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                                  break. Shopping malls, schools and colleges have been closed ndia saw the biggest single in the State till March 31. Iday spike in the number of After closing the door on =' .
 
 %  " novel coronavirus cases when foreign nationals, mainly 23 persons reported positive tourists, the Centre has now during the last 24 hours on suspended travel and registra- $$ - Sunday. The number swelled to tion of pilgrims to Kartarpur 107 from 84 with Maharashtra Sahib Gurudwara through the ncertainly still prevails reporting the highest number corridor from Sunday mid- Uover the floor test in of positive cases followed by night. It has also placed a curb Madhya Pradesh Assembly, as Kerala. Meanwhile over 450 on the movement of all types of Speaker of the State Assembly stranded Indians were flown passengers to Pakistan through NP Prajapati has not given clear back from Italy and Iran and international border points. instructions for it. quarantined. Earlier, the Government Even the agenda for A Health Ministry official had announced suspension of Monday’s proceedings issued said over 4,000 people who had all types of passenger move- by the State Assembly come in contact with 93 posi- ment from 00:00 hours on Secretariat does not include tive cases have been identified March 15 through the Indo- Floor Test. It only says that at through contact and were Bangla, Indo-Nepal, Indo- 11 am, there would be being tracked while 42,000 Bhutan and Indo-Myanmar Governor’s address to the bud- people across the country are borders barring a few specified get session and secondly, the '    (  
   )     under community surveillance. border checkposts. House would express grati- *   '+, More States on Sunday The total number of cases tude towards the Governor. closed schools, colleges cinema in the country includes the two Late on Saturday night, Governor has ordered the Corona virus. halls, and also imposed Section persons who died in Delhi               !"# $        
       Madhya Pradesh Governor Kamal Nath government to On the other hand, BJP 144 of the CrPC to prevent and Karnataka and 17 for-      #  '   Lalji Tandon had written to conduct floor tests using members are likely to depart gathering of more than four eigners. Twelve more people Chief Minister Kamal Nath to Articles 174 and 175 (2) of the from New Delhi at around persons in order to check the have tested positive in flight left for Dubai in the after- )   $  go through floor test on Constitution and other consti- 10.30 pm. Till filing of the spread of the disease. Maharashtra, taking the num- noon after the 20 passengers + "# 
 Monday, after his (Governor’s) tutional powers. report, they had reached Delhi While the number of pos- ber of cases to 31. were detained.    ( $ address at the commencement However, while talking to from Manesar resort. itive cases in Maharashtra shot Delhi has so far reported The UK national has been    of Budget Session. Copy of the media persons on Sunday, However, the situation of up to 32, the health ministry seven positive cases, Kerala 22 taken to an isolation facility at   * $  + letter was also sent to the Prajapati continued on the Scindia supporter MLA is not has clarified that the 71-year- and Uttar Pradesh 11. a nearby Government hospital, New Delhi: In the wake of the Speaker. same line that the MLAs who clear. Sources claimed that old man from Buldhana, who Karnataka has six coronavirus a Cochin International Airport Noida: The Gautam Buddh coronavirus outbreak, the In the letter issued at mid- had submitted written resig- they would depart from died during treatment on patients while Ladakh three Limited spokesman said. Nagar district administration Indian Railways has issued night, the Governor directed nation to him, should person- Bengaluru at around Saturday in a hospital has test- and Jammu and Kashmir had Kerala has launched an inten- on Sunday ordered closure of orders to all its zones to with- that the government prove the ally appear before him. He 4 am. ed negative for coronavirus two. Telangana reported three sified medical check up in all cinema halls and gymnasi- draw blankets and curtains majority after the address. asked as what is the problem Assembly sources claimed infection. He had returned cases. Rajasthan also reported inter-State border areas for ums across Noida and Greater from AC coaches as they are Voting on the trust vote will be with the legislators to meet him that all the legislators would from Saudi Arabia recently two cases. Tamil Nadu, Andhra people entering the State by rail Noida till March 31 to prevent not washed every day. Other done by pressing the button, in personally. have to go through medical and had diabetes and high Pradesh and Punjab have and road. As many as 302 the spread of coronavirus. “All items in the bed roll are washed no other way. Videography Meanwhile, the Congress examination before entering to blood pressure. reported one case each. people are in isolation wards of owners, operators and man- every day, it said. The railway will be done for the entire legislators who were shifted to the House. Directives have The Mumbai Police on In Kerala, 20 Dubai-bound various hospitals across the agers of cinema halls and gym- board has also instructed that process of trust vote, he added. Jaipur, have returned to Bhopal also been issued that no visi- Sunday clamped prohibitory passengers were detained at the State. nasiums are directed to keep the minimum temperature in It was mentioned that such on Sunday afternoon. They are tors would be allowed inside orders under section 144 of the Kochi airport after a UK Related reports on their facilities completely closed the coaches be set at 24-25 an order was issued under staying at hotel Marriot and the assembly premises on CrPC to stop tour operators national, who was under sur- Page 4, Page 12 till March 31,” the DM said. degrees Celsius. Articles 174 and 175, the they were examined for Monday. Only, Secretariat from conducting any kind of veillance sneaked out and employees, MLAs and jour- group tours to foreign or joined the group, tested posi- nalists would be allowed domestic destinations till tive for novel coronavirus, offi- and that too, they would be March 31. cial sources said. asked to wear masks. Maharashtra has already Meanwhile, the over 280 invoked the Epidemic Diseases passengers of the Dubai-bound       P    Act, 1897 that gives wide-rang- Emirates flight, which the ing powers to officials to group had taken, were   enforce measures, including offloaded at the airport. The $#%## &# ## #
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 Ssupported Prime Minister Minister KP Sharma Oli, for the “lockdown” to be           Narendra Modi’s proposal of Bhutanese premier Lotay eased in Jammu & Kashmir   New Delhi: Pilgrimage and regis- setting up COVID-19 Tshering, Bangladeshi Prime to deal with the coronavirus our Congress MLAs in    tration for the Kartarpur Sahib Emergency Fund to jointly Minister Sheikh Hasina, threat. FGujarat have tendered their      Gurdwara in Pakistan will be sus- combat the pandemic. During Afghan President Ashraf Modi asserted that it was resignation to Assembly "  $" % pended beginning Sunday mid- video conference with his Ghani and Special Assistant to important for the SAARC Speaker Rajendra Trivedi  "   '  night in view of coronavirus out- counterparts, Prime Minister Pakistani Prime Minister on member countries to work ahead of the election to the ' %'   break, the Home Ministry said. The committed 10 million dollars Health Zafar Mirza, partici- together and said the region four Rajya Sabha seats in the "' % ()*  +", Government has also suspended as initial investment for the pated in the video conference. can best respond to the coro- state to be held on March 26, movement of all types of passengers fund. The underlying mes- navirus pandemic by prompting the opposition   through International border points Apart from Modi, Sri sage of the video conference “coming together, not grow- party to shift at least 24 MLAs     with Pakistan from 00:00 hours of Lankan President Gotabaya was unitedly taking on the ing apart”. to Jaipur on Sunday.   "# - .'   March 16. +" '  /0 .   " "   /1 .   '2. 2""  "' 2"  %   & $   ' .'      ' "  %   (     4
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n an interesting twist to Dalit Ivote bank politics in the coun- try, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan on Sunday launched his political party — the Azad Samaj Party (ASP) — marking the birth anniversary of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) founder Kanshi Ram. The date of the party’s launch is seen as a direct challenge to BSP supremo Mayawati whose party has so far been the sole   
  claimant of the Dalit votes in       Uttar Pradesh and a few other States. As many as 28 ex-MLAs interest and would have no polit- and six former MPs attended the ical impact. event in neighbouring Noida Chandrashekhar took to prompting two former Chief social media depicting Dalit Ministers of Uttar Pradesh — leader late Kanshi Ram’s image as Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav — his profile status, to officially to react on the new outfit, saying announce his new political these are parties with vested party.    !"!" 
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' .  .   $$ - the participants gained health experts discussed $$ - (payable in the month of April by the Government of India, knowledge about the art, his- about food choices, health, fit- 2020). Separate orders will be which is reviewing the situation
)    he regular Sunday of tory and significance of pot- ness and immunity. he State Cabinet here on issued for payment of arrears closely. The Union Health TBhopalites took a healthy tery. A workshop to under- Later in the evening, TSunday decided to increase for the period from July 1, 2019 Minister advised against mass turn as the last day of Anant stand health, ailments and its Jaipur’s Sahitya Project curat- dearness allowance payable to to February 29, 2020. gathering and unnecessary $$ - The domestic help and Mahotsav, the first anniver- relation with happiness and ed a poetry and storytelling Government servants by 5 per- The Cabinet approved the travel in the Parliament. It has locals would be questioned in sary celebration of Anant healing called ‘Holistic event where various artists cent. appointment of Ramu Tekam also been directed not to allow lectronic goods and jew- the further investigation, said Mandi—Bhopal’s Organic Lifestyle for Healing’ facili- from across the city per- The Cabinet granted and Rashid Suhail Siddiqui as mass gatherings. The World Eellery worth 90,000 were police. Police have started fur- Farmers’ Market, was organ- tated by Shashi Bhushan was formed. approval for hike of 5 percent members of Madhya Pradesh Health Organisation is con- burgled from Pratap Nagar ther investigation and said that ised at Gandhi Bhavan. also organised. Over the last year, Anant in seventh pay scale ie from 12 Public Service Commission. stantly urging State under Chola Mandir police the CCTV installed in the near- The last day of the cele- As the crowd revelled, Mandi has successfully creat- percent to 17 percent and The meeting also approved Governments to take proactive station area on Sunday. by areas would be investigated. bration witnessed a beautiful the food corner, ‘Sabki Rasoi’ ed a small community of eco- increase in sixth pay scale by 10 the notification issued in the steps to stop the spread of the Police said that the victim The victim in his complaint and diverse crowd from got a great response this day conscious group of people, of percent ie increase 154 percent Madhya Pradesh Gazette Novel Corona Virus (COVID- Mira Dehariya, along with the claimed that gold and silver across the city. as well. The homemade, farmers and young volun- to 164 percent rate of dearness (Extraordinary) on 7 February 19). Madhya Pradesh govern- family, had gone to attend last jewellery, a laptop, an ATM card Along with the farmers’ organic, nutritious food items teers in association with allowance/dearness relief 2020 for amendment in the ment is also taking necessary rites of her brother-in-law at and documents were burgled. market, with a fresh range of like Palak Idli, Sprouts Dosa, Gandhi Bhavan. payable to Government ser- Madhya Pradesh Sand steps in this direction. Jawahar Chowk on Saturday. The total loss in the burglary organic products of over 25 Sooji Khandwi, As many as 17 Anant vants/pensioners/teacher cadre (Mining, Transportation, Legal measures are being After the victim, Mira, was was over 90,000. stalls, the day started with a At the Art Angan here, a Mandis have been organised /panchayat secretaries of Storage and Trading) Rules taken to keep schools, col- informed at around 9 in the The victim has checked variety of engaging activities series of paintings on the since last February. It is Panchayat and Rural 2019. leges, anganwadis, public morning regarding the broken the valuables and would pro- and new workshops to raise theme Ecological Diveristy organised on the second and Development Department and The guidelines issued to libraries, water parks, gyms, locks and open door, she vide the details of the burgled awareness among the com- were exhibited where a live last Sunday of every month permanent employees from 1 prevent the spread of Novel swimming pools, cinema halls returned after an hour and goods after checking the valu- munity to adopt healthier painting and sketching ses- here where such diverse activ- July 2019 (salary of July 2019 / Corona Virus (COVID-19) in and marriage halls in the state found that valuables were bur- ables in the house. and ecological practices. sion also took place. ities, workshops, cooking cor- payable in the month of August the State were also discussed in closed till further orders, post- gled. Police suspect that miscre- A hands-on pottery work- What You Eat is How You ners are regularly oragnised 2019). The increased amount of the Cabinet meeting. It was pone official travel, trainings Later, the police registered ants were aware of the victims shop ‘Pottery and Keep, a panel discussion with along with the organic farm- Dearness Allowance / Dearness informed during the meeting and public functions and orga- a case under section 457 and as the burglary was committed Sustainability’ facilitated by Sushmita Roy, Rashi Jain and ers’ market to promote Relief will be paid from the that a high level Group of nizing gatherings of more than 380 of the IPC and started fur- within lesser span of time and Shampa Shah and Basant Vineeta Mewade took place in healthy living and sustain- salary / pension of March 2020 Ministers has been constituted 20 people. ther investigation. escaped with valuables. Ram was organised where the evening where the three ability in the community.     *.   ) 

4  % - Bachelor in Physical Education. education student, she has Uttarakhand where she secured She has also been the president secured glory in various games Grade 'A' and in August 2018, hawna Dehariya, a 28-year of the Student Union in her col- too. Bhawna has represented Bhawna was selected by the Bold mountaineer from vil- lege. Madhya Pradesh by partici- Ministry of Sports and Youth lage Tamia, Chhindawara, While living her dream in pating in various sports at the Welfare, Government of India, Madhya Pradesh who climbed reality, she believed that noth- national level like Basketball, Delhi for Mountaineering the highest mountain peak ing is impossible in the world, Cycle Polo, Softball, Artificial where she excelled in climbing Mount Everest on May 22 and all that one need is courage, Sports climbing, etc. She has 6593 meters high at the peak became one among the first determination and passion made the state proud by and made the country and women of the State to complete towards the goal. Nobody excelling in various adventur- state proud with her achieving the summit, is embarking on could stop her in living her ous sports. Besides this, she has laurels. her rising mountaineering journey further. also been an active cadet of After four years of inter- journey with her strong dedi- Recently, she made it to the NCC. minable hard work, on May 22, cation and determination of liv- Australia Continent highest The passion of being a 2019, Bhawna raised the pride ing her dreams with open peak Mt Kosciuszko, on the mountaineer was in her since of the country and Madhya wings. occasion of Holi, March 10, childhood. To make her dream Pradesh in the world by climb- On her return from 2020 prior to this she unfurled transformed into a reality, ing the world's highest peak Australia, she talked at length the national tricolor flag on the Bhawna pulled up her socks Mount Everest also called to ‘Metro Vaartha’. occasion of Diwali, October 27, 6593 meters summit in August and did many mountaineering Sagarmatha in Nepal, covering Bhawna’s father, Munna 2019 on Kilimanjaro, the high- 2018 and Mount DKD 2nd courses that mainly include the 8,848 meters. Lal Dehariya, is a Government est peak of the Africa (5670 meters) Ghadwal sum- Advance and Methods of Notably, Bhawna has also      '    )''# .      .      -    *   high school teacher while Continent. mit in 2017. Instruction mountaineering been bestowed with ‘Devi      ) *   '   mother Uma Devi is a home- Other than this, she has Achieving these laurels was courses, considered one of the Award’ by the Chief Minister maker. Bhawna is a sports climbed Mount Aconcagua, not a cake walk as it required best courses for mountaineer- Kamal Nath at Indore. Besides, enthusiast and is currently pur- South America reaching height a lot of courage and tough ing. She has completed this she has been felicitated by the suing her master degree course of 6500 meters on December trainings, which were received course from the renowned Madhya Pradesh Cabinet for +. '
   .""  ' @/ in Physical Education from 31, 2019; Mount Manirang, by the mountaineer Bhawna. Government Nehru Institute of her stupendous achievements Bhopal. She has done BPEd, Himachal Pradesh, covering Being an athlete and a physical Mountaineering, Uttarkashi, in 2020. $$ - Pradhan, Joint Director in poned in view of the Nobel which necessary guidelines Corona (Covid-19) virus. ll sports activities in all were given to the officials and Meanwhile, players of  '' N * Asports complexes in the sports coaches. Madhya Pradesh State State will be suspended till It was informed at the Taekwondo Academy have >$O "  March 31, 2020 for all types of meeting that all the sportsper- earned three medals including %  members. All boarding and sons trained under the board- one silver and two bronze in >
" 
 day-boarding players of all ing and day-boarding scheme the All India Inter University '"  +? State sports academies will in all sports complexes and Taekwondo Championship. have holidays till March 31, sports academies, including The championship was $$ - 2020. the TT Nagar Stadium in played from 10 to 17 March This decision is taken by Bhopal, will have a holiday till 2020 in Patiala, Punjab. In this new collection of books was the Department of Sports and March, 31 2020. championship, Taekwondo Alaunched at Swami Youth Welfare, in view of pub- Similarly, all sports activi- Academy player Gaurav Vivekanand Library on Sunday. lic health and public interest in ties conducted through all the Yadav scored a silver in the The books of The Economics of the State, to protect against the district sports offices of the under-54 kg weight category, Inequality by Thomas Piketty infection of the Corona (Covid- state will be postponed till while the academy's Madhu and Plassey by Sudeep 19) virus caused by the disease March 31, 2020 for all types of Singh performed in the Chakraborty are included in in public places, sports grounds members. No sports activities under-62 kg and Ishaan this collection in New Books / campuses together in groups will be organized by the Sports Sharma in the under-68 kg Collection. of players and common citizens Department during this period. weight category. The collection of New As a result of the gathering, In this connection, instruc- While earning one bronze Arrival Books at Swami precaution has been taken to tions have been sent to all divi- medal each. Minister of Vivekananda Library was prevent the possible risk of sional district sports and youth Sports and Youth Welfare, launched keeping in mind the Corona (Covid-19) virus infec- welfare officers, all academy in- Jeetu Patwari and Director members of Swami Vivekananda tion. charge and all sports coaches Sports and Youth Welfare V. Library. Many books in this In this regard, Director to ensure immediate action. K. Singh congratulated the new collection are brand new. ,    "  

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     $$ - Sports and Youth Welfare V.K. Besides, the hockey goal players. For this, it has been included in *   '   Singh gave instructions of keeper coaching camp at Major The above players are the collection. The total number arking the closure of Singh, an important meeting Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium trained under the guidance of of total books in this collection M35th National Theatre was held on Sunday under the in the capital from 16 to 22 Academy's Taekwondo is 25. Festival, play ‘Lehron Ka chairmanship of Vinod March 2020 has been post- instructor Jagjit Singh Mand. To increase interest in the     
     Rajhans’ was staged at books of members, this collec- Ravindra Bhavan on Sunday. tion is being brought to the The play was directed by Swami Vivekananda Library. Sharad Sharma from Ujjain. Supported by Swami 
  /     The play is a story written by Vivekananda Library. Manager Mohan Rakesh. Yatish Bhatele said that the col- Health Minister has advised Government has ordered closure At the centre of the play lection of 50 World's Greatest $$ - against mass programmes and of all schools, colleges and cin- is Gautam Buddha's younger Short Stories and Series of 50 unnecessary travelling. ema houses from March 12. brother Nanda and his wife World's Greatest Poems has arious measures to prevent Guidelines have also been issued The Chhattisgarh govern- Sundari. After Gautam been included in this collection. Vthe spread of Novel Corona to allow mass gatherings. States ment has issued orders to keep Buddha, his wife Yashodhara The purpose of the library is that Virus were discussed in the have been advised by the media public libraries, water parks, has also become a monk. members should also be encour- State in the Cabinet meeting held to make people aware about pre- gyms and swimming pools Dhamma Sharanam is a aged to read books. This time on Sunday under the chairman- vention from Corona. closed till further orders. Besides, buzzing environment in the new books have been put on dis- ship of Chief Minister Kamal It was informed in the meet- orders have been circulated to atmosphere. play in the library. The names of Nath. It was informed that ing that to prevent the spread of close Anganwadi and mini At the same time, the the books collection include important decisions have been Novel Corona Virus, it has been Anganwadi centers in duality of Nanda is what they The Economics of Inequality by taken to stop the spread of decided by the Supreme Court Chhattisgarh. should do. On the one hand, Thomas Picketti, Plasi by Sudeep Novel Corona virus in the State. to hear only urgent matters. In Preventive measures taken there is extra affection for the Chakraborty, Origins by Lewis It was informed in the meet- order to make the countrymen against Corona in Madhya beauty, and on the other Dartnall, Reimagining Pakistan ing that the World Health aware in this direction, infor- Pradesh hand, the brother's Dhamma by Hussein Haqqani, 50 World's Organisation is constantly urg- mation is being given regarding Information was given in the is reclusive. They swing like a Greatest Short Stories, 50 World's ing the State Governments to protection from Corona through meeting that all possible efforts pendulum. The narrative of Greatest Poems, Punjab by take proactive steps to stop the mobile phones and telephone are also being made by the the mutual duality of world- Amandeep Sandhu, Watershed spread of this virus. The World caller tone. Madhya Pradesh government to ly pleasures and spiritual 1967 India Forgotten Victory Health Organisation has In the Cabinet meeting, it stop the spread of Novel Corona peace comes to the fore over China by Prabal Dasgupta, declared Corona Virus an epi- was informed that the state gov- virus. All schools, colleges, cin- through Nanda and Sundari. I really need this today bh demic. The situation is being ernment in Maharashtra has ema halls, marriage halls, pub- Many of the play's dia- Honda Kotab, The Mountain of closely reviewed by a high-level decided to postpone the lic libraries, water parks, gyms, logues enter the psyche like the Moon by Bibhuti Bhushan Group of Ministers (GoM) con- Assembly session to prevent the swimming pools, anganwadis, the immortal utterance. Like Bandyopadhyay and more. stituted by the Government of spread of Novel Corona virus. All etc. have been closed till further Nanda says, everyone has the Total 25 books collection is India. Quarantine centers have other states are also taking nec- orders. The system of biometric right to think, however good being put in this collection. Rhe been set up for all Indian people essary measures to stop the attendance of employees in to say. At the same place, the collection is supported by Swami returning from countries affect- spread of this virus. A package offices has been closed. All cul- monk Anand Nanda says, Vivekananda Library. Manager ed by this virus. Stringent mea- of Rs 200 crores has been tural programmes, public pro- you have a room, a garden, Yatish Bhatele said that it was put sures have been taken to cancel announced by the Chief Minister grammes, official visits and train- but there is no home, where on display on Sunday. Members the visas of all foreign travelers. of Odisha in this connection. It ing programmes have been post- your soul may get satisfaction. can reserve them and members In Parliament, the Union was informed that the Delhi poned. The play was wonderful- will issue on next Saturday. ly performed by the artists.                                                                                                                                                !        "                                            #            $ % S                      '                "       (          

