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Vol. 12 No. 335 RNI NO. DELENG/2008/25465 New Delhi, Thursday, 15 April, 2021 [email protected] 9971359517 12 pages. 2/-

Simmi Kaur Babbar

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ÁŒYyh ◊¥ „¡Ê⁄UÙ¥ ‹Ùª, ∑§Ù⁄UÙŸÊ ∑§Ë ø¬≈U ◊¥ •Ê ª∞ „Ò¥ •ı⁄U •S¬ÃÊ‹Ù¥ ◊¥ ÷Ê⁄UË ÷Ë«∏, ÃÕÊ ‡◊‡ÊÊŸ ÉÊÊ≈UÙ¥ fl ∑§Á’˝SÃÊŸ ◊¥ ‹Ê‡ÊÙ¥ ∑§Ê ÃÊ¥ÃÊ ‹ªÊ „Ò, ß‚∑‘§ ’Êfl¡ÍŒ ÁŒYyh ‚⁄U∑§Ê⁄U, ªÈL§mÊ⁄UÊ ∑§◊≈UË ∑‘§ øÈŸÊfl ÄUÿÙ¥ ∑§⁄UflÊ ⁄U„Ë „Ò? ÁŸflŒ∑§ Sardar Gurcharan Singh Babbar PRESIDENT ALL INDIA SIKH CONFERENCE BABBAR ADDRESS- 5, BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG, PRESS AREA, ITO NEW DELHI 110002 PHONE, 9971359517, 9312262300, 9868068019, E-mail ID, [email protected] 2 New Delhi, Thursday, 15 April, 2021 NATIONAL THE SIKH TIMES NEWS BOX Survey to identify encroachments in areas under MCM Testing up, positivity rate rises Gurgaon: The newly constituted Municipal Corporation of Manesar (MCM) will soon conduct a survey in the industrial town to identify encroachments and plan a too in Noida and Ghaziabad demolition drive accordingly. A direction to this effect has been given to the enforcement Noida/Ghaziabad: The health departments the positivity rate has planned to maintain this surge team by the MCM commissioner at a recent of Noida and Ghaziabad have been increased too. In Noida, the in RT-PCR tests in the coming meeting. conducting more tests than the target set positivity rate from RT-PCR days, too. In the first 12 days of “At the meeting, the enforcement team has for them. But this has had an effect on the samples stands at 6% as of April, Ghaziabad has tested been asked by MCM commissioner Munish districts’ positivity rate, which has seen a now, which was less than 1% 65,478 samples — an average Sharma to carry out a survey of the areas rapid increase in the past one month. till two months ago in of 5,456 tests a day. under the civic body’s jurisdiction and issue Against a target of 1,700 RT-PCR tests daily, February. For antigen tests, The sample positivity rate has notices to the squatters. If the encroachers Ghaziabad has been examining over 2,000 the positivity rate is 1.2%, more than doubled in the past fail to clear illegal structures, a demolition samples these days. In total, the district while the overall positivity two weeks. The positivity rate drive will be conducted next week,” district has been testing 6,000 samples daily and rate is 3.2%. Since March, for March was below 1%, but town planner RS Batth told TOI. officials are planning the increase the the district has conducted stands at almost 2% (1.98%) The issue of illegal shops near the Sare Homes 59,000 RT-PCR tests and project in Sector 92 and Mapsko residential number in the coming days. now. Ghaziabad’s overall society in Sector 82 was also discussed at the Noida, too, has been conducting 2,000 RT- 49,000 antigen tests. positivity rate since the Covid meeting. “It was also discussed that along PCR tests and 3,500 rapid antigen tests Similarly, Ghaziabad, too, has outbreak in March last year is the Sector 82-83 road, several vegetable and daily. Officials said around 6,000 tests are scaled up its testing rate over 3.5%. fruit mandis and other shops have come up being conducted in government labs the past few days. According ‘Test results delayed’ illegally. Notices have been issued to the alone, while private facilities are testing to data sourced from the As the caseload in Noida has squatters and these mandis will be razed if samples separately. health department, as many increased and more people not removed within the specified On Monday, the Noida health department as 2,062 samples were getting samples checked, timeframe,” said Batth. collected 3,547 antigen samples, of which collected for RT-PCR tests residents have approached the On Tuesday, a team led by the district town 117 were found positive. A total of 1,847 onApril 9, followed by 2,387 Ghaziabad and this increased to 2,545 on district magistrate saying that RT-PCR test planner also carried out a demolition drive in RT-PCR tests were conducted too. a day later. On April 11, a total of 2,273 April 12. results are taking more time than usual. two illegal colonies at Sadhrana village in As testing has been ramped up in the district, RT-PCR tests had been conducted in A senior health official said the department Farukhnagar. With the help of three earthmovers amid the presence of cops, the enforcement team cleared around five acres of land from encroachments. “After razing 13,500 get jabs, 10,000 70% ICU, ventilator beds the road network and few under- construction structures in the first colony, the team razed 16 structures in the second vaccine doses set to arrive kept for Covid patients colony.” Gurgaon: The district will get an distribute to all 37 cold chain points additional 10,000 doses of Covid in the district,” Dr Virender Yadav, Gurgaon: At a time when are advised home isolation, How a phone call from vaccine on Wednesday to speed up Gurgaon chief medical Gurgaon is adding over 1,000 oxygen saturation monitoring, property dealer lifted veil coverage of the 45-plus population. officer.More cohort facilities will cases every day and hospital to be managed on an OPD basis On Tuesday, a total of 13,486 people be organised in the coming days to beds are filling up fast, the via video consult and offer to of land fraud in this age group were administered give a boost to the vaccination district administration has enrol in home isolation jabs. As many as 220 session sites drive. At these facilities, the health ordered that all government and programme. These cases are Gurgaon: A man posed as the owner of a department vaccinates target private hospitals ensure that advised to report to the hospital prime plot in Sushant Lok 1, who died five — 164 at government facilities and 56 at private hospitals — were set groups of potential recipients. 40% of the total number of beds in case of respiratory distress or years ago, and transferred the property in up. Out of 4.28 lakh people eligible Observing a slow pace of and 70% of ICU and ventilator if SpO2 is less than 94%. the name of another man, who identified for getting the vaccine, 2.75 lakh Wednesday. We have already vaccination in the private hospitals, beds are reserved for Covid “We have made strict criteria for himself as the original land owner’s son. have been inoculated so far. crossed our day-three target of tika the health department will ramp up This was in 2019. patients. the hospital admission. People Meanwhile, 369 healthcare workers utsav. Private hospitals only vaccination camps in its sub- While 50% of total beds were with severe pneumonia, if they A year later in 2020, the plot, worth several centres. These units are branches of and 1,205 frontline workers also got vaccinated 2,000 people on reserved for Covid patients have a respiratory rate of less crores, was sold to another person. Two the jabs on Tuesday, taking their Tuesday and so, the overall primary healthcare months ago, the land measuring 968 centres.Meanwhile, Rajeev Arora, earlier, some of these beds will than 30 per minute and SpO2 total tally to 53,314 and 35,423, achievement is low compared to the now be used for other patients. level of less than 90% in room square yards was up for sale again. This respectively. other days. We have discussed this additional chief secretary, home “Those suffering from cancer, air, and if they have acute time, the property agent called up the son Overall, a total of 15,060 recipients with various private hospitals and and health, Haryana, said the state of the original landowner, Delhi resident were inoculated in the district. “We asked them to take steps to increase has adequate stock and is expected kidney and heart diseases and respiratory distress syndrome Madan Lal Jain, and enquired about the are aiming to vaccinate 14,000 on vaccinations. We will get more to get 18 lakh more doses of the other ailments require hospital and septic shock, should be property. The veil was then lifted off the vaccines by Wednesday and will vaccine from April 15 to 18. admission too and thus the a d m i t t e d t o h o s p i t a l property fraud.Police said Jain had Covid ward beds have been immediately. Patients requiring purchased the plot in 1994, and transferred reduced by 10%. Meanwhile, up to 8 litres of oxygen support all his properties to his son, Shital, in 2011. the ICU and ventilator beds, will be admitted in Covid Three years later, he died of natural causes. In new surge, kids account for which are needed more for wards. Patients requiring more “My father had never created any third party critical Covid patients, we have than 10 litres oxygen support, interest nor executed any agreement of increased these beds to 70%,” B I P A P, N I V, H F N C , sale or gift deed or any other kind of 8% of cases in Haryana said Dr Virender Yadav, chief mechanical ventilation, ARDS, documents with regard to the property,” medical officer, Gurgaon. a septic shock to be admitted in said Shital, the complainant.According to Gurgaon: The new Covid wave, in which the number of “Children and young adults are primarily getting infected Between March 1 and April 12, ICU. These patients can be the police, in November 2019, a man cases is skyrocketing, is hitting children hard — unlike as they are going out. Earlier, we focused on the elderly, the ICU bed occupancy by discharged when the patient's named Sanjiv Jain walked into the tehsil earlier when the elderly and those with comorbidities which is the vulnerable population. Now, we have Covid patients went up by oxygen requirement is less than office and identified himself as the son of were seen to be the most vulnerable. shifted our focus. However, most of the children are around 467%. With the recent 2 litres and afebrile for 3days,” the plot owner, Madan Lal Jain. The plot In Haryana, 41,324 people have been tested positive for either mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic. While spurt in cases, pressure on Dr Yadavsaid. was transferred to Sanjiv with the help of Covid-19 between March 15 and April 11. Of them, very few children were going to school, a majority of hospital beds has been building As many as 998 people were forged documents and he sold to another 3,445 children below the age of 10 were found infected, them tested positive due to involvement in outdoor up too. The health department found positive for Covid-19 in person for Rs 4.6 crore a few months later. amounting to 8% of the total cases. activities such as playing in the common area, going to and district administration on the city on Tuesday, taking the On January 26, Shital received a call from a As per state health department data, less than 1% of the market with parents and travelling,” said Dr Virender Tuesday held a meeting with tally to 72,271. The health broker, who enquired about the property. infected cases were children in the last surge that lasted Yadav, chief medical officer, Gurgaon. the private and government department said 714 patients He was shocked to know that the land had from November 5 to December 12. Experts say Dr Satish Kaul, HOD and director (internal medicine) at hospitals representatives. In the also recovered on the day, been sold once in 2020 without his children are more vulnerable now because of exposure Narayana Hospital, said: “For a long time, children m e e t i n g , t h e h o s p i t a l bringing the total number of knowledge and was up for sale again. “It to outdoor activities, functions and other social were confined to their homes. Now, schools have administrations were informed recoveries to 65,441. The seems to be the work of some organised gatherings. Additionally, schools have opened for reopened, which is necessary. But the risk is not over. If that they have to follow the recovery rate stands at 91%. gang. The role of revenue officials who children in an age group, which was not the case last infected at schools, they can spread it at home. Also, admission and discharge One person died of the executed the registry is also questionable,” year.Between March 15 and April 11, which is said to this age group of children is seen as more enthusiastic criteria for Covid patients. infection. So far, 370 people in Shital said. be the state’s fourth surge, the highest number of to celebrate festivals and excited to be in gatherings Of the total 5,653 beds, including the city have died of Covid, of infections — 7,893 — was seen among those aged with friends. 691 ICU beds and 328 with whom 284 had comorbidities. Air monitors for 24X7 data between 31 and 40 years, a majority of whom were ”Doctors say younger people are showing more severe ventilators, in 44 hospitals, As of Tuesday, the city had 6,460 going out for office work. As many as 2,684 people in symptoms. The common symptoms seen in children 2,261 have been made available active cases, of which 6,018 on pollutant levels in the 41-50 years age group also tested positive during are fever (mostly low grade) with sore throat and body for Covid patients. This were in home isolation. A total Gurgaon the same period.In Gurgaon too, where the surge ache. Some may also have stomach ache and includes 491 ICU beds and 233 of 63 people were sent to an started on March 18, as many as 497 children in the 0- gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, such as diarrhoea, with ventilators. Currently, 601 institutional quarantine on Gurgaon:Amidst continuing high levels of 10 age group were infected with Covid-19 — nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.According to (26%) of the Covid beds are Tuesday. air pollution in the city, the Gurugram registering a 5% share in Covid tally. A total of 9,940 experts, a majority of children are experiencing occupied in the city — 185 So far, 10,34,761 people have Metropolitan Development Authority people were found positive for Covid in the city respiratory issues, high fever, cough and severe cold. (37%) of the reserved ICU beds been put under surveillance in (GMDA) has installed six different air between March 15 and April 11. The last surge in Very rarely children suffer from the multi-system and 48 (21%) of those with the city. In the past 24 hours, the monitors across the city which will Gurgaon lasted from October 21 to December 5, when inflammatory syndrome. Parents, guardians and ventilators are occupied.Dr health authorities collected display PM2.5 and PM10 levels 2% of the infected cases were childrenAs per the data, teachers have been advised to not ignore symptoms and Yadav said patients with fever 9,013 samples for antigen and throughout the day. The monitors have 10 children who were found positive had visited their to consult a doctor.Also, children with a background of or upper respiratory tract illness RT-PCR tests. been installed on the Aya Nagar border, schools in the city and got infected. comorbidities need to be closely monitored. IFFCO Chowk, Sector 53 botanical garden and Sector 54 Rapid Metro station. A senior GMDA official said the idea is to keep residents informed about the air quality. “The idea is to provide people Revamp plan revised, SPR to now authentic information on air quality levels. For now, we have installed the monitors at just five locations, but we will scale it up in the coming days,” he said. The official added that the screens have sensors which will pick up the pollutants have more flyovers, underpasses in the air around them and then estimate theAir Quality Index levels. The data will Gurgaon: The Gurugram Metropolitan and 62/65 junctions.The revised proposal Along with the improvement of the be shared with the GMDA’s integrated Development Authority (GMDA) has was also tabled in the recently-held junctions, GMDA will strengthen the command and control centre in order to revised its proposal for the redevelopment authority meeting, but it was once again entire stretch between Ghata and Vatika keep a record of pollution levels in the of Southern Peripheral Road (SPR) with an not approved. An elevated flyover has also Chowk as it receives very heavy traffic. city. The monitors are being funded by increased cost of Rs 400 crore. The new been proposed at Vatika Chowk. “The Asked about the financing of the project, corporates under corporate social proposal has also replaced the underpass at redevelopment of Vatika Chowk will be the official said it will be funded from responsibility. the junction of the road and Golf Course undertaken by the National Highways external development charges levied on Meanwhile, the mtropolitan authority is yet Road with a flyover, as it is in a low-lying Authority of India, whereas the cost of the builders. to receive data from the National area and an underpass could face project will be borne by GMDA,” said the The project, which was proposed around Environmental Engineering Research waterlogging in the event of heavy rains. official. two years back, has been hanging till Institute (NEERI) on the quality and Talking about the development, a senior He added that the work will be completed in now due to lack of clarity over funds. quantity of pollutants around the 60 air GMDA official said they have gone three packages. The first package includes TOI had earlier reported that the project purifiers installed in the city. TOI had through the entire proposal and revised it. a 1.7km stretch between Gurgaon- was tabled at the previous authority earlier reported that in order to analyse the “While we had earlier planned a six-lane Faridabad mor to Ghata village, the second meeting of GMDA, however, it was put different kinds of pollutants and their underpass at the Golf Course Road-SPR package is from Ghata to Vatika Chowk are in all six big junctions on this stretch, off due to concerns over the cost. concentration at major air pollution junction, it has been replaced with a and the third one is from Vatika Chowk to including sectors 69/70, 71/72, 70/75, The road is in need of redevelopment as the hotspots in the city, filters from the 60 air flyover,” the official said.Additionally, two NH-8. The revised proposal has also 71/73, 74/74A and 75/75A. “We have also carriageway going from Sohna to purifiers installed last month had been flyovers and two underpasses have been suggested redevelopment of junctions proposed new flyovers at the six junctions Faridabad is in poor shape and requires sent to the institute. proposed on sectors 56/57, 61/61, 50/57 between Vatika Chowk and NH-8. There in the new DPR,” said the official. constant patch work. 3 New Delhi, Thursday, 15 April, 2021 STATE THE SIKH TIMES

