, $ 75 /  '   2      2  2     $#$) *+,- -./.-/0 3-145 (-1)2 '  + 5.?41-.>+14 )0&5!-1./.&0!$50> @& &-61!'5.1!. /.0!063-4, )4'&0))&-.,&1 1&-6!1&!'1 6&-/!$&1 40!.$1..-543&/! /& &$.!1&-!&-!' ,!-+41'&3!5&- /.1&/- >/.1&)&/!?&>,&/& 0 6  '( 89$$ :; <& .  &     & ! .   +& /0/*1  */ /                (     ))      QR         )   However, the needy person, he asked. that because of the shortage of Government’s decision to allow Dr Rajendra Prasad, Spine vaccines and the large popula- vaccination to only 45 years of and Neurosurgeon at tion that needs to be vaccinat-    *   age and above has not gone Indraprastha Apollo Hospital ed there will be delay. But I down well with the health in Sarita Vihar in , echoed strongly feel that the experts who said that co-mor- similar views saying, “I am dis- Government should spend on The decisions were taken such events have been ignored, bidity, and not age should be appointed that at this point the production of vaccines rather     during the weekly COVID-19 despite the fact that the Congress the criteria for vaccination. Government has not opened than spending huge amounts situation review meeting, party had unilaterally Trying to bring home their up vaccination for all those on elections where there is     chaired by the Chief Minister announced its decision of not point, the doctors pointed out above 18 years of age, especially total disregard for social dis- Capt Amarinder Singh who holding any rallies or public that a large number of the in the wake of the rapid second tancing and I am sure we will  *+ expressed concern at the high meetings last month.” below-45 population suffer wave. see a bad effect of this shortly,” positivity and mortality rates in from various comorbidity con- “However, I do understand said Dr Prasad. the State. “It is a matter of con- Expressing surprise at the ditions and are more vulnera-  6&-/!$&1 cern that over 85 percent of cases behaviour of certain political ble to the infections than those in Punjab are of the UK strain, leaders, including Delhi Chief who are at or above 45. itnessing a constant surge which is more contagious and Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and Dr Rahul Bhargava,      Win Covid-19 cases coupled virulent,” noted the Chief SAD’s Sukhbir Badal, who had Director, Department of with related deaths, Punjab Minister. been attending political rallies               Clinical Hematology and Bone Government on Wednesday Capt Amarinder said that he without following safety proto-    Marrow Transplant, Fortis extended night curfew — from had no option but to go in for cols, the Chief Minister said that Hospital in Gurugram, said     9 pm to 5 am — across the State stricter measures to further con- such irresponsible conduct does-  -.,/.0! economy and is involved in for- that “I believe after covering 60 besides ordering a total ban on trol the ongoing surge, even n’t behove them. mal occupation in offices plus people, the Government political gatherings till April 30. though the number of positive “How do you expect people o speed up the vaccination (Government and private) or should have made comorbidi-     ! In addition, the government cases had somewhat stabilized in to be serious about the spread of Tdrive across the country, manufacturing and services. ty conditions irrespective of any has further limited the gather- the last few days due to curbs the disease if senior political the Centre on Wednesday “In order to increase the age as the only criteria to   -.,/.0! exposed to the outside world. ings at funerals, cremations, or imposed earlier. leaders behave like this,” he allowed Covid-19 vaccination access of vaccine to these pop- receive a vaccine.” Thus, it cannot be said that weddings to 50 people indoors “Restrictions of running asked adding that Punjab at public and private work- ulations, Covid-19 vaccination He argued that there are earing a mask while dri- merely because the person is and 100 for outdoors, while cinema houses at 50 percent of Government would need to be places having about 100 eligi- sessions may be organised at many youth below 45 suffering Wving alone in a private travelling alone in a car, the car making the wearing of masks their capacity and closure of tough to tackle such violations ble beneficiaries from April 11. workplaces (both public & pri- from serious ailments like pul- vehicle is compulsory as it is a would not be a public place. mandatory for all government schools and educational insti- and political leaders would also Health Secretary Rajesh vate) which are having about monary diseases such as tuber- public place in the context of “Wearing of a mask there- employees while in office. tutions, except medical and need to be booked. Bhushan in a letter to the chief 100 eligible and willing bene- culosis, asthma, etc. Depriving Covid-19, the Delhi High in would be compulsory in the These restrictions, along nursing colleges, shall continue The Chief Minister ordered secretaries said a substantial ficiaries by tagging these work them the benefits of shots indi- Court held on Wednesday and context of the Covid-19 pan- with the ones imposed earlier till April 30,” said the Chief the police and the districts admin- proportion of the population places with an existing Covid cate ignorance on the part of described face covering as a demic,” the court said. Masks including closure of schools Minister. istrations to register cases against aged 45 years and above is in vaccination centre,” Bhushan the Government. Why to spare ‘suraksha kavach’ or protective are necessary irrespective of and educational institutions, The Chief Minister also the political leaders, organizers, the organised sector of the said in the letter. precious resources on a non- shield against the spread of the whether a person is vaccinat- shall remain effective till directed Punjab DGP, Dinkar and participants of political gath- infection. ed or not, it added. April 30. Gupta, to ensure strict imple- erings under Disaster Justice Prathiba M Singh Justice Singh’s ruling came On the other hand, the mentation of the night curfew. Management Act (DMA) and refused to interfere with the while dismissing four petitions Government has decided to Epidemics Act, besides booking     Delhi Government’s decision to by lawyers who challenged the provide some respite for shop       the owners of the tent houses, who impose challans for not wear- imposition of ‘challans’ for not owners in malls by allowing  &  !  provide the infrastructure for ing a mask while driving a pri- wearing a mask while driving entry of 10 people per shop at  &     such gatherings.        vate car alone, saying a vehicle alone in a private vehicle. any given time, as against the !  &    As per the directions, the even if occupied by one “The wearing of a mask is earlier order of not allowing Justifying his decision to venue owners, who would pro- isation in Rajkot, is providing person would constitute a pub- like a ‘suraksha kavach’ against more than 100 people in a mall impose ban on political gather- vide space for such events, will      free food to those who get vac- lic place. Covid-19,” the court said, not- at one time. This would imply ings, the Chief Minister said: “I not be spared and they too cinated. In Mehsana, a car “There are several possi- ing a mask protects the person that 200 people will be allowed have been forced to order a ban would be booked and their   workshop is forgoing labour bilities in which while sitting wearing it and also those in a mall with 20 shops at any as my pleas to all political par- venues would be sealed for charges on car serving and alone in the car one could be exposed to him or her. given time. ties to refrain from organizing three months     offering a 10 per cent discount on car accessories to vaccinat-  %  !  -.,/.0! ed individuals. All you have to do is show your vaccination      ! "   earing another lockdown, certificate.     Fsmall and medium entre- A stationery shop in      preneurs are offering freebies, Vadodara is offering customers               incentives which include gold a 5 per cent to 10 per cent dis-         nose pin, hand blenders, free count to help boost the rate of !  !   Reminding that she was to save Bengal and yourself if        beer, foods, and tax rebate to have already announced they vaccination in the city. All !-$123403&5& the same “Bengal tigress” who you do not want to see Bengal       encourage people to get vacci- will absorb the vaccination they have to do is show up with had not learnt to bend, being run by Gujaratis,”  L  M  nated amid the second surge of costs for their employees in their vaccination certificate. est Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee said, “They are using Mamata said, adding “we will    the coronavirus pandemic . However, they aren’t As per the data, Gujarat is WMamata Banerjee has all tactic to win the elections … not let Gujaratis capture L   M    across India. They hope that offering up any freebies as a job now left with 17,348 active asked supporters to gherao they are bringing goons from Bengal. Bengal will stay in L M    their offers and discounts will well done. Leading home ser- cases. Of the 17 fatalities, seven CRPF on poll day and vote for neighbouring States like Bengal, we will not let         encourage other businesses to vices marketplace Urban patients each died in the TMC. The BJP has gone to Assam, they are splurging goons from Gujarat take over     !   " ramp up freebies as well to Company has said it will cover Ahmedabad and Surat, while the Election Commission ask- money… but they cannot do Bengal.”            boost the rate at which people Covid-19 vaccination costs for two succumbed to the infec- ing it to censure her.  *(( *+ anything to me with their $ O    are being vaccinated in India. the more than 30,000 service tion in Rajkot and one died in “I have respect for the        money and goons because I am       L    M Interestingly, the USA and partners on its platform. Vadodara district. With 2,167 Central forces but not the one ,   -. Bengal tigress… I can break but European Unions are also Jewellers in Rajkot have people recovering in the last 24 being guided by the BJP… I do not bend.”      offering free merchandise and joined hands with the State hours, the count of recoveries they are stopping our voters Alleging that the BJP had Claiming that if the BJP     ! other stuff to those who receive Government and are offering in Gujarat went up to 3,02,932 from casting their votes… if conspired to pull down the came to power in Bengal all hell           Covid vaccinations or encour- freebies to those who come to on Tuesday. this continues I will ask our Trinamool Government by would break loose. She said, New Delhi: The Election "#$" &'    age vaccinations. The perks vaccination camps in the city The snack producer in supporters to unite against the using the Central forces, “The BJP will do the same Commission issued a notice to    !  include free rides, doughnuts, for getting the coronavirus Maharashtra has joined hands Central forces… gherao them Mamata said, “The CRPF is thing in Bengal like what they West Bengal Chief Minister   ((   money, arcade tokens and even vaccine shot. These freebies with the Mahratta Chamber of if they do not listen to you… asking the voters to vote for the have done in Assam. There Mamata Banerjee on       !)  marijuana. include a gold nose pin for Commerce, Industries and The women should gherao BJP… they are also stopping the they have detained 14 lakh Wednesday for her alleged *   &   According to report, cor- women and a hand blender for Agriculture (MCCIA) to dole them and the rest of the peo- TMC supporters from vot- Bengalis in detention camps appeal to Muslim voters while     )+  porate such as Capgemini, men who take the vaccine out free bhakarwadi to those ple go and cast your votes,” the ing… I will ask you to unite they will detain people here campaigning in Hooghly to  ,  ,    Infosys, Accenture, Volvo, dose at Rajkot vaccination who can prove they have got- Chief Minister said at a rally in and gherao them wherever also … so it is the question of not allow their votes get split       Reliance, IndiGo and upGrad centres. Jaan Vision, an organ- ten vaccinated. Coochbehar. you find them.” your existence … you will have among different parties.  * "    R     #$   !     "  " O  P      %  "    %&      $ ''!( )(        '(&     

 -.,/.0!  !    )&! Two other accused—      1&!'1    )&! the Covid impact on economy. Vinayak Shinde, a convicted The central bank has the rime Minister Narendra n a sensational allegation police constable (sentenced to axalites have released a he Reserve Bank on mandate to maintain inflation PModi on Wednesday Iwhich the CBI will probe in life but currently on parole) and Nphotograph of CRPF TWednesday projected that at 4 per cent, with an upper and exhorted students not to be its ongoing Preliminary Naresh Gor, a cricket Cobra commando Rakeshwar retail inflation will be well lower tolerance band of 2 per scared of examinations and Enquiry (PE) against bookie — were sent to judicial Singh Manhas, who was cap- within control at 4.4-5.2 per cent for the next five years. said social and family envi- Maharashtra’s former Home custody. tured by Maoists after a fierce cent in the current fiscal and RBI Governor Shaktikanta ronment at times create unde- Minister Anil Deshmukh, sus- In a significant develop- gun battle in Bastar region in that bumper food grains pro- Das said that even as the head- sirable pressure on students. pended Mumbai Police ment, the CBI moved an appli- Chhattisgarh on April 3 which duction will soften cereal prices line inflation at 5 per cent in Interacting with students Assistant Inspector Sachin Vaze cation before the NIA seeking left 22 security personnel dead. even though there are “some February 2021 remains within virtually in his annual on Wednesday made a written permission to question Vaze, Manhas was part of a underlying constituents” testing the tolerance band, some “Parikasha Pe Charcha” pro- submission before the special which was allowed by the squad that had gone for an anti- the upper tolerance level. underlying constituents are gramme, he said they some- NIA Court accusing / 0(' court. On its part, the CBI is Naxal operation in the jungles The RBI also retained the testing the upper tolerance time become over-conscious Deshmukh and another  * )  . expected to record the state- on the Bijapur and Sukma economic growth projection level. regarding exams and asked Maharashtra Minister Anil 00   1 (' -. ment of Singh, who had alleged border on the night of April 2, for the current financial year at The apex bank has pro- them to take them as a small Parab of asking him to indulge that State Home Minister hours before the ambush. 10.5 per cent, while cautioning jected the Consumer Price destination in their long lives. in extortion for them. of the Shiv Sena. Deshmukh had asked arrested The photo shows the com- Inspector General of Police that the recent surge in Covid- Index (CPI) based retail infla- If external pressure is not On a day when the NIA The NIA court extended Vaze to “collect” a staggering mando, still in his battle (Bastar) Sundarraj P said. 19 infections has created uncer- tion at 5.2 per cent for the first created, then students will not recorded the statements of the custody of Vaze till April 9 100 crore per month from fatigues, squatting on the On Tuesday, the outlawed tainty over the economic and second quarters of this fis- feel pressure of exams and Param Bir Singh and encounter to facilitate his further inter- bars, restaurants and other ground inside an apparent hut, CPI(Maoist) issued a state- growth recovery. In its last cal and then decline to 4.4 per their confidence will also grow, specialist Pradeep Sharma in rogation in the twin SUV plant- sources. with no Naxalite seen in the ment in Hindi saying its cadres policy review, the RBI had cent in the third quarter. For he said. While acknowledging the Antilia SUV recovery case, ing and Manshukh Hiran In the first of two serious frame. abducted Manhas from the projected a GDP growth rate of the fourth quarter — January- that one cannot be good in Vaze — a key accused in the alleged murder case. During allegations against Deshmukh The photograph, being cir- site of the ambush and asked 10.5 per cent for FY March 2022 period — the apex everything, Modi asked stu- explosive case — shot off a the course of hearing, the pros- in his letter dated April 3, culated on social media, is of the Chhattisgarh Government 2021-22. bank has estimated retail infla- dents not to run away from any four-page hand-written letter to ecution told the special court 2021 submitted to the NIA Manhas, who was attached to to appoint interlocutors to Unveiling its first monetary tion to be 5.1 per cent. difficult subject, and cited his the Special Judge of the NIA that NIA was trying to ascer- court, Vaze claimed that the the 210th CoBRA Battalion of ensure his safe release. policy review of 2021-22, the Going forward, the food example of taking up more court in which he made alle- tain the source of 36 lakh former Home Minister had the CRPF. The Government has not RBI left the repo rate inflation trajectory will criti- complex work in morning gations of extortion against allegedly found in Vaze’s bank asked him to pay 2 crore on “We are closely monitoring reacted to the demand. Police unchanged at 4 per cent, keep- cally depend on the temporal when he feels fresh and leaving former Home Minister account and whether it was the basis of an assurance he the situation. All best possible said the authenticity of the ing in mind the necessity to and spatial progress of the easier parts to late night. Deshmukh of the NCP and used to procure gelatine used would convince Sharad Pawar efforts are being made to secure Maoist statement is being ver- sustain growth on a durable south-west monsoon in its Continued on Page 2 Transport Minister Anil Parab in the SUV planting case. to take Vaze into the force. the safe return of the jawan,” ified. basis and continue to mitigate 2021 season, Das said.   !"#"$   

