BHUBANESWAR l FRIDAY l APRIL 17, 2020 l `7.00 l PAGES 12 l LATE CITY EDITION DON’T COLLECT FEES, AICTE WAIT TILL THE END OF LOCKDOWN FULL REFUND FOR CANCELLED FLIGHTS After noting that some institutions are demanding fees from students ■ The Centre on Thursday told airlines to issue full refund for the TELLS ENGINEERING COLLEGES during the lockdown, the AICTE in an advisory said, institutions approved tickets booked during the first phase of the lockdown (March 3-week by it must not insist on the payment of fees till the restrictions are lifted. 25-April 14) for trips in the second phase from April 15 The technical education regulatory body has also told Also, they must withdraw all terminations made during the lockdown. ■ Airlines have so far avoided offering full refunds, extending TIME TO ISSUE FULL REFUND AFTER A institutions not to lay off staff or stop payments of salaries The advisory notes that online classes for current semesters will continue credit vouchers instead. The decision will benefit thousands REQUEST IS MADE BY TRAVELLER

CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOGGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ WARANGAL ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI

COMMUNITY SURVEILLANCE Zero Asia growth for first time in 60 yrs? ODISHA TO START Lockdown to burn a `12 lakh crore hole on India’s economy, says SBI Research; FM meets PM to chalk out strategy RANDOM TESTS EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE planned policy responses to it. and use capital controls to bat- @ Hyderabad / New Delhi HISTORIC The Covid-19 crisis is Meanwhile, IMF expects a tle any disruptive capital out- expected to inflict steep declines 7.6% expansion in Asian eco- flows it noted. ASIA is likely to see an eco- FALL in output across Asia nomic growth next year on the Asia’s export powerhouses IN ALL DISTRICTS nomic growth famine in 2020 10 These are highly assumption that containment were getting battered due to de- for the first time in 60 years, uncertain and policies would succeed. mand slump from the US and EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE transmission of the virus. challenging times for warned the International Mon- 8 It urged Asian policymakers European countries. @ Bhubaneswar We have planned to test as the global economy. etary Fund (IMF). The Asia-Pacific to offer targeted support to China’s economy is tipped to many people as possible in 6 In its regional report on the region is no households and firms hit by grow 1.2% this year on weak COVID-19 positivity in Odis- next eight to 10 days,” he Asia-Pacific released on Thurs- exception. The the pandemic, besides calling exports and losses in domes- ha being the lowest in coun- said. 4 day, the multi-lateral agency Oil crisis impact will be severe, for efforts to provide am- tic activity due to social try notwithstanding, the The State Government pegged zero growth this year. and Asian Globel COVID-19 across the board, and ple liquidity to markets distancing norms. How- State Government has decid- has so far set up 24 stand- 2 stock Financial Financial The projection for 2020 is market crises crises unprecedented and ease financial ever, it is expected to ed to start random testing at alone Covid hospitals hav- crash worse than the 4.7% average O Changyong Rhee, stress faced by small see a rebound in activ- community level in all ing around 4,000 isolation growth rate seen during the Director, Asia and and midsize firms. ity later this year, with districts. beds and 293 ICU beds in 21 1963 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2008 2013 2020 2008 global financial crisis, and 2021 Pacific Department, IMF According to Rhee, di- growth to bounce back The objective is to obtain districts. At least 11 more the 1.3% expansion during the SOURCE : IMF rect cash transfers to citi- to 9.2% next year. evidence-based data on the such hospitals will be ready 1997 Asian financial crisis. zens, part of the US stimulus But there were risks even spread of coronavirus, na- by April 20. That’s because, unlike past Changyong Rhee, director, Asia workers at `4.05 lakh crore. package, may not be the best to China’s growth outlook as ture of local transmission “We are leaving no stone crises, Covid-19 pandemic has and Pacific Department, IMF. According to sources, a stim- policy for Asian countries, who the virus could return and de- and virus behaviour in the unturned to augment infra- gridlocked economic activity The impact on India could be ulus package for worst-hit sec- should focus on preventing lay normalisation. “Chinese State. for months, forcing households substantial. SBI Research on tors is in the works. On Thurs- small firms from going under policymakers have reacted Development Commis- to stay home and shops to shut. Thursday said the economic day, Finance Minister Nirmala increasing unemployment. strongly to the outbreak of the sioner Suresh Chandra Mo- “This is not a time for busi- loss due to the ongoing lock- Sitharaman met Prime Minis- The region should tap bilat- crisis ... If the situation be- hapatra said aggressive ran- ness as usual. Asian countries down could be `12.1 lakh crore. ter Narendra Modi to brief him eral and multilateral swap comes aggravated, they have dom sampling will give a fair The second phase of the need to use all policy instru- It estimates the income loss due about the state of economy hit lines, seek financial support more room to use fiscal, mon- idea on the Covid-19 inci- ments in their toolkits,” said to the lockdown for 37.3 crore by coronavirus outbreak and from multilateral institutions, etary policies,” Rhee said. dence across the districts lockdown is crucial for us. and will help formulation of We will conduct more tests strategies accordingly. This in the coming days to screen will help identify asympto- maximum number of people. matic cases and also deter- Health professionals, Link missing to start Expert panel to take final call today mine spread or lack of it at volunteers engaged in the community level. containment works, people “The second phase of the living in slums and vendors on random antibody tests in all dists lockdown is crucial for us. will be tested apart from the economic activities We will conduct more tests random samples collected in the coming days to screen from communities EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE limitations, there was no SUMI SUKANYA DUTTA @ New Delhi — full or partial. Integrated District Surveil- maximum number of people @ New Delhi word on cement outlets and The group on surveillance lance Programme or frontline from normal settings be- Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, construction material shops. A group of epidemiologists and and epidemiology under com- health workers,” a member of sides the vulnerable groups. Development Commissioner WHILE the Centre on Wednes- Narender Singh, a cement experts in infectious diseases, munity medicine expert Dr D C the group told this newspaper. Health professionals, volun- day announced the opening trader in Noida, says while appointed by the government, S Reddy, had been tasked with “This will allow a very fo- teers engaged in contain- structure for Covid patients. up of many sectors of activity the resumption of construc- has proposed periodic rapid an- framing evidence-based medi- cused intervention on the part ment works, people living in We have set up dedicated from April 20, there was con- tion of units that were stalled tibody tests on random people, cal parameters that will of the government to con- slums and vendors will be hospitals in the districts fusion on the status of their due to the lockdown has been including non-symptomatic determine full or partial centrate on areas that tested apart from the ran- where no positive case has allied segments, without given the green light, “there is ones, even in the non-hotspots lockdown in districts in need to be monitored dom samples collected from been report so far. Earlier, which they would hardly get no clarity on whether hard- districts to assess the extent of the weeks ahead. and need full or partial communities,” he said. the patients were being ad- any relief. ware shops will be open.” coronavirus footprint. The proposal, set to lockdown,” he added. The State has significant- mitted to hospitals in Bhu- Take the decision to allow Likewise, transporters say The panel suggested that the be finalised by the ex- At present, only those ly upped its testing capacity baneswar and Cuttack. Now electricians, plumbers, me- the movement of vehicles car- districts with less than one per pert group by Friday, with international travel with the number of samples we are keeping them at their chanics, carpenters and IT re- rying non-essential loads has cent prevalence of the infec- proposes rapid antibody history, their close con- being tested at different lab- nearest places. It has been pair agents to work from April picked a bit, but there is a tion, if prepared well medical- tests to sample people in ran- tacts, healthcare workers treat- oratories touching 1200 per done to ensure timely treat- 20. Assume you hire an elec- shortage of loading and un- ly, can gradually be allowed to dom households across India. ing Covid-19 patients, those day. Stating that Odisha is in ment to patients so that cas- trician to replace a loading labourers. exit the lockdown while those “What we are saying is that with severe acute respiratory a good position as compared es do not pile up in one or faulty tubelight and E-tailers get “Booking offices, go- with higher prevalence or not sample one person from 400 illnesses (SARI) and patients to other States, Mohapatra two hospitals,” he fix a fan regulator. the green light downs, factories and prepared medically should con- households in all districts eve- with influenza-like ailments in said that does not mean the reasoned. Where will he get warehouses must be tinue to stay under lockdown ry two weeks using local level hotspot areas are being tested. lockdown norms will be re- Odisha has so far detected them from? The lo- While e-commerce allowed to open for laxed and people can move 60 Covid-19 positive cases. cal trader of course. marketplaces like fresh booking or freely. “We have placed or- While 19 persons have recov- But there is no clar- Amazon and loading/unloading ders for rapid test kits. Our ered and one person suc- ity on whether trad- Flipkart received of goods. Partial target is to detect the posi- cumbed, the number of ac- ers in electrical the green light to opening of the sec- tive cases as soon as possible tive cases stood at 40 till wares can open deliver non- tors does not help,” so that we can curb the Thursday evening. their shops. essential items, said Kultaran Singh “There is no clar- they flagged the Atwal, the president lack of clarity on ity on the traders of the All India Mo- INTERVIEW dealing in such the operations of tor Transport items. It appears third-party sellers Congress. Cops guarding STUDY COVID that all such shops dealing in such India’s automo- border attacked, items NATURE AND will remain closed tive sector appeared two arrested STRATEGISE | P2 even after April 20. in two minds wheth- How then can a carpenter or er to resume production or ob- Baripada: Mayurbhanj police on electrician work without serve temporary shutdown Thursday arrested two persons of them?” asks Ramesh Tyagi, till May 3. The industry said a particular community for an NCR-based contractor who they haven’t received permis- assaulting two women constables provides services to electri- sion from local bodies yet to and as many homeguards during cians and carpenters. resume operations at ‘limited enforcement of lockdown at The free movement of these capacity’ though the Centre’s Raruan along Odisha-Jharkhand self-employed people is anoth- guidelines said manufactur- border. The arrested are from er grey area. Whether or not ing activity can start from Kudhaposi village in West they would need e-passes is April 20 in non-hotspot areas. Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. not clear. “We are waiting for more clar- Police are yet to disclose their Similar confusion persists ity. We also need clarity on re- names as efforts are on to nab 18 in the construction sector. suming production in Pune others of the same community for While the government al- and Chennai auto belt as they their involvement in the attack on PROF PINAKI PANIGRAHI lowed the resumption of con- are very near to the hotspots,” STREET ART the cops who were guarding the Director of International Microbiome Research of struction activity with certain said an industry executive. Rajmahal square road painted to create awareness on coronavirus in Bhubaneswar on Thursday | BISWANATH SWAIN border | P4 Georgetown University Medical Centre, US

7 IITs cite lack of transparency, CORONA STIGMA exit Times Higher Edu ranking ED’S TURN TO GO AFTER Cancer patient, family locked out of house by landlord TABLIGHI LEADER EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi Enforcement Directorate files money SUKANT KUMAR SAHU @ Balasore medical consultation along Bhubaneswar which is a hot- Nayak rushed to the spot. The laundering case against Maulana with his wife and grand- spot for coronavirus or find health officials used thermal SEVEN top Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have decided Saad Kandhalvi, leader of the IN a shocking incident, a can- daughter two days ago. On some other place to go. screening to check the family to boycott this year’s Times Higher Education (THE) rankings Tablighi Jamaat that is responsible cer patient on Thursday was Thursday, when they re- Since the Sharma family members and tried to con- — one of the most prestigious along with QS world rankings for India’s biggest infection cluster. barred from entering his rent- turned, house owner Laxmid- had no alternative for shelter, vince the owner. By the time for institutes of higher education — criticising its lack of trans- And the Delhi Police invoked ed accommodation after the har Bhuyan did not allow they were forced to take rest Bhuyan relented, the family parency. In a joint statement, IITs in Bombay, Delhi, charges of culpable homicide not landlord allegedly locked the them to enter the premises. outside the main entrance of had already spent over eight Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras and Roor- amounting to murder against him family out over coronaviurs Even the district administra- the house for several hours in hours outside. kee said they will reconsider their decision next following fatalities of Tablighis fear since they had visited tion’s initial attempts to con- the intolerable heat of the ADM Nayak said, the house year if THE is able to convince them about the Infected Indians in Bhubaneswar. vince him yielded no result. day. Sharma’s granddaughter owner did not want to allow parameters and transparency in their ranking 53 countries; The family spent an agonis- The Sharmas live near Lo- had to fetch water from a the family inside since Bhu- process. 3,336 25 fatalities abroad ing eight hours under the kanath Temple in the house neighbour as the landlord re- baneswar is a hotspot for cor- According to sources, top IITs have been par- scorching sun after they faced rented out by Bhuyan. Sourc- mained unmoved by their onavirus. Necessary action ticularly peeved that some younger IITs were the stigma. The incident oc- es said Sharma, his wife and plight. will be initiated against ranked higher recently in THE rankings. “This is one of the curred in Sahadevkhunta po- grand-daughter returned When neighbours drew at- Bhuyan for violation of lock- issues we had raised when the discussions happened with THE 12,759 lice limits area. home at around 11.30 am but tention of the administration, down order. No complaint was officials. There should also be greater clarity on the ratio and Total cases in India; Suresh Kumar Sharma, the Bhuyan allegedly locked the a team of police and health of- filed by any of family mem- the calculation being used for the ranking and we have been 420 dead; 1,515 recovered cancer patient, had come to main entrance from inside ficials along with Additional bers of the cancer patient till constantly flagging this,” the director of one of the IITs said. Bhubaneswar for a regular and asked them to return to District Magistrate Sambit reports last came in. ALMANAC TODAY MIN MAX Sunrise 05:27 am 0 0 Friday: 17/04/2020 Year: Soumya Samvatsar 23 C 39 C Sunset 06:06 pm Month: Meena Chaitra: Krushna Paksha Moonrise 02:44 am Tithi: Dashami upto 08:03 PM Nakshatra: Dhanishtha upto 01:36 AM WEATHER FORECAST Moon in Makara Rashi Rahukala: 10:11 AM to 11:46 AM WATCH Partly cloudy sky Moonset 01:31 pm

