Postal Registration No. : MNW/336/2018-20 www.acrossstates.com RNI: MAHENG/2017/74287

// Satyasya Paramam Nidhanam //

Year:4 Issue : 37 Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 Editor in Chief : Sanjay M. Bhaire Rs.5/- Pages- 24

Inside

Governor Koshyari offers tributes to Dr Ambedkar Break The Chain at Chaityabhumi Shut down till May 1 be allowed at marriages. Besides, 12 lakh registered March should be extended by Read full story on page ३ However, public transport, construction workers will get another three months for small including trains and bus Rs 1,500 each this month, and medium enterprises”, he services, and essential services he said. Funds have been said. A Dark corner for like groceries, vegetable shops, allocated for various welfare In the lockdown guidelines, fruit vendors, dairies, bakeries, schemes targeting 25 lakh the state has left it to the MAHA State Information confectioneries, all types of food domestic workers. About 35 district authorities to decide Commission/Omission outlets and public utilities, will lakh beneficiaries of pension on the inclusion of domestic be open. schemes will get Rs 1,000 as helpers, drivers, attendants For the manufacturing assistance in advance for two and other categories under sector, industries that require months, the Chief Minister said. essential services. However, considerable time to stop and Regarding the shortage the government has restricted restart operations can run at of oxygen, Thackeray said e-commerce to the supply of a maximum of 50 per cent he was seeking permission essential goods and services. capacity at any given point. from the Centre to transport The state government has These industries are expected oxygen from other states also asked local authorities to to accommodate their labourers through IAF to avoid delay. take a call on staggering the on campus or in an isolated Efforts are on to ensure the supply of essential services such Read full story on page 4 Mumbai facility from where movement required supply of remdesivir as groceries, vegetable shops, Scrambling to contain can happen in an isolated bubble. from drug manufacturers across fruit vendors, dairies, bakeries, the Covid surge, Maharashtra Movement of staff outside the the country, he said. Also, the and all food outlets, in terms of Chief Minister Uddhav premises is not allowed, it said. “deadline for GST filing in location and operation. Thackeray Tuesday announced Thackeray urged people to curfew-like restrictions on the “work from home” and refrain What’s allowed The Enchanting movement of people in the state from moving out by observing ÎÎ Services and activities falling in ‘essential category’ are exempted. from 8 pm on April 14 to May 1, a “Janata Curfew”. “These ÎÎ E-commerce (only for the supply of essential goods and services). but stopped short of calling it a restrictions are not one-sided ÎÎ Public transport: Airplanes, trains, taxis (50% vehicle capacity), auto lockdown. but have been imposed only and rickshaw (driver+2 passengers), public buses (full seating capacity/ Colours In a 38-minute address to only with an intent to save lives,” no standing passenger allowed) the state, Thackeray announced said Thackeray. ÎÎ Petrol pumps, services designated by RBI as essential, financial stricter restrictions than those in The Chief Minister also institutions associated with SEBI and construction work to continue. place since April 6, exempting announced a relief package ÎÎ Veterinary services, animal care shelters, pet food shops Butterfly only essential services, and of Rs 5,476 crore. He said the ÎÎ Groceries, vegetable shops, fruit vendors, dairies, bakeries announced a Rs 5,476-crore government will supply 3 kg ÎÎ Cold storage and warehouse services relief package for those who will of wheat and 2 kg of rice per ÎÎ Diplomatic offices be affected across sectors and person free of cost for one ÎÎ All public services by local authorities Read full story on page 16 certain categories. month to beneficiaries of the ÎÎ Marriages to be allowed with only 25 persons in presence. In case of According to the order Food Security Scheme. A meal funerals, only 20 persons are allowed. issued by the administration, scheme, “Shiv Bhojan Thali”, prohibitory orders under Section will provide food free of cost What’s not allowed The Summer Green 144 are to be imposed in the state to people for one month with a ÎÎ Cinema halls, theatres, swimming pools, gyms and sports complexes from Wednesday night and will target of 2 lakh thalis in a month, to remain closed. remain in force until May 1. said Thakeray. ÎÎ All restaurants and bars to remain closed for in-dining. Only home No person is allowed to be Further, he said, Rs 1,500 delivery services shall be allowed and there shall be no visiting any in a public place without a valid each will be given to 5 lakh restaurant or bar for ordering purposes or pickup. Cilantro reason. And all establishments, licensed hawkers and 12 lakh ÎÎ Shooting for film/serials/advertisements to be closed. public spaces, activities and auto rickshaw drivers. For each ÎÎ Public places like beaches, gardens, open spaces, etc. shall remain services will remain closed, tribal family, which is availing closed. except for essential services the benefits of the “khavati karj” ÎÎ Religious places of worship to remain closes. that will remain open between (small loans for non-agricultural ÎÎ All political activity to be stopped in state. 7 am and 8 pm on working purposes) scheme, Rs 2,000 will ÎÎ Barber shops, spas, salons and beauty parlours to remain closed. days. Shooting for films, serials be given for one month – this is ÎÎ All schools and colleges to remain closed. and advertisements will remain expected to benefit 12 lakh tribal ÎÎ Students who have to attend any exam will be allowed to travel along Read full story on page 18 closed, and only 25 people will families. with one adult, on basis of a valid hall ticket. 2 Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 City / Local Across State Decision to Postpone X and Xll Class Examinations in the State Planning and Thorough Preparation Should be Done for Conducting Xll Exam at the End of May and Class X Exam in June - Chief Minister Mumbai Complete the Preparation, examination system and the In view of the growing Finalise the SOP supervisory staff should be prevalence of Corona in the state Arrangements should be vaccinated. On the occasion the and the same resulting tension made so that the standard Xll Chief Minister also said that among students and parents, exams are conducted on the a complete and well-planned safety of the students and same dates that are announced. SOP should be finalised by the their interests the government The number of centers should School Education Department. has decided to postpone the be increased, school and Vandana Krishna presented scheduled 10th and 12th college buildings should be the planning of the department standard examinations. Chief decided, large halls should be in this regard. Minister for Minister Uddhav Thackeray identified, students should be School Education Varsha has instructed that the 12th alloted seats at a safe distance Gaikwad, Minister for Tourism standard exams should be held , cleanliness of examination Aditya Thackeray, Minister of in the last week of May and centers, toilets, disinfection State Bachchu Kadu, officials the 10th standard exams should should be taken care of. of the Board of Secondary and be held in June and thorough Additional manpower should Higher Secondary Education planning and preparations by him here today. Minister occasion. be planned for conducting the explained their views and roles. should be done accordingly. of School Education Varsha Xll Exams Should be examinations, in the meantime After all the discussions the On the occasion the Chief Gaikwad, Minister of Tourism Conducted According to the all the staff-officers in the decision has been taken. Minister also said that other Aditya Thackeray, Minister Revised Schedule examination boards should be of State Bachchu Kadu, Chief The Xll standard Maha trying its best to augment informed about the changes in Secretary Sitaram Kunte, examinations should be Class X and XII examinations Additional Chief Secretary of conducted as per the announced medical oxygen: minister Thane in the state and the next School Education Department revised schedule. While The Maharashtra government is exploring various ways to tide schedule of the examinations Vandana Krishna, Additional doing so, it should be taken over the shortage of medical oxygen which is in high demand due should be announced through Chief Secretary to the Chief care that the students would to the huge rise in COVID-19 cases, state minister Eknath Shinde Maharashtra State Board Minister Ashish Kumar Singh, not be suffered if they were said on Tuesday. He said the Jamnagar plant of Reliance has agreed of Secondary and Higher Principal Secretary Vikas to take admission in other to supply additional 100 metric tonnes of oxygen to Maharashtra Secondary Education, Pune as Kharge, Secretary Abasaheb higher education courses after following a request made by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. The per the revised planning. Jawhad, Chairman of Board of qualifying the IIT, JEE and minister proposed to officials that tankers of Nitrogen could be used The Chief Minister was Secondary & Higher Secondary NEET examinations, Chief for transporting oxygen and that oxygen tankers be protected by the speaking at a meeting of the Dinkar Patil, Rajendra Pawar Minister Uddhav Thackeray police, a release said. Education Department chaired and others were present on the today instructed. Subscribe Today! Across State SUBSCRIPTION FORM State must strengthen Name :...... Address :...... health infra, says Fadnavis mere announcement but ...... be used immediately to ...... procur beds and other medical equipment and ...... the government must give City :...... State:...... express permission for its utilisation. “The chief minister Phone :...... E-mail: ...... has considered only certain sections of society 1 year subscription of both Across State (English) & Across but a vast majority has Mumbai (Marathi+Hindi) – 500/- Rs. not been offered any help. These include small 1 year subscription of Across State (English) 240/- Rs. traders, shopkeepers, 1 year subscription of Across Mumbai (Marathi+ Hindi) 240/- Rs. salons and flower vendors. No help has Kindly, send the Cheque in favour of been offered to them. The BHAKTI PRINT MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED. Mumbai oxygenated beds as well government must take an Opposition leader as regular beds to ensure immediate decision to Signature Devendra Fadnavis said patients do not have to include all of them as Send Your Subscription Here: on Tuesday the state struggle, he said. eligible for aid,” he said. government must focus Fadnavis said the Rs BJP state unit president B wing, 512, Knox Plaza, Mindspace, on improving health 3,300 crore which the Chandrakant Patil said, Contact : infrastructure. The chief minister has said “The government should Off. Link Road, Behind Inorbit Mall, Mr. Sanjay M. Bhaire Malad (W), Mumbai-64. government must ensure will be kept aside for have allowed traders to (9819991194) availability of ventilators, Covid preparedness do business by taking all Remdesivir, oxygen, and should not remain a precautions. color

Across State City / Local Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 3

CM releases Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar source material Volume 3-1 Janata Volume Important to bring Dr Ambedkar’s thoughts through literature before the younger generation – CM Thackeray Mumbai that there would not be any issue of fund availability for Stating that Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was a legal literature based on Dr Ambedkar’s thoughts. He assured luminary and his thoughts transformed lives of common that Government would cooperate in every possible way people, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said that while for releasing this literature. trying to understand his thoughts, it is equally important Pointing it out that there was no newspaper available to bring his thoughts before new generations through till 1920 which could firmly stand for the oppressed class literature. society, Raut said that Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar gave Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar biography material voice to the oppressed class through his publications of publication committee has edited volume 3-1 of Dr Mooknayak, Bahishkrut Bharat and Janata Patra from Babasaheb Ambedkar source material was released by Mumbai. He said that Dr Ambedkar started publishing chief minister Thackeray during an online program. Abmedkar’s thoughts, chief minister Thackeray said that fortnightly Janata from November 24th 1930 and it The committee chairman and minister for higher it includes all the subjects and if you browse through is hailed as a weekly of Ambedkarite movement for a and technical education Uday Samant, member of any of the pages, one can witness to the great thoughts long time of almost 25 to 26 years. It reflects analysis the committee and minister for power Dr Nitin Raut, of Dr Ambedkar. Stating that it was his fortune that he of political social religious situation in those days from vice-chairman of the committee and minister of state was releasing this volume chief minister said that Dr Ambedkar’s perspective. He said that since it shpws for higher and technical education Prajakta Tanpure, Babasaheb’s intellect was not derived just from books references of contemporary movements and incidents it legislators Lahu Kanade, principal secretary to higher but it as through his life experiences and he had courage in a way is historic document and heritage of this period. and technical education O P Gupta, director of the higher to stand against any injustice. He said that through such Saying that he was happy that this heritage from Janata and technical education department Dr Dhanraj Mane, volumes we can understand Dr Ambedkar in parts but we which has reference value is being published in a book member secretary of the committee Dr Krishna Kamble, need to understand him comprehensively. form, Raut said that each one of us needs to read this book Bhalchandra Mungekar participated in an online manner. Stating that his coalition Government in the state and take inspiration from Dr Ambedkar’s thoughts and his Saying that this volume is bundle of gold in Dr believed in Dr Ambedkar’s thoughts chief minister said fight against social evils. Governor Koshyari offers tributes to Dr Ambedkar at Chaityabhumi Mumbai a sense of confidence among the most Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh oppressed sections of society. Koshyari visited the Chaityabhumi The Governor said, Dr Ambedkar memorial of Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb studied the constitutions of various Ambedkar and offered his floral tributes to countries and gave India the best the architect of the Indian Constitution on constitution. He said as happened in the the occasion of the 130th birth anniversary case of Bhagwan Buddha and Mahavir in of Dr Ambedkar in Mumbai on Wednesday the distant past, people of the world will (14th April). A Tri-Sharan Buddha appreciate and realize the greatness of Dr Vandana was recited on the occasion. Ambedkar with the passage of time. The Union Minister of State for Social Governor appealed to the people to read Justice and Empowerment Ramdas the books and biography of Dr Ambedkar Athawale, Home Minister of Maharashtra and strive to build an India of his dreams. Dilip Walse Patil, Guardian Minister The Governor released the book of Mumbai Aslam Sheikh, former MP ‘Kalachya Palikadcha Mahamanav’, Dr Bhalchandra Mungekar and General which is a compilation of articles on the Secretary of the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar life and work of Dr Ambedkar penned by Mahaparinirvan Din Samiti Nagsen various eminent persons on the occasion. Kamble were prominent among those The volume has been guest edited by present. Speaking at a public meeting on Member of Parliament Rahul Shewale. the occasion, the Governor described Dr The Governor presented ‘Cheevar’ B R Ambedkar as a man of extraordinary (holy clothes) to religious leaders on the flair, economist and scholar who created occasion. 4 Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 National News Across State A Dark corner for MAHA State Information Commission/Omission By Special Correspondent sought, free of cost. This is in The basic principle of the contrast to the nation’s top court’s Right to Information act was the directions. fact that an informed, vigilant As per the Supreme Court citizen would act as the best ruling on the cases of J.K. Mittal deterrent for malpractices in the vs. CIC (2013), and the CIC public domain. This has since 2005 vs. State of Manipur (2012), acted as one of the most powerful it is distinctly clear that an tool for an ordinary citizen appeal under Section 18 for non- to access public information compliance cannot be relieved without any hindrance, and providing information sought at question the establishment in the original instance, but to take case of something amiss even or not take disciplinary action if the individual is not so legal- against the erring officer. This savvy. The same has unearthed puts the office of the CIC of major scams and exposed many Maharashtra under question for establishments’ actions with disposing of a case on frivolous undesirable schemes. This act grounds, and a ‘relief’ that can’t envisages a federal structure stand legally. with an array of Central and The case provides ample State Information Commissioners instances to doubt the efficiency with the powers of Adjudication of the office of the Maharashtra’s and authority of information Chief Information Commissioner. over a wide range of matters This high office which would involving the Governments, influence is when they preside to the provisions of law. It was an apparent disregard to the order have served as a gaurdian to the PSU establishment and Public over cases involving top profile no surprise that the MCGM from the high office. citizen’s right to ‘real democracy’, servants/officers. institutions. MAHA-CIC’s buck websites are notoriously slow, ASNN complained to MAHA- has now failed to deliver. More Maharashtra State Chief stops at office doors of certain half updated. Coupled with the CIC against the non-compliance important, the very case that Information Commision’s (the White Elephants like the largest technical glitches, it was ensured of the PIO officers under section Across State team was trying to MAHA-CIC) is empowered as metropolitan administration in that certain information was never 18 of the RTI Act on 19th October uncover has now become time per the RTI Act as thus: the country – the Brihan Mumbai obtained. After multiple trials, 2020. We received an intimation bar. When MAHA-CIC and the > Acts as the second appellate Mahanagarpalika (BMC). we decided to approach with a with a hearing scheduled for entire machinery is drawing hefty authority for RTI applications. Across State News Network second appeal to the top appellate 12th March 2021 – 11:20 am pay cheques at the expense of the >Inquires into complaints was probing a particular case of the state, MAHA-CIC on 25th through Google Meet. Upon ex-chequer, it is vital that even the under RTI Act involving an Assistant Engineer June 2019 as directed by law. accessing the URL provided, PIO’s be accountable. >Have powers of a civil court. & the Maintenance department of After a year of follow up, ASNN we weren't allowed entry to the However, as it is our practice, No public record can be withheld BMC’s P-South office. Since the represented by Chief Editor, online meeting which was to Across State News Network is from it during the inquiry of initial queries went unanswered, Sanjay Bhaire was granted a hold the hearing by a designated never shy of engaging a legal complaints. we filed a RTI request for hearing on 2nd July 2020 before officer. Later, when this office recourse whenever necessary. We >Can secure compliance of certain details on 18th February the MAHA-CIC – Sumit Mullick, contacted the assistant section request the vigilant citizens to its orders from a public authority 2019. Since the reply received which concluded with a relief of officer Reshma Katare, we were share their views and experiences >Submits annual reports to from PIO Amit Prakash Patil either assisting the applicant (Mr. informed that the meeting had so that we may built a case the state govt which are tabled wasn't satisfactory to the matter Bhaire) to obtain the complete been postponed to a future date strong enough to address a course before the house. requested, an appeal was filed to information from the MCGM that would be intimated. But to correction for this vital office, if >Commission can recommend the appellate authority, Executive website, as claimed, or provide our rude shock, we received a required. While this article was steps to be taken by an authority Engineer, Prashant Rathod on the complete information in a letter copy dated 12th March being drafted, the office already to become complaint under RTI. 13th March 2019. We were called physical copy within seven days 2021 stating that the applicant are contemplating to move the Howeveroff late,the for a hearing on 25the April 2019 free of cost as per the statutory (Mr. Bhaire) remained absent for office of the Hon. Governor governments and establishments and 14th May 2019 an order was obligations under RTI Act. the online hearing on 12/03/2021 of Maharashtra to ensure that are increasingly shy on passed directing us to obtain the To our dismay despite such a and the case has been disposed of the State CIC discharge their disclosures. The real test for ‘publicly available information’ direction from the MAHA-CIC, with ‘a relief’directing the PIO to statutory obligations in practice Information Commissioners' from MCGM website, contrary the BMC went on deep slumber, provide the complete information and in spirit.