NAME CHANGE I, BHAGWATI DEVI W/O NO- Ambani Bomb Scare Case: Ex-Cop, 4084152H HAV PURNA NAND R/O VPO-BEENA, TEH-GAIR- SAIN, DISTT-CHAMOLI, (U.K)- 246431, in my husband’s service Sachin Waze's 'Mentor', Under Probe record my date of birth wrongly mentioned as 15/04/1984 instead New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency the Ambani threat case. “Waze disclosed many transferred in the wake of the Antilia bomb scare of my correct date of birth as 10/07/1985. (NIA) is still probing the role of Param Bir Singh things during his custody but we just cannot rely case. "Sharma is under our radar not just because in the mysterious death of a Thane trader in on them as they could all be mere allegations. We of his affiliation to Waze, but also because of his March even as the CBI, based on the former need hard evidence to prove our case in court," few crucial meetings with the accused, held after PUBLIC NOTICE Mumbai Police Commissioner's allegations, ques- the official said.NIA's focus now is on another for- the execution of the crime. These meetings indi- This is for Notice of the General tioned Anil Deshmukh who resigned as mer Mumbai Police encounter specialist Pradeep cate that Sharma was trying to help Waze, who Public that a Political Party is pro- posed to be registered by the name Maharashtra Home Minister a few days ago. The Sharma, who is also known as Mr Waze's men- was caught on camera planting a threat letter in of Lok Bandu Party (Name of the terror probe agency is also looking into the affairs tor."We have some definitive clues that some help the explosive-laden Party) The office of the Party is locat- of other top city policemen who may be connected could have been provided by Sharma in the vehicle," an NIA offi- NAME CHANGE I Urvashi Dadlani W/o Lalit Dadlani ed at 1/4908, Khasra No. to Mansukh Hiran's death, officials with the terror Mansukh Hiran case. We have been quizzing him. cial said. R/o House No-1/35,New Palam 192/163/179, Gali No. 6, Balbir probe agency have said."Contrary to claims made So far, he is cooperating and providing Vihar, Phase-1, Gurgaon, Haryana- Nagar Extn., Shahdara, Delhi-32 by Param Bir Singh, we have been able to estab- details which are proving helpful," the NIA NAME CHANGE 122017, Have Changed My Minor (Full Address). This Party has sub- lish that Sachin Waze was directly reporting to official said.The NIA has worked out the I, TAUKIR AHMAD S/O ZUBAIR Son Name Jeevesh Dadlani To mitted Application to the Election him. We have recorded his statement in which he Antilia bomb threat case, officials said, and AHMAD R/o K-37, 2nd floor, Jivesh Dadlani For All Purpose Commission of India, New Delhi for batla house, Okhla, New Delhi its registration as Political Party as has denied knowing anything, but we still have the task is now to establish the source of the 110025, have changed my under Section 29A of the not given him a clean chit," a senior NIA official gelatine sticks placed inside the Scorpio car name to TAUQEER AHMAD for THE SIKH TIMES Representation of People act / 1951, disclosed to NDTV.Mr Singh was questioned in found outside Mr Ambani's south Mumbai all future purposes Name/address of the office bearers connection with both, the Antilia bomb threat case residence on February 25. "As far as the Edited, Printed, Published of the party are as follow: and Mr Hiran's death. The auto parts dealer was Mansukh Hiran murder case is concerned, NAME CHANGE Owned by Simmi Babbar President: Vijender Pratap Singh, found dead under mysterious circumstances days we have been able to establish who could be I, hitherto known as SONU N - 31, Dr. Mukherjee Nagar Vill. & Post-Sher, Distt.-Balia, (U.P.)- after an explosives-laden car, later traced back to the murderer," an NIA source revealed.Mr SHAEMA S/O PRAKSH SHAR- Delhi-110009 277203 him, was found on Mumbai's Carmichael Road Waze had indicated to the NIA that he pro- MA R/O 172-B POCKET –F Printed at Qaumi Patrika Printing General Secretary : Hitender Sejwal, 5867-D, Gali No. 1 East MAYUR VIHAR PHASE -2 Press, A-4/A-144, Tronica City with a threat letter to industrialist Mukesh cured the gelatine sticks through Mr DELHI-110091 have changed my Rohtash Nagar, Shahdara, Delhi-32 (Loni), Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) Ambani. The former Mumbai police chief, who Sharma's contact, a revelation that requires name and shall hereafter be Treasure : Gurmeet Singh, 1/2194, Corporate Office: was moved out over the mishandling of the car documentary evidence to be proven in known as SUHANA SHARMA Gali No. 16, Ram Nagar, Delhi-32 5, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, bomb case, later made corruption allegations court.Mr Sharma had quit his high-profile If any one has any objection to the Press Area, ITO, New Delhi against Mr Deshmukh eventually leading to his police job to contest the Assembly polls on Registration of Lok Bandhu Party NAME CHANGE Editor-in-Chief resignation.Mr Waze, who is suspected to have a Shiv Sena ticket in 2019. He lost the elec- (Name of the Proposed Party) they I, Neeraj Sehrawat S/o Surender Gurcharan Singh Babbar Singh Sehrawat R/o House No- may send their objection with rea- played a role both in the Antilia bomb scare case tion and now runs an NG named PS Mob : 9654077232, 9971359517 and Mr Hiran's death, was alleged to have been Foundation. NIA officials claim to have 923, Mandir Wali Gali, Mahipal sons their of to the secretary (Political Pur, South West Delhi,Delhi- Website : www.thesikhtimes.in Party) Election Commission of India, part of Mr Deshmukh's extortion racket, accord- established that he was a frequent visitor to 110037,Have Changed My Email : [email protected] Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, ing to Mr Singh. The former Crime Branch officer Mr Waze's Crime Branch office in the Name To Neeraj S/o Surender New Delhi-110001 with in 30 days of was earlier arrested by the NIA in connection with Mumbai Police headquarters till he was For All Purposes. RNI No. DELENG/2008/25465 the Publication of this Notice. New Delhi, Thursday, 15 April, 2021 DELHI/NCR THE SIKH TIMES 4

NEWS BOX Door for global No evidence of significant increase in risk of suicide in first vaccines opens but pricing strategy months of pandemic, but continued monitoring needed: The Lancet Pune.A new first observational study to financial safety nets may help to prevent the The study used real-time suicide data obtained could be key to examine suicides occurring during the early possible longer-term detrimental effects of from official government sources to phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the pandemic on suicide, authors of the study determine whether trends in monthly suicide entry multiple countries has come out which finds have said. counts changed after the pandemic began. that suicide numbers largely remained Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar, who is known for They compared numbers of monthly New Delhi. THE Centre may have opened the unchanged or declined in the pandemic’s her research on suicidal prevention suicides before COVID-19 (estimated using regulatory door to a set of vaccines from early months. The study is published in The strategies and founded SNEHA in 1986 modelling of available data from at least 1 overseas but how it works its pricing and Lancet Psychiatry journal. which is a suicide prevention centre, is one January 2019 to 31 March 2020, and in some procurement strategy could be key to their The authors note that – while their study of the authors of this paper. A member of cases ranging from 1 January 2016) with entry and rollout.For most nations, the provides the best available evidence on the WHO’s Network on Suicide Research and numbers observed in the early months of the vaccine rollout adheres to one simple pandemic’s effects on suicide so far – it only Prevention, Dr Vijayakumar told The Indian pandemic (from 1 April 2020 to 31 July maxim: countries that invested “at risk” provides a snapshot of the first few months Express that people’s lives have changed 2020) to determine how suicide trends before the products cleared regulatory of the pandemic and effects on suicide might during the course of the pandemic. changed during the pandemic. The study scrutiny ended up extracting a better pricing not necessarily occur immediately.Lead “The study did not include low or lower- included 21 countries and regions (16 high- deal from manufacturers in the end. So far, author, Professor Jane Pirkis, Director of the middle-income countries, which account for income, and 5 upper-middle-income), Centre for Mental Health at the University of 46% of the world’s suicides and might have including whole-country data in 10 India, with the world’s biggest vaccine countries and data for 25 specific areas in 11 manufacturing base, seems to be the only Melbourne, Australia, says: “We need to been particularly hard hit by the pandemic as continue to monitor the data and be alert to there was not enough data,” Dr Vijayakumar countries.The authors found no evidence of exception.The NDA government is learnt to any increases in suicide, particularly as the an increase in suicide numbers in the early have negotiated the cost of Covishield — said.However, Dr Vijayakumar and other pandemic’s full economic consequences authors have said that there are some ensure that people are supported.” Prof months of the pandemic in any of the Serum Institute of India’s (SII) version of the emerge. concerning signs that the pandemic might be Pirkis said. countries included. In 12 areas, there was AstraZeneca-University of Oxford vaccine Policymakers should recognise the adversely affecting suicide rates in these Few studies have examined the effects of any evidence of a decrease in suicide, compared — to Rs 150 plus GST, or around $2.02, per importance of high-quality, timely data to countries, but that it is difficult to verify as widespread infectious disease outbreaks on to the expected numbers. The authors note dose. This is lower than the $2.15 at which support suicide prevention efforts, and very few of these countries have good suicide. The new study included around 70 that their findings could be explained by AZ is supplying to the European Union, should work to mitigate suicide risk factors quality death registration systems and fewer authors from 30 countries who are members some of the steps that governments took in which invested $399 million “at risk” in associated with COVID-19, such as the collect real-time suicide data. of the International COVID-19 Suicide the various countries. For example, in many AstraZeneca way back in August 2020, in heightened levels of stress and financial “We need to recognise that suicide is not the Prevention Research Collaboration countries mental health services were return for 400 million doses of its difficulties that some people may experience only indicator of the negative mental health (ICSPRC), which was created to share increased or adapted to mitigate the potential vaccine.The UK, which had a smaller as a result of the pandemic. Increasing effects of the pandemic – levels of knowledge about the impact of the pandemic impact of lockdown measures on mental investment commitment to AZ, was mental health services and suicide community distress are high, and we need to on suicide and suicidal behaviour and advise health and suicide, authors said. expected to pay about $3 per dose and the US prevention programmes, and providing on ways to mitigate any risks. has been offered the vaccine at $4 per dose, according to data compiled by British Jharkhand: A wailing Medical Journal. Others such as South Africa daughter tells the tale of had initially been paying upwards of $5 per Remote Covid ward in Chhattisgarh dose before the government decided to sorry health infrastructure discontinue its use over poor performance against a dominant mutant strain in the Ranchi. On Tuesday, a 30-year-old country.For the Pfizer vaccine, too, similar tells new story of death, despair woman travelled from Hazaribagh forces were at play. The EU financially to Sadar Hospital in Jharkhand’s Bemetara In October last year, when the Covid has high fever through the nights while her capital Ranchi for medical help for supported its development and secured a caseload was peaking across the country, mother is on oxygen support. “I don’t know lower price per dose of $14.70 than the her coronavirus-infected father. Bemetara in Chhattisgarh recorded 1,000 what is happening at home, I haven’t seen She said she had to wait at the $19.50 in the US. The Pfizer vaccine is the cases. On April 1 this year, the district’s log of anyone from my family. I just want to go only major global vaccine that did not hospital’s parking lot for about active cases showed 6,300. By April 12, it had home,” she says. half-an-hour before any help receive funding under Washington’s surged to 9,700.Bemetara’s numbers capture in Her mother’s neighbour in the ICU is Ram reached her father.He was Operation Warpspeed.On the other hand, the a nutshell the impact of the second wave of the Krishna Sharma (60) from Majhgaon village declared dead when doctors Moderna vaccine’s development was pandemic in the state. And its lone Covid ICU which, along with Bhendani, falls in Berla checked upon him.Around that subsidised by the US government and so it facility — 8 beds at the district hospital — the block near Durg. “He has hypertension and time, state Health Minister Banna will cost the US about $15 a dose, while the damage and despair that it has caused.Two of diabetes. He came to us when the symptoms those ICU beds are vacant now. But that’s Gupta was on a visit to the EU is paying $18 per dose, according to BMJ were already out of control. He is critical, hospital’s Covid-19 ward. data.From all available accounts, India did because the occupants succumbed to the virus and we are trying to keep his vitals in on Monday.Chhattisgarh currently has 98,856 control,” says a Covid staffer. On her way out of the hospital with not invest “at-risk” in SII and its first advanced infection.According to the district’s her father’s body, the woman saw commercial agreement on vaccine offtake active cases. “In Bemetara, we are getting more Two other beds in the ICU are occupied by than 200 cases in a day. They are coming from Medical Health Officer, Dr Satish Sharma, the minister and confronted him. only came in mid-January 2021. And there is a rising influx of cases from Devdutt Sharma (54) and his wife Anusuiya everywhere,” says a district health (45). Both have co-morbidities, and were “Mantri-ji, doctor-doctor chillate thepricing of Covishield is a factor in SII’s official.“The patients have all shown a similar neighbouring districts. “Durg and Raipur are reh gaye, koi doctor nahi aaya struggles to keep up with demand as the two districts where a high number of cases are referred from a hospital in Bhilai. Says their son pattern. Because of months of lull, they thought Pravin Sharma, 30: “My father was undergoing aadhe ghanta tak; khali vote lene private, unlisted firm has committed to Covid was over. Even after they started being noticed. Bemetara, being at a junction of ke liye aate hain (Mr Minister, we sorts between the two, sees a lot of treatment for typhoid. When he started facing deliveries under AZ’s deals and through showing symptoms, they thought it was difficulty in breathing, we admitted him to a cried for half-an-hour looking for multilateral arrangements such as COVAX. common flu and didn’t turn up at the hospital intermingling across the borders. People from a doctor, but no one came; you here also work in those two districts, and are hospital, where he tested positive. There was no SII has now sought “roughly” Rs 3,000 crore until the last minute,” says a senior doctor at the space in Bhilai hospitals, so we were shifted come only seeking votes)…” the from the government to expand its “very district hospital. now returning,” says Sharma.Another ICU bed wailing woman was heard telling is occupied by 50-year-old Kavita Kumari here. Soon after, my mother tested positive, stressed” capacity, SII CEO Adar The panic is evident on the face of 27-year-old too.”Two ICU patients — Baburam Verma (56) the minister in a video that has Dewangan. In the regular Covid ward nearby is surfaced on social media.This Poonawalla told NDTV. “The globe needs Rupesh Sahu outside the Exclusive Covid Care her daughter Tarnini Dewangan, 32, a mother and Dhanesh Verma (42) — died Monday, this vaccine and we are prioritizing the needs Center. He stops anyone who steps out wearing of two who is undergoing treatment after a brief within 48 hours of being admitted. “We have incident, in a nutshell, tells the of India…we’re still short of being able to a PPE kit to ask about his mother Renuka, 47, stint in the ICU of her own. Both of them work been having cases of patients who have died state of affairs in a state that has supply to every Indian that needs it,” he said. who was admitted to the ICU on April 5, just as seamstresses for a local garment while we were administering help. For seen a rapid surge in cases reported three days after she took a Covid test. manufacturer while also running a tailoring Dhanesh, his blood oxygen level had dropped over the last three weeks – one of a “She had gone to Durg to see my sister who had business of their own on the side.Speaking to to 30 per cent,” says a nurse.Given the surge, crumbling health infrastructure, Man arrested for delivered a baby. I told her not to go inside the The Indian Express over phone, Tarini says: resources are stretched to the maximum, say with more than 90 per cent ICU hospital, but she fought with me and went. She “We had several orders since it is the season of doctors and staffers. “We are working with 75 beds occupied in both public and morphing Rupani video: is the only one who got infected…my sister and weddings and festivals. I fell ill first, but my per cent supplies and without a specialist or private hospitals.In the last 21 ‘Would see him sitting her baby are fine,” says Sahu who hails from mother started getting worse faster than me. anesthesiologist. All of us are doing multiple days, more than 144 people in Bhendani village.Renuka’s chest x-ray report Both of us were hospitalised on April 3.”Tarini, roles to minimise wastage and ensure that we Jharkhand have died of Covid-19. shows extensive congestion, which is a sign of who is also from Bhendani village, says she still can save all those who come here. From less than 1,000 active cases, for hours with mobile, the state, as on Tuesday, had 15, but sure my son is 343 active cases. On Tuesday 29 people died in the state due to the innocent Covid-19 infection. Uttarakhand: 1,086 Covid cases Health Minister Gupta later on Surat Kishan Rupani would spend hours on Tuesday asked the Civil Surgeon his cellphone, posting and commenting on to do an inquiry into the woman’s social media. The 28-year-old’s family did complaint at Sadar Hospital. “A not think much of it until Monday, when reported in Kumbh Mela since April 10 woman started crying after her police came looking for him. father died. I am shaken by the Hours later, Kishan was arrested for allegedly incident. I have ordered an Haridwar Between April 10 and 4pm of April 13, 1,086 inquiry,” he said.In Ranchi’s morphing a video of Chief Minister Vijay people tested positive for Covid-19 in the Kumbh mela Rupani using Taylor Swift’s song, ‘I knew private and government-run you were trouble’, and circulating it on area. The next Shahi Snan (royal dip) is scheduled for hospitals, out of 943 beds social media. He was let out on bail later Wednesday. available with oxygen support, OnApril 12 when over 30 lakh devotees are estimated to 879 are occupied as of today. In after his statement was recorded. non-invasive and invasive “We have never seen a police station nor have have turned up for the second shahi snan, 387 cases ventilator supported beds, 234 out the police come home in my entire life. This were reported from different locations including of 335 remain occupied. The is the first time, because of my son, that the Haridwar, parts of Dehradun, Pauri and Tehri. A total remaining 73 are empty at Sadar police have come to my home,” Arvindbhai of 66,203 tests were conducted Monday in the mela Hospital due to various Rupani, Kishan’s father, told The Indian area. reasons.State Health Secretary Express on Tuesday. “We would see my son Haridwar chief medical officer Dr SK Jha said 961 cases Kamal Kishore Soan said the sitting for hours with his mobile phone, but I government has increased am sure my son is innocent and he has not were reported between April 11 and April 13 in the capacity at the city’s premier done anything to defame such an important mela area.According to a bulletin issued by the state Rajendra Institute of Medical person.Seated on a diwan in a two-bedroom Health Department, a total of 1,925 new cases were Sciences hospital and added 240 flat in Singhanpore area of Surat, the 70- recorded in the state Tuesday along with 13 deaths. oxygen beds at Sadar Hospital. year-old’s eyes turned moist as he read the local newspapers which carried the news of his younger son’s arrest.Arvindbhai said he and his family – wife, elder son Ankit, 30, and Kishan – moved to Surat 12 years ago NIA probes encounter angle in passport found at Sachin Waze house from Bhavnagar, where he ran a small diamond cutting and polishing business. He Mumbai. A PASSPORT found by the NIA retrieved the vehicle’s number including that of Waze, suspended had to shut that business after the industry National Investigation Agency (NIA) at the plate from Mithi river, sources said. constable Vinayak Shinde, cricket was hit by recession. home of arrested Mumbai policeman Sachin However, investigators suspect that for bookie Naresh Gaur and Waze’s “We faced financial crises, but Kishan was Waze is one of the key pieces in the Antilia various reasons, including the fact that colleague Riyaz Kazi. While Kazi is working in a textile embroidery factory in security scare puzzle that investigators are Waze had taken on so many important being interrogated by the NIA, the three Surat. We wound up our business, sold our trying to solve.has learnt that one of the investigations as head of the Criminal others are in judicial custody. house in Bhavnagar and came to Surat,” he theories the agency is working on is that Intelligence Unit, he could not devote Once the plan unravelled, investigators said.Kishan, who had passed class 12 from a Waze, known as an “encounter specialist”, enough time to coordinate this plan. believe, Waze and the co-accused began Gujarati-medium school in Bhavnagar, had allegedly intended to eliminate the holder of Waze and the other accused then destroying evidence that could link them by then started a small embroidery factory that passport and another man. decided to use the SUV that was being to the incident, including CCTV footage. on a rented premises. His father and elder The plan, they suspect, was to pin the SUV used by Mansukh Hiran, the car decor But Waze feared that Hiran would crack brother, who had studied till class 10, joined containing the gelatin sticks that was found trader who was later found murdered, under investigation, which is why he him.“After coming to Surat, we first stayed on February 25 outside Mukesh Ambani’s investigators believe.However, the planchassis number of the Scorpio. However, personally took over his interrogation, in a rented house on Ved Road. Six years house on these two men, gun them down the to allegedly “eliminate” the two men in athrough a sticker of an insurance company the officer said.However, investigators ago, we bought this flat. Our embroidery same day, and claim to have “solved” the fake encounter could not be executed ason the vehicle, the ATS tracked it down to believe that when Waze realised the case business [Rupani Fashions] turned out case.The two men had a criminal record and Waze lost control of the investigation withinHiran, which derailed their plan,” the officer could be transferred, he allegedly decided well,” Arvindbhai said. Ankit got married a were known to Waze, officials familiar with hours of the SUV being detected outside said. with his other accomplices to eliminate few years ago. The family, however, had to the line of investigation said. The passport Antilia as the Maharashtra Anti Terrorism“So far, it appears that they wanted to Hiran — the businessman was made to write bear a loss in 2017 when Arvindbhai lost his was found during a raid at Waze’s home on Squad (ATS) took over the case, an officerencounter the two persons and show that a letter stating he was under mental pressure. only daughter, Radhika, who was married, to March 17. familiar with the NIA’s probe said.they had averted the threat. Apart from being “The plan was to make it look like a suicide,” an illness.With their business looking up, the Investigators suspect that the original plan was According to the officer, the plan went hailed as heroes, they may have been the officer said.Hiran’s body was found in a family was thinking of buying the premises to get the two men to drive a Maruti Eeco, haywire “on Day One itself” after the ATS planning to use it for some profit. We are creek on March 5. TheATS had named Waze on which their factory is located but then the which had been stolen from Aurangabad, tracked a sticker on the Scorpio and found investigating that lead,” the officer said. as the “main accused” in its remand application in the Hiran murder case last Covid lockdown came as a setback, said and park it outside Antilia with an that it belonged to Hiran. “They had changed The NIA has made four arrests in the case, month before it was taken over by NIA. Ankit. Improvised Explosive Device inside. The number plates and even scratched the New Delhi, Thursday, 15 April, 2021 DELHI-NCR THE SIKH TIMES 5

