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Danger: Clear, present and hidden KILLER VIRUS FOOTPRINT GROWS elangana State, with all its 75 CASES IN A DAY, TELANGANA TOTAL NOW 229 Tgargantuan efforts to contain Covid-19 TS facing steep curve amid specially toned up public health PNS n HYDERABAD number of cases in the state to infrastructure, has begun to see the clear, 229. +ve Dea- Disc- present and hidden dangers of the deadly Dashing Chief Minister Two patients died in the state cases ths harged of Coronavirus cases virus that has eaten into the vitals of the K Chandrasekhar on Friday, taking the total death n world’s health profile and global Rao’s hopes of toll to 11. One of them Monday 6 6 13 PNS HYDERABAD declaring TS is a resident of Panic grips place economy. With an alarming 75 Covid-19 “Covid-19- Shadnagar, while the Tuesday 16 0 0 The growth rate of total positive cases being reported on Black free,” the state other one is a resident of Wednesday 30 3 0 COVID-19 cases in as covid patient Friday alone, mostly pertaining to on Friday Secunderabad. A 50-year-old Telangana has been increas- those who had returned after saw the female, resident of Thursday 27 0 3 ing over the past one week. attending the Tablighi Jamaat’s biggest Shadnagar, suc- While every state is waiting died in OGH cumbed while being Friday 75 2 15 to flatten the curve, Faced with crisis, congregation held in Nizamuddin, HYDERABAD: A 55 year old poultry sector treated at Osmania Cumulative 229 11 32 Telangana’s curve is on a woman who had travelled to Uttar New Delhi during March 13-15, Hospital on Thursday. She steep rise with almost Pradesh on contract basis and seeks interven- even the robust administration allegedly tested positive 48.7percent rise on Friday. came back to Hyderabad via Delhi tion from Centre felt the jolt, going by IT and for coronavirus after her retracted the post. The ‘magic number’ to be was tested positive for MAUD Minister K T Rama death. The Health Of the 229 cases reported monitored is the percentage Coronavirus posthumously on Rao’s studied tweet: Department has therefore across the state, majority of increase in total cases com- Friday, after she was declared initiated contact tracing of the them had reportedly attended pared to the previous day. dead following severe throat pain @KTRTRS: “Those of you two persons. the religious congregation that When it reaches 0%, there are at Osmania General Hospital. The who've been in denial The silver lining in the the Muslim missionary group, no more new cases. Data woman was staying at a rented 4 that #CoronaVirus won't dark cloud Tablighi Jamaat, had organised released by Telangana gov- place in Cheguru near Kanha affect you; please is that 15 at Nizamuddin, Delhi. ernment suggest that from Shantivanam, a yoga center, along realise that the threat people Health Minister Etela March 31 to April 3, with three youngsters. have been Rajender said that the govern- Telangana saw a 136% is real & imminent if discharged. In ment had identified all the peo- increase in total cases. 2 you don't take it total, 32 people ple who returned from Markaz. Evidently virus is not on seriously Please have been cured, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar reduction path. curve, like a steep rise don't get out of discharged, and Rao has asked officials to iden- A term often used to fight denotes how a pandemic can homes unless it's advised home quarantine tify family members of the coronavirus outbreak is "flat- spread through a communi- for 14 days. With this, there are returnees and quarantine them tening the curve" wherein the ty with no intervention an emergency. 186 active cases in the city. at the earliest. idea is to ensure that commu- strategies in No casual ever While initially the The Health Department has nities can delay the peak of place. attitude spike in the viral Indonesian embassy had tweet- engaged six labs which are the outbreak and relieve please” spread, with 75 positive ed that the Indonesians tested working in two shifts to iden- some of the stress on the 2 cases being reported on negative and will be under tify Covid-19 victims in the health care facilities. A sharp Friday alone. This takes the total quarantine for 14 days, it later state. Centre to give ADDRESSING THE NITTY-GRITTY OF COVID-19 Modi's April 5 call sparks Rs 11,092 cr to Etela wins hearts Nadda asks BJP fears of power grid collapse states to deal workers to with COVID-19 with his hands- spread PM's L VENKAT RAM REDDY message to n HYDERABAD PNS n NEW DELHI on approach masses Prime Minister Narendra Union Home Minister Amit Modi's call to countrymen to Shah on Friday approved NAVEENA KAVI His attention switch off lights for 9 minutes release of Rs 11,092 crore to n HYDERABAD to detail – to at 9 pm on April 5 to dispel the all states under the State 5 darkness spread by Disaster Risk Management Be it talking to Reliance lead- the point of Coronavirus has sparked fears Fund (SDRMF) for setting up ership for smooth passage of specifying how of national power grid collapse. quarantine facilities and cloth meant for PPE stuck in the mask has to This is because any sudden arranging other facilities for warehouses or urging the change in demand pattern will checking the spread of coro- Centre to facilitate the move- be designed -- impact grid frequency that navirus. ment of goods train, TS Health has awed his can lead to grid collapse and The Home Minister Etela Rajender, with associates, power blackout throughout Ministry said his hands-on approach to the the country. If this happens, it the fund multiplicity of challenges sur- followers and may take days to restore nor- has been rounding effective contain- officials alike malcy. approved ment and management of Modi had on Friday called n n following Covid-19 in the state, has won for a blackout urging citizens Sudden change in power Officials of TS power utilities on alert to assurance innumerable hearts by being and officials alike. to light a lamp, candle or demand in country in a avert any disruption given by part of every activity at all lev- Etela’s day begins at 9-00 span of 9 minutes can shine a mobile flashlight to n Ready to switch off generating units to Prime Minister els of administration. am with a teleconference ‘dispel the darkness spread by disturb grid frequency maintain grid discipline Narendra Modi to chief min- Since the first case was involving the core commit- the Coronavirus’. isters during his video confer- detected in February, Etela has tees, including hospital man- If the country as a whole ence on Thursday. dedicated himself to ensuring agement committee, surveil- responds to Modi's call and demand will hit rockbottom grid not being able withstand The home minister has that the state is fully prepared lance committee, IEC com- switches off at 9 pm, it will across the country. The second such sudden drastic change in approved the release of Rs for handling the dreaded virus. mittee, procurement com- result in the grid witnessing disruption will come nine power demand within a mat- 11,092 crore under SDRMF His attention to detail – to the mittee and training commit- unprecedented change in minutes later, when the people ter of nine minutes and col- to all states, a ministry state- point of specifying how the tee, along with secretary power demand within a span will switch on power simulta- lapse, is real, say officials. ment said. mask has to be designed -- has Shanti Kumari. CNG, piped of nine minutes as power neously. The possibility of the 2 2 awed his associates, followers 2 cooking gas price in Delhi, adjoining ‘PM dashed hopes of Indians who cities reduced Corona claims first life in AP, confirm doctors expected answers on imp issues’ Deceased had contracted virus from his son who attended Tablighi Jamaat PNS n NEW DELHI tions on the low testing for PNS n VIJAYAWADA The man had contracted the pm of Thursday to 10 am on Coronavirus in the country, Friday. The Congress on Friday said saying it is the first step Days after the death of a 55- virus from his son who According to the state nodal 8 Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards containing the spread year-old man in the returned from Delhi on March officer Dr Arja Srikanth, the had dashed the hopes of Indians of the virus. He said the coun- Vijayawada Government 17 after attending the Tablighi deceased had visited the who were expecting answers try was expecting answers General Hospital, the State Jamaat religious convention Government General Hospital, from him on critical questions from the Prime Minister dur- government on Friday con- Vijayawada on March 30 at CORONAVIRUS TODAY on the fight against Coronavirus, ing his address on the issues firmed that he was the first around 11.30 am for health steps to revive the economy and of shortage of personal protec- fatality of the deadly and high- returned from Delhi on March cases in the state rose to 161 check-up. As per procedure, OUTBREAK ALMANAC on helping all those affected due tion equipment and on help- ly infectious COVID-19 in 17 after attending the Tablighi with tests confirming that 12 his swabs were taken and sent to the lockdown. ing the poor and migrant Andhra Pradesh. Jamaat religious convention. more persons have been infect- for examination within an Month & Paksham: Congress spokesperson labourers who were without The man had contracted Meanwhile, the total num- ed with the virus. These were hour, at around 12.30 pm. Chaitra & Shukla Paksha Pawan Khera also raised ques- food and money. the virus from his son who ber of COVID-19 positive the reports received from 10 Panchangam: 2 WORLD Tithi: Ekadashi: 10:29 pm Nakshatram: Ashlesha: 05:08 pm Centre credits Time to Avoid: (Bad time to start 1,074,290 Cases any important work) Lockdown spawns illegal sale, door delivery of liquor Rs 500 each to Confirmed Rahukalam: 09:15 am – 10:47 am Yamagandam: 01:50 pm – 03:22 pm NAVEEN KUMAR included those pertaining to the over 4.07 crore n HYDERABAD "While most of the culprits have hoarded seizure of 24 bottles from Lucky Varjyam: 06:39 am - 08:00 am 56,987 up stocks to sell in distress and during Wines in Keesara, another store PNS n NEW DELHI Deaths 07:00 pm - 05:30 am With the government trashing high demand times like this, others are in Chilkalguda, and from Priya Gulika: 06:11 am - 07:43 am rumours about ‘moratorium’ Bar and Restaurant, wherein The Centre credited the first Good Time: (to start any important on wine shops and clearing using the backdoor entry in wine shops stocked up bottles were being installment of Rs 500 to over 226,062 work) the air over liquor ban amid sold to customers scrambling four crore Jan Dhan accounts to steal and sell to make quick money," Recovered Amritakalam: 03:38 pm - 05:08 pm lockdown in the wake of said the officials for their daily fix. of poor women on Friday as Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:54 am - 12:43 pm fake reports, illegal sale of An official with the part of a relief package in INDIA alcohol is rising in the city so Telangana’s Excise Department view of the lockdown due to HYDERABAD much so that even door Operations Team, demand times like this, others said that so far, they have the coronavirus outbreak, Confirmed WEATHER delivery can be arranged if Rachakonda said that in are using the backdoor entry in booked three cases of illegal the Rural Development Cases 3053 you have the moolah and the their Commissionerate wine shops to steal and sell to sale of gudumba (illicit liquor) Ministry said. The amount is Forecast: Partly cloudy right ‘contacts’. alone, 15-20 cases of illegal make quick money," said the from the Dhoolpet area in being released by the min- Temp: 36/24 Nearly 140 cases of alcohol sale of liquor were booked ever officials, adding that all the wine Hyderabad. “We have been istry and will be credited to Deaths Humidity: 72% withdrawal syndrome have since the lockdown was shops, bars and restaurants are anticipating the sale of illegal more than 20.39 crore Jan 84 Sunrise: 06.08 been reported till date at the on announced. under strict surveillance by the liquor since the lockdown was Dhan accounts of women by Sunset: 06.29 Institute of Mental Health, Monday alone. "While most of the culprits officials to curb the black mar- announced and have been the end of April first week, Current Weather Conditions Recovered Erragadda in the past few days, Speaking to The Pioneer, an have hoarded up stocks to sell ket trade of booze. keeping track,” said the official. officials said. 229 Updated April 03, 2020 5:00 PM with 90 of them being registered official from the Special in distress and during high The cases booked by them 2 2 HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | APRIL 5, 2020 hyderabad 02 Efforts on to retrace Every beneficiary will get rice: Srinivas PNS n HYDERABAD the Chairman of Civil Supplies Corporation M Srinivas Reddy, Civil Supplies Corporation arranged and handed over chairman Mareddy Srinivas 9,000 kg of rice to be distrib- Tablighis’ footprints Reddy said as per the instruc- uted to the lower grade staff of tion of Chief Minister K Police Department and for the Chandrashekar Rao, 12-kg free poor people. l Officials launch massive door-to-door survey in Warangal rice will be distributed to 2.80 Speaking on the on the occa- crore beneficiaries in sion HW Mayor Dr Bonthu PV KONDAL RAO Telangana. On Friday, Srinivas Rammohan said as per the Bandi Sanjay n WARANGAL Reddy held a review meeting instructions of the Chief with officials concerned on rice Minister K Chandrasheker donates Rs1 cr Following the rise in number distribution. Rao, that no one should be of Corona positive cases in the "As all the beneficiaries are hungry, the state government to PM-CARES state, the Warangal Urban dis- coming to the ration shops at is giving 12-kg rice and Rs 500 trict administration has once, they are getting crowd- Civil Supplies Corporation chairman Mareddy Srinivas Reddy, GHMC Mayor to each migrant labour. In PNS n HYDERABAD launched a massive door-to- ed and transactions are getting Bonthu Rammohan distributing rice in the city on Friday support of government, the door survey to trace and shift delayed," he said. Srinivas Mayor appealed the social wel- BJP state unit chief and to isolation all the Tablighi Reddy requested the beneficia- Ration shops will work from 7 taking rice through Portability fare organizations to come for- Karimnagar MP Bandi Sanjay Jamaat Muslims returned from ries to follow token system. am to 7 pm everyday and 15 should compulsory have to ward to donate. Kumar on Friday donated prayers at Nizamuddin. Srinivas Reddy said that in the days restrictions is also lifted to take rice by using biometric Mayor Dr Bonthu Rs 1 crore from MP Local District Collector Rajeev last two days, record transac- smooth rice distribution. machine. Rammohan and Chairman Area Development Scheme Gandhi Hanumanthu, tions were registered at ration Due to Central Every Ration Card holder Civil Supplies Corporation, and another Rs 1 lakh from Commissioner of Police Dr shops. On 1 and 2 April, 14 Governments rule to enter will get Rs 1500 through rice thanked the Telangana Rice his salary to the PM cares Ravinder and GWMC District Collector Rajeev Gandhi Hanumanthu and other officials during a door-to- lakh ration card holders took ration details in Anna Vitaran disbursement scheme, the Millers Association president relief fund. He has already Commissioner Pamela door survey in Warangal on Friday 55,561 tonnes of rice. On 3 Portal biometric is compulso- amount will be credited in their Gampa Nagender for donating declared Rs 50 lakh to take up Sathpathi visited Rangampet, April till afternoon, another 4 ry, but Telangana government accounts and there is no link if 9,000 kg of rice at this juncture. Corona relief works in his Charbowli , Julaiwada and lakh people have taken rice. had made some exemptions in only rice is taken amount will Addl SP R Venkateshwarlu, parliamentary constituency. Mandibazar, the areas which There is no need to panic, as this policy. Beneficiaries, who be given. The officials are said the rice handed over by The MP also expressed were identified as 'Red Zones'. MARKAZ CONVENTION KEEPS 3.34 lakh tonnes of rice is are obtaining ration regularly, taken necessary measures for the association will be utilised happiness over the response The officials concerned ready to be supplied to 2.80 for the last three months can the smooth transactions, he according the requirement and of the party workers who par- sprayed disinfectants in those VILLAGERS ON THEIR TOES crore beneficiaries. Rice will be get rice without biometric said. Meanwhile, on the request be distributed to the needy per- ticipated in the donation areas. A total of 450 survey AVINASH DEEPAK PULI n MAHBUBNAGAR supplied till this month end. option, beneficiaries who are from the Police Department, sons. marathon organized on teams were pressed into service Friday from 11 am to 2 pm in on Friday in the fifteen areas The Nizamuddin Markaz episode is sending shivers down the spine of which each worker donated of the city where the persons, people living in the districts across the state. Especially people in not less than Rs 100 and who attended Markaz in rural areas, who led lockdown from the front, have started to express Corona claims made another ten to donate. Nizamuddin, visited or fear over coronavirus. The death of a woman in Shadnagar has put Locked down, weavers look While urging the public to resided. It may be recalled the people of that place on their toes. In the last ten days, the first life in AP... maintain social distance to that a total of 19 persons, who lockdown was strictly implemented in the rural areas, but in urban fight the invisible virus, said were sent to isolation centre, areas, the lockdown was not implemented seriously. Following Continued from Page 1 that the BJP cadre has one were tested positive to the at government for survival Wanaparthy issue, where a constable was suspended for trashing a again proved that they are in Corona. Subsequent to this, the man for violating lockdown rules, the police are not keen on strictly However, he breathed his frontline in the fight with the officials concerned have taken implementing the lockdown. They say they would just direct and PNS n RAJOLI last before the test reports Covid 19. He informed that steps and have started inquir- advise the people not to violate the laws stipulated under lockdown were received. Dr Srikanth former BJP MP Dr Vivek ing into the details of their con- period. If we resort to lathi charge and take stringent measures, we The lockdown imposed on the revealed that the deceased Venkatswamy has donated tacts and whom they met after are forced to face the wrath of the administration. Hence, we want to country following the outbreak had a medical history of Rs 10 lakh to PM Cares returning from Delhi. Police remain silent, said a police sub inspector in the district on condition of Coronavirus paralysed all the hypertension, diabetes and Relief fund. then ordered cordoning-cum- of anonymity. Reports from all other districts under the erstwhile sectors and the handloom sec- heart problem. He said that The state BJP chief reiter- quarantining of the localities Mahbubnagar district say that the lockdown is not being strictly tor is no exception. Under the the hospital authorities did ated asked the people to fol- where the suspected reside implemented in the urban areas. However, that's not the case in rural present conditions, there is no not announce the death low lockdown strictly to keep and advised the locals not to areas. In Nalgonda, there was some sort of panic in the city limits as scope for marketing the textiles immediately and they were the novel coronavirus at bay. move from their houses in there were rumours about a medical college professor being tested woven by the weavers. ascertaining if the fatality "The country is passing order to keep virus for COronavirus. However, the officials denied the reports and termed On the lines of the was indeed due to COVID 19 through a crucial period in at bay. them as fake. Similarly, in Nalgonda town, from where the Government purchasing crops as he has other health issues. wake of coronavirus and The Collector inspected the Vietnamese clerics visited and were quarantined by the authorities, from farmers, the weavers On March 31, the son of the everyone should extend their Charbouli and Rangampet there was some sort of fear in the region after the occurrence of appeal the government to pur- deceased was kept under help to the government in area and surveyed the spray- cases in other districts. In Khammam district, there was news about chase the handloom products quarantine, Dr Srikanth said. tackling the spread of virus," ing process of Sodium hypo the occurrence of Covid 19 cases, while in Medak and Sangareddy, a too. Undivided Mahbubnagar Meanwhile, the health Sanjay said. chloride thoroughly. Similarly, similar sort of mixed response to the lockdown was evident on Friday. district has over 10,000 been woven. On accounting of existing situation following out- department announced that the 450 teams surveyed 45,000 With another ten odd days of strict implementation of lockdown, the weavers' families. As per geo- marketing activity coming to a break of the Corona. While a the number of people testing odd households in the 15 urban citizens in the district were advised by the authorities not to tagging statistics, there are standstill, the master weavers few others are weaving sarees positive for Coronavirus in areas, where the quarantine is ease at the crucial juncture. over 3,407 power looms in the are not purchasing sarees. with zari and silk yarn, the oth- Nellore had shot up to 32, fol- TS facing steep in place. The isolated patients district. The sarees woven are The weavers complain that ers have suspended their activ- lowed by 23 cases in Krishna, in the MGM hospital were exported to overseas and also hundreds of sarees remain ity. The power looms are grad- 20 reported in Guntur and curve of... shifted to the Gandhi Hospital Ayurvedic College, KMC, pressed in four fire engines for to various towns and cities in unsold with them. Therefore, ually becoming in operational. another 19 cases in YSR in Hyderabad on Friday and Punnami Guest house, and the spraying of hype chlorite. the country. the weavers have no option but The master weavers are express- Kadapa district. Among the Continued from Page 1 the administration has set up Regional Eye Hospital Police Commissioner Dr Over 10,220 workers, at the to maintain stocks of sarees ing their inability to pay them other districts, Prakasam various facilities such as estab- in Warangal. He ordered the Ravinder said that a total of rate of three for each power- with them. The weaves com- their labour charges in the recorded 17 positive COVID- Chief Minister K lishing quarantine units at officials to identify more quar- 1,000 two-wheelers and 400 loom, weave sarees, towels and plain of not receiving the raw absence of marketing leading to 19 cases followed by West Chandrashekar Rao’s ambi- Kakatiya University, Haritha antine centres.GWMC chief autos were seized in the city blankets. During the past 15 yarn because of the suspension starvation heralding in the Godavari with 15 cases and tious statement that after Hotel, Ananthalakshmi said the authorities have for violating lockdown rules. days, over 7,000 sarees have of transportation under the weavers' families. Visakhapatnam with 14 cases. April 7, there will be no coronavirus patients if no new cases are reported, falls flat.Because there's no vac- Lockdown.... Panic grips... cine or treatment for coron- Continued from Page 1 Modi's April 5 call sparks... Etela wins hearts avirus, social distancing and Continued from Page 1 hand washing are the most "The door delivery system is Continued from Page 1 a whole responds to the PM’s grated operation of the Grid in effective ways to avoid getting alleged to have been happen- call. Central utilities like a reliable, efficient and secure She and the boys used to sick. But some people aren't ing in close circles and during The PM's video message at 9 NTPC may also keep some of manner, has also been sound- maintain a small shop and with his hands-on... taking the government’s the day time when movement am on Friday alerted the offi- their gas-based stations in a ed off to plan scheduling of also used to work in the Continued from Page 1 central ministers, DRDO, rate guidelines seriously. That is allowed. People are not cials in the power ministry state of readiness to switch on power with all the five yoga center, which is the negotiation, and ensures that could lead to more outbreaks crossing a certain perimeter to who went in a huddle to quick- and off as per grid require- Regional Load Despatch largest closed medication The issues that had cropped the order reaches them. For and make it harder to get the avoid attention and are deliv- ly devise a strategy to prevent ments. Grid stability in the Centres and National Load center in the world. up the previous day and the instance, in the case of PPE virus in check. ering the stock to those who the April 5 event from creating country is maintained by keep- Despatch Centre (NLDC) so According to sources, she action plan for the day ahead kits, the cloth required was demand via calls and mes- the ground for a possible grid ing power frequency within a that grid frequency is main- had gone toUP in March on are first thrashed out. These stuck in Reliance and IOCL sages. These transactions are collapse and resultant blackout range specified by Central tained even if demand drops contract basis as usual and discussions include everyday godowns and Etela had to Centre to give usually between old and habit- throughout the country. Electricity Regulatory suddenly during the black- had returned to city via status on beds available, ven- reach out to the respective ual people. We are trying to The Telangana power utili- Authority (CERC). Any devi- out. An official of PowerGrid Samparkranti Express from tilators, functioning of hospi- authorities. Getting the Rs 11,092 cr... zero in on them as well," said ties too sprung into action to ation from identified frequen- Corporation, which operates Delhi. "On March 28, she tals -- Gandhi, Chest, Fever godown opened and procur- a police official. put adequate safeguards in cy is managed by increasing or the national grid of transmis- complained about throat pain and King Koti -- as well the ing the material was all done Continued from Page 1 The Head of Psychiatry place to avert such a situation decreasing power flow in the sion network, said that though and she was initially taken to facilities in the districts. over calls with continuous Department of Kakatiya on April 5. "Nothing will hap- grid. Sudden drop or increase the situation calls for notice, it a nearby private hospital, Every day, around 2’o clock, follow-ups. When a wagon of The Centre has released in Medical College, Dr SRR Y pen if grid discipline is fol- in frequency causes a collapse. is not alarming and the grid from where she was sent to a there is a review held by Chief the goods train was stopped, advance its share of the first Srinivas, told the media that lowed. We are taking all mea- “Union Power Minister has operators are well prepared to government hospital near Minister K Chandrashekar in order to ensure that the installment of SDRMF for though liquor and toddy sures to maintain supply as discussed the issue with handle sudden drop in power Kothur and then finally Rao. The review lasts 2- goods train comes to the state, 2020-21 amounting to Rs shops were closed in cities and usual before and after the PGCIL (PowerGrid) and Load demand. "Actually considering referred to Osmania General 3hours. The actionable steps Etela reached out to the cen- 11,092 crore with a view to towns, sale of liquor and event," Devulapalli Prabhakar dispatcher in today's meeting. the need of pan-India lock- Hospital on April 1st, where ordered by the Chief Minister tral minister Harsh Vardhan. augment funds available with toddy went unchecked in the Rao, CMD, TS Transco, told They are up to the task and are down due to COVID-19 pan- she breathed her last. The in these reviews then get atten- Etela’s team members indi- the state governments. villages. “The police can’t keep The Pioneer. confident of managing grid demic, peak demand in the duty doctors then ran a check tion from Etela and his team. cate that, amid the lockdown, This fund is allowed to be track of everything. There The Telangana power utili- stability for the event," said a country is already lower by on her body for Coronavirus Until recently, the focus was some things are invariably utilised for setting up quaran- are fewer cases of persons with ties have readied a strategy to government spokesperson. about 20 per cent. So, the and found that she was a on screening passengers with delayed. To get a PPE kit, the tine facilities, sample collec- alcohol withdrawal symptoms manage the power scheduling Power System Operation national and regional load dis- Covid19 positive patient. history of foreign travel. Now effort involved is hours of work. tion and screening; setting up being reported at district hos- if such a need arises by keep- Corporation Limited (POSO- patch centres are already grap- Immediately, a team was sent the lens is on people quaran- Doctors too are praising the additional testing laborato- pitals, which is an indication ing some of their generating CO), a wholly owned pling with low demand and a to her place and the young- tined and of late on attendees Health Minister, saying “he ries, cost of consumables; that alcohol can still be pro- units in ready mode to switch Government of India further drop on April 5, should sters and other potential sus- who have returned after taking solves issues taken to his purchase of personal protec- cured despite the lockdown,” off a few units to main grid fre- Enterprise, and entrusted with not be a problem that can't be pects were shifted to a quar- part in Nizamuddin congrega- notice within minutes”. The tion equipment. says Dr Srinivas. quency in case the country as the task of ensuring the inte- handled with ease," he said. antine,” sources said. tion during March 13-15. All team working with him vouch along, the number of people that there was never a day being put under quarantine where he went home before has not been more than 100. 10-00 pm and often his stay in Centre credits On Thursday, almost 800 peo- the thick of things extends till Modi's message evokes mixed response ple had to be quarantined. 11-12 pm. Rs 500 each ... This was a demanding task in Etela goes into minutest PNS n NEW DELHI er or thanking those working to build up a new energy to terms of where to put them, detail of addressing very basic to provide essential services to fight this COVID-19 crisis. Continued from Page 1 the facilities et al. and all these needs such as PPEs, procure- Prime Minister Narendra people in these times of crisis. However, not all were Announcing the PMGKY were discussed. ment from DRDO, clothes. Modi's message on Friday urg- In a video posted on Twitter, he impressed as several people in view of the ongoing 21-day The emphasis is on making Ministers would typically ing people to switch off lights also slammed those criticising criticised the call as symbol- countrywide lockdown due arrangements for patients hos- assign to MDs or IAS officers, at their homes and light lamps, the prime minister's initiative. ism and "event management" to the coronavirus outbreak, pitalized, amenities. Etela but Etela is personally super- candles or turn on mobile Former Miss World Manushi "Event Management 9.0. A Finance Minister Nirmala doesn’t miss out on details and vising everything significant. phone torches for nine minutes Chillar hailed the prime min- great thinker once said that Sitharaman had said on follows up on every instruc- Etela used to have many visi- on April 5 evoked a mixed ister's initiative, saying it was history repeats itself, first as March 26 that ex-gratia pay- tion, though it is dutifully tors every day at his con- response from netizens with time to be united again. tragedy, then as farce. In 21st ment of Rs 500 would be noted down by his team. If it stituency. Nowadays, they are many hailing it, some criticis- Indian cricketing star century India, we have farce at credited to women Jan Dhan is a ventilator issue, he checks told not to visit him for the ing it, and others having a light- Harbhajan Singh also lauded the time of tragedy," histori- account holders for the next with other state ministers or time being. hearted take on it. the prime minister for the an Ram Chandra Guha tweet- three months, starting from Soon after the Prime appeal, tweeting, "We are proud ed. April. "Rural Development Minister's message was broad- of our Team Leader @naren- "The Constitution lists as a Ministry is releasing the lump cast asking people to partici- ple to maintain the "lakshman Switch off the light of your dramodi Let's all continue to citizen's fundamental duties sum amounts of Rs 500 per pate in the exercise on Sunday rekha" of social distancing by home, and light a candle, diya Stay home & be Safe. 5th April 'to develop the scientific tem- woman to Pradhan Mantri 9 PM, people began to express staying indoors and not getting or flashlight...Let's spread the at 9pm for 9 mins all lights off. per, humanism and the spirit of Jan-Dhan Yojana account their views on it and tweets together in groups during the light of unity." Candles, Diya,torch, mobile inquiry and reform'. An holders for April 2020 and with the "9 baje 9 minute" exercise. Several among the Actor Anupam Kher said flash to use but only from Amendment is in order; to ask the same have been credited hashtag began trending. Twitterati lauded the initiative this was a symbolic gesture that home." Indian cricket team us all to promote astrology and to the designated accounts of In a video message of over 11 with a Twitter user saying, could have several meanings coach Ravi Shastri also backed voodoo and blind faith individual banks on April 2, minutes, Modi also asked peo- "On 5th April at 9pm for 9min, such as bringing people togeth- the initiative and urged people instead," Guha said. 2020," ministry said.

