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Gen. Naravane has hurt ILO appeals to Japan PM Abe lifts state Hockey legend and Gurkha sentiments, says Prime Minister not to of emergency after Olympian Balbir Singh Nepal Defence Minister dilute labour laws COVID19 cases fall Senior passes away page 9 page 10 page 12 page 14
Printed at . Chennai . Coimbatore . Bengaluru . Hyderabad . Madurai . Noida . Visakhapatnam . Thiruvananthapuram . Kochi . Vijayawada . Mangaluru . Tiruchirapalli . Kolkata . Hubballi . Mohali . Malappuram . Mumbai . Tirupati . lucknow . cuttack . patna NEARBY Air travel resumes but many Testing up in States seeing seats on 532 fl ights go empty massive return of migrants Country records 6,125 new cases and 151 deaths 635 new COVID19 cases; 39,000 passengers ferried; last-minute cancellations leave many frustrated Minister’s staff infected Nistula Hebbar NEW DELHI Bindu Shajan Perappadan special correspondent NEW DELHI Delhi reported 635 new NEW DELHI COVID19 cases in the past 24 Airlines ferried more than The Union Health Ministry hours, taking the total to 39,000 passengers on 532 has admitted that Uttar Pra 14,053, said a government health bulletin. A person fl ights on Monday as domes desh, Bihar, West Bengal working at Health Minister tic air travel was resumed af and Odisha, currently wit Satyendar Jain’s camp offi ce ter two months. But a large nessing a largescale return has tested positive. number of passengers were of migrant workers, and re CITY Ī PAGE 3 left stranded as airlines were mote areas need aggressive DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD forced to cancel half the COVID19 testing capacity fl ights just hours before take scaleup to clear any North India reels under off due to poor coordination backlogs. intense heatwave between the Centre and the The admission comes at a NEW DELHI States. time when the country is Several parts of north India Late on Sunday, airlines among the top 10 hotspots of reeled under an intense were told to curtail their op COVID19 worldwide, adding heatwave with many districts erations after Maharashtra, in Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Telangana and Tamil Nadu, Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh posting temperatures over 45 with some of the busiest air degrees Celsius. ports in the country — Mum approximately over 6,000 NORTH & EAST Ī PAGE 4 bai, Hyderabad and Chennai cases every 24 hours in the DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD — restricted the number of fourth phase of the national fl ights that could be operat lockdown.
Heavy rain hits fi ve ed. Others like West Bengal Safe journey: Passengers coming out of the airport in New Delhi on Monday. * V.V. KRISHNAN On Monday, the State Assam districts and Andhra Pradesh post health departments report GUWAHATI poned the reopening of row & West Bengal from 28 COVID19, occupancy was tough protocols and health ed 6,125 cases and 151 forced the Indian Council of the UTs. We are using indige Heavy rain has aff ected more their airports until May 28 May, these numbers are all sparse with just 25%50% guidelines were hard hit by deaths. This takes the total Medical Research to scale up nous vendors and manufac than 30,000 people in fi ve and May 26, respectively. set to increase further,” Civil seats fi lled. This has come as lastminute changes and can COVID19 tally to 1,44,659 its testing laboratories. So turers to produce swabs for districts of Assam. Goalpara is “From no domestic pas Aviation Minister Hardeep a surprise to the airlines as it cellations. Airlines had their cases, including 79,959 ac far, we have scaled up with sample collection, RNA ex the worst aff ected with 89 senger fl ights yesterday to Puri tweeted on Monday. was felt that there might be hands full reworking fl ight tive ones. The total death toll 15 testing laboratories in Bi tractions kits and RTPCR villages inundated. Other 532 fl ights & 39,231 passen pentup demand for travel, schedules and facing passen stands at 4,170. har, 17 in Odisha, 28 in Uttar diagnostic material,” said a fl oodhit districts are gers today, action has re Wary passengers especially from people ger ire over cancellations. “The heavy infl ux of mi Pradesh and 36 in West Ben senior offi cial. Darrang, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh turned to Indian skies. With However, in a possible sign stranded in diff erent States. grant workers into States like gal. This has been paired and Lakhimpur. CONTINUED ON Ī PAGE 8 CONTINUED ON Ī PAGE 8 NEWS Ī PAGE 11 Andhra Pradesh set to res of reluctance among passen But many of those who Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West with supplies of testing ma MORE REPORTS PAGES 8 & 10 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD ume operations from tomor gers to travel in the times of did decide to fl y despite the EDITORIAL Ī PAGE 6 Bengal and Odisha has terials to all the States and Ī
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC Deliberations on to Working away the blues Despite glut, cut in end LAC tensions fuel prices unlikely India and China deploy more troops It is a conscious decision: Pradhan Dinakar Peri ports stating that 18 IndoTi Nistula Hebbar pearance of demand world NEW DELHI betan Border Police (ITBP) NEW DELHI wide. The situation arose Deliberations are continu personnel from a larger pa Union Minister for Petro fi rst because of the price ing on a daily basis between trol party were detained by leum and Natural Gas Dhar wars between oil exporting military commanders of In Chinese soldiers. However, mendra Pradhan described nations... Due to the lock dia and China on the the Indian Army on Sunday the situation prevailing in downs in major economies, ground, in addition to other denied any such the oil market as “extraor the demand dried up. There channels of communica “detention”. dinary” even as he ruled out were no takers for the crude tion, to resolve the situation The other area that conti any fuel price cuts in India being produced,” the Minis along the Line of Actual nues to see major tensions is despite the supply glut, stat ter said. Control (LAC), offi cial sourc the Galwan Nalah area with ing that the Union govern es said on Monday. tensions at two to three ment had taken a “cautious ‘Unusual circumstances’ Discussions were on daily points. A road branching and conscious” decision to “The reduction of demand at diff erent levels on the from the 255 km Darbuk use the savings for welfare. has led to a peculiar situa ground, including at the Bri ShyokDaulat Beg Oldi road Speaking to The Hindu in tion where the product pric gade Commander and Divi towards the Galwan Nalah an exclusive interview on es are less than the price of sion Commander levels, the seems to be the reason for Monday, Mr. Pradhan was crude. These negative mar sources said. However, ten Chinese objections. “This also optimistic that price gins and low crude prices do sions continue at various stand of China is not tenable stabilisation was likely as not refl ect the real econom places along the LAC with as the Galwan area has nev more and more countries ics of oil refi ning and pricing both sides digging in with er been a point of conten were trying to restart eco of end products. Our go reinforcements, and a wait tion earlier,” multiple sourc nomic activity after lengthy vernment’s view is to take a and watch situation was un es said. This amounted to a lockdowns due to the CO cautious and conscious ap folding, the sources stated. change in the status quo and VID19 pandemic. proach of a balance in price, The green top hill above would not be acceptable to “The oil industry is faced save it and use it for wel the fi nger area of Pangong India, they said. Employees busy at work in a smallscale unit at the SIDCO Industrial Estate in Coimbatore on Monday. Factories are operating with an extraordinary situa fare,” he said. Tso (lake) seems to be the with curtailed staff strength amid the continuing COVID19 lockdown. * M. PERIASAMY tion... Slippage of crude latest friction point, with re CONTINUED ON Ī PAGE 8 CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC prices is coupled with disap INTERVIEW Ī PAGE 9
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC Priyanka questions Yogi’s claim on A marriage midway on the Assam-West Bengal border infection among migrant workers Groom travels 175 km and bride 55 km for minimalist wedding beside an entry check-gate 75% of Maharashtra returnees were infected, said U.P. CM RAHUL KARMAKAR and halfadozen people GUWAHATI travelled about 175 km from special correspondent Assam’s Kajol and West Nagrakata Station Para, LUCKNOW Bengal’s Om Prakash while the bride and her Congress general secretary Where did he derive expected a routine union family members travelled 55 Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on <> the fi gures about his when their marriage was km to meet at Sagolia. Monday asked Uttar Pradesh claim... If so [true], then fi xed six months ago. But Chief Minister Yogi Aditya why is the testing so low? the lockdown literally MLA witness nath to explain on what ba turned it into an event on The police cleared a spot sis he had claimed that 75% PRIYANKA GANDHI the edge. beside the Sagolia check of the migrant workers who CONGRESS GENERAL SECRETARY They tied the knot late on gate for the marriage. returned from Maharashtra Saturday (May 23) night “The parents of the bride and 50% from Delhi were in beside a checkgate at and groom requested me to fected with the novel Sagolia on the AssamWest witness the wedding. I coronavirus. Bengal border. returned from the border on While interacting with BJP governments. er 10 lakh people were really It was a minimalist Sunday after blessing the presspersons on Sunday infected. ceremony. About 20 couple,” Mr. Sarkar said. through videoconferencing, ‘Unverifi ed fi gures’ The Congress leader de persons, including priests Two States: Kajol and Om Prakash with MLA Ashwini Ray Sarkar, right, after the wedding. Dhubri district offi cials Mr. Adityanath had given Taking to Twitter, Ms. Vadra manded that the govern from both sides, were * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT said the couple were driven these fi gures and said that asked Mr. Adityanath from ment reveal to the public the present along with local to a quarantine centre in the high number of migrant where did he derive the fi testing data and other prep MLA Ashwini Ray Sarkar. would have liked,” said Ms. home. But the Assam Jalpaiguri district [West Jalpaiguri district where workers having COVID19 gures about his claim, dub arations against COVID19. The couple’s parents had Kajol’s father Mahesh Sha, a government on May 8 Bengal] coordinated for the they are expected to spend was posing a challenge to Ut bing it “unverifi ed and irres As per the State govern thought of deferring the resident of Dhubri town, barred the entry of people marriage to happen while 14 days before going to the tar Pradesh. ponsible”. “If so [true], then ment data on Monday, the marriage. But the horoscope about 280 km west of from West Bengal, except the local police helped out,” house of the groom’s father, “This is a challenge for us. why is the testing so low,” total COVID19positive cas came in the way; priests said Guwahati. for patients, after two Mr. Sarkar, who represents Lal Dev Sha. “They will But our teams are working she asked. es in Uttar Pradesh are it would be now or never. persons from that State the BJP from the Golakganj probably never forget their strongly,” he said. Mr. Adi Given that over 23 lakh 6,497, while the active cases “Besides, there was no Assam bars entry tested positive. Assembly adjoining West marriage anniversary and tyanath, however, did not migrant workers have offi stand at 2,668. So far, 1,663 certainty when normal life A marriage devoid of the “The family sought a way Bengal, told The Hindu on lockdown honeymoon,” said provide any data to back up cially returned to Uttar Pra migrant workers who re would return to organise the usual gloss could have been out. The administration of Monday. an offi cial of the Golakganj his numbers. Maharashtra desh during the lockdown, turned from other States marriage at home as we organised at the bride’s Dhubri district and On Saturday, the groom Block in Dhubri district. and Delhi are ruled by non Ms. Vadra asked whether ov have tested positive.
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DELHI THE HINDU 2 CITY TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Timings DELHI Asymptomatic travellers TUESDAY, MAY. 26 Several domestic fl ights from IGI cancelled RISE 05:26 SET 19:12 can go home: Delhi govt. RISE 08:14 SET 22:36 Many fl yers stranded as some States impose curbs; offi cials ensure adherence to safety guidelines WEDNESDAY, MAY. 27 RISE 05:26 SET 19:12 It has issued norms for domestic journeys Jaideep Deo Bhanj At IGIA, arriving passen connecting fl ight to Kolkata RISE 09:13 SET 23:27 NEW DELHI gers were not screened and got cancelled. “There are no Staff Reporter THURSDAY, MAY. 28 Asymptomatic Domestic operations res were allowed to exit imme hotels available and I cannot New Delhi <> RISE 05:25 SET 19:13 passengers will be umed at the Indira Gandhi diately. Passengers arriving aff ord one anyway. I do not The Delhi government on RISE 10:14 SET 00:00 permitted to go International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi said they were hap have family or friends here. I Monday issued guidelines with the advice on Monday — after being sus py with the arrangements am waiting to get either a re for domestic travel via air, that they shall pended for two months — made by the airlines and fund or see when fl ights to rail, and interState buses. with 118 departures and 125 care was being taken to en Kolkata resume,” said Binay. People without any self-monitor their arrivals scheduled. Several, sure social distancing, and At the entry point of the symptoms can go to their health for 14 days. fl ights, however, were can wearing of mas ks and face terminal, CISF personnel houses after a thermal In case, they celed at the last minute as shields. were checking tickets from screening at the exit points, develop any many States implemented Nikhil Kumar, a student behind a glass screen to en according to the guidelines. symptoms, they restrictions on air travel. who traveled from Chennai sure there was no contact. “Asymptomatic passen shall inform the In particular, passengers to Delhi and was waiting to Airline operators were gers will be permitted to go helpline numbers traveling to Kolkata and catch a connecting fl ight to seen sanitising checkin bag with the advice that they Mumbai had to return home Patna, said that the airlines gage and helping people with shall selfmonitor their Govt. order after their fl ights were can disinfected his baggage, en the contactless checkin pro health for 14 days. In case, Here, those having mod celled. The Delhi Interna sured social distancing and cess. Some travelers even they develop any symp erate or severe symptoms tional Airport Limited (DIAL) kept reminding people to purchased full plastic body toms, they shall inform the will be admitted to a dedi has requested fl yers to stay wear their mask properly. suits from counters set up DDMA helpline number cated COVID19 facility. in touch with their airlines “But there were still some Passengers at IGI Terminal 3 after services resumed on outside the terminal to en concerned or the State hel People with mild symp for updated fl ight informa passengers who were not ad Monday, two months into the lockdown. * V.V. KRISHNAN sure safer travel. There were pline number,” an order is toms will be given an option tion. hering to the guidelines des also automatic sanitiser dis sued by Director General to choose between home “The fi rst fl ight to takeoff pite the announcements... A the risk after being away stranded at the airport. pensers next to kiosks set up Health Services, Nutan isolation and isolation at a Air Quality of Delhi-NCR from Delhi was 6E 643 from group of labourers were on from their home for so long. Binay, who had been stuck for self checkin. Mundeja, read. COVID19 care centre, both Delhi 153 Gurugram 142 Delhi to Pune at 4.45 a.m. my fl ight who were ignorant Sofi a, who was traveling in Ahmedabad for two Satish Chand, a cabbie public and private. All pas Ghaziabad 176 Faridabad 139 and the fi rst fl ight to land of the risks and were not ad with an infant, said: “I am months, said that he had fi rst waiting for passengers at the Hospital link sengers will be advised to Noida 147 Greater Noida 168 was SG8194 from Ahmeda hering to the norms. There terrifi ed, especially for my tried to get a ticked on a Shra airport, said: “If I pick up Every bus stand, railway sta download Aarogya Setu ■ Good ■ Satisfactory ■ Moderate bad,” said DIAL. Airlines also needs to be a protocol on baby, but there is an emer mik Special train to reach passengers from here, I tion, and airport has been app, the order said. 0-50 51-100 101-200 ...... asked passengers to check how to deal with such pas gency and I have to fl y to Kolkata. Not able to get a know that they have been linked to a hospital and peo “Airports/railway sta ■ Poor ■ Very Poor ■ Severe 201-300 301-400 >400 the rules that State govern sengers,” Mr. Kumar added. Bhopal. My child is too small train ticket, he jumped at the screened and have been al ple found to be symptomat tions/bus terminals should ...... Air Quality Index at 4 p.m. yesterday ments had put in place at the Many passengers said they to even wear a mask.” chance to take a fl ight home lowed to fl y. Elsewhere in the ic will be isolated by the be regularly sanitised/disin (Average of past 24 hours) | Source: CPCB destinations they were fl ying were nervous about fl ying in Some passengers with when resumption of domes city, there is not much work authority concerned and fected and availability of to regarding quarantine pe the given situation but had connecting fl ights that had tic services was announced. and you never know how transported in ambulances soaps and sanitisers shall be IN BRIEF riod and heath checks. no other option than to take been canceled were left He made it to Delhi but his safe it is.” to the linked hospital. ensured,” the order said.
IPU extends last date for online form submission ‘Spare visually NEW DELHI DU college principal removed JNUSU, admin spar over circular IP University on Monday said challenged of that it has decided to further Rajiv Chopra questions motive behind administration’s step extend the last date for the advising students to go home DU open book submission of online Staff Reporter application forms for all Registrar, in their letter, regarding his appointment. New Delhi examination’ programmes till June 10. wrote that an Offi cer on Spe While a selection committee, Students’ union feels that travelling at this time put lives at risk Earlier, the last date was May Offi ciating principal of Delhi cial Duty (OSD) is ordinarily comprising three governing 25. The university had to College of Arts and Com appointed for a period of six body members and two un Special Correspondent become operational, they ger their lives further. Staff Reporter New Delhi extend the last date for the merce (DCAC), Rajiv Chopra, months to offi ciate as the iversity representatives had NEW DELHI are advised to return home. Responding to the JNUSU, fourth time in a row in the was removed from his post principal of a college. It also in 2018 identifi ed Mr. Chopra Jawaharlal Nehru University The JNUSU responded to the university said that some Over 70 students, teachers, wake of COVID19 outbreak. and repatriated in a sudden contended that Mr. Chopra as fi rst in the order of merit on Monday “strongly ad the circular saying that the selfproclaimed student research scholars and NGO move by Delhi University on had completed more than for the post of principal, he vised” students living in its administration was trying to leaders always make it a activists raised concerns HC seeks PCI reply over Sunday night. six years, having been ap said the administration com hostels to go home and re put students at risk by mak point to oppose any adviso over the ability of visually nomination rejection pointed in October 2013. He posed another selection turn after the university reo ing them travel home at a ry that comes from the admi challenged students to take NEW DELHI Six-month period was thus directed to be repa committee and picked a dif pens on June 25. time when the number of nistration and give an ideo part in the proposed online The Delhi High Court has Mr. Chopra, who has been triated to his parent college, ferent professor for the post, In a circular, the Dean of cases is rising. logical colour to it. examinations, in a joint let asked the Press Council of the principal of the college Aurobindo College. who was third in the order of Students said that many stu Since the pandemic sees “The same attempt has ter to the Delhi University India (PCI) to respond to a plea challenging the rejection for the last six and a half Mr. Chopra questioned merit. dents requested to stay back no signs of slowing down, it yet again been made to play ViceChancellor last week. of nomination of a member years, said the move was the motive behind the ac The college’s governing in hostels due to nonavaila questioned why the admi politics, to give convoluted The major grievance was proposed by the Indian completely unexpected with tion, arguing that if the six body rejected this new selec bility of public transport nistration intended to make interpretations and discour that they did not have ac Newspapers Society for filling the university issuing the or month rule was being ap tion, Mr. Chopra said, adding during the lockdown. But students undergo the hard age the willing students to go cessible reading material, up vacancies in the PCI’s 13th der on late Sunday night plied to him, it must be ap that he took the university to now, as special trains and in ship of travelling twice in the home,” the university admi the letter stated. “Apart term. The court also issued through a letter to the un plied to offi ciating principals court over the matter alleg traState bus services have space of a month and endan nistration said. from accessing the reading notices to the Centre on a plea iversity representative Na of several other colleges. ing that the new selection through audio recordings by the INS challenging the veen Kumar. Mr. Chopra informed that committee was illegal and and Braille, many of them CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC March 17 order of the council. The university’s Deputy an issue had earlier arisen outside of UGC guidelines. also rely on etext, which they could listen and read A quiet aff air through the use of screen reading programmes,” it No pass needed if you have confi rmed travel ticket read. But as things stand, such material had not been Gurugram private hospitals cannot deny treatment to COVID19 patients made available by teachers, with many sending hand Special Correspondent them for treatment of CO casetocase basis. nation and vice versa. They written notes through on GURUGRAM VID19 infection and other Many private hospital will not require any move line cloud platforms. The district administration critical services”. The orders doctors and expectant moth ment pass for it”. The orders The signatories high on Monday directed private asserted that action would ers had raised questions ov said that private cab opera lighted that while availabili hospitals not to refuse treat be initiated against the hos er the lack of clarity on the tors were allowed to operate. ty of qualifi ed volunteers to ment to COVID19 patients pital under the Epidemic protocol in case pregnant act as scribes and assist vi and also allowed movement Act, 1897, without any prior woman test positive before Ghaziabad seals border sually challenged students without pass between Delhi notice, in case of violation. delivery. The district admi Meanwhile, Ghaziabad ad was often challenging in a and Gurugram for those car Mr. Khatri told The Hindu nistration has designated a ministration on Monday city such as Delhi, it would rying confi rmed air and train that there were instances polyclinic in Sector 31 for sealed its border with Delhi be especially diffi cult to ar etickets. brought to notice when such deliveries. again in view of the rising range in the rural parts of The late evening direc emergency and urgent treat Mr. Khatri said, “Passen cases in the district in the the country. tions by District Magistrate, ment was denied to CO gers who have a confi rmed last few days, according to It also pointed out that Amit Khatri, said, “Private VID19 patients. He said that air/train eticket in their an offi cial order. Essential many students did not have hospitals/nursing homes in such patients could be trans name shall be allowed to tra services will be allowed to Muslims off er prayer from their homes near Jama Masjid on the occasion of I’dulFitr on access to laptops, screen Gurugram shall not refuse ferred to governmentdesig vel from the airport/railway move across the two cities af Monday. * R.V. MOORTHY reading apps and proper any patient approaching nated COVID19 hospitals on station to their home/desti ter showing identity cards. CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC Net connection.
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC An unusual I’d at quarantine centre Shaheen Bagh residents witness muted I’d celebrations Two inmates book tickets hoping to return home on May 27 AntiCAA protester helps riotaff ected families; locals greet each other on video calls due to lockdown Hemani Bhandari NEW DELHI Hemani Bhandari daughters. “Every year, we here where they used to put NEW DELHI used to go to our home swings, but it’s not there this For those stuck at Sultanpuri The streets of Shaheen village in Sambhal where all time. We used to eat biryani quarantine centre, this I’d Bagh, which were fi lled with the cousins gather. It used to and then spent hours in the ulFitr’s only highlight was a antiCAA protesters and art be a lot of fun. There used to carnival. Today, we went to special lunch with a sweet until a few months ago, be a huge amount of Idi our friends’ houses, wished dish. wore a rather silent look on from relatives and their parents but got only Sharfuddin, a technician, I’dulFitr. Only a few sweet neighbours there. But little Idi,” said Ayat. and Abdul Ishaq (63), a re shops were open and people there’s nothing this time. Raunak said that this tired government employee on the streets, signifi cantly Only our paternal aunts and time, no new clothes were — both from Andaman and less than the usual, greeted their families have come,” bought. However, they wore Nicobar Islands’ Port Blair — each other ‘Id Mubarak’. said Ms. Sumaiya. “We can’t the best ones from the started their day by wishing A member of Tabhlighi Jamaat at a quarantine centre in
A few kilometres ahead, invite people home. We wardrobe in the spirit of the each other ‘Id Mubarak’ and Sultanpuri in the Capital. * FILE PHOTO: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR in Jasola, resides Saima can’t meet friends. It’s very festival. that was it. Khan, who was one of the boring,” added Ms. Sidra. Moreover, locals said “There are three groups alone here. It’s been two Port Blair, who are residing active protesters at Shaheen Saima Khan and her family at their residence in Jasola near there was little hugging this who have been brought here months now,” said Ishaq. in diff erent quarantine
Bagh. Like everyone else, Shaheen Bagh on Monday. * SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR Visibly disappointed time around. Instead, they [quarantine centre] who are centres, have booked their this I’d was diff erent for her Children in Shaheen Bagh mostly shook hands to still positive. So, we don’t Special lunch tickets back home for May 27 family too. She spend the used that and a little more become active in social work were also visibly exchange Id greetings and have communication with Sharfuddin said that his fa but they aren’t sure if they’ll festival day and the month for those who needed ration during the antiCAA protest. disappointed. Though they none could visit the them. The staff ers here mily back home is only cook be able to catch the fl ight. of Ramzan helping the in riotaff ected Shiv Vihar As Ms. Saima shared how were dressed up, the only mosque, which is the “most didn’t wish. It was just ing dishes and not visiting or riotaff ected families as and Mustafabad.” she celebrated I’d and spent highlight of the day was essential” deed for the day. another normal day,” said inviting relatives. For them, Anxious wait much as she could. She said that the family Ramzan, her daughters going out with friends and “Praying together on I’d is Sharfuddin. the only thing that stood out However, they are anxiously has adopted threefour Sidra (13) and Sumaiya (16), getting ice cream. Little Ayat the most important of all. The two called their fami was the lunch. waiting. “We have been al Donating income riothit families, who did not chided her. “But there was (9) – wearing a gajra in her This year, this couldn’t lies back home and ex “A bunch of volunteers as lowed to go and we have Sitting with her family at her have male members. “I had no Idi for us,” they said. head bun — came decked up happen for obvious reasons. changed greetings over the sociated with Nizamuddin booked our tickets. Howev residence, where they had visited the Idgah relief Though Ms. Saima and with her friends Shazia (10) We are wishing our relatives phone. For Sharfuddin, the Markaz has been attending er, we are hearing reports been cooking dishes since camp, where people were her family celebrated the and Raunak (11), to the ice on video calls. I am just call was also without video to our needs from outside that fl ights are being can the wee hours, she said, staying for a few weeks, and day cooking traditional cream stall and bought an praying that COVID19 leaves because he doesn’t possess a the gate. On I’d, they celled. We are not sure if “Every year in the month of met many who had my dahi-wade, chick peas, orange bar. the country soon,” said smart phone and didn’t ask brought chapatis, sabzi and we’ll be able to go. We are Ramzan, we donate 2.5% of number and contacted me,” kheer and sheer, the festival “Every year, there used to Mohammed Rizwan, a Ishaq for help. “They are all kheer for us,” said Ishaq. hoping for the best,” Ishaq our income. This year, we said Ms. Saima, who had was diff erent for the be a carnival on the grounds resident of Shaheen Bagh. together there, but we are The duo and others from said.
