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THE SUNDAYEXPRESS MAGAZINE THE PLOWMAN’S MUMBAI,LATECITY TALE 17JANUARY,2021 Once farmershad apride of 18PAGES,`5.00 place in Hindi cinema. When did they become invisible? DAILYFROM: AHMEDABAD, CHANDIGARH, DELHI, JAIPUR, KOLKATA, LUCKNOW, MUMBAI, NAGPUR, PUNE, VADODARA WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM PAGES 15, 16, 17

3,352 SESSIONSHELD, COVISHIELD GIVENINALL UP VACCINATES 21,291; UPLOADING DELAY IN SOME STATES, UTs, COVAXIN IN 12 PUNJAB THE LEAST AT 1,319 Reconstitute panel with ‘neutral’ people: Injecting Hope Farm union tells SC has backedout of the commit- EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE tee, and the others —Ashok NEWDELHI,JANUARY16 Gulati, Pramod Kumar Joshi and 1.91 lakh get Anil Ghanwat —havealready AFARMERS’ organisationhas ap- takenpositions in supportofthe proachedthe Supreme Court farm laws. shots across urgingittoreconstitutethe four- The farmers’ body wondered member committee appointed howthese three members could nation, no by the court to interactwith rep- submitareportwithout bias resentativesoffarmers and gov- when theyhad already backed post-vaccine ernment foranamicable resolu- the laws “madeandpassedbythe tion of the differences over the Central government without complication CM UddhavThackeray newfarm laws. enough discussionwithfarmers”. launches the vaccination The BharatiyaKisanUnion The farmers’ body requested drive at BKCcentreon (Lok Shakti) in itsplea pointed the courttoreconstitutethe KAUNAINSHERIFFM Saturday. Pradip Das out thatone of the four mem- panel by including “neutral and NEWDELHI,JANUARY16 bers, Bhupinder Singh Mann, CONTINUEDONPAGE2

ON DAY1ofthe world’s largest CM launches immunisation exercise against the coronavirus, 1.91 lakhpeople ‘revolutionary’ No policy changes till were inoculated across the coun- try. Calling it asuccess, the Union drive,cautions Health Ministry said“no case of May, WhatsApp says post-vaccination hospitalisation ‘can’t afford to hasbeenreportedsofar”,indicat- ing therewas no known incident letguard down’ will clear the doubts of severe adverse reaction. Saroj Bala,40, asafai karamchari forthe past20years, afterreceiving the Covid vaccineatacentreinPanchkula. Jaipal Singh In phase one of the immuni- sation exercise, 3crore people in LAXMAN SINGH & AASHISHARYAN& ED The the priority group of healthcare TABASSUM PRANAVMUKUL Facebook

PM hails scientists for ‘hope in PLAIN and frontline workers aretobe BARNAGARWALA NEWDELHI,JANUARY16 E ● factor vaccinated. MUMBAI, JANUARY 16 EX CONTINUEDONPAGE2 INSTANT MESSAGINGplatform despair’, says must stay vigilant THE VACCINATION drive WhatsApp announcedlateon THE UPDATED policy againstCovid-19, inaugurated Fridaythat it wasdelaying the terms informedusers that country beganvaccinating an es- state-wide by Chief Minister implementation of itsrecent pri- WhatApp receivesinfor- KAUNAINSHERIFFM timated 3-crorepriority group UddhavThackeray on Saturday, vacy policy changes, whichtrig- mation from, and shares NEWDELHI,JANUARY16 with“twoMade-in-India vac- sawsome technical glitches in geredaglobal backlash,toMay information with, the cines” in the firstphase of an ex- the Co-Winapp, asoftware 15,instead of the scheduled Facebook familyofcompa- HAILINGTHE work of health- ercise thataimstoeventually designedfor real-time register- February8. nies. These changes were ` 65 per kilo care, frontlineworkers and sci- vaccinate 30 crorepeople. ing of dataofpeople who are The updated policy terms focusedonintroducing entists who, at great personal In atelevisedaddress during vaccinated. were firstannouncedvia an in- newoptions forbusinesses risk during the pandemic, the launch, in whichhemade Statehealthauthorities said app notification to users by using WhatsApp Business. ` 93 per kilo “brought hope in an atmosphere ferventappeals and turnedemo- no vaccination rounds were WhatsApp, ownedbyFacebook, of dejection”,Prime Minister tional while recallingthe “na- plannedonSunday, and the asking them to agree to thenew ` 113 per kilo NarendraModi launchedthe tion’s debt” to “those who never next round will be held onlyaf- terms by February8orlose access alarm, WhatsApp clarifiedthat PAGES 3, 4, 5, 6 world’s largest Covid-19immu- PM Modi at launchofthe returnedhome” and“sacrificed terthe glitches aresorted. to their accounts. As both users the changes were necessary nisation drive Saturdayasthe vaccine drive,Saturday. PIB CONTINUEDONPAGE2 CONTINUEDONPAGE2 and privacy activists raisedthe CONTINUEDONPAGE2 WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 2 THE SECOND PAGE THE SUNDAYEXPRESS,JANUARY17,2021

Morenews WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM zeroads ADELAIDE2018TOGABBA2021:UNREPENTANTROHITSHARMAGOES FORTHEGAMBLE&PAYSTHEPRICE Howcan Nokia RohitSharmathrewhiswicketawayonDay2oftheGabbaTestashetriedtotakeonNathanLyonand

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EXCLUSIVE perishedfor44. POINTYOURCAMERATO smartphone market? GOTOTHEAPPSTORE FULLCOVERAGE PHOTOGALLERY NEWEPISODEEVERYDAY VISUALSTORIES I DAILYBRIEFING CUSTOMISEDNEWSEXPERIENCE COVID-19 VACCINATION COVID-19 INOCULATION In the latestepisode, we talk to Sanmeet DRIVE LIVE UPDATES DRIVE BEGINS IN INDIA EXPRESS TECHNOLOGY Singh, the vice-president of HMD Global, Apple CEO TimCook PM NarendraModi India will administer about the challenges that Nokia faces in the defends billion dollar launchedthe drive on shots to 3crore current smartphone market deal with Google Saturday frontline workers

3,300 militarypersonnel vaccinated FROMPAGEONE NewDelhi: Around 3,300mili- suppliedwith the firstconsign- tary personnel were givenshots ment of both Covishield and Minor glitches said theyhad expectedahigher on the firstday of the nationwide Covaxin doses.Brigadier turnout but were notoverlywor- Covid-19 vaccination campaign. NarendraKotwal, Commandant On Saturday, 3,352 sessions PM hails scientists for ‘hope in despair’ riedthat notall the frontline Atotal of 3,129Armyhealth ArmedForces Clinic, Delhi was were held, with the target of vac- workers showeduptoget their workers and approximately200 the firsttoget vaccinatedtosig- cinatingatleast100people each. firstshot. from Navy were vaccinatedon nalefficacy and safetyofvaccine On the break-up of Covishield their ownlives trying to save scientists developing these pebblesand rocks” but about ister. Some foreign vaccines are “Wewereexpecting 100per Saturday. Thenumbers forAir and to instill confidence in oth- and Covaxin, the Ministrydata each and everylife”, the Prime vaccines have built their cred- “our people” and “collective re- priced up to Rs 5,000 per dose cent turnout. All beneficiaries Forcewerenot known.Army ers. Navy saidthe drive wasinau- showedthat while the firstvac- Ministerunderlinedthat peo- ibility over the years. We have solve”asdemonstrated in the and have to be stored in minus were informedadayinadvance,” sources said that all earmarked gurated in thepresence of Chief cine,developed by Oxford- ple mustnot lowertheir guard gainedthis trustbecause of our fight againstthe pandemic. 70 degreetemperature. said Dr DNPatil, stateimmunisa- stations and hospitals have been Admiral Karambir Singh. ENS AstraZeneca and manufactured even aftervaccination. He said trackrecord… About 60 per He said the “scale of the Whereas Indianvaccines are tion officer.Hesaid anew vac- by Pune’sSerum Institute, had the countrymuststeel itsre- cent of children around the vaccination campaign” in India basedontechnology that has cine yields some extent of worry. been suppliedtoall states and solve to deal with the pan- worldget life-saving vaccines has neverbeenattemptedin been triedand tested formany “In early days,people wait and TRACKING INDIA’S COVID CURVE Unionterritories,the indige- demic as it did during thelock- that aremade in India,” he said. history.“This shows India’s ca- years in India. From storageto watch. Thisisnatural,” he said. nouslydevelopedCovaxin was down lastyear. “The world's trustinour pability… in the firstround it- transportation, these vaccines Mumbai had registered CASES: ACTIVECASES:2,11,033 administeredin"clinical trial He urgedpeople notto scientists and our vaccine ex- self, 3crore people –and there aresuitable forIndian condi- 4,000 people forthe firstday of 320 mode" in 12 states,includingthe abandon masks, social distanc- pertise is going to strengthen areover100 countries with a tions.” inoculation, but less than 2,000 DAYSSINCE 10,542,841 DEATHS:1,52,093 national capital. Eachsession site ing and hygiene precautions, further with the introduction population less than 3crore -- He said the vaccination turnedup. It wasthe onlycity in PANDEMIC BEGAN TESTS: 18,57,65,491 | RECOVERIES: 1,01,79,715 could administeronlyone of the saying theyhavetoremain vig- of theMade-in-Indiacorona arebeing vaccinated... this campaignwillcontinue fora the statetorecordless than 50 twovaccines. ilant and their mantramustbe vaccines,” he said. needs to be takenupto30 “long time” and people should per cent turnout. CASES DEATHS RECOVERIES TESTS On theissuesfaced, the “dawai bhi, kadai bhi” (get vac- People of the country, he croreinthe second round notfall prey to rumours BMC Executive Health Officer JAN15 15,158 17516,977 8,03,090 Health Ministrysaid theyfaced cinated,but take everyprecau- said, have paid agreat price when the elderly and people “Our scientists,our experts Dr Mangala Gomare saidthe twoonDay 1. “First, therewas a tion). and learnedalot during the with serious co-morbidities gave permission foremer- turnoutwas notbad forthe first delayinuploading of the bene- Describing thescale of the pandemic. “In normal times, willbevaccinated... thereare gency use onlyafter theywere day. ficiarylistatsome sessionssites vaccine rollout –Serum everyone in the familygathers onlythree countries -- India, satisfiedabout the safetyand “This is justthe firstday of on the Co-WIN platform. The is- InstituteofIndia’s Covishield to take careofaperson who US and China -- with apopula- effectivenessofthe Made-in- vaccination and it wasaweek- sue wasresolved; system per- andBharatBiotech’s Covaxin has takenill. But this sickness tion morethan30crore,” he India vaccine. Therefore, peo- end. That could have affectedthe formance and speed(of Co-WIN) were being administered has leftthe ill very alone. At said. ple of the countryhavetostay turnout. We expect the numbers wasimprovedand is being fur- Saturday to 100beneficiaries manyplaces, mothers had to The Prime Ministersaid away from rumours and false to improveinthe coming days. ther optimised,” Additional from the priority group at each stay away from children who that as the countryrolls out its propaganda,” he said, urging People were,infact, eagerto STATESWITHRISINGACTIVECASES SecretaryDrManohar Agnani of the 3006 vaccination sites had takenill. Mothers were vaccination drive,“theworld is “morevolunteers” to partici- come forimmunisation,” she ACTIVECASES RISEINLASTWEEK said. across the country--as“un- very troubled, theywept, but looking at India with hope”. pateinthe drive. said. Gomareaddedthat BMC Kerala 67,711 3,324 “Therewas asmall issue precedented in thehistory of could nothold their children in “As our immunisation He told beneficiaries that went astepahead and called Maharashtra53,344 1,506 wherehealthcare workers not mankind”, Modi praisedthe laps. Elderly fathers had to campaign progresses, many theyhavetoreturn forthe sec- eachbeneficiary forvaccination Odisha 1,91055 scheduledfor today’s session role of doctors, nurses, para- struggle alone in hospitals, countriesofthe worldwill ond dose. “You cannottake instead of justtexting them. “We were vaccinated.Weevolveda medical staff, ambulance driv- their children unable to be benefit from ourexperience. onlyone dose and then forget; had made alistofprivate doctors, STATESWHEREACTIVECASESAREDECLINING process and states were askedto ers,ASHA workers,sanitation with them. The ones who left India'svaccines,our produc- don't makesuchamistake. publicdoctors,ANMs, nurses ACTIVECASES DECLINEINLASTWEEK upload thedetails of such health- workers, police personnel, fire- us could notbegiven the final tion capacity arefor thebene- And as the experts aresaying, from public andgovernment Chhattisgarh6,923 2,122 careworkers on the Co-WIN fighters and otherfrontline farewell with traditional ritu- fitofmankind, this is our com- between the firstand second hospitals to getadiversepool Uttar Pradesh 9,5811,954 database,” Agnani said. workers. He said the effortsof als, whichwas their right. The mitment,” he said. doses, agap of about one from each sector,” she added. Rajasthan 5,608 1,794 Astatement by the Health the scientific community to morewethink of those times, He said the price of the month will be kept.You have Sangli, Kolhapur,Ratnagiri, Ministrysaid, “The firstday of the develop the vaccine in record it terrifies,saddens us,” he said. Indian vaccine is very afford- to remember that onlytwo Gadchiroli, Sindhudurg, STATESREPORTINGMAXIMUMCASES massive countrywide Covid-19 time is “living proof of India's He quoted Telugu play- able compared to foreign vac- weeksafter the second dose, Chandrapur and Nandedsaw ONJAN15 TOTAL vaccination programme was strength, India's scientific skills, wright-poetGurajada Apparao cines. “Theyare notonly your body will develop the turnoutsbetween 51 to 55 per Kerala 5,6248,36,884 conductedsuccessfully. Atotal of India's talent”. to makethe point that acoun- cheaperthan foreignvaccines, necessarystrength againstco- cent. In Gadchiroli, amostlytribal Maharashtra3,145 19,84,768 3,352 sessions were held, “Our medical system, the tryisnot about “soil, water, butare also simpler to admin- rona,” he said. district, awareness about vaccine wherein 1,91,181 beneficiaries remains low. Karnataka 7089,30,668 were vaccinatedas per the provi- The onlydistrictstosee re- STATESREPORTINGMAXIMUMDEATHS sional reports.Additional 3,429 dateonwhich people will be used theservice in India every latedto anypolitical party” likea workers. Hingoli recorded100 markable participation were ONJAN15 TOTAL beneficiaries were vaccinated at asked to reviewand acceptthe month. In April lastyear,when retired judge of the Supreme per cent turnout of health work- Dhule, Buldhana, Parbhani, Beed West Bengal 16 10,026 Defence institutions. As manyas terms. No one willhavetheirac- Facebook announced a$5.7 bil- Court, and itspresident or presi- ers,while Mumbaihad the least and Solapur,whichrecorded90 Uttar Pradesh 15 8,558 16,755 personnel were actively countsuspendedordeletedon lion investment in Reliance dentsofother farmers bodies at 48.5 per cent. Flagging offthe per cent or morehealth workers involved in organising the im- February8.We're also going to Industries’Jio Platforms, participating in the protests. vaccination on Saturday, in vaccine centres. These districts Punjab 12 5,485 munisationsession sites." do alot moretoclear up the mis- WhatsApp and Reliance Retail The plea, filedthrough advo- Thackeray described it as 'a rev- sawalmostall hospital staffers DataasonJanuary15,releasedbyUnionMinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfare,IndianCouncilofMedical The topfivestatesinterms of information around howprivacy also entered acommercial part- cateAPSingh,referredtoanap- olutionarystep' in the battle ready to gettheir immunisation Researchandstategovernments.Often,thenumbersreleasedeverydaycontaindatafrompreviousdays aswell.Assuch,trendsbasedondailynumbersareonlyindicativeandnotdefinitive the number of people vaccinated and security workson nership agreement to support plicationfiled by the Centre againstthe pandemic, alsocau- againstCovid-19. Across were Uttar Pradesh (21,291), WhatsApp. We’llthen go to peo- small businesses on e-com- pointing out that farmer bodies tioning that the vaccine mustnot Maharashtra, 285vaccination AndhraPradesh(18,412), ple graduallytoreviewthe pol- merce platform JioMartusing opposingthe laws were planning makepeople complacentasthe sites were setup, mostwere Maharashtra (18,328),Bihar icy at their ownpace before new the messaging platform. to organise atractor/trolley/ve- threat of the disease remained, open until 5pm. NIA notices misuse of power (18,169) and Odisha (13,746). The business options areavailable on Following WhatsApp's an- hicle rallyinthe national capital and emphasising the needto Stateofficialssaid afew states and Union territorieswith May15,” WhatsApp said in ablog nouncement that it would up- on Republic Day, andseeking an continue wearing masks. healthworkers were refused against right to protest: AIKS amongthe lowest numbers updateonFriday. dateits privacy policy,Signal be- injunction against this. Inaugurating the vaccination vaccination as theydid notfit in were Tamil Nadu (2,945), APIL has been filedinboth came one of the topdownloaded The outfit said the Centre’s programme at the jumbo Coivd- the inclusion criteria— mostof Uttarakhand(2,276), Jammu& the Delhi High Court and apps on Android and Apple plat- application wasawasteofthe 19 Centreatthe Bandra Kurla these were pregnant women, EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE The AIKSalso said that Kashmir (2,044), Himachal SupremeCourt against forms lastweek in India -- which court’s time, as the Delhi Police Complex, Thackeray recalledthe lactating women, or people with NEW DELHI,JANUARY16 Pradesh (1,517)and Punjab WhatsApp's changes to itspri- is one of the biggestmarketsfor had already imposedrestrictions days whenthe centrewas filled active Covid infection. farmers’ unions under (1,319). vacy policy.The SupremeCourt WhatsApp with over 400million under Section 144IPC, which with patients, and praisedthe ef- NRamaswamy, director of IF THE governmenthas “evi- the banner of Delhi UnionHealth MinisterDr plea wasfiledbythe users. Justoverthe lastfortnight, prohibitsthe gathering of five or fortsoffrontlinedoctors,nurses the National Health Mission, said dence of secessionist elements Chalo SamyuktaKisan Harsh Vardhan held areview Confederation of All India Signalsaw nearly 23 lakh down- morepeople, in the Central Delhi and other frontlinestaff at hos- the statewill nothold asecond then it should be brought to the with health ministers of all states Traders, seeking directions to the loads, compared with 17 lakh district. It added thatthe pitals fortakingonthe task of vaccination drive on Sunday. public notice and legallypro- Morchahaveclearly at the end of the day. Noting that Central government to “dis- downloadsfor WhatsApp. Republic Dayfunction of January treatment at greatrisk to them- “Vaccination will be carriedout ceededagainst”, the stated that theyhave theyhad been preparing forthe charge theirexecutive, statutory WhatsApp's announcement 26 has itsConstitutional and his- selves. four days aweek,”hesaid. All India Kisan Sabha saidon nothing to do with any dayfor thepastfivemonths, and allotherobligationsinrela- on January 4, in whichitin- torical significance, and the or- "Those days still give me shiv- Dr Archana Patil, Director, Saturday, aday after Vardhan said, “Wehavegot en- tion to protectionand safetyof formedusersofits newpolicy, ganisation has great respect for ers. The situation wasreally wor- FamilyWelfare, said stateoffi- protesting farmers’ unions bannedorganisations. couragingand satisfactoryfeed- privacy of details/ dataofevery startedwith 'Respect foryour the national event. rying.Hospitals were flooded cialswillhold ameeting next raisedthe issue of NIA notices backonthe firstday.This indi- kind of subscribers”. privacy is codedintoour DNA'. with Covid-19patients. Howto week to finalise the next datefor and summonstofarm leaders cates that we aremoving Limited information from This phrase has earlier been used proceedwas abig question be- vaccination.“The beneficiaries during their meeting withthe ment sending notices to farm- towardsvictory in the fight WhatsApp is already shared verbatim by the messaging plat- Maharashtra fore everyone and no solution willbeinformedadayortwo in ministerial panel. ers’ leaders and misguiding the againstthe coronavirus." with Facebook.But the changes form’s co-founderJan Koum, With the software notbeing wasinsight. Everyone wasun- advance. We have to resolve Co- “AIKSstronglyprotests Supreme Courtisnot accept- The ministerurgedthe states to WhatsApp’s terms of service who had leftthe companyover abletogeneratelists of those der pressurebecause of the situ- WIN related technical problems againstthe NIA sending notice able. It needs to be condemned to be “vigilant againstrumours to enable that occurred in 2016, differences in the wayuser data who were to receive the vaccine ation," he said. toobeforethe next round,” she and summons to various farm- by all, includingthe political and disinformation campaigns” and the terms have notbeen sub- wasbeing used. on Saturdaynor enter their par- Thackeray flagged the need said. Stateofficials on Saturday ers’ leaders, including Baldev parties.” regarding the safetyofthe Covid- stantiallyupdated since. “Respect foryour privacy is ticulars as theyreceivedthe shot, to continue wearing masks. "The communicatedthe glitchinCo- Singh Sirsa, who is amember The AIKSisthe farmers 19 vaccines and asked them to Akey issue raisedbyprivacy codedintoour DNA,andwebuilt vaccinating teams reliedonex- threat is still to pass. Manymay WIN softwaretothe central gov- of thedelegation attending dis- wing of the CPI(M) and is makean“effective strategy” to experts with WhatsApp updat- WhatsApp around the goal of cel sheets to enter the data. bedeludedintothinking that the ernment in afeedbackmeeting. cussion with Modi govern- among the unions holding counterthe misinformation. ing itspolicies wasthat the mes- knowing as little about youas Officials said this data would be vaccine is here, and hence we can District officialshavealso ment, under various sections of protests demanding repeal of Health Secretaryand co-chairof sagingplatform rolledout sepa- possible: Youdon't have to give uploadedintothe app once the afford to letour guarddown. been instructed to startgather- the IPC and Unlawful Activities the three farm laws.The AIKS the high-levelcommittee on vac- rate privacy and datasharing us your name and we don't ask wrinkles aresmoothed out. Vaccination has justbegun. So ing dataoffrontline workers— (Prevention) Act,” the AIKSsaid also said that farmers’ unions cine administration Rajesh policies forEurope and India. foryour email address.Wedon’t StateHealthSecretaryPradip far, we have foughtthisthreat us- comprising municipal staff,po- in astatement signedbyits under the banner of Delhi Bhushan wasalsopresent at the Because of this, the demand for knowyour birthday. We don’t Vyas said the problem wastrig- ing three measures i.e. masks, lice, defence, BESTbus drivers general secretaryHannan Chalo SamyuktaKisan Morcha meeting. apromptimplementation of the knowyour home address. We gereddue to abug in the Co-Win washing hands and maintaining and conductors, security—for Mollah and president Ashok have clearly stated that they Indiahas reportedmorethan personal dataprotection lawin don’t knowwhereyou work.We app on Friday, becauseofwhich physical distancing," the CM said. the second phase of vaccination. Dhawale. have nothingtodowithany onecrore cases of Covid-19, with India has been renewed. India’s don’t knowyourlikes, what you on the firstday,beneficiaries He appealedtocitizens to follow Maharashtrahas an estimated “The waythe NIA is sending bannedorganisations. over 1.5lakh deaths attributedto data protectionBill -- the foun- search foronthe Internet, or col- could notbealerted automati- these guidelinesuntil such time 20 lakh frontline workers. notices to farmers’ leaders and “In this context, the BJP-led the virus. dations of whichwerelaid by a lect your GPSlocation. None of callybySMS, and had to beman- when Covid-19 is completely Districtswillstart uploading the those supporting the struggle Union government trying to committee whichgaveareport that datahas ever been collected uallymessaged or phoned. He eradicated. data from January25onthe Co- is highlyobjectionable and paint the farmers’ struggle as WhatsApp backin2018--isyet to be made and storedby WhatsApp, and we saidifthe problems were re- "People mustcontinue wear- Winportal. Afterthe inaugura- brazen misuse of poweragainst aidedbyKhalistani forces is an to help businesses through intoalaw.Itiscurrentlyunder really have no planstochange solvedonSunday,the drive could ing masksinpublic places even tion by the chief MinisteratBKC, the democratic rightsofpeople anti-national move affecting WhatsApp Business, whichwas consideration by aparliamen- that,” Koum had written after resume on Monday, if notby afterreceiving vaccine doses. The doctorsfromthe statevaccina- to protest,”itsaid. “If the gov- national unity.Itisthe most launched by the companyin tary committee. Facebook’s $16billion buyout of Tuesday.Ofthe 28,500health wayCovid-19 cases areonce tion task forcewereamong the ernment has evidenceofseces- reckless,communalbehavior of 2018 to facilitatecommunication As of July2020,the company the WhatsApp. workers who had been listedto again foundinlarge numbers in firsttoget the shot at BKCCovid sionistelementsthen it should RSS and BJP leadership that will between businesses and cus- had morethan50million getthe vaccine on the inaugural some of the countries, we may Centre, includingDrShashank be broughttothe public notice help the anti-national forces tomers. WhatsApp Business users glob- Farmers’ body day, Maharashtrarecordeda face asimilar situation," he said. Joshi, Dr Rahul Pandit and Dr and legallyproceededagainst. onlyinasensitive statelike “We’renow moving back the ally, of which over 15 million impartial personality...notre- turnoutof64.3 per cent (18,328) Health department officials Gautam Bhanshali. Withoutdoingthat, govern- Punjab,” it said.

IFFI: Biswajit Javadekar,announced anew well as other private companies tested the 2014 general elec- Bangladesh’s firstpresident festival —beingheld at the Dr tries and 190Indian entries. EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE ‘Indian Personality of the Year’ to startparticipatinginthe an- tions from aDelhi seat on a Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, India Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Speaking at the event, Chatterjee PANAJI,JANUARY16 award, whichheannounced nual festival from itsnextedi- Trinamool Congress ticket but and Bangladesh will be co-pro- Indoor Stadium —isacombina- Javadekar also said, “Everyyear, wasbeing conferredupon vet- tion. had joinedthe BJP in February ducing afilm titled tion of virtual and physical IFFI is organisedbythe Central awarded ‘Indian INAUGURATINGTHE 51st eran actor,director and singer Javadekar said Chatterjee 2019.IFFIalsochose Bangladesh ‘Bangabandhu’.The ‘Lifetime screenings of films. It usually government and Goa govern- Personality of International Film Festival of Biswajit Chatterjee. will be presented the awardin as the countryinfocus forthis Achievement’this year was takesplace in November every ment. Why?,” he said, adding India(IFFI)hereonSaturday, During his address, March,along withwinners of year.During his address, giventoItalian cinematogra- year but wasdelayeddue to the that “thereshould be participa- the Year’ Union Ministerfor Information Javadekar also made astrong the National Film Javadekar said that to markthe pher Vittorio Storaro.Due to the pandemic. The festival this year tion from the film industryand and Broadcasting, Prakash pitchfor the film industryas Awards.Chatterjeehad con- 100th birth anniversaryof Covid-19pandemic, this year’s received600 international en- other industries.” WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM THE SUNDAY EXPRESS,JANUARY17,2021 THE CITY 3 Va ccination Day1:ScenesfromMumbai centres TRPcase:FormerBARC CEOadmittedtohospital Familyallegesgaps in communicationbypolice

and Republic TV editor-in-chief been brought to the hospital un- EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Arnab Goswami, includedin conscious at 1pm,” She added MUMBAI,JANUARY16 Mumbai Police's supplementary that when asked whythe family chargesheetagainstthe BARC wasnot informedfor 14 hours, FORMER BROADCASTAudience CEO in the TRP scam, became the reason givenwas:“Theydid Research Council (BARC) CEO public.Theconversations puport- nothaveour phone numbersto Partho Dasgupta (55),who is in edly containedappeals by contact us and hence waited till judicial custody at Taloja Jail for Dasgupta to Goswami to use his my father wasconscious enough his alleged role in the TRP scam, political influence to getregula- to give them my mother’s phone has been admittedtoJJHospital tors offBARC's back, with number.This, despiteseveral afterabout of breathlessness. Goswami assuring him all help. mails to jail authorities request- Dasgupta wasadmitted to the In an open letter to PM ing permission to reachmyfa- ICU on Fridayafternoon and put NarendraModi postedonsocial ther...He has been suffering from on oxygen support,confirmedJJ media Saturday, Dasgupta’s manyserious ailmentsfor years. Hospital Dean Dr Ranjit daughter Pratyusha alleged the We have constantlybeen trying Mankeshwar. familywas informednearly 14 to contact jail authorities about An officer with the Crime hours afterhis hospitalisation. his health.” Intelligence Unit probing the TRP Her postsaid her mother re- An officer howeversaid, scam said Dasgupta had been di- ceivedacall to reachJJHospitalat “Doctors at Taloja Jail were mon- agnosedwith asudden spikein 3amonSaturday, “as my father itoring his health and he wasal- his blood sugar levels. Dasgupta wasbrought in there. Doctors lowedmedication. He maynot wastaken to hospital hours after asked us whynoone from the have takenthe medication, which WhatsApp chatsbetween him familyhad come thereashehad ledtohis illness”.

(Clockwise from top) Beneficiarieswaittoreceive the Covid-19vaccine at acentreinMumbai. Amit Chakravarty (Above)Abeneficiarybeing vaccinated at Nair Hospital. Ganesh Shirsekar (Left) Doctors and healthcareworkers at Rajawadi Hospital. Deepak Joshi

Tepid response to Covaxin, only 54 pc recipients turn outfor vaccine

zens that thereisnoadverse ef- SANJANABHALERAO fect of this vaccine. No one should MUMBAI,JANUARY16 approachthis process with fear,” said Dr Neelanjana Guha Niyogi COVAXIN SAWarelatively of the Bio-Chemistrydepart- poorer responsethan Covishield ment of the JJ hospital. in turnout numbers during Beneficiaries were askedto Saturday’s inoculation drive in examine their health forthe next Maharashtra. Of 600people, sevendays andreportany symp- 326 (54.3 per cent) turnedupfor toms likepain, headache, itching, their Covaxinshot, while and weakness. Covishield noted64.5 per cent The second dose of the turnout out of 27,900registered Covaxin will be administeredaf- beneficiaries. ter28days. Mumbai sawthe poorest Awareofthe apprehension turnout, with 39 beneficiaries for related to Covaxin,JJHospital Covaxin at JJ Hospital. At least100 had even acceptedwalk-in beneficiaries were registeredat Afrontline worker gets the firstCovaxin dose at DYPatil health workers who were will- the centre. In Solapurand Pune District HospitalinNerul on Saturday. NarendraVaskar ing to getashot. At leasteight each, 60 people came to the workers who were vaccinated GovernmentMedical Collegefor registeredonthe spot, while Covaxin shotout of 100regis- vaccine is undergoing aphase III second floor of the OPD building SMSes were sent to 200health tered. Mostweremedical college human trial to measureits effi- and next to theDepartment of workers. The firstfivebenefici- staffers who receivedintimation cacy,the dataonwhich remains Dermatology,the vaccination aries at the centreweredoctors on Fridaynight. pending. The vaccine is being ad- centre receivedcurious looks and department heads. In Solapur,District Health ministeredunder an ‘open label from thewaiting patients.Many Immunization Officer and Officer Dr Shitalkumar Jadhav clinicaltrial mode’, withconsent patientsinquiredif theycould get AssociateProfessor at JJ Hospital, said the six Covaxin centres were forms signedbybeneficiaries and the vaccination as well. The cen- Dr Prashant Howal, wasset to preparedin the lasttwo days and close monitoring anecessary trehad morepatients waiting in becomethe firstbeneficiaryof preparationswerehasty.“We clause, unlikeCovishield. the corridor thanthe beneficiar- the Covaxin in the city.However, willsee morepeople come out Across the state, 600people iesofthe vaccine. afterhedevelopedaneye infec- forCovaxininthe next round,” he were registered foraCovaxin All the beneficiaries,after the tion and amild fever on said. In Pune,civil surgeon Dr shot in six hospital sites in JJ initial check-up of blood pres- Saturday, JJ Hospital Dean Dr Ashok Nandapurkar said several Hospital (Mumbai), Government sure,temperatureand oxygen RanjitMankeshwar steppedup were notpresent on duty or had MedicalCollege(Solapur, levels, were told in detail about to allaythe fears and receivedthe gone somewhereand had to Nagpur,Aurangabad) and district Covaxin vaccine. The consent vaccine first. “The vaccine is ab- missthe shot. hospitals in Amravati and Pune. form declares that compensation solutelysafeand Ihavetaken it Covaxin has been indige- JJ hospital’s vaccination cen- will beprovided by thesponsors myself. Iamfeeling fine and nouslydevelopedbyHyderabad- tre, spreadacrossthree rooms, in case of anyadverse effect of the thereisnothing to worryabout. based Bharat Biotech in collabo- withfour vaccination booths, Covaxin. This vaccine has been approved ration with the IndianCouncilof wasthe smallestcentreamong “Through this,Iwant to lead afterdue process,” said MedicalResearch (ICMR). The the 10 in Mumbai.Set up on the by exampleand showthe citi- Mankeshwar. Morchainsupport of farmers’ agitation

EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE MUMBAI,JANUARY16

CLOSETO100organisations and civilsociety groups came to- gether under the bannerof'Kisan Alliance Morcha' in support of the farmers'agitation against the newfarmlawsinDelhi. The mor- chabegan from Islam Gymkhana on Marine Lines and ended at Azad Maidan. Leaders likeac- tivistMedha Patkar and Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana president Raju Shetti were among thosewho ad- dressedthe gatheringand voiced their support and expressedsol- idarity with the farmersinNew The rallyatAzad Maidan in Mumbai on Saturday. Ganesh Shirsekar Delhi. While speakers questioned the need forthe newfarm laws, fight will go on until the farm broaden thestrugglefrom in Mumbaiand begin their theyalso raisedquestions over laws aretaken back,"said Dr January23to26. three-day sit-in. On January25, the formation of the four-mem- ShaheryarAnsari, representative In Maharashtra, on January amassive rallywill be takento bercommittee by theSupreme of StudentsIslamic Organisation 23, thousands of tractors and ve- RajBhavanand amemo will be Courttomediate between the of India.SamyuktaKisanMorcha, hicles will starttheir journeyto submitted to the governor.On governmentand farmers. whichisleading the proteston Mumbai. On January24, thou- January26, therewill be aflag "Wewant to give aclear mes- the Delhi border,has givena sands of farmers and workers hoistingceremony at Azad sagetothe government that this countrywide call to intensify and will convergeatthe Azad Maidan Maidantoobserve RepublicDay. 4 THESUNDAY EXPRESS,JANUARY17,2021 VACCINATION:DAY 1 M UMBAI

Healthcarestaff at thefrontline gotthe firstdose of Covid-19vaccine. Manycame out of vaccination centres hopeful, even though they had walked in withdoubts

Dr MANGALMORE SANJAY DESHMUKH ANITABORHAD KANCHAN KOKALE SHREYAS PATEL SNEHAL RANE DR JAWAHAR PANJWANI DR BHARTI RAJULWALA ANDHERI JJHOSPITAL JJHOSPITAL DRVNDESAIHOSPITAL COOPERHOSPITAL BKC BKC RAJAWADIHOSPITAL

