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# 1 Indian American Weekly : Since 2006

VOL 15 ISSUE 22 ● / DALLAS ● MAY 28 - JUNE 03, 2021 ● ENQUIRIES: 646-247-9458 ● [email protected] www.theindianpanorama.news Biden Orders Intelligence Investigation into Origins of Coronavirus Ravi Batra Applauds Biden for the Initiative WASHINGTON (TIP): New York based attorney Ravi 'S EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Batra appeared to feel vindicated after President Biden MINISTER MEETS U.S. called for a 90-day sprint to understand the origins of the coronavirus pandemic which came after intelligence OFFICIALS, LAWMAKERS officials told the White House that they had a raft of still- IN WASHINGTON unexamined evidence that required additional computer analysis that might shed light on the mystery,according to "Conveyed appreciation for U.S. senior administration officials. solidarity in addressing the Covid Ravi Batra smelt a rat long ago and wrote an open letter challenge", the Minister says. to President Trump pointing an accusing finger at China being responsible for the leak of Coronavirus from Wuhan Laboratory, and asking for an investigation. After Biden took over, Ravi Batra wrote him an open letter repeating his accusation. When The Indian Panorama called Ravi Batra for his reaction to the investigation news, he said: "I heartily President Biden answers questions from the media welcome and celebrate President Biden's command to our intelligence community to investigate the origin of ultimately disarm it. This is a deadly Virus-ICBM, and a Covid-19. Roots are important not only to Alex Haley,but to crime against humanity." biochemists and epidemiologists the world over to Read Ravi Batra's comment in full on Page 11. understand the nooks and crannies of this pandemic virus CONTD ON PAGE 38 so as to more perfectly vaccinate against it and to

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar with US Trade PAUL RYAN SLAMS TRUMP IN SPEECH INDIAN ECONOMIST AMARTYA SEN Representative ambassador Katherine Tai and other officials in Washington on May 27, 2021. ABOUT FUTURE OF REPUBLICAN PARTY GETS SPAIN'S TOP AWARD Photo / Courtesy Twitter@DrSJaishankar LOS ANGELES(TIP): Paul LONDON (TIP): Ryan, a former speaker of the Indian economist and WASHINGTON (TIP): External Affairs House, sounded a pointed Nobel Laureate Amartya Minister S. Jaishankar has had a hectic day and warning to the GOP in a Kumar Sen has been a half in Washington DC, where he met speech about its future, conferred with Spain's government officials, including National arguing that voters will have top Princess of Asturias Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and the U.S. little patience for a party built Award in the social Trade Representative (USTR) ambassador Ryan spoke to conservatives on fealty to former President sciences category, the Katherine Tai, lawmakers, and the private gathered at the Reagan Trump. He told conservatives Spanish prize foundation sector. Mr. Jaishankar, who is on his first visit to Library, in Simi Valley gathered at the Reagan announced on Amartya Sen - File photo the U.S. during the Biden administration, met California, Thursday, May 27 Library, in Simi Valley Wednesday, May 26. with Mr. Sullivan on Thursday, May 27. Both night that they were at a California, Thursday, May 27 Sen, 87, was selected out of 41 candidates from 20 crossroads.- File photo sides indicated that there was a discussion on night that they were at a nationalities, the Princess of Asturias Foundation said. regional (Indo-Pacific) or global issues, with Mr crossroads. "His research on famines and his theory of human Jaishankar specifying, via a tweet, that "If the conservative cause depends on the populist development, welfare economics and the underlying Afghanistan came up. appeal of one personality, or on second-rate imitations, mechanisms of poverty have contributed to the fight "Conveyed appreciation for US solidarity in then we're not going anywhere. Voters looking for against injustice, inequality, disease and ignorance," it addressing the Covid challenge. India-US Republican leaders want to see independence and mettle," said. The award comprises a Joan Miro sculpture vaccine partnership can make a real difference," he said. And leaving no doubt about who he was talking representing and symbolizing the award, a diploma, an the tweet said. about, though he did not name Mr. Trump, Ryan insignia and a cash prize of 50,000 Euros. The award was CONTD ON PAGE 38 continued, CONTD ON PAGE 38 announced via videoconference. (Source: PTI)

ISRAELI STRIKES IN GAZA MAY BE WAR CRIMES: UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF GENEVA (TIP): UN Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet said that Hamas' indiscriminate rocketing during the conflict was also a clear violation of the rules of war. The UN rights chief said on Thursday, May 27, that Israeli forces may have committed war crimes in the latest, 11-day war with the militant group Hamas that rules the Gaza Strip. The remarks by Michelle Bachelet came as the UN's top UN Human Rights Chief human rights body opened a one-day special session to discuss Michelle Bachelet File Photo CONTD ON PAGE 38 THE INDIAN PANORAMA EDITORIAL FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 02 -: GUEST COMMENTS:-

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER: Prof. Indrajit S. Saluja VICE PRESIDENT: Chitagam Saluja Rules and rulers: On CHIEF EDITOR: Prof Indrajit S. Saluja CONSULTING EDITOR : social media curbs Deepak Dwidedi, Chairman, Bhaskar Group, Delhi ASSISTANT EDITOR: The Govt. must hear out the social media industry, Bidisha Roy SPL. REPORTER UNO: and shed its arbitrary rule-making H.S. Panaser GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: t does seem that most platforms such as Twitter Om Parkash Malik if not all global social and the Government DIRECTOR Imedia giants will seems to have broken ADMINISTRATION: miss complying with the down. The latest stand-off Gauri Beri new IT rules of between them, over intermediaries, which Twitter tagging certain CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: come into effect today. It posts by BJP would be unfortunate if spokespeople as Baldev Singh / BJ Videos Gunjesh Desai / Masala Junction this non-compliance were 'manipulated media', has Jay Mandal, to trigger a further even resulted in the Delhi Mohammad Jaffer, worsening of the already Police visiting the SnapsIndia poor relationship company's offices. Mohammad Shahzad, between some social Separately, the Zia Khan, media players and the Government has been Nisha Rani Government. The new fighting WhatsApp over Vaaho Photographers, rules were introduced in its new privacy rules. Vijay Shah - Photo Journalist. February. Among other Whatever the back-story, CORRESPONDENTS : things, they require the bigger social media platforms, which it is important that social media companies fight the new rules SACRAMENTO: the rules referred to as significant social media in a court of law if they find them to be problematic. The other Parminder S. Aujla intermediaries, to adhere to a vastly tighter set of rules within option, that of engaging with the Government, may not work NEW YORK : three months, which ended on May 25. They require these in these strained times. But stonewalling on the question of Chitagam platforms to appoint chief compliance officers, in order to compliance can never be justified, even if it is to be assumed FRESNO: make sure the rules are followed, nodal officers, to coordinate that the U.S. Government has their back. Facebook, on its part, Tarlochan Singh with law enforcement agencies, and grievance officers. has made all the right noises. It has said that it aims to comply DALLAS: Another rule requires messaging platforms such as WhatsApp with the new rules but also needs to engage with the to trace problematic messages to its originators, raising Government on a few issues. What is important is that the Harjit Dhesi, Amarjit Dhillon uneasy questions about how services that are end-to-end genuine concerns of social media companies are taken on OVERSEAS CORRESPONDENTS encrypted can adhere to this. There are indeed many problems board. Apart from issues about the rules, there have been LONDON with the new rules, not the least of which is the manner in problems about creating conditions for compliance during the Nirpal Singh Shergill which they were introduced without much public consultation. pandemic. As reported by The Hindu, five industry bodies, SPL CORRESPONDENT There has also been criticism about bringing in a plethora of including the CII, FICCI and the U.S.-India Business Council DELHI BUREAU CHIEF: new rules that ought to be normally triggered only via have sought an extension of 6-12 months for compliance. This Chandan Singh legislative action. is an opportunity for the Government to hear out the industry, CHANDIGARH: But non-compliance can only make things worse, especially and also shed its high-handed way of rulemaking. Manjit Sidhu in a situation in which the relationship between some (Tribune, India) LUDHIANA: A.S. Arora, -: LETTER TO EDITOR :- R.P.Sharma JAIPUR : Dr. Yashpaul Goyal Nassau Must Use Federal Action on Hate Crimes as DALLAS BUREAU CHIEF & VP Lovllien Kaurr 972-330-3139 Catalyst for Local Action [email protected] DEAR EDITOR: would update the County's Human Rights Law to The Indian Panorama applaud President Biden for signing the specifically outlaw discrimination based on an P.O. Box No. 190067, South COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law - an actual or perceived relationship to the COVID-19 Richmond Hill, NY 11419, Iimportant, timely, and refreshingly bipartisan pandemic. This bill would empower victims of Tel: 646-247-9458 piece of legislation that will provide federal law discrimination and the County Attorney to sue for Email: enforcement agencies robust tools to push back compensatory and punitive damages, attorney's [email protected] against the alarming increase in senseless bias and fees and other relief deemed appropriate by the violence that the Asian American/Pacific Islander court. Individuals who violate the statute would DISCLAIMER (AAPI) community has endured throughout the furthermore face penalties of $5,000 to $25,000 per COVID-19 pandemic. incident, which would be recoverable and payable THE INDIAN PANORAMA ASSUMES Furthermore, Senate Majority Leader Schumer - to the aggrieved victim, as well as thousands of NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ARNOLD W. DRUCKER who spoke recently on the front steps of this dollars in additional fines. CLAIMS MADE IN ADVERTISEMENTS. Nassau County Legislature about the importance of fighting this I urge my colleagues in the Majority to bring this WE ONLY SELL SPACE. VIEWS Legislator, LD 16 PUBLISHED IN THE NEWSPAPER scourge - deserves our thanks for leading the measure to the floor of the Legislature so that it ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS AND Senate to a nearly unanimous vote in favor of the can be debated and adopted unanimously.By doing DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE measure. so, we would send a clear message that we will VIEWS OF THE NEWSPAPER. ALL Here in Nassau County, we have an obligation aggressively defend the rights of all Nassau RIGHTS ARE RESERVED. and a responsibility to add to that toolkit so that County residents to live lives free of fear, hatred, REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PERMISSION IN members of our local AAPI communities can once and bigotry. WRITING FROM THE INDIAN again regain the sense of security they deserve. ARNOLD W. DRUCKER PANORAMA IS PROHIBITED. Last month, I filed a proposed local law that THE INDIAN PANORAMA ADVT FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 03 THE INDIAN PANORAMA INDIANS ABROAD FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 04 INDIAN-ORIGIN UK MINISTER PRITI PATEL Indian-origin -born Reuben UNVEILS US-STYLE DIGITAL VISAS TO brothers second richest in UK, Hindujas COUNT MIGRANTS third in 2021 Rich List LONDON (TIP): Indian-origin found to have embarked on a buying Mumbai-born brothers David and Simon spree during the pandemic, snapping up Reuben held on to their rank as the undervalued hotels and other properties. second richest in the UK with an "The Reubens have been buying US estimated net worth of GBP 21.465 buildings to upmarket brands that are billion in the annual 'Sunday Times Rich unlikely to be damaged by the pandemic, List', topped by Russian-origin UK-US such as Tiffany, Armani and Alexander dual national Sir Leonard Blavatnik McQueen. There have also been with an estimated fortune of GBP 23 significant investments in Mallorca and billion. Spain, where the brothers plan to build In a preview to the rankings in 'The hundreds of luxury retreats," notes the Times' on Friday, the Hinduja brothers - David and Simon Reuben held on to their rank Rich List. as the second richest in the UK with an who had shared the second spot with the estimated net worth of GBP 21.465 billion The other Indian-origin entries in this Reubens last year - slipped to third place year's top five, Sri and Gopichand with an estimated net worth of GBP 17 no small endeavor for a company that Hinduja, of the Hinduja Group of billion. mined 58 million tons of iron ore and companies, are listed together in the They are followed by British inventor- made 71.5 million tons of crude steel ranking but a family rift has also been entrepreneur Sir James Dyson and during 2020," noted the listing for flagged in the wake of a legal battle that family, who dropped from the top spot in Rajasthan-born Mittal. emerged last year. UK Home Secretary Piti Patel confirmed 2020 to number four with a fortune "The Mittals' stake in the business is "Cracks have appeared in the the so-called "sweeping changes" to the estimated at GBP 16.3 billion. worth GBP 10.5 billion, up more than Hindujas' business empire, which has UK's immigration policy to "streamline" In fifth place is steel tycoon Lakshmi N GBP 7.5 billion in a year. 'The first interests ranging from van how people come into the country on Mittal, who added GBP 7.899 billion to quarter of this year has been our manufacturing and luxury hotels to Monday, May 24. his fortunes over the past year to climb strongest in a decade,' Aditya Mittal said banking and healthcare," notes the several spots from his 19th rank in 2020. this month. Aditya, 45, Lakshmi's son, report. LONDON (TIP); UK Home "He is spending nearly GBP 290 million became chief executive of ArcelorMittal (Read full story at Secretary Priti Patel unveiled a new on a pilot project to slash its in February," it adds. www.theindianpanorama.news) US-style digital visa regime at the [ArcelorMittal Group] carbon footprint, The second richest Reubens have been country's borders to measure immigration levels in and out of the country, according to UK media Indian-Origin Student Anvee Bhutani Elected INDIAN-ORIGIN MAN ASKED TO 'MOVE' reports on Monday, May 24. Oxford Student Union President in Byelection HOUSE BY 1-METRE OR PAY RS 1.6 CRORE The senior Indian-origin Cabinet minister confirmed the so-called LONDON (TIP): An Indian- DAMAGES IN AUCKLAND "sweeping changes" to the UK's origin Human Sciences student AUCKLAND immigration policy to "streamline" from Magdalen College at the (TIP): An Indian- how people come into the country on University of Oxford has been origin man-who Monday, May 24. declared the winner at the end of also owns a place in The post-Brexit changes included a Student Union (SU) byelection. Auckland-has been the border being managed digitally, Anvee Bhutani, Co-Chair sued by the which the government says will be Indian origin Anvee Bhutani Campaign for Racial Awareness developer and easier to navigate for businesses and has won the Oxford students and Equality (CRAE) at Oxford asked to pay NZ$ allow for the first time to accurately union election SU and President of the Oxford 315,000 (over 1 crore count people in and out of the UK. India Society, was in the fray for in Indian rupees) "Our new fully digital border the byelection for the 2021-22 academic year, which for constructing his willprovide the ability to count people attracted a record turnout. house "in the wrong place". in and out of the country, giving us She was declared the winner on Thursday, May 2nd Deepak Lal has built his home right on the neighbor's control over who comes to the UK," night. boundary. The one-meter difference between the boundary of Patel was quoted as saying in the According to the 'Cherwell' student newspaper, Anvee his and his neighbor's house has become a nightmare for 'Observer'. Bhutani had used her manifesto to detail priorities of Deepak. "Our new approach will make it campaigning for the implementation of the Oxford living The mistake was reportedly committed by the builder, but easier to identify potential threats wage, delinking welfare services and disciplinary action, still, Deepak has to clear the payment for faulty construction. before they reach the border. The and diversifying the curriculum. Back in 2020, Deepak had contacted 'Pinnacle Homes' British people will have confidence "Use suggestions from student campaigns to work with constructions to design and build his home in the Papakura that the strongest controls are in place initiatives like the Oxford and Colonialism hub to push for area in Auckland of New Zealand's North Island. to keep them safe," she said. a more diverse curriculum," reads her winning manifesto. According to nzherald.co.nz, despite the work completing in The UK Home Office hopes to make "Lobby for more funding towards existing mental health mid-2020, the finishing work on the three-bedroom house entry to the UK fully digital by the end support programs including for graduate students; work came to a halt in August after the construction company of 2025. towards more access and lower wait times for university called to tell him about the boundary mix-up. Deepak's three- It means people wanting to come counselling services," it notes. bedroom home is located right on the boundary of his into the UK without a visa or According to the student newspaper, the voting had the neighboring property. immigration status will have to apply highest-ever turnout for a byelection and has also beaten That property is owned by the company C94 Development. for an Electronic Travel Authorization the overall turnout for several past annual leadership The company wants Deepak to move his little house or pay (ETA), similar to the US system, with elections as 2,506 people turned out to vote, a 146 per cent $315,000 in damages, reported nzherald.co.nz. 30 million applications expected to be increase from the last byelection in 2019. The situation has become a "nightmare" for Lal. processed every year. The leadership contest also had the highest number of "I wake up in the middle of the night and think 'how am I The British government has said candidates ever in an Oxford SU President election, with 11 going to solve this?", said Lal. that in the past 10 days, more than 140 students running for the spot. According to Deepak, the Auckland Council approved the foreign criminals have been removed The byelection followed the resignation of Indian building consent for the house. Lal's lawyer Matt Taylor said from the UK, totaling more than 700 so student Rashmi Samant, who was forced to step down soon that the issue has arisen as a "result of an error made at the far this year. after her election to the post in February amid a row over design stage." her past social media posts. THE INDIAN PANORAMA INDIANS ABROAD FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 05 INDIAN-ORIGIN FAMILY Indian American engineer Ravinder RETURNS $1 MILLION TICKET TO WOMAN WHO Singh Shergill who helped create USB DISCARDED IT specifications Honored by US Lawmaker

WASHINGTON (TIP): A US a manager, he was admired and lawmaker has honored Indian-American respected as a mentor to his colleagues. electrical engineer Ravinder Singh His story is truly an embodiment of the Shergill who held several patents related American dream," he said. to disk storage and helped create the Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an USB specifications. industry standard that establishes Shergill died on April 22 aged 64. specifications for cables and connectors "Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues and protocols for connection, in the United States House of communication and power supply "If I had kept that million, I wouldn't have Representatives to join me in honoring between computers, peripherals and been this famous. So, I'm glad I gave it back," Mr Abhi said. the life of Mr. Ravinder Singh Shergill. other computers. Our thoughts and prayers are with his Valadao said Shergill had a great family and friends during this difficult appreciation for America, but he never NEW YORK (TIP): A woman in the time," Congressman David Valadao said forgot his roots. US state of Massachusetts threw away in his remarks at the House of "He was committed to bridging the her shot at USD 1 million, but as luck Representatives earlier this week. Sikh and American communities would it, she got a second chance at the Born on September 12, 1956 in Punjab, together and was a founding member of fortune, thanks to an Indian-origin Shergill migrated to the US for higher the Sikh Youth of California and family who returned the discarded studies at the age of 17. As an engineer, Mr Shergill held patents America. Shergill is remembered as a lottery ticket to their long-time involving disk storage and helped create the caring husband, father, and grandfather customer, earning appreciation for "At the age of 17, he immigrated to the USB specifications with a love for books, history, music, and their honesty. United States and later graduated from more than three decades," Valadao said. film," he said. UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Science "As an engineer, Mr Shergill held Shergill is survived by his wife of 39 Lea Rose Fiega bought a Diamond in Electrical Engineering. He went on to patents involving disk storage and years, Grace Rosa; two daughters, one Millions scratch-off ticket in March at work for National Semiconductor for helped create the USB specifications. As son and four grandchildren. Lucky Stop, a store owned by the Indian-origin family in Southwick, where she was a regular customer. INDIAN AMERICAN ARUN Indian American Sikh man among "I was in a hurry, on lunch break, VENKATARAMAN and just scratched it real quick, and looked at it, and it didn't look like a APPOINTED TO KEY 8 killed in shooting in San Jose winner, so I handed it over to them to throw away," Ms Fiega said on Monday, ADMINISTRATION POST SAN JOSE (TIP): A 36-year-old May 24. Indian-origin Sikh man was among eight But the ticket was not fully people killed in the horrific rail yard scratched off and it sat in a pile in the shooting in San Jose, according to media store for 10 days until Abhi Shah, son reports on Thursday, May 27. of the store owners, noticed the Taptejdeep Singh, born in India and unfinished USD 30 ticket in the trash, raised in Union City, California, has left the New York Post reported. behind his wife, three-year-old son, one- Mr Abhi said the winning ticket was year-old daughter, and a grieving Sikh sold by his mother Aruna Shah to one community in the San Francisco Bay of their regular customers. Area, which described him as a "helpful "One evening, I was going through Arun Venkataraman is the nominee for Director-General of the United States and and caring" man, The Mercury News the tickets from the trash and [noticed] Foreign Commercial Service and Assistant reported. Taptejdeep Singhwas among eight people killed that she didn't scratch the number. I Secretary for Global Markets, Department of Co-workers at the Valley in the horrific rail yard shooting in San Jose scratched the number and it was USD 1 Commerce, the White House said on Transportation Authority (VTA) hailed said nothing on the victims being pre- million underneath the ticket," Mr Wednesday, May 26 Singh as a hero, saying he left the safety decided by the killer. Abhi was quoted as saying by the local of an office room, where some "He just happened to be in the way, I TV station WWLP. WASHINGTON (TIP): US President colleagues were hiding, to help others guess. He was always helpful to everyone "I was a millionaire for a night," he Joe Biden has announced his intent to escape the line of fire. and caring," Bath said. joked. nominate Indian-American trade expert Samuel Cassidy, 57, a maintenance "We are in very deep grief," Singh's Mr Abhi said he initially thought of Arun Venkataraman to a key position in worker of the VTA, San Jose, on uncle Sakhwant Dhillon told the San buying a Tesla car, but later decided to his administration related to foreign Wednesday gunned down eight of his co- Jose-based newspaper. return the winning ticket. commercial service. workers and critically injured another "He told people, 'be careful, hide.' He "I mean I had USD 1 million in my Arun Venkataraman is the nominee in a one of the deadliest shootings in was running around the building to save hand and on the other hand I wanted to for Director-General of the United California state this year. others' lives. He was a good person. He do something good," he said. States and Foreign Commercial Service As police arrived at the scene, the helped everybody," Dhillon said. The family said it was not an easy and Assistant Secretary for Global killer died of a self-inflicted gunshot. Singh's brother Bagga Singh said he decision to return the ticket. Markets, Department of Commerce, the Singh was a light rail operator at the was told that his brother had saved a "We didn't sleep two nights," said White House said on Wednesday,May 26. VTA for nine years now. He worked at a lady when he "rushed down the Maunish Shah, owner of Lucky Spot. With over 20 years of experience in separate building from where most of stairway," where he was eventually shot. "He called my mom, grandparents in advising companies, international the other victims were found, giving the Singh may be considered a hero, but India, they said, 'Give it back, we don't organizations, and the US government impression that Cassidy had selected his "he should have saved his life, too. We want that money,'' Mr Maunish said. on international trade issues, Arun victims. Singh was fatally shot in the lost a good person," Bagga said. The family then decided to return Venkataraman is currently the stairwell of a VTA building, the report Emotional scenes were seen at the Red the ticket. Since the customer visited Counselor to the Secretary of said. Cross Center in the city where families the store often, they knew where to Commerce, advising the department on Singh's brother-in-law, P.J. Bath, of the victims gathered after the find her. trade and other international economic another light rail operator at the VTA, incident was reported. (Read full story at matters. (Read full story at confirmed that the shooter and Singh (Read full story at www.theindianpanorama.news) www.theindianpanorama.news) were in different buildings initially but www.theindianpanorama.news) THE INDIAN PANORAMA NY/NJ/CT FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 06 ALERT INDIAN-ORIGIN DRIVER STOPS TRAIN MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES FROM HITTING ASIAN MAN PARTNERS AGAINST THE HATE (P.A.T.H.) PUSHED ONTO TRACKS IN NEWYORK FORWARD, PROVIDING $3M TO COMBAT HATE CRIMES IN The de Blasio Administration and the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC) to partner with six anchor organizations, launching an innovative, community-based approach to hate crime prevention. Tobin Madathil, 29 stopped his train and saved an Asian man who was pushed onto NEW YORK (TIP): Mayor Bill de funding and programmatic support to recovery for all of us, we must lift up the the tracks in an apparent hate crime Blasio and Office for the Prevention of six anchor organizations selected by the community leaders standing up against incident Hate Crimes (OPHC) Executive Director City to promote community-based America's hate epidemic. We are taking Deborah Lauter, on Thursday, May 27, approaches to reduce hate crimes and to action to make sure the hate in our NEW YORK (TIP): An alert announced the launch of the Partners expand hate crime reporting and beloved city is eliminated-once and for Indian-origin driver stopped his train Against the Hate (P.A.T.H.) FORWARD services for victims. all." and saved an Asian man who was initiative to help combat bias-motivated "In New York City, we do not tolerate Read full story at pushed onto the tracks in an apparent incidents and hate crimes in New York hate, violence, or bigotry in any form," www.theindianpanorama.news hate crime incident, according to City. P.A.T.H. FORWARD will provide said Mayor . "As we drive a media reports. Tobin Madathil, 29, noticed a commotion as he was pulling into a station on Monday, May 24, and The New York City Elections 2021 immediately took action. The quick- thinking subway operator was able to he 2021 New York City election will consist of issues that impact our communities and our daily lives. stop the train about 30 feet from the Democratic and Republican primaries on June 22, 2021, Here is a questionnaire. Take a few minutes to answer. man. Tfollowed by a general election on November 2, 2021. "Right when I was coming into the Our vote is our voice, and it is critical that we be heard on Be a vigilant New Yorker. station people were waving at me, and that's when I immediately placed the What do you want your local elected officials to pay share your email, we won't be able to send you your answer. train into emergency mode," Madathil attention to? Let us know, and we'll ask them. What is your email address? told the New York Post. "I'm glad I was able to stop on time New York voters have a lot of decisions to make this year. A Your answer and didn't hit the guy, thank God!" he bunch of local offices are up for grabs in 2021, due to term What's your zip code? said. limits. And elections are coming up fast: The primaries are set Moments earlier, a crazed suspect for June 22. We ask for your zip code because it helps us better had shoved the Asian male onto the We want to make sure the candidates are held accountable to understand who we are reaching across New York City. tracks - the latest in a spate of attacks voters. So, we're asking for your questions. What do you want Your answer in the city's subway system, the the candidates to pay attention to and take action about in Submit report said. your neighborhood? What questions do you have for them? Never submit passwords through Google Forms. Madathil, who has been a train What do you want them to know? This form was created inside of City Report, Inc d/b/a THE operator for two years, said he "exited We're collecting questions from across New York to take CITY. Report Abuse the train" and went to the bleeding directly to the candidates, get answers and send them back to Google Forms victim before calling the subway you. Also, if you have other questions about voting and the control center for medical attention. elections, please let us know that, too. The victim was treated for a cut on If you have any issues with the form, email his forehead at Mount Sinai Medical [email protected]. Centre, and police are investigating If you're viewing this on mobile, go here: the incident for possible bias. https://forms.gle/FbY5PXkYh6n7BFxz6 "I just try to stay focused at all Q. What do you want the candidates to pay attention to times when I operate, just watch the tracks and platform, just be alert," and take action about in your neighborhood? If you Madathil explained how he always have a question for a specific candidate, please let us tries to be ready for the unexpected. know who that candidate is in the space below, too. You The suspected subway shover can be as detailed or as brief as you want to be. remained on the loose on Monday. During the attack, he said something Your answer to the victim, who did not understand Q. Do you have any other questions you'd like to ask him, the report quoted the New York Police as saying. about the elections or voting in general? The Hill website described Madathi Your answer as "heroic". Q. Can you tell us where you are viewing this New York City has seen an uptick in hate crime incidents against questionnaire? Asians. This project is part of a collaboration among many news Last week, US President Joe Biden organizations throughout the city. Please let us know what signed legislation to address the publication are you reading this questionnaire. For example: sudden increase in hate crime against "THE CITY" Asian-Americans in the aftermath of Your answer the Covid-19 pandemic and expressed Thank you! hope that such crimes would now be Below we ask for some contact information. This more accurately counted and reported information is never shared publicly. We ask so we can send so that they can be ended. your answer back to you and also in case a reporter needs to get in touch. Leaving this information is optional, but if you don't THE INDIAN PANORAMA NY CITY ELECTIONS FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 07 Ashley Sharpton Endorses Eric Adams For Mayor