BHUBANESWAR FRIDAY 02 17l04l2020 newindianexpress com Closure of secondary steel STUDY COVID NATURE AND units hits merchant miners STRATEGISE ACCORDINGLY Mines operate at less than 30 pc of capacity due to low demand ndia’s efforts to ter the tests increase so as of summer? combat SARS Cov-2 to generate conclusive data. When transmission of a vi- (Covid-19) have Creation of dedicated facili- ral disease is considered, BIJOY PRADHAN @ Bhubaneswar 50 per cent of their production With the financial sector equal- been effective so far ties is another important is- temperature and humidity while the rest is consumed in ly hit, all the industries badly but there is no sue. During these times, I always comes to picture. It DRASTIC fall in demand for domestic market. Sponge iron required bail out package for scope for compla- emphasise again to ensure is presumed that the drop- iron ore in domestic market plants and pellet manufactur- resumption of I cency. Distinctive preparedness of healthcare lets that carry the virus due to closure of secondary ing units are the major con- manufacturing. features of the in- workers to protect them- cannot float in the air for steel making industries and ex- sumers in domestic market. Major steel plants of the fection in India should be selves. Finally, collecting too long when it is humid port orders not forthcoming The good news for the mer- State, including Tata, Jindal studied intensively to de- and storing all samples of and hot. Similarly, the virus amid coronavirus scare across chant miners is that China, the and Sail Authority of India vise country-specific strate- the virus from sick patients dies faster on hot surfaces the globe, merchant miners of breeding ground of coronavi- Limited (SAIL) are having cap- gies, infectious disease spe- and serum properly will inhibiting its spread by the State are staring at an un- rus, has started importing iron tive mines which are running cialist and Director of help scientists in the com- touching. However, there is certain future. ore fines after removal of lock- smoothly notwithstanding the International Microbiome ing months to understand no reason to believe that hu- Mining operations have down there. Miners with lockdown. Research of Georgetown the pathogenesis. man to human transmis- come to a halt despite Govern- prior export commit- Of the 126 operating University Medical Centre, sion is less in summer ment exempting the sector out ment have started ex- mines in the State, 24 US, Prof Pinaki Panigra- Though cases continue to months. of the ambit of lockdown re- porting to China but iron ore and manga- hi tells SN Agragami. rise significantly, positiv- We have to learn from strictions to keep normalcy in the demand is low. “We nese mines whose leas- ity rate in India still ap- Smallpox. Although the the metal industries by restor- hope it will pick up in es expired on March 31, Three weeks into nation- pears to be greatly lower West had typically recorded ing supply of raw materials. coming days,” EZMA are in a transition phase wide total lockdown and than the West. Is the vi- high transmission and dis- “The merchant mines are oper- general secretary added. with successful auction of its extension till May 3, rus behaving differently ease burden in winter ating at less than 30 per cent of “Almost all the secondary 20 mines. Around 80 blocks of how do you see India’s here and has less months, in countries like capacity due to low demand in steel making units in the coun- the total operating mines are in battle against potency? PROF PINAKI PANIGRAHI India, it was mostly year export as well as domestic mar- try are closed after the lock- the hands of private lease hold- coronavirus? With available research, Director of International Microbiome Research of round. Once the virus en- kets. The operations are limit- down. With no cash inflow, ers. Director of Mines Deepak Preparedness by the Centre there is no indication that Georgetown University Medical Centre, US ters a human body (temper- ed to mechanised mining as these industries will have a Mohanty said the production and states have been excel- the SARS Cov-2 strains ature of 37 degree Celsius), most of the workers are not re- tough time in arranging work- has been limited due to fall in lent and timely. Without the from China, Europe, or USA vaccine is used in contrast whether it is hot or cold, it porting to work due to family ing capital to run their units dispatch of ores. Only 45 per bold steps taken swiftly, we have different virulence. It to the West. Age demo- will multiply. Now, for In- constraints,” said Prabodh Mo- after lifting of lockdown,” Mo- cent of the minerals extracted would be seeing many is well established that graphics could also be in dia, warmer temperature is hanty, general secretary of hanty feared. Besides, they are being dispatched due to more cases and this is a highly conta- play. India’s median age is not expected to help much Eastern Zone Mining Associa- have recurring overhead costs lack of road transport. All dis- deaths. The situa- gious virus but has about 20 years younger than in reducing transmission, tion (EZMA). like payment of salary to em- patch is only through railway, tion would have less virulence than Italy and 10 years younger because, in densely popu- The merchant miners export ployees without any income. he added. gone out of control some others, say than USA, which might be a lated households and socie- by now. Any delay Ebola. In many factor. ty, person to person trans- or callousness (like ways, this is in mission cannot be not aware of coronavirus and in the US) on lock- agreement with evolu- There are contentions prevented. the precautionary measures to down would have only tion of strains – i.e. if about BCG vaccination What’s coronavirus, ask prevent its spread. “We don’t created more infections. they kill the host quickly, enhancing immunity In next few weeks, how do know what is coronavirus, how Now, the lockdown should they will not be able to in- among Indian population you foresee the situation it spreads and what precaution- continue as we are seeing fect too many. Most of SARS and some are even calling evolving in India? tribals of Banjhiamba ary measures must be taken,” new cases emerge. India’s CoV-2 cases remain asymp- for another round of vac- In states and cities where said Tunia and Hemant Dehuri ability to test more and tomatic for several days and cination to provide pro- several thousands have of the village. more people for SARS Cov-2 pass on the infection to tection to the vulnerable been recorded, the number They are also least concerned positivity will also greatly others. sections? is definitely going to grow about lockdown as the commu- aid the decision making on We also know about a phe- There is a strong indication at a much faster rate than in nity has remained isolated from when to relax the lockdown nomenon called ADE (anti- of non-specific immunity states like Odisha where the the mainstream and lives deep and when to fully open. body dependent enhance- by BCG vaccination in In- number is still small and in the nature’s lap having no ment) of disease. Against dia as well as Asian and Af- the cases are moderately contact with outer world. “How Odisha has been a front- conventional wisdom, pre- rican countries. Western well controlled. Even if new can the virus be able to reach runner in the country in vious infection or antibod- countries have stopped BCG pockets surface, as long as our village?,” they question taking extensive meas- ies to other similar viruses for many years and may be they are immediately quar- adding that the village deity ures - from imposing make the host sicker in- lacking such immunity. In antined, the infection in ‘Garamia Thanapati’ would lockdown early to setting stead of protecting (Dengue this context, when specific those individuals will end save them from the pandemic. up dedicated Covid hospi- is a good example). About 60 vaccine for SARS Cov-2 is in two weeks. The ones in- The tribals, who depend on tals and training and de- per cent of the population yet to be developed, BCG fected by them will take an- Women carrying water from village pond at Banjhiamba in Cuttack forest produces and cultivation ployment of healthcare in the West is colonised by could be tried. However, other week to show sign for their sustenance, walk 14 workers. What is your some coronavirus strains there is enough evidence symptoms. So, in three ARABINDA PANDA @ Cuttack by the Government to contain km to reach Kochila Nuagaon observation? with mild to no disease. that the vaccines based on weeks time, we will know its community transmission. under Mangarajpur panchayat Odisha’s proactive meas- Still, the case and fatality Indian and Russian strains the future course of this TRIBAL communities living in The 65-year-old man is among to avail their ration, old age and ures have certainly helped rates with SARS Cov-2 are are far less effective than disease really well. remote pockets of Tangi-Choud- the 122 tribals from 24 families widow pension and other ben- in prevention of the spread high. Japan and EU countries. If I hope that there will be war block have no clue about residing in the village which is efits once a month. of SARS Cov-2. The num- May be, there is less ADE vaccination should be car- enough test kits available the coronavirus pandemic be- cut-off from the mainstream. Mangarajpur Sarpanch Sas- bers that we are seeing are but greater general immu- ried out, those strains soon to comment on disease cause none of the information For them, Dalijoda forest is mita Parida said all Govern- primarily from single nity to infections in Indi- should be used. burden as well as the virus blitzkrieg has reached them. their country and they have no ment incentives including sources spreading to con- ans. In Indian setting, the Will weather play a more behaviour with confidence. Sunei Dehuri of Banjhiamba inkling of what lies beyond. three months’ ration, pension tacts. There seems to be no population gets exposed to important role in con- That will also allow author- village has little knowledge There seems to have no impact and financial assistance have community transmission many viruses including in- taining Covid-19 in India ities to lift the lockdown in about the spread of the highly of the ongoing lockdown on been provided to the residents as yet but it can be more fluenza (although a differ- as the country grows hot- a judicious and step-wise infectious coronavirus and the this tribal village. by arranging a special vehicle emphatically stated only af- ent virus altogether) and no ter and humid with advent manner. nationwide lockdown imposed Residents, most illiterate, are recently.

THE PHANTOM Test your number crunching CROSS WORD skill with our unique puzzle

PETER VIDAL 17th April : I’ve been talking about astrological literature SU DO KU this week. Some of the greatest examples are to be found in the Vedas. It’s not that precise instructions for life, or directions for the future, are given but that we read about the sun chariot sweeping through the sky, bringing day and night, light and dark, and forging our destiny as it does so. It’s really quite wonderful.

ARIES (Mar 21 - Apr. 20) LIBRA (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23) Balance is needed this week You seem to have taken on if you are to make the most rather too much and the HI AND LOIS of tremendous personal practice may not prove as opportunities. Your daily stars, however, easy as the theory – but, then, it never tell a different story, urging you to does. You’re partly saved by the fact follow your heart no matter what. You that higher powers may come to your never know - other people may actually rescue, but in return you must maintain respect you more. the best standards: nothing less will do. TAURUS (Apr. 21 - May 21) SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) A relative or loved one may You probably feel as if you’re Solutions to Yesterday’s puzzle appear to need your help. Yet swimming around in a fog, a HARD I believe that the real consequence of the fact that situation is the opposite, and that it is all your thoughts are being filtered ■ Fill in the grid you who could do with a helping hand. through that most misty of planets, BEETLE BAILEY with digits in such Relatives must be encouraged to Neptune. All the same, I’d like to remind pamper you! You may have to do a little you that you need to keep up a a manner that every persuading, though. good front at work. row, every column GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 22) and every 3X3 box Do not make any bold moves Your foundations are accommodates the concerning your emotional shifting, and everything that digits 1 to 9, without situation until the picture is takes place does so because repeating any. a little clearer. The fact that current your sense of freedom is reviving. Don’t stars are highly romantic can also mean read any more into personal situations ■ Each sudoku has a unique solution that can be that you are in a muddle! But it’s all than is really there. What is happening reached logically without guessing. really to do with not knowing what may be unusual but is for the best. You choices are best for you. may be reminded of an old friend or CANCER (June 22 - July 23) lover abroad, or may decide to fix up a foreign journey. BLONDIE ACROSS DOWN The Moon keeps your emotions on the move CAPRICORN (Dec. 23 - Jan. 20) 1 Start of play (5,5) 2 Unruffled poise to make an atom of like so much water swilling You are fascinated by all the 8 Now so upset as to faint (5) difference (7) around in a bucket. Don’t complain hidden areas of life, and your 9 Calm down when you have 3 Deserted area is in a bad way (5) if your mood is up one moment and interest in mysticism, apparent choice of evils (2,5) 4 Outlaw went up to bed down the next, but appreciate the spirituality or the occult is likely to be 10 I’m bored perhaps, due to this? (7) and was arrested (6) marvellous variety of emotions stimulated by Mercury’s current which is your special gift. And if you’re relationship to those two psychic 11 Request we turn sideways (5) 5 Go a step towards making a secret making your mind up, do it on the influences, Neptune and Uranus. On top 12 Old magistrates, police force (7) basis of the facts. of which, you have to watch your wallet! unusually severe (6) 6 Cheat won at cards (5) LEO (July 24 - Aug. 23) AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) 14 Caught in the act of 7 Fly round with no regard to the rules, Your planetary picture is You can have something you feeding something sweet (6) but perfectly (10) reaching a monthly peak of want, but only if you accept LOCKHORNS DENNIS THE MENACE 17 Hiding place many yearn to find (5) 8 Took away bad cutters for re-setting (10) good fortune this evening. that its use or value may 19 Told to go in a ship, agrees (7) 13 Globe in orbit (7) Your only enemy is impatience. Indeed, fade as time passes. On the other hand, 21 Passage out of a religious 15 In fact a wild enthusiast (7) any difficulties will stem from a spirit of if someone gives you something you uncontrollable excess. Stay in command, haven’t asked for, do respond graciously. pamphlet (7) 16 A beating leaves a permanent especially of your emotions, and all Otherwise they may decide not to help 22 Going in for competition attempt (5) impression on one (6) should be smooth. you next time round. 23 Had authority, yet prevented 18 Round fish? (5) VIRGO (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23) PISCES (Feb. 20 - Mar 20) from skating? (4,6) 20 Novel supporter in the flesh perhaps (5) Partners are certainly in a Just because people like you, mood to throw surprises that doesn’t mean that they your way. I doubt if you’ll have to do everything you YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS understand all the very many pleasant want! Even those who have been trends in your life at the moment, or somewhat difficult of late will change their Across: 1 Armada, 4 Icarus, 9 Pimento, 10 Extra, 11 Crypt, 12 Terrace, 13 Good offices, accept that someone is working away on tune and give you more support. Whether 18 Chianti, 20 Limit, 22 Alibi, 23 Epsilon, 24 Lintel, 25 Adores. your behalf. But that’s only because you you will be granted all your wishes is Yesterday’s tend to think that other people are just another matter, and depends partly how Down: 1 Aspect, 2 Mummy, 3 Donated, 5 Clear, 6 Rat race, 7 Spaces, 8 Post offices, 14 Opinion, feathering their own nests. far you are prepared to compromise. 15 Ill-used, 16 Scrawl, 17 Atones, 19 Noise, 21 Molar. Loudspeakers should be used to update

information about availability of Asit Tripathy, essential items in containment zones Chief Secretary

