'Cases Rising in 15 States; Positivity Rate at 21%'

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Three Lashkar-e-Taiba Pappu Yadav arrested China’s population Shreyas Iyer likely to militants killed in in Bihar on lockdown growth slows to lowest be unavailable for encounter in Anantnag violation charge rate in decades Sri Lanka tour page 8 page 9 Page 11 Page 13

Printed at . Chennai . Coimbatore . Bengaluru . Hyderabad . Madurai . Noida . Visakhapatnam . Thiruvananthapuram . Kochi . Vijayawada . Mangaluru . Tiruchirapalli . Kolkata . Hubballi . Mohali . Malappuram . Mumbai . Tirupati . lucknow . cuttack . patna NEARBY ‘Cases rising in 15 States; 71 bodies retrieved from Ganga Remains believed to be of COVID-19 victims found in Bihar buried after autopsy

positivity rate at 21%’ Amarnath Tewary Patna ICMR chief says more RATs will be conducted from now on A day after several bodies be ‘Plea against Central Vista lieved to be of COVID19 vic a bid to stall the project’ Devesh K. Pandey tims washed up along the NEW DELHI NEW DELHI banks of the Ganga at Maha The Centre has told the Delhi The national COVID19 posi deo ghat in Chausa, Bihar, 71 High Court that the Public tivity rate stood at 21% and of them were retrieved and Interest Litigation seeking a stay on the construction of 310 of the 734 districts had buried by the Buxar district Central Vista in New Delhi reported positivity greater administration after post amid the raging COVID19 than or equal to the national mortem examination on pandemic was just another average, Balram Bhargava, Tuesday. attempt to stall the project, DirectorGeneral, Indian “We retrieved 71 bodies which has been facing such Council of Medical Research and disposed of them after attempts from the beginning (ICMR), said on Tuesday. postmortem. DNA samples on one pretext or the other. At the Health Ministry have been preserved. The

NEWS Ī PAGE 8 briefing, Dr. Bhargava said district administration is on DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD the country now had the alert to prevent such inci RTPCR testing capacity of dents in future. Officials have Let more firms make about 16 lakh a day and Ra been directed to be vigilant vaccine, says Kejriwal pid Antigen Test (RAT) ca and patrol the banks of the NEW DELHI pacity of about 17 lakh a day. river,” the administration Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Stating that a total of said in a release. Kejriwal on Tuesday 19,45,299 tests were con The administration said Unfortunate loss: Family members mourning the death of a COVID19 patient at Patna Medical requested the Centre to allow ducted on April 30, the high there was “sufficient fire College and Hospital on Tuesday. * ANI more companies in India to est ever in the world, he said wood at the Chausa crema manufacture COVID19 the 30crore landmark was tion ground for funerals”. deputed an official here. Offi vaccines by directing the two firms currently engaged in achieved by May 7. Villagers alleged that the cials were working till late on 25 decomposed bodies manufacturing them to share Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil been rationalised and RAT vernment would also en high cost of firewood had Monday night only with the the formula with others. In a Nadu, West Bengal, Odisha, (Rapid Antigen Testing) in courage publicprivate part made many families discard help of torches and light letter to PM Narendra Modi, Punjab, Assam, Jammu and creased for early detection, nership models. the remains in the river. from mobile phones,” Mr. wash up in Ghazipur Mr. Kejriwal also sought a Kashmir, Goa, Himachal Pra isolation and home care. He Health Ministry spokes Earlier, Superintendent of Yadav told The Hindu over national policy to vaccinate desh, Puducherry, Manipur, said multiple 24x7 RAT person Lav Agarwal said an Police, Buxar, Neeraj Kumar the phone. He said there Omar Rashid Jamania DSP Hitendra LUCKNOW every one in a few months. Meghalaya, Tripura, Naga booths were to be set up in early declining trend had Singh told The Hindu that were no more bodies at the Krishna told The Hindu that

CITY Ī PAGE 3 land and Arunachal Pradesh cities, towns and villages. been noticed in the past cou the postmortem was done ghat. At least two dozen bodies in 23 to 25 bodies in “semide DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD have shown continued in Advocating aggressive ple of days, with the number at the ghat itself as the bo Jal Shakti Minister Gajen a decomposed condition composed” state were creasing trend in daily new RAT usage in rural and re of new cases coming down dies were in a highly decom dra Singh Shekhawat termed were found floating in the found floating near the COVID19 cases. On the oth mote areas, Dr. Bhargava from about 4.14 lakh on May posed state. the incident of corpses Ganga in Ghazipur district banks of the Ganga in Gah er hand, 18 States and Union said these tests would be al 7 to 4.03 lakh cases on May Ram Ashray Yadav, who found floating in the Ganga of Uttar Pradesh on Tues mar circle of the district. Territories have recorded lowed at all the government 9, and from 3.66 lakh to 3.29 sells firewood for cremations as unfortunate, and asked day, the police said. The bodies were re continued plateauing or a and private health care facil lakh in the past 24 hours. at the Mahadeo ghat, said the States concerned to take Given the large number trieved and disposed of on decrease in cases. ities. RAT booths would have There were about 37 lakh the bodies “were buried in a immediate cognisance. of bodies, the police are the banks of the river, he Indicating a change in to be set up in schools, col active cases, while over 1.90 large pit on the bank of the “This is certainly an issue of probing if they are of CO said, estimating that the policy, the ICMR chief said leges, residents' welfare as crore patients had recovered river”. “The district adminis investigation. The Modi go VID19 victims but have so deaths could have occurred since the infection was sociation offices and other so far. tration has made arrange vernment is committed to far not been able to either around 10 to 15 days ago. spreading fast during the se places, in cooperation with ments for a generator for Mother Ganga’s purity and identify the deceased or OPPORTUNITIES Ī PAGE 5 cond wave, RTPCR tests had local communities. The go CONTINUED ON Ī PAGE 8 power supply at the ghat and free flow,” he tweeted. trace the source. CONTINUED ON Ī PAGE 8

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC 26 killed as Israel targets Relief on wheels Moody’s lowers India’s Gaza with air strikes growth projection to 9.3% Hamas rocket barrage kills 2 Israelis It cites ‘negative impact of second wave’

Associated Press widening its military cam Special Correspondent reaching a large rural popu GAZA CITY paign. The military said it is NEW DELHI lation [about twothirds of Israel unleashed new air sending troop reinforce Moody’s Investors Service the population] complicate strikes on Gaza early on ments to the Gaza border on Tuesday sharply scaled the vaccine rollout,” it Tuesday, hitting a pair of and the Defence Minister or down this year’s growth pointed out, noting that on highrise buildings believed dered the mobilisation of projection for India to 9.3% ly around 10% of the coun to be housing militants, as 5,000 reserve soldiers. from its earlier estimate of try’s population had re Hamas and other armed Prime Minister Benjamin 13.7%, citing “the negative ceived at least one dose of groups bombarded south Netanyahu said “it was de impact of the second wave” the vaccine by early May. ern Israel with hundreds of cided that both the might of of the COVID19 pandemic. The severe second wave rockets. The escalation was the attacks and the frequen It warned that the spread of COVID19 infections will sparked by weeks of ten cy of the attacks will be of the coronavirus as well as slow the nearterm econom sions in contested increased”. the rate of vaccinations will ic recovery and could weigh Jerusalem. But, in a potentially posi have a direct impact on eco on longerterm growth dy Since sundown Monday, tive sign, Egyptian and Pal nomic outcomes. namics, Moody’s said. 26 Palestinians — including estinian officials said Egypt “The credit profile of In nine children and a woman was working on brokering a dia is increasingly con Healthcare spending — were killed in Gaza, most ceasefire. strained by obstacles to eco “As of now, we expect the by air strikes, Gaza health The barrage of rockets nomic growth, a high debt negative impact on econom officials said. The Israeli mil and air strikes was preceded burden and weak financial ic output to be limited to the itary said at least 16 of the by hours of clashes between system. Policymaking insti April to June quarter, fol dead were militants. During Palestinians and Israeli se tutions have struggled to lowed by a strong rebound the same period, Gaza mili curity forces, including dra tackle and contain these in the second half of the tants fired hundreds of rock matic confrontations at Jeru risks, exacerbated by the co year,” it said, adding that ets toward Israel, killing two salem’s AlAqsa Mosque ronavirus pandemic,” the spending will have to be re Israeli civilians and wound compound, a sacred site to global rating agency said in directed towards healthcare ing 10 others. both Jews and Muslims. Road to recovery: A bus fitted with oxygen generators on display in Bengaluru. The Karnataka government is set to launch the a credit opinion note. and virus response relative

In a further sign of rising ‘Oxygen on Wheels’ service to aid COVID19 patients. Each bus can support up to six patients.* MURALI KUMAR K. “Shortage of vaccines to what the government had tensions, Israel signalled it is RELATED REPORTS ON Ī PAGE 11 CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC and logistical difficulties in budgeted in February. Amid surge, demand for air ambulances soars Delhi’s death count crosses 20K Last 5,000 fatalities reported in a span of just two weeks Massive rise in requests for airlifting patients from northern States to Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai Staff Reporter that the actual number of Jagriti Chandra cal staff and equipment on craft is an issue. Our New Delhi deaths in the city is far high New Delhi board. Despite the costs, ag machines are being ove Delhi crossed the grim miles er than the official figures, Last week, a Beechcraft King gregators and operators say rused and there is a waiting tone of 20,000 COVID19 but this has been denied by Air C 90 air ambulance from the demand for air transpor period of at least two or deaths on Tuesday with 347 the Delhi government. Bagdogra lost its right wheel tation of patients has in three days,” Sachit Wadhwa, fatalities being reported over As per Tuesday’s health while taking off from Nagpur creased 10fold and yet many cofounder of BookMyChar the past 24 hours. Of these, bulletin, the city reported after refuelling. The aircraft patients are being turned ters, says. 5,000 deaths were reported 12,481 new cases, taking the was carrying a COVID19 pa away as only a limited num Data with the Directorate in the past two weeks alone. A man gets a COVID19 jab in tally to 13,48,699. The death tient for treatment in Mum ber of these air ambulances General of Civil Aviation It took 161 days to reach Delhi. * SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR toll stood at 20,010. bai. The pilot was alerted, are equipped with isolation show only 18 companies are the first 5,000 deaths in the A total of 70,276 tests were but he kept flying to burn pods — mandated by the Un authorised to operate air am Capital. Just 83 days later, the deaths towards the end of conducted in a single day fuel before coming in to ion Health Ministry for ferry bulances with 26 aircraft toll crossed 10,000. After March. By midApril, the city and the TPR was 17.76%, land. After hovering over Safety first: A patient being flown in an isolation pod of an air ing COVID19 patients. Evac cleared for medical transpor this, the number of new cas was frequently reporting ov down from 19.1% on Monday.

Mumbai, he finally made a ambulance. * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT uating patients in an tation. “Those transporting es and deaths started dip er 300 deaths daily, which The TPR had shot up from bellylanding without any isolation pod, a collapsible COVID passengers have to ping. It took another 135 days rose to 400 in May. The latest 3.5% on April 1 to 36.2% on casualties. of the COVID19 response. pushed up costs. The shifting personal capsule with oxy abide by the guidelines of for the toll to reach 15,000. COVID surge saw the city’s April 22. Since then, it has The incident highlights Transporting critically ill of a COVID19 patient from gen supply, also ensures the the Health Ministry and of After a peak in November health infrastructure buckle been steadily falling. the multiple risks taken by patients is a difficult opera Delhi to Chennai would cost safety of the crew. the States of origin and de 2020, daily infections and under the record number of There are 83,809 active the crew of air ambulances tion at the best of situations not less than ₹20 lakh, ac “Where we used to re parture,” a DGCA official deaths dipped steadily till deaths and infections. cases in the city. as demand for the services but transporting COVID pa cording to an operator. ceive one or two enquiries said. Hyderabad followed by March 2021. On February 9, Over the past 15 days, the Of the total 23.221 beds, has surged amid the second tients needing urgent care A MumbaiHyderabad for medical transportation, Chennai and Mumbai are the no COVIDrelated death was test positivity rate (TPR) and 18.02% were vacant, but only wave of the pandemic. Fami raises additional challenges, flight can set one back by we now receive as many as most sought after medical reported in the city for the number of new cases has 60 ICU beds were available, lies resourceful enough to the most important being between ₹6 lakh and ₹25 20 requests per day. A major hubs for these patients. first time since June 2020. dipped slightly. The number as on Tuesday evening. charter these services do so isolating the patients and the lakh depending on where ity of them have to be reject The city started register of fatalities has also come to cut through the tardiness crew. This in turn has the aircraft is and the medi ed because availability of air CONTINUED ON Ī PAGE 8 ing a spike in cases and down. The BJP has alleged SEE ALSO Ī PAGE 3 CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

DELHI THE HINDU 2 CITY WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

No rules for hunger: Attendants of patient and others wait in a queue with no social distancing norms to collect meals distributed by volunteers outside the RML hospital in Delhi on Tuesday. * SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR Over 370 FIRs lodged, 91 arrests Man held for ‘Why would we come here again, illegally selling made in COVID-related crimes medicines at but forced to go looking for a living’ higher prices Dismantled ecosystem of accused to reduce such frauds: police Group of migrants in Greater Noida say they were forced into bondage during pandemic Staff Reporter STAFF REPORTER frauds. Police of States concerned Damini Nath He said the workers were NEW DELHI NEW DELHI There was a sudden were contacted by Delhi Pol NOIDA owed around ₹20,000 A 27yearold man was ar Delhi Police has registered change in the nature of dis ice Commissioner for coor “No one listens to the poor ₹25,000 each, being paid rested for allegedly selling over 370 FIRs against those tress calls . The police said dinated effort to stop such man,” said 16yearold Ram ₹400 to ₹500 a day. COVIDrelated medicines at committing COVIDrelated overnight, they augmented crimes. kishor outside the Gautam Ramkishor added that exorbitant prices in west fraud, arrested 91 persons the capacities of its helpline Teams from crime depart Budhha Nagar District Ma the group had worked un Delhi’s Punjabi Bagh, the for the same, seized 95 of — 01123469900 — for report ment, CyPAD and districts gistrate’s office on Tuesday. der the hot sun for two police said on Tuesday. their devices and frozen ov ing COVIDrelated fraud cas were sent to locate and dis While he said he has that fi months, with the children DCP (West) Urvija Goel er 200 bank accounts so far, es. mantle the infrastructure of gured out, he was there also asked to assist. He said said the accused has been officials said on Tuesday. Continuous analysis of re the accused, they said. waiting for someone to help he last attended school “be identified as Lovee Narula, They said they have regis gistered cases and com The citizens were advised him and his family out of the fore the lockdown”, refer resident of Paschim Vihar, tered 372 cases and frozen plaints indicated that while a to follow safety tips during bonded labour situation. ring to the national lock who is engaged in the busi 214 bank accounts. The total majority of suspected SIM online transactions. Ramkishor, his parents The group of migrant workers outside the Gautam Buddha down imposed by the ness of pharmaceuticals. amount in the fraud is to the cards were sourced from The daily reporting of cas and two younger siblings, Nagar DM’s office on Tuesday. * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT government in March 2020. The accused procured the tune of ₹53.6 lakh, they one State but they were used es has now reduced, said an who are from Lalitpur in Ut “Why would we ever medicines from his asso added. in another State, they said. officer. tar Pradesh, along with private construction site plaint by Badhua Mukti Mor come back here? We have ciate and sold them at ₹3 The police said they have Moreover, the beneficiary We successfully curbed three other families from Sa since November. Their prin cha general secretary Nir seen now what it is like lakh each. adopted a twopronged stra accounts from where these the rising trends of COVID gar in Madhya Pradesh said cipal employer had stopped mal Gorana read. On here. But there is nothing in The police said they re tegy. In the first one, the citi SIM users were receiving related crimes. they had been working paying wages two months Monday night, the workers the village for us; we ceived information at Punja zens are being facilitated for payments were scattered all There are 20 teams in ac without pay at a construc ago, a complaint to the DM said they were asked to wouldn’t have left if there bi Bagh police station re easy lodging of complaints over the country — West tion on ground in several tion site in Aicher village in and the police by Badhua leave the site. Girdhari, was an option. We will go garding black marketing of at a helpline and a portal. Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, States; a substantial number Greater Noida for the past Mukti Morcha on May 9 Ramkishor’s father, said the wherever we have to earn a COVIDrelated medicines The second one is proactive Uttar Pradesh and Karnata of arrests are likely in the two months. said. group had been waiting out living,” he said. following which a raid was ly taking actions to disman ka, the police said. coming few days, the offi side the DM’s office all day The workers said they conducted. The police tle the ecosystem of COVID The Director Generals of cials said. Payments stopped ‘Inhuman conditions’ on Tuesday, but to no avail. had been waiting for some claimed to have recovered The payment of small “They are being forced to “We don’t have enough relief — food, money to re ₹30,4500 from the accused. amounts every few days, so work in inhuman conditions money for food so how will turn home and their wages They also recovered two Ac metimes ₹500 or ₹1,000, for without wages and any allo we have enough to travel — all day. Ramkishor said so temra 400 mg/20 ml Tocili Rajan recovers expenses also stopped wance for food, thereby back home. And even then, meone had offered them zumab 400 mg/200 mL, 10 about 20 days ago and the creating a situation of bon what will we do there. No “biscuits”. An official at DM Liposomal AmphotericinB from COVID, contractor went missing, dage. Further, since the one has heard us out or Suhas LY’s office said relief for injection 50 mg, 14 Me says Ramkishor’s mother, country is facing the second helped us,” asked Girdhari, would be given to the group phentermine Sulphate in back in jail Haribai. wave of the pandemic, and who was rescued from soon when contacted on jection I.P Termin 30mg/ml The group of workers had lockdown is in place, it has another situation of bonded Tuesday evening, as the from him. Efforts are on to STAFF REPORTER been hired by a contractor created further hurdles for labour about five years ago, workers remained camped nab another accused, Ra NEW DELHI and were working at the the labourers,” the com according to Mr. Gorana. outside. hul, they said. Gangster Chhota Rajan, who was admitted at AI IMS for treatment after he tested positive for CO VID19, was taken back to Jailed activists’ families share fears in the time of COVID Tihar jail on Tuesday fol lowing his recovery , said They speak of common worries about contracting the virus, treatment and uncertainty over release officials concerned. He was found COVID19 Staff Reporter phone, and he got scared. cause there was no one to dertrial prisoners of UAPA positive in the Tihar Jail on NEW DELHI He is scared if he would be take care of him. There are in jail and doesn’t allow April 22 and was admitted A day after Pinjra Tod acti able to meet his 80yearold no provisions for hot water them bail, needs to change,” to AIIMSon April 24. vist Natasha Narwal was mother. Our daughter asked and steam,” Ms. Nargis said. he said. On Friday, the jail admi granted bail to attend her him when he will return Sharing another incident, Ms. Raihanath also nistration had dismissed father Mahavir Narwal’s fun home. He told her that he she said a person in the bar claimed that her husband reports claiming that Ra eral, United Against Hate co doesn’t know if he will re rack where Mr. Khalid is was denied treatment and jan had died. “News of founder Khalid Saifi’s wife, turn at all,” she said at the lodged had tested positive. was only shifted following a death of Tihar jail inmate Nargis, said her husband conference. She said neither other per court order. She said she Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje lodged in jail is scared if he Pinjra Tod activist Natasha She said a few days ago, sons in the barrack were couldn’t meet him despite @ Chhota Rajan s/o Sa would be able to meet his Narwal (in PPE) at her Khalid complained of fever, tested nor was the place san the court giving her permis dashiv Nikalje is wrong mother. father’s funeral in Rohtak on but his COVID19 test wasn’t itised, she said. sion to do so. [sic],’’ Director General Tuesday. * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT conducted despite requests Remembering late Nar (Prisons) Sandeep Goel ‘Prisoners in a pandemic’ following which, she ap Umar’s father on UAPA wal, activist Mander, said: had said. Ms. Nargis and a few others, Kappan, advocate Mihir De proached a court. A test was Former JNU student Umar “He was proud of his daught Rajan, 61, is lodged at including activist Harsh sai, held a conversation tit then ordered. Khalid’s father SQR Ilyas said er, but he also said he hoped the highsecurity prison Mander, Delhi University led — Prisoners in a pandem “Thankfully, he tested ne Umarhad tested positive for the jailed time is not long since his arrest after de professor Apoorvanand, ic. gative, but he was unwell for COVID while in jail but has enough that he is unable to portation from Bali in In jailed journalist Sidhique “I told Khalid about Na 15 days. I know how tough now recovered. see her. Unfortunately, that donesia in 2015. Kappan’s wife Raihanath tasha’s father over the that period was for us be “The law, which keeps un is what happened,” he said. HC raps JNU for apathy Court issues NBW against Navneet Kalra fails to get towards students, faculty Olympian in murder case protection from arrest

University yet to set up COVID facility SAURABH TRIVEDI firmed their presence at the Press Trust of India the concerned court. There New Delhi spot when the murder took New Delhi is no interim relief or any Press Trust of India and alacrity” to the several A Delhi court on Tuesday is place. On May 4 morning, A Delhi court on Tuesday re sort of protection to the ac New DELHI correspondence sent to it sued nonbailable warrants wrestler Sagar Dhankad was fused to give any interim re cused yet,” the judge re The Delhi High Court Tues from April 13 onwards. against Olympian Sushil Ku beaten to death during a lief from arrest to business marked. The court was hear day rapped Jawaharlal Nehru “You got the first letter on mar and six others for failing brawl at the stadium's park man Navneet Kalra for the ing the arguments on the University ( JNU) for “apathy” April 13 and today is May 11. to appear before it in a mur ing area allegedly over some second time in the alleged issue of jurisdiction on the as well as lack of “swiftness Almost a month has gone by, der case of a wrestler at property dispute. The police oxygen concentrator hoard anticipatory bail petition and alacrity” in responding but there has been no res Chhatrasal Stadium in north had arrested one accused — ing and black marketing filed by the businessman in to requests by students and ponse from the ViceChan west Delhi, said a senior pol Prince Dalal — along with case. connection with the seizure faculty to set up COVID care cellor or the administration. ice officer. SUV, double barrel gun and Additional Sessions Judge of oxygen concentrators and oxygen production facili There is complete apathy. I He said they have held three live cartridges. Sumit Dass also placed his from his upscale restaurants, ties on the campus, which am shocked,” Justice Singh three suspects and impound On Monday, the Police had anticipatory bail before the including ‘Khan Chacha’ in has seen 3fold rise in infec said. ed nine cars that were alleg issued a LookoutCircular District and Sessions Judge Khan Market. tions in three weeks. She noted that from 74 edly used by the accused against Kumar. which will now decide which Public Prosecutor Atul Justice Prathiba M. Singh cases on April 18, the number during the crime. The role of Kumar is on the run and court will hear the plea on Shrivastava said since the said considering the “rigour” of COVID19 cases on the JNU suspects is yet to be identi efforts are on to trace him, Wednesday. “Bail application matter was transferred to the of the current pandemic, the campus has gone up to 211 on fied. They have been ques another officer had said ear placed before the District Crime Branch, the court has JNU administration “ought to May 7, indicating a threefold tioned based on the evidence lier, adding that efforts are on Judge South East at 10 a.m. no jurisdiction to hear the have reacted with swiftness increase in three weeks. collected in the case and con to nab him. tomorrow; they will send it to matter.

CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

THE HINDU DELHI WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 CITY 3 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Timings IGIA to suspend DELHI Covaxin stock for WEDNESDAY, MAY. 12 RISE 05:33 SET 19:03 operations at RISE 05:51 SET 19:38 T2 from May 18 THURSDAY, MAY. 13 18-45 age group RISE 05:32 SET 19:04 RISE 06:27 SET 20:32 Special Correspondent NEW DELHI FRIDAY, MAY. 14 RISE 05:32 SET 19:05 exhausted: govt. The Indira Gandhi Interna RISE 07:07 SET 21:28 tional Airport will tempora 125 vaccine centres shut, says Atishi rily suspend operations at Terminal 2 (T2) with effect Special Correspondent from May 18 due to a drastic NEW DELHI drop in passenger demand, The Delhi government on a spokesperson said. Tuesday said that the Capital With this announce had exhausted its Covaxin ment, only Terminal 3 will stock for those between 18 be operational. Terminal 1 45 age group, and nearly 125 (T1) has remained shut ever centres have been forced to since a twomonth long ban shut down. For Covishield, it on flight operations was im said that stock for three days posed last year on March was available for those in the 25. 1845 years category. For IndiGo and GoAir flights healthcare and frontline operating from T2 will be workers and those above 45 <> If we are not moved to T3. “The move years, only five days stock is supplied sufficient 500-bed facility attached to GTB to open today will also help airlines and left of Covaxin, and four vaccine doses by the airport to curtail staff days of Covishield, it added. the Centre, we will The centre, slated to function from Tuesday, was delayed due to technical glitches deployment,” according to 0 AAP MLA Atishi delivering have no choice but the spokesperson. DISCLAIMER: Readers are requested to Staff Reporter verify and make appropriate enquiries to the “vaccination bulletin” to halt the tal. “Since morning about satisfy themselves about the veracity of New Delhi an advertisement before responding to said that 1,39,261 beneficiar vaccination 20 patients were brought any published in this newspaper. THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., the Publisher & ies had been vaccinated on programme A 500bed temporary facili here by family members, Owner of this newspaper, does not vouch for the authenticity of any advertisement Monday which was the high ty for COVID19 patients, but we told them that the or advertiser or for any of the advertiser’s est till date. Atishi which is attached to GTB centre is yet to be opened products and/or services. In no event can AAP MLA the Owner, Publisher, Printer, Editor, Dir ector/s, Employees of this newspaper/ Talking about the shor Hospital, has not yet started for public,” a guard said. company be held responsible/liable in any manner whatsoever for any claims tage of vaccines, Ms. Atishi ulated on Monday, first dos admitting patients as work and/or damages for advertisements in this newspaper. said: “If we are not supplied es accounted for 92,926. Of was going on inside the fa No social distancing sufficient vaccine doses by these, 983 healthcare work cility on Tuesday evening. Also, there was a rush at the the Centre, we will be ers and 3,500 frontline On Monday, Health Mi administration and accom IN BRIEF forced, and will have no workers got their first dose. nister Satyendar Jain had modation area, where peo choice but to halt the vacci Approximately 24,000 first said that it is “all set to start ple who work at the centre nation programme. We have doses were inoculated to from Tuesday”. “Due to were queuing to complete Vaccine row: BJP accuses Sisodia of dirty politics been informed that 2,67,690 those above 45 years and for some unavoidable technical some procedure before Nursing staff at the 500 ICU bed facility attached to GTB NEW DELHI doses of Covishield will be those between 1845 years, glitches, the extended facili leaving and there was no so Hospital on Tuesday * R.V. MOORTHY The BJP has accused Manish supplied to us by Tuesday 64,000 first doses were ad ty at GTB Hospital will be cial distancing. Sisodia of indulging in “dirty evening by the Centre. If ministered. As many as operational from tomorrow On Monday, Chief Minis politics” over allegations that these are delivered to us, we 46,335 were administered [Wednesday]. Team GTB is Mr. Jain said in a tweet on at different parts of the ma ter Arvind Kejriwal had said the Centre had brought will be able to inoculate second doses too. The total working day and night to Tuesday evening. keshift hospital, which has that these beds will solve States to a point where they those between 1845 age number of doses adminis ensure healthcare services Around 5 p.m. on Tues been created at Ramlila the scarcity of ICU beds in needed to “fight each other” group for the next 6 days.” tered till date was 40,35,812, are available to Delhiites,” day, work was still going on Ground next to GTB Hospi Delhi. for vaccines. Of the 1,39,261 doses inoc the MLA said. Allow more vaccine-making companies in India: CM to PM ‘A national policy must be chalked out to vaccinate every one’

Special Correspondent late a national policy to vacci New Delhi nate every person within the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind next few months. Unless eve Kejriwal, in a letter to Prime ryone is vaccinated, the bat Minister Narendra Modi on tle cannot be won,” he said. Tuesday, requested the “The Central government Centre to allow more compa should take the formula for nies in India to manufacture producing the vaccine from COVID19 vaccination by di these two companies and recting the two companies give it to all those companies currently engaged in manu which can safely make the facturing it to share the for Arvind Kejriwal * vaccines,” he added. mula with others. In these difficult times, the Mr. Kejriwal said the and this problem is being Chief Minister said, the Centre should formulate a faced countrywide,” he also Centre had the power to exe national policy to vaccinate said. cute this. It could make the every person within the next He said only two compa vaccineproducing formula few months by increasing nies are manufacturing the available to companies that vaccine production, though vaccines and, together, made want to make the vaccines. the second wave is abating. only 67 crore vaccines per “If you remember, when month. If things were to con we faced the first wave, there ‘End duopoly’ tinue like this, vaccinating was a shortage for PPE kits. “Right now we are adminis the entire country would Today, many Indian compa tering 1.25 lakh doses of vac take more than two years. nies are making PPE kits. cine every day. Soon we will “Till then we don’t even That is why we are not de start administering vaccines know how many [COVID] pendent on others. India to more than 3 lakh people waves will come and how houses some of the greatest every day. But a major pro much destruction we will industrialists and we have blem is the shortage of vac have to face. Thus we must some of the biggest pharma cines. We have only a few increase the production of companies in the world,” he days of vaccine left in Delhi vaccines in India and formu said. Centre is sowing discord Govt. broke word on free among States: Sisodia ration: Cong. ‘Vials must be procured via global tender’ Special Correspondent Special Correspondent NEW DELHI NEW DELHI The Delhi Congress on Deputy Chief Minister Man Tuesday alleged that the ish Sisodia on Tuesday al AAP government has not leged that the Central govern kept its promise to provide ment was pitting one State two months of free ration government against the other to cardholders. The failure by asking them to pass a glo to keep the word has dri bal tender to procure vac ven people without any li cines. The Minister appealed velihood means to desper to the Central government to Manish Sisodia * ation. integrate the needs of all The party said that States and procure vaccines a digital press conference. when the government an through a global tender for He added that if States are nounced a weeklong lock India, instead of leaving asked to purchase vaccines down on April 19, Chief Mi States to fight in an interna internationally through glo nister Arvind Kejriwal had tional marketplace for bal tenders, then the State promised that it would be vaccines. with the largest coffers would “short” and had asked mi “The Central government unfairly procure the maxi grant workers not to leave raised a question to the Delhi mum number of doses. This the Capital. But the lock government over why we ha will lead to fights among down would soon com ven’t passed a global tender States, and further bashing plete a month, forcing the to procure vaccines. The and criticism of the country daily wagers to fend for Centre already exported vac in international themselves. cines that could have been communities. Delhi Congress chief Ch. used in India, and is now He appealed to the Central Anil Kumar demanded that sowing discord among States. government to take cogni both cardholders and The Centre’s model of CO sance of the crisis at hand those without cards should VID19 management is to and immediately begin a vac be provided free ration and overlook the needs of Indians cine programme along the each family should be gi and export vaccines to other lines of the Pulse Polio Pro ven a monthly financial in countries.” Mr. Sisodia said in gramme. centive of ₹10,000 each.

Published by N. Ravi at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860, Anna Salai, Chennai-600002 and Printed by S. Ramanujam at HT Media Ltd. Plot No. 8, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida Distt. Gautam Budh Nagar, U.P. 201306, on behalf of THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., Chennai-600002. Group Editorial Officer: Krishna Prasad. Editor: Suresh Nambath (Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act). Regd. DL(ND)-11/6110/2006-07-08 ● RNI No. UPENG/2012/49940 ● ISSN 0971 - 751X ● Vol. 11 ● No. 112

DELHI THE HINDU 4 NORTH & EAST WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

7 who fled from Mizoram Blast kills Rajasthan to use MLA fund for vaccination 12-year-old COVID centre detained boy in Assam The Gehlot govt. State government would ₹35,000 crore for vaccina spend ₹2,500 crore on the tion, it had created an im 18 people still at large, say police has increased vaccination of those from 18 pression that the Centre SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT the fund from to 45 years, whose number would bear the entire cost Syed Sajjad Ali failed to stop them. Senior GUWAHATI in the State was estimated at for the drive. Mr. Gehlot said Agartala police officers who visited A grenade blast in eastern ₹2.25 crore to 3.75 crore. “It would have the State governments, The police on Tuesday de the CCC hoped to capture Assam’s Tinsukia district ₹5 crore a year been better if the Centre had which did not allocate funds tained seven of the 25 infect the rest. The incident creat killed a 12yearold boy on agreed to incur the cost, as it for vaccination because of ed men who fled from a CO ed panic among people in Tuesday morning. The in Mohammed Iqbal did in the case of those this, were facing an addi VID Care Centre (CCC) at the district. cident in the Kathakathani JAIPUR above 45 and 60, because it tional financial burden with Ambassa in Dhalai district Chief Minister Biplab Ku area of Jagun happened As part of the efforts to mo would have saved the State the Centre shifting the res late on Monday night. The mar Deb had visited the less than 24 hours after bilise financial resources for Budget from getting dis ponsibility to them. escapees, all migrant labour centre in September last Chief Minister Himanta Bis COVID19 vaccination of pe Beneficiaries stand in a queue to receive the COVID19 vaccine turbed,” he said. ers, were employed in mo year to see the arrange wa Sarma appealed to the ople in the age group of 18 to dose at a government hospital in Bikaner on Tuesday. * PTI From the remaining ₹2 Pilot donates salary bile tower construction ments. Mr. Deb has been in outlawed United Libera 44 years, Rajasthan Chief Mi crore in the MLALAD Fund, Meanwhile, former Deputy works. They were housed in specting major CCCs across tion Front of AsomInde nister Ashok Gehlot has ap tion fund account under the tussle with the BJP govern ₹1 crore will be spent on Chief Minister and Tonk the CCC after they tested the State as infections and fa pendent to come forward proved a proposal to provide Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. ment at the Centre, while af strengthening the medical MLA Sachin Pilot on Tues positive. The police said se talities are surging. for talks. ₹3 crore each from the MLA Mr. Gehlot had earlier an firming that the budget for infrastructure, purchase of day donated his one month’s ven were detained at the Am Lax security measures The district police said Local Area Development nounced enhancement in development works and so equipment and setting up of salary to the Chief Minister’s bassa railway station in the have been said to be the rea the boy, identified as Suraj (LAD) Fund. For meeting the the MLALAD Fund in each cial security schemes would model community health Relief Fund as a contribu morning and confirmed that son behind the escape of the Hajong, died of his injuries expenses, the fund for each Assembly constituency in have to be slashed in order centres. Besides, ₹25 lakh tion for the fight against the 18 people were still at large. patients. Last week, an in at the Margherita Civil Hos legislator has been in the 202122 Budget. to allocate funds for will be utilised for providing pandemic. He also recom The inmates broke an iron fected undertrial prisoner pital nearby. creased from ₹2.25 crore to The State government inoculations. food packets and distribut mended utilisation of ₹3 grill on the backside of the fled from a CCC in Sepahijala No outfit has taken any ₹5 crore a year. had announced free CO Mr. Gehlot, who had ing essential items to the crore from his MLALAD twostorey building and district. He has not been responsibility for the blast. The 200 MLAs in the State VID19 vaccination for the raised the issue of free vacci poor during the lockdown. Fund for purchasing vac scaled the boundary wall . caught yet. On April 21 , 30 “It could be an accidental will contribute a total of people above 18 years on nation with Prime Minister Since the 202122 Union cines in his Assembly consti Police personnel deployed at youths escaped from a CCC blast,” a local police officer ₹600 crore to the vaccina April 25, after a prolonged Narendra Modi, said the Budget had allocated tuency. the entrance of the building at Arundhutinagar. said. Expedite work on ‘Basera’, Mizoram student takes 93yearold refugee under her wings Punjab CM tells govt. dept. Ramnunmawii stayed on after testing negative to be beside the Myanmar national until she recovered TENDERS SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT during a virtual meeting, the RAHUL KARMAKAR ed hotel but shifted to the CO phai had been quarantined. discharged. And while she CHANDIGARH Chief Minister asked the offi GUWAHATI VID Care Centre (CCC) after She was quite incoherent,” was at the hospital, Ms. Ram In an attempt to provide cials to fasttrack all major A Mizorambased law student testing positive four days la Ms. Ramnunmawii, 24, said. nunmawii networked with a homes to the urban poor, projects schemes to ensure and a 93yearold Myanmar ter. She was to be discharged “I sought the permission of cousin and some friends to Punjab Chief Minister Ama their completion and com national were strangers to after recovery on April 20, a the doctors to accompany locate the old woman’s rinder Singh on Tuesday di missioning by December each other, separated by the day after a nonagenarian wo her to the Zoram Medical daughter. rected the Local Govern this year. Under the ‘Basera’ international border. The se man was admitted to the Hospital, where she was be “Her family and a cousin of ment department to scheme, 196 slums had been cond COVID19 wave has CCC. ing shifted. It did not feel mine came to pick us up on expedite work on flagship identified and 25,850 house made them develop a bond. Ms. Ramnunmawii came right to let her fight the virus the day we were discharged,” ‘Basera’ project to achieve holds surveyed, he pointed C.T. Ramnunmawii, a first to know this woman, one of C.T. Ramnunmawii. * SPECIAL alone in a strange place,” she she said. She heaved a sigh of the target of giving proprie out, calling for urgent com year student of Lloyd Law the hundreds of Chin people ARRANGEMENT told The Hindu. relief after escorting the non tary rights to 10,000 slum pletion of the work of transf College in New Delhi tested who had fled the military jun Aizawl for years. The law student tested ne agenarian to her daughter’s households by September er of proprietary rights to negative twice after returning ta in Myanmar, had come in “This lady was seemingly gative again on April 27 but house in the Mualpui locality 2021. Reviewing the func 10,000 households in the to Aizawl on April 6. She went search of her daughter who lost as all others who had ac stayed on until her “grand of the State capital a few days tioning of the department next four months. into quarantine at a designat had been living in and around companied her from Cham ma” tested negative and was ago. 8 killed as rain batters Bengal

PUBLIC NOTICE Press Trust of India Kolkata Eight people were killed in diﬀerent parts of West Ben gal as thunderstorms and heavy rain battered the southern districts of the State on Tuesday after noon, oﬃcials said. Lightning and gusty wind with speed up to 54 kmph lashed Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parga nas, Nadia, Murshidabad, Bankura, Purba Bardha man, Paschim Medinipur, Birbhum and Purulia, Met Department said.

OBITUARY & DEATH REMEMBRANCE T.SURESH (60), Retired Deputy Officer - Canteen, The Hindu, Chen- nai. Passed away on 10-05-2021. DEATH Address: 16/27, Thiruvalluvar Koil Street, Mylapore, Chennai 600004. Mobile : 9710054391

IN MEMORIAM

SMT.SAROJA SUKUMARAN, wife of the late Shri R.K. Sukumaran, IPS (Retd.) and our beloved mother left us on 12th May 1971. We cherish her me- mory and her blessings.

THE HINDU DELHI WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 SOUTH 5 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

IN BRIEF Weather Watch Kerala loses its ﬁrebrand woman leader Rainfall, temperature & air quality in select metros yesterday

As a member of State’s first Cabinet, ing it out the same way, with no holds barred. My rough K.R. Gouri piloted the land reforms Bill nature has created a lot of friends and foes for me. STAFF REPORTER leader P. Krishna Pillai and There are a lot of people who Kunjukuttan enriched Thiruvananthapuram literature and cinema other revolutionaries near hate me and love me due to KOZHIKODE Legendary Marxist firebrand the PunnapraVayalar Mar my nature,” wrote Ms. Gouri Madampu Kunjukuttan, who and former Minister K.R. tyrs’ Memorial at Valiya Chu in her autobiography K.R. died in Thrissur on Tuesday Gouri, the lone woman dukkad here on Tuesday Gouri Amma. aged 79, contributed greatly member in Kerala’s first Ca evening. One of the longestserving to Malayalam literature and binet, died at a private hospi She was cremated in the members in the Kerala As cinema. He wrote novels like tal here on Tuesday. She was presence of a small crowd sembly, Ms. Gouri, as Reve Ashwathamavu and Bhrasht, 102. consisting of her family nue Minister in the first Com and penned the scripts of Ms. Gouri had been suffer members, leaders of the CPI munist Ministry in 1957, some fine films. He was also ing from various agerelated (M), the CPI, the JSS and oth K.R. GOURI 1919-2021 piloted the historic land re an actor, who dabbled mostly ailments for some time. The ers. forms Bill, which heralded in character roles, despite chief of the Janadhipathya In the morning, her mor the end of feudalism in Kera making his debut as a hero. Samrakshana Samithi ( JSS), tal remains were brought to ter Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader K.A. Raman and Parvathi la. Madampu’s second coming in Ms. Gouri breathed her last Ayyankali Hall in Thiruva of the Opposition Ramesh Amma at Pattanakad in The political history of Temperature Data: IMD, Pollution Data: CPCB, Map: INSAT/IMD (Taken at 18.00 Hrs) cinema was facilitated by at 7 a.m. while undergoing nanthapuram for public Chennithala and Finance Mi Alappuzha. Kerala and the Communist Forecast for Wednesday: Heavy rainfall likely at isolated places director Jayaraj. Desadanam treatment in the ICU. homage. Leaders cutting nister T.M. Thomas Isaac “I am just like any other movement cannot be com was one of the biggest hits of over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Her mortal remains were across political affiliations were among those who paid common woman. I don’t plete without Gouri Amma Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, coastal Karnataka and Kerala. 1996. Jayaraj and Madampu consigned to flames with full paid their last respects. their last respects. have the diplomatic flexibili or Kunjamma, as she is fond went on to work with some Thunderstorm with lightning likely at isolated places over Mad State honours close to the fi Prominent personalities, Ms. Gouri was born on Ju ty of seasoned politicians. I ly called by the masses. memorable films, including hya Pradesh, Vidarbha, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Ray nal resting place of husband including Governor Arif Mo ly 14, 1919 into a wealth fami am very straightforward in (With inputs from Alap- Karunam. alaseema, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Lakshadweep T.V. Thomas, Communist hammed Khan, Chief Minis ly as the seventh daughter of talking my mind and work puzha bureau) city rain max min city rain max min Agartala...... 19.1....33.0....20.0 Kozhikode...... 4....35.1....26.4 Ahmedabad...... —....41.1....27.2 Kurnool ...... —....38.3....30.2 Aizawl...... —....26.6....14.9 Lucknow...... —....38.0....25.6 Allahabad...... —....39.2....25.8 Madurai...... —....39.6....26.8 Bengaluru ...... —....33.9....23.3 Mangaluru ...... 0.5....31.7....25.4 Hospital deaths: ₹10 lakh Bhopal ...... —....40.8....24.0 Mumbai ...... —....34.1....27.2 High test positivity, a challenge Bhubaneswar.... 16.9....36.1....27.4 Mysuru ...... —....35.1....21.5 Chandigarh ...... —....35.0....25.0 New Delhi ...... 0.2....40.5....24.2 ex gratia to kin, says Jagan Chennai ...... —....37.7....28.1 Patna ...... —....34.4....22.8 Coimbatore ...... —....36.3....25.8 Port Blair...... 1....33.1....25.5 Lockdownbound Kerala, Karnataka reckon with 26% and 33%; 108 dead in A.P. Dehradun...... —....35.2....21.1 Puducherry ...... —....36.8....26.6 11 died due to inadequate oxygen supply Gangtok...... —....18.1....12.5 Pune...... —....37.7....23.1 Special Correspondent RTPCR tests. Goa...... —....35.6....27.5 Raipur ...... 18.8....35.0....24.2 Thiruvananthapuram Staff Reporter Guwahati ...... 2....31.5....21.6 Ranchi...... 1....32.2....22.4 Andhra Pradesh reported ‘Eight deaths not due to Hubballi...... —....31.0....24.0 Shillong...... 2.5....22.7....13.8 Kerala’s COVID19 cases ap 108 new deaths, the highest GUNTUR lack of oxygen supply’ Hyderabad ...... —....38.9....29.1 Shimla...... —....25.9....16.3 peared to maintain a slowing singleday toll, on Tuesday. Expressing shock over the HYDERABAD Imphal ...... 11....28.1....18.4 Srinagar...... 3.3....18.8....12.6 Jaipur ...... —....37.0....25.8 Thiruvananthapuram.... 27.5....32.5....25.2 pattern, but the test positivi There were 20,345 infec death of 11 patients at the Authorities of the Telangana Kochi ...... 6.2....32.2....25.6 Tiruchi...... —....40.0....27.4 ty rate (TPR) stayed over tions. Active cases stood at SVRR COVID Hospital in Ti Institute of Medical Sciences Kohima ...... —....23.0....13.2 Vijayawada ...... —....39.0....27.6 25%. 1,95,102. The TPR of 86,878 rupati, Andhra Pradesh (TIMS) have denied the Kolkata ...... —....34.7....26.8 Visakhapatnam ...... —....36.6....27.8 The State registered samples was 23.42%. Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mo allegations that the death of (Rainfall data in mm; temperature in Celsius) 37,290 new cases on Tues In Telangana, Tuesday’s han Reddy on Tuesday or eight COVID19 patients were Pollutants in the air you are breathing Yesterday CITIES SO2 NO2 CO PM2.5 PM10 CODE day after testing 1,99,748 incidence was 4,801 cases dered an ex gratia of ₹10 reportedly due to the lack of oxygen supply. It was reported Ahmedabad..... 24 .40 61 ....49 ...78 ....* samples. The TPR of 2728% and there were 32 deaths, lakh to be paid to the kin of Bengaluru ...... 1 .72 42 ....52 ...84 ....* In observation made at 4.00 that eight patients in the Chennai ...... 6 ...5 43 ....17 ...58 ....* p.m., Thane, Maharashtra over three days registered taking the infection tally and those who died reportedly recorded an overall air intensive care unit (ICU) at Delhi ...... 23 .34 63 ..179 .153 ....* quality index (AQI) score of 26.77%. Active cases climbed toll to 5,06,988 and 2,803, due to the inadequate sup TIMS died on Sunday night. Hyderabad ...... 2 .72 21 ....50 ...75 ....* 258 indicating an unhealthy * level of pollution. In to 4,23,957 cases after a Precarious situation: A woman waiting to get admitted to a respectively. ply of oxygen. Top officials denied the Kolkata...... 5 .34 33 ....21 ...39 .... Lucknow...... 6 .32 40 ..130 .127 ....* contrast, Shillong, Meghalaya small drop. hospital at Anantapur in A.P. on Monday. * R.V.S. PRASAD A total of 298 persons During the weekly Span recorded a healthy AQI score allegations and said the liquid Mumbai ...... 55 .28 13 ....67 .154 ....* of 12 Hospitalisations conti died of COVID19 in Tamil dana review with Collec oxygen tank at the institute Pune...... 6 .19 57 ....44 ...52 ....* nued to rise and patients in ported 35 deaths, mainly patients. Nadu, with Chennai alone tors, Mr. Jagan said,“These had enough of the resource. Visakhapatnam 15 .33 .7 ....16 ...40 ....* hospitals rose to 34,149 with from May 7 to 9, Thrissur re Karnataka on Tuesday re accounting for 92 deaths. are difficult times and even CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC Air Quality Code: * Poor * Moderate * Good (Readings indicate average AQI) 4,007 persons admitted on ported 11, Palakkad and Kan ported 39,510 new cases, The State reported 29,272 yesterday, we had to airlift SO2: Sulphur Dioxide. Short-term exposure can harm the respiratory system, Tuesday. nur 10 each, Kozhikode six taking the total to 20,13,193. fresh cases on Tuesday, tak six empty oxygen tankers to and I request the Collectors making breathing difficult. It can affect visibility by reacting with other air particles to form haze and stain culturally important objects such as statues ICU admissions rose with and Kollam five deaths. Of these, 15,879 were from ing its overall tally to Odisha, get them filled and not to get disheartened and and monuments. another 46 cases. A total of A total of 9,59,164 persons Bengaluru Urban. With 480 14,38,509. bring them back to Gannav be more vigilant and be NO2: Nitrogen Dioxide. Aggravates respiratory illness, causes haze to form by 2,687 persons were occupy were on home or institution deaths, the toll rose to With 7,466 fresh cases, aram. These are the times more humane,” the Chief reacting with other air particles, causes acid rain, pollutes coastal waters. CO: Carbon monoxide. High concentration in air reduces oxygen supply to ing ICUs and 1,400 were on al isolation. Ernakulam had 19,852. The State had Chennai’s overall tally sur we are living in and even Minister said. critical organs like the heart and brain. At very high levels, it can cause ventilator support. There the highest active cases with 5,87,452 active patients. The passed the four lakhmark. while we are putting conso “We should address these dizziness, confusion, unconsciousness and even death. PM2.5 & PM10: Particulate matter pollution can cause irritation of the eyes, were 79 more deaths added 65,283 patients, while Thiru TPR stood at 33.99%. (With inputs from Benga- lidated efforts, some things issues in a much more sym nose and throat, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath, reduced to the State’s COVID toll. vananthapuram had 39,705 Daily tests stood at luru, Vijayawada, Hydera- are not in our hands.” pathetic manner,” Mr. Red lung function, irregular heartbeat, asthma attacks, heart attacks and premature Thiruvananthapuram re cases and 4,976 hospitalised 1,16,238, including 1,04,659 bad and Chennai bureaus) “These are testing times dy added. death in people with heart or lung disease

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE WEST EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Amid paucity, State to divert doses Centre using investigating Maharashtra adds 40,956 agencies to settle political COVID19 cases, 793 deaths