“ITISthe firstday of vaccina- DESHMUKH WASfirst "INITIALLY, AFTER reading WHENTHE pandemic was APRACTICINGdentist, ARESIDENT of Kalwain DR PANJWANI has had an ac- "EVERYBODYISfighting tionacrossthecountry. We are among the staffers to arrive the message, Idid rethink if I declared in March,Mulund Shreyash Pateldecidedto Thane, Rane,who is settore- tive orthopaedic practice for the virus. Iamhappythat fi- luckyto beamongthefirstfew at the hospital at 9.30 am to should getthe vaccine imme- resident Kanchan Kokale's applyfor thepostofCovid tiresoon, had adifficult time the pasttwo decades. After nallythereisavaccine that to be vaccinated,” saidMore, getthe firstshotofBharat diately or wait aday.There son waseight months old. assistant medical officer af- coping with the stress of see- his shot, Dr Panjwani claimed couldbring normal lifeback. whohasworkedwiththecivic Biotech's Covaxin. As the wasnofear,the vaccine is "My constant worrywas that terreading about the civic ing her fellowcolleagues get- that the vaccination process If this mass is successfully body foroverfiveyears. hospital staffcompleted rolledout forhealth workers Ihavespent the whole day body's hiring during the ting infected."Ihavebeen wasonceinalifetime expe- immunised, then we will be Travelling to work wasa last-minutearrangements across the country, the gov- working in crowdedareas in- pandemic. He wasassigned working for30years with the rience forhim. the winner in this fight...” challengeafter the Mumbai to begin thevaccination ernment musthaveap- teracting with people to con- work at MIDC in K-East BMC. But Covid-19has "I will soon be back to Recalling herlossesdue local trains were shut in process,Deshmukhallayed proved it afternecessary tri- duct tests, tracecontactsofin- ward of thecity, primarily shown us very difficult times. work.This is aproud mo- to Covid-19, she March.“Manyofour commu- fears of those waiting with als," Borhad said. fected persons. Once I working in the Covid-19war Manyofmycolleagues were ment and we arethankful to said, "People losttheirloved nity health workers took four him. Aresident of Pune, reachedhome, Itookall pre- room setupbythe BMC. infected due to the virus. the governmentfor taking ones in this pandemic. Ilost hoursto reachworkbychang- Having survivedCovid- Borhad joinedJJHospital last cautions before meeting my "The vaccination will NowIamhappythat the vac- this initiative.But one thing I my mother-in-lawdue to ing buses multiple times,” 19 andworking at thefront- monthfromPune's Sassoon sonbut thosemonthswere help me explain the process cine has arrived. Aftergetting want to request, everyone Covid. My son also tested says More. But the biggest line, Deshmukh appealedto General Hospital. As alab anxious formeasamother," better when Ireceive calls or acall from the BMC, Ireached should still wear amask, positive forthe virus.” concern, she said, wasthe people for confidence in the technician, Borhad wasin Kokalesaid. have to go intothe commu- the centreearly in the morn- maintain distancing and Sheadded, “One of my safetyofherfamily. Morelives vaccine."Aftersuffering charge of swab collection for Among the firstfew bene- nity in the next fewmonths ing. We worked dayand wash their hands even after colleagues lostthree of her in the Matungalabour camp from fever forfour days,I Covid-19test. Remembering ficiaries at Dr VN Desai to explain itsbenefits," Patel night during the peak of being vaccinated," said Dr relativesinone month. This area with her husband, his suddenlycollapsedand was the time when she quaran- Hospital in Santacruz, Kokale said. Covid-19," said Rane. Panjwani. wasadisaster.” parents, twobrothersand a rushedtohospital, where tinedherself and could not waited forher turn from 9.30 six-year-old daughter in a my swab test showedthat I meether children,Borhad am. "I wasnervous about get- small 275-squarefeethome. wasCovid-19positive. For said, "Thereishope,now." ting avaccine till Icame here.” “Socialdistancing wasvery almostamonth, Iwas on tough. Those days,Ididnotre- oxygen support. Getting At 10 centres, over 1,900 vaccinated: move my mask even at Covaxin todaywas theleast home,” she says. scarything of my life." Sunil Parad, a In May, both Moreand her Deshmukh said he re- security ‘Entire experience was like apicnic’ in-laws tested positive.“I ceivedamessagefromthe guardatthe shiftedmyin-laws to ahospi- hospital administration at 7 rural hospital tal. Iquarantinedmyself by ar- am on Saturday,stating that in Palghar, ranging foraseparateroom he wasacceptedfor vaccina- receiveda near my house. Thankfully, tion. Deshmukhwas the Covishield my daughter testednegative,” sixthperson to receive shoton she said. Covaxin at the centre. Saturday. DeepakJoshi

SANTOSHI SHIRSAT RAMDAS MAHAD POONAM PALVI&DEEPADEVDE CHEMBUR JAWHAR JAWHARSUB-DISTRICTHOSPITAL

SHIRSAT,WHO worksinthe ON SATURDAY,asheoversaw THE TWOstaff nurses donned me afterreturning from the Integrated Child preparations from glitches in multiple hatsonSaturday, observation room," said Palvi. Development Servicescen- the CoWINsoftwaretoes- from drawing rangoli at the Afterhaving treated aslew treatChembur,arrived at corting local politicians, to vaccinationcentre's entrance of patientsfromthe tribal- Rajawadi Hospital along asking all stafftobepresent to cutting paper slips forto- dominated area, the twosaid with some other colleagues. forvaccination, Mahad said kens, from vaccinating other theywerehappytobevacci- Aarti on the firstday of the Covid-19vaccination drive at CooperHospital in Mumbai on Saturday—Amit Chakravarty;(right)Dr While taking the shots,she he "has mixed feelings" health workers with an intra- nated."Vaccine is agoodthing. Shashank Joshi, Dean of theIndian CollegeofPhysicians and amember of the Covid-19State Task Force, receiveshis vaccine wanted her phototobe aboutthe vaccine. "There is a muscular jab to getting the We needittoreduce the case- shotatthe BKCCovid CentreinMumbaionSaturday. clickedand requestedone of scareand thereisexcitement shot themselves, the twowere load and thereisnohesitation the staffmembers to click about vaccination. Ihave vaccinators as well as benefi- amongany of us," Devde said. photosfromher phone. "I am been going through both," he ciariesasthe immunisation Both did notget the re- On Saturday, 4,000beneficiaries, including doctors, nurses, paramedicsand excited and happytoget the said. He wasone of the 100 drive againstCovid-19 began quired text messagestating vaccine. Ihope people will hospital staffers shortlisted across India. that theyweregoing to be ben- healthcarestaffers, were expected to turn up at the 10 designated vaccine nothavetoface the trauma forinoculation on Saturday "Since onlytwo of us are eficiaries. It wastheir bosses that wascausedbyCovid- in Jawhar.Mahad has closely trainedhere, Ifirstvaccinated who asked them to getready centres across Mumbai forinoculation. However, only 1,926 —560 from 19,” Shirsat said. followedthe vaccine trials. her and then she vaccinated forthe vaccination. Mumbai city and 1,266inMumbaiSuburban—turnedupfor vaccination, making Mumbai the onlycity in the statewith aturnout of less than 50 percent

vaccinated the vaccine to be administered. the Covid-19patients. CoWIN software suffers glitches, BMC EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Once the name of the beneficiary With separateentryand exit, MUMBAI,JANUARY16 Built as amodel centrefor the wascheckedinthe listof100 en- the hospital assuredthat each vaccination process, the Dr RN listedfor the firstday of the drive, beneficiary completesthe says drive to resume after two days Babasaheb Ambedkar Cooper HospitalinVile Parlesaw blood pressure, temperature and mandatoryhalf an hour observa- aredcarpetentryandaartithaalis O2levelswere checkedatthereg- tion period. As manyas243 Kandivali Shatabdi forthe beneficiaries on Day1. istration desk.Asthe Bharti healthcare, doctors and frontline rivalofthe beneficiary at the centre: 266vaccinated With five of the10vaccination Biotech’s Covaxin, whichisyet to workers were administeredthe TABASSUM The access to logintothe softwareis centre, her vaccination, anyad- In Babasaheb Ambedkar booths functioning on Day1,the complete the laststage of the hu- vaccineatthecentreonSaturday. BARNAGARWAL&SADAF with the vaccinator,primaryhealth centre verse eventssufferedbythe ben- Kandivali Shatabdi hospital, turnout from 11.15amto5pm man clinical trials, wastobead- MODAK eficiary, and recording that the Medical Superintendent Dr was262 of the 500listed. Ama- ministeredatthe centre, benefi- Bhabha Hospital: MUMBAI,JANUARY16 levelofficer,blockofficer, district officer beneficiarywas observed for30 Pratima Patil said 266people out jority of thosewho were vacci- ciaries also had to fill awritten 149vaccinated and statelevel officer in the state minutes. of the 500who were sent text nated at the centrewerestaffers consent form. Theywerethen di- THE TECHNICAL glitches faced "Since Co-WIN softwarewas messages came forvaccination. from Cooper Hospital, BMC's rectedto thevaccinationboothset At Bhabha Hospital, Bandra due to CoWin (Covid Vaccine notworking in all districts,we Five people, who were pregnant health stafffromK-Westand K- up in the next room and thento West,the immunization drive Intelligence Network) on vaccine rollout in the city aftera while initiallyauthorities in- created aGoogleorExcel sheet or lactating, were noteligible for Eastwards and healthcarework- theobservationroom forhalfan witnessedlowturnout. The drive Saturdayduring the vaccination bulk of the centres in Mumbai sistedonbeing shownthe SMS and asked districtstoupdatein- vaccination. “The entireexperi- ersfromtwoprivate hospitalsand hour.JJHospital Dean Ranjeet startedaround11.30 am and ato- drive has ledthe civic body to and the statecomplainedabout forentryintothe centre, as it formation there. The concerns ence waslikeapicnic. Everybody one diagnostics laboratorycon- Mankeshawarwasthefirstoneat tal300 health workers were reg- resume the drive twodays later, the glitches that had rendered became apparent thatfew had about the app have been noted enjoyedthewholeprocessof vac- ductingCovid-19tests. the centretoget the Covaxin, to isteredfor the vaccination. afterSunday andMonday, so it unusable. receivedtextmessages, those and we will hopefullyresolve cination. We had no adverse dispel anyfears.“Thevaccine is However, at the end of the day thatithas time to solve the As the anti-COVID19vacci- manning the entryswitchedto these issues before next vaccine event, notevenmildones,” Patil VN Desai Hospital: 80 absolutelysafeand Ihavetaken it (drive wasstoppedat5pm) 149 technical issues. nation drive kickedoff in the verifying peopleagainstman- session. We have also told dis- said. vaccinated myself.Iamfeelingfineandthere health staffhad been vaccinated. "Thereweretechnical prob- city on Saturday,mostcentres ual lists. tricts to fill dataoffline and up- is nothing to worry. This vaccine Doctorsfromthehospitalsaidthat lems in the CoWin app on reliedonmanual handling of Officialssaid thatthe load it on softwarelater," said Dr Sion Hospital: 188 Whilehealthcareworkers has been approved afterdue the numbersofbeneficiaries will Saturday. Effortsare being made the process aftermultiple processofenlisting people for Archana Patil, Director,Family vaccinated were informedthattheprocessof process.” be graduallyincreased. No com- by theCentral Government to glitches renderedunusable the vaccine had begun over two Welfare, DirectorateofHealth vaccination would begin by 10 plaintsofadverse reaction were address the problem.Digital reg- CoWin (Covid Vaccine monthsago with hospitals Services. Dean Dr Mohan Joshi wasthe am,itbeganpost1pm,delayedas BYLNair Hospital: receivedatthe centre. istration of the beneficiarywho Intelligence Network), thenew sending out alistoftheirfront- Trafficonthe portalmade its firstofthe 400registered to get thecentre awaitedbeing“inaugu- 190vaccinated Adoctor from Bhabha receivedthe vaccine is manda- softwarecreated as adigital line health workers to the BMC. processing slowand the soft- vaccinated on SaturdayinSion rated”by formermayorofthecity, Hospital,whowassupervisingthe tory.However, thegovernment platform to monitorand record Basedonthis, severallists were ware could notbeusedfor real Hospital.Thehospitalkept itsvac- Vishwanath Mahadeshwar.The Amassivetent wasset up at vaccinationdrive,said that since had allowedoffline registration vaccine distribution. made to achieve amix of health time updates. On Saturdayas cination centreopen until 8pm. hospital has twovaccination the Nair hospital, serving as the many beneficiaries got latecalls, today(Saturday)due to atech- Earlier,officials had said that workers across designations 3,000vaccinationsites logged in Followingthedean’sshot,mostly booths and wasexpecting 200 waiting area forthe beneficiaries. theycould notturn up forvacci- nical problem. However, the gov- automated text messages would and hospitals, to ensurethat at the same time from all over professors and lecturers in the personsonDay 1. Medical The vaccination room had 10 nation. "Manystaff have night ernment has directed that all fur- be sent on Fridaytothose cho- notall workers from aparticular the country,including 285 sites hospitalwere giventheintramus- Superintendent Prashant More chairs and seatseach, placedina shifts so if theyget acall lateat ther entries should be made sen to getthe vaccine shotonthe departmentorhospital would in Maharashtra, the softwareap- cularjab.“Inourcentre,apartfrom said thatthe totaltallyatthe end row, with antibacterial curtains night, then it wasnot possible for through the app. In viewofthis, firstday,informing them about be away forimmunisation on peared to have frozen up in text messages, people also got a of the daywas 80 from both the separatingeachset.Inabidto con- them to come today,”said the Covid 19 vaccination has been their booths and timing forthe anyparticular day. manyplaces. . call from BMCwardofficetore- booths.Mostofthoseonthelistat trolcrowdingandliningupof ben- doctor.The centrewas almost postponedfor twodays in immunisation process. But there Apart from informing benefi- NRamaswamy, director of mind us of our shot.Mycall came the hospital were staffmembers eficiaries outside the vaccination emptyaround4.30pmasnoben- Mumbai i.e., on Sunday17th were complaintsfromseveral ciaries and making lists,CoWin National Health Mission, said at 6inthe morning,”Joshisaid. of the civic hospital, BMC health booths, eachwas providedwith a eficiarieswere there.Officialssaid January2021and Monday 18th districtsthat the messages were is also to be usedtobuild adata- theyhavenotedthe district level workers and stafffromvarious tokenand were onlyreleasedin that thosewho have missedtheir January2021. Vaccination will notgoing through to the in- base forscheduling the second complaints. "Wewill be com- BKCCentre: 220 maternity hospitals in the area. the batches of three and maxi- turnwillbecalledattheendnow. resume as soon as the glitches tendedbeneficiaries. dose of the vaccine forthose municating this to thecentrein vaccinated mumfive.Thecentrealsohadato- areresolved." The In Mumbai, BMC had manu- who have already takenthe first videoconferencing. But Icannot JJ Hospiral: 39 kendisplaysystemandannounce- Rajawadi Hospital : Brihanmumbai Municipal allycreated alistofbeneficiar- does. But with the app notwork- commentonthe application's Thecentrewasexpecting500 vaccinated mentsfor the beneficiaries. 289 vaccinated Corporation said in astatement. ies, distributed it to 24 Covid ing, this information will be en- working. It wasdesignedand health workers on thefirstday of The vaccine drive will also war-rooms, and asked each teredinCoWin later. handedovertousbycentre," he immunisation.DrMadhuraPatil JJhospitalwastheearmarked KEM Hospital: 243 As the dayprogressed, nottakeplaceonSundayinthe ward office to messagebenefici- "Asthe namescould notbe said. (26),whoisadieticianintheAsian centre forthe inoculation of the vaccinated Rajawadi Hospital better man- state. Dr Pradeep Vyas, state aries under their jurisdiction. updated digitallyonDay 1, alist Dr Milind Chavan, adistrict Heart Institute Hospital, wasthe indigenously-developedCovaxin. aged theimmunization pro- healthsecretary,said, if techni- When the softwarewas unable has been made manuallyofall levelimmunisation officer,said firstbeneficiaryatBKC andgot her With lastminutetraining on At King EdwardMemorial grammeforhealthworkersarriv- cal issues related with Co-WIN to createalistormessagebene- those who were giventhe vac- theyhaveallocated officialsto shotinthe presence of Chief dosageandprocessof vaccination hospital in Parel, the vaccination ing at thecentrefor inoculation. areresolvedbySunday, the next ficiaries, Ward Officials beganto cine. The hospital staffwill up- handle the Co-WIN software. MinisterUddhav Thackeray. undertakenonThursdaynight, JJ centrewas setuponthe second Thehospitalhadsetupelectronic round will be held on Mondayor call people on the listorsend date this information to the plat- "Wheneverthereisimmunisa- Manybeneficiaries arrivedatthe hospital at Byculla prepareditself floor of the newbuilding. boards wheretoken numbers of Tuesday. "Inthe meeting of them messages. Some benefici- form when the glitches are tion planned, an official will cre- centreearly morning. However, to inoculatearound 100health- Registration booths and waiting registered health workers were union health ministers with all aries said that theyreceived calls resolved," said CooperHospital atea'session site' forvaccination chaos reignedinthe morning af- carestaffers from the hospital area were setupatthe entrance displayed,after whichtheywere state ministers in evening, this lateonFriday, some as late as on dean Pinakin Gujjar. on the platform and add names terlast-minutechanges were with Covaxin shots, on Saturday. of thebuilding,to avoidcrowding proceeding towardsvaccination issue of softwarewas raisedby Saturdayat10am. In some districtsofthe state, of beneficiaries. Through the made to the siteofthe launch However, only39werevacci- nearthevaccinationbooths.Ato- rooms. ManyAnganwadi work- manystates. Government of "When multiple attemptson while the softwarewas able to app, the messagewill be senton eventthatwastobepresidedover nated.With onlyahundred kendisplaysystemwas also in- ers had also reachedtotakethe India and UNDP arelooking at softwarefailed, ourwardofficers create alistofbeneficiaries and aregisteredmobile number.This by Chief MinisterUddhav scheduledtobeadministered stalledatthe centretohelp the firstshotofthe vaccine. Some of solutions," Vyas said. manuallysent atextmessage notify them via atext, it wasun- time we directlyselectedinsti- Thackeray. with the vaccine, JJ hospital cen- beneficiaries. At thefrontline of them were taking selfies while Co-win developedbythe and calledupeachofthe benefi- able to open the listwhen the tutions and all healthworkers tredid notface anycrowding re- Mumbai’s battle againstthe pan- standinginaqueueoratthewait- Centretomonitor and trackthe ciaries," said Dr GulnarKhan, vaccination beganonSaturday. under it were selected.Wecan RNCooper latedissues. With asmall waiting demic, this95-year-old hospital ingroom.Thetokensystemmade inoculation process, acted as a medical officer in KWestward. Real time entries on the list also individuallyselect benefici- Hospital: 262 area, twotothree health workers wasthe major civic-runhospital the things easier forbothstaff as dampener on the firstday of the At Dr RN Cooper Hospital, would include registering the ar- aries," he said. walked in everyhalf-an hour-for inthecity, which beganadmitting well as beneficiaries. WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM THE SUNDAY EXPRESS,JANUARY17,2021 MAHARASHTRA 5 Activistmoves On Day 1in Pune, 438 Bombay HC, seeks beneficiaries info from DGHS get vaccineshot AJAYJADHAV on safety and PUNE,JANUARY16 ATOTAL of 438 out of the 800se- lectedbeneficiariesinthecitytook efficacy of Covaxin the Covid-19 vaccine on the inau- guralday of the nationwide drive on Saturday. ThePune Municipal proval grantedto Covaxinis nota Corporation (PMC) had planned EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE full approval and is merelyagreen vaccinationof 800beneficiarieson MUMBAI,JANUARY16 signalto provideitsvaccineto the thefirstday,with100ineachofthe Govtof India while treating every eight centres in the city. RTIACTIVISTSaket Gokhaleon recipient of avaccine as apartic- The drive wasconducted at Saturday movedawritpleabefore ipant in itsPhase III human clini- four government hospitals and as the BombayHigh Courtseeking cal trials.”Gokhalefurtheralleged manyprivate hospitals. It was directions to the Drugs Controller the companyhas notpublished launchedinthecityatthecivic-run Generalof India(DCGI)to bringin findings and dataoftheir Phase II Kamla Nehru hospital at around thepublicdomainallinformation and ongoingphase IIItrials in any 11 am by administering the first pertaining to thesafetyand effi- paper and the same data, how- dose of Covishield to 74-year-old cacytrialresultsofBharatBiotech’s ever,has been submitted to the Dr Vinod Shah, senior medical Covid-19vaccine ‘Covaxin' Centre, to be consideredfor the practitioner. The plea statedthatwhile the vaccine approval process and “A total of 470ofthe 800se- vaccination drive in India begins conditional approval to Covaxin. lected beneficiaries turnedupat from January16, and Covaxin is The activistfurther said anyper- the eight vaccination centres. safeand provides a“robust im- son receivingCovaxin is firstre- However, 32 refusedtotakethe mune response”, the datafrom quired to sign amandatorycon- vaccine,”saidAshishBharati,head the companygiven to theDCGI sent form with “lackof of the PMC health department. hasnotbeenmadeavailableinthe information in public domain”or Around45percentof theselected public domain. “Withatrialvac- “foregothe vaccinationentirely”. beneficiariesdidnotturnupto get cinethathasnotcompletedPhase Further,the Centrehas stated vaccinated.The beneficiaries for IIItrialsasinthecaseof M/sBharat thatpeoplereceivingvaccineswill the firstphase areonlyfromthe Biotech’s Covaxin,there remains nothaveachoiceastowhichvac- medical fraternity comprising of agreat possibility of harm to the cine theyreceive,the petition 55,000registeredmedical staffin lifeofmembers of the general noted. In viewofthis, the plea thecity. Atotalof 800beneficiaries publicthatarebeingadministered claimedthat with the absence of were selected through randomi- this vaccine,” stated theplea. information in the public domain sationforthefirstday of thevacci- The petitioner referred to the related to safetyand efficacy of nationdrive.AspertheUniongov- January3press note issuedbythe Covaxinclinicaltrials,itisimpossi- ernment directions, the Covid-19 DCGI,whichsaid Covaxin has ble foranyone to provide an in- vaccine has been made optional been approvedfor“restricteduse formedconsent,thusexposingre- and can be refusedbythose se- in an emergency situation” and cipientstorisksoftakingvaccines lected through the online system. thatwhilePhase Iand PhaseII withconsequencesorremainun- “Noneof thebeneficiarieswho clinical trials demonstrated that vaccinatedand remain “suscepti- took the vaccine on Saturdayre- the vaccine wassafe, Phase III tri- bleto Covid-19infection”.Thepe- portedany health issues. They als arestillongoing. In light of this, titionerhad filedaRight To were kept underobservation for Gokhalestatedinhis plea, “This Informationapplication with the half-an-hour aftertakingthe vac- means that everyperson that is DCGI,seeking information on cine,” said Bharati. On manynot administeredCovaxin will tech- Covaxin,includingdatasubmitted turninguporrefusingto take vac- nicallybeseen as aparticipant in byvaccine manufacturer compa- cine, Bharati said afew might be the company’s Phase III trials and nies and final report of the expert scared while some leftthe centre monitoredaccordinglyasper the committees on the same, which without taking the vaccine due to rules of Phase III trial process.” remain unanswered,prompting delayinadministrative process The petitioner added, “Theap- Gokhale to move the High Court. causedbythe online system. WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 6 MAHARASHTRA THESUNDAY EXPRESS,JANUARY17,2021 TechnicalglitchesinCoWINintribalareas: At 69.3%, Vidarbha beatsstate workerssay1stdayliketrial,lessonslearnt in vaccinating health workers The maximum number of people, 1200,weretargetedfor vaccination in Nagpur;ofthem, 779took the shot In Dahanu sub-district hos- checkedour internetspeedtoo. TABASSUM pital, 70 km from Palghar,the The decision to remove this BARNAGARWALA CoWIN softwarestopped centrewas sudden," said VIVEKDESHPANDE PALGHAR,JANUARY16 working afterthe firstbenefi- Medical superintendent Dr NAGPUR,JANUARY16 ciarywas registered. Even at Pradeep Dhodi. FROM 8AMonSaturday, Nilesh the Palghar rural hospital, In Palghar district, seven VIDARBHA ACHIEVED the target Rawal'seyesweretrained onto wherethe internetsignal is centres were chosen and four of vaccinating 69.3 per cent of his laptop, twomobile phonesin comparatively better,the soft- functionedonSaturday.Inru- frontline workers, surpassing the his hands, as he made rapidcalls ware wasslowtorespond. ralareas, unsureofthe re- stateaverage of 63.5 per cent, on to district levelofficials. The Officialssaid while internet sponse to the vaccine, centres the inaugural dayofthe nation- CoWIN pagerefusedtoload onto wasone problem, toomuchtraf- firstreachedout to theirown wide Covid-19inoculation drive. his screen. By 10.30 am, when ficonthe softwarecouldbean- staff. This allowedthem scope Of targeted 5,600people at PrimeMinisterNarendraModi other."We were trainedtouse it, fordelayand error. total 56 centres across 11 dis- beganhis speech, Rawal, the ad- but it lookslikethe softwarehas PrajaktaMangude(28)said trictsofthe region, 3,881 were ministrative officer in Palghar’s been updatedand Iamlearning shegot acall from the hospital administeredthe vaccine. sub-district hospital,was sur- to navigate it now,"said Rawal, on Friday, but did notget an au- Within the region,the Amravati roundedbystaff in panic. An in- who sat at the registration desk tomated text message. division, consisting of Akola, ternetoperator and atechnician in Jawhar. "I have livedapartfrommy Amravati, Buldana,Washim and from Jawhar villageweresum- The Jawharhospital has in- husbandfor eight months. Iwas Yavatmal districts,the percent- monedand, eventually, at 12.35 stalleda10Mbps Wi-Firouter confusedwhethertotakeit, but agewas an impressive 78.73. In pm the vaccinationdrive started. and asked atechniciantore- our hospital authoritiescoun- the Nagpur division, it was63.21. It was, however, without CoWIN main on standbyfor the next selledme. Iwant to stay withmy The highestpercentagewas At avaccination centre in Nagpur on Saturday. as the softwareglitch could not Forfour hours, officials in Jawhar vaccination centretried to fewdays.Taluka health officer family without the worryofget- achievedbyBhandaradistrict DhananjayKhedkar be setright. resolve softwareglitches. DeepakJoshi Dr Kiran Patil said forrural and ting infected so Itook the vac- where265 of 300peoplewere By then, Dr Anand Adsul, the tribal areas, digital technology cine,"Mangudesaid. Keeping in vaccinated.Inthe Amravati divi- firstbeneficiary, had already will be the biggestimpediment mindthe next phaseofinocula- sion, Buldana achievedthe high- take the vaccine, Deputy The Indian Express has learnt waited forfour-and-a-half hours. foracountrywide immunisation eficiaries when the softwaredid to the vaccination programme. tion of frontline workers, Palghar est95.83 per cent, with 575of Director of Health Services, that apartfromexperiencing Local MLASunil Bhusaracould drive againstCovid-19. notworkonFriday. "But we arelearning," he said. immunisation officer Dr Milind 600taking the vaccine. It may Nagpur,SanjayJaiswal said, some minoritchingand pain, notwaitany longer and posed CoWIN, an online software, The hospital wasable to im- In Kasa sub-district hospital, Chavan said theyplannedtose- well be the highestpercentage "Todaywas the firstday.It's like overallall recipientsfelt alright foraphotograph withanurse, will requireall data of health munise 67 health workers, all its asecurity guardand hospital lect schools, primaryhealth cen- achievement in the entirestate. anew vehicle entering the mar- within minutes of being vacci- who pretendedtoinject Adsul. beneficiaries to be uploadedin ownstaff,byevening."This was staffremainedstationedguard- tres with good network. The otherdistrictsfared as ket.Not all will go foritimme- nated. The sub-district hospital in real time whentheyget the shot. possible because theywereour ing 110vaccine doses. The cen- "These centres will be in follows:Akola 79.33per cent, diately. But the overall percent- Covaxin wasadministered Jawhar,locatedinthe tribalhilly This software is also supposedto staffand willing to wait. The real trewas removedfrom proximity to specialisedhospi- Amravati 87.6 per cent, Washim ageisstill very good and Iam onlyattwo centres in Vidarbha. terrain of Palghar,isone of the createand send automated mes- problemwill come up when pri- Saturday's drive in an attempt to tals to manageadverse events. 55.67per cent, Yavatmal 62.8per sureitwill reach90orabove Atotal of 2,000doses (100vials) fewremote hospitals demon- sages scheduling appointment vate health workersstart com- reduce the total number of cen- Todaywas like atrial forusand cent, Chandrapur 55.17 percent, very soon.” eachwereprovidedto strating challenges in rural and forvaccination. But in Jawhar ingorwhen we go deeper into tres and trafficonthe CoWIN we learnt lessons. Once we start Gadchiroli 54.25 per cent, Asked if therewereany ad- Government Medical College tribal areas as India takestoa hospital, the superintendent villages to vaccinate," said super- software. vaccinating general public, we Gondia 71 per cent, Nagpur verse reactions among the vac- and Hospital (GMCH),Nagpur, digital platform forthe firsttime personallyinformedall 100ben- intendent Dr RamdasMahad. "Wemade all preparations, can'taffordsuchdelay." 64.92 per cent and Wardha 57.33 cine recipients, Jaiswal said, and Amravati District General per cent. "Therewerenosuchreports Hospital. At GMCH, 53 of 100tar- The maximumnumber of from anywhereinthe division." getedpeople took the vaccine. people, 1,200, were targeted for Amaravati Divisional Singh said that at the Amravati 1,802 healthcare workers vaccinated in Pune district vaccination in Nagpur.Ofthem, Commissioner Piyush Singh hospital,Covaxin wasadminis- 779tookthe shot. echoedthe same in terms of the teredto100 per centofthe tar- The target forday one wasto hospital and five at Noble hospi- (or 55 per cent) were vaccinated ment guidelines,eachsession of Asked whyothers did not vaccination drive in his division. getedfrontline staff. EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE vaccinate3,100beneficiariesand tal. Three persons refusedtotake while in PCMC –atotal of 456 vaccination will comprise 100 PUNE,JANUARY16 till 5.30pm, 58 per cent of the the vaccine at Bharati hospital outof800target (or 57 per cent) instances. Hence, at 31 centres in target wasachieved. Of the 41 whiletwo refusedvaccination at were vaccinated. In Punerural, the district atotal of 3,100health At protest against ATOTAL of 1,802 healthcare persons who refusedtotakethe Deenanath Mangeshkar hospi- of the total target of 1,500bene- workers were to getthe Covid- 89 accused granted workers were vaccinated in vaccine, at least32werefromthe tal. Four persons who did notget ficiaries, 908 beneficiaries (or 61 19 vaccinebythe end of the day,” farm lawsinNagpur, Pune district on the inaugural Pune MunicipalCorporation inoculatedwerefromSutar hos- per cent) got thevaccine shots. District Collector Rajesh bail in Palghar dayofthe firstphase of the na- area and nine from Pune ruralar- pital at Kothrud. Therewereno Aboutone lakhhealth work- Deshmukh said. To vaccinateall tionwide vaccination drive eas. Of the 41,three refusedtoget refusals from Pimpri-Chinchwad ers from the districthaveregis- the registeredhealth workers, Thoratslams Modi launchedbyPrime Minister the vaccine shotatthe Ruralhos- vaccinationcentres. teredonthe special portal. Ato- the district needed 1.97 lakh vac- lynching case NarendraModi on Saturday. pital in KanhePhata and three On Saturday, twoadverse talof31vaccination centres cine doses, of whichithas re- EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Symbiosishospital wasthe others at Sub-districthospital in eventswerereported–one at were madeready in the district ceived1.13lakh doses from the NAGPUR, JANUARY 16 onlyone in thedistrict to meet Bhor.Three persons refusedto Akurdi hospital and another at on the firstday of the campaign. central government. EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE the target of administering vac- getvaccinated at the Ruralhospi- Wagholi primaryhealth centre The Pune administration has Following the firstphase of MUMBAI, JANUARY 16 MaharashtraCongress President and Cabinet cines to 100beneficiaries on the talinJunnar. –which, according to health au- also readied2,546 vaccinators to vaccination forthe health work- MinisterBalasaheb Thorat on Saturdayattacked firstday while the rural hospital Of the 32 persons who re- thorities, were minor issues. conduct the drive.Eachbenefi- ers, the administration will ASPECIAL courtinThane districtonSaturday Prime MinisterNarendraModi, saying he has at KanhePhatainPune managed fusedthe vaccination in the PMC Across PMC areas, of the total ciarywill receive twodoses of move to provide vaccines to sen- granted bail to 89 accused persons in the Palghar become a"slave"ofthe "big capitalists". Thorat to vaccinate only33persons, the area, 11 were at BJMedical target of 800beneficiaries regis- the vaccine, 28 days apart. ior citizens and those with co- mob lynchingcase, in whichtwo sadhus and their wasaddressingagatheringofCongress work- leastinthe district. College, sevenatRajiv Gandhi teredonthe portal, atotal of 438 “Asper the central govern- morbidities in the next phase. driverwerekilled. ers and farmers in front of RajBhavanhere, District JudgeSBBahalkar,inhis order,granted wherethe party staged aprotest,under itsna- ZORABIAN Today’s Ex- bailtothe 89 accusedand will next hearthe mat- tionwide programme to gherao governors' res- The Indian EXPRESS Farm LiveBroiler Rate RECRUITMENT SERVICES teronFebruary15. idences,againstthe Centre’s three farm laws. Rs. 65/- Retail Market Satish Maneshinde, the special public prosecu- The Congress had earlier plannedthe agitation Rate Rs. 95/-. Mobile: SITUATION 8879050887/ 9372663242. VACANT ADVERTISEMENTS torinthe case,said,“Theonesgranted bailon in Mumbai but theyhad to shift thevenue to Office: 022-26604937/ Saturdaywerearrestedsubsequently andhavenot Nagpur afterGovernor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari 38/ 39. 0070721613-1 ASSISTANT forAdmin KEYON Publicity- been chargesheeted as yet.” The chargesheetwas arrivedhereonafive-dayvisit. cum Accounts for a Official Advertising filedagainst126 people, of which75persons— who "Our PM has become aslave of the big capi- S. K. Patel Small: 95/-, Companybased in PUNJABI 84 born educat- ALIBAG Agro.Always Agency All Newspapers, arecurrentlyinprison— allegedly had amajor role talists and is nowhell bent on makingfarmers Big: 88/-. 8082040343/ Kanjurmarg. Min. 1year MATRIMONIAL ed Bank employed available Fresh Chest Loksatta Accepts All to play in the crime. their slaves. But we will notallowour freedom to 24460095/24459098. 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THESUNDAYEXPRESS, JANUARY17,2021 7 EXPRESS ADDA