NEWS BOX With over 1.8 lakh new Covid cases, High Courts must clarify ‘no coercive steps to be India breaks pandemic record adopted’ order in criminal pleas, says Supreme Court New Delhi India recorded 1,84,372 new Covid-19 cases in the highest-ever single- A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday held that the High Courts shall not pass orders of “no coercive steps to be adopted” while hearing a petition as it day spike ever since the pandemic began last year. With the fresh cases, the country's prevents the police from freely investigating the case. If the interim order of “no coercive steps to be adopted” is passed by the High Court, they must clarify the term. positive cases tally has mounted to 1,38,73,825, according to the data provided New Delhi.In many criminal cases, when saying that "no coercive steps be taken”. The "Normally, when the investigation is in by the Ministry of Health and Family persons accused of crime approach the High court observed that the police "must be progress and the facts are hazy and the entire Welfare on Wednesday courts or the Supreme Court, the courts issue allowed to complete its investigation". evidence/material is not before the High morning.Meanwhile, a total of 1,027 people a stay on the investigation or direct that "no The SC bench held that "First information Court, the High Court should restrain itself succumbed to the Covid-19 infection in the coercive steps" will be taken against the report (FIR) is not an encyclopedia which from passing the interim order of not to arrest last 24 hours, pushing the death toll to accused person, as a relief to the accused. must disclose all facts and details relating to or “no coercive steps to be adopted” and the 1,72,085.The active Covid-19 caseload in Now, a bench of the Supreme Court has said the offence reported. Therefore, when the accused should be relegated to apply for India stands at 13,65,704, while 1,23,36,036 that this practice is against the principles of investigation by the police is in progress, the anticipatory bail under Section 438 CrPC people have been cured so far.On Tuesday, law that gives police the right to investigate. before the competent court." India had reported a total of 1,61,736 new court should not go into the merits of the coronavirus infections in a day. With India A three-judge bench of Justices DY allegations in the FIR. Police must be COURTS CAN PASS THE ORDER IN Chandrachud, MR Shah and Sanjiv Khanna, permitted to complete the investigation. It in Chapter XIV of the Code to investigate EXCEPTIONAL SITUATIONS breaking its pandemic record with every day into a cognizable offence," and "Courts passing by, several states across the country in a detailed judgment on Tuesday, laid down would be premature to pronounce the However, the court has clarified that such guidelines for how a court can deal with such conclusion based on hazy facts that the would not thwart any investigation into the protection orders could be passed if the court have imposed fresh curbs and curfew to cognizable offences." contain the virus spread.A day ago (on cases.In essence, the judgment says that complaint/FIR does not deserve to be is convinced that it is an exceptional Tuesday), the Maharashtra government except in "exceptional cases where non- investigated or that it amounts to abuse of ON POWER OF QUASHING FIR situation. announced a strict 'janta curfew', starting 8 interference would result in the miscarriage process of law." The bench has also held that the power of "Whenever an interim order is passed by the pm on April 14 till 7 am on May 1. The of justice, the Court and the judicial process The court cited several precedent cases, quashing an FIR "should be exercised High Court of “no coercive steps to be decision came on a day the state reported should not interfere at the stage of including a privy council judgment where it sparingly with circumspection", adding that adopted” within the aforesaid parameters, 60,212 new Covid-19 cases, a considerable investigation of offences". was held that there is a "clear cut and well- "It is only in cases where no cognizable the High Court must clarify what does it rise from Monday when it reported 51,751 POLICE MUST BE PERMITTED TO demarcated sphere of activity in the field of offence or offence of any kind is disclosed in mean by “no coercive steps to be adopted” as new cases. The state had recorded its highest COMPLETE INVESTIGATION crime detection and crime punishment".The the first information report that the Court will the term “no coercive steps to be adopted” single-day spike on Sunday with 63,294 In a case relating to fraud and forgery of court noted that "Police has the statutory not permit an investigation to go on." can be said to be too vague and/or broad cases.Other states including Delhi, Uttar documents, the SC bench observed that the right and duty under the relevant Provisions As far as orders for "no coercive action" are which can be misunderstood and/or Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab, of the Code of Criminal Procedure contained concerned, the bench observed that Haryana are among major contributors to High court should not have passed orders misapplied," the court has held. the increasing coronavirus cases in the country.Delhi recorded 13,468 new Covid- Indian Army 19 cases in a span of 24 hours, while West J&K: Owner reopens Krishna Dhaba two Bengal recorded the highest single-day spike of 4,817 coronavirus cases in day.The Recruitment Rally coronavirus tally in Punjab rose to 2.79 lakh on Tuesday with 3,003 new infections, 2021: Class 8th, 10th while 53 more deaths took the toll to 7,609, a months after militants killed son health bulletin said.Besides, more than 11 crore vaccine doses have been administered Srinagar .Two months after his son was pass candidates can in India till Tuesday. Of this, nearly 1 crore killed by militants in Jammu and Kashmir vaccine doses were administered since the Sonwar area, the owner of the famous food apply, here’s all the start of Tika Utsav, the Union health outlet Krishna Dhaba resumed his business ministry said. on Tuesday.Ramesh Kumar, owner of the details food outlet, told news agencies that he felt safe and Kashmir was his home. "We were Bihar Dalit man forced to born here and have lived here all our life. New Delhi: The United States has further toned lick spit, drink urine at Where else will we go," he said. down the discord over a naval operation carried Popular among locals and tourists for its out by that country within India's maritime panchayat for eloping vegetarian cuisine, Krishna Dhaba had been exclusive economic zone (EEZ) last week. The closed since February 17 when Ramesh's exercise, which did not have India's with woman son Akash Mehra was shot at by militants permission, was conducted off the Lakshadweep coast and had rankled India Gaya in a horrific incident in Bihar's Gaya, from a close range. The eatery was abuzz with activity when the incident happened. which immediately registered its opposition a Dalit man was forced to lick spit from the via diplomatic channels. Mehra was critically wounded in the attack floor during a panchayat in which he was "On April 7, the USS John Paul Jones, part of the pulled up over his love affair. He was also and succumbed to his injuries a few days later.On February 19, J&K Police arrested US Navy Seventh Fleet, conducted a routine forced to drink urine.A video of the three persons allegedly owing allegiance to Freedom of Navigation Operation in the Indian incident that went viral on social media a terror outfit of the banned Lashkar-e- Ocean. This operation demonstrates shows the man kneeling down and licking Taiba. The Muslim Janbaz Force, a terror longstanding US support for international law spit from the floor. Several people spat on outfit which was active in early 1990s, had among tourists and locals, took place when office of the UN Military Observers Group and freedom of the seas worldwide," a US claimed responsibility for the attack. a 24-member delegation of foreign envoys for India and Pakistan and the residence of Department of Defense spokesperson has said, arrived on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir. the J&K Chief Justice are located within in an indicator that the US wants to set the The attack at Krishna Dhaba, located in a record straight. high-security area of the city and popular Several high-profile installations like the 200 metres of the food joint. "We value our partnership with India on a wide range of issues, including regional security across the Indo-Pacific," the spokesperson said.The Destroyer USS John Paul Jones had conducted the Freedom of Navigation Myanmar coup forces its citizens into Operations near Lakshadweep, notwithstanding India's maritime security policy of such exercises requiring its authorisation.A US Seventh Fleet Public No Man's Land on India border Affairs statement had said that India's the floor during the panchayat, which was insistence on authorising such operations was then licked by the Dalit victim, as a Guwahati Myanmar has been witnessing Vikramjit Singh, superintendent of police of entered Manipur by crossing the Indo- "inconsistent with international law".India "punishment" against his affair.After bloodshed and upheaval ever since a Tengnoupal district in Manipur, told India Myanmar border to seek shelter. We have responded by saying the UN Convention on the forcing him to lick spit, the Dalit man was military coup deposed the democratically Today, “Yesterday, some Myanmar tried to provide food and clothes to them at Law of the Sea does not let other States carry also made to drink urine. The incident elected government on February 1. At least nationals had tried to sneak into the Indian best,” said a villager of the Moreh area.India out military exercises or manoeuvres in EEZs took place in Wazirganj area of Gaya in 1,000 Myanmar citizens have reportedly side, but security personnel had pushed condemned the ongoing violence in and on the continental shelf without the Bihar.The panchayat action came after the fled to India so far to escape violence.Scores back them. Many Myanmar nationals are Myanmar that has caused hundreds of consent of the coastal state. Dalit victim owned up to his love affair. of Myanmar nationals are now taking trying to enter Manipur.” deaths over the past months. On Sunday, Pentagon Press Secretary John F The victim had eloped with a woman shelter in No Man’s Land near Moreh town He also said some people may have already Speaking at the recent UNSC Arria-Formula Kirby referred to the exercise by the Destroyer recently. The woman's family caught hold in Manipur along the India-Myanmar entered Manipur because a large part of the meeting on Myanmar in New York, Deputy USS John Paul Jones as "innocent passage" of the couple and brought the Dalit man to border. They are seeking help from the local India-Myanmar border is forest area. More Permanent Representative of India at the through the waters off the Maldives, indicating the panchayat.He was then made to go authorities of Manipur for shelter inside the security personnel have been deployed United Nations (UN) Nagaraj Naidu said, that military manoeuvres had not been carried through the inhuman torture in front of the Indian territory. along the bordering areas, he added. “India condemns the use of violence in out.This recent dissonance over maritime panchayat members and sarpanch. matters is unusual since New Delhi and On Monday, more than 100 MyanmarNearby villagers have provided them food at Myanmar and deeply condoles the loss of Washington DC are both members of the Quad A video of the incident went viral on social nationals tried to flee to India through the border. Locals of Moreh town said over lives. It is essential to observe maximum grouping, committed to protecting freedom of media and Gaya Police took notice. Gaya Moreh borders, police said. Near Border300 Myanmar nationals have already restraint. It is equally important to uphold navigation in international waterways with a SSPAditya Kumar took cognizance of the Pillar 79, more than 30 families seek help entered Manipur and are now taking shelter humanitarian principles.” specific concern on China's maritime atrocity and lodged an FIR.Six people for their stay at Moreh. The Indian security in hillside areas. Locals have provided food “We are cognizant of the serious impact of expansionism. have been arrested so far and the SSP has forces have stopped them at the border. and clothes to them.“Following the violent political instability in the country and the The Quad consists of the US, India, Japan, and said action will be taken against all those Read | Manipur govt withdraws 'no food, situation in Myanmar, many people from potential of its spillover beyond Myanmar’s Australia, and is viewed as a buffer against an who are involved. shelter' order for Myanmar nationalsTh the Tamu area in Myanmar have fled and borders,” Naidu added. increasingly assertive Beijing. Maharashtra curfew: Who will be allowed to travel in Mumbai's local trains, city buses amid state-wide restrictions, check here