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31-year-old man was Aattacked by a eunuch dur- ing a dance programme at Kalyan Nagar late in the night on Saturday. According to the police, the victim, Vijay Ahirwar, was attacked by miscreant eunuch   0           )  *   '    ) *   identified as Nandini with a  '   sharp-edged weapon. The injured victim was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was reportedly stable. In the initial investigation, it '    ) O+ P   was found that Vijay was at the dance programme on the eve of Rangpanchami late in the night    0  *  on Saturday. The victim in his complaint stated that he was watching the $$ -   2
  
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 ''   dance programme organised in 2""   2 " %  " % E   2 his area and while he was watch- painting exhibition ‘Totka’ 2 % '% .'   . %     " " ing the accused eunuch who was Aby artists Enora Lalet and % *    % .'   ''. %  at the event attacked the victim Varun Namdev is being put up   
 "  ' '   % ,    by reaching out to him in the at Alliance Francaise de Bhopal. .2   '% ..' '  %'% 
 audience and attacked him with This is an exhibition that     "'     " %, a sharp edged weapon near his mix Cooked Portraits from ear and escaped the spot. the series Food Mythology and   ' "    '.   . % The victim lodged a com- the new Totka series, based on 2 % % 
 '  :"   plaint with Chola Mandir police Indian Cuisine. ?" A<<<     "' ' %  @
  and based on the complaint and Enora about the exhibition '    ", after the preliminary investiga- said, “As far as I remember, tion, the police have registered India crystallized in it, all the a case under sections 324 and existential mysteries, which are epileptic score that forcefully “ The Totka series con- 336 of the IPC and have started revealed into the eyes of the one invites our senses to a dance tains all the nods to the sym- further investigation. The who want to see.” that we are not ready for. bols that were dear to me: the accused is yet to be arrested. The marvelous is every- “India heckles our habits, third eye, Gond art, protective In the initial investigation, it where and seizes every chance upsets our rasas, whispers mag- mother earth, knowledge of was found that the eunuch was to be embodied in the smallest nificent mythological stories,” ayurveda plants, temple offer- frustrated over the victim as he details of the daily life : in the Enora added. ing, chakras, tribal dance and was staring and teasing her but small mountains of colorful The culinary world is not finally Shivatri. I have a great the reason of the attack could spices, in the pattern of a sari, an exception through the respect for all these mytho- not be ascertained and would be in the wide-eyed of Kali, in the power of mystery, testifying of logical references. With investigated in the further inves- rituals flowery protection, in a very ancient heritage, regards, I add a final Namaste tigation. The victim told the the cacophony of the horns that bequeathed by the Vedas, dedicated to my creative duo, police that the he do not have never disturb the cows chilling 7000 years ago; by the delicate the Indian photographer dispute or old enmity with the on a four-way. It is about per- balance of the 3 vital energies Varun Namdev” Enora accused and it was a sudden manent saturation, a colorful which go through our body. added. attack by the accused.  $"
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ver half-a-dozen people Owere injured and several vehicles were damaged after two groups clashed on Rangpanchmi in Ratibad area on Saturday. Both the groups pelted stones damaging vehicles and injuring people. Police said that petty issue turned into violent clash after groups lead by Pradeep Dwivedi and Jitendra Parashar engaged in clash resulting into injury of six persons. In his complaint, Pradeep states that he along with fam- ily members were dancing over drum (dhol) beats when Jitendra came and asked for drummers to accompany for dancing at his house over drum beats on which Dwivedi asked Jitendra that he would let the drummer go after 15 minutes and later when Jitendra returned Dwivedi again asked to return after some time which led to verbal spat between the two and later Later, Jitendra again returned and asked the drum- mers to accompany him, Diwedi again repeated the same thing and told him to wait for 15 more minutes which irked Jitendra and a heated exchange of words began between them which turned violent as the other members from both sides engaged in brick and stone pelting which left six persons injured as the clash saw some vehicles being damaged. Police team rushed to the spot on the receipt of the spot and pacified the groups involved in the clash. The victim Pradeep in his complaint alleged that accused Jitendra and 11 oth- ers scuffled and manhandled his family mem- bers at the police station threatening them of life on lodging a police complaint against them.    !"!" .78 8.7+4 /!:!4.66;.51..22.1+!!8744: !

4    =  Maharashtra until 31st March assembly of five or more per- here on Sunday the Indian State Government would set up 2020 or until further orders as sons in the city till March 31. Motion Picture Producers’ a new laboratory in Pune in 15 ilm and television serial precautionary measures against Divisional Commissioner Association (IMPPA), Western to 20 days. “We shall get new $ 
7   "
#  Fmakers and producers on corona,” State Tourism Minister Deepak Mhaisekar said the India Film Producers’ machines, for testing blood Sunday decided to stop shoot- Aditya Thackeray tweeted. administration was contem- Association (WIPFA), Indian samples to quicken up the Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi ings from March 19 to March With two more fresh pos- plating similar prohibitory Film and Television Producers process of getting the tests spoke to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav 31 and the Mumbai Police itive cases — one each from orders in Pune. “As a precau- Council (IFTPC), Indian Film reports. We are also planning Thackeray to discuss the State’s preparedness clamped prohibitory orders Aurangbad and Pimpri- tionary measure, we have & Television Directors’ to set up new testing labs in to tackle the novel coronavirus outbreak. banning assembly of five or Chinchwad, the total number decided to close down parks. Association(IFTDA) and Miraj, Dhule, Solapur and The telephonic conversation, which took more persons, even as the of positive COVID-19 rose to Though the State Government Federation of Western India Aurangabad,” Tope said. place at 11 pm on Saturday, was centred on the number of positive coronavirus 33 in the State. While Pune and has decided to close down Cine Employees (FWICE) stop Tope said the bed capacity efforts by the state and the Centre to cases mounted to 33 in the neighbouring Pimpri- malls, a small relaxation has shootings of films, television in Kasturba Hospital, which is tackle the situation. Maharashtra. Chinchwad accounted for a been made in the case of ven- serials, web series and other currently handling coronavirus Thackeray informed the PM about the mea- In another precautionary maximum of 16 cases, the dors in malls selling medicine, entertainment programmes cases in Mumbai, will be sures taken by his Government, sources said. measure taken by it in view of break-up of positive coron- vegetables and groceries. from March 19 to March 31 in increased fromthe 100 to 1000 Maharashtra, which has 32 Covid-19 cases required to tackle an outbreak. coronavirus outbreak, the avirus cases elsewhere in the Besides these, no shopping view of the spread of in the next two to three days. as on Sunday morning, has already invoked the The State Government has ordered the clo- Maharashtra Government — State was: Mumbai-5, Nagpur- units will remain open till Coronavirus across the world. In a related development, Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 that gives wide- sure of educational institutions, theatres, malls, invoking the provisions of the 4, Yavatmal-2, Panvel-1, March 30,” Dr Mhaisekar said. “A decision about re-starting three patients with coronavirus ranging powers to officials to enforce measures, parks, swimming pools, gymnasiums etc to stop Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 Kalyan-1, Navi Mumbai-1, Mumbai’s Deputy the shootings will be taken on symptoms, who had fled from including that of lockdown and quarantine, the spread of coronavirus. PTI — suspended the Maharashtra Thane-1, Ahmednagar-1 and Commissioner of Police Pranay March 30 after considering the the isolation ward in Public Service Commission Aurangabad-1. Ashok said that all tours — prevailing situation at that time,” Ahmednagar Civil Hospital on swimming pools, gymns, pub- precaution. Deputy However, the Maharashtra (MPSC) examination till In an effort to reduce organised through private an IMPPA spokesperson said. Saturday, returned to the facil- lic places have been shut down Commissioner of Police Pranay Government has spared the March 31, 2020. crowds in public places in the operators or through profes- Talking to mediapersons, ity early on Sunday. in urban areas of Maharashtra, Ashok said all tours — private suburban trains and BEST “The State Govt in exercise country’s commercial capital, sional organisations — had State Health Minister Rajesh Following the decision while a ban has been imposed or through professional organ- buses, which are lifelines for of the Epidemic Act,1897 has the Mumbai Police has been banned in Mumbai till Tope that in an effort to taken by the State Government, on all political, cultural, sports isations — has been banned in Mumbaikars — from the shut- postponed all exams of MPSC clamped prohibitory orders March 31. enhance the COVID-19 testing all schools, colleges, cinema events, taking out of religious the city with immediate effect down it has imposed during the scheduled to happen in under Section 144 banning At a joint meeting held facilities in Maharashtra, the halls, auditoriums, malls, processions tlll March 31 as a till March 31. past two days. * )   )  3
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    (   *     Kochi/Thiruvananthapuram: Another passenger, a Keralite taken to identify those who came A UK national tested positive also booked on the Emirates in contact with the tourists in the  F  tions of the society must   > process for dismissal of these break, the Health Minister said, for coronavirus in Kerala on flight scheduled for departure at State, officials said. make efforts to prevent the doctors has started, and their “There is no need to feel afraid. Sunday and was stopped along 9.20 am, voluntarily opted not to Talking to reporters in total of 117 people with spread of the disease in the ttar Pradesh Health services will be terminated in This virus can be tackled with 18 others of his tourist travel and has been advised Thiruvananthapuram, State Anovel coronavirus-like State. UMinister Jai Pratap Singh one to one-and-a-half months.” through proper prevention. group at the Kochi airport home quarantine, officials Health Minister KK Shailaja symptoms have been put in The State health depart- on Sunday said around 700 On the coronavirus out- India is ready to combat it.” from flying to Dubai after he said. alleged the tourists had left the home isolation in Mizoram, a ment on Saturday conducted doctors appointed in allegedly jumped quarantine in The flight carrying 270 pas- resort without informing health senior health official said an awareness drive on pre- Government hospitals have the hill resort town of Munnar, sengers left for Dubai at 12.47 pm officials and added the on Sunday. cautions that are needed to be not reported for duty and will officials said. after the 20 passengers were Government would probe the Though Mizoram has not taken to prevent the spread of be dismissed soon. The foreigner who tested offloaded, airport spokesman matter. “As soon as we got the pos- yet reported any positive case COVID-19. Singh, who was here to positive and his wife have been said. With the UK national test- itive result, officials went to take of coronavirus, 117 people The State Government inspect Mukhayamantri Jan 9%$ ..   admitted to an isolation facil- ing positive, the total number of the couple to isolation ward but have been home quarantined has clamped Section 144 of Aarogya Mela at a communi- #/:"  +' "' .2  "  '%'  ity at a nearby Government confirmed COVID-19 cases came to know they left for airport. as a precautionary measure, the CrPC along the State’s ty health centre, said nearly 700  ' %  " " " 
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  hospital while the 17 were sent under treatment in Kerala has The resort authorities should Health department principal international borders doctors appointed in   2 % ; ? " ?  4
2 '  to a hotel for quarantine after risen to 20 and over 300 under are have been more vigilant as the director F Lallianhlira. with Myanmar and Government hospitals have  +   '"'" ''"   ."2" '", being offloaded from the flight, in isolation wards of various hos- Government had given strict “Even though no positive Bangladesh to prevent the gone to other places or have +2  2 % ; G " G H   Kerala Agriculture Minister pitals. direction not to allow the for- case has been reported, we entry of people from the started pursuing higher edu-  '"'" "   %  '2. " VS Sunil Kumar told reporters The resort has been closed, its eigners to leave the resorts,” she have to remain alert,” he said. neighbouring cation without informing the 22I   '"'"  . . "2" '", at the airport. employees quarantined and steps said. PTI Lallianhlira said all sec- countries. department. He said, “The ="   " " "   -'  " 2 % .2    "'""  '  ' " '  ' @/ 0<0<    % ; ? "  "'"  ."2', /     0.    $   / #  'P  ' " "    ." ' "  ' %%   
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 president Dilip Ghosh saying decision only after hearing the have been postponed except Apart from issuing shut-   )     "  "' %  ' "  ' %%        “when there is a national emer- proposal adding however that the ongoing Class XII Board down notices the State ', gency like this the party will “public health is the first and examinations which started on Government has made elabo-    0 44  **  always stand by the SEC deci- foremost priority.” March 13. rate arrangements for treat- 4%% sion if it decides to push back Bengal has come to a near The shutdown will contin- ment of any COVID-19 ): *# *"/+ *# ;&+ #/:"  .22  '"'"   ; .2 ith coronavirus scare the election date.” standstill following a State ue till March 31 when the infected patients. 
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 discuss the future of upcoming process “since it will involve a Calcutta High Court put a Other institutions like the constructed Chittaranjan 0<0< %2 ' 0/  0A  + '"2  ' 09 Statewide municipal elections lot of risk as the workers and moratorium on daily proceed- Indian Museum, the museum Cancer Institute at New  >=?  -=> '  .22 % +" ; -'  ' 08  which were scheduled to take leaders will go around to meet ings (save urgent hearings) till Victoria Memorial have also Town,” a Health Department >
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  coronavirus outbreak, the through SMS and IVRS. made some modifications to it. Indian Railways has issued It has also instructed its As per the initial order the orders to all its zones to with- personnel to intensively clean fund could have been used to draw blankets and curtains coach fittings such as grab provide compensation in case from AC coaches as they are not handles, window grill, bottle of any death related to Covid- washed every day. Other items holders and charge points as 19 as well as utilisation of the in the bed roll, including bed- they are touched by thousands fund for treatment of patients. sheets, towels and pillow covers, of passengers every day. While terming the order as are washed every day, it said. Officials said liquid soap, nap- a “welcome step”, the Chief The railway board has also kin rolls and disinfectant chem- Minister pointed out that a '   6 
         instructed that the minimum ical will be provided to pas- “partial modification” of the " . *  ''   temperature in the coaches be sengers by the housekeeping order the same day that took set at 24-25 degrees Celsius. staff on board. In AC coaches, away the beneficial provisions. -" '. ;   " %2 (.   Panaji: Union AYUSH “Adequate publicity should be attendants have been told to “...The Ministry has delet- +"  2"  .'  +", Minister Shripad Naik on given regarding this precau- not recirculate used linen. They ed the beneficial provisions. By    2 %  . % "   2 Sunday said his Ministry has tionary measure so that pas- have been advised to maintain deleting these clauses,the spir-   %2 " '"  .." 
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 not claimed that Ayurveda, sengers are suitability pre- vigil for passengers with cold it behind relief/ assistance ', 
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  " -" motive medicines,” he told PTI coronavirus-hit patients in “Sixty-nine-year-old Italian request you to reconsider the + -'  % '2. % .
" '  2, on Sunday. Rajasthan have now been test- man and an 85-year-old Jaipur partial modification and restore 2   '' "    ." ..   Promotive medicines look ed negative for infection and native have now been tested neg- the earlier one in its entirety,” ' % '' 2"   ;  "  '.
  at boosting health and immu- cured, while a 24-year-old ative twice. Both are now coro- Vijayan said.     ( -  '2  .  nity as a bulwark against dis- youth found having the afflic- navirus-free,” said Additional Kerala has been hit by the " .' %  ; >
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  %   " 2  “It can be used by those official said on Sunday. Italian’s man wife too was test- three positive cases in the state '  '  . %  ;>-, who are already infected so that Rajasthan Chief Minister ed negative for coronavirus were successfully cured and they can get relief,” he said. Ashok Gehlot complimented affliction earlier. dischared from hospitals last Naik said some medicines the SMS Hospital doctors and Singh said total of three month. prescribed in Ayurveda, staffers for successfully treating patients, including corona-pos- The government had ear- Homeopathy and Unani have the three. The three who have itive, 70-year-old wife of the lier itself shut schools. Colleges been validated by his ministry been declared corona-negative Italian man, have turned coro- and cancelled all the public at “our level” but overall vali- following repeat tests include navirus-free after treatment at functions in the state to prevent dation is a “lengthy an Italian couple and a the state-run Sawai Man Singh the spread of the process”. PTI. Dubai-returned, 85-year-old Hospital, Jaipur. PTI coronavirus. PTI    !"!"