 %   24        ! %   *0&*0,  ! .  P/03/*  6&-/!$&1 !      1 +6=     ! %   !  rate,” he said. penal action for violation of # 5          He reiterated his demand COVID protocols and so far,  '*     1 8A8A9  ith Covid-19 positivity that the Union Government 2.03 lakhs people had been '*        (A(A"(8 Wrate and Case Fatality  !   !   !       should allow vaccinations to all taken for RTPCR tests after & '  6 /''60    ,    Rate (CFR) in Punjab hitting potential super-spreaders — they were found not wearing ''60 B9 (C    - K 8(    '*    (     7.7 per cent and two per cent students above 18 years, teach- masks in public.     4 1 8A9(81 C8DA respectively in the past week, : ; K      :AAAA ers, councillors, sarpanches He also said that 43,000    8B DC    1 Punjab Chief Minister Capt  5        & BA  6   /         etc. challans had been issued and a 8;8B(8    Amarinder Singh on           ;AAAAM/    B;AAA15'61  On the issue of vac- fine of Rs 3.60 crores col-      8   (AA   62)'02)6 Wednesday directed the Health  / &.& 8;AAA       cination supply, lected, besides reg-  BAA     +!  '* ' '  Department to further increase  4       /          Mahajan informed istration of 206   1;3,   02  the vaccination drive and tar-       BA    the Chief FIRs and arrest get vaccinating two lakh  6        Minister that of 246 people.     1;3&      !           '*     /&>   patients per day. Besides, direc-              the Union On the       1 8;9(D    /&>1 8BAC tions were also issued to the     vaccination     (A(A"(8  officials concerned to increase  6  ' ;A!6'$! front,  $     the sampling to 50,000 per   '*  Government Gupta said day, besides vigorously pursu-    ;A  had assured that 77 per-             6    6      ing contact tracing to 30 peo- 8AA  that the State cent of the  &  -  /6 E-/6F    J;      (A&4! -   )   ple per positive patient.         would not face police per- Expressing concern at the       any shortage. sonnel had -     &   )          & BA high CFR rate, the Chief  6   6       The Chief been vaccinat- 6   ? 1 5 ,  5    Minister said that these deaths,  ,          " K   8D Minister was assured ed with the first          !   many of which are avoidable               by the Health dose and of these 26 .  5   /)  with timely treatment, pain  6       0     H     Department that daily sam- percent had taken the second   '   )      him.             pling would be increased to shot too.     "             $  He directed the Chief      & BA  '          50,000 — including 35,000 The Chief Minister, who           Secretary Vini Mahajan to  1         RT-PCR and 15,000 Rapid was informed by the Health undertake a massive public Antigen Tests. He was, howev- Department that PGI was ;AL        / &      awareness campaign to moti- er, informed that Central refusing to admit patients from 456   %     ! % vate people to approach hos- Government’s institutions — Punjab despite being referred 7)8" &    '* ',/  *  pitals at early stages. facilities, which are not partic- drive, about 90,000 people to address the issue of vacci- IISER, IMTech, AIIMS, through proper channels, said !   *  1CB;    “The quality of healthcare ipating in the expert group dis- were being vaccinated per day, nation hesitancy by undertak- PGIMER — were sampling that he would take up the mat-  5    H        in hospitals also needs to be cussions, should be encouraged this needed to be raised to two ing well designed media cam- only 100 samples per day, ter with the Prime Minister     '    $   >*  improved and the list of to do so. lakh people per day. paigns. which is low, and the matter Narendra Modi at Thursday’s E' $>FJ!!!  E8* F8AJ;      approved hospitals with The Chief Minister, chair- “Vaccination is the only “I would again urge the was being taken up with the video conferencing meeting   5 *      $ required facilities should be put ing the weekly COVID review way to prevent the spread,” he Union Government for relax- Centre. and would request him to !             out in the public domain,” he meeting with the officials of said directing the Health ation in the age criteria for vac- The state Director General direct the hospital to reserve at  *  * :D   said. The Chief Minister said Health Department and med- Department to take immediate cinating people under the age of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta least 50 ICU beds for patients  8(   )  )  +    that death audit should be ical experts, said that though steps to speed up the drive. He of 45 years in areas showing informed the Chief Minister referred by the State +     +    ?  0      done by all districts and private under the current vaccination also asked the Chief Secretary weekly doubling of positivity that all districts were taking Government.  '     '* '   9;B )+   !  (       +       6  ! 0& to effectively pursue FCA cases Centre would have an open air at a cost of Rs 29.90 crore and He further said that efforts '   so that work on various tourism theatre, three new cottages, con- would be completed by must also be made for effective    imachal Chief Minister Jai projects could be taken up soon. ventional hall, cafeteria and 12 September this year. Art and fusion of landscape and avoid !"' ) HRam Thakur on While reviewing various modern rooms. Craft village is being developed over construction of concrete   Wednesday directed that all the projects, Thakur said that work Kangra Haat is being con- on 44 bigha land near structures.  & 1!5&126&-/!$&1 ongoing tourism projects should must also be expedited on north structed at Kangra by spending Kandaghat village for which The Chief Minister said  ! 0& be completed in stipulated time and south portal alongside Atal an amount of Rs 17 crore. The FCA approval is underway. This that work on renovation of he Amritsar Rural Police, in period and special focus must be Tunnel Rohtang, as the tunnel beautification of Dal Lake and would prove an attractive desti- Bantony Castle would be com- eeping in view the spike in Ta joint operation with laid on those projects which are has emerged as the major tourist Art and Craft project at Bhalai nation for the tourists as both pleted by September this year by KCOVID-19 cases in the Border Security Force (BSF), nearing completion. attraction. Mata temple at Chamba would these projects are on the major incurring an expenditure of Rs state, Himachal Government on the intervening night of The Chief Minister was pre- He asked the officers to blessed with immense tourism not only help in showcasing the national highway between 25.45 crore. has issued fresh orders to limit Tuesday and Wednesday, bust- siding over a meeting of explore possibilities of setting up potential and the focus of the rich cultural tradition of the Kalka-Shimla, he added. It was informed that the the number of persons in ed a major narco-terror mod- Himachal Pradesh Tourism a memorial in memory of for- government is to provide best state, but would also be a major During the meeting, Thakur government is taking up an social, academic, sports, enter- ule and neutralized one Development Board here, mer Prime Minister Atal Bihari tourism infrastructure to the attraction for the tourists, he directed the officers to ensure ambitious project under PPP tainment, cultural, religious, Pakistani smuggler at Border He directed the officers for Vajpayee at Prini village. tourists visiting Himachal. said. that Shiv Dham phase-1 in mode for developing Chanshal political gatherings and other Outpost (BOP) Kakkar expediting the work on all the The Chief Minister also He also said that the Culture The Chief Minister said Mandi district must be com- in Shimla district as a new congregations. Forward area that falls in major ropeways viz directed the officers to ensure Centre at Janjehalli in Mandi dis- that the beautification of Dal pleted in stipulated time period. tourist destination, especially Himachal on Wednesday Lopoke Police Dharamshala-Mcleodgang, time bound completion of all the trict is almost completed by Lake would be completed by He said that the approach road for adventure sports lovers. reported six fatalities and 653 9'" Station jurisdic- Palchan-Rohtang, Aadi Himani- major heliports coming up in the spending an amount of Rs 25.17 September with a cost of Rs 4 from Mandi to Shiv Dham Various components under this fresh COVID-19 cases. /5 ;8 tion. Chamunda, Sri Anandpur state so as to facilitate the crore which would be an added crore. should be widened keeping in project include setting up of As per the new orders, the "'7& The intelli- Sahib-Shri Nainadevi etc. tourists. attraction for the tourists visit- Apart from this, Convention view the future demand to cater ropeway, ski-lift, ski-resort, heli- number of persons in open <'7$ gence led opera- He also directed the officers He said that the state is ing the Janjehalli valley. The Centre at Kyarighat is coming up the heavy flow of traffic. pad, camping and ski-slopes. tion was launched on the inputs pro- vided by the Punjab Police. A (()  joint combing operation was    '     launched at the site where the cross-border smuggling and infiltration attempt took place,     +  #,-.-    which led to the recovery of 22 packets of heroin (weighing      6&-/!$&1 for such gatherings, and also the functions and rallies, or when 22.660 kg), one SAIGA – MK  6&-/!$&1 police tried to stop them. venue owners — who provide they have to conduct the MC Rifle (along with two maga- MLA Gopal Kanda blamed the Congress irtually blaming the Punjab space for such events. In addition, polls or their programmes…The zines and 24 live rounds of 7.50 he leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata and INLD for the protest and accused the VGovernment for using Covid- venues would also be sealed for Government is not doing anything spaces or grounds in areas mm), one AK-47 Rifle (along TParty and its allies in contin- opposition of instigating the farmers. The 19 as a tool to suppress the voice three months. which needs to be done,” she said. outside containment zones, with two magazines and 21 live ue to face the ire of farmers over the three farmers are being instigated by Congress and of the people by banning rallies in Capt Amarinder also lashed AAP legislator, justifying the keeping the size of the ground rounds of 7.62 mm), Pakistani central farm laws. INLD leaders to hold such protests, he said. the State, the opposition parties on out at Delhi Chief Minister and AAP’s decision to conduct rallies or space will be 50 percent of currency, one Nokia phone Farmers on Wednesday protested A day before, farmers had blocked BJP Wednesday unanimously accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief even after the Chief Minister’s the capacity subject to maxi- along with two Pak SIMs and against Sirsa MP Sunita Duggal and MLA MP Nayab Singh Saini’s car in Kurukshetra the Congress regime of adopting an Arvind Kejriwal, and SAD presi- appeal, said that the party was not mum of 200 persons, said an one blue coloured pipe of a Gopal Kanda who had arrived to cast their district, smashing its windscreen as he was arbitrary approach for imple- dent Sukhbir Badal for attending coming forth with political issues, official spokesman. In closed diameter of four inches and vote for the municipal council chairman’s about to leave a party worker’s home in menting the Covid curbs. That was political rallies “without following but “we are raising the people’s spaces in areas outside the length of 15 feet (Made in post in Sirsa district. Shahabad. not all! Even the state’s biggest safety protocols”. issues like high power rates”. containment zone, the number Pakistan). The agitated farmers allegedly tried to The farmers have announced to con- farmers’ organization — Bharti Kejriwal had recently Senior BJP leader Prof of persons allowed would be 50 The Police have registered go past barricades when Haryana Lokhit tinue with their social boycott of the lead- Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) — addressed a massive rally at Moga’s Rajinder Bhandari, mincing no percent of the hall capacity sub- an FIR against the Belgium- Party chief and MLA Gopal Kanda arrived ers of the BJP and its allies in the state. has rebuffed the Government’s Bagha Purana, while Sukhbir has words, attacked the Congress ject to a maximum of 50 per- based terrorist of Khalistan to cast his vote following which the police Last week, farmers had held a protest decision while declaring to hold its also been holding party rallies Government and accused it of “los- sons. Zindabad Force (KZF), Jagdish resorted to the use of water cannons to dis- against Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal scheduled rally on April 13. across the State, even after recov- ing its credibility”. “I am totally in In the last 24 hours in the Bhura, and his Indian associate, perse them. Khattar in Rohtak, forcing authorities to shift Notably, the Chief Minister ering from the COVID-19 recent- favour of the Government’s deci- state, five persons died at Jaspal Singh, a resident of Gatti The farmers, protesting against the the landing site for his helicopter. Farmers Capt Amarinder Singh on ly. At the same time, he pointed out sion to ban rallies…but unfortu- Kangra and one died at Rajoke village in Ferozepur. farm laws, had gathered near the spot where had also held a protest last week against Wednesday ordered a total ban on that the Congress party had uni- nately, it has lost all its credibility…I Sirmaur due to COVID-19. Jaspal Singh was in close con- the police had put up barricades and raised Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala the political gatherings, pointing laterally announced its decision of wanted to ask, wasn’t there any According to Himachal’s tact with Jagdish Bhura, and he slogans against Kanda and BJP. A day outside airport. that that his pleas to all political not holding any rallies or public corona when they were allowing evening health bulletin, the was involved in the smuggling before, the farmers had announced to Meanwhile, Haryana Bharatiya Kisan parties to refrain from organizing meetings last month. the farmers to hold rallies in the death toll reached 1077 while of the composite drugs and protest against both the leaders in case they Union leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni such events had been ignored. Quoting the examples of state,” said Bhandari while blaming the total case tally stood at weapon consignment across arrive for voting for the municipal council announced that the farmers will continue Ordering ban, the Chief recently-concluded civic body polls the Government for adopting dou- 66890 in the state. Of the 653 the Indo-Pakistan border in election. with their social boycott of the leaders of the Minister has also issued strict in the state and other Government ble standards. fresh cases, a maximum of Amritsar sector. Kanda had voted against a no-confi- BJP and its allies. directions the Police and the events, the AAP MLA Prof The Akali Dal claimed that the 164 cases were reported in Amritsar Rural SSP Dhruv dence motion brought against the Manohar In a video message released, the farm- Districts Administrations to reg- Baljinder Kaur asked where was Congress Government’s decision Kangra district followed by Dahiya said that Jaspal Singh is Lal Khattar government in the State ers’ leader, however, appealed to them to ister cases against the political Corona at that time. was direct fallout of the resound- 143 in Solan district. There learnt to have close links with Assembly by the main opposition Congress ensure that the protests are peaceful. leaders, organizers, participants “Lockdown is not the right ing success of ‘Punjab Mangda were 4158 active cases in the Pak ISI and has been involved last month. Chaduni claimed that leaders of the BJP and of political gatherings under DMA solution to corona…And if Jawab’ rallies organized by the state till the evening. Kangra in cross-border smuggling Sirsa Deputy Superintendent of Police its allies have stepped up their public visits and Epidemics Act, besides book- Government has to impose lock- SAD and that the Government had has the highest number of attempts of weapons and nar- Aryan Chaudhary said that the protesters in recent days, despite knowing that they will ing the owners of the tent houses down, it should also be there resorted to this step to prevent the active cases at 904 followed by cotics in the past. attempted to go past the barricades when the face a boycott. — who provide the infrastructure when they have to conduct their public angst from boiling over. 806 in Solan.   !  "#$  &" !   ' 

and paralysis. The disease March 25 due to bird flu and "        spreads quickly causing paral- carcasses of ten more migra- ysis and staggering, it stated. tory birds were found on  ! 0& taking the toll to 110 at the Principal CCF (wildlife)- While dealing with dead Wednesday at Pong Lake.” wetland due to bird flu. H5N8 cum-Chief Wildlife Warden, birds or animals, proper pro- Rohane said that the Pong ith the second wave of virus strain has been con- Archana Sharma on tective measures should be Lake had been closed for the Wavian influenza killing firmed in the second wave of Wednesday directed to main- taken like using gloves, masks visitors and the forest guards at least 110 migratory birds outbreak in the hill state. tain strict vigil in and around etc and samples of suspected have been asked to keep a over the past two weeks at The deaths have been wetland areas where migra- dead birds may be sent to strict vigil in and around the Pong Lake in Kangra dis- reported in two migratory tory birds are present. RDDL Jalandhar. Advisories wetland. trict, Himachal Forest species namely Bar headed All the field officers of HP from various agencies of the Notably, the fresh water- Department on Wednesday Geese and Greylag Geese at Forest Department shall State Government in this fowl count at Pong Lake has issued an alert in the state and Pong. report any unnatural behav- regard should be compiled recorded 13528 birds at the directed all divisional forest Atleast 5006 migratory iour or unnatural death of with, the letter added. wetland. officers to maintain active birds had died till February in wild birds or animals to the Rahul Rohane, Deputy Every year, more than surveillance in their jurisdic- the first wave of avian influen- office of PCCF (WL), the let- Conservator of Forests, one lakh migratory birds of tion. za- H5N1 that had hit Pong ter said. Wildlife Division, Hamirpur over 100 species from Siberia 11 more carcasses of wetland. The affected birds dis- while talking to and Central Asia descend on migratory birds were found at In a letter to all CCFs/CFs play symptoms such as said, “Till now, 110 migrato- Pong wetland for their winter Pong Lake on Wednesday and DFOs across the state, HP tremors, diarrhea, head tilt ry birds have died since sojourn.

