EXCLUSIVE BANGLADESH FOREIGN MINISTER ADMITS... CRIME TECH-SAVVY TEENS YES, INDIA HELPED NAB MUJIB KILLER TERRORISE SCHOOLGIRLS

ZOOM’S INDIA HEAD WARNING USERS AGAINST US WAS UNFORTUNATE

EXCLUSIVE BEN STOKES: BAFFLED HOW VIRAT, ROHIT PLAYED AGAINST US MODI’S GREAT GAMBLE No free lunches in the biggest reforms

PLUS CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISER KRISHNAMURTHY SUBRAMANIAN OUT OF THE BOX IDEAS ON THE TABLE, TOO P. CHIDAMBARAM FORMER FINANCE MINISTER THIS GOVT IS OPPORTUNISTIC D. SUBBARAO, EX-RBI CHIEF CRISIS THE RIGHT TIME FOR REFORMS VOL. 38 NO. 22 THE WEEK MAY 31 2020

FOR THE WEEK MAY 25 - MAY 31 12 52 63 SALIL BERA SALIL GETTY IMAGES SPECIAL REPORT EXCLUSIVE @LEISURE India takes a big step in repairing ties In his new book, cricketer Ben Stokes With auditoriums and theatres with Bangladesh by helping it nab remembers his World Cup journey. closed, artistes are embracing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s killers Plus: Excerpts from the book online platforms

18 CRIME 32 COVER STORY The Bois Locker COLUMNS Room case highlights 9 POWER POINT the need to give teeth Sachidananda Murthy to Indian cyberlaw 27 FORTHWRITE 22 GENE MUTATION Meenakshi Lekhi New variants of the novel coronavirus 46 DETOUR may hamper efforts Shobhaa De to create a vaccine 55 SOUND BITE Anita Pratap 28 KERALA The success of the 57 SCHIZO-NATION fight against Covid-19 Anuja Chauhan is also the success of women empow- 74 LAST WORD Shashi Tharoor CRISIS MANAGEMENT erment and welfare measure GETTY IMAGES Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman 50 BUSINESS till October: Prem Singh New users were using Tamang, Sikkim chief TOUGH LOVE Zoom in an unse- minister The government offers not cash, but a fighting chance. cured way: Sameer Indians are expected to take that chance and make things Raje, India head, 58 PHOTO-FEATURE Zoom happen, and thereby become self-reliant. THE WEEK takes With no customers, sad- a closer look at the grand plan and its possible risks 56 INTERVIEW dle horses survive on No entry for tourists the kindness of a few

Plus COVER IMAGING BINESH SREEDHARAN ◆ Voices: Krishnamurthy Subramanian, chief economic Printed at Malayala Manorama Press, Kottayam, Print House India Pvt adviser; P. Chidambaram, former Union finance Ltd, Mumbai, M P Printers, Noida, and Rajhans Enterprises, Bengaluru, minister; D. Subbarao, former RBI governor and published from Manorama Buildings, Panampilly Nagar, Kochi-682 036, by Jacob Mathew, on behalf of the Malayala Manorama Co.Ltd., ◆ What do the reforms in space and defence mean? Kottayam-686 001. Editor Philip Mathew • Focus/Infocus features are paid marketing/PR initiatives ◆ The challenge for banks

2 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 3 LETTERS

e Centre’s special e government should China, the lockdown families back home by Editor Philip Mathew nancial packages, also bring investment was only in Wuhan, hanging on to their jobs. Chief Associate Editor & Director Riyad Mathew announced by Union in backward and tribal and there were very few K.V. Prasad, Editor-in-Charge V.S. Jayaschandran Senior News Editor Stanley Thomas nance minister, are areas, as that will help restrictions in other On email. News Editor Lukose Mathew a welcome move. It create jobs. places in the country. In Deputy News Editors Mathew T. George, Maijo Abraham, Ajish P. Joy covers all segments of Also, this is the the US, severe lockdown Smart police Resident Editor, Delhi K.S. Sachidananda Murthy society, like the middle- occasion for the was in place only in e Covid-19 crisis has Chief of Bureau, Delhi R. Prasannan class, farmers, migrants, government to make sure some states. transformed policing Chief of Bureau, Mumbai Dnyanesh V. Jathar corporate and so on. that slums do not exist in It is a matter of pride priorities across India. Deputy Chief of Bureau, Delhi Neeru Bhatia Chief Subeditors Susamma Kurian, Further, it aims to revive India, as the condition that Indians, by and Across the country Navin J. Antony the small and medium there is extremely large, behaved very police are becoming Senior Subeditors Anirudha Karindalam, Anirudh Madhavan scale industries. It should unhealthy. Respective responsibly during the people-friendly. But, Subeditors Diya Mathew, Karthik Ravindranath, be accepted by all that state governments, with lockdown. in the initial few days Reuben Joe Joseph, Nirmal Jovial the Centre’s approach the help of the Central Tanushri Nagori, of the lockdown, some On email. SENIOR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS PRINCIPAL CORRESPONDENTS is reasonable and government, should policemen had taken Delhi: Rekha Dixit, Mandira Nayar, Hyderabad: Rahul Devulapalli constructive. relocate people from law into their hands and Namrata Biji Ahuja, Soni Mishra, Kochi: Anjuly Mathai I hope all state slums to special housing were seen mercilessly K. Sunil Thomas Take care Srinagar: Tariq Ahmad Bhat SENIOR CORRESPONDENTS governments will act projects near their current Migrants have no option beating people who had Lucknow: Puja Awasthi Bengaluru: Mini P. Thomas, Kolkata: Rabi Banerjee with responsibility, homes. but to leave, but their unknowingly come out Abhinav Singh Delhi: Sneha Bhura On right direction using the relief package Tigin omas, mass movement to on the streets (‘ e force SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS Mumbai: Priyanka Bhadani, Delhi: Pratul Sharma, Namita Kohli, Pooja Biraia Jaiswal e government of India should do everything to solve problems faced On email. their home states will awakens’, May 17). Pradip R. Sagar possible to revive the economy and help by various sections of have serious economic It is mostly the Bengaluru: Prathima Nandakumar Thiruvananthapuram: Cithara Paul CHIEF REPORTER businesses in such distressed times. e society, and desist from e lockdown in India implications (‘Rites constables that are Mumbai: Nachiket Kelkar UAE: Raju Mathew, Dubai economic stimulus package, announced by playing petty politics. has continued for more of return’, May 17). sweating it out on the Chennai Lakshmi Subramanian Bhopal: Sravani Sarkar Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, V.S. Ganeshan, than 60 days, and we ese workers cannot streets, and it would be Ahmedabad: Nandini Gunavantrai Oza has already infused positive sentiment in the On email. are doing everything stay in their home better if ocers also Photo Editor: Sanjoy Ghosh Art Editor: Jayakrishnan M.T. industry, and it will keep us going (‘Pay and possible to contain the states for long and will joined them. In some Deputy Photo Editors Assistant Art Editor: Binesh Sreedharan win’, May 17). A blend of scal stimulus disease. Now, the time have to return to their states, police even Bhanu Prakash Chandra, Salil Bera Senior Infographic

Businesses should not only refound, but and nancial sector has come to gradually workplace sooner rather organised birthday Chief Photographers Designer: Sreemanikandan S. Delhi: Arvind Jain, Sanjay Ahlawat Illustrator: B. Bhaskaran also adapt to the changes that have been reforms are needed open the economy. than later. parties for children. Mumbai: Janak Bhat, Amey Suhas Mansabdar Layout Artist: B. Manojkumar brought about by this mighty crisis that we are to pick up investment No country can go on ere are some wise ere was an instance Photographer Designers: Deni Lal, Job P.K. facing today. e move by the government, and consumption in permanent lockdown migrants who are where Delhi Police paid Delhi: Aayush Goel Graphic Designer: Syam Krishnan Chief Picture Coordinator Artists: Rajesh A.S., Sumesh C.N., on reducing reliance on China by promoting India. e onus is on mode. Restrictions should staying put at the place siren tribute to Gurdwara Bimal Nath C. Sujesh K., Ajeesh Kumar M., Jairaj T.G. local industry is very smart, and will be richly the government to continue in hotspots, but where they are working. Bangla Sahib, which has Research: Jomy M. Joseph Senior Researcher: Rani G.S. rewarded in the days to come. ere remains fast-track investment there has to considerable is crisis will end soon, been feeding people Photo Archivist: Deepak Joy T. so much potential for Make in India, and we clearances, as that has relaxations in other or so they believe. Less every day during the THEWEEK.IN should capitalise on it even more when we always been a problem places. emotional, they do not lockdown. Way to go! New Media Coordinator Neeraj Krishnan come out of the pandemic. for India. Red tape is ere is no other want to lose their jobs Atul Yadav, Deputy New Media Coordinator Sarath Ramesh Kuniyl Tapesh Nagpal, what foreign investors country, as large as India, and want to help their On email. Senior Subeditors Hazeeda Vijayakumar, Sumitra Nair, Vaisakh E. Hari, Ancy K. Sunny, On email. hate the most, and the that went into a complete Jose K. George, Justin Paul George government should end lockdown for close to Subeditors Vinod V.K., Anita Babu, Varun Ramesh Balan such a regressive system. two months. Even in Time to adjust will have to adjust Senior Researcher Saju C. Daniel It is the best time for to it. e admission Multimedia Rahul J. Mohan, Vipin Das P. educational institutions process in colleges is Executive Director George Jacob to change with cumbersome, and it Vice President, Marketing, Advertising Sales Varghese Chandy SUBSCRIPTIONS/CUSTOMER CARE CIRCULATION Hyderabad: BUREAU ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE EDITORIAL innovative technology takes so much time. For all subscription related inquiries Bengaluru: 040-23314168/23324692 Bengaluru: Manorama Buildings, P.B. No. 26, Manorama Buildings, Vice President, Circulation M. Rajagopalan Nair please write, email or fax to 080-22247735/22247736 Kolkata: 033- 24198233 080-22867345, 22867050 Kottayam 686001, Kerala, India. P.B. No. 4278, Panampilly Nagar, because of the Covid-19 ese things can always Senior General Manager, Sales Hari M. Varrier Senior Manager, Circulation, Bhopal: 0755-2557937 Kottayam: 0481-2563646 Kolkata: 033-24556995, Tel: 0481-2563646 Kochi 682036, Kerala, India. MUMBAI 24198344, ext.216 Manorama Buildings, Lucknow: 0522-2341576 REGIONAL CO-ORDINATING threat (‘Syllabus for be done online, as it is Resident Chief General Manager Shree Kumar Menon Chandigarh: 0172-2724699 Chennai: 044-66918500 [email protected] PB No. 4278, Panampilly Nagar, Mumbai: 022-24901331, OFFICE CHENNAI Kochi - 682036. Kerala Chennai: 39495969 Delhi: 011-23354920 Tej Building, 1st Floor, Bahadur http://www.theweek.in survival’, May 17). more convenient that Hyderabad: Regional Chief General Manager K.C. Suresh Email: [email protected] 044-66918530/31 Patna: 0612-2233809 Shah Zafar Marg, Online classes are way. Coimbatore: 040-23314168, 23324692 New Delhi 110 002. +91 484-4447888 BENGALURU Toll free no.: 18001035981 Jaipur: Mumbai: 022-22074604, Cochin: 0484-4447507 0422-2241911/2245470 0141-2368360/4005808 Tel: 011-23354920, 23354921, the way forward and Vyom Prakash, Regional Chief General Manager Ranjit Kurien 22004358 +91 484-2315745 For advertising: +91 98953 95097 Delhi: Thiruvananthapuram: 23359541, 23355801, 23356537 NEW DELHI Bhopal: 0755-2431001 Fax: 43541354 schools and colleges On email. Email: [email protected] 011-23379718, 23379719 0471-2328198 Lucknow: 0522-2701725 Chief Marketing Officer (North) & Head, Special Projects R. Rajmohan TheWeekMag @TheWeekLive TheWeekMag 85 89 99 48 69 4 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 5 APERITIF THE BIG PICTURE

FAITH HAS NO FENCES A devotee offers prayer outside the Makhdoom Sahib in Srinagar. Though the Sufi shrine is shut because of the lock- down, a few faithful have started turning up during Ramzan to pray outside.

PHOTO BY UMER ASIF

6 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 7 APERITIF

POWER POINT SACHIDANANDA MURTHY POINT BLANK MILESTONES Situation Vacant. One post of governor for state of West Bengal. Quali cations MARINE MAN required: 1 Basic reading of Indian hydrographer Vice Admiral e right-leaning reforms Constitution. 2 Ability to respect Vinay Badhwar was awarded the dignity of oce and not shoot mouth 2019 Alexander Dalrymple Award o indiscriminately. 3 Modicum of self of the United Kingdom for his he nal two tranches of Union Finance al allies. But disinvestment became part of political respect in daily life, without fawning “outstanding contribution” to Indian Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announce- vocabulary in UPA period also. Now there are 120 over political hydrography. Badhwar joined the Tments on public sector irked the Bhara- major public sector enterprises of which two dozen masters shamelessly. Indian Navy in 1982. His major tiya Mazdoor Sangh, the country’s largest trade companies generate pro ts of 010,000 crore each. Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress MP, hydrographic surveying works were in union—which is part of the sangh parivar—as they Modi had been cautious in the rst term on on Twitter, after the Trinamool Congress the Gulf of Kutch and the Andaman would throw unionised workers at the mercy of privatisation, preferring to merge banks and pe- government in West Bengal and the governor and Nicobar Islands. private sector wolves. But the decision to restrict troleum companies, as well as sell minority stakes. of the state were engaged in a war of words over the role of government companies in the most sen- Lack of majority in Rajya Sabha is a handicap for

SALIL BERA SALIL the state government’s response to Covid-19 sitive sectors is a vindication of the ruling party’s him as many of the reforms as part of Covid-19 economic pledge since the Jana Sangh days. Indira stimulus package need approval from both houses IPL isn’t a learning school, it’s a nishing Gandhi had used the nationalisation weapon in of Parliament. However, the success of pushing school. It nishes you o as a cricketer. 1969-1977 period to punish through changes in Kashmir ose bits that are missing, like playing spin industrialists who were against through the Rajya Sabha has on drier pitches, it helps you learn that and her. She had nationalised the given him con dence. Now, nishes you o as a cricketer. Nasser Hussain, former England cricketer, entire coal industry which was strategic sectors like space and on the Indian Premier League backing her opponents, and, atomic energy will be opened up, 47 years later, the industry will while the government will have a I am in the business for 25 years, and yet RISING HOPE welcome private players. policy on public sector, restricting I wake up every day and feel like I am a American biotech firm Moderna’s Prime Minister Narendra number of public enterprises in newborn in the business and that’s the only mRNA-1273 vaccine showed positive Modi grew up in the inner dierent sectors to four. As there way I have kept myself going. Teach yourself results in its first human trial against circles of the BJP hearing the are more government companies things, read books, watch content, be it in the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Moderna’s erce opposition of its stalwarts, in the pro table areas of banking, any language. vaccine is among the World Health led by A. B. Vajpayee, to the ills petroleum, power and mining, Karan Johar, lmmaker Organization’s top-eight Covid-19 of nationalisation. He was part either the companies would get vaccine candidates. of manifesto drafting committees which criticised merged or sold, along with 19 identi ed loss-mak- Madam, people need money. DCT—Di- “inecient state capitalism... promoted at the cost ing companies. rect Cash Transfer. Not 155mm numerical of our entrepreneurial class”. ese words were in e Congress and left parties are saying the bombshells on a daily basis. the 1998 manifesto which helped the party win second wave of reforms would help cronies of the Manish Tewari, Congress leader, on Union SANJAY AHLAWAT SANJAY enough votes to form a viable government, and BJP in a big way. Interestingly, through the 1970s to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Just like it takes pressure and immediately Vajpayee pushed for disinvestment. late 1990s, the Jana Sangh and the BJP leaders had announcement of the Centre’s economic heat to create a diamond, package In fact, industries minister Sikander Bhakt threw accused the Congress of using nationalisation and these times have the potential a tantrum as the prime minister directly ordered other economic policies to grow a breed of crony to mould something precious Till the time I am playing the sport, I will dilution of government shares in Maruti Udyog, a capitalists. from dicult circumstances. I be a maniac. It is my responsibility to be public sector company created by Indira Gandhi Apparently, trade unions across the political wish it didn’t take a pandemic at my best, as I am playing for my country, in 1981. In 2002, Vajpayee received a cheque from spectrum are planning protests as the new reform to convince society that we and, if one cannot do that, he or she EASY TRACKING the Japanese partner Suzuki when they gained full is threatening their unionised bases in public sector need to do things dierently. should step away. Researchers at the University control; by 2006, the government did not want a enterprises. Apart from ideological commitments, Lisa Ray, actor Virat Kohli, cricketer of California, San Diego, have single share in India’s most pro table carmaker. Modi is con dent that he can score other goals by developed a cheap, easy-to-use e Jana Sangh’s economic philosophy was shrinking the public sector. It would bring more WORD PLAY system to track the location of shaped by its leaders, a group of right-leaning busi- revenue to government through licences, royalties Researchers have already warned that the forever chemicals will fuel a public health crisis surgical robots inside the human nessmen led by Viren J. Shah, and economy writers and revenue sharing; improve India’s ranking in in the world. Forever chemicals are a class of about 5,000 fluorinated compounds that do body. Many current methods are led by Jay Dubashi. ough Vajpayee could sell the World Bank’s global index of ease-of-doing not break down in the environment or in the human body. These chemicals are used to make expensive and also require exposure half a dozen public sector companies, he could not business; and distract from miseries of the pandem- products that are water- and strain-resistant. A recent study in 34 major US cities showed that to radiation, while the newly-found go the whole hog due to resistance from its region- ic-induced lockdown. traces of forever chemicals were found in the blood of 99 per cent Americans. system does not. ILLUSTRATION BHASKARAN [email protected]

8 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 9 APERITIF PARTY SNACKS

RETIREMENT TIPS Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu has kept himself busy during the lockdown by calling up his friends, acquaintances and notable personalities across the FARMHOUSE DIARIES country. One among them was a retired journalist Congress leader Jitin Prasada has launched an from Hyderabad. After inquiring about his well-being, online initiative to check on the well-being of Naidu gave some advice on how to remain active party workers in Uttar Pradesh. e initiative has post retirement. Valuable tips coming from a 70-year- an apt title—Kaise Hain Aap? (How Are You?). old who is occupying the country’s second highest He is spending the lockdown at his farmhouse constitutional oce. in Shahjahanpur, and has interacted with party workers in 10 districts, inquiring about their well- being and the Covid-19 situation in their areas. When not busy with party activities, Prasada has been giving his seven-year-old son a taste of farm life, including a lesson in changing the tyres of a tractor.

IN A SPOT Political leaders are always in the public eye. It does not take much for them to trend on social media. But, during times like these, it takes even less. Raja Singh, the lone BJP MLA from Telangana, recently attended a close relative’s wedding. ere was another engagement function in his locality and more than a dozen guests there turned out to be Covid-19 positive. Now, the MLA’s pictures from the wedding are being circulated with the fake message that he attended the engagement, which turned out to be a hotspot.