SHASHI THAROOR SACHCHIDANAND CONGRESS LEADER &MP SHUKLA Doyouthinkit’snota CHIEF ECONOMIST, declineoftheWest,butthe MAHINDRA GROUP riseoftherest. After Capitol Hill, does the LookatTurkey. 35 years US have the moral authority ago,when the USwanted it to to lecture others on do something, they would ask improving democracies? how high dowe jump.Now IfIweretoadvisetheState with three decades of Department,Iwouldsaybe economic growth, a open,behonest,andsay,we consolidated new political facechallengestoo.We system andcultural understandthechallenges confidence,Turkey will not you’refacing;learnfromour listen to Washington. That’s mistakesandsuccesses.Weall how the world haschanged. arefacingourowndemons.At itsbest,thathasalwaysbeen thewaytheUSpresenteditself, notasthissortofshiningcityon thehill,butasacountrythatis grapplingwiththecomplexities ‘An institutionisonly so strong offreedom. DINESH TRIVEDI MP, RAJYA SABHA Would you agree that the spirit of democracy has as the people willing to defend it’ disappeared today? In Westerndemocracy, it’s polarised,not just in termsof JEETU PANJABI ideas,but around race and At an e.Adda held thisweek,international affairs columnist, CNN news host and authorFareedZakaria CEO, EM CAPITAL ADVISORS colour. It is one of the reasons Doyouseeanyrisingstars why Iadmirewhat Gandhi and spokeondemocracy in America, the challenges forjournalism, big tech andwhy India needs to have a amongworldleaders? Nehrutried to do in India, You havevery spirited, ef- which was to emphasise the strategic conception of itsplace in the world fective, liberaldemocrats who secular character of the have been running their coun- country, not just from the On whether the Trumpera ings want dignity,theywant asense of recog- tries very well. I’m thinking of point of view of communal is over nition. What Trumpmakes yourealiseisthat everywhere from Canadato harmony, but it is the only alot of his programmes help the millionaire New Zealand. In Germany,you basisonwhich you can have a Ithink,finally, we’reseeing abreak in the classbut he still has this incredible support have an extraordinary woman, sustainabledemocratic Republican Party. We’reseeing people will- amongthe working class. Why? Because he one of the longest serving experiment.Otherwise,what ingtofind away to separate themselvesfrom speakstothem with dignity.And that feel- Chancellors in German history, happens is people move into him, but the base is still with Trump. This ingthat Isee you, Ihear you, turns out to be who is utterlycommitted to lib- armed camps; we saw that in mayseem fantastical, but it is basicallytrue very important forpeople’s emotional and eralismand democracy. In Capitol Hill. that nearly 60-70per cent of Republicans still psychic well being. The lastDemocrat who France,you have Macron,who believe that Trumpisright, thatthe election wasable to do that wasBill Clinton. has found away to thread the wasstolen. You’retalkingabout 50-60 mil- needle by being, both dynamic, lion Americans. So, the challengefor the forward-looking and at the On the challengefor party will be howdoyou dissociatefrom same time maintaining acer- Trumpwithout dissociating yourself from journalism tain degreeofpopular support. the base, the energy and the intensity of sup- Ithink there’s no going backtothe old So, Ithink there is alot of good port thatcomes with it. So, herewhat’s going world. The old worldwas onewhereyou had news in the world. to happen —the Republican Partyisgoing to (Fromtop) Zakariawas in conversationwith VanditaMishra, National Opinion alimited supply.And that shaped journal- break.Inany dictatorship,you knowthings Editor,and Anant Goenka,Executive Director,The Indian Express Group isminthosedays.Sointhe United States,you aregetting bad when yousee dissension at had three networks,you got allyour news the top. Ithink you’rebeginning to see that. from thosenetworks, then four or five big Eminent guests who participated in thee.Adda include Niraj Bajaj, Director,Bajaj national papers. And the mostimportant AJIT GULABCHAND thing about those networks wastheyknew On the dangers of illiberal Group;Harsh Goenka, Chairman, RPG Enterprises;Ajit Shriram, MD, DCM Shriram CHAIRMAN, HCC LTD theyhad amixtureofpeople —Democrats, Why did you leave India? democracy Ltd;FedericoSalas, Mexico Ambassador;SurendraAhuja, MD, Boeing Defence Republicans, Left, Right. Fortunately, they WhenIwasgrowingupin Ithink thelesson of the deterioration of India;Sajjid Chinoy, Chief India Economist, JP Morgan;Nasim Zaidi, former CEC; had alot of people who were notverypolit- Indiainthe’70s,itwaspretty democracyinAmerica is this —you can look Fali Nariman, Senior Advocate,Supreme CourtofIndia; Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, ical. And so theyhad to provide akind of cen- rough.IndiraGandhihad at systems and saythis one is weak because trist, fact-baseddietofnews.This shiftthat’s nationalisedthebanks,andthe these institutionsare new, the independence Indian Navy;Vinod Dhall, former Secretary, Govt.ofIndia;CRajkumar, Vice taking place is two-fold. One,you’velostthat economywasstagnant. of the courtsisnew,the separation of pow- Chancellor,OPJindal;Yoginder Alagh, Vice Chairman, Sardar PatelInstituteof cartelthat wasable to justfeedpeople what JAMAL MECKLAI Personally,Ifounditimmensely ers is new, theyhaven’t had the time to build. Economic and Social Research;DrNajma Heptulla, Governor of Manipur;Naseem theythought wasthe important thing. And CEO, MECKLAI FINANCIAL attractive,theideaofthe Ithink what Ididn’t realise is institutions are Naqvi, BureauChief, AIR News;RSudarshan, Dean, OP Jindal Global University; younow have manydifferent platforms of Can the social and openness,thespiritof human, they’refragile by definition, that at various kinds. But the second is that alarge economic structure of adventure,thecanvasonwhich the endofthe day, an institution is onlyso Paresh Parasnis, CEO, Piramal Foundation;Kedar Upadhye; Global CFO, Cipla Ltd; number of people who were listening, Europe be the future? youcouldpaintintheUnited strong as the people who arewilling to de- Kamal Meattle, Chairman Emeritus, Paharpur Business Centre;Shantanu Bhanja, watching, reading in the old days out of a Europe hasfound away to States.Indiaseemedacramped fend it, the people who arewillingtouphold CEO -Consumer Products,Pidilite;MajaDaruwala, Board Member,CHRI; sense of obligation —theyactuallyturn out create avibrant capitalist anddifficultsocietyatthetime. it, and that theycan shiftveryeasily. NaliniSingh, Director,TVLIVE India Pvt Ltd nottobethat interestedinpolitics.Sowhat system thatstill provides afair Idon’tknowhowIwouldfeelifit happens is, nowpolitical journalism has to degree ofsocial equity to were25yearslaterandIndia contend with thereality that theyare only people. But it still remains a hasbecomeasdynamicasit On India’s strategic choices getting the junkies and those tend to be more collection ofcountriesthatdo has.Itwasaparticular The challengeisthatIndia hasn’t figured recordturnoutand the largest participation because we have this big and growing divide partisan. The challengeisthat youhaveto not haveacommon idiosyncraticchoice.Idon’t out what it wants. Forthat, it needs to have by Americans, in ahundred years. But it has in almostevery society —between an urban, still maintain your standards. government. It meansthatthey pretendthatitissomekindof astrategicconception of itsplace in the raisedthe stakes,ithas heightenedthe in- educated,somewhat richer group on the one don’tproject themselves ringingaffirmationofone world, itsplace in Asia. And it doesn’t have tensity,ithas made people feel that this is a hand and arural, less educated,somewhat strategically onthe world On political parties societyovertheother. right that now. Prime Minister(Narendra) make-or-break moment, and when those poorer group on the other.It’s notonlyabout stage. Inthe end, you need Modi says his policy is multinational, etc.,but kinds of things happen, the atmospheregets money, it’sreallyabout asenseofclass dif- and populism somestandard andthe US I’m going to be nice to everybody.That is op- charged. So, that’sthe sense in whichthe ference, class resentment, class anxiety.And Parties have always playedthat role of provides theonly standard. positeofhaving aforeign policy.Foreign pol- pandemic had an effect. It also has something unless we arecareful about this, we will cre- reconciling differenceswithin apopulation, icy is making choices. Ithink if India were to to do with the#BlackLivesMatter protests ateapermanent politics of resentment and and channelling passion intopolicy.The decide that it wantsastrategic partnership thathappened. Again,this same feeling of grievance, whichcan then be usedveryef- problem is notjustpopulism,but akind of with the US, centred around cooperation and intensification and high stakes, it has some- fectively by skilful politicians. Modi uses it in democratisationwhereeverybody thinks shared information, that would be atrans- thing to do with the challengestodemocracy India, Erdogan uses it in Turkey,Putin uses it that these elites arebad, party elites arebad. forming relationship. But India needs to be because the electionbecame ahigh-stakes in Russia, and of course, Trumpuses it in the Whyshould theybemaking thechoices? So muchclearer about this. There’s still acer- game, but Iwouldn’t discount the reality of United States. when youmoveintothat world, it becomes tain amountofthe non-alignedmentality Donald Trump. Trumpisnot producedbythe very difficult forparties to play that stabilis- that is still partofthe Indian foreign ministry. pandemic, he precedes it. On the one lesson one can ing role as gatekeepers. So, until it can getrid of those phobias and PALLAVA BAGLA learn from Trump realise it’s actuallyinanewworld,Idon’t On the growing divide On whether anygovernment is SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR think you’ll getasmuchout of theAmerican Probablythe one lesson would be,tore- WehaveseenAmerica relationship as youcould. in society member sometimes what people forget big enough to regulatebig tech SANJAY PUGALIA turnedintoabanana Thereisaparticularly dangerous trend, morethan anything else—that humanbe- Between theinformation revolution and EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, republic... globalisation, mostlyitistechnology thatis THE QUINT On the link between political Americadid not turn intoa driving us towardsthe single platforms, HowshouldTrumpbe banana republic. Lookattheir fanaticism and the pandemic whichmeans that these singlecompanies dealtwith? checks and balances. You had Look,Iquote this line of Lenin’s in the have enormous power. Idon’t knowhow You defeat this kind of force Republican governors and book that thereare decades when nothing easy it is going to be to regulateit. The mar- politically, not legally. One Secretaries of State ratifying an happens and, then, thereare weekswhen ketisnot going to provide asolution. So the strategy would be aCongress- election in which their candi- decades happen.The pandemic has sortof state, the government hastofind some way... ional censure. But ultimately, date lost. There werecases that put lifeonfastforward,it’s accelerated many the Twitter banonTrump, is completely you have to hope that the public Trump took to the courts, but trends taking place around the world, within egregious. Idon’t think it’sagoodidea. will get tired of him. There will lost. It describes aconstitu- our system. Now, if youlook at this election be court cases, but politics tional democracy that was in theUS, it wasaheroic achievement. You Forlonger version, go to should be aimed at discrediting placed under strain, but ulti- had apandemic and yet, we have had a www.indianexpress.com him politically,ratherthan crim- mately affirmeditself. inalising his activities.

ASHOK KHEMKA take. It preventsadynamicprocess that must VN DALMIA cent of the country is simply left behind. And PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT take place in every economy. So, Ihave acertain DIRECTOR &FORMER CHAIRMAN, DALMIA there’ll be some group in the middle, which feels OF HARYANA amountofsympathy for the government. CONTINENTAL PVT LTD that this cannot be aviable social system. What Doyouthinkthefarmersagitationisan They’re trying to make reformsfinally,but it’s IsittimefortheUStoreinventitself? you’re seeing in the US is this deep backlash, expressionofcorporatemistrustor just very hard because you have left this prob- It is awake-up call for the US, and one that produced by people who feel as though their misgovernance? lem unattended, and allowed it to exacerbate. will come to other countries as well, including world is disappearing. Part of it is cultural and It is both. Agriculture in India has been mis- But there is another challenge, which is the de- India. We are in aworld where you have 10 to racial, but part of it is economic. And when you managedfrom the start. Thatagriculture is pro- gree of mistrust, due to the government’s insis- 20 per cent of the population generating huge have that, it is very hard to find away to make tected in the Constitution is obviously amis- tence on maintaining control over theeconomy. amounts of economic wealth, and 20 to 30 per the country come together. WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM THE SUNDAY EXPRESS,JANUARY17,2021 CALENDAR 8

YOURWEEKAHEAD BRIDGE SUNDAY CROSSWORD 2304 If it’s your Dealer: South,Vulnerable:North South ARIES (Mar 21 -Apr 20) LIBRA (Sep 24 -Oct 23) NORTH QUICKCLUES Birthday You'regettingmixed Anumberoflively ACROSS ♠ J42 1. Disbands(6) messages, that's for planets arejostling ❤AQ10 4. Merchant of Venicelawyer sure. Partners, forattention this (6) employers and week and youmay ♦ K7653 people in authority willbeinan expect awelcome surprise.One ♣64 9. Slay(4) SundayJanuary17 10.Praiseworthy(10) Your mood is generallyoptimistic and, if oddmood, midweek.Family word of warning:don't insiston SOUTH 11.Owns up or confesses affairs aretakinganinteresting punctuality, efficiency or (6) youbelieve in yourself, then you'rebound turn. Could along-lostfamily reliability.The whole point ♠ 12.Underground cells (8) to be successful. Your best plan overisto member turn up? Or will news aboutthe current personal ❤ 963 13.Reserves or keepsfor aparticular cultivate therelationships that matter. arrive about somethingwhich situation is that your ♦ QJ9 purpose?(4,5) happenedlong ago? Ihopeso. willingness to compromise will 15.Underside of hand (4) win friends. ♣Q752 16.Extremely(4) MondayJanuary18 TAURUS(Apr 21 -May 21) WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 17. Commenting, declaring or noting There'sanenergeticbuzzinthebackground. Athreatened SCORPIO (Oct24-Nov23) 1NT (9) Tapintoitand you'll begin to move intothe financial crisis may Askyourself whyyou 21.Suave (8) fast track,wherethe successful people live. fail to materialise, aresoreluctant to Pass 3NT Pass Pass 22. Reason foraction (6) much to everyone's come clean over a Pass 24.Homogeneous (10) relief. Midweek favours number of important 25. Perry's creator(4) TuesdayJanuary19 The opponents bid1NT -P-3NT andyou make an uninformed lead of the domestic routine and family plans. Perhaps, though, it's for twoofclubs. ThisdoesnotworkoutatallwellasSouthtopsEast'seightwith 26. Aria (6) Youwill expect speedy resultsifyou're gatherings, but youmay be too the best that partners arekeptin thejack. Southhaseightpoints inclubs. Notyourbestleadever. 27.SpaininSpain (6) hoping to getmajor improvementsunder busy to appreciatewhat's on the darkfor justalittle while DOWN offer. Romantic tendencies are longer.Atworkanemployeror Southnowgoesafterdiamonds,leadingtothekingandbacktohisace. East 1. Diminish way. Thisisafabulouslyfavourablemoment already improving,and love is other authority figurewillhave plays the two of diamondsand discardsthe four of hearts. This play tells (7) to getromantic plans and ideas intoshape, youthatSouthhasfourdiamondstotheace. Theinformationyouhavetells 2. Many(prefix) (5) on theway. to be placatedbythe middleof youthat he has eight points in clubs and four in diamonds, twelve that you and to raise financial support. the week. know about. SouthgivesyouyourdiamondtrickandEastdiscardsthefive 3. ___ __ to the hilt :gives fullsupport GEMINI (May 22 -June 21) ofhearts. What doyouknowatthispoint? ?(5,2) Theweek'sstars may SAGITTARIUS (Nov 24 -Dec 23) 5. TheEast(6) WednesdayJanuary20 TheEasthand: S-AQ103H-8754D-2C-10983 notbeahundred Your social stars are TheSouthhand: S-987H-KJ2 D-A1084C-AKJ 6. Logo (9) All your hardworkisset to be rewarded. If percent perfect, but fine, mainlyif 7. Penname (7) 21.Architect of the theatre 19.Cad seen to be boxedin(7) youwantmore, there'll be plenty on offer. YouhaveseentwelveofSouth'spointsandyouhaveseenyourpartnerplay 8. Sympathetic (13) (8) 20. Copper's turnedupcopper's I'd give them agood you'reinamood to two little hearts. This is agood hint thatSouth has the king of hearts and This is your time to take responsibility,and nineout of ten. The foolish do something perhapsthe jack too.Whatnow? 14.Pertaining to tailors 22. Vindictiveness shown by married supplying juice (6) (9) woman (6) 23. Abominable naughtiness is too that youwill achieve praise and prestige. Gemini willsticktohis, or her, different -radicallydifferent. If Southhas the hand you think he has, he has three heart tricks, four dia- 16.CountryinSEAsia (7) 24.Ittakes thefather and mother of a muchfor thisromanticGerman routine. The wiseGemini will Time is moving on, and the mondtricks,andthreeclubtricksduetoyourpreciseopeninglead.Youwon't 18.Purposeless (7) mindtoproduce it !(5-5) poetwho went mad (5) ThursdayJanuary21 throw caution to the wind and same old pattern is no longer beatthisifyoureturnaneutralsuit. Whatsuitgivesyouachance? 19.Short work of fiction 25. Move slowly forwards andsniff take afew well-calculated risks. enough foryou.Try spending (7) about (4) The Sun kicks offafresh phase in your But remember,agood gambler your waytohappiness. A Lead your little spade and hope. You are positivethat East has the ace of 26. Extremelycleversomewhat in part Solutions to 2303 personal affairs. Super social stars are spadesand hopefulthat he has the queen too. It is possible. If he has both 20. Intoxicated (6) always worksout theodds first lasting romantic relationship 23. Greek letter (5) (4,2) spurredbyVenus' delicatetransits, yeta —and goes on to win. mustbebasedaround anew ofthese,allyouneedisforhimtohave fourspades. QUICKCLUESAcross: 1Remiss,4 Give it atry.East wins the ten of spades andreturns the suit to your king. CRYPTIC CLUES 27.Expectedtobeamong the lasttobe Baltic,8Inflood,9Oration,11 friend mayhavesomething rather shared activity. Whenyoucontinuethesuit,Easttakestwomoretricksfordownone.Count ACROSS supplied (6) CANCER (June 22 -July23) those points.Count declarer'stricks. Think. DOWN Slanderous,12Lapp,13Ounce,14 awkwardtosay lateinthe week. 1. Hitbyasecond lorry (6) Apposite,16Vengeful,18Testy,20 TheMoon, your CAPRICORN (Dec. 23 -Jan.20) 1. Popstars' ballet forprison 4. Rowatthe end over America Slav,21Ventilated,23Context,24Art planetary ruler, TheSun and NORTH EAST (7) (6) deco,25Steady,26Thread.Down:1 FridayJanuary22 smiles loftilyonyour Mercury, Uranus and 9. Notstraight road holding afew ? 2. AwfullylairymoneyinYemen ♠ 875 ♠ AK102 Renal,2Melanin,3Stonedeaf,5Apres, You'llbemovingintoarestlesssocialphase. effortsearly in the Neptune areall (4) (5) 6Tattles,7Chowpatty,10Totalling,13 week,soyou will cope with planets to be ❤A76 ❤84 10.Always alofty Londonnewspaper 3. GreatworkinDerby, perhaps (7) Overlooks,15Patriarch,17Gavotte,19 You'remeetingnewpeoplebut,onadeeper domestic battles and lingering considered thisweek,and what ♦ Q96 ♦ 853 (2,3,5) 5. Warning aFrenchminor (6) Swaddle,21Vexed,22Elcid. level, you'realso facing apositive changein familydisputes with your usual an inspired foursome theyare. 11.Two penceinbeeronlyconfuses us 6. Funnyone'snot told the cost! (9) CRYPTICCLUESAcross:1Alarms,4 your attitudes to partnership. By the endofthe week,you ♣QJ96 ♣A543 7. Sort letterstofind wherethe Billow,8Dadaist,9Ebonite,11 skill. The odds arefirmly stacked (6) should have cried ‘Eureka’ as caviarecame from (7) Highhanded,12Then,13Bosch,14 in your favour,but youwill 12.False startsatNewmarket yousuddenlyrealise what life's WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH 8. Islam nurse had attackedfatwa Japanese,16Atom-bomb,18Livid,20 SaturdayJanuary23 throw everythingawayifyou (8) all about. If youdostumble Pass Pass Pass 1D 13.Under best Cajun treatment(9) target (6,7) Jean,21Brain-child,23Diurnal,24Rip Your planetary pictureisawesome.An fail to checkcertain cord,25Galoot,26Venery. Down:1 across anycosmic secrets, be dbl 2D 2S 15.Following tenwho came back 14.Nude jiber arranged participant for absolutelyperfectcombinationof 'easy'and fundamental details. nuptials (4,5) Abaci,2Apaches,3Mustachio,5Inbed, suretowritethem down before about ten(4) 6Longtan,7Witnessed,10Odd-job 3D 16.Itisplain that thisoysterisanegg ! 'difficult' alignmentssetsthe scene forone LEO (July24-Aug 23) they'reforgotten. 16.Yearn to find the colour one'slost man,13Bothering,15Polonaise,17 Pass Pass Pass (7) hundred percentsuccess.Justremember Venus, goddessof (4) Mongrel,19Vehicle,21Bravo,22Larry. AQUARIUS (Jan 21-Feb 19) 18.Having entered Mum and Dad love,iscompletingits West leads the queen of spades. You need five tricks. Where might they 17. Soldiers possiblyarmedwithguns that the final choices lie with you. Venus maintains its (9) mostlyracedfast(7) excursionthrough comefrom? warm glowand sensitiveregions of secure identity, your chart, so youwill soon have encouraging youto one lastchance to complete a take emotional risks. Isn't it whole series of emotional,social JUMBLED WORDS DifficultyLevel3s abouttime youtold someone and romantic ambitions. Go for else justexactly howyou feel Instructions it! The same starsalso indicate Givenbelowarefourjumbledwords.Solvethejumblestomakeproperwordsandmovethemto TosolveaSudokupuzzle, aboutthem? And if you'restill that afinancial gamble may cautious,try talking to atrusted therespectivesquaresbelow.Selectthelettersintheshadedsquaresandjumblethemtoget everydigitfrom1to9 4354 finallypay off—hopefully. friend or allyfirst. theanswerforthegivenquip. mustappearineachofthe Painisinevitable;____isoptional(9) nineverticalcolumns,in VIRGO (Aug 24 -Sep 23) PISCES(Feb20-Mar 20) Youshould by now eachoftheninehorizontal Afinancial stroke of 4355 be feeling the first luck is on the cards, EYEIR ILNRGU rowsandineachofthe ripples of optimism nineboxes. but if youexpect the as Jupiter's worstyou might SUDOKU benevolent presence permeates lose out. The fact is that you your chart. Yetitdoesseem that could do with alittle more EOYNS ACEEFF DifficultyLevel vital monetary questions must confidence, and the secret is still be answered.You have a