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 % !  6&-/!$&1 In an interview with ‘The eases are admitted at Covid hos- tocol like washing hands thor- view of numbers peaking again. Pioneer’, Prof Jagat Ram talks pital in PGIMER which has oughly with soap or using san- One should follow Covid ost-Graduate Institute for about reasons of steep rise in 2200 beds for covid and non- itizer, wear masks and maintain Appropriate behaviour even PMedical Education and Covid-19 cases as well as covid patients. We have a 200- social distancing. Follow Covid after vaccination because it will Research (PGIMER), arrangement made for Covid-19 bed facility for Covid patients Appropriate behaviour even take time to develop antibodies Chandigarh Director Prof Jagat patients at PGIMER, and 170 positive patients have after vaccination because it will against the virus. Ram on Wednesday said that Chandigarh: Excerpts from the been admitted so far, out of take time to develop antibodies there is a rapid surge of Covid- interview: which 50 per cent belong to against the virus. If one is taking medicines 19 cases in the second wave of Punjab, 25 per cent to for illnesses such as cancer, the pandemic because lots of Chandigarh and its neigh- Chandigarh and remaining to You recently took the sec- diabetes and hypertension, can political, religious, social events bouring States Haryana and other ond dose of vaccine. Have you he/she take the vaccine? have been held and people did Punjab are witnessing a second states. received any side effects after Definitely, such persons are not follow ‘Covid appropriate wave of Covid-19. How do you because people  Around vaccination? Has PGIMER at high risk of developing the behavior’. There must be curb or read the new numbers? became casual 1700 received any complaints regard- infection and progressing restriction on political, social I think the numbers are about Covid  non- ing side effects of Covid-19 towards severe illness. The vac- and religious events before it’s worrying. Firstly, this wave is appropriate behav- covid-19 vaccine? cine will be safe for them and too late, he added. much steeper than what we have iour, especially about wearing patients I took the first dose of they are among the priority He said that at PGIMER, all seen in the past. It has taken masks, not maintaining social have been Covishield vaccine at the vac- groups. visiting patients are undergoing much less time to cross the one distancing, stepping out in enrolled. 190 non-covid patients cination centre, PGIMER on mandatory RT-PCR tests for the lakh cases per day mark this crowded places, attending large are in ICU. This is the highest February 6 and the second dose How many people infected coronavirus disease irrespective time in the country. In social functions. Lots of politi- number in terms of admission on March 27. I had no adverse with UK coronavirus strain of symptoms. Those patients Chandigarh and its neighbour- cal, religious, social events were of patients in any hospital of reaction after receiving the vac- were enrolled in PGIMER? found Covid-19 positive are ing states too, there is a steep rise held and people did not follow north India. We have to strike cine jab. However some people I am not sure about enroll- enrolled in Covid hospital. As of in covid-19 cases from Mid ‘Covid appropriate behavior’. a balance between the virus say they receive minor side ment of UK strain patients in now, there is no report regard- February 15 to beginning of patients and those coming to the effects such as allergic reactions, PGIMER. We are not testing ing people infected with UK April. Initially, the first wave of Amid surge in Covid-19 hospital with other ailments. We body ache, fever and pain. No patients for UK strain. Out of coronavirus strain admitted and Covid-19 involved those people cases in Chandigarh, Haryana, are seriously following Centre major side effect has been 170 Covid-19 patients enrolled treated in PGIMER. who were having comorbidities Punjab and other States, what Government’s guidelines includ- reported so far. This is a safe at Covid-19 hospital in The Director says the rate of like diabetes, chronic kidney are the arrangements made at ing ‘Test, Track and Treat’ to vaccine, with no serious side PGIMER, 84 are from Punjab. Covid-19 cases across the coun- diseases, heart diseases, lung PGIMER? stop this emerging peak of the effects or any hospitalization We had set samples to the try increased upto seven times diseases and high age groups. UT Chandigarh is sur- virus. We have scaled up the reported. The need of the hour National Institute of Virology between Mid-February and Second wave of the pandemic rounded by states like Himachal rate of RT-PCR tests, with a spe- is that people must come for- (NIV), Pune. Till January’s beginning of April. At PGIMER, has involved other people who Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar cial focus on those areas where ward to take the vaccine. report, no patients having UK Chandigarh, on February 15, were not age related but younger Pradesh, Rajasthan and positive rates are high in strain have been found in this year 30 Covid-19 patients one even with or without Uttarakhand and Covid-19 Chandigarh. We are taking all Do you think misinforma- PGIMER. Our samples for the were enrolled but now almost all comorbidities. Young people patients from these States are measures to ensure that every tion about the vaccine in the month of February and March the beds in Covid hospital are are affected more in the second here. Asymptomatic or mild patient can get treatment. public remained a challenge for have gone for testing for the new filled with Covid-19 patients. He wave because they normally patients are not admitted as they the health department? strain at NIV, Pune and results says the only way forward to do not follow covid-19 protocol. are given medicines and other Amid rising Covid-19 Now, more people are com- are awaited. Some people infect- eliminate the pandemic is to fol- Mortality is less among young necessary advisories including cases, what would you suggest ing out for vaccination. The vac- ed with UK coronavirus strain low the protocol of wearing a people in the second wave. living in home isolation. Patients to the people? cine will protect the people might have been admitted here. face mask covering the nose, Children are less affected in the having comorbidities like dia- We must take precautions against the attack of Covid- 19 Treatment remains the same maintaining social distance and second wave of the pandemic. betes, chronic kidney diseases, as the cases are on rise again. We virus and hence, it is very and vaccination is also the washing hands frequently. The second wave of Covid-19 is heart diseases, cancer, lung dis- must adhere to the safety pro- important to get vaccinated in same. 6   B::    9  /!    0122        6&-/!$&1 reported in Yamunanagar while Kurukshetra, 107 in Panchkula  6&-/!$&1 more deaths from coronavirus District Magistrate Mandip one death each was reported in among other cases,” according to were reported, taking the num- Singh Brar ordered that there n yet another day of major Ambala, Kaithal, Jind, Fatehabad, the state Health Department’s handigarh on Wednesday ber of people who died from shall be prohibition on move- Ispike in COVID-19 cases, Bhiwani, Sirsa, Kurukshetra, evening bulletin. Crecorded 399 Covid-19 the infection in the Union ment of individuals for all Haryana on Wednesday report- Faridabad and Karnal. A maximum of 3904 active cases, its highest single-day Territory to 388. non-essential activities between ed 2366 positive cases and 11 “Out of 2366 fresh cases, a cases were in Gurugram, which count in the past six months. As many as 3731 benefi- 10:30 pm to 5 am. Chandigarh fatalities. The state’s tally now maximum of 611 were reported is the worst affected district in the The City had reported 341 ciaries were given the Covid-19 administration has imposed stood at 304638 which included in Gurugram followed by 280 in state. There were 1795 active Covid-19 cases on April 5 the vaccine at 55 sites in the city on night curfew from 10 PM to 5 15237 active cases. Faridabad. 222 fresh positive cases in Karnal and 1332 in second-highest daily tally in the Wednesday taking the figure of AM every day until further 11 deaths have also been cases were reported in Karnal, Ambala. With continuous surge ‘Second Wave’ of Covid-19. vaccinations to 101,692 in the notice. Only essential services reported in the last 24 hours tak- 170 cases in Sonepat, 129 in in Covid cases, the recovery rate The number of active cases city so far. will be allowed to function dur- ing the total toll to 3129 in Ambala, 112 in Panipat, 141 in of COVID-19 patients declined has now risen to 3121 and two Meanwhile, Chandigarh ing the curfew. Haryana. Two deaths were Yamunanagar, 112 in Jind, 166 in to 93.94 percent.   !"#"$   +