SILENT TROUBLEMAKER Jyotiraditya Scindia and his supporters might have changed sides, but their position seems to be strikingly similar. Two months after joining the BJP, Scindia THE SPIRIT ROUTE supporters were heard saying that they want to see him e Covid-19 crisis has hampered, if not halted, material pursuits. is may well have caused a as Union minister, hopefully, soon. While Scindia was in sudden spurt in spirituality. In any case, government departments are taking the lead in the quest the Congress, his supporters were clamouring for him to for the spiritual by joining hands with gurus. e ministry of housing and urban aairs organised a be made the Madhya Pradesh Congress chief. As always, webinar with Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, while the tribal ministry tied up with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Scindia himself continues to be silent. Detractors point organisation. More departments are exploring the meditation route to help employees deal with the out that the group had quit the Congress craving “dignity”, stress, which will ensure more collaborations with the gurus. but that seems to be eluding them even now. ILLUSTRATIONS JAIRAJ T.G. 10 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 11 SPECIAL REPORT BANGLADESH

21, reportedly without the knowledge of the West Bengal government and its intelligence apparatus. CCTV footage showed a ve-member team picking up Majed in the morning. After extensive interrogation in Del- hi, he was sent to Dhaka. ere are reports that Moslem Uddin, too, has been picked up from West Bengal. By helping Bangladesh nab two of Mujib’s killers when the country cel- ebrates his birth centenary, India has Covert taken a big step in repairing bilateral ties which have come under consid- erable strain after the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and the passing of the Citizenship affair (Amendment) Act. Following Majed’s execution, a By quietly helping Bangladesh Bangladesh cabinet minister said nab the killers of Sheikh Mujibur Prime Minister Narendra Modi com- pleted work left un nished by Indira Rahman, India takes a big step in Gandhi. “e way he handed over repairing strained bilateral ties the two fugitives will be recorded in history,” said the minister. Inter- estingly, India has remained silent BY RABI BANERJEE about the whole process. Majed’s execution, however, has or his neighbours, Ahmed Ali revelation that he was Abdul Majed, come as a rude shock to his family was master moshai, known a retired major in the Bangladesh and friends in Kolkata. “We had no for his pro ciency in English, army. He was wanted in Bangladesh clue about his past. He was a polite Urdu and the Quran. e for the assassination of Sheikh Mu- man who used to pray ve times a Fsoft-spoken 71-year-old used to teach jibur Rahman, revered as the father day,” said Zareena’s brother Na- students in the neighbourhood. He of the nation. He was executed on a zeemuddin Mullick. “A local lawyer also used to lend money, at exorbi- long-pending death warrant on April brought us his proposal around ten tant interest. But he chose to keep it 12. years ago. After meeting him, we private, just like his rented apartment For decades, Bangladesh has been agreed to the marriage, although in Bedford lane, a central Kolkata doggedly pursuing six of its former he was 30 years older than Zareena. locality with a signi cant Muslim military ocers—Captain Abdur My sister never had any complaints presence, where he lived with his Rashid, Major Shariful Haq Dalim, about him.” It was Zareena’s second wife, Zareena, and their 10-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Noor Chowd- marriage as well. Mullick said Zaree- daughter. hury, Lieutenant Colonel Rashed na and her two daughters—she has “A long curtain always covered Chowdhury, Lance Naik Moslem a daughter from her rst marriage, the gate,” said Sa q Ul Rahman, Uddin and Major Abdul Majed—im- too—were in deep trouble. “We have Ali’s landlord. “e door was always plicated in Mujib’s assassination. DAWN OF written to the chief minister for mon- closed. Even I could not go in, al- Majed had been on the radar of DEATH etary help. My sister is bedridden Sheikh though the house was mine. But he intelligence operatives from India and has become mentally unstable,” Mujibur Rah- always paid the rent on time.” and Bangladesh for a while because man, the first he said. Ali, who had been living in Kolkata of his trips to the US to meet his son president of Mullick said Majed was a gen- since 1996, went missing from his from his rst marriage and also for Bangladesh, tleman, but he used to get irritated house on February 21. Two weeks his frequent telephone conversations was killed when asked about his past. “He later came reports about his arrest with his tainted colleagues. in a military looked like someone with a military coup in 1975 in Bangladesh and the shocking e sleuths moved in on February GETTY IMAGES background,” said Mullick. Majed,

12 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 13 SPECIAL REPORT BANGLADESH

who had always kept a low pro le, losing his job as Bangladesh’s quently, the ocers decided not Rashed, Majed and Moslem A HIDDEN LIFE started getting noticed after he defence attache to Libya, he ed Abdul Majed (inset), who was to take any chances and shot him Uddin, the rest of the conspira- played an active role in the anti-CAA to ailand. From there, he found convicted and executed for and most of his family members.” tors were captured and executed protests. He had also established his way to Kolkata, which was, by killing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, e entire operation was between 2000 and 2010. Majed’s himself as a committed worker of the then, a well-established refuge for lived in Kolkata’s Bedford lane planned by Rashid and Major execution and Moslem Uddin’s Trinamool Congress. exiled Bangladeshis. When Hasina for more than two decades Farooq Rahman. Apart from the reported capture have spurred Majed was on good terms with the lost the elections in 2001 to Begum military angle, the assassination, Bangladesh missions abroad to CPI(M) as well. He moved to Kolk- Khaleda Zia, Majed briey went which took place on the morning nab the remaining four. ata in 1996, after Mujib’s daughter back to Bangladesh. He stopped of August 15, 1975, also involved Speaking exclusively with THE Sheikh Hasina came to power in going after Zia was voted out of political and diplomatic opera- WEEK, Bangladesh’s Minister for Bangladesh. At the time, the CPI(M) power in 2006. tions. Awami League MP A.K.M. Liberation War Aairs A.K.M. reigned supreme in West Bengal. He Like Majed, Moslem Uddin, Rahmatullah, who was a student Mozammel Haque said Majed even managed to get a ration card too, had sought refuge in India. leader at the time, said Mujib’s could be executed only because of in the below poverty line category. While Majed chose the slums of cabinet colleagues like Khonda- India’s help. “Moslem Uddin is in He switched his allegiance to the Kolkata, Moslem Uddin went to ker Mostaq Ahmad, who became Indian custody, and his identity is Trinamool Congress after Mamata a border village in the North 24 president for a brief period after being veri ed. Noor is sheltered by Banerjee came to power in 2011. “In Parganas district where he worked the assassination, helped the Canada and Rashed by the US.” He the past decade, he got everything, as a quack and ran a pharmacy. military. Army vice chief General said the remaining two—Rashid thanks to the local leadership of the According to sources, Majed gave Ziaur Rahman—Begum Khaleda and Dalim—could be in India or Trinamool Congress,” said Sajjad up Moslem Uddin’s whereabouts Zia’s husband, who was president Pakistan. Hossain, a local trader. during interrogation. Bangladesh from 1977 to 1981—too, joined the Dalim had served at several When Majed came to Kolkata, he has con rmed that his identity is plot because he was mied with Bangladeshi missions in the was forced to stay in one the most being veri ed and he, too, could the elevation of his junior ocer Middle East. When Bangladesh backward areas of Kolkata, where the soon face the death penalty. K.M. Sha ullah as army chief. e established diplomatic ties with streets were always full of garbage. Mujib was only 55 when he United States also allegedly played Pakistan, Rashid was posted there. “Only poor Muslims from Bihar used was assassinated. A retired army a key role, with CIA station chief Now retired, he runs businesses in to stay there. Today, things have ocer said the rebel ocers were Philip Cherry being kept in the Kenya, but he reportedly stays in changed, but the area is still known initially not keen on killing the loop by the army. Pakistan. Dalim, who runs petrole- as a settlement of impoverished president. “He was given multiple e army was out on the streets um businesses in many countries, people,” said social activist Shansha options to save his life, including a by late night on August 14, but too, lives in Pakistan, according to Jahangir. chance to resign,” the ocer said. nobody was bothered because intelligence reports. Majed was forced to endure such “But being a mass leader, he chose Mujib had declared a national Haque said Mujib’s assassina- indignity after Hasina decided to to ght back. He threatened to call emergency to counter the demon- tion was an international conspir- hunt down her father’s killers. After the Indian prime minister. Subse- strations organised by extreme left acy orchestrated by Islamabad. groups against the government’s “All those ocers were trained handling of the famine of 1974. in Pakistan and had links with Many observers feel that Mujib’s Pakistan army institutes,” he said. idea to go ahead with a one-party “Pakistan had a direct role in the system was a major reason behind assassination of the father of our We had no clue about his (Abdul the army’s decision to remove nation. And, they had the support Majed’s) past. A local lawyer him. Rashid told the marching of many western countries.” Hasi- brought us his proposal around soldiers that the army and the top na has written to President Donald ten years ago. After meeting political brass wanted to nish the Trump and Prime Minister Justin “autocratic regime”. Trudeau for their support in ex- him, we agreed to the marriage, It was Noor who red the bullets traditing Rashed and Noor. While although he was 30 years older that killed Mujib. He was later Noor’s case is going on in Canada’s than Zareena. My sister never made lieutenant colonel and was immigration court, the US has so had any complaints about him. posted abroad as high commis- far refused to hand over Rashed. Nazeemuddin Mullick, Majed’s brother-in-law sioner to Hong Kong and ambas- Noor leads a lonely life with his sador to France. He now lives in wife, after having stopped inter- Toronto under the protection of acting with the local Bangladeshi the Canadian government. community. “During a function

SALIL BERA SALIL Barring Rashid, Dalim, Noor, ve years ago, one man walked

14 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 15 SPECIAL REPORT BANGLADESH

A/I have spoken to authorities in many up to him and slapped him several countries, including the foreign ministers times. He stopped socialising after of the US and Canada for the smooth that incident,” said Sajjad Rahman of handover of the two prime convicts. Our the Canadian Bangladesh Centre. prime minister wrote to both heads of Noor refused to respond to THE state. But the outcome, unfortunately, WEEK’s queries. His lawyer Barbara has not been satisfactory. Jackman said Noor wanted to be left Q/One of the convicts was recently alone. “He is very much saddened. captured in India and handed over He does not want to be disturbed,” INTERVIEW to you, which resulted in his swift she said. Noor’s extradition battle execution. has aected diplomatic relations A.K. Abdul Momen, A/We were very lucky that India between Canada and Bangladesh. “I foreign minister, Bangladesh responded to our application with firm am ghting in the court on his behalf. and positive action. India knows Mujibur So, please do not ask me to reveal the Rahman and because of Prime Minister details. It might jeopardise his case,” Modi we could get this man, who was said Jackman. We thank Prime Minister later brought to justice by the Bangla- desh judiciary. Rashed, however, travels across the US to take care of his business Modi for handing over Q/One more convict is said to be in interests and is said to be close to custody. several key politicians. Trump wrote Mujib’s killer A/I have heard that Lance Naik Moslem to Hasina in April to wish her on Uddin has been captured as well. But Mujib’s birth centenary and called BY RABI BANERJEE his identity is yet to be verified. Both the former president a global icon, countries are working on that. but he has so far refused to respond AS HIS COUNTRY’S top diplomat, A.K. seeking their extradition. India has been favourably to the extradition request. Abdul Momen handles the extradition one such country. Two of the fugitives Q/How do you look at India’s coopera- “We can understand Pakistan’s of the assassins of Sheikh Mujibur are in the US and Canada. tion on the issue? lack of commitment, but we have Rahman, who is revered as the father A/Prime Minister Modi is very assertive of the nation. Momen scored a success failed to understand the role being Q/Are you talking about Noor and has supported us a lot in handing on this front recently with the arrest Chowdhury and Rashed Chowdhury? over major Bangladeshi criminals. We played by the US and Canada,” said and execution of Abdul Majed, a former A/Yes. We are trying to bring them back have also ensured that Bangladeshi ter- Haque. “What would have been their Bangladesh army officer who was hiding as they have been convicted by a court ritory is never used to promote anti-India reaction if we sheltered the assas- in India. In an exclusive interview with HOME TURNED HELL of law in our country. activities. The Indian government’s help sin of an American president or a The house in Dhanmondi, THE WEEK, Momen spoke about Bang- in this regard is paramount to the safety Canadian prime minister? eir logic Dhaka, where Sheikh ladesh’s efforts to nab the fugitives. He Q/What did the US and Canadian and security of Bangladesh. is that death sentences are inhuman. Mujibur Rahman was also thanked Prime Minister Narendra governments tell you? Modi for India’s cooperation in the Q/Barring the two convicts in the US But what about the murder of a head BERA SALIL assassinated A/Both countries have come out with process. Excerpts: lame excuses. They say because of and Canada, are you sure the rest are the death sentence awarded, the two in India? Q/Bangladesh seems to be in a hurry of state? Western leaders refuse to fugitives cannot be extradited. Both A/I have no idea. But we are sure that if to arrest and execute the remaining they are in India, the Indian government see what these people did and how countries are our close friends and we killers of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. have strong business ties with them. will hand them over to us. We will defi- they killed the entire rst family of A/This year marks the 100th birth anni- But we cannot accept their response on nitely get them today or tomorrow. Mujib’s killers are the most our nation, except for two people.” versary of Mujibur Rahman. So we have such an emotive issue. hated people in Bangladesh. With one retired ocer getting taken an oath to find the remaining six Q/How was your experience working executed and ve more in the line, who are hiding in different countries Q/How do you know that they are in with Mujibur Rahman? There is no hue and cry over there have been some concerns in and bring them to justice. the US and Canada? A/I travelled with him to West Pakistan the hanging of his murderers. Bangladesh about the army’s re- A/Our missions abroad have been [in 1970] for the round-table conference sponse. Information Minister Hassan Q/Why do you say they are self- activated to find these people. These [after which he was arrested]. I used We are confident that we proclaimed killers? will be able to bring all those Mahmud said the country was united people were posted as diplomats in to look after his day-to-day paperwork. on the issue. “Mujib’s killers are the A/They confessed to their crimes soon different countries. Our diplomatic mis- After independence, I served him in dif- after the killing. The people of Bangla- ferent ministries as a senior bureaucrat. criminals to justice. most hated people in Bangladesh,” sions got in touch with the respective desh, India and the entire world know it. countries and gave us reports about I found him to be extremely committed. Hassan Mahmud, information minister, Bangladesh he said. “ere is no hue and cry over these people staying there. Both the US the hanging of his murderers. We Q/What steps have you taken so far? and Canada have accepted the facts. Q/Now you work with his daughter. are con dent that we will be able to A/We have written to the countries A/Both father and daughter have big bring all those criminals to justice.” where we believe they are in hiding, Q/What initiatives have you taken? hearts.

16 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 17 SOCIETY CRIME

talk, especially about one’s sexual conquests, in closed-door spaces of schools, colleges, oces and so on. e Bois Locker Room case, which erupted on May 5, highlights how this culture of boasting plays out in Virtual, vile the most insidious ways when it is transposed to the unfettered world e Bois Locker Room case highlights the of social media. A private chat group on Instagram, formed by a group of need to give teeth to Indian cyberlaw bored, well-o schoolboys in Delhi, has brought to the fore a viscous BY SNEHA BHURA web of cyber criminality among minors who struggle to control their impulses for quick thrills and a sense icha Sharma says it was photos of underage girls with deeply of power. Fake pro les, stalking, just a “thinking” picture of misogynistic remarks, some even bullying, blackmailing, morphing her sitting, lost in thought, vindicating sexual assault. “I shared images, sexting, dating aggression, with her nger on her lips. the news as a way to create aware- revenge porn, gang-violence, cy- RBut the 17-year-old from Bengaluru ness,” says Richa, whose father is a ber-suicide—just this one case has could not have imagined that the manager in a multinational compa- come to represent the toxic cocktail stranger she briey interacted with ny. “e next day, when the list of of discontent in the private lives of on Instagram would morph it into members of the locker room came modern Indian teenagers, clueless the horror show it later became. out, I saw the same boy’s name about netiquette and cybersecurity. In early April, Richa got a message [come up] as an admin. at is when “e Bois Locker room incident is on her pro le from a Delhi boy her I panicked.” just the tip of the iceberg,” says Pavan age. She did not suspect anything Richa, an only child, does not want Duggal, a cyberlaw expert. “ere shy; he had a respectable-looking to take legal action or even tell her are hundreds of cases of misuse pro le, she says. Richa has been run- parents. ey do not know about available on various platforms that ning a YouTube channel on teenage service providers know of, but have dilemmas and she assumed the boy not yet been reported.” Pointing out was a follower. Moving on from small the inadequacy of the current pro- talk, the boy urged Richa to send him visions of the Information Technol- a nude picture. Taken aback, Richa There are hundreds ogy Act, 2000, and also those of the said no and ignored the alarming of cases of misuse Indecent Representation of Women request. Fed up with her resistance, available on various (Prohibition) Act to deal with cases the boy, says Richa, pulled out the her YouTube channel. “I cannot talk platforms that of cyber-bullying, Duggal says no “thinking” picture from her pro le about these things with my parents,” service providers speci c law on these issues is being and foisted her face on a nude body. she says. “ey are not very support- contemplated. “e Indian cyberlaw He then sent her the photo. “e last ive. ey will just ask me to wear full know of, but was amended 12 years back,” he says. message I sent him was me saying he clothes or sit at home quietly.” have not yet been “Since then, there have been massive could do whatever he wanted,” she So, she got more information on reported. developments in technology, which says. “I never sent him anything from the boy from an ethical hacker, but —Pavan Duggal, cyberlaw expert necessitate that the law be updated my side. Why should I have been has not decided what to do with it. to make it topical and relevant.” scared?” “At least in Delhi, this is happening in In the same week the Bois Lock- e next day, on a story she posted private chat rooms,” she says. “In my er-room talk” gained attention was er Room incident came to light, a on her pro le, the same boy trolled (Bengaluru) school, every day I hear in 2016, when then Republican 17-year-old boy jumped o the 11th her with obscene Hindi slang. Richa someone come and tell me how they presidential nominee Donald Trump oor of his apartment building in ignored it. en, one Sunday, Richa were inappropriately touched by apologised for bragging about Gurugram. A girl had reportedly saw the ‘Bois Locker Room’ incident boys outside, during the lunch break. groping women, saying it was “lock- accused him, on social media, of trending on social media. A group And there are cops stationed around er-room talk”. molesting her two years ago. Mum- of boys from upscale Delhi schools our girls’ school.” Most people have been subjected bai-based cybercrime investigator

had allegedly shared, on Instagram, JOB P.K. ILLUSTRATIONS e last time the phrase “lock- to snatches of crude, vulgar, extreme Ritesh Bhatia talks about a case

18 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 19 SOCIETY CRIME

where four boys from a well-known “Let me tell you, this is happening international school in Mumbai across the board,” she says. “Minors ganged up against another boy—who are sharing horrifying content on so- was also their friend—to shame him cial media and on WhatsApp. ere in a private chat group on Instagram is no economic, cultural, religious, in April. e four boys found their gender or state divide. Boys are friend to be a “sissy”; they did not like equally bullied. Vulnerabilities are his “lady-like, eeminate” conduct higher with illiteracy and [among] on TikTok videos and in Instagram rst-generation internet learners. pictures. In the chat group, they Gaming platforms are the worst-hit; would objectify his body parts. you are threatened with death there e boy took screenshots of their because you just cannot play.” unsavoury conversations, showed When Sarah (name changed) from them to his mother and then posted Delhi saw how the Bois Locker Room them on social media. e four boys, case exploded, she came out with her in turn, got cyber-bullied by a lot of own story. A year ago, the 18-year- people. “Do not make social me- old from a prominent Delhi school dia a court,” says Bhatia. “is boy, became the target of a ‘girls’ locker without informing anyone, put out room’. While one would expect the everything on Instagram. e boys’ participants of such a group to direct parents should have been contacted their puerile remarks at men, this rst. e principal suspended the chat group was formed only to bully four boys after receiving complaints Sarah. While the trigger for creating against them. But the new fashion is this group sounds like a plot from to take everything online. is is not an asinine American teen comedy a platform to seek justice. Only when involving mean girls and ex-boy- other platforms are not working friends, the obscene dissection of her should you name and shame.” Instagram pictures and stories, apart Bhatia strongly believes that the from physical threats in clubs, drove teens are only aping adults. “Aren’t Sarah to the therapist’s couch. “ere we constantly trolling women jour- were 15 other girls when this group nalists, vocal actresses and minority started, but six of them were more women with death and rape threats? active,” she says. “I actually threat- ink about how (environmental ened them with a case. After this, I activist) Greta unberg gets trolled,” was not in a good place mentally, so I he says. “What has the government slashed my wrists.” done to take on these trolls? All the Sarah, the only child of a real-es- parents who troll others, now it is covered under the existing provisions have everything sorted and they do tate developer in Delhi, was hospital- passing down to their children.” of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. India not like any adult interference. But ised after the suicide attempt. “Back He adds that there has to be a has failed to get a single conviction they are just not aware of the legal then, the cops came to my house,” way to instil fear of the law in trolls. concerning online trolling. is and psychological consequences of she says. “I even gave a written com- “Teenagers on Instagram follow itself should be a trigger to amend their online behaviour. People do not plaint. Instead, I got a lecture on how celebrities and they see how elders its cyberlaw to not only cover online know that the bully needs more help suicide was illegal. No action was comment and how no action is taken trolling, but also to make it a heinous than anyone else. I can teach my taken against the admin of the girls’ either by the platform or the govern- oence.” child to be empathetic and careful, locker room. Now that same girl has ment,” he says. While the sedition law Says Sonali Patankar, presi- but I am ghting an entire lobby of started a smear campaign against has been used to arguably muzzle dent-founder of the nonpro t Ahaan my friends who are teaching their one of the girls who rst outed these dissent against political leaders, Foundation and Responsible Netism: kids just to do the opposite.” boys from the Bois Locker Room there has been precious little done “With early access to hand-held Patankar, who has worked across c a s e .” to bring online trolls to task. “Online devices, online bullying starts in the schools in Maharashtra to promote Sarah shared the screenshots of trolling is not an oence under the fth grade itself. Our ground research cyber education and online wellness the girls’ locker room on social media IT Act, 2000,” says Duggal. “Also, has shown that these kids are ex- among children and adults, says the only this month. “at was the only online trolling cannot be eectively tremely independent; they seem to lockdown has exacerbated bullying. way I could nd closure,” she says.

