, Kozhikode, or virus. But with human beings from 100 cases to 1,000 in India. How- in the national capital rose to 97 on cases after Kerala, has now touched a Nilgai outside a Noida mall. retreating, animals are slowly ever, it’s not in the community trans- Monday, with 25 fresh cases being 10. Among the deceased is an elderly And videos of herds of deer on perhaps reclaiming their mission stage according to the Un- reported in a day, the Delhi Health man who died in Mumbai. His swab A peacock seen on the roof of a house at Malleswaram in the Tirumala ghat roads have spaces. ion health ministry. Officials pointed Department said test came out positive. Bengaluru on Monday gone viral on social media. CONTINUED ON: P5 ALMANAC TODAY MIN MAX Sunrise 6.16 am Tuesday 31/03/2020 Year: Sarvari Ayana : Uttharayana Ritu: Vasantha 0 350C Sunset 6.31 pm Masa: Chaitra Paksha: Shukla Tithi: Sapthami 10.19 pm Nakshatra: 19 C Moonrise 11.07 am Mrigashira 2.01 pm Moon in Mithuna Rashi Rahukaala: 03:00 am to 04:30 am WEATHER FORECAST Gulikakala: 12:00 pm to 01:30 pm Yamaganda: 09:00 am to 10:30 am WATCH Sunny Moonset 12.00 pm

BENGALURU TUESDAY 02 31l03 l2020 newindianexpress com BBMP to Call to turn vacant flats feed 1 lakh into quarantine centres workers BOSKY KHANNA @Bengaluru Realtors welcome idea, officials mull ways of implementation “WE ate tomato rice on Mon- BOSKY KHANNA@Bengaluru HOTELS FOR day and that was the only ISOLATION UNITS meal we had. We are glad we MANY ready-to-move-in flats did not leave or else we too in the city are lying vacant as Bengaluru: The Bruhat would have been stranded on there are no takers. So why Bengaluru Mahanagara roads. Our families are call- not convert them into quaran- Palike (BBMP) has identified ing us but we have explained tine units, is a suggestion non-air-conditioned hotels that there is no bus or train. from many people. which will converted into We at least have a shelter for Realtors from across the quarantine centres. The the night,” says Satyashob- city, real estate associations, state government will pay han Mohapatra (39), a la- and even RERA-K officials the room rent for the bourer from Odisha. are now thinking of ways to number of days the patients SUMMER’S LAP He and 30 others live in a implement this suggestion. will stay and for food. The Bereft of vehicular movement following the 21-day nationwide lockdown owing to the coronavirus scare, an undisturbed street five-room lodge in Kalasi- Vishnuvardhan Reddy, hotels have been directed to in NR Colony in Bengaluru is blanketed by a carpet of jacaranda, heralding summer | NAGARAJA GADEKAL palya and pay Rs 80- 90 per member of Real Estate (Regu- use disposable cutlery. The day as rent which has now lation and Development Act), hotels are: Sabarwal been waived off, but food is Karnataka, told The New In- Residency, Sudamanagar still a problem. dian Express that many gov- (50 rooms); Emirates Hotel, Some of them go to an In- ernment constructed units BTM layout (40); Empire, 12 lakh await social schemes pension dira Canteen nearby in twos like those built by the Banga- Koramangala 5th Block and threes, or obtain food lore Development Authority (39); Silicrest, Koramangala S LALITHA @Bengaluru “These sums start from Rs 500. from NGOs distributing food and Karnataka Housing mercial units as quarantine 4th Block (30); Oyo Currently, only four offices are to homeless workers. Board, are lying vacant. centres. Amethyst, Jayanagar 5th DUE to the 21-day lockdown, open in each of our 32 divi- “We have no food and we “These can be used as quar- Kishor Jain, CREDAI Ben- Block (32); Ramakrishna the state postal department sions. Even they are function- cannot go out as the police antine centres. They are bet- galuru president said that if Lodge, Gandhinagar (200); now has small sums in its pos- ing only with skeletal staff as hit us. Do not give us packed ter than private ones because it’s unsold, the entire unit can Hotel Citadel, Anand Rao session, which are to be handed many have chosen to apply for meals that suffice only for most private properties lack be used as a quarantine cen- Circle (111); Likith over to nearly 12 lakh benefi- leave on account of the out- one person. Give us rations. basic facilities. The ones con- tre, but not individual homes International, Gandhinagar ciaries under various schemes break. Booking of letters or Even if its rice and dal, it is structed by the government as it will create fear. Though (70), Fortune Park JP of the social welfare parcels isn’t happening and we fine. We will cook, khichdi, should have all basic facilities there is no request from the Celestial, Sampangi department. are permitting only deposit or dal- rice or sambar-rice, like water, electricity and oth- government, the idea is being ramanagara (129); Arafa With just a skeletal staff withdrawal of cash for Person- rasam-rice and feed our- er amenities, and can be put mulled among the Inn, Gandhinagar (46); functioning due to the lock- al Savings Bank account hold- selves and others. We do not to immediate use,” he said. stakeholders. Lemon Tree Premier, Ulsoor down, door-to-door delivery ers,” he said. want to be a burden on oth- He added that Karnataka A senior FICCI member (60); Keys Select, Hosur services have been stopped. “People should visit the near- ers,” Stayashobhan said. can also follow the example of added that since the real es- Road (120); Chalukya Hotel, However, the postal depart- est post offices to collect these Five days after the lock- Maharashtra, where unused tate sector is seeing a lull and Chalukya Circle (70); Oyo ment on Monday worked out a sums. Most of the beneficiaries down was announced, the government offices have been many units are vacant, they Town, near Ulsoor lake (28); strategy to tackle the issue and are spread across rural areas BBMP has worked out meas- converted into quarantine can be converted into quaran- Sri Lakshmi PG, Domlur (27); the services are likely to re- and do not use ATMs to with- ures to supply food packets units as logistics-wise, they tine units. The FICCI member Keys Select Whitefield by sume shortly. draw money,” he added. to nearly one lakh labourers were a better option. added that discussions among Lemon Tree Hotel, ITPL Main Postmaster General, Bengal- On the safety measures being stranded in the city. Those associated with the the members, stake holders Road (220); and Trinity uru region, S Rajendra Kumar, put in place for visitors, Kumar The BBMP has partnered real estate sector are welcome and with the government, Wood Hotel, ITPL Main said that the cash has to be dis- said that markings have been with 12 organisations and to the idea of opening their were being held and a deci- Road (25). tributed under the categories drawn outside counters to en- People stand at demarcated slots to citizens for the supply of unused apartment and com- sion will soon be taken. of old age pension, widow pen- sure social distancing and sani- maintain social distance at Ramdurg 2,33,669 meals a day, includ- sion and disabled pension. tiser is available everywhere. post office in Belagavi district ing 1,75,700 meals from In- dira Canteens. Bengaluru Mayor M SEASON DAMPENER Goutham Kumar said Ak- shay Patra Foundation would 40,000 cartons con- taining rice, pulses, oil, veg- etables, and masala that can Viral effect: King of fruits is here, but isn’t able to reach people feed one person for 21-days provided while 17,000 meals ASHWINI M SRIPAD @Bengaluru mango growers in the country. aren’t able to pluck mangoes as fruits to Mumbai, Ahmedabad stones, many of our crops are would be supplied by Jain It grows mangoes in 1.7 lakh they cannot step out,” he said. and other places outside Karna- damaged and now the virus has International Traders THE one thing that everyone hectares in 16 districts, includ- Gowda said one of the major taka. However, now, with roads just made it worse,’’ he added. Association. looks forward to, during sum- ing Kolar, Chikkaballapura, problems is transportation and being blocked, they cannot Chinnappa Reddy, President BBMP Commissioner B H mer, is mangoes — the king of Dharwad and Ramanagara. marketing. “We are not getting transport it. Recently, growers of Kolar Mango Growers asso- Anil Kumar added that Rs 10 fruits. However, here’s a damp- Chikka Byregowda from Ra- any vehicles for transporta- from Ramanagara appealed to ciation said the yield is expect- lakh has been released to all ener for mango lovers — this managara Mango Growers As- tion. Also, there is no APMC the District Commissioner to ed to come by end of April or eight zones to supply food year, the yield has decreased sociation said that in their dis- yard here at this time. We can- arrange selling of fruits in vari- first week of May. “We are hop- and essentials. and owing to the outbreak of trict, there are over 5,000 mango not leave the fruits on the tree ous apartment complexes ing the issue will be resolved by A government school near coronavirus, farmers have growers. This year, the yield for long. We also can’t keep it through BBMP. “Through this, that time. In Karnataka, we do Kanishka Hotel has been stopped harvesting the fruit for has already started coming in for long after being plucked,’’ farmers can sell their crop di- not have any pulp industry, so converted into a rehabilita- transport and selling. at Ramanagara and Channapa- he said. rectly,’’ he added. “If not this, we send it to Tamil Nadu and tion centre where 60 people Karnataka is among the top ttana. “In many places, people Every year, he would send we will lose our crops. With hail Andhra Pradesh,’’ he said. were shifted.

THE PHANTOM Test your number crunching CROSS WORD skill with our unique puzzle

PETER VIDAL 31 st March : Cautious alignments are emphasised today. In my opinion it’s SU DO KU a day for us all to slow down and take stock, even if our personal horoscopes disagree. Concentrate on what you can achieve in practical terms, and leave speculation for later. Today, I’m planning to steer clear of distractions like phone calls and emails and hope that, by the end of the day, I’ve actually got something to show for my efforts!

ARIES (Mar 21 - Apr. 20) LIBRA (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23) Life is a drama, and there is If you want to have a one particular role that you peaceful existence, then alone can play. The problem please stop making so many HI AND LOIS is that the way things look at the mountains out of so few molehills. To present, you may end up having to pay be perfectly plain, it is about time you as well! It will be truly galling to have stopped worrying about other people to foot the bill on top of putting in so making a mess of their lives, and much effort. started trusting them instead. TAURUS (Apr. 21 - May 21) SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) If brand new involvements You should continue or associations are to to stick out for what you flourish as you hope, know to be right and just. EVIL Solutions to Yesterday’s puzzle everything must be above board from Also, be sure that with the Moon the word go. It is only fair to point out sailing through sensible regions of ■ Fill in the grid that if a partner does practise a little your chart, other people will be on your BEETLE BAILEY with digits in such deception, it will only be because they case, so no ducking out at the last a manner that every wish for the best. minute. If you do let someone else down, do it gently. row, every column GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) and every 3X3 box Personal trouble will only SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 22) arise now if you allow It’s true to say that in a accommodates the partners to feel left out, matter of weeks you will digits 1 to 9, without taken for granted or otherwise unfairly forget that you were ever repeating any. neglected. If that is indeed the case, racked by indecision, or that you were you will have to make amends sooner pulled in so many directions at once ■ Each sudoku has a unique solution that can be rather than later. If an apology is called that you thought you were going to reached logically without guessing. for, then summon up all your courage explode. However, you can expect to and offer it. change your mind one more time. CANCER (June 22 - July 23) CAPRICORN (Dec. 23 - Jan. 20) ACROSS DOWN Good, solid social Your discreet Capricornian BLONDIE 1 A tie worn widely (6) 1 Craft of many wise people (8) influences indicate that imagination should now be 4 Sailor sent to quarters for 2 It turns up before five in a city business (8) ordinary, friendly on show. If it’s being a defaulter (8) 3 People go crazy running it (4) meetings will be very much more entertainment you’re after, a spot of 9 Share out in rota perhaps (6) 5 Their bliss is shattered in the pleasant than potentially explosive, culture should go down well, and if 10 Half-lick of a cat on hand (8) United Kingdom (7,5) passionate encounters. If you routine work dominates your day, bring ask for total commitment from a a little of your creative passion to bear: 12 Hollow warning (4) 6 It’s flat and square (4) partner at any time over the next partners will appreciate it. 13 A sedentary occupation (3-2) 7 A little dessert (6) 14 Break seal to get the drink (4) 8 Very strange verse on love (4,2) ten days, you may get more than AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) you bargained for. 17 Fixing this bangle is complicated (12) 11 It’s bound to include all those The full significance of a 20 He may be objecting to modern who stay at a hotel (8,4) LEO (July 24 - Aug. 23) social invitation, or even of You tend to divulge only an accusation, is not yet arts perhaps (12) 15 Ran out - of water (5) what you want others to clear. This is hardly your fault, so don’t 23 A spirit of the garden (4) 16 Ranks as a creature of hear, and this might be a let others blame you just because they LOCKHORNS DENNIS THE MENACE 24 Show into Poe’s house? (5) Carroll’s imagination (5) very wise policy at home. For the next couldn’t organise a decent get- 25 I’d turn in at the entrance (4) 18 Its aim is to produce winners of course (4,4) two weeks, it is almost impossible to together. They have to take 28 The cause of Ironside’s confusion? (8) 19 Les Miserables - or the Turn of the Screw (8) predict how partners will react. You’ll responsibility for their own actions - or 29 Phrase possibly carved over the tomb (6) 21 Conflict over a study for the one in charge (6) be walking on egg-shells part of the lack of action. time, so tread lightly. 30 Am as keen to gain a similar title (8) 22 Business may be started with it (6) PISCES (Feb. 20 - Mar 20) 31 Legendary banking 26 Goddess who emphatically exists (4) VIRGO (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23) The Piscean temperament characters of Zurich? (6) 27 Darned bad news (4) Although you are right to should be nicely make as much effort soothed by today’s helpful as you do to please those words and hopeful promises. There YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS you care for, it is fair of you is a vague chance that something to expect them to return the favour. might run into a brick wall. Perhaps Across: 1 Dutch, 4 Charles Dickens, 8 Cue, 9 Dissemble, 10 Eastern, 11 Tie-up, 13 Stripe, 15 Prison, Hopefully a family member, or you will collide head-first with reality, 18 Maria, 19 Empower, 21 Reputable, 23 Eye, 24 Tapered, 25 Every. someone you’ve been living with, either in the form of financial Yesterday’s will reconsider their previously restrictions or opposition Down: 2 Treasurer, 3 Hedge, 4 Casino, 5 Abettor, 6 Lob, 7 Steep, 12 Elsewhere, 14 Planter, unhelpful response. from a close partner. 16 Nursery, 17 Sea bed, 18 Merit, 20 Piece, 22 Pep. As precautionary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus, Karnataka Examination Authority has postponed the Common Entrance Test 2020, which was scheduled from April 22 tot 24 (including the Kannada language test). Revised time table will soon be announced, said the executive director

BENGALURU TUESDAY 03 31l03 l2020 newindianexpress com Top cop issues curfew diktat to his men CM’s APPEAL Says passes should be issued only for essential services; newspaper vans shouldn’t be stopped ‘Lifting of lockdown

Bengaluru police commissioner Bhaskar Rao on Monday issued 15 instructions to his subordinates and staff, both law and order and depends on people’ traffic, to be followed strictly. Rao also appreciated all policemen working day and night to keep people safe and told them that the ‘No Lathi’ initiative in the past two days has got good feedback. EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE was not good to come out of @Bengaluru homes in violation of the cur- few. “If one follows curfew DOs AND DON’Ts WITH the number of COV- strictly, the lockdown will au- n Milk, newspaper, vegetables, cash vans to ATMs shouldn’t be stopped ID-19 positive cases continuing tomatically end on April 14. to rise, Chief Minister BS Whether to end the lockdown n Social distancing marks in front of vegetable, provision, medical Yediyurappa on Monday ap- or not is in your hands,” the stores — either painted or marked with chalk pealed to people to “strictly fol- CM said. n Public relations counter at all police stations, handled by senior ASI low the lockdown as its with- Expressing displeasure over or head constable; issues to be brought to notice of ACPs/DCPs drawal will depend on how people roaming on the streets, strictly we follow it”. the CM said it has come to the n L&O, traffic police of all stations to work together, barricade “People of Karnataka are government’s notice that in arterial roads to spot people commuting unnecessarily known for tolerance and pa- some urban centres, people are tience. Now, the coronavirus brazenly violating curfew n Seize all vehicles without passes and without emergency, book A man drives past a road cordoned off during the nationwide lockdown, in Bengaluru on Monday | NAGARAJA GADEKAL lockdown has come to test the cases against people, record seizure rules, forcing the police to act. patience of our people,” the “Policemen are also human n Passes to be issued only for essential services, not as personal CM said in a statement. beings like us; don’t test their favour for known people; DCP, ACP, PI to direct subordinates to At a time when the perfor- patience. Already, our police check passes issued at checkpoints Ensure cops show restraint: HC mance of developed countries are under stress as they are on this front is miserable, pre- working without rest. Don’t n ‘No Lathi’ got good response, so behave patiently with people; EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE and Justice B V Nagarathna is- HC ASKS STATE TO TAKE STEPS cautionary measures put in force them to use force and if they don’t heed, act strictly @Bengaluru sued this direction through TO DECONGEST PRISONS place by the central govern- blame them for stern action,” n Work with BBMP officers, inform PG accommodation owners not to video conference. The Karnataka High Court ment are yielding results, he the CM said. trouble inmates, provide food; landlords shouldn’t trouble tenants THE Karnataka High Court on The bench also asked the on Monday directed the said. “Our respect for him Stating that the government Monday asked the Director DG&IGP to issue a circular to state government to take (PM) lies in our abidance of has taken measures to main- n Police to work in 3 shifts; masks, sanitiser, food for everyone General and Inspector General police across the state similar steps to release undertrial his order,” the CM added, re- tain the supply of essential of Police to issue directions to to the one issued by the City Po- ferring to the Prime Min- items as well as food for n Those with medical emergencies to be picked from homes in prisoners on interim bail and Hoysalas, dropped to hospitals; if critical, call ambulance police to show restraint from lice Commissioner asking po- eligible convicts on parole to ister’s call to people to the needy, Yediyurappa using lathis and show courtesy lice personnel to leave the la- decongest the prisons to avoid strictly comply with asked people to consider n Advise people not to come out for morning, evening walks; and patience towards citizens this in stations and asked the spread of COVID-19. measures to fight the current situation as make announcement in localities while enforcing the lockdown . reserve police personnel to use Meanwhile, the state government COVID-19. a blessing in disguise, The court was hearing a public lathi if necessary for bando- informed the court that Requesting peo- and spend valuable n Address issues faced by people from Bihar, Odisha, Northeast in interest litigation against alleged bust in Bengaluru city. It said committees at district level will ple to stay at time reading city, bring to notice of top officers police excess/lathicharge on the that a copy of the circular be identify undertrial prisoners with home, the CM books and getting n Ensure that sponsors don’t do social service for publicity people for violating the guide- placed before the court on the offences up to 7 years said that in involved in crea- lines issued by Home Ministry to next date of hearing. At the imprisonment. It has also this hour of tive activities in n Senior officers to supply sanitiser, masks to family of staffers prevent the spread of COVID-19. same time, the citizens should co- undertaken steps for crisis, it their homes. A division bench of Chief operate with the administration, n Coordinate with BBMP officials for fumigation of police quarters, stations identification of convicted Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka the bench said. prisoners for release on parole.

MP/MLA WATCH With the lockdown leaving the poor in dire straits, and with migrant workers Cleaning staff ‘Nation Cares fund on the move, the issues challenging the government are manifold. Mobilising funds and contributing in cash and kind, NGOs and people’s representatives fear social would be better name’ are attempting to reach food to all. ostracism SUMALATHA AMBAREESH EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Bengaluru K SHIVA KUMAR @Mysuru CONSTITUENCY: Mandya SENIOR Congress leader and former presi- Sumalatha has released `1 cr from her MPLAD fund to THE fight against the novel dent of state Congress unit Dinesh Gundu the Indian govt. She also released `50 lakh to purchase coronavirus faces a new chal- Rao on Monday said ‘Nation Cares’ would ventilators at VIMS Hospital, besides contributing `2 lakh lenge in the city, as around 150 have been a better name than the ‘PM Cares’ each to the PM’s and CM’s funds. She is in touch with district officials and has cleaning staff of K R Hospital Fund — an initiative started by the Prime appealed for contributions to PM Cares and also to people to remain indoors. Police officers stop and question people out on roads with their vehicles during and Cheluvamba Hospital re- Minister to draw funds to fight the the lockdown, on JC Road, in Bengaluru on Monday | NAGARAJA GADEKAL fused to continue their work COVID-19. apprehending social ostracism Taking to social media platform to ques- V SRINIVASA PRASAD PRATAP SIMHA in their villages. tion the PM, the Congress leader stated: “To CONSTITUENCY: Chamarajanagar CONSTITUENCY: Mysuru- Kodagu They fear that they will use the name #PMCARES reeks of our PM Prasad donated He contributed Cops to seize vehicles, be boycotted by their fellow using relief works to promote himself. We one month’s salary `1 cr from his villagers who feel that they already have the National Relief Fund. Why and `1 cr from MPLAD fund to carry the dreaded virus. Many We already have this? Maybe #NationCares would have been the National MPLAD funds to PM PM Cares, apart of them said they were told not a better name. Anyway, let us all contribute book commuters Relief Fund. Why Cares. Prasad has from `1 lakh to return to the villages for a and work together to tackle the this? Maybe avoided touring his from his salary. EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE missioner Bhaskar Rao has few weeks. They now wish to #NationCares #CovidCrisis.” @Bengaluru directed his men that all vehi- give up their jobs as they don’t would have been Historian Ramachandra Guha too ques- constituency, so that He is working with senior officials cles seized on Sunday should want to carry the “stigma”, a better name. tioned the need for a new fund when a Prime his supporters don’t of Mysuru and Kodagu districts. CRACKING down on people be released after warning the they said. Anyway, let us Minister’s National Relief Fund already ex- violate curfew. He is in touch with The MP is utilising social media to taking out their vehicles un- vehicle owners that if they Although they have respond- all contribute to ists. “And why the self-aggrandising name, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar district reach out to his followers. He has necessarily amidst the lock- are caught again, vehicles ed to the hospital authorities’ tackle PM-CARES? Must a colossal national tragedy officials, and has directed them to ordered that 3,000 masks and #CovidCrisis down, the city police seized will not be released until the pleas not to apply for leave and also be (mis)used to enhance the cult of per- take measures, especially in view of sanitiser be sent to Hunsur and more than 2,000 vehicles on lockdown period is over. to work overtime during the Dinesh Gundu Rao sonality?” Guha tweeted. the positive cases in Nanjangud town. Periyapatna taluks. Sunday. City’s top cop warned Besides, Rao has instructed current medical emergency, that those who bring vehicles the police staff to continue seiz- their own concerns weigh on streets without a valid rea- ing of vehicles after creating heavily on their minds, son will be booked under the awareness among the public they said. 80-yr-old dies after provisions of the National that their vehicles will be seized Doctors at the hospitals Home-quarantined must post Disaster Management Act. if found roaming unnecessari- fear that a shortage of cleaning pvt hospital denies The police, who are trying ly and the same will not be re- staff will worsen the hard to enforce the lockdown leased until the lockdown ends. situation. selfies every hour, says minister strictly as many people can be He has directed that the police MCC and RI director her admission seen roaming in the city, have staff must video record the hap- C P Nanjaraja said they KARTHIK K K @Mysuru EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Bengaluru Meanwhile, Sudhakar inaugurated the decided to seize the vehicles. penings while seizing any vehi- have provided accommodation online training programme for doctors on Accordingly, the traffic and cle. Further, he has warned that and food to the cleaning AN elderly woman who developed WITH many breaking the home quaran- clinical case management, diagnosis & the law & order police had people roaming unnecessarily staff. He said many of them breathlessness died in Mysuru on Sun- tine guidelines, Karnataka Medical Edu- infection control in health care settings seized more than 2,000 vehi- will be booked under the provi- have wished to quit, but they day after she was denied treatment by cation Minister Dr K Sudhakar has is- and protocols to be followed across all cles on Sunday. sions of the National Disaster were dissuaded from doing private hospitals fearing that she may sued orders to keep a tab on them on a the hospitals for treating COVID19 cases. However, City Police Com- Management Act. so as their work is vital. have contracted COVID-19. mobile app. Those under home quaran- The training programme was conducted Vikas (name changed) an assistant pro- tine should click their photos and upload from NIMHANS Digital Academy and fessor alleged that two private hospitals on “quarantine watch mobile app” at nearly 100 doctors participated in the WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH refused to treat his 80-year-old grandmoth- every one hour. Those who fail to abide by same. The training is an interactive ses- er who was a heart patient and also had the order will be shifted to mass quaran- sion where top notch doctors, subject ex- asthma. “On Saturday, she complained of tine centres. perts and specialists will share their illness so we took her to the nearest private The order stated, “All persons knowledge on youtube and train the doc- Doctors-turned-MLAs willing nursing home but they refused to treat her. under home quarantine should send their tors to be battle ready. We then took her to another private hospi- selfies to government every one hour Dr Sachidananda, Vice Chancellor, tal on Narayana Shastry Road. They too from home to the quarantine watch mo- RGUHS, Dr Nagaraj, Director RGICD and to don white coats again refused and also behaved rudely,” he said. bile app.” other experts took part. He said that they called another private “Selfie or photo contains GPS coordi- BANSY KALAPPA @Bengaluru day through a supply network. ing kits and ventilators. hospital to check if they would admit her, nates. So the location of the sender gets Son of former CM Siddara- Ranganath said the number but officials they suggested they take her known. If home quarantine persons fail AS the novel coronavirus maiah and Varuna MLA Dr of positive cases could be low is to Jayadeva Hospital on KRS road. “By the to send selfie every hour ( except during threatens to drive India to Stage Yathindra Siddaramaiah too because there is a shortage of time we took her there it was too late. She sleeping hours from 10 PM to 7 AM) then 3, two MLAs who are qualified volunteered to help, saying, “If test kits, If more kits are avail- was declared dead at 4am on Sunday. We the government team will reach their medical practitioners, are con- there is a need, I am willing to able at this critical stage, the said she had no history of foreign travel. houses and shift them to mass quarantine sidering volunteering to help serve as a doctor.” Dr Yathin- numbers could be much higher. She was not in contact with other people, facility”. “ Every selfie sent by home the people of the state. dra, a trained pathologist, said He added that the govern- but hospitals still refused admission.” quarantine person is seen by government This comes at a time when there are only 500 test kits in ment needs to deal with the When contacted, the private hospital photo verification team. If wrong photos visuals of an MLA from Kerala Mysuru which are being used coronavirus pandemic with in Vidyaranyapuram said they had are sent, the defaulters will be sent to carrying a sack of grains are for people who have had prima- knowledge and experience stopped all treatment and admission. mass quarantine.” doing the rounds on social me- ry or secondary contact with gathered from across the world. The teams doing physical inspection dia, with people asking what COVID-19 patients, or people He suggested that people aged will also use the same app to post Karnataka MLAs are doing. with severe flu-like symptoms. over 70 could be segregated the updates. Dr Ranganath, who gave up There are only 15 ventilators even in families. EXPRESS READ medical practice to contest in Mysuru, and the administra- Yathindra was concerned elections and is MLA from tion has assured me that it will about the order to quarantine Woman assaulted for Kunigal, about 70 km from Ben- get 22 more, he said. Clearly, about 1,000 people who came in feeding stray dogs galuru, told TNIE that he is there is a need to get more test- contact with a COVID victim in willing to serve as a doctor in Nanjangud. He said they must Bengaluru: Residents of Sahakarnagar any centre where he may be diligently quarantine themselves, allegedly threatened a woman and hit her needed, as there is a need for otherwise the fight to contain the while she was feeding stray dogs. health workers at all levels -- virus could get more difficult. Kodigehalli police registered a case and from OPDs to ICUs. He said that the poor in many further investigations are on. Police said Ranganath is the brother-in- areas faced a huge food short- that Fazana, a resident of JC Nagar on law of KPCC president DK Shi- age, and asked the authorities Sunday, was feeding stray dogs when a vakumar. He heads an opera- to do away with unnecessary local threatened her. A few others joined tion to ensure food is delivered (left) Dr Ranganath and restrictions like OTP numbers their neighbour. One of them pointed an air to the homes of the poor every Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah to receive rations. gun at her and Fazana hit back. ENS Isolated Samples collected TOTAL 49 at health facilities 172 for testing CONFIRMED 91 Samples CASES KALABURAGI 3 207 negative

