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THE LARGEST CIRCULATED ENGLISH DAILY IN SOUTH INDIA VISAKHAPATNAM I WEDNESDAY I 1 APRIL 2020 WEATHER BUSINESS 9 TABLOID Max: 35.0OC WORLD|8 | Min: 24.6OC China may test Covid PSBs’ mega merger Buying ventilators? It RH: 60% Rainfall: 0mm vaccine abroad comes into effect is sheer stupidity Forecast: Haze. Max/Min temp. 35/24ºC deccanchronicle.com, facebook.com/deccannews, twitter.com/deccanchronicle, google.com/+deccanchronicle Vol. 35 No. 309 Established 1938 | 18 PAGES | `6.00 CORONA C UNT CASES DEATHS Tablighi spreads Covid in AP 1397 35 State adds 21 cases in one day; 711 people from AP visited Markaz; coronavirus risk rises MD ILYAS I DC TS: 96 06 VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 31 AP: 44 00 The Chalo Delhi religious Delhi cops book call of the Tablighi WORLD CONFIRMED CASES Jamaat for the mashoora (convocation) conducted by the Markaz masjid at 8,00,000 Nizamuddin is turning is Tablighi Jamaat a disaster for Andhra DEATHS Pradesh too. Twentyone new coronavirus (Covid- 19) positive cases wre meet organiser 38,540+ identified in the state on COUNTRIES, Tuesday, taking the total SHASHI BHUSHAN and AREAS WITH to 44, out of whom 18 per- BHASKAR HARI TS OFFICIAL TOO CASES 183 sons had returned from SHARMA | DC the meet. NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 ATTENDED DELHI Prakasam district tops the list, with 11 new posi- The Delhi police on tive cases, followed by Tuesday registered a case MOSQUE MEET ASTROGUIDE Visakhapatnam (10), against Maulana Saad DC CORRESPONDENT Sarvari; Uttarayana Guntur with nine positive and others under various HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 Tithi: Chaitra Suddha Ashtami till cases, Krishna (five), East sections of the IPC and the 3.38 am(Thursday) Godavari (four), Ananta- Epidemic Diseases Act for A senior Telangana state Star: Arudra till 7.23 pm pur (two), and one each violation of government government official is one Varjyam: Nil registered in Chittoor, directives given to the of the 1,030 people who Kurnool and Nellore dis- management of the have been ascertained to Durmuhurtam: 11.55 am to tricts. Markaz of Basti Nizamu- have attended the Markaz 12.44 pm Adding to the crisis, peo- ddin. The government Nizamuddin in Delhi. An Rahukalam: 12 noon to 1.30 pm ple are falling for said so far 1,582 Tablighi animal husbandry depar- HIJRI CALENDAR rumours wherein even Jamaat workers were tment official, he is said Shabaan 6,1441 AH non-coronavirus deaths shifted to the Narela, to have attended the PRAYERS in the family of any Delhi Sultanpuri and Bakkar- event that was held from Fajar: 5.50 am returnee is being related People, who came for a religious gathering at Nizamuddin mosque, are being taken to a hospital for Covid-19 test in wala quarantine facilities March 13 to 16. He is a New Delhi on Tuesday. — PTI Zohar: 1.30 pm to Covid. Besides this, that included 441 admit- resident of Masab Tank, people who met any of the ted in hospitals. with his house located Asar: 4.45 pm Delhi returnees in vari- The police said an FIR close to the GHMC munic- Maghrib: 6.20 pm ous places in Guntur dis- was filed against Maulana ipal office there. Isha: 8.15 pm trict are fearing commu- Saad and others of Tabli- An internal memo was SUNSET TODAY 6.09 PM nity transmission and ghi Jamaat for violation sent to department dire- SUNRISE TOMORROW 5.51 AM rushing to the GGH for State defers half pay to staff of the directives issued cts officials to look into MOONRISE TODAY 11.28 AM testing. after the coronavirus out- the matter and conduct DC CORRESPONDENTS MOONSET TODAY 11.01 PM The mashoora was con- As reported in these ed the Chief Minister to provide them with treat- break. necessary medical inves- ducted by the Tablighi VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 31 columns earlier, Chief deposit the remaining ment immediately. Over 3,000 people had tigations on the official. Jamaat from March 15 to Minister Reddy decided to amount at the earliest and He directed officials to gathered March 1 and COUNTER 17 and was presided by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan make partial payments as specify the schedule for it initiate measures to avoid March 18 at the Nizamu- POINT Moulana Saadh, head of Mohan Reddy on Tuesday revenues were badly hit in the GO itself. crowding in Rythu Baza- ddin Markaz mosque for a branch on Tuesday asked the Markaz mosque. decided to pay half the due to lockdown. The gov- Elsewhere, Mr Reddy ars and market places dur- Tablighi Jamaat meet. A the government to take Tabligihi Jamaat leader March salary to state gov- ernment will pay 40 per asked all Delhi returnees ing relaxation time of lock- senior police official said action on at least 157 per- Ikram Ali of Hyderabad ernment employees on cent salary to the All India and persons who have down and directed them to the FIR was filed under sons linked to the Tab- supervised the pro- April 1, while deferring Services (AIS) officers, 90 come in contact with them start janata markets. Section 269, 270, 271 and lighi Jamaat now staying gramme. the entire amount to peo- per cent salary to non- (touchpoints) to voluntari- Officials informed the 120B IPC at the Nizamu- at various masjids and State officials found 711 ples’ representatives to a hazetted officers rank ly come forward for a quar- Chief Minister that 17 new ddin police station. other places in Delhi. persons who attended the later date. staff, besides 50 per cent antine to restrain the cases of Covid-19 positive Delhi Chief Minister These include 94 from mashoora from Andhra The Chief Minister con- salary to state employees spread of the Coronavirus have a link to the Markaz Arvind Kejriwal has Indonesia, 13 from Kyrg- Pradesh, in which offi- veyed his decision to make of above NGO rank and 50 (Covid-19) pandemic. Nizamuddin meeting and appealed to religious lead- yzstan, nine from Bangla- cials traced whereabouts the salary adjustment to per cent to pensioners. The Chief Minister, dur- they were trying to track ers, irrespective of faith, desh, eight from Malay- of 626 people and shifted AP Government Emplo- Speaking to mediaper- ing a review meeting here down all fellow travellers to not organise any event sia, and some Indian nat- them to quarantine The yees Association president sons, Mr Suryanarayana on Tuesday, directed med- and other touchpoints. during the lockdown. ionals. The police warned search is on for informa- K.R. Suryanarayana at a said that employees would ical and health, police and Delhi health minister no “social distancing” is tion on the remaining 85. meeting held between the always support the govern- other departments to iden- ■ Page 4: Jagan appeals Satyendar Jain said 24 possible at these places The highest number of two at the former’s camp ment during a times of cri- tify all Delhi returnees and to Nizamuddin returnees to people had tested positive. and there was a grave people who went to attend office. sis. He, however, request- their touchpoints and to take treatment The Delhi police special public health risk. the Delhi meet are from Kurnool district (189), fol- lowed by districts of Guntur (88), Anantapur SC ASKS CENTRE WRITE TO BANK (73), Nellore (68), Praka- IN BRIEF sam (67), Kadapa (59), TO PREVENT Centre to focus on urban areas IF YOU WANT Krishna (43), Visakhapat- nam (42), Chittoor (36), DC CORRESPONDENT TO PAUSE EMIS Only BS-6 fuel East Godavari (27), West MIGRATION NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 Godavari (16) and DC CORRESPONDENT MEDICAL GEAR EXPORT TO SERBIA KICKS UP ROW MADHUSUDAN from today Vizianagaram (three). NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 The Union health ministry SAHOO | DC Hyderabad: India will switch Many of these returnees on Tuesday said that cities SRIDHAR in India by Serbia and “A second cargo Boeing NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 to cleaner BS-VI fuel from transmitted the virus to A day after the Uttar and states with the highest KUMARASWAMI | DC was flown from Kerala to 747 landed at Nikola April 1, joining select club of their family members, Pradesh administration number of positive cases NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 Serbian capital Belgrade. Tesla Airport in Belgrade Several public sector countries. The new fuel including their wives, and received flak for spraying are being treated as major The consignment repor- from Kerala, with 90 banks on Tuesday infor- contains just 10 part per the officials have shifted migrant labourers with hotspots of Covid-19 and Ending a controversy on tedly includes “35 lakh tonnes load of medical med their branch heads million (ppm) of sulphur them to quarantine. some unspecified chemi- the government is making alleged export of protec- pairs of sterile latex sur- protective equipment as well customers about and reduce nitrogen oxide Several religious leaders cals, the Centre told the all efforts to focus on them tive medical equipment gical gloves”. bought by Serbia to com- RBI’s three-month mora- emissions considerably. The opined that Tabligihi Supreme Court on to contain the spread of to Serbia in contraven- While the export of bat COVID-19”. torium on all term loans, switch to clearer fuel was Jamaat gives importance Tuesday that there is a the virus. But at the same tion of a ban, a govern- latex gloves was banned, The reports said “the including home, auto planned in 2016 by the to strict following of possibility that three out time it emerged that till ment official said the con- the government official cost for the transport of and crop loans and credit Narendra Modi government. Islamic norms, hence of 10 migrant workers now only 42,788 people signment did not contain said the government had the equipment was fully card dues. Private and Though public sector oil majority of Tabligihi fol- heading towards their vil- have been tested in the any item, whose export banned the export is on funded by the European foreign banks, however, marketing companies meet lowers might not have lages are carrying the country so far for the dead- was prohibited. Nitrile Rubber (NBR) Union. haven’t begun the pro- April 1, 2020 deadline, auto watched TV at home, pos- deadly novel coronavirus. ly virus. The official said 90- gloves. cess by Tuesday evening. companies got 10 day sibly the main cause of The court was also told Since India recorded its tonne consignment was According to reports ■ Page 7: Cochin Port The pause on equated extension to sell vehicles absence of general aware- by the Centre that now first confirmed positive purchased from vendors from Europe on Tuesday, tweeted about export monthly installments that run on older BS-IV ness. there are no migrant case in Kerala on January (EMIs) won’t come into fuels. Majority of these people workers on the road, a 30, this means that an effect automatically. returned between March submission contradicted average of 713 tests have were 1,238 active cases, 123 tracing of those who testing facilities to detect “Customers need to 18 and but did not inform by reports and images been conducted every day people have been cured attended the event. Covid-19 in every region. inform their banks that Euro chief warns about their visit of Delhi, coming in on Tuesday. in a country of 1.3 billion. while one left India. The government is fac- Defending the govern- they want to avail the which led to officials not In its daily briefing, the During the last 24 hours, The sudden spurt in ing severe criticism for ment, ICMR scientist Dr benefit of the moratori- EU’s break-up taking any precautions on Union home ministry said 121 new confirmed cases cases in the last couple of having one of the lowest Raman Gangakhedkar um. If there is a standing Brussels: Eurogroup presi- their front, even as the over 6.6 lakh stranded and and three deaths have days is being attributed to testing rates in the world. said so far 42,788 samples instruction, the cus- dent Mario Centeno warned government focussed on destitute people have been reported in India, the Delhi mosque gather- Over 200 scientists and have been tested for Covid- tomer has to inform the the euro single currency foreign returnees. been housed in shelter taking the total confirmed ing in Nizamuddin where members of the Indian 19 out of which 4,346 sam- bank that he want to could break apart if feuding camps across the country. cases to 1,397, and the 24 have tested positive so academic community on ples were tested on Mon- defer EMIs. Otherwise, governments don’t bury the ■ Page 2: Markaz visitors death toll to 35. By late far and health agencies Tuesday asked the govern- day, while the private sec- instalments will be hatchet and agree on a res- might be unaware of Covid ■ Full report on Page 5 Tuesday evening, there have intensified contact ment to rapidly enhance tor screened 399 cases. deducted,” a senior bank cue plan to help Italy and official added. Spain. The warning came as Another chief of a pub- the 19 members of the sin- lic sector bank said on gle currency still cannot LEGAL | TANGLE Bench tells AP to follow lockdown protocol; portion of another order is contrary condition of anonymity, agree on a rescue plan to “Banks on its own unilat- reverse the impact of the erally cannot stop ECS coronavirus. — PTI payment due to legal issue but the customer has the option of request- Brokerages: Cut HC gave contradictory orders, state says ing bank to stop it.” The borrowers of pri- N. VAMSI SRINIVAS I DC division bench comprising draw the second order. health workers in imple- judges, Advocate-General Another case was filed on vate banks and foreign trading hours VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 31 Chief Justice J.K. The Chief Justice repeat- menting the second order. Sriram and respondent’s the same day by Bharatiya banks, however, have Hyderabad: The Association Maheshwari and Justice edly asked about the sec- They preferred a common advocates took part from Janata Party leader received text messages, of National Exchanges In a rare incident, the gov- M. Satyanarayana Murthy ond order, and wondered facility to monitor those their respective homes. Velagapudi Gopalakri- alerting about the sched- Members of India (Anmi), ernment on Tuesday insisted that the state must how it was issued in con- crossing borders. They The AG explained that shna, in which the same uled EMIs. The bank offi- which represents nearly informed the Andhra follow the national proto- trast to the first one. He pointed out that several the HC took up the border bench passed orders that cial said customers are 900 brokerages, asked mar- Pradesh High Court that it col issued by the Centre on said he remembered issu- people were asymptomatic crisis suo moto and direct- healthy people should be getting such messages ket regulator Sebi reduce had passed two contradic- the lockdown and not ing an order directing the when they were put to ther- ed the government to allow allowed to go home, with- because the moratorium market hours four hours tory orders on the same allowing movement of peo- state to follow the national mal screening at airports, people following the out 14 days quarantine at decision has to be from the current six hours day pertaining to the ple, the same bench passed protocol. The respondent’s only to be tested positive national protocol. The government facility, and approved by the board of 15 minutes. The brokerages recent humanitarian crisis another order, a portion of advocate mentioned that later. state was willing to allow instead follow home isola- each lender but in many body want the markets to at the AP-Telangana bor- which was in contradiction Justice Murthy passed the In a first of its kind in the people to cross border only tion under the supervision cases the board meetings from function from 10 am to ders, where thousands of to the protocol. order later in the day. history of the High Court, if they agreed to get quar- of a doctor and policeman. have not taken place due 2 pm as against the present people from Hyderabad The government filed a Deccan Chronicle in these the review petition was put antined in a special facility The High Court later to the lockdown. 9.15 am to 3.30 pm in view tried to enter into the state. review petition appealing columns carried the con- to trial through video con- set up by the government adjourned hearing on the of national lockdown. While one order of the to the High Court to with- cerns expressed by the ference, in which the two for 14 days. matter. ■ Full report on Page 9 STATE DECCAN CHRONICLE | VISAKHAPATNAM | WEDNESDAY| 1 APRIL 2020 pg 2

SHORT TAKES NIZAMUDDIN Sudden spurt in number of cases RETURNEES SENT TO QUARANTINE DC CORRESPONDENT VISAKHAPATNAM, MARCH 31 to 11 rings alarm bells in Prakasam

Among 369 persons who returned from Hazrat There are 71 people in the isolation ward, who have contacts of Chirala couple and their son Nizamuddin in Delhi, after attending Tablighi Jamaat, 14 PATHRI RAJASEKHAR | are from Visakhapatnam dis- DC Markaz visitors trict and three from NELLORE, MARCH 31 Vizianagram. The persons from Vizag were The sudden spurt in the might be unaware admitted to the Government number of Covid-19 posi- Hospital for Chest and tive cases by eight, taking of Covid-19 Communicable Diseases, the total number of posi- while those from tive patients to 11 in From Page 1 Vizianagaram were sent to the Prakasam district, is caus- MR Government Hospital. ing jitters to the residents Several religious leaders Their swab samples were sent of the backward district. opined that Tablighi to the Virus Research and Incidentally, all the new Jamaat gives importance Diagnostic Laboratory at cases are either those who to strict following of Rangaraya Medical College in attended the religious Islamic norms, hence Kakinada. The results are meeting at Aami Markaz majority of Tabligihi fol- expected in a day or two. Baglewali Masijid, the lowers might not have The members of Tablighi headquarters of the popu- watched TV at home, pos- Jamaat attended mashoora, a lar Tablighi Jamaat at sibly the main cause of bi-annual convocation held at Nizamuddin in New Delhi absence of general aware- Delhi between March 15 and in the second week of ness. 17. March or close contacts of Majority of these people About 1,500 to 2,000 Tablighi the attendees. returned between March Jamaat members from two Only exception is the 18 and but did not inform Telugu states attended the first positive case of a stu- about their visit of Delhi, event. dent from London with his which led to officials not Meanwhile, 85 fishermen roots to Ongole reported taking any precautions on who reached Vizianagaram on March 19. The son of their front, even as the from Mangalore on Monday the coronavirus positive government focussed on night were quarantined at the couple from Chirala also foreign returnees. isolation facility at the JNTU tested positive for the Now, after news has campus in Dwarapudi. virus on Tuesday. His spread of the Delhi visit According to Vizianagaram father stayed with him for as a cause of rapid spread district medical and health few days after returning of coronavirus, Delhi officials, “No Covid-19 positive from the religious meeting returnees and their touch- cases have been reported in at Delhi. People sit on chairs in a queue maintaining physical distance to collect ration from a fair price store at Visalakshinagar in Visakhapatnam on points, including family the district so far. There is a According to District Tuesday, in an attempt to avoid the spread of Covid-19. — K. MURALIKRISHNA members, are rushing to continuous check on foreign Medical and Health hospitals for testing. returnees entering from other Officer of Prakasam, Dr S. In a tragic incident on states. The Centre sends the Appala Naidu there are 71 73 ATTENDED DELHI Monday, the parents of a list of foreign returnees to the people in the isolation Delhi returnee died with- district on a daily basis. A ward, who are contacts of Kurnool on edge as 400 Muslims EVENT FROM in a few hours in house-to-house survey was Chirala couple and their Vidyadharapuram in done by ward volunteers to son, at the Government ANANTAPUR DISTRICT Vijayawada due to long ill- trace them,” said officials. General Hospital in ness related to breathing Among these, symptomatic Ongole and swab samples from district attended religious fete DC CORRESPONDENT problems. Their son had people are sent directly to iso- of 56 of them have been ANANTAPUR, MARCH 31 returned from the Delhi lation wards in a special sent for lab tests. DC CORRESPONDENT ● 258 were found by offi- acted with several people was from Kurnool, the congregation and was ambulance and asymptomatic The Chirala Municipal KURNOOL, MARCH 31 cials and the remaining during the travel. Even on most popular Muslim city About 73 persons from under home isolation. are issued notice for home Corporation sanitary staff Tuesday, three people were in Andhra Pradesh. A 65- Anantapur district and Locals living on the quarantine for 28 days. Till and health officials Kurnool is on the edge were yet to be traced out. staying in Delhi for addi- year-old man died in the surrounding areas attend- street where the duo died now, 476 foreign returnees launched sanitisation with reports that some 400 A total of 189 have been tional prayers. Kurnool Government ed the Tablighi Jamat suspected these could be were identified. Out of them, drive 3 km area around the Muslims from the district quarantined at Rayala- Heart-rending scenes General Hospital on meeting in New Delhi coronavirus-related 82 have completed 28 days of house of Delhi returnees’ had attended the seema University were witnessed at the Monday. But his samples from March 13 to 15. But deaths and rushed to the observation, while 392 are son at Indira Colony Nizamuddin Markaz meet- quarantine centre at tested negative after officials identified 49 of GGH for testing. Officials under home isolation. which is declared as con- ing in Delhi from where Rayalaseema University, death, officials said. them as hailing from informed the people that tainment area. A team of many people contracted tained. The district admin- said Kurnool MLA Hafeez The district administra- Anantapur district. the couple was tested ear- health workers has been the coronavirus. Out of istration has been trying Khan. He has arranged tion has started a special Police said an 11-mem- lier and found to be Covid- CURBS ON deployed for door-to-door them, 258 were found by to identify the attendees medicines, food and other drive to identify their pos- ber team from Kadiri got negative, while their son survey to identify people officials and the remain- who had returned. They amenities to the quaran- sible contacts, including stranded at Nahi village is under isolation. RELIGIOUS suffering from symptoms ing were yet to be traced had gone to Nizamuddin tined people. their family members, and in Haryana while they Officials shifted all 35 peo- of coronavirus. out. A total of 189 have on March 12 by various Finance minister test their samples. were returning. “They ple to quarantine. GATHERINGS “The first 300 metres been quarantined at modes of travel, including Buggana Rajendranath District Collector G. are in quarantine in The officials, who were from the house is a high Rayalaseema University train and buses, and Reddy visited the quaran- Veera Pandian said that Haryana and no need for shocked to learn that DC CORRESPONDENT risk zone and we will also while 43 are still at home. returned on March 18 and tine facility on Tuesday. 202 have been quarantined panic for the residents of majority of new Covid-19 VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 31 carry out the sanitisation The whereabouts of 26 19. The largest contingent of in various units arranged Kadiri,” said MLA Sidda positive cases connected drive in the buffer zone, people are yet to be ascer- They would have inter- attendees at the meeting by the government. Reddy. to Delhi visit, started The Minorities Welfare the 2 km area from the shifting the travellers, Department has asked the dis- containment area,” Dr their family members and trict authorities to restrict the Appala Naidu said. other touchpoints to vari- gatherings at all the Waqf and In case of Nellore, there ous quarantine centres. religious institutions. are 11 people in isolation Since these Delhi Dr Mohammed Ilyas Rizvi, and 92 people in the quar- Majority positive cases Delhi visitors returnees attended local Principal Secretary to the antine ward. A majority of mosques and met several Minorities Welfare them have either attended SAMPAT G. SAMRITAN/ Kurnool and Nellore. on Tuesday. Doctors said Rajanagaram which was At Anantapur district, people for the past 10 days Department, said in the order the religious meeting in K.M.P PATNAIK/ A total of 164 samples his latest tests on March 27 declared as a Covid-dedi- two persons of a family it has created a scare issued through the AP State Delhi or their primary VADREVU SRINIVAS/ were tested since Monday and March 29 were nega- cated hospital. including a 10-year-old boy amongst locals in Guntur Waqf Board that the minority contacts. The swab sam- HOSKOTE night and 147 are found to tive. His wife who tested A 72-year-old man from and 45-year-old woman of city, Macherla, Chirala, community must offer five- ples of 57 people have been NAGABHSHANAM | DC be negative. As many as positive is still undergoing Rajahmundry was shifted Lepakshi mandal head- Ongole, Jaggaiahpeta, time prayers in their homes sent to Virology Lab at VIJAYAWADA/ 30,693 persons are under treatment. to a dedicated hospital in quarters were confirmed Rajahmundry, and follow the guidelines of SVIMS in Tirupati and the VISAKHAPATNAM/ home quarantine while The patient, hailing from Visakhapatnam. A 62-year- Covid-positive. A 74-year- Visakhapatnam and other the health department. Only results are awaited. KAKINADA/ 262 are admitted in the Allipuram of the old city, old man hailing from old woman from the fami- areas. the Imam and Moazzin with Nellore Municipal ANANTAPUR, MARCH 31 hospitals. A total of 256 visited Macca and Madina Konthamuru village died ly of six Macca-returnees Health minister Alla Masjid staff should offer Corporation officials, samples were tested from 9 and returned after spend- of cardiac arrest in the died of Covid-19 at Kali Krishna Srinivas said prayers in the mosques till along with health workers, AP witnessed a sudden pm on March 30, of whom ing some time with his quarantine ward in Bengaluru and her mortal that officials have started April 14. launched a sanitisation surge in the number of 21 tested positive. daughter in Hyderabad. Government General remains were reportedly shifting Delhi returnees As some people who attended drive in the areas where Covid-19 cases as 21 per- All the four persons who He went to three private Hospital in Rajahmundry. cremated at a village in and persons who were the congregation in Tablighi the suspects have been sons tested positive, taking tested Covid-positive from hospitals for severe cough He had returned from Gowribidnur taluka in came into contact with Jamat at Nizamuddin, New picked up from Monday the total number of Covid- Visakhapatnam had and cold and the private Delhi. Chikkaballapur district in them to quarantine cen- Delhi, had tested positive, night. 19 cases to 44. returned from the doctors admitted him into Samples were collected Karnataka closer to tres in all districts. steps had been taken to identi- ● According to a release Tablighi Jamaat event at the Chest Hospital. His from 101 foreign returnees Hindupur town. Sources Mr Srinivas said that fy all of them. The Waqf and More than 100 swab from the director of health the Markaz Masjid in daughter has tested Covid- of whom one tested posi- revealed the old woman people need of worry Minorities Welfare samples of Delhi returnees and family welfare on Nizamuddin. Health offi- negative. tive. The youth is recover- was confirmed Covid-posi- about dying from coron- Departments were assisting and their contacts sent for Tuesday, a majority were cials traced 14 persons Collector V. Vinay Chand ing in a private hospital. tive after her death. avirus as early diagnosis the district administration in lab tests from Nellore and those who attended a reli- who had returned from said 90 suspected patients Samples were collected Many of her relatives can lead to successful this task. Ongole gious programme in Delhi the event and 17 persons have been isolated in the from 108 Delhi returnees from Hindupur and treatment of victims. He He asked the unidentified ● and those who had con- they had come in contact hospital and one in VIMS of whom three were posi- Gowribidnur attended her appealed to the Delhi people to inform the collectors Sanitisation drive in tacted them. Some others with, and admitted them Hospital. So far, 215 were tive. Health personnel col- funeral. The Karnataka returnees and those they or call the helpline number 104 contacts living area in are those who were in con- in government hospitals. admitted and of them 124 lected blood samples from authorities were unable to were in touch with to immediately and undergo Nellore and Ongole tact with pilgrims who Four of them were found were discharged. 31 primary contacts of identify who had attended cooperate with the govern- treatment. ● The swab samples of 57 returned from Macca. to have the disease. At Kakinada, another positive cases but no posi- the funeral. ment. Prakasam topped the list The 65-year-old patient, Covid-19 positive case was tive case is reported so far. The family was among 46 people have been sent to with 11 cases, followed by who was the second to test detected in Peddapuram of Joint Collector-2 G. pilgrims, 15 from ● The officials, who were HALF SALARY, Virology Lab at SVIMS in Visakhapatnam (10), positive to Covid-19 on East Godavari, taking the Rajakumari said that the Gowribidnur and 31 from shocked to learn that Tirupati and the results are Guntur (nine), Krishna March 19, was discharged total to four in the district. contacts of Delhi Hindupur, who went to majority of new Covid-19 PENSION UNFAIR, awaited (five), East Godavari (four) from Government The three positive cases returnees have been Macca. They landed in positive cases connected Anantapur (two) and one Hospital for Chest and were shifted to a private tracked and all precau- Hyderabad and returned to Delhi visit. SAY PARENTS case each in Chittoor, Communicable Diseases hospital near tions taken. in the same bus. HARLEEN MINOCHA | DC HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 FREE | BIRDS No ganja smuggler was considered parole; all central prisons hold over 4,200 inmates in state The Telangana Parents Association (TPA) vehement- ly opposed the state govern- ment order to pay half the salar- 74 prisoners released from jails in state to stem Covid spread ies and pensions of state employees and pensioners for DC CORRESPONDENT a break up, the jail author- ● Telangana government release over 6,000 prison- return to the jail by 25 or superintendent of they produce sureties. March. VISAKHAPATNAM, ities said among the Rajahmundry Mr Srirama However many of them Nagati Narayana, state pres- MARCH 31 undertrial prisoners, 47 is yet to form a committee ers. 26 of April. Rajarao said that the pris- are from other districts ident, TPA in a letter to the were from Visakhapatnam to release the prisoners. ● Thirty prisoners, ● The prisoners were oners should again come and they are wary over Chief Minister over the issue The Andhra Pradesh district, two each from Maharashtra and UP have including 16 convicted in released in the presence to jail, after the expiry of securing the release since said that it was irresponsible prison department has Vizianagaram and announced the release of various offences and 14 of seventh additional met- their bail. it is a herculean task to of the government to pass begun releasing prisoners Srikakulam and one from 11,000 prisoners each, He said that all arrange- reach their hometowns in such an order during the lock- on interim bail and emer- East Godavari. Of the con- remand prisoners, were ropolitan magistrate ments were made to the backdrop of lockdown. West Bengal and Delhi released on parole from Jagadish Kumar and cen- down. gency parole following the victed prisoners, 15 were have announced the release them on April 1. Moreover they have to be “In the situation that we see Supreme Court’s sugges- from Visakhapatnam, five the Kadapa central prison tral jail superintendent S Meanwhile, East in home isolation and also release of 3,000 prisoners on Tuesday. The prisoners Rahul. today, the expenditure being tion on March 23 that from Vizianagaram and each. Punjab is set to Godavari sub-jails officer under the radar of police, incurred by the people is states may consider releas- one from Srikakulam. have been ordered to Mr Tirupal said that Mr Ravi Kiran said point- immense. Most of the salary ing those facing jail term The prisoners were already 17 prisoners were ing the lukewarm and pension goes into paying of seven years and below released in the presence of released from Kakinada response to release offer. rent and EMIs, stocking up to decongest jails in view seventh additional metro- parole, he added. The These prisoners, howev- announced the release of (2), Prathipadu (6) and Thirty prisoners, includ- basic essentials and fulfilling of spreading coronavirus. politan magistrate Vizag jail has around 600 er, will be under constant 3,000 prisoners each. Tuni (2) jails. West ing 16 convicted in various medical needs. In the first phase, 74 pris- Jagadish Kumar and cen- ganja smugglers compris- watch of jail authorities Punjab is set to release Godavari sub-jails officer offences and 14 remand Families are facing financial oners, including seven tral jail superintendent S ing half of the capacity and will be tracked on a over 6,000 prisoners. Mr S. Kishore Kumar said prisoners, were released problems. This order will women, were released Rahul. and they hail from differ- daily basis by special com- According to a report that seven prisoners were on parole from the Kadapa defeat the spirit of the lock- from the Central Jail in “Only petty offenders ent parts of the country. mittees to ensure that they from Kakinada, as many released from Tanuku (4) central prison on Tuesday. down,” he said. Visakhapatnam on were released as per the Andhra Pradesh has four do not escape. as 73 remand prisoners and Narsapuram (3) jails. The prisoners have been Mr. Narayana, on behalf of Tuesday evening. Of them directions of the judge central prisons located at Telangana government is were granted bail in East Three remand prisoners ordered to return to the the Telangana Parents 53 were undertrial prison- who went to the prison and Vizag, Rajahmundry, yet to form a committee to and West Godavari dis- walked out of the Nellore jail by 25 or 26 of April. Association, demanded that ers and 21 convicts. All the decided on who should be Nellore and Kadapa. All release the prisoners. tricts, out of which 17 jail on Tuesday. The Kadapa prison has the government retire the seven women are undertri- released,’’ said IG of pris- central prisons hold over Maharashtra and UP have were already released on Superintendent of the more than 800 inmates, order and pay full salaries al prisoners. ons G. Jayavardhan. 4,200 prisoners (both male announced the release of Monday. The remaining 55 prison Mr Ravi Kiran said including 500 convicts and and pensions. The central jail has 1,350 However, no ganja smug- and female and convicts 11,000 prisoners each, West will be released on there are 25 more eligible the remaining are remand inmates as on date. Giving gler was considered and under-trials). Bengal and Delhi have Wednesday. Central jail for the release provided prisoners. CITY DECCAN CHRONICLE | VISAKHAPATNAM | WEDNESDAY | 1 APRIL 2020 pg 3