Mumbai Adhere and Siddhant Amin with 310 Investigations have revealed that Two persons were arrested gm of curated Hydroponic marijuana the accused were distributing various NCB nabs two for alleged possession of curated buds and Rs 1.5 lakh cash, the strains of the narcotic substance, Hydroponic marijuana and cash to official said. namely blackberry, northern, rainbow the tune of Rs 1.5 lakh in central The duo is allegedly linked to and forbidden, the official said. with curated Mumbai, an official said on Tuesday. the international drug trafficking The curated buds are expensive Acting on a tip-off, a team from network operated by one Sahil Shah and imported from Europe, Canada marijuana, cash the Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) alias Flacko, a suspect in a drugs case and the US, he said, adding that conducted searches at Parel village related to actor Sushant Singh Rajput the accused have been booked in a in Mumbai on Monday and nabbed Ganesh death, he said. separate case. Across State National Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 5 India to produce 850 mn

SputnikNew Delhi V doses annually:will provide forRDIF both vaccination of The Russian Direct Investment Fund the population in India and global (RDIF) has said more than 850 million distribution of the vaccine. doses of the Sputnik V vaccine are "Over 850 million doses of going to be produced annually in India, Sputnik V are going to be produced which has also given approval for the in India annually sufficient to emergency use of the vaccine against vaccinate more than 425 million coronavirus infections in the country. people around the world," he said. The Drug Controller General of According to the release, India (DCGI) has registered the vaccine RDIF has agreements with India's under the emergency use authorisation Gland Pharma, Hetero Biopharma, procedure. This is based on results of Panacea Biotec, Stelis Biopharma clinical trials in Russia as well as positive and Virchow Biotech aimed at data of additional Phase III local clinical production of more than 850 million trials in India conducted in partnership doses per year. with Dr Reddy's Laboratories. As per RDIF, Sputnik V has a The vaccine has been approved for conditions. its local production. number of key advantages, including use in countries with a total population Sputnik V will be the third vaccine to "The Russian vaccine has efficacy that there are no strong allergies of 3 billion people or about 40 per cent be used in India against coronavirus. In of 91.6 per cent and provides full caused by Sputnik V. of the global population, and India has January, DCGI had given the emergency protection against severe cases of The price of the vaccine is less become the 60th country to approve use authorisation for two COVID-19 COVID-19 as demonstrated by the data than USD 10 per shot and it uses two Sputnik V, RDIF, Russia's sovereign vaccines -- Covaxin of Bharat Biotech published in one of the leading medical different vectors for the two shots in wealth fund, said in a statement. and Covishield of Oxford-AstraZeneca journals, The Lancet," he added. a course of vaccination, providing India is also the most populated manufactured by Serum Institute of Noting that India is a vaccine- immunity with a longer duration than country to register the vaccine and also India in Pune. manufacturing hub and a strategic vaccines using the same delivery the leading production hub for Sputnik RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev said partner for production of Sputnik mechanism for both shots, it added. V, it added. approval of the vaccine is a major V, he said RDIF has created Other countries that have approved On Monday, sources said DCGI has milestone as both countries have been partnerships with a number of India's use of Sputnik V include Argentina, granted permission for the restricted developing an extensive cooperation on leading pharmaceutical companies Bolivia, Hungary, UAE, Iran, Mexico, emergency use of Sputnik V with certain clinical trials of Sputnik V in India and for production of Sputnik V which Pakistan, Bahrain and Sri Lanka. Kejriwal appeals for plasma donation New Delhi body, as family and help each other monitoring each and every patient Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal out. If we continue to be proactive and within the hospital. If doctors feel on Tuesday said plasma stocks to treat work with the healthcare workers, with that a particular patient can be cured COVID-19 patients are running very low the government and for the people of from home, they are being requested and appealed to those who have recovered Delhi, we will overcome this fourth to go back home. This is not the from the infection to be proactive in wave as well as we overcame the first hospital or the government shirking donating it. three waves," he added. from responsibility, not at all. We A day after 14 hospitals in the national He said over 13,500 cases have will provide such patients with an capital were converted into COVID-only been reported in the national capital in oximeter, our doctors will be calling facilities, the chief minister said planned the last 24 hours. Kejriwal added that them regularly to keep a check. We will surgeries like knee replacement can planned surgeries can be delayed for monitor their situation even at home be delayed for 2-3 months though he some time. and bring them back to the hospital if stressed that there is enough capacity for "There are not just these hospitals the need be. emergency surgeries. in Delhi (COVID-only hospitals), there "This step however is important to "This wave is very dangerous. is sufficient capacity in other hospitals ensure that serious COVID patients According to data of last 10-15 days, cases decreased both the demand and for non- COVID related emergencies. have beds available in hospitals. I 65 per cent of patients are below 45 the number of plasma donations. Once Planned surgeries like knee replacement request everyone to cooperate with the years of age. Your health and life are again, the daily demand of plasma has can be delayed for two three months for doctors over this, understand that they very important to us. So, I would like increased and there is very less plasma now," he said. are taking everything into consideration to appeal to the youth to step out of the available in stock. I request those He also appealed people whose and then recommending this step. It house only when it is necessary and citizens of Delhi who have recently condition improves to shift to home is their understanding, based on their follow all COVID protocols," Kejriwal recovered from COVID to step forward isolation so beds can be utilised for expertise that you can be cured at home. told a press conference. and donate plasma. patients in severe condition. Please understand, we are shouldering "During the last wave of coronavirus, "You can do this at LNJP and Rajiv "We need to also bring the hospital the responsibility of the whole of Delhi the people of Delhi came together to Gandhi hospital. This is the time to management within a system of efficient and their well-being. For us, each life donate. In the past months, the dip in come together as people, as citizen planning. For example, we are now matters," he said. color

6 Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 National Across State Kumbh and Markaz shouldn't be Odisha govt to set up Water Academy at Bhubaneswar compared: Tirath Singh Rawat Bhubaneswar include both at induction and Dehradun The Odisha government in-house stages. It will enable Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tuesday decided to set up a them to remain up-to-date with Tirath Singh Rawat on Tuesday 'Water Academy' in the state state-of-the-art, innovative, said the ongoing Kumbh Mela in capital here. hi-tech technologies and Haridwar should not be compared The academy will function advanced management skills to with the Nizamuddin Markaz as a pioneering training and run the water and wastewater which was held in a closed space capacity building institution business in the state more and attended even by foreigners. in the field of water and efficiently. "There should be no wastewater service provision. The academy would be comparison between Kumbh The main objective of the registered as a society under and Markaz. The Markaz was academy will be to enhance the Societies Registration Act, held in a closed space, in a Kothi the quality and service levels 1860 and would work under like structure whereas the Kumbh in the sector for is being held in the open on the customer satisfaction sprawling ghats of the Ganga," and for better health Rawat said on a weekly talk and environment show organised by the Hindustan outcomes, said Urban Times. guidelines related to it," the chief day and night to ensure that the Development minister The chief minister was minister added. Covid guidelines are followed by Pratap Jena. replying to a question as to why He also said Kumbh comes everyone, the chief minister said. The minister said the two religious events should once in 12 years and is linked People are being checked at enabling safe drinking not be equated (Nizamuddin with the faith and sentiments of the border points before being water and wastewater Markaz and Kumbh) as Kumbh millions of people. allowed to enter Haridwar and service provision to also draws crowds and could "Holding it successfully amid attend the Mela. There are also each urban household strengthen the second wave of the the challenge posed by Covid-19 arrangements for the random in the state is a priority coronavirus infection. by ensuring that the SOP is testing of people, he said. of the government. Citing other differences strictly followed by all is our Haridwar is all set to organise The academy will be the administrative control of between the Kumbh Mela in goal," he said. another Shahi Snan on the beneficial to the personnel WATCO, he said. Haridwar and Nizamuddin Rawat said people's health occasion of "Mesh Sankranti" on working under the Water It would be managed Markaz, Rawat said, "The is a priority but matters of faith Wednesday during the ongoing Corporation of Odisha under its own Memorandum devotees attending Kumbh are cannot be totally ignored. Kumbh. (WATCO), Public Health of Association and rules not from outside but our own "Cases have of course risen Meanwhile, Uttarakhand on Engineering Organisation and regulations with a people. of late but we are following Tuesday reported the highest (PHEO), Odisha Water Supply governing body headed by Moreover, when the Markaz the health ministry guidelines single-day spike this year in and Sewerage Board (OWSSB) the Principal Secretary, was held there was not much and the recovery rate is good. Covid cases with 1,925 testing and other related organisations Housing and Urban awareness about Corona nor Arrangements are also adequate positive in the state. supporting the sector and Development Department- were there any guidelines. No one to deal with any situation," he Dehradun district with services for their capacity cum-Chairman, WATCO and knew for how long the attendees said. 775 cases, Haridwar with 594, development, he added. supported by a professional of the Markaz had remained in the Largescale arrangements of Nainital with 217 and Udham The training and capacity training partner team and confines of the structure, he said. masks and sanitisers have been Singh Nagar with 172 led the building to be undertaken by world-class professional Now there is more awareness made in the Mela area and the table while 13 infected patients the academy will be for both institutional partnership, both about Covid and the entire machinery is working died. managers and workers and will the minister said.

No question of lockdown in Scaled up remdesivir production two-fold: Cipla New Delhi in contact with the domestic Karnataka: Yediyurappa Drug firm Cipla said it has manufacturers to ramp up the Bidar Advisory Committee members increased the production of production of remdesivir, it Ruling out the possibility will attend the meeting on April COVID-19 drug remdesivir two- added. of a lockdown in Karnataka to 18. Emphasising on public fold since the last wave of the Cipla also said given the contain the spread of coronavirus, support to contain the spread of pandemic. spike in cases and surge in Chief Minister B S Yediyurapa the pandemic, he said the night In view of increased demand demand, it is facing a shortage on Tuesday said he has convened curfew from 10 pm to 5 am has for the drug due to a surge in of another drug Tocilizumab an all party meeting on April already been imposed. "People COVID-19 cases, the Centre on and is working closely with its 18 to decide the future course have to cooperate by wearing Sunday prohibited the exports partner in taking necessary steps of action. "There is no question masks, maintaining hand hygiene of remdesivir injection and the demand," Cipla said in a to ensure its availability. of lockdown," Yediyurappa and physical distancing. There its active pharmaceutical statement. "We expect intermittent told reporters in Bidar. The is no other way.. With folded ingredients (API) till the Seven Indian companies are supplies as the demand outstrips CM clarified that the Technical hands I want to ask the people situation improves. producing the injection under supply with some more receipts Advisory Committee (TAC) has to cooperate," Yediyurappa "We have scaled up the voluntary licensing agreement at the earliest," Cipla added. not recommended any lockdown. said. He also wished everyone production of remdesivir with Gilead Sciences, USA. The Centre on Tuesday said "I am in the TAC. No one has peace and happiness on the by 2x from the last wave They have an installed capacity doctors should ensure "rational recommended a lockdown," occasion of Ugadi. "May the of the pandemic. Given the of about 38.80 lakh units per and judicious" use of remdesivir, Yediyurappa said. Besides former difficulties in life go away unprecedented demand for the month, the Ministry of Health underlining it is to be given only chief ministers Siddaramaiah and from everyone's life. May this drug, we have now further and Family Welfare had said to serious COVID-19 patients in H D Kumaraswamy and Congress coronavirus pandemic too go ramped up our capacities on Sunday. The Department hospitals and is not to be used in state chief D K Shivakumar, away," Yediyurappa said in his through our network, to service of Pharmaceuticals has been home settings. the members of Technical Ugadi message. color

Across State News Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 7

Gehlot for imposing SC rejects plea against dismantling of strict anti-Covid decommissioned aircraft carrier 'Viraat' norms in state