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    ##")/))& +      nion Home Minister Amit *# + " *//; UShah on Sunday assured  )*/*//; the delegation of newly formed ?''&@)#'P) Apni Party leaders that that the remaining political prisoners in ** #//+* Jammu & Kashmir would be M "/::/*&*N released “very soon”. Talking to media after the meeting, Apni +/<#  Party’s president Altaf Bukhari *# + '/:#/; said that the Home Minister had also assured a detailed *#  / development packages for the State. The 24-member delega- issued by the Home Ministry. tion also met Prime Minister The Home Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. assured the delegation that “Yes, we did discuss about Jammu & Kashmir will have a the detention of remaining better domicile policy than political leaders and others, and other States in the country the Home Minister said it is a and that a reasonable eco- process and we will be releas- nomic development policy will ing them very soon,” Bukhari be drafted soon after wide- %    (= said. Many political leaders, spread consultation. including former chief minis- On the issue of reserva- joint group of four ters Omar Abdullah and tion, the Home Minister said ALashkar-e-Taayiba (LeT) Mehbooba Mufti, were that a commission will be set and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) detained by the Government 7 -          "8(  P  '  )  * .        up soon and reiterated that no terrorists were eliminated by after the abrogation of special injustice will be done to the alert security forces in Dar status of the erstwhile state of the delegation on restrictions egation of restoration of Jammu the delegation on about 40 no basis at all. He said that the Gujjars, nomads and other Mohalla Watarigam area of Jammu & Kashmir on August and said all decisions on relax- & Kashmir’s statehood at an odd issues raised by them Government will work with all communities. On the issues Dialgam in Anantnag on 5. ations are based on ground “early opportunity” and no emphasised that there is no sections of the society to real- concerning JK Bank, he assured Sunday. According to a Home realities and not due to any change in the demography of intention of the Government ize the hopes of statehood for the delegation of personal Since January 2020, around Ministry statement, Shah pressure. the region. for demographic change in the Jammu & Kashmir at an early intervention in the matter. three dozen terrorists have allayed the apprehensions of Shah also assured the del- “Shah after engaging with region and all such talks have opportunity,” said the statement been eliminated by the securi- ty forces in different operations. Tangpora, Kulgam, Sajad According to police, “three Ahmed Bhat (affiliated with local Lashkar-e-Taayiba ter- proscribed terror outfit LeT)  ; '
' +  rorists including district com- son of Mohd Subhan resident   9
       mander and one Hizbul of Tengbal Frisal and Gulzar  +
$ % 9  % Mujahideen commander were Ahmed Bhat (affiliated with "  1   *     (    eliminated in the operation proscribed terror outfit HM) without suffering any collater- son of Abdul Salam Bhat resi- . % - ' al damage”. dent of Hirpora Tarigam,     He also prices this week. “Hey Police spokesman said, “the Kulgam”. tagged a video of @PMOIndia, while you were joint operation was launched in Two AK 47 rifles, two pis-     Thameem Ansari and Arun aking a dig at Prime a press confer- busy destabilising an elected the area after receiving a tip off tols, ammunition and other Selvarajan, pursuant to the TMinister Narendra Modi, ence in which Congress Govt, you may have about the presence of group of incriminating materials have special NIA court in conspiracy hatched with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Finance Minister missed noticing the 35 per terrorists in the area. During been recovered from the site of AChennai has convicted a Pakistan intelligence officers on Sunday said he had asked Nirmala cent crash in global oil prices. the cordon and search opera- encounter. Sri Lankan national Arun had conducted espionage at the PM to pass on the benefit Sitharaman pur- “Could you please pass on tion, the hiding terrorists fired As per police records, ter- Selvarajan for five years of rig- various defence establishments of the global oil price crash to portedly avoids the benefit to Indians by slash- upon the joint search party. The rorist Muzzafar had a history of orous imprisonment and fined and sensitive locations in Tamil Indian consumers, but instead answering a ing #petrol prices to under 60? fire was retaliated leading to an terror crime cases since 2017. 20,000 for spying on Indian Nadu besides transmitted such “our genius” hiked excise duty question on why per litre? Will help boost the encounter in which four ter- He was involved in 7 different defence installations at the classified information to Amir on fuel. Government has stalled economy,” the former rorists were eliminated”. cases U/S 7/25 Arms Act, 302 behest of Pakistan intelligence Zubair Siddique, thereby His jibe at the Prime not passed on the Congress chief had said on According to police, “the IPC, 18, 19, 20, 39 ULAP Act. officers as part of a conspiracy threatening the sovereignty Minister came a day after the benefits of the twitter. killed terrorists have been iden- Terrorist Gulzar Ahmad Bhat to carry out terrorist attacks in and security of India,” the NIA Government hiked excise duty global oil crash to The Congress on Saturday tified as Muzaffar Ahmed Bhat was involved in a case U/S 13, the country. said in a statement. on petrol and diesel by a steep price crash to Indian con- the people. had hit out at the Government (District commander of pro- 18, 38, 39 ULAP Act of PS The case known as On March 6, 2015, a 3 per litre each to garner sumers, by slashing the prices The former Congress pres- over the hike in excise duty on scribed terror outfit LeT) son Kulgam. Terrorist Sajad ‘Thameem Ansari Espionage charge-sheet was field against about 39,000 crore addition- of petrol & diesel in India. ident on Wednesday had petrol and diesel, demanding of Mohammad Amin Bhat, Ahmad was also involved in a Case’ was was originally regis- Thameem Ansari and Arun al revenue. Instead of heeding this advice, accused Prime Minister Modi that the benefit of reduced Omar Ameen Bhat (affiliated case U/S 13, 20 ULAP Act. tered by Tamil Nadu Police Selvarajan under Official “Just 3 days ago I had our genius has gone and hiked of being too busy “destabilising international crude oil prices with proscribed terror outfit Similarly, terrorist Omar was under relevant sections of the Secrets Act and relevant sec- requested @PMOIndia to pass #exciseduty on fuel!” Rahul an elected Government” to should be passed on to the peo- LeT) son of Mohd Ameen involved in 3 FIR’s U/S 13,16, Official Secrets Act besides tions of the Indian Penal Code, on the benefit of the global oil tweeted. notice a crash in global oil ple. Bhat, both residents of Sopat 18, 20, 39 ULAP Act. Indian Penal Code sections Unlawful Activities relating to criminal conspiracy (Prevention) and Narcotics, after the arrest of Thameem Drugs and Psychotropic   D% Ansari, native of Thanjavur dis- Substances Act (NDPS) Act - "   *2 "
" trict, Tamil Nadu on September besides Passport Act. 16, 2012 for conducting espi- Charges were framed 4    5 $  onage at the behest of Pakistan against Ansari and Selvarajan '%'  ' 'E 4
 Intelligence officers led by January 8, 2018 and trial had accused Amir Zubair Siddique commenced on January 29, New Delhi: Pakistan’s attempt to was unwarranted and out of $      ( $  posted at the Pakistan High 2018. “politicise” a humanitarian issue context. Pakistan attempted to Commission in Colombo, as “Accused Arun Selvarajn by its “unwarranted” statement ease containment politicise a humanitarian issue,” part of the conspiracy to carry has now been convicted for all on Kashmir during the SAARC measures. Pakistan chose to be a government source said.     out terrorist acts in India. the charges against him. nations video conference on “churlish” and used the video India could have kept The NIA had re-registered However, trial against coronavirus reflected “very conference for political point Pakistan out of the video con- he National Investigation the case on May 1, 2013. Thameem Ansari continues. poorly” on it, Government scoring, the sources said. ference, but as it was a human- TAgency (NIA) probe into “Accused Arun Selvarajan Investigation is continuing sources said on Sunday. Pakistan sent their State itarian issue, the country was the 2019 Pulwama attack has was arrested in this case on against the absconding accused The underlying message of Minister of Health Zafar Mirza invited, the sources said. revealed that Pakistan-based September 10, 2014 for engag- Mohammed Anver the video conference was unit- who was uncomfortable while “Every leader responded to terror groups like the Jaish-e- ing in similar espionage activ- Mohammed Siraj, native of Sri edly taking on the virus, but speaking, they said. Pakistan Prime Minister Narendra Mohammed (JeM) were ities, at the behest of Pakistan Lanka besides the Pakistan Pakistan used the occasion to raising the matter reflected “very Modi’s call, but Pakistan chose recruiting gullible youth in Intelligence officers. Ensuing intelligence officer Amir Zubair raise the Kashmir issue, calling poorly” on their dealing with the to send its health minister which Kashmir for making online investigation had established Siddique and others,” added the for immediate lifting of the humanitarian issue, the sources reflected its lack of serious- purchases of chemicals used for that the accused persons statement. “lockdown” there to allow dis- said. “Raising the issue ness,” the source said. PTI manufacturing explosives to fabricate IEDs. The investigation into the terror attack that killed 40 a CRPF convoy killing 40 per- a furniture shop owner and res- '   )       
(

 "#  CRPF personnel on February sonnel. ident of Hajibal in Pulwama’s 14 last recently led to the arrest His interrogation also Kakapora.  
  
 #  of two persons, including 19- revealed that the JeM over- Magrey had provided shel-      2 '  year-old Wazir, who during his ground workers were brain- ter and other logistical assis-   
 
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7 interrogation gave the officials washing young boys and tance to suicide bomber Adil. an insight into the radicalisa- preparing them to indulge in He was introduced to Adil in New Delhi: The Army, which and Jaisalmer for civilians to ministry. Aligarh (UP): Student pro- AMU campus on Saturday tion process of JeM. terror activities, they further mid-2018 by Pakistani terror- is running coronavirus quar- contain the spread of the virus. The panel submitted its testers tried to take out a can- night. Ten students were Wazir is alleged to have said. ist Mohammad Umar Farooq antine facilities, has told a par- So far, the Army has estab- report to the Lok Sabha on dlelight march at Aligarh named for violating Section procured online aluminum The probe into the and he became a full-time liamentary panel that all nec- lished such facilities in Friday. Muslim University here to 144 of the Indian Penal Code. powder, high altitude jackets, Pulwama incident got a fresh overground worker of the essary steps are being taken to Suratgadh, Deolali, Jodhpur, “The frozen meat products mourn the death of a youth The protesters tried to mobile battery banks and impetus after the NIA identi- JeM. safeguard the troops from the Kolkata and Chennai. Most of and whatever rations that have who had died of gunshot march towards the collectorate, trekking shoes. Aluminum fied the house where Adil This month, the NIA has infection, including examining the Indians brought back from to be sent to the border posts injuries sustained in violent which is located close to AMU, powder is a highly flammable Ahmed Dar, the terrorist who arrested four persons-- Tariq all meat products supplied to coronavirus-hit countries are have already been stocked. We clashes during protests over the to submit a memorandum to material and used as an ingre- was driving the explosive-laden Ahmed Shah, his daughter them. In its response to the kept at the quarantine facilities have checked all meat products. amended citizenship Act last senior district officials but were dient in blasting agents used in car, had shot his last propa- Insha Jan, Wazir-ul-Islam and Standing Committee on maintained by the Army. We will follow all the directions month, but were blocked at the thwarted from doing so by commercial mining, they said. ganda video that was subse- Mohammad Abbass Rather. Defence, the Army said most of “We are inspecting all meat given to us by the Ministry of main gate itself, police said. police personnel who reached Wazir handed over the quently released by the terror The number of people arrest- the meat products used by the products but we have not come Health and Family Welfare. Sixty students including 50 the spot and blocked them at aluminium powder to JeM group from Pakistan. ed in this case has now gone up troops were frozen. across any such case,” the Army The PMO is also monitoring unnamed persons have been the Sir Syed Crossing, the main over-ground workers and it was On February 28, the NIA to five. The key conspirators It also told the panel about told the panel, adding that it the situation,” the Army told booked by police at the Civil university campus gate, accord- used by terrorists in the got a major breakthrough in have since been killed by the steps such as setting up quar- was holding regular meetings the panel headed by BJP MP Lines police station in connec- ing to Civil Lines Circle Officer February 14 suicide attack the case when it arrested 22- security forces during encoun- antine facilities in Manesar with officials of the health Jual Oram. PTI tion with the protests at the (CO) Anil Samania. PTI when an explosive-laden car hit year-old Shakir Bashir Magrey, ters. :;               

? %   “In 2019, the world expe- quito, the Aedes aegypti and flict and violence. By late 2019, close to 22 million in 2019, up rienced a large increase in Aedes albopictus, mosquitoes about 22.2 million people, (6.7 from 17.2 million in 2018. Of t a time the deadly coron- dengue cases. Changes in cli- that also transmit yellow fever, million in Ethiopia, 3.1 million all natural hazards, floods and Aavirus epidemic is creating matic conditions since 1950 are Zika, chikungunya and other in Kenya, 2.1 million in storms contributed most to havoc, the World making it easier for the Aedes viruses Somalia, 4.5 million in South displacement,” it said. Meteorological Organisation mosquito species to transmit The WMO report on cli- Sudan, 5.8 million in the According to report, an (WMO) has warned wide- dengue virus, increasing the mate change said that 2019 was Sudan) were estimated to be unusually and exceptional heat- spread transmission of dengue risk of the occurrence of dis- the second warmest year in the severely food insecure, only wave in Europe, unprecedent- due to climate changes that ease.,’ the report said. instrumental record. “ Between slightly lower than during the ed floods and droughts, above brings rising temperatures and In another report, it said 2015 and 2019 are the five severe and prolonged drought above the long-term average in unpredictable rainfall patterns. that the frequency of dengue warmest years on record, and in 2016-17. India, Nepal, Bangladesh and The WMO has also warned outbreaks has grown dramati- 2010-2019 the warmest decade “More than 6.7 million Myanmar, and flooding led to rise of global hunger and large cally around the world in recent on record. Since the 1980s, new internal disaster displace- the loss of some 2,200 lives in number of displacement due to decades and is currently the each successive decade has ments were recorded between the region, ongoing warming in extreme climatic conditions fastest spreading mosquito- been warmer than any preced- January and June 2019, trig- Antarctica saw large-scale ice across the world. borne viral disease in the world. ing decade since 1850. 2019 shocks and conflict in 26 coun- gered by hydrometeorological melt and the fracturing of a The WMO report on state Known to exist in only 9 coun- ended with a global average tries and the leading driver in events such as Cyclone Idai in glacier, with repercussions for of global climate 2019 said tries in the 1970s, dengue is temperature of 1.1°C above 12 of the 26. The food securi- Southeast Africa, Cyclone Fani sea level rise, and carbon diox- that the global incidence of now endemic in 128 countries estimated pre-industrial levels, perature atop the overall warm- Among 33 countries affected ty situation deteriorated in South Asia, Hurricane ide emissions spiked following dengue has grown dramatical- and strikes as many as 96 mil- second only to the record set in ing trend”, the report said. by food crises in 2018, climate markedly in 2019 in some Dorian in the Caribbean, and the devastating Australian ly in recent decades, and about lion people each year. The 2016, when a very strong El The report warned that variability and weather countries of the Greater Horn flooding in Iran, the bushfires, which spread smoke half of the world population is dengue virus is transmitted to Niño event contributed to an for over 820 million people suf- extremes a compounding dri- of Africa due to climate Philippines and Ethiopia. This and pollutants around the now at risk of infection. humans by two species of mos- increased global mean tem- fered from hunger in 2018. ver together with economic extremes, displacement, con- number was forecast to reach world.    !"!" 6     ' ' (  ' ) ' 
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hree years ago, when forming groups of schools Captain Amarinder and college students to edu- TSingh took over as Chief cate and motivate children Minister, Punjab was caught about ill-effects of drugs. He in a morass. The law and launched the Drug Abuse order situation was virtually in Prevention Officers (DAPO) the doldrums, the rampant programme, where dedicated abuse of narcotics was eating volunteers work in their local- into a generation of Punjab's ities in coordination with the youth and the State was sink- local administration, police ing deeper into a financial and the STF to ensure com- trough with a slackening agri- munity-level penetration of cultural and industrial growth. the campaign. Besides seeking But challenges bring out the support of the people of best in him as he went about Punjab-right from the com- giving hope and restoring mon man to the students to trust among his people. He set celebrities as part of his up a Special Task Force (STF) #NasheToAzaadi (freedom to arrest the drug nuisance in from drugs) campaign --- the State, gave a systemic Capt Amarinder also reached push to the growth of the agri- out to the makers of the vir- culture sector, ensured a state- tual world - Google CEO wide crackdown on criminal Sunder Pichai and Facebook gangs, busted terror modules, CEO Mark Zuckerberg "to reformed the power sector, extend and provide technolo- spurred industrial growth and gy support in fighting this took public services to the menace." doorstep of residents. And in Figures speak for them- these three years, the transfor- selves. A total of 36418 NDPS mation is visible with elimina- cases have been registered tion of drugs from the state, with the arrest of 45445 per- law and order back to its sons. In addition, 1305 kg of strict efficiencies, the Ghar heroin has been recovered Ghar Rozgar raising the besides other contraband sub- potential of human capital in stances vis 380 kg of smack the State, the debt-waiver and charas, 1500 kg of opium, scheme easing farmers' woes 1.30 lakh kg of poppy husk and policies encouraging have also been seized during investment. Besides, he different operations with the has ensured an overall compli- State witnessing a steady ance of the traditional slogan increase in narcotics seizures of Bijli, Paani and Safai since March 2017. More than Suraksha. 180 'big fish' (major drug Right from the beginning, smugglers) have been arrest- Capt Amarinder had a vision ed and property worth Rs 67 embodied in the slogan, crore has been forfeited in the 'Nawen Naroye Punjab Layee last three years. Drug-related Captain De Naun Nukte' deaths have fallen from 114 in (Captain's nine-points for 2018 to 47 in 2019. rejuvenated Punjab). Three Fortifying the efforts of years down the line, he has law enforcement agencies, the kept his promises to not only Government launched While societally there is a drones, in recent months, to lem. Since August 2019, inter-state borders, as part of Himachal Pradesh Chief Pointing out that drug pull back Punjab from the Outdoor Opioid Assisted new awareness, unfortunate- smuggle weapons and drugs Punjab has had three docu- a series of collaborative mea- Minister Jai Ram Thakur, traffickers were not confined precipice but catapult it as the Treatment (OOAT) clinics, ly, Punjab, along with Delhi, into Punjab. Flagging the mented cases of drones drop- sures to tackle the drugs men- Rajasthan Chief Minister by national or state bound- country's most vibrant and improved the infrastructure of had over the years emerged as "serious" issue, the Chief ping supplies of weapons and ace during the '2nd Regional Ashok Gehlot, Uttarakhand aries, Captain Amarinder sought after destination. drug de-addiction and reha- a lucrative market for drugs, Minister had written to the narcotics. Conference on Drug Menace Chief Minister Trivendra pleaded for a National Drugs bilitation centres. Of the over encouraging smugglers from Prime Minister and Union Joining hands with the - Challenges & Strategies' held Singh Rawat, besides senior Policy to combat the menace     3.5 lakh people treated, 2.15 other States and narco-terror- Home Minister demanding neighbouring states, Captain at Chandigarh in July 2019, officials representing Jammu since it was not possible Fighting the slur of drug lakh were treated at de-addic- ists from Pakistan to spread anti-drone devices and sur- Amarinder Singh had moot- attended by Haryana Chief and Kashmir, Delhi and for any state to tackle it menace, Captain Amarinder tion centres, 29,156 at rehabil- the venom here. So the State veillance to tackle the prob- ed joint operations on the Minister ML Khattar, Chandigarh. alone. Singh's Government succeed- itation centres while 1.04 lakh Government is now working ed in breaking the backbone were healed at OOAT centres. closely with other northern of the drugs mafia and chok- Turning a new leaf in pre- states, sharing regular infor- ing the supply chain. To fur- vention of drug abuse, the mation, forming a common       time-bound manner by car- GeM or e-Procurement to Unlike the previous governance programmes, the ther intensify its efforts, the State Government has decided mechanism and monthly Working with the sole rying out complete back-end provide all public services at SAD-BJP government, Punjab Government has cre- Government now intends to to incorporate a chapter on the meetings of the state police aim of ensuring greater and computerisation of all citizens' fingertips. Captain Amarinder Singh's ated a state-level IT Cadre bring in the State Drug menace in the school syllabus chiefs. The cross-border threat hassle-free engagement Government departments, Keeping pace with the Government is operating which would help depart- Control Legislation. What so as to educate the students is now more severe as trouble- between the State integrating electronic pay- time and considering the Sewa Kendras on a self-sus- ments in the integration of worked was the Chief about the ill-effects drugs. makers in Pakistan are using Government and its citizens, ments, redressing grievances state having the highest tele- taining model, without any various departmental ser- Minister's decision to set up a the State machinery has through an online and trans- density, the Government burden on the State, which is vices on digital platforms. Special Task Force to rein in logged into technology to parent system, implementing decided to promote mobile covering 271 services on an The newly-recruited officials the deadly scourge and ensur- bring in a slew of governance e-office application in all governance by taking mobile average of 35,000-40,000 under IT cadre will play a ing "free-hand" in its working. reforms to improve its func- administrative departments as the first option for deliv- transactions per day in 516 vital role in executing process He also ensured that there a tioning by virtually providing and Deputy Commissioner's ery of government services. fully operationalized Sewa re-engineering of various direct interaction between his citizen-centric services at the offices, among others. People can now stay in the Kendras. The State State Government office and the task force offi- doorstep through online web This is not all. The comfort of their home to Government is in the process Departments and PSUs. cers to build accountability portals, mobile applications Government has ensured avail all services with a tap or of harmonisation of Fard To ensure transparency in and quick action. and Sewa Kendras. necessary transparency and click. And for the services, Kendras and Saanjh Kendras governance and accountabil- Believing in not just treat- Implementing the accountability in the delivery which cannot be made avail- with Sewa Kendras so that all ity in public services, the State ing the symptoms but curing "Digital Punjab" initiative, of public services by formu- able through online modes or Government to Citizen ser- Cabinet led by Captain the condition, Capt the Government is providing lating Transparency and require the personal presence vices can be delivered in a Amarinder Singh has also Amarinder also involved the Government to Citizen Accountability Act, 2018, of the citizen, the govern- unified manner. given its go ahead to enact a people, from the common (G2C) and Government to launching several digital plat- ment is strengthening and To effectively execute new Lokpal legislation cover- man to the notables. The gov- Business (G2B) services forms like mSewa, rationalising its network of various projects under ing all officials, right from the ernment rolled out an ambi- 24X7, 365 days a year, in a Digilocker, Sewa Kendras, Sewa Kendras. Digital India and national e- Chief Minister till downwards. tious Buddy Programme-

