Indian Horizon National English Daily [email protected] www.indianhorizon.org RNI NO: DELENG/2013/51507 In memory of Dr Asima Kemal and Prof. Dr. Salim W Kemal [email protected] Volume Issue No: 84 Published from New Delhi & Hyderabad New Delhi, Friday, March 27, 2020 No: 7 Pages 12 + 4 pull out (P16) Price: 3.00

MURALEEDHARAN SLAMS IMRAN URGES PROVINCES IPL CAN WAIT, COUNTRY KERALA GOVT ORDINANCE AS TO ‘REASSESS’ COMPLETE NEEDS TO GET OVER CRISIS EYEWASH LOCKDOWNS FIRST: ROHIT

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Covid-19: One new DON’T EVICT RESIDENTS: TELANGANA CLEAR LIABILITIES UNDER MGNREGA: PUNJAB CM case surfaces in Chandigarh, March 26 able to sustain their TO HOSTEL, PG PLACES (IANS) Amid the corona- families in the prevail- TN, total 27 Hyderabad, March 26 dents, armed with NOCs, virus crisis, Punjab Chief ing COVID-19 emer- Chennai, March 26 (IANS) The Telangana tried to cross but were Minister Amarinder gency, with no fresh (IANS) With one more government said here on stopped by the AP Police. Singh has sought fi nan- employment opportuni- person testing positive for Thursday it had stopped After intervention by the cial assistance from the ties available during the coronavius on Thursday, issuing 'no objection cer- two state governments, Centre to clear all liabili- current pan-India lock- the total number of infect- tifi cates' (NOC) to people the AP Police took them ties under the Mahatma down.Expressing con- ed persons in Tamil Nadu trying to leave the state. and lodged them at an Gandhi National Rural cern over the precarious rose to 27. Speaking to the media, isolation centre. Employment Guaran- situation, the Chief Min- According to Tamil Home Minister Mah- While advising students tee Act (MGNREGA) ister urged the Union Nadu Health Minister C. mood Ali said the state and working professionals scheme.In a letter to Minister to immediately Vijayabaskar, a 24-year government would of- not to vacate their hostels Union Minister for Ru- release the pending old male from Trichy, who fer necessary support to end on April 14.Ali's and accommodations, the ral Development and of MGNREGA workers proximately 1.30 lakh wage liabilities without had returned from Dubai, hostel and paying guest statement comes after Minister warned the ac- Agriculture and Farmers in Punjab.He apprised workers in the state.The any further delay, to has tested positive for (PG) accommodations the Wednesday night's commodation providers Welfare, Narendra Singh the Union Minister that Chief Minister pointed provide much-needed coronovisus. to operate their facili- developments at the AP- of stringent action if they Tomar, the Chief Min- as on March 24, wage out that without daily relief to the benefi ciaries The patient is in the ties during the 21-day Telangana border, when evicted the residents. ister raised the issue of liabilities of Rs 84 crore wages, the MGNREGA for subsistence of their isolation ward of the lockdown, which would a large number of stu- ....Continue on Page 3 pending wage liabilities were pending for ap- workers would not be families. government hospital in Trichy and his condition is stable, Vijayabaskar COVID˨19 RELIEF PACKAGE TOUCHES EVERY WEAKER SECTION: SHAH said.Out of these 27 persons who have tested New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) the decisions taken by Prime to deposit the fi rst instalment displayed how the Modi gov- positive, one person has Union Home Minister Amit Minister Narendra Modi for of Rs 2,000 to farmers' account ernment had taken the burden been cured while one Shah here on Thursday laud- every section of the poor, in the fi rst week of April to ex- of feeding the poor. patient died on Wednes- ed the fi rst Rs 170,000 crore farmers, labourers, elderly, tend relief to poor farmers dur- He also praised the step to day.Vijayabaskar said one Covid-19 relief package an- women and Divyangs, affected ing the Covid-19 pandemic. increase loan from Rs 10 lakh person is expected to be nounced to protect the weaker by the coronavirus epidemic, "More than 8 crore farmers will to Rs 20 lakh to 63 lakh Self- discharged soon as he sections of society, saying it refl ected the sensitivity of the be benefi ted by this," he said. Help Groups (SHGs) under the has tested negative after refl ected the Narendra Modi government. I thank the Prime Covid-19 has claimed 15 National Livelihood Mission. treatment. government's sensitivity. Minister for this," Shah said in lives and infected over 600 "The government has de- Shah's remark came after Fi- a series of tweets. people across the country. cided to give an additional Rs nance Minister Nirmala Sith- The Bharatiya Janata Party On the decision to pay Rs 1,000 to the elderly, widows J&K Police araman announced the relief (BJP) welcomed the Rs 50 lakh 500 to 20 crore women Jan and disabled. This money will arrests 17 package declaring the PM Gar- health insurance to all the in addition to 1 kg pulse for the Shah said, "With this decision, Dhan account holders and go directly to their bank ac- ib Kalyan Yojana would bene- Covid-19 warriors.Referring next three months to 80 crore no poor in the country will go free gas to 8.3 crore Ujjwala counts through direct benefi t persons for fi t migrant workers and the ru- to the decision to supply 5 kg poor under the 'Pradhan Man- without food."Shah said the scheme benefi ciaries for three transfer. It will benefi t around ral poor and women."Today, wheat and 5 kg rice per person tri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana', Modi government had decided months, Shah said the move 3 crore people," he said. COVID-19

violation ONLY FIVE WORSHIPPERS New Delhi, March 26 CORONA WAR: SELECT MINS TO REPORT TO PMO, Srinagar, March 26 TO BE ALLOWED IN (IANS) With the 21-day (IANS) Continuing ac- nationwide lockdown to OTHERS TO ENSURE POOR ARE FED tion against violators of prevent the spread of the prohibitory orders issued TELANGANA MOSQUES coronavirus outbreak un- will oversee the overall Chaudhuri will be oversee- sure that no one goes by the government under Hyderabad, March The orders were derway, the Narendra Mo- coronavirus spread and ing the situation in West hungry in the present section 144 CrPC, J&K 26 (IANS) Authorities issued a day before di-led government has got the containment situ- Bengal, while Ravi Shan- situation. How will they Police have arrested 17 in Telangana have re- Friday when the cracking on what it fi nds ation in the states they kar Prasad and Ram Vilas do it? They need to en- persons for defying the stricted congregational mosques witness huge as a serious challenge -- have been made respon- Paswan will take charge of sure that PDaS shops restriction orders over prayers in mosques, gatherings. feeding the poor, impov- sible for. Bihar. Likewise, all other don't go out of ration or COVID-19. saying not more than The Wakf Board erished and marginalised. The government has ministers will do the shops selling essentials Awantipora police have fi ve persons can offer cited 'fatwa' or edict What's also a matter of asked all its ministers to same. like groceries or medi- arrested 14 persons for prayers in view of the issued by Jamia concern for the govern- take charge of the states The BJP has cines don't shut shop or defying prohibitory orders lockdown to check the Nizamia, a renowned ment are the videos of they come from in over- already started run out of stock. issued and registered a spread of coronavirus. Islamic University panicky migrant work- seeing that the poor a campaign This comes hours after case under relevant sec- The State Wakf based in Hyderabad, ers walking back to their don't go hungry dur- called 'Lets BJP President J.P. Nadda tion of law. Board on Thursday stating despite high homes at far-off places, ing the lockdown feed the poor'. held a video conferencing While Ganderbal police issued orders, which signifi cance attached often without food. period. For in- Meanwhile, with the presidents of the have arrested 3 persons apply not only for to Friday prayers, Meanwhile, the PMO stance, Babul all BJP MPs party's state units, telling involved in violating the fi ve regular prayers Islam also gives great has asked for daily reports Supriyo and have been them to ensure that every- prohibitry orders. everyday but also for importance to preser- from select ministers who Debasree asked to en- one gets food. Police have once again 'Namaz-e-Juma' or vation of human life. requested the gen- Friday prayers. Islam asks Muslims eral public to follow the The Wakf Board, not to become cause AIADMK legislators to Railway units make sanitisers, restrictions imposed by a government body, of harm to anyone, District Magistrates in or- directed all mosques says the 'fatwa'.The donate March pay for der to prevent the spread in Hyderabad and Wakf Board quoted masks for Covid-19 fight of Covid-19 and those who 33 other districts to medical experts as Bengaluru, March are violating the restric- ensure that not more saying that congrega- Covid-19 relief 26 (IANS) The Indian tions will be dealt with than fi ve persons tions could lead to Chennai, March 26 Railways has geared up strictly. gather for prayers. spread of the disease. (IANS) The AIADMK production units to sup- members of Parliament ply sanitisers to help the (MPs) and legislative As- country fi ght Covid-19. Stop charging more than MRP, Delhi sembly (MLAs) will do- According to Railway nate their March salary Ministry offi cials, the rail- govt tells shopskeepers to the Chief Minister’s ways diesel shed at Asan- New Delhi, March 26 Relief Fund to combat sol in West Bengal and the (IANS) The Delhi gov- coronavirus. diesel locomotive shed ernment on Thursday In a statement issued by at Jodhpur in Rajasthan released mobile numbers party coordinator O. Pan- have produced over 700 of zonal offi cers for the neerselvam and joint co- liters of sanitisers in the prepared 215 litres of sani- and the diesel loco shed common man to fi le ordinator K. Palaniswami past few days. tisers, which was distrib- at Ernakulam, Peram- complaints against shop- here on Thursday, it was The diesel locomotive uted to 13 railways units of bur loco works, Golden keepers selling essential complaints.“If you fi nd tact at the phone number announced the donated shed at Andal in Asansol the Jodhpur division. rock workshop and Per- items for more than any shopkeeper selling of the zonal offi cers given, amount would be used cal Area Development has prepared 500 litres of The Southern Railways ambur Carriage and the MRP.Delhi Cabinet sealed commodities like to complain about it,” for coronavirus relief Scheme (MPLADS) and sanitisers and has been has also produced sani- Wagon work workshops minister Imran Hussain milk, bread, oil, fl our, Hussain tweeted in Hindi. measures. the MLAs Rs 25 lakh from packed in bottles of differ- tisers, masks and aprons were preparing masks, tweeted the numbers pulses, etc. at prices higher Numbers of nine zones The AIADMK MPs their MLA Local Area ent sizes for supply. The for the medical usage. sanitisers and aprons, and asked people to fi le than the MRP, then con- were shared by him. would allocate Rs 1 Development Scheme to diesel locomotive shed at The electric loco sheds said a Southern Railway crore out of their MP Lo- the CM fund, it said. Bhagat ki Kothi in Jodhpur at Erode and Arakkonam spokesperson. Indian Horizon 2 City Friday, March 27, 2020 Use 21-day lockdown to bolster health Plea in SC to declare Financial infra against Covid-19: Doctors Emergency during lockdown New Delhi, March 26 opportunity, Ghebreyesus an add-on to contain the country was witnessing a (IANS) Amid the increase said. coronavirus spread. sharp rise in coronavirus New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) A plea mental rights have been practically vergence of steps taken by different in coronavirus cases across Dr Dodul Mondal, a se- Dr Mehvash Haider, As- cases. "This 21-day lock- was moved in the Supreme Court on suspended during this lockdown," authorities is causing confusion and the country, doctors and nior Delhi-based oncolo- sistant Professor at Ham- down will lead to isola- Thursday by think tank Centre for said the plea. Seeking urgent hearing lawlessness, which cannot be a so- other healthcare experts gist, told IANS, "The 21-day dard Institute of Medical tion, where the disease will Accountability and Systemic Change through video conferencing in the lution to the coronavirus outbreak. reckon that the 21-day lockdown will be nothing Sciences and Research, eventually collapse or the (CASC) seeking directions for notifi- apex court, the petition said it is the Due to the lockdown, the economic lockdown is not enough without forward looking said public health mea- viral infection cease to ex- cation of financial emergency under biggest emergency in independent activities have come to a standstill. to wipe Covid-19 out. The measures. The government sures, like physical or so- ist. China and Italy experi- the Constitution's Article 360 amid India and it must be addressed as per The petition further contended "even government should use should focus on expanding cial distancing, was impor- enced extremely sharp rise the ongoing 21-day nationwide lock- constitutional provisions through after the PM announced a country the period as an oppor- quarantine facilities and tant to flatten the curve of in cases and that crippled down. unified command between Centre wise lockdown for 21 days for which tunity for strengthening identify at-risk groups, sharp increase in spread their healthcare system. The petition, filed through advo- and state governments. This will be orders were issued on 24.03.2020 by the healthcare infrastruc- which included slums. of infection, but they were "We should suspend the cate Virag Gupta, contended that the required not only to defeat corona- the Ministry of Home Affairs under ture, banning foreigners' "During lockdown, the not enough. "This lock- entry of foreigners at least general public is not having access virus but also in the recovery of the the Disaster Management Act 2005, entry to India at least for government should in- down is a golden period. till the end of April. It will to newspapers, which is happening Indian economy after the lockdown different states and police authori- a month, and ensuring crease immediate testing This has to be used for help in focusing the fight for the first time after Independence, is over. ties are continuing to take their own protection for healthcare facilities, ensure protective strengthening the testing against Covid-19 domesti- and the closure of courts affects the Seeking the declaration of finan- action under Section 144 of the Code workers fighting coronavi- gear for doctors and other facilities and hospital re- cally," he said. He stressed right to get justice. Therefore, this re- cial emergency, the petitioner urged of Criminal Procedure, 1973 in the rus. medical staff to protect sponse capacity," he said. protecting people from quires the imposition of emergency the apex court to issue directions for guise of orders issued by the Central World Health Organ- them against the infection, According to health ex- the second wave of coro- as per the Constitution, and not an "suspension of collection of utility government which amounts to con- isation (WHO) Director- and increase the number perts, the sharp rise in navirus, spread through order under Disaster Management bills (Electricity, Water, Gas, Tele- stitutional fraud." The petition also General Tedros Adhanom of ventilators." Covid-19 cases came after healthy carriers who don't Act, 2005. "Almost all the Funda- phone, and Internet) and EMIs pay- urged the apex court to direct the Ghebreyesus had said the "We need to strictly three months in Italy and show symptoms. "Isola- mental Rights such as freedom of ments liable to be paid during Lock- state police and local authorities to lockdown, enforced in In- quarantine people who are China, the coronavirus tion will serve the pur- movement, most rights under Ar- down period". strictly comply with the Home Min- dia and many other coun- coming from abroad," said hotspots, as the infected pose in the absence of ticle 21 and various other funda- The petition contended that di- istry's instructions. tries to contain coronavi- Dr Mondal. people usually show symp- anti-viral drugs. Through rus, was not enough. The The administration, he toms after close to 14 days. isolation, the incubation Delhi Health countries that had gone said should also focus on Dr Shyam Mohan Nayak, period of coronavirus can for lockdown should use training people during this medical officer with the be brought under control," Department this as a second window of period, which would be Labour Ministry, said the said Dr Nayak. to promote telemedicine