BHUBANESWAR FRIDAY 03 17042020 newindianexpress com WhatsApp Odisha Govt plans health groups in containment disaster training institute zones to create The proposed centre to be set up in line with the NDRF EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bhubaneswar awareness THE State Government has decided to establish a health disaster training institute to create more professionals and study health EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bhubaneswar disaster management to deal with situations arising out of Cov- id-19 pandemic. THE State Government on Thurs- A decision to this effect was taken at the meeting of empow- day decided to create area-wise ered group of ministers held here on Thursday. WhatsApp groups of prominent per- A decision was also taken to conduct further research in medi- sons in containment zones to dis- cal, nursing, pharmacy and other paramedical studies so that seminate information about testing the State can reach self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical and medi- and awareness among locals. cal devices manufacturing. Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy, in Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das told an order, asked officials to engage mediapersons after the meeting that the training institute will The training loudspeakers and rope in cable be set up for doctors, nurses, health workers, anganwadi work- institute will be channels to carry out awareness ers, ASHA karmis and paramedics for meeting any health dis- set up for drive in containment clusters. Out aster in the State. “The proposed training centre will be set up of the 60 Covid-19 positive cases de- in line with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF),” he doctors, nurses, tected in Odisha so far, 46 are from said. health workers, ESSENTIAL SUPPLY Bhubaneswar. Talking about the steps being taken to contain the spread of anganwadi Medicines being loaded in a special parcel train for transportation to Vizianagaram at Bhubaneswar railway station | EXPRESS “The decision to disseminate in- Covid-19, Das said the Health Department has decided to conduct formation in the containment zones a massive pool test of the virus at community-level to identify workers, ASHA was taken after we found out that the infected patient at the earliest. “We have decided to ready karmis and people were in the dark over what is testing facilities in all government medical college and hospitals paramedics for Lower courts happening around them. Loud- in the State and increase the number of tests to about 3,000 a State bans over the speakers should be used to update day,” he added. The Minister said only one machine for Covid meeting any to function information about availability of es- test has been provisioned for VIMSAR, Burla which is quite in- health disaster sential items,” he said. adequate in view of the area of operation. in the State for an hour Stating that all containment zones He said that the State Government has decided to install two counter sale of HCQ have been barricaded, prohibiting more testing machines. Besides, health department has been Naba Kishore Das, Cuttack: In order to take up entry and exit of persons, the Chief instructed to adopt a detailed SOP for treatment of Covid pa- Health and Family urgent criminal matters like EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE changer’ in the fight against Secretary said once the area is tients by following the best practices of other States and WHO Welfare Minister remand, production and bail @ Bhubaneswar coronavirus. Orders have been sealed, teams of anganwadi work- guidelines, he said. during the lockdown, the placed with the suppliers and ers, auxiliary nurse midwives and Orissa High Court on ODISHA Government on manufacturers to procure other health workers, under the Wednesday directed the Thursday directed chemists more. The Drug Control ad- guidance of community medicine subordinate courts to function not to sell hydroxychloroquine ministration has intensified and epidemiology experts, will for an hour daily from April (HCQ) over the counter and is- monitoring of the trade of the move from house to house to check All the news. 20. Functioning of the sued an advisory on usage of drug following the advisory. on people. Samples of those found In just a click. subordinate courts in the the drug. Drug Controller Mamina exhibiting flu-like symptoms will be Log to www.newindianexpress.com State has remained The advisory was Patnaik said HCQ as a collected at random and sent for ex- suspended in view of the issued as per the rec- scheduled-H drug can amination to rule out chances of lo-

z z `5.00 z PAGES 34 LATE CITY EDITION CHENNAI z MONDAY z NOVEMBER 19, 2018 lockdown to prevent spread of ommendation of the SPECIAL CATEGORY BILL TO BE MOVED IN WINTER SESSION be sold by a chemist cal transmission, he said. RESERVATION UNDER ■ A bill to extend quota benefits will be moved in the state 25% MAHA GOVT CLEARS MARATHA The Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission, in its report, Assembly during the winter session beginning on Monday recommended reservation for the Maratha community without ■ Maharashtra already has 52% reservation, and the proportion is OF MAHA’S 32% MARATHA POPULATION QUOTA FOR JOBS & EDUCATION disturbing the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota. The state govt, likely to go up to 68 per cent with the Maratha quota IS BACKWARD, THE COMMISSION SAID led by CM Devendra Fadnavis (pic), approved the recommendation,P9 ■ Earlier this year, the state saw huge protests (pic) for reservation ■ ■ ■ THRISSUR KALABURAGI Months after massive protests in the state, the Maharashtra and is likely to grant Marathas 16% reservation, sources said | ■ ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ ■ WARANGAL TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ ■ VILLUPURAM KOLLAM ■ ■ KOTTAYAM KANNUR govt said the Maratha community would be granted reservation ■ ■ HUBBALLI DHARMAPURI ■ ■ TIRUCHY TIRUNELVELI SAMBALPUR ■ ■ MANGALURU TIRUPATI ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR SHIVAMOGGA ■ ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ ■ KOZHIKODE ■ ■ VISAKHAPATNAM COIMBATORE ■ ■ BENGALURU KOCHI HYDERABAD Covid-19 since March 25. The taskforce constituted on prescription of a In a letter to the DGP and all Ad- CHENNAI ■ MADURAI VIJAYAWADA Govt, RBI to seek

A NEW TITLE common ground

his day, November 19, 2018, is another New Registrar General of High by the Indian Council marker in the history of The registered medical ditional Chief Secretaries, Princi- . We launch in in today’s meet HCQ as a Indian Express Group New Delhi today our daily newspaper Amid hectic parleys ahead of crucial board The Morning Standard.We have been T The Sunday Standardin Delhi meeting, both sides want to end face-off publishing for the past seven years. With the new addition, we will be serving the discerning Appointing a committee will re- citizens of the national capital on all days of SUNITHA NATTI will have form RBI’s surplus distribution the week.The Morning Standard policy, but it pertains to future THE faceoff between the Re- a selective approach to news and views so provisions and profit transfers. serve Bank of India and the that it will not be just another addition to It will thus be interesting to see Court in a notice said, scheduled-H drug government might end — at of Medical Research practitioner. People pal Secretaries/Commissioner-cum- the crowded newspaper market in Delhi. It how the government will per- least for now — with board will toe no political line because it has none. suade the central bank to part members, including govern- By launching the new title, we are with existing excess, a signifi- Former President Pranab Mukherjee launches The Morning Standard in New Delhi on Sunday. (From L) TNIE Editor G S Vasu, SEKHAR YADAV ment nominees, expected to continuing a tradition that was begun well cant part of which was acquired The Morning Chairman Manoj Kumar Sonthalia, Editorial Director Prabhu Chawla and Delhi Resident Editor Khogen Singh | reach a consensus on Monday. before independence. at an average `45 per dollar. It is were Such a move also eliminates Standard and The Sunday Standard also unclear if the pro- well known publications in Bombay from the need for invoking posed committee will the 1940s, playing a role in the independence Section 7 of the RBI recommend that RBI movement and eventually joining Ramnath MEDIA MUST SERVE PEOPLE, Act, 1934. part with existing Both sides, sources can be sold by a Goenka’s national network. From that Viral Acharya’s surplus. said, could find a mid- proud past, we move on to the future. speech three days Sources said the “Considering the continuing (ICMR) after it came should not take the Secretaries, Collectors/ dle ground on contro- Reader support has always been the after the last capital framework is NOT THE POWERFUL: PRANAB versial issues, includ- Express group’s real capital. We look “paid news” and said that ques- board meeting over 25 years old is up dia can act as the upholder of fair- ing the transfer of forward to receiving more of it from our @ New Delhi tions were being raised about the and Gurumurthy’s for review as the gov- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE ness and integrity. The watchdog surplus reserves, for gracious readers as we embark on this new objectivity of some media outlets. speech three days er nment believes must be forever on the alert,” he which a technical com- venture in Delhi. We need all the goodwill CALLING upon the media to stay Asking media houses to look for before Monday’s RBI’s provisions are said. Mukherjee also spoke about mittee will be appoint- meeting represent we can get. away from partisan agendas, for- sustainable economic models that way too high. “We are Thank you very much. fake news and called it the greatest ed and a resolution two extreme mer President Pranab Mukherjee will allow them to resist political, determined to keep challenge before the media. could be passed. views. Many are on Sunday said the fourth estate of public or commercial pressures, the temperature chemist on Manoj Kumar Sonthalia “All it takes is a morphed picture, “On the economic trying to find a down... there’s an democracy must be a watchdog, Mukherjee said it would let them Chairman a bogus tweet or a photo-shopped capital framework, we common ground gatekeeper and mediator between perform their role with honesty, understanding.” The New Indian Express Group statement to create social, political hope to get everybody Sources threat of spreading Covid-19 and without prejudice. Meanwhile, of the to light that many scheduled-H drug on Commissioner of Police, Municipal the powerful and the public. and communal tensions. It is im- to agree to appoint a 12 items on the agen- Mukherjee was speaking on the Manoj Kumar Sonthalia, Chair- technical committee,” portant for journalists to be aware da, the board hopes to find con- role of the media in Indian democ- man of The New Indian Express sources told The New Indian of their power to influence the sensus on at least four-five is- racy while launching the masthead group, said the group was starting Express. , minds of citizens. Hence it has to sues including bank credit to of the The Morning Standard a newspaper in Delhi to serve read- The move can prevent the be wielded with care, responsibili- MSMEs, and relaxing PCA Delhi’s newest daily newspaper by ers and no one else. public brawl from getting murk- Modi won’t be BJP’s ty and courage,” he said. Editorial Director Prabhu Chaw- norms. “There are some solu- The New Indian Express group. He touched upon the danger of ier and divert the attention prescription of a “Today we stand at the cross- la welcomed Mukherjee and said tions that can be found and for from RBI — accused of hoard- others, we may appoint ex- roads of history. There are forces there are few things the former ing surplus — while the latter star campaigner in perts,” he explained adding, that seek to destroy the very politi- By stridently sticking to the President had not done for the clearly indicated that raiding its “We should find at least three and in the wake of the people are taking the cal and socio-economic fabric of truth, the media can act as the country and its people. rainy day funds, however their own as self-med- Commissioners, Executive Officers upholder of fairness and integrity areas of agreement.” Assembly elections our nation. To foil their plans, a TNIE editor G S Vasu gave the mighty they are, is harmful. strong media is the answer. By stri- Pranab Mukherjee vote of thanks. dently sticking to the truth, the me- MANISH ANAND @ New Delhi

IN a major change in poll strategy, the BJP has registered medical d tt fi ldPMNarendraModiasthe decision taken by the Central medicine or stocking ication can cause of Municipalities/NACs, Tripathy M ek Centre’s help if need arises: CM practitioner. Government for extension of it due to the coronavi- said supply of essentials and medi- People should not harm and side effects,       nationwide lockdown till May rus fear. The Health take the she said. cines at the doorsteps remains one      3, the High Court has been and Family Welfare scheduled-H drug Chemists have been of the biggest challenges faced by 
 
 
  pleased to order that the department urged on their own asked to maintain a the officials in zones. subordinate courts and their people to not take any register of purchase He asked officials to ensure that offices where there will be medicine without Mamina Patnaik, and sale of all the people were not inconvenienced. Drug Controller morning sittings shall function prescription. scheduled-H drugs. Il- “People with disabilities, those liv- from 9 am to 10 am and other Chief spokesper- legal sale of HCQ will ing alone, pregnant women and aged places where there is no son Subroto Bagchi said the lead to legal action under persons should be given priority in morning sitting, the courts State Government has enough Drugs and Cosmetics Act, these clusters,” he said. The Chief and their offices will function stock of the medicine. “People 1940. Secretary said if no new case is de- from 11 am to 12 noon.” In have been advised not to take Although HCQ is not pro- tected after conducting at least two another notice, the Registrar the medicine without doctor’s duced in Odisha, Patnaik said rounds of survey, the Municipal (Judicial) said the High Court advice,” he said. local manufacturers are being Commissioner or Collector may will remain open on each The Government has stock- encouraged to manufacture ease restrictions in these areas in alternate working day from piled over 10 lakh shots of other drugs which are useful consultation with the Health Friday until further orders. HCQ, a drug touted as a ‘game in Covid-19 treatment. department.