   5'"1 4)0       3       5   ,   -.,/.0!  '    has visited India in 1993 (tran-      sit visit), 1996, 2002 and 2009. ndia and Kazakhstan will He was the Chief Guest at the (( Ireview their bilateral defence ,  Republic Day parade in New and strategic ties during talks ' '  Delhi on January 26, 2009. here on Thursday between vis- Prime Minister Narsimha   -.,/.0! iting Defence Minister Lt -/  0 Rao visited Kazakhstan in  -.,/.0! General Nurlan Yermekbayev 1 !  1993, Prime Minister Atal S Special Presidential and his Indian counterpart Bihari Vajpayee in June 2002, n the occasion of World UEnvoy for Climate John .    Manmohan Singh in April OHealth Day on Kerry called on Prime Minister Giving details on   ' 2011 and Narendra Modi in Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday Wednesday, defence ministry July 2015 (bilateral visit) and Narendra Modi urged people and discussed issues relating to officials said the Kazakhstan  344 June 2017 (SCO summit). to focus on fighting Covid-19 climate, including a forthcom- minister is on an official visit Defence cooperation is an by taking all precautions, ing summit of 40 world lead- to India from April 7-10. He essential pillar of strategic including wearing a mask, reg- ers. arrived in Jodhpur on more than 2,000 years. There partnership with Kazakhstan ularly washing hands and fol- Ministry of External Wednesday and is expected to has been a constant and reg- (bilateral relations enhanced to lowing other protocols. Affairs (MEA) spokesperson travel to Jaisalmer, New Delhi ular flow of trade in goods strategic partnership in 2009). His appeal comes amid a Arindam Bagchi said the dis- and for meetings and visit and, more importantly, The Indo-Kazakh Defence spike in Covid-19 cases with cussions focussed on the cli- to defence establishments. exchange of ideas and cultur- Cooperation is carried out 1,15,736 new cases registered mate leaders’ summit as well as Yermekbayev will hold a al influences. The flow of under the framework of an in the last 24 hours, 80 percent our commitment to support- affordable healthcare,” Modi accounts for 56.17 percent of issues in the context of the bilateral meeting with Rajnath Buddhism from India to agreement on ‘Defence and of which were contributed by ing research and innovation in said. the total active caseload of the upcoming United Nations on Thursday. This will be the Central Asia and Sufi ideas Military Technical eight States including healthcare, Modi said. India is also conducting country. Of 630 deaths report- Climate Change Conference first meeting after from Central Asia to India are Cooperation’ signed in July Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, “On #WorldHealthDay, the world’s largest vaccination ed in the last 24 hours, eight (COP26) and the UN Yermekbayev was re-appoint- two such examples. 2015. Karnataka, , let us keep the focus on fight- drive to strengthen the fight States account for 84.44 per- Framework Convention on ed as Defence Minister of India was one of the first The new agreement Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil ing COVID-19 by taking all against COVID-19, he assert- cent of the new deaths. Climate Change (UNFCC). Kazakhstan. countries to recognise the includes conduct of joint train- Nadu and Kerala. possible precautions including ed. Maharashtra saw the maxi- Kerry is currently on a The two Ministers had independence of Kazakhstan. ing, exercises, military-tech- To make the matter worse, wearing a mask, regularly India’s total active caseload mum casualties (297) followed visit to India. last met in Moscow on Diplomatic relations were nical cooperation, UN peace- 12 States are displaying an washing hands and following has reached 8,43,473. It now by Punjab (61). “US Special Presidential September five last year on the established in February 1992. keeping and exchange of intel- upward trajectory in daily the other protocols,” he said in comprises 6.59 per cent of the However, amid worrying Envoy for Climate John Kerry sidelines of Shanghai The first Prime Minister of ligence. Kazakh Armed Forces new cases. At least, 630 deaths a series of tweets. At the same country’s total positive cases. trends, eleven States/UTs pro- @ClimateEnvoy called on PM Cooperation Organisation India Jawahar Lal Nehru Unit underwent training on were reported in the last 24 time, do take all possible steps A net incline of 55,250 cases vided relief as not Covid-19 @narendramodi. Discussions (SCO) Defence Ministers’ accompanied by daughter peacekeeping operations in hours. to boost immunity and stay fit, recorded from the total active deaths were reported in the centred on forthcoming meeting. The Kazakh Defence Indira Gandhi visited Almaty India in April-May 2018 for “#WorldHealthDay is a Modi added. caseload in the last 24 hours. last 24 hours. These are Climate Leaders’ Summit as Minister is in India on the in 1955. Dr. Radhakrishnan deployment under the com- day to reaffirm our gratitude “The Government of Maharashtra, Odisha, Ladakh (UT), D&D, well as climate issues in the invitation of the Indian visited Kazakhstan in 1956 in mand of an Indian Battalion at and appreciation to all those India is taking numerous mea- Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, D&N, Nagaland, Meghalaya, context of the @COP26 to the Defence Minister, they said. his capacity as Vice President. UNIFIL, Lebanon, and an who work day and night to sures including Ayushman Kerala and Uttar Pradesh Sikkim, Manipur, @UNFCCC which is to be Relations between India President Nursultan MOU in this regard was keep our planet healthy,” the Bharat and PM Janaushadhi cumulatively account for 74.5 Lakshadweep, Mizoram, A&N held later this year,” Bagchi said and Kazakhstan are ancient Nazarbayev visited India in signed in Astana in August Prime Minister tweeted. Yojana to ensure people get percent of India’s total active Islands and Arunachal in a tweet. and historical going back to February 1992. Thereafter, he 2018. It is also a day to reiterate access to top quality and cases. Maharashtra alone Pradesh. Kerry held separate meet- ings with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and 8.   Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday with a "   )   0 8  7  0 focus on issues relating to 0 061 global climate action. Following the meetings,    Kerry, in a tweet, described    +' '    India as a “vital partner in our     fight against the climate crisis. We must raise ambition togeth-   -.,/.0! er, or we will fail together”.  -.,/.0! Climate change has been a “The lackadaisical atti- ongress leader Rahul major area of focus for US nion Health Minister tude of the State Government CGandhi on Wednesday President Joe Biden. After tak- UHarsh Vardhan on has singularly bogged down batted for Covid-19 vaccine ing charge as the president, Wednesday accused a bunch the entire country’s efforts to for all, saying every Indian Biden, on January 20, of States like Maharashtra fight the virus,” he said as he “deserves the chance to a safe announced the return of the and Chhattisgarh of playing also talked about life”. United States to the Paris cli- vaccine politics and said some Chhattisgarh and urged the The health ministry on mate accord. political leaders were spread- state government to focus on Tuesday said the vaccine Biden has invited 40 world ing panic among people to its energies on ramping up needs to be given to those who leaders, including Modi, to the distract attention from their their health infrastructure need it and not those who virtual summit on climate cri- failures in dealing with the rather than on petty politick-  -.,/.0! want it. The COVID-19 vac- sis later this month. Covid-19 pandemic. ing. cine is currently available to all Chinese President Xi “Playing politics is easy, “Chhattisgarh has seen a he Election Commission .6 Indians above the age of 45 Jinping and his Russian coun- but improving governance disproportionately higher T(EC) on Wednesday issued years. terpart Vladimir Putin are and health infrastructure is as the supply of vaccines healthcare workers with a number of deaths in the last notice to West Bengal Chief   “It’s ridiculous to debate among the key leaders invited the real test,” the Minister said remains limited, there is no second dose. 2-3 weeks. Their testing Minister Mamata Banerjee for needs and wants. Every Indian to the two-day conference highlighting the inability of option but to prioritize,” said Equivalent numbers for remains heavily dependent allegedly violating the model deserves the chance to a safe beginning April 22. some states to contain the Harsh Vardhan. Delhi and Punjab are 41 per- on rapid antigen tests which code of conduct over her com-    life,” Gandhi said on Twitter, coronavirus transmission and When states ask to open cent and 27 percent. is not a wise strategy. The ments in which seeking votes using the hashtag increase the vaccination. up vaccine supplies to every- The Minister continued state Government in fact on communal grounds in a  -.,/.0! “#CovidVaccine”. . P    Amid demand from one over 18, we must presume with his attack on the Sena- refused to use Covaxin speech on April 3 in He later shared a video of Maharashtra and Andhra that they have done saturation ruled State as he said, “When despite it being given Tarakeshwar, Hooghly. Mamata he Election Commission a person being beaten up by     Pradesh who have sent an coverage of healthcare work- it comes to senior citizens, Emergency Use Authorisation has urged Muslim voters not to Thas ordered the transfer of police in Indore for alleged SOS alert to the Centre over ers, frontline workers and Maharashtra has vaccinated (EUA) by the Drug Controller let their votes be split among district election officer of violation of COVID-19    Covid-19 vaccine scarcity, the senior citizens. But the facts just 25%, Delhi has vaccinat- of India.” different political parties. The Dakshin Dinajpur Nikhil norms. Minister asserted that there are altogether different, he ed 30% & Punjab has vacci- In fact, many other States Commission has asked to Nirmal; DEO of Purba “Such type of shameful,   67)1 was no shortage of vaccines. tried to make his point. nated only 13%. There are 4 also need to bring their explain her stand within 48 Bardhaman Enaur Rahman; inhuman behaviour in the He also took exception to Harsh Vardhan minced states/UTs that have already healthcare systems up to the hours after receipt of the notice. and DEO of Pashchim name of enforcing Corona the statements being made by no words as he said that vaccinated more than 50%”. mark. For example, the qual- “Whereas the statement Bardhaman Purnendu Kumar guidelines is unacceptable to  -.,/.0! a section of political leaders Maharashtra has vaccinated “Doesn’t it seem evident ity of testing needs to improve made by Mamata Banerjee on Maji; transferred officers not to the country. Where should the asking to open up vaccination just only 86 percent of health that these states are trying to in Karnataka, Rajasthan and April 3, 2021 has been exam- be given election-related post- public go when policemen nderlining that the coun- to everyone above the age of workers with the first dose. divert attention from their Gujarat. ined in the Commission and ing. C Murgan, a 2007 batch who are supposed to protect Utry is facing multiple and 18, or to drastically lower the The equivalent numbers for poor vaccination efforts by In Punjab, the high Case the same has been found to be IAS officer will replace Nirmal; people commit such atroci- varied security threats, Chief of minimum age criteria for vac- Delhi and Punjab are 72 per- just continuously shifting the Fatality Rate needs to be in violation of the provisions Shilpa Gaurisaria will replace ties,” he said in a tweet in Defence Staff (CDS) General cination eligibility. cent and 64 percent. goal-posts? Politicizing such improved by early identifica- contained in Section 123 ( 3) , Enaur Rahman and Anurag Hindi. Bipin Rawat said here on “Primary aim of vaccina- On the other hand, 10 a public health issue is a tion of those needing hospi- 3 ( A) of the Representation of Srivastave will replace Gandhi also lauded the Wednesday the leadership dis- tion is to reduce mortality Indian states/UTs have done damning indictment of cer- talization. Mask-wearing and the People Act 1951 and also Purnendu Kumar Maji. health warriors on World played political will to uphold among the most vulnerable more than 90 percent. tain political leaders who social distancing compliance clauses ( 2) , ( 3) and ( 4) of Part Health Day and shared a pic- national interests in the face of people and enable society to Further, Maharashtra has vac- should know better,” the are slack in a large number of 1 of General Conduct of Model ance of political parties and ture of his with them on “unprovoked assault” on its beat the pandemic. “So long cinated just 41 percent of Minister said. States, he said. Code of Conduct for the guid- candidates, the notice read. Instagram. security and dignity. This observation was in apparent reference to the near-   ly ten month long tension at the )  P         -  -1 Line of Actual Control(LAC) in eastern Ladakh last year. The '       border was face-offs and violent .     . 0     0 brawl. Incidentally, his remarks it is between the Indian and court, the top court had said  -.,/.0! 6  ' came days ahead of the likely  -.,/.0! Italian government”. that without applying for  ! '    11th round of meeting of the The bench then said “ok” withdrawal of prosecution of he Union Cabinet on  ' Corps Commanders of India he Supreme Court on and agreed to hear the plea on case how the Centre can TWednesday approved a and China to work out disen- TWednesday agreed to hear Friday. approach it and seek closure production linked incentive  ,  gagement plan from the face-off on April 9 the Centre’s plea On August 7 last year, the of the matter. (PLI) scheme for white goods ''   !# sites in Ladakh. The meeting is seeking closure of cases against top court had made it clear to The Centre had referred - Air Conditioners and LED likely to take place on Saturday. two Italian marines accused of the Centre that it would not to the last year’s ruling of the Lights - with a budgetary out-  7# Addressing a seminar here, killing two Indian fishermen pass any order on the plea Permanent Court of lay of 6,238 crore. Commerce    Rawat said the country is facing off the Kerala coast in February seeking closure of cases Arbitration (PCA) at Hague and Industry Minister Piyush multiple and varied security 2012. against two Italian marines, which held that India was Goyal said the approval of the  ,!  ' threats and challenges across the The Centre told the top accused of killing two Indian entitled to get compensation scheme for ACs and LEDs +8+#  full spectrum of conflicts-- from court that it has contacted the fishermen, without hearing in the case but can’t prosecute will give a boost to domestic 1 , proxy war to hybrid to non-con- victims’ family members and the victims’ families, who the marines due to official manufacturing. tact conventional war. due compensation has been should be given adequate immunity enjoyed by them. The prime objective of the He asserted that India will paid to them. compensation. On July 3 last year, the scheme is to make manufac- of Air Conditioners and LED have to develop capabilities to A bench of Chief Justice It had asked the Centre to Centre had moved the top turing in India globally com- Lights,” an official statement   -.,/.0! The tribunal was hearing a deal with such challenges firm- Bobde and Justices AS make the victims’ family court seeking closure of judi- petitive by removing sectoral said. plea filed by Faridabad residents ly and vigorously without cre- Bopanna and V members as parties to its plea cial proceedings here against disabilities, creating economies Selection of companies for he National Green Tribunal Tulinder Katoch and others ating any insecurity among its Ramasubramanian was seeking closure of Italian the Italian marines. of scale and ensuring efficien- the scheme will be done to Thas sought action taken stating that the piled-up garbage friends. informed by Solicitor General Marines case. In February 2012, India cies. incentivise manufacturing of report (ATR) on a plea alleging and flowing sewage is affecting In his address, the CDS Tushar Mehta, who men- The Centre had told the had accused two Italian It is designed to create a components or sub-assem- accumulation of garbage and the health of the children study- also referred to evolution of tioned the matter for urgent top court that Italy has marines, Salvatore complete component ecosys- blies, which are not manufac- sewage on the bank of Agra ing in the nearby schools. India’s military, and said the listing, that on last occasion assured the Indian govern- Girone and Massimiliano tem in India and make India tured in India presently with canal, resulting in damage to the Apart from municipal country must come out of the the court had asked the ment that it would prosecute Latorre, on board the MV an integral part of the global sufficient capacity. Mere environment. garbage, there is also plastic temptation of looking at the Centre to contact the victim’s the Marines there as per law Enrica Lexie — an Italian supply chains. The scheme is assembly of finished goods A bench headed by NGT waste, construction and western world for security solu- family. and that maximum compen- flagged oil tanker — of killing expected to attract global will not be incentivised, the Chairperson Justice A K Goel demolition waste, bio-medical tions, and instead, tell the world “They were contacted. sation will be ensured to the two Indian fishermen who investments, generate large- statement said. said that action must include waste and e-waste, the plea to come and learn from its vast They have been paid the due victims’ family members. were on a fishing vessel in scale employment opportuni- Goyal said that the scheme diversion of sewage to STP, said. experience in dealing with compensation. They are here The apex court had said it India’s Exclusive Economic ties and enhance exports sub- would help in increasing value rejuvenating ponds including “There is pool of stagnant diverse challenges. also,” Mehta said. appreciates the steps taken by Zone (EEZ). stantially. addition from 25 percent to 75 their de-sludging/ removal of water giving rise to mosquitoes Rawat said India’s external The bench then said that Italy to prosecute these The Centre had said the “The PLI scheme for white percent in the AC segment and waste and preventing burning of and having potential for dis- threats can be met with effective it will take up the matter for marines but the court was arbitration under United goods shall extend an incentive 40-45 percent in LED lights. waste. eases. The applicant approached diplomacy and adequate defence further hearing in next week. concerned with the adequate Nation Convention on the of 4 percent to 6 percent on About 35 lakh crore worth of “We direct that further the concerned authorities but no capability but at the same time Mehta requested the compensation to victims’ kin. Law of Sea (UNCLOS), which incremental sales of goods additional output is expected action be taken expeditiously action has been taken. The noted that strong political insti- bench to take up the matter While referring to the was instituted on a request manufactured in India for a from 13 sectors, which avail and action taken report filed applicant has filed photographs tutions, economic growth and for hearing on Friday saying case against the marines from Italy, has delivered its period of five years to compa- PLI benefits in the next five before the next date by e-mail,” showing the collected garbage social harmony are prerequisite “there is some urgency since pending before the special Award on May 21, 2020. nies engaged in manufacturing years, he added. the bench said. and waste water,” the plea said. for internal stability.   !"#"$   #

/ $  O   4   6    - )       7    ?    3403&5& ven as violence continued in Bengal with reports of TMC-     !    346! ting seriously injured. EBJP clashes coming from all sides, alleged Trinamool sup-   063-4, “The CPI(M) has become a party of mur- porters attacked the convoy of Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh, Muslim League worker was hacked to derers and they have been taken over by a fear at Sitai in the same district in North Bengal. ahujan Samaj Party President Adeath and his brother was grievously of losing the polls. The Marxists become vio- The incident took place hours after Chief Minister Mamata BMayawati on Wednesday assaulted allegedly by CPI(M) activists in lent when they understand that they are about Banerjee delivered an alleged inflammatory speech asking the expressed concern over the viola- Kerala’s Kannur district within hours of the to lose the polls. This has been the precedence people of Coochbehar to gherao the central forces and block- tion of Covid safety protocols in conclusion of the elections to the State in Kerala,” said Chennithala while speaking ade them. election rallies. In a tweet, she has Assembly. to reporters. Though Wednesday has been by Ghosh suffered minor injuries as stones were pelted at his urged the government and the Manzoor who was hacked by a group of and large peaceful, there was no shortage of vehicle breaking its windshield. “We had just ended our meet- people to ensure implementation of persons around 8 pm in front of his house late verbal duel by the leaders of Congress and the ing and were preparing to move back to Coochbehar when the safety protocols during campaign- Tuesday night breathed his last in the wee CPI(M). Mullappalli Ramachandran, KPCC TMC supporters returning from Mamata Banerjee’s rally ing and in election rallies. hours of Wednesday at a corporate hospital president blamed the CPI(M) and BJP for attacked us with bombs, bamboos and bricks. Many cars were "The Central and the state gov- in Kozhikode. His brother Mohsin who was transferring votes to each other with the sole damaged and the BJP leadership had to literally run for safety… ernments as well as the public injured in the attack has been admitted to a objective of defeating the Congress. the police left us to our fate and our personal security men some- should take the increase in coron- hospital in a critical stage. He alleged that the CPI(M) voted in favor how managed to drive us to Coochbehar.” avirus cases in the country very R Ilango, superintendent of police, of the BJP at Manjeswaram where the He said “Mamata Banerjee is leaving jungle raj in Bengal … seriously. But inaction towards Kannur, said the murder was political in Hindutwa party had fielded K Surendran as if the politicians with so much of security have to run for safe- violation of Covid protocol, espe- nature and a neighbor of Manzoor has been its candidate while the BJP is believed to have ty like this then one can understand the condition of the com- cially in election rallies and road taken into custody. He refused to disclose voted in favor of the Congress. mon people … how will they come out and vote … this is a ploy shows, is a matter of grave concern. more details as the police was into the But K Surendran alleged that by the Chief Minister to scare the voters away … the BJP will It needs appropriate attention," she process of investigation. “We have enough Ramachandran has lost his mental balance definitely bring this to the notice of the Election Commission.” said. information that proves that more than ten resulting in incoherent statements by the lat- Incidentally a BJP supporter was shot dead at Coochbehar on The number of new coron- persons were injured in this attack,” he said. ter. Charges and Counter charges were seen Monday Wednesday morning. avirus cases in India has hit a record Muslim League leader P K Kunhalikutty flying from the camps of Marxists and the BJP Almost at the same time when Ghosh was being attacked at daily high since the outbreak of the visited the residence of the vistim and con- as the high pitch campaign has given way to Coochbehar TMC leader and Goghat candidate Najbul Karim pandemic with over 1.15 lakh new soled the parents. Elsewhere in the State, the a period of inactivity. was attacked by alleged BJP men while he was returning to infections being reported in a span CPI(M) launched attacks on Congress work- All political parties have to undergo a peri- Hooghly from Kolkata. In a skirmish that ensued immediately, of 24 hours, pushing the nationwide ers resulting in the hospitalization of two od of inactivity for the next 26 days as results quite a few workers from both sides were injured. The BJP leader Covid-19 infection tally to workers belonging to the Grand Old Party get- would be announced only on May 2. had been hospitalized with head injuries, sources said. 1,28,01,785. 45 !    1  01/+' '     59,

 ?&  youth, who participated in the !     dharna questioned the policy of n the absence of any clarity the centre government over CHENNAI: The much of the daily cases crossing the Iover the fate of CRPF Cobra handling Naxal threat. They acclaimed vaccine for Covid-19 4,000 mark this week itself. Commando Rakehswar Singh claimed the govt was not initi- is not effective to fight the pan- Dr Krishnaswami who is Manhas, held hostage by the ating action against the Maoists demic, as it has been made out, also the editor for Indian sub- Maoists in Chhattisgarh since due to political compulsions. according to a highly respect- continent of the international- April 3, close family members The local residents also shout- ed medical physician in ly peer reviewed “Journal of the along with large number of ed slogans against the govern- Chennai. Science of Healing Outcomes”, local residents on Wednesday ment over causing undue delay Dr CV Krishnaswami, has been monitoring the staged a protest demonstration in ensuring safe return of the Tamil Nadu’s leading physician ‘progress’ of this pandemic before disrupting traffic on CRPF commando. and a reputed medical scientist since it was reported from the Jammu Poonch National The dharna which started with hundreds of research pub- Wuhan in China in early 2020. highway for several hours. around 10.30 a.m continued till lications in internationally peer He along with Padma The angry relatives were 2.30 p.m leading to long traf- reviewed scientific journals Vibhushan Prof B M Hegde has demanding safe return of the fic jam along the busy route. To has cautioned the State and been providing valuable med- commando at the earliest.  001/ 1 ) (   5 prevent congestion the local Central Governments, medical ical data and information about "None of the local author-           0 0  traffic police authorities had fraternity and civil society the characteristics of Covid-19 ities have so far visited the res-  0( diverted the traffic via other against the “false euphoria” to medical researchers and the idence of the CRPF comman- routes to contain the situation after the vaccination. civil society. do to apprise them about his On the other hand, Maoists In Jammu the family mem- in the area. Tamil Nadu has been diag- His anguish is a follow up whereabouts and efforts being leadership Wednesday circu- bers including wife of the The dharna was lifted after nosing more than 3000 new to the sudden upsurge in the made to ensure his early lated a photo of the CRPF com- CRPF commando Meenu Chib senior police officers along cases of Covid-19 on a daily number of new Covid-19 cases release" said several close rel- mando in the media and also heaved a sigh of relief after with local administrative offi- basis since April 1 and doctors diagnosed in Tamil Nadu of atives while participating in the claimed he was safe in their receiving the information. cers pacified them to return to do not rule out the possibility late. PNS protest demonstration. custody. Meanwhile, several angry their homes. 0 6             6 0  