New Delhi matter ends. The petition has to be warships are preserved . The Supreme Court Monday disposed of." We have already dismantled dismissed a plea of a private firm Earlier on April 5, the apex court around 40 per cent of the ship and all seeking preservation of India's had asked the petitioner firm to file important parts have been taken out, decommissioned aircraft carrier its response on the report of status of Dhavan had said while referring to 'Viraat' and its conversion into a dismantling of the warship. the report filed by Shree Ram Group museum. The centaur-class aircraft carrier, that major fixtures like machinery, A bench of Chief Justice S A INS Viraat, was in service with the navigation devices, and furniture have Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna Indian Navy for 29 years before all been taken out. Jaipur said during a Covid-19 and V Ramasubramanian took being decommissioned in March He had said, The vessel is totally Rajasthan Chief review meeting at his note of the fact that the Ministry 2017. grounded and is a dead structure and Minister Ashok Gehlot residence. of Defence has refused to accept 'Viraat' had reached the Alang even the Centre has refused to give on Tuesday said it is The chief minister the representation of private firm ship breaking yard in Gujarat from no objection certificate for making necessary to take strict also asked officials to Envitech Marine Consultants Pvt Mumbai in September last year and the warship a museum. and effective steps increase the number Ltd that the decommissioned aircraft the dismantling process was going The bench had then asked Sharma similar to lockdown of dedicated anti- carrier be preserved. on. Another private firm Shree Ram to go through the report filed by Shree and directed officials Covid hospitals, day- "You cannot do this. The (Bombay) Group at Alang in Bhavnagar district Ram Group and file the response in to form guidelines to care centres, besides high court had allowed you to give of Gujarat has bought Viraat at an one week. curb the virus spread. other medical facilities representation to the government. You auction in July last year for Rs 38.54 On February 10, the top court had He appealed to the including oxygen and did it. The government (Ministry of crore and began the dismantling ordered status quo on dismantling of people to behave as if ICU beds, medicines. Defence) dismissed it. You did not process in December last year. 'Viraat' and sought responses from the there is a lockdown, Gehlot said this challenge it," the bench said. The bench, after perusing the Centre and Shree Ram Group on the saying the second wave second wave of In the proceedings conducted report on the status of dismantling plea of Envitech Marine, which has of Covid-19 is more coronavirus infection through video conferencing, the of 'Viraat', had asked the private firm offered to pay Rs 100 crore for the dangerous. is even more deadly bench refused to accept submissions Envitech Marine Consultants Pvt Ltd ship, so that it can be converted into Gehlot said the than before. of Rupali Sharma, representative if 40 per cent of the warship has been a museum. socio-religious and People should of Envitech Marine, that this is a dismantled after a valid purchase by The Centre had in July 2019 cultural activities in understand its "national treasury" and needed to another company, then why does it informed Parliament that the decision the state need to be seriousness and behave be saved. want to take it for making a museum. to scrap Viraat was taken after due restricted as the death in the same way like Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan Rupali Sharma, representing consultation with the Indian Navy. rate is increasing. they did when the appeared for Shree Ram Group which Envitech Marine, had said that she Viraat is the second aircraft carrier Extending the lockdown was imposed had purchased the ship and said, would like to inspect the ship to which is being dismantled in India. curfew duration, the first time, the CM "they had approached the Ministry ascertain the status of dismantling and In 2014, Vikrant was dismantled in reducing the number said. of Defence. Ministry says no. The added that, around the world these Mumbai. of participants in Figures and studies marriages and other show that the effect social functions, of the virus in the cutting down the second wave, speed LG pays obeisance at Mata Vaishnodevi cave shrine presence of people at of infection and death Jammu workplaces and the rate is higher than Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj number of passengers earlier, he added. Sinha on Tuesday paid obeisance at the cave shrine of in public transport are Health Minister Mata Vaishnodevi at the beginning of Navratras. the need of the hour, Raghu Sharma said He prayed for sustained peace, progress and prosperity he said. the Health and Medical in the Union Territory and the welfare of its people. "Given these Department is prepared While reviewing the ongoing infrastructural suggestions, necessary with alertness. development projects in the Shrine area, Sinha directed guidelines should be Oxygen support the Shrine Board CEO to ensure expeditious completion prepared. It is necessary in Covid Hospital of all work for further augmentation of facilities for to take drastic steps. Systems, ICU beds, visiting pilgrims. The general public ventilators and other The CEO briefed the Lt Governor about the special may suffer a bit from facilities are being arrangements made by the shrine board for pilgrims this, but saving lives strengthened, he visiting the Shrine during the Navratri. is paramount," Gehlot added. 8 Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 Elections Across State Mamata stages dharna to protest EC's EC's decision to ban Mamata move to ban her campaign for 24 hrs from campaigning taken at Kolkata West Bengal Chief Minister behest of BJP: Raut and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday sat on a Mumbai The Election Commission dharna in the heart of the city Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut (EC) on Monday barred to protest against the Election on Tuesday alleged that the Banerjee from campaigning Commission's "unconstitutional" Election Commission's decision for 24 hours over her remarks decision to ban her from to bar West Bengal Chief against central forces and a campaigning for 24 hours. Minister Mamata Banerjee from statement which had alleged Banerjee, still confined to a campaigning for 24 hours was religious overtones. wheelchair owing to the injuries taken at the behest of the BJP. Reacting to it, Raut in a she sustained last month, arrived This was a "direct attack on tweet said, "ECI has imposed at Mayo road here around 11.40 democracy" and sovereignty of a ban on Mamta didi for 24 am and began her sit-in next to independent institutions of the hours. This is clearly done at a Mahatma Gandhi's statue at against central forces and a Meanwhile, a defence country, Raut claimed in a tweet. the behest of BJP, ruling party the venue. statement which had alleged official here said that the area The Sena's chief spokesperson in India." "It is a direct attack No TMC leaders or religious overtones. where Banerjee is staging a expressed solidarity with on democracy and sovereignty supporters were spotted nearby. Banerjee, lashing out at protest belongs to the army, Banerjee, while terming as the of independent institutions of A senior TMC leader, when the poll panel, had said on and the TMC was yet to receive "Bengal Tigress". India. solidarity with Bengal approached, said, "No party Twitter that she would hold permission for the programme. Assembly elections are Tigress, @MamataOfficial @ leaders are allowed near the site a protest against the poll "Just to keep everyone currently underway in West derekobrienmp," the Rajya of the protest. She is sitting there panel's "unconstitutional and informed, we have received Bengal. Sabha member added. alone." undemocratic" decision. an application from the TMC The Shiv Sena, which is not Banerjee on Monday said she The Election Commission The TMC boss is scheduled for a no-objection certificate contesting the polls, has extended would stage a dharna in Kolkata has barred Banerjee from to address two rallies after 8 pm at 9:40 am today. It is still its support to Banerjee, who on Tuesday to protest against campaigning for 24 hours from on Tuesday -- one at Barasat and under process," the defence heads the Trinamool Congress the poll panel's "unconstitutional Monday 8 pm for her remarks the other at Bidhanangar. spokesperson said. (TMC). decision" SC terms plea for removing 26 verses of Quran as absolutely Install CCTVs at quarantine frivolous , imposes Rs 50K cost centres in Nagpur, says HC New Delhi In his plea, Rizvi has stated Mumbai was informed that in several commissioner and Nagpur rural The Supreme Court Monday that Islam is based on the The Nagpur bench of the institutional quarantine centres, superintendent of police to termed as "absolutely frivolous" concepts of equity, equality, Bombay High Court has expressed COVID-19 patients were not ensure police personnel deputed a petition filed by former UP forgiveness and tolerance but its displeasure over institutionally following the isolation and social at such centres "perform their Shia Waqf Board chairman due to extreme interpretations of quarantined COVID-19 patients distancing norms and were seen duty diligently and sincerely", not following isolation norms, roaming freely in the facility. and refrain from using their the said verses of the holy and directed for CCTVs to be "It has been reported to us mobile phones for the purpose book, the religion has installed in all such facilities in that because of such reckless and of entertainment and recreation been drifting away from Nagpur. dangerous behaviour of some while on duty. the basic tenets. A division bench of Justices quarantined COVID-19 patients, The court had last week The plea of Rizvi has Sunil Shukre and Avinash those entrusted with the duty to directed for a special 'Nagpur drawn massive backlash Gharote in its order on April 8, a look after these patients have COVID-19 Committee' to be set with several Muslim copy of which was made available started contracting COVID-19," up to address the problems being outfits and Islamic clerics on Monday, said the installation the court said. faced by hospitals, doctors and protesting against the of CCTV cameras would be "Such behaviour of staff and the general public in former chairman of the useful to check the movements of quarantined COVID-19 patients the wake of a surge in COVID-19 Waqf Board. quarantined patients in and out of is highly deplorable and needs cases. their rooms. to be dealt with in a very The HC on April 8 asked the Last month, an FIR The CCTVs shall be installed stringent manner by the authority committee to consider setting was registered in Bareilly at the Maharashtra government's concerned," the HC said. up of day care centres for those against Rizvi for allegedly expense and proposals for the same The court directed the Nagpur COVID-19 patients who only Waseem Rizvi seeking removal hurting religious sentiments of shall be prepared by the Nagpur collector to take immediate steps require a few hours of treatment of 26 verses from holy Quran Muslims with his petition in the collector and commissioner of the to ensure quarantined COVID-19 and do not need to be admitted. and dismissed it with a cost of top court. Nagpur Municipal Corporation, patients are kept in strict isolation. "This would help as many Rs 50,000. The FIR was registered the court said. "We also direct for regular people fail to get admission in A bench of Justices R F at the Kotwali police station The bench was hearing a inspection of all institutional hospitals due to unavailability of Nariman B R Gavai and following complaints by petition taken up suo motu (on quarantine centres in Nagpur beds," it said. Hrishikesh Roy rejected the Anjuman Khuddam-e-Rasool its own) last year on the issue of by an appropriate team with a The bench said such day care petition in which Rizvi alleged secretary Shan Ahmed and an the COVID-19 pandemic and the mandate to take action then and centres could be set up in sports condition of hospitals. there," the high court said. complexes, public schools, sports that these 26 verses of Quran organisation known as Ittehad- On April 8, the court It directed Nagpur city police clubs and other such places. promoted terrorism. e-Millat council. Across State Global View Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 9

India under PM Modi more likely to respond with military force to Pak provocations: US intel report Washington tensions between nuclear-armed India India, under Prime Minister Narendra and Pakistan remain a concern for the Modi, is more likely than in the past to world. respond with military force to perceived The iterative violence between or real Pakistani provocations, the US Israel and Iran, the activity of foreign intelligence community has told Congress powers in Libya, and conflicts in other in a report. areas including Africa, Asia, and the The Office of the Director of National Middle East have the potential to Intelligence (ODNI) in its Annual Threat escalate or spread, it said. Assessment report to the US Congress, On Afghanistan, the ODNI report said although a general war between India assessed that prospects for a peace deal and Pakistan is unlikely, crises between will remain low during the next year. the two are likely to become more intense, "The Taliban is likely to make gains risking an escalatory cycle. on the battlefield, and the Afghan "Under the leadership of Prime Government will struggle to hold Minister Narendra Modi, India is more the Taliban at bay if the coalition likely than in the past to respond with withdraws support. Kabul continues military force to perceived or real Pakistani to face setbacks on the battlefield, and provocations, and heightened tensions the Taliban is confident it can achieve raise the risk of conflict between the two military victory, it said. nuclear-armed neighbours, with violent two countries nosedived after India an environment free of terror, hostility "Afghan forces continue to secure unrest in Kashmir or a militant attack withdrew the special status of Jammu and violence and that the onus is on major cities and other government in India being potential flashpoints," and Kashmir and bifurcated the state Islamabad to create an environment strongholds, but they remain tied it said. into two union territories in August free of terror and hostility. down in defensive missions and have India and Pakistan are without 2019. According to the ODNI report, the struggled to hold recaptured territory or high commissioners in each other's India has said it desires normal fighting in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria reestablish a presence in areas abandoned capital since the relations between the neighbourly relations with Pakistan in has a direct bearing on US forces, while in 2020, the report said.

Tokyo in about two years after building a for nearly seven years had discussed Japan's government decided facility under the regulatory authority's how to dispose of the water without Tuesday to start releasing massive safety requirements. It said the disposal further harming Fukushima's image, Japan to start amounts of treated radioactive water of the water cannot be postponed fisheries and other businesses. The from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear further and is necessary to improve the report it prepared last year mentioned plant into the Pacific Ocean in two years environment surrounding the plant so evaporation as a less desirable option. releasing an option fiercely opposed by local residents can live there safely. TEPCO About 70 per cent of the water in the fishermen and residents. says its water storage capacity of 1.37 tanks exceeds allowable discharge The decision, long speculated but million tons will be full around the fall limits for contamination but will delayed for years due to safety concerns of 2022. Also, the area now filled with be filtered again and diluted with Fukushima water and protests, came at a meeting of storage tanks will have to be freed up seawater before it is released, Cabinet ministers who endorsed the for building new facilities that will be the report says. According to a ocean release as the best option. needed for removing melted fuel debris preliminary estimate, gradual into sea in 2 years The accumulating water has been from inside the reactors, a process releases of water will take about 30 stored in tanks at the Fukushima Daiichi expected to start in coming years. In the years but will be completed before plant since 2011, when a massive decade since the tsunami disaster, water the plant is fully decommissioned. earthquake and tsunami damaged its meant to cool the nuclear material has Japan will abide by international reactors and their cooling water became constantly escaped from the damaged rules for a release, obtain support contaminated and began leaking. The primary containment vessels into the from the International Atomic plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power basements of the reactor buildings. Energy Agency and others, and Co., says its storage capacity will be To make up for the loss, more water ensure disclosure of data and full late next year. Prime Minister has been pumped into the reactors to transparency to gain understanding Yoshihide Suga said the ocean release continue to cool the melted fuel. Water of the international community, the was the "most realistic" option and that is also pumped out and treated, part of report said. China and South Korea disposing the water is "unavoidable" for which is recycled as cooling water, and have raised serious concern about the decommissioning of the Fukushima the remainder stored in 1,020 tanks now the discharge of the water and its plant, which is expected to take decades. holding 1.25 million tons of radioactive potential impact. The government TEPCO and government officials water. Those tanks that occupy a large has said it will do the utmost to say tritium, which is not harmful in space at the plant complex interfere support local fisheries, and the report small amounts, cannot be removed with the safe and steady progress of said TEPCO would compensate for from the water, but all other selected the decommissioning, Economy and damages if they occur despite those radionuclides can be reduced to levels Industry Minister Hiroshi Kajiyama efforts. Kajiyama is set to visit allowed for release. Some scientists said. The tanks also could be damaged Fukushima on Tuesday afternoon to say the long-term impact on marine life and leak in case of another powerful meet with local town and fisheries from low-dose exposure to such large earthquake or tsunami, the report officials to explain the decision. He volumes of water is unknown. Under said. Releasing the water to the ocean said he will continue to make efforts to the basic plan adopted by the ministers, was described as the most realistic gain their understanding over the next TEPCO will start releasing the water method by a government panel that two years. color

10 Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 Global View Across State Ecuador picks conservative for president; Peru sets runoff Quito (Ecuador) government will pursue more moderate Ecuador will be led for the next four fiscal austerity, which would stop years by a conservative businessman after the public debt-to-GDP ratio from voters rebuffed a left-leaning movement spiralling higher, but equally would that yielded an economic boom and not push it down as the IMF expects. then a recession since taking hold of the The pandemic paralysed 70 per cent presidency last decade. of businesses in Ecuador last year and That election certainty, however, did brought the country's unemployment not extend to neighbouring Peru, where the rate to almost 68 per cent. The country presidential contest is headed to a runoff already had been in an economic after none of the 18 candidates obtained slowdown that began in 2015, largely more than 50 per cent of the votes. driven by the drop in oil prices. The South American nations held Similarly, in Peru, the world's elections Sunday under strict public health second largest copper producer, the measures amid a surging coronavirus economy spiralled downward when a pandemic that has brought on new lockdown of more than 100 days early lockdowns and exacerbated a general in the pandemic left about 7 million sense of fatigue. Peru, which also elected people unemployed. But unlike in a new Congress, reported its highest single- Ecuador, Sunday's elections did not bring day COVID-19 death count just as voters any clarity about the country's future. headed to the polls. Eighteen presidential hopefuls turned The victory of former banker Guillermo the election into a popularity contest in Lasso in Ecuador came after less than half and generate employment so that all That definition of the left and which an ultra-conservative candidate of a percentage point put him ahead of Ecuadorians do not emigrate, stay in right is a reductionism in disuse at the even addressed how he suppresses another candidate and allowed him to Ecuador and achieve the dreams they want present time, he said. his sexual desires. But none obtained claim a spot in Sunday's runoff. The result for their families here, Lasso said at a press Elections officials have not officially the more than 50 per cent of support breaks off the country's years under the conference Monday. declared a winner, but Arauz conceded needed to avoid a June 6 runoff. so-called Correismo, a movement labeled He said his immigration policy is the election Sunday and at least one Elections officials on Monday said after former President Rafael Correa who twofold, defending Ecuadorians abroad but head of state has congratulated Lasso leftist Pedro Castillo had 18.9 per governed Ecuador from 2007 through at the same time, also acting humanely with on the outcome. cent of support, with 90 per cent of 2017, grew increasingly authoritarian in Venezuelans who have arrived in Ecuador. Economist Nikhil Sanghani with ballots processed. He was followed the latter years of his presidency and was ... We cannot be so inconsistent in asking the firm Capital Economics on Monday by opposition leader Keiko Fujimori sentenced to prison last year in a corruption for a good treatment for Ecuadorians living wrote that the divided National at 13.2 per cent, right-wing economist scandal. abroad and mistreating foreigners living in Assembly may water down some of Hernando de Soto with 11.86 per cent Correa's prot g , Andr s Arauz, easily Ecuador; we have to be coherent and will Lasso's policies, but that concerns and ultra-conservative businessman advanced to the contest to replace President seek to work with the United Nations. over a shift towards interventionist Rafael L pez Aliaga at 11.83 per cent. Len n Moreno, who chose not to seek Ecuador is among the countries policymaking under Arauz should give The crowded presidential contest re-election. Moreno was also an ally of that have seen an influx of Venezuelan way to relief that left-wing populism came months after the country's Correa but turned against him while in immigrants who have left their troubled did not prevail. political chaos reached a new level office. In the runoff, Lasso benefited from nation in search of better opportunities. The more market-friendly Lasso in November, when three men were the discontent toward Correa and his allies, Asked about his future international looks set to maintain amicable relations president in a single week after one but he will have face a strong Correista policy, Lasso said he will promote the with the (International Monetary Fund), was impeached by Congress over bloc in congress. broadest multilateralism as a democrat and will probably focus on improving corruption allegations and protests The first action will be to put the with a project that seeks the well-being the public finances, Sanghani wrote. forced his successor to resign in favour economy in order, promote investment of the Ecuadorian people. ... Our best guess is that the new of the third.