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UPDATE: (Tata Memorial Centre) UPDATE: (Central Bank of India) UPDATE: (Punjab National Bank) Mr.S.H. Jafri appointed as the Chairman of the PRCI’sMumbai Chapter Celebrated 110thFoundation Day by Launching RUPAYSELECTDEBIT CARD and FASTAG PNB collaborateswith IIT Kanpur &FIRST to set up Fintech Innovation Centre Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) apan-India Communication ShriPallavMohapataraMD&CEO,Shri Alok Srivastava Nation’s leading public sector bank,PNB,has Exchangebody,with its presencein32Indian citiesand towns. This ED andShri PPPandaCVO along with other announced an alliancewith the prestigious Indian premier network connects PR,CorporateCommunications, Media, Executives of the BankCebrated its110th Foundation InstituteofTechnology(IIT), Kanpur &FIRST (Founda- Advertising,Marketing Communications and HR professionals, along DaybyHonoring the banksFounder SirSorabji tion forInnovation &ResearchinScience&Technolo- with mass communication academia and students hasannounced the Pockhanawala at their CorporateOfficeNariman Point gy), to jointlyestablish the Punjab National Bank -IIT appointmentofSyedHumayun Jafri as the Chairman of the PRCI’s Mumbai.CBI in association withNPCI launchedanew Kanpur Innovation Centre at the IIT campus. The MoU wassigned at the PNB Head Mumbai Chapter, along with other office bearerstofocus on new-age variantofDebitCardProduct-‘RUPAYSELECT’ and Quarters,Dwarka, NewDelhi, in the presenceofSh. CH SSMallikarjunarao,MD&CEO of communication and networking in PR.The ideaistostrategically equip “FASTAG” on the occasion of the Bank’sFoundation PNB and topofficials from the Bank,IIT Kanpur &FIRST.Under this partnership,PNB and IIT Dayon21th Dec.2020. The cardwas unwilledbyMr. PR and communications to takeonnew challenges faceddue to the ongoing pandemic. Kanpur willset up a“Fintech Innovation Centre (FIC)” as avehicletoresearchand develop Pallav Mohapatra,and Mr.Dilip Asbe, MD and CEOof technological solutions to addresschallenges and exploreopportunitiesinthe BFSI space. UPDATE: (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust) NPCIwho joined the function virtually along with other dignitaries from both the organizations. Mr.PallavMohapatra told that Bankis UPDATE: (Food Corporation of India) JNPT welcomed theNew Year on newlyinductedtug boat “Daisy Star” launching twocustomer utilityproducts on the occasion of 110th foundation dayofthe JNPT,India’s premier container portkick-startedthe newyearon Bank. FirstisRUPAY SELECT DEBITCARD,whichislaunched in association with NPCI. This Food Corporation of India celebrated its 57th Foundation Day premium carddesigned especially forselect category with wellness as keyfeature. the newlyinducted Tug-Boat “DAISYSTAR’’with the crew of tug FCIcelebrated its 57th Foundation Dayon14.01.2021, which wasaddressed by the Hon'ble Customershaving select cardwillenjoybenefits such as complimentary Health check-ups, Daisy Star and Polestar Maritime Team along with Chairman Shri Minister of CA,F&PD,Govt. of India, Shri Piyush Goyal. Allthe officers/officials of the corpora- Gym, Golf, SPAand loungeaccess at selected centresbesidesAccidental CoverofRs.10 lakh SanjaySethi, IAS,&DyChairman Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, tion upto the depot leveljoined this addressthrough Video Conferencing. Hon’bleMinisterin at no extracosttocustomers. FASTAG is otherproduct launched in associationwith OSTA. other senior officials and stakeholdersofJNPT. The newlyinduct- his addresscited that when the entirecountry wasstruggling with the plight of Pandemic ed tug “Daisy Star”willhelpinhandling vessel of various sizes UPDATE: (Tata Memorial Centre) and following country-wide lock-downs, specifically duringthe months of March-June-2020, therebyproviding moresafetyduring handling larger ships. FCIwas one of the organizations whose employees and allstakeholdersworked tirelesslyto Additionally,during strong tide and severe monsoon conditions, Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi among top2percentbestscientists of the world serve the nation, which is praiseworthy.Further,Hon’bleMinisterwishedthat to make FCI the tug-boat willadd to the safety of marine operations. Professor Pankaj Chaturvedi is Head Neck Cancer Surgeon and DeputyDirector at Tata progress, prosper and make it moreefficienttoserve both the farmersand the consumers, Memorial Centre,Mumbai. He is also the in charge of the MahamanaPandit Madan Mohan everyemployeeand stakeholder of FCIshouldtakeapledgeand work towardsmaking FCI UPDATE: (MaharashtraPostal Circle) MalviyaCancer Hospital and Homi BhabhaCancer Hospital,Varanasi. In the recently stronger,making operations moretransparent,enhancing the confidenceamong the farmer IssueofaSpecial Pictorial Cancellation on 16.01.2021 by MaharashtraPostal published listoftop 2% scientists in the world, among fewIndians is Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi. communityand making procurementoffoodgrains on MSP more efficient. Circle to commemorate Covid-19 vaccination He,with nearly300 research publications, occupiesthe rank within top2percent research- ersofthe world. This listoftop 2% scientists is published by the researchersfromthe UPDATE: (Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways) Stanford University, USAinahighlyprestigious journal,PLoSOne.Theyanalysed the COVID-19 vaccination willbeadministeredtofrontline workersall Cabinet approves Deepening and Optimization of Inner Harbour Facilities overIndia w.e.f. 16.01.2021. To commemoratethe eventand to contributions in allareas of scienceand listed159,683 scientists with top2%contribution. TheCabinet CommitteeonEconomic Affairschaired by PM Shri NarendraModi has recognise the contribution of ‘Serum InstituteofIndia’Hadapsar His research helps and guideseveryone who wantstoimprove public health through approvedthe project 'Deepening and Optimization of Inner Harbour Facilitiesincluding Pune in developing Covid-19 vaccine,MaharashtraPostal Circleis prevention and treatmentofcancer.Hehas been passionatelyadvancing tobacco,alcohol, DevelopmentofWestern Dock on Build, Operateand Transfer(BOT) basis under Public-Pri- issuing aSpecial Pictorial Cancellation through Hadapsar Post areca nut controltoprevent cancer and other diseasescaused by them. vate Partnership (PPP)mode to handlecape sizevessels at Paradip Port'.The estimated office Pune -411028. Postal articles booked in Hadapsar Post cost of the project is Rs.3,004.63 Cr.This includesdevelopmentofthe newWestern Dock office willbedatestamped with this Special Cancellation Stamp. UPDATE: (Bharat Petroleum) on BOTbasis and capital dredging by the selected ConcessionaireatacostofRs.2,040 Cr BPCL ranked 10th Globally in The DowJonesSustainability Index and Rs.352.13 Cr respectively; and Paradip Port's investmentwillbetothe tune of UPDATE: (Rashtriya Chemicals and FertilizersLtd.) BPCL hasbeen ranked 10th globally in the DowJonesSustainabilityIndex recently.This is the Rs.612.50 Cr towardsproviding Common Supporting Project Infrastructure. 64th MahaparinirvanDin at RCF first time BPCL hasrepresentedinDJSI Indexing and attained position of 10th best company alloverthe worldinOil and Gas Sector with respect to SustainabilityBenchmarking.The BPCL UPDATE: (Garden Reach Shipbuildersand EngineersLtd.) Shri S. C. Mudgerikar,Chairman andManaging Director,Rashtriya ranking is among the top30companies in Oil and Gas refiningand marketingsector which Chemicals and FertilizersLtd., (RCF)paid floraltributes at the life-size GRSE Delivers106th Warship: LCUL-58 have been assessed forinclusion in DJSI. BPCL scoreisthe highest in the peer groupofOil and statue of Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar on the64th Mahaparinirvan Din at GRSE, aleading warship building and Mini-ratna Category 1Companyunder the adminis- Gas companiesinIndia and also in line with SustainableDevelopmentGoals. The DowJones RCF’scorporateOfficeinthe presence of Directors. Although no function trativecontrol of the MinistryofDefence, tops off year 2020 with “Delivery” of the “Lastof SustainabilityIndices (DJSI) launched in 1999, is the world’smajor standardfor corporate washelddue to COVID pandemic, employees and various organizations EightLCU Project” &“StartProduction”ofthe First Ship of EightASWSWC Project. GRSE sustainability. It is longest-running global sustainabilitybenchmarksworldwide and has paid homage allthroughout the dayinsmall batches. Afteroffering delivered IN LCUL-58 (Yard2099), eighth and last in the seriesofLanding CraftUtilityShips become the keyreferencepointinsustainabilityinvesting forinvestors and companiesalike. the floraltributeatDr. Ambedkar’sstatue,aemail messageoffering to the Indian Navy.This ship is the 106th Warship builtand delivered by GRSE so far, since It is mostrigorousinterms of the number of questions and depth of information requested. homagetoDr.Ambedkarwas senttoall theemployees. its inception in 1960, the highest no.ofwarships delivered by anyIndian Shipyard tilldate. UPDATE: (Western Railway) UPDATE: (Central Railway) UPDATE: (Konkan RailwayCorporation Limited) WRWWOPresidentinaugurated the ladiesrunning room at Okha CR Loco Workshop, Parel developsimproved designprototype automobile carrier Running of Train no.06083 /06084 Special Train Shri Sanjeev Mittal,GM, CR appreciatedthe Team ParelWorkshopfor Smt. Tanuja Kansal -PresidentofWestern RailwayWomen's Good news forpassengers!!! It hasbeen decided to run train no.06083 /06084 Thiruva- developing aprototypecoach forcarrying automobiles in ashortspan WelfareOrganization (WRWWO) during the official tour of Rajkot nanthapuramCentral -H.Nizamuddin -Thiruvananthapuram CentralWeekly Superfast of 45 days. It developed the NewModifiedGoods coach (NMGH) with Division, appreciatedthe dedicated&exemplarywork undertaken Special (fully reserved) in co-ordination with Southern Railway. Details areasunder :Train improved fall platefor easier loading of automobiles,lashing by the women staff of Rajkot Division, especially,the running staff No.06083 Thiruvananthapuram Central-H. Nizamuddin Weekly Superfast Special will channels forproper securing of vehicles,fully welded chequered plate who hadkeptthe wheels of freight&goods train services running leavefromThiruvananthapuram Centralat00.30 hrsevery Saturdayfrom09th Jan2021 floor,louvers forventilation and natural pipe lightillumination. It willincrease the speed throughout the lockdown period. Smt. Tanuja Kansal acknowl- until further advice. Train willreach H. Nizamuddin at 22.40 hrsonthe nextday.Train No. potential of NMGH coach from 75 to 110 kmph. RDSO willnow conduct oscillation trials of edged the efforts by the Corona warriors, especially,the women 06084 H. Nizamuddin -Thiruvananthapuram CentralWeekly Superfast Special willleave this coach.Railways have become the safe and affordabletransportfor sending automo- employees.Smt.Kansal also lauded the courage&dedication of from H. Nizamuddin at 05:00 hrsevery Mondayfrom11th Jan2021 until further advice. biles to various partsofthe countryand Bangladesh also. the female employeeswho worked hard in such testing times. Train willreach Thiruvananthapuram Centralat04:55 hrsonthe thirdday. WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 9 THESUNDAY EXPRESS,JANUARY17,2021 VACCINE DAY ONE NATION Ladakh to Kerala, rollout begins WHAT THEY SAID Acautious sense of relief was The Indian Express looksatthe Covid-19immunisation exercise in states andUTs palpable through the day—beit among ministers, health professionals or those getting TAMIL NADU vaccinated In Tamil Nadu, 2,783health workers were vaccinated across the state.Ofthem, 2,684 SHOT BY SHOT healthcareworkers receivedCovishield vac- These vaccinesare cine and 99 receivedCovaxin. Chief Minister Hope and cheer prevailed at hospitals and healthcarecentres acrossthe country the 'sanjivani' in Edappadi KPalaniswami launchedthe drive our fight against in Madurai at afunction attended by several GurmeetSingh PTI PTI this pandemic. senior cabinetministers including deputy We have wonthe CM OPanneerselvamand senior health of- battles against ficials including the principal health secre- polio and small tary JRadhakrishnan. The firstshotofthe pox. Now, we have reachedthe Covishield vaccine wasadministeredtoDrK decisive phase of winningthe war Senthil, the statepresident of the Tamil Nadu againstcoronavirus. Government Doctors Association. CM Palaniswami, launching the drive,said HARSH VARDHAN, about 2.5 lakh healthcareworkers will be UNION HEALTH MINISTER taking vaccine shots in the firstphase. Iamveryhappyto JHARKHAND receive thedose. From todaywesee Jharkhand conducted thevaccinationdrive anew beginning accross 48 sites among3,200health work- ers. The statehas 1.5lakh health carework- DR ACHYUT ers. It facedseveral challenges in preparing BAISHYA, forthe vaccination process.PremKamal, Amedic administers adose of PRINCIPAL, GAUHATI statehead of the UN DevelopmentProgram, AcardiologistatHeroDMC Heart CovishieldvaccinetoSerum MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL whichprovidedsome tech support,said InstituteinLudhiana gets the first InstituteofIndia CEO Adar dataofhealthcareworkers wasnot avail- dose. Afrontline worker at Victoria Hospital in Jabalpur,Madhya Pradesh. Poonawalla in Pune. Everyone should able as awhole with government. “Every forsureget PHC, blocklevel gave thedatatousofall vaccinated.You ANMs, nursing homes, students, and hos- and Ihavetoget pitals. It wasanexampleofextraordinary vaccinated.Those teamwork." He addedthat during upload- from your and my ing of the datatherewas aproblem as the familytoo should CoWIN platform is basedonpin codes. getthe vaccine. EDAPPADI KPALANISWAMI, WESTBENGAL TAMIL NADU CHIEF MIN ISTER SeveralTMC leaders,including twoMLAs, were among those who receivedaCovid-19 It is a vaccine in Purba Bardhaman district, while revolutionary manyhealthcareworkers alleged that they step we aretaking could notget inoculated though theywere today. Isalutethe askedtovisit avaccination centre. According corona warriors to officials, 20,700workers were scheduled PTI who selflessly to be inoculated by the end of the dayin207 Health workers afterreceiving the firstdose at Govt treated theCovid- centres, but 25 per cent of those eligible did AyurvedaHospital in Kozhikode, Kerala. 19 patients when therewas no notturn up. Glitches in the Centre’s CoWIN remedy available. vaccine registration app since Fridayim- pededmanyimmunisation centres’ efforts. UDDHAV THACKERAY, TMCMLA Rabindranath Chatterjee was Vaccinationat MAHARASHTRA CHIEF MIN ISTER seen receiving ashot. With questions raised, agovernment PTI The pandemic is adistrict official said he is the chairperson hospital in notgoing to end of the patient welfareassociation of Katwa Jammu and Partha Paul PM NarendraModi monitors thevaccinationprocess afterthis vaccine. Sub-DivisionalHospital. TMC MLAfrom Kashmir’s Adoctor gets inoculated at an urban primaryhealth from his office in NewDelhi We still needto Bhatar Subhash Mondal, former TMC MLA Baramulla. centreinKolkata. makesurethat we Banamali Hazraand Zilla Parishad execu- Shuaib Masoodi followthe health tive memberJaharBagdi also receivedthe protocol, vaccine. All areassociated with patient wel- includingthe use of masks, hand fare committees of government hospitals. agement aftervaccination as colour-coded callypossiblebecause some sites did not be followedbynearly sevenlakh frontline wash and social distancing. bags would be usedtotakeittocold chain have as many health workers itself...,” said workers including security forces, paramil- KARNATAKA Immunity will be developedslowly. ODISHA point. Of 18,122 people vaccinated,17,857 state immunisation officer NayanJani. itaryforces and police personnel, besides Nearly 62 per cent of the beneficiaries re- Odisha Saturdayinoculated 13,292 people people got Covishield and the rest got municipalityworkers and revenue depart- ceivedthe vaccine on the firstday in KKSHAILAJA, including frontline workers. Health officials Covaxin. KERALA ment officials. Karnataka as theimmunisation programme KERALA HEALTH MINISTER said 81 percent of the targeted frontline As manyas8,062 healthworkers were given wasrolledout at 243government and pri- workers were giventhe vaccine dose. And RAJASTHAN the Covishield vaccine in Kerala on the first LADAKH vate centres.“As manyas21,658people We got the supply till 6pm, 100per cent of the vaccination tar- According to theRajasthan Health dayasagainstthe target of 11,138, accord- In Ladakh, around 100medical staffathigh were identified...of these, 13,408 availedthe of Covishield. It getwas achieved in 5districts. Department, around17,000people were se- ing to HealthMinisterKKShailaja. Palakkad risk were giventhe vaccine on Saturday. vaccine. Therewerenoadverseeffectsbut doesn’t matter if it lected forvaccination on Saturday and districtreported the highestnumber of vac- SkalzangChodon, asanitaion worker,got the therewereinstances of swelling in some is Covishield or HARYANA around 9,279 were vaccinated till 4.30pm. cinated healthworkers (857), while firstjab at HeartFoundation Hospital in Leh cases afterthe injection,” Health MinisterDr Covaxin. All are Haryana's vaccine roll-out beganSaturday The department said the vaccination will Malappuram reportedthe lowest (155). in the presence of the Lt Governor RK KSudhakar. well-testedand at 77 sites whichwill attempt to inoculate take place on four days everyweek,except Kerala had got the firstconsignment of Mathur andMPJamyang Tsering Namgiyal. Atotal of 7.43 lakh health workers have scientifically 1.3lakh frontline workers over five days. Thursdays,Sundays and government holi- 4, 33,500doses of Covishield vaccine earlier been identifiedinthe statefor vaccination plannedvaccines. Haryana has received2,41,500doses of days.The statehas receivedaround 5.63 lakh this week. ASSAM and eight lakh doses have been sent by the SUDHIR BHANDARI, Covishield and 20,000 doses of Bharat doses forthe firstphase of vaccination. Health MinisterHimanta BiswaSarma said Centre, the ministersaid. PRINCIPAL, SMS HOSPITAL, JAIPUR Biotech's Covaxin. While Covishield wasad- MADHYAPRADESH the vaccination drive beganat65centres ministeredat71sites, the remaining six sites UTTARAKHAND Atotal of 9,584 people, amounting to 64 per- across Assam,including sevenmedical col- UTTAR PRADESH Some ASHAs are usedCovaxin. “Depending upon supplies, Seventy-twoper cent—or 2,276 of thetotal cent of the targeted 15,000healthcarework- leges and 24 district hospitals. The statehas Morethan 20,000healthworkers were vac- refusing to get we can keep enhancing our vaccination ca- 3,182—beneficiaries listedtobeinoculated ers, were administeredthe firstdose of the received2.21lakh (2 lakh doses of doses of cinated at 317centres with nearly 35 per vaccinated due to pabilities. As of today, we have over 5,000 on Saturdayturneduponthe firstday of the vaccine on Saturday. Indore, whichhas the Covishield and 20,000doses of Covaxin) vac- cent missing their doses on the firstday. myths. Hence, I vaccinators and Haryana has acapacity of vaccination drive in Uttarakhand at the 34 highestcaseload of nearly 57,000 positive cines.Eachsitewill administervaccine to 100 ChiefMinisterYogi Adityanath andDefence came forwardto vaccinating at least5lakh people on adaily vaccination sitesacross 13 districts. Chief cases, sawabout 76 per cent vaccination. In persons in aday.Nearly 1.9lakh frontline MinisterRajnath Singh visited hospitals in getmyself basis,” said the state's Additional Chief MinisterTrivendraSingh Rawatsaid the Bhopal, 51 per cent receivedthe firstshot. A workers will be coveredinthe firstphase. Lucknowtoinspect the process. vaccinated first. Secretary(Health) RajeevArora. statehas requestedthe Centretoprovide ad- totalof4.16lakh health workers aretobe Of the 317centres, 306places adminis- ditional 20,000 doses of the vaccine for vaccinated,ofwhich57,000 arescheduled MEGHALAYA teredthe Covishield vaccine while the oth- ANJU BALA, BIHAR Haridwar in viewofthe Kumbh Mela. to getthe vaccine in the firstweek. In Meghalaya, CM Conrad Sangma launched ers gave doses of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. ‘ASHA’ FROM PUNJAB’SFAZILKA Patna: BiharHealth MinisterMangal Pandey the vaccination drive in thestate from the Benefitof Saturdaysaid 18,122 people were vaccinated GUJARAT JAMMU AND KASHMIR NEIGRIMSHospital, Shillong whichisone PUNJAB vaccination at 301centres. The centres will carry out Of morethan16,000 health workers tar- The vaccination drive has been started at 20 of the10sites in Meghalayathat will con- On the dayone, atotal of 1,327beneficiar- clearly outweighs vaccinationonfourdays in aweek— getedtobecovered,11,800received vac- locationseachinKashmir and Jammu divi- duct the vaccination drive.“Over 832health- ies turnedupfor taking Covishield shot, as the risk of Mondays,Tuesdays,Thursdays and cines on the firstday of the vaccination drive sions with100 people being vaccinated at careworkers will be administeredthe againstthe target of 5,853 in 22 districts. This disease.... Ihave Saturdays.The ministersaid therehad been on Saturday. “While the target wasgetting eachplace. Around 1.6lakh health workers #Covishield vaccineinour State,” Sangma translates to merely22.67per cent of the takenthe vaccine adequatepreparations forbio-wasteman- 100vaccinated per centre, it is notpracti- willbecovered in the firstphase. Theywill tweeted. target. to give amessage that it is safe. EXPERTSONTHE VACCINATION DRIVE MKSUDARSHAN, CHAIRPERSON, KARNATAKA'S COVID-19 ‘Like expecting ababy, 10 cases of mild adverse reaction to TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE The antibodies begin to form two weeksafter the seeing it beingborn’ vaccine recorded in Maharashtra seconddose, whichis even thinking of March forgetting the vac- smoothly,”saidDrDNPatil, stateimmuni- administeredon ASTHASAXENA cine. People have worked extrahard, both in EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE sation officer.Patil said the10caseshave the 28th dayafter NEWDELHI,JANUARY16 terms of the manufacturers,trials and rolling MUMBAI, JANUARY 16 been reported to the central government, thefirstdose. You out the whole process because therewas a but none requirefurther monitoring forany mustshowpatience and wait forat WITH PRIME MinisterNarendraModi rolling huge upscaling that wasrequired.” OF THE 18,328people vaccinated in symptoms. leastone-and-a-half months. out the world’s largest vaccination drive In August, the MinistryofHealthand MaharashtraonSaturday, 10 recipientssuf- Sunil Parad, who got aCovishield shot TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT, againstthe pandemic that has caused Family Welfare(MOHFW) had constituted feredmild adverse reactions, including nau- in Palghar on Saturday, said he did notfeel UTTARAKHAND CHIEF MINISTER 1,52,093 deaths and upendedmillions of the National ExpertGroup on Vaccine ad- sea, vomiting, and anxiety. anything and immediately reportedback livesinthe country, experts—who have been ministration forCovid-19(NEGVAC) to pro- “Wehave14cases reported from alldis- to duty.Parab has been asecurity guardin Ibelievethat spending hours ironing out creases ahead of vide vaccine guidance and mechanism for tricts. Close scrutinyofeachcase wascar- the rural hospital since four years. “I had no this is agreat the launchofthe inoculation campaign— the delivery. riedout and four were considered ex- concerns abouttaking thevaccine. We have vaccine. Ihave said theywereecstatic and relievedtoexe- Dr Samiran Panda, Indian Council of tremelymild. We have notcategorised seen previousvaccine campaigns and were takenCovaxin. cutethe herculean task muchahead of time. Medical Research,Scientistand Head of them as adverseevent,” said Dr Archana assured of no serious harm. Idid notfeel Embrace the Dr Randeep Guleria, Director of AIIMS Epidemiologyand Communicable Diseases Patil,director of Family Welfare, Directorate pain or fever aftergetting the vaccine,” he vaccine. and amember of the Covid task forcewas Division and amember of NEGVAC, told The of Health Services, on Saturday. said. Nurse Poonam Palve also said every- VKPAUL, among the firstones to take ashotofBharat Sunday Express “It’s almostlikeexpecting a The 10 mild cases were reported from one in the observation room wasall right NITI AAYOG MEMBER Biotech’s Covaxin at AIIMS on Saturday. babyand then seeing the babybeing born, Jalgaon, Solapur,Satara, Aurangabad, Jalna, in Jawhar sub-district hospital. “Wewere Calling the vaccination programme“agame but then all the worries arenot yetoverbe- Ratnagiri, and Latur. kept under observation for30minutes,” Therewas always fear in the mind changer”, he said, “Beforethis, we did not cause the newborn nowrequires adifferent In Solapur,District Health Officer Dr At avaccination centreinMumbai. she said. In Kandivali Shatabdi Hospital, because of close proximity to have anydefinitetreatment strategy.We kindofcareand protection. The vaccine has Shitalkumar Jadhavsaid the one case Ganesh Shirsekar Superintendent Dr Partima Patil said they coronaviruspatients.But nowIam were giving alot of drugsbut we didn’t have come intobeing within 10-11months of recordedwiththem on Saturdaywas of did notcome across asingle case of side ef- feeling muchsafer. agood antiviraldrug.This is one strategy knowing the whole genome sequence of the nausea. “Anxiety of vaccination can also fect postimmunisation. whichisgoingtowards finding an end to the virus. It is aphenomenal achievement for lead to it. The person is stableand required ing safetyofCovaxin, whichisstill under- Mumbainotedzerosuchcases across ABDUL QAYOOM, pandemic. The vaccination programme is India. It’s notoveryet.Now is the time forus no seriousmedical intervention,” he said. going Phase III clinical trial,noside effects its10centres, including JJ hospital, where SECURITY GUARD AT ERA MEDICAL something whichhas happened early.When to remainmorecautious and see howthings Whileapprehensions were highregard- were noticedinany beneficiary. “Itwent on Covaxin wasadministered. COLLEGE IN UTTAR PRADESH the discussions were going on, people were go further.” WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 10 EXPRESS NETWORK THE SUNDAY EXPRESS,JANUARY17,2021 CASE AGAINST SFJ First in line at AIIMS, safai NIA summons Deep Sidhu, actor AheadofBengal says govt threatening protesters karamchari says feel good polls,BJPplans Sirsa, who wasinAmritsar, Both vaccines clearedfor tion, whichmay be giveninonly KAMALDEEPSINGHBRAR said he will decide on appearing SUKRITABARUAH& emergency use by the regulator, one shotorrequireonlynasal AMRITSAR,JANUARY16 before the NIA onlyafter consult- ASTHASAXENA Covishield andCovaxin, were spray.“Those thingsare evolving, DeepSingh ing the leaders of theother NEWDELHI,JANUARY16 usedinDelhi. Covaxin, the in- but in the current situation, we Rathyatras THE NATIONAL Investigative Sidhu farmerunions protesting in digenous vaccinedevelopedby musttry and take what we have Agency (NIA) Saturday issued Delhi. “These notices arepartof IN Ablizzardofpopping flash- Hyderabad-basedBharat and as things change, we will summons to Punjabi actor Deep the ongoingattemptsofCentral bulbs, withHealth MinisterDr Biotech,was giventorecipients evolve.Butif we keepwaitingthat Singh Sidhu, who campaigned withSFJ and termedthe NIA government to defame the farm- Harsh Vardhan looking on,34- at AIIMS and at five other centres. oncewe have thebestvaccine,we LIZMATHEW ED Leavingno forBJP’s SunnyDeol in 2019 Lok summons as amovebythe ers’ agitation,” Sirsa said while year Manish Kumartook hisarm Beneficiaries at AIIMS on willmiss the boat.Inapandemic, NEWDELHI,JANUARY16 stone Sabha elections and is associated Centretothreaten those protest- talkingtoThe Indian Express. outofthe sleeve of his grey sani- Saturdayincludedthe Director of youhavetomove with what PLAIN E unturned ● with the ongoing farmers’ agita- ing againstthe three farm laws. SourcessaidtheNIAhassum- tation worker’s uniform to be- the institute, Prof Randeep brings down mortality and the THE BJP, whichhas launchedan EX tion, in connection with acase “This(NIA summons) is noth- monedaround 40 people—un- come the firstperson to receive Guleria, NITI Aayogmember and numberofcases,” Prof Guleria aggressive poll campaign in filedagainstthe outlawedgroup ing to be surprisedabout. The derSection160CrPC—inconnec- the vaccine againstthe novel head of the high-levelnational said.DrPaulsaidthatthesafetyof West Bengal, is all settotake WITHTHE West Bengal Sikhs ForJustice(SFJ). The agency government is doing all it can to tion with thecase againstthe coronavirusatthe All India committeeonvaccineadminis- Covaxin wasnot in doubt, and outRath Yatras with amessage polls being ahigh-stake had earlier issuednotice to threaten protesters. Iamnot af- US-basedpro-Khalistanoutfit. Institute of Medical Sciences (AI- tration,DrVKPaul, senior doc- urgedpeople to have faith in the of “parivartan” (change) in the election forthe BJP,the Sidhu’s brotherMandeep Singh. fected by these notices. Inever ThoseissuednoticesinPunjabin- IMS) in the capital on Saturday. tors who have been partofvari- scientificprocess. stateahead of the elections, party seems determined Theyhavebeenasked to ap- had anycontact with the SFJ. clude agroup of three business- Around noon, emerging from ous Covid-19taskforces, young “Phase3trialforCovaxinisgo- sources said. The party will take to mount an aggressive pear at the NIA headquarters in Thereisnoreason Ishould be in menwho had been running a the observationroom halfan resident doctors, nurses, faculty ingon.Butremember,eveninthe out five Rath Yatras that will campaign, withtop lead- NewDelhionJanuary 17 for touchwith them. Idon’tknow dailybusserviceforfarmersfrom hour afterbeingadministered members, and administrative case of Pfizer and Moderna, the coverall 294Assemblycon- ers deciding to organise questioning in acaselinked to who theyare.Suchnoticesare Ludhiana to Delhiborders and a the shot, Manish announcedthat staff. On Covaxin,whichisstill in phase3trialisstillgoingon.If you stituencies, starting February. massiveoutreachpro- SFJ’sGurpatwantSingh Pannu, a part of our fight forfarmers,” journalistwho has been vocal on he felt fine. “It wasagoodexperi- phase 3clinicaltrials,ProfGuleria lookatthe data, youfind that the The decision wastaken at a grammes. In astate where designatedterrorist,for conspir- Sidhutold TheIndian Express. social media againstthe farm ence. Ithought theremight be told The Indian Express: “Weall benefitsare overwhelming com- meeting held in NewDelhi on the issue of immigrationis ing to createan“atmosphereof The actor receivedthe sum- laws.The recipientsalsoinclude some itching or some kind of dis- knowthatthe dataisveryrobust pared to theoccasional risk.That FridayinwhichUnion Home amajor poll plank,the saf- fear and lawlessness and to cause mons aday afterasimilar notice Sikhyouth,whowere summoned comfort,but Ifeel good,” he said. as farassafetyand immuno- is whythe whole worldhas de- MinisterAmit Shah and BJP fron party is also hoping to disaffection in people and to in- wasissuedtoBaldevSinghSirsa, last yearby thePunjabPolice’sde- As India launchedthe most genicity is concerned. Manyvac- cidedtomove forwardand take chief JPNadda discussedthe cashinonthe newciti- citethem towardsrising in rebel- the president of Lok BhalaiInsaf radicalisation cells establishedat ambitious vaccination drive in its cines,eveninthe past, have been the benefit,” Dr Paulsaid. party's campaign strategy with zenship lawand itsimage lionagainst Government of WelfareSociety(LBIWS) which sub-divisional level. history,100 beneficiaries were givenemergency use authorisa- “Above all,what is impor- leaders in charge of West to consolidateHindu India”. is one of the unions participating FULLREPORTON administereddoses at eachofthe tion, considering the situation. tant at this stageiswhether Bengal, including general sec- votes, while it is trying to Sidhu deniedany connection in talkswith the Centre. www.indianexpress.com 81 inoculation centres in Delhi. We need moredoses andmore you’resafeornot.The safetyis retary Kailash Vijayvargiya, strikeabalanceonthe vaccines.” Prof Guleria under- provenwithout doubt... please joint general secretaryShiv issue in Assam. Government of India linedthe practical necessity of embrace it. That is whyitis Prakash and stateparty presi- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre getting on with the vaccination emergency useauthorisation. dent Dilip Ghosh, among processwidelyand quickly. We should respect scientific others. joinedthe party and moreare SELECTION OF JUNIOR RESEARCH FELLOWS “If we sticktothe robustdata, processes that have unfoldedin “The party will be takingout expected to come to itsfold, ac- ADDENDUM we shouldvaccinateasmanypeo- extremelydifficult and unusual five Rath Yatras that will touch cording to BJP leaders. With reference to Advertisement No. 03/2020(R-V) published in ple as possible because we need circumstances. But scientific 294constituencies of West “Mamatajiisnow busy Newspapers on 13.12.2020 for invitingapplications from eligible to reducemortalityandbreakthe frameworksallowitand it will Bengal in February. Party’ssen- keeping her flocktogether but candidates for selection of Junior Research Fellows(JRF) in BARC, the chain of transmission,get the be takentoits logical conclu- ior leaders at the national level moreare going to join the BJP. last date for receipt of applicationisextended upto 31.03.2021. economyback,”hesaid.“At the sion. Today, twogreat vaccines will be leading it.Itwill be de- We areindiscussions with sametime,we shouldalsobecog- areavailable. Whatever vaccine signedinsuchawaythatone some morekey leaders and you Government of India Bhabha Atomic Research Centre nizant of the fact that vaccine re- youare given, please take it leader who begins the yatraon willsee morecoming in,” said Nuclear Recycle Board search is an ongoing process and with pride and happiness,” aMondaywill stay throughout asenior party leader.However, INRP(O), R&WM, Tarapur thereare still four-fivevaccines in he said. the week.The details of the the central leadership has Sealed item rate tenders in single bid system in the prescribed form are hereby invited on Indiawhichare undergoingtrials. routes, etcwill be worked out warnedthatthereshould be behalf of the president of India by the General Manager,R&WM, INRP(O), NRB,BARC Tarapur for the following work: Itispossibleyoumay findabetter FULLREPORTON soon,” said aparty source With properbackgroundchecks and Name of work : “Cabling, Wiring &S.S Tubing for ield instruments, Fabrication, Supply vaccine of thirdornextgenera- www.indianexpress.com the leaders discussingand fi- an assessment of the impact of and Installation of Local &Manual Backup Panel and testing and commissioning nalising various programmes aleader’s entrybeforeheorshe of the C&ISystem for AVSANNEX Project at WM, INRP (O), NRB, BARC, Tarapur”. during their three-hour meet- is inducted intothe BJP NIT No.: NIT No. BARC(T)/NRB/WM/EI/AT/12/NIT/OPA-10079 Date -15/01/2021 Estimated Cost : Rs. 50,00,000/- (Rupees Fifty Lac Only) ing, the party's main theme In the meeting,itwas also Time of Completion: Twelve (12)Calendar months would be “parivartan”,said the decidedbothShah and Nadda Dates for Request for From 18/01/2021(11:00Hrs.) to 04/02/2021 (15:00 Hrs.) source. will visit the stateatleasttwice purchase /Download of on website www.tenderwizard.com/DAE. Detailed The BJP,whichhas been amonth ahead of polls forpub- Tender Document (excel / NIT is also available on website www.barc.gov.in for word formats) view only. desperatetochangethe politi- lic rallies and meetings with The contractors are requested to send their Pre-bid cal map of West Bengal, will fo- cadres. Shah is expected to at- queries by email not later than 05/02/2021.Pre-Bid Date of Pre-bid cus on weakening the ruling tend programmes in thestate meeting will be held on date 09/02/2021.The Pre-Bid clariication Trinamool Congress —the saf- on January30and 31.BJP lead- clariications will be uploaded in Tender wizard website by 10/02/2021. fron partyhas been poaching ers said the elections areex- Last date and time of itskey leaders from different pected to be held in March- closing of online 17/02/2021(23:00 Hrs.) regions.Senior leaders, includ- April. Prime MinisterNarendra E-Procurement Cell submission of tenders OFFICEOFEXECUTIVEOFFICER On or before 18/02/2021(12:00 Hrs.) at AGM, EE&I, ing ministers in the Mamata Modi will address rallies only URBAN DEVELOPMENT&HOUSING DEPARTMENT Last date for submission R&WM, INRP(O),NRB, BARC Tarapur,inasealed Banerjee government suchas afterthe dates areannounced, of original documents superscribed envelope mentioning name of work and Suvendu Adhikari, have already the party leaders said. NAGAR PANCHAYAT JAMTARA, JHARKHAND. towards Receipt of e- NIT Number.Original documents should be submitted payment towards Tender preferably in person. However documents sent by post Re-e-Procurement Very Short Notice (Double Bid) Processing Fee or courier will also be considered provided the same is received within due date &time. 3rd Call Date and time of online Whenwill poor rd 18/02/2021 (15:00 Hrs.) Re-E-Tender Reference No.- NPJ/SBD/02/2020-21 (3 Call) Date:-15/01/2021 opening of Part A Date of opening of Part B 1. Name of the work Extension of existing Urban Water Will be notiied at alater date. get vaccine, will it Supply Scheme in missing areas along of qualiied bidders with repairing of ESR at PHED Further details of the tender can be obtained at web portal of BARC at be free for them, Campus &Pandeydih under Nagar www.barc.gov.in/tenders Panchayat Jamtara. asks Akhilesh 2. Tender Value (Value may be Rs.4,16,53,349.00 (Rupees Four Crore Government of India changed as per SBD) Sixteen lakhs Fifty Three thousand Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Three hundred Fourty Nine only) Nuclear Recycle Board, INRP-O(R&WM) 3. Time of Completion 18 Month EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE 4Earnest Money Deposit (1% of Rs. 4,17,000.00 (Rupees Four Lacs On line item rate tender in two parts i.e. Part A–Document related to eligibility criteriaand Part B–Financial Bid are hereby invited through LUCKNOW,JANUARY16 the Tender Value) Seventeen Thousand only) e-Tendering mode on behalf of the President of India by General Manager, 5BID document fees (Non- 10,000.00 (Rupees TenThousand only) INRP-O(R&WM), Nuclear Recycle Board, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, AS THE vaccination drive began Refundable) Tarapur,Ghivali (PO), Palghar (Dt)-401 502 for the following work from eligible 6Date of Publication of Tender 18/01/202111:00 hrs contractors on approved list of CPWD, MES, Railways, State PWDs, Public acrossIndia on Saturday, on website Sector Undertakings of Central or State Governments /Central Autonomous Samajwadi Party(SP) president 7Closing date/Time for receipt of 22/01/202111:00 hrs bodies or those having adequate experience and capabilities to execute similar Akhilesh Yadavsaid BJP leaders works of such magnitude in Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Tender on website should line up firsttoget vacci- TENDER NOTICE NO: NRB(T)/BARC/IT & 8Date &Place of Receiving of 22/01/2021(11:00 hrs to 15:00 hrs) at NIT No. nated forCovid-19. Hard Copy Tender Nagar Panchayat Office Jamtara. COMM/2020-21/OPA/2775 dated 06/01/2021 Fee/EMD/Copy of all uploaded Supply,Installation and Commissioning of video POSTGRADUATE INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL Speaking at apress confer- conference systems at different Conference Documents Name of Work EDUCATION &RESEARCH, CHANDIGARH ence in Lucknow,hesaid, “I 9Opening date/Time for 23/01/202111:00 hrs rooms of BARC, Tarapur to conduct Video CORRIGENDUM would liketosay the BJP does conferencing between inter DAE units. Technical Bid of Tender on Ref: Open E-Tender Notice No. PI (EP)/20-21/07. everything withpompand show website Location of the work INRP(O)-R&WM, NRB, BARC, Tarapur. Following changeismade:- 1. The tender item is at Sr.No.11 (Fully Automated Individual (ID) NATTesting System-01 even if their programmes are 10 Name &address of office Office of Executive officer,Nagar Estimated Cost Put to Rs.22,00,000/- Nos.along with rates of reagents for75000 tests per years with expected 10% escalation Inviting tender Panchayat Jamtara. tender each year and Rates will be frozen fornext10years.) the bid submission dates and bid hollow.So, Ifeel,people from the opening dates have been amended from to Bid Submission date 25.01.2021 and Bid 11 Contact no. of Procurement +91 99344 34611(Mr.Ramashrya Das) Earnest Money The bidders bidders should submit Bid-Security BJP should standinthe line first Declaration Opening date 27.01.2021. officer Ref: Open E-Tender Notice No. PI (EP)/20-21/08. and getvaccinated.The waythe Time of Completion 04 (Four) months 12 Helpline number of e- +91 94317 27140 (Mr.Manishwar Following changeismade:- taali [clap] and thali [plate] was Procurement cell Hembram) Application /Download 2. The tender item is at Sr.No.10 (Pediactric ICU Beds) due on 22.01.2021 has been with- of Documents 20/01/2021 10:00 Hrs. drawndue to technical reasons. done, the same wayall of them 13 Helpline number of PMC +91 93040 19860 (Mr.Shubham Singh) The following additional terms and conditions have been added to the Notice Inviting Closing of online 15/02/2021 (13:00 Hrs.) Tender:- should come and getvaccinated. No Bids has been submittedvia Online &NoHard Copy has been submission of tender i. Bidders are not required to submit EMD/Bid Security till 31st December,2021. In place Afterone year,the SP will form received in office in 1Cst all &2nd Call. of EMD/Bid Security only “Bid Security Declaration” is required to be deposited by bid- Time &Date of Opening of part A der as per Rule 170 (iii) of GFR 2017, accepting that if theywithdraw or modify their bids the government and all of us will Note: Authorityreserves right to cancel tender without assigning any opening of Tender 15/02/2021 (15:00 Hrs.) during the period of validity and if theyfailed to sign the contract or to submit performance reason thereof. security before expiryofthe bid validity,theywill be suspended foraperiod of 2years to getvaccinated forfree.” Further Details of the Tenders Can be obtained at the above ofice or at submit bids. He added, “I am happy... And Further details can be seen on website http://jharkhandtenders.gov.in web portal of BARC at www.barc.gov.in/tenders.Tender can be downloaded & ii. The successful bidder is required to deposit performance security at the rate of 3% of about the vaccine, it wasnot just participated in www.tenderwizard.com/DAE. General Manager, the value of contract till 31st December,2021. PR 239453 (Urban Development and Executive officer All other details will remain the same. me who wasworried... NagarPanchayatJamtara INRP-O(R&WM),NRB, BARC, Tarapur. PROFESSOR IN-CHARGE (EP) Housing)20-21#D For and on behalf of President of India 0041/PGI Government of India BhaBha atomIc ReseaRch centRe

advertisement no.01/2021(R-I) Last Date FoR ReceIPt oF aPPLIcatIon: 15.02.2021 “Government Strives To Have AWorkforce Which Relects Gender BalanceAnd Women Candidates Are Encouraged To Apply” Online applications are invited from eligiblecandidates for appointment to the following posts in RMRC, Kolkata and BARC, Mumbai. No. of Posts Post Code Name of post RMRC/BARC SC ST OBC EWS UR Total DIRECT RECRUITMENT DR/01 Medical /Scientiic Oficer/E(Nuclear Medicine) RMRC 00 0001 01 DR/02 Medical/ Scientiic Oficer/D(Nuclear Medicine) RMRC 00 0002 02 DR/03Technical Oficer/D(Nuclear Medicine Technologist) RMRC 00 0001 01 DR/04 Nurse/A RMRC/BARC 00 10 01 819 DR/05 Sub-Oficer/B BARC 01 01 01 01 02 06 DR/06 Scientiic Assistant/C (Nuclear Medicine Technologist) RMRC 001060007 DR/07 Scientiic Assistant/B (Pathology) BARC 0010 01 002 DR/08 Scientiic Assistant/B (NuclearMedicine Technologist) BARC 00 02 0002 DR/09 Scientiic Assistant/B(Radiography) BARC 0010 0001 DR/10 Pharmacist/BRMRC 00 0001 01 DR/11Driver-cum-Pump Operator-cum-Fireman/A BARC 00 04 01 06 11 TOTAL010423042153 STIPENDIARYTRAINEE TR/01Stipendiary trainee, Category-I (ComputerOperation) RMRC 00 01 0001 TR/02 Stipendiary trainee, Category-I (Health Physicist) RMRC 0010 0001 TR/03 Stipendiary trainee, Category-II (Laboratory Technician) RMRC 001040005 TR/04 Stipendiary trainee, Category-II (DentalTechnician-Hygienist) BARC 00 03 0003 TOTAL002 08 0010 Fordetailed advertisement, please visit the website www.barc.gov.in or recruit.barc.gov.in The facilityofonline application will be opened from 21.01.2021 to 15.02.2021 WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

THESUNDAY EXPRESS,JANUARY17,2021 Crude Wa tch OIL SLIPS 2.7% ON DEMAND CONCERNS NewYork: Oil prices fell sharply on concerns that demand would be lowerasCovid-19 continues to rage globally.USWest Texas 11 ECONOMY Intermediate crude fell 2.73per cent to $52.11 per barrel, while Brent wasat$54.87,down2.75 per cent on the day. REUTERS

‘BANKS,NON-BANKSSHOULDALSOHAVEAPPROPRIATECOMPLIANCECULTURE’ PM ANNOUNCES `1,000-CRORE STARTUPINDIA SEED FUND ‘Our startups should be global RBIopentobadbankproposal:Das giants in their service areas’ At Nani Palkhivala Memorial Lecture, Reserve Bank Governor advises lenders to identifyrisks early ENSECONOMICBUREAU crucial notonlytoensurecredit NEWDELHI,JANUARY16 ENSECONOMICBUREAU ED Redefining flowbut also to build resilience in MUMBAI,JANUARY16 fiscal the financial system,” Das said. THE GOVERNMENT will launch a PLAIN E “Wehaveadvisedall banks, Rs1,000-croreseedfundforstart- ● roadmap RBI GOVERNOR ShaktikantaDas EX large non-deposit takingNBFCs ups, calledStartup India Seed on Saturdayindicatedthat the and all deposit-taking NBFCs to Fund, whichwill help startups centralbankcanconsidertheidea WITH REFERENCE to the assesstheimpactof Covidontheir withthe initial capital forgrowth of abad bank to tackle non-per- Budget,Das said the gov- balancesheet,assetquality, liquid- and operations, Prime Minister formingassets(NPAs)andadvised ernment should define ity,profitability and capital ade- NarendraModi said on Saturday. banksandnon-bankstoadoptap- the fiscal roadmap not quacy,andwork outpossiblemit- “Goingahead, the governm- propriatecompliancecultureand onlyintermsofquantita- igationmeasuresincludingcapital ent willprovide guaranteesto Prime MinisterNarendraModi addresses thePrarambh identifyrisksearly. tive parameters, but those planning,capitalraising,andcon- help startups raise debt-capital. Startup India InternationalSummit via video link. ANI “If there’s aproposal to setup relatingtoquality of ex- tingency liquidity planning, We aretrying to build astartup abad bank,the RBI will look at it. pendituretoo. This,he among others,” Das said. ecosystemwhichfunctionsonthe We have regulatoryguidelinesfor said, would ensure contin- Inadditionto astrongriskcul- ‘of theyouth,by theyouth,forthe will come together in the field of tive andpsychologicalcareamong assetreconstructioncompanies,” uedwelfarism as well as ture,banksandnon-banksshould youth’ mantra,” the PrimeMinis- technology andinnovation. All otherareas. DassaidwhiledeliveringtheNani RBI Governor ShaktikantaDas delivers the Nani Palkhivala sustainable growth. alsohave appropriatecompliance tersaid,speakingatthePrarambh BIMSTEC areworkingtoimprove Apartfromthese seedfunds, Palkhivala Memorial Lecture. Memorial Lecture, on Saturday. Screengrabvia @RBI Twitter culture.Costofcompliance to Startup IndiaInternational their connectivity and business,” theministryhasoverthelastyear NPAsof thebankingsectorare rules and regulations should be Summitinanonline address. Modi said. alsoconductedseveralothercom- expectedtoshoot up to 13.5 per perceivedasaninvestmentasany Duringtheaddress,Modisaid The newseedfund forstart- petitionsto awardstartupswork- cent of advancesbySeptember non-bank financial companies shareholdersandseniormanage- sustainability of public finances, inadequacy in this regard will thetargetforIndia’sstartupsover ups comes afterthe Ministryof inginseveralareas,suchasvideo- 2021from7.5percentinSeptem- (NBFCs) needtoidentify risks ment vis-à-vis the role of the measurable parameters of qual- provetobedetrimental, he said. thenextfive yearsshouldbetobe- Electronics and Information conferencing,artificialintelligence ber2020 underthe baseline sce- early,monitor them closelyand board, the RBI Governor added. ity of expenditurewouldensure Das said arobustassurance comeglobalgiantsintheirrespec- Technologyhad earlier lastyear among others. nario, the Financial Stability managethem effectively. With the Union Budget just that welfarismcarriessignificant mechanismby wayofinternalau- tive service areas. initiatedasimilarfund to identify LastJuly, theministryhad Reportofthe ReserveBank of The risk management func- twoweeksaway, Das advisedthe productive outcomes and multi- dit function is another important “Our startupsshould leadin startups and give them financial launchedachallenge invitingInd- India (RBI) saidearlier this week. tion in banksand NBFCs should government to definethe fiscal pliereffects,” Das said. component of sound corporate futuristic technologies. If all BIM- help. In August, the ministry had ian developers to come up with “Weare open to lookatany pro- evolve withchanging timesas roadmapintermsofthequalityof Maintaining and improving governance and risk manage- STEC (BayofBengal Initiative for launched afund to identify 300 apps in arangeofsegmentssuch posalto setupabadbank,”hesaid. technologybecomesallpervasive the expenditure. the quality of expenditurewould ment. “It provides independent Multi-Sectoral Technical and startups whichwould be pro- as office productivity,social net- Abadbankbuysthebadloans and should be in sync with best “Going forward, it becomes help address the objectives of fis- evaluation and assurance to the EconomicCooperation)countries videdseedfundof upto Rs25lakh working,e-learning,news,games, and other illiquid holdings of internationalpractices,headded. imperative that fiscal roadmaps cal sustainability while support- boardthat the operations of the push forthis, alarge population and other facilities as well. A healthandwellness,agri-tech,fin- other banksand financial institu- “In this context, instilling an aredefinednot onlyinterms of ing growth, he added. entity arebeing performedinac- would benefit from this,” the budget of Rs95.03 crorehas been tech andentertainment, and tions, whichclearstheir balance appropriate riskcultureinthe or- quantitative parameterslikefiscal The RBI Governor notedthat cordancewiththesetpoliciesand Prime Minister added. earmarkedfor the programme speech translation,amongothers. sheet. Banks, ledbythe Indian ganisation is important. This balance to GDP ratio or debt to the current Covid-19 pandemic procedures,” he stated. Duringtheevent,Modialsoin- named ‘Chunauti’, to be spent Adifferentchallengelaunched Banks’ Association (IBA), had last needstobedrivenbythe board GDP ratio, but also in terms of relatedshockwill place greater The internal audit function teracted withthe founders of over aperiodofthree years. in April lastyear,whichsought a Mayhad submitted aproposal to and senior management withef- measurableparameters relating pressureonthe balance sheets of should assessand contributeto startups from BIMSTEC nations, The IT Ministry’s programme worldclass video-conference so- setupabad banktothe Finance fective accountabilityatalllevels,” to qualityofexpenditure,bothfor banksintermsof NPAs,leadingto improvement of the organisa- whichincludeBangladesh, seekstoaward startups in the lution,whichcouldbeanalterna- Ministryand the RBI, proposing Dassaid.Recenteventsinourrap- Centreand states,” Das said. erosion of capital. tion’s governance, risk manage- Bhutan, India, Myanmar,Nepal, fields of edu-tech, agri-tech,sup- tive to global apps such as Zoom, equitycontributionfromthegov- idlyevolving financial landscape “While the conventional pa- “Building buffers and raising mentandcontrolprocessesusing Sri Lanka and Thailand. plychain, logistics,and transport sawKerala-based Techgentsia ernment and the banks. have ledtoincreasing scrutinyof rameters of fiscal discipline will capital by banks—bothinthe asystematic,disciplined,andrisk- “Inthe2018 BIMSTECsummit, management, as well as medical SoftwareTechnologieswinaprize According to Das, banksand the role of promoters,major ensuremedium and long-term publicandprivate sector—willbe basedapproach, Das said. Ihad said that all these countries healthcare, diagnostics,preven- moneyofRs1crore.