20 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 21 COVID-19 GENE MUTATION

impact antibody responses to the Coalition for Epidemic Prepared- ness Innovations (CEPI)-funded While it is normal and anticipated vaccines under their evaluation. for RNA viruses to mutate, the e mutations in the Covid-19 vi- rus are not as frequent or random as SARS-CoV-2 virus has a ‘proof- those in the case of the inuenza vi- reading’ mechanism which limits Mutant menace rus for which vaccines must under- the rate at which it can mutate. go tweaking each year for northern Seshadri Vasan, head, CSIRO’s Dangerous Pathogens Team New variants of Covid-19 virus may and southern hemispheres. Indian Immunologicals Limited, a leading hamper e orts to create a vaccine vaccines manufacturing company joined hands with Grith University BY POOJA BIRAIA JAISWAL of Australia to develop a live atten- spike protein as a vaccine or the provide the best treatment option? uated SARS–CoV-2 vaccine—which whole live-attenuated virus vaccine Goldman says: “We do not have AS COVID19 continues to spread Australia’s national science tics of the virus to nd out signicant is based on a weakened version as in our case.” good treatment for any version of its tentacles across the globe, some agency, Commonwealth Scientic di erences and similarities it shares of virus—for preventive, active, Many laboratories are cooperat- the virus [as of now]. We can hope in scientists are theorising that the and Industrial Research Organi- with other known coronaviruses single-dose immunisation. “We are ing to release their virus genome future to gain this knowledge, but for virus, also dubbed as SARS-CoV-2, sation (CSIRO), further conrmed which caused Severe Acute Res- fully aware that these RNA viruses sequence information to the whole now we need to collect more data is mutating. Understanding these on May 12 that two-thirds of the piratory Syndrome and Middle East have the tendency to mutate,” says community. But the speed of data and relate the mutation data with mutations, which are essentially sequenced strains globally and half Respiratory Syndrome. At the same Dr K. Anand Kumar, managing creation and data release, as well as other information such as trans- small genetic changes or “errors” in of the sequences in Australia and time, as Covid-19 has turned into one director, IIL. “But it is not to a level the excitement to release analysis missibility, severity of symptoms, the entire genome of a virus made up India now have the D614G mutation of the biggest threats to the world of serious concern. is mutation results, allows mistakes to arise, e ectiveness of treatment options of 30,000 letters, is signicant for the which is apparently increasing its economy, the need for testing new happens predominantly in the spike believes Nick Goldman, head of and di erential mortality.” development and evaluation of new representation among newer strains. potential vaccines and therapeutics protein which is used by the virus to research at the European Bioinfor- Dr Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz, diagnostics, drugs and vaccines. But even if a particular strain may for the epidemic is being undertak- gain access into human cells. ere matics Institute. principal investigator, UMR BIPAR According to a study from the be more transmissible, it does not en with a sense of urgency. CSIRO are various types of vaccine man- is brings us to the next obvious (a joint research unit in molecular Los Alamos National Laboratory mean that it will cause a more severe is planning experiments to conrm ufacturers who are using di erent question: Can people be tested for all biology and parasitic immunolo- in New Mexico (that has not yet form of disease, says Seshadri Vasan, whether the D614G mutation will technologies, including puried actionable mutations so that one can gy), France, says that the analysis been peer-reviewed), there exists a head of CSIRO’s Dangerous Patho- of more than 5,300 coronavirus potentially more transmissible or gens Team, that is testing Covid-19 genomes from 62 countries shows contagious strain of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates at the Australian DELVING that SARS-CoV-2 is fairly stable. “e DEEPER virus due to a mutation to the spike Centre for Disease Preparedness, major implication of high mutation Researchers are protein (S protein)—that mediates Geelong. “is virus is still adapting decoding the rates in viruses is that this trait helps virus entry into host cells—called to its new human host,” says Vasan. virus to identify them escape from the immune D614G. As per the study, the muta- “It is expected that, over time, dif- its differences system,” he says. tion Spike D614G is of urgent con- ferent dominant strains will appear and similarities Back home, the CSIR-Central cern. It began spreading in Europe in di erent parts of the world. is to other known Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, in early February. When introduced should not cause undue alarm. While coronaviruses has initiated collaborations with to new regions, it rapidly became it is normal and anticipated for RNA King George’s Medical University, the dominant form. Although the viruses to mutate, the SARS-CoV-2 Lucknow, to sequence the virus observed diversity among the SARS- virus has a ‘proof-reading’ mecha- strains that are from patient samples CoV-2 pandemic sequences is low, nism which limits the rate at which it in Uttar Pradesh. A team has been its rapid global spread provides the can mutate.” put into place for analysing whether virus with ample opportunity for Denis Bauer, team leader, Trans- changes to the viral sequences, if natural selection to act upon rare but formational Bioinformatics, CSIRO any, will impact proposed treatment favourable mutations. e-Health Research Program, also strategies. It is known that at least Spike protein is the main target of backs the view that mutations are a eight di erent variants of the virus antibodies, and many vaccines are normal part of a virus’s evolution and are causing the Covid-19 infection. developed based on it. Mutations do not necessarily have an impact on Initially a few patient samples will in virus may hamper the protection the severity of the disease. be sequenced. Digital and molecu- induced by a vaccine based on one Researchers are investigating the lar surveillance will be carried out

variant of the spike protein. physical and molecular characteris- JAIN ARVIND on the basis of this work.

22 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 23 COVID-19 GENE MUTATION

of Virology in Pune. Till date, over Phylogenetic analysis has shown Gujarat and one from West Bengal 200 2019-nCoV genomes from that the Indian coronavirus isolates fall under this cluster. India have been deposited in public largely cluster into ve clades—A1a, A number of people suggest that databases globally. ese include A2a, A3, B and B4. Most of the Indi- the clades have a di erence in sever- Network support isolates from government agencies an genomes fall in the A superclade, ity, but such claims have not been such as the National Institute of Vi- with a majority encompassing A2a proven. ough some clades are rology, the National Centre for Dis- and A1a clades and a few in A3 predominantly prevalent in some Analysing viral mutations and sharing genomic data are ease Control, the National Institute clade. A2a is a globally predominant locations than in others, there is of Biomedical Genomics, and the clade. e genomes in A3 clade, insucient data to draw conclusions helping researchers better understand the pandemic National Institute of Mental Health which was mostly reported in Iran about the di erences in virulence and Neurosciences. e majority of earlier, are from isolates collected and clinical outcomes of these BY VINOD SCARIA AND BANI JOLLY genomes have been made availa- from Ladakh. clades. More genomes and system- ble through a collaborative e ort e initial genomes from Kerala atic tagging of clinical information FROM A POSSIBLE isolated out- reference point for understanding genomic data, the research network between the National Centre for fell into the B clade, and are from for the genomes would signicantly break in a wet market in Wuhan, the virus and its evolution. Nextstrain has broadly divided Disease Control and the CSIR In- individuals who had travelled from improve our understanding in this China, Covid-19 has become a global Like all organisms, coronavirus the 2019-nCoV genomes into 10 stitute of Genomics and Integrative Wuhan. e recent addition of B4 direction. pandemic a ecting around ve evolves through the accumulation clades: A1a, A2, A2a, A3, A6, A7, B, Biology. e Gujarat Biotechnology clade to the Indian cluster was large- e Covid-19 pandemic has high- million people and killing more than of genetic mutations. Unlike the B1, B2 and B4. e ‘A’ supergroup, Research Centre, a state-sponsored ly through the sequencing e orts lighted the need to share genomic three lakh worldwide. e causative inuenza viruses that cause the or A superclade, are known as the research organisation, has deposit- of Gujarat Biotechnology Research data on a global scale. Researchers organism is a virus that is so small common u, the 2019-nCoV mutates ‘European clade’, since the sequences ed more than 100 genome sequenc- Centre and the National Institute from more than 70 countries have that more than four lakh of its kind at a much slower pace. It is estimated falling under this type originated in es of 2019-nCoV isolates collected of Biomedical Genomics in West made over 30,000 coronavirus can t on the tip of a needle. is that the virus accumulates one mu- European nations. e B superclade from across Gujarat. Bengal. e B4 clade is a sub-type genomes publicly available—one new strain of coronavirus, named as tation approximately every 15 days. is called the ‘East Asian clade’, also e genomes can be compared of the superclade B with potential of the best examples of open data novel coronavirus 2019, or 2019- As the virus replicates and transmits, based on its origins. based on the genetic mutations origins from either East Asia or Oce- initiatives shaping up across the nCoV, has an RNA (ribonucleic acid) mutations get accumulated in its e sequence of the viral genome they have. is comparison can ania. Sequences that belong to the globe. It also highlights the renewed genome of around 30,000 nucleotide genome, thus forming di erent evo- thus provides researchers with an help map out a visual construction B4 clade harbour two distinguishing interest in open source movements bases and belongs to the betacorona- lutionary groups or ‘clades’. opportunity to understand how the of what is known as a phylogenetic mutations in their genomes. e rst for developing better diagnostics virus genus. Sequencing the genome can pro- virus evolves, and more importantly, tree—a family tree of the virus that mutation, L84S, in the gene ORF8 is and novel therapeutics, something e rst genome sequence of vide a view of the genetic mutations how it spread across the world. e depicts how the di erent genome common among all clades of the B that has been rightly emphasised by 2019-nCoV was isolated from a man in a particular strain and how it initial genomes of 2019-nCoV from sequences are related to each other. superclade. e other mutation is World Health Organization direc- employed at the Wuhan market. A compares with the rest of the strains India were obtained from one of Clades can thus be identied on the S202N in the gene that encodes the tor-general Tedros Adhanom. consortium of researchers in China worldwide. Based on information the patients who had travelled from tree as a cluster that shares a com- nucleocapsid protein of the virus. —The authors are researchers at the made the sequence available in the from GISAID, a database hosted by Wuhan to Kerala. e genomes were mon ancestor and descends from In the phylogenetic tree of genomes CSIR Institute of Genomics and public domain; today, it serves as the the German government to share sequenced by the National Institute the same branch. from India, three genomes from Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Delhi.

24 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 25 DEFENCE TOUR OF DUTY FORTHWRITE Three-year hitch MEENAKSHI LEKHI While the Tour of Duty scheme will help the Army cut costs and Short-term service, long-term gain modernise, it may also saddle it with unskilled greenhorns he proposal by the Union government to terrain, understand the enemy, carry out analysis BY PRADIP R. SAGAR Under ToD, the Army plans to struggling with the hefty pension induct civilians into the Army for a three- of threats, get used to daily life and the frequent initially recruit 100 o cers and 1,000 bill, which is US$6 billion more than Tyear tenure is truly a game-changer and gunshots. AKSHAJ PANT, a 20-year-old jawans after six months of training. Pakistan’s entire defence outlay. a far-sighted one. However, it requires detailed ree years is too small a period for someone undergraduate in business It will be “voluntary military service”, Lt Gen (retd) D.B. Shekatkar, who analysis and deliberation. new to make a signicant contribution to service administration, so loved Uri: unlike the conscription in Israel and headed a committee that submitted e idea certainly aims at overcoming decien- and to keep the morale of his men high. Moreover, e Surgical Strike that he began South Korea. e army headquar- a report on military reforms in 2015, cies at various ranks. us augmentation of deplet- his objectives may be short-sighted and his focus dreaming of serving in the Army, at ters is targeting cumulative savings said ToD would have benets that ed manpower would be possible. In addition, this may be more on self (to come out safe and sound least for a brief period. Now the Army of 011,000 crore by hiring jawans goes beyond the armed forces. “Mil- would attract more youth to join the Army, so that in three years) rather than on the critical objective has announced a plan for thousands and o cers under the new scheme. itary needs young people, as we are it becomes a young, lean, mean and e cient ght- to be established in the line of duty. like Pant who want to don the olive “[e savings] could be utilised for already facing a deciency of o cers. ing force. In the Kargil conict, o cers and jawans us, it would be ideal for the Army to take in green. Called Tour of Duty (ToD), the much-needed modernisation of But the bigger advantage will be their with less than three years of service showed exem- three-year recruits, train them in support services, the plan allows those who do not the armed forces,” reads the proposal post-ToD careers. ose cultured and plary maturity and commitment, not hesitating to groom them well, identify the exceptional ones want to become career soldiers to document. disciplined youth will improve the even sacrice themselves for and oer them a three-year serve in the force for three years. “If e headquarters say the cumula- quality of governance if they join the the country. Also, reduction extension. ey can then be given a chance, I would opt for this,” tive cost of pre-commission training, civil services after the Army stint,” in defence pensions, which routed to the ghting units, said Pant. “But I want to pursue a pay and allowances, and packages and Shekatkar told THE WEEK. make up around 30 per cent and the soldier who is now course in management studies from a benets is 06.83 crore for an o cer Industrialist Anand Mahindra said of the defence budget, could well-settled into the ethos of foreign university.” under the short service commission ToD would give recruits an “added be a factor behind the im- the Army, in addition to his Army chief M.M. Naravane said (SSC), which mandates 10 to 14 years advantage” in the workplace they plementation of short-term basic eld work experience, ToD took shape after o cers realised of service. Such expense for a ToD choose after their military stint. “In induction. will be able to contribute to that students were eager to experi- o cer will be lower than 085 lakh. fact, considering the rigid standards ough some western the Army in a more sig- ence the Army life. “When our of- Also, more than half the SSC of selection and training in the Indian countries have a concept nicant manner. e best cers addressed the youth in colleges, o cers are granted permanent Army, the Mahindra Group will be of short-term induction, among them may be oered we got the feeling that they wanted commission. ey serve up to 54 happy to consider their candidature,” comparing India with them an option of another three- to experience Army life, but not as a years and retire with lifelong benets. Mahindra wrote to the Army. would be unfair because of year extension, after which career,” said General Naravane. e defence ministry has long been For aspiring recruits, ToD’s pay the magnitude of challeng- the most suitable soldiers packet, too, will be attractive. A es faced by India on multiple fronts—the most can be oered a permanent commission. is lieutenant in the Army earns around volatile being the dragon factor and the terrorist would ensure that soldiers rst get a solid ground- RARING TO GO 080,000 per month, while the average sanctuary of Pakistan. Nevertheless, countries ing in the Army for a couple of years and those who A potential Army salary package for a fresh graduate like Israel have proved that three years of military choose to stay on will remain in the Army purely recruit gets his chest measured during a from Delhi’s prestigious Shri Ram service is an adequate period, both for individual owing to passion and professional excellence and fitness test in Punjab College of Commerce is below grooming and for the force to genuinely benet hence will go beyond the call of duty. 050,000 per month. ree years of from the jawan’s or o cer’s services. Provision may also be made to give short-term ToD income will be tax-free, too. However, there are a few key factors to consid- recruits quotas in educational institutions for post- Some experts, however, doubt er. e line of work for three-year commissions graduate studies and also for employment oppor- whether ToD recruits would be should initially be towards support and logistic tunities in public sector undertakings. In addition, eective soldiers. “e Army life is services. It would be wise to not put them in the it would be wise to give them an opportunity to exceedingly tough and o cers lead infantry, artillery or armoured units. e respect attend a short-term recruit job fair, represented by from the front,” said Lt Gen (retd) Vi- that an o cer commands from his men would be private companies, giving them suitable opportu- nod Bhatia, who was director general greatly aected when it is known that he is going nities for employment. of military operations. “ose joining to leave them soon. In eld areas, terrorist-in- Young friends, spend at least three years in for three years will not have the physi- fested areas and insurgency-prone areas, it takes the Army and you will keep winning for the rest cal and moral robustness, and will a long time for a soldier to really get a feel of the of your life. have a risk aversion, as they will be ILLUSTRATION BHASKARAN Lekhi is member of Parliament • [email protected]

AFP looking at a career beyond.”