> "This is for your welfare. I am not happy doing it," Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray said while imposing new restrictions due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation.

New Delhi: "We felt that we were winning the war, but this dealers, transport and supply chain. 16. E-Commerce (For essential goods and services). battle has begun again," said Maharashtra Chief Minister Manufacturing and distribution of vaccines, 17. Accredited Media. Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday (April 13, 2021) as he sanitisers, masks medical equipment, their 18. Petrol Pumps and Petroleum related products, imposed new restrictions in the state due to the prevailing ancillaries, raw material units and support including offshore/onshore production. COVID-19 situation. services. 19.All cargo services. "This is for your welfare. I am not happy doing it. If we do 2. Veterinaryservices, animal care shelters and pet 20. Data centres / Cloud Services / IT Services not break the COVID transmission chain, it will strangle food shops. supporting critical infrastructure and services. us. Livelihood is important. But saving lives is a greater 3. Groceries, vegetable shops, fruits vendors, 21. Government and Private Security Services. priority," CM Uddhav Thackeray said during an address to diaries, bakeries, confectionaries, all type of 22. Electric and gas supply services. the state.The Maharashtra CM announced severe curfew- food shops. 23. ATM's. like restrictions on public movement over the next 15 days 4. Cold storage and warehousing services. 24. Postal Services. across the state, which exclude essential services, and will 5. Public Transport: Airplanes, trains, taxis, autos 25. Ports and related activities. come into effect from 8 pm on April 14 and remain in force and public buses. 26. Custom 1-louse Agents/ Licensed Multi-Modal till 7 am on May 1. 6. Services related to the functioning of offices of Transport Operators associated with movement of For the people who used to travel in Mumbai's local trains Diplomats of various countries. vaccines/ lifesaving drugs/ pharmaceutical products. and city buses, it will no more be allowed if you're not in 7. Pre-monsoon activities by local authorities. 27. Units producing raw material/ packaging material the designated 'essential services'. 8.All public services by local authorities. 11. Service required for restoration/maintenance of telecom for any essential services. The Maharashtra government said that the following are 9. Reserve Bank of India and services designated by RBI as services. 28. Units that are engaged in the production of materials for included in the essential services: 1. Hospital, diagnostic essential. 12. Transport of Goods. the impending rainy season for individuals as well as for centres, clinics, vaccinations, medical insurance offices, 10. All offices of SEBI recognised market infrastructure 13. Water supply services. organisations. pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, other medical institutions such as Stock Exchange, depositories, 14.Agriculture related activities. and health services including supporting the 29. Any Services designated as essential services by the clearing corporations etc and other intermediaries 15. Export-Import of all commodities. local disaster management authority. manufacturing and distributing units along with their registered with SEBI. New Delhi, Thursday, 15 April, 2021 EDITORIAL THE SIKH TIMES 6 Save them: Goa Failing brakes losing forest cover India is well on its way to becoming an illiberal

The elections in West Bengal are being considered by on national culture and not the national economy. It many to be a decisive fight to stem the swelling tide of was spun around a homogenous cultural identity, right-wing populism in India embodied in the ideology debunking diversity as a hurdle to development. of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Mamata Banerjee is Simple solutions were attractively packaged for all, fighting a hard battle for survival. Not that Banerjee’s characterizing a golden age from a perfect past. This Trinamul Congress is a paragon of liberal democracy, narrative required two features to sustain it and but her political position has been stridently opposed to gather momentum. First, the leader had to appear as the majoritarianism of the BJP. This majoritarianism is strong and decisive, one who knew what the marked by the stifling of dissent and a systematic attack solutions were and could articulate them with on the independence of the essential institutions of clarity. Second, the leader had to be able to identify a democracy such as the media, the judiciary, law clear and unambiguous set of enemies of the nation. enforcement agencies, the bureaucracy and They were the immigrants from the past, a religious autonomous universities. minority, socially deprived categories like Dalits Sir — No amount of awareness campaigns seems to Populism is not new in India. Left and right-wing varieties and adivasis. The public gaze, from the poorest up to suffice when it comes to willing the authorities to have raised their heads from time to time. For instance, the white-collar workers, had to be distracted from Indian politics during Indira Gandhi’s time had been The decade of the 1990s, however, saw the growing strength dwelling on complex economic issues. act in favour of the environment. It was recently of India’s business class who, by that time, had become revealed that in the last 10 years, Goa’s forest discernibly left-wing populist in nature, characterized by Liberal democracy, even in its weakest and most distorted a suspicion of big business and foreign investments. Vote- more confident and realized the benefits of cooperating form, exhibits varying amounts of certain essential traits. department approved 99.3 per cent of all with international capital. International capital, on the applications for the felling of trees. Some bank considerations allowed the formation of coalitions While democracy implies some process of collective self- of the disadvantaged and marginalized people who were other hand, saw the potential of opening up a large new determination, liberalism requires the guarantee of reforestation drives had taken place, but there are market in the subcontinent. The State, in the new global no data on the survival of the trees. Only two years promised certain economic resources from the State. individual liberties and rights. Any guarantee of these There were concerns about economic inequality and order, found its control over national policies like tax freedoms requires, in turn, a bill of rights or a ago, Goa was known to have 60 per cent forest rates, capital flows, money supply and public investments cover — it ranked fifth in the country in this environmental degradation. Religion was left alone by the Constitution, but more so, a set of well-functioning, becoming weaker and uncertain in terms of their impact. regard. It is likely that the authorities have now State to form an important component of the nation’s independent institutions that protect these freedoms from This crisis of sovereignty, the emergence of a more sacrificed Goa’s greenery for monetary profit. cultural plurality and diversity. Nationalism was powerful political intrusions. Right-wing populism This must be stopped at once. tempered with an acceptance of cultural openness and powerful business class with strong ties to global capital warrants that elections remain in place while chipping and the continuation of economic uncertainties and Take action plurality. The elite, in this brand of left-wing populism, away at the independence of the essential liberal comprised a wide-ranging set of opinion-makers. They deprivations paved the way for a serious challenge to the institutions of democracy. Hence, liberal democracy soon Sir — The shooting of four unarmed people in older elite. A realization also dawned on the poor and Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar by Central Industrial were intellectuals of different hues, but most of them with becomes an illiberal democracy, but elections continue to left-of-centre leanings. During the earlier Nehruvian era, middle classes that left-wing populism was unable to be part of the political process. Then, at a later stage, the Security Force personnel guarding a polling booth deliver on the promises made. The concept of liberal reminds one of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in the State relied on the intellectual elite to construct the electoral process is assaulted through misinformation, lies democracy gradually began to be contested and an the pre-Independence era (“Shamed”, April 13). economic template for facilitating nation-building. With and the brute force of the State to demean it. Gradually, the alternative political narrative inevitably emerged. Global According to reports, a 15-year-old boy was Indira Gandhi, there was a shift from the Nehruvian illiberal democracy transforms into an illiberal beaten at the village market, without provocation, consensus to a more left-wing populism that culminated capitalism needs room to grow through new markets, dictatorship. India is currently going through this process by a jawan of the Central forces. This appears to in the disastrous Emergency that severely threatened and strategic investments, expansion of debt and productivity- of change. A good indicator of this is not only how have triggered protests against the jawans, strained the fabric of democracy and freedom. The first enhancing new technologies. There are limits to institutions of the judiciary, enforcement agencies, leading to the shots being fired. These armed three decades after Independence, despite the left-of- penetrating international markets and raising debt. New elections, the media and academia have all been personnel, who are supposed to be trained in centre policies pursued by the State, did not achieve technologies have become the mainstay of expansion. weakened and compromised, but also the fact that on industrial and airport security, could have easily expected results in economic growth and poverty However, the expectation is that with the advent of new almost every index of social well-being, economic controlled the situation by using batons to reduction. technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics, performance, political freedoms and environmental disperse the crowd or firing shots into the air. But Much later, with the advent of neo-liberal globalization, employment opportunities will shrink phenomenally. The safety, India’s rank in the world community has slid they reportedly shot at the upper bodies of the there was an opening up of the economy to world markets project of a worldwide consolidation of capitalism has considerably in the recent past. Little wonder that the people in the mob, resulting in this untoward and capital. The decade of the 1990s did not change the been stalled and confronted with hurdles which no nation has been described as only “partly free” or, incident. The administration, which is under the deep structural problems. While poverty and international institution can solve, simply because there is according to another study, an “elected autocracy”. A direct command of the Election Commission, unemployment remained, economic inequality grew to no global government. The crisis of incomplete democratically elected government has promised to work took to the usual tact of blaming the crowd — it massive proportions. New economic opportunities were globalization has thrown up winners and losers in large to make India free of political opposition. It is in this levelled charges against the mob of trying to scarce and limited to the narrow middle class. Liberal numbers, with a pervasive anxiety about economic process that the acquiring of elected representatives of the snatch away the guns from the CISF personnel. democracy, despite witnessing electoral changes in stability in the near future. India has to confront its own set people, both before and after elections, is now the Had the crowd attacked the guards, why is there government, remained weak. The quality of people in of problems. However, in this context, imperfect liberal accepted norm, and individual freedoms are assaulted on a still no evidence of any injury caused to them? politics deteriorated. There was a gradual erosion of democracy as well as left-wing populism began to be daily basis — what we wear and eat, who we might marry, With four more rounds of elections still left, the EC independent institutions, accompanied by a rise in perceived by many as useless and impotent. The where we might live and, above all, who we have to fear should not waste time in discouraging security corruption and weak governance. alternative narrative to replace liberal democracy centred and obey. personnel from using firearms and promote the use of other modes of mob control in order to prevent any further loss of life.y Sir — One would think that the CISF personnel are trained to defuse Hidden killers: Non-communicable diseases difficult situations without resorting to opening fire. But the incident in Cooch Behar proves they There are, of course, several contributors to the problem, including an ageing population, rapid urbanization, urban congestion and climate change are not. The perception that the EC and the Central forces deployed in the state are not as politically Losing sight of the bigger picture is easy when a crisis areas increased by 131 per cent for diabetes and 55 neutral as they should be does not seem too far presents itself. While India’s population and health per cent for ischaemic heart disease. Clearly, older from reality any more, and this erodes their infrastructure are groaning under the weight of the hypotheses concerning the rural-urban health index institutional credibility. The EC is supposed to highly contagious coronavirus, an equally grim truth has need to be reviewed. Combating NCDs requires ensure a level playing field for all parties and surfaced: around two out of three deaths in India occur reforms at various levels, from adequately taxing the apply rules uniformly. But many of its decisions on account of non-communicable diseases. A study by consumption of packaged food to encouraging such going in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party the Thought Arbitrage Research Institute found that at lifestyle choices as the use of cycles and the adoption make it look like an arm of the ruling regime — least 10 per cent of the population across 21 states suffers of healthy diets. The medical response to NCDs has this makes one wonder, could the EC have from an NCD. The figures indicate the scale of the crisis: also been inadequate; there is a paucity of disease scheduled the polling in eight phases at the BJP’s since the 1990s, illnesses such as diabetes, digestive surveillance systems and poor access to medicines, behest in order to suit its campaign plan? The task ailments and hypertension have claimed more lives in diagnostic services and insurance. While the of safeguarding democracy is better served if the India than infectious diseases have, with Odisha, Tripura Ayushman Bharat Yojana covers in-hospital EC acts in a non-partisan way. M.K. Gandhi had andAssam topping the list. secondary and tertiary care, there are no clearly- taught that the means should be as fair as the end. There are, of course, several contributors to the problem, outlined mechanisms for paying for chronic But if what the BJP has been doing in Bengal is including an ageing population, rapid urbanization sans outpatient care and medication, which comprise the anything to go by, then its end of wresting power modernized hygiene systems, urban congestion on bulk of the out-of-pocket expenses for NCD account of migration as well as climate change. The treatment. There is an urgent need for awareness from the Trinamul Congress would seem to justify to faulty consumption patterns found mainly in urban whatever means it adopts, be it communal study also revealed a few unexpected findings. Last year, a initiatives — for instance, teaching obese citizens report had found that adult obesity in India is on the rise, areas, where access to food is not always an immediate about eating healthy food and supporting local cuisines — polarization, misuse of institutions, splurging on hurdle. And yet, the prevalence of NCDs in rural India is canvassing or perhaps even unleashing violence. with the number of obese Indians shooting up from 25.2 that are to be bolstered by trained personnel, basic drug only marginally less than in cities. Data show that between supply chains and efficient facilities. Private players can It would thus be an inversion of truth to think that million in 2012 to 34.3 million in 2016. The public health 1990 and 2016, the death rate across age groups in rural be roped in to strengthen these efforts. the BJP adheres to Gandhian philosophy. discourse tends to attribute the cause of lifestyle diseases Black hole sun THE THIN EDGE | What history’s ability to flummox will mean for West Bengal