New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) C'Wealth flats in Vasant Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Thursday said he has advised the health department to promote telemedicine con- Kunj: A tale of neglect sultations as per the guidelines of the Union Health Ministry. New Delhi, Mar 26 (IANS) Known no parking space, less water sup- constructed by other developers, Baijal in a tweet said: "In for its gentry and posh residential ply, badly maintained lifts and the they offer many facilities at much view of current situation con- areas, the Commonwealth Games menace of stray dogs," said N.S. lesser cost than what we have paid," taining COVID-19 outbreak by Sportspersons from Punjab University showing their medals won in the residential complex in Vasant Kunj Mor, chairman of the federation of said Babu Singh Bhati, general sec- social distancing has to be ob- recently held Khelo India University Games to the Vice President, Shri M. here have the same issues as any DDA housing RWA (a joint RWA of retary, Ganga Society RWA. "This served in all conditions. Advised other mid-level residential com- Commonwealth housing societies colony was built for sportspersons health department to promote Venkaiah Naidu, in New Delhi plexes. The group housing societies in Delhi). "Big amount of money taking part in the Commonwealth telemedicine consultations as -- Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati and accrued as interest on deposits for Games. But there is not a single per guidelines of Union Health Narmada -- in Vasant Kunj made the 30-year maintenance scheme place where we can encourage any Ministry and ICMR." According Stop charging more than MRP, headlines during the 2010 Com- are with the DDA, and we have got sports activity," Bhati said. "There to the Union Health Ministry, monwealth Games. extremely poor service in return," are small parks and gym by the telemedicine is the delivery of Delhi govt tells shopskeepers The houses, built in the societ- Mor said. The question was also MCD, but not the DDA. Shafts and health care services using in- New Delhi, March for more than the MRP. oil, flour, pulses, etc. at ies, accommodated players and raised in the Rajya Sabha in this pits are open. In the absence of formation and communication 26 (IANS) The Delhi Delhi Cabinet min- prices higher than the delegations during the Games, and session by Rajkumar Dhoot, but to proper drainage, water collects in technologies for the exchange government on Thurs- ister Imran Hussain MRP, then contact at the were later allotted/sold by the Delhi no avail. them and mosquitoes breed there. of valid information for diagno- day released mobile tweeted the numbers phone number of the Development Authority (DDA) for "Ramesh Kumar, Chief Engineer Sewage treatment plant is there, sis, treatment and prevention of numbers of zonal of- and asked people to file zonal officers given, to prices as high as Rs 1 crore. "The of South Zone, DDA, who was in but non-functional," he said. Ac- disease and injuries, research ficers for the common complaints. "If you find complain about it," Hus- DDA also provided for 30-year charge of the 30-year maintenance cording to another resident, many and evaluation, and for the con- man to file complaints any shopkeeper sell- sain tweeted in Hindi. maintenance, but today most prop- scheme completed his tenure on people want to sell their flats but tinuing education of health care against shopkeepers ing sealed commodi- Numbers of nine zones erties tell a tale of shabbiness and Tuesday. We don't know how the are not getting buyers due to poor providers. selling essential items ties like milk, bread, were shared by him. neglect," said one resident of the new official who has to take charge maintenance. Ganga Society. in January, will take up the work. "People want to sell their flats "The basement in all the four We expect him to look into the is- and move to a better place. Most societies, marked for parking, are sue. It's going to be a Herculean task people are stuck because they have Over 60,000 qualify for non-operational even after 10 years for him," he said. With 476 flats in exhausted their funds in buying the of allotment of flats, causing heated one society, around 1,900 families property. Around 20 per cent flats arguments among residents as they reside in these complexes. "There are up for sale, but without buy- assistant professor's post have to park vehicles on roads out- is no fire safety. The equipment ers. They are not getting good price side the society," another resident installed for the certification is not against the investment they made," New Delhi, Mar 26 and 6 in two shifts per day the examination system were installed for each told IANS. During a reality check functional. Stray dogs roam in the he said. The DDA didn't respond to (IANS) The National Test- in 700 centres across 219 transparent, the ques- shift. For the staff strength, by IANS, the basement was looking societies and bite children every queries by IANS. The residents are ing Agency on Tuesday cities in the country. The tion paper and recorded 19 regional coordinators, spooky, dark and unused. It was full other day. Most security guards are planning to make a common feder- declared the UGC-NET examination was con- responses were displayed 200 city coordinators and of sewage, making the place prone untrained and no documentation ation and protest against the DDA December 2019 results in ducted in 81 subjects. for verification by the ex- 600 observers were posi- to mishaps and health hazards. of visitors is done by them. Lifts if their issues remain unheard. "We which more than 60,000 More than 10.34 lakh aminees. tioned for the test. As per Shafts and pits were open and lifts mostly remain non-functional, want the DDA to resolve the issue. candidates qualified for candidates registered for Live CCTV surveillance the UGC policy, 6 per cent were not functioning. making it difficult for residents, If they don't listen, we would have the post of assistant pro- the examination of which through more than 1,450 of candidates who appear "No one will believe that these specially the elderly as the complex no choice other than coming to- fessor. As per the results, 7.93 lakh candidates ap- CCTV cameras were car- in both the papers and ob- buildings are just 10 years old. Our has eight floors. gether and staging protests," said 60,147 candidates quali- peared in the exams. ried out for the examina- tain minimum qualifying main issues are poor maintenance, "In other residential complexes, one RWA member. fied assistant professor's Like last time, the ex- tion. Cheating using mo- marks in aggregate of both post, while 5,092 qualified amination was conducted bile network and other the papers are declared for JRF. The UGC-NET in Computer Based Test electronic devices was NET qualified. The cer- December 2019 examina- (CBT) mode only to re- prevented by using jam- tificates to the qualified tion was conducted by the duce the burden of exam- mers at all the centres. candidates will be issued The 2020 Culture Calendar NTA between December 2 inees. In order to make More than 3,100 jammers by NTA shortly. New Delhi, Mar 26 (IANSlife) If the elite few but welcome people Look Around - Steal a day to you're an art and cultural junkie across classes, age groups and gen- check out the architectural mar- we map out the next twelve months der. And for all the cynics out there, vels in Jaipur and surrounding of the year, so you can culture-hop well, try booking a room in Jaipur, places. India Art fair The 12th from city to city. In the past decade, Kochi, Goa or Dharamshala when edition of India Art fair, in part- Indians are suddenly seeing newer the Jaipur Literature Festival, Kochi nership with BMW Group India fests grabbing the headlines, many Biennale, Serendipity Arts Festival will bring forth the best in South of them interestingly enough, are or Dharamshala International Film Asian modern and contemporary held in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. This Festival is on. This following list of art. Live performances and talks provides an escape from the mad- festivals is gaining popularity not will also be held during the show, dening crowd to residents of claus- just in India but across the world; which is attended, by art aficio- trophobic metropolitans. will you be there? nados and members of the pub- An increased disposable income **January lic from India and abroad. This amongst the youth, corporate cul- Jaipur Literature Festival year's memorial lectures will be ture and the millennial need to be The world's largest free literary dedicated to the life and works of on the move constantly has result- festival, the Jaipur Literature Fes- modernist Ram Kumar and art- ed in short breaks being in vogue tival, founded in the year 2006 has ist Tushar Joag conducted by ex- around the year. It is mostly art and grown bigger in scale with every perts Kishore Singh and Shireen cultural festivals that are riding the passing year. This year will witness Gandhy respectively. wave for the wholesome experience some of the biggest names in litera- When: Jan 30 to Feb 2 that these fests promise; precipitat- ture spellbinding an audience that Where: NSIC Grounds in New ing an increased footfall. descends to the city comes from Delhi Look Around: From monu- The most striking and welcom- across the country and abroad. ments like Red Fort to Old Delhi's ing aspect of these festivals is the When - January 23-27 street food, the Indian capital has The Union Minister for Defence, Shri Rajnath Singh holding a high-level review meeting on action fact that they are not restricted to Where - Diggi Palace, Jaipur something for everyone. plan of the Ministry of Defence to deal with COVID-19, in New Delhi. Indian Horizon Friday, March 27, 2020 State 3 IAF sets up nine Rate of increase of corona quarantine facilities for Covid-19 cases cases has reduced: Ministry New Delhi, March 26 secretary told the media. (IANS) The Ministry of Agarwal said the govern- Health and Family Wel- ment is working to ensure fare on Thursday said that that essential things reach there was a reduction in the people easily during the rate of increment of the lockdown. novel coronavirus cases in "The Cabinet Secre- India. The reduction has tary had discussed with been noticed during the all chief secretaries the lockdown which was im- lockdown measures and plemented in the country preparedness of states in on Wednesday. terms of hospitals and lo- "Although we are seeing gistic arrangements. He a larger number of cases had also called for mak- being reported and deaths ing an arrangement for recorded, the rate at which essential commodities to the cases are increasing reach the people. Seven- New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) The Indian ters and various Command Headquarters. appears to be relatively teen states have started Air Force (IAF) on Thursday said it has set "IAF aircraft are continuing to fly in stabilizing," Joint Health working towards build- up nine quarantine facilities, of 200-300 medical supplies and doctors to Leh and Secretary Lav Agarwal ing a dedicated COVID people capacity each, across the country, fly out blood samples for COVID testing to told media at a press con- mented, we will be able to were reported on Thurs- follow the measures such hospital," Agarwal said. to deal with daily increasing cases of dead- Chandigarh and Delhi," the IAF said. ference. "However, this tackle the challenge posed day, which is the highest as social distancing and He said arrangements ly COVID-19. All measures and directives issued by is only the initial trend," by this disease," he said, number of casualties re- isolation, we may safely be are also being made to Confirmed cases of Covid-19 have rose the government towards containing the Agarwal cautioned. while requesting the for- ported so far in India. stable. One or two cases facilitate uniformity of to 649, according to the Minisry of Health spread of Covid-19 has been strictly en- He said if the measures eign-returnees to follow Busting a myth if house- cannot be considered as treatment and introduc- on Thursday morning. This includes 42 forced across all IAF stations. taken by the government the quarantine directions. fly could be a host for nov- beginning of community ing the orientation of discharged and 13 dead. Earlier, the Indian Air Force had set up a are strictly followed, then "It will not only benefit el coronavirus transmis- transmission," he said protocol by training doc- The IAF Command Hospital in Benga- quarantine facility, with all required facili- there will be a time when you but your family too. sion, Agarwal said there about an infected person tors online in association luru has been designated as the first labo- ties for rest and recuperation, at Hindan no case will be reported. Therefore, I request all the was no such possibility. in Hyderabad who neither with AIIMS Delhi. ratory in the IAF to undertake COVID-19 for pilgrims brought back from Iran. Agarwal also stressed people to cooperate with Dr Raman Gangakhed- had a history of foreign "The training consists testing which will greatly enhance the There, it had ensured administrative ar- continuing with measures us. The challenge is big kar of Indian Council of travel nor did he meet any of epidemiology, infection region's ability to carry out quick testing rangements like perimeter security, food to contain the dreaded and it is our collective re- Medical Research (ICMR), infected person. "Why control practices and case of suspected cases and allow prompt and and water supply, bed and linen, laundry, disease from transmitting sponsibility to overcome who was also present at would we hide anything management. The Na- timely intervention where required. housekeeping, entertainment, sewage in the country. "I want it," he said. the conference, said that about community trans- tional Institute of Mental To monitor the prevailing situation and disposal and transportation. It has also the same level of alertness According to the Health there was still no proof of mission?" he said. Health (NIMH) is involved provide immediate response and assis- organis medical support like daily exami- to continue. If we collec- Ministry, 43 new con- community transmission. At least 17 states have by the government for tance as required, a 24x7 crisis manage- nation, lab testing, advice on disinfection tively ensure that lock- firmed cases and 4 new "We are still at the stage of started building dedicated conducting behavioural ment cell has been set up at Air Headquar- and bio-medical waste management. down measures are imple- deaths due to coronavirus local transmission. If we COVID hospitals, the joint module training." Digital India faces its biggest Plea in SC to declare Financial test amid lockdown Emergency during lockdown New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) A right to get justice. Therefore, this stitutional provisions through New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) losses along with deep salary across many cities, thereby im- survive the Novel Coronavirus plea was moved in the Supreme requires the imposition of emer- unified command between When Digital India took birth, cuts. Zomato CEO Deepinder pacting the livelihoods of drivers onslaught. The company, how- Court on Thursday by think tank gency as per the Constitution, and Centre and state governments. little did the government and Goyal has announced that sev- who rely on the platform. ever, refused to comment on the Centre for Accountability and not an order under Disaster Man- This will be required not only enterprises know that in an un- eral employees have taken deep "To provide immediate relief reports. According to the ride- Systemic Change (CASC) seek- agement Act, 2005. "Almost all the to defeat coronavirus but also precedented situation like a to- voluntary salary cuts as the busi- for drivers, we are exempting, hailing company, it is providing ing directions for notification of Fundamental Rights such as free- in the recovery of the Indian tal lockdown, the apps and ser- ness has been hit owing to the until further notice, lease rent- certain insurance and medical financial emergency under the dom of movement, most rights economy after the lockdown vices that helped us sail through COVID-19 lockdown. als for those who drive vehicles benefits to its drivers as well as Constitution's Article 360 amid under Article 21 and various other is over. Seeking the declara- the day with ease will immedi- Uber and Ola drivers are con- leased under Uber's Xchange waiving rental charges. the ongoing 21-day nationwide fundamental rights have been tion of financial emergency, ately hang up on millions. fined to their homes and delivery Leasing India Private Limited "We can confirm that we are lockdown. practically suspended during this the petitioner urged the apex From Uber to Ola, Swiggy to boys for food and online grocery (XLI) affiliate," an Uber spokes- fully waiving away lease rent- The petition, filed through ad- lockdown," said the plea. court to issue directions for Zomato and Bigbasket to Gro- delivery platforms are afraid to person told IANS on Thursday. als, akin to an EMI, for driver vocate Virag Gupta, contended Seeking urgent hearing "suspension of collection of fers -- and thousands of app- come out on roads owing to the Ola has reportedly taken the partners who operate vehicles that the general public is not through video conferencing utility bills (Electricity, Water, based services in between -- the fear or being beaten up. next step, asking the govern- owned by Ola's subsidiary, Ola having access to newspapers, in the apex court, the petition Gas, Telephone, and Internet) digital dream has taken a 21-day Uber India, which has told its ment to waive the loans of its Fleet Technologies under its which is happening for the first said it is the biggest emergen- and EMIs payments liable to long pause, and workers in the employees to do yoga at home, drivers and delay the tax pay- leasing programme," Ola said in time after Independence, and cy in independent India and it be paid during Lockdown pe- digital industry are in for job said it has suspended its services ments for them so that they can a statement. the closure of courts affects the must be addressed as per con- riod".

Hand wash, 'Zero MDR on RuPay, UPI to kill sanitizers -- what's next: Learn from experts

digital payments industry' New Delhi, March 26 But if you are using soap (IANS) The common frequently, then you New Delhi, Mar 26 (IANS) go a long way in growing accep- recommendations for should preferably use Slamming Finance Minister Nir- tance in India," lamented PCI, containing coronavirus a soap which has some mala Sitharaman's announce- the representative body of mer- are washing one's hands amount of glycerin in it ment that digital transactions chant acquirers and aggregators. frequently and using or else you should keep made using RuPay credit cards Digital payments in India are sanitizers. But what moisturising your hands or UPI QR codes will not face witnessing thriving growth with could be the impact of at regular intervals to Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) a compound annual growth these products on your prevent the hands from from January 1, the Payments rate (CAGR) of 12.7 per cent in soft hands? getting dry because if Council of India (PCI) on Mon- the number of non-cash trans- Hand sanitizers often your hands are absolute- day said the move would kill the actions, according to the global have alcohol, such as ly dry, and they develop industry and make the business research firm KPMG. ethyl alcohol, as an ac- cracks, then those cracks model unviable. Besides, the number of mer- tive ingredient, and work are dangerous," he said. The Department of Revenue chants accepting digital pay- as an antiseptic. Other "The virus can go will soon notify RuPay and UPI ments modes has increased to ingredients include wa- through those cracks as the prescribed mode of pay- over 10 million in a short span ter, fragrance, and glyc- into your body. So fre- ment for digital transactions of two to three years. ccording to erin. This ingredient can quent handwashing and without any MDR -- percentage Navin Surya, Chairman Emeri- also be found in soaps. sanitation is necessary, of the digital transaction that a "There would be a significant cards and UPI. According to Pa- country, then service providers tus, Payments Council of India People have been but you also must pre- merchant pays to banks and this negative impact on the payment tel, the move would also result will start withdrawing the ex- (PCI), current ongoing regime using hand sanitizers vent your hand from de- cost is often passed on to the ecosystem e innovation, job in near stoppage in customer isting deployed POS terminals of no MDR charge for below Rs and soaps more fre- veloping cracks because customer. losses and a slowdown in the ex- incentive spends by the partici- from unviable small shops and 2,000 transactions were already quently than in usual of dryness." Echoing "Payment service providers pansion of the digital payments pants. "Elimination of MDR will establishments as continued working and was supported by times. However, caring similar views, Dr Manju play a vital role in growing digi- in India," he said in a statement. dry out revenues and, therefore, maintenance of these POS ma- the industry. "Digital payments for one's skin is equally Keshari, Senior Derma- tal payments. The prohibition Sitharaman said that all com- will create catastrophic situation chines, training and supply of vs cash during demonetisation important. Speaking to tologist at Max Super on charge of MDR on RuPay and panies with Rs 50 crore or more for new startups and fintechs, as printer rolls will increase their was around 13 per cent of retail IANS, Prof Dr Arvind speciality hospital. "If UPI would kill the industry and turnover should be mandated by banks will not pay for their ser- losses." "If the government spent and are now around 11 Kumar, Chairman Chest one washes hands fre- make the business model unvi- the DoR to provide the payment vice," he noted. wants to grow digital payments per cent with increasing cash in and Robotic Surgery quently, the skin gets dry able. It's like nationalization of facility through RuPay debit card "Additionally, if there is zero acceptance, then making MDR circulation. Such a move would at Gangaram Hospital, and cracks can emerge the payments industry," said and UPI QR code to customers. revenues to be made from the zero is not the solution; a lower- weaken industry position to said, "It is very impor- which may facilitate the Vishwas Patel, Chairman, PCI All banks would start a cam- over 500 million plus RuPay controlled MDR along with add- drive growth aggressively," said tant to keep your hands entry of the virus into the and Director Infibeam Avenues. paign to popularise RuPay debit debit cards that are active in our ed tax benefits to merchants will Surya. clean, especially now. body. Indian Horizon SOUTH Friday, March 27 2020 4 3 new Coronavirus Karnataka warns landlords not to Muraleedharan slams Kerala positive cases in TN evict healthcare workers govt ordinance as eyewash Bengaluru, March 26 ceived from doctors, para- and house owners. Karna- Thiruvananthapuram, March “His statement implied that at take total to 26 (IANS) Karnataka govern- medical staff and health- taka confirmed 51 Corona- 25 (IANS) The lone Keralite in the present there are no rules for this. ment warned all landlords care personnel within the virus positive cases, includ- Modi Cabinet, Union Minister of Why are you (CM) trying to fool Chennai, March 26 On the other hand, not to evict tenants from jurisdiction of the state of ing a death till 2 p.m. on State for External Affairs V. Mura- people of Kerala? What you should (IANS) Tamil Nadu the 66-year old male is the healthcare industry, in Karnataka that their land- Wednesday. leedharan on Wednesday termed have done was, you should have has reported three a returnee from Dubai the wake of the increasing lords and house owners are Similarly, Bengaluru Po- the floating of a new ordinance by at least read the 2005-Disaster more positive cases and has been admit- coronavirus spread, a top forcing them to vacate their lice Commissioner Bhaskar Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to Management Act 51 to 60,” wrote of Coronavirus taking ted to government official said on Thursday. rented residences,” he said. Rao said that paying guest tackle COVID-19 as nothing but an Muraleedharan. “What one fails the total infected cas- hospital in Walajah “Take strict penal action According to Akhtar, such and hostel owners cannot eyewash and playing to the gallery. to understand is why is that when es till date to 26. and the 18-year old against such landlords and kind of evicting behaviour evict students, working pro- As on date the total number of there are laws already, instead According to Tamil youth is the contact house owners under the rel- amounts to obstructing fessionals and others from coronavirus cases in Kerala is 118 of making use of it, what was the Nadu Health Minister of the second patient evant provisions of law,” or- public servants in discharg- their facilities. and there are 76,542 people un- need for floating a new one. The C. Vijayabaskar, three admitted to the Rajiv dered Additional Chief Sec- ing their duties. “If paying guest and hos- der observation, of which 532 are Centre had come with a detailed new positive cases Gandhi Government retary, Health and Family The senior bureaucrat in- tel owners ask inmates to at various hospitals and the rest lockdown order where everything have been reported in General Hospital here. Welfare Department Jawaid voked Karnataka Epidemic leave, it is illegal, they must at their homes. is clearly stated. This ordinance is the state comprising Out of these 26 per- Akhtar, coming in rescue of Diseases (COVID-19) Reg- provide food too, and they Muraleedharan reacted to the more than a publicity stunt. of three males aged sons who have tested the doctors, paramedical ulations, 2020 under the will be prosecuted, it is loud new Kerala Epidemics Diseases “All what I have to say is please 18, 63 and 66. positive, one person staff and healthcare work- Epidemic Diseases Act, and clear,” tweeted Rao. Act on Facebook. set aside your arrogance and self- He said the 66-year was cured and one pa- ers. 1897 and Hyderabad Infec- Bengaluru is an educa- “When I heard about this new ishness and join hands with the old male is the local tient died on Wednes- Akhtar passed the order tious Diseases Act, 1950 for tion hub, attracting thou- ordinance, all I could do was but Centre to fight Covid-19,” added contact for nation- day. to all district deputy com- prevention and contain- sands of students from to laugh. The decision that Vijayan the Union minister, who is in self- als of travellers from Vijayabaskar said missioners, Bengaluru civic ment of the virus. across the country, who said was through this ordinance imposed isolation, after he attend- Thailand and has one person is expect- body commissioner, police The state officials will find refuge in temporary floated today was to give absolute ed a meeting at a premier hospital been admitted in the ed to be discharged and other senior officials derive powers from the in- accommodations such as powers to the state government here where a medical professional isolation ward in the soon as he had tested across the state. “A lot of voked laws to rein in the private hostels and paying to deal with the present scenario turned coronavirus positive, ear- hospital in Perundu- Coronavirus negative complaints have been re- offending evictor landlords guest facilities. - Covid-19,” said Muraleedharan. lier this month. rai. after treatment.