Press Trust of India meant for 18+ towards second shot toll on Tuesday, the depart scores, allege Cong., NCP Mumbai ment said. Rajesh Tope urges Centre to expedite approval for other foreign COVID19 vaccines Staff Reporter handle the COVID19 situa Maharashtra reported Statewide recoveries Mumbai tion and divert public atten 40,956 new COVID19 cases were much higher than the Staff Reporter the Maharashtra govern The Congress and the Nation tion, and to take a political on Tuesday, a sharp rise new cases. As many as Mumbai ment had written to Russian alist Congress Party (NCP) on revenge,” Maharashtra Con from 37,236 logged a day 71,966 patients were dis Facing an acute shortage of Direct Investment Fund, Tuesday criticised the Cen gress general secretary Sa ago, taking the tally to charged from hospitals dur COVID19 vaccines and with which sponsors Sputnik V, tral government for allegedly chin Sawant said. 51,79,929, while 793 more ing the day, taking the count the Centre unable to deliver but it had received no res using investigating agencies He said the action had patients succumbed to the of recoveries to 45,41,391, it Covaxin, the Maharashtra go ponse as of now. “I urge the to settle political scores. This been taken based on lies of infection, the State Health said. Maharashtra is now vernment will now use doses Centre to speed up the pro came after the Enforcement Mr. Singh. “Let’s analyse Department said. left with 5,58,996 active cas it purchased for the 1844 age cess of granting sanction to Directorate (ED) registered a those allegations. Mr. Vaze The State’s caseload in es. The State’s COVID19 re group towards the second other COVID19 vaccines so case against Maharashtra’s said that he was asked to col creased to 51,79,929, while covery rate now stands at dose for those above 45 years. that we can buy them from former Home Minister Anil lect ₹100 crore. Same was 793 deaths upped the fatali 87.67%, while the fatality Maharashtra Health Minis the global market,” he said. Deshmukh based on an FIR told by Mr. Singh. Complai ty count to 77,191, the Health rate is 1.49%, the depart ter Rajesh Tope on Tuesday Mr. Tope also said that pa filed by the CBI probing the nants don’t even say that Department said. ment said. said that over five lakh indivi tients infected with Mucor allegations by former Mum they paid that amount. So Of the 793 fatalities, 403 Mumbai saw 1,717 new duals in the State were wait Staying protected: A woman takes a selfie as a health worker mycosis (also known as black bai Police commissioner Pa what was the CBI raiding? occurred in the last 48 cases, taking the tally to ing for the second dose of Co administers the COVID19 jab at a vaccination centre in fungus) had been found in ram Bir Singh that Mr. Desh Why the ED is involved if hours, while 170 were from 6,79,129, while the overall vaxin. “We have only 35,000 Mumbai on Tuesday. * EMMANUAL YOGINI many districts. “We have said mukh demanded ₹100 crore there is no money transac last week, and 220 people fatality count rose to 13,906 doses remaining, which were that the government will take extortion money from the tion? And if the CBI and the had died before the last with 51 more deaths, the de delivered by the Central go provide doses for citizens detailed discussion with the the financial burden of treat suspended police officer Sa ED say that the money was week, but were added to the partment said. vernment for those above 45 above 45 years while the Union Health Minister. But ing this disease under the Ma chin Vaze. paid, then why no action is years. So, we have issued di State needs to procure shots he conveyed that no doses of hatam Jyotiba Phule Jan Aaro “The ED filing a case taken against Mr. Singh and rections to use over 2.75 lakh for the 1844 age group. COVID19 vaccines were gya scheme. It requires a against Mr. Deshmukh re Mr. Vaze? It’s clear that this is Covaxin shots purchased by Mr. Tope said that the available. Therefore, we will multiapproach treatment flects the Modi government’s a political persecution start the State government for the State was also awaiting the have to take a decision on us and may not be available in ridiculous mindset and ed by the Modi government. 1844 age group for the se Centre’s delivery of Covish ing Covishield doses pur all hospitals. We are in the dangerous politics that is de People are now well aware of cond dose,” he said. ield as over 16 lakh citizens chased by the State for those process to expand the scope trimental to democracy. It’s this. Actions of these Central As per the Central govern were due for their second above 45 years,” he said. by including costly medicines an attempt to cover up the agencies have become a ment’s vaccine policy, it will dose. “On Monday, I had a The Health Minister said in the scheme,” he said. the government’s failure to joke,” he said. IMD warns of Maharashtra puts off BhimaKoregaon violence: Hany Babu denied cyclonic storm followup for eye infection, claims family Raina Assainar transfers till June 30 Special Correspondent Hany Babu has an mined by an ophthalmologist Navi Mumbai Mumbai <> eye infection; it’s who prescribed him certain The Indian Meteorological Staff Reporter years at a particular posting Professor Hany Babu, an ac antibacterial medication Mumbai like a boil on the Department (IMD) has fo are transferred in April and cused in the BhimaKoregaon outside of his eye. and advised to return for a recast this year’s first The Maharashtra govern May. Usually, 30% staff of violence case, who is lodged followup in two days. Ho He was taken to an storm in the Arabian Sea ment has decided to post the total strength of a partic at the Taloja Central Jail, had wever, despite repeated re this week. pone all administrative ular department get trans an acute eye infection which ophthalmologist. quests from the lawyer he A warning of rough sea transfers of officers till June ferred. Rights to transfer had spread to his cheek, ear, He will be taken was not taken back to the conditions, which is ex 30 in view of the COVID19 employees in groups C and and forehead and it could for a follow-up in hospital after two days, once pected to develop starting pandemic. As per the gener D stand with the local admi pose a significant risk to his two to three days again due to the lack of es Thursday, has been issued al practice, deadline for nistration, while those for life if it spread to the brain, Kaustubh Kurlekar cort officers, the prison and fishermen from the transfers is May 31. groups A and B are with the his family claimed on Tues Superintendent of Taloja Central Jail claims,” the release said. coastal States have been A government resolution minister of that particular day. Talking to The Hindu, advised against venturing (GR) issued by the General department or the Chief Mi A press release issued by treatment with a specialised Kaustubh Kurlekar, Superin into the sea from Friday. “A Administration Department nister. Mr. Babu’s wife Jenny Rowe doctor, but he was not taken tendent of Taloja Central Jail, lowpressure area is very (GAD) headed by Chief Mi The GR, however, has na and brothers Harish MT for consultation, because an said, “Mr. Babu has an eye in likely to form over the nister Uddhav Thackeray mentioned exceptions to and MT Ansari said he start escort officer was not availa fection; it’s like a boil on the southeast Arabian Sea on said that transfers would be the rule. Transfers are al ed experiencing pain and ble,” they said. outside of his eye. He was ta May 14. It is likely to move done only under exception lowed in case the post is va swelling in the left eye on “After his lawyer emailed ken to an ophthalmologist northnorthwestwards. It al circumstances. cant due to retirement, May 3, which soon developed the jail superintendent on and had been given eye may intensify into a cyclon As per the general prac posts in essential services or into double vision and severe May 6, he was taken to a go drops and other medicines. ic storm around May 16,” tice, government officials if an officer is facing com pain. “He immediately re vernment hospital in Vashi He will be taken for a follow an IMD statement said. who have completed three plaints of a serious nature. quested for consultation and the next day and was exa up in two to three days.”

DELHI THE HINDU 6 EDITORIAL WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE COVID mishandling foretold in the Budget That the government did not come up with a detailed ‘COVID19 Emergency’ Budget for the year 202122 is telling an expenditure of ₹11,757 crore If at the time of the Budget, the Fi and her team also knew the size of that was incurred in the previous nance Minister thought COVID19 India’s population, and that they year (202021) by the Centre in its vaccination money was fungible should multiply the costs of the A matter of concern fight against COVID19. and could be used either by the vaccines with the total number of New variants do not always merit changes in But for the current year 202122, Centre or the States, then how people to calculate the total the amount budgeted for ‘Covid19 does it square with the fact that amount needed for vaccinations. Praveen Chakravarty public health response, but keep people alert Emergency Response’ is zero. One with the same money, the Naren Then, all that the government he Indian variant, B.1.617 and its family of related then ponders, wondering whether dra Modi government would buy needed to do was to explicitly bud coronaviruses have been categorised as a Variant for some reason, COVID related vaccines at a lower cost to vacci get for the vaccination amount ndia has begun medically sa Budget provisions have been nate Indians above the age of 45 and other attendant costs in this fi of Concern (VOC) by WHO, a classification which T feguarding not only her own made under another expenditure while the States would buy the nal battle against the virus. The will now prompt greater international scrutiny of those “Icitizens against COVID19 item in the Ministry’s B udget this AP same vaccines at a higher price for Health Ministry should have nego who test positive overseas. While there are several so but also those of 100 or more year. ed under the Health Ministry, the all others? tiated one standard price for each called ‘variants of interest’, only three, other tha n the countries. I have provided The answer is ‘No’. It is a matter Centre could still use the money to type of vaccine and procured B.1.617, have been categorised as VOC — the U.K. variant ₹35,000 crores for Covid19 vac of alarm that there is no provision procure vaccines and give it as an Vaccine is public good them directly. After this, the vac (B.1.1.7), the South Africa variant (B.1.351) and the Brazi cine in BE 202122...,” was the in the entire Ministry of Health’s ‘inkind’ grant to the States. This It is amply evident that the Fi cines should have been distribut lian variant (P2). Usually, in countries that detect emer bombastic claim made by Finance 202122 Budget for COVID19 vacci misses the point. nance Minister and her govern ed to the States to set up vaccina Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in nations and other related expendi This is not a squabble about the ment’s handling of the COVID19 tion camps and vaccinate people. gent variants, it is the health authorities there who flag her Budget speech to the nation on ture. Moreover, the Health Minis technical details of budgeting for pandemic is like a deer caught in All this was blindingly obvious them as potential VOC. To qualify as one, the identified February 1, 2021 (https:// try’s Budget for this year is lower activities under different heads. the headlights . The thought be even in January before the Budget variant must be linked to increased transmission or be bit.ly/33yHVAw). than the amount spent last year This is about the intent, thought hind the Budget for COVID19 is at was prepared. Lives and liveli associated with more severe disease or found to be Ms. Sitharaman assured the na when more money was needed to and actions of the Narendra Modi odds with its health policies for hoods were at stake. Instead, the evading detection by diagnostic tests. Concerns that the tion that her government at the defeat the novel coronavirus this government in the middle of a na COVID19. A kneejerk and con Finance Minister resorted to hea B.1.617 may be playing a role in disease spread in India Centre was protecting not only In year. It turns out that ₹ 35,000 tional health emergency. Either fused vaccination policy, with va dline and narrative management were expressed by scientists by midMarch. The INSA dians but also people of other crore for COVID19 vaccination has the government was callous about rying price structures and quotas using halftruths and misleading COG, or the Indian SARSCoV2 Genomic Consortia, had countries against COVID 19 and been allocated as “Loans/Grants to the nation’s continued fight for the Centre, States and private claims. that she had provided enough mo States” in the Budget of the Minis against COVID19, or wanted to ab hospitals for the same vaccine, has flagged a variant with two concerning mutations, ney. She also boasted that the ov try of Finance. dicate responsibility to the States made a royal mess of India’s vacci Ineptitude E484Q and L452R, that separately had been found in erall Budget for health had been Does this mean that when Ms. entirely. If not, it would have made nation efforts. The basic economic Is the Narendra Modi government other variants elsewhere. INSACOG said they now increased substantially and point Sitharaman and the government a meticulously detailed ‘Covid19 principle that a COVID19 vaccine so incompetent and reckless that seemed to appear together on a variant that was linked ed to details in Annexure I of the sat down to prepare the B udget Emergency’ Budget for the year is an essential public good and not even after five months, and after to a large fraction of cases in Maharashtra and began to Budget speech. In Annexure I, a ta earlier this year, they did not think 202122. a private good like flight tickets to lakhs of lives have gone and bil be called ‘double mutant’ or even ‘triple mutant’ (a s it ble under ‘Health and Wellbeing – the Centre had any role to play in be priced differently for everyone, lions of dollars lost in economic also had another important mutation, P614R). Expenditure’ lists ₹ 35,000 crore vaccination? Did they think that More questions seems to have been lost on the go output it is still struggling to come for ‘Vaccination’ under ‘CoVID re COVID19 would just disappear It is also justifiable to say that pu vernment’s policy makers. It has up with a coherent vaccination In March nearly 20% of the cases out of Maharashtra, lated Special Provisions’. providentially and that there was blic health is a State subject, vacci now put the lives of a billion In policy and save Indians from this which has consistently been among the most afflicted no money required this year for nation is the responsibility of the dians and India’s $3 trillion econo deadly pandemic? Alas, the answ States, were being linked to the variant. However, it was Zero amount health supplies, infrastructure, States, and hence, COVID19 vacci my at risk. er is a yes. Let us not forget that it in early April that this variant became formally classi Logically, when the Finance Minis and other expenses under the nation money should rightfully be Earlier in January this year, it is the same Prime Minister and his fied as a lineage, B.1.617. It was only after the U.K .’s la ter says that the Budget for ‘Health Health Ministry’s ‘Covid19 Emer given only to the States and not to was crystal clear that India would government who thought that in belling it as a VOC that it was called so by health author and Wellbeing’ is being expanded gency Response package’? On the Health Ministry at the Centre. need to vaccinate the vast majority validating all currency overnight, ities in India. In fact, unlike the United States’s CDC or significantly, one would expect to what basis then did the Finance In which case, the States should al of its people to put an end to the in 2016, would magically eliminate see these details in the Ministry of Minister say that her government so be given the full rights to decide COVID19 pandemic. It was also black money or locking down the Public Health England, India still does not have a classi Health and Family Welfare’s B ud would not only “safeguard” In and implement a COVID19 health wellestablished then that there entire nation last year at just four fication criterion for labelling viruses as variants of in get. Page 155 of the 350 page dians but also the citizens of 100 policy. were at least two vaccines availa hours notice would defeat the co terest, or concern. Classifying variants is not just a mat ‘Notes on Demands for Grants’ or more other countries? How is it then that the Centre ble in India and more could be im ronavirus as quickly as ‘the Panda ter of mere academic interest. Based on the prevalence, lists the Health Ministry’s B udget After this writerpointed this out chose to intervene and dictate an ported, as the Finance Minister vas won the Mahabharata war’. some variants may go on to become the dominant details for the year 202122. Item first in a tweet, the Finance Minis irrational vaccination pricing poli herself alluded to in the Budget strain in a region or multiple geographies. It then be No.19 is clearly titled ‘Covid19 try gave a long and a bureaucratic cy that has a lower price for the speech. The approximate costs for Praveen Chakravarty is a political comes the responsibility of vaccine companies to check Emergency Response & Health response about how even if the Centre and a higher price for the these vaccines were also known. economist and Chairman, Data Analytics System Preparedness’, which lists vaccination amount is not budget States for the exact same vaccine? Presumably, the Finance Minister department of the Congress party whether their vaccines continue to be effective. Such studies have already begun in India, but while laborato ry studies show that vaccines continue to be effectiv e, some of the emerging variants do seem to be better a t evading antibodies. Along with monitoring reinfections Evaluate the Ladakh crisis, keep China at bay and cases of breakthrough infections (testing positive after being double inoculated), flagging variants must A critical assessment of the standoff offers New Delhi key lessons in managing the strategic competition with China be seen as a crucial health response. Detecting newer India’s competition with China’ — vidual powers, even large powers have to make toughminded stra variants does not always merit radical changes in public this writer has argued that the La such as India, will probably strug tegic tradeoffs, deliberately prior health response — such as masking up — but they go a dakh crisis offers New Delhi three gle to shift Beijing’s calculus alone. itising military modernisation and long way in reminding people to continue being alert , key lessons in managing the inten To the extent that China adjusted joint force projection over the viewing vaccines as an important defence but not a sifying strategic competition with its position in the Ladakh crisis, it groundcentric combat arms for magic pill, and keeping health authorities on their toes. China. did so because it was responding mations required to defend terri Arzan Tarapore to the cumulative effect of multiple tory. Revamping strategies pressure points — most of which This will be a politically formid Losing trust First, military strategies based on were out of India’s control. Against able task — blood has now been fter over a year, the standoff denial are more useful than strate the rising behemoth, only coordi spilled on the LAC, and for domes

Despite Mr. Oli’s loss, Nepal’s Opposition between Indian and Chi gies based on punishment. The In FILE PHOTO/PTI nated or collective action is likely tic political reasons, India cannot is still divided over an alternative government Anese troops in eastern La dian military’s standing doctrine drain of the increased militarisa to be effective. be seen to be passive on the bor dakh shows no signs of resolution. calls for deterring adversaries with tion of the LAC. der. Rebalancing India’s strategic epal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s loss of a Disengagement has stalled, China the threat of massive punitive reta Indian Ocean Region is key priorities will require the central trust vote in Parliament on Monday comes at a continues to reinforce its troops, liation for any aggression, captur Political costs The third lesson of Ladakh — and government, through the Chief of Nparticularly crucial time. The second wave of and talks have been fruitless. ing enemy territory as bargaining The second key lesson of Ladakh possibly the hardest to address — is Defence Staff, to issue firm strateg the COVID19 pandemic has not only ravaged India but More broadly, the IndiaChina leverage in postwar talks. But this is that China is more likely to be that India should consider accept ic guidance to the military servic has also begun to affect its landlocked neighbour Nepal, bilateral relationship has rup did not deter China from launch deterred or coerced with the ing more risk on the LAC in ex es. This response will be a test not leaving citizens reeling under oxygen shortages, spikes tured. Political relations are ing unprecedented incursions in threat of political costs, rather change for longterm leverage and only of the government’s strategic marked by hostility and distrust. May 2020, and the threat lost cred than material costs. Admittedly, influence in the Indian Ocean R e sense and farsightedness, but also in the daily case load, and fatalities. Political instability Reversing a longheld policy, New ibility when retaliation never ma the Chinese military’s deployment gion. From the perspective of of the ability of the national secur is the last thing Nepal needs now, but the trust vote did Delhi will no longer overlook the terialised. to the LAC was also large and ex longterm strategic competition, ity apparatus to overcome en little to resolve the issue of who will take over the role of problematic border dispute for the In contrast, the Indian mili tremely expensive. But China’s de the future of the Indian Ocean Re trenched bureaucratic and organi leading the government. Mr. Oli won just 93 votes in the sake of a potentially lucrative wid tary’s highwater mark in the crisis fence budget is three to four times gion is more consequential and sationalcultural biases. 271strong House of Representatives where only 232 er relationship; now, as India’s Ex was an act of denial — its occupa larger than India’s (https:// more uncertain than the Hima As these three lessons show, the turned up to vote, with 124 voting against him and 15 ternal Affairs Minister S. Jaishan tion of the heights on the Kailash bit.ly/3ydmVgK), and its Western layan frontier. future of the strategic competition members staying neutral. The leading party in the O p kar has made clear, the Range on its side of the LAC in late Theatre Command boasts over At the land border, the difficult is not yet written. Thus far, India relationship is conditional on quie August. This action served to deny 200,000 soldiers (https:// terrain and more even balance of has suffered unequal strategic position, the Nepali Congress (NC) led by Sher Bahadur tude on the border. that key terrain to the Chinese Pe bit.ly/3bhOWK9). The material military force means that each costs from the Ladakh crisis. Chi Deuba, with 61 members voted against Mr. Oli along Even if — a big if — disengage ople’s Liberation Army (PLA), and burden of the crisis would not dis side could only eke out minor, nese troops continue to camp on with the Pushpa Kumar Dahalled Communist Party of ment continues, the relationship gave the Indian Army a stronger rupt its existing priorities. strategically modest gains at best. previously Indiancontrolled land, Nepal (MaoistCentre) with 49 votes. The Maoists had will remain vulnerable to destabi defensive position from which it In contrast, India successfully In contrast, India has traditionally and worse, India may jeopardise just recently demerged from the Nepal Communist lising disruptions. On the Line of could credibly defend a larger seg raised the risks of the crisis for Chi been the dominant power in the its longterm leverage in the more Party after a Supreme Court ruling derecognised its Actual Control (LAC) and beyond, ment of its front line. na through its threat of a political Indian Ocean Region and stands to consequential Indian Ocean R e merger with Mr. Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (Un India’s military and political lead A doctrinal focus on denial will rupture, not military punishment. cede significant political influence gion. But if India’s leaders honest ers will need to learn the right les give the Indian military greater ca A permanently hostile India or an and security if it fails to answer the ly and critically evaluate the crisis, ified MarxistLeninist). Mr. Oli could not command the sons from Ladakh, to ensure they pacity to thwart future land grabs accidental escalation to conflict dizzyingly rapid expansion of Chi it may yet help to actually brace In full support of his own party as the 28 legislatorstrong are better postured to meet the across the LAC. By bolstering In were risks that China, having nese military power. dia’s longterm position against Madhav Kumar NepalJhalanath Khanalled faction challenge of Chinese coercion. dia’s defensive position, rather achieved its tactical goals in the The Ladakh crisis, by prompt China. within the UML decided to remain absent from the than launching an escalatory res crisis, assessed were an unneces ing an increased militarisation of House. Mr. Nepal had taken up the cudgels against Mr. Study and findings ponse, such a strategy is also more sary additional burden while it the LAC, may prompt India to def Arzan Tarapore is the South Asia Research Oli in the unified NCP along with Mr. Dahal, and had op In a recent study published by the likely than punishment to pre was contending with the instabili er longoverdue military moderni Scholar at the Shorenstein AsiaPacific posed Mr. Oli’s decision to dissolve Parliament — a move Lowy Institute (https:// serve crisis stability. Over time, ty of its territorial disputes and sation and maritime expansion in Research Center at Stanford University, bit.ly/33ApECB) — ‘The crisis after improved denial capabilities may pandemic response. to the Indian Ocean. To keep its and a Senior NonResident Fellow at the which was also struck down by the Supreme Court. the crisis: how Ladakh will shape allow India to reduce the resource The corollary lesson is that indi eyes on the prize, New Delhi will National Bureau of Asian Research Even more intriguing was the vertical split in another Opposition party, the Janata Samajwadi PartyNepal (JSP) — the 15member Baburam BhattaraiUpendra Ya LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. dav faction voted against Mr. Oli while the 15membe r To read more letters Mahantha ThakurRajendra Mahatoled group decided More horror may be a factor. It must have 1870, but to read, in 2021, poor state of many of India’s why we are not using the online, scan the QR code to stay neutral. While Mr. Bhattarai and Mr. Yadav have The news report (Page 1, been traumatic for the about floating bodies of our systems. And there is only money to avert horrors as taken a clear ideological position in line with their stat May 11), of the bodies of families to have done this fellow citizens along with one answer from the described in the report. services that matter. ed goal of a federally restructured Nepali state favoura suspected COVID19 victims after the stress of having graphic details is government to all COVID19 Girish Ramachandran, Tharcius S. Fernando, being found in the Ganga in been unable to save their unimaginable and related questions: we never Edathitta, Pathanamthitta, Kerala Chennai ble to the plaindwelling Madhesis — something that Mr. Bihar, was horrifying. The loved ones in hospital. A harrowing. expected such largescale Oli had steadfastly opposed — the other faction is in reason given, that the poor crucial issue in all this is the Sukumaran C.V., devastation. The people are NGOs and government Hardest hit clined to support Mr. Oli in order to wrest concessions may have resorted to this cost of polluting a water Palakkad, Kerala paying a heavy price for the The ‘crushing’ of NGOs by The picture (Page 1, May 11), for the Madhesis. The net effect of the trust vote was a because of the exorbitant body used by many others. way the government is the government of the day by of children waiting in a loss of face for Prime Minister Oli, and yet it is not clear costs of cremation, made Those who lost their lives ■ The report exposes the lack handling the crisis. bringing in amendments to queue to get free meals if an alternative government can be formed by the O p the report even more deserve their last rites to be of planning and a Launching satellites at FCRA regulations has no provided by the Delhi position as things stand. Mr. Deuba enjoys support from disturbing. This has conducted with dignity and mishandling of the pandemic frequent intervals alone will doubt affected their work at government, was wrenching. happened at a time when the State government ought situation by the State not make a country a time when their services It was an image that the Maoists and the BhattaraiYadav faction of the JSP the Union Government, to help the families. administration concerned. technologydriven. There is are much needed (“FCRA conveyed more than what a but it remains to be seen whether the NepalKhanal fac especially the Prime J. Eden Alexander, The poor in particular are no dearth of money for amendments crippling our three column report can do. tion will decide to resign from Parliament to enable a Minister, has focused on Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu suffering a great deal and the wrong priorities such as work, say NGOs”, May 10). It One is reminded of the victory for the NC. Nepal’s political class has been, conserving the river and in authorities must lend them a building statues and grand is an open secret that the saying, “Poverty is dreadful, more often than not, caught up in political tugs of war arresting its pollution, and ■ Apart from the disrespect helping hand. It is incidents projects in the heart of Delhi. amendments were brought but even more dreadful is with frequent changes in regimes despite the people re has spent crores of rupees to the departed souls, the such as these that are a test But there is no money for a in to stall donations from poverty during youth”. The posing their faith in democratic institutions through in trying to make this contamination of the river is of the ‘development’ that free universal vaccine abroad by missionaries pandemic has only widened happen. The governments what terrifies me. It was in State administrations are so programme! In contrast to through their NGOs for the the disparities in India’s two “jan andolans” — the first removing absolute mo concerned have failed. Jules Verne’s novel, Twenty quick to boast about. this are images of people services rendered by them to society. The affected narchy, and the second enabling a constitutional repu D. Sethuraman, Thousand Leagues Under the Sali George, gasping and fading away for the poor and the children must be given every blic. At least now, when Nepalfaces the onslaught of the Chennai Sea, that one has read Udupi, Karnataka want of hospital beds and downtrodden. It is chance to occupy their novel coronavirus, the polity must rise to the occasion graphic descriptions of oxygen. When the PM CARES unfortunate that religion has rightful place in our society. and work towards an alternative stable regime. ■ It is distressing that the floating bodies of Indians. ■ The pandemic has exposed Fund is reported to be flush to come into the picture S. Vasudevan, reason of funeral expenses The novel was written in to the world the extent of the with funds, one wonders when it is humanitarian Srirangam, Tamil Nadu