    against less than 30 percent in     August 2017. Placing emphasis on In the budget for 2020- school education, the 21, the Government has allo- Government has adopted the cated Rs 12,488 crore for policy of catching students promotion of school and young, sharpening their skills higher education, including and grooming them into pro- Rs 100 crore dedicated for the fessionals. From making edu- construction of 4,150 addi- cation accessible to building tional classrooms and Rs 75 smart schools, the crore for the maintenance of Government has opened new school buildings. The State chapters in the state's acade- Government has also mic history. planned to install 10 KW In a major initiative, the Solar plants in a total of 259 Government has made educa- Government senior sec- tion free for all students, up ondary smart schools in the to Class XII. Earlier, the boys first phase and in another 621 were getting free education up senior secondary schools in     the police force, the Punjab Interpol, and police forces of to Class VIII and girls up to the second.    Police has waged a war against other countries. In the wake of Class XII. Besides, the Government   organised gangs and crimi- about two dozen cases, where Already notifying the has rolled out an ambitious Maintaining law and order nals, operating not only in the foreign handlers, especially Smart School Policy, the State programme to provide karate has always been the prime State, but also from outside. In from Pakistan, were involved Government has transformed training to all girls in govern- focus of the Captain fact, the State police, by team- in conspiring to disturb as many 5992 primary, middle ment schools this year for Amarinder government, and ing up with the security forces Punjab's peace and harmony, and high schools into "smart which all female teachers, the State has witnessed a "per- of other states and also other a special operation group schools" with the help of below the age of 50 years, ceptible decrease in crime". countries, have managed to (SOG) has been created on the Corporate Social have undergone training Since 2017, Punjab Police has chase down the gangsters lines of national security Responsibility (CSR), NGO's, through expert karate train- neutralised 2411 gangsters who have fled to foreign guards (NSG) to deal with any NRIs, charitable institutions or ers. Also, sanitary napkins are including 15 of 'A-category', countries and bring them exigencies like fidayeen or individual contributions and being provided to girl stu- seized 1,380 illegal weapons, back for further investigations terror attack, hostage situation, so on. The Government has dents in all government recovered 614 snatched vehi- and links. armed infiltration attempts, also planned to convert all Indicating the improving Board results by securing learning enhancement pro- schools. The Government has cles, and busted 32 terror mod- In this effort, the special among others. Besides, a sep- classrooms of high schools and level of education, 88.21 percent and 88.14 per- gramme, "Padho Punjab also set aside requisite bud- ules in the State arresting 155 wing of the Punjab Police, arate internal security wing has senior secondary schools into Government schools have cent respectively, against Padhao Punjab", has achieved getary provisions to provide terrorists. Organized Crime Control Unit also been created to specifical- "smart classrooms" by provid- outperformed the private 79.51 percent and 83.69 per- encouraging results achieving facility of free transport to With the Chief Minister (OCCU), is working with the ly focus on anti-terrorism and ing digital teaching aids like schools in Class X and XII cent in private schools. 79 per cent of the prescribed students of primary classes ensuring "no political interfer- cooperation of other states anti-internal insurgency oper- LCDs, projectors etc. Punjab School Education The State Government's learning level targets as across the state. ence" and giving free-hand to and even liaisoning with the ations.    !"!" 7

  uses over 65 billion cubic The Government believes meters of water annually and that the State's prisons should the major portion is used for    ty while working night shifts. not just be about punishment producing paddy. As per the Captain Amarinder's Any woman, anywhere in but a true correctional facili- latest report, the ground water Government, committed to the State, can call the police on ty where inmates develop level is depleting at the rate of ensure equal status and 100 or other helpline numbers skills to build self-worth and 49 centimetre per year. Out of opportunities to the women, - 181, 112, and 1091 - any time a sense of purpose. Punjab is the total 138 blocks in Punjab, has implemented 50 percent of the day for safe transporta- all set to reform its prisoners 109 are over-exploited in reservation for women in all tion back home or to work- with the enactment of The terms of ground water usage, civic bodies, including place. The all-women PCRs Punjab Prisons Development two are critical and another Panchayati Raj Institutions have been deployed for the job Board Act, 2020. With this, five fall in the semi-critical and Urban Local Bodies by which would rush to help the Punjab Prisons category. making amendments in the stranded women. Development Board, on the To address the problem of respective Acts of 1994, 1911, Captain Amarinder, to lines of Telengana, will be declining ground water effec- and 1976. further scale up the police constituted to engage the pris- tively, Captain Amarinder's For the purpose, the pick-drop facility for women, oners in economic activity, Government has taken a path government did not place the has ordered all-women PCR reducing crimes in prisons, breaking initiative to setup the matter in the domain of vans to be mobilized in major helping them contribute to Punjab Water Regulation and debate for a long duration. It five cities of Punjab, Mohali, society and transforming Development Authority, was, rather, among the first Amritsar, Patiala, Ludhiana criminals. which will be empowered to decisions taken by the govern- and Jalandhar, to provide safe The Board, to be headed issue directions on water ment pursuant to the promis- transport in response to such by the Chief Minister with extraction but will not be es it made to the voter during calls. Jails Minister as senior vice authorised to impose any the run up to the assembly Further facilitating the chairperson would further restrictions or tariff on extrac- polls. womenfolk, the State strengthen prison and correc- tion of water for drinking, Providing for the first time Government has established tional administration, partic- domestic and agriculture pur- equal status to the women in one stop centres in all 22 dis- ularly correctional interven- poses. The Punjab Water all municipalities, the State tricts of the state, under 'Sakhi' tions, welfare of prisoners Resources (Management and Government gave the women- project, to provide medical and prisons' staff and expan- Regulation) Act 2019, in this folk equal chances of being and legal aid besides police sion of prison industries. The regard, is aimed at develop- directly elected as members of help and counseling services primary purpose of the Board ment, management and regu- gram panchayats, zila under a single roof to women is to boost defunct prison lation of water resources of the parishads, and other similar in distress. industries and other com- State for ensuring its judi- bodies. These 24 X 7 Centres, mercial activities for genera- cious, equitable and sustain- Punjab was among the providing all required services tion of revenue. The able utilization and manage- first few states that brought in to the victims of violence Government has also decided ment. Further, the Authority 50 per cent reservation for against women, will have one to create a separate prison would have the right to women in local bodies much lady constable each. The 'Sakhi: intelligence wing to keep a tab impose financial penalties before the constitutional One Stop Centre' provides a on the activities of not just the upon non-compliance of its amendment demanded it to be temporary shelter to the vic- inmates but employees as well. orders or directions. It has implemented in the whole Government's women empow- to cover aspects which have tims and their children. been vested with the powers country. Earlier, 33 percent erment scheme. hitherto remained uncovered The State-level 181    of a Civil Court, and would seats were reserved for the For further empowering or were partially covered under helpline number has been ded-    also be required to present an women in Panchayati Raj the women, the State any existing Centrally or State- icated to the women for report- From bailing out the dis- annual report which would be Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Government has announced sponsored women or girl ing domestic violence, sexual tressed cultivators, extricating laid on the floor of the House Local Bodies (ULBs). two new schemes - Kasturba child-oriented schemes. harassment, eve teasing, sexu- them from a debt trap to giv- by the Government. The amendment has Gandhi Mahila Yojana and Besides, the Chief al assault and other crimes ing a much-needed push to Water draft through tube- empowered women, especial- Mata Tripta Mahila Yojana - in Minister has also announced against women. At the same diversification, the State wells for many districts is ly in rural areas, and helped 2020-21 budget. While 50 per cent concession in bus time, the Government is work- Government has emerged as very high - Sangrur (260 per them lead from the front. The Kasturba Gandhi, an umbrel- fares to women travelling in ing on establishing the a farmer-friendly regime with cent), Patiala (217 per cent), fact that no less than 6612 la scheme, would converge government and PRTC buses. Standard Operating its slew of decisions benefiting Jalandhar (239 per cent) and women sarpanches, 35,310 benefits under all existing Complementing its efforts of Procedures and protocols for the already beleaguered com- Kapurthala (224 per cent). In women panches, 1410 mem- women-centric government providing equal rights and an effective and efficient collab- munity of this agrarian state. another alarming finding, the bers in panchayat samities, schemes being run by various opportunities, the State oration between the 181 During his previous stint latest survey report of the and 168 in Zila parishads, departments, Mata Tripta Government has also provid- helpline and the "One Stop as the Chief Minister, Capt Central Ground Water have been elected is testimony Mahila scheme would take ed free pick-up and drop facil- Centres." Amarinder took several initia- Authority says that the extrac- to the success of the new initiatives or programmes ity considering women's safe- tives in the agriculture sector, tion of groundwater is 165 per with special focus on organic cent of recharge in Punjab, crops. This time, his main resulting in various environ- focus is lending the farmers mental concerns like over ticulture in Kotkapura ation to control the pest by and farm labourers a helping exploitation of groundwater, (Faridkot) - will also be set up. involving officials from the hand and boosting crop diver- depleting soil productivity, In addition, to standard- Punjab Agricultural sification. The Government excess use of fertilizers, among ise and demonstrate the latest University (PAU), Border has already waived off Rs 4,624 others. floriculture technologies suit- Security Force (BSF), fire crore of debt of 5.64 lakh small However, with the able to Punjab's conditions, department, police, civil and marginal famers indebted Government's efforts, 6.29 the work for establishing a administration, horticulture to cooperative and commercial lakh hectare of basmati has Centre of Excellence of and farmers. This was a multi- banks. It has further been sown during 2019-20. A Floriculture under Indo- department operation like no announced providing debt massive campaign has also Dutch Work plan is in other. relief to farm labourers and been launched for producing progress at Doraha, Ludhiana. landless farmers. In the 2020- residue-free Basmati and to In another pro-farmer     21 budget, a total of Rs 2,000 discourage or reduce the use decision, the government has      crore has been allocated for the of pesticides during the kharif slashed 'mandi fee' - levied on   next phase, "including Rs 520 season, leading to an increase the sale and purchase of agri- In a pro-poor initiative of crore specifically for waiving in export potential of Basmati culture produce - on fruits Captain Amarinder's govern- off the loans of 2.85 lakh land- from Punjab. and vegetables from four to one ment, nearly 60,000 slum less and farm workers during In addition, 18,000 per cent to check irregular dwellers living in 89 slums in 2020-21." hectares in critical blocks and unauthorised activities. 29 cities will get the much- Laying thrust on diversi- have been brought under The Government is needed basic amenities, along fication by breaking the maize crop. Besides, the area encouraging organic farming with proprietary rights, fol- vicious wheat-paddy cycle, for growing cotton has also and planning to shift one lowing the enactment of "The the Government has assisted increased to 3.92 lakh hectare lakh acres of farm land for Punjab Slum Dwellers in diversifying 10 per cent whereas the area under veg- dedicated use even though (Proprietary Rights) Act, area from growing the con- etables is increasing consis- 12,000 acres have already been 2020". The legislation, passed ventional paddy crop to try- tently during the past two brought under it. Under in the Vidhan Sabha recently, ing out cycles of cotton, maize, years at the rate of 4.95-5.42 Tandrust Punjab Mission, the will transform the urban slum basmati and experiment with per cent. Also, kinnow acreage State has witnessed a fall in areas, thus promoting sus- horticulture. has increased to 53,000 urea consumption by 4.48 tainable growth of the cities. For agriculture diversifi- hectare and that of guava to lakh metric tonnes and DAP The move would go a long cation, an allocation of Rs 200 about 9,000 hectares. consumption by 1.83 lakh way in ensuring inclusive crore has been made with To give further impetus metric tonnes, saving Rs growth of the slum dwellers special focus on maize. A to its diversification efforts, 704.51 crore as farmers' input besides upgrading the infra- total allocation of Rs 12,526 the Government will soon cost. structure in the urban areas. crore has been made for agri- notify an appropriate incen- Moreover, the timely and The new law would entitle the culture and allied sectors in tive scheme for encouraging active intervention of the State slum dwellers occupying land the budget, constituting a the farmers to grow alterna- Agriculture Department in a slum in any urban area to major share of Rs 8,275 crore tive crops, especially maize. helped in neutralising the being settled in the land occu- for power subsidy. The State Government is threat of crop loss due to pied by him. If it was not pos- Crop diversification and laying a special emphasis on locust attack in Bareka and sible to ensure his/her settle- weaning the state's farmers horticulture, marketing of Roopnagar villages of Fazilka, ment on the same piece of away from wheat-paddy cul- produce and food processing ing 12.43 percent value to the direction, the Government is darin varieties in the State in Horticulture Estates - Pear in situated near Rajasthan and land, the slum dweller would tivation is the need of the hour to ensure a sustainable success state's agriculture GDP from planning to diversify citrus coordination with Punjab Verka (Amritsar), litchi in Pakistan borders. The be settled on alternate land, as considering the declining of this effort. Notably, the hor- only 4.83 percent share of cultivation by introducing Agriculture University (PAU), Sujanpur (Pathankot), guava Agriculture Department con- identified by the state govern- ground water levels. Punjab ticulture crops are contribut- gross cropped area. In this new sweet orange and man- Ludhiana. Besides, four new in Wajidpur (Patiala) and hor- ducted a 13-hour-long oper- ment.

   subsidy against the previous ty at discounted service con- with private power generating ith the power genera- year's Rs 6,060 crore. For the nection charges of Rs 2,500 companies." Wtion and distribution industrial sector, the per BHP instead of Rs 4500 Keeping pace with the taking the centre stage in Government is providing sub- per BHP. As many 95,000 technology and to ensure Punjab politics, the Chief sidised power with variable farmers received benefits of transparency, the PSPCL has Minister will revisit the 'con- cost of Rs 5 per unit to the Rs 109 crore. introduced various digital troversial' power purchase industry - a move that has Contrary to the modes for bill payments. It has agreements (PPAs) signed resulted in 16.92 percent Opposition's claims, the state also started an online portal for with private thermal plants, increase in industrial con- power utility has managed to grant of approval and execu- thereby honouring one of the sumption over 2016-17. An restrict the tariff hike to 13.28 tion of rooftop solar projects to Congress party's key poll allocation of Rs 2,267 crore percent (2017-18 to 2019- propagate the solar power. promises. has been provided for indus- 20) despite hike in coal tariff In a bid to augment hydro In a first step towards the trial power subsidy during and Railway freight charges, power generation in the state, same, a draft white paper on 2020-21. against the tariff hike of 23.88 Captain Amarinder rededi- the PPAs signed by the previ- Besides, 200 free units of percent during the previous cated to the people the vital ous government has already power (per billing cycle) are government (2012-13 to Shahpur Kandi Dam project been prepared. After it is also provided to the SC, BPL 2016-17). at a cost of Rs 2073 crore on finalised, it will be distributed and BC category consumers The Chief Minister is on March 8, 2019, setting three among legislators, giving having sanctioned load of record saying that the State years deadline for its comple- them ample time to go less than one kilowatt. The Power Department and the tion. The project has been through it before taking up government extended the Punjab State Power revived with Captain the matter for discussion dur- facility to the freedom fight- Corporation have been direct- Amarinder's personal efforts ing the monsoon session of ers, taking the cumulative ed to explore every possible to resolve all pending issues the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. figure of the subsidy borne by option to make the electrici- with the Jammu & Kashmir With the government the State to Rs 1,623 crore for ty tariff for the domestic con- government. strengthening its power infra- 2019-20. sumers comparable, if not The Dam would result in structure on one hand, it is Under the government's less, with the neighbouring enhanced irrigation potential also fulfilling its commitment pilot project of 'Pani Bachao, States. of 5000 hectares across the to provide free, high-quality, Paisa Kamao' for direct ben- He had also declared that state. Apart from generating uninterrupted power to its efit transfer for electricity the Government "remained clean power, the project consumers, especially the (DBTE) to the agriculture unequivocally committed to would also improve irrigation farmers and industry. consumers in the state and for supplying quality power to all potential of 1.18 lakh hectares For approximately 14 incentivizing the farmers to domestic consumers at of Upper Bari Doab Canal lakh tube-well connections save water and earn money by affordable prices and will do (UBDC). The project would across the State, an allocation consuming lesser groundwa- The project, under which the year with no bills are demo farms for motivating been introduced for agricul- whatever possible to achieve reduce the water flowing into of Rs 8,275 crore has been ter, as many as 2,196 farmers agriculture consumers are issued, will be expanded dur- farmers to adopt the scheme. ture consumers by allowing this, even if it amounts to Pakistan drastically and made in 2020-21 budget pro- have enrolled and about Rs 16 given a fixed electricity enti- ing 2020-21 covering 244 Another Voluntary them to regularise their addi- renegotiation of PPAs signed would help save the critical posals on account of power lakhs have been disbursed. tlement for every month of feeders, and setting up of Disclosure Scheme (VDS) has tional load without any penal- by the previous government water resources of the state.    !"!"     %','2 ".  K -  2,'2 ".    #$   0 R 6( )7(       *  )*    *     87    8  %         ( # (  1         .'
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  " ' % ;O "2'      9  1             (  (           :       +   /             (   (             (/             2   )          P  Q                      1 S      =          #   (           :        (   ollowing an infructuous spell of looking east, India’s Act East    0   3 >03?   32        32 Policy (AEP) is hobbled by snags $    #        %         in connectivity, continuing insur- 2        9  1 *  @   *  gencies, agitations, blockades Fand extortion in the North-east and > *?   - "                 replication of some of these very problems,             # %      (    especially insurgencies and snarls, in -                   ( decision-making in Myanmar, the launch-     (                pad and fulcrum of AEP. Last month, the visit of Myanmar President, U Win                     Myint, to India reminded us of AEP anew. @                   The open-door policy is intended to   2              2  usher in development in the North-east, which could in turn facilitate the closure        A5888         #  of insurgencies. For the Look East Policy                     to work, it was necessary to press the               *  $  S    $  >$$? “pause” button on democracy and, instead, support the ruling military    #           +9$S       ( junta. Reversion to democracy, albeit par-        (           tial, has been achieved as I discovered last              /       month in Yangon through a joint civil military leadership, with the Army hav-                    # ing the last word. *  $$            # +9$      At the core of AEP is connectivity —      9  1  $  >91$?       by road, rail, sea, inland waterways and air. The strategic geography in the North-east  $$  *       ($$ @  +    ( channelises this outreach through the nar-                       (   ( row and sensitive Siliguri corridor, the vul-       # %            nerable chicken’s neck of the region. Choices for bypassing the Siliguri constric- calls the shots, is at number five. as the Communists and Karens Pakistan and Nepal) was the cen- While the two million, mostly        $                tion were to transit through Bangladesh The Constitution reserves the favoured independence. Today, tre piece. All three strategic cor- Indian Tamil, diaspora is no        # 91$             and/or use the sea route to reach insur- posts of defence, home and bor- there are more than two dozen ridors seek access to markets but asset, the Buddhism connect                   *   gency-free Mizoram on the Myanmar bor- der affairs Ministers for the active and dormant insurgencies, two have an eye on warm waters has not been tested even as $$ B     *               der — from Kolkata to Sittwe Port in Army. the active ones in border States of the Indian Ocean. Surpassing Indian tourists are thronging Myanmar and upto Mizoram. The NLD wants to change like Shan, Kachin, Chin and India’s port potential at Sittwe is Myanmar. India has transferred 91$           ,            Earlier, Bangladesh had rejected the Constitution, which requires Rakhine. The world’s most com- Kyakpyu, the deep-water port a Russian kilo-class diesel-elec-                   Indian requests to connect Myanmar an unachievable two-thirds plex but elaborate peace process coupled with SEZ and ultimate- tric attack submarine and may            through the Port of Chittagong upto majority in Parliament. Last is in Myanmar and it consists of ly road, rail, oil and gas pipelines soon sell Brahmos missiles Agartala and thence to the Myanmar bor- week, State Counsellor Aung San unilateral, bilateral and a nation- radiating through Myanmar against the $1.5 billion line of /                  der. What is being operationalised now is Suu Kyi unsuccessfully tried to wide cease fire agreements, north of China’s Yunnan credit, of which $300 million is    -              -    1  the costly and delayed Kaladan multi- pass the Constitutional amend- prone to violations and formal province. China’s footprint is left. Border trade — within 16                #       modal access from Sittwe to ment. Senior General Min Aung and informal dialogues backed enormous: There are hordes of km — is a paltry $25 million, Myanmar/Mizoram through Rakhine Hlaing is in his second term, by the international communi- Chinese in the north. Though though overall trade is around            /     7C8    and Chin States, currently beset with insur- which will end in April 2021, and ty, prominently by China. the controversial $3.6 billion $2.5 billion, far below potential.        2        3 #   2 1  gencies by the Arakam Army. Therefore, efforts are on to accommodate The year 2019 was bad for hydel dam at Myitsone has been The flowering of bilateral  "       -            instead of working this project south- him as the Vice President. This the peace process. The 21st cen- put on hold, bilateral trade relations is stalled in part by the north, it has been reversed, starting from may introduce a modicum of tury Panglong Union Peace stands at $17 billion and China complexity of joint leadership  S                  9  Mizoram to Sittwe, which will have a 1,000 civilian control over the military. Conference with 10 nation-wide holds 40 per cent of Myanmar’s and the unstoppable rise of 1 S           #   S   km special economic zone (SEZ) and a While the Army is popular in the ceasefire signatories and the foreign debt of $5 billion. Xi China. While Beijing has cast a    "        7C8       1   gas land pipeline from its gasfields to Gaya countryside, it is disliked by the high-level Joint Implementation signed separate agreements with string of pearls along India’s in Bihar. A number of roads to and urban elite. It disapproves of the Coordination Meeting could the Senior General and State periphery, it has placed in                 D      ( through Myanmar to the east are under overwhelming Chinese pres- not be held, though the Union Councillor while hailing the Myanmar, an arrestor wire sys-          1     E*     ( construction and completion, thus ence and meddling in Peace Dialogue took place in July. new blueprint for comprehensive tem of an aircraft carrier to blunt                     ( enhancing the AEP connectivity grid. Myanmar’s internal affairs. But Both the failed meetings are like- strategic cooperation and the the take-off of AEP towards Unique to Myanmar is the civil-Army others don’t mind them as they ly to be held after the national new 2+2 strategic dialogue, Asean, where China is also the                   ( joint leadership arrangement under an have the money to invest and elections later this year, which the Myanmar’s first with any coun- dominant influencer. Myanmar’s      .                ( Army-dictated constitution of 2011, which develop the country. Lady — reference to NLD leader try. full transition to democracy  D        *  @          ensures that 25 per cent of the elected seats Another historical challenge Daw Suu Kyi — is expected to India, though with good depends on progress in ethnic in Parliament is reserved for the Army. As facing Myanmar is its myriad win but with a reduced majori- intentions and now sizeable civil reconciliation and resolving civil-                  (/  ( the Constitution forbids Myanmar’s pop- insurgencies, which like the clus- ty. For various reasons, her pop- and defence cooperation, is no military tensions through       -                ular leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of the ter on the Indian side, is a hur- ularity has waned but there is no match for China’s deep pockets Constitutional reform. Till then,         /                 National League of Democracy (NLD) dle for AEP. At the time of inde- alternative leader. and outreach to play the role of AEP will remain constrained.      2              from holding office, she is a State pendence, many States in the Chinese President Xi Jinping a regional equaliser. Still, its (The writer, a retired Major Councillor in the improvised system, erstwhile Burma had sought visited Myanmar this January impressive infrastructure and General, was Commander IPKF    /       %               which allows her the number three posi- self-determination and separa- and signed 33 agreements, of capacity-building programmes South, Sri Lanka and founder )         %  S      tion in the State hierarchy after the tion but the Panglong which the China-Myanmar have been appreciated. Japan will member of the Defence Planning        President and Vice President; whereas the Agreement of 1947 promised to Economic Corridor (like the team up in improving quality Staff, currently the Integrated “C” in C Senior General Aung Hlaing, who settle Centre-State relations even economic corridors with and quick delivery of projects. Defence Staff.)  