NEW YORK (TIP): Prominent Officers Association, and UNITE HERE activist and community leader Ashley Local 100, as well as more than 50 current Sharpton, on May 27, endorsed Eric and former elected officials, including Adams for mayor outside the historic Borough Presidents Ruben Diaz Jr. and National Action Network headquarters ; Representatives in . and Tom Suozzi; State "Eric Adams has been consistent in Senators Joe Addabbo, Jr., Andrew showing up and taking action against Gounardes, , James injustice no matter who it is. We are Sanders, and Diane Savino; Assembly electing a mayor at a very crucial time in Members Peter Abbate, Rodneyse this city and in this country where we Bichotte Hermelyn, , are coming out of a pandemic where so , Erik Dilan, , many New Yorkers are broken mentally, , , spiritually, financially, and physically. , José Rivera, Clyde We need a visionary who is not afraid to Vanel, and ; City Council take the necessary steps to revive New Members Adrienne Adams, Alicka York back into the thriving city it can Ampry-Samuel, , Justin be," said civil rights activist Ashley Ashley Sharpton, on May 27, endorsed Eric Adams for mayor Brannan, Selvena Brooks-Powers, Sharpton. "From education, public , , Oswald safety, homelessness, mental health doesn't just talk the talk, he walks the mayor I will continue this fight and uplift Feliz, , , Alan reform, and health and wellness, Eric walk." every New Yorker by looking out for Maisel, I. , Francisco Adams is the transformative leader who "Ashley is here endorsing me today their civil rights, their city, and their Moya, and Ydanis Rodriguez; former can execute his vision and implement because she knows that I am the only future." State Comptroller Carl McCall; former change Borough by Borough. He has the candidate in this race with the Adams has also been endorsed by 32BJ Representatives Charlie Rangel and Ed courage, the work ethic, the strategy, the experience to keep New York safe and SEIU; ATU Locals 726, 1056, 1179, and Towns; former Bronx Borough President honesty, the record, the reach, the voice, fight for justice--because I have been 1181; CSEA Local 1000; DC37; the Hotel Fernando Ferrer, as well as former and the heart to lead New York back to there and done it before," Trades Council; OPEIU Local 153; PEF; Assembly Members Karim Camara and better, and he is the candidate who Borough President Adams said. "As TWU Local 100; the Uniform Fire the late Aurelia Greene. Congressman Adriano Espaillat Endorses Eric Adams For Mayor Assembly Member De La Rosa, Council Members Ayala & Feliz also endorse Adams

NEW YORK (TIP): Rep. Adriano Peggy Morales, John Ruiz and Edward Espaillat endorsed, May 23, Eric Adams Gibbs. for , outside the In addition to the elected officials historic United Palace in Washington endorsing today, Adams has also been Heights, calling Adams "the leader for endorsed by DC37, the Hotel Trades this moment." Council, 32BJ SEIU, UNITE HERE Local Adams was also endorsed by a number 100, the Uniform Fire Officers of other elected officials and local Association, CSEA Local 1000, OPEIU leaders representing a diverse Local 153, TWU Local 100 and ATU Locals population of Dominican and Puerto 1181, 726, 1056 and 1179, as well as more Rican New Yorkers from and than 50 current and former elected , including Assembly member officials, including Borough Presidents Carmen De La Rosa, Council Members Ruben Diaz Jr. and Donovan Richards; Diana Ayala and Oswald Feliz, six Rep. Tom Suozzi; state Sens. Andrew District Leaders, and State Gounardes, Roxanne Persaud, James Committeewoman Maria Luna. Adams Sanders, and Diane Savino; endorsed De La Rosa, Ayala, Feliz and Assemblymembers Peter Abbate, Council candidate Shaun Abreu in their Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Inez elections as well. Dickens, Erik Dilan, Alicia Hyndman, "New Yorkers need a mayor who truly Jenifer Rajkumar, José Rivera, Clyde understands what they are going Vanel, and Jaime Williams; New York through-and can guide us through this City Council Members Adrienne Adams, recovery while repairing the inequalities A jubilant Eric Adams at being endorsed by Congressman Adriano Alicka Ampry-Samuel, , that existed before COVID," right candidate for this moment and the mayor I will honor the trust Selvena Brooks-Powers, Laurie Cumbo, Congressman Espaillat said. "Eric right person to lead this city forward," Congressman Espaillat has placed in me Darma Diaz, Peter Koo, Farah Louis, Adams has lived the life of the people Brooklyn Borough President Adams to stand up for those struggling New , I. Daneek Miller, Francisco who need help right now and is the said. "Areas like Washington Heights Yorkers and provide them with what Moya, and Ydanis Rodriguez; former leader for this moment. Eric will unite were hit hard by COVID-19--and so many they need to thrive." State Comptroller Carl McCall; Reps. this city and deliver the safer, healthier, people of color and immigrants who In addition to Rep. Espaillat, Assm. Charlie Rangel and Ed Towns; former more prosperous city all New Yorkers were struggling are now struggling even de la Rosa and Council Members Ayala Bronx Borough President Fernando deserve." more. I grew up facing the hunger, and Feliz, Adams was endorsed by Ferrer; and former Assembly Members "I am honored and moved that eviction and poverty that so many New District Leaders Maria Morillo, Manny Karim Camara and the late Aurelia Congressman Espaillat believes I am the Yorkers are facing now. Every day as de los Santos, Norma Campusano, Greene. THE INDIAN PANORAMA EDITORIAL FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 08 AS I SEE IT

SOME DEGREE OF SKEPTICISM OF THE What a proven coronavirus THEORY IS STILL VERY MUCH WARRANTED, BUT IF THE THEORY WERE SOMEHOW PROVEN, THERE WOULD BE A MASSIVE RECKONING lab leak theory would mean WHEN IT COMES TO JUST HOW MUCH THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY KNOWS WHAT IT'S DOING - AND HOW MUCH IT'S LETTING EXTERNAL FACTORS SUCH AS POLITICS CLOUD THE CERTAINTY OF ITS JUDGMENTS. BY AARON BLAKE have taken place, that certainly raises questions about just how much they were going on, beyond wishful he mainstream media is engaged in some very thinking and innuendo. warranted soul-searching when it comes to the This also has huge implications for two other players Tpossibility that the coronavirus leaked from a lab who are more relevant right now: President Biden and in Wuhan, China, rather than occurring naturally. the scientific community. Reporters often wrote about the theory dismissively, While such a revelation would surely reflect poorly on citing scientists who backed that up. There is still no China, it would also create some very difficult decisions real proof the theory is true, but scientists now regard for Biden. Sanctions would be fraught for economic it as increasingly plausible, as The Post's Glenn Kessler President Biden visits the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory at the reasons, but a proven lab leak theory would be virtually detailed this week. And the Biden administration says National Institutes of Health in Bethesda on Feb. 11 impossible to ignore. It would also create the challenge it's redoubling efforts to get to the truth. Photo / Courtesy Evan Vucci/AP of a potential worldwide response, a process that would But beyond media accountability, it's valid to ask: consume much of the administration's energy. What's really at stake here? If the theory were somehow convenient, which led to too much initial skepticism of Biden has very notably tried to talk tough about proved, what would it change, including for the U.S. the lab leak theory. Trump also, as I noted earlier this China, conspicuously raising it repeatedly as a very government, its top officials, including the current and week, engaged in plenty of conspiracy theorizing with capable and determined, autocratic competitor in his former presidents, and China? little or no evidence to back it up. When you combine speech to Congress last month. Imagine a situation in A big part of the appeal of the theory right now - that with what scientists were saying at the time, it was which China isn't just responsible for the launch of the beyond the chance to apply egg to the face of the easy - too easy, it turns out - to be overly dismissive of virus, but responsible for it through its own negligence popular boogeyman (particularly on the right) that is the lab leak theory. - or worse. Nearly 600,000 dead Americans would seem the media - lies in how intriguing it is. A deadly But is the increasing prominence of the lab leak to call for a much more serious response, and dealing worldwide pandemic originating from a lab accident - theory suddenly proving Trump right? He certainly with that situation would be a massive challenge for the or worse - is basically a Hollywood script. That it would says so and has plenty of backup from his allies. In a administration. involve a nefarious and powerful foreign government statement earlier this week, he claimed: "Now Perhaps the entity with the most at stake in all of that also happens to be communist is almost a bit too everybody is agreeing that I was right when I very early this, though, is the scientific community. The media over the top. on called Wuhan as the source of COVID-19, sometimes coverage of the lab leak theory was very skeptical in As for what it would mean for China's culpability? We referred to as the China Virus. To me it was obvious large part because the scientists who spoke to reporters already know the virus came from China and that the from the beginning, but I was badly criticized, as usual. expressed deep doubts. Many utterly dismissed the Chinese government has been anything but Now they are all saying, 'He was right.' Thank you!" idea, pointing to the genome sequence of the virus as transparent. This began on its watch, and its lack of The statement doesn't actually cite the lab leak theory essential proof that it wasn't something humans transparency cost the world valuable time in preparing - everyone agrees the virus launched in Wuhan - but contributed to. Among those who dismissed the lab leak for and combating the spread of the virus. Trump's meaning seems clear. As for whether he's theories early on was Anthony S. Fauci, the If the virus came from one of its labs, that would vindicated, that's far less clear. government's lead coronavirus expert. But he was mean China was even more negligent (at best) than For one, despite latching on to the lab leak theory in hardly alone. Voices validating the lab leak theory were previously known and that its coverup was even worse. late April 2020, Trump actually initially vouched for very few and far between around this time last year. It's possible that even the Chinese government might China and its coronavirus response, including its Some degree of skepticism of the theory is still very not truly know what happened. But regardless, it has transparency.This was despite other parts of his White much warranted, but if the theory were somehow balked at admitting outside scientists who might be House and his administration believing quite the proven, there would be a massive reckoning when it able to shed light on this and many other subjects. opposite. Trump's evolution on this particular issue comes to just how much the scientific community Some have wagered that if such a theory proves true, came at an entirely convenient time, when the virus knows what it's doing - and how much it's letting it might turn China into something of a pariah state, was emerging as a big liability for both his efforts to external factors such as politics cloud the certainty of given how angry other countries would be. There would reopen the economy and his 2020 reelection bid. its judgments. be calls for extensive sanctions, particularly from the Trump also spoke with much more certainty about And that reckoning would probably involve more United States. But much of the world, including this the issue than virtually anyone is professing even today. gusto from the conservative movement and others even country, relies upon trade with China, making such He said in late April that he had a "high degree of than the campaign to question the media. Scientists efforts fraught. confidence" that the virus came from a Wuhan lab, such as Fauci, after all, have been turned into totems of It would also raise questions about just how it leaked contradicting an on-the-record statement from his own all that is wrong with the scientific community guiding from the lab. We know scientists engage in sometimes- intelligence community which was more circumspect. public policy on things like coronavirus mitigation and controversial "gain of function" experiments on The same week, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo climate change. It would also have serious implications viruses, but the most severe theories go quite a bit said that "there's enormous evidence that [the Wuhan for what kind of research the United States chooses to further: They involve the idea that China was engaging lab] is where this began." fund and how much money would be sent to places like in even more dangerous conduct and possibly The problem is that evidence was never actually the Wuhan Institute of Virology, likely drawing many experimenting with a deliberate bioweapon. Proving produced, nor was the "high confidence" label applied who aren't currently so critical of the scientific such a thing would be even more difficult than proving elsewhere - even though Trump had every incentive to community into the fight. a lab leak, and there are many more reasons to doubt produce it and generally showed little compunction The most frustrating aspect of all this is that the the bioweapon theory than the lab leak theory. But it about making such information public. Even in the increasing focus on this theory doesn't necessarily would force some very tough conversations - and administration's final week, Pompeo's State increase the likelihood that we will ever know the truth. pressure - to determine just how it leaked from the lab Department released a report raising the lab leak as a At best, it's creating pressure to get to the truth and to and how negligent or potentially nefarious China's valid theory but not really leaning hard into it. create much-needed accountability for plenty of those actions were. It's possible the media was too dismissive of the lab involved (including those currently covering this The prospect of even greater Chinese culpability, of leak; it's also possible that Trump and Pompeo had story). At worst, it's fueling still-unproven theories that course, is a big reason this idea initially caught on in plenty of reasons to play this up beyond the evidence. might well be false but won't ever be disproven - and many parts of the American right. President Donald And they also had months to try to back up their thus will live on as a political football for years to come. Trump's and his party's efforts to shift blame away from statements and/or push for a fuller accounting. That (Aaron Blake is a Senior reporter with The Washington Post. their own response and toward China was politically never arrived. Given the full year during which it could Republished courtesy The Washington Post) THE INDIAN PANORAMA PERSPECTIVE FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 09 India in need of viable political alternative

"MERE MODI-BASHING WON'T LEAD TO HIS DEFEAT; THE PEOPLE LOOK FOR AN ALTERNATIVE BEFORE THEY CAN DISCARD WHAT THEY HAVE. AND LET US BY YOGENDRA YADAV FACE IT: SUCH AN ALTERNATIVE DOES NOT EXIST, AT LEAST NOT ON THE MENU “In the seven years since he THAT AN ORDINARY PERSON GETS TO SEE. OPPOSITION UNITY IS NECESSARY, took oath, Modi's BUT NOT SUFFICIENT. THE OPPOSITION government has never NEEDS A GLUE THAT HOLDS IT TOGETHER AND A GLOW TO RADIATE looked as shaky as it does HOPE AMONG THE PEOPLE. today. Its aura of power is THE CREATION OF SUCH A POSITIVE AND VIABLE ALTERNATIVE IS THE MOST melting. For Modi sceptics, PRESSING POLITICAL TASK FOR THOSE the botched-up handling of WHO BELIEVE IN THE IDEA OF INDIA, THOSE WHO RESPECT OUR the second wave of the Covid CONSTITUTIONAL VALUES, THOSE WHO pandemic - under-testing the DESPAIR AT THE EROSION OF Sign of the times: The protest over the farm laws hints at the need to look for a political DEMOCRACY, AND THOSE WHO ARE substitute to the present BJP-led dispensation. - Photo / Courtesy PTI patients and under-reporting COMMITTED TO RECLAIMING OUR the dead, lack of he appears. to underestimate the sheer power of REPUBLIC." The carefully designed image of the propaganda at the command of the preparedness, unavailability all-powerful PM is coming unstuck in the ruling establishment. Its spin-doctors message, we need credible messengers. political arena too. The anti-CAA are waiting for the storm to blow over Their words must carry more weight of oxygen, and vaccine protests showed that a small but before they launch the usual games of than run-of-the-mill politicians. The mismanagement - has determined group could stand up to this deflecting the blame, distracting the Opposition is deficient in this respect government. The farmers' movement has public and delaying the encounter with too. We do not have a Jayaprakash confirmed its callousness already demonstrated that this the public. They are waiting for an Narayan with us today.At the same time, bordering on cruelty. For government can be pushed on the back opportune moment to launch a vicious Indian public life is not bereft of leaders foot. West Bengal has called the bluff of attack on the challengers. Its stories with proven track record of selfless many die-hard Modi the electoral prowess of the PM and his would be amplified with the help of public service, integrity and intelligence. believers, the absence of the party. After seven years of untrammeled money, media and organizational Some of them must step forward to exercise of power, the Modi government machinery. One thing is for sure: Unlike respond to this historic need. government during this has to contend with a truth that troubles Dr Manmohan Singh, PM Modi will not Finally,we need a powerful machine to all authoritarian rulers: power corrodes, fade away without fighting to the finish, carry this message across the country. crucial period has punctured absolute power corrodes absolutely. without exhausting all the vast means at This machine needs two parts: the myth of omnipotence Momentarily, the Modi government his command, fair and foul. Organization and communication. resembles the second innings of the Let us be clear: Despite all his Today, there is nothing in the built around the Prime Manmohan Singh government, whose blunders, mere Modi-bashing won't lead oppositional space that can match the Minister. They have begun to countdown had begun in 2012. It might to his defeat; the people look for an BJP on both these counts. Many of the seem that the PM has lost his charm, that alternative before they can discard what Opposition parties have their cadre, no entertain a suspicion that the the government would collapse under they have. And let us face it: such an doubt. Therefore, bringing the existing PM is not quite in control of the weight of the mountain of lies that it alternative does not exist, at least not on Opposition parties on board is necessary has spun to cover up its misgovernance the menu that an ordinary person gets to for building an alternative. But it is not things, and not as powerful and misdeeds. The Opposition has to just see. This is not to discount the existing sufficient. A new alternative must wait and watch, and possibly unite. Opposition parties, nor to dismiss the involve a large-scale mobilization of as he appears." Here lies the danger. The danger is in need for their unity. Opposition unity is citizens, mainly younger citizens, who assuming that the Modi government's necessary, but not sufficient. The have hitherto remained outside the he black flag protest by the countdown has begun, in believing that Opposition needs a glue that holds it political domain. Bringing this fresh farmers' movement on the democracy's self-correcting mechanisms together and a glow to radiate hope energy into political life is a must to Toccasion of the seventh will control the excesses of this among the people. As of now, it doesn't meet the current challenge. A powerful anniversary of the government, that history will do the job seem to have either. This is why we need communication machine, with an IT government on Wednesday told us for us. an alternative to supplement the existing team to match the BJP's, must something about the need for political Nothing can be farther from the truth. Opposition. supplement the organization on the alternatives. It also offered a hint as to At this moment, we are liable to over- Such an alternative to Modi would ground. India needs a Truth Army to how such an alternative might come read popular anger with the Modi need, first of all, a positive and take on the troll army of RSS-BJP. about. government and under-estimate its believable message about India's future. The creation of such a positive and In the seven years since he took oath, reserve of popular support. There is Beyond a point, people do not want to viable alternative is the most pressing Modi's government has never looked as certainly widespread discontent, hear what has gone wrong in the past; political task for those who believe in the shaky as it does today. Its aura of power disappointment and disaffection with they want to know how things can get idea of India, those who respect our is melting. For Modi sceptics, the the Modi government today, but it need better in the future. This time it cannot constitutional values, those who despair botched-up handling of the second wave not result in its popular rejection. There be fake dreams and jumlas. Having fallen at the erosion of democracy, and those of the Covid pandemic - under-testing is a fairly large section that might back for it once, the people now need who are committed to reclaiming our the patients and under-reporting the the incumbent irrespective of its something solid, something believable. Republic. dead, lack of preparedness, governance record. For the rest, The message must be universal, simple Would someone respond to this call of unavailability of oxygen, and vaccine disappointment may not turn into and inspire confidence. That message our times? If yes, how would this process mismanagement - has confirmed its disgust that leads voters to throw out the does not exist in the public domain today. unfold? We do not have answers. But callousness bordering on cruelty. For incumbent at all costs. In any case, the It cannot be conjured up from the Wednesday's protest offers us a clue: the many die-hard Modi believers, the sight of all Opposition leaders holding ideologies of the 20th century. The farmers' movement took the lead, absence of the government during this hands together may not enthuse the language of the old ideologies of the followed by trade unions and other crucial period has punctured the myth of voters; it might only reinforce the bygone era does not work with today's organizations, before the political omnipotence built around the Prime impression of one man against a gang. India. A fresh message must involve a parties extended their support. Is that a Minister. They have begun to entertain a Besides, the Modi government is coming together of fresh ideas, a fresh model for the future? suspicion that the PM is not quite in bound to come up with a counter- combination of policies and positions. (The author is National president, Swaraj control of things, and not as powerful as offensive. At this moment, we are liable Once we have a positive and believable India) THE INDIAN PANORAMA OPINION FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 10 The Maharashtra Model makeshift hospitals sprung up across Maharashtra in that the patients did not require, and ICUs were falling less than a month. The first was at NSCI, Dome: a short. Some beds were being booked in advance by dearth of space for beds in an environment of ever- people not infected by Covid in the anticipation that one increasing patients led us to place beds here. This may need it. In the protocol of open/self-booking by BY AADITYA THACKERAY center, coupled with a couple of volunteer doctors, gave people, there was no clarity over the bed status and us a new prototype and then the BKC Centre came up patients occupied beds for longer than needed. It was with rapid speed. then that the BMC swung into action and mandated that The Jumbo Centre for Mumbai was initiated, as I no public or private hospital could allocate beds by remember, by MMRDA Commissioner RA Rajiv, on the themselves to pre-booked or walk-in patients. Even request of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on the today, the bed allocations in Mumbai are done only day that the first case in Pune was isolated. The Chief through the ward war room helplines, irrespective of Minister's logic was simple: looking at the inflow of who calls: a politician, a corporate executive or anyone international passengers into Mumbai, the cases else, we serve all equally and the best we can. wouldn't stop, we would have to learn from around the However, just like a bed cannot be allocated directly to world and prepare for more cases. anybody, no hospital can refuse a patient in an Each Jumbo Centre has a triage area, a concept emergency,and has to stabilize the patient immediately institutionalized by the Task Force for most private in their triage area. hospitals as well. This serves as the holding space for all There are also helplines that track the health of covid those patients who have Covid-like symptoms and are positive patients in isolation and home isolation every Mumbai lock down - Photo / courtesy PTI waiting for their reports from a lab. This is also where day and some helplines that monitor the health of those patients that come as emergencies can be kept passengers in institutional quarantine across Mumbai. he Mumbai Model has been praised by the overnight to stabilize before they are ascertained to be 4) Tests honorable Supreme Court and many more people either Covid positive or negative. Nobody can turn Tfor which we are grateful. But my message to all away a patient before stabilizing her/him. the citizens of Maharashtra, stay home, step out only if Jumbo Centers also have special areas to put on and need be, mask up, the battle isn't over. take off PPEs. Every frontline worker's safety is The praise is only a sign for us to be brave and fight paramount. Similarly, there are passages for patient harder, and that is our ethos! inflow and outflow as also escalation beds and step- As the first case of Covid hit Maharashtra in Pune, down beds for recovery. The wards are further divided around March 9 last year, a containment zone was into non-oxygenated beds (30%) and oxygenated beds immediately formed around the home of the index case (70%) as the first ward for primary treatment. An and the patient was traced, tested and isolated. At the escalation of the infection would lead a patient to either Vidhan Sabha we had just presented our first budget as an HDU or an ICU, depending on the severity of the the MVA government. I remember walking into the case. Most Jumbo Centers have labs to handle RT-PCR conference hall where Chief Minister Uddhav tests and to carry out blood work, making them self- Thackeray, Deputy Chief Minister (and Guardian sufficient. Minister of Pune) Ajit Pawar, and Revenue Minister Among the early and important experiments at the Balasaheb Thorat were on an emergency video call with Jumbo Centers was the introduction of oxygen A BMC health worker takes swab sample of a passenger for the administration of Pune. They were joined by a concentrators. This came about in my conversation COVID-19 test at a railway station in Mumbai group of senior ministers and bureaucrats. with the Deputy Mayor of London, Rajesh Agarwal, Photo / courtesy PTI Covid-19 was then too new to be fully comprehended. while seeking his opinion on ventilators and their There had been varying opinions of its strength against operations to handle Covid-19, in the last week of With the inflow of the first cases of Covid-19, there the Indian climatic conditions, our so called innate- March last year. We called for one the next week and it was still confusion over the type of tests and who immunity and other such misleading information. worked magic for us in Worli; then we straight away should do it and why. Initially, it was meant only for As Pune was being sealed, the conference ended, and pushed for more across the state. symptomatic cases with a doctor's prescription. In no we knew that these cases weren't the last we'd see of The Chief Minister's instructions to create Jumbo time, we realized that the tests had to be increased. In Covid in Maharashtra. There were many more. Centers turned out to be a boon as in no time we July 2020, RT-PCR tests were liberalized, and citizens Estimates ranged from 700 to mind-boggling figures. It increased from 400 isolation beds in Mumbai and Pune were urged to get themselves tested at the first sign of a was a pandemic as officially declared by the World together, to more than 4,50,000 beds across the state. symptom or upon being in close contact of a Covid Health Organisation. Along with Jumbo Centers across Maharashtra, we positive patient. No prescriptions or self-declarations We are very far from declaring any victory in this now have thousands of private nursing homes, and were needed for RT-PCR tests. battle; we are still braving the second wave; we are halls and schools manned and run by private Private labs sprung up and the tests kept increasing preparing for the possibility of a third wave. Such organizations, with bed capacity from 10 to 150 in day by day, so did cases. Doctors in local clinics and battles respect no declaration of any win, only various localities. Covid treatment at government and mobile clinics also started temperature checks and tests preparation, pro-activeness and continuous civic/local self-government hospitals and Jumbo for other symptoms. The members of the cabinet give improvement. Centers has been free from Day One. And the importance to testing, transparent reporting and administration has taken precautions to ensure accountability in our data points, as this isn't a game of Here, I enlist some measures medicines are procured and available to patients at the perception management. It is about pandemic undertaken by the Government of right time. management. Clean data helps us to have computed 3) Ward helplines and hospitals models and lets data analysts predict the next peak/fall Maharashtra against Covid-19. and our response to it. One of the most successful models is that of the 5) Contact Tracing and Quarantine 1) The Medical Task Force Mumbai ward helplines. At a certain time in Mumbai, we had a few people in the central command center test This was one of the most effective mechanisms used The first thing Chief Minister Thackeray put positive and in isolation, which caused a mini collapse early, however, it is largely possible only in a hard together was a medical task force consisting of 11 in the system for a few hours. So evolved the protocol in lockdown. For every Covid case, the administration doctors. They interact and problem-solve with many Mumbai to decentralize ward war rooms in early June traced almost 20 high-risk contacts that may have come others within Maharashtra and around the world, guide 2020. Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal in contact with the case in the past seven days. It was the state's policy on the medical response to Covid-19. decided to distribute the workload of a central helpline natural for many of them to turn positive. Today, many The administration swears by the advice of the Task to each ward war room. homes, buildings are sealed for quarantine measures Force and all administrative decisions pertaining to Each war room is managed by adequate staff with the for the safety of all when a Covid positive case is found. Covid-19, especially those taken during the peak, are ability to address people's concerns, calm them done, Even today,testing and quarantining is considered to be based on it. The Task Force meets once a week, but is convey bed allocation or escalate any emergency. These the single-highest priority for the state, including for available to every doctor and administrator 24/7. war rooms have helped us avoid chaos and collapse, and international passengers quarantined at various hotels 2) Jumbo Centers and Triage Areas an active bed dashboard of their ward, and across across Mumbai. Mumbai, have been very useful. COTND ON PAGE 36 In what came to be known as "Jumbo Centers", We saw that hospitals were getting booked for beds THE INDIAN PANORAMA OPINION FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 11 ‘Hansel and Gretel breadcrumbs for the Intel Investigation on Covid Origins’