BUY YOUR COPY THIS SUNDAY

Shop for Sleep

Peace in a Podcast

REVIEW UNORTHODOX

An Organic Tragedy A Rebel of Plenty is Born

Sparkling Potential Uncorked

ALSO: Engage Astrogaze

Of Craft and Culture AMMASPEAK VOICES Pushpesh Pant Ravi Shankar Innocence Shows Sampurna Behura us True Way Hory Sankar Mukerjee Shinie Antony

Memory’s Footprints A Diet that Good Celebrates Enough to Calories Eat Since all liquor stores are closed,

my husband has kicked the bottle. Bharati We are a more happy family now Mana

BHUBANESWAR FRIDAY 04 17l04l2020 newindianexpress com Mob attacks cops Liquor menace curbed, rural women happy AMARNATH PARIDA beat her regularly after getting mony in families and society as @ Jagatsinghpur drunk. “He used to even misbe- a whole, she said. guarding border, have with my children. All this “Members of several women FOR rural women who have has stopped after the lockdown SHGs have been engaged to waged a long war against alco- came into force. He is unable to counsel menfolk against going holism, the coronavirus out- get the booze now and all atroc- back to their old ways after the break has come as a blessing in ities have ended,” she added. liquor shops are opened. Due two arrested disguise. The pandemic has Reena Swain, a woman lead- to our efforts, drunks in Red- Two lady constables, as many homeguards put an end to the rampant alco- er spearheading the anti-liquor hua panchayat have vowed not holism among the menfolk, a movement in Erasama block, to resume drinking after the enforcing lockdown injured in assault menace that has destroyed said the coronavirus outbreak lockdown is lifted,” she many homes in villages across has changed the lives of many added. EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE the district. families for the better. Due to Sarpanch of Gadharishpur @ Baripada Consumption of alcohol has easy availability of country liq- panchayat Bhimsen Rout said come down drastically since Reena Swain spreading awareness against consumption of liqour in a village | EXPRESS uor, the number of drunkards before the lockdown, members MAYURBHANJ police on the last 25 days after the dis- had increased considerably in of 75 local women SHGs were Thursday arrested two per- trict administration closed Expressing happiness over ed. But since all liquor stores the region. Incidents of crime up in arms against the sale of sons of a particular commu- both foreign and country liq- the change, Bharati Mana of are closed, he has kicked the against women, domestic vio- liquor in the area but to no nity for assaulting two women uor stores during the lock- Gadaharishpur village in bottle. We are a more happy lence, murder, snatching and avail. However, the Covid-19 constables and as many down. With the men forced to Erasama block said, “My hus- family now.” brawl had become the order of has managed to achieve total homeguards during enforce- stay away from alcohol, peace band used to spend all his in- Similarly, Kabita Jena said the day. But, the lockdown has prohibition, thereby resulting ment of lockdown at Raruan Police personnel deployed at Odisha- has returned to many rural come on alcohol and pick up her husband, a daily wager, put an end to the menace and in an end to domestic violence along Odisha-Jharkhand Jharkhand border | EXPRESS households. fights with me when I protest- was an alcoholic and used to there is more peace and har- in many rural households. border. The arrested are from Kud- move around Raruan area on haposi village in West Singhb- his bike. On Thursday, he was hum district of Jharkhand. found roaming in the area Police are yet to disclose their again. When police stopped People find new creative names as efforts are on to nab him, he started to argue with 18 others of the same commu- the cops. nity for their involvement in The police personnel, how- space to beat virus blues the attack on the cops who ever, did not allow him to pro- were guarding the border. ceed further following which PRASANJEET SARKAR @ Rourkela ing in markets and breaking The injured constables were he allegedly abused them. The the coronavirus chain. Each identified as Kabita Tiria and cops then kept his bike. The FROM animations to wood animation takes three to fours Debaki Naik and the youth returned home and after craft, people of Rajgangpur hours to complete and since the homeguards Pabitra Tiria and a few minutes, appeared at the town in Sundargarh district lockdown, Raju has completed Jashabant Naik. All the in- spot with 20 others. The mob are using the lockdown to get six animations. jured have been admitted to broke the barriers put on the creative in more ways than Similarly, Rajesh Agarwal of Raruan hospital. road and assaulted the police one. While some are exploring the town is building bird hous- The incident took place at personnel before fleeing. new crafts, others are experi- es.The 40-year-old business- Bhanjabeda, situated along the On being informed, a police menting with their hobbies man, also a bird lover, is using border at a distance of about team from Karanjia and Raru- again instead of spending aim- the free time to build as many 3-4 km from Raruan police sta- an IIC Dibyakanti Lakra less hours at home. bird houses that he wants to tion at 9.30 am in the rushed to spot. Mayurbhanj SP Raju Sahu, a 44-year-old put up in his garden to draw morning. Parmar Smit Parshottamdas sand artist and part-time in- more birds. Helping him in the Sources said despite warn- said a case has been regis- structor at a Government initiative is his wife Jyoti, ings from police guarding the tered. Three teams have been school, is spending his time three children Disha (12), San- border, a youth repeatedly vio- formed to arrest the rest 18 ac- CORONA CARELESSNESS creating sand animations and vi (9) and Eviaan (7) and neph- lated lockdown and used to cused who are on the run. People crowd vegetable shops throwing social distancing norms to the wind on the main road of Jeypore | PARESH RATH posting them on social media ew Vansh (4). And the team has to create awareness on corona- so far prepared 40 colourful virus. “I usually do sand art in bird houses using plastic and open spaces and this is the first plywood sheets and hung them time, I am doing it inside my to fruit bearing tress of the CS, 5T head inspect Covid hospital BISRA CONTAINMENT house. Since there is nothing garden. left to do now, I thought of ani- “This is something I wanted EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE per official reports, at least 280 Balasore which was inaugu- RESTRICTIONS TO STAY mations with sand to spread to do but never got time from @ Baripada samples had been collected till rated on April 13. Managed by awareness”, said Raju. my busy schedule. This idea April 15 of which, 198 were Jyoti hospital, the facility has of persons with Influenza-Like His creativity shines through struck me after watching birds A day after inauguration of found negative and reports of a 120 beds including 12 ICUs. Illness and tracking those who in small videos in which he staying in artificial nests at a the 200-bed Covid-19 hospital rest 82 are awaited. They then visited the Cov- might have come in direct or completes several sand draw- temple in Rajasthan. These at Baripada, Chief Secretary Collector Vineet Bhardwaj id-19 hospital at Keonjhar indirect contact with two in- ings that he links into a se- bird houses will bring birds Asit Tripathy and 5T Secre- informed the officials about is- which is in its final stages of fected persons of the locality. quence. And the images that back to my garden”, he said. It tary VK Pandian visited the sues relating to the lock- construction. The hospi- The area was first declared are made on a light box meld takes them four to five hours to facility and reviewed prepar- down, facilitating agri- tal will also have 200 as containment zone for 48 into each other effortlessly. His build one house. “This way, the edness of the district adminis- cultural, MGNREGS beds. The senior offi- hours on April 12. The move subjects include use of masks, children will develop love for tration in dealing with the works and other ac- cials held a meeting EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE had come after an elderly per- hand washing, social distanc- birds and craft”, said Jyoti. pandemic and lockdown on tivities that have been with Keonjhar Collec- @ Rourkela son of Ashiyana Colony of Bis- Thursday. exempted from the tor Ashish Thakre on ra block headquarter area with The hospital that has come lockdown. They asked facilities to be provided THE Sundargarh administra- travel history to Tablighi up on the premises of Kalinga Bhardwaj to ensure so- to patients at the facility tion on Thursday extended the Jamaat and a youth acquaint- Institute of Social Sciences at cial distancing during that is coming up at Anwe- containment zone restrictions ed to him were tested positive Bankisole in Baripada, will farming and MGNREGS sha hospital at Ranki. Thakre across three km radius of Bis- on April 11. provide free treatment to Cov- works. informed that household sur- ra block headquarter for an- The Health & Family Wel- id patients. The senior offi- Later in the day, Tripathy vey has already started in all other 48 hours till 11.30 am on fare Department on Wednes- cials directed the district ad- and Pandian also reviewed blocks and ULBs of Keonjhar April 18. day had stated that one of them ministration to conduct more functioning of the facility at to trace out suspected cases. Collector Nikhil Pawan recovered from the disease. tests on a daily basis and en- Kalyan on Thursday issued the Both are undergoing treatment sure complete lockdown to The administration has already started household survey in all the second extension order to al- at the temporary Covid-19 hos- break the chain of the infec- blocks and urban local bodies (ULBs) of Keonjhar district to trace low total sanitisation of the re- pital on the premises of Hi- suspected cases tion. No positive case has been stricted zone and active medi- Tech Medical College & reported from district yet. As Ashish Thakre, Keonjhar Collector cal surveillance for screening Hospital. Rajesh Agarwal and his family making bird houses I EXPRESS

Migrants begin Transport restrictions Rabi paddy harvest to begin amid lockdown journey home on foot Rourkela: At least 28 migrant EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE the ‘rice bowl of Odisha’. trict has around 500 trained district administration will labourers from Kutra block of @ Bargarh The farmers, who use com- drivers at present. grant permission to farmers to Sundargarh district, who were hit floriculturists hard bine harvester for cutting pad- Chief District Agriculture get the labourers from Padam- stranded in Dhanbad, Jharkhand THE Agriculture department dy shoots and separating grain Officer Dinabandhu Gandhi pur and Balangir. However, la- due to the lockdown, left for EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE his business. “I had availed a has chalked out plans for har- from hay and labourers, said harvesting of paddy bourers from Chhattisgarh are their native place on foot on @ Sambalpur loan for growing roses on my vest of rabi paddy crop in the during the harvest, are will start from Attabira not allowed into the district as Thursday. The labourers were land and even if I do not sell the district amid lockdown. expecting a bumper block and later Bheden, of now,” Gandhi said. engaged in construction of NH-2 ABSENCE of transport and clo- produce, I will have to repay it,” Paddy has been cultivated crop this season. The Bargarh and Barpali, Besides, permission will be at Rajganj of Dhanbad. Faced sure of markets have adversely Soubhagya said. He is also wor- over 63,115 hectare land with district has around 700 irrigated by canals un- granted to owners of combine with hostile living conditions at hit floriculturists of the ried about paying the labourers production target of 3,98,887 combine harvesters. der Hirakud Dam Pro- harvesters to bring back their the workplace, they decided to district. who had worked on his farm. tonne during the current sea- Earlier, the owners of ject, will be covered. machines from other districts. return to their homes in Kutra As per official records, flow- Soubhagya had contemplated son against production of the harvesters depended on Farmers of the district Awareness on the need to block by covering around 450 ers of different varieties in- arranging a vehicle for supply- 3,95,735 tonne over 62,815 hec- drivers from Punjab and Hary- usually get labourers from maintain social distancing km on foot. Sources said of the cluding Marigold, Rose and ing the flowers to his clients but tare last year. Harvesting be- ana. However, in the last few Padampur sub-division, and personal hygiene is being 28 labourers, 13 are from Gerbera are grown over 1,350 the latter refused to buy the pro- gins in the last week of April years, locals have trained to neighbouring Balangir dis- created among the farmers, he Sadhumunda and 15 from hectare land by 100 flo- duce due to restric- in the district, also known as operate the machine. The dis- trict and Chhattisgarh. “The added. Raikachhar village. riculturists in the tions. Since there is lit- district. tle demand for the Deputy Director of flowers in the village, HEALTHY CHANGE Horticulture Ranjan The floriculturists he has been dumping Kumar Das Mohapatra are going through his produce daily. a tough phase. said the floriculturists Usually, they Another factor af- are going through a supply flowers to fecting the trade is that Traditional food back on menu in homes tough phase. Usually, other districts of marriage places, hotels they supply flowers to the State like and religious where EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE and meat has been regulated mal, a retired college princi- other districts of the Bargarh, flowers are used, too @ Kendrapara due to the restrictions, non- pal of Kendrapara. State like Bargarh, Jharsuguda, are closed due to the vegetarian food Pithas like With Pitha becoming the Jharsuguda, Sundar- Sundargarh and lockdown. Iswar Sahoo AS people settle into a new Chakuli, Manda and Enduri lockdown food of people, the garh and wholesale wholesale of Jujumura has lifestyle caused by the coro- besides Dalma have become a age-old ‘Dhinki’ (wooden and markets of markets of Bhubane- Bhubaneswar and grown Marigold over navirus outbreak, their eat- regular in our kitchen menu. stone grinders) have started swar and Cuttack. Cuttack three acre land. He ing habits have undergone a We have completely stopped running again in many rural However, in the last used to sell over 100 kg change for the better. In Ken- eating fried and junk food areas. one month, the flori- Ranjan Kumar Das flowers every day to drapara district, the lock- since the lockdown as all Nalini Das, a resident of culturists have not Mohapatra, Deputy temples. However, his down has resulted in people roadside eateries are closed,” seaside village Jamboo, said, been able to supply Director of sale has dwindled to 30 going back to homemade he said. “It is not possible to walk two their produce to other Horticulture kg per day now. healthy dishes in absence of Besides, with the rise in km to Chapali village during places due to absence Das Mohapatra said junk food sold outside. temperature, Pakhala has be- lockdown to grind rice. So I of means of transport. the situation may improve after Many traditional food like come the staple food for many have started using ‘Dhinki’, Soubhagya Nayak of Nikti- the lockdown ends. “We have various kinds of Pitha, Dal- families. “Several varieties of which was lying unutilised in mal village in Bamra block asked the farmers to wait till ma, Dahi Kanji and Pakhala this dish like Dahi, Jeera and my house for many years, to grows roses over his 2 acre land May 3 and continue selling are now back in the menu of Basi Pakhala along with make rice power for prepar- and used to supply the flowers their produce in local markets,” almost every household roasted vegetables are being ing traditional cakes.” to wholesalers in the State capi- he said. Still, the floriculturists with restaurants, hotels, Women making rice powder by using ‘Dhinki’ in a village | EXPRESS regularly prepared in my Womenfolk grinding rice tal and Cuttack through night of the district have sought loan dhabas and roadside eater- house. During the weekends, with the leg-operated ‘Dhinki’ buses. But since inter-district waiver or financial assistance ies closed due to the teacher, the pandemic has food due to scarce availability we get to gorge on Manda and has become a common sight buses are no longer plying due by the Government to tide lockdown. weaned his family members of fish, meat and mutton in Enduri Pitha which are easy during the evening in almost to the lockdown, it has affected through the crisis. For Tapan Parida, a school away from non-vegetarian the market. “Since sale of fish to prepare,” said Ajaya Sa- every village of the district. Some political parties are also spreading rumours Mamata Banerjee, over the PDS system. I I want to assure people that West Bengal each of them would get food grains at the ration shops CM