Published by N. Ravi at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860, Anna Salai, Chennai-600002 and Printed by S. Ramanujam at HT Media Ltd. Plot No. 8, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida Distt. Gautam Budh Nagar, U.P. 201306, on behalf of THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., Chennai-600002. Editor: Suresh Nambath (Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act). Regd. DL(ND)-11/6110/2006-07-08 ● RNI No. UPENG/2012/49940 ● ISSN 0971 - 751X ● Vol. 10 ● No. 125
CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
THE HINDU DELHI TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 CITY 3 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE AAP, BJP trade barbs over COVID19 outbreak in Zee offi ce 635 new COVID19 cases; building in mishandling of epidemic city under control: CM Noida sealed They attack each other over lack of eff ort Minister’s staff infected ‘We are prepared for surge in cases’ Special Correspondent Special Correspondent Noida New Delhi Second highest singleday jump in cases; death toll at 276 Special Correspondent pened, but there is no need The Zee Media Corporation The BJP and the Aam Aadmi New Delhi to worry,” he said. Limited building in Noida’s Party (AAP) on Monday hur Staff Reporter The COVID19 outbreak in “The situation will get Sector 16 has been sealed led accusations at one anoth New Delhi the city is “under control”, worrisome in two cases: if for sanitisation and access er over the handling of the The city registered 635 new Chief Minister Arvind Kejri there is a steady rise in the to it will be allowed only af COVID19 outbreak. COVID19 cases in the the wal said at a digital briefi ng death rate and if the cases ter the health team issues a While the BJP accused past 24 hours, taking the to on Monday — a week after are so severe that it leads to fi tness certifi cate, the Dis Chief Minister Arvind Kejri tal to 14,053. This is the se lockdown restrictions were the collapse of our health trict Surveillance Offi cer of wal of “serving a new lie” condbiggest singleday eased in the city. care system,” he added. Gautam Buddha Nagar said about the pandemic at press jump in cases so far. He , however, added that Mr. Kejriwal said there in a statement on Monday. briefi ngs every day, the AAP A record 660 new cases the government was pre are 3,829 beds in govern The statement said the attacked the BJP on CO were registered on May 22, pared for a possible upsurge ment hospitals out of which building was sealed after VID19 management in Guja Sanjay Singh as per the government’s ing in city hospitals on Mon in cases even as, according 3,164 beds had oxygen avail the second employee and rat and also hit out at BJP health bulletin. day halted their ongoing to him, most patients of the ability. Only 1,478 beds are six more people, who were Delhi chief Manoj Tiwari for cricket in another State. Also, 15 more deaths have protest against the govern disease were seen to be ex currently occupied leaving in contact with the fi rst em playing cricket in another “Every day thousands of been added to the toll, ment’s decision to cancel 14 hibiting “mild symptoms”. around 2,500 beds unoccu ployee of the organisation, State and violating the rules poor migrants are walking which now stands at 276. But day quarantine for all health pied. There are 250 ventila tested positive for of the lockdown. on the streets of India. Many all the deaths did not hap care workers, after they tors available in government COVID19. Leader of Opposition of them have lost their lives pen in the past 24 hours. work on COVID19 duty for hospitals of which only 11 The fi rst employee had Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said due to road accidents. But ig Of the 14,053 cases, 6,771 the same number of days. are being used. There are 72 tested positive on May 15. that Mr. Kejriwal had be noring such a humanitarian people have recovered and On Sunday, the Chief Dis Since the curbs were ventilators in private hospi The closure process was come “a machine of lies, as crisis, how can an elected there are 7,006 active cases. trict Medical Offi cer (north eased, Mr. Kejriwal said tals out of which only 15 are undertaken under the su he seeks to hide the failures public representative go to west) had issued an order there had been around being used, he added. pervision of the district’s of the Delhi Health Depart another State to play cricket? Delhi Secretariat that healthcare workers stay 3,500 new cases, and Chief Medical Offi cer. ment”. “Mr. Kejriwal should How can a public represen It has emerged that a person Delhi Secretariat had tested ing in hotels or bhawans in around 2,500 patients had Home isolation answer when the Delhi go tative be so insensitive?” working at Health Minister positive for the virus. the district can stay “beyond recovered. He added that “Most of the new cases of vernment will stop playing Satyendar Jain’s camp offi ce 14 days of duty”, but up to around 2,000 new beds COVID19 have mild symp with statistics? How long will ‘Gujarat has failed: AAP has tested positive for CO Medical staff recover “only 21 days”. have been reserved in 117 toms or are asymptomatic. the Delhi government conti Alleging mismanagement of VID19. “He was tested posi Around 100 healthcare “Healthcare workers, af private hospitals, along with These cases do not need to nue to harass the people of the virus outbreak in BJPled tive on Sunday and has been workers of Delhi govern ter doing their duties for 14 2,500 beds that are current be admitted to hospitals and Delhi with data on infec Gujarat, Mr. Singh said that quarantined. Also, the Minis ment’s Dr. Baba Saheb Am days, are at a risk to their fa ly available in government are advised to follow home tions?” he said. the High Court there had ter’s offi ces have been sani bedkar Hospital, who had milies,” the order noted. hospitals. isolation. My team stays in Rohini MLA Vijender Gup said that the condition of tised,” a Delhi government been infected, have reco “We are also preparing regular touch with them,” ta alleged that the health sys State civil hospital were as source said, adding that the vered, said hospital offi cials. Seven days of quarantine around 1,500 beds in GTB he said. Meanwhile, the Del tem of Delhi had collapsed good as a dungeon. patient is the Minister’s per “Almost all of them have “They have allowed us seven Hospital,” said the CM. hi government on Monday and the pandemic had “Around 865 people have sonal staff and used to come joined the hospital,” a hospi days of quarantine after 14 “It has been a week since ordered all District Magis reached unauthorised settle died in Gujarat due to the vi to the Delhi Secretariat also. tal offi cial said. days of duty. We have halted some relaxations were gi trates to appoint SDMlevel ments as well as slums. rus and the number of The Delhi government Three more healthcare the protest as we are await ven. After a period of one offi cers as nodal offi cers to Meanwhile, AAP MP San deaths in the State is the spokesperson did not res workers of the hospital, in ing offi cial communication week, I can say that the sit ensure unhindered supply jay Singh accused the BJP of highest in India. It is crystal pond to multiple calls and cluding a sanitation worker, on it from the union and Del uation is under control and of essential services and being insensitive to the clear that the health infras messages seeking comment. tested positive on Monday, hi government," said Shivaji there is no need to worry. medicines to people who plight of the poor and tructure of Gujarat has com Earlier, a driver working taking the total number of Dev Barman, president of We had expected a sudden have tested positive for CO stranded migrants and at pletely failed,” the AAP MP for the Health and Family workers infected to 117. Federation of Resident Doc rise in cases after the relaxa VID19 and are under home tacked Mr. Tiwari for playing added. Welfare Department at the Meanwhile, doctors work tors’ Association India. tions and that has hap isolation. 2 Pinjra Tod activists rearrested moments after getting bail JNU students have been sent to two days’ police custody Staff Reporter The activists were, howev remanded to two days’ pol New Delhi er, immediately arrested by ice custody. Two Pinjra Tod activists, the Crime Branch in connec who were on Sunday grant tion with a separate FIR Release demanded ed bail in connection with lodged in connection with The Communist Party of In antiCAA protests in Jafra the northeast Delhi riots un dia as well as the Communist bad, were rearrested mo der charges of Sections 147 Party of India (Marxist) have ments later in a case of riot (rioting), 353 (using criminal condemned the arrest of the ing and murder related to force to deter public servant activists, who are JNU stu the northeast Delhi riots. from discharge of his duty), dents, and demanded their Natasha Narwal and De 307 (attempt to murder), release. “Arrest of student vangana Kalita were initially 302 (murder), among oth activists, and human rights arrested on Saturday in rela ers. and civil rights activists are tion with an FIR lodged on The FIR also named rele really attacks on the Consti February 24 over a sitin vant sections of the Arms tution and our democratic protest against the Citizen Act and the Prevention of polity,” the CPI said. ship (Amendment) Act, at Ja Damage to Public Property “It is evident that the frabad metro station. The Act. Centre is using the police to police had sought twodays They were produced be create an opportunity to custody stating that the wo fore the same judge, and the crush political resistance. men were “active in antiIn Crime Branch sought 14day Serious cases like UAPA have dia activities”. remand. The investigating been registered against sev Metropolitan Magistrate offi cer said that the accused eral students,” the CPI(M) Ajeet Narayan, however, re have to be thoroughly inter said. Meanwhile, the Delhi jected the plea of the Delhi rogated to ‘uncover conspi State Committee of CPI(M) police and granted bail to racy behind the riots and cautioned the Delhi police the two women in the fi rst identity coaccused’. not to become a political FIR. The activists have been puppet. Over 445 Delhi police Heatwave continues to personnel infected scorch Capital CP reviews health status of policemen Special Correspondent Staff Reporter garding police stations bar NEW DELHI NEW DELHI ring entry of PCR and traffi c Heatwave continued in sev Over 445 Delhi police per staff to access barracks in eral parts of the national sonnel have been found in police stations as the staff capital on Monday with the fected with the COVID19 fear outbreak of COVID19 at maximum temperature at that include four SHOs and police stations. Safdarjung, the offi cial read an Additional Deputy Com After the matter was ing of city, settling four missioner of Policerank of brought to the notice of se notches above normal at 44 fi cer, a senior police offi cer nior police offi cers, a fresh degrees Celsius. The mini said on Monday. set of instructions were mum was recorded at 27.2 The offi cer added that in passed to all police stations degrees, which was one a meeting, Commissioner of ensuring access to traffi c notch above normal. Police (CP) S.N. Shrivastava and police control room un The weather station at reviewed the health status it staff ers to use barracks Palam recorded a maxi of police personnel. He re but it was mentioned that mum of 46.2 degrees, while viewed the trend of cases re there should be social dis the Lodhi Road station and ported in diff erent units and tancing and regular Ayanagar recorded maxi directed all the Deputy sanitisation. mums of 44 and 45.6 de Commissioners of Police Mr. Shrivastava also re grees respectively. Dry (DCPs) to personally visit all viewed the health status of winds blew across Delhi the police stations/units and infected policemen. He said with humidity hovering bet ensure that all the healthre that Joint CPs should share ween 18% and 52%. lated protocols are main the list of panel of doctors According to forecast, tained properly. He said cir with all concerned so that Tuesday is likely to get hot culars had been issued in the services of these doctors ter. The forecast read: this regard to all district may be utilised for briefi ng “Mainly clear sky with DCPs. and counselling of police strong surface winds during In the meeting, after Mr. staff who required medical the day. Heatwave condi Shrivastava was informed advice. tions at few places. The that the number or contain maximum and minimum ment zones were increas Isolation facility temperatures are likely to ing, he said that joint CPs Mr. Shrivastava was also in be around 45 and 28 de and district DCPs should formed that a place had grees respectively. Met de take up the matter with the been arranged in South dis partment said some relief is authorities concerned to re trict for keeping asympto expected on Thursday as duce the size of contain matic policemen under iso there is a possibility of thun ment zones so that they lation who have been dery development which could be covered eff ectively. permitted by doctors to stay may bring down tempera There were reports re at home. tures by a few notches.
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DELHI THE HINDU 4 NORTH & EAST TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Nagaland With wheat harvest over, Punjab Heatwave sweeps north India reports ‘fi rst’ registers spike in stubble burning At 47 degrees Celsius, Churu records highest temperature virus case SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI GUWAHATI Moga district has seen the highest number of farm fi re incidents at 1,179 so far Several parts of north India Nagaland on Monday re reeled under an intense ported its fi rst COVID19 VIKAS VASUDEVA incidents of deliberate straw heatwave with many dis case although a person in CHANDIGARH burning have been identifi ed tricts in Rajasthan, Haryana, the State’s commercial hub With wheat harvesting over across the State in which Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pra Dimapur had tested posi in the key grain producing challan amounting to ₹ 39, desh posting temperatures tive after being referred to a State of Punjab, there has 27,500 had been issued to the over 45 degrees Celsius or hospital in Assam more been a spike in incidents of off enders. “Besides ‘red pen fi ve degrees above what is than a month ago. stubble burning compared entry’ has been made in the normal. Menukhol John, Naga with the past two years as revenue record of 510 farm Churu in Rajasthan regis A man splashes water on his head to beat the heat in land’s Principal Secretary many farmers continue to de ers and FIRs registered tered 47° C whereas Praya Prayagraj on Monday. * PTI Health said three persons — fy the ban on the practice. against 322 farmers for defy graj in Uttar Pradesh record two men and a woman — Government data show ing the ban,” said Mr. Garg. ed 46° C. The State and peratures soar above 42° C, of the factors important for who returned from Chen that across the State, bet district administrations have triggering heatwave drawing in the monsoon nai in Tamil Nadu last week ween April 15 and May 24, as Health issues warned the residents to take conditions. rain into Kerala. However, tested positive for the vi many as 13,026 incidents of According to Sandeep Bahl, precautions. cyclone Amphan delayed russ. “Two of them are straw fi re have been report Action is being taken against those defying the stubble senior environmental engi On Sunday, the India Me Northwesterly winds this advent. The IMD had showing mild symptoms ed. Last year the number of burning ban, says Punjab Pollution Control Board. * FILE PHOTO neer at PPCB in Ludhiana, teorological Department The heat was due to dry said that it expected the and one is asymptomatic,” such incidents during the burning of wheat straw re had forecast “heatwave to northwesterly winds prevail monsoon to hit Kerala only he said, adding that their same period was 10,476 and lution Control Board. being registered against the duces the soil fertility, be severe heatwave conditions” ing over northwest and cen on June 5, while Skymet, a samples were tested in Ko in 2018, it was 11,236. Karunesh Garg, member farmers who are burning sides polluting the environ over northwest, central and tral India. The IMD said that private weather forecast hima. Offi cially, Nagaland is Moga district has seen the secretary of the Punjab Pollu wheat straw,” he said. ment. adjoining peninsular India summer temperatures in agency, disagreed saying it the last of the States after highest number of farm fi re tion Control Board, told The The ban and action against “Burning of wheat straw for most of the week along May — on average — were might hit the State by May Sikkim to report COVID19 incidents at 1,179, while Am Hindu that action was being people burning the crop resi can cause diseases such as with heavy rain over north lower than usual mostly due 28. Beginning Saturday, May positive cases. But a trader ritsar with 1,119 cases is at the taken against all those defy due is regulated under the problem in breathing, lungs east India. to several rainbearing West temperatures are fi nally in from Dimapur had tested second spot. Bathinda dis ing the ban. “Challans are be Air (Prevention and Control etc, which could aff ect recov Many parts of coastal ern Disturbances. the realm of normal for this positive in Gauhati Medical trict is third with 1,061 cases, ing issued to off enders, be of Pollution) Act, 1981. ery of patients suff ering from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and High summer tempera time of the year in north In College and Hospital on according to the Punjab Pol sides police cases are also Mr. Garg said so far 3,141 COVID 19,” he said. Maharashtra also saw tem tures in north India are one dia. April 12. Farmers protest restrictions on Pandemic dampens I’d celebrations 0 paddy cultivation in Haryana With ban on gatherings, it was a subdued aff air in Gurugram DISCLAIMER: Readers are requested to verify and make appropriate enquiries to satisfy themselves about the veracity of an advertisement before responding to any published in this newspaper. THG Ashok Kumar PUBLISHING PVT LTD., the Publisher & Owner of this newspaper, does not vouch for the authenti- city of any advertisement or advertiser or for any of the advertiser’s products and/or services. In no GURUGRAM event can the Owner, Publisher, Printer, Editor, Director/s, Employees of this newspaper/company State government wants to encourage crop diversifi cation be held responsible/liable in any manner whatsoever for any claims and/or damages for advertise- ments in this newspaper. Shamim, 40, did not buy SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT clothes on I’dulFitr this CHANDIGARH year. More than 2,000 peo Several farmers on Monday ple in his fi rm have been staged a “tractor march” in sacked, and he is not sure Haryana’s Fatehabad against about his job as well. the BJPJJP government’s de Sitting outside a meat cision to restrict paddy (rice) shop in Masjid Market near cultivation to a few areas in the steps leading to Sadar the State and sought its im Bazar Jama Masjid in Old Ci mediate withdrawal. ty, Shamim, a resident of “Farmers have started a Gurugram’s Shakti Nagar,
‘Kisan BachoKheti Bachao’ said the celebrations Masjid Market in the Old City on Monday. * ASHOK KUMAR campaign and under this ov Soil and climate is not conducive to alternative crops, say around I’d this year were no
er 2,000 farmers from farmers of Fatehabad district. * FILE PHOTO where close to what it was he said that sale was just much business since the around 50 villages of Ratia last year. half compared with the last shops remained closed for block today marched on Bhatti. (1,03,000 hectares) with al year. most part of it. Mr. Tahir their tractors towards the The Haryana government ternative crops, including ‘Saving for the future’ Mohammed Shadir, run said he off ered Namaz at his Deputy Commissioner’s of had recently launched ‘Mera maize, cotton, millet, and “Though I could, I decided ning another meat shop in home on I’d and did not fi ce in Fathehabad to regis Pani Meri Virasat’ scheme, pulses. not to buy clothes this I’d. the market, said he had make any dishes. ter their protest against the aimed at crop diversifi cation Already 2,500 people in my opened his shop just two Shiryauddin, 50, a daily State government’s decision to move away from water Congress dharna fi rm have lost jobs. It is diffi days and the usual hustle wager said he could not go of imposing restriction on guzzling paddy. Under the Separately, Congress leader cult to know what lies bustle surrounding I’d was to his village in neighbour paddy sowing,” said Jasbeer scheme, farmers sowing al Randeep Singh Surjewala ahead. So it is better to save missing. ing Nuh since the buses Singh Bhatti, Haryana presi ternative crops other than led a farmers’ protest by for the future,” said Sha The market association’s were not plying. He said he dent of the Rashtriya Kisan paddy during the ensuing holding a dharna at Guhla mim, his face duly covered president Mohammed Tahir was without work for more Sangathan, who supported kharif season will get an in Cheeka in Kaithal district with mask. said the market mostly ca than two months now, and the protest. centive of ₹ 7,000 per acre. against curbs imposed on His friend, Mohammad tered to the migrants and could not celebrate. “Let the farmer decide Eight paddyrich blocks paddy cultivation. Sahid, who runs the shop in more than half of them had what is to be sown in the including Ratia, Siwan, Guh A memorandum was sub the market, said the busi returned to the home ‘Hate campaign’ fi eld. They [government] are la, Pipli, Shahabad, Babain, mitted to the local authori ness this year was just 25 towns. He said the religious Shakir, running a dairy near asking farmers to sow alter Ismailabad and Sirsa, where ties demanding the revoca 30% of what it was last year. leaders had also prohibited Pataudi Chowk, visiting the native crop such as maize, the depth of groundwater le tion of the order. “The He added that people mass off ering of Namaz at market said his business suf but soil and climate is not vel exceeds 40 metres, are Congress would not let the would throng the mosque the mosque impacting the fered after a hate campaign conducive in most parts of included in this scheme. State government crush the and the surrounding areas sales. “I bought around a against Muslims accusing the block. Besides, the com Last year, the total paddy rights of the farmers. The in thousands every I’d to off quintal of buff alo meat hop them of spreading the dead pensation off ered is abso area of these eight blocks BJP government is working er Namaz, but this year the ing for some business after ly virus and he had to sell off lutely inadequate. We want was 2,06,000 hectares, ho to destroy the farmers by de place wore a deserted look. the lockdown, but I suff ered his cattle. “I need to start the government to imme wever, this year the govern priving them from paddy Ilyas, 55, selling seviyans a loss instead,” said Mr. Ta from scratch now. It does diately withdraw its anti ment is aiming that to re cultivation,” said Mr. too sounded dejected. A re hir. He said the entire Ram not even feel like I’d,” said farmer decision,” said Mr. place 50% of the area Surjewala. sident of neighbouring Nuh, zan month also did not see Shakir.
OBITUARY & REMEMBRANCE 5 men lynch vegetable vendor TENDERS Two of the accused arrested by Assam police DEATH SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ables after losing his factory job dur GUWAHATI ing the COVID19 lockdown. The Assam police on Monday arrest Jalil Ali and Sabir Ali, who were in ed two people for lynching a vegeta the vehicle, quarrelled with the veget ble vendor two days ago. able vendor after the minor accident. The incident happened at Monah Three others joined the duo and kuchi village near in Kamrup district’s thrashed Mr. Deka, the police said. Hajo, about 35 km northwest of The fi ve fl ed when the locals gath Guwahati. ered. They rushed the vendor, grie Police said the middleaged ven vously injured, to a local hospital dor, identifi ed as Sanatan Deka, was where he succumbed to his injuries. attacked after his bicycle had alleged “We have arrested Faizur Hoque grazed the vehicle of the accused on and Eyusuf Uddin Ahmed, two of the May 23 evening. accused. We are hopeful of catching The victim, from Tetelia village in the other three soon,” a district police the district, had taken to selling veget offi cer said. PUBLIC NOTICE
BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE
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THE HINDU DELHI TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 WEST 5 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Weather Watch FM’s package of no use to NCP chief meets Governor Rainfall, temperature & air quality in select metros yesterday micro enterprises: exCM amid rising tensions in State Party claims it was courtesy visit, no politics discussed ‘A fresh Budget must be presented in Parliament's next session’ Alok Deshpande Mumbai Alok Deshpande icies anymore. How is it go Mumbai ing to raise money for deve Nationalist Congress Party Former Maharashtra chief lopmental works? How (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on minister and senior Con much is it going to spend on Monday met with Maharash gress leader Prithviraj Cha health services? Are salary tra Governor Bhagat Singh van on Monday said the cuts planned? All these Koshyari at Raj Bhavan on an package announced by the questions need to be an invitation sent by the latter. Union government is of no swered,” he said. A new bud The NCP claimed that no help to micro, small and me get has to be presented con political issue was discussed dium enterprises (MSMEs), sidering the fi nancial and the meeting was a regu especially micro enterpris position once Parliament lar courtesy visit. es. Mr Chavan said a fresh meets in June, a loan will Speaking to reporters af Crucial meet: Governer Bhagat Singh Koshyari (left) called on
Union budget needs to be have to be availed of, and ter leaving Raj Bhavan, NCP Sharad Pawar on Monday. * FILE PHOTO Temperature Data: IMD, Pollution Data: CPCB, Map: INSAT/IMD (Taken at 18.00 Hrs) presented in the next ses currency printing has to be leader and Rajya Sabha MP Forecast for Tuesday: Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning sion of Parliament, consider pushed, Mr. Chavan said. Praful Patel said, “It was a of strained relations bet ere in the country. and gusty winds, with speeds of 30-40 kmph, likely at isolated ing the impact of successive <> Which micro “But no bold measures are routine meeting between ween the Shiv Sena, which Recently, the Governor enterprise has a places over Bihar, south interior Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puduch- lockdowns on the economy. seen in this package.” them. It was not about any heads the Maha Vikas Agha had taken a strong objection erry, Kerala, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, turnover of ₹ 100 particular political issue.” di government (of which the to a letter written by State Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Jharkhand Over 6 cr. MSMEs crore... 6.3 crore The ₹ 20 lakh cr. mystery NCP is a key constituent), Higher and Technical Educa city rain max min city rain max min “India has 6.34 crore micro enterprises Mr. Chavan referred to Gold Call for President’s Rule and the Raj Bhavan. Mr. Pa tion Minister Uday Samant Agartala...... —....34.0....27.7 Kozhikode...... —....35.8....28.4 Ahmedabad...... —....43.3....28.2 Kurnool ...... —....43.1....30.8 MSMEs, out of which 6.3 and 10.76 crore man Sachs’ recent predic Later in the day, former war was the fi rst leader from to the University Grants Aizawl...... —....27.0....19.2 Lucknow...... —....44.1....27.5 crore are micro enterprises. workers are tion that the Indian econo chief minister and Bharatiya the State to openly complain Commission (UGC), recom Allahabad...... —....47.1....28.5 Madurai...... —....40.4....26.4 Bengaluru ...... —....33.6....21.0 Mangaluru ...... —....35.5....27.8 Out of 11.09 crore workers in automatically my may drop to ()5% in Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sab about Mr. Koshyari’s inter mending cancellation of fi MSMEs, around 10.76 crore fi nancial year 202021. “The ha MP Narayan Rane too met vention in the functioning of nal year university exams. In Bhopal ...... —....44.5....27.6 Mumbai ...... —....33.1....28.8 negated Bhubaneswar...... —....34.5....28.5 Mysuru ...... —....34.0....23.2 are employed in micro busi government has to come up the Governor, demanding the State administration. Ad a letter to the CM, Mr. Kosh Chandigarh ...... —....43.0....24.6 New Delhi ...... —....45.6....27.6 Prithviraj Chavan nesses,” Mr. Chavan said, ad with new economic equa President’s Rule in Maha ditionally, BJP leaders have yari said not conducting the Chennai ...... —....37.3....29.4 Patna ...... —....40.2....29.0 Congress leader Coimbatore ...... —....37.2....26.3 Port Blair...... —....32.7....26.8 dressing the press. tions,” he said. rashtra. “The present go chosen to make frequent vi examinations amounts to Dehradun...... —....43.3....28.2 Puducherry ...... —....35.4....29.6 As per the Union Finance crore micro enterprises and Hitting out at the ₹ 20 vernment led by Uddhav sits to Raj Bhavan, complain breach of UGC guidelines. Gangtok...... 54.8....19.6....16.1 Pune...... —....41.0....24.3 Minister’s announcement, 10.76 crore workers are auto lakhcrore fi gure, Mr. Cha Thackeray is incapable of ing about the ruling party. He also asked Mr. Thackeray Goa...... —....35.5....28.8 Raipur ...... —....45.0....29.5 Guwahati ...... 28.9....29.2....21.6 Ranchi...... —....40.2....28.4 enterprises with a turnover matically negated from the van said that despite the an handling the COVID19 crisis to issue suitable instructions Hubballi...... —....37.0....24.0 Shillong...... 13.4....22.2...... — of around ₹ 100 crore, and package,” he said. nouncements, it is yet not and it has failed completely. The UGC disagreement to Mr. Samant for his unwar Hyderabad ...... —....42.3....29.2 Shimla...... —....31.8....22.6 borrower accounts with out He said Prime Minister clear how much money is The Governor must dissolve The State government had ranted intervention. Imphal ...... 3....26.8....21.5 Srinagar...... —....30.0....11.3 Jaipur ...... —....44.7....32.7 Thiruvananthapuram...... —....32.6....27.7 standing credit of up to ₹ 25 Narendra Modi’s announce going to be given. this government and bring also locked horns with Mr. Last week, Mr. Thackeray Kochi ...... 0.4....33.2....26.8 Tiruchi...... 5.4....41.7....25.8 crore on February 29, 2020, ment of a ₹ 20 lakhcrore “Forget us, 12 global fi in President’s Rule,” said Mr. Koshyari over the latter’s de did not attend the scheduled Kohima ...... 12.4....26.3....14.6 Vijayawada ...... —....39.8....29.0 will get a loan up to 20% of package and subsequent ex nancial institutions have al Rane after the meeting. mand for autonomy in ap review meeting of measures Kolkata ...... —....32.1....29.2 Visakhapatnam ...... —....34.2....30.4 the outstanding amount. planations from Union Fi so not been able to give us Meanwhile, the timing of pointing his offi cial staff . The against COVID19 held by the (Rainfall data in mm; temperature in Celsius) “Which micro enterprise nance Minister Nirmala Sith the exact number. On an av the meeting between the General Administration De Governor. Instead, he asked Pollutants in the air you are breathing Yesterday CITIES SO2 NO2 CO PM2.5 PM10 CODE has a turnover of ₹ 100 crore? araman turned out to be erage, from their numbers, NCP chief and Mr. Koshyari partment has not sanc Chief Secretary Ajoy Mehta Ahmedabad...... — .21 32 ....44 ...74 ....* The announcement essen ‘hollow.’ “Nobody trusts this the actual amount is barely holds signifi cance as it took tioned the request yet, as it to be present there as his re Bengaluru ...... 7 .33 37 ..... — ...72 ....* In observation made at 4.00 * p.m., Singrauli, Madhya tially means that these 6.3 government’s economic pol 1% of the GDP,” he said. place against the backdrop has never been done anywh presentative. Chennai ...... 3 .17 72 ....81 .....— .... Pradesh recorded an overall Delhi ...... 10 .28 21 ..212 .....— ....* air quality index (AQI) score Hyderabad ...... 4 .60 23 ..... — .103 ....* of 283 indicating an Kolkata...... 3 ...8 12 ....30 ...51 ....* unhealthy level of pollution. * In contrast, Aizawl, Mizoram Lucknow...... 5 .15 55 ..267 .....— .... recorded a healthy AQI score No interim Mumbai ...... 9 ...6 10 ....15 ...61 ....* of 17 Plea seeking termination of 24week foetus with Down Syndrome rejected Pune...... 36 .13 61 ....45 ...43 ....* Visakhapatnam 10 .29 .6 ....32 ...77 ....* relief for HDIL referred the woman to a of one foetus will aff ect the from an untreatable chromo 33yearold woman from Dahisar, Air Quality Code: * Poor * Moderate * Good (Readings indicate average AQI) medical board of the JJ Hos other foetus too. somal anomaly, which could SO2: Sulphur Dioxide. Short-term exposure can harm the respiratory system, promoters pregnant with twins, had fi led petition pital and Grant Medical Col The woman had said she cause substantial risk of making breathing difficult. It can affect visibility by reacting with other air particles to form haze and stain culturally important objects such as statues lege, and had asked the had gone through maternal mental or physical disability. and monuments. Sonam Saigal Sonam Saigal diagnosed with Down board to submit a report by screening tests on April 29 This prompted her to ap NO2: Nitrogen Dioxide. Aggravates respiratory illness, causes haze to form by Mumbai Mumbai Syndrome. May 22. The board made re and May 7. The second test proach the High Court seek reacting with other air particles, causes acid rain, pollutes coastal waters. CO: Carbon monoxide. High concentration in air reduces oxygen supply to A Sessions court has reject The Bombay High Court has A Division Bench of Justic commendations contrary to results showed that one foe ing permission to terminate critical organs like the heart and brain. At very high levels, it can cause ed the interim bail plea rejected a petition fi led by a es R.D. Dhanuka and Abhay the woman’s application, fol tus suff ered from Down Syn the foetus, claiming that the dizziness, confusion, unconsciousness and even death. fi led by Rakesh and Sarang 33yearold woman from Da Ahuja rejected the petition lowing which the Bench re drome. On May 11, she took a gynaecologist had told her PM2.5 & PM10: Particulate matter pollution can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath, reduced Wadhawan, promoters of hisar, 24 weeks pregnant based on recommendations jected the petition. second opinion from a gy terminating one foetus lung function, irregular heartbeat, asthma attacks, heart attacks and premature HDIL and key accused in with twins, to allow her to of a medical board. The board said there are naecologist and obstetrician would pose no higher risk to death in people with heart or lung disease the Punjab and Maharash terminate one of the foetuses On May 15, the court had chances that the termination who said the foetus suff ered her in the delivery. tra Cooperative (PMC) Bank scam. Mr. Wadhawan and his son Sarang have been kept at Arthur Road jail since HC paves way for release of their arrest in October last year. The former claimed Betaal that he suff ers from various Netfl ix horror series ailments and was prone to contracting COVID19. Special public prosecu Scriptwriter’s copyright infringement plea rejected tor Hiten Venegavkar op posed the bail and said Ar Sonam Saigal which he had created. thur Road is a containment Mumbai However, Mr. Wadekar’s zone and no person can go Betaal, a horror series pro claims did not impress the in or come out. Thus, in duced by actor Shah Rukh Bench of Justice K.R. Shri the current situation, it Khan’s Red Chillies Enter ram who noted that he did would not be advisable to tainment and Netfl ix Enter not get convincing answers allow a prisoner to go out tainment Services, will face on how an original story into the society and risk no legal obstruction for its created by Mr. Wadekar had the health of all. Mr. Vene worldwide release after a landed in the hands of the gavkar informed the court single Bench of the Bombay writer of Betaal. that Mr. Wadhawan was High Court refused to inter The judge also noted that kept in isolation and all fere in its release in a recent the claim came very late as medical facilities were pro order. The web series was Netfl ix had announced Be- vided to him. scheduled to be released on Mr. Wadekar claimed that taal in July 2019, and several The other ground for May 24. on May 7, he received a You publications, print and on opposing bail was that the A scriptwriter, Sameer Tube link to the promotional line, had written stories to duo has been charged un Wadekar, had moved the HC video of Betaal from a that eff ect. der the Prevention of Mo praying for an injunction friend, and the 146second The judge also noted that ney Laundering Act and against the production hous clip had at least 13 similari the concept of Betaal origi these charges are not co es, claiming that of the series ties to his work. He said the nates from the mythological vered by the high powered had many similarities to his projections made by the pro story of Vikramaditya and committee constituted to work Vetaal, which he ducers of Betaal had in the witty ghost Betaal. But release prisoners. penned in 201314, and regis fringed on his copyright and the court allowed Mr. Wade On May 8, an additional tered with the copyright of were plagiarised from his fi c kar to amend his plea and metropolitan magistrate fi ce and Screen Writers As tional story, and the charac claim damages against the rejected their pleas. sociation in 2015. ters, props and locations producers of the web series. Raut takes jibe at Goyal over train diversion NCP leader defends Railway Minister, says eff orts should be appreciated
Press Trust of India go, to the General Manager Mumbai of Central Railway within the In a dig at Railway Minister next hour, so that we can Piyush Goyal over the diver plan the time of trains,” the sion of the Vasai RoadGo Railway Minister tweeted. rakhpur Sharmik Special Replying to it, Mr. Raut on train via Odisha, Shiv Sena Monday tweeted, “Maha leader Sanjay Raut on Mon rashtra government has gi day said their only request is ven you a list of workers who that train carrying migrants wish to return home. The should reach its destination only request is that the train as announced. should reach the station, as The Sena’s alliance partn announced earlier.” er the Nationalist Congress “The Gorakhpur bound Party (NCP), however, took a train had reached Odisha,” diff erent stand, saying Mr. Anxious faces: Migrant workers look out of a Shramik Special the Sena leader further said. Goyal and his ministry are train to U.P., at Bhiwandi station. * FILE PHOTO However, when asked if under pressure and their ef the Railway Minister was forts should be appreciated. ter, when it should have “Since you have said that politicising the issue, NCP The Vasai RoadGorakh reached the destination in you have a list ready that is leader Praful Patel said the pur Sharmik Special train to about 25 hours. why I am requesting you to Indian Railways and Mr. Uttar Pradesh, which left Amid the political slugfest please provide all informa Goyal are also under pres from Palghar on May 21, was over the Shramik Special tion like from where the sure. “Their eff orts should diverted to a diff erent route trains, Mr. Goyal on Sunday train will run, the list of pas be respected. We appreciate via Odisha due to heavy con night said, “We are ready to sengers according to the that they are providing trains gestion. It reached Gorakh provide 125 Shramik Special trains, their medical certifi so that people can reach pur twoandahalf days la trains to Maharashtra.” cate and where the train is to home,” Mr. Patel said.
CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
DELHI THE HINDU 6 EDITORIAL TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE The problem with the liquidity push Even if partially successful, it will culminate in eventual default; the crisis is only likely to intensify ness parlance, liquidity refers to (micro, small and medium enter ments for a few months, are ease of access to cash — a liquid as prises, street vendors, marginal expected to provide access to cash set is one that can be easily sold for farmers, etc.) are themselves infl ows and reduce cash outfl ows, Early takeoff or replaced with cash, and a liquid stressed, in some instances the go to induce agents to meet overdue With no consensus on health monitoring of fi rm or agent is a holder of cash, a vernment off ered them partial or payments or just spend to en line providing access to cash, or full credit guarantees in case their hance the incomes of others. passengers among States, travel remains risky C.P. Chandrasekhar assets that can be easily and quick clients defaulted. The government These are marginal in scope, if re ven after long negotiations with States, and with a ly converted to cash without signif also sought to persuade the RBI to levant at all. They have been com truncated schedule, the Centre has found it diffi icant loss of value. In periods of lend directly to NBFCs against bined with nonmeasures like ad he present government’s crisis, individuals, small business their paper. ding on pending payments such as cult to relaunch domestic fl ights. Several were E muchhyped, postCOVID19 es, fi rms, fi nancial institutions and These measures, which are only income tax refunds to spike “ li cancelled on the fi rst day services were resumed afte r Trelief and recovery package even governments tend to expe GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO marginally eff ective even in the quidity provision”. being frozen on March 25. Some Chief Ministers, nota has disappointed many. It pro rience a liquidity crunch. Relaxing to saving NBFCs, whose balance best of times, will not work during Overall, the “transmission” of bly Uddhav Thackeray in Maharashtra and Edappadi vides little by way of additional that crunch is a focus of the go sheets were under severe stress this crisis. Consider a bank or the supply side push from these Palaniswami in Tamil Nadu expressed apprehension budgetary resources to halt and vernment’s crisisresponse pack even before the COVID19 strike, NBFC lending to small business. monetary policy initiatives for re about a premature resumption of civil aviation, as t he reverse the economic and social age. In keeping with that perspec because they were fi nding it diffi With economic activity either at a lief and revival is bound to be spread of COVID19 is unrelenting, and quarantine collapse that the pandemic and tive, it gives a much larger role to cult to roll over the shortterm complete stop or at a fraction of weak. Given the circumstances, monitoring has its limits. The experience of fl ight c an the response to it has triggered. enhancing liquidity than it does debt they had incurred to fi nance the normal, those who can access the liquidity push, even if partially Most estimates place the addition either to direct transfers to the longer term projects, including credit would either not borrow or successful, would only culminate cellations, passenger frustration and low capacity al fi scal allocation implicit in the poor and precariously employed lending to small and medium busi only do so to protect themselves in eventual default, as borrowers among States to track thousands of passengers should proposals at about a tenth of the workers devastated by the crisis, nesses, housing and real estate. and not use the funds either to pay use the debt to just stay afl oat in prompt a rethink on scheduled fl ights. Access to emer size of the package, which the go or to spending to ensure that mi Banks were wary about lending to their workers or buy and stock in the absence of new revenues. The gency air travel in a large country is a legitimate expec vernment claims amounts to cro and small businesses would these NBFCs, because of fears that puts. Even after the lockdown is measures are only likely to intensi tation, and a targeted programme run effi ciently can around 10% of GDP. remain viable and along with me their clients could default in lifted, the compression of demand fy the crisis, rather than resolve it. meet that need, without induced demand produced by In its eff ort to tote up a 10% of dium and big businesses, would amounts that would bring the via resulting from the loss of employ commercial fl ights. Going back to the drawing board to GDP reliefcumstimulus fi gure, ride a demand revival when the bility of these institutions into ment and incomes would be con Think new transfers the government has relied heavily lockdown ends. question. Those fears were con siderable. It would be aggravated What is needed now is govern draft a plan for emergency travel, using documentation on measures aimed at pushing cre fi rmed when Franklin Templeton by the fact that spending by a fi s ment support in the form of new and aggregation of such passengers may be the short dit to banks, nonbanking fi nancial Focus on NBFCs announced that it was shutting cally conservative government and additional transfers to people term option. The risks associated with domestic avia companies (NBFCs) and business The main intermediaries being en down six of its funds, setting off re would fall sharply because of a col in cash and kind, and measures tion have multiplied due to early missteps in several es big and small, which are expect listed for the task of transmitting li demption requests across the lapse in revenue collections. Faced such as wage subsidies, equity States: mass gatherings, political events and consumer ed to use borrowed funds to lend quidity are the banks, with NBFCs NBFC sector, as investors rushed with sluggish demand, fi rms are support and spending on employ crowding for panic buying have resulted in major trans to others, make payments falling constituting a second tier. Among to take back their money, at a time unlikely to meet past and current ment programmes. That, as many mission clusters. The trajectory of fresh COVID19 cases due, compensate employees even the fi rst steps taken by the RBI was when the ability of these institu payments commitments and help have acknowledged, would re while under lockdown, and other the launch of special and ‘target tions to mobilise funds to meet the revival eff ort, just because they quire debt fi nanced spending by shows that this was aggravated by the bungled response wise spend even while not earn ed’ long term repo operations these demands had been im have access to credit. This would the government, with borrowing to the concerns of migrant labour, exposing thousands ing. The thrust is to get the Re (TLTROs), which allowed banks to paired. Not surprisingly, banks mean that credit fl ow would ac at low interest rates from the cen of workers and their communities to infection. Under serve Bank of India (RBI) and access liquidity at the repo rate to were unwilling to respond when li tually not revive. This danger is tral bank or a “monetisation” of standably, States, which have denied the presence of other public fi nancial institutions lend to specifi ed clients. One quidity was infused to target lend even greater because the govern the defi cit. Unfortunately, ob community transmission, want to reduce the pace at to infuse liquidity and increase round of such operations, which ing to the NBFCs. ment has been measly with its gua sessed as it is with fi scal conserva which they must monitor newly arriving individuals. lending by the fi nancial system, by was relatively more successful, Building on these initial liquidi rantees, not wanting to accumu tism and tax forbearance, the Na Enabling scheduled travel through national policy, off ering the latter capital for lon called for investment of the cheap ty infusion eff orts, the COVID19 late even contingent liabilities that rendra Modi government is ger periods at a repo or policy in er capital in higher quality invest package identifi ed more interme do not immediately aff ect the fi s unwilling to take that route. Abjur whether by air or rail, could be seen as a reasonable ef terest rate that has been cut by ment grade corporate bonds, com diaries (such as the Small Indus cal defi cit. ing that option, the government’s fort only when State governments are fully prepared, more than a percentage point to mercial paper, and tries Development Bank of India , “selfreliance package” calls on ci and adopt a uniform code of practice. Within the lock 4%. nonconvertible debentures. That the National Bank for Agriculture On disposable income tizens to rely only on themselves, down, the virus crisis has snowballed only in States funding allowed big business, va and Rural Development , and the Another component of the “liquid aided by an uncertain off er of tem such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, and in The fourth ‘l’ rying from Reliance and L&T to fi National Housing Bank) that could ity” push is the measures that tem porary access to credit. That path Delhi, but that picture could change with the operation There was a hint that this would be nancial major HDFC, to access refi nance lending by the banks to porarily increase the disposable can only have devastating conse of daily fl ights, a couple of hundred scheduled trains the thrust when the Prime Minis cheap capital to substitute for past diff erent sections, with targeted income of diff erent sections. Ad quences for lives and livelihoods. ter in his speech calling for a “self highcost debt or fi nance ongoing lending amounts providing fi gures vance access to savings like provi from June 1 and the large number of promised Shramik reliant India” identifi ed, besides projects. There is little evidence to fatten the “ stimulus”. To per dent fund contributions, lower tax C.P. Chandrasekhar is former Professor at Special trains for migrant workers. It is essential, there land, labour and laws, “liquidity” that this is triggering new invest suade the banks and other inter deduction at source, reduced pro the Centre for Economic Studies and fore, for States to adopt a coordinated approach on qua as among the areas of focus of the ment decisions. mediaries to take up these off ers vident fund contributions and mo Planning, Jawaharlal Nehru University, rantine and testing. Travel choices, in the present package. In economic and busi The second round was geared when the clients they must lend to ratoriums on debt service pay New Delhi phase, should be designed to discourage optional jour neys. Moreover, passengers on all fl ights, including re lief fl ights, could have a lower risk if airlines and the go vernment keep the middle seats vacant as decided on The Centre’s Kashmir policy and a heavy price to pay March 23 by the DGCA. There is no reason to think that the pandemic has begun to wane. The global aviation India will have to face mounting security threats and the people of Jammu and Kashmir the systematic denial of rights map shows that even market economies placing great nent residents. Curiously, they al were invited to take over what was State subject law. Gradually the emphasis on individual freedoms have severely limited so entitle Union government a fl ourishing local industry, and two grew to be inextricably tied to offi cials who have served in the mining rights were sold to non Kashmiri identity and, equally im travel, making exceptions only for returning citizens. State for 10 years to domicile, Kashmiri contractors. All the portantly, Kashmiri empower Relaxing travel must be preceded by focused contain along with their nonresident chil former State’s statutory bodies ment through education and em ment measures and an agreed protocol for States. dren, and list the categories of were dissolved, including the State ployment. As armed insurgency Radha Kumar those eligible: members of the In Human Rights Commission . Pow rose in the 1990s, many Kashmiri dian Administrative Services (in er was concentrated in the hands political leaders raised fears of an Batting for free speech cluding those working in statutory of the LieutenantGovernor and Indian intention to alter the de Reckless fi ling of criminal defamation hile public attention is fo bodies), public sector units and his advisers, all but one of whom mography of the Muslimmajority cused on COVID19, Jam banks, central universities and ‘re NISSAR AHMAD were from outside the former Valley and several Jammu cases against the press must end Wmu and Kashmir suff ers cognised research institutes of the for 12 million people to reapply for State. districts. feature of public life in Tamil Nadu in the last twin lockdowns, rising violence Central government (sic)’. domicile when the groups to bene The Jammu and Kashmir Legis Until 2019, these fears seemed a and unilateral government ac The clear bias to favour not only fi t number a few lakhs? lature remains dissolved, many of bogey to intensify Kashmiri aliena three decades has been the indiscriminate insti tions, all at the same time. In the 12 Union government offi cials but al Ruling party spokesmen ask its political leaders remain under tion. However, the August 2019 Atution of criminal defamation proceedings months since the Narendra Modi so their children smacks of instat what the fuss is about, when their detention and forbidden to speak, nullifi cation of autonomy and divi against Opposition leaders and the media. It is no s ur administration returned to offi ce, ing privileges that many State and intent was stated in the party ma a ban remains in force on all public sion of the State, which overrode prise, then, that the most comprehensive judgment on their Kashmir policy has com Union governments began to do nifesto and followed through by gatherings and the media are inti the constitution of Jammu and the limits of the State’s power to prosecute members of prised measures that are per away with as civil service salaries the President and P arliament of midated. Even so, protest against Kashmir and dismissed Article the press for defamation should come from the Madras ceived as disasters in the V alley, rose in the early 2000s, and the India. They ignore the fact that the the new domicile rules has been 35A, turned the bogey into an im High Court. The verdict of Justice Abdul Quddhose, garner mixed reactions in Jammu demographic pressure on urban presidential orders and Reorgani voiced by all political parties in mediate threat which the domicile quashing a series of defamation complaints fi led sinc e and Ladakh, and are welcomed by spaces mounted. That this bias sation Act of August 2019, includ Jammu and Kashmir, except the rules have now actualised. some in the rest of India. continues to exist in some parts of ing all actions that follow from BJP. Indications are that their prot With the fall of this last bastion, 201112, is remarkable for applying a set of principles the country is shameful for any de them, are under constitutional ests will be ignored. BJP General disaff ection has exponentially that would fi rmly deter the hasty and illadvised resort A clear bias mocracy; that it has been imposed challenge in the Supreme Court. A Secretary Ram Madhav calls the multiplied in Jammu and Kashmir. to S tatefunded prosecution on behalf of public ser The latest of these actions is the on Jammu and Kashmir without democratic government that new domicile rules a done deal, Armed encounters are on the rise vants. The fi rst principle is that the State should not im new domicile rules, notifi ed on the acquiescence of its elected upholds the rule of law would implying that the Modi administra and the security situation is ex pulsively invoke provisions in the CrPC to get its public May 18, 2020. Based on the Home leaders is an absolute violation. freeze implementation until the tion will not review them (Indian tremely fragile. Blaming it on Pa prosecutor to fi le defamation complaints in response to Ministry’s order of March 31, these court rules, but the Modi adminis Express, “It is time to allow J&K kistan is futile. Pakistan has always every report that contains criticism. The court deems rules seek to replace the Jammu Ill-founded argument tration proceeded to build facts on fullfl edged political activity”, May taken advantage of disaff ection in and Kashmir State subjects law, re Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spo the ground with astonishing rapid 21, 2020). the Valley, indeed China is now do such impulsive actions as amounting to throttling de cognised under Article 35A of the kesmen argue that the new domi ity. ing so too. As a result of the Modi mocracy. It advises the government to have a higher Indian Constitution, which entit cile rules were necessary since Within months of the August Fall of the last bastion administration’s Kashmir policy, threshold for invoking defamation provisions. It not es led permanent residents of the many marginalised groups were announcements, separate com Most people in Jammu and Kash India will have to face mounting that each time a public servant feels defamed by a press State to free education along with denied their rights under the State mittees were set up to divide Jam mir saw Article 35A and the State security threats on its western report, it does not automatically give rise to a cause for reservation of government jobs, subject law, such as refugees from mu and Kashmir’s assets between subject law as the last remaining front, and the people of Jammu asking the public prosecutor to initiate proceedings on and sole rights to land ownership. west Pakistan. The argument is ill the two new Union Territories. bastion of the State’s internal auto and Kashmir the systematic denial her behalf. The statutory distinction between defaming The new domicile rules entitle founded. What prevented the Mo The State police was put under di nomy, guaranteed under the in of their rights. Are we really ready anyone who has worked or lived in di administration from expanding rect rule by the Union Home Mi strument of accession signed by to pay this price for a mere ideo a public servant as a person and as the State itself being the State for 15 years, or studied the permanent resident category nistry. The Upper House of the As Maharaja Hari Singh. Successive logical shibboleth? defamed has to be maintained. there for seven years, to receive a to include these groups, without sembly was abolished. Land was Union governments chipped away Justice Quddhose goes on to fault the government for domicile certifi cate and the bene doing away with it altogether? requisitioned for sale to industry, at the former State’s powers, but Radha Kumar’s latest book is ‘Paradise at according sanction to the initiation of cases through the fi ts previously reserved for perma How can it possibly be necessary national tourist conglomerates none touched Article 35A or the War: A Political History of Kashmir’ prosecutors without explaining how the State has been defamed. He cautions prosecutors against acting like a LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. post offi ce, noting that their role is to scrutinise the ma
terial independently to see if the off ence has been made To read more letters out, and if so, whether it relates to a public servant’s NREGA to the rescue educate them about the Border faceoff and economic clout, are nations to ensure that the online, scan the QR code conduct in the course of discharging offi cial function s With lakhs of migrant availability of work and fi ll Border skirmishes are well known. As responsible situation at the border does workers rushing back to up their applications, if nothing new as far as the rising powers of the world, not escalate and is resolved evidence of its quest for or not before fi ling a complaint. So, the court fi nds that their home States due to necessary. This would be two Asian giants, India and the leadership in both as in established protocols. hegemony. Does it believe many were cases in which public servants ought to have the lockdown, MGNREGA more honourable work for China, are concerned, as countries have the onus N.A. Joseph, that with the world focused fi led individual cases. An earlier Madras High Court rul appears to be the only teachers when compared to the border dispute between now to attempt a renewed Ettumanoor, Kottayam, Kerala on COVID19, now is the time ing noted that an essential ingredient of criminal defa scaleable programme of stationing them as a State them has remained push at diplomacy and to fl ex its muscles? China mation must be that an imputation was actuated by rural employment that can did, at liquor shops for unresolved for several dialogue to resolve the ■ The present fl areup could should not overlook the fact malice, or with reckless disregard for the truth. A r e come to their rescue crowd control. To expand decades. The tension lingering border dispute well be a part of China’s that in the event of a cold cent judgment by Justice G.R. Swaminathan enunciated (Editorial page, “The need works under NREGA, between the soldiers of once and for all (‘Aggressive projection of its “sharp war, or the trade and for a million worksites seasonal agricultural work India and China along the PLA fl outs protocols”, May power”. From the South diplomatic war with the U.S., what is known in the United States as the ‘Sullivan’ rule now”, May 25). In addition, may be included in the list Line of Actual Control 25). China Sea to the Mekong it would need a helping hand of ‘actual malice’. While quashing a private complai nt there is a strong case for of works that can be taken (LAC) has only upped the M. Jeyaram, river fl ows, to the Senkaku from its Asian neighbours. against a journalist and a newspaper, the judge said two increasing the daily wage to up under NREGA in rural “standoff ”, with the Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu islands with Japan and the H.N. Ramakrishna, of the exceptions to defamation given in Section 499 at least ₹ 300 at least for a areas. Further, the trading of barbs and Taiwan Straits, there is Bengaluru ■ pertained to ‘public conduct of public servants’ and period of next six months, government should think in charges by each side, in Senior American offi cial corrections & clarifications: ‘conduct of any person on any public question’. This so that their food and other terms of launching an turn accusing the other of Alice Wells has done well by In the Sport/Life page anchor story titled “Fresh leaks of implied that the legislature itself believed that unless it basic needs are taken care urban employment trying to alter the status terming the SinoIndian personal details detected on dark web” (May 25, 2020), the second deck headline mentioned a fi gure 18 million job seekers. It should is demonstrated that reporting on a public servant’s of. With regard to programme on the lines of quo along the LAC. It is border dispute as an awareness about NREGA MGNREGA to provide evident that a lack of clarity example of provocative have been 18 lakh residents of Madhya Pradesh. The second conduct or on a public question was vitiated by malice, paragraph of the text referred to a fi gure of 18 million. It should works and fi lling up of work employment to the urban and consensus between the behaviour. Perhaps this is have been 18 lakh. the question of defamation does not arise and that even application forms, school poor and migrant workers two countries over the LAC what has prompted a inaccuracies in reporting need not occasion a prosecu In the last paragraph of “Results on vaccine likely in autumn” teachers may be who have not yet returned is one of the reasons behind Chinese spokesperson to (May 25, 2020) there was a reference to Wealth Health tion for defamation. Within a matter of days, the HChas requisitioned — with extra to their home States. the sudden fl areup. China’s attempt a conciliatory Organisation. It should be World Health Organisation. payment for this work — to Kosaraju Chandramouli, territorial ambitions, approach. It will be in the struck two blows for free speech and press freedom. The Readers’ Editor’s office can be contacted by Telephone: +91-44-28418297/28576300; Hyderabad visit workers’ colonies, fuelled by its military might mutual interest of both E-mail:[email protected] CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
THE HINDU DELHI TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 OPED 7 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE A wellbalanced stimulus package Moving beyond geopolitics It will minimise the human cost of the COVID19 crisis and also pave the path for structural reforms In the postCOVID world, countries and tech giants should be obligated to share data in the larger interest of mankind funds. These measures provided some succour to a large number of ly due to geopolitical reasons? It is the right businesses, especially those in the of every human being to benefi t from the col services sectors like hospitality, en lective data to which he or she contributes. tertainment, retail etc. which have The current data system is one where the suff ered a near complete loss of reve incentives align with the creation and spread Rajiv Kumar nues during the lockdown. A whop of technological innovations but not their go ping ₹ 90,000 crore credit package Anil Taneja & Gulshan Rai vernance (think of Cambridge Analytica). has been extended to state electricity Restrictions on the fl ow of data have in Cut your coat according to your cloth utilities to enable them to clear their creased signifi cantly in the last 78 years. is a useful dictum to set policy prior dues to private sector power produc Deeper issues arising due to the pandemic Across the world, data protection laws, re ities. Not all economies are bestowed ers. are slowly emerging as the world relaxes quirements of data localisation, laws related with the unlimited resources of the lockdown measures. These issues, especially to weakening of encryption keys and data re U.S. whose currency, the dollar, still Higher self-reliance those relating to the convergence of technol tention requirements are by and large patch enjoys the enviable status of being The third set of measures were di ogies such as biotechnology, genetic engi work. These frameworks are not interopera the global reserve currency. This af rected to signifi cantly improve the neering and information technology, will ble. They focus on protection of personal fords the U.S. the ultimate luxury to ecosystem for private producers and have a longterm impact on geopolitics. Un data and privacy and give little thought to issue debt without any thought of its investors, both in agriculture and derlying most geopolitical issues are technol the broader impact of data on mobility and consequences on its macroeconomic manufacturing. Farmers now have ogy and data, which are interdependent. Na social aspects. Data protection frameworks balances. India does not have these the muchneeded freedom to choose tional governments, policymakers, and such as the the General Data Protection Reg many degrees of freedom. Cognisant their clients. Freed from the ageold healthcare researchers are using technology ulation of the EU and the CLOUD Act of the of its constraints and compulsions, tyranny of the Essential Commodi and data to plan and improve economic ac U.S. are aimed at putting users in control of the government adopted a twin man ties Act, 1955, traders and exporters tivities, social development, and treat deadly their data. But they have issues relating to tra for shaping its stimulus package, of agroproducts can maintain neces diseases more eff ectively than ever before. data localisation and crossborder fl ow of in rolled out in fi ve phases plus one ear sary stocks to meet export obliga formation. These frameworks have not lier phase. tions. With further liberalisation in Changing idea of privacy solved the issues of data sharing . Even the The fi rst strand has been to fi rst the defence production sector, India Technology and data are now inherently ge UN has not succeeded in bringing consensus ensure that the human cost of the will achieve higher selfreliance in opolitical. Proper data related to the CO in the preparation of a framework on the COVID19 crisis is minimised, espe this strategic sector and also emerge VID19 outbreak were not shared in time, norms of behaviour in cyberspace. With data cially for those at the bottom of the as an exporter. Private businesses and that is why there is so much anger to fl ow set to become more important over pyramid. The second has been to can now operate in sectors hitherto wards the World Health Organization and time, we need government