BENGALURU TUESDAY BELLARY 04 3103 2020 Samples DHARWAD 3 5 positive 1 TALLY ON UTTAR TUMAKURU 2 C 7 KANNADA COVID-19 HELPLINES MONDAY 3 DAVENGERE CHIKKABALLAPURA 8 91TOTAL COUNT PASSENGERS Except a few departments, leave for all government employees has 104 UDUPI 080-46848600 Arogya SCREENED IN KARNATAKA 3 41 been extended till April 14. The departments exempted are Health and 456 BENGALURU Family Welfare, Transport, Food and Civil Supplies, Income Tax, Sahayavani will DAKSHIN function too 7 Medical Education, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Internal, 080-66692000 Under 1,28,226 KANNADA Urban Development, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and RECOVERED6 observation MYSURU 12 Information and Public Relations departments. ENS 1 KODAGU ction against ocs, nurses to be FLOUTING RULES schools forcing booed parents to pay trained online in for violating fees: Edu in quarantine @Bengaluru handling ventilators ENS

FOLLOWING complaints ANUSHA RAVI @Bengaluru guidelines by parents, Primary and Secondary Education Min- WITH the number of COV- ENS @Bengaluru ister Suresh Kumar on Mon- ID-19 cases on the rise, the day warned schools affili- Karnataka government is not TO send out a strong mes- ated to CBSE, ICSE and limiting itself to procuring sage to those violating home state boards not to collect ventilators, but is also taking quarantine guidelines, cas- fees and donations from stu- measures to equip its doctors es were registered against dents for the academic year to use them. Starting this 10 persons who travelled 2020-2021 and warned that week, the state government from Bengaluru to their vil- they would have to face “le- will launch online training for lage in Yadgir district in gal consequences, including A deserted KR Circle in Mysuru on Monday, Day 5 of the country-wide lockdown I UDAYSHANKAR S doctors, paramedical staff and North Karnataka, without criminal cases”. support medical staff at every informing authorities. He said, “Some private district level on how to use a “Nobody can dodge the educational institutions are ventilator, and treat and care long arm of the law. Ten per- insisting on payment of fees for patients who are on venti- sons, who were under home- in April and May and send- lator. A host of specialists — caregivers as well. “The quarantine in Bengaluru ing reminders to parents HANDLING OF 3 CITIES government and private — schedule for online training and escaped to their native, and warning them of fines have been roped in to train will begin in a day or two. We were arrested and a case has for delayed payments. other doctors online, as well as will connect the trainers with been registered against them The Department of Pub- on-ground, on need basis. trainees via online platforms at Gurumitkal (in Yadgir) po- lic Instruction has issued a “The government is consid- batch-wise.” Dr Ashwath lice station,” Bruhat Bengal- circular that the admission CRITICAL IN COVID FIGHT ering widespread ventilator Narayan, who is part of the uru Mahana- process and collection of training to all doctors across government’s task force to gara Palike fees for 2020-21 for students Officials to launch info drive in Mysuru, Shivamogga, Tumakuru the state. We have identified tackle the COVID-19 crisis, Commis- continuing in the intensivists, pulmonologists said the government will not sioner BH same school BANSY KALAPPA @Bengaluru tion, meetings and video con- of the city. The homeless have and anesthesiologists. They discriminate among doctors, Anil Kumar shall be ferencing and has insisted that been sheltered in two large halls will train doctors on a TOT — whether trainers or trainees. tweeted. postponed HOW the state manages the ur- standards are maintained. His and they are being fed through Training of Trainers — basis. “We have involved the private According till the next ban centres will be extremely secretary Anjum Pervez, the the Indira Canteen. The largest We have already given a list of sector in tackling COVID-19 to the senior order in critical in the war against COV- three city corporation commis- market has been shifted from the doctors to train and receive and there will be no discrimi- IAS officer, all 10 were pri- view of the ID-19. And here is a look at how sioners and the officialdom crowded confines to the larger training to the government,” nation between private and mary contacts of a person COVID-19 three of the largest urban cen- have one common enemy—lack Dasara exhibition centre where said Dr C Nagaraja, director, government doctors,” he said. who tested positive for COV- crisis. tres in Southern Karnataka of awareness in the masses. social distancing can be main- SDS Tuberculosis Research The state government cur- ID-19 and were asked to stay Any institution violating brace themselves for the big- They have launched a massive tained. They have roped in the Centre & Rajiv Gandhi Insti- rently has about 900 ready-to- at home. After they left to the order will be held ac- gest bio-battle ever. Their suc- awareness drive to ensure the NGOs in this massive effort and tute of Chest Diseases. use ventilators and has placed their hometown, authorities countable under Education cess will make a difference in last resident is made aware. they help distribute food packets Deputy Chief Minister Dr orders for another 350 ventila- tracked them down and put Act, which includes fines, the war against the virus. Among the challenges they to the immigrant labourers. The CN Ashwath Narayan told tors. While about 100 of the them at an institutional cancellation of recognition Mysuru city, which is a three- face is ensuring the city is rations are supplied to individu- TNIE that the training will yet-to-be-procured ventilators quarantine facility in Yadg- for the institution and a hour drive from Bengaluru and sprayed with disinfectants. The al homes through corporation- not be limited to doctors but are ready to use, others need ir. They were working in criminal case with a population of under 20 next challenge is handling controlled vehicles. will be extended to nurses and to be manufactured. Bengaluru as domestic under the Epidemic Diseas- lakh, Tumakuru, an hour’s waste disposal the homes of Shivamogga has 35 wards helps and daily wage work- es Act 1887 and CrPC. Pri- drive away and with a popula- those who have returned from and is among the best man- ers, and had travelled to vate institutions must post- tion of about 5 lakh, and Shi- foreign countries are especially aged; the CM hails from here. STATE TO GET 471 VENTILATORS their village before the lock- pone admission and fee vamogga, about 7 hours drive marked and the quarantine Tumakuru too has 35 wards. Bengaluru: The state government placed an order for 321 ventilators on down was enforced. collection process for 2020- from here and also with a popu- quarters is monitored for the Among the relief measures, Sunday and 150 on Monday. They received nine ventilators on Sunday, The officer said action will 21, including students con- lation about 5 lakh, are the used gloves, masks etc. This what is noteworthy is that good and the supplier has 60 more ventilators for immediate use, health be initiated against them for tinuing in the school till the three urban centres. They have waste is picked up by trained relief is provided to the beg- and family welfare additional chief secretary Jawaid Akhtar said. “IISc not only risking their lives, next government order is been picked up for the tough and equipped pourakarmikas gars to ensure that they do not developed a test kit for corona samples which have been sent to the but also putting others at published.” fight they are putting up and disposed of scientifically. go from place to place. Indian Council of Medical Research for testing, and we are awaiting risk. The state has formed against the coronavirus. Mysuru has 5 wards spread Pourakarmikas in all these their approval,” he said. The plan is to first accommodate patients in 900 teams, comprising two Teachers’ leave Urban Development Minis- over three assembly segments places have been equipped with government hospitals, and if need be, to private hospitals. Existing officials each, to be in touch extended ter B A Basavraj who is the and has been divided into nine masks, gloves, hand sanitizers etc. patients will be covered under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka with those under quaran- The state has extended leave overall head of these three ur- zones. Three large and 25 small Will these three centres serve scheme. For those not covered, private hospitals will be reimbursed tine, and 50 Home uaran- granted to primary and high ban bodies monitors them trucks spray eco-friendly disin- as role models for the rest of based on the package rates of the Centre’s Health Scheme. ENS tine Enforcement squads school teachers till April 11. through telephonic conversa- fectants in the lanes and bylanes the state? have also been formed. ard days for all, EEN ECE, harder for tipplers N CE E H PREEJA PRASAD & yard will be open on Tuesday, RAMACHANDRA V GUNARI the suicidal tendency of alco- BOSKY KHANNA @Bengaluru Thursday and Saturday from @Shivamogga hol addicts. 10 am to 4 pm. The maximum He said, “The abrupt stop in YOU may have noticed several demand is for rice, pulses, THE near total lockdown ap- the supply of alcohol has grocery stores in the city shut sugar and wheat, he said. pears to have taken toll on tip- pushed the addicts to take the down, though they come un- “There is already one week’s plers as the supply of alcohol extreme step of ending their STATE MOSQUES TO SPREAD AWARENESS der essential services, forcing stock at the Yeshwanthpur has completely stopped. Seven lives. Thousands of people have citizens to throng a few shops yard. Fresh stocks coming alcoholics, including three in dependency on alcohol the non- Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Wakf Board has directed all that have been kept open. from Raichur, Kalaburagi and Dakshina Kannada, have com- availability of which has mosques in the state to play audio messages through The owner of Sri Vinayaka other parts of Karnataka will mitted suicide since Saturday. pushed them to a ‘craving state’ loudspeakers four times a day to spread awareness about Rice Traders, Prabhakar Red- last till April 15,” Lahoti said. At least 15 alcoholics have re- that starts within 2-3 days.” coronavirus. On Sunday, the chief executive officer of the board dy in Kaval Bairasandra, ago as there was a big demand. APMC Director Karee Gow- portedly died in three southern According to Dr Sandhya said mosques will have to play the messages in three languages, said, “When the lockdown We have ordered the stock, but da said, “There is no shortage. states in the last five days and Kaveri, psychiatrist and social and they will be played at 10 am, 4 pm, 6 pm and 8pm. ENS was announced, many people there is a transportation and On Monday alone, 2,000 metric experts attribute it to “with- worker, the major symptoms came to the store and bought labour problem, so I don’t think tonnes of onions and 10 metric drawal delirium state.” exhibited by alcoholics are items like rice, moong dal, we’ll get it anytime soon.” tonnes of potatoes entered Ben- Dr Harish Delantabettu of both physical and psychologi- K’BURAGI CASE RECOVERS DIGITAL MEET FOR DOCS toor dal and oil, in large quan- Yeshwanthpur APMC Yard galuru. Traders from Mysuru, Indian Psychiatric Society told cal. Anxiety, shaky hands, tities. We had stocks till Mon- Okkoota president Ramesh Bidadi, and Hoskote are coming Kalaburagi: Kalaburagi district Bengaluru: Medical experts The New Indian Express that headache, sleeplessness and day, but it is all over now. We Chandra Lahoti said that the to the city to get their stock.” administration announced on attended to concerns of at as withdrwal delirium state is sweating are some of them. normally stock 500-1,000 kg of Monday that of the two least 300 doctors from across a serious matter, the govern- They may also experience hal- rice. To get the stock, I have to COVID-19 positive cases in the the state, via a digital STOCKS COMING IN DAILY ment has to take steps to check lucination, she said. go to the APMC yard. I have district, one has tested conference. The session was RICE WHEAT SUGAR POTATO Dry chilli Are alcoholics vulnerable to applied for a curfew pass and negative after treatment. The on detection, care and COVID-19? Dr Delantabettu once I get it, I will get the 30 tonnes, cases were the primary treatment of COVID-19 1,000 20 500 10,000 50 kg bag said, “most of them consume stock and open the store.” metric tonnes in tonnes metric bags, 55-YR-OLD COMMITS contacts of the first coronavirus patients, and self-care. It was tobacco in various forms like The owner of Karnataka 40 trucks--25 in 10 tonnes in 50 kg Garlic 3000 SUICIDE UNDER LOCKDOWN related death in India. ENS facilitated by NIMHANS. ENS Hassan: A 55-year-old man, jarda or cigarettes. Most of Rice Traders on BEL Road said, tonnes per truck trucks 25 lorries each bags, 40 kgs Vishakantegowda (55), them cough and have respira- “Our stock got over four days committed suicide by hanging tory problems. Considering himself in Manchenahalli, this, alcoholics more vulnera- Channarayapatna taluk, late ble to COVID-19. The addicts TOUGH TIMES night on Sunday. The deceased should not become a prey to the took the extreme step after coronavirus.” being inflicted by multiple Some addicts have reached diseases over the years. The the state of committing suicide roules ount or illagers in and around MM ills deceased lives in Mumbai, but out of depression within 2-3 had come to his hometown for days of non-availability of alco- Ugadi, which is when the hol, he said. K SHIVA KUMAR @Mysuru hours from 7 am and for anoth- at Indiganatha, Kokkere and ments of elephants. We cannot lockdown was imposed. The absence of liquor has er three hours in the evening. Kundige which do not have even not return in the evening because made many rural people turn LIFE is always tough for the 100 This is where their difficulties proper pathways to the outside of the same reason”, said Linga- to hooch which is risky and odd families living in the uneven compound. world. They depend on donkeys raju, a former village panchayat its makers find an opportu- terrains of Male Mahadeshwara It takes about four hours to to transport foodgrains, ma- member of Padasulanatha. nity to make money now. Hills. And the ongoing lockdown reach the shops, meaning they nures and construction materi- He said the district adminis- has made it even tougher. have to start early in the morning als like cement and bricks. tration should direct the forest Matchbox or tea dust, they when the movements of wild ani- The villagers pay Rs 100-150 for department to supply essentials have to travel 10-12 km through mals is more. If they buy essen- a trip to transport essentials from in jeeps in the absence of per- forests to buy essentials at tials in the evening, they face a the shops. It takes them almost mission to lay motorable roads. shops near MM Hills temple or similar problem in the darkness. the whole for a return journey. Price rise and depleting stocks Maratahalli. With the lock- Without roads and public living at Tulsikere, Indigana- “We cannot start before 9 am of essential items because of the down in force, the shops are al- transport, connectivity has tha, Padasalanatha, Doddanne, from our interior villages as restrictions is another issue they lowed to remain open only for 3 been an issue for the families Tekkede and Kundih. It is worse there will be increased move- are confronting now. With human activity coming to a halt, wild animals are making forays into areas that were off-limits to them earlier in Tirupati. In the past few days, residents of Alipiri have frequently sighted spotted deer, sambhar and wild boars in large numbers.

BENGALURU TUESDAY 05 31l03 l2020 newindianexpress com TN, KERALA SEE SHARP RISE IN CORONA CASES Tamil Nadu has 17 new coronavirus cases, five of them from Chennai alone Kerala sees spike with 32 new cases; 17 imported, 15 their direct contacts

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Chennai a resident of a southern suburban area in Chennai. SEVENTEEN people tested posi- With six patients having been tive for COVID-19 on Monday mak- discharged and one dead, Tamil Northern districts ing it the biggest jump in Tamil Nadu has a total of 60 active COV- Nadu so far and taking the total to ID-19 cases under treatment. A total 67, Chief Minister Edappadi K of 120 more samples are under pro- in Kerala a worry Palaniswami said on Monday. Of cess, according to the bulletin. the 17 cases, 10 are in Erode dis- Health Minister C Vijayabaskar trict, five in Chennai, one in Ma- tweeted saying Union Health Minis- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ T’Puram durai and one in Karur. ter Harsh Vardhan called him over He was speaking to reporters af- phone and enquired about the cur- THIRTY-TWO new positive cases, mostly from Kasaragod ter reviewing preventive measures rent situation in the State. and Kannur, compounded the worries of the state on Mon- put in place. Asked about the rea- Of the five patients who tested day when the elderly couple from Pathanamthitta recov- son for the sudden surge, positive in Chennai, four are family ered following a laudable effort by the Health Palaniswami said, “A group of members of the 25-year-old man Department. 1,500 people had gone to Delhi re- from West Mambalam who tested The couple, aged 93 and 88, was admitted to the Govern- cently. Tests have so far been con- positive on March 28 after his re- ment Medical College Hospital, Kottayam earlier this ducted on 981 of them. Many of turn from the US. The four include month after they contracted the virus from the three- those who were part of this group a 15-year-old girl, a 20-year-old man, member family who had returned from Italy. have contracted infection. Only be- a 52-year-old woman and a 76-year- 1 Meanwhile, the fresh cases were reported from Kerala’s cause of this, the number of posi- old woman. All are undergoing northern districts – Kasaragod (17), Kannur (11) and Way- tive cases has gone up in treatment at a private hospital. 2 anad and Idukki (two each). Of them, 17 are imported Tamil Nadu.” As many as 11 of the 17 persons ‘Peafowl found AP cases at 23 cases and 15 their direct contacts. On the brighter side, a woman who tested positive on Monday are Vijayawada: COVID- “There is no community transmission in the state. who tested positive on March 24 said to have had direct or indirect in B’luru’s small 19 positive cases in While 17 are imported cases, others are of those who was discharged from Kilpauk Med- contact with the two Thailand na- Andhra Pradesh came into contact with them. Their tests were done when ical College Hospital after she re- tionals who earlier tested positive forest pockets’ touched 23 on they were under the Health Department’s surveillance,” covered, a media bulletin issued by for COVID-19 and are undergoing Monday morning Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told mediapersons. the Directorate of Public Health on treatment at Perundurai in Erode with a 49-year-old Meanwhile, with the number of positive Monday said. The woman had a district. This includes the 10 pa- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 man from Kakinada cases at Kasargod touching 97, the Chief travel history to Switzerland and is tients in Erode district. and a 72-year-old Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that AS the coronavirus crisis and man from some urgent interventions will be the 21-day lockdown changes the Rajamahendravaram made at the district for ensuring ven- rythms of urban life, animals in East Godavari tilators and other health care facilities are exploring the cities. 3 district tested including dialysis units. Nature lovers and residents positive for the “The government held talks with the are delighted that the animals virus. According to representatives of Confederation of Indian are pushing the boundaries. the medical bulletin Industry. They had agreed to set up dialysis units at Over the last two weeks, resi- issued by the State Kasargod on a fast-paced manner. This is of great help to dents have not just heard the Government, a total the government especially when Karnataka government calls of many birds, but have of 33 samples have is yet to amend its stance on disallowing even patients even got the chance to spot them, been tested since needing critical care to enter their state,” added Vijayan. which wasn’t possible earlier. Sunday night of Mentioning on the state government’s intervention to Residents of Malleswaram, Ba- which 31 tested clear the blockade set up by Karnataka border roads, the nashankari, Rajarajeshwari Na- negative and two CM said that Kerala is optimistic about gar and Sadashivanagar were in tested positive. the matter. for a treat when they saw pea- Corporation workers spray “Though Kerala take up the matter with the Union 1 disinfectants on Chennai roads Health officials are People with alcohol withdrawal syndrome admitted to Institute of Mental Health in cocks in their area. now busy getting Cabinet Secretary and Union Minister for Chemicals Hyderabad on Monday | R V K RAO “The roads of Malleswaram 2 Military police distributes food to the travel history of and Fertilizers DV Sadananda Gowda, who has been and Sadashivanagar, which are the homeless in Chennai the two patients made in charge of Kerala for coordinating the Covid-19 normally packed with traffic, are related activities, nothing turned up. Then on Sunday, 3 A woman wears mask at a market in and will release the now silent. To my surprise, I saw Tirupati on Monday details in the a call was made to the Prime Minister’s Office. Follow- 100 with alcohol withdrawal peafowls twice since the lock- evening medical ing that Union Home Minister Amit Shaw called. The down. This spells hope for Ben- PICTURES| R SATISH BABU, DEBADATTA bulletin. state apprised him about the seriousness of the issue. But galuru -- that biodiversity can be MALLICK AND MADHAV K a result is yet to come,” said Vijayan. restored,” said Rupali L, a resi- symptoms rush to hospitals dent of Malleswaram. Savita K, a resident of Banashankari, said OISHANI MOJUMDER @ Hyderabad immediately admitted and are un- that while she was hanging der treatment. The others have clothes in her balcony, she was THE Institute of Mental Health, been treated in the OPD and had pleasantly surprised to see at Hyderabad, on Monday, witnessed been asked to go home. Many of least three peahens. “Due to the a surge in the number of patients them have been prescribed medica- lockdown, there was no one to with severe alcohol withdrawal tion as well.” disturb them. This is the first symptoms. They had apparently de- “The age of these patients ranges time I’ve seen them in Bengalu- veloped symptoms as there is no ac- between 25 to 55 years. There are ru,” she said. cess to alcohol following closure of also some women. The patients Noted bird watcher and pho- liquor shops due to the ongoing who have been admitted, have been tographer Manjunath Prabhakar lockdown in the State. given an IV fluid as many are se- told TNIE that there were pea- Close to 100 patients with symp- verely dehydrated, and detoxins fowls in the small forest pockets toms like disillusionment, vomit- were administered to them,” he of the city, such as the area be- ing, chills and cramps turned up at added. hind the forest department office the Institute, which is also known When Express visited the hospital, and between the IISc campus, and as Erragadda Mental Hospital. many daily wage workers and mi- the Institute of Wood Science and Around 45 of them have been ad- grant labourers along with their Technology. They are also found mitted to the hospital whose condi- spouses were spotted. Many were in the green covers in and around tion is said to be of some concern. seen shivering and banging their Turahalli, Bannerghatta Nation- Doctors fear that the number of heads against walls. One middle al Park and the forests abutting such patients may rise in the com- aged man, who works at a textile Kanakapura and Magadi Roads, ing days. shop in Secunderabad, had forgot- along with many other birds. It may be mentioned that two home- ten his own name and his wife’s It is not just Bengaluru or In- less men died of suspected alcohol name. He kept imagining that he is dia, with much of the world driv- withdrawal symptoms and starva- the owner of a cloth shop in en indoors due to the corona fear, tion in Raidugram on Sunday. Afzalgunj. animals are found in spaces off- Speaking to Express, Dr M “A person may develop alcohol limits for them till now. You have Umashnakar, superintendent of withdrawal symptoms anywhere the sika deer wandering the the hospital, said, “We have re- from two hours to four days after streets of Nara, Japan, or the pen- ceived 96 to 100 patients today who stopping consumption of alcohol. guins exploring the Chicago are suffering from withdrawal The symptoms may include head- aquarium which is closed down symptoms. Close to 90 per cent of aches, nausea, anxiety, hallucina- due to the lockdown. In fact, wor- them are dealing with withdrawal tions and seizures,” Dr risome corona infection numbers of alcohol. Of them, 45 have been Umashankar said. are being reported in Chicago.