pany has prepared teams to Three test positive for deliver account-specific busi- Lockdown forces 1.7 lakh Infosys ness continuity plans. According to Rao, a helpline coronavirus in Goa techies to work from home has been set up to support employees dealing with Bengaluru, March 25 (IANS) tomers. The 70 per cent work- company has restricted travel emergencies and unfamiliar A lockdown in many coun- force translates to 1.7 lakh as appropriate after monitor- situations. tries the world over has forced employees. ing the situation across coun- Similarly, the company 1.7 lakh Infosys techies to Calling coronavirus pan- tries. had recently vacated its IIPM work from home to ensure demic an uncertain and test- To facilitate so many geeks building in the city after an business continuity, a senior ing time for the company, to operate from home, the employee was suspected to executive said on Wednesday. Rao said both employees and IT major has arranged for have contracted coronavirus. “About 70 per cent of our clients are of utmost impor- laptops, relocated desktops Meanwhile, Infosys rival 2.4 lakh global workforce is tance. to home environments, cus- Wipro has also implemented working from home to avoid “We are doing all we can to tomised personal devices for work from home for select being affected by coronavi- be there for those employees official use, arranged high employees across its global rus,” Infosys Chief Operating and their families that need speed broadband Internet locations. Panaji, March 26 (IANS) Three in Goa. We are providing the best Officer U.B. Pravin Rao said our support the most, while connectivity at residences “Beginning March 16, we persons, with a history of interna- healthcare facility to the diagnosed in a blog to the employees prioritizing the safety and and improved virtual private enabled work from home tional travel have tested positive patients,” Sawant tweeted. which has been shared with wellbeing of our entire global network bandwidth. (WFH) for employees across for COVID-19 in Goa, Chief Min- In a statement issued by the DHS, IANS. workforce,” he said. Admitting that all work can- the globe wherever feasible ister Pramod Sawant said early on the three persons aged between 25 In 46 countries, Infosys Though Rao did not declare not be executed from home, and if their roles allowed Thursday. This is the first instance and 55 who have tested positive for employs more than 2.4 lakh that all business travel has especially, business critical them to do so,” a Wipro of a positive coronavirus cases in COVID-19 had travelled back from employees, serving 1,384 cus- been suspended, he said the functions, Rao said the com- spokesperson told IANS. the state. Spain, Australia and the US, and “I have been informed by the had been quarantined since their state Directorate of Health Services return earlier this month. Bengaluru, March 25 (IANS) (DHS) that three individuals have “Their condition is stable,” the An international hunger relief Bengaluru NGO to feed 20,000 been tested positive for #COVID-19 DHS statement said. NGO (non-government or- ganisation) would feed about 20,000 people daily in four poor during lockdown Sanitizer takes life of an under cities, including Bengaluru, hit by the 21-day coronavirus declared on Tuesday night till the next 30 days,” Mohapatra Mumbai and Pune with corporate lockdown, an official said on April 14 across the country to told IANS. As per the NGO’s partners,” recalled Mahapatra. trial prisoner in Kerala Wednesday. contain the COVID-19 pan- estimates, about 5-lakh people The NGO supplied meals to 65 Palakkad (Kerala) March 26 lodged in a jail near here. The in- “Our NGO -- Rise Against demic spread, RAHI executive will be in need of support in the families which are construction (IANS) In a bizarre case of a sus- cident took place on Monday and Hunger India (RAHI) -- will director Dola Mohapatra said four cities during the prolonged workers and daily wage earners pected ‘suicide’, an under trial after that he was Amoved to a hos- serve 2 meals a day for a month the vulnerable groups were the lockdown. in Bengaluru, as they are affected prisoner in Kerala’s Palakkad jail pital. He passed away today,” said to about 20,000 daily wage and worst hit, as they have lost the The NGO, affiliated to the US- by the lockdown in this tech city on Thursday died after he was un- the official who did not wish to be construction workers, contract source of their income. based Rise Against Hunger, has since March 14. der treatment, of consuming sani- identified. labourers, street vendors in “Packaged meals will be sup- been feeding the lowest strata “As hunger is the main chal- tizer. The jail inmates was engaged in Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad plied to those affected by the of society since 2015 in partner- lenge for these groups, we need Speaking to IANS, an official in the preparation of masks. and Mumbai through part- COVID-19 lockdown, as they ship with corporates. to provide them provisions for the know of things said the inci- Meanwhile, the police has ners,” said the city-based NGO have been rendered jobless and “In 2019, we served 35-lakh two meals a day for their fami- dent is true. launched a probe to find out if it in a statement here. are in need of support. Feeding meals to feed 30,000 poor people lies. In these hard times, we “Ramankutty was taken into was a case of suicide or if he had With the 3-week lockdown 20,000 people twice a day, we in a dozen cities, including Benga- need to support them,” Ma- custody by the police in a theft consumed the sanitizer, as it had Prime Minister Narendra Modi will serve 12-lakh meals over luru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, hapatra added. case on February 18 and was alcohol contents.

ernment General Hospital is recovering well. Goa ties up with Pune Octogenarian He said the patient is de- TN sees first clared coronavirus negative af- ter two subsequent mandatory firm to obtain COV- woman is Gujarat’s Covid-19 death, and a tests. He will be discharged in two days. ID-19 testing kits second Covid-19 During the course of Wednes- patient’s recovery day the state reported five new Panaji, March 25 state, Goa has been test- novel coronavirus positive cas- (IANS) The Goa govern- ing its suspect COVID-19 fatality es, taking the total number of ment has tied up with samples at virology labs such patients in the southern Pune-based MyLab to in Pune and Mumbai. The Gandhinagar, March 26 (IANS) Gujarat state to 23. Out of these 23, one obtain COVID-19 test- availability of testing kits saw its second death due to coronavirus person was cured and one pa- ing kits, Health Minister in Goa would help speed on Wednesday, as an 85-year-old wom- tient died on Wednesday. Vishwajit Rane said on up the time taken for test- an died following health complications Vijayabaskar said the new Wednesday. ing samples of suspected due to Covid-19 infection. cases were of four Indonesians “We have tied up with patients, which currently The 85-year-old woman from Danilim- and their travel guide from Pune based MyLab, the takes two to three days, on da, Ahmedabad was admitted in the Chennai who tested positive at first Indian company to account of the sample be- Ahmedabad Civil hospital on March 22 the Salem Medical College. get the #COVID-19 test kit ing sent to the neighbour- after returning from abroad on her com- He said they were quaran- validated by the National ing state of Maharashtra plaint. She was a co-morbid patient hav- tined since March 22. Institute of Virology. The for examination. ing many complications and succumbed According to Vijayabaskar, of test result time for the kit On Thursday, a team on Wednesday. the 890 samples tested in the is two-and-a-half hours of medical technicians A 67-year-old man, who was also co- Chennai, March 25 (IANS) Af- set to be discharged in two days. state, 757 turned negative and from the time the sample from Goa left for Pune to morbid, had died in Surat on Sunday. He ter waking up to the dreaded Tamil Nadu Health Minister 23 positive. is taken. @PMOIndia @ train at the National In- had been infected locally. news of the state’s first death of C.Vijayabaskar on Wednesday Early in the morning, the MoHFW_INDIA @NI- stitute of Virology in the The state has had a total of 38 positive a coronavirus patient in Madu- said the state’s second corona- state woke up to the dreaded TIAayog @drharshvard- methods related to draw- cases as on Wednesday - 14 in Ahmed- rai, Tamil Nadu went to bed with virus positive case who had trav- news of its first death of a coro- han,” Rane tweeted. ing samples of suspect abad, seven each in Surat and Vadodara, the positive news of a patient be- elled from Delhi and undergoing navirus (COVID-19) patient in In absence of a single coronavirus patients and six in Gandhinagar, three in Rajkot and ing declared virus negative and treatment at Rajiv Gandhi Gov- Rajaji Hospital in Madurai. virology laboratory in the testing them. one in Kutch. Indian Horizon 5 NATION Friday, March 27 2020 Back from work but shunned Tracking down contacts of three COV- by families over COVID-19 scare Lucknow, March 26 pur medical college said, father of one of the quar- ID-19 patients: Goa (IANS) Families and “Several patients are be- antined. friends are now shun- ing sent to the hospital The medical officials, Panaji, March 26 (IANS) The three quarantined at the isolation ning those who are re- just because they have incidentally, did not take patients who tested positive for ward at the Goa Medical College turning home after the been coughing or have the two into isolation COVID-19 have been shifted to the in Panaji, have been now shifted lockdown. returned from other dis- but asked them to quar- designated coronavirus hospital in to the Employee State Insurance The fear of the con- tricts. Since we cannot antine themselves on Goa and health authorities in the hospital in South Goa district, tagious COVID-19 is so give any medical certifi- their own. state are in the process of quarantin- which is the designated hospital great that there are re- cate, we are simply writ- The two are now stay- ing the persons they were in contact for COVID-19 treatment. Leader ports that people are not ing on their patient slip ing in an outhouse of a with, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant of Opposition Digambar Kamat allowing their own kin that their condition is shut down factory on the said on Thursday. wished the trio early recovery. into their homes. normal.” outskirts of the district. The trio aged between 25 and “I pray for early recovery of According to reports, In Bahraich, two fami- Their families are even 55 years, who represent the all three patients. I am sure our in Shahjahanpur, Indra lies informed the hospi- wary of talking to them first positive cases of coronavi- medical team will provide them Kumar (62) was not al- tal when their sons re- on phone because they rus in the state, have a history with the best healthcare. Let us lowed to enter his home turned from Mumbai on believe that this could of international travel and had not panic and take more pre- when he returned home Wednesday and asked transmit infection. returned to Goa after visiting cautions. Urge @goacm to noti- from Noida after the the doctors to keep them In Lakhimpur district, Spain, Australia and the US ear- fy an isolated complex as quar- lockdown. in isolation till, they were Sunandu Sudhakaran, lier this month. antine centre,” Kamat tweeted He had to approach certified ‘Corona free’. SDM of Dhaurahra tehsil “Their condition is stable at on Thursday. the police and obtain a “We have nine mem- admitted that, “We are present. We have also traced Another opposition MLA Vi- medical certificate from bers in the family in- receiving several calls their contacts and we are quar- jai Sardesai has now demanded the medical officials be- cluding four children from villages. People antining them,” Sawant said, details about the travel history with 3 COVID-19 positive cas- The state’s preparedness for fore his family let him in. and we cannot take any are asking us to conduct after the state Directorate of of the trio and has said that the es, details like their travel his- remedial measures now, be- The emergency medi- risks. We are feeling mis- health check-up of peo- Health Services made the an- government should not hide tory, when they were tested comes the focus and govern- cal officer Mohammed erable doing this but we ple who have returned nouncement in the early hours facts about the three cases. would be interesting and no- ment should come clear on Meeraz at Shahjahan- have no choice,” said the from cities.” of Thursday. The trio, who were “As Goa opens its account body should hide they facts. these,” Sardesai said.

Srinagar, March 26 The news report gave COVID-19: (IANS) Panic gripped Panic grips people as credence to local rumours the entire Kashmir Val- because there is a general Marriages take a ley when rumours spread belief among Kashmiris throughout that Thursday doomsday rumour spreads that ‘Qayamat’ (Dooms- could be the end of the day) would happen on a beating, many in World. Thursday. It must be men- People in Srinagar city, in Kashmir tioned that with the dis- and towns and villages of covery of 11 positive cases trouble the Valley, started call- as rumours said people Still others shunned would pass close to the of COVID-19, people in ing the ‘Azaan’ (Call for had seen ‘Dajaal’ (The their beds and came out earth on March 26, 2020. Kashmir are already living Thiruvananthapuram, states that so and so mar- Namaz) which is unheard Doomsday Trumpeter) on in complete bewilderment The news report had on the edge these days. March 26 (IANS) Apart from riage that was planned for of during the night hours the sky. asking each other what quoted NASA officials The Valley-wide resort by the tourism industry that a particular day, has been anywhere in the Islamic Many people also said had actually happened. saying that a potentially the people to ‘Azaan’ left has taken a hit with the ar- postponed indefinitely. World. they had seen the name of These rumours were ba- hazardous asteroid would the authorities clueless for rival of COVID-19, it’s the With the government Women and children at the Prophet of Islam writ- sically fuelled by news re- skim the earth on March many hours as to what had marriage industry that has acting tough, by now two many places were crying ten across the night sky. ports that a huge asteroid 26, 2020. caused the panic. also taken a huge toll, as Christian priests have been apart from the families, arrested for defying the where marriages are to take lockdown order and on place, the worst affected Wednesday a case was reg- 70-year-old Covid patient Goa CM to meet grocery are the florists, caterers and istered against a former po- event management compa- lice officer for conducting nies. the marriage of his daughter dies in Guj; toll touches three store, supermarket owners As on date, the total num- in violation of the guideline. Gandhinagar, March 26 die of COVID-19 was that of a 67 Panaji, March 26 (IANS) On Wednesday, Sawant beating up people scout- ber of coronavirus cases in With Chief Minister Pina- (IANS) A 70-year-old male pa- year male with comorbid condi- Amid a complete failure of the had said that the 21-day ing for grocery stores as Kerala is 118 and there are rayi Vijayan also speaking tient infected with SARS-CoV-2 tions. The second patient was state government to facilitate curfew imposed by Prime well as pharmacies was 76,542 people under obser- tough, the only relaxation died in Gujarats Bhavnagar an 85-year-old woman from home delivery of essential Minister Narendra Modi also reported over the last vation, of which 532 are at which he said was the ear- early on Thursday, taking the Ahmedabad to die die of the supplies to people over the would be imposed in-toto two days. “Despite instruc- various hospitals and the lier fixed permissible num- death toll due to coronairus to disease on Wednesday night. last 24 hours, Chief Minister and even grocery stores tions from the central gov- rest at their homes. ber was 5, but that will be three in the state. The total count of corona Pramod Sawant on Thursday would not be open, which ernment out incompetent Since Monday, Kerala is slightly relaxed, as 5 is too The man from Bhavnagar positive cases in Gujarat also is scheduled to meet owners triggered panic in Goa. CM has no clue on how to under lockdown. low a number. with a travel history of Delhi, rose to 43. of grocery stores and super- Sawant had said that tackle the situation. Police While with the Christian Meanwhile, florists is one succumbed to the coronavirus, The health authorities have markets to formulate a plan home delivery networks lathicharged people who community which is ob- section which has been the following comorbid conditions had a total of 761 samples test- to allow people access to es- would be opened in Goa had gathered at a grocery serving the Easter lent, dur- worst affected as flowers oc- and other several complica- ed so far for the COVID-19 19. A sential commodities. Earlier with the help of volun- shop which was partially ing which no marriages take cupy a prime place at wed- tions. total of 31,495 have been quar- on Thursday, the state Health teers and government- open. How will people place, but after April 12, ding halls. The first patient in the state to antined in Gujarat. authorities also managed to endorsed ration store survive with no access to Easter day, all the marriages A leading florist in the track down and quarantine 14 owners and delivery of essential commodities,” that are fixed after that now state capital told IANS that “high risk” persons who were milk too would be home state Congress president is hanging fire, as the pres- since the last month things Punjab, Haryana farmers fear in contact with the three per- delivered. On Thursday Girish Chodankar said. ent three week lockdown have been not that rosy. lockdown may hit sons, who tested positive for however, the announce- On Wednesday, Goa re- ends on April 14. “The stage now is that with COVID-19 late on Wednesday. ment made by the CM ported its first instance of But for the Hindu com- offices closed, marriages harvesting, procurement “At 1 pm today, CM Dr. came a cropper, with a COVID-19 positive case, munity, numerous marriag- postponed and no transport Sawant will be holding meet- either the home deliv- after three persons, who es have been postponed, to neighbouring states, the Chandigarh, March 26 (IANS) Farm- 1,700 procurement centres. Four-five ing of all major players in ery helpline numbers had returned from over- while some have been held daily produce of flowers and ers in Punjab and Haryana cannot lakh daily-wage earners, mainly from grocery sector like super not functioning or the seas trips, tested positive. with the participation of a foliages from my farm is cut reap what they have sown, literally. Bihar and Jharkhand, are employed market operators, major gro- milk booths which were According to the Direc- handful. and destroyed. Things are Facing acute shortage of labour and by the farmers and the aarhtiyas’ com- cery shop owners to work out authorised to dispatch torate of Health Services, So is the case with the going to be difficult, as if the transportation following country- mission agents each in Punjab and plan on supply of essential home deliveries unable 14 persons who were in Muslim community, where farms are not kept alive by wide lockdown to halt the spread of Haryana for harvesting and procure- commodities,” a statement to deal with the demand touch with the three CO- marriages are generally held tending to the plants now, the coronavirus outbreak, harvesting ment respectively. issued by the Chief Minis- from a frantic populace. VID-19 positive patients in grandiose style. once the lockdown is lifted, wheat crop has turned into herculean With the lockdown announced by ter’s office said on Thursday. Several instance of police have been quarantined. Incidentally, a glance then there will be nothing task for farmers in the northern states Prime Minister Narendra Modi on through any of the frontline left there,” said the florist. of Punjab and Haryana, the agranaries March 24 evening means they are not vernacular dailies, which Likewise the catering of India’. State procurement agencies allowed to travel both inter-state and have thinned down with companies are also in a state too will have to face massive hassles intra-state. The likelihood is most of First COVID-19 death in no advertisements, there of shock as a good number to lift the crop from the mandis with a the farmers will run shortage of man- are numerous notices that of staff of these companies sudden spike in wheat arrival by mid of power in the coming days. come in a box wherein it are also in dire straits. April after Baisakhi. Prominent farmer Yuvraj Dhillon J&K, patient dies in Officially, the procurement be- of Punjab’s Khanna town, the biggest gins from April 1 in both state that grain market in Asia, told IANS over Srinagar hospital Another COVID-19 case in contribute over 70 per cent of the phone that he knew there won’t be too total foodgrain -- wheat and paddy much labourers for harvesting this time Srinagar, March 26 (IANS) The Jamaat’ (Religious preachers) who Bengal, state count reaches 10 -- respectively to the national kitty to and this is a big challenge for the state. first COVID-19 death occurred in had contact history with foreigners run public distribution and welfare “Most of the labourers normally start Srinagar after a patient who had before he arrived back in the valley. Kolkata, March 26 (IANS) A 66-year-old man, admit- schemes. Officials say this time it is arriving in Punjab by mid of March. tested positive earlier succumbed Before being admitted in the hos- ted at a private hospital here, has been detected with the likely to start by mid of April. This time the coronavirus scare earlier on Thursday in the hospital. pital, he had come into contact coronavirus infection, taking the total number of posi- Punjab had harvested a 20-year slowed down tmheir arrival from home. Doctors said the 65-year old CO- with some local doctors, nurses and tive cases in West Bengal to ten, officials said on Thurs- record bumper wheat crop last sea- Now with the country-wide lockdown, VID-19 positive patient being treat- paramedics in addition to attend- day. One of the afflicted died on Monday, while the oth- son with its production of 129.93 lakh a majority of migrant workers stuck ed at the Chest Diseases Hospital in ing a couple of religious congrega- ers are under treatment. tonnes, of which 128.38 lakh tonnes there,” he said. Srinagar city succumbed on Thurs- tions in Sopore town of Kashmiri’s The latest COVID-19 patient -- a resident of Nayabad was procured by state agencies and the “We have a good crop this time but day. Baramulla district. near the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass -- was hospitalised remaining by private traders. we are keeping the fingers crossed. If “The patient had accompanying With this death of an infected pa- on Monday with fever, cough and respiratory problems, Haryana had procured 93.60 lakh there is a delay in wheat procurement, ailments of hypertension, diabetes tient, the total number of COVID-19 and kept in the isolation ward. On Tuesday, his swab tonnes of wheat in the last season. it will certainly impact the next crop and obesity. He succumbed in the positive cases is now 10 in the union sample was sent to the virology laboratory at the state-run This season, Punjab aims to reap too owing to the delay,” a progressive early hours today,” a senior doctor territory out of whom seven are be- SSKM Hospital, where the results were positive. A second 135 lakh tonnes of wheat and is expect- farmer Amrik Singh of Zira in Punjab’s said. ing treated in Srinagar and three in confirmatory test also gave the same result. ed to arrive in 1,850 mandis and nearly Ferozepur district said. The patient was part of a ‘Tabligi Jammu city. EDIT Indian Horizon 6 Friday, March 27, 2020