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  #                ( Wtoday the sector directly and indirectly               "   occupies over 50 per cent of the country’s workforce 3            /      and contributes to over 17 per cent of the Gross                 ( Domestic Product (GDP). However, the farm sec-           "  tor’s importance in our economic and social fabric #         (      goes well beyond these indicators as the majority of 5A     P" Q        ((( ( India’s poor live in rural areas where farming is the   $            ( primary source of livelihood. Additionally, with a      P Q   5A    #     growing population and rising incomes in the cities,                farmers face the burden of increasing yields and improving the quality of their produce. But, for many   P)            ,Q 2 years now we have been beset with an agrarian cri-                   sis for a variety of reasons. The Government’s strat-                    egy, over the years, primarily focussed on raising agri-     5A    #    (  ( cultural output, improving food security and pro-             D   viding subsidies and waivers rather than recognis- P       Q         ing the need to raise farmers’ income. While these -> -;6 2              prove helpful in the short run, they are not effec- 4 ->;        #           tive measures for the long haul as farmers contin- ?  6      /         0    ue to face the same issues that got them into a cat- ;       "          astrophic situation in the first place. >+*   Instead of handing out loan waivers, the 7A  9 A /      9 A      ++ Government could help farmers by providing -4=  O+ labour is being brought from other States. ments would be extremely beneficial. Improved agri-infrastructure and               access to exploitation-free credit. This has been The lack of fair return on both financial Helping farmers align their produc- supply chain: A lot of the produce, be it              ( attempted but both vision and implementation have > +; >, and effort investment by farmers has led tion with seasons and market demands: vegetables, milk, grains and so on, is lost                D   been lacking. If easy credit is available, farmers will  (> 6  to a marked increase in farmer suicides. As phone and internet penetration grow in distribution across the supply chain. All        have improved access to seeds, pesticides, irrigation >>+ K 79 To solve this crisis all controllable, exponentially, providing farmers educa- stakeholders suffer additional costs due to            (      facilities and even mechanisation. Since farmers typ- -> ; K supporting factors (Government policy, tion, information on weather, market these losses. Farmers suffer the most due        =             ically procure all these materials via an open mar-  ;= + spending, initiatives, incentives among requirements, pricing, Government to loss or quality deterioration and it also D    5A             ket as there is no State support, higher income or   >4  others) have to singly focus on helping the schemes and subsidies would be useful. discourages them from diversifying their easy credit will enable them to produce more/bet-  +   farmer be self-sustainable. On an average Crop diversification for better crops to fruits and vegetables. Enabling    5888       588A   D                     ter. As farm incomes reduce or stagnate over time, ;  4   the farmers’ income today is only 20,000 income: A lot of companies, especially efficient, low-cost storage options at conversion of farmlands for alternate uses to gen- a year in 17 States or about half the coun- start-ups are taking up the important task farmer locations, improving access to   "             9  ;>+ 46 erate money has gone up significantly in the past >4  4 try. That means that the monthly income of educating and advising farmers how to transport or credit facilities for the same, A 5888 #               ( decade as land prices have seen a considerable uptick. of a farming family — with an average of not only improve farm yield but also to subsidies on cold storage, use of technol-             After putting in all the hard work, farmers do not   4+ five members — is less than 1,700. It is diversify their produce to increase ogy to predict demand and so on would             receive fair wages for their labours. This has tradi- > + hard to imagine how farmers are surviv- incomes. This farmer education and help eradicate some age-old problems and    *           P  Q    tionally been due to unfair exploitative practices at G >  ing today with these incomes which have awareness, at a larger scale, would not only positively impact farmer incomes.             #      the mandis (wholesale food markets) and the large ; >+ to suffice for supporting their families and help increase farm income but also help Cooperative farming/cluster farm-              -    number of middlemen across the supply chain, right   continuing with their farm production meet the demands of a growing popula- ing/Farmer Producer Organisations:   .51        5A     ( from production to consumption. In addition, for = ;>  6 activities. With 50 per cent of our popu- tion. Most farmers across India have margin-                 ( years now, low global prices have hurt exports and *  lation working in the agri sector, it is Better access to markets and pricing: al land holdings and this reduces their abil-      7A AFFF #       encouraged cheaper imports, that further hit farmer ? imperative to help generate more income Currently, the control of pricing or what ity to generate higher incomes individu- incomes. A highly-fragmented supply chain and for them both for their betterment and for the farmers receive for their hard work is ally. Consolidation of land holdings   .51             > poor farm infrastructure is a contributing factor to ?= >  the economy to keep ticking. in the hands of a few traders in mandis. becomes an important strategy to raise    3            the farm crisis as more than 50 per cent of the pro- Thankfully, the Centre has set a tar- Traditionally, this has been the area of farmer incomes. They can voluntarily        .51       duce is wasted in distribution alone. At the front end, get to double farmers’ income by 2022. most severe exploitation of farmers. come together and pool land to gain the * 588A    P Q      5885 there is very little demand insight for various crops While this is a good first step towards Ensuring transparency in buying and sell- benefits of size. Through consolidation,       )             and virtually no marketing infrastructure and at the enabling farmer self-sustainability, the ing of agri goods at the mandis and ensur- farmers can reap the benefits of economies / 5887        2  !   2   farmers’ end there are non-existent or poor storage income has to go up significantly more ing MSP is an immediate impact solution. of scale both in input procurement and >2!2?   588H  P+  -Q         facilities and additional transport and manpower than double at the current levels for it to In the last few years, with the rise in over- output marketing.                 costs. Due to all the contributing factors above, farm- be truly transformational. The broader seas Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Focussing on these areas and imple-                ( ers’ incomes have either stagnated or been lower strategy and framework outlined by the (FMCG) companies coming to India menting programmes with a single, uni-          while the cost of production and support services Government is based on good principles. and recently minted and existing compa- fied vision will be a huge step in the direc- is perpetually increasing. The farmers, despite high nies working in agriculture, farmers have tion of reviving India’s agriculture sector. )           "     However, implementation on the ground interest rates, take the risk and cultivate only to be and ensuring effective and timely impact been given an alternative to selling in man- Improving purchasing power in rural            "( disheartened when their produce does not fetch suit- for the farmer will make the difference. dis. Here, for production to certain spec- areas, especially that of farmers, will also  3            " able prices that cover their costs and leave something Some of the key factors to ensure that the ifications and quality standards, farmers help accelerate overall economic growth.                 over as profit. Only a small portion of the farm pro- outcome is favorable are given below: earn more than what they would at man- Poor policy, high price volatility, climate P   Q 2  0   I         duce gets the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Productivity of farmland holdings dis and have some demand guarantees as risk and indebtedness plague India’s farm /   S        /   "   more than 90 per cent of farmers are at the mercy has to be prioritised and improved: Most well. Companies such as Big Basket, sector. A majority of farmers — 85 per cent               ( of the traders who set the market price. As incomes importantly, reducing dependence whol- More, Godrej, Reliance and so on all have — include small and marginal ones, with     G           @  A5   become insufficient, more and more farmers face ly on rainwater through better irrigation centers where farmers can sell their pro- declining and increasingly fragmenting   *       AA        poverty. This situation discourages the current crop mechanisms and better planning of duce directly with transparent pricing. landholdings, where these external factors      2    2      5FAF  of farmers but more so the next generation which groundwater, is important. Enabling bet- However, this is limited to areas that are and uncertainty make them even more D              ( gravitates towards the city for better opportunities. ter support services such as easy access to closer to urban centres and has not yet vulnerable. This leads to a shortage of hands for farm activities credit on fair terms, availability and penetrated the deeper rural areas where- (The writer is Director, Farmpal,        and is a very prevalent problem in an agri-rich State access to high-quality seeds, fertilisers, pes- in there is a larger number of severely- which helps farmers to connect with busi- >          ? like Maharashtra where a lot of the farm help and ticides and technology-driven enhance- impacted farmers. nesses)   $  ( ( *                                                  

elderly as compared to the total pop- unwieldy cost overruns. State which are crucial areas that are for- Unless medical colleges get the tem, urban/rural development, social ulation. Governments are already over- ever cash-strapped. technical and the bureaucratic support welfare and legal sectors. We need to A major cause for concern is the whelmed by their existing healthcare Even though the NPHCE is they need, it is unrealistic to expect expand our current geriatric care pro- fact that 27 per cent of people above programmes and it is not unreason- under the NCD flexi pool, there are the current state of affairs to improve. gramme to include non-medical the age of 80 were found to be home- able for them to expect a certain two main reasons behind the under- Thankfully, the Government has determinants as well. + ; O bound or immobile. amount of flexibility in operations. utilisation of funds. First, we suffer a woken up to this reality and is now Unless we have an unwavering ;+  >  Despite the fact that the situation However, the failure to produce tan- shortage of medical professionals supporting two National Centres for political commitment coupled with is grave, States have not managed to gible results points towards a lack of who are trained in geriatric care. Ageing (NCAs) that are dedicated to social action, it is difficult to imple-    2   "#  use more than seven per cent of the planning and organisation. Unless Second, State Treasuries take a lot of train professionals, conduct research, ment customised policies at the grass-  %  '' funds disbursed by the Centre for the there is a strict oversight mechanism, time to release funds to the respective and provide healthcare for the elder- root level. Seniors must be educated   2 .., ' he National Programme for healthcare needs of the elderly and course correction is difficult and the district administration. ly. We also have regional geriatric cen- about potential risk factors so that Health Care of the Elderly only five per cent of the funds elderly of the nation will continue to Both of these factors lead to an ters (RGCs) that aim to provide ter- they are empowered to take control   .  2 T(NPHCE) was launched by the released for the management of non- suffer the result of this indifference at underutilisation of capital, preventing tiary care through outpatient depart- of their health. Children must volun- % , -  Ministry of Health and Family communicable diseases (NCDs) have the State Government and bureaucrat- the programme from taking flight. ments for seniors in addition to pro- teer to look after their ageing parents   "' % %2 Welfare in 2010 to provide accessible been put to use. ic level. Also, depending on the economic viding postgraduate medical courses and we need customised health insur- "'" '  and affordable healthcare for the This is particularly pathetic con- Where do we stand?: At present, condition, a number of State for students who want to specialise in ance schemes to take care of the needs .   
 elderly and the World Health sidering the fact that the NPHCE is the facilities that are dedicated for Governments cut back on expendi- geriatric medicine. If we open more of our senior citizens. Organisation (WHO) declared 2020- part of the NCD flexi pool which is geriatric care are sub-standard. In tures to trim the fiscal deficits. RGCs and NCAs, particularly in The Government must establish  2, 
   2030 as the ‘Decade of Healthy one of the major components of the rural and remote areas, where a sub- Time to address the skill gap: rural and remote areas, it will help more gerontology units to train med- "       Ageing.’ This is very relevant for India National Health Mission (NHM). stantial percentage of the elderly Since the core of the programme improve health outcomes for the ical and paramedical professionals on   2 % as according to census data, there are Providing access to quality health- reside, you would be hard-pressed to focusses on clinical care, it is not pos- elderly. the healthcare needs of the elderly. To  %  " over 104 million senior citizens in the care is the responsibility of the Central find a functional facility, let alone a sible to ensure effective implementa- The need for a multifaceted sum it up, a joint approach can help country. Out of this, more than half Government as well as States and they well-equipped one. tion, unless we train our healthcare approach: We also need a shift in address the challenges in geriatric care  ."' 2 ', of the elderly are women. need to put central funds to good use State Governments are not very professionals. Only a handful of med- societal attitudes towards the elderly in the country. Failing to do so will  2   " Approximately 71 per cent of the and ensure that healthcare schemes keen on spending money on pro- ical colleges in India have postgrad- if we want better results. Preventing develop into a costly proposition in    %  country’s elderly reside in areas with for the elderly are implemented in all grammes like the NPHCE as they use uate programmes to train undergrad- and treating health problems in the the future. '    " limited access to healthcare. It goes districts. the funds for more immediate uate students in geriatric care, owing elderly requires a multipronged (The writer is Director and 22", without saying that the incidence of At present, the implementation is requirements like skill training, salary to the strict guidelines laid down by approach that incorporates the active Creative Strategist at CHAI Kreative hospitalisation is much higher in the lackadaisical and is marred by and infrastructure development, all of the Medical Council of India (MCI). involvement of the healthcare ecosys- and Return of Million Smiles) H   "I    !"!" 3 #
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   spread of the coronavirus, as Research, Geojit Financial well as further stimulus mea- Services. quity markets are likely to sures by global central banks “In the near term, we Esee more volatility this week and governments. The US expect volatility to remain high and may also witness a relief Federal Reserve is also sched- and maintain cautious stance,” rally after suffering a massive uled to announce its rate deci- Ajit Mishra, VP - Research, drubbing recently due to the sion this week. Religare Broking Ltd said. coronavirus pandemic, ana- “Markets would take a According to IndiaNivesh, lysts said. while to recover from this sig- Head - Institutional Equities, In a nerve-wracking week nificant price damage. While Vinay Pandit, “Markets have for the markets, the BSE Sensex volatility may continue in com- seen a lower circuit for the first plummeted 3,473.14 points or ing days, we could see inter- time after 2008. But equating 9.24 per cent while the NSE mittent relief rallies, however this situation with2008 is Nifty lost 1,034.25 points or these are likely to be short- unfair. 2008 was a global finan- 9.41 per cent, largely in tandem lived. In such times of global cial meltdown whereas the with global equities which suc- volatility, retail investors should 2020 correction due to con- cumbed to panic selling trig- keep calm and not panic,” said cerns on account of coron- gered by the coronavirus out- Siddhartha Khemka, Head - avirus are overdone. Good   "# -;  '
"  2 . %   1  break. Retail Research, Motilal Oswal quality stocks have taken an  %  /8<    2 ? - + '"  *$ Domestic markets wit- Financial Services. undue beating and I am expect-   %2  > %%' '"  +  /@ ' 0<0<, nessed a roller-coaster session The number of novel coro- ing a sharp bounce back.” * + ;2 "  ' -; " (" ;" on Friday, with trading being navirus cases in the country The Indian benchmarks ' H ''I 
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2,   % 2 . % -;O /@0  -  trade, before staging a record- said. The virus has infected front, WPI inflation data will be still advised to be alert since the will continue to drive the mar- Investor wealth worth - + '"  > $      "
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2#"  $ >6 together to deliver both growth ;<+ < .  and world-leading returns,    audi Aramco on Sunday while also maintaining our Sreported a 20.6 per cent position as one of the world’s etrol price was on Sunday  
#    drop in its net profit for 2019 most reliable energy compa- Pcut by 12 paise a litre and :.(
 