US stands by its support to India's request for extradition of Rana, says Biden admin in court Washington to India is as per the India-US extradition treaty. evidence in the record that obliterates India's presentation The Biden administration, in a fresh submission before As per the India-US Extradition Treaty, the Indian of probable cause, he said. a US court, has reiterated its support to India's request government has requested the formal extradition of Rana, Lulejian said that to the extent Rana relies on a for the extradition of Pakistani- and the United States has initiated statement made during (David Coleman) Headley's origin Canadian businessman this extradition proceeding. The US plea hearing, his reliance is improper because the plea Tahawwur Rana, who is sought Government has argued that Rana agreement itself says that only the written agreement for his involvement in the 2008 meets all the criteria warranting controls. Mumbai terror attack. certification of his extradition to Moreover, the statement upon which Rana relies is US District Court Judge in India. ambiguous at best, he said. Los Angeles Jacqueline Chooljian These are: the court has both In his submission, the US attorney noted that the on Monday received the latest personal and subject matter premise of Rana's argument is incorrect because the Indian set of submissions from the US jurisdiction, there is an extradition substantive charges are not considered lesser included government attorney in the case. treaty between the United States offenses of their conspiracy charges. The judge has scheduled an in- and India that is in full force and Rana, a childhood friend of Headley, was re-arrested person extradition hearing of Rana effect, and the crimes for which on June 10 in Los Angeles on an extradition request by to India for June 24. Rana's extradition is sought are India for his involvement in the Mumbai terror attack in In the submission, along covered by the terms of the treaty. which 166 people, including six Americans, were killed. with an attached memorandum, The United States respectfully He has been declared a fugitive by India. Assistant US Attorney John J requests the certification of Pakistani-American Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Lulejian, made a declaration in Rana's extradition to India for the Headley was involved in plotting the 2008 Mumbai support of the United States' Surrebuttal in Support of its Secretary of State's decision on his surrender, he said. terror attack. He was made an approver in the case, and Request for Certification of Extradition. The extradition request contains sufficient evidence to is currently serving a 35-year prison term in the US for Lulejian reiterated that 59-year-old Rana's extradition establish probable cause, and Rana has not pointed to any his role in the attack. Across State News Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 11 Mamata's plight same as that TMC, Cong, Left depend on outsiders : Shah of defeated player: Nadda Nagrakata (WB) Taking on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her oft- repeated 'outsider' barb against him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accusing her of lack of knowledge, Union Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday said that it is the Trinamool Congress, Left and Congress who have to depend on outsiders. He said that Banerjee, also Trinamool Congress supremo, terms him and Modi as outsiders but her Kolkata is like that of a defeated party depends on votes BJP president J P player in a game. She from illegal immigrants. from outside - the illegal Mamata Banerjee, who Modi "the son of a tea- Nadda, taking a dig at has done injustice to the "Am I an outsider? immigrants," the top BJP has been demanding his seller". TMC's 'khela hobe' (game people of the state for Am I not a citizen of the leader said. resignation, will have to The union minister will be played) slogan, many years. The BJP, country? Didi terms the Shah said he was born go on May 2, the day when said that all refugees will said on Tuesday that West however, will usher country's prime minister in this country and will turn the state election result be given citizenship by Bengal Chief Minister in development, stop as an outsider," Shah told a to ashes in this land. "So will be declared. "This the BJP and alleged that Mamata Banerjee's plight atrocities on women and poll rally at this tea garden how can I be an outsider?" election is not about my Banerjee is unwilling to is that of a "defeated create jobs for youth, if town in Dooars area of Banerjee has been resignation, but it is of give them the right because player". voted to power," the top Jalpaiguri district. almost daily accusing the yours (Banerjee's)." she fears that her vote bank Nadda, who led a BJP leader claimed. Banerjee's knowledge is BJP leadership of being Banerjee had last will not be happy with that. roadshow at Kalna in He also said that the "very little", he said. outsiders in West Bengal demanded Shah's If voted to power BJP Purba Bardhaman district, TMC dispensation has "Let me tell you Didi and bringing in goons from resignation for the firing by will ensure that an AIIMS also said that the TMC failed to maintain law and who are outsiders. The other states for the ongoing central forces at Sitalkuchi hospital comes up in north supremo, who has her order in Bengal. communists have imported assembly elections in the in Cooch Behar in which Bengal as the people of accusatory finger pointed "Mamata Banerjee's their ideology from China state. four people were killed in the area have to travel to at the BJP and the Election politics of extortion, and Russia. Shah said the TMC the fourth phase of polling Kolkata for treatment of Commission, seems to appeasement, her The leadership of supremo "cannot deceive on April 10. serious ailments. have forgotten that she dictatorial nature, and Congress too is from the people of the state for Shah claimed that the "Modiji has come with has not done anything the cut-money (bribery) outside - it has come from long" since BJP's chief chief minister has not 115 schemes for Bengal creditworthy for the culture institutionalised Italy. minister for West Bengal raised the wages of tea and Didi has given 115 people of the state. by her party have ruined "And the Trinamool will be a son of the soil. garden workers, while she scams," Shah said hitting "Mamata's condition the state," Nadda added. Congress' vote bank is He maintained that has been regularly abusing out at teh ruling TMC. Republican Senator against imposing CAATSA on India for buying Russian missile system Washington "It would not deter India's Alternatively, he urged the A top Republican Senator purchase of the S-400 (missile) Biden Administration to give has said that imposing CAATSA system. Given India's historical CAATSA waiver to India. The sanctions on India for buying the skepticism of international waiver is intended at preventing multi-billion-dollar S-400 missile cooperation and long-standing US sanctions on countries like system from Russia would be a ties with Russia, any sanctions India. geostrategic victory for Moscow. would be amplified and leveraged "By invoking the waiver Senator Todd Young, a by those within India who authority and allowing India's member of the Senate Foreign remain trepidatious about deeper purchase of Russian weaponry, Relations Committee, wrote in engagement with the West, such the Biden administration can the Foreign Policy magazine that as the Non-Aligned Movement, make clear that China is the if the Joe Biden administration Young wrote in the magazine. primary geostrategic threat to the imposes sanctions on India, it strategy to keep the critical sea Section 231 of the Countering "Moreover, Russia could take United States. would weaken two strategic fronts routes in the Indo-Pacific free of America's Adversaries Through advantage of the sanctions to "As the United States at a critical time -- undermine any influence. Sanctions Act (CAATSA) if it reclaim its role as India's military acknowledges that fact, the White Washington's relationship with Yong said on Monday that moves forward with the purchase partner of choice. Paradoxically House must then prioritize -- in India and also affect the QUAD's in recent weeks, the Democratic of the Russian missile system. then, sanctioning New Delhi over word and deed -- relationships ability to counter China. chair of the Senate Foreign Section 231 imposes sanctions its Russian-made defence system with those countries critical to Quad -- comprising Japan, Relations Committee Senator Bob on entities that "operate for or on would actually prove to be a meeting that threat head-on. By India, Australia and the United Menendez called for India to be behalf of" Russian defense or geostrategic victory for Moscow," doing so, all Quad countries will States -- aims at developing a new threatened with sanctions under intelligence sectors. Young wrote in the magazine. benefit," Young said. 12 Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 EdiTrack Across State Covid 19 Vs Lockdown he Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray has declared a 14- a seemingly under control situation. could be achieved better by engaging trained samaritans and day long lockdown till May 1, 2021. Given the SARS Cov-2 The metro cities are one of the worst-hit locations throughout volunteers lending hands to the Covid War. Currently, the public Tinfection spikes and the ‘impressive public obedience to the the country. In Mumbai where residents belonging to the lower partnership is more focused on supporting the health facilities guidelines’, it was inevitable. The 39-minute live show was more economic groups would have household reserve resources while the rest of the city is business as usual to the extent they are of a revealing digital White Paper than any concrete measures for anywhere between 15-60 days without additional revenue. conveniently blind to the disrespect of guidelines. If the infection to address the challenge at hand, baring a list of requests to the Beyond this, they would already have crossed their threshold of sources are addressed, there wouldn’t be much pressure at the Central Government. Agreed that in a super pandemic like this, frustration by incremental lockdowns. More so now, when their treatment sites. every hand counts, and it takes a cooperative collaborative effort livelihood is threatened. 3> To facilitate through regulations the citizens' efforts to to manage the situation. But to repeat the same contingency In Mumbai, the majority of them, the bread earners of their adhere to implementations. Out of the box ideas like a busy protocol as we are facing it for the first time (despite that we are family are anxious and a few are willing to risk their life, let alone business lane being allowed work on alternate days, would reduce now empowered with better information, diagnostic and preventive their health. The situation of small-time business persons running public traffic by half, giving more space for parking, and implement methods, therapeutic mechanisms, sacrifices from the front many ‘non-essential’ shops and establishments are not much better social distancing line warriors), exposes the bankruptcy of political leadership. different. Coupled with that if they are to face lockdown plans 4> To plan ahead for supplies and resources, increasing Transparency is good for governance and is appreciated, but for as ambiguous as the ‘Nakasha’ - map displayed by our CM, is vaccination target population, adequate testing, and genome a Covid War, that alone wouldn’t suffice. a recipe for civic unrest that would lead to further worsening the sequencing to trace new clades of SARS-Cov-2 as the menace There is no denying that the administration and the civic situation for the state. I wouldn’t be surprised if some vigilantes is here to stay longer systems did their brave best to manage the situation initially, often would ‘Janata Handle’ erring public mistaking the CM’s call for 5> To ensure that our state gets our share of supplies as due ill-equipped. Now that we are arguably facing the second wave support. Some of the citizens anticipating the worst to come are from the Centre, before reaching our threshold, Maharashtra is of the SARS-Cov2 attack, whether the first wave has effectively moving out of town.If only the Maharashtra Government puts not a weakling. taught the general public and administration is a big question to in better efforts to public governance, especially the strategic In my view, wishlists, wishful thinking, overt confidence, address in the coming days. However, a look at the mini BEST decision-making and planning more than trying to save their and hasty trumpeting wouldn’t much help. Nor is lockdown a buses plying crisscross the Mumbai City overcrowded with 35- alliance from falling apart, we could have witnessed better things long-standing solution. There are dozens of more dangerous 40 passengers while the guidelines ‘strictly’ limits to ‘21 seating for CM Thackeray to say apart from the wish list sent to Central pathogenic diseases than SARS Cov-2 (a mortality rate of 1.23). passengers only’ throws some light on how the controls are Government. The Maharashtra government should come out of the imaginary implemented. Not much to mention about the weekend curfew, The challenge that is testing the mettle of our current shackles, acknowledge the real threat, take ingenious & concrete and get-away rushes as if Coronavirus is scared of weekday Government is multi-prong: steps instead of puppetry. The Government should look beyond rushes in trains and buses. 1> To design and plan a locally feasible Pandemic their political tenure, for the Covid19 is here to stay longer, and Lockdown was indeed the best action we undertook during Management model. Lockdowns are contingency plans, not repeating the same answers arent going to answer new questions. the initial phase. The first phases of lockdown apparently worked continuity plans – Central Plans are directive in nature, the Across State News Network wishes all our patrons a well because citizens were scared, and were more willing to specifics are to be designed locally. To claim that we do not have prosperous new year and joins your celebration of the Birth follow directions than today. But with successive lockdowns and much to do, and shifting the responsibility away is undesirable Anniversary of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.' restrictions, and the public successfully bypassing the same to the state Jai Hind. (not wearing masks and blatant crowding) have made them 2> To ensure stricter implementation, especially against the // satyasya paramaṁ nidhānam // dangerously confident. The treatment centres at fringe sites are groups who are willingly jeopardising the safety of fellow citizens, We would like to hear from you. Please share your comments on [email protected] running short of supplies due to the sudden flux of patients from including individuals, groups, and business establishments. This

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no Open vaccination for all path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Approve more vaccines, ramp up production ith the daily Covid also imperative to fast-track Printer-Publisher & Editor In Chief caseload crossing emergency use authorisation for the 1.25-lakh mark, other vaccines, such as Sputnik Sanjay Mangesh Bhaire W Allied publication Across Mumbai India is deep in the throes V. The Russian Direct Investment (Marathi & Hindi) of the second wave of the Fund has tied up with Indian Managing Editor pandemic. Considering how firms to manufacture 700-750 Suchita Bhaire last year’s nationwide lockdown million doses of this vaccine. Editor wreaked havoc on millions of Timely go-ahead to Sputnik Sreeraj N. lives and livelihoods, another V can give a fillip to India’s Legal Advisor such sledgehammer blow is inoculation programme. Adv. Ameet Mehta ruled out, even as states such The importance of Covid- Special Correspondents as Maharashtra, Punjab and appropriate behaviour can’t K V Raman Vinod Raghavan Delhi have started reimposing be overemphasised. Even as Asha Gopalan Menon restrictions — night curfew, five phases of the eight-phase Chief Designer partial shutdown, ban on West Bengal elections are still Vikram Jadav gatherings — in a desperate bid the tricity (Chandigarh-Mohali- emergency will only worsen left, political parties should Cartoonist to contain the virus. It’s clear that Panchkula) since the outbreak the situation. Enhancing the be penalised for holding Sunil Vinekar all-encompassing vaccination of the pandemic in March 2020 production of approved vaccines ‘superspreader’ congregations Photographers holds the key to arresting the were below 45 years. is the need of the hour. The Serum in states that are not poll- Ajit Raut Bhooshan Koyande slide. While the Centre has so The rate of vaccination needs Institute of India, the world’s bound. Punjab has imposed far confined the inoculation drive to be improved drastically. The biggest vaccine manufacturer, a ban on such gatherings Contributors and Advertisements Satish Shetty to frontline health workers, the slanging match between the has sought a grant of around now, almost a month after Savita Tiwari elderly and the middle-aged, the Centre and non-BJP-ruled states Rs 3,000 crore to ramp up top politicians started holding J D Rodrigues vulnerability of young people has over alleged irregularities in Covishield production capacity. rallies across the state. Social Circulation Dept. been underlined by The Tribune vaccination and vaccine supply The Centre should have no and religious assemblies should Dinesh Gupta Suchit Kumar Saytonday report which says that around 13 is deplorable. Political one- hesitation in opening its coffers also be a strict no-no for the time per cent of the Covid fatalities in upmanship amid a health for this life-saving venture. It’s being. Across State Opinion Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 13 Vaccine optimism Approval to Sputnik V can address Migrants’ exodus supply constraints Address anxieties, avoid repeat of 2020

lmost three months after Over 850 million doses of Sputnik launching its Covid vaccination V are going to be produced in India orgotten and uncared for, lakhs of reports from the ground point to a different programme, India has managed annually. India needs to ensure that a migrant labourers walked, cycled, story. The miserable experience of 2020, Ato fully inoculate barely 1 per cent of its sizeable proportion of these doses are Ftook buses and trains to somehow the reduced wages amid fresh restrictions population. Even as the second wave of used for the local population so that make it home when the lockdown was and the fears of being caught unawares the pandemic is ravaging the country, the vaccination rate can be improved announced a year ago. The sight of human once more are resulting in the exodus of only around 7 per cent of the people considerably. It’s heartening that four pain and misery — triggered less by the labourers and daily-wagers from not just have received at least one dose of the other vaccines are in advanced stages pandemic and more by the policymakers’ Punjab, but also Maharashtra, Gujarat vaccine so far, way too less compared of development in the country, including lack of planning and foresight — had, and Delhi. to Israel (60 per cent) and the US (36 Zydus Cadila’s DNA vaccine and it seemed, shaken the conscience of the A severely disrupted financial cycle, per cent). With the manufacturers of Bharat Biotech’s intranasal vaccine. nation and evoked a collective sense of both of the worker and the employer, Covishield and Covaxin struggling to Transparency in the whole process — shame. Surely, then, a repeat would have is being put to further test by the latest ramp up production, the emergency use right from sharing the results of the been out of the question. India, in 2021, diktats on timings. Its negative impact on authorisation granted to Sputnik V is clinical trials to the grant of approval was expected to be wiser, better equipped, business and industrial activity, in the face expected to ease the supply situation. — is a prerequisite for gaining trust of more considerate, more responsible after a of already low consumer confidence and India has become the 60th country to experts as well as the public. terrible year. Sadly, a repeat is what looks diminishing earnings, can be catastrophic. approve the Russian vaccine, whose The widespread availability of a like playing out, all over again. The stakeholders have again not been efficacy is an impressive 91.6 per cent. variety of safe and potent vaccines can The dynamics may be different this taken into confidence, nor involved in According to the Health Ministry, the shape the course of India’s battle against time — packed trains instead of the long making better decisions. Expecting the national drug regulator found that safety the virus. At the same time, the benefits walk home, mostly men since many chose workforce and the employers to be ideal and immunogenicity data from a local of vaccination should not be squandered to leave families behind in villages — but citizens and adhere to every new direction, trial of Sputnik V was comparable to by reckless behaviour. It’s appalling that shutdown anxieties and work restrictions while offering blanket immunity to that of a late-stage trial done in Russia. Covid safety protocols are being thrown amid the coronavirus surge are leading those who can go about organising This timely reassurance is significant, to the winds at religious events as well to panic reverse migration. Railway political or religious events that enjoy considering how the apprehensions as political rallies. Such super-spreaders authorities claim it’s the ‘summer rush’ official patronage, is sheer hypocrisy. caused by the delayed release of Phase 3 who threaten to undo all the good work when workers return home for the harvest The migrants’ anxieties are real, not made trial data of Covaxin had contributed to done by researchers and scientists must season, but the sheer numbers involved, up. Addressing their concerns ought to be vaccine hesitancy in January-February. not be allowed a free run. accounts of those boarding trains and accorded top priority.