regulations and convert this crisis into an opportuni monopolised or dominated by the China. The nature of technology and data standard and interoperable frameworks to ty by implementing bold structural public sector enterprises. Finally, in has placed tech giants such as Google, Face govern issues and address risks emerging reforms, which have been pending a measure that touches the lives and book and Amazon in a commanding posi from these technological innovations. for a while. Shaped by these two “Indian farmers will get the muchneeded freedoms, fl exibility and fi nancial livelihoods of more than 50 lakh fa tion. At one time, these tech giants needed priorities, the stimulus is a carefully strength to propel India’s economic recovery in the postCOVID19 period.” A milies, street vendors all over the the support of governments everywhere. But Data in the post-COVID world crafted, wellbalanced, yet bold farmer in Daranggiri village, west of Guwahati, Assam on April 20, 2020. * AP country have been given a credit of now, with their global reach, it is govern The postCOVID19 world is expected to be package that will, in the coming ₹ 10,000 each for restocking. Thus, ments that are dependent on them. Access diff erent. Digital equity will require frame days, achieve both objectives. Measures announced for ramping ment’s response has been fourfold. ‘the package’ has guaranteed the sur to data on a majority of the population works relating to governance of technology up consumption demand directly in The fi rst was to ensure that the na vival of existing production capaci makes these giants stronger when they enter and data that look beyond geopolitical con Lifting demand and supply cluded: ₹ 1.73 lakh crore for improv tion’s food security as also farmers’ ties and laid strong grounds for at the negotiating room with governments. The siderations. We need to distinguish indivi It is widely recognised that the pre ing the incomes and welfare of the incomes were not impaired. The go tracting fresh investment to bolster current pandemic is a great example of how dual data from large global data sets. We can sent crisis has seriously impacted most vulnerable, including the 20 vernment declared agriculture and growth. people across the globe have accepted the not extrapolate the current human rights both the supply and demand side of crore female Jan Dhan account hol all related activities as essential ser The size of the stimulus at ₹ 20.97 idea of their live locations being traced and framework to human rights in the digital and the economy. The stimulus package ders who will receive monies directly vices immediately upon announcing trillion is larger than the promise shared with governments. In India, without biological domain. The current concept of eff ectively addresses both these as into their bank accounts (announced the lockdown. This permitted the made by the Prime Minister in his ad much concern for the right to privacy, more privacy and crossborder fl ow of information pects. Several measures have been in the fi rst package); ₹ 50,000 crore successful harvesting and effi cient dress on May 12. At more than 10% of than 90 million people have downloaded may require signifi cant change. There is a announced to lift the sagging de additional incomes in the hands of procurement of the critical Rabi the GDP, it compares favourably with Aarogya Setu. The pandemic has brought a dire need to impose obligations for data fl ow mand in the economy. It is important those whose TDS and TCS were re crop. Procurement operations packages announced by other change in perception on issues like privacy. on countries and tech giants in the larger in to point out that total eff ective de duced by 25%; ₹ 40,000 crore addi pumped in ₹ 78,000 crore as new emerging economies. Indian farmers Tech giants are taking a leading role in ge terest of mankind. We need to establish a ba mand is made up of demand for con tional allocation for MNREGA which purchasing power in the hands of the will get the muchneeded freedoms, opolitics, at times playing on their own and seline of global norms of data governance sumption, investment and interme will provide jobs and succour to farmers. fl exibility and fi nancial strength to sometimes as proxies of nation states to in that go beyond privacy and geopolitical con diate goods. This has to be taken note those returning to their villages from The second was to prevent the propel India’s economic recovery in fl uence policymaking and national regula siderations. These norms must focus on me of by those who consider only the metros and cities; ₹ 30,000 crore for pressing cash/liquidity crunch from the postCOVID19 period. And bu tions. The U.S.China trade war, the position chanisms to leverage data to solve problems cash in hand of consumers as the construction workers; ₹ 17,800 crore converting to insolvencies and bank oyed by the stimulus, Indian fi rms of governments on Huawei 5G technology, and ensure consistency, interoperability, pri sole means for reversing the declin transferred to 12 crore farmers; and ruptcies. A moratorium was an will operate in an ecosystem that will and Facebook’s attempt to implement inter vacy and security. It is the right time for a ing demand in the economy. There ₹ 13,000 crore transferred to States to nounced for all businesses for their help them become ‘Glocal’, thereby net.org are a few examples. Parliament select committee to look at the fore, additional credit lines provided fi nance the costs of running quaran debt servicing obligations to com helping Indian brands command a An unprecedented amount of data are be data protection framework. At the same time to micro, small and medium enter tine homes and shelters for migrant mercial banks. MSMEs were given an larger share in to global markets and ing collected by tech giants. The data need to we need to identify an international body to prises (MSMEs) or to street vendors workers. These measures will trigger additional credit line of ₹ 3 trillion participate successfully in global va be used towards the welfare of society, but evolve global norms on data governance. or to farmers (additional credit of ₹ 2 demand, which is of course the ne without any fresh collateral to furth lue chains. the sharing of data presents many challenges trillion) will also surely contribute to cessary condition for triggering re er reinforce their access to credit. to human rights. COVID19 is a good example Anil Taneja is an MBA candidate at the Harvard the strengthening of aggregate de covery in economic activity. MSMEs could also avail of new equity Rajiv Kumar is Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog. of this. Are we not doing injustice to people Business School and Gulshan Rai is former National mand in the economy. On the supply side, the govern from the ₹ 50,000 crore fund of Views are personal by not sharing data in a timely fashion mere Cyber Security Coordinator, PMO India
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC Battling a virus with masks CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC Mask use, mask etiquette, and mask maintenance FROM THE ARCHIVES can go a long way in our fi ght against COVID19 FIFTY YEARS AGO MAY 26, 1970
Nikita Mehra on the presence of the virus on face Unrest in Pakistan masks found that the inner and outer (From an editorial) Information about SARSCoV2 is layer of used masks contained the vi now being disseminated widely, if so rus up to seven days. A study pu As always, there was strong criticism in Pa mewhat haphazardly. Concerns over blished in the Annals of Internal kistan of the recent communal rioting in the impact on our health, and the Medicine reported higher contami Maharashtra and an attempt was made to health of our loved ones, continue to nation rates over the outer layer than take the matter to the United Nations. No dominate our thoughts and hea the inner layer of the face mask, no notice is taken of the steady fl ow of Hindu dlines. These concerns are of course doubt from the constant interaction refugees to West Bengal under pressure of justifi ed; at the time of publishing between our hands and our masks, the Muslim majority in East Pakistan. Ho this, India has recorded 1,39,868 con further reiterating the importance of wever, the most signifi cant development in fi rmed cases of COVID19. hand hygiene. side Pakistan has been the spurt in labour disputes, strikes and demonstrations. It is The importance of using masks Adopting best practices reported that during the past halfyear the The fact that the disease is spread by Rather than worry about studies loss suff ered by textile mills in Karachi respiratory droplets and contact is around the virus and its ability to re amounted to over Rs. 3 crores. Several mills now well understood. While mask main on masks, we must embrace are still paralysed by labour disputes. This is, use has been made a priority, there is this opportunity to adopt the best of course, a consequence of the liberal atti insuffi cient information in the public practices available right now for tude adopted by the Yahya Khan regime to CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC domain about the role masks play in mask maintenance. It is crucial to CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC wards organised labour, which now has the the containment of this disease, wash your cloth mask every day with DATA POINT freedom to demand better wages and living specifi cally about mask maintenance detergent in a washing machine set conditions. Politicians of all types have been and mask etiquette. The maximum to at least 60°C. If that is not possible, complaining about high prices and the scar transmission distance of the virus ae the cloth mask must be scrubbed by city of some commodities like edible oil, rosol — particles generated in the air hand with soap for 30 seconds, while pulses, sugar, kerosene, etc. during breathing, talking, coughing ensuring it soaks for at least 15 mi and sneezing — is about 4 metres. In a nutes before being rinsed in hot wa A HUNDRED YEARS AGO MAY 26, 1920. study conducted by the National In ter. Attention should be paid to the stitute of Health, even after speaking, duration of soaking. A study in The Silently gagging the media. salivary particles were found to re Lancet reported that the virus conti (From an editorial) main fl oating in the air for eight mi nued to be detected when the soak nutes. These points further empha ing time was reduced from 15 mi We note from the Lahore Tribune that the sise the importance of mask usage. nutes to fi ve minutes. It would be reprehensible practice of high Government With the rise in the number of in ideal, but not compulsory, to replace offi cials sending for newspaper editors for fected individuals, many of whom re cloth masks after around 20 washes the purpose of samjaoing and humiliating main asymptomatic, it is essential due to the reducing fi ltration capaci them on the pretext of their having pu not just to wear a face mask but also ty of cloth masks over time. blished anything which had in some way, to choose the right one. Disposable To obtain the best protection from however remote or insignifi cant, to do with surgical masks are now more readily your mask, ensure that it covers the Government or individual offi cers and available in the market. It is crucial to mouth and nose and as much as pos which turned out to be exaggerated, unauth avoid reuse of these masks due to the sible, avoiding gaps between the face orised or inaccurate in part, is still conti extreme drop in effi cacy after even a and the mask. Avoid touching your nued by the Punjab. This practice of silently singleuse; additionally, surgical mask once you have worn it. While and contemptuously gagging the Press, it is masks can’t be washed. Cloth masks removing your mask, do not touch wellknown, was a detested characteristic of bring with them the advantages of ea the front of it; the mask must be un the O’Dwyerian regime and we shall be very sy production and easy availability. tied from behind. Before and after re much surprised indeed if it has the approval Most importantly, cloth masks can be moving your mask, clean your hands of an administrator so diff erent in outlook washed and reused. It is important to with an alcoholbased hand rub or and ideals from Sir Michael O’Dwyer as Sir note that a study published in the An- wash with soap and water. During Edward MacLagan. The Tribune states that nals of Internal Medicine did not fi nd use, if the mask becomes damp/ an incident, in the nature of a revival of this a diff erence in the eff ectiveness of moist, change it immediately. Mask practice, took place a few days ago. The mat blocking SARSCoV2 between cloth use, mask etiquette, and mask main ter was a very simple one, and the Govern and surgical masks. tenance can go a long way in our fi ght ment had already issued its contradiction In a study published by The Lan- against COVID19. As responsible citi which the papers, or most of them, pu cet, the virus was found to remain zens we should help our government blished on that very day. In the circumstanc viable on surfaces for up to seven in this battle against the virus. es, as the Tribune says, unless the adminis days, with the longest viability being tration only wanted to display its authority noted on plastic and stainless steel Nikita Mehra is an Assistant Professor of which none disputed, it was absolutely un surfaces. The question arises as to Medical Oncology & Researcher in Molecular necessary to adopt a procedure which could the ability of the virus to remain via Oncology at Adyar Cancer Institute. Views be justifi ed, if at all, only in the worst of cir ble on masks. A study in The Lancet are personal cumstances.
CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
DELHI THE HINDU 8 NEWS TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE FROM PAGE ONE Seven more die in Tamil Nadu due to COVID-19 Air travel resumes but Three die in Telangana; Karnataka records two fatalities; two remand prisoners among Kerala’s 49 new cases many seats go empty Special Correspondent sis was admitted to hospital in Telangana, it was the se Thiruvananthapuram on May 23 and died the same venth consecutive day of fa The travellers’ misery was Kolkata are not starting on Three COVID19 patients day. His reports on May 25 talities. There was a spike as compounded as airlines is 26. Please reschedule the died in Telangana on Mon stated that he was COVID19 66 more tested positive, sued credit shells instead of fl ight on 28 with the same day taking the toll to 56, positive. while 72 were discharged. refunding money for the charges,” a passenger identi while two patients suc With this, the total num Among new cases, 31 were fl ights cancelled. fying himself as Amit re cumbed in Karnataka. Tamil ber of COVID 19 deaths in from Greater Hyderabad, “I just received a message quested another airline. Nadu saw seven more deaths Karnataka stood at 44, while one from Rangareddy, 15 of cancellation of my fl ight The number of fl ights on due to the virus on Monday. two COVID19 patients died were migrants, and 18 fo which is from Mumbai to Day 1 were half of what the Kerala, which established due to other reasons. reign evacuees. Dehradun (25May2020). Ministry of Civil Aviation early success in reducing CO Meanwhile, 93 new cases Please process my full re had sanctioned. While air VID19 incidence had one were reported in Karnataka 805 new cases in T.N. fund and don't off er credit lines were given the nod to more death and 49 new pos on Monday. . Tamil Nadu reported its shell to me,” tweeted Raj restart upto 30% of regular itive cases. Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh, with 89 highest singleday rise with deep Singh Negi to a private fl ights, 532 fl ights are a mere reported 89 more cases in 24 fresh cases had 2,886 cases, 805 new cases on Monday. airline. 15% of preCOVID19 days of 946 of them active, an offi With this, the tally was 17,082 “My eticket has been nearly 3,300 arrivals and cial bulletin said. Fiftysix pe in the State. cancelled as fl ights from departures. ople had died due to CO Of the 805 new cases in VID19 and 1,884 had cluding 314 women, Chennai hours, 45 of them returnees recovered. Among those alone accounted for 549 cas from Gulf countries. who tested positive from es. This took the city’s tally Testing up in States seeing While 43 of Kerala’s cases abroad, 41 were from Ku across the 11,000 mark. The were imported, represented wait, three from Qatar and city now accounted for 11,131 by expatriates and nonresi one from Saudi Arabia. So cases, and 84 of the total 118 massive return of migrants dent Keralites from other Kasaragod district ac persons came from abroad, ral passed away on Sunday. far, 62 foreign returnees had deaths in the State. Seven States, six persons are be counted for 14 new cases, and 25 from other States, She had Severe Acute Respi tested positive. Koyambedu more persons died in govern The States have been work lieved to have acquired infec Kannur, ten; Thiruvanan particularly Maharashtra. ratory Illness (SARI) and was continued to have an impact ment and private hospitals in ing with the National Tuber tion from the community, thapuram and Palakkad fi ve Twelve more recoveries admitted to a designated with seven of the fresh cases, Chennai. Though the State’s culosis Elimination Pro through contact with un each, Kozhikode four; Patha were reported. hospital on May 19. She died including fi ve in Chittoor and mortality rate was below gramme (NTEP) to deploy known sources of infection. namthitta and Alapuzha A 55yearold woman of of Acute Respiratory Distress two in Nellore linked to the 0.7%, the number of deaths TrueNAT machines for CO The latter include two re three each; Kollam and Kot Bengaluru Rural and a man Syndrome (ARDS). A media hotspot. The State had tested were rising. VID19 testing, he stated. mand prisoners in Kannur tayam two cases each and in Dakshina Kannada suc bulletin said in Dakshina 10,240 samples in a day and (With inputs from Vijaya- Through this machine, test and a health worker in Thiru Idukki one case. cumbed to the disease. The Kannada a 43yearold man 3,14,566 samples till date. wada, Chennai, Hyderabad ing is done in such areas/ vananthapuram district. Of 43 imported cases, 18 woman from Bengaluru Ru with a history of liver cirrho With three patients dying and Bengaluru Bureaus) districts where a modern virological laboratory in private or public doesn’t ex IN BRIEF ist. LDF has fulfi lled its manifesto, Bihar worker held for The Ministry also admit A medical team in Andhra ted that India doesn’t have a Pradesh testing a person medical college or private for COVID-19. * S. RAMBABU Warangal murders laboratory with capacity to despite adversities: Kerala CM test such a virus in every dis ble to have COVID19 testing Nine killed to cover up earlier murder trict. capacities in districts with He was speaking on occasion of govt.’s fourth anniversary So far no State had been no RTPCR testing capacity,’’ Special Correspondent drag all the nine to the aban overwhelmed with signifi said the ICMR. Special Correspondent It could easily hold its WARANGAL doned well on the premises Thiruvananthapuram cant backlog of samples to TrueNat platform also own at the hustings. The go Three days after the bodies of another factory next Tirumala laddus fl y off be tested, he noted. came with an inbuilt sample Kerala Chief Minister Pina vernment would hold local of nine guest workers from door. “The whole process of shelves in no time “The use of 375 TrueNat collection in virallysis buff rayi Vijayan on Monday ap body elections as per sche West Bengal, Bihar and throwing the sedated peo TIRUMALA machine is under way for er, the virus was inactivated peared to make a pitch for dule in October. The LDF Tripura were found in an ple took fi ve hours from The famed laddus of Lord the States seeing a surge of and the biosafety require continuity of the Left Demo was under no compulsion to abandoned well at Gorre 12.30 a.m to 5.30 a.m. ,” Mr. Venkateswara, which TTD migrants’ return and sup ments were minimal while cratic Front (LDF) rule. engineer the defection of kunta in Warangal, the pol Ravinder said. started selling at all the plies of 608 additional True handling the sample. On the fourth anniversary any member of the UDF coa ice arrested a 24yearold Yadav came to Warangal district headquarters in Nat machines are being mo Alternate platforms work of his government, Mr. Vi lition. Several nonCongress guest worker from Bihar for six years ago and worked in Andhra Pradesh on Monday, bilised in remote areas. The ing on GeneXpert and Abott jayan said the LDF had lived leaders in the Opposition the crime. the gunny bag manufactur were sold within a couple of new machines, though pro machines engaged in testing up to its manifesto despite had praised the State’s han Commissioner of ing unit along with hours of opening of the sales cured for supplementing TB and HIV viral load testing unprecedented adversities Pinarayi Vijayan dling of the COVID19 crisis. Police V. Ravinder on Maqsood. counters. The feverish the needs for TB testing, respectively have also been having beset the State. Kerala could not remain Monday told repor He got into a rela demand for laddu from the have been allocated to the mapped and A string of catastrophes troyed retail trade and shut down in perpetuity. It ters that the nine were tionship with the lat devout was so intense that States with the fl exibility for operationalised. had hit the State since the scorched the State’s conven had to live with the threat of killed by Sanjay Ku ter’s niece Rafi ka, TTD Kalyana Mandapams in their deployment based on The country now has 609 LDF came to power in 2016 tional sources of revenue. epidemic and rebuild itself. mar Yadav to cover up which soured when majority of the district possible need for enhanced total labs (431 public and 178 — the Ockhi Cyclone in 2017, Mr. Vijayan, at a te The pandemic has the earlier murder of he misbehaved with headquarters ran out of testing”, he added. private). It was now testing the Nipah outbreak and levised news confe thrown open new a woman relative of one of Rafi ka’s daughter. stocks well before noon. The daily testing capacity about 1.1 lakh samples a day backtoback fl oods in 2018 rence, said the people opportunities. the victims. When Rafi ka questioned of a TrueNat machine is 10 and had the capacity to test and 2019. Kerala braved the had approved the The State could be On May 20, Yadav attend him, he decided to kill her. TDP chief Naidu reaches 12 tests. “Keeping in mind 1.4 lakh samples, which is calamities, but it got no State’s handling of the come a magnet for ed a birthday party at the He convinced her that he Amaravati by road VIJAYAWADA the burden of cases and ex being raised to 2 lakh sam breathing space. crises. Now, the go global investment, gi home of Maqsood at the would speak to her family in TDP national president N. isting RTPCR testing capaci ples, noted the Health Mi The COVID19 pandemic vernment had nudged ven its high quality of gunny bags manufacturing West Bengal regarding their Chadrababu Naidu reached ties, allocation has been nistry, adding that India de struck before Kerala could the State in the direc life index. unit in Gorrekunta. He ad wedding and both of them Amaravati by road from done to diff erent States/ veloped an Intelligent get back on its feet. It crip tion of a rapid recovery. The inclination to decen ded sleeping tablets to the left Warangal on March 6. Hyderabad on Monday. The UTs. With supply of these Testing Strategy to remain pled the State’s tottering He said the LDF faced no tralise manufacturing could food and sedated the vic Later that night, he sedated police allowed his convoy to machines, it would be possi ‘ahead of the virus’. economy, upended life, hob unfavourable situation on prove to be an economic tims. and strangled her and threw pass through the Garikapadu bled manufacturing, des the ground. windfall for Kerala. Yadav used gunny bags to her body out of the train. checkpost, the border of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The former Deliberations on to end Andhra Pradesh Chief Techie may have links Church replica erected for fi lm Minister has been staying put in Hyderabad ever since the tensions on the LAC with terror groups: police lockdown was imposed. It violated all existing agree ing 3323.57 km in length, shoot vandalised in Kerala Govt. directs TTD to put ments between India and under the direction of the Karnataka HC denies bail to Mujeeb sale of properties on hold China, the sources noted. China Study Group (CSG). Man associated VIJAYAWADA In October last, Defence The offi cial sources said Special Correspondent cedence over the funda As Opposition parties and Hindu religious organisations Minister Rajnath Singh in the work was completely ef Bengaluru mental right to protection of with rightwing launched a scathing attack on augurated a strategically im fected in the aftermath of The police have told the Kar personal liberty.” group arrested the Tirumala Tirupati portant bridge in this gener the lockdown briefl y and nataka High Court that they Also, the court noted Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Special Correspondent al area on the Shyok river to partially resumed after get suspected software engi from the case diary that the Board for resolving to dispose KOCHI boost connectivity from ting special permissions. neer Mohammed Mujeeb, investigating offi cer had of some of its properties, the Drabuk to the strategically With restrictions being sig who put up provocative seized incriminating mate The Kerala police on Mon A.P. government undertook important DaulatBegOldie nifi cantly reduced, the BRO posts on social media rials from Mujeeb, 38, day arrested Kara Ratheesh, damage control by directing (DBO) in eastern Ladakh. was making eff orts to move asking people to and even an offi cer of who reportedly has links that the TTD resolution to Sandwiched between the construction labour in large spread COVID19 by the NIA participated in with a rightwing group, in that effect be kept in strategic Karakoram and numbers to forward loca sneezing in public the investigation. connection with Sunday’s abeyance until further orders. Chang Chenmo ranges, the tions, including by special places, has links with “The investigation demolition of a church set Unholy act: The vandalised movie set of a church erected on NPA to start online
‘Col Chewang Rinchen Setu’ trains. some unorganised records show that the that was erected for the * an islet in Kalady. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT classes from today is a 430metre bridge built The working season was terrorist groups, and petitioner has a histo shooting of a Malayalam mo HYDERABAD at an altitude of 14,650 feet very limited and there was this has to be unearthed in ry of travel and stay in Bah vie on the banks of river Pe the fi lm Minnal Murali, be erecting the structure in In a first, the Sardar built by the Border Roads need to catch up on the further investigation. rain and Kuwait for some riyar at Kalady. ing directed by Basil Joseph, front of Lord Mahadeva on Vallabhbhai Patel National Organisation (BRO) within lockdown delays as well. Justice K.S. Mudagal not years. The petitioner was in “The arrested is an ac with Tovino Thomas in the Kalady Manappuram (sand Police Academy in Hyderabad 15 months. In March last, the Parlia ed these aspects from the fl uenced by some elements cused in over a dozen crimi lead. The Facebook page of bank) did not yield results.” will conduct online classes for The BRO is gearing up to mentary Standing Commit case diary maintained by preaching religious fanatism nal cases, including mur Hari Palode, general secre He was not available for the IPS probationers who are resume work fulltime post tee on Defence expressed the police and declined to and antinational ideas. Mu der,” a senior police offi cer tary of the Antharashtra Hin comment. stranded in their allotted the COVID19 lockdown res satisfaction that the BRO has grant bail to the engineer, jeeb even shared a Pakistan said. du Parishad (AHP), said the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vi cadres after completion of trictions. It is also building completed work on 75% of while observing that the WhatsApp number for Is Members of rightwing structure was demolished jayan said stern action District Practical Training 61 strategic IndoChina Bor the construction work on “sovereignty, fraternity and lamic information,” the Hindu outfi ts claimed to by activists of Bajrang Dal, would be taken against the (DPT) due to COVID-19 der Roads (ICBRs), measur the 61 ICBRs. integrity of India takes pre court observed. have demolished the set for since “complaints against culprits. lockdown.