LOCKDOWN EXODUS Migrants return home to face uncertainty

NAUSHAD BIJAPUR @ Belagavi

DESPITE the directions of the Un- ion government, the exodus of mi- grant workers from Maharashtra and Goa has not stopped. The re- spective state governments had been categorically told to avoid mi- gration of people till the nation- wide lockdown ends. On Monday, hundreds of such migrant workers entered the dis- trict from Maharashtra border in tractors. All of them left for their villages in Vijayapura district and Migrant workers from Maharashtra enter Athani in Belagavi on Monday | EXPRESS Athani taluk after they were not given shelter or food by the local Another migrant worker, Sad- food. A large number of them who authorities in Athani. ashiv Surke said, “the workers mi- hail from Rajasthan are housed in Shivanand Sulake a migrant grated from Maharashtra were as- a government hostel at Nehru Na- worker who came in a group of 40 sured of shelter in Athani taluk, gar in Belagavi. The workers are to 50 workers from Shirol, Maha- but in vain. The government should upset with the food being served to rashtra said, ``We were not given accommodate us, as the people way- them and demand only chapatis any facility in Maharashtra ever back in our villages in Vijayapura and rotis instead of rice and dal be- since the lockdown was announced and Athani taluk will not allow us ing served to them. in the country. None of us were giv- back. We will be in deep trouble if As chapati and roti are their sta- en health care facilities either. we are denied facilities here”. ple food, most of the migrant la- When we reached the border to en- Meanwhile, hundreds of workers bourers refused to eat rice. Howev- ter Karnataka, we were stopped but employed in Bengaluru region er, the local administration has somehow we managed to cross the have arrived in Belagavi city on assured to serve food of their border in Athani”. Sunday in search of shelter and choice from Monday. Faced with threats to our well-being, it is natural to feel anxiety ... I take great solace in the following wise advice to examine the problems before us: If there is something to be done—do it, without any need to worry; Dalai if there’s nothing to be done, worrying about it further wont help’ Lama

BENGALURU TUESDAY 06 31l03 l2020 THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS

INDIAN EXPRESS IS NOT AN OPINION INDUSTRY. IT IS A MISSION. PRASANNA TANTRI — Ramnath Goenka The author teaches at the Indian School of Business (ISB) Email: [email protected]

WHY DO WE Due to ever-greening, the bank appears healthy as a delinquent loan is not recorded as TREAT FELLOW an NPA. Here is a way to keep a tab on banks HUMANS LIKE THIS? aybe, as genomic studies seem to indicate, the coronavirus that has TACKLING THE come to India is milder. We certain- ly hope so. But the genome se- EVER-GREENING Mquence of the Indian mind still shows a depressing capacity to cause incal- culable harm to humanity and human PROBLEM IN BANKS AMIT BANDRE principles. This genetic trait is very pro- nounced among Indian officialdom. The mong important reasons that new loan, probably of higher In a recent paper titled “Do ever-greening. Our measure rithm and ask the banks to ex- nation is in the midst of an unprecedented, lead to a banking crisis, the in- value, and borrower B repays measure of bank audit quality flags such cases in advance. plain significant deviations. If multi-pronged battle: At the epidemiologi- herent opacity of banks is his/her original loan using the really measure audit quality?” As per our measure, the most this measure is implemented, cal level, it is fighting an unknown, new one of the most prominent. proceeds of this new loan. Of (Abraham and Tantri (2019)), important variables that mat- the regulators need not resort Several influential research pa- course, this is a simplified ver- Jefferson Abraham of the Lon- ter include (i) interest coverage to draconian measures such as enemy. But in the battle that proceeds pers have shown that it is ex- sion but captures the spirit of don Business School and I, ar- ratio; (ii) medium term profit- the AQR (asset quality review). alongside, a socio-political one, the enemy A tremely hard to assess the true ever-greening. gue that an audit of bank books ability; (iii) quality of auditors; This stress test information is sadly all too familiar. Too endemic, too fundamentals of a bank by It is easy to see that, on paper, is unlikely to detect ever-green- (iv) volume of related party need not be made public. ingrained in our genes, too resistant to looking only at the bank bal- the bank appears healthy as the ing practices. We suggest a way transactions; and (v) credit rat- It is possible that, in line with change…too powerful. Why do we treat fel- ance sheet. This is because un- loan is not recorded as an NPA. of keeping a tab on banks. The ings of the borrowers. Using the Lucas critique, the banks low humans like this? like a regular business, banks To add insult to injury, the bank idea is to burrow a layer below machine learning algorithms and firms will collude and man- As if the present epoch had not already can easily transform the na- shows higher credit growth be- Between 2011 the bank books and examine and more granular data, it is age the numbers together. ture of an asset or a liability. In cause of the fictitious loan. and 2014, we the health of the borrowers. Us- possible to estimate a more so- While I cannot completely rule been marked and tainted by the long march this article, based on some of However, when exposed to se- ing the natural experiment pro- phisticated model. However, out such a possibility, I believe of poor India, we saw another blood-cur- had high credit my own research and those of vere economic crisis where the growth and low vided by the asset quality re- data availability is a big chal- that collusion is practically dif- dling sight today. It happened in Bareilly, others, I suggest that banks bank cannot continue renew- NPAs even when view, we estimate a model that lenge for researchers like us. ficult as there are a number of Uttar Pradesh. A bunch of broken Indians, should be asked to disclose the ing dubious loans or a thor- the underlying predicts the likely bank NPAs The findings have two im- third-party sources, including broken by the unseen hand of fate, were economic situation of their ough audit, the practice gets economic growth based on the average financial portant policy implications. the GST returns and audits seated stoically, resignedly on their haunch- large borrowers. exposed. Unfortunately, mar- was slow. It health of the borrowers. First, banks should be asked to available to track firms. It is no secret that banks the kets have repeatedly failed to The underlying idea is very report changes in key financial It is also important to invest es—the way rural India still sits. A few of- appears that most world over ever-green loans. In recognise this practice in ad- of the high credit simple: It is unlikely that a variables of their large bor- more efforts in designing early ficial workers, all decked out in space suits, simple terms, ever-greening is rowers. This will enable inves- vance and discipline the banks growth was driven bank could have low NPAs warning measures of ever- were circling them with hose pipes. And a process where an in-spirit de- by bringing down their share when many of its large borrow- tors and depositors to take ac- greening. In my paper titled by ever-greening. linquent loan is shown as cur- prices. Markets, in most cases, ers are under distress. Consid- tion before it is too late. An “Identifying Zombie Lending: from those pipes, there emanated a white The measures rent by showing a fictitious re- act as enablers of ever-green- er a bank that reports close to adverse stock price reaction Evidence Using Loan Level spume of chemicals. We do not know what suggested in this payment and issue of a new ing by rewarding banks that 0% NPAs when a large chunk could act as a credible deter- Data”, I attempt to show that a chemicals those were, but it had the unmis- article can help loan. Let me illustrate with a indulge in ever-greening with of its borrowers do not have rent. In the absence of this in- loan that is renewed quickly takable look and feel of a farm machine flag such cases in hypothetical example. Assume rich valuations. However, when enough cash flows to meet their formation, unfortunately, mar- just before the due date by the advance spraying pesticides or an industrial-level that a borrower A borrowed the deeds get exposed, the stock loan obligations. It is likely that kets fail to do the surveillance same officers who lent the ini- fumigation. At a distance, some senior of- `100 crore from a bank B. Also prices collapse, depositors run the low NPA levels are engi- job. Second, using a supervised tial loan is likely to be an ever- ficials nonchalantly took videos on their assume that A’s business suf- for cover, regulators step in, neered by ever-greening. Be- machine learning program, it greened loan. If given data and smartphones. Wait, we know what that fers heavy losses, and hence, and the whole cycle repeats tween 2011 and 2014, we had is possible to estimate the ac- resources, researchers can de- white spume was. It was nothing but the he/she cannot repay the loan. leading to another round of high credit growth and low tual relationship between bor- sign better methods. I hope that hate and contempt our rulers and babus In many such cases, the bank B, ever-greening. The above de- NPAs even when the underly- rower fundamentals and bank the right lessons are learnt instead of recovering whatever scription fits in well with what ing economic growth was slow. fundamentals. The regulator from this crisis and regulators have for real Indians: those teeming ‘mass- is possible and writing off the happened in India after the 2008 It appears that most of the high should regularly calculate the push for more transparency in es’ separated from them by class and caste. part not recoverable, gives a global financial crisis. credit growth was driven by expected NPA from the algo- bank balance sheets. The exodus of millions of poor Indians, many without food or shelter except that granted by the open road, was already a sign of uncaring. That a bunch of them Humans are lazy creatures ‘Old-school woodsman’s skills’ should find themselves subjected, at the TRACKING A MISSING BOY IN A SWAMP ■ Schumacher is 25. Inspired by an uncle who ■ It was a lesson much on Schumacher’s mind on that day last end of their march, to a post-modern ver- Austin Schumacher, a rookie worked as a cop, he majored in criminal November. He started looking for broken brush and branches, sion of a sickening ‘purity’ ritual shows us Wisconsin Department of justice and took up a job that would combine backtracking, moving forward, backtracking again. The temperature the real virus! Natural Resources warden, police work with his love for the outdoors. He had dropped to 2.78°C. After over an hour, Schumacher picked up a had just popped the lid of spent two months learning to track people in trail of tracks left by a kid. He followed the footprints for about 3 km his salad container when the the wilderness without the aid of technology radio squawked: a 13-year-old ■ The boy had been in the swamp for a long time. Doubts began to THE DARK PAST OF ■ boy, missing. The boy had run The most important lesson that he learnt: creep into Schumacher’s mind. Overhead, a sheriff’s drone broadcast Humans are lazy creatures. Animals will the voices of the boy’s parents. Come out, they said. Don’t be scared. away from his school after a THE EPIDEMIC ACT crawl under or go around obstacles. People Galvanised, Schumacher pushed on. He reached the swamp’s edge dispute with his teachers—he will push them aside or plough through and caught a flash of maroon. The boy was curled up under a tree, he year was 1855. A third wave of the swore at them before heading them. Everything in nature is vertical as it T-shirt and pants soaked, his hands, feet and legs bloody. The kid bubonic plague pandemic was sweep- into the swamp across the tries to reach the sun; if you see something asked him if people would be mad at him for running away. This ing the world. The epicentre of the street. The temperature was horizontal, like a branch on the ground, month, Schumacher received the DNR’s Lifesaving Award for his outbreak, as is the case today, was 3.89°C and falling chances are a human was there “old-school woodsman’s skills”, AP reported TChina—a place called Yunnan. The plague rapidly spread to every single conti- nent on which man lived. India was the Write to: [email protected] Write to: [email protected] worst affected. Rough estimates are that MINDSPACE MAILBAG over 10 million people died in British India, and the pandemic continued to be active Make sure water scarcity doesn’t hit virus battle here till the 1960s—for over 100 years. To Social distancing This is with reference to Corona: Kickstart tech-based learning Doc’s optimistic message welcome control the outbreak, the British intro- Prepare for water scarcity now This is with reference to Covid im- Padma Bhushan awardee Dr duced the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. (Mar 30). The percentage of the petus to tech-based learning (Mar Nageshwar Reddy saying we Nearly 125 years later, India is using the population of India having access 30). The education industry has shouldn’t panic and that we can very same Act—with minor amendments of another kind to safe water is deeply distressing. been making great strides world- conquer the virus is welcome at a in 1956—to combat Covid-19. As the editorial says, water scar- wide. It is important to use the time when panic is looming large In British India, the Act created furore ears ago, I travelled from Delhi to Cochin by train. One of my city is going to make it difficult for current situation to introduce on- in the minds of people. Whether and uprising among Indians, who found co-travellers was a septuagenarian. He was a gregarious hu- us to win the corona war, if it is not line dissemination into the indus- the Centre’s 21-day lockdown gets man being and conversed with me as if we had known each given proper attention. try. The government would do well extended or not, it is all part of the provisions extremely oppressive—for- other for a long time. He had spent time with his son’s family Ambika S, Thoothukudi to start upgrading tech in schools the grand design of the creator. cible segregation, demolition of affected in Delhi and was returning home. He proudly narrated the as this will make a big difference We can play our part by following places, seizure of private property, strip achievements of his grandchildren in school. A ray of hope even in non-corona times. the instructions of the govern- searches and consequent violence against Y He had purchased a good amount of sweets and savouries It is an open secret that the coro- Swami Nagarajan, Chennai ment on social distancing, wash women. In June 1897, Chairman of the Spe- from Delhi to distribute among relatives back home. He navirus will not disappear com- hands frequently and ensure per- cial Plague Committee Walter Charles opened a box and asked me to taste the sweets. Those were pletely after the lockdown. Water Classrooms too are needed sonal hygiene. Rand was shot dead by Pune-based nation- the days when people had faith in each other. Drug-laced bis- scarcity is a perennial problem in It is undisputed that tech advance- R Pichumani, Kumbakonam cuits exchanged to steal valuables from co-passengers were India that gets worse during the ments have made human life easi- alists, the Chapekar brothers. Though the not prevalent. Though I was not fond of sweets, out of rever- summer. However, there is a ray er. During the lockdown, people State borders should remain open Act was modified in 1956, legal and health ence for the man’s kindness, I tasted some. of hope this time as water-guz- are able to work from their homes, The blocking of the border road to experts say it is grossly inadequate to deal In the evening, when I returned from a trip to the bath- zling sectors like tourism have administrators are able to dis- Karnataka from Kerala is quite with disease outbreaks in the modern day. room, I found a paper plate with a few vadas on my seat. The suspended their operations in charge their duties using video- cruel as it stops even ambulances The British, who introduced this Act in In- kind co-passenger said a server from the pantry brought va- view of the pandemic. conferencing, etc. Learning should carrying patients in critical con- dia, have a much more robust policy back das and he had asked him to keep a plate of vadas for me. Deepak Singhal, Chennai not be an exception. Yet, it should dition. At least on humanitarian Because of my sociable compan- not replace classroom learning in grounds, border roads between home. Their Public Health Act of 1984 fixes ion, the long train journey Consider increasing number of tests toto, as that would put lakhs of states should remain open at all the responsibility of each agency clearly CONNECTED, YET APART proved pleasant. With scientists ruling out the pos- people out of employment. times in case of emergency. during such outbreaks. Legal experts say When he got down at his sta- sibility of a vaccine within the Dharmarajan A K, Thalassery Aravindaksha Menon, Pattambi the UK Act removes any scope for confu- P SUBRAMANIAN tion, I felt a tinge of sadness, year, only testing and isolation can sion over jurisdiction. Email: [email protected] missing him. Smartphones were prove to be effective deterrents. In- Looking after migrant labour Back in India, the Epidemic Diseases Act not in vogue then and one never dia had only conducted about It is quite natural that migrant la- exchanged phone numbers on 26,000 tests, too few compared to bourers returning to their villag- has been put to use several times in the re- the go. Hence, the man remained only in my memory. That the size of our population. We es in West Bengal, Bihar, Ra- THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS cent past, to deal with outbreaks of swine was rail sneham. should consider increasing the jasthan, etc., are barred by locals Chairman of the Board: Manoj Kumar Sonthalia flu, cholera, dengue and even malaria. The other day, a couple rang my doorbell. When I opened number of tests being conducted. from entering as they fear the Editor: G S Vasu However, not much has been done to update the door, they asked for my wife. She came from the kitchen M Jeyaram, Sholavandan spread of the virus. As the PM has Resident Editor (Karnataka) : the Act. The Act is largely used only to ban and invited them to be seated. They had come to invite us for urged, the labourers should have Santwana Bhattacharya* public gatherings, stop schools and institu- their daughter’s wedding. After they left, the wife informed Pak menace in Afghanistan been kept in camps and looked af- Published by R K Jhunjhunwala on behalf of Express Publications (Madurai) Private Limited, tions from functioning, and penalise those me that they lived in an apartment two blocks away and she This is with reference to Massacre ter by state governments. had played badminton with the lady. I said that I had never signals sinister Pak game is afoot M Haneef, Kottayam at No. 1, Queen’s Road, Bengaluru - 560 001 escaping tests or quarantine. There is a and printed by him at Express Press, Plot No. seen them. The wife said that I was a reserved person and in Af (Mar 30). The editorial right- 2A, Bommasandra Industrial Area, 4th Phase, dire need to completely replace or mas- walked around without looking at people. I pleaded that the ly warned India about the possi- Awareness about food, shelter Survey No. 46, Part Yarandahalli Village, Jigani sively strengthen this colonial-era law to apartment complex had 50 flats and how was I to know all the bility of Pakistani perfidy after Migrant labourers in various Hobli, Anekal Taluk. Bengaluru - 560 099. fight disease outbreaks in the future. Activ- people living there. the US exits Afghanistan. Stern parts of Kerala and other states Bengaluru. Vol. 56, No. 77 ists have been attacking the current Act as I hoped to get acquainted with the family when we went to action from the international are seeking travel arrangements RNI Reg. No. 3457/1960. it gives the state the right to penalise media the marriage hall. To my disappointment, loud music was community is needed to tackle to their hometowns. The govern- Phone: 080-22866893, Fax: 080-22866617. played in the hall and hundreds of people jostled around. this senseless terrorism. The Ker- ment should ensure awareness * Responsible for selection of News under the PRB Act. houses spreading ‘misinformation’. The Standing in a serpentine queue to congratulate the couple ala government should also weed about its food and shelter arrange- British themselves used the Act to impris- Copyright: Express Publications (Madurai) Private Limited. took a long time. By the time we left, I realised that I failed to out the sleeper modules of radi- ments and make sure they don’t All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner, on a journalist for 18 months. His name was get familiar with the family. That was another kind of social calism in the state. congregate in one place. electronic or otherwise, in whole or in part, without Bal Gangadhar Tilak. distancing. D Srinivasa Rao, Vijayawada Suresh Babu N C, Aluva prior written permission is prohibited. Those walking miles on the roads... AESED do not need fitness videos. They Forty-four people were arrested in need immediate and urgent help Kupwara and Baramulla districts of J&K A T for violating prohibitory orders imposed from Centre Sitaram Yechury fresh to contain the spread of coronavirus MAY

BENGALURU TUESDAY 07 3103 2020

RG CID P ives out igures o masks and personal protective equipment inventory in the country and the numbers being procured

PSS S SC New Delhi State-wise mortality rate SECING DCS AGAINS E IS AMID concerns and complaints PPES BEING DEAS EPED of acute shortage of preventive gear for healthcare workers and . lah PCED PE MAAT ventilators for COID-19 pa- personal protective CNIMED CASES HAVE CLEARED THE QUALITY TESTS TO tients, the government, for the equipment available Source: Ministr of ealth lah MANUFACTURE PPES first time, made public the details in hospitals across Orders for and amil elfare of these supplies and said all Personal stops are being pulled to increase protective their availability. . lah Equipment As of now, 3.34 lakh personal N95 masks in stock (PPE) coveralls coveralls being supplied per Gujarat J&K Maharashtra Delhi Karanataka protective equipment (PPE) — in various hospitals placed day currently crucial to prevent infection in healthcare workers — are avail- PPEs procured A-I, Alliance Air to move able in hospitals across the coun- lah try, said the Ministry of Health lah Order for three lakh PPE kits , PPs cargo with medical equipment and Family Welfare, while the ventilators to be put donated PPEs to placed with ordinance being arranged The government has deployed Air India and its stock of N95 masks they have is aside for COVID-19 arrive by April 4 factories from China subsidiary Alliance Air to provide cargo facilities to 11.95 lakh. The ministry said that ensure uninterrupted supply of medical euipment 14,000 ventilators will be put A doctor checs the temperature of a police officer on dut in ammu. The shortage of Es for doctors and healthcare professionals in the countr has spared concerns PI and medicines to different parts of the country. aside for COID-19 patients but The Civil Aviation inistry is coordinating with did not give detail of how many “So far, 11 manufacturers have The ministry also said that N95 come available in a week’s time. in various hospitals across the state governments for the supply of medical ventilators hospitals in India cleared the quality tests. Orders masks are being manufactured An additional 5 lakh masks country for treatment of CO- euipment and related essential items needed for have. for 21 lakh PPE coveralls have by two domestic producers. were distributed in the past two ID19 patients. protection against and testing of COID-. “ased “PPEs were not being were not been placed on them,” it added. “They are able to supply 50,000 days and 1.40 lakh masks are be- A domestic manufacturer, on reuirements received from various states on an being manufactured in the coun- Currently they are supplying masks per day at the moment, but ing distributed on Monday. Apart Agva Healthcare in Noida, has urgent basis, the senior officials of the ministry are try. With the prospect of huge re- 6-7,000 coveralls per day and this are ramping up capacities to from this, 10 lakh masks would be been able to develop suitable ven- coordinating with vendors and other supply quirement of PPEs arising in is expected to go up to 15,000 per make 1 lakh masks per day with- part of the PPE kits being tilators and an order of 10,000 agencies to provide reuired material, which can be near future, the Government of day within next week. One more in the next week,” it said. The sourced from Singapore. ventilators has been placed with further transported to the desired destinations,” India made proactive efforts to manufacturer has qualified on DRDO is also collaborating with The ministry said less than 20 the firm. Supplies are expected to the oCA said in the statement. promote their manufacturing in Monday and an order of 5 lakh local manufacturers to produce patients are on ventilator support start by mid-April. The MEA is the country,” said a government coveralls has been placed with about 20,000 N99 masks per day. at this moment while over 14,000 also approaching suppliers in statement on Monday. the firm. This supply is expected to be- ventilators have been identified China for 10,000 ventilators.