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RIME Sanitation workers striving CORNER MEDICAL SHOPS RUNNING MOTHER, SON to make city Covid-19 free ASSAULT COPS, PNS n HYDERABAD ARRESTED LOW ON ESSENTIAL DRIUGS To ensure that the spread of the police constable who was on NAVEEN KUMAR The government is coronavirus is curbed, the Abandobast duty as part of n HYDERABAD country needs to be kept clean the lockdown was allegedly clear about the which is done by cleaners and assaulted by a youngster and Medical shops across the city, flow of medical garbage disposal workers who his mother at Moula Ali on which provide essential ser- are still running, some even Friday evening. In a video, vices to the public, are facing supplies. The GO without a protective gear. which went viral on social scarcity of several key drugs, 45 issued on Even though people are not media, the youngster, along including life-saving ones, in on roads, the garbage is being with his mother, were seen view of the fast-depleting March 22 exempts picked up, roads are kept clean, abusing and assaulting Gopal, stocks and lag in supplies due medical supplies food is distributed to migrant the constable. Taking objection to a combination of factors from the Covid-19 labourers and spraying of dis- to being checked by the cops, such as disruption in supply infectant is being carried. the youngster started abusing chains across the country and lockdown Among the warriors striving the cops using unparliamentary police excesses on delivery to curb the spread of coron- spraying disinfectant on arte- vehicle mounted jetting language. He then caught the agents as well as suppliers and avirus, GHMC staff from rial roads and public places as machines and portable disin- official by his collar and while distributors who venture out in stocks for even essential med- Zonal officer to sanitation of Friday, as targeted. Aiming fectant sprayers with PPE." hurling abuses at him, also the hope that they would not icines like insulin, beta-block- workers, everybody is at work. to cover all the colonies and Apart from ensuring social tried to attack him. His mother be targeted because of the ers (used for managing blood Even the pets which are facing interior areas in the next 15 distancing, The officials of was also seen holding the cop's nature of their service. now. Even the distributors are curfew passes and the supply of pressure) and even antibiotics," the brunt of lockdown are days." GHMC are also participating shirt, while trying to make the More often than not, the out of stock, let alone retailers." medicines will return to nor- opined owners of drug stores. being rescued. Within two Municipal Administration in moral policing by educating policemen let go of her son. main reason cited by the drug Speaking about police mal once the transportation The Telangana government days, under the aegis of Minister KT Rama Rao said, people near shops and super- However, other cops rushed to store owners in the city is the assaulting their delivery agents, system is back on track. Our is clear about the flow of med- Principal Secretary Arvind "Hyderabad is possibly the markets. The officials recent- the spot and shifted him to the same: they are short of man- a druggist from Secunderabad association has got passes for ical supplies. The GO 45 issued Kumar, GHMC setup addi- only metropolitan city in India ly fined two shopkeepers for police station. Apart from power and on top of that, said, "While one police officer a few vehicles that are being on March 22 exempts medical tional Annapurna canteens. with its own Disaster Response failing to maintain social dis- showing the mother-son duo those who venture out are enquires the reason for being sanitised for delivery of med- supplies as well as manufacture Now these canteens are feed- Force, which has been using tancing measures. attacking the cops, the video beaten up by cops. out, the other one hits him icines," said a local store owner, from lockdown: "Hospitals, ing 45,000 people in afternoon also shows an official striking "We are not getting enough from behind. Many don't want adding that "we are getting only optical stores, diagnostic cen- and 15,000 in evening for free. blows with his lathi on the supplies from the distributors. to report to work because of 10 percent of our supplies and tres, pharmaceuticals manufac- Every suggestion or request youngster and his mother. After Many patients, who came to the fear caused by the officials. people are buying drugs in turing and their transporta- coming the secretary's way is ‘GHMC centralised wing struggle, the Police managed to buy life-saving drugs, now We know they are doing their large quantities." tion" … "production and being addressed including shift them to the Police station. return home empty-handed." jobs, but so are we." "Unless the government manufacturing units, which ambulance facilities to trans- Another pharmacist said, "After several rounds of moves quickly and uses cargo require continuous process port the bodies of the to collect, distribute food’ 1.83L CHALLANS "Supplies of medicine are meeting with senior officials of planes or creates an alternative such as pharmaceuticals, API deceased. PNS n HYDERABAD ing social distancing and becoming a huge menace right the police, we started getting supply channel, we will run out etc., may function." The road works which have undertaking all required pre- IMPOSED DURING been pending are being com- Municipal Administration cautions go in vain. LOCKDOWN PERIOD pleted. Meanwhile, the GHMC and Urban Development Mayor Bonthu officials are taking special Principal Secretary Arvind Ramamohan has said a spe- achakonda Police have sent Freemasons interest along with the con- Kumar on Friday said that cial wing has been created Re-challans to over 1.83 lakh Heartfulness provides 10k struction companies to com- free distribution of essentials under the supervision of vehicle riders from March 22 to of TS provides plete 11 SRDP projects worth by individuals or NGOs, GHMC additional commis- 31. In fact, majority of vehicles Rs 834 crore before the lock- however well-intentioned, sioner Priyanka to collect are taken off the road due to the meal packets to labourers relief during down ends. The officials claim works totally against the con- donations including rice and lockdown conditions. Therefore, that all the necessary precau- cept of social distancing and food packets from the donors the number of traffic challans PNS n HYDERABAD The food packets tions are being taken to avoid may lead to law and order sit- and distribute them to the should come down, but the lockdown spread of Covid-19 at sites by uation. Arvind said that he needy through GHMC. police officials expressed shock Heartfulness Institute is sup- are handed over to PNS n HYDERABAD deploying more machines and noticed an incident in In a statement on Friday, over 1.83 lakh challans. The porting the administration of admins, who carry ensuring social distance among Manikonda in Ranga Reddy the Mayor said that the spe- challans have been imposed Cyberabad Commissionerate The Freemasons of Telangana the workers district on Friday where in a cial wing has been created to with the help of the CCTV with 8,000 food packets every them in their have been providing crelief to Residents under GHMC crowd of about 3,000 people ensure people observe social footage, images in cameras day until the lockdown period vehicles and give the needy for the past ten limits have been praising the gathered on account of free distance. He said the rice and manned by police personnel at and further reaching out to days ever since the Lockdown civic body for their services. distribution by one of the pri- food packets collected from the field level and complaints 2,000 people on their own to them to the needy is declared. According to EV&DM vate persons. public would be distributed received to the police on social provide them with lunch since The organisation has been Director Viswajit Kampati, One such incident and all through 10 mobile vans to the media and others. Police March 30, 2020. providing groceries. It has "DRF teams have completed your sincere efforts in ensur- needy. officials are taking stern action These 10,000 people who district. The impacted include also been supplying cooked against the lockdown and traffic are impacted due to the shut- daily labourers and others who food at Market Street, violators. Majority of them were down are being provided with are not able to earn their liveli- Secunderabad and Medipally, sent challans for not wearing good quality lunch packed hood during the shutdown Uppal and Boduppal. CCMB starts helmets. Fines were also with extra hygiene and precau- period and are being taken Freemasons supplied 700 imposed on pillion riders for not tion and in time so that none ward and assisting us in this care of by the state govern- kgs rice, 100kgs Dal, 60 litres Covid-19 wearing helmets. Fines have of them miss their mealtime. crucial time." ment. Joint Secretary of of edible oil, 6 kgs of chilli been imposed for wearing half Commenting on the initia- The food packets are hand- Heartfullness Vamsi said, "In powder. to Amma Odi, an testing helmets and for triple riding, for tive Cyberabad Commissioner ed over to the administration this critical phase of crisis we orphanage. The occasion was not having side mirrors, for not of Police VC Sajjanar said, "We at Kanha Shantivanam, who are using our organisational graced by Mr Y. Narsimha PNS n HYDERABAD wearing seat belt, rash and are thankful to Heartfulness carry them in their vehicles to strength to ensure a few thou- Reddy, ACP of Malkajgir and negligent riding for violating Institute and Daaji Guide of distribute to those who need it sand people are not missing B. Anji Reddy, SHO of Hyderabad-based Centre for rules pertaining to number plate. Heartfulness for coming for- in and around Ranga Reddy their meals." Medipally shared. Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) has now started con- ducting tests for coronavirus on samples of suspected patients sent to it from Gandhi Hospital. Cops reaching out to needy Corona impact: Earlier, authorities at the Gandhi Hospital conducted PNS n HYDERABAD preliminary tests at the local laboratory on the samples of The Covid-19 Control Room Academic year patients who were suffering in Rachakonda which has been with symptoms of coronavirus operational since the lock- and later sent them to National Beneficiaries gather at fair price shops to receive free rice without social down started received 90 calls may be delayed institute of Virology (NIV) in distancing measures at Balnagar on Friday on Thursday. Out of these 25 Pune for the final confirma- calls were directed to respec- PNS n HYDERABAD may be recalled that the state tion. However, with CCMB tive police stations for taking government declared holidays getting the nod to conduct the necessary action, 10 calls were The RTC workers' strike and from March 15 to 31 and corona virus tests, health ‘Collect free rice from redirected to other depart- the coronavirus outbreak extended it to April 14. authorities feel that it will help ments and 55 queries have across the country may delay The academic year com- them to provide early treat- been resolved. While nearly 49 the academic year. pletes by April 23, the coron- ment to the patients, as the nearby fair price shops’ are pass related queries, 7 calls As such, the academic year avirus is still not showing any time taken to conduct tests will were also received offering has to come to an abrupt end signs of abatement. During the be very less. PNS n HYDERABAD price shops, suspension of volunteer service, 12 seeking Cops create WhatsApp without working for 220 days current summer, there is no Telangana Chief Minister biometric system and other help with regard to food, health and not adhering to the aca- scope to make up for the lost had earlier requested the Prime Animal Husbandry Minister technical problems are crop- or medical reasons, 6 were demic calendar. 40 days in the academic year. Minister of India Narendra Talasani Srinivas Yadav on ping up. coronavirus related and 4 It may be recalled that the In this backdrop, the educa- Modi to grant the Telangana Friday said that over 17,000 Because of it, the Minister interstate travel and others. group to help the poor RTC strike led to closure of tion department has no clue government to get access to card holders received free rice appealed to cardholders to The Chaitanyapuri Police PNS n HYDERABAD food at the door step of the per- schools and colleges for sever- on how to overcome the prob- Covid-19 tests at CCMB as the being supplied by the state receive rice from fair price distributed rice and other sons suffering from hunger al days. Now, due to the out- lem. The state government National Institute is well government through various shops close to their houses The essentials for 5 days to Bihar The police department has cre- pangs. The police department break of coronavirus, exami- has yet not taken any decision equipped to handle even thou- fair price shops across the government will take steps to and UP workers. The ated a WhatsApp group with the suggested that those who are nations for Class I to IX have on this. sands of samples per day. city. Under the GHMC limits, stock the fair price shops with Medipally Police with the help number 8480617523 to provide interested may join the group. been cancelled. The SSC Tthe situation is not con- Confirming that, the CCMB the total number of ration enough quantities. of Marwadi Seva Association food to the starving public. In all, 170 IPS trainees under- exams would have to be held ducive to conduct exams sup- had started conducting tests for shops is put at 674. The total Discussions were held with distributed 10 days groceries, Also involved in the group are going treatment in the National in May. posed to be held from April 7 coronavirus on samples sent to number of ration cards in the the Civil Supplies Corporation rice and other items to 125 charitable public, voluntary Police Academy mobilised The delay in conduct of for Class I to IX. The govern- them from Gandhi Hospital, city at 5.80 lakh. chairman, commissioner and migrant daily labour families organisations and other interest- essential commodities worth exams, invigilation work and ment wants to promote all stu- said the director. The first two days, rice was with the chief rationing officer of Bihar and West Bengal in ed persons. Rs 1.75 lakh to satiate hunger of subsequent spot valuation is dents from Class I to IX. supplied through 67 shops. On to make arrangements to sup- Chengicherla. DCP Narayana As and when the police come the poor. The DGP Mahender likely to delay the commence- However, relevant GO is not Friday alone, 240 shops dis- ply enough rice to the FP Reddy, ACP Bhujanga Rao across people like migrant Reddy exhorted the people to ment of the next academic yet released. Officials opine tributed rice. shops. He advised cardholders and SHO Bhongir distributed labourers and the poor, they post cooperate with the government year. Normally, the next aca- that reopening of the schools On account of portability of against congregating near the essential commodities to 100 information into the WhatsApp in arresting the spread of Corona demic year begins in June. on June 1 is unlikely. So, he ration cards, a large number of FP shops and observe social poor families at Pahadinagar, group. The donors will serve virus. Schools remained closed new academic year is to begin people are flocking to the fair distance near the FP shops. Bhongir Town. for one and half months. It on a rather delayed note. IIT-H develops low-cost portable ventilator Youth walking to TN PNS n HYDERABAD will work on rechargeable lithi- towards a large scale-up." The device offers um-ion Batteries in an uninter- This would provide enough from MH dies in city Indian Institute of Technology protection to rupted manner for five hours isolation to the patient and pro- PNS n HYDERABAD al lockdown was announced to Hyderabad Center for healthcare without power supply. tection to healthcare providers check the spread of coron- Healthcare Entrepreneurship Speaking about this project, and family members. A 22-year-old student from avirus. The group was spotted (CfHE) incubated startup providers as well Prof. Renu John, Faculty Co- Aerobiosys Co-founders Tamil Nadu returning home by the police walking near Aerobiosys Innovations has as it is internet of Head, Center for Healthcare Rajesh Thangavel and Cyril collapsed and died here after Bowenpally on Wednesday, developed a low-cost, portable, Entrepreneurship, and Head, Antony are confident that the covering a distance around they were told about restric- emergency-use ventilator. things-enabled and Department of Biomedical design for manufacturing of 450 kms from Wardha in tions on movement of people, Called 'Jeevan Lite,' this device can be operated Engineering, IIT Hyderabad, their device can be delivered by Maharashtra by walk and taken to a function hall con- offers protection to healthcare said, "Jeevan Lite solution from first week of April 2020. using available mode of trans- verted into a shelter and pro- providers as well as it is internet through a phone Aerobiosys, unlike other low- Cyril Antony said that port in the past nearly ten days vided food. of things-enabled and can be application cost models, is loaded with fea- Jeevan Lite had all the essential in view of the national lock- Logesh fell unconscious fol- operated through a phone app. tures including wireless con- features to treat Covid-19 down, police said on lowing which the other group It can also be battery-operated, nectivity and remote monitor- infected patients as mentioned Thursday. members alerted police. The enabling its deployment in areas Innovations aims to produce at citizens and elderly patients enabled monitoring." ing that makes it unique and by the experts in pulmonolo- Balasubramani Logesh, hail- man was declared brought without assured power supply. least 50 to 70 units per day affected by Covid-19 will need Jeevan Lite can perform equipped to meet the demands gy and critical care across ing from Namakkal in western dead. According to police, The 'Minimal Viable Product' through collaboration with an ventilators for emergency life both the invasive and non- of a pandemic situation like the India and that the startup was Tamil Nadu, along with 30 Logesh and others had gone to with the required functionality Industrial Partner. support. Aerobiosys has gone invasive ventilation across a COVID-19 infection. I strong- collaborating with Hyderabad- others had left Wardha, where Wardha and were pursuing the of this ventilator has already Reviewing the progress of one step ahead by providing per- comprehensive set of modes ly urge the industry partners based tertiary care hospitals for he was attending a training training course and decided to been developed. Pursuant to this device, Prof. BS Murty, sonal protection to the health- and settings. It can be used for and the government to come clinical validation and device course in agro-food field, by return to TN after announce- device certification, Aerobiosys Director of IIT-H said, "Senior care providers through IoT- pediatric and adult patients and up to hand hold the start-up certification. walk after the 21-day nation- ment of the lockdown. HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | APRIL 4, 2020 hyderabad 04 NEGATIVE IMPACT De-addiction centres fear Faced with crisis, poultry sector infection, turn away addicts K VENKATESHWARLU n HYDERABAD