THE HINDU DELHI WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 OPED 7 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Not all crises are opportunities for reforms How to adopt a child legally The call for reforms today leaves out the stakeholders, which might undermine the very purpose of reforms During a crisis, an outreach programme must warn everyone not to entertain any illegal adoption offers policies in a situation of demand con traction due to the pandemic. The second is the unpredictability of glo adopted. Any person or organisation offer bal factors, as India’s dependence on ing or receiving such children for adoption in the global economy increased mani violation of the Juvenile Justice Act and the fold after the 1991 reforms. Both Adoption Regulations invites punishment up M. Suresh Babu these have the potential to jeopar to three years and a fine of ₹1 lakh, or both. dise the effective implementation of Anil Malhotra strategic changes. Following procedure This year marks 30 years of the land The magnitude and intensity of The eligibility of prospective adoptive pa mark economic reforms that perma the crisis of 2021 is manifold com Profiteering from child trafficking rackets rents living in India, duly registered on the nently altered the production and pared to that of 1991. There is also a knows no bounds. Today, some people are Child Adoption Resource Information and distribution structures of the Indian lag effect in the unravelling of the offering infants for instant adoption by sell Guidance System (CARINGS), irrespective of economy. Swayed by the success of scale and extent of the crisis, which ing sob stories of how the children have lost marital status and religion, is adjudged by the 1991 reforms, albeit, at the ma is surfacing slowly. To highlight this their parents to the dreaded virus. These un specialised adoption agencies preparing croeconomic level, there has been a point, I use only one piece of empir scrupulous people target gullible persons home study reports. Upon approval, as per growing clamour from economic ical data. In its recent research re who fall into the trap, little realising that seniority in the adoption list, prospective commentators for some more doses port, Pew Research Center observes such adoptions are illegal. The lack of inputs children are offered and preadoption foster of reforms in 2021. Both 1991 and that a large section of India’s popula for proper procedures for legal adoption and care follows. The specialised adoption agen 2021 have one thing in common: an tion would be pushed into poverty as hasty sentimental considerations are ex cy then secures court orders approving the economy facing a severe growth cri a fallout of the economic crisis dri ploited for exorbitant sums of money. Tough adoption. All nonresident persons ap sis. This raises two fundamental ven by the novel coronavirus. To qu times call for tough measures. This business proach authorised adoption agencies in questions. First, is crisis a prerequi ote: “…. the number of people who of criminal trading of children must be their foreign country of residence for regis site for reforms? Second, given the are poor in India (with incomes of $2 checked with an iron hand. tration under CARINGS. Their eligibility is magnitude of economic contraction, Migrant workers from Odisha on their way to the railway station during the or less a day) is estimated to have in adjudged by authorised foreign adoption in 2021, are reforms capable of rejuv curfew hours in Visakhapatnam on May 7, 2021. * K.R. DEEPAK creased by 75 million because of the Protection granted by the law agencies through home study reports. As per enating the economy or will they COVID19 recession. This, too, ac According to UNICEF, India has over 30 mil seniority, they are offered profiles of chil push the economy towards growth tablished structures leading to insta external shock. Further, in 1991, the counts for nearly 60% of the global lion orphan and abandoned children. Unfor dren and child study reports are finalised. fatigue? bility. They create uncertainty as the crisis was limited to the Indian eco increase in poverty. Perhaps not sur tunate parental deaths added unknown CARA then issues a preadoption ‘no objec prevailing behaviour and choices of nomy, while the present calamity has prisingly, media reports from India numbers of orphans to the list. Many chil tion’ certificate for foster care, followed by a Crises and reforms actors change. This combination of engulfed most global economies point to a spike in participation in its dren escaped monitoring by the official ma court adoption order. A final ‘no objection’ It is not very common to depart from uncertainty and instability sets the with varying intensities. This makes rural employment programme – ori chinery due to the breakdown of systems. certificate from CARA or a conformity certif initiating incremental policy changes stage for a reorientation of policies, policy responses very challenging. In ginally intended to combat poverty The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of icate under the adoption convention is man to making fundamental shifts in eco packaged and delivered under the the former case, we could have In in agricultural areas – as the many Children) law was enacted in 2015. The Juve datory for a passport and visa to leave India. nomic policy. Bigbang policy re banner of reforms. The argument for diaspecific policies, assuming that who have lost jobs in the reeling eco nile Justice Rules of 2016 and the Adoption Not many may know this. CARA must con forms often face hurdles in terms of converting a crisis into an opportun there would not be drastic changes in nomy seek work. The number now Regulations of 2017 followed to create the duct an outreach programme on social me rules and routines. Overcoming ity to reform arises due to three fac the rest of the world, while in the lat participating is setting record highs Central Adoption Resource Authority (CA dia, newspapers and TV, warning everyone these requires effort and conviction. tors. First, during a crisis, group rela ter case, Indiaspecific policies will in the programme’s 14year history”. RA) as a statutory body for the regulation, not to entertain any illegal adoption offers Crises provide opportunities for rad tions and modes of interactions have to be tempered with the dynam The enormity of the crisis is appro monitoring and control of all intracountry under any circumstances whatsoever. The ical changes as they break down the change, which sets a suitable back ics of the rest of the world, as all af priately captured in the research cit and intercountry adoptions. Furthermore, legal process of adoption must be adequately legitimacy of existing policy ap ground for change. Second, at times fected economies are formulating ed above, which throws light on the CARA became pivotal in granting a ‘no objec publicised. The National and State Commis proaches. Crises thus create a space of crises, authority replaces rules, policy responses at the same time. circumstances of 2021 and its non tion’ certificate for all intercountry adop sions for Protection of Child Rights must step for new proposals and possibilities, which makes it easier to push the The availability of a semifixed suitability as a year for radical re tions, pursuant to India becoming a signato up their roles as vigilantes, as they are empo which could have farreaching conse polices in a short time span. Third, template for reforms eased the mat forms. ry to the Hague Convention on Protection of wered by law to take effective action against quences for the economy and socie during periods of crisis, the legitima ter in 1991. The template, which had All crises do not inevitably lead to Children and Cooperation in Respect of In those engaging in illegal activities. Social ac ty. Viewed from a sectoral perspec cy of prevailing rules and routines di some generic measures for all the possibilities for reforms, even tercountry Adoptions. India is also a signato tivists, NGOs and enlightened individuals tive, during a crisis, the services minish, which makes it easier for ac economies experiencing external though some do create opportunities ry to the UN Convention on the Rights of the must report all the incidents that come to delivered by some sectors do not tors to depart from them. sector imbalances, was a tried and for fundamental changes. However, Child. Thus, protections afforded to children their notice. Respective State Legal Services meet societal expectations, which in tested one. This gave policymakers to gauge whether a crisis can be became a legal mandate of all authorities Authorities have the infrastructure and ma turn sets the stage for institutional re 2021 is not 1991 some headroom to anticipate the turned into an opportunity for re and courts. Laws were enacted. Machineries chinery to stamp out such unlawful practices forms to enhance the credibility and The character and consequences of likely consequences in the postim forms requires an indepth under and mechanisms created were put in place. brought to their attention. The media must legitimacy of those sectors. For the the crisis of 1991 and 2021 are diffe plementation phase. standing of the factors that led to the The Juvenile Justice Act is a secular law. All publicise and shame all those involved in this policymaker, crises can generate in rent. In 1991, the crisis of the econo crisis. Further, all the three clusters persons are free to adopt children under this disreputable occupation. Innocent children creased demand for change and that my was the product of endogenous Two uncertainties of actors who are crucial agents in law. However, persons professing the Hindu deprived of the love and care of their natural could be the opportunity for which factors, that is, factors which were However, in 2021, the challenge is to the policy process — political leaders, religion are free to adopt under the Hindu parents due to tragedies cannot fall prey to they would have been waiting. Ho operating within the economic sys evolve a countryspecific package. policymakers and implementers, Adoptions and Maintenance Act of 1956. traders of human smuggling. At the same wever, not all crises create condi tem. The crisis of 2021 is different, as Two uncertainties pose serious pro and the relevant stakeholders — need Rehabilitation of all orphaned, abandoned time, the police authorities need to be extra tions for widespread acceptance of it is the product of a pandemic, blems in charting such a set of mea to have a shared vision. In 2021, the and surrendered children is regulated by the vigilant in apprehending criminals. A joint reforms, as they could generate oth which is exogenous to the economic sures. The first is the uncertainty call for reforms leaves out the stake strict mandatory procedures of the Adop privatepublic venture must come into mo er byproducts . Thus, to posit a li system. The causeandeffect rela with regard to the government’s own holders, which might undermine the tion Regulations. Children of relatives can al tion. Every citizen of the nation has a role to near causal relationship between tions are entirely different in the lat revenues which would limit the poli very purpose of reforms itself. so be adopted under the Juvenile Justice Act, play in eradicating this unhealthy practice. crises and reforms could be errone ter, as the cause originates from out cy space for interventions. Expendi if desired. Only such children declared legal ous. side the economic system and the ture reduction is not a viable strategy M. Suresh Babu is professor of economics at ly free for adoption under the Juvenile Jus Anil Malhotra is a lawyer, author, legal analyst and an Crises cause the breakdown of es economy is forced to adjust to this for expanding the scale and scope of IIT Madras. Views expressed are personal tice Act by prescribed procedures can be IAFL fellow. [email protected]

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The party’s further rise will depend on its politics FROM THE ARCHIVES and the Trinamool’s functioning postMamata FIFTY YEARS AGO MAY 12, 1971 Pak. faces serious food shortage Shaikh Mujibur Rehman phistication, often with the active support of leaders such as Ms. Baner Washington, May 11: Mr. M.M. Ahmed, Chief The results of the West Bengal As jee and Farooq Abdullah as National Economic Adviser to President Yahya Khan sembly elections can be seen broadly Democratic Alliance partners. of Pakistan, admitted here yesterday that in two ways. It shows the failure of Election strategist Prashant Kishor the country would be facing serious food the ModiShahled Bharatiya Janata remarked that a party can at best se shortage after three or four months as the Party (BJP) in defeating the Mamata cure 50%55% of the votes through present stock would last only till then. Mr. Banerjeeled Trinamool Congress. polarisation. One is not certain if this Ahmed, who is now in the United States Yet, the performance of the BJP is re is true of all cases and States. Take seeking additional aid, said the entire Pakis markable — it has increased its seat Gujarat, for example, where polarisa tan would need sizeable food assistance for share from three in 2016 to 77 in 2021. tion certainly brought in more than the rest of this year and all of next year be In some ways, this increase is remi 50% of the votes in one election, cause of “civil war” in Pakistan. Mr. Ahmed niscent of the BJP’s electoral journey making it a paradigmatic case of the added, “There is no danger of imminent at the national level from two seats in politics of polarisation in Indian elec starvation in East Pakistan, despite the re 1984 to 85 seats in 1989, accom toral history. Consequently, that has cent civil disturbances there”. He said there plished through the Ayodhya move helped the BJP return to power elec were approximately 686,000 tons of wheat ment. In West Bengal, the BJP has ac tion after election. According to the and rice in East Pakistan at the end of March. complished this task mainly through 2011 Census, the Muslim population An additional 801,000 tons, including a polarised campaign in religious is 27% in West Bengal, but in Assam, 300,000 tons of rice, was in the aid pipeline, CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC terms. From 1989 to 2014, it took it is 34.2%. Yet, the BJP was able to CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC some of which could be transferred to East nearly 25 years for the BJP to win a defeat the Congressled Grand Al DATA POINT Pakistan, if needed. Mr. Ahmed conferred singleparty majority in the Lok Sab liance in Assam. It is another matter for 40 minutes with President Nixon and ha elections; however, that might not that former Congressman Himanta with Dr. Henry Kissinger, Mr. Nixon’s Nation be its experience in West Bengal. In Biswa Sarma played a crucial role in al Security Adviser. He had also talks with the wake of the decimation of the scripting the Congress’s defeat, World Bank officials and is expected to see Left and the Congress, the possibility which speaks volumes of the kind of the Secretary of State, Mr. Rogers, before for the BJP to become West Bengal’s Congress leaders who were once leaving on Friday. Details of his mission were ruling party depends on how the Tri building secular India. Therefore, shrouded in secrecy but it was believed that namool is going to govern in a bipolar what has worked for the Trinamool he was seeking further international as well polity. Make no mistake: the BJP is in 2021 may not work forever. This as U.S. economic aid. Aid has been delayed the only national party that enjoys a leaves vast opportunity structures by Washington since the civil war broke out special advantage and its hunger to for the BJP to expand. in East Bengal in March last. expand is far more acute compared to the Congress’s when the latter had Inflection point an identical or even better national In the present Assembly, the gap in A HUNDRED YEARS AGO MAY 12, 1921 profile. seats between the Trinamool and the BJP is 136. This makes the Mamata go In England: Aldershot riot A force to reckon with vernment immune to the experi It is often argued that the BJP was an ments that the BJP conducted in Mad London, May 9: A serious riot took place in insignificant force with only two hya Pradesh and Karnataka to Aldershot last night. Shops windows were seats in the 1984 parliamentary elec capture power. But the longterm fu smashed and looted by men in uniform who tion. However, what is overlooked is ture of the BJP partly also depends on were accompanied by a large party carrying the fact that it received 7.74 % votes in how the Trinamool is going to shape red flags. Two or three police were injured. 1984, which is more than the total itself in the postMamata period. If The outbreak is apparently due to the dis vote share of the CPI (M) and the CPI the Trinamool chooses to remain a content of reservists being called up in con in 2004, which was 7.07%. Interest populist party and becomes a dynas nection with the coal dispute. A later mes ingly, the Left parties had 53 seats in ty party, it will become more vulner sage states all is now quiet in Aldershot. The Parliament with that vote share and able. It could still remain a contender riot was apparently such as occasionally oc played a key role in the United Pro like the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam curs on Saturday nights where large bodies gressive Alliance1 regime. This in Tamil Nadu or the Samajwadi Par of troops are gathered. It began by the means that the BJP was not as insig ty in U.P. But if it chooses to institu smashing of omnibus windows. The soldiers nificant in 1984 as is portrayed in tionalise and create opportunities for concerned wore no badges but were excited scholarly literature. Moreover, its bright leaders like Mahua Moitra, by an erroneous report that some of their vote share could have been greater there is a fair chance that the party comrades had been detained in the guard than what it had received if not for can have a future beyond Bengal. room. A comparatively small part actually the abnormal nature of the 1984 elec took part in window smashing but a tion, held after the assassination of Shaikh Mujibur Rehman teaches at Jamia hundred soldiers followed the rioters and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Non Millia Central University and is the author of many of them treated the matter as a joke, etheless, the BJP began to build on the forthcoming book titled, Shikwa- e-Hind: although some remonstrated with the rio this limited social base with great so The Political Future of Indian Muslims ters. CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

DELHI THE HINDU 8 NEWS WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE FROM PAGE ONE ‘PIL plea against Central Vista Maratha quota: Uddhav ‘Cases rising in 15 States; writes to President positivity rate at 21%’ another bid to stall project’ ‘Ensure reservation for the community’ Close to 2.50 lakh deaths active cases; 50,000 to 1 Centre says that by singling it out, the petitioner has made motive clear Staff Reporter (1.09% of the total cases) lakh in six and less than Mumbai had been reported, he said. 50,000 in 17. Press Trust of India contended. Since the affida siding onsite. Maharashtra Chief Minister Mr. Agarwal said 26 Mr. Agarwal said the New Delhi vit was not yet on record, a It has said the workers Uddhav Thackeray on Tues States had more than 15% Centre had provided about The Centre has told the Delhi Bench of Chief Justice D.N. were engaged well before day submitted a letter to Go positivity, nine with over 17.01 crore vaccine doses for High Court that the PIL peti Patel and Justice Jasmeet the imposition of curfew on vernor Bhagat Singh Kosh 25% and 10 States with 20 free to the States and the pe tion seeking a stay on the Singh listed the matter for April 19. “It is submitted that yari for President Ram Nath 25% positivity. The highest ople had already got them. construction of Central Vista hearing on May 12. in the meantime, a COVID Kovind urging him to step in of 49.6% was in Goa, fol In collaboration with the in New Delhi amid the raging The court also allowed the compliant facility was in to ensure reservation for lowed by Puducherry with States, 25.59 lakh doses COVID19 pandemic was just early hearing application stalled at the worksite itself, Maratha community. Mr. 42.8% and West Bengal with were also given to the 1844 another attempt to stall the moved by the petitioners — to accommodate the 250 Thackeray also wrote to 34.4%. On dayonday basis, age group. project which has been fac Anya Malhotra, who works workers who had expressed Prime Minister Narendra the overall positivity on Sharing updates on oxy ing such attempts from the as a translator, and Sohail their willingness to stay put Modi seeking his interven Uddhav Thackeray April 27 was 19% and since gen availability, Home Mi beginning on one pretext or Hashmi, a historian and doc and continue the aforesaid tion. then, it had gone down to nistry Additional Secretary another. The area alongside the umentary film maker — who work. “The facility provides “A letter requesting the 102nd Constitutional 18%. Piyush Goyal said oxygen The “intentions and mo Rajpath dug up for the have contended that the pro for strict implementation of President to look into the Amendment. Statewise, the most num production in the country tive” behind filing of the plea Central Vista project. ject was not an essential ac COVID protocol and also ad matter of Maratha reserva The letter to Mr. Modi re ber of active cases conti had risen from 5,700 MT are evident from the fact that tivity and therefore, it can be herence to COVID appro tion in view of the Supreme quested steps be taken ear nued to be reported from per day in August 2020 to the instant project has been ties going on simultaneously put on hold for now during priate behaviour,” the go Court verdict was given to liest to grant reservation to Maharashtra (5,93,150), fol more than 9,000 MT per singled out by the petition for different projects by dif the pandemic. vernment has said in its Bhagat Singh Koshyari. We Maratha community. lowed by Karnataka day in May. ers despite several other ferent agencies, the petition In the affidavit filed in the affidavit. It has also said that have also written to the The letter, explaining the (5,71,026), Kerala There had been seven agencies, including Delhi er has chosen to be a public court on May 10, the Central the contractor has provided Prime Minister and will history of Maratha reserva (4,20,076), Uttar Pradesh fold increase in the supply Metro, carrying out con spirited citizen only with re government has said that the health insurance to all work soon be meeting him re tion laws and verdicts by the (2,25,271) and Rajasthan of liquid medical oxygen, struction activities across gard to one project only Delhi Disaster Management ers against COVID19 and a questing the Centre’s inter Bombay High Court and Su (2,03,017). In 13 States/UTs, from 1,320 MT in March to the national capital, the speaks volumes about his in Authority has permitted separate facility for conduct vention,” said Mr. Thacke preme Court, said, “The there were more than 1 lakh 8,943 MT on May 9. Centre has alleged. tentions and motive behind construction activities, dur ing the RTPCR test, isolation ray after his interaction with majority (Supreme Court “The very fact that out of filing the present petition,” ing the prevailing curfew, and medical aid has also Mr. Koshyari. Bench) has held that, in all these construction activi the Centre’s affidavit has where the labourers are re been set up at the site. The Supreme Court on view of aforesaid 102nd May 5, struck down the Ma Constitutional Amendment, 25 decomposed bodies ratha reservation saying the all the States are denuded of State has no authority to ac their power, authority and cord Socially and Economi jurisdiction to identify any wash up in Ghazipur Three militants killed in Anantnag cally Backward status to Ma community that falls in the ratha community after category of SEBC.” Mr. Krishna said police were VID19 were reported in oth unable to identify the bo er cities close to the Ganga, They were given opportunity to surrender but they fired, resulting in encounter dies or trace their source. there was a long waiting line However, he said it was at cremation grounds. Peerzada Ashiq mad Dar alias Sameer from Money laundering case found that they did not have “It is possible that in hur Srinagar Danwathpora in Kokernag, a local source and could ry some disposed off the bo Three LashkareTaiba (LeT) Ubaid Shafi alias Abdullah have flown down from other dies in the river like this,” he militants were killed in a pre from Batamaloo in Srinagar against Anil Deshmukh districts. added. dawn operation of the secur and Aqib Ahmad Lone alias “We spoke to the locals Balwant Singh, the newly ity forces in south Kashmir’s Sahil from Khandaypora in Special Correspondent which it carried out search and found out that they had elected head of the village Anantnag on Tuesday. Kulgam. NEW DELHI es at various places linked to performed the final rites of Gahmar, which is one of the “Around 4 a.m., three ter “Arms and ammunition The Enforcement Directo Mr. Deshmukh in Mumbai all the bodies that were largest in the country, said rorists were hiding in a resi including one AK47 rifle, rate (ED) has registered a and Nagpur. brought to the ghats. The lo the administration had dential house at Sheikhpora two pistols and incriminat money laundering case The case was instituted cal Muslims too had buried sprayed lime to clean the village, Vailoo area of Koker ing materials were recovered against former Maharashtra based on the findings of a their dead,” he said. area where the bodies were nag. During the search oper from the site of encounter,” Home Minister Anil Desh preliminary enquiry While Mr. Krishna said it found and disposed. ation, the trapped terrorists the police said. mukh and other unknown launched on the directions was difficult to ascertain if Mr. Singh said the bodies were given an opportunity to The police said the last persons, based on a probe of the Bombay High Court the bodies were of COVID19 did not belong to the village. surrender. However, they Encounter spot: Army jawans near Vailoo in Anantnag district rites of the slain terrorists recently initiated by the CBI on April 5. The First Infor victims, he stated he had ”The villages where the fired indiscriminately, result in south Kashmir on Tuesday. * NISSAR AHMAD would be performed after into allegations of corrup mation Report (FIR) alleged never seen so many bodies bodies are seen sticking to ing in an encounter. They conducting medicolegal for tion against him, according an attempt to get undue ad floating like this in the the banks are getting de were killed in the encoun He said the operation was the encounter site. malities and the nearest fa to a senior agency official. vantage for improper and region. famed,” he said. ter,” Inspector General of halted for some time to res The police identified the mily members would be al The CBI registered the dishonest performance of The officer said that since Circle officer of Saidpur Police Vijay Kumar said. cue all civilians trapped near slain militants as Ilyas Ah lowed to participate. case on April 21, following public duty. many deaths due to CO said no body was in his area. Amid surge, demand for Cut in GST can make vaccines cheaper, say experts air ambulances soars Finance Minister had said GST exemption to vaccine would be counterproductive without benefiting consumer

“There are only six aircraft cal infrastructure, there are Vikas Dhoot waived Customs duties. A taxation expert, on con fund’, typically claimed by available in the country with also enquiries for travel NEW DELHI Union Finance Minister dition of anonymity, says re pharmaceutical companies,” isolation pods, and we have from metros to Tier2 and An array of measures, in Nirmala Sitharaman on Sun ducing the GST on final pro Mr. Patawari states. to move them from different Tier3 cities as availability of cluding reduction in GST day launched a staunch de ducts as well as raw Alternatively, the entire locations across the country beds in big cities has be (Goods and Services Tax) fence of the GST levies on materials, or zerorating sup COVID19related supply for our clients. So, if a pa come a problem, says Rajan rates, zero GST rate on criti COVID19 relief supplies af plies, will be a better option chains can be taxed at 5%, he tient is in Mumbai and our Mehra, CEO, Club One Air. cal raw materials, permitting ter West Bengal Chief Minis than an outright GST exemp suggests. only available aircraft is in Hospitals in Tamil Nadu GSTfree imports as well as ter Mamata Banerjee wrote tion. The tax expert quoted Delhi, then the cost of flying are witnessing similar in direct cash incentives to pro to Prime Minister Narendra Saket Patawari, executive earlier asserts that reducing in from a different city will stances of COVID19 patients ducers, can be used by the Modi mooting an exemption director (indirect tax) at ad GST rates of raw materials have to be borne by the being brought back from Central government to make from these taxes amid the visory firm Nexdigm, ob could minimise the input tax clients,” Mr. Wadhwa says. northern parts of the COVID19 vaccines and other pandemic’s escalating se serves that the government credit issues and other op On April 19, an air ambu country. critical supplies cheaper, say cond wave. Tax talk: A concessional GST rate of 1% can be levied for could take measures to slash tions could also be consi lance from Bhopal landed at PlanetX Aerospace Ser tax experts. The Finance Minister had COVID-19 vaccines, says an expert * FILE PHOTO costs, including a possible dered to cut prices of CO the Begumpet airport in vices, which operates out of At present, GST is levied said that exemption to vac special incentive scheme to VID19 supplies. Hyderabad. Coimbatore and Madurai, at the rate of 5% on vaccines cine from GST would be taxed, it may not directly im the Centre is providing free refund taxes, outside the Experts have also called The patient was a 37year has airlifted COVID19 pa and 12% on COVID19 drugs counterproductive without pact the pocket of common vaccines to those above 45 ambit of the GST law. for easing of imports of criti old pulmonologist, Satyen tients seven times in just the and oxygen concentrators benefiting the consumer. man. It would be more of a years, while the States and “A concessional GST rate cal medical equipment and dra Mishra, with extensive past two months. for domestic supplies and “If the government is ex revenue sharing issue bet individuals have been asked of 1% can be levied for CO materials by exempting damage to his lungs, who Patients were brought to commercial imports. For ox ploring free vaccination to ween the Centre and the to foot the bill for the rest. VID19 vaccines. Suppliers them from Integrated GST, had attended to multiple cities such as Chennai, ygen concentrators import all the citizens, then the con States,” notes Siddharth Su Tax implications matter not would be allowed GST credit by putting enduse condi COVID19 patients. The Coimbatore, Madurai and ed for personal use, the go sumer of such vaccine will rana, adviser at tax consul just for vaccines, but also benefit, which could be tions in certain cases, if Madhya Pradesh govern Tiruchi on isolation pod vernment has reduced GST be the government. Thus, no tancy RSM India. other critical drugs and claimed as refund under an needed, to ensure they are ment consulted Yashoda equipped aircraft, says Wing rate from 28% to 12% and matter at what rate it is Under the present policy, equipment. ‘inverted duty structure re not misused. Hospitals in Hyderabad, and Commander A. Satish Ku the young pulmonologist mar (retd), the company’s was airlifted to the southern Director and CEO. “The ma city. After undergoing treat jority of patients we brought Webinar to look at impact ment, he recovered and was to Tamil Nadu was from Fear of COVID haunts rural U.P. discharged on May 7. northern States. Apart from Dr. Mishra, Their families wanted to of AI on students, jobs Yashoda Hospitals has treat ensure good medical care Several cases of undiagnosed illness and deaths are reported across districts ed 31 patients airlifted from and extend emotional sup Series by SRM and The Hindu Group other States, including non port by bringing them Omar Rashid Sairpur, his fever subsided damage. Mr. Singh got fever COVID patients. home,” he says. UNNAO but he continued to suffer soon after two visits to Luck Staff Reporter “Three of them under As per the official figures, the from cough. He assumed he now to buy medicines for his CHENNAI went lung transplantation,” 500% increase number of daily cases of CO would recover as the symp mother. He relied on a local A webinar on “How AI Is A. Lingaiah, Director of A Bengalurubased compa VID19 in Uttar Pradesh has toms were mild. chemist and purchased med Changing the Technology Medical Services, Yashoda ny says there has been a started declining. However, However, his condition icine to combat the fever. It Perspective from Learning Hospitals Group, says. 500% increase in the de in its villages there is a grow started to deteriorate and he provided him temporary re to Jobs Under COVID19 and At least 86 patients, most mand for its air ambulance ing sense of alarm due to a developed a pain in the lief. its Impact on Students” will of them with COVID19, have services. spurt in not only positive chest. On May 1, he tested Mr Singh does not trust be held as a part of the SRM been airlifted to major cor In 2017, when the Inter cases and deaths, but also in positive for COVID19. After a the facilities in Unnao and is Virtual Conclave for Career nology (SRMIST). porate hospitals in Hydera national Critical Care Air the number of people show struggle, he was admitted to avoiding sending a sample Guidance 2021 series, on The discussion will be bad in the past couple of Transfer Team (ICATT) ing symptoms of the disease. a private hospital. Prasad in for RTPCR test. “I don’t trust May 15. moderated by Anand Venka months. The patients were launched its air ambulance Unnao district recorded itially showed signs of recov their reports. Some people The webinar series which teswaran, Steward of Meta from West Bengal, Bihar, service, it was transferring 93 deaths officially on April ery but on the fourth day of Kanhaiya Singh, a resident of who did not even go for a has been launched by the purse Fund, who also writes Delhi, Jharkhand, Chhattis 15 to 20 critically ill patients 10 which rose to 168 on May admission, tests showed his Unnao, has put himself under test were sent positive re SRM Institute of Science and about Fintech & Crypto. garh, Karnataka, Madhya a month. With the second 11. The district has 1,986 ac lungs had suffered damage self-isolation. ports,” he said. Technology (SRMIST) in as Pradesh, and Odisha among wave of COVID19, ICATT tive cases. However, as one of up to 95%, his soninlaw Officials at the Hasanganj sociation with The Hindu Q&A session others. has been transferring 300 travels through its villages, Pradeep said. come to their house to take Community Health Centre Group, spotlights science, The webinar will begin at 11 K. Hari Prasad, president patients a month to diffe testimonies suggest that the On May 8, Prasad died, samples of those his father say since April, the number engineering and technology a.m. on May 15 and will con of Apollo Group of Hospi rent parts of India. figures could be much high much to the consternation of inlaw may have come in of patients turning up for courses and their relevance clude with a Q&A session tals, says that nearly 20 CO Rahul Singh Sardar, who er as not even all sympto the family who believed that contact with, he said, adding testing from villages on their to the 2020s workplace. with the speakers. VID19 patients in advanced runs the air ambulance ser matic cases are being tested. villages were far safer than that their house and neigh own has shot up. They attri The panelists who will be To register for the FREE stage of the disease have vice with Shalini Nalwad, While inadequate medical urban centres. bourhood were not sanitised bute it to fears after the pan speaking as a part of the we webinar, visit http://bit.ly/ been airlifted from Bihar, says they were involved in infrastructure acts as a de The family believes Pra despite his requests. chayat elections and in binar are Shweta Khurana, SRMTHE4 or scan the QR Jharkhand, West Bengal, Ut the first few transfers of CO terrent, there is also a reluc sad was infected during the In Faridipur, farmer Kan creased awareness. Director, APJ Global Part Code tar Pradesh in the past cou VIDpositive patients in the tance among the people to campaigning for the recent haiya Singh, 38, has for the Chief Medical Officer Un nerships and Initiatives, In SRMJEE will be held in ple of months. early days of the pandemic, get tested. panchayat polls which drew past week been in selfisola nao Ashutosh Kumar did not tel, Dr. Pratyush Kumar, As two phases. The first phase They underwent treat and had procured isolation The case of retired bank huge crowd, Mr. Pradeep tion in a tiny room crammed provide a clear picture of the sistant Professor at IIT will be con ment at the hospital in Jubi pods from Germany. cashier, Lalta Prasad, is typi said. with medical equipment, in magnitude of the rural situa Madras and Co Founder of ducted on lee Hills. Though a large (With inputs from K. Shi- cal. He first displayed symp Mr. Pradeep has tested ne cluding a nebulizer, and oth tion even though he admit padh.ai, and Dr. R Annie May 23 and 24 chunk of the demand is for va Shanker, Wilson Tho- toms of COVID19 on April gative but he is worried for er essentials. He has not ted that positive cases were Uthra, Associate Professor, and the se travel from small towns to mas, Afshan Yasmeen and 24. After getting medicines others in Sairpur. Nobody been tested for COVID but being reported from the vil School of Computing, SRM cond phase on big cities with better medi Tanu Kulkarni) from a quack in his village from the administration has CT scan reports show lung lages too. Institute of Science & Tech July 25 and 26.