identified more than Spike mutations were getting more lethal, sight and still invisible. There is Glycoprotein (s) as the transplanted not harmless as normal viruses do. absolutely zero evidence of any "master key" to get past our immune This was more evidence of its clear zoonotic transmission - from animal system as a Trojan Horse; I also origin of being created in the Wuhan to human - despite the forceful identified that the protein string of Lab doing biowarfare gain-of-function attempts by the WHO, China and even BY RAVI BATRA the earlier virus - including Patient research. This forced me to abandon some of our own compromised Zero who was admitted on December the simple principles of tort law and scientists, who get federal tax dollars Applaud POTUS Biden - now a 1, 2019, at the Wuhan Hospital - from crime and punishment as I foresee an to play the Devil and create Bipartisan Investigation. the Fall of 2019 was different than the out-of-control biowarfare agent self- uncontrollable biowarfare agents, to cover-up virus released at the Wuhan perpetuating and become more lethal mislead us all into believing Mother "I heartily welcome and celebrate Wet Market on or about December 30, and vaccine-proof. So, my third and Nature did it. She didn't. Bats biting President Biden's command to our 2019. President Trump launched his last Covid19 Open Letter of May 6, humans don't as a result transfer intelligence community to investigate preliminary investigation the next 2021, to PM Modi was to urge him to their Spike Glycoprotein to humans. the origin of Covid19. Roots are day on April 15, 2020. My thoughts embrace China's President Xi and get This was done by using our Crispr important not only to Alex Haley, but were of us being Pearl Harbored by him to join in a Desmond Tutu's gene-editing technology. Even to biochemists and epidemiologists this Virus many times over. Truth and Reconciliation Charles Darwin's evolution bars such the world over to understand the Open Letter No. 2 to President Commission paradigm to get the corrupt pandering by compromised nooks and crannies of this pandemic Covid19-origin's whole truth, the raw scientists to policymakers who know virus so as to more perfectly Biden. truth, the actual truth, so humanity not what they are being told. Mumbo vaccinate against it and to ultimately On April 13, 2021, the one-year may survive. Otherwise, President Xi jumbo is being sold by corrupt disarm it. This is a deadly Virus- anniversary, I wrote my second Open who wants to rejuvenate the Ming scientists. ICBM, and a crime against humanity. Letter to President Joe Biden. By this Dynasty's Tribute System and Hope Humans Live Open Letter No. 1 to President time, I knew that Sweden had dominate the world would merely experienced Covid19 cases in the Fall inherit the wind with no one to Covid19 is lab created. We need to Trump. of 2019 - well before Patient Zero was dominate. disarm it. Humanity's future may A little more than a year ago, admitted in Wuhan Hospital. And Edgar Allen Poe to assist DNI Avril depend on it. Let greed take a brief unaware how Covid19 would ravage given the vaccines everyone was Haines bypass Compromised holiday and give safe passage to the humanity across the globe, as a taking, to know the genome of all Scientists, and how our Crispr gene- whole raw truth of this Frankenstein lawyer seeking justice I thought only virus variants was critical to public editing technology was used in that has exceeded its designed in terms of crime and punishment health. Wuhan to create Covid19 biowarfare lethality. I trust President Xi will and wrote my first of three Open Open Letter No. 3 to P. M. Modi - agents. embrace the TRC paradigm to restore Letters to then-president Trump on Finally, I have the highest respect CCP's China's more-loved status April 14, 2020, via Deputy National Embrace President Xi and for our Intel community, especially globally." Security Advisor Matt Pottinger and Desmond Tutu's TRC. Director of National Intelligence (The author is an eminent attorney. included therein my science I had Then Covid19 made a reappearance Avril Haines, to ferret out the truth. Twitter @ravibatra) identified to crack this case and in India as a double mutation-variant But, here, we have an Edgar Allen determine that it was a lab-created and killed people as a lawn mower Poe problem well documented in the Frankenstein of a virus. Indeed, I cuts grass: effortlessly. The "Purloined Letter" - hiding in plain

OPEN LETTER A Summer of Renewal for our Students

boroughs. Summer Rising, and those supports will be provided as After all the trauma and disruptions caused by the needed. pandemic over the past 15 months, our children need a In addition, Summer Rising is a chance for high BY NEW YORK CITY SCHOOLS chance to reboot their education in fun and supportive school students to complete courses in progress, make CHANCELLOR MEISHA PORTER ways as we approach the full reopening of our schools up credits to march towards graduation, and in September. It is time to begin regaining what the participate in academic acceleration opportunities. his year has demanded that all New York City pandemic took away. Summer Rising is an opportunity They will also be able to engage in important work families and students do so many things to do just that, creating spaces for students to learn, experience and internship opportunities, like the Tdifferently-they've had to think differently, learn grow, play, and explore the City around them - from Summer Youth Employment Program. differently, and connect differently with teachers, field trips to Central Park and museums to dance and As always, health and safety remain a top priority. peers, and the whole school community. At the art classes. Summer Rising will follow the rigorous health Department of Education, we know we also have to Summer Rising will also provide an enormous relief protocols that succeeded in keeping our schools among think differently as we look towards the summer. For to families by keeping children safe, supported, and the safest places in the city this school year. To support the first time ever, we are inviting all students to join productive this summer. After enduring months when these efforts, parents will need to complete a testing us for a free, fun-filled, enriching summer program: so many of our students were isolated from their consent form for their child so we can keep everyone Summer Rising. teachers and peers, the opportunity to rebuild those healthy and safe! This year, we will serve any student in grades K-12 in face-to-face relationships will do so much to support Summer Rising will be the start of revitalizing the July and August who wants to participate, and I am their healing process and prepare them for returning powerful joy of learning together as we head toward a excited to be partnered with the Department of Youth to school in the fall. strong reopening of our schools and warm & Community Development to reimagine what All K-8 students participating in programs will have homecoming for our students in the fall. I strongly urge summer can be. Our children's days will be filled with access to academic classes and enrichment the families of every child who can join us over the innovative academic support, social-emotional programming, including field trips, arts activities and summer to sign up now. learning, and engaging enrichment activities. These outdoor recreation. Students will also engage in daily To learn more about the options available for your programs will be designed by school teams in community building and social emotional learning child or to sign up, go to nyc.gov/summerrising. All partnership with local community-based organizations activities. We know some students with disabilities programs are free, in-person, and have something to and offered in hundreds of sites across all five may require additional supports to participate in offer for everyone. THE INDIAN PANORAMA US FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 12 A STORY CELEBRATING MENTAL HEALTH MONTH Indian Americans Founded "Pure Hearts of Georgia" is a support group for families with special needs children ATLANTA, GA, (TIP): Anandhi all our families and other audiences Jambunathan watched with much joy as were in tears to see our kids performing her firstborn Krishiv met his first-year on stage." milestones such crawling, walking, and "Acceptance continues to be a major smiling at people. But around 17 months, issue - first within the family and then in Anandhi noticed that Krishiv the community," ruminates Anandhi, maintained minimal eye contact and adding that expectation of a successful kept distancing himself from his parents career poses a huge challenge and even and cried at the sight of friends and impacts opportunities made available to neighbors. Based in California at the the child to interact with the community. time, her plans to engage Krishiv at her Having met a lot of families who are sister's engagement in India did not help. willing to help, awareness, she notes is When Anandhi noticed that Krishiv also an issue. Saving significant one for got more distant, spinning wheels of a the last, Anandhi observes, "Having an toy car for hours, she began a web engaging meaningful life, not being search. That was the first time she came isolated - having some friends and across the word "Autism". Most of the getting included in the community. After symptoms mentioned in the article all, our children look for the same thing matched Krishiv's behavior. all of us look forward to - INCLUSION :"Pure Hearts of Georgia" was cofounded by Anandhi Jambunathan, with her best friends Chelvi Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a Sivalingam and Annapoorna Kudikamaldi. and LOVE." developmental condition that affects a "From being a mother who was looking person's ability to socialize and "The first battle we faced was parents of special needs kids to mingle for support to being a pillar of support to communicate with others. People with accepting the situation and getting out of with and share their stressful and typical those who need, Anandhi has always ASD can also present with restricted denial," says Anandhi. Challenges were days and sometimes find humor, even. remained positive," compliments friend and/or repetitive patterns of behavior, many and from various avenues. "Why "Having a group helps to share ideas, Sunita Nadella. interests, or activities. The term did you get a diagnosis?" "He doesn't need suggestions and information about Anandhi shares some of her "spectrum" refers to the degree in which one." "He will speak soon; my brother's teachers, schools, therapies, approaches experiences that have helped with the symptoms, behaviors and severity child spoke late." "Maybe you shouldn't etc.," she adds. Krishiv. Dance, she notes did not come vary within and between individuals. have eaten bananas during your With larger numbers, Anandhi naturally due to motor coordination. Based on CDC surveillance, an average pregnancy," Such "Helpful" suggestions realized a formal organization could be Introducing small steps and starting of 1 in every 59 8-year-old children in the and curious questions only alleviated the more impactful in helping these kids. with a 2-minute dance, the tenacious U.S. have ASD. Boys are four times more family's distress. Some even referred Acting upon her instincts, Anandhi, with mother had him perform Karagaatam, a likely than girls to develop symptoms of them to priests thinking Krishiv was her best friends Chelvi Sivalingam and folk dance from Tamil Nadu that ASD. possessed and needed exorcism! The Annapoorna Kudikamaldi co-founded requires a vessel with decorations to be 1 in 5 people will experience mental Jambunathans were left with no choice Pure Hearts of Georgia. balanced on the head while dancing, illness over the course of their lifetimes. but to keep away from such insanity. But "Our main goal is to spread awareness after yearlong practice. Exercise, May, Mental Health Awareness Month is it also isolated them socially. and acceptance of such individuals in Anandhi believes is key regulating mind a time to raise awareness of those living As Krishiv turned three, his dad's job the community," says Anandhi, adding and body and helps improve focus. with mental or behavioral health issues brought them to Georgia. Anandhi they also plan on training them with Krishiv is now able to work out for close and to help reduce the stigma, provide joined a Yahoo support group for special certain skills and provide a platform to to 2 hours with an instructor, enjoys support, educate the public and advocate needs parents based out of north Fulton showcase and opportunities to progress. biking and skateboarding, tennis, table for policies that support people with and found Indian names and sent them a "We also have been serving as a bridge tennis, basketball and baseball. While he mental illness and their families. personal email requesting information. between typical volunteers who want to may not completely comprehend the Mental Health Month was established Having personally met Indian families help us and our special families." rules, Anandhi is happy he knows how to in 1949 to increase awareness of the with special needs kids, Anandhi Various activities for the kids include use the bat and the ball. Her weekly zoom importance of mental health and initiated one of her own, Georgia Indian yoga during weekends, exercise sessions exercises are quite popular with the kids, wellness in Americans' lives, and to Special needs Support Group, in which 3 days a week, music therapy, creative as one parent, Harini Senapathy celebrate recovery from mental illness. they shared information, references, fun, and Bollywood dance, among others. commented, "Pure Hearts of Georgia has On April 30, 2021, the Biden opinions and held get togethers. With the Most activities currently being digital, been a true blessing that it has given me administration released "A advent of technology, the group moved Anandhi says volunteers make activity lot of friends including Anandhi. Having Proclamation on National Mental Health over to WhatsApp. A modest beginning of folders for the kids as part of their a group that understands what you are Awareness Month," recognizing May as five families has now enrolled over summer or scout projects. For in person going through without being judgmental National Mental Health Awareness hundred families and counting. Apart activities, they have parents of the kids is a luxury and I am really lucky to be Month. In addition, 32 states, including from digital interactions, Anandhi and along with volunteers. They usually part of such a group. I have been able to Georgia have released similar her husband have been hosting regular explain to the volunteers about ways of get my son to exercise with me, which is proclamations, recognizing May as lunch / dinner gatherings for the past 10 working with the kids. While most kids really huge!" Mental Health Awareness Month years for parents with a recent diagnosis are on the autism spectrum, they do have Anandhi also draws attention to statewide. and have a few of the existing parents, kids with challenges such as Cerebral Special needs Will & Trust, which she "He looks normal," the psychologist in "creating a welcoming network for the Palsy and Downs syndrome in the group. believes needs 3-4 families or individuals India had told Krishiv's parents. new parents", as Anandhi puts it. They "We here at Paramount Software who can take care of the child after you. Anandhi however made an appointment also hold P2P seminars and discussion strongly support Pure Hearts of Georgia. Underlining on the need to do it earlier with the pediatrician who referred her to groups for the parents. Anandhi It is one of its kind organization that not than waiting till child turns 16, she a neurologist and a regional center discovered a private school and more only supports kids who have different stresses the need for the child to be where Krishiv was diagnosed with therapies for Krishiv through many needs but also guide, enrich and provide comfortable with them. "Few of us have severe autism. sources and kept continuing his a strong support system to their become tight knit support to a point, Life, as they knew it, had changed for interventions. respective families," said donor and where we have written these friends as the Jambunathan family. Embarking on "Imagine talking about bed wetting supporter, Pratima Sajja. guardians in our will for Krishiv." the rugged terrain of uncertainties and issues of 11-year-old or self-help skills of Anandhi's efforts to showcase the kids' Cracking a myth around autistic kids denial, the family forged ahead with 14-year-old or sensory issues of kids with talents bore fruition with the Dream that they are extremely talented in one countless therapies and interventions. anyone outside the special needs group," Show 2019, which featured a total of 54 area and parents need to discover it, Therapies such as ABA, speech and OT says Anandhi, highlighting the kids who took to stage to perform dance, Anandhi says that is hardly the truth. brought about significant difference in challenges of interacting with parents of music, and fashion shows. "This was the his awareness and understanding. neuro-typical children and necessity for most rewarding moment for us was when CONTD ON PAGE 36 THE INDIAN PANORAMA US FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 13 Senate Republicans block Jan. 6 commission in victory for Trump

WASHINGTON (TIP): Senate Republicans blocked spurred a far-right mob to storm the Capitol on Jan. 6. legislation Friday, May 28, that would have launched a "What are you afraid of ? The truth? Are you afraid 9/11-style commission on the Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Donald Trump's big lie will be dispelled? Are you afraid Capitol, affirming they want to turn the page on the that all of the misinformation that has poured out will dark chapter in American history despite pleas for be rebutted by a bipartisan, down-the-middle action from family members of a police officer killed in commission?" Schumer said on Senate floor before the the riot, a Daily News report, May 28 said. vote. "This is about a democracy.This is about the future The bill, which passed the House earlier this month of our democracy.The big lie has eroded that democracy, with unusually broad bipartisan support, was derailed and we must do everything we can to rebut it." Pro-Trump protesters gather in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. - File photo in a 54-35 procedural vote that would have cleared the Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, Schumer's way for the Senate to begin debate on the measure. Republican counterpart, pushed his members to block To ensure its bipartisan nature, Thompson agreed to Even though a majority of senators voted for the bill - the bill because he claimed Democrats would use the let the commission's subpoena power be shared between including six Republicans - the chamber's filibuster rule commission to trash talk his party ahead of the 2022 the parties, which is unusual. requires that most legislation receive the support of at midterm elections. Family members of Brian Sicknick, the U.S. Capitol least 60 members to succeed. The failed Jan. 6 Despite McConnell's criticism, the commission would Police officer who died after being attacked by Trump commission vote marks the first GOP filibuster of Joe have consisted of 10 members, evenly appointed by both supporters on Jan. 6, pleaded with McConnell and his Biden's presidency and is certain to ignite a debate over parties, with the stated goal of making sure a tragedy caucus this week to reconsider, even meeting with the need to abolish or reform the arcane rule. like Jan. 6 could never happen again. several Republican senators on Thursday, May 27. New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Senate's The now-blocked bill was the product of bipartisan "It's very disturbing that anyone would not want to Democratic majority leader, charged that the negotiations in the House between New York Rep. John support this. Why would they not want to get to the bottom commission quashing makes the Republicans complicit Katko and Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, of such horrific violence?" Sandra Garza, Sicknick's in former President Donald Trump's false insistence respectively the top Republican and Democrat on the partner, told reporters in between meetings Thursday. that Biden's election was illegitimate - the same lie that House Homeland Security Committee. "Just boggles my mind." (Source: Daily News) AAPI and Heartfulness Institute collaborate with Medicover to launch Virtual Covid Education Series for medical professionals, caregivers, and COVID volunteers CHICAGO (TIP): Continuing its SCHEDULE OF VIRTUAL EDUCATION SERIES: initiatives under COVID-19 care, Date Topic Speaker American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) and Heartfulness 26th May 2021 Steroids in Covid: Using Without Abuse Wellness team invites all healthcare and Dr. Nanda Kishore, Consultant - medical professionals, caregivers, and Critical Care, Medicover covid care volunteers across the world for Hospitals a series of webinars titled, "Virtual Covid 29th May 2021 Immunomodulators Dr Shrikanth Sahasrabudhe Education Series". These virtual sessions in COVID: Where are Director and HOD - Pulmonology can be accessed without any fee at we now? and Critical Care, Medicover multiple locations, Board Certified https://hfn.link/covideducation. The Hospital, Aurangabad Psychiatrist with additional education series is presented in 2nd June 2021 Role of Antivirals / qualifications in Addiction, Forensic and collaboration with Medicover Hospitals Antibiotics in COVID Dr. Rahul Agrawal, Sr. Consultant Geriatric Psychiatry Past Clinical and the American Association of General Physician and Assistant professor, University of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI). The Diabetologist, Medicover Pittsburgh and West Virginia University sessions will be conducted by specialist Hospitals and Past President of ATMGUSA & doctors from India and the US with 5th June 2021 Anti-thrombotic in Dr. M S Mukherjee, Sr. RMCANA are the moderators for these several years of experience in hospitals COVID: What evidence Consultant Interventional sessions. of international repute. The sessions will says? Cardiologist, Medicover Hospitals Heartfulness, is a Raja Yoga system of be broadcast over Heartfulness Wellness 9th June 2021 Oxygen Therapy in To be finalized meditation, which is also known as 'Sahaj YouTube channel at COVID: Using by Marg', or the 'Natural Path'. It originated http://hfn.link/covideducation at 6pm Preserving at the turn of the twentieth century and IST as per the schedule given here. 12th June 2021 Stem Cells and Other Dr. Ganshyam M Jagathkar, was formalized with the founding of the This virtual education series New Therapies in Director Critical Care, Shri Ram Chandra Mission in 1945 in commences on Wednesday 26th May 2021. COVID Medicover Hospitals India. With several million practitioners The first topic in the series is, Steroids in 16th June 2021 Epidemic following To be Finalized worldwide, Heartfulness meditation is a Covid: Using Without Abuse by Dr.Nanda pandemic: set of practices for self-development that Kishore, Consultant - Critical Care, Mucormycosis Dr. Jayaram Thimmapuram help us find inner calm and stillness in Medicover Hospitals. 19th June 2021 Stress management for MD, MRCP, Internal Medicine our fast-paced world. The easily adopted The topic will delve into critical points health care professionals Wellspan York Hospital practices are appropriate for people from including, the phase of illness when using Heartfulness all walks of life, cultures, religious steroids are initiated, the types of meditation beliefs and economic status, over the age steroids, form, dosage, duration, time of of fifteen. Ongoing Heartfulness steroid initiation, the effective use of a Dr. Manish Bharti, Consultant and Sr. Consultant Interventional meditation training can be found at combination of steroids and Intensivist Incharge, Prince Sultan Cardiologist, Director - CTO & Complex thousands of schools and colleges, and immunomodulators and also minimizing Cardiac and Research Centre, Kingdom PCI Director - TAVR and Structural Heart over 100,000 professionals are meditating the side effects. of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Jose Chacko, Disease, Dr. Ganshyam M Jagathkar, in corporations, non-governmental and The eminent international panel of Consultant Intensivist, Narayana Director Critical Care, Medicover government bodies worldwide. More than experts from various parts of the worlds Hrudayalaya, Dr. Chanra Sekhar Koneru, Hospitals, Dr. Ravi Kolli, MD, President 5000 Heartfulness Centers, known as for the session include Dr. Jayaram MD Internal Medicine, Athens, Alabama, elect AAPI, Psychiatric Medical Director HeartSpots, are supported by many Thimmapuram, MD, MRCP, Internal USA. - SPHS, Director of a OP MH/DA thousands of certified volunteer trainers Medicine, Wellspan York Hospital, USA, Dr. Sharath Reddy, Executive Director, PROGRAM covering 60,000 patients in in 160 countries. THE INDIAN PANORAMA INDIA FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 14 Revive MPLAD States responsible for vaccine 7 non-BJP-ruled shortfall, claims govt, but states seek scheme in its GST loss true spirit and silent on delay in procurement compensation NEW DELHI (TIP): India's top Covid-19 NEW DELHI (TIP): Seven release funds, adviser Dr. V.K. Paul has said the states had States ruled by the Congress coerced the Centre into expanding the and other Opposition parties availability of vaccines despite being aware have demanded that the Centre Om Birla urged of being inadequately prepared. The Centre compensate tax losses to the NEW DELHI (TIP): Congress leader has been facing heavy flak lately for falling States under the provisions of in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan vaccination rates - primarily caused by the Central Goods and Services Chowdhury on Thursday, May 27, vaccine shortage - when the need of the hour Tax (GST) Act at the earliest wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is rapid vaccination of the populations at and enhance the additional to restart the Member of Parliament risk. borrowing limit to 5% of the Local Area Development (MPLAD) Dr. Paul, Chairman, National Empowered Gross State Domestic Product. scheme and make MPLAD funds Group on Vaccine Administration, in a press The Finance Ministers of available to MPs. statement on Thursday, May 27, said that non-BJP-ruled States raised the Chowdhury said it is critical to have vaccine supply, which was managed by the demands at a virtual meeting access to MPLAD funds because of the Centre from January-April, was "well hosted by Rajasthan Urban second wave of Covid-19 and the administered" but wasn't up to the mark in Development and Housing devastation caused by the cyclonic May. Minister Shanti Dhariwal storm Yaas that made its landfall in The Centre did all the "heavy-lifting", ahead of the GST Council's Odisha and impacted neighboring which included funding vaccine meeting scheduled for May 28. Bengal. manufacturers, accelerating approvals, The States also sought waiving The MP from Bengal said the funds ramping up production and bringing foreign of all taxes on the goods are the "only way" by which "the vaccines to India. purchased for fighting the Members of Parliament can truly come A municipal staff administering Covid Covid-19 pandemic. to the aid of their constituents in their vaccination at Selaiyur in Tambaram on Dhariwal, who represents the hour of grief and extreme need". Wednesday, May 26, during the complete Rajasthan government in the "While the second wave of the lockdown. GST Council, said on Thursday pandemic has brought unimaginable "The vaccine procured by the Centre is that the Finance Ministers of miseries, the people of Odisha and supplied wholly to the States for free policy was a result of the incessant requests all States would "remain West Bengal are on the verge of facing administration to people. All this is very being made by the States to give states more united" on these issues and the devastating affects of Yaas. The much in the knowledge of the States. The power. raise them effectively before critical impact the cyclonic storm Government of India has merely enabled the The fact that global tenders have not given Union Finance Minister would have on the intensity of the States to try procuring vaccines on their any results only reaffirm what we have been Nirmala Sitharaman at the pandemic in West Bengal and Odisha own, on their explicit requests. The States telling the States from day one: that vaccines GST Council's meeting. in particular remains to be seen in the very well knew the production capacity in are in short supply in the world and it is not coming days. There is a distinct the country and what the difficulties are in easy to procure them at short notice," the possibility of a significant increase in procuring vaccines directly from abroad," note said. the Covid-19 infection rate in the said his note, which was released by the PIB The note, however, had no answer to the region in the coming days," (Press Information Bureau)in the form of a question, raised by many critics of its Chowdhury wrote. 'Myths Vs Facts' questionnaire. vaccination policy, as to why it delayed He said the funds should be made "States, who had not even achieved good placing vaccine orders till January 2021, available without any restrictions so coverage of healthcare workers and when so many other countries had placed that the "amounts are rightly frontline workers in three months wanted to procurement orders by mid-2020 itself. Also, channeled to address the health care open up the process of vaccination and there was no response as to why no foreign needs of the people in these uncertain wanted more decentralization. Health is a vaccines were given emergency use and extremely sad times". state subject and the liberalized vaccine authorization in India until well into 2021.