orld Bank president David country, the real GDP growth for this trade was a self-defeating exercise with Malpass has named India financial year could range from 7.5 far-reaching ramifications. The focus Wamong the three nations — the to 12.5 per cent. Malpass has made it should be on enforcing compliance others being the US and China — which clear that faster approval and rollout with Covid safety protocols rather Sustain are setting the pace for faster global of vaccines are vital for safeguarding than forcing business establishments growth on the back of strong rebounds. national as well as global interests. to suspend or scale down operations. This is an acknowledgment of India’s The biggest challenge for India is According to the International encouraging economic recovery, even as to intensify the vaccination campaign Monetary Fund, India’s debt-to-GDP economic the country is battling the second wave of and at the same time ensure that the ratio rose from 74 per cent to 90 the pandemic. Citing the revival of private restrictions that hamper economic per cent during the pandemic, but consumption and investment, the World activity are kept to a minimum and it is expected to drop to 80 per cent recovery Bank recently scaled up its projections for done away with once the situation gradually. This is another validation India’s GDP growth to 10.1 per cent for improves. Already, the stringent curbs of the country’s fightback on the Minimise disruptions 2021-22, considerably up from 5.4 per imposed by some states have started economic front. With the worldwide cent that it had forecast in its January disrupting businesses, taking a toll debt-to-GDP ratio nearing 100 per report. However, the international on inter-state as well as intra-state cent, India must consolidate its to ensure gains are not financial institution hastened to add movement. The lockdowns of 2020 position with judicious moves and that in view of the uncertainty caused demonstrated bitterly that preventing vindicate the confidence reposed in frittered away by the resurgence of Covid cases in the millions of people from plying their it by global financial bodies. 14 Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 Views Across State

A 2018 paper by Bar-On, planet are evolved on the premise looking for animals to smash. It nowhere near smart enough to result if animal value could be Phillips,EARTH’S and Milo in PNAS contains of animal existence, so that plantsREAL would be bedlam. I don’t enjoyTREASURE effect creation of life on our own. monetized by its destruction. a fascinating figure (Figure 1) that require services of animals to fulfill sharing the following mental So be careful, there. While this is mercifully not bears staring at for some time. functions like pollination, seed images, but I want to make sure Flaws and Fixes directly the case, the thought It shows the dry carbon biomass dispersal, soil maintenance, and the horror that runs through my Some may object that a $60,000 experiment exposes our twisted distribution of various forms of life god knows what else. Remove the head is not lost on the reader. Stomp chicken (1 kg of gold) is too prioritization of an artificial and on Earth. Plants account for 450 Gt animals, and I suspect the rest of the on a frog: bling bling. Shoot a outlandish to take seriously, and ultimately disastrous economic (giga-ton; 1012 kg) of mass, while ecosystem comes crashing down, bird innocently hulling seeds at a that the flaw lies in the fact that edifice over the splendid and life- the sum of all animals adds to 2.5 taking humans with it. feeder and more than seed husks we can’t easily access all the gold sustaining natural world—which Gt. Humans comprise only 2.4% Okay, then provisionally we’ll and feathers scatter to the ground: atoms within 6 kilometers of the is the real treasure. of animal mass on the planet, but say that animals carry more value gold coins drop as well. Swerving surface. If we could, the value of Flipping the Script that’s almost ten times as large as than all the accessible gold. to hit a deer easily pays for damages gold would surely be far less. But Now imagine for a minute wild mammal mass. Add human Now a neat quantitative to your car. Larger animals are a I would say that’s another way the opposite conjecture, in which livestock (outweighing human coincidence falls into our laps. windfall—a lifetime of earnings. to make the broader point. No financial advantage accrued to mass) and wild mammals are The mass of gold under land to Can you imagine the mad rush accumulation of material resources those who protect and preserve only 4% of the human-livestock- can hold value comparable to that wild animals and ecosystems. mammal trio. of animal life, since we can’t trade Instead of a rush to destroy, people But this post is heading in the direction of creating lost life would be falling over themselves somewhere else: lament about the (extinct species). to reverse our destruction and un-wilding of the planet on your An alternative would be to create more wild space and own time (kidding aside, please compare the value of all our biodiversity. It’s worth imagining do!). Let’s start by considering the stuff: buildings, infrastructure, ways this might be brought about, following question. Which do you machinery, vehicles, and as such a construct is more think is more valuable: the web of possessions. How much money closely aligned with an ultimately living animals on this planet, or all would it take to replace every scrap successful future.. Currently, our the gold accessible in the ground? of our “valuable” things if a tornado economy is structured backwards: If given a choice to eliminate one wiped it all off the face of the earth there’s no money (financial profit/ and preserve the other, which (miraculously sparing all life)? gain) in restoring resources and would you choose? Gold, among One way to answer is that it would wild spaces: just in hacking Earth’s mineral stocks, is used for take a long time to recover from them down and exploiting the this question because it has served something that catastrophic. In great inheritance. Perhaps more as a physically-based monetary order-of-magnitude terms, maybe troublesome is the inherent standard for many cultures between 10 and 100 years—if human desire to acquire personal throughout time. a depth of 6 km (as deep as we on elephants ($60M) and whales not longer. We’ll say 60 years for stuff, so that the only reason to What follows has absurd might imagine mining) is about ($2B)? How do you think our house comparative convenience. 60 years make money in the first place is to elements to it, but hopefully in the same as the (wet; living) mass pets would fare? of global GDP is about 6 quadrillion be able to afford personal gain at forgivable service of a larger point of animals: 10 Gt—4 times higher And OMG, before the frenzy dollars. If we again conclude that the expense of some unseen parcel about the value of life on this planet than dry carbon mass. This derives even gets under full sway some will all animal life on the planet is more of nature. Maybe prioritizing and in shining a glaring spotlight on from gold’s crustal abundance of 4 recognize that humans are no more valuable than the sum-total of our nature over ourselves will always current human values. parts per billion (by mass), about than animals, and contribute to 10 dear stuff, then we’re at $600 per be hard, and against our core Comparative Value 150 million square kilometers of Gt total animal mass. What is your kilogram ($6 quadrillion for 10 Gt programming. Notice that food labels, listing land, and crustal density around body’s worth, at $60,000/kg? of animal mass), which is 100 times Additional Perspective metabolic content and essential 3,000 kg/m3. It’s a truly dismal thought. Of less than the flawed valuation of all For what it’s worth, I took vitamins and minerals never Having concluded that animal course, not every individual would gold down to 6 km depth. But still, a stab at a crude dollar value of mention gold: no recommended life is more valuable than gold, and act to cash out the animals, but surely a chicken is roughly $1,000, and an planet Earth in Box 19.1 of the daily allowance. I point this out that the masses are effectively the enough money-mad people would elephant will buy a $600,000 house. Energy and Human Ambitions to justify the separability in the same, we conclude that animals exist to have a devastating impact. The mad rush is still on! on a Finite Planet textbook. The choice posed above: it seems that are at least worth their weight in The purpose of taking readers into Take-Aways sums are staggering, amounting it is possible to have one without gold—if not considerably more. this dark place is to highlight how Independent of the approach, to something like a million the other. Gold does not appear Mayhem completely misguided our values or adjustments to make it more times annual global world to be essential to the preservation That’s cute, but here’s where it have become. Earth, and the life seem more reasonable, we probably product. Even if the approach of animal life on the planet, and gets ugly. Gold is valued at about inhabiting a thin shell surrounding always must conclude that life is dubious and raises quibbles, of course gold doesn’t give a flip $2,000 per ounce, or about $60,000 it, is of incalculable value. Yet we carries incredible, unappreciated the margin is large enough about whether animals exist. So per kilogram. A large-ish gold coin make almost all of our decisions, value. Rather than getting hung up to still make the point: the I ask again: which is worth more is about an ounce, and therefore collectively, based on a dollar on the quantitative absurdity, try real treasure is Earth and its to you as an individual, and to the worth about $2,000. Imagine, for amount that does not come close walking away with the following, biology. As Box 14.3 in the human race? the sake of absorbing the meaning to capturing the value of nature. It more robust conclusions: textbook points out, all life on I think it is far easier to argue of this valuation, that every time is juvenile folly. Surely, the sum of animal life Earth would compress to a 4 that humans can survive and thrive an animal was destroyed, it left In our Mad-Max life-purging on Earth is worth more to us than mm uniform layer across the without gold than to argue that behind a pile of gold coins of equal scenario, how long would it take any mined commodities—or even planet, emphasizing how thin we could exist without a single weight—capturing the conclusion before the survivors—giddy on all of them combined! Consider and precious life is. Compared non-human animal participating above that the value of the animal is their piles of gold—recognized that we’re not lusting after to the real value of earth and its in the web of life on this planet. at least that of gold. It’s like a video their foolishness? What, of value, barren Mars—at least the sane organisms, our minuscule annual Humans did not evolve in isolation, game where some quarry is made to could they possibly buy with all or emotionally mature among us economy is like a flea on the dog, even if we partition ourselves in go poof, turning into floating coins this gold? No amount of money are not. It’s life that makes Earth yet our decisions are always about our narcissistic brains as being that make a satisfying bling sound. can recreate life. We’re not that especially special for humans. maximizing short-term gain for special, removed, above it all— What do you think would smart. We’re the first species smart Given this high valuation the flea, as if it’s all that matters. certainly not mere animals. The happen in that magical world? enough and powerful enough to of animal life, imagine the Without the dog, the flea loses intertwined ecosystems on this People would be out of their gourds destroy much of creation, but deplorable behaviors that would any worth it presumed it had. Across State Business & U Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 15 Monsoon to be 'healthy normal' this year: Skymet New Delhi September is assuring (IOD) is neutral and is The Southwest good countrywide rainfall oscillating lightly on monsoon, which brings distribution," it added. either side of the zero line. more than 75 per cent of Yogesh Patil, CEO, This parameter seems to the country's rainfall during Skymet, said the La Nina incline with a negative June-September, will be conditions prevailing in shift but remaining within normal this year, Skymet the Pacific Ocean since the threshold limits. In Weather, a private weather last year presage softening this case, it may not heave forecaster said on Tuesday. and are expected to the monsoon spurts but The north India plains, remain neutral through the will refrain from harming along with a few parts of monsoon season. the season, the Skymet the northeast region, are La Nina refers to the added. likely to be at risk of being cooling of the Pacific Negative IOD refers rain deficient through the waters. It has an impact to the warming of Indian season, the Skymet said. over the sub-continent's Ocean waters and positive G P Sharma, President a 'normal' monsoon and expected to record 97 per risk, the plains of north weather. IOD refers to its cooling. (Meteorology) of the 15 per cent probability of cent of LPA. August and India along with a few parts "ENSO continues The Skymet Weather, Skymet Weather said the 'above normal' rainfall. September are expected of the northeast region are to wield a spike mid- in its forecast in January, Long Period Average Monsoon in the range to receive 99 per cent and likely to be at risk of being way through the season had also predicted a normal (LPA) of the rainfall during of 96-104 of the LPA is 116 per cent of the LPA, the rain deficient through the suggesting a fresh phase monsoon. Last year, the June to September will be considered to be normal Skymet said. season, the Skymet said. of cooling, albeit marginal, Skymet Weather did not 103 per cent with an error and 103 per cent of the LPA Sharma said 2021 will "Also, interior parts over the central Pacific issue a monsoon forecast. margin of plus or minus 5 is on the higher side of the be the third consecutive of Karnataka face the Ocean. Therefore, the The India per cent. normal range. year of a good monsoon. scare of scanty rains in occurrence of El Nino, Meteorological Department "That is the healthy On a monthly scale, Last two years have the core monsoon months which normally corrupts (IMD), the country's official normal," Sharma said. June is likely to receive recorded above normal of July and August. The the monsoon, is ruled out," weather forecaster, is likely He added that there is rainfall of 106 per cent rainfall. onset month of June and he said. to release its monsoon 60 per cent probability of of LPA, while July is In terms of geographical the withdrawal phase of Indian Ocean Dipole forecast later this week. Mandatory gold hallmarking from June 1 Five quick points on what it means for you New Delhi: The government is all set 4. According to the BIS, the mandatory to implement mandatory hallmarking of hallmarking will protect the public against gold jewellery and artefacts from June lower caratage and ensure consumers 1, 2021. The Centre had in November do not get cheated while buying gold 2019, announced that hallmarking of gold ornaments and get the purity as marked jewellery and artefacts would be made on the ornaments. mandatory across the country from January 5. In 2020, the government had 15, 2021. But the deadline was extended launched the online system of Registration for four months till June 1 after the and Renewal of Jewellers and online jewellers sought more time to implement system of recognition and renewal of the in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Assaying and Hallmarking Centres. This India is the largest importer of gold, online system can be accessed through which mainly caters to the demand of the Bureau of Indian Standards web portal jewellery industry. In volume terms, the www.manakonline.in. The best thing country imports 700-800 tonne of gold about the online system is that there will annually. be no human interface in processing the Here is what Mandatory gold applications. Jewellers can apply online hallmarking means for you and submit required necessary documents 1. Gold hallmarking is a purity and fees for obtaining a licence through certification of the precious metal and is this online portal. The moment a jeweller voluntary in nature at present. submits the application with the requisite 2. From June 1, jewellers will be fees, he will be granted registration. allowed to sell only 14, 18 and 22 carats A mail and SMS alert will go to him, of gold jewellery. informing Registration Number, and then 3. The BIS is already running a he can download and print the Certificate hallmarking scheme for gold jewellery of Registration using the Registration since April 2000, and around 40 per cent Number. of gold jewellery is being hallmarked currently. color