CRPF sets up helplines to Income Ependiture alance 3,800.44 I E help families of its personnel B 3,229.76 in cr The CRP has directed its field offices to set up PMN 2,923.96 round-the-clock helplines, backed by uick 2,510.02 2,637.03 reaction team, to assist the families of troops, with special focus on elderly parents in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The 23 sectors of the force have been asked to establish and publicise a standalone landline connection and a hatsApp- 870.93 751.74 783.18 624.74 enabled mobile number to be manned round-the- 372.29 491.42 486.65 clock by a sub-officer. “...The DG has directed that 204.49 180.85 212.50 we should proactively take care of the families of our officials... All systems should be put in place to -5 5- -7 7-8 8- respond to emergent needs of the family members to keep our officers and troops stress-free,” according to a communication from the CRP. RELIEF FUND MONEY LIES UNUSED, IN NMBES Dail agers and homeless ostle as the tr to snatch food from olunteers during the DONATIONS POUR IN FOR PM CARES railway nationide locdon in Noida ttar radesh on Monda PI hospitals PSS S SC New Delhi primary objective of dealing PM’s penchant for catchy acro- in India with any kind of emergency or nyms, instead of creating a sep- hospital THE PM CARES fund (Prime distress situation, like posed by arate Public Charitable Trust beds are Minister’s Citizen Assistance the COID-19 pandemic, and to whose rules expenditure are being and Relief in Emergency Situa- provide relief to the affected, a totally opaque? PMOIndia rail coaches readied to tions Fund), which has been public charitable trust under you owe the country an expla- meet the odi tells mission to be started to meet the mounting the name of ‘Prime Minister’s nation for this highly unusual converted railway hospitals possible expenses to fight the COID19 Citizen Assistance and Relief step.” into isolation being readied for surge of pandemic has seen million- in Emergency Situations Fund’ Two days ago, PM Narendra wards contingency patients heads to take care aires and celebrities open their (PM CARES Fund)’ has been Modi had urged people to con- purse strings. However, data set up.” The PM is the chair- tribute to the PM Cares fund. from the past few years shows man of this trust. The appeal had led to massive that thousands of crores of ru- However, PMNRF also serves donations from various sec- Five-star stay for Delhi docs of ndians aroad pees are lying unused in the a similar purpose. The funds tions of society. Billionaire Prime Minister National Relief are used to render immediate Gautam Adani announced a fighting the deadly virus PSS S SC New Delhi international travel restric- Fund (PMNRF). relief to families of those killed `100-crore contribution by his In a move to ensure the safety of the doctors who tions,” he was quoted as saying. PMNRF has income exceed- in natural calamities and assist group’s philanthropy arm. are on the frontline fighting the coronavirus, the PRIME Minister Narendra Modi Urging the diplomats to stay ing its expenditure. At the end partially to defray expenses of Tata Sons and Tata Trusts Delhi government has decided that they will be on Monday held a video confer- alert and identify best practices, of 2018-19, it had an unspent medical treatment for the have pledged to contribute uarantined at five star hotels in the national ence with all the Indian heads of innovations and scientific break- balance of Rs 3,800 crore. needy. `1,500 crore for the cause while capital. As per the directions of the health missions to discuss the prevail- throughs, the PM urgedthem to While setting up the PM Pointing towards the unused Reliance Industries had made department, all the doctors working at Lok Nayak ing situation arising out of the publicise the PM-CARES fund to CARES fund, the government funds, Congress leader Shashi an initial contribution of `5 and Guru Tegh ahadur hospital will be housed at COID-19 pandemic. mobilise donations from abroad. had clarified that “keeping in Tharoor on Monday tweeted, crore, besides opening India’s The Lalit, a five-star hotel in the heart of Delhi. Modi emphasized that India’s Pointing out that the COID-19 mind the need for having a ded- “...Why not simply rename PM- first COID-19 hospital in “Doctors working in the Lok Nayak Hospital and Missions abroad may well be far crisis has impacted the economy, icated national fund with the NRF as PM-CARES, given the Mumbai. G.. Pant Hospital on COID- duty would be from home, but they remain full Modi advised the heads of mis- provided accommodation at the Hotel Lalit and participants in India’s fight sions to ensure commerce in es- payment of the same shall be borne by the Delhi against COID-19. He empha- sential supply, logistics and re- government,” the order, approved by the Health sized that the unity and alertness mittances is not affected. “The ODOWN inister satyender ain, said. of all Indians would help safe- PM also asked the diplomats to guard the nation’s future. keep track of the evolving inter- DST okays tech that can The PM said extraordinary national political and economic PM urges social times called for extraordinary situation especially arising out clear room air in an hour measures and hence even in this of the COID-9 pandemic,” a organisations to globalised era, most of the world statement from the MEA said. NEW DELHI: TO ensure the well-being of the health staff, doctors had quarantined itself. Compli- The heads of Missions in Bei- and nurses working, the Department of Science Technology (DST) menting the diplomats for their jing, Washington DC, Tehran, has approved a technology that can clean up the air and disinfect help the needy efforts to help stranded Indians, Rome, Berlin, Kathmandu, Abu areas exposed to COID-19 infection in hospitals and quarantine Modi urged them to take steps on Dhabi, Kabul, Male and Seoul facilities. The pilot project has been approved for 1,000 hospitals PSS S SC New Delhi five specific counts. shared feedback regarding ap- in Maharashtra. The technology, developed by Pune-based com- Modi urged the diplo- preciation in their countries pany Scitech Park, reduces the viral load of infected areas within WITH migrant labourers and mats to take care of of accreditation of the reso- a room significantly within an hour. the poor facing hardships on themselves and their lute steps taken by India to The technology has been developed under the NIDHI PRAYAS account of the nationwide lock- families and “attend to combat the pandemic. program initiated by DST, which has released `1 crore to manu- down, PM Narendra Modi on Indians who remain in The heads of missions facture and scale up the product. Monday reached out to social various foreign coun- also outlined their ef- The negative ion generator, titled Scitech Airon, helps to con- welfare organisations to enlist tries, given the un- forts to help Indi- trol virus, bacteria, and fungal infections in a closed environment their support in alleviating the certainty of con- ans stranded and could clean up the air and disinfect the areas exposed to infec- sufferings of the vulnerable tinuing abroad. tion, said the DST. sections of society. The PM interacted with the representatives of a cross-sec- NGE tion of such organisations, in- cluding Art of Living, RSS, Pa- tanjalia and Isha Foundation, olice personnel distribute food among need people liing through video-conferencing. in slums during the nationide locdon PI India’s biggest transporter turns caterer for poor “The nation... needs the ser- vice of social organisations and their resources like never 18 foreigners found hiding in PSS S SC New Delhi Keeping in view environmen- IRT ASE ITHENS before,” the PM told the repre- tal concerns, the IRCTC is taking sentatives, including Sri Sri Ranchi mosque, quarantined WITH the migrant crisis looming up bulk production of food and South Central Railway: iayawada Ravi Shankar, Baba Ramdev, The district administration in harkhand capital large following the 21-day lock- serving them to people in paper Western Railway: Ahmedabad and Sadhguru Jaggi asudev and Ranchi on onday recovered 8 foreign nationals down announced by PM Naren- plates. According to data from umbai Central East Coast Railway Suresh Joshi. along with si other persons during a raid dra Modi, the Indian Railways is IRCTC, over 11,000 meals have Khurdha oad South Eastern Railway: The PM suggested that such conducted after a tip-off. They have been sent in stepping up to provide food to the been served across various rail- alasore Northern Railway: Pahargan, organisations arrange basic ne- isolation for 2 days at the uarantine centre in homeless and the needy. way zones of the country, as of Delhi North Central Railway: hansi, cessities for the poor, besides helgaon in Ranchi. According to police, they had The catering arm of the rail- March 28. Prayagra and Kanpur Central Railway: medical facilities and volun- been staying in a mosue for over a month after ways, the Indian Railways Cater- Officials said IRCTC is taking Pune, CS umbai, Solapur and teers to serve the patients and they reached Ranchi for some religious purpose. Of ing and Tourism Development up distribution of meals in col- husawal West Central Railway: tarsi the needy. “Social organisa- the 7 foreigners, eight belong to alaysia, three Corporation (IRCTC), is supply- laboration with the Railway Pro- South Western Railway: engaluru and tions have a big role to play in are from ritain, two from est Indies, two from ing free meals through its base tection Force. “Social distancing ubbali Southern Railway: countering superstitions and Gambia while two others from Holland and kitchens in various zones. norms are being followed during Chengalpattu, hiruananthapuram, misinformation,” the PM said. angladesh. Police officials said they will be Officials said 13 of the 24 base food distribution,” an official angalore and Katpadi Eastern He said it’s necessary to released if everything is found in place. urther kitchens of IRCTC have been con- said. IRCTC is also preparing to Railway: Sealdah and owrah East make people aware of the im- information about all of them is being gathered. verted into nodal points for dis- meet higher demand of food for A raila emploee prepares a train coach to Central Railway: aendranagar North portance of “maintaining so- tribution of food to the needy. the poor during the lockdown. be conerted into isolation ard PI Frontier Railway: Katihar cial distancing”. INIA Ma Min Ma Min Ahmedabad 38 21 umbai 34 24 SANDED hopal 35 18 Panai 34 25 Hundreds of Vaishno Devi pilgrims aipur 30 17 Patna 34 21 from all over India are stranded in T M Amritsar 22 15 ucknow 37 18 Jammu due to the ongoing 21-day New Delhi 32 17 Port lair 32 24 RELIE olkata 36 24 mphal 31 18 nation-wide lockdown. T AYAA rinagar 12 4 handigarh 27 16

BENGALURU TUESDAY 08 3103 2020

Dahirsar Ganpat Patil Nagar RG MUMBAI Dharavi Worli Colaba CID SUM CID M PPUATIN Mankhurd Govandi Malwani Bandra – east Kurla – Malad Bahiram pada NEIGHBOURHOOD CORONA COUNT Nearly per cent o reater umbais population lives in these slums

T SD SAAS umbai tient succumbed to death two against time as it is a diffi- D 1,526 115 114 48 5 days ago. cult task to trace people in Health official Pakistan Sri Lanka Afghanistan Bangladesh Nepal THERE is now a real fear that Health department officials the slums. If the disease slums of Mumbai could turn out agree that COID-19 has now spreads, we may not be Source: HO to be a big challenge in Maha- travelled from upscale areas and able to control it.” rashtra’s war against COID-19, high-rises to slum pockets in With more than half of with an estimated 54 per cent of Mumbai. Mumbai’s population living in the total population of Greater “We are now getting more pa- some 115 slums — the biggest be- of umbai’s people in is population slum clusters Racism: Two CMs come out Mumbai residing in them and 89 tients from the slums and chawls ing Dharavi with an estimated geographical umbai live of slum spread across of the 203 positive cases in the of Mumbai. The four Covid 19 population of 15 lakh within a 2.1 area is slums in slums dwellers umbai in support of Naga duo ‘Maximum City’ being reported positive cases detected in Worli’s sq km area where 73 per cent of izoram and eghalaya chief ministers have raised from such clusters. fishermen’s colony have neither people use community toilets — concerns over an incident of racial discrimination The number of positive cases international travel history, nor the spread of the disease could be sealed off. “Efforts are on to dis- and locked for public movement against two youths from Nagaland in ysuru. “I am detected in Shiv Sena’s youth any immediate contact with posi- fast, say policy experts. infect, fumigate the areas, while in coordination with the police pained, shocked and in my worst awe seeing this leader and minister Aaditya tive patients. It is a matter of con- They say, in Dharavi, the aver- speeding up contact tracing,” the department. video hen has humanity stooped so low” Thackeray’s constituency Worli cern for us. All of them were us- age household size was 4.5 living minister added. “Disinfection and fumigation izoram C oramthanga tweeted. The video in is among the highest. Out of 9 pa- ing community toilets,” said a in very small rooms, while shar- The General Manager of process has been initiated as a uestion was filmed by a youth from Nagaland. He tients, 4 are from Worli’s fisher- health official requesting ano- ing community service points Southern areas under Brihan- precautionary measure. All resi- and his friend had gone to a shopping mall in men colony, 2 from Kurla, one nymity. “We are tracking their which could turn out to be major mumbai Municipal Corporation, dents have been asked to cooper- ysuru on Saturday evening to buy groceries but each from Pantnagar (Kalina), contacts who may have been in vehicles to spread the disease. in which the Koliwada- fisher- ate by staying at home. Together, the employees refused to etend the service to the Prabhadevi and one in Govandi. direct touch with them over the Aaditya Thackeray said Koli- men colony falls said Worli Koli- we will overcome this crisis,” duo. “It’s a mall. ou guys don’t accept us as The Govandi Covid positive pa- last few days. We are racing wada and Janta colony were wada has been completely sealed he tweeted. human beings because you don’t know about Nagaland and the Northeast India. hy are you discriminating against us” one of the youth is All figures As India’s economy expands, more and heard saying. oramthanga sought the in lakh Himachal Pradesh MIGRANT more people are moving out of their native intervention of P Narendra odi and nion Home . states in search of job opportunities amends order on inister Amit Shah. eghalaya C Conrad Sangma Punjab . HOTSPOTS took up the matter with ysuru P. He said the P had informed him that the accused were arrested. Uttarakhand Sikkim cremation after ro Haryana . . Arunachal Pradesh . . Bihar SD SAAS umbai dictions. Transport and other ar- Delhi . rangements/expenses will be Ambulance driver abandons Rajasthan Assam THE Brihanmumbai Municipal borne by the family of the de- father, son on Kolkata road . . Uttar Pradesh Corporation (BMC) on Monday ceased,” stated the circular. Madhya Pradesh ordered that the bodies of all per- Congress legislator Aslam An ambulance driver forced an octogenarian . West Bengal . sons who died of coronavirus Sheikh, the city’s guardian min- suffering from fever to get off his vehicle would be cremated, irrespective ister, took strong objection to the suspecting him to be a coronavirus patient and Jharkhand Gujarat of their religion. The notifica- circular saying it was biased to- sped away. Standing on the middle of a road in a . tion, however, was withdrawn wards the minority community. summer noon, the elderly man’s son sought help Chhattisgarh within hours as it kicked up a The Christian community also from the police who finally took them to the Maharashtra . huge controversy. raised objections, saying hospital where they were heading for. “y father Odisha The notification, issued the dead should be laid to was suffering from fever since past two days. . . by BMC Commissioner rest as per their respec- ecause of lockdown, I found difficult to arrange a Andhra Pradesh INDIA Pravin Pardeshi, said the tive religious rituals and vehicle to take him to the nearby hospital. An Goa . bodies of Covid-19 vic- practices. ambulance driver agreed but he demanded `,5 tims had to be cremated, The NCP also objected to travel a four-km stretch. I agreed because we . whatever their religion, be- to the ‘prejudiced’ circular had no option left. I took my father to olkata cause of health concerns. Only of the BMC, which is con- edical College from where he was referred to Karnataka Tamil Nadu five persons can attend the funer- trolled by the Shiv Sena. eleghata ID Hospital,” the son recounted. The . . al and rituals of touching the The BMC was forced to amend father and son duo stood helplessly on the body should be avoided, it further the circular. The amended circu- deserted road. “I contacted the PCR and a police said. lar said the bodies can be within vehicle arrived within minutes.” Luckily, the old Kerala . Mumbai has so far reported 92 the city if the burial ground is man was not found to be down with the infection. positive cases and six deaths. big enough. It also stated that the “If anyone insists on burial, he body should be wrapped up in a Source: Census 2 will be permitted only if he takes plastic bag that will obstruct the Data for other states not available Assam cops name and shame the body out of Mumbai’s juris- decomposing process. lockdown violators If the policemen in Assam are helping the poor and Nepali workers Entire village stranded, they are also wielding the sticks against RANCHI BIMAN ON A MISSION those violating the COID- lockdown. Additionally, the men in uniform are shaming the desperate to in Bengal goes lockdown violators by sharing their photos on the TO FEED PEOPLE DAILY social media. The Assam Police uploaded the photos of some violators on its Twitter handle. The return home on uarantine offenders are seen holding placards with KS AA Ranchi IRs aainst confessions: “I am an enemy of the public” and “I PADA Dehradun or sread KOLKATA: The people of en- am an enemy of the country”. Ever since the IN times of uncertainty, local o rumours tire Barnia village in Nadia nationwide lockdown was clamped, scores of OER 600 daily wagers, labour- businessman Rajesh Gupta is district, from where five coro- The Dumka people, who had ventured out, were beaten up by ers from Nepal who are stuck feeding over 500 poor and needy navirus patients were taken to police on onday the cops. omen were also not spared. In some in border town of Dharchula in people in Ranchi as a mark of hu- a Kolkata hospital, decided to registered IRs places, the violators were forced to do push up, Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh manity. Gupta is humble as he quarantine themselves. crawl, kneel etc. There have been some incidents of district are restless to return. says it is his effort to simply do against two They refused vegetable sell- backlash as well. The cops were attacked with Nepal is just 100 meters away his bit to ensure that the city does persons for ers, fish vendors, grocery item stones by traders and public. The police said the after crossing a bridge over not sleep hungry. allegedly suppliers to enter their village incidents of shaming the people took place at Kali river. But the Nepal gov- “I prepare food myself spreading and kept themselves confined “one or two districts”. ernment not allowing them to for around 500 people coronavirus- in their houses. Only health return yet amidst ongoing every day and distribute related rumours department personnel, who COID-19 outbreak. it among the poor and on social media, are sanitising the village, are Man Bahadur, a migrant needy people whom I see a senior official being allowed. worker from Jajarkot of Nepal on the streets of Ranchi. said. Deputy Fish vendors and vegetable PRISONERS who worked in Char Dham Some of my friends in Commissioner sellers and milkmen were re- RELEASED Pariyojana, complained he and my locality, who also Rajeswari . said fused entry since five neigh- others have no basic facilities have nothing to do at the IRs were bours were tested positive BY STATES such as place to sleep or proper home during lockdown, help me registered at three days ago. “We don’t know toilets. “Food is being provided out in this work. They even help Raesh upta is being helped b some of his friends in his mission the Shikaripara who among us had mingled but unhygienic conditions are me sometimes with donations,” to feed the poor and the infirm MES ANAN police station. with the five. We are maintain- a problem. Our government is says Gupta. ing social distance and it will being so cruel that it has aban- The food is prepared at his continue for next two weeks,’’ doned us,” he rued. backyard while ensuring all pre- Mithun Sarkar, a resident of Source: ENS Indian authorities have ar- cautions of hygiene and nutrition R Raesh upta, businessman the village. ASSA PNA ranged food for them for now in mind, he adds. The health department has CHHATTISGARH HARANA and told them to maintain so- “Today, I distributed khichdi . already identified 49 people cial distancing. Pithoragarh Next day, I will be preparing veg- are stuck here,” he says. mission to ensure that he can feed who came in contact with the district magistrate ijay Ku- etable pulao for them. Food is dis- It gives immense satisfaction as many as helpless people. The five. Block Development Offic- prisoners to be released mar Jogdande confirmed that tributed twice in the morning and when a hungry person gives businessman also appealed other er Subha Singha Roy said the in UTTAR PRAS and Nepalese authorities have in the evening. We are also pro- blessings when food is served, citizens in Ranchi to help at least villagers were told to alert MAARASTRA locked down border and are viding food to several people who he adds. five-ten persons every day in their them if anyone shows CO- not taking anyone back. arrived here from other cities and Gupta continues with a single localities. ID-19 symptoms.

VINEET UPADHYAY T D Our correspondent in Dehradun To help kids during the or Dehradun, the district administration has The ttarakhand government has stalled its previous order, which banned the lockdown, an IIT-Roorkee regulated the timing of Arhat azar, the use of plastic products such as plastic water bottles in meeting and workshops startup, TS Planet Comics wholesale grain market, and Niranjpur inside the secretariat due to the need of personal hygiene in the fight against Studio, is offering interactive vegetable market. The move is epected to COID-. A letter in this regard written by chief secretary tpal umar Singh comics free of cost. The comics keep away the general public. The Dehradun was circulated last week. In August last year, additional chief secretary Radha DA Raturi had passed directions, through a circular, to all senior officials that no are available in Hindi, English, DEHRADN Smart City Project Limited has started the plastic products should be used inside the secretariat. ut now, the state Telugu, annada, engali, and online facility of issuing lockdown passes to essential services providers. The wholesale government decided that the order will be put on hold for the time being. arathi. “Interactive comics G market remained opened on riday from 2 enable kids to choose a pm till pm for dealers and retail shop character and shape adventure The government will procure wheat from CI depots for ensuring that there is no shortage of wheat flour during the 2-day lockdown. District supply officers will gather owners. Traders were allowed to enter the according to the choices they details of reuirements of flour mills and the list will be forwarded to the regional food market only with a valid pass. Similar make in the story,” IIT-Roorkee controller. or this purpose, an account will be opened in a nationalised bank. District arrangements were made at Niranjanpur director Ajit Chaturvedi said. supply officers were told to immediately prepare the list. On behalf of the flour mills where officials had to close the gates of the Rajeev Tamhankar, founder owners, the government, under the Open arket Sale Scheme’, will procure wheat from market for some time after many residents CEO, TS Planet Comics CI depots. ood and Civil Supplies Secretary Sushil umar directed regional food gathered inside the market. Officials then Studio, said the initiative will controller of umaon and Garhwal to reach out to flour mills operating in their vacated the market and only traders and encourage kids to read during jurisdiction areas. They have also been named the nodal officer for ensuring that the buyers with permission were allowed to their leisure hours. districts do not run short of flour continue with their activities. eiing N os Angeles N olombo D elbourne Doha N oscow GBA Dubai New ork ATR Houston N ingapore American songwriter Alan Merrill passed away on L ight Rain ea Rain stanbul H oronto D Monday due to complications from the coronavirus DS Thundershoer LC ight loud S Sunn ondon Washington D

BENGALURU TUESDAY 09 3103 2020

RIADH WASHINTON SEO A EIRT ATHENS EIIN Saudi-led coalition strikes S will not pay for Harry’s N orea tests super-large’ Attacks by Taliban kill ISIS terrorists escape amid Greece’s anti-Nazi hero One killed, 27 injured in emen’s rebel-held capital security cover, says Trump multiple rocket launchers soldiers in Afghanistan prison riots in eastern Syria Glezos dies aged 7 train accident in China The Saudi-led military coalition on President Donald Trump has said North orea successfully tested Taliban attacks in Afghanistan’s Islamic State militants rioted inside Greece’s foremost anti-Nazi A passenger train derailed after onday said it carried out multiple that the S will not foot the bill “super-large multiple rocket north and south have killed at least a prison in northeastern Syria, resistance hero anolis Glezos striking debris from a landslide in air strikes on emen’s rebel-held for ritain’s Prince Harry and his launchers”, state media said on Afghan soldiers, the country’s wrestling control of an entire floor died in a hospital onday at the central China on onday. A railway capital Sanaa in retaliation for wife eghan arkle’s security onday. nusually, the official Defense inistry said on onday. in the facility while a number of age of 7, state T ERT said. The police officer was killed and 22 Sunday’s missile strikes on Riyadh. amid reports that the royal couple orean Central News Agency did The violence comes even as Afghan prisoners managed to escape, a wartime icon, who had been passengers were hurt, four of them The operation was aimed at have moved to Los Angeles from not say in its report that im had President Ashraf Ghani last week Syrian urdish official said Sunday. hospitalised earlier this month seriously. ive rail staff also destroying “legitimate military Canada. Last week, The Sun, a directed the test. He is almost announced his 2-member team to The prison is believed to house with gastroenteritis and a urinary suffered light injuries. The accident targets” including Houthi ballistic ritish tabloid, reported that the always shown overseeing the negotiate peace with the Taliban, foreign IS militants. The S-led infection, had died of heart failure. occurred in Chenzhou City. A probe capabilities which “threaten lives”, royal couple and their -month- North’s launches, but on this only to have his political opponent, coalition said it was assisting the Glezos had been placed in showed that the incident was the coalition said in a statement old son Archie moved to Los occasion CNA said it was led by Abdullah Abdullah, reject it as not SD with aerial surveillance as they emergency care in November with caused by a landslide as a result of released by Saudi Press Agency. Angeles, where arkle was raised. party vice chairman Ri Pyong Chol. inclusive enough. uell the riot. respiratory problems. continuous rains.