TARUN TEJPAL CASE Bajaj Healthcare launches drug to treat black fungus infection in HC directs sessions court to remove COVID-19 patients

NEW DELHI (TIP): Bajaj Healthcare on Friday, anything that reveals identity of woman May 28, launched Posaconazole API, used in treating Mucormycosis (black fungus) infection in COVID-19 MUMBAI (TIP): Referring to the disclosure of identity of victim, the patients. Goa court judgment acquitting sessions court is directed to redact the The company has received approval from FDA journalist Tarun Tejpal, the Bombay email ID of the prosecutrix (victim), (Food and Drugs Administration) Gandhi Nagar, High Court on Thursday, May 27, her husband and mother's name." (India), to manufacture and market directed the sessions court judge to The court said it would adjourn the Posaconazole API as approved medication for redact the email ID of the survivor matter to be heard once vacation was treating Mucormycosis in India, Bajaj Healthcare and the name of her husband and over and regular court started on said in a regulatory filing. mother from the judgment before June 7. Mehta, however, requested the Bajaj Healthcare said it will commence its uploading it on the court website. court to hear the matter before that commercial production from the first week of June Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and said, "The system expects 2021. Posaconazole is a triazole antifungal agent appeared before a single Bench of May 25. He pointed out the sensitivity over jurisprudence. We indicated for treating Mucormycosis patients. More justice S.C. Gupte through paragraphs in which the email ID of owe it to our girls." The court agreed than 11,000 cases of black fungal infection have been videoconferencing and said the the survivor, the names of her and posted the matter to be heard on reported from different parts, forcing state judgment in the case of sexual assault partner, now husband, and her June 2. governments to declare it an epidemic. and rape was to be pronounced on mother had been revealed. On May 21, special judge Kshama Anil Jain, Joint Managing Director, Bajaj May 19 which got postponed to May 21 He, therefore, urged the High Court Joshi at the Mapusa District and Healthcare said we hope the availability of an when it was only revealed that Tejpal to pass a direction to the sessions Sessions Court, Goa, acquitted Tejpal effective treatment such as Posaconazole will was acquitted. court to delete all the details that may from all charges of rape by a person in considerably ease the pressure and offer patients The State of Goa immediately filed reveal the identity of the survivor position of control, rape by a person much-needed and timely therapy option. for an appeal before the High Court before uploading the judgment on the in position of authority, assault with The company said FDA Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat challenging the acquittal. He went on court website. the intent of outraging modesty, (India) has granted permission to manufacture and to say that the physical copy of the In its order, the HC said, assault with intent to disrobe and market the Posaconazole API in the domestic as well judgment was made available only on "considering the law against sexual harassment. as overseas market. Source: PTI THE INDIAN PANORAMA INDIA FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 15 Concerned by ‘intimidation tactics’, threat to free speech of its users: Twitter

BENGALURU (TIP): Micro-blogging platform Twitter not cooperating, say Delhi Police Twitter on May 27 said it planned to advocate changes Responding to Twitter's statement, the Delhi Police in core elements of India's new IT Rules that inhibit on Thursday said the micro-blogging website is neither free and open public conversation, while also police nor judiciary and that it was refusing to expressing concern over "intimidation tactics" used by cooperate with the law enforcement agency. "Twitter the Delhi Police against it recently in the 'Congress Inc. is purporting to be both an investigating authority toolkit' case. as well as an adjudicating judicial authority. It has no A spokesperson said that Twitter was at present legal sanction to be either. The only legal entity, so concerned by recent events regarding its employees in empowered by the duly laid down law, to investigate is India and the potential threat to freedom of expression the police and to adjudicate is the Courts," Delhi Police for its users. spokesperson said. "We, alongside many in civil society in India and Terming the statement issued by Twitter around the world, have concerns with regards to the use "mendacious", the police said Twitter was trying to of intimidation tactics by the police in response to "adjudicate the truth". The Delhi Police said the website enforcement of our global Terms of Service, as well as claims to have material information basis "which it not with core elements of the new IT Rules," the company only 'investigated' but arrived at a 'conclusion'" and it spokesperson added. must share that information with the law enforcement According to Twitter, it is particularly concerned agency. "There should not be any confusion about this about the requirement to make an individual (the grievance redressal channel available here under the logical course," the spokesperson said. compliance officer) criminally liable for content on the new Rules," it said. The Delhi Police called Twitter's conduct platform, the requirements for proactive monitoring, As per Twitter, it was recently served with a non- "obfuscatory, diversionary and tendentious", adding and the blanket authority to seek information about its compliance notice and has withheld a portion of the that "there is one simple thing to do which Twitter customers. It believes this represents dangerous content identified in the blocking order under its refuses to do. That is, cooperate with the law overreach that is inconsistent with open and 'Country Withheld Content' policy. Twitter maintains enforcement and reveal to the legal authority the democratic principles. that the escalated content constitutes legitimate free information it has". The company has also said that the Ministry of speech. However, it has been compelled to withhold in According to police, they have registered a Electronic and IT should publish the Standard response to a non-compliance notice due to the law's preliminary inquiry based on a complaint by the Operating Protocols on procedural aspects of limited scope under Section 69A, which gives limited representative of the . "Hence, compliance for public consultation. "We also would like room to an intermediary to defend the content. Not the efforts by Twitter Inc. that portray that this as an to reaffirm that Twitter continues to accept grievances doing so poses penal consequences with many risks for FIR filed at the behest of the Government of India is from users and law enforcement via our existing Twitter employees. wholly and completely incorrect," the statement read. Govt orders continuation of Withdraw new rules in Covid guidelines till June-end NEW DELHI (TIP): The Centre on Thursday, May 27, directed , Rahul urges PM states and union territories to continue NEW DELHI (TIP): Former Congress the ongoing Covid-19 president Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime guidelines till June 30 Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to and asked them to go intervene and withdraw the new orders and for intensive and local regulations introduced by Lakshadweep containment Administrator Praful Khoda Patel. measures in districts In the letter, written on Wednesday and with a high number of released by the Congress on Thursday, Gandhi cases to check the alleged that the new regulations and orders spread of the deadly threaten the heritage of the archipelago. disease. "Lakshadweep's pristine natural beauty and In a fresh order, its unique confluence of cultures have drawn Union Home Secretary people for generations. The custodians of its Ajay Bhalla said strict heritage seek to safeguard the archipelago for Regulation, the Lakshadweep Animals implementation of posterity. However, their future is threatened by Preservation Regulation, and lifting of containment and the anti-people policies announced by the restrictions on sale of alcohol are a deliberate other measures has led to a declining trend in the number of new and administrator of Lakshadweep, Shri. Praful assault on the cultural and religious fabric of active cases, across states and union territories, barring some areas Khoda Patel," he wrote. the local community.The attempt to cut ties with in the southern and northeastern regions. The Congress leader said the Administrator Beypore port strikes at the close historical and “I would like to highlight that in spite of the declining trend, the had unilaterally proposed sweeping changes cultural ties with ," added Gandhi who is number of active cases presently is still very high. It is, therefore, without consulting elected representatives or a Lok Sabha member from Kerala. important that containment measures may continue to be the people of Lakshadweep who were protesting The Congress leader also said that the implemented strictly. against 'arbitrary' actions. administration demolished structures used by “Any relaxation by states and UTs, may be considered at an "The administrator's attempt to undermine the fisher folk, fired contractual workers in appropriate time, in a graded manner, after assessing the local ecological sanctity of the island is evident in the various government departments, and "relaxed situation, requirements and resources,” Bhalla said in his order draft Lakshadweep Development Authority quarantine norms", causing a spike in Covid-19 issued to chief secretaries of the states and union territories. Regulation issued recently. The provisions cases. He said the guidelines issued on April 29 for the month of May will undermine safeguards pertaining to land Arguing that "draconian" regulations had continue till June 30. ownership, dilute environmental regulations for been brought in to penalise dissent and According to the guidelines, the home ministry told the states to certain activities, and severely limit legal undermine grassroots democracy in the guise of take necessary action to ensure sufficient oxygen-supported beds, recourse available to affected persons. development and maintaining law and order, ICU beds, ventilators, ambulances, including creation of makeshift Livelihood security and sustainable Gandhi's letter to Modi read, "I request you to hospitals, oxygen, as needed, besides sufficient quarantine facilities. development are being sacrificed for short-term intervene in this matter and ensure that the The home ministry, however, did not mention anything about the commercial gains," Gandhi said. above mentioned orders are withdrawn. The imposition of lockdown anywhere in the country in the fresh The Congress leader said that the proposed people of Lakshadweep deserve a developmental guidelines issued in view of the pandemic. rule in the draft panchayat regulation to vision that respects their way of life and reflects The fresh guidelines for COVID-19 management came amid some disqualify members with more than two their aspirations". decline in the daily count of the coronavirus cases and improvements children was "blatantly anti-democratic". Meanwhile, Lakshdweep BJP Chief in the situation of the availability of the beds, ICU and oxygen in "Furthermore, proposed changes to regulations Mohammad Kasim has also joined the protests some parts of the country like Delhi. like Prevention of Anti-Social Activities (PASA) against Patel. THE INDIAN PANORAMA COVID-INDIA FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 16 India’s daily Covid-19 cases fall to 186,364; death toll reaches 318,895

NEW DELHI (TIP): India recorded ministry of home affairs, the Centre 186,364 fresh cases of Covid-19 on Friday directed the states and UTs to continue May 28, lowest in last 44 days since the the ongoing Covid-19 guidelines till March last year. The death toll was June 30. It also asked them to go for increased to 315,235 as 3,660 people intensive and local containment succumbed to the viral disease over the measures in districts with a high last 24 hours, according to the Union number of cases to check the spread of health ministry's dashboard on Friday, disease. May 28. After Friday's additions, the Meanwhile, India is considering overall nationwide tally now stands at Pfizer's request to grant it indemnity 27,555,457. from costs relating to severe vaccine For the fifteenth consecutive day, side-effects, adding that the company recoveries continued to outnumber the had signalled the availability of its daily new cases as 259,459 people were Covid-19 shot, possibly from July. "We recuperated from Covid-19 over the last are engaged with Pfizer because they 24 hours, it also showed. have indicated availability of ... certain The recovery rate has increased to volume of vaccines, in the coming 90.34 per cent, while the weekly months, possibly starting in July," V K positivity rate currently at 10.42 per cent, Paul said in a press briefing. as per the health ministry figures. The government is also in discussions The number of active cases has with Johnson & Johnson and Moderna. dropped to 2,343,152. Centre scrapped local trials for "well- On August 7 last year, India's Covid-19 established" foreign vaccines on to fast- tally crossed the 20 lakh mark. It track imports after the country faced a breached the 30 lakh on August 23, 40 India crossed the grim milestone of 20 territories (UTs) to not let down their severe shortage of vaccines leading to lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on million infections on May 4 this year. guards.The Centre also stressed that any many states halting vaccination drive September 16. It went past 60 lakh on The second Covid-19 wave in India is relaxation of curbs by the states and the for people in the age group of 18-44. September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, now on the "downswing," the Centre said union territories(UTs) may be The cumulative number of Covid-19 crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on on Thursday, highlighting that the considered at an appropriate time in a vaccine doses is 205,451,902, according November 20 and surpassed the one- current number of active cases is still graded manner. to the provisional report by the health crore mark on December 19 last year. "very high" and advised states and Union In a fresh directive from the Union ministry on Thursday. Source: HT

IMA lodges police Shortfall of 190 million doses by June as complaint against Ramdev Covid surge in India affected supply: Covax for spreading UNITED NATIONS (TIP): The “terrible" surge of ‘misinformation about the coronavirus cases in India has severely impacted Covax’s vaccine supply in the second quarter of this year to the extent that there will be a shortfall of 190 allopathic treatments’ million doses by the end of June, according to a joint NEW DELHI (TIP): statement by the WHO, UNICEF, GAVI and CEPI. The Indian Medical The joint statement was issued on Thursday by Association (IMA) on Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations Thursday, May 27, (CEPI) CEO Dr Richard Hatchett, Gavi, Vaccine lodged a police Alliance CEO Dr Seth Berkley, World Health complaint against yoga Organisation (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros exponent Ramdev, Adhanom Ghebreyesus and UNICEF Executive seeking an FIR against Director Henrietta Fore. him under the Epidemic “Countries that are advanced in their vaccination Diseases Act, the programmes are seeing cases of Covid decline, that “if we do not address the current, urgent shortfall, Disaster Management hospitalisations decrease and early signs of some kind the consequences could be catastrophic.” Act, and other of normality resume. However, the global picture is far It said the pandemic has just taken a frightening new provisions of the Indian more concerning,” the statement said. turn, as a deadly surge of cases rages across South Asia Penal Code, for allegedly casting doubts and spreading Giving a call to action to equip Covax to deliver 2 and other hotspots. misinformation about allopathic treatments billion doses in 2021, the statement said, “We are seeing The global agencies called on nations to share doses deliberately in order to sell “unapproved drugs”. the traumatic effects of the terrible surge of Covid in “now”, saying the United States and Europe have “It is stated that the accused being a businessman, in South Asia – a surge which has also severely impacted collectively pledged to share 180 million doses. order to take advantage of the present situation and his global vaccine supplies.” large public following, is wilfully and deliberately It added that Covax has proven it works as the global Govt expects speedy India launch of advancing dishonest representations… about allopathy mechanism for equitable access to Covid vaccines, single-dose Sputnik Light and modern medicine … and to swindle them into having delivered over 70 million doses to 126 countries parting with their monies by taking Swami Ramdev’s and economies around the world since February – from The government is hopeful of a speedy launch of unapproved and dubious drugs,” the IMA said in a 14- remote islands to conflict settings – managing the single-dose Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik Light in India and page complaint to the IP Estate police station. largest and most complex rollout of vaccines in history. all stakeholders, including the Russian manufacturer Earlier, the IMA demanded an apology from Ramdev Over 35 countries received their first Covid vaccine and its Indian partners, have been directed to fast-track over his remarks on allopathic medicine, calling it a doses thanks to Covax. the application and regulatory approval procedures for “stupid science”. He withdrew his statements after “However, the terrible surge of the virus in India has the jab to boost the country’s vaccination drive. receiving a strong-worded letter from Union health had a severe impact on Covax's supply in the second An application seeking regulatory approval for minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, who called his remarks quarter of this year, to the point where, by the end of Sputnik Light is expected to be filed in the next couple “inappropriate”. The IMA also served a defamation June we will face a shortfall of 190 million doses,” the of weeks and it could become the first single-dose notice on Ramdev. joint statement said. vaccine to be launched in India, sources said citing Ramdev’s aide Acharya Balkrishna later took to It said even though Covax will have larger volumes high-level discussions held among top government Twitter, saying the he and ayurveda were being available later in the year through the deals it has officials in the recent days to boost domestic targeted by allopathic practitioners. already secured with several manufacturers, it warned availability of Covid-19 vaccines. Source: PTI THE INDIAN PANORAMA SOUTH ASIA FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 17 PAKISTAN MARKS Pakistan Hindu lawmaker submits 23RD ANNIVERSARY OF 1998 NUCLEAR bill seeking religious minorities to be TESTS; SAYS referred to as ‘non-Muslims’ CREDIBLE MINIMUM ISLAMABAD (TIP): A Hindu which reflects the intent of the makers DETERRENCE lawmaker in Pakistan has submitted a of the Constitution. Therefore, the bill in the lower house of Parliament anomaly shall be omitted by ESTABLISHED seeking that religious minorities in the substituting the word minority with the ISLAMABAD (TIP): The Pakistan country be constitutionally referred to word non-Muslims,” he said. Army on Friday said that the country as 'non-Muslims' to end the He said that the constitutional restored balance of power in the discrimination and establish equality amendment will be a constructive effort region on this day more than two and justice for every citizen. to establish equality and justice for decades ago by carrying out nuclear Keeso Mal Kheeal Das, a member of every citizen to build Pakistan as a home tests in response to India’s Pokhran the National Assembly from the for everyone. tests and establishing a “credible Opposition Pakistan Muslim League- Pakistan is a predominantly a Muslim minimum nuclear deterrence”. Nawaz (PML-N) party, approached the country but non-Muslims make more Both the Army and Foreign Office National Assembly with a private bipartisan committee of the house, it than 3.5 per cent of its about 220 million issued statements to mark the 23rd member bill under rule 118 of the Rules will be presented for voting. population. anniversary of the May 28, 1998 of Procedure and Conduct of Business Das is of the view that the inaccurate Hindus form the biggest minority nuclear tests by Pakistan, codenamed in the National Assembly, 2007. reference as minorities gives the community in Pakistan. ‘Yaum-e-Takbeer’ (The day of Called as the Constitution impression of being second-class According to official estimates, 75 greatness). Amendment Act, 2021, the bill aims to citizens. lakh Hindus live in Pakistan. However, Pakistan carried out the tests after end discrimination against Pakistani “It is against the spirit of the according to the community, over 90 India conducted a series of five non-Muslims who have been also Constitution, 1973, to discriminate lakh Hindus are living in the country. nuclear bomb test explosions at the referred in the constitution as against a large number of population by The majority of Pakistan's Hindu Pokhran in May, 1998. minorities. declaring them a minority, when the population is settled in Sindh province “Twenty-three years ago on this He suggested that the bill should be sacrifices of that population are where they share culture, traditions and day, Pakistan restored balance of adopted and brought into effect remarkable in every sphere of life for language with Muslim residents. They power in the region by successfully immediately. the prosperity, growth and bright future often complain of harassment by the establishing credible minimum The government has not opposed the of the country,” Das said in the bill. extremists. nuclear deterrence,” the Army bill so far and the matter has been “The word ‘Minority' is used four Other minority communities include spokesperson said. referred to the relevant standing times (in the constitution) while the Christians, Ahmadis, Baha'is, Sikhs, He said the Armed Forces and the committee. After it is vetted by a word ‘non-Muslims' is used 15 times, Parsis and Buddhists. — PTI nation pay tribute to all those involved in making this dream come true. “On the occasion of Yaum-e- Nepal PM Oli calls upon political parties to form Takbeer, the nation reaffirms its resolve to safeguard its sovereignty, all-party govt and hold elections territorial integrity and independence against any form of KATHMANDU (TIP): Embattled as per the constitutional provisions," he aggression,” the Foreign Office said. Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on said. It also added that Pakistan was Friday urged all political parties to form Hinting at the support extended to committed to continue working an all-party government and hold fresh Nepali Congress President Sher towards the promotion of an elections, as he tried to justify the Bahadur Deuba by more than two dozen environment of peace and stability at controversial dissolution of the House of lawmakers of UML and a dozen others the regional and global levels. Representatives twice by the President, belonging to the JSP, he warned of not “Pakistan has been actively saying a "functionless" Parliament accepting partyless character in the contributing to international efforts turned out to be the main source of multiparty system adopted by Nepal. for strengthening global norms on instability in the country. President Bhandari dissolved the arms control, non-proliferation and “Going for an election can never be a House and rejected the bids of both disarmament and follows latest regressive act,” Oli said in a televised blocking his attempts to consolidate Prime Minister Oli and the Opposition international standards on export address to the nation, a week after the democracy and to take the nation to the alliance's claims to form a government, controls, nuclear safety and security House was dissolved by President Bidya path of socio-economic transformation. saying the “claims were insufficient.” at the national level,” it said. Devi Bhandari. Oli said Parliament could not ensure Nepal's Opposition alliance on Monday The FO said that this year, Yaum-e- The president dissolved the 275- stability in the country even after it was filed a writ petition in the Supreme Takbeer has been marked by the member House of Representatives on restored on February 23 through judicial Court demanding restoration of the inauguration of 1100 MW Nuclear Saturday for the second time in five intervention. House of Representatives and Power Plant in Karachi which adds months and announced snap elections on “Though it was reinstated through the appointment of Deuba as the Prime much valuable, cleaner, reliable and November 12 and November 19 on the Supreme Court's verdict, it turned out to Minister. Others had also filed petitions affordable electricity to the national advice of Prime Minister Oli, who is be functionless and the main source of against the dissolution of the House of energy mix. The nuclear power plant heading a minority government. instability in the country,” said Oli. Representatives. The next hearing in the is being built with assistance from Oli, 69, called upon the political parties He claimed that he tried to prevent the case will be held on Sunday, the China, Pakistan’s all-weather ally. to form an all-party government and lower house of Parliament from being government-run Rising Nepal This underscores the role of hold elections, My Republica.com portal dissolved. newspaper reported. nuclear science and technology in the quoted him as saying. “I made my last ditch effort to form an Earlier on December 20, the President socio-economic development of the Addressing the nation as the chief alternative government as per Article 76 had dissolved the Parliament and called country and the welfare of its people. executive of the country,Oli took most of (5) after being assured of support from snap polls on April 30 and May 10. Besides nuclear power generation, his time to criticise the moves taken by the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP). However, two months later, the Rana-led Pakistan has harnessed nuclear the Opposition parties and his fellow However, Opposition parties, who played Constitutional Bench on February 23 technology for public service in party leaders. a dirty game of politics, forced the overturned the decision and reinstated diverse areas including cancer He blamed the Opposition parties and president to dismiss their claim for a the House. diagnosis and treatment, public dissident faction of the ruling CPN-UML new government,” he said. Constitutional experts have criticised health, agriculture, environment for the dissolution of Parliament. “Due to their erroneous claim, I was Oli and Bhandari for their complicity in protection and industry, it said. PTI He blamed his party's rival group for the victim and Parliament was dissolved trampling upon the Constitution. PTI THE INDIAN PANORAMA FEATURE FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 18 Memorial Day: Remembering the fallen heroes

emorial Day, May 31, for many over the country. By the end of the 19th Americans, conjures up images century, Memorial Day ceremonies were Mof hamburgers, hot dogs, being held on May 30 throughout the swimming pools, and summertime . But nation. States passed proclamations, and the last Monday in May serves, most the Army and Navy adopted rules for importantly,as a time to honor those who proper observance at their facilities. died while fighting in the U.S. Armed The crowd attending the first Forces. It’s a holiday steeped in somber Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington American history and tradition. The day National Cemetery was approximately actually began as “Decoration Day,” the same size as those that attend today’s following the Civil War, when mourners observance, about 5,000 people. Then, as placed flowers on the graves of Union now, small American flags were placed and Confederate soldiers. Yes, Memorial on each grave — a tradition followed at Day has also come to signify the many national cemeteries today. In “unofficial” start of summer, but let’s recent years, the custom has grown in remember the heroes who made it all many families to decorate the graves of possible. all departed loved ones. By 1890 each Northern state had made HISTORY OF MEMORIAL DAY Decoration Day an official holiday.Not so The Civil War ended in the spring of for the South, where states continued to 1865 when Robert E. Lee surrendered the honor their dead on separate days until last major Confederate army to Ulysses after the first World War. S. Grant at the Appomattox Courthouse The May 30 date held for decades. But onmApril 9. Over 620,000 soldiers died in in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform the four-year conflict. Gen. John A. Monday Holiday Act, which established Logan of the Grand Army of the Memorial Day as the last Monday in May Republic (an organization of Union in order to create a three-day weekend veterans) would eventually select May for federal employees. The change took 30, 1868, as a day to pay tribute to the place in 1971. The same law also declared fallen: “The 30th of May, 1868, is Memorial Day a federal holiday. designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the TRADITIONS OF THE DAY graves of comrades who died in defense Many Americans observe Memorial of their country during the late Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, friends and family. But Memorial Day is host grand Memorial Day parades every rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in holding family gatherings, and also the most solemn American holiday year, often featuring senior veterans and almost every city, village and hamlet participating in parades. It’s the three- — a day to remember those who made the military personnel. Some of the biggest churchyard in the land…” day weekend that kicks off the summer ultimate sacrifice while defending their parades take place in New York, Chicago, Logan apparently chose May 30 season and the time for hanging at the nation. because flowers would be in bloom all beach and lakes, and barbecuing with Towns and cities across the country Continued on page 19 THE INDIAN PANORAMA FEATURE FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 19 From page 18 and Washington, D.C. Cemeteries and memorials are also visited by Americans, with some citizens wearing or holding red poppies to symbolize those who have fallen in war. This tradition has been around since World War I. Weekend trips and parties are also arranged to balance out the somberness of the day and welcome the summer. HOW TO OBSERVE THE DAY? Pay your respects Lay flowers on the grave of a family member or friend who died while serving. If you don't personally know any fallen soldiers, visit a local cemetery anyway. After all, you would not be here if it weren't for their sacrifice. Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance By doing so, you'll be joining millions of Americans in national unity to honor Memorial Day for what it truly is — a day for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Fly the flag If you have an American flag at home, be sure to fly it at half-mast until noon, then raise it to full mast for the rest of the day. The practice of lowering and then raising the flag has been observed for over 100 years to symbolize America's persistence in the face of loss.