COVID-19IMPACT 51.7%: Shareoftotal UKIBC seeks parity in corporate HDFC Bank Q3 net domesticairpassengermarketin ‘56% fewerpassengers flew 2020accountedforbyIndiGo tax rates for Indian, foreign cos profit rises 18.1% 78%: Occupancy rate at domesticallyin2020’ SpiceJet last month, highest route, Krishna said. 2020,respectively.Therestructur- among all Indian carriers ENSECONOMICBUREAU UKIBC’s group chair Richard ENSECONOMICBUREAU ing under the RBI resolution Atotal of 6.3 croredomestic passengers travelled by air As partofpre-Budget NEWDELHI,JANUARY16 Heald,OBE,hasurgedthegovern- MUMBAI,JANUARY16 framework forCovid-19was ap- lastyear,56.29% lowerthan 2019,the DirectorateGeneral 94.9%: On-time consultations with the mentto furtheracceleratethepa- proximately0.5 per centofad- of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said performanceofIndiGoin THE UK-INDIA Business Council Finance Minister, the ce of economic reforms through DESPITE THE contraction in the vances, it said. December;bestatfourmetro (UKIBC) has urgedthe govern- UK-India Business Budget announcementswhich economy triggeredbythe pan- Provisions and contingencies airports—Bengaluru,Delhi, mentheretobringparitybetween would eventually lead to enhan- demic,HDFCBankonSaturdayre- fortheDecemberquarterwereRs HyderabadandMumbai corporatetax ratesfor domestic Council also cedinvestment and trade foot- portedanet profit of Rs 8,758.3 3,414.1 crore(consistingof specific and foreign companies as partof recommendedraising print of UK’s businesses in India. crorefor the third quarterended loan loss provisions of Rs 691.2 LOWPASSENGERLOAD itspre-Budget recommendations the FDI limit in defence Apart from this, UKIBC also December 2020,arise of 18.1 per croreand general and other pro- FACTORINDECEMBER: submitted to Finance Minister suggestedthe government to in- cent from Rs 7,416.48crore in the visionsofRs2,722.9 crore) as Thepassengerloadfactorin Nirmala Sitharaman. and insurance sectors crease allocations forthe defence quarterendedDecember 2019. againstRs3,043.6 crore(specific December2020hasshown “Globally, thegeneralpractice sectortoover2.5 percent of the The bank’s netrevenues(net loan loss provisions of Rs 2,883.6 decliningtrendcomparedtothe is to have atax rate parityacross GDP and raise foreign direct in- interestincome plus other in- croreand general and other pro- previousmonthprimarilyduetothe all kindsofcompanieswithin the applicable to foreigncompanies vestment (FDI)limit through au- come) grew to Rs 23,760.8 crore visions of Rs 159.9crore)for the endoftouristseason,accordingto same industry. Examples areall anddomesticcompaniesat43.68 tomatic routeinthe sector to 100 forthe quarterfromRs20,842.2 quarterendedDecember 2019. theaviationregulator BRIC countries exceptIndiaand a per cent and 25.17 percent, re- per cent from 74 percent. croreinthe same quarterayear As of lastDecember,total bal- PASSENGERSFLOWN 73.27lakh: Peoplewho majority of OECD countries(UK, spectively. The Union Budget for Ithasalsorecommendedrais- ago. While advances growth was ance sheetsize wasRs16,54,228 DOMESTICALLYBY travelledbyairdomesticallyin COST-CUTTINGACROSS Japan,etc.)aswellasimportantfi- 2021-22 will be presented in ing the FDI limit forthe insurance at 15.6 per cent, core netinterest croreasagainstRs13,95,336crore, AIRLINESLASTYEAR: December2020,43.72%lower THEBOARD: nancial centres likeHong Kong & Parliament on February1. sectorto 100percentfrom49per marginforthequarterwas4.2per agrowth of 18.6 per cent. ■ IndiGo:3.25crore thaninthecorrespondingperioda Allairlinesinthecountryhave Singaporewherethe taxstruc- Foreignbanksgenerallyoper- centalongwithaskingformutual cent. “The bank’s persistent focus Totaladvancesasof December ■ SpiceJet:93.9lakh yearago adoptedcost-cuttingmeasures tures fordomestic and overseas ateinIndiaasabranchdueto reg- recognition of degrees between ondepositshelpedinthemainte- 2020 were Rs 10,82,324 crore, an ■ AirIndia:69.32lakh suchaspaycuts,leavewithoutpay companies areidentical,”said ulatory and commercial reasons Indiaandmajorcountries,includ- nanceof ahealthyliquiditycover- increase of 15.6 per centover ■ GoAir:54.38lakh 65.1-78%:Rangeofload andfiringofemployeesinorderto JayantKrishna,groupCEO,UKIBC. and areduction in the corporate ing the UK, and removalofretro- ageratio at 146per cent, well December 2019.Domestic ad- ■ AirAsiaIndia:43.87lakh factorofsixmajorIndianairlinesin tideoverthecrisis Thereductioninthecorporate taxrateforsuchbrancheswillpro- spectivetaxation, fast-tracking above the regulatory require- vancesgrew by 14.9percentover ■ Vistara:39.39lakh December2020 Source: DGCA/PTI taxratefor domestic companies videalevel playing field as com- disinvestmentof publicsectorun- ment,” the bank said. December2019.Asperregulatory coupledwiththeabolitionof div- pared to branches of domestic dertakings, customs duty reduc- Gross and netnon-perform- segmentclassification, domestic Why is it important: Even as domesticflights resumed after atwo-month hiatus on May 25, the aviation idenddistribution tax(DDT) cre- banksandencourageinvestment tionforimportofalcoholicspirits, ingassetswereat0.81per cent of retail loans grew by 5.2 per cent sectorhas been hit significantlydue to the travel curbs imposed in Indiaand other countries ates asignificant disparity be- by foreignentitiesthatarekeento andaregulatoryregimeforonline gross advancesand 0.09 per cent and domestic wholesale loans tween the effective taxrates invest in Indiathrough abranch gaming and sports betting. of netadvances as of December grew by 25.5 per cent. BRIEFLY Placed on Notorious Markets List,Snapdeal Forex reserves rise to $586 bn

ATFpriceup weeklydatareleasedbythe cen- 3%;nochange calls USTR report ‘ill-informed, incorrect’ ENSECONOMICBUREAU GOLDRESERVES tral bank showed. NEWDELHI,JANUARY16 CLIMBTO$37.5BN Afterremaining unchanged inpetrol,diesel had also strongly rebutted. during the lastweek,the special LALITKJHA Snapdeal and four Indian shopping complexes Thelackofdiligenceisevident THE COUNTRY’S foreign ex- drawing rights(SDRs) with the ■ Thegold reserves NewDelhi: Jetfuel, or ATF, NEWDELHI,JANUARY16 have figured in the latest2020 Reviewof in including reference to related changereservesrose by $758 International Monetary Fund priceonSaturdaywashiked sites thathaveceasedtooperate million to reacharecordhighof climbed by $568 (IMF) increasedby$5million to by 3percent,thefourthhike SNAPDEAL,ONE of India’slargest Notorious Marketsfor Counterfeiting and Piracy four years ago, the company said. $586.082billion in the week million to $37.594 $1.515 billion. in twomonths, whilepetrol e-commerceplatforms, has con- issuedbythe Office of the US Trade Representative TheUSTRreportsaidSnapdeal ended January8,datafromthe billion, while the The country’s reserveposi- and dieselrates remained tested aUSTrade Representative remains aconcern forrighthold- ReserveBank of India (RBI) specialdrawing rights tion with the IMF rose by $35 unchangedafterhittingnew (USTR)reportthatplaceditonthe erswhoreportthatthevolumeof showedonFriday. (SDRs)with the IMF million to $5.181billion in the highs.ATFpricewasupbyRs Notorious Markets Listfor coun- Pinduoduo, Shopee, Snapdeal, and sellers, the USTR report wil- counterfeitproductsonthis plat- In the previous week ended increasedby$5million week,according to datafromthe 1,512.38perkilolitre,or2.96 terfeitingand piracy,and termed Taobao,Tokopediaandmanyoth- fullyblurs this distinction to fur- form has risenoverthe pastyear. January1,the reserves had in- to $1.515 billion, banking regulator. percent, to Rs 52,491.16 per it ill-informedand incorrect. ers, basedonincorrect under- ther aflawedpoint of view. “According to aNovember 2018 creasedby$4.483 billion to weeklydatareleased The ReserveBank functions kL in Delhi, anotification of Snapdealand four Indian standingof practicesandlaws ap- “Indoing so,itignores clear survey,37per cent of purchasers $585.324billion. by the RBI showed as the custodian and manager of state-run fuel retailers said. shoppingcomplexeshavefigured plicable to various markets,” said and well-establishedregulatory reportedthat theyhad receiveda In the reporting week,for- forexreserves, and operates inthelatest2020ReviewofNotor- aSnapdeal spokesperson Friday. and legal frameworksunder counterfeit productfromSnapd- eign currency assets (FCAs), a within the overall policy frame- ious Markets forCounterfeiting “Thereportreflects apoorun- whichmarketplacesoperate,”the eal. In July2019, Snapdeal’sfoun- major component of the overall or depreciation of non-USunits work agreedupon with the gov- Wipro:Buyback and Piracy issued by the Office of derstanding of the governinglaw company said.The spokesperson ders were accusedofcriminal reserves, rose by $150 million to suchasthe euro, poundsterling ernment. worth`9,500cr the USTR. “Thereportreleasedby in various jurisdictions,including said the commentsmade about conduct in India forselling coun- $541.791billion. and Japanese yenheld in the for- The RBI allocates the dollars the USTR tarnishes the imageof India. While courts in India con- Snapdealwere factuallyincorrect terfeitproductsthere.Righthold- Expressedindollar terms, eign exchangereserves. forspecificpurposes.The RBI completed theworld’sleadingmarketplaces, tinueto upholdandassertthedis- andrepeatedthefalsehoodscon- ershave alsosuedSnapdealforse- the foreign currency assets in- The gold reserves climbed by also uses itsforex kitty forthe or- includingAmazon,MercadoLibre, tinction betweenmarketplaces tained in a2019report, whichit llingcounterfeitgoods,”itsaid. PTI clude the effect of appreciation $568million to $37.594billion, derly movement of the rupee. NewDelhi:WiprosaidSatur- dayithas completedits Rs 9,500-croresharebuyback programme. The buyback Fiat Chrysler, Peugeot seal $52-bn merger to become Stellantis sawAzim Premji-affiliated entities tendering 22.89 croreshares of about Rs Theyfirstannouncedplansto Tavaresplanstoaddressthe huge soon, but without divulging too to better appreciateevery single 9,156crore,afiling said. PTI GIULIOPIOVACCARI merge in October 2019,tocreate challengesfacingthegroup-from manydetailsatfirst. move.Idon’tthinkwewill have MILAN,JANUARY16 agroup with annualsales of excess production capacity to a “He has proven to be the kind allthe details before oneyear,” around 8.1millionvehicles. woeful performance in China. of personwho prefers action to Santinosaid. Togopublicin FIATCHRYSLERand PSAsealed “ThemergerbetweenPeugeot Tavareswillholdhisfirstpress words, so Idon’tthink he will FCAchief executive officer comingyears: their long-awaited merger on S.A.andFiatChryslerAutomobiles conference as Stellantis CEO on makeloud statementsortry to MikeManley—who will head SaturdaytocreateStellantis, the N.V. that will lead the path to the Reuters Tuesday, afterringing NYSE’s bell over-sell targets,” he said. Stellantis’ key operations for BigBasketCEO world’sfourth-largestautogroup creation of Stellantis N.V. became withChairman John Elkann. Likeall global automakers, NorthAmerica —has said 40 per withdeepenoughpocketsto fund effective today,”thetwoautomak- FCAand PSAhavesaid Stellantis needs to invest billions cent of the carmaker’s expected NewDelhi:BigBasket aimsto the shifttoelectric driving and erssaidinastatement. TOBEHEADEDBYCURRENTPSACEOTAVARES Stellantis can cut annual costs by intheyearsaheadto transformits synergies would come from con- go public in the coming take on biggerrivals Toyota and SharesinStellantis,which will over5billion euros ($6.1billion) vehicle rangefor the electric era. vergence of platforms andpow- years, co-founder and CEO Volkswagen. be headedbycurrent PSAchief ■ Shares in Stellantis, which ■ FCAand PSAsaidStellantis withoutplant closures, and in- Butotherpressingtasksloom, ertrains and from optimising re- Hari Menon said at the It took over ayear forthe executive CarlosTavares,willstart will be headedbycurrent can cutannual costs by over vestors willbekeen formorede- includingrevivingthegroup’slag- search &development Prarambh Startup India Italian-Americanand French au- trading in Milan and Paris on PSAchief executive Carlos $6.1billionwithoutplant tails on howitwilldothis. ging fortunes in China, rationalis- investments, 35 per cent from International Summit on tomakers to finalise the $52 bil- Monday, andinNew York on Tavares, willstart tradingin closures,and investorswill Marco Santino, apartner at ingitshugeglobalempireandad- savings on purchases, and Saturday, withoutmention- lion deal,duringwhich theglobal Tuesday. Milan and Paris on Monday, be keen formoredetails on consultantsOliverWyman, said dressingmassive overcapacity. another 7per cent from savings ing aspecific timeline. FE economywas upendedbythe Nowanalysts andinvestors and in New York on Tuesday howitwill do this he expected Tavarestodisclose “It will be astepbystep on sales operations and general Covid-19 pandemic. areturning their focus to how the outlines of his action plan process, also to allowthe market expenses. REUTERS WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 12 THESUNDAY EXPRESS,JANUARY17,2021 VACCINE DAY ONE NATION Nurse in Kerala, surgeon in Kashmir

Ayear into apandemic thatupendedlives and livelihoods,anentirenation sawthe firstsigns of hope as frontline workers signedupfor theinaugural session of anationwide vaccination programme againstCovid-19. THE SUNDAYEXPRESS meets some of the firstrecipients of the Covaxin and Covishield vaccines— from ahealth officer in aremote ArunachaldistricttoacommunityworkerinNaxal-hit Dantewada

BHILWARA, RAJASTHAN MUSTAKKHAN, 46 CHIEF MEDICAL & HEALTH OFFICER

HAMZA KHAN

IN MARCH lastyear,when aprivate hos- pital in Bhilwarabecame the epicentre PALGHAR,MAHARASHTRA of aCovid-19outbreak in Rajasthan, the JAYSHREE SHINDE, 38 district administration andhealth offi- cials ledbyMustakKhan, the district's CLEANING STAFF AT Chief Medical and Health Officer, JAWAHAR SUBDISTRICT launcheda“ruthless containment” HOSPITAL strategy. Over thenextseveral days,Khan and his team conducted an exhaustive sur- TABASSUMBARNAGARWALA vey, zeroedinonsuspected Covid cases and tracedtheir contacts. Soon, the HAVINGFINISHEDhernightdutyinthesick ‘Bhilwaracontainment model’ came to newborncareunit,Shindewasasleepwhen be known as asuccess story. ahospital nurse rang her up at 11 am. “We On Saturday,Khan again ledfromthe aregoing to startvaccination. Come soon.” front, signing Shinde,aClassIVworker,walkedthe10- up forthe first minutedistance from her housetoJawhar dose of the sub district hospitalfor the injection. Covishield Standingoutsidethevaccinationcentreand vaccine fighting offher sleep, she smiles, “I am ex- againstCovid- cited.Ihavespent all of lastyear in fear.” 19."By getting When the pandemicbegan, Shinde,a vaccinated motherof two,wasworriedaboutwhether first, Ihope to herworkwould exposeher to the virus. As build confi- aClass 4employeeearning Rs 7,000 a dence among month, she had to clean Covid wards. health work- Maharashtraaccountsforaround18 per ers. It is good centof India’sCovidburden.TillSeptember, that health the state’s high 5,286 workers are caseload was Active cases in being vacci- THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA 52,152 solelyresponsi- Rajasthan nated first, Active casesin ble forIndia’s sincetheyare NISHA HAMEED, 41, NURSE Maharashtra dailyhigh 3.14lakh at high risk. numbers. Totalcases We will aim Covid-19 warriors, but also givesconfi- governmentnurse, Nisha would return 19.84LAKH With her for100 per SHAJUPHILIP dence to people to getvaccinated,’’she says. homeafter longshifts to carefor herchil- Totalcases job putting her 2,746 cent vaccina- In the lastfour months, Kerala has dren. “Whilemostofmycolleagues stayed in direct con- Totaldeaths tion in the dis- “NOW, Ifeel likeasoldier who has worn an recordedmorethan 7lakh coronavirus in- backinthe hospitalorinhostels aftertheir 50,336 tact with Covid *AsonJan 16 trict. armour,’’ smiles Nisha Hameed, as she fections, morethan anyother stateinIndia. night shifts,Ihad to come backhome,” says Totaldeaths patients, Over the emergesfromthe Government Women The statenow has the highestnumber of the mother of twochildren, aged 17 and 15. *AsonJan 15 Shindeensured lastone year, and Children’s Hospital, mo- active cases, comprising al- On some occasions,says Nisha, herjob Leadingfrom shetookallpre- while Khan witnessedseveral Covid mentsafter getting a most30per centofIndia’s to- created tension in her neighbourhood, with thefront cautions. cases and fatalities, the fear got real Covishield vaccine shot. 68,416 tal. some residentsfearing that she would “Atthe end of my shift, Iwould change when his father tested positive latelast Nisha, who has been work- Active casesin Recalling her duty in Covid bring the virus home. “But Ihad no time to my clothes at hospital, go home andbathe year."First, my father,who is 75 years ing as anurse since 2001,re- Kerala wards, Nisha says,“Ihave been payattention to suchanxieties. Doing my AN ESTIMATED three lakh front- before going near my children,” shesays. old anddiabetic,testedpositive,and ceivedamessageonFriday on duty forfivemonths. The duty withall precautions wasthe main line workers have chosen to lead Yet, four months ago, her nightmare then Itoo tested positive.When you about being selected forDay 1 8,42,843 early days were very difficult. concern then,” she says. from the front by volunteering for cametrue.Herhusband,asecurityguardin have thevirus in your ownhome, you of the vaccination drive.“Some Totalcases Everyday,Iwould leave home But all that is in the pastnow,saysNisha. the firstdose, hoping to putto aprivate firm,got infected.“He has joined grow very fearful. Iwas very worriedfor in my family circle tried to dis- forworkand it felt as if the “Now,Ihavegot the vaccine shot, all my rest anydoubtssome mayhave work now,”she says,adding, “Everyone in my father since he wasalready im- suade me…Theywondered if 3,442 virus wasstalking me. The fear fears and also of people around me have on the efficacy and safetyofthe thevillageknewIworkedasahelperinthe munocompromised," he says. gettingvaccinated on the first Totaldeaths grew when some of my col- been put to rest.Itwill also encourageoth- vaccine. The rolloutdatecomes hospital. So theystayedaway.” After15daysinhospital,Khan's fa- daywas agood idea. They *AsonJan 16 leagues got infected.Ialways ers to turn up at vaccination centres,”she twoweeksafter India’s drug reg- Thestigmahurt,butonSaturday, Shinde ther recovered. "For me, the biggestles- thought that since therewas- felt it would be my turn next.’’ says. ulator granted accelerated ap- had put much of thatbehindher.“Idon’t son from this wasthat we can't ap- n’t enough dataonthe vac- Shehas so farnot tested posi- WHY THEVACCINE: “I can nowtakeon proval fortwo vaccines —Oxford- understand muchabout the vaccine. My proachitlikejustanother disease. Its cines, Ishould wait,” she says. tive forCovid-19. Covid-19 duty without fear,” says Nisha. “I AstraZeneca’s Covishield and hospital told me that avaccine is available, behaviour is unpredictable. But Nisha,who has been agovernment “While on duty in Covid wards, it’s dif- will continue taking precautions and main- Covaxin by BharatBiotech-ICMR, andIthoughtImusttakeittosavemyfam- WHY THE VACCINE: “The vaccine is nurse since 2001,saw no reason to wait. “As ficult to take waterand toiletbreaks. On tain social distance, but during an emer- the latter vaccine in acontrolled ilyfrominfection,” she says. being launchedafter good resultsdur- healthworkers, we should showthe way days that Ihad my periods,Ithought I gency,whenaPPE kit or face shield is not “clinical trial mode” giventhat its WHYTHE VACCINE: “I am notscared. It’s ing trials.Ibelieve thereshouldn’t be any to others. When health workers getthe vac- would collapse inside the PPE kit,” shesays. immediately available,Ican confidently efficacy dataispending. likethe polio vaccine we give to children. doubtsregarding the vaccine.” cine first, it notonlyprotectsthe frontline With her husband, SSHameed, also a ventureout to save alife.” That is what the nurses said.”

DANTEWADA, CHHATTISGARH CHURRI, 50, ACOMMUNITYHEALTHVOLUNTEER (MITANIN) IN JAWANGAVILLAGE

GARGIVERMA

“IAMfedupofwearingamask.Itrustthevac- cine,”says Churri,asshepreparesforthejour- neytothe children’s hospital in her village, whereshewilljoinotherhealthcareworkers to getthe Covishield shotonthe firstday of the vaccination drive. Whilethestatehadbegunregistrationfor vaccinationinNovember,Churrisays shedid notexpect to be calledonthe firstday.“Igot BARAMULLA, KASHMIR acall on Friday. Ithought theywould start NAMSAI DISTRICT,ARUNACHALPRADESH DR MOHSIN MUSHTAQ, 40 with people in the cities,” she says,adding, DR TOPE YOMCHA, 53 “My son wasscared andtold me nottogoon ASSISTANT PROFESSORATGOVTMEDICAL COLLEGE the firstday,but Istill came.” DISTRICT REPRODUCTIVE AND CHILD HEALTH OFFICER Since the Covid-19outbreak, mitaninsor we neverquestioned them. Thereare sev- community healthworkers suchasChurri ulation of 95,950 persons, according to the BASHAARATMASOOD eral cancer drugsthat we prescribetopa- have servedasacruciallinkbetweenvillagers ABHISHEKSAHA 2011 Census.Whilethedistricthassofaronly tients. So whyshould we fear this vac- andmedicalstaffinremote areasofthecoun- seen around 430Covid cases, Yomcha says INSIDE THE vaccinationwardof cine? Iwould encourageeveryone to get try. Themotherof three,andgrandmotherof DR TOPE YOMCHA has had to quarantine the actual numbersare muchhigher. Government Medical College, adesignated vaccinated whenevertheyget an oppor- five,wasassigned30housesinhervillageand natedcamelateonFriday,theycouldn’talert himself at agovernment facilityinNamsai Over 1,000people, mostlybelonging to Covid hospital in J&K’s Baramulla district, tunity.That is the onlyway to fight this went door-to-door,telling families about everyone about directions. “Weare nowtry- twice—inAugustandSeptemberlastyear— otherdistrictsofArunachalortheneighbour- thereisasense of unease. The doctors and disease and live amask-free life," Mushtaq Covid-19precautions, among other things. ingto reachoutto asmanypeopleaspossible aftercomingintocontactwithCovidpatients. ing stateofAssam,testedpositiveinNamsai, paramedics chosen forthe inaugural ses- adds. “Washing hands, social distancing, we told andguidethemto thecentres,”saidadistrict But the worstphase of the pandemic was whichactsasagetaway to other districtsof sion of the nationwide vacci- He would know. Over the people about all measures. We officialoverseeingtheimmuni- whenhis19-year-oldsontested the statesuchasLohit and nation programme discuss last10months, the doctor has alsohave to ensurethatchildren sation drive. positive afew days afterreturn- Dibang Valley. possible adverse reactions to 1,280 spent severaldays in the hos- getimmunisedand lactating 6,923 AroundnoononSaturday, ing home from hiscollegein 64 ArunachalPradeshhassofar the Covishield vaccine that is Active cases in pital, operating on Covid-pos- mothers got theirvitamins,” Active casesin aftertraveling foranhour and Guwahati. Active cases in reportedover16,000cases and scheduledtobeadministered J&K itive patients. says Churri,whohasbeenami- Chhattisgarh covering over 25km, Churriar- “My son tested positive as Arunachal 56 deaths. In the firstphase, the to them. “OperatingonCovid-posi- tanin forover10years now. rivesatthe vaccination centre. did four of my college-going stateisvaccinating 900people. But one among them 1,23,217 tive patientstakes itstoll, both The biggestchallenge, she 2,92,612 As she waitsher turn, the 50- nephews,includingtwo who 16,682 Districtadministrationoffi- walksupand takesthe chair Totalcases physicaland mental,” he says. says,was to ensurethat peo- Totalcases year-old reminisces about the live withme.Evennow, my wife Totalcases cials said that during the pan- meant forthe vaccine benefi- “Some of these surgeries last ple visitingthe villagequaran- timeabarriermadeof clothand remains in constant fear be- demic, Yomcha playedakey ciaries —DrMohsin Mushtaq, 1921 severalhours. Doing it in aPPE tinedthemselves. “I made sure 3,544 treelogswasputoutsidehervil- causeIstandariskof contracting 56 role in planning, executing and Assistant Professor in the Totaldeaths is gruelling.It’s stressful even that people, even extended Totaldeaths lage to stop the entryofthose the virus,”says Dr Yomcha over Totaldeaths monitoring the testing and Department of Surgery at the *AsonJan 16 at home since youare always familymembers, were al- *AsonJan 15 returning from outside. “All of the phone from Namsai, one of *AsonJan 16 screening process. medical college. hoping that youhaven’t car- lowedintothe villageonlyaf- 2020 has been about Covid-19. the easternmostdistrictsofthe “Our team in Namsai “Wehavetocreatetrust riedthe virus home.” terthe quarantine period,” she Our village had acoupleof country, talking of avirus that worked very hardduringthe among people aboutthis vaccine. If the doc- He believesit’s luck, along with some recounts. cases. The barrierwas setupinMarch and spread across geographies and spared none. pandemic.Onseveraloccasions,we have had tors arehesitant, howcan youconvince oth- basicprotocol, that helpedhim keep the Halfway through her journeytothe vac- we kept adding to it, withwires and wood,” “So,thevaccinemeansthatallthissuffer- to trek to remote locations of the district, ers to getvaccinated,” says the40-year-old, virus at bayfor close to ayear.Now,with a cination centre, Churri haltsatthe Geedam- she smiles. ing will come to an end soon,” he says. sometimes early in themorning or lateat afterthe nurse has dabbed some cotton on vaccine finallyhere, he doesn’t want to take Dantewadaroad,lookingconfused.“Wewere WHY THE VACCINE:“Everyone is scaredof It wasthis hope and optimism that got night.Manyofushavehadto isolateourselves his arm. anychances forhimself and people around told to come to themalnutrition hospitalfor needles alittle, and Iwon’t sayIamnot himto signupforthevaccinationprogramme severaltimes,”hesaid. But some of his colleagues arestill not him. children, but no one on the road seems to scared.But Idon’t think therewill be anyse- thatkickedoff acrossthenationonSaturday. WHY THE VACCINE: “This vaccine sig- convinced.Theystart to leave. WHY THE VACCINE: “Weneedtofight knowwhereitis,” shesays. vere side effectsofthe vaccine. Theywould- Yomcha,whogot hisCovishielddose,has nifies that an alternative waytoprotect our- “Wehaveseenpharma companies this disease. Don’t we needalifewithout District administration officials said that n’t have launcheditifitwasn’t safe, would been at the forefront of the battle against selvesandourlovedonesfromtheCovidvirus coming up withvaccines forchildren… fear and face masks?” since the listofpeople who would be vacci- theyhave?” she asks. Covid in Namsai, asmall districtwith apop- is beginning.” WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 13 OPINION THE SUNDAY EXPRESS,JANUARY17,2021

Across Fifth THEAISLE COLUMN TAVLEENSINGH “Curiouserandcuriouser” Twitter@tavleen_singh