IN BRIEF Follow lockdown rules Isopropyl alcohol LAB FOR TESTS TO BE OPERATIONAL kills 1 youth, 2 sick IN 3 TO 4 DAYS ● Due to the lockdown, DC CORRESPONDENT DC CORRESPONDENT KAKINADA, MARCH 31 the youth could not get VISAKHAPATNAM, MARCH 31 alcohol and experimented Non-availability of liquor with isopropyl alcohol A laboratory that has been at Kavalipuram village of ● Two friends of the vic- proposed for conducting swab Iragavaram mandal in tests of suspected corona West Godavari district tim initially refused to virus infected patients at due to coronavirus clamp- consume it initially Virology Department of King down led to six youth George Hospital will become experimenting with a con- youth Alladi Venkatesh operational in three to four coction of isopropyl alco- (22), also of Velpuru, days. hol. One of them died became serious and was The artificer machine and while two of the five hos- admitted to a private hos- other equipment would arrive pitalised are in critical pital at Tanuku. When on Wednesday evening. It condition. doctors asked him the rea- would take two to three days to According to sources, son for his condition, he assemble the entire machin- P. Veeresh, who worked in revealed the consumption ery and another day for trial Tanuku at a chemical of isopropyl alcohol. run. shop, took one litre bottle Doctors then took it as a Once the lab will be set up, of isopropyl alcohol from medico legal case and around 100 samples can be the shop. He invited five of informed the police. tested in a day in two shifts, his friends on Sunday and Following this, the said Superintendent of King explained that the iso- remaining people who George Hospital Dr. G. Arjuna. propyl alcohol gave the consumed the industrial At present, three labs are effect of liquor when con- alcohol were also admit- operating at Kakinada, sumed. They all diluted ted to the hospital. Tirupati and Vijayawada and the industrial liquid with Deputy commissioner of they are loaded with samples a cool drink and con- prohibition and excise from other regions of the sumed it. Two of Anasuya Devi said they State. After the identification Veeresh’s friends were ini- have inquired in the mat- of pilgrims, who arrived from tially reluctant but later ter. The youth revealed New Delhi, after attending a they too that they consumed the prayer meeting in consumed it. concoction as liquor was Nizamuddin mosque and their Police personnel stop the entry of vehicles after 11 am on roads, as the nation goes under lockdown to check the spread of Covid-19 One of the youth not available due to the contact persons, the demand in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. — DECCAN CHRONICLE Dharmala Naveen Murthy lockdown. She, however, for testing has increased. Raju (21) of Velpuru vil- maintained that the inci- ● lage in Tanuku Rural dent does not come under The artificer machine and mandal died the same day their department’s other equipment would arrive and his family members purview. Iragavaram on Wednesday evening. It completed his last rites police is inquiring into would take two to three days too. On Monday, another the incident. to assemble the entire machin- ery and another day for trial Prices of veggies hiked run. Once the lab will be set up, around 100 samples can be Hospital checks tested in a day in two shifts, says KGH superintendent Dr Arjuna ignoring state’s orders VILLAGERS BLOCK ROADS NEAR Most of the vendors found selling agri produce at double the existing rate DC CORRESPONDENT vegetables and groceries ● While the government sold at higher prices. So, government-fixed rates. KAKINADA VISAKHAPATNAM, have become costlier in fixed the rate of tomatoes we have to buy online at Also, the prices of other MARCH 31 the rural parts of the at `16 a kg, vendors are an extra cost.” essential garlic and ginger DC CORRESPONDENT state. The vendors attrib- selling the same in the Most of the vegetable soar up to `180 a kg and KAKINADA, MARCH 31 In spite of the orders from ute the price rise to hike in market at `30 vendors sold the items at `200 a kg respectively the government authori- the transportation cost doubled rates. As per the when compared to the gov- The people of some villages ties, the prices of vegeta- and high demand in the government orders, the ernment rate of `90 each. are blockading the roads with bles and groceries have market. Even, the cus- super markets and depart- tomatoes shall be sold at On Tuesday, Vizianaga- bushes, water tins, iron grills gone up drastically in tomers are not complain- mental stores across the `16 per kg while they are ram Joint Collector GC etc to prevent others from retail market amid lock ing about the growing state. available in the market for Kishore Kumar went to coming there. down imposed across the prices. M Subha Devi, a resident Rs 30 a kg. Similarly, onion the vegetable market in Such incidents have country to contain the Meanwhile, there is a of Vizianagaram, said: price was fixed at Rs 30 a disguise of a common occurred in spread of Covid-19. The mad rush for essential “The shop keeper was kg but sold in market at Rs man. While purchasing Bhavannarayanapuram near households are going for commodities as the house- unable to give the regular 50 per kg. The rates of vegetables, he enquired People from various areas in the city turn out at the Kakinada and panic buying due to appre- holds believe in widely brands to us. The most- brinjal and potato also about the actual prices. He Government Chest Hospital to get tested for Covid-19 Chakradwarabandam in hensions of extending 21- spread rumours on fur- selling products are out of seen two-fold rise from realised that there is a as the positive cases were on the rise across the Rajanagaram mandal. The day lock down period for ther extension of lock stock. The branded items `20 to `40 a kg. marginal rise in the mar- nation, in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. — DC Village Panchayat volunteers more days. down. The public and pri- of refined oil, atta, noodles Similarly, the prices of ket rates against the gov- said that as Katheru village Apart from Rythu vate sector employees are packets and corn flakes lady finger, beetroot, car- ernment-fixed prices. He has been declared as a Red Bazaars, there are no rate yet to receive their were not available at retail rot, cabbage and cauli- asked the officials to cor- Zone, people may enter their charts in the retail mar- salaries. However, there stores. Other items like flower were available at 40- rect the rising vegetable village to go to Rajahmundry kets. Not only in cities, the are big queue lines before rice and dal were being 50 per cent higher than the prices of the retailers. Fishermen to stop and other places. The village is adjacent to NH 16. However, many said that this fishing from today will create problems for ambu- lances carrying patients. UMBRELLA CAN DC CORRESPONDENT age in June 2019 and reg- No entry VISAKHAPATNAM, istered good returns till CHECK SPREAD MARCH 31 October. However, since EDIBLE OIL FIRMS November 19, the quality OF COVID-19 Seafood lovers will have a and quantity was very TO WORK FROM tough phase in the state poor and the operators DC CORRESPONDENT from April 1 to June 14. In faced loss due to the mis- VISAKHAPATNAM, the wake of spread of match in returns and TODAY MARCH 31 deadly virus Covid-19, no expenditure. DC CORRESPONDENT exports and huge loss in There are 1,600 mecha- KAKINADA, MARCH 31 Several doctors, bureau- fishing, mechanised boat nised boats in the state crats, and intellectuals operators have decided to and the operators are The edible oil companies have been advising peo- stop fishing from the wee deputing men and materi- under the state ports will start ple to maintain social hours of April 1. al for 7, 10 and 14 days’ work from April 1, said agri- distance, by covering In fact, there is a 60-day voyages across the state. culture minister Kurasala their face with masks, in fishing ban, as part of Due to the shortage of Kannababu. The minister held the wake of Covid-19 conserving the seafood. ice and huge input loss, a meeting with AP Markfed virus spread. Now, This will begin from around 35 per cent of Managing Director another suggestion is to April 15 to June 14 night. boats have stopped fish- Srikanttanath Reddy, Joint take an umbrella while In order to conserve the ing. With price of diesel, Collector G. Lakshmisha, going out. marine wealth, the gov- ice and wages to fisher- District Additional An old man, who had ernment has been impos- men skyrocketing, the Superintendent of Police gone to the market for ing the ban since the past operators have been K.Kumar and representatives vegetables in 19 years. incurring huge loss. of oil companies on Tuesday. Chodavaram, died due to However, as there was Meanwhile, due to less He asked the companies to scorching temperature no good catch, mismatch- quality and quantity of create awareness among the recently. The district ing in returns and expen- fish and prawn, the opera- workers on Covid-19 and give authorities have sug- diture and no exports on tors are not getting good them additional incentives. gested using umbrellas account of Covid-19, returns. The workers would be issued as the temperature is mechanised boat opera- “In the wake of Covid- e-passes and the East Godavari rising every day. tors have decided to 19, the fishing industry and Nellore district joint col- While visiting Rythu anchor all the vessels has been facing a huge lectors would make special Bazar in Sitammadhara from the wee hours of trouble. There are no arrangements to supervise the in the city on Tuesday, April 1. exports. There is a fishing edible oil companies under Joint Collector L. Siva In fact, during the past ban from April 14 for 60- Kakinada and Krishnapatnam Shankar also advised Residents of the Aarilova Colony prepare barricades with cloth and wood to stop outside people from entering their three years, with huge days and we have decided ports. the people to use umbrel- area as a precautionary measure to check the spread of Covid-19 on Tuesday. — DC expectations, the boat to stop the fishing from Essential commodities would las not only to protect operators began the voy- April 1.” be supplied to the people and from the heat wave but every eligible poor family also to ensure a metre would be given cash of `1,000 distance from others in TRAVEL | TRAVAILS IG underlines the need for efforts to trace 215 persons, increase surveillance and redgram and pension from public areas. April 1. City-based well-known He called upon the aqua doctor Dr. Kutikuppala units to process their prod- Surya Rao suggested ucts. The village and ward vol- mandatory use of 215 foreign travellers sneak into Prakasam district unteers, district administra- umbrellas to main- tion, medical and health and tainsocial distancing. DC CORRESPONDENT ● The authorities have Surveyors, 250 hostel war- police departments are work- While using an umbrel- NELLORE, MARCH 31 declared Ongole, Chirala, dens and 1000 science ing well, he said. la, a person will auto- Kandukuru, Karamchedu teachers apart from RTC Nizamuddin religious meeting The marketing department matically stand away As many as 215 persons and Kanigiri as contain- conductors for control sur- would purchase turmeric, from the others at a min- with foreign travel history veillance because of lack jowar and maize from April 7. imum one-meter dis- sneaked into Prakasam ment zones of police force. The horticulture crops in tance and also will be district, according to intel- on people returned from He said they have provid- adds to the worries of officials Anantapur would be trans- safe from the scorching ligence reports. They are other countries. He has ed relief centres in 56 ma- ported to other states in con- heat, Surya Rao said. not in the list of 1080 per- also stressed the need for ndals for 7,500 persons DC CORRESPONDENT ed positive on Tuesday. quarantine, two are yet to sultation with the Union Even Corona virus posi- sons, provided by the Gov- effective implementation returned from different di- TIRUPATI, MARCH 31 The AP government has be traced, 15 have moved Horticulture department. tive persons cannot ernment of India, retuned of lockdown. stricts and states to Prak- issued a high alert to to other states and one has Steps would be taken to give reach the other as long to Prakasam after a visit Speaking on the occa- asam district. Mr Bhaskar The religious congrega- locate those who returned left for another district. good prices to banana, mango as the other remains to different countries. Ins- sion, District Collector added that they have kept tion - Tablighi Jamaat— from the Jamaat meeting, Eight of the 28 were and tomato in Rayalaseema under umbrella cover, pector General of Police, Pola Bhaskar said they 134 persons returned from held at the Hazrat and move them to quaran- quarantined at region, he said. Dr.Rao said. Mahesh Chandra Laddha, have declared Ongole, Delhi under the supervi- Nizamuddin Dargah in tine facilities. Srikalahasti, eight at ● special police officer for Chirala, Kandukuru, sion of medical officers. New Delhi from March 15 The Chittoor district Piler, six at Sri Minister Kannababu asked ● Umbrellas would not Prakasam District on Karamchedu and Kanigiri Earlier,Principal to 17 has added to the administration, which has Padmavathi Nilayam near the oil companies to create only help in protecting (COVID-19) has disclosed as containment zones and Secretary for Labour worry of the official collected a list of 46 people Tirupati, three at awareness among the workers from the rising tempera- this during a review on high risk zones following Department and machinery in its bid to from the district, is check- Kurabalakota, two at the on Covid-19 and give them ture but also enable in steps to contain Corona Covid-19 virus positive Prakasam District Special contain the COVID-19 out- ing for virus symptoms district hospital and one additional incentives maintaining 1-metre Virus in Prakasam district cases identified in the Officer B. Udaya Lakshmi break. among those present in at Punganur facility. ● held at Ongole on Tuesday. areas. He said they have called upon the officials to Six persons from and around the hotspot The district medical and The workers would be distance to keep our- The IG has underlined drafted 400 Physical put all their efforts to con- Telangana, who attended near the Nizamuddin health department has col- issued e-passes and the EG selves safe from the the need for efforts to trace Education Training teach- tain the Corona virus the conference, died of the Dargah. lected the samples of the and Nellore district JCs would deadly coronavirus the 215 persons and ers, 884 Village Revenue while pointing to the virus on Monday, and 13 Out of the 46 identified, 28 people and sent them supervise the companies which is spreading fast increase the surveillance Officers, 894 Village threat to the humanity. from Andhra Pradesh test- 28 have been kept under for test. POLITICS DECCAN CHRONICLE | VISAKHAPATNAM | WEDNESDAY | 1 APRIL 2020 pg 4