26 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 27 KERALA FIGHTING COVID-19

The female brigade Kerala’s Covid-19 story is one of women power unleashed and the price they pay for it

BY CITHARA PAUL

THE GUARDIAN newspaper recent- doctors in the state health services from Government Medical College, ly called Kerala Health Minister K.K. outnumber the men (65:35) and this iruvananthapuram, that was sent Shailaja the “coronavirus slayer” for has been the trend for nearly two dec- to Kasaragod district, which, at one “saving” the state from Covid-19. e ades. Similarly, the number of female point, had the highest number of interviewer, Laura Spinney, who has medical students in the state is more Covid-19 cases in the country. at written a well-received book on how than double the number of male stu- team helped contain the spread the Spanish Flu changed the world, dents. When it comes to nurses and in Kasaragod. Dr Asha Vijayan of referred to Shailaja as a “rock star”. As paramedics, there is total domination General Hospital, Muvattupuzha, the story went viral across the world, by women. All of them have joined has also had to prioritise the call of Shailaja Teacher, as she is popularly hands in the ght against Covid-19. . her profession over her personal TEAM SPIRIT known, managed to visit her home “We are the ‘penpada’ (women life. “I have not seen my daughters Director of Medical Education in Kannur for a day. She was meeting army) of the state government,” said for weeks together,” said Dr Vijayan. Dr Remla Beevi A. (centre) with her husband and children for the DME Dr Remla Beevi A. “What we “ ey have gone to their grandpar- members of the Covid Cell, rst time in three months. are seeing is the display of women ents as I have Covid-19 duty. As a which monitors all activities in Shailaja is leading thousands of power in its best form.” She heads doctor, I am very clear about my Kerala’s nine medical colleges women who are ghting the virus in the Covid Cell that monitors and priorities.” tors (JHIs), junior public health various capacities. Kerala’s Covid-19 guides all activities in the state’s nine e seless service of doctors like nurses (JPHNs) and ASHA workers story, which is an ideal case of hu- government medical colleges. All the Saritha and Asha has been instru- are tied down by their gendered roles have rented a house near my place of manitarian politics, is also the story members in the Covid Cell, barring mental in keeping the death toll at but are still putting up a brave ght. We are the ‘penpada’ work since February as I have been of its unleashed women power. Dr B. one, are women. just four, despite the fact that the ere are many instances of nurses (women army) of the assigned the task of tracking the Iqbal, who chairs the expert com- DHS Dr Saritha R.L., who did an state is highly prone to the virus and JPHNs who have stopped breast- state government. non-resident Keralites (NoRKs) com- mittee on Covid-19 that advises the exemplary job in ghting the 2018 spread because of the high propor- feeding their babies ever since they ing from abroad,” said Preetha A.M., state government, told THE WEEK Nipah outbreak, has followed that up tion of people above 65 and the high were put on Covid-19 duty. What we are seeing is junior health inspector in Kozhikode. that this is a unique aspect of Kerala’s with the ght against Covid-19. “It population density. President of the K.P. Divya, a nurse at the district the display of women She leaves her seven-year-old daugh- successful resistance against the has been a tough ride,” said Saritha, Kerala Government Medical Ocers hospital in Kasaragod, had to stay power in its best form. ter with neighbours and goes for virus. “From our health minister to who has not visited her family in Association (KGMOA) Dr Joseph away for 28 days (14 days duty and —Dr Remla Beevi A., director of duty. She is responsible for monitor- the ASHA workers (accredited social Kozhikode for three months. “But Chacko acknowledges the state’s 14 days quarantine) from her three- medical education ing six wards in the municipality that health activists) on the ground, they what I am doing is my duty as a doc- female-dominated health service but year-old son. “Whenever I missed has nearly 11,000 people. Her job has are the frontal warriors in this ght,” tor and as DHS. I do not think about adds that many of them are hard- my family during those 28 days, I become tougher as the NoRKs have he said. my gender while taking up responsi- pressed because of family responsi- used to video call them,” said Divya. not know whether to laugh or cry.” started returning to the state and she Apart from the health minister, bilities.” bilities. “Despite all the diculties, “When my kids asked me why I was e JHIs, JPHNs and the ASHA has to monitor them 24/7. both the director of health services ere are many like Saritha who they are doing a commendable job,” not coming home, I told them that I workers, who are the eyes and ears of JPHNs and ASHA workers are (DHS) and the director of medical forget everything else when it comes he said. have keedanu (virus) on me. When I the system in the ght against Cov- dominated by women in other states, education (DME) are women. Out of to duty. Dr Kamala Rammohan is e gender factor becomes more returned from quarantine, they were id-19, are struggling with the sudden too. But the ones in Kerala have a 14 district medical ocers (DMOs) one such person. She was the lone prominent down the ladder. ou- hesitant to come near me suspecting increase in workload. But these foot unique story to tell because the state in the state, 11 are women. Female woman member in the medical team sands of nurses, junior health inspec- that the keedanu was still there. I did soldiers rarely overlook any detail. “I government has been eectively

28 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 29 KERALA FIGHTING COVID-19

I have not seen my daughters for weeks together. As a doctor, I am clear about my priorities. —Dr Asha Vijayan

walk straight into the kitchen and discuss issues. e success story of Kerala’s ght against Covid-19 is also the success story of the Kerala model with its empowered women and strong social indicators.” Commenting on how this ‘femini- sation’ has impacted the system, Dr Iqbal says that women are intrinsi- cally more democratic and practical. “ ey are also good communicators. All these will have a positive eect on the system,” he said. “We have rarely using them for surveillance. Also, it members as “angels of communica- seen women playing such a major is an added advantage that most of tion” to promote the Break e Chain role in protecting a state anywhere them are well educated. “We know campaign. ey were also responsi- in the world. It is something unprec- the localities inside out. Nobody ble for running community kitchens edented and unique,” said Dr A.K. comes in or goes out without getting across the state that ensured that no Jayasree, nodal ocer for Covid-19, noticed,” said Sajitha, who has been one went hungry during lockdown. Pariyaram Medical College in Kan- an ASHA worker in Kozhikode for Equally important has been the nur, which is one of the hotspots. 15 years. She is one of the more than role of women panchayat mem- Athira P.M., activist and lawyer, feels 26,000 ASHA workers in the state bers, who account for nearly 60 per that it is a great thing that women who scan their areas like detectives, cent of the elected representatives have become “more visible” in Kerala ensuring people follow lockdown in the state, another unique feature society. “ at the professional side of and quarantine rules. of Kerala. Every panchayat ward has women is being acknowledged by so- But there have been occasions a sanitation committee comprising ciety is indeed a great achievement. when ASHA workers had to pay a the ward member, JPHN, anganwa- It needs to be properly documented,” price for their vigilance. Sajitha, for di workers and ASHA workers, and she said. instance, was attacked by a group of these committees have been playing For nurse Divya, this newfound For more details, visit youth when she asked them not to an eective role in containing the acknowledgment is elating. “Every- sit in groups during lockdown. Chief spread. In many wards, these com- one nods their head, showing care or www.theweek.in Minister Pinarayi Vijayan spoke out mittees are represented entirely by respect, when I walk by,” she said. “It against disrespecting ASHA workers women. is for the rst time that the contri- in one of his news conferences. “ at “ e access that a woman butions of nurses, JPHNs and ASHA was a great morale booster for ASHA panchayat member has to a house- workers are being recognised this workers like me,” said Sajitha. hold is something a male member way.” According to Dr Jayasree, what Another set of women that has may not have,” said ulasi Teacher, the state is witnessing is a historic been a pillar in this trying time is the president of the Grama Panchayat moment. “Like in many other ways, Kudumbashree, a self-help group of Association. “While the male Kerala’s unique experience with Cov- women. e government has been member may sit in the veranda and id-19 should be a turning point in the using 25 lakh active Kudumbashree discuss things, a female member can history of its women, too,” she said.

30 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 COVER STORY ECONOMY

Selective treatment

THE MODI GOVERNMENT IS PUSHING ITS ECONOMIC AGENDA IN THE COVID-19-INDUCED FINANCIAL CRISIS. IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW THE GOVERNMENT WILL HANDLE THE POLITICAL COST OF THE PANDEMIC

BY PRATUL SHARMA

conomic crises are often host of noted economists like Raghuram Rajan opportunities in disguise. and Abhijit Banerjee still vouch for. In 1991, the balance of e Modi government is betting on infusing payment crisis which liquidity into the system, extending easy loans forced India to pledge to enterprises and preventing them from going its gold reserve to raise bankrupt. e emphasis has been on securing money, set the stage for P.V. the supply side. e message is clear—there Narasimha Rao and Man- are no free lunches for the industry. If there Emohan Singh to initiate reforms to liberalise are hindrances in running a business, the FORWARD the economy. Now the Narendra Modi govern- government will remove it. Even the migrant MARCH ment is using the Covid-19 pandemic-induced labourers and the poor who were hit hard by Prime Minister nancial crisis to push through many held-up the lockdown were provided support through Narendra Modi and Finance reforms to make India “self-reliant”, with less the institutional methods of the Public Distri- Minister Nirmala government control and more privatisation. bution System, the Ujjwala scheme for cooking Sitharaman e package announced by Finance Minister gas and women Jan Dhan accounts. are using the Nirmala Sitharaman revealed that the govern- Ironically, the Atma Nirbhar push has been pandemic- ment had a dierent prescription for the ailing used to dismantle the Nehruvian structures induced financial economy. In almost similar circumstances in of self reliance—the public sector units—and crisis to push 2008-09, prime minister Manmohan Singh amend the Essential Commodities Act 1955, through many held-up reforms focused on creating demand by giving cash which will help deregulate the agriculture

PTI transfers, a method which the Congress and a sector. e government has opened up mining,

32 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 33 COVER STORY ECONOMY

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW aviation, defence, space and evidence than instances in the past. atomic energy sectors for Krishnamurthy Subramanian, That is why, once you are in normal greater private participation. chief economic adviser, government of India times, you put very little probability on the chance of a black swan event. e package, however, fell Conversely, once you are in a black short of the expectations of swan event, you end up putting very the market and the industry, little probability on the chance of nor- which were expecting lib- We can expect malcy returning. That can then lead to eral cash handouts to boost excessive pessimism, like in the times demand. Rating agencies have we are in now. calculated that the direct scal a V-shaped We are in the pandemic, a black swan impact of the package may not event, and it is quite likely that because be more than 1 per cent of the of saliency bias, we may think that we may continue like this for a very long GDP. recovery time. So the economic impact will be “e package is just the rst BY K. SUNIL THOMAS long-drawn, which is actually not the step,” said Pronab Sen, rst case if you look at the Spanish flu which chief statistician of India and occurred 100 years ago and was far Q/The Covid-19 package aims at mid- front to address this? the current chairman of the more devastating. At this point, less to long-term benefits. Why take the A/The highlights of the package are the Standing Committee on Eco- than 1 per cent of the global population tougher path of fundamental restruc- pathbreaking reforms that have been is infected. In contrast, the Spanish flu nomic Statistics. “e package turing of the economy at a time when enabled both on the product markets infected one-third of the population, addresses only part of the most people thought urgent cash and the factor markets. On the product with a mortality rate of 10 per cent, concerns. e focus is on the transfers were the need of the hour? markets, the Agricultural Produce while for Covid-19, it is 3.4 per cent. supply capacity. ere is little Market Committee (APMC) has been A/It was planned [keeping in mind] the The Spanish flu was a far more devas- reformed, together with the Essential on demand side.” effect on employment, which in turn will tating pandemic, yet the recovery was Commodities Act (ECA). The APMC and Former nance secretary have a significant impact on demand. V-shaped. So, by factoring in the possi- the ECA had restricted the small and Subhash Garg said the econ- What we therefore did was [to] provide bility of saliency bias and the resultant marginal farmers from selling what they omy was likely to contract by a comprehensive set of measures for chance of excessive pessimism on the wanted, or store that produce for what- the MSMEs, which account for the one hand, and the evidence from the 5-10 per cent in 2020-21. “e ever period they wanted, because the bulk of employment. By reworking the Spanish flu on the other hand, at this package is unlikely to put the ECA prohibited all storage by equating definition of MSMEs (hiking turnover point we can expect that it should be a economy and businesses back limit to 0100 crore), 99 per cent of the it to hoarding. Past governments have PTI V-shaped recovery. on rail,” he said. “e disrup- firms are now covered (eligible for the all talked about farmers, but have taken tion would take a lot longer to 03 lakh crore credit scheme). In other no tangible steps to benefit the small Q/So you are optimistic. be put behind. e workers’ words, almost 99 per cent of the firms farmer. In that context, in the boldness defaults and simplifying bankruptcy per million. A/Yes. I am an incorrigibly optimistic that provide employment have been of this reform to genuinely benefit the rules. Together, when you look at these But we cannot predict exactly when livelihood crisis is likely to person by nature. persist. e pain will linger covered. By minimising the effects of small farmer, this is a very, very impor- cumulatively, these are significant re- it will end. It will depend on when a tant reform. So far none of the reforms vaccine will come and when its mass longer.” the pandemic on employment, it will forms that will make a big difference to keep up aggregate demand. were benefitting the small and marginal production will start. There is uncer- Q/When it comes to public health e package came just a the cost of doing business in India, and Through the 03 lakh crore automatic farmer. [Finally], that has happened. that is what companies look for. tainty. That will have an impact on the spending, although it is a state sub- while ahead of the second credit—no questions asked and 100 per Second, this will help raise farmers’ economic revival, too. Of course, as ject, what are the changes India can Modi government’s rst look forward to from the economic cent guaranteed by the government, incomes. And when income of 40-45 Q/Do you think India will be spared the economic impact is because of the point of view? anniversary on May 30. And it the subordinated debt scheme and the per cent of the population goes up, the worst compared with other major pandemic itself. A/The finance minister had announced gives a distinct avour to the equity infusion of 050,000 crore, a lot the demand impact will come in the economies? this as part of her stimulus package— economic outlook for the rest of capital flexibility has been provided. medium term. And companies look for A/First, we are a country of 137 crore Q/But if I ask you to make a predic- the viability gap funding for the social of its tenure. Modi 2.0 began These are by far some of the key aspects greater demand to set up shop. In the people, where people live in close tion, would some kind of revival be sector, especially those on the health with pushing its ideological of the short-term measures, where the case of MSME reforms, there was a proximity. It makes social distancing visible by Diwali? impact will come through demand perverse incentive on MSMEs to remain side, will be increased significantly. agenda, with Home Minister . difficult. Considering this, our tally of A/There are two points that I have to small with the earlier definition. That Amit Shah as the charioteer. one lakh cases in more than 100 days is mention when you think of growth pre- Q/‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ aims at has now been changed. It will provide dictions. One, this is a very important Q/From flexible fiscal deficit rules e limping economy was a really creditable. Second, the recovery capitalising local talent and boost- them incentives to grow. These are the rate in India has been far better than behavioural bias that Nobel-winning ac- to other unconventional ideas (there concern even before Covid-19 ing India as a manufacturing hub to key reforms on the product market side. other countries—close to 33 per cent. ademic Daniel Kahneman spoke about were suggestions to print extra hit. e economic challenge, attract businesses leaving China. But On the factor markets, we have Third, the mortality rate has been far in his book Thinking, Fast and Slow. He currency, for example), what are along with the social crisis ‘ease of doing business’ still remains come with land, labour and power lower as a fraction of the population— talks about the saliency bias, where the out-of-the-box ideas you feel are fuelled by the movement of a big stumbling block. What could be reforms, changes in the corporate law, two-and-a-half odd deaths per million, in most of us, if we are not careful, end worth a shot? migrant workers, and chief done on the macroeconomic policy in decriminalisation of Companies Act contrast with Europe’s more than 200 up putting far more weight on recent A/All of them are on the table! ministers from the opposition parties asserting their rights,

34 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 35 COVER STORY ECONOMY

will test Modi in his seventh year in to revive those local industries Delhi, his toughest in power so far. that were taken for granted in the e Covid-19 management era of globalisation,” said Ashwani has brought to the fore the frayed Mahajan, national co-convener of relationship between the Centre, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch. which was powered by the Disaster Management Act, and states. Con- THE LIQUIDITY gress-ruled states said the Centre had Major bene ciaries of the liquidity been lukewarm to their demand for infusion have been the micro-, increased compensation. Even when small and medium enterprises. the borrowing limits of states were e sector, which had not fully enhanced, it came with conditions to recovered from the demonetisa- undertake reforms. tion and the implementation of drances, providing plug-and-play immediate bene t, as India is woo- the goods and services tax, has THE GAME PLAN infrastructure, relaxing laws, and ing foreign players to move here further wilted under the lockdown. Modi took the ownership of the ght even keeping global players at bay. from China. e government has announced against Covid-19 as he announced Modi is pushing towards the em- While the government had said a three lakh crore-rupee collater- multiple lockdowns. e Centre powerment route even to deal with it was not turning protectionist, al-free loan facility for MSMEs and led the disease management, with the migrant crisis—they have to Modi has always kept his political a 030,000 crore liquidity facility for states implementing the protocols. earn their living through the MN- constituency in mind. He refused non-banking nancial companies. It handed out an ‘economic vaccine’ REGS in their home villages. And to be part of the Regional Compre- ese measures have been coupled based on what it thought was the the states that are seeking more hensive Economic Partnership last with relief in insolvency measures. main problem. funds from the government have to year. By calling for the Atma Nirb- Explaining the scal arithme- e industry had already been giv- initiate reforms to get that money. har push, he has again taken hold tic, Soumya Kanti Ghosh, chief en corporate tax cuts a few months Another focused attempt by of the political messaging. “Ear- economist of State Bank of India, ago, but the companies had been re- Modi has been his engagement lier, policy makers never trusted said: “We estimate that the revenue luctant to put back the gains into the with global leaders at the time of indigenous talent and knowledge. loss for the Centre after taking system. So, this time they would have the crisis. He oered supply of Modi’s call is a pleasant departure into account the gains from excise to do the work, while the government medicines to most of the aected from the policy based on globali- duty hike and DA freeze comes to will play facilitator by removing hin- countries. is seems to have an sation and liberalisation. It is time around 06.53 lakh crore (3.27 per

HOLDING ON TO HOPE The reforms are expected to help small businesses stay afloat SANJAY AHLAWAT SANJAY

36 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 37 COVER STORY ECONOMY

cent of the GDP). However, the DUVVURI SUBBARAO KNOWS how to deal Q/ to all the negative consequences high We are in the middle of a crisis. government had announced with an economic slowdown. He took over Is this the right time to implement fiscal deficits—high inflation, balance additional borrowing of 04.2 the reins of the Reserve Bank of India in reforms? of payments pressures and crowding 2008, when the world was reeling under a A/As they say, don’t waste a good out of private investment. All these will lakh crore for FY21. is would recession, and played a key role in minimis- crisis. I believe the government was dent our growth prospects in the short imply net uncovered revenue ing the impact of the crisis on the Indian right to announce reforms as part of and indeed even in the medium term. slippage of 02.33 lakh crore (1.17 economy. As the economy is once again the stimulus package. A crisis is not The only way to prevent these neg- per cent of the GDP). Further, facing a recession triggered by the Covid-19 the right time to implement reforms, ative outcomes is to put the economy the stimulus has a scal impact epidemic and the government is looking for especially as the mind space of both on a rapid growth trajectory so that of 02.03 lakh crore (1.01 per cent an exit route from the lockdown, Subbarao the Central and state governments is the debt burden does not become a of the GDP). us a total of 04.36 warns that unless the economy is put on a dead weight loss. That is why vigorous completely preoccupied with saving lakh crore is still the uncovered rapid growth trajectory, it will be vulnerable lives and livelihoods. But a crisis and time-bound implementation of re- loss of the Centre even after the to negative consequences. Excerpts from is exactly the right time to make a forms is crucial. In the short term, the an interview: commitment to reforms. That will government’s decision to set itself a additional borrowing. Interest- signal the government’s resolve to limit for additional borrowing instead of ingly, this is nearly equivalent to Q/What is your view of the stimulus put the economy back on a growth resorting to open ended borrowing as budgeted capital expenditure of package announced by the government? track when the pandemic is behind some people have suggested will help the Centre.” A/Although it is being called a fiscal stim- us and thereby help retain market in retaining market confidence. Many experts, however, have ulus package, I think it should be called a confidence in the economy. not been impressed by the growth stimulus package. The government As part of the stimulus package, Q/The Centre has decided to numbers. “e relief which the increase the borrowing limits for has packed quite a lot into it to meet the government has just outlined government has given is through the immediate as well as medium-term the reforms. In order to be credible states from 3 per cent of their GSDP the nancial system, and the challenges—survival support to vulnerable on that, the government should now to 5 per cent. Will this be enough for households and firms during this lockdown come out with a white paper, fleshing the states to recover from the reve- government’s contribution is phase, measures to restart the economy out the content of the reforms along nue lost during the lockdown? more in terms of giving guaran- consistent with the gradual easing of the with the timelines, milestones and A/The challenge for both the Centre tee,” said Madan Sabnavis, chief lockdown and reforms to be implemented deliverables. It will provide a basis and the states is to manage the crisis economist at Care Ratings. “e over a longer timeframe to put India on a for evaluating the government’s per- without jeopardising fiscal sustaina- government has only worked on rapid growth trajectory. formance and increase its credibility. bility. This means they need to borrow the supply side, which enables The government has been criticised more but keep that additional borrow- production. ere has not been for not putting enough of its own money Q/How do you think the govern- ing within limits. That way, they will much adding to the demand. To- into the package. But it had very little be more efficient, accountable and ment should manage the challenge day, the problem in the economy fiscal wriggle room. In the event, it has of a widening fiscal deficit? transparent. is demand.” done a commendable job in leveraging on A/There is no easy way out. The its limited resources to generate a large government needs to spend more Q/How do you see India’s long-term