The British film director, David Lean, liked to repeat a horrible and devastating.” Another passage, this state over 10 years, but it has done them vaudeville entertainer’s precept he had internalized in time from the election diary carried in this paper under the twin shadows of its own default his youth: never pop out of the same hole twice. While almost exactly 10 years ago, relaying a mode of anti-democratic belligerence this might be sound advice for clowns, jugglers, conversation with one of Bengal’s most and the monstrous nationwide magicians and cabaret performers, it is not a rule that perceptive political scientists: “Whether CPM hegemonic project unleashed by the history has ever felt obliged to follow. Or, perhaps, we comes back or, most likely, TMC takes over, the RSS-BJP.As a result we find ourselves in should say there are only so many holes available to power management, the favour management, the a thicket of thorny questions: is history, from which it tends to cannon up a limited bribery management, will all have to be ‘Subaltern Hindutva’ a real thing? If so, variation of projectiles. The trick history has, though, is different... Think not of the formations we see will Subaltern Mamatatva be able to fight in the infinite new combinations of what it launches at us today: one street-fighting party, the CPM, ceding it off? What particular hell would a hung at any given moment. power to another one, the TMC — the only one assembly unleash upon the state? What On the one hand, we could be forgiven for thinking we’ve who could challenge it, precisely because it’s a would a Mamata in Opposition do, seen it all before. Murderous despots, Arturo Ui-types spawn of the ‘politics’ perfected by the Left Front especially if she felt the election had been with funny facial hair, who develop a sinister hold over over three decades. Think instead of what stolen from her? What revenge would large populations? Yes, seen those. Cunningly effective happens two years hence, when the two different Amit Shah extract from a Bengal that had megalomaniacs feeding off the weak, corrupt politicians gangs of thieves start falling out internally. The refused to succumb to his charms? ranged against them? Yup, seen that too. The rise of a Red gang because they’ve lost power and are These and many other questions aside, cancerous ideology which inexorably eats into the body under huge tectonic pressure, the Green gang anyone in Bengal who believes in the of a society? Yes, tick. All this at a time of economic because their ineptitude and venality in power is founding principles of the Republic, disaster, leading to further devastation? Nothing new, by now utterly exposed, the cracks inherent in anyone who still retains faith in genuine seen that. All of the above combined with a relentlessly their foundation now widening. Think also of the secularism, social justice, environmental deadly global pandemic? Hmm, wait, perhaps not that Congress sharks and BJP hyenas circling, common sense and the rule of law now often, but there must surely have been some broadly smelling blood... Think of what kind of shopping finds themselves hoping that the TMC comparable moment, one will just have to look. mall Shonar Bangla will have become by then.” staves off the massive, multi-spectrum On the other hand, observing history is sometimes like The “two years hence” was off by a few years but misdemeanour at the state level was magnified assault from the sangh parivar. A perhaps watching an entirely predictable train crash unfold in not too many. The ‘Red gang’ imploded quicker than monumentally by the rulers at the Centre. If a man was far-fetched secondary hope is that if Mamata Banerjee slow motion. Going through my previous writings for anyone predicted, helped along by the TMC’shounded by the police in Calcutta for a cartoon of the does manage to retain power, she and her party will have this page, I just came across a column looking at the deep programme of what one can now call ‘CPM-mukta chief minister, the bigger mob just bought over most of learnt some lessons and will do things radically cultural failures and cop-outs of the Left Front that had Bangla’.All the beseeching from observers that the TMCthe country’s media and targeted their media critics in differently from the playbook of the people they are been ruling West Bengal for 28 years at that point. should water democracy and not do to the Left what the job-lots. If the unofficial hafta level was increased in fighting against. As for the other possibility, here is a Written in November 2005, a paragraph goes: “As a Left had done to all opposition in the state fell on ears Bengal, the bigger guys just put in the opaque electoral foolhardy prediction: if the RSS-BJP do manage to result, Bengal is not gurgling beatifically in the lap of deafened by vengeful blood. By 2014, those busybonds and tweaked the whole banking system and capture West Bengal in these elections, they will come to some great secular and progressive era as the Comrades looking only at Bengal were ambushed by what historyincome-tax mechanisms. If the space for dissent was regret it bitterly, and not too far in the future. History will would have us believe, it is a simmering pressure- threw up from other holes; the venality and ineptitude ofsqueezed at the village and district levels by the local continue to flummox us with the mix of the familiar and chamber in which the forces of the religious right and West Bengal’s new rulers was exposed early enough, butregime, the national regime just sent in the re- the unforeseen, but this is the one state in the Union forces of the most ruthless of capitalisms are waiting to it was dwarfed by the towering venality and ideology-programmed investigative agencies to arrest dissenting which has the ability to turn into a black hole, with a pick on the carcass of the CPI(M)’s legacy. What will driven incompetence of the newly installed RSS-BJPactivists across the country. Of course, the Trinamul gravitational pull strong enough to suck power away all follow once this Baam-Phront goes will likely be regime in Delhi. In fact, rapidly, every mistake and Congress has managed to do some positive things in this the way from Delhi. New Delhi, Thursday, 15 April, 2021 FILM THE SIKH TIMES 7 Akshay Kumar returns home from hospital, Twinkle Khanna says ‘good to have him back’ kshay Kumar, who was hospitalised under medical advice after testing positive for ACovid-19, has returned home on Monday. Twinkle Khanna shared the news on her Instagram account. Sharing an animated picture that featured Akshay and Twinkle, the writer mentioned that ‘all iz well.’ Last week, Twinkle Khanna wrote about the Sara Ali uncertain times the world is living in. She shared a Sara Ali poem on Instagram that read, “A series of todays. All the same. Leftover rainwater in a pothole. The future, a battered road that stretches as far as the eye can see. What else can we do to delight the heart except float paper boats of the past across these stagnant puddles.” Twinkle also commented on weekend curfews implemented in Maharashtra after Covid-19 surge in the city. Sharing a video from a beach, the actor wrote, “The beach has gone to the dogs and so have our weekends. Stay safe.”Akshay tested positive for the coronavirus earlier this month. The actor, who was shooting for Ram Setu, informed his fans with a note that read, “I wish to inform everyone that, earlier this morning, I have tested positive for COVID-19. Following all the protocols, I have immediately isolated myself. I KhanKhan am under home quarantine and have sought turns a hilarious reporter as mother Amrita Singh battles her fear of height

necessary medical care. I would sincerely request all those that have come in contact with me to get themselves tested and take care. Back in action very soon.”He also added that he was hospitalised as a precautionary measure under medical advice. Right after Akshay tested positive for the virus, 45 crew members on Ram Setu sets were also reported to have tested positive for the coronavirus.Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) president B N Tiwari confirmed the news to indianexpress.com. “It’s quite unfortunate that so many people tested positive at one go. While most were junior artists, a few from Akshay Kumar’s team also tested positive for COVID-19. They have all been quarantined and provided medical attention. With Akshay also in quarantine, the shoot has been suspended as of now,” he said. Deepika Padukone resigns as MAMI chairperson: ‘Unable to give the undivided focus it requires’ ara Ali Khan’s new video with mother Amrita Singh from their holiday in Kashmir is about every notorious daughter. SThe actor on Monday shared a video of herself with Amrita taking a Gandola ride, where the latter is seen getting scared of being up in the air while Sara funnily recites a poetry describing her mother’s plight. While Sara is all smiles, Amrita can be seen reciting some mantras to fight her fear. In the next part of the video, after the mother-daughter land at their location, Sara again turns a commentator as she says, “Hum aagayein hain upar. Maza aaya super duper. Mummy has been a trooper,” while Amrita cannot stop laughing at her daughter’s amusing poetry. Sara captioned the video, writing, “Namaste Darshako Watch Sara Bako Out of shame mommy will face Dhako But my dear Darshaks Kriypa phone Mat Rakho (sic).” Besides the video, the Coolie No 1 actor also shared a photo collage of herself enjoying her trip to the fullest. While one photo shows her looking out of a balcony, another still is of her in a swimming pool. On Sunday, Sara shared gorgeous pictures from her stay in Gulmarg. One of the photos also featured her brother Ibrahim Ali Khan. In the evening, the actor posted videos of her her humming and swaying to a live performance of Sufi song “Dama Dam Mast Qalandar”. Sara also poked fun at herself, writing in stories, “Confidence Level,” and “It’s being called talented.”

ctor Deepika Padukone has decided to ‘depart’ from the duties as chairperson of AMumbai Academy of the Moving Image RheaRhea ChakrabortyChakraborty (MAMI). The actor, who took over the position in 2019, stated her “slate of work” is the reason why she took the step. Deepika, calling the is ‘keeping the faith,’ fan says ‘Nice experience as ‘enriching’, stated that her bond with MAMI ‘will last a lifetime’. to see you taking life in true spirit’ On Monday, the actor took to her social media platforms to share the news. “Being on the board ctor Rhea Chakraborty has grabbed attention yet again, but this time of MAMI and serving as chairperson has been a for her thoughtful Instagram post. The actor posted a picture of herself deeply enriching experience. As an artist, it was Ain which she is seen reading Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali. invigorating to bring together cinema and talent Sharing the picture, in which Rhea’s face is a little blurred out, the actor quoted from all over the world to Mumbai, my second a line from the book which read, “The question and the cry ‘oh , where?’ melt home.” into tears of a thousand streams and deluge the world with the flood of the I have come to realise however, that with my assurance, ‘I AM!’ – Rabindranath Tagore, Gitanjali.” She ended the note current slate of work, I will be unable to give with a hashtag that read, “keeping the faith.” MAMI the undivided focus and attention it As soon as she posted the picture, a lot of her well-wishers sent her good luck in requires. I depart knowing that MAMI is in the the comment section. “Nice to see you taking life in true spirit. Wish you best hands possible and that my bond and good luck always,” wrote one of her fans. Another fan shared, “You are connection with the academy is one that will last inspiration for girls like me. Keep rocking. More power to you.” One of her a lifetime,” she wrote in a note. Instagram follower wrote, “Stay strong and always keep faith. Sab thik During her opening statement, she said, “Cinema hoga.” has the power to make us less lonely when we Siddhanth Kapoor,Arjit Taneja, Shibani Dandekar and others also posted heart are. In the age of digital streaming and social emojis in the comment section of Rhea’s post. In March, Rhea had shared a media that is slowly but surely is isolating us, the photo with her friend Nidhi Parmar Hira. She wrote “Love is power” while quoting Rober Fulghum. Mumbai Academy of Moving Images (MAMI) binds us without boundaries, inhibitions and On the work front, Rhea will soon be seen in Chehre, which stars Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi in the lead. However, the makers refrained most importantly without fear. As an artiste who from promoting her.Talking about Rhea’s absence, Chehre producer Anand truly believes in the power of cinema, I say we Pandit said that while the public scrutiny never affected his decision to retain need this more than ever before.” the actor in the film, he knew the media attention could take a toll on Rhea if On the work front, Deepika will be seen in a she participated in public engagements for the film. special role in Ranveer Singh’s 83. She is “A lot of issues have happened in Rhea’s life over the last one year. I never currently shooting for Shakun Batra’s untitled wanted to give another turmoil to her… till the time she is not comfortable project, which also stars Ananya Pandey and (promoting the film). For my project or benefit, I don’t want to create ripples Siddhant Chaturvedi. Deepika also announced in somebody’s life,” stated the producer. The Intern’s official Hindi remake in which she The film was supposed to release on April 9. However, due to rise in the will star opposite Amitabh Bachchan. The two coronavirus cases in Mumbai, the theaters have been shut yet again. had earlier worked in Piku. New Delhi, Thursday, 15 April, 2021 WORLD THE SIKH TIMES 8