Lucknow: Lucknow is turning the vaccination. both the doses of vaccine. The heads of the Sanjay   ''     into the biggest Covid hotspot KGMU Vice Chancellor, Around 20 doctors of the Gandhi Post Graduate Institute in Uttar Pradesh. Lt Gen Dr Vipin Puri (retd), has General Surgery Department of Medical Sciences, the  >   &0!$&1 After 40 doctors in the tested positive for Covid for the have tested positive, as well as Medanta Hospital and the Era King George's Medical second time in nine months. He nine doctors of the Urology Medical college have already dministrative preparations for panchayat elections are going University (KGMU) tested pos- had tested positive in August Department and three doctors tested positive for Covid even Aon in full swing. In view of the outbreak of corona, the Election itive for Covid on Tuesday last year. He took the second of the Medicine Department after getting vaccinated. Commission has issued orders on this basis. The situation has also night, 11 employees of the Axis dose of vaccine on March 25 have been tested positive. Meanwhile, seven deaths become clear regarding the corona infection. If a voter is corona Bank in the posh Hazratganj last.Dr Sandeep Tewari of Tests of several other fac- were reported in the state dur- infected, they will also be able to cast vote. However, he will get a locality tested positive for the KGMU said: "During last four ulty members are being con- ing last 24 hours, taking the chance to vote at the end. Corona protocol has to be fully followed. virus on Wednesday. days, around 40 doctors, includ- ducted after they complained of death toll to 1,248. They includ- ADM Finance Legislative Assembly Jaiswal said that the district As the corona scare gets ing Medical Superintendent Dr influenza-like symptoms and ed Professor Brajesh Shukla of will go for polls on April 29. Preparations are going on for this. The bigger, vaccine hesitancy is also Himanshu, have tested posi- their reports will be available Lucknow University, a recipient nomination process will start from 17 April. He told that if a per- on the rise since most of those tive." later. Screening of entire staff in of Padma Shri, and chief phar- son is corona infected and he is a voter of a gram panchayat, will- who have tested positive in the Most of the doctors have several departments has been macist of police lines, R.K. ing to cast his vote, he will be taken by ambulance wearing PPE medical facilities had received tested positive despite taking done on Wednesday. Chaudhary. IANS kit to the concerned polling station. Due to the corona, addition- al staff have also been placed in the reserve this time. If any employ- ee gets infected during duty at polling or any other place, then anoth- er person will do duty in his place. No officer and employee shall 6   7 $    conduct elections without using masks, sanitizers. The rules of social   )    M distancing will be followed. 4  #  78 5 )   7   0%   Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant-led Government's decision to notify rules for the Central Motor Vehicle    , 7 Gogunuru (Andhra Pradesh): and told people that she had killed (Amendment) Act, 2019, which mandates heavy penal- The police in Andhra Pradesh's Murugan. But the people did not ties for traffic related offences has triggered a new flash- Bengaluru: In the wake of the system as per the sixth pay Chittoor district have cracked a take her seriously owing to her point between the Opposition and the BJP-led coalition Karnataka State Road Transport commission. temple attack case at Gonuguru vil- mental condition. Government. Employees League (KSRTEL) "Nearly 1.37 lakh employees lage within 24 hours of the incident "Murugan is how Subramanya A day after the government notified the penalties - calling for an indefinite strike work in all four corporations on Wednesday. Swamy is referred to locally. The - which are scheduled to be implemented from May 1 - demanding their salaries be which operate 238 depots across On Tuesday, a complaint was matter was reported after the priest - opposition parties have accused the government of fleec- brought on par with other the state with a fleet of 20000 filed at the Kuppam Urban police visited the temple on Tuesday," said ing the state's population, which is already reeling under Government employees, normal buses. Of these employees near- station that some unknown mis- the IPS officer. the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. life was disrupted across the ly 80 per cent are bus drivers, creants have destroyed the idols at The southern state has already Goa's Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho howev- State on Wednesday.Many pas- conductors, mechanics, while the Subramanya Swamy temple witnessed umpteen alleged temple er said that the state government has only opted for a min- sengers in Bengaluru were the remaining 20 per cent are located on top of a hill. attacks in the past few months, imum bracket of fines and penalties, which have been stranded at major bus terminals, support staff such as officers, Chittoor police immediately sparking wild theories and oppor- mandated by the amended law. including Majestic, Shantinagar, depot managers, clerks and formed three special teams to tunist political mudslinging. "With the notification of the new penalties, the gov- Shivajinagar, KR Market, other class D staff members. All investigate the case and followed Irrespective of the govern- ernment will basically pinch the already empty pockets Yeshwantpur. The busiest bus four corporations together oper- the leads provided by the temple ment of the day or the political of the people of Goa," state Congress president Girish stations including Majestic, were ate 60,000 trips, which can never management, priest and a few party in power, temple offences Chodankar said on Wednesday. deserted. Several commuters in be matched by private opera- locals. occurred in Andhra Pradesh "We will not allow the government to implement the the city had to rely on auto-rick- tors," KSRTEL treasurer "It was unearthed that Jyothi, almost every year in the past five (amended) Motor Vehicle Act with steep hike in fines shaws, cabs and private buses Jagadeesha R. told IANS. a mentally unstable lady who fre- years, as per the statistics shared and penalties, till proper, safe and secure roads and infra- due to the strike. He added that the KSRTEL quently visited the temple, dese- earlier by Director General of structure is put in place," Chodankar also said. Except Udupi and Dakshina committee members had toured crated the idols on March 31 Police (DGP) Gautam Sawang. According to the new penalty tariff unveiled by the Kannada districts in the state, almost one month before issu- under the influence of toddy," said Under the Telugu Desam Party Goa government, while driving a light motor vehicle with- where private bus operators ing notice to the state govern- a police officer. (TDP) government, 163 temple out a valid licence attracted a penalty of Rs. 500, under control the market and state ment and their meetings were Senthil Kumar, the offences were reported in 2015, 139 the new tariff structure the fine has been increased to transport corporations are yet to not held secretly. "We held it Superintendent of Police (SP) in in 2017, 123 in 2018 and 177 in Rs. 1,500. make a major penetration, all openly and everyone knew Chittoor, said the temple is locat- 2019, when the government tran- Fine for overspeeding has also been increased from other districts were severely about this day. If the government ed at a very isolated spot and is sitioned to the YSR Congress Party Rs. 400 to Rs. 1,500. Those using mobile phones while affected by this protest. is trying to act this way, it only rarely visited by the devotees unless (YSRCP). driving light motor vehicles will be fined Rs. 3,000 for The strike was almost total speaks about its double stan- it is a special occasion. In 2020, a year which saw an the first offence and Rs. 10,000 for subsequent offences, with most buses staying put in dards," he said. He noted that even the temple uproar following the chariot burn- while previously the fine was limited to Rs. 500. 238 bus depots across the state. Although, the state govern- priest visits it only once a week. ing at the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Repeated offences under the new central law would The workers of Bangalore ment took steps to deploy pri- "The temple management, Swamy temple in Antarvedi, there also result in suspension of the driver's licence for three Metropolitan Transport vate buses, cabs and auto-rick- priest and locals voiced their sus- were 143 alleged temple months.According to Goa's Transport Minister Mauvin Corporation (BMTC), shaws in cities like Bengaluru, picion on a lady who goes by the offences. Godinho, those who did not violate traffic norms had Karnataka State Road Transport Mysuru and other cities but it name Jyothi. She is mentally unsta- Until January 14 this year, as no reason to worry about the high penalties. Corporation (KSRTC), North could not match the four road ble and frequently visited the tem- many as 58,871 religious places Godinho also said that the state government was only Western Karnataka Road transport corporations bus ser- ple at odd hours, according to the have been mapped, while 43,824 implementing a central law and the intention was not to Transport Corporation vices.The Transport locals," said Kumar. CCTV cameras have been installed harass the common man. (NWKRTC), and North Eastern Department's repeated warnings During questioning, Jyothi in 13,089 religious places. As many "Because we have the interest of the common man Karnataka Road Transport to private operators not to over- revealed to the police that she des- as 1,635 temple offenders have in mind, we have kept the fines at minimum. Where the Corporation (NEKRTC), under charge, did not seem to have ecrated the idols a week ago after been rounded up from September range of penalties is between Rs. 1000 to Rs. 10000, we the banner of Karnataka State worked as there were com- consuming toddy at a local store. 2020 onwards. have kept it at Rs. 1000 only. We are not trying to pinch Road Transport Employees plaints galore across the state Jyothi told the police that she A total of 15,394 village the pockets of the people to earn revenue. We are only League have called for an indef- that private operators were fleec- placed the idols in a ditch 20 metres defence squads have been formed following the central legislation, implementation of which inite strike starting from ing customers by charging hefty away from the temple and went and the numbers are expected to was delayed in GOa due to the pandemic," Godinho Wednesday, asking the govern- amounts of Rs 500 to Rs 1000 for back to the village the same day go up. IANS said. IANS ment to implement the salary a distance of 50 to 60 kms. IANS   !"#"$ 9

 !"#   2   75 /  '    2  2 13.8((.-/ 4  !  )    37  6R  # 9   !    7 $% &' 6"   )     :                4 $          O         (  (        ( %               7      &+                                  8                        $    :    4$ <      (  P ( Q  $      =   %     6   he election to the West                          Bengal Legislative       001$   O           Assembly bears an inter-           > Testing candidate, a veter- an combatant and former Deputy           Chief of Army Staff. Beyond his      %    $    distinguished soldiering career,    7        the said veteran has also tenured %8           as a member of the National Security Advisory Board. Yet ?             the news of his jumping into the        @     electoral fray was met with mixed 7         reactions, even amongst the “uni-     #         formed” fraternity. Beyond par-            640      tisan considerations impacting views about his candidature, the      PABCQ #   historical unease between the          (:D$ .  political realm and the “apoliti- 7          >  cal” barracks underlies the awk-   7     :D$           7E ward relationship and reactions. What is indisputable is the F  !  +,,G      G,,    F     ( principle that in a participative     democracy, the institution of the     7                  Armed Forces must remain  !         8         /   politically neutral, visibly and perceptibly. Equally, what is   7 :  O              S true is that the institution of the chose to identify themselves as the veteran community should The real challenge for the    O      : D  4$  +,2B # 4$ %   Armed Forces has witnessed a unpartisan “independent”. be welcomed – and it should veterans entering the political         7 S           ( continuous slide and diminish- However, in the Indian polit- be embedded in all regional space is in walking the thin    $    6           4$ $  ment for all practical purposes ical context, nonpartisanship is and national parties, and not be line of partisan anchorage (condescending invocations not plausible in governance the exclusive preserve of any with the full know that they      @       6  . S      notwithstanding), and the same unless it pertains to an apolit- one party, as that steers the will also be contextualised to                     has been contributed by all ical constitutional appoint- “institution” towards the dan- their former identity, and                        political parties, without any ment. This has led to political gerous waters of politicisation. therefore the need to maintain                      exception. Put simply, the parties positing the veterans Veterans in electoral fray the conduct, restraint and “voice” of the Armed Forces in within their ranks to imply must shun any suggestion of rectitude that is often missing  4$ $  <                     the corridors of power, unlike nationalistic and muscular ..- 41. institutional endorsement, as amongst the unhinged politi-     E 7 %              other democracies such as the credentials — these optics '&15!6!'&5!4- hereinafter they must fight cians. Widespread presence of           ?               US or UK, remains supremely then transcend the parties to +14 .5.1&- the electoral battle, in their veterans across the political                 <      underrepresented. Therefore, assume the mantle of defend- personal and partisan capac- aisles in various assemblies     640             the ability to participate and ers of the military and paint 40/). ity, and not on behalf of their also augurs well for the long- contribute meaningfully via the their rival parties as enfeebled, ,.064 ./K&-/ earlier identity from an term security of the nation, as             1           electoral route for the veterans compromised or even “anti- avowedly apolitical institu- the conversations, debates       N        cannot only be beneficial for nationalists”. !540/). tion. Many illustrious veter- and policy arguments become his/her constituents, but also for Partisan preferences, bias- . ).//./!-&00 ans like BC Khanduri, enriched with more informed the institution of the Armed es and opinions asides, the vet- Jaswant Singh and Rajesh participants. Usually the   Forces, various political parties, erans are a potential reservoir 1.$!4-&0&-/ Pilot earned their “political guardrails of propriety and as also the nation at large. The of trained constitutionalists -&5!4-&0'&15!. stripes” and accomplishments steadfastness in ensuring the challenge, however, would be to and patriots (not simply based on their individual “apolitical” moorings of the disallow the appropriation and “nationalists”) who have led a &-/-45).5. work and contributions, and Armed Forces are best known subsuming of the Armed Forces life of unique experiences and .O60!. not owing to any jingoistic to the veterans themselves — and the definitive imagery of the perspectives. They come with invocation or milking of emo- it is incumbent on the veter- ‘Indian Soldier’ under any par- a natural sense of service, dis- '1..1.4+&-> tions. Veterans must not allow ans venturing into politics to tisan flag. cipline and duty that could be 4-.'&15>& themselves to be debased as tread the path carefully and Many decorated US veterans utilised towards betterment only “show trophies” and, not fall for the bogey traps have chosen to serve partisan in a larger team, with other 5&55..15. instead, demand their own that are often laid by reckless governments, albeit under the tag diversities of competence. N!-5!55!4-O space and relevance, basis politicians. The journey from of “independent”. Legendary There is no bipartisan “lobby” 54,&1/5. their abilities. To imply an olive green to khadi is never scholar-warrior Gen James to champion the institutional electoral contest to be below a straight line. Mattis (Retd), who served the urgencies and concerns collec- /&-$.14 the dignity for a veteran to (The writer, a military vet- Republican administration of tively and, instead, it remains ,&5.14+ contest is also misplaced arro- eran, is a former Lt Governor as the Def-Sec, or a domain of constant and gance and uncharitable onto of Andaman & Nicobar even Democrat Joe Biden’s Def- petty upmanship. If anything, '40!5!6!&5!4- many more from other fields Islands and Puducherry. The Sec, Gen Lloyd Austin (Retd), even more participation from of similar accomplishment. views expressed are personal.) ))  )())"1)( SOUNDBITE *    0 0  0 , !    -. 48J "           Sir —Just what was feared has happened;  !"!! "!     4 the Coronavirus cases across the country  H  are up again. The efforts put in collective- '  )       JA  /         5    ly have all but gone in vain. It seems like     2020 has still not left us. The cases are          ;AAAAA  4          7    reaching record highs; curfews and par-  "    6  5    tial lockdowns are being reinforced. This "        "$#" # 7$#"  )          cannot be happening again! Alas, it is! We    &'!     K1 * 5 have been nothing short of reckless; the /        PQ         +,,-   P./01(23Q  face masks have now become chin guards,         B 8          +,+, 4           social distancing has gone for a toss and     8AA  B D  #    5                 ( people are partying as if it were 2019.              "         #            S    ( We are averaging at about five persons      &   5 !                         per 100 people—this number is absolute-        O      ly a disgrace since we are the ‘pharmacy E& CF !       Q                        ( of the world’. It’s beyond ridiculous that we ! Q  & /    "   5                  #         are exporting vaccines all over the world L M -                                 "         6    ( rather than vaccinating our people first. $#"7 " 7$#"    ,     5    !     $                ( The Indian Medical Association (IMA) K    /     5             7     $   and the Chief Ministers of several States have appealed to the Central Government 6 E6F  )        6         $    #  6       to open vaccination for all people above  6 Q  6)!          -6'                  S   18, but Union Health Secretary Rajesh                   "    ! Q  .    6     $  %   Bhushan resorted to saying that “the aim     !                             is not to administer the vaccine to those 6  -6'   H  "    O   $     who want it, but to those who need it”. The    ' 6  '7)                    Health Secretary has no sense. A vaccine         S           ( is not some beverage that people want; it icate Naxalism. It can lead to the loss of Governor Shaktikanta Das, retained repo 8   6    %        ( is a tool that people need to protect them- many innocent lives. With that in mind, rate at 4 per cent and reverse repo rate at 9#'"          selves from ailments. The impact of the the help of the Air Force can be taken. That 3.35 per cent. The Central bank also stuck K1   *         9 second wave is far more severe than the Naxals are getting arms from countries like to its accommodative stance amid con- ,  &   #                      first, thanks to the variants. China and Pakistan is an open secret. cerns that rising COVID-19 infections Focusing on the global good is what While it is clear that the Naxals cannot could derail the country’s nascent eco-                   ./01(23        makes us part of a larger society but that fight without weapons, it is also worth con- nomic recovery. The increase in the ,           #                     ( does not mean your own citizens are being sidering why efforts have not been made Government’s borrowings is likely to be                  #         ( sacrificed. We are still bearing the brunt to ensure that Naxals do not get weapons partially offset by RBI Open Market                         S of the previous lockdown and we certain- from across the border. The Naxals are said Operations (OMOs) and secondary mar- H   ly cannot afford another one. to have used rocket launchers in the attack ket purchases of Government securities.                      Sean Young |New Delhi in Bijapur district. It is important to end The inclusion of Government securities 7)7 '9; 9'9     :                 the problem of Naxalism as a whole. For global bond indices will add to the K$ 1        "              (         this, the Government should show will demand. Unless inflation expectations     S          #     ( Sir — The problem of Naxalism has been power and make efforts in the right start increasing in the future, fixed income 5 )                           ( around for more than six decades. As direction and not just beat around the investors will do well to remain invested many as 22 soldiers were recently killed in bush. in Indian bonds. 8AA                      1      a Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh. The men- Nitesh Mandwariya | Neemuch CK Subramaniam |Mumbai                S            ace was not brought under control till it    7            : 8 #  "    spread to 22 States. Although some con-           trol is now in place, the problem is not yet                         Sir — The six-member monetary policy )00'  6 % 7#'7 87" $9"#" over. It may take a few more years to erad- committee (MPC), headed by RBI       .    ##"$#'<'7"@8(9' K)0     !"#"$ 7