due to low oil prices and pro- nies,” Nasser said. diesel rates by 14 paise as oil duction levels, the company The earnings for last year companies moderated rate   
 said in a statement. are not affected by the coron- reduction amid the fall in glob- These are the first annual avirus outbreak or the ongoing al prices to absorb the hike in  =  results to be announced by the price war between Saudi Arabia excise duty on fuel by the energy giant after its historical and Russia that has sent oil Government. es Bank expects pressures $29.4 billion initial public offer- prices crashing. Petrol in Delhi now costs Yfrom sour loans, which led ing and listing on the Saudi Aramco said it will dis- 69.75 per litre, while diesel is it to declare the highest loss for Tadawul market last December. tribute dividends worth $73.2 priced at 62.44, according to any private sector lender at Rs Aramco posted net profits billion for 2019 but based on its a price notification of state- 18,654 crore for the December of $88.2 billion last year com- commitments under the IPO, owned oil firms. quarter, to continue even in pared to $111.1 billion in 2018, its dividends for the next five Delhi has the lowest fuel The Government had on per litre when the Modi gov- FY21, but CEO-designate Monday’s statement said. years starting this year will be prices among metros because Saturday hiked excise duty on ernment took office in 2014 Prashant Kumar is confident of “The decrease was pri- at least $75 billion. of lower state taxes. petrol and diesel by a steep 3 and that on diesel was 3.56 a its survival after a Rs 10,000- bonds of over Rs 8,500 crore crore at the end of December marily due to lower crude oil It said its capital spending Industry sources said the per litre each to garner about litre. crore capital infusion. will have to be written-down 2019, as compared to the year- prices and production vol- last year dropped to $32.8 bil- reduction in rates would have 39,000 crore additional rev- The Government had The bank witnessed with- completely for the reconstruc- ago period. umes, coupled with declining lion from $35.1 billion in 2018. been higher but for the 3 per enue as it repeated its 2014-15 between November 2014 and drawals of over Rs 72,000 crore tion to begin, setting the stage Compared to the preceding refining and chemical mar- The company expects cap- litre increase in excise duty act of not passing on gains aris- January 2016 raised excise duty of deposits in the last six for a legal battle. quarter, advances overdue for gins,” it said. ital spending, which is expen- effected on Saturday. ing from the slump in interna- on petrol and diesel on nine months to Rs 1.37 lakh crore, Kumar had to be installed 31 to 90 days (levels before they The company also made diture on projects, to be Oil companies, they said, tional oil prices. occasions to take away gains but the Rs 10,000 crore capital as the administrator of the get tagged as NPAs), declined $1.6 billion of impairment pro- between $25 billion and $30 bil- had been moderating reduction According to a notification arising from plummeting glob- infusion, coupled with over bank on March 5 by the RBI, 43 per cent to Rs 13,911 crore. visions for losses associated with lion this year “in light of current warranted in retail prices in issued by the Central Board of al oil prices. 1,000 branches and a strong after the government super- The higher slippages and a Sadara Chemical Company, an market conditions and recent anticipation of an excise duty Indirect Taxes & Customs, spe- In all, duty on petrol rate customer base makes Kumar seded its board due to an reduction in loan book were Aramco subsidiary. commodity price volatility.” hike. The gains they thus accu- cial excise duty on petrol was was hiked by 11.77 per litre confident of Yes Bank contin- inability to raise much-needed key reasons for the 60 per cent “2019 was an exceptional But it said that capital mulated were adjusted against hiked by 2 to 8 per litre and and that on diesel by 13.47 a uing to be a “going concern”. capital. decline in the core net interest year for Saudi Aramco. Through expenditure for 2021 and the price hike that would have to 4 a litre from 2 in case of litre in those 15 months that “The proposed capital Much of the troubles at the income at Rs 1,065 crore, and a variety of circumstances — beyond is currently under been necessary because of the diesel. Additionally, road cess helped Government’s excise infusion and the bank’s strong bank are attributed to the also narrowing of the net inter- some planned and some not — review. The results were increase in excise duty. Some was raised by 1 per litre each mop up more than double to customer base and branch net- alleged mishandling by its co- est margin to 1.4 per cent the world was offered unprece- announced amid a price war moderation in passing on the on petrol and diesel to 10. 2,42,000 crore in 2016-17 work will enable the Bank to founder and former chief exec- from 3.3 per cent a year ago. dented insight into Saudi between Saudi Arabia and decline in international prices With this, the total inci- from 99,000 crore in 2014-15. continue its business for the utive Rana Kapoor, whose term Deposit mobilisation, Aramco’s agility and resilience,” Russia after they failed to agree in the near future to domestic dence of excise duty on petrol It cut excise duty by 2 in foreseeable future, so as to be was cut short by the RBI due to accelerating resolution of the CEO Amin Nasser said. on additional output cuts to consumers will continue till all has risen to 22.98 per litre and October 2017 and by 1.50 a able to realise its assets and dis- governance lapses. stressed assets and cost opti- “Our unique scale, low support prices dented by the of the excise duty impact is that on diesel to 18.83. year later. But it raised excise charge its liabilities in its nor- Under Kapoor’s successor misation have been marked as costs, and resilience came outbreak of the coronavirus recovered, the sources added. The tax on petrol was 9.48 duty by 2 per litre in July 2019. mal course of business,” the Ravneet Gill, it began an accel- the key focus areas, along with bank said, quoting Kumar’s erated recognition of the stress a shift to low-value loans by assessment. hidden in the balance sheet, Kumar. Kumar is at present the which started with reporting its In the high-value loans 7"&   ; *   &   bank’s RBI-appointed admin- maiden quarterly loss in March segment, the strategy is to istrator and will be taking over 2019. Kumar has continued the reduce exposure to commercial as CEO on Wednesday evening widely prevalent practice of an realty, non-bank lenders, hous-   (     '   $     once the bank comes out of incoming head cleaning up ing finance companies, infra- moratorium. the books and preferring to structure and electricity sectors,    ance companies may be man- ers to come up with need-based The heavy reverses on cor- start with a clean slate. it said. dated to introduce ‘disruptions policies like cover against mos-  %   >7?" porate lending -- nearly a third However, in its investor Meanwhile, the bank’s raders’ body CAIT has due to coronavirus’ as an addi- quito-borne diseases and vec- of the overall loans have turned presentation, Yes Bank said reconstruction has been set-off Tappealed to Finance tional cover to fire and mate- tor-borne diseases, which can    )+*#**# 4 sour -- have probably led the slippages, which went up to Rs with the issue of Rs 10,000 Minister Nirmala Sitharaman rials damage policies, and the cover hospitalisation expenses #G )

Tehran: Iran on Sunday urged Jahanpour also reported calling on everyone to cease its citizens to stick to guidelines 1,209 new confirmed cases of from travelling to the north- "+ ,-...  0  - and stay at home to stop the COVID-19 infection, raising eastern province. new coronavirus spreading, as the total to 13,938. Mashhad’s Imam Reza it announced 113 deaths in a “The good news is that shrine receives many devout  (.. *
  ,1 day. more than 4,590 of the overall Iranians every year, especially The latest death toll confirmed cases have recov- around the country’s New Year Madrid: Spain on Sunday reported some 2,000 new coronavirus announced by the Health ered” and the patients have holidays which start on March cases and more than a hundred deaths over the last 24 hours, the Ministry took to 724 the offi- been discharged from hospitals, 20. latest spike in Europe’s second-most affected country after Italy. cial number of people to have he added. The outbreak in Iran is one The new figures raise Spain’s number of COVID-19 infections to been killed by the disease since Tehran province had the of the deadliest outside of 7,753— and its death toll to 288 — after the Government imposed last month. highest number of new infec- China, where the disease orig- a near-total nationwide lockdown, banning people from leaving People “should cancel all tions with 251 fresh cases. inated. home except to go to work, get medical care or buy food. AFP travel and stay at home so that Khorasan Razavi province, Jahanpour called on we may see the situation home to the holy Shiite city of Iranians to “take the coron- improving in the coming days,” Mashhad, followed with 143 avirus seriously” and especial- '  2  "'  ministry spokesman Kianoush cases. ly be mindful of elderly rela- Jahanpour said in a televised “The cases there will prob- tives who are most vulnerable  . 
 
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 news conference. ably increase,” the official said, to the infection. AFP Paris: France will progressively reduce long-distance train, bus and plane travel on its territory over the coming days in a bid to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the ecology minister said on Sunday. /6   2.  The country, which has already shut cafes, restaurants, schools and +
  
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    nations over the coronavirus The move caused wide- @"   pandemic will be extended to the spread consternation among Washington: US President   
 ! $   United Kingdom and Ireland. travelers, with even exempted Donald Trump has tested neg- 2 ' President Donald Trump American citizens uncertain ative for the novel coronavirus,  2= ))    London: The Islamic State The newsletter says that the has decided to “suspend all trav- about their status after the dead- the White House physician (ISIS) terrorist group has issued “healthy should not enter the Tehran: The Islamic endow- el from the United Kingdom and line expired. said, hours after his adminis- Harare: Zimbabwe’s Defence “They are now staying a travel advisory for its opera- land of the epidemic and the ment overseeing the Al-Aqsa Ireland. That will be effective Trump had earlier con- tration declared the COVID-19 Minister has called the coron- indoors. Their economies are tives to steer clear of coron- afflicted should not exit from mosque compound, the third midnight Monday night EST firmed the ban would be pandemic a national emer- avirus pandemic a “punish- screaming just like they did to avirus-hit Europe, described as it”. It also instructs followers to holiest site in Islam, says the (0400 GMT Tuesday),” Vice extended to those countries as gency on Friday. ment” of the US and Europe for our economy.” The United States “the land of the epidemic”. “cover their mouths when mosque itself and other buildings President Mike Pence told a the pandemic progresses, say- Trump, 73, had taken the imposing sanctions against and the European Union first According to The Sunday yawning and sneezing” and to will be closed over concerns White House news conference. ing: “They’ve had a little bit of coronavirus test on Friday members of the ruling regime imposed sanctions on Times, the latest issue of the wash their hands regularly. about the new coronavirus. “Americans in the UK or activity, unfortunately.” Britain’s night. The results came out in over human rights abuses. Zimbabwe during the despotic ISIS ‘Al-Naba’ newsletter refers The newsletter refers to a Sheikh Omar Kiswani, the direc- Ireland can come home. Legal death toll from the novel coro- less than 24 hours. “Last night, Coronavirus has infected rule of the country’s late ex-pres- to a new set of “sharia direc- “plague” described as a “tor- tor of the mosque, said on residents can come home,” Pence navirus nearly doubled on after an in-depth discussion more than 150,000 people ident Robert Mugabe, ousted by tives” warning against travel to ment sent by God on whom- Sunday that prayers will contin- said, adding that such people Saturday, to 21. with the President regarding worldwide and killed almost the military in November 2017. Europe. soever He wills”, adding: ue to be held outdoors. The clo- would be “funneled through Official figures showed the the COVID-19 test, he elected 6,000 since it was first detected The measures were aimed at The Middle East-based ter- “Illnesses do not strike by sure is to continue indefinitely. specific airports and processed.” country has 1,140 confirmed to proceed. This evening, I in China last December. high-ranking officials and gov- ror outfit, which has in the past themselves but by the com- Iran’s official leading the Trump’s sweeping travel ban cases —an increase of 342 from received confirmation that the “Coronavirus is the work of ernment institutions, including encouraged operatives to plot mand and decree of God.” country’s response to the worst has drawn an angry response the day before, but a senior test is negative,” Dr Sean god punishing countries who travel bans on Mugabe and his attacks in Europe, also instruct- ISIS has lost a lot of ground coronavirus outbreak in the from European officials, who health official has estimated Conley, the presidential physi- imposed sanctions on us,” said inner circle. ed those of its followers who in the Middle East after a Middle East on Sunday acknowl- have called for cooperation to that the number of infected cian, said in a memorandum to Zimbabwe’s defence minister President Emmerson may have become ill with coro- series of defeats, but it remains edged that the pandemic could fight the pandemic. The 30-day people is more likely to be White House Press Secretary Oppah Muchinguri on Saturday, Mnangagwa has been battling to navirus not to leave the region, active in Iraq and Syria in a overwhelm health facilities in the US ban on travel from the 26 between 5,000 and 10,000. AFP Stephanie Grisham on speaking at a rally in the north- re-engage with the West since he in order to prevent the disease fragmented form. country, which is under severe countries of Europe’s Schengen Saturday. PTI ern town of Chinhoyi. took office in 2017. AFP spreading. PTI US Sanctions. AP !!
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 Sydney: Australia on Sunday “visitor traffic will dry up very Paris: A spike in deaths from announced anyone arriving very very quickly.” Tallinn: Estonia and Lithuania starting Tuesday in the coun- the coronavirus in Spain has into the country will face “If your mate has been to $ (>=+ breach of trust -- charges which quarantine. said on Saturday they will shut try of 1.3 million people which pushed the global toll past mandatory 14-day self-isola- Bali and they come back and he denies. Netanyahu has been their borders to most foreign has registered 115 confirmed 6,000, according to an AFP tally tion, in a bid to slow the spread they turn up at work and they n Israeli court on Sunday Jerusalem’s District Court charged with a range of visitors while fellow Baltic EU cases of COVID-19. compiled from official sources. of the coronavirus. are sitting next to you, well they Apostponed Prime Minister said in a statement that, given offences including receiving member Latvia imposed secu- Only citizens, individuals The worldwide death toll “We are going to have to will be committing an offence,” Benjamin Netanyahu’s graft the coronavirus pandemic, it improper gifts and offering a rity measures of its own to stem with residence permits and rose to 6,036, with 159,844 get used to some changes in the Morrison said. trial over coronavirus, as the had been instructed to hear media mogul lucrative regula- the spread of the novel coron- foreigners with a family mem- infections after 105 died in way we live our lives,” Prime Australia has detected 269 premier relaunched his appeal “only urgent matters”. tory changes in exchange for avirus. ber in Estonia will be allowed Spain. While China remains Minister Scott Morrison said, cases of the COVID-19 virus so for an emergency unity gov- In Netanyahu’s trial, “we favourable coverage. “The Government has in but will have to undergo two the country with the most adding the measure will come far, with a large number of new ernment to tackle the crisis. have decided to postpone the Despite the indictments, decided to temporarily rein- weeks of isolation. deaths with 3,199, the pan- into effect from midnight (1300 cases now coming from the Netanyahu, the first Israeli first hearing until May 24,” the Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud troduce border controls on the Foreigners will still be able demic is now spreading more GMT Sunday). United States, Morrison said, prime minister ever indicted in court said. party won the most seats in whole border,” Estonian Prime to pass through Estonia to get rapidly in Europe, with 1,907 Morrison also said all describing the country as a office, had been scheduled to Israel has 200 confirmed March 2 elections and he is Minister Juri Ratas said in a to their country provided they deaths in the continent’s worst- cruise ships will be banned “major source”. stand trial from Tuesday over cases of the virus, and tens of aiming to form a new govern- government statement. show no symptoms of the hit country Italy. AFP entirely and that he expects AFP alleged bribery, fraud and thousands of people in home ment. The measure will apply virus. AFP Q %"   ".'     $* +3  0! B     % '2 2  ' &