SHORT TAKES Homebound JAGAN APPEALS DGP PROMISES TO NIZAMUDDIN TO BRING BACK RETURNEES UK STRANDED FROM PAGE 1 DC CORRESPONDENT Officials explained to VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 31 Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy that AP Director General of Police amongst the latest Damodar Goutam Sawang has detected cases in the assured stranded Telugu stu- state, most of them have dents from AP in London that participated in the they would get all requisite Tablighi Jamaat event in support from both the Centre Delhi. and the State Governments to State officials are gath- come back to their home state. ering information from Addressing the stranded stu- event organisers, police dents in London, through a officials and railway video conference arranged department as to who all under the joint aegis of AP have travelled in the CID (NRI Cell) and APNRT train and from various from here on Tuesday, the DG other sources and trying advised the students to be to track down every brave and confident. touchpoint. Responding to him, the stu- Chief Minister Reddy dents expressed their concern appealed to Nizamuddin by saying that as Covid-19 is travellers and their spreading rapidly, it would touchpoints to voluntar- affect education, health and ily come, enter quaran- employment sectors in London tine and undertake and appealed for intervention treatment. He instructed of the AP Government to health and police depart- bring them back to India. ments to coordinate and identify fellow trav- POWER STAFF ellers, test them, and shift them to quarantine DONATE `7.87 centres in case of any symptoms. CR TO CMRF Daily labourers from Odisha started on foot from Hanumantawaka in Visakhapatnam to reach their villages in Odisha, despite the Centre’s direction to stop migrants from Mr Reddy also ordered crossing state borders, on Tuesday. — P. NARASIMHA MURTHY officials to ensure that DC CORRESPONDENT there should be no pub- VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 31 lic gatherings in the state. He told them to AP power utilities donate `7.87 strictly implement crore to AP Chief Minister’s relaxation time in urban Relief Fund to fight Covid-19 and rural areas. He pandemic. asked officials to con- Employees of power utilities 30,990 foreign returnees in state duct a survey in every including AP Transco, AP house in urban areas. Genco, AP Discoms, NRED- The urban areas should CAP and APSECM donated Minister asked the people to go for Covid-19 test voluntarily and stay in self isolation at home be more concentrated as their one day basic pay to the PATHRI RAJASEKHAR | ● Health minister Alla virus cases. He also under- they are more prone to tune of `7.87 crore to AP DC Kali Krishna Srinivas lined the need to increase virus infection. CMRF to help the state govern- NELLORE, MARCH 31 (Nani) said that this was the testing capacity of He sought details on ment to initiate measures to labs. Covid-19 panel chief tests the work of task force in due to the spread of the contain spread of Covid-19. The number of coron- virus among those who MLC Vakati Narayana districts and instructed Minister for energy Balineni avirus cases in the state Reddy urged the govern- officials to make use of Srinivasa Reddy, energy secre- has increased to 44 on had attended a religious ment to take care of aqua market yards’ chairman tary Nagulapalli Srikanth and Tuesday from 23 on meeting held at and citrus farmers and negative at home isolation and fill all vacant chair- AP Transco joint managing Monday. Health minister Nizamuddin in Delhi in the said paddy growers were man posts. He instructed director K.V.N. Chakradhar Alla Kali Krishna Srinivas second week of March in a fix because of lack of N. VAMSI SRINIVAS | DC ● Krishna Babu attended the bureaucrat was dis- that price lists must be Babu handed over cheque to (Nani) said that this was ● He promised to provide MSP and exploitation by VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 31 a meeting in New Delhi charging his duties. displayed from April 1. the Chief Minister Y.S. due to the spread of the middlemen and millers. and took a flight to The Air India authori- He also ordered officials Jaganmohan Reddy on virus among those who 150 ventilators and per- The paddy growers The top brass of the State ties as well as Krishna dis- to buy banana and toma- sonal protection equip- Vijayawada on March 19. Tuesday. had attended a religious would be affected if the administration heaved a He was asked by the CM trict officials dropped a to crops from farmers. ment for the doctors and government fails to pro- Farmers are facing meeting held at sigh of relief when senior to oversee the crucial bombshell on March 27 AP SETS UP Nizamuddin in Delhi in paramedical staff cure the harvested paddy bureaucrat M.T. Krishna morning that a person problems with crops the second week of March. and offer minimum sup- Babu, principal secretary coordination travelled in the same flight that cannot be stored, he CONTROL ROOM He asked the people con- port price. The lemon Transport, Roads and was tested positive for said. He affirmed that cerned to go for Covid-19 150 ventilators and person- farmers also were worried Buildings, tested negative Covid-19. He took the the government is keen test voluntarily and stay in al protection equipment because of lack of trans- for Covid-19. home isolation immediate- domestic flight after com- on providing MSP to FOR COVID-19 self isolation. They can for the doctors and para- portation facility to mar- Mr Krishna Babu, who is ly on knowing that a per- ing from Europe. Mr farmers. Officials DC CORRESPONDENT call the helplines and give medical staff in Nellore. ket the produce, he said. holding the crucial job of son who travelled with Krishna Babu cancelled briefed the Chief VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 31 information about them- He also told the district Water resources minis- heading the state level him was tested positive. his scheduled meetings Minister that fruit ven- selves and those who came administration to make ter Dr Anilkumar Yadav coordination committee Official sources told including a presentation dors are being allowed to State government has set up a into contact with them, he use of the services of pri- said a meeting would be on Covid-19, took part in Deccan Chronicle that Mr to the state cabinet on the sell fruits and farmers state level control room to co- told the media after a vate doctors and hospitals held with the hatcheries several meetings held by Krishna Babu attended a preparedness to meet exi- will benefit by this as ordinate with all the hospitals review meeting held in to handle the situation. and cold storage manage- Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan meeting in New Delhi and gencies and address the retail business is func- to take steps to contain spread SPSR Nellore district. As MLC Vitapu ments to help the aqua Mohan Reddy and chief took a flight to Vijayawada problem of supplying tional even during lock- of Covid-19. per the central govern- Balasubhramanyam said farmers store or dispose of secretary Nilam Sawhney on March 19 and attended essential commodities down. The department of health, ment data, 30,990 people most private hospitals had the harvested shrimp. in the recent past. He had office normally. He was during the lockdown. Mr Reddy instructed medical and family welfare had come to the state from closed down as the staff Industries minister no idea that he came asked by the Chief When contacted, Mr officials to set up a dis- has set up the control room at other countries. could not attend duty in Mekapati Goutham Reddy, under category of persons Minister to oversee the Krishna Babu said the test tribution network that fifth floor in R and B building While 30,693 among them view of the lockdown hit- collector M.V. Seshagiri exposed to the virus crucial coordination fol- result was negative but he coordinates from vil- in the city under the control of are in home isolation, 262 ting the medical care of Babu, SP Bhaskar because of a flight journey lowing the announcement is continuing his self lage-level to city-level director of medical education. remain in the isolation even other patients in gov- Bhushan and joint collec- he undertook from New of lockdown. A central quarantine till the stipu- and supply goods based The control room will co-ordi- wards in hospitals. ernment hospitals which tor Dr V. Vinod Kumar Delhi to Vijayawada. control room was set up in lated time and working on demand in respective nate with four state Covid hos- He promised to provide were concentrating on the were among those present. However, he went into Vijayawada from where from home. villages and cities. He pitals, all district hospitals sought details on aqua and also 435 private hospitals and agriculture-related to initiate measures to tackle sectors. Officials said the spread of the virus. that of 69 processing units in state, 41 are 1 AMBULANCE State is facing Naidu demands more virus tests functional. Fisheries department FOR EACH DC CORRESPONDENT officials are coordinat- VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 31 ing with control rooms ASSEMBLY financial crisis in districts to issue pass- Telugu Desam supremo N. TD chief suggests use of es to workers working in DC CORRESPONDENT V.K.L. GAYATRI | DC ises on “Navaratnalu.” Chandrababu Naidu has processing units. VISAKHAPATNAM, MARCH 31 VISAKHAPATNAM, The state finance min- demanded an increase in Products are being MARCH 31 istry had alerted the chief the number of coron- exported to America and Minister for tourism and cul- minister’s office about avirus tests, supply of digital media platforms China; 13 containers ture Muttamsetti Srinivas The coronavirus out- the mismatch between personal protective equip- from Visakhapatnam asked the deputy commission- break has increased the receipt and expenditure ment to frontline war- DC CORRESPONDENT ● Naidu wanted the CM and four containers er of road transport authority financial burden of the and urged the govern- riors, identifying the par- VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 31 to talk online to intellec- from Kakinada have left K. Raja Ratnam to organise state exchequer which ment to seek central ticipants of the Hazrat tuals, experts, doctors port on Monday. ambulances for each has already been under funds. Nizamuddin meeting and Telugu Desam supremo N. and social activists and The CM said all bills Assembly constituency so as stress after the YSR The state finance minis- their touchpoints and con- Chandrababu Naidu on seek their suggestions to under Aarogyasri serv- to rush the suspected cases of Congress government ter met Nirmala ducting an online meeting Tuesday called for effec- ices have been cleared coronavirus to the concerned assumed power. Sitharaman in Delhi and of all political parties to tive use of digital media help the people and instructed officials hospital or quarantine centres Finance minister explained the situation to discuss steps to cope with platforms like Zoom cloud ● He asked the ruling to deliver quality treat- without much loss of time. Buggana Rajendranath her. Covid-19 in the state. conferences to practise party to set aside political ment for everyone. In a review meeting with the Reddy has asked Union The disbursal of In a letter sent to Chief physical distancing as per disputes and work togeth- top officials here on Tuesday finance minister Nirmala salaries and pensions for Minister Y.S. Jagan the call of Prime Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu er to face the pandemic the minister discussed on the Sitharaman to reschedule March will be a difficult Mohan Reddy, he asked Narendra Modi. BENEFICIARIES progress of the measures. all the loans taken during task for the state govern- him to identify and seg- Mr Naidu, who held a the past three years and ment as the exchequer is regate the infected people press conference on Zoom to help the people. hot vapour exposure to WILL GET UDDHAV VOWS release the pending dues. virtually dry. in the state and cloud on Tuesday, asked He asked the ruling nose and throat would kill The previous Telugu “The Centre has to clear expressed concern over CM Jagan Mohan Reddy party to set aside political the virus. TO HELP AP Desam government had various funds, including the fate of those who to use digital technologies disputes and work togeth- The daily gurgling of hot RATION: NANI availed of huge loans the GST share of almost attended the Tablighi to communicate with the er to face the pandemic. “I saltwater will increase from every source. The `1,000 crore. For the Jamaat’s convocation people about his govern- have been discussing with resistance. Small quanti- DC CORRESPONDENT LABOURERS YSR Congress govern- Polavaram project, it has and their contacts. ment's response to the experts ways to prevent ties of food should be VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 31 DC CORRESPONDENT ment faced trouble due to to give `3,500 crore. The “Over 700 people from Covid-19 threat. He want- the virus spread. The gov- taken at frequent inter- VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 31 the big gap between dues pending include the Andhra Pradesh attended ed the CM to talk online to ernment should also do vals. More water intake Minister for civil sup- receipt and expenditure 14th finance commission the convocation (Mash- intellectuals, experts, doc- it,” he said. and hot cooked food would plies Kodali Venkates- Maharashtra Chief Minister during its first quarter in funds, additional develop- oora) from March 15 to 17 tors and social activists Listing out some do’s also help fight the virus, wara Rao alias Nani on Uddhav Thackeray has the present fiscal. ment funds for backward and returned to Andhra and seek their suggestions and don’ts, he said that he said. Tuesday said the govern- assured to take care of around However, Chief districts and other Pradesh. The government ment will ensure supply 500 migrant labourer families, Minister Y.S. Jagan accounts totalling `18,000 must trace all the partici- not act promptly, the num- he said. doctors, nurses, ward of free ration to all the hailing from parts of Kurnool, Mohan Reddy has given crore,” said a senior offi- pants and test them,” he ber of cases would Protective equipment boys, paramedical staff, beneficiaries. He refuted stranded on the outskirts of top priority to implement- cial in the finance depart- said. increase and the state like body masks and face safai karamcharis and the allegation of the Mumbai due to Covid-19 lock- ing his pre-election prom- ment. If the government does would face a catastrophe, masks should be given to police, he said. opposition TD leaders. down based on a plea from Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday. The Jana Sena chief tweeted TOUGH | TIME Central authorities advised the two states to go for overdraft if funds are required to Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, explaining about the hardships being faced by the stranded labourers. He said that the labourers are AP, TS face uphill task with Covid funds pending unable to find work and not having food and water while S.N.C.N. ACHARYULU I DC waiting for release of ■ The centre had As no Central funds were cials of the Telugu states. hospitals can be incurred however, mean the state women and children too face HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 funds by the Centre for announced that it will pro- forthcoming, officials of The Centre reportedly through the SDRF. In governments will have to hardships with no milk to feed fighting the virus crises. vide funds for fighting the both the state govern- took the stance that SDRF, the Centre’s share is pay additional interest for the kids. The Jana Sena Chief With funds promised by While terming Covid-19 outbreak of coronavirus. ments contacted the cen- expenses for hospitalisa- 75 per cent while the state these funds. As is, both the said that as they all belong to Centre to the states for “a notified disaster along- Both AP and TS govern- tral authorities concerned tion of the sick would pays the rest. However, if governments are already Below Poverty Line category, fighting Covid-19 not being side earthquakes and only to be informed that come under the National Covid-19 is treated as a burdened by debts and they have sought the interven- released yet, the Telugu floods”, the Central gov- ments have not yet no funds could be released Health Mission and costs national disaster, it would interest payments. tion of the Maharashtra CM states are facing a severe ernment had said it would received any central funds now. They advised the two for setting up additional involve 100 per cent cen- Officials of the state and shared the details of their cash crunch with virtually provide the states immedi- so far. states to go for overdraft if testing laboratories and tral funds. finance department have location through GPS and also no collection of tax and ate funds and other relief funds are required and money spent on buying In the given situation, AP expressed the hope that their mobile numbers and also non-tax revenues due to to fight the crisis arising of aid under the State assured necessary permis- thermal scanners, ventila- and TS have been left with heeding to their request, the plight of the labourers in the ongoing lockdown. The due to coronavirus. The Disaster Response Fund sions for the same. The tors, air purifiers and con- no choice but go for over- the Centre would release the form of a video. two governments were Centre also assured states (SDRF). response shocked the offi- sumables for government draft for funds. This will, Covid-19 funds soon. NATION DECCAN CHRONICLE | VISAKHAPATNAM | WEDNESDAY | 1 APRIL 2020 pg 5

SHORT TAKES TABLIGHI EVENT RINGS ALARM Lens on 299 from Assam who went to Delhi event MAHA ANNOUNCES MANOJ ANAND | DC tify and trace the persons the religious congregation report voluntarily to the told reporters, “We have decided to ease lockdown BELLS IN GUWAHATI, MARCH 31 who came in contact with at Nizamuddin in Delhi. nearest government hospi- received information that norm and said that con- 8% CUT IN POWER the patient and quarantine Asking the citizens to tal or by calling Helpline 216 persons from Assam struction of embankments KERALA TOO Assam health minister them to check the spread. voluntarily report them- no # 104. Please treat this had attended the religious and work in tea gardens TARIFF FOR 5 YRS Himanta Biswa Sarma The hospital sources said selves to health authority, as very important." congregation and out of and agricultural farms here on Tuesday said that that patient is resident of Assam health minister Pointing out that Assam them, 28 are from Nagaon would be exempted from DC CORRESPONDENT GILVESTER ASSARY | a 52-years old person who Karimganj and had trav- Himanta Biswa Sarma in government is now in pos- district. The Nagaon dis- the ambit of the lockdown MUMBAI, MARCH 31 DC travelled to New Delhi elled to new Delhi recently. an appeal through various session of a list of per- trict Deputy Commi-ssion- from April 1, that will free THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, recently was detected posi- He was first tested on means including social sons, who were present in er and Superintendent of lakhs of people from the The Maharashtra government MARCH 31 tive for coronavirus. March 18 and thereafter media also asked people in and around the hotspot Police told me that none of restrictions of social dis- on Monday announced an In a social media post, his sample was sent to neighbourhood either to near Nizamuddin Dargah the 28 persons have tancing. average of eight per cent elec- The death of a few due the minister said that NIV, Pune which on persuade or report about the health minister said, returned to the district so The cabinet meeting also tricity tariff cut for the next to Covid–19 who attend- coronavirus positive Tuesday confirmed that the presence of such peo- “We’ve alerted district far. But we are alert. The decided to allow all trucks five years to help business and ed the Tablighi Jamaat patient was undergoing patient was suffering from ple on helpline number administrations to find figure may go up. I appeal carrying food items and people tide over the Covid-19 religious congregation treatment at Silchar Covid-19. 104. out if these people have to the people who attended other essentials stuck at crisis. While the industry has in Nizamuddin has Medical College and his In related development He said, “"If there is any- returned to Assam. We the Nizamuddin event and Sri Rampur gate along the been given the highest bene- prompted Kerala condition was stable. The Assam government on one from Assam who have also issued strict returned to the state to Assam-West Bengal bor- fits, farmers will have to con- authorities to sound an minister, however, refused Tuesday launched a attended the religious con- instructions to quarantine immediately voluntarily der from April 1. Besides, tend with one per cent reduc- alert in the state to to divulge more details in search operation and gregation of Tablighi them if they are in the report to the nearest gov- the state government also tion in electricity costs, locate people who this regard as detection of sought help of citizens in Jamaat at Hazrat state.” ernment hospital.” allowed to open all facto- according to an official state- returned from the Delhi a positive case involves a tracing the whereabouts of Nizamuddin in Delhi, The minister of state Meanwhile, Assam gov- ries producing rice, flour ment. event. series of exercise to iden- 299 persons who attended please IMMEDIATELY health Pijush Hazarika ernment on Tuesday and biscuits. According to an official What is of concern for statement, the Maharashtra Kerala is the death of a Electricity Regulatory retired professor who Commission has approved a belongs to Melevetti- 3 FROM ODISHA move to cut tariffs by an aver- puram in Pathanam- age of seven to eight per cent, thitta who died while WHO ATTENDED which is first such measure in taking part in the the past 10-15 years. New tariff Nizamuddin event. M will be implemented from Salim died of cardiac DELHI EVENT April 1. arrest on March 24. Meanwhile, the Mahara- As the results of his IN ISOLATION shtra government on Tuesday samples are awaited, it has decided to pay the salaries cannot be said conclu- AKSHAYA KUMAR of the elected representatives sively that he died due to SAHOO | DC and government employees in Covid–19. BHUBANESWAR, MARCH ‘two installments’ to combat The funeral of the 31 financial crisis owing to the patient took place in outbreak of coronavirus. The Delhi as the body could Odisha government has government alleged that the not be brought to his identified three persons decision was taken as the native place because of who attended the reli- Centre failed to pay its dues of the nation-wide lock- gious congregation at `16,654 crore of the financial down. Hazrat Nizamuddin in year 2019-20. After reports came in Delhi. The identified A Government Resolution that ten persons who persons have been kept (GR) issued later said that took part in the event under hospital quaran- elected representatives died of Covid–19, 25 par- tine while efforts were including the chief minister, ticipants were tested on to find if more per- ministers and MLAs will get positive and 700 have sons had attended the their salaries for March with been quarantined, the event. 60 per cent deduction. The Pathamathitta district “So far we have identi- salaries of group A and B will administration is not fied three persons who be deducted by 50 per cent. taking any chances. attended the religious Six persons who congregation and returned from Delhi Hazart Nizamuddin and COPS ASK BJP after attending the event they are currently under and two persons with hospital quarantine. MLA IN WB TO whom he stayed in Delhi Our surveillance teams have already been put are working to find out if STAY AT HOME on home quarantine. any more persons had The district adminis- attended the event. RAJIB CHOWDHURI | DC tration is preparing a Family members of the KOLKATA, MARCH 31 list of people with whom identified persons have Salim came into contact been kept under home An MLA in West Bengal has recently. All will be put The house of a person who attended the religious congregation at a mosque in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area being sanitised at Velladichivila near isolation,” Odisha gov- been allegedly threatened by under quarantine. Nagercoil on Tuesday. - PTI ernment’s Covid-19 chief the police to stay home or face spokesperson Subrato action after he was found dis- Bagchi said on Tuesday. tributing food among people Mr Bagchi said the near his residence at CE Block Covid-19 situation in in Salt Lake for the past three Migrants may Odisha was quite under days amidst nation-wide lock- J&K bizman feared to control as there has not down due to Covid-19 pandem- been any addition to the ic as the death toll rose to 3 affected persons since with the total number of con- be virus carriers, March 26 and attributed firmed cases at 27 in the state. the credit to the over- On Monday evening a senior whelming support of the officer of the Bidhannagar be ‘super spreader’ people to the lockdown North police station knocked Centre tells SC call by Prime Minister the door Sabyasachi Dutta, the Narendra Modi. New Town legislator who Man travelled by air, train and road; attended Delhi event DC CORRESPONDENT were being taken to test “So far, 473 samples recently defected from the NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 and segregate positive have been examined out Trinamul Congress to the BJP. New Delhi, March 31: A Being referred to as a tined. On March 16, the least four people from cases from others. of which three tested He told him that he would Srinagar-based business- “super spreader” by some, businessman, little sus- Bandipora district who A day after the Uttar Separately, the Union positive. However, we not be allowed to step out of man who attended the officials said the Kashmiri pecting that he might be a had attended his Sopore Pradesh administration home ministry said in its are not complacent nor home further due to the lock- Tablighi Jamaat congre- businessman left Delhi on full blown case of Covid-19 congregation and maybe received flack for spray- daily briefing on Tuesday do we think it’s an down. gation in Nizamuddin March 9 and took a sleeper and a carrier of the virus, more as well. ing migrant labourers that over 6.6 lakh strand- achievement. We are Mr Dutta, who was also the travelled by air, train and coach of a train for took a flight to Srinagar The passenger lists of with some unspecified ed and destitute people taking all precautions to Bidhannagar Mayor during road to Delhi, Uttar Deoband, where he attend- from where he drove to the flights on which he chemicals, the Centre told have been housed in ensure that the disease his stint with the Trinamul, Pradesh and back to ed a meeting at the Darul Sopore in north Kashmir, travelled were also pulled the Supreme Court on 21,000 shelter camps does not assume serious wondered, “Why can’t I help Jammu and Kashmir Uloom seminary. about 54 km away. out and every individual Tuesday that there is a across the country and proportions. Many of the people in their need if the before he died of Covid-19, Two days later, on March Two days later, he was picked up and put possibility that three out over 23 lakh people are our cities and towns like ruling party’s leaders are raising fears he may have 11, he took another train returned to his home in under necessary quaran- of 10 migrant workers being provided with food Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, doing the same?” infected many others to Jammu. Srinagar, again by road. tine, they said, adding the heading towards their vil- at these camps. Puri, Bargarh and On Tuesday morning when along the way, officials Tracking the travel his- “He complained of chest two doctors who had lages are carrying the The Supreme Court, Jeypore have equal or he was about to go out of his said on Tuesday. tory of the man, who was pain and normal flu on examined him were also deadly novel coronavirus. hearing petitions seeking more per-square-km residence, another cop visited Among his possible vic- in his mid-60s, officials March 21 and was taken to taken for quarantine. The court was also told directions to provide food population than Rome, and cautioned him that he tims is a doctor battling said many of the passen- a nearby hospital and Authorities across the by the Centre that now and shelter to migrant New York and San would be booked in a case for life in a Jammu hospi- gers travelling with him later to the super specialty country have swung into there are no migrant workers, told the Centre Francisco,” said Mr which may lead to his arrest. tal. in the trains have been put SKIMS hospital in Soura action to trace the con- workers on the road, a that with summer knock- Bagchi. Undeterred, Mr Dutta how- The businessman died under quarantine after on the outskirts of tacts of those who attend- submission contradicted ing there should be ade- Stating that 57 persons ever vowed to go out to help on March 26 in a Srinagar authorities dug out their Srinagar,” an official said. ed the Tablighi Jamaat by reports and images quate water, including were kept under hospi- the people. hospital, 19 days after he details. Doctors were initially of congregation, attended by coming in on Tuesday of drinking water, food, tal quarantine, he said “The threat and warning by set off for the national In Jammu, the business- the opinion that he had a hundreds of people, thousands of migrant beds, medicine and peo- 11,575 people with for- the police reflect the state gov- capital. man met up with his doc- pollen allergy, common in including from Malaysia, workers stuck at borders, ple should not face any eign and domestic travel ernment’s excesses,” he He could have infected tor friend and both Kashmir during spring. Saudi Arabia and sleeping under flyovers, force or intimidation at history were advised claimed. scores of people during addressed a religious con- The next day, however, Indonesia. on footpaths, bus stands. the camps. home isolation. State BJP president and his travels and about 300 gregation in a mosque in his condition deteriorated Delhi Health Minister “We are trying to ensure “You will ensure that all On Odisha’s migrant Midnapore MP Dilip Ghosh, people have been put Samba on the outskirts of and he was shifted to the Satyendar Jain said 1,033 that no migration is per- those whose migration workers stranded in also a resident of Salt Lake, under quarantine because the city. Chest and Disease people in Nizamuddin mitted. It would be risky you have stopped are other states, Odisha rushed to Mr Dutta who later of him, officials said. The two were together Hospital in the city where West have been shifted to for them and for the vil- taken care of in terms of home secretary Sanjiv met a senior officer of the Recapping his move- till March 16 and stayed at he died on March 26. various places. lage populations. So far, food, shelter, nourish- Chopra said senior offi- Bidhannagar Police ments, they said he left by a lodge, since sealed, in The elderly gentleman “An estimated 700 people rural India is unaffected ment and medical aid,” cers were in touch with Commissionerate to allow his air from Srinagar to Delhi Bari Bramhmana outside was the first coronavirus who attended this congre- by coronavirus but there Chief Justice Sharad A. their counterparts in social work. on March 7 to attend the Jammu city. fatality in Jammu and gation have been quaran- is possibility of three out Bobde told the Central other states to ensure congregation of the The doctor, now in a Kashmir, which has tined while around 335 of 10 moving from cities government, represented shelter and food to them. Tablighi Jamaat, an ortho- Jammu hospital in a criti- reported 55 cases. people have been admitted to rural areas carrying by Mr Mehta. In Jharsuguda, health WON’T GIVE MP dox Muslim organisation cal condition, belongs to As news spread about to hospitals,” he told the virus,” solicitor gen- CJI Bobde, heading the minister Naba Kishore at the centre of the coron- Rajouri district of Jammu the death, officials began reporters. eral Tushar Mehta told bench, also emphasised Das said the state gov- FUNDS, SAYS avirus spread with 24 of region, officials said. At tracking his movements Besides, all those who the court, without speci- that shelters should be ernment would set up the 2,000 odd participants least 45 people from his closely. He is believed to participated in the event fying how this figure was free from the use of force Covid-19 hospital in all AIMIM MP testing positive. area have been quaran- have spread the virus to at are being screened. arrived at, or what steps or intimidation. 30 districts.