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he leaders of the Kashmir-centric politi- cal parties have gone overboard with the Tprospect of peace with our immediate  '  ( 6  neighbour and the global hub of jihadi terror— Pakistan. Backing Pakistan Army Chief General          "      ( Qamar Javed Bajwa’s call for Indo-Pak talks,   1 1           Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief @                Mehbooba Mufti has said that the Indian 1    (            ( Government should initiate talks with Islamabad.                 “The Government should understand that the way to peace talks goes through the Kashmir                      issue. We cannot reach peace without resolving <              the Kashmir issue,” said Mufti. Speaking in a sim-                      "( ilar vein, National Conference (NC) leader Omar    :      (        Abdullah said, “We have always said that good                 relations between these two countries is not good            only for Jammu and Kashmir but for the entire south Asia. It’s good that both countries, instead  $             of threatening each other, are talking.” 5.'&3!5&-                The reasons for their optimism are well &1 >64-5!-.                 ( understood because their political survival for 5451.&5       O          ( the decades in past had depended on the !-/!&&    1            Pakistan bogey. There is a convergence in the &-.O!5.-5!&0                 views of Pakistani and Kashmiri leadership 51.&5  because soft-separatism and sub-nationalism has !-5. always been the ideological hall-mark of these '&5! !0&1 political parties. But the moot point is can 6.&.+!1. Pakistan be trusted? 4++.1&-/ August 5, till they take the first “environment of trust” that is Another thing to remember is It all began in the last week of February when '.&6.4.151. step, unfortunately we cannot “devoid of terror” is “imperative”, that Pakistan has yet not given up the Director General of Military Operations &/)..- move forward,” Khan said. The said Modi in a letter addressed to terrorism as an instrument of (DGMO) of the two Armies agreed to observe &/.)> next day, his Chief of Army Staff Khan. Post-August 5, 2019, India State policy. Through its proxies, ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) in tune 5.'&3!5&-! said, it was time for India and has made its stand clear to the it continues to support terror in with the 2003 ceasefire agreement. Then the two Pakistan to “bury the past and global community that the dispute Kashmir and is reported to be statements, one after another, made during the &1 >6!.+)5 move forward” as he asserted that regarding Kashmir is restricted to spreading the network of sleeper first edition of the Islamabad Security Dialogue 5.>0&5./ the peace between the two neigh- the illegal occupation of the two- cells in our hinterland and the organised by Pakistan Security Division in col- 4-0>&04-$& bours would help “unlock” the third territory of the erstwhile State North East. The Pakistan Army is laboration with the country’s leading think-tanks '&3!5&--.././ potential of South and Central of Jammu and Kashmir referred to feverishly using the ceasefire peri- 5.'.&6.   /            on March 17-18 expressing explicit desire for Asia. He further added that the ini- as Azad Kashmir and Pakistan- od to upgrade its infrastructure on peace with India took many by surprise since the -!0&5.1&0 tiative has to come from India. occupied Jammu and Kashmir the LoC, including establishing               ( statements came from none other than the Prime &)14$&5!4-&-/ Though he also referred to (PoJK) by India. new forward posts as well as                 Minister and the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan. !40&5!4- Kashmir, he did not mention it as But from the response of preparing gun areas and ammu-                 Since then, endless debate has begun in the 4+5. a core issue and said that the Khan, it has become obvious that nition points/dumps in the vil- (              media in both the countries with each claiming 6.&.+!1. peaceful resolution of the issue can the offer of peace by Pakistan is lages in depth in the close vicin-              peace to be compulsion of the other country. &$1.. .-5 lead to lasting peace in the region. a sheer façade and Pakistan is just ity of the LoC.       .      ( While the entire world knows the truth, it has &.)..- Immediately, after the buying time to have a breather It is also learnt that the become necessary for Pakistan to beat the drum 5.&00 &13 February 25 ceasefire offer, India necessitated due to compelling Pakistani Army with the help of                to satisfy the hardliners. Pakistan, for long, has 4+-5&)0. made it very clear that the onus lies military and economic reasons at the People’s Liberation Army                   pushed aside geo-economics in favour of exploit- !-/4"'&3 with Pakistan to create a conducive home. He has tried to put the ball (PLA) is constructing tunnels in                  ing its geo-strategic location.Its dwindling econ- 1.0&5!4-  atmosphere for any peace talks by back in India’s court. Imran Khan the posts for living shelters and                 omy and near-bankruptcy has forced its leader- 5.1.! reiterating its well-known stand of has written to Modi for creating ammunition storage. It would                 ( ship, including military, albeit temporarily to -45!-$ “terror and talks can’t go togeth- an “enabling environment” suit- also provide them added protec-    #             resume trade with India which requires normal- /!++.1.-5 er”. Qamar Bajwa did make a ref- ed for a constructive and result- tion during a nuclear attack. In cy of relations which had been brought to its erence to Pakistan changing its oriented dialogue to resolve out- addition; it is also procuring from               4+&154 nadir by Pakistan post-abrogation of Article 370 515'&3!5&- strategy from ‘geopolitics’ to ‘geo- standing issues between the two China modern military hardware     6      .       by unilaterally withdrawing its High economics’. But Pakistan yet has to neighbours, including Jammu as well as force multipliers like                # Commissioner and suspension of trade with walk the talk. From all available and Kashmir issue. drones and surveillance systems.                 ( India. inputs, there might have been a For a change, he has used the Pakistani Army continues to  O      <      There was an inherent contradiction between change in the thinking of the phrase “including Jammu & treat India as an existential threat.                 ( the statements of the Imran Khan and Bajwa. Pakistani brass and leadership but Kashmir” instead of it being the In the past, similar ceasefire offers While Khan made a little variation to his earli- there are no visible indicators of core issue and no headway can be and peace overtures had been           :       ( er stated position on March 5 while addressing any change in its “anti-India strat- made without its resolution first. made by the Pakistani chiefs but            ( the Solidarity Day function at Muzaffarabad, egy.” Maybe Qamar Bajwa, for whom they lasted only as long as     ((        wherein he said that Pakistan would not talk to On the occasion of the 70th the breather is mandatory, has Pakistan needed the peace.            India till the restoration of Article 370 in National Day of Pakistan, PM been able to prevail upon Khan so Unilateral abrogation and viola-                  ( Kashmir, he still stuck to resolution of Kashmir The author is a Jammu- Modi extended greetings to his that he can continue unabatedly tion of the ceasefire agreements                ( issue as a prerequisite for peace talks. “There is based political commentator, counterpart Imran Khan and the to refurbish and rebuild his Army have been the hallmark of unsta- one issue that is stopping us [from improving columnist, security and people of Pakistan. He desired to and its assets on the LoC where ble Indo-Pak relations. There is             >      ( strategic analyst. The views relations] at this time. We will make our efforts expressed are personal. have “cordial relations” with it has received a thorough batter- nothing different so far to trust                      but India must take the first step because after Pakistan but for it to happen, an ing from the Indian Army. Pakistan.     1        (                                  POINTCOUNTERPOINT >                   (                ..   ?   ?        ..  :               ( S                 !      (   ?    ? ! .(                  ( ?    ?  (    ?   ?  ! (    L   L    Uur v‡r v†hƒ‚yv‡vphyhhy’†‡hqs‚ˆqr ‚sGrhq‡rpuUur  . %.   . ‰vr†r‘ƒ r††rqh rƒr †‚hy  ! 8 <         !                           

n the relentless pursuit to ing by 83 million people chemical process of elec- energy demand when the cost currently of GH is $5. 2021-22 to generate hydro- power the world of every year, this intense trolysis. Electrolysis utilises nation witnesses an average However, for nations such as gen from green power Itomorrow, humanity is human proliferation has had electric current to separate consumption of 7,26,000 Saudi with perpetual sun- sources. tirelessly involved in its quest a tremendous impact on the hydrogen from oxygen barrels of oil a day for ener- shine and vast unused land, As the Government to discover newer fuels that energy demand. in water and if this electric gy generation. the per kg production cost takes its own time to make are cleaner and more effi- According to the latest current is obtained from According to the British can be brought down to progress, a beginning of cient. The express reduction estimates provided by the renewable sources, GH is Petroleum PLC’s latest World $1.50 by 2030. sorts has already been made of carbon content of the    : International Energy Agency produced without emitting Energy Report, In addition to Saudi, in the private sector recent- planet by the year 2050 is (IEA), the increasing carbon dioxide into the consumed 322 giga-joules other nations such as ly with the collaboration now the major focus area for amount of watts required for atmosphere. The IEA stud- per person in 2019, more Germany, Spain, Britain and between NASDAQ-listed nations across the globe. In a human will mean that ies show that this method of than four times the global China have increased the Fusion Fuel Green and order to achieve this, decar- global energy demand will obtaining GH would save average and almost triple the pace of developing GH pro- Chennai-based BGR Energy bonising the production of increase by 25 per cent-30 the 830 million tonnes of figure for Europe. The duction capacity. Systems. The tie-up will an element like hydrogen by per cent by 2040. For almost carbon dioxide that are emit- nation apparently realises In times such as these, enable the use of proprietary giving rise to Green all economies surviving on ted annually when this gas is its dependence on fossil fuels India needs to take immedi- technology of fusion fuel to Hydrogen (GH) is one of the fossil fuels, this would mean produced using fossil fuels. $5 billion GH manufactur- and hence its strategic move ate steps to catch up with the generate hydrogen using keys as this is currently the generation of more car- The scale of interest ing unit, the size of Belgium, towards GH. The world and do its bit to decar- solar energy and undertake responsible for more than 2 bon dioxide which, in turn, being generated for GH can in the north-western part of BloombergNEF estimates bonise its economy by GH energy projects across per cent of total global car- will exacerbate climate be gauged by the fact that a the country. Saudi Arabia that GH is expected to com- adopting GH in a large- India. bon dioxide emissions. change. Unless clean fuels traditionally fossil fuel dri- with average summer time mand a market value of scale manner. In November GH is scalable, sustain- An efficiently harnessed such as GH are developed as ven nation such as Saudi temperatures hovering near nearly $700 billion by 2050, 2020, Prime Minister able and storable and with GH can not only help get a The writer is an sustainable alternatives, the Arabia has taken robust ini- 50°C is an energy guzzling but currently the cost of Narendra Modi proposed a India’s target to generate grip on the current level of environmental efforts to limit the rise in tiative to adopt GH in its nation that uses oil to fuel its producing this energy is comprehensive National 450 gigawatts of its energy emissions, but also sustain- journalist. global warming to under energy mix. The kingpin of power sector. A study by the high. Hydrogen Energy Mission from renewable sources by ably power the future. The The views expressed 1.5°C would be untenable. crude oil-producing nations Riyadh-based Joint According to the and building on the same, 2030, the nation needn’t global population is growing are personal. Hydrogen is a universal, in a surprisingly welcome Organisation’s Data Initiative International Renewable this year’s Budget saw a ref- look any further as it pro- at a robust rate of 1.1 per light and very reactive fuel development has announced showed that every year the Energy Agency (IREA), the erence to the proposal for a vides the apt solution to cent per annum or increas- that is generated through the the establishment of a mega month of August peaks in per kilogram production Hydrogen Energy Mission achieve the same.   !"#"$ '$   1 (   .   3!)  