THE HINDU DELHI WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 NEWS 9 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Congress creating false Nadda’s letter is full of BJP leaders worry over party image

panic: Nadda Poor anticipation Jaggi Vasudev, Azim Premji of Wipro and danseuse and Special Correspondent arrogance: Congress of second wave MP Sonal Mansingh. NEW DELHI puts it on back Senior party leaders who A day after the Congress Party presses for uninterrupted oxygen, free vaccination spoke to The Hindu, howev Working Committee (CWC) foot, they say er, admitted that while oppo demanded that the Union go Special Correspondent “So, when the BJP accuses sitional politics was a factor New Delhi Nistula Hebbar vernment “atone for its mis the Congress of politicising, NEW DELHI for them, the lack of antici takes” in handling the se Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are they also accusing Lan- pation of the second wave cond wave of the COVID19, president J.P. Nadda’s letter cet or Nature? Are they simi The second wave of the pan has made much of the de BJP president J.P. Nadda ac to Congress chief Sonia larly accusing IMA that is an demic has left even the well fence pretty hard going. cused the Opposition party Gandhi is a display of ‘arro association of corona war connected high and dry “The winding up of addition of “duplicity and pettiness”. gance’ by the Narendra Modi riors with about 3.27 lakh when it comes to accessing High stakes: The political capital with Prime Minister al capacity in Delhi in Febru In a fourpage letter ad government but the princi members,” Mr. Maken healthcare resources, a fact Narendra Modi has helped BJP tide over crises. * PTI ary, as cases were rising in dressed to Congress presi pal Opposition party will asked. “Unfortunately, Mr. that has been highlighted by Maharashtra and Kerala, de dent Sonia Gandhi, Mr. Nad continue to offer its con Nadda’s reply is full of arro the death of four BJP MLAs page rebuttal to Congress about, recovery rates were monstrated a lack of antici da accused the Congress of structive suggestions, the gance. It does not behove of in Uttar Pradesh alone, a let president Sonia Gandhi’s not being highlighted. pation,” said a senior BJP “misleading” people and Congress said on Tuesday. him to write like this.” ter from Union Minister San speech at the Congress The RSS, the ideological leader. creating “false panic” in the Mr. Nadda’s letter, in Ajay Maken He said Congress leaders tosh Gangwar to U.P. Chief Working Committee (CWC) mothership of the BJP, also A Central Minister admit fight against the pandemic. which he accused the Con have been in touch with top Minister Yogi Adityanath meeting held the previous announced, via its COVID ted that the middle class had He alleged that the conduct gress of ‘misleading’ the pe Nadda: Dr. Abhijit Banerjee global experts to discuss the about the lack of resources day. In this, he accused her Response Team (CRT) the been badly hit this time, with of Congress leaders, includ ople on COVID19, came on a and Dr. Esther Duflo, Nobel situation and based on their in his constituency of Bareil and her party of being “du launch of a campaign entit “no one’s contacts or in ing Wayanad MP Rahul day when the Congress Prize winners,” former Fi discussions, they had been ly and the helplessness being plicitous and petty” and led “Hum Jeetenge” (we will fluence” was enough to get Gandhi, “will be remem launched an online SpeakUp nance Minister P. Chidamba offering suggestions to the expressed even within BJP “creating a false panic in the win) also called “Positivity medical help. Delhi RSS bered for duplicity and petti campaign to press for unin ram tweeted. Modi government. circles in dealing with public fight against COVID19”. The Unlimited” to counter ‘nega leader Rajiv Tuli’s plaintive ness”. He said that Congress terrupted oxygen supply Addressing a virtual press “We [Congress] have got distress. tone of the letter was to em tivity’ around the fight tweet stating that the Delhi leaders, including a Chief Mi and free vaccination. conference, Congress gener vast administrative expe The effect of all this not phasise that the Opposition against COVID19. BJP was absent from the nister, were guilty of foster “Instead of writing an ill al secretary Ajay Maken rience and using that vast just in terms of what it and the Chief Ministers of The campaign will include scene was indicative of the ing vaccine hesitancy. informed letter to the Con pointed out that the journals administrative experience, means for the progress of the Oppositionruled States an address by RSS chief Mo fact. “Health is a State sub “Under Modi, the fight gress president, BJP presi such as Lancet and Nature contacts with world’s ex the pandemic through the have steadily opposed pre han Bhagwat likely in the se ject but the Central govern against the pandemic is dri dent Mr. Nadda may read the had detailed how the go perts and scientists, we al country but also for the rep scriptions to control the pan cond week of May and daily ment should have been ven by unwavering belief in guest column in the New vernment had mishandled ways come up with concrete utation of Brand Modi is very demic and blamed Mr. Modi lectures (online) by eminent more alert to the second science, support to innova York Times on May 6, 2021. the pandemic. He said even suggestions. Why shouldn’t much on the minds of BJP as it went out of hand. BJP IT achievers from across the wave,” he said. The accep tion, trust in COVID19 war The authors are not Con the Indian Medical Associa the government call the Op leaders. cell chief Amit Malviya be country. A promotional title/ tance of foreign aid has hit riors and cooperative feder gress members. Their tion had been critical of the position parties and listen to On Tuesday, party presi moaned the fact that while poster from the event show the ‘aatmanirbhar’ plank of alism,” the BJP chief said. names may ring a bell in Mr. government’s approach. what we have to offer.” dent J.P. Nadda wrote a four fatalities were being talked cased Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Mr. Modi badly.

Azad to head Cong. task Security for BJP MLAs irks Trinamool Pappu Yadav arrested on force on relief BJP is ‘unable to accept the mandate of people’, Bengal’s ruling party says Special Correspondent lockdown violation charge Special Correspondent New Delhi/Kolkata New Delhi The Trinamool Congress has Senior Congress leader described the decision of the He was raising issue of the lack of COVID19 preparedness Ghulam Nabi Azad will Union Home Ministry to ac head a 13member party cord Central security cover Amarnath Tewary Prime Minister Narendra task force to coordinate to the 61 newly elected BJP Patna Modi. COVID19 relief, said a legislators in West Bengal as Former MP from Madhepura “The government has statement from the party “arbitrary and infringement and Jan Adhikar Party (Lok axed its feet with [my] arrest on Tuesday. in the law and order situa tantrik) chief Rajesh Ranjan in the name of violation of Other members include tion of the State”. alias Pappu Yadav was ar lockdown. If common peo Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jai Trinamool spokesperson rested on Tuesday for al ple wake up, it will cost hea ram Ramesh, Mukul Was Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said leged violation of lockdown vy to you ModiNitish”, he nik, Ambika Soni, K.C. Ve the BJP was not only provid norms and brought to the said in one. “Nitish ji pra nugopal, Randeep ing Central security to its Gandhi Maidan police sta nam [greetings]. [You] do Surjewala and Youth Con elected MLAs but also to tion in Patna. not test patience. Otherwise, gress chief B.V. Srinivas. some candidates who got de An FIR was lodged against Pappu Yadav if people take system in their feated in the recent Assemb him at Patna’s Pirbahore Pol own hands, then your admi ly polls. ice Station for allegedly helping anxious relatives of nistration would forget all “The State government flouting the lockdown COVID19 patients with oxy your lockdown protocol. I Act in unison, does provide security to norms while visiting the CO gen cylinders and other re had an operation a month NHRC tells MLAs, depending on the Battle on: After a tense Assembly election campaign, the BJP and the Trinamool continue to VID19 ward at the Patna quired necessities. ago and even then putting threat perception. What spar in West Bengal. * PTI Medical College and Hospi “I’m taken to Patna’s my life at risk, I’ve been sav makes the BJP MLAs supe tal (PMCH). He was taken in Gandhi Maidan police sta ing lives. My Covid test was Centre, States rior to the other elected interfering in the State’s carry arms? This is a totally corded ‘X’ category security to custody from his house tion after being arrested”, done just now and it was ne MLAs that they are being functioning, the BJP leader wrong decision without any — three security personnel and brought to the Gandhi tweeted Pappu Yadav soon gative. You want to kill me by Special Correspondent treated differently. The allo ship is once again bringing rhyme or reason. Did the round the clock. A CISF offi Maidan Police station. after he was taken into making me positive,” he said NEW DELHI cation of Central security to out their fascist tendencies MLAs approach the local cial said they were not aware Recently, an FIR was custody. in another. A week after issuing an ad these MLAs is arbitrary, in out in public domain,” he police first for protection? why the Ministry had issued lodged against him at the He posted another tweet In a Hindi tweet, he said, visory, the National Human fringement of the law and or said. The Central police can enter such an order. “We have to Amnour police station of Sa in Hindi to say, “If confronta “the governments should Rights Commission (NHRC) der situation, which is a the State only when the local mobilise 180 personnel who ran district after he flagged tion with a situation to keep make preparations to fight on Tuesday reiterated that State subject and colossal ‘Against Constitution’ police or the magistrate re will be put on such duties, an issue of allegedly over 30 one’s own life at stake dur against the third wave of Co the government must pro waste of resources,” Mr. Roy, Vappala Balachandran, quests their presence, dur we are following the book, in ambulances lying idle on a ing Corona time is a crime, rona but they are fighting tect the rights of people who is also a Rajya Sabha former Special Secretary, Ca ing elections it is different… all there are 65 BJP MLAs the premises allegedly owned then, yes, I’m a criminal. PM against Pappu Yadav. Please during the second wave of member, stated. binet Secretariat, noted that this has been done only to CISF is protecting,” he stat by BJP MP from Saran Rajiv sahab, CM sahab, I’ll not do not compete with me in the pandemic. All Central decisions like the decision of the Centre show the might of the ed. Before the elections, Pratap Rudy. stop even if hanged or sent helping people, saving their It said it also asked for sending a team to the State was against the seventh Centre,” Mr. Balachandran they were providing security Mr. Yadav, of late, has to jail. I’ll save people, will lives and doing services to 24/7 tollfree helplines and and giving security to BJP schedule of the Constitution said. to four BJP leaders who have been visiting hospitals, cre keep exposing dishonesty”. them. Why you’re wasting fixing of treatment prices. MLAs reflected that the BJP as law and order is a State The Ministry has asked now been sworn in as MLAs. mation grounds and phar time in implicating and It had issued an advisory to was “unable to accept the subject. the Central Industrial Securi The Ministry spokesper macists to raise the alleged Takes on PM, CM sending me to jail? Looking the Health Ministry and all mandate of people”. “The “Under what provision of ty Force (CISF) to accord son refused to comment as lack of government prepa Further, in a series of for issues all across the state States and Union Territo people of West Bengal have CrPC, the Central security protection to the 61 BJP the matter pertains to secur redness for COVID19 pa tweets, he took on Chief Mi to implicate me to guard ries on May 4. given a clear mandate and by personnel will be allowed to MLAs. They have been ac ity of individuals. tients. He has also been nister Nitish Kumar and their failure”. PM Modi’s G7 visit cancelled Sops for kin of pandemic due to COVID-19 crisis victims in J&K

special correspondent Visit was supposed to be his first major trip to the West Srinagar The J&K administration on Kallol Bhattacherjee summit in person,” said spo U.K., for the summit was Tuesday reached out to NEW DELHI kesperson Arindam Bagchi. scheduled to be the first ma pandemic affected families Prime Minister Narendra jor trip to the west by Prime of the Union Territory (UT) Modi will not attend the G7 Jaishankar’s visit Minister Modi who has not and announced a slew of fi summit in the United King The announcement came travelled beyond South Asia nancial support measures. dom next month, the Minis days after External Affairs in recent months. His last vi Lieutenant Governor try of External Affairs an Minister Jaishankar returned sit was to Bangladesh in Manoj Sinha said senior ci nounced on Tuesday. from London where he had March to mark the halfcen tizens, who have lost the “While appreciating the gone to participate in a mi tury of its independence. only earning member(s) of invitation to the Prime Mi nisterial meeting of the G7. Mr. Modi also cancelled his the family, will be provided nister by U.K. Prime Minister However, the entire delega visit to Portugal for the E.U. special pension for life Boris Johnson to attend the tion was ultimately quaran India Leaders Meeting held while children, who have G7 Summit as a Special Invi tined after two of the offi virtually on May 8. lost their parents, will be tee, given the prevailing CO cials with the Minister were Earlier, Prime Minister given a special scholarship. VID situation, it has been de found to be COVID19 posi Boris Johnson cancelled his “Many of our near and cided that the Prime tive. trip to India because of the dear ones have left us un Minister will not attend the The visit to Cornwall, COVID19 situation here. timely due to COVID19. The government has decid ed to reach out to each and every such family and they will be provided with finan NIA court grants Akhil Gogoi cial assistance for selfem ployment by the Jammu & Kashmir Bank,” the Lt. Go permission to take oath as MLA vernor said. The government has al SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Surabhi Rajkonwari of the wrote a letter to Chief Minis so decided to provide GUWAHATI BJP by 11,875 votes. He will ter Himanta Biswa Sarma ₹1,000 per month to all re A special court of the Nation be allowed to take oath un with 11 suggestions to handle gistered construction al Investigation Agency on der adequate security. the COVID19 crisis. workers, ponywalas, palki Tuesday granted permission Mr. Gogoi has been in jail The suggestions include walas and pithuwalas for to jailed Raijor Dal president since December 2019 on free vaccination to all citi the next two months. Akhil Gogoi to take oath as charges of sedition and incit zens above and below 45 He said ₹55 crore would an MLA in the 126member ing violence during protests years of age and free treat be released under the State Assam Assembly. against the Citizenship ment or hospital care for all Disaster Response Fund Mr. Gogoi had won the (Amendment) Act in Assam. those testing positive for CO (SDRF) for emergency use Sibsagar seat by defeating Earlier in the day, he VID19. during the crisis.

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In Tamil Nadu, religious institutions step in to provide COVID-19 relief

To help families in distress, they have been opening quarantine centres, distributing provision kits and masks, and raising funds for vaccines

Special Correspondent ranged on the Math premis no income from the fees, nected with the Math to pro rantine. Four young priests CHENNAI es. Last year they had given the Math has paid the salar vide treatment for COVID19 have also come forward to Pontiffs and volunteers of jobs to a thousand men to ies of 150 persons fully all patients in the best possible perform services at the cem various religious institutions renovate the buildings be these months,” he said. way, said a Mutt etery,” he said. are leading the COVID19 re longing to the Aadheenam, The Kanchi Kamakoti spokesperson. lief works in several districts he added. Peetam has converted the The Archdiocese of Ma Quarantine centre in Tamil Nadu. Helping fa 30bed Sankara Multi Spe drasMylapore has set up The Masjid Javeed at 3rd milies in distress during the Fee waiver ciality Hospital into a CO three groups to help CO Avenue in Anna Nagar has second wave, they have At the Mayilam Bommapu VID19 care facility. “We are VID19 patients. Episcopal opened a quarantine centre been opening quarantine ram Aadheenam, the Sivag at present treating patients Vicar of the Archdiocese for persons who are CO centres, distributing provi nanam Palaya Swamigal has with mild symptoms and Father Vincent Chinnadurai VID19 negative and need a sion kits, masks, funding distributed rice and provi waiting for uninterrupted said they had formed three place to stay for a few days. vaccines and paying salaries sions to residents of Bom oxygen facility to provide teams, one was a data team “It has been two days now in full. miarpalayam and the tribal fullfledged services,” said a that kept tab of hospital and people keep asking us if The Dharumapuram Aad communities of Irulas and Math spokesperson. To en beds, arranges ambulances we can take in COVID19 heenam’s 27th pontiff Masi Narikuravas near Mayilam. sure functioning of the hos and oxygen cylinders. positive persons, which we lamani Desika Gnanasam Math spokesperson S. Thi pital’s outpatient facility, The second team collect can’t,” said Mosque Com banda Paramacharya runavukkarasu said they the Math has given one of its ed and distributed food to mittee secretary M. Mo Swamigal, who wanted to had not insisted upon stu buildings to the hospital. A those in need and the third hammed Yousuf. create awareness among the dents of two colleges being quarantine facility has also one ensured proper burials. Volunteers of the medical public, took the second run by the Math to pay their been set up at the Sri Chan Emergency care: The Masjid Javeed in Chennai has been turned into a quarantine facility for “Secretary of the Youth wing of the Tamil Nadu Mus dose of the coronavirus vac fees with the result that drasekharendra Saraswathi those with mild or moderate COVID-19. * B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM Commission Fr. Ronald Ri lim Munnetra Kazhagam cine at a local hospital. hardly anybody paid the Viswa Mahavidyalaya Un chard is coordinating these continue offering burial or Math spokesperson Pan fees. “The pontiff said they iversity, which is also wait medicines at subsidised treatment of COVID19 pa are providing treatment . services. Seven youngsters cremation assistance. nai C. Siva said the first were from poor families and ing for oxygen. rates to increase immunity. tients. The Hindu Mission Kanchi Sankaracharya Sri have volunteered for this They have lent a helping round of vaccination for all cannot afford to pay fees. The Jayendra Saraswati It has also asked devotees to Hospital and the Kamakoti Vijayendra Saraswati has and they stay at the San hand with over 2,100 cases staff and volunteers was ar Despite the fact that there is Ayurveda College is giving raise funds to sponsor the Child’s Trust hospital too asked health services con thome school under qua of different faiths so far.

U.P. to take steps for care Queries raised on DRDO’s COVID drug of children Experts ﬂag lack of published data on performance in human trials, history of drug in cancer cure

Omar Rashid Jacob Koshy cording to Dr. Sudhir Chand Announcing the success NEW DELHI LUCKNOW na, Additional Director, IN of the drug, a press state Public compliance and the A drug developed by the De MAS, DRDO. The basic ment from from the DRDO policy of trace, test and fence Research and Develop mechanism of the drug in said: “Clinical trial results treat were yielding good re ment Organisation (DRDO) volves inhibiting glycolysis, have shown that this mole sults against COVID19 in has been approved by the or one of the ways in which cule helps in faster recovery Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minis Drug Controller General of cells break down glucose for of hospitalised patients and ter Yogi Adityanath said on India (DCGI) for “emergency energy. This approach while reduces supplemental oxy Tuesday days, after the use” in those with moderate used to starve and kill cancer gen dependence. Higher World Health Organization to severe COVID , but inde cells, could in theory work in proportion of patients treat spoke of the State’s house pendent experts say that inhibiting virus cells too, that ed with 2DG showed RTPCR tohouse campaign in rural from the information so far were almost entirely depen negative conversion in CO areas to contain transmis available, the drug's utility in dent on glycolysis for VID patients.” 3.15 lakh fresh cases, sion. COVID care has not been replication. “Cancer cells depend hea Keeping in view the as established. Tests at the Centre for Cel vily on glucose for their sur sessment of experts, spe The lack of published data On the frontline: A team of doctors and nurses at work in a lular and Molecular Biology, vival and hence by tagging 3,588 deaths reported cial arrangements for the on its performance in human COVID-19 care centre near Ahmedabad. * VIJAY SONEJI Hyderabad, last year indicat them with 2DG we can res protection of children trials, opaqueness on wheth ed that the drug demonstra trict cancer cell growth. Si need to be made in all dis er the phase3 trial objective Hindu. 2DeoxyDGlucose Hyderabad, too has been stu bly killed virus cells after milarly, it can also affect high 18.5 lakh samples tested on Monday tricts, Mr. Adityanath in ly evaluated the benefit drug has historically been dying this drug, in the con which it progressed to trials glucose utilising normal cells structed officials. “Paedia from, or lack of it, of the extensively tested for treat text of radiation therapy for in people. like brain cells (neurons) and Special Correspondent vious Monday (May 3). After tric ICUs with a capacity of drug and the drug's history — ing cancer but is so far an un cancer. Dr Reddy's in its applica could cause brain related Chennai crossing the 19 lakh mark on a minimum of 1015 beds in of being an unapproved anti approved drug. tion to the SEC for Phase2 side effects,” Dr. Cyriac Abby India recorded 3,15,600 May 5, daily tests in India all district hospitals and 25 cancer drug and therefore The Institute of Nuclear Medical mechanism trials in June 2020, noted Philips, who specialised in new COVID19 cases until have stayed around the 18.5 30 beds in medical colleges potentially able to harm Medicine and Allied Sciences The drug had been tested in that while the drug was yet Hepatology and Liver Tran 9.30 p.m. on Tuesday. As lakh mark. should be prepared,” he healthy cells — some of the (INMAS), a lab of the DRDO, trials and was given to Dr unapproved, it had been splant Medicine, at Rajagiri many as 3,588 new deaths The country’s daily aver said. There should be a mi concerns contributing to the in collaboration with Dr Red Reddy’s Laboratories in 2014 tried in 218 clinical trials so Hospital in Kerala said in an were also registered. The age tests positivity rate (pos nimum 100bed paediatric uncertainty, experts told The dy’s Laboratories (DRL), as part of a collaboration, ac far as an anticancer drug. email. country has so far reported itive cases identified for ev ICU at the divisional head a total of 2,33,07,639 cases ery 100 tests) continues to quarters, he directed. and 2,53,615 deaths. increase. As on May 10, it To check the spread in Maharashtra reported stood at 22.3%. It was 10.3% villages, the State govern I was harassed 40,956 infections, followed a month before. ment has recently started a U.S. in touch with Indian vaccine makers by Karnataka (39,510) and Over 25.03 lakh vaccine testing and vigilance cam in hospital, Kerala (37,290). Maharash doses were administered in paign in more than 97,000 Ambassador says “We are watching careful tion has determined that tra also recorded 793 casual the country in the 24 hours revenue villages. It has de ly the production levels at that is sufficient for our says woman ties, followed by Karnataka ending 7 a.m. on Tuesday, ployed 1,41,610 teams and production levels the SII and elsewhere. We needs”. However, he said the (480) and Delhi (347). which is 17.66 lakh doses 21,242 supervisors from being watched have been in close touch policy regarding the extra SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT The figures do not in more than what was record the Health department to with the SII to try to deter Oxford AstraZeneca doses is PATNA clude cases and deaths from ed in the previous 24 hours. ensure all rural areas are mine what raw materials we yet to be finalised. In a video that has gone vi Arunachal Pradesh, Chhat It is also 7.69 lakh doses covered, said the WHO on Kallol Bhattacherjee could provide, and assis Mr. Smith’s comments ral on social media, a wo tisgarh, Jharkhand, Ladakh, more than what was record May 7, in a report titled Ut NEW DELHI tance that we can provide to came weeks after SII’s Adar man from Bihar has alleged Lakshadweep, Madhya Pra ed in the same period, one tar Pradesh going the last The United States has been help boost production,” said Poonawalla urged the Biden sexual harassment by a desh and Punjab. The data week ago. mile to stop COVID19. in contact with the Serum In Mr. Smith. “The U.S. has also administration for “raw ma hospital attendant at Bha are sourced from the res However, the daily vacci WHO said it now has stitute of India and other diverted enough of Oxford terials” for production of galpur where her husband pective States’ health nation rate in the country field officers on the ground vaccine manufacturers to AstraZeneca manufacturing vaccines. On April 16, Mr. was admitted for COVID19 bulletins. has declined significantly to monitor and share real boost production of vaccines The SII had made an appeal supplies from its own preex Poonawalla had made a so treatment. Over 18.5 lakh samples between May 110 compared time feedback with the go against COVID19, said the to the U.S. to supply raw isting orders to produce over cial media appeal to the U.S. She said that the atten were tested on Monday (the to April 2130. In the first 10 vernment. On April 30, U.S. envoy to India on Tues materials for vaccines. * AP 20 million vaccine doses in President, stating, “I humbly dant had pulled her dupat- results for which were made days of May, around 17.72 there were 3.10 lakh active day. Addressing a virtual India.” request you to lift the embar ta (scarf ) and put his hand available on Tuesday), lakh doses were adminis cases in the State. Howev press meet, Charge d’Af cations” and expressed con The U.S., he said, will not go of raw material exports on her waist, saying that he which is 3.75 lakh more than tered daily in the country on er, it had been reduced by faires Ambassador Daniel B tinued support from the use the Oxford AstraZeneca out of the U.S. so that vac would take care of her ail the number of tests con average which is lesser than 95,000 and now the State Smith described the second Biden administration which vaccine as of now as it has cine production can ramp ing husband. Bhagalpur ducted on Sunday. It is also 24.87 lakh average daily dos has only 2.16 lakh cases, wave in India as a develop has committed $100 million “three vaccines available up. Your administration has police have constituted a 1.86 lakh tests more than es given in the last 10 days of the Chief Minister said. ment that has “global impli in assistance. and the Biden administra the details.” team to probe the matter. those conducted the pre April.