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC Karnataka govt. takes eff orts to solve mystery over birthplace of Purandara Dasa
Though it was widely believed that the mystic poet was born in Purandharagad, Maharashtra, many in Malnad claim that he hailed from the region
Veerendra P.M. As ‘Purandara Vithala’ Varthepura, Vithalanagundi, people in Malnad then in regarding the birthplace, the After visiting Keshavapura Shivamogga was the pen name of his Dasanagadde, it was argued their daytoday life. State government had and surrounding places, the To explore defi nitive compositions, it was widely that these places were Prior to his initiation to directed Kannada committee members said archaeological evidences believed that the mystic poet inhabited by merchant Haridasa tradition, University, Hampi, to form there was enough evidence that may put an end to was born in Purandharagad, community infl uenced by Purandara Dasa was a rich an expert committee. The to come to the conclusion speculations regarding the Maharashtra. However, the Vaishnava tradition to merchant and was called as committee formed by the that the devotional poet was birthplace of Purandara many in Malnad claimed which Purandara Dasa Srinivasa Nayaka. Referring university comprised R.K. born here. The committee Dasa, hailed as father fi gure that he hailed from this belonged. The late to this, the proponents of Padmanabha, music expert; had recommended that of Carnatic music, the region. Patamakki Rathnakar, the theory that Puranadara Leeladevi R. Prasad, former further research be Department of Archaeology, According to historians, former MLA of Tirthahalli, Dasa was born in Malnad Minister of Kannada and conducted on the issue. Heritage and Museums will Araga in Malnad was a who had requested the point out that ‘Nayaka’ title Culture; A.V. Navada, Shejeshwara R., Assistant soon commence fi eld buzzing commercial centre Karnataka government to was attributed to locally Veeranna Rajoora, Director, Department of research work at during the Vijayanagar rule, conduct research over the infl uential people, including Aralumallige Parthasarathy Archaeology, Heritage and Keshavapura in Araga the period to which the poet issue, had said that many wealthy merchants in and Shivanand Museums, said archaeology Grama Panchayat of belonged to. Referring to the words that fi gured in Malnad during the Virakthamutt, experts in experts would visit Araga Tirthahalli taluk in names of the places in the Purandara Dasa’s Vijayanagar rule. Kannada Bhakti Sahitya or and surrounding villages for Going back in time: An ancient temple near Keshavapura in
Karnataka. vicinity of Keshavapura — compositions were used by To solve the mystery devotional literature. preliminary research soon. Tirthahalli taluk of Karnataka. * VAIDYA CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
THE HINDU DELHI TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 NEWS 9 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
INTERVIEW | DHARMENDRA PRADHAN ‘India has become more resilient to disruptions in crude supplies’ Government is taking a ‘cautious and conscious approach of a balance in fuel price’ to use the savings for welfare, says Petroleum Minister
Nistula Hebbar mand dried up. There were Atma Nirbhar Bharat, the taking care of his family. So far, the Indian oil mar no takers for the crude being four parameters — land, la keting companies have not Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra The economic produced, the world literally bour, liquidity and laws — Oil politics is heating up in had any problems in secur Pradhan speaks on the lockdown due to COVID-19, oil prices <> package ran out of storage space for have all been emphasised in West Asia and Russia. How ing their supplies as the mar and global oil politics set to heat up the world over. announced is a mix the crude and petroleum the Atma Nirbhar Bharat do you see India placed in ket is wellsupplied despite of supply-side and products. The reduction of package of ₹ 20 lakh crore — this scenario especially the production cuts begin Do you think a harsh ■ The decisions were and are demand-side demand has led to a peculiar equivalent to 10% of the GDP. looking at our import ning this month (May). In my lockdown, the kind we have in the interest of all Indians measures situation where the product Learnings from the expe basket? discussions with the Energy had in India, is justifi ed? as a whole necessitated by a prices are less than the price riences of 200913 have Ministers of top producing pandemic staring us in our of the crude. These negative prompted the government to ■ India has over the years countries and in the G20 Ex ■ A decision was needed in face. These are tough calls margins and low crude pric be responsible and not signifi cantly diversifi ed its traordinary Energy Minis the interest of saving lives. It we need to take as one na always maintained that the considering lowering the es do not refl ect the real eco splurge. The economic pack sources of crude oil to im ters’ meeting in April, I have was made. That gave us pre tion and we are fortunate to next wave of growth must rate as that in itself would be nomics of oil refi ning and age announced is a mix of prove its resilience to disrup stressed the need for ad cious time to prepare as a so have a leadership who could come from the eastern part considered a stimulus to the pricing of end products. Our supplyside and demand tions in crude supplies due dressing the crude oil price ciety to fi ght the virus, pre take those calls. The inter of the country and has economy? government’s view is to take side measures, including to geopolitical factors. Dur volatility while allowing con vented our systems from State workers wanting to go worked towards that. Our go a cautious and conscious ap putting money directly into ing the last year, we managed suming countries such as In being overwhelmed and al back to their homes was very vernment has also worked ■ The oil industry is faced proach of a balance in price, people’s hands by increasing to secure steady supplies of dia to source crude at aff or lowed us the space and op natural. We did calibrate our towards greater formalisa with an extraordinary situa save it and use it for welfare. the allocation towards the crude oil despite challenges dable prices. I think, in the portunity to calibrate our steps at the earliest moment tion of the economy and pro tion. These are not normal rural employment guarantee to security in West Asia, par coming months, we are go response. We are still in the of necessity, allowing buses viding social security to times. Slippage of crude pric Finance Minister Nirmala scheme. Strictly supplyside ticularly attacks on Saudi oil ing to see more eff orts to ba fi ght and there might be to operate and introducing workers which will, in the es is coupled with disappea Sitharaman’s economic measures also have a de facilities and also due to lance the supplydemand more benefi ts that we are not Shramik trains to ensure long term, benefi t our work rance of demand worldwide. stimulus package has been mandside component. If the fl areup in U.S.Iran tensions. factors as a majority of coun immediately appreciative of. muchneeded relief. ers and empower them. The situation arose fi rst be termed stingy by the Micro Small and Medium En The problem we are facing tries are trying to resume Having said that, we as a cause of the price wars bet Opposition. What is your terprises (MSME) get greater now is a combination of se economic activities with gra With lakhs of interState society and nation must in Globally the price of ween oil exporting nations. view on the direct income liquidity, a signifi cant part of rious eff ects on the demand dual lifting of lockdowns. I workers hitting the trospect deeply on the issue petroleum has tanked, but Earlier, the oil producing support they have been it will go in paying wages. It is side due to the pandemic am confi dent that the revival highways to go to their of migrant labourers. There India is charging its citizens countries could resolve their asking for instead? a sound philosophy because and the eff orts of OPEC and of our domestic demand will native places, do you think is an urgent need for more more than three times the diff erences and reduce pro ultimately the dignity of a OPECPlus countries to mod surely help improve the glo they could have been given geographically uniform price. Even accounting for duction, then COVID19 ■ The Prime Minister’s faith human is more when he erate the supplyside factors bal supplydemand equilibri time to do so before the growth in the country. Ho the fact that revenue needs struck. Due to the lockdowns is on empowering people. In thinks he is contributing, to address the demand con um, thus bringing greater lockdown was announced? nourable Prime Minister has to be generated, are you in major economies, the de order to prove the resolve of earning honest money and traction. energy market stability. Opposition mulls strategy to corner govt. Cong. to hold online drive to Several leaders have called for more aggressive protests against the Centre’s unilateral policies push for direct cash transfer Special correspondent committee and an action dermining the constitution New Delhi Leaders can go in a plan since we discussed in ally guaranteed federal ‘Government insensitive and aloof to plight of citizens’ As the nationwide lockdown <> delegation or they can the meeting,” Mr. Raja said. democracy,” a joint state to prevent the spread of CO At the start of the lock ment issued by 22 Opposi Special correspondent simultaneously between 11 and other daily wage ear resort to symbolic protests. VID19 has stretched to more down, faced with an unpre tion parties last Friday had New Delhi a.m. and 2 p.m. ners are in grave dis than two months, a section We are all responsible parties cedented health crisis, Op stated. The Congress will hold on Party president Sonia tress...The government re of Opposition leaders are and must raise people's issues position parties, including On May 22, leaders of the Thursday an online cam Gandhi, former president mains insensitive and aloof,” now advocating a more ag D. RAJA Oppositionrun State govern Central trade unions had al paign to put pressure on the Rahul Gandhi, party general he told The Hindu. gressive approach towards CPI GENERAL SECRETARY ments, backed the Narendra so held a symbolic protest government to make direct secretary Priyanka Gandhi While the party had been the Union government over Modi government against the unilateral chang cash transfer of ₹ 10,000 to and all Congress Chief Minis taking relief measures at its its handling of the completely. es to labour laws. all the families outside the ters are expected to partici end, an institutional inter pandemic. States, dilution of the labour Communist Party of India But now, Trinamool Con But Opposition leaders do income tax bracket to tide pate in the campaign. vention was essential to Congress leaders are sup laws, handling the move general secretary D. Raja gressruled West Bengal, face a tricky situation: how over the fi nancial crisis that The event, general secre ameliorate the pain of all posed to form a small group/ ment of migrant workers talked of an action plan, Shiv Senaled Maharashtra do they organise protests the extended lockdown has tary (organisation) K.C. Ve those suff ering because of committee of Opposition and Centre’s refusal to go for moving beyond videoconfe government and those in without risking the spread of brought upon them. nugopal said, is an eff ort to the extended lockdown. leaders to chalk out an com direct cash transfers” among rences. other Congressruled States the virus. “Leaders can go in The party is expecting at make the government listen “Instead of providing sup mon action plan against the other issues. Loktantrik Janata Dal have been severely critical of a delegation or they can re least 50 lakh of its workers, and consider the demands port, the Central govern Modi government and eff ec The idea to form a coordi leader Sharad Yadav too sup the Centre. sort to symbolic protests . offi cebearers and sympath made by the party. ment continues to ignore the tively hit the streets over nation group was suggested ported such a demand. “Union Government has We are all responsible par isers to participate. “Lakhs of migrant work plight of these people and “centralisation of powers by by Congress chief Sonia “I will follow up with the unabashedly usurped pow ties and must raise people's They will come live on va ers, farmers, workers in un has failed to take any mea usurping powers of the Gandhi last Friday when Congress leaders on the ers vested in the States un issues,” Mr. Raja said. rious social media platforms organised sectors, MSMEs ningful measures,” he said.
Two militants gunned down ‘Allow online meetings of House panels’ in Kulgam You can’t shut a democracy due to the lockdown, says Congress leader Anand Sharma special correspondent Sobhana K. Nair the facilities available at the sengers. Asymptomatic and other associated issues. Srinagar New Delhi Parliament House to hold passengers arriving in Delhi Chairman of the IT com Two unidentifi ed militants Resumption of domestic meetings while adhering to will not require quarantine mittee, Shashi Tharoor, who were gunned down in an fl ights is not enough to hold strict social distancing or isolation. was one of the earliest to de operation in south Kash meetings of the parliamen norms. Parliamentary Af mand a virtual meeting, told mir’s Kulgam, the police tary standing committees till fairs Minister Prahlad Joshi, 23 countries The Hindu that he is still said on Monday. Parliament, as an alterna too, was present. Nine Overall, Mr. Sharma said, awaiting the Speaker’s con In the intervening night tive, also arranges for mem rooms in the Parliament there was still a lot of confu sent. of May 24 and 25, the pol bers to join these meetings House and Annexe building sion about air travel due to Chairman of the labour ice, the Army’s 34 Rashtri virtually, Congress leader have been identifi ed for the which a virtual mode is es committee B. Mahtab, who ya Rifl es and the CRPF’s 18 and Chairman of the Stand purpose. sential. If Parliament of 34 has written twice to the Battalion at Khud Hanjipo ing Committee on Home Af nations can use the virtual Speaker on the issue, said he ra launched an operation fairs Anand Sharma said. Varied rules method to connect, then would be writing again on on a specifi c input, a police His comments came even Mr. Sharma said you can’t Anand Sharma why not the Indian Parlia Tuesday seeking to convene spokesman said. as Parliament is preparing to shut the democracy because ment, he asked. the meeting of the panel at “During the search oper resume parliamentary panel of the lockdown. “Since the those who are able to physi He has, meanwhile, writ the earliest. ation, terrorists fi red on meetings, which abruptly fl ights have started, we will cally attend and those mem ten a fresh letter to the Rajya Informed sources said, the search party. In the en halted during the extended convene the meeting at the bers who will be unable to Sabha Secretariat to convene the eff ort to explore a safe suing encounter, two terro COVID19 lockdown. Two earliest. The point is that travel because of restrictions the meeting of the panel on medium to hold meetings rists were killed. Their presiding offi cers of Parlia there is lack of clarity on the should be allowed to join vir home aff airs at the earliest virtually was being explored identifi cation and affi lia ment, Rajya Sabha Chairman quarantine and other mea tually,” he told The Hindu. since the Ministry of Home simultaneously. Secretary tion are being ascer M. Venkaiah Naidu and Lok sures for fl yers. Therefore I States have announced va Aff airs is at the nub of regu Generals of the two Houses tained,” the spokesperson Sabha Speaker Om Birla, see no reason that we have ried quarantine and selfiso lating the lockdown, move have been directed to submit said. met on Saturday to review both the provisions, that lation rules for arriving pas ment of migrant workers a report at the earliest. Gen. Naravane has hurt Gurkha sentiments, says Nepal Minister
Pokhrel condemns comments on Kalapani dispute special correspondent Nepal to agitate. “There is NEW DELHI reason to believe that they The Indian Army chief’s might have raised this issue comments on the Kalapani at the behest of someone dispute had hurt the senti else and that is very much a ments of Nepali Gurkhas possibility”, he stated dur who have a long tradition of ing an online seminar on sacrifi ce for India, Nepal’s May 15. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ishwor ‘Political domain’ Pokhrel said on Monday. The Nepal Army has, howev In an interview to an on er, maintained silence on line news outlet The Rising Army chief General Manoj this issue and declined to be Nepal, he said General Ma Naravane drawn into the territorial noj Naravane’s indirect refe dispute. rence to alleged Chinese stand tall in front of the Spokesperson of the Ne hand behind the diplomatic Gurkha forces,” he said. pal army, Brig. General Bi spat was “condemnable” Mr. Pokhrel termed Gen. gyan Dev Pandey earlier re and the Nepal Army would Naravane’s comments a fused to respond to General fi ght if necessary. “political stunt”. Such opi Naravane’s comments, say “With this, the Indian nions were not expected ing the matter fell in the Chief of the Army Staff has from the head of the Army, “political” domain. also hurt the sentiments of he said. On Monday too, he main the Nepali Gurkha Army per Gen. Manoj Naravane had tained the same position, sonnel who lay down their said the link road was built saying he was “not entitled” lives to protect India. It must on the Indian territory and to comment on the the opi now be diffi cult for them to that there was no cause for nion of the Defence Minister.
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DELHI THE HINDU 10 NEWS TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
U.P. releases Migrants must get MNS Interns on COVID duty demand stipend skill map Students of private medical college in Ujjain threatened with legal action of migrants Sidharth Yadav threat. Don’t we deserve res of the novel coronavirus is Besides, interns have been nod, says Raj Thackeray Bhopal special correspondent pect and some kind of fi nan responsible for the higher covered under mediclaim.” Around 120 interns at a priv cial support at least?” asked number of deaths. Samples College Dean M.K. Rathore LUCKNOW Party chief says they should also take govt. permission ate medical college in Ujjain, an intern. “It is our right any from Ujjain, Indore and the said as private colleges hadn’t The Uttar Pradesh govern where most of the city’s CO way as we are performing other two neighbouring dis been paying stipend to in ment on Monday released Staff Reporter above needs to be followed VID19 patients are being [regular] duties although we tricts of Dewas and Khargone terns, there was no question its fi rst skill map of migrant Mumbai by Maharashtra,” he said. treated, have refused to per are students.” have been sent to the Nation of paying it now. “They just workers who returned to A day after Uttar Pradesh Mr. Adityanath came up form duties until they are The intern also alleged the al Institute of Virology, Pune, want to avoid duties. Many the State during the lock Chief Minister Yogi Aditya with his permission require paid a stipend on a par with college had not formally to identify the virus strain. have been interning for three down. nath said that States will ment on Sunday, claiming government institutions and taught them the procedure to Another intern said they months, but did not raise the The government has have to take permission that migrant workers from they are imparted training in safely wear and remove per must be paid ₹ 10,500 per demand before. Only when said it will provide them from his government before Uttar Pradesh were not handling PPE kits. sonal protective equipment month, just like government they were put on COVID du employment in the State as hiring workers, Maharashtra treated well by the States The R.D. Gardi Medical (PPE). “We may end up get colleges. “Since we are help ties, they started raising per their skills and expe Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief they went to work in. The College had directed its in ting infected and carrying the ing combat the pandemic questions,” he said. rience and will constitute a Raj Thackeray has said that MNS retort is seen as an ag terns to take up COVID19 du infection to others outside equally if not more, why dis “If doctors are scared like Migrant Commission for any migrant entering Maha Raj Thackeray gressive push by the party of ties from May 22, but they ha the ward,” he said. criminate against us ? Non this, how can we combat the the purpose. rashtra would, in that case, its sons of the soil agenda. ven’t complied with the Ujjain is one of the worst payment of stipend is discou pandemic? Others, including So far, 2324 lakh mi need to take permission be registered and their per Political leaders, includ order so far. As a result, 22 in hit cities in Madhya Pradesh, raging for us,” she said. senior doctors are perform grant workers have re from his party, police and sonal details and identifi ca ing Chief Minister Uddhav terns have received letters with a death rate of 9.4% ing duties. They must also turned to Uttar Pradesh the State government. tion proof will have to be Thackeray, have said that from the Ujjain District Col among its 575 COVID19 pa ‘Not part of policy’ come forward,” he added. during the lockdown, the Mr. Thackeray said on submitted to the police sta the exodus of workers from lector asking them to return tients. Given its proximity to Stating that stipend was any As for the training, Dr. government said. Monday that the Maharash tion,” he said. Only if these Maharashtra had opened up to work within 12 hours or Indore, which has recorded way not part of the COVID19 Rathore said it was being im tra government must look requirements were met dili vacancies in factories and face legal action. the most number of cases policy, Additional Collector parted to everyone. “Interns Construction sector into the matter seriously. “In gently would they be al businesses and appealed to “We are putting ourselves and fatalities in the State, Sujan Rawat said, “It can be are required to maintain only The largest set of these mi future, migrants desiring to lowed to enter Maharashtra. the local youth to come for in such hazardous situations, health experts have suggest decided only by the manage case sheets. They don’t di grant workers are related enter our State will need to “A strict adherence to the ward and take them. in the face of the COVID19 ed that a more virulent strain ment based on existing rules. rectly handle patients.” to the construction sector, with over 1.52 lakh engaged in work in real estate or construction agencies. The list also includes Maharashtra issues guidelines for air travel painters (26,041), carpen ters (16,064), drivers (9,052), electricians and Passengers to be stamped on left hand for home isolation of 14 days and selfmonitoring of health persons associated with electronics (4,980), securi Aditya Anand zones of hotspot areas. claration form. Passengers ty guards (3364), furniture Mumbai Chief Secretary Ajoy Meh will be subject to thermal and fi tting workers (2,234) Hours after domestic fl ight ta, in the order, said the gui screening upon arrival by and autorepair mechanics operations resumed in the delines for airports and tra health offi cers of the Briha (1,557), said a senior State, the Maharashtra go vel issued by the Union namumbai Municipal Corpo offi cial. vernment on Monday even Ministry of Health and Fami ration or other civic bodies ing issued standard operat ly Welfare (MOHFW) on May or district administration, as ‘List to expand’ All aboard: Migrants at the Wadala ground in Mumbai ing procedure (SOP) 24 would be applicable to all applicable. Awanish Awasthi, Addi boarding buses to catch special trains. * EMMANUAL YOGINI guidelines for passengers ar inbound and outbound air A 24/7 receptioncumhel tional Chief Secretary, riving and departing from travel. pline desk will be activated. Home Department, said the State. As per the guidelines, no This desk will, in coordina the list was expected to ex Route congestion issue According to the guide dal offi cers will be tion with the police and tran pand. lines, each arriving passen appointed. sport commissioners, have Pointing out that around ger will be subject to a tem New rules: A passenger at the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar all details of fl ight informa 12,103 migrant workers sorted out: Railways perature check and stamped International Airport in Nagpur. * S. SUDARSHAN Detailed passenger list tion, movement plans and were linked to the garment on the left hand for home The offi cer will have to be details of arriving passen and tailoring sector, the of isolation of 14 days and self ven days or those who have and have planned for on provided with a detailed pas gers. fi cial said Chief Minister ‘Issue due to convergence of routes’ monitoring of health. to leave (their place of stay) ward or return journey will senger list at least six hours Those passengers moving Yogi Adityanath felt that “if Offi cials on the ground for offi cerelated or other ur have to share the details of in advance of a fl ight. Pas outside the red zone will on garment hubs can be built Special Correspondent etc., that needed to be com will be allowed to decide ex gent work. Those passengers the same to be exempted sengers will be advised to ly be on specifi c reason and in Bangladesh and Viet NEW DELHI pleted by State authorities,” emptions for those coming whose stay in the city of ar from isolation. They will not download the Aarogya Setu if requisite permission has nam, then why not here in Following concerns over the Railways said on to Mumbai for less than se rival is less than seven days be allowed in containment app and have to fi ll a selfde been taken in advance. Uttar Pradesh.” several instances of diver Monday. sion of Shramik Special It said the matter had trains bound for Uttar Pra been resolved through “ac desh and Bihar, the Rail tive consultation” with the ways on Monday said the is State governments and also China to repatriate stranded nationals ILO urges PM not to sue of congestion on these fi nding other feasible routes routes had been sorted out. for the journey. On Saturday, replying to It added that as on May Flights from Mumbai, New Delhi and Kolkata will begin from June 2 dilute labour laws queries on a Gorakhpur (Ut 25, till 10 a.m., 3,060 Shra tar Pradesh)bound Shramik mik Special trains had been Ananth Krishnan within the past 14 days len. The entry of all foreign Special train from Maha operated from various CHENNAI would not be permitted to nationals has been suspend It responds to unions’ plea for action rashtra reaching Odisha, the States, carrying more than China has announced plans fl y. ed. Railways had said that with 40 lakh passengers. “Out of to repatriate its nationals in The costs for the tickets Starting March 29, Chi special correspondent ter to send a clear message 80% of Shramik Special the 3,060 Shramik Special India who have been unable and for quarantine expenses nese airlines have been per New Delhi to Central and State govern trains going to Uttar Pra trains, 2,608 have been ter to return because of the CO for 14 days on arrival in Chi mitted to fl y one route to any The International Labour ments to uphold the coun desh and Bihar, there was minated, 453 trains are run VID19 pandemic, with na would be borne by the country per week, while fo Organisation (ILO) has in try’s international commit network congestion on the ning,” it said. fl ights scheduled for the fi rst passengers. reign airlines can maintain formed trade unions of In ments and encourage routes, hence, some trains As per data shared, the week of June. According to a tentative one weekly route to China. dia that its DirectorGeneral engagement in eff ective so were diverted to alternative top fi ve States from where A notice issued by the Chi fl ight schedule as of May 25, All incoming travellers has expressed concern and cial dialogue”. routes. “The rail route con maximum trains originated nese Embassy in New Delhi the fi rst fl ight would depart will have to take nucleic acid urged Prime Minister Naren gestion which was being are Gujarat (853), Maharash on Monday said students, from New Delhi to Shanghai sampling and blood tests on dra Modi to “send a clear Wide representation witnessed on May 2324, is tra (550), Punjab (333), Ut businessmen and tourists on June 2. Other routes are Passengers at the Shivaji arrival and most will have to message” to the Central and The unions that sent the re over. The congestion had tar Pradesh (221) and Delhi “in urgent need of returning MumbaiChongqing ( June Maharaj International undergo 14 days’ centralised State governments to presentation to the ILO occurred due to the conver (181). Maximum trains ter home” would be allowed to 3), KolkataJinan ( June 5), Airport in Mumbai. * PTI quarantine at their expense. uphold international labour were the Indian National gence of more than two minated at Uttar Pradesh travel back, and would need DelhiGuangzhou ( June 7) The Embassy’s notice said laws after the recent dilu Trade Union Congress, the third rail traffi c on routes to (1,245), followed by Bihar to register by May 27. and MumbaiZhengzhou restrictions citing a rise in passengers will have to tion of laws by some States. AllIndia Trade Union Con Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and (846), Jharkhand (123), Mad Those who had been diag (June 8). imported COVID19 cases, comply with nucleic acid A group of 10 Central gress, the Hind Mazdoor late clearance of the termi hya Pradesh (112) and Od nosed with COVID19 or had On March 27, China an even as the number of local sampling and blood testing trade unions wrote to the Sabha, the Centre of Indian nals due to health protocols isha (73). fever and cough symptoms nounced international travel ly transmitted cases had fal procedures on arrival. ILO in Geneva on May 14, Trade Unions, the AllIndia seeking its intervention to United Trade Union Centre, protect workers’ rights and the Trade Union Coordina international labour stan tion Committee, the Self dards. Employed Women’s Asso AI can assign middle seats In Ganjam’s poorer households, ciation, the AllIndia Central ‘Expressed concern’ Council of Trade Unions, In a response to the unions the Labour Progressive Fed home quarantine is diffi cult on May 22, the chief of the eration and the United on rescue fl ights for now: SC Freedom Of Association Trade Union Congress. Branch of the ILO’s Interna They sent the representa Around 70,000 