7 European countries to halt export finance for fossil fuels Paris. Seven European countries, Biden set to withdraw remaining US troops including Germany, France and Britain, will commit on Wednesday to stop public export guarantees for fossil fuel projects, French Finance Minister from Afghanistan by 9/11 anniversary Bruno Le Maire said on Tuesday. Coal, oil and gas infrastructure have Washington. President Joe Biden plans to recipe in staying in Afghanistan accused Biden of planning to "turn tail and traditionally made up a large share of withdraw the remaining 2,500 U.S. troops forever," the official, speaking on abandon the fight in Afghanistan." It was the portfolios of many countries' public from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, 20 condition of anonymity, said in a Trump, a Republican, who had agreed to export finance agencies, which support years to the day after the al-Qaeda attacks that briefing with reporters. U.S. Secretary the May 1 withdrawal. "Precipitously exports through state-backed triggered America's longest war, U.S. officials of State Antony Blinken and U.S. w i t h d r a w i n g U . S . forces from financing guarantees and insurance said on Tuesday. The disclosure of the plan Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are Afghanistan is a grave mistake," against losses abroad. Spain, the came on the same day that the U.S. expected to discuss the decision with McConnell said, adding that effective Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden are intelligence community released a gloomy NATO allies in Brussels on Wednesday, counter-terrorism operations require the other four countries to back the outlook for Afghanistan, forecasting "low" sources said. Biden's decision suggests presence and partners on the ground. initiative. Britain, France and Sweden chances of a peace deal this year and warning he has concluded that the U.S. military There currently are about 2,500 U.S. have already laid out plans to halt that its government would struggle to hold the presence will no longer be decisive in troops in Afghanistan, down from a peak export guarantees for the fossil fuel Taliban insurgency at bay if the U.S.-led achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan, of more than 100,000 in 2011.About 2,400 sector while the other countries in the coalition withdraws support. a core Pentagon assumption that has U.S. service members have been killed in group have yet to decide how fast they long underpinned American troop the course of the Afghan conflict and will phase out their support. "We are Biden's decision would miss a May 1 deadline for withdrawal agreed to with the Taliban by deployments there. "There is no military weeks, given the lack of preparations on the many thousands more wounded. Officials totally determined to stop all export solution to the problems plaguing inAfghanistan are bracing for the withdrawal. guarantees financing fossil fuels while his predecessor Donald Trump. The insurgents ground to ensure it could be done safely and had threatened to resume hostilities against Afghanistan, and we will focus our efforts onresponsibly. U.S. officials have also blamed "We will have to survive the impact of it and it taking into account each country's supporting the ongoing peace process," the should not be considered as Taliban's victory industrial specifics and the impact on foreign troops if that deadline was missed. But the Taliban for failing to live up to Biden would still be setting a near-term senior administration official said. The U.S.commitments to reduce violence and some or takeover," said a senior Afghan government jobs," Le Maire said. Speaking before a intelligence report, which was sent to source, speaking on condition of anonymity. meeting on Wednesday where the withdrawal date, potentially allaying Taliban have warned about persistent Taliban links to concerns. The Democratic president will Congress, stated: "Kabul continues to face al-Qaeda.It was those ties that triggered U.S. Although successive U.S. presidents sought to pledge is to be formalised, Le Maire setbacks on the battlefield, and the Taliban is extricate themselves from Afghanistan, those added that he hoped U.S. President Joe publicly announce his decision on Wednesday, military intervention in 2001 following al- the White House said. A senior Biden confident it can achieve military victory." It Qaeda's Sept. 11 attacks, when hijackers hopes were confounded by concerns about Biden's administration would join the remains unclear how Biden's move would Afghan security forces, endemic corruption in group, which together accounts for administration official said the pullout would slammed airplanes into the World Trade begin before May 1 and could be complete impact a planned 10-day summit starting AprilCenter in New York City and the Pentagon Afghanistan and the resiliency of a Taliban 40% of export finance among OECD 24 about Afghanistan in Istanbul that is due to insurgency that enjoyed safe haven across the countries, following an upcoming well before the Sept. 11 deadline. outside Washington, killing almost 3,000 Significantly, it will not would be subject to include the United Nations and Qatar. Thepeople. The Biden administration has said al- border in Pakistan. Democratic U.S. Senator review of U.S. export finance. Le Taliban said they would not take part in any Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate Maire also said the seven cou tries further conditions, including security or Qaeda does not pose a threat to the U.S. human rights. "The president has judged that a summits that would make decisions about homeland now. Foreign Relations Committee, said the United would commit to supporting climate- Afghanistan until all foreign forces had left the States could cut off financial assistance to friendly projects and transparency in conditions-based approach, which has been 'ABANDON THE FIGHT' the approach of the past two decades, is a country. The May 1 deadline had alreadySenate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Afghanistan "if there is backsliding on civil their export finance policies. started to appear less and less likely in recent society, the rights that women have achieved." Egypt "Seizes" Suez Megaship, Demands Nearly $1 Billion Biden sends unofficial delegation Compensation South Africa halts Johnson & Johnson to Taiwan in 'personal signal' of Cairo, Egypt: The megaship which commitment to its democracy blocked Egypt's Suez Canal and vaccine jabs; Europe rollout delayed crippled world trade for nearly a week Washington. Former U.S. Senator Chris Dodd and has been "seized" on court orders until former Deputy Secretaries of State Richard the vessel's owners pay $900 million, WORLD. SouthAfrica suspended confidence and complicate from serious illness and death including one who died. The giving Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 immunization when infected with COVID-19. FDA commissioner said she Armitage and James Steinberg headed to Taiwan canal authorities said Tuesday. The on Tuesday at President Joe Biden's request, in 200,000-tonne MV Ever Given got vaccine shots Tuesday as a efforts. The announcement cameThe bloc's drug regulator, the expected the pause to last a "precautionary measure" and the after regulators in the United matter of days. The European what a White House official called a "personal diagonally stuck in the narrow but European Medicines Agency, signal" of the president's commitment to the crucial global trade artery in a company delayed its European S t a t e s s a i d t h e y w e r ehas authorized the AstraZeneca Medicines Agency said it is vaccine rollout following the recommending a "pause" in the "currently not clear" whether the Chinese-claimed island and its democracy. A sandstorm on March 23, triggering a shot for all people 18 and over. senior Biden administration official told Reuters mammoth six-day-long effort by FDA decision to pause using the single-dose shot to investigateMany leading COVID-19 J&J shot was responsible for the jabs while very rare blood clot reports of rare but potentially rare clotting disorders. Last the dispatch of the "unofficial" delegation comes Egyptian personnel and international vaccines train the body to as the United States and Taiwan mark the 42nd salvage specialists to dislodge it. cases are examined. South dangerous blood clots. "We have recognize the spike protein that week, the EU drug regulator said Africa has given more than made the decision to proactively it found a "possible link" anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, for Maritime data company Lloyd's List said coats the outer surface of the which Biden voted when he was a U.S. senator. the blockage by the vessel, longer than 289,000 jabs of the J&J vaccine delay the rollout of our vaccinecoronavirus. But the J&J and between the AstraZeneca shot to the country's health workers in Europe," Johnson & Johnson and rare blood clots but that the The delegation will meet with senior Taiwanese four football fields, held up an AstraZeneca vaccines use a cold officials and followed "a long-standing bipartisan estimated $9.6 billion-worth of cargo without any reports of blood said. The delay is a further blow virus, called an adenovirus, to benefits of vaccination far clots, Health Minister Dr. Zweli to vaccination efforts in the outweighed the risks of COVID- tradition of U.S. administrations sending high- between Asia and Europe each day it carry the spike gene into the level, unofficial delegations to Taiwan," the was stuck. Egypt also lost between $12 Mkhize told reporters. He said European Union, which havebody. Johnson & Johnson uses a 19. It noted the risk of such clots South Africa was halting the use been plagued by supply is less than the blood clot risk official said. The official called it "a personal and $15 million in revenues for each human adenovirus to create its signal" from the president, who took office in day the waterway was closed, of J&J jabs "out of an abundance shortages, logistical problemsvaccine, while AstraZeneca uses that healthy women face from of caution" and he expects that and concerns over unusual blood birth control pills. Dr. January. "The selection of these three individuals according to the canal authority. The a chimpanzee version. In a joint senior statesmen who are longtime friends of MV "Ever Given was seized due to its the questions over the J&J clots in a small number of people statement Tuesday, the Centers Adam Finn, a professor of vaccine should "be cleared who received the AstraZeneca Taiwan and personally close with President Biden failure to pay $900 million" for Disease Control and pediatrics at Britain's University sends an important signal about the U.S. compensation, Suez Canal Authority within a matter of days.” vaccine, which is made by a Prevention and the Food and of Bristol, said it was possible process similar to the J&J shot. commitment to Taiwan and its democracy." chief Osama Rabie was quoted as Earlier, Johnson & Johnson said it Drug Administration said they t h e w a y t h e J & J a n d Taiwan's presidential office said President Tsai saying by Al-Ahram, a state-run was delaying the rollout of its The blood clot reports prompted were investigating six cases of AstraZeneca vaccines were several countries in the 27- Ing-wen would meet with the delegation on newspaper. Rabie did not explicitly coronavirus vaccine acrossunusual clots that occurred six to made may have contributed to Thursday morning. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry cite the Japanese owners Shoei Kisen Europe amid the U.S. probe, a nation bloc to limit the 13 days after vaccination with the unusual clotting disorders in AstraZeneca vaccine to older said the group would arrive at Taipei's downtown Kaisha, but a different source at the move that experts worried could the J&J shot. All six cases were a very small proportion of Songshan airport mid-afternoon on Wednesday. further shake vaccine people, which are more at risk people. SCA told AFP Tuesday that women between 18 and 48, The State Department said on Friday it was issuing negotiations over damages between new guidelines to enable U.S. officials to meet that company, insurance firms and the more freely with officials from Taiwan, a move canal authority were ongoing. The that deepens relations with Taipei amid stepped- Japanese-owned, Taiwanese-operated US Cops Arrest Man Over False Facial- up Chinese military activity around the island, and Panama-flagged ship was moved which China claims as its own. Former President to unobstructive anchorage in the Donald Trump angered China by sending several canal's Great Bitter Lake after it was senior officials to Taiwan, and his secretary of freed on March 29, and tailbacks Recognition Match. They Are Now Sued state, Mike Pompeo, announced days before the totalling 420 vessels at the northern Trump presidency ended in January that he was and southern entrances to the canal WORLD. A Michigan man has thief. Prosecutors dropped the f o rces and federal lifting restrictions on contacts between U.S. were cleared in early April. The sued Detroit police after he was case less than two weeks later, investigators. While the officials and their Taiwanese counterparts. Taiwan compensation figure was calculated wrongfully arrested and falsely saying officers had relied on software has been banned by is China's most sensitive territorial issue and a based on "the losses incurred by the identified as a shoplifting suspect major bone of contention with Washington, which grounded vessel as well as the flotation insufficient evidence. Police more than a dozen cities is required by U.S. law to provide the island with by the department's facial Chief James Craig later nationwide, it has been cited the means to defend itself. "The United States is and maintenance costs" Rabie said, recognition software, one of the citing a ruling handed down by the apologized for what he called in a growing number of committed to engaging Taiwan and deepening our first lawsuits of its kind to call "shoddy" investigative work. criminal cases, including in cooperation on shared interests in line with the Ismailia Economic Court in Egypt. The into question the technology's grounding of the ship and the intensive Williams, who said he had the landmark investigation of U.S. 'one-China' policy," the Biden administration risk of throwing innocent people been driving home from work rioters at the Capitol on Jan. 6. official said, referring to the long-standing U.S. salvage efforts are also reported to in jail. have resulted in significant damage to when the 2018 theft had Williams's attorneys did not policy under which Washington officially the canal. Robert Williams, a 43-year-old occurred, was interrogated by make him available for recognizes Beijing rather than Taipei. The official father in the Detroit suburb of detectives and held in custody Black men in the United States to comment Tuesday. But waved off a question as to whether dispatch of the Covid-19 Patients With Sedentary Farmington Hills, was arrested for 30 hours before his release. raise doubts about the software's Williams wrote in a Washington delegation might have been coordinated to last year and accused of taking Williams's case sparked a public accuracy. The case could Post opinion column last year coincide with U.S. climate envoy John Kerry's Habits More Likely To Die: Study watches from a Shinola store outcry about the fast-growingheighten the legal challenges for that the episode had left him visit to Shanghai this week, saying climate talks after police investigators used a use of a technology that research a technology that is largely deeply shaken, in part because with Beijing "shouldn't be linked with other areas Paris, France: Among covid patients, a has shown often misidentifies his young daughters had watched lack of exercise is linked to more facial recognition search of the unregulated in the U.S., even as it of the relationship." "And it's certainly not to the store's surveillance-camera people of color. His lawsuit is at has become a prolific him get handcuffed in his diminishment of any of our concerns about severe symptoms and a higher risk of least the third in the brought by driveway and put into. death, according to a study covering footage that identified him as the investigative tool used by police Beijing's behavior," the official said. nearly 50,000 people who were infected with the virus. People physically inactive for at least two years before the pandemic were more likely to be hospitalised, to require intensive care, and to die, researchers Muslim pilgrims immunised against reported Tuesday in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. As a risk factor for serious Covid disease, physical inactivity was surpassed only by advanced age and a history of organ transplant, the study Covid-19 reach Mecca as Ramadan begins found. Indeed, compared to other modifiable risk factors such as smoking, obesity or hypertension, Muslim pilgrims reached Islam’s holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the first day of the fasting month of Ramadan. It was announced "physical inactivity was the strongest risk factor across all outcomes," the earlier this month that only pilgrims ‘immunised’ against Covid-19 will be permitted to attend the prayers. authors concluded. The pre-existing conditions most associated with umrah pilgrims and 100,000 worshippers per Mecca Pilgrims immunised against Covid-19 circled day, according to state media.It is unclear severe Covid-19 infection are Islam's holiest site in Saudi Arabia's Mecca city advanced age, being male, and having whether the policy, which comes amid an uptick Tuesday as they performed the year-round umrah in coronavirus infections in the kingdom, would diabetes, obesity or cardiovascular pilgrimage on the first day of the fasting month of disease. But up to now, a sedentary be extended to the annual hajj pilgrimage later Ramadan.Mask-clad worshippers entered Mecca's this year. lifestyle has not been included. To see Grand Mosque in batches to perform the ritual of whether a lack of exercise increases circling the sacred Kaaba, a cubic structure towards Pilgrimage amid pandemic the odds of severe infection, which Muslims around the world pray, along socially In late July last year, the kingdom hosted a hospitalisation, admission into an distanced paths. downsized hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam intensive care unit (ICU), and death, 'Immunised' pilgrims and a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once the researchers compared these in their lifetime.Only up to 10,000 Muslim outcomes in 48,440 adults in the Only immunised pilgrims are eligible for permits to residents of Saudi Arabia itself were allowed to United States infected with Covid-19 perform the pilgrimage and to attend prayers in the take part, a far cry from the 2.5 million Muslims between January and October 2020. Grand Mosque during Ramadan, the hajj and umrah from around the world who participated in ministry announced earlier this month. The average age of patients was 47, and 2019.Saudi Arabia has reported more than three out of five were women. On According to the ministry, three categories of people 400,000 coronavirus infections and 6,700 are considered "immunised" -- those who have deaths from Covid-19.The daytime fasting average, their mass-body index was received two doses of coronavirus vaccine, those 31, just above the threshold for month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of administered a single dose at least 14 days prior, and Islam.Observant Muslims refrain from eating obesity. Intensive care MAround half people who have recovered from the infection. had no underlying illnesses, such as and drinking from dawn to dusk, and diabetes, chronic lung conditione The policy has effectively raised the Grand Mosque's traditionally gather with family and friends to admitted to hospital, 10 percent . capacity during Ramadan to accommodate 50,000 break their fast in the evening. New Delhi, Thursday, 15 April, 2021 TravelYATRA THE SIKH TIMES 9

Wonders of the World. There are numerous popular The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard is situated north of spots to take in the views including Maricopa, Hopi, the Atlantic circle, and is considered to be the northern- Mather and the South Rim. most inhabited place on earth. Due to its location, Svalbard Stonehenge, England witnesses two unique natural phenomena for several This original purpose of the prehistoric monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site is 5 places still shrouded in mystery. It is made 5 places up of two concentric stone circles built on a small mound in Salisbury. There's nothing quite like reaching here early to watch that will inspire you to see the the first rays of the sun hit the stones. Plan your trip during the summer solstice, when Stonehenge gets thousands of visitors, including pagans and druids, to see the sunrise on the longest day of the year. Angkor Wat, Cambodia The sprawling 12th century temple complex lies in Angkor, the former capital of the months every year. The first is the midnight sun, when the Khmer dynasty of Cambodia. Spread across 97 square sun stays in the sky for 24 hours a day; and the second is the kilometres, it comprises of numerous temples, moats, polar night, when the night lasts for more than 24 hours. palaces, passageways and towers. It is a tourist hotspot Spend a few months here, and the concept of sunrise and Sunrise sunset will never be the same again. Sunrise at any time of the day, but arriving early gives visitors a chance to observe the temple towers take shape. This Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania We know it's not easy to wake up early when you're on a This spectacular gorge in the state of Arizona in United is also when the temple is at its quietest, and so ideal for some contemplative viewing. This extinct volcano is the highest mountain in Africa, and holiday, but the spectacular sight of the sun rising in States looks even more impressive as it changes colours at the image of its snow-capped peak surrounded by plains these places might inspire you to change your mind. sunrise. This steep canyon was carved by the Colorado Svalbard, Norway has inspired the likes of Ernest Hemingway. Catch the Grand Canyon, USA River, and is considered to be one of the Seven Natural spectacular sight of the sun's rays beating down on the snow, or if you're up for it, trek to the top for a bird's-eye view of the plains around.