Families of liquor addicts are seeks intervention from Centre facing an unexpected problem these days, with de-addiction PNS n HYDERABAD centres not willing to take in The All India the addicts due to fear of The coronavirus outbreak and Poultry Breeders Coronavirus. Managements of the consequent lockdown have Association de-addiction centres are only pushed the poultry sector in the offering out-patient services country into a crisis with loss- (AIPBA) has these days, as they want to es projected at Rs 22,500 crore sought limit the extent of personal beginning February this year, restructuring of interaction with the addicts as prompting the apex body of much as possible. De-addiction centres are only offering poultry breeders to seek loans, interest They justify their reluctance Centre's intervention to bail it subvention among to take in addicts saying that out-patient services these days, as they out. others from the persons addicted to liquor want to limit the extent of personal The All India Poultry have been wandering about in interaction with the addicts Breeders Association (AIPBA) Narendra Modi-led search of a ‘high’ as they are has sought restructuring of government to unable to get their hands on loans, interest subvention booze due to the lockdown. said that the number of in the toddy in high quantity, among others from the help the industry “What can we do? We have no patients has doubled these he explained. Narendra Modi-led govern- tide over the crisis means of knowing if these days with the non-availability Dr Ramu said that the prob- ment to help the industry tide addicts have come in contact of liquor. “On average, eight lems with the persons addict- over the crisis. Vice President of with an infected person,” is the patients are now coming to our ed to liquor decreased now the Association, Suresh Chitturi that eating chickens was safe, The AIPBA has submitted a banking transactions, the breeding companies) begin- often-heard answer from de- centre every day as against four when compared to the first said the industry suffered heav- issues relating to inter-state memorandum to Prime Association said in the memo- ning 1 st Feb to 15th April 2020 addiction centre staff. or five patients earlier. week of the lockdown as liquor ily, beginning February, owing movement of eggs and chickens Minister Narendra Modi on randum. until Lockdown opens is of INR Due to this situation, many However, we are not admitting is available in the black market to false information linking at various parts of the country March 30 seeking 'urgent finan- The AIPBA appealed to the 22,500 CR," the poultry breed- families are taking the addicts the patients as we have no way now though it is exorbitantly coronavirus to consumption hurt the sector, he claimed. cial assistance and rescue pack- Centre to provide wheat and er's said. to government hospitals these of knowing if we will face priced. of chicken and eggs and subse- According to the Association, age' from the Centre. Chitturi rice of 'Feed Grade' from old On the current market sce- days, where there is heavy problems or if the patient is He said that people addict- quently due to problems in the industry employs more said the Association requested stock of government at a sub- nario, the memorandum said rush. The number of families infected with Coronavirus as ed to liquor but still live a dis- movement of poultry during than 10 lakh poultry farmers restructuring of loans allowing sidized rate of Rs 10 per kg. It poultry birds were being sold at looking to get some treatment they are simply in no position ciplined life will not create any the lockout. and contributes Rs 1.3 lakh conversion of existing working further sought exemption of a price of Rs 10 to Rs 30 per kg for addicts has shot up remark- to take precautions. The trouble or their familes even if "Rumours began doing crore to the country's GDP capital loans cash credit (CC) GST on Soya Seed and Soya at the Farm Gate level due to ably of late due to non-avail- patients who were admitted in they don’t get liquor and exper- rounds in the first week of directly. limits to term loans with two Meal which has added to the fake news regarding ability of liquor due to the our centre before Coronavirus ince withdrawal symptoms. February, which affected us The sector provides direct years moratorium. input cost on livestock feed to Coronavirus. Noting that the lockdown. outbreak may face troubles “More so, this lockdown will very badly. Some people spread benefit to more than one crore He said the Association also the farmers. The total loss to the production cost of poultry in Addicts with withdrawal with the new patients. This is help them de-addict from con- false information that chicken maize and soya agriculture requested the government for poultry industry in two-and- India was Rs 80 per kg, the symptoms, literally writhing why we are not taking in new suming liquor permanently if and eggs should not be con- farmers. Poultry farming offers interest subvention and issuing half- months beginning Association stated that the restlessly is becoming an patients now. We are confined the family takes care of them sumed. The adverse impact direct and indirect employ- fresh working capital. All small February this year was pegged prices of eggs have plunged to increasingly common sight, to offering only out-patient and give them fruits and nutri- continued for about six weeks," ment to over five crore Indian farmers with less than 20,000 at Rs 22,500 crore. two rupees per egg at Farm not only in Hyderabad or services these days. We are tious food allow them plenty of Chitturi said. citizens engaged in poultry capacity farms should be pro- "The current 2.5 months loss Gate. It pointed out that the cost Telangana state, but across the advising the serious patients to sleep,” Dr Ramu said. Though the poultry industry production, trading, feed man- vided a compensation of Rs 100 of poultry industry (broiler of production of egg on an country. The extent of their approach Government He said that anti-social ele- recovered a bit following the ufacturing, agriculture crops, per bird based on their chicks' farmers and layer farmers, average was four rupees per restlessness is such that some Hospitals,” he said. ments who are addicted to clarification issued by them logistics, exports and others. purchase bill paid through Integration companies and egg, it said. have even committed suicide Dr Ramu said that with- liquor are the ones who can failing to control themselves. drawal symptoms are severe in create problems for their fam- Speaking to The Pioneer, Dr the persons who consume ily and society if they don’t get Pottabattula Ramu therapist, toddy when compared to liquor. “Of course, they also Helping Hand De-addiction liquor consumers. The prob- create trouble even after con- MP provides food to Centre, Warangal, which is lem is high in Hyderabad and suming liquor, but that’s a dif- Mobile rythu bazaars flagged off No. 2 in South India after TTK other cities as most of the ferent matter altogether,” Dr De-addiction Centre, Chennai, toddy sellers mix chloroform Ramu said. PNS n WANAPARTY 300 migrant workers