REUTERS enough package. The economy’s short- and in order to manage survival during growth prospects? REFORMS medium-term prospects will be determined the lockdown phase and to restart A/I believe the India growth story is still e reforms announced by by how effectively these measures are the economy once the lockdown is intact. In his address to the nation last Sitharaman also received a INTERVIEW implemented. In particular, there should be eased. That is a moral imperative; week, the prime minister spoke about mixed response from experts. no leakages and no delays. Coordination be- it is also a political imperative. In leveraging on our demographic profile “e government’s focus has tween the Centre and states will be critical. Duvvuri Subbarao, order to finance that spending, the to spur growth. I believe that is key. In- been on bringing about short- former Reserve Bank governor government needs to borrow more. dia has a growth driver that most other term and medium-term reforms, Q/People expected more by way of The question is how much more it countries don’t have—our huge domes- where changes will happen livelihood support and jobs. can borrow without jeopardising tic market. We are a country of 1.35 A/Because of loss of livelihoods, millions of medium-term sustainability. billion people with a per capita income in 1-3 years in power sector A crisis is the right households have run through their savings We know that governments, both of just over $2,000. If we put money reforms, aviation, discoms and and were looking to the government for Central and state, were already in the hands of those people, they will defence,” said Sabnavis. support. On the other hand, given its limited under fiscal stress even as we en- spend, which will spur production and e major reform measures time to make fiscal resources, it has not been possible for tered the crisis. The combined fiscal then jobs, which in turn will lead to announced have been for the the government to give livelihood support deficit of the Centre and states, as more consumption and more jobs. That public sector enterprises as the to vulnerable households to the full extent budgeted, for this year is 6.5 per way we can get on to a virtuous cycle government plans a new policy a commitment of their lost earnings. To provide jobs to cent of the GDP. The loss of revenue of growth and jobs. and opens up these sectors returning migrant workers, the government on account of the lockdown will take I believe the India growth story has expanded the MNREGA programme. that beyond 10 per cent of the GDP. is possible, even probable, but not for privatisation to free capital to reforms Should the restarting of the economy get The additional borrowing will take it inevitable. It will materialise only if we locked in PSEs. Another key un- delayed, it will be necessary for the govern- close to 15 per cent of the GDP. That implement structural and governance shackling has been done in the BY RAHUL DEVULAPALLI ment to expand the livelihood support. is very high. We will be vulnerable reforms. Essential Services Maintenance Act and the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act so that

38 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 39 COVER STORY ECONOMY

the anger and disenchantment the damage. over the manner in which the e BJP is also undertaking a migrant crisis was handled. massive awareness drive to sell the e Centre for Monitoring of economic package to the people, Indian Economy has estimated hoping that Modi’s image would that India’s unemployment rate help the party deal with the disen- climbed to a staggering 27.1 per chanted population. at might not INTERVIEW cent in May and some 121.5 mil- be easy, as the opposition parties, lion Indians were out of jobs. “A farmers’ groups, labour unions and Pronab Sen, rst chief statistician of India and chairman of little more gradual and sequenced traders’ bodies have already started Standing Committee on Economic Statistics lockdown limited to businesses murmurs of protests that are likely and places that carried higher to grow louder as the country slowly risk of coronavirus instead of a returns to normalcy. e opposition hurriedly imposed total lockdown says that the government pushed for I am sceptical possibly would have been better,” reforms without proper consulta- farmers would get better value for was not able to bite the bullet owing said Garg. “Even when the total tions and they should be debated in about the reforms their produce. is will also help the to political pressure. lockdown was imposed, migrants Parliament so that eective pressure BY PRATUL SHARMA food processing industry to realise its Sen, however, is sceptical about should have been allowed to go can be built on the government along Q/ substantial as the ones in 1991? potential and in creating food supply the reforms. “As a statement of intent, to their villages in the rst week of with shaping the public opinion What does the economic pack- age attempt to achieve? A/ I am extremely sceptical on this chains. it is ne,” he said. “But will they see lockdown itself. In fact, the gov- which was still caught up in surviving A/ The package addresses only front, because there is not even one Other reform announcements it through? at’s why I am sceptical.” ernment and society should have the pandemic. part of the concerns. It in essence reform which has not been under include allowing private participa- facilitated their transportation.” Congress chief ministers Ama- addresses the issues of production active consideration of the government tion in coal mining, relaxing foreign THE RISK e government has allotted an rinder Singh and Ashok Gehlot have centres as most of them are staring at some point, but the government had direct investment limit from 49 per Modi’s risks are two-fold: economic additional 040,000 crore to this been critical of the Centre’s scal at the possibility of closure because backed out for one reason or the other. cent to 74 per cent through automat- and political. e economic recovery year’s existing budget of 061,000 management. It was only during the they are unable to manage their Now, they have done it. As a statement ic route in defence manufacturing, is expected to be painfully slow given crore under MNREGA so that fourth phase of the lockdown that debts. This is to ensure that compa- of intent, it is fine. But will they see it privatising discoms, and private the additional pressure of the global workers who had returned home states were given powers to devise nies do not go bankrupt. This may through? That is why I am sceptical. participation in aviation, atomic recession. But at home, the political get employment. It has also given rules. eir demands for increased ensure that the production capacity does not die, but what it does not Q/The government’s current remedy energy and space sectors. Most of cost of the pandemic is what the additional free grain to migrants allocations have been met only par- address is whether the production is also the difference between the these reforms have been on the table prime minister and the BJP machin- not covered under the PDS. Some tially. e blame game will continue. capacity will produce. They will sur- Manmohanomics and Modinomics. for many years, but the government ery will have to handle to tide over eight crore people who are not part While Shah has been away from vive, but will they undertake produc- A/ The main thing is your reading of the of any institutional schemes are the spotlight, he has been active tion is the real question. The focus is situation. If you are looking at a situa- expected to bene t from it. behind the scenes doing what he on the supply capacity. There is little tion where the demand is weak, then e government said it would does best—pushing the ideological on the demand side. Manmohan Singh’s approach of sup- encourage rental housing for agenda. e lockdown measures porting demand is the right approach. migrants in cities to improve their were done under his supervision. Q/What could be the government If your reading is that it is the problem living conditions. A detailed policy e construction of the Ram Temple thinking when it went for such a of the supply side, then what is being is awaited on how land can be resumed as soon as the lockdown measure, instead of putting mon- done today is the right approach. ey in people’s hands? We are in a situation where these allotted and private sector would measures were relaxed. e religious A/ If we were to look at it ration- are not absolute categories. While be roped in with some incentives symbol for sure will be used to sub- ally, this was merely a logical first the lockdown is on, it is the supply to the project. sume the anti-government sentiment step. There is nothing intrinsically problem. Then demand stimulating As the migrant labourers who when the construction will be in full wrong with what they are doing. It measures are not going to work. But have returned home are unlikely to swing. cannot be treated as the final step. once the lockdown is lifted or is in go back soon, the Hindi heartland e relaxations in the lockdown, If they had not done this, when the the process of lifting, you will gradu- states are worried. Bihar Chief ironically, have come at a time lockdown is lifted, a large amount ally move from a supply problem to a Minister Nitish Kumar has trouble when there is a rise in the number of of production capacity would have demand problem. At that point in time you have to act. at hand as the state is struggling Covid-19 cases. e uncertainty that become non-functional. In that case, even if demand revives, one will be to employ these workers and the pandemic has brought with it has incapable of producing. Logically, as Q/What are the follow-up steps you handle the increasing Covid-19 been the biggest challenge for the a first step, it is sensible. recommend? cases. e BJP, which is his ally, political class. It has been relatively A/ The government should come out has been employing its workers at silent, but it is getting active. e war Q/The government has introduced with a second set of packages which the booth level to engage with the of words over relief packages is the several key reforms. Are these as focuses on reviving demand. migrants in an attempt to contain rst sign. GRAPHICS SREEMANIKANDAN S. RESEARCH PRATUL SHARMA 40 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 41 COVER STORY ECONOMY

every migrant worker; cash transfer to tenant farmers, besides owner farmers; wage-assistance fund for registered micro, small and medium enterprises who will retain their workers; wage-pro- tection programme to low-salaried employees; credit-guarantee fund to all registered MSMEs; universal public distribution system; and free grain of Unwieldy package 10kg per person in every family that wants grain for four months. State-owned banks and nancial institutions will have to do Q/Major privatisation reform meas- ures were announced in areas such the heavy lifting under the Covid-19 stimulus plan as coal, defence, space and atomic energy. Do such steps belong in a BY NACHIKET KELKAR financial assistance package to tide over the impact of Covid-19? A/Certainly not. The government is hen Prime Minister Rural Electri cation Corporation will many more companies could be opportunistic. Such reforms must be Narendra Modi an- infuse 090,000 crore liquidity into saved by the government measures. detailed in policy papers. There should nounced an economic power distribution companies. Marathe also wants the delin- be stakeholders’ consultation, draft W stimulus worth 020 e relief measures will force quency period for NPA classi cation legislation, discussion in parliamentary lakh crore on May 12, state-owned banks and nancial raised from 90 days to 180 days. committees, and finally debate and the expectation was that there would institutions to do the heavy lifting. Banks should also be allowed to passage in Parliament. be wide-ranging scal support for According to Rajat Bahl, chief ratings reschedule all borrowal accounts,

J. SURESH various sectors hit by Covid-19. But ocer at Brickwork Ratings, over 011 which may have been identi ed as Q/ The government has allocated an most of the relief measures focus on lakh crore of fresh credit could be overdue or stressed up to December additional 040,000 for the Mahatma INTERVIEW bank loans and credit guarantees. pumped into the domestic econo- 31, 2019. Gandhi National Rural Employment A large chunk of the stimulus for my in the current nancial year by Bankers have been pointing P. Chidambaram, Guarantee Scheme. micro, small and medium enter- banks and other nancial institu- towards asset quality problems for former Union nance minister and Congress leader A/The BJP government that denigrat- ed MGNREGS as a “monument to the prises is in the form of unsecured tions. falling credit growth. “Given the sit- failure of Congress governments” has loans. MSMEs with up to 025 crore “Banks will now give more money uation in which we are in, where the acknowledged that it is the best safety outstanding and 0100 crore turnover to the producers. But, you are not outlook is uncertain, where the bal- The government is net designed so far in India. If more would get collateral free loans worth giving any money to the people. If ance sheets are stressed, where there work is demanded by the people and 03 lakh crore, which would have 100 demand does not increase, what are issues of asset quality, where more money is required, that money per cent credit guarantee. Separate- will rms do with the production?” access to capital market is limited, we opportunistic should be provided. ly, a 020,000 crore subordinate debt asked C.H. Venkatachalam, gen- have to make sure we have bankable BY SONI MISHRA scheme has been announced for eral secretary of the All India Bank situations,” said a senior public sector Q/How is the Congress planning stressed MSMEs, where the credit Employees Association. “Similarly, banker. Q/ Q/ to take up the lacunae in the fiscal Did the prime minister mislead You said the government is a pris- guarantee from the government will money will be pumped into the e government has excluded the country about the size of the oner of its own ignorance and fear. package? only be 20 per cent. NBFCs. But, it will not generate debts related to Covid-19 from fiscal stimulus, or is it a case of a A/The government is woefully short of A/We will press for a revised and difference in opinion on what persons who understand macroeco- comprehensive fiscal stimulus package “e measures will incentivise demand. is is going to further defaults. Furthermore, no fresh insol- constitutes such a package? nomic management, hence ignorance. of not less than 010 lakh crore of addi- bank lending to stressed entities,” increase bad loans.” vency will be initiated for a year. e A/There cannot be any difference on The government has an irrational fear tional expenditure over and above the said Rajnish Kumar, chairman, State CRISIL has forecast banking sector Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code had what constitutes fiscal stimulus. The that rating agencies will downgrade budgeted expenditure of 030,42,230 Bank of India. non-performing assets (NPAs) to rise so far helped banks recover 01.8 lakh phrase has only one meaning, univer- India’s credit rating if it breaches the crore in 2020-2021. e relief measures also include to 11.5 per cent by March 2021. crore. Its suspension will be a major sally. It is the amount of money that self-imposed limit of fiscal deficit, 02 lakh crore concessional credit for While the Reserve Bank of India setback. “We will end up losing a very Q/Is an urgent Parliament session re- the government will spend from the hence fear. farmers and an emergency capital has taken steps to ensure liquidity, powerful tool to resolve insolvencies quired to debate the issues involved? exchequer to stimulate demand in the fund worth 030,000 crore. e gov- banks still parked over 08 lakh crore in cases of pre-existing stress,” said economy. In our analysis of the pack- A/Yes. As many as 23 parliaments Q/What should have been the priority ernment has also announced 075,000 with the central bank. “Banks are Pooja Mahajan, managing partner of age, the stimulus is only 01,86,650 areas in the fiscal stimulus effort? around the world have met live or crore for non-banking nancial not lending because they are risk the law rm Chandhiok & Mahajan. crore. The inflated number of ‘020 A/The priorities should have been virtually. India’s parliamentary standing lakh crore’ is the usual hype of the cash transfer to the bottom half of the committees must meet immediately—if companies (NBFCs), while nearly 50 averse,” said Satish Marathe, founder “In such companies, the stress will BJP government to capture a headline population, which is 13 crore families, necessary, virtually. Parliament must be lakh street vendors will bene t from member of Sahakar Bharati, an only keep mounting, and after a year, and put out a false narrative. for two months; cash in the hands of convened in June. a 05,000 crore credit facility. Also, the umbrella body of cooperative banks. it may be too late to get any meaning- Power Finance Corporation and the He said some NPAs might rise, but ful resolutions.”

42 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 43 COVER STORY DEFENCE AND SPACE

despite the country having a robust by the government. In 2002, recalled K. Radhakrishnan, defence technology and industrial the Bhabha Atomic Research former chairman of the Indian base that includes 50 laborato- Centre (BARC) set up the Krushi Space Research Organisation. e ries of the Defence Research and Utpadan Sanrakshan Kendra at Mars mission, he said, had 125 Development Organisation (which Lasalgaon in Maharashtra for partners. Initially, the partnership employs nearly 10,000 scientists), low-dose irradiation of agricul- began with “jobbing”, or roping in 42 ordnance factories and nine ture produce. e venture has private players to fabricate equip- public-sector defence undertak- spawned private-sector oshoots, ment as per ISRO designs. Positive push ings. like Agrosurg Irradiators in Pal- “Now, the move is to step up To improve autonomy, account- ghar, that focus on food irradi- that participation, and enhance ability and eciency in ordnance ation technology. Also, a tech- the value chain,” said Radhakr- e ‘negative list’ in defence procurement and the opening supply, the government has de- nology demonstration unit for ishnan. “What we call startups cided to corporatise the Ordnance high-dose irradiation that BARC today existed even in the 1980s; up of key strategic sectors could work wonders Factory Board. e OFB could had set up in Vashi in 2000 has these were people working on us- be listed in the markets, a move helped India resume the export ing remote-sensing data to create BY PRADIP R. SAGAR AND REKHA DIXIT that employee unions have been of Alphonso mangoes to the US, services. e government now opposing, saying it would lead to which had stopped its imports wants to scale that up to meet irmala Sitharaman defence manufacturing from 49 per Laxman Behra, research fellow at privatisation. from India around 25 years ago the new and increasing demands was defence minis- cent to 74 per cent under the auto- the Manohar Parrikar Institute for “We will go for an inde nite because of safety issues. of space application products ter from September matic route, with an aim to attract Defence Studies and Analyses, said strike if the government goes ahead Nuclear medicine, which uses among the public. Today, the N 3, 2017, to May 30, behemoths like Boeing, Lockheed the new reforms were long due. “If with its plan,” said C. Srikumar of radio isotopes in diagnosis and global space industry is worth a 2019. e prevailing Martin, Airbus and Saab. the government sticks to its negative the All India Defence Employees targeted treatment, is also likely whopping $370 billion. We have belief in South Block, she gath- Experts say the announcements list, and expands it for 10 to 15 years, Federation. “e OFB’s 82,000 em- to bene t from the new reforms. to partner with the private sector; ered, was that defence scams extend the Union government’s it would help the local industry ployees are sending their protest By one estimate, the sector needs it is the future.” had roots in India’s dependence 2014 reforms under the Make in diversify and improve technologies, letters to the prime minister.” a ten-fold increase in capacity to According to ISRO chairman on imports. A.K. Antony, who India project. In the defence sector operations and business practices. In the atomic energy sector, the cater to the potential demand. K. Sivan, India needs private had a rocky tenure as defence alone, however, projects worth 03.5 In the long term, it is a very good move is to bring in private players “We need the private sector if players to design launch vehicles minister, had once suggested lakh crore—ranging from ghter s t e p.” only into two areas: food irradia- we want the bene ts of nuclear since the frequency of launches indigenisation of military hard- jets to stealth submarines—have According to a recent report by tion and therapeutics. Irradiation medicine to reach out to more has been going up. “ISRO needs ware as the “ultimate answer” been in limbo for the past six years. the Stockholm International Peace is a process used in food preserva- people,” said Anil Kakodkar, to be freed from the routine, to prevent scams. Now, as the Defence manufacturing could Research Institute, India’s military tion, wherein microbes in grains, former chairperson of the Atomic so that it can concentrate on nance minister who is on a attract only $8.8 million of FDI from expenditure was $71.1 billion last spices and fruits are zapped by Energy Commission of India. capacity building, research and mission to make India atman- June 2001—when the ceiling was year, only behind the US and China. gamma rays. Similarly, the space sector development,” he said. “is irbhar, Sitharaman is drafting a increased from 26 per cent to 49 per India’s armed forces continue to Such endeavours have already had decided to partner with the is the need of the hour and we “negative list”—of weapons and cent—till the end of 2019. depend on foreign equipment, been privatised in small measures industry as far back as the 1970s, welcome it.” military platforms that cannot be imported—to secure the goal of self-reliance. e list may include artillery guns, armoured tanks, radar and certain types of ammu- nition. ese will have to be made indigenously. Sitharaman has also raised eyebrows with her plan to open up strategic sectors like space and atomic energy. “While certain high-end technology systems can still be procured from abroad, empha- sis will be on procuring locally made products,” said Sithara- man. She has announced the TOWARDS SELF-RELIANCE A Tejas aircraft at Aero India 2019 enhancing of the FDI ceiling in PTI

44 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 45 INVESTMENT MUTUAL FUNDS DETOUR SHOBHAA DE Value for money Heroes stand alone A value-oriented fund can help your investment grow over a long time