migrants have returned to the district tional Labour Standards De tion to the ILO after Uttar ‘After June 6, it must comply with interim orders by HC’ partment, Karen Curtis, Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Sib Kumar Das wrote: “Please allow me to Gujarat and some other Legal Correspondent BERHAMPUR assure you that the ILO Di States either suspended a NEW DELHI After 21 days of institutional rectorGeneral has imme large number of labour laws The Supreme Court con quarantine, Maheswar diately intervened, express for twothree years or dilut vened urgently on a public Swain and Bangali Swain of ing his deep concern at ed them in an attempt to holiday to allow Air India to Bharasa village of Khallikote these recent events and ap woo industry in the midst of assign middle seats to pas block in Odisha’s Ganjam pealing to the Prime Minis the COVID19 pandemic. sengers on nonscheduled district, a couple who have fl ights to rescue citizens returned from Surat, are stranded abroad amid the spending their mandatory COVID19 pandemic. home quarantine period in a Former Assam CM seeks A threejudge Bench led makeshift hut to check the by Chief Justice of India Sha possible spread of COVID19. rad A. Bobde, on Monday, Akhaya Pahana, another Home at last: Maheswar and Bangali Swain in their makeshift release of 2 JNU students said the public carrier can Wings clipped: A pilot petitioned that the airline was fl outing returnee from Surat to the quarantine hut. * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT fi ll up its middle seats up to a government order by not keeping the middle seats vacant. Bharasa village, spends his Pinjra Tod members in police custody June 6. After that, Air India home quarantine period on houses that have been dam completed their institutional (AI) would operate in com considered necessary dur Mr. Kanani said AI was fl out the verandah of his Phailin aged by past cyclones. quarantine to spend a man SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT custody on Sunday in an al pliance with any interim or ing the pendency of the mat ing a condition imposed in a Cyclonedamaged house or datory seven days in home GUWAHATI leged murder case linked to ders passed by the High ter in the interest of public government circular to keep under a nearby tree. Inherent hardships quarantine. But the lack of Former Assam Chief Minis the riots. Court, which has already health and safety of the pas the middle seats vacant. The Nine members of Jhadia But despite the hardships in adequate rooms and infras ter Tarun Gogoi on Monday “Our Constitution allows scheduled a hearing on June sengers rather than com High Court had sought a res Gouda’s family from the herent in their home qua tructure at homes has creat wrote to Union Home Minis every citizen to show dis 2. mercial considerations. ponse from AI and the DGCA same village are spending rantine, most are only too ed problems in the manda ter Amit Shah seeking the sent and stage democratic, “In these circumstances, AI and the government on this petition by June 2. their days of home quaran happy to reunite with family tory home quarantine immediate release of two Ja nonviolent protests. The we propose to remand the had appealed to the apex In a virtual court hearing tine in their single room members after a long period period. hawarlal Nehru University two students had like many matter to the Bombay High court against an interim or through videoconferencing, house. of anxiety. The Odisha government ( JNU) students who were others across the country Court with a request to the der on May 22 of the Bombay the Supreme Court Bench Most traditional houses in Such experiences are had in the past increased the rearrested on Sunday. resorted to peaceful prot High Court to pass an eff ec High Court, which asked the made its displeasure clear Ganjam’s villages have one playing out in most villages institutional quarantine pe Natasha Narwal and De ests against the unconstitu tive interim order after hear national carrier to operate about AI’s full capacity or two rooms arranged in a of Ganjam district, which riod to 21 days, followed by vangana Kalita are members tional Citizenship Amend ing all concerned on the date the fl ights keeping the mid fl ights without following so series — one room leads to has already welcomed seven days of mandatory of Pinjra Tod, a women’s ment Act,” Mr Gogoi said. fi xed, June 2,” the Supreme dle seats vacant. The High cial distancing norms. “You another room. They have a around 70,000 migrant home quarantine for the re rights collective. They were “Their arrest is vindictive Court directed in its sixpage Court order was based on a should be worried about the single toilet. So, it is quite workers returning from out turnees. This has now been arrested in February in con and underlines the Bharati order. petition fi led by an AI pilot, health of citizens, not about hard to adhere to social dis side Odisha due to the CO reduced to seven days insti nection with the antiCiti ya Janata Party’s bid to curb The court also made it Deven Yogesh Kanani, who the health of the airline,” tancing during home qua VID19 pandemic. Those tutional quarantine followed zenship (Amendment) Act the freedom of expression,” clear that the Director Gen showed photographs of a Chief Justice Bobde ad rantine. who had returned to the dis by seven days home quaran protests at Jaff rabad in he said, appealing to the Mr. eral of Civil Aviation (DGCA) full capacity fl ight between dressed Solicitor General Several migrant workers trict in the last week of April tine for persons not having northeast Delhi. Shah to instruct the Delhi was free to alter any norms San Francisco and Mumbai. Tushar Mehta. have only small thatched or the beginning of May have any symptoms of COVID19. They were sent to police police for their release. 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THE HINDU DELHI TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 NEWS 11 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
INTERVIEW | SANTOSH MEHROTRA ‘Reverse migration to villages has set the economy back by 15 years’ India risks losing benefi ts of the demographic dividend by not creating enough jobs for new entrants, warns Professor Mehrotra
Sobhana K. Nair cause the growth rate vernment and mind you, fi s then you are not going to see per annum, you have to Is the stimulus announced slowed. We entered 2020 cal stimulus alone, was 4% of a revival of demand. The to create at least 5 million non Santosh K. Mehrotra, Professor of Economics at the Centre by Finance Minister Nirmala with seven quarters of syste the GDP (supplemented by tal unemployed went from agricultural jobs. for Informal Sector & Labour Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru Sitharaman strong enough matic decline in growth rate, monetary policy actions). about 30 million in 2018 to Secondly, you need to University and author of the recently launched book Reviving to bring the economy back investment rate and exports. And the fi scal package an 122 million in April 2020. create enough jobs to em Jobs: An Agenda For Growth says the current reverse migra- on track? So, every engine of growth nounced postCOVID19 is This is unprecedented in In ploy the currently unem tion has set the country back by 15 years, and stresses that the had stopped fi ring; govern less than 1% of the GDP, alth dian history. Some jobs ployed, which has risen economic stimulus package announced by the government is ■ A straightforward answer ment revenue growth ough the economic and jobs would come back postlock sharply. Thirdly, in 2018 we minuscule compared with the package rolled out by the Man- is no. But before I answer slowed, the real fi scal defi cit crisis is much deeper than in down. But how many of had 205 million people work mohan Singh government during the 2008 crisis. this we need to see what hap in 201819 was 5.68% of GDP 2008. them will come back de ing in agriculture. From pened between 2012 and for the central government pends on the quality of the 200405 until 2018, the abso 2018. Until 2012, nearly 7.5 (as revealed by CAG) when Can this stimulus package stimulus... lute number of workers in How prolonged will be the FY22 (as RBI has admitted). million nonagriculture jobs the government was claim provide jobs, say in the next agriculture was falling be economic impact of this Also, we were in an econom were being created per year, ing it was 3.4%. six months or a year from In your book, you have cause nonagricultural jobs extended lockdown? Do you ic crisis even before the pan but thereafter there was a <> We were in an By early 2019, the govern now? observed that the were growing fast. This see the workers who left the demic started. slight economic slowdown, economic crisis even ment did not have the fi scal demographic dividend means the process of struc cities returning anytime But before we get there, but still the average GDP before the pandemic space left any longer to ac ■ No because this stimulus is kicked in during the 1980s tural transformation of redi soon? you need to appreciate the growth over 200414 was 8% started tually jump start the econo heavily dependent on banks and it will end by 2040. We recting the workforce from contrasting economic situa per annum. my if a shock was to happen. extending loans. Why do I, as just have 20 years left to agriculture to construction/ ■ I see a long economic and tion prevailing in the last There were two years of much larger numbers than Given that COVID19 is an un an entrepreneur, borrow cash it. How does this industry/services was under migrant worker impact. I quarter of 2019 before the droughts in 20142015. The before). Thereafter, the num precedented exogenous from the bank when I know pandemic and the economic way. don’t see them streaming pandemic, and the pre2008 slowdown also accelerated ber looking for work in shock delivered to a slowing demand is already extremely fall out impact on this But after 2012, we have back in a hurry. The trauma crisis situation. Before 2008, after 2014 because of mis creased to roughly 5 million economy, we were hoping low in the economy, both dividend? been witnessing a decline in has been far too great. There all engines of growth were placed economic policies. per annum. These young pe that the government would domestically and interna jobs in manufacturing for the are many reasons why they fi ring. The rate of nonagricultural ople were getting better edu take a slightly diff erent view tionally? This is a global eco ■ Yes, we are running a very, fi rst time in India’s history. If left — poor living conditions Our investmenttoGDP jobs was reduced to 2.9 mil cated and no longer wanted than it has taken, and signifi nomic crisis much worse very serious risk of frittering we are to realise the demo here, overnight loss of liveli ratio was at an all time high. lion per annum. to be tied down to agricultu cantly increase public ex than the 2008 one. So why away this dividend. Realising graphic dividend, we need a hood, no social security and GDP growth was 89% per Now, this was happening ral jobs. The result was open penditure. am I going to borrow to in the demographic dividend shift of jobs from the agricul so on. They will not return in annum and because of that at a time when young en unemployment. And that is Now going back to the vest? Some borrowing for requires job growth at a rate ture sector to manufactur a hurry and relates to your the job growth was very ra trants into the labour force how we came to our 45year 2008 crisis, the fi scal space working capital will take faster than the number of en ing. Reverse migration, that larger question on the revival pid. We had fi ve million un were increasing. Until 2012 high in open unemployment existed then because the place. The government has trants into the labour force. we are seeing today, has in of the economy; for the fi rst skilled workers leaving agri the number of new entrants rate in 2018. economy had been growing taken supply side action If new entrants into the la creased workers in agricul time in decades, India’s eco culture for the fi rst time in in the job market was only 2 The state of the economy until then. In the post 2008 without taking demand side bour force, who are better ture by 5.2 million in a few nomy will contract in FY21, Indian history because non million per annum (as youth and joblessness continued to global economic crisis, the action. If you don’t put mo educated, are entering at a weeks. It means that we have and revive in the latter half of agri jobs were growing. were entering school in worsen through 2019 be fi scal stimulus size by the go ney into the hands of people, rate of more than 5 million gone back by 15 years. Bengal, Odisha get promised ₹ 1,500 cr. As orders dry up, Durga puja Home Ministry will send an InterMinisterial Central Team soon to assess the damage in Bengal may lose its shine Vijaita Singh nounced by the PM as 70% of restoration of complete sup New Delhi the population was aff ected. ply in some areas”. Artisans worsthit following lockdown and cyclone The relief of ₹ 1,000 crore More than 80 deaths have It said that Central agen and ₹ 500 crore released to been reported so far. cies are deployed in these ef Suvojit Bagchi West Bengal and Odisha, res forts with teams from neigh Kolkata pectively, in the wake of the NCMC meets bouring States. Somnath Rudra Pal, a young damage and destruction The National Crisis Manage The Army has been de clay artisan, was sitting op caused by Cyclone Amphan, ment Committee (NCMC), ployed in Kolkata, to help in posite his spacious work has been disbursed from the chaired by Cabinet Secretary carry out road clearances shop in Kumartuli, uncom National Disaster Response Rajiv Gauba, met on Monday with teams of NDRF and the monly listless: “Clearly, Fund (NDRF). to discuss the relief and res State government. there is no work, you can Prime Minister Narendra toration measures in West “Cabinet Secretary also see.” He receives orders for Modi, during his visit to the Bengal. suggested that West Bengal about 20 idols of goddess two States on May 22, had The Chief Secretary of Government may indicate Durga each year, but in announced an “advance as On task: NDRF personnel assisting the Bengal government in West Bengal Rajiva Sinha ap their additional require 2020, he is yet to receive Fervour missing: The hay-wood structures are yet to get sistance” of ₹ 1,500 crore on restoring normalcy in Kolkata on Sunday. * RAJEEV BHATT prised the NCMC of the ments if any and directed of any, he said. layers of plaster cover, usually done by this time each year. May 22. The Ministry of ground situation. fi cers of Central Ministries/ “Barring a few bookings Home Aff airs (MHA) will be Finance Ministry asked the lamity”. West Bengal Chief A statement by the MHA Agencies to work in close for private household Pujas, 6,000 Durga idols, is pep wakarma, Lakshmi, Basanti, sending an InterMinisterial Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Minister Mamata Banerjee said that “while Telecom coordination with State Go no neighbourhood commit pered with basic hayand Annapurna — which are wor Central Team (IMCT) soon to to credit the amount to the had earlier said that the State connectivity has been res vernment to provide all re tees arrived,” said Mr. Pal, a wood frames of the goddess. shipped a month or so be assess the damage. accounts of West Bengal and had suff ered 10 times the tored in most areas, damages quired assistance expedi third generation artist. Artisans said they usually fore and after the big puja. On May 23, on the recom Odisha on grounds of “relief damage envisaged in the to the local Power distribu tiously,” the MHA statement Bookings are usually con manage to put plaster and “Idols of small gods pro mendation of the MHA, the necessitated by natural ca ₹ 1,000 crore package an tion network has aff ected the said. fi rmed on the fi rst day of the clay on the frame by end of vide better volume on sales, Bengali new year, Poila Bai May. thus relatively better in sakh in the middle of April, come. Owing to lack of funds or Akshaya Tritiya, the Hin ‘Nearly nil’ and absence of workers, Home delivery du spring festival in the end The artisans’ association’s those idols could not be pre Heavy rain hits fi ve Assam districts of April, but owing to lock secretary said that booking pared,” he said. Durga Puja of liquor fails to down, none of the Puja com is “nearly nil” this year fol generates considerable reve mittees booked idols and lowing the COVID19 out nues in Bengal. A 2013 re click in Odisha Flood aff ects 30,000, adds to COVID19 woes as positive cases cross 500 mark paid the advance amount. break and Amphan. port by the Associated “[Cyclone] Amphan has “Both money fl ow and Chambers of Commerce and Staff reporter SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT “By 5 p.m. today [Mon destroyed the idols that we production ability was dis Industry estimated the size BHUBANESWAR GUWAHATI day], 30,701 people across made anticipating a few or turbed,” said Babu Pal, se of the Durga Puja “industry The Odisha government’s Heavy rainfall has aff ected 127 villages in fi ve districts ders,” said Mr. Pal. cretary, KMSS. “Bookings is about ₹ 25,000 crore.” plan for home delivery of more than 30,000 people in have been aff ected. The dis Kumartuli, by the bank of did not come through, dry “Funding at multiple le liquor failed to take off fi ve districts of Assam, bat trict offi cials are trying their river Hooghly, usually bus ing up the main annual in vels will fall in terms of per with tipplers queuing up tling fl ood along with the CO best to make the people adh tles at this time of year, but it come of potters. Secondly, sonal donations. I am not before shops to buy alco VID19 pandemic. ere to the pandemic proto was almost empty on Mon the workers, who mainly re sure if corporates will come hol on Monday after a gap Offi cials of the Assam cols, but it is tough to do so day afternoon with the lar side in Nadia district, went forward to support either. of two months. State Disaster Management in crisis situations,” an ASD gest association of artisans — home during lockdown, af Puja will be organised but People could not fi nd Authority (ASDMA) said peo MA spokesperson said. Kumartuli Mritshilpi San fecting production,” added would not be the same,” said any application platform to ple began trooping into two Apart from Goalpara, oth skriti Samiti (KMSS) — distri Mr. Pal. Subrata Mukherjee, the se order liquor online. Shop relief centres in Goalpara dis Villagers moving to safety in Goalpara district of Assam. * PTI er fl oodhit districts are Dar buting a free lunch of rice He narrated one more niormost Trinamool Con owners also insisted on trict on Monday even as the rang, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh and fi sh curry. The century critical problem. Between gress (TMC) Minister and selling offl ine. On Monday State recorded 514 COVID19 night. This is the highest sin rise with the State having and Lakhimpur. Goalpara is old potters’ colony, with April and August, the artists chief patron of one of the big morning, people queued positive cases, up by 122 gleday spike in Assam. ramped up its testing the worst aff ected with 89 about 500 artisans and their prepare the structure of ma budget Bengal Pujas, the Ek up before shops. from the fi gure on Sunday The number expected to facilities. villages inundated. families producing over ny small gods — Ganesh, Bis dalia Evergreen.
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SCAN TO PLAY Destress at home with some fun brain SUDOKU FAITH + 12945 teasers. Try out at neverbefore prices @ https://crossword.thehindu.com (set by Spinner) Bondage of karma 15 Introduction to coronavirus : Once sick, no one’s keeping it quiet! Sastras explain that karma has no beginning or end and that (10) all beings are bound to samsara by the ties of karma. All ac 16 Major sporting event up in the air (4) tions, good or bad, are called karma and produce the eff ects 19 “Pastries, a dozen of these for an Anna!” (4) of joy or sorrow respectively. So, actions that are done when 20 Sick at home, cured on picking up Spinner special! (10) being prompted by inner desires and vasanas are the karma 23 Hasty mixup involving money for transport vessels (6) and to face the eff ects thereon, people are born repeatedly. 25 Committed establishment overcoming devilish law (8) This naturally hinders their chances of liberation. 27 Presence of former fl ame entices unexpectedly (9) But Vedanta study off ers the path of Jnana or Vidya by 28 Yellowish mineral having traces of carbon and hydrogen (5) which one can circumvent the endless cycle of karma and 29 Carriage patron saint arranged with love after unending struggle strive to escape from this in a tangential manner, po inted (14) out Sri K. Srinivasan in a discourse. Even the study of Vedan ■ DOWN ta, if it remains at the theoretical and intellectua l level, be 2 Silence on organized incivility (9) comes ineff ective for realisation of Brahman. But it becomes 3 Serve red cocktail cold (8) a great boon when the spiritual aspirant utilises it to get rid 4 Perhaps, Venus rover’s taking directions with computer network of karma and to get liberated. The fundamental teaching (2,4,4) reinforced in the Gita is that each one should be aware that 5 Flash wife’s tattoo (4) he is a unique blend of the physical and the spiritual. The 6 Concentrate on penalty (6) self within the body is the witnessing consciousness respon 7 With no resistance, guarantee result (5) sible for the functioning of the body and is the knower of all, Solution to puzzle 12944 Solution to yesterday’s Sudoku 8 Cut/shaved with edges of table knife (7) the Kshetrajna. This self is the essence of permanent joy. 9 Busy architect forgoing art for a change (6) The body is compared to a fi eld, Kshetra, where events 14 Allegation of India’s workers being forced into tight corners (10) happen. There is birth, growth decline and death. Th e fi ve ■ ACROSS 17 Weird, is a topic involving husband’s nut (9) gross elements, the ego sense, intellect including the unma 18 With pressure, betray or reveal details (5,3) nifest, the karmendriyas and the jnanendriyas, are the con 1 Unsettled ringmaster goes around calling those not doing their job 19 Compensation for extremely weary labourers overwhelmed by bug stituents of the fi eld. But being ignorant of the exc eptional from home, perhaps? (7,7) from the east (7) and immortal indwelling self that is of the essence of bliss, 10 Art backer cutting loss before money diminishes (5) 21 Hesitate as date’s here, topless (6) many are deluded into believing that joy can be sought i n 11 Policy statement’s same, if not altered (9) 22 Data includes upper level (6) the external world. He who understands the invaluable 12 Doctor lot aren’t patient (8) 24 Tea infused with peeled mint in earthenware (5) quality of one’s present birth as a chance to strive for salva 13 Plague due to gathering after game (6) 26 Cross domain token revealed (4) tion is really blessed, since no one has any clue about what is in store in each one’s prarabdha karma account.
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DELHI THE HINDU 12 SHOWCASE TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Technophobia: a silent reaction Immense prominence they will appreciate it. Similarly their expe rience in learning online will defi ne how Sudarshan Sreeram is just 17, but he has experience many developers Vidit Bhargava, the cofounder of Squircle they see that technology in the future. If would envy. He developed a simple and interactive version of the classic Apps, is known for his app LookUp, a vi your online class keeps ‘disconnecting’ fre twoplayer game, Tic Tac Toe, using Swift Playgrounds, and even penned sual dictionary, which was named Best quently, you are far more likely to want to an opinion paper titled ‘Artifi cial Intelligence and Jobs of the Future: New App in the App Store in 2014 and 2017. go back and sit in a traditional environ Adaptability Is Key for Human Evolution’, which was He explains that people will realise that ment for learning. The technology that is published in January 2019 in the journal AI Matters, after they can do a whole lot more with technol helping us get through the pandemic, his stint at WWDC 2018. ogy after the lockdowns lift, adding, “The needs to work as intended to be able to win He says that after the lockdowns lift, “The world lockdown has forced people to think on the respect of the people. It is gaining pro would certainly see an increased reliance on technology their feet and adapt to a new way of doing minence in society because it is the best and online services, and I think that there would be an things, and technology is coming to the res way to get things done right now, but it will increased emphasis on tackling problems in the areas of cue in innovative ways. People are spend only last long if people have a good expe cybersecurity and data privacy.” ing more time with their gadgets in the rience with it.” In fact, he predicts a wave of new reactions to lockdown, and that will defi nitely make Vidit advises those new to coding not to technology after the pandemic, explaining, them more savvy and comfortable with be intimidated, especially because many “Technophobia is a silent, natural reaction. Take them than they previously were.” tend to look at the complicated syntax, and personal computers for example: when they were He also says there is a strong future for try to grasp it all at once. He explains, “In fi rst introduced in the early 1980s, computer automation and robotics where many its essence, programming is just a set of phobia was commonplace. Forty years later, our thought it was not necessary. “These two steps you tell a computer to perform. And society is technologically dependent; it’s hard to are vital in reducing human contact, and if if you were to look at it like that, it is not ve think of how life would be without access to the it helps people stay safe in the pandemic, ry diff erent from Lego.” internet or an internetconnected device.” He further explains that the key takeaway here is that any radical change would initially be met with a sense of scepticism, but would gradually lead to the New respect creation of a new, widelyadapted norm until the With Apple’s WWDC 2020 next change arrives. going digital this June, we Brothers Tarun and Aman Jain, both WWDC scholars in 2016, put their heads together to run a small games startup called Digital Hole, with the fi rst game released being Ringo. speak to some of the past “The relationship between users and technologies around the globe is defi nitely going to scholarship winners from change post lockdown. Online social gaming, elearning, and OTT content streaming are some of the sectors that have seen a massive jump in usage and people would love to con India about the future of tech tinue all these things post lockdown as well,” they explain. After the lockdown, they say once the lockdown lifts people will look at technology with “new respect”. They add, “All the technical advancements and achievements are helping us over Divya Kala Bhavani come these challenging days, and people defi nitely have noticed the signifi cance of tech nology in their daytoday life.” As the lockdown powers through, more people Having recently launched an app for children called Storyio – For Kids, they see that have taken on coding as a new passion, with Machine Learning and Augmented Reality are, “A few o f the tech many hoping to integrate this in their careers. It nologies that we think are going to change the education industry, is safe to say that one is never ‘done’ learning and we are constantly exploring new possibilities in those areas... coding; the language keeps changing, as does We are currently exploring ways to implement these technologies the adaptability to keep up with the ever in the app, to help educate children better and in m ore effi cient emerging technologies we surround ourselves ways.” with. More importantly, the networks of coders and developers has taken on a more abstract shape, many going the virtual route rather than A ray of hope straight out cancelling the event. So, Apple announced that Worldwide Deve For Swapnil Dhol, being able to produce something out of thin air and run lopers Conference 2020, which is now in its 31st ning it on the powerful devices we carry in our pock et is super rewarding. year, would be taking on a new virtual format He is the mind behind gradientadjusting app Neon and comic viewer XKCD. due to the pandemic. The upcoming confe “Human interaction is a big part of WWDC, since develope rs can interact rence has more than 23 million registered deve with Apple Engineers, get their code reviewed, and a sk any questions that lopers in more than 155 countries and regions. they might have. Also, WWDC is a place to make new frie nds, meet like Having hosted thousands of students since its minded people. I’ve met some of my closest friends, who continuously push genesis, the conference last year saw more than the boundaries of what is possible with technology,” he comments. 75% of the attendee students as fi rsttimers, He believes the lockdown proved that technology does shape human life speaking to the adoption of Swift and the Eve for the better. “Being able to order essential items from the comfort of one’s ryone Can Code curriculum, and its expansion. home and attend meetings on the other side of the planet, is nothing short We caught up with past WWDC scholarship of amazing and this trend will continue even after the lockdown ends. I arms of code virtual winners who are, in fact, excited about the new think people will fi nally understand the potential of these technologies. The format. The young developers chat about the lockdown has aff ected nearly all aspects of our daily life, but students are misconceptions as well as their predictions of still able to submit assignments and teachers are still able to teach.” technology postlockdown while assuring that “The power of technology is amazing and it is great to see that in a time of coding and development can start right at crisis, technology turns out to be a ray of hope.” home. A
TECH-A-BYTE
Thinking ahead Texasbased cybersecurity firm Forcepoint unveiled The C-Suite Report: The Current and Future State of Cybersecurity featuring new research on global business leaders’ cybersecurity priorities. According to the report, 76% of leaders are losing sleep over the prospect of becoming the next headline grabbing security breach, despite an 87% believing that their security team is consistently ahead of cybersecurity threats. Cybersecurity strategies are seen by 85% of executives as a major driver for digital transformation, yet 66% recognise the increased organisational exposure to cyber threats because of digitisation. Only 46% of leaders regularly review their cybersecurity strategies.