BHUBANESWAR FRIDAY 05 17l04l2020 newindianexpress com Bihar intensifies efforts to help migrants Applications by migrants for special assistance have poured in from eight states including Haryana and Gujarat

PATNA: The Bihar Govern- sistance have poured in from at them were grounded midway ment has reached out to at least 14.56 lakh least eight states, including by the administration in other 14.5 lakh migrants stranded in migrants have REACHING OUT Haryana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu states. Delhi, Mumbai and other parts been provided CM Nitish Kumar has appealed The State and Karnataka, and Delhi. The chief minister had ap- of the country, amid the coro- relief so far in the migrants to stay put Government As part of the special assis- pealed to them to stay put wher- navirus-induced lockdown and camps set up for wherever they were and has been tance programme, launched by ever they were and promised provided them meals, dry ra- the purpose in promised that his Government doling out the Government on April 6, that his Government would tion and other essential items, Delhi and would provide necessary special about `8 lakh has been debited provide necessary assistance to officials here said. Mumbai, and assistance to them assistance directly in the bank accounts them. The State Government has states like Tamil of `1,000 to of the beneficiaries, he said. The April 14 incident in distressed also been doling out a special Nadu, Karnataka “In accordance with the in- Mumbai further laid bare the and West Bengal migrant assistance of `1,000 to dis- workers structions of Chief Minister woes of the migrants, many of tressed migrant workers after The State through Nitish Kumar, we are trying to whom have lost daily wage verification through the Direct Government is Direct reach out to every single per- jobs. Benefit Transfer system. supplementing the Benefit son who is contacting us over Amrit, whose department is Two days after a large num- efforts of the local Transfer helpline numbers at the CM’s coordinating relief operations, ber of labourers, many of them administration at system office, the disaster manage- said 14 camps are functioning from the State, had gathered at these places ment department or the Bihar in Mumbai itself. the Bandra station in Mumbai, Resident Commissioner office He also said that the Govern- Health workers in protective suits interact with slum dwellers during a heeding rumours that arrange- in Delhi,” Amrit said. ment-funded relief operations house-to-house health survey at Belgachia, after it became corona hotspot in ments were being made to send spoke to his Maharashtra coun- in camps set up for the purpose Heart-wrenching images of in far-off places, including Del- Kolkata on Thursday | PTI them home, the Bihar Govern- terpart on the same day and in Delhi and Mumbai, and jobless labourers and marginal hi and West Bengal, are being ment took up the matter with sought help for the stranded states like Tamil Nadu, Karna- workers walking back home, carried out with the help of the Maharashtra, while also mak- migrants there,” he said. taka and West Bengal. after suspension of transport Bihar Foundation. Jha said the ing efforts to establish contact Principal Secretary, Bihar The State Government is services, were splashed on all Government has taken stock of 4 more test +ve for with the anguished workers, State Disaster Management De- supplementing the efforts of TV channels and social media the situation in the relief Bihar Minister Sanjay Jha told partment, Pratyaya Amrit, said the local administration at platforms, following the impo- camps of Mumbai and else- PTI on Thursday. a total of 14.56 lakh migrants these places, Amrit said. sition of the nationwide lock- where, after Tuesday’s unfortu- “The Bihar chief secretary have been provided relief so far Applications for special as- down in March end. Some of nate incident in Mumbai. PTI Covid-19 in Bihar PATNA: Four more people have tested posi- tive for Covid-19 in Bihar, taking the total 3 more die number of confirmed cases in the state to 74, in WB, total a top official said on Thursday. fatalities Techie helps Odia migrants, According to Principal Secretary, Health, rise to 10 Sanjay Kumar, Buxar district has reported its first two cases. Both are men, aged 67 and Kolkata: The 35, with a travel history to Asansol in West novel wins praise from RS member coronavirus Bengal. A 60-year-old man from Patna and a claimed three EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE “We posted the SOS mes- 35-year-old man from Vaishali had tested more lives in @ Hyderabad sage on several groups. In one positive on late Wednesday night. West Bengal in group I had a common friend The Patna patient had come in contact the past 24 AFTER seeing an SOS mes- hailing from Ongole who I with a Dubai- returnee who had tested posi- hours, raising sage from a Rajya Sabha We posted the SOS had met years ago on a train tive for the disease last month and dis- the total member from Odisha on Twit- message on several journey. He saw the SOS and charged after recovery more than a week number of ter regarding migrant work- responded,” said Teja. ago, the official said. Contact-tracing was on fatalities to 10, ers being stranded in Ongole groups. In one group I had Teja’s contact in Ongole, for the patient from Vaishali district, which Chief Secretary without food and help, a group a common friend from Manohar took up the chal- has reported its first coronavirus case, he Rajiva Sinha of IT professionals from Hy- lenge and went to the nearby said. said on derabad swung into action Ongole who I had met store and purchased `4,000 Of 38 districts in the State, 13 have report- Thursday. and handed over ration that years ago. He saw the worth groceries and travelled ed Covid-19 cases so far. Twenty four would last for a week to the SOS and responded 10 kms to the company site However, the number of active cases new cases of distressed migrants. and delivered the food items. stands at 39, since 34 people have recovered Covid-19 were MP Amar Patnaik on Sai Teja, IT professional The MP personally thanked and one Covid-19 patient has died. reported from Wednesday tweeted that de- the team on Twitter for their Moreover, among the affected districts, the state during spite coordinating with with no results,” he tweeted. intervention. “I really thank Bhagalpur, Lakhisarai and Gopalganj are the period, he Andhra Pradesh Govern- Seeing this, several people you for this gesture. May your now left with no active cases. said. The total ment, help had not reached reached out to the MP offering tribe prosper. Elinor Ostrom, Moderately affected by the coronavirus number of the workers. help, including Sai Teja, an IT Nobel Prize winner in eco- outbreak, Bihar, which comprises nearly 10 cases in West “Coordination of over 10 professional from Hyderabad. nomics, has said that when per cent of the country’s total population, Bengal now days has failed to help a group Teja who has been coordinat- markets fail, govt steps in. But accounts for less than one per cent of the to- stands at 188, of 30 Odias with ration. Left ing relief efforts since the last when both fail, it is the com- tal number of cases, the official said. Accord- while the with no choice, they have de- 20 days for the destitutes in munities that step in. It is peo- ing to the State health department, Bihar Union Health cided to walk from Andhra the city along with a team of ple like you that step in & you lags behind only Kerala and Chhattisgarh in Ministry has Pradesh to Odisha. The Chief IT professionals and Society stepped in. Thanks again,” FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE terms of the Covid-19 patient recovery rate. put the figure Secretary of Odisha has writ- for Cyberabad Security Coun- tweeted Patnaik thanking An elderly woman shows a `500 rupee note after withdrawing from her Jan-Dhan The fatality rate in Bihar is also significant- at 231. PTI ten to his counterpart in AP cil volunteers. Teja. account in Nadia district of West Bengal on Thursday | PTI ly lower than the national average. PTI HC seeks report on adherence to corona norms Mamata urges Oppn not to indulge in politics KOLKATA: The Calcutta High report to be placed by the State video conference, that the guide- General and the health and fam- KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief to indulge in politics over the ports of clashes in parts of the Court on Thursday directed the Government. lines issued by the World Health ily welfare department secre- Minister Mamata Banerjee on number of Covid-19 cases in state after people complained West Bengal Government to file On an earlier order by the Organisation (WHO) and the In- tary immediately. Thursday urged opposition Bengal. Some political parties of not receiving enough food a report within a day on allega- high court on April 8, the secre- dian Council of Medical Re- Moving the PIL on April 8, parties to refrain from indulg- are also spreading rumours grains. tions that the State is not adher- tary to the department of search (ICMR) for tackling the petitioner’s lawyer alleged ing in politics over food grain over the PDS system. I want to Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha ing to the guidelines issued by health and family welfare Covid-19 are not being ad- that frontline workers fighting distribution and said steps assure people that each of on Thursday said apart from the WHO and the ICMR for tack- of the State Govern- hered to by the State of the coronavirus pandemic have been taken to ensure eve- them would get food grains at the four districts pointed out by ling the Covid-19 pandemic. ment submitted a report West Bengal. such as doctors, nurses, para- rybody gets their due from the rations shops. There is no the Union Government as Cov- Considering the gravity of on Thursday before the “The State shall re- medics and other related staff State-run ration shops. dearth of grains,” the chief id-19 hotbeds, the state has also the grievance expressed by the Chief Justice’s bench on spond to this specific griev- were not being given proper Barring 10 per cent of the minister said. taken up containment meas- petitioner, a division bench com- steps taken to control the ance by way of a further re- protective gear. Bhattacharya population, almost everyone Opposition BJP and the ures in other areas. During a prising Chief Justice T B N Rad- spread of the novel coronavirus port on the next date of had also claimed that all neces- has received ration, she said, CPI(M) have alleged that ben- meeting at the secretariat, the hakrishnan and Justice Arijit in West Bengal. hearing,” the division bench sary data regarding the tests adding that the State would eficiaries, especially the poor, state cabinet decided that peo- Banerjee said that it will take up Senior counsel Bikash Bhat- directed. The court directed done and number of affected soon have a new food supplies were not getting food grains ple would be allowed to register the issue for hearing again on tachar, appearing for petitioner that a copy of the order be com- persons were not being shared secretary. from the State-run ration their property deeds online Friday, when it will consider the Fuad Halim, submitted through municated to the state Advocate by the Government. PTI “I would urge everybody not shops. There have been re- from April 20. PTI TickMe app Spl discount on timely payment of power bills Collector warns officials to help people not to exit Ganjam dist EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE Distribution (Condition of billing information to its con- rat Mishra of Cesu. order essentials @ Bhubaneswar Supply) Code, 2019. sumers through SMSs/e-mail Cheque drop facilities at dif- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE baneswar for personal work. Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar The directive of OERC came and toll free number. They can ferent offices of CESU is also @ Berhampur Although as per norms, an- Municipal Corporation (BMC) on IN a bid to improve cash flow in the wake of severe cash pay their electricity dues on- available. yone with a travel history Thursday decided to rope in TickMe, of power distribution compa- constraints faced by the four line and digital mode like Pay- He said the consumer call AMID allegations of Govern- should report himself and re- an online platform to order nies (discoms) during lock- discoms-Cesu, Nesco, Southco tm and Airtel by using their centre has been expanded ment officials visiting Bhu- main in quarantine, the offi- essentials like groceries and down period and encourage and Wesco - in their commer- debit and credit cards. from 5 to 13 lines to help con- baneswar, a Covid-19 hotspot, cials concerned have not done medicines, for residents of the consumers to pay electricity cial activities like meter As meter reading is not sumers to call through toll free the Ganjam Collector Vijay so. “Once these officials are Capital City during the lockdown. bills in time, the Odisha Elec- reading, billing and col- possible on last recorded numbers - 1912 and Amruta Kulange announced detected, they will be quaran- Civic officials said using the tricity Regulatory Commis- lections. In view of the consumption basis as 1800-345-7122. that no official will be allowed tined and action would be tak- application, citizens can place sion (OERC) has asked the dis- need to maintain so- per OERC regulation, “Consumers who could not to enter or exit the district en against them,” said the online orders for pickup and coms to provide special rebate cial distancing norms the utility is raising pay during the rebates dates during the lockdown except Collector. He visited the Gohi- delivery with their nearby grocery for two months. to prevent the spread of bills taking the average falling between March 22 to 31 emergency cases. rapalli check gate near Lan- stores, medical shops and “All the LT consumers who Covid-19, CESU has taken consumption of last three can also avail the special re- In an order to heads of all galeswar under Khallikote restaurants. While the mobile pay current electricity bill, in- several measures to address months. Excess amount, if bate of 4 per cent,” he added. Government offices in the dis- police limits and another one application has been developed by cluding arrear, if any during these issues, including redres- any, paid by consumers will be With 27 lakh consumers, trict on Thursday, the Collec- at Balarampur under Chikiti a team from North Carolina in USA April and May (in all modes of sal of consumer grievances. adjusted once the actual me- Cesu has appealed them to tor asked them to identify of- police limits on the day. Kul- led by an IIT Kanpur graduate, the payment) will be eligible for a Cesu has started providing ter reading is taken, said Sub- make timely payment to meet ficials who visited the Capital nage found several official ve- civic body and the Bhubaneswar rebate of 4 per cent over and day-to-day expenses towards City between March 22 and hicles crossing the check Smart City Limited will provide above other rebates provided power purchase, repair and April 15. Kulange had received gates and directed officials administrative and necessary Consumers who could not pay during the rebates dates falling by them,” OERC said. The between March 22 to 31 can also avail the special rebate of 4 per cent maintenance, and other ad- allegations about officials in- not to allow any vehicle to exit technical support for its operation. Commission issued the order ministrative costs for uninter- cluding doctors citing official or enter the district except “As the app intends to use more under Regulation 202 of OERC Subrat Mishra, Cesu rupted power supply. reason and travelling to Bhu- emergency cases. local shop owners in order to reduce the delivery time and make the process effective and accurate, 3,190 prisoners released in Odisha Open special fever wing: RDC to SCBMCH Jena slams Govt over migrant workers plight the civic body is making the inventory of stores of essential Bhubaneswar: To decongest jails in Odisha, 3,190 prisoners were Cuttack: Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Central Range) Anil Kumar Bhubaneswar: The State Government’s handling of migrant workers commodities in the first phase. released on bail, 281 on special furlough and 10 on parole between Samal on Thursday asked the authorities of SCB Medical College and issue has come under strong criticism again on Thursday with former Once the inventory is in place, the March 20 and April 15 in compliance to Supreme Court’s direction. Hospital to open a special fever wing to deal with cases of flu/ cough/ Union Minister Srikant Jena alleging that adequate steps have not app will be promoted for The State Government had formed a high power committee on fever effectively. Samal reviewed the hospital activities in respect of been taken to ensure food and accommodation for them. “The plight downloading on both Android and March 26 to decide on the category of prisoners to be released engagement of various paramedical staff in connection with Covid of thousands of migrant workers from Odisha stranded in other states IOS based mobile phones,” said an from different jails. The high power committee took note of the management at a meeting here and instructed the Superintendent to would have come to your notice. Industrial units all over the country official. Users just need an e-mail overcrowding of jails in Rayagada, Dharamgarh and Nuapada and utilise their services properly. He also directed the Superintendent to are closed because of the nationwide lockdown. Condition of these address to create a TickMe account. READ EXPRESS instructed all departments concerned to take necessary steps for vacate the multi utility centre under the occupation of the HLL for workers has become miserable as they have not received salary for the No OTP is required, they said. decongestion to avoid spread of any infection. smooth running of the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory. last one month,” Jena said in a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. My training had introduced me to the spacious awareness of my natural mind. ... With recognition, we no longer get carried away by the stories that keep our minds spinning in Mingyur repetitive cycles, or jumping around like a crazy monkey Rinpoche BHUBANESWAR FRIDAY 06 17l04l2020 THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS

INDIAN EXPRESS IS NOT AN OPINION INDUSTRY. IT IS A MISSION. ANAHITA MUKHERJI — Ramnath Goenka An independent journalist based in the San Francisco Bay Area Tweets @newspaperwalli

USING TECHNOLOGY The coronavirus pandemic has TO TAKE ON brought to the fore both Big Tech’s strengths and weaknesses THE CORONAVIRUS

he Greater Chennai Corporation is using technology in its Covid-19 man- LESSONS FROM agement plan in addition to deploying foot soldiers and installing helplines. SILICON VALLEY’S T It has unveiled an app, ‘GCC - Corona Monitoring’, to geo-tag people with corona- COVID RESPONSE virus symptoms in the city. Those with con- AMIT BANDRE ditions like dry cough or breathlessness will need to upload a photo of their house ome to the largest tech compa- ing viral these days. Misinfor- short. Billions have been do- ing their employees money to who work for ride-share apps to help the corporation fast-track the con- nies in the world, Silicon Valley mation about the virus is nated by Silicon Valley tycoons, order a meal from a restaurant and are supposed to receive sick tact, test and treatment mechanism. The has long been called the cradle spreading across the globe. both locally and globally, for re- every week. This helps a floun- leave if they contract Covid-19 app has been updated and the map in it now of innovation, a place where While tech firms have long search on vaccines, to help dering restaurant industry too. or need to quarantine them- Steve Jobs observed the beehive been criticised for the sheer those who are already sick with 6) Recreating social spaces selves. Some complain that has the containment zones—areas where effect—the exchange of talent volume of misinformation their bills along with donations online: Possibly the most pain- they received no compensation Covid cases have been detected. H between clustered industries shared on their platforms, Big to help small businesses stay ful part of working from home when they fell sick, and were, But not leaving everything to technology, making them all innovate bet- Tech is now being widely afloat in times of crisis, includ- involves the sheer absence of instead, thrown off the app. on April 5, the corporation kickstarted an ter. And so, as the pandemic praised for its efforts in com- ing allowing them free ad space casual social interactions with These gig workers cannot, as onerous three-month project of door-to-door caused by the novel coronavi- bating fake news. A whole host on their platforms. colleagues. Many tech firms yet, apply for unemployment inspections. It has divided the city into rus spread throughout the of large tech companies signed While the money is crucial at provide recreational activities benefits in California. The land globe over the last couple of a joint statement on their com- this moment, skeptics have on campus, like carpentry and of tech billionaires has long zones comprising 75-100 houses each, and months, all eyes were on Silicon mitment to come together and questioned the over-reliance on gaming zones, that employees been plagued with inequality. deployed around 16,000 workers to survey Valley for how it dealt with the battle misinformation about corporate philanthropy, and now miss. Colleagues at tech of- The pandemic is forcing some the 10 lakh-odd homes to identify infected scourge. The pandemic brought Covid-19 on their platforms, Silicon Valley asked why billionaires have so fices are now trying to recreate companies to pay their dues. persons. The workers have been instructed to the fore both Big Tech’s from pulling down spurious has long been much money in the first place. social interactions using the 9) Confronting unfair labour to guide people if they are found to have strengths and its weaknesses. ads to flagging fake content. criticised for Some point to how tax evasions web. Some are doing yoga and practices: Silicon Valley has regular cough and cold, and direct them to Here’s a look at nine lessons the 3) Gathering data to map so- creating a shadow could have helped them grow high intensity interval training long been criticised for creating world can learn from Silicon cial distancing: Large tech plat- rich at the expense of a strong together online. a shadow workforce of contract government hospitals if they have severe workforce of Valley’s response to Covid-19. forms could share data gath- contract workers, public sector that should have 7) Paid leave for parents: workers, who perform the same symptoms associated with Covid-19. The 1) Social distancing at an ear- ered from the phones of been handling the crisis. None With schools closed and par- function as regular employees survey also involves identifying people with who perform the ly stage: The San Francisco Bay Americans with the US govern- same function as of these concerns should, in ents juggling jobs and child- but with less pay and perks. hypertension, diabetes, chronic illness and Area was the first region in the ment to track people’s move- regular employees the short-term, take away from care, firms are offering employ- This crisis is forcing tech to those above 60 years, as well as pregnant US to call for a near-complete ments and see whether they’re but with less pay the benefits of their contribu- ees paid time off to take care of take a long, hard look at this un- women. The GCC decided to implement the lockdown to curb the spread of practising social distancing. and perks. This tions to society now. their children. desirable labour practice. Covid-19. Days later, the entire This data could be used to pre- 5) Perks that ease the drudg- 8) Battling inequality: A ris- Many contract workers were measures after Chennai was found to be one crisis is forcing state of California adopted a dict the next Covid-19 hotspot. ery of #WFH: Working from ing number of Silicon Valley in limbo when the pandemic tech to take a of the hotspot districts in Tamil Nadu. similar measure, followed by Companies insist the data will home can be a trifle tedious. tech companies run due to gig hit, unsure if they’d still have a long, hard look at But this comes with a twofold problem: other states in America. How- be aggregated and anonymised, Employees miss their regular workers, like drivers and deliv- job or be able to access the work- this undesirable First, the corporation workers will be going ever, a week before the shelter- so that it cannot be traced to an desks, standing desks and ergo- ery workers, many of whom place from laptops at home. labour practice around the city, making themselves vulner- in-place orders in the Bay Area, individual. Though valuable in nomic chairs as they struggle risk contracting Covid-19 if Some did not even know wheth- able to infection, though they will be pro- tech companies had already saving lives, it raises major pri- with sitting for hours at a they go to work, but can’t af- er they were eligible to work vided with protective gear like masks and begun asking their employees vacy concerns about the threat dining table or hunched in bed ford leave. As labour organisa- from home and went to office to work from home. While it’s of overreach. with a laptop. Companies tions in Silicon Valley, the when others were home. Many gloves. Second, citizens might be wary of too early to say for sure, this 4) Corporate philanthropy: are now giving their workforce heart of free-market capital- firms, under scrutiny for their letting outsiders come and check their early tryst with social distanc- Even the biggest critics of the allowances for office furniture ism, raise their voices on be- treatment of contract workers, houses. Here is where the app might help. ing may well be credited for tech industry have acknowl- at home. half of this vulnerable section are now committing to paying But can the corporation rely on the tech- what might just be a flattening edged the importance of corpo- Many employees also miss of society, the region holds im- them, even if they’re unable to savviness of the population? A quick audit of the curve. rate philanthropy to battle Cov- the lavish cuisines available portant lessons on combating work at the moment. The crisis of mobile penetration, literacy levels and 2) Battling misinformation: id-19 at a time when the US each day on tech campuses. rising inequality. is forcing firms to re-evaluate Covid-19 isn’t the only thing go- government was seen falling Some tech companies are giv- Take, for instance, drivers the benefits that they receive. per capita income of people can help. The corporation can then intensify door-to-door screening in places where the app has poor penetration. This two-pronged strategy may be tested for a few days. After all, vari- AFGHAN TEENS Herat’s high-achieving high-school girls Took part in US robotics meet after Trump’s intervention ous trials and tests are the need of the hour, ● The girls made headlines in 2017 after being denied visas to take part in a If the teenagers succeed, they say it could be replicated TRY TO BUILD robotics meet in Washington—before US President Donald Trump intervened given the magnitude of the problem and for $300, where ventilators normally sell for around and they were allowed. They are taking engine and battery parts from a how little we know about it. VENTILATORS $30,000. “The team is working with local health Toyota Corolla—ubiquitous on Afghan streets—to produce the prototype THAT COST LESS specialists, as well as experts from Harvard University, to produce the prototype based on a design by MIT,” ● Central to the ventilator is a self-inflating plastic sac known as an Ambu DATA SCAM? ONLY PROBE With a population of 35 million, Roya Mahboob, who sponsors the team of five girls aged bag that medical staff use to help patients breathe. The girls’ prototype Afghanistan has only about 300 medical 14-17, told AFP. They are part of a bigger group of high- uses a mechanical system to operate the bag automatically. “The CAN CLEAR DOUBTS ventilators. A team of teenage girls in achieving high-school girls known as the “Afghan complicated part is how to adjust the timing and pressure of pumping Afghanistan is now trying to build a Dreamers”, from Herat, where Covid is on the rise after based on age and severity of the illness of patients,” Somaya Farooqi, mid its ongoing fight against Cov- low-cost ventilator from car parts thousands returned from corona-hit neighbour Iran the team’s 17-year-old captain, told AFP id-19, the Kerala government stands accused of compromising the priva- cy of its citizens after it used a tool MINDSPACE Write to: [email protected] MAILBAG Write to: [email protected] A provided by a US tech firm to collect details of those under observation for the pandemic. It was state opposition leader Opening up the economy is welcome, but be careful Ramesh Chennithala who first raised the Are rooftops the This is with reference to Partial Can’t blame just world health body Bringing back people from abroad allegation, saying the CPM-led government opening up welcome, needed for eco- The decision of US President Don- The request for bringing back all entered into a deal with Sprinklr, an Ameri- nomic survival (Apr 16). When the ald Trump to suspend funding to stranded Indians from abroad is can company run by an NRI from Kerala, livelihood of poor people is on the the WHO was taken at the wrong legitimate. Other nations are without following due procedures for han- new living rooms? verge of collapse due to the exten- time. In order to hide his inability transporting their citizens back by dling Covid-19 data. Calling it the biggest sion of the lockdown, the partial in containing the virus, Trump special flights. And India too did data scam of Kerala, the Congress leader n elderly uncle in our neighbourhood is popular for always reopening of the economy is great seems to be searching for a scape- so earlier from certain areas in- asked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to being on his rooftop, exploring all that he can around him. news to farmers and migrant goat. He has now put all the blame cluding China and Iran. We should come clean on his role in awarding the con- The residents and maids have never forgotten to crack a joke workers. This will give a boost to on the WHO. As the leader of a de- take a lenient view and bring back about him, calling him the ‘rooftop uncle’. But ever since the the Indian economy as well. But veloped country, he should have those not suffering from Covid. Of tract to the company, which he said was lockdown came into effect, almost everyone can be seen on the Centre must be careful in im- shown more responsibility. course, they must be quarantined under investigation for a data fraud in the their rooftops, making me wonder if these spots have be- plementing the phase-wise open- Ajay S Kumar, Plavode for the required time. US. With the BJP too jumping in and de- A come the new ‘living rooms’. ing up due to the continuing threat M Haneef, Kottayam manding an investigation, the government Usually, it’s during winter months when everyone turns of the coronavirus. US questioning of WHO valid has a lot of explaining to do. up for sun baths, where we also bring along most of our R Pichumani, Kumbakonam Even though the US President’s Not the time for politics According to the CM, the company is only chores, including reading books or newspapers, having decision is regretful, the ques- The Tamil Nadu government’s de- meals to even hosting guests, forgetting the so-called draw- Take proper care of working class tions raised by him should also be cision to ban the direct distribu- helping the state manage data and has not ing rooms. The editorial justifiably speaks answered by the WHO. As a major tion of food, essential items, etc., been paid a penny. After the allegations Now, whenever I am up, I see many around—often the en- for the migrant workers whose contributor, America’s question- to people due to the present re- were raised, the state IT department clari- tire family busy with their morning or evening walks, some desperate efforts to reach their ing of the mismanagement in quirement of social distancing is fied that clauses pertaining to privacy and exercising or just taking in the view leisurely. Many young- hometowns during the lockdown controlling the virus that spread welcome. This way, the state will non-misuse have been included in the con- sters have also got busy with kite flying, dotting the clear has resulted in pandemonium. out of China is valid. avoid unnecessary crowds. It is tract. Following the furore, the government skies with colourful flights of paper. Unless the working class people Aparna Vishal, Cherthala unfortunate that opposition par- I am enjoying photography, es- are properly taken care ties have objected to this. They even decided to not upload data directly to pecially during the sun’s wake of, the government can’t restart Farmers and the pandemic should cooperate with the ruling Sprinklr’s website. Instead, panchayat sec- SUNBATHING up and adieu. When darkness the economy. This is with reference to Helping party in these trying times. retaries were told to upload data only to the takes over, I love talking to the E S Chandrasekaran, Chennai farmers withstand crisis (Apr 16). R Sekar, Visakhapatnam government website. But these explana- RAMESHINDER S SANDHU stars and it seems they patiently Unlike other sectors, farmers can tions and actions haven’t been able to sat- Email: [email protected] listen to me. It somehow fills me Such inequality is unjustified reap their livelihood only with the isfy the opposition. So the political slugfest with life lessons—leaving no This is with reference to Virus not sale of their harvest. Though the will continue. Besides, the CM’s defensive stone unturned in making me a the great leveller it is touted to government has allowed farming poet, if only for a while. Other times, I enjoy chatting with be (Apr 16). Though all Indians activities, our ryots will still be in reasoning that Sprinklr is a reputed com- the neighbours when they are also up on their terraces. are equal constitutionally, real trouble without active markets or THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS pany, proficient in codification and analysis While the majority may have discovered their rooftop love life shows large differences, even mandis. A grassroots-level policy of data, and is run by a Keralite, raises more in the last few days, my heart has always given it a special during the pandemic. The gap be- is required to allay the situation. Chairman of the Board: questions than it answers. place. In fact, I call my home’s rooftop the Boeing lounge tween the haves and have-nots Vinod Narayanan, T’puram Manoj Kumar Sonthalia It’s a matter of sensitive data involving since it sits right in front of the flight path, leading towards is still huge. Such inequality Editor: G S Vasu people of the state, and the fact that a for- the airport close by. Every landing and take-off excites me is unjustified. Produce PPEs in India Published by R K Jhunjhunwala on behalf and I am missing that these days. However, I still remain on O B Nair, Kochi The appeal by the Tirupur Export- of Express Publications (Madurai) Private eign company was allowed to handle it at the roof, not wishing to miss a lot more on offer. ers Association for the govern- Limited, at Express Press, Express House, the sole discretion of some people in the But talking of rooftops, how I can forget that day in my Chasm between haves, have-nots ment to support them in producing Plot No.328/1110, Rasulgarh Square, government is shocking enough. The gov- maternal village, during one of the winter months, when The article highlighted the chasm personal protective equipment, Bhubaneswar – 751 010. ernment may have indeed taken the right several villagers gathered on their rooftops to catch a between the haves and have-nots in needed for healthcare personnel, Bhubaneswar. Vol. 24, No. 90. decision, but that doesn’t mean it can brush glimpse of two young German girls sunbathing in two-piece our society. That the chief of Tab- instead of importing it from China RNI Reg. No. 70244/97. Phone: 0674-2587410, away suspicions about the deal, especially swimsuits on the rooftop. They were oblivious to how their lighi Jamaat is absconding is what is quite practical. This will be dou- 2587411, Fax: 0674-2587412. sun shower could cause such a commotion. Their hosts, the Delhi administration should be bly advantageous for India as we due to how the firm was roped in. If a probe Copyright: Express Publications (Madurai) bathed in embarrassment, went running up to get them held accountable for. The nation will also gain recognition from Private Limited. All rights reserved. is what will satisfy the opposition parties down, covering them in shawls. It may have been several can brook no political chicanery at other countries in need of PPEs Reproduction in any manner, electronic or and the people, the government doesn’t have years now since this amusing scene, but it became a classic this critical juncture. and other medical equipment. otherwise, in whole or in part, without prior any option but to launch one immediately. rooftop tale. Venkat Desikan, Chennai R Sridharan, Chennai written permission is prohibited. Salute the frontline warriors stationed COSTLY RIDE at petrol pumps for ensuring fuel in our Two Punjab journalists were booked by vehicles. I thank you for your invaluable police after they travelled home to Kangra in CASES IN GUJARAT, Himachal in a vegetable truck violating 163 contribution to the nation. —Nitin Gadkari new lockdown with one of them later testing +ve TOTAL COUNT 929