2500 Near-vertical climb The death toll in the US from the novel coronavirus S A has gone up from six on March 2 to 2,490 on March 30 Americans told to prepare or another days o severe economic and social disruptions amid war on ovid- 2000

The US recorded 518 new coronavirus-linked ilitary hosital shi deaths in the span of 24 hours, arries in New ork 1500 according to data published A military hospital ship arrived on Sunday by Johns Hopkins in New ork on onday as University. The number of cases America’s coronavirus 1000 shot up 21,333 in just one epicenter prepares to fight the day, the data showed peak of the pandemic. The navy’s ,-bed SNS Total number of deaths number of Total Comfort entered a anhattan pier around :5 am local 500 time. It will treat non-virus- related patients, helping to ease the burden of hospitals overwhelmed by the crisis. Governor Andrew Cuomo was 0 epected to greet the vessel Mar 2 Mar 6 Mar 10 Mar 14 Mar 18 Mar 22 Mar 26 Mar 30 when it reaches the harbour. In addition to the , beds, the Comfort has 2 operating rooms that could be up and running within 2 hours of Italians cheer officials reaching the city’s shores A man crosses a road in Ne or its th Aenue on Monda (right) ealth orers from the S state of eorgia pose for a photo aboard a special plane to Ne or AP as toll dips for rd day -ed ield hosital under construction WASHINTON after Trump made a dramatic from business leaders, met a The federal guidelines rec- ROE A 8-bed field hospital will be course reversal and announced sober reality check from health ommend against group gather- constructed by Tuesday in the SIDING with public health ex- that he would not be moving to experts, including Dr. Anthony ings larger than 10 and urge IN a situation unimaginable city’s iconic Central Park to perts’ dire projections, US Pres- ease the guidelines and get the Fauci, the government’s top in- older people and anyone with only a month ago, Italian offi- help enhance New ork City’s ident Donald Trump on Mon- economy back up and running fectious disease expert, who on existing health problems to cials were cheered when they medical capacity to treat the day defended his decision to by Easter, as he said last week Sunday said the U.S. could ex- stay home. People are urged to reported only 756 new deaths rapidly increasing coronavirus extend restrictive social dis- he hoped to do. perience between 100,000- work at home when possible in one day. Italy said the num- cases. ayor ill de lasio told tancing guidelines through the In the face of stark projec- 200,000 deaths and millions of and avoid restaurants, bars, ber of deaths has dropped reporters on Sunday that end of April. tions from his team and sear- infections from the pandemic. nonessential travel and shop- about 10% a day since Friday. ount Sinai Hospital, working “The worst that could hap- ing images of overwhelmed Americans are now being ping trips. ‘’We are saving lives by stay- with a relief organisation pen is you do it too early and all hospitals in his native New asked to prepare for at least an- For more than a week, Trump ing at home, by maintaining named Samaritan’s Purse, is of a sudden it comes back,” York City, Trump instead ex- other 30 days of severe econom- had been bombarded by calls social distance, by traveling creating the 8-bed field Trump said during a nearly tended to April 30 the social ic and social disruption, with from outside business leaders less and by closing schools,” hospital in the sprawling hour-long call-in interview distancing guidelines, which schools and businesses closed who urged him to begin reopen- said Dr. Luca Richeldi, a lung Central Park. The hospital with o riends as mem- had been set to expire Monday. and public life is upended. One ing the nation’s economy, at specialist. should be operational by bers of his coronavirus task Many states and local govern- in 3 Americans remain under least in places with low infec- Prime Minister Giuseppe Tuesday, he said. Crews started force fanned out across other ments already have stiffer con- state or local government or- tion rates, and warned of cata- Conte’s government prepared eople stand in their balconies amid a construction of the long, white media outlets to warn the vi- trols in place on mobility and ders to stay at home to slow the strophic consequences that Italians for a “very long” lock- nationide locdon on Sunda AP medical tents in the park’s East rus’ spread was only just gatherings. spread of the virus, and em- could damage his reelection down on Sunday that would eadow lawn beginning. Trump’s impulse to reopen ployment claims have already chances if it remained shut- only be lifted gradually de- fections reached 85,195, an 8 The comments came a day the country, driven by pleas skyrocketed. tered for longer. Agencies spite its economic hardship per cent rise from the previ- and traumatic impact on daily ous day but down from earlier lives. The message from min- increases that had rocketed TAE O WOES isters and health officials up to 20 per cent. Top EU official urges Germany came as Italy’s world-topping Spain also reported 812 new toll rose by 756 -- well bellow deaths, raising its overall con- Virus curbs Friday’s record of 969 -- and firmed death toll to 7,340. to compromise on debt pooling the rate of coronavirus infec- Experts say those figures choke Persian tions slowed to under six per- and ones in every other coun- RSSES cent for the first time. try are much lower than the Yet the government ap- actual impact of the pandem- Gulf’s migrant THE European Union’s economics commissioner said on Monday peared more focused on the ic, due to limited testing, that member states would never all agree to blanket mutualised nearing April 3 deadline to lift counting irregularities and workforce debt, but that a compromise with Germany was crucial to give a national lockdown that had mild cases that have been Europe a credible rescue plan from the coronavirus crisis. never been tried by a Western missed. It is the first decline DOHA One way to finance the massive effort needed to shore up democracy—and has since in the number of deaths in a Europe’s economy during the crisis “is to issue bonds, but not been replicated across Europe 24-hour period since Thurs- MILLIONS of migrant workers generically to mutualise the debt, which will never be accept- and the United States. day in Spain. across the Gulf face uncertainty ed,” EU Economics Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni told Italy’s Meanwhile, Spain overtook Spain and Italy make up as host countries lock down, em- adio Capital. China on Monday in con- more than half the world’s ployers withhold wages or mull Ongoing disagreements among member states on what policy firmed coronavirus infections death toll of over 34,800 people olunteers prepare food pacages for people stuc in their homes due to a redundancies, and strict corona- to take risked splitting and dooming the European project, add- as the pandemic stretched from the virus that has upend- locdon in arachi on Monda AP virus containment measures ed Gentiloni, a former prime minister of Italy. scores of Spanish hospitals to ed the lives of billions. lead to deportations and Gentiloni’s comments came after Italy and other southern their breaking point. Experts say the critical seen confinement. countries lobbied unsuccessfully last week for so-called “coro- With a population of only in hospitals in Italy and Spain “We’ve been in lockdown for nabonds”, money raised jointly by the 19 countries that use the 47 million people to China’s will be soon heading toward China building special the last eight to 10 days, we don’t euro single currency. AP 1.4 billion, Spain’s tally of in- the United States. Agencies know when it will end,” said a 27-year-old Pakistani engineer hospital for Pakistan in Qatar beginning a second UTR IS AN CIPS week under mandatory PRARS suits and ventilators to Paki- quarantine. How essential items differ across cultures ■ ritain, which was initially ISAAAD In a nod to Israel’s stan. And we will also help Pa- “The basic issue we are facing reluctant to shut down The coronavirus PASTR vibrant religious CHINA, which has sent medi- kistan to set up adhoc make- now is groceries. The govern- business, has issued pandemic is defining N SMA life, people can cal teams and supplies to Paki- shift hospital,” she said. ment is providing us with food orders to close for the globe BUSINSS gather for outdoor stan where coronavirus cases China had built two major but only after some days — and nonessential operations what’s “essential” prayers with a are increasing steadily, said on makeshift hospitals with 2,300 little things only.” He is among In rance, shops and what things maimum of ■ Monday that it was building a bed capacity in Wuhan in early tens of thousands of workers specializing in Restaurants and eateries we really can’t worshipers makeshift hospital there to February at the height of the strictly confined to Doha’s In- pastry, wine and must be shut, but ritons do without, even standing 2 meters treat COID-19 patients. coronavirus outbreak in the dustrial Area after dozens in the cheese have can still get fish and chips though we might 2 yards apart. The number of coronavirus city. Hua said China has invit- blue-collar district tested posi- been declared and other Demonstrations cases in Pakistan reached 1,664 ed Pakistan to attend the video tive for the COID-19 virus. not need them for essential meals, as also allowed while the death toll stood at 18, conference on COID-19 and a They also face salaries going survival eople ait in line to bu guns in alifornia AP businesses long as have occurred health officials said on Mon- medical expert team is in unpaid and arbitrary dismissal they’re outside parliament day, underlining that local Islamabad. or deportation — an outcome GUNS AN G INTRNT carry-out and the Supreme transmission of the deadly On Saturday, a special plane that could spell disaster for fam- In some S states, golf, guns and ganja have Some countries including S ■ Court ritain at COID-19 is increasing. from China carrying a team of ilies at home dependent on their been ruled essential, raising eyebrows and states have listed listing the first kept liuor “Recently, the pandemic is eight medical experts and re- income. Some labourers in Sau- in the case of guns a good deal of anger information technology sector stores off its list of also spreading in Pakistan. We lief assistance arrived in Paki- di Arabia, home to 10 million as essential. The world’s S businesses allowed to totally relate to what they are stan. Besides airlifting sup- expat workers, complained that dependency on the internet has remain open, but after experiencing,” China’s For- plies, China also sent medical they were required by bosses to become even more apparent as reports of supermarkets eign Ministry spokesperson supplies to Pakistan through work while Saudis were permit- countless people confined to running out of beer, wine Hua Chunying said. the Pakistan-occupied Kash- ted paid quarantine leave. One their homes communicate, and spirits, the “The Chinese government mir to fight the steadily in- said he was told to accept un- or some, the emphasis is on medicinal uses, stream movies and play games government uickly has donated supplies such as creasing coronavirus case paid leave if he felt unwell, but not enabling cooped-up people to get stoned online to stave off cabin fever added them testing kits, masks, protective there. AP opted to continue working. P ARET OD SIER OREX Market ,. ensex ,. H carat gm H, H Per kg H, Dollar . Watch . Nity ,. H carat gm H, H Per gm H. uro . BENGALURU TUESDAY 10 3103 2020 EIGN ADE DIP IS EA rde oil rices nosedie to ndias exports estimated to drop by nearly this iscal year, rom - in arch ear lo of arrel

S CC A New Delhi will result in around `39,000 AAA CD New Delhi crore in additional income per AS the demand for oil has A annum to the government. HIT by the sudden lockdown and logistics dis- drastically fallen in the wake increase in ecise duty After the increase, the total ruption on top of a global slowdown, India’s of lockdown in many parts of announced on arch incidence of excise duty on exports sector is likely to face a nearly 10 per the world, crude oil prices will result in about petrol has risen to `22.98 per cent dip this financial year and between 20-30 dropped to a 17-year low of 3, crore litre and that on diesel to per cent in the crucial month of March. 22.75 on Monday. additional income per `18.83 at present. This levy “If the whole year was a period of challeng- Since February 20, Brent year to the government was just `9.48 per litre on pet- WHAT’S HIT es, this month has been a disaster with facto- crude oil rates have declined rol and `3.56 per litre on diesel Pharma eports, ries shut, orders cancelled by foreign clients over 60 per cent from 58.50 a when the Modi government which accounts and huge logistics disruptions hitting us,” barrel. However, retail fuel Petroleum Corporation — are took office in 2014. for 2 billion, said Sharad Kumar Saraf, president of the In- Tirupur garment cluster rates in India have stayed still absorbing the impact of In a fresh amendment have been hit by dian Exporters Organisation. “We are staring largely stable despite the the Centre’s `3 per litre hike in passed by Parliament, the Cen- the snapping of at orders being cancelled for the rest of the crash, going from `72.01 for a excise duties on transport fuel tre has also given itself room raw material year and many of our companies being re- litre of petrol in Delhi to the made earlier this month. to increase excise duties by an- supplies from placed by Chinese and ietnamese suppliers stares at a bleak future `69.59 per litre — a decline of A large majority of the price other `8 per litre on petrol and China, while the who are working.” just 3.3 per cent. decline is being absorbed by diesel each in the future. jewellery and Foreign trade as a percentage of India’s A ASAL Chennai the brands have not made our Retail prices of petrol and the Centre through the excise Crude oil prices are set to diamond GDP accounted for over 43 per cent of India’s payments. Besides, the ship- diesel in India have remained duty increase in a manner drop further going forward as eporters face an foreign trade with merchandise exports ac- RAJA Shanmugham, president ments released in March are unchanged since March 16. similar to what was done the Saudi Arabia, which has al- even sharper counting for 331.02 billion last year, out of the of Tirupur Exporters’ Associa- right now on high seas or lying Sources say the three state- last time crude oil prices ready announced a sharp pro- disruption in total exports of 535 billion. Saraf does not tion, receives 60 calls on an av- at the ports. Nobody knows owned oil marketing compa- plunged in 2015. duction ramp-up, said on Mon- supplies from expect merchandise exports to top 300 billion erage from worried garment when these shipments will be nies — Indian Oil Corpora- According to officials, the `3 day that it would raise its oil markets abroad. this financial year. traders and exporters, who are cleared and taken to warehous- tion, Bharat Petroleum per litre increase in excise exports to a record 10.6 million Passenger flights, Prof. Biswajit Dhar of JNU, who is also a clueless on their future as the es or when we will get the dues. Corporation and Hindustan duty announced on March 14 barrels per day from May. which have been member of the Board of Trade, agrees. “Both coronavirus outbreak has put Even after the lockdown is grounded by most exports and imports are going to take a beat- an abrupt stop to their busi- over, we may hardly be able do countries, used to ing. Transport logistics have been snapped nesses. Shanmugam patiently any business in April. Even the PROET AAH carry cargo in their with flights grounded and trucking halted, lends an ear and apprises them domestic market, which is also ITD order seeking to chase bellies. ith just though that is being restarted now. The pan- of the association’s efforts to worth `2,500 crore a month, is the cargo flights demic has also broken supply chains and revive the industry. He said he affected. We may see `10,000- left, the cost of many of our producers are starved of raw ma- is trying his best to allay fears, 12,000 crore loss in just three taxpayers irks employees freight from India terials from abroad.” ever since a 34-year-old gar- months,” Shanmugam said. to S has Pharma exports, which accounts for 20 bil- ment manufacturer ended The business hub of Ta- reportedly shot up lion, have been hit by the snapping of raw ma- his life on March 24. mil Nadu is wearing a S CC A New Delhi from 3-5 per kg terial supplies from China, while the jewel- The Tirupur garment deserted look. The asso- earlier to -2 lery and diamond exporters face an even industry, which has ciation says chances of THE income-tax department’s direction asking its employees now. sharper disruption in supplies from markets over 10,000 manufactur- its revival depend sole- to follow up tax collections via phone and mail from their abroad. Passenger flights, which have been ing units, is facing the ly on government pa- homes have not gone down well with the tax officers. grounded by most countries, used to carry worst time ever. The gar- tronage as most firms In a letter to tax officers, Rakesh Gupta, commissioner of cargo in their bellies. With just the cargo ment clusters that employ have bank loans and insuf- income-tax (coordination systems), Central Board of Direct Apollo Hospitals flights left, the cost of freight from India to US over 6 lakh people is staring at ficient working capital. Taxes, have asked them to follow up large tax cases over phone has reportedly shot up from 3-5 per kg earlier a loss of over `10,000 crore in The association has request- and submit a daily report of their actions. “While the ITBA partners with just three months. For both the ed the government for a mora- (Income-Tax Business Application) platform is not available to to 10-12 now. “We are asking the government to allow ex- small and big firms, the road to torium of at least one year. “It’s the officers for discharging statutory functions, it is still possible hotels to add K port units to work at least at half the strength. revival seems difficult. clear that in next three months to follow up the pending collection matters by contacting large That way, along with regular health-screen- Shanmugam said the Tiru- we won’t get any major export taxpayers telephonically/electronically,” Gupta wrote. isolation beds ing, we keep functioning. We will be risking pur exports industry used to orders as coronavirus has bat- With the nationwide lockdown, several tax officials are work- fewer workers to any infections,” Saraf said. see a turnover of `2,500 crore tered economies globally. So, ing from home. “On one hand, there is a moratorium announced Much of what India manufactures for the per month on an average, but how will we pay our loans? The by the government and on the other, we are being asked to pur- S CC A Hyderabad world, such as textiles, engineering goods and the units have not yet received government should also infuse sue cases. And then they say we harass businesses. We have automobiles, can be made by rivals such as their payment dues for Janu- at least 25 per cent of working taken up the matter with our association,” said an officer. THE Apollo Hospitals Group Sharad Kumar Saraf, China, ietnam and Bangladesh. This lends ary and February. capital into the industry, else The joint body of Income-Tax Employees’ Federation and on Monday brought on board president of the Indian anxiety to the long-term future of India’s vital “As coronavirus affected the we have no chance of a reviv- Income-Tax Gazetted Officers’ Association has already written multiple partners to set up Exporters rganisation foreign trade sector. EU, Canada and other markets, al,” said the association. a letter to the CBDT in this regard. 5,000 isolation beds across the country as part of its Covid-19 Project Kavach programme. The hospital chain has Stimulus to wait as taskforce takes even tied up with the coun- try’s largest lender SBI who, S along with Hindustan Unile- stock of sectorwise impact of virus ver Ltd, will sponsor half of the rooms made available by An executive in the aviation industry OYO rooms free of cost for AADA SKLA New Delhi sectors, so that the stimulus is down, along with insurance the needy. utilised judicially. Any an- covers for frontline medical RISI has recentl dongraded rating Besides, it also roped in INDIA Inc’s wait for an eco- nouncement will only happen personnel. The measures in- of Spiceets shortterm loans on Duetsche Bank, OYO Hotels nomic stimulus might get after that,” a senior finance cluded giving free cereals and deteriorating business ris profile and Homes, Lemon Tree Ho- longer. This is because an eco- ministry official told . cooking gas to about 800 mil- tels, Zomato and others to be nomic taskforce, headed by The official said that the re- lion people, apart from direct part of Project Kavach. Union Finance Minister Nir- port will start coming only by cash transfers to Jan Dhan ac- “There will be a rise in the mala Sitharaman, will give a the first week of April and not counts for three months. HDFC Mutual Fund subsidiary buys number of individuals re- sectorwise report to assess the before. “The report will start Ever since the 21-day lock- quiring to be quarantined impact of coronavirus, before coming only in the first week down began on March 25, In- due to contact with Covid-19 deciding on any sector-specific of next month. Till that time, dia Inc, which had already patients. This will put a huge stimulus. the government will take deci- been reeling under the eco- . Spiceet stake from open mkt load on the government’s “The taskforce is on its toes, sions on a case-to-case basis as nomic slowdown, has been de- quarantine facilities. This is monitoring the situation close- and when required,” the offi- manding a stimulus package S CC A New Delhi fidence in the airline coming aviation sector may incur loss- the time for private sector to ly. It will not announce meas- cial added. to sustain businesses. The out of the present crisis,” said es of over 3 billion by Q1FY21 step up to the challenge to ures based on demand, but The government last week most severely hit are the avia- AT a time when the rating an industry executive. due to the suspension of flights. aid, augment and support only after carefully assessing had announced `1.7 lakh crore tion, travel, hospitality, retail, agencies and investors are Shares of the Ajit Singh-pro- According to Centre for Asia our government,” said Dr the sectorwise impact of the relief package to provide a manufacturing and automo- skeptical about the survival of moted carrier have nosedived Pacific Aviation, IndiGo and Sangita Reddy, joint manag- lockdown. The taskforce will safety net for those hit the tive sectors, and small many airlines, HDFC Trustee in the last one year. From trad- SpiceJet, the two listed carri- ing director, Apollo be submitting a report on the hardest by the Covid-19 lock- businesses. Company Limited, a subsidi- ing at a 52-week high of `156.90 ers, alone could report com- Hospitals. ary of HDFC Mutual Fund, has a share, it fell 5 per cent intra- bined losses of 1.25-1.5 billion The proposed isolation bought 3.4 crore shares of do- day on Monday to close at across FY20 and Q1 of FY21. It rooms will be rolled out in EPESS EAD TAS STCK PICK mestic carrier SpiceJet from `35.15 on the BSE. added that the pandemic im- Hyderabad, Chennai, Mum- the open market, which ac- Industry observers believe pact will be so severe that small- bai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and GMR Airports gloal TATA CNSUMR counts for 5.45 per cent stake in that GoAir and SpiceJet have er carriers may go bankrupt. Delhi, starting with approxi- partner raises . n PRUCTS the private airline. been hit the worst due to the SpiceJet is said to be taking mately 500 beds in Bengalu- A The merger of Tata Chemical’s The open market stake pur- ban on international and do- multiple steps to conserve its ru, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata Hyderabad: GR Airports’ consumer biz with Tata Consumer chase comes days after rating mestic flights, as they don’t cash flow. Recently, it said its and Mumbai, and going up international partner, Groupe T Products TCP is in sync with the agency CRISIL downgraded the have the requisite cash flow. fleet of five dedicated freight- by 50 rooms every three ADP of rance, said it has group’s focus to create a single rating for SpiceJet’s short-term For SpiceJet, and the avia- ers are crisscrossing the coun- days, to reach an eventual raised 2.5 billion in bonds in A CG-focused firm. TCP’s India loans from ‘BB-’ to ‘B’ on sig- tion industry in general, a lot is try daily and flying to nearby target of 5,000. The ramp up two parts, with different tea business is its breadwinner nificant deterioration of busi- dependent on the soon-to-be- countries including to those in will be calibrated based on S L maturity prices at effective and has clocked revenueEITDA ness risk profile amidst the announced relief package from the Middle East, South East the need and cities will be interest rates of 2.25 per cent D The views and recommen- CAGR of 3 over the past coronavirus lockdown. the government intended at Asia, among other places with added based on government and 2.75 per cent, respectively. dations made above are that of the indi- decade. Starbucks 5 is “India’s biggest mutual fund supporting the sectors finan- cold chain medical supplies, requests, support of local The bonds were oversubscribed vidual analyst or broking company, and well positioned in a market with buying a significant stake (in cially hit by coronavirus. Re- medicines, medical devices and healthcare providers and by more than five times. In not that of The New Indian Express. very little competition. SpiceJet) shows that it has con- cent reports have claimed that more to fight Covid-19. support for CSR. ebruary, GR signed a pact with Groupe ADP to divest per cent stake in GR Airports LCDN EEC GAL for an euity considera- tion of I,78 crore. The deal valued GAL at I22, crore. Indian e-commerce sector to lose $600 mn in next two weeks: Forrester Unicorn Inia Ventures closes n euity un SA ALK engaluru categories — such as large ap- taking in account of the lock- forms to hoard essential sup- pliances, smartphones, con- downs and long-term impact on plies like groceries and person- NLINE EAILES SEE BN LSS umbai: umbai-based early THE 21-day lockdown an- sumer electronics and fashion spending, we expect the growth al hygiene products, and several stage fund house nicorn India nounced by the Indian govern- — which constitutes 70 per cent rate to slow in 2020, to around 5 start-ups are venturing into the was entures has announced the ment to prevent the spread of of the e-commerce sector in In- per cent,” it added. segment. This will boost their the size of first close of its second euity coronavirus will cost the coun- dia, is likely to hit the indus- The usual supply chain sales by 30 per cent in 2020. But online fund at 2 million. The second try’s e-commerce sector nearly try in a big way. disruptions for manufac- the share of groceries in the estimated as loss was the size of online grocery sale euity fund of crore was 600 million in the next two Forrester’s research turers and online retail- overall sector is very small. In for online retailers retail sales in in . announced last year. nicorn weeks, according to market re- note, shared exclusive- ers are also expected to 2019, the share of online gro- during the and was epected to Online India has raised funds from search firm Forrester. ly with , stated pose huge problems for cery sales stood at less than 2 lockdown period grow grocery sale domestic investors comprising There has been a loss of near- that it has downgraded e-commerce compa- billion,” said Satish Meena, sen- due to supply growth is of family offices and investors ly 400 million over the past one the growth outlook for nies, as they will strug- ior forecast analyst, Forrester. chain disruptions, is the new epected to from the first fund. The fund week due to the slump in over- India’s online retail busi- gle to fulfill the growing Apart from BigBasket, Gro- inventory issues, estimated grow at a epects to reach final close in all sales, especially after the ness by 20 per cent due to the demand. The demand, as per fers, Amazon and Flipkart, last-mile delivery growth in faster rate net one year. ith the first government barred the retail Covid-19 impact. It said that In- the research firm, is likely to start-ups like Meesho, Snap- and lack of demand now, than the close, nicorn India has also and e-commerce industries dia’s online retail business pick up only during the festival deal, Shopclues and Zomato in categories other taking into account the overall announced its first investment from selling non-essential stood at nearly 33.5 billion in season in 2020 or next year. have also started selling grocer- than grocery and lockdown and long-term online retail in a Trivandrum-based start-up products. The slump in sales of 2019 and was expected to grow “More and more Indians are ies on their platforms to tap the personal care impact on spending sales SaScan editech. products under non-essential by 26 per cent in 2020. “After turning towards online plat- growing market. Dirk Hordorff, vice-president of the German tennis federation, has said that Wimbledon cancellation Wimbledon will be cancelled on Wednesday. “They will announce that they are cancelling Wimbledon,” Hordorff said. “You could reorganise Roland Garros on the cards? for September or October, but not Wimbledon, the grass would be too damp.”