Aurangabad, March 31: Aurangabad Lok Sabha MP and Maharashtra AIMIM chief Imtiyaz Jaleel on Tuesday said Not the time to his local area development 20,000 houses marked home quarantine funds were meant for his con- stituency and he would not DC CORRESPONDENTS increase the number of up medical facilities to be after the doctor was tested March 10, and visited the find faults: Centre hand it over to the Prime NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 food distribution centres expedited,” Lieutenant positive, a similar notice clinic with symptoms of Minister’s Relief Fund in view from the present 500 to Governor tweeted. was put outside the Covid-19. The doctor was of the novel coronavirus out- Over 20,000 houses have 2,500 so that social distanc- Maujpur clinic asking peo- exposed to the virus when New Delhi, March 31: need to understand and break. been marked as “home ing is adhered to effective- Another doctor tests ple who came in contact the 38-year-old woman vis- Amid apprehensions of appreciate that this is not He said there were many quarantine” by the Delhi ly. Home quarantine has to positive with the doctor to quaran- ited the clinic on March substantial spread of the time to do any fault problems in his area that need government in the wake of be strictly monitored. Another doctor from a tine themselves. 12, according to Delhi Covid-19 after a religions finding. What is impor- to be tackled and he would use the novel coronavirus out- More than 20,000 homes mohalla clinic in Delhi The first doctor had con- Health Minister congregation in tant for us is to take the funds, also called the break, Lieutenant have been identified by has tested positive for tracted the coronavirus Satyendar Jain. Nizamuddin in the action as per our contain- Member of Parliament Local Governor Anil Baijal said GNCTD for home quaran- coronavirus. infection on March 21 Five days later, she tested national capital left many ment process in any area Area Development fund, for on Tuesday. tine,” he tweeted. A notice outside a com- from a 38-year-old woman positive. That day, the doc- infected with the virus, where a positive case gets this purpose. Taking to Twitter, the L- In another tweet, the munity clinic in Delhi’s from Dilshad Garden, who tor was also admitted to the Health Ministry on reported,”Agarwal said “I had got a call from the G said the number of food Lieutenant Governor said Babarpur asked patients had visited the doctor’s the hospital. Tuesday said it was not in response to a question Union Urban Development distribution centres will that the decision to who visited the clinic private clinic on March 12, According to informa- the time to find faults. on whether there was an ministry on Tuesday about also be increased to increase food distribution between March 12 and 20 with symptoms such as tion available, five more The Delhi Police has “intelligence failure” on handing over funds to the PM ensure social distancing centres was taken after to quarantine themselves cough and fever. persons had tested posi- cordoned off a major area the administration's part Relief Fund. I welcome the in the national capital. reports that social distanc- at their homes for the next It may be noted that tive for the virus from in Nizamuddin West to prevent the religious steps taken by Prime Minister Baijal held a meeting ing norms were violated at two weeks. Delhi has recorded nearly direct contact with the where many people mass gathering. Narendra Modi to fight the with Chief Minister some centres. This is the second such 50 cases in the last two woman – her mother, showed symptoms of Meanwhile, Delhi Chief novel coronavirus outbreak. Arvind Kejriwal, Chief “My advice to adminis- incident at a Delhi mohal- days as the Covid-19 count brother and two daugh- coronavirus and 24 have Minister Arvind Kejriwal But the MP fund is for con- Secretary Vijay Kumar tration & police is to keep la clinic in one week. crossed the 100-mark; two ters, and a relative who tested positive after tak- on Tuesday said 1,548 peo- stituency development,” he Dev and Police very strict watch on social The clinic in Mohanpuri deaths have been reported picked her up from the ing part in a religious ple have been evacuated said. Commissioner through distancing & home quar- area of Maujpur was from the city so far. Delhi airport on her congregation that was from Nizamudddin He said he would hand over a video conference to dis- antine. Take deterrent closed and sanitised. The chain of infection at arrival. attended by over 2,000 markaz (centre) here of letter about his funds to the cuss measures to combat actions for any violation & The doctor’s wife and Maujpur started with a Some 74 persons in her people. which, 441 were hospi- district and state administra- Covid-19. ‘ widely publicise. daughter also tested posi- woman who returned neighbourhood are also “With respect to the talised after they showed tion in a day or two. “It has been decided to Separately, action to ramp tive for coronavirus. Soon from Saudi Arabia on under watch. Nizamuddin area, we all coronavirus symptoms. EDIT DECCAN CHRONICLE | VISAKHAPATNAM | WEDNESDAY | 1 APRIL 2020 pg 6

1 APRIL 2020

More vigilance needed Subhani to keep Covid-19 at bay he sudden outbreak and detection of a large number of coron- avirus cases that can be traced back to a thousands-strong reli- gious congregation held in New Delhi’s Nizamuddin area, that has Talready caused the deaths of at least 10 Indians and one foreigner in different parts of the country (including six in Telangana), is a warning on the perils of not taking “social distancing” seriously. At least 250 for- eign nationals — including from virus-hit Malaysia and Indonesia — had come to attend the congregation hosted by the Tablighi Jamaat at its Markaz facility in the first half of March, many of whom were among the 1,500-odd people still there on Monday, when the city’s health authorities swung into action and took at least 300 of them to hospitals. At least 24 of them have tested positive. True, the event was held before the lockdown went into effect in Delhi and the rest of India, but given the flurry of advi- sories early on cautioning people against gatherings of large numbers of people due to the virus threat, the actions of both the Tablighi Jamaat and LETTERS the governmental authorities in allowing it to carry on was irresponsible, to say the least. The area was finally cleared on Tuesday morning, with INTEREST RATES the police moving 700-plus people to quarantine in different parts of the Overcoming effects of city, and a police case lodged against the mosque administration, but the Public deposit their sav- damage has largely been done. While the Talbighi incident is a wake-up call on the consequences of ings with banks in good slackness in the face of a health emergency, the callous actions of those in faith that their money is authority in the face of the grave humanitarian crisis that we face — par- safe and they can withdraw ticularly the plight of migrants with no food or shelter who feel compelled money any time they want to make the long trek homewards — is also a cause of great alarm. The ill-conceived policies shocking action of the municipal authorities in Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh and earn interest too. But — in hosing down a large group of migrants on the move with a chemical often exceeding 60,000 they said, the restrictive now, the interest rate has solution described by some as “insecticide” — was brutal and inhuman, to per square mile. India episodes may be shorter, fallen to all-time low. say the very least. In the face of outrage in the social media after a video has over 410 million with longer intervals of the spraying went viral, and vociferous protests by Opposition leaders, Mohan workers in the unorgan- between them. Clearly, Senior citizens who the district magistrate of the area was forced to admit that the municipal ised sector, the vast the nationwide simulta- depend on the bank inter- authorities had “gone too far”, but who will be held responsible for this Guruswamy majority of whom are neous social distancing est for their livelihood are horror? This was one more example, if any was needed, that the rights and daily wagers making a norms’ imposition was protections that our middle classes take for granted — even in extraordi- little more than the pre- ill-conceived. struggling. Low income nary times — do not seem to apply to the poor in India. scribed official wage and The IMF has now during inflation troubles There was no real alternative to the nationwide lockdown that was often much below that. announced a global them. I appeal to the RBI announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a week ago. Those who This working age cohort recession due to disrupt- to rethink and enhance the believe that it could have been avoided just need to look at the plight of t has been three finding a home in human is mostly made up of ed supply chains and New York — a shining symbol of the richest and most powerful country in weeks since the beings. Covid-19’s natur- younger Indians. The contraction of consump- interest rates on deposits the world — which now threatens to be the epicentre of the coronavirus World Health al reservoir seems to be youthful age group (14-35 tion. In India, consump- and also to monitor banks pandemic — to see what could have happened had India delayed any fur- Organisation dec- bats, like the earlier years) accounts for about tion (C) accounts for 63 more vigilantly to safe- ther. But our government failed to realistically assess the impact this lared a Covid-19 coronaviruses Sars and 34 per cent of India’s pop- per cent of GDP. Given guard depositors. measure would have on the most vulnerable sections of our population, Ipandemic. It’s not the Mers. But the fact ulation. This cohort is GDP is = C + I + G + (X – and plan accordingly. Some steps are now being taken, but much more world’s first coron- remains the spread of about as much as the 35- M), or GDP = private con- K. Lakshman Rao needs to be done. avirus. We have had Covid-19 has been faster 65 years cohorts. Thus, sumption (C) + gross Visakhaptnam Sars, Mers, H1N1, swine in areas with colder even if the pandemic is investment (I)+ govern- flu and the like, some climes. real for India, the fatality ment investment + gov- with much higher rates The essential facts due to it will be very low. ernment spending (G) + CARE FOR MIGRANTS A political pardon of fatality. But this is about Covid-19 is that The vast majority of (exports – imports), the The daily wage earners migrated to unique in its sweeping while it is virulent, its Indians who might get impact of the collapse of cities for odd jobs. With the lock- ri Lanka refuses to be accountable to the world for the war crimes virulence. America’s fatality is around one per infected by Covid-19 private consumption in down, they are deprived of their committed in the course of winning the war against the Liberation Centres for Disease cent, and this is princi- won’t even know it. the economy can be easi- livelihood. Further they are not STigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The decision of its president Gotabaya Control (CDC) says the pally concentrated Now assume that the ly understood. Many able to return to their native vil- Rajapaksa to pardon the solider R.M. Sunil Ratnayake is not only deeply annual percentage of the among the elderly and Covid-19 pandemic will respected analysts are lages. They are sandwiched disappointing but also sends quite the wrong signal to the UN and the US population infected already ailing. Its symp- overwhelm India, and agreed that it will be no between the devil and deep sea. world that the island nation will not bow to international opinion on with the flu is about toms are mostly akin to consider India’s abysmal less than 20-30 per cent in They are on the verge of starvation. respecting the law against war crimes. eight per cent, which common seasonal flus healthcare scene. We Q1. The government The state government should take The hand of the Rajapaksas, who returned to power last year, is behind translates to 26 million often attributed to a have six physicians; nine pledged to step up its utmost care in providing food, med- this decision to exonerate the only soldier of five who had been sentenced people a year. Of these, change of season, etc. hospital beds and 13 spending by `1.7 lakh ical and shelter. They are worst hit to death for a war crime in the village of Mirusuvil in December 2000 the CDC estimates up to Covid-19 can only be con- nurses per 10,000 people. crores. We won’t go into by caronavirus. where the Sri Lankan Army had killed Tamil civilians who had returned 60,000 persons die. It firmed by testing and the Nationwide, we have less how this was arrived at E. Sreerama Murty home to the Jaffna Peninsula to see the state of their village. The decision stands to reason that cheapest test costs about than 40,000 ventilators now, but just consider Yellamanchili is seen to be linked to the parliamentary polls that were to be held on April many more in India get `5,000 each. Clearly, we and only 70,000 intensive how inadequate it is 25, but which were postponed due to the global pandemic. afflicted by flus and cannot afford to test care beds. This calls for a compared to the hit How exceedingly political the brothers — President Gotabaya and Prime influenzas each year, enough, which means we policy that will help stag- taken by consumption. EXODUS TRAGIC Minister and former President Mahinda — can be is signified in their possibly with larger won’t ever know how ger the load and allow The government clearly The exodus of migrant workers to chauvinistic support for Sinhalese soldiers and their disregard of the fatalities. many immu- needs to do more. It their home states has added a tragic Human Rights Council of the United Nations that has been fighting for Given this knowledge areTACKLING COVID-19 nity to needs to pull out all the dimension to the Covid-19 related accountability in war crimes. The island’s history was punctuated with and some very recent truly build stops to do this. lockdown. The dread of starvation extreme violence in the three decade war against the Tamil rebels of the hindsight, it’s time to sit afflicted by the virus. up without overwhelm- The question is: where and the urge to seek refuge in the equally brutal guerrilla force of the Velupillai Prabhkaran-led LTTE. His back and objectively The average life ing the critical care sys- is the money? Even if it safety of home has overwhelmed own death, as well as that of his elderly father and his minor son, are reconsider the draconian expectancy of Indians is tem. sequestered 20 per cent their fear of catching the infection thought to have been engineered in possible war crimes generally attrib- policy measures unleash- 68.7 years. The above-65 Harvard’s Yonatan of the cash reserves with in the midst of their desperate jour- uted to the command of Lt General Shavendra Silva, who was the Army ed in India. The four years cohort accounts for Grad, professor of our 100 top corporations, ney. Would they have embarked Commander at the time of the final battle. If the soldier had not been par- hours to midnight order only about six per cent of immunology and infec- it will be substantial. The upon this journey had the states doned, he would simply have stayed in jail as the nation has suspended for a nationwide “cur- India, which suggests tious diseases, and col- top 10 corporations alone taken care of them when they had executions, making it clear that the Rajapaksas are using him to make a few” to enforce social dis- that the incidence of leagues conducted have a hoard of over `10 no income to meet their needs? statement of political intent in this selective exoneration. tancing has caught our fatality here will be research on how to pre- lakh crores. (Reliance G. Thirupathaiah public and administra- lower. Bubonic plague vent overwhelming the has cash reserves of Kothapet tion woefully unpre- has a mortality of over 80 US healthcare system `398,000 crores. TCS has DECCAN CHRONICLE pared. The consequences per cent, while even during the pandemic. almost `100,000 crores, of Covid-19 to the Indian diphtheria has a mortali- This indicates the only ITC has `60,000 crores.) Attempt on Basu’s economy and consequent ty rate of 32 per cent. possible method for deal- Our government’s wage ADITYA SINHA T. VENKATESWARLU life: One held Editor Printer & Publisher loss of lives and longevity Covid-19 is not a killer ing with the epidemic and pensions bill seems likely to exceed virus. In developed coun- may be multiple “inter- accounts for 11.4 per cent PATNA, March 31 DECCAN CHRONICLE offices are located at: the loss due to any mass tries like the United mittent” social-distanc- of GDP. Holding back Mr Jyoti Basu, Marxist former spread of the virus. States, Italy and else- ing periods that ease up only 10 per cent of this, Deputy Chief Minister of West Hyderabad: 36, Sarojini Devi Road, Secunderabad - 500 003, Ph: 040-27803930-4; Fax : 040-27805256 Epidemiological stud- where with substantially when cases fall to a cer- or just the annual LTC, Bengal, escaped unhurt after an Vijayawada: No.C-3 & 4 Patamata, Industrial Estate, Auto Nagar, Vijayawada (A.P.), Ph: 0866- ies by several well- higher life expectancy, tain level, and reimposed will fetch the Central and unknown assailant had fired a 2555284/2555287; Telefax: 0866-2555234 regarded institutions the 70-plus cohorts are when they rise past a key state governments over shot at him at Patna railway junc- Visakhapatnam: Survey No.1/3A Beach Road, Near Kailasagiri Ropeway, Sector-9 MVP Colony, threshold. As time pass- `2 lakh crores. It only Visakhapatnam - 530 017 (A.P), Ph: 0891-2552333/2552334; Fax: 0891-2755285 like MIT and the Global much bigger. The mor- tion this morning. But an officer Rajahmundry: Vemagiri, Dhawaleswaram Rd, Rajahmundry, Ph: 0883-2417618/2417208; Telefax: 0883- Virus Network (GVN) tality rate has been the es, and more of the popu- calls for will and vision of the Life Insurance 2417208 seem to suggest that this highest in Italy, with lation gains immunity, to accumulate the cash to Corporation, Mr Ali Imam, was Anantapur: Thapovan colony, Bangalore By-Pass Road, Anantapur - 515004, Ph: 08554-276903; Fax: particular coronavirus is about nine per cent. begin reconstruction of a hit by the bullet and was killed. 08554-276904 endemic in populated Almost 86 per cent of The only possible devastated economy. The The assailant who Mr Basu Karimnagar: Survey No.1341, Vavilalapally Colony, Jagityala Road, Karimnagar - 505 001, Ph: 0878- areas falling in the tem- Italians who died were pain cannot and must pointed out made his escape in 2228908; Telefax: 0878-2220433 perature band of 3-17C over 70. Italy has the sec- method for dealing not be borne by the poor- the large Nellore: Survey No.527/2, Burranpur Village, Venkatachalam (M), Chemmudugunta Panchayat, Nellore, with a humidity between ond oldest population in with the epidemic est alone. PM Narendra crowd gath- 50 YEARS AGO IN Ph: 0861-2348581/82; Telefax: 0861-2348580 51-79 per cent. These the world after Japan, may be multiple Modi has formidable ered to Chennai: SP-3 Developed Plot, Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032, Ph: 044-22254747/ communication skills, 48/50/51; Advt Fax: 22254765/22254766/42305325 findings suggesting a with over 23 per cent ‘intermittent’ greet the and he must use it now. Bengaluru: 5th Floor, BMTC Commercial Complex, 80 Feet Road, Koramangala, Bengaluru-560 095 Ph: correlation between lati- over 65. Experts believe social-distancing Marxist 080-43460500; Fax: 080-22960552. tude and incidence have this was the determining leader as he Coimbatore: 77, Vivekananda Road, Ramnagar, Coimbatore - 641 009, Ph : 0422 2231255 the powerful endorse- factor in its high periods that ease The writer, a policy ana- arrived from Calcutta. Kochi: No.3-B, 3rd Floor of DD TRADE TOWER, Kaloor-Kadavanthara Road, Ernakulam, Ph: 0484- ment of Dr Robert Gallo, fatality rate. up when cases fall lyst studying economic Police later took into custody 4039408 famed virologist and The goal of social dis- to a certain level, and security issues, held one man on suspicion. They also Thiruvananthapuram: St Joseph�s Press, TC 15/1040, Cotton Hill, Thycaud (PO), Thiruvananthapuram GVN head. tancing is a hugely unful- senior positions in gov- took possession of a car parked 695 014 Mind you, it’s been just filled aspiration. The and reimposed ernment and industry. outside the staircase as also the Kozhikode: Door No 6/1002 E, First Floor of City Mall, Opp. YMCA, Kannur Road, Kozhikode - 673 when they rise past He also specialises in the 001, Fax : 0495 4019 018 a few months that Covid- poor in India live cheek car of Mr Ali Imam. Gram: CHRONICLE Postal registration no: No. H/SD-348/2006-08 19 jumped species by by jowl, with densities a key threshold Chinese economy.

here is nothing quite like a also expressed the desire to be up in his face, burning him and his and beauty. one is to use these microscopic global pandemic to remind around long enough to see it entire house: he had not found the In the modern iteration of this tech- machines to cure life-threatening Zarrar you of your own mortality, is through. Seeing as the Qin state was secret of immortality, but had in fact nique, a company called Ambrosia, diseases like cancer, delivering their Khuhro Tthere? All day long, we are also arguably the world’s first proper discovered gunpowder, which has led not by count Dracula, but by a Dr payload directly to malignant cells. subjected to an ever-increasing tally police state, he simply ordered his played a major part in ending so Karmazian, is infusing the blood of Similarly, custom-built nanobots are of infections and deaths, as if the governors to search for the elixir of many lives since then. the young into the veins of the old, a being designed that could actively whole world were glued to the score- immortality, and newly discovered Of course, the quest did not start process it claims can rejuvenate the work to remove the plaque that boards of a morbid, seemingly never- records show a fascinating series of with the Chinese. The ancient Epic of recipient at the trifling cost of up to builds up in arteries leading to heart ending Olympics. At some point, you exchanges between an increasingly Gilgamesh revolves around the $12,000 for two litres of a young per- attacks and disease. Extend that con- have to wonder if you too will end up impatient emperor and “assorted mythical king’s search for the plant son’s plasma. While the US Food and cept and you could, sooner than you as a statistic on a government chart. awkward replies from regional gov- that confers immortality, and millen- Drug Administration has warned think, have armies of nanobots in But, as singer Hank Williams ernments who had failed to find the nia later we have the apocryphal that this treatment has “no proven your body repairing cellular damage lamented, “No matter how I struggle key to eternal life”. quest of Ponce de Leon for the clinical benefit”, effectively shutting in real time. and strive, I’ll never get out of this Qin Shi Huang died at the age of 49, Fountain of Youth. down Dr Karamazian’s business, the The most promising frontier for Since millennia, world alive,” and while we will, as a but the quest continued for millen- And today, we have medicine overall anti-aging industry is consid- life-extending technology lies in the species, survive this latest plague, it nia, with subsequent emperors and replacing sagas and superstition, ered to be a safe investment bet, field of genetic research, where sci- is also certain that, at some point, noblemen remaining wedded to the and we have scientists looking to given that, according to Merrill entists are studying the genetic man has strived our individual lives will come to an idea of discovering the elixir of succeed where heroes and kings Lynch, it is expected to reach a value structures of long-lived species like end. After all, only two things are immortality, often with deadly failed. The end-goal, however, of at least $600 billion by 2025. whales, turtles and tortoises in an certain: Death and (depending on results. Ironically, the elixirs brewed remains the same: to defeat or at That is a lot of money, and so you effort to unlock their secrets. As where you live) Taxes. by Chinese alchemists were better least delay death. can expect that a lot of different tech- creatures age, their DNA strands to either defeat Still, trying to forestall the suited to ending lives rather than That is not to say some of these niques are being tried right about become increasingly prone to dam- inevitable has always been a human prolonging them, containing as they techniques are not inspired by leg- now, such as organ replacement age and breakage, and learning to obsession, and it is no different when did toxic metals and minerals such end and history. Bram Stoker’s technologies, in which the most control that may prove to be a key to or delay death it comes to trying to outwit or dodge as mercury, lead and arsenic. Dracula believed that “the blood is promising is currently the prospect longevity. This is what the future death itself. Over 2,000 years ago, Qin An even greater irony perhaps is the life” and so did the real-life ‘blood of 3-D printing working human holds, let us see if we live long Shi Huang, the first emperor of unit- that the experiments of one countess’ Elizabeth Bathory, who organs to replace failing ones. enough to see it. ed China, proclaimed a dynasty that alchemist, who was using saltpetre reportedly bathed in the blood of Nanotechnology offers another life- “would last 10,000 generations”. He in his concoctions, ended up blowing young women to preserve her youth line with two potential applications: By arrangement with Dawn NATION DECCAN CHRONICLE | VISAKHAPATNAM | WEDNESDAY | 1 APRIL 2020 pg 7