“‘CURIOUSER AND curiouser!’ criedAlice proposedlaws’ and the ‘minutes of all governmentremovedtheAPMCActafew cedingthepandemicwas2017-18: 131.75; (she wassomuchsurprised, that forthe suchmeetings/consultations’.EveryCPIO yearsago.Theresult:theBiharfarmersells 2018-19:139.81;and2019-20:145.65lakh moment she quiteforgot howtospeak (Central Public Information Officer) re- paddyatRs800perquintalwhiletheMSP crorerupees. According to theFirst ACovid good English);” portedthat “this CPIO does nothold any is Rs 1,850. AdvancedEstimates, theGDP in 2020-21 That’s what Ialmostsaid whenIread recordinthis matter” and tossedher ques- The farmers want the laws to be re- will be Rs 134.40 lakhcrore.That means, the statementofMsNirmala Sitharaman, tions to another department. Yet, the gov- pealed, the government justifiedthe laws justtoreturntothe GDP levelof2019-20, blessing PCHIDAMBARAM the Finance Minister(FM), that she will ernment in itsaffidavit before the and asked the farmers’ representativesto the economyhas to grow at 8.37per cent Website:pchidambaram.in draftaBudget “which isaBudget likenever Supreme Court sworethatthe affidavit discuss the Acts clause-by-clause!Please in2021-22. Agrowthrate of anythingless Twitter@Pchidambaram_IN before”. It is alsowhatmanypeople said wasbeing filed“forthe purpose of dis- notice the irony: thegovernment that will mean that the economythatwill lose WITH HIS flair formelodrama, Narendra when theyread thenames of the four pelling the erroneous notion that the pro- rammedtheBillsthroughtheRajya Sabha Rs 11 lakh crore(at constant prices) in Modipersonallylaunchedthe nationwide members of the Committee (all pro-farm testershavepeddledthat the Central gov- without a clause-by-clause discussion or 2020-21willsufferafurther loss in 2021- vaccination drive againstCovid lastweek. laws)appointedbythe Supreme Courtto ernment and Parliament neverhad any voteshouldofferaclause-by-clausediscus- 22. At current prices, whichwill be better The vaccines have been producedbypri- holddiscussionswitheveryoneconcerned consultative process or examinationof sion on the streetsofSinghu! understoodby laypeople,thelossin2020- vate companies, but decades of socialism on the disputed laws. anyissues.....”.Notethe words“protesters 21 willbeRs9lakhcrore (USD120billion). have trainedustoallow political leaders to have peddled” spat out contemptuously What can the FM do to push the take credit foreverything. Having spent in asolemn affidavit. MUST DO, BUTWON’T growth rate to 8.37per cent in 2021-22? many years watching fine,upstanding CONTEMPTUOUS Afternewspapersexposedthe‘nil’RTI Meanwhile,we have theintriguingan- With revenues understress (because not Indians kowtow to the Dynasty,Ihad ATTITUDE response,theMinistryofAgriculturehur- nouncementof theFM.Whatshemustdo enoughwas done to stem the rate of de- hoped that Modi would govern in aman- riedly‘clarified’thattheinformationcould is very different from whatshe can or will cline), Idoubt if she will makecash trans- ner thatwoulddemandless servility. Thisland, wherewelive, is becoming notbegiven because the matter was sub do. Everyeconomistofrepute is agreed fers or cut taxrates.She could step up to- Especiallyafter he announcedfromthe stranger and stranger by theday.Isitnot judiceinseveralcourts!AsAlicewouldsay, thatmanythingsoughtto have beendone talgovernment expenditureand (1) ramparts of the RedFort, early in his first Thefarmerswant the laws to strangethatademocraticallyelectedgov- it gets ‘curiouser and curiouser’. in 2020-21,but were notdoneout of fear implementarescueplan forMSMEsand term, that he sawhimself as the ‘pradhan be repealed,the government ernmentwillremainstubbornevenasthe or timidity or alackofknowledge: (2) invest moreininfrastructure. On the sevak’ofthe people. justified the laws and asked protest by farmersinthebittercoldof Delhi ■ Cashtransfersto thepoorestfamilies other hand, therewill be morestrident As inexplicable is Modi’s neglect of the entersits55thday(whenyoureadthiscol- NO CONSULTATIONS were notdone; claims forincrease in (3) Defence expen- twoareas in whichdecades of rule by the the farmers’ representatives umn)? Is it notstrangethat the govern- The fact is that therewas no consulta- ■IndirectTaxrates,especially GSTrates, ditureand (4) Health infrastructure. Dynasty produceddismal results: educa- to discussthe Acts clause-by- ment will call theprotesting farmers for tion on the proposed farm Bills withthe were notcut; Something has to give,and Ifear it will tion and healthcare. If the pandemic has clause! Please notice the talksevenwhile itsMinisters and party farmersoragriculturaleconomistsbefore ■ Government capital expenditure was be theMSME rescue plan and health in- brought one blessing, it is that it has forced irony: the government that leaders, and the AttorneyGeneral, call theordinanceswere promulgatedonJune notsteppedup; frastructure. NarendraModi to notice the abysmal state themKhalistanis(meaningsecessionists)? 5, 2020. ■ MSME rescue plan wasnot formu- TheFMisrightif herstatementhadal- of health services even in states governed rammed the Bills through the Strangefactsare tumblingout of the Besides, the Bills were passedbyso- lated to save theenterprises and jobs. ludedtothecontextof Budget 2021-22.In by his ownchief ministers. The blame for RajyaSabha without aclause- closet. Ms Anjali Bhardwaj,anenthusias- calledvoicevotesbrushingasidedemands Manyeconomists —among them terms of content,however,Ijusthope she India having the worstpublic hospitals, by-clause discussion or vote tic Right to Information Act(RTI) activist, forafull discussion (or areference to a DrArvindPanagariya,DrCRangarajanand does notdisappointthe people as she has and despitehaving some of the best pri- should offer aclause-by- appliedunder the RTItovarious depart- ParliamentarySelectCommittee)andvot- Dr Jahangir Aziz —havereiterated that done during the pandemic year. vate hospitalsinthe world, lies squarely mentsofthe government forinformation ingby division.Alarge sectionofthefarm- these measures should be takenatleast (The OxfordEnglishDictionarysays on the Congress party rule. What makes clause discussion on the on the farm laws;inparticular,onthe ers do notwantthe offendinglaws. They nowtorevivegrowth.RecallthattheGDP, ‘curiouser and curiouser’ means this criminal neglect unforgivable is that streets of Singhu! ‘dates of all consultations to discuss the pointto BiharwheretheNitishKumar-led at constant prices in the three years pre- ‘moreconfounded’) the party’s ruling Dynasty wasfounded by aman who triedtospread modern, sci- entific ideas in the hope that theywould dispel India’s ancient superstitions. Modi’s tent includespeople filledwith two-dayvisittoMizoram wascancelled notjustancient superstitions but obscu- inside so that he could discuss Cabinetforma- history rantism and blind faith in the medicinal tion with Prime MinisterNarendraModi. Notesfrom25years properties of cowdung and cowurine.He TRACK The outcome of the talkswas that the HEADLINE couldhavebrought ‘parivartan’byshow- COOMIKAPOOR Cabinetexpansionslated forJanuary14, P. RAMAN ingasmuchpassion forimprovingpub- Makar Sakranti, waspostponedyet again ago, a‘ghotala’year lic health services as he did forSwachh tillafter the Budget.The reasonisthat the [email protected] Bharat. He chose to allowobscurantism leadership is undecidedwhether Union to prevailuntil the pandemic made it im- Cabinetchangesshould involve merely possible. Remember howwheninaugu- long overdue inclusions, suchas THEYEAR1995-96wastheRepublic’syear rating an Ambanihospital in Mumbai he PMO FOR JyotiradityaScindia, or be amoreexten- of ghotalas.Coinciding with PVNarasimha said ancient Indians knewabout plastic PATCH-UP sive exercise. Rao’s lastyear in office, the periodsaw a surgery andproof wasthat Ganesha was number of scams and dubious deals: the giventhe head of an elephant? Howdid THE RIVALRYbetween the Serum sugar importscam whichled to food min- he forget Sushruta,consideredthe world’s InstituteofIndiaand Bharat Biotech be- THE RISE OF isterKalpnathRai’sresignation(November firstplastic surgeon, and whose method came open knowledge afterthe heads of BLSANTHOSH 1995),the telecom scandal thatprompted forsurgery on noses has been modernised both took veileddigs at eachother pub- the ousterofminister Sukh Ram(Dece- but is still valid today? In the initial days of licly.The PMO immediatelyintervened, The recentBJP organisationalre- mber1995),godmanChandraswami’srev- the pandemic, Modiordered anationwide directing the twovaccine manufacturers shuffle whichdisempoweredRSS elations(September1995),theJainHawala beating of ‘thalis’and lightingofcandles, to issue ajoint letter thattheywerecoor- pracharaksloaned to the BJP,suchas chargesheet(January1996), the Rs 3crore so howcould he reprimand thosewho dinating in the fight againstthe pandemic. Saudan Singh and VSatish, has high- hawala charge againstRao (January 1996), bathedincow dung and said cowurine It is unclear who wasresponsible forin- lighted the growing clout of BL and the briberycharge against JMMMP wasthe ultimatecure? Instead of a fluencing the expertcommittee on vac- Santhosh, party general secretary (or- Suraj Mandal.However, afterRao’s defeat, MinistryofCowsinDelhi, would it not cine approval to grantimmediate clear- ganisation). Santhoshisadeparture mostofthese cases lostpolitical relevance. have been better to have aministrythat ance to CovaxinonJanuary2.Earlier,the from the usual mould of former organ- On January16, 1996, in adefining mo- took charge of reallyimproving our dis- minutes of the expertcommittee meet- isation general secretaries RamLal and ment forthe Indian political class, the CBI mal health services? ing reveal that Bharat Biotech wasasked SanjayJoshi, who toowerefromthe RSS chargesheetedLKAdvani, Arjun Singh, The pandemic has forced us to turn to firstsubmitadditional research dataas fold. He does notact likeafaceless, low- Yashwant Sinha, Devi Lal and Arif Chandraswami, who diedin2017, pays tributetoformer prime minister our gaze to another area that wasshame- the companyhad notcompletedits Phase keybackroom organiserbut regularly MohammadKhan (nowKerala Governor) Narasimha Raoonhis 91st birth anniversaryinNew Delhi in 2011. Anil Sharma fullyneglected under decades of Congress III trials. Within aday,the panel re-con- tweets hishardcoreHindutvaviews.(On in the infamoushawala briberycase.The rule. Schools. TheEconomist had apiece venedtookaythe vaccine. WhileBharat occasion he had to delete impulsive agency alsosought sanctiontoprosecute lastweek that talked of howmillions of Biotech has the Prime Minister’s blessings, tweets on international affairs.) Unlike then Unionministers BalramJakhar,VC 7.5crore,followedbyArjun Singh (Rs 10 andsaid that he had asked thePMtowith- Mumbai’sslum childrenattending cheap the move to give itsvaccine instantaneous others from the RSS stable, suchasRam Shukla and Madhavrao Scindia. Advani re- lakh),DeviLal(Rs50lakh),YashwantSinha draw cases againstunderworld don Bablu private schools were no longer in school clearance seems to have stemmedpartly Madhav and Govindacharya,who lost signedasMPthe same day. ARs53.3crore (Rs 21 lakh), LKAdvani (Rs 60 lakh), Srivastava and Blitz editor RKKaranjia. because their parentscouldnot afford because of Subramanian Swamy’s embar- out because of being toohigh profile, scam involving three dozen politicians of MadhavraoScindia(Rs75lakh),VCShukla He told the officials that he had pre- smartphonesfor online lessons. It wasa rassing tweetthat an Indian product was Santhosh seems confidentofhis posi- allshades—excepttheLeft—wasexposed. (Rs 65.8 lakh) and Balram Jakhar (Rs 61 sentedapreciousneelam-studdedgoldring sad, shamefulstory about howdesper- being accordedstep-motherly treatment tion. He deriveshis strength notonly Westernagenciesputthefigureat$18 mil- lakh). The initials were also allegedtorefer to then chief election commissioner TN atelyIndia needs to payattention to and rancounter to the RSS’s and Modi’s from theideological wing, but has a lion. On February11, morepeople were to RajivGandhi,GianiZailSingh,BhajanLal, Seshan as ‘a markofblessing.’ On April 3, school education, and the mostshameful Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign. close working relationship with both charge-sheeted. There wasnoactionable NDTiwari and Pranab Mukherjee. On 1996, the SupremeCourtadmonishedthe statistic it quoted wasthe WorldBank say- NarendraModi and Amit Shah. The BJP evidenceagainst23others. January 23,1996, Atal Bihari Vajpayeeal- CBI forthe tardyinvestigation intocases ing that only55% of Indian children can leadership turns to him foradvice on Parliament wasnot in session the day leged that Narasimha Raowas also paid Rs againstthegodman.OnMay3,hewassent read or understand asimple story. NO CONDOLENCE SouthIndian politics and he wasautho- theCBIfiledthechargesheet.Afteraparlia- 3crore hawala money. to TiharJailinconnectionwiththe‘NRIdup- This dreadfulstate of affairs has not MEET rised to elevate some unknownfaces mentarypanel meeting, veteranpolitician The politicians triedtowriggle out by ingcase’. On May27, 2017,Nemichand Jain come to happen in the pastseven years. with like-mindedviews. Somnath Chatterjee told us: “I am both claiming thatthe initialsinthe diarywere alias Chandraswami diedinobscurity. It has takendecades of criminal negli- It is over amonth since AhmedPatel’s happy and sad. Happybecause finally the wrongly interpreted.But on January18, Thethird‘ghotala’pertainedtothemys- gence forthings to come to this pass. death and excuses as to whythe party has guilty have been broughttobook. Sad be- 1996, Sharad Yadavbroke rankstoadmit teriousairdroppingof severalcachesof AK- Decades in whichschools for‘the people’ still notheld afull condolence meeting at ACAUSTIC cause forfiveyears the establishment thathetook Rs 3lakhfromthe Jains in the 47 andother ammunition in Purulia on were treated with contempt by the offi- the nationallevel sound lame. Rahul FAREWELL avoidedaction againstthe country’s high presence of Congress leader Chimanbhai December17, 1995, from an AN-26 plane. cialswho built thembecause theyknew Gandhi’s prolonged stay out of India is andmighty.Finally, theSupremeCourthad Patel, but did nothelp the Jains. Four days The aircraftwas interceptedtwo days later that theyneednever have to send their cited as areason,but therewas no love Before hisdeparturefromIndia, US to actonaPIL.” Chatterjee wasright. later,heresignedfromtheLokSabha.Other andthe five crew members —all Latvians ownchildren to them. So, this is some- lostbetween the Gandhi scion and Patel. Ambassador Kenneth Justerlaid the foun- But justwhen the investigation into namesinthe diaryweresaidtobeRK —wereroundedup.Investigationsrevealed thing thatcannotbeblamedonModi. Besides,the meeting could have easily dation stone forthe newUSChancery India’s biggestpoliticalbriberyscandal Dhawan, Kamal Nath, Arvind Netamand that twodays before the airdropping, the What can be blamedonhim is thathehas been organisedbeforehewent abroad. building in New Delhialong with Union seemedtobemaking abreakthrough, the SRBommai.Afterprotractedlitigations,the plane wasinterceptedbetween Bombay done almostnothinginthe pastseven The Congress, incidentally, is still to sort ministerHardeep Singh Puri and Deputy caged parrot wasstifledand officers trans- Delhi High Courtlet offthe politicians on and Madras, and had refuelled at Varanasi years to make things better. out itsfinancial affairs afterthe death of Chief MinisterofDelhi Manish Sisodia. ferred.Therewas aconspiracy of silence. the premise that the diary’s notings were airportonthedayoftheincident.Thewhole MostIndian states with the worst itstreasurer.Rahul’s deep suspicion of the But uncertainty remainsoverthe fund- No one wanted to expose the Jain brothers ‘notadmissible evidence’. Manywereac- episode revealedaserioussecurity breach, schoolsaregovernedbyBJPchiefministers. old guardwas evidentatthe meeting ing forthe newstructure.The US —SKJain, NKJain and BRJain —because quitted in 1997.OnMarch 2, 1998,the butwhoplottedtheairdropandwhatwere So had the PrimeMinistershown as much meant to humour the G-23 letter-writ- Congress presumes that the moneywill theyknewtoo muchabout the cloak-and- Supreme Court reversedthe DelhiHigh thearmsfor?Initially, investigatorsconcen- interest in improvingschools as he didin ers. WhileSonia and Priyanka were po- come from the auction of Lincoln House, daggeroperation.Theydouble-crossedthe Court’s verdict but letoff charge-sheeted trated on the controversialAnanda Marga sanitation,there isnoquestionthatschools litehosts,Rahul wasoffhand. He snubbed the former US Chancery building in intelligenceestablishmentandtheirforeign Advani and VCShukla as the prosecution group.Later Kim Davy,one of the crew would have improved.Thereisstill time. Kamal Nath by suggesting that he wasnot Mumbai. But though vaccine manufac- contactswhile allegedly using the fundsto failedtopresent corroborative evidence. members, claimed theR&AWknewabout Some of the mostprimitive schools Ihave in control of his state as Chief Minister, turer Adar Poonawalla had emergedthe bribeIndian politiciansfor personal gains. The Chandraswami phenomenon was the airdropping, and that the arms were visited existinthe states of Uttar Pradesh and that Ashok Gehlotisequallyunable topbidder in the auction held manyyears Theinvestigatorshadgot theirfirstclue the other murky facetofthe ghotala year. meantto helpelementsopposedtotheLeft and Bihar. If Modi wantstoensurethatour to control the RSS-influenced bureaucrats back, he has withheldfull payment since in 1991 when theyhad seized adiaryfrom No godman had ever exertedsuchavice- governmentinWestBengaltocreatedis- vaunted ‘demographic dividend’doesnot who rule the roostinRajasthan. he is unable to take possession due to in- aKashmiri terrorist. Further raids yielded likehold on South Block. PM Raoremoved quietand pave theway forPresident’s rule. endupinthewastebasket,heneedsto con- ter-ministerial wrangling whichhas one morediaryand twonotebooksfrom his internal securityministerRajeshPilot Years later,all five crew members centrateonschool education with the pas- blockedthe land’s transfer.Significantly, the Jainbrothers. These containedinitials on September 13,1995, hoursafter the lat- were freedunder diplomatic pressure sion he showedfor Swachh Bharat. SOME CABINET Justercautionedinhis farewell remarks of politicianstowhompaymentswereal- terordered aCBI inquiryagainstthe god- from Russia. The pandemic has brought with it al- CARPENTRY thatsome policies of the government legedlymadebetween 1988 and1991. Arif man.OnOctober 8, Chandraswami ap- mostnoblessings anywhereinthe world. would deterforeign investment MohammedKhantopped the listasper peared before the Jain Commission PRaman is asenior journalistand It has brought death and horrorand terri- Home MinisterAmitShah’s recent and trade. conclusionsmadefromthediaries.withRs inquiringintoRajiv Gandhi’sassassination, author of Post-Truth Media ble suffering. But,inIndia it has brought with it ablessing or two. The firstisthat it has killedfewer peopleper millionthan in almostany other countryand it has made us notice those areas of governance that have been horriblyneglected for She much toolong. If theyhad notbeen,we Pandemic: Of split hairs and close shaves would notfacethe possibility thatmil- SAID lionsofIndia’s mostvulnerable children EKTAAMALIK will notlearn to read or writeever. It has Mypokerstraighthairhadalways been me. ‘Areyou ok’? ‘Whydid youdothis?’ — were takenabackatmy‘life-altering deci- were made to shavetheir hair to ensure made us noticethat mostgovernment asourceof somevanityforme.Mymother, wasthe common refrain. Manysaw it as a sion’.Mywomenfriendsontheotherhand theydidnothaveany adornmentthatcould hospitals lackbasic facilities likemodern always the pragmatic problemsolver, de- cryfor help, some as an attention-seeking were very encouraging. Some even sug- makethemattractive to theothersex.Many systems to getrid of medicalwaste.Like creed, “Let’s shave it off” and “Sowanew move,others were hesitant, as ashaved gested that this can be apermanentthing, religions and communitieshavestrict dik- fire safety. Tennewborn babies diedin “HAIR IS everything….” states avisiblyaf- crop”.Sooneevening,afterIhadtestedneg- head mayspeak of atragedy in the family. as theycould now“see my face”. Adear tats regardinghair.Think of the Hasidic their cribs in agovernment hospital in fronted Fleabag to Anthony, ahairdresser, ative forthe virus,and the avalanche of my Hair,especiallyfor women, has almost malefriendelaborated:“It’sokfornow but Jews,Islam, Sikhism and Buddhist monks. Maharashtra lastweek simplybecause of intheaward-winningseriesFleabag(2019). hair fall still hadn’t abated,mymother and always been sacrosanct. Medusa, the fe- Ihopethis is notpermanent”. Igot the in- Thepandemicalsosawmenshave their obsolete fire equipment. This scene hasbeen playing in my mindon I, equippedwith amen’s shaving razor and male monsterfromGreek mythology,had nuendo. Awoman with acrew cut, leave hair and grow their beards.The man bun This news would have made headlines aloop forthe pastfew weeks, ever since I women’s shaving gel, shavedmyhead. snakes forhair locks,and anyone who alone ashavedscalp,isoften perceivedas didn’tlookoutof placeinofficialzoomcalls. in acountrywithreal public healthcare. It shavedmyhead. 2020 wasayear thattook Now, everywispof airregisteredonmybare lookedintoher eyes turned to stone. In being ‘edgy’ and ‘badass’. Juxtapose this Whycan’t the acceptance be extended to a disappearedwithin hours in India because atoll on my health,with multiple hospital- scalp,every drop of cold watermademe Mahabharata,Draupaditookavow thatshe with women withlong, tamedhair.These woman who has shavedher head on a when it is poorchildren who die, nobody isations and countless medications. To top shiver.AsIamthe lastofthe millennials,I would onlytie her tresses afterwashing arewomenwhommenthinkeasyto man- whim?ButmaybeFleabagwasontosome- reallycares. It is ashameful, uglyattitude it,IcontractedCovid-19astheyeardrew to did put all of this on social media. them withDushasana’s blood, following age, amenable and adhering to traditions. thing when she said “hair is everything”. thathas developedoverdecades of callous aclose. Afterthe initialhysteria subsided Later,through responses on social me- her cheer-haran.Eventhe phrase ‘letyour Mylookalsotriggereddebate aboutmy Shehadcontinued“...We wishitwasn’t,so ‘socialism’, but Modi could have brought and it became apparent that minewas a dia Irealisedwhat Ihad done was‘news- hair down’ has itsroots in the storyof sexualorientation.Somemenaskedif Iwas we canactuallythinkaboutsomethingelse the changethat he promised. And he still ‘mild’case,otherworryingsymptomsflared worthy’.Peoplewhohadn’tspokento mein Rapunzel beingcloisteredinatower. “planning to playfor the other team”. occasionally, but it is.It’sthe difference be- can. It is no longer acceptablethat India up.Thefloorof my homebore testimonyto years, old colleagues, an ex-boyfriend, and The responsestomynew look had a Politically, shavingone’sheadhasoften tweenagooddayandabadday....”Fromthe should have thebestprivate schools and the fact that Iwas losing my hairinchunks. evenoldcollegeclassmates,reachedoutto clear distinction on genderlines. The men been amediumofprotest.Hinduwidows looksofit, Iaminfor anumber of baddays. hospitals in the worldand the very worst. WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

THESUNDAY EXPRESS,JANUARY17,2021 14 THE WORLD

TOPOFTHE NEW WARNINGS OF VIOLENCE AS SECURITY TIGHTENS FOR INAUGURATION US National Rifle WORLD Policeprobeiflawmakersgave Associationfiles for bankruptcy

rioterstourofCapitolbeforesiege ED JANWOLFE& JONATHANSTEMPEL Diminishing Pelosi picks retd Lt Gen to lead security reviewofbuilding that houses Congress JANUARY16 PLAIN E ● influence Palestine President EX Mahmoud Abbas THE NATIONAL Rifle Association on Fridayfiledfor bankruptcy,a THE POWERFUL gun lobby’s THENEWYORKTIMES PHOTOSOFNOTES sudden development that could attempt to escape legal pro- WESTASIA JANUARY16 help the gun rightsgroup escape ceedings in NewYorkcomes Palestinians CARRIEDBYTRUMP alawsuitbyNew York’s attorney at atime when it has seen its THE CAPITOL Police said Friday ALLYSPARKCONCERN The call between Harris and general seekingits dissolution. vast political influence at announcefirst theyhad openedaninvestiga- Pence wasdescribed as The NRA filedfor Chapter11 leastslightlydiminished. tionintowhether members of PHOTOGRAPHSOFnotescar- gracious and pleasant protection in federal bankruptcy This wasmostglaring in the pollsin15yrs Congress inappropriatelygave riedbyMyPillowCEO Mike courtinDallas,andsaiditplansto reducedrole that it playedin PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT visitors access to the Capitol Lindellwhile he waswaiting reincorporate in Texastoescape the 2020 elections. The NRA Mahmoud Abbas an- ahead of the storming of the at the WhiteHouse to meet Pence calls “acorruptpoliticalandregulatory has been weakenedbyin- nouncedparliamentary building lastweek,after several Trumpcausedhours of con- environment”inNewYork,where fighting, resignations of top and presidential elections lawmakers raisedconcerns that cern on social media afterit Harris to offer it is nowincorporated. officials, and ahostoflegal on Friday, the firstin15 their owncolleagues might have wasnoticed that theyin- “Texasvaluesthecontributions and financial woes. years, in an effort to heal allowedmembers of apro- cludedasuggestion about in- transition help of the NRA,celebrates our law- long-standing internal di- Trumpmob inside in the days The security perimeterinWashington includes an increasing vokingtheInsurrectionAct,by abiding members, and joins us as visions.Themove iswidely leading up to theassault. number of armed members of the National Guard. NYT whichapresident can deploy USVICEPresidentMikePencetele- apartner in upholding constitu- LaPierre andother senior lead- seen as aresponse to criti- The inquirycame to light as active militarytroops intothe phonedVice President-elect tional freedom,” Chief Executive ers of mismanagement,and said cism of the democraticle- SpeakerNancyPelosiannounced streets,and“martiallawifnec- Kamala Harris Thursdaytocon- Wayne LaPierresaid in aletterto the group’s activities violated gitimacyofPalestinian po- thatshe had namedRussel L. punished. Shealso said that she sengers and beefing up airport essary”. One line appeared to gratulateher and offerhis belated members.“We seek protection state laws governing nonprofits. liticalinstitutions,including Honoré,aretiredArmylieutenant had spoken withthe secretaryof security as officials amplify suggestmoving Kash Patel, assistance —filling aleadership from New York officials who ille- “The NRA’sclaimedfinancial Abbas’s presidency.Italso general, to lead asecurity review theArmyandtheSecretServicedi- warnings of violence before the currentlythe Department of roleallbutabdicatedby President gallyabusedand weaponisedthe status has finallymet itsmoral comes days before the in- of the Capitol in the wake of the rectorto ensurethatthenecessary presidential inauguration from Defence chief of staffand a DonaldTrump,whoisplanningto powers theywield againstthe status: bankrupt,” James said on augurationof USPresident- riot,inwhichathrongof President resourceswere inplaceto prevent extremists emboldenedbythe Trumployalist,as“CIAActing”, flyoutof thecapitalshortlybefore NRA and itsmembers.” Friday. “Wewill notallowthe electJoeBiden,withwhom DonaldTrump’s supporters ram- arepeat at President-elect Joe Capitol attack. whichseemedtoindicatethe JoeBiden is sworn in next week. The NRA wassuedinAugust NRA to use this or anyother tac- thePalestinianswanttore- paged through the building in a Biden’s inauguration next week. The Transportation Security topjob.Lindell is one of The Pence-Harris conversa- by NewYorkAttorneyGeneral tic to evade accountability and setrelations afterthey deadlysecurityfailurethatputthe LedbyRepresentativeMikie Administration is increasing the Trump’s closestallies. NYT tion, relayedbytwo officials Letitia James, who accused my office’s oversight.” REUTERS reachedalow under livesoflawmakers and the vice Sherrill, aNew JerseyDemocrat number of federal marshals on briefed on thecall, wasdescribed Donald Trump. According presidentatrisk. and former Navy pilot, more flightsand explosive-detection as gracious and pleasant. The to adecree issuedby Pledging accountabilityfor than 30 lawmakers calledon dogs at airports.Screening offi- threat assessmentfromthe FBI discussion is the firsttime Pence Abbas’s office, the thosebehindtheJan6siege,Pelosi Wednesdayfor an investigation cers will be deployedtoassista and Department of Homeland and Harris have spoken since Trump admin carries out Palestinian Authority, warnedthat if anyRepublican intovisitors’ access to the Capitol militarised“green zone” in Security,whichwarnedthat at- theydebated eachother lastfall. whichhaslimitedself-rule members of the House had aided on the daybeforethe riot. downtownWashington. tackers could target federal It also represents the only 13th and final execution in the Israeli-occupied the rioters as theysought to ad- Meanwhile, lawenforce- Domestic extremists“pose buildings and public officials in one-on-oneinteraction between West Bank,willholdleg- vance Trump’s effort to overturn ment officials arevetting hun- the mostlikelythreat” to thein- the days leading to the inaugu- the dueling 2020 presidential islative electionsonMay22 theelectionresults,theywouldbe dredsofpotential airplane pas- auguration,accordingtoajoint ration of Biden. tickets: Trumphas refusedtocall ASSOCIATEDPRESS Dustin and apresidentialvote on Biden and has notevenfullycon- TERREHAUTE,JANUARY16 Higgs in July31. REUTERS cededdefeat. federal Biden lays out plan to get America vaccinated Penceandhiswife,Karen,may THE TRUMP administration prison in have Harris and her husband, early Saturdaycarriedout its 2015. AP Doug Emhoff, over to the vice- 13th federal execution since July, PAKISTAN Indian-AmericanVidur Sharma namedtesting adviser in Covid ResponseTeam presidential residencebeforethe an unprecedented run thatcon- PMaideremoved inauguration on Wednesday, ac- cludedjustfivedaysbeforethe eralexecutionslastyearfollowing administration rollout that he the Defense Production Acttoin- During the Obama adminis- cording to one official. But those inauguration of President-elect a17-year hiatus. No president in asPTVchairman REUTERS&PTI calleda“dismal failure”. crease production of equipment tration, Sharma served as a plans remain uncertain, in part Joe Biden —anopponent of the morethan120yearshadoverseen WILMINGTON,WASHINGTON, Under Biden’s plan, federal neededtodistribute thevaccines, health policy advisoronthe becausethesecuritythreatsposed federal death penalty. as manyfederal executions. aftercourtorder JANUARY16 disaster-relief workers would set suchasglassvials,needlesandsy- Domestic Policy Council. to the nation’s capital have made Dustin Higgs,convicted of or- Higgs, 48,was pronounced THE PAKISTANCabinethas up thousands of vaccination cen- ringes, according to adocument Sharmasupportedthe imple- scheduling fluid. deringthekillingsof threewomen dead at 1.23 am. Asked if he had removedNaeem Bukhari, a US PRESIDENT-ELECT Joe Biden tres, whereretireddoctors would releasedbyhis transition team. mentationoftheAffordableCare Trump, who has kept alow inMarylandin1996,wasthethird anylastwords,Higgsnamedeach close associateofPrime on Fridaysaid he would order in- administershots to teachers, gro- Biden also announcedon Act, alignedFederal Department profilesinceamobof hissupport- to receive alethal injection this of thewomenprosecutorssaidhe MinisterImran Khan, as creasedproduction of syringes cerystore workers, people over Fridaythat he has chosen Indian- and Agencies, and collaborated ers attackedthe Capitol on Jan 6, weekatthefederalprisoninTerre ordered killed. “I’d liketosay Iam chairman of Pakistan and other supplies to ramp up 65 years old and other groups American health policy expert with community stakeholders to is expected to departthe White Haute, Indiana. an innocent man... Iamnot re- Television (PTV), afterthe vaccinationsagainstCovid-19 who do notcurrentlyqualify. Vidur Sharma as testing adviser further the administration's House forthe final time on the President DonaldTrump’s sponsible forthe deaths,” he said. Islamabad High Court (IHC) and improveupon the Trump The Democrat would invoke in his Covid-19Response Team. health policy agenda. morningof theinauguration.NYT JusticeDepartmentresumedfed- “I did notorder the murders.” barredhimfromworkingas the head of the state-run channel,accordingto media Aftershock reports. Bukhari wasap- Uganda says its leader China builds hospital in 5days pointed as chief of the state shakes Indonesia broadcasterinNovember, inviting allegations that he of 35 yrs is re-elected quake zone as amid surge in coronavirus cases benefitted from hisclose- ness to Khan. The IHC on Opposition alleges election wasrigged rescuers hunt the coronavirusthatfirstwas de- ThursdayrestrainedBukhari JOEMCDONALD tectedinthecentralcityof Wuhan fromholdingthepost,citing for survivors BEIJING,JANUARY16 in late2019but has suffereda Armin Laschet aviolation of a2018 ASSOCIATEDPRESS surge of cases since December. Supreme Courtorder in a KAMPALA,JANUARY16 CHINAONSaturdayfinished Atotal of 645people arebe- similar case. The courtre- REUTERS building a1,500-room hospital ing treated in Nangong and the Pragmatic markedthattheCabinetdid UGANDA’S ELECTORAL commis- JAKARTA,JANUARY16 forCovid-19patientstofight a Hebei provincial capital, notmakeacleardecisionon sion announcedSaturdaythat surge in infections the govern- Shijiazhuang, Xinhua said. A governor Laschet relaxingtheagelimitfor65- President Yoweri Museveni has AN AFTERSHOCKjolted ment said areharder to contain At aBeijing vaccination centre 3,000-room hospital is under year-oldBukhari. PTI wonasixth five-year term,while Indonesia’s Sulawesi island on and that it blamedoninfected construction in Shijiazhuang. elected to lead topopposition challenger Bobi President Yoweri Museveni Saturdayasrescue workers peopleorgoods from abroad. Virus clusters also have been CHINA Wine alleges rigging and officials has been in powersince1986 combed the rubble of collapsed The hospital is one of six with Hebei province, the official found in Beijing and the Merkel’s party struggle to explain howpolling buildings forsurvivors afteran atotal of 6,500roomsbeing built Xinhua News Agency said. provinces of Heilongjiang, HKactivist’s resultswerecompiledamid an earthquakekilledatleast46peo- in Nangong, southofBeijing in China had largely contained Liaoning and Sichuan. AP lawyerloseslicence internet blackout. “fundamentallyflawed”. pleonFridayand sentthousands GEIRMOULSON In agenerational clash widely Associated Press journalists of residentsfleeing in panic. BERLIN,JANUARY16 ACHINESElawyerwhorep- watchedacross the African con- who triedtoreachWine’s home The country’s disastermiti- resented aHongKongpro- tinent with abooming young on the outskirts of Kampala were gation agency saidnodamageor US: Newinformation suggests Wuhan CHANCELLOR ANGELAMerkel’s democracy activistwas population and ahostofaging turnedawaybypolice at aroad- casualtieswerereported from center-right party on Saturday strippedofhis licence amid leaders, the 38-year-old singer- blockabout500 meters away. Saturday’s magnitude-5.0 chose Armin Laschet, the prag- effortsbyBeijingto crushop- lab maybe linked to Covid outbreak turned-lawmaker Wine posed Thursday’s vote followedthe tremor in the West Sulawesi dis- matic governor of Germany’s positionto itstightercontrol arguablyMuseveni’s greatest EastAfrican country’s worstpre- trictsofMamuju and Majene, InstituteofVirology’ acknowl- InstituteofVirology (WIV) had mostpopulous state, as itsnew over the territory. Lu Siwei, challengeyet.The self-described election violence since the 76- whichshookthe area aday after AGENCIES edgedthat“theUSgovernment fallen ill with “symptoms consis- leader—sending asignal of con- who represented one of 12 “ghettopresident”had strong year-old Museveni took office in the magnitude-6.2 quake. JANUARY16 does notknowexactly where, tentwith bothCovid-19and com- tinuity months before an election Hong Kong activists who supportinurban centres where 1986. Wine and other opposition Agency head Doni Monardo when,orhow theCovid-19virus— mon seasonal illnesses”inau- in whichvoters will decide who triedtofleetoTaiwan, had frustration with unemployment candidateswereoften beaten or told local TV the search contin- THE US StateDepartment pub- known as SARS-CoV-2—was tumn 2019,beforethe Covid-19 becomesthe newchancellor. his licence revokedbythe and corruption is high. harassed, and morethan 50 peo- uedfor people who could still be lisheda‘fact sheet’ on Friday, transmitted initiallytohumans. outbreak wasreported. It also said Laschetdefeated Friedrich Sichuan ProvincialJustice Theelectoralcommissionsaid plewerekilledwhensecurity trappedalive under rubble, and claimingto have newinformation We have notdeterminedwhether that WIV had been experiment- Merz, aconservative andone- Departmentinanoticegiven Museveni received58% of ballots forcesputdownriotsinNovember aspokesman told reporters to supportanassertion popu- the outbreak beganthrough con- ing with abat coronavirus that is time Merkelrival, at an online Friday. Tenactivistscaughtat and Wine 34%,and voter turnout over Wine’s arrest. emergency measures had been larised by President Donald tact with infected animals or was very similar to SARS-CoV-2 since convention of the Christian sea in Augustweresen- was52%.Thecommissionadvised Wine claimedvictoryFriday, put in place in the province to Trumpthatthenovelcoronavirus the result of an accident at alabo- at least2016. Democratic Union. Laschetwon tencedbyacourtinDec to anyone celebrating to remember asserting he had video evidence help rescue efforts. Morethan outbreak originated in alabora- ratory in Wuhan, China”. The StateDepartment said 521votes to Merz’s 466. Athird prisontermsrangingfrom7 Covid-19 precautions. of vote-rigging and saying “every 820 peoplewereinjured and toryintheChinesecityof Wuhan. However, thedocument said that China’s lackoftransparency candidate, prominent lawmaker months to 3years. AP The topUSdiplomat to Africa legal option is on the table” to about 15,000lefttheir homes af- The StateDepartment’s ‘Fact the US has reason to believe that makes it difficult to draw more NorbertRoettgen, waselimi- has calledthe electoral process challengethe official results. terthe quake, the agency said. Sheet: Activity at the Wuhan severalresearchers at Wuhan concreteconclusions. nated in afirstround of voting. Saturday’svoteisn’t the final word on who will run as the cen- ter-right candidatefor chancel- lor in Germany’s Sept. 26 elec- UK DECIDED IN MARCH TO BEGIN SEQUENCING VIRUS SAMPLES EN MASSE,HELPING SCIENTISTS FIND THE NEW STRAIN tion, but Laschetwill either run forchancellor or will have abig sayinwho does. How UK scientists found the more infectious coronavirus variant Merkel, who has been chan- cellor since 2005, announcedin late2018that she wouldn’t seek Kemp made astartling match: avirus variant that has since Fornearly ayear,scientists countryproduceshalf theworld’s afifth term. She also stepped BENJAMINMUELLER Some of the same mutations de- stampededacross Britain, had observed onlyincremental inventoryofcoronavirusgenomes, down from the CDU leadership. LONDON,JANUARY16 tected in the patient, along with shaken scientists’understand- changes in the coronavirus, and providinganunparalleledviewof The decision ends an 11- other changes, were appearing ing of the virus and threatened expected moreofthe same. The howthe virus changes. month leadershiplimbo in ALL AT once, the coronavirus again and again in newlyin- to setbackthe globalrecovery newvariantsforcedthem to ForBritain,thediscoverycame Germany’s strongestparty after seemedtochange. fected people, mostlyinBritain. from the pandemic. changetheir thinking, portend- toolatetoprevent apunishing outgoingleaderAnnegretKramp- Formonths, Dr Steven Kemp, Worse,thechangeswere con- Word racedthrough acon- ing anew phase in the pandemic newwaveofCovid-19thathasput Karrenbauer,whohadfailedtoim- an infectious diseaseexpert,had centrated in thespikeprotein the sortium of British disease scien- in whichthe virus could evolve itshospitalsonthebrinkof having pose her authorityonthe party, been scanning aglobal libraryof virus uses to latchontohuman tists,longtimetorchbearers in enough in time to undermine to denylifesavingcare.Thevariant announcedherresignation.Avote coronavirus genomes. He was cells, suggesting that avirus al- genomics who had helpedto vaccines’ effectiveness. wasalready spreading fast,abet- on her successor wasdelayed studying howthe virus had mu- readywreakinghavocaroundthe trackthe Ebola and Zika epi- British MPs announcedthe tedbythe government’s lax re- twice because of the pandemic. tatedinthe lungs of apatient worldwas evolvinginaway that Prof Ravi Gupta and Dr Steven Kemp playedakey role in demics. Theygathered on Slack news on Dec14, warning that the strictions duringthe fall and early Therehad been no clear favourite struggling to shakearaging in- could makeitevenmoreconta- identifying the moreinfectious coronavirusvariant. NYT and on video calls, comparing variant wasspreading faster than winter.But Britain soundedan going intoSaturday’s convention, fection in anearbyCambridge gious.“There’saloadofmutations notesastheychaseddownclues, previous ones. But the road to its alarm forthe world, allowing but the election of Merzwould hospital, and wanted to knowif that occur together at the same among them atip from scientists discovery waslaid down to little countries to close their borders have markedatleastasymbolic those changes would turn up in frequency,”hewrote on Dec 2to bling changes, he added: “ALL of The tworesearchers did not in South Africa about yetanother acclaiminMarch,whenBritainde- and startfranticallysearching for breakwiththeMerkelera.Laschet other people. Dr RavindraGupta,aCambridge thesesequences have thefollow- yetknowit, but theyhad founda newvariant there. Still others cidedtobegin sequencing coron- avarianttheyotherwisemightnot will nowhavetoworktosecure Then in lateNovember, virologist. Listing the mosttrou- ing spikemutants.” new, highlycontagious coron- have since emergedinBrazil. avirus samples en masse. The have noticedfor months. NYT party unity. AP JANUARY 17, 2021 | WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM | PAGE 15 THE SUNDAY EXPRESSMAGAZINE

ARTS etc BOOKS ViewsfromaLockdown ● Review of Shekhar Pathak’s The Chipko Movement: APeople’s History Artist Sudhir Patwardhan’s ongoing body of ● Review of Ram Sewak Sharma’s The Making work emerging from the pandemic focusses of Aadhaar: The Wo rld’sLargest on confinement,memoryand migrants eye Identity Platform THE PLOWMAN’STALE There was atime when farmers and their struggles had apride of place in Hindi cinema. But just when did the farmer become invisible on screen?