CREATIVE WAYS TO DECORATE Since Memorial Day is a federal surrender, an unusual procession Memorial Day from its traditional FOR MEMORIAL DAY holiday with a built-in three-day entered the former camp: On May 1, 1865, observance on May 30 (regardless of the weekend, we have an extra day to catch more than 1,000 people recently freed day of the week), to a set day—the last Unfurl those flags up on quality time with family members. from enslavement, accompanied by Monday in May. The move has not been Often people store their American For those of us with relatives who died regiments of the U.S. Colored Troops without controversy, though. Veterans flags and raise them only during while serving in the military, Memorial (including the Massachusetts 54th groups, concerned that more patriotic holidays. This is definitely one Day is sacred. Infantry) and a handful of white Americans associate the holiday with of those days. Charlestonians, gathered in the camp to first long weekend of the summer and From its Civil War origins to its Line your walkway with mini flags consecrate a new, proper burial site for not its intended purpose to honor the modern-day traditions the Union dead. The group sang hymns, nation’s war dead, continue to lobby for Nothing honors our deceased veterans gave readings and distributed flowers a return to the May 30 observances. For like dozens (or even hundreds) of flags in While the first commemorative around the cemetery, which they more than 20 years, their cause was your front lawn and entryway. Memorial Day events weren’t held in the dedicated to the “Martyrs of the Race championed by Hawaiian Senator—and Red, white, and blue layered cake United States until the late 19th century, Course.” decorated World War II veteran—Daniel It’s a decoration you can eat. the practice of honoring those who have Inouye, who until his 2012 death Stars and Stripes windsocks fallen in battle dates back thousands of reintroduced legislation in support of It’s festive, fun, and patriotic. years. The ancient Greeks and Romans It didn’t become a federal the change at the start of every Symbolic flowers held annual days of remembrance for holiday until 1971 Congressional term. loved ones (including soldiers) each year, More than 20 towns claim to be the Even if you haven’t lost a loved one festooning their graves with flowers and American’s embraced the notion of holiday’s 'birthplace'—but only one has who served in the military, you can still holding public festivals and feasts in “Decoration Day” immediately.That first federal recognition. honor the fallen with flowers at home. their honor. In Athens, public funerals year, more than 27 states held some sort For almost as long as there’s been a Red, navy, and blue dahlias combined for fallen soldiers were held after each of ceremony,with more than 5,000 people holiday, there’s been a rivalry about with white rose silk flowers can make a battle, with the remains of the dead on in attendance at a ceremony at Arlington who celebrated it first. Boalsburg, stunning visual combination. display for public mourning before a National Cemetery. By 1890, every Pennsylvania, bases its claim on an funeral procession took them to their former state of the Union had adopted it 1864 gathering of women to mourn WHY MEMORIAL DAY IS internment in the Kerameikos, one of as an official holiday. But for more than those recently killed at Gettysburg. In IMPORTANT? the city’s most prestigious cemeteries. 50 years, the holiday was used to Carbondale, Illinois, they’re certain One of the first known public tributes to commemorate those killed just in the that they were first, thanks to an 1866 Reflection war dead was in 431 B.C., when the Civil War, not in any other American parade led, in part, by John Logan who While the outdoor grilling, parades, Athenian general and statesman Pericles conflict. It wasn’t until America’s entry two years later would lead the charge and beautiful summer weather are some delivered a funeral oration praising the into World War I that the tradition was for an official holiday. There are even of our favorite perks of Memorial Day, sacrifice and valor of those killed in the expanded to include those killed in all two dueling Columbus challengers (one the last Monday in May is the best time of Peloponnesian War—a speech that some wars, and Memorial Day was not in Mississippi, the other in Georgia) year to quietly reflect on the men and have compared in tone to Abraham officially recognized nationwide until who have battled it out for Memorial women who made the ultimate sacrifice Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. the 1970s, with America deeply Day supremacy for decades. Only one for our country. They make us feel As the Civil War neared its end, embroiled in the Vietnam War. town, however, has received the official inspired and challenged to be better— thousands of Union soldiers, held as seal of approval from the U.S. and that's a wonderful feeling! prisoners of war, were herded into a long road from Decoration Day government. In 1966, 100 years after the Summer — almost series of hastily assembled camps in to an official Memorial Day town of Waterloo, New York, shuttered Charleston, South Carolina. Conditions its businesses and took to the streets for We know, we know — summer at one camp, a former racetrack near the Although the term Memorial Day was the first of many continuous, officially begins on June 21. But in the city’s Citadel, were so bad that more than used beginning in the 1880s, the holiday community-wide celebrations, minds of all Americans, summer 250 prisoners died from disease or was officially known as Decoration Day President Lyndon Johnson signed actually begins on Memorial Day. That exposure, and were buried in a mass for more than a century, when it was legislation, recently passed by the U.S. means it's totally okay to dust off the grave behind the track’s grandstand. changed by federal law. Four years later, Congress, declaring the tiny upstate grill, fill up the pool, and unplug. the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of village the “official” birthplace of Family Three weeks after the Confederate 1968 finally went into effect, moving Memorial Day. THE INDIAN PANORAMA BOLLYWOOD FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 20 At 45, Sushmita Sen ‘still makes big blunders in choices’

ctress Sushmita Sen, in her latest post on Instagram, shared Athat even at the age of 45, she "still makes big blunders in choices." Sushmita didn't write about the "big blunders" she has made in her post and shared it as one of her "life lessons." Singer Shreya The actress also wrote about the "coldness in being used and the disappointment of being lied to for it" Ghoshal welcomes in her post. The actress posted a stunning photo of herself and baby boy captioned it: "You guys often ask me, if I have off days...of course I do! Do I stay t's celebration time for Shreya Ghoshal positive all the time? Nope, I don't!" She and her husband Shiladitya as the added: "And even at 45, I still make big Icouple welcomed their first child, a blunders in choices, feel deeply hurt, baby boy, on Satuday, May 22. Shreya took recognise the calculated coldness in to Instagram to share the happy news and being used and the disappointment of also thanked fans for their blessings. The being lied to for it...No, none of it singer wrote that the couple along with escapes me!" the family is 'absolutely overjoyed'. However, Sushmita Sen believes in Taking to Instagram, Shreya Ghoshal karma. "What I've learned though, is wrote, "God has blessed us with a precious that no matter how difficult it is, I must baby boy this afternoon. It's an emotion look at it as a karmic debt, hopefully never felt before. @shiladitya and I along repaid in full!" she wrote and added: with our families are absolutely "As for the ones causing it, their karma overjoyed. Thank you for your countless has only just begun!" blessings for our little bundle of joy (sic)." The actress also added hashtags like On March 4, Shreya Ghoshal announced #stateofmind #lifelessons #acceptance that she and her husband Shiladitya were #karma and #faith to her caption. expecting their first baby together. The In terms of work, Sushmita Sen was singer took to Instagram to share a last seen in Disney+Hotstar's web- picture cradling her baby bump and series Aarya, which marks her first smiling. Posing in her balcony, she shared Hindi project after the 2010 film No the good news and wrote, "Baby Problem. The actress, who is also a #Shreyaditya is on its way! @shiladitya former Miss Universe, has featured in a and me are thrilled to share this news number of Bollywood films such as with you all. Need all your love and Biwi No 1, Zor, Ram Gopal Varma Ki blessings as we prepare ourselves for this Aag, Filhaal, Main Hoon Na, Main Aisa new chapter in our lives (sic)." Hi Hoon, Dulha Mil Gaya and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?

KRK says ‘not here to destroy Shilpa Shetty, Paresh Rawal-starrer Salman’s career’ after being Hungama 2 to release on an OTT sued for defamation ctor and self- he sequel to the hit 2003 proclaimed critic comedy movie AKamaal R Khan THungama, Hungama 2 aka KRK said that he has will release on a major been slapped with a streaming platform, the defamation notice by makers shared on Monday. actor Salman Khan. KRK Hungama 2 features Shilpa claimed that it is a result Shetty, Paresh Rawal, of his unfavourable Meezaan and Pranitha review of Salman’s latest Subhash in the lead roles. release, Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai. Although the film was made Earlier this month, KRK shared a video after for theatres, the makers have watching the first half of Radhe: Your Most Wanted decided to go the digital way Bhai at a theatre in Dubai and dramatically cried in because cinema halls are shut mock fear of having to return inside after the interval. due to the ongoing second “Mera dimaag totally ghoom gaya hai (My head is wave of Covid-19. With no spinning),” he said. He also tweeted after watching the guarantee when theatres entire film that he would need to ‘take medicine and would finally reopen, producer Ratan Jain shared in a statement that he wanted the audience to enjoy the rest for 2-3 hours’ before reviewing it. comedy caper from the comfort of their home. On Tuesday night, KRK took to Twitter to share a “Hungama 2 is a lighthearted film meant to be enjoyed across all age groups, and we feel it will entertain picture of the legal notice sent to him by Salman and the audiences and bring some cheer in these trying times. We will release the film on a digital platform this wrote, “Dear #Salmankhan Ye defamation case Aapki year and movie lovers can enjoy the laugh riot at the comfort of their homes. We have made Hungama 2 with Hataasha Aur Niraasha Ka Saboot Hai (this utmost love and we are confident that our film will bring a smile to people’s faces,” said Jain. defamation case is proof of your despair). I am giving The team had finished shooting the movie earlier this year. review for my followers and doing my job. You should Directed by Priyadarshan, Hungama 2 also features Rajpal Yadav, Johnny Lever, Manoj Joshi and make better films instead of stopping me from Ashutosh Rana in significant parts. The film has been co-produced by Ratan Jain, Ganesh Jain, Chetan Jain, reviewing your films. Main Sacchi Ke Liye Ladta and Armaan Ventures. The release date of the Priyadarshan directorial is yet to be announced. Rahunga (I will keep fighting for the truth)! Thank you for the case.” THE INDIAN PANORAMA HOLLYWOOD FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 21 Jennifer Lopez ‘impressed’ as Ben Affleck makes ‘huge effort’ to rekindle romance? op star Jennifer Lopez is said to be “impressed” with the way actor PBen Affleck has “stepped up his game” ever since they reportedly started dating again. This, even as Affleck was recently seen wearing a chain-link watch that Hollywood watchers insist is the same one that he used to wear when he was dating J.Lo 17 years ago. News of the two reuniting had started Henry Cavill to star in doing the rounds shortly after J.Lo split with her partner, former baseball star fantasy action drama Alex Rodriguez, a while back, and was spotted with ex-lover Affleck in Highlander reboot Montana, 17 years after she and the actor had broken up. ritish star Henry Cavill is adding Highlander to Now, according to dailymail.co.uk, the list of his big-budget fantasy projects. The sources close to Lopez say she loves the Bactor, who plays Superman in DC movies, essays way Affleck is “making a huge effort”, the titular character in Netflix series The Witcher and giving priority to their relationship a gentle version of Sherlock Holmes in film franchise above everything. Sources added J.Lo Enola Holmes, has been cast in one of the lead roles in “loves this version of him”. Lionsgate's reboot of fantasy action-adventure film J.Lo, 51, and Affleck, 48, were recently Highlander. seen gymming together, the website According to Deadline, John Wick director Chad said, even as sources claimed that Stahelski will be helming the film from a script by Affleck was recently seen wearing a Kerry Williamson. Neal H Moritz and Josh Davis are watch he used to wear back in the day in producing the project. Executive producers are 2004, when he dated J.Lo. Amanda Lewis, Patrick Wachsberger and Gregory “They were always in contact over the Widen. The 1986 original movie featured actors years and he never missed a chance to Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery and Clancy praise her publicly,” the website quoted Brown as immortal beings, hunting down each other The Sun as reporting. to become more powerful. Robert Pattinson signs first-look Lindsay Lohan to make acting comeback overall deal with Warner Bros with Netflix’s Christmas romantic comedy nglish actor Robert Pattinson has merican actor and TV Esigned a first-look personality Lindsay overall production deal ALohan, who has largely that encompasses the foregone acting in recent years, whole spectrum of will soon be starring in an Warner divisions, upcoming yet-to-be-titled Netflix including Warner Bros. holiday rom-com. Pictures, New Line According to Variety, Lohan Cinema, Warner Bros. will play a "newly engaged, Television and HBO Max. spoiled hotel heiress", who gets According to Variety, the amnesia after a skiing accident deal, which represents and finds herself in the care of a the `Twilight` actor`s first handsome, blue-collar lodge foray into producing, also owner and his precocious takes into account a range daughter in the days leading up to of releasing platforms, Christmas. The rest of the cast among them theatrical, has not been announced yet. SVOD and television. The streamer has made a "Warner Bros Pictures robust business out of Christmas and HBO have always fare, and its original movies such been synonymous with groundbreaking filmmaking, "I`m thrilled to be as `Jingle Jangle`, `A Christmas working with them to discover the most exciting new voices in film and Prince`, `The Christmas television and help bring their visions to life. I have loved working with Chronicles` and `The Princess the studio over the years and have so much respect for their dedication, Switch`, which was inspired by their willingness to take chances and their desire to push the envelope Lohan`s `The Parent Trap`, have creatively," Pattinson said in a statement. become instant and repeatable After becoming a worldwide name thanks to the `Twilight` movies, the holiday classics. 35-year-old actor dug into the world of indie movies, working with auteur Lohan had skyrocketed to fame filmmakers such as Robert Eggers (`The Lighthouse`) and Benny and as an 11-year-old actor, starring in Josh Safdie (`Good Time`). a 1998 reboot of `The Parent As reported by Variety, the actor has recently returned to the world of Trap`. She followed that with a big-budget filmmaking - though still with directors with a singular remake of `Freaky Friday` and vision. He starred with John David Washington in Christopher Nolan`s `Mean Girls`, both roles cemented `Tenet`, which was released last year. The Batman, in which Pattinson her status as an A-list star. plays Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, is being directed by Matt Reeves. THE INDIAN PANORAMA TRIBECA FILM FEST FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 22 TRIBECA @ 20 BY MABEL PAIS

IT'S HAPPENING, AND YOU'RE INVITED! he Tribeca Festival™, presents Borough to Black Cinema Revival (Seven films): The Black TRIBECA CELEBRATES 20TH Borough screening series, which will bring the Cinema revival features popular and well-loved ANNIVERSARYRETURN OF LIVE ENTERTAINMENT TFestival directly to neighborhoods around New favorites spanning the spectrum of the Black American MAJOR NORTH AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL IN York City. Free community screenings in the Bronx, experience. PERSON , and Brooklyn, will use traveling 40-foot state- Family & Community themes (Twelve films): Fan- JUNE 9 - JUNE 20, 2021 of-the-art LED cinemas, the first mobile HD screens in favorites and modern classics with an emphasis on the country, to connect local residents to the festival family programming, crowd pleasers, and films LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA AND JON M. CHU'S "IN THE HEIGHTS" experience in their own backyard. With the addition of directed by Tribeca's 2021 Directors Series participants. the Borough to Borough program, Tribeca is extending OPENS FESTIVAL ON JUNE 9 BOROUGH TO BOROUGH LOCATIONS & its 20th anniversary Festival celebration to all five THE 12-DAY MULTI-SCREEN OUTDOOR FESTIVAL boroughs of NYC. The Festival takes place June 9-20, PROGRAMMING: SPANS ALL BOROUGHS FROM BATTERY PARK TO 2021. The locations in the boroughs are Flushing Meadows, BRONX; EAST SIDE TO WEST SIDE; DOWNTOWN TO UPTOWN; BROOKLYN TO In a historic culmination of New York State's Queens; Rockaway Beach 30th Street Playground, statewide initiative, NY PopsUp, to bring live Queens; Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx; Soundview, Bronx; "The Tribeca Film Festival was born out of our mission to entertainment back, the Tribeca Festival™, transforms Marine Park, Brooklyn; Astoria Park, Queens; and bring people together in the aftermath of 9/11. We're still prominent locations into an expansive 12-day multi- Walter Gladwin Park, Bronx. doing it. And as New York emerges from the shadow of screen outdoor celebration. The event takes place June Flushing Meadows, Queens hosts one film on June 9 Covid-19, it seems just right to bring people together again 9-20 as the major film festival held in person bringing and two on June 18. in-person for our 20th anniversary festival."- Robert De filmmakers, artists, storytellers and audiences together Rockaway Beach 30th Street Playground, Queens Niro, Co-Founder of Tribeca Festival under the New York skyline. screens two films on June 10, 11 and 13 and three on "Tribeca is a community of the most resilient and talented Reminiscent of summertime block parties, the in- June 12. storytellers on the planet. In 20 years, our community of person screenings of new premieres, family-friendly Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx hosts one film on June 9, creators and partners have become a family. This summer films, Black classic retrospectives, and more are two on June 10 & two on June 11. we are excited to reunite as Tribeca becomes a centerpiece designed for people to safely gather picnic-style and Soundview, Bronx presents two on June 12 and two of live entertainment in neighborhoods across New York experience great movies with family and friends. The on June 13. City."- Jane Rosenthal, Co-Founder & CEO, Tribeca Festival is working in concert with the New York State Marine Park, Brooklyn screens two on June 17 and Enterprises & Tribeca Festival Department of Health to ensure all public gatherings two on June 18. are in full compliance with following required COVID- Astoria Park, Queens hosts three on June 19 and two 19 protocols. on June 20. "The Tribeca Film Festival was born out of tragedy, Walter Gladwin Park, Bronx presents three on June 19 helping our city recover from the attacks of 9/11," said and four on June 20. Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies and 108th mayor of New "In the Heights," by director Jon M. Chu Opens the York City. "This year, the Festival is once again sharing Festival on Wednesday, June 9 and is hosted at The the joy and creativity of the movies as we rebound from United Palace in Washington Heights and multiple live a difficult time. At Bloomberg Philanthropies, we're in-person outdoor locations; the Festival's Centerpiece, excited to help bring the Festival to even more people Steven Soderbergh's "No Sudden Move," has its outdoor through a series of free movie screenings in premiere at The Battery on Friday, June 18. Tribeca's neighborhoods across New York. We hope you'll join us "Juneteenth" programming takes place throughout the "In The Heights" - Photo / courtesy Macall Polay - and enjoy the show!" Festival, June 9-20. The program will roll out in-person TRIBECA OFFICIAL SELECTIONS across the Festival's outdoor venues and will span all five New York City boroughs. The Juneteenth holiday The Tribeca Festival premieres programming (June 19) is commemorated on Closing Night for the including feature narratives, documentaries, shorts first time. and series from the 2020 and 2021 lineups. TICKETS Animated Shorts Curated by Whoopi G (2020) Choose Your Battles Shorts Program (2020) Tickets to in-person screenings and events are available for advance reservation at The Conductor (2021) tribecafilm.com/festival #Tribeca2021. For updates and In the Heights (2021) the complete list of programming for the 2021 Tribeca Indeed: Rising Voices (2021) Festival, follow @Tribeca on Twitter, Instagram, "Juneteenth" Poster - Photo / TFF 2021 Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and at Kiss the Ground (2020) tribecafilm.com/festival #Tribeca2021. Landfall (2020) TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL La Madrina (2020) The Tribeca Festival brings artists and diverse NOW Showcase B: Lost & Found (2020) audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its NOW Special Screening: Incarceration Nations: A forms, including film, TV, VR, gaming, music, and Global Docuseries (2021) online work. With strong roots in independent film, The Outside Story (2020) Tribeca is a platform for creative expression and immersive entertainment. Tribeca champions Pacified (2020) emerging and established voices; discovers award- Perfume de Gardenias (2021) winning filmmakers and creators; curates innovative "No Sudden Move" - Photo / courtesy Claudette Barius Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It experiences; and introduces new technology and ideas (2021) through premieres, exhibitions, talks, and live Stateless (2020) performances. The Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 to spur Takeover (2021) the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Update Required Shorts Program (2020) Manhattan following the attacks on the World Trade Center. Tribeca celebrates its 20th year June 9 - 20, 2021. Puerto Rican Cinema (Five films): The featured Learn more at tribecafilm.com/festival Puerto Rican films explore themes ranging from (Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social community resilience and social activism to embracing Issues, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness) an artistic-driven sense of purpose and creative 'The Battery' screening location - Photo / courtesy TFF 2021 fulfillment - no matter what stage in life. THE INDIAN PANORAMA ENTERTAINMENT FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 23 NYIFF CELEBRATES 21 BY MABEL PAIS