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SCAN TO PLAY Never go off the grid. SUDOKU FAITH + 13245 We are digital now. Come solve online. @ https://qrgo.page.link/jjpTn (set by Arden) Facing life with fortitude 14 Posted info on top — crazy to get all soppy (11) Sastras teach people to lead virtuous lives and avoid evil be 19 Black fruit or fruitcake? (7) haviour. But in life many who uphold dharma and truth face difficult situations, as for instance, the Pandavas. At t he 21 Speeler’s probe — essentially to split atom into two parts (7) same time, Duryodhana and Dhritarashtra are somehow 23 Plug it back on to induce current (7) able to hold on to the kingdom, depriving the Pandav as of 25 Set limit at eight for internal copy (7) their rights. It is not easy for the Pandavas in exile to accept 26 Country song after limited expansion (8) their state. As if to make clear many truths of life, there are many expositions of the stories of Nala, Harishchandra, Ra 27 Piano keys, 15 or close to twenty (5) ma avatar, and so on, wherein these worthy rulers to o had ■ DOWN to undergo much suffering while trying to adhere to virtue, 1 Reluctance for having a drink during duty (8) truth and dharma, pointed out Sri B. Damodhara Dikshitar in a discourse. 2 Something funny placed on tomb (3,3) Sage Brihadwasa relates the life story of Nala to th e Pan 3 Wants to mark Mumbai and Delhi, say (10) davas to show that the difficulties he faced would make their 4 Ache? Feel no pain, recovering altogether finally (4) own suffering seem much less in comparison. Nala’s upright 5 Awfully nice as a protein (6) way of life had kept away Kali’s influence for twelve years. But a seemingly innocent lapse on Nala’s part is enough for 6 Girl supporting major sinful act (6) Kali to enter his life in a sly manner and cause havoc. H is 8 Stand in centre, man will follow line (7) brother Pushkara calls him for the game of dice and Nala Solution to puzzle 13244 Solution to yesterday’s Sudoku 9 Vice chairman initially was the guiding light (5) comes completely under Kali’s sway to the extent of pawn 13 She’s in the news — again set for some mischief (10) ing away even his good sense. Nala and Damayanti show that Time can bring about drastic changes in one’s life a nd one 15 Old capital — depending on changing leadership (7) ■ ACROSS has to bear with the challenges with fortitude. Sorr ow and 16 Boy’s got the wrong underwear, or is it the dog? (8) 6 Do live with a rejection (5) joy are related to the mind. 17 Elaborate move — role will diminish (5) A person suffers when he accepts sorrow. Jadabharata 7 Actor in a play, perhaps a Split personality? (8) 18 Hard ware finally in free style (6) does not feel the burden of palanquin; he did not carry it; it 10 Verbal demand to cover student’s reading light (7) was merely placed on his shoulders. Sadasiva Brahmen dra 11 Man gets General back up, being polite (7) 20 The halo starts before morning, infact covered by sun rise (6) did not feel the pain when his arm was cut off. Thyagaraja 12 Perhaps West comes online — no, no good for conductors (7) 22 Dried fruit is getting wet (6) was totally immersed in Rama Bhakti that he never consi 13 Bone for a bird in total (7) 24 The mariner did have an anorak (4) dered hardships in life as difficult situations. Great peo ple do not give any importance to these ups and downs in life.

THE HINDU DELHI WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 SHOWCASE 11 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

AUTO SNIPPETS

Mercedes’ new GLA is a luxury SUV with a strong performance, superior kit and spacious interiors Acing the keep you in the powerband. Ac Ferrari reveals limited Edition 812 celeration, as a result, is relent Competizione, 812 Competizione A less and the GLA 220d hits Ferrari has revealed the muchawaited 812 Competizione and 100kph in a seriously quick 812 Competizione A, the limitededition versions of the 812 7.4sec — almost half a second fas Superfast and the 812 GTS, respectively. Ferrari says that it ter than the BMW X1. will be making 999 units of the 812 Competizione and 599 space race Working along with the engine units of the Competizione A, with all units already sold out. and the gearbox is the uprated Both cars are powered by a 6.5litre, V12 engine that makes a chassis which is now considera monstrous 830hp — up 30hp from the standard car, making bly stiffer and more rigid. The them the most powerful series production roadgoing V12 new GLA also gets uprated sus Ferraris ever made. The supercars also get a new high pension components including a performance exhaust. wider track for improved stabili ty. In addition, the 4WD or 4Mat ic system, in Sport, can now send 30% of power to the rear wheels. The GLA does roll a bit when driven around corners quickly, MERCEDES-BENZ GLA but what helps make the GLA 220D 4MATIC drive nicely is the direct and ac SPECIFICATIONS curate steering and feelsome tics lower down in the cabin, brakes. Once in the corner, there ENGINE 1950cc, 4 cyls, turbodiesel don’t feel quite as solidly built, is a fair amount of grip and the the seats feel a bit stiff and there GLA even feels comfortable if Shapur Kotwal the pair of sunroofs that brighten MAX POWER 190hp at is some kit missing — you only get you keep on increasing the pace, 3800rpm up the cabin. wired Android Auto and Apple the rear axle chipping in on lon Skoda Kushaq to launch in June 2021 The new GLA, Mercedes’ second The GLA impresses up front as MAX TORQUE 400Nm at CarPlay, keyless entry is absent ger corners. gen compact luxury SUV, has well, with its attractive ‘decon 16002600rpm and the USB ports are all Type C Set in Comfort, the GLA be Skoda is set to reveal prices for its allnew midsize SUV, the clearly grown up. More SUV and structed’ dash — many of the ele so you may need an adapter. Still, comes easy going and relaxing to Kushaq in June 2021 with the car reaching showrooms by July less sporty SUVcoupe, the new ments appear to be freestanding. GEARBOX 8speed dual you do get ‘kinetic seats’ that drive. Throttle response is imme 2021. When it goes on sale the Kushaq will come with two GLA is taller and built on a longer You get a pair of large flatpanel clutch automatic make tiny adjustments every few diate, the gearbox only slurs and engine options — a 115hp, 1.0litre threecylinder turbopetrol wheelbase, making it more spa screens, a highquality steering LENGTH 4410mm minutes to take the load off pres hesitates occasionally, and the and a 150hp, 1.5litre fourcylinder turbopetrol. Both cious on the inside. wheel, twisttoclose vents, and sure points in your back and steering is light and easy to twirl. engines will come with a sixspeed manual gearbox as A lot of that added visual bulk customisable LED mood lighting. WIDTH 1834mm thighs, Mercedes’ MBUX system There is some amount of rattle standard, with the 1.0litre TSI getting a sixspeed torque comes from the higher roof, the The designers have used piano HEIGHT 1611mm the AIbased voice assistant and from the diesel at idle, with a bit convertor auto and the 1.5litre TSI getting a sevenspeed resolute chin up front makes it black on the centre console for radarbased Active Brake Assist of vibration creeping up from the dualclutch automatic option. The carmaker will also offer look more robust and the greater separation, and the panel WHEELBASE 2729mm that brakes for you if it senses floor too, but rev the engine and ESC as standard across all variants, while a tyre pressure monitoring system and hillhold assist are optional. squared wheel arches help give it of brushed aluminium above the GROUND CLEARANCE you are going to hit an object. it smoothens up nicely. more of an SUV look as well. glovebox works well too. 147mm Now moving to the driving ex The GLA even rides silently The designers have used What the new GLA also has in perience — this GLA 220d gets and without much body move creases on the bonnet to good ef abundance, is that tough Mer WEIGHTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA1780kg Mercedes’ 2.0litre diesel putting ment over poorly surfaced roads. fect and the upright chrome cedes build. That said, some plas out 190hp and 400Nm. Set in The suspension comfortably studded grille catches the light Sport, throttle responses are deals with regular potholes with nicely. strong with the diesel deliver no real kick back and that is des It isn’t quite as exciting at the ing a lusty tug as soon as you pite the large 19inch wheels. rear, but the wide base and the put your foot down, clear Mercedes’ new GLA, straight individually sectioned LED lights ly helped by the 400Nm off the bat, is a more accom do give it a fair amount of kicking in from just plished luxury SUV. Space and character. 1,600rpm. What comfort are much better to begin However, it is not all also helps is the with, performance is stronger, it straight lines in profile quicktores is more enjoyable to drive and though — the cowl is pond new eight even quality and kit on the inside Wayne Burgess appointed as Ola not very ‘standup’ speed twin are superior. There is some kit Electric’s VP of design and the roof starts clutch gear missing and the boot is not very Having recently announced the setup of its global design to drop down to box that al large, though. centre in Bengaluru for its passenger vehicle vertical, Ola wards the rear. ways seems to This version is likely to be a bit Electric has now selected Wayne Burgess, a Jaguar veteran, to Inside, there is more expensive than rivals, at an head its design unit for electric cars, while the company is also more than suffi expected price of ₹4446 lakh. establishing a design studio in London. Wayne Burgess will cient legroom and All rounder If you are looking for a com serve as the Vice President of Design at Ola Electric. Ola’s headroom, even The new GLA pact luxury SUV that delivers a efforts to hire global talent show the company’s resolve to for tall individuals. is a sporty strong allround performance, make a mark in India’s budding electric PV space. Ola is What adds to the SUV * SPECIAL Merc’s new GLA has what it takes working towards indigenously developing an electric car feeling of space are ARRANGEMENT to be the best SUV in its class. which will be a compact model with limited range.

Q & A WITH HORMAZD and the suspension that is slightly on the firmer side Something old, something new only aid its handling abili ties. The suspension on this bike has 120mm at the front While BMW has Blast from the past With its round headlights, mirrors and 90mm at the rear . As and instrument cluster, the R18 pays fitting tribute to the for the fourpiston brakes stayed true to the 1936 RS * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT being used at both ends, original 1936 R5 they have a dull initial bite, but easily bring this giant to style wise, the a halt. R18’s engine is a What could be a deal breaker are the R18’s ergo pleasant surprise, nomics. While the wide among other handlebar and 690mm seat height fit the bill, your legs things aren’t positioned where they ideally should be. Li Firoze Irani mited by the engine coming in the way, BMW had to put It won’t be long before we pacity twincylinder boxer the foot pegs as forward as City friendly are in an age where motor engine on a production they could. The bike is also Which is better — the Ford Endeavour 4x2 cycle companies will find it motorcycle. missing cruise control as an automatic or the Toyota Fortuner 4x2 difficult to individualise the On the move, it is smooth option in India. automatic? I will be using it in the city for experience their batterypo as can be with just the right briskly and maxes out its What the BMW is BMW R18 SPECIFICATIONS my daily office commute and also on wered machines offer. amount of pulses coming 200kph speedo rather equipped with though is weekends for family outings. It will be BMW, however, appears to through under the accelera ENGINE 1802cc, twin quickly. On the other hand, keyless ignition, switchable selfdriven. have no such qualms. tion. Despite its gigantic cylinder boxer, Air/oil it’ll also do around 60kph in traction control, three rid Rishi Ratta, Delhi Whether this is a last hurrah size, this engine is no po cooled sixth gear at idling RPM ing modes and a digiana ● We would recommend the Ford Endeavour over or just German humour, the werhouse. It only (950rpm) and cruise at logue gauge. MAX POWER 91hp at the Fortuner because it is a much nicer car to R18 delivers an unforgetta puts out 91hp 100kph at just around BMW has stayed true to 4750rpm drive in the city, thanks to a light steering and ble internalcombustion which doesn’t heavy. But what this engine 2,000rpm. the original 1936 R5, which plusher ride. The new Fortuner is more respon experience. feel like a lot aces at is making loads of MAX TORQUE 158Nm at The R18 weighs 345kg has been the inspiration for sive and far more powerful, but the Endeavour What helps it do so is on a bike torque — 158Nm to be pre 3000rpm and that kind of mass can the R18. The round hea has enough grunt to be a good highway car too. that massive engine it this cise, almost all of which not be hidden. The weight dlight, mirrors and instru WEIGHT 345kg Overall, the cabin quality, refinement and price isn’t shy of flaunting. comes in as early as becomes apparent while ment cluster, along with the factor make the Endeavour a better buy. The largeribbed cylin 2,000rpm. It also WHEEL BASE 1731mm manoeuvring at low speeds. raked front end with girthy ders you see on this bike doesn’t complain as Thankfully, the clutch is rea fork covers are just some of SEAT HEIGHT 690mm Roll the price dice are 901cc each! That makes much as a Vtwin at sonably light, which helps a the elements that pay fitting it much bigger than the GS’ low revs and you FUEL TANK CAPACITY 16 lot. The huge cylinder tribute to the original. motor and the highest ca can lug it from as litres heads stick out no further The bike we rode is the Will the Skoda Kushaq launch for around low as 1,300rpm than the handlebar, and as ‘First Edition’ and, at ₹ ₹20 lakh, like the Kia Seltos and Hyundai FRONT SUSPENSION without protest. long as you keep that in 22.55 lakh, it costs ₹ 2.65 Creta or will it be under ₹ 15 lakh? If it Telescopic fork The R18 ac mind, it is smooth sailing. lakh more than the stan launches at the same price as the Kia Sonet, celerates REAR SUSPENSION At highway speeds, the dard variant. The additional then I can wait a month or so, but if not quite Monoshock R18 will make nearly every cash gets you the white pin then I will book the Sonet. move you want it to. The stripes, more chrome ele Rushi Jagani, Surat FRONT WHEEL 19inch bike changes lanes effort ments and a few other bits ● The Kushaq is the same size as the Creta and Sel FRONT TYRE 120/70 lessly and long, sweeping and bobs. tos and hence likely to be priced in the same corners are properly en If you have your mind set bracket. It could be a bit more expensive, too, de REAR WHEEL 16inch joyable, with the only limit on the R18, there’s nothing pending on the variant. It certainly won’t be REAR TYRE 180/65 ing factor being the low foot that should stop you from cheaper than the Sonet. So, if the Kushaq is AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA pegs. The sticky Michelins having it in your garage. beyond your budget, then you would do well to go for the Sonet, which is overall the best compact SUV today.

Hormazd Sorabjee is the editor of Autocar India. Mail your feedback and queries to [email protected]

DELHI THE HINDU 12 SHOWCASE WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE A bit of SPICE and all Diﬀerent genres Dhruv says there are tomes on various

topics including academic ones * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT things nice Within the

An illustrated children’s book PAGES takes a trip to the Mattancherry Fifteen-year-old Generation Yuvaa in Marripa Dhruv Advaith lem. Both centres are home to spice market in orphaned and abandoned Kochi and traces Kolagata runs a children. book collection “Most of these children have the journey of loads of energy, which needs spices from farm drive for to be channelised. What is bet disadvantaged ter than creating a reading to kitchen space for them, especially children when the outdoor world is shut Shilpa Nair Anand Nivedita Ganguly for them?” Dhruv says there are books of different genres Annie and her appooppan including academic ones. (grandfather in Malayalam) are Back in May last year when 15 cooking in their home in Kochi yearold Dhruv Advaith Kola Second phase when they realise they are al gatla returned home to Visak After successfully setting up li most out of spices — star anise, hapatnam from his boarding braries in two centres last cardamom and cloves. Where school during the nationwide year, the team of PURE Youth else would they go for a refill but lockdown, books were con have initiated the second to the spice market in Mattan idea was born out of a phone Spice route (Left and above) stant companions. A book phase of book collection drive cherry? Annie learns about spic call in the initial days of the lock Illustrations from the book and worm since childhood, he was to set up similar libraries in ju es — their journey from farm to down to check on each other. the cover; (far left) Sanjana and convinced of the power books venile homes across Visakha kitchen — as she explores Mat Sanjana was at home, in Chen Shruthi * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT can wield. Holed up at home, patnam. “The collection has tancherry with her grandfather. nai. As the conversation mean he wondered how children in been slower this time because Longtime friends Sruthi Vi dered about what each was do orphanages and shelters of the second wave of the pan jayan and Sanjana Ranjit tell An ing, Sanjana told Sruthi about further built on the story. Next, I would spend their time when demic. We have so far been nie and Appooppan’s story in the illustrations she was doing worked on the rough sketches, schools were closed. It was able to collect 150 books,” this deliciously illustrated chil to keep herself occupied. The the sequence of scenes, and the then that he started working The organisation, that in dren’s storybook, A Little Spice call culminated in [plans for] a visual transition between on the Book Drive project for cludes eight student mem Is Extra Nice - Annie Goes To chidlren’s book. scenes. Finally, I rendered the the USbased notforprofit or bers, has also been carrying Mattancherry. A children’s book was a first colours and textures to the im ganization, PURE (People for out projects to support those Chennaibased photogra for both, “It was a great learning ages. It was a collaborative pro Urban and Rural Education). affected by the pandemic. pher/travel writer Sruthi Vi process. Once Sruthi and I dis cess. Sruthi and I shared a lot of Founded in 2016, PURE Last year, during the migrant jayan and freelance illustrator/ cussed the theme for the book, I creative inputs through the works to bring educational and workers crisis, Dhruv started interior designer Sanjana Ran created a mood board to under whole process and we learnt a livelihood opportunities for the Clothes for Confidence in jit, who lives in Italy, stand the visuals’ look and feel. lot through it all.” economically disadvantaged itiative to collect clothes for collaborated on the project dur Then came the character de Locating the story in Mattan children, atrisk youth and spe migrant workers who passed ing lockdown, last year. The signing. By this time, Sruthi had cherry was a conscious deci cial populations in the US and through the region. sion. “The setting had to have a book is of my favourite illustra skill set. We zeroed in on spices India. “The situation in the second visual character, we thought us tions!” Although her family is since it is an essential part of In wave is different and deeply ing spices [as motifs] would be a settled in Chennai, she has roots dian cooking. We knew that 550 and counting distressing. We have seen sev great way to integrate the two,” and extended family in Kerala. through spices we could talk “We reached out to people eral senior citizens living alone says Sruthi. Her references [for illustra about history, food, culture and who were willing to donate in the city struggling to find in Sanjana adds, “The thing tions] were memories of trips to even the economy.” books and collected over 550 formation.” I love most about Mattan Kochi and photographs from The premise of the story — a last year through our social The team is currently sup cherry is how different Sruthi’s documentary project man who cooks — was a con media posts,” says Dhruv, who porting, coordinating informa cultures and religions on the city. “Every little nook scious choice. “We wanted the is the director of the India tion for patients and their fa have coexisted there and corner is an illustrator’s grandfather to cook, to break chapter of PURE Youth from milies in search of hospitals, for centuries. It’s a delight.” the stereotype of a grandmoth Visakhapatnam. In the first beds, oxygen cylinders, ICU, beautiful tapestry of A deep connection with food er or a female family member phase of the book collection food, shelter and quarantine customs, food and combined with the realisation cooking. At the end of the day, it drive, the team of PURE Youth, centres. The organisation has practices from that they aren’t too many chil is a book for children and we which comprised school stu also set up two dedicated hel around the world. It dren’s books about food or rath didn’t want to get into anything dents from Visakhapatnam, plines with COVIDrelated in also has a long histo er cooking, led them to the too heavy or serious,” says reached out to SOS Children’s formation in Andhra Pradesh ry of global spice theme. The other intention was Sruthi. Village Bheemunipatnam and and Telangana. trade. Both visually to get children interested in how With no contacts in the pu and historically, it food is made/sourced. “It’s to blishing industry nor any idea was the perfect place give kids an idea of the long about how it works, they sent for this story. And of journey spices make before the book, illustration and all, to course, the lovely fer reaching their tables and Speaking Tree, which published ry ride to Mattanchery homes,” says Sruthi. the book. They are planning has been one of my fa Sanjana adds, “Very early on, two more books as part of the vourite things to do in we had decided that we wanted series. Kochi — it’s like a time to create a story about food — The book published by Talk- portal into an old world. specifically, cooking. We felt it is ing Cub, an imprint of Speaking The ferry scene in our an often ignored but essential Tiger, is available on Amazon.

POOCH CAFE PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE PEANUTS

TIGER CALVIN AND HOBBES

THE HINDU DELHI WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 WORLD 13 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE China’s population growth What’s happening in Jerusalem? Following AlAqsa raid, Hamas fired rockets and Israel bombed Gaza in return slows to lowest rate in decades Stanly Johny tional city. But in the first Arab Israel war of 1948, the 12 mn babies were born last year, the lowest since 1961, according to census On Monday, Israeli armed Israelis captured the western forces stormed AlAqsa Mos half of the city, and Jordan Ananth Krishnan and would drop to 700 mil que in the Haram eshSharif took the eastern part, in lion by 2050, according to in Jerusalem, ahead of a cluding the Old City that China’s onceinadecade the Ministry. march by Zionist nationalists houses Haram eshSharif. Al population census has re The census did not offer a commemorating Israel’s Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third corded a slowing population specific year for the popula capture of the eastern half of holiest site, and the Dome of growth rate that will likely tion to peak, but experts said the city in 1967. More than the Rock are situated within see China’s population peak that could happen by 2025. 300 Palestinians were in Haram eshSharif (Noble — and be overtaken by In “China’s population will jured in the raid. In retalia Escalating tensions: Rockets being fired from Gaza City, Sanctuary). One side of the dia’s — by as early as 2025, peak in the future, but there tion, Hamas, the Islamist controlled by Hamas, towards Israel on Tuesday. * AFP compound, called Temple experts said, with the num remains uncertainty as to militant group that runs Ga Mount by the Jews, is the ber of births falling for the when specifically it will hap za, fired dozens of rockets ter of the Old City. Ahead of would capture East Jerusa Wailing Wall (Western Wall), fourth consecutive year. pen,” Ning Jizhe of the Na that killed two Israelis. Israel the march on May 10 (which lem from Jordan in 1967. By which is believed to be the The seventh census, re tional Bureau of Statistics launched an airstrike on Ga was rerouted given the ten the early 1970s, Jewish agen remains of the Second Jew leased on Tuesday by the Na said. “For the next stage, we za in response, killing 26 Pal sions), Israeli armed forces cies started demanding the ish Temple, the holiest site in tional Bureau of Statistics Slowing down: A nurse with a baby at a hospital in Danzhai, in should continue to pay atten estinians, including militants stormed AlAqsa Mosque families leave the land. Jew Judaism.