Dubai: An Iranian ship efforts. mercial vessel. say if his country launched the  7   believed to be a base for the The ship's long presence in “Fortunately, no casualties attack, described and its paramilitary Revolutionary the region, repeatedly criti- were reported ... And technical regional allies as a major threat. Guard and anchored for years cized by Saudi Arabia, has investigations are underway," “ must continue to in the off has come as the West and United Khatibzadeh said. "Our coun- defend itself,” Gantz told jour-     ) been attacked, Tehran acknowl- Nations experts say Iran has try will take all necessary mea- nalists. “Any place we find an edged Wednesday. provided arms and support to sures through international operational challenge and Yangon: Security forces on Association for Political Iran's Foreign Ministry Yemen's Houthi rebels in that authorities.” necessity, we will continue to Wednesday stormed a town in Prisoners, which monitors confirmed the attack on the country's yearslong war. Iran In an earlier state TV state- act.” northwestern Myanmar where casualties and arrests. MV Saviz, suspected to have denies arming the Houthis, ment, an anchor cited a New Iranian President Hassan some residents had used Nearly all of the protests been carried out by Israel — though components found in York Times story, which quot- Rouhani called the Vienna homemade hunting rifles to have been nonviolent, but as though Tehran did not imme- the rebels' weaponry link back ed an anonymous US official talks a “success” while speaking resist the military's February police and soldiers have diately blamed its regional to Tehran. telling the newspaper that Israel to his Cabinet on Wednesday. seizure of power, killing at increased their use of lethal archenemy. Iran previously described informed America it carried “Today, one united state- least seven civilians and injur- force, some participants have The assault came as Iran the Saviz as aiding in “anti-pira- out an attack Tuesday morning ment is being heard that all ing many others, local news armed themselves with home- and world powers sat down in cy” efforts in the Red Sea and on the vessel. Israeli officials sides of the nuclear deal have reports said. made weapons such as gasoline Vienna for the first talks about the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a cru- declined to comment about the concluded that there is no bet- that a limpet mine planted on significantly damage a vessel. The online news site bombs for self-defense. In the US potentially rejoining the cial chokepoint in internation- assault when reached by The ter solution than the deal,” he Saviz's hull caused the blast. Iran did not blame anyone for Khonumthung Burmese said Kalay, some residents took up tattered deal aimed at curbing al shipping. A statement attrib- Associated Press, as did the said. A limpet mine is a type of the attack and said Iranian the attack on Kalay began simple but deadly homemade Iran's nuclear programme, uted to Foreign Ministry Saviz's owner. Iran's semiofficial Tasnim naval mine that is attached to officials likely would offer more before dawn. Videos on the site hunting rifles. showing events outside the spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh Israeli Defence Minister news agency, believed to be the side of a ship, usually by a information in the coming included what appeared to be Myanmar Now, another negotiations could derail those described the ship as a com- Benny Gantz, while refusing to close to the Guard, reported diver. It later explodes, and can days. AP sounds of rifle fire, high-caliber online news site, reported weapons and grenade explo- Tuesday that protesters in Kalay sions. Posts on social media had set up neighborhood 3      said rocket-propelled grenades strongholds and inflicted casu- O4)  '  '0' : were used in the attack, but alties on the security forces. provided no evidence. It said that on March 28,   *   The news site said that in when the army sought to attack Washington: US President Joe adults eligible for vaccination 61,000 a day, a 10 per cent from public health experts. addition to the seven fatalities, Kalay, protesters in the town Hong Kong: Three veteran jail, ex-legislator Lee Cheuk-yan Biden announced that all no later than May 1. increase over the previous peri- Highly contagious variants many people were wounded and nearby villages put up Hong Kong pro-democracy and Yeng Sum, a former chair- American adults will be eligi- Biden has stressed that od, according to the latest data are rapidly spreading in the US, and arrested in the town, also fierce resistance. activists, including well-known man of the Democratic Party, are ble for a Covid-19 vaccine by while the country is now vac- of the US Centers for Disease threatening to outpace the vac- known as Kalemyo. The attack took place a day publisher Jimmy Lai, have believed to be negotiating bail April 19. On Tuesday,Biden cinating a record number of Control and Prevention. cination efforts. Over half the town's pop- after the junta's forces killed pleaded guilty to taking party terms. The charges carry prison announced the new timetable Americans, the battle against Biden has called on every Last week, CDC Director ulation are members of the more than 110 people around in an unauthorised rally that terms of up to five years. after his visit to a vaccination Covid-19 is "far from won" as Governor, Mayor and local Rochelle Walensky said the Chin ethnic minority. the country, the highest single- resulted in violence between The court was shown site in Alexandria, Virginia, cases are once again on the rise. leader to maintain, and in B.1.1.7, the variant first identi- Security forces have killed day death toll since the coup. police and participants, media footage of the three at the moving up his original deadline The country has witnessed some cases reinstate, mask fied in Britain, is starting to at least 581 protesters and The report said protesters reported on Wednesday. Aug. 31, 2019, event that led to of May 1 by nearly two weeks, a resurgence in 27 states, mandates. become the predominant strain bystanders in their crackdown “more than held their own. Lai is already being held in clashes in various parts of the reports Xinhua news agency. including cases from new and Some states have lifted in many regions of the US, on protests against the Feb. 1 Four of them died that night, custody on other charges relat- cramped city of more than 7 Biden said that 150 million emerging Covid-19 variants. requirements for masks and accounting for 26 per cent of coup that ousted the elected but so did an equal number of ed to his outspoken opposition million that was hovering at the doses have been administered Currently, the seven-day allowed businesses to reopen to Covid-19 cases circulating government of Aung San Suu the enemy, including an officer to China's crackdown on civil edge of chaos at the time. within his first 75 days in average of new cases is about full capacity against warnings across the nation. AP Kyi, according to the Assistance or two”. AP liberties in the former British Official Radio Television office, in line with a stated goal colony. Hong Kong quoted Lee as of 200 million shots by his Last Thursday, seven of telling the court that although 100th day in office. Hong Kong's leading pro- he pleaded guilty, “I haven't He urged Americans to           R) democracy advocates, includ- done anything wrong. History continue to practice pandem- ing Lai and an 82-year-old will absolve me." ic safety measures, saying the Washington: The United The new record is against "But let me be deadly socially distance, and mask up safe, happy fourth of July with veteran of the movement, were The governments in Hong country is not "at the finish line States is still in a "life-and- his initial target of 100 million earnest with you: We aren't at in a recommended mask from your family and friends, in convicted for organising and Kong and Beijing have been yet" and may experience more death race" against coron- shots in 100 days. Biden has the finish line. We still have a the CDC," Biden said at a vac- small groups in your backyard. participating in a march during relentlessly pursuing opposi- "disease and misery" before avirus, President Joe Biden now set the goal of getting 200 lot of work to do. We're still in cination site in a Virginia sub The real question is: How massive anti-government tion figures in order to exert July 4. said as his administration million vaccines to his fellow a life-and-death race against urb of Washington DC. much death, disease, and mis- protests in 2019 that triggered greater control over the semi- A few weeks ago, Biden raced through a record 150 countrymen in the first 100 this virus. Until we get more "Think about it this way: ery are we going to see Beijing's crackdown. autonomous Chinese territory. called on states, tribes and ter- million vaccine shots in just 75 days of his administration. people vaccinated, we need Better times are ahead. And, as between now and then?" he While Lai will be returned to AP ritories to make all American days. everyone to wash their hands, I've said before, we can have a asked. AP 4,7         1 9:          " ,     1 ,4     04-/4- Deliveroo held a strike in of the U.K.'s biggest gig econ- smoke flares rode through the Q R  London Wednesday over pay omy companies. streets of Central London. iders for the app-based and working conditions, part of Scooter and bicycle deliv- Socially distanced protests were    Islamabad: Pakistan Army Bajwa on the last day of his reciprocates the desire for Rmeal delivery platform a broader backlash against one ery riders waving flags and red also planned in York, Reading, chief General Qamar Javed two-day visit at the headquar- enhanced bilateral military Sheffield and Wolverhampton Kigali (Rwanda): President Bajwa said on Wednesday that ters of the Pakistan Army in cooperation, the statement said. to demand fair pay, safety pro- Paul Kagame of Rwanda on Islamabad has no hostility Rawalpindi, according to a General Bajwa also offered tections and basic workers' Wednesday praised a new towards any country and will statement by the Army. support for efforts to bring rights. French report documenting work for regional cooperation, "We have no hostile peace in Afghanistan. The Independent Workers' France's role in the 1994 geno- as he held talks with Russian designs towards any country “Pakistan welcomes all Union of Great Britain, which cide as “a good thing,” wel- Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and will keep on working initiatives which can bring represents migrant and gig coming efforts in Paris to on matters of mutual interest, towards a cooperative region- peace and stability in workers, expected hundreds “move forward with a good including enhanced defence al framework based on sover- Afghanistan as the whole of riders to take part. understanding of what hap- ties, regional security, and the eign equality and mutual region will benefit from it,” he Deliveroo said that “this pened" 27 years after the mas- Afghan peace process. progress," Bajwa said. said. small self-appointed union sacres that shocked the world. Lavrov, who arrived here He said Pakistan values its PTI does not represent the vast Kagame spoke before dig- on Tuesday from India, met relationship with Russia and majority of riders who tell us nitaries and others in an arena they value the total flexibility in the capital, Kigali, at the start they enjoy." Rider surveys of a week during which the found most are happy with the central African country will    company and flexibility was commemorate the genocide. their priority, the company “We welcome this said in a statement. (report),” Kagame said, assert- )7    The strike coincides with ing that his government's inter- the first day of unconditional pretation of the commission's Santiago: Chilean President Sebastian Pinera announced that share trading for findings is that then-French this week's landmark polls to elect for councillors, mayors and, Deliveroo, which went public leader Francois "Mitterrand for the first time ever, regional governors and members of a con- last week in a multibillion knew that a genocide against stituent assembly to draft a new Constitution, will be postponed pound stock offering that was the Tutsis was being planned by till May 15-16 due to a Covid-19 resurgence. one of Europe's most their allies in Rwanda" but In a speech at the government palace, Pinera on Tuesday said hotly anticipated IPOs this continued "supporting them the decision prioritises the health of both the country's democ- year. because he believed this was racy and its people, reports Xinhua news agency. necessary for France's geopo- "Given the strong re-emergence of the coronavirus pandemic litical position.” and the appearance of new variants, not only in Chile, but .     Rwandans “were just throughout the world, and considering the high demand our pawns in geopolitical games,” health system is facing it did not seem prudent or advisable to $    charged Kagame. hold elections this coming weekend," he said. This is the first time The much-anticipated elections are set to elect 155 con-     Rwanda's president is com- stituents to draw up a new Constitution as a political solution menting on France's genocide to the social unrest that erupted in October 2019.   $&@& report that was released in Similarly, the Governors of each of the country's 16 regions March. AP will be elected for the first time. IANS high-ranking Egyptian Asecurity delegation arrived in the Gaza Strip to hold talks with the leaders of the Islamic ) * ! + ",! Hamas movement, Palestinian sources said. The delegation members  "! * # " # !. " on Tuesday crossed into the besieged Gaza Strip through Tokyo: Japan's Osaka on The Governor also said he Osaka officials were in the Erez crossing between the Wednesday declared a state of has decided not to hold the leg talks with the Olympic organ- coastal enclave and Israel, medical emergency as hospitals of the Olympic torch relay ising committee concerning Xinhua news agency quoted in the western prefecture were scheduled next week in the alternate solutions, he added. the sources as saying.The overwhelmed by the whole prefecture. IANS sources declined to reveal more Covid.Osaka reported 878 new details on the purpose of the infections on Wednesday, the sudden visit, saying that the largest daily spike since the out- schedule was unclear. General set of the outbreak, reports dpa Ahmed Abdel Khaleq, chief of news agency. the Palestinian affairs in the The surge is attributed to Egyptian General Intelligence more contagious variants of the Service, heads the delegation, coronavirus, Osaka Governor according to the sources. Hirofumi Yoshimura said.   !"#"$ ! 4      

  -.,/.0! The apex bank has pro- liquidity to MFIs to encourage purchases of G-sec as a liquid- expected lines with the RBI jected the Indian economy to lending to rural and SME sec- ity measure. keeping repo rate unchanged *      )  BI's decision to keep repo grow at 10.5 per cent in the cur- tors, Majumdar said, adding The announcement of the but re-affirming its commit- Rrate unchanged for the fifth rent fiscal year. that credit growth has to take off much awaited GSAP 1.0 should ment to maintain an accom- time in a row is in line with the Measures announced are rapidly to ensure sustainable go a long way in quelling the modative stance. economic need to encourage intended to lower borrowing capital expenditure and spend- bond market's anxieties regard- "Further, RBI will now set   #$  8 *7 7  " growth, financial market play- costs, ease financial conditions ing across all segments of the ing the size of the central and up a committee for a compre- ers and experts said on and keep liquidity supportive economy. To nurture the still state government borrowing hensive review of Asset    )&! enough policy space to support Das continued to explain Wednesday. for credit offtake, Sabharwal nascent growth impulses, the programme for FY2022, N Reconstruction Companies growth as there are more down- that "inflation is already in a In its first monetary poli- said adding thatt he announce- RBI has felt necessary to support Sivaraman, MD and Group ARCs. I think this is a much tating that "growth is of side risks to growth on the hori- well-entrenched and well- cy announcement for this fis- ment ebbed worries of any continued flow of credit to the CEO, ICRA Ltd, said. needed step to harness the full Sparamount importance zon now than in recent past anchored framework now and cal, the Reserve Bank under- early liquidity withdrawal. real economy. Thus, liquidity "Regardless, global factors potential of ARCs so that the now", the Reserve Bank on which make growth...Of para- so is inflation expectation, that's lined the need to support the On the inflation front, the support of Rs 50,000 crore for such as US treasury yields and key issue of sizeable bad loans Wednesday said it will do mount importance," he added. also well-anchored. This is very economy given the current sit- RBI has projected the retail fresh lending during 2021-22 commodity prices, and the is addressed in a sustained whatever it takes to sustain the The central bank chose to clear from the fact that the gov- uation amidst resurgence of inflation to be in the range of will be provided to All India impact of the latter on domes- and holistic manner. This is fledgling recovery by ensuring retain its last forecast of 10.5 ernment notification has reit- Covid cases in the country. 4.4-5.2 per cent during the Financial Institutions (AIFIs). tic inflation, will influence also crucial as economic ample and assured liquidity per cent GDP growth this fis- erated the plus-minus 2 per cent The six-member Monetary course of this year, with the first The RBI will also provide yields. We expect the 10 year growth revives and banks need and cheaper funds to oil the cal, saying it is "too early to of 4 per cent inflation targeting." Policy Committee (MPC) half falling in the upper band Rs 25,000 crore to NABARD, G-sec yield to range between the confidence to lend aggres- wheels of the economy. revise its own forecast done two "This framework gives RBI unanimously decided to con- of over 5 per cent. Rs 10,000 crore to NHB and Rs 6.05 and 6.15 per cent in the sively," he added. Addressing the media months ago as we have just enough leeway gives enough tinue with the accommodative Rumki Majumdar, 15,000 crore to SIDBI. Notably, next two months," he said. Dhruv Agarwala, Group online, Governor Shaktikanta entered the new fiscal year." policy tools to manage any stance as long as necessary to Economist, Deloitte India, said, special refinance facilities of Rs The ratings firm also sug- CEO, Housing.Com, Das said "as of now growth is Asked why the thrust was on extraordinary situations like sustain growth on a durable "As expected, the RBI has kept 75,000 crore were provided to gested that the CPI inflation Makaan.Com and of paramount importance... growth despite pencilling in an the current pandemic. basis and continue to mitigate the policy rates stable and will AIFIs during April-August forecast round 5 per cent in Proptiger.Com, said the RBI And we'll do whatever it takes upward inflation trajectory (5.2 "For the time being and at the impact of COVID-19 on likely continue holding the 2020. FY22 seems to be ruling out move to hold key rates to help sustain the recovery." per cent for the first half and 4.4 the current juncture, growth is the economy. rates steady as there are signif- Additionally, the RBI also rate cuts, unless economic unchanged is on expected line But he was quick to add per cent for the second), and offer- of paramount importance, Rajiv Sabharwal, MD and icant risks to inflation moving announced Rs 1 lakh crore gov- activity is severely disrupted by and hoped the regulator will that "inflation targeting is also ing an indefinite period of accom- while of course keeping in CEO, Tata Capital, said: "The up. Intermittent supply-side ernment securities (G-sec) the ongoing wave of Covid-19. carefully monitor how the important." modative policy stance, Das said, mind inflation targeting is also growth forecasts appear to be disruptions and gradual acquisition programme, named Anshuman Panwar, Co- COVID-19 situation evolves "More importantly, the gov- "We'll continue to be accom- important. After all, the the pri- encouraging and the econom- demand revival will keep the G-SAP 1.0, under which it Founder, Creditas Solutions, and change its stance later in ernment reiterating the plus- modative till growth becomes sus- mary goal of the monetary pol- ic activity momentum will be pressure on prices." will commit upfront to a spe- said the first bi-monthly poli- the financial year as the need minus 2 per cent of 4 per cent tainable and we will do whatever icy is to maintain a certain level further consolidated." The RBI has pushed more cific amount of open market cy for FY22 has been on arises. inflation targeting gives us it takes to achieve that." of inflation," he said. #$     .*6 "  #$%           !     '  &     (%)       .* )7    )&!  $9#'" 7)9$ nomic recovery is secured," *%+ , New Delhi: Gold rallied by Rs dem with a rally in gold, silver said Gaurav Dua, SVP, Head - 587 to Rs 45,768 per 10 gram in also jumped Rs 682 to Rs 65,468    )&! spiked to 6.25 per cent on quity indices darted up on 7)) '7  Capital Market Strategy, Mumbai: The Indian rupee the national capital on per kilogram from Rs 64,786 per March 10, 2021 before coming EWednesday, propelled by <'$# 7'#& # Sharekhan by BNP Paribas. nosedived 105 paise to mark its Wednesday amid rupee depre- kilogram in the previous trade. eserve Bank of India (RBI) down again. In sync with G-Sec banking, auto and IT stocks, Even on liquidity front the biggest single-session drop in ciation, according to HDFC The Indian rupee slumped Ron Wednesday said it is yields, corporate bond yields after the RBI expectedly left   #'& 7;& signals are dovish, he said, over 20 months against the US Securities. In the previous trade, 24 paise to 73.66 against the US putting in place a secondary also hardened across issuers interest rates unchanged and adding the bond market has currency on Wednesday amid the precious metal had closed at dollar in opening trade on market government securities and rating categories in the maintained its accommoda- #9'& #& reacted positively with the 10- concerns over surging Covid- Rs 45,181 per 10 gram. In tan- Wednesday. PTI acquisition programme or G- recent period. During the post tive stance to boost growth $9 #"$ year bond yield easing by 6-8 19 cases in the country. SAP 1.0 for this financial to policy conference, Das told amid a resurgence in coron- bps during the day. At the interbank foreign enable an orderly evolution of reporters that G-SAP is differ- avirus cases. 7) D779 "The easing of yield curves exchange, the Indian currency   the yield curve. RBI said the ent from the regular Open The 30-share BSE Sensex and commitment of keeping settled at 74.47 to the US dol- endeavour through the pro- Market Operations (OMOs) jumped 460.37 points or 0.94 7)9$ $"878 < interest rate low with ample liq- lar – marking its lowest level gramme will be to ensure con- that RBI conducts. per cent to finish at 49,661.76. #' *(,E <" 97#( uidity are positive for the equi- since November 13 last year.   3  !   genial financial conditions for "It has a distinct character, The broader NSE Nifty ty markets too. The consisten- The rupee also logged its worst  ?  !  !    the recovery to gain traction. in the sense that for the first advanced 135.55 points or 0.92 record lows while pledging to cy and continuity in the mon- single-day fall since August 5,      "      ! Q Under the programme, time we are giving out a par- per cent to 14,819.05. buy Rs 1 lakh crore of govern- etary policy stance is welcome 2019. The local unit opened at   -&64 6. /  which will be for 2021-22, RBI ticular quantum of bond pur- Interest-rate sensitive bank ment bonds this quarter to cap and will cheer up market sen- 73.52 against the greenback          S will commit "upfront to a spe- chase in the secondary market. and auto stocks led the gainers' borrowing costs in a bid to sup- timents," he noted. and traded in the range of 73.52  -/1+          cific amount of open market Within this particular quarter, chart on the Sensex. port an economy facing a All sectoral indices ended to 74.50 during the session on    &    644S6"+/   purchases of government secu- we will be suitably depending SBI was the top performer, resurgence of the pandemic. on a positive note, with BSE Wednesday.      6           rities with a view to enabling a on the evolving situation and spurting 2.25 per cent, fol- In the first monetary pol- auto, bankex, telecom, metal, "The Indian rupee depre-       ; +  8A stable and orderly evolution of will be announcing auctions lowed by ICICI Bank, Nestle icy of the 2021-22 fiscal, the basic materials and finance ciated amid concern over ris- + (A(8     8B;H     the yield curve amidst com- from time to time," he said. India, IndusInd Bank, M&M, central bank stuck to its accom- indices surging up to 1.69 per ing Covid-19 cases in India and    6.$ S/ 5     fortable liquidity conditions," Deputy Governor Michael Bajaj Auto, Bharti Airtel and modative stance amid con- cent. lockdown restriction in some -&64 6.            Governor Shaktikanta Das said Patra said that with this, RBI, Maruti. cerns of rising infections that Broader BSE midcap and states. Furthermore, Reserve       while announcing the mone- for the first time, is committing IT counters also posted could derail the nascent eco- smallcap indices rallied up to bank of India kept its repo rate tary policy. For the first quar- its balance sheet to the conduct robust gains after the rupee nomic recovery. 1.30 per cent. unchanged for the 5th consec- .%        ter of the financial year 2021- of monetary policy. tanked 105 paise against the US The central bank also World stocks hovered near utive policy meeting and main-       !   22, RBI will conduct a G-SAP "When we are unchanged dollar. A weak rupee is seen as retained the economic growth record highs, boosted by IMF's tained accommodative stance,"  T$ )  -+ UT     of Rs 1 lakh crore, and the first on the policy rate, we need an a positive for export-oriented projection for the current projections of robust global said Saif Mukadam, Research       *        purchase of government secu- instrument to run monetary Indian IT firms. financial year at 10.5 per cent. growth this year. Analyst, Sharekhan by BNP   (A          rities for an aggregate amount policy. In the past, all our On the other hand, Titan, "In line with expectations, Elsewhere in Asia, bours- Paribas. The central bank kept       &546&1.     of Rs 25,000 crore will be con- actions were to move the inter- NTPC and HUL were the lag- RBI has maintained status quo es in Seoul and Tokyo closed in its key policy repo rate (JC      ?  ducted on April 15, Das said. est rates up and down and gards, shedding up to 0.78 per on policy rates and reassured the green, while Shanghai and unchanged at 4 per cent, but &546&1. T,           The benchmark 10-year ensure that proper transmis- cent. the financial markets on its Hong Kong nursed losses. warned that the recent surge in      &546&1.! Q     bond, which traded at 5.93 per sion happens across the market The Reserve Bank of India commitment to retain accom- Stock exchanges in Europe Covid-19 infections has creat-      "      ;;AAAV  cent (on an average) during spectrum. This time we are (RBI) on Wednesday kept key modative policy stance till the were largely trading with gains ed uncertainty over economic       ((DAAA (BD    April 2020-January 2021, being more explicit. interest rates unchanged at prospects of sustained eco- in mid-session deals. growth recovery. PTI       88AA   ! T -. / 0 123 45#61   