Indian Horizon Direct cash transfer needed for social net By Saba Naqvi mains largely unaffected by corona, the construction workers. But the AAP first, followed by the virus and lock- Sometimes, a crisis lays the seeds any large spread in India would even- regime is faced with a conundrum. down. Even as the process of distribut- of real change. Before the coronavirus tually mean the virus now reaching The AAP won an election on the ba- ing relief in the violence-affected parts hit the United States, a fierce debate its poorest victims, unlike its human sis of deliveries in health, education, — which is never enough after a large had been going on in an election year hosts in China, Europe and the US. free water, electricity and subsidised population is dislocated — was going about the need for a social net, includ- Iran, too, in spite of economic sanc- transport for women. They got strong on, came the virus that demands so- ing universal healthcare, versus cor- tions and being hit by the virus, faces voter support from the 1,000 slum cial distancing. This means that relief porate bailouts. As New York reeled impoverishment but does not have clusters of Delhi of which 680 are rec- camps and people rendered homeless, Friday, March 27, 2020 under the crisis, I heard the Democrat the mass hunger, common to many ognised settlements. In none of these crowding any space, can be a source Governor of the state, Andrew Cuo- parts of India. We may be a large pow- parts of the teeming metro is social of infection. Where will people, whose mo, give a detailed briefing, telecast erful country, but are low on every hu- distancing a possibility, even inside homes are burnt or looted, go? live on CNN. Among the other steps, man development and hunger index. homes and shanties. The urgent Meanwhile, one of the reasons why Livelihood at stake he asked for nationalising medical The question now is: in the post- question is: without much physical the Arvind Kejriwal government swift- supplies. corona apocalyptic world that will contact, how does a government now ly announced a lockdown on the heels Meanwhile, in Italy, the country emerge, how will governments, both serve the poor in the time of calamity? of the March 22 Janata Curfew was the Cushion economy, society worst affected by the virus, a 52-mem- at the Centre and in the states, re- The cruelty here is that the AAP social touching and congregating that ber brigade of doctors and nurses spond? It’s very reasonable to expect welfare model, mostly seen in the Mo- took place at 5 pm during the commu- against pandemic fallout from the communist-run Cuba land- the Centre to eventually give breaks halla health clinics and government nity clapping and banging of utensils ed at the request of the badly affected and bailouts to those busted indus- schools, requires an interface with suggested by the PM. By that time, the Lombardy region. Cuba has a fine tries that also employ thousands. But the public. That is now severely cur- Delhi Government was shown assess- WHILE the economic ramifications of reputation in medical care and sends could we also see the beginning of tailed during a lockdown that now ex- ments that the infection would spread its armies of ‘white robes’ across the something else: the recognition that tends till the middle of April. Indeed, in West Uttar Pradesh and people the lockdown ordered in the country to world. Cuban doctors were at the India needs to create a social net, up- so perverse is the problem that co- would cross the border to be treated frontline of the fight against cholera grade public health services and work rona presents that many people who in the National Capital. That would prevent the spread of the coronavirus in Haiti and the Ebola in West Africa towards a basic minimum income? would have otherwise volunteered are have overwhelmed Delhi’s already in 2010, but this was the first time At this point, it’s been the Left- reluctant to physically lend a helping strained hospitals. threatens to cast a long shadow, what they sent a team to one of the world’s ruled Kerala that has responded in the hand. The volunteers of AAP are se- On the heels of that has come the richer countries. In a quote to the Re- most impressive way. Chief Minister verely strained; even health workers national 21-day lockdown announced is of particular concern is the plight of uters news agency, a Cuban doctor Pinarayi Vijayan has announced a Rs and nurses are being warned by their by the PM, without any specific relief said: ‘We are all afraid, but we have a 20,000-crore package, plus free ration families to stay away and harassed by measures till the time of writing. No the daily-wage earners and migrant revolutionary duty, so we put the fear for every household for two months, landlords and housing societies. To one knows what is coming next. We aside’. besides a slew of other measures, re- their credit, many continue to soldier are already seeing the horrific conse- workers, stuck as they are with busi- We need a revolutionary zeal to help sponding both to the health and eco- on in the National Capital. quences in Delhi, one of the world’s others that can come from just hu- nomic crisis. Delhi too has announced From the time, therefore, that AAP most populated cities, where millions ness establishments like factories and man compassion. The entire Indian an increase in ration allotment and won a second term on February 11, of daily-wage earners and migrants economy, stalled by a national lock- promised to deliver the allotment for they have been hit by one disaster fol- have stopped earning and they can’t shops being shut along with the sus- down, will be devastated on a scale April by March 30, plus food kitchens lowing the other. The vicious commu- depart for their villages. pension of train and bus services that that we cannot imagine. As Africa re- around night shelters and Rs 5,000 to nal violence in north-east Delhi was IANS will prevent their movement to any other area. The shutdown is in place to Apni Party’s fate in quicksand of J-K politics By Vappala Balachandran political dynamics in the Valley seems and re-arrested him. He questions why case against Sheikh Abdullah. On April prevent the community transmission Acommon feature since 1947 in the to be less clear now. That was not the Begum Abdullah, who was mentioned 5, 1964, Chief Minister GM Sadiq an- Kashmir Valley has been the Central case from the crucial period from 1948, extensively in the case papers and in IB nounced the withdrawal of all cases of the disease, while essential servic- interference to tweak its ground-level when full details, no doubt with differ- report, was ‘never charged or brought against Abdullah. Gundevia affirms political management. Administrative ent interpretations, were available for to book’. Nehru was not party to the decision es have been left out of its ambit. For manipulations and intelligence opera- public scrutiny. Another point on which he challeng- to arrest him: ‘Nehru was poisoned tions played key roles to enforce the Bhola Nath Mullik, who was our In- es Mullik is his version on the loss of and successfully silenced into acquies- people associated with these services, Centre’s writ, which was justified on telligence Bureau chief (1950-1964), the holy relic at Hazratbal shrine. Mul- cence’. At best, he would have agreed security grounds in a border state. This has given a full account of his work lik had written four chapters, monopo- to his dismissal, but not his arrest.’ work will continue as also for those in truth rises unceasingly like Banco’s in Kashmir. He claims in the preface lising all glory. It was mysteriously lost All we remember now about Kash- ghost, although denied by every Cen- of his book, My Years with Nehru- on December 17, 1963, but retrieved mir is Article 370. However, Gunde- the government and private sectors tral government. Kashmir (1971) that whatever they on January 4, 1964, through the IB’s ef- via helps us to understand the devel- The Centre had made such changes did in Kashmir was done as ‘agents of forts, the process of which ‘cannot be opments why Sardar Patel decided to who are asked to perform their duty earlier by effecting leadership adjust- Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’ and disclosed’. Mullik also describes how remove Sheikh Abdullah from power ments within the existing local parties every step they took ‘was done on his he could convince the public that it and persuade Nehru to agree with from home without any cut in econom- by supporting certain groups. Now, for initiative and advice and with his full was the real relic, by carrying it on his him. It was neither his religious prej- the first time, the BJP has succeeded in approval’. head. udice nor his rivalry with Nehru as ic benefits. Carriers and goods trains forming a new political party leaning Yezdezard Dinshaw Gundevia, Neh- Unknown to Mullik, Nehru had some misguided elements are now towards them to get rid of the ‘dynas- ru’s Commonwealth and Foreign Sec- made contingency plans to retrieve claiming. have been exempted to ensure that tic’ politics. This is similar to the for- retary (1961-64), who worked closely the situation if the public refused to On October 17, 1949, our Constitu- mation of the Republican Party in Pak- with him on Kashmir, challenges this accept the recovered relic at the ‘Spe- ent Assembly adopted Article 370. people are not deprived of bare ne- istan in 1955 by their military to give a in his personal recollections in The cial Deedar’ on February 6. He asked Following this, Yuvraj Karan Singh façade of democracy. Later, two more Testament of Sheikh Abdullah (1974). his special envoy Lal Bahadur Shastri constituted a Constituent Assembly cessities and government offices have ‘King’s parties’ were formed for the His memoirs form part of the English to go to Srinagar. Separately, he asked for Kashmir on May 1, 1951. The As- military’s tactical advantage: Nawaz translation of Abdullah’s long inter- Gundevia to be present to persuade sembly appointed two committees been kept open as they provide a host Sharif’s PML (N) in 1985 and Imran view to the Shabistan Urdu Digest on Maulana Massoudi, Sheikh Abdul- to decide the principles of the State’s Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) January 28, 1968, after release from lah’s confidant, to ‘help Lal Bahadur constitutional structure and to define of services, especially the implementa- in 1996. his third detention from May 1965 to in this damned confusion’. Gundevia what all fundamental rights should The Apni Party, led by former PDP January 1968. says that ‘Maulana Massoudi handled be applicable to the state. Both these tion of social welfare schemes like the leader Altaf Bukhari, comprising ren- Gundevia questions Mullik on the the show, seemingly single-handed, committees were heavily influenced egades of the existing ‘dynastic’ politi- ‘Kashmir Conspiracy’ case which was superbly, with Shastri on the stage, a by Abdullah. PDS, mid-day meals and the MGNRE- cal formations, follows the same pat- registered in October 1957 but com- silent spectator’. The visionary Sardar saw a potential tern. In New Delhi, Bukhari unveiled mitted to the sessions court only in Mullik, for reasons known to him, danger in Abdullah’s personal views GA, besides disbursing pensions and his future political alignment by quot- 1962. Among others, Sheikh Abdullah, has not recorded Gundevia’s discreet of not favouring any compensation to ing former Kashmir leader Ghulam Begum Abdullah and Mridula Sarab- role. On their way back, Shastri asked the landlords, especially from Jammu, wages. But there are many in the in- Mohammed Bakshi as his inspira- hai were mentioned as accused. The Gundevia in the aircraft on what would whose lands were acquired in the tion. Considering Kashmir’s political Intelligence Bureau (IB) could not find have happened if ‘Massoudi had de- course of his land reforms, which even formal sector who will be deprived of ‘quicksand’, it is too early to say what any material against Abdullah for four clared that the relic was not genuine’? Nehru had praised. Gundevia says that trajectory this party will follow after and half years. He alleges that the IB’s After landing, they went straight to the Sardar realised that the ‘Sheikh work and income in the absence of any the end of the crackdown or when sole aim was to discredit Abdullah and the Prime Minister, who was annoyed had gone miles outside the Indian other leaders are released, besides the to sow dissension among his follow- with Home Minister Gulzari Lal Nanda Constitution in denying his people social security scheme. Abdullahs. ers through their reports. He ridicules and others in the Home Ministry who even the fundamental rights in regard Unlike previous occasions, the role Mullik’s argument that they released had objected to the ‘Special Deedar’. to property’. The Maharashtra Government has of our intelligence in setting up new Abdullah ‘to gather more evidence’ He also made up his mind to drop the IANS directed employers of public and pri- vate establishments not to sack their Viewing CAA through prism of international law employees, particularly casual or con- By Abhijit Bhattacharyya Of course, “opposed to” doesn’t mean, or law has been made by Parliament of sov- India has faced a perpetual problem of An Indian law, the Citizenship Amend- create, an enmity between the two laws; ereign India. Parliament is the creation minorities fleeing Afghanistan, Bangla- tract workers, or reduce their wages. ment Act (CAA), is being contested by a instead, it clarifies with utmost care that of the Constitution which, in turn, came desh and Pakistan. It has always been an rank outsider ‘world body’, the United the two laws are separate, and not insepa- into effect on January 26, 1950, through extremely complex scenario: first, the in- States like Punjab and Haryana are Nations High Commissioner for Human rable, and hence cannot intrude into each the Constituent Assembly which sat from flux of non-Muslims from these Muslim- Rights (UNHCHR), purportedly repre- other’s territory. They certainly aren’t December 9, 1946, to December 9, 1949. dominated neighbouring nations, and in for a tough time with the wheat senting global ‘interests’. necessary and complementary to each Thus speaks the Preamble to the Consti- subsequently Muslims, into India. Contextually though, one doesn’t have other. It could be a matter of subjective tution: “We, the people of India... in our Regarding the CAA, it began with the harvesting season approaching. any issue with the UNHCHR flagging convergence at times, but it certainly can- Constituent Assembly this twenty-sixth Citizenship Act, 1955, which today stands its concern on India’s action (initiated not be an indisputable objective reality all day of November, 1949, do hereby adopt, as the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Many states have announced meals through an Act of Parliament) and mov- the time. enact and give to ourselves this Constitu- 2019. Of the original Act’s 19 sections, 15 ing the Supreme Court, but one wonders International law is described thus by tion.” remain intact. Four sections have been at a nominal price and relaxations to whether the UN body expressed appre- Black’s Law Dictionary: “The legal system One of the most prominent chapters amended: 2, 6B, 7D and 18; and of the four hension in the past and intervened in the governing the relationship between na- of this Constitution is Part III containing Schedules, the third has been amended. lessen the ordeal. The industry has internal affairs of three countries which tions; more modernly, (beginning 18th Fundamental Rights spanning Articles 12 The amendment to the Third Sched- constitute the focus of the CAA. Did the century) the law of international rela- to 35. Citizenship doesn’t fall under Fun- ule provided that for a person belong- demanded financial concessions be- UNHCHR ever apply the same yardstick tions, embracing not only nations but damental Rights, but under the preceding ing to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, during unfolding developments in Af- also such participants as international Chapter II: Articles 5 to 11. It must be not- Parsi or Christian community in Af- cause of a shortage of raw material ghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan? organisations and individuals (such as ed that citizenship cannot be claimed as ghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan, Diplomats are likely to miss nuances those who invoke their human rights or a Fundamental Right by any non-Indian the aggregate period of residence or and working capital, making the gov- of constitutional law of the nation as and commit war crimes).” Also, termed “pub- on the plea of discrimination, especially service of Government of India as re- when municipal law is brought face to lic international law; law of nations; law one not an ‘original/by birth inhabitant’ quired under this clause shall be read ernment mull a stimulus. face with international law on the high of nature and nations; jus gentium (Latin of India. as ‘not less than five years’ in place of table. Let’s, therefore, go through the for law of nations). The body of law, taken Before 1947, too, there was India, a not less than 11 years. As former Prime Minister Manmo- basics of two laws: municipal and inter- to be common to all civilised people, and bigger one. If a pre-1947-born Indian Understandably, the omission of the national law — as defined by, and uni- applied in dealing with the relations be- comes to post-1947 India, can he/she be word ‘Muslim’ has led to allegations of vi- han Singh has pointed out, economic versally accepted, Black’s Law Dictionary. tween Roman citizens and foreigners); stopped as being foreigner/intruder/il- olation of Article 14 (equality before law) The former is “internal law of a nation, as foreign relations law; inter-state law; law legal immigrant? This fundamental issue of the Constitution. The Article says: “The development rests on social harmo- opposed to international law.” The Con- between states (the word ‘state’, in the creates the biggest hassle for political par- State shall not deny to any person equal- stitution of India, being the internal/mu- latter two phrases, being equivalent to ties owing to different interest groups, be- ity before the law or the equal protection ny. The need is to combat the health nicipal law of the nation, is “opposed to nation or country).” sides the multi-dimensional polity of the of the laws within the territory of India.” crisis without disrupting economic international law”, and hence vice versa. Coming to CAA, let’s be clear that the subcontinent. IANS and social cohesion. Readers Response and contribution Welcome Indian Horizon 7 OPED Friday, March 27, 2020 Hungary’s Orban blurs EU rules, once more never shied away from stepping on toes in holds 133 of 199 seats in Hungary’s parliament The six-month rotating presidencies of Brussels, the Hungarian prime minister has which ensures the necessary two-third major- Austria and Romania managed not to put called on parliament to grant him the right to ity to change any laws. Orban’s misdemeanours on the European extend those emergency powers for more than He said parliament would have the right to Council agenda. EU affairs ministers have 90 days — and he has rejected opposition calls withdraw the special powers at any point. discussed Hungary only under the Finnish to limit the time. “We will resolve this crisis without you, even EU presidency, which put rule of law at the State of emergency if you do not support this bill,” Orban has centre of its programme last September and Justice Minister Judit Varga has submitted a warned. December. Croatia, which holds the rotating legislation to parliament that would extend the And his actions are being watched very presidency in the current six months, was be- state of emergency indefinitely — and would carefully by European parliamentarians and ing pressured to push the issue of sanctions impose prison sentences of up to five years on the European Commission — the cabinet-like when Europe’s leaders meet. those hindering measures that are aimed at structure that’s responsible for the day-to-day But coronavirus and how to deal with the containing the spread of the virus and also on running of the EU. aftermath has changed everything. those spreading false information. Just before the pandemic struck, leaders of There is also a reluctance of some leaders False information? That sounds awfully like five groups in the parliament in Strasburg had to take Orban to task on what is essentially an an attempt to rein in press freedoms in Hun- urged the leaders of the member states to act internal issue. Trouble is that those leaders gary even more. on the sanctions procedures on Poland and are supposed to be the ones who ensure that Opposition parties told parliament that Hungary — which have been dragging on for the key principles of the EU are maintained. while they supported the government’s efforts years. And those principles mean a commitment to to manage the crisis, they want a 90-day limit Courts under control democratic government, the independence to the government’s special powers, which The EU commission launched Article 7 of the media and judiciary, and freedom of as- By Mick O’Reilly pest imposed a 15-day state of emergency. In parliament could extend again if necessary. sanctions against the Warsaw government sembly. Old farmers used to have a saying: ‘When fairness, it’s a similar course of action that has They also urged online voting if parliament in 2017 for a judicial reform that increasingly The reality is that across the EU, govern- the sun is shining, make hay.’ And in Hungary, occurred in most other EU states battling this cannot convene for some reason. Simply put, puts the courts under political control. ments have been forced to roll back on free- Prime Minister Viktor Orban is doing just that. pandemic. they’re afraid of a very slippery slope that ends The parliament triggered the same proce- doms in place since the aftermath of the Coronavirus has presented the most right- Hungary has closed off its borders to pas- up in an authoritarian state. dure against Orban’s Budapest government Second World War. In an attempt to stop the wing leader in the European Union (EU) with senger traffic except mostly for its own citi- Orban, who has been in power since 2010 in 2018 mainly for curbing media freedom, spread of the virus, EU states have locked a gilt-edged opportunity to expand his already zens. Universities and schools are holding said the opposition’s accusations were un- attacking civil organisations, concerns over ju- down their borders, allowing only essential considerable powers and thumb his nose even classes only through distance learning, public justified and urged his ruling Fidesz party to dicial independence, corruption, and rights of transport through — effectively ending the more at Brussels. events have been cancelled and people are be- push through measures in parliament with its minorities and migrants. principle of the free movement of goods and No sooner had Covid-19 reared its head in ing urged to stay home as much as possible. two-thirds mandate, saying he needed “133 But the process has been at an almost people across the continent. Hungary than Orban’s government in Buda- But Orban being Orban, a leader who has brave men” now. Orban’s ruling Fidesz party standstill in the council of member states. Gulf News Coronavirus is inspiring racism By Leung Coleman planet. So it’s easy to understand how ously driving a wedge between Asian To the ears of Asian Americans, the this latest flare of bigotry could be seen Americans and other people of colour escalating crisis of the novel coronavi- in a vacuum: new era, new kind of rac- and alienating us from our own right to rus in the United States is set against ism. dissent. What did we have to complain two horrible sounds. One is the high- 19th century propaganda about, anyway? pitched wail of a mounting infection The only historical reference points Then there’s the term Asian Ameri- rate and an economy in free fall, as that the media seem to use are those can itself, a civil rights-inspired cre- thousands more people are diagnosed that involve Asians — Japanese intern- ation of the 1960s that has never man- every day and hundreds of thousands ment, or late 19th century propaganda aged to contain all the identities it was lose their jobs. about “yellow peril.” I’ve even seen supposed to hold. A fourth-generation The other is the low drumbeat of anti- some of my fellow Asian Americans try Chinese American shares little family Asian racism. It’s a background noise to redirect the hatred, complaining that history with a first-generation Cambo- growing louder, as President Donald they’re being targeted despite not being dian immigrant — and the knowledge Trump and many Republicans have Chinese, or that it’s stupid to be racist that many non-Asians don’t know or tried to drown out critiques of their own because South Korea and Taiwan have care about the difference can feel like bad decisions by refocusing blame on done such a good job at containing the an insult. China and Chineseness. virus. ‘Chinese virus’ This has had immediate, terrifying This is a blinkered narrative. What is We are an ethnically diffuse, low-vot- consequences for Asian Americans who horrifying about coronavirus racism ing group, wildly divided in economic could be perceived to be Chinese, and is not that it is new, or that it hits the class and too concentrated on the coasts it’s a narrative that we will struggle to “wrong” Asians. It is that what’s being to have any real impact on national resist on our own. Though reactions to targeted at Asian Americans — what the elections. We are not, and have never this scapegoating show how divorced Trump administration has mindlessly been, a powerful united front. That’s Asian Americans have become from the enabled — is part of the ongoing story part of why it’s so easy for Trump to call solidarity we need — and why belief in of American bigotry. it the “Chinese virus,” wounding us all: COVID-19 IS A NEW VIRUS BUT IT HAS STOKED OLD our own exceptionalism was a trap. Asian Americans have sometimes Electorally, it won’t even hurt him. Over the past two weeks, many Re- struggled to understand our place That is, unless we use this moment HATREDS AND FEARS publicans pivoted to insist on the term within the wider landscape of race, to double down on solidarity. Asian “Chinese virus” at every opportunity. bamboozled by the “model minority” Americans have often been accused, while the rest of us flagellate each other been enduring for centuries. Asian It was just the latest chapter in the myth pushed by white politicians. As accurately, of not showing up for other and ourselves for not caring enough, Americans’ fixation on Asian-specific Trump administration’s standoff with the historian Ellen Wu has written, the people of colour. We have shied away not doing enough. The temptation to racism elides the bigger story. the Chinese government — an oppres- idea that Chinese Americans in particu- from taking responsibility for our com- opt out altogether is strong. This might In November — about a month and sive regime that does deserve criticism lar were high-achieving and compliant plicity in systems of power. (Although feel especially true, as we struggle with a half before doctors in Wuhan first for its handling of the outbreak, whose was exploited first to bolster an alliance some Asian Americans have also been a kind of solidarity that feels completely identified the virus — the FBI released officials have falsely suggested that the with China during World War II, then fiercely progressive advocates for racial unintuitive: physical retreat. a report from 2018 showing that hate new coronavirus came from the United spun to discredit the black civil rights and economic justice, even beyond our That’s why it’s so important to keep crimes involving physical assault were States. movement. (A movement from which, own little corner.) reminding ourselves that coronavirus at a 16-year high. Vandalism was down; The changes that the coronavirus has ironically, all Asian Americans greatly As many writers and thinkers of co- racism is far from unique. It’s the same violence was up. Black Americans, wrought are so overwhelming, a photo benefited.) The model minority term lour have pointed out, it feels almost kind of hate that erupted after 9/11, as usual, bore the brunt of most hate of people standing close to each other is one of American white supremacy’s unbearably lopsided that white Ameri- aimed at Muslims and South Asians; crimes. already feels like a missive from another most successful campaigns, simultane- cans can be so mediocre at ally-ship, it’s the hate that black Americans have Gulf News