Minister for Agriculture S PNS n KARIMNAGAR Odisha. Niranjan Reddy flagged off The Additional collector NGOs, Good mobile rythu bazaars here on Rajya Sabha member J Santosh appreciated the gesture of the Friday. Addressing a gathering, Kumar on Friday provided MP. The migrant workers Samaritans the Minister said that the food to at least 300 migrant thanked Chief Minister K paddy procurement across the workers at a programme held Chandrasekhar Rao and MP state will begin from Saturday. at housing board colony in the Santosh Kumar. Meanwhile, join hands He said that the procurement town. Additional Collector moved at the plight of the PNS n MANCHERIAL of maize has already com- Shyam Lal inaugurated the migrant workers returning to menced. programme. He also served their native place on foot, Voluntary organisations and The government will give food to the migrant workers. Rachakonda Police commis- good samaritans continue to permission to the farmers to sprayed in the town in phas- Department and Agriculture Santosh said that the target sioner Mahesh Bhagawat on do their bit for the needy in sell mangoes, watermelons es. The contributions of the Department personnel for is to provide food to at least Friday distributed biscuit the wake of the lockdown to and muskmelons. The govern- philanthropic public would their service to the public. 1,000 people daily. packets and water bottles control the spread of coron- ment has provided the facili- be used for bettering the pub- Referring to police excesses The MP came forward to among a group of migrant avirus. In the latest instance, ty to transport their produce lic health. The Minister reported in media on provide food to the migrant workers. members of Padmashali to any corner of the country. thanked the people for their Thursday here, he termed it as labourers till they find work at He was monitoring the community distributed gro- To disinfect public places support to the government unfortunate. The government the end of the lockdown. The clamp down situation at the ceries to 60 migrant workers from Corona, 3,000 litres of and congratulated the Police, took action against those who majority of the beneficiaries Gudur toll gate on Warangal- affected by the lockdown on Minister inaugurates sodium hypo chloride will be Medical and Health were responsible for it. who received food on the first Hyderabad main road in Friday. Municipal chairper- day are migrant workers from Yadadri Bhangir district. son Penta Rajaiah, vice chair- person G Mukesh Goud and paddy procurement centre commissioner G Swarupa Modi's address Rani attended the event. PNS n KHAMMAM paddy procurement centres. Penta Rajaiah was all praise In case of problems in paddy disappointing, for the members for coming Transport Minister Puvvada procurement, he advised forward to help the migrant Ajay Kumar on Friday inau- farmers to lodge their com- laborers belonging to gurated paddy purchase cen- plaints in Collectorate or call says Congress Maharashtra, MP and tre at Kuppenakuntla village up agriculture officials on PNS n HYDERABAD Chattishgarh who lost liveli- of Penuballi mandal. On the the toll free line. hood due to the ongoing occasion, the Minister said Promising to procure Former Minister Mohammed lockdown. He said that their that over 444 purchase centres paddy at procurement centres Ali Shabbir said that the act of kindness brought relief have been set up in close to the farmers' villages, address to the nation by to the workers. He requested Khammam district. Paddy the minister said that the Prime Minister Narendra others to draw inspiration harvester machines are kept amount would deposited in Modi on Friday was highly and take up similar events. ready. the farmers' bank accounts disappointing as he did not Ajay Kumar said that the directly. Assuring all ameni- announce any relief or pack- Guv briefs President, government earmarked Rs ties to rice millers to stock age for States hit with 35,000 crore to procure paddy paddy, he asked them to pro- Coronavirus and lockdown. and maize. He sought support cure paddy from farmers at a Speaking to the media in VP on situation in TS ASHA worker attacked in Adilabad of the Rytu Bandhu price not less than the MSP. Kamareddy, Shabbir Ali said Committee members and To relay information about that the Prime Minister was PNS n HYDERABAD letters. In her letters she appre- PNS n ADILABAD the residence of the person to the ASHA workers lay siege to PACS directors to the paddy paddy procurement, the expected to announce some ciated and thanked their com- gather family details as part of the DM&HO office demand- procurement operations. As Minister laid emphasis on financial package for those hit Governor Dr Tamilisai mitment as first line Corona The family members of a a door-to-door survey, the ing the authorities to provide per the schedule, paddy pro- creating a WhatsApp group with lock down. Soundararajan through a warriors to wipe out Covid-19 markaz returnee attacked an family members tried to drag security to them. They also curement would be done in including the PACS direc- "Many Chief Ministers, video conference with the from our State and Nation. ASHA worker on Thursday, her inside the house to attack alleged that they are facing the district, he said laying tors in it. The crop yield while participating in a President Ram Nath Kovind, Enlisting the steps taken by when she went to their house her. problems as the authorities emphasis on following a would be more once the aya- video-conference on along with the Vice President the Telangana Government near Sivaji Chowk on the out- Perterbued at the incident, failed to provide them with schedule to harvest paddy. cut under the Sitarama Thursday, had urged the M Venkaiah Naidu, informed she said that the state invoked skirts of Adilabad. When the she immediately ran away. gear like masks and Efforts are underway to Project has been stabilised, he Prime Minister for liberal that the state, which is under Epidemic Disease Act from ASHA worker, Bharati went to Learning about the incident, sanitisers. press into service mobile said. sanction of funds to deal lockdown till April 14, has ini- March 20, SoPs on Hospital with Coronavirus situation. tiated steps to contain the Management, Clinical However, except for relief, spread of coronavirus. Management etc have been assistance and help, PM Modi "A total of 1,000 persons, developed with the support of spoke about everything else. who attended markaz, have Central Government First rapid Covid-19 at-home testing kit launched There was also no mention been identified and 925 per- Guidelines and WHO. about migrant workers, sons have been traced, out of The Governor said that six PNS n The easy-to-use kit displays accurate homeless and those living in which 79 cases were found laboratories have been set up BENGALURU/HYDERABAD shelters. positive. 435 Persons are in in Government Hospitals and results within minutes, instrumental in Home Quarantine and 365 are so far 2,400 samples have Bione has recently launched a the timely screening of the deadly virus in Government Quarantine. been tested and 152 are found rapid Covid-19 at-home Total deaths are 9," she said. to be positive. With regard to Screening test kit and has The Governor also told the augmentation of Health established itself as the first President that she has person- Facilities, she reported that a healthcare company in India to results from the blood sample demand. Currently, the kits are ally extolled doctors and total 31 Hospitals with 12,500 achieve the feat. The easy-to- thus obtained, within 5-10 experiencing a worldwide health workers for serving beds (11,000 isolation beds & use kit displays accurate results minutes. upsurge in demand especially people in face of grave risk and 1,500 ICU beds) have been within minutes, instrumental The products have been from the US, Italy, Spain etc. displaying exemplary courage established for clinical man- in the timely screening of the sourced from our worldwide due to lack of coronavirus and conviction, through her agement. deadly virus. The at-home CE and FDA approved part- testing solutions in the market. screening kit is available for ners and are brought to mar- It is noteworthy that the sale on their platform bione.in ket after stringent quality con- screening is done at the after approval from the requi- trols have been ensured. The patient's end, eliminating the site medical regulatory author- disease while acting as a pre- tool for mass screening, the kits are approved by ICMR and need for a physical laboratory Cooperate with govt: Cong MP ities. ventive tool for others in prox- organisation is also in talks to will be deployed in the market which helps minimise the con- PNS n HYDERABAD and create troubles to the The government should distrib- In a breakthrough develop- imity to the user, by isolating provide bulk orders for early after proper quality checks traction of COVID-19. police. "The government ute essentials to them as soon as ment, the Biotech company has the carrier immediately. The kit detection. and assurance. The company is Bione was founded in 2019 Bhongir MP should provide incen- possible," he said. devised the screening kit for is priced between INR 2000- COVID-19 Screening test kit in the process of getting in Bengaluru by Dr Surendra Komatireddy Venkat tives to the police as Later, Komatireddy distrib- coronavirus which can provide 3000/- depending upon the is an IgG & IgM based tool approval for more USFDA K Chikara, who is a world- Reddy on Friday urged they are working uted masks to the police at respite from the impending global supply, to increase its which takes 5-10 minutes to partners. renowned genomicist, and the the people to extend round the clock with- Vangapally-Alair National fear of the contagion. The sim- affordability for the masses. deliver the results. Upon receiv- The organisation is well- first person to bring NGS their cooperation to the out taking leaves. Also Highway. On the other hand, ple point-of-care home screen- Under normal circumstances, ing the kit, the user is required equipped to supply 20,000 kits sequencing in India. It is India's state government by con- the daily wage labourers AICC official spokesperson ing kit renders quick results, the ready-to-use kits can be to clean their finger with an per week and intends to build first-and-only organization fining to their residences. are facing troubles with the Dasoju Sravan urged the people without having to step out in received within 2-3 days of alcohol swab and use the lancet its manufacturing facilities in offering personalised Genetic He urged the people not to come non-availability of essential com- not to come on to the roads till the wake of lockdown. It will placing the order at their plat- provided to finger-prick. The the coming months to suffi- and Microbiome testing ser- on to the roads unnecessarily modities. the lockdown is lifted. foster timely detection of the form. An effective screening cartridge provided reads the ciently cater to the high vices. HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | APRIL 4, 2020 nation 05 SHORT READS Gathering of migrants, Jamaat event caused setback, Prez tells Guvs, LGs PNS n NEW DELHI At least 1,000 undertrials released on In his second communication PM discusses with top with all Governors, Lieutenant bail in Bengal Governors (LGs) and KOLKATA: At least 1,000 Administrators, President Ram sportspersons, seeks ECoR to convert undertrial prisoners have Nath Kovind on Friday said been released from various that gathering of migrant correctional homes in West workers and Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Delhi caused support for awareness Bengal on interim bail in 261 coaches into keeping with the Supreme a setback to the efforts to mit- Court's directions to consider igate the spread of COVID-19. PNS n NEW DELHI crossed 2,000. "Your sugges- decongesting the jails in the He was referring to the gath- tions will be taken note of. We quarantine facilities wake of the coronavirus ering of migrant workers in the state governments in parts of the country. He whole- Prime Minister Narendra Modi are fighting this pandemic like outbreak, a senior official Anand Vihar a few days after the response to the outbreak of heartedly endorsed the Prime on Friday discussed the grow- Team India. I am confident PNS n BHUBANESWAR convert 39 coaches. Similarly, said here on Friday. The nationwide lockdown was COVID-19 were discussed. Minister's appeal earlier on ing threat of the COVID-19 that India will be rejuvenated the depot in Bhubaneswar will process of granting bail to imposed, and the congregation It was the second such con- Friday morning to all citizens pandemic with India's top by the inspiration provided by The East Coast Railway undertake conversion of 46 the undertrials commenced of Tablighi Jamaat in ference held by the President to switch off lights in homes at sportspersons, including crick- you," the Prime Minister can (ECoR) will convert 261 coaches, while 32 coaches will on March 23, State Legal Nizamuddin on various occa- and the Vice President within 9 p.m. on Sunday and instead et icon Virat Kohli and star be seen telling athletes in a clip coaches to serve as isolation be converted in Sambalpur, 60 Services Authority secretary sions in March — both in Delhi. 10 days. switch on their mobile flash- shuttler P V Sindhu, urging shared by shuttler B Sai and quarantine facilities to in Vishakhapatnam and 33 at Durga Khaitan said. Following Both the gatherings, special- In a video conference on lights, torches or lamps in an them to support awareness Praneeth, a world champi- help fight COVID-19 pan- Khurda Road station, an ECoR the apex court's direction, the ly the Tablighi Jamaat, have March 27, 15 Governors and expression of people's solidar- campaigns on social distancing. onship bronze-medallist, who demic, a senior official said. statement said. Calcutta High Court had caused havoc across India as it Delhi LG Anil Baijal had ity to fight against Coronavirus. More than 40 athletes, also attended the call. This conversion work is So far conversion of 23 formed a three-member could be the main cause of shared with the President their He, however, cautioned peo- along with sports minister All sporting activities are being carried out at different coaches have been completed, committee to examine the spread of novel coronavirus experience. On Friday, the ple not to let their guard down Kiren Rijiju, participated in currently shut in the country coaching depots and work- one each at Mancheswar and situation in correctional pandemic with many positive Governors, LGs and adminis- and steadfastly adhere to the nearly an hour-long video and it is still not clear when shops situated across ECoR Khurda Road, five at Puri, six homes in the state and the cases identified so far. trators of 21 remaining states practice of social distancing. call which started at 11am. normalcy will resume. The jurisdiction, the official said. each at Bhubaneswar and number of inmates who can The President emphasized and UTs briefed the President Taking note of the problems The country is in a 21-day much-anticipated Indian Apart from transportation Sambalpur and four at be granted bail or parole to the need to ensure that no one and Vice-President on faced by the homeless, the lockdown to contain the Premier League is among the of essential commodities, sup- Vishakhapatnam. decongest the jails. remains hungry during the COVID-19 related efforts. unemployed and the weaker spread of the virus. big-ticket Indian events sus- plying food to the needy, man- All essential facilities 21-day lockdown that will con- There was a unanimity that sections of society during this The Prime Minister sought pended till April 15. ufacturing of masks and san- required by an individual are tinue till April 14. there is no scope for laxity or crisis, the President said: "We the athletes' support to raise When Ganguly was asked itizers, ECoR has started con- be provided in the coaches. Curfew-like 48-hour In the video conference from complacency in fighting the will have to be extra sensitive awareness about the need for about the development this verting its coaches into isola- Mosquito nets at windows, total shutdown in Rashtrapati Bhavan in which "invisible enemy". In this con- towards their needs". He invit- social distancing and person- morning, he said, "Yes, I will tion/quarantine facilities. one bathroom and three toilets Vice President M. Venkaiah text, the President noted with ed other participants in the al hygiene at a time when the be joining our Honourable While Mancheswar work- in a coach, removal of the Bhubaneswar, Bhadrak Naidu also took part, ways to concern the incidents of attacks conference to deliberate upon total number of COVID-19 PM via video call." But he shop in Bhubaneswar is doing middle berth, six liquid soap contribute to the measures taken on doctors, health workers the ways to ensure nobody positive cases in India has refused to go into the details. conversion of 51 coaches, dispensers in each coach are BHUBANESWAR: Intensifying its battle against COVID 19, by the Central government and and police personnel in some remains hungry. coaching depot at Puri will being provided. the Odisha government announced a 48-hour total shutdown, akin to curfew, in SMALL WONDERS: the state capital Bhubaneswar Nadda asks BJP workers to and Bhadrak town from 8 pm on Friday, the state's top official said. The lockdown in Kids empty piggy banks to join COVID-19 fight force in other parts of the spread PM's message to masses n state will continue during PNS AHMEDABAD Ahmedabad walked into a n which essential supplies like PNS NEW DELHI This exercise will police station to give away groceries, vegetables and help spread the light In a heart-warming gesture, their combined savings of Rs BJP president J P Nadda asked children in Gujarat are empty- 5,500 to feed the poor and milk will be available to of the people's people. However, all shops party workers on Friday to ing their humble piggy banks migrant workers, whose life selling essential commodities spread among the masses Prime collective confidence and this and donating their little savings has been upended by the lock- will remain closed during the Minister Narendra Modi's mes- will defeat the darkness of to help fight the coronavirus down. shutdown in Bhubaneswar sage to light lamps or turn on the coronavirus crisis crisis and provide relief to Four-year-old Paris Vyas and Bhadrak towns, Chief mobile phone torches on Sunday. — J P NADDA, BJP president poor people affected by the won the hearts of millions Secretary A K Tripathy said. The way in which the entire ongoing lockdown. when she told the media she is Only select medicine stores country has fought the battle They have enthusiastically donating whatever she had will be open, he said, adding against the novel coronavirus Modi has made an appeal to all joined the celebrities and busi- saved in her piggy bank to fight the local administrations will unitedly under Modi's leadership of us to switch off lights on April ness tycoons in donating in the the crisis and provide succour decide on which pharmacies is laudable, Nadda tweeted. This exercise will help spread 5th for 9 minutes at 9 PM & illu- PM-CARES Fund and also to the poor. will continue to function. Noting that Modi has urged the light of the people's collective minate our surroundings by aid in direct relief measures for It turned out that her fancy people to turn off lights at their confidence and this will defeat lighting candles, diyas, torches or the poor. piggy bank had coins and cur- homes and light candles, lamps the darkness of the coronavirus flashlights standing on balcony The Prime Minister's Citizen rency notes worth Rs 11,200. or turn on mobile phone torch- crisis, he said. Other BJP leaders or at door step while maintain- Assistance and Relief in "I am donating whatever I COVID-19 cases rise es at 9 pm on Sunday for nine also made similar appeals while ing social distance." Emergency Situations Fund ation, like COVID-19 now, from Ankleshwar town in have saved in my piggy bank. to 172 in UP minutes, the BJP president asked welcoming the announcement. "We welcome this unique step (PM-CARES Fund) was set up and provide relief to the affect- Bharuch district has donated I saw in the TV that many party workers to take this mes- Union Minister Prakash of PM, which will boost the last month to raise money to ed people. Rs 11,200 in the PM-CARES famous people are giving LUCKNOW: There has been a sage to the masses. Javadekar said, "PM Narendra morale of the people," he said. deal with any emergency situ- While a four-year-old girl Fund, three boys from money to fight coronavirus. steep rise in COVID-19 cases in Uttar Pradesh with at least 46 fresh cases being reported in the last 24 hours, taking to 172 MARKAZ: the total number of coronavirus 5 arrested, 15 booked patients in the state as on OUP offers free online access Friday, a senior health official AIMPLB official said. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases in UP for attacking cops was reported to be 126 on to its edu resources on corona warns legal action Thursday night. "Till Friday n afternoon the total number of PNS NEW DELHI positive COVID-19 cases across the state are 172," a Oxford University Press for using his photos senior health official said. (OUP) on Friday announced that it is offering free online PNS n ALIGARH (UP) is being done to defame me,” access to its educational the All India Muslim Personal Coronavirus cases rise resources on coronavirus in AIMPLB spokesman Maulana Law Board spokesperson said, to 43 in Haryana order to assist researchers, Khalil-ur-Rahman Sajjad asking media houses to not medical professionals and oth- Nomani Friday said some carry his pictures in their CHANDIGARH: Cases of ers who are working to address media houses are carrying his Markaz-related reports. coronavirus rose to 43 in the pandemic. photos instead of Tablighi He urged the media to act Haryana on Friday, with Nuh The world's largest univer- Jamaat head Maulana Saad's in with "restraint and responsi- and Gurugram being among the districts to report fresh sity press also launched a ‘con- their reportage on the bility” while covering issues cases, officials said. As per the tinue learning at home' initia- Nizamuddin Markaz contro- related to the coronavirus tive to provide students and tives, Sivaramakrishnan learning resources.” versy and warned of legal pandemic. Health Department's bulletin, n three persons who reported PNS MUZAFFARNAGAR attack that took place on teachers with free access to its Venkateswaran, managing OUP's academic journals action. "If, despite my request, Covid-19 positive are natives of Wednesday, they said. learning resources, for both director of OUP India, said, website has launched a new "Despite disclaimers, these deliberately planting of my Kerala while two others who Five persons have been arrest- The FIR was registered on schools and higher education “As a mission driven organisa- free hub of over 2,500 research media reports are carrying picture continues, I will have tested positive in Gurugram hail ed and a case registered against Thursday under several sec- streams. This initiative is tion, OUP has made access to articles and online chapters rel- my photograph which com- no option but to take legal from Maharashtra. One more them and 10 others for tions of the Indian Penal Code aimed at creating a home resources on coronavirus freely evant to coronavirus and relat- pels me to conclude that this recourse," he added. person who tested positive in allegedly attacking a police against 15 people identified as learning environment and accessible in order to assist ed topics and has also been Gurugram belongs to Uttar team that was trying to enforce former village head Naher ensuring that the delivery of researchers, medical profes- added to the Google Scholar Pradesh. Addressing media via lockdown restrictions at Singh, Sudesh, Brijesh, Reshu, education is not disrupted, an sionals and others who are homepage which will help to digital link, Additional Chief Morna village in Bhopa police Sorabh, Rashim, Rama, Devi, OUP India statement said. working to address the pan- facilitate searches for COVID- Secretary (Health) Rajiv Arora station area here, police said Pintu and six other unidenti- OUP will also support the demic. We have also commit- 19 research and articles. said, “Total number of positive on Friday. fied persons, police said. teacher fraternity by providing ted ourselves to helping learn- The free online learning cases as of Friday morning was Two policemen, including the While five of them have been them free online access to its ers, teachers and institutions resources can be accessed 43. Out of total number of incharge of the police outpost arrested, attempts are being online teacher training mod- through this period, by provid- through the dedicated school positive cases, 13 have been sub-inspector Lekhraj Singh made to identify and nab the ules and webinars. ing them online and digitised and higher education web-pages discharged". were seriously injured in the others, they said. Speaking about the initia- versions of our world-class on the OUP India website. COVID-19 LOCKDOWN AIFF begins campaign on how NGOs, locals pitch in to feed strays in Goa to remain fit during lockdown PNS n PANAJI "Volunteers from NGOs move around PNS n NEW DELHI video campaign, former India The COVID-19 lockdown may without proper passes or authority captain Bhaichung Bhutia have forced many to stay indoors, The All India Football urged all the fans to follow the but some compassionate Goans letters, but we don't stop them as Federation has started a cam- government guidelines and have stepped out of their homes they are out for a good cause," a paign featuring past and pre- stay indoors. to care for stray dogs. senior police official said sent stars to spread awareness "On behalf of the entire Animal lovers in Goa have among the people about how football fraternity and the All taken the onus of feeding stray to keep fit during the lock- India Football Federation, I dogs despite the lockdown, "I have been urging people to increased, Pereira said. down. would request everyone to which is in place to contain the keep containers filled with Similarly, Netravalim-based The video campaign stay at home. Stay safe, stay coronavirus pandemic. water outside their homes for Amit Naik tours the entire dis- #FitWithIndianFootball will healthy, and stay positive,” Several NGOs and citizens strays," she said. trict every morning, feeding see players ranging from the Bhutia said. are going around feeding Pereira cooks at least 40 kg every stray he encounters. national senior men's and The video also featured strays, who largely survive on of rice to feed strays at Margao, "I leave my house at around women's team to Indian Sunil Chhetri, Dangmei Grace leftovers from restaurants and Nuvem, Fatorda, Colva, 7.30 am and return only by late Arrows and Indian U-17 and Indian U-17 Women's roadside eateries, which are out for a good cause," a senior "Food is not the only issue, Majorda, Seraulim, Betalbha- afternoon, after covering women's World Cup squad to lockdown to contain the Cup World Cup probable shut because of the curfew. police official said. dogs get dehydrated without tim, Chandor, Curtorim, Sanvordem, Sanguem, Margao all age group national team spread of the dreaded coron- Aveka Singh. "Volunteers from NGOs Stray dogs are one of the water in this heat," said Fidoll among other areas. and Canacona in extreme players, who will explain the avirus which has infected more Senior men's team striker move around without proper many casualties of the lock- Frida J Pereira, an animal lover Since the lockdown, she has South," he said. Many donate fans several training regime than 2,000 people with more Jeje Lalpekhlua said for him "it passes or authority letters, but down, as they are left without who feeds strays in South been cooking 50 kg of rice money and some even provide using a football. than 50 deaths. is a pleasure" to give something we don't stop them as they are food or water. Goa's Salcette taluka regularly. every day, as the demand has rice bags to feed strays. The country is in a 21-day In the first episode of the back to the fans. HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | APRIL 4, 2020 op nion 06 www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ PAPER WITH PASSION The food challenge While we have enough stocks, the supply chain breakdowns The invisible people and curfew protocols to choke the virus point to a crisis he country may have sufficient foodgrain stocks in Central and State warehouses The long march undertaken by migrant workers has reminded India of Tas reserves to tide out an emergency but the breakage of supply chain management due its poor but how long will this awareness last? to the lockdown has also meant that they are not reaching beneficiaries. The Government claims that we have nearly 10 times the emer- gency reserve needed for this time of the year and the fair price shops can go on an over- drive to meet our nutritional requirements. But these are just dry rations, such as rice, wheat, sugar and pulses. Farm supplies have been badly hit because of sudden closure. Even if there are vegetables waiting to be HIRANMAY KARLEKAR loaded, varying curfew protocols by different States and the still patchy system of curfew passes for truckers mean that there is no movement. Police harass- ne can argue that this is not the time to discuss the view, how- ment has only complicated transit. States like Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Delhi, ever credible, that the 21-day Maharashtra and West Bengal have issued curfew passes promptly and set up lockdown has been imposed police task forces to facilitate smooth movement. But virus hotspot States like without adequate thought to its consequences,O particularly on the poor. The Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan have totally closed their bor- emphasis now, the argument may continue, ders and even sealed their drop point depots. Although the Government is con- should be exclusively on repulsing the templating a staggered release from lockdown, mainly to ensure the April har- COVID-19 invasion which has brought India to a standstill and threatens to play vest from the fields, the exodus of daily labourers has meant that there are far havoc with its life. There is a point in this, fewer hands available to manage field work. There are also reports of truck dri- as there is equally a point in the contention vers joining the migrants. The second biggest bottleneck is of manufactured, that the subject needs to be discussed threadbare both from the viewpoint of ensur- processed and packaged food items. With consumers hoarding anything with ing accountability on the part of the author- a shelf life, the sudden gush of demand, the flight of labour at units rolling them ities and the need to avoid in future the mis- out and the supply chain gaps have meant that our breakfast platters are begin- takes that have been made. While leaving such a discussion for a ning to look different. Fast-moving consumer good (FMCG) companies are already post-Corona time — which, one hopes, is registering an upswing in demand from urban centres, indicating the hoarding not far away — one needs to focus on a relat- spiral. The retail network has completely collapsed, its earnings now down to ed question: How is it that few could antic- 15 per cent. A longer lockdown would mean that sector players would have to ipate the post-lockdown trudge of hundreds and thousands of migrant daily wage work- shut down and let go off their staff by June. It is, of course, the neighbourhood ers, often with their entire families includ- stores and grocers, who are back in business, having just enough capacity to ing women and children in tow, to their vil- serve their ecosystem and, therefore, able to smoothen some shocks given their lage homes hundreds of miles away? Anyone familiar with the Indian tradition of family scale. The online delivery platforms have already collapsed with the supply chain and community support, which survives in Independence, the socialists left tions on the slogan of Garibi universality. It is almost a new breakdown, running out of stocks, delaying deliveries and some of them not sign- a great measure in rural areas despite ero- the Congress and established the Hatao (Remove Poverty). religion that worships wealth ing up new customers at all. The less said about the poultry sector the better; sion in urban societies, should have known Praja Socialist Party, Socialist The shift towards a change and possession and not the that the first instinct of starving labourers, Party and the Samyukta Socialist in the party’s political and eco- character of a person. There is eggs are still available though chicken and meat are mostly off the shelves because without work and shelter and facing uncer- Party respectively and their nomic trajectory, however, no time for the poor who are of the zoonotic virus. Even dairy products could be affected as a report said that tain futures, would be to go back to their vil- leaders like SM Joshi, NG Goray, THE POOR AND THE became manifest from the early reduced to invisibility and are the Aarey dairy has just enough fodder for the cattle to last a week or so. lage homes, with which most of them Madhu Limaye and George 1980s. The launch of the “eco- often looked down with con- retain close ties. Fernandes played important ALLEVIATION OF nomic reforms” in 1991 saw, in tempt as failures. In the end, what is needed is enabling bulk supplies and that, too, at a time The reason is simple: The poor have van- roles in the country’s politics. THEIR POVERTY NO effect, the defenestration of all There have been other of isolation protocols that demand there is no over-crowding at procurement sites. ished as an active presence in the conscious- Anger over exploitation and talk of socialism. The emphasis changes. The poor and the alle- Most agricultural produce market committees, where every business sources ness of those who now set the agenda for dis- the suffering of the poor was, LONGER OCCUPY was now on the market econo- viation of their poverty no longer course in India. This was not always so. perhaps, the most powerful dri- my and unleashing the animal occupy the centrestage of the supplies, have been shut for a while. Some of them have negotiated limited trad- Mahatma Gandhi’s abiding concern for the ving force behind Karl Marx’s THE CENTRESTAGE instinct of Indian entrepreneurs. political discourse in India. They ing hours to minimise numbers. Respecting protocol and enforcing it with pre- poor and making their well-being the intellectual and political exer- OF THE POLITICAL As in most cases, economic have now been taken over by cision is a big challenge as is the enormous time lag. Besides, it is the high heat touchstone for all action has been reflected tions and the programmes of the change had its cultural and issues like the terrorist threat to in his iconic observation, “Recall the face of Communist Party of India, DISCOURSE IN social consequences. Poverty the country, the Ram temple, the of summer and perishables, without fast movement, run the real risk of being the poorest and weakest man you have seen, Communist Party of India INDIA. THEY HAVE has ceased to be of concern to Citizenship Amendment Act, wasted. At least for a month or so, a risk-free procurement will have to be evolved and ask yourself if this step you contemplate (Marxist) and the various the middle class, which enjoys the National Population Register in consultation with Central and State representatives. If the situation prolongs, is going to be any use to him.” He also stat- Naxalite groups. NOW BEEN TAKEN unprecedented purchasing and the National Register of ed, “Poverty is the worst form of violence.” For a long time after OVER BY ISSUES power and which sets the agen- Citizens. One reason for this is, then the Government may have to look for other alternatives. For example, the Equally well-known is his theory of trustee- Independence, the Congress da for discourse in the country, of course, the advent of Hindutva Food Corporation of India has both operational and food security stocks. At a ship, the essence of which he expressed suc- remained oriented towards a LIKE THE constituting over 30 per cent of politics and its concomitants. stretch, the Centre can offer them to States and then perhaps to select retail chains cinctly when he said, “Supposing I have come moderate, albeit nebulous, form TERRORIST THREAT the population. Another is the Congress’s new should the market so demand. Wheat and rice godowns are already overflow- by a fair amount of wealth — either by way of the ideology. After Parliament The instinctive tendency to orientation. It does refer to the of legacy, or by means of trade and indus- had accepted in 1954 the estab- TO THE COUNTRY, look away has been reinforced in poor from time to time but that ing but the holding capacity of fair price shops will have to be ramped up. Of try — I must know that all that wealth does lishment of a “socialist pattern of THE RAM TEMPLE, its case by the dynamics of a is mostly en passent. Even oth- course, we will also have to deal with the possibility of reduced food imports not belong to me; what belongs to me is the society” as the aim of econom- market economy where the dri- erwise, the decline in its politi- what with export restrictions in place. And while we might be able to ensure emer- right to an honourable livelihood, no better ic development, the Avadi ses- CAA, NPR AND NRC. ving force is sales, the volume of cal fortunes gives a cry-in-the- than that enjoyed by millions of others. The sion of the Congress, adopted, in ONE REASON which is critically linked to rev- wilderness dimension to its pro- gency food needs of vulnerable populations, pricing interventions just might be rest of my wealth belongs to the communi- January, 1955, a resolution call- enue and the quantum of prof- nouncements. Equally a factor required. As for civil society, it can be incentivised to donate to food banks, the ty and must be used for the welfare of the ing for the “establishment of a FOR THIS IS, OF it. Its cutting edge advertising has been the decline in Marxism’s amount exempted from taxes, for the vast numbers of homeless and jobless. community.” socialistic pattern of society seeks to boost sales by project- political appeal given its aban- The presence of a socialist influence in where the principal means of COURSE, ing products as not only cov- donment in Russia and China Saving lives is not just about treating the infected but nurturing a whole nation the Indian National Congress as early as the production are under social THE ADVENT etable in themselves but their and the decline of Left politics in back to life from a calamitous disruption that had neither been foreseen nor imag- 1930s was reflected in the formation of the ownership or control” and there OF HINDUTVA possession as a measure of a per- general in India. The result: ined. Call it social welfarism but innovation and enterprise can only come when All-India Congress Socialist Party in 1934 is “equitable distribution of the son’s worth. With advertising Loss of visibility by poor. The under the chairmanship of Acharya national wealth.” Later, Indira POLITICS AND ITS dominating media, particularly long march and its horrors have a nation is well-fed. Narendra Deva with Jayaprakash Narayan Gandhi, who nationalised banks, television, the latter shaping made them visible again. But for as secretary. The Congress had a number of insurance, coal mines and abol- CONCOMITANTS people’s mindsets as never how long? important socialist leaders like ished the privy purses of the before, conspicuous consump- (The writer is Consultant Sampurnanand, Achyut Patwardhan, Ram princes, rode to a massive vic- tion as a means of showing off, Editor, The Pioneer, and an Business unusual Manohar Lohia and Minoo Masani. After tory in the 1971 mid-term elec- has assumed an unprecedented author) Whenever we emerge from the viral attack on the global economic system, business will never be the same again S O U N D BITE here will businesses stand in a post- Dear @narendramodi, we will Don’t let this wretched Corona Listened to the Pradhan The military dictum is prepare Coronavirus world? Even as countries listen to you and light diyas get the better of us. No, no, Showman. Nothing about how or perish but in these times of make plans to extend their lockdowns, both on April 5. But in return, you are not getting what I am to ease people's pain, their Covid, we have refined it to W please listen to us and to trying to say. Please read burdens, their financial anxi- prepare or suffer. We must Government officials and citizens have no clue when the wise counsel of epidemi- Corona in reverse, it eties. Just a feel-good moment ensure 100 per cent lockdown the world will return to normalcy. There are those ologists and economists. becomes na ro ko. curated by India's Photo-Op PM! and social distancing. who are looking into the aspects as to where things Congress leader Megastar Congress leader Chief of Defence Staff may stand once everything settles down. However, —P Chidambaram —Amitabh Bachchan —Shashi Tharoor —Gen Bipin Rawat one thing is certain: Things will not be the same as they were before the Wuhan contagion swept the world. Of course, there will be a lot of families L E T T E R S T O T H E EDITOR and individuals who will be devastated by the fallouts. Every passing day, it appears more and more likely that several businesses, which were swimming fine until Relief in times of crisis Address food problems the outbreak of the virus, will now sink into the depths of bankruptcy, with or Learn from Kerala’s preparedness without Government intervention. And those that survive will be fundamentally Sir — It was pleasing to know that his refers to the article, “Hope in Kerala model,” (April Sir — Besides bringing the entire different. One of those differences will be driven from the “work from home” cul- the Punjab and Chandigarh High 1) by Amit Sengupta. Kerala’s current efforts to keep nation into lockdown, the spread ture that has begun in many industries. Court has allowed farmers to Tthe deadly Coronavirus at bay need to be mapped of Coronavirus has created a work in the field for harvesting with the struggle it went through for two consecutive problem of plenty, which needs to Work from home is a luxury that not every sector can avail. Even in the media crops. The court further said years. Normally, the southwest monsoon ebbs to facil- be tackled. With States undertak- industry, while online portals may have been able to spin their stories from a that industries and factories can itate harvest and welcome the festival of Onam when the ing large-scale distribution of dark basement somewhere, that isn’t a change for most such news parasites. function as long as workers are month of August progresses. But in 2018, torrential rains food grains, the onus is on the provided with accommodation, pounded the coastal State for days and all its 44 rivers Food Corporation of India (FCI) Newspapers can survive on limited staff in offices but the printing presses need food and medication. In addition, were in spate. Kerala turned into a large green pool of to ensure sufficient supply to meet to be manned. Television channels need to have fully-crewed output desks and markets will remain open from 10 water. The double curvature Idukki Dam, built across the the enhanced requirement of all editors even if the anchors can be isolated. Nevertheless, working from home am to 6 pm. These rulings bring River Periyar with a reservoir capacity of 2,403 feet, was States. Thankfully, India has suf- a big relief for farmers, daily filled to the brim. The State had to open the spillways ficient foodgrain stockpiles to is a reality in many sectors and this will lead to some interesting changes in demand workers, poor and needy people and that raised the water level in the overflowing river. cial aid. Literally, Kerala waged a battle for survival. feed its poor for at least a year- for commercial real estate and transportation requirements. Maybe there will be as they can earn their livelihood Floods devastated the State. In 2019, too, heavy rains Proffering that “Kerala is a beacon to the world,” Vijay and-a-half. But it is now up to the less demand for shared cabs. More companies might invest in “hot desking”; for survival. It will also boost the caused flooding to wreak havoc. In 2018, a few months Prashad and Subin Dennis, writing for “Globetrotter,” a respective States to ensure no gen- declining economy of the State. before the worst deluge, the dreaded Nipah virus (NiV) project of the Independent Media Institute, concluded, “The uine beneficiary is left out. having shared stations for employees where anyone can log in and work. However, it is also a bit challeng- that descended on Kozhikode from fruit bats, threatened fight against COVID-19 is not over. Vigilance is necessary. Foodgrain wastage and misappro- Collaboration applications such as Zoom, which has become extremely popu- ing for the State to maintain social to send life haywire. Vaccines need to be tested and authorised; better cures priation must be avoided. Staples lar, and Microsoft’s Teams will begin to rule the roost. And as tele-commuting distancing among the people in The ruling Central Government compounded the need to be studied and shared. But even as one is vigi- must reach the needy without any such situations. Thus, the State’s misery by rationing its financial support. Certain lant, the lessons from places like Kerala should be delay or leakage. becomes standard, will companies use the opportunity to cut costs as employ- Government must ensure the quarters worked overtime to discourage personal contri- absorbed.” With lessons learnt from its struggles, Kerala Side by side, the FCI must ees spend more time at home? That is extremely likely, salaries are certain to safety of people at work. butions. A noisy pretender in a national television chan- is now positioned to fight COVID-19 from the front. utilise this opportunity to take face a reality check. But this may not be the case across the world and in every AMS Nadwi nel called the people of the State “shameless” during a Haridasan Rajan control of the many empty ware- Lucknow debate on the UAE Government’s offer to provide finan- Kozhikode houses which need to be cleaned. sector. Whatever happens, it might be too soon to make a prediction of how With the harvesting season things will play out in the coming months. There will be some interesting new Strengthen ties approaching, fresh stocks would developments and some puzzling trends that will play out. It is clear that this or twice a week as it relaxes the COVID-19 outbreak has put ed Trump and his family. One soon arrive and would have to be mind and reduces stress and anx- many countries in lockdown. hopes that this bond between the stored. generation, which has become accustomed to social distancing and wearing Sir — Prime Minister Narendra iety. Sharing Modi’s tweet, Ivanka Ivanka Trump recently visit- heads of the two countries Ashok Pal masks, will be traumatised for years to come and handshakes might go extinct. Modi, who is quite active on social Trump, the daughter of the US ed India along with her family reflects in the US’ development New Delhi But what will business as usual look like in 2021? It is too soon to say but rest media, posted a video link on President, expressed her appreci- where Modi welcomed them by plans for India. assured it will not be the same as it was on February 1, 2020. Twitter and claimed that he prac- ation of the initiative, especially organising a “Namaste Trump” Munawwar Khurshid Send your feedback to: tises the Yoga Nidra asana once during a time of crisis when the event. Clearly, Modi has fascinat- Mumbai [email protected] HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | APRIL 4, 2020