SHORT TAKES ARMYMEN TOLD Kerala records second Covid-19 death NOT TO SHARE VIDEOS IN UNIFORM Health officials on high alert as the deceased had no travel history; efforts on to trace origin of infection DC CORRESPONDENT DC CORRESPONDENT ventilator support till NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, death. MARCH 31 During the course of his Indian Army on Tuesday treatment in ICU, the man 7 persons test +ve for virus, Oldest patients in issued an advisory asking its Kerala recorded second suffered paralytic stroke personnel not to share videos death due to Covid-19 on and cardiac arrest. in uniform on social media Tuesday after a 68-year-old What is bothering the state recover fully sites as it can reveal their per- man, who had no travel authorities now is the lack 1.63 lakh under surveillance sonal identities. history, succumbed to the of clarity on his travel DC CORRESPONDENT deft handling by doctors There have been certain infection at the details. DC CORRESPONDENT ● KASARGOD HAS the piratory problems . The THIRUVANANTHPURAM, and nursing staff, they cases in recent times where Trivandrum Medical Before being admitted to THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, highest number of people samples of such persons MARCH 31 could be brought back to personnel from defence forces College Hospital. medical college hospital, MARCH 31 in hospitals 163 followed will be taken and set for life. One of the nurses who have been honey-trap by the The death of the Covid-19 the patient had visited sev- by Kannur 108 and testing. Kerala’s oldest Covid-19 treated the couple con- Pakistan’s spies on social med- patient Abdul Azeez has eral places attended mar- Seven more persons tested The facilities of patients Thomas, 93 and tracted the infection. She ia like Facebook. Last year, troubled the health riages, funeral ceremony, positive for Covid–19 in Malappuram 102. Kasargod medical college his wife Mariyamma, 88, has been extended all sup- Indian Army was able to iden- authorities as he had not went to government Kerala on Tuesday taking has been improved by have fully recovered from port from the government tify around 150 social media reported any travel histo- offices to collect pension, the total number of infect- found negative. This was turning it into Covid the infection. for treatment. profiles of Pakistani spies wh- ry. Efforts are now being took part in prayers in ed persons in the state 215. disclosed by Chief Hospital. Kasargod central The couple who contract- Meanwhile, Kerala ich were using various modus made to trace the origin of mosques. Of the seven cases, two Minister Pinarayi Vijayan university has received ed the infection from their police on Tuesday warned operandi to try to trap its men. infection. The authorities suspect each were reported from at a press conference after the nod from ICMR for son, daughter-in-law and of arrest and cases again- “It has been noticed that The state had reported that he might have come Kasargod and Thiruvan- a high level review meet- starting testing facilities. grandson who returned st persons sending April serving Indian Army person- its first Covid- 19 death on into contact with people anthapuram, one each ing. He said as of now Vijayan said the state is from Italy on February 29, fool messages pertaining nel are creating or sharing March 28 when a 69-year with infection during from Kollam, Thrissur there is no indication of facing a problem in con- were successfully treated to Covid-19 and lockdown. videos on social media giving old-man died at the these events. and Kannur respectively. community spread at the nection with the people at the Kottayam Medical Those found to be send- their identity as also in Ernakulam Medical The authorities could not Baring one person, all con- moment. who have returned from College. ing such messages will be Uniform. All personnel are College. take much details about tracted the infection He said laboratories in Nizamuddin in Delhi and Health minister K.K. arrested instantly. advised to follow existing The health officials have his travel because of criti- through contact. the state had started col- Malaysia after attending Shailaja hailed the recov- In a statement here, state guidelines and refrain from begun a detailed exercise cal condition. As on Tuesday 1.63 lakh lecting more samples with the Tabligi conference. It ery of the elderly patients police chief Lokanath such activities,” said the advi- to locate the primary and His native village people are under surveil- improvement in testing needs to be examined who had developed severe Behara said such fake sory on Tuesday. secondary contacts of the Pothencode and adjoining lance including 1.62 lakh facilities. More samples whether such people have complications warranting messages intended to An army dossier last year patient who was a retired areas have been put under under home quarantine, are being collected and contracted the infection. ICU support during the make fool of people, will had warned its men against additional sub inspector of total lockdown and sur- 658 persons admitted to sent, reports being pro- The police has conducted treatment. Apart from car- be viewed seriously. Cases honey-trap by Pakistan spies police. veillance has been stepped hospitals including 150 on cured in time. a detailed inquiry and diac problems, the elderly will be registered under who create fake female pro- Azeez was admitted to up in areas bordering Tuesday. The Chief Minister said with the help of district persons had blood pres- relevant IPC sections as files on social media like the Trivandrum Medical other panchayats. Kasargod has the highest a special action plan collectors have prepared sure, hypertension and fake messages could cause Facebook, Twitter or Instagr- College on March 23 after Meanwhile, health min- number of people in hos- would be implemented in list of people who partici- urinary tract infection. distress and fear among am. It had asked its personnel he developed symptoms of ister K.K. Shailaja said the pitals — 163 followed by Kasargod which is the epi- pated in these confer- During the treatment the people . The people cre- to avoid accepting friend requ- Covid-19. body of the patient would Kannur 108 and center of the infection. ences. Thomas had also reached ating such messages, shar- ests from unknown people, He was in a highly criti- be buried complying with Malappuram 102. Panchayat level data will Required preventive a critical stage and was ing and forwarding these avoid suspicious websites and cal condition since past the World Health Of the 7455 samples sent be collected of persons measures will be taken at even put on ventilator sup- on the social media would not to take calls from or chat five days and remained on Organisation protocol. for testing 6,380 have been with fever, cough and res- the district level. port, however, due to the be taken into custody. with unidentified people. It had advised its men to change the privacy settings on Face- book and other apps to “only COCHIN PORT Taking Covid head on friends.” TWEETED Migrants beat CONG ASKS GOVT ABOUT EXPORT TO SCALE UP youth to death From Page 1 NAYEAR AZAD | DC ● A CASE against six COVID-19 TESTING with agency inputs persons was registered in The European Union PATNA, MARCH 31 Muzaffarpur under rele- DC CORRESPONDENT had announced the 93 vant sections of the IPC, NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 million euro package for A person was allegedly Serbia, which provides killed by a group of men further investigation into Expressing apprehensions immediate as well as in Bihar’s Sitamarhi dis- the matter is underway. that India might soon enter short and medium term trict for informing the ● HUNDREDS OF such the phase 3 of the Coronavirus assistance to help Serbia health authorities regard- migrants have defied outbreak, the Congress on to fight Covid-19. ing two migrants who Tuesday asked the govern- According to the Indi- returned from Mahar- restrictions imposed on ment to scale up testing as an government notific- ashtra following the coro- their movement and advised by the World Health ations in the past few navirus lockdown. are trying to reach their Organisation. It also demand- weeks, the items that are The incident occurred villages on foot ed that a consolidated amount prohibited for export in- in Madhaul village under of `10,000 be put into Jan clude N-95 masks, surgi- Runnisaidpur block on SP Anil Kumar said. Dhan accounts of all vulnera- cal masks, disposable Monday. Thousands of migrants ble sections. masks, all ventilators, According to reports, who work in other states According experts in the textile raw materials for Bablu Kumar, 24, had have been returning to field of medicine, the situation masks and coveralls, informed the local health their homes after the on Tuesday points towards the NBR gloves and medical authorities that the union government country entering stage 3 of goggles. However, the migrants from imposed a 21-day national Coronavirus transmission, items that can still be Maharashtra could be lockdown to prevent the Congress Spokesperson exported include gloves infected with the deadly spread of deadly coron- Manish Tewari said address- (except NBR gloves), coronavirus. avirus. ing the media through video- surgical blades, PVC Based on the informa- Fearing that migrants conferencing. conveyor belt, plastic tion provided by the returning in large num- “The only antidote to Covid- tarpaulin and certain youth the health officials ber may pose a threat of 19 spreading is test, test and kinds of breathing appli- carried out extensive community spread the more test,” he said adding that ances as well as well as Railway employees make sanitisers during a nation-wide lockdown in the wake of coronavirus pandemic in Prayagraj screening of both the sus- state government has set this is what has been advised ophthalmic instruments on Tuesday. — PTI pects who were later up isolation camps near by the WHO. and appliances. released with the advice the border to quarantine He noted that India was pos- On March 28, the of home quarantine. people who are reaching sibly one of the countries Cochin Customs had Sources said that the Bihar. which has tested the least. “We tweeted, “Cochin Cust- entire exercise angered Reports, however, sug- have tested only 32 out of 10 oms in action to clear a both the migrants who gest that hundreds of lakh people. Compared to this, consignment of 35 lakh along with their other such migrants have in England, 1,921 out of each pairs of sterile latex sur- friends attacked Bablu defied restrictions 10 lakh have been tested, while gical gloves to Serbia to while he was on his way imposed on their move- in America the number is support the global war back home on Monday ment and are trying to 2,600,” he said. against Covid-19”. evening. He was later reach their villages on Tewari also sought govern- It may be recalled that rushed to Sri Krishna foot in the absence of any ment intervention on the in a video-conference on Medical College and public transport. plight of migrant workers and Monday evening with all Hospital in Muzaffarpur Meanwhile, on Tuesday landless labourers. 130 Indian envoys posted where he was declared a person from Gopalganj abroad, Prime Minister “brought dead.” district with a travel his- Narendra Modi had According to Sitamarhi tory to Dubai has been U.P. AMBULANCE asked the Indian envoys SP Anil Kumar, the case found infected with the “whether we can source against six persons was coronavirus. WORKERS GO ON medicine, and other registered in Pradip Das, Director of items” from abroad to Muzaffarpur under rele- ICMR Rajendra Memorial STRIKE tackle the situation. All vant sections of the Research Institute, which envoys were directed by Indian Penal Code and is conducting the bulk of DC CORRESPONDENT PM Modi “to identify in further investigation into coronavirus tests in the NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 their countries of accr- the matter is underway. state, said the latest case editation ... sources to “Case has been was that of a resident of Demanding immediate release procure medical equip- registered on the basis of Gopalganj district who of pending salary and protec- ment, for India’s fight the statement given by had returned from Dubai tive gear, the association of against Covid-19”. All the deceased’s brother. before the lockdown came ambulance employees in Uttar the Missions shared the Two persons have been into force. Pradesh has stopped work situation in their coun- Jail inmates stitch arrested and a manhunt According to health from Tuesday afternoon. The tries of accreditations masks at Mathura has been launched to nab department reports, 1051 association of 19,221 workers and had also apparently district jail in others. The case is being samples of suspected which includes pilots (drivers) highlighted the items Mathura on investigated from all coronavirus cases have and emergency technicians which are available in Tuesday. — PTI angles as the matter could been tested in the state of also alleged that their are not that country which cou- also be related to some which 16 have been found provided with basic protective ld be imported by India. local dispute”, Sitamarhi positive. equipment. General secretary of ambu- lance employees association, Brajesh Kumar told this news- SCARE | CONTINUES MP Chief Minister expresses concern over spike in cases paper that employees are not Centre to ensure paid salary since January and workers working on ambu- lance are exposed to infection due to lack of protective gear. movement of trucks Indore records 25 new cases in 24 hours “102 and 108 emergency ambulance services in Uttar DC CORRESPONDENT ● A SPECIAL team has RABINDRA NATH outbreak”, a senior Indore ● AT LEAST 31 people According to each of the devotees who Pradesh are managed and NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 been deployed in the cen- CHOUDHURY | DC district officer told this who attended the Tabligh Intelligence sources, at attended the conference in operated by a private operator tralised control room set BHOPAL, MARCH 31 newspaper. Jamaat religious event in least 107 devotees who MP and quarantine them. GVK — under contract with After managing to con- up in the home ministry Chief Minister Shivraj attended the religious con- Sources said some of the the state government. There tain the large-scale move- Indore, known as ‘mini- Singh Chouhan also Delhi recently have taken ference in Delhi have fled devotees have fled to a vil- are a total of about 4,500 such ment of migrant labour- Mumbai’ of India, has expressed serious concern shelter in two religious to MP after nationwide lage on the outskirt of ambulances deployed across ers/workers, the home diately do a detailed sur- turned new hotspot of over the spike in con- places of minorities in lockdown was declared on Bhopal following the move the state. 19,221 workers — ministry is working with vey of all trucks parked coronavirus outbreak firmed cases in Indore Bhopal. March 22. Out of them, 31 to quarantine them. drivers and emergency techni- states to ensure that thou- on highways and roads in with the city witnessing a while reviewing the situa- ● are currently staying in In another development, cians — are posted to these sands of trucks stranded their areas and identify record 25 new Covid posi- tion at a high level official THE ALERT by two religious places of the state government has ambulances are on contract on national and state those with important tive cases in the last 24 meeting held here on Intelligence was issued in minorities in Bhopal. initiated a probe to find with the private firm,” Kumar highways with essential items. hours. Tuesday. the wake of six devotees The alert by intelligence out if any devotees who added. commodities are allowed “The issue now is to As many as 17 new coro- With this, the total num- who attended the was issued in the wake of attended the religious con- According to Kumar, ambu- to move. ensure supply chains of navirus positive cases ber of coronavirus posi- conference in Delhi six devotees who attended ference held in Tablighat lance workers do not have A special team has been all essential commodities were reported in one day tive cases in MP rose to 64 succumbing to Covid-19 the conference in Delhi in east Pakistan in the sanitisers, gloves or proper deployed in the cen- are fully functional and on Tuesday in Indore, tak- Of the five deaths due to in Telangana recently. succumbing to coron- middle of March this year masks. “We have not received tralised control room set the raw material for them ing the tally of confirmed the virus reported in MP, avirus in Telangana have visited MP recently. salaries for three months. up in the home ministry. should reach the facto- cases in the city to 44. Indore accounted for three Meanwhile, at least 31 recently. Meanwhile, the state When we go to fill oxygen, peo- After tackling the issue ries, else the production On Monday, eight new deaths. people who attended the Chief Minister Shivraj government asked police ple don’t allow us inside. We of thousands of stranded too will be hampered,” a Covid positive cases were Meanwhile, one more Tabligh Jamaat religious Singh Chouhan on to book the violators of told the local chief medical workers walking back to senior official said. The reported in Indore. Covid patient in the state event in Delhi recently Tuesday convened a high lockdown under appropri- officer to arrange better sup- their villages, next on the MHA is also working with “It is a matter of grave succumbed to the virus on have taken shelter in two level official meeting here ate sections of Indian plies but got no response. Our MHA’s priority list is to the surface transport concern. We will enforce Tuesday taking the death religious places of minori- to take stock of the situa- Penal Code, indicating to vehicles have not been sani- ensure the smooth move- ministry to ensure that lockdown in the city strin- toll to five in the state. ties in Bhopal, intelligence tion in the wake of the enforce the lockdown tised either,” said an ambu- ment of trucks. State offi- the toll for these trucks is gently to bring Indore out The patient died in has alerted the MP govern- development. strictly. lance driver. cials were asked to imme- waived. of red zone of coronavirus AIIMS, Bhopal. ment. He ordered to identify WORLD DECCAN CHRONICLE | VISAKHAPATNAM | WEDNESDAY | 1 APRIL 2020 pg 8

IN BRIEF Pastor held for New York hospital doc Hungary govt’s sweeping ignoring orders Miami: An evangelical pastor powers sends alarm bells in Florida was arrested on Monday for “repeatedly” prepares for the worst Brussels, March 31: Eu- The European protect the public health ignoring confinement orders ropean Commission chief Commission will of our citizens,” she intended to slow the spread Ursula von der Leyen closely monitor, in a spirit of added. of the coronavirus by holding This is going to be a long and drawn out battle says Patel warned on Tuesday that cooperation, the application But, in a clear but services with hundreds of coronavirus emergency of emergency measures in unstated reference to people, police said. Pastor New York, March 31: ● a little quicker in seeing tal, Patel is also worried measures taken by EU events in Hungary, she THE WAVE of virus all member states, We all Ronald Howard-Browne, 58, With the rapid rise of hos- patients at Beth Israel and assessing and getting about transmitting the countries must be “limit- insisted: “Any emergency was arrested for unlawful pitalisations and a health the treatment plan for virus to his family. ed”, after Hungary’s need to work together to measures must be limited corresponds to the one master this crisis assembly and violating quar- system nearly at capacity, inundating New York City, each patient,” Patel pre- He lives with his 80-year- nationalist leader Viktor to what is necessary and antine orders while holding New York doctor Shamit dicted, noting they “may old father, who suffers Orban took on sweeping strictly proportionate. which shot from 463 con- — URSULA VON DER LEYEN two services on Sunday in Patel is preparing for the have to double or triple the from Parkinson’s, and his powers. European Commission chief They must not last indefi- the eastern Florida city of worst over the next few firmed cases two weeks number of patients you're aunt, who has cancer. “I Brussels’ top official did nitely.” “Democracy can- Tampa, prison records show. days, all while hoping he ago to 36,000 on Monday. seeing.” don’t want to come back not single out Orban or not work without free and The pastor "intentionally and won’t have to start choos- ● FOR PATEL, the worst But, he added worriedly, here and actually give it to Hungary by name in her pletely agree”. “That’s independent media,” she repeatedly disregarded state ing which coronavirus “you can’t really go more them because I don’t think statement, but it came a why the Hungarian state said. and local public health patients to treat. would be a situation simi- than triple the number of they would do well at all,” day after he adopted rule of emergency and extra- Hungary is threatening orders, which put his congre- Just 10 days ago, only lar to that in certain patients you’re seeing in a he said. by decree, claiming ordinary measures are prison sentences for jour- gation and our community in half of the 46-year-old regions of Italy, where the day and provide effective He maintains the mini- extraordinary powers congruent with the tre- nalists who publish what danger,” tweeted internist’s patients at health system is so over- treatment.” mum two meter (six-foot) ostensibly to combat the aties and Hungarian con- it deems “falsehoods” Hillsborough County sheriff Beth Israel — one of the whelmed that it can no In addition to the limita- distance and uses antibac- Covid-19 pandemic. stitution and targeted about the virus or the Chad Chronister. Mount Sinai hospitals in longer take care of all tions of healthcare per- terial wipes generously, “The European exclusively at fighting the measures against it. Manhattan — were suffer- patients. sonnel, Patel is worried while ensuring his rela- Commission will closely coronavirus,” he insisted. Critics at home and ing from Covid-19. “We’re about a potential shortage tives have enough food. “I monitor, in a spirit of “It upholds EU values, abroad have condemned China’s vaccine not over capacity yet, but of equipment, particular- stay pretty much in my cooperation, the applica- rule of law, press free- Hungary’s “anti-coron- we're planning for it to go week,” said Patel. ly of ventilators. room,” Patel explained, tion of emergency meas- dom.” In a separate state- avirus defence law”, say- to be tested abroad over capacity,” he said, Under extreme pressure New York governor “and then I’ll go out there ures in all member ment read out by her ing it gives Orban unnec- Beijing: China, which is adding he thinks the hos- for the past two weeks, he Andrew Cuomo and New and periodically check on states,” she tweeted. “We spokesman, Von der essary and unlimited developing a vaccine for the pital has “planned well.” is preparing for the worst, York City mayor Bill de them.” all need to work together Leyen admitted: “Over the power and is a means of deadly novel coronavirus, The wave of virus even if “it’s something Blasio talk daily about the “If it’s something that to master this crisis. On past weeks, several EU cementing his position plans to conduct additional patients at Beth Israel cor- that we hope we don’t have need for the mchines. “If kicks in, then it goes down this path, we’ll uphold our governments took emer- rather than battling the trials in other countries seri- responds to the one inun- to see.” For Patel, the you get a surge of patients after it peaks, then we can European values and gency measures to virus. ously hit by the pandemic if dating New York City, worst would be a situation coming in, and you only sustain it for a little human rights. This is who address the health crisis After declaring a state of the ongoing trial in the which shot from 463 con- similar to that in certain have a limited number of while,” Patel said. “But all we are and what we stand caused by the outbreak of emergency on March 11, country’s virus epicentre firmed cases two weeks regions of Italy, where the ventilators, you can’t nec- hands on deck for months for.” the coronavirus”. “We are the new law passed on Wuhan proves it is safe and ago to 36,000 on Monday. health system is so over- essarily ventilate on end is something that's Orban’s spokesman for living in extraordinary Monday gives Orban the effective, a Chinese “At the rate that I’m see- whelmed that it can no patients,” Patel said. hard to sustain.” “This is international relations times, and governments, power to indefinitely rule researcher said. The first ing, the peak could be any- longer take care of all “And then you have to going to be a long and responded to the EU state- in principle, need to have by decree until his gov- stage clinical trial for the where from end of this patients. start picking and choos- drawn out battle.” ment directly, also on the necessary tools to act ernment decides the vaccine was started in week to sometime next “You’re gonna have to be ing.” Outside of the hospi- — AFP Twitter, saying: “We com- rapidly and effectively to emergency is over. — AFP Wuhan on March 16 after authorities approved. It has been proceeding smoothly, and its results will be pub- WHO WARNS Flag at half-mast lished in April, said Chen Europe sends Wei, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engine- ‘FAR FROM ering. OVER’ IN ASIA medical gear AI tool can predict AND PACIFIC Berlin, March 31: ● IRAN ON TUESDAY after virus effects Jakarta, March 31: European nations have said 141 more people New York: Scientists have The World Health Organ- delivered medical goods have died from the novel developed an artificial intelli- isation warns that while to Iran in the first trans- coronavirus, raising the gence (AI) tool that may attention has shifted to action under the Instex official toll in one of the accurately predict which pat- epicenters in Western mechanism set up to ients newly infected with the Europe and North Am- evade American sanc- world's worst-affected virus that causes COVID-19 erica, Covid-19 epidemics tions on Tehran, the countries to 2,898. would go on to develop are “far from over” in German foreign ministry severe respiratory disease. Asia and the Pacific. said Tuesday. more transactions and The study, published in the Urging governments at “France, Germany and enhancing the mecha- journal Computers, Materials all levels in the region to the United Kingdom con- nism,” Berlin said. & Continua, also revealed the stay engaged in efforts to firm that Instex has suc- Britain, France and best indicators of future combat the virus, WHO cessfully concluded its Germany were among a severity, and found that they Regional Director for the first transaction, facilitat- list of countries that Iran were not as expected. “While Western Pacific, Dr ing the export of medical reported receiving med- work remains to further vali- Takeshi Kasai says, goods from Europe to ical aid from earlier this date our model, it holds “This is going to be a Iran. These goods are now month as it battles a seri- promise as another tool to long-term battle and we in Iran,” the ministry ous outbreak of the novel predict the patients most cannot let down our said in a statement. coronavirus. vulnerable to the virus, but guard. We need every The first successful On Monday, the number only in support of physicians’ country to keep respond- transaction comes over a of cases in the country hard-won clinical experience ing according to their year after Britain, France passed 40,000, and the in treating viral infections,” local situation.” He said and Germany announced government warned the said Megan Coffee, a clinical the WHO realizes there is the creation of Instex, epidemic could run for assistant professor at New no one-size-fits-all The Italian flag flies at half-mast on the Altare della Patria, Vittorio Emanuele II monument in Rome on Tuesday as months that have been several more months and York University in the US. approach but there are flags are being flown at half-mast in cities across Italy to commemorate the victims of the virus, during the coun- marked by Iranian chaf- cost over 10,000 lives. common tactics. “Those try’s lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the Covid-19 infection, caused by the novel coronavirus. — AFP ing against European Tehran’s struggle to bring are: finding, isolating delay. the virus’ spread under After Bibi, Israel’s and testing case early, tr- “Now the first transac- control has been made acing and quarantining tion is complete, Instex more difficult by US sanc- army chief isolated contact quickly, and put- and its Iranian counter- tions. Jerusalem: The Israel ting in place multiple pu- part STFI will work on — AFP Defence Forces (IDF) Chief blic health interventions Global death toll crosses 40,000 of Staff, Lt Gen Aviv Kochavi, to place physical distanc- along with two of his senior e between people to slow Madrid, March 31: Spain record daily coronavirus The government figures ● INDIAN-AMERICAN for- commanders, went into isola- and stop transmission.” recorded its highest sin- toll of 381 on Tuesday, cover those who have been mer Barack Obama cam- tion on Tuesday after a sen- Takeshi also cautioned gle-day death toll from the more than double the taken to hospital and test- paign staffer, Suraj Patel Russia’s doctor who ior commander they came in that countries still need coronavirus Monday into number of deaths posted ed for the virus whereas who is running in the contact with recently was to prepare for large-scale Tuesday as 849 people in the previous 24 hours. the ONS data is for deaths tested positive for coron- community transmis- died. “As of 5pm (1600 GMT) in the community where Democratic primary for a avirus, the army said. The sion. — AP Spain’s Health Ministry on 30 March, of those hos- COVID-19 is suspected. Congressional seat in New met Putin tests +ve development came a day reported on Tuesday that pitalised in the UK, 1,789 Sierra Leone has York’s 12th District, has after PM Netanyahu and his it diagnosed 9,222 new have sadly died,” the recorded its first case of been tested positive for Moscow, March 31: The health. “Everything is close advisers were placed cases of the virus and saw health ministry said on its the new coronavirus, the coronavirus. head of Moscow’s main fine,” Peskov said. under quarantine after an CHINA REBOUNDS 849 deaths in a single day. Twitter page, up from government said on ● coronavirus hospital who Protsenko said he tested aide on Parliament affairs The country has report- 1,408 on Monday Tuesday, making it the lat- ● TANZANIA ON Tuesday met with President positive but “felt quite tested positive for virus. Lt AS VIRUS ed more than 94,400 cases The patients were aged est African country to reg- recorded its first death Vladimir Putin a week well”. Gen Kochavi, along with of Covid-19 and nearly between 19 and 98, and all ister an infection. from coronavirus, a 49- ago has tested positive, he Posting a picture of Home Front Command head 8,200 deaths since the coro- but 28 had underlying In a televised press con- year-old man who had said on Tuesday, as the himself wearing a mask Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai and CONTROLS EASE navirus pandemic began. health conditions, NHS ference, President Julius underlying health issues, Kremlin announced the and green scrubs on Operations Directorate Beijing, March 31: Spain has the third most England said in a state- Maada Bio said that a 37- the health ministry said. Russian leader’s health Facebook, he said he self- Commander Gen. Aharon Ha- China’s manufacturing cases behind the US and ment. year-old man who arrived was fine. isolated in his office and liva, had attended a meeting rebounded in March as Italy and has the second The country’s previous in the country from ● 12-YEAR-OLD girl con- Last Tuesday Denis would continue to work. 10 days ago in which a com- authorities relaxed anti- most deaths behind Italy, highest daily toll was 260, France on March 16 had firmed infected with Protsenko met with the Protsenko has become a mander in the reserves, who disease controls and allo- which has seen nearly recorded on Saturday, tested positive. The man COVID-19 has died in Russian leader who high-profile figure on the later tested positive for the wed factories to reopen, 11,600 people die from the with the number dropping had been quarantined on Belgium, health officials inspected the frontlines of Russia’s coronavirus, participated. an official survey sho- virus. to 180 on Monday. arrival in the West said Tuesday. Fatality at Kommunarka hospital fight against Covid-19, wed, but an industry gr- Globally, cases of the Some 25,150 people have African state, Bio said. “It such a young age "is a very while wearing a bright posting daily on Facebook oup warned the economy coronavirus top 800,000 now tested positive for the was not a matter of yellow hazmat suit. But to inform Russians about has yet to fully recover. and death toll tops 40,000. virus in Britain, including whether, but when. Ladies rare occurrence," said gov- the 67-year-old Putin was his hospital’s work and The ruling Communist Spain, as well as Italy, Prime Minister Boris and gentlemen, the when ernment spokesman Dr also seen talking to patients. GREAT PYRAMID Party is trying to revive held a moment of silence Johnson, a daily increase is here,” the president Emmanuel Andre, adding Protsenko without any Over the past 24 hours the world’s second-lar- Tuesday to honor those of 3,009. Data published by said. Sierra Leone had that her death “shook us”. protective gear. Russian authorities have LIGHTS UP IN gest economy after dec- who have died from the the Office for National been one of the few coun- ● Kremlin spokesman reported 500 new cases — laring victory over the coronavirus. The two Statistics (ONS) for tries in Africa to have Country singer Kalie Dmitry Peskov swiftly the biggest daily increase coronavirus even as the countries now account for England and Wales on reported zero cases, des- Shorr says she has con- told Russian news agen- so far — bringing the SOLIDARITY US and other governm- more than half of the Tuesday revealed that the pite neighbouring Guinea tracted the novel coron- cies that Putin took regu- total tally to 2,337 cases Cairo, March 31: Egypt’s fam- ents shut down world’s total death toll. true toll could be 24 per- and Liberia having detect- avirus despite being under lar tests and there was no and 17 fatalities. ed Great Pyramid was embla- businesses. — AP Britain reported a cent higher. ed infections. — Agencies quarantine. reason to worry about his — AFP zoned Monday evening with messages of unity and solidari- ty with those battling the novel coronavirus the world over. ROYAL | SPLIT The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will hold on to their titles but will not be actively using them “Stay safe”, “Stay at home” and “Thank you to those keeping us safe,” flashed in blue and green lights across the towering structure at the Giza plateau, Harry, Meghan bid formal farewell as royals southwest of the capital Cairo. Egypt has so far registered London, March 31: The Duke and Duchess of issues that have presented future. On a more philo- ● THEY WILL now be in 656 Covid-19 cases, including 41 Britain’s Prince Harry Sussex will hold on to themselves as a result of sophical note, they a 12-month transition deaths. Of the total infected, and wife Meghan Markle their titles but will not be this pandemic,” the couple referred to the “extraordi- period with the option 150 reportedly recovered. “The on Tuesday bid a formal actively using them or for- said in their final message narily fragile” world as it tourism sector is one of the goodbye to their role as mally representing Queen on their Sussex Royal undergoes the coronavirus for the prince to return most affected industry but our frontline royals as they Elizabeth II from April 1. Instagram. pandemic. to his frontline roles by priority is health,” said settle down to their finan- “As we all find the part “While you may not see “Yet we are confident March 2021. tourism and antiquities minis- cially independent roles in we are to play in this glob- us here, the work contin- that every human being ter Khaled al-Anani, speaking the US. al shift and changing of ues. Thank you to this has the potential and immediate weeks and at the site. Harry, who remains habits, we are focusing community — for the sup- opportunity to make a dif- months, the focus remains Senior antiquities ministry sixth in line to the British this new chapter to under- port, the inspiration and ference — as seen now on the global response to official Mostafa al-Waziri throne, had announced the stand how we can best con- the shared commitment to across the globe, in our Covid-19”. “However, we thanked “all the medical staff royal split along with his tribute,” they said in refer- the good in the world. We families, our communities recognise there are out- who help to keep us safe.” former actress wife ence to their new roles look forward to reconnect- and those on the front line standing questions relat- Egypt has carried out sweeping Markle earlier this year away from the UK as the ing with you soon. You’ve — together we can lift each ing to their future beyond disinfection operations at and, as per the deal struck couple signed off as been great! Until then, other up to realise the full- their household transition archaeological sites, museums with Buckingham Palace, “Harry and Meghan” on please take good care of ness of that promise,” deadline.” and other sites across the coun- they will now be in a 12- social media. yourselves, and of one they add. The statement reiterated try. In tandem, strict social dis- month transition period “What’s most important another,” read their Alongside, Buckingham that they would no longer tancing measures were with the option for the right now is the health and farewell message, which Palace released a state- use the name Sussex Royal imposed to reduce the risk of prince to return to his wellbeing of everyone indicates their return to ment saying: “The Duke for their charitable organi- contagion among the country’s frontline roles by March across the globe and find- social media under a more and Duchess of Sussex sation, Instagram or web- 100 million inhabitants. 2021. ing solutions for the many private capacity in the would prefer that in the site. — PTI Picture of Prince Harry with Meghan Markle. — AP WEDNESDAY | VISAKHAPATNAM | 1 APRIL 2020 pg 9  Many public sector banks inform customers about relief Foreign trade quick policy, export Centre to borrow Borrowers await clarity sops extended ‘4.88 L cr in H1