Message from the Festival Director, Aseem collection of NYIFF-recognized titles will be available Chhabra: for viewing starting June 4, 2021 at nyiff.us and nyiff.moviesaints.com "The Covid-19 situation in India is heartbreaking TICKETS and our thoughts and prayers are with those who Ticket prices (in local currencies, except India) differ have lost their loved ones." said Aseem Chhabra, for Feature Films (narrative and documentaries) and NYIFF Festival Director. "But we made a promise to for Shorts. Individual tickets and discount packages are our audience in the United States and elsewhere. available. For more information, visit nyiff.us/ticket The show must go on. We present the best of Indian Watch the trailer: youtu.be/UjWdNtov6U8 cinema from 2020 and 2021." OPENING FILM "NYIFF's mission is to provide filmmakers, actors and industry professionals a platform to showcase "Where is Pinki" / Pinki Elli (Kannada) l their work, as well as foster an environment where dir. Prithvi Konanur filmmakers exchange ideas and interact with "WOMB" - Photo / Courtesy NYIFF discerning and diverse audiences, journalists and A hard-hitting social commentary on contemporary aficionados," - Aseem Chhabra, NYIFF Director Indian society and female identity. as a crucial testament to the crisis which has only "The caliber of films on the 2021 lineup includes "Where Is Pinki," the social thriller praised at the IFF aggravated in these unprecedented times of COVID. in Goa, is a complex tale of everyday people. Bindu and CLOSING FILM notable works by award-winning filmmakers, Girish, whose eight-month-old baby goes missing, which aim to capture stories that have a truly becomes a frantic effort of search that forces the couple "....like 'Pather Panchali' in the age of AirBnb and profound message about our world today. These to confront strange places, people and situations that TikTok, "Fire in the Mountains" empathetically films have received exceptional praise from require each of them to reconcile their past, present dramatizes the struggles that locals face in a place and future. The entire film was shot using a handheld where tourists come to play."- IndieWire critics and audiences around the globe." - Suman camera. "Fire in the Mountains" (Hindi), dir. Gollamudi, IAAC Exec. Director CENTERPIECE 1 Ajitpal Singh THE NEW YORK INDIAN FILM "Ahimsa Gandhi: The Power of the FESTIVAL (NYIFF) Powerless" (English), dir. Ramesh Sharma "Fire in the Mountains," the debut narrative film CELEBRATES BIRTH ANNIVERSARIES OF from writer-director Ajitpal Singh, tells the striking INDIA'S ICONSM GANDHI, S RAY & SC BOSE tale of Chandra and her husband, Dharam, who run an inn that hovers high above the only road in a small 58 FILMS, 15 LANGUAGES, Q&A WITH Himalayan village. The terrain poses a problem for the FILMMAKERS family, who must transport their son, Prakash, down VIRTUAL EVENT, JUNE 4-13, 2021 the mountain in his wheelchair for doctors and school. The film is a searing portrait of the power dynamics at AWARD NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED play between tradition and modernity.For the complete he New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF), North lineup of films and more information, visit nyiff.us America's oldest and most prestigious annual Asian Pacific American celebrations Tfilm festival, features cinema from India and the Indian Diaspora. The festival runs June 4-13, 2021. By Mabel Pais Films are available for pre-order. From FTH - CTAAF: Animation Shorts NYIFF celebrates its 21st year of independent, art "Crazy Talented Asians & Friends: An Evening of house, alternate cinema from India and brings this rich Animation Shorts," showcasing a wide range of "Ahimsa" - Photo / Courtesy NYIFF collection of films to audiences in the U.S. and North animated short films by Asian and Asian American America. Some films will also stream globally. Twenty- artists, returns on Saturday, May 29 at 6:00 PM (ET), four-hour online support will be provided by "AHIMSA GANDHI: The Power of the Powerless," Flushing Town Hall (FTH) to celebrate APA Heritage MovieSaints to ensure audiences across three by award-winning filmmaker, Ramesh Sharma. On Month. The films present a wide range of stories and continents have a seamless experience throughout the October 2, 2019, the world commemorated the 150th experiences, as diverse as the APA community itself, duration of the festival. birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This inspired through masterful storytelling, art direction, Presented virtually for the second year in a row, the the filmmaker to revisit the icon's life and philosophy animation, production, and sound design. There will be festival features 58 screenings (23 narrative features, 8 that still endures today. Shot in India, South Africa, the a live Q&A with artists following the screenings. To documentary features and 27 short films). The lineup U.S. and Europe, the film tracks the influence of learn more and RSVP,visit flushingtownhall.org/crazy- will include worldwide, globally outside of India, the Gandhi's non-violence approach on world leaders from talented-asians-friends-animation-shorts U.S. and NY premieres. Screenings will be followed by Martin Luther King Jr. to the late Congressman John post-screening discussions with the filmmakers and Lewis, Lech Walesa, Nelson Mandela, Vaclav Havel and acclaimed personalities from the film industry. The His Holiness the Dalai Lama. With new voices joining From NJPAC - films cover 15 languages spoken in India: Assamese, the global dialogue about injustice and systemic racism PORTRAITS: Asian-American Allyship Bengali, English, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, and the resurgence of nationalism in cities like Hong Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Kong, the documentary has been hailed as a timely Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. All films have English reminder about non-violence movement. subtitles. CENTERPIECE 2 "This year, we will feature films in 15 languages spoken in India: Assamese, Bengali, English, Hindi, "WOMB: Women of my Billion" Asian American Performers - Photo / Courtesy NJPAC Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, (English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu), dir. Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. All Through song and poetry, through jazz and modern films will have English subtitles," Aseem Chhabra said. Ajitesh Sharma, features Srishti Bakshi dance, Asian Americans and their allies in the struggle Films screened at NYIFF 2020 won six National "WOMB: Women of My Billion" is a heart-wrenching for social justice confront the history of racism in Awards, the most prominent film awards ceremony in and heart-warming narrative of the plight, dreams, America and summon the unity necessary to move us India. This year, NYIFF 2021 is delighted to bring to the rights and fight against all forms of violence, that unify all forward. Hear their call for justice, see their passion audience National Awards-winning films: the women of today's India. The film sees through the for the fight for equality, and witness their vision of a "Khisa" for "Best Debut Non-Feature Film of a lens of a UN Women Champion of Change and more inclusive future. For more information and tune Director" Commonwealth Points of Light award winner and in, visit njpac.org/event/portraits-asian-american- "Sonsi" for "Best Cinematography Non-Feature Film" activist, Srishti Bakshi, at the fore of her on-foot journey allyship-through-the-arts "Biryaani" which received "Special Mention" of 3800km over 240 days, from Kanyakumari (South (Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and Each of these films along with the complete India) to Kashmir (North India) in 2018. The film stands Entertainment, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness) THE INDIAN PANORAMA WORLD FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 24 EU CHALLENGES TIKTOK OVER CONSUMER RIGHTS Shoot-out after BREACHES CLAIM BRUSSELS (TIP): The European Commission said on Friday it has policewoman stabbed in given one month to the Chinese-owned video app TikTok to answer complaints from an European attack in western France consumers group over its commercial practices. CHAPELLE-SUR-ERDRE (FRANCE) The EU's executive arm said it has (TIP): A man stabbed and badly started discussions involving the wounded a policewoman in the town of platform and the national consumer La Chapelle-sur-Erdre in western France authorities following an alert on Friday before he was arrested in a launched earlier this year by the shoot-out, the national gendarmerie European Consumer Organisation force. (BEUC) about alleged breaches of The assailant had been caught after a consumers' rights. manhunt that involved two police The Commission said some helicopters and more than 200 officers. contractual terms in TikTok's policies There was a shoot-out during the could be considered misleading and arrest and two officers were shot and confusing for consumers, adding that wounded. The stabbed policewoman was concerns relating to issues including in a critical state, BFM TV reported. hidden marketing and advertising "The police have neutralised the strategies targeting children were suspect behind the knife attack against a raised. municipal policewoman in Chapelle-sur- In February, the BEUC filed a Erdre. Thank you and my thoughts for complaint with the European those officers wounded making the Commission and the network of arrest," Interior Minister Gerald consumer protection authorities Darmanin tweeted. Darmanin said he against TikTok. It argued that several would be travelling to the scene of the terms in TikTok's Terms of Service' attack. The assailant's motive was not The man, who police said stole his France reported. He opened fire on are unfair and said the platform, immediately clear. The office of France's victim's weapon, initially fled in a car officers, a police source said. which is particularly popular with anti-terrorism prosecutor said it was before a crash forced him to continue on Tackling domestic security is likely to youngsters, failed to protect children monitoring the situation but was for now foot. be at the centre of the campaign ahead of and teenagers from hidden advertising not leading the investigation. Schools in the area were under police next year's presidential election. and potentially harmful content. The incident comes a month after a protection while police conducted a Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right “The current pandemic has further female police administrative worker was manhunt in an area to the north of the and the strongest challenger to accelerated digitalisation," said Didier knifed to death near Paris by a Tunisian city of Nantes. Emmanuel Macron's expected re- Reynders, the Commissioner for national who had watched religious The suspect was tracked down and election bid, paints the president was Justice. videos glorifying acts of jihad just before surrounded in a forest near Chapelle- weak on security and says the police “This has brought new launching his attack. sur-Erdre, the regional newspaper Ouest need more protection. Reuters opportunities but it has also created new risks, in particular for vulnerable consumers. In the European Union, it is prohibited to target children and Plague of ravenous, destructive mice minors with disguised advertising such as banners in videos. The tormenting Australians dialogue we are launching today should support TikTok in complying BOGAN GATE (AUSTRALIA) (TIP): “We're having to go down this path with EU rules to protect consumers.” At night, the floors of sheds vanish because we need something that is super — AP beneath carpets of scampering mice. strength, the equivalent of napalm to Ceilings come alive with the sounds of just blast these mice into oblivion,” CHINA KEEPS DIPLOMATS scratching. One family blamed mice Marshall said. OUT OF ESPIONAGE TRIAL chewing electrical wires for their house The plague is a cruel blow to farmers burning down. in Australia's most populous state who OF AUSTRALIAN BLOGGER Vast tracts of land in Australia's New have been battered by fires, floods and YANG HENGJUN South Wales state are being threatened pandemic disruptions in recent years, by a mouse plague that the state only to face the new scourge of the BEIJING (TIP): Australia's government describes as “absolutely introduced house mouse, or Mus ambassador to China was denied entry unprecedented." Just how many musculus. to a heavily guarded Beijing court on millions of rodents have infested the Hemisphere winter and devour the The same government-commissioned Thursday that is hearing an espionage agricultural plains across the state is wheat, barley and canola before it can be advisers who have helped farmers cope case against Australian blogger Yang guesswork. harvested. with the drought, fire and floods are Hengjun, at a time of worsening ties “We're at a critical point now where if NSW Farmers, the state's top returning to help people deal with the between the two nations. we don't significantly reduce the number agricultural association, predicts the stresses of mice. Graham Fletcher, Australia's of mice that are in plague proportions by plague will wipe more than 1 billion The worst comes after dark, when ambassador to China, attempted to spring, we are facing an absolute Australian dollars (USD 775 million) millions of mice that had been hiding enter the Beijing No. 2 Intermediate economic and social crisis in rural and from the value of the winter crop. and dormant during the day become People's Court in line with a two-way regional New South Wales,” Agriculture The state government has ordered active. consular pact. "Unfortunately we have Minister Adam Marshall said this 5,000 liters (1,320 gallons) of the banned By day, the crisis is less apparent. just been denied entry to the court. month. poison Bromadiolone from India. Patches of road are dotted with squashed The reason given was because of the Bruce Barnes said he is taking a The federal government regulator has mice from the previous night, but birds pandemic situation but the foreign gamble by planting crops on his family yet to approve emergency applications to soon take the carcasses away. Haystacks ministry has also told us it is because farm near the central New South Wales use the poison on the perimeters of are disintegrating due to ravenous it is a national security case therefore town of Bogan Gate. crops. Critics fear the poison will kill not rodents that have burrowed deep inside. we are not permitted to attend it," “We just sow and hope,” he said. only mice but also animals that feed on Upending a sheet of scrap metal lying in Fletcher told reporters outside the The risk is that the mice will maintain them. including wedge-tail eagles and a paddock will send a dozen mice court. Reuters their numbers through the Southern family pets. scurrying. AP THE INDIAN PANORAMA WORLD FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 25 HONG KONG TYCOON Germany recognizes GETS 14-MONTH JAIL TERM OVER 2019 colonial killings in PROTEST HONG KONG (TIP): Hong Kong media tycoon and outspoken pro- Namibia as genocide democracy activist Jimmy Lai was sentenced to more jail time Friday BERLIN (TIP): Germany has reached victims with a 1.1 billion-euro over his role in an anti-government an agreement with Namibia that will see “rebuilding and development” program protest in 2019, as authorities it officially recognise as genocide the in whose design and implementation crackdown on dissent in the city. colonial-era killings of tens of thousands “the communities affected by the Lai and nine others were charged of people and commit to spending a total genocide will take a decisive role.” At the with incitement to take part in an of 1.1 billion euros (USD 1.3 billion), same time, he said that “legal claims to unauthorised assembly, for their roles largely on development projects. compensation cannot be derived from in a protest on October 1, 2019, when The accord announced Friday is the this.” That reflects Germany's position they walked down a road with result of more than five years of talks that the Genocide Convention of 1948 thousands of others. with Namibia on the events of 1904-1908, can't be applied retroactively, and that its Lai, 73, was sentenced to 14 months when Germany was the southern African liability is political and moral rather in prison. He is currently serving a country's colonial ruler. than legal. separate 14-month jail term for other Historians say German Gen. Lothar of the German colonial era in today's The projects Germany will now fund convictions earlier this year also von Trotha, who was sent to what was Namibia, and particularly the atrocities are expected to stretch over a 30-year related to unauthorised rallies in 2019, then German South West Africa to put between 1904 and 1908, unsparingly and period and will cover areas such as land when Hong Kong residents took to the down an uprising by the Herero people in without euphemisms.” reform, including land purchases, streets in the biggest challenge to 1904, instructed his troops to wipe out the “We will now officially call these events agriculture, rural infrastructure, water Beijing since the city was handed from entire tribe. They say that about 65,000 what they were from today's perspective: supply and vocational training. They will British to Chinese control in 1997. Herero were killed and at least 10,000 a genocide.” be separate from continuing With the two sentences combined, Nama. Talks between Germany and Namibia development aid to Namibia. Lai will serve a total of 20 months “In the light of Germany's historical opened in 2015, more than a decade after Germany says that representatives of behind bars. and moral responsibility, we will ask a 2004 visit to Namibia in which then- the Herero and Nama were involved in He is also being investigated under Namibia and the descendants of the Development Minister Heidemarie the negotiations, though Berlin's direct the city's sweeping national security victims for forgiveness,” German Wieczorek-Zeul offered Germany's first dealings have been with the Namibian law, imposed last year, for colluding Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a apology for the killings, which she said government. with foreign powers to intervene in statement. were “what today would be labeled as Germany gained control of the desert Hong Kong affairs. “Our aim was and is to find a joint path genocide.” Maas said that, “as a gesture country in the 1880s and surrendered the Authorities have arrested and to genuine reconciliation in of recognition of the incalculable territory to South Africa in 1915. charged most of the city's pro- remembrance of the victims,” he said. suffering," Germany plans to support Namibia gained independence in 1990. democracy advocates, who also include “That includes our naming the events Namibia and the descendants of the (AP) Joshua Wong, a student leader during the 2014 protests. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement called on Hong Maradona death probe: Judge issues travel Kong authorities to drop charges filed against people “merely for standing for ban for seven suspects election or for expressing dissenting views.” AP BUENOS AIRES (TIP): An Argentine pulmonary edema secondary to judge on Thursday imposed an exacerbated chronic heart failure with RUSSIAN OPPOSITION international travel ban on seven health dilated cardiomyopathy”. GROUP SHUTS DOWN professionals who cared for Diego Results of a second autopsy, published Maradona in the days before his death. in late December by the San Isidro public UNDER OFFICIAL Judge Orlando Diaz issued the order prosecutor, revealed Maradona was PRESSURE after prosecutors deemed the defendants suffering from problems related to his posed a flight risk, Argentina’s state-run kidneys, heart, and lungs. Following his MOSCOW (TIP): An opposition Telam news service reported. brain surgery on November 3, the former group in Russia announced on attacking playmaker received treatment Thursday that it is shutting down after NEUROSURGEON for “abstinence”, Luque told reporters at authorities listed the organisation as the time. He did not provide details of “undesirable” as part of a multi- LEOPOLDO LUQUE, the condition, but Maradona previously pronged crackdown on dissent. admitted to battling drug and alcohol The leader of Open Russia, Andrei PSYCHIATRIST AGUSTINA addiction. Pivovarov, said the group funded by a COSACHOV, Luque and Cosachov both had their self-exiled Russian tycoon was ceasing testimony to prosecutors next week and homes and workplaces raided by police operation to protect its members from PSYCHOLOGISTS CARLOS face up to 25 years in prison if found in the initial days of the investigation. A prosecution. A 2015 Russian law made guilty. “The public prosecutor’s office panel of doctors appointed by membership in “undesirable” DIAZ, DAHIANA MADRID, considers these restrictive measures to prosecutors to probe the circumstances organisations a criminal offence. The AND RICARDO ALMIRON, be sufficient and adequate in order to of Maradona’s death described his government has used the law to ban neutralize any ... threat to the natural medical team as “deficient”, “reckless” about 30 groups. “It’s awfully sad” to DOCTOR NANCY FORLINI course of the investigation,” the news and “indifferent”, according to Telam. close Pivovarov tweeted, adding that agency quoted Diaz as saying. Maradona, widely regarded as one of “an increasing number of people in AND NURSE COORDINATOR Maradona died of a heart attack aged the greatest footballers of all time, the country want changes” and MARIANO PERRONI WERE 60 last November, less than a month after shared the award for FIFA’s Best Player “Russia will be free, and it will happen undergoing surgery to remove a blood of the 20th Century with Brazilian very soon”. Open Russia was funded LAST WEEK CHARGED WITH clot on his brain. Investigators have said legend Pele. The Argentine’s passing by tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who they are trying to determine whether prompted mourning worldwide, moved to London after spending 10 INVOLUNTARY there was negligence on the part of particularly in his homeland, where he years in prison in Russia on charges MANSLAUGHTER. doctors and medical staff. was revered for orchestrating the widely seen as political revenge for An initial autopsy found that national team’s 1986 World Cup triumph challenging President Vladimir They have been summoned to provide Maradona had died from “acute in Mexico. (ANI/Xinhua) Putin’s rule. AP THE INDIAN PANORAMA COVID-WORLD FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 26

World’s first man to get Covid-19 vaccine Global Covid-19 caseload dies of unrelated illness in UK tops 169.6mn illiam Shakespeare hit global headlines on December 8 last WASHINGTON (TIP): The overall Wyear when he became the first global Covid-19 caseload has topped 168.7 man to have the jab to fight against the million, while the deaths have surged to TRACKING THE VIRUS coronavirus at the University Hospital more than 3.52 million, according to the Coventry and Warwickshire Johns Hopkins University. An 81-year-old pensioner in the UK In its latest update on Friday, May 28, GLOBAL who made history when he became the morning, the University's Center for INDIA first man in the world to have the Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) COVID-19 vaccination has died of an revealed that the current global caseload Cases Deaths Cases Deaths unrelated illness, the British media and death toll stood at 169,623,439 and 169,623,439 3,525,023 27,555,457 315,235 reported on Tuesday, May 25. 3,525,023, respectively. William Shakespeare hit global The US continues to be the worst-hit headlines on December 8 last year when country with the world's highest number he became the first man to have the jab of cases and deaths at 33,999,680 and to fight against the coronavirus at the 607,726, respectively, according to the University Hospital Coventry and CSSE. Warwickshire. Shakespeare received In terms of infections, India follows in his first Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the the second place with 27,547,705 cases. same hospital shortly after 91-year-old The other worst countries with over 3 Margaret Keenan, who became the million cases are Brazil (16,342,162), world's first person to get the jab. France (5,635,629), Turkey (5,220,549), Coventry councillor Jayne Innes, a Russia (5,035,207), the UK (4,473,677), Italy friend of Shakespeare, said he had died (4,205,970), Germany (3,673,969), Spain on Thursday (May 20) and added the (3,663,215), Argentina (3,663,176) and "best tribute to Bill is to have the jab". Colombia (3,319,193), the CSSE figures Bill, as he was fondly known, passed showed. away after a period of illness at the In terms of deaths, Brazil comes same hospital where he famously second with 456,753 fatalities. received his vaccine, CoventryLive Nations with a death toll of over reported. Shakespeare had worked at 100,000 are India (318,821), Mexico Rolls Royce and was a parish councillor. (221,963), the UK (127,758), Italy (125,793), Shakespeare had served his local Russia (120,002) and France (109,165). community in Allesley for more than three decades and was an inpatient on The US continues to be the worst-hit the hospital's frailty ward at the time of country with the world's highest number of his first jab, said it had been "wonderful". cases and deaths at 33,999,680 and 607,726, respectively Why men are more likely to die of Covid — US study shows testosterone levels are key

new US study could finally help by the body, and IGF-1 — an important answer why men are more likely growth hormone that is similar to Ato die from Covid-19 than women. insulin and plays a role in maintaining The study, by researchers from the muscle mass. Washington University School of Among men, only testosterone levels Medicine in St Louis, Missouri, revealed were linked to Covid-19 severity. At that men with low testosterone levels are hospital admission, men with severe more likely to require intensive care. Covid had average testosterone levels of However, the study, published in the 53 nanograms per decilitre, and men journal JAMA Network Open Tuesday, with less severe disease had average does not prove that severe Covid is levels of 151 nanograms per decilitre. caused by low testosterone. Instead, the A blood testosterone level of 250 researchers establish a link between nanograms per decilitre or less is severity of the disease and low levels of considered low testosterone in adult the sex hormone, and urge caution men. against ongoing clinical trials that are By day three, the average testosterone investigating hormonal therapies — level of the most severely ill men was which block or lower testosterone or only 19 nanograms per decilitre. increase oestrogen — as a treatment for The researchers also found that those men with Covid. requiring intensive care or dying — was symptoms of Covid-19 or confirmed with the lowest levels of testosterone in “During the pandemic, there has been much higher compared with men who cases of the illness. Of these, 143 were the blood were at highest risk of going on a prevailing notion that testosterone is had more circulating testosterone. And if hospitalised. a ventilator, needed intensive care or bad,” Abhinav Diwan, a professor of testosterone levels dropped further The researchers measured hormone were dying. medicine at the university, said in a during hospitalisation, the risk levels after three, seven, 14 and 28 days — Thirty-seven patients, 25 of whom statement. increased,” Diwan added. depending on how long the patient was were men, died over the course of the “But we found the opposite in men. If a For the study, researchers measured hospitalised. study. man had low testosterone when he first several hormones in blood samples from In addition to testosterone, the Meanwhile, no such link between came to the hospital, his risk of having 90 men and 62 women, who came to researchers also measured levels of levels of any hormone and disease severe Covid-19 — meaning his risk of Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis with oestradiol, a form of oestrogen produced severity was found among women. THE INDIAN PANORAMA ADVT FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 27 THE INDIAN PANORAMA WOMEN FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 28

CONNOISSEUR’S Overnight masks to wake CHOICE up with glossy and rejuvenated skin By Tript Arora Pesarattu Dosa & Allam Chutney

reen gram dal is packed with healthy nutrients and Gis rich in potassium, magnesium and fiber. Moreover moong beans are low on fats and high in protein So it keeps you fuller for a longer time which helps in weight loss. So let us begin our day with crispy & healthy crepes made of green gram bean and are known as Pesarattu Dosas. This is the specialty of Andhrapradesh. Green gram is soaked overnight and in the morning it is ground to fine paste along with ginger and green chillies. To make these dosas crispy, soak two tbsp of rice along with the green gram . This batter needs no fermentation. You can make it right away. The filling of Pasarattu is of two types. One is to fill it with Upma and the other filling is of grated carrot, finely chopped onion and Tomatoes. To add to its taste, serve Pesarattu Dosas with Allam Chutney which is made of ginger and Gram dal or chana dal. We Need Method FOR GREEN GRAM DOSA: 1 Cup Green gram beans or Moong id you wake up with panda effectively treat skin problems. Dal, 2 Tbsp Rice, 2 green Chillies, 2" Inch Piece of Ginger, Salt eye bags or looking as „ Whip oats, honey, and to taste, 2 Cups of water for soaking the dal. beautiful as ever? This is Tomato face mask turmeric in a bowl. D FOR FILLING: 1 Carrot grated, 1 onion Chopped, 1 Tomato when you can rely on overnight Ingredients „ Apply the paste all over your Chopped, ½ Cup Chopped Coriander Leaves sleeping masks to work their magic. face. They literally do what their name „ 1 tbsp of tomato pulp „ Leave it on overnight. FOR ALLAM CHUTNEY: 1 Onion Roughly Chopped, 2 medium Tomato roughly Chopped, 2 Green chillies roughly chopped, 2 implies: they pamper your skin 1 tsp aloe vera gel Cleanse your skin with cold „ „ Tbsp Chana dal, 3" Ginger Piece, 2 Tbsp seedless tamarind, 2 " overnight while you sleep, resulting Method water once you wake up in the Piece of Jaggery, 2 Tbsp Kasmiri Red Chilli powder, A pinch of in hydrated, soft, and cushiony skin morning. Asafoetida( optional), 2 Tbsp Oil, Salt to taste. when you wake up. Your skincare „ Make it a paste and apply it to „ Orange face mask Here We Go regimen is a collection of products your face. Ingredients that are applied to your skin in a „ Let it stay overnight and rinse Wash Green gram thoroughly. Soak it overnight in water with 1 step-by-step fashion. Each caters to it off the next morning with „ 1 tbsp orange peel powder Tsp of salt. what it is intended to do; in this cold water. „ 1 tbsp aloe vera gel case, sleeping masks will ensure Drain it in the morning. Grind it in a mixer jar along with green chillies and ginger to a smooth paste. Take the batter out in a your glowing skin dreams come Oats face mask Method bowl and check the salt. Add if needed. The batter should be true. Ingredients „ Blend it and spread this paste of pouring consistency. If thicker, add a little water. From delivering deep on your skin. moisturization, repairing skin „ 1 tbsp ground oats „ Wash it off in the morning. Heat a nonstick pan.Lower the flame and Pour a ladleful of batter on the pan and spread it like a dosa.( pan cake) Keep damage, to fading age spots, „ 1 tbsp honey „ Pat dry. the flame on low. Spread some oil on the surface of the cake overnight sleeping masks can „ 1 tsp turmeric Source: Pinkvilla and let it cook. Spread the chopped vegetables on it and fold it in the shape of Dosa. Take it out on a plate and serve it hot with allam chutney. For Allam chutney, heat a pan and add 2 tbsp of oil to it. Add Tips to make your lipstick last longer Asafoetida and chana dal and roast a bit. Add onions, green chillies and ginger pieces to it. Add chopped tomatoes to it . Roast them till tomatoes are soft. Add kashmiri red chilli „ Make sure you thoroughly exfoliate your lips — powder. Add salt, tamarind and jaggery to it. Add ½ Cup water this is not only for smoother application but also to and cover the pan. Let it simmer for 10 minutes on low flame make the colour last longer. Flaky lips rarely till the liquid has almost evaporated. provide any colour payoff and we often tend to Let it cool. Add this chutney to the grinder jar. Also Add 4 ice peel or bite on them (which isn’t the best sight). cubes to the jar. Grind it to a fine paste. Your Allam chutney is Make sure you follow your lip care routine (read: ready to serve. exfoliating twice in a week and applying a lip balm Soaking Time : 7 to 8 hours daily). Preparation Time : 20 minutes „ Use a lip liner. Not only does it enhance the colour of the lip shade, it also prevents the lipstick from Cooking time : 5 to 7 minutes per Dosa bleeding. Opt for a liner similar to the shade of Pro Tips: Soak Green Gram Dal overnight for better results, your lips, and line the outer corners with it and Adding rice is optional but it gives a crispy texture to the then fill in the gap. Dosa. You can store Allam Chutney for about a week in the „ Carefully choose the formula. Lipsticks come in a refrigerator. Adding ice cubes to chutney while grinding helps variety of formulas ranging from a lip and cheek set your lipstick with a loose powder. All you have to retain the colour of the chutney. tint to satin, velvet finish, matte and glossy. When to do is lightly dab some loose translucent powder you are applying a lipstick under the mask, it is on your lips. This way you not only remove any You Can reach me at: www.triptasfoodtunnel.com best to go for a matte texture since they don’t excess product but also seal the deal with the Email : [email protected]. budge, dry quickly and are transfer-proof. powder locking in the moisture of the lips, Instagram: @triptasfoodtunnel „ If you don’t have a matte lipstick, make sure you preventing it from bleeding. THE INDIAN PANORAMA HEALTH FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 29 Coronasomnia: All about Covid-induced sleeplessness oronasomnia is the latest medical term given to high- Cend insomnia that chiefly stems from sleep deprivation due to stress and anxiety over the ongoing pandemic. Unlike other mild to moderate symptoms, this insomnia doesn’t occur due to the infectious virus but happens primarily due to social isolation, disrupted routines, job losses, and ongoing uncertainty. Some of the factors of Coronasomnia are: Two metres social Stress Fear of getting infected, spreading distancing not enough infection, watching too much news, feeling helpless, unable to meet as Covid airborne covid-infected family members etc. apnea surgeon. Overall lack of sleep What can be done? reduces the immunity levels, aintaining social distance of two metres is Change in daily routine enhances the inflammation leading “The most basic advice here is to not enough as coronavirus, that spreads via Lack of physical activity, online to more symptoms and insomnia, stay away from news and too many Maerosol, can be carried up to 10 metres work, excess work at home with no making it a vicious cycle, she added. online updates. Concentrate more through the air, experts warned on Tuesday, adding breaks and outings, sometimes Another major factor on recovered patients, follow a daily that double masks, coupled with hand hygiene and excessive daytime sleeping leading contributing to this is self-isolation routine with exercises and a healthy proper ventilation could be the key to curb the spread. to insomnia, increased screen time and long periods of quarantine and diet and watch one’s sleep schedule Coronavirus was earlier deemed to be spread via not being able to talk to family by avoiding excess daytime sleep. droplets. But a new assessment published in the Financial stress members or friends in person. Reduce screen time and nurture medical journal The Lancet last month revealed that Loss of jobs, less earning, career Staying connected can prevent it to a some hobbies like music, art, there is consistent, and strong evidence to prove that insecurity, rising expenditures and large extent. reading etc. Eat healthy,” she said. the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes Covid-19, is no income. Apart from these, the Once insomnia sets in, there’s an predominantly transmitted through the air. disease itself may be causing Cause for concern added stress of inability to sleep and On the other hand, evidence supporting large insomnia “due to various symptoms Insomnia not only causes fatigue one anticipates disrupted, droplet transmission was almost non-existent. Earlier like shortness of breath, body aches, and sleep deprivation, but it also fragmented sleep, thereby further this month, the US Centers for Disease Control and anxiety, depression, psychosis, makes one prone to hypertension, aggravating the situation. “To Prevention (CDC) said that coronavirus is airborne. nightmares, feeling of doom”. diabetes, and stroke. These, along combat it, if medications are taken, The Indian government also, in a recent advisory, “Fever and lack of taste might keep with low immunity induced by lack they alter normal sleep cycle and said that aerosols can travel up to 10 metres from the a person awake,” mentioned Dr of sleep make one more susceptible there is not much relief,” said Dr infected person, and that aerosols, through the Anamika Rathore, consultant to covid-19. This can lead to more Rathore. infected person, can fall within two metres but can be ENT/endoscopic sinus and sleep anxiety and stress. Source: Indian Express carried up to 10 metres through the air. "Obviously, a distance of two metres is not enough. That the virus is aerosol-borne probably explains why the disease is spreading more rapidly. What we must stress more on is Covid-appropriate behaviour," HS UK study finds long-term lung Chhabra, Medical Director of Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, told IANS. "The virus can sustain in the air for six hours and it damage after COVID-19 can travel 10 metres of distance. One should wear double masks and when someone is wearing double masks, then two metres distance is enough," added esearchers in the UK have identified persistent Vikas Maurya, Director and HOD, Pulmonology, damage to lungs in COVID-19 patients at least Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh. Rthree months after they were discharged from The Union government's Principal Scientific hospital, and in some cases the duration is even Advisor, Prof K Vijay Raghavan, recently released an longer. advisory "Stop the Transmission, Crush the The study, conducted by Sheffield and Oxford Pandemic - Masks, distance, sanitation and researchers using a cutting-edge method of imaging, ventilation, to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 said the damage was not detected by routine CT scans virus", which highlights the important role well- and clinical tests, and the patients would ventilated spaces play in diluting the viral load of consequently normally be told their lungs are infected air in poorly-ventilated houses, offices etc. normal. Ventilation can decrease the risk of transmission Early research by the team has shown that patients from one infected person to the other. who have not been hospitalised with COVID-19 but who are experiencing long-term breathlessness may have similar damage in their lungs, and a larger PAGE SPONSORED BY study is needed to confirm this, a release by the Sheffield University said on May 26. DR. SATISH AND GITANJLI ANAND In a paper published in Radiology, the world’s leading radiology journal, the researchers from the DR. SATISH ANAND University of Sheffield and the University of Oxford The 129 Xe MRI is pinpointing the parts of the lung Former Chairman, Board of said that hyperpolarised xenon MRI (XeMRI) scans where the physiology of oxygen uptake is impaired Trustees, AAPI National had found abnormalities in the lungs of some COVID- due to long standing effects of COVID-19 on the lungs, E-Mail: 19 patients more than three months and in some even though they often look normal on CT scans. [email protected] cases, nine months – after leaving hospital, when “It is great to see the imaging technology we have other clinical measurements were normal. developed rolled out in other clinical centres, Lead author of the study, Professor Jim Wild, Head working with our collaborators in Oxford on such a GITANJLI ANAND of Imaging and NIHR Research Professor of timely and clinically important study sets a real Former President, India Magnetic Resonance at the University of Sheffield, precedent for multi-centre research and NHS Association of Long Island said, “the findings of the study are very interesting. diagnostic scanning with 129Xe MRI in the UK,” the (IALI) release quoted him as saying. Source: PTI E-mail: [email protected] THE INDIAN PANORAMA SCIENCE & TECH FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 30 FB to take Gmail storage full? Here’s Microsoft Xbox Game actions against how you can clean up and Pass gets those who support for repeatedly share save some space Surface Duo mail is the most popular service for false content emails with more than a billion users. icrosoft has GBut Gmail can get cluttered pretty announced that acebook will now send a quickly, given all the promotional emails that Mthe Xbox Game notification if you are might be finding their way into your inbox. Pass app for Android now F interacting with content that With Google’s deadline for Photos looming officially supports the has been rated by the company’s (June 1), it is important to clear up Gmail and Surface Duo and its unique fact-checker system. Social media delete all those thousands of unread emails. dual-screen setup. apps like Facebook play a big role That’s because Gmail storage is counted toward The company has been in spreading false news, so the the free 15GB of storage one gets with every testing this with the Game company is launching new ways to Google account. Pass Beta app on Android inform people about false or This 15GB free storage is allotted across for a handful of weeks, but misleading content. Users will see a Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive, and other now the feature is ready for pop up if they go to like one of the Google services. So, if you clean up your Gmail prime, reports Windows Pages that share false information. storage, then you will automatically get more Central.Xbox Game Pass The pop-up window will inform space for Google Photos. Keep reading to know support on Surface Duo you about the false content shared more about how to free up some Gmail storage allows gamers to play over by the Page, and then it will ask you space. 50 games on their Surface whether you want to follow the Duo with dedicated touch Page or Go back. Facebook is also Method 1: Delete emails controls. expanding penalties for individual Open Gmail and type “has:attachment However, unlike on a Facebook accounts that spread larger:10M” in the search bar. This will bring „ Open Gmail on your PC or laptop. normal smartphone, these false information. up all emails with attachments of over 10MB in „ Open any email from the sender that you touch controls will appear “We’re launching new ways to size. If you want to delete larger files, then you want to unsubscribe. on the bottom display. inform people if they’re can replace “10” with a higher number. After „ Tap on the Unsubscribe button, which is According to the PCMag, interacting with content that’s been Gmail displays the search results, select all the located near the sender’s name. the feature certainly adds rated by a fact-checker. We’ve taken emails you do not need and tap on the delete „ A pop-up window will appear. Click on some much-needed appeal stronger action against Pages, button. “Unsubscribe” again to confirm that you to the Surface Duo, which Groups, Instagram accounts and After this, head over to the Trash section and want to stop receiving the emails. You are arrived last year to domains sharing misinformation tap on the empty trash button. This is one of all set now. In some cases, you will be underwhelming reviews. and now, we’re expanding some of the easiest and best ways to quickly clean up redirected to the sender’s site, where you Second-screen support these efforts to include penalties the storage space. can disable the email option. For example, can essentially turn the for individual Facebook accounts when you unsubscribe to emails from product into a handheld too,” the company said in a blog Method 2: How to avoid ‘Gmail Twitter, you are redirected to the official gaming device similar to post. storage full’ issue in the future page, where you can immediately turn off Nintendo's 3DS. The It will reduce the distribution of the email option. company also said that all posts in News Feed from an You first need to unsubscribe all the In order to delete all the old emails, you can Xbox Game Cloud (xCloud) individual’s Facebook account if unnecessary emails, and then delete all the old just type the name of the sender in the search developers can adapt their they repeatedly share content that ones. If you signed up on a website that sends a bar and all the emails will appear in your inbox. games even further to take has been rated by one of the fact- lot of emails, such as promotions or You can then easily delete all of them without advantage of Surface checking partners. “We already newsletters, you can use the unsubscribe link reading any one of them. For example, type Duo's other unique form reduce a single post’s reach in to stop getting these emails. Notably, it could Twitter in the search bar and Gmail will factor choices, including News Feed if it has been take a few days for the mailing list to stop display all the Twitter-related emails. You can support for the wider 3:2 debunked,” Facebook said. sending you messages after you have then click on select all button to delete emails aspect ratio, columned unsubscribed, as per Google. all at once. Source: Indian Express layouts, and more.