www.dailypioneer.com analysis 07 FIRSTCOLUMN POINTCOUNTERPOINT The social media THE 21-DAY LOCKDOWN WAS NECESSARY BUT INDIA'S EFFORTS TO FIGHT CORONAVIRUS ARE UNPLANNED. IT CAUSED HARASSMENT TO LAKHS OF BEING LAUDED DOMESTICALLY AND GLOBALLY. BUT pandemic MIGRANT WORKERS. CONGRESS IS PLAYING PETTY POLITICS. During this lockdown we need to keep our spirits —CONGRESS PRESIDENT —HOME MINISTER up and not be bogged down by the fake news SONIA GANDHI AMIT SHAH being spread by scaremongers Economic cost of the lockdown PRAKRITI PODDAR he Coronavirus outbreak has put the entire world under lock- The Indian economy will face an income loss of `1.7 lakh crore per week or a total down with the total number of cases rising to a whopping T10,16,395 globally and the death toll reaching 53,238. On of `5.1 lakh crore during the three-week-long shutdown called by the Govt January 30, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Coronavirus outbreak as a Global Public Health Emergency. As more and more new hotspots emerge daily, experts are anticipating that the onslaught of this pandemic will continue for a few more months before we see the end of it. In the meantime, it has wreaked havoc on the world economy and every social activity known to man. Many countries, including India, have asked people to self-isolate them- selves and set a 14-day quarantine period for citizens returning home from abroad. Almost all global and national sports events have been indef- initely postponed, TV shows and film productions have been sus- BARUN SANJIB pended, schools, colleges, malls, restaurants and cinemas have DEB PAL POHIT been closed. Foreign and domestic tourism is at a standstill due to closure of borders and aviation activity has been suspended in he pandemic COVID-19 has already affect- most parts of the world as well as India. People are working from ed over 10,16,395 people across the world and home as inter-State borders have been sealed, so much so that Tthere have been 53,238 deaths worldwide. Out transportation of goods across borders in the country has become of this, over 20,000 people died in the last three difficult. Now, with the 21-day lockdown imposed by the months alone. Health experts across the world are Government, people are confined to their homes. yet to discover a vaccine for this deadly virus that Naturally, anxiety due to the Coronavirus outbreak around the can be applied for human use worldwide. This is world is at an all time high, with people sporting social distancing despite the fact that about 35 companies and aca- discs that limit contact with others, using hand sanitisers as well demic institutions are racing to create an anti- Coronavirus vaccine. There are at least four can- as wearing masks to protect themselves against this epidemic. didates, which are being tested on animals now. The Governments around the world have also scaled up their respec- first firm to conduct a human trial, Boston-based tive healthcare systems and enhanced their capacity to provide time- biotechnology firm Moderna, will enter Phase-II ly screenings as well as treatment to people. of trials, which means widespread human applica- Nonetheless, there are various fake news portals as well as tion by early summer. But this is not fast enough. social media posts that are being circulated to spread misinforma- The World Health Organisation (WHO) is expect- tion about the Coronavirus, which is adding to the already-preva- ing an exponential spike in the number of lent anxiety. Some myths like cow urine can prevent Coronavirus, Coronavirus cases across the world in the coming spraying alcohol and chlorine on oneself can keep it at bay, mos- days and is providing necessary information to vul- quitoes can transmit the virus, eating garlic can prevent it, drink- nerable countries. As a result, national and local gov- ernments across the world are encouraging social ing lots of water will flush out the virus as well taking antibiotics distancing among the people and more and more will prevent the virus are doing the rounds of social media. People nations are going into a lockdown mode. are unthinkingly passing such posts around despite leading scien- India is already in the second week of its 21- tists and healthcare professionals debunking these myths. day lockdown that was announced by Prime The nature of social media is such that anyone can share any Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 in a televised According to the PLFS’ estimates, a self- tinue to provide job opportunities to the lockdown going forward. So what should fake or unverified information on their timeline which can cause address to the nation. Despite its size and the den- employed person earns about `3,460 per rest of the workers. This is a reasonable the Government do to improve the sit- anxiety among the people who see it. This has led to deterioration sity of the population, the entire country, that week. The complete shutdown will affect assumption for the agriculture sector as uation? of their mental health as they are living in perpetual fear of the dis- includes 28 States and eight Union Territories, has casual labourers the most as their income harvesting of Rabi crops usually starts in As per estimates, the shutdown will ` ease and resorting to measures which will certainly not prevent gone into a lockdown, making it the largest such THIS depends on working days available in a most of the States in late March/early cause a loss of 5,261 per casual worker, the Coronavirus but can potentially harm their health. exercise in the world. ESTIMATE week. April, coinciding with the complete lock- which is nearly equivalent to the income The country, which has a poor healthcare infra- The situation is, of course, margin- down period in the country. Hence, the support given by the Government to the Thankfully, Governments are cracking down on such irrespon- structure has no option but to do this, as social dis- IS ONLY ally better for regular wage employees. But aggregate income loss of the casual farmers through the PM-KISAN scheme sible behaviour and imposing fines as well punishment for people tancing is probably the surest way of stopping the FOR THE DIRECT nearly 46 per cent of the total regular wage workers will be `0.3 lakh crore per week (i.e. `6,000 annual income support to spreading misinformation. The Indian Government has written to spread of the Coronavirus among the 1.3 billion IMPACT ON earners in India do not have the benefit during the lockdown period if we consid- farmers). It makes sense to extend this top social media companies, including Facebook, YouTube, Indians. However, health experts say that nothing INCOME FOR A of paid leave. Therefore, if their salary is er their per week income earning to be scheme to the casual labourers engaged TikTok, ShareChat and Twitter, to control the spread of misinfor- can prevent the country from going into stage-III PERIOD OF not protected during the lockdown peri- of the same level as in the third quarter in the non-agricultural sector. mation on COVID-19. In an advisory the Government asked social of the outbreak and the lockdown is just delaying 21 DAYS. THE od, they will lose their income. On the (October-December 2019) of 2019-20. Regular wage employees without media platforms to start awareness campaigns, remove misinfor- our entry into it. It is giving us more time to pre- ECONOMIC other hand, self-employed people will lose Additionally, as 46 per cent of regu- entitlement of paid leave are highly vul- mation from the platform and promote authentic information on the pare for stage-III and increasing the chances of us LOSS WILL BE profit earning from their enterprises/firms lar employees do not have the benefit of nerable during this period. Therefore, Coronavirus so that wrong information does not add to the peo- taking advantage of any medical breakthrough that MUCH HIGHER due to close of operations. paid leave, it is estimated that almost 15 firms can be encouraged to compensate ple’s stress. So what can we really do to protect ourselves from takes place. IF TIMELY The lockdown will affect various sec- per cent of total regular wage employees wage loss to those employees and a tax But, the big question is, for how long can India tors differently. As Modi’s speech indicat- will lose their income due to the shutting benefit package for the firms may be this dreaded virus? Healthcare professionals have recommended afford to shut itself down? As it is the Indian econ- RECOVERY ed, only production and distribution of down of economic activities. Thus, it is thought of. several precautionary and hygienic measures, which include avoid- omy was in a shambles before the outbreak. Now, DOES NOT essential commodities and services have estimated that the regular salaried group Self-employed people will also face a ing hospitals unless there is an emergency and as far as possible it also has to bear the huge economic loss of the TAKE PLACE been allowed to be operational. That will lose `0.35 lakh crore per week as severe loss due to the economic down- avoiding direct contact with healthcare professionals. They also advo- three-week-long complete shutdown and the bur- AND IF WE includes food supply, goods transport, compared to their weekly income turn. Boosting effective demand in the cate washing of hands regularly especially after direct contact with den of the financial relief package of `1.75 lakh crore ARE FORCED manufacturing of medical equipment, obtained during the third quarter of the economy can encourage investment and sick people or their surroundings. People must also stay clear of that was announced by the Government for the TO GO IN FOR pharmaceutical, medical facilities, com- Financial Year 2019-20. in this context the first two measures will farm as well as wild animals. country. AN EXTENDED munication and financial services. Since 53 per cent of self-employed play a key role. So far, an amount of People with symptoms of a severe respiratory infection must Once this nightmare is behind us, it will become LOCKDOWN Therefore, workers will definitely suffer people are engaged in agriculture, we `15,000 crore has been allocated for the limit contact with others and cover their mouth while sneezing or really hard for the Finance Ministry to prepare an GOING income loss if they are engaged in the assume, there will be no direct impact on heath sector for improving healthcare coughing. If they develop a number of symptoms of the effective package for a quick revival of the econo- FORWARD locked down sectors. their income during this time. However, facilities. my. Here are some estimates of the direct econom- Another 40 per cent casual labour- the income of the rest of the 47 per cent The Finance Minister’s recent Coronavirus, they must report to the nearest hospital and not panic ic loss to the nation and some possible interven- ers are engaged in the construction sec- of self-employed people will be affected announcement of a `1.75 lakh crore pack- unnecessarily. We must also clean everything around the house tions for quick recovery. tor, which will surely be closed for 21 days if they are engaged in locked down sec- age to help the economically-weaker and workplace with disinfectant as when infected droplets from a The third advance estimate of India’s Gross leading to income loss to the respective tors. Based on calculations of the sector- sections survive the loss of jobs and person land on a surface it survives for days on end. Domestic Product (GDP) published by the Central workers. A further 10 per cent of casual specific impact, almost `1.05 lakh crore income that would be the inevitable fall- Use hand sanitiser regularly and avoid touching your eyes, mouth Statistical Organisation (CSO) revealed that India’s workers are engaged in manufacturing income of the self-employed people will out of the Coronavirus outbreak is not and nose, especially if you have just been outside. Now when India estimated GDP for 2019-2020 stood at `47 lakh industries, where almost 90 per cent of be lost per week. adequate. is in a 21-day lockdown, we also need to keep our spirits up and crore, which turns out to be `3.6 lakh crore per economic activities are closed for now. In effect, the Indian economy will face As indicated above, this is only one- not be bogged down by boredom or give in to fake news being week, of which 17 per cent is earned by casual The assumption of 90 per cent shut down an income loss of `1.7 lakh crore per week third of the loss of income estimated dur- ` spread by scaremongers on social media. labour, 21 per cent by regular wage employees and of manufacturing is based on the output or a total of 5.1 lakh crore during the ing the shutdown. Of course, the If you are not working from home and hence have a lot of empty 62 per cent by self-employed workers. The lockdown share of food and medical equipment sec- three-week-long lockdown. Government has issued instructions will affect all these workers on a different magni- tors in total production. Considering that almost 95 million exempting workers and labourers from time on your hands, use it productively to finish chores that have tude. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey The estimate is based on the 2016 workers/entrepreneurs will be hit and if paying rent for a month and assured been pending for long. Take up a hobby that you never had time (PLFS) data for 2017, a whopping 25 per cent of Supply Use Table (SUT) of the CSO, we consider that each of them supports wages for them during the lockdown peri- for earlier. Pray and meditate. Spend time with family. Play board total workers in India are casual labourers (i.e. which indicates that foodgrain process- on an average four people, nearly 380 mil- od. This may no doubt lessen the burden. games, read, watch movies. Do whatever it takes to protect your almost 93 million people) earning about `1,754 per ing and medical equipment contribute to lion people will face severe welfare However, foolproof implementation sanity by keeping negative thoughts in check and escape the pan- week. Another 23 per cent of the total are regular about 10 per cent of the total GDP of the threats. This estimate is only for the direct would not be an easy proposition despite demic called social media. wage earners who get an average `4,063 per week. manufacturing sector. Thus, about 45 mil- impact on income for a period of 21 days. the Government’s best intention. (The writer is a mental health expert and Director of a well- The rest, 52 per cent workers, are self-employed ones lion casual workers (i.e. 50 per cent of total The economic loss will be much higher (Deb is with IFPRI and Pohit works ness company) that include own account workers, the self- casual workers) will be vulnerable, pro- if timely recovery does not take place and for the NCAER. The views expressed are employed and helpers in household enterprises. vided agriculture and allied sectors con- if we are forced to go in for an extended personal) Police excesses during shutdown not justified Fines coupled with clarifications regarding the extent of the restrictions and positive propaganda like the ‘Corona Warrior’ videos shared by the Prime Minister are most effective and humane ways of ensuring that people understand the need for social distancing of the threat of COVID-19? invoked Section 144 of the Code of of crisis. The majority of the police tions can be charged under Section 188 John Hopkins University, in his book order or the MHA guidelines on the In order to understand the legal- Criminal Procedure (CrPC), no order force must be commended for their of the IPC and Sections 51 to 60 of the The People vs. Democracy, argues that lockdown. This can be done by the ity of the incidents of police action, we has been issued which explicitly makes remarkable efforts in maintaining DMA, 2005. Section 188 of the IPC a liberal democracy strikes a balance President or the Governor by promul- must first distinguish between a “lock- it criminal to step out of the house. This order in a situation of extreme panic provides for a fine and an imprison- between two fundamental principles, gating an Ordinance under Articles 123 down” and “curfew.” A curfew is a is less so if one is rendering an essen- and for putting their personal safety at ment term for one month for the vio- the “will of the majority” and the “rule and 213 of the Constitution respective- short-term measure, where essential tial service or has ventured out to buy risk during a pandemic. However, lation of an order of a public servant. of law”, which gives primacy to indi- ly, empowering local authorities to services are also disrupted, to keep peo- essential items. some errant policemen have chosen to Further, the DMA also prescribes vidual rights. impose fines to violators. Such fines ple off the streets in times of riots or However, given the Coronavirus violate the law and strict action must penalties which can attract fines as well India’s constitutional framework must be based on a differential system, terror activities. outbreak, it is our duty as responsible be taken against them. Voluntarily as imprisonment up to two years for may allow for individual rights to be accounting for the socio-economic On the other hand, a lockdown is citizens to ensure that we don’t leave causing hurt to a person is a non-cog- violating orders issued under it. curtailed but they cannot be complete- background of the violators. ISHA SINGH a relatively long-term measure, requir- our homes. But in the event that we do nisable offence under Section 323 of the However, these penal provisions ly sacrificed at the altar of the “will of Fines are being used effectively as ing the closure of public and private have to, there is no justification for the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and provides must be invoked cautiously, with due the majority.” In the face of a public a deterrent in the UK, the UAE and n the aftermath of the commence- establishments, schools and religious police subjecting people to the for imprisonment of up to one year. application of mind. Consideration health challenge, it is all the more nec- Canada. In the UK, police officers have ment of the lockdown, various places in order to restrict the large-scale appalling treatment that we have wit- Victims of police violence should not must be given to the fact that it is dif- essary to be vigilant about human the power to issue on-the-spot fines of Iincidents surfaced where the police movement of people. As essential ser- nessed over the last few days. We live succumb to such blatant misuse of ficult for people to approach the rights, as history teaches us that the £60 for people found violating the lock- lathicharged ambulance drivers, vices continue to operate, a lockdown in a country plagued by illiteracy and authority. Instead they must record courts, which are functioning on an gravest human rights violations have down rules. Such fines, coupled with stranded migrant workers and other is less restrictive than a curfew. The poverty. There has been widespread such incidents, subject themselves to extremely limited basis. The State taken place during wars, emergencies clarifications regarding the extent of the people for venturing out of their Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confusion regarding what can and can- immediate medical examination, if must also take care to ensure that the and disruptive situations. The “major- restrictions and positive propaganda homes to buy essential items like milk guidelines, issued under Section not be done during the lockdown. The possible, and file a complaint before the punishment is proportionate to the ity” should be careful before applaud- like the “Corona Warrior” videos and groceries. These incidents have 10(2)(l) of the Disaster Management plight of the migrant workers, who nearest Magistrate under Section offence in question, as held by the ing or normalising police excesses in shared by the Prime Minister, are most been recorded and circulated on social Act (DMA), 2005, despite having the were compelled by their poverty to 190(1) of the CrPC. If this is difficult Supreme Court in the Vikram Singh vs the name of public interest when effective and humane ways of ensur- media by onlookers. However, this has effect of a lockdown, do not use the walk thousands of kilometres back to pursue during the lockdown, it must Union of India case, especially when alternate and proportionate penalties ing that people understand the need for resulted in not just physical but also term curfew or lockdown. Moreover, home as they could not afford to live be followed up once the restrictions are the Government has not expressly clar- exist. social distancing. mental trauma for the victims. So, are the guidelines do not specifically state in the city without work, is a glaring eased. ified whether a single person walking The ideal approach in this case (The writer is a lawyer in the such police excesses justified, even if that people cannot venture out of their instance of why we must exercise com- The MHA guidelines clearly state on the street amounts to an offence. would be for the police to fine people Bombay High Court) they have been committed in the face houses. Even in States which have passion and not violence in this hour that a person found violating stipula- Yascha Mounk, a professor at who are found violating a Section 144 HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | APRIL 4, 2020 money 08 CAPSULE India’s GDP to slip to 4 pc CNG, piped cooking gas price in Delhi, adjoining cities reduced in 2020-21, expects ADB PNS n NEW DELHI The price of CNG used in PNS n NEW DELHI Asakawa, President of Asian automobiles and cooking gas Development Bank. piped to household kitchens The Asian Development Bank Speaking on India, ADB was on Friday cut by 7 per cent (ADB) on Friday said that Chief Economist Yasuyuki in step with a reduction in ‘Issues faced by India's economic growth rate Sawada said, “The COVID-19 input natural gas prices. e-comm players will slip to 4 per cent in the pandemic jeopardizes global Indraprastha Gas Ltd, the current fiscal on account of the growth and India's recovery. retailer of CNG and piped during lockdown global health emergency cre- But India's macroeconomic natural gas in the national being resolved’ ated by the COVID-19 pan- fundamentals remain sound, capital and adjoining areas, demic. and we expect the economy to said CNG price in Delhi will be NEW DELHI: The government At the same time, the mul- recover strongly in the next fis- cut by Rs 3.20 to Rs 42 per kg. has held several meetings with tilateral lending agency in its cal year." In adjoining Noida, Greater e-commerce players to resolve flagship publication Asian Sawada said Indian author- Noida and Ghaziabad, the their issues which they have Development Outlook (ADO) ities have acted swiftly to shore reduction would be Rs 3.60 to been facing due to the 2020 said that India will stage up the economy hit by the Rs 47.75 per kg. lockdown , and now there is a strong recovery in the next pandemic. IGL, in a statement, also In adjoining Noida, Greater Noida and an improvement everyday, a financial year on back of its The deadly disease has claimed over "Ongoing reforms to per- announced cut in its domestic top government official said sound macroeconomic funda- sonal and corporate taxes and piped natural gas prices by Rs Ghaziabad, the reduction would be Rs on Friday. Secretary in the mentals. 50,000 lives across the globe, the measures to strengthen agri- 1.55 per standard cubic meters 3.60 to Rs 47.75 per kg Department for Promotion of India's economic growth maximum number of which has been culture and the rural economy to Rs 28.55 per scm in Delhi. Industry and Internal Trade for 2019-20 has been estimat- and alleviate financial sector Piped natural gas in Noida, (DPIIT) Guruprasad ed at 5 per cent by the National reported from some countries in the stress will help accelerate Greater Noida and Ghaziabad per scm in Delhi and by Rs cooking stoves through pipes. Mohapatra said that with lot of Statistics Office (NSO). European region and the US India's recovery," he added. would be Rs 28.45 scm, a 0.40 in neighbouring towns in IGL said the revised CNG follow-ups on their issues, The Manila-headquartered Risks to the economic out- reduction of Rs 1.65 per scm Uttar Pradesh. price in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar relaxations were given to them agency said the growth rate of look are firmly on the down- from Rs 30.10. The latest reduction follows Pradesh would be Rs 56.65 per by the Home Ministry. "We Indian economy is expected to mum number of which has est data, and number of infect- side, it said, adding a pro- This is the second reduction the government cutting the kg, in Karnal would be Rs 49.85 had meetings with them, most be slow on weak global envi- been reported from some ed people stands over 2,000. longed pandemic would push in rates in six months. CNG price paid for natural gas pro- per kg and in Rewari and of their issues are being ronment amid continued countries in the European "We face extraordinarily the global economy into deep price was on October 2, 2019, duced from domestic fields by Gurugram would be Rs 54.15 resolved. E-commerce efforts to contain the novel region and the US. The total challenging times. The out- recession and further slow cut by Rs 1.90 per kg in Delhi 26 per cent to USD 2.39 per per kg. position is much better now coronavirus (COVID-19) out- number of infected people break of COVID-19 is disrupt- Indian growth. and by Rs 2.15 per kg in million British thermal unit In Rewari, the applicable than what was there on day break in the country. has crossed over 1 million ing people's lives and inter- Were the virus to spread Noida, Greater Noida and effective April 1. price of domestic PNG would one of the lockdown. Everyday The deadly disease has (10 lakh). rupting business and other widely within India, econom- Ghaziabad. Natural gas gets converted now be Rs 28.60 per scm, you are seeing improvement," he told PTI. E-commerce claimed over 50,000 lives In India, more than 50 lives economic activities around ic activity would be severely On that day piped natural into CNG on compression and which has been decreased by representatives had shared the across the globe, the maxi- have been lost, as per the lat- the world," said Masatsugu constrained, ADB said. gas rates were cut by Rs 0.90 is also supplied for lighting Rs 1.55 per scm. problems faced by them in movement of essential goods by delivery boys due to the lockdown amid the VodaIdea's worsened financial Eurozone economy coronavirus outbreak. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had earlier said the government health help Airtel, Jio took record hit in was committed to ensuring n that essential goods reach the PNS NEW DELHI people in the most convenient March: IHS Markit and safest manner. Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio will continue to gain market PNS n BRUSSELS share at the cost of Vodafone Idea's "worsened" financial Business activity in the 19- health that may deteriorate nation eurozone suffered a further in the wake of the AGR record fall in March and hit an India's power demand judgment, Axis Capital said in historic low, according to the a note on Friday. PMI index published on Axis Capital said it has Friday by analysts IHS Markit. falls over 25 pc to trimmed its revenue estimates Also, due to economic stress from the The IHS index for the OPEC+ to hold video for wireless telcos. month was 29.7 -- down from conference meeting This is because muted sub- lockdown, demand for relief by other Markit's first estimate for release said. Ireland's PMI on Monday: source 125.81 GW on April 2 scriber additions as well as hit industries may increase, which could March of 31.4 and well below was its lowest in 131 months, in 2G/3G conversions to 4G impact Vodafone Idea's prospects the level in February of 51.6 and those in Germany, France, Vienna: The OPEC+ grouping PNS n NEW DELHI imposed 3-week lockdown SIMs on account of the lock- points, before the coronavirus Spain and Italy the lowest led by major oil producer to fight the pandemic from down and a possible extension epidemic crippled the since the survey began. Russia will meet Monday via a India's peak power demand March 24. of certain curbs, could partial- nies in December 2019 is like- Introduction of floor pric- European economy. "No countries are escaping video conference, a source slipped over 25 per cent to The demand was down ly impact revenue growth that ly to play out in nine months ing and cut in levies to ensure An IHS purchasing man- the severe downturn in busi- close to OPEC said Friday. 125.81 GW on Thursday mainly due to lower require- was expected in coming of calender year 2020 as sub- that market continues to have agers' index below 50 repre- ness activity," Williamson Leading world crude exporter compared 168.32 GW on ments from industry and state months from the tariff hike in scribers come for recharge, the four players, can further ben- sents a contraction and the warned. "But the especially Saudi Arabia on Thursday April 2 amid the lockdown to power distribution compa- December 2019. floor pricing may be delayed efit the industry including data group's chief business steep decline in of Italy's ser- made a surprise call for a contain COVID-19 outbreak, nies (discoms) across the "We cut FY21/22E (esti- due to the lockdown. Airtel, Reliance Jio, it said. economist Chris Williamson vice sector ... gives a taste of meeting of the OPEC+ oil showed power ministry data. country due to the lockdown. mates) revenue of wireless As per the Supreme Court "However, floor pricing may said the eurozone economy is things to come for other coun- producers to "stabilise the oil In actual terms, the The peak power demand providers by 1-6 per cent and judgment, incumbent telcos be delayed due to the lock- now shrinking at an annu- tries as closures and lock- market", which has been demand fell around 43 GW met is the actual highest ener- EBITDA (Earnings before have to make full payment of down. alised rate of almost 10 per- downs become more prevalent rocked by a price war between on Thursday compared to gy supply during the day Interest, Taxes, Depreciation Adjusted Gross Revenue Also, due to economic stress cent. and more strictly enforced in the two key players. the same day a year ago. across the country. and Amortisation) margin by (AGR) dues including interest, from the lockdown, demand "The four largest nations coming months."While However, the data showed According to the data, the 20-100 bps (basis points," Axis penalty and interest on penal- for relief by other industries covered by the survey all reg- employment is not yet falling NFL sees record that peak power demand met peak demand met was 163.72 Capital said in the telecom sec- ty, it said noting that Bharti may increase, which could istered record declines in as fast as seen during the has stabilised around 120 GW on March 20, which tor report. Airtel appeared better placed impact Vodafone Idea's activity, with Italy and Spain financial crisis, the coming fertiliser sales at 57 GW after March 22. came down to 161.74 GW on It said that while the tariff to make the payment, given prospects of getting relief from experiencing the sharpest months will no doubt see job- lakh tones during The government has March 21. hikes undertaken by compa- the recent fund raise. the government," it said. reductions," the final data less numbers rise sharply. last fiscal New Delhi: State-owned Revv offers cars National Fertilizers Limited CERT-In alerts Sebi exempts family (NFL) on Friday said it has sold JK Organisation pledges for workers' record 57 lakh tonnes of people about fertilisers during the last fiscal trusts related to Borosil commute at year. In a regulatory filing, NFL fake UPI IDs informed that it has "registered PNS n NEW DELHI Rs 10 cr to combat Corona zero fee the highest-ever fertiliser sales PNS n NEW DELHI PNS n NEW DELHI wards etc," it said. in 2019-20, fifth time in a row." Markets regulator Sebi has Commenting on the initia- PNS n NEW DELHI NFL has recorded total fertiliser Cyber security watchdog granted exemption to two fam- JK Organisation, which has tives, JK Organisation sale of more than 57 tonnes of CERT-In has alerted people ily trusts linked to Borosil diversified interests including President Bharat Hari Self-drive mobility start-up all products, beating its about fake UPI IDs similar to Glass Works from making an tyres, cement and paper, on Singhania said: “Integral to our Revv on Friday said it will offer previous best of 48.95 lakh that of PM-CARES Fund and open offer in the proposed Friday pledged Rs 10 crore for philosophy of making a sub- cars at zero fee to assist health- tonnes achieved during 2018- appealed to all to check the acquisition of shares in the fight against the coronavirus stantive impact on the ground care workers amid the coron- 19. "With this, the company authenticity of the original ID company. pandemic. and working for the needy, we avirus outbreak. The service is achieved a sales growth of 16.2 before donating. The IDs have The regulator had received While a large part of the have been fighting the battle at now functional in five cities - per cent over the previous been created on UPI handle of an application from Pradeep owners of 54.35 per cent of the fund will go to the Prime several fronts by supporting Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, year," the filing said. The Indian banks including PNB, Kumar Family Trust and total equity share capital of Minister's Relief Fund in fight- the communities, helping Chennai and Pune, and over- sustained sales growth of NFL HDFC Bank, SBI, ICICI Bank, Bajrang Lal Family Trust seek- Borosil. ing COVID-19, the rest will be ber companies – JK Tyre, JK migrant labours and our own all, Revv expects to mobilise has helped in retaining its Yes Bank, to mislead people. ing exemption from the applic- The promoters and pro- utilised in meeting the imme- Paper, JK Lakshmi Cement, JK employees families residing over 1,000 cars to help health- position of second highest "CERT-In has received sev- ability of SAST (Substantial moter group will continue to diate needs of communities Fenner and others - are going at our plant townships." care workers commute to hos- marketer of fertilisers in the eral reports about fake UPI IDs, Acquisition of Shares and hold an aggregate of 72.85 per and migrant labour, current- on for quite some time at sev- The organisation is also pitals, a statement said. country, it added. NFL said it which are similar to the UPI ID Takeovers) in the matter of cent of the total equity share ly underway, at several loca- eral places, includes distribu- constantly looking at ways to Companies across the coun- has dispatched more than 21 used by the 'Prime Minister's proposed acquisition of shares capital of the firm, while pub- tions across the country, the tion of food, drinking water, plug the shortfall of masks, try -- right from startups to the lakh tonnes of imported Citizen Assistance and Relief in and voting rights in Borosil. lic shareholders will continue organisation said in a state- masks, sanitisers, safety kits for protective gears, sanitisers and giants-- have come forward to fertilisers including 12 lakh Emergency Situations (PM- Subsequent to the proposed to hold an aggregate 27.15 per ment. various front line workers of other items of necessity at the contribute in the fight against tonnes of urea on government CARES) Fund," the cyber transactions, the trustees of the cent of the shareholding in the "The relief work which has health and sanitation depart- community level, the state- the deadly COVID-19 pan- account during 2019-20. watchdog said. family trusts wil be the legal company. been undertaken by the mem- ments, creation of isolation ment said. demic. Grofers to hire 10k people for warehouses Kuwait to export oil from PNS n NEW DELHI E-commerce firms Online grocery platform have been joint fields after 5-year halt Grofers is looking at hiring struggling to 10,000 people for its ware- PNS n KUWAIT CITY Saudi, Kuwait houses and last-mile delivery to deliver orders clear pending orders quickly Kuwait announced Friday it signed agreement and meet the spike in orders on will export its first crude ship- in December to account of the nationwide lock- and delivery team. ment from oilfields in a shared resume pumping down. The company has started neutral zone with Saudi Arabia "We are looking to hire taking orders in all the cities that had been shut for five at two major 10,000 people for our ware- but due to capacity constraints years due to a dispute. oilfields houses and last-mile delivery. the slots are getting filled very Oil Minister Khaled al- This hiring will happen across quickly, she added. Fadhel said that around one all 26 cities that we are present In a tweet, bigbasket said it million barrels will be loaded the decision was due to envi- in," bigbasket Vice President- spread of the deadly coron- With local authorities shut- cancel their orders, and are also is operating at about 40 per on Saturday and Sunday ronmental issues. The oil pro- Human Resources Tanuja avirus, came into effect from ting down warehouses and delaying taking fresh orders to cent of its planned capacity. onboard a Kuwaiti tanker duced in the neutral zone in Tewari told PTI. March 25. stopping trucks from crossing ensure the pending orders get "We are operational across "whose final destination will be been closed due to a disagree- the border area is shared equal- She added that the pressure Even though the govern- state borders, e-commerce delivered. all our cities with limited slot the Asian markets", according ment between the neighbours. ly between the two nations. is being felt across all cities with ment has allowed delivery of players have seen their opera- Another challenge facing capacities except Kochi and to the official Kuwait News The two fields were pump- The announcement comes the challenges being higher in essential goods including food, tions getting disrupted. the industry is the availability Indore... We were operating at Agency (KUNA). ing some 500,000 barrels per as Saudi Arabia ramps up sup- tier I cities. pharmaceuticals and medical The companies have of limited staff for warehous- 10 per cent of our capacity on Saudi Arabia and Kuwait day before production was ply amid a price war with E-commerce companies equipment through e-com- resumed operations and work- es and logistics. March 25 and as of yesterday signed an agreement in halted, first at Khafji in Russia that has sent oil prices have been struggling to deliv- merce platforms, players have ing to complete pending Tewari said currently, there (April 2), we are operating at 40 December to resume pumping October 2014 and then at crashing to 18-year lows as er orders after the 21-day lock- complained of their delivery orders. Some companies are is a shortfall of 50 per cent staff per cent of capacity planned," at two major oilfields in the Wafra seven months later. demand slides amid the coro- down, imposed to contain the staff being hassled by police. giving people the option to in the company's warehouses it said. shared neutral zone that had Riyadh said at the time that navirus pandemic. Follow us on @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/ dailypioneer