BITES for one year MADHUSUDAN SAHOO than Rs 7.1 lakh crore NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 estimated in the current New Delhi, March 31: fiscal. on EMI moratorium The government on INDICATORS % Amidst an unprecedent- “The government has Tuesday extended the ed financial crisis due to factored in higher spend- Sensex 29,468.49 3.62 MADHUSUDAN SAHOO State Bank of India, have existing Foreign Trade the 21-days long lock- ing due to Covid-19 out- Nifty 50 8,597.75 3.82 NEW DELHI, MARCH 31 started messaging their Policy 2015-20, including down in the country, the break and it will provide S&P 500* 2,637.55 0.41 customers individually on fiscal incentives for goods' government on Tuesday all necessary help for the Even as borrowers groped their mobile number about exports for one year till said it would borrow Rs health sector, for recov- Dollar (‘) 75.67 -0.06 in the dark about the the deferment of equated March 2021, amid the coro- 4.88 lakh crore during ery of the industry and Pound Sterling (‘) 93.53 0.25 repayment moratorium monthly installments navirus outbreak and the the first half of the new any stimulus needed for announced by the Reserve (EMI) for the months of lockdown to contain the fiscal. the economy,” said Euro (‘) 82.78 0.92 Bank last week, several March, April and May. virus spread. Announcing the Chakraborty. Gold (Oz)* ($) 1,611.30 -0.66 public sector banks (PSBs) This comes at a time The commerce ministry aggressive borrowing Generally, the govern- Brent crude ($/bbl)* 22.64 -0.53 on Tuesday informed their when many customers of said that in view of the plan, Depart-ment of ment raises funds from branch heads and cus- banks, mostly rural farm- "unprecedented current Economic Affairs secre- the market to fund its fis- IN 10-Yr bond yield 6.138 1.014 tomers about the three- ers, are not being able to go situation" arising out of tary Atanu Chakraborty, cal deficit through dated US 10-Yr T-bill yield* 0.693 3.279 month moratorium on all to banks for payment of the Covid-19 pandemic, it however, said, “The gov- securities and treasury term loans, including their loan dues on account has decided to continue ernment will borrow Rs bills. The budget had * As of 9:30 pm IST home, auto and crop loans. of restrictions imposed relief under various 4.88 lakh crore in the pegged fiscal deficit at But private and foreign due to the 21-day long lock- export promotion schemes first half of fiscal 2020-21 3.5 per cent for the next banks are learnt to have down. by granting extension of starting April 1 to shore fiscal, down from 3.8 per not begun the moratorium A top public sector bank the existing policy by up resources amid a war cent of the GDP in the Core growth up process yet. received SMSes from their Moreover, the official official said, "All the another one year. it is waging to contain current financial year. With many getting pay- lenders reminding them said, customers would branch heads have been "The existing Foreign economic fallout of coro- “The loss of economic ment reminders, confusion that they need to maintain have to inform their banks informed with respect to Trade Policy 2015-20, navirus pandemic.” activity is expected to 5.5%, highest in prevails among borrowers, sufficient balance on the that they want to avail of moratorium on all term which is valid up to March The government’s dampen tax collections term-plan investors and due date. the moratorium benefit. loans. In case of those who 31 this year, is extended up gross borrowing target in Q1 FY2021, which 11 months credit cardholders over A public sector bank offi- "Wherever there is a have opted for electronic to March 31, 2021. Various for the first half of FY21 would constrain the cash Eight core sector industries implementation of the cial said such messages are standing instruction, the fund transfer for EMI other changes are also is 62.56 per cent of the flows of the central and recorded a growth of 5.5 per moratorium advised the being sent to customers as customer has to inform the deduction, they are given made extending the date of annual target. Finance state governments. cent in February, highest in 11- central bank in view of the the moratorium decision bank that he or she wants the option of availing the exemptions by one year minister Nirmala Additionally, expendi- months, mainly due to healthy disruptions caused by the has to be approved by the EMIs to be deferred. facility by informing the and extending validity of Sitharaman had in her ture may rise sharply in expansion in output of coal, nationwide lockdown over board of each lender but in Otherwise, instalments branch concerned through DFIA and EPCG authori- budget for 2020-21 pegged H1 FY2021, especially if refinery products and electrici- coronavirus outbreak. many cases, the board will be deducted," a senior mail or other digital medi- sations for import purpos- gross borrowing in the additional stimulus pro- ty. The core sectors had Many borrowers, credit meetings have not taken public sector banker said. um. However, banks on its es," the Directorate Gener- new financial year at Rs grammes are provided,” expanded by 2.2 per cent in cardholders and mutual place due to the nationwide However, over 13 public own unilaterally cannot al of Foreign Trade said in 7.8 lakh crore, higher Aditi Nayar of Icra said. February last year and by up to fund investors have lockdown. sector banks, including stop ECS payment. a notification. —PTI 5.8 per cent in March 2019. In January this year, these sectors grew by 1.4 per cent. The sec- tors have 40.27 per cent weight in the IIP. Merger of 10 public sector IndusInd deposits Interest on small shrink by 10-11% banks takes effect today FALAKNAAZ SYED ry by 25 bps to accelerate savings schemes MUMBAI, MARCH 31 this," IndusInd Bank said. FALAKNAAZ SYED banks in India will come The impact of integra- Indian Bank will be The IndusInd stock MUMBAI, MARCH 31 down to 12. There will be tion on asset quality, prof- merged with Allahabad Shares of private lender closed 14.68 per cent down cut by up to 1.4% six merged banks--SBI, itability and capital of the Bank. IndusInd Bank crashed on at Rs 351 on the BSE. The Ten public sector banks Bank of Baroda, Punjab merging banks will be vis- In a statement, Indian Tuesday after the lender, in stock price has corrected will be amalgamated into National Bank, Canara ible upon the declaration Bank assured customers an investor conference call steeply in recent days, four banks effective April Bank, Union Bank of of the merged balance of both lenders that they on Monday, disclosed that owing to concerns about 1. India, Indian Bank in sheet which is likely to be will not face any disrup- it saw an outflow of 10-11 asset quality and strength The consolidation of the addition to six independ- disclosed by the end of tion in services. Similarly, per cent of its deposits-- of funding franchise. In Indian public sector bank- ent banks namely Indian May 2020.” In a statement, Union around Rs 22,000 crore- the last five trading ses- ing space was a long over- Overseas Bank, Uco Bank, Oriental Bank of Bank of India said, “Post post-the Yes Bank saga. Of sions, the stock hit 10 due process and key meas- Bank of Maharashtra, Commerce (OBC) and the amalgamation, the the total fall in deposits deposit reduction is least of upper and lower circuits. ure in improving trans- Punjab and Sind Bank, United Bank of India will combined entity will have since the December quar- the above categories," said However brokerages gave a parency and accountabili- Bank of India and Central be merged into Punjab the 4th largest banking ter (Q3FY20), 70 per cent IndusInd in the investor buy rating on the stock. ty in banking operations. Bank of India. National Bank (PNB) to network in the country was in state government presentation. "Near-term asset quality Apart from enhancing the Anil Gupta vice-presi- form the second-largest with more than 75000 deposits and 30 per cent in However, the bank said stress is inevitable due to The government slashed inter- lenders capabilities to dent and head financial public sector bank in the employees, 9500+ branch- corporate deposits. that it has replaced bulk of lockdowns, mainly in est rates on small savings meet capital adequacy sector ratings at ICRA Ltd country, after State Bank es and over 13,500+ "The total deposits are these deposit outflows via cards, personal loan, MFI, schemes, including National norms, the amalgamation said, “The merger of pub- of India (SBI) with the ATMs.” lower by approximately 10- longer duration refinance real estate, loan against Savings Certificate and Public is likely to streamline lic sector banks is going to merged entity having Meanwhile post-enor- 11 per cent. Almost 2/3rd of / forex borrowings property, and vehicle Provident Fund, by up to 1.4 banking operations, be beneficial in the long 11,437 branches. mous liquidity infusion reduction is on account of swapped to rupee, bank finance, but moratorium per cent for the first quarter of improve customer service term as it will reduce Syndicate Bank will be and a steep 75 basis repo government related certificate of deposits, should help limit NPAs… 2020-21. Interest rates are noti- and build economies of redundancies within the merged into Canara Bank, rate cut from the Reserve accounts-this is largely term money borrowings, We believe that the bank's fied on a quarterly basis. Term scale to build global com- public sector banking which will make it the Bank of India, several related to general private repo of excess statutory near-term performance deposits of 1-3 years will now petitiveness. space. However, there fourth-largest public sec- public sector lenders sector bank stance. This liquidity ratio/ non-SLR will track its ability to be fetching an interest rate of On August 30, 2019, the could be a near term tor lender. name PNB, Indian will also result in lower securities and call money. manage Covid19-led dis- 5.5 per cent against 6.9 per Finance Minister impact on the integration, Union Bank’s big amal- Overseas Bank, Bank of CASA ratio, but reduce our But analysts believe this ruption on its growth/ cent while the five-year term Nirmala Sitharaman had credit growth and asset gamation with India, Union Bank dependency on this catego- should inch up funding asset quality. However, we deposit will earn 6.7 per cent announced the merger of quality in the slowing eco- Corporation Bank and announced a cut in their ry for deposits in future. cost in the near-term, maintain Buy with a against 7.7 per cent. 10 PSBs into four entities. nomic growth and near Andhra Bank will create MCLR and external Some reduction is in the weighing in on its margins. revised target price of Rs From Wednesday, the term operational chal- the fifth largest PSU bank benchmark linked lend- wholesale (deposits), possi- "Deposit traction will 630, mainly due to its lower number of public sector lenges post by Covid 19. in the country. ing rate. bly attributable to stock rebuild in April…We have valuations, said Anand price fall. The retail enhanced a deposit catego- Dama of Emkay Global. Banks asked to give doorstep Stocks bounce back, but indices lose 23% in March Unorganised retailers services to elders RAVI RANJAN PRASAD highest level.” S Ranganathan, head of The Reserve Bank of India said MUMBAI, MARCH 31 For the fiscal year 2019-20, Research at LKP Securities many banks are not extending the Sensex closed 23.80 per said, ''Markets were up doorstep services for senior Financial year 2019-20 con- cent down at 29,468.49(as today led by key heavy- peg loss at $30 bn citizens above 70 years and cluded on a happy note against 38,672.91 on March weights and supported by differently abled persons even with Sensex and Nifty-50 29, 2019) while the Nifty-50 Technology stocks. after three years of it issuing recouping most of closed 26.03 per cent lower Auto stocks continued to SANGEETHA G advisories, and asked for "strict Monday’s loss with over 3.5 at against 11,623.90 on play the spoilsport ahead CHENNAI, MARCH 31 compliance" on the same by per cent gains but the March 29, 2019). of the monthly numbers to April 30. The directions assume benchmarks posted biggest For the fiscal year gone be released on Wednesday Retail trade has incurred significance as they come amid monthly loss by 23 per cent by BSE’s market capitalisa- which are expected to be losses amounting to $30 the Covid-19 pandemic, where each in March 2020. tion was down by Rs 38.75 weak. Today's trade wit- billion in the past 15 the senior citizens have been Led by heavy buying by lakh crore to Rs 113.48 lakh nessed spirited buying days, says a traders' body. marked out as the most vulner- domestic institutions on crore as compared to Rs across sectors like The unorganised retail able. the last day of the financial 152.24 lakh crore on April 1, Pharma & FMCG as the sector, comprising 70 mil- year, the Sensex gained 2019. street moved funds lion small, medium and 1028.17 points or 3.62 per However, the financial towards defensives across big traders and employ- cent closing at 29,468.49 year closing saw big gains companies who are likely ing 450 million people, while the Nifty-50 gained in index heavy weights on to navigate through the does a monthly business 3.82 per cent or 316.65 Tuesday led Reliance lockdown with minimum of about $70 billion, said economic stress will be Sebi fines 2 Yes points closing at 8,597.75. Industries (7.76 per cent), damage.'' the Confederation of All slower as the demand Domestic institutions sional data showed. Monday’s losses. We can ITC (7.84 per cent), The market volatility India Traders. from Indian consumers Bank promoter were net buyers by Rs Shrikant Chouhan, exec- call it a yearly and quarter- Hindustan Unilever (5.08 indicator India VIX index Traders are likely to after the lock-down 3,576.23 crore while the for- utive vice president- ly NAV(net asset value) per cent), HDFC (4.34 per fell 10.29 per cent to 64.49 pay a higher than expect- might be subdued. A eign portfolio investors Technical Research, Kotak management day for the cent), HDFC Bank (3.48 per indicating significant ed price for the lock- large share of the con- entities remained net sellers by Rs Securities said, “ Nifty market. Many large-cap cent) and ICICI Bank (3.34 reduction in daily market down, which has shut- suming class will be cash 3,044.94 crore, the provi- completely reversed stocks closed at the day's per cent). volatility in coming days. tered stores across the strapped and hard The Sebi imposed a penalty of country. "The ramifica- pressed for disposable Rs 50 lakh each on two pro- tions will reverberate for income. moter entities of Yes Bank for a longer time than "Even after the epidem- not making requisite disclo- expected," said Cait sec- ic, people will largely sures pertaining to encum- retary general Praveen spend on essential items brance of shares. The two enti- India, China may escape global recession: UN Khandelwal. and hence recovery of ties are Yes Capital (India) and YOSHITA SINGH Towards a 'whatever it takes' pro- G20 economies and a two percent- According to him, a stores selling non-essen- Morgan Credits. Yes Capital UNITED NATIONS, MARCH 31 gramme for the two-thirds of the age point turnaround in global large percentage of the tial goods will take time," had raised Rs 630 crore from world's population being left output. Indian traders are too said Jhina. Franklin Templeton Mutual The world economy will go into behind', commodity-rich export- "Even so, the world economy small to have enough Further, the import Fund in Sept. 2017. Morgan recession this year with a predict- ing countries will face a $2 trillion will go into recession this year surplus to survive a pan- cycle has been disrupted Credits had raised Rs 950 crore ed loss of trillions of dollars of to $3 trillion drop in investments with a predicted loss of global demic like this one. But and traders may not have from Reliance Mutual Fund in global income due to the coron- from overseas in the next two income in trillions of dollars. they still have to pay enough goods to sell even April 2018. avirus pandemic, spelling serious years. This will spell serious trouble for salaries, rentals, taxes after the lockdown is lift- trouble for developing countries The Unctad said that in recent developing countries, with the and other levies. ed. Imports of finished with the likely exception of India days, advanced economies and likely exception of China and the While 50 to 70 per cent goods from countries and China, according to a latest China have put together massive possible exception of India," the kirana stores selling gro- like China will take more UN trade report. government packages, which, Unctad said. cery and other food sup- time to normalise. With two-thirds of the world's according to the Group of 20 lead- The report, however, did not plies are allowed to oper- Indian manufacturers, population living in developing ing economies (G20), will extend a give a detailed explanation as to ate partially, a large por- dependent on imported countries facing unprecedented $5 trillion lifeline to their why and how India and China will tion of the unorganised raw material and compo- economic damage from the Covid- economies. be the exceptions as the world retailers selling non- nents, will take a long 19 crisis, the UN is calling for a It added that while the full faces a recession and loss in glob- essential items is closed, time to resume their $2.5 trillion rescue package for details of these stimulus pack- al income that will impact devel- said Ashish Jhina, co- operations. these nations. ages are yet to be unpacked, an oping countries. founder, Jumbotail, an Resumption of services According to the new analysis initial assessment by the Unctad The Unctad estimates a $2 tril- online wholesale market- will also take time due to from United Nations Conference estimates that they will translate lion to $3 trillion financing gap place. migration of labour from on Trade and Development opment body, titled 'The Covid-19 to a $1 trillion to $2 trillion injec- facing developing countries over The recovery from the cities to rural areas. (Unctad), the UN trade and devel- Shock to Developing Countries: tion of demand into the major the next two years. —PTI GAMES pg DECCAN CHRONICLE | VISAKHAPATNAM | WEDNESDAY | 1 APRIL 2020 10