16 Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 Nature Watch Across State PhD and Associate Professor, National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) said, “There is a need for a butterfly conservation program in India, but not through parks or conservatories alone. The Enchanting Colours If we are losing and degrading habitats, then conservation programmes will not succeed. So, butterfly conservation cannot be seen in isolation, similar to any other significant conservation programme.” “Conservation of wild habitats is of paramount importance. Without that, there is no future for Indian biodiversity. Corridors among increasingly fragmenting habitat patches are also important since butterflies cannot easily cross densely built-up areas and those 2018. It is 19.1 percent of the total with heavy and fast-moving vehicular By Asha Gopalan Menon tree cover.The National Forest traffic,” Kunte added. Commission report indicated that around “Improvement of already degraded utterflies are found everywhere from 41 percent of the country’s entire forest habitats is necessary, wherever feasible. tropical forests, open grasslands to is already degraded, 70 percent of the It may be done by encouraging the the Arctic region except Antarctica. forests have no natural regeneration, and B growth of native biodiversity-friendly Butterflies live and breed in diverse 55 percent of the forests are prone to fire. vegetation, as forest departments in habitats, including salty marshlands, “Forest fires, degradation of forest Karnataka and West Bengal have done in mangroves, sand dunes, lowland forests, and climate change altogether affect several butterfly habitats in and around wetlands, grasslands and mountains. Their many species of butterflies. However, otherwise heavily populated urban and presence on rock surfaces and bare ground due to a lack of research, it is impossible rural areas,” he said. are direbecause such grounds are home to to say which species are on the verge There are over 20,000 species of lichen which areeaten by the larvae, and of extinction. Still, we are indeed butterflies worldwide. At Sanjay Gandhi these grounds are a beach to sun bask for losing butterflies in India,” said Sanjay National Park in Mumbai, a whopping adults. the males. This is to sip moisture and Sondhi, a Dehradun-based naturalist and 170 Species of butterflies can be found; Every butterfly species has their specific nutrients from the soil. The nutrients of founder trustee of Titli Trust. The trust out of around 1500 species found in requirements while selecting a habitat. the soil like sodium and nitrogen; increase is working on research and conservation India. These are determined by the nutrition male fertility and enhance reproductive of butterflies in the Himalayas. Of late, butterfly parks are emerging available for the caterpillar, and the nectar success. A report by the Food and Agriculture as a new trend with recent ones coming source for the adult butterfly. The habitat Butterflies play a vital role in the Organisation of the United Nations says up in cities like Bhopal and Indore in also must provide conditions needed for ecosystem; there is co-evolutionary that close to 35 percent of invertebrate Madhya Pradesh. States like Karnataka, the caterpillar to survive, pupate and then relationship between butterflies and plants. pollinators, particularly bees and Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, develop. Some butterflies happily live Butterflies are also called flying flower, butterflies, and about 17 percent of Bangalore, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh and feed on several plants, they can breed because of the vibrant colours they have. vertebrate pollinators, such as bats, face already have many such parks. in a number of places, where possibility These insects enhance the aesthetic value extinction globally. “Around three dozen species to survive is available. While some have of the environment by their exquisite wing “There has been a worrisome specific requirements, they exist only when colors. Butterflies are the wild indicators including butterflies like blue tiger, such an environment is obtained. of the ecosystem. They inform us of plain tiger, striped tiger, common Colourful, delicate, Butterflies are day- everything about the ecosystem. These are banded awl can be seen in our park,” flying insects. They are not just beautiful effective pollinators. They visit the flower said A.K. Jain, deputy director of Van creatures; they play an essential role in to sip nectar and in return carry the pollens, Vihar National Park, Bhopal. “We the food chain and are indicators of the which proves to be mutually beneficial. wanted to make people aware of butterfly ecosystem. Some species of butterflies migrate over conservation. We also encourage our Butterflies are bio-indicators of a long distance; carrying pollen to be shared visitors to plant nectar and host plants healthy environment and ecosystem. They across plants which may be distinctly to attract butterflies in their backyard. are highly sensitive to changes in climate, different from one another. And many We prepared a leaflet containing all the pollution levels and harmful chemicals in times this gives birth to a new species decline in the population of pollinators, information.” the air. They are excellent pollinators like or genus. Butterflies protect themselves especially bees and butterflies, mainly “Nectar plant and host plants the wasps and bees, without whom we from predators using techniques such due to intensive agricultural practices, are important for butterfly habitat. would have been left with fewer plants. as camouflage, mimicry, disruptive changes in land use, pesticides Sunflower, marigold, lantana, petunia, These wonderful insects play a vital coloration or transparency. (including neonicotinoid insecticides), hibiscus are some common nectar plants role in the food chain. Birds, Bats, some The lifecycle of a butterfly is about 3 alien invasive species, diseases, pests, in India. Butterflies depend on these insectivores, parasites feed on Butterflies. -4 weeks in tropical regions whereas their and climate change” the report added. plants for food. Curry leaves, cotton Butterflies are cold blooded. In order to lifespan can range between 4 weeks to a Illegal trade in butterflies is another trees, cassia, citrus, are some example regulate their minimum body temperature year in much conducive environments. threat to the creatures. “Butterfly trading of host plants. These are the plants of 30 degrees they need warm places. To Loss of Habitat based in India and Indo-China is now where eggs are laid, larvae, caterpillars generate the requisite heat and energy, Habitat specialist state that butterflies quite extensive and occurs at all levels, and pupa are formed,” Sarang Mathre, a butterflies spread their wings flat,position and moths can disappear rapidly if from personal collectors to substantial Bhopal-based butterfly park consultant. themselves towards sunlight to get the environment they rely on changes. business. About no less than 50,000 What can you do? maximum exposure on their bodies. A Habitat loss is the main cause of the specimens of butterflies are smuggled out It is simple if you see Butterflies butterfly has compound eyes with each decline of butterflies and moths. The of India every month. Also, the butterfly around in the vicinity all you have to do is: eye made up of approximately 6000 tiny intensification of farming and forestry, collected for illegal trade is prevalent in *Pick a bright and sunny spot. parts called lenses. It is interesting to know industrial development, and climate Western Himalaya (Himachal Pradesh, * Plant native flowering plants which that a butterfly can see in all directions change all have had an impact. Ladakh and North-western parts of Uttar can provide nectar or foliage to the but directly underneath its body. They Despite efforts like creating butterfly Pradesh), the Eastern Himalaya (Sikkim butterflies. have taste sensors on their feet which help parks, the large scale problem of forest and in the north of West Bengal) and the *Grow caterpillar food plants to female butterflies to identify their host degradation is causing habitat loss for Western Ghats,” The Zoological Survey increase the chances of attracting unusual plants. Butterfly wings are made up of two butterflies. of India published in its report. and uncommon butterflies. chitinous membranes which are covered A report compiled by Mongabay Need for conservation and protection. *Use natural pesticides. with thousands of tiny scales. said that India lost 1,625,97 hectare Emphasising on the need for butterfly And contribute to conserving and Butterflies puddle in mud, especially of tree cover during the year 2001 to conservation, Krushnamegh Kunte, protecting these Flying Flowers. color

Across State Counter Solutions Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 17 For Resolving Farming Crisis, Some Small Farmers Show the Way With Big Achievements Just as it is important for a journalist to promoted and supported by this organization. report about problems, similarly it is important This organization is emphatic about promoting to report about achievements . While writing the self-reliance or swaraj of farmers and other about agriculture for the greater part I have been villagers. The SVA with the close involvement reporting about problems because the overall of villagers has been helping in the preparation strategy of farm development in India has been of decentralized village plans . Hence these so problematic in terms of raising economic success stories should not be seen in isolation and environmental costs. But whenever I heard but as part of wider efforts for longer-term about a different kind of efforts to minimize and sustainable improvements but at the same these costs in such ways that small farmers time these efforts are constrained by many could prosper in sustainable ways, I tried to difficulties. reach these places and speak to these farmers Similarly the work of another voluntary as well as to those who were trying to help organization the Gorakhpur Environment them. Whenever I wrote such reports, in the Action Group (GEAG) has helped to create form of articles and booklets, there was a good conducive conditions in which the innovative response from readers as people do appreciate talent of farmers, particularly women farmers such efforts and want to know more about them. , could find very creative outlets. The GEAG Here I am now trying to bring together has emphasized training of women farmers in some of these various inter-actions with organic farming in its main work area of Eastern farmers in various parts of the country, but Uttar Pradesh and also helped to organize their restricted as I am now by travel problems and self-help groups in several villages, particularly other difficulties in new situations., I have in Gorakhpur district. not been able to update these accounts by new It was truly a pleasure to visit the garden and visits to same villages and so the situations are Firstly I will like to mention some examples to making the best possible use of scarce land farm cultivated by Prabhavati and her husband represented as I saw and reported at the time of from Nuapara district of Kalahandi region of and water. Ginger and turmeric are grown Suryabhan in Dudhai village (Sardarnagar my earlier visits. Odisha as this region has been in news mainly under the shadow of mango trees to protect Block). They own only 1.5 acre of land, but use The reason why I am making this effort is for the poverty and problems of its farmers. them from heat stress and also make good use this small piece of land very intensively (while to present an alternative perspective on how Suresh Mallick and his wife Shobhavati of available space. practising organic farming) and wisely to grow small farmers have resolved their problems Mallick cultivate about 2 acres of land in On their two acres Suresh and Shobhavati a wide diversity of crops. When I started writing in ecologically friendly ways at many places, Chhata village of Komna block. I found them have been able to grow paddy, pulses, mangoes, the names of various crops and trees grow in at a time when a big debate on such issues is to be very happy cultivating their small but oranges, bananas, papayas, coconut, lemons, her garden and farm, Prabhavati laughed and emerging in the country. bountiful farm . In fact I was myself so happy jackfruit, anvla, beans, bitter gourd, carrots, said – “your notebook will fill up and yet you Several of such success stories concern in the middle of all the rich bio-diversity that sugarbeet, onions, turmeric, ginger, chilly, will not be able to write about all that we grow.” women farmers. Many of these are either despite my tight schedule of visiting several coriander, supari, pomegranates and other This gentle confidence, this smiling pride is organic farmers , or half-way in the process of villages on the same day I felt a very strong urge crops. well-deserved, for this couple indeed succeed in shifting to organic farming. Many of these are to stay here for a longer time. This success is Hemlata Majhi plays the role of the main growing a lot of diversity in their small plot of not just individual success stories but part of even more remarkable as this has been achieved farmer in her family’s 4 acre farm in Haldikhol land. From what I could see under cultivation wider initiatives for eco-friendly agriculture on what was earlier considered to be the lowest village of Sinapali block as her husband (at the time of my visit) there was paddy, initiated by some farmers’ organisations or Habelal is more active as a social activist with bajra (cereals), Maruwa (millet), groundnut, voluntary organisations or both. These are Part I SVA organization. Hemlata says that now til (oilseeds), lobhiya, tori or nenuwa, lemon, inspiring stories of the ingenuity, innovativeness she is fully following organic agriculture. bottle-gourd or lauki, kathal or jackfruit as well as traditional wisdom of ordinary hard category land on which hardly anything was No chemical fertilizer and pesticide is used guava, papaya, mango, chakotra, blackberries, working farmers but at the same time these likely to grow. Today this land once considered on this farm, she says. Compost and organic mulberry, mahua , trees and shrubs with pest are also stories of the careful planning and barren is smiling on almost every inch with pest-repellents are prepared on the farm. This repellent properties like neem, madaar, kaner, well thought out ideas of some organisations greenery brought by highly diverse plant farm has many diverse activities in a small trees of timber value particularly saagwaan, who could provide conducive conditions in species. This is surely a message of great hope piece of land including over 100 poultry several medicinal herbs, spices like ginger, which the potential of the undoubted abilities for the country’s agriculture. birds, 4 bullocks, 2 cows, 6 sheep, mango and haldi and even laung, also bamboo. Satyendra of farmers could be realized. Indeed in many Suresh has a very innovative mind which lemon orchard, banana and guava trees. Many Tripathi, a co-ordinator of GEAG said that places I found the farmers full of praise for could think of many brilliant applications of vegetables are grown including cauliflower, counting all seasons Prabhavati is able to grow activists and organisations for providing them the technology of organic farming propagated beans, okra, bitter gourd and local green leafy 52 crops on her small patch of land in a year. some training and other opportunities while by the SVA ( Sahbhagi Vikas Abhiyan), the vegetables, onions and coriander. Prabhavati said that her family, her farming activists and leaders of the organisations were organisation with whom he is closely associated Hemlata says that she grew cauliflower and village have benefited hugely from equally full of praise of the hard work as well now as a leading member of its farmers’ club on just five decimals of land (one-twentieth of the inter-action with GEAG ever since this as the innovative genius of farmers and also in Chata village (Naupara district). He has an acre) and cauliflower worth Rs. 33000 was organisation came to her village. Earlier also their ability to find practical solutions to many also been helped by the considerable grafting marketed within 3 months or so. She says that she used dung as manure but this was done sided problems. skills he acquired in the course of his earlier organically grown vegetables are more tasty arbitrarily so that a lot of its nutritive value for The significance of these success stories training in Gujarat. At the same time he gives and nourishing. She says that she can testify farmland was lost. “GEAG taught how dung is that these can provide some important equal credit to his wife Shobhavati who works to this by comparing the vegetables grown should be put in a trench and composted, how indications for policy makers to find the way equally hard with him on their farm. on her field with those grown in her mother’s green manuring can be done in a better way, out of farmers’ crisis. For example in almost all Suresh believes firmly in organic home using chemicals. This is a successful how cow-urine is very useful and how we these examples efforts have been to reduce the agriculture. This is an essential principle of example of mixed farming by a small farmer. can do vermicomposting, how NADEP can overall costs of farmers and more particularly this farm which also helps to reduce the farming I had a highly nourishing meal prepared by be prepared. If we could not afford wood and to reduce their dependence on market inputs costs. A lot of attention is given to preparing Hemlata which was so tasty that I couldn’t cement for NADEP, we used home-grown like chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Almost adequate compost, vermi-compost and organic resist overeating. bamboo and tree-branches. Similarly we learnt all these examples of the success of farmers sprays which help to keep away pests and Both these examples are from the work to use produce from various local trees and increase the self reliance of farmers. Almost all diseases while also helping growth of plants. area of a voluntary organization Sahabhagi shrubs to prepare pest-repellents.” She also of them are based on mixed farming systems The use of plentiful, high quality composts has Vikash Abhiyan (SVA) which has been very has a vermicomposting unit, one of the earliest and growing a diversity of crops on small fields made the once unproductive land so fertile now. active in promoting eco-friendly agriculture, in this region. When we visited their farm, while avoiding monocultures. All of them have Suresh places a lot of emphasis on growing horticulture and agro-processing in and around Prabhadevi and her husband Suryabhan were the involvement of hard working farmers who a very wide diversity of food crops and plants Kalahandi region as a part of its many sided busy in packing just-harvested guavas for the love to nurture their fields very carefully and including cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits and activities to reduce poverty and resist injustice. nearby market. Of course we reached in good happily while also carrying out experiments to spices. As all these have to be grown within a Dozens of such inspiring success stories can be time to get a taste of the freshly plucked guavas! learn what works better. small plot of land, a lot of emphasis is given found among the several farmers’ organisations To be Contd. 18 Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 Healthoscope Across State The Summer Green