Shubhra Gupta giving up his small parcel of land through the machinations of the sahukaar,whichwould benefit the man whose greedalways out- Kaun hai wahaan? strippedhis needs. Thesefilmswere dousedwithpovertyand Naya hoon, gaon se aaya hoon. Pyaas lagihai. deprivation and precious littlecheer.Balraj Sahni’s Shambhu is forced to undergo un- Gaon ke kuaan, taalaab sookh gayein hain kya, speakable horrors in the city to earn the pal- jo yahanchala aaya?Chalbhaagyahaan se. trysum that would wrestbackhis do bigha za- meen.Nargis wasonly26years old when she HE CLASSIC JagteRaho (1956) playedthe iconic Radha in Mother India,wife opens with these lines.Atthe to adespairing farmer and mother to two receiving end of the harsh in- grownsons.But we lookedpasther prosthetic quisition is apoor villager wrinklestoadmireher grit and determina- newlyarrivedin the city,seek- tion to hold on to her land. Suffering, famine, Ting abetterlife. We never drought,hungerwasthe hapless villager’s fate, knowwhat the man, wearing aworn coat, and Hindi cinema, through countless itera- dhoti and apetrified expression, has leftbe- tions, cemented the connection of the poor hind.What we can surmiseisthis: if his vil- farmer,the moneylender,and the zamindar, lagewas adequatetohis needs, would the and this troika became, in and of itself, atrope. peasant have come to the city,filledwith Mostcandyfloss musicals, the dominant heartless gatekeepers? genreofthe ’60s, had no place forsad survival If Iweretobefanciful,Icouldbetemptedto tales. In the real world, astrong push in the draw comparisonsbetweenthatlonepeasant late’50s and ’60s towardsa“green revolution” of the’50s,whosestoryweare stillpowerfully had created higher,moreproductive yields, drawnto,andthepresent- and, at leastinsome parts dayprotesting farmer at of north India, farmers had theSinghu-Tikri-Ghazipur begun prospering. This borders:bothbeingkept at shouldhave ideallylent it- bay, both voicesblowingin self to ashiftinthe por- the wind. Some of these trayal of rural areas.But by new-agefarmers have this time the gapbetween movedfaraheadfromthat the gaon and the sheher long-agocomically-attired had become vast and cities figurewho spent an end- had become magnets for COLD But Lagaan’s massive success did nottrans- less night in the Sombhu migrantsfromall over COMFORT lateintoanen masse return to rural tales. Mitraand Amit Maitra-di- the country. FARM Gowariker himself followedupwith his con- rected film, searching for Colourfulplots sent temporary Swades (2004), butthis time his watertoquenchhis thirst. shehri babustothe pictur- (Clockwise from left) focus wasfirmly on NASA engineer Mohan In 2021, smartly-tailored esque gaon in ordertoro- Stills from Jagte Raho, Bhargava (Shah Rukh Khan) who travels to a jeans and jackets, notabadly-fitted coat and mance ghagra-clad belles,managingtoleach Mother India and village, ensconcedinaswish caravanstocked dhoti, and pizza along with roti, is on display out allsocio-political nuance in the process. It Do Bigha Zamin with mineral water, in search of alovedfigure. inafew quartersof theprotestsites.Andwhat wasManoj Kumar who turnedintoasaviour, Thevillagers stay in thebackground:the story someof thisvocal,demanding-their-rightslot following through on Lal Bahadur Shastri’s fa- is notaboutthem, it is about the earnest, well- has done is to bring backthe “farmer” to the mous “jai jawaan, jai kisaan” slogan, whenhe meaning Mohan, and his learnings. fore,afigure Bollywoodsadlyforgot,erasingit directed and acted in Upkar (1967), in which In 2010,Anusha Rizvi’s Peepli [Live] took from popular imagination. heplays afarmerandasoldier.Inshort,acom- ahugeleap and caught up with the farmers If youweretodrawanagrarian map of pletepatriot:farmers hadaduty to feed the of India, wherethe numbers of suicide were post-independence Hindi cinema, amem- nation, and soldiers to protect it.“Meredesh ki growing at an alarmingrate. (It wasn’t the orable clutchof’50s films would go straight dharti sona ugle, ugle heeremoti,” sang Bharat first; justayear before,the Marathi language to thetop. Apartfrom JagteRaho,starring Manoj Kumar,hoisting a hal on his shoulder, Gabhricha Paus had wadedintosimilar ter- RajKapoor in the lead with awonderful justlikeMotherRadhaIndiahaddone.Andthe ritory). Failedcrops,runningout of cash, ris- Chaplinesque air —exaggerated eyebrows, film brokebox office records. ing loans, all the things that Bollywood had shabbyclothes-growing-progressively- Mainstream Hindi cinema in the ’70s was Bachchan-fuelledsong-and-dance filleddra- who wishedtoacquirethe Non-Resident tag ignored forsomanyyears, came leaping out moreworn, fear building witheachinimi- markedbythe coming of theall-purpose mas, whichdid notstoprunning. as speedilyasher foreign degree. in the villageofPeepli. As the brothers Natha calinterlude —there wasBimal Roy’s Do Amitabh Bachchan, who could do everything, And,withthatrecededthe khet-khaliyaan It took Ashutosh Gowariker to bring back and Budhia, playedbrilliantlybyOmkar Das Bigha Zamin (1953) and Mehboob Khan’s action, romance, comedy.Ifithadn’t been for ki kahaani,coming up onlyoccasionally, when the gaon withabangwith his 2001 period Manikpuri and Raghubir Yadav, talk about Mother India (1957). ShyamBenegal and KetanMehta, the village the leading pair had to prance in mustard saga Lagaan.Keeping in tune withchanging howsuicide is theonlyway out of grinding The conflict between the sheher and the would have disappeared.Benegal’s Ankur fields. The farmer wasgone, as wasthe soldier, times, though, the director wassmartenough poverty, tossing the who-will-do-the-deed gaon playedoutinthesefilmsthroughtheeas- (1974)-Nishant (1975)-Manthan (1976),and neither an aspirational figurefor post-liber- to createcharacters that were no pushovers. coin among themselves, we areinblack ilyrelatablefiguresofthe poorvillager,the evil Mehta’s MirchMasala (1987)-Bhavni Bhavai alisedIndia,moving rapidlytowards mallsand LedbyAamirKhan’scannyBhuvan,thefeisty comic territory, wherebeing dead can zamindar and the wilymoneylender who (1980) gave us grim storiesof ruraloppression multiplexes, MBAs and million-dollar salaries. farmers showedthe British their place, good provide life. acted as an ungodlybridgebetween the two: filmedonreal locations, whichgot brief the- Ruralareas, seenas backward, whereprogress and proper,and escapedpaying the punitive the illiteratefarmer could easilybefooledinto atrical stints, in total contrasttothe houseful went to die, were of no interest to theIndian lagaan (taxes). » CONTINUED ON THE NEXTPAGE That They May Face The Rising Sun

Four artists on what drew them to the farmers’ protests and why the agrarian crisis needs immediate addressal

Va ndana Kalra derroles.Thesearepeoplewhoarescaredthat Inrecentweeks,hehasinteractedwithsev- their liveswill be completelyaltered afterthe eral farmersprotesting at Delhi’s Singhu bor- laws areexecuted,”theysay.Workingtogether der.Some of them feature in hisdigital poster JITEN THUKRAL since2003andcountedamongrenownedcon- thatbringstogetheraspectsof theagrariancri- temporaryartists from South Asia, the duo is sis. “Farmers have been protesting foryears AND SUMIR TAGRA known fortheir pop-kitschworks,addressing and it is high time the nation thought about ON DECEMBER 18,asthe farmers’ protesten- issuesrangingfromconsumerismto migration. these agrarian issues. This bill is contentious teredits 23rdday,came thefirstissueofTrolley Closelyfollowing the farming crisis forover and needs to be discussedproperly,” he says. Times —abi-weekly, bilingualnewsletter adecade,theyhavebeen frequentlyvisiting Growing up in afarmer’s familyin meant forand by the protestors. On itsmast- the protestsites. “It’s an extremelyone-sided Karnataka’s Shimogadistrict, Arunkumar,52, head wasaturbannedfarmer carrying aflag. law. There arecritical concernsregarding is- speaksofthe harmonious relationshipthat In the subsequent editions, the illustrations sues suchasAgricultural Produce Market once existedbetween man and nature, and, on the masthead have been dedicated to dif- Committee, corporatestocking,essentialcom- how, overtheyears,hesawthatbeingcorroded. ferent subjects,fromwomen participantsat modities,” theysay.Their documentation of Hehasdiscussedseveraloftheirpredicaments theprotesttomarginalisedlabour to,mostre- the movementandinterviews withthefarm- —fromthe impact of geneticallymodified cently, ayoungsterjumpingupto lockthepo- ers will comprise the second edition of the seedsto agriculturalmonopolies—inhiswork. lice’s watercannon. “The aim wastoturn it 2018 film Kisan Mukti March,whichwas part Individual stories have been shared through intoaworld-classnewspaperas avoiceof the of the 2018-19travellingexhibition.That,too, portraitsofthose whom he calls “Vulnerable kisan protest 2020. Since the firstissue, the wasfocussedonthe tribulationsof farmers— Guardians” —small-scalefarmers affected by front pagehas been seen as a‘work of art’. Pradesh that workswith farmers. Theyhave ception. Theyare also behind kisanekta.in,an from failedpromises of loan waivers to higher the current crisis, who have been his protago- Keeping in focus the true natureofthis brave been visiting villages across Haryana and open-source document of the protests that al- costofcommodities due to GST. nists over the years. In the lastmonth, several endeavour,weare cognisant of the message Punjabandamplifying urgent issues of agrar- lows people to shareimages, videos,poetry, il- photographs have been addedtothe archive. andthe impactithas,”stateartists Sumir Tagra ian crisis worldwide. “Wehaveseenthe move- lustrations and other relevant material. “This ARUNKUMAR HG “It’salarge,organised,peacefulprotest.Iwould and Jiten Thukral,who work with the core ment expand at different levels. It is impor- protestisunlikeany other.Thereisdeep com- ArtistArunkumar HG has turnedtomythol- callithistoric.Itisnotshalloworpolitically-mo- team behind the newsletter. tant to understand theconcernsandcomeup passion.Thereare differentjathas(groups),and ogy to emphasise the role playedbyfarmers be respected as food providers. Food has be- tivated. The kindofwarmthisamazing and Belonging to middle-class families in with relevant solutions,” theysay. pillars that have nowemergedastinyvillages. insociety. “LikeweworshipAnnapurnaasthe comeanothercommodity,wedon’treallycare thereissomuchtolearn,” says Arunkumar. Punjab, the twohavealso been associated TheGurugram-basedduohasbeendesign- One can witness the sheer dedication of the goddessoffoodandnourishment,farmersare about prakruti (nature) anymore,” says the with Akal AcademyBaru Sahib in Himachal ingand packaging the newsletter since itsin- elderly involvedandtheshiftingnatureofgen- our annadata (providers of food),theyshould Gurugram-based artist. » CONTINUED ON THE NEXTPAGE EYE,THE SUNDAY EXPRESS MAGAZINE

16 ARTS etc JANUARY 17, 2021 DOWN IN Views from aLockdown JUNGLELAND Confinement, memory and migrants —artist Sudhir Patwardhan on an ongoing body of work emerging from the pandemic

RanjitLal Benita Fernando Lockdown Couple is atelling painting about the situationathome, in India. Ranjit Lal is an author, Could youleadusthroughthe work? environmentalistand IKE LOVERS or foes, the home and Howdoes one respondtonewsabout birdwatcher the street have coexistedinartist love jihad laws?One is always thinking about SudhirPatwardhan’s illustrious it but one is basicallypainting people inside Lcareer.Thane-basedPatwardhan, the house. So howdoes one bring that in? 72,isrenownedfor his interior The figureofthe woman wasanold worksand urbanscapes, suchthathis arthas sketch.Ihave triedtoworkthat sketch intoa been evoked in the same vein as NewYork’s painting but nevercompletely done it. But To pPicks: EdwardHopper in 2020, as away of talking the figurehas been important to me for about the pandemic lockdowns. manyyears. The artisthas been busy respondingto When Iwas lookingatmysketchbooks the pandemic in his ownways, too. In an on- again, the figurecame up. Then the bookshelf Wild Favourites going series, from whichselections have and the other thingsstarted to fall in place. been presented online by Mumbai’s The The partner,the man. This situation wascre- Guild and Delhi’s VadehraArt Gallery, ated —someone reading,abookshelf and a Alist of the best creatures from Patwardhan contemplates an unpredictable person who is justsitting and looking year.Likelockdowns, 2020 came in phases, blankly.Theyare sharing the room but there the animal kingdom, the ones and his arthas respondedtoeach—starting is adisconnect between them. with the relief of being homebound to the Ipainted thecarpetnexttorefer to who makethe cut and why unease of the migrant exodustothe nation’s Kashmir.Wewent intolockdown but inconclusive political crises, until returning Kashmir has been in lockdown foramuch ’M OFTEN asked who my favouriteauthor is and Ial- home. Excerpts: longer period.Then, the colours of what they ways fumble before saying that it keeps changing arewearing took shape. Foramoment, I Idepending on the best book I’veread mostrecently. Theyear 2020has possibly been oneofthe thought it wastoo upfront —the green and With regardstothe animal kingdom, this listseems mostdramatic years in our lives. What has the orangeand thewhite.But once Iput it to stay relatively constant, spanning the myriad families the experience been likefor you? down, Icouldn’t getawayfromit. It made the creatures (tinytotsand moving up) hail from. At thebeginning of the year,myretrospec- complete sense to me. That these twopeople The firstonthe listhas to be Toxoplasma —asingle- tive wasonat(Mumbai’s) National Galleryof who aretogether foralifebut in some senses cell protozoan whichhas the mostdiabolical love lifepos- Modern Art, whichwent on till February. I theyhavebeen torn apart. Is he Muslim? Is sible. It honeymoons in the gutsofcatsand the next-gen had been extremelybusy,coming intotown sheHindu? Whatare theythinkingofthe Toxo areevacuated via normal channels. Here, the baby everyday and meeting people. When the love jihad laws? Toxo lies doggo(and mayevendie) in the litter boxor pandemic happened, it wasn’t toobad be- PHOTOSCOURTESY:SUDHIRPATWARDHAN Next came this strangeobject lying on the ground until amouse or rathappens along and snuffles it cause it wasabreak from the running around. carpet. It helps createsome discordinthat up. In the ratgut, the Toxo gets to work:itmigrates to the It wasgood to be confined and notgiveany somewhat pretty carpet. The lastthing Iput brain (the amygdala) and cutsthe rat’s fear circuitsinrela- excuses fornot goinganywhere. wasthe reproductionofthe AmritaSher-Gil tion to cats: the ratisnow unafraid of cats—though it has That feeling changed over the months. In painting in the corner. That waswherethe all the other usual ratphobias in place. Worse, the Toxo April and May, the migrantcrisisslowly nation started, what kind of promises and nowhelps release dopamine —the feel-good chemical seepedintoone’sconsciousness. One started aspirations it startedwith. Sher-Gil wasn’ta that makes the ratdevelop feelings forthe cat! So, offit to feel uncomfortable and restless. That has politicalpainterbut, in manysenses, for goes in search of itsnew love and promptly gets eaten. mostlybeenthe sense through the lastsix painters, she representsthe beginning of Backinthe honeymoon suite, the Toxo begins the whole months. Slowly,inthe last twomonths, one modern Indian art. romance again. This mustbethe mostMachiavellian love started to ease and settle down intoanew storyeverdevised! modeofeverydaylife. Youhaveoften evoked India’sworking Among the vast insect world, topofthe listwould be classes in your art. Likewise, the imageof dungbeetles, those portlybeetles eating, breeding, raising Did being indoors fordays transform the the migrants’ exodusinthe pandemic has itsfamilies in dung —and turning it intouseful soil. If wayyou approachyour studio work? come up in this presentbody of work. therewerenodungbeetles, we’d be drowning in bovine Yes, absolutely. As an artist, it has been es- Could youtell us moreabout them? dung and, no matter howexaltedwemakedung out to sential formetobeout, looking at the world Theimages of migrantsweredisturbing, be,we’d be very sick, indeed, waist-deep in the muck. around.Sothis wasadifferent feeling, though so Idid some worksaround April. Iwas sit- Forthe second and thirdplaces in the insect world, it is Ihavebeenpainting home, interiorsand stu- ting in front of the television, drawing these atoss up between hoverflies and dragonflies. The former dio formanyyearsnow. figures, making multiple sketches. It wasdif- because of their unparalleledcontrol of flight:theyhover, My initial responsetothe pandemicwas ficult to decidetodothem because ultimately stockstill and zip in everydirection. The latter notonlybe- actually Morning Rush,done early on.When youare nowherenear experiencing what cause theyare superb flyers, but also experthunters on youare notallowedtogoout, youimagine theyare experiencing.You fear that it might the wing. Theyalso come in akaleidoscope of colours and what it was, what it would be like. just exploit the feelingbut youalsohaveapar- patterns. Theyare the fighter aircraftofthe insect king- When youare confinedtohome, your ticular needtosay something about it. dom! Aclose fourth is the praying mantis: that chinless imagination turns inwards. Thereisalayered COURTESY:THEGUILD It is inevitable that if youmakeanimage, monsterwith gin-trap arms, beseeching, begging manner experience of the past, whereone home mu- youwanttomakeitbeautiful. Thereisno LOOKING IN,LOOKINGOUT and appetitefor itshusbands. Usuallygreen and slim, cer- tatesintoanother,one room mutates intoan- sense in trying to makeart if youdon’twant tain species can also beautifullymimic flowers and or- other room. Iwas reliving manykinds of (Clockwise from top) Lockdown Couple; to makeitbeautiful...that’s my belief. Even thoughtsand feelings from the past, and Patwardhan; Leaving the City the mostdisturbing thing ultimatelyhas to sometimes celebrating the veryminor things be containedinacontainer that does notal- thatyou do at home, likeinBreadcrumbs or lowfor overspill. If Iamgoing to shout,‘My Music Lesson.Soit’s also acelebration of and memory? even if youspent time in the studio alone, in God, look at these people and look at their everydayminor things, whichare notimpor- Idon’tknowifit’s changed.Nostalgia has the evening youhad to go forsomeone’s condition’, that is overspill.That can be good tant socially, but makesmall statements. been important forme. I’venot seenitina opening or something and that impingedon journalism, that can move people to donate, negative way. I’veseenitasdaydreaming, re- your thinking. Both of them gotmixedsome- but that is notwhat artisabout. Artisabout In 2020, people found the time to think livingmoments about the past. Ihavedone what. Here, it is allowedtolivewith acertain looking at something and feelingthat feel- about the past, to reflect. Did the year paintings about that feeling.I think this pe- kind of mood andspace foranextendedpe- ing within youand notbeing pushedto- changethe wayyou approachnostalgia riod has allowedthat muchmore. Earlier, riod without abreak as such. wardsanything else. It’s self-contained.

» FROM THE PREVIOUSPAGE

WIKIMEDIACOMMONS KILLERMACHINE Mantis shrimp THATTHEY MAYFACE

chids snapping their barbed traps on anyinsect which happens by. THE RISING SUN Spiders and scorpions don’t have toomanyadmirers but Ilovethe little jumping spiders, with their bright ob- sidian eyes and boxer-likefeinting postures as they UMESH SINGH CROPOUT fiercelytrack flybyinsectsonthe wall. (left) Singh’s Farmer Protest IV;(below) a Among amphibians, there’s the psychedelic poison- ADECADE ago, his father leftcultivation in arrow(or poison-dart) frogs of South and Central Bihar’s Kurmuri villagetoearn hisliving as a performance artbyBhattad, involving BLACK HUMOUR America, tinybejewelledand deadlyenough to take security guard in Hyderabad,butartistUmesh farmerslyingincrop coffins Astill from Peepli [Live] down 20 men by ameretouch! Singh says thepull of the soil remains strong Mostsnakes, though notvastlypopular,are trulygor- as ever forthem. Singh, who is basedin geous with their polished, varnishedscales. Under water, Varanasi, sees similaritiesbetween the ongo- to furtherhelplessness,unfairpricingforthe the multicoloured mantisshrimp, whichalso has superb ing protests againstFarm Laws and the 1917 produceandsmallerfarmersmightevenlose ThePlowman’s vision, packs the mostdiabolical punchimaginable: a Champaran Satyagraha,launchedtoprotest their lands,” says Bhattad, 35. blowdeliveredsofastthat it causes explosive cavitation againstthe forced indigocultivation by the Bhattad became familiar with farmers’ Tale bubbles to form with itsarms to stun itsprey —beforethe British. “Exactly103 years later,Punjab farm- hardshipsinherchildhood,duringvacations killer blowfollows.Itcan break the glass of an aquarium ers protesting at Singhu border and across and visitstoher maternal grandfather,an with asingle blow! As forthe giants, my vote goes to the India arenot getting justice. Neither arethey AyurvedaspecialistinParadsinga. Those THERE’SNOdoubt that Bollywood has failed orca or killer whale: clad in patent-leather tuxedos, and being offeredany solution by thegovern- memories ledher to initiate theGramArt the farmers, likeithas so manyother deserv- sporting wide smiles, gangs of these arereally water ment,” says Singh, apostgraduate from SN Projectin2013todiscussagrarian concerns. ingconstituencies.One of the reasonscould wolvesonthe hunt, likethose ruthless multinational ex- School of Arts and Communication,University From land arttoyarnartefactsmade from be that almostnone of the filmmakers have ecutivesastheyrip their prey to shreds. of Hyderabad. Drawing acomparison be- thenon-GM,IPR-freenon-hybridindigenous anystake leftbackwheretheycame from. Or, Among around 10,000species of birds, to pickwin- tween the twoprotestsare Singh’s recent in- cottonto performances,theGramArtProject even if theydo, theyare fragile and can be ners is atough call.But Ichoose the raptors —not so much digo-bluesketches titled PooraNeel.Inthe se- has takendifferent forms to express the snappedwithout anypersonal cost. In that the hugeheavy eagles as the lithe lightning-fastfalcons. ries FarmerProtest, hedepictshow thefarmers artist’s opinions on agricultural issues. Over sense, we have all abandonedour roots: we I’veasoftspotfor the clan of owls. With their enormous stand united in the present precarious situa- the years, the collective,whichincludes areall aliens in our ownland the moment we gold or amber eyes and strangelyhuman wayofbobbing tion, facing multiple challenges, from hostile artists,farmers andvillage women, has de- cross thebordersfromourpamperedcities to their heads, theyare irresistible. Among “ordinary” birds weather to unfriendlypolicies. “In freezing signedand producedseedcrackers, seed our left-to-fend-for-themselvesvillages. likesongbirds, Ivotefor the magpie robin forits wonder weather,when everyone is resting and work- rakhis and calendars made from biodegrad- DevSingh Dhillon, in Anurag Kashyap’s fluteconcerts firstthing in the morning and parakeets, ingfrom home,the feedersof our countryare able,recyclablepaperembeddedwithseeds. 2009 Dev.D,returns afterstudying in London wacky, gossipyand brainy, who can hold coaching classes grappling fortheirrights,” adds Singh, 27,who Bhattad, whohas apostgraduatedegree to hisvillage of prosperous sugarcane mills. in romance! Forsheer glamour,there’s monal pheasant. hadearliershowcasedthe plightof farmers at in artfromMSUniversity,Baroda, initiated We seethe ganne ke khet,tubewells,godowns, Amid the carnivores, it’s the tiger —bit of acliché but the Students’Biennalesegmentofthe 2018-19 another project, “I Have aDream”, at the themarkers of rural spaces.Thefields become reallythere’s nothing to match it. Aleopardcomes very Kochi-Muziris Biennale with the installation VancouverBiennalein2014.Under it,artists the siteofyoung romance and rebellion, and close as does the snowleopard—and then there’s that Uncomfortable Tools,featuring over 50 farming andfarmers across the globe, includingItaly, that’s wherethe storyofthe modern-dayDev, consummatehigh-jumper,the caracal. tools of erstwhile farmers from across Bhojpur. Japan, Mexico and Pakistan, were encour- Paro and Chanda starts.It’s the kind of place As forthe big vegans, the winner is the rhino —irasci- On his waytoDelhi to join the protesting agedto sowmessages forthe decision-mak- wherethe urban and rural collide, becoming ble, unpredictable, and yet, baby-faced—able to turn 360 farmers, Singh says he’s one of them. “Like ing powers. BackinIndia, she urgedPrime “rurban”,arealplace with real people,instead degrees as lightlyasaballerina. Elephants, too, aresaga- many, my fathergave itupbecausehefoundit MinisterNarendraModi to “Grow in India” of the faux smalltowns thatflashyBollywood cious and mostlygentle, exceptwhen in musth, when difficultto makeendsmeet.If thesituationbe- through his land portrait in 2016.Now,she has been investedin forthe past twodecades. theyare rampaging terrors. comes graver,who’ll produce food?” he asks. again stands firmlybehindthe farmers in Whyhas this space —sodistinctive,sofull Finally, our close relatives, the apes: atie fortop place their protests againstthe newfarmlaws, of weight —been so hardtoimagine and ex- between gorillas (for their dignity and gravity) and orang- SHWETABHATTAD which, she says,needtoberepealed. plore? Whyhas it notbeenmined by sharp, utans (sheer charm) followedbythe exuberant long- On National Farmers Day(December 28) Even though she has been unable to awarefilmmakers to showcase tales of those armedsingers—gibbons. The chimpanzeescomeinlast lastyear,artistShwetaBhattadwasseatedwith travel to the protestsite, discussions on the who grow the food we eat, who’ve acquired because they’rejustabit toomuchlikeustomakethe cut! cotton farmersinher Paradsinga village near latestsituation areheld dailyand perform- the mobilityand the education to go where Of course, thereare creatures that getthe thumbs down, Nagpur,discussinghowtheFarmBill“willcre- ances (for instance, farmers lyingincrop theywill, and demand that theybeheard? but we’ll meetthem next week. atenew countlesscoffins forfarmers”. “The coffins) arealsobeing organised. As more Farmerswearingjeans,andeating pizza?Why newlawswill onlyadd to theexisting prob- crop coffins gets added, she says,“we don’t not? Aren’t the movies meant to be full of lems. Corporatisation of agriculturewill lead want these to turn intocoffins forfarmers.” sugar and spice that makeeverything nice? EYE,THE SUNDAY EXPRESS MAGAZINE