SHORT TAKES CORONA | CONTRIBUTION Red Bull wanted drivers infected! Athletes continue Vienna: Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko has FREEZE FRAME admitted that he wanted the to donate money team’s Formula One drivers to deliberately contract coron- Mumbai, March 31: Star overcome this pandemic,” avirus before the potential start Badminton body blocks rankings amid suspension India batsman Rohit the Commonwealth Games of the new season. Sharma has donated `80 gold-medallist tweeted. The 76-year-old said his idea New Delhi, March 31: lakh to fight the rapidly- Chopra, who hails from was to bring the team’s senior The Badminton World spreading Covid-19 pan- Panipat, has qualified for drivers, Max Verstappen and Federation (BWF) on demic, saying the onus is the Tokyo Olympics and is Alexander Albon, together with Tuesday decided to freeze on the citizens to help the considered a strong medal the junior drivers in a training the world rankings, say- country get back on its contender. camp. ing standings as on March feet. TT BODY CHIPS IN `5 LAKH “The idea was that we could 17 will be the basis for Rohit, who is the vice- organise a camp where we entry and seedings when captain of the Indian ODI The Table Tennis could mentally and physically it restarts the internation- team, has donated `45 lakh Federation of India (TTFI) fill this dead time,” Marko told al calender that has been and `25 lakh to the and on Tuesday pledged `5 Austrian television channel thrown haywire owing to CM’s Relief Fund lakh to the Prime ORF. the Covid-19 pandemic. (Maharashtra) respective- Minister’s Relief Fund for “Then of course it would’ve There was a clamour for ly. the battle against the fast- been ideal for the infection to freezing the world rank- He has given `5 lakh to spreading Covid-19 pan- come,” the 76-year-old added. ings with Indian shuttlers ‘Zomato Feeding India’, demic. “They are all young, strong Saina Nehwal, B. Sai which is helping families “The TTFI, as a part of its men in good health. Then you Praneeth, Parupalli affected by the ongoing social responsibility, decid- would be prepared for whenev- Kashyap and H. S. national lockdown, and ed to contribute in its own er you start, and you would be Prannoy leading the way another `5 lakh to help aid small way a sum of `5 lakh ready for a very tough world in expressing their con- the welfare of stray dogs. to the Prime Minister’s championship,” Marko futher cerns. “We need our country Relief Fund,” TTFI said in stated. “The Badminton World back on feet & the onus is a statement. Marko also admitted that his Federation (BWF) can on us. I’ve done my bit to “A cheque for the amount plan was “not well received”. announce it will freeze donate `45lakhs to was sent to the Indian — AFP World Rankings and #PMCaresFunds, `25lakhs Olympic Association World Junior Rankings to #CMReliefFund (IOA), which had requested until further notice. The Maharashtra, `5lakhs to all National Sports Lancashire chief freezing of rankings will @FeedingIndia and Federations (NSFs) to be backdated to Week 12, `5lakhs to make contributions to the dies of corona which is the week follow- #WelfareOfStrayDogs. Fund,” it added. ing the last international Let’s get behind our lead- AUGUSTA PLEDGES $2m London: Lancashire county tournament that was ers and support them cricket club chairman David played the YONEX All @narendramodi Augusta National Golf Hodgkiss has died after being England Open 2020,” BWF @CMOMaharashtra,” Club, which in most years infected by the dreaded coron- said in a release. tweeted the elegant right would be preparing to host avirus. He was 71. “The ranking lists handed batsman on the Masters, announced on Although Lancashire did not issued on 17 March 2020 Tuesday morning. Monday it will give $2 mil- give the exact reason of his will serve as a basis for NEERAJ GIVES `3 LAKH lion to help fight the coron- death in their official statement, entry and seeding into the avirus pandemic in its a club spokesperson told the next international tourna- Asian Games gold medal- region. ‘Press Association’ that ments dalthough it is diffi- winning javelin thrower This year’s Masters, Hodgkiss’ death was “coron- cult to say at this stage Neeraj Chopra on Tuesday which was to have lured avirus-related.” when this may be.” People wearing masks walk past a countdown clock showing the adjusted time remaining for the postponed donated a total of `3 lakh golfers and fans from “Further to the announcement Shuttlers in the singles Tokyo Olympic Games, outside the Tokyo station on Monday. — AFP to the central and Haryana around the world to the from his family, it is with great competition have to be state relief funds to com- famed Georgia layout next sadness that Lancashire Cricket inside top-16 of world bat the Covid-19 pandemic week, was postponed indef- announces the passing of its rankings to qualify for the in the country. initely due to the global Chairman, David Hodgkiss Olympics. The cut-off for Chopra is currently in outbreak of the deadly OBE,” the club said in a state- doubles is also top-16. self-isolation at the virus. ment. The BWF had suspended National Institute of “It is our hope these gifts According to reports, Task cut out for Tokyo all tournaments post the Sports (NIS) in Patiala will help address the many Hodgkiss had some prior health All England Tokyo, March 31: The picked for 2020. after flying back from a challenges brought about issues as well. Championships until countdown clocks have Organisers are hoping to training trip in Turkey. by the coronavirus Hodgkiss had been on the April 12 due to the pan- been reset and are ticking NEXT YEAR’S ATHLETICS overlay the old plans with “I have donated a sum of throughout the city of board at Emirate Old Trafford demic. again for the Tokyo new plans, keeping ven- `2 Lakh to #PMCARES Augusta and the greater for 22 years, serving as a mem- These tournaments Olympics. ues in place, securing fund and `1 Lakh to the region. We believe Augusta ber, treasurer and vice-chair- include big-ticket events The model outside WORLDS MOVED TO 2022 thousands of rooms in the Haryana Covid Relief National has an important man before becoming the like India Open (Super Tokyo Station, and others Paris, March 31: The 2021 World Athletics Athletes Village, deploy- Fund. I hope we all can responsibility to support chairman, succeeding Michael 500), Malaysia Open across the Japanese capi- Championships in Eugene, Oregon (USA) will be ing the same volunteers, come together in our own and protect the communi- Cairns in 2017. — AFP (Super 750) and Singapore tal were switched on shifted to 2022 to accommodate the re-arranged and letting people who individual capacities to ty,” Augusta National Open (Super 500), apart almost immediately after Tokyo Olympics, World Athletics said. bought tickets keep them. bring relief during this chairman Fred Ridley from the three organisers announced the The announcement came immediately after The summer date also time and help our nation said. — Agencies Paine’s wallet Continental Confeder- new dates — July 23 to Olympics organisers said the 2020 Tokyo Games will avoids conflicts with the ation championships. August 8, 2021. now take place on July 23-August 8, 2021. crowded North American “Due to the Covid-19 out- The clocks read 479 days That means the World Athletics Championships and European sports stolen from car break, the badminton to go. This seems a long that were scheduled to take place in Eugene on schedules. But summer in Melbourne: Australia Test cap- community has experi- way away, but also small August 6-15, 2021, can no longer be held on those Tokyo also means grap- NEHRU STADIUM IS NOW tain Tim Paine’s wallet was enced an unprecedented and insignificant com- dates. “We support the new 2021 dates for the Tokyo pling with intense heat stolen from his car on Tuesday suspension to internation- pared with the worldwide 2020 Olympic Games announced by the Japanese and humidity, the major after he parked the vehicle on al tournaments from mid- fallout from the coron- organisers and the IOC,” World Athletics said in a worry for games organiz- A QUARANTINE FACILITY the street outside his home in march 2020 to the end of avirus. statement. ers before the pandemic. New Delhi, March 31: The Sports of Authority of Hobart to convert his garage April 2020. Then again, it’s not “This gives our athletes the time they need to get “Obviously in the sum- India (SAI) said it is handing over the Jawaharlal into a gym. His makeshift prac- The world body said it much time to reassemble back into training and competition. Everyone needs mer there might be Nehru Stadium here to the Delhi government for using tice area was just a day old will take time to decide on the first Olympics to be to be flexible and compromise and to that end we are typhoons and the heat it as a quarantine facility for patients infected with the when Paine woke up this morn- the process of unfreezing postponed since the mod- now working with organisers of the World Athletics problems. However, this novel coronavirus. ing to realise that his car had the world rankings as it ern games began 124 Championships on new dates in 2022 for our World situation is the same. We SAI handed over the stadium after the District been broken into. “I’ve actually will depend on how the years ago; not for 11,000 Athletics Championships,” it said. — AFP always had those prob- Magistrate had on Monday day asked if it could be just turned the garage into a bit international calender Olympic athletes, 4,400 lems so we will be pre- used for the purpose of quarantine. of a home gym and I want to looks once things Paralympic athletes — pared for those issues,” The Sports Ministry had on March 22 announced hang the (stocking) off the bit improve. and not for sponsors, nificance,” Yoshiro Mori, includes the new dates for Mori said. that facilities under SAI across the country will be where the garage door opens,” “Following the broadcasters, the fans the president of the Tokyo the Paralympics now set Though the internation- made available for usage as quarantine facilities. he told ‘SEN Breakfast’. announcement to resched- that have already bought organiSing committee, for Aug. 24 to September 5. al sports federations went More than 1,250 positive cases for the novel coron- “I figured if I can, I can work ule the Tokyo 2020 tickets, and Japanese said after confirming the “This is a prayer that we along with the new dates, avirus have so far been reported across the country on my cover drive while I’m at Olympic Games to 23 July organisers and taxpayers new dates. have and I do believe that some like the besides 36 deaths. — PTI it, but I’ve actually hit a bit of a to 8 August 2021, BWF will who have spent billions, Mori, an 82-year-old for- someone is going to listen International Triathlon snag today because I moved now also initiate a review and will have to come up mer Japanese prime min- to our prayers,” Mori said. Union preferred the cool- the car out onto the street only process to confirm any with billions more to pay ister, also recalled there’s After cursory talk about er spring during Japan’s to wake up this morning to a impacts on the Olympic for the setback. no guarantee that the an Olympics in the spring, cherry blossom season. text from NAB saying my credit qualification system,” “I believe that these coronavirus pandemic the new summer dates But that was overridden card has been used. I went out BWF said. Olympics are going to will be under control a overlap perfectly with the by the easiest route to lin- Flushing Meadows and the (car) door was open — AFP have great historical sig- year from now. That same time slot that was ing up venues. — AP and my wallet and a few other things had gone,” Paine added. — AFP turns Corona Park BWF eyeing new New York, March 31: The strain from the growing site of the US Open tennis Covid-19 cases, officials are tournament here will be permitting setting up of SONY EXTENDS used to build a 350-bed temporary medical infra- dates for Worlds facility in an effort to pro- structure at various vide additional medical sprawling spaces in New DEAL TO BEAM New Delhi, March 31: need to reschedule the infrastructure to the city York. The Badminton World World Championships as it battles the growing A 68-bed field hospital is Federation (BWF) is in 2021 normally staged in coronavirus outbreak. being constructed in the WWE SHOWS talks with hosts Spain to August with suitable A report in The Wall city’s Central Park to help Mumbai: Sony Pictures reschedule the 2021 World alternatives being dis- Street Journal said that enhance medical capacity. Networks (SPN) India Private Championships after the cussed with hosts Spain,” New York city’s emergency LORD’S OPENS UP FOR Limited and WWE on Tuesday Tokyo Olympics were the governing body said management office plans HEALTHCARE WORKERS announced a five-year exten- pushed to next year due to in a statement. to build a 350-bed facility at sion with an expanded broad- the Covid-19 pandemic. World Championships is the Billie Jean King Custodian of cricket laws, cast agreement that will deliver Huelva, a city in south- a annual event with the National Tennis Centre in the Marylebone Cricket WWE’s weekly flagship pro- west Spain, is scheduled exception of the Olympic Flushing Meadows-Corona Club (MCC), has decided to gramming and localised con- to host the 2021 year. P. V. Sindhu had won Park. provide parking and stor- tent in India and the Indian sub- Badminton World the World Championships The report said construc- age spaces available at the continent, making SPN the Championships in August title at Basel, Switzerland tion could begin as early as iconic Lord’s cricket exclusive home to WWE in-ring but with the Tokyo Games in 2019. Tuesday at an indoor train- ground to the National content across its television now rescheduled to July The BWF has suspended ing center at the facility, Health Services (NHS) staff and digital platforms. 23 to August 8, BWF is all tournaments until which has multiple courts who are fighting the Covid- As part of the agreement, looking for alternatives. April 12 due to the pan- and wide spaces, according 19 pandemic. SPN will have the rights to air “BWF is aware of the demic. — PTI P. V. Sindhu in this file photo. to a spokesman for the US “The close proximity of a Raw, SmackDown, NXT as well Tennis Association. number of hospitals to as WWE pay-per-view specials The beds will likely be for Lord’s gives the Club the live on its sports and digital patients who do not have opportunity to assist med- platforms in English, Hindi and Covid-19, the illness caused ical staff so they can con- regional languages. by the novel coronavirus. centrate on their ongoing The expanded partnership We want to train, Hima tells Rijiju Additionally, the tennis battle against the virus,” also provides SPN the rights to centre’s Louis Armstrong the MCC said in media WWE Network which hosts New Delhi, March 31: are expecting a reply from We will know about it in a or throwing together, one Stadium will become a release. thousands of hours of content Confined to their hostel the ministry in a day or day or two,” he added. will run alone and finish commissary that will pack- The club has provided 75 to be made available to audi- rooms at NIS Patiala amid two. Nair said he and other it and then another will age 25,000 meals per day for car parking spaces for NHS ences in India exclusively the coronavirus-forced “Hima and some other coaches have supported run after him or her. This medical professionals and staff at the nearby through SonyLIV, SPN’s OTT lockdown, some athletes, athletes have written to the idea as there is no risk way we can practice social others. Construction may Wellington Hospital, platform. In addition and for led by star sprinter Hima the Sports Minister that of any camper contract- distancing and be safe,” begin as early as Tuesday, a University College the first time, SPN will curate Das, have requested the they be allowed to train ing the dreaded coron- the top athletics coach report in NPR media said. Hospital, and the Hospital content from WWE’s extensive sports ministry to allow one or two hours a day in avirus as nobody is com- said. As public and private of St John and St video library which includes live them to train outdoors small groups at different ing in and going out of the “Athletics is different. In hospitals across the state Elizabeth. events, iconic matches, inter- within the campus, which times so that they can also facility. “We have 41 ath- many sports, the athletes come under immense — AFP views with Legends, reality is out of bounds for out- practice social distancing Hima Das letes at NIS and the track utilise a small space but a shows, documentaries and siders right now. while training at the same try is in a lockdown and and field area is just 50m runner or a thrower or a more, on its own platforms. Deputy chief national time,” Nair confirmed Prime Minister has said from the hostels. We can jumper covers a lot of dis- Regd. No. H/SD/509/2018-20 WWE will also return to India athletics coach from Patiala. everybody should be have small groups say tance and their cardiovas- Printed and Published by T. Venkateswarlu on behalf of Deccan with even bigger live events Radhakrishnan Nair, who “They have written to where they are. eight athletes each and cular system and physical Chronicle Holdings Limited. Printed at Deccan Chronicle Press and Superstars will visit the is supporting the move, Rijiju that they be sent “So, the ministry will only one group will train strength has to be built situated at Plot No. 9 Alwal Village, Vallabh Nagar Taluk, Medchal region for promotional tours to said that the Hima-led home if no training is not allow them to go back at a time for one or two continuously over a peri- Malkajgiri Dist. Telangana and Published at 36, S.D. Road, engage with fans. Secunderabad-3. campers at the National allowed. (But) going home home but this outdoor hours. All the athletes of a od of time,” he added. RNI Registration No. 3081/1957. Editor: Aditya Sinha — Agencies Institute of Sports (NIS) is not feasible as the coun- training idea is feasible. group will not do running — PTI c m y k c m y k the buzz t’wood Humour in ‘Watching old, times of distress vizag classic films’ 4 >> CHRONICLE 5 >> WEDNESDAY | 1 APRIL 2020

“This is sheer stupidity and waste of resources. It’s like buying a fighter jet for whenever we may have a war even when one does not know how to fire a missile, let alone fly a plane” Dr Sundeep Lakhtakia, senior consultant, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology

“Unless they have an inten- sivist — a spe- cialist doctor handling ICUs — at home, it’s of no use. We just don’t have enough staff to run hospitals, let alone home ventilators” Dr Khizar Raoof, Consultant Urologist, Olive Hospital

“Buying an oxy- gen concentra- tor at home is acceptable, but Forget sanitisers, masks, gloves and essentials; the latest COVID-19 reality is that the richie rich a ventilator at folks are buying ventilators for personal use at home, should the need arise. However, experts home is not fea- say it is a dangerous and foolish move because using a ventilator needs expert supervision sible. Ventilators also need an oxygen supply and compressed air, which is again not possible at Buying ventilators? It is home” Dr Chaitanya Challa, Challa Nursing Home sheer stupidity, say experts

SWATI SHARMA shortage in hospitals, the uber-rich are the Indian scenario, Dr Khizar Raoof, DECCAN CHRONICLE panic-buying and hoarding ventilators Consultant Urologist, Olive Hospital, at home at the cost of `10 lakh. shares his thoughts. “Unless they have Billionaire technology Ventilators are used for patients suffer- an intensivist — a specialist doctor han- entrepreneur Elon Musk ing from coronavirus to keep them alive dling ICUs — at home, it’s of no use. We WORD OF THE WISE had recently taken to the if they struggle to breathe. just don’t have enough staff to run hos- microblogging site to tweet, But is this a sensible move? Experts pitals, let alone home ventilators,” he Considering possible “Yes. Just as with gro- including Dr Sundeep Lakhtakia, who is cautions. Adding to the above thought, ceries, the panic is also a senior consultant at Asian Institute of Dr Sunil Kapoor, senior Interventional complications at this point, it is causing hoarding of Gastroenterology, feel otherwise. “This Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals, says, “It essential to use ventilators ventilators, pre- is sheer stupidity and waste of needs to be connected to a high-pressure only in hospital ICUs for venting them resources. It’s like buying a fighter jet oxygen line, which is available only in patient safety and better chances of from reaching for whenever we may have a war even the ICCU of hospitals.” their survival. It’s a scary thought to the hospitals when one does not know how to fire a use ventilators at home, and it where they missile, let alone fly a plane,” he says. PROCEDURE AND INFRASTRUCTURE are needed.” To begin with, those buying/hoarding In addition to the above, ventilator set- is a bad practice to hoard them Even though a ventilator tend to forget that they will tings also must be monitored and at home. I believe it is something thestill need someone to manage the changed as per the patient’s need, that needs to be reported to Government machine at home. Moreover, where will depending on the patient’s condition. Government agencies so that such of India, they find the necessary therapist or doc- What’s more, the patient must be appro- hoarders are taken to task,” warns recently, prohib- tor to run the ventilator if it comes to priately sedated to tolerate the ventila- Sanjay Waghray, CEO, SS Associates. ited the export of that? For those wondering if it is, in the tor. So essentially, the issue here is about surgical masks and first place, possible to run a critical care how to set it up. ventilators because of its patient privately at home especially in TURN TO PAGE 2 Wednesday 1 April 2020 2

in focus Deccan Chronicle

THE SCORE KEEPERS SAY... Buying ventilators? It is sheer stupidity, ‘Ours is a thankless job’ say experts CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Cricket scorers are an integral part of the game but are usually “Adjustment of a ventilator is an hourly unknown. We speak with some, who articulate the challenges and issue,” explains Dr Chaitanya Challa, Challa Nursing Home. “A doctor has to be constantly neglect they face present to adjust it. Buying an oxygen concen- trator at home is acceptable, but a ventilator at BIPIN DANI home is not feasible. Ventilators also need an oxygen supply and compressed air, which is again not possible at home.” ICC has panels for umpires and According to Dr K. Subba Reddy, Sr match referees, who declare Consultant Critical Care, Apollo Health City, thousands of boundaries and ventilating a patient requires the entire inten- verdicts on “outs” and “not out” deci- sive care infrastructure. “Just buying ventila- sions. However, there are no ICC pan- tors and keeping them ready outside ICU set- els for scorers yet, who record players’ tings is not advisable. Sometimes, they may runs and wickets and are an integral require prolonged ventilator support,” he adds. part of the game. “Further, they require good doctors and nurses “Yes, scorers should be recognised to take care of them. They may also require by the ICC. If one wants to improve other organ perfection in the game, this system “Just buying support such should be introduced,” says Sejal as dialysis Dave from Rajkot, one of the women ventilators and and multiple scorers in the country. keeping them other consul- Another woman scorer is Hemali ready outside tants’ involve- Desai, who has been in the job since ICU settings is ment. Added 1994, handling the pile of runs scored to it all, they by legends in the middle. Sejal and not advisable. Sometimes, will require Hemali, members of the BCCI panel, very close made history when both officiated in they may monitoring to the Ranji Trophy finals (between require prolonged ventilator wean off the Saurashtra and Bengal). While Sejal support. They require good ventilator. So, was the official scorer, Hemali was doctors and nurses to take it is not possi- designated in the press box. But ble to create women scorers are a rarity in the care of them. They may also require other organ support efficient ICUs country. at home.” “Scorers perform the most impor- (above) Sejal Dave and Hemali such as dialysis and multiple tant duties of maintaining all details Desai other consultants’ involve- OTHER VALID of a given match. Unfortunately, this ment. CONCERNS faculty is most neglected,” chimes in (L-R) Gopal Krishna and M. Dr K. Subba Reddy, Sharmila Thakur, another BCCI Nagaraj In govern- woman scorer. Sr Consultant Critical Care, Apollo Health City ment-run hos- “Cricket statisticians pitals, it is UNRECORDED RECORDERS very difficult form the backbone of “COVID-19 commentators and cricket to get vacant Besides the women scorers, even a few infection ventilators. In cricket statisticians favour due recog- websites, but they are results in res- private hospi- nition by the highest governing body often the most neglected piratory dis- tals, ventila- of the game. “Cricket statisticians lot” tress syn- tors are avail- form the backbone of commentators C. Keshav Murthy, able but are and cricket websites, but they are drome in only highly priced. a renowned cricket statisti- 2–4 per cent often the most neglected lot,” says C. cian So also, Keshav Murthy, a renowned cricket of people. For experts think statistician. instance, as of it unwise and When asked for his opinion on why “Scorers perform the now, there are 40 patients warn against they are not a part of any panel, most important duties admitted in the COVID-19 anyone get- Keshav says, “Scorers are in larger of maintaining all details of ting into an numbers, which may have prompted ward of the Gandhi Hospital unnecessary a given match. and not a single patient is on the ICC to not form a panel. However, Unfortunately, this faculty panic-buying this suggestion should be welcome. ventilator” of ventilators BCCI and other cricket associations is most neglected” Dr Sunil Kapoor, during this should step in and fight for it.” Sharmila Thakur, Senior Interventional time. Gopal Krishna, another cricket sta- a BCCI woman scorer Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals “In the tistician who has officiated in more Indian sce- than 100 international matches for the nario, if radio tells us that the BCCI has a grad- If Sachin Tendulkar has things go ed panel for scorers. “But the ICC worse, the government will take over all the should have its own panel. It would be scored thousands of runs ventilators. Even the ones in private hospitals,” the best thing to happen for the and Muralitharan and warns Dr Khizar Raoof. “They’re already get- game,” he adds. Shane Warne have grabbed ting private medical colleges ready, and if the hundreds of wickets, it is need arises, private hospitals will also become a UNSUNG BUT NOT DONE because these score keep- part of the war against corona.” ers have recorded them all Dr Sunil Kapoor also reminds people that very M. Nagaraj, another scorer-cum-sta- Score keepers on the job few of the corona patients need ventilators in tistician, feels a panel for umpires is correctly the first place. necessary because they officiate in or media.” ed them “COVID-19 infection results in respiratory dis- neutral countries. “Scorers are not Another Mumbai scorer, Vivek all correctly,” shares Vivek, adding, tress syndrome in only 2-4 per cent of people. required to be neutral as their main Gupte, adds to the sentiment. “The BCCI has given us an iPad and For instance, as of now, there are 40 patients duty is only to record the happenings “Ours is a thankless job! If Sachin an app. We record the matches, which admitted in the COVID-19 ward of the Gandhi of the game, but yes, it is a thankless Tendulkar has scored thousands of gets instantly uploaded on the BCCI Hospital and not a single patient is on ventila- job,” adds Nagaraj. “Scorers and sta- runs and Muralitharan and Shane website. General public can view the tor,” elaborates Dr Sunil Kapoor. tisticians working behind the scenes Warne have grabbed hundreds of live scores but nowhere are our efforts and their names hardly appear on TV wickets. It is because we have record- being recognised.” Wednesday 1 April 2020 3

glam sham Deccan Chronicle Disconnected from reality? Internet in our country, almost With Bollywood everybody, intentionally or unintentionally, follows their celebs going all favourite celebrities. Now, out with their because of the lockdown when people are asked to stay inside, workout videos in it’s right on part of the celebri- ties to upload workout videos or the face of the of them doing home chores pandemic, it’s because it influences people to stay back home,” he says. debatable First one to react, Deepika Padukone, in a Hangout video, whether it’s a defended putting up exercise way to connect videos on social media. “I know a lot of people have a problem with fans or being with exercise videos that are Katrina Kaif Isabelle Kaif going up. But to be honest, too self-indulgent putting up exercise videos — at these times rather, exercising, not putting I can understand up videos — it’s more about SHALKIE that you all are how you feel. It’s not really about how you look.” While The ongoing coronavirus privileged and you there is a gaping gap between pandemic has opened a don’t have any the privileged and the under- Pandora’s box of chal- other worries privileged in this country, the lenges for those trying to curb crisis has dawned on everybody. its spread. ‘Stay Home, Stay except for looking But it’s the disproportionate Safe’ is the message en vogue after your figures, effect of the crisis that’s being endorsed by almost but most of us have fuelling this debate. everyone, including our Social media may have favourite celebrities who have bigger concerns become a medium to find a sem- been posting videos and pic- during this crisis. blance of normalcy for the tures on social media that most- —FARAH KHAN Sara Ali Khan celebrities, but they should also ly include their workouts, sun- not ignore the harsh reality and kissed happy faces and daily ing your workout videos and At a time when film releases Fernandez, Katrina Kaif, Sara do whatever they can to unbur- chores of cooking and mopping bombarding us with it. I can and film shootings have come to Ali Khan and Vicky Kaushal den the burdened, says image in the absence of their house understand that you all are a halt, our B-towners, while among others are some of the consultant Chetna Mehrotra. help and maids. privileged and you don’t have under a lockdown, have been actors that have shared their “One side is definitely to let Probably as an aftermath of any other worries in this global posting videos of them exercis- slice of fitness routine on their people know that they too are such images and videos, the pandemic except for looking ing at home as a means to stay- social media. However, the equally a part of this entire choreographer-turned-film- after your figures. But some of ing relevant among their fans question arises whether such a lockdown. And the other part is maker Farah Khan recently us, most of us have bigger con- and followers. According to the blatant display of cushioned that when you are an influ- took to social media to high- cerns during this crisis.” image consultant Chhaya privilege is the need of the encer, you need to validate and light the privilege of her fit- Echoing the same, in what is a Momaya, “Celebrities are glam- hour. endorse what’s happening with ness-video-posting colleagues photoshopped image, Diljit our-based, and the best way to According to the social media those who are less privileged. from Bollywood. In the video, Dosanjh superimposed his face show glamour is through your strategist Mayank Jain, these Now is the time when these which has gone viral on the on the popular Instagram body. To remind their fans that videos are not a display of priv- celebrities can break the barri- Internet, the Om Shanti Om celebrity Dude With Sign’s they are still glamorous, and ilege, as it encourages fans to er and show that even though director says, “It’s my humble image, in which he is carrying that they are still looking good, stay indoors, which is the actu- they are privileged, they are request to all the ‘celebrities’ a sign board that says: ‘Stop posting fitness video is a fantas- al need of the moment. “With also not that privileged,” she and ‘stars’ that please stop mak- Posting Your Home Workouts’. tic idea.” Jacqueline the deep penetration of the concludes.