How coronavirus changed our world Maybe it was last Wednesday night, spring semester each year. The rest of ing for you, I thought. Now is when it when US President Trump delivered a the time I live in a small town in Maine. comes. wooden speech, condemning the “for- I miss my family, and my dog, and my I woke in the morning, symptom free, eign virus”? (Even when he’s talking friends while I’m working in New York, but still in the grip of other afflictions about disease, he has to sneak a little but on the whole, being part of the col- — those of fear, and emptiness, and racism in.) Or two days later, when in lege has been one of the great blessings panic. response to a question about the lack of of my life. On Friday I walked up Amsterdam widespread access to testing, the leader Gradually — and then suddenly — it Avenue and saw an image spray-paint- of the free world said, “I don’t take re- became clear to me that, as I packed ed on the sidewalk. “PROTECT YO’ sponsibility at all.” my bags for spring break last week, I HEART,” it read, along with a picture of Each of these events captured a mo- might not be coming back to New York a heart upside down. Later, I learnt it ment when it became clear the crisis — when break was over. I looked around was the work of an artist from Queens both pandemical and political — was my apartment. I’d been here for nine named Uncutt Art. getting worse, day by day. weeks. Was it really possible I might It reminded me of how important it But the moment that will always re- not return until next January? Will it be is to care for our spiritual selves during main in my mind is Monday, March 9, safe to come back here then? a time of crisis. The Protect Yo’ Heart as I rode the subway north. The doors That night, I noticed I had the snif- project, I learnt, took its name from opened and closed at Chambers Street. fles. I coughed. There was a time when Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard Then a deranged man started yelling I’d have paid this no mind. Now, I felt your heart, for everything you do flows about the coronavirus. At the next stop, my heart pounding. Was I infected? I from it.” almost everyone in the car fled. Then it took my temperature. It was normal. The world we lived in has vanished — was just two of us, the crazy man and But for how long? slowly, and then suddenly. Even if we EVEN IF WE MANAGE TO DEFEAT COVID-19, OUR WORLD me. He looked me up, he looked me When I was a child, I was haunted by manage to defeat the coronavirus, that down. I don’t know what he saw when the idea that I’d die in the year 2020. world will not return. WILL NOT RETURN he looked at me. A frightened older I don’t know how this delusion first Maybe, in this new one, we will bet- woman? Something else? came to me, but I remember thinking ter understand that in a moment of By Jennifer Finney Boylan Or was it three weeks ago, when I first I remembered riding the subway in of it at least as early as 1968, when I national crisis, you need someone who Looking back, it’s hard to remember noticed that hand sanitiser at my local the early ‘80s, and the panic over AIDS, was only 10 years old. I’ve thought of can bring us together. Someone who the exact moment we left the old world pharmacy was sold out? my terror as friends got sick. I remem- writing about it in my column this year can express empathy for others’ suffer- behind, and entered this new one. How Was it a week ago Sunday, when I got bered how President Ronald Reagan — and about the way all sorts of things ing. Maybe, in this new one, we will bet- did Ernest Hemingway describe going the message from Barnard College’s had been unable to bring himself to only come true when we take deliber- ter understand just how much we need bankrupt — “gradually, and then sud- president that classes for the coming even say “AIDS” until four years after ate steps to prevent them. each other, now that being together in denly”? Like that. week would be held via videoconfer- the disease had been identified. All at But I’ve demurred, thinking such one room has become so hard. Was it last month, when the trip to ence? once I was in my twenties again, and dark thoughts are best left unspoken. I’m back in Maine now. I don’t know Italy I’d booked with my partner was Or was it the next day, when the Dow the feeling of panic rising in my heart On Thursday night I sat up in bed, for how long. Wash your hands. Protect cancelled? “Just to be on the safe side,” Jones Industrial Average plunged more felt strangely, eerily familiar. suddenly remembering my childhood yo’ heart. my hosts told me at the time. than 2000 points? I teach at Barnard College in the certainty about the year 2020. It’s com- Gulf News

The views expressed in these columns are the writers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Indian Horizon or its management.-Editor Indian Horizon Friday, March 27, 2020 internaTIONAL 8 Christchurch mosque attack accused pleads guilty to all charges Malay King, Queen under quarantine after staff test COVID-19 positive Christchurch, March 26 in the Christchurch court as changed forever. They have charged under the 2002 Ter- (IANS) The man accused representatives of the victims. inspired all of us to be a kind rorism Suppression Act. Kuala Lumpur, March 26 COVID-19 crisis ends. of the 2019 Christchurch After the guilty pleas were and more tolerant commu- Within a week Prime Min- (IANS) Malaysian King Sul- "While approving of the mosque attack on Thursday entered, a short suppression nity." ister Jacinda Ardern had tan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad government's extension of pleaded guilty to all the 92 order was put in place to al- The massacre began when passed strict gun reform laws, Shah and his wife Azizah the movement control or- charges he was facing, be- low victims to be notified. Tarrant, a white supremacist, and a couple of months later Aminah Maimunah Iskan- der to April 14, he (the king) coming New Zealands first Tarrant was remanded in livestreamed himself on so- launched the Christchurch dariah will undergo a 14- also expressed hope that convicted terrorist. Austra- custody until May 1. Sentenc- cial media heading to Al Noor Call with French President day quarantine after sev- all Malaysians will be firm lian Brenton Tarrant, 29, ap- nied all charges and was due ing will not take place until mosque with firearms. Emmanuel Macron to elimi- eral palace employees were in facing this difficult time peared via video-link in the to stand trial in June. all victims who wish to attend There he opened fire as nate violent and extremist tested positive for the novel and continue their support Christchurch High Court on The hearing was held after can do so. he went inside, killing and content online. coronavirus, the national and cooperation to health- the first day of the national the defendant indicated via Due to the COVID-19 pan- wounding dozens of worship- In a statement after Thurs- palace said on Thursday. care workers and security lockdown in New Zealand his lawyers on Tuesday that demic, New Zealand is cur- ers observing Friday prayers. day's hearing, Ardern said: Abdullah and Azizah had personnel," he said. against the coronavirus pan- he wished to appear before rently in full lockdown. Only He then drove to Linwood "The guilty plea today will pro- themselves tested negative Malaysia has implement- demic. the court. "Police appreciate essential attendees were in at mosque where he continued vide some relief to the many for the virus, Xinhua news ed the "movement control "The guilty pleas to 51 this news will come as a sur- the Christchurch court. his attack and was arrested people whose lives were shat- agency quoted Comptroller order" since March 18, in- charges of murder, 40 charges prise to the victims and the "Today's guilty pleas are a afterwards when his car was tered by what happened on of the Royal Household Ah- cluding closing shops and of attempted murder and one public, some of whom may significant milestone in re- rammed off the road by po- March 15. "These guilty pleas mad Fadil Shamsuddin as schools as well as impos- charge of engaging in a terror- have wished to be present in spect of one of our darkest lice. He was thought to be on and conviction bring account- saying in a statement. ing travel bans.It called for ist act were taken via an AVL the courtroom," Bush said. days," Bush said. his way to another location to ability for what happened and Fadil said Abdullah was residents to stay at home (audiovisual) link from Auck- Two imans from Al Noor "I want to acknowledge the continue his shooting spree. also save the families who lost advised against holding the in an effort to contain the land Prison," Police Commis- and Linwood mosques, where victims, their families and the It was the worst mass shoot- loved ones, those who were in- weekly pre-cabinet meet- pandemic.Earlier, former sioner Mike Bush said. the shootings took place on community of Christchurch ing in New Zealand's history, jured, and other witnesses, the ings with Prime Minister Prime Minister Mahathir Tarrant had previously de- March 15, 2019, were present – the many lives that were and Tarrant was the first to be ordeal of a trial." Muhyiddin Yassin until the Mohamad said.

Khaleda Zia freed, quarantines at home Imran urges provinces to 'reassess' complete lockdowns Dhaka, March 26 Khaleda in "quarantine" Islamabad, March 26 (IANS) "I believe that we should (IANS) The Bangladesh and party leaders were While reiterating his hesi- not go towards a lockdown government has condi- discussing ways to keep tance in imposing a full-scale in which we shut down trans- tionally released former her supporters away for lockdown in Pakistan, Prime port. I believe that we will Prime Minister Khaleda some days. Minister Imran Khan urged have to face huge problems Zia and suspended her Khaleda has been in the country's leaders to "dis- on the supply side. I feel that sentence for six months, prison since February cuss and reassess" their strat- this lockdown will affect our as the country goes all 2018 after she was sen- egies in order to find a way to construction industry and out in its efforts to com- tenced to a total of 17 tackle the situation brought there will be unemployment bat the coronavirus pan- years in two graft cases about by the coronavirus on a huge scale. demic, it was reported on involving Zia Orphanage pandemic, it was reported on "Since provinces have taken Thursday. ent an order for Khale- Trust and Zia Charitable Thursday. their decisions, in tomorrow's After serving 25 months da's release to the prison Trust. The country currently has (Thrusday) National Coordi- for corruption cases, she authorities, after Prime She was initially kept 1,078 confirmed cases with nation Committee's meeting, was released through ex- Minister Sheikh Hasina at Old Dhaka's aban- seven fatalities, reports Dawn I will put forward recommen- ecutive orders from the gave the go-ahead. doned central prison, but news. only 153of the confirmed cas- lieved that (they) should go dations based on the assess- Bangabandhu Sheikh Khaleda, who is ailing, on April 1, 2019 she was Addressing a meeting of es were locally transmitted. beyond that... The Centre and ments made by (my) team... I Mujib Medical University had been receiving treat- moved to Bangabandhu parliamentary leaders being "In a way this is a very good I were of the opinion that we feel that we will have to con- on Wednesday evening, ment in prison said the Sheikh Mujib Medical chaired by National Assembly thing for us," he said, pointing should not go as far as Sindh stantly reassess. Because ev- reports bdnews24. bdnews24 report. University for treatment. Speaker Asad Qaiser via video out that the rest of the cases at the time. But then there ery step we take has repercus- The opposition Ban- Expressing concerns In the past two years, link on Wednesday, Khan said had been imported from other was pressure from the me- sions for society." gladesh Nationalist Party over Khaleda's health Khaleda's legal team had imposing a national lockdown countries. dia... Under that pressure, KP, Pakistan has already closed (BNP) supremo was driv- amid "risks of coronavi- appealed several times would be detrimental for the The premier, while urging Punjab and Balochistan also its borders with Iran and en to her residence in rus infection", BNP law- for her bail but it was not country's economy, adding leaders to reassess the situ- imposed incremental lock- Afghanistan, Dawn news the captial city's Gulshan yers demanded her re- granted. that it was not possible to "ra- ation said: "There are types downs." reported.A lockdown has been area, as scores of sup- lease the day before. It was reported in the tionally judge the repercus- of lockdown; initially we im- He went on to say that im- imposed in Sindh to contain porters crowded her path Meanwhile, BNP Sec- media that her family ap- sions of decisions taken out of posed lockdown by shutting posing a lockdown, under the spread of the virus. and shouted slogans. retary General Mirza pealed to the Home Min- fear and panic". down schools and universities which transport had to be Other provinces and federal Earlier on Thursday, Fakhrul Islam Alamgir istry for her temporary re- He told the parliamentary and cancelling matches. suspended, would affect poor territories have also imposed the Home ministry had said they wanted to keep lease earlier this month. leaders that until Tuesday, "Sindh (government) be- people, especially in villages. partial lockdowns. US warship sails through Taiwan amid US Senate approves historic $2tn stimulus package tensions with China Washington, March 26 The $2 trillion stimulus the distribution of $500 bil- New Delhi/Taipei, March relations to immediate reuni- (IANS) The US Senate has package is almost three lion in loans to businesses 26 (IANS) An American war- fication with Taiwan. In 2017, approved a historic $2 tril- times the package imple- hard-hit by the pandemic, ship sailed through the Taiwan Xi enumerated an extreme lion fiscal stimulus pack- mented during the 2008 including airlines, the ho- Strait amid the blame-game policy line of "6 nos" on Tai- age, the in the country's financial crisis. tel industry and cruise between the US and China wan. The change in China's modern history, to try and The bill includes $1,200 lines, with the White House over the novel coronavirus that policy led to its more asser- counter the effects of the in one-time direct pay- and Republican lawmakers has killed over 21,000 people tiveness and following the US coronavirus pandemic. ments to Americans earn- wanting these funds ad- worldwide so far. Congress-Taiwan Relations The package was ap- ing less than $75,000 per ministered exclusively by The Defence Ministry of Tai- Act of 1979, the US as well has proved on Wednesday year, plus $500 per child the Treasury Department. wan in a statement on Thurs- been upgrading its relations night by 96 votes in favour under the age of 17. Calling it an "emergency day said the ship sailed north with Taiwan and trying to en- and none against after sev- The stimulus measure relief", Senate Majority through the waterway on force balance in the Straits," eral days of delays as the provides more than $350 Leader Mitch McConnell, a Wednesday under an "ordinary he said. Democrats were unable billion in loans to small Kentucky Republican, said mission" and was monitored The pandemic has escalated to come to an agreement businesses, and another at the Senate floor earlier by Taiwan's armed forces. China, the unitary one-party Liaoning twice last year, sur- tensions between Beijing and with the White House over $250 billion to expand un- in the day that the pack- A spokesperson for the US socialist republic considers the rounding the island, besides Taipei, with the latter accusing the administration of the employment insurance age will "help the people Seventh Fleet Anthony Junco, autonomous and democratic scrambling bombers and fight- the Chinese Communist Party funds, reports Efe news. benefits for people who of this country weather this said the ship was the guided- island of Taiwan, its territory ers and violating the median (CCP) of covering-up the out- The bill will now go to lose their jobs. storm". missile destroyer USS Mc- which it may bring under its line in the cross Straits. break of novel coronavirus in the House of Representa- The measure also in- The package comes as Campbell, which conducted "a direct control by force if nec- "Traditionally, after the the Wuhan city of Hubei prov- tives, which on Friday will cludes $150 billion for the number of corona- routine Taiwan Strait transit on essary. The narrow strait that first Taiwan Straits crisis in ince. The US has also blamed vote by voice to allow the state and local authorities virus cases in the US has March 25 in accordance with separates Taiwan, the island 1958, the imaginary median the Xi Jinping for the cover-up. representatives to vote and another $130 billion increased to 69,018 with the international law". with an area of 35,808 square line was respected by both China called the allegations from their respective quar- to strengthen the nation's 1,042 deaths, according "The ship's transit through kilometers and around 24 mil- sides. As China is rising and "slander" and also took of- antines amid limited flights healthcare system, which to the latest update by the the Taiwan Strait demonstrates lion people, from China is a fre- its ambitions increasing, it is fense to Taiwan's decision to and stay-home orders is- in hotspots of the epidem- Washington-based John the US commitment to a free quent source of tension. attempting to overcome the donate 100,000 face masks per sued in several states. ic, such as New York City, Hopkins University. and open Indo-Pacific. The US Well-known expert on Chi- Straits. Secondly, after Xi Jin- week to the US. Beijing said It will then be moved to is beginning to be over- New York, the epicen- Navy will continue to fly, sail na at JNU, Professor Srikand ping took over in 2012, China's the Taiwan's agreement with President Donald Trump, whelmed. tre of the outbreak in the and operate anywhere interna- Kondapalli told IANS that Chi- policy changed from peaceful the US was like "confronting who is expected to ratify it One of the main bones of country, has reported 280 tional law allows," he said. na had sent its aircraft carrier development of cross Straits the Motherland." immediately. contention in the bill was fatalities 17,856 cases. Ghani releases list of 20 delegates for Russia maintains strategic parity with Pakistan coronavirus cases rise to 1,041 intra-Afghan talks NATO: Defence Minister Islamabad, March 26 (IANS) The Russian borders is increas- number of confirmed cases in Pakistan February 29 after rounds ing every year, its land and has increased to 1,041 as of Thursday, of marathon talks to end sea groupings are growing, while the death toll was recorded at America's longest war its membership is expand- eight, according to authorities. in its history, paving the ing, while the US global mis- The cases were reported in Sindh 414; way for the withdrawal of sile defence system is being Balochistan 115; Punjab 296; Khyber thousands of US troops deployed.The information Pakhtunkhwa 121; 84 Gilgit-Baltistan; and facilitating intra-Af- space today has become Islamabad 15; and one in Pakistan oc- ghan dialogues to find a another theatre of war, he cupied Kashmir, reports The Express negotiated settlement to added. Tribune. Afghanistan's lingering According to Shoigu, in the On Thursday, Prime Minister Imran crisis. last three years, more than Khan will chair the second meeting of Under the agreement, Moscow, March 26 (IANS) year, it will reach the target of 25,000 high-tech computer the National Coordination Committee Kabul, March 26 (IANS) The development came the US was to secure the Russia manages to maintain 70 percent," Shoigu said on attacks from abroad have on the outbreak in the country. Afghan President Ashraf a day after teams from the release of 5,000 Taliban strategic parity with NATO Wednesday, speaking at the been carried out against the Health Minister Zafar Mirza said the Ghani has released a list of Taliban, the Red Cross, the prisoners within 10 days due to the combat potential Federation Council upper information infrastructure meeting will review implementations 20 representatives to ne- US, Qatar and the Afghan after signing the peace of the Russian Armed Forces, parliament house, according of the Russian Armed Forces, of the decisions made in the first meet- gotiate with the Taliban, government today on deal to facilitate direct which has more than dou- to a video footage of the ad- with the numbers increasing ing.As a preventive measure, Pakistan an important step towards Tuesday a five-way video talks between the militant bled over the past eight years, dress, Xinhua reported. annually by an average of 12 has already closed its borders with Iran the much-awaited intra- conference for four hours group and the Afghan gov- Russian Defence Minister He added that the share per cent.However, the Rus- and Afghanistan, Dawn news reported. Afghan talks, a media re- and discussed "the peace ernment. Sergei Shoigu has said. of modern weapons in the sian Defence Ministry has A lockdown has been imposed in port said. process and the release of In return for the prison- "The share of modern strategic nuclear forces has created a reliable system for Sindh to contain the spread of the virus. The list was released prisoners". ers' release, the Taliban weapons and equipment has exceeded 87 per cent. protecting information re- Other provinces and federal terri- on Wednesday night, the The US and the Tali- agreed to set free 1,000 Af- been brought up to 68.2 per Shoigu said that the mili- sources and ensuring high tories have also imposed partial lock- TOLO News report said. ban inked a peace deal on ghan security personnel. cent and by the end of the tary activity of NATO near the stability of the Armed Forces. downs. Indian Horizon Friday, March 27, 2020 business 9 Digital India faces its biggest test amid lockdown Package for India Inc on New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) "To provide immediate relief als, akin to an EMI, for driver in no man's land -- with thin cards, FM indicates When Digital India took birth, for drivers, we are exempting, partners who operate vehicles presence amid huge man- New Delhi, March 26 We will think about other little did the government and until further notice, lease rent- owned by Ola's subsidiary, power shortage. Bigbasket (IANS) The Rs 1,70,000 things later," Sitharaman enterprises know that in an als for those who drive vehicles Ola Fleet Technologies under and Grofers are unable to ful- crore package, aimed at said.On relief to the travel unprecedented situation like leased under Uber's Xchange its leasing programme," Ola fil orders owing to huge sup- providing food security to and aviation sectors that a total lockdown, the apps and Leasing India Private Limited said in a statement. The com- ply-demand issue along with the poor and money in their are bearing the brunt of services that helped us sail (XLI) affiliate," an Uber spokes- pany also said it will give ben- thin delivery staff to go out hands to fight the Covid-19 the lockdown, the Finance through the day with ease will person told IANS on Thursday. efits on insurance for drivers and deliver. All eyes are now pandemic issues, may not Minister said, "We will immediately hang up on mil- Ola has reportedly taken the and their spouses against loss on the government to bail the be the last set of economic come back when some- lions. From Uber to Ola, Swig- next step, asking the govern- of income due to contraction online service providers from relief from the government. thing is ready." gy to Zomato and Bigbasket ment to waive the loans of its of COVID-19, as well as other this mess. Finance Minister Nir- Today's package follows to Grofers -- and thousands of Uber and Ola drivers are drivers and delay the tax pay- medical support during this Finance Minister Nirmala mala Sitharaman, here announcements by the Fi- app-based services in between confined to their homes and ments for them so that they time will continue to be of- Sitharaman on Thursday in- on Thursday, indicated nance Minister on Tuesday -- the digital dream has taken a delivery boys for food and on- can survive the Novel Corona- fered to all its driver-partners dicated that concerns of In- that concerns of India Inc, where she dealt with sev- 21-day long pause, and work- line grocery delivery platforms virus onslaught. The company, across the country. dia Inc, small-to-medium small-to-medium enter- eral compliance-related is- ers in the digital industry are in are afraid to come out on roads however, refused to comment Thousands of daily-wage enterprises (SMEs) segments prises (SMEs) segments sues during the lockdown. for job losses along with deep owing to the fear or being beat- on the reports. workers, low-end hotel staff and other segments hit by the and other segments hit India Inc has been wait- salary cuts. en up. Uber India, which has According to the ride-hail- and delivery boys have left lockdown might be looked at by the lockdown might be ing for a package to resolve Zomato CEO Deepinder told its employees to do yoga ing company, it is providing metros for their home towns -- and the government could an- looked at and the govern- immediate problems and Goyal has announced that at home, said it has suspended certain insurance and medi- some even on bikes -- as estab- nounce a plan later. "Our first ment could announce a provide relief to lockdown- several employees have taken its services across many cities, cal benefits to its drivers as lishments locked themselves. priority is to provide food to plan later. hit sectors. The India Inc's deep voluntary salary cuts as thereby impacting the liveli- well as waiving rental charges. Smartphone-based leading the poor and money in their "Our first priority is to suggestions include with- the business has been hit ow- hoods of drivers who rely on "We can confirm that we are food delivery platforms Zom- hands. We will think about provide food to the poor drawal of LTCG temporar- ing to the COVID-19 lockdown. the platform. fully waiving away lease rent- ato and Swiggy are in almost other things later," she said. and money in their hands. ily, removal of buyback tax.

Facebook, Google may lose over Grofers user gets delivery slot for April 13, no slots on Bigbasket New Delhi/Noida, March that operators like Zomato, $44bn in ad revenue in 2020 26 (IANS) Day 2 of COVID-19 Flipkart, Amazon, Bluedart, San Francisco, March 26 analyst team."For full-year mostly related to product lockdown was no different for Wow Express, Swiggy, Grofers, (IANS) The novel corona- 2020, Google will gener- searches".Facebook has people who tried to book online Bigbasket, Milk Basket, Dunzo, virus pandemic can wipe ate $54.3 billion in operat- admitted that its ad busi- delivery of essential items like Big Bazaar, and Iffco Tokyo will out more than $44 billion ing income (43 per cent ness has been adversely af- groceries, milk and vegetables be allowed to continue delivery in global ad revenue for the adjusted EBITDA margin) fected in countries severely at Bigbasket, Grofers and other services.Online marketplaces tech giants Facebook and and Facebook will pull in hit by the novel coronavi- online platforms. like Flipkart and Amazon along Google in 2020 as digital $33.7 billion (49 per cent rus while non-business en- To one user's amusement, with delivery platforms like advertising runs dry, a new margin)," according to gagement like messaging he got the next delivery slot on Bigbasket, Grofers and Fresh- report has predicted. Cowen's forecast. has exploded which is Grofers for Monday, April 13. ToHomes hit a major blockade According to global In a separate blog post, affecting its services like "When trying to place a new as local authorities shut ware- investment bank and fi- LightShed analyst Rich Messenger and WhatsApp. order, the earliest delivery date ful of restarting operations in essentials to as many custom- houses and sent delivery boys nancial services company Greenfield said that "digi- "Our business is being is coming out to be Monday other cities within a day or two. ers as possible".A Pune resident back, even harassed them. Cowen & Co., Google's to- tal platforms are feeling adversely affected like so 13th April. I mean seriously? It, however, did not disclose in replied: "Didn't get delivery of Millions of people across cit- tal net revenue is projected the pain soonest, given many others around the 19 day waiting period during a which cities it has resumed de- Milk today, vegetable orders al- ies were left helpless at homes to be about $127.5 billion the relative ease of pulling world. We don't monetize lockdown of 21?" Tanmay post- livery of essential items. ready canceled. Plz confirm "to- as essential items did not reach -- down $28.6 billion. ad spend versus mediums many of the services where ed to Grofers on Twitter. People experienced similar morrow u guys going to deliver their doors despite placing Facebook's ad revenue such as television (who we're seeing increased en- The online delivery platform woes on Bigbasket. milk or not?" orders well in advance.De- for 2020 is forecast at $67.8 are likely to experience far gagement, and we've seen a replied: "Due to the current Noida resident Arun Kumar, On food delivery platform spite the assurance from local billion -- a decrease of more pain in Q2 than Q1)". weakening in our ads busi- situation and spike in demand, 42, placed an order for fruits Swiggy, some new restaurants authorities, the situation re- $15.7 billion, Variety re- Cowen has cut its full- ness in countries taking ag- you have experienced a high on Thursday morning and got popped up for Noida Sector 143 mained grim on Thursday.Ama- ported on Thursday, quot- year revenue forecast for gressive actions to reduce turnaround time for the de- the message from Bigbasket: residents, although no known zon India posted on its website ing Cowen's data. Twitter by 18 per cent. the spread of COVID-19," livery of your order. While we "Unfortunately, we do not restaurants names were avail- that "considering the prevailing However, Facebook's "Amazon's ad business, said Alex Schultz, VP of An- understand that this isn't ideal, have any available slots to ser- able.Some city authorities late extensive lockdowns and re- advertising business is pro- meanwhile, is �generally alytics and Jay Parikh, VP of we're acting to execute things vice you right now. Please try on Wednesday allowed home striction in movement, pending jected to "bounce back" in less exposed' to the down- Engineering.With one-fifth for you as soon as possible". again later".Bigbasket posted delivery of essential goods by deliveries will be delayed. New 2021, growing 23 per cent turn than other large digi- of the world's population The company said it has gone on Twitter: "Our delivery ex- online apps. ordering is available only on (year-over-year) to $83 tal platforms because the now under lockdown and live in a few cities with the help ecutives are working around the Gurugram Police Commis- essential products through pre- billion, said the Cowen company's advertising is industries shutting. of local authorities nd is hope- clock and overtime to deliver sioner Mohammad Akil said paid payment methods". Urban working professionals hit hard by India Centre to pay 24% EPF money for pvt firms, staff for 3 months lockdown: Survey New Delhi, March 26 the EPF contribution has day nationwide lockdown. New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) 9 per cent said they witnessed (IANS) In a major relief lost continuity and as a The coronavirus crisis has Over eight in 10 urban work- increase in sales as a result of for certain private sector result they could be lot already hampered busi- ing professionals in India this outbreak. companies and their staff, more difficulties. So 12 nesses and normal life claim the novel coronavirus The data suggested further Union Finance Minister plus 12, a 24 per cent con- across the country. has large or moderate impact disruption on the horizon Nirmala Sitharaman on tribution, which has to Of late, the government on their business and declin- with four in five respondents Thursday announced that go into the EPF account has announced a slew of ing sales is expected to be the (82 per cent) saying the virus the government will make of an employee will be measures to provide sup- greatest commercial woe in is very likely or fairly likely to 24 per cent contribution borne by the government port to the common man the future, a small-yet-signifi- affect their business in the fu- to the Employees' Provi- of India for the next three and enterprises, including cant survey said on Thursday. ture. dent Fund (EPF), 12 per months," she said. extension in the deadline Baby Boomers (born be- "A slightly higher propor- cent each for employer Announcing the second for filing I-T and GST re- tween 1944 and 1964) were tion (61 per cent) are expect- and employee for the next measure for the organized turn for the financial year more likely to feel the effect ing to see decrease in sales in three months. sector, she said that em- 2018-19. On Thursday, of COVID-19 disease on their the future compared to those The government will ployees would be allowed the Finance Minister also business compared to the already seeing such a de- make this contribution to take non-refundable announced a Rs 50 lakh other age groups, according cline," said the survey. only in case of establish- advance for 75 per cent per person health insur- to the survey of 251 senior cated (58 per cent ) there was "Many said they were fac- There are few (10 per cent) ments with up to 100 em- from credit in provident ance cover for the doc- business professionals by a drop in sales. ing HR- related issues such who look at this as an oppor- ployees, 90 per cent of fund account or the wages tors, paramedics, nurses, YouGov, an Internet-based India is currently under a as- increasing number of em- tunity and feel there will be whom draw less than Rs for three months, which- 'Asha' workers, cleaning market research and data an- 21-day lockdown and busi- ployees working from home increase in sales in the future. 15,000 per month, Sithar- ever is lower. workers who have been alytics firm. nesses have shut operations (46 per cent) and increased "Not only do Indian work- aman told the media here. Sitharaman said that involved in the fight Only 8 per cent said the im- and services, excluding those employee sick leaves (39 per ing professionals see a bleak The scheme would benefit around 4.8 crore workers against coronavirus pan- pact was minor and 7 per cent part of the essential services. cent)," the findings showed. future for their businesses but 80 lakh employees and 4 registered with the EPF demic and treating the af- claimed to have no impact More than half claimed (55 Two in five faced interrup- the vast majority (93 per cent) lakh establishments, she will be able to withdraw fected patients. at all. Cancelled or delayed per cent) to introduce hy- tions in supply chain (45 per feel the Coronavirus will have added. the money. The decisions She also announced an business trips emerged as the giene measure and supplies cent), suffered office or store a large to moderate impact on "That (24 per cent) will come as a major relief for economic relief package most visible initial impact of in the company and sensed closures (42 per cent) and ex- the country's overall econo- be paid for the next three the working class and the of Rs 1.7 lakh crore for the the coronavirus, according insecurity and safety con- perienced reduced working my. Only 7 per cent reckon months by the govern- private companies which poor and migrant workers to 60 per cent of the respon- cerns among employees (53 hours (47 per cent). the impact will be minor," the ment of India, so that would go through finan- under the Prime Minister dents. Almost as many indi- per cent). On a slightly positive note, survey said. nobody suffers, because cial stress amid the 21- Gareeb Kalyan Scheme. Karnataka grocers, supermarkets US stocks end mixed amid anticipation of Control room setup to to operate 24x7 stimulus package monitor delivery of Bengaluru, March 26 "Interacted with over of Police (Administra- lion stimulus package later essential services (IANS) Grocers and su- 300 food and medicine tion) shared the passes Wednesday to blunt the eco- New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) The permarkets can stay aggregators. Persons and format. nomic impact of COVID-19, Centre has set up a control room to open 24 hours a day for vehicles passes will be is- Police are issuing pass- after days of strenuous ne- monitor the status of transportation business across Karna- sued on Aadhar card and es for two-wheelers, four- gotiations between Republi- along with delivery of goods, manufac- taka despite the lock- organization request let- wheelers and individuals. cans and Democrats. turing and essential commodities to down, a top official said ter," tweeted Rao. Meanwhile, Sood ex- The White House and Sen- the public. on Thursday. He said the application empted people requiring ate leaders reached a deal Accordingly, the Department for "For the convenience process will be available medical attention from early Wednesday morning on Promotion of Industry and Internal of citizens, grocery shops physically initially. Later carrying a pass. the massive stimulus pack- Trade has set up the control room to and supermarkets selling it will be extended online "Patients requiring age, which is aimed at cush- monitor on "real time" basis the status food articles can be open and will have transfer- medical attention are al- ioning the economy from the of delivery.The facility will also moni- 24x7 all over the state," able passes as well for lowed to and from hospi- growing impact of the coro- tor the difficulties being faced by vari- tweeted Karnataka Police essential services sup- tal without any need for New York, March 26 (IANS) 33.56 points, or 0.45 per cent, navirus outbreak. ous stakeholders during the lockdown chief Praveen Sood. pliers to move during the curfew pass," he said. US stocks ended mixed on to 7,384.30, Xinhua reported. The number of COVID-19 period."In the event of any manufac- The top cop, however, lockdown. According to the Po- Wednesday in anticipation Eight of the 11 primary S&P cases in the US topped turing, transporter, distributor, whole- appealed to the people to Eight deputy com- lice chief, people misus- of the approval of a massive 500 sectors closed higher, 60,000 as of Wednesday saler or e-commerce companies facing avoid crowding. missioners of police will ing curfew passes will be coronavirus stimulus pack- with industrials up 5.29 per noon, according to the Cen- ground level difficulties in transport On Wednesday eve- endorse the passes in dealt with strictly. age.The Dow Jones Industrial cent, outpacing the rest. ter for Systems Science and and distribution of goods or mobili- ning, the Bengaluru Po- Bengaluru. Eight deputy "The purpose is only Average increased 495.64 Communication services Engineering at Johns Hop- zation of resources, the same may be lice Commissioner met commissioners of police to maintain essential points, or 2.39 per cent, to dropped 1.59 per cent, repre- kins University.Wednesday's informed to this Department...," the 300 food and medicine will endorse the passes in services and food sup- 21,200.55. The S&P 500 rose senting the worst-performing market movement followed Ministry of Commerce and Industry aggregators regarding Bengaluru. ply chain. Please help us 28.23 points, or 1.15 per group. a historic rally in the previous said in a statement. passes for individuals Hemant Nimbalkar, maintain social distanc- cent, to 2,475.56. The Nasdaq The US Senate is ex- session, with the 30-stock in- This department can be approached and vehicles. Assistant Commissioner ing," Sood said. Composite Index was down pected to approve a $2-tril- dex soaring more than 2,100. at its New Delhi number 23062487. Indian Horizon Friday, March 27, 2020 business 10 Sensex soars 1,400 points; banking, finance stocks surge RE projects to get extension Mumbai, March 26 (IANS) the works. segments hit by the lockd Buoyed by the first instal- The Centre on Thursday own might be looked at and of time: MNRE Secretary ment of a fiscal package to announced a Rs 1.70 lakh the government could an- New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) accepted that the spread of contain the economic fallout crore relief package to pro- nounce a plan later. Renewable Energy projects coronavirus has not only dis- of Covid-19, investors pushed tect the weaker sections of the Consequently, the Sensex under implementation will rupted the supply chain of Indian stock markets higher society from the economic closed at 29,946.77, higher be given extension of time components used in Renew- for the third consecutive day fallout of the coronavirus by 1,410.99 points or 4.94 per considering period of lock- able Energy projects but also with the BSE Sensex rising pandemic and the nation- cent from the previous close down and time required for has impacted the availability over 1,400 points. wide lockdown. Announcing of 28,535.78. It had opened at re-mobilisation of work force, of workforce. Although it rose above the the measures of relief pack- 29,073.71 and touched an in- Ministry of New and Renew- In this context, Kumar said, 30,000 mark earlier in the day, age, Sitharaman said that the tra-day high of 30,099.91 and able Energy (MNRE) Secretary the announcement of the ex- it ended just below that psy- PM Garib Kalyan Yojana will a low of 28,566.34 points. Anand Kumar said. tension of time will provide chological level. The Nifty50 benefit migrant workers, rural The Nifty50 settled at Kumar made the announce- great relief to all the stake- on the National Stock Ex- poor and women. 8,641.45, higher by 323.60 ment through a tweet follow- holders in Renewable Energy change (NSE) also ended well Global sentiments were said.However, as Finance There were high expecta- points or 3.8 per cent from the ing Prime Minsiter Narendra sector.As per Kumar's an- above the 8,500 mark. boosted after US lawmakers Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tions that the government previous close. Modi's announcement for a nouncement, the extension There were both global and cleared a $2 trillion stimulus did not announce an eco- will announce certain eco- The rally in the indices was complete lockdown across of time for Renewable Energy domestic factors supporting package to fight against the nomic package for businesses nomic relief measures for supported by healthy buying the country for 21 days from projects under implementa- to investor sentiments on fast-spreading coronavirus. and corporates, the market the industry. Addressing the in finance, banking and tele- Tuesday midnight, asserting tion will consider the lock- Thursday. Positive cues for Further hopes of announce- started to falter from the day's media, Sitharaman indicated com stocks. The S&P BSE Fi- that it was "very necessary to down period which will con- the Asian markets during the ment of an economic package highs but eventually regained that concerns of India Inc, nance, Banking and Telecom break the chain of coronavi- tinue till April 14.Experts said early part of the day support- by Centre also boosted the support as she indicated that small-to-medium enterprises indices rose by 6.61 per cent, rus infection." that the chain of transmission ed the Indian indices. buying sentiments, analysts a package for India Inc is in (SMEs) segments and other 6.69 per cent and 10 per cent. The MNRE Secretary also of novel coronavirus. M&M likely to make sub-Rs 7,500 Nationwide lockdown grounds farmers in TN Chennai, March 26 (IANS) half the rate,'' he added. ing the 21-day lockdown. have been affected in a ma- The 21-day nationwide lock- According to Pandian, Unlike sugarcane crop jor way as there is no market ventilator, prototype expected in 3 days down to combat COVID-19 about 15 lakh acres of land where harvest can be post- within Tamil Nadu or in the New Delhi, March 26 including production of venti- will have its impact on those in the state under paddy cul- poned, fruits, vegetables and neighbouring states like Ker- (IANS) Engineers of Mahin- lators at Mahindra's factories, cultivating vegetables, fruits, tivation during the summer tea leaves have to be harvest- ala, Karnataka and Andhra dra Group are working on to fight coronavirus outbreak. tea, paddy, flowers, inland are facing losses as they are ed and sold on time, failing Pradesh. Pandian said each manufacturing prototypes Goenka also acknowledged fisheries and livestock, farm- not able to find labour for which they would rot. farmer's family should be of ventilators as India faces support from individuals and ers in Tamil Nadu said. various operations. "Adequate cold storage paid a sum of Rs 10,000 for a shortage of the lifesaving other companies towards Ma- "The lock down is impact- He said farmers cultivating facilities are not present so one month's sustenance. medical device and the engi- hindra Group's efforts to make ing various farm operations watermelons across the state that the farmers can store From the picturesque neers involved in the making Referring to a tweet by ventilators and said that a pro- ranging from cultivation to are staring at losses as they their produce for some days. Theni district, A. Thiruppathi the design expect it to cost Pawan Goenka, MD of Mahin- totype is likely be ready in 3 marketing. The summer cul- are not able to harvest and I have a fish farm but there is Vasagan, a farmer, told IANS less than Rs 7,500. dra & Mahindra, he also said days. tivation of paddy has been market their produce due to no market for now," Pandian over phone: "It is summer In a tweet, Mahindra that company is simultane- "I said that on one hand the affected for want of labour the 21-day lockdown that is said. and watermelon consump- Group Chairman Anand Ma- ously working with an indige- company along with two large while harvested perishables in place to prevent the spread "The area under summer tion would normally be high. hindra applauded engineers nous maker of ICU ventilators. public sector entities is work- like fruits, vegetables and fish of the coronanirus outbreak paddy cultivation will be But owing to the lockdown from his company who have "As @GoenkaPk tweeted, ing with an existing manu- in ponds can't be taken to the that has infected over 600 about 2 lakh acres in the Cau- and absence of transports, been involved in making the we are simultaneously work- facturer of 'high spec ventila- market for want of transpor- people across the country. very Delta region. Nurseries the farmers here are facing a prototypes. ing with an indigenous maker tors' to help them to simplify tation in the state," P.R. Pan- Similarly, groundnuts cul- have been raised and trans- grim situation." "So, so proud of our Kandi- of ICU ventilators. These are design and scale up capacity. dian, President, Tamil Nadu tivated in about 8 lakh acres plantation should happen According to Vasagan, vali & Igatpuri teams who con- sophisticated machines cost- At other end we are working Federation of All Farmers' are not being harvested for during the first week of April. about 15,000 acres of land fined themselves to the facto- ing between 5 to 10 lakhs. This on an automated version of Association, told IANS. want of labour in several dis- Plantation and horticulture will be under vegetable farm- ries & without sleep produced device is an interim lifesaver & the Bag Valve Mask ventilator He said the major impact tricts in the state. will be affected due to the ing in Theni district. He also this in 48 hrs. With humility, the team estimates it will cost (commonly known as Ambu will be on farmers of fruits The farmers to whom IANS lock down," S. Ranganathan, added that banana farmers we will seek guidance from below Rs 7,500," said another bag). We hope to have a Proto and vegetables and floricul- spoke were unanimous in President, Cauvery Delta will be affected in a big way. specialists on the usefulness of tweet by Mahindra. ready in 3 days for approval. turists, as these are highly their views that the govern- Farmers' Welfare Associa- "Banana has to be cut and the device. Whatever the out- On Sunday, Anand Ma- Once proven this design will perishable items which are ment has not considered tion, told IANS. sent to the market on time come, they have shown India hindra took to Twitter to an- be made available to all for not getting the required pric- the ground-level situation of The farmers told IANS that failing which it would rot, fights back...," he tweeted. nounce a series of measures, manufacturing," he said. es. "These are getting sold at such farms before announc- sales of vegetables and fruits which in turn is also a health.

Most Indian businesses pivoting in CII suggests 10-point action plan to boost exports Sensex up 1,500 points, New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) Government by way of ex- also sought extension of 5 Nifty above 8,700 response to pandemic: Survey The Conferederation of In- tending the time limit for fil- per cent interest subventions Bengaluru, March 26 impact on the gig econ- ing by leveraging col- dian Industry (CII) has sug- ing bill of entry and payment scheme to all exporters; extra (IANS) Overall 64 per cent omy and business conti- laboration technology gested a 10-point action plan of customs duty. duty drawback of 3 per cent of Indian businesses are nuity planning by organi- to ensure uninterrupted to provide the much needed Also given lockdown and be extended for six months, ready or getting ready to zations in response to the work and developing new boost to exports that has been financial hardship which expedite GST refund and ex- meet the new workplace pandemic. policies as the situation hit hard by COVID-19 pan- Companies are facing, it is tend moratorium on loan, demands in the wake of "Even as the world is evolves to make remote demic and closing of borders desirable that deferred pay- interest payments, utility new coronavirus pan- grappling with the pan- working effective and ef- and restriction on people's ment of duty is continued payments and declaration of demic and are leveraging demic, resilience is being ficient. movement. for the month of March 2020 NPAs by banks by at least six collaboration tech tools displayed by many em- The gig economy is In a representation to the and may be extended till June months are required to over- Mumbai, March 26 (IANS) Indian equity to ensure uninterrupted ployers who are exploring best prepared, with 83 government, CII has said that 2020, CII said in its action come the crisis. indices surged on Thursday morning with work, a new survey by new ways to ensure their per cent of businesses export consignments which plan for the exports sector. As fourth point under its 10 the BSE Sensex gaining over 1,500 points. leading job portal Indeed workforce is able to func- emphasizing their con- are ready for shipment should "The short-term impact point action plan, CII has said The rise in the market was in line with the said on Thursday. tion seamlessly and con- tingency plan includes be allowed to be transported on exports has started show- that 100 per cent or maximum gains in the Asian market. Healthy buying While 43 per cent of tinue the business," said frequent communication from the manufacturer's ing up with exporters facing number of bills of entries in finance and banking stocks also sup- small and medium busi- Sashi Kumar, Managing protocols and techno- factory or warehouse to the liquidity crunch as custom- should be processed based on ported the domestic indices.At 10.22 a.m., nesses (SMBs) said they Director, Indeed India. logical infrastructure to Customs facility as an exemp- ers payments are not com- self-declaration of importer Sensex was trading at 30,093.75, higher by are well prepared, 39 per "Our data shows that ensure seamless remote tion and such consignments ing through and shipments and through the Electronic 1,557.97, or 5.46 from the previous close of cent of large businesses remote working and work working. should clearly show on the of ready goods are not able Risk Management System and 28,535.78. said they are gearing up from home searches have The study commis- accompanying Invoice and e- to leave the factory or lying in case of any deficiencies, It had opened at 29,073.71 and has so for the future. been steadily increasing sioned by Indeed sur- way Bill that the goods are for at the port because of lock- importer undertaking should far touched an intra-day high or 30,099.91 The report revealed also, indicating jobseeker veyed 150 employers of an export shipment meant for down situation globally," said be accepted, and cargo be re- and a low of 28,566.34.The Nifty50 was insights into shifting HR expectation mirrors these SMBs, large organiza- a foreign buyer. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director leased. This would ease sup- trading at 8,721.55, higher by 403.70 points policies related to work- measures," he added in a tions and gig economy Second, it has suggested General, Confederation of In- ply chain process by ensuring or 4.85 per cent from the previous close. from-home/flexible work statement. businesses across 10 cit- that a one-time relaxation dian Industry (CII). speedy clearance of cargo, the On the Sensex, IndusInd Bank, Axis Bank arrangements and their Businesses are adapt- ies in India. should be provided by the The industry chamber has release said. and Bajaj Auto were the top gainers while Realty Woes: Over 15 lakh units face delay amid lockdown WB-IMF ask creditors to suspend debt of New Delhi, March 26 platforms," he said. force will evaluate the (IANS) As India goes into Niranjan Hiranandani, situation and take neces- poor countries amid Covid-19 pandemic a nation-wide lockdown National President, NA- sary action, at the right ance," the two agencies till April 14, completion REDCO said that Indian time," Hiranandani said. said in a joint statement. of over 15 lakh under- real estate was already In a letter to the Fi- "This will help with IDA construction housing facing a challenging nance Minister, industry countries' immediate li- units are likely to face time, the COVID-19 crisis body CREDAI had sought quidity needs to tackle the delay. just adds fuel to the fire. measures from the gov- challenges posed by the According to data by "It has impacted all ernment to prevent the coronavirus outbreak and Anarock Property Con- types of work related to sector from collapsing allow time for an assess- sultants, more than 15.62 real estate, be it planning on account of COVID-19 ment of the crisis impact lakh units, launched upcoming festivals, usu- between 2013 till 2019- or construction or sales impact. and financing needs for between 2013 and 2019 ally considered auspi- end. Even this figure is and marketing. Even It said that all inter- each country," the joint are under construction cious by several home- conservative - the num- home seekers are im- est and principal repay- statement added. in the top seven cities, buyers to buy homes, as ber of units will be higher pacted, and the festival ments falling due over There are 76 IDA coun- out of which projects in per the report. once Q1 2020 data comes of Gudi Padwa/ Ugadi/ the next three months in tries including Afghani- Mumbai Metropolitan Prashant Thakur, Di- in," Thakur said. Cheti Chand which tradi- case of real estate proj- stan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Region (MMR) and Na- rector & Head, Research, According to Dhruv tionally sees good activity ects should be put off Maldives, Nepal and Paki- tional Capital Region Anarock Property Con- Agarwala, Group CEO, as regards new booking and recovered over the Washington, March 26 Development Assistance stan. Sri Lanka, Vietnam (NCR). sultants says, "Another PropTiger.com although as also taking possession, next nine months and (IANS) Washington-based (IDA ) credit. This is also and Bolivia graduated A report by Anarock fallout of the lockdown the lockdown is nec- this year, might see lesser south waiver of penal in- World Bank Group togeth- the most vulnerable group from IDA at the end of the said that a lot is cur- is that many key markets essary to control the numbers." terest charged by banks er with the International during the current Co- 2017 financial year, but rently at stake for Indian will have almost zero coronavirus outbreak, it further said that the and financial institutions Monetary Fund (IMF) has vid-19 outbreak and needs will receive transitional residential real estate as construction activity at would have an adverse economic response task for a period of one year called on all its official support from the devel- support on an exceptional cities go into complete the project sites. This economic impact. force is evaluating the or until such time as it bilateral creditors to sus- oped world represented basis through the IDA18 lockdown mode to battle will further strain sev- "While necessary, the scenario from the Indian takes for the pandemic to pend debt repayments of by the G-20 countries. period (financial years the spread of COVID-19. eral developers' financial virtual lock-down in ma- economy perspective, abate. poor countries that receive "With immediate effect 2018-20), according to the Developers tend to health." jor cities across India, "so we expect real estate Since the spread of the loans from its concession- and consistent with na- World Bank. schedule project launch- "As many as 15.62 due to the recent corona to be on the list, given virus in India, developers ary window and help them tional laws of the creditor The joint statement fur- es during the auspicious lakh units across the top virus outbreak, will cer- that 250-plus ancillary have also taken precau- tackle challenges posed by countries, the World Bank ther invited G20 leaders to festivals of Gudi Padwa, 7 cities were in various tainly have an adverse industries depend upon tionary measures. the coronavirus outbreak. Group and the Interna- task the WB and the IMF to Akshaya Tritiya, Navratri stages of construction impact on economic real estate; not to forget it Ravish Kapoor, Direc- About the quarter of the tional Monetary Fund make these assessments, and Ugadi. The strict as on 2019 end, reveals activity across sectors being the second highest tor, Elan Group said, "We world population lived in call on all official bilateral including identifying the advisories for complete Anarock research. These including real estate. We employer in the Indian are taking all necessary countries that qualified for creditors to suspend debt countries with unsustain- lockdown will impact include all under-con- too have begun to see a economy. precautions to tackle the concessionary assistance payments from IDA coun- able debt situations, and housing sales during the struction units launched dip in traffic on all our "I am sure the task COVID-19 threat. under the International tries that request forbear- to prepare a proposal. Sports Indian Horizon 11 Friday, March 27, 2020 PL stars to be asked to defer wages Spanish GP postponed due to COVID-̉̑ IPL CAN WAIT, Madrid, March 26 Italy.According to update COUNTRY NEEDS due to coronavirus crisis (IANS) The Spanish Moto by the Washington-based London, March 26 GP has been postponed John Hopkins University, TO GET OVER (IANS) Top English due to the coronavirus Spain has recorded a total CRISIS FIRST: Premier League players pandemic. It was of 3,647 deaths, while the are expecting to be supposed to be held on death toll in China stood ROHIT asked to defer some of May 3. at 3,291. their wages during the “The ongoing Italy tops the list of coronavirus crisis. coronavirus outbreak has global deaths at 7,503. Some clubs in the obliged the event to be According to Fernando top division have been rescheduled,” organisers to hold the event,” a postponed, as per a BBC Simon, the head of the in talks with the PFA announced on Thursday. statement added. report.The number of country’s emergency Premier League over “As the situation The season is now coronavirus deaths in public health department, whether it would be remains in a state of slated to open with the Spain has surpassed the fatality ratio has alright to delay a part constant evolution, a new French Grand Prix at Le China, where the levelled out in recent of wages until the crisis date for the Spanish GP Mans’ Bugatti circuit on pandemic originated last days and figures seem ends. cannot be confirmed until May 17. Races in Thailand, December, to become the to indicate that Spain is In a statement, it becomes clearer when the United States and second worst-hit country approaching a peak in the Professional exactly it will be possible Argentina have also been in terms of fatalities after coronavirus cases. Footballers’ Mumbai, March 26 Association, as quoted (IANS) With the coronavirus by www.thesun.co.uk Turkish boxers test positive after Tokyo pandemic wrecking havoc said: “As with other and the country observing industries, the current qualifier, IOC draws flak a 21-day lockdown, senior COVID-19 crisis is Istanbul, March 26 (IANS) the outbreak seriously enough and sent to the board members of the India opener Rohit Sharma having a severe impact the Premier League four months -- but it The International Olympic "didn't care". European Boxing Confederation feels the Indian Premier on the finances of the and the EFL to discuss will then be paid back. Committee (IOC) has been labelled He added: "I just want to know, (EUBC), and accessed by the League (IPL) can wait for the game. how we might proceed Some players, "irresponsible" after the Turkish when the whole world was on high BBC, Gozgec wrote: "Two of our time being. “Several clubs have going forward.”English particularly those at Boxing Federation revealed two alert, why they hosted this event? athletes (and a coach) have tested In an Instagram chat with already approached Championship clubs known to be fighters and a coach who took part "We didn't see any hygienic positive for (Covid-19) after teammate Yuzvendra Chahal, players with a view to team Birmingham struggling financially in a Tokyo 2020 qualifying event standards there. There were no returning to Turkey from London. India’s limited overs vice- imposing pay deferrals. have asked those before the coronavirus in London earlier this month had preventative measures." All of them are in treatment captain Rohit was quizzed by “In order to deal with earning more than hit Europe, are likely to since tested positive for COVID-19. The Boxing Road to Tokyo now and thankfully are in good the leg-spinner about the fate this situation, we have £6,000-a-week to be concerned about a Turkish Boxing Federation competition at the Copper Box condition.“This is the disastrous of IPL this season. called for an urgent accept a 50 per cent deferral, according to president Eyup Gozgec told BBC was cancelled after three days result of the irresponsibility of the The cash-rich league has meeting with both pay cut for the next the report. Sport that organisers failed to take because of the pandemic.In a letter IOC Boxing Task Force.” been postponed till April 15 and by the looks of things, it can get pushed back further COVID-̉̑: Indian paddler Takeme stuck in Spain, says she is fine with India recording more than 700 cases till Thursday Kolkata, March 26 (IANS) booked for a March 24 flight recorded a total of 3,647 deaths, evening and 14 deaths. Indian table tennis player back home but with India while the death toll in China “We should first think about Takeme Sarkar, who went to under 21-day lockdown, she stood at 3,291. Italy tops the the country. The situation Spain to take part in the Spanish had to change her plans.“I am list of global deaths at 7,503.A needs to get better first then League, is stuck in Malaga due fine here. My club members total of 49,515 confirmed cases we can talk about the IPL. Let to the lockdown in India with are very supportive, they are means Spain has a nationwide life get back to normal first,” no international flights coming providing food and everything. fatality rate of around 7.2 per Rohit said after Chahal asked to the country.The Railways They had booked my return cent. New cases rose by 20 per him about the IPL. paddler, ranked 14th nationally tickets on 24th March but due cent.According to Fernando The ace Mumbai batsman by the Table Tennis Federation to flights getting cancelled, I Simon, the head of the country’s said he hasn’t seen his city of India (TTFI), went to Spain to could not come back,” Takeme emergency public health like this, all roads wearing a take part in the Spanish League said in a statement.“My parents department, the fatality ratio deserted look, adding that as which was supposed to start have been very supportive, has levelled out in recent days cricketers they don’t get to from February and continue my coach has always given me The number of coronavirus originated last December, to after Italy.According to update and figures seem to indicate spend so much time with the till May.Takeme, who hails suggestions for everything and deaths in Spain has surpassed become the second worst-hit by the Washington-based John that Spain is approaching a family due to hectic schedule from Jalpaiguri, said she was is also guiding me,” she added. China, where the pandemic country in terms of fatalities Hopkins University, Spain has peak in coronavirus cases. throughout the year.