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    * *   ;? /R ' Colombo: Faced by the increas- ing threat of COVID-19 spread, Seoul: A North Korean nuclear negotiator has $ > London: Queen Elizabeth II the Army is to track down a Beirut: In a world gripped by Earlier this month, Turkish A political process does been appointed as the Ambassador to Austria, has been shifted out of group of Sri Lankans who had a pandemic, global unrest and and Syrian troops were clash- not exist. Contrary to what replacing a son-in-law of the country’s founder he Vatican said on Sunday that its tra- Buckingham Palace in London arrived from Italy and evaded a fast-moving news cycle, it can ing in Syria’s northwest. some may hope, the Syrian war Kim Il-sung, state media said in a report on Tditional Easter week celebrations would to Windsor Castle as the UK quarantine, a top official said on be difficult to remember that That brought NATO-mem- is nowhere near its end-game. Sunday. be held this year without worshippers due plans for isolation measures for Sunday. They had arrived the war in Syria is still hap- ber Turkey and Russia, which A cease-fire brokered by Choe Kang-il, acting director-general of the to the coronavirus. people over 70 amid the coun- between March 1-9 and alleged- pening. back opposing sides of the war, the Turkish and Russian pres- Foreign Ministry’s North American affairs bureau, “Because of the current global public try’s death toll from COVID-19 ly escaped the quarantine process Even before the coron- to the brink of direct con- idents in Moscow last week may had been involved in nuclear negotiations with health emergency, all the liturgical celebra- hitting 21, nearly doubling where they ought to have trav- avirus outbreak took over daily frontation, and produced an have put the brakes on the the US, including preparatory talks ahead of the tions of Holy Week will take place without from 11 within a day. elled from the Colombo inter- lives around the globe, the con- unprecedented wave of dis- Syrian government’s devastat- second summit in Hanoi last year between the physical presence of the faithful,” the The 93-year-old monarch national airport to the quaran- flict, which began in early 2011, placed people. ing military campaign to retake North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and American Prefecture of the Pontifical Household said and her 98-year-old husband, tine centre in the eastern district had largely fallen off the world’s Arguing that it faces a the northwestern Idlib President Donald Trump, Yonhap News Agency in a statement. Prince Philip, are likely to be of Batticaloa. Sri Lanka Army has collective radars — reduced to potential new influx of refugees province. But the halt is not a quoted Pyongyang’s KCNA as saying in a report The office is in charge of coordinating placed in quarantine at the taken over the quarantine a never-ending fight involving from Syria, Turkey announced long-term solution, and the on Saturday. most of Pope Francis’s public schedule and royal Sandringham Estate in process of the returnees. an ever-more complex web of it would no longer stop its vast war’s final and most devastat- Choe was named to replace Kim Kwang-sop, his audiences with heads of state and other Norfolk in the coming weeks as “One of the ways in which players and refugees that few migrant and refugee population ing chapter is yet to come. the husband of Kim Kyong-jin, a half-sister of late dignitaries. tougher measures are put in the Army ensures national secu- remember once lived in a coun- from illegally entering Greece, In the three months before North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, according to the The Vatican also said: “Until April 12, place to fight the coronavirus rity is guaranteeing the safety of try they called home. touching off a new crisis for the it was paused, the Syrian offen- KCNA. the general audiences and the Angelus outbreak in the UK affecting citizens,” Army chief Gen But as it enters its tenth European Union. sive triggered the largest single The former envoy has been in the position for presided over by the Holy Father will be over 1,140 people. Shavendra Silva told reporters. year, the war — which gave rise More than half of Syria’s wave of displacement of the 27 years since his appointment in 1993. available only in live streaming on the offi- PTI PTI to the Islamic State group and pre-war population of 23 mil- entire war. That may be The KCNA also confirmed that Ju Won-chol cial Vatican News website.” triggered the worst humanitar- lion people have been driven dwarfed by the flight of human- has replaced Kim Pyong-il, a half-brother of late According to the latest tally late Saturday, ian catastrophe of the 21st cen- from their homes, and a stag- ity toward Turkey if Syrian leader Kim Jong-il, as ambassador to Czech there have been 1,441 deaths in Italy due to tury — has shown it is still cre- gering 80% of the population President Bashar Assad Republic. COVID-19, and more than 21,000 Italians ating new tragedies that can live beneath the poverty line, resumes the assault to retake It also reported that Ambassador to Britain have tested positive. have an outsized impact on according to the United Nations. Idlib, home to some 3 million Choe Il has been appointed as ambassador to Italy is the hardest-hit European coun- global politics. Half the country lies in ruins. people. AP Poland. IANS try so far in the pandemic. 3*- *
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Washington: As the two remaining Bernie Sanders — remain to make the a perfect opportunity to show millions Democratic presidential candidates case that they are best-positioned to that you have what it takes,” said Robert return to the debate stage, their party, challenge Trump in November. Gibbs, former White House press sec- the stakes, and the world look much Five other candidates who joined retary and campaign adviser to different than in their last meeting less them on stage in the February 25 President Barack Obama. than three weeks ago. debate in South Carolina have dropped “They must show voters they are The fast-moving coronavirus was out, with many rallying behind Biden’s the answer to what is missing right now something of an afterthought in that surging candidacy. by being calm, honest, ready to lead debate; now the escalating crisis is like- For both Biden and Sanders, the and empathetic.” ly to dominate Sunday’s contest. debate is a moment to display their The coronavirus crisis rapidly Rising infections in the United leadership skills in front of what could upended plans for Sunday’s debate. States and around the world have be one of the largest audiences of the First, the Democratic National prompted a dramatic slowdown of primary. Committee announced that it would global travel, upended financial mar- They’ll aim to draw a contrast with hold the contest without a live audi- kets, and raised questions about Trump, but also with each other, argu- ence. Then the debate was moved from President Donald Trump’s ability to ing that they have the right experience, a large venue in Arizona, one of the lead the nation through a prolonged temperament and policy prescriptions states holding a primary Tuesday, to a period of uncertainty. to lead the nation through a crisis. television studio in Washington Just two Democrats — former Vice “Moments like these don’t come because of concerns about cross-coun- President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. around often in campaigns and this is try travel. AP    !"!" *
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ce Indian paddler Achanta ustralia’s white-ball captain Aaron Sharath Kamal produced a AFinch has revealed he Asensational performance to Had nightmares during India’s clinch the 2020 ITTF Challenger 2018 tour when pacers Plus Oman Open men's singles title Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit here on Sunday. Despite being a Bumrah were taking his wicket game down, seasoned campaigner “for fun”. Sharath recovered well to outclass top Opening the innings, the seeded Marcos Freitas of Portugal 6- Australian captain struggled across 11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-9, 3-11, 17-15 in all three formats during the India the final. series, specially while trying to nav- With Oman Open crown, the 37- igate Bhuvneshwar's inswinging year-old veteran also ended his decade deliveries. long wait for the title at ITTF event. “I’d wake up in a cold sweat, It was in 2010, Sharath bagged a title he’s (Bhuvneshwar) got me out last time when he won Egypt Open. a lot with the ball moving back Since then he made two semi-final in,” Finch said in Amazon’s appearances (Morocco Open in 2011 recently released docu-series and India Open in 2017) but could- titled 'The Test'. n't manage to get through it. The Indian seamer had Earlier in the semi-finals, Sharath scalped Finch’s wicket four times, pulled off a stunning come-from- including during all three ODIs and behind victory against Russia's Kirill one T20I, in the six-match limited Skachkov. Fourth-seeded Sharath overs series. made a sensational comeback after Finch also said that he would wake up being two games down to register 11- at night just thinking about facing Bumrah 13, 11-13, 13-11, 11-9, 13-11, 8-11, 11- the next day. 7 win in a thrilling seven-set semi- “There were times that I’d wake up in final that lasted for one hour and eight the night thinking about getting out. minutes. Thinking I’m facing Bumrah again tomor- Freitas entered final with a 5-11, row, he’s getting me out for fun,” Finch 11-9, 6-11, 6-11, 11-8, 13-11, 11-3 win said. over Harmeet Desai. India paddler India enjoyed an unprecedented Desai produced a gritty performance summer, winning the Border and was seen dominating the match Gavaskar Trophy 3-1, their first-ever at the initial stage. However, World Test series win on the Australian No. 26 Freitas fought back well after soil. It was followed by a 2-1 vic- being 3-1 down and went on to win tory in the ODIs, while the T20 the next three successive games to series ended in a 1-1 draw. make his way into the final. Bumrah was instru- mental in India's his- toric Test victory. The right-arm pacer emerged as the joint high-    
   ,'6P      est wicket-taker in the four- match series, claiming 21 wick- ets.  ;  base in front of his cheering fans. poned the start of this year's IPL ment of the cash-rich T20 tour- The Test, which is an eight- “It has become your home, from March 29 to April 15 in nament. Dhoni hasn’t played any part series, shows the Australian ahendra Singh Dhoni on sir!' Keep whistling, as #Thala wake of the pandemic, which has form of cricket since featuring in cricket team’s journey of redemp- MSunday left the Chennai Dhoni bids a short adieu to caused massive upheaval across India’s semifinal loss to NZ at the tion from the 2018 ball-tamper- Super Kings training camp here #AnbuDen,” Chennai Super Kings the globe. 50-over World Cup in England ing scandal to a successful defence following the suspension of the wrote on its twitter handle along On Saturday, the BCCI and last year. of the Ashes. 13th edition of IPL till April 15 in with a short video. the eight IPL team owners met in There has been a lot of spec- The series also features the wake of COVID-19 pandem- The video showed fans lining Mumbai to discuss the various ulation over Dhoni’s internation- behind-the-scenes footage of ic. up to catch a glimpse of Dhoni as options after government- al future ahead of this year’s T20 Australia's first-ever Test Dhoni, who had arrived in he signed autographs and inter- imposed travel restrictions and World Cup in Australia, with series loss to India on Chennai for CSK’s preparatory acted with the fans. refusal of three states to host any some saying it will depend on his home soil and the World camp early this month, left the The BCCI on Friday post- matches forced the postpone- performance in the IPL-13. Cup semifinal exit. ' )
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ids who believe they can do just turn a blind eye. Ignore them. Routines are not about rigid rules. I she's older and let her do things herself anything they feel like doing, Pretend you didn’t see a thing. This has think of them more as little orange flags (especially when you're in a rush). But and get whatever they want, been extremely effective. that guide the child through the day, micromanaging her life—from telling tend to be the ones who act The quality of the relationship with stopping him from careening off the her exactly what to wear to opening her out by whining or throwing your kid directly affects how well they track. juice boxes—just sends the message that Ka tantrum when their demands aren't behave. If you have a good relationship, Kids can — and should — be enor- you're not confident about her abilities. met. Children who understand that the child will generally behave. If you mously resilient if a routine is broken or So whenever you can, let her accomplish there are well-defined boundaries learn have a bad relationship and there is bad altered on occasion. But it takes time to as many small tasks as possible. And as how to self-regulate and to respect attachment between you and your child, learn this. In fact, each time a routine much as you'd like to help, it's better for limit. then they are likely to misbehave. It changes and you later return to the reg- her to resolve some squabbles with her On any given day you've probably sounds simple, but most of us fail to hold ular routine, your child is learning to be playmates or siblings on her own. had two or three showdowns with your this in mind and instead blame our kids flexible. This is especially true when you Kids – especially the young ones - are child over everything from brushing her as the problem. recognise and label the disruption: all about the questions. All day. Every day. teeth to getting in the car seat—all before One of the simple ways in which you “This weekend, we didn’t eat lunch in the And more often than not, our go-to answer lunch. But contrary to how things may can take advantage of this in the moment kitchen like we usually do because is “no”. It’s usually for good reason (it’s seem, most kids like to behave in a man- is to connect before you redirect. You Grandma and Grandpa were visiting. midnight and the park is closed); but kids ner that makes them (and you) proud— connect, you get a good relationship with But now we are back to our same seats get frustrated with a constant stream of at least most of the time. The best way your kid and then you redirect them into at the kitchen table.” Just explaining the no’s. Not to mention that too many no’s to get there: Help your child feel as if you what you want. If your kid is doing reason behind the changes helps your creates a situation ripe for a power strug- and she are on the same team something you do not want, sit down child understand the situation better. gle. Look for opportunities to say “yes” Too often we give our kids the next to them, join them in that experi- If you want your child to be more when you can. If your child wants to go majority of our attention when they’ve ence and then direct them to what you cooperative, change your focus from to a movie and it’s not convenient right done something wrong. It’s natural, want. improving him to improving your rela- then, try, “Hey, a movie sounds like fun! only human. But, when we give them If on the other hand you do not have tionship. When you dwell on the ways Should we go Friday after daycare or on even more attention for doing something that good connection and you just he's misbehaving, it just discourages both Saturday afternoon?” Will there be times right, amazing things can happen. So, the come in and try to get them to do some- of you—you feel like a bad mom, and he when the answer is a big “no”? Sure, but next time they are being good citizens, thing different, they are very likely to feels as if he can't do anything right. the more yes’s we can sprinkle in to the make them feel like they are the best of resist. If you focus on the attachment  6=  6=> ;   > Besides, all that energy you're using to mix, the more palatable the no’s will seem the best. It shouldn’t be too hard, right? between you and your child, then they correct him could be channeled into to our kids! It means, these are the golden stars that will want to do good. Not for you, but ;-> ? ; 4 6=> ;=+ > something more uplifting and effective. Remember, our children are not exact- you birthed after all, *smile*. Whenever because they feel a part of a team So try to give him positive feedback sev- ly like us — not always in the way they look, kids do something right we should where they feel good. ->? 4   ->? 4 6=> eral times a day—a specific compliment and certainly not always personality-wise. praise them. This has been very effec- Being consistent doesn’t require on something you see him doing. And Indeed, many parents are confused and tive in inspiring them to repeat the same rigidity. Think of consistency as a >  +-,  6=     6+ don't forget to spend some time with frustrated when they find that they are good behaviour in hopes of getting that framework for your child’s day, a frame L+ + ? 4  (=+ +;=>4+   your child each day, doing something he markedly different in temperament and same treatment; which they surely of, “usually, we do things this way.” For enjoys. personality from their child. This is espe- receive every single time. example: “I hear the bathwater running,  6=K6=  *       After having fed, diapered, dressed cially true when our child has a character- Whenever they are acting up — now I take a bath. After bath, I’ll get my and done just about everything for istic or style that we do not understand, are minor misbehaviour, not the biggies — pajamas on, and then we read a book.” + +   ; L   6  4 >4 your baby, it's hard to step back when frustrated by, or simply find unappealing.    !"!"

out how to buy or rent Wi-Fi hotspots and then have a community plan for distrib- uting both devices and hotspots. During a school shutdown such as now, parents may also be working from home, meaning several people could be competing for one or two computers. Therefore, we must ensure smartphone- friendly apps so that there is no stress on access. An ill-conceived digital module can adversely affect low-income students ' 4 $$   and kids with special needs. “It’s a great ' 2"  . % 
 option but now is a good time to start the  "2 %  . ' ( ' research required for developing certain    %2 %  . /A skills and equipment. Not all students ,  ' """  . might have the equipment or the right machinery in their household to learn the   L,M designing techniques,” says Akshara Dalal, L4"   2 Director of the JD Institute of Fashion S   Technology. % /A  %  She argues that the popularity of .. " 
, online education modules would help stu- dents develop more than just academic .  '2 ' skills. “Virtual learning is a great way to    
 % develop rounded perspectives because it 2, =  promotes critical thinking and application 
  beyond what academic sessions deliver. It can be more of a practical work, where   .. students can self-explore. I believe that  " sometimes when students keep coming to . . classes regularly, they get limited to an   '2 $ extent by the teachers’ interpretation or  ,  
 they might get influenced by their class- mates. So it can be an interesting turn.”   2' For Dharini Upadhyaya, co-founder T.M   and co-CEO of FSM and Pankaj, e-learn-   .' % ing is the future as institutions have no (, other way out at the moment to keep  (' things under control. “We must find inter- esting topics for engagement. Education +%% ." is not just confined to conventional O . mainstream subjects. It’s also learning O 2 about allied subjects. Various media will,  +%% in fact, increase the curiosity of kids.  L4" Parents should look at alternatives such as online education, covering interesting  (  
  concepts. One of the subjects can be arts,” /A  %  says he. He also emphasises the need for . 
,M educating both teachers and students on online protocols as to time slots, parking and uploading lessons in cloud data and TUTOR FOR stick to check-in and check-out times. TECH Above all, educators must include virtu- al meetings, live chats or video tutorials to maintain a human connection. This need was felt after schools closed for a long time in Wuhan. After weeks of largely being confined MISSED CLASSES to their apartments, teachers began call- ing each other and leaving the lines open, 
      % 4:;./, even if they weren’t talking. They simply   wanted the comfort of being able to speak  
     up and have someone hear their voices. Teachers and students do miss each <       % 
    % other. Also, Indian institutions can follow the example of Coursera, a US online edu-     ,"3  cation company that recently announced it would provide any impacted universi- ow that coronavirus is a pandem- learning if needed. It is also a good time sion too.” ty in the world with free access to its 3,800 ic and schools and colleges are shut to take stock of developing digital infra- Is virtual learning the way out? In a courses online. Open online courses Nacross the country, how will chil- structure and access that is affordable and country like India, socio-economic equi- N?> = >  4 + were originally born a decade ago to dren make up for syllabus gaps and pre- uniform. For the world will bump into ty is the biggest obstacle in preparing for democratise access to higher education. pare for crucial exams that will take them from one crisis to the next but knowledge online learning. There is a problem of  4> 6  Students and teachers around the globe to the next level? The answer clearly lies and wisdom are needed to tackle them. over-served and underserved areas. The ?- >=  at first became very attracted to the world’s in online tutorials, exams and assessments Says Pankaj Kumar Singh, MD of challenge for us is to ensure the strength largest ed-tech experiment. However, that can maintain a continuity of the Cambridge Montessori pre schools, “It’s of affordable devices and bandwidth in ->+-; ?+ institutions later grew disappointed as the learning process without bothering about the worst time for an epidemic as board rural areas to universalise digital class- reachability and affordability came into physical attendance. If there is any silver exams are still on. The closures can be a rooms. Schools that have digital learning ;=+  -> + question. Hence, the need of the hour is lining to Covid-19, it is that all schools serious threat to children’s academic modules are already ahead and, therefore, not to develop concessional but function- evolve a digital learning plan and put tools progress, safety and social lives. This will should not make technology appear elit- ;> ;  * 4O al, scalable and viable models. This effort " . in place to enable a quick pivot to remote have an impact on the next academic ses- ist. District administrations must figure certainly won’t go waste.   %  "O 2  
 .2  s night falls in London, "   AGeorgina Rowlands and Anna Hart start applying makeup. Instead  %  % of lipstick and eyeliner, they’re '2 %2 covering their faces with geomet-     ric shapes.    2" Rowlands has long narrow blue triangles and thin white rectangles  '
 ."2', criss-crossing her face. Hart has a + %  %2 '  collection of red, orange and white )#* ' " angular shapes on hers.   ',  2  2 2 They’re two of the four  '2.    " % founders of the Dazzle Club, a group of artists set up last year to  ', provoke discussion about the grow- An undercover assignment to expose a drug ring L+% "  "  ing using of facial recognition tech- becomes a timid Mumbai constable’s road to empowerment    %"   %2O nology. The group holds monthly as she realises her dormant sexuality’s potential. Starring M  ' ", silent walks through different parts Aaditi Pohankar, Vijay Varma and Vishwas Kini, season 1 of London to raise awareness about releases on March 20 on Netflix. It is directed by Imtiaz Ali. the technology, which they say is being used for “rampant surveil- lance.” Other concerns include its lack of regulation, inaccuracy and how it affects public spaces. Some 19 people attended the +  4 4." most recent event in the East .    %  "  London neighbourhood of    2 
" "  Shoreditch and anyone can take part in the walks, in which partic- quietly experimented with live " " %2 2.' ipants have to paint their faces in facial recognition cameras without  ):?/:"."  a style called CV Dazzle. public knowledge or consent, 
'2  ""', The technique, developed by  % sparking a backlash. L "O '" 2%  artist and researcher Adam Harvey, London police recently started 
  ""'
 .   is aimed at camouflaging against using live facial recognition cameras facial detection systems, which 0 (     (*(   on operational deployments. Last %    ""   . turn images of faces into mathemat- week officers arrested a woman 
  2 ""',  ical formulas that can be analysed  *   * wanted for assault after the cameras  %  "     by algorithms. CV Dazzle — where picked her out of a street crowd on Stand-up comic Mae Martin navigates a passionate 2 
 "M  CV is short for computer vision — doesn’t have a square around it. The arrested last month for holding a a busy shopping street. Police say new relationship with her formerly straight girlfriend ", uses cubist-inspired designs to rise of facial recognition technolo- similar face paint protest over new technology is needed to keep while dealing with the challenges of sobriety. Starring thwart the computer, said gy is being tested and spreading in Moscow’s facial recognition cam- the public safe and images of inno- L "O  Mae Martin, Charlotte Ritchie and Lisa Kudrow, season Rowlands. developed democracies after eras. Hong Kong pro-democracy cent people are deleted immediate- 1 releases on March 20 on Netflix.     “You’re trying to kind of scram- aggressive use in some more activists routinely use face masks in ly. 

  ble that by applying these kind of authoritarian countries like China. street protests to hide their identi- Public attitudes to facial recog- '  random colours and patterns,” she Britain has long been used to ties. Rights groups in Serbia and nition technology in Britain appear     said. “The most important is hav- surveillance cameras in public Uganda have opposed government to be mixed, according to one sur- ing light and dark colours. So we spaces to counter security threats projects to install Chinese-sup- vey last year, which found most " "   often go for blacks and whites, very and London is ranked as having one plied cameras. people said they don’t know enough  " " 2 contrasting colours, because you’re of the world’s highest concentra- Other designers have come up about it but nearly half said they  ,  %  trying to mess with the shadows tions of closed-circuit television with counter measures like sun- should be able to opt out.      and highlights of your face.” cameras. But that acceptance is glasses that reflect infrared light to The Dazzle Club’s founders A similar technique was used being tested as authorities and cor- blind cameras. “There is a move- say they’re worried about the effect

 '   extensively in World War I to cam- porations increasingly seek to ment of resistance against facial that the technology has on people     ouflage British naval ships and deploy a new generation of cameras recognition that we are actively par- in public if cameras are collecting 2 2   confuse opponents about the actu- with facial recognition technology ticipating in and we want to kind their biometric data — facial images  . % . al heading or location of the ships. while activists, lawmakers and of further initiate,” said Rowlands. — without clearly explaining what’s  " ..  To test that their designs work, they independent experts raise con- Rowlands, Hart and two other being done with it.    use the simple face detection feature cerns about mass surveillance, pri- artists founded the Dazzle Club in “We’re having to adjust our Relationships topple and loyalties flip when an icy 
 M  on their smartphone cameras. “I vacy, and accuracy. August, following news that behaviour in public space in a way """, new cheerleading coach takes over the high school squad can see that I’m hidden, it’s not Opposition to algorithmic sur- London’s King’s Cross district — a that I think is problematic,” said ruled by Beth and her devoted BFF, Addy. Season 1 detecting me,” Rowlands said, veillance is not limited to Britain. busy transport hub where many big Hart. releases on March 20 on Netflix. checking her phone to see her face Russia activists were reportedly offices are being built rapidly — had L'  $      !"!"