BY ANAND V. NATH asset management companies have be a value stock. It is possible that nquestionably, the biggest corporate One of my earliest memories of Rajiv go back to a THE PAST come up with funds that follow the the stock in question is genuinely not hero in India right now is the 53-year-old holiday years ago. Both our families were staying at few months strategy of unlocking value in dierent worth the trading price. e art and Umanaging director of the Bajaj Group. the same resort. Rajiv was clearly a tness and yoga have seen .assets or companies science of separating the wheat from His un ltered, bold and scathing critique of the bu; I watched in awe as he eortlessly stood on his unparalleled ?What are value funds the cha is what makes some of these 020 lakh crore “stimulus package”—grandly head, and performed various complicated asan- volatility in the Value funds are a type of mutual .value-oriented funds stand apart announced by the prime minister—and further as. He talked amiably to everyone, as did his wife equity markets. funds allowed under the equity mutual A good value-oriented fund would spelt out by his loyal nance minister, had citi- Deepa. His son Rishabh was a toddler at the time. I In India, the funds category. In a value fund, the have a well-de ned and clear strategy zens wondering what the hell was going on, given was most impressed by Rajiv’s personality, and his benchmark fund managers are allowed to follow in place to identity such value stocks. the enormity of the economic crisis, combined lack of pretence. He behaved like any regular guy per cent of 40 indices lost almost the value investment strategy with only It is also possible that such funds with the tragedy of the migrants-on-the-move taking a break with the missus and kid, unlike some their value from mid-January to mid- one limitation, which is that the fund have a lower or no exposure to issue. of his contemporaries (including a few members March. ere has also been a sharp per cent of its 65 should have at least otherwise popular stocks, and have a It took a straight-talking cap- of the Bajaj clan), who often strut upward movement for a few days, assets invested in equity and equity good amount of exposure to not very tain of industry, Rajiv Bajaj, to call around throwing airs, with an .thereby limiting the correction related instruments. is also means popular names. At the same time, a their blu, when he described entourage in tow. Such situations have been making that the fund can take advantage of well-strategised value fund would not the package as “unsustainable, Hmm, I remember thinking, equity investors anxious, as no one any opportunity arising in the equity hesitate to change its position on a piecemeal and erratic”. He spoke how refreshing this chap was. e actually knows to what extent the market in any sector or company particular stock. Moreover, a good fund up strongly against the “arbitrary same chap who took over the reins markets can fall, or to what extent they irrespective of the stock being a small- management team would not just look lockdown” and mentioned a at Bajaj Auto in 2005, turned the can rise. Having said that, buying when .cap, mid-cap or large-cap one at the broad market sentiment around “governance problem”. As if that company’s fortunes around, by the market is at low points is among the How do the funds and their a stock, but would pay attention to was insucient, he also de- introducing the wildly popular and .top strategies of seasoned investors ?managers spot value outliers and special situations for the scribed the strict lockdown as a commercially successful Pulsar e question is, can an average It appears quite simple when we .stocks in the portfolio “draconian move” and accused brand. Rajiv leads a team of 45,000, retail investor make such decisions? hear an expert says that one should buy e ICICI Prudential Value Discovery the government of “prepos- and lives a quiet family life, away Fear of losing precious savings usually when the markets are low. In practice, Fund is among the oldest and largest terous” handling of the crisis, from the glare of celebrityhood. prevents retail investors from taking there could be several variables at play in its category. With a track record of saying what was started by the Recently, he has become a such decisions. ere is also the when a stock price falls. e analysis years, it has delivered an 15 almost coronavirus was spread by the staunch advocate of a homeo- inability to determine what asset or can become even more dicult if the per cent, if we 19 average SIP return of authorities. He urged corporate pathic immunity booster called company stock is a good buy when its fall is sharp and it continues for a long look at the ve-year rolling returns of a India to speak up, while assuring Camphora 1M, which he believes price is falling. To address such gaps, period. Not every falling stock could 2005 monthly SIP in the fund between his employees there would be no job cuts. By mak- can help combat the deadly virus. Such is Rajiv’s cred- e time period is important .2015 and ing his position abundantly clear and not mincing ibility and stock right now that my daughter promptly global 2008 because it saw the entire words, Rajiv Bajaj not just lived up to the outspoken ordered Camphora 1M for our entire family. nancial crisis unfold and then also legacy of his father, the legendary Rahul Bajaj, but is is the thing about heroes, particularly those the recovery that took place later. In also took it a few notches higher. who shine during a crisis—people start looking up year period, the fund’s-10 the same e almost near subjugation of corporate India to them since the scenario on most other fronts is ve-year rolling return was more than is really a matter of disappointment to citizens. so discouraging. By raising important and relevant .per cent of the time 80 per cent, over 12 Goldman Sachs says India will experience its worst issues, by asking for clarity, Rajiv Bajaj has displayed If you have ever thought about how recession ever with a 45 per cent second quarter the sort of leadership qualities that are disappoint- nancial experts spot value and would slump. Despite such dire warnings, business leaders ingly absent in others. He has urged the prime min- like to take bene t from the expertise, have refused to castigate the government or suggest ister to “give direct money into the hands of people”. this could be a suitable fund for you. swifter ways to bounce back. Rajiv Bajaj warned He has been pushing for opening up factories and At the same time, this fund can also unequivocally: “Do not hold a sword over people’s getting back to work without further delay. “Start an be bene cial to those who intend to heads.” Why should Bajaj Jr be the lone ranger in ‘inspector raj’,” he says, assuring authorities that his gain from the growth opportunities the dense corporate jungle? Why are the other big factories will comply with whatever rules come into .through equities over a long term boys on the block silent? play. Respect! The author is an expert with Amogha Bajaj Group managing director Rajiv Bajaj/PHOTO JANAK BHAT www.shobaade.blogspot.com .Financial Services

46 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 47 INVESTMENT DEBT FUNDS False alarm Pulling out of debt funds may not be the right option, despite a few scheme closures at a fund house

BY NACHIKET KELKAR

NIKIT SHAH, a Mumbai-based redeeming their money, all at once. to liquidity and redemption pres- software professional, was saving Sanjay Sapre, president, Frank- sures,” said Vidya Bala, cofounder, up to buy a house. He chose to lin Templeton India, said that Prime Investor. However, pulling Franklin’s closure People must Investors should invest in short-term debt mutual daily redemptions in the schemes out of debt funds at this time may of funds was a understand the understand at funds to build a corpus fast. Ashok and the funds being forced to not be ideal, especially given that one-off; all other investment least three risks... Ghose, a Tata Motors retiree, also borrow more money or sell liquid equity markets have been volatile asset management mandate of a the interest rate chose debt over equity to park a securities was an unsustainable and most equity funds have given companies were particular fund risk, the credit large portion of his savings. Debt situation as it was harming the negative returns over the last one funds are xed income schemes, investors who remained in the year. In the same period, returns able to manage and the risk that it risk and the which typically invest in govern- funds for those who were leaving of some of the debt funds like gilt redemptions entails, especially concentration ment bonds or securities that them. He added that there had not funds (those investing in bonds smoothly. credit risk. risk. corporates issue to raise debt. been any default by any company and interest bearing securities —N.S. Venkatesh, chief executive, —Kaustubh Belapurkar, director, fund —Waqar Naqvi, CEO, Taurus Marketed as an alternative to bank these funds had invested in, no issued by governments) have been Association of Mutual Funds in India research, Morningstar Investment Mutual Fund xed deposits, these funds are investment had been written o as high as 17 per cent. Another fac- generally considered low risk. But, and they were also getting interest tor is that interest rates are falling. both Shah and Ghose were in for a payments on the portfolio. “We e Reserve Bank of India in the rude shock. will aim to give investors the previous monetary policy commit- On April 23, Franklin Templeton maximum amount in the shortest tee meet slashed its benchmark under management of the mutual Taurus Mutual Fund, lists the key one should only invest in funds India closed down six xed income possible time,” said Sapre. repo rate by 75 basis points and funds industry are in non-credit things that one needs to consider that match one’s risk pro le, said schemes, citing signi cantly re- After the Franklin Templeton more rate cuts are expected as it risk funds. when putting money in a debt Kaustubh Belapurkar, director, duced liquidity and unprecedent- experience, Ghose is not taking looks to lift the economy through A. Balasubramanian, CEO fund. “Investors should under- fund research, Morningstar Invest- ed levels of redemption pressure. chances with money invested in 2020-2021. So xed income funds of Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC, stand at least three risks,” he said. ment. He added that there were a Shah had staggered investments of other debt funds. “I am withdraw- will be attractive. said that following the impact of “e rst being the interest rate few pockets which were safer, like 08 lakh in two of the six schemes; ing my investments from all other “Franklin’s closure of funds was Covid-19, some fund houses have risk (generally as interest rates overnight funds (which invest in Ghose had 03.5 lakh in three debt funds. As an old man, I cannot a one-o; all other asset man- already become cautious by shift- are lowered the debt funds give a securities that mature in one day), schemes. e six schemes together take the risk,” said Ghose. Shah, agement companies were able to ing portfolios more towards public higher return depending on their liquid funds, banking and PSU had over 025,000 crore worth of whose dream of buying a house is manage redemptions smoothly,” sector undertakings, government duration), the second being the funds and corporate bond funds assets under management. now in limbo, said he is pulling out N.S. Venkatesh, chief executive, securities and AAA-rated corpo- credit risk (whether each security (in which 80 per cent lending is to While much of debt funds are in all his money in debt funds and Association of Mutual Funds in rates. “We have become more held by a fund in its portfolio will companies with the highest credit securities that have a strong credit will park it in banks. Over March India, told THE WEEK. “Going risk averse, so avoid sectors that pay back the money to the fund on ratings). rating—AA+ or higher—some and April, investors pulled out over ahead, there is no reason for in- could have a slowdown and loss of the date of maturity) and the last “It boils down to having funds could be in lower-rated papers. 024,000 crore from credit risk funds vestors to panic. ey can reassess revenue and therefore loss of cash being concentration risk (the fund which are in general highly liquid Over the years, Franklin Templeton (a category where large chunk of their credit risk fund investments, ows; avoid companies, which are should have its portfolio widely in nature,” said Bala of Prime created a niche in the lower-rated investment is in securities that if they want to. But, the other funds highly leveraged,” he said. “ese spread out over several securities).” Investor. “If you have those, then credit space. is meant higher have low credit rating). Even other like low duration funds and ultra steps we have already taken in our Also, not all debt fund cate- there is no cause for concern. If you returns for investors and the funds categories like low and medium short duration funds should give portfolio construction.” gories are risky. People must have funds that by nature are low outperformed rivals for several duration funds saw outows of them better returns because of the e Franklin Templeton issue understand the investment rated and not liquid, then it may be years. Until, a black swan event around 035,000 crore. interest rate scenario being benign shows that debt funds are not mandate of a particular fund and time to reconsider your portfolio like the Covid-19 pandemic hit “e immediate issue is people and enough liquidity in the sys- without risk. But, there is no need the risk that it entails, especially and ensure that these funds do not the markets and people started wanting their money back, leading tem.” Over 90 per cent of the assets to panic. Waqar Naqvi, CEO of credit risk, before investing and form a large chunk.”

48 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 49 BUSINESS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

I Sameer Raje, general manager and India head, Zoom Video Communications get-togethers and even to conduct [on the internet], hence getting their own due diligence. ey are weddings. bombed by unwanted intrusions. already well versed with technol- On the other hand, many at was the problem. at is ogy. So, while they did have ques- large enterprises and corporate when the advisory came out. tions, they took the right steps New users were using setups increasingly used it as and some of them came back. their employees are working Q/ How have you tried to address ey had absolute condence from home. ey were looking those concerns? in our services. As far as individ- Zoom in an unsecured way for business continuity solutions. A/ We will not deny there were ual users are concerned, there Since schools are shut, teachers certain mistakes from our end as were a lot of questions. When we BY ABHINAV SINGH are using our platform to train well. We rectied those mistakes started addressing them, the right kids. More than a lakh schools are within 24 hours. We are working information went out and they using our platform across more with the government to explain accepted us. AMERICAN COMPANY Zoom than 20 countries, including India. to them the right things about I have been working more than Video Communications, which Additionally, a lot of state and the platform. We are also com- 18 hours a day for the last 45-plus provides a platform for video Central government departments municating with users the steps days. Our current focus has also meetings, webinars and chatting are using our platform, too. necessary to x any issues. Since been to help women, health care across devices, has grown glob- cybercrimes have increased, one workers, senior citizens and oth- ally from 1 crore daily meeting Q/ Seeing the rise in usage, the can only imagine the new threats ers stay connected. participants in December 2019 to MHA had warned against the use coming in on a daily basis. So, we 30 crore in April 2020. In India, en- of Zoom. Q/ You face sti competition in tities that were earlier hesitant to A/ It was quite unfortunate. ere the country from many indig- use digital collaboration tools for was a lot of misinformation. If enous video apps and MNC day-to-day activities started using you look at it carefully, there is a players. How do you score over it due to the lockdown. Its in- 600 per cent rise in cybercrime others? creased usage in India also saw the today in the world. Every person There were A/ Many of our competitors are ministry of home a airs (MHA) who is weighing in on the internet certain mistakes saying that they are building Zoom advising users of the security risks. today is exposed to this threat competitors. at is an endorse- Sameer Raje, the company’s India of cyber war. is percentage is from our end as ment for us. But one of our strong head, spoke to THE WEEK about not a small thing. Let me make well. We rectified USPs is that the Zoom platform is the immense response and the it clear that the Zoom platform those mistakes capable of running eciently even security reinforcements. Excerpts: is absolutely secure. It has never within 24 hours. on very low bandwidth. One can been exposed. Of late, unfortu- have a conversation even when Q/ Zoom has become the top nately, there were new kinds of there is a signicant packet loss. collaborative platform in India. users who were using Zoom in a We also have the capability to have What kind of traction have you very unsecured way. always have to be on our toes. We around 1,000 participants on a seen since the lockdown was have to be one step ahead of oth- video panel. Other players don’t enforced? Q/ What were the issues you ers. Zoom recently launched the have that. A/ Let me rst make it clear that faced with the many new users? 5.0 version that has AES 256-bit Zoom is not just a video calling A/ We never expected it to be used GCM encryption. Meeting hosts Q/ Is your platform free? What is app as popularly perceived. It is as a platform for legal weddings can report a user who is misusing your business model? Is India a a complete unied communica- or even to have evening drinking the platform. An encryption shield high growth market for you? tion and collaboration platform. parties together. When people appears in the upper left corner A/ No, it is not free. A lot of it What people are using is an app, started using the platform for of a meeting window, indicating a [on the platform] is a subscrip- which is just one component of it. such reasons, they started sharing secure, encrypted meeting. ere tion-based model. For individ- e actual platform has a whole the details on social media and are many more security features uals, it is just a 40-minute free gamut of services. During the that became dangerous. When and we have [initiated] a lot of version. We have a host of services current Covid-19 lockdown in using our platform or any other guidance surveys [for users]. beyond that, which are part of India, we saw an increase in use platform, even internet banking our platform and those are what of the platform more by individu- or even your email, please be sure Q/ Did you lose any customers in enterprises use. Yes, India is one als for social purposes or small- that you have a password and India due to the home ministry’s of the largest [markets]. By sheer time businesspersons working not a generic one. People started advisory? size, probably [only] US and Japan from home. People have started using it, taking screenshots and A/ When most large corporates would be ahead, but India would using it for hosting parties, family sharing and posting the details and enterprises sign up, they do be not very far behind.

50 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 51 EXCLUSIVE CRICKET

BEN, STOKED! nament ahead of Rohit Sharma, (From left) Moeen Ali, Stokes and Eoin who scored ve hundreds and It was Morgan during the World Cup. Stokes was the fulcrum of India’s batting seems to be a prime candidate to replace Morgan as captain in future in the tournament. Stokes has now become a sen- weird to ior member of the team in all for- losses, to nally become a World mats and is part of the leadership hear Kohli Cup-winning team. Stokes says he group. Not many would have found himself in match-winning had the gumption to “request” positions so often because of the their vice captaincy back after whingeing platform his teammates built. having it taken away because of He also credits his time with the a controversy (the 2018 Bristol Rajasthan Royals for honing his nightclub brawl). Stokes reveals big-match mentality. in the book how, heart in his THE WAY that Rohit Sharma and In the book, Stokes relives every mouth, swallowing all his ego Virat Kohli played was mystifying. match that England played on the and pride, he did just that. I know that we bowled brilliantly way to the nal of the World Cup. As is clear from the book, well during this period, but the Needless to say, the larger-than- Stokes is ready to be a leader, and way they went about their batting life nal nds maximum space in is a prime candidate to replace just seemed bizarre. ey allowed the book. He also has a few sym- Eoin Morgan in future. But their team to get so far behind the pathetic and understanding words whether that happens or not, the game. ey showed no desire to for the umpires in the nal, who story of Ben Stokes will only get put any pressure back onto our were later accused of messing up bigger and better. team, content instead to just drift calculations. along, a tactic that was clearly For Stokes and his team, the fa- playing into our hands.

GETTY IMAGES vourites heading into the tourna- In normal circumstances, when ment, the World Cup journey was as a batting side you are chasing far from smooth. Stokes shared a big score like that, the opening his moments of nervousness with 10 overs is where you really try to his team before the crucial match get on top of things, to cash in on Reliving the glory against India, which England the fact there are only two elders won, and the nerve-racking nal allowed outside of the circle. In his new book, all-rounder Ben Stokes remembers his World against New Zealand, where he e intention should be to Cup journey, match by match, and takes the reader into the was asked to go out and bat again exploit these gaps, to get ahead of in the Super Over after scores the game, do the work early and champions’ dressing room were tied. He also takes the reader not force yourself to be burdened inside the England dressing room throughout the middle overs when BY NEERU BHATIA post the World Cup win. run rates tend to drop. Particularly Compared with his early days, given their quality, I felt the Indian he admits to putting in a lot more top order should have tried to be FIERY, EXPRESSIVE, assertive; drawn Ashes series that followed. fan following and that his face is thought behind every ball he more proactive. Instead they just a winner all the way. Ben Stokes e book is set to release in India splashed across the front and back faces, which is one of the reasons left the rest of the team with too epitomises all these descriptions in the coming months. pages of newspapers, an honour his performances have been key much to do. and more. England’s hero in the Be it the unprecedented Super usually reserved for the famous to England’s recent success in all Compared to other leading 2019 World Cup and the Ashes Over in the World Cup nal or the footballers of the country. Stokes is formats. nations, India were still using quite has been a controversial gure dramatic win in the third Ashes one of the reasons a new genera- A hard competitor on eld, he an outdated method of playing to who has had a rocky relationship Test at Headingley, it seems like tion is following cricket in Eng- expresses his respect for New Zea- On Fire: My Story of England’s build their totals, keeping wickets with the home media. And so, his the more Stokes tries to be an land, and the book will only add to land captain Kane Williamson and Summer to Remember in hand in a bid to cash in at the second book, On Fire: My Story of ordinary human being, the more his growing legend. the way he handled the World Cup Publisher: Headline Books back end of the innings. Yet that England’s Summer to Remember, he has extraordinary moments in e all-rounder is the X factor loss due to an obscure boundary Pages: 320 can be a dangerous game because is his way of sharing his thoughts his life. that spurred on England, led by count-back rule. However, he says Price: 0318 (Kindle version) the bigger the score, the less on all that preceded and happened In his book, Stokes says he Eoin Morgan and featuring a set he was surprised by the choice of margin there is for any error, and during the World Cup and the nds it surprising that he has a of players with no baggage of past Williamson as player of the tour- the quicker the required run rate

52 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 53 EXCLUSIVE BOOK EXTRACTS SOUND BITE ANITA PRATAP climbs once you hit the second in with 112 runs needed from was batting with Dhoni in a match half of an innings. 11 overs was even stranger. He against Sunrisers Hyderabad that India needed nine an over appeared more intent on singles was running away from Pune, the when Liam Plunkett continued his than sixes. Even with a dozen balls team we were representing. When running theme of the tournament remaining, India could still have I was dismissed, the equation An unusual cult gure in the 29th over, adding Kohli to won. Yes, it was a daunting task stood at 56 runs required for his illustrious list of victims. He but it was still possible. Yet there victory from 23 deliveries. We won not only has a habit of picking was little or no intent from him or from the last ball of the match; all and handsome in a craggy sort of way, public health system was not overwhelmed, having up wickets but regularly pouches his partner Kedar Jadhav. To me, Dhoni was particularly savage on Dr Anders Tegnell commands the highest 20 per cent spare capacity in ICU beds even at the the big ones. He doesn’t typically while victory is still possible you Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Tpopularity ratings in Sweden. Youngsters pandemic’s peak. Sweden’s economy did not suer knock them over, rather wearing always go for broke. On this occasion it wasn’t until tattoo his face on their bodies. But he is no rock star. a cardiac arrest, but shrank six per cent mainly due them down instead, but always ere is a theory in our camp the last over that India, through He is a bespectacled, boring bureaucrat. Tegnell, to supply disruptions as other countries imposed seemed to be the one getting the that Dhoni’s way of playing has Dhoni, nally cleared the ropes. In 64, is Sweden’s chief epidemiologist—the architect severe lockdowns. crucial breakthroughs. Pudsey be- always been the same. Even if In- the modern game, when one team of Covid-19 ‘Lockdown Lite’, which made his nation President Donald Trump would happily import came our World Cup partnership dia can’t win the game, he takes it has struck 13 sixes in their batting the world’s most fascinating outlier. Says prominent Tegnell and his ‘Lockdown Lite’ strategy to replace breaker, with his wickets coming right to the end to try to make sure eort, that’s just odd. Not that we scientist Johan Giesecke: “Sweden is doing it right. his own expert, Anthony Fauci, who advocates after the highest average stand that India’s run rate stays relatively were overly bothered because all Everyone else is wrong.” total shutdowns. But Tegnell’s model cannot be of 63. So it was no longer a shock healthy. His big thing has always we cared about was getting the While most countries imprisoned citizens in their replicated in the United States. Science-trusting, when he got out the vital players. been to give himself a chance of result. homes for two months, Sweden targeted shutting law-abiding Swedes respect authority, unlike the On this occasion, when Virat winning by being at the crease Yet it was weird to hear India down only places acutely vul- gun-slinging American protesters. was dismissed, from a miscued for the nal over, but he generally captain Kohli whingeing about the nerable to Covid-19. Care homes e pandemic also exposes how in- drive to point, there were a few likes to stick around to get as close size of the boundaries at the post- and universities were closed, but adequate the American public health shrugs of the shoulders and to a target as possible even in a match presentation ceremony. schools, oces, factories, shops system is. players muttering with smiles on losing cause. He said the toss was vital, adding and cafes remained open through- Experts will surely examine if the faces: ‘Of course he’s got Virat. It’s I have witnessed at rst hand ‘especially looking at the bound- out. People were instructed to world did the right thing in imitating Pudsey.’ how successful his tactics can ary that was quite short. It was 59 work from home if possible, restrict China’s sledgehammer lockdown. Arguably, the way that M.S. be. During my rst season at the metres, which coincidentally is travel and maintain two-metre dis- Scientists say we must learn to live Dhoni played when he came Indian Premier League in 2017, I the minimum amount required tance in all public places, including with this virus. Having achieved a in an inter-national match. Quite restaurants. Sweden’s economy higher immunity rate, Sweden can bizarre on a at pitch. If batsmen never froze. probably cope better with future are able to reverse sweep you for Tegnell’s strategy counted rstly Covid-19 outbreaks. six on a 59-metre boundary there on Swedish citizens’ fabled sense of But Tegnell has strong critics. Ac- is not much you can do. And one duty and compliance. It also helps cusing him of “gambling”, Dr Stefan side was 82 metres.’ that the Swedes are not touchy-feely, hugging and Hanson, a Swedish infectious disease expert, said: I have never heard such a kissing, like the Italians and the Spaniards. Second- “You cannot take risks with people’s lives if you bizarre complaint after a match. ly, the authorities aimed to protect the public health do not know what risks you are taking.” Tegnell’s It’s actually the worst complaint system from becoming overburdened. strategy was attacked by 2,000 Swedish scientists, you could ever make. Both teams Tegnell, whose 30-year career in public health but over one lakh Swedes joined Anders Tegnell have to bat out there, and get the includes eld experience from the 1995 Ebola fan clubs, which are sprouting like dandelions in same number of balls, so how can epidemic, says health policies should be “sustain- spring. Fans see him as a hero who had the courage the playing area’s dimensions be able and holistic”. “Con ning schoolchildren for to be the lone voice, steadfastly safeguarding health an advantage to one team or the weeks harms them mentally and psychologically”. and economy. Praised WHO’s Michael Ryan: “I other? Likewise, shutting the economy “is a terrible option think there may be lessons to be learned from our —Excerpted with permission from because losing jobs is extremely dangerous to colleagues in Sweden.” On Fire by Ben Stokes, published health,” he says. Tegnell nds his cult status “absurd”. His three by Headline Books and distribut- It is too early to determine if Tegnell’s way is daughters think the media hoopla is hilarious, ed in the Indian subcontinent by the better global role model. Sweden’s Covid-19 especially a fashion magazine’s analysis of his dress Hachette India. death rate is way above Norway’s and Denmark’s, sense—or lack thereof. With his maroon pullovers