Saturday April 4, 2020 ‘Climate, laidback attitude drew me to Hyd' yderabad is known for its It is a known fact that development be very friendly. “But once you start laid-back lifestyle that takes a toll on the environment and living here, you feel the warmth,” appeals to many. So it unfortunately its the same with Preetha says. Hyderabad is known comes as no surprise that Hyderabad. Preetha says, “The Speaking of the things she likes H this is the very reason that Hyderabad we knew 20 years back and dislikes about the city, she says, to open its doors to had attracted Preetha was less polluted, had more green- “Hyderabad is a happy city with an Nair to settle down in Hyderabad. ery and enough open spaces for kids excellent climate. However I dislike people from the Preetha, who now stays in Saket to play. Now all that is gone. In the fact that greenery is reducing due and runs a clinic in AS Rao Nagar, Sainikpuri alone, respiratory dis- to urbanisation.” world over. Many says, “Being born and brought up in eases due to pollution have increased. She adds that the present govern- Delhi, I always used to call it my Even the population has increased ment’s plans to demolish some her- have migrated to the home and was used to the fast-paced and I am seeing many kids fighting itage structures and build new ones lifestyle there. But when we moved obesity and other health issues. is not the right move. “Development city and made it here because of my husband’s work, However, Hitec City has is necessary, but not at the cost of change was inevitable.” developed so much and heritage. Our culture should not be their home. Be the ORR has made con- destroyed. If Europe can hold on to nectivity a their heritage while urbanising, why it the food, the Being a tray of sunshine can’t we?” she asks. On a concluding note, Preetha says that she has the city to thank for her climate or the city successful career. “I only had a small for trans community clinic initially, but have now been itself, for these able to expand. I thank the city for he lockdown in the city due to the Speaking of the reason behind her breeze. It’s good to see the city this,” she signs migrants, everything spread of coronavirus, has affect- decision to move to the city she said, expanding this way.” off. ed everyone. But there are certain There are millions “My husband used to travel to Preetha says that she is the kind makes Hyderabad sections of the society who are Hyderabad frequently for work. of person that prefers spending T unable to voice their concerns. of marginalised Since the pollution levels in Delhi the weekends with family. tick, finds The LGBTQ community, espe- were also rising around the turn of However, she is pleasantly sur- cially the transgenders, already have it tough Indians who do not the century, we decided to move here. prised by the number of eater- K RAMYA SREE when the times are good. But now, with The pollution levels in Delhi were ies and multiplexes that have everyone struggling to fight the pandemic and have the safety net such that we couldn’t even see stars cropped up around the city. during an interaction staying indoors, they are finding it tough to at night. Also since we are from “We had to go till even have one square meal a day. Their main that most of us take Kerala, we thought it would be nice Secunderabad if we wanted to with Preetha Nair, a source of income, which is begging, has been to be closer home.” eat out or shop, but that is no hit as people are not venturing out on the for granted. The Having lived in Delhi for a good longer the case now,” she says. homoeopath who streets. 35 years of her life, Preetha says that Speaking of the fondest Since the lockdown, many folks in the trans community is moving to Hyderabad wasn’t easy. memory associated with the runs a wellness community are struggling to make ends meet, “Initially, I felt that people were not city, Preetha said, “It is possibly the while living with disabilities, chronic illness- one such section of friendly. But as we started living here way my kids grew up and adapted es, and/or compromised immune systems and they opened up. Now, I am a true here.” She adds that the first thing centre in the city without family support structures. Hyderabadi.” that comes to her mind when peo- But, there are a few good samaritans who society that is at the Speaking of how Hyderabad was ple say Hyderabad is pearls and the after migrating from are helping out such people. A group of three when she moved in here 20 years ago, food. “Relatives come here with a list volunteers from the city are helping out the receiving end of this she says, “We felt a little out of place of things like visiting Salar Jung the national capital. community and making sure they don’t go as were living in Sainikpuri, which Museum, Golconda Fort, to bed with empty stomach. crisis, and is staring was very serene. We did enjoy it over Film City and of “The lockdown has been declared without the hustle-bustle of Delhi though. course, the any prior information.Alot of trans woman at difficult times Later on, when we moved to Saket, biryani. I haven’t stock the grocieries or money. Many I felt people of a particular commu- have also women do not have subsidised ration cards ahead, writes nity flocked together. But that has recommend- due to lack of policies. With the help of six since changed.” ed friends in to seven donors, we are able to donate an K RAMYA SREE Moving into a different city is sure Delhi to average of 50 packets of groceries kit,” to give people cold feet and Preetha come live Rachana Mudraboyina, a trans activist and was no different. “But the climate, here.” one of the volunteers. comparatively lower pollution and She “We cover 75 to 80 kilometre per day. A traffic than Delhi won us over. We emphasises trans woman Samantha runs a seven seater also thought of moving to Bengaluru, that as a van. We sought police permission to run but my husband was allergic to the visitor, she that van and have been reaching out to peo- climate there. So all these made did not ple through that can. We are also doing Hyderabad the best option,” she find the another fundraising campaign, whose tar- says. city to get is Rs 20 lakh, so that the community can “My husband never found it tough buy groceries for three months atleast,” she to adapt here as he already had one added. foot in the city before we moved. He “Hyderabadis are following the social dis- had good connections here due to his tancing norms as instructed by the govern- work. I however took time to pick up ment and the transgenders too are following career-wise as I had to take breaks that. But due to many offices remianing shut when my kids were growing up. But and people staying at home, the trans peo- now I feel I have established myself. ple have become pennyless. What ever gro- Compared to Delhi, I feel I could take ceries they had will get over in a day or two my career forward step by step and so I urge the civil society to help us buy gro- develop it properly here,” Preetha ceries for them that would at least last a says about having to adapt to month,” she said. the work here. Another volunteer Moses Tulasi, a film- maker, said, “Shyam, a gay activist, started the campaign in Pune and decided to implement We cover 75 it in Hyderabad too after getting a good to 80 The Hyderabad we knew 20 response there. He then approached us and we jumped into it. Most of the community kilometre per day. years back was less polluted, depend on others for their daily income and A trans woman had more greenery and enough open some of them have been forced to become sex Samantha runs a spaces for kids to play. Now all that is workers too. That is why we started this cam- paign.” seven seater van. gone. In Sainikpuri alone, respiratory “Everybody knows they exist, but no one We sought police diseases due to pollution have wants to talk about them or want to know permission to run increased. Even the population has them,” he continued. The trio distribute food packets and other that van and have increased and I am seeing many kids essentials to 100 members of the trans been reaching out fighting obesity and other health community in Hyderabad. Each packet costs to people through that can. issues. Rs 1,000. A single packet consists of 2 kg aata, 2 kg pulses, 2 kg rice, 1 litre oil, 1 RACHANA MUDRABOYINA — DR PREETHA NAIR kg salt, 1 packet of sabji masala, 100 gm haldi, TRANS ACTIVIST 2 soaps, 1 match box, 1 kg milk powder and 500 gm tea leaves. 300 everyday by begging (and other traditions ble to anyone looking for quick and “Because of coronavirus, we are like badhai etc) but are unable to do so now. easy video consultation for any ill- stuck at home just like others. It has We have run out of supplies and don’t know ness. become very difficult for us. We what to do. Please help us,” said Meera Both doctors and patients will first used to earn about Rs 200 to Jasmine, a trans woman. need to register themselves on the Your Doctor app for free. They can then communicate at a particular time slot booked from any part of the world. Speaking to this newspaper cor- respondet, Sreenath said, “The app aims to minimise visitations to med- ical institutions, saving a lot of time, at home travel and money. A patient can book an appointment, share his/her symp- ockdown has been tough toms via video call.” on many, especially those After knowing the issue in detail, with minor ailments or an online prescription will be sent to L dibetics or people suffer- the patient. The patient can then pur- ing with other health chase the necessary medication or go issues, as most of the for tests if recommended. hospitals are only treating emergency Patients can search for a doctor by patients. In an effort to reduce visits location and services. They can also to the doctor during lockdown, a choose the date and time slot, make city-based youth developed an app, the payment and then choose from Connect Doctor, through which one a number of doctors available. “The can acess pool of doctors online. app adheres to strict background ver- The brainchild of InspirOn ifications of medical history and Managing Director, Sreenath workplaces before putting up any Bangaru, Connect Doctor has a pool doctor’s profile,” Sreenath conclud- of doctors across the globe accessi- ed. 10 health Hyderabad Saturday April 4, 2020