BENGALURU TUESDAY 11 31l03 l2020 newindianexpress com

MAT FINISH COUNTDOWN BEGINS ONCE AGAIN Yoga and meditation Tokyo organisers announce July 23 to August 8 window for deferred Olympic Games helping wrestler Pooja AFP @ Tokyo he said an emergency te le- conference had been held wi th The Tokyo Olympics will begin the IOC and the date finalised. on July 23 next year, organisers “We agreed that the timing iron out her flaws said on Monday, after the coro- of the event will be in summer navirus forced the historic de- as originally planned, consider- FIROZ MIRZA @ Chennai quite often but these days I am cision to postpone the Games ing the coronavirus... and a cer- in the best shape and free of until 2021. The announcement tain amount of time needed for SHE was offered a role to por- all injuries. I am confident comes less than a week after preparations, selection and tray Babita Phogat in Bolly- that I will make the Olympic the organisers were forced to qualification of athletes,” he wood blockbuster Dangal but cut,” said the 2018 Worlds delay the Games. added. In a statement, the IOC Pooja Dhanda declined it to medallist. said the new dates would give concentrate on wrestling. In She has been spending health authorities and organis- her words, “It’s better to tell quality time with her family WORLD ATHLETICS ers “the maximum time to deal the world your story rather after quite a few years and IN 2022 with the constantly changing than portraying someone Pooja doesn’t want this oppor- To accommodate the Tokyo landscape and the disruption else’s role.” tunity to slip out of her hand. Olympics in 2021, the 2021 caused by the COVID-19 pan- Pooja did tell the world her “This is a unique situation. World Athletics Championships demic.” The decision would story three years later when Even my parents haven’t seen will be shifted to 2022. It was also cause “minimum” disrup- she defeated Geeta Phogat, anything like this before. But supposed to be held in Eugene, tion to the international sports Babita’s elder sister, in the as this situation has been Oregon, from August 6-15. “We calendar, the body said. 2018 Commonwealth Games’ forced upon us, we try to make support the new 2021 dates for The Tokyo 2020 Olympics selection trials and went on to good use of it. I am also cook- the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games were due to open on July 24 this win silver in the internation- announced by the Japanese year and run for 16 days, but al event. For the record, she organisers and the IOC,” World the coronavirus pandemic had defeated Babita a couple Athletics said in a statement. forced the first peace-time post- of years before the offer. “This gives our athletes the time ponement of the Games. The A man wearing a mask walks past posters of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in a subway station in Tokyo on Monday | AFP Confined to her home in they need to get back into IOC and Japan had for weeks Hisar due to the countrywide training and competition. insisted the show could go on lockdown amid the COVID-19 Everyone needs to be flexible but the rapid spread of COV- outbreak, the 26-year-old and compromise and to that ID-19 prompted growing disqui- Will be a level playing field: Batra grappler is making the most end we are working with the et among athletes and sporting of her free time by ironing out organisers of the World Athletics federations. There was specula- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE ing. Batra, who is also an In- during the Cherry Blossom her flaws and practising med- Championships in Oregon on tion that Japanese organisers @ Chennai ternational Olympic Commit- season in spring, but Batra itation and yoga to improve new dates in 2022 for our World could take advantage of the tee member, happened to be said he never heard of that. her concentration. Athletics Championships.” Track blank canvas to shift the Games THE new dates of the deferred part of the discussions involv- “The IOC has communicated “It (lockdown) has given me and field is the traditional to spring, avoiding the heat of Tokyo 2020 Olympics will not ing National Olympic Com- these dates to us and I don’t time to practice yoga and centrepiece of an Olympic the Tokyo summer that had be- give any athlete or nation an mittees (NOCs), international know about any other dates,” meditation. In the national Games. en their main concern before advantage. According to the sports federations (ISFs) and he said. camp, we have training ses- It (lockdown) has given me time to co ronavirus struck. Due to the Indian Olympic Association other stakeholders. IOA secretary general Ra- sions twice a day but struggle practice yoga and meditation. In heat, the marathon has been president Narinder Batra, it “The dates are a surprise jeev Mehta felt it would give to work on the mental aspects. the national camp, we have training “The Olympics will be held mo ved to Sapporo. will give a level-playing field because the IOC has been in India an opportunity to send a Wrestlers need to be mentally sessions twice a day but struggle to from July 23 to August 8, 2021. The postponement has hand- for everyone. touch and has been discussing few more athletes. “We can strong as well. These days, I work on the mental aspects. These days, I meditate and do yoga for at The Paralympics will be held ed organisers the “unprece- “Everyone is affected by the the best possible time to host prepare well and hopefully we meditate and do yoga for at least 1-1.5 hours in the morning and from August 24 to September dented” task of rearranging an coronavirus outbreak and the Games with all of us,” will be able to send more ath- least 1-1.5 hours in the morn- undergo physical training in the 5,” Tokyo 2020 chief Yoshiro event seven years in the mak- every country is facing a cri- said Batra. “I have been part letes and give ourselves a ing and undergo physical evening for around 1.5 hours. Mori said at a hastily arranged ing, and Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshi- sis so when the Games are of their meetings. They have chance to win more medals,” training in the evening for evening news conference. The ro Muto has admitted the addi- hosted, I don’t think anybody consulted all stakeholders – he said. “I welcome the deci- around 1.5 hours. Various Pooja Dhanda, 57kg wrestler 2020 Games were scheduled for tional costs will be “massive”. would have an advantage,” he the NOCs, ISFs, the Tokyo sion of the IOC and we will yoga asanas help me in main- July 24 to August 9. According to the latest budg- said. “It will be a level playing Games Organising Commit- work towards making the taining weight and improving ing a lot these days. Being a Mori had said only hours ear- et, the Games were due to cost field for everyone.” tee, the Japan government, Games a success.” flexibility and agility while vegetarian, I faced difficulties lier that he expected a decision $12.6 billion, shared between Batra also said that the sponsors, etc to finalise the Athletes, who have already meditation helps me in im- while being away from the from the International Olym- the organising committee, the dates had not been chosen dates,” he added. qualified, will also be relieved proving my concentration country. So I am learning how pic Committee during the cou- government of Japan and To- randomly but all stakeholders There were speculations with the announcement of the power,” said the 57kg to cook healthy and nutri- rse of the week. But on Mon d a y, kyo city. were consulted before finalis- that the Games could be held new dates. wrestler. tious vegetarian food. Deco- Physiotherapist Saty ap- rating the house is the other rakash Singh has given Pooja thing which is keeping me en- a programme to follow during gaged these days.” EXPRESS READ this period and she is abiding The wrestler is also making Forget lockdown & focus on by it to keep herself fit and in sure she attends online work- Paartalu extends Barcelona players the best of her shape. “People shops started by the Sports contract with BFC to take 70% pay cut might be struggling to find Authority of India for ath- things to get themselves in- letes. “It’s really helpful. The future, expert tells athletes BENGALURU: Erik Paartalu MADRID: Lionel Messi confir- volved in but nothing has lecture by the nutritionist the has signed a new two-year med on Monday that Barce- changed for me. Given the other day really made me SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN and Behavioural Sciences at oriented goals rather than com- deal, which keeps him with lona’s players will take a 70% schedule my physio has given aware of a few things. It’s also @ Chennai Fortis Healthcare in New Delhi. petition-wise goals.” Bengaluru FC till end of the pay cut to ensure the club’s to me, I hardly find free time. very useful for the “It’s been an abrupt change... A few of the athletes have 2021-22 season. “Bengaluru other employees are paid in The two sessions keep me beginners.” ELITE athletes are creatures of athletes are usually well pre- said they will view the last 8-12 has held a special place in my full during the state of alarm busy throughout the day.” Pooja is also analysing her habit. Most of them lead monot- pared with a certain timeline in months as a year lost. But Divya heart for the past three years. in Spain. In a message posted The Haryana wrestler has opponents by watching their onous lifestyles, perfecting mind. But at the same time, if doesn’t buy that argument. “I Every time I leave the city, I on his Instagram, Messi also not yet qualified for the Tokyo competition videos. “While their chiselled bodies in their they can recalibrate, it’s not don’t think that’s correct. Any- am somehow drawn back to took another swipe at the Games and lost twice in the competing, we hardly get time pursuit of excellence. This hab- necessarily the end of the road.” thing that you have trained and it, whether it’s football, the Barca board, led by selection trials held to pick a to do this but these days I am it usually sees them chart out The plans usually revolve learned, stays with you. Even if fans or the way of life. I’ve president Josep Maria national team for the Olympic watching videos of my prob- course months in ad- around training you take a slight step back- decided to continue the Bartomeu, whom he accused qualifiers. “I’ve never felt so able opponents and doing vance. For an Olym- camps and exposure wards, you are still a lot better journey for two more years, at of undermining the players confident in the past. Injuries shadow-practice to stay in pics, the planning trips keeping in mind than what you were (last year) least,” the Australian said. recently. have hampered my progress touch with the game.” usually begins a good upcoming events, in terms of skills. A lot of things 12-18 months in ad- It’s been an abrupt qualifiers and current you have learned is now part of vance. With the change... athletes rankings. With all your memory. I wouldn’t think HELPING HANDS Games postponed to are usually well those out for the fore- of it like that (a year lost).” BHAICHUNG MANU WRESTLING FEDERATION next year thanks to prepared with a seeable future, Divya A few, according to Divya, are BHUTIA BHAKER The Wrestling Federation of India the spread of COV- certain timeline in says athletes will be also bound to have withdrawal The football Teenage (WFI) has given `11 lakh to the ID-19, athletes, for mind. But at the better off taking it day icon is shooting same time, if they symptoms because this is the PM’s relief fund. want of a better can recalibrate, it’s by day. “Rather than first time that most of them will providing sensation phrase, are currently looking at when all have an enforced break. shelter to G SATHIYAN Manu MC MARY MITHALI & POONAM not necessarily the KOM swimming in unchar- end of the road. the rearranged events “Even if they are training on VIRAT KOHLI & migrant The table Bhaker has The India women’s captain in tered waters. will happen... those their own, there could be restle- ANUSHKA SHARMA workers in tennis star committed Boxing ODIs has promised `5 lakh each Divya Jain, mental Their plans have are things that are out sness, agitation and general The cricket captain Sikkim and contributes `1 `1 lakh to legend gives to the PM & Telangana CM’s relief health expert been gutted for no of your circle of con- worry. They are used to expend- and movie star have providing lakh to the the Haryana a month’s funds. Poonam Yadav contributed fault of theirs. Some trol. Avoid worrying ing a lot of energy, so that’s nat- pledged support to basic ration. Tamil Nadu goverment. salary as `2 lakh to the UP CM’s fund. could even develop stress be- about those. We should look at it ural. But finding ways of con- the PM & CM’s public Rajya cause of the changes to the this way: ‘I have these many ex- tinuing to train if possible and Maharashtra CM’s relief fund & Sabha MP, SPORTS AUTHORITY OF INDIA schedule. So it’s only natural if tra weeks to prepare, what can I also working on specifics that relief funds. `25,000 to the `1 lakh, to Employees of the Sports it throws ‘people off their do at this time to make sure I am they may have ignored in the However, amount CM’s relief the PM’s Authority of India have donated plans’, says Divya Jain, head of ready once the lockdown is lift- past (should do them a world of was not disclosed. fund. relief fund. `76 lakh to the PM’s relief fund. Department of Mental Health ed?’ There should be process- good.”

TRENDING ONLINE Regaining momentum Sharath’s challenge, learning keyboard can wait

AYANTAN CHOWDHURY @ New Delhi “To tell you the truth, such a things in life. So, that was the they fix the schedule. A lot of dreamed without being sure if grets. That got me pumped up long period where my entire plan initially. But now these variables are involved and it would happen in his lifetime. and it showed in the way I was If everything had gone accord- family is free has not been the plans have to be put on the there is no point getting too That gave the Chennai athlete playing.” ing to plan, A Sharath Kamal case for a long time. Maybe at back-burner.” ahead of myself at this stage,” the motivation to give it anoth- Now that the entire country would have taken a six-month the start of my career, we had Sharath adds. er shot at the grandest stage. is under lockdown and the sabbatical post the completion such extensive off-seasons. But **** By the sound of it, it is obvi- However, all of it was almost world is reeling from the effects of the Tokyo Olympics. He had in this day and age, the calen- The news of the Olympics get- ous that it will be an arduous snatched away after India’s dis- of the novel coronavirus, ath- planned to utilise that time to dar hardly gives players time to ting postponed has hit a few task for the nine-time national appointing show at the World letes are finding it hard to deal do two things in particular, just sit and talk with family athletes harder than most. champion, with a lot depending Team Qualification tourna- with the period of inaction. apart from spending some without the pressure of having Sharath is one of them. He had on what the world body decides ment at the start of the year While Sharath has seen it all in much-needed time with his to decide what’s next. started preparing from Novem- with regards to ranking points where they failed to make the his career, these are unprece- family. He wanted to learn to “I see a lot of negativity ber, slowly building up a head and Olympic qualifying rules. cut despite being one of the dented times even for him. How play an instrument, preferably around during these testing of steam which saw him clinch Is there any silver lining? “If I favourites. is he coping? the keyboard, and then, to con- times. I understand it is a very the Oman Open on March 15. In manage to make the cut for To- The World No 38 had to seek “Many players have called template his future as a table difficult time for all, but we his own words, the Common- kyo next year, only six months the help of a mental trainer to me and expressed their fears tennis player. must not forget what is most wealth Games gold medallist ment. After those two aspects, I or so will be left for the next edi- get it out of his system. “I was and anxiousness. That is a nor- But as the paddler himself dear to us — our family. Getting was in the best shape of his ca- need to focus on my playing tion of the Commonwealth not only disappointed, I was mal reaction but as of now, says, the universe works in this time with them is truly a reer. Starting the process again style which means fine-tuning Games. I can play there as I will hurt inside. We were favour- safety is paramount. After that, mysterious ways and what blessing,” Sharath says. will not be easy, considering he both my forehand, backhand as be in shape. When happens af- ites, something none of us were I always tell them to lead a dis- would otherwise have been one And why does he want to is 37. well as working on service. De- ter that, my wife will decide,” used to. Maybe the pressure got cipline life and have a routine of the busiest and most men- learn to play the keyboard? “I know how my body re- pending on when the world- he laughs. to us and it happens. I have and adhere to it. That has al- tally draining months of the “My daughter is learning the sponds now and it takes me two wide situation comes under seen so many lows but this par- ways helped me in my profes- calendar has suddenly been same and I want to make music months to prepare for a major control, I need to plan my **** ticular one hit really hard. My sional life. If you remain sin- converted into an off-season pe- with her. In the pursuit of ex- competition physically. Then schedule accordingly. A lot de- The 2018 Asian Games was one trainer told me to give it my all cere and do the right things, riod due to the coronavirus cellence, athletes sometimes do comes the sharpness on the ta- pends on the International Ta- the biggest highs in Sharath’s in the remaining six months so results will follow sooner or pandemic. not get to enjoy the smaller ble with regards to feet move- ble Tennis Federation and how career —something he had that I don’t go out having re- later.” Oppo has reportedly filed a new patent Cupertino-based tech giant Apple is application in China for a wearable device reportedly planning to include a touch ID that will have a screen that can display time, fingerprint sensor built into the crown of its and can also display notifications. upcoming Watch Series 6.

BENGALURU TUESDAY 12 3103 2020 newindianexpress com

US FDA ILE WHEN FRIENDS COLLIDE 62 11 T When Cold War submarine USS Stickleback rose from the depths of the Pacific it has lain on the ocean beneath the surface the Ocean on May 28, 1958, the last thing the crew must have expected was the floor off the coast of submarine wreck was C submarine to be sunk to the bottom again by a friendly American ship Hawaii undiscovered found, split in two A maor producer of ydroyclorouine ndia as anned eport of actie ingredient in drug HOW DID THE COLLISION HAPPEN The Stickleback and IRS EDICATION public to remain cautious until larger clinical trials validate Silverstein were taking part NO ONE WASHINGTON: A limited smaller studies. in training drills HRT emergency-use authoriation Last week, India’s health The submarine had just The most for two antimalarial drugs tout- ministry restricted the sale and “finished simulated torpedo surprising thing ed as game-changers by Presi- distribution of hydroxychloro- run” on Silverstein, about the dent Donald Trump has been quine stating it as an essential according to the Lost 52 submarine issued by the S Food and Drug drug to meet the requirements project, which recovered accident was Administration to treat corona- of any emergency arising due the vessel the crew virus patients. to the pandemic. manage to get In a statement published India had earlier banned ex- While it was diving deep onto Silverstein Sunday, the S Department of ports of the drug. into the ocean, it lost power before the Health and Human Services de- ICMR has recommended the and surfaced 10 metres in vessel sank. use of hydroxychloroquine as a front of Silverstein Submarine $10 preventive medication for Sailors on the Silverstein missions healthcare workers involved in backed the ship fully and generally M the care of suspected or con- put her rudder left, but they do not offer firmed cases of Covid-19 and could not avoid colliding the crew WAS THE COST also asymptomatic household with Stickleback a way to OF THE contacts of laboratory con- survive DECOMMISIONED firmed cases. This created a hole on the during SUBMARINE Two S medical bodies -- the submarine on its port side disasters National Institutes of Health and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Au- The Stickleback is one The Stickleback was commissioned in 15 and tailed recent donations of med- thority -- are currently working of four submarines the began her war patrols around the time the US icine to a national stockpile -- to plan clinical trials. US has lost since World dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and including chloroquine and Some in the scientific com- War II. The others are Nagasaki. When the collision happened, the hydroxychloroquine, both be- munity fear Trump’s endorse- Cochino, Thresher and submarine had come out of retirement ing investigated as potential ment of the medicines could 4 Scorpio 1945 (decommission) to serve in the orean War Covid-19 treatments. create shortages for patients It said the FDA had allowed who need them to treat lupus them “to be distributed and and rheumatoid arthritis, dis- prescribed by doctors to hospi- eases for which they are OOTLOOSE CASES symptoms to stay at home early people, as demonstrated in ed quarantining Covid-19 cases talied teen and adult patients approved. Italy on during the outbreak, some Indian cases, also move with mild symptoms in make- with Covid-19, as appropriate, The S has more than 140,000 ROME: Italy is making the loomberg reported. The doc- outside their homes freely. shift hospitals, which signifi- when a clinical trial is not novel coronavirus cases and same mistake China did by not tors had wanted to reduce the A crackdown by Italian au- cantly slowed the spread. This available or feasible.” 2,489 deaths, as per Johns Hop- repeats mass-quarantining coronavi- strain on overwhelmed thorities on Saturday found strategy has proven successful, Trump said last week that kins niversity. rus patients with mild symp- health systems. some 50 people —known with local infections in the city the two drugs could be a “gift Some French doctors and toms, said Chinese experts who Three months into the to be infected — min- falling to ero in the last week. from God,” despite scientists politicians also are pushing to China error are in the European country to outbreak, researchers gling in the streets rath- Chinese experts are advising warning against the dangers of expand hydroxychloroquine’s advise authorities. now know that people er than isolating them- Italy to forcibly quarantine pa- hyping unproven treatments. use currently. The mayor of Liang ong’An, who heads with mild symptoms and selves, loomberg cited tients with mild symptoms. Many researchers including the French city of Nice, Chris- with home the respiratory department at asked to stay at home tend the newspaper Corriere del- They say that research shows Anthony Fauci, the nited tian Estrosi, said he was on his West China Hospital at Sichuan to pass on the pathogen to fam- la era as reporting. that in one province 80 per cent States’ leading infectious dis- sixth day of treatment and has niversity, said doctors in Wu- ily members and people in In early February, Wuhan of infections stemmed from ease expert, have urged the “the sense I’ve been cured.” quarantine han urged patients with mild their neighbourhood. Those corrected its mistake and start- people told to stay at home. oft brain nithing iwis rash FACT OF THE MATTER implants op site amid lodown rise in mn for loud use virushit media printed CONSCIENTIOS n105support opened on Sunday afternoon and re- NERAL DEICES WELLINGTON: New ea- ceived such heavy traffic that landers have become so keen it temporarily crashed. BOSTON: Scientists at MIT to report their neighbours for “We’ve had 4,200 reports of have developed a way to 3D breaking coronavirus lock- people believing others print soft, flexible neural im- down rules that police on weren’t complying,” he told plants that they say can gently Monday said a website reporters. conform to the brain’s contours dedicated to address- “It shows how deter- and monitor activity over long- ing the issue crashed mined Kiwis are that er periods. soon after going live. everyone complies WOR RO HOE PANDEIC REPORTING Such flexible electronics The South Pacific with us.” could be softer alternatives to nation is in the midst Bush said breaches icrosoft has seen a acebook said on Monday existing metal-based electrodes of a four-week Cov- included a party of Mhuge 775 per cent in- Fit was donating $100 mil- designed to monitor brain ac- id-19 lockdown, with res- about 60 people at a back- crease in its Cloud services lion to support news organi- tivity, the researchers said. idents under orders to stay at packer hostel in Queenstown in regions that have en- ations globally hurting They may also be useful in home or remain at least 6.5 and tourists continuing to forced social distancing or from the coronavirus pan- brain implants that stimulate feet apart if they must go travel the country in camp- ‘shelter-in-place orders. Mi- demic, citing the need for neural regions to ease symp- outside. ervans. PM Jacinda Ardern crosoft Teams now has reliable information about toms of epilepsy, Parkinson’s Police commissioner Mike backed the informants and more than 44 million daily the crisis. “The news indus- disease, and severe depression, Bush said that a police web- also urged the public to re- users and they generated try is working under ex- according to the research pub- site www.police.govt. port any price gouging. over 900 million meeting traordinary conditions to lished in the journal Nature and calling minutes, ac- keep people informed dur- Communications. cording to Jared Spataro, ing the Covid-19 pandemic,” The team developed a way to Corporate VP for Microsoft said Facebook’s news part- 3D print neural probes and oth- awaii telesopes shuttered 365. “Windows Virtual nerships director, Campbell er electronic devices that are as Desktop usage has grown Brown. “At a time when soft and flexible as rubber. OSERATORIES more than 3 times. Govern- journalism is needed more The devices are made from a ment use of public ‘Power than ever, ad revenues are type of polymer, or soft plastic, HONOLL : Observatories on Hawaii’s tallest mountain have BI’ to share Covid-19 dash- declining due to the eco- that is electrically conductive. shut down operations in response to the governor’s stay-at- boards with citiens has nomic impact of the virus. The team transformed this home order aimed at preventing the spread of the virus. surged by 42 per cent in a Local journalists are being normally liquid-like conduct- The shutdown of telescope operations on Mauna Kea is ex- week,” Spataro said in a hit especially hard, even as ing polymer solution into a sub- pected to affect more than 500 technicians, astronomers, in- statement. Despite the people turn to them for crit- stance more like viscous tooth- strument scientists, engineers, and support staff who work at spike in demand, Microsoft ical information to keep paste -- which they could then the Big Island summit and at observatory bases below, The said it has not had any sig- their friends, families and feed through a conventional 3D Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Sunday. nificant disruptions. communities safe.” printer to make stable, electri- STARING ANIALS This is the second time operations on Mauna Kea have shut cally conductive patterns. A man feeds monkeys and dogs on Monday during the lockdown in Guwahati TI down in a year, following protests that began in July. ature taes ba empty streets IMMUNISATION PAST HAITATS