I have always admired the Tanjore painting for its delicate era. The entrance of the gallery is bright and colourful, texture, usage of gold foil and intricate designs. When I and an inverted lotus on the entrance arch is certainly a had the opportunity to visit Tanjore or Thanjavur as the highlight. In fact, if you go to the next level of the Things to do in Thanjavur city is known, I was naturally excited to experience its gallery, you can enjoy a bird's-eye view of the place rich cultural heritage first-hand and I must admit, I was and can also see the skeleton of a 92-feet-long whale not disappointed. Tanjore, known as the 'Rice Bowl of that was washed ashore in 1955. This was gifted to the Tamil Nadu' due to the extensive paddy cultivation, was gallery by the fisheries department and has been the cultural capital of the country in 1790. The Cholas, preserved well. a potpourri of religion, Nayaks and Marathas have shaped this city into a hub of Shop forTanjore paintings architecture, art and culture. And this has stood the While in Thanjavur, you must shop for the famed testimony of time in the numerous buildings and temples Tanjore paintings, and the best place to do so is the that dot the city. And if you want to see this for yourself, government handicrafts emporium or the state art and architecture make sure that the following things to do in Thanjavur are handicrafts centre in Poompuhar. Not part of your itinerary. only are there ample choices available, Explore ThanjavurArt Gallery but the prices are also quite reasonable. these are on your shopping list. The Thanjavur Art Gallery, established in 1951 in the I'd give thumbs up to the government Admire the Thanjavur Maratha Palace Complex Nayak Durbar Hall of the palace complex, is a repository handicrafts emporium simply for The Tanjore Palace or the Thanjavur Maratha Palace of bronze and stone sculptures dating from the 7th to 18th showcasing several art forms of the area Complex, on the east main street, was initially century. A testimony to the artistic talent, skill and under one roof. Tanjore paintings usually constructed by Thanjavur Nayak kings. Within the imagination of the ancient sculptors, these rare pieces depict Hindu gods and goddesses and palace complex exists a small bell tower and the belong to the Chola, Nayak and Maratha rulers. scenes from the ancient scriptures. Said to renowned Saraswathi Mahal Library. The These sculptures have been sourced and have originated in Thanjavur during the goodagopuram served as the palace watch tower and collected from remote places in Thanjavur Maratha period in the 16th century, these also the armoury of the Thanjavur kings till 1855. The district and reflect the glory of the bygone paintings typically have a figure of a palace consists of a number of large and rambling deity occupying the maximum space buildings of fine masonry. A large quadrangular and housed in an enclosure in the courtyard leads to a many-pillared hall while the form of an arch. These are bright in smaller inner courtyard opens to a larger one. Besides colour and embellished with the Saraswathi Mahal Library, other popular sights here semi-precious stones, and a 22- include the two durbar halls of the Nayaks and the carat gold leaf is always pasted Marathas, and the Madamaligai Tower (out of bounds on the painting. A three-dimensional embossed effect for visitors as it was damaged by lightning strike). If is created by layering clay on the wooden board. you like history and architecture, this palace complex is Thanjavur paintings are great souvenirs so make sure a must visit. New Delhi, Thursday, 15 April, 2021 BUSINESS THE SIKH TIMES 10