Over-sanitising? Here's how to keep your skin soft ashing hands or sanitising them regularly with an alco- hol-based handrub is one of YOUR BODY NEEDS TO GET the top ways one can avoid get- RID OF TOXINS AND W ting infected by — and further spreading — the deadly EXERCISE AND HYDRATION Coronavirus. “As the frequency of handwashing has ARE AN EXCELLENT WAY TO increased, there may be a worry of dry- DO SO FOR A HEALTHY SKIN ing your skin in the process. The first and foremost rule is to prevent excessive usage multiple surfaces throughout the day. of alcohol-based sanitizers, as they can Touching your face frequently will only make your hands dry and dehydrated. It transfer the germs and impurities from is instead advisable to wash your hands your hands to your face. Since facial skin methodically as per the medical guide- is sensitive and soft, keeping it clean is lines, or whenever you feel you may have necessary to avoid acne or any skin irri- been exposed to cough, sneeze or contact tation/allergy. Cleanse your face with a of some unknown material or surfaces. In mild face wash twice a day and multiple case of contact with any household items times with just water. Don’t forget to apply — which may not be infected — use a a moisturizer after patting dry! milder or diluted hand wash. After every hand wash, be sure to moisturise the skin with a non-alcohol-based moisturiser,” Dr Time for some DIY Sharad Kulkarni, Kama Ayurveda told A majority of us have time in abun- IANSlife. dance and might be bored without being 10 easy steps to He adds, “Apply sesame or coconut oil able to step out of our homes. This is the e often see how people around agile. These days, you get instant-ready to hands 15 minutes before stepping in for perfect time to experiment with some DIY us get affected by viral infec- soup with superfoods; they are so a bath. You can also apply olive oil to your face masks. There are several masks that tions and fevers easily; they nutritious that it has up to four times hands every night before you sleep. In case you can make easily with natural ingre- W have to keep making visits to the protein content compared to reg- of severe dryness olive oil can be mixed dients. For example, you could simply mix the doctor at regular intervals. build a stronger ular soups. with ghee and applied each night.” some Aloe Vera juice, honey, and turmer- Dr Sheryl Salis, Registered “Moisturising your skin is one of the ic and apply it on your face for 15 min- Dietician and Certified Diabetes Educator Enhance Digestion and stay ground rules of skincare. Health experts utes before rinsing to prevent breakouts states that this is all a result of their poor Hydrated have advised us to wash our hands fre- and skin ageing. immune system and shares easy ways to It surely helps if you use garlic, pep- quently with soap to prevent the spread boost your immunity. immune system per, ginger, asafetida (hing), cumin of the coronavirus. While the properties Hydration and exercise are Salis adds, “The immune system acts as seeds/powder, turmeric, moringa, of the soap prevent the spread of the virus, a defense mechanism against disease-caus- lemongrass, basil, and coriander in frequent handwashing can also dry out a must ing microorganisms and protects us from all viruses sure before using them. cooking as they help enhance digestion and improve your skin immensely. Dry skin can also and microbes that our body is exposed to daily. Can immunity. Did you know that adding black pepper feel itchy and appear wrinkled. To avoid Your body needs to get rid of toxins and you imagine having no gatekeeper to fight and defend A Colorful Plate to the turmeric helps in the absorption of active ingre- this, make sure you always apply a mois- exercise and hydration are an excellent your body against various germs and microbes Include colourful fruit and vegetables like pump- dients in turmeric? You can mix and add it to food turizer after drying your hands. This will way to do so. Even though gyms are exposed every day? No right? Well, that's how kin, bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes, papaya that add especially soups. leave your hands soft and supple,” Dolly closed, you can try some simple home important it is to build a strong immune system by flavour to your palate. These are essentially rich in Kumar, Founder & Director, Skinella sug- workouts without fitness equipment to improving your diet and making the necessary antioxidants and help you build a stronger immune Spice Up Your Meal gests. stay active. Even a brisk walk on your ter- lifestyle changes.” system. Pepper rasam and sambhar has all the essential You can also make use of the self-iso- race for 20-30 minutes will leave you feel- spices and is just right to boost your immune system. lation period to care for skin. Here’s how. ing refreshed and energized. Stay hydrat- FOLLOW THESE 10 STEPS TO BUILD A The Major Player - Vitamin C Spices tend to be very helpful in building a strong ed with water and fruit juices throughout STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM Include foods rich in Vitamin C like orange, sweet defense mechanism against viral infections. Ensure the day. Cultivating healthy habits is lime, lemon, gooseberry, bell pepper, berries, toma- to include sambhar and rasam to your meals. Avoid touching your face important, so have a balanced diet and Switch/Add Morigna Green teas/Green Teas/Green to, dark leafy vegetables, cashew fruit, kiwi, strawber- Your hands come into contact with avoid any junk food. Coffees for health benefits ry, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, etc. which boost your Kill the Virus with these anti-viral foods Sip on Superfood Moringa Green tea, it is formu- immune system. Garlic, Fennel, Basil, Cloves and Tulsi have anti- lated to give you all the benefits of Green Tea com- Did you know? Amla has the highest Vit C con- viral properties that help you maintain and boost your bined with the power of the superfood Moringa. It is tent which is almost equal to the Vit C of two oranges. immune system whilst you stay prepared to fight the packed with vitamins and minerals. It is rich in vit- Amla has potent anti -viral and antioxidant proper- viral infections and flus amin C and has antioxidants properties which helps ties. Dried amla is as good as fresh amla as it contains boost immunity. It helps maintain bone and joint substances which partially protect the vitamin C from Drink Healthy Juices health, helps regulate metabolism and aids in weight destruction on heating or drying. Try these healthy juice combinations like Beetroot management. + Carrot + Spinach + Amla + Ginger or Apple + Similarly, unlike regular coffee, Green Coffee is Add Zinc to your diet Beetroot + Carrot + Ginger + Lemon + Celery. These unroasted and hence it has three times more antiox- Foods rich in zinc such as nuts, whole grains, juices not only energize you and help you maintain idant potential which is otherwise lost during the legumes, yeast, dairy products also help boost youthfulness but also help boost your immune sys- roasting process. It is a health booster that is high in immune function and are highly recommended to be tem in an efficient manner. antioxidants which helps boost immunity and aids in incorporated in the diet. We can boost our immune systems by adding the weight control and management. above mentioned foods easily available in our kitchen Soups with Superfoods Soups to build a stronger immune system without letting us Wash the Germs Away Soups are one of the best options for those compromise on our favorite meals. Well, we’ve all heard this right since our school days evening hunger pangs. Soup essentially makes for the It is extremely important to build a strong immune and that's how important it actually is. Wash all fruits ultimate evening snack as it is not only low in calo- system which will work in our defense during times and vegetables thoroughly, particularly leafy vegeta- ries but also gives much needed satiety. It is a conve- of distress. Stay safe and healthy! bles, cauliflower and broccoli as a precautionary mea- nient and nourishing option to keep you warm and — IANS FUN

ARCHIE CALVIN AND HOBBES

GARFIELD REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD

NANCY

SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution

GINGER MEGGS

Rules l Each row and column can contain each number (1 to 9) exactly once. l The sum of all numbers in any row or column must equal 45. 11 tollywood Hyderabad Saturday April 4, 2020 KEERTHY BOARDS POWER PETA In the film, Keerthy plays a role which any actress would give her arm and leg for, as it has been fleshed out to perfection by the filmmaker, finds NAGARAJ GOUD

yricist-turned-filmmaker Krishna Chaitanya has assem- bled a strong central cast for his next with Nithiin, Power Peta. More than a month after he signed Satyadev to play a role equal to that of Nithiin, he has got the consent of L Keerthy Suresh to be the film’s leading lady, The Pioneer has exclusively learnt. This is her second film with Nithiin with whom she is already doing Range De, directed by Venky Atluri. A highly-placed source close to the development tells us, “Chaitanya has narrated the complete script to Keerthy last month. The narration Balayya's generous went on for five hours but the actress agreed to come on board before the interval itself. The agreement with Filmmaker Chaitanya donation to Telugu her though couldn’t be has narrated the complete signed, because of Covid- script to Keerthy last month. The 19 outbreak. The makers states and CCC are hoping to complete narration went on for five hours the formalities once the but the actress agreed to come andamuri Balakrishna is lockdown is lifted.” on board before the interval the latest T-town celebrity to The source further adds, have generously donated to THE ACTOR ON FRIDAY “Keerthy plays a role which itself. N governments of both Telugu ANNOUNCED any actress would give her arm — Source states to battle Covid-19 and leg for, as it has been fleshed and to Corona Crisis CONTRIBUTIONS OF RS 50 out to perfection by Chaitanya. She Charity (CCC). The actor on Friday LAKHS EACH TO CMRF OF will be as seen as a town girl who will announced contributions of Rs 50 be a livewire all throughout the two parts. The role calls for her lakhs each to CMRF of TS and AP TS AND AP RESPECTIVELY to share a sparkling chemistry with Nithiin and work on respectively and Rs 25 lakhs to CCC, AND RS 25 LAKHS TO CCC Godavari accent.” which has been formed to extend a To be made in two parts, Power Peta, a gritty period drama, helping hand to daily wage employees strong in their homes so that everyone is a production venture of TG Vishwa Prasad under People Media of the industry who have been hit hard can collectively pass through this peri- Factory. It will move to sets once Nithiin completes Range De because of the lockdown. He handed od. and Check (working title) with Chadrasekhar Yeleti. Mani Sharma over the Rs 50 lakh cheque to TS Director Sampath Nandi, who is has been signed on to render tunes. Municipal Administration Minister making Seetimaarr with Gopichand KTR on Friday and Rs 25 lakhs cheque presently, has also pledged to donate Rs to CCC executive member C Kalyan. 5 lakhs to CCC. He said that nobody He also appealed had predicted the current situation the public to world is facing and as such, every help- stay safe ing hand and every rupee raised mat- Koratala likely to and ters the most. don producer's hat for Mahesh's next

n addition to the existing producers Mythri Movie Makers, 14 Reels Plus and GMB, Parasuram’s next with superstar Mahesh Babu might get a new partner. According to a source I in the know, filmmaker Koratala Siva is likely to be credited as the joint producer. A source says, “Koratala was instrumental in helping Parasuram reach out to Mahesh and nar- rate the script last year. Back then itself, there was in- principle nod between Mythri and Koratala that if Mahesh gives his nod to the script, Koratala will get a billing as the other producer. However, with 14 Reels too joining the production due to multiple reasons last month, Koratala’s produc- tion credit hung in balance. The issue will be settled once the lockdown is lifted. Mythri though is firm on Koratala getting the producer’s name as Understood what love is after they share a great professional and personal equation with him.” Ayaan came into my life: Bunny If indeed the other partners agree to Koratala’s name, this will be the first time that the top-drawer director will be tylish star Allu Arjun Sneha and sister Arha cheered Love you Ayaan. Happy donning a producer’s hat for a film. To go on to floors in celebrated his son him on. Birthday My Baby (sic),” the June, the untitled film is a love story laced with family emo- Ayaan’s birthday at Arjun, who will be joining the actor wrote. tions, plenty of humour and action. — NG his residence in sets of Sukumar’s next shortly, Ayaan got a swimming pool as S Hyderabad on Friday. took to Twitter later and posted his birthday gift last year from his Back then itself, there was in-principle nod While it’s customary an emotional post. “I used to grandfather Allu Aravind, mak- for him to fly away from the city think ‘what is Love?’ all my life. ing Bunny envious of his son. between Mythri and Koratala that if Mahesh to ring in his children’s birthday, Many times in the past I felt Wonder what Aravind gives his nod to the script, Koratala will get a billing as prevailing conditions ensured strong feelings but I was not sure gifted to his grandson the other producer. However, with 14 Reels too joining that Bunny restricts his plans to if it was love. But after you came this time around. Hyderabad. Ayaan, who turned into my life I now know what Any guesses? the production due to multiple reasons last month, six, cut the cake as his dad, mom LOVE is. You are the LOVE. I Koratala’s production credit hung in balance.