s humans retreat into their homes as more and more Acountries go under coronavirus lockdown, wild animals Century-old TB vaccine investigated as coronavirus defence are slipping cover to explore the empty streets of some of our biggest cities. STOPGAP SOLTION know if the BCG vaccine can tries including the Nether- rapid advancement of the most Wild boar have de- help fight the disease while a lands, Germany and the nited promising candidates to clini- scended from the NEW YORK: A vaccine that has coronavirus-specific vaccine is Kingdom. cal practice, giving us the most hills around Barce- been used widely for about 100 being developed. “This trial will allow the vac- number of shots on goal lona while sika deer years to treat tuberculosis is The trial of the BCG vaccine cine’s effectiveness against against Covid-19 as possible,” are nosing their way now being tested by research- will be conducted with 4,000 Covid-19 symptoms to be prop- she said. around the deserted ers to see if it will protect peo- health workers in hospitals erly tested, and may help save The vaccine is given to more metro stations of ple from the new coronavirus. around Australia to determine the lives of our heroic frontline than 130 million babies annu- Nara, Japan. Gangs The bacillus Calmette-Guer- if it can reduce Covid-19 symp- healthcare workers,” said ally for immunity against of wild turkeys have in, or BCG, boosts humans’ toms, the researchers said. Kathryn North, director of the tuberculosis. been strutting the ‘frontline’ immunity, training “We hope to see a reduction Murdoch Institute. The priority for the research- streets of Oakland, it to respond to germs with in the prevalence and severity within weeks under a fast- She said the hope was that ers is to help protect health California, while a greater intensity, according to of Covid-19 symptoms in tracked process with the ap- improving people’s “innate” workers while they treat virus puma turned up in the centre of the Chilean capital Santi- researchers at the Murdoch healthcare workers receiving proval of state and federal immunity against Covid-19 patients. “There’s going to be a ago, which is under curfew. While sightings of dolphins in Children’s Research Institute the BCG vaccination,” said health authorities. “The clock symptoms would buy time to particular need to reduce the Venice’s canals turned out to be fanciful, they have been in Melbourne. lead researcher Nigel Curtis. is definitely ticking,” he said. develop a specific vaccine amount of time that our health- popping up in ports elsewhere in the Mediterranean as em- The World Health Organia- He said the 4,000 subjects Similar trials are being con- against the disease. care workers are absent,” Cur- boldened wildlife takes free rein to wander our cities. tion has said it’s important to would be enrolled in the trial ducted in several other coun- “These trials will allow the tis told loomberg. SHARE nnn u nuuy

31 03 2020 TUESDAY

DAY’S DIARY NAMED AFTER ENGINEER SAVING THE TOWER INSPIRATION aan Wadear brins iel oer It was named after the engineer Originally intended as a temporary The Eiffel Tower has been the The Eiffel Tower, which stands upright Gustave Eiffel, whose company exhibit, the Eiffel Tower was almost inspiration for the creation olar siners or amo on the Champ de Mars in Paris, opened designed and built the tower. The torn down and scrapped in 1909. City of many replicas and similar on this day in 1889. Its construction construction started on January 28, officials saved it after recognising its towers. One of them is the was completed in two years 1887 and ended on March 15, 1889 value as a radiotelegraph station Tokyo Tower in Japan PG 4

CORONA WARRIOR Call of duty: All IN ACTION, ONLINE roads lead to safety The dance lessons As the initial novelty of working from home fades, citizens are turning to help us channel our online lessons in music, dance, fitness exercises and even finance ● Muneef Khan time productively... ● Vidya Iyengar dents an audio clip of my voice and We hadn’t done this leave a gap after each line for them to hile people have been advised to stay commercially until repeat after me. At the end of the day, indoors, Anjayneya S, a sub-inspector now, but going by t was a regular Monday for the the students send an audio clip of with Bengaluru Traffic Police steps the way it’s working 7,000 students of Seshad- them singing the song and I give them Wout for his daily routine, only to en- ripuram Group of Institutions a feedback,” says Rao who has been sure people stay safe and indoors during out, we may think of who attended their classes from getting several calls from across the the lockdown. Anjayneya says traffic cops making it permanent 8 am, according to their usual globe for classes priced at 1,000. in the city are working in three shifts and time table – albeit online. With each of them is required to be on duty for —Lourd Vijay, According to Anirudh Ravi, 27, gui- dancer Imounting syllabus and loss of several tarist for Cinema of Excess, his two of those. While the first shift starts at 7 teaching hours, Wooday P Krishna, schedule involving online teaching am, the other two commence at 2 pm and 9 Honorary General Secretary, Seshad- has been packed recently. “During pm respectively with ripuram Group of Institutions, felt quarantine, the classes have been do- the night shift being The response has this to be the need of the hour. Stu- Keerthana Rao ing well. I do one-on-one lessons on a 10-hour duty till 7 been great during dents have been given a password to WhatsApp video calls. If I have the am. “We are deputed quarantine. You can Lourd Vijay login to the sessions, and automated same frequency of students even after accordingly, the first attendance is taken. “This has been the lockdown is over, I’d like to contin- two shifts have 30 learn 15 simple implemented across our nine colleg- New approach ue taking online classes,”he says personnel each but songs in 15 days. es. We didn’t want students to sit idle. To make this period exciting, danc- when it comes to the I send students And considering we are in the IT cap- er Lourd Vijay, who is offering both late night shifts, we an audio clip and ital, we felt we should make use of group and private lessons in jive, sal- have only 7-10 peo- resources. While students are tech- to teaching sa and bachata online, is also organis- ple,” he adds. leave a gap after savvy, it may take time for the older ing ‘The Quarantined Competition’, Reflecting on the each line for generation of teachers,”he says. analysed possible repercussions of the between April 4 and 17, an online challenges that he them to repeat Tests, in multiple choice format, will lockdown on the economy, the likely fis- challenge which will include six com- faces, Anjayneya emphasises that people are also be conducted, the results of cal deficit and the sectors which could petitions, pries every two days and still not aware of the seriousness of Cov- after me which will be automated. bounce back faster than others. an overall champion. While he admits id-19, although having repeatedly been ad- —Keerthana At a time when the global economy Carnatic classical musician Keert- that there are some cues that need to vised by national and state government bod- Rao, Carnatic is going through turmoil, in another hana Rao has been teaching music for be followed, which sometimes makes ies. “Many vehicles are still on the road. classical oom meeting, students of Millenni- over 10 years now through Skype. But online classes challenging, he is They cite excuses which are rather silly, and musician um Mams’ (MM), a non-profit organ- recently, the interest has doubled, and working around them. “We hadn’t when we look into them, we sometimes see isation that teaches investing les- Rao has also introduced classes over done this commercially until now, but old prescriptions which are invalid. We have sons to women, held its first WhatsApp, a 15-day course where she going by the way it’s working out, we communicated these points but people don’t meeting of this year through teaches devotional songs. “The re- may think of making it a permanent listen,” he says, adding that it is important oom. During the one-hour les- sponse has been great, especially now feature,” says the seasoned dancer. for people to understand the situation at son by Bishnu Dhanuka, who during quarantine. You can learn 15 (With inputs from Tanya hand and stay home instead of loitering leads MM, students from across simple songs in 15 days. I send stu- Savkoor) around. “Services, including emergency ones, have been provided by the government, so people should utilise that,” he says. ● Simran Ahuja conduct free live classes on their While Anjayneya is one among the many Facebook page starting April 1. “If who are serving every day to assist the fight we conduct a 20-25 minute class ear- against the pandemic, he cheerfully says he t’s 8.20 am and Aparna ly in the morning, it gives them time loves his job. “In my years of service, this is Narotham is wrapping up her en to be an effective stop-gap ar- to practise the asanas again in the the first situation where I have seen a city workout, with her laptop kept rangement. “At Cult, you stand at a evening,” he says. like Bengaluru come to a halt. I am a history nearby. A Pharrell Williams spot and also record your move- Virtual sessions do come with student and I relate the current times to the song plays in the background ments. There is a meter that tracks their own problems, like ensuring Hampi chapter in the Battle of Talikota. I and every time the singer your energy and gives you points,” good two-way engagement, but in- enjoy doing my job and more importantly, Icroons the word ‘Happy’, Narotham explains Mathew. structors have found different ways create awareness among public, but I want swiftly performs a squat jump. But Many Bengalureans are realising to overcome them. Fitness trainer to advise everyone that stepping out can take she’s not alone. The screen in front the importance of staying fit to Arathi Krishnan ensures variety in a back seat for now,” says Anjayneya. of her shows 18 workout buddies, combat the sedentary lifestyle. And her classes, alternating between all starting their Monday morning gyms, fitness instructors and yoga umba, pilates, aerobics, strength on this endorphin-filled, calorie- teachers have been happy to comply and conditioning and circuit train- busting note. Welcome to the quar- with interactive virtual sessions. ing. Dr Prasad A P, on the other CITY READ Alex Mathew antine life, where just like many Abinav Shankar Narayan, founder hand, conducts online classes with other things, fitness too seems to be of Namma CrossFit, says 25 people his wife. “If I’m demonstrating, she Hotel to distribute food packets taking the online route. “Though it’s consistently show up for the online gives instructions, and vice versa,” While India is on a lockdown to defeat virtual now, this helps retain some video sessions he has been conduct- explains the founder-director of Covid-19 pandemic, chef Sanjeev normalcy in my routine,” says the ing on oom since last week, prompt- Vivekananda School of Yoga. marketing professional. ing him to increase the number of In Narayan’s sessions, one lead Kapoor is spearheading the mission to Like Narotham, Alex Mathew too sessions from two to four. “Even non- coach usually performs the full feed the medical staff in key govern- has been spending some extra time members have been showing up at workout with the trainees, while ment hospitals in the city, in collabora- in front of his laptop. Having start- these sessions,” he says, adding that another coach keeps time. Two oth- tion with Taj Group. The initiative to ed his fitness journey with Cult.fit the hour-long free sessions are simi- er coaches call out for corrections distribute 250 specially-made meal in October, Mathew didn’t want to lar to their regular gym classes. or motivate others. “These sessions packets for medical staffs in Victoria miss his daily dose of exercise. While Namma CrossFit conducts are our way of recreating the gym Now, this drag performer and ar- multiple classes a day, Dr Rajeev experience,” says Narayan. Hospital and Bangalore Medical Col- Abinav Shankar lege has taken off, and is being deliv- tiste manager is a part of an online Rajesh, chief yoga officer, Jindal Na- (With inputs from Narayan Arathi Krishnan dance fitness class, which has prov- turecure Institute, says they will Tanya Savkoor) ered by Taj as a token of gesture.

IN A FIRST here are a lot of things you can do members too initially displayed indoors to keep This Whitefield apprehension, which quickly yourself fit and en- couple conducted turned into excitement post a tertained. To start with, you an online naming dry run a day before the cere- can clean your house, learn mony. “I created a WhatsApp how to cook, look for new ceremony for their group and then spent 15 min- recipes, do some physical twin sons through utes with each member who activity like yoga or a small needed help in downloading activity at home, meditate, a video calling app; the oom application and un- draw, or write a story. You family members derstanding how it works,” ex- can write about your quar- plains Sachin, adding how his antine experience in a fun from Jaipur, Kolkata family members also took part way and document them so and Itanagar joined in an online poll that helped the you can show them to peo- (From left) Sachin Sethi and Amita Jain; the family hosts the naming ceremony of their twins via video call couple finalise the names for ple in the future. I had a live in from respective their sons. performance on That Extra  Vasu Dixit homes to celebrate gathering post the quarantine, Om Prakash Sethi, Sachin’s Step’s Instagram page last musician more so with two people aged father, recalls the surprise he evening, for their Month of the occasion above 60 at home. “But doing a expressed when his son first Music. Since people cannot WHAT’S IN A NAME? low-key ceremony with just told him about the virtual ini- go out right now to attend self busy by doing house- four or six people didn’t seem tiative. “I never thought I’d see concerts or watch perfor- hold chores, I work out, ● Simran Ahuja ceremony,” says the city-based be the day of Janata curfew. fun either. At least both our an online naming ceremony,” mances, I felt that this way, cook, and also, I have been pandit, as he continues, “My Then we postponed it to March families and friends could join says the 66-year-old. “But it felt they could still be in making a compost first reaction was, ‘How will this 25 but the lockdown came into us virtually through a video good to see and be with all my touch and contrib- at home. I have raveen Jain has conducted work?’ But now that we have ac- place. Our babies were born call,” adds Amita. family members.” ute something to been composing many naming ceremonies tually done it, I’m happy about on February 1 and we had al- The one-and-a-half hour cer- Agrees the pandit, who ex- bring a smile on peo- some new music. in his 18 years of being a how it turned out.” ready put this off for so long emony, which started at 8.30 am presses similar happiness with ple’s face. I don’t One of the songs is Ppandit. But none has been The past Sunday was a spe- now that an online method on Sunday, saw family mem- how things panned out. So much know how long it called uk a, as memorable as the ritual he cial one for the couple, who fi- seemed to be the best option bers join in from Jaipur, Kolka- so, that he is now considering an will take for the situ- which is a collabo- conducted this Sunday, an expe- nally got to welcome their twin available,” says Amita. ta and Itanagar. “In total, we online puja since temples are ation to go back to ration with an ar- rience he defines as “one for boys – Avyukt and Avyaan – A naming ceremony is usu- had about 25-28 people on call. also shut during the lockdown. normal but we have STAY SAFE tiste from Mumbai, the books.” Jain took part in a with their names. After having ally a big celebration in Sachin’s Even friends who stay just 2 km “I have received 12 calls already to be mentally pre- in which she has virtual naming ceremony as re- postponed the ceremony multi- family. “We had planned to invite away were present online since from devotees who have asked pared for longer, stay safe at written about the present quested by couple residing in ple times, due to the ongoing 250 people but had to cancel all we’re all practising social dis- me about the online naming cer- home, and follow whatever situation and how we Whitefield, Sachin Sethi and pandemic, the duo was finally the bookings at the last minute,” tancing,” says Sachin, who emony and whether something the government is asking. It should be accepting, real- Amita Jain. “I was surprised able to breathe a sigh of relief he recounts. While the lockdown works at Dell Technologies. Be- similar can be done for the is better to be safe than sor- ising and hopeful during when Sachin first told me he this weekend. “The ritual was is in place till April 15, the con- sides pandit Jain, a guru from morning darshan as well. It ry. I have been keeping my- this time. wanted to use a video confer- first supposed to take place on cerned father still did not want Bihar was also a part of the might actually be a good idea.” ence calling app to carry out this March 22, which happened to to risk a ceremony with a huge call. Like Jain, other family nnn SHARE TUESDAY u nuuy www.newindianexpress.com 31 03 2020 2

FIT BIT AMAZON KINDLE STORE VAJRASANA INGREDIENTS Green moong dal: Two fistfuls, soaked You can read Kindle books on your Kindle device or your phone, tablet or computer with the free Kindle Reading apps. Kindle Unlimited is a service that allows you (THUNDERBOLT) to read as much as you want, choosing from over 1 million titles. The first 30 days are free, after which it’s available for `169 a month. Garlic: 2 pods Limitations Salt as per taste  Do not practise until the ankles and knees are sufficiently flexible. METHOD  Not advisable if you have  Soak green moong dal in water and keep it overnight. osteoarthritis, or during pregnancy when extra weight can overload the  Drain the water out and put the dal in a blender. Add two pods knee joints. of garlic and blend well. Benefits  While blending, add around half a glass of water in intervals until it reaches a smooth batter consistency.  This is the only asana that can be LEARNING PACHINKO POONACHI: DAVID done after a meal.  Transfer the batter into a bowl and add salt. Keep aside for 15 OR THE minutes. HOW TO FLY By Min Jin Lee COPPERFIELD  It increases the efficiency of the By Dr APJ Abdul Kalam From bustling street markets to the STORY OF A By Charles Dickens entire digestive system, relieving  Make dosa using the batter. You can add onions or tomatoes. A compilation of nearly 2,000 halls of Japan’s fi nest universities BLACK GOAT This is the story of a young man’s stomach ailments such as lectures that were addressed to to the pachinko parlors of the By Perumal Murugan adventures on his journey hyperacidity & peptic criminal underworld, Lee’s complex — By Deepthi Ramdas, New Delhi teachers and students in school and Through a seeming act of from an unhappy & impoverished ulcer. beyond. He speaks about preparing characters — strong, stubborn providence, an old couple receives childhood to the discovery oneself best for life, to identify and women, devoted sisters and sons, a day-old female goat kid as a gi¦ of his vocation as a successful  It is an important FOR MORE RECIPES, VISIT overcome challenges. fathers are shaken by moral crisis. from the cosmos. novelist. meditative posture Instagram page: @thedesiglutton.in because the body becomes JUGGERNAUT upright and straight Use your email details to create an account on the website. This will enable you access to a range of free and paid e-books. with no effort.  It is the best meditation asana for people IN YOUR KITCHEN DURING THIS LOCKDOWN? suffering from What’s cooking We are hungry for recipes with minimum ingredients and sciatica, is maximum fl avours. Share your quick-fi x with us at [email protected] along with a preventive step-by-step photos. measure against hernia, helps to relieve piles, Steps  Place hands on the knees, palms EARLY CIRCE THE MILL ON MURDERS and alleviates down.  Kneel on the floor with your menstrual INDIANS By Madeline Miller THE FLOSS MOST knees close together.  Back and head should be disorders. MATRONLY straight, but not tense. By Tony Joseph When love drives Circe to By George Eliot  Bring the big toes together and  Alters the flow In this book, Joseph takes cast a dark spell, wrathful This novel revolves around sibling By Kamakshi P. Murti separate the heels.  Close eyes, relax the arms and Zeus banishes her to the of blood and head-on some of the relationships and fi rst love. It is Two cousins lead quiet retired the whole body. most controversial and remote island of Aiaia. This known for Maggie whose passion lives in Tucson, Arizona, until a nervous impulses  Lower your buttocks on the uncomfortable questions is an intoxicating tale of and intelligence bring her in confl ict serial killer descends on the South in the pelvic region inside surface of the feet with  Breathe normally and fix of Indian history. gods and monsters. with the norms of Victorian society. Asian community. and strengthens the pelvic the heels touching the sides of attention on the flow of air muscles. JYOTI GUPTA, New Delhi the hips. during inhalation and exhalation. Availability and download of the free e-book is subject to creating an account with the sites.

RAMAYAN Directed by Ramanand Sagar, Ramayan, CYBER GURU based on Lord Ram’s life, was fi rst aired on Doordarshan in 1987 and had a massive By Vishwas Kamat following across the country. Radio City in  Cast: Arun Govil, Deepika Chikhalia association with and Sunil Lahri Karnataka Police (Cyber Cell) is THINKING, FAST  Watch on: DD National educating people on  Daily at: 9 am-10 am, 9 pm-10 pm Cyber security and AND SLOW creating awareness. By Daniel Kahneman Drawing on a lifetime’s experimental experience, Kahneman reveals where we can and cannot trust our MAHABHARAT IKIGAI LOVE GURU intuitions and how we can Mahabharat, directed by BR Chopra, was fi rst aired in The Japanese Secret to a Long and By Love Guru tap into the benefits of slow October 1988 and had a total of 94 episodes. The script Happy Life thinking. He offers practical was written by the Urdu poet Rahi Masoom Raza, Love Guru is a show and enlightening insights based on the original story by saint Vyasa. By Héctor García, Francesc Miralles hosted by the RJ into how choices are made in  The people of Japan believe that everyone known simply as Cast: Nitish Bharadwaj, Praveen Kumar, both our professional and our Gajendra Chauhan has an ikigai - a reason for being; the thing Love Guru. With his personal lives, and how we that gets you out of bed each morning. And deep emotional can use different techniques  Watch on: DD Bharti according to the residents of the Japanese voice, Love Guru to guard against the mental  Daily at: 12 pm and 7 pm island of Okinawa - the world’s longest-living helps the youth of glitches that often get us into THEATRE people - finding it is the key to a longer and Bengaluru in coping trouble. For the fi rst time in its history, the Bolshoi Theatre more fulfilled life. with love, loss of Moscow has announced that it will broadcast and life. Find the Available on Audible. BYOMKESH BAKSHI Available on Audible. Pricing and and benefits vary by several classical opera and ballet performances benefits vary by Membership Plan. show on Radio City The character, Byomkesh Bakshi, initially appeared (known as the Golden Series) live on the theatre’s Premaloka. Membership Plan. Starts in the 1931 story Satyanweshi. It gained pan-India Starts at Rs 199 per month. at Rs 199 per month. Youtube channel for free viewing popularity almost six decades later with a TV series on The broadcast began last week with the classical Doordarshan with Rajit Kapur portraying Byomkesh. ballet, Swan Lake. The other productions included  Cast: Rajit Kapur and KK Raina in the Golden Collection are The Tsar’s Bride (April  Watch on: DD National 1), Marco Spada (April 4), Boris Godunov (April YEN HELTIDRA 7) and The Nutcracker (April 10). These popular GURU  Daily at: 11 am ONTI SEENU performances will be available online at 7pm By Yen Moscow time, a¦ er which they will be available for Heltidra Guru By Ventriloquist Indushree 24 hours for the global audience. Get to know the Onti Seenu is a funny character who unknown facts around has a funny take on everything in life! the world with the He loves taking his love-hate buddy twist of humour and Subbu for a ride. get amazed. SOUNDING BOARD CLASSIC COMEBACK