n June 2018 the Indian gov- got work they did earlier but ernment announced that it working from home compen- Iwas mandatory to eliminate ."")?0!?"C sates for it. single-use plastics by 2022. Last “During the winter season, year, there were speculations we get a lot of home-based that the first big step in the fight work like tailoring, embroider- against disposable plastic would -'     % 2   %2 '   ing, peeling garlic and peas, be taken on October 2, chopping vegetables and pack- Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th 
 2.2 .. % 2  ->  +  ing. But sewing of cloth bags anniversary. However, the gov- comes to us regularly irrespec- ernment shelved the plan to out- tive of the season,” shared a 35- law single-use plastics on the year-old Manju Regar who earns occasion saying that it “would 100 on an average per day have been disruptive for the while working at her own con- industry at a time when it is cop- venience from her house. ing with an economic slow- Women find this work not down and job losses.” As a part only convenient but also digni-  !   of the campaign, 18 states have fied as compared to the work imposed a complete ban on they did as daily wage labourers plastic carry-bags, while five and domestic helps. Through     others have a partial prohibition this they are able to support at religious and historical places their families financially without %  ..    in place according to the Central compromising on their health Pollution Control Board and self-respect. They also '      (CPCB). believe that since the future has Considering that India gen- to be plastic-free, the demand %2 2  erates about 2,600 truckloads of for cloth bags will definitely plastic every day, this is a posi- increase, which in turn would '22 .'   >(64 tive step for the protection of the increase their chance of getting >*=> *= ( ( environment. As all the states permanent employment. Achuki are now looking for alternatives Bai, who is 65-years-old, has ver the past century, the world has changed to plastic bags, this ban has cre- worked hard for her entire life Omanifold and with it, the landscape of devel- ated job opportunities in new, but has never been rewarded. opment. Today, newer countries have emerged and largely informal sectors, espe- Sewing cloth bags has enabled our planet is now home to more than seven billion cially in the rural belts. her to make money which sat- people where one in every four of them is a young In the small town of isfies her. person. The geopolitical scenario has also changed, Kishangarh (also known as Another woman, Geeta with developing countries emerging as major eco- Madanganj) in Ajmer district, Manoharpuriya, works with a nomic forces and political powers. The coming cen- Rajasthan, the ban on plastic non-government organisation. tury certainly belongs to India which is almost the bags has enabled women to be Her other women family mem- size of a subcontinent and has an abundance of nat- financially empower them- bers are involved in sewing ural and human resources. selves. The ones residing cloth bags. She shares that they e all know that our country is home to about in the Dungri Mohalla enjoy this work because of the W100 million hectares of forest area with a rich of Kishangarh, work as freedom it offers, without any variety of flora and fauna. There are thousands of daily wage labourers in interruption, deadline and any gardens, big and small, and a great mass of cultivable some of the toughest con- negative impact on their health. land that can yield good crops of grains, pulses, veg- ditions in the informal They don’t even require any spe- etables, fruits, flowers and valuable herbs. It has vast sector. After toiling for cial training for it. areas of land which are lying barren or water-logged eight hours, they The ban on plastic bags has but can be reclaimed and cultivated. It has immense were getting a certainly created new work mineral and oceanic wealth which if properly used meagre amount of opportunities for women. Since in the light of modern science and technology can 250. Tired, they it will take some time to ban sin- be the source of great pros- would return gle-use plastic all across the perity. But inspite of all home, to cook food country, this time can be utilised these natural, mineral and and take care of The strict instructions, in recent viding job opportunities to source the work to these women to build skills of such women so human resources, the their families. Next years, by the Green Tribunal and many women. to sew bags. Offered 15 for one that they can become more effi- country is steeped in pover- day, they would go the Rajasthan High Court, have In the last four to five years, kilo of cloth bags, these women cient. This will not only show ty. Why? in search of work ensured that people across both women in the Kishangarh can earn a maximum 200 a day. our preparedness to effectively There is a lot of dirt, again. formal and informal sectors Mohalla have been sewing cloth This alternative source of replace plastic with environ- disease, illiteracy and inhu- In 2010, have given up the use of plastic bags to fulfill this demand. The income also allows them to ment-friendly options but also manity all around. There Rajasthan govern- bags. This, over the years, has businesspersons get rags and work from home and look after strengthen the role of women in are millions of people in the ment had declared led to an increase in the demand waste cloth from Surat textile their families. Though the rate the informal sector. queue, applying for jobs the state to be plastic free. of bags made out of cloth pro- industries in Gujarat and out- is low as compared to what they L0   and unable to find a decent one. There is immense deforestation due to which the soil is unable to hold water. The run-off water Greenland, Antarctica ice loss accelerating causes siltation of rivers and dams and eventually, floods. We can blame this state of affairs on the mis- arth's great ice sheets, Greenland and future, for coastal flooding and erosion," management of resources or lack of proper harness- EAntarctica, were now losing mass six he told BBC News. ing of the available resources. There are millions of times faster than they were in the 1990s The researcher co-leads a project able-bodied youth but they do not play any construc- due to warming conditions, the media called the Ice Sheet Mass Balance tive national role. They remain ignorant of their reported on Thursday citing scientists as Intercomparison Exercise, or Imbie, duties towards the society, be it in terms of main- saying. which is a team of experts who have taining cleanliness, following traffic rules or taking  &
A comprehensive review of satellite reviewed polar measurements acquired necessary measures to save the environment. There data acquired at both poles was unequiv- by observational spacecraft over nearly is no sense of national pride among them. They lack ocal in its assessment of accelerating three decades. the strong drive to pull the country out of destitu- trends, the BBC quoted the scientists as The Imbie team's studies have tion. Lakh of people, whose time and energy could saying. Between them, Greenland and revealed that ice losses from Antarctica be put to constructive use by giving them some train- *!& Antarctica lost 6.4 trillion tonnes of ice and Greenland were actually heading to ing and gainful employment, are roaming around, in the period from 1992 to 2017. much more pessimistic outcomes, and wasting their precious time in idle pursuits. /; C  ?C")" This was sufficient to push up glob- will likely add another 17 cm to those All this is happening because there is no plan al sea-levels up by 17.8 mm, the scien- end-of-century forecasts. "If that holds that can enthuse them and stir them to purposeful & /1  *     tists added. true it would put 400 million people at activities. There are no leaders who inspire them,       "That's not a good news story," said risk of annual coastal flooding by 2100," raise their spirits and organise them to do something Professor Andrew Shepherd from the Professor Shepherd told the BBC. for the task of building a strong nation. The bureau-       University of Leeds. The combined rate of ice loss for cracy is too narrow-minded to facilitate the social "Today, the ice sheets contribute Greenland and Antarctica was running and economic change and to wipe the tears of the about a third of all sea-level rise, where- at about 81 billion tonnes per year in the backward classes or the weaker sections of society. as in the 1990s, their contribution was 1990s. By the 2010s, it had climbed to The businessmen and industrialists are engrossed elania Trump urged parents and World Health Organization, people with the importance of positive ways to inter- actually pretty small at about 5 per cent. 475 billion tonnes per year. in making money. Their sensitivities have become Mteachers Tuesday to teach children mild illness recover in about two weeks, act with each other and prepare them for This has important implications for the L, hardened to even notice their deprived brethren who how to interact in positive ways and also while those with more severe illness may attacks and negativity they could receive are dying because they cannot stand the rigours of to prepare them for the negativity that take three to six weeks to recover. In main- in this new digital age,” she said. the climate or the pain of hunger. comes with living in a digital age, calling land China, where the virus first explod- “With your help, we can break down History is evidence to how planning, determi- them the “front line” against irresponsi- ed, more than 80,000 people have been the harmful barriers that internet abuse nation and direction in earlier times brought up two ble behavior online. diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so poses to our children and society,” she major transformations by the ‘Green Revolution’ The first lady focused on cyberbul- far recovered. said, adding that she was “thrilled” to learn and ‘Operation Flood.’ The scientific method of cul- lying in remarks to the National PTA In her remarks, Mrs. Trump said the about steps by PTAs across the country tivation had helped not only to fight the ravages of Legislative Conference and did not men- internet can be a “tool for good” by help- to teach students, parents and teachers flood and drought but also offered food to the less tion the coronavirus, an issue on the ing people share important life updates how to use technology responsibly. fortunate neighbouring countries in Asia and Africa. minds of educators and parents nation- and stay informed but can be “destruc- Cyberbullying is one aspect of a youth Proper pooling and management of scientific know- wide. tive and dangerous,” even deadly, when initiative named “Be Best” that Mrs. how and funds had extricated the country from the She also shared an extended hand- misused. Trump launched in 2018 that also focus- state of begging bowl to the state of philanthropy. shake with PTA President Leslie Boggs at The first lady spoke about a 16-year- es on their overall well-being and com- But today, the situation has changed. Why? a time when federal health officials are dis- old Tennessee high school junior who bating opioid addiction. The answer is mismanagement of resources and couraging people from engaging in such took his life last September after discov- Her focus on cyberbullying comes as power. India’s burgeoning population and leaders touching when they meet. ering that his intimate messages with a her husband, President Donald Trump, that are unable to manage themselves are to blame. For most people, the new coronavirus boy had been put on social media by class- uses his Twitter account to belittle oth- This is where the ‘art of self-management’ comes causes only mild or moderate symptoms, mates. The teen had not been public about ers and behave in ways that contradict her to fore. And that is possible only if one complete- such as fever and cough. But for some, his sexuality. guidance to children. On Tuesday, the ly understands the self and learns to be the ruler especially older adults and people with She said parents and teachers are the president tweeted that the independent of one’s own mind. Leaders from around the world existing health problems, it can cause “front line” against such irresponsible Federal Reserve was “pathetic” for not cut- should change their outlook, lifestyle and work cul- more severe illness, including pneumo- online behavior. ting interest rates as low as he would like. ture through a system of values and meditation. nia. “As parents, adults, educators, and Mrs. Trump has said in the past that If the people in authority initiate change, it will The vast majority of people recover community leaders, it is our responsibil- her husband’s antics won’t deter her from bring about a transformation among the common from the new virus. According to the ity to ensure our children are being taught helping children. L' public too.

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 '', ,    !"!" ISL has become more professional over years : Habas  >4 P#  <   ,  he first head coach to win the Indian Super League Ttrophy twice, Antonio Habas of ATK feels that the      %,Q league has become more pro- fessional over the years with the coming in of better players  >4 and support staff. He also said the latest title hennaiyin FC head ATK won on Saturday after Ccoach Owen Coyle rued defeating Chennaiyin FC 3-1 in his side’s missed chances in the final here, though it was their 1-3 defeat against ATK played without spectators due in the Indian Super League to COVID-19 pandemic, was summit clash that cost them more important than the club a third title. won in the inaugural season Chennaiyin failed to give under him in 2014. their magical turnaround in “It’s different because in the this ISL the desired fairytale first season, the Hero ISL was ending, and Coyle minced no not the same competition. Now words that his side played it is much more professional. better than ATK in the final There are better coaches, bet- held here without spectators ter players, more teams, more on Saturday due to COVID- time in the competition,” he 19 pandemic. said when asked to compare his “Goals change games. success in the first ISL to the We had a few easy chances in latest one. initial phase but could not “This title is more impor- take them. No one should tell tant than the first, but the first me they (ATK) were the bet- possession but ultimately if the match for me was their was also important because it ter team. My disappointment you don't take your chances, goalkeeper Arindam was the first title,” Habas added. is for how much my team put it will come back to haunt Bhattacharja. He was truly ATK have now become the into the game. But ultimate- you. There were two things outstanding. I have to give first ISL team to win the title ly if you don’t take your from our perspective. One, credit to ATK for winning,” thrice in the league's six year chances, you give away soft we were not clinical enough he said. history, having also won the goals,” he said. with our chances and second, Despite the disappoint- trophy in 2016. Chennaiyin “We were the team that I felt ATK’s last two goals ing stumble in the final hur- FC, who lost 1-2 in the summit played all the football. To be were certainly avoidable,” he dle, it has been a season to clash on Saturday, had won the fair to them they stuck to said. remember for the Marina title twice (2015 and 2017-18). their task. They made it “I think ATK will be Machans who made it to the Habas credited the collec- tough for us by banging the very relieved to get away summit clash after languish- tive effort of the team as the ball forward. The spoils went with the trophy given what ing near the bottom of the reason behind their latest title to ATK so all the very best to we brought to the game. But table midway into the season. after injuries to key players them. We were the team that is how football is at the “My feelings go out to my early in the season created “His (Carl McHugh) injury season.” Chennaiyin. And after that in es, you can win with the heart,” who kept pushing on, but highest level.” group of players, because problems. was a big miss. With the prob- The 62-year-old Spaniard the second half, with the injury he said. they were clinical and we Coyle praised ATK goal- those players, particularly “We are a group always, lem with Agus, the team was in admitted his side did not play to Roy (Krishna), the team Asked about the secret were not,” Coyle added. keeper Arindam the young players, they have inside and outside of the pitch. a problem for two, three match- well in the second half of the was nervous. behind his success with ATK, The 53-year-old Irish Bhattacharja despite he was done so much. They have This is important. We had big es. But the strength of the summit clash against “We could not find the Habas said,” “ATK has people coach said ATK must be being the thorn in been a joy to watch. I really problems with injuries to Carl group salvaged the situation. Chennaiyin FC and his players necessary personnel to keep that love me, like I love ATK. I relieved to have won the Chennaiyin’s flesh by saving feel for them. They love their McHugh, then Agus (Iniguez) When you have individual were nervous. scoring and kill the match off. have a special connect with final and the title given that some crucial saves. club. I feel disappointed for and in the final, the problem to problems, the only solution is “I think the match had In the second half, the team did ATK since the first season and Chhenaiyin had more pos- “However, I have to say them. It is a tough night to (Krishna) Roy. But the strength the team, the collective. The two different parts. In the first not play well. Even though we it continues. We are a family. session and goal-scoring ATK’s goal in the first half lose and it is important to of the team was the collective mix between Indian and for- half after the initial few min- did not play well, we had fan- This is amazing. This is the chances. was a wonderful finish and recognize the players who effort,” he said. eign players was fantastic this utes, we were better than tastic character. In some match- secret.” “We had almost 70% credit to them. The man of have done very well.”    ,; 4   '       O    
 @ Biles takes aim at USA Gymnastics   P
  
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  <   $  +  4+ our-time Olympic Gold medallist $   Britain this weekend and $  FSimone Biles wants more than good Rooney believes Prime +     wishes from USA Gymnastics. ormer Manchester United Minister Boris Johnson ith less than five months to go before the Tokyo The US federation wished Biles a Fstar Wayne Rooney claims “dodged” the issue by letting    WOlympics, International Olympic Committee happy 23rd birthday on social media on the British government and football make its own decision President Thomas Bach plans emergency talks with Saturday. football authorities have treat- about playing on. he visit of a high-powered delegation compris- member organisations, sources close to the IOC said Biles — who also owns 19 world titles ed players like “guinea pigs” The 34-year-old claimed Ting Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and top IOA on Sunday. and is expected to be among the stars of during the coronavirus crisis. money was key to the author- officials to Tokyo later this month to look into India's The IOC plans a conference call on Tuesday to the Tokyo Olympics — used their tweet While the rest of ities' reluctance to cancel logistical preparedness for the Olympics has been “keep the international federations informed of the as a chance to demand an independent European football was shut- games. put on hold in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. situation, as well as the National Olympic Committees investigation into the Larry Nassar sex ting down due to the growing “The rest of sport - tennis, The visit was scheduled for March 25 to 29 but and athletes,” one source close to the IOC told AFP. abuse scandal. threat of the global pandem- Formula One, rugby, golf, will now happen at a later date which is yet to be The IOC “will take stock of the actions taken” “how about you amaze me and do the ic, Rooney is angry it took sev- football in other countries - decided. to respond to the coronavirus crisis “and the feder- right thing ... have an independent inves- eral days for the Premier was closing down and we Besides Rijiju, the other members of the dele- ations will have the opportunity to ask questions” tigation,” Biles snapped on Twitter after the League and Football League to were being told to carry on,” gation included Indian Olympic Association pres- added a source close to one international sports fed- federation's birthday tweet. postpone their matches until Rooney said. ident Narinder Batra, secretary-general Rajeev eration “HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the most April 3. “I think a lot of foot- Mehta, Boxing Federation of India president Ajay The IOC “conducts a regular dialogue with all decorated gymnast of all time, It was only when Arsenal ballers were wondering, ‘Is it Singh, sports secretary Radhey Shyam Julaniya and the Olympic partners and regularly informs them of @simonebiles!” USA Gymnastics wrote, manager Mikel Arteta and something to do with money Sports Authority of India director general Sandip the situation,” added an IOC spokesman. posting a video of Biles in action in a floor Chelsea winger Callum being involved in this?'” Pradhan. While many international sporting events have exercise. “We know you will only contin- Hudson-Odoi tested positive Once the virus is under "The pro- been postponed or cancelled, Japanese Prime ue to amaze us and make history!” for the virus on Friday that control, Rooney wants a rad- posed visit of Minister Shinzo Abe promised on Friday that Tokyo Former national gymnastics team football’s UK governing bod- ical schedule shake-up which High Level would host the Olympic Games as planned in July doctor Nassar was jailed for life for abus- ies called a temporary halt to could see the current season Indian and August, despite questions raised by the pandem- ing more than 250 athletes, including stars the season. being concluded as late as Delegation to ic. of the United States' 2012 and 2016 gold Rooney, currently play- September, and the next two Tokyo con- Thomas Bach said on Thursday that his organ- medal-winning Olympic teams. tims, including herself, more answers and ing for second tier Derby, felt kicking off in winter-time as sisting of isation would follow the recommendations of the A US Senate investigation found that a framework to ensure such abuses won't they should have acted quick- a result. Govt Officials World Health Organisation regarding a possible post- “multiple institutions" failed to adequate- occur again. er and the former England “We’re happy to play until and Indian ponement. ly respond to credible allegations against “Wish they BOTH wanted an inde- captain said he would “never September if the season Olympic He acknowledged, however, that the cancellation Nassar, but Biles has said that USA pendent investigation as much as the sur- forgive” the authorities if his extends to then, if that’s how Association to of qualifying events due to the epidemic was already Gymnastics and the US Olympic and vivors & I do,” she tweeted earlier this family fell ill as a result. it has to be. That’s our job. As review India's posing "serious problems”. Paralympic Committee still owe his vic- month..” “Why did we wait until long as we know we’re safe to #Tokyo2020 Friday? Why did it take Mikel play and it's a safe environ- preparation Arteta to get ill for the game ment for spectators, we’ll play,” on 25th "6 ( $  in England to do the right Rooney said. March is tem- thing?” Rooney wrote in the “The next World Cup is in porarily post- Valencia confirm five positive tests Sunday Times. November and December poned," Rijiju "?* D  “For players, staff and 2022, so you could tweeted. their families it has been a actually use this sit- Mehta for coronavirus, among them Garay $  4  worrying week - one in uation as an told PTI, "In view of the rising threat of this COVID- which you felt a lack of lead- opportunity and 19 pandemic, the visit has been put on hold. As of $ ? ; enmark’s Viktor Axelsen clinched the ership from the govern- say we're going to now, we have not decided when the delegation will Dmen's singles title of the All England ment and from the FA and finish the 2019- visit Tokyo. It will happen at a later date depend- alencia confirmed on Open at Birmingham Arena here on Sunday. Premier League. 20 season later ing on the situation." VSunday five of the club's Axelsen outclassed Taiwan’s Chou Tien- “After the emergency this year, then pre- India will have its first-ever Olympic Hospitality players and staff have tested Chen in two straight games 21-13, 21-14. The meeting, at last the right pare for 2022 by House in Tokyo during the Summer Games, positive for coronavirus, summit clash lasted for about 46 minutes. decision was made - having the next scheduled to be held from July 24 to August 9. It including Argentinian Axelsen did not give any chance to world until then it two seasons will be built by JSW on a piece of land of 2,200 defender Ezequiel Garay. number two to make a comeback in the clash. almost felt like starting in square metre area and in close proximity to the Valencia said all those This was Axelsen’s maiden All England footballers in winter.” Games Village and multiple venues in the Ariake affected were "now at home, Open title. England were region of the Japanese capital. in good health and obeying being treated It will offer a range of activities and experiences self-isolation measures." like guinea for travelling fans and supporters who will be in Garay, who was set to pigs. Tokyo for the Olympics. miss the rest of the season “I know Running through the duration of the Games, with a knee injury, became how I feel. If the India House will host watch parties, medal cel- the first player in La Liga to any of my fam- ebrations and meet-and-greet opportunities with the confirm a positive test earli- ily get infected Indian athletes. The visitors will also get a taste of er on Sunday. through me variety of Indian cuisine. "Clearly I've got off on because I’ve had There will be a dedicated Athlete Lounge for the wrong foot in 2020," to play when it’s Indian Olympians and access to medical facilities Garay wrote on social media. not safe, and and food will be available on site. A media centre "I've tested positive for the they get seri- to host travelling Indian media personnel has also coronavirus, I'm fine and now at home, in good health activity with the first-team ously ill, I’d been planned in the area. Several Indian and inter- now just listening to the and obeying self-isolation after a journalist attending have to think national brands will also have their stalls to display health authorities, at the measures.” the opening game against hard about ever and sell their products. moment in isolation." Valencia played behind Atalanta was confirmed to playing again. I More than 70 Indian athletes have so far qual- Valencia confirmed closed doors on Tuesday in have tested positive. would never ified for the Tokyo Olympics and the IOA is expect- more cases shortly after the Champions League All engagement with the forgive the ing the number to touch at least 125 before the Garay's announcement. against Atalanta, the Serie A media before and after sub- authorities.” Games. "Valencia CF confirm five team based in Lombardy, sequent matches against Real Many The coronavirus outbreak has led to specula- positive cases of the COVID- one of Italy's worst-hit Betis on February 29 and matches at tion over the fate of the Olympics this year. The 19 coronavirus have been regions by the virus. Alaves on Friday was can- non-league International Olympic Committee (IOC), howev- detected amongst first team The club announced on celled, while a tribute to the level were er, has insisted that the Games will be held as sched- staff and players. February 28 they would be club's former player David going ahead as uled in July-August. “All of these persons are suspending all non-sporting Villa was also called off. scheduled in