ue to varied reasons, top Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt could- n’t be a part of RRR shoot yet — more than a year after film’s director SS Rajamouli first announced her casting. But final- Rajamouli to ly as reported by us sometime back, the actress will join D the sets in May. The latest to this end is that Rajamouli will commence her portions by filming a romantic song on her and Ram Charan, her love interest in the film. Post the song, he will begin Alia's shoot some talkie portions with the actress. Pune is likely to host Alia’s major shoot part. Talking about Alia’s role, Rajamouli had earlier said, “She plays a strong character called Sita. She comes at a crucial juncture (in the film) and changes the course of the story.” portions with Set in 1920s pre-independent India, RRR, being produced on a budget of Rs 500 crore by DVV Danayya, revolves around the fictional exploits of two real free- dom fighters Komaram Bheem and Alluri Seetharama Raju. Tarak is playing the younger Bheem, with English actress Olivia Morris paired alongside him. The film a song will hit cinemas on January 8, 2021 HYDERABAD | SATURDAY | APRIL 4, 2020 sport 12 PM seeks support of India’s sports heroes to battle COVID-19

PTI n NEW DELHI when the total number of self-discipline, positivity and COVID-19 positive cases in self-belief, which are essential rime Minister Narendra India has crossed 2,000. to sports, are crucial tools to Modi on Friday turned “Your suggestions will be combat the spread of the Pto India’s sporting taken note of. We are fighting virus as well. heroes for support in the her- this pandemic like Team Olympic-bound archer culean battle to contain the India. I am confident that Deepika Kumari said the PM COVID-19 pandemic and India will be rejuvenated by advised the athletes to keep more than 40 accomplished the inspiration provided by their immunity levels high champions such as Virat Kohli you,” the Prime Minister can during a time when they are and P V Sindhu responded by be seen telling athletes in a clip not getting enough training vowing to raise awareness shared by shuttler B Sai exposure. and spirits amid a national Praneeth, a world champi- “PM Sir urged us to post lockdown. onship Bronze-medallist, who videos about the awareness The athletes, along with also attended the call. campaign. He gave us a few UEFA Champions League trophy UCL/Twitter sports minister Kiren Rijiju, All sporting activities are everyone to be united in the pointers like Laxman Rekha participated in nearly an hour- currently shut in the country fight to combat the pandem- (Don’t cross the line while long video call which started and it is still not clear when ic. “The PM asked us to maintaining social distanc- Clubs risk CL axe if seasons at 11am. normalcy will resume. spread awareness on social ing); Sankalp Lena (Taking a From Sachin Tendulkar When Ganguly was asked distancing and hygiene. He pledge not to step out) not completed: UEFA stressing on the need to keep about the development this spoke about how we need “He said Dhairya Rakhna the vigil even after the lock- morning, he said, “Yes, I will Virat’s (Kohli) fighting spirit (don’t press the panic button). AFP n PARIS down ends on April 14, to be joining our Honourable to win this battle,” added vet- He also advised us to boost sprinter Hima Das expressing PM via video call.” But he eran table tennis player our immune system and stay EFA and Europe’s top clubs have stated sadness at the recent attacks refused to go into the details. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chats with Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli via video conferencing MIB_Hindi/Twitter Sharath Kamal. fit by doing daily exercises,” Utheir determination that the current foot- on frontline warriors such as Cricketers formed a World championship she revealed. ball season should be played to a conclusion health care workers and police major chunk of the participat- shuttler Sindhu, javelin throw- out revealing the names of the “I told him that it is sad Silver-winning shooter Tennis player Ankita and threatened that teams may be excluded officers, to others sharing ing list. er Neeraj Chopra, chess wiz- chosen athletes. that health care workers and Abhishek Verma said the PM Raina said the PM equated the from the next Champions League if their their experience of being in a Apart from Tendulkar, ard Viswanathan Anand, It was later learnt that police have been attacked,” urged athletes “to be positive virus to an unknown opposi- domestic competitions are ended premature- lockdown, the sportspersons Ganguly and Kohli, others in sprinter Hima Das, boxing Tendulkar, Ganguly, M C said Asian Games medallist and spread positivity”. tion. ly. had lots to offer during the the call included top batsman star Amit Panghal, wrestler Mary Kom and Kohli were Hima Das, who is employed “He said appreciate and “(He) told us that athletes In a joint letter released late on Thursday, interaction. All these athletes Rohit Sharma, former pacer Vinesh Phogat, and teenage among those who were to with Assam Police as a DSP. highlight the work of frontline are stronger mentally and UEFA, the European Club Association (ECA), have been generous donors to Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh. shooting sensation Manu speak during the interaction. However, six-time world workers. Take good care of have the quality to adapt to and the European Leagues body representing the funds being raised to The names of World Bhaker were among the other “I suggested that as much champion Mary Kom could yourself and family at home. different conditions and in nearly a thousand clubs in 29 countries, said fight the crisis. Cup-winning former captain accomplished athletes who as possible, I will use our way not connect to the call due to He asked us to e-mail any sug- unknown territories. So he that they were working on the possibility of The Prime Minister, on Mahendra Singh Dhoni and took part in the video call. of greeting — saying Namaste network issues. gestions we have on how to wanted us to spread the pos- playing on into July and August if need be. his part, sought their support K L Rahul were in the list of “Of these, 12 have been instead of shaking hands, Among those who man- handle the situation better,” itive and encouraging message The Champions League and Europa League to raise awareness about the participants but it is learnt that given three minutes each to even after we overcome this aged to, former world cham- Verma said. since this is also an unknown — both of which are frozen in the last-16 stage need for social distancing they could not attend the speak and present their view,” pandemic,” Tendulkar said pion weightlifter Mirabai The Prime Minister said territory (fight against coron- — could be completed once the domestic sea- and personal hygiene at a time call. Olympic Silver-medallist a ministry source said with- after the interaction. Chanu said the PM urged the ability to face challenges, avirus),” she said. sons are finished, and “stopping competitions should really be the last resort after acknowl- edging that no calendar alternative would allow to conclude the season.” SA cricketers symptom-free after returning from India Life is most important The joint response came after the Belgian Pro League announced on Thursday that it rec- PTI n JOHANNESBURG form the tests returned negative the players their training pro- ommended declaring the season over with the results,” Manjra was quoted as say- grammes. now, IPL can wait: Raina present table accepted as final. ll the South African players, ing by ESPNCricinfo. “We’ve got time now to work It is the first European league to take such Awho returned from their The first match in Dharamsala with players in terms of addressing PTI n NEW DELHI a measure, although more could follow. incomplete ODI tour of India, on March 12 was washed out while the small niggles that they may That means Club Brugge would in theory were found to be symptom-free of the second and third games to be have. They have got time to rest and he IPL can wait till millions go straight into the next Champions League coronavirus and those who under- played in Lucknow and Kolkata — also to do the strength work,” he of lives, which are at risk group stage, but UEFA, the ECA and the went tests returned negative, on March 15 and 18 respectively — said. Tdue to the outbreak of European Leagues indicated that they may be according to the team’s chief med- were called off indefinitely. “But the one big thing is the COVID-19 pandemic, are saved, barred from continental competition if the ical officer Shuaib Manjra. South Africa is in the midst of running volume, the aerobic capac- feels veteran India batsman Belgian league decision is finalised. The Proteas, who returned a 21-day nationwide lockdown, ity base, which I am going to try and Suresh Raina. “It is of paramount importance that even from India on March 18, complet- which prohibits leaving home build up in the next two weeks, so Raina has already done his a disruptive event like this epidemic does not ed a 14-day period of self-isolation except to buy food or medicine and that means lot of running, or a lot bit in this fight against the dead- prevent our competitions from being decided on Thursday, but will remain in does not allow for any outdoor of cardio work, cycling or swim- ly virus by donating `52 lakh. on the field, in accordance with their rules and lockdown for the next two weeks exercise. ming.” Ask him about the IPL, that all sporting titles are awarded on the basis just like the rest of the country. CSA’s focus now is on main- The South African team does- which has been postponed to of results,” the joint letter said. “All the players were symptom- taining the players’ fitness and n’t have any international match April 15 but is unlikely to take “We are confident that football can restart free and those who opted to per- trainer Tumi Masekela has sent all lined up until June. place in the near future, Raina in the months to come — with conditions that says “it is all about life” at the will be dictated by public authorities — and moment. believe that any decision of abandoning domes- “Life is most important at tic competitions is, at this stage, premature and Everyone keen for IPL to go ahead: Cummins this point of time. IPL can sure- not justified. Indian badminton ly wait. We all need to follow the “Since participation in UEFA club compe- PTI n SYDNEY priority is to minimise risk of it government guidelines on lock- titions is determined by the sporting result spreading,” Cummins was quot- down else we all face the conse- achieved at the end of a full domestic compe- goes online he costliest foreign player in ed as saying by the Australian quences. When life gets better, tition, a premature termination would cast TIndian Premier League, Pat Associated Press. we can think about the IPL. So doubts about the fulfilment of such condition.” Cummins says everyone, includ- The 26-year-old Australian many people are dying at the Suresh Raina waits for his turn to bat The letter concluded: “UEFA reserves the ing his team Kolkata Knight has been in constant contact with moment, we need to save lives,” during CSK training session CSK/Twitter right to assess the entitlement of clubs to be Riders, is still hopeful of the 13th the Kolkata Knight Riders team Raina said. admitted to the 2020/21 UEFA club competi- edition of the T20 event to go which bought him for a whop- Raina, whose last competi- “It was a nice camp. I was tions.” ahead sometime later. ping `15.5 crore last December tive game was the IPL final last there for two months but then There have been calls in other countries for The Australian, however, at the auction, as everyone waits year, was busy preparing for the this happened. Got to spend this season to be declared null and void, but any conceded that the priority now is for the league’s fate. 2020 edition in Chennai before some time with Dhoni. He was option which rules out completing this season to minimise the risk of spreading “It’s a holding pattern ... The the nationwide lockdown was batting so well in the nets, he had could have serious consequences for leagues the coronavirus. last I spoke to them, they were announced. The tournament was the hunger of a younsgter. In one reliant on huge television deals and who could “Everyone is still really keen still really confident and hopeful also supposed to be M S Dhoni’s session, he batted for three hours find themselves having to reimburse broadcast- for it (IPL) to go ahead, but the it’ll be on at some stage,” he said. Pat Cummins AP comeback event. at a stretch,” recalled Raina. ers if remaining matches are not played.

Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy in action BWF/Twitter FIH extend Pro PTI n NEW DELHI “Gopi sir sends us pro- IOC announce new deadline Ancelotti wants fair play gram schedule everyday on League suspension ith courts out of Whatsapp. It involves main- Wbound due to the ly meditation, wall practice for Oly qualification period PTI n NEW DELHI on season restart date lockdown to contain the where I hit the shuttle on the COVID-19 pandemic, wall, play my strokes and IANS n NEW DELHI quota with the same number he International Hockey Federation AFP n LIVERPOOL Indian badminton has gone drives, which helps to of events,” it said. Thas been forced to extend the suspen- online with chief national strengthen the forearm,” he International Olympic Importantly, the IOC said sion of FIH Pro League’s second edition efore the Premier League coach Pullela Gopichand Chirag said. TCommittee (IOC) said on that in case of sports that have due to the COVID-19 pandemic and now Bstarts up it must ensure all handing out tips through “We are also doing at Friday that the new deadline age group-based limits, it is plans to hold the ties in July and August, clubs resume training on the videos to the country’s top least an hour of training in for the qualification period for willing to extend the criteria provided the current situation improves. same day, Everton manager shuttlers. the evening with a trainer. the postponed Tokyo in the case of those athletes The FIH was forced to suspend the Carlo Ancelotti told French Staying away from the Dinaz does a video-call Olympics has been set to June who had qualified for the Pro League twice earlier due to the pan- newspaper L’ E q u i p e in an inter- game can affect fitness of the through Zoom app and 29, 2021. It further stated that 2020 Olympics. demic. The world hockey body first had view published on Friday. players and so Gopichand everybody joins in and then International Federations (IF) The IOC said that it aims “The only exception will postponed all matches scheduled before The Premier League is on has started putting in place we practice together.” of each sport retain full discre- to finalise the qualification be if the IF establishes that the April 15 and later extended the deferment hold because of the coronavirus a program for the shut- Talking about the pro- tion for defining their own systems “by mid-April” with one-year relaxation of the till May 17. pandemic. It was scheduled to tlers, albeit, through grams, Satwik said: “Gopi respective deadlines and path- details on specific events to upper age limit represents a “Now, following the uncertainty of the resume on April 30, but club Whatsapp, an application sir’s program is a combina- ways. follow when available. safety and/or medical risk for evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, chairmen were meeting by video which allows users to send tion of a lot of things like “The new qualification “The priority remains to athletes. Regarding the eligi- FIH and the participating National conference and were expected to Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti PL text, voice and video mes- wall practice, skipping, period deadline is June 29, reflect, where possible, the bility criteria for the lower age Associations (NAs) have decided to con- push that the date back. are capable of being physically sages. small exercises, breathing 2021 and IFs can define their allocation method/pathway limit, if any, the IOC recognis- sider the month of July and the beginning “One of the important ready within a fortnight.” “We can only do fitness exercises, it is more like sim- own qualification period of the original qualification es the full authority of IFs to of August 2020 to play matches of the FIH things is that all the clubs resume Ancelotti, who took over at (training) because nobody ulating the actions whatev- deadlines should the deadline systems for each sport. This assess the eligibility of those Hockey Pro League, if the health situation training at the same time, that Everton in December, has won has access to courts so we er is possible at home to stay be prior to this date,” said the principle encourages IFs to athletes who are not eligible in improves,” FIH CEO Thierry Weil said. there are no disparities, that no the Champions League as a are doing what we can. I am sharp. IOC in a letter addressed to follow a like-for-like approach July 2020 but meet the lower “At present, all matches planned in the one has an advantage over the player and coach and has led sending the players videos “Every alternate day, the National Olympic by replacing those lost oppor- age limit in 2021,” said the current schedule are on hold until further others,” the 60-year-old Italian teams to league titles in Italy, of what to do in our we also have Dinaz taking Committees (NOC). tunities that were allocating IOC. notice. told L’ E q u i p e . “Players nowadays Germany, France and England. Whatsapp group,” our fitness classes. She gives Gopichand said. us very interesting and dif- “It is a generic pro- ferent fitness programs, so gram but it is tuned in such it is fun. Almost everyone is Farah has no qualms over Tokyo delay a way that it caters to the there, Sikki (Reddy), Wimbledon chief fears ‘no more tennis this year' people (Olympic bound) Ashwini (Ponnappa), Sai LONDON: British distance great Mo Farah a delay was preferable to trying to fit in an who are important,” (B Sai Praneeth), Guru AFP n LONDON in Paris a week after the final of the has insisted he still intends to compete at Olympics without sufficient training time explained the 46-year-old, (RMV Gurusaidutt), US Open in New York) can take the Tokyo Olympics even though they and warm-up races. who is waiting for his three- Kashyap (Parupalli) and imbledon chief Richard Lewis place,” he added. have been delayed a year by the coron- “In a way we could have been in a far week isolation to be over on (HS) Prannoy,” Satwik said. Wadmitted that he feared the “The optimist in me — and I am avirus. worse situation, there are no races lead- Saturday. While online sessions remainder of the 2020 tennis season often not optimistic — still hopes the Farah will have celebrated his 38th ing up to it, athletes can’t test themselves,” Apart from Gopichand, can keep the shuttlers fit could be wiped out. American hard-court season, the big birthday by the time of the rescheduled he said. Jamshedpur-born trainer mentally and physically for Tennis has been in lockdown tournaments, the Masters and the Games and there are concerns that athletes “I would probably need about six, Dinaz Vervatwala, who has the time being, to get back since early last month and is not Premiers, will take place: Montreal, who had planned to be in peak form this seven, eight races beforehand to see what worked with London to being match ready might scheduled to return until July 13 at Toronto and then Cincinnati. year may not reach the same heights in 12 kind of shape I am in,” explained Farah. Olympics Bronze-medallist be challenging once BWF the earliest following the cancellation “But we all know that’s probably months’ time. “It is what it is and it gives us another year Saina Nehwal, is also taking restarts the international of Wimbledon on Wednesday. tenuous at the moment. But the four-time Olympic Gold of preparation. fitness classes for the Indian calendar. “I don’t think it’s unrealistic to Earlier, the president of the medallist backed the postponement and “At the moment, nobody is thinking shuttlers via Zoom app, a However, Gopichand say that there may be no more ten- Spanish tennis federation, Miguel was adamant it would not affect his abil- about that. I am still running every day, platform for video com- assured that players will get nis this year,” said All England Club Diaz, said he hoped the sport could ity to compete. just trying to get through this crisis time. munication. at least six weeks to prepare chief executive Lewis. return to the courts “in the last quar- “The Olympics was about the last “It is not just sport, it is affecting every- The men’s doubles pair for tournaments once there “But I would like to think that ter of the year”. thing to get cancelled. In a way obvious- thing we do. It is a difficult situation for of Chirag Shetty and is resumption. things will settle down so that tour- “I think that in the last quarter ly it’s disappointing it has been cancelled everyone and particularly for the older Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, “We don’t know when naments can be played sooner rather season’s next Grand Slam, the US of the season we will be able to see but I am glad it has been cancelled,” Farah people, the more vulnerable. who were assured of a place the badminton circuit will than later. Who knows what will Open in August-September could tennis again, we don’t know if it will told Talksport radio on Friday. “We just have to stay together, stay in the Olympics, is also start but whenever it starts, happen?” take place. be with fans in attendance or with- Farah, who won Olympics Gold in the strong. We just have to get through this. part of the group which is they will give you 6-8 weeks Lewis told the Guardian that, “Let’s hope the US Open and out, but I think our sport will return 5,000 and 10,000 metres at both the It is a test for everywhere in the world and following the tips. of headstart,” he said. despite his fears, he hoped that the Roland Garros (rescheduled to start to the courts,” said Diaz. London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games, added it is growing.” AFP