BHUBANESWAR FRIDAY 07 17l04l2020

TRACKING Govt red-flags COVID-19 Migrants key to economy reboot Zoom app over privacy and Relaxation of lockdown norms does not address the issue of the migrant workers’ return DOWNLO PS ADE AP D safety concerns CARROM POOL PUSHKAR BANAKAR @ New Delhi

G G -P EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE KIN TIK AY DO TO ANIL Kumar worked as a daily @ New Delhi U K M L U O V wage worker in Delhi. Left with O I Z D 3.8 2.8 2.6 E no work, food and water follow- THE Ministry of Home Af- O

ing the lockdown, he is among fairs (MHA)has red-flagged

U 2.2 T 4.2 the estimated 1.1 million migrant video conferencing app Zoom, E W S workers sheltered in camps saying it is unsafe and vulner- A H 2.1 A Y across the country. Facing an un- able to cyberattacks. The advi- G T S O A certain future, he wants to return sory comes at a time when the R

P A 5.5 P A 1.8 to his home in Etah, Uttar platform’s use has risen expo- Pradesh, and has vowed never to nentially, with most compa- return to the city. nies asking employees to work Rakesh was a stone cutter em- from home, globally. ployed at one of the many con- “Zoom is not a safe platform GOVT struction sites in Delhi. After the even for usage of individuals lockdown, he was left to fend for a detailed advisory has al- APP TOPS 97.1 MIGRANT WORKERS 74.5 86.6 Unorganised workforce (in percentage) himself, having lost his job and AND THEIR VALUE Gross Value added by informal sector (in percentage) ready been issued by CERT- thrown out from his rented room. 47.7 India,” the ministry said. THE CHART He, too, wants to go back home in 52.8 47.9 It also issued guidelines for As India is grappling with Gonda, UP, and will not return. 22.5 22.7 the safety of private users who 17.2 16.4 11.8 11.9 15.6 the Covid-19 pandemic, Migrant workers like Anil and 2.3 5.3 2.7 7.8 6.4 5.4 8.1 “still would like to use Zoom government’s Rakesh make up 80 per cent of In- for private purpose”. The contact-tracing app dia’s workforce. The country’s Agriculture, Manufacturing Construction Transport, Real guidelines, the government Aarogya Setu pulled infrastructure is built on their forestry & fishing storage estate said, will prevent unauthor- the most downloads in backs. Yet, the government’s re- Mining & Electricity, gas supply Trade, repair & Financial Others ised entry in the conference India last week laxation of the lockdown’s strin- quarrying & utility services food services services room and malicious activity gent guidelines from April 20, Gross value added is an economic productivity metric that measures the contribution of a corporate subsidiary, company or municipality to an economy, producer, sector or region by authorised participants on *Figures in million Source: Statista aimed at restarting the economic terminals of the other partici- engine, does not address the issue pants. It would also avoid DOS of the return of the migrant A research scholar at the Tata attack by restricting users Army to run two special workers, most whom who have Institute of Social Sciences ech- Ensure adequate arrangements through passwords and access left for their villages. oed Tumbe’s view. “If you see the grant. trains for personnel Experts such as Chinmay data, the informal workforce in “Most of the settings can be The Army will run two special military trains for Tumbe of the Indian Institute of agriculture alone adds around 17 for stuck migrants, states told done by login into users zoom movement of soldiers during the lockdown period. Management, Ahmedabad, said per cent to the economy. So mere- account at website, or in- The decision is aimed at meeting operational the lack of transport could ham- ly by granting relief in guide- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi for the labourers, including those stalled applica- requirements of the military formations in the per the productivity of sectors lines, the sector is unlikely to stranded at various places, to tion at PC/Lap- northern and eastern borders in view of the such as agriculture, construction prosper,” she said. CABINET Secretary Rajiv Gauba save them from the pandemic. “A top/Phone and extension of lockdown till May 3. This will enable and manufacturing that will be The need of the hour is to get has asked the state chief secre- lot of videos have emerged of the also during con- decongestion of Category A and Category B opened up. the workforce to their respective taries to make necessary ar- migrant labourers stuck at plac- duct of confer- training establishments at Bangalore, Belgaum, “Most of the sectors that have workplaces, she said, adding that rangements to mitigate the hard- es, crammed in small areas, with ence. However Secundrabad and Gopalpur as well assist in been granted relief have migrant “it is high time that the govern- ships being faced by migrant visible lack of social distancing certain settings operational preparedness of active formations workers as the majority work- ment chalks out and executes a workers due to the lockdown. norms. Therefore, it’s important are possible through certain deployed on the borders. The two trains will run on force. The extended suspension plan to run special transport ser- Gauba has asked them to appoint that the issue is earnestly ad- mode/channel only,” the Thursday and Friday. The first train will originate in of transport services is a con- vices for migrant workers.” district nodal officers for every dressed at the district levels guidelines read. Bangalore and will terminate at Jammu. The straint. I hope the government A field officer at SHRAM, an relief camp to ensure adequate across the country,” he added. In an order issued on March second train will also originate at Bangalore but has a plan to ensure that migrant NGO working for the welfare of arrangements for migrant work- With camps set up by the dis- 30, India’s Computer Emer- will terminate at Guwahati. workers reach their workplaces migrant workers, was of the view ers living in the camps. trict administration for the mi- gency Response Team (CERT- to ensure that the sectors are up that getting the workers to their “District collectors must ap- grant labourers, sources said it IN) said the app was vulnera- and running,” Tumbe said. workplaces would help boost point nodal officers who will be would be easier for the govern- ble to cyber attacks, including According to the International their mindset. “Over the past two responsible for coordinating ar- ment to make direct interven- leak of sensitive data. Monetary Fund, migrant work- weeks, these workers have been rangements for migrant labour- tions for their safety and food. Many organisations have al- ers comprise 97.1 per cent of the out of work and with no pay ers. A senior official should be in The empowered group on eco- lowed their staff to work from informal workforce in the agri- leading to immense psychologi- charge of each camp,” said a sen- nomic and social welfare, too, home to stop the spread of culture sector, 74.5 per cent in cal stress among them. Once they ior official on Thursday. had in a meeting discussed ways coronavirus disease. Online construction and 22.7 per cent in start working, they will be able The move has come in the back- to address the plight of the mi- communication platforms manufacturing. The figures un- to earn again and send remittanc- drop of migrant labourers grow- grants, apart from looking into such as Zoom, Microsoft derline their importance in set- es home, thus bringing down the ing restive with the extension of the concerns of the unorganised Teams and Teams for Educa- ting the wheels of the economy in agitation levels in their minds,” the lockdown. The official said sector which may face labour tion, Slack, Cisco WebEx etc. motion. she said. the camps are needed to be set up crunch once opened on Monday. are being used for remote meetings and webinars, the Pakistani nationals stranded in India wave before crossing advisory said, adding “inse- cure usage of the platform the Attari border on Thursday | PTI may allow cyber criminals to Sale of non-essential goods through access sensitive information”. NBA seeks release of Both CERT-IN and the MHA have now suggested that users journalist held in Maha e-commerce platforms allowed and organisations update the The News Broadcasters Association on Thursday software and also change pass- condemned the arrest of a Marathi news channel EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi ministry official came a day after not classify essential and non-es- words for every meeting. The journalist on the charge of circulating false Union Home Secretary Ajay sential items. MHA also asked the host of information. In a letter to Maharashtra CM Uddhav WITH e-commerce platforms al- Bhalla issued revised guidelines The opening of e-commerce is the meeting to “end meeting” Thackeray, it demanded that in the larger interest lowed to function from April 20, for the extended lockdown period part of government’s attempt to after the conference was over, of press freedom, he be absolved of all charges. one can order for non-essential till May 3. “Vehicles used by e- revive industrial and commercial adding that these suggestions “The arrest is a serious infringement on the right of goods too these websites, the Min- commerce operators will be al- activities stalled since March 25 are especially important for freedom of speech and is a frontal assault on the istry of Home Affairs clarified on lowed to ply with necessary per- due to the lockdown. During the “sensitive” meetings. freedom of press. The fundamental right of Protecting jobs Thursday. Mobile phones, televi- missions,” a senior ministry first lockdown, many people com- freedom of speech is sought to be gagged and any in the sector sions, refrigerators, laptops and official said. plained about ban on sale of Ministers using the app further custody and incarceration of him would be A large number of people are stationery items will be allowed During the first phase of shut- phones, laptops and spare parts On April 1, Defence Minister a serious infraction of the constitutional mandate engaged in the logistics and delivery to be sold through e-commerce down, MHA had ordered that e- for repair of these. With work Rajnath Singh posted pictures of and would also threaten his life,” the NBA said, works of e-commerce platforms platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, commerce platforms would be from home increasing depend- a virtual meeting with officials adding the association can take necessary action such as Amazon and Flipkart. By Snapdeal, Paytm Mall etc. during allowed to sell only essential ency on laptops, desktops, where he was seen using Zoom. against the broadcaster if any violation is found. opening the sector, the government the extended lockdown period, of- goods like food, pharmaceuticals phones, internet modems etc., the Other ministers and BJP chief JP is trying to protect the interests of ficials said. and medical devices. The guide- need was felt to allow the sale of Nadda have also conducted this large segment of employees The clarification from a senior lines released on Wednesday did these consumer goods. meetings through it. Researchers seeking to develop inactivated vaccine Researchers from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology are developing an inactivated virus vaccine for the dreaded novel coronavirus. TYPES OF COVID-19 TESTS DEJARGONISED Inactivated vaccines are known for their safety and easy production. The process involves culturing With rapid antibody testing set to begin in hotspot areas of India, Sumi Sukanya Dutta explains the various kinds of tests for the coronavirus active virus in large numbers and then killed either by a chemical or heat. As the pathogen is dead, it What is the most common In pool testing, more than one ing and which states are can’t reproduce nor cause even a mild disease. test for Covid-19? sample from suspected patients doing this? Thus, it is safe for people with lesser immunity, like The most popular and common is mixed and tested for the Cov- All cities and districts where Cov- the old and those who have co-morbidity. “If we test for Covid-19 is the Reverse id-19 virus. In Uttar Pradesh, for id-19 cases have been detected are grow a large amount of virus and we can inactivate Transcription Polymerase Chain instance, one of the states to be- required to send teams of health- it, that will be material for candidate vaccine to be Reaction tests — a very sensitive gin pool testing, more than 10 care workers in every household injected. The virus will not be active but the human test that looks for the RNA of the samples are mixed and tested for for health surveys in areas rang- body can start making antibodies against it,” said virus in a sample. Health workers Covid-19. ing from 3 km, 5 km, 10 km radius Dr Rakesh Mishra, Director, CCMB. collect swabs from patients or If they test negative, it is con- (depending on the number of suspected patients from the cluded that all the 10 samples are cases) or in the whole area identi- LENDING A HELPING HAND mouth or the nose. The RT-PCR negative. But if the test is posi- fied under the cluster contain- method can even pick out one vi- tive, then all 10 persons are tested ment strategy. The healthcare rus particle from the samples. At individually to find out who is workers ask people whether any- the start of the outbreak, most carrying the virus. Pool test- one has a history of internation- 3,356 countries relied on RT-PCR tests ing is meant to save the al travel or they are suffering Indians abroad as they can give quick results: number of kits used. Its from any influenza like illnesses. who have labs take a minimum of five need was felt as the num- If people with symptoms are tested positive hours. A doctor conducts a swab test in Dharavi slums in Mumbai | PTI ber of number of cases identified they can be further as- rose sharply. sessed and tested for Covid-19. What is rapid antibody Covid-19 virus in a sample from Reports suggest that Ma- A feasibility study was Door to door screening has testing and has it started in the respiratory tract of a person. harashtra, Telangana, conducted at the ICMR’s Vi- been implemented in all states 53 FOREIGNERS FROM India? The antigen detected are ex- Andhra Pradesh and few other rus Research & Diagnostic Labo- where Covid-19 cases have been countries in 48 COUNTRIES One type of rapid antibody test- pressed only when the virus is states made a request that they be ratory at King George’s Medical detected. As of now, there are 377 which Indians 35K EVACUATED FROM INDIA ing uses blood samples of sus- actively replicating. Such tests allowed to conduct such tests. University, Lucknow, and it was districts where Covid-19 cases have tested pected patients to test for the therefore are best used to identify Following the request the Indian demonstrated that performing have been identified. positive 5,000 presence of the Covid-19 virus. It acute or early infection. Council of Medical Research real-time PCR for Covid-19 by looks for antibodies in the blood Rapid diagnostic serological ICMR has permitted rapid anti- pooling five samples was feasible What is the limitation of RT 18,000 calls received of people believed to have been kits are required for such tests body testing but it is yet start as when the prevalence rate of in- PCR test? emails received at infected. Antibodies are pro- but they can give the results with- rapid diagnostic tests have only fection is low. Andaman and 20RT-PCR is very accurate. But, MEA Covid Control 25 duced over days to weeks after in 25-30 minutes. These kits can just arrived from China. Nicobar Islands was the first re- once a patient has recovered, the Room Indians abroad 2,000 infection with the virus. Another be used at small clusters or in vil- gion in India to start pool testing virus is eliminated and this test who died of public grievances type of rapid testing helps to de- lages to find out the number of What is RT PCR pool testing followed by UP. can no longer tell if they had coronavirus addressed by the control room tect the presence of viral pro- infections quickly, which is im- and which states are doing been infected before. Also, RT- teins (antigens) expressed by the portant in the present situation. this? What is door to door screen- PCR tests take much longer. Source: Ministry of External Affairs AEROSOL BOXES Ahmedabad 40 24 Mumbai 34 24 Bhopal 41 23 Panaji 34 26 State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd Jaipur 38 27 Patna 38 24 (HAL) said it made aerosol boxes to Amritsar 33 20 Lucknow 37 23 Chennai 35 25 Port Blair 31 26 protect doctors treating coronavirus `2.3 DONATED BY LAKH Kolkata 37 28 Imphal 25 16 patients in hospitals across six states PRISONERS IN UP Srinagar 18 7 Chandigarh 34 23