Deepika misses Hrithik Roshan: the Padukones DC CORRESPONDENT Textbook hero The ongoing lockdown has been hard on Deepika Padukone, who has DC CORRESPONDENT education for students. been in Mumbai with her husband While this news is lesser- while her parents and sister are far Hrithik Roshan’s life has known, a Twitter user shared: away in Bangalore. The Chhapaak not always been easy. “Felt bored, so I was reading a actress, who is extremely close with her Despite being born into the textbook of my niece. I was sur- family, says that the first thing she will affluent Roshan family, he grew prised to see this page. This is do when the coronavirus pandemic ends up with a stammer and an extra from the value education text- is visit her family. finger on his right hand, which book of class 6. Who else can She said in a recent interview, “I was others made fun of. He has also teach self-confidence better actually scheduled to travel to Bangalore overcome scoliosis just before than him? Proud of you to see them (family) and then leave for becoming an actor. @iHrithik sir @HrfcTamilnadu our schedule (Shakun Batra’s film) — we His story is now being told to @HrithikRules were going to be out for like two months. students of Class 6 under the @HrithikInspires (sic).” I think that’s probably the first thing I’ll chapter of ‘self confidence’ in The WAR actor’s life story do, which is just go and see them in flesh the textbook Life and Values has also been immortalised in and blood.”While most of us are seeing imprinted by S. Chand international author Ben this difficult time through with our fam- Publications. The book is fol- Brooks' book titled Stories For ilies in real life, Deepika has to rely on lowed in the matric schools of Boys Who Dare To Be technology to see her family. Tamil Nadu as part of value Different. Wednesday 1 April 2020 4

the buzz Deccan Chronicle

tion has the ability to laugh at herself. Recounting an older video on Delhi’s air pollution, she laughingly admits, “I look Humour in times very poor in that video. I stay at a hostel in Delhi. I opened the door, it was so hazy, I just woke up, did not wash my face, used my phone camera and started shooting. I look so pathetic.” You’ve got to hand it to Saloni. She exudes remarkable self con- fidence when she says, “People of distress ask me why I don’t apply make up? So when I mimicked Sonam Move over NAYARE ALI actress,” she quickly adds. I put on the best kurta I had, to DECCAN CHRONICLE It is Kangana, who by default do justice to Sonam as she is a paved the way for Saloni’s foray fashion icon. But Nazmi aapi Mallika Dua. Saloni’s twitter account into comic videos. “I used to does not require a makeover,” There’s a new has 98.3k followers and mimic her in school and my asserts the girl who also doubles this charming college friends loved it,” she concedes. up as the background guy who Youtuber in student’s impersonation of This youngster straddles dual comments in her videos. I am Kangana Ranaut who she worlds. She studies economics the guy in the background, I can town. The burqa wickedly calls Kangana and political science by day at imitate Jimmy Shergil too, so ‘'Runnout’, has earned her 34.7k her university and recedes into decided to do the male voice clad Nazma likes on Twitter. “I hope she her hostel, to make comic over.” likes it too. I have seen Queen videos. “Initially I only did Saloni who hails from UP mod- Aapi’s political multiple times and I believe voiceovers but one day a ran- estly states she is not famous in Kangana is a dom video I made went viral her hometown but wickedly commentary has great and my friends suggested that I adds that her relatives are wary should show my face. So I of her as she might just mimic made Saloni bought this wig from Amazon them. “My nani refuses to speak as a part of my get up and in front of me as she is afraid Gaur a national everybody loved it. Everyone that I will imitate her also,” she was making videos. When I laughs. sensation joined insta I noticed that Saloni happily admits that Mallika Dua was making none of her videos have gener- videos. I did not know how to ated any hate mails or com- channel my thoughts into a ments. “I am very balanced and video. My brother Shubham, take care not to offend anyone who has appeared in Amazon in my social commentary.” Prime’s Hostel Days and he’s a The future looks bright as Youtuber, guided me.” Saloni is currently doing collab- And that is how the demure orative videos and ads and will housewife with fierce views be venturing into radio soon. became an instant hit. And the Speaking about the process of biggest high for her was, “When Screenshots of Saloni’s hilari- creating, Saloni says that work- Kusha Kapila messaged me ous videos. Saloni’s latest ing on filmi impersonations after seeing my video. I was on video where she imperson- does not take time but when she cloud nine that day,” she says. ates Sonam Kapoor will leave dons the garb of Nazma Aapi, it Nazma Aapi airs her views you rolling with laughter takes her 2.5 hours to work on nonchalantly on every- the script and shoot. “My par- thing from panic buying ents are supportive. They told post corona virus to a down. Like actress Sonam, who me to not target anybody and desi mother-in- Saloni recently impersonated that is something that I am cau- law’s views and even got an appreciated tious about. My brother too was post lock- response back, the young sensa- very supportive.”

This youngster straddles dual worlds. She studies economics and politi- cal science by day at her university and recedes into her hostel, to make comic videos. “Initially I only did voiceovers but one day a random video I made went viral and my friends suggested that I should show my face. So I bought this wig from Amazon as a part of my get up and everybody loved it,” says Saloni. Born on All Fools Day This year, for the first time in many years, cricketer Murali Vijay will get to celebrate his birthday with his entire family around him. His parents are looking forward to it BIPIN DANI the cricketer’s father, R. very sim- Whenever he is in Murali, said. He was ple cele- Chennai on his birthday, The right-handed speaking exclusively to bration he comes to us for bless- batsman was born on DC from Chennai. at his ings. This year, we don’t April 1, 1984. Over the “Usually, we all go to a home.” expect him to come to us past several years he has nearby temple, but “Vijay with his three children. been busy with IPL because of the stays half a Instead, my wife and I will matches during this time, Coronavirus km away go to his house,” he said. but the Coronavirus crisis, the from us. The family plans to spend threat this year has dis- temples are quality time together. rupted all such schedules. closed,” he “April 1 is the Financial “It (April 1 — All Fools’ said, New Year in India and it Day) is a special day and adding, will be a fresh start for is celebrated throughout “we will both Vijay and the econo- the world with laughter,” have a my, said Murali. The cricketer with his wife and kids Wednesday 1 April 2020 5

tollywood Deccan Chronicle Samantha to ‘Watching old, do a biopic classic films’ The actress will soon be working Actor Adivi SUBHASH K JHA on an interesting project How have you been cop- Sesh, like Qing with the lockdown? Samantha Akkineni, the story, she would like to Initially, one was worried, but one of the top actresses finalise it,” adds the everyone else, slowly you realise the best thing in South Indian cinema source. you can do is to isolate yourself. today, has been approached This is indeed a good is in self So, doing my best by isolating for a biopic, which is to be opportunity for Samantha isolation. He myself. directed by none other to be working with a leg- than senior director endary director such as talks about How are you spending Singeetham Srinivasa Rao Singeetham. We have Qyour time? of the Pushpaka learnt that the script of the how he’s Watching some scenes of what Vimanamu fame. film is ready, and once the we shot for my next release A source tells us that industry is back to normal, spending his Major, reading books I never Singeetham has planned to the details of the film will would have read otherwise, and do a biopic on Bangalore be announced. time, being doing lots of exercise! Oh yes, Nagarathnamma, a forgot the movie binging part. Carnatic singer, cultural alone Been on a classic spree — The activist, social reformer, Director Singeetham Godfather, Roja, Dalapathi and freedom fighter and cour- Srinivasa Rao has many more. I have been watch- tesan. “The director has ing all the old classics. approached Samantha for approached Samantha the biopic, and Samantha for the biopic, and the Are you eating and sleep- has shown positive signs actress has shown Qing more than usual? about taking up this film, I keep falling asleep and it also and once the director gives positive signs about makes me realise my adrenaline a complete narration of taking up this film levels. Working on Major has been most satisfying, looking forward to getting back on set. About eating, as a kid I would eat more if bored, not now. Just Balayya and Rana don’t do it. up for a remake QYour advise to your fans... It is important for all to under- Actor Balakrishna hopes to stand that this is unprece- remake the Malayalam hit, dented in our lifetime. Many people still think of it as Ayyappanum Koshiyum something “someone some- where” is getting. Guys, stay The Malayalam film in, be hygienic and please be Ayyappanum vigilant specially about the Koshiyum has been a big young and the elderly. Monitor hit. Now, word has it that them but keep your distance. our very own Balakrishna You never know, you could be a 55 years of is showing interest in doing carrier and your body is fight- a Telugu remake of the film. ing it just fine. Their bodies The story revolves around the can’t. Take this opportunity to a Tollywood ego problems of a retired and do personal things you never influential military person and would’ve done. We are all guilty a police officer. In the Malayalam of saying ‘If only, I had the time’ legend film, Biju Menon and Prithviraj Well... you have the time now! played the two characters. We hear He was called Andhra’s that Balakrishna looks interested Tell us about your next James Bond, destined to in playing the retired military offi- Qrelease. become a superstar. Krishna has cer’s role for the Telugu remake. It’s strange to put a halt to now completed 55 years in the “Actually, Balakrishna wants to things right in the middle of Telugu film industry. His debut work with veteran director B. Major’s shoot. But the whole film Tene Manasulu, directed by Balakrishna Gopal who was looking for a good world is on pause. Can’t wait to Adurti Subba Rao, had released subject. The former suggested this get back to working on this on March 31, 1965. The film, Malayalam film to Gopal. amazing story. Recently, for which was the first social film to However, Sitara Entertainment March 15, the birthday of Major be made in colour and had intro- had actually bought the remake Sandeep Unnikrishnan, we had duced Krishna and many other rights of the film, and it is up to some massive updates planned actors, was a huge hit back then. them whether they produce the but postponed for obvious rea- Tene Manasulu was also a huge film with Balakrishna,” a source sons. Will do them once the lock- musical hit, all of which tells us. The film also needs anoth- down ends. ensured that it was a great debut er popular actor to play the cop’s vehicle for Krishna. role, and Balakrishna apparently Krishna never looked back and hopes for Rana Daggubati to do it. It is important for all to understand that became a huge star and one of “Rana has also shown interest in this is unprecedented in our lifetime. the pillars of Telugu film indus- doing the film, but he wants full try, who is known to have intro- clarity regarding the director Many people still think of it as something duced many techniques into the and producer,” adds the source. “someone somewhere” is getting. Guys, industry, too. The legendary So, as we have it for the moment, stay in, be hygienic and please be actor’s superstar son Mahesh if everything goes well, Balayya Babu also recognised his and Rana may soon act together in vigilant specially about the young and father’s journey and milestone two powerful roles. the elderly — Adivi Sesh via a post on Instagram. “My all time favourite #timelessclassic Rana Daggubati # Tene Manasulu (sic),” says Mahesh Babu. —Snippets by Suresh Kavirayani Wednesday 1 April 2020 6

coffee-break Deccan Chronicle

Your day today QUICK CROSSWORD Across 3. Ooze out (4) By Dr C.V.B. Subrahmanyam 1. Contagious disease 4. Hire (6) Aries: Trying to accomplish too many things together might (9) 5. Beltlike divisions (5) adversely affect your health. Tell your partner you want to reconnect 6. Bamboo-eater (5) 6. Tamping (anag) (7) romantically. Stay away from negativity. 7. Boxer’s blow (5) 8. Advantageous (7) Taurus: Freedom to be creative 11.Thin covering (6) may result in your best output. 9. Spanish painter (4) Express your feelings in a love let- 10.Petrified relic (6) 13.Tedium (5) ter so your partner realises how eager you’re to rekindle the love life. 12.Lace hole (6) 15.Directive (5) Gemini: Avoid lavish expenditures 14.Laze about (4) 16.Self-satisfied (4) today. Ensure your romantic part- ner doesn’t feel insecure. 17.Slight colouring (5) Professionally, you’d explore new, YESTERDAY’S ANSWER untried opportunities. 18.Mannequin (5) Across: 1. Newlywed, 7. Mural, 8. Wrath, Love is the most important 19.Ignore (9) 9. Apexes, 10. Feel, 12. Tape, 14. Relief, Cancer: 17. Actor, 18. Hades, 19. Hysteria. thing in your life at present. Your Down Down: 1. Nurse, 2. Wolves, 3. Yawn, business will increase, with a possi- 4. Elate, 5. Impartial, 6. Shellfish, ble assignment. Manage your diet 2. Nursemaid (5) 11. Zephyr, 13. Petty, 15. India, 16.Fret. for good health. Word Mine Leo: Love may be difficult to find. bridge Expect happiness around you. Your IT’S NO JOKE; SIMPLE IS performance at work will be strict- PHILLIP ALDER ly monitored. Relatives may offer OFTEN BEST L valuable advice regarding personal life. ermann Hesse hearts will usually work wrote, "Eternity is better than one spade. Virgo: You’d be disappointed if a mere moment, Note also that if South's R U D depending only on subordinates H just long enough for a spade two were in either for completing work. You might joke." minor suit, he would not express your true feelings to I doubt today will last rebid three no-trump, not N E N I E your dream person. Take care of your for an eternity, but if you four spades, to offer his health, especially your skin. TODAY’S RATINGS: 25 AVERAGE; 27 GOOD; 2 OUTSTANDING know a funny, clean joke, partner a choice of How many words of four or more letters please email it to me at games. In four spades, can you make from the letters shown in You share your b’day with phillip@bridgeforevery- South saw four potential today’s puzzle? In making a word, each one.com. losers: one heart, one dia- letter may be used once only. Each word Mackenzie Davis, must contain the letter at the top of the Canadian actress. She This deal features a mond and two clubs. declarer-play technique However, declarer knew pyramid. There should be at least one in best known for her nine letter word. Plurals, foreign words that is almost sure to be that any time he could and proper names are not allowed. roles in Terminator: right. How should South ruff a loser in the shorter Dark Fate, Tully, Blade plan the play in four trump hand, it would be Runner 2049, The spades after West leads the right line of play. Martian, That the club seven to the six, So, he ruffed a club at Awkward Moment, A king and ace? trick two, played a heart ace and gave his partner a Country Called Home When the opener has 5- to his ace and ruffed his diamond ruff, but that and Breathe In 4-3-1 shape and 12 to 14 last club. Then he cashed cost East one of his nat- amongst others. high-card points, opens in the spade ace, getting the ural trump tricks. South his five-card suit and surprising news about took five spades, two hears partner respond in the 5-0 split. After check- hearts, one club and the Libra: Family appreciates changes his three-card major, he ing that West wasn't hav- two club ruffs on the in and around the house. Your should raise to two of ing a little joke, momen- board.’ self-confidence enables you to that major. Even if open- tarily reneging, declarer Copyright United

enhance your prospects. Enjoy

er has 4=3=5=1 or played a diamond to his Feature Syndicate unreel unlined, UNDERLINE, underlie, ruled, rule, rile,

your holiday with your loved ones. Expect relied, reel, lurid, lured, lure, lire, liner, linen, lined, line, lieu, lien, 4=3=1=5, rebidding two jack. West won with his (Asia Features) lied, lender, lend, leer, idler, idle, elude, elder, duel, deli, ANSWERS: desired results in matters of the heart. Scorpio: Keep business interests in mind while hiring professionals. ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ scrabble brand | G2 R1 As Ms S1 Avoid bringing tension home. Try SU DO KU SU DO KU 2 not to find faults in your partner. Travelling is on the cards. Sagittarius: Travel with colleague might begin a new relationship. Friends/family will encourage you to work harder. Plan a nice roman- tic meeting with your partner.

Capricorn: A small company picnic changes your mood. Self-starters may find work productive. Maintain a distance from negative emotions. DIRECTIONS: Make a 2 to 7-letter word from Aquarius: Expect an opportunity to the letters in each row. Add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. 7- prove your mettle on the profes- Did you think the YESTERDAY’S ANSWER WHAT YESTERDAY’S ANSWER letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” sional front. Spending time with SU◆DO◆KU used as any letter have no point value. All seniors would upgrade your pro- TO DO Judd’s words are in the Official Scrabble fessional knowledge and skills. Fill in the grid on the left was easy? Players Dictionary (Merriam-Webster) and so that every Try this. Check the OSW Official Scrabble words (Chambers). row, every solution tomorrow. JUDD’S Solution Tomorrow Pisces: Be tactful when conveying column, and Tips available at www.sudoku-xls.com a message to your beloved. A every 3x3 box DC-AGE SU DO KU financial deal improves your contains the FORUM: Discuss the digits 1 to 9. SU DO KU puzzles monetary condition. Some might Every puzzle printed and con- make jogging a daily routine. Clarify misun- has only one tribute mind teasers correct of your own at derstandings with loved ones. Domestic life www.sudexel.com/ solution. may be disturbed; be cool and careful. forum Wednesday 1 April 2020 257 coffee-break Deccan Chronicle

CALVIN AND HOBBES| Bill Watterson Dennis the Menace

THE WIZARD OF ID| Parker and Hartsd

ARCHIE| Bill Henry Scarpelli & craig boldman hocus focus

BLONDIE| Dean Young and John Marshall

ANDY CAPP | Reg Smythe

jumble

TARZAN| Edgar Rice Burroughs Wednesday 1 April 2020 8

matinee Deccan Chronicle

Alia’s writing Kartik snubs aspirations Alia Bhatt is not just putting up videos of workouts and washing hands during the lock- down but is spending it bettering her craft. The actress is actually doing an online certification course on creative writing from an international institute. “Alia comes from a very creative Ekta? family and it is but evident that the actress — who was goaded into The two were unable to agree on doing her own lines for her film Sadak 2 by her father and director Kartik’s fee, which is reportedly higher Mahesh Bhatt — has been taking the course. Alia is not really a than Shahid Kapoor’s fee writer, but she has also been putting together essays and other stuff, and will be writing a detailed SUBHASH K JHA script at the completion of the course. Her sister Shaheen is also a Rumour has it that Ekta Kapoor good writer, her half-sister Pooja is offered Kartik Aaryan a feature also a director like her father, and film, but he turned the lady tycoon so it won’t be long before we see down. Apparently the Queen of Soaps, her name in the credit list of films who is not used to being turned down, has which does not fall under the star- not taken this snub very well. ring category,” says an industry Some investigation into the royal snub source. reveals further details — “Kartik first Alia was slated to start shooting offered her the age-old ghisa-pita excuse of Takht with Karan Johar, but it has dates nahin hai, shrugging his shoulders now been put on hold as the film helplessly. But it seems Kartik and Ekta was to have its schedules in Italy couldn’t agree on the payment,” an and Spain — two countries that informed source shares. have been heavily affected by Ekta is known to not pay her actors COVID-19. Alia was to also do a unreasonable amounts of money. After a photo shoot with the other women string of hits, Kartik’s fee has shot up sky Apparently in the film, which got cancelled as high. Apparently, goaded by his over- Ekta, who is the schedule has been indefinitely enthusiastic team, the Luka Chuppi star is not used to being postponed till things normalise. asking for a fee higher than Varun turned down, has The actress was about to begin Dhawan and Shahid Kapoor. not taken this shooting for Rajamouli’s film RRR Maybe Ekta should approach him again snub very well as well, which has also been can- now that the miserable failure of Love Aaj celled for the time being. Kal is known to us all. If Kartik hiked his — Sanskriti Media price after the hits, we would ascertain that he must have lowered it after the flop.

Hera Pheri two decades later

With the cult classic film Hera Pheri completing 20 years after its release in March 2000, the buzz about a series revival is stronger than ever before. Starring Paresh Rawal as Baburao with I cannot Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty as Raju and Shyam, fathom the the film got two action heroes into comic roles, doing every- kind of response I thing unheroic on screen and yet managing to entertain the still get about the audience. film. The film is “I cannot fathom the kind of film in a single location in a — who last made Welcome response I still get about the lockdown kind of situation — Back — was last speaking to happening for film,” reminisces Suniel that is how director both Priyadarshan as well as Shetty, who confirms that a Priyadarshan works,” the Ahmed Khan to see who sure remake is in the works. “The actor further reveals. could direct the third part. film is happening for sure. I If one recalls, the second Priyadarshan had directed Dostana duo John Abraham won’t know when,” he had part never came close to the first part while Neeraj and Abhishek Bachchan step- told us recently. being as funny as the original Vora directed the second part. ping in along with Suniel “The first part had both of as most of the actors in the Neeraj was to direct the third playing Ghanshyam, and us, action heroes, doing come- film tried to get loud and get part of the film, but he Paresh retaining his Baburao dy for the first time. We were the plaudits that only expired. Earlier in 2015, they slot. However, that did not shooting for the film in Baburao got in the film. had planned the film with a happen. Chennai and we wrapped the Producer Firoz Nadiadwala partial change in cast with —Sanskriti Media