Instagram updating ‘insights’ for video Google to count high-quality photos, formats ‘Reels’ and ‘Live’ for creators videos in free 15 GB quota oogle has announced that from June 1, any nstagram creators have a reason to Gnew high-quality rejoice! The Facebook-owned photo- photos and videos you back Isharing platform on Monday up will count toward the announced that it is carrying out a few free 15 GB of free storage updates to the 'insights' feature of its video that comes with every formats- 'Reels' and 'Live' that will help its Google account, or the content creators and businesses better additional storage you've comprehend and evaluate their purchased as a Google One performance on the platform. member. With the new update, Instagram will The company said that show the metrics including how many you're existing high-quality times the reels have been played, what is its Viewers, Comments, and Shares. We will photos and videos are reach, likes, comments and saves, just like also be including these metrics in Account exempt from this change. it does for photos and normal video clips Insights to provide a broader picture into "Any photos or videos that users post on the platform. This will how Reels and Live shape an account's backed up in high quality eventually help the creators evaluate what performance." before June 1, 2021, will not kind of content is famous and being Additionally, Instagram launched new count toward your Google Account storage. These photos and videos will remain free appreciated by the common social media detailed information about reach in and exempt from the storage limit," Andy Abramson, Director, Product Management, users. On its official blog post Instagram 'Account Insights'. The platform has built Google Photos, said in a statement late on Monday. noted, "For Reels, we will be showing new new breakdowns that provide The company estimates that more than 80 percent of the users should still be able metrics including Plays, Accounts transparency into which types of accounts to store roughly three more years of memories in high quality with your free 15 GB Reached, Likes, Comments, Saves, and a creator is reaching and which content of storage. Shares. For Live, we will be showing formats are the most effective at driving As your storage nears 15 GB, Google will notify you in the app and follow up by Accounts Reached, Peak Concurrent reach. email. THE INDIAN PANORAMA BUSINESS FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 31 Cost of equity PNB scam: Choksi’s Jeff Bezos to declined in India step down as Amazon CEO he India Cost of Capital Survey immediate repatriation 2021 concludes that in line with on July 5 Tthe falling interest rates, the cost of equity in India has declined since stayed by Dominica court mazon founder Jeff EY's last cost of capital survey in 2017. Bezos has picked a The EY-NSE report encapsulates Dominica court has put to me that he was abducted at Adate to step down as views of around 200 respondents from a stay on the Jolly Harbour in Antigua and CEO.Bezos,who grew the corporate India, spread across Arepatriation of fugitive brought to Dominica by Amazon from an internet different sectors and company sizes. Mehul Choksi after Choksi's persons whom he believed to be bookstore to an online The survey concludes that in line with legal team in Dominica filed a Indian and Antiguan police on shopping behemoth, said the falling interest rates, the average habeas corpus petition and a vessel he described to be Wednesday that Amazon cost of equity in India has decreased highlighted that he was denied about 60-70 feet in length," executive Andy Jassy will since EY's last cost of capital survey in legal rights and was not Choksi's lawyer in Dominica take over the CEO role on 2017. allowed to meet his lawyers Wayne Marshe told ANI. July 5. While largely a measure of risk, the initially, local media reported. After Choksi was We chose that date cost of equity is also a proxy for return The matter is expected to be apprehended in Dominica, because its sentimental for expectation, and its decline with falling heard again on May 28 at 9am Antiguan Prime Minister me," Bezos said during an interest rates can be interpreted as local time. This comes after the Gaston Browne said he asked Amazon shareholder signs of conservatism in return acting police chief of Dominica Dominica to hand Choksi over meeting Wednesday. He expectations from prospective Lincoln Corbette told to India directly. But the explained that it was investments. The survey findings say Hindustan Times that the legality of that in the absence exactly 27 years ago on that that India's average cost of equity is 14 fugitive businessman, wanted of an extradition arrangement date in 1994 that Amazon per cent; declined by 100 basis points in India in multicrore PNB The court ruled that Mehul Choksi between India and Dominica was incorporated. since EY's last cost of capital survey in scam, will be repatriated to should be granted full access to the was questioned. Seattle-based attorneys, who filed a habeas 2017. Antigua and not to India. corpus petition before the court "Ultimately, it is the Amazon.com Inc. Real estate, healthcare (including Currently, Choksi is in the amid speculations of his sovereign decision of the announced that Bezos was pharmaceuticals and life sciences) and custody of Dominica Police repatriation to India. government of Dominica as to stepping down as CEO in renewables command the highest cost and is being investigated, which country they repatriate February, but didn’t of equity, whereas chemicals, media police said. Antigua or Dominica. Mehul Choksi unless the Court provide a specific date. and entertainment and FMCG, are at Under a habeas corpus Choksi's lawyer in India states otherwise," Browne told Jassy, his replacement, the lowest.The survey also found that petition, an arrested person Vijay Aggarwal said his client ANI. currently runs the start-ups or internet-age companies has to be brought before a was picked up by various Dominica is not among the 58 companys cloud- recorded higher cost of equity on an judge, especially to secure the people from Jolly Harbour, countries with which India has computing business. average. person's release "unless lawful where his car was found after either extradition treaties or Bezos, 57 and with a The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) grounds are shown for their his sudden disappearance, and arrangements, while it has the personal fortune of $167 methodology is one of the key detention". Choksi's Dominica then he was taken to Dominica. same with Antigua and billion, won’t be going far. approaches for valuation analysis used lawyer Wayne Marshe said it is "I noticed that he was Barbuda. In such cases, the He will become executive and most companies typically consider a "travesty of justice" as Choksi severely beaten, his eyes were decision of where a fugitive chair at Amazon and focus a horizon of five years under this is entitled to legal swollen and had several burnt will be repatriated depends on on new products and approach. representation — be it in marks on his body. He reported local authorities. initiatives. Iran bans cryptocurrency Koo raises USD 30 mining for 4 months after million funding led by blackouts Tiger Global NEW DELHI (TIP): ran's President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday announced a four- Twitter-rival Koo has raised month ban on all cryptocurrency mining, a day after his energy USD 30 million (about Rs 218 Iminister apologised for unplanned power cuts in major cities. crore) in a funding round led Amazon buys Iranian officials have regularly blamed unlicensed cryptocurrency by Tiger Global, according to miners for using vast amounts of electricity. a statement. "Cryptocurrency activities and mining cryptocurrencies must be Existing investors Accel MGM for stopped" until September 22, Rouhani said in televised remarks. Partners, Kalaari Capital, Power cuts in the peak summer months are not uncommon in Iran, 3one4 Capital, Blume but Tehran and several other major cities were hit by unplanned Ventures and Dream $8.45 bn blackouts late last week, sparking complaints from consumers and Incubator also took part in mazon is going Hollywood. The businesses. the latest funding round, Koo said in a statement. online shopping giant is buying Iran started rolling blackouts from Sunday to reduce the pressure on IIFL and Mirae Assets are other new investors who AMGM, the movie and TV studio the national grid. have come on board the cap table with this round. behind James Bond, ‘Legally Blonde’ Rouhani said "illegal" miners who usually have access to subsidised Notably, the fund-raising comes at a time when the and ‘Shark Tank’, with the hopes of electricity consume between six and seven times more power than new IT intermediary rules are taking effect, making filling its video streaming service with those with permits. large digital platforms including Twitter and Facebook more stuff to watch. Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian apologised to Iranians on more accountable and responsible for the content Amazon is paying $8.45 billion for Tuesday for "shortcomings and pressures" over the surprise hosted by them. MGM, making it the company’s blackouts. He said the national grid was overburdened due to a Homegrown microblogging platform Koo has close to second-largest acquisition after it drought impacting hydropower generation and unexpectedly warm 60 lakh users, making it a major social media bought grocer Whole Foods for nearly weather causing a surge in demand for air conditioning. intermediary under the new guidelines. Last week, Koo $14 billion in 2017. National electricity company spokesman Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi said it has complied with the requirements of the new The deal is the latest in the media said on Saturday that licensed cryptocurrency-mining farms had rules and its privacy policy, terms of use and industry that’s aimed at boosting already voluntarily shut down operations to ease the burden. community guidelines now reflect the changes. streaming services to compete against Profitably creating, or mining, bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies "Koo, India's own microblogging app, has raised USD Netflix and Disney+. AT&T and requires masses of computers dedicated to solving deliberately 30 million in Series B funding," it said in a statement on Discovery announced on May 17 that complicated equations -- an endeavour that globally consumes more Wednesday,adding that Tiger Global led the investment they would combine media electricity than entire nations. round. companies, creating a powerhouse According to consultant and expert on cryptocurrencies Michel The funds from the latest round would be used that includes HGTV, CNN, Food Rauchs, about five to 10 percent of world bitcoin mining can be traced mainly to strengthen engineering, product and Network and HBO. to Iran. community efforts across all Indian languages at Koo. THE INDIAN PANORAMA ASTROLOGY FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 32 Shree Ganeshaya Namah

By Vedic Astrologer Nastur Bejan Daruwalla is available for astrological consultations. He can be reached at [email protected] and on phone +91 8141234275 for astrological queries VEDIC ASTROLOGER NASTUR Chirag Bejan Daruwalla with his father late Bejan Daruwalla BEJAN DARUWALLA www.bejandaruwalla.com

TIP brings you Weekly and Birthday Horoscope by WEEKLY HOROSCOPE Astro Friend Chirag - Blessed Son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla May 31 - June 6, 2021

ARIES: You will look at the world with a LEO: You need to focus on being healthy and SAGITTARIUS: You will experience a great unique new insight this week. You will notice leave behind your bad and irregular eating habits. amount of luck and love this week. As you that if you look out for the little good things Your body is getting tired quickly because of the spend your time in new adventures and that keep happening throughout this week you food that you eat. If you are not responsible this exploring new places throughout the week. You won't be bothered by all the negativity you face weekand take the necessary steps, be ready for ill will have a great time with your loved one this this week. Your business will make you really health in the near future.Remember to slowly week. You will get to know each other better happy this week. This week you have the time increase the amount of exercise you get, and to and it will bring you more closely to each to improve yourself and work on the things introduce new activities gently. Try to adjust your other. You will feel extremely happy this week. you've been meaning to do to improve your eating habits by making small changes. You will Your happiness is due to a successful skillet. Updating your knowledge during this have to adopt a practical and sensible approach to accomplishment of your partner. Now that they time will help you a lot in the future. Trust the handle business matters. Otherwise, you will be have achieved what you wanted this week the timing and practice patience. Do not waste this stuck wasting a lot of time worrying about how time for both of you to relax. week worrying about the lack of new people perceive you. CAPRICORN: You will be annoyed with the opportunities. VIRGO: Expect some arguments with lack of attention and support you are getting TAURUS: You will need to focus on eating colleagues who are jealous of you due to the fame from your partner. Your love life will feel very healthier and exercising more often now. New you gain this week. It is because you have been upset earlier this week. Your leadership skills habits have to be incorporated into your oversharing in the past, you need to focus more will help you move past any hurdles without lifestyle, especially if you are not feeling on your work and not on the people who drag you much effort. This will be a good week to motivated to work out this week. It's down in life, at the same time you need to be retrospect and think about your progress.Don't imperative to take care of your eating, extremely careful about the information you forget to continue with your hard work and drinking. Stay cautious about anything and publicly share at yourworkplace as it might be efforts you need not spend the whole week everything you consume. Your health seems to used against you to pull you down from the sulking just because you feel a little insecure. be gradually regressing without you noticing it position that you are currently at. You will need Take rest breaks when you feel they're needed this week hence you need to be extra careful to push through these people by making a and continue with your work otherwise. this week regarding everything that you do this conscious effort to not let them ruin your week. AQUARIUS: This week is a very beautiful week. LIBRA: Your partner is very likely to be away week for you. You seem to be going on a positive GEMINI: As you notice that your well being at work for the most part this week which works streak this week. Relish the positive energy you improves over the past few days, challenges out perfectly for you. Although this week is not a have been experiencing and use it to be as and changes arrive in your relationships. It's very loving and affectionate kind of week. Your productive as you can be. You will feel at a very nothing that you can't handle if you chose to partner will be very supportive of you whether safe place in your relationship this week and it remain calm and peaceful. Focus on being kind it's your health or your business. They will take will progressively get better. Although things caring and gentle and make way for a very care of things that bother you and this will will go way too fast for you this week, it will all long-lasting relationship. Relaxation methods facilitate a lot of thoughts in your mind about feel like a fairytale for you. Your health will not are very important for you to do this week. You moving forward with this relationship. If you're bother you this week; at the same time, you can keep things smooth by keeping control over single, an exciting new potential partner could should try to maintain this state for a long time. your eating habits. Hence, avoid any kind of have your senses activated. If you're currently If you try to accommodate some health care stress, your health is totally in your hands and involved, recent events may have created such a routines like exercise or yoga and start eating you will need to make this weekend count by powerful bond between you and your partner that more nutrients foods,you will feel even better. making the correct choices. at this point you may think it'll never end. PISCES: Your love life will be better than it's CANCER: Everything will work out quite Consider what led up to this feeling and discern ever been this week. If you have been trying to well for you this week. You will enjoy it a lot ways to continually re-create it. get a specific someone's attention for a while this week because you have been working hard SCORPIO: This week you will feel elated and now, luck will be your cupid this week. Live in the past couple of days. Make sure you take happy because the stars are perfectly aligned the moment and try not to rush things. You have time out to have fun this week. You will be when it comes to your mental and physical well- ample amount of time. Your partner may have a pampered a lot by your partner this week. You being. This could be taken positively or negatively good attitude towards you which will lead to feel appreciated for your efforts. You won't face by you because if you see the good part about this solutions of misunderstandings this week. You any major problems in your love life this week week, it would be that you won't face any negative will do your best when it comes to your love life end it will only keep getting better. Do not rush events or outcomes this week but you won't and show your patient approach to maintain a into things and take the next step. Your experience any excessive gains or extraordinary tranquil life this week. Things will be easier for business will require more employees and more events that give you an adrenaline rush hence you this week as your luck will be lending you dedication which is a good thing as it means this week is a calm week for you which you can strength and creating a niche of favorable that your business is growing to new heights; enjoy if you're able to control your constant need opportunities for you. These opportunities will you need to stay focused and not get lost in the to compare yourself with those around you and take your life far and you will realize that this fame and fortune this week. feel insecure about your future. week itself.

CONTD ON PAGE 33 THE INDIAN PANORAMA ASTROLOGY FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 33 BIRTHDAY HOROSCOPE May 31 - June 6, 2021 By Astro Friend Chirag - Blessed Son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla

CONTD FROM PAGE 32 get what you're trying to accomplish today. Today regarding your relationship. A lot of unexpected May 31 could bring you some financial gain in your business. obstacles will also arise due to silly mistakes of your You will earn a lot of respect and appreciation Deals that have been pending are likely to get settled employees hence today your temper will be tested as from a new prospect and all of your colleagues today. today as well. You will see yourself growing in all well. Being angry at your employees will ruin the The stars are really making you be the best you can perspectives. Although luck is on your side you will work even more hence no matter how hard it. be today. You'll be really happy today, thinking about have to work hard throughout the day today. June 5 the deal you closed today. You need to work on not June 3 being overwhelmed by the work so much so that you Your day will start with the rotation of Saturn cannot plan a way out of it. Your confidence will Luck will provide you with a lot of positive bringing you mental peace as well as a lot of rescue you in all the difficult circumstances today. outcomes that you deserve today.If you do not let the prosperity but will end with a little bit of workload. June 1 stress and anxiety of the busy life get to you, you will Income from unexpected sources is likely to find its have the best day today. You're enjoying your time way to you today. Your health will be pretty stagnant You have been on a downward spiral for quite a with your partner so much today that you won't have and will only keep getting better from today onwards, while now so today will be a big relief. Your any negative feeling about moving forward now is the time to work hard towards achieving your competitors will give you a break today and you will whatsoever. Taking professional help rather than health goals. Nurture the love and care you receive be able to enjoy solitary bliss today. You will be very neglecting the issues that you have been having for a today and the people you receive them from. motivated today as your luck will push you to do a lot while now is the only way your health will improve June 6 of work. Being able to fulfill today's task might today. Make it an immediate priority. You should increase your self-confidence today which will last remain extra cautious and careful about any ill- Today is just a relatively easy day for you as you much longer than just a day. You will go through health symptoms you experience today. Make sure to work with your team with ease and also have a lot of emotional changes within you which will affect your consult a doctor if you feel sick today. fun at work today. Your work life will be the most behavior with your partner today,but nothing will go June 4 positive part of your day.A very productive day is on significantly wrong in your relationship, today. its way for you today. You will have a lot of work to June 2 Your love life will be better than it's ever been. If you do, which you will thoroughly enjoy. You tend to stop have been trying to get a specific someone's attention working on your health if you get busy at work, Your business will require more employees and for a while now, luck will be with you today.Live in the which is one practice you need to change. Make time more dedication which is a good thing as it means that moment and try not to rush things. Your partner may for your health every day. If you try to accommodate your business is growing to new heights; you need to have a good attitude towards you which will lead to some health care routines like exercise or yoga and stay focused and not get lost in the fame and fortune solutions of misunderstandings. You need to work on start eating more nutritious foods, you will feel even today.You will have a very positive day today.You will calming your negative thoughts today especially better. THE INDIAN PANORAMA SPIRITUALITY FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 34