JANUARY 17, 2021 BOOKS 17

SHELF LIFE THEMAKINGOF AADHAAR: Darkness WORLD’S LARGESTIDENTITY PLATFORM BY RAM SEWAK SHARMA Visible Rupa Publications 249pages; `595 Abare-all memoir about how the body and mind can come together BIGLITTLE to wreak havoc when trauma IDEA remains unaddressed Sukrita Baruah An insightful, if sometimes defensive, NHER memoir, It’s All in Your Head, M,Manjiri Indurkar recalls the reaction of one of her therapists whenshe book on India’s unique wasexplaining howAlain Resnais’ iconic film IHiroshimaMon Amour (1959) struckachordwith her: identity platform “…he paused, and, with apainedexpression he asked me, ‘So, nowyou feellikeyou were in the Hiroshima bombing?’” Pranav Mukul WIKIMEDIACOMMONS Writing about your innerworld is terrifying.Youdissect yourself, your experiences and your thoughts, laying them out forthe worldtoscrutinise, study,discuss, and weigh in THE STORYofAadhaar,asnarratedin on. Youopen yourself up to being misunderstood, judged, TheMakingofAadhaar:World’s Largest accusedofself-absorption, or even dismissed. In her mem- Identity Platform,soundslikethe story Notes from the Hills oir, Indurkar lays it all out —her prolonged sexual abuse as of the averagestartup —aradical idea achild, herthornyrelationship with her grandmother,her executedby like-mindedpeople com- insecurities, her obsession with illness and her body,along ing together to resolve aproblem. Historian Shekhar Pathak’s book connects the Chipkomovement to 19th with descriptions of the manytrips to thetoiletduring the Whether this particular startup, which time her bowels gave in. wasconceivedin2009,wasafailureor Indurkar’s book is personal to the extent that it very asuccess is debatable. century colonial environmental laws and modern regional politics rarely strays outofher closepersonalspaces. Mostofitis Forthe author of this book Ram setinthe Delhi flat she sharedwith aformer partner,and her SewakSharma,the firstdirector gen- Stephen Alter ers represent what Pathak calls two childhoodhome in Jabalpur—bothare spacesin whichshe eral of the Unique Identification “streams” of Chipkobut thereweremany fought personal battles, and whichshe found were notas Authority of India (UIDAI) —the body othersaswell.Numerous protests were or- comfortable and secureasshe had imagined. that designed,implementedand man- HEN MOSTpeople think ganisedbywomen in different parts of Becauseof the veryintimacy with whichIndurkarshares ages Aadhaar —the “proof of the pud- of the Chipkomovement, Uttarakhand, resisting state-sanctionedde- her story, it can be an uncomfortable read. The forceofher ding” came afterMay 2014,when the the primaryimagethat forestation, suchasharvesting wood from honesty isn’t in the fact that she recountsdifficult episodes use of Aadhaar under the Narendra comes to mind is of a the Bhyundar Valley to makecharcoal forthe from her life, but in howlittle she holds backwhen sharing Modi government exploded. This, af- Wgroup of villagewomen Badrinath temple. what she felt and thought during those times. terthe BJP,inits manifesto,had prom- in the Himalaya,hugging trees to protect The book does an excellent job of show- In her book,Indurkar tells us isedtoreviewthe Aadhaar programme them from fellingbyforestcontractors. While ing howavariety of agitations mergedto- about howshe begantoberegu- “withimplicitintent to shutitdownal- that wasthe keymoment when Chipko ig- gether in Uttarakhand, muchlikethe many larly sexuallyabusedatthe ageof together during the whirlwind elec- nited,eminent historian Shekhar Pathak suc- tributaries of the Ganga. Venerable six by someone known to her fam- tion campaign”. cessfullyunravels manyother tangledthreads Gandhians likeSarla Behn were pushing for ily, and of the trauma thatshe has Sharma begins by summing up of astory that is muchmorecomplicated, alcohol prohibitionaswellasforestrights, carriedsince then. This trauma ex- his experiences duringvariousbu- with far-reaching consequences forthe peo- while studentsweredemanding the estab- presseditself in myriad ways,in- reaucratic postings in Jharkhand, pleand forestsofUttarakhand, as well as con- lishment of universities in Kumaon and cluding an all-consuming fear of ranging from streamlining personnel servationmovementsaround the world. This WIKIMEDIACOMMONS/RAGHUBIRSINGH Garhwal. Pathak himself wasone of the lead- falling ill whichunhinged her life records and digitisingpublic griev- carefullyresearchedhistorydrawsupon offi- arecritical to stopping erosion and nurtur- TREE- ers of an influential padyatra (footpilgrim- forawhole year,obsessive hair ances to managing election logistics cial documents, publishedworks,press re- ing springsand wetlands. Realising the quick HUGGERS age) campaign from Askot to Arakot,which plucking, and acollapse of her —all using innovative digital means. ports,lyrics of protest songs and hundredsof profitstobegainedbycutting Himalayan studiedfirst-hand the social and environ- physical health. (From top) Chipko The learningsfromthese episodes personal interviews with all of the main pro- jungles,the Maharajah of Tehri begantoex- mental needsofmountain communities. Indurkar’s honesty in recalling proved to be the building blocks of tagonists.TranslatedbyManishaChaudhry ertcontrol over forestsinhis kingdom. This was agrassroots Meanwhile, construction of the Tehri Dam IT’SALLINYOUR howshe felt about her abuser as a the Aadhaar project. and editedby RamachandraGuha, it is acon- ledtoanumber of protests or “dhandaks”, movement that arousedconsiderable opposition and helped HEAD,M six-year-old can be unnerving. Sharma recountshow he came on densation of Pathak’s Hari Bhari Umeed,the whichended in violent reprisals. Perhaps, spread throughout focus environmental concerns. All of these BY MANJIRI “…you see, Iwas in love with Ajit. board, his early interactions with original Hindi edition publishedin2019by themostfamous andoppressiveofthesewas Uttarakhand; movementsfed intoanunderlying demand INDURKAR To my mind, what Ajit and Ihad UIDAI’s then chairman Nandan Vani Prakashan. in Rawain, wherePathak estimates as many Gandhian forseparatestatehood voicedbypolitical Tranquebar wasspecial. We were in love and Nilekani and the groundworkfor the This environmental epic begins longbe- as 100villagers were shotbythe forces of environmentalist groups likethe Uttarakhand Kranti Dal. 232 pages wouldmarryeachother, Iassumed. project. He recalls howthe venture fore theeventsinReni villageonMarch 26, Tehri in 1930. This resulted in further Though politics and policy lie at the core `399 Justlikeloversdid in the movies. movedforward despitesetbacks,ei- 1973,when GauraDeviand agroup of protests organisedbythe Gandhian leader Sunderlal Bahuguna of this book,thereare many poignant, hu- Whenhewasn’tsexuallyabusing therin terms of the technologiesthat it women held offagentsofthe Symonds Sri DevSuman and other political activists. fought to keep man stories that Pathak relates suchasanon- me, he wasjustverynice to me.” wantedto implement or in the form of sporting goods companywho had been Following India’s independence and the ecological issues at violent agitation in Nainital in whichthe poet Sheshares withus herfrayedfeelings towardsher grand- political opposition. givenapermittocut agrove of ash treesthat absorption of princelystateslikeTehri, the the forefront Girish Tiwari “Girda” ledaprocession in song mother,who remained silent afterhavingfull knowledge The next section addresses the were destinedtobe Uttar Pradesh forest de- to stop aforestauction. The book contains of her abuse. She walksusthrough the year in whichall her main concern about Aadhaar —pri- turnedintohockeysticks. ●●● partment continuedto anecdotalaccountsofwives turning against attention zeroedinsolelyonher ownbody,looking out for vacy.Sharma elucidates critics’ con- The rootsofChipko manageforestresources their husbands who supportedthe felling of the slightest aches,obsessingoverevery physicalfeeling cernsbut is mostly rhetorical in his stretchbacktothe mid- Though politicsand on the colonial pattern, treesand oneboy who refusedtoeat at home she experienced. response. The chapter‘Civil Society’s 19th century, when the with an eyetogenerating until his father gave up ajob with aforest Astorythat runs through the book is of her relationship Punching Bag’ is aprime example. He renegade timber baron, policylies at the core revenuefor the state. The contractor.Thereisalsoanepisode from with her former partner,whom she calls Avi. Hereiswhere also invokesGeorge Orwell’s Nineteen Frederick“Pahari” Himalayanfoothills con- 1979, when Chandi Prasad Bhatt visits Ifelt ill at ease asshesharedintimatedetailsabouthowtheir Eighty-Four (1949) to counter the fear Wilson, clear-felledvirgin of this book there are tainedthe largest tractsof Sunderlal Bahugana,who has takenavow of relationshipcame to be,how it developedand deteriorated. of Aadhaar being usedasatool for forests in the Bhagirathi trees and these were auc- silencewhile fasting in protestatDehradun We hear aboutallthe ways he waswonderful,but also about surveillance, writing, “It’s athought- Valleyand floated logs many poignant, tionedoff fortimber and Jail.Setting asideideological differences, the all the ways he wasn’t. Being privy to aone-sidedtelling of provoking and deeplydisturbing down the Ganga. Colonial resin extraction, as well as twoleaders greeteachother with affection acomplicatedrelationshipis uncomfortable.Butthat’sjust viewofthe worldthat we couldin- forest policies placeda human stories that pulp wood formanufac- and acknowledge that theysharethe same thenatureofpersonal story-telling. viteupon ourselves. But Orwell’s high commercial value on Pathak relates turing paper.One of the struggle despitediffering visions of Chipko. Severaltimes in the book,Indurkar treads on whyshe novelisabout as relevant to under- Himalayanspecies of pointsPathakemphasises The subtitleofthis book is “A People’s wrotethis book.Once she writes, “This bookwill be my standing Aadhaar as his equallybril- trees like deodar and pine, ●●● is that forestsremain es- History”, which is one of itsstrengths. It doc- awakening”. Elsewhere, she explains whyshe writes at all: liantparable AnimalFarm (1945) is as well as sal and shisham, sential resources forthe umentsagrassroots movement that spread “I neverwanted to become awriter but Ionlybecame one insightful about the livesofpigs.” at loweraltitudes. One of the primary rea- people who live in and around them. throughout Uttarakhand and captured the so that another storyoftrauma does notget lost, so that The book tends to getdefensive in sons fordeforestation in the 19th and early Agriculture, animal husbandryand forest- imaginationofpeople of allagesand regions. through my storyIcan tell the stories of all the children who places, notwithstanding the author’s 20th centurywas the expansion of the Indian basedcraftsare all dependent on the presence The validation of that struggle lies in the sufferedthewayIdid,or worse.”Atthe endof the book,she disclaimer at thebeginning,“This book Railways,whichrequired thousands of miles of trees as well as other plantsand grasses. Forest (Conservation) Actof1980, whichbans tells us of her experience of writing it:“Today, Iamadiffer- isn’t written to defend Aadhaar.Itisn’t of newtracks, all of whichwerelaidupon Justashepaintsadetailed pictureofthe the felling of trees anywhereabove an alti- ent person than Iwas when Istartedwriting this book.Today an autobiographical account of my wooden sleepers. In one of the largest land decades of forest-rightsagitation that pre- tude of 1,000 m. Theotherimportant out- Iamable to demand my space better because Iamable to days at the UIDAI either.” Still, it man- grabs in history,the Indian Forest Actof1878 cededthe pivotal protestinReni, Pathak re- comewas thecreationofUttarakhandstate understand and empathise with my struggles better.” ages to provide insight intothe build- usurpedvasttractsofuncultivated land countsand analyses the manyeventsthat THECHIPKO on November 9, 2000.Pathak argues con- Thisbook is adeeplypersonalworkwhichhas obvi- ing of one of the mostsignificant tools throughoutthe subcontinent. Suddenly,for- followedindifferent parts of Uttarakhand. MOVEMENT:A vincingly that the Chipko Andolanplayeda ouslybeen apartofthe author’s process of gathering her- of digital governance in the lastdecade, estdwellers were dispossessedoftheir an- Organisations likethe Dasholi Gram PEOPLE’S central role in both of these seminal achieve- self. It is also an unsettling portrayal of howthe mind and from various perspectives, including cestral rightsand livelihood while pastoral Swarajya Sangh,under the leadership of HISTORY mentsbut he cautions that manythreatsstill the body can work together so destructively in the face of thoseoftechnology,law,society and and agricultural communities facedrestric- Sarvodaya activistChandi Prasad Bhatt, were remain, including complacency,corruption unaddressedtrauma.Itdoesn’t have an ending as such— BY SHEKHAR governance —whichisexactlywhat tions on gathering firewood and fodder as energisedbythe early successes of Chipko and climatechange. the young author leavesusinamuchbetterplace in her life one would expect from the coign of well as felling trees to construct farm imple- and took the movement forward. Gandhian PATHAK than when she begins. The book is justastation in her vantagethe author enjoyed. mentsand homes. environmentalists Sunderlal and Vimla Permanent Black StephenAlteristheauthorofWild Himalaya: muchlonger journey. In Uttarakhand, deforestation has severe Bahugana also fought to keep ecological is- 371pages ANatural History ofthe Greatest Mountain consequencessince trees in the mountains sues at the forefront. These celebrated lead- `895 Rangeon Earth

fortswerebuilt according to the terrain. emergedasthe Rajput voice afterSanga. Ajmer,Alwar,Amber and Bundi had hill forts. The storyofthe fortsinthe book is not History’sWitnesses Jaisalmer is adesertfortonthe caravanroute aboutharemsand shikaar.Itusesthe bas- to Multan and Afghanistan. Bayana fort,orig- tions and ramparts to recount tales of valour inallyofthe Jadaun Rajputs, stands on agran- and stubborn bravery. Thereisanother side, Aphotographic journey through Rajasthan’s many itehill, itsruins dominated by an too—about jharokhas and chha- incomplete minar going backto jjas,wallpaintings, the craftof proud, battle-scarred forts and the architectural the Lodis (1451-1526). glass decorations, the workman- MehrangarhinJodhpur wasbuilt ship of decorative motifs, lattice traditions they represent on agigantic rock.The spread of work and floral carvings.There Mewar’s Chittorgarh and were corridors and courtyards to Parveen Ta lha tween tworivers in Jhalawar, which, over the Kumbhalgarhforts on running be negotiated forreaching the liv- centuries, hostedAlauddin Khilji, Rana hills is areminder of schoolhis- ing areas of the women, children Kumbha, Rana Sanga, Humayun and Akbar. tory with the battle sagas of and their retainers who livedin THE FORTSofRajasthan surprisesthe reader The needtoconnect the dots of history Kumbha, Sangaand Pratap, and the palaces in afascinating bal- with the canvasofits detail and generous has ledtohighlighting somesequences in figures likeRaniPadmini, Panna ance of lifewithin the forts. spread of striking pictures in an easy-to- the book. Forinstance, Bayana fort wasthe WIKIMEDIACOMMONS/VARADAPHADKAY dai and Patta. The preface and postscriptin carry hardcover format. What drew this re- staging point forthe decisive Battle of STANDING safetyfrommarauders and wild animals. As The book refers to the mazaar THEFORTSOF the book,along with the intro- viewerwas the rhythm of the text and its Khanwabetween Sangaand Babur that led TALL time passed, theybuilt sturdier defences. The (tomb) at HaldighatiofHakim RAJASTHAN duction, provide auseful synop- harmonywith thecamera. The author-cou- to the consolidation of the Mughals in north Meenasalsohad astrong presence in the re- KhanSuri,the artillerychief of sis. The chapters comprehen- Kumbhalgarh Fort ple, Ritaand Vijai Sharma,havemade the India. The book’s postscriptexplains what gion. Central to thebook arethe Rajputs who Rana Pratap. Mewarhad stead- BY RITASHARMA sively coverRajasthan’s pen and photographs work as onefor cap- had prevented the epochal battle of Khanwa tracedthemselvestothe sun, moon andfire fastly resistedthe Khiljis but they AND VIJAI charismatic fortswith their tur- turing the fortsintheir landscape of history from going the Rajput wayand becoming a gods. Their presence is from the end of bondedwiththe Afghans and SHARMA rets andterraces, ramparts and and architecture. turningpoint. AfterKhanwa, as Sangawas Harshavardhana’s reign in the seventh cen- Mewatis to combat the furyof Rupa Publications bastions, silhouettes and never- Thebookgoesbeyond expectations.While on his waytoChanderitostrengthen the turyAD. The Jat kingdoms came later, ahigh- the early Mughals. Amber stood 192 pages to-submitimprint.The book is a recognising Chittorgarh as “an amphitheatre forces againstBabur,hewas poisoned. The light of their history being the humiliation forRajput-Mughal understand- `995 valuablecontribution towards of history”,it also includes garhison Jaisalmer’s postscriptnotes that Sanga’s lastdays ought of General GerardLake, aveteran of several ing whileMewar’s Chittorgarh addressing the evolving de- bulgeonthe Tanot-Longewala international to be of interestinviewofKhanwa’s 500th campaigns overseas, at Bharatpur (1805). wasfor resistance. Akbar marriedaprincess mand forknowledge abouthow the pastin- desertfrontier.Among the fortsisSiwana on anniversaryin2027. The sweep of thebook’s pictures includes of Amber,who became the mother of fluences the present. It is amust-read book the road to Barmer,Jalorewith itslong history The book captures the scaleoffortifica- the Haldighati pass, alampmarking Akbar’s Jehangir.Shah Jahan wasthe son of aRajput foranyone interestedinRajasthan and of combating sieges andNagaurwith itsre- tions in Rajasthan,aregion on the crossroads campduringhis siegeofChittorgarh,adar- princess from Jodhpur.The book,inthis India’s heritage. stored interiors. Mewar, Marwar,Hadoti and of invasions. Muchearlier than the Rajputs, gah (shrine) in hill-top Ajmer fort and an ir- light, looksataspectsthat enabledthe sus- the Dhundharregions arewell covered, in- the Bhils and other indigenous communities rigation stepwell in Kumbhalgarh. The to- tenance of ruling dynasties. There’s also the ParveenTalhaisawriterandaformermemberof cluding Gagron,aformidable fort,builtbe- made enclosures of mud and early bricksfor pographyiscaptured well.Watchtowers and storyofMarwar’s Maldeo in Jodhpur who theUnionPublicServiceCommission THESUNDAY EXPRESS,JANUARY17,2021 SHAKIB IN BANGLADESHSQUAD FOR WI SERIES Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasanisset to return to international cricketafter serv- ing ayear-long banfor not reporting acorrupt approachashewas included in 18 Bangladesh's 18-member squad forthe upcoming ODI seriesagainst the We st SPORT Indies beginning here next week. PTI

BRIEFLY SyedMushtaqAliT20: 15 chartered flightsland, 47 players grounded in bumpy start to Oz Open build-up similar statements, confirmingthatnone of fromLosAngeles,postedonInstagramby dou- had tested positive before boarding the plane Punjabinchcloserto SHAHIDJUDGE the three positive testsbelonged to aplayer. blesWorld No.48Santiago Gonzalez. in Los Angeles but wasallowed to travel after MUMBAI,JANUARY16 “The twopositivetests have been returnedby “TheChief HealthOfficerhasreviewedthe his case wasdeterminedas“viral shedding,” knock-outberth amember of the flight crew and apassenger flight and has determinedthat everyone on wasalsoonboard.OntheflightfromAbuDhabi LIKE CLOCKWORK, 15 charteredflightstrans- who is notaplayer, who returnedanegative boardneeds to isolateand will be confinedto wasformer WorldNo. 1Angelique Kerber, NewDelhi: Punjab inchedclosertoa portingplayersfortheAustralianOpenlanded test within 72 hours priortoboardingthe theirroomsfor the 14-dayquarantine.We 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, knockout berthwith a10-wicketrout inMelbourne,withinthe36-hourperiodded- flight,”readthestatementaftertheLosAngeles knowthis is nothow youimaginedyour two-timeGrand Slam champion Svetlana of Jammu and Kashmir in aGroup A icated fortheir arrival. Tennis Australia had flightlanded.Butby beingonflightsthatlasted preparations forthe AO would start, but our Kuznetsova, and former WorldNo. 4Belinda game of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy spentmonths haggling and fine-tuning their over13 hourseach,everyoneonboardbecame entireteam is heretosupport youand do Bencicof Switzerland.Noneof themwillbeal- hereonSaturday, their fourth win in COVID-19safetyprotocolswiththe Victorian a‘close contact.’ everythingthatwe canto getyouthroughthis.” lowedtoleave their hotelrooms for14days– arow.ShubhamPundir top-scored Governmentto ensurethetournamentindeed Asimilarletterwassenttoindividualsonboard endingonJanuary29. Theywillbeprovided with 42 to take J&K to 139for eight in takesplace.One of the measures theyhad to Hardquarantine the AbuDhabi flight. exercise bikes in their rooms to stay in shape. 20 overs.Punjab made shortofthe have inplacewastodealwithindividualstest- Sincethe Victorian Government made it target,canteringtovictoryin14.3 ingpositive aftertheylandedinthe country. clearthata14-dayquarantineperiodforinter- Players involved Charterflights overs withopeners SimranSingh (59 As flight QR7493fromLos Angelesarrived national passengers wasmandatory, Tennis IntheLosAngeles-originflight.alongwith Oneofthe ways Tennis Australia hopedto notout off42) and Abhishek Sharma inMelbourne,twotravellersreturnedpositive Australia managedto arrangeaprovision that Rafael Nadal arrivesinAdelaide forthe Gonzalezwere(butnot limitedto) two-time reducetheriskof playerscontractingthevirus (73not out off46) sharing an un- tests, and the protocols kickedin. Afew hours players wouldbeallowedoutside their hotel Australian Open. AP AustralianOpenchampionVictoriaAzarenka, duringtheirjourneys to Melbournewastoor- beaten 140-run stand. Sharma later,therewasanotherpositive test afterflight rooms fornomorethan five hours aday in or- 2017 USOpenchampionSloaneStephens,for- ganisecharterflights.Theseflights fromDoha, smashedhalf adozen sixes and his EY8004 from Abu Dhabi landed. Therewere der to practise and/or train. That relaxation, mer WorldNo. 4men’s singles playerKei AbuDhabi, Dubai, Singaporeand Los Angeles, opening partner hit four of them. 79 people on boardthe flight from the US, in- however, will notbeextended to the players flightQR7493fromLAXthatarrivedat5.15am Nishikori(who missedthe US Open last year carryingnomorethan25per cent of passen- Senior pacer Siddarth Kaul wasthe cluding 24 players, and 64 passengers on the who were aboardQR7493and EY8004. on Friday15Januaryhavereturnedpositive aftertestingpositive forCOVID-19), andfor- gercapacity,wereavailable onlyfor qualified pickofthe Punjab bowlers with four plane from Abu Dhabi, including 23 players. “Unfortunately, we have beeninformedby COVID-19 PCR testsonarrival in Melbourne,” mer WorldNo. 18 Alison Riske. players who had cleared thePCR test before wicketfor 33 runs in four overs. TheAustralianOpensubsequentlyputout thehealthauthoritiesthattwopeopleonyour read alettersenttothe people on the flight American playerTennys Sandgren, who the dayoftravel. Meanwhile, Baroda continued their winning run in the Syed MushtaqAli Trophybyclaiming a60- GALLE TEST run victoryoverMaharashtrainan Elite'C' Group game hereon Saturday.This is Baroda's fourth win Self-destruct mode Thirimanne on the trot in the league stageafter having defeated Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Rohit wasingreat touchand looked in totalcontrol before he engineered his owndownfall helps Lanka in their firstthree outings. BRIEFSCORES: Jammu and Kashmir 139/8 (Shubham Pundir42, Qamran SANDIPG SCORECARD Iqbal 27;Siddarth Kaul 4/33) lost to JANUARY16 cutEngland Punjab 140/0 (Abhishek Sharma 73 AUSTRALIA VS INDIA notout, Smiran Singh 59 notout;Ram THERE COMES apoint when aRohit Sharma THE GABBA Dayal0/22) by 10 wickets. TestinningsstartstofeellikeRohitSharma’sTest Toss: Australia, chose to bat lead to 130 career:richinpromise, lowonsubstance. The AUSFIRSTINNINGS 369 signature Sharma Test innings looksother- Overnight274/5 Argentinatourwillbe worldlywhenitstarts.Itfeelsexciting,evenethe- CGreen bSundar 47(107b,6x4) ASSOCIATED PRESS agoodindicatorof real,asif somethingspecialorsignificantisabout TPainecSharmabThakur 50(104b,6x4) GALLE, JANUARY 16 tounfold.Thenincomprehensibly, hecontrives PCumminslbwbThakur 2(8b) wherewestand:Rani to self-destruct. Thereisnobetterwordtode- MStarcnotout 20(35b,1x6) LAHIRUTHIRIMANNE ledSri Lanka's gal- scribeit—notindiscretionormisjudgementor NLyonbSundar 24(22b,4x4) lant fightbacktocut England'slead to 130 NewDelhi: The Indian women’s even brain-fade. JHazlewoodbNatarajan 11(27b, 2x4) aftercaptain Joe Root hit his fourth double hockey team skipper Rani Rampal Someof thestrokesheessayedonSaturday ■ Extras (b4,lb5,nb6,w5) 20 test centuryonthe thirdday of the first feels the tour of Argentina willhelp at the Gabba leftthe audience speechless, once ■ FoW:1-4(DavidWarner,0.6ov),2-17(Marcus cricket test on Saturday.Root’s 228 had pro- her side “understand wherethey again. In their splendorous beauty.The stroke Harris,8.1ov),3-87(StevenSmith,34.1ov),4- videdEngland astrongtotal of 421and a stand”, nearly ayear afterthe COVID- hegotouttoalsolefttheaudiencespeechless.In 200(MatthewWade,63.4ov),5-213(Marnus meaningfulfirstinnings lead of 286,but 19 pandemic abruptlyhaltedall com- itssplendorousbanality.ItwasthebestSharma Labuschagne,65.5ov),6-311(TimPaine,99.2 Thirimanne stood firm fortwo sessions to petitions around the world. The haslookedinthisseries,yetitwasalsotheworst. ov),7-313(CameronGreen,100.5ov),8-315 remain unbeaten on 76 off189 balls and women's side will become the firstof Till the 73rd ball of his 44,hewas batting likea (PatCummins,101.4ov),9-354(NathanLyon, carriedSri Lanka to 156-2 at stumps. India's hockeyteams to resume inter- dream. Expressive,efficient and elegant. Every 108.2ov),10-369(JoshHazlewood,115.2ov) Thirimanne’s patient knockwhichin- national matches as it plays the first minuteelement of his batting —judgement, ■ Bowling:MSiraj28-10-77-1,TNatarajan cludedsix boundaries wasinsharpcon- of the eight games during the tour of stroke-selection,reflexes,response,foot move- Rohit Sharma cuts aforlorn figureafter getting dismissedbyNathan Lyon. AP 24.2-3-78-30,SThakur24-6-94-3,NSaini trasttoSri Lanka's firstinnings effort when Argentina, starting Sunday. "It has ment —had synchronisedtoproduce adelec- 7.5-2-21-0,WSundar31-6-89-3,R the whole team wasrattledfor 135intwo been astrangeperiod forsports peo- tablemelody.Beforehestruckonefalsettonote Sharma0.1-0-1-0 sessions on the firstday. ple around the world, but to be re- thatdestroyed the building crescendo. It left Sharma himself had cut him foraboundaryin best-laid plans seemedtohit adead end, and England had an opportunity to remove INDIAFIRST INNINGS 62/2 suming doing what we love the most, India 62/2 in replytoAustralia’s 369 before the same over.Maybe,hewanted to unsettle their best bowler,Pat Cummins wasbeing sys- Thirimanne soon afterthe left-hander had RSharmacStarcbLyon 44(77b,6x4) it is thebestfeeling," Rani wasquoted heavy rain wipedout the final session of Day2. Lyon, before he got intorhythm. Maybe, it was tematicallydefusedbySharma. Twochecked- completed his half century,but Dom Sibley SGillcSmithbCummins 7(15b,1x4) as saying in aHockey India media re- The inexperiencedIndian bowling attackhad justarushof dopamine.Maybe,itwasafeeling drives—one apiece of Cummins and Cameron spilledatwo-handed catchatgully. England CPujaranotout 8(49b) lease. "Weare looking forwardtotest- earliersnaredthefinalfivewicketsfor58runsaf- of infallibility. Maybe,itwasjusthisego.Sharma Green —werethe mostgraceful strokesone alsowastedone of itsthree reviews as it un- ARahane notout 2(19b) ing ourselvesagainstsome strong terbreakingthe98-runstandbetweenskipper likes to dictatematters and doesn’t likebeing wouldevercasteyesonacricketfield.Justafaint successfullywent foranlbw decision ■ Extras (nb1) 1 teams, and also understandingwhere TimPaineandCameronGreen.ShardulThakur, dictatedto.Butinthefearof beingdictatedto,he twirlofthe wrists at the micro-second the ball againstThirimannewhen he wason61. ■ FoW: 1-11(ShubmanGill,6.2ov),2-60(Rohit we stand at the moment," she added. TNatarajan and Washington Sundar got three invited self-destruction. touches the blade. Everysinewun-flexed, the Thirimanneand Kusal Perera starteda Sharma,19.5ov) wicketsapiece. The hosts would have been Havingjumpedout of the crease,hecould impactalmostsoundless.Sharmaalwaysmakes steady fightbackwith their 101-run open- ■ Bowling:MStarcj3-1-8-0,JHazlewood8-4- bowledoutforamuchlowertotalhadtheirlast notreachthe pitchofthe ball. Alright, his won- batting look easy,but neverthis easy. ing wicket stand as theythwartedthe spin 11-0,PCummins 6-1-22-1,CGreen3-0-11-0,N Lahirishoots65 twowickets notadded54runs. derful hands could still propel the ball intothe Then to getout attempting ahorrendous threat of JackLeachand Dom Bess on a Lyon6-2-10-1. trademarkconfettiseatsoftheGabba.Butwith strokebefuddlesasmuchasitbogglesthehead. turning wicket. Perera shelvedhis stroke- to makecutin Banal expression DAY3, LIVE ON SONY the trajectoryofthe ball being towardsthe leg- Itmadeevenhispullshotinthesecondinnings SPORTS NETWORK making in scoring 62 off109 balls andeven SonyOpen To find areason, or rhyme,forthe stroke isa side, he couldn’t quitefreehis arms. Could he in Sydneylook moreexcusable, even dignified. batted withastrappedhand afterhewas futile exercise. His ownexplanations went like havechangedthestrokeandlookedtodefend? At least,itwasaninstinctivestroke,hefoundde- struckbyMarkWood's shortpitchdeliv- Honolulu: Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri this: “I liketoput pressureonthe bowler once I It wouldhavelookedtame, buthecould have cent connection and wasjustunfortunatethat eryinthe middle session before England producedhis best cardatthe Waialae am in and that is my role in this team, to keep protected his wicket. Even if he had missedthe heholedoutto theloneprowleratdeepsquare sheerdeterminationthatdistinguishesthemor- strucktwice aftertea. Perera threw away CountryClub,firing asuperb five-un- putting pressureonthe bowlers. Run-scoring ball,itwouldhavehithisbody.Itwasflattishand leg. What’s morefrustrating than atechnical talsfromtheimmortals.Theknowledgethatone his wicketearly in the lastsession when he der 65 in the second round to easily has been slightlydifficult forboththe teams so body-bound.ButSharmaisnotsomeoneto re- glitch-all batsmen at some point in time have canplayaparticular shot, and thewisdomthat playedarashshotoff Sam Curran's way- makethe cut at Sony Open here. With someone needs to put their hand up and think cede from achallenge. toaddressoneflawortheother,oramentalvul- oneneednotplaythatshotinaparticularperiod ward deliveryand holed outinthe deep. eight birdies againstthree bogeys, about howtoput pressureonthe bowlers.” In Maybehewassodeludedwithhisownsub- nerability -isabatsmangift-wrapping his of thegame,againstaparticular bowler. Kusal Mendis,who had failedtoscore in Lahiri, who shot69inthe opening embracing suchanapproach, Sharma wasre- lime touchthat he thought he could getade- wicket.Wastingtalentisinexcusablethanhav- Great Test careers arenot onlybuilt on the his previousfour test innings, labored for round, is nowsix-under for36holes signedtotheriskitentailed.“Indoingthat,there quateconnection and elevation to elude the ingnotalentatall.Notonceortwiceinhiscareer, strokesone can play, but also those one doesn’t 65 deliveries in scoring 15 runs, but added and madeasmartmove to T-35 up is achance of making mistakesbut youshould fielderslurking at deep mid-wicket and mid- but repeatedly,asifhecannottakethe hurtofa play. Thereare times when even the percent- 54 runs with Thirimanne to defy England’s from T-72.“Iwas awarethat Ineeded be ready to acceptthat.Itwas aplan so Iactu- on, an expanse vast enough forMarnus bowler anymore. Sharma seems to tell the ageshots have to be eschewed. LikeKohlisup- hopes of making inroads. to makealot of birdiesandmy intentis ally havenoregretsaboutplayingthatshot,”he Labuschagne to accomplishanall-run four on bowler:‘Boss, Ican choose my ownweapon of pressing his ownand notattempting cover- Leachfinallystruckinthe penultimate there. I’m happythat Icaughtacouple said. Butwait,isitnotafive-daygame?Thefirst Friday. He also discounted the well-worn con- dismissal, youdon’t needtobother.’ drivesagainstJamesAndersoninBirmingham; over of the daywhen he foundthe thin edge of shots onthelead,”saidLahiri,whose innings,whenhehaddoneenoughof wresting ventionof shuttingshopbeforeaninterval.The orlikeSachinTendulkarduringhisepiconself- of Mendis’ bat to provide England some re- previous best at this course was66in the initiative from the bowlers.Now wasthe teabreak wasnear,and the billowing dark Notthe firsttime denial in Sydney, the241 notout. The shotthat lief. Earlier,Roothit 18 fours and asix in his the final round of the 2019 edition. It time to knuckle down. cloudswerenottoofarawayfromtearingdown. But Sharma’s overseas expeditions arefast Sharma chose to perish wasnot even hisstaple well-composeddouble century off321 balls wastheonlytimehemanagedto make becominganunendingreelofsuchself-destruc- shot. It seems aghostshotinhindsight. before England wasbowledout justbefore the cut in three previous startsatthe Howithappened Repent at leisure tive moments. When he wasthe masterofhis Besides, Sharmaisnolonger atalented 20- lunch. Dilruwan Perera endedRoot's long SonyOpen.NickTaylor(62)wasinsole Instead, he jumpedout of the creaseto Butforthatshot,Sharmamighthaveamore ownfate,buthumblysurrenderedtheblessing. something youngsterwho could be afforded vigil, whichbegan in the lastsession on the lead at 12-under with atwo-shotlead Nathan Lyon. Fornoreason. Therewereno peaceful cup of teaorasounder sleep. Instead, It’sperhapsthe difference between abatsman the allowance of time. He is 33,played33Tests, firstday,when he had England's skipper over five players at 10-under.The five roughsorcracksanywhereinhisvicinityto ne- heisplightedto rueandpineoverthemomen- whoplayslikeagreatandabatsmanwhoisgreat. awhite-ball great, multi-title-winning captain caught at deep mid-wicketoff an extravagant included2009BritishOpen winner cessitatesucharesponse.Theballwasnotturn- tary lapse, destruction entirelyofhis ownde- It’splainlythe difference between Sharma and in the Indian Premier League,aterrific captain shot as the offspinnerfinished with 4-109. StewartCink(63), who alongwithhis ing, nor wasitbouncing awkwardly. Lyon was sign. He wasequally inconsideratetothe deli- ViratKohli.The powerofdiscretion, the aware- too.Acricketerof ideas,strokes,yetunfulfilledat BRIEF SCORES: Sri Lanka 135and 156 cancer-survivorwifehad recentlyre- notflighting the ball or makeitdrift. So insipid catebalanceof thematchaswellastheseries.It ness of notjustone’s owngame butthe situa- the highestlevel. It is an elegiac strain of his ca- for2(Thirimanne 76*, Perera 62) trail coveredfromCOVID-19. AGENCIES wasthe Aussie off-spinner that Cheteshwar camejustatthemomenttheAustralianbowlers tion, and beyond it the unquenchable thirstto reer,but an elegy almostentirelyofhis own England 421(Root 228,Lawrence 73)by Pujarawasgrindinghimforsingleswithoutfuss. were getting atrifle anxious and fidgety. Their score big runs. Notjustdrive and desire,but the composition. 130runs.

VISA DENIED SA’sIndian performanceanalyst ‘workingfrom home’ during Pakistan series

joinedSouthAfrica.“Iwilldomy bestfromhere able forthem to work on. he shoots of the South African batsmen and chancesintheseries.“WejustbeatSriLankaand SRIRAMVEERA butyes,thisisabigblowformeandfortheplay- “Players who needface-to-face chats–the placesitontherightframe.“Ithencompareand also in Galle (2014), aplace whereevenIndia MUMBAI,JANUARY16 ers in the team who depend on me forthe de- medium that theyprefer- will have Zoom calls tell the batsmen what moretheycan do. They hasn’t been able to (win of late). In Keshav tailedanalysisthat’sbestdonefromtheground. andsuch.WhereIcantakethemthroughslides, don’t have to do it likeYounis,ofcourse, as his Maharaj,wehaveone of the best finger spin- WHENTHESouthAfricancricketteamtakeson But we need to understand the protocols in if needed. Or justtalk and share. IhaveaUPS method and physical traitsare different but to ners in the world. Howmanybowlershave Pakistaninthe firstTestinKarachi on January place.IhavebeentoldthatLalchandRajput,for- withonehourback-up.Iamallsettodoball-by- giveanideaabouthowlow theycanget.What’s takennine wickets in an innings? Tabraiz 26, one important member of their think tank, mer India playerwho coaches Zimbabwe, ballanalysis,”Prasannasays.Asever, hehasbeen the ideal height and lengthtogofor?” Shamsiiscomingalongverynicely andGeorge much-respected performanceanalystof11 couldn’ttraveltoPakistan,umpireAleemDaris hardatworkinrecentdays,cullingdata–num- That ideal height has to take in the bounce Linde,theleft-armspinner,isverytalented.Our years, Prasanna Agoram will be“working from unable to come forworktoIndia and such. So, I bers and video footage-from Pakistandomes- and turn in the pitches. “That’s best seen live at fast bowlers areknownto theworld;soareour home”inBangalore.Hehasbeenunabletojoin am notthe onlyperson.” ticmatches, analysing the hometeam includ- the nets.Then we can tweak accordingly.And batsmen who justdid it again in Sri Lanka.” histeam whichlandedinPakistanonSaturday Agoram won’t be able to transmit instant ing their newplayers, and preparing tactical thereare severalsweep shots –the flat sweep, One thing the players will miss is smearing as he has an Indian passport,and the South analysis and technical and tactical feedbackas methods to tackle their spinners and bowl at thepaddle, the reverse, the slog,and all that is thecakeonPrasanna’sbirthdayonJanuary23.“I Africanteam management told him that de- security protocols during matchtime prevent their batsmen. alsobestworkedoutonthegroundandtailored am the one who creates the mostmess on play- spitetheir efforts, he can’t travel to thecountry telecommunication from outside the dressing accordingtothespinnertheywillbefacing.That ers’birthdays,smearingcakeontheirfaces.Their due to “securityprotocols”. room.Onlythemanagerof theteamisallowed Notthe same feeling can be communicated from here, but again revengeisonmybirthday. That theywillmiss CladinaSouthAfricanteamjersey, wearing to have aphoneduring matchtime,and even However, all this can’treplicate the feel of nothing likebeing there. Someone likeTemba now!” he says.“Ihavebeen with them for11 his official training shoes, Agoram will be in his that is restricted to logistical purposes. Usually, PrasannaAgoramathisresidenceinBengaluru. being at the ground. “What Iwould miss most Bavuma likes to see analysis and video footage years;thebondingissomethingoutofthisworld.” diningroomathome,amidstatrailof wires,two Prasanna is mostactive on matchdays,trans- istheweekbeforetheTestmatch,actually. That’s from nets and tailor it.One good thing is that Asever,oncetheumpiresays,‘let’splay’and laptops, aUPS foruninterruptedpowersupply ferring hisinputsatdrinksbreaksorwiththe when the real prep work gets done.” He gives theseplayersarehighlyprofessionalandgood; thebowlerrunsintobowlforthefirstballof the and with abowlofmurukku,the crunchy- coaches through the game. the players getbacktotheir hotelrooms, they an example to makehis case. so, theywill adjustbut still Ifeel Icould have match,Agoramsaysaninternalmonologuewill savourysnack, and filter coffee. would be sentindividual digital documents “Let’ssay, thesweepshot.Thebestplayerof addedmoreifIwere there.” run in his mind. “I visualise Amitabh Bachchan “Iamlikeadeadmanwalking,”Agoramtells Feedbackafter play whichwould give them details on what they the sweep therehas ever been is Younis Khan. abouttostart‘fastestfingersfirst’inKaunBanega TheIndianExpress,unabletohidehisdisappoint- Hehashisplanstoworkaroundthesituation did right, what theydid wrong, and howthey What Idoishavehis technique on asplit frame Hopeful of good result Crorepati.“Aapkatimeshuruhotahaiab!”(Your ment at missing his firstseries ever since he though.At theendof theday’splay, by thetime can improve. The coaches will have dataavail- ontheleft-handside.”Hethentakesthefootage Agoram is upbeat about South Africa’s time starts now!).

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