NEWS BOX COVID-19 restrictions to hit economic activities in Centre set to invite financial bids for Air India April-June: Report New Delhi . The Centre is set to India Express has 25 Boeing invite financial bids forAir India 737, of which it owns 10. The New Delhi. The restrictions and partial ? Civil as it looks to complete the sale of national carrier may record lockdowns in several states and cities amid the troubled national carrier by around Rs 10,000 crore rising Covid-19 cases are likely to impact September. After its assessment financial loss this fiscal year. economic activities in the current quarter aviation of the preliminary bids, the The airline’s total debt has (April-June), according to a Goldman government has placed all the reduced to Rs 23,000 crore as Sachs report. financial and operational details the Centre shifted its Rs 30,000 It said that the containment restrictions are minister of Air India (virtual data room) crore working capital debt to a likely to be more targeted with impact on for due diligence before the special purpose vehicle, AI specific services such as food and bidders, which include the Tatas Asset Holdings Ltd. Previous beverages, leisure and recreation, and Hardeep and a consortium led by attempts to sell the airline since transport, but with limited spillovers into SpiceJet. 2017 has not been successful. other sectors such as construction and The expression of Pawan Ruia has The government has sweetened manufacturing. "While these restrictions Singh Gill has apparently been tossed out along the offer this time and has are likely to hit activity in Q2, we think with the overtures by the allowed the suitors to put their activity is likely to rebound sharply from employees union. Civil aviation bids on enterprise value. The Q3 onwards as containment policies said the govt minister Hardeep Singh Gill has times the deadline to submit handling services in India . government will take 15 per normalise," it said. "Consequently, our said the government will keep the preliminary bids. The airline, So far in 2020-21 (April-March), the cent of the sum, while the rest will economists have revised down their overall carrier running till it gets divested which started as a mail carrier in government has provided Air be debt taken up by the winning CY21 real GDP growth forecast to 10.5 per will keep the and there is no choice but to either 1932, will give the successful India with a guarantee support of bidder. Aviation minister Puri had cent (from 10.9 per cent previously) but privatise or close down the airline. bidder control of 4,400 domestic Rs 964 crore, which helped the said he expected the bids to come remain above the consensus forecast of 9.4 The government is selling its entire and 1,800 international landing airline to raise new working in within two months. “After that it per cent." It also said that the domestic carrier 100 per cent stake in Air India, and parking slots at domestic capital loans from banks. The is the question of taking a decision fiscal policy and government spending are which has been in losses ever since airports, as well as 900 slots at government has also extended its and handing over the airline,” Puri likely to continue supporting growth in the its merger with domestic operator overseas airports. Besides, the existing guarantee of Rs 6,693 said. "There is no choice, we either coming months. Globally, Goldman Sachs' running till it Indian Airlines in 2007. The stake bidder would get 100 per cent of crore for working capital privatise or we close the airline. economists remain optimistic about a sale process got delayed because low-cost arm Air India Express requirements. Air India at present We run a loss of Rs 20 crore every rebound in the global economy and expect gets divested of the Covid-19 pandemic. The and 50 per cent of AISATS, which has a fleet of 121 aircraft, of which day despite Air India making very strong GDP growth in 2021. A strong government has extended five provides cargo and ground it owns 65 planes. Subsidiary Air money now. recovery in global growth provides a supportive backdrop for India's macro and Industries operating in cyclical recovery too, it said. Bengal advised to Stocks claw back some Flipkart set to acquire Cleartrip for USD 40 follow Covid protocol losses as Sensex rises 661 A meeting was convened by state points chief secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay in the presence of Mumbai. Stocks have clawed back some of million in distress sale: Reports Monday’s losses as the Sensex rose 661 several top bureaucrats of the points — but is in the grip of a fresh bout of New Delhi: Walmart owned change in consumer behaviour administration. uncertainty following the restrictions Flipkart is all set to aquire online and an increase in online Calcutta . Industries operating in announced by the Maharashtra government. travel solutions provider adoption, Flipkart has been Bengal have been advised to follow Late on Tuesday, chief minister Uddhav Cleartrip, in what has been focusing on enhancing Covid protocol to rein in the surge of Thackeray announced a virtual lockdown termed by several media outlets consumer experiences through the virus even as restrictive measures starting 8 pm on Wednesday for the next 15 as a distress sale. several investments. The e- or lockdowns have been ruled out for days. Only essential services will be allowed As per several financial daily tailer has been on a massive now. A meeting was convened by during this period. Shares of Tata reports, Flipkart-Cleartrip deal aquisition spree lately. state chief secretary Alapan Consultancy Services declined over 4 per may be sealed in the next 10 Meanwhile, with business Bandyopadhyay in the presence of cent on Tuesday as the company’s March days. The deal, to be a mix of severely affected due to the several top bureaucrats of the quarter earnings failed to cheer investors. cash and stock, is likely to value onslaught of the COVID-19 administration to exhort the industry The stock tumbled 5.14 per cent to Rs Cleartrip at around $40 million, pandemic, the travel and to encourage work from home, 3,074.55 during the day on the BSE. It closed introduce flexible shifts on the shop at Rs 3,105, lower by 4.21 per cent. On the reports further added. tourism industry players want The deal comes at a time when the the government to provide floor and office, avoid NSE, it dipped 3.89 per cent to Rs 3,120. congregations, arrange vaccination Infosys, which fell 1.91 per cent, will travel and hospitality industry is targeted support to the sector, to going through a massive lull in help them meet their operating at the office or factory site for announce its results on Wednesday. The 30- eligible workers/employees and share BSE Sensex gained momentum in late- the wake of COVID-19 costs and retain jobs. Travel booking platforms too find create quarantine centres and safe afternoon trade to close 660.68 points or pandemic. In fact, several an important meeting of airline assistance package from the homes. 1.38 per cent higher at 48544.06. On similar airline companies have once companies with the Secretary of government to deal with the themselves in a tight spot as the again started demanding the Ministry of Civil Aviation second Covid wave, reported second wave of Covid-19 hit While several states have imposed lines, the broader NSE Nifty surged 194 some restrictions or curbs on the points or 1.36 per cent to finish at 14504.80. financial assistance package (MoCA) on Monday, most flight news agency ANI.With the India and public movement is being restricted across states. movement of people and vehicles Indirect taxes from the central government. In operators demanded financial pandemic bringing about a impacting business, Bengal has not Net indirect tax collection in 2020-21 grew done so despite seeing a massive 12.3 per cent to Rs 10.71 lakh crore, surge in Covid cases over the past exceeding the revised estimate of Rs 9.89 fortnight, primarily because of the lakh crore, the finance ministry said on long drawn assembly elections. “We Tuesday. The collection in indirect taxes, Petrol, Diesel Prices Fuel prices remain unchanged are asking the industry to revert to which includes GST, customs and excise the same protocol that they followed duties, was Rs 9.54 lakh crore in 2019-20. during the last peak. A positive Net collections from Goods and Services aspect is that people are not scared Tax (GST) stood at Rs 5.48 lakh crore during for 15th day; check prices in metro cities like last time and there are vaccines 2020-21, an 8 per cent drop compared with available. However, the flip side is Rs 5.99 lakh crore in the previous fiscal year. people have become careless too,” Customs revenue during 2020-21 was Rs 1.32 New Delhi: Fuel prices remained an official said. Apart from various lakh crore, a 21 per cent growth over Rs 1.09 Z Rates differ unchanged for 15th day on chambers of commerce such as CII, lakh crore collected in 2019-20. Net Wednesday as oil marketing Ficci, ICC and MCC, trade bodies collections from central excise and service companies decided to keep rates on representing tea, jute and leather tax (arrears) stood at Rs 3.91 lakh crore, up from state to hold today. were called. Industry leaders were 59.2 per cent from Rs 2.45 lakh crore Petrol and diesel prices were cut asked to sensitise their respective mopped up in 2019-20. state. three times in the month of March members to follow Covid protocols. during which petrol became Moody’s alert cheaper by 61 paise per litre and Alok Roy, who represented the Bengal The second wave of the coronavirus pandemic Z Rates depend diesel prices were reduced by 60 Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is credit negative and poses a threat to the paise per litre. On the last day of said the government encouraged economic recovery in India, global rating on the March, there is no change in the possible tie-ups between industry agency Moody’s said. It said the infections prices of fuel. Petrol and diesel bodies and hospitals for large scale present a risk to growth forecasts as the re- incidence of prices were slashed on March 24 vaccination of eligible groups of imposition of virus management measures by oil marketing companies for people. Industry bodies were will curb economic activity. first time in over a year. Prices relieved when a lockdown — VAT. were last reduced on March 16, complete or partial — were ruled out Niraj Shah hikes McLeod 2020. Petrol prices have gone up by For diesel, the central excise adds up U.S. oil inventories declined more during the meeting. “We all know Z Taxes make up a record Rs 21.58 per litre in the last to Rs 31.83 and VAT to Rs 10.99. than expected and OPEC raised its how the industry and economy stake to 7% one year while diesel prices have Besides, the price also includes a outlook for oil demand. Brent suffered during the lockdown in increased by Rs 19.18 a litre. Here dealer commission of a minimum crude futures rose 28 cents, or 2020. It was a relief to see that the Calcutta. Mumbai-based investor Niraj for nearly two- is looking at the price difference of Rs 2.6 per litre on petrol and Rs 2 0.4%, to $63.95 a barrel at 0057 administration is not thinking on Rajnikant Shah has scooped up a little more diesel and petrol in four metro on diesel. Petrol and diesel prices GMT, after climbing 39 cents on those lines,” said an industry than a 2 per cent stake in bulk tea producer third of the cities on April 14, 2021. Central are revised on a daily basis in line Tuesday. US West Texas member who was present. Apart McLeod Russel India Ltd, taking his holding government makes up for Rs 32.98 with benchmark international price Intermediate (WTI) crude futures from the chief secretary, home in the Khaitan family promoted company to retail selling per litre of the price of petrol in and foreign exchange rates. Oil similarly climbed 28 cents, or secretary H.K. Dwivedi, industry over 7 per cent. Shah consolidated his Delhi and sales tax or VAT of the prices rose in early trade on 0.5%, to $60.46 a barrel, adding to secretary Vandana Yadav, MSME position as the second largest shareholder of state government constitutes Rs Wednesday, adding to overnight Tuesday`s rise of 48 cents, a secretary Rajesh Pandey and health price. gains, after industry data showed Reuters report said. secretary N.S. Nigam were also the company where the promoters now hold 19.55. present. only 17.48 per cent. According to the latest regulatory filing, Shah acquired a little over 21.28 lakh shares in McLeod representing 2.042 per cent stake. Prior to this, Shah held 5.15 per cent in the company. Following the Explained: How much will fresh Covid lockdowns cost India latest series of acquisitions, the investor now has 7.19 per cent in McLeod. Shah’s accumulation comes in the backdrop of India's economy has been hit hard by the second wave of Covid-19. Lakhs of businesses are already the Burman family cornering a sizable chunk of shares in Eveready Industries, the feeling the heat of renewed restrictions imposed to contain the rapid spread of infections. other frontline company from the Khaitan stable. The promoters of FMCG giant Dabur New Delhi Stricter curbs to contain the Covid- billion, according to a report by British Barclays report said. It noted that around 60 now hold close to a 20 per cent stake in the 19 virus have been announced in brokerage firm Barclays.“Taking into per cent of the economy is subject to some dry cell battery maker Eveready where Maharashtra. Though the state has not account rolling Covid curbs, if the current mobility restrictions now.The report also Khaitans now own less than 5 per cent. imposed a complete lockdown, Chief restrictions remain in place until the end of expected concern about the restrictions in Sources in McLeod said Shah’s Minister Uddhav Thackeray said there will May, we estimate that the cumulative loss of Maharashtra, which contributes over 14-16 accumulation was an independent decision be a strict curfew in the state starting at 8 pm activity could amount to around $10.5 per cent of India’s GDPArecent Care Ratings of an investor and nothing more should be from April 14. The curfew will be observed billion, or around 0.34 percentage point (pp) report said mobility curbs will lead to around read into it. In contrast, initially the Burmans till April 1.Other states that have been of annual nominal gross domestic product Rs 40,000 crore gross value added (GVA) were believed to have come forward to take witnessing a surge in daily cases and deaths (GDP),” wrote Rahul Bajoria, chief India loss in a month and any extension will lead to the Khaitans out of the woods at Eveready. are also likely to announce stricter curbs economist at Barclays. The report has been higher output losses. Shah holds shares in listed companies such as besides night curfews. Experts have said that co-authored with Shreya STATE-WISE LOSS Likhita Infrastructure and RPP Infraprojects the overall impact on the economy due to the Sodhani.“However, the impact on the Q1- highest-ever daily spike. Partial lockdowns and night curfews across second Covid-19 wave could be worse than FY22 nominal GDP is likely to be higher, If the trend of rising cases continues, it will different states have led to a cumulative Restructuring earlier predictions. shaving around 1.4 pp from Q1-FY22 The stock purchase also coincides with the lead to harsher restrictions across the country business loss of Rs 46,000 crore in 10 days, COST OF LOCALISED LOCKDOWNS nominal GDP,” the report added. and severely impact many business and according to the Confederation of All India deliberations undertaken by the secured and A report has indicated that localised It seems that the sharp rise in cases has spoiled economic activity. This could ultimately Traders Association (CAIT).Of the total unsecured lenders of McLeod Russel to lockdowns in key economic hubs like all previous projections of growth and create another vicious economic cycle, amount, the retail trade loss is roughly Rs restructure its outstanding debt . As tea Maharashtra and Delhi can cost the economy economists are already realigning their accompanied by higher jobs losses, lower 32,000 crore and that of the wholesale prices soared in the last season on the back of roughly $1.25 billion each week and stance in view of the present situation. Most household income and falling demand. business is Rs 14,000 crore, according to a supply shortage, all frontline bulk tea negatively impact the GDP in the first of the revised growth estimates for India did MOBILITY CURBS CAIT.CAIT secretary general Praveen producers reaped the benefits, including quarter of FY22.If the current restrictions not take into account such a sharp rise in Mobility curbs due to localised lockdowns for Khandelwal said recently that the amount of McLeod. Average auction prices for north remain in place till the end of May, the cases.India has been reported over one lakh a period of two months could cost the loss pertains to nine states in the country and Indian tea from January to. cumulative loss of economic and daily cases for the past eight days, and it has economy $5.2 billion in lost output, the has been calculated after taking feedback commercial activity could be around $10.5 reported over 1.8 lakh cases today — the from prominent trade leaders. New Delhi, Thursday, 15 April, 2021 SPORTS THE SIKH TIMES 11 MI vs KKR: Even I fail to read your balls: Rahul Chahar reveals words of motivation from Rohit Sharma Mumbai Indian leg-spinner Rahul Chahar orchestrated his team's 10-run run over Kolkata HIGHLIGHTS Knight Riders (KKR) by taking 4 wickets in the match at Chennai's Chepauk on Tuesday. KKR after restricting MI to 152, were cruising at 72 / Rahul Chahar has without losing any wicket when Rahul Chahar dismissed Shubman Gill first before sending Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan and Nitish Rana revealed how Rohit back in the pavilion. KKR's innings could never recover from there as they failed to scored even 31 runs off the last 5 Sharma motivated him in overs. The 21-year-old, who gave just 27 runs from his 4 overs, was adjudged Man of the the match against KKR on Match for his performance. In the post-match press conference, Chahar has revealed the words of motivation from captain Rohit Sharma Tuesday during the match. Rohit, the most successful captain in the history of the league, asked him to / bowl confidently, adding that even he fails to Chahar ended up read his deliveries in the nets. “Rohit told me that ‘bowl with the confidence and sometimes dismissing KKR's top four even I fail to read your ball so how would they. Stay focused and hit the right lengths’. I knew that spinner is going to be a game-changer in this to help MI win by 10 runs match. I had the confidence that I can do that,” Rahul Chahar said. “I enjoyed Rahul Tripathi’s / wicket most as that ball turned well. As a leg- Chennai wicket helped spinner, you want that kind of turn and it was exactly like that,” he added. Further, Chahar stated that he along with all-rounder Krunal the spinners this time: Pandya will play the main role for the team on spin-friendly pitches. “We both bowled well. Rahul Chahar Krunal did not give many runs in his spell. In the last get these kinds of wickets." When asked about did he players in the nets so there was no such pressure in match it was not like this but this time there was help from feel any pressure bowling in such a tight game against bowling against international stars. This is my fourth the wicket for spinners. We will play the main role if we international stars, he said, “I was bowling to Indian year in MI and in the nets also I bowl to Pollard. Neymar calls PSG "home" Champions League: Defending Brian Lara slams KKR’s careless approach in 10-run champions Bayern Munich amid contract extension talks defeat to MI: You have to play sensible cricket knocked out, PSG reach semi- New Delhi. Batting great Brian Lara was surprising to see Eoin Morgan trying The leg-spinner getting left-handers out, final on away goals expressed surprise at Kolkata Knight to attack the in-form spinner who was that’s not normal. That’s supposed to be Riders’ approach in the middle-overs getting a lot of purchase from the Chepauk the right match-up for a batsman. But he during their failed chase of a 153-run wicket. Raha threw away his wicket while got them all out because they played target against Mumbai Indians in Match 5 trying to step down and attack Chahar off carelessly.” Credit must be given to of Indian Premier League 2021 in Chennai the last delivery of his spell. One more Mumbai: Lara Biran Lara credited Rohit on Tuesday. KKR left-hander, Shakib Al Hasan, fell to Sharma and his men for sticking to their Brian Lara said all Kolkata Knight Riders a spinner who turned the ball into him as bowling plans and taking the game down needed after a solid start from their he holed out at deep mid-wicket against to the wire, saying it would been a openers in the chase was a bit of “sensible Krunal Pandya. The two Mumbai Indian commendable effort from the 5-time cricket” but that the former champions spinners picked up 5 wickets between champions even if they had lost the match paid the price for some careless cricket them while conceding just 40 runs in 8 towards the end. Notably, captain Rohit from their middle-order batsmen, overs. “Mumbai Indians won it because brought himself on to bowl an over and Sao Paulo. Striker Neymar called Paris Saint- including experienced players. KKR were they had the right bowlers at the right nearly got the wicket of Shakib Al Hasan Germain his "home" after the team's 1-0 cruising at 103 for 3 in the 13th over and time,” Brian Lara told Star Sports.“The after overcoming a twisted ankle scare. defeat against Bayern Munich, which was still needed a little over run-a-ball from there to pressure piled on. It’s a slow track. It’s not “Even Rohit’s over. enough for the French club to advance to the clinch their second successive win of the a track where you can walk in and play He bowled an over where he got an under- Champions League semifinal. IPL 2021 season. With a well-set Nitish your shots. You have got to take your time. edge. They played smart cricket. If even New Delhi. Paris St Germain reached the The Brazilian is currently negotiating a contract Rana and captain Eoin Morgan in theA 145 is the average score in Chepauk. they had lost at the end, they played the Champions League semi-finals despite a 1-0 extension."I don't think this is even a topic middle, KKR looked on course toYou have got to take that into best they could. Credit must be given to home defeat by defending champions Bayern anymore, I obviously feel very comfortable, at complete the chase without any majorconsideration. “You can’t be like ‘okay, Mumbai for going out there and putting Munich on Tuesday as they progressed on away home at PSG," Neymar told TNT Sports Brazil hiccups. However, leg-spinner Rahulwe got a good start, let's just steamroll this that plan together and taking it right down goals after a 3-3 aggregate result in a thriller that after the match at Parc des Princes stadium in Chahar ran through the KKR batting order,opposition'. You have got to play sensible to the end,” Lara added. was on a knife edge until the final whistle. Bayern Paris. cricket. striker Eric Choupo-Moting scored the only goal removing both Nitish Rana and Eoin Having completed a hard-fought win, before the interval but it was not enough to "I feel happier than before." Morgan after he got Shubman Gill and You have got to see which bowlers are Mumbai Indians will be upbeat when they overturn the German side's 3-2 loss in last week's Neymar's tone is very different from less than Rahul Tripathi, who came in at No. 4. It potent on this track and the spinners are. face Sunrisers Hyderabad. quarter-final first leg. After losing 1-0 to Bayern in two years ago, when Barcelona officials were last year's final, PSG now stands one step away confident they would be able to bring the from their 2nd final of its 51-year history and Brazilian back to Camp Nou.The Brazilian remains on course to win it for the first time. PSG forward became the most expensive player in Champions League: Chelsea enter semi- are entering the Champions League semi-final for the world when he moved from Barcelona to the third time. PSG for 222 million euros (about 250 million) in 2017. His first two seasons with the French Mauricio Pochettino's PSG got ore than one chance champions were disappointing, with the star final after beating Porto 2-1 on aggregate to seal a win in second leg as well but lacked out of key matches due to injuries. efficiency, with Neymar hitting the woodwork New Delhi. The cross from the post-match news conference twice and Kylian Mbappe's speed proving tough Now at age 29, the Brazilian has boosted his to handle but with no end product. PSG kept their profile in Paris after great performances that right was curling away from after questions about the goal at shoulder height when confrontation. Tuchel shrugged composure in a nerve-wrecking finale to book a took PSG to the last final of the Champions last-four spot against Manchester City or Borussia League, which ended in a 1-0 defeat against Mehdi Taremi took off, it off. He has bigger concerns, connecting with a spectacular firstly an FA Cup semifinal Dortmund, who play on Wednesday. Bayern Bayern in Lisbon.Neymar also talked about eventually paid for the absence of injured his raucous end-of-match celebration in front scissor kick that sent the ball match against Manchester City into the top corner from 12 on Saturday and then a second talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski and of Bayern's Joshua Kimmich. forward Serge Gnabry, who had tested positive for "I wasn't celebrating to provoke him. I meters out. straight Champions League semifinal on a personal basis. COVID-19, while PSG managed to live without celebrated with Leo Paredes, he was in front of A beautiful goal — arguably the captain Marquinhos and influential midfielder me," Neymar said."It was fate that Kimmich best in the Champions League Last year, he was at this stage with Paris Saint-Germain and Marco Verrati. "Normally, my team has so much was also there, he said his team is better and this season — to settle an ugly quality in the final third, but today they were they would go through. As if he was secured in match. advanced to the final, where his team lost to Bayern Munich. lacking that final punch. We have to accept that, the semifinal."PSG's semifinal opponent will It wasn't enough for Porto. even though we would have liked a different be known on Wednesday. Manchester City Chelsea qualified for the PSG avenged that loss by an arm-wrestle and was happy accept that, but it's very hard to knocking out Bayern on outcome," said Bayern coach Hansi Flick who won the first leg against Borussia Dortmund semifinals for the first time to rely on the away goals scored play your best game against added that he would decide on his future at the club 2-1.Neymar hit the post and the bar in three since 2014 despite a 1-0 loss to Tuesday, progressing on away by Mason Mount and Ben Porto. “Part of a performance is goals after losing the second at the end of the season "Now we're in the semi- clear opportunities on Tuesday, which made the Portuguese champions on Chilwell in the first leg, which not letting your opponent finals and we can dream big," said Neymar. him promise coach Mauricio Pochettino he Tuesday, the English team leg 1-0. Tuchel doesn't have the was also played in Seville perform. This is what they do star quality of PSG at his Pochettino added, "We were very focused. It was a will be sharper in the next stage. going through 2-1 on aggregate because of coronavirus and this is what we do also. really tough match I'm really happy because the to meet either Real Madrid or disposal at Chelsea, just a restrictions. It wasn't pretty but Today was the day to hang in.” young, hard-working squad players deserve big credit. To win and qualify for Liverpool for a place in the Chelsea manager Thomas The niggly nature of the the semi-finals is an amazing moment for us." India make winning start at youth final.Aside from Taremi's which is outperforming Tuchel didn't care. “I can quarterfinal extended to the expectations — albeit despite a COUNTER THREAT stunning, acrobatic effort in the imagine that both games were sidelines, with Tuchel and fourth minute of second-half spending spree of around $300 PSG's home form has been a cause for concern this world boxing championship not the nicest games to watch Sérgio Conceição exchanging million in the last offseason. season, but this time they did not freeze and stoppage time, Chelsea on the television for spectators words at the final whistle and successfully stifled Porto in “We take it like an adventure,” proved extremely dangerous on the break New Delhi. (PTI) India were off to a perfect who look for entertainment,” the Porto coach showing his he said. throughout the match. start at the youth world boxing what proved to be something of Tuchel said. "I can totally frustration by cutting short his championships in Kielce, Poland with Poonam (57kg) and Vinka (60kg) advancing to the pre-quarterfinals after notching up contrasting opening-round IPL 2021: Dinesh Karthik batted till end but couldn't win wins. While Poonam out-punched Colombia's Valeria Mendoza 5-0, Vinka edged past the match for KKR, shameful defeat - Virender Sehwag Russia's Daria Panteleeva 3-2 to make the last-16 stage on Tuesday. New Delhi. Kolkata Knight balls. Former India opener to a good start they could only Next up for Poonam is Hungary's Beata Riders (KKR) did all the hard Virender Sehwag has slammed manage 152. “Kolkata Knight Varga. Vinka, on the other hand, will square work to restrict defending KKR for the 'shameful' defeat Riders just lost the game which off against Kazakhstan's Zhuldyz champions Mumbai Indians on and questioned the intent of was almost won at one stage. Shayakhmetova.India have fielded a 20- 152. Their openers Shubman Andre Russell and Dinesh When Russell came into bat, member contingent -- 10 men and as many Gill (33) and Nitish Rana (57) Karthik. “Eoin Morgan had KKR needed 30 runs in 27-odd women -- for the marquee age group event. gave a flying start to the team given a statement that they will balls. Dinesh Karthik batted The women's side also features 2019 Asian but what happened next has play that way (with postive till the end but couldn’t win the Youth champion Naorem Babyrojisana bamboozled many. intent) after the first game but game. That’s a shameful Chanu (51kg), Sanamacha Chanu (75kg), 31 runs were needed off 30 balls it didn't look like that when defeat. “The runs per ball when Nitish Rana departed on Andre Russell and Dinesh difference wasn’t much except Alfiya Pathan (+81kg) and three-time Karthik came in to bat. The for the last couple of overs. We Khelo India gold medallist Arundhati the last delivery of the 15th over. Star Bangladesh all- way Russell and Karthik saw how to lose a game that is Choudhary (69kg) along with Gitika rounder Shakib Al Hasan was batted, it felt like they planned almost won. You hardly get (48kg), Arshi Khanam (54kg), Nisha joined by vice-captain Dinesh to take the game till the end and any game where you are (64kg) and Khushi (81kg).The men's Karthik and hard-hitting win it. But that didn’t happen. chasing 152 and you need to challenge is being spearheaded by Asian finisher Andre Russell was yet The batters who came before score 36-odd runs in 6 overs Youth Championship silver-medallist to arrive in the middle. But them be it Shakib Al Hasan, with 6-7 wickets in hand. In Ankit Narwal (64kg) and Asian junior KKR messed up everything, Eoin Morgan, Shubman Gill or such scenarios, teams prefer to champion Chongtham Bishwamitra managing just 20 runs in the Nitish Rana all of them played end the game quickly to (49kg).Other male boxers in the squad are last 5 overs. They lost three with positive intent,” Sehwag improve their net run rate. But Vikas (52), Sachin (56kg), Akash Gorkha wickets in the period as told Cricbuzz. KKR failed to do that and (60kg), Sumit (69kg), Manish (75kg), Vinit Mumbai Indians snatched a "Either Rana or Gill should have hampered their net-run rate,” (81 kg), Vishal Gupta (91kg) and Jugnoo 10-run win from the jaw of batted till the end. They had Virender Sehwag concluded. (+91kg). defeat. Dinesh Karthik seen what had happened in the KKR will next face Virat remained unbeaten on 8 off 11 MI innings, despite getting off Kohli-led RCB on Sunday.