BHUBANESWAR FRIDAY 08 17l04l2020

TRACKING COVID-19 325 DISTRICTS REPORTED NO COVID CASES Centre pegs fatality rate at 3.3%, recovery rate at about 12%; India conducts 30,043 tests, the highest in a single day

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi testing kits from two different major medical hazard — from Chinese companies. other countries till September. Covid-19: When do you NOT a single case of COVID-19 According to sources in the As per the estimates, India has was reported from 325 districts in MEA, the ministry is providing less than 40,000 ventilators avail- need extra care, help? the country, the Centre said on all necessary assistance for sup- able which could be a major detri- If you find yourself or a loved one experiencing some of the Thursday, while declaring that plies of testing kits from South ment in the country’s fight feelings or reactions, this may be a sign that you need to fatality rate is 3.3% as of now Korea. “Firm quotations were ob- against the outbreak. reach out for assistance while recovery rate is about 12%. tained from companies in the UK, The move, however, has raised The number of confirmed Malaysia, France, Canada and some concerns. “I am not sure COVID-19 cases reached 12,759 the US. We have also obtained which countries would be in posi- across India while 420 people leads from companies in Germa- tion to give away functional ven- have died so far. On Wednesday, ny and Japan,” a source said. tilators during this pandemic. India conducted 30,043 coronavi- The kits from China, however, These used machines will re- rus tests in a single day, making will not be used for diagnostic quire much more maintenance it the highest so far. The Indian testing but will be used for sur- and might not be cost effective,” Council of Medical Research veillance of the outbreak at first said Pavan Choudary, chairman (ICMR) said 2,90,401 tests had in hotspot areas. Dr R R Gan- A worker wearing a protective suit checks the prescription of a man in Kolkata | PTI of Medical Technology Associa- been carried out so far. gakhedkar, head of Epidemiolo- tion of India. “What is required At present, the testing is being gy and Communicable diseases at present is an urgent impetus to n Crying spells or bursts of anger n Difficulty eating conducted in 176 government and at ICMR, said the serological kits India’s COVID-19 testing ratio not low: ICMR indigenous manufacturers.” n Difficulty sleeping n Losing interest in things n 78 private laboratories in India. are meant to be used to map the Responding to a question about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleging that Public health expert Dr Anant Increased physical symptoms such as headaches or The private laboratories have trend of the outbreak. the scale of testing in India has been low, IMCR’s Dr Raman R Gangakhedkar Bhan said used ventilators, even stomach aches n Fatigue n Feeling guilty, helpless nearly 16,000 sample collection Meanwhile, amid shortage of said for each positive case the country tests 24 people. “In countries like if available, should be subjected or hopeless n Avoiding family and friends centres across states. crucial ventilators, the govern- Japan, one out of 11.7 tests turns out to be positive, which is among the to much more rigorous quality Source: Red Cross The country on Thursday re- ment also lifted import ban on highest in the world. Italy tests 6.7 persons for one positive test while the checks before being used for very ceived a total of five lakh rapid used ventilators — considered a USA tests 5.3 persons and the United Kingdom 3.4,” he asserted. sick patients.

No 4G service in J&K due to HELPING HAND security concerns, says govt ‘Full refund to flyers for cancelled flights’ India will Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government decided against restoring high speed internet in EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi full refund for all tickets booked said on Twitter. ing the second lockdown period, the Valley and extended service of 2G mobile during March 25-April 14 lock- “Tickets booked during 1st i.e., April 15 to May 3. provide HCQ, internet till April 27. Social media is being used for THE Ministry of Civil Aviation down period for flights between Lockdown (March25-April 14) for However, passengers who have the circulation of photographs of militants and for on Thursday formed a set of April 15 and May 3. travel during same period & for booked tickets before March 25 paracetamol mobilising crowds, it said, giving the example of a guidelines on refunds for flight “Grievances were received which payments were re- for travel between April 15 and crowd that gathered at the funeral of a Jaish-e- ticket cancellations allowing full from air travellers regard- ceived by airlines during May will not be eligible for full to 55 countries Mohammad militant recently in Sopore. In an refund of air tickets cancelled ing refund for flights can- 1st lockdown shall be re- refund as per the circular issued order, J&K Home Secretary Shaleen Kabra said in during the first lockdown period celled because of the na- funded within 3 weeks by the ministry. the interest of sovereignty and integration of in the country. tionwide lockdown to from date of request for As things stand, most airlines EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE country, the security of J&K and for maintaining Several flyers have been com- combat COVID-19. Advi- cancellation by airlines are offering a credit — equivalent @ New Delhi public order, the internet speed shall remain plaining on social media that do- sories have been issued re- without levy of cancella- to their ticket prices — to passen- restricted to 2G. Restrictions haven’t posed any mestic airlines issue credit for garding refund for both do- tion charges,” the aviation gers who are unable to fly due to INDIA will supply hydroxy- hindrance to COVID-19 control measures, he said. future travel instead of refunding mestic & international tickets minister tweeted. the lockdown, which can be uti- chloroquine (HCQ) and par- the money. booked for the flights suspended Similarly, airlines will refund lised at a later date. Few airlines acetamol to 55 countries, In a circular, the ministry stat- due to lockdown,” Civil Aviation full money within three weeks are also offering refund after ap- sources said on Thursday. ed that passengers are eligible for minister Hardeep Singh Puri for tickets booked for travel dur- plying a cancellation charge. “Of these 55 countries, 21 countries have procured the drugs commercially while the LOCKDOWN others have been supplied on a humanitarian basis,” a source Go for aggressive testing, lockdown is said, adding that the decision Gray areas in to export the drugs came after a committee comprising mem- opening key like a pause button only: Rahul to PM bers from the pharma indus- try, ICMR and the Department of Commerce undertook an sectors flagged EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE@ New Delhi where the virus is moving.” operation to check stocks. Calling for decentralising man- “The decision to take the CONTINUED FROM P1 LOCKDOWN is like a pause but- agement of COVID-19, he said drugs off the restricted items ton and it’s not a solution to COV- that the fight against coronavirus was taken after the panel en- Lockdown violators are made to sit on the road by police as Deepak Jain, president of the ID-19, Congress leader Rahul should not be top-down but bot- sured that there was enough a punishment in Pune on Thursday | PTI Automotive Component Man- Gandhi said as he called for ag- tom-up and that the PM should supply for domestic use,” the ufacturers Association, said, gressive testing and a strategic empower states. “The speed with source said. “We are in touch with our cus- exit plan from the government to which the money should reach India has been recognised tomers, the OEMs and re- handle the pandemic. the States is not happening. The as a reliable global supplier of UP govt to audit cases sumption of our operations “First thing to understand is fight against Coronavirus is on medicines during this crisis. would be aligned to their com- that a lockdown is like a pause two fronts — medical and eco- “We have reached out to many of pandemic deaths mencing operations as also on button. It’s in no way a solution nomic. There will be a shortage countries and will continue to Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Health department is the directions from the local to Coronavirus. When we come Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of food but there’s plenty of stor- do so. We created a buffer and set to conduct audit of those Covid-19 patients authorities.” out of lockdown, virus will start age in the warehouses.” allowed the surplus to be ex- who have died in the state. The toll in the northern According to industry insid- its work again. So, it’s important lion and if you look at all tests “Premature declaration of vic- ported,”’ the source said, add- state is 12, so far. According to principal secretary , ers, big players such as Maruti that we have a strategy to come that have been done, it’s an aver- tory over the virus could be fatal. ing that a third list of coun- health and family welfare, Amit Mohan Prasad, the Suzuki, Hyundai India and Ba- out of lockdown. Lockdown al- age of 350 per district. One advice There should be no declaration tries was cleared on decision to conduct the audit was done so that jaj Auto have reached out to lows time and space to put in to Government is push testing ag- of victory over COVID-19. It is Wednesday. The demand for medical experts could prepare their case files and vendors and have started mon- medical resources,” he told a gressively, maximise testing and long battle. I may disagree with HCQ jumped after US Presi- chart out a course for treatment. On the basis of itoring the situation to restart press conference through video use it strategically. Use testing to the PM but this is not the time to dent Donald Trump called it a their studies, the experts could further sensitise production. However, vendors conferencing on Thursday. assist states in their fight, not fight. It is the time to fight the vi- game changer in the fight doctors to adopt a particular treatment approach are in dilemma. “We need “Our testing rate is 199 per mil- just to track patients but to see rus unitedly,” he said. against the pandemic. to save COVID-19 patients coming to them. Prasad more clarity on the movement said the health department would brief doctors, of goods, sourcing of raw ma- both government and private, about the findings terials from hotspot areas, fi- of the audit to help draw a strategy. nance availability etc...It will take weeks, if not months to DOC WENT HOME ONLY AFTER CASES FELL fix the disrupted supply chain,” said the executive. HARPREET BAJWA @ Chandigarh I did not enter my house as a pre- Similarly, while e-commerce cautionary measure and retuned Chief priest gets nod to travel plattforms received the green IN the COVID-19 hotspot at Pun- back from the gate after seeing signal to deliver non-essential jab’s Nawanshahr, Dr Gurpal Ka- them. In April first week, I went for reaching Kedarnath items, there are challenges taria is on a mission to save pre- home for just two to three hours Dehradun: The Maharashtra government has aplenty on its execution. Ac- cious lives at the civil hospital. and returned to work,’’ he said. granted permission to the chief priest of Kedarnath cording to industry execu- He and his time have been work- Dr Kataria now temple to travel to the shrine from Nanded district tives, there is a lack of clarity ing almost round-the-clock. goes home once a where he got stuck due to lockdown. The priest on the operations of third-par- Thanks to their combined efforts, week for a few had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ty sellers dealing in non-essen- no new cases were reported in hours. “We make seeking help to reach the shrine in Uttarakhand tial items. For instance, sev- last few days. sