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- .   -       "   #  R       P                  O                       "   # * )6376/*+        * )6376/*+ !"  #$%&       n a major boost to fight the * )6376/*+ !"   $ % n a clear disapproval of the '(      Icorona pandemic, the  .#*       Iway the Centre handled the Defence Research and .#   Covid-19 situation, specially   #(   Development Organisation n view of the huge delay in       -           the oxygen shortage crisis in (DRDO) has developed an Idelivery of RT-PCR test the country’s hospitals, the  ( )(;     8 anti-Covid oral drug for emer- reports, the Union Health  $ %   &          ''  Supreme Court on Saturday * &  &   * &  gency use. The Drugs Ministry on Saturday did away formed a 12-members National    '     Controller General of with the necessity of a positive  #         #       Task Force (NTF) to streamline  (         & < (DCGI) has approved the med- Covid-19 test report for admis-         oxygen allocation to different icine which has to be taken sion to a health facility.  . States, review and suggest mea-  6      )(;    after dissolving it in water. Also, no patient will be    1 7*.7    # $#           *    17* %%'(( ) sures to ensure availability of Named 2-deoxy-D-glucose refused services on any essential drugs and medicines,            (2-DG), the drug was devel- account, including oxygen and .7  *  1 * +  $              and adopt remedial measures oped by the Institute of Nuclear essential drugs, even if s/he      to ensure preparedness for Medicine and Allied Sciences belongs to a different city, the  )      -  ./&01 future emergencies. (INMAS), a laboratory of the Ministry said in its revised  #(      The NTF which literally DRDO in collaboration with national policy for admission of       # took over the existing work of Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL), Covid patients to various ded-       Union Health Ministry and Biswas, former Vice Medical College, Vellore, Tamil  %&' , the Defence icated health facilities, both       O**    other Ministries like Home Chancellor, Nadu; Dr Naresh Trehan, ()()*( Ministry said here on Saturday. public and private.     P Ministry is comprosed of 10 University of Health Sciences, Chairperson and Managing “The drug is expected to The move aims to ensure  )       %+,-3*0O   reputed doctors of the country. ; Dr Devender Singh Director, Medanta Hospital save precious lives due to the the early treatment of the sus-          The Union Health Secretary Rana, chairperson, Board of and Heart Institute, Gurugram;   1161/20 mechanism of operation of the pected Covid patients, but it  :           will act as Secretary and the Management, Sir Ganga Ram Dr Rahul Pandit, Director, 45216918/7 drug in infected cells. This could put further pressure on    O  $ % Cabinet Secretary or an officer Hospital, ; Dr Devi Prasad Critical Care Medicine and also reduces the hospital stay of the already strained health           in the rank of Additional Shetty, chairperson and ICU, Fortis Hospital, Mulund  1819452136/7 Covid-19 patients,” the facilities leaving the patients at     Secretary or above will act as Executive Director, Narayana (, Kalyan); Dr Ministry said. the receiving end. L     M   1190122            convener of the NTF. Healthcare, Bengaluru; Dr Saumitra Rawat, Chairman & Clinical trial results have For infections are surging As per the order passed by Gagandeep Kang, Professor, Head, Department of Surgical shown that this molecule each passing day as India reels     #+     452138187          # Justices DY Chandrachud and Christian Medical College, Gastroenterology and Liver helps in faster recovery of hos- under the deadly second Covid MR Shah, the 10 members in Vellore, Tamil Nadu; Dr JV Transplant, Sir Ganga Ram  2619136 pitalised patients and wave, and there has been       the NTF are Dr Bhabatosh Peter, Director, Christian Hospital, Delhi; Dr Shiv Kumar reduces supplemental oxygen reports from across the coun-    # Sarin, Senior Professor and =/01/2122345/31/67 dependence. try about patients with dipping ;       Head of Department of A higher proportion of oxygen levels running around    )*      +   Hepatology, Director, ILBS, P  1318845861/327 patients treated with 2-DG from one hospital to another,       Delhi; Dr Zarir F showed RT-PCR negative con- their relatives pleading with New Delhi: Taking note of the the immediate release of pris- housing around 4 lakh inmates Udwadia, Consultant Chest   13314581967 version in Covid patients. The hospital authorities to “unprecedented surge” in oners who were granted bail or across the country is a Physician, Hinduja Hospital, drug will be of immense ben- admit them, while hospitals Covid-19 cases, the Supreme parole last year. matter concerning “health and Breach Candy Hospital and *81012/45313237 efit to the people suffering have been making SOS calls to Court on Saturday moved to The court observed that right to life of” prisoners and Parsee General Hospital, from Covid-19. the Government for oxygen decongest prisons and ordered the decongestion of prisons police. Mumbai.  2101245612387 Detailed report on P4 supply. #              &++     ,                *  *   Both had left Gauwhati by &-,../    )6376/*+ 7 am as they were called by the      Central leaders in Delhi by resented with tough choice 10.30 to work out the issue as * *)7+"* (%:;<=<;<(<%><%: Pof selecting a Chief Minister loyal MLAs of each camp "-;?%,,%=;%; * )6376/*+ for Assam, from two equally sought to rally around their aryana on Saturday report- %% -!428871 dominant and influential State respective leaders since May 2 Hed 155 coronavirus-relat- :":416271; rime Minister Narendra leaders — incumbent Chief when the BJP won 60 seats ed deaths taking the cumulative PModi on Saturday took part Minister while its alliance partners AGP toll to 5,454 while 14,667 fresh 4183/71>,%<499/71 in a virtual meeting with the and State Finance Minister got nine seats and UPPL six in infections pushed the tally to ,'4/9071;43871 heads of State or Government — BJP 126 Assam Assembly. 6,02,349, according to the *,<487,: of all the 27 European Union Central held discussion with Himanta, 52, a Brahmin, is health department's daily bul- (%,:-(4387 member states and discussed both leaders in Delhi. The known to be aspiring for the letin. The fresh deaths include with them expanding overall State BJP legislature party will Chief Minister’s post which was 19 from Jind, 16 each from cooperation in areas of trade, meet at Guwahati on Sunday. denied to him in the Congress Panipat and Hisar, 15 from   *  investment, connectivity, and The party is tacking a “dif- by Tarun Gogoi.  Bhiwani,11 from Karnal, 10 The Covid-19 death toll in Covid-19. The EU countries ficult task” despite a handsome each from Gurugram, Ambala, Punjab on Saturday reached pledged their support to India EU Leaders with PM @naren- win as either way “some level Kaithal and , the bul- 10,315 with 171 more fatalities, in its fight against the second dramodi,” tweeted Charles of dissidence” cannot be ruled       letin said. while 9100 fresh cases took the wave of the coronavirus pan- Michel, President of the out, sources in the party said. R The districts that reported tally to 4,33,689, according to demic. European Council. “Don’t ask questions. In    a big spike in new cases were a medical bulletin. The num- Thanking EU and its mem- He said the two sides are short, a meeting of the BJP leg-  Gurugram (3441), Faridabad ber of active cases rose to ber states for their “continued launching negotiations on three islature party is likely to be held    *  90/9( (1,713), Hisar (1,465),Sonepat 71,948. Of the latest fatalities, commitment to strengthening agreements — trade, invest- in Guwahati tomorrow...you (995), Karnal (590), Sirsa (684), 17 deaths were reported from relationship with India”, Modi ment and geographical indica- will get your answers then,” he Bengal BJP seems to be a divided house  ** *6))+ Panipat (488) and Muktsar, 13 each from said, “I also thank my friend tions. Himanta retorted when ques- Ton the question of choosing Leader of Mahendragarh (648). The Amritsar and Patiala, 11 each Prime Minister @antonio- Modi was scheduled to tioned on the CM selection as Opposition. While a section of the party wants major rift has emerged in the AIADMK over number of total active cases in from Jalandhar and Sangrur, 10 costapm for this initiative and visit Portugal for the leaders’’ he left BJP president JP Nadda’s veteran leader and former Railway Minister Athe choice of the Leader of the Opposition. the state is 1,16,109, the bulletin each from SAS Nagar and according to high priority to meeting but it was called off in residence here after meeting — often considered a “Chanakya” The newly elected members of the Legislative said. Pathankot, it said. The death India during Portuguese view of the coronavirus crisis him, Union Home Minister in State politics — to lead the party in the Assembly had to go back from the party head- The Covid positivity rate toll in the state stands at 10,315. Presidency of the EU Council.” and both sides decided to hold , and BJP general House others want to nominate Nandigram quarters without electing the LoP due to differ- on Saturday was 27.59 per Ludhiana registered the high- The PM tagged Portugal Prime the deliberations virtually. secretary (organisation) BL MLA a “bold and dynam- ences between Edappadi Palaniswamy and O cent, which is quite high. The est number of cases in the state Minister Antonio Costa, who A strategically important Santosh. ic organiser” on the post. Panneerselvam, the two senior-most leader of the cumulative positivity rate was at 1223, followed by 1168 in hosted the meeting. grouping, the EU as a whole Sonowal and Himanta first While the entire team of the BJP Legislators party. 7.74 percent. As many as SAS Nagar, 706 in Bathinda, The leaders also exchanged was India’’s largest trading part- met central leaders separately is new and inexperienced both Roy and While the supporters of Palaniswamy want- 4,80,786 patients have so far 672 in Jalandhar, 620 in Patiala. views on the Covid-19 pan- ner in 2018. India’’s bilateral before joining them together Adhikari are veterans in parliamentary poli- ed him to be the LoP, the camp followers of recovered. The recovery rate is The bulletin said that 6647 demic and healthcare cooper- trade with the EU in 2018-19 for a “long face-to-face discus- tics, a State BJP leader who unsuccessfully con- Panneerselvam argued that the latter was the ideal 79.82, it added. coronavirus patients were dis- ation. stood at USD 115.6 billion sion”. tested the elections from northern fringes of choice for the post. Sources said both leaders also charged after recovering from “We are opening a new with exports valued at USD Sarma was first to meet Kolkata said wondering whether Roy with his had a heated argument before the meeting was 900 16 infection, taking the number of chapter in #EUIndia strategic 57.17 billion and imports worth Nadda and other leaders before health problems would want to accept the called off. cured persons to 3,51, 426. partnership at the meeting of USD 58.42 billion. Sonowal followed the suit. responsibility. responsibility. !  # $          R      )6376/*+ *     dered in Hathras. formed badly in both the by- /89)03 She attended Kisan polls in October 2019 and in avneet Kalra, the high- Panchayats in Western UP in November 2020, the writing Nprofile restaurateur who is n July, last year the Congress wake of recent farmers’ laws was clear on the walls that the known for living a life of glitz Iindicated that its high-profile and a training camp in Rae electorate had rejected and glamour and is linked with general secretary Priyanka Bareli in January 2020. Priyanka’s tweeter politics from cricket stars and Bollywood Gandhi will shift her base to The rest of the time, she New Delhi. celebrities and bookies may Lucknow after she was asked to remained in Delhi and con- Ironically, since taking the have run out of luck this time vacate a Government house in trolled UP through twitter. charge from her brother Rahul around after the Delhi Police Delhi. Uttar Pradesh Her insouciant approach and a Gandhi, who first led the party recovered over 500 oxygen Congress even claimed that she vertical division between the to the new low of winning just concentrators from his famous will shift to Sheila Kaul’s house “new and old” has pushed this 7 seats in 2017 Assembly elec- Khan Chacha restaurant, Town in Lucknow and the same was oldest political outfit into vir- tions and later losing his own Hall restaurant and Khullar renovated. But, she never came. tual non-existence in UP in the Amethi Parliament seat in 2019 farms in Chhattarpur. In fact, senior Congress vote bank politics — this polls, Priyanka attended a Kalra’s social media leaders say Priyanka last came despite Congress being the three-day training camp of accounts are proof of his good to Lucknow in December 2019. front runner in staging protests newly-elected district and city connections with cricket stars, In between, she visited UP against the State Government. presidents held in Rae Bareli in top bureaucrats, politicians, Earlier, Javed and Saleem Khan Chacha, which has four times, once in February The poor performance of January 2020. and Bollywood celebrities. — sons of Khan Chacha’s for- now become a chain, was first last year to meet activists the Congress in recent pan- This kindled a ray of hope A Page 3 personality, Kalra mer owner Haji Banda Hasan started by Haji Banda injured in the anti-Citizenship chayat elections in Uttar that she is building the party. has been in the news several — had alleged that Kalra had Hasan, popularly known as Amendment Act protests in Pradesh is testimony to the But the hopes dashed as in one times for wrong reasons, forged documents and trans- Khan Chacha in the Azamgarh and then in October eroding popularity of Priyanka year no attempt was made to including his alleged links with ferred the ownership of the bylanes of Khan Market in to meet the family of the Dalit in particular and Congress in hold such a meeting. cricket bookies. restaurant in his name. 1972. woman gangraped and mur- general. After the party per-   &# (& '!#&) 0&) 123

         

    &    #*       #3     #0       -   #   +   ,-.,/$,%.00   1( .  #-  3 +  &       J0&  O7 +           0  (  %/# 2   0   #+    O          #+     9          -,.,.3 #0  # (  '( (      #3         N&  +    #       #      & O#+                      What made you work so actively to help was in dire need of oxygen in Delhi. Her 50-     #*        people by going out of the way? year-old mother reached out to me for help.    #(            The realisation that how serious COVID is. She stays in Mumbai. I arranged everything for          #A     #9    Like many, I too wasn’t taking COVID seriously free, but the person who went to pick up the   #*      -   +  J until my whole family in Delhi contracted the oxygen cylinder took money from both sides, #6       L    & $  virus. That was an eye opener. Things turned bad from the one who needed it and the one who           '  ()*P  $ ,   when my father, who is 80, wasn’t getting a bed. was giving. And then to take everything a notch I took to my social media and posted for help. higher he told the girl’s mother that he didn’t &     $       Immediately, my inbox was flooded with leads, get it. I called him and gave him a reality check.  +            people stood up to help. I would also want to It’s saddening to see such people who are     $  #6  $       thank Manoj Tiwari and his wife Surbhi for making money even at such a scenario. The  & C 7 +         helping me. Thankfully, with all the help, I was good thing is, on the other hand, we do have       #     able to arrange a bed for my father. He is people like Sonu Sood. He is like a God for +      O  recovering, but has suffered memory loss. All this many today.     #     +   coupled with an urge to give back to everyone  A lesson that you learnt during the            who needs it made me take this route. I now try pandemic. +            #(   C  and help people from all over the country with Help people as much as you can and don’t        & C 7 oxygen supply, beds and ventilators. expect anything in return, not even a thank         +C   Your efforts paid off and you were able to you. Keep doing good and karma will come  +          save many lives. How did that feel? back to you.  #0      # The feeling is amazing. It is not as if I am  People loved you in your last show. Can we       L#  &  //   doing it for appreciation, but when people expect you back on TV anytime soon? +    #P  //   $   actually call me to inform that they have got all I did get an offer for a Colors’ show the essentials and thank me, it feels good. Every sometime back, but they were shooting in ;   life is precious and every human being is priority. Gujarat and I can’t travel. I have three dogs, one    Being able to save someone’s life is a different of which is 17 and he can’t see or hear. It is   feeling. Both my husband Avinash (Dwivedi) and impossible to leave my babies back home and    I want to do our bit and do what best is possible. travel. But, having said that, I would love to be     I do all this for my happiness. back on TV with a dance reality show. If got      Do you also receive backlash from people? a chance, I will definitely grab the opportunity.     There are times when families abuse me  Your YouTube channel is about to hit 2    when I am unable to help them. It does million subscribers. What has been your #+  demotivate me, but I understand their situation success mantra?     and what they are going through. Recently, I I never ran behind numbers. For me, what  +           & C reached out to a family who was in need of matters is the love of people which I am getting        7   oxygen cylinders. I called them up to inform in abundance. As for my vlogs, I just take up             where they can get it from, but the man on the my camera and start shooting. Both Avinash C  #+C      #& phone told me: We don’t know who you are, but and I are humorous people and that is what     #+    how do you expect me to leave my father alone is evident in our vlogs too. The audience loves              and go. I told him that he needs oxygen and I it. I don’t prepare a master plan for content, it    $       am trying to help him, but he was so upset and is all natural. I have always wanted to make   #&             #     for all the right reasons, that he didn’t listen. It people happy and show my unedited self and       /         felt bad, of course. But then I heard his father that is what I am doing on my channel. This  #           #    gasping for air, I took his address and got the can be our success mantra.          +C  # cylinder delivered to his place.  What is keeping you busy during the         # &        You recently posted a video about a black lockdown? +   -               marketer of oxygen. How saddening is it to see This time, the situation is so bad that we        #   +C    #+ such cases? are just trying to stay positive. As compared (    C    +             It’s bad. More so, when a person who calls to last year, I am not making any dishes, just          #&    )"09 someone his sister does it for the sake of money. don’t feel like also because we are on a strict    #          # If you see the video, you will get to know about diet. So the recipes have to wait, but our vlogs L  . & 0/  L- # & .   the whole case. To cut it short, a 29-year-old girl and laugh will continue. #P ) 1  -  #P $ (

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* *)7+"* Isolation Centres should be tants should be done and for ed the Chief Minister. 500 households should be treat the COVID-19 patients adopted to contain the virus these officers of health depart- The Chief Minister direct- deployed for conducting the can be utilized so that every ith coronavirus cases spread. ment along with ASHA work- ed that about 8000 multidisci- health screening.”, said Khattar. patient gets the needed medical Wspreading fast in the rural The Chief Minister said ers, former and present public plinary teams led by trainee He further said that care, he added. parts of the State, that since in rural areas the representatives in each village doctors including health patients having mild and mod- Chief Minister Manohar Lal virus is spreading fast, special have to play key roles in department officials, ASHA erate symptoms are immedi-  #    Khattar on Saturday asked the screening camps focusing on encouraging people to get and Anganwadi workers ately prescribed preventive       officers to launch a special ‘Test, Track and Treat’ strategy themselves tested in the screen- should be constituted across medicines for Covid-19 infec- Haryana Chief Minister door to door screening drive in should be adopted in each vil- ing camps. Apart from this, the State so that door to door tion. Besides this, it should also on villages by constituting 8000 lage so that anyone having dedicated efforts should be health screening of households be ensured that those having Saturday announced the launch multidisciplinary teams. Covid-19 symptoms can be made to raise awareness about can be done in every village. severe symptoms are right away of a massive vaccination drive Presiding over a review caught early and further, the safety practices and the pre- Proper screening of every fam- hospitalized to get the required for all the media persons in meeting with top officials of possibility of infection spread cautionary measures to control ily should be done along with treatment. Haryana. Health and Panchayat can be prevented. Besides the spread of Covid-19 infec- the recording of their oxygen The Chief Minister further The Chief He said that Department in , this, the Health Department tion in rural areas. and temperature levels. directed that the possibility of during this massive vaccination Khattar directed that proactive has also been directed to “Further strengthening of “If during the screening converting Dharamshalas and drive the COVID 19 vaccines strategies like conducting door- impart necessary training to medical infrastructure along camps any person is found hav- government schools into iso- would be administered to every to-door health screening camps people in these villages so that with ramping up Covid-19 ing Covid-like symptoms of lation Centres should be media person. “Every journal- covering each house, consti- they can spread the required management preparations cou- fever, cold and cough, then the explored at the earliest. If the ist will be given priority during tuting special dedicated multi- awareness for the disease, he cer concerned should ensure all villages of the state,” direct- pled with aggressive surveil- person should be advised to patient rush in the Covid care the vaccination drive and disciplinary teams for screen- added. that special vigilance is kept on ed Khattar. lance, stringent containment, stay in home isolation imme- centres and hospital increases preparations for vaccination ing and converting “We have to protect rural every village and for this a mas- He said that a special focused clinical management diately so as to prevent the pos- then these Dharamshalas, gov- administration would be made Dharamshalas, Government areas from this deadly infection sive Covid-19 screening cam- awareness campaign cum should also be done in every sibility of infection spread. ernment schools having at media centres in all districts,” Schools, AYUSH Centres into at any cost, therefore every offi- paign should be conducted in counselling of rural inhabi- village on priority basis," direct- Approximately one team per required medical facilities to he said.  O 3   )-    C          !2     C =  * *)7+"* from the quota of UT   Chandigarh. The rate for refill- * *)7+"* case load of 8874 , 154 deaths, hold street protests against the o ensure smooth supply of ing of Oxygen Cylinders has @ * 265 patients admitted in isola- lockdown in the state and Toxygen to all the Health been fixed at par with the unjab chief minister Capt tion facility, 30 patients on urged shopkeepers to defy the Care Institutions in approved rate of GMCH-32. * *)7+"* PAmarinder Singh on High Dependency Unit and 16 restrictions. Chandigarh, the UT The officers have been sta- Saturday asserted that there on Ventilator Support. “This is The protests were taken out Administration has decided to tioned at the premises of the he Western Command of was no question of sabotaging not the time to play politics but in Moga, Patiala, Amritsar, deploy police escort to Oxygen Private Refilling Vendors to Tthe Army is setting up the farmers agitation against to put all our energies into pro- Ajnala, among other places in Tankers from INOX Plant, ensure that oxygen cylinders COVID hospitals in Haryana the Farm Laws, which his own tecting the life of every human the state. "We are appealing to Himachal Pradesh. The move are being issued in regulated and Punjab which will accom- government was vehemently being,” he said. shopkeepers to open their is also expected to reduce the manner and there is no diver- modate 100 mild to moderate opposed to, but reiterated that Appealing to the farmers to shops. We are with them,” said travel time and avoid any unto- sion from the UT Quota. symptomatic patients. The hos- no violation of the weekend extend all support and coop- Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta ward incident, officials said. Round the clock police securi- pitals, being set up in lockdown and other restric- eration to the State Ugrahan) general secretary In a statement, a UT offi- ty has been provided at one of that after taking several mea- shot up to 49,312 on Saturday Chandigarh, Patiala and tions in the state could be Government in its endeavour Sukhdev Singh Kokrikalan in cial said that following the the Oxygen generation plant in sures, now there is sufficient as it recorded 870 new cases on Faridabad, are likely to be allowed at any cost, given the to combat the Covid crisis, the Moga, adding, lockdown is increase in number of beds in the Industrial Area, availability of medical oxygen the day. inaugurated and thrown open current grim situation. Chief Minister said the lives not a solution to deal with the the Covid wards and ICU and Chandigarh. A senior PCS offi- for both Government and The city now has 8505 for the civil population on “There are lives at stake, and safety of the people of COVID-19 crisis. Khokrikalan influx of more patients, the cer has been deputed to see Private Hospitals. However, active cases. Nine more deaths May 10, a statement said. saving them is our priority, and Punjab were of paramount also accused the government of consumption of oxygen has supply of oxygen to private hos- the Central Government has took the toll to 558. While 503 Lt Gen R P Singh, Army it is the responsibility of every interest to his government. He doing nothing to improve the suddenly increased. To ensure pitals and daily Quota has been requested to increase the men tested positive, the num- Commander, Western Punjabi to save them,” said the reiterated that he would not health infrastructure. smooth supply of oxygen to all been fixed for each of the quota of Oxygen from 20 MT ber of women infected is 367. Command, said the command Chief Minister, urging BKU allow anyone to further endan- Farmers, including women, the Health Care Institutions in Private Hospitals in to 35 MT to take care of the The total number of samples is setting up military COVID (Ekta Ugrahan) and BKU (Ekta ger the lives of Punjabis amid took out marches in the mar- Chandigarh, the Chandigarh, statement stated. increasing bed capacity, newly tested in the last 24 hours was field hospitals and providing Dakaounda) leaders not to the escalating Covid crisis. kets and appealed to shop- Administration has stationed It also stated that the efforts set-up Mini COVID Care 3803 while the overall number technical and other assistance give a twist to his comments on The state government, said keepers and traders through officers at the INOX Plant at are being made to have some Centers and to take care of of tests conducted was 433,928. to paramedics to revive disused the issue. Amid the call of the Capt Amarinder, had stood loudspeakers to open their Barotiwala, Baddi in Himachal back-up arrangements from unforeseen eventualities. Parida Four women and five men oxygen plants in Punjab. The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha to with the farmers in their fight shops. However, the shop- Pradesh. Police Escort has been Punjab/Haryana to get oxygen said that strict action will be died due to Covid-19 over the officer assured all possible oppose the weekend lockdown, against the draconian black keepers kept their shops shut. provided to the Oxygen on loan basis, in case of any cri- taken in case of any wastage, last 24 hours in the city. While assistance within the institu- the Chief Minister had on farm laws by the Centre since Police personnel in adequate Tankers from INOX Plant to sis. The voluntary organiza- diversion or hoarding of the cases were reported from all tional capacity of the Western Friday asked the DGP to strict- the outset and continues to do numbers were deployed across Chandigarh to reduce the trav- tions who have come forward oxygen by any person in UT sectors, Manimajra reported 69 Command to help manage the ly enforce all the weekend so, as it strongly believes them the state in the wake of farm- el time and avoid any untoward to set-up Mini-Covid Centers Chandigarh. new cases, Sector 22 and Sector COVID crisis, the statement restrictions and not allow any to be a direct threat to the very ers' protest. incident. have been requested to have 27 had 30 cases. As many as said. violation at any cost. Nobody existence and livelihood of the Punjab Chief Minister Three Private Refilling their own arrangements of 60.19 861 people were discharged The Western Command can be allowed to play with the farmers. But at the moment, his Amarinder Singh on Friday Vendors have been authorised oxygen through concentrators.     from various facilities of the has its footprints in Punjab, lives of the people, he reiterat- government was completely had directed the police chief to for re-filling medical oxygen Adviser Manoj Parida said Chandigarh’s Covid tally city. Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, ed on Saturday. focused on saving the lives of strictly enforce the weekend Jammu and Kashmir, Leaders of two organisa- the people, while ensuring that lockdown in the state and deal Chandigarh and Delhi. The tions had misinterpreted his they do not suffer due to the stringently with any violations Command has contributed 108 statement to raise doubts about harsh measures, he said, point- in view of the farmer unions doctors, 14 nursing officers his intentions towards the ing out that to alleviate the suf- deciding to protest the lock- and 205 paramedics in various ongoing farmers’ stir against ferings of the people, he had down. The state government hospitals set up by the DRDO the black Farm Laws, said the even asked the DCs to allow has imposed extensive COIVD- in the region, the statement Chief Minister. “How can my opening of even non-essential 19 curbs in addition to mea- said. Presently, 33 paramedics government go against the shops and private offices on sures like a weekend lockdown are deployed at Government interests of the farmers when it rotation basis. and night curfew till May 15. Rajendra Hospital in Patiala, was the first in the country to Early this week, traders SVBP Hospital in Delhi and move the amendment laws in      *   and shopkeepers in Punjab another 100 paramedics are to the Vidhan Sabha to annul the  *    had held protests against the be deployed shortly at various draconian Farm Laws of the .  . state government's order of locations. Central Government?” asked Farmers took out protest closure of shops dealing in To tide over the shortage of the Chief Minister, asserting marches at several places in non-essential items. The chief oxygen in the region, a dedi- that as far as the central laws Punjab on Saturday against minister on Friday had autho- cated team of Army Electronics were concerned, his govern- the weekend lockdown rized the deputy commission- and Mechanical Engineers is ment’s stand against them imposed by the state govern- ers to take any decision on working round the clock to had been clear and consistent. ment amid rising cases of opening of non-essential shops resuscitate the oxygen plant Noting that the situation in COVID-19 infection and fatal- or private officers on rotation, under the Bhakra Beas the state was extremely grim, ities. Punjab's 32 farmer after taking the local MLAs and Management at Nangal in Capt Amarinder said that as on unions, protesting the Central other stakeholders into confi- Himachal Pradesh, it said. May 6, the state had 24-hour farm laws, had announced to dence.     *    *    -             * *)7+"* the Radha Soami Satsang Beas tions, Capt Amarinder said. for the treatment of Covid Referring to Radha Soami unjab Chief Minister Capt patients, along with attendants Satsang Beas' service in the    PAmarinder Singh on deputed for the purpose. state's battle against coronavirus Saturday sought the support of He also requested Dhillon to last year, which had helped in sta-   Radha Soami Satsang Beas sect extend help in the form of med- bilising the situation consider- in the state's fight against Covid. icines and other relief material ably, the chief minister said the * *)7+"* He also directed all the deputy for Covid-affected persons across pandemic this year was even commissioners to closely coor- the state. While the state gov- more virulent and life threaten- aryana Health and Home dinate with authorised repre- ernment was making concerted ing, thus requiring support from Hminister Anil Vij on sentatives in various branches of efforts to ensure best possible the sect to tackling the virus. He Saturday said a control room the sect in this regard. medical care for Covid patients, pointed out that experts had has been set up in the state to In a letter to sect chief the constantly spiralling cases warned that the next wave would keep a check on arbitrary Gurinder Singh Dhillon, the warranted unstinted support be even more dangerous, which charges being levied by ambu- chief minister urged him to from religious institutions, necessitated the collective efforts lance operators and to clamp make all branches available with NGOs and other such organisa- of all in the battle against covid. down on black marketing of medicines. So far, 45 people have been     !" #  $ arrested in this regard, he said in a statement issued here. >B18/  %& %!'( Vij said cases %>'%(% of arbitrary "%%,%;<%: * *)7+"* of medicines. He said that he instructed the FDA charges being ,<(;%-: to monitor the prices and stocks of the Covid relat- levied by he Punjab Food & Drug Administration has ed/management drugs across the State and act ambulance Testablished the ‘Remdesivir Injection promptly against the seller who violates the guide- operators Monitoring Centre’ at the Head Office to stop lines. He said that instructions regarding supply have become rampant these black marketing, a statement said on Saturday. and sale of Remdesivir have been issued to all days due to which the govern- Health Minister Balbir Sidhu urged the peo- authorities as the COVID-19 pandemic is again ment is keeping a strict vigil on ple not to panic to buy Remdesivir Injection at at its peak and the number of active cases are it. He said strict action will be high prices as the Health department has suffi- increasing. taken in cases of black mar- cient stock in its warehouses. Giving details of stock of medicines, Sidhu said keting of medicines and over- Expressing grave concern over the black mar- the Govt. of India allocated 50,000 injections for charging of ambulances, and keting and hoarding of COVID related drugs, the distribution in Punjab from April 21 to May 9 added that anyone can Health Minister said that he directed the Food & while the State Government has received 41,056 approach the control room Drug Administration (FDA), Punjab to take strin- injections. He said that 20,450 injections have been and file a complaint. gent action against the Wholesalers, Distributors distributed to the Govt. COVID care centers and The minister saluted doc- and Retailers if anyone found doing such activi- Govt. Medical Colleges and 20,606 injections dis- tors, nurses, para-medical staff, ties. The Minister said that Punjab Government tributed to the private Covid Care Centres. government employees and has made it mandatory to mention the name of He said that as per intimation letter of GoI, other frontline workers work- patient and IPD number on the vial so that the Punjab will receive 35,000 Remdesivir injections ing day and night to save the FDA’s teams can easily verify the empty vial to from May 9 to 16. He said that at present, the lives of coronavirus patients which patient it has been administered before health department has 4913 Remdesivir inj., and hoped that the state would destroying it by the Covid Care Centre. 60,000 Dexamethasone 4 MG inj., and 25 lacs be able to overcome the pan- Sidhu said 60 Drug Control Officers have Tablet Paracetamol etc. in stock after distribution demic with their untiring been deputed to keep vigilant eye on the supply to Govt. and Private Hospitals. efforts.  &# (& '!#&) 0&) 123 ' ) #           &:

* *+&/ commodities shops would He said that these decisions Mandi and Solan participated The Chief Minister said ing requirement of the State. He said that the Prime Minister districts where the positivity however, remain open only have been taken by the State in the meeting virtually. that the Prime Minister also said that he also urged the also suggested the State rate was higher and death rate ue to the sharp surge in the for three hours in a day and Government to break the chain assured him all possible assis- Prime Minister to provide Government to focus on those was also increasing sharply. Dnumber of Covid-19 cases timing of the same would be of virus and in the larger inter- *      tance from the Centre and all additional oxygen cylinders to and Covid related deaths in the fixed by the Deputy est of the life and safety of the     the logistic support to the State the State and also apprised State, Himachal Government Commissioners concerned. people of the State.     Government to effectively fight that the State Government has has decided to impose few It was also decided that all Speaker Vipin Parmar, Chief Minister Jai Ram the pandemic. already requested the Union *     more strict restrictions under the public transport would Urban Development Minister Thakur on Saturday said that Thakur said that he Government to provide 5000 corona curfew in the State remain suspended till further Suresh Bhardwaj, Information Prime Minister apprised the Prime Minister D-Type and 3000 B-Type cylin- P I I$ % B<   from May 10 from 6 am. The orders and private vehicles Technology Minister Ram Lal today took a detailed feedback about all the steps and initia- ders to the State. decision in this regard was would only be allowed in case Markanda, Health Minister Dr. from him telephonically tives taken by the State The CM said that he also * *+&/ The state had 18,725 sam- taken in a high level meeting of emergency services. Rajiv Saizal, Additional Chief regarding the Covid-19 situa- Government to check the apprised the Prime Minister ples tested for COVID-19 and presided over by the Chief Chief Minister urged the Secretary J.C. Sharma, Director tion in the State. spread of this pandemic, regarding the vaccination cam- imachal Pradesh on the state has a positivity rate Minister here people of the State to give General of Police Sanjay In a statement, Thakur besides providing best possible paign going on in the State HSaturday recorded its of 28.97 per cent. Himachal on Saturday. their wholehearted support in Kundu, Principal Secretary said that the Prime Minister treatment to the Covid-19 andalso urged him to sharpest single-day spike of Pradesh has 31,893 active It was decided in the meet- effective implementation of Subhashish Panda, Secretary inquired from him regarding patients. provide adequate vaccine to the 5,424 COVID-19 cases that COVID-19 cases. As many as ing that all the shops in the corona curfew to check the Health Amitabh Awasthi the number of Covid-19 cases He urged the Prime State so that the campaign of took the infection tally to 3,007 more coronavirus State, except those dealing with spread of Covid-19 pandemic, attended the meeting with the in the State, availability of oxy- Minister to enhance the vaccinating the people in the 1,28,330 while 37 more fatal- patients recovered from the daily needs and essential com- urging them to remain indoors Chief Minister whereas Chief gen, beds, oxygen cylinders, Oxygen quota for the State age group of 18 to 44 years ities pushed the death toll to infection, taking the total modities would remain closed. and go out only in unavoidable Secretary Anil Khachi, Deputy vaccine, essential medicines from the existing 15 MT to 30 could be started. 1,817, according to data number of recoveries to The daily needs and essential circumstances. Commissioners of Kangra, and logistics. MT so as to meet the increas- In the statement, Thakur updated till 7 pm. 94,586, officials said.   34               

* *)7+"* 8505 active cases. With more Covid patients Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, beds. According to officials, this getting critical, the UT and the Government Medical Medical experts said the acing a shortage of beds decision was taken after no Administration had recently College and Hospital (GMCH), GMCH and the GMSH had Famid a sharp rise in the ICU bed was vacant at sought the immediate inter- Sector 32, and setting up mini- increased their bed capacity to number of Covid patients, UT Government Multi-Specialty vention of the Union Ministry Covid care centres with the 564 by overstretching their Adviser Manoj Parida said that Hospital, Sector 16; Dedicated of Health and Family Welfare help of social organisations, yet resources. Since the PGI had Sector 45 Civil Hospital has Covid Hospital in Sector 48, for proper utilisation of the the help of the PGI was urgent- stopped OPD services and been made operational for and three of the seven private infrastructure of the PGI. ly required. The elective surgeries, the institute covid patients from Saturday hospitals offering Covid care. In a recent letter to the Administration had requested should have enhanced its evening. Chandigarh’s Covid Those available at other hos- ministry, the UT stated that it the Union Ministry to direct capacity to at least 1,000 Covid tally shot up to 49,312 on as it pitals are mostly reserved for was trying to tackle the crisis the PGI to enhance the num- beds with 30 per cent ventila- recorded 870 new cases on paediatric, surgical and other by enhancing the capacity of ber of Covid beds to at least tors and oxygen attached with Saturday. The city now has critical patients. Government Multi-Specialty 700, as they have nearly 2,000 the remaining beds, they said. 0   56&783  & *+, -  #   # # *** (,:-(( *              #249 7                         0H+7$ %   "  ) #          C *  #+ New Delhi: The national cap- a single-day spike of below recorded its higest single-day          ital reported 17,364 new Covid- 20,000 cases, pushing the over- death toll of 448 on May 4.           <(: $                 state, the ;:<(<       #*     Chief !%:%;>,;,                  Minister <(%,<>,'     &")6"           said that =<'''-%<                   during this B%%==,%+";       # drive, vac- cine shots would be adminis-    .  DD  ** tered to every journalist. *<' @   @            "Every journalist will be given *  9 (     6 $+$  :&  & # priority during the vaccination                      drive and preparations for 6 $+$ @@/       # vaccine administration would   7   6  * 9(   be made at the media centres @@/.   @6A1 %Q< 6    6 $ in all the districts," Khattar +$ # 7 BI              added.        (        On Friday, the Delhi gov-   *   (    ""(@   +@   ernment had said in an official # &&0# # statement that mediapersons +                  @@/ in the national capital will get     @   free vaccine jabs at their    # respective workplaces.  &# (& '!#&) 0&) 123 ' .     *    !2  'P  !'($ +6          $"%  * )6376/*+     he World Health TOrganisation (WHO) on * )6376/*+ %('/ Friday finally granted condi- tional approval for China’s n order to provide uninter-  012' Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine Irupted passage for tankers "' %$ for emergency use — the first and containers carrying Liquid  '   3% Chinese jab to receive the Medical Oxygen (LMO) across WHO’s green light. China was National Highways, the user fee # "' $ eagerly awaiting the global for such vehicles at Toll Plazas '"  health body’s nod for it to has been exempted. aggressively push the vaccine Keeping in view the cur- "% among different countries. +6 '' ' %  rent unprecedented demand The WHO on Friday said for Medical Oxygen across the it had validated the “safety, '$ 8 " %    country due to Covid-19 pan- assist the Government and pri- efficacy and quality” of the "  "'  ' 9  "'""%  demic, containers carrying vate efforts to fight the pan- Sinopharm jab developed by (  '   '$$%& Liquid Medical Oxygen will be demic in helping them in pro- the Beijing Institute of treated at par with other emer- active manner. Biological Products. China’s gency vehicles such as ambu- The outbreak of Covid-19 Sinopharm vaccine was autho- facturing practices. It said the United Arab Emirates, Serbia lances for a period of two has created huge demand of rised by 45 countries and vaccine’s efficacy for sympto- and Seychelles, among others. months or till further orders. Liquid Medical Oxygen across jurisdictions for use in adults, matic and hospitalised cases of An emergency use listing by Besides the Road Transport the country. with 65 million doses admin- Covid-19 was estimated to be the WHO paves the way for and Highways (MoRTH) During the ongoing crisis, istered. But many countries 79%. countries worldwide to quick- Ministry has also made it the timely delivery of Liquid hesitated using the vaccine as The WHO noted that few ly approve and import a vac- mandatory for oxygen con- Medical Oxygen to hospitals it has not secured recognition adults over the age of 60 were cine for distribution, espe- tainers, tankers and vehicles to and medical centers is of para- from the WTO. included in clinical trials, so cially those states without an be fitted with Vehicle Location mount importance to save lives The WHO said the addi- efficacy could not be estimat- international-standard regu- * )6376/*+ women soldiers at the ment of prisoners of war, cer- Tracking (VLT) devices. of patients critically affected by tion of the vaccine had “the ed for this age group. But it lator of their own. Dronacharya Parade Ground emonial duties and skill devel- GPS tracking will ensure Covid-19. Exemption of pay- potential to rapidly accelerate said there was no reason to A decision is expected in n a major step towards pro- on Saturday. The parade was opment to include driving proper monitoring and pro- ment of user fee at the Toll Covid-19 vaccine access for think that the vaccine would the coming Ividing employment oppor- conducted as a low-key event and maintenance of all vehi- tection of these tankers, besides Plazas will ensure faster move- countries seeking to protect act differently in older recip- days on another Chinese vac- tunities to women, the first while observing all Covid cles and signal communica- ensuring that there is no diver- ment of Medical Oxygen on the health workers and popula- ients. cine developed by Sinovac, batch of 83 women jawans or protocols. tions. sion or delay. National Highways, said the tions at risk”. The two-jab However, the WHO has while Russia’s Sputnik vac- soldiers were inducted into The Commandant of the While extolling the virtues Although the toll plazas order. vaccine is an inactivated vac- okayed Sinopharm usage from cine is under assessment. the Army on Saturday. These CMP Centre & School while of dedication to duty, right- have nearly zero waiting time In order to meet the time cine called SARS-CoV-2 18 years and above, clarifying WHO also listed the women will serve in the Corps reviewing the parade compli- eousness and selfless service to after implementation of of the life-saving oxygen, the Vaccine (Vero Cell). Its easy lingering doubts about its Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for of Military Police. The Corps mented the newly attested the nation, he expressed his FASTag, National Highways MoRTH has made it manda- storage requirements make it usage for people above 59 emergency use on 31 December plans to induct nearly 1,000 women soldiers for their confidence that the training Authority of India is already tory for Oxygen highly suitable for low- years. 2020; two AstraZeneca/Oxford women soldiers in the next impeccable drill and congrat- imparted to them and the providing priority passage to containers/tankers/vehicles to resource settings, the WHO With little data released COVID-19 vaccines on 15 two to three years. ulated them on their success- standards achieved would such vehicles for quick and be fitted with Vehicle Location press release said. internationally early on, the February 2021, produced by Giving details here, Army ful completion of the intense hold them in good stead and seamless transportation of Tracking (VLT) devices. “GPS The decision on Friday to effectiveness of the various AstraZeneca-SKBio (Republic of officials said the Corps of 61 weeks of training on help them prove to be a force medical oxygen, said a MoRTH tracking will ensure monitor- approve the vaccine for emer- Chinese vaccines has long Korea) and the Serum Institute Military Police Centre & aspects related to Basic multiplier at their new units, statement. ing and protection of these gency use was made by the been uncertain. Besides China, of India; and COVID-19 vaccine School (CMP C &S), Military training, Provost located across varied terrain Instructions have also been tankers, besides ensuring there WHO’s technical advisory it is being used in Algeria, Ad26.COV2.S developed by Bengaluru held the attestation training to include all forms of and operational conditions in issued by NHAI to all its offi- is no diversion or delay,” the group, which reviewed the Cameroon, Egypt, Hungary, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) on parade of the first batch of 83 policing duties and manage- the country. cials and other stakeholders to Ministry officials said. latest clinical data and manu- Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Peru, the 12 March 2021.

and polio vaccination drives in    5 #( 1 the past, the IMA said that the country had been able to suc- :    ceed on account of free vaccine        provision for all age groups #   3  across the country. On the oxygen shortage, -       IMA said that despite enough production of Oxygen in the  ''&&" ' * )6376/*+ country large numbers of pri- )6376/*+ vate hospitals are bearing the '  # & & he Indian Medical shortage brunt due to faulty n its first ever meeting with ' '" TAssociation (IMA), a body distribution management of )6376/*+ pating. IIndia in the EU+27 format, of professional doctors in the the life-saving gas. During the CPP meeting European Council on Saturday &  ( country on Saturday, went Questioning the govern- ith the rout in the recent on Friday, Congress president agreed to strengthen the '   down heavily on the Union ment data on the number of WAssembly elections in Sonia Gandhi termed her “India-EU Strategic Health Ministry, questioning its new cases and covid-19 mor- Assam, West Bengal, Kerala party’s performance in the Partnership” based on a shared  ( '  role in handling coronavirus talities, the IMA wondered and Puducherry, the Congress state assembly elections commitment to democracy, " ('  second wave across the States why the government was hid- Working Committee (CWC), “unfortunate, disappointing fundamental freedoms, rule of "  even as it batted for complete ing actual Covid-19 statistics. the highest decision making and unexpected”. law and multilateralism. lockdown. Citing an example of false RT- body of the grand old party, In the recently concluded India and the EU also ' Terming the response of PCR negative tests, the IMA will meet on Monday to discuss assembly elections, results of agreed to enhance bilateral the Ministry extremely lethar- said that health authorities are the issue. which were declared on May cooperation on digital and gic, the IMA alleged that advi- not adding Covid-19 cases In a letter to all CWC 2, the Congress could not reg- emerging technologies such as an intention to achieve early sories and suggestions made by that are getting traced through members, Congress General ister win in any state, and its “5G, AI, Quantum and High- conclusion of both agreements health professionals were not 19 cases in the country. failed to chart out a proper CT-scan reports. Secretary (Organisations) K.C. only consolation was in Tamil Performance Computing together. paid heed and the govern- The IMA also said that road map and arrange vaccine The statement signed by Venugopal said, “A meeting of Nadu where the party con- including through the early This is a major outcome ment is taking decisions with- individual lockdown by dif- stock which has led to the sus- National President, IMA Dr. J CWC will be held on May 10 tested along with DMK as its operationalization of the Joint which will enable the two sides out realising the ground real- ferent states and night curfews pension of vaccination drive at A Jayalal concluded that there at 11 a.m. via video confer- partner, and managed to win Task Force on AI and the to realise the full potential of the ities. were ineffective in breaking the several vaccine centres in the should be a complete revamp encing.” 18 seats. Digital Investment Forum”. economic partnership. Citing instances of many chain of Coronavirus. country. of the entire Covid-19 man- The notice of the CWC Addressing the party MPs At the invitation of India and the EU also experts requesting the gov- On the vaccination front, The health professionals’ agement by the central gov- meeting comes a day after the on Friday during a virtual President of the European announced dedicated dialogues ernment to impose nation- the IMA said that despite body also criticised the differ- ernment ranging from con- Congress Parliamentary Party meeting, she said, “Most Council Charles Michel, Prime on WTO issues, regulatory wide lockdown, the IMA said Prime Minister Narendra ential pricing system for vac- tainment measures, vaccine (CPP) meeting was chaired by unfortunately, our own per- Minister Narendra Modi par- cooperation, market access that refusal of the central gov- Modi’s announcement of phase cine purchase by states and pri- shortage, drugs shortage, and party chief Sonia Gandhi on formance in all the states was ticipated in the India-EU issues and supply chain ernment to impose lockdown 3 vaccination rollout from vate medical institutions. manpower shortage among Friday with all the Rajya Sabha very disappointing and if I Leaders’ Meeting that was vir- resilience, demonstrating the has led to 4 lakh daily Covid- May 1, the Health Ministry Citing the instance of smallpox others. and Lok Sabha MPs partici- may say, unexpectedly so. tually held in a hybrid format desire to deepen and further with the participation of lead- diversify economic engagement. ers of all the 27 EU Member India and the EU launched  'P  '     " ; <  :   =>  States as well as the President an ambitious and comprehen- of the European Council and sive ‘Connectivity Partnership’ $& %"  .)  the European Commission. which is focused on enhancing           A statement issued from digital, energy, transport and "'  29)# Prime Minister’s Office men- people-to-people connectivity.   tioned that it was the first The Partnership is based on time that the EU hosted a the shared principles of social, )6376/*+ tricts were bereft of any fresh )6376/*+ Tathagatha Roy openly criti- believes that by not presenting )6376/*+ meeting with India in the economic, fiscal, climate and cases in the last 28 days.” cized the ticket distribution a local credible face the party EU+27 format. The meeting environmental sustainability, he production of Liquid The number of critical espite increasing its tally and the role of central failed to attract the state’s intel- ormer Congress president was the initiative of the and respect for international law TMedical Oxygen (LMO) cases thus far includes 4,88,861 Dfrom three seats to 77 in appointees for affairs of the state ligentsia and the Bengali FRahul Gandhi on Saturday Portuguese Presidency of the and commitments. It will catal- has been maximised to meet patients who required ICU the 294 member Assembly, unit. Blaming state in-charge Bhadralok in the urban areas. slammed the Government over Council of the European yse private and public financing the present demand of Covid- beds, 1,70,841 patients who many West Bengal BJP leaders Kailash Vijayvargiya, co- The saffron camp in West the goods and services tax Union. for connectivity projects. It will 19 patients and the domestic required ventilator support and feel that the Central leadership’s incharge Arvind Menon, Shiv Bengal feels that sidelining of (GST) on vaccines, saying lives The leaders noted with sat- also foster new synergies for production currently exceeded 9,02,291 patients who were failure to gauge the mood on Prakash and state unit Chief the local leaders had worked can be lost but the Prime isfaction the growing conver- supporting connectivity initia- 9,400 Metric Tonne per day, the given oxygen support, the the ground and ignoring the Dilip Ghosh, Roy had tweeted, against the party. “Most of the Minister’s tax collection should gences on regional and global tives in third countries, includ- Government said on Saturday. Minister added. local leadership were the main “These people have heaped the local leaders, instead of work- not be lost. issues, including counterter- ing in the Indo-Pacific. Giridhar Aramane, As on date, Vardhan said, reasons for losing the high worst possible insults on ideo- ing on the ground engaged in In a tweet in Hindi, Rahul rorism, cybersecurity and mar- India and the EU leaders Secretary, Ministry of Road, 1.34 per cent of the active stakes battle to the Mamata logically driven BJP workers overseeing and arranging logis- Gandhi said, “Lives of people itime cooperation. The leaders reiterated their commitment Transport and Highways caseload is in ICU, 0.39 per cent Banerjee-led Trinamool and devout Swayamsevaks who tics of leaders sent by Delhi and can be lost, but the tax collec- acknowledged the importance to achieving the goals of the informed while presenting the of them are on ventilators and Congress (TMC). had been relentlessly working they behaved like a king giving tion of the Prime Minister of a free, open, inclusive and Paris Agreement and agreed to current scenario of LMO pro- 3.70 per cent of them are on Listing the reasons for the for the party since 1980s.” orders to the local cadre,” (Narendra Modi) should not be rules-based Indo-Pacific and strengthen joint efforts for duction, allocation and supply oxygen support. party’s failure to form the gov- Other West Bengal BJP another leader said. lost.” agreed to closely engage in the mitigation, adaptation and during the 25th meeting of the Vardhan informed the ernment in West Bengal, which leaders including a few who lost The West Bengal BJP He also used the hash tag of region, including in the context resilience to the impacts of cli- high-level Group of Ministers GOM that, “the cumulative was considered the last frontier in the Assembly polls said, “All workers pointed out that the GST. His remarks came after of India’s Indo-Pacific Ocean’s mate change, as well as pro- (GoM) on Covid-19 through number of Covid-19 vaccine by the saffron party along with the Central leaders assigned to leadership also failed to gauge several Congress-ruled states Initiative and the EU’s new viding means of implementa- video-conference. doses administered in the Kerala, West Bengal leaders manage the the mood of women voters. questioned the five per cent strategy on the Indo-Pacific. tion including finance in the Union Health Minister country has crossed 16.73 crore told IANS that there was little party’s poll affairs had “Welfare schemes of the Modi GST on the Covid vaccines. During the meeting, the context of COP26. India wel- Harsh Vardhan chaired the on Saturday which includes involvement of the state lead- failed to do their homework government did not work in With the five per cent GST leaders exchanged views on comed the EU’s decision to meeting that was also virtual- nearly 23 lakh doses given on ership in the and worked as dictators, ignor- our favour but women welfare on Covid vaccines the state gov- three key thematic areas-- for- join CDRI. ly attended by External Affairs Friday”. decision making, there was ing the feedback from the local work of Mamata in the rural ernments have to pay Rs 15-20 eign policy and security; Covid- Coinciding with the Minister S. Jaishankar, Civil “A total of 17,49,57,770 too much deployment of cen- cadre.” areas worked magic for the extra per dose to the central 19, climate and environment; Leaders’ Meeting, an India-EU Aviation Minister Hardeep S. doses have been delivered to tral leaders from other other A West Bengal BJP leader ruling party. government. The and trade, connectivity and Business Roundtable was Puri, Minister of State for the states, out of which parts of the country, especial- claimed that the party strate- From the very start the and Chhattisgarh governments technology. organised to highlight the Ports, Shipping and Waterways 16,65,49,583 doses have been ly from North India, and a fail- gists failed to present a credible central leadership insisted that have opposed the move of col- They discussed forging avenues for cooperation in and Fertilizers Mansukh consumed and 84,08,187 doses ure to present a credible and local face and made it Bengali like Bihar, women voters in lection of GST on Covid vac- closer cooperation on combat- climate, digital and healthcare. Mandaviya, Minister of State are still available with the effective Bengali leadership. (Mamata Banerjee) versus non West Bengal would vote for cines manufactured in India. ing the Covid-19 pandemic A finance contract of Euro for Home Nityanand Rai, and states,” said the Minister, A section in the West Bengali (Prime Minister the BJP but it did not happen,” Even Odisha Chief and economic recovery, tackling 150 million for the Minister of State for Health adding a total of 53,25,000 Bengal BJP unit feels that if the Narendra Modi and Amit he said. Minister Naveen Patnaik has climate change, and reforming Metro Rail Project was signed Ashwini Kumar Choubey. doses are on the pipeline and Central leadership had heard Shah). “TMC used it and con- Sexist comments like the written to Finance Minister multilateral institutions. by the Ministry of Vinod K. Paul, Member will be supplied to the states the local cadre the result could tinuously attacked us and called ‘Didi O Didi’ remark of the for waiv- India appreciated the Finance, Government of India, (Health), NITI Aayog was pre- soon. have been better. “Local lead- the Prime Minister and Home Prime Minister and Ghosh’s er of GST on Covid vaccines. prompt assistance provided by and European Investment sent virtually. He requested the states to ers are well connected with the Minister tourists. comment that Mamata should Rahul Gandhi on Friday the EU and its member states to Bank. At the outset, the Health set aside 70 per cent of the vac- people and aware of issues Most of the star campaign- wear shorts also worked wrote to the Prime Minister combat its second Covid wave. India-EU Leaders meeting Minister apprised other mem- cines received through GoI concerning them and by ignor- ers including Modi, Shah and against the BJP, claimed a saying his government’s lack of The leaders welcomed the has set a significant milestone bers of GOM about the steadi- channel for administration of ing them the Central leadership others had addressed voters in party leader. a clear and coherent Covid decision to resume negotia- by providing a new direction ly growing trajectory of daily the second dose. completely disconnected itself Hindi. This helped Banerjee’s Another leader suggested and vaccination strategy, as tions for balanced and compre- to the Strategic Partnership recoveries and also observed On the tests being con- from the ground,” claimed a narrative that the BJP is an out- that the party should now well as its hubris in declaring hensive free trade and invest- and giving a fresh impetus for that “180 districts have showed ducted in India, the Health BJP leader. sider party with no respect for start identifying candidates premature victory as the virus ment agreements. Negotiations implementing the ambitious no fresh cases in the last seven Minister noted that the coun- Former West Bengal BJP Bengali identity and culture.” he for the next general elections was exponentially spreading, on both the Trade and India-EU Roadmap 2025 days, 18 districts in 14 days, 54 try has reached a testing capac- Chief and former Governor of said. in 2024 instead of parachuting has placed India in a highly Investment Agreements will be adopted at the 15th India-EU districts in 21 days and 32 dis- ity of 25,00,000 tests per day. Tripura and Meghalaya, The local BJP unit also in outsiders. dangerous position. pursued on parallel tracks with Summit held in July 2020.  &# (& '!#&) 0&) 123  8    ;:         3          R  9 8      ,",6   6 (% (;"'!%:,D * D68/6& * A"*77 "=?%:!'<->;B> * 9A8/ alestinian worshippers n mid-April, A drone strike %>;<<=?;1!>;<>B Pclashed with Israeli police bomb exploded near a girl’s Iearly on Saturday targeted a <(%!>=?%<<<=?;<(<(% late on Friday at the Al-Aqsa Aschool in a majority Shiite military base in Iraq that hosts <-%<%:<(%!%=, mosque compound, a major district of west Kabul on US troops, causing only minor %;%,=%, -(::,: holy site sacred to Muslims and Saturday, killing at least 30 damage and no casualties, !'<";%;=>;;F Jews, in an escalation of weeks people, many them young Iraq’s military and the US-led of violence in Jerusalem that pupils between 11 and 15 years coalition said. damages. The base also hosts has reverberated across the old, Afghan government The pore-dawn attack US troops. region. spokesmen said. The Taliban damaged a hangar, tweeted The attacks have been fre- The Palestinian Red condemned the attack appar- coalition spokesman Col. quent since a US-directed Crescent emergency service ently aimed at civilians, and Wayne Marotto. He said the drone strike killed Iranian said 136 people were wounded denied any responsibility. attack was under investiga- General Qassem Soleimani in clashes with police there and The explosion is being tion. An Iraqi military state- near the Baghdad airport last elsewhere in Jerusalem, includ- investigated, said Interior ment also said no losses were year. ing 83 who were hospitalised. Ministry spokesman Tariq reported. No one has claimed Iraqi militia leader Abu It says most were wounded in ?  #                  Arian who added the death toll responsibility for the attack. Mahdi al-Muhandis was also the face and eyes by rubber-       &       ' could rise further. The US has blamed Iran- killed in the attack. The strike coated bullets and shrapnel Ambulances were rushing '           # #   backed militia groups for pre- drew the ire of mostly Shiite from stun grenades. Israel said before Israel lifted the restric- threatened evictions. to evacuate wounded from the   $#   ' vious attacks, most of them Iraqi lawmakers and prompted six police officers were tions. “It’s critical to avoid uni- scene of the blast near Syed Al- rocket attacks that have target- parliament to pass a non-bind- wounded. But in recent days, clashes lateral steps that would exac- Shahda school, in the Shiite there was no official confir- claimed by the Afghan Islamic ed the American presence in ing resolution to pressure the Earlier on Friday, Israeli have resumed due to Israel’s erbate tensions or take us fur- majority neighborhood of mation of multiple blasts. State affiliate. Baghdad and military bases Iraqi government to oust for- troops shot and killed two threatened eviction of dozens ther away from peace. And that Dasht-e-Barchi, Interior Rahimi also said he believed The radical Sunni Muslim across Iraq. eign troops from the country. Palestinians and wounded a of Palestinians in the Sheikh would include evictions, set- Ministry spokesman Tariq that the sheer power of the group has declared war on Drone strikes are less The Biden administration third after the men opened fire Jarrah neighbourhood in east tlement activity, and home Arian said. explosion meant the death toll Afghanistan’s minority Shiite common. In mid-April, an has resumed strategic talks on a base belonging to Israel’s Jerusalem, who have been demolitions,” US State Residents in the area said would almost certainly climb. Muslims. Washington blamed explosive-laden drone targeted with Baghdad, \initiated under paramilitary Border Police embroiled in a long legal bat- Department spokeswoman the explosion was deafening. While no one has claimed IS for a vicious attack last year the military section of the President Donald Trump, in force in the occupied West tle with Israeli settlers trying to Jalina Porter told reporters in One, Naser Rahimi, told The responsibility for the bombing, in a maternity hospital in the international airport in Irbil, in which the future of US troop Bank, the latest in a series of acquire property in the neigh- Washington. Associated Press he heard three previous brutal attacks in the same area that killed pregnant Iraq’s northern Kurdish-run presence in Iraq is a central deadly confrontations in recent bourhood. The Al-Aqsa mosque com- separate explosions, although same neighborhood have been women and newborn babies. region, causing no casualties or point of discussion. weeks that has coincided with The United States said it pound is the third holiest site the Muslim holy month of was “deeply concerned” about in Islam. The site is also the Ramzan. More unrest appears the heightened tensions and holiest site for Jews, who refer .0        (       @   likely next week. called on all sides to work to to it as the Temple Mount and Tensions have soared in de-escalate them. It also revere it as the spot where the   8   (     recent weeks in east Jerusalem, expressed concern about the biblical Temples stood.       which is claimed by both Israel  %         and the Palestinians. At the   '   beginning of the Muslim holy   <::     Male: A top official in the  (#      month of Ramzan, Israel Islamabad: In a first, a Hindu stage when final merit is deter- Maldives said on Saturday that blocked off a popular gathering woman in Pakistan has cleared mined. Islamic extremists were respon- Washington: A company that * 0(A(0.@*+/+@@+)61 spot where Palestinians tradi-       the country’s prestigious After the result, Ramchand sible for an explosion earlier operates a major US energy tionally socialise at the end of Central Superior Services tweeted: “Waheguru Ji Ka this week that critically wound- pipeline says it was forced to ozens of Muslim militants their daylong fast. The move set * D68/6& ering place and have reignited (CSS) examination and has Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh”, ed former President Mohamed temporarily halt all pipeline Doccupied a public market off two weeks of clashes in recent days over threatened been selected for the elite and added, “I’m pleased to share Nasheed, as police said they operations following a cyber- overnight in the southern night of heavy clashes eviction of dozens of Pakistan Administrative that by the grace of Allah arrested two of four suspects. security attack. In a statement, Philippines before fleeing after a Abetween Palestinians and Palestinians from their homes Services (PAS). Sana Almighty, I have cleared the CSS Hospital officials said Colonial Pipeline said the tense standoff with government 5    "   Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa in east Jerusalem, which is Ramachand is an MBBS doc- 2020 and been allocated to PAS. Saturday that Nasheed is con- attack took place Friday and forces, officials said on Saturday. mosque compound and else- claimed by both sides in the tor, hailing from rural area of All credit goes to my parents.” scious and no \longer needs also affected some of its infor- The Bangsamoro Islamic    where in Jerusalem left more decades-old conflict. Shikarpur district in Sindh The pass percentage in the breathing support. mation technology systems. Freedom Fighters did not take than 200 Palestinians wound- It was unclear what set off province, which has the largest latest CSS has been less than 2 Two of his bodyguards and The company describes any hostage or put up resistance    ed, medics said on Saturday, as the violence at Al-Aqsa, which Hindu population in Pakistan. per cent which shows the tough two apparent bystanders, itself as the largest refined when army troops and police the city braced for even more erupted when Israeli police in She is one of the 221 can- competition as well as the rig- including a British citizen, were products pipeline in the United took positions at dawn Saturday Q  8R violence after weeks of unrest. riot gear deployed in large didates declared successful in orous standards applied by the also wounded in Thursday’s States and transports roughly near the public market in the Nightly protests broke out numbers as thousands of the CSS examination out of the Federal Public Service blast. Prosecutor General 45 per cent of all fuel, includ- farming town of Datu Paglas, Porto: European Union lead- at the start of the holy month Muslim worshippers were 18,553 who had appeared in Commission responsible for Hussain Shameem told ing gasoline, diesel fuel and said military spokesman Lt. Col. ers cranked up their criticism of Ramadan over police holding evening prayers at the the written tests. The final these recruitments. The PAS is reporters that investigators still home heating oil, that is con- John Paul Baldomar. of the US call to waive Covid- restrictions at a popular gath- sprawling hilltop esplanade. selection has been made after the top tier often followed by do not know which extremist sumed on the East Coast. “They went into the market 19 vaccine patents Saturday, an elaborate medical, psycho- Pakistan Police Services and group was behind the attack, The Alpharetta, Georgia- and stole food but got stuck arguing the move would bring ;, logical and oral tests. The Foreign Services of Pakistan which left Nasheed, 53, in crit- based company said it hired an inside when they saw that our no short or midterm relief. (    groups are allotted at the last and others. PTI ical condition. AP outside cybersecurity firm to forces have taken positions to They instead urged  *; investigate the nature and scope ensure other buildings could not Washington to lift export of the attack and has also con- be threatened,” he told reporters. restrictions if it wants to have    6    tacted law enforcement and There were no immediate a global impact on the pan-  *   federal agencies. AP reports of injuries or deaths. demic.  8  *%;(       The rebel group broke off “We don’t think, in the       from the Moro Islamic short term, that it’s the magic      Liberation Front, the largest bullet,” said EU Council       Muslim rebel group in the President Charles Michel on *  7*9:0/0&A0       south, after it entered into the second day of an EU sum- @ O 9 @ peace talks and later signed a mit in Portugal. French ndia’s neighbours- Sri Lanka     #(  Muslim autonomy deal with President Emmanuel Macron Iand Bangladesh- have report-        the Government in 2014. insisted that giving any prior- ed the first cases of the Indian &   ity to discussing intellectual variant of coronavirus, also      property rights now, “is a false known as B.1.617, prompting     I debate.” authorities to exercise caution         Instead, they joined previ- to contain its spread.     #   ous EU calls for US President Bangladesh overnight      Joe Biden to start boosting US detected six people, who had       # vaccine exports to contain the recently visited India, infected global Covid-19 crisis, insisting with the Indian variant of the *  . it was the most urgent need. Covid-19, Directorate General .  “We encourage all the part- of Health Services (DGHS) >,:>, 89@ &  A ners to facilitate the export of spokesman Professor Dr D      (vaccine) doses,” said Michel. Nazmul Islam Munna said on     France added its weight. Saturday. $      “I’m very clearly urging the Out of the six people, two    US to put an end to the ban on were detected in the national @#+     exports of vaccines and on capital Dhaka. All of them are      components of vaccines that currently kept under quaran-    A   are preventing them being pro- tine. 0  /@  duced,” Macron said. Hundreds “Six people have been  $     of components can go into a found to be carrying the Indian  *  vaccine. He mentioned the variant so far and we expect $  6  Curevac company, saying it more people to be detected     # could not produce a vaccine in with identical types of virus in Europe because components the coming days,” Munna told * **  ** are blocked in the United PTI.  #   States. “This development means (>% @ O 0     While the US has kept a we in Bangladesh need extreme   tight lid on exports of caution, perfect compliance of    89 American-made vaccines so it health guidelines... If we main- O     can inoculate its own popula- tain the guidelines, no variant      tion first, and the UK has —deadly or not —can cause      acted similarly, the EU has major problems,” Munna said.       # become the world’s leading Following the detection of the       provider, allowing about as Indian variant, Bangladesh on / 7 many doses to go outside the Saturday extended the closure       27-nation bloc as are kept for of land borders with India for /  '$- its 446 million inhabitants. AP 14 more days. S#  0 0* ( 

* +076D)6+0 that looks like conjugal canoodling. Sometimes she ome have claimed she’s just sits, relishing the presence Sindulging a forbidden of others. She is quieter — romance. More likely, loneli- shier? more coy? — than her ness compels her to seek com- squawking chums. pany at Rio de Janeiro’s zoo. Blue-and-yellow macaws Either way, a blue-and- live to be about 35 years old yellow macaw that zookeepers and Juliet — no spring chick- named Juliet is believed to be en — should have found a life- the only wild bird of its kind long mate years ago, according left in the Brazilian city where to Neiva Guedes, president of the birds once flew far and the Hyacinth Macaw Institute, wide. an environmental group. But Almost every morning for zoo enclosure where macaws Juliet hasn’t coupled, built a the last two decades, Juliet has are kept and, through its fence, nest or had chicks, so at most appeared. She swoops onto the engages in grooming behavior she’s “still just dating.” <  &# (& '!#&) 0&) 123

?             /             

 )6376/*+ ship of the jewellers. The order ? CD, )'  <?? stated that further contention he Nagpur Bench of is that in proportion to such *  )6376/*+    ! TBombay High Court multitude of jewellers in India passed an interim order on - the percentage of hallmarking mplementation of the pro- May 7 which stops Bureau of centres available in India, is just Iposed free-trade agreement 3+(*08(;8)+*+)"A0)7(08(0& Indian Standards (BIS) from about 34% of the 733 districts between India and the taking any coercive action on in the country and that there European Union (EU) will jewellers across India or impose are at least 488 districts in the benefit both the sides and the *  )6376/*+ penalty on those who may not country, which do not have any domestic businesses will wel- comply with BIA (BIS Act, hallmarking centres. It is fur- come the resumption of formal he Central Board of 2016) regulations, Section 29(2) ther submitted that there are negotiations on the long-stalled TIndirect Taxes and Customs on mandatory hallmarking due about 6,000 crore pieces of jew- pact, industry body CII said on (CBIC) on Saturday allowed to the lack of adequate infra- ellery, which still need to be Saturday. businesses to import and structure in terms of assaying hallmarked.” The proposed Broad-based export goods without furnish- and hallmarking centres. Nitin Khandelwal, Past Trade and Investment ing bonds to the customs The Court ruled: “The Chairman, GJC, said, “Courts Agreement (BTIA) between authorities until June-end, a contention is that the new reg- have been reasonable and strict the two sides has been stalled move aimed at ensuring no ulation making it compulsory with BIS as further contention since May 2013 as both sides delay or disruption in EXIM to hallmark gold jewellery is that if there is any breach of there are also other problems Dinesh Jain, Director, GJC are yet to iron out differences trade due to COVID-19. before it is stored or sold, the said mandate of law as pro- arising out of the present who represented GJC in the over several issues. The BTIA In a circular, the CBIC which has to come into force vided under Sections 14 and 15 COVID restrictions, which writ petition filed, commented, is a kind of comprehensive free said importers and exporters w.e.f. 1st June 2021, is likely to of the Bureau of Indian prevent a person to travel from “The writ has been admitted on trade agreement being negoti- will have to furnish an under- result in great hardships to Standards Act, 2016 (BIS Act), one district to another district merit and notice has been ated by the two sides. taking to the Customs author- lakhs of jewellers in India and there is a penalty in offence as and that there are several dis- issued to BIS and all respon- Speaking at the EU–India ities in lieu of the bonds till tion of legitimate trade, the Last year too in the wake their number is stated to be 5 provided under Section 29 of tricts, which do not have any dents. Business Roundtable, CII June 30. CBIC said it has approved of COVID pandemic, the CBIC lakhs.” the BIS Act, 2016 punishable hallmarking centres yet. BIS is wise enough to Director-General Chandrajit The indirect tax body said relaxation of the requirement to had allowed businesses to The writ petition was filed with maximum imprisonment And the court has in the know what to do in such a sit- Banerjee said that BTIA will it has received representation submit bonds. import and export goods with- by All India Gem & Jewellery of one year. meanwhile, directed that no uation and we are sure that BIS really benefit the EU with bet- from traders to accept under- “...The Board has decid- out furnishing bonds to the Domestic Council (GJC), It is also submitted that coercive action shall be taken shall not proceed with manda- ter access to the huge and taking in lieu of bonds in cer- ed to restore the facility of customs authorities. AMRG & which is the industry’s apex within the time available, it against the jewellers under tory hallmarking without doing rapidly growing Indian market tain cases of Customs clear- acceptance of an undertaking Associates Senior Partner Rajat domestic Council that ensures could not be possible for all the Section 29(2) of the BIS Act, their homework properly. GJC and India with technology and ance, in view of the difficulties in lieu of bond by Customs for- Mohan said due to the resur- promotion, protection and jewellers and for every piece of 2016, till next date of hearing is fully supporting Hallmarking innovation access. being faced in the ongoing mation ... Till June 30, 2021. gence of the pandemic, cus- progress of jewellers. GJC was jewellery presently available to on 14th June 2021. and pray in the writ petition “Several rounds (of talks) lockdown/constraints imposed Importers/exporters availing toms has yet again eased out represented in court by coun- be hallmarked before these This is a big relief to the that a ‘High Level Committee’ held until 2013, but the nego- in different regions of India. this facility shall ensure that the certain customs procedures. sel, Rohan Shah. provisions of law come into jewellers who shall now be fully be constituted by Honourable tiations could not be complet- To expedite Customs undertaking furnished ... Is “These measures would facili- Ashish Pethe, Chairman, force.” protected from any actions court to streamline and resolve ed as differences remain over clearance of goods and for duly replaced with a proper tate international trade and All India Gem & Jewellery Saiyam Mehra, Vice from BIS even though they all issues for the benefit of some key issues. But Indian maintaining balance between bond by July 15, 2021,” the ensure continuance of business Domestic Council (GJC) stat- Chairman, GJC, commented, may wish to still go ahead with Consumers, Jewellers and core industry will welcome a Customs control and facilita- CBIC said in a circular. operations,” Mohan added. ed, “Courts have seen the hard- “It is further submitted that mandatory hallmarking.” objective of BIS.” resumption of formal negotia- tions for the BTIA and is ready to support the negotiations in =/ =   any way possible,” he said. -  - R  ;&  @8  '  He also said that both the   <54   regions need to focus on investment facilitation and pro-   789   '     #  tection. Speaking at the function,    Markus J. Beyrer, Director         (  General of Business Europe – Confederation of European *  )6376/*+ finance ministry has asked Jaipur: Chief Minister Mr Business, said he  &8&A+ 4.6 per cent to Rs 1,757.0 crore PSBs to be extra vigilant and  )6376/*+ to the conditions and the direc- Ashok Gehlot has approved completely agreed with CII as against Rs 1,680.0 crore in he finance ministry has immediately report back any tions or exemptions issued by the proposal of allotting 15 Director General on resuming andhan Bank on Saturday the corresponding quarter of Tasked public sector banks attempt Cairn makes to legal- he Centre is providing con- the ministry. acres of land in village the FTA talks. Breported an 80 per cent the previous year. (PSBs) to be on high vigil ly attach the deposits, two Tditional exemption for This exemption shall be Sambhara of Pachpadra tehsil Confederation of decline in its net profit for the Its gross non-performing against any attempt being made sources aware of the matter experimental drone flights for valid for a period of one year for the construction of a hos- Portuguese Business President quarter ended March at Rs asset (GNPA) as on March 31, to seize their overseas deposits said. vaccine delivery as part of its from the date of approval of the pital to HPCL Rajasthan António Saraiva informed that 103.03 crore. 2021 was at 6.8 per cent against to recover USD 1.2 billion that This will allow the Indian endeavour to enhance the SOP or until further orders, Refinery Limited, a joint ven- CII has inked an MoU with During the same period of 7.1 per cent as on December the UK’s Cairn Energy plc has government to quickly take scope of drone usage in the whichever is earlier, said the ture of the central and State them to increase business the FY20, the bank had report- 31, 2020. been awarded against India legal recourse to prevent the country and assist the fight statement from the Civil Government. cooperation between the two ed a net profit of Rs 517.28 Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, levying retrospective taxes, assets from being taken over, against Covid-19 pandemic, Aviation Ministry. With the approval of Shri countries. India’s exports to EU crore. Managing Director and CEO of sources said. they said adding that this has said an official statement. Last month, the Gehlot, the personnel working member countries stood at The sharp decline in prof- Bandhan Bank said: “A very Cairn had previously stat- been done out of abundant cau- The Ministry of Civil Government of Telangana was in the refinery area and the about USD 54 billion in 2019- it came on the back of higher challenging year ended on a ed that it can seize Indian tion and funds with banks are Aviation and Directorate granted conditional exemp- regional people will be able to 20, while imports aggregated at provisioning. During the last positive note with growth and assets abroad if it is not paid not of Govt of India but of pub- General of Civil Aviation have tion for conducting experi- get better medical facilities. USD 52 billion. quarter of FY21, Bandhan collection coming back to nor- USD 1.2 billion plus interest lic.A nodal officer has been granted conditional exemption mental delivery of Covid-19 Bank’s provisions rose to Rs malcy. With accelerated provi- and cost that an international appointed to deal with this sub- to the Government of vaccines within Visual Line of 1,594.30 crore, compared to Rs sioning and write off, we are arbitration panel had awarded ject in the finance ministry for Telangana for conducting Sight (VLOS) Range using 827.36 crore in the corre- now well placed as we enter FY against levy of retrospective escalating the matter to the experimental Beyond Visual drones. sponding quarter of the previ- 22. We remain cautious but taxes. competent authorities for the Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone To accelerate the drone ous fiscal. confident as we deal with the Cash of Indian banks lying further action, the sources flights for delivery of vac- deployment process to formu- The bank’s net interest Covid-19 second wave. in nations such as the US and added. The sources also said cines. Exemption has been late application-based models, income (NII) rose 4.6 per cent “We remain committed to the UK are said to be easy tar- banks are keeping enough granted from Unmanned the grant has been extended to at 1,757 crore as against a,1,680 our strategy that we have pre- get for seizing and enforcing funds in their nastro account so Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, Beyond Visual Line of Sight crore in Q4FY20. sented last quarter of granular, the arbitration award. that they can carry on activity 2021. (BVLOS). The Net Interest Income diversified and quality growth,” To guard against such of trade finance and other This exemption shall be The trials may commence (NII) for the quarter grew by Ghosh said. cash being taken over, the overseas businesses. subject to complete adherence by end of May 2021. $   .       P 5@AB83                   Dehradun:The Uttarakhand Govt on Saturday said an amount of 198.64 crore  )6376/*+ to make polluters pay for environmen- has been given to public and cooperative sector sugar mills for making imme-   tal pollution in India’s choking cities. diate payment to sugarcane growers.The amount was made available after Chief ith the government imposing a While welcoming the move as a step Minister was apprised with the situation, the state’s Minister Seoul:South Korea has said it Wgreen tax on old polluting vehicles, in the right direction, Indian Auto for SugarcaneDevelopment and Sugar Industries Swami Yatishwaranand said. plans to expand investment Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC) is LPG Coalition has suggested that penal- and tax incentives for the semi- advocating the need for this deterrent ising polluters should be accompanied conductor segment in line with to be accompanied by incentives to peo- by reward for users of clean fuels. efforts to foster the non-mem- ple shifting to cleaner alternative fuels “India’s choking cities need to shift ory chip industry and cope with such as auto LPG. a large number of their private vehicles the global supply shortages of The Union Ministry for Road to clean alternative fuels immediately automotive chips. “To cope Transport and Highways recently and pushing consumers to switch their with the supply shortages in the approved a proposal to levy a ‘green tax’ existing vehicles to clean alternatives is automotive chips, we plan to on old vehicles in a bid to curtail pol- the quickest way to achieve this. This is focus on expanding support for lution and push consumers to switch to why a penalty for polluters must also be the 8-inch wafer foundry indus- environmental-friendly alternatives. accompanied by reward or incentives for try,” new Industry Minister Notably, hybrid vehicles and vehi- citizens switching to clean fuels to Moon Sung-wook said during cles running on clean alternative fuels make it more impactful,” said Suyash his visit to Silicon Mitus, a local such as LPG, CNG and ethanol will be Gupta, Director General, Indian Auto fabless company. exempt from this tax. The initiative aims LPG Coalition. &=  &# (& '!#&) 0&) 123

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 ( 0# 0     (     )6376/*+ India’s first-choice left-arm pacer T Natarajan, who played *  )6376/*+ eft-arm pace bowler Arzan the fourth Test against ;%'  '    ' LNagwaswalla was “speech- Australia in Brisbane, is ndian cricketers will complete an less” before his eyes were injured, Nagwaswalla could be eight-day hard quarantine period in filled with tears on Friday in line to follow the path of the IMumbai before leaving on June 2 for  '$   ' when he received news of his Tamil Nadu pacer. a marathon tour of United Kingdom, selection as a standby to Natarajan went as an where they will play six Test matches London: English Premier League side “To all our fans and families Indian squad for the England uncapped player to Australia including the marquee World Test Manchester City’s revered manager around the world, but especially in tour. but made debut in all three Championship final against New Pep Guardiola on Saturday sent an India, we know these are really tough “I called up mom and formats and also impressed. Zealand. emotional message for Indians, saying times and we are fighting for you on dad the first thing after I India play the World Test The BCCI is still carrying out nego- his team was playing for them on the the pitch and thinking for all of you. came to senses. I was so excit- Championship final in June tiations regarding the duration of 10 pitch and urged them to stay strong in “On behalf of Team Manchester ed,” Nagwaswalla said from and then five Test matches days of soft quarantine (training their fight against Covid-19. City and the whole organisation, we Nargol on Saturday. against England in August- allowed) for players after reaching the Guardiola, one of the most wish and pray that you follow all the The 23-year-old player was September. An injury to a UK where they will be based for three respected managers in modern foot- guidelines to stay safe and look after returning from Delhi where he bowler could provide and half months. ball, urged India to stay safe by adher- yourself,” the 50-year-old Guardiola was a net bowler with the Nagwaswalla with an oppor- “Indian team will have eight days ing to health protocols to defeat the said in a video. “We can defeat the Mumbai Indians, after the tunity. of hard quarantine (confined to hotel dreaded virus. virus by working together. And hope Indian Premier League was Nagwaswalla calls the rooms) in India with mandatory neg- “Pep has sent a message for fans, we can continue to bring smiles to postponed due to the raging stint at MI nets fruitful. ative RT-PCR reports on second, fourth friends and families in India at this dif- your faces by playing the best football Covid-19 pandemic. “It was a great experi- and seventh day required to board the ficult time ... Stay safe,” the club wrote possible. Keep the faith and stay safe “I did not expect the call. ence. I got an opportunity to flight,” a senior BCCI official said on in an Instagram post. please,” he added. PTI Everyone has confidence that bowl to some good batsmen. Saturday. I would get through one day I spoke to Zaheer sir. If I “Since we have a bubble to bubble PRASIDH & VACCINATION Oxford vaccine. or the other. I also had that would have remained at home, transfer, it needs to be seen if the dura- The BCCI is also confident that all confidence. (But) this was nothing would have happened tion of the 10-day quarantine can be the players will get their first dose of GANGULY, SHAH TO BE IN UK very unexpected and surpris- because of the lockdown. So, reduced a bit. However players during vaccine before embarking on their jour- BCCI president Sourav Ganguly ing,” said Nagwaswalla. it was great that I could prac- soft quarantine can go for training. In ney to the UK. However it will be dif- and secretary Jay Shah are expected to Nagwaswalla thinks of tice and kept doing training,” any case, Hotel Hilton where the teams ficult for Prasidh Krishna, who has test- be present in Southampton for the himself being a left-armer he added. will be put up in Southampton, is a part ed positive, to get vaccinated before WTC final. was an advantage that helped It was a dream come true of the Ageas Bowl property,” the source leaving for UK. “Both president and secretary are him make cut. “Maybe to be with former India pacer added. “You have a gap between the time supposed to be present during the because I am a left-arm fast Zaheer, MI director of crick- In case it’s a 10-day quarantine, the you test negative for Covid-19 and get World Test Championship final as of bowler (I was picked). I am et operations, since he had fol- Indians will be allowed to move around your vaccination. So even if Prasidh now,” the source added. young. That is the only thing. lowed him while growing up the city from June 13 while the WTC tests negative by May 18th or 20th, he One could expect them having Also, my last season went and was inspired by him. final against New Zealand will start on would need a four week gap before he some discussions with ECB brass with well,” he said. “He didn’t do much on June 18. gets his first dose,” the source said. regards to the option of hosting the The pace bowler, the bowling aspect. He It is also learnt that looking at the However it is still not clear whether WTC final when there is a substantial If all Indian players get Covishield remaining 31 games of IPL in the who represents Gujarat said it is fine, just that if length of the tour, players’ families will the WAGS and children will join from gap of more than a month before the vaccine in India, it will be easier to get United Kingdom apart from various in Ranji Trophy, has you train well, you will accompany them. the start of the tour or come after the start of the Test series on August 4. the second jabs in the UK as it’s the ICC policy decisions. picked 62 wickets in 16 see more benefit in your first-class matches. He bowling. He asked me to took 41 wickets in eight train well. He told me matches in the 2019-20 certain technical things,” Q          Ranji Trophy sea- said Nagwaswalla. son. “I was left- Former handed. That *  *+(*8* his franchise. stand-by on Friday, is the fourth Gujarat was my advan- “It’s really unfortunate for KKR player to have contracted coach Vijay tage. We did- ew Zealand’s wicketkeeper- Tim and we’ll do everything for the dreaded virus. Patel calls n’t have too Nbatsman Tim Seifert, who him that we can from this end, “Prasidh is Covid positive him a many left- represented Kolkata Knight and hopefully he will be able to and currently in home isolation in “swing armers in our Riders in the postponed 2021 test negative, and be cleared and Bengaluru,” a BCCI source said. bowler and district or edition of IPL, has tested positive approved for discharge as soon as According to the BCCI someone even state for Covid-19 and will not be on he’s well again. source, both Krishna and Warrier who has level. I used the charter flight back home Once Seifert serves the statu- contracted the virus from come to watch with other players and support tory period of isolation and tests Chakravarthy during one of the through Zaheer and I staff. negative for Covid-19, he will be training sessions. He said age-group got interested He will, instead, stay in iso- transferred back to New Zealand Krishna is Chakravarthy’s close cricket”. in bowling lation in before where he will serve the manda- friend. “Yes, I fast,” he said. returning to , where he tory 14-day period of managed “Prasidh like all India players am a swing The pacer will be treated at a private hos- isolation. left bubble on May 3 after getting bowler. My could become pital. Seifert failed both his pre- KKR pacer Prasdih Krishna two negative results. However on speed is the first crick- departure RT-PCR tests and “is also tested positive for coron- reaching Bengaluru he tested 130-135, eter in India’s experiencing moderate symp- avirus and is in quarantine in his positive,” the source said. but I try to main squad toms.”   $  H$$=  home town Bengaluru, a BCCI The BCCI is hoping that by swing the from the Parsi ? )   E  C  '/ =     New Zealand Cricket (NZC) source said. the time the UK-bound players ball,” community     C5@ BM.      chief executive David White said up to his pre-departure proto- The 25-year-old Krishna, enter the bio-bubble in India on Nagwaswalla after 46 years   B?         Seifert had returned seven neg- cols, and was confident he would who was named in the Indian May 25, Krishna will test nega- explained. since Farokh Engineer   & E   #&N  =     B ative tests in the 10 days leading be receiving the best of care from squad for the England tour as a tive. While played in 1975. Abid headlines Pak’s dominant day  &   % (   >    &''   (  * *6 lunch on Saturday but took a hammering during the after- London: Former England cap- England. went on to win to take the first akistan took total control on noon as Abid and Nauman tain Kevin Pietersen wants the “Mid-to-late September is step on the road to becoming Pthe second day of the sec- plundered 169 off 199 balls for remaining matches of this year’s the most beautiful time in the Formula One’s most successful ond Test against Zimbabwe at the eighth wicket. postponed IPL to be shifted to UK. They could use Manchester, driver. Harare Sports Club on The innings ended in the United Kingdom in Leeds, Birmingham and the He drew level and overtook Saturday, outclassing the home bizarre circumstances. September, instead of the UAE. two London grounds. There is Schumacher’s record haul of 91 side with both bat and ball to Nauman was 93 not out at Pietersen feels moving the also a good chance that crowds wins last season and leads the take a big step towards sealing tea. He hit the first ball after the IPL to UK would be the best will be allowed in the grounds. drivers’ standings this season as a 2-0 series victory. interval for four but lifted his decision as there is a window in And there will be great atmos- he goes for an unprecedented Zimbabwe were 52 for four back foot after left-arm spinner September just after England pheres. eighth world crown. at the close in reply to Pakistan’s Tendai Chisoro bowled a wide. host India in a five-match Test “The IPL has been to the Verstappen, eight points 510 for eight declared, 458 Wicketkeeper Regis series that concludes on UAE; it’s been to South Africa, behind Hamilton in the nip and runs behind. Chakabva reacted quickly and September 14. and I think England would now tuck battle for the drivers’ crown Opening batsman Abid Ali took off the bails, with a tele- “I have seen people talking be the perfect place to house the after the first three races, at last made 215 not out and Nauman vision replay confirming that about the UAE as a possible des- remaining fixtures,” Pietersen has a car up to the job of Ali slammed 97 before being Nauman was out. tination to finish the IPL in said. mounting a serious title chal- stumped off a wide. He had hit 97 off 104 balls September, but I actually think lenge. The Zimbabwe innings got with five sixes and nine fours. the IPL should move to the UK. PANT DONATES  * A6/0) record-extending 98th win in The Dutch driver got to off to a bad start when 36-year- Having scored most of his “There is a window in India wicketkeeper bats- Sunday’s race. within 0.036sec to Hamilton’s old debutant Tabish Khan runs behind or square of the September after the England vs man Rishabh Pant on Saturday orld champion Lewis “I’ll always remember that fastest lap on Saturday to join struck in his first over before a wicket in scoring his first 150, India Test series has finished. All joined the fight against the rag- WHamilton celebrated his one,” he beamed. him at the head of the run had been scored. Friday. Abid blossomed with some the best Indian players would ing COVID-19 pandemic, 100th pole on Saturday after set- Alongside the 36-year-old Montmelo circuit grid, with Three more wickets fell Kaia was Zimbabwe’s top- handsome drives during the already be there, and all of the pledging an undisclosed amount ting the fastest time in qualify- Briton on the front row in Valtteri Bottas in the second before the close and Zimbabwe scorer with 48 when Zimbabwe afternoon. best English players would be to procure oxygen cylinders ing for the Spanish Grand Prix. Barcelona will be his Red Bull Mercedes and Charles Leclerc looked in desperate trouble were routed by an innings and Abid faced 407 balls and available as well,” Pietersen wrote with beds and kits for the affect- The Mercedes driver’s latest title rival Max Verstappen. for Ferrari on the second row. with Roy Kaia not coming out 116 runs in the first Test of the hit 29 fours in beating his pre- in a column for Betway. ed patients. The 23-year-old milestone puts him 32 clear of Hamilton reached his cen- Hamilton has a superb to bat after being struck a two-match series. vious highest score in Tests of The 40-year-old said the said he will donate the amount Michael Schumacher in the all- tury 14 years after securing his record in Catalonia, winning the heavy blow on his left knee Zimbabwe’s bowlers com- 174 against Sri Lanka in weather in September would be to Hemkunt Foundation, a time pole chart and leaves him maiden pole in the Canadian race in each of the last four years while fielding at short leg on peted reasonably well until Karachi in 2019/20. ideal to host cricket matches in Gurugram-based NGO. PTI in prime position to secure a Grand Prix in 2007, which he with five wins altogether. = &       )  Q$   (     R       * E7)6E outbreak remains much small- on there being no vaccine, so *   )6376/*+ * +  er than in many countries, with that situation has improved. nternational Olympic just over 10,500 deaths, its The Games will go ahead.” ndian women’s hockey cap- ICommittee vice-president vaccine rollout is moving slow- US drugs giant Pfizer and Itain Rani Rampal, her six *   0;+ John Coates was adamant on ly and polls show most its German partner BioNTech team-mates and two support Saturday that nothing could Japanese people support can- on Thursday announced a deal staff members have recovered eema Bisla added a Gold stop the Tokyo Olympics from cellation or another delay. with the IOC to provide vac- from Covid-19 infection after Smedal to her Olympic qual- going ahead, despite ongoing Coates, the point man for cines to competitors and staff spending two weeks in quaran- ification but India’s Greco risks from Covid-19. the Games as head of the at the Games. tine at the Sports Authority of Roman wrestlers drew a blank Asked if there was any sce- IOC’s coordination commis- Coates said it was a big step India’s (SAI) Centre in at the World Olympic Qualifiers nario in which the Games, sion, said a huge amount of forward. Bengaluru. as none of them could earn a which are due to start on July work had been done to ensure “All of the precautions that The six other India players Tokyo Games quota, here on 23, could be cancelled or post- the safety of athletes and the we have been taking are aimed are Savita Punia, Sharmila Devi, Saturday. poned again at this late stage, Japanese public. at the health of the athletes and Rajani, Navjot Kaur, Navneet Seema, who secured her he replied: “No, there’s not. “We spent the first half of the health of the people of Kaur and Sushila while the last year identifying all the Japan,” he said, denying the Olympic qualification on Friday, “The Prime Minister of      &  &    )2I2I!    two support staff are video took the 50kg Gold without get- Japan said that to the President  &# &     &   : '      worst-case scenarios,” he told IOC was putting sport and analyst Amrutaprakash and ting on mat as her rival from of the United States two or             ' reporters in Sydney on the financial considerations before scientific advisor Wayne Ecuador, Lucia Yamileth Yepez was Gurpreet Singh but he was three weeks ago. He continues sidelines of the Australian health. Lombard. Guzman withdrew from the ousted after losing his 77kg to say that to the IOC. President Joe Biden in April be raised about the viability of Olympic Committee’s annual “We’ve put an amazing “Thank you everyone for final due an injury. pre-quarterfinal in just 48 sec- “We’re working with him and stressed the Asian nation the Games, given the ongoing general meeting. amount of work into the pro- the love and mental support It is first International title onds to 2020 European cham- (Japanese Prime Minister is doing everything possible to pandemic and a virus state of “We spent the next six cedures that ensure the safety through messages/calls during for 29-year-old Seema since she pion Rafig Huseynov from Yoshihide Suga) on all of the contain Covid-19 infections emergency in Tokyo and other months looking at the counter- of the athletes through testing the last two weeks. Me and my triumphed at the Yasar Dogu Azerbaijan. safety measures. It’s going and hold a “safe and secure” parts of Japan being extended measures that are necessary. ... boosted now by all athletes teammates and support staff are event in July 2019. All Greco Roman wrestlers ahead.” Olympics. on Friday. “We’re implementing those around the world now having fully recovered from the Covid In the Greco Roman com- cut a sorry figure as none of Suga held talks with US But questions continue to While Japan’s Covid-19 countermeasures, predicated access to the vaccine.” now,” Rani said in a statement petition, India’s brightest hope them could win a bout. on her Twitter handle.  "  $ % &'&(

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Restaurants are built for social contact. Eating ty was deeply worried and the sentiment to we were ready to manage inventories well, keep Chef Anuj Wadhawan feels that in order to out gives joy, it allows people to create memories survive was breaking down on an hourly basis. our costs down, halt our expansion plans, survive or stay afloat, “every restaurant should that last a lifetime. I am optimistic that if we are We were the first to close, and last to open. renegotiate terms of trade, and more impor- have a permanent delivery module as well a able to survive this period, we will resurge. We Half of us closed never to open our doors tantly, sit this one out. This time, we knew how proper business plan and not as a backup plan. will not be the same; the numbers will be differ- again, but the rest fought back. We paid our the ball will roll. The backup plan always takes the back-burner ent, the discussions will be different, but we will dues, gave license fees, rents, salaries, electrici- Rahul Gomes Pereira, a celebrated Chef and this is what we saw last year — every have something new that we can build upon. ty bills, got down to a 50 percent capacity, and a friend believes, “the F&B industry has restaurant came up with delivery but once Once the vaccine is available, all this will be invested in new technology, invested to ensure taken to this wave much better than the first. things seemingly reverted to normal, it was behind us. guest and employee safety, worked on contact- The industry as a whole is going through just a backup plan. If this plan would have wrote this about a year ago and till about less everything, surface cleaning, digitised almost a purge of sorts. Good food, great been executed last year in full force, then this February 2021, it was all falling into menus and payment gateways, reduced staff, drinks won’t go out of style and that’s the only year it must have showed some result.” place as predicted. The worst was over, or immunity boosting menus, helped guests to trend that’s going to survive. From the perspec- Saurabh Khanijo, CEO, Kylin Experience, so we presumed. The Vaccine Drive, the cook at home, gave back to the community and tive of a chef, he feels that chefs should under- started delivery under the brand “House of flattening of the curve, the return of the even became Covid warriors ourselves. stand the importance of being involved with Kylin” and is of the opinion that the delivery Ipositive consumer sentiment, revenge buying, Were we prepared for it the first time the business and understanding the numbers business will grow four times from where it new launches in the restaurant and dining-in around? Absolutely not, but we came out with even more post this pandemic. It is important was pre-Covid and the route to success is to ecosystem, and our favourite food awards all plausible solutions, swinging hard to knock to be self-reliant and not at the mercy of deliver restaurant level taste at delivery pricing. seemed to indicate that after languishing in the down our opponent. We were ready to investors or restaurant owners.” deep end after the first coronavirus wave, the embrace and build the new normal as per the    restaurant industry had finally found its feet new rules of engagement, and the consumer     Once we address the elephant in the room, again. played ball too. It was all coming together, the (*6+)7+);007)7 There is no point debating this further. there will be multiple road maps for recovery We also saw leniency in travel restrictions, salaries were almost back to pre-Covid days, Lives win hands down when it is Lives versus and every restaurant establishment, hotel chain the hospitality industry investing heavily in sales were up to 70%, the staff strength was A6H6"6+)78(E(*( Livelihood. We will surely fight the livelihood etc. will create its own unique path. Some will digital-first initiatives, a rise in staycations, all- increasing, the grandiose caterings were hap- A+)"+)08"*/E battle once we win the first war. It’s time to be take more time than the others, some might inclusive packages, contactless dining, chef-led pening and the sentiment to celebrate was ?'A+//+0)70// safe, keep your loved ones safe, keep your change the offering, and some might change delivery models, restaurants full to (the new) back. Within the industry we started using the ))8//E)76&@/0E employees safe, customers safe, and take it one their location. capacity, return of the big fat Indian weddings, term “Post Covid” and I think we jumped the day at a time, one win at a time. If we some- From a consumer perspective, safety assur- the Sunday night bazaars, tourism regaining gun. 08)7<&+//+0)@60@/6 how get over this wave, get over the gloom, the ance will be the focal point when making a acceptance in the Maldives, Mussoorie and .0+&EE<&+//+0) road to economic recovery in this sector dining out decision. The consumers will make Goa. We saw it all and became a part of the  ;&+/+61 37+6(/E should not be a cause for concern and we have informed choices basis what has been shared counter punch. We were close to the end of the I can’t say it happened overnight but the +&@(673*6)(*6;+( seen this happening in the last eight odd with them. Even more than the information, it tunnel and it seemed there was enough light turn of events was extremely swift. From a fast- months. will be the on-ground implementation of the there to make it through. paced road to recovery to being the #1 country 3H6*+(#(*6;(6)+(E Srijan Vadhera, GM Hilton Hotels laid-out hygiene and safety standards that will It became an exciting time for food and “in covid terms” broke us badly. For the frater- 3766@/E30+67)7 , is as seasoned Hotelier. As he puts make or break any restaurant, bar, club or café. beverage players as the vertical got some due nity, it meant us going back to the drawing (*66)(+&6)((0 it: “Travel is an essential part of our everyday I am an optimist and believe that the places course correction. People who did not have board without new answers to the same old lives and travel makes the world a better place that will survive the Covid onslaught will their skin in the game moved out, the investors problem that has now returned with a 8H+H63A69+)" to live in. While there is a temporary pause, it’s bounce back leaner and stronger. A new nor- moved out, the sharks moved out. There was a vengeance. As I write this piece, we are closed. 703)0))*08/E inevitable that travel will resume sooner than mal yet again awaits the industry and the return to hardcore hospitality that was product We started with a night curfew (surprisingly A+#36366(*6;+( later across the globe. With most governments country, and it would be exciting and extreme- and content centric. We had no surprises on cinemas were on during this time) and are now (0/06 )7/((0 across the world having started the vaccination ly fruitful. the places that did well post the first lockdown. down to a “delivery only” that features as a part drives and Indian government opening up the These were establishments that were built on of essentials. “Bars” cannot deliver alcohol but 0@6)#*/;0;8/067 vaccination for citizens who are 18+ years old,   the core competencies of hospitality, product have recently been made to pay the full )6H6(00@6)08 I’m fairly optimistic that some amount of nor- We need the government to acknowledge and service orientation. increased excise license fee for the entire year. 700"+) A8((*6 malcy may return to our markets in Q3 or Q4 that the Food and Beverage industry that is The second wave has done damage in more It is déjà vu with one change — a lot more 6(;08"*(A9 (FY22). Food & Beverage are going to be the roughly 3 percent of our GDP and possibly the ways than one. It has made a mockery of all people you know are testing positive, many drivers of recovery for most hospitality estab- single largest employer is in trouble. We need our insights, predictions and readiness. By the more have lost their loved ones, and the infra- lishments once again in a few months.” the governments, both State and Central, to act time, this ends and we attain herd immunity, structure that is meant to curtail all this, is now and tell us that we will be taken care of. and some sort of normalcy prevails, we will all crumbling. Covid is all around us, and it is    We have been waiting for over a year now. be starting from a sub-zero level. For the Food time for sheer survival and nothing else. Delivery has become a choice for some and Liquidity is our biggest problem and a rebate and Beverage Industry vertical, globally things a necessity for the others. For some, it means a or a waiver in statutory dues, compliances have improved drastically. People are back to      business vertical extension and for others it could be one of the things that governments eating out, spring break is almost back, and For sure we were, while hoping that this means to be relevant in the consumer’s mind can re-evaluate. Things like license fees, VAT, summer set to bloom. For us in India, the preparedness never comes into effect. When I space. Irrespective of how and why, ever since GST inputs, interest on tax, and electricity bills vision will take its time. say ‘prepared’, it does not mean that we have a the pandemic struck, the case for “dining-in” could all be looked at to improve liquidity. The Indian Food and Beverage Industry magic wand. We are just more cognizant of the has become really strong, almost like a service Lastly, once we survive the pandemic, we will that brings in roughly 60 billion dollars annu- fact that we will lose more business, more time game in tennis “Advantage Delivery”. Your need policy changes that are pro-business and ally and employs around 7 million people (or I will be taken, we will yet again need to invest favourite dishes that tantalised your taste buds pro-tourism. We hope our voice will be heard. may say 7 million families), was directly both in product and in the sentiment. We were and got you salivating were suddenly available The writer is a celebrated chef, restaurateur, food impacted when the first wave hit. The fraterni- ready this time to accept things and be patient, only via delivery. and beverage entrepreneur  "  /+&(6*)"6+(*66H66( 0;//@0A/6& (*6(*0)+6( *//6)"6;+)"*8&)9+)7 8tdiaƒuxrd  K/63+"070)@8"* $ % &'&(

atleast 40% of its energy from renewable and sequester additional 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2eq through afforestation by 2030. According to Climate Action Tracker, India is the only major country whose actions to combat emissions are compatible with the goal of limiting global warming to 2oC. While India is on its way to fulfil first two pledges, it needs to reorient some of its policies and regulations to fulfil the third pledge along with tackling food and water insecurity and ecosystem damage. The administrative planning levels like states and districts do not usually match up with the relevant agro-ecological zones or catch- ments. The probabilistic forecasting, urban resilience and adaptive capacities of states are usually very weak. The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) is done by con- sultants hired by project proponents them- selves and around 20% of the project fees is made only on grant of approval, which results in increased possibility of manipu- lation of documents by underplaying the environmental and social impacts of the pro- jects under consideration. If small and mar- ginal farmers plan to switch to hardy crops like chickpeas and traditional grains like sorghum and pearl millet, they face con- straints of timely credit, seeds, irrigation, labour, insurance & market access leading to high and unsustainable cost of cultivation. Focus on forests and urban green spaces could mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration, enhance resilience to droughts, flash floods and land- slides, improve resilience of coastal infra- structure, reduce vulnerability to extreme heat by reducing ambient temperatures and support native wildlife and biodiversity. Drip irrigation and water sprinklers coupled with solar pumps, mulching and bed plantation can boost water availability at a fraction of the cost of large bridges and irrigation pro- jects. Old water harvesting structures like CLIMATE CHANGE & INDIA water tanks and check dams should be reju- venated for water harvesting and conserva- tion, which suits local ecology and managed by local communities. Government can   +        encourage shifting away from rice and wheat by providing appropriate scientific support and financial incentives (like MSP) to the           &0*+("" farmers. Switching to Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) from EIA would be s the world faces the dual chal- commitments) while not hindering their monsoon patterns threaten agriculture out- viation measures would result in 50% instrumental in evaluating ecological ram- lenges of Covid-19 and climate economic growth. put and fresh water supplies. Rapid urban- increase in GHGs. But this increase can be ifications of projects and ways to address change, there has been growing India is one of the fastest growing isation, rising temperatures, changes in pre- contained by designing adequate food, them at the initial stage itself, by making acceptance of the fragilities of economies with third highest GHG emis- cipitation, extreme rainfall events, altered energy and transport policies. India has regional plans rather than individual pro- our energy, economic and sions in the world. According to the first ever coastlines, depleting water tables and potential to raise its RE capacity from the ject assessments to evaluate the cumulative healthA systems. India has been hailed as a climate change assessment report of India destroyed biodiversity hotspots affect migra- initial goal of 175 GW to 500 GW by 2030. impact of the projects in a region, by hir- global leader by Antonio Guterres, Secretary prepared by the Ministry of Earth Sciences tion, conflicts and spread of diseases. 07+)"(0 Switching to RE would reduce dependen- ing independent consultants for individual General of the United Nations for its (MoES), India’s average temperature has Around 44% of India is under various cy on uncertain coal and gas supplies while large project EIAs and by ensuring public Covid-19 response efforts of supplying already risen by 0.7oC between 1901 and degrees of drought conditions. The worst /+&(6(+0) at the same time reduce GHG emissions of participation to improve assessment and critical medicines to more than 150 coun- 2018 due to Green House Gas (GHG) emis- affected are the poor, marginalised, indige- the country and create more employment. scrutiny. tries. During the 19th Darbari Seth sions and is expected to rise by 4.4oC by nous, women and the future generations. (96 +)7++(*6 Co-benefits like improved air quality, water While India is committed to NDCs till Memorial Lecture, Mr. Guterres also 2100. Climate change has multiple repercus- While much of climate change crisis in 0)/E&D008)(E use, land use and biodiversity; improved 2030, it needs long term goals for sustain- acknowledged the role of India as an sions on development, food and water secu- India is a result of the excesses of industri- social sustainability related to livelihoods, able, equitable and carbon free growth to fol- emerging superpower in the fight against cli- rity, health, gender equity and poverty alle- alised world, there are domestic drivers as 3*06(+0)(0 income distribution, migration and hous- low a 1.5oC path through confluence of tech- mate change. During the pandemic, India’s viation efforts of India with a densely pop- well. Primarily the overwhelming reliance ing has incentivised political support. India nology, policy, financial and social actions. proportion of Renewable Energy (RE) rose ulated 7500 km coastline susceptible to on thermal power in energy generation 0&A(6&++0) has pledged to invest USD 100 billion in In the build up to Glasgow Climate Summit, from 17% to 24% while coal-fired power extreme weather events like sea-level rise, which accounts for roughly 68% of total clean energy over five years. The Smart a rapidly growing and changing country like declined from 76% to 66%. This has been storms and floods, third largest ice mass in GHG emissions, and an inefficient agricul- 60&@(+A/63+(* Cities and Smart Mobility plans coupled India should focus on avoiding emissions a phenomenal leap for India that pushed for north — the Great Himalayas, biodiversi- tural policy which encourages high yield, low (*6"0/0;/+&+(+)" with policies like Faster Adoption and by setting key sectors on a low carbon ‘Common but Differentiated Responsibilities ty rich Western Ghats and North East and nutrition, excessive water guzzling crops like Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric growth path, with robust climate institutions and Respective Capabilities’ based on his- nearly one billion people living in rural areas rice and wheat in arid and semi-arid "/0A/3&+)" Vehicles (FAME-II) would ensure that and laws. This would help in further gar- toric emissions in 1990s and championed whose livelihoods depend on climate sen- regions which exacerbates any climate 0 India embarks on a sustainable transport ner political support for enhanced mitiga- the idea that industrialised nations (global sitive sectors like agriculture, fisheries, live- change induced monsoon variations. About (0  growth. tion and setting net-zero targets which are north) must reduce their emissions and cre- stock and forests. 90% of its groundwater goes into irrigation India’s Nationally Determined achievable and credible. ate an institutional mechanism for climate India ranked fifth in the Global Climate and about 80% of it goes to rice and wheat. Contribution (NDC) at Paris COP21 The writer is Fellow, Anant Fellowship action funding for global south to augment Risk Index 2019. Earlier seasonal snowmelt, According to Research Institute of includes pledge to reduce its emissions inten- for Climate Action and Superintendent of their mitigation capacities (without binding depleting glaciers and uncertainties in Humanity and Nature Japan, poverty alle- sity by 33-35% over 2005 levels, produce Police, Narayanpur District, Chhattisgarh 1   2 3 )    3     ; (      2,0  ;  (      #           #(  0 .*<,-,

ne of the grave realities Vulnerability describes the char- men dawn the role of the bread amongst all stakeholders from and challenges of today’s acteristics and circumstances of a earner of the house. They take local to national level should be Otime and era is Climate community, system or asset that care of the belongings that hap- key in disaster reduction. change. It has become integral at make it susceptible to the damag- pen outside house premises. Capacity building from the per- all levels of the existing world. ing effects of a hazard. Risk (or When disaster strikes in such set- spective of gender keeping in Just like Newton’s third law — more specifically, disaster risk) is tings, women find themselves mind the socio-economic and “Every action has an equal and the potential disaster losses (in incompetent and are at risk more cultural phenomenon should be opposite reaction”, Climate change terms of lives, health status, liveli- when it comes to face danger. approached. Basic life saving is the consequence of our various hoods, assets and services) which They lack skills like swimming or skills should be taught at all levels actions which is constantly affect- could occur to a particular com- climbing the trees which are tra- like swimming, climbing tree, ing and altering our living sys- munity or a society over some ditionally taught to men. They are first-aid, etc., irrespective of gen- tems. One such long term alter- specified future time period. reluctant to move to shelter places der. Risk assessments should also ation has been the increase in fre- Resilience is the ability of a sys- as these communal facilities are be done through a gender quency and severity changes in tem, community or society devoid of private spaces for them. focused lens. Toolkits like sur- extreme weather such as hurri- exposed to hazards to resist, In some countries, the women veys, questionnaires and software canes, heatwaves, wildfires, absorb, accommodate to and also have lesser intake of nutrition should be developed to train and droughts, floods, and precipita- recover from the effects of a haz- leading them to be weaker than equip individuals for risk preven- tion; and cloud and vegetation ard in a timely and efficient man- men in strength. They are unable tion and emergency prepared- cover changes. These disasters are ner, including through the preser- to cope up with harsh adversities ness. Gender-responsive recovery occurring at a continuous pace vation and restoration of its increasing in the number of should also be taken up. Financial and pose critical harm to the essential basic structures and deaths. Post disaster many aid becomes crucial for the com- environment and society at large. functions. For every term women, girls, transgenders face munities and the individuals post According to Climate Risk Index explained above, community and brutal circumstances where they a disaster. Not only from the per- 2019 by German watch, in the society are the central themes are sexually assaulted, raped and spective of supplying food, water past 20 years 5,25,000 people have where Gender of an individual are beaten to death. Human traf- and temporary shelter, the gov- been killed by more than 11,500 plays a very important factor in ficking also increases in certain ernments should also help the extreme weather events and tril- shaping the needs of these soci- scenarios. Living in communal affected people to set up their lions of dollars have been lost in eties. tents and shelter homes, they are own source of livelihood. For damages. Gender identities determine constantly harassed for sexual example, In Haiti, post 2008 hur- Disasters do not occur in opportunities, responsibilities and Gender sensitisation provides the brunt of these “not so higher mortality rates than men favours to gain access to relief or ricanes and tropical storms, silos. Whether it is a natural or resources, as well as powers asso- a space to understand the thought” decisions. Due to differ- in the wake of a natural disaster recovery assistance. In a lot of United Nations Development man-made disaster, other than ciated with being, male, female, inequalities of exposure, risks and ences in adaptive capacities which affects them more adverse- societies men being the sole earn- Programme (UNDP) conducted being an environmental phenom- transgender, agender etc. Gender the ability to adapt to one gender according to situations and con- ly if the intensity of a disaster is er of the family face a lot of post-disaster recovery support by enon, it is also an amalgamation also defines the relationship over the other. Several research texts, any gender other than the very strong. Having said that, the depression when they lose their uplifting the women’s position in of economic, social and cultural between these individuals. studies and observations have male gender has been on the socio-economic status also deter- source of income. They feel the society by giving them access phenomenon. We often associate Difference in the socio-economic shown that both communities of receiving end of miseries from a mines the life expectancy of the ashamed in asking money from to funds to restart their business- disasters with loss of lives and and cultural background with dis- developed and the developing very long time. While assessing female gender. Lower the socio- the lenders or working at a lower es and revive their agricultural damage to the environment and tinct vulnerabilities make a man, world have indicated a skewed risk, one can argue that a woman, economic strata more the gap position than before. In these cir- fields which in turn helped in the property. But we seldom tend woman, girl, boy, eunuch etc. of representation of facilities, girl or transgender etc, fall in the between male and female deaths cumstances, the increased work- reviving the Haiti economy. to forget that it is deep rooted in different age groups shape their resources, opportunities and most vulnerable category. They and higher the socio-economic load puts a burden on the females Therefore, to have a holistic and a the social and cultural phenome- risks and recovery during and access when it comes to gender. are the main victims of natural strata, lesser the gap between of the house. They must take care comprehensive way forward in non when it comes to vulnerabili- post disaster in a unique way. The decisions taken in pre and disasters. There are several exam- male and female deaths. In devel- of both households and earn a liv- disaster risk reduction and recov- ty, risk and resilience. Before They are context and time-specif- post disaster management are ples from all over the world where oping countries where societies ing. ery, one should realize and moving on, let us try and define ic and changeable too. skewed in favour of the male gen- these genders have faced inci- are more patriarchal in nature it Thus, integrating gender in remember the power associated the terms vulnerability, risk and Understanding and sensitising der in majority of the times. dences of violence, sexual abuse, has been observed that women disaster management and recov- with any Gender in every aspect resilience. According to the gender differences before, during Women or girl child or transgen- injustice and deaths during the tend to remain within the premis- ery is of utmost importance. of life. United Nations Office for Disaster and post a disaster is critical and der or any other gender knowing- disaster recovery phase. es of their own house and take Awareness and advocacy of disas- The writer is Fellow, Anant Risk Reduction (UNDRR), crucial. ly or unknowingly have to bear Women and girls tend to have care of the household whereas ter risks and vulnerabilities Fellowship for Climate Action     uvitiut !"# " )    5   "

he Senkaku Islands have Beijing tries to force its rule over Temerged as the new flashpoint Senkaku. between Japan and China in the East However, the so-called normal- China Sea (ECS). While China has isation of Sino-Japanese relations is intensified its campaign to assert its a misnomer. In 2018, China and claim over the territories they call the Japan celebrated the 40th anniversary (%=%,<=;;>% Diaoyu Islands, Japan has tried to of the signing of the China-Japan make the US back its sovereign rights Treaty of Peace and Friendship, but <(%%,??;',:;, over the area. then global situation soon deterio- <(%;<(,%; Both the nations are gearing up rated as the Covid-19 came with a +;<<(%<>B<(% to enhance their military prepared- barrage of charges against China for ness, particularly the radar and mis- spreading the pandemic. In the =%"%-@$P;!;;% sile systems around the region. The same year, Chinese Premier Li %,;>,',,<(% total area of disputed islands is Keqiang paid a maiden visit of Japan around 81,000 square miles and the in May, and in October then Prime B>!>B >* number of islands is eight. As per the Minister Abe visited China. <(%<%,;%=%,: record of the US Energy Information On the ECS, China and Japan <,F''<,,: Administration, the ECS has an agreed to strengthen maritime crisis estimated 200 million barrels of oil. management, establish a diplomat- >,:<(%%->,@ Historical records say that Japan ic consultation mechanism and sign <(%1'>,- formally claimed the Senkaku Islands a maritime rescue agreement. ;%;;>,>B in the year 1895. And some of the However, Sino-Japan relations will Japanese individuals have been occu- always be troublesome as there are :%!>=<=-(<;, pying these islands for the last 120 several potential face-off points. The >,- >,-1 ,P; years. However, only during the problems in the South China Sea and =>,<,%:='!B> Second World War, America occu- in the East China Sea, the traditional pied these territories from Japan. But rivalry between the two Asian giants, ;>%%-,<1 "%<,P; afterwards, Japan brought them back an increasing and sustained presence '>,-:,B><(% under its control. Until 1960s, China of US military support behind Japan, hardly paid any attention to Senkaku, and a new alliance called QUAD -- %=>-,<>,>B<(% as per archival records. However, the - a grouping of the US, Australia, ,F%,%;;1<(%<><% year 1969 turned out to be a decisive India and Japan to prevent grand >,<(% -(;'! moment for China in the recent his- Chinese expansion in the region -- tory of Senkaku. The offshore oil - have certainly strained Sino-Japan !,><%;,:><(% development potential attracted bilateral relationship. %<(,=->;, China’s attention towards the Island Therefore, the current crisis in $,+,-1,:B,''1 chain. China had in 1979 discovered the ECS is just the tip of the iceberg. that there was huge field of hydro- China’s claim over the Senkaku =>,<%;<%:='!>B carbon in the area, experts claim. Islands will only deteriorate the !,,%-(">;>% In January, China passed its bilateral relations with Japan. Xi’s Coast Guard Law to increase its pres- interest.” Senkaku Islands must be settled by with then Japanese Prime Minister forming an “alliance of democracies”. massive expansion plans, whether in <(%><((,%% ence in and around the Senkaku This kind of statement is rare the three conflicting parties involved Shinzo Abe, Trump expressly high- Again, US-Japan joint military the form of Belt and Road Initiative <(%%!,%,<;>% Islands. This set off the Yoshihide from the Chinese Government, and i.e. Japan, Taiwan and China. This lighted that the US-Japan Security exercises around the Senkaku Islands or China-Pakistan Economic >,<;B> %+,- Suga Government to revise the when they are released, they really stance continued till 1995. But 1996 Treaty is applied to the Senkaku under Trump strengthened pre- Corridor, all threaten peace and Japanese Coast Guard Law so as to indicate something serious. In onwards, during the reign of Islands. And also, the declaration paredness for any armed interven- tranquillity in and around the region. shoot any intruder that tries to land Chinese political lexicon, “core inter- President Bill Clinton, the US poli- made it public that the US opposes tion from China. In fact, Lieutenant Further, long suppression of demo- in these islands. What has changed est” is meant to be a zone of vital cy makers came up with a new per- any unilateral action aimed at con- General Kevin Schneider, the com- cratic rights in Hong Kong, Taiwan’s the status quo in favour of Japan was importance for the country’s territory spective on the disputed island. The testing Japan’s administration over mander of the joint military exercise continued claim for sovereignty, the buying of three islands of the and sovereign identity. The terms American diplomats aired the view Senkaku Islands. in October 2017 made the real Tibetan’s long drawn war for the Senkaku group by the Government “core interests” are specifically that the Senkaku Islands are covered In fact, the Trump-era China intentions behind the drill clear, recognition of their uniqueness, the from a private citizen who owned reserved for top security-related and under Article 5 of the US-Japan policy was nothing less than a great when he said: “The United States is torture on the Uighur Muslim them in 2012. Since then the pres- troubling areas such as Xinjiang Security Treaty as Japanese admin- war of sort against Beijing’s sustained 100 per cent absolutely steadfast in minorities and other ethnic groups ence of Chinese Coast Guards Uighur Autonomous Region, Tibet istered territory. From this position, aggressive attitude both towards its its commitment to help the in Xinjiang, and finally, a contested around the islands has increased. and Taiwan. Therefore, it is strictly Washington took a pro-active step in neighbours and to the major powers Government of Japan with the situ- claim of many neighbours over the Precisely, the routine confrontation maintained that on such areas there 2014 under Barack Obama of the world, particularly the US. His ation of defending the Senkaku South China Sea are the permanent between the two nations over the is no room for any manoeuvrabili- Presidentship. He became the first policies towards China symbolised Islands. That is 365 days a year, 24 troubled issues for Beijing. islands has reached flashpoint. ty. It brings home the message that sitting American President to declare two featured separate tracks: one, hours a day, seven days a week.” Xi’s muscle power and econom- China’s territorial claims over the Beijing treats the dispute over that the US will defend the “Japanese policies Trump personally pursued, Thus Tokyo has all ensured the ic debt trap in the name of aid have ECS is unsubstantiated. But China Senkaku Islands as a major concern islands” if attacked. This made the and two, the policies spearheaded by support of Washington for its con- not yielded the desired results for -'$ 'K'?$?' points to historical documents to in bilateral relations with Tokyo. country’s position completely clear China experts serving in his admin- tinued control and safeguard of China to claim a global leadership buttress its claim over these islands. The American position on the on these disputed islands. Further, istration. It was a like virtual war these mineral rich islands in the East role. Forget about the world, in Asia Way back in 2013, as per media Senkaku Islands is noteworthy. Since President Donald Trump in February against the regime of Xi Jinping. China Sea. itself, few nations are ready to accept reports, Chinese Foreign Ministry the coming of Richard Nixon to 2017 took one more step to affirm Therefore, when then US Secretary The overwhelming US support the hegemony of Beijing. claimed: “The Diaoyu Islands are power in 1969 as the 37th President, America’s commitment towards the of State Mike Pompeo visited Japan to Japan over the islands was more about sovereignty and territorial the US has been maintaining that the security of the Senkaku Islands. In a in October 2017, he had issued a than sufficient for China to under- (The writer is an expert on integrity. Of course, it is China’s core territorial sovereignty over the formal joint declaration released public call to counter China by stand what actions will follow in case international affairs)

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s an institution whose Islam, V Khalid, Fathima Beevi, The time has come when Adecisions shape and Faizanuddin, S Sagir Ahmad, the collegium should consider .<(;,=<>,%: impact the everyday lives of SS M Qadri, Aftab Alam, MY the appointment of an eminent ;<%,-<(>B28+:-%;1 Indians, we must do better. We Eqbal, FM Ibrahim Kalifulla. law professor as a Supreme ,=':,-<(%(%B must ensure the diversity of our Presently, Justice Abdul Court judge. This provision to country finds reflection in the Nazeer is the only Muslim appoint distinguished jurists as ;<=%>B,:1 make-up of our court… having judge in the top court. Besides judges in the top court was %;%,<'1<(%%!% a more diverse judiciary is an this, two High Courts have incorporated in the Constitution end; a goal in itself, and worth Muslim Chief Justices — by our founding fathers who ><(;>,'>,% pursuing its own sake,” stated Justice Kureshi in Tripura and were inspired by some foreign ;'!+:-%1>,% Supreme Court judge Justice Justice Mohammad Rafiq in jurisdictions that had appoint- >!,+:-%1>,% DY Chandrachud while speak- , today. There ed eminent law professors as ing on the occasion of Justice is a general belief in society that judges in their top courts. *;+:-%1>,% Indu Malhotra’s retirement the Supreme Court should Has not the time come (;<,+:-%1>,% from the Supreme Court in have an inclusive and diversi- when a dormant constitution- '<+:-%1"<,> March this year. fied Bench that could demon- al provision should be activat- The judge-makers of our strate the collective image of ed to include the professors of ?(1,> ::(;<1,> country should not miss these the country. Let us throw some law in the judicial adjudication ,1,:,>:;@ words when selecting the light on this issue of great process in the country? (%%(;,%%"%%, judges for the constitutional public importance. Given the above discus- courts. Fortunately, now Justice In India, Muslims consti- sion, it is submitted that the >!,(%B;<=% Chandrachud has also become tute around 15 per cent of the Supreme Court collegium >B,:@:%;B%: a member of the collegium. population, but their repre- should consider diversifying Hopefully, he would take some sentation in the higher judiciary the Bench by appointing more %!%><'' initiative in this regard. With a is invisible. Currently, the judges from different sources, (%BD%=(,- sanctioned strength of 34 Supreme Court has only one communities, and regions of !=<>,<(%"'= judges, including the Chief Muslim judge. Many legal lumi- Supreme Court, to maintain warrant of appointments. collegium to maintain a bal- 70 years of the Supreme Court’s the country to sustain public Justice of India, presently, the naries and thinkers believe that the gender balance and to However, the Central ance in making judicial establishment, no appointment trust and credibility of the <;<,<(%%=>< Supreme Court has only one Muslims should get adequate strengthen the legal empower- Government has also a role in appointments to give adequate of a distinguished jurist has judiciary. (=(!;<%B'%=<<(% Muslim judge, one woman representation in the higher ment of women. The Supreme the process of judicial appoint- representation to all sections of been made in the Supreme As of now, the collegium !?%D>B<(%=>,< judge, one Parsi judge, one judiciary so that the minorities Court collegium has to take a ments. It checks the society, including the Court despite the availability of needs to appoint six judges Christian judge, one Dalit could have faith in the highest serious note of this issue. antecedents of the recom- women and minorities, in the constitutional provisions to immediately in the Supreme judge, but no Sikh, no judicial institution that decides Under the existing practice mended persons deeply Supreme Court. this effect under Article Court, and four judges will Buddhist, no Jain, and the legal destiny of the nation. and procedure of judicial through the Intelligence Bureau Let me highlight one more 124(3)(c). retire by the end of this year. In no Adivasi. In addition to this issue, appointments, the Supreme and other agencies and sends important issue that has been The President of India has toto, within a year, the col- It sends a wrong message women also constitute around Court collegium headed by its report to the collegium for highly ignored by the to identify a “distinguished legium will have to recommend to society. Ever since its estab- half of the population in the the Chief Justice of India has its consideration by mention- Government as well as the jurist” in consultation with the the appointments of around ten lishment, the Supreme Court country, but the Supreme the conclusive power to ing the cogent reasons and judiciary. Under Article 124 of Central Government which judges in the Supreme Court. has had several brilliant Court has only a single woman appoint the judges of the objections along with the sup- the Constitution, the appoint- requires the approval of the This is a great opportunity to Muslim judges. Out of them, judge who will retire next year. Supreme Court and the High porting material. But, if the ments to the Supreme Supreme Court collegium that promote diversity on the bench four judges namely Justices M This is very disturbing news. Courts after the Second, Third, Supreme Court collegium reit- Court are made from three cat- has the final say in judicial of the top court of the country. Hidayatullah, MH Beg, AM There has never been a woman and Fourth Judges cases. erates its recommendations, egories — judges, lawyers, and appointments. Admittedly, It will have a far-reaching Ahmadi, and Altamas Kabir Chief Justice of India even The unanimous recom- the Central Government and professors. India has many brilliant law impact on the functioning and graced the office of the Chief after seven decades of the mendations of the Supreme the President will have no Mostly, the judges of the professors who have made a performance of the apex court Justice of India. Other Muslim Supreme Court’s inauguration. Court collegium are binding on option but to act on the same. High Courts and lawyers are wonderful contribution to the which must reflect the make- ;!$DK0='--';?$ judges of the Supreme Court In this kind of scenario, women the President of India who acts So, it is the collegium that appointed to the Supreme legal system and can con- up of the country. were: Saiyed Fazl Ali, Ghulam genuinely deserve more repre- on the advice of the Prime is the actual judge-maker in the Court based on their seniori- tribute more if the collegium Hasan, Syed Jafar Imam, Syed sentation in the constitutional Minister and Union Law country. This is why it becomes ty, professional competence, provides them opportunities (The writer is an advocate, Murtaza Fazl Ali, Baharul courts, particularly the Minister to issue the formal necessary on the part of the integrity, and merit. Even after on the Supreme Court Bench. Supreme Court of India.)  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other Goddess Saraswati is The Mother uses a peacock as her its script in real terms on a regular basis, issues in hand. But mere awareness is not shown to be moving freely in a carrier for moving about in the skies. we shall be able to acquire the wisdom enough. The concept needs to be drilled Mwater body, with beautiful Lotus This indicates that we cannot afford to necessary to ensure a smooth run of life in the deep realms of the mind and flower around. Lotus blooms in muddy lose sight of the forces routed through with ease and comfort. absorbed well, for it to spontaneously waters. This is in acknowledgment of the the infinite, inaccessible and indestruc- outplay in our day-to-day conduct. fact that the earthly matter acquired its tible Akasa either. It is important to note   * H   To do so, one must meditate with form-existence when aided by water ele- here that the world is a unified organism, . #. focus on Lord Ganapati on a regular ment, and so does Lotus. Lotus acquired covering the living world as well as all Despite acquiring necessary wisdom basis. Meditating regularly on his its beauty and dynamism out of the Sakti existences in the cosmos. And, obviously by following the script laid down in the imagery helps educate the mind to con- provided by the consciousness element, tracking down the information laid in imagery of Goddess Saraswati, the jour- duct smartly in life. contextually symbolised by Mother. The the space above is no easy task. ney of life in real terms may not be that The story line running around Lotus flower here symbolises both cre- Remember, the prized feed of a pea- easy. Particularly, given the enormity and Ganapati throws light on some vital ativity and lustre evident with knowl- cock is poisonous snake. When the pea- diversity of the living world, and with truths of life. Seeing its importance in edge. Though born in muddy waters, not cock digests the snake, it leads to changes people displaying varied interests, some our day-to-day conduct, this imagery has even a drop of water or mud particle can in its body chemistry. That holds the key of them even disparate. Bear in mind, been accorded special status. Ganapati is stick to the lotus leaves. It, thus, implies a to the beautiful colours of peacock’s each one of us is born unique, carrying perceived as Vighnavinasaka (destroyer sense of detachment. plumage. Similarly, knowledge acquisi- varying mind-traits. That leads to arousal of evil). Keep in mind: difficulties could So, true wisdom can be acquired tion cannot be an easy task. It implies of competing interests. With mind, guid- be kept at bay only through intelligent only when explored with a sense of that only those who take the pains asso- ed by an indwelling sense of duality, a and balanced conduct, which this detachment from all tempting worldly ciated with learning process kindly, are being becomes subject to self-excited imagery very well symbolises. No won- influences. Otherwise, it will be difficult able to acquire the knowledge and wis- conflicting thoughts as well. The world, der, no ritualistic puja in Indian tradition to remain focused on the subject matter dom vital to turning life into a beautiful thus, remains a natural breeding ground begins without first remembering under consideration. The sense of duality experience. for arousal of conflicting thoughts and Ganapati. driving a human mind does not let it Belief driven people may observe competing interests. Amidst all this, we Let me add here that the concept identify the thin line dividing truth and Saraswati puja in a ritualistic mode every ought to conduct and perform, with ease underlying Goddess Saraswati and untruth. This makes it difficult to year on the date specified for the purpose and comfort. How does this work? you Ganpati runs hand in hand. acknowledge eternal truth it stands. As a in our annual calendar. But nothing tan- may ask. )     &     matter of habit, it tempts us to get into gible would be achieved. If, however, we The answer lies in becoming aware     B    comparison mode and judge things understand the concept underlying the of the conduct rules of life — how to )<@@5C555C@@A5AI76267L@A65I76262 based on preconceived notions. imagery of Goddess Saraswati and follow engage with the world around and the D  <##  #  H  B

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