GETTY IMAGES but far below that of other European countries like and brown jackets, his matter-of-fact comments and BAFFLING APPROACH Britain, France, Spain, Italy or Belgium. e elderly contrarian views, his fan clubs and daring strategy, Stokes says that the way Virat Kohli account for 50 per cent of the death toll. Still, the Anders Tegnell is no boring bureaucrat after all. and Rohit Sharma played while chasing a big score was mystifying ILLUSTRATION BHASKARAN Pratap is an author and journalist.

54 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 55 SIKKIM INTERVIEW SCHIZO-NATION ANUJA CHAUHAN I Prem Singh Tamang, chief minister, Sikkim (both paid and free) in all the four districts.... e state started screening from February. Covid-19 samples No entry for tourists are sent to the virology laboratory at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, Siliguri.... We also organise Taking bus #11 home till October campaigns to create awareness on the pandemic, its management and y grandmother had a rather charming de- ple walk 1,000-plus kilometres to their homes, blis- BY MINI P. THOMAS the protocol to be followed for quar- scription for pedestrian travel. If she want- tering their soles and birthing their babies on the antine and treatment. Med to go some place, and my grandfather dusty highways, getting crushed by goods trains one would rue the cost of petrol involved in ferrying her day or electrocuted by dangling wires on another. Q/ It is heartening to know that Sik- Q/ You said samples are being sent there in the car, she would retort, very airily, “ eek It is so ironic that our prime minister and his kim, a popular tourist destination, to Siliguri. Doesn’t the state have hai, phir hum gyaarah number ki bus le lenge (Okay nance minister—the thin-lipped lady who thinks has no cases of Covid-19 so far. testing laboratories? then, we will take the number 11 bus).” talking to these long-distance walkers is “troubling How did you manage that? A/ We have a Viral Research and Named for one’s two legs, the number 11 bus is a them and wasting their time” (as if the whole freak- A/ We closed our borders to interna- Diagnostic Laboratory at STNM Hos- popular mode of travel in our country. For poorer ing lockdown with no prior planning or provision tional tourists in early March. By mid pital, Gangtok, which will soon be people, it is often the only bus was not troubling them or wasting March, domestic tourists were also operational. Truenat Beta CoV test is they can actually aord. Unlike their time!)—have dubbed their banned. anks to all this, we are also carried out at STNM Hospital. the rich, who strap on Fitbits to Lays Magic Masala (maximum still a Covid-free state. We ensured obsessively count the number air, minimum potato) 020 lakh that our borders were kept under Q/ e Nathu La trade route has of steps they take in a day, poor crore package atmanirbhar, that surveillance to restrict illegal public been closed and the Kailash people think nothing of walking is self-reliant. It is clear that if movement. All except two border Mansarovar Yatra has been called a few kilometres to and from anybody wants to get out of this entry points (Rangpo and Melli) o. How have these aected the their workplaces daily. Nor do shit-fest alive, they should rely were closed. e border checkposts tourism industry? schoolchildren. People who live on nobody but their own self. that are open have a fully equipped A/ It has denitely aected our in north India are used to the No 56-inch chested superhero is medical team along with border tourism industry and we have been annual inux of Kanwariyas— gonna ride on a lotus-festooned security personnel. We also had hit hard. But in this time of pandem- Shiva bhakts—who travel on foot golden chariot and save them. It CCTV cameras installed to monitor ic, we have given preference to the from villages to the source of the is not an election rally after all! If the situation. safety and security of our people and Ganga to collect and carry home it were, there would be buses for ere are remote villages of the hence stopped the inow of tourists its holy water as an act of piety. the poor folk, and an orange tee neighbouring state whose people are till October. Gandhiji iconised walking during and packed meals and 0500 a day. dependent on us. We supplied them the 384km-long Dandi March. If it were a Kanwar yatra, there with essential commodities. is the laws but also endangering the Q/ e decision to ban tourists till Refugees walked with all their would be string beds and showers strategy helped to discourage those lives of the people of Sikkim. ere- October could aect the livelihood belongings on their backs during and music and dancing as well! people from entering the state. fore, we sealed our borders and took of many. How will the state tide the partition. e logic of the But it is not. And so it is just going e people of Sikkim strictly fol- certain legal measures to keep the over this crisis? walker is that if all else fails, and to have to be one foot in front of lowed the guidelines. We appealed people of Sikkim safe. A/ Covid-19 has wreaked havoc with there is no other option, I will bloody well walk for it. another, the camaraderie of other grindingly poor to our people living outside the state people’s livelihood. To mitigate the And therein lies the nub—all else has failed and folk on the road, and the erratic, undependable to stay where they were. We desig- Q/ How equipped is the state to economic hardships faced by those there is no other option. For my grandmother, taking kindness of the banana-bread bakers. nated nodal ocers in metropolitan tackle Covid-19? in the tourism industry, we have de- the #11 bus was an assertion of independence and When asked why they were not waiting a few days cities to coordinate with stranded A/ Sikkim is all geared up to ght cided to create an Economic Revival self-suciency, but for the crores of poor Indians to take a bus or train, as these services are being people, giving them relief (cash, Covid-19. Sucient amount of Committee. e cabinet has also walking thousands of kilometres to their hometowns reopened, the walkers just shook their heads. ey food and other essentials) and ac- personal protective equipment, decided to take austerity measures and villages, it is a deant, double middle nger have learnt the hard lesson well. A regime, marked commodation. hand sanitisers, infrared scanners and utilise that money for the cause salute to the power structures that would deny them by incompetence, callousness, bombast and hate, and gloves have been procured and of aected people. Taxi drivers who their liberty, emotions, mobility, nutrition, security cannot be counted upon to deliver anything but Q/ ere are reports that Sikkim supplied to all hospitals and frontline have been hit badly by this lockdown and their very humanity. more misery and a dilution of labour laws. will charge illegal immigrants with workers. STNM Hospital, which has are being provided with an economic And so we have a situation where a callous, clue- Have no expectations and you will not be disap- attempt to murder. approximately 300 isolation beds, relief package. Similarly, economic less government and an elite bunch of banana-bread pointed. It is all about atmanirbharta now. Every A/ We closed our borders in mid- 20 ICU beds and 10 PICU beds, relief was also provided to students bakers sit out the quarantine on their privileged man for himself and God for all. And a #11 bus ride March, but stray cases of people has been designated as a Covid-19 and patients stranded in dierent butts, while out there in real life, crores of poor peo- home, or to hell. crossing the borders were still being hospital. We also have 27 ventilators parts of the country, people in the reported. ey were not only outing available, besides quarantine centres media and ASHA workers. ILLUSTRATION BHASKARAN [email protected]

56 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 57 PHOTO-FEATURE HORSES OF KOLKATA

BEAST AND BURDEN A sickly horse at Kolkata Maidan; (right) carriages parked under a flyover in With the nationwide lockdown and no customers, nearby saddle horses survive on the kindness of a few Kidderpore

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY SALIL BERA

A VISIT TO the City of Joy feels incomplete without a ride around the Victoria Memorial in a horse- drawn carriage. e lockdown, however, has left the area deserted, in turn aecting the carriage business and leaving the horses underfed. e animals now loiter around in nearby Kidderpore, tired and looking for food. On a regular day, before the pandemic, more than 150 horses carried tourists in well-decorated carriages and sometimes children on their backs. Now, however, their owners are unable to feed them. In fact, many of the owners have returned to their homes in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, abandoning the animals in Kolkata. “We are taking care of their horses,” said Mohammad Feroz, one of the local owners. “Even if the lockdown is lifted, there will be no tourists for some time. We used to earn 0400 a trip and around 06,000 to 08,000 for weddings, depending on distance.” Said Ajay Daga, a member of the NGO People For Animals: “When news of a horse dying during the rst week of lockdown appeared on social media, I got a call from (BJP MP and PFA founder) Maneka Gandhi. She inquired about the condition of the horses here.” e former Union minister, known to be an animal lover, has assured all assistance, he added. “At present, we are feeding these animals with the help of the people of Kolkata who are generously

58 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 59 PHOTO-FEATURE HORSES OF KOLKATA

IN NEED OF FEED (Clockwise from left) a horse tries to shake off a crow at a makeshift stable in Kidder- pore; there are more than 150 horses at the “stable”, which is basically the space under a flyover where the horses have been kept; a boy plays with one of the horses there

donating,” said Daga. “We also got the horses till the situation becomes horses and by getting help from other support from the Kolkata Mounted normal after the lockdown is lifted,” organisations. “Normally, a sack of Police and the local councillor.” said Daga. fodder would cost around 0850; now As of now, PFA is feeding the Susmita Bhattacharya, the local it about 01,150,” she said. “ anks to horses for two and a half days a councillor, said she was trying to PFA, the Kolkata Mounted Police and week; other organisations chip in on help them in several ways, including others, we have been able to keep the remaining days. “We will feed by providing drinking water for the these horses alive.”

60 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 61 FASHION • ART • BOOKS • MUSIC • THEATRE • LUXURY • FOOD • PEOPLE • REVIEWS • CINEMA • SERIES

DIGITAL STAGE Screen grabs of Bubble, a play by AKVarious Production, and (below) Lockdown Love by Kommune on Zoom The rtual act With auditoriums and theatre spaces closed, artistes are embracing online platforms to express their creativity

BY PRIYANKA BHADANI

19-04-202012-04-202022-03-202029-03-202026-04-202022-03-202029-03-2020 19-04-202012-04-202022-03-202029-03-202010-05-2020 62 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 63 @LEISURE THEATRE

Anhad India hosted poetry and have the lighting, nor the sound, set, prose reading sessions with many costumes, or any other aspect of a artistes like Naseeruddin Shah and live performance,” he says. “We are Ratna Pathak Shah, who performed sitting in our homes. But two actors Vikram Seth’s e Elephant and the performing would always be better T Tragopan, and Shabana Azmi, who [than a reading].” read the poems of Kai Azmi. D For Khurana would attest to that. Drama, a Mumbai-based theatre IF YOU LOCK UP AN Ordinarily, he would have been wo pairs of nger puppets appear on group, too, has had those like Gee- ARTISTE, HE WILL planning the 20-year celebration of the phone screen. In the Instagram tanjali Kulkarni perform from her COME UP WITH his theatre group, AKVarious Pro- live chat, the screen is divided into play, Gajab Kahani. For Mumbai ductions. He had started planning

two windows, the host taking the top eatre Guide, Sushama Deshpande CREATIVE WAYS TO performances leading up to a bigger spot and the guest, the one below. performed a fascinating rendition of KEEP THE ART ALIVE festival in December. But then the Over the last two months, since the her play Vhay! Mee Savitribai, based AND ENGAGE WITH lockdown began. “If you lock up lockdown began, Instagram has on the life of the educationist. an artiste, he will come up with become a hotspot for holding chat It has not been easy. “But unique THE AUDIENCE. creative ways to keep the art alive sessions, interviews and live shows. situations require unique meas- and engage with the audience,” he —Akarsh Khurana, who e puppets jibber-jabber as ures,” says Painyuli, who, apart from says. ough it began with BookMy- owns the theatre group viewers’ comments start pouring in. the live performance, did another Show’s eatre Live, now Khurana AKVarious Productions Soon, actors Shikha Talsania and show, Aram Nagar ke Sapnay, for has a new page, AKVariousLive, with Priyanshu Painyuli will take cen- Akarsh Khurana’s AKVariousLive, performances on Tuesdays, Fridays tre-stage as their characters Shikha in which, while playing the djembe, and Sundays, which he plans to con- and Priyanshu. An Instagram chat he takes the audience through his tinue even after the lockdown. has been cleverly turned into two decade-long life in Mumbai. Kom- witness a phenomenal demand for “is is a really unpredictable rooms with two people sitting by mune’s Lockdown Love is an ad- their performances across music, time,” says Koechlin, remarking on their windows on adjacent oors of aptation of Jonathan Rand’s Check comedy, theatre and more. With how platforms like podcasts have a building. In this makeshift virtual Please, about two people (Painyuli the number of oerings having opened up the scope to experiment. world, Shikha is working on an and Shriya Pilgaonkar) nding love signi cantly increased since we rst I DON’T KNOW WHEN “It is time we not be rigid and think assignment, trying to record a voice through a dating app in the time of started on March 25, the customer WE ARE GOING TO in dierent ways. It is fantastic that note on her phone. As she fumbles, a pandemic. e play, conceived engagement and size of the commu- we have this kind of productivity Priyanshu shouts out from below, by Roshan Abbas and directed by nity have grown steadily. More than GO BACK TO SETS, today. I don’t know when we are trying to help her. ey soon strike Sheena Khalid, is being performed two million consumers are viewing BUT ONLINE going to go back to sets, but online up a conversation. Priyanshu is on Zoom with multiple artistes. these events already. is number PERFORMANCES ARE performances are going to pick up stuck in a at within days of coming “We were looking at how we could continues to steadily rise.” in an amazing way. We have to keep to Mumbai. Shikha oers to help do a play that was relatable in these Saurabh Shukla says that during GOING TO PICK UP IN expressing our art.” him with anything he might need. times through video call and chat,” the initial part of the lockdown, AN AMAZING WAY. However, monetising these e enacted irtatious conversation says casting and assistant director of many people contacted him to do platforms may take time. “e rst becomes candid and intimate. Soon, IN SOME YEARS, IT Lockdown Love, Tess Joseph, during live chats. “But I soon realised that —Kalki Koechlin, actor question is why somebody would the virtual aspect of it starts fading a post-performance discussion of everybody was saying the same pay to watch something on the in- and it seems just like a play being MAY BECOME A the play, hosted by the credit card thing—to be positive,” he says. ternet, which has limitations, when performed on a phone, with its TOTALLY DIFFERENT payment app, Cred. e next day, “at is right, but if everybody is Netix is open to you, which is full share of improvisation. ART FORM. IT WILL the app hosted a spoken word poet- saying the same thing, then what of visuals,” says Shukla. “You must With auditoriums and theatre ry session by actor Kalki Koechlin, is the point?” He went on to do live not forget, the moment you come venues shut, many theatre artistes NOT BE THEATRE, BUT followed by a discussion on acting. interviews with fellow artistes and on screen you have straight compe- have embraced digital platforms IT WILL COME OUT OF To control the pandemic, it is im- readings of his plays like Bar for tition with lms. And, cinema has a like Facebook, Instagram and Zoom portant that we practise social dis- Oxford Kolkata. And then, when totally dierent language than thea- to perform live plays. Talsania and THEATRE AND TAKE tancing. And thus, digital platforms BookMyShow called him for eatre tre. It is a great challenge. Good, bad Painyuli performed as part of Book- ITS OWN FORM. become key for the live entertain- Live, he felt he was done with play or ugly, everything will give people MyShow’s eatre Live initiative, ment industry to ourish. “Artistes readings. “I told them I wanted an experience. en, in some years, which has had an enviable line-up —Saurabh Shukla, actor across genres have welcomed this to step up,” he says. He contacted it may become a totally dierent art of theatre artistes reading and per- move,” says Albert Almeida, COO of Jayati Bhatia and planned a brief form. It will not be theatre, but it will forming plays, and doing question Live Entertainment, BookMyShow. performance from Jab Khuli Kitaab come out of theatre and take its own and answer sessions. In April, “e format has enabled them to for Instagram. “Of course, we do not form.”