Beijing: The IMF has increased forecast. China's GDP projection to 8.4 Its projection for China's per cent for this year, a 10-year economic expansion for 2022 high, but its chief economist remains unchanged at 5.6 per Gita Gopinath cautioned that cent, official media here report- economic growth in the world's ed on Wednesday. second largest economy was The IMF forecast for unbalanced and private con- China, though much higher sumption has not recovered as compared to other major fast as expected following the economies including the US, coronavirus crisis. Germany and France, is lower The International than 12.5 per cent growth rate Monetary Fund also urged for India in 2021. The 8.4 per China to address its high cor- cent projection is above six per porate debt levels resulting cent target fixed from the easy monetary poli- by the Chinese government for cy put in place during the this year. coronavirus pandemic. China's economy, which In its latest issue of the was the first to be hit by the World Economic Outlook coronavirus pandemic and released in Washington, the early to recover from its impact, IMF put China's 2021 growth grew 2.3 per cent in 2020, reg- at 8.4 per cent, up 0.3 percent- istering the lowest annual age points from its January growth rate in 45 years. PTI 7    $3   0   78  

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akistan Prime Minister Imran PKhan has indicated that he would approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a sec- ond relief package to help the cash-strapped government reach the needy people amid the coro- navirus pandemic, according to a media report. Khan's remarks came dur- ing his address at the launch of the United Nations Development Programme's Pakistan National Human Development Report on Inequality on Tuesday, Dawn newspaper reported.   !"#"$ .   O % &    !  '(%) %' %*  +P L *.*' 3 *'' %/00   0'0

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o you miss the hearth, the placing vintage quilts and bright geo- /!& !1@&    bond and the relaxing feeling metric patterned cushions to your        Dyou get when you visit your bedding. For a contrasting theme, here grandparents’ farmhouse? This respite go for a light-coloured laminate. It will        and solace from the hustle bustle of effortlessly balance the other colours country living is the best gift we can in your room. Further, having a     give ourselves while staying safe amid ceramic flower vase and a rocking the comfort of home. And what bet- armchair gives your bedroom a chic ctor, producer, UNEP species of butterflies. This is ter than the coziest decor trend — cot- and close to nature feel. AGoodwill Ambassador and also the home of an estimated tagecore? Here is a sophisticated take UN Secretary-General’s 340 wild tigers in two nature on the trending cottagecore décor to    Advocate for SDGs, Dia Mirza parks, Rajaji National Park bring in its aesthetic without a major Highly finished laminate walls, has frequently tweeted, blogged and Corbett. So, this state lit- home makeover. with a tinch of pattern, contrasting and talked about environmen- erally cradles our future. And against an old stone wall adds a char- tal degradation. She has repeat- to see it go up in flames like this    acter and urban flavour to your living edly tried to bring attention to repeatedly is very painful While opting for a floral theme area. To give your space a sprinkle of the fact that climate change is because I have been to these it might sound like a conventional timeless charm, try out hot neutral a clear and present reality as is forests and have absorbed their idea, but modern spaces look charm- shades of gray to complement your evident from the frequent nat- serenity and majesty.” ing with a little touch of fresh block brick wall. For instance, you can try ural disasters unfolding around She also reminded that prints or flower patterns. So, how Sheer Concrete laminate décor from the world ranging from flash every single fire poses a mas- about doodling your walls on chalk Greenlam. It makes vibrant colours floods, raging fires, snow sive risk to flora and fauna, fire grade laminates? One can try stand out while providing resistance storms and extreme weather fighters and forest rangers, one Avocado Green laminate decor by to scratch, steam, crack, heat and sur- changes. of whom told her of the role NewMika from the house of pastels shades and place some suc- enveloping for a perfect cottagecore place where you start and unwind face wear. With embroidered cushions Closer home, Uttarakhand that the timber mafia often Greenlam Industries Ltd that ensures culents over your wooden rack decor. your days. Here, adding cottagecore and rug, give an edge to your other- is currently battling 40 active plays in causing such tragedies. durability, elegance and perfect con- inspired from mother nature. Lastly, vibes to your room can help soothe wise plain sofa set. Finish this look forest fires with brave workers She said, “There is also neglect tinuity in chalk marks for hassle free remember to keep the space unclut-   stress, inspire your creativity that will with macramé wall hangings as it will trying to curtail their spread. and a lack of awareness that and readable writing. Throw some tered and every element soft yet Your bedroom is an important allow you to feel calmer. Start with add an oomph to your walls. The fire has already impacted precipitates the intensity of forests across the Garhwal and such a crisis. Our natural Kumaon regions and is said to resource management needs to be the worst since 2016. be better. As every person I Pained by the devastation, spoke to in Uttarakhand told Dia tweeted, “Since January me that we need to be more this year, there have been 983 aware of the reasons that cause incidents of forest fire in the deforestation, pollution of the state affecting 1,292 hectares of rivers, illegal mining and soil land. #Uttarakhand battles 40 erosion. We have to understand active forest fires, IAF sends how interdependent the help. Hope the state receives human existence and mother adequate help.” nature are. Rivers will dry up She added, “I once quoted if the forests that feed them are Baba Dioum, a Senegalese not protected. It will take the forestry engineer in a blog, the active participation of public gist of which was that in the and private partnership to end we will conserve only secure our natural resources.” what we love. Do we love our The actor has been rou- forests enough to protect them tinely talking about environ- is a question that niggles at me mental issues that don’t get every time such devastation mainstreamed and is also pro- takes place in Uttarakhand. ducing a series of short films Uttarakhand is the birthplace that will expand the signifi- of the Ganga and its forests feed cance of the 17 SDGs many important river systems (Sustainable Development that are the life source of mil- Goals) with compelling narra- lions. This is a state with 71 per tives. These films aim to high- cent forest cover, over 743 bird light the importance of inter- species (this represents about linked SDG goals which have -)   +  '  0. 0 1  )  ;  <.1)=3. '     '0 2 >> >>> 60 per cent of India’s avian bio- been designed to achieve a     ?> >>>      0 ? >>> 0           diversity), 102 mammals, 72 more sustainable future and a  0 0 .  3 species of reptiles and 439 healthier planet for all.   !"#"$  33 *'' %/00   0'0 A UNIQUE VISION FOR DEVELOPMENT     ( 0* ,0  "0!. + ' + #  '! ** *,! &  # , ,0!, 3' &4    , ! ,  !!, #,  3  4  "  !*, ,0   5 0 6!, *   * ,0,  #7 ,0 !  *,  ,  ,0 " ,!

What will be the effects of the The residential schemes are coming up of ? aimed at which sections of the The coming up of an airport society? has a multiplier effect on any We are primarily targeting the economy. Studies show that lower and lower middle class who wherever airports have come up, will live and work here. Majority the economy has increased of the plots are of small sizes which seven-fold. And that is the kind are 60, 90 and 120 sqm. of effect we hope that it will have on the area. Moreover, in con- What about the infrastructure junction with projects like the to cater to the area? Things like Film City which has been electricity and water. planned, it will mean that peo- We have plans to supply the ple coming down to shoot will area with Ganga water just like in have easy access. Noida. There will be more than adequate supply of electricity. What about the connectivity There is a proposed 765 KVA to the airport, which is natural- Substation of 3000 MW capaci- ly important for it to take off? ty as well as a commissioned The multi modal connectiv- 220kV substation at Jewar which ity of Jewar Airport is unique in is expected to be upgraded by the country. The Film City on UPPTCL to 400kV capacity. the Expressway is 3.5 km away from the Airport. So, anyone fly- The Film City is an important ing in can go directly to the Film part of the plan. How is it dif- City. ferent from the one already The Eastern Peripheral there in Noida? passes close to the Expressway It is close to the Jewar Airport and the Film City. We are devel- and has been planned over 1,000 oping it as an interchange. acres of land. Through this, one can go The earlier one in Noida was towards Haryana and Meerut. very small. In Mumbai, there were Moreover, the Eastern Peripheral already big studios so this did not is connected to the Western become important as there was Peripheral, so Sohna, Manesar no infrastructure. Till the time too will be connected with it. there is an integrated infrastruc- Additionally, cities like ture people would have to go to Faridabad too can be connect- different places for camera, visu- ed with by developing a corridor. al effects etc. You need to have The National High Speed everything at one place. That is Rail Corporation which is devel- the reason this Film City, which oping the corridor for the bul- is also being called Infotainment let train from New Delhi to city, would have everything in one has designated Jewar as place. a stop. It will take 21 minutes Incidentally, 70 per cent of from New Delhi Station to reach There are plans to have YEIDA especially for the pop- the technicians in the Hindi or Jewar. A detailed project report metro connectivity as well and ulation working within the even the South Indian film indus- (DPR) for the same is being pre- the approval has been given to areas? tries are from Uttar Pradesh. pared. DMRC for the same. The bus service, ‘Yamuna Since this Film City would have There is also the Mumbai Sarthi’, connects Noida, Greater these facilities, it would be a Delhi Expressway that will pass What will be the infrastruc- Noida and the Yamuna source of employment generation through Ballabgarh which is 31 ture like at the airport? Expressway Industrial too. km from Jewar. Of this, seven The initial plan was to have Development Authority km lies in UP and 34 km in two runways at the Noida (YEIDA). What are the parks that have Haryana. There will be another Greenfield International Airport This enables people who already been developed at Expressway spread over these 31 being developed by Swiss-devel- work in the area. These buses YEIDA? km which will connect the oper Zurich International run on designated routes at half We have made an MSME Mumbai Delhi Expressway to Airport AG. Now the plan is to hour intervals. Additionally, the Park, an Apparel Park, a Jewar and Film City. have five runways. central government agency, Handicraft Park and Toys Park So, the airport will be well- The remaining three run- Indian Port Rail and Ropeway where national and internation- connected in the north, west and ways will have Maintenance, Corporation Limited (IPRCL) al companies have set up opera- east directions. Except for the Repair, Operations (MRO) and has been roped in to work on a tions. This will generate employ- South, the three directions will field runways making it the sec- 300 crore pod taxi project that ment opportunities for at least 3.5 have roads leading to it. ond biggest airport in NCR and will connect the Film City with lakh people. The Dedicated Freight the world’s fourth or fifth the airport.  6+, Corridor (DFC) is at a distance biggest airport. Without an of 16 km and the area from the MRO, the aircraft have to go Film City to Chola will be devel- to Boeing or Airbus oped as a logistic and warehous- Headquarters for repair or ing. So air, road and rail cargo maintenance. This will be a big comes together here. The biggest step. advantage of connecting the Chola rail head is that it will be What are the schemes to developed centrally. ensure connectivity within  ),      ,!    ational Book Trust, India N(NBT) has organised a pan-India essay writing com- petition for students on the occasion of Prakash Parv which marks the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadurji. NBT is inviting students The essay can be written in from various schools, colleges English or in any other Indian and educational institutions to language. It has to be submitted write 500-700 word essays on by April 20, 2021. The best three any one of the topics: Teachings entries from each institution from the life of Guru Tegh shall be awarded. More details Bahadurji and relevance of can be found on www.nbtin- Guru Tegh Bahadurji’s teach- dia.gov.in and NBT’s social ings in the current times. media pages.   !"#"$ 3