By Asha Gopalan Menon Roasting or heating the seeds in a dry pan heightens the flavour, aroma, and pungency. The leaves and seeds oday we belong to a world where we believe release different taste and aroma. Benefits of Cilantro and Roots: we are blessed with the convenience of ready- Coriander roots have a deeper, more intense flavour Tmade, processed meals. It is easy, doesn’t than the leaves, and are used in a variety of Asian Cilantro is medicinally rich and take a lot of time, and honestly cooking is no more cuisines, especially in. The roots have high medicinal beneficial. The benefits are; a need today, for a lot many of them out there in the value in comparison to the leaves and seeds. • Helps loosing world. Nevertheless, this convenience comes with a Coriander potentially may be confused with weight cumbersome price, the price of our health. Culantro (Eryngiumfoetidum). Culantro has a • Relates blood Meal choices are not only hunger driven;the distinctly, different spiny appearance, a more potent pressure choices are limited to the pleasure of the tongue. We volatile leaf oil and a stronger aroma, used extensively • Improves have also forgotten to understand and evaluate in aroma therapy. digestive the body’s actual nutritional needs. Varied diet The fresh leaves are an essential ingredient in system plans and supporting supplements were much cuisine globally. Chutneys and salads, • Have never the secret behind the health of our dressings, salsa, garnish, Cilantro is there anti-bacterial ancestors. It was the balanced diet that everywhere. To most the cuisine is incomplete effect was passed on from generations. It was without it. • Have anti-fungal effects the knowledge of the craft of cooking Raw coriander leaves are 92% water, 4% • Reduce aging process that was passed on. Every season supports carbohydrates, 2% protein, and less than 1% • Helps in curing menstrual pain us with the required essentials through fat. The nutritional profile of coriander seed is • Treating some of the disorders nature, but we fail to identify that. But that was different from the fresh stems or leaves. And some of the healthiest benefits of coriander leaves recognized by the older generation. Whereas leaves are particularly rich are: There is another point; while a few in vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin • Helps in digestion have been lucky to receive the art K, with moderate content of dietary • Aid for menstrual disorders of cooking from their homes, there minerals, seeds generally have lower • Treatment of smallpox exists a sect who simply doesn’twish vitamin content, they do provide significant • Prevent from conjunctivitis to step into the kitchen and explore. amounts of dietary fiber, calcium, selenium, iron, • Reduces skin disorders It can be intimidating starting out, but magnesium and manganese. The essential oil from • Reduce the risk of blood sugar exploring the kitchen is fun. coriander leaves and seeds contain mixed polyphenols • Use in the treatment of skin inflammation Amidst this hot summer we have this wonderful and terpenes, including linalool as the major constituent • It helps to control high cholesterol levels green on the kitchen shelf which is a favourite of which account for the rich aroma and flavour. • It is the best treatment for diarrhoea every owner of a kitchen; CoriandrumSativum alias Outside of Asia, coriander seed is widely used • Aids resolving mouth ulcers Coriander or Hara Dhania and globally known as for pickling vegetables. In German and South Cilantro. African cuisine, the seeds are used to marinate Cilantro originated in the Mediterranean and sausages. In Russia and Central Europe, coriander This summer Western Asian regions.Botanically the plant is known seed is an occasional ingredient in rye bread, as an drink the as CoriandrumSativum. Coriander is an annual herb, alternative to caraway. The Zuni people of North coriander which is also known as Chinese parsley. All parts of the America have adapted it into their cuisine, mixing water to calm plant are edible, but the fresh leaves and the dried seeds the powdered seeds ground with chilli and using it your stomach (as a spice) are the parts most used in cooking. The as a condiment with meat, and eating leaves as a and body with leafy greens are referred to as cilantro and the seeds salad.Coriander seeds are used in brewing certain Coriander are called coriander. The leaves are variable in shape, kind of beer, like in Belgian wheat beers. The juice. broadly lobed at the base of the plant, and slender and coriander seeds are used with orange peel to add How to make feathery higher on the flowering stems. a citrus character. Thai soups and curry gravies The leaves and seeds offer different flavour to contain Coriander roots as an ingredient. Coriander coriander juice cuisine. The perception so far as the taste is concerned; is not just a spice or condiment or herb Coriander has 1. Clean and chop 1 cup of coriander leaves. coriander leaves taste as a tart, lemony in taste. The multiple health benefits. 2. Heat 2 litres of water in a vessel over medium flame, leaves have a different taste from the seeds. A research disclosed coriander essential oil to add the coriander leaves and let boil for 10 minutes. The dry fruits are coriander seeds. The seeds inhibit Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, 3. Remove the pot from the stove and let cool. have a lemony citrus flavour when crushed, due to including Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus 4. Strain the coriander water; add lemon,rock saltmix Terpeneslinalool and Pinene. The seeds taste and smell faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia well. robust, very distinct. It is described as warm, nutty, coli. A Coriander Oil massage on the body is enough 5. Serve in a tall glass enjoying the colour and spicy, and orange-flavoured. Coriander is commonly to set the body going all out. In Aroma Therapy, seductive aroma. found, both as whole dried seeds and in ground form. Coriander Oil is used to give overall relief. Across State Travel & Living Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 19 Dahanu chi Aai… MAHADEVI

MAHALAKSHMIBy Asha Gopalan Menon Bhusal Mountain, located near Ranashet. The temple has been there for more than a he name "DahanuGaon" originates 1000 years. Earlier there was a small temple from the word "Dhenu Gram" meaning on the Mahalakshmi Hills. The Dahanu Tthe village of cows. Once upon a time local tribes believe that the idol present here there were a lot of cattle, particularly cows is a self-incarnation, a Swayambu of the were owned by the tribals inDahanu. Goddess. As time passed, popularity roseand Dahanu, is a peaceful seaside town with people started coming to the cave to meet the a sprawling, uncluttered beach. Dahanu has Goddess. At one such occasion a pregnant become a major commercial and industrial Tribal woman, much aspiring to meet Mahalakshmi presides in the Sanctum town in the Palghar district of Maharashtra. Dahanu Chi Aai tried to ascend the hill. She Sanctorum. The male devotees do visit this Irani settlers arrived seeing the natural felt dizzy and she fell unconscious. Looking temple. It is a powerful temple in the western beauty of the place. They were the first to at her from atop, Goddess was greatly parts of India. Let us go: cultivate chickoo in Dahanu. Dahanu is moved. She walked down to her and said, There are two temples of Goddess Dahanu Mahadevi lined with fruit orchards and is favoured for “You should have just called me, what was Mahalakshmi. One is situated close to the Mahalakshmi is 133-km drive its chickoo fruit. Lycees is also grown and the need to come up in this condition? Look, Charoti Naka on National Highway Eight from Mumbai City. This temple exported. I have come down to meet you.”And the (NH-8), and the main one is situated on the is easily accessible from NH-8. Accessible from Dahanu is Udwada, Tribal woman opened her eyes. Seeing the mountain called Mahalakshmi Hill nearby The Temple near Charoti Naka is the Tower of Silence, a significant place of Goddess right before, she was dumbstruck. which is about 3 to 4 kilometers. This 24 kms away, while the Temple worship for the Zoroastrians or Parsis. A All that she did was shed tears of joy. And local pilgrimage destination has gathered atop the mountain is about 28 large, nifty temple exists there which houses the Goddess promised her, that She would considerable popularity due to the temple of kms, their sacred fire. This fire has been kept alive come down during the festivals for devotees. MahadeviMahalakshmi Share Auto Rickshaws are for almost a thousand years. She then settled at the Valvedeh Village at the The Temple holds a 15 day festival beginning available from Dahanu Road Dahanu chi Mahalakshmi or the base of the mountain. from Hanuman Jayanti in the Hindu month of Railway Station to Charoti Mahalkshmi Temple in Dahanu is revered In 1306, the Koli King JayabhaMukne Chaitra. It is called the ‘MahalaxmiYatra.’ Naka. andCharoti Naka to the in the Konkan region & The Board of Trustees of Mahalakshmi Temple. south Gujarat region. MahalakshmiMandir,Charoti By Air: The closest airport is Locals believe that Goddess Naka and MahalakshmiMandir located at Mumbai. Mahalakshmistays there at Mahalaxmi Hill play crucial By Train: Dahanu Road and during Her visit to Gujarat administrative roles while Boisar (22 km) are the nearby from Kolhapur. Hence, this conducting the festival. railway heads. place has an old history During the festive period, Where to rest: which dates back to 1001 the tribal perform the Taarpa There are small hotels close AD. dance to show their revelry. This by with basic and good amenities. Legends narrate; is the biggest event in Dahanu Chicken Bhujing is the most sort that once when Goddess region. Thousands throng to this after food, After the visit to the Mahalakshmi was travelling place from parts of Maharashtra, temple, pilgrims do relish this to Gujarat from Kolhapur she Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Dadra cuisine. Chicken Bhujing is was passing by Dahanu. At Nagar Haveli, to witness the barbecued chicken cooked in that time the exiled Pandavas dance, seek the blessings and to pounded flakes of rice. It is a were clearing the forest for a participate in the grand festival. tribal delicacy. stay. It was late night when A tribal fair is held here on the the Goddess reached there. Bhima was still of Jawhar State built the Temple, at the day of PitruAmavasya in September-October. All the farmers worship the Goddess with When to go: at work. Seeing a jewellery adorned beautiful establishment of Jawhar. During the festival, The Grant Festival of lady in front of him,Bhima got attracted King JayabhaMukhne offered a flag to the offerings of the first crop of their produce which includes paddy, variety of vegetables MahadeviMahalakshmi is held towards Her and offered marriage to Her, Temple. The Temple Flag hoisting is done in the Hindu calendar month of least knowing who She was. every year during ChaitraNavratri. The flag and fruits specially cucumber, cabbage. They faith that offering the Mother with their Chaitra (March-April). Apart The Goddess placed a condition. She is offered by the members of the Mukhne from the Yatra days, Fridays said, “If you can build a dam over River dynasty. The flag is presented to theGoddess produce, will draw Her blessing of happiness and deliver peace of mind. constitute to being the most Surya in this one night, I shall marry you.” by the Priest Narayan Satava, the priest of important day of the week, Hindu Bhima started building the dam, Bhima the village of Vaghadi. Other than the Yatra', many devotees and tourists visit Mahalakshmi Temple, festivals see a lot of pilgrims and had almost completed the work when the The main temple is at the mountain devotees. Goddess realised the blunder it would lead nearby about 3-4 kilometres. The especially on weekends and festival seasons. Temple remains crowded during the festive Like the many temples with to if Bhima fulfils the vow. She immediately presiding deity of the temple is Goddess interesting legends Dahanu Chi disguised as a Cock and Clucked. Hearing MahadeviMahalakshmi. She is an period of Diwali, Dussehra, Chaitra and AshvinNavaratri. The festival is devoted to Aai is not just a place of divine, the cluck Bhima stopped working and gave incarnation of Durga, locals believe. it is a home of a lot of Tribal food up. Goddess Mahalakshmi then blessed Goddess Mahalakshmi is the Kuladaivata Goddess Durgaand is considered to be the most celebrated festival. Celebrations during and culture. It is a place to be, Bhima revealing Herself to him and went to or Dynastical or Patron Goddess of local away from the tumultuous crowd. find a place to settle for the night. tribes. The Temple is special for the women Navratri last for nine days and nine nights The Goddess settled in a cave in the devotees. This is because the Goddess which also involve puja and fasting. 20 Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 Art Across State Do Bigha Zameen is the best Indian movie

evero Bigha Zameen’ portraying is the best he goes to the extent of pulling social a now owned by Harmanreality Singh, sees Balraj ‘sat genius gave the a 360 degree very type must be re-made core in another movie ever made in India rickshaw. The film portrays brilliant the beginning of mill construction. somersault to the aristocratic stage form. I wonder how a remake of Dand the most relevant even character child roles reflecting the Shambu and his family return acting ,taking feature of simplicity ‘Do Bigha Zameen ‘ could be made today. In a most artistic manner it social values prevailing .Shabu to the village, only to see their to region snot traversed. The very in the modern era .To me it would reveals the oppression of feudalism Mahato’s son brilliantly enacts the land sold and a factory being mannerisms and gestures of a have to project the advent of the or capitalism, brilliantly weaving a role symbolising a child in a peasant constructed on it. He then tries to suffering peasant wee portrayed, computer age or mechanization set of characters into a plot. The film family. The expressions of hope and get a handful of dirt (soil) from his in accordance to circumstances and place much greater emphasis contains no element of melodrama or despair on the face of Shabu Mahato land but is stopped by a strongman faced. I cannot conceive a film on the imperialist culture. It would fantasy but still hits the core of your are like the contrast between a hot (security guard). The film ends as which is also ends so artistically or have to convey how robots may soul. Enacting character of Shambu summer day and a snowy winter Shambu and his family walk away poignantly with the faces literally take over production, replacing all Mahato Balraj Sahni is so much in day. The intensity on his face tell it from their former land. telling the story.Projecting Scene manual labour. The marginalization the skin of the character that you all whether when pleading with his Few movies ever had better of Balraj Sahni even refused to of the dalit Community and the feel he is the actual person. No film landlord, pulling a rickshaw, scolding scene dissection and direction or carry a handful of dirt from the soil consolidation of Hindutva fascism has portrayed Indian social reality in and pleading for mercy with his son, a more coherent plot to convey a is artistic genius personified. too woud have to be integrated with such depth and how socio-economic or of hearing his court sentence.It was message. With touches of genius Child artist Rattan Kumar as the plot. With so much penetration of conditions shape the life of a family. virtually the face of the pauperised he has woven a plot to illustrate Kanhaiya is brilliant immersing imperialist culture it would be very I praise the movie portraying how peope of India. the theme. Bimal Roy must be into the very heart of the grave challenging to create a film of this peasants were compelled to work The theme of the story is how saluted for this masterpiece situations and taking realism to its type which would ring a bell in their in the cities which is a predominant Shambu Mahato is indebted to which pioneered the cause of ultimate dimension. His chemistry hearts.Afterall inspite of disparity feature today in India and the third in India surpassing magnitude world. India today has lakhs of anywhere in the world we have a migrant labour swapping role in completely different set of social working in fields and factories values as the day sf the 1950’s. Today feudalism in India is It would also have to project the rampant in another form .Peasants changes in the forms of production are not directly subordinated to the in the global age with the working landlords but still they often are class further divided with much forced to mortgage their land at ten more sophisticated machinery. Its times less than the price value or major theme would be to expose auctioned land at unaffordable rates. how the advent of post-1991 Caste polarization has been further globalization and liberalization accentuated. In cities globalization squeezed the Indian masses like has caused massive retrenchment the tentacles of an Octopus. I and forced many workers to return feel it must also throw light on to their villages. Seizure of land by psychology and aspect of the sub big corporates has become a routine conscious mind. Today afterall affair, with the ruling party literally the Indian psyche is completely sponsoring them. Even in states like enslaved still by imperialist, feudal Punjab and Haryana commission and casteist values. Ironically agents operate. There is hardly today we are submerged in an era any implementation of the land where Socialism or its values are ceilings act preventing any farmer virtually extinguished but economic from owning more than 30 acres. crisis or disparity has reached an Nor has the declaration awarding Thakur Harnam Singh for a prolonged championing the rural people. No with his father has most touching unprecedented magnitude. 1/3rd panchayat land to dalits period.Harnam Singh offers Shambu Movie has ever been a more honest effects .His scene of redemption The movie emulated the been implement. Unemployment, a price to sell his land to relies his portrayal of the social reality of or retribution with his mother on Italian neo-realist style.Inspite Price rise or inflation has reached debts but he refuses because the tow India. It is praiseworthy that it has the verge of dying is one of the of not incorporating fiction like a magnitude as never before. The bighas of land are his only source of nothing in common with European finest acting displays by a child movies’Awaara’ etc it still was nation has witnessed over ten lakh living. Later Shambu is tormented cinema and purely an Indian artist in Indian films. Even Jagdeep a success.Bimal Roy depicted suicides because of farmers unable to by Harnam and even duped with design. No doubt it has shades of as a child artist enacting role of a great mastery of craft in inter- repay interest on loans. We may boast the his debt magnified in herculean ‘The Bicycle thief’ in the father- shoeshine boy as Laloo Ustad gives weaving scenes and characters and of cyber cafes in rural areas but still proportions by five times its actual child scenes. Balraj Sahni’s acting great flavour to the plot.Nirupa allowing the audience to remain there is insufficient drinking water.. level..Circumstances force Shabu performance arguably surpassed Roy depicts untold sensitivity in detached ,rather than getting carried In the age with globalisation thriving to migrate to Calcutta with his son that of anyone enacting a common her expressions. The scene when away. Perhaps this film missed out gloss and glamour is virtually the where he pulls a rickshaw and his man. It was as natural as water she thwarts the bid of a man from on projecting the resultant class only trend in the film industry. Lakhs son polishes shoes. The scenes sparking in a stream or a rose taking her into captivity to rape struggle or organized resistance of people still are denied adequate when his son literally sells himself blooming. He illustrated that art her is heart touching as well as her which was a dominant feature in food shelter, medicine or literacy. for the sake of his father’s survival belonged to the common man and working on a construction site and those days in India or could have Morally all the hits of last 30 years embezzles in the heart of any that art reached it’s zenith only hearing the depressing news of her had a sequel portraying theme of have glorified affluence ,relegating sensitive person. Ironically he when relating to social reality. husband’s accident. revolt. In many ways the film was poverty or social reality into the even resorts to stealing. To earn The expressions of Balraj Sahni Today the people of India or reminiscent of movie ‘Bicycle oblivion. he is compelled to chase another defined the character of a peasant the world are literally given a most Thief. ‘I strongly feel this movie Today the people of India or rickshaw of a colleague when in every respect. I doubt there has distorted image by the Bollywood should have had a sequel or atleast the world are literally given a most sadly the wheel collapses in the ever been a more clinical or artistic films of India as though the nation remake inappropriate form in the distorted image by the Bollywood of penultimate stages.. Sadly his wife performance by an actor portraying is rolling or flourishing in wealth 1970’s 0r 80’s or later in the era of India as though the nation is rolling falls ill which forces Shambu to a peasant, immersing in the very or prosperity. The films glorify the globalization. or flourishing in wealth or prosperity. use all his earnings to save her. skin of the character. The classic development but throw no light on Other films that champion social The films glorify the development but Satirically on the verge of his rickshaw pullers race is a symbol the untold disparity or unevenness reality at the highest magnitude and throw no light on the untold disparity mother dying he claims it is a of how even an honest man selling of growth. We need to re construct most artistically are Sahib bibi aur or unevenness of growth. retribution for his wrong deeds. his labour could be de-humanised. films like this to counter the lies of Gulam” ,’Paar’ ,’Ankur’ ,’Mirchi The character of Shambu Mahato Back to the village the land is No actor mastered the art of neo- the social media on the true state of Masala’ ,’Ganga Jamuna’ “Awara depicts the struggle to confront the auctioned because Shambu could realistic acting like Balraj Sahni the economy and become a thorn in ‘Jagte Raho’,’ ,’Shri 420’Mother waves unleashed by the tyranny not pay back the debt and father who gave similar performances the flesh to consumerist values or India’, ‘Satya’ ,Mrityudand’ and of landlordism. To pay his interest Gangu becomes insane. The land, in K.A .Abbas’s ‘Dharti ke Lal’. imperialist culture. A film of this ‘Boot Polish.’ Across State The Stage Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 21 Akshaye Khanna, Raveena Tandon American singer, actress Mary Millben recites team up for web series 'Legacy' it across multiple foreign Sanskrit shlokas to greet locations. Tandon said the series Indians on New Year presents an "interesting tale of power struggle" with an engaging drama at the backdrop. "It is a fine work of content articulated interestingly to resonate with a global audience. I am excited to be associated with the show and looking forward to begin this journey," she said. The series would also Washington video gained instant reunite Khanna with Gutte Popular American popularity and has after their 2019 political singer and actress Mary crossed 1 million views. drama "The Accidental Millben has greeted the She thanked her Prime Minister". Indian communities Hindi coach and teacher The director called across the globe, of Indian culture Dr "Legacy" an aspirational particularly in India Moxraj. Mumbai "Legacy" would mark the massive scale of the project which would reflect and the US, on the It has been Actors Akshaye Khanna's debut in the show, we are cognizant of the "dark realities of the occasion of New Year enlightening to continue Khanna and Ranveena digital space. the immense responsibility professional world." by reciting Sanskrit learning about the Tandon are set to share The "Ittefaq" actor said to deliver our best to create "I am thrilled to be shlokas. importance of Diwali, screen space as rivals in he was thrilled to come a content piece the audience reuniting with Akshaye According to the Holi, and especially "The Accidental Prime on board the series as it looks forward to. I'm glad for this and exhilarated to Hindu calendar, Indians today's celebration. Minister" director Vijay aims to provide quality 'Legacy' is going to be my have Raveena Tandon on ushered in New Year on A celebration of the Gutte's upcoming drama entertainment to the first web series," Khanna, board with us. This talent Tuesday with various new year on the Hindu series "Legacy". audience. 46, said in a statement. powerhouse is set for an states celebrating the calendar and the The duo were previously "It is refreshing to work According to the epic rivalry," he added. festivals of Ugadi, Gudi entrance of spring, she part of the ensemble in JP on content that challenges makers, the show will be "Legacy" is produced Padwa and Vaisakhi. said. Dutta's 2003 war drama our boundaries as an mounted on a big scale with by After Studios, AA Films In the video, "During today's "LOC: Kargil". industry as a whole. Given the team intending to shoot and Sunny Bakshi. Millben started with chanting, I lifted the chanting of Sanskrit prayers for India, shlokas followed by a communities across greeting to India and the world, and I will Indian communities continue to pray for 'Court' actor Vira Sathidar passes away worldwide. your safety, she said. Nagpur Sathidar rose to prominence after playing the Happy New Year May the Almighty Actor-activist Vira Sathidar, best known for role of protest singer NaNarayan Kamble in "Court", to my beloved India, bring healing to our featuring in the who is accused the Indian-American homes and our planet. National Award- of encouraging a community, and Indian I hope today, as you are winning film "Court", manhole worker communities across the gathered in your homes, died on Tuesday due to commit suicide world, Millben, 39, said you are blessed with the to COVID-19 related through one of his after releasing the New new spirit of the new complications, folk songs. Year greetings video. year. May time with filmmaker Chaitanya Tamhane After performing for family, reflection, your Tamhane confirmed. said the news of Diwali 2020 last year, I favourite foods, and the The actor, who was Sathidar's demise wanted to learn more energy of a new year in his early sixties, has come as a about the traditional bring you much joy and was admitted to a "huge shock" to festivals and religious happiness, she added. city hospital after him. observances in India. Dr. Moxraj, Teacher he contracted the "He was not My relationship with of Indian culture in the coronavirus. only an actor, the Indian culture and US, said that Millben is According to activist and a love for India has grown a student of his Hindi Tamhane, who poet but also through my learning language class. directed him in the one of the nicest and study of Hindi, she "Mary is also acclaimed 2014 human beings I've said. learning about India "Court", the actor met. I still can't Millben in a video in through Hindi. She was put on ventilator process it. He was November last year had is influenced by the and breathed his last a fantastic person released a rendition of great culture of India. around 3 AM. and I can now only think of the time we spent making 'Om Jai Jagdish Hare' as I am happy to know "It's true. He passed away at around 3 AM in the 'Court,'" the director added. her Diwali greetings to her passion and love hospital. He had COVID-19 and was on ventilator. It's Apart from "Court", which was India's official the Indian communities for India," Moxraj an extremely unfortunate news. It is yet to sink in," entry to Oscars 2016, Sathidar went on to feature in worldwide. Her said. Tamhane told PTI. two more short films. 22 Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 Sports Across State