ridevi, or three goddesses, is a term used in Hinduism to describe the three main female Tdeities. These are Saraswati (who is linked to Brahma), Lakshmi (who is linked to Vishnu) and Tridevi – the three Parvati (who is linked to Shiva). Mahalakshmi - The Goddess of Wealth Sri Mahalakshmi or Lakshmi, as the Goddess is also supreme Goddesses referred to, is the Hindu Goddess of Wealth, auspiciousness, purity, prosperity and generosity. She also embodies charm, beauty and grace. Lakshmi is a very popular and powerful Goddess in Indian mythology.In fact, representations of Lakshmi, or Shri, are found also in Buddhist and Jain monuments. The earliest archeological representations of Devi Shri were found in Buddhist monuments. The name "Lakshmi" is derived from the Sanskrit elemental form "lakS," meaning to observe or perceive. This is also synonymous with "lakSya," meaning aim, goal or objective. Lakshmi is thus a Goddess who is regarded as the means to achieving several goals, importantly, becoming prosperous. Lakshmi, the Consort of Sri Maha Vishnu, also incarnates as Sita (during Vishnu's avatar as Rama) and Rukmini and Radha (during Vishnu's manifestation as Krishna). As Lakshmi, She is often depicted as an indescribably beautiful woman, seated on a full-bloomed lotus, holding lotus buds in two of her hands, a pot of gold in the third and benignly blessing all those who come to her for succour. She is flanked by elephants, which symbolizes her royal status. Lakshmi, being the Goddess of Wealth, is also depicted as dressed in rich red silk, fully ornamented from head to toe in gold and precious stones. Lakshmi's four hands represent four spiritual virtues. The fully bloomed lotus she is seated on, represents the seat of Divine Truth. The aura of joy surrounding her depicts mental and spiritual balance. Peace and prosperity always exist around her. Sri Mahalakshmi is also depicted as being seated on the Adishesha (bed of snakes), along with her Consort, penance, cleans up the place and offers puja to him turn, represent the 3 forms of literature: Poetry - the Vishnu. Vishnu lies in the Ananta Shayan (reclining) everyday.When he does not even open his eyes to glance Rigveda containing hymns and representing poetry; position and Lakshmi is seen pressing his feet. at her, however, she is terribly saddened and decides to Prose - the Yajurveda containing prose; Music - the undergo severe penance herself, in order to please him. Samaveda representing music. Prose is represented by Parvati - The Goddess of Power She sheds her clothes, refuses food and water and the book in one hand, poetry by the rosary of crystals, Parvati devi, in Hindu mythology, is a representation proceeds to do penance in the harsh clime of the music by the veena. The pot of sacred water represents of the ultimate female divinity, the Shakti. In spite of Himalayas. Shiva is pleased by her devotion to him and purity in all of these three, or their power to purify her being a gentle mother goddess, she is known for agrees to marry her. They move on from there to mount human thought. unleashing her true power and strength in times of Kailas, Shiva's abode. A white swan is often located next to her feet. The crisis. The Shaktas consider her the ultimate Divine sacred swan, if offered a mixture of milk and water, is Shakti, the embodiment of the total energy in the said to be able to drink the milk alone. The swan thus universe. Parvati, the daughter of Himavan, the king of Saraswati - the Goddess of symbolizes discrimination between the good and the the Himalayas, is an incarnation of Sati, the first Learning and Knowledge bad or the eternal and the evanescent. Due to her consort of Lord Shiva, and is the mother of Ganesha, association with the swan, Goddess Saraswati is also the Elephant-Headed Lord and Kartikeya (Muruga or Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of learning, referred to as Hamsa-vahini, which means "she who has Skanda). The Devi is usually portrayed with two arms, knowledge, music and the Arts. Saraswati has also been a swan as her vehicle". seated on a lion or tiger. Generally benign, this goddess identified with and likened to the Vedic Saraswati River. Sometimes a peacock is shown beside the goddess. is also known to take on more powerful and fearful She is the consort of Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. The peacock represents arrogance and pride over its aspects such as Kali, Durga, Chandi and the Thus, with the goddesses Parvati and Lakshmi, she beauty, and by having a peacock as her mount, the Mahavidyas. completes the set of the divine Tridevi (the three Goddess teaches Hindus not to be concerned with Her other names include Lalita, Gauri, Girija, goddesses, just like the divine Trinity. external appearance and to be wise regarding the Girirajaputri and Shailaja. Yet other names include According to Hinduism, Saraswati's offspring are the eternal truth. Shyamala (the dark one), Amba, Ambika, Bhairavi, Vedas. Saraswati is a very popular Indian goddess and is Aparna and Uma. Legend has it that when Shiva teased propitiated to attain knowledge and wisdom. Saraswati PAGE SPONSORED BY her about her dark complexion, Parvati took offense and also prominently features in Mahayana Buddhism, left him to undergo severe penance to acquire Brahma's where she initally manifests in the Golden Radiance ARISH K. SAHANI boon for a fairer skin color. Sutra of the late 4th or early 5th Century,in a Mahayana Serving Since 1972 Though Parvati does not make an appearance in Vedic Sutra. literature, the Kena Upanishad talks about Uma- Devi Saraswati is often portrayed as a beautiful, Please Call or Write for Your Haimavati, who manifests as Shakti, the feminine white-skinned woman, attired in pure white, seated on a Insurance Needs energy of the Supreme Brahman. She reveals the white Nelumbo nucifera lotus. Her vahana or vehicle is Arish K Sahani knowledge of Brahman to the Vedic trinity of Agni, the swan, which symbolizes that she is founded in the (Father) Vayu, and Indra. The Ramayana and the Mahabharata experience of the Absolute Truth. Thus, she not only talk of Parvati as Shiva's consort. Kalidasa (5th has the knowledge but also the experience of the Shiv Sahani (Son) century) and the Puranas (4th through the 13th Highest Reality. Saraswati is mostly associated with the Priya Sahani Sood centuries) relate in detail stories of Sati-Parvati and color white, which signifies purity of true knowledge. (Daughter) Shiva with comprehensive details. Occasionally, however, she is also associated with the Parvati's earlier incarnation, Sati, self-immolates at colour yellow, the colour of the flowers of the mustard 7 1 8 - 2 7 1 - 1 9 0 6 her father, Daksha's, Yagna (sacrificial ritual). Daksha plant, that bloom at the time of her festival in the spring. not only refuses to accept Shiva as his son-in-law, but Unlike the goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati is not adorned [email protected] also insults Sati when she goes to visit the Yagna against heavily with jewels, gold and heavy silks, but is shown her husband's wishes. Shiva is furious when he learns as attired very modestly, maybe symbolizing her about Sati's death. Grief-stricken, he loses interest in preference of knowledge over worldly material pursuits. “If Hindus don’t maintain Hinduism, who shall save it?” worldly affairs and undertakes severe penance in the Saraswati is generally shown having four arms, which “If India’s own children don't cling to their faith, who shall Himalayas. Sati is reborn as Parvati. represent the four aspects of human personality in guard it?” learning: mind, intellect, alertness, and ego. Parvati falls for Shiva and wishes to reunite with him. Alternatively,these four arms also represent the 4 vedas, “Indians alone can save India, and India and Hinduism are She regularly visits the cave where he sits deep in the primary sacred books for Hindus. The vedas, in one.” THE INDIAN PANORAMA TRAVEL FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 35 Kovalam: Beach lovers’ paradise ovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been Ka favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse. Sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes and catamaran cruising are some of them. The tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes. Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night. The beach complex includes a string of budget cottages, Ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones, swimming pools, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centres. LIGHTHOUSE BEACH So named because of the lighthouse perched on top of Kurumkal Hill, the southernmost beach of Kovalam— Lighthouse Beach—is one of the most stunning beaches in India. You’ll be tempted to spend a laidback afternoon at the beach but do make the effort of climbing up the spiral staircase of the red and white watchtower which will offer you the most spectacular views of the pristine waters and vast sandy stretch. The lifeguards here are quite alert and will give you pointers on which parts of the beach are safe to swim in named after the erstwhile of Madras, Lord wood and stone sculpture, a variety of furniture, large on that particular day, as well as high-tide timings. The Napier, has documented that for posterity very well. mirrors made of polished metal, paintings portraying line of restaurants and shacks on the beach serve up There’s plenty for all types of visitors to see, from ivory the history of Travancore and a wooden cot made of fresh seafood, and there are a number of hotels (to suit carvings, traditional ornaments, zoological garden etc. up to 64 wooden pieces of a variety of medicinal tree every budget) on Lighthouse Road that leads up to the Make sure to hit the Shri Chitra Art Gallery, in the trunks. beach. vicinity, to appreciate the works dating back to the Mughal and Rajputana times. KARAMANA RIVER VIZHINJAM ROCK CUT CAVE TEMPLE Karamana River, with its starting point near the A small, 8th century rock cut temple, Vizhinjam Rock PADMANABHAPURAM PALACE southern point of the Western Ghats at Agastyar Cut Caves may not be grand enough, but patrons of The Padmanabhapuram Palace, located near Koodam, flows westward to merge with the Arabian Sea ancient Indian architecture may appreciate the one- Thuckalay in Kanyakumari, continues to attract at Panathura near Kovalam. In between, the river celled shrine with a loose sculpture of Vinandhara history buffs and connoisseurs of antiquity.Currently passes through a small, namesake suburb in Dakshinamurthi in this granite sculpture. Located maintained for posterity by the Govt. of Kerala Thiruvananthapuram called Karamana. You’ve got to about 17 kilometres from the city of Archaeology Department, this palace was erected appreciate the expansive green patches of tropical flora Thiruananthapuram, the cave remained nondescript around 1601 AD by the ruler Iravi Varma Kulasekhara dotting the gorgeous lake. Karamana River has its own for many years. It features Tripurantaka (Shiva) Perumal, and was rebuilt in 1750 by the founder of unique charm and ways to entertain tourists. Visit the carrying a bow and arrow in two of his four hands and modern Travancore, King Anizham Thirunal Thiruvallam Boat Club located on the river bank, and HIS divine consort Parvati. Visit it only if you have a Marthanda Varma (1706–1758). King Marthaanda buy a ticket or two for canoe rides, houseboat cruises, serious thing for ancient temple architecture. Varma dedicated the kingdom to his family deity Sri kayaking etc. Padmanabha, a form of Lord Vishnu and ruled the VIZHINJAM MARINE AQUARIUM kingdom as Padmanabha dasa or servant of Lord VELLAYANI LAKE This gem of an aquarium is actually full of marine Padmanabha. You’ve got to visit the lake that came into being due to wealth such as fishes, corals and other aquatic fauna. The features of this palace are especially the divine intervention of a holy sage. According to the Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium also boasts unique noteworthy.The clock tower in the palace complex has local lore, once upon a time, a thirsty beggar visited a technique of Image Pearl production which involves a 300-year-old clock, which still keeps time. There’s meditating saint in search of water. When the saint, embedding a pearl oyster into a mould of any shape, large hall with a capacity to accommodate around 1000 however, saw that his vessel has only a few drops of made of shell cement. After a couple of months, what guests, and it was once upon a time a space for holding water, not enough to quench the thirst of the humble you get is a lovely pearl shaped like the mould in which ceremonial feasts on auspicious occasions. seeker, he took the drops in his palm and threw them as it was set. Find this spot at the busiest fishing harbours Interestingly, the palace has a secret passage, now far as he could with sacred intentions. Wherever the in Vizhinjam, near Theatre Junction. blocked, through which the king, his immediate family drops of water fell, turned into a vast lake and thus members, and their entourage could escape to another served the sage’s purpose. Vellayani Lake is located NAPIER ART MUSEUM & GALLERY palace, located several miles away in case of a serious about 7 kms from Kovalam, and is a celebrated venue Kovalam is a friendly city with a rich history. And, threat. The palace complex also has old Chinese jars, for holding the annual boat race event during Onam. the Napier Art Museum, in Thiruvananthapuram, all gifts by Chinese merchants, weapons, brass lamps, Tourists always drop by here to enjoy a boat ride. THE INDIAN PANORAMA TURN PAGE FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 36 contd from page 12 this every increasing population. "I would like for my son and children like him to be Indian Americans Founded mentally and physically engaged in a safe "Pure Hearts of Georgia" is a place and have some friends around too." This, Anandhi says keep her awake in the support group for families night, "not out of worry but the drive to with special needs children make it worthy for them." Quoting Kalam, she adds, "Dream is not that which you see while sleeping, it is something that does Are these kids able to work within not let you sleep. So, this is my dream for public school system? Yes! Plenty of Krishiv and for children like him." public schools have good programs, with Now 16, Krishiv is a student at Johns most offering an Individualized creek high school special classroom and Education Plan (IEP), that gives them continues his therapies. But what the specific goals that would be worked upon family draws strength from the support at school. In high school they even have they found in the community and friends programs to help them with supported for Krish to play, dance and have employment, but that may not be sleepovers with. applicable to all. But, as Anandhi notes, Recently Krishiv thought he got lost in once they are out of high school, there PETCO, since he couldn't find the person aren't many options for these kids. he came with. He decided to walk to So, what happens when the yellow bus Anandhi's friend's home (4 miles away) stops coming home? "There are also a lot and was at her doorstep when JC cops of employers willing to employ found him. That the traffic noises, the individuals with autism as once trained, heat from sun, and the long walk didn't these individuals simply go about their faze him, and had managed to use work without much of a fuss," says problem solving without panicking bears Anandhi. While that beneficial for some, testament to the unwavering love and kids like Krishiv, she notes, will find it support Krishiv receives from family and very difficult to hold on to a job even for a friends. couple of hours a day without "Inspiration, mentoring, enabling and supervision, and some who have no or self-sustainable learning for others made minimal language. a package; you are one of the greatest and What lies ahead of public schools? best role models for the special need kids Anandhi says there are very few daycare- and their parents," says friend Franklin like options and not enough to cater to Harris.

CONTD FORM PAGE 10 became decentralized with each one taking up the Maharashtra the leading state in the vaccination responsibility of their own vicinity. However, even campaign. The state set a record of 500,000 persons The Maharashtra Model today, in cities like Mumbai, the BMC sanitizes the vaccinated in a single day and we are ready to set new home and the floor of the person that has tested positive benchmarks soon. 6) Lockdown and seals the floor. Another innovative move for vaccinations has been to The Maharashtra Model implemented by Chief 8) "Majhe Kutumb, Majhi Jababdari" start drive-in centers for senior citizens and differently Minister Uddhav Thackeray has been that of giving abled citizens. They can be driven to a vaccination adequate signals before actually heading into a In September 2020, the state launched a massive data center, given the jab without stepping out of the car or lockdown. A mindset has to be created. After the very collection and analysis drive called "Majhe Kutumb, an autorickshaw and park near the observation areas, first case in Maharashtra in 2020, the state went into a Majhi Jababdari" (My Family, My Responsibility) seated in the vehicle all the while. calibrated lockdown, first closing schools, colleges, which led to most households being visited by state The non-availability of vaccines remains a matter of theatres and malls. Then, non-essential service private representatives who collected and collated health data. worry and thus we scramble for more vaccines each day. offices, and so on, escalating the nature of the lockdown It also included a check on Covid symptoms, along with However, we believe this shall be resolved as we till the day of the 'Janta Curfew' and when the national the data of any other health issue faced by the person. continue to work with the union government and lockdown that was announced. This meant people were This gave us real-time insights into the true health of vaccine manufacturers who are permitted to supply not in shock, they had been given time to adjust to the the state. directly to states. new restrictions. In lifting the lockdown by the end of 9) Vaccination The Way Ahead 2020, a similar staggered pattern was used. Even during lockdowns, agriculture and While we focus on the vaccination drive, we must manufacturing industries, export import activities, prepare for a possible third wave. Chief Minister financial offices, essential services and offices have Uddhav Thackeray indicated these preparations been kept open, along with restaurants being allowed around mid-April, even as we were handling the second home delivery.The idea is to keep citizens safe at home, wave. and thus break the chain of transmission, while The state has begun to work on a medical response, helping the state to also advance its medical civic response and a corporate response to the possible infrastructure. third wave. There may be debates on lockdowns and curbs, but The medical response includes creating more even today, with the inadequate vaccine supply, facilities with beds, ICUs, medicine and oxygen, but uncontrolled mingling and non-symptomatic cases also focusing on the demography that hasn't been being super-spreaders, it is the only way to control the affected by Covid as yet - children. infection. The transmission drops immediately. Our Civic response draws us to a calibrated reopening and Covid vaccination - Photo / courtesy PTI first job at hand is to safeguard citizens, this is tough what would Covid-appropriate behavior would mean for call but protects them. vaccinated people and the arrival of new strains or 7) Disinfection drives The State Cabinet decided to vaccinate all citizens mutations. from 18-44, which was mandated by the Union Corporate response considers appropriate behavior We asked each urban local body and rural local body Government to be the responsibility of the state, in offices and industries to ensure that transmission, if to carry out mass disinfection drives in public places at without anyone having to compulsorily pay for it. at all, is at its bare minimal and the company doesn't least once a week. Internationally proven disinfectants The Chief Minister and his cabinet had requested the have to come to a halt each time a case is found in its are used, and, in many cities, public transport used by Centre to allow universal vaccination, and thus the staff. essential service providers, is sanitized at regular below 45 age group was deregulated and mandated to (The author is a cabinet minister in the Maharashtra intervals. the State. government. He holds the environment, tourism and protocol Many elected representatives started disinfecting It is a matter of pride for the state that the citizens portfolios. He's also the president of Yuva Sena, the Shiv housing societies, colonies, slum societies, so all this responded to the vaccination drive positively, making Sena's youth wing.) THE INDIAN PANORAMA SPORTS FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 37

EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL Villarreal beat Manchester United in epic penalty shootout

anchester United have now clocked four years without a Mtrophy, and that’s the worst ever stumble for the club in 31 years. Villarreal punctured Ole Gunnar Citing mental Solskjaer's last hope of winning his maiden silverware as United manager, by health concerns, beating the Red Devils 11-10 on penalties in the Europa League final last night in Naomi Osaka to Gdansk. United goalkeeper David De Gea missed the decisive spot-kick in the shootout, handing Unai Emery’s boycott media at Villarreal their first ever major title. After Gerard Moreno put Villarreal French Open ahead in the 29th minute, Edinson Cavani equalised soon after the second our-time Grand Slam champion half went underway. But it was not Naomi Osaka on Wednesday said United’s day, and their manager thinks Fshe will not take questions from they could've done better. “We didn't play the press at this year's French Open, as well as we can do. We started alright saying the nature of news conferences and they scored from their only shot on puts an undue burden on players' mental target but it was disappointing to health. concede a goal on a set play. We pushed "I'm writing this to say I'm not going to and pressed and got the goal. But after Villarreal players won 11-10 on penalties in the final of Europa League on Wednesday, May 26. do any press during Roland Garros," the we scored we couldn't control the game Japanese player wrote on Twitter. and dominate the way which we night. After losing the Europa League He teaches children!! And knows that he "I've often felt that people have no wanted,” Solskjaer told BT Sport after title to Villarreal, Rashford was at the can freely racially abuse without regard for athletes mental health and the game. receiving end of a slew of racial slurs. He consequence,” Rashford wrote on Twitter. this rings true whenever I see a press This victory is Unai Emery’s fourth immediately brought it to everyone's After Rashford spoke up about his conference or partake in one. Europa League title. United énded their notice. unpleasant experience, United backed "We're often sat there and asked Premier League campaign at number “At least 70 racial slurs on my social him by issuing a statement on social questions that we've been asked multiple two, 12 points behind derby rivals and accounts counted so far. For those media. The club took to Twitter to say, times before or asked questions that champions Manchester City. working to make me feel any worse than I “Following the final, our players were bring doubt into our minds and I'm just Marcus Rashford faces racial abuse already do, good luck trying. I’m more subjected to disgraceful racist abuse.If not going to subject myself to people outraged that one of the abusers that left you see any form of abuse or that doubt me." Expecting players to Things went from bad to worse for a mountain of monkey emojis in my DM discrimination, act and report it.” answer questions after losses amounted United forward Marcus Rashford last is a maths teacher with an open profile. Source: The Telegraph to "kicking a person while they're down", Osaka added. ASIAN BOXING C’SHIPS Real Madrid says Zidane Djokovic, Nadal, stepping down as team’s coach

Mary Kom reaches final; MADRID (TIP): Zinedine Zidane is Federer in same stepping down as Simranjit gets bronze Real Madrid coach, half of French again. DUBAI (TIP): Six-time world The club said on Open draw champion MC Mary Kom (51kg) and Thursday, May 27, Sakshi (54kg) stormed into the Asian the Frenchman is ovak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Boxing Championships finals after leaving his job, a few Roger Federer all ended up in the notching up gruelling victories in days after a season Nsame half of the French Open their last-four stage bouts on May 27. in which Madrid men’s field in the draw Thursday, While Mary Kom prevailed 4-1 over failed to win a title for the first time in more meaning no more than one of them can Mongolia’s Lutsaikhan Altantsetseg, than a decade. reach the final. two-time youth world champion The club said Zidane “decided to bring an The Big Three top the leaderboard for Sakshi upstaged top seed Dina end to his current spell” as Madrid’s coach. Grand Slam men’s singles titles: Federer Zholaman of Kazakhstan 3-2. “We must now respect his decision and and Nadal head to Roland Garros, where However, Simranjit Kaur (60kg), express our gratitude for his play begins Sunday, tied with 20, while Monika (48kg) and debutant Jasmine professionalism, dedication and passion over Djokovic has 18. Nadal beat Djokovic in (57kg) settled for bronze medals after the years and what he means to Real straight sets in the 2020 final for his losing 5-0 to Kazakhstan boxers in Madrid,” the club said in a statement. record-extending 13th championship on their semifinal bouts. Zidane had a contract through June 2022. the red clay of Paris, but if they meet Simranjit, who recently recovered her gameplan,” she added. “Zidane is one of Real Madrid’s great icons again this time, it would be in the from Covid-19, lost to Rimma The veteran’s right hooks were and his legacy extends beyond what he has semifinals. Nadal is ranked and seeded Volossenko, Monika went down to particularly impressive in a achieved as a coach and player at our club,” No. 3 now and so he could have wound second seed Alua Balkibekova and compelling performance. She fought Madrid said. up on either side of the bracket; as luck Jasmine was bested by Vladislava with a perilously low guard despite the “He is aware that he has a place in the would have it, he was placed in No. 1 Kukhta. aggressive intent shown by her rival hearts of the Real Madrid fans and that he Djokovic’s half. Top seed Mary Kom dug from her and relied on her sharp reflexes to will always have a home at Real Madrid.” So was Federer, whose record for most huge reservoir of experience to outwit score on counterattacks. “The guard Zidane left the club for the first time after weeks atop the ATP rankings recently the sprightly Altantsetseg. “It has wasn’t needed, I knew her quite well,” leading Madrid to one of its most successful was broken by Djokovic and is currently taken a lot to adjust to the humid Mary Kom said. runs from 2016-2018, with three consecutive at No. 8 after playing only three matches weather here,” Mary Kom said. “Today, The 38-year-old will be gunning for Champions League titles. In his two years over the past 15 months because of two I was a bit slow in the first round but her sixth gold medal at the continental and five months in charge, Madrid won a operations on his right knee. Federer got my rhythm from the second round showpiece. She will be up against total of nine trophies, including two Club could meet Djokovic in the onwards. I had already fought her once Kazakhstan’s Nazym Kyzaibay, a two- World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups, one quarterfinals. so it didn’t take much to understand time world champion. Source: PTI Spanish league and one Spanish Super Cup. THE INDIAN PANORAMA TURN PAGE FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 YEARS 38 contd from page 1 But the administration is not trying to isolate China, Mr. Jaishankar also spoke on the phone with the and instead attempting to walk a careful line between (Democratic) Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Biden Orders Intelligence... pressuring Beijing to cooperate and demonstrating Committee, Gregory Meeks and its ranking member The New York Times which broke the story said that that in its absence, the United States will intensify its (Republican) Michael McCaul. He also had a phone call the officials declined to describe the new evidence. But own investigation. with House India Co-Chairs Steve Chabot (Republican). the revelation that they are hoping to apply an Administration officials also believe the new inquiry Brad Sherman, the other co-chair, was among those extraordinary amount of computer power to the and Chinese obstruction of the World Health present at a dinner for Mr. Jaishankar on Wednesday,at question of whether the virus accidentally leaked from Organization will create the opportunity for stepped- the house of Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh a Chinese laboratory suggests that the government up intelligence cooperation with allies. Sandhu. Others present there, according to US official may not have exhausted its databases of Chinese Allies have been providing information since the sources, included Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, Senator communications, the movement of lab workers and the beginning of the pandemic, one official said. But some, Michael Bennet from Colorado and Jon Ossoff, the new pattern of the outbreak of the disease around the city including British intelligence services, have been Senator from Georgia. of Wuhan. skeptical of the lab leak theory. Others, including On Friday, May 28, the Minister is scheduled to meet In addition to marshaling scientific resources, Mr. Australia, have been more open to it. with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of Biden's push is intended to prod American allies and In a statement on Thursday, Amanda J. Schoch, the State Antony Blinken who has been on a trip to Egypt intelligence agencies to mine existing information - spokeswoman for the Office of the Director of National and West Asia since Monday. like intercepts, witnesses or biological evidence - as Intelligence, said the intelligence agencies had come According to sources, the high-level (Minister level) well as hunt for new intelligence to determine whether together around the two likely scenarios, but there meetings with the Treasury, Commerce and Energy the Chinese government covered up an accidental leak. were so far no high-confidence assessments of the Departments, US Agency for International Aid Mr. Biden committed on Thursday,May 27, to making virus's origins. (USAID) and the National Science Foundation are the results of the review public, but added a caveat: "The U.S. intelligence community does not know likely to take place during Mr Jaishankar's visit to "unless there's something I'm unaware of." exactly where, when or how the Covid-19 virus was Washington. (With inputs from PTI) His call for the study has both domestic and transmitted initially," Ms. Schoch said. international political ramifications. It prompted his The intelligence community "continues to examine Paul Ryan slams Trump in speech... critics to argue that the president had dismissed the all available evidence, consider different perspectives, "They will not be impressed by the sight of yes-men possibility that the lab was the origin until the Chinese and aggressively collect and analyze new information and flatterers flocking to Mar-a-Lago." government this week rejected allowing further to identify the virus's origins," Ms. Schoch said. (With Among the Republican politicians who have spent investigation by the World Health Organization. And, time with Mr. Trump at his Florida resort and publicly administration officials said, the White House hopes excerpts from The New York Times) stood by him is House Minority Leader Kevin American allies will contribute more vigorously to a McCarthy, who succeeded Ryan as the top House serious exploration of a theory that, until now, they India's External Affairs Minister... Republican when Ryan retired from the House in 2018. considered at best unlikely, and at worst a conspiracy The U.S. readout said Mr. Jaishankar and Mr. Ryan, who had his disagreements with Mr. Trump, theory. Sullivan "welcomed" cooperation that has resulted in also expressed deep dismay at the way his presidency The White House is hoping that allies and partners the delivery of over $ 500 million in relief materials concluded. "It was horrifying to see a presidency come can tap their networks of human sources to find (state, federal and private sector sources) from the U.S. to such a dishonorable and disgraceful end," he said. additional information about what happened inside the to India. But he did mention the former president by name in laboratory.While the United States has been rebuilding "They agreed that people-to-people ties, and shared praising economic growth that took place during his its own sources in China, it has still not fully recovered values are the foundation of the U.S.-India strategic presidency, prior to the pandemic and said, "To his from the elimination of its network inside the country partnership that is helping to end the pandemic, credit, Donald Trump brought many new voters into a decade ago. As a result, having allies press their supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific, and providing our party." informants about what went on inside the Wuhan global leadership on climate change," it said. Institute of Virology will be a key part of the Mr. Jaishankar said he had "good discussions" with Israeli strikes in Gaza may be war... intelligence push ahead. Ms. Tai, who recently announced that the Biden the plight faced by Palestinians in the fighting this The inquiry has not reached a dead end, a senior administration would support an India-South Africa month. She said that Hamas' indiscriminate rocketing Biden administration official said. Officials would not initiative at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to during the conflict was also a clear violation of the describe the kind of computational analysis they want waive intellectual property protections for COVID-19 rules of war. to do. vaccines. The UN High Commissioner for human rights spoke Administration and intelligence officials say it will "Our trade, technology & business cooperation are at to the Human Rights Council, chronicling the "most be as much the work of scientists as spies in trying to the core of our strategic partnership. Enhancing them significant escalation of hostilities since 2014" that left unravel how the pandemic was unleashed. The Biden is vital to post-Covid economic recovery.Welcomed her devastation and death in the Gaza Strip before a cease- administration has been working to improve its positive stance on IPR issues & support for efficient & fire last week. scientific expertise on the National Intelligence robust supply chains," Mr. Jaishankar said on Twitter. "Air strikes in such densely populated areas resulted Council. Senior officials have told the spy agencies that The Hindu had reported that procuring vaccines and in a high level of civilian fatalities and injuries, as well their science-oriented divisions, which have been sorting out issues around this, such as early as the widespread destruction of civilian working on the issue for months, will play a prominent Emergency Use Authorization and liability are central infrastructure," she said. "Such strikes raise serious role in the revitalized inquiry. to Mr. Jaishankar's trip agenda, though officials have concerns of Israel's compliance with distinction and The new inquiry will also tap the national labs and been keen to stress that this is not the focus of the visit proportionality under international humanitarian other scientific resources of the federal government and that discussions would cover a more law." "Such attacks may constitute war crimes," she that previously have not been directly involved in the comprehensive list of topics pertinent to the strategic added, if deemed to be indiscriminate and intelligence effort, the senior administration official relationship between the two countries. disproportionate in their impact on civilians. said. Mr. Jaishankar had breakfast and lunch meetings on In an apparent allusion to tactics of Hamas, she said Like scientists and the broader public, the Thursday, May 27, organized by advocacy and industry it was a violation of international humanitarian law to intelligence community remains uncertain about the groups, the U.S. India Business Council (USIBC) and locate military assess in densely populated civilian origins of the coronavirus. No definitive intelligence the U.S. India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF). areas, or to launch attacks from them. has emerged, and some current and former officials The USIBC meeting included a discussion on how the Hamas "rockets are indiscriminate and fail to expressed caution that much more can be gathered in private sector, working via a consortium of 40 distinguish between military and civilian objects, and 90 days. While the Office of the Director of National companies called the 'Global Task Force for Pandemic their use, thereby, constitutes a clear violation of Intelligence will deliver a report before summer's end, Response', could "support India's health infrastructure international humanitarian law," she added. "However, the inquiry will most likely have to be extended. and further ways to continue relief efforts," said the actions of one party do not absolve the other from Current officials say the central goal of the new Priyanka Sethi, a spokesperson for the group. its obligations under international law." "Unless the intelligence push is to improve preparations for future Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson - both companies root causes of the violence are addressed, it will pandemics. As a result, Mr. Biden's message this week that manufacture COVID-19 vaccines of interest to certainly be a matter of time until the next round of was calibrated to leave open the possibility of future India - are part of the Task Force. The group has sent violence commences with further pain and suffering cooperation with China. 1,000 ventilators, 4,850 oxygen concentrators to India for civilians on all sides", she said. The White House's frustration with China has risen and convened the chief HR officers of close to 200 The day-long debate involved personal accounts from after its announcement this week that Beijing would companies to help their employees and their families, Palestinians - such as that of a young woman journalist not participate in additional investigations by the Ms Sethi said. from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in east World Health Organization. A Biden administration Representatives of pharmaceutical firm Abbot and Jerusalem, an early flashpoint that led to the violence - official said if the new inquiry failed to yield an courier and shipping firm FedEx were among the as well as statements from the council's 47 member answer, it would be because China had not been companies present at the USISPF meeting, industry states and also observer states. (Agencies) transparent. sources told The Hindu. 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