Chennai, March 26 (IANS) FIDE stops Candidates Tournament 13th edition of TCS World 10K Global chess body FIDE on Thursday stopped the ongoing Candidates Tournament at in Russia midway Bengaluru rescheduled Russia's Yekaterinburg owing tournament would challenge Bengaluru, March 26 to the country's decision to World Champion Grand (IANS) Procam International interrupt air traffic with other Master Magus Carlsen for the on Thursday announced countries over the Coronavirus World Title.Two days back, the 13th edition of ‘World spread. on the concerns of COVID-19 Athletics Gold Label Race, In a statement, FIDE spread, FIDE announced its Tata Consultancy Services President Arkady Dvorovich decision to postpone the 44th World 10K Bengaluru, said: "Today, the government Chess Olympiad (including which was scheduled to take of the Russian Federation the competition for players place on May 17, will be announced that starting with disabilities) and the FIDE rescheduled to a later date. March 27, 2020, Russia Congress.These events, to be With the COVID-19 interrupts air traffic with other held in Moscow and Khanty- pandemic impacting millions countries without indicating Mansiysk during the summer of lives world over, and the any time frames." of 2020, are rescheduled to rapidly changing scenario, He said FIDE cannot the summer of 2021 at the it was imperative to take the utmost care and attention conjunction with the state, continue the tournament same locations. FIDE will action for the safety of all from all of us. We know many international and national without guarantees for the to stop the tournament. said.According to him, the continue to work hard in stakeholders’ world over. The of our runners are eagerly athletic bodies to identify a players' and officials' safe and It will be continued later, results of the seven rounds order to support various chess event has also suspended awaiting the 13th edition of suitable date for the event. timely return home. with the exact dates to be played remain valid, and the activities, at the same time registrations for all categories the event and have spent time We will keep you abreast of "In this situation and on announced as soon, as the tournament will be resumed in caring first and foremost about beginning Thursday. training for the same. But the developments.” the basis of clause 1.5. Rules global situation related to the same composition starting the health and well-being of Vivek Singh, Jt., circumstances arising due to For the benefit of runners of Candidates Tournament, the COVID-19 pandemic with the games of the eighth the entire chess community, Managing Director, Procam the COVID-19 pandemic are who have already registered the FIDE President decided will allow," Dvorkovich round.The winner of the FIDE said. International, said, “The such that we have had to take for the 2020 edition, their world as we know is going this difficult decision.” entry will be automatically through a very difficult He further said, “We transferred to the new race PERRY UNDERGOES HAMSTRING SURGERY, TO BE OUT FOR SIX MONTHS situation, that demands are closely working in date, without any payment.

Melbourne, March 26 (IANS) Australia's Ellyse Perry has Every athletes’ worst fear has come true: undergone a successful surgery on her torn hamstring that ended her T20 World Cup Vinesh on Oly postponement campaign earlier this month. New Delhi, March the Tokyo Olympics is important more than ever Perry had injured her right 26 (IANS) Ace wrestler organising committee to see the silver lining in this hamstring while attempting Vinesh Phogat said that said that the Games will dark cloud," she said."Now a run out during Australia's postponement of the be postponed to next year is the time for all of us to final group match against New Olympics is every athletes' due to the coronavirus be stronger than ever, keep Zealand in teh T20 World Cup "worst fear" and has left her outbreak. Vinesh had fighting these extraordinary and was subsequently ruled "deeply disappointed." sealed her qualification circumstances and believe out of the competition where In a statement released at the wrestling World with all our might that Australia defeated India in the on her social media Championships last year. we will overcome this final at the MCG on March 8. handles, Vinesh said, "This on that stage is tougher! I She however said that the challenge."We need to Australia coach Matthew was every athletes' worst don't really know what to measure was necessary summon all our reserves of Mott provided on update fear and it has come true. say right now but inside and encouraged people to determination, refocus and on Perry. "Ellyse did have Everybody knows that me there is a rollercoaster be stronger."This is a very work towards our goals! surgery on her hamstring, it's via teleconferencing."Her of her plan."The recovery is competing in the Olympics of emotions!"The crucial time for the world While there is more to this going well," Mott was quoted first phase of that is pure rest. looking good, all our medical is the toughest test for an International Olympic and the greater sporting chapter, a new story is as saying by cricket.com.au She's in Sydney at the moment staff are happy with how the athlete but I believe waiting Committee (IOC) in a fraternity. Though I am already being written, but while speaking to journalists recuperating and that's part surgery went," he added. for an opportunity to be joint statement with very deeply dissapointed, it WE WILL OVERCOME!" Entertainment IIndianndian HHorizonorizon Friday - March 27, 2020 12

DEEPIKA PADUKONE: Priyanka Chopra: Amitabh Bachchan pens emotional Working with Ranveer Singh in '83' post for daughter Shweta Wendell egastar Amitabh a refreshing change Bachchan's daugh- Rodricks was Mter Shweta recently ent setting, era, char- organised her clothing label acters, costumes and MxS' fi rst fashion show, and dialogues. It was refresh- a pioneer, a the former is feeling super ing to work with him in emotional.Big B on Sunday this capacity.""We were visionary took to Instagram and penned both surprised. We had a cute post for Shweta. to remind ourselves that "kab ye aise se aisi ban gayi we had worked with each pata hi nahin chala...love other before because you Mama," Amitabh wrote these characters were so alongside a collage of his different from what we pictures with Shweta.He also eyed. Also, Shweta marked father.Shweta handles MxS had already done before uploaded a few images from her appearance at the fashion in association with designer and we look forward to the fashion show in which show wearing a denim jacket Monisha Jaising. working with each other in Shweta can be seen teary- that had the portrait of her IANS contemporary fi lms a lot more," said the actress. The fi lm, based on Karan Singh Grover launches his art India's historical 1983 eal-life couple ing fi lm "83". Cricket World Cup victory, Deepika Padukone Asked about sharing also has Deepika donning website, YouTube channel Rand Ranveer Singh screen space with her the hat of a producer. ctor Karan Singh Gro- doing other things because I are back as an on-screen husband once again after "Chhapaak", based ver, who turned a need to put them out on the couple. The actress says movies like "Goliyon Ki on the life of acid attack Ayear older on Sunday, canvas."As long as the expres- considering the kind of Raasleela Ram-Leela" survivor Laxmi Agar- launched his art website and sion is not complete, I can't movies the pair has done and "Bajirao Mastani", wal, was her fi rst fi lm as a YouTube channel. focus on anything else. in the past, doing "83" was Deepika told IANS: producer. On the kind of For the uninitiated, And now, I'm ready to a refreshing change. "It was good. It was a stories she is looking for Karan is an artist too. So, showcase my work. The Deepika will be seen as refreshing change because as a producer, she shared: on his birthday, the "Dill website and the channel Romi Dev, wife of cricket of the kind of fi lms that "My choices will always be Mill Gayye" fame actor has are getting launched on my legend Kapil Dev, played we have done before. It made as an actor. come up with the art website birthday. by Ranveer in the upcom- was a completely differ- IANS starinfinityart.com and his Why you ask - It's just the YouTube channel 'Starinfin- birth of me as an artist. I ityart' to share his artwork have lots of pieces that are among his fans. complete. The exhibition 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama' actress Ishita "I often get told that I seem is going to happen soon," to age regularly while do- Karan said.Karan is cur- Raj in Luv Ranjan's next ing shows or fi lms and I get rently celebrating his 38th asked why there are times birthday along with his wife excited about the project that I'm missing. The reason worlds inside my head that Bipasha Basu in Maldives. and I am really looking is that I paint. There are many sometimes restrict me from IANS forward to it. I shall be soon collaborating with blessed," he added.Sidharth Luv Ranjan Sir once again. Sidharth Shukla 'blessed' to defeated model Asim Riaz to This time he will be emerge as the winner of the producing it along with T- season 13 on February 15. Series. We will be working meet his aged fan IANS together again in 2020 on the silver screen," Ishita igg Boss 13" winner Sid- told IANS.In the past, harth Shukla on Sunday Ranjan and Ishita have Bmade his fi rst public collaborated on "Pyaar Ka riyanka Chopra Jonas, who appearance post the show's Punchnama 2" and "Sonu walked the ramp at the 15th fi nale, and it seems he is on Ke Titu Ki Sweety".She PBlenders Pride Fashion Tour cloude nine. was last seen in the 2019 paid her tribute to late fashion de- Sidharth was invited to in- movie "Yaaram", along- signer Wendell Rodricks by saying that augrate a new ward at Brah- side Prateik Babbar and he was the pioneer and a visionary of ma Kumaris GHRC hospital Siddhanth Kapoor.Ishita Indian fashion and he forever will be where he met a lot of his fans. also had a dance number, missed. He even took to his Instagram yaar Ka Punchnama" fi lmmaker Luv Ranjan's "Dil bevda", in the multi- "It's only apt on a night like this, in handle to share a glimpse of actress Ishita Raj next movie titled "Wild starrer "Prassthanam". the presence of so many luminaries his meeting with the patients Phas bagged a role in Wild Punjab"."I am quite IANS from the Indian fashion industry that at the hospital. we remember Wendell Rodricks. In one of the videos, he can He was the pioneer, he was a be seen interacting with an Kajal Aggarwal's dramatic first look visionary of Indian fashion and he old lady and thanking her for will always and forever be missed," her support. said Priyanka.Rodricks was reportedly "First public appearance from 'Mosagallu' unveiled scheduled to showcase his work at the post 'Bigg Boss 13' win! Feel- fashion event. ing so blessed to receive the he fi rst look of er.The fi lm, directed The hour-long event kickstarted kind of love," Sidharth cap- actress Kajal by Jeffrey Gee Chin, with Priyanka, a brand representative tioned the image.Not only TAggarwal from also features Suniel for Blenders Pride, walking the ramp. this, he even posed for a pic- her upcoming fi lm Shetty in a lead role. The models then walked the ramp and ture with his aged fan."So "Mosagallu" starring The movie is based showcased the latest in Indian fashion Vishnu Manchu is on a true story about by honouring the event's theme 'The out. the world's biggest Pride Of India', which aimed to por- hana Dhillon loves advantage in the 1971 Kajal, who will be IT scam. tray blending of Indian cultures. wowing fans with Indo-Pak war. The film seen as the female Sunil will be seen Sharing her feeling being a part of Iher fashion state- also stars Sonakshi lead in her next playing a police of- the event, Priyanka said, "I would ments, and she was Sinha and Ammy Virk. Tollywood fi lm fi cer, while Kajal and like to welcome you at 15 years of a recently seen doing the Talking about the proj- "Mosagallu", took to actress Ruhani Singh legacy. I am extremely excited to be same with a photo-op ect, Ihana earlier said: Twitter and shared are in the female here tonight. It is 15th edition of the where she turns on the "It's a brilliant script, her fi rst look from lead roles. Blenders Pride Fashion Tour. I have heat in a yellow dress and essaying the role the fi lm. The movie will be been fortunate enough to be with and sporty shoes. of an Air Force officer In the poster, Kajal released worldwide them for 10 years. This is my one The "Hate Story 4" is totally new for me. looks dramatic in a this summer. decade anniversary as well." actress's simple yet It's challenging. My white sleeveless blaz- IANS IANS sexy look is quite a director Abhishek ji is contrast to her intrigu- extremely clear in his ing and complicated head about this char- role in "Hate Story 4", acter. The film shows Team 'Thappad' promotes campaign against which made her popu- the independence of lar upon the film's women back in 1971. on-screen gender-based violence release in 2018.Ihana I am extremely proud will next be seen in to be associated with this ollywood actress Ta- approach gender-based vio- based violence. I am happy the Ajay Devgn-starrer project."Off the screen, apsee Pannu starrer lence without disclaimers. 'Thappad' has taken the "Bhuj: The Pride Of Ihana was recently B"Thappad" has pro- "I'm happy that our pe- lead. We hope many more India". The Abhishek awarded the Youth Icon moted a campaign against tition on warnings and films to follow this practice," Dudhaiya directo- award by the Punjab on-screen gender-based disclaimers for on-screen Sohini Bhattacharya, Presi- rial recalls the story government. She was violence.In a short film, gender-based violence has dent & CEO, Breakthrough, of 300 brave women was presented the award Taapsee is seen demand- received an overwhelm- said.The women's rights or- from Madhapar village by Rana Gurmeet Singh ing disclaimers for scenes ingly positive response. We ganisation gathered more of Gujarat's Kutch Sodhi, minister of sports involving gender-based strongly believe that our than 1.25 lakh signatures district, who played a and youth affairs in the violence just like the way a efforts at bringing about as part of its on-going cam- pivotal role in helping Punjab government. disclaimer is displayed for lasting behavioural change paign for warnings and dis- India gain a strategic IANS on-screen smoking and ani- through means of popular claimers against on-screen mal cruelty. The promotion culture and community- gender-based violence in is a boost for Breakthrough, tion's efforts to bring about based actions will play a cru- Indian films. a women's rights organisa- a change in the way films cial role in ending gender- IANS IHANA DHILLON DAZZLES IN YELLOW

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