64 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 65 @LEISURE PETS

PLAY WAY Shirin Merchant TOP THREE DOGGY MYTHS CANINE with her dogs You cannot train an older dog: Obviously, it would not be as easy as training a puppy, but it is never too late. Another myth is that EVANGELIST you can’t train a dog until it is six months old. is is also not true. Guide dog pup- Dog behaviourist Shirin pies all over the world start their training Merchant says that pet parents as young as six weeks. need to be trained rst Eating meat makes dogs vicious: One of the main myths about dog is the food they eat. People believe that meat-eating dogs BY OSHIN GRACE DANIELL would turn vicious or that if an animal tastes blood, it can kill people. A balanced ogs don’t look at appearances, they look for kind- diet that suits the breed of your dog should ness,” says canine behaviourist and trainer Shirin do just ne. DMerchant. “Dogs communicate so much without a word being spoken. What pet owners need to do is to A dog cannot live in a flat: e size of the learn to listen to the unspoken language.” Shirin is the house also does not really matter if your rst person in Asia and one of only nine people in the dog has an exercise routine outdoors. It world to gain accreditation in Companion Dog Training becomes unhealthy when parents restrict and Behavioural Training from the KCAI Kennel Club of their dogs to the balcony of their apart- England. “I applied and passed a stringent exam by the ments. So, as long as your pet gets its Kennel Club of England's Accreditation Scheme for dog exercise outside your house, keeping dogs trainers and behaviourists. In doing so, I also got quali- in apartments is absolutely ne. ed by the city and guilds,” she says. “e exam included practical training sessions and a rigorous theory exam. e Kennel Club sent a representative from England to assess me. I am the only person outside of Europe to have achieved the accreditation till date.” who can help with basic training of a dog like food that he had and he wanted the dogs to have it.” mitment,” she says. e dogs are trained through Born into a dog-loving family, little did Shirin know teaching manners and obedience. But a behav- It is not just sning that dogs are good at; they play and reward and relationship-based method, that she would take up canine training as a profession. iourist is a notch up—a person who is quali ed to can do everything from opening doors to fetching and clicker method. Among these, the clicker In her early 20s, she met the English canine behaviour- help pet parents struggling with behaviour issues medicines and even bringing help in time of an method is considered to be most eective; it is ist and trainer John Rogerson when he came to India such as aggression, separation and fear,” she says. emergency. For 21-year-old Karann Shah, who has based on a positive reinforcement reward system. to conduct a course. e meeting changed the way she In 1998, Shirin and her husband, Junaid, set up type II spinal muscular atrophy (a genetic disease A simple plastic box with a metal tongue, the click- looked at dogs. “Initially people told me it is a waste of Canines Can Care to train companion dogs for the that aects the motor nerves), his female Labrador, er emits a sound when compressed. It is sounded time. ey said Indian women elderly and people with disabilities, Angel, is more than just an assistance dog. Karann’s when the dog is in good behaviour. It helps the can’t train dogs. But I chose to INITIALLY PEOPLE and search and rescue dogs. movements are restricted and he is con ned to a dog identify the precise behaviour that the trainer ignore everybody,” says the Mum- When Bhuj was struck by the devas- wheel-chair. “e disease claimed Karann’s elder desires and try harder to achieve it. bai-based canine trainer who, TOLD ME IT IS A tating earthquake in 2001, Shirin and brother at the age of 14,” says Shirin. "He was dev- When it comes to achievement, Shirin has a in 2018, won the Government of WASTE OF TIME. Junaid drove from Mumbai to Gujarat astated after that, but Angel brought a ray of hope. lot in her kitty. She started India’s rst canine India’s ‘First Ladies Awards’ for with two of their dogs that were trained Not only does Angel fetch the newspaper, she also magazine and pioneered the concept of ‘Canines women who have transcended THEY SAID in search and rescue. “Our dogs kept removes Karann’s socks, puts away his shoes, calls his for Corporates’— osite training camps where barriers to achieve a milestone INDIAN WOMEN sning through the piles of debris and mother on command, brings the phone when it rings oce-goers could learn about trust-building, lead- and are declared to be the ‘ rst’ in CAN’T TRAIN DOGS. rubble,” she says. “I distinctly remem- and also puts the trash in the bin.” ership and empathy. She also produced Asia’s rst their respective elds. According ber how a small boy wearing tatters According to her, most people do not do proper educational dog TV show, Unleash! With Shirin —Shirin Merchant to Shirin, there is a big dierence came to us when we were leaving and research before owning a pet. “ey bring the dog Merchant, in Sri Lanka. Accolades aside, all that between a dog trainer and a oered a packet of biscuits for the home and then suddenly realise it is not for them. Pet Shirin wants is to make the world a better place for behaviourist. “A trainer is a person dogs. It was probably the last bit of ownership is all about responsibility, time and com- all the pups out there.

66 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 67 @LEISURE LIFE IN LOCKDOWN TECH NO BAR Gul Panag has embraced technology and the digital medium to great eect

BY PRIYANKA BHADANI

he entertainment industry, one had to rely on media houses to right now, could be neatly put one’s views across, and there T divided into two catego- was no guarantee that it would be ries: people who realise and reported the way they said it. “I had advocate the power of the digital an opinion and still have an opinion mediums, embracing the manifold on everything. And I was able to put opportunities that the internet has out my thoughts,” she says. brought, and people who are still In the days after the lockdown was ghting for and sticking to traditional rst announced, she was over- mediums. whelmed by the chatter all around. Actor Gul Panag is clearly the “Not a lot of people were making former. In just two years, she has sense to me. ere were conversa- done four shows ( e Family Man, tions that were not going anywhere,” Rangbaaz Phirse, Pawan & Pooja she says. So, she introduced Cool and the recent Paatal Lok) on three Tech to bring structure to the sudden streaming platforms and one theat- shift to working from home. She then rical lm (Bypass Road). en, there realised the need to bring out stories is a podcast, Special Mission with of warriors battling Covid-19. It Gul Panag, that presents true stories started with talking to her vegetable of soldiers and their families. “I was vendor, who switched from a static pretty much working the whole year,” stall to a small Tempo truck to cover much subtext,” says Panag. “I enjoy fessional pilot Rishi Attari, and she to wake up at 6am because her two- she says. Moreover, during the lock- about 500 societies in a week so that content with subtext. I want to look [I LIKED PAATAL LOK] are always on the move for work, and year-old son started waking her up in down, she made use of Instagram people do not have to step out. She for themes between the lines.” She FOR THE KIND OF it is almost impossible to schedule the mornings. “But I am grateful that Live chats—one titled Cool Tech, followed that up with interviews with plays the wife of Jaideep Ahlawat’s things around television shows, or I am in this lockdown with my hus- where she spoke to celebs including Mumbai Police senior inspector Sha- Hathiram Chaudhary, who is a police PICTURE IT PAINTS, rush in and out of theatres, being the band, who is an incredibly hands-on A.R. Rahman, R. Madhavan and Anil lini Sharma, and with Punjab Police inspector in Delhi. “Even if we see AND FOR THE FACT lm bus that they are. “As a viewer, father and partner,” says Panag. Kumble on how to remain produc- sub-inspector Harjeet Singh. “I feel cop dramas, we don’t really see I waited for years for the game to Motherhood clubbed with the tive using the technology at hand, like a reporter waiting till the [last much of their family life. Either it is THAT IT HAS SO change with the internet delivery lockdown has given her a better and another titled What’s Echoing, minute to know] whether I will get too elevated or presented in a sim- MUCH SUBTEXT. mechanism, [which has started perspective on life. She has been where she highlights the work of my guest tomorrow or not,” she says. plistic manner. I like the complexities —Gul Panag, who plays the lead now] with the algorithms and other thinking about how her parents, Covid-19 frontline warriors. Every experience has been stirring and challenges that the character has character's wife in Paatal Lok things,” she says. She thinks that has especially her mother, would have Technology has had a special place for her, especially with the good and how she tries to keep her family changed how casting is now done raised her brother and her in times in her life for long. “I was an early traction she got. It is not incumbent happy with the grim circumstances based on an actor’s ability to play a like these, sometimes in one-room adopter of Twitter as well, back in on her to talk about certain topics, around her all the time,” she says. character, instead of the viability of a accommodations in the middle of 2009,” says Panag. “I was on Twit- but she knows that for a person like Panag has been around in the tickets to go to a theatre, and then star or the commercial draw. nowhere. “I wonder how she did it. ter with only ve-six of us ‘public her, it is important to discuss issues industry for over 20 years, and rush to and from the venue,” she says. As for her personal life, she is able We are far more privileged than our gures’. I always found it was a very that matter. Perhaps, that is why acknowledges the signi cant change “Rewind to years ago when television to organise her time and do a lot parents were,” she says. e pandem- democratic way of having conver- she liked the script of Paatal Lok. that streaming platforms have [picked up]. I didn’t want to wait for a more now than she could do in the ic may have turned things upside sations. You were able to express “[I liked it] for the kind of picture it brought to the entertainment space. week for the next episode.” initial days of the lockdown. After down, but it has been a huge learning yourself freely.” She adds that earlier, paints, and for the fact that it has so “Earlier, our audience had to buy Panag says that her husband, pro- working late nights, she would have curve for her.

68 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 69 @LEISURE NEW SPECIES A viper named Salazar A new snake brings joy to Harry Potter fans, and puts the spotlight on the biodiversity of the northeast

BY MATHEW T. GEORGE Salazar’s pit viper is the second new species of snake to come out of t last, Salazar Slytherin rst daughter there as well. the 41-day expedition. e rst one has a snake named One of Slytherin’s gifts was that was described by Bhonsle, Gowande after him. A stunning- he was a Parselmouth, a wizard and Mirza. ey found the non-ven- AA ly beautiful green pit who could talk to reptiles. He also omous burrowing snake under viper with an “orange established the namesake Slytherin fallen logs inside Tally Valley Wildlife to reddish stripe running House, with its coat of arms featuring Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh. It from the lower border of the eye” an erect silver serpent against a eld was named Trachischium apteii in to the tip of its tail. e Salazar Pit of green. For the record, Potter, too, honour of Dr Deepak Apte, marine Viper (Trimeresurus salazar) was was a Parselmouth. biologist and director of BNHS. e found in the lowlands of western Field biologists say that the mor- description of a possible third new Arunachal Pradesh by Zeeshan A. phology of green pit vipers makes species is also in the pipeline. Mirza, Harshal S. Bhosale, Pushkar it dicult to identify new species, With the Covid-19 pandemic U. Phansalkar, Mandar Sawant, Gau- especially in the eld. Perhaps, one sweeping the world, scientists are rang G. Gowande and Harshil Patel. needs a touch of magic to do it. Mirza back in the limelight. And, Mirza “It was sort of a hat tip to J.K. Rowl- rst got an inkling about this snake is thrilled. “I have always felt why a SNAKE-SPOTTER ing for colouring my childhood,” said when a friend sent him the photo of Zeeshan A. Mirza ZEESHAN A. MIRZA sportsman or an actor should get all Mirza, lead writer of the paper that a green pit viper from Pakke Tiger (above) was the the adulation,” he said. “A scientist described the snake. “Childhood is Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh’s East lead writer of was taken to the specimens, he felt a which the writer viewed the speci- who brings you a new medicine is as the paper that a magical time in many ways, and Kameng district. “I immediately felt described the thrill—they were Salazar’s pit vipers, men. One can only be sure when one much a rock star as any of them.” she just made it more so for me and that there was something dierent Salazar Pit Viper wrongly labelled as white-lipped is in the eld with a live specimen e recent discovery of many many others. People tend to think of about this snake,” said Mirza. (top) pit vipers. “A Danish naturalist had and when supporting evidence like new species in north-eastern India scientists as nerds. We are not locked So, the scientists set o on a 41-day collected these specimens from the molecular data comes in.” underlines the rich biodiversity of the up in our labs forever! We live a expedition, which ended on August the male Salazar’s pit vipers have the region in the 1800s. As the region An Andheri boy, Mirza is pursuing region. It also shines the spotlight on normal life. And, Harry Potter is very 5, 2019. “During the expedition, near stripe. e females are virtually indis- was called Assam in those days, the a Master’s by research at the Na- potential infrastructure projects that much part of that life. I can still read Pakke Tiger Reserve, we collected tinguishable from other females, I specimens got tagged thus. And the tional Centre for Biological Sciences threaten this Eden in the east. is all of the Potter books with the same two specimens of a green pit viper, would say. While the stripe’s colour snake waited all these years for me,” (NCBS) in Bengaluru. e NCBS is year the Arunachal Pradesh govern- amount of joy as I rst read them.” which resembled T. septentrionalis is brilliant in young males, it tends to quipped Mirza. “I also heard that a part of the Tata Institute of Fun- ment cleared a 02,500-crore project Author J.K. Rowling had imagined (Northern white-lipped pit viper) dull with age. Interestingly, the stripe two other papers just got rejected. damental Research. Bhosale and to build a 693km-long highway which the ctional Slytherin as one of the and T. albolabris (White-lipped pit disappears in preserved specimens.” ey, too, were trying to describe this Sawant are with the Bombay Natural will run through Pakke Tiger Reserve. four great wizards who founded viper) in the number of dorsal scale ere was more magic waiting s n a k e .” History Society (BNHS). Phansalkar And, last year, the Union government the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft rows and colouration,” Mirza wrote in the wings. is February, Mirza Mirza feels that a common mistake is studying at the Wildlife Institute of greenlit the 028,080-crore Dibang hy- and Wizardry. In 2017, Rowling had in the April issue of Zoosystematics travelled through Europe, visiting made in taxonomy is to compare a India, Dehradun. Gowande teaches dropower project in the state. When tweeted that Slytherin’s rst name and Evolution journal. e orange natural history museums. At the Nat- specimen with a book description. at Pune’s Fergusson College and is completed, it will be India’s largest came from the Portuguese dictator stripe was the only hint that these ural History Museum of Denmark, “A book is a book, a starting point,” pursuing a PhD at MES Abasaheb hydropower project and the world’s Antonio Salazar. In the early 1990s, snakes could be new to science. he was shown a list of specimens in he said. “It was written by another Garware College. Patel is a research tallest concrete gravity dam. It will she had taught English in Porto, Por- “Most green pit vipers are quite storage and was thrilled to notice two human being. So, it is prone to errors fellow at the Veer Narmad South also submerge 8,865 acres—much of tugal, got married there and had her similar visually,” Mirza said. “Only specimens from Assam. When he or inuenced by the conditions in Gujarat University, Surat. it will be forests.

70 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 71 @LEISURE PEOPLE

Shooting Quarantine Back in spree comedy action bling too many people. I shoot the videos on Canadian singer-songwrit- Danish Sait, actor Oscar-winning director Spike Lee, my phone and use iMovie to edit them. I think er Raghav Mathur, popu- known for his lms like Malcolm people like my videos because they nd them larly known as Raghav, was X (1992) and BlacKkKlansman anish Sait, best known for his relatable. a chart-topping Indipop (2018), is out with the trailer role in the Kannada sociopo- heartthrob in the early of his next, Da 5 Bloods. Dlitical satire Humble Politician Q/Humble Politician Nograj has been 2000s, with great singles e lm, starring Chad- Nograj, has been busier than usual dur- the need of the hour. What does the like Angel Eyes and Can’t wick Boseman and Delroy ing the lockdown. His fun take on quar- movie mean to you? Get Enough. ose who Lindo, is about a few Afri- antine worries and little joys of life have A/Humble Politician Nograj is a ctional have wondered why he can-American veterans return- been grabbing eyeballs on YouTube. His character who mirrors the image that I have of disappeared as quickly as

ing to Vietnam on a treasure hunt. If REUTERS ‘Conversations before and after Modiji’s politicians in my head. e movie is a satirical he came will be pleasantly the trailer is anything to go by, the 8pm speech’, uploaded on May 13, had take on politicians. Nograj has no qualms about surprised to learn that the gunghts and action sequences are more than 12,000 views in two days. the frauds he has committed. Neither does he 39-year-old has not given sure to keep you on the edge of your care about saying things that probably run on up music. He recently seat. e lm releases on Netix on Q/What is your typical day like? people’s minds.... I had good fun working on the released his new song—a June 12. A/I wake up by 11. I call my mom the lm. Its sequel is now being made in the form of Su track on unconditional moment I am up and kick-start my day a web series. love—on JioSaavn’s Artist with three cups of black co ee. at gets Originals platform. my motor running. en I play with Red, Q/Do people avoid you, fearing you my cat, for a while. at’s how I warm will make jokes at their expense? up for work. Post brunch, I sit down and A/My friends, relatives and maid don’t mind come up with an idea. I discuss my ideas it. I am truly blessed in many ways. I just did a Goodie with Vamsi, my friend, before shooting video wherein I roll out the carpet and welcome the video. And then I have some inter- my maid home. I think that is something people girl views or work conversations. By the can easily relate to as everybody is waiting for time I realise I didn’t work out, the their domestic help to come back. Alia Bhatt’s new quarantine hair- day is gone. Hidden style and tness videos are not all Q/You had a troubled childhood and that are keeping the actor in the Q/You have managed have opened up about how you bat- talent limelight. She recently surprised to make quite a few tled depression. How did you make e lockdown has brought out the the health workers of KEM videos during the peace with your past? inner artist in Sonakshi Sinha. She Hospital in Mumbai by sending lockdown. Tell A/I had two choices. I could either choose shared a video on Instagram of her them goodie kits. “ank you us about your to cry and complain or get over it and move painting the face of the Buddha for for all you are doing to keep the process. on. I didn’t want my past to dictate so much of a work titled e Enlightened One. It community healthy and safe,” she A/I just use what- my present and so I chose the latter. Accepting is part of a portfolio of her art- wrote in a note. “You are the real he- ever is around me and understanding your problem is half the works that are being auctioned, roes.” e kits included chocolates, a without trou- solution. at makes it easier to think your way and include digital prints and sweet bun, an apple drink and other out of it. So I have been to psychologists sketches. “Creating art brings a snacks. One of the doctors there, and psychiatrists and continue to take sense of calm and relief to me,” Dr Shripad Gangapurkar, shared a anti-anxiety tablets. at said, looking said the actor. “And relief is picture of the kit to thank Bhatt. back, I have no regrets. I am grateful what I want to bring to those for all the blessings in my life. My sister for whom this lockdown has been incredible in terms of her has been a nightmare….” support.... People around me have been e proceeds from the CONTRIBUTORS/ PRIYANKA very kind. What more can I ask for? auction will be used for AFP BHADANI AND SNEHA BHURA the welfare of daily wage COMPILED BY ANJULY MATHAI —By—By Mini P. Thomas earners. AFP

72 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 MAY 31, 2020 • THE WEEK 73 LAST WORD SHASHI THAROOR

A community at sea

mid all the headline stories about the impact ashore, shermen are idle and big city markets are of Covid-19—the tragedy of migrant workers, mostly closed. Even shing harbours and sh landing Achallenges faced by health care providers, the centres are only able to receive customers with advance collapse of industry and so sadly on—there is one bookings, and function for limited hours. Seafood is community that has been universally ignored and perishable, and since it could not be transported from neglected: the sherfolk. shing villages to consumers in the cities for weeks, it Our shing communities represent one of the was a disaster. Most boats will have to stay o the water most economically challenged and marginalised until the end of August. sections of our society. Most live below the poverty is crisis has laid low a group of stout-hearted line and work incredibly hard just to stay aoat. e people who have made the nation proud through their conditions endured by shermen in my constituency heroism time after time. When severe oods swamped of iruvananthapuram—who are yet to fully Kerala in 2018 and 2019, sherfolk put their own recover from the devastating losses they suered subsistence aside to save marooned citizens with their when Cyclone Ockhi struck over two years ago—are boats. ey joined the Navy in looking for capsized pitiable, but they are not the only vessels and people in distress on ones. e impoverishment faced by the seas. ough barely able to the community is a reality across make ends meet, they have always the nation, and little by way of embodied the principle of seless comprehensive redressal has been service. But when they are in distress, done for them in the last few years. they never get the attention they To make matters worse, for the deserve. at is why I nominated last 40 days, most of them could not them, unsuccessfully, for the Nobel go out to sh. Many had already Peace Prize. ventured out to sea when the But they need something more lockdown was suddenly announced, tangible, something they can live but they came back and found they on. An urgent nancial package is could not sell their catch, as the essential for the community—some sh supply chain on land had been four million people nationwide, of disrupted, with restaurants and sh whom 61 per cent live below the markets closed. Fisherwomen could poverty line. e “ sh famine” is not not go from house to house to sell their husbands’ less than any headline-grabbing drought or calamity. catch because of restrictions. For a group that survives A simple allowance of 07,500 per month to shing on a hand-to-mouth existence, their inability to families, paid into their Jan Dhan accounts, will help conduct basic daily activities is causing signi cant them cope till they can sh again. And it is not as if they economic trauma. With little cash in hand, they do not contribute signi cantly to our economy. e cannot buy medicines and emergency rations, or sheries sector contributes 1.03 per cent, or 01,75,573 attend to existing debts. crore, of our GDP (2017-18 gure), and indirectly e lockdown was instituted at a time when provides income and employment to more than 14.5 weather conditions were conducive for shing, shortly million people. before imposition of the monsoon shing ban. is e Central government must help this community— means that shermen, anxious to make up for the who were betrayed by the paltry compensatory and losses caused by cyclones late last year and bracing relief packages received after previous calamities— for a period without income, have had to accept more substantially during lockdown. It is the very least another fallow period. Trawlers have been pulled we can do for these most vulnerable Indians.

ILLUSTRATION BHASKARAN [email protected]

74 THE WEEK • MAY 31, 2020 APRIL 5, 2020 • THE WEEK 75 76 The Week RNI No.36122/1982, Registered No. KL/EKM/756/2018-20, Licence No. KL/CR/EKM/WPP-20/2018-20. Licensed to Post Without Prepayment. Published on Friday 22nd May 2020