(NBS) in Beijing, noted 12 Guizhou province on Tuesday. * AFP tion to changes in popula and nine children. with rubber bullets, stun ish committees claimed that Israel captured East Jeru million babies were born last tion growth and respond ac grenades and tear gas to ev salem from Jordan in the year, the lowest number The census recorded 264 China loosened family tively to risks and challenges What led to escalation? ict Palestinians, who Israel EXPLAINER 1967 SixDay War and an since 1961, a year when Chi million in the age group of planning rules and allowed in demographic develop Tensions have been building said had camped with stones nexed it later. Since its an na was in the midst of a four 60 and over, up 5.44% since couples to have two children ment,” he said. up since the start of Ramzan and Molotov cocktail. Hamas the houses sat on land they nexation, Israel has expand year famine unleashed by 2010 and accounting for in 2016, but that has failed to The findings from the cen in midApril when Israeli issued an ultimatum to the purchased in 1885 (when ed settlements in East Mao Zedong’s Great Leap 18.70% of the population. mark a boom amid changing sus were not entirely dire. police set up barricades at Israeli troops to stand down Jews, facing persecution in Jerusalem, which is now Forward policy in 1958 that Those in the 1559 age group lifestyles and declining pre The census also shed light on the Damascus Gate outside from AlAqsa. By the even Europe, were migrating to home for some 220,000 devastated the farm sector were 894 million persons, ferences, particularly in ur China’s increasingly educat the occupied Old City, pre ing, they launched rockets. historic Palestine that was Jews. Jews born in East Jeru and claimed millions of lives. down by 6.79% since 2010 ban areas, for larger families. ed workforce and its rapid venting Palestinians from Israeli strikes followed. part of the Ottoman Em salem are Israeli citizens, China’s population was and accounting for 63.35% of pace of urbanisation. gathering there. As clashes pire). Earlier this year, the while Palestinians in the city 1.41 billion in 2020, accord the population. Population decline The number of people erupted, the police removed Sheikh Jarrah dispute Central Court in East Jerusa are given conditional resi ing to the census, increasing Chinese experts on Tues “China will likely enter a pe with a university education the barricades, but tensions Hundreds of thousands of lem upheld a decision to ev dency permits. Palestinians by 72 million since the last day acknowledged the se riod of population decline was 218 million, up to 15,467 were already high. The Palestinians were forced out ict four Palestinian families in East Jerusalem, unlike census in 2010, recording a riousness of the problem, soon,” Huang Wenzheng, a per 100,000 of the popula threatened eviction of do of their homes when the from their homes in Sheikh other parts of the occupied 5.38% growth in this period. without linking it directly to fellow at the Center for Chi tion compared with 8,930 in zens of Palestinian families State of Israel was created in Jarrah in favour of Jewish set West Bank, can, however, The average annual growth the history of the Commu na and Globalisation, in Beij 2010. in the East Jerusalem neigh historic Palestine in 1948 tlers. The Israeli Supreme apply for Israeli citizenship. was 0.53%. nist Party’s harsh family ing, told official broadcaster The average years of borhood of Sheikh Jarrah es (the Palestinians call the Court was scheduled to hear Very few Palestinians have The slowing growth rate, a planning policies, at a time China Global Television Net schooling for 15 and above calated the crisis further in events ‘Nakba’, or catas the case on May 10. But the done so. consequence of China’s when it is planning to mark work. “This might be the big increased from 9.08 years to the last week of Ramzan. trophe). Twentyeight of hearing was postponed on Israel sees the whole city stringent family planning its 100th anniversary in July. gest challenge the nation fac 9.91 years and the illiteracy Clashes erupted on the those Palestinian families advice from the government as its “unified, eternal capi rules over decades — known In the lead up to the anni es in the next century.” rate dropped from 4.08% to night of May 7 in Jerusalem moved to Sheikh Jarrah in amid the ongoing violence in tal”, a claim endorsed by Do as the “onechild policy” but versary, China’s Internet reg The impact on the labour 2.67%, in part due to policies between Palestinian protes East Jerusalem to settle Jerusalem. The issue re nald Trump when he was involving a range of varying ulator said it had deleted force and healthcare is a par for nine years of compulsory ters and Israeli police in there. In 1956, when East Je mains unresolved. U.S. President but not recog restrictions across urban more than 2 million posts ticular concern. China’s and free education. which hundreds of Palesti rusalem was ruled by Jor nised by most other coun and rural areas — has evoked containing “harmful” discus workforce in the 1559 age The urban population nians and over a dozen pol dan, the Jordanian Ministry Why Jerusalem? tries. Palestinian leaders concerns of a rapidly ageing sions of history, the South bracket peaked at 925 mil touched 901 million, ac ice personnel were injured. of Construction and Deve Jerusalem has been at the across the political spectrum society and the impact on China Morning Post report lion in 2011, the Ministry of counting for 63.89%, up The Israeli authorities had gi lopment and the UN Relief centre of the IsraeliPalesti have maintained that they China’s labour force, and ed, with the party clamping Human Resources and Social from 49.68% in 2010 with an ven permission to the Jerusa and Works Agency facilitat nian conflict. According to would not accept any com fears that China will, as some down on any adverse com Security said previously. increase of 236 million ur lem Day march, traditionally ed the construction of hous the original 1947 UN Parti promise formula for a future experts have said, “get old mentary about its present or That number was down to ban residents in the last de taken out by farright Zion es for these families in tion Plan, Jerusalem was Palestinian state unless East before it gets rich”. past. 894 million in this census cade. ists through the Arab Quar Sheikh Jarrah. But Israel proposed to be an interna Jerusalem is its capital. ELSEWHERE At least 8 killed in Russia school shooting EU is suing AstraZeneca to get 90 million doses before July Suspect described himself as a ‘deity’ and said he wanted to kill a ‘huge number of people’ The firm revised deliveries over production issues Reuters dia showed a young man being Moscow pinned to the ground outside the Agence France-Presse told a media conference. Iran rejects U.S. claim its At least seven school children school building by a police Brussels The Commission has launched boats sparked encounter and one teacher were killed on officer. The European Union is suing British two emergency legal actions against TEHRAN Tuesday and many more wound An unconfirmed social media Swedish pharmaceutical group As the company in a Belgian court, first Iran’s powerful Revolutionary ed after a lone teenage gunman account belonging to the alleged traZeneca to force it to deliver 90 to have the urgency of the issue re Guard on Tuesday rejected opened fire in a school in the shooter, which was later million more doses of its COVID19 cognised, and then to have a judge the U.S. Navy's claim that Russian city of Kazan, the blocked, contained posts in vaccine before July, a spokesman rule on whether the EU’s case is fastapproaching Iranian Mayor’s office said, prompting a which he described himself as a said on Tuesday. wellfounded. speedboats in the Strait of Kremlin call for tighter gun bloodthirsty deity and said he “We want the court to order the After citing production problems Hormuz sparked a tense controls. planned to kill a “huge number” company to deliver 90 million addi in its EU manufacture, and refusing encounter in the already Two children could be seen of people before shooting tional doses, in addition to the 30 to divert doses from British factories sensitive region. The leaping from the third floor of himself. million already delivered in the first listed as suppliers in the EU contract, Revolutionary Guard said the fourstorey School Number Gunman’s fury: Law enforcement officials outside the school in Kazan, The alleged gunman was is quarter,” European Commission the company offered revised deliver Americans were guilty of 175 to escape as gunshots rang Russia, after a shooting incident on Tuesday. * AP sued a permit for a Hatsan Escort spokesman Stefan De Keersmaecker ies. using “unprofessional behaviour” and should more out, in a video filmed by an on PS shotgun on April 28, Alexan strictly “abide by looker that was circulated by there was no evidence that nikhanov told state TV. der Khinshtein, a lawmaker in international regulations.” A Russia’s RIA news agency. anyone else had been involved. “The terrorist has been arrest the lower house of Parliament, day earlier, the U.S. said that Calling the attack a big tragedy “We have lost seven chil ed. He’s a 19yearold who was wrote on social media. 13 armed speedboats came for the whole country, Rustam dren... four boys and three girls. officially registered as a gun President Vladimir Putin or too close to U.S. Navy vessels Minnikhanov, the head of the And 16 people, 12 children and owner.” dered tighter gun regulations, in the Strait of Hormuz. AP wider Tatarstan region, said four adults, are in hospital,” Min Footage posted on social me the Kremlin said. Saudi aid worth $123 mn Germany halts FB from sharing announced for Pakistan WhatsApp data Imran Khan is in Riyadh on a 2day visit Agence France-Presse Press Trust of India and goals, and contribute to Berlin Dubai developing the political, A German regulator on Saudi Arabia has announced military, diplomatic, eco Tuesday slapped a three 118 humanitarian projects nomic, commercial, deve month ban on Facebook worth over $123 million for lopmental and cultural collecting user data from cashstrapped Pakistan in coordination and coopera WhatsApp accounts and food security, health, edu tion fields. referred the case to an EU cation and water during Mr. Khan met Secretary watchdog, citing concerns Prime Minister Imran General of the Organisation about election integrity. Khan’s twoday visit, ac of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) The Hamburg Commis cording to a report. Dr. Yousef bin Ahmad Al sioner for Data Protection The King Salman Human Othaimeen and discussed and Freedom of Informa itarian Aid and Relief Center developments in the Islamic tion, with jurisdiction over (KSrelief)’s Supervisor Gen world, the situation of Mus Facebook’s branch based eral Dr Abdullah bin Abdu lims in nonOIC countries in the city, sent the order to laziz Al Rabeeah said that and the issues on the OIC’s the social network. the assistance was an agenda, in particular com The tech giant informed nounced in light of the CO bating Islamophobia. WhatsApp users earlier VID19 pandemic. During the summit meet this year that they must ing between Mr. Khan and consent to a new data use 118 projects identified Crown Prince Mohammed policy to continue using KSrelief announced 118 hu bin Salman, enhancing eco the service. manitarian projects for Pa nomic and trade relations The German authority kistan at a cost of over $123 and the challenge posed by said in an emergency deci million in food security, extremism came under sion that the terms of that health, education, water discussion. agreement were now null and environmental They confirmed their sa and void for three months. sanitation. tisfaction with the firmness It will hand the case over He said that the kingdom of bilateral military and se to the European Data Pro has provided medical and curity relations, and agreed tection Board, an indepen preventive aid worth over on further cooperation to dent EU body that enforces $1.5 million to combat the achieve common goals bet rules throughout the bloc. pandemic. ween the two countries, the The head of the German Mr. Khan’s Special Repre SPA reported. regulator, Johannes Cas sentative for Middle East Af “The two sides also par, said past Facebook da fairs Sheikh Tahir Mahmood stressed the need for con ta protection breaches as Ashrafi told the Saudi Press certed efforts of the Islamic well as Germany’s general Agency (SPA) that the visit world to confront extre election in September will push the march of the mism and violence and re showed the “dangers” of joint cooperation in the ject sectarianism, and strive “mass building of user pro right direction in order to to achieve international files” that could be achieve the desired interests peace and security. exploited.

DELHI THE HINDU 14 BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

market watch ‘Dividend plan SEBI pitches for ‘person in 11-05-2021 % CHANGE Sensex dddddddddddddddddddddd 49,161 ddddddddddddd-0.69 Oil refiners cut output, imports a must for top US Dollardddddddddddddddddddd 73.34 ddddddddddddddd0.01 Gold ddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd47308 ddddddddddddd-0.30 control’ over ‘promoter’ Brent oil ddddddddddddddddddddd 68.38 ddddddddddddddd0.24 1,000 firms’ ‘Often, PE investors hold special rights’ NIFTY 50 as pandemic hits fuel demand Press Trust of India PRICE CHANGE New Delhi Press Trust of India Adani Ports...... 762.65...... -2.80 New Delhi Asian Paints...... 2556.25...... -0.70 Sales in May could be about 5% lower than April, says HPCL Chairman Surana To strengthen corporate Axis Bank ...... 707.35...... -7.90 governance practices and Markets regulator SEBI on Bajaj Auto ...... 3879.30...... 10.65 Reuters plemented a full lockdown. disclosure requirements, Tuesday proposed to ration Bajaj Finserv...... 11193.05. .. -138.95 New Delhi Bajaj Finance ...... 5424.70...... -72.80 Staterun Bharat Petro SEBI has notified new alise the definition of ‘pro Bharti Airtel ...... 568.40...... -4.15 India’s top oil refiners are re leum Corp. has cut crude im rules, including that top moter group’ and move to BPCL...... 462.25...... 8.55 ducing processing runs and ports by 1 million barrels in 1,000 listed firms will have the concept of ‘person in Britannia Ind ...... 3418.40...... 4.60

Cipla ...... 890.90...... -9.35 crude imports as the surging May and will pare purchases to formulate a dividend dis control’ as well as lower the Coal India ...... 155.70...... 8.65 COVID19 pandemic has cut by 2 million barrels in June, a tribution policy. minimum lockin periods Divis Lab ...... 4073.60...... -65.70 fuel consumption, leading to company oﬃcial said. The regulator has also for promoters and other Dr Reddys Lab ...... 5295.95...... -31.60

Eicher Motors...... 2471.20...... 23.95 higher product stockpiles at put in place a framework in shareholders after an IPO. Grasim Ind ...... 1450.15...... 5.60 the plants, company oﬃcials ‘Not as severe’ relation to applicability, In a consultation paper, HCL Tech...... 907.30...... -6.65 told Reuters on Tuesday. M.K. Surana, Chairman of constitution and role of the the watchdog has also sug nies with common ﬁnancial HDFC ...... 2464.20...... -67.15

HDFC Bank...... 1403.55...... -16.30 Indian Oil Corp., the Hindustan Petroleum Corp., Risk Management Commit gested streamlining the dis investors. HDFC Life ...... 671.25...... -8.80 country’s biggest reﬁner, has expects India’s fuel con tee (RMC) and eased norms closures requirement of The regulator has pro Hero MotoCorp ...... 2838.35...... 2.05 reduced runs to an average sumption in May to fall by 5% for reclassiﬁcation of a pro group companies. posed to do away with the Hindalco ...... 412.80...... -12.95 No takers: The surge in new cases has cut fuel consumption,

Hind Unilever ...... 2402.10...... -30.80 of between 85% and 88% of leading to higher product stockpiles. * BISWARANJAN ROUT from April as the impact on moter as a public sharehol The Securities and Ex current definition of promo ICICI Bank ...... 609.85...... -3.40 processing capacity, a com driving and industrial pro der, according to a notifica change Board of India (SE ter group as the deletion IndusInd Bank ...... 948.85...... 3.45 pany official said, adding our crude processing would COVID19 crisis showed duction is not as severe as tion dated May 5. BI) has sought comments would rationalise the disclo Infosys ...... 1330.65...... -8.90

Indian OilCorp...... 103.70...... 4.55 runs could be cut further as be reduced to last year’s le scant sign of easing on Tues last year. “This time it is not SEBI has asked firms to from the public on the pro sure burden and bring it in ITC ...... 204.00...... -1.55 some plants are facing pro vel of 65%70% as interState day, with a sevenday aver a full lockdown like last post audio and video re posals, the window being line with the post listing dis JSW Steel...... 734.25...... -24.40 blems storing oil products. vehicle movement is still age of new cases at a record time,” he said. cordings of analyst and in open till June 10. closure requirement. Kotak Bank ...... 1755.45...... -53.90 L&T...... 1383.60...... -11.40 IOC’s refineries were op there ... (the) economy is high, although the govern “Sales in April was about vestor meets on their web With regard to lockin pe M&M ...... 776.00...... -4.45 erating at about 95% of their functioning,” he said. ment of India, the world’s 90% of March and we expect sites and stock exchanges riods, SEBI has proposed ‘Changing scenario’ Maruti Suzuki ...... 6736.65...... -27.35 capacity in late April. Several States across India thirdlargest oil importer within 24 hours or before that if the objective of the is Citing the changing investor Nestle India Ltd...... 16870.10...... 82.80 May could be about 5% lower NTPC ...... 112.70...... 5.00 “We do not anticipate that are under lockdown as the and consumer, has not im than April.” the next trading day. sue involves offer for sale or landscape, SEBI said there ONGC ...... 118.10...... 4.20 financing other than for was a need to revisit the PowerGrid Corp ...... 223.40...... 3.55

Reliance Ind ...... 1933.15...... 6.95 capital expenditure for a concept of ‘promoter’ to a SBI Life ...... 1000.95...... -4.05 project, then the minimum concept of ‘person in con State Bank ...... 364.65...... 2.95 promoters’ contribution of trol’ and a period of three Shree Cement ...... 27513.10. .... 203.15 Nomura pares FY22 MFI sector urges RBI backing Sun Pharma ...... 708.10...... 9.90 20% should be lockedin for years has been proposed for Tata Consumer one year from the date of al such a shift over in a smooth Products Ltd...... 641.60...... 8.45 growth estimate to 10.8% lotment in the Initial Public and progressive manner Tata Motors ...... 315.55...... 0.70 Tata Steel ...... 1233.90...... 17.55 for emergency credit support Offer (IPO). Currently, the without causing disruption. TCS ...... 3122.60...... -22.90 ‘Lockdowns to impact economy’ lockin period is three years. “Unlike the past, the con Tech Mahindra ...... 977.05...... -13.45 “Promoters’ holding in centration of ownership and Titan ...... 1435.25...... -19.90 PRESS TRUST OF INDIA SaDhan demands ₹15,000cr. facility from NABARD, SIDBI excess of minimum promo controlling rights does not UltraTech Cement...... 6490.60...... 87.50 MUMBAI UPL...... 684.35...... 9.75 ters’ contribution shall be vest completely in the hands Wipro ...... 518.40...... -7.55 Japanese brokerage Nomura Special Correspondent The RBI must sise to the Union and State locked in for a period of six of the promoters or promo NEW DELHI <> on Tuesday cut its GDP highlight the need governments the role of the months as opposed to the ter group. There has been a EXCHANGE RATES growth estimate for the cur Reeling under the impact of to categorise the sector in financial inclusion existing requirement of one significant increase in the Indicative direct rates in rupees a unit rent 202122 fiscal to 10.8% the second wave of the pan and highlight the need to ca year from the date of allot number of private equity except yen at 4 p.m. on May 11 sector under from the earlier 12.6%, demic, the microfinance sec tegorise it under ‘essential ment in the IPO,” SEBI and institutional investors CURRENCY TT BUY TT SELL essential services blaming the impact of the tor has reached out to the services’ without imposing suggested. who invest in companies US Dollar...... 73.14...... 73.46

Euro ...... 88.89...... 89.31 second waveinduced Reserve Bank of India (RBI) ₹15,000 crore through NA curbs on operations that af The entire preissue capi and take up substantial sha British Pound...... 103.37. ... 103.83 lockdowns. for support, including an BARD and SIDBI. “At least fect clients as well as MFIs. tal held by persons other reholding, and in some cas Japanese Yen (100) . .. . 67.26...... 67.56 It said the activity levels emergency credit line and 40% of funds under this may “RBI may reiterate to than promoters should be es, control,” SEBI noted. Chinese Yuan ...... 11.38...... 11.44 Swiss Franc ...... 81.02...... 81.38 have dropped further to creating awareness among be earmarked for MFIs with State governments the ill ef locked in for six months Such investors invest in Singapore Dollar ...... 55.15...... 55.41 64.5% of the prepandemic wave of the COVID19 infec State governments on illef portfolio below ₹500 crore.” fects of loan waiver announ from the date of allotment unlisted ﬁrms and continue Canadian Dollar...... 60.39...... 60.68

Malaysian Ringitt ...... 17.76...... 17.84 levels in the week to May 9 tions, leading over 20 States fects of loan waivers. It also recommended the cements and its implications in the IPO as against the cur to hold shares post listing,

Source:Indian Bank as per a proprietary index, to impose lockdowns or In a letter to the RBI, Sa introduction of a partial Cre on credit discipline and flow rent norm of one year. many times being the lar after a further 5 percentage lockdownlike restrictions Dhan, representing the sec dit Guarantee Scheme 3.0 as of funds to the marginalised In addition, the regulator gest public shareholders, points drop in the week. as a desperate measure to tor, has sought emergency it may help boost confidence sections,” it added. has suggested rationalising having special rights, such IN BRIEF The activity levels, at pre restrict the virus spread. credit of up to 25% of their of banks in the ‘present un Other recommendations the definition of ‘promoter as the right to nominate di sent, are at par with those “We expect a localised hit outstandings with the lend certain times’ to lend to the include assessment of MFI group’ as the current defini rectors, it added. seen in June last year. in Q2 (AprilJune) and be ing banks to enable microfi microfinance sector, espe cash flow by banks and deve tion focusses on encompass Aggregate promoters’ The country has reported lieve that mediumterm tail nance institutions (MFIs) to cially small and midsize lopmental finance institu ing holdings by a common holdings in the top 500 list over 4 lakh new infections winds (like vaccine pivot, mobilise ₹15,000 crore. MFIs with relatively lower tions and providing them group of individuals or per ed firms by market value, and 4,000 deaths a day dur global recoverys) remain in It also sought a special li credit ratings. moratorium or restructur sons and often results in in peaked at 58% in 2009 and ing the ongoing second tact,” it said. quidity facility of at least The RBI should empha ing support for 612 months . cluding unrelated compa is on a downward trend.

Vaccination status of Groww to buy hotel staff on app: OYO Second wave to slow NEW DELHI Indiabulls MF Hospitality chain OYO on smartphone sales: IDC Tuesday said it had rolled for ₹175 crore out a new feature to show the vaccination status of ‘Recovery likely in second half of 2021’ Special Correspondent hotel staff across its MUMBAI special Correspondent properties. With the feature NEW DELHI ‘VaccinAid’, users on the Investment platform OYO app will have visibility Groww said it will acquire The smartphone industry in on hotels and homes with Indiabulls Mutual Fund India is expected to witness vaccinated staff, either with (MF) for ₹175 crore. growth challenges in April the first dose or second Under the deal, Groww June quarter on account of dose, the company said. would acquire Indiabulls the second wave of the pan AMC and trustee company demic, as per International M&M’s June quarter of Indiabulls Mutual Fund. Data Corporation (IDC) sales may drop by 20% The sale of Indiabulls The segment had wit NEW DELHI AMC would be limited only nessed a healthy yearon Utility vehicles and farm to the mutual fund part of year growth of 18% to 38 mil India. equipment major Mahindra the business while alter lion units shipped in the While the impact was es & Mahindra Ltd. said sales nate investment fund and first quarter ( January timated to be less pro volume for the quarter portfolio management ser March) of 2021, IDC said. nounced compared with ended June is estimated to be lower by 1520% as vices would stay with In However, compared with last year, with factories be compared with the year diabulls Housing Finance. the strong OctoberDecem ing operational today, only earlier period due to the “We have decided to div ber 2020, the Indian smart limited restrictions on logis second wave of the est our interest in the retail phone market declined by tics/transportation and pandemic. Revenue and mutual fund business t o 14% in the first quarter. Statelevel lockdowns , re profitability will also be consolidate capital and “The AprilJune quarter is covery in 2021 “might not be impacted. However, M&M is provide greater focus to expected to face growth as smooth as expected ear taking cost optimisation building the real estate as challenges under the weight lier.” IDC expects a rebound measures to limit the set management business,” of the second wave of infec in consumer sentiment in adverse impact, it said. PTI said Gagan Banga, vice tions,” said Navkendar the second half of 2021, re chairman and MD, India Singh, research director, sulting in a singledigit Medi Assist files IPO bulls Housing Finance. client devices & IPDS, IDC growth annually. papers with SEBI NEW DELHI Medi Assist Healthcare Services has filed India to ship preliminary papers with Equity MF inflows slump SEBI to float an initial 56 lakh tonne sharesale. The initial in April amid pandemic public offer (IPO) is entirely sugar: AISTA an offer of sale of up to 28,028,168 equity shares of Net inflows slid to ₹3,437 cr. last month PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Medi Assist by promoters PRESS TRUST OF INDIA NEW DELHI and existing shareholders, NEW DELHI according to the draft red India has contracted to ex herring prospectus. Those Equity mutual funds (MFs) port 56 lakh tonne sugar so selling shares include Dr. witnessed a net inflow of far in the ongoing 202021 Vikram Jit Singh Chhatwal ₹3,437 crore in April, mak marketing season, and is and Medimatter Health ing it the second consecu expected to conclude deals Management. pti tive monthly infusion but for shipment of the ba lower than the amount re lance 4 lakh tonne soon, Cold chains to grow at corded in March amid the trade body AISTA said. 20% CAGR by ‘25: JLL second COVID19 wave. The government has MUMBAI The quantum is much to recover in the waning fixed a mandatory export The national cold chain lower than the inflow of phase of this health scare,” target of 60 lakh tonne sur sector is expected to grow ₹9,115 crore recorded in Gopal Kavalireddi, head of plus sugar for ongoing the at more than 20% CAGR by March, according to data research at FYERS, said. 202021 season 2025 due to transformation from the Association of Mu “The start to fiscal 2021 (OctoberSeptember). from conventional cold tual Funds in India (AMFI). 22 has been quite positive During the 201920 sea storage to modern storage Equity schemes had wit with MF industry average son, India had shipped 59 space, JLL said in a report. nessed outflows for eight assets under management lakh tonne. Releasing latest There is an opportunity for organised/palletized cold straight months from July at an alltime high of ₹32.42 data, All India Sugar Trade storage in TierI cities like 2020 to February 2021. lakh crore owing to positive Association (AISTA) said of Mumbai, Delhi NCR, “With the second wave flows in all openended cate the56lakhtonne con Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, putting pressure on citizens gories and robust SIP contri tracts, 34.78 lakh tonne Kolkata, Hyderabad as well to hold a higher emergency bution in April at ₹8,591 had been already shipped as TierII cities like corpus for medical needs, crore,” said N. S. Venkatesh, to top 12 nations till May 6 . Lucknow, Kanpur, Kochi, investor interest is a tad CEO, AMFI. (With inputs It was however concerned and Coimbatore, JLL said. down and can be expected from Lalatendu Mishra) over high freight rates. CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