Julian Almeida you play a mildmannered what Platinum has learned so frustrations of the original. GAMESPOT teacher who transforms into far — sort of like Lemmings The remaster of Wonderful WonderRed, the newest Fed meets Streets of Ragelike 101 is more of a rerelease, Sandwiched between the suc eration hero in The 100. In beatemup. with the graphics largely re cessful Nintendo Wii (of the spired by Japanese tokusatsu, Most of the frustrations maining the same, with just a early 2000s) and the peppy Crowd control special eff ectheavy television creep in when you have to exe boost in colour and framerate. handheld hybrid Switch of to drama genres such as Super cute the Unite Morph abilities While it is great to take onthe day, there was the illfated Wii Sentai, sentai meaning task go, the tiny lemmingslike cha U. An extension of the Wii, force or squadron, was a sub racters and the appropriate while it had some interesting One of the best games on the Wii U gets genre in the superhero pop THE WONDERFUL 101: fi ghting pyrotechnics get a bit Contactless coffee ideas, the console faded into some remastered love and a second culture that inspired Power REMASTERED messy on the small screen, so obscurity. Even though it had Rangers. It involves teams that either the PC or PlayStation 4 DEVELOPER & In an effort to continue social distancing, several excellent games. The chance to shine and be Wonderful 101 fi ght together and occasional is advisable. With director Hi Gurugrambased commerce and fintech PUBLISHER: most noteworthy of them is ly combine forces for some PlatinumGames deki Kamiya’s new game in the platform DotPe onboards the chain of PlatinumGames’ The Wonder sort of mega move. The Won Viewtiful series coming out — espresso bars Barista, to offer digital takeaway ful 101, created as a Wii U ex derful 101 encapsulates the PRICES: ₹ 899 on Project GG — focusing on the ordering and payment service, with bare clusive and played by just a genre perfectly, also tying in Steam, ₹ 2000 upwards kaijubeating superhero sub minimum human touch. By deploying DotPe’s handful of gamers. Created by nicely into the Viewtiful sort of on Playstation 4 and genre, 101’s remaster comes at ‘ScanOrderPay’ feature, Barista outlets in the directors that brought you superhero style Platinum has Nintendo Switch a good time. Gurugram can take orders and payments AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA through the customer’s phone. Okami and Viewtiful Joe, 101 been creating. Despite its issues, The Won How does it work? Customers can simply was a spiritual continuation of derful 101 is undoubtedly a lot Build those combos scan a QR code placed outside the takeaway the latter. It was also a concept which imbue your lead cha of fun, especially if you en window and the entire menu of Barista will game, from a studio that was Played from an isometric per racter with a giant weapon joyed Okami and Viewtiful Joe. pop up on the user’s mobile phone browser. already known for its outrage spective, your colourful prota comprising your team. In or Though if you did play the ori The customers can then place an order by ous explorations into action gonists mill about the screen der to unite them, you have to ginal and found a lot of issues, adding items from the digital menu and pay games. While 101 was a brave like little ants, but you control draw some sort of shape you may want to skip the re using regular online payment methods. Once and unique concept put into the entire team as if it were which is frustrating on the master. For newcomers inter their order is ready, Barista pings the order motion, it is not an experience one organism. Essentially, controller. Add to that the ested in something diff erent, details to the customers on their WhatsApp that is meant for everyone. your lead character fi ghts, and moving camera in isometric check out gameplay videos to number and they can pick it up from the Why play as one superhero, as combos progress, the rest view and you do have a classic see if the action is worth fi na takeaway counter with zero manual when you can play as an entire of the team jumps around in case of ‘why did the develop lising a buy. intervention. Coffee’s up! team of a hundred and one, at various feats of acrobatics to ers not address this in the re the same time? In the wake of form the rest of the combo master?’ Surely it would have The writer is a tech and gaming enthusiast who hopes to one day Please send your feedback to Wireless stories an invasion by aliens known as Colourful overload Screenshots from the game by hits. It is a unique fi ghting sys served Platinum better if they fi nish his scifi novel to [email protected] the GEATHJERK Federation, PlatinumGames * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT tem that blends the best of sort of retooled some of the CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
THE HINDU DELHI TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 SHOWCASE 13 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Inner melodies A still from Modulation Nowhere, (below) director Todd Bogin * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT As spoken “When I got in contact with Chris tian, he was down to do Modula- tion Nowhere, and it was a no brainer for me because he is so for centuries mysteriouslooking.” Devdutt Pattanaik has once again traded his pen for his Emotive layers Trust is a prevalent theme in Mod- voice, creating a sixhour oral narration of The Mahabharata ulation Nowhere, and Todd agrees that with Sofi a, the trust is almost A tug blind, owing to her innocence. “First you see her playing out side in Berlin, with no fear of being on the robbed or approached. Berlin is safe but you can see her trusting there, it’s almost dreamlike. Then she is in the bar, trusting Karl who heartstrings is a stranger,” explains Todd, ad ding, “And you see Karl’s previous relationship ending, but we don’t know why. And when we see him at the bar with Sofi a, the new op Filmmaker Todd portunity to trust comes along, but Time and again he isn’t able to handle that. I look This is not Bogin explains why at his actions as being hurt in the Pattanaik’s fi rst his awardwinning past, not actively seeking out to tryst with oral hurt. His breaking Sofi a’s trust, is a storytelling short fi lm Modulation part of that.” * SPECIAL Nowhere, is centred Interestingly, Sofi a does not ARRANGEMENT speak until the bar scene, which around a violin does help build empathy while highlighting her love for her violin, Divya Kala Bhavani states Todd. Music plays a big part in Modu- Imagine waking up one morning lation Nowhere. Created by cross and fi nding the most valuable genre violinist, violist, and com Meghna Majumdar ideas of kinship: that is what is important”. thing you own, stolen. poser Josh Henderson, the score The author does not agree with the “line of Todd Bogin’s short fi lm Modula- he lived for a few years. To make Nowhere, including the serendipi packs an emotional punch. “Oral storytelling is much, much better than thinking” followed in versions of the epic tion Nowhere, currently playing on the most of the US $4,000 budget, tous casting experience. “Jessica As close friends, Todd had long writing,” Devdutt Pattanaik, a man with available in the market today. “People say ShortsTV as Editor’s Choice, takes Todd took on the roles of produc Brösicke came into auditions with been collaborating with Josh, who about a dozen fi ctional and nonfi ctional there are many interpretations of the story; that simple plot and enhances it er, director and casting director, questions on the character, even has played on Beyoncé’s records books to his credit, sees no irony in making there are not. It is about dharma sthapana: with multitudes of the unusual, and posted the call for actors on creating a backstory for the charac and even for President Barrack that statement. As one of the leading names whether people with privilege and power with added doses of Berlinesque Crew United. A main bar scene in ter. I hadn’t had a name for her at Obama at the White House. This is in Indian mythological fi ction in English to share that privilege and power with those quirk. the short has extras in the back that point, but Jessica did,” points where the central idea of the violin day, Pattanaik’s preference for the spoken who don’t have it. That’s all. The only reason The fi lm follows Sofi a, a deeply ground, and Todd admits everyone out Todd. came into play, infers Todd. “The word is not surprising, once you think about it seems complicated is because we don’t devoted violinist, who meets new is a crew member, or a cousin, Also part of the fi lm is Christian violin, for me, represents identity it. He has often spoken in favour of the “ori want to share and care with our poorer cou lysingle and seemingly reclusive friend or sibling doing the fi lmmak Harting, who is not an unknown and possession. The object in the ginal” version of Indian epics, all of which sins. And therefore, like a lawyer tries to Karl. The two spend the night to er a favour. The resulting fi lm end name in Berlin; he starred in Hun fi lm could have been a baseball bat are products of an oral tradition. twist his way out of an awkward situation, gether, but when Sofi a wakes up ed up winning a Special Jury Award garian drama Son of Saul, which or a camera, but I asked Josh ‘what And then there is the fact that Pattanaik this is about people fi nding complicated alone, she fi nds Karl has taken her at the 2019 Portugal International won the Grand Prix du Jury at the can I do to get you in on this score has partnered with Audible Suno, for a six ways of not doing the simple and right thing.” beloved violin with him. A jarring Film Festival, while making it to Cannes Film Festival, and Best Fo where it becomes an interactive hour oral narration of The Mahabharata. plot for a fi lm of just over 10 mi several other international fi lm reign Language Film at the Acade score?’ and he said exactly that. “You see, when you are telling a story, you Penmanship lessons nutes. festivals. my Awards in 2016. In the fi lm, Plus, Jessica also knows some vio can explain things that you cannot while It is not only the ideas and ideals that Patta Todd, who lived in Brooklyn, Over the phone from his home Christian portrays a Nazi guard lin too, so that helps a lot!” writing a book. Every medium brings so naik fi nds worth noting; The Ramayana and USA, for most of his life, actually in Brooklyn, Todd recalls the who is somewhat sympathetic to Modulation Nowhere is availa- mething to the table: with Audible Suno, you The Mahabharata have a lot to teach today’s fi lmed the short in Berlin, where shooting experience ofModulation his prisoners. Todd explains, ble to watch on ShortsTV can imagine the story as you hear it with budding writers, about classical Indian nar your family, and take them on the journey rative structures as well. Particularly in with you, the way people did in the olden terms of character arc. days when there would be bards telling sto “In Western storytelling, there is always a ries. You have to cave to the tale ,” says the central character who goes through trans author in a conversation over video call. Ho formation. In The Mahabharata there is no wever, this is not his fi rst collaboration with one central character. This idea of central Audible. characters like Rama and Krishna not going Theatre on your screen People think it is a big thing to compress through transformation is not there in West the vast tale into a sixhour format, “but it’s ern storytelling at all. For them, it is the hero really not,” he continues. “The Mahabhara- who transforms from Point A to Point B and Staged@RS on YouTube features six plays for children by Bengaluru’s Ranga Shankara theatre ta is not a complicated story, but people the Gods who are troublemakers.” make it complicated. I have always been sur In Indian stories, the peripheral charac For two more days, Bengaluru’s Ranga Shan an odd group of creatures — an old fi sh, a spi prised at how people consider it com ters are the ones who might transform, kara theatre will continue to regale children rited girl, an eager boy, an ascetic and a Deer plicated; it is just long. The things I but not always. Most characters be with online streams of their old stage pro tree — making a long journey to the top of have left out are just minor details; have according to their personal ductions. Staged@RS kicked off on May 22 Mount Kailash so they can have their wishes the larger narrative is about a pro characteristics, that do not with plays that have been staged under Ran granted. perty dispute… We try to over change: “Even Arjun, who goes ga Shankara’s acclaimed AHA! – Theatre for Chippi The Chipkali is based on an Indian share the point, but really it is through changes, does not expe Children. Six plays were set to be streamed, folk tale and tells the story of Chippi, a baby about families and their refusal to rience any major transformation. from May 22 till 27 May at 5 pm, on Ranga lizard who loses her tail and embarks on a share wealth. I think it is a global He is not a noble person at the end Shankara’s YouTube channel. They will re long journey to fi nd it. story.” of the story.” Pattanaik explains this main there for a week after premièring. Robinson and Crusoe is a tale of friend Myriad takeaways over the with a contemporary ex The plays have been chosen carefully to ship. Two soldiers, Robinson and Crusoe get years aside, Pattanaik says ample: In a Rajinikanth ensure the viewers get a variety in terms of stuck on an island and discover that they are he is sticking to the ver fi lm, “Rajini would not age, language and format. “We have always from opposing war camps, with only one sion in the scriptures, go through any change; recorded our plays with one camera posi roof to share, the ocean all around and no for this particular pro the people around tioned in the fourth row. In these times of and the Wock, Robinson and Crusoe and The common language to communicate in. ject. His process also him will. Similarly, a lockdown, we thought it was a good idea to Garbage Mouse. Here is a sneak peek into a The Garbage Mouse follows the story of involves going back Salman Khan, in the share these. We hope our viewers enjoy few: Mullmaus, a little mouse, who suddenly to the Upanishads, fi rst and the last these while we all wait to get back to real Fish Tree Moon is an IndoKorean produc fi nds herself homeless. With all her ingenui “to try and struc scene, is the same.” theatre!” says Arundhati Nag, Artistic Advi tion developed and presented in partnership ty and imagination, she creates a new life ture the story Suno Mahabharata sor of Ranga Shankara. with InKo Centre. Inspired by Indian and Ko and lives happily until the scary and myste based on the his Devdutt Pattanaik ke The plays are Fish Tree Moon, Circle of rean folk tales and folk painting traditions rious Picture Book Cat makes an entrance. torical period in Saath can be heard Life, Chippi the Chipkali, The Zapperdockel such as Madhubani, Fish Tree Moon follows How will Mullmaus face this battle? which it was writ free of cost on the Aud- ten. At that time, it ible Suno app on An- had tried to portray droid devices.
POOCH CAFE PEANUTS
HAGAR THE HORRIBLE CALVIN AND HOBBES
TIGER PEARLS BEFORE SWINE
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DELHI THE HINDU 14 WORLD TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE China warns U.S. of retaliation U.S. limits travel from Brazil due to virus Most nonU.S. citizens, who had visited in the last two weeks, face restrictions
Reuters States if they have been in wrote that Mr. Trump had if punished for Hong Kong law WASHINGTON/BRASILIA Brazil in the last two weeks. “opened a direct line for the The White House on Sunday Green card holders, close re exchange of information Washington has said the law could cost the city its preferential U.S. trading status said it was restricting travel latives of U.S. citizens and about the protocol for using from Brazil to the United fl ight crew members, among hydroxychloroquine and Agence France-Presse States, two days after the select others, would be other treatments for the Hong Kong South American nation be exempt. virus.” China on Monday threa came the world’s No. 2 hot Brazil’s Foreign Ministry The U.S. Food and Drug tened countermeasures spot for COVID19 cases. called it a technical decision Administration warned last against the U.S. if it was pun The travel ban was a blow in the context of “important month about using the drug ished for plans to impose a to rightwing Brazilian Presi bilateral collaboration” to to treat the COVID19 respira sedition law on Hong Kong, dent Jair Bolsonaro, who has fi ght the COVID19 pandem tory disease caused by the that the business hub’s se followed the example of U.S. ic, highlighting U.S. dona novel coronavirus, citing curity chief hailed as a new President Donald Trump in tions of $6.5 million and a “reports of serious heart tool that would defeat addressing the pandemic, new White House promise of rhythm problems” in pa “terrorism”. fi ghting calls for social dis 1,000 respirators. A proBolsonaro tients receiving the Beijing plans to pass a tancing and touting unpro White House Press Secre demonstration in Brasilia, medicine. new security law for Hong ven drugs. The Brazilian Pre tary Kayleigh McEnany said Brazil, on Sunday. * REUTERS Mr. Bolsonaro’s insistence Kong that bans treason, sub sident’s offi ce did not the new restrictions would on the drug’s potential and version and sedition after respond to a request for help ensure foreign nation porary, but because of the defi ance of state isolation or months of massive, often comment. als do not bring additional situation in Brazil, we’re go ders pushed out two Health violent prodemocracy prot “The U.S. maintains a infections to the United ing to take every step neces Ministers in a month, both ests last year. strong partnership with Bra States, but would not apply sary to protect the American trained doctors. The acting But many Hong Kongers, zil and we work closely to to the fl ow of commerce bet people,” Mr. O’Brien said. head of the Health Ministry, business groups and West mitigate the socioeconomic ween the two countries. An adviser to Brazil’s Pre an Army General, issued gui ern nations fear the proposal and health impacts of CO sident played down Mr. delines this week to expand could be a death blow to the Call for rollback: Prodemocracy protesters gathering in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, on Sunday VID19 in Brazil,” the U.S. Temporary move Trump’s move, highlighting use of the drug in coronavi city’s treasured freedoms to protest against China’s new security law. * AFP Embassy in Brasilia said in a National Security Adviser shared views on fi ghting the rus cases. and thousands took to the statement. Robert O’Brien earlier on virus with unproven anti Brazil’s Health Ministry streets on Sunday despite a Kongers democracy has its own laws. Of particular pant,” Security Minister John The new restrictions Sunday told CBS’s “Face the malarial drugs such as hy raised its tally of confi rmed ban on mass gatherings in sparked rare bipartisan sup concern is a provision allow Lee said in a statement. come into force on May 28, Nation” he hoped the move droxychloroquine. “There is cases by 15,813 on Sunday to troduced to combat port in an otherwise bitterly ing Chinese security agents the Embassy said, prohibit could be reconsidered at nothing specifi c against Bra 3,63,211 cases, second in the coronavirus. divided Washington during to operate in Hong Kong, U.S. sanctions ing most nonU.S. citizens some point. zil,” tweeted Filipe Martins. world behind the U.S., with As police dispersed the the Donald Trump with fears it could spark a Meanwhile, in a separate de from travelling to the United “We hope that’ll be tem Two hours earlier, he more than 1.6 million cases. crowds with tear gas and wa administration. crackdown on those voicing velopment that signals rising ter cannon, Washington’s dissent against China’s com tensions between China and National Security Advisor Foreign-backed plot munist rulers. the U.S., Beijing vowed to Johnson Robert O’Brien warned the Beijing portrays the city’s The proposed law, which shield a Chinese government Shinzo Abe lifts state of emergency new law could cost the city protests as a foreignbacked China’s rubberstamp legis institute and eight compa defends aide its preferential U.S. trading plot to destabilise the moth lature is expected to act on nies sanctioned by the U.S. status. erland and says other na quickly, will also bypass over alleged human rights Restrictions have been eased for the whole country now Agence France-Presse But China’s Foreign Minis tions have no right to inter Hong Kong’s own legislature. violations in the restive Xin London try said Beijing would react fere in how the international The city’s infl uential Bar jiang region, where China is Reuters amount of stimulus from outbreak was over. But he al to any sanctions from Wash business hub is run. Association on Monday de accused of mass repression Tokyo two economic packages so praised the “Japan mo British Prime Minister Bo ington. “If the U.S. insists on Protesters, who have hit scribed the proposed mo of mostly Muslim minorities. Japanese Prime Minister would exceed 200 trillion del”, in which it brought the ris Johnson on Monday hurting China’s interests, the streets in their millions, tion as “worrying and pro The U.S. Department of Shinzo Abe lifted a state of yen ($1.86 trillion) but it outbreak under control in failed to draw a line under China will have to take every say they are motivated by blematic” — and warned it Commerce announced the emergency for Tokyo and would still take considerable six weeks without strict lock a scandal over his top aide necessary measure to coun years of Beijing chipping may even breach the territo sanctions on Friday, saying four remaining areas on time to get back to normal downs imposed in other Dominic Cummings alleg ter and oppose this,” Foreign away at the city’s freedoms ry’s miniconstitution. The they were triggered by hu Monday after the number of life while controlling infec countries. However, he edly breaching coronavirus Ministry spokesman Zhao Li since it was handed back to proposal has spooked inves man rights abuses against infections fell across the tion risks. “Today we are tak warned that, “in the worst rules. Mr. Johnson told the jian told reporters on China by Britain in 1997. tors with Hong Kong’s stock Uighurs and other minority country, but warned that it ing a fi rm step towards the case scenario, there may be nation on Sunday that Mr. Monday. Hong Kong enjoys liber exchange suff ering its largest groups in Xinjiang in China's could be reimposed if the vi next stage following the re the unfortunate possibility Cummings was following Hong Kong has become ties unseen on the mainland, drop in fi ve years on Friday. far northwest. Beijing urged rus started spreading again. moval of the state of emer of reimposing the state of his paternal instincts by the latest fl ashpoint in soar as well as its own legal sys Hong Kong’s government Washington to reverse the The move meant that the gency,” the visibly relaxed emergency if the speed of in dropping off his baby son ing tensions between the tem and trade status. has welcomed the law. decision, saying the Com whole country would now Prime Minister told repor fections rises again”. at his grandparents’ house world's two super powers Campaigners view the se “Terrorism is growing in merce Department had have the social distancing ters gathered in Tokyo. Japan has escaped an ex while he and his wife were which China has likened to curity law proposal as the the city and activities which “stretched the concept of na curbs loosened, after an in Mr. Abe acknowledged Ja plosive outbreak with more sick. “I think he followed “the brink of a new Cold most brazen move yet by harm national security, such tional security” to “meddle itial lifting of restrictions for pan has faced some pro than 16,600 infections and the instincts of every father War”. Beijing to end free speech as ‘Hong Kong indepen in China’s aff airs and harm most areas on May 14. blems with its response and 839 deaths so far, according and every parent,” said Mr. The refusal to grant Hong and the city’s ability to make dence’, become more ram China’s interests”. Mr. Abe said that the total promised a review once the to NHK public broadcaster. Johnson. ELSEWHERE Afghan government frees Wuhan uses sample pooling to Ardern continues with 100 Taliban prisoners conduct 6.57 million tests in 10 days TV show despite quake No damage reported due to temblor Peace prevails on day 2 of ceasefi re This includes a record 1.47 million tests on Saturday Agence France-Presse Reuters Kabul Ananth Krishnan The city managed to carry Wellington Russia seeks 18year Afghan authorities released Wuhan, the city at the out such a large number by a An earthquake struck near term for exU.S. marine 100 Taliban prisoners on centre of China’s COVID19 method called sample pool New Zealand’s capital on MOSCOW Monday as part of the go outbreak, has conducted 6.5 ing, The Wall Street Journal Monday morning, shaking Russian prosecutors asked a vernment’s response to a million tests for COVID19 in reported. After individual many residents, including court on Monday to sentence surprise, threeday ceasefi re the past 10 days, offi cials samples are collected, fi ve to Prime Minister Jacinda Ar former U.S. marine Paul the insurgents called to said on Monday following a ten are bundled and pro dern who continued with a Whelan, who is accused of mark the Id alFitr festival. massive citywide campaign cessed in a single nucleic live TV interview at the Par spying for the U.S., to 18 The pause in fi ghting, on launched on May 14. acid test. The entire group is liament building. The 5.8 years in a maximum security ly the second of its kind in Taliban prisoners after their The city launched the un cleared if the test comes out magnitude earthquake was prison, his lawyer said. Afghanistan’s nearly 19 release from Bagram prison precedented 10 daycam A swab sample being taken negative. The technique 37 km deep and the epi Whelan was detained in yearold war, appeared to on Monday. * AFP paign to test all of its 11 mil from a child in Wuhan goes back to the Second centre was 30 km northwest New Zealand Prime Minister December 2018. He says he be holding on day two after lion residents after a cluster on May 16. * AFP World War when the U.S. of Levin, a city in New Zea Jacinda Ardern. * AP was set up in a sting and has the government welcomed cil spokesman Javid Faisal. of asymptomatic infections military pooled samples for land’s North Island close to pleaded not guilty. Reuters the truce by announcing He said the prisoner release was reported on May 9. 15fold jump in the daily test syphilis screening, The Jour the capital Wellington, ac see things moving behind Australia bushfi re probe plans to release up to 2,000 was to “help the peace pro ing prior to the campaign. nal said. cording to Geonet. me. The beehive moves a lit begins with warning Taliban inmates. cess” and will continue until Target of 11 million The tests, which were The tests so far have not Although no damages tle more than most,” she SYDNEY President Ashraf Ghani 2,000 prisoners are freed. Between May 14 and May 23, free, were carried out by thrown up a high number of were reported, it lasted for joked on the AM Show on An inquiry into Australia’s said his administration was The Taliban insists Kabul 6.57 million tests were con throat swabs in designated asymptomatic cases. On more than 30 seconds and Newshub. Ms. Ardern as recent bushfi res opened on also ready to hold peace must release all 5,000 mem ducted, the health authority locations around the city. Monday, 38 new asympto caused panic in Wellington sured the host that she was Monday, with a stark warning talks with the Taliban, seen bers as agreed in the deal said, falling a little short of Each of the city’s 13 adminis matic cases were reported with several people in offi c safe and the interview res that such disasters would as key to ending the war in with the U.S. “This process the ambitious 11 million tar trative districts was tasked and Wuhan now has a total es and homes getting under umed. “I’m not under any become longer and more the impoverished country. should be completed in or get, which is expected to be with coming up with a plan, of 326 asymptomatic cases their tables for cover. hanging lights and I look like frequent. The Royal “The government of Af der to remove hurdles in the reached this week. The city which would fi rst prioritise under observation. The tremors started as I am in a structurally strong Commission heard from a ghanistan has today re way of commencement of still managed to carry out a residential areas where cas Wuhan had completed Ms. Ardern was on TV from place,” she added. leading government scientist leased 100 Taliban prison intraAfghan negotiations,” record 1.47 million nucleic es had been reported. Chil three million tests in total the Parliament building, When updated later, she that last summer was not a ers from Bagram prison,” Taliban spokesman Suhail acid tests in a single day, on dren under six were not before the campaign was called the beehive. “Quite a said it was “not an unrea “oneoff event”. Reuters said National Security Coun Shaheen said on Twitter. Saturday, which marked a tested. launched on May 14. decent shake here... if you sonable shake”.
INTERVIEW | JEFF SMITH ‘U.S. is now more clear in support for India on China border issues’ Academic Jeff Smith points out that Washington is more forthcoming in recognising the McMahon Line and supporting Indian sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh
Ananth Krishnan you think both are linked? of crisis is noteworthy. I’m over elites in neighbouring Agreement] this year, the sta since the civil nuclear deal Is the U.S. approach to China hesitant to draw connections capitals, and convincing tioning of an Indian offi cer at was announced. here to stay regardless of the Amid heightened tensions on ■ Ambassador Wells made a among the diff erent fronts, them of the economic bene CENTCOM [Central Com In that time I think Wash outcome of November’s the IndiaChina border, the series of fairly robust asser because I do think China cali fi ts of engagement with Chi mand], our fi rst triservice ington has developed an un elections? outgoing top U.S. diplomat tions in her remarks, includ brates each policy indivi na. military exercise. We had a derstanding of India’s un for South and Central Asia, ing underscoring U.S. recog dually. joint sail through the South ique disposition, its ■ I believe so. For a long Alice Wells, on May 20 hit nition of the McMahon Line Is the China factor driving China Sea that was joined by sensitivities, and its complex time, I think China was given out at China, saying the ten and Indian sovereignty over Do you expect to see a the deepening security Japan and the Philippines. If I relationship with China. And a free pass with the promise sions reminded the world of Arunachal Pradesh. These diff erent approach from the cooperation between India had a wish list of items to if you look at the record, to of expected future benefi ts, the “threat” posed by Beijing. are in fact longstanding po U.S. towards the region as and the U.S.? strengthen the U.S.India my knowledge the Trump including economic and pol China slammed the remarks sitions of the U.S. govern concerns about China rise? strategic partnership before administration has not really itical liberalisation. Those as “nonsense”. Jeff Smith, Re ment, but positions it has not ■ The amount of progress the Trump administration, pushed for India to assume days are over. search Fellow at The Herit always been forthcoming ■ I think the U.S. government the [Narendra] Modi and I’d say they've already ac any positions on China it is I think that bipartisan con age Foundation in Washing about. In 2012, I recall asking wants to ensure that we’re in [Donald] Trump administra complished 90% of them. uncomfortable with. sensus has not only held but ton, explains why her State Department offi cials, a position to facilitate stron <> Over the years, the tions have made over the last It’s certainly been encour sharpened over the past few comments are signifi cant, when was the last time the ger security ties with any of U.S. has developed three years or so is remarka In the past, U.S. aged when India has sup years. The competition is with the U.S. in the past not U.S. government reiterated these countries that are in an understanding of ble. If you just look at the re administrations have been ported things like upgrading here to stay and is likely to in forthcoming about express support for the McMahon terested. I think that, frankly, India’s complex ties vival and upgrading of the sensitive to India’s own the Quad or engaging in a tensify. The contours of that ing support on the boundary Line and Indian sovereignty we’ve done a good job in the with China Quad, the establishment of a considerations visàvis joint sail through the South competition and points of issue. Excerpts: over Arunachal Pradesh? last few years with the Quad 2+2 Foreign and Defence Mi China. Has that changed? Is China Sea. Where there has emphasis might change un They replied they couldn’t [U.S.IndiaJapanAustralia], There hasn’t been a wave of nisters dialogue, the signing the Trump administration been some friction, it has der diff erent administrations Ambassador Alice Wells has fi nd any comments on the with not only reviving it, but regional balancing activity of COMCASA [Communica pushing countries to been over sanctions related but there is clearly a change said the border incidents matter in a search of archives with upgrading it to the mi the way some realist theo tions Compatibility and Se choose? to Iran and Russia. On China, under way that I think will be have refl ected a pattern of stretching back to 2000. Hav nisterial level and adding rists might have predicted, in curity Agreement], the likely the Trump administration lasting and will endure, re China’s behaviour, also seen ing Ambassador Wells reiter new aspects to the quad like part because China has done signing of the BECA [Basic ■ I don’t think that has hasn’t made any attempt to gardless of who is in the in the South China Sea. Do ate the position during a time counterterrorism exercises. a very eff ective job winning Exchange and Cooperation changed. It’s been 15 years force India to choose. White House.