Indian Hardik had shoulder Hockey concern but will bowl legend Balbir soon: Zaheer Singh jr passes away

New Delhi Balbir Singh Junior, who was part of the Indian hockey team that won silver at the 1958 Asian Chennai bowl very soon. We are very He is looking forward to the opener. Now that Quinton will Games, has passed away at the Hardik Pandya did not bowl in confident that he will be chipping season. He will be available for be available, it's still not clear if age of 88. Mumbai Indians' lung-opener on in with the ball in his hand as tomorrow's game," said Zaheer. Lynn will keep his place. The hockey great played Friday due to a shoulder concern well," added Zaheer, a former Zaheer also heaped praise "It is a good headache to alongside the likes of Balbir but the India all-rounder will soon left-arm pacer himself. on wicket-keeper batsman have as a management, like I was Singh Dosanjh, popularly known contribute in team's cause with Zaheer also said that West Ishan Kishan and said he has earlier saying we are lucky and as Balbir Singh Senior, as well as ball in his hand, team's Director Indian all-rounder Kieron Pollard flourished since the last season's fortunate to have such a squad Leslie Claudius, Prithipal Singh, of Cricket Operations Zaheer was the team's sixth bowling game against Royal Challengers where people are waiting to grab Balkishan and Charles Stephen, Khan said on Monday. option. Bangalore, where he played a those opportunities, and pushing among others. He breathed his Mumbai Indians, the five-time "Pollard is our sixth bowling splendid knock. each other, so that's the exciting last on Sunday morning. champions, lost their opening option. In that department we are "Ishan Kishan is looking part." Singh hailed from Sansarpur game to Royal Challengers not very concerned. You have to assured now. When you are Zaheer also described pace in Jalandhar, Punjab. Like many Bangalore by two wickets. just adapt and adjust. growing as a cricketer, when you spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as children from the village, he "Hardik, as a whole package "This year's format is a are trying to make that impact at their trump card and said he was too took to hockey early in his is always of great value, everyone different format. So, from that the highest level, you know you someone, who could turn the life at the age of six. He was knows that. It was a workload point of view, we need to have have that tipping point and with game at any stage. selected to play for India in 1951 related thing in the previous that adaptability and flexibility Ishan last year was that tipping Asked whether Bumrah when the national team toured game," Zaheer said at the pre- around the squad as well, with point when he played that knock should have bowled earlier in the Afghanistan. match conference ahead of their different places, not playing in against RCB," explained Zaheer. last game against RCB, Zaheer Balbir Singh Junior was game against Kolkata Knight your home ground, which is "He (Kishan) just flourished quipped, "You can't set a pattern part of the Indian team that won Riders. what we accept and planning from there and he is in the same to use a trump card, you have to silver at the Asian Games held in "He bowled in the whole accordingly with regard to the zone and going about doing use trump card in an aggressive Tokyo, Japan in 1958. England series, in the last ODI season ahead," he added. his business, making sure he is manner, when you are really He was also part of the he bowled about nine overs and According to Zaheer, South continuing with those processes need it." Punjab state hockey team and that is why in consultation with African opener Quinton De Kock and spending enough time in the "And that was the discussion captained the Punjab University the physio, we had to take that is available for the game on nets and trying to better himself," and that is generally the process squad. Later in his career, he approach. Tuesday. he said. around Jasprit. He is someone also represented the Indian "There was a little bit of a "Quinton is out of his Mumbai Indians' hard-hitting who can turn the game at any stage Railways hockey team that shoulder concern but I don't think quarantine. He did a practice Australian batsman Chris Lynn and we use him accordingly," he toured European countries such it is worrisome. You will see him session yesterday with the team. made a quick-fire 49 in the lung- signed off. as Spain, Switzerland and Italy. They also played Test matches in Jwala Gutta will tie the knot with her long-term boyfriend and the Netherlands. actor Vishnu Vishal next week. The former Commonwealth medalist "On behalf of Hockey Jwala Gutta took to Twitter to share the news with her fans and confirmed the India, I express my deepest couple will get solemenise on April 22 in the presence of family condolences to Balbir Singh and close friends. "With the blessings of our families, it gives us Junior's family. His contribution set to tie the immense joy in sharing the news of our marriage, in a private affair to Indian hockey will always in presence of near and dear," Jwala Gutta wrote on Twitter. Jwala, be remembered and the hockey knot with who is now 37, have won a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth fraternity mourns his demise," Games and has also been honoured with the prestigious Arjuna said Hockey India president Tamil actor Award in the following year. The couple had got engaged on the Gyanendro Ningombam. occasion of Jwala's 37th birthday. In 2019, the Indian badminton Singh lived in Chandigarh Vishnu Vishal player--who has also won the World Championships doubles bronze after retiring as a Major in the in 2011--launched her academy in Hyderabad in order to provide Indian Army. He is survived by on 22 April facilities for various sports. his wife, daughter and son. Across State Get Set Go... Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 23

Sao Paulo Striker Neymar called Paris Saint-Germain his "home" after the team's 1-0 defeat against Bayern Munich, which was still enough for the French club to advance to the Champions League semifinal. The Brazilian is currently negotiating a contract Neymar calls extension. "I don't think this is even a topic anymore, I obviously feel very comfortable, at home at PSG," Neymar told TNT Sports Brazil after the match at Parc PSG "home" des Princes stadium in Paris. "I feel happier than before." Neymar's tone is very different from less than two years ago, when Barcelona officials were confident they amid contract would be able to bring the Brazilian back to Camp Nou. The Brazilian forward became the most expensive player in the world when he moved from Barcelona to PSG for 222 million euros (about 250 million) in extension talks 2017. His first two seasons with the French champions were disappointing, with the star out of key matches due to injuries. Now at age 29, the Brazilian has boosted his profile in Paris after great performances that took PSG to the last final of the Champions League, which ended in a 1-0 defeat against Bayern in Lisbon. Neymar also talked about his raucous end-of-match celebration in front of Bayern's Joshua Kimmich. "I wasn't celebrating to provoke him. I celebrated with Leo Paredes, he was in front of me," Neymar said. "It was fate that Kimmich was also there, he said his team is better and they would go through. As if he was secured in the semifinal." PSG's semifinal opponent will be known on Wednesday. Manchester City won the first leg against Borussia Dortmund 2-1. Neymar hit the post and the bar in three clear opportunities on Tuesday, which made him promise coach Mauricio Pochettino he will be sharper in the next stage. "I owe him a goal, regardless of the good match I played, the Brazilian said.

India make winning start at youth world boxing championship New Delhi The women's side also features India were off to a perfect start at 2019 Asian Youth champion Naorem the youth world boxing championships Babyrojisana Chanu (51kg), Sanamacha in Kielce, Poland with Poonam (57kg) Chanu (75kg), Alfiya Pathan (+81kg) and and Vinka (60kg) advancing to the pre- three-time Khelo India gold medallist quarterfinals after notching up contrasting Arundhati Choudhary (69kg) along with opening-round wins. Gitika (48kg), Arshi Khanam (54kg), While Poonam out-punched Colombia's Nisha (64kg) and Khushi (81kg). The Valeria Mendoza 5-0, Vinka edged past men's challenge is being spearheaded Russia's Daria Panteleeva 3-2 to make the by Asian Youth Championship silver- last-16 stage on Tuesday. medallist Ankit Narwal (64kg) and Next up for Poonam is Hungary's Asian junior champion Chongtham Beata Varga. Vinka, on the other hand, Bishwamitra (49kg). will square off against Kazakhstan's Other male boxers in the squad Zhuldyz Shayakhmetova. are Vikas (52), Sachin (56kg), Akash India have fielded a 20-member Gorkha (60kg), Sumit (69kg), Manish contingent -- 10 men and as many (75kg), Vinit (81 kg), Vishal Gupta women -- for the marquee age group (91kg) and Jugnoo (+91kg). event. color

24 Mumbai, Thursday 15 to 21 April 2021 Last Page Across State India will raise its climate ambitions but not under pressure: Javadekar New Delhi anybody to forget it," Javadekar said. important The poor of this world has the right Union Environment Minister Prakash Everyone is facing common threats, to grow. They need power," he said. Javadekar on Wednesday said India will raise but those who have polluted will have Javadekar said Europe's power its climate ambitions but not under pressure, to act more, he said. consumption per capital per year is 10,000 and that it will not allow anybody to forget "They committed in Copenhagen, is kilowatts, ours is 1,200 kilowatts. their historical responsibility. 100 billion dollars per year but where is India has increased its tree cover by He also said that India is suffering the money. There is no money in sight," 15,000 square kilometers, aims to restore 26 because of the mistakes of others and "is he said. million hectares of degraded land by 2030, not responsible for climate change that is Under the Copenhagen Accord, and reduced its emission intensity by 26 per happening". developed countries committed to a goal cent, he said. Javadekar made the remarks during a walk the talk on the Paris climate agreement of mobilising 100 billion dollar a year India has levied 40 per cent carbon tax speech after a meeting with French Foreign and "we have done more than we promised". by 2020 to help developing countries on fossil fuel, state and Centre put together. Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian at the French The minister said that frequency of mitigate climate change. "France also tried this but they had to roll Embassy. abnormal (weather) events has increased Javadekar said many countries have it back. With 36 parties, such diversity, such The minister said the collaboration but "let us not forget that this is not a new forgotten their pre-2020 commitments. a huge country which is not so developed, between India and France will go "deep and phenomenon". "Follow your Paris ambitions first we are doing this. This is the level of our deeper", as Prime Minister Narendra Modi "What we are suffering today was caused Everybody is talking of 2050 and not of commitment," he said. and French President Emmanuel Macron 100 years ago. European and American 2025 or 2030," he said. Countries responsible for climate change have an "unusual good chemistry amongst countries and China, in the last 30 "Now we are saying don't use coal but the should finance what they committed to and themselves". years, emitted (greenhouse gases) alternative has to be much cheaper than coal, make technology available at an affordable Underlining that India is a responsible and therefore, the world is suffering only then people will do away with coal," he cost, the minister said, adding that fighting country, Javadekar said, We will complete India is suffering because of actions of said, adding that India is not a major emitter. climate change is not a business but a duty. out commitments, raise our ambitions but not others," he said, adding that historical The minister mentioned that China's coal The world has agreed to supply anti- under pressure. And we will also ask countries responsibility is a very important aspect consumption is 4 billion tonnes this year as AIDS drugs at cost price, because the disease to provide finance and technological support in climate debate. compared to India's 850 million tonnes. is considered a disaster. and about their (climate) actions." "We cannot just forget it (historical "How are we comparing apples with "If climate change is a disaster, we should He said India is the only G-20 country to responsibility), and we will not allow oranges? So, the principle of equity is also not profit from this as well," he said.

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