THE HINDU DELHI WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 SPORT 15 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Shreyas likely to be unavailable for Sri Lanka tour England players set to miss rescheduled IPL: ECB Hardik and Dhawan frontrunners to lead India’s secondstring squad for limitedover series Press Trust of India those tours to Pakistan and CRICKET London Bangladesh are going ahead, England has a busy interna I’d expect the players to be Amol Karhadkar tional schedule from June there,” Giles said as quoted MUMBAI and the players are unlikely by ESPNcricinfo. Shreyas Iyer is unlikely to re to be available for the re There were 11 Englishman cover in time to be consi mainder of the suspended in various franchises in the dered for India’s limitedover IPL if the T20 tournament is suspended IPL. tour to Sri Lanka in July, rescheduled this year, says Giles dismissed sugges which will clash with the Test ECB Director of Cricket Ash tion that this signals a squad’s tour to England. ley Giles. change in approach from The Mumbai batsman is The IPL was suspended the ECB as the management being touted as a contender last week after multiple CO had earlier allowed up to a to be India’s future captain VID19 cases inside its bio dozen players to miss the for the shorter versions of bubble. There are two win Test series against New Zea the game. However, ever In the reckoning: Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandya... top dows for the T20 event to be land at the start of June due since injuring his shoulder contenders for captaincy. * FILE PHOTOS resumed this year — one is in to their involvement in the during the ODI series against the second half of Septem IPL. England in March, Shreyas Pallekele (near Kandy) and quarantine protocols and li ber and before the T20 “The New Zealand scena has been out of action. Sooriyaweva (near mited windows available to World Cup (OctoberNovem rio was very different. Those Hambantota). respect bilateral cricket com ber ) and the other is after Test matches were formal Shoulder surgery mitments,” a BCCI official midNovember. ised at the end of January, by Having undergone a shoul Parallel FTP not said on Tuesday, preferring But England’s top players which time all those con Forced break: Shreyas Iyer is expected to take at least three months to return to competitive der surgery on April 8, surprising anonymity. will be in action at both tracts and NOCs (no objec cricket. * FILE PHOTO Shreyas is expected to take at The BCCI’s decision to agree In fact, in May 2020, The times. They have tours to tion certificates) were signed least three months to return the national selectors that his secondstring squad to Sri COVID19 cases in the neigh to tour Sri Lanka with a deve Hindu had reported that pa Bangladesh and Pakistan in for full involvement in the to competitive cricket. Even return should be aimed for Lanka. Despite BCCI chief in bouring island, the Sri Lanka lopment squad, leading to rallel Future Tours Pro September and October, IPL.” Giles expressed hope though Shreyas is under the T20 World Cup, likely to forming The Hindu earlier Cricket (SLC) is understood two of India’s squads based gramme (FTP) may be forced while they will compete with that players would be al stood to be off a sling, the start midOctober. this week that the tour will to have been working on two in two different continents at into the cricket calendar due Australia at the Ashes right lowed “a bit more freedom” medical staff of the Board of In Shreyas’s absence, all have three T20Is and five plans for the tour. the same time may have to the hard lockdown across after the T20 World Cup. from biobubbles as the En Control for Cricket in India rounder Hardik Pandya and ODIs, it is confirmed that In Depending on its govern raised a few eyebrows, but it the globe last year. “We’re planning on invol gland summer progresses. (BCCI) is understood to have veteran opening batsman dia will play three ODIs and ment’s clearance, the tour was expected. While it didn’t happen vement of England players The Test players are likely to decided in consultation with Shikhar Dhawan will be three T20Is from July 13 to 27. will either be played in Co “It was bound to happen during India’s tour to Austra in England matches. We’ve enter their latest bubble the team management and frontrunners to lead India’s Considering the surge of lombo or will be split into at some point, with stricter lia, it will be a reality soon. got a full FTP schedule. So if from around May 28. TV PICKS ‘Don’t think we will see those glory days again’ Nadal FIH Pro League: SS Select 2 MCC rejects the idea undecided (SD & HD), 10 p.m. Premier League: SS Select 1 Ambrose laments today’s youngsters don’t know cricket’s importance for WI about Olympics (SD & HD), 12.45 a.m. Press Trust of India (Thursday) of bamboo bats “Most of the youngsters great, but what we have to Serie A: Sony Ten 2, Ten 3 & Kingston we have now probably don’t understand is that I don’t participation Sony Six (SD & HD), 10 p.m. & Cambridge Pace legend Curly Ambrose quite understand what crick think we will ever see those 12.15 a.m. (Thursday) varsity study had believes the current lot of et means to West Indians in great, exceptional glory days Caribbean youngsters the West Indies and abroad. again.” IN BRIEF highlighted the doesn’t really understand “Because cricket is the on The 57yearold, who benefits what cricket means to the ly sport that really unites Ca claimed 405 wickets in 98 West Indies and so the two ribbean people,” Ambrose Tests, said it is difficult to Press Trust of IndiA time World champion will told Talk Sports Live. find talented cricketers from LONDON never be able to relive the the island nations nowadays. The Marylebone Cricket glory days again. No disrespect “Yes, we can be competi Club (MCC) has shot down West Indies had lifted first Curly Ambrose. * FILE PHOTO “This is no disrespect to the tive and climb up the ICC the idea of bats made from two World Cup titles in 1975 ren Sammy guided them to players we have now be rankings and be a force to be bamboo, saying it would be and 1979 and it took 33 years the 2012 T20 crown and re cause we have a couple of reckon with again, but those “illegal” under the current for the team to claim anoth peated the feat four years la guys who have some quality glory days, I don’t think we Rafael Nadal. * REUTERS Bumrah, Mandhana set of rules governing the er ICC World title when Dar ter. in them and can become will see them again.” game. receive vaccination Agence France-Presse The guardian of the laws Darshil Shah with the MUMBAI prototype bamboo bat. ROME Indian cricketers Jasprit of cricket, however, said * UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana they will deliberate on the AugerAliassime dispatches Schwartzman Twotime Olympic cham on Tuesday said that they had matter during their sub bats.” pion Rafael Nadal on Tues received their first dose of committee meeting. The researchers found Fokina oust Dimitrov; Busta pulls out; Bopanna loses in doubles first round day became the latest top COVID19 vaccine. According to a study by the bamboo bat to be tennis player to admit that “Vaccinated. Please stay safe Dr. Darshil Shah and Ben “stiffer, harder and ITALIAN OPEN were beaten 64, 64 by Mar Important results: Men: Se Roberto Bautista Agut bt Tom he had not yet decided everyone,” tweeted the TinklerDavies from the stronger than those made cus Daniel and Philipp Os cond round: Felix AugerAlias my Paul 63, 64; Denis Shapo whether he would partici speedster, while Mandhana University of Cambridge, of willow, although more Agence France-Presse wald in the first round. sime bt Diego Schwartzman valov bt Kamil Majchrzak 61, pate in the Tokyo Games posted “Please stay safe and bats made from bamboo brittle” and also supposed ROME On the women’s side, Ar 61, 63; Reilly Opelka bt Lo 63; Marin Cilic bt Alexander this summer, still giving get yourself #Vaccinated” on renzo Musetti 64, 64; Kei Bublik 46, 62, 63; Gianluca are economically to have a larger “sweet gentinian Nadia Podoroska, himself time to decide ac Instagram. PTI Canada’s Felix AugerAlias Nishikori bt Pablo Carreno Bus Mager bt Alex de Minaur 64, sustainable and are also spot, closer to the toe of sime stunned eighth seed ranked 44 in the world, as cording to stronger than the ones ta, walkover. 63; JanLennard Struff bt Aljaz “circumstances”. the bat.” Diego Schwartzman of Ar sured herself of a second Bedene 63, 61; Lorenzo Mu made from willow, which is First round: Alejandro Davidov The 34yearold Spa MCC, however, said it gentina 61, 63 in the second round meeting with Serena setti bt Hubert Hurkacz 64, traditionally used. ich Fokina bt Grigor Dimitrov niard, who won the singles needs to tread carefully to round of the Italian Open on Williams, playing her first 64, 76(2); Matteo Berrettini 20 retd “Currently, law 5.3.2 gold in Beijing in 2008, ad ensure that the balance of Tuesday. event since the Australian bt Nikoloz Basilashvili 46, 62, Doubles: First round: Marcus states that the blade of the ding another gold in the bat and ball remains intact. Japan’s Kei Nishikori also Open, when she came from a 64; John Millman bt Dusan La Daniell & Philipp Oswald bt De bat must consist solely of doubles with Marc Lopez made the third round with a set down to beat Laura Siege jovic 63, 64; Lorenzo Sonego nis Shapovalov & Rohan Bopan wood, so for bamboo “MCC’s role as Guardian in Rio de Janeiro five years walkover against 11th seed mund 26, 76(3), 61. bt Gael Monfils 64, 57, 64; na 64, 64. (which is a grass) to be of the Laws includes ago. Pablo Carreno Busta of Women: First round: Yaroslava considered as a realistic maintaining the balance “In a normal world I between bat and ball, and Spain. Shvedova bt Martina Trevisan alternative to willow would 06, 76(4), 76(6); Veronika would never consider mis Watling to retire after any potential amendments Earlier in the day, 16th require a law change,” MCC Kudermetova bt Elise Mertens sing the Olympics. There is WTC final seed Grigor Dimitrov said in a statement on to the Law would need to 46, 62, 63; Madison Keys bt no doubt about that. Every CHRISTCHURCH Monday. carefully take this into crashed out in the first round Sloane Stephens 46, 62, 75; body knows how impor New Zealand wicketkeeper consideration, particularly when he was beaten by Garbine Muguruza bt Patricia tant the Olympics are for batsman BJ. Watling has “Importantly, the law would need to be altered to the concept of the bat Spanish qualifier Alejandro Tig 61, 62; Nadia Podoroska me. announced his retirement producing greater power.” Davidovich Fokina. bt Laura Siegemund 26, 76 from all forms of cricket after allow bamboo specifically, “Under these circum as even if it were to be “Sustainability is a The World No. 48 saved (3), 61; Kristina Mladenovic bt stances, I don’t know. Let’s the World Test Championship Belinda Bencic 63, 64; Maria recognised as a wood, this relevant topic for MCC and two set points in the second see what’s going on in the final against India. Watling, Sakkari bt Polona Hercog 76 35, has represented the would still be illegal under indeed cricket, and this set as he dismissed the 2014 next couple of months. But semifinalist Dimitrov 64, 76 (6), 36, 62; Vera Zvonareva bt Blackcaps in 73 Tests, 28 ODIs the current law, which angle of willow alternatives Christina McHale 63, 60; Pe I need to organise my sche and 5 T20Is. He has scored bans lamination of the should also be considered,” (2). tra Martic bt Shelby Rogers 57, dule. Honestly I can’t give 3773 runs and taken 259 blade, except in junior MCC said. In doubles, Rohan Bopan Easily done: Felix AugerAliassime had the measure of 63, 64; Jessica Pegula bt Da you a clear answer because catches in Tests. na and Denis Shapovalov Diego Schwartzman in straight sets. * GETTY IMAGES ria Kasatkina 75, 63. I don’t know. Cricket needs to rediscover its evangelical spirit Anand and four other GMs to raise funds Overlapping series in different countries or even the same one will help get through the calendar with greater ease CHESS ing more people happy. But there’s Few other teams have the luxury play the top Test teams. teams see this as part of their res more to it than that. of being able to field two teams si Cricket needs to rediscover its ponsibility. The tension between Press Trust of India multaneously. England, yes. And evangelical spirit. In 192930, En what the cricket bodies believe is New Delhi Enough talent perhaps Australia too. gland fielded two international their duty and what television sees Fivetime world champion It helps, of course, that India have But increasingly, as teams field teams, one led by Freddie Calth as its birthright does not exist. Viswanathan Anand and enough players to field two full in different players depending on the orpe which was the first to visit the Governing bodies have the dual four other Indian Grand BETWEEN WICKETS ternational teams, each capable of colour of the ball, it is possible that West Indies, and the other by Ha responsibility of strengthening the masters will play simultane winning their respective series Test cricket and oneday interna rold Gilligan which travelled to New sport in different parts of the world ous online exhibition suresh menon ahead. tionals (also T20I) will move on dif Zealand. Both hosts were recent en as well as generating funds for matches against other chess The triumph in Australia where ferent tracks. trants into the Test fold, and En themselves. players on Thursday to raise ot for the first time, India will India put together a replacement And that’s not such a bad thing. gland felt it was necessary to pro Television has mainly the latter funds for COVID19 relief Anand. * FILE PHOTO Nhave two teams touring simul team after injuries (and a child Perhaps formats can be played si mote the game in these new obligation. The result is that the go work in the country. taneously for international match birth) had deprived them of some multaneously during the same tour. regions. verning bodies easily fall into line, Any player who has a will go to Red Cross India es. top players clearly sent out a mes It would have been worthwhile ex The more experienced team and don’t make enough of their Chess.com blitz or FIDE and the Checkmate COVID The first eleven will be in En sage. It also created an opening for perimenting during India’s tour of went to the West Indies, where the bargaining power — the marquee standard rating of under initiative of the All India gland for the World Test Champion bowlers in particular which they England later this year where they fourTest series was drawn 11 while matches. 2000 can play with Anand Chess Federation (AICF). ship final against New Zealand and might not otherwise have had. play five Tests but no other the team to New Zealand won 10. Simultaneous tours or competi by donating $150 and with “We all know India is the fiveTest England series, and In any case, with the coronavirus internationals. England played Tests in George tions will free up time for the mar the other four GMs by pay struggling hard against CO the second in Sri Lanka for white squeezing the schedule, the Future town and Auckland simultaneously. quee teams away from the some ing $25 as registration VID19. At this time, we all ball cricket. Tours Programme will need to be Keep the best for Tests But all that is incidental. What mat what rigid Future Tours amount. Donations will also have been affected in some Perhaps that is the route interna planned differently. Overlapping Top players, however, tend to be ters is the missionary zeal behind Programme, enabling them to en be accepted during the exhi way. I don’t think there is a tional cricket needs to take, thus series in different countries or even crucial to more than one format. Vi the tours. The spread of the game gage with the less powerful teams. bition matches to be broad single person young or old ensuring that while one country the same one will help get through rat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ben was important, and the established The India versus Sri Lanka series cast on Chess.com at 19:30 who has not been affected eats the cake, another will have it the calendar with greater ease. Stokes, Kane Williamson, Babar teams felt a responsibility towards is a competition of equals and does IST. by this,” Anand said in a vi too. In 1998, India played the Saha It will also mean that internation Azam, Rashid Khan and others are the newbies. not fit into this category. But the The website said it will deo message posted on ra Cup in Canada and in the Com al teams which are not television fa invaluable members of their teams Some of that thinking — so neces idea of a fielding two teams — even match all donations up to a Chess.com. monwealth Games in Kuala Lum vourites will get a chance to meet in all formats. But the idea would sary to the game’s spread, and so if it is just by three or four of the top total of $ 10,000. “ You can play some of In pur simultaneously. the popular ones more often. be to keep the best for the Tests forgotten in the era of television sides — is a sound one, and can help All the proceeds from the dia's finest GMs, and have Financially, an Indian tour is the Anything will be an improvement while the best of the rest play the money — ought to see India play Ne raise the overall standard of the simultaneous exhibitions in Chess.com match your do most soughtafter in world cricket from the current situation where second rung white ball teams. This pal or Oman while Australia play sport. volving Anand, Koneru nations. This is a little con today, and being in two places at they are treated like second class will mean a great deal to such coun Papua New Guinea in ODI. All that is needed is intent. And Humpy, D. Harika, Nihal Sa tribution from our chess the same time is a nifty way of keep citizens. tries which seldom, if ever, get to I am not sure that contemporary commonsense planning. rin and R. Praggnanandhaa fraternity.” CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

DELHI THE HINDU 16 SPORT WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2021 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

IN BRIEF AFC’s women’s Olympic torch relay Fulham tumbles out of PL meet draw Real Betis boosts its Europa League chances with win over Granada postponed pulled off EURO LEAGUES Press Trust of India Hiroshima streets Kuala Lumpur Associated Press The qualifying round draw Associated Press still being discussed with Buffon to quit Juventus London of the 2022 AFC Women’s TOKYO the organisers,” Yuzaki said at end of the season Relegation, promotion, and Asian Cup to be held in In The Tokyo Olympic torch on Monday. ROME now relegation again. dia, scheduled for May 27 relay is being pulled off the The relay began on March Juventus goalkeeper Fulham’s rollercoaster was on Tuesday postponed streets in Hiroshima prefec 25 in northeastern Japan Gianluigi Buffon says he will ride between the top two di by the Asian Football Con ture as COVID19 cases rise and is to end on July 23 at leave the club when his visions of English soccer has federation until further in Japan barely 10 weeks be the opening ceremony of contract expires at the end of taken the London club back notice due to rising CO fore the opening ceremony. the Olympics. the season but could still join out of the Premier League, VID19 cases in the host Hiroshima Governor Hi another team if he receives a suitable offer. The 43year its fate sealed by losing to country and across the dehiko Yuzaki said that a ce Cancellation calls old joined the Turin club in Burnley 20 on Monday. continent. remony next week without The relay is heavily spon 2001 and has been there ever Fulham joined Sheffield “Taking into considera the relay is likely to still take sored by Toyota and Coca since except for one season United and West Bromwich tion the current challenges place. This is at least the Cola and has proceeded at Paris SaintGermain in Albion in going down to the and logistical arrange sixth change to the relay — despite some calls a year 201819. He has has won 10 Championship, wrapping up ments, the AFC agreed the from rerouting to cancella ago to cancel it to save mo Serie A and four Coppa Italia the Premier League’s relega postponement of the draw tion — in the last several ney. trophies with Juve. REUTERS tion battle at the earliest ever was necessary due to rising weeks. It involves 10,000 run stage — with three rounds Dejected lot: Fulham players trudge off the field after losing against Burnley.* GETTY IMAGES COVID19 cases in the host Organisers warned be ners crisscrossing Japan still to go. nation as well as across the fore the relay began that with organisers trying to Burnley was one of four Ashley Westwood and in Borja Iglesias scored points in front of Villarreal. continent keeping in mind changes and delays were ex keep crowds off the streets clubs — along with Brighton, form striker Chris Wood, twice, including in the 87th The teams in fifth and sixth the wellbeing and safety of pected in the face of the and urging them to main Newcastle and Southampton Burnley was able to cele minute, as Real Betis defeat places qualify for the Europa all teams, players, officials pandemic. tain social distancing. — still mathematically not brate the prospect of playing ed Granada 21 to move clos League next season. and relevant stakehol “It is certain there will be On Monday, Japan’s Kyo safe heading into the match a sixth straight season in the er to a Europa League spot in The results: Premier League: ders,” the AFC said. no relay on public streets do news agency reported at Craven Cottage. lucrative top flight — a stun the Spanish league. Fulham 0 lost to Burnley 2 “More details on the since we are all trying to re that Hyogo and Okayama ning achievement by manag The victory moved Betis (Westwood 35, Wood 44). new arrangements will be duce going out, and how to prefectures will also take Verratti likely to miss Good news for Burnley er Sean Dyche given the bud to sixth place with three LaLiga: Real Betis 2 (Iglesias 39, announced in due course,” do the ceremony without the torch relay off public 87) bt Granada 1 (Machis 66). Euros due to injury After firsthalf goals from get he works under. rounds remaining, two it added in the statement. the relay on the streets is streets. PARIS Paris SaintGermain midfielder Marco Verratti will miss the rest of the season UEFA may because of a right knee injury, Westbrook passes Have to be prepared for all situations: Rahi the French club said on move CL final Tuesday. The Italian will be Ace shooter feels pressure is important for peak performance sidelined for fourtosix Robertson’s mark to Portugal weeks, possibly forcing him Kamesh Srinivasan to also miss the European that I am on the right track. I tion organised by Sports Associated Press NEW DELHI Championship. Italy’s opening know the mistakes, pro Authority of India (SAI). London match at Euro 2020 is As much as she sizzles in the blems and the pattern. I She was categorical that scheduled for June 11 in Rome Playing the allEnglish international arena with her keep rating myself on my pressure was important for against Turkey. AP Champions League final on spellbinding mastery of ra mental ability,” revealed peak performance. home soil at Wembley is pid fire shooting with the Rahi. “I want some pressure. I Bengaluru FC squad proving problematic. In sports pistol, Olympian and like the feeling of responsi returns home stead, the players and fans Asian Games gold medallist Precautions bility. More than the media BENGALURU of Chelsea and Manchester Rahi Sarnobat can be stun Having recovered from CO or people, we have expecta The Bengaluru FC (BFC) City could be headed to ning with the depth of her VID after the last World Cup tions from ourselves. It contingent returned home, after their AFC Cup playoff Portugal. thoughts. in Delhi in March, when she brings out the best in me. I match against Club Eagles at UEFA’s hopes of playing A voracious reader who won an individual silver be am pretty sure that the ex Male (Maldives) was its club showpiece in Istan juggles four books at a time, Rahi Sarnobat. hind compatriot Chinki Ya pectations will be fulfilled as postponed. The foreign Numero uno: Westbrook made the record for the most bul have been scuppered the 30yearold Rahi has dav, Rahi has made it a point our young team has been players and staff travelled to tripledoubles in the NBA all his own on Monday. * AFP for a second consecutive meticulously taken notes of stretch of Olympic prepara to pack herself with adeq brilliant.” their home countries from season, this time by Turkey all her experiences over the tion in Croatia, especially in uate precautions. She keeps it simple about Male. NBA in 23 points as host San An being added to England’s years, to be best prepared the absence of high perfor “I am carrying a steamer. I the final stretch. tonio moved a step closer to “red list” of countries with for any situation. mance coach Samaresh am carrying spices. That is, “As athletes, we should Reuters a spot in the playin tourna severe coronavirus out Having been trained by Jung. Ayurvedic ingredients for stick to our routine. We can’t ATLANTA ment with a big win over breaks. top coaches like Anatolii Pid “We have to be prepared preparing kadha. I hope not take things for granted. We Washington’s Russell West Milwaukee. But the government im dubnyi and Munkhbayar for all situations. We have to to be infected again. I am al have to keep working hard brook got his recordsetting San Antonio, which has mediately talked with UE Dorjsuren, Rahi prefers to be perform on our own. I do so carrying an oximeter and and spend time in a produc 182nd career tripledouble won two of its past three FA about the possibility of in her “personal space” at discuss with professional infrared thermometer,” said tive way. It will help us crack on Monday, but the Atlanta games, lowered its magic moving the May 29 final to the moment in the last psychologists. I get to know Rahi during a media interac these Games,” Rahi said. Hawks came away with a number for clinching at Wembley. 125124 victory over the visit least the 10th spot in the Discussions between Andres Iniesta extends ing Wizards. West to just one game. UEFA and the government Vissel Kobe contract Westbrook had 28 points, Jonas Valanciunas and Ja failed to reach a resolution TOKYO 13 rebounds and 21 assists, on Monday with the com Spanish football legend Morant both had double his 36th tripledouble of the petition organiser wanting Andres Iniesta celebrated his doubles as host Memphis 37th birthday on Tuesday by season, passing Oscar Ro clinched a berth in the West waivers to allow media, signing a contract extension bertson’s career mark. It ern Conference playin tour sponsors and guests to fly that will keep him at J was his fifth tripledouble in nament by beating New Or in without having to qua League side Vissel Kobe for a row and his 18th in his past leans. rantine, people familiar 21 games. with the talks told The As two more years. The former Kelan Martin scored 25 Stephen Curry scored 36 sociated Press. Barcelona midfield maestro points off the bench to lead points, including a goahead UEFA has given the Brit joined Kobe in 2018 in a deal shorthanded Indiana past 3pointer with 14.5 seconds ish government until Tues worth a reported $30 million host Cleveland and closer to a year and recently recovered remaining, as Golden State day to decide whether a berth in the Eastern Con from a serious thigh injury. AFP upended Utah in San Fran authorities can offer all of ference playin tournament. cisco. The game ended not the travel waivers re The results: Atlanta 125 bt long after the Warriors’ spot quired. If not, UEFA will Washington 124; Indiana 111 bt in the postseason playin Cleveland 102; Memphis 115 bt consider taking the final to tournament was secured New Orleans 110; San Antonio Portugal just like last sea when New Orleans Pelicans 146 bt Milwaukee 125; Golden son. Porto’s stadium is one lost to Memphis Grizzlies. State 119 bt Utah 116; Portland of the backup options to DeMar DeRozan poured 140 bt Houston 129. play this season’s final. Harikrishna readying for Sochi WC Says whoever stays mentally tough will play better Ibra to miss at least two Milan games with injury ROME CHESS Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be out V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM for at least two matches with HYDERABAD a knee injury, just a month before the start of Euro 2020, For someone known for AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli making the best moves said on Tuesday. The Swede, against the toughest oppo who returned to international nents on the 64 squares, GM football in March after a P. Harikrishna is enjoying fiveyear absence, suffered being ‘cornered’ by a new the injury during Milan’s 30 member in his family — victory over topfour rival threemonthold daughter Juventus at the weekend. AFP Maya. “It has been a fabulous time no doubt. Obviously, Nagal stuns chess took a back seat for the last few months as we (he Kudla and wife, former Serbian chess player Nadezda Stoja Sports Bureau novic) are busy taking care Sporting couple: P. Harikrishna is using the lockdown period Heilbronn (Germany) of our new family member,” to train with wife Nadezda Stojanovic. * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Sumit Nagal beat sixth seed Harikrishna said in a chat Denis Kudla of USA 75, 16, with The Hindu from because of family commit the World Cup,” he said. 61 to move into the second Prague, his second home ments but real, serious prac “There are more benefits round of the €88,620 Chal now. tice will begin very soon as training and competing on lenger tennis tournament “The last event I compet like anyone I have to be rea the boards,” he said. here. However, Prajnesh ed was the Tata Steel and I dy as and when the compet Hari, who will be playing Gunneswaran lost to Italy’s was happy with my perfor itive circuit begins, hopeful in his eighth World Cup with Alessandro Giannessi 76 mance having drawn against ly, with the pandemic fading his two previous best perfor (4), 61 in his opening the likes of Magnus Carlsen, away,” said the 35yearold. mances being making it to match. Fabiano Caruana. “Life has been really the last 32 stage, believes Ramkumar Ramanath “So essentially, my focus tough as there is complete that the pandemic is a real an, who won two qualify will be the next World Cup lockdown again here test of character for ing rounds in the €44,820 scheduled in Sochi (Russia) (Prague). But it is inevitable. everyone. Zagreb Challenger on his this July,” said the former There are positives too “Whoever stays mentally return to the circuit after a World junior champion. “As like being with the family. tough, understands the sixweek break, was beaten things stand, it is still on and Luckily, since Nadezda is a ground reality better and 64, 60 in the first round of hope it remains so,” he chess player it is handy continues to be focused on the main draw by fellow added. though I prefer to have on what he has to do will play qualifier Sebastian Baez of “It is not that I was com board training with my se better chess,” Hari conclud Argentina. pletely away from the sport conds, especially ahead of ed. CM A ND-NDE YK