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THE HINDU DELHI TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 BUSINESS 15 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
April pharma Crude processing sees ‘Lockdown exports Bharti Airtel parent eyes $1 bn extensions will witness uptick biggest drop since 2003 be disastrous’ Slumps 29% in Apr. on lockdown eff ect from stake sale to pay off loans Press Trust of India N. Ravi Kumar HYDERABAD Reuters New Delhi Pharma exports from India Move to help telco clean up debt overhang as promoter debt also impacts ratings India’s crude oil processing Mahindra Group chairman grew by a small, less than in April slumped by 28.8% Anand Mahindra on Mon 1% in April, amid the lock Special Correspondent ing at near record highs from a year earlier, its big day said lockdown exten down for COVID19 that im NEW DELHI since it announced its fi nan gest drop since at least 2003, sions are not just economi pacted production as well Bharti Telecom, the promo cial results last week. as a nationwide lockdown cally disastrous, but would movement of the products. ter fi rm of Bharti Airtel, The company had posted weighed on fuel demand also create another medi It is something to cheer plans to raise $1 billion by a loss of ₹ 5,237 crore for the and forced refi ners to cut cal crisis. While acknow about, said Pharmaceuti selling a 2.75% stake in the JanuaryMarch 2020 quarter production. ledging that choices are not cals Export Promotion mobile services provider, due to an exceptional charge Refi ners processed about easy for policymakers, he Council of India Director The Hindu has learnt. on account of reassessment 14.75 million tonnes, or 3.6 said a lockdown extension General Udaya Bhaskar The block deal, which is of statutory dues. million barrels per day (bpd) The lockdown since March will not help. about the April 2020 ex likely to take place on Tues Without the exceptional of oil last month, govern 25 has forced people to stay “Lockdown extensions port of $1,531.06 million. day, will be conducted at a item, the net loss for the ment data showed. indoors, cutting fuel demand aren’t just economically What made this uptick fl oor price of ₹ 558 per equity quarter was ₹ 471 crore, the The lockdown and travel by 45.8% in April. disastrous, as I had tweet special, as per a quick esti share through secondary company had said. curbs aimed at stemming ed earlier, but also create mate of Pharmexcil, is that placement, according to a Bharti Airtel’s revenue for spread of COVID19 since this month. another medical crisis,” exports fared better than person aware of the the quarter, however, grew March 25 forced people to Indian refi ners operated Mr. Mahindra said in a the domestic market development. Ringing in money: The block deal, involving about 150 million 15% to ₹ 23,723 crore yearon stay home, cutting India’s at about 72% of their overall tweet. He was referring to where revenues reportedly This is a discount of 6% to shares, will be conducted by J.P. Morgan India. * REUTERS year. fuel demand by 45.8% in capacity of about 5 million an article that highlighted fell in the same month, he the last closing price of April. Falling demand led In bpd, the data showed. “the dangerous psycholog said. A good part of the ₹ 593.20 on May 22 (Friday) com’s shareholding in Bharti for any further capital or Higher ARPU dian refi ners and gas impor Indian Oil Corp, the coun ical eff ects of lockdowns push in exports could be on the National Stock Ex Airtel stands at about shareholder support re Following the hike in tariff s ters to declare ‘force ma try’s top refi ner, operated its and the huge risk of ne attributed to the shipment change. 38.79%, as per information quirement at Bharti Airtel.” last December and an in jeure’ on imports. plant at about 53% capacity, glecting nonCOVID19 of the piledup stocks of The stock exchange was available on the BSE. The block deal, involving crease in 4G customer base, Refi ners, struggling to while use at the refi neries patients.” March, he said, pointing closed on Monday (May 25) The source added that about 150 million shares, will Bharti Airtel also saw its AR store oil and products, had owned by its subsidiary He said, “The numbers out how export perfor on account of EidUlFitr. this will help Bharti Airtel by be conducted by J.P. Morgan PU (average revenue per us to sell some oil to the central Chennai Petroleum plunged will continue to rise and mance in the last month of Another source said the cleaning up debt overhang India Pvt. Ltd. er) going up to ₹ 154 in the re government, which used it to about 33% of capacity, the the focus must be on rapid 201920 was a minus move will help make Bharti as many rating agencies take ported quarter. to fi ll strategic storage. data showed. Reliance In expansion of fi eld hospital 23.24% yearonyear. It also Telecom debt free. “Post the into account the promoter Shares at record highs This is against an ARPU of Relaxed rules in areas dustries Ltd. operated its ex beds with oxygen lines.” dragged pharma exports in deal, there will be zero debt company’s debt as well. Interestingly, the move ₹ 135 in the OctoberDecem with lower numbers of cases portfocussed 700,000 bpd He further said, “The ar the last quarter down – a at promoter level,” the “The move will also create comes at time when Bharti ber 2019 period, and ₹ 123 in led to some recovery in fuel Jamnagar refi nery at about my has enormous exper negative growth of 2.97% – source said. Bharti Tele capacity at Bharti Telecom Airtel shares have been trad the yearago quarter. demand and refi ner runs 87% capacity. tise in this.” and impacted the annual performance as well. Domestic market hit HDFC profi t drops as virus provision surges While challenges remained ONGC may buy IL&FS’ 26% the same for pharmaceuti cal manufacturers, exports Lender piles up ₹ 30,000crore cash chest: 26% loans under moratorium were better on account of stake in Tripura power arm the easing in logistics, whe SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT stood at ₹ 8,908 crore, or reas domestic revenues IL&FS invites expressions of interest for share acquisition Mumbai 1.99% of the loan portfolio. were impacted as lock Mortgage lender HDFC re The nonperforming loans of down curbs impacted special correspondent approvals are already in ported a 22% drop in its net the individual portfolio movement of professionals MUMBAI place, so as to reach the total profi t to ₹ 2,233 crore com stood at 0.95% and that of and people, and hospitals Stateowned energy major of 1,453 MW capacity. pared with the ₹ 2,862 crore the nonindividual portfolio were only attending to ONGC, along with partners, OTPC holds 26% stake in in the same quarter of the at 4.71%. emergencies. An industry is likely to buy IL&FS’s 26% North East Transmission previous fi nancial year. Mr. Mistry said there was leader recently said prim stake in ONGC Tripura Pow Company Ltd., which has The drop in profi t is main an increase in bad loans ary demand was likely to er Company Ltd. (OTPL), developed a 1,325.6 ckt. km, ly due to higher provisioning compared with the October be impacted as patients did which owns and operates a 400 KV interstate transmis for COVID19 pandemic, low December quarter. not get to meet their doc 726.6 MW gasbased power sion line in Assam, Megha er dividend income and a “Over 95% of our borrow tors during the lockdown. plant in Tripura supplying laya and Tripura, from the lower profi t from sale of ers pay money electronical The domestic pharma power to the northeast project site to the substation investments. ly.[For] a little over 4% of our market as well the pharma region. of Power Grid Corporation. Dividend received in borrowers, we have to physi export revenues are IL&FS has invited expres OTPC has executed the ONGC holds 50% in OTPC Q4FY20 was ₹ 2 crore com ment, we have kept a huge lakh. “Till March 15 [FY20], cally contact, speak to them around $20 billion each, sions of interest (EoI) for ac State support agreement while 23.5% is held by India pared with ₹ 537 crore. amount of liquidity on our we had a very robust growth. and collect money. Because Mr. Bhaskar said. quisition of 26% of the is with the Tripura govern Infrastructure FundII (man “With the dividend distri balance sheet. We have been Then, because of the lock of the lockdown in the se On how raw material sued and outstanding shares ment to set up the power aged by Global Infrastruc bution tax being abolished, slowly building up the level down and COVIDrelated is cond half of March, it was availability was an issue for of OTPC. project and receives support ture Partners) and Govern some of the subsidiary com of liquidity. Against a liquidi sues, the second half of the not possible to do that. The the industry, he said usual “ONGC will have the right from the Power Ministry for ment of Tripura holds 0.5%. panies of the Corporation ty of ₹ 6,000 crore last year, month, which is typically refore, individual NPAs in ly 34 months of inventory of fi rst refusal for IL&FS’s off take tieups via State utili “Any additional stake by did not pay interim divi this year we are carrying the time when growth is nor creased. Once normalcy re of APIs (active pharma 26% stake and the company ties. TPC’s 86.5% capacity is ONGC will make OTPC a go dend,” HDFC said. Profi t on ₹ 30,000 crore. This excess mally the highest, we had a turns, we will get back to the ceutical ingredients) and will exercise its right,” a per under longterm power pur vernmentowned company,” investment was only ₹ 2 crore liquidity gives us a negative very tepid growth and hard levels which we used to see,” packaging material was son in the know of the deve chase agreements, and gas is said another source in the (₹ 321 crore). carry in the P&L account,” ly did any disbursement. he said. maintained by the compa lopment told The Hindu. sourced from ONGC at fi xed know of the development, The lender made a special said Keki Mistry, vicechair The 14% growth on AUM ba “As of date, approximate nies. Since the shipments OTPC operates one of In prices as well as fi xed escala adding that IL&FS’s existing provision of ₹ 1,274 crore dur man and CEO, HFDC. sis for the individual loans ly 26% of the Corporation’s that arrived in December dia’s largest gasbased pow tion through a longterm fuel 26% stake may be divided ing the quarter, including Total individual loan ap have to be considered in that loans under management were in use and supplies er project, and has load supply agreement. among existing promoters COVIDrelated provisions, provals grew 14% in volume light. The growth would have opted for the moratori from China were yet to centre advantage, with ac The plant also has poten on a proportionate basis. compared with the ₹ 398 terms and 12% in value terms have been higher if that had um. Individual loans under come back full steam, a cess to the energy defi cit tial for expansion through ONGC chairman Sashi crore of the yearearlier while disbursements rose not happened,” he said. moratorium account for 21% clear picture will emerge northeastern region of India the addition of two 363.3 Shankar did not respond to period. 7%. The average size of indi The gross nonperforming of the individual loan portfo by this month end, he said. as well as Bangladesh. MW units for which majority calls from The Hindu. “Given the external invest vidual loans stood at ₹ 27 loans as at March 31, 2020 lio,” HFDC said.
INTERVIEW | LAV CHATURVEDI ‘Higher wheat ‘An opportune time to invest in markets’ procurement this year’ Clarity on economic recovery to unfold over 2 quarters: Reliance Securities CEO Press Trust of India New Delhi ASHISH RUKHAIYAR corporate earnings in the Markets are likely to remain June quarter? The government’s wheat volatile with a downward Financial ■ [The] June quarter may be procurement in the 2020 bias as COVID19 will conti <> year the worst [for] corporate 21 marketing year has sur nue to impact companies; 2021 is going to earnings [going] by manage passed last year’s 34.13 mil lion tonnes (MT), sur the current fi scal is set to be be a ‘washout’ ment commentaries for sev mounting impediments in a washout in terms of earn fi scal from a eral corporates and the ings, said Lav Chaturvedi, channel checks done by our the wake of COVID19. corporate ED and CEO, Reliance Secur research teams. While we Wheat procurement tar ities. Interview excerpts: earnings are seeing partial resump get has been set at 40.7 MT perspective tion of economic activity, for the 202021 marketing Do you think the stock which may be further eased, year. The food ministry markets have reached their it may take a couple of said the overall wheat pro bottom? months to bring economic curement had touched ■ Given the current econom absorb additional liquidity fety and can generate higher activity to the prelockdown 34.15 MT as on May 24 in ic scenario and ambiguity from the markets after the delta in the next 12 years. level. We should also not for the current marketing over corporate earnings, Centre increased its borrow In the current context, as get we are still seeing a stea year, surpassing last year’s market momentum will re ing target for FY21 by over set allocation should be dy rise in new COVID cases, fi gure of 34.13 MT. main volatile with a down 50% and the likely impact of made for gold too, anywhere especially in red zones ward bias. the mammoth package on from 5% to 15%, based on ov where a signifi cant easing of From a valuation perspec the government’s fi scal erall risk appetite. restrictions is doubtful. tive, Nifty currently trades at health would be the key fac IDFC First 21.5x of earnings and 2.7x of tors that market participants After record outfl ows in How long would the impact book value, which looks to would be keenly watching in March, FPI selling slowed in of COVID19 be visible on the Bank top brass be fairly valued. However, gi the forthcoming days. Furth April though they still stock markets? ven the about 17% contrac er, corporate earnings and remained net sellers... ■ COVID19 will continue to takes pay cut tion in IIP for March 2020 management commentaries ■ The government’s recent hurt investment sentiment and expectation of a persis on business fundamentals move to increase the FPI li globally and domestically, at SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT tent decline in subsequent will be the key monitorables. mit in domestic fi rms and re least till vaccines and drugs Mumbai months, earnings growth cent dialogues for attracting are commercially available. IDFC First Bank on Monday visibility looks cloudy. Given the current scenario, more FDI after sensing an We have already started said that its senior manage Hence, a contraction in what avenues can a retail opportunity from shifting of witnessing the second wave ment had volunteered to markets cannot be ruled out. investor look at to invest? base from China to other of COVID outbreaks in cities take a 10% cut in compen Other than earnings, the ■ For retail investors, direct countries by several global that reopened recently. sation in the current fi nan market, in the short term, equity and mutual funds / companies bode well for FPI Undoubtedly, FY21 is go cial year 202021. would be driven by foreign ETFs (especially SIPs) are al participation in the long run. ing to be a washout fi scal V. Vaidyanathan, MD & fl ows and execution of the ways the preferred mode of However, we are skeptical from a corporate earnings CEO, had off ered to take a stimulus package. investment. The market is about FPIs turning net perspective. Even for FY22, pay cut of 30%. still down by 25% from its 52 buyers in the near term, gi there is ambiguity over the “The bank also paid What factors will dictate week high seen in January ven the deterioration at the quantum of potential earn 100% of the variable pay to market direction? 2020, which made valua macro level and possible re ings recovery. Clarity will 78.2% of employees for the ■ In the nearterm, how ef tions attractive for a number percussions on sovereign emerge over the next couple period pertaining to FY19 fectively the government ex of midcap companies that ratings. FPIs would wait for of quarters as to whether we 20 despite the pandemic. ecutes its hefty economic maintain strong corporate clarity on the Centre’s fi are looking at a V, U or L Variable pay for FY20 was package, progress of the on governance, healthy balance nancing and on corporate shaped recovery both for the cut more, progressively, going lockdown — especially sheets and which generate earnings’ prospects. economy and the market. In for employees with greater in red zones which contri strong cash fl ows. One any of the scenarios, it’s an seniority, and bonus for se bute over 50% to India’s GDP should look at value stocks What impact of the opportune time now to be nior management was cut — the RBI’s likely reactions to that have a high margin of sa lockdown do you see on gin investing in markets. by 65%,” the bank said.
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DELHI THE HINDU 16 SPORT/LIFE TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
IN BRIEF Gurbux Hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr. passes away praises a colossus Threetime Olympic gold winner and manager of only World Cupwinning side succumbs to prolonged illness
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD Y.B. Sarangi UTHRA GANESAN DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD NEW DELHI KOLKATA B Balbir’s world record for “Balbir Singh (Sr.) was a Threetime Olympic most goals scored by an wonderful scorer, one of champion and one of the individual in the men’s the best India has ever pro greatest ever hockey players, hockey fi nal of the duced and the world has Balbir Singh Dosanjh passed Olympics still remains ever seen. He was calm and away after prolonged illness unbeaten. He scored fi ve quiet on the fi eld, but was WoodsManning duo on Monday morning. goals in India’s 61 victory over the Netherlands in the an opportunist,” said 1964 prevails in charity match Known as Balbir Singh Se gold medal match of the Tokyo Olympics gold me MIAMI nior to all, the 95yearold 1952 Helsinki Games dallist Gurbux Singh, in his Tiger Woods and partner NFL was hospitalised on May 8 af DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD tribute to one of the all quarterback legend Peyton ter complaining of high fever Manning beat Phil Mickelson time greats of the sport. and breathing problems. He Balbir Singh also captained and his partner, another NFL As a youngster, Gurbux suff ered three cardiac arrests the side and is considered had the privilege of watch quarterback legend Tom but had been stable since Brady in an entertaining one of the best centrefor ing Balbir in action and May 13. wards of all time. madefortelevision charity Down memory lane: Balbir Singh and daughter Sushbir Bhomia playing, albeit briefl y, golf event on Sunday that * He was also the manager against him. Ventilator support leaf through a book in February. FILE PHOTO: AKHILESH KUMAR raised $20 million for of the only World Cupwin “The fi rst time I saw him coronavirus relief efforts. The However, his condition wor illness and age, but that jab, and Punjab Police, a ning Indian side (1975), the was in Lucknow in 1952. 18hole match included nine sened after a fresh blood clot smile of his, which always centreforward, there was fi rst sportsperson to be Legends like Balbir, Dha holes of fourball and nine was detected in his brain and had so much love and mean never a trace of aggression in awarded the Padma Shri ram Singh, Uddham Singh holes of modified alternate pneumonia patches in his ing, was intact. his personality. (1957) and the lone Indian and Trilochan Singh were shot, with oncourse lungs on May 18. He had been A relationship going back and hockey player to be in in action. challenges for charitable semicomatose and on venti more than 40 years has Team & country, always cluded in the IOC’s ‘Olympic “Then I got to play funds. Woods and Manning lator support since then. come to an end,” said an “And at a time when sports in Icons”, a select group of 16 against him in a semifi nal held off a backnine rally “He died at around 6:30 emotional Ashok Kumar, a India was often about where alltime Olympic greats ho in 1955. I got to know him from Mickelson and Brady for this morning,” affi rmed Ab member of the 1975 World you came from, his fi rst con noured during the London better in 1959 when he be a oneup victory in the hijit Singh, Director Fortis Cupwinning team when Bal cern was always the team Olympics. came the camp incharge 18hole match play format. Hattrick achieved: Balbir Singh leads the Indian team on the AFP Hospital, Mohali. Balbir podium after defeating Pakistan in the 1956 Olympic hockey bir Singh was manager. and country,” Ashok added. of the Indian team for the Singh lived with his daughter fi nal to make it three gold medals in a row. * THE HINDU ARCHIVES “I will always remember Hockey India expressed its Last rites preOlympics,” Gurbux, Sushbir Bhomia and grand him as a softspoken person grief; so did members of the Balbir Singh was on Monday who bagged a bronze in the Wait at NIS son Kabir in Chandigarh. Ka well for the last few years, re February, along with Ajitpal who never ever raised his current Indian team. cremated at Chandigarh with 1968 Olympics and gold in bir confi rmed the news. quiring repeated hospitalisa Singh, in Chandigarh. He was voice. A member of India’s Olym full State honours. Kabir per the 1966 Asian Games, told gets longer Balbir Singh had been un tion. “I met him last in weak, both with his recent “For someone from Pun pics teams from 19481956, formed the last rites. The Hindu on Monday.
UTHRA GANESAN NEW DELHI ‘Guiding light’ After more than two Remembering a gentle A great player and manager departs months of staying away ockey India on Monday from the actual fi eld and Hcondoled the demise . Baskaran (captain of mats, the elite Indian ath of Balbir Singh Sr, saying VIndian team which letes and weightlifters were and formidable giant the sport has lost its “guid won gold in 1980 Moscow expected to fi nally step out ing light” and his life will re Olympics): A softspoken and take their fi rst steps on Warm and friendly off the fi eld, Balbir was a serial winner on it main an example for gener person who knew how to get resumption of training at ations to come. the best out of every player. the National Institute of “Today, we have not on Indian hockey, nay world Sports, Patiala starting ly lost our greatest hockey hockey, has lost a great Monday. That, however, legend but we have also lost player and manager. hasn’t happened. ‘our guiding light,’” Hockey B.P. Govinda (member of Despite assurances from India president Mohd. 1975 World Cupwinning the administration and Mushtaque Ahmad said. team): For the coaching Golden moment: Balbir Singh celebrates scoring in the 40 Sports Authority of India on International Hockey camp prior to the 1975 World win over Great Britain in the 1948 Olympics fi nal at Wembley Saturday, no training was Federation (FIH): Balbir Cup, Balbir Singh kept the Stadium. * THE HINDU ARCHIVES possible on Monday for Singh will be remembered spirits of all the players up. A anyone. The athletes too re not only as a highly talent great human being, he was a tion in support of his try. Don't let the country main in the dark about any ed and outstanding inter father fi gure to us and players. I feel his loss deeply. down. Keep the Indian fl ag resumption. national player who repre looked after us as his own Mervyn Fernandes fl ying high'. He was always a Shotputter Tajinder Pal sented India in three child. We lived like a well (threetime Olympian): I positive man. Singh Toor said he had no Olympics, but also as a man knit family when we won the played under his charge at Dhanraj Pillay (fourtime idea when things would greatly dedicated to our World Cup in Malaysia. the 1982 Asian Games and Olympian): No words can start. “As of now we have no Rare honour: Balbir Singh Sr. leading the Indian contingent at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. sport. Joaquim Carvalho (World other tournaments. He was a express the sadness in my information about anyth * FILE PHOTO: AKHILESH KUMAR Asian Hockey Federation Cupper): Balbir Senior’s calm, composed person and heart. His simplicity ing. We are still restricted to (AHF): Balbir Singh left be manmanagement skills a thorough gentleman. touched many hearts in the out rooms and the hostel,” UTHRA GANESAN masters on their soil. hockey player”. His own sta hind a legacy which will al were superb. He knew how Mohammed Riaz (1996 & hockey world. NEW DELHI he said. “With every raise of the ture never got in the way. ways be cherished and to handle players and offi 2000 Olympics): Whenev (compiled by Nandaku- Back in 2009, this reporter Tricolour at the Old Wem His record is impeccable — serve as a beacon for many cials, and took on people er I met him, he would al mar Marar and K. Keerthi- took the fi rst steps into a vir bley that day, the heart beat a India has never returned budding talents. high up in the administra ways say: ‘Play for the coun vasan) Carlsen and tual museum of hockey bril little faster, the pride rose a without a medal from a tour liance from a time when In notch higher, the eyes be nament that had Balbir Singh Dubov cruise dia was the unquestioned came moister. It wasn’t just a as player, coach or manager. ruler on the turf. The tro medal — it was India claiming For someone so proud, In RAKESH RAO phies, pictures and memora After Dhyan Chand, it was Balbir Singh Sr.: Milkha NEW DELHI its place on the world stage. dia missing out on the 2008 bilia, though, were dwarfed And it had chosen us as a Olympics was a catastrophe. ‘Flying Sikh’ Milkha Ravi Shastri: A true giant on in the hearts of people. Taking the shortest possi by the aura of the man in means to do that. What ho He didn’t eat or sleep proper Singh: We were great and a half in his fi eld. Hock Thank you for the decades of ble route, Magnus Carlsen their midst — Balbir Singh nour! That feeling can only ly for days. In some ways, it friends. I feel sad that he is ey legend out and out. great hockey and for inspir stopped Wesley So 2.50.5 Senior. be experienced, never ex broke him from within. He not amongst us now. After Sachin Tendulkar: He was ing us. and Daniil Dubov blanked He was a stick wizard, but pressed,” Balbir Singh told was also broken by the disre Dhyan Chand, if there was one of the greatest to have Devinder Walmiki: No Sergey Karjakin 30 in the it was the warmth of his per this reporter. gard for history from SAI, any (hockey) legend, it was graced the game of hockey. one could ever take your fi rst of their bestofthree sona that drew people. The Tricolour mounted on which borrowed his medals Balbir Singh Senior. Virender Sehwag: In Bal place in my heart. Today I minimatches for a place in Balbir Singh had already the wall in his living room and memorabilia but lost Bishan Singh Bedi: India’s bir Singh ji, India has lost am crying because I have the semifi nals of the made a lasting impression on was a testimony to what that them. greatest hockey player since one of it's greatest ever lost a person who occupied a $150,000 Lindores Abbey someone learning the ropes victory meant. The last time this reporter Independence Sardar Balbir sportsman. very special place in my Rapid Challenge. years earlier, during his sev met him, Balbir Singh had Singh Sr is no more... long Gautam Gambhir: Three heart. Sunday proved an off eral visits to Delhi, his aura No one wins alone become frail. But the mind live Sardar Balbir Singh Sr... time Olympic gold medalist, Sharath Kamal: A true day for Karjakin in the felt every time he smiled and “The team won. Hockey is a was as sharp as ever. RIP Legend! he brought great laurels to sporting icon, Balbir Singh fourgame minimatch. enquired, “How are you, team game. No one wins “Excellence is not an art, it P.T. Usha: An athlete par ex the country! You will always Sr. Sir’s achievements will So lost two games to beta?” alone,” was his fi rm belief. At is a habit. We have to do what cellence and a role model remain in our hearts, Sir! continue to be a guiding light Carlsen and opted to draw That smile and warmth a rare public display of we do best, not copy anyone. beyond words! and physical boundaries. Virat Kohli: Saddened to for athletes! the third in just 18 moves. were always available for Dhyan Chand’s stick used in We did that when we played, Narinder Batra (IOA pre Abhinav Bindra: Athletes hear about the passing of the Saina Nehwal: Inspiration The results: Quarterfi nals anyone who wanted to seek the 81 demolition of Germa never blamed conditions. sident): His ready wit and and role models such as him legend, Balbir Singh Sr. My to many and great sportsper (fi rst minimatch): Magnus his guidance or simply have a ny in the 1936 Olympic fi nal, Hard work can make anyth willingness to share his vast come very rarely, and it was thoughts and prayers go out son... we will miss our three Carlsen (Nor) bt Wesley So chat on hockey. Especially during the Punjab Gold Cup ing possible,” he said. But it knowledge were standout an honour to know him. I to his family in this time of time Olympic gold medal (USA) 2.50.5. the days of 1948, when a in 2009, Balbir Singh held it was all said with a smile — as features. hope his example will conti sorrow. winner. Daniil Dubov (Rus) bt Ser former colony overwhelmed and said, “What bigger ho ever, there was no trace of He leaves behind a rich le nue to inspire athletes from Suresh Raina: Legends Geeta Phogat: Sir, you will gey Karjakin (Rus) 30. and outplayed its former nour can there be for any rancour. gacy that cuts across all sport around the world. never truly leave, they live be remembered forever! Producers Guild of India suggests stringent rules for fi lm production Kerala team nets silver Exhaustive SOPs provided for every department from casting and costumes to editing and voice overs fi sh in Velankanni Namrata Joshi on entry, exit and during the crew, informing the produc The PGI document advis The new freshwater species, Puntius Mumbai shoot. Each crew member to tion team about their health es the setting up of an isola The Producers Guild of India be provided with a triple status at the time of booking/ tion zone or holding area, sanctus, grows to only 7 cm has come up with a ‘Back to layer medical mask and signingup for a project, and away from the main fi lming Action report’ recommend gloves, which will be manda again on arrival on set. area. Two juniorlevel doc Special Correspondent THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ing standard operating pro tory to wear during the en “Carry out a drill every tors and a certifi ed nurse cedures (SOPs) to be institut tire shoot. The masks must day with entire staff regard must be present on set for an Velankanni in Tamil Nadu ed whenever the permission not be left unattended and ing precautions so that it be initial three months in two has thrown up a new species to resume production activi would need to be disposed comes a habit,” the state diff erent shifts, the state of small freshwater fi sh of the family Cyprinidae. The ties is granted by the govern off in the bins provided on lo ment advises. Crew, artists ment suggests. Puntius sanctus. ment. cation. Only designated peo and participants should be silverhued fi sh has been The exhaustive report ple should be allowed to called at least 45 minutes Workfromhome christened Puntius sanctus known locally as ‘Paral’ in touches upon and off ers gui open doors, if any. prior to the shoot to ensure The guild has encouraged a — ‘sanctus’ is Latin for holy Kerala and ‘Kende’ in Tamil delines for almost every de Minimum two meters dis thorough implementation of workfromhome strategy — after the popular pilgrim Nadu. They are purely fresh partment and professional at Lights, camera, action: A fi le photo of television crew working tance between colleagues safety precautions, it says. where possible. “Anyone town. water fi shes,” he said.
fi lm and TV shoots. in a studio. * GETTY IMAGES should be maintained, and who can work remotely must The fi sh has been identi While the genus shows The new practices include people have been advised to Hired staff be allowed to do so, on rota fi ed and named by Mathews great species richness in temperature checks, saniti It notes that each fi lming more vulnerable is that it’s avoid handshakes, hugs and All inhouse offi ce house tional basis. People over the Plamoottil, head of the De Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the sation, social distancing, is diff erent, hence specifi c very common for crew mem kisses, and other physical keeping staff hired directly age of 60, or with comorbid partment of Zoology, BJM specimen from Velankanni workfromhome where pos riskbased measures need to bers to participate in multi greetings and sharing of ciga or through third party ven ities and health issues, will Government College, Chava bears “distinct diff erences” sible, downloading of the Ar be established before work ple projects simultaneously. rettes. Every crew and cast dors should have mandatory have to work from home,” it ra, in Kollam. from its Puntius cousins, he ogya Setu app on phones, begins, and that even after One positive case can then member should undergo COVID19 sanitising, the states. The advisory says that Encountered in a small said. limiting the number of cast the decrease or termination endanger several lives and temperature measurement statement recommends. The crew above the age of 60 waterbody in Velankanni, Its physical characteris and crew, avoiding outdoor of government’s preventive projects. with a contactless thermom complete studio should be years should not be consi Puntius sanctus grows to a tics included a protractible shoots, and the presence of a measures, the risk of conta eter before entering the set, sanitised daily before the dered at least for three length of 7 cm. It is used mouth, a pair of maxillary medical team — in two diff e gion will persist in the fi rst General practices the advisory states. shoot. Rest rooms should be months after shoots begin, both as food and as an aqua barbels (a sensory organ rent shifts — on sets for the weeks and months, if not Among the general practices A fi tness or declaration kept clean and sanitised at all and cast of those above the rium draw, Dr. Plamoottil near the snout), 2425 lateral initial three months when longer. outlined are mandatory form should be signed and times, and portable washba age of 60 years should be said. line scales and 10 predorsal shoots begin. What makes fi lm shoots handwashing for everyone submitted by all talent and sins be strategically placed. judicially employed. “The Puntius species are scales. CM A ND-NDE YK