REGIONAL KATHEYONDU psychic, who deals with peculiar cases ENGLISH/FOREIGN HE EVEN HAS YOUR SHURUVAGIDE (Kannada) and clients that make her experience HINDI EYES (French) supernatural powers around her. NATHICHARAMI (Kannada) A young resort owner, Tarun, is going This comedy centres on through a rough time and tries to deal  Cast: Kishore Kumar, Amala Akkineni CRIMINAL JUSTICE AQUAMAN a French-African couple Reeling from the loss of her husband, a with struggles of his life. In the process, he  Watch on: Zee5 Aquaman reveals the origin story of half-human, who have been waiting widow struggles to fulfi l her physical and  Registration: J99 per month An edgy one-night stand turns into a strikes up a great bond with a resort guest, nightmare for Aditya, when he wakes up half-Atlantean Arthur Curry and takes him on the many years for the emotional desires despite social taboos Tanya. Will this bond help them to fi nd a journey of his lifetime-to discover if he is worthy of chance to adopt a child. around female sexuality. with blood on his hands. The evidence new meaning to love and life? is stacked against him, but he doesn’t who he was born to be…a king When they fi nally get the  Streaming on: Netfl ix  Cast: Pooja Devariya, Diganth remember the crime. Is he guilty or not?  Cast: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, call, they discover that the  Cast: Shruthi Hariharan, Sanchari Vijay, Manchale, Ashwin Rao Pallakki  Watch Willem Dafoe baby available at the time is  Cast: Jackie Shroff, Vikrant Massey White. The fi lm deals with some and Sharanya on: Amazon Prime  Registration: J129  Watch on: Hotstar  Registration:  Watch on: Amazon Prime per month complex family issues in a comedic light. J299 per month  Registration: J129 per month THE PLAN (Kannada)  Cast: Lucien Jean-Baptiste,Aïssa Maïga,Zabou Breitman The Plan is a suspense thriller written and KUMBALANGI NIGHTS DIL CHAHTA HAI  Watch on: Netfl ix directed by Keerthi as a debut. It is about (Malayalam) The story revolves around three three youngsters dealing with the strict Set in the backdrop of an island village, friends — Akash, Sameer and Siddharth,  Registration: J199 per month jailer, planning to escape from prison. Kumbalangi in Central Kerala, the fi lm, who journey through the bitter-sweet  Streaming on: Netfl ix directed by Madhu C Narayanan, is about moments of post-collegiate life, which A YEAR IN SPACE a family of four brothers who eventually MASKA (Hindi) poses a test for their friendship.  Cast: Ananth Nag, Ramesh Bhat, Two astronauts attempt to brave life in fi nd the love between themselves with the Determined to make it in showbiz, BROTHER (Turkish) Promod  Cast: Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Earth’s orbit on a record-setting mission help of men and women they befriend. an aspiring young actor considers Akshaye Khanna How should a young man act to see if humans have the endurance to turning his back on the beloved SHUDDHI  Cast: Shane Nigam, Anna Ben,  Watch on: Amazon Prime towards his younger sibling survive a fl ight to Mars. (Kannada) Shoubin Shahir, Fahad Faasil Irani café run by his family for  Registration: J129 per month when caught amidst the reality  Watch on: Amazon Prime generations. of a ruthless society? This tale of  Cast: Mark Kelly, Scott Kelly, Barack Shuddhi is a contemporary crime-drama Obama  Watch on: Hotstar written that highlights a situation the women go  Registration: J129 per  Cast: Manisha Koirala, Prit brotherly love poses this and more through in the society in a subtle way to deliver the right month Kamani, Shirley Setia alluring questions.  Registration: J299 per month message at the end.  Watch on: Netfl ix  Cast: Iraki Ramishvili, Zuka HIGH PRIESTESS Tsirekidze, Natasha Shengelaia  Streaming on: Netfl ix  Registration: J 199 per month (Telugu)  Cast: Lauren Spartano,  Watch on: Mubi Niveditha, Amrutha The series revolves All the streaming apps can be  Registration: J199 for Karaganda, Shashank around Swathi Reddy, accessed on smartphones and smart three months Purushottham, a tarot card reader and TVs with Internet connection. Siddharth http://epaper.newindianexpress.com

nnn SHARE TUESDAY u nuuy FEATURES 31 03 2020 3

● Monika Monalisa thon in Antarctica next year. It was not long ago that Para- meshwara Holla, who is cur- In March, I had plans to travel to ince 2017, Upendra Tri- rently living in Canada, was Thailand for a trip with my friends pathi was gearing up making a to-do list when he and in April, I was going to explore Corona isn’t a joke; to run a 42.195 km would arrive at his house in Arunachal Pradesh on a bike, through marathon in Antarc- Bengaluru at the end of May. tica and was all set to But all his plans had to be its rough terrains. But eventually, I travel in March, but shelved due to the Covid-19 lock- had to cancel all my bookings can we hold back the Snow with the lockdown, his down. “I had plans to visit India —Rahul Shyamsukha dream of running a marathon by the end of May. This trip was in the Southernmost conti- to take care of some of the medi- nent – where the temperature cal requirements at home but ? is anywhere between -20° C now, due to government orders, meme fest, please and -30° C – has got delayed by I had to cancel all my travel a year. Just like Tripathi, plans,” says 31-year-old Holla, chores. One of them shows many Bengalureans had to who is an IT professional. a wife asking her husband cancel their travel plans that He has been working from OPEN SPACE to clean some utensils SUMMER TRAVEL Pallavi Srivastava were due this summer. home in Canada for the past while he washes his Tripathi was supposed to three weeks. “More than 6,000 Cancelling plans was Senior Asst Editor hands. Really? Is it still [email protected] travel from Bengaluru on cases of Covid-19 have been re- disheartening for me but funny that a man could be March 21. “I was supposed to ported from here and the Cana- it makes sense because washing vessels at home? fly to Buenos Aires, with a tran- dian government is taking around 120 people or someone who has Another one shows a dis- sit at London airport, before strict precautions to stop fur- PLANS SCREECH been a reluctant social traught man carrying a travelling on a ship from Ush- ther spread of the virus. Since from across the world media user for several duster, imploring his wife uaia to Antarctica. But due to there has been a lot of panic were travelling for the Fyears now, I really en- that this is not what ‘work Covid-19, all plans are put on buying due to the lockdown, cer- Antarctica marathon and joy getting forwards from from home’ means. Come hold. It was disheartening for tain places have limited food it would have put all our friends on WhatsApp and on, isn’t this exactly the me but it makes sense because stocks,” says Holla, who lives in the occasional Twitter daily routine of every around 120 people from across Victoria BC. He is still not sure lives at risk meme I come across. woman who is expected to —Upendra Tripathi the world were travelling for when he can come to India, but There’s scarcely a family work from home after mar- the marathon and it would have hopes to return home soon. member or even a col- riage or childbirth? put all our lives at risk,” says Businessman Rahul Shyam- TO A HALT league sitting close by who Many of these messages 47-year-old Tripathi, who also sukha says the grief of cancel- The ongoing lockdown has marred holidays has not caught me break- even try to make light of cancelled his trip to Brazil in ling his travel plans has been ing into a smile as a car- concepts like quarantine July to take part in the Rio mar- more for him since he had two for many Bengalureans who were looking toon gets downloaded or and social distancing, like athon. He added that one of the travel plans that he was eager- forward to their trips in India and abroad — if I am really unlucky the one that shows a cou- reasons that was mentioned for ly looking forward to. “In that day — watched me ple, with the man sidling the cancellation was that, right March, I had plans to travel to chuckle loudly on watch- up to the woman, but not now, due to lack of inhabita- Thailand for a trip with my I had plans to visit ing a funny video. before covering her in tion, Antarctica is considered friends and in April, I was go- India by the end Not of late though. cling film! Some of the for- to be the only continent with- ing to explore Arunachal I don’t find anything fun- wards I have received try out any sign of Covid-19 and Pradesh on a bike, through its of May. This trip ny about Covid-19. It wasn’t to be more philosophical, just for safety reasons, the or- rough terrains. But eventually, was to take care of so a few days back. I even talking about how we ganisers had to cancel this trip. I had to cancel all my book- some of the medical plead guilty of forwarding should take the experience But all is not gloomy. ings,” says Shyamsukha. requirements at some of those word-play as a lesson, and continue to While the whole trip was an He further adds that he memes. Not anymore. implement these learnings expensive affair for Tripathi, does not want to give home but now, due to Maybe the realisation of once the quarantine is the organisers gave him an op- up on his plans and government orders, I the situation has dawned over. But such profound- tion to take refund with a de- will make the road had to cancel my travel on me slowly. Maybe I was ness can also lead to ab- duction of a minimal amount. trip happen once living a lie. Maybe I was too surdity. I came across a Rather than taking it, he has everything settles from Canada hopeful. Maybe... verse on social media that decided to run for the mara- down. —Parameshwara Holla The rising numbers (or was almost an ode to the is it the lockdown?) proba- virus, thanking it for mak- bly gave a jolt a few days ing us realise a whole back, as if shaking me out bunch of things that are CITY READ a relationship. “The album of slumber. Something in wrong with humans now. does speak of a healing pro- my head has started Maybe it’s the newness cess, I never wanted the focal screaming that it’s a dan- of the issue that we are Ramakrishna Mission point of the EP to revolve gerous disease. And no- staring at which is making to live-stream chants around subjects of life or body should be making us react like this. Nobody, mental health struggles, rath- light of life-threatening after all, would be thank- Ramakrishna Mission er I wanted it to explain the conditions. It’s one thing to ing cancer for making us New Delhi Mission urges progression, which is why the keep one’s sense of hu- value life. Well, as someone people to chant Durga first words on the EP are on the mour intact in perilous who has lost several family Saptashati on Saptami, lines of hope,” says Micah. situations. It’s quite anoth- members to malignancy, I Ashtami and Navami, i.e. Soon, I Promise oozes out a er to laugh at a calamity the certainly hope so. And just blend of R&B and Hip-Hop, with world is struggling to com- as we won’t crack jokes March 31, April 1 and elements of rap breaking out prehend, let along tackle. about Alzheimer’s or tu- April 2 from 9.25 am. through a melodic tune – Post- So not for me, the graph- berculosis, there’s no rea- The chanting will live card – and while the lyrics ex- ics with innuendos target- son why Covid-19 should stream on all the days press emotions of regret – i- ing the Chinese. The break- be any different. Maybe, on these website links – I never wanted the focal ger oods – the beats set a mood up videos showing a before you react to the lat- https://youtu.be/ of hope. partner coughing. The est meme with the laugh- point of the EP to revolve Last month, Micah performed jokes about the police can- ing-with-the-titled-head AH9M4fhdC8w, https:// around life or mental at the seventh edition of the U25 ing those caught roaming emoji, you should think youtu.be/CZ_pUyz50jg health struggles, rather summit, a set which saw close to on the streets. of those who have lost a and https://youtu.be/ I wanted it to explain the 600 people, all sitting down and And certainly not the loved one due to the pan- GvK30jCkXKo – progression, which is why listening to his riffs. “The cartoons that make it seem demic. Yes, break the respectively. whole thing was unexpected, that quarantine is only chain. Of insensitive the first words on the EP especially performing at the about men doing domestic viral content at least. are on the lines of hopes main stage where my slot was in between speakers. Despite —Micah Bedford the fact that they were seated, I he heard cheers and applause for ● Muneef Khan ing from July 2018, I was in the the few upbeat songs. I was ex- Wa same state of mind throughout. tremely nervous but it was a Thus, the title speaks of giving good metric and people en- inger-producer Micah Bed- more time,” says Micah, who re- joyed it,” says the Bengaluru/ Ballads of ford had lost a friend in a leased his three-track debut EP Puducherry-based singer, add- train accident, and his de- on March 27. ing that while the ongoing pan- S but EP, Soon, I Promise, His track, omorrow, which demic has put a halt to touring Quarantine tunes emphasises on the rough and he terms as one of the most plans across the music fraterni- Actor-singer Shruti confusing times that followed. simple tracks in the list, ty, it also becomes a phase for Prakash has been the past “The reason I chose the title is speaks of a tomorrow where him to record a few singles. making the most of that I wrote all the songs in a one hopes to bounce back and Elaborating on his upcom- season where I was backing off look at the bright side of ing projects, Micah says he is staying indoors by Tracks of Micah Bedford’s debut EP, from everything – college, step- things. While tracks like iger working alongside producers indulging in music. ping out, due to the incident. oods reflect on his foolish- including Bengaluru-based Prakash posted a cover Soon, I Promise, speak Despite the fact that these ness and rashness, which he Doc.Awes and Rae.Stones. Ask of Faded by Alan Walker volumes about different tracks were all spread out associates with a pro-golfer’s him for a timeline and he says, Illustration on Instagram, which got human emotions across different months, start- reputation, Postcard speaks of “Soon, I promise.” Tapas Ranjan more than 35,000 views.

small things balloon up into big fights that bring up everything LOVEOLOGY from the past and you start think- Mahesh Natarajan ing if you are too different, too dis- similar to ever really appreciate each other. “If we can’t even think alike whether to cut carrots into or couples and people in rela- round segments and then dice tionships who are living to- them, or by length first, how can gether, this social isolation we decide on the big things!” You Fperiod means being locked in might tell yourself. together a lot more than one These long periods of being might have bargained for, and isolated together have a way of for people who had in the time making things clear one way or Carefree days before got used to having cooks, the other. Where earlier the times maids and other kinds of do- apart in each day created buffer The Covid-19 lockdown mestic help, now having to do zones that made it easier to ignore is giving a lot of time for all the household work them- the differences, the forced togeth- people to relive memo- selves, is changing the dynam- erness reduces the buffer and ries. Remembering the ics of the relationship. makes things transparent. Some carefree days, actress Sa- Even where the work load was of us might try and recreate buff- myuktha Hegde posted generally uniformly shared, The little things ers to stay safe – we might be in there is bound to be a lot more of different rooms for much of the a video of her dancing to being noticed. We see each time, or divide chores so we don’t London Thumakda, from other a lot more of the time, overlap too much. That works to the movie, Queen. and see a lot more of how we that matter a certain degree to keep the sta- are with things. Small things tus quo, but for many of us, espe- get the attention that they nev- The way you dry clothes, the or- mining factor. For some of us, it cially those who didn’t care too er did before. der in which you sweep or swab can be a warm curiosity, a con- much for the status quo in the One example could be in how the house, the way you chop car- tinuation of the discovery of first place, this period can be a things happen in the kitchen. rots and whether you peel the each other, where we can delight trading period. Take, cutting lemons. You might potatoes in a continuous spiral in the way we are, take pleasure You might go through this and cut it length-wise and your part- or in short sweeps. in our differences the way we come out very much the same as ner might cut it breadth-wise. The differences we see can might have if we were just be- before, but chances are that you You might notice that one of you trigger conversations on how ginning to date and looking at are likely to come out more in keeps the phone charger when different you are from each oth- each other with desire and hope. love or wanting to separate. not in use while the other waits er. How these conversations go On the other hand, they could he author is a counsellor with for it to get completely empty. and where they lead is the deter- also be triggering and make the nneright www.cinemaexpress.com

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WELL-KNOWN SINGERS TO Reddy Krishna gets LEND VOICE FOR RAYMO ready with Rowdy Baby

The musical love story stars Ishan and Ashika Ranganath; the makers are left with a fight ● CE Features sequence and two songs to shoot and are working on the postproduction details now owdy Baby marks the di- ● A Sharadhaa rectorial debut of Reddy Krishna. Though he has R directorial experience oogly director Pavan with ad films, this is his first Wadeyar has almost feature film. The makers un- completed the shoot veiled the film’s teaser on Sun- for his upcoming mov- day, and have now shared the ie, aymo, and is left first stills of the romantic en- with just two songs Shaktimaan to return tertainer with C. Reddy Krish- Gand a fight sequence to film. aymo na has also written the film’s has Ishan and Ashika Ranganath story, along with producing it sharing screen space for the first with SS Ravi Gowda, who also Heer Kaur

Director Pavan Wadeyar and team Wadeyar Pavan Director to television, confirms time. The team had completed the plays the lead role. The latter dubbing and editing before the lock- has previously worked in films down, and the director has also done the rushes of his film, is happy with Nagaraj to lend their voices for vari- like Mr Mommagga and the Ra- the final trimming at home. Pavan the way it has shaped up. “aymo is ous songs in Raymo. Mukesh Khanna dhika Kumaraswamy-starrer aged boy and girl. The film is Wadeyar is now hoping that the a love story apt for the present gen- The film features Ishan as a singer amayanti. Rowdy Baby fea- now waiting for clearance from country will soon break free from eration. It is also a musical, with and a guitar player, and the actor has ● CE Features tures two heroines -- Divya Rao the censor board. It has Ab- Covid-19, and he will get to travel to seven songs. I have joined hands undergone an image makeover for his and Heer Kaur. While this will hishek Rufus composing the the Himalayas and Rajasthan to with music director Arjun Janya character. The cast also includes senior the latter’s debut film, Divya, a background score while music complete the shooting. “We don’t for the first time, and both of us to- actors Madhoo and Sarathkumar play- ndia’s favourite homegrown su- newcomer from Mangaluru, is by Armaan Merugu. owdy have an alternative, and will have to gether have churned out good ing pivotal roles. Raymo has cinema- perhero is making a return amid has already made her debut in aby also has Kala Bhariava wait until we get permission to trav- tunes,” says the director, who is tographer Vaidi cranking the camera. the coronavirus lockdown. Can he Telugu with egree College (MM Keeravani’s son) singing a el outside the state,” he tells C planning to sign up well-known Meanwhile, ask Pavan about his Isave us? owdy aby also features Raj song. Chandan Shetty, Apoorva sharing the latest stills from the singers like Arijit plans for the next project, and he re- After the return of classic shows Kempegowda, Aruna Balaraju Sridhar, Manasa Holla, Saketh film, which has also been shot in Singh, Shreya Gho- veals that he will be teaming up like amayan Mahabharat and Cir- and Srinath Vasista in the cast. and Harini Ivathuru have also various foreign locations like Bang- shal, Armaan Ma- once again with aymo producer cus on Doordarshan, Mukesh Khan- According to the director, the rendered various tracks that kok, Malaysia, South Africa and lik, Sanjith CR Manohar for a project, and will na’s popular superhero series Shak- film is set against a college have been written by director Singapore. Hegde, Sid also be directing another film for timaan is awaiting a rerun. backdrop, and the title repre- Suni, Kirnnai Raj and V Pavan Wadeyar, who has watched Sriram and Indu Ishan. The actor, who essayed the velvet- sents the characters of a teen- Nagendra Prasad. clad superhero from 1997-2005, shared on Twitter: “130 crore Indians will together get the opportunity to watch haktiman on DD once again. Wait for the announcement.” Last week, the public broadcasting body Prasar Bharati had greenlit four shows to be re-telecast on DD National and its sister channels. These included the epics Ramayan and Maharabharat as well as the cult shows Circus (starring Shah Rukh Khan) and Byomkesh Bakshi. Inci- dentally, Mukesh Khanna had played the duty-bound Bhishma in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat. Shaktimaan ran on DD for 502 epi- sodes between 1997-2005. Mukesh, who also produced the show, essayed the dual roles of haktimaan and his geeky double Gangadhar, a photo- journalist for Aa i Aawa newspa- per. In 2011, an animated series based

Ashika Ranganath and Ishan Ranganath Ashika on Shaktimaan was aired, followed by the television film Hamara Hero Shaktimaan in 2013. Now, watch Kartik Aaryan contributes ` 1 crore towards Covid-19 pandemic ● CE Features hour to rise together as a nation. Whatever I am, whatever money I Satya Prakash’s have earned, is only because of the artik Aaryan has contributed people of India and for us, I am con- Rowdy Baby Rowdy 1 crore to Prime Minister Naren- tributing 1 crore to the PM-Cares dra Modi’s PM-Cares fund in fund. I urge all my fellow Indians Rama Rama Re Ksupport of the fight against the also to help as much as possible.” coronavirus pandemic. Earlier, Akshay Kumar and other A still from still A In an Instagram post, Kartik Bollywood celebrities have donated on YouTube wrote, “It is the absolute need of the for the cause. Panchayat trailer out: Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta reunite

● CE Features could not have been more excited to work on Panchayat – and particu- larly the opportunity to work with he trailer of TVF’s Panchayat a the brilliant Neena Guptaji once new web-show set to stream on again.” Amaon Prime, is out. The com- Neena Gupta shares, “Playing the edy-drama series stars Jitendra role of Manju Devi, a quirky matri- T Varma Prashanth Kumar as an engineering graduate archal homemaker and official vil- who reluctantly takes up a job at a lage pradhan, was a huge amount of

panchayat office in rural ttar the film from still A fun, especially alongside such a tal- Pradesh. The show also stars Neena ented cast and crew. I know Prime Gupta as the village head and members are going to fall in love Raghuvir Yadav as her husband. with its unique characters and au- Awe director Prashanth Neena and Jitendra had recently thentic rural flavour.” worked together in hubh Mangal There, he begrudgingly tackles installing solar panels in Phullera, Panchayat is written by Chandan A still from Rama Rama Re yada aavdhan mundane issues while preparing for which further pickles his equation Kumar and directed by Deepak Ku- Varma to make film on Abhishek Tripathi (Jitendra) is his MBA exams. The latter proves with the villagers. mar Mishra (Permanent Room- an unemployed youth pressed for ca- difficult, because of the persistent “Panchayat is the unique and mates, Humorously Yours). This coronavirus ● CE Features reer choices. Persuaded by a friend electricity problem in the village. charming story of a young man show is set to stream on April 3. This (Biswapati Sarkar), he packs off to a And so Abhishek, taking a cue from struggling to adjust to his new life in is the second collaboration between ● CE Features remote village called Phullera. Mohan Bhargav in Swades, starts a remote village,” says Jitendra. “I TVF and Amaon after Hostel Dae. or people sitting at home due to the lockdown and looking to rashanth Varma, the director of watch good films, here’s an op- Awe, starring Kajal Aggarwal, is F portunity to watch director D currently working on a film Satya Prakash’s ama ama e Pbased on the coronavirus pan- The critically-acclaimed film is ‘I am celebrating the beauty of life even as cancer and demic. It is said that the director has the latest to come online. The film, been working on the idea since which marked the debut of the di- January. rector, was released on the latter’s COVID-19 survivor,’ says actor-singer Rita Wilson The novel coronavirus originated YouTube channel, Satyapictures. in China towards the end of 2019 and It has now been garnering a lot of ● CE Features life despite all the struggles she has sional accomplishments, she added, has spread across the world rapidly attention. The film was produced gone through. She wrote, “This date, “All of this would not be possible killing thousands. Prashanth said to under the Kannada Color Cine- March 29, represents a time of great without good health. So, today, have started his research about the mas banner in October 2016. It is a ctor Rita Wilson was diagnosed happiness. I was on Broadway star- March 29, I am celebrating the beau- virus that will play a major role in road movie that tells the story of with coronavirus, along with ring with Larry David in his play ty of this life, the blessings God has his upcoming film. a convict on death row, his en- her husband Tom Hanks, in ish n he ark before finding out given, and my continued good Prashanth is also co-producing the counter with a retired police per- AAustralia and underwent treat- I had been diagnosed with breast health, even now as a COVID 19 sur- project, which will go on floors once son and the criminal getting back ment in the country before return- cancer. March 29 also marks five vivor. Please take a moment today to the pandemic is controlled and nor- to jail. The film stars K Jayaram, ing to their home in the S. years of being cancer free after hav- acknowledge the amaing creation malcy is restored. The first look post- Nataraj and Dharammanna Ka- The couple were admitted to an ing had a bilateral mastectomy. I am your bodies are and to thank it for er will be revealed in April, accord- dur, among other actors. It was hospital in Queensland and were so thankful for my health, for the doing so much.” ing to reports. The plot and cast also remade in Telugu in 2018 as later discharged. The two then spent doctors, nurses, friends and family Rita Wilson has acted in numer- details are being kept under wraps Aatagadharaa iva which was some time in self-isolation before re- who got me through that time. You, ous TV series including Curb our for now. produced by Rockline Venkatesh. turning to America. online friends, also need to be nthusiasm and he ood ife She Earlier, the director was supposed Rita Wilson Wilson Rita ama ama e has music com- Rita Wilson, who is also a cancer thanked because your prayers and is also a singer and has so far re- to make a sequel to Awe, but the film posed by Nobin Paul and cinema- survivor, took to Instagram after her optimism were felt deeply.” leased four albums. She will next be has been delayed for reasons tography by Lavith. return to share her appreciation for Mentioning some of her profes- seen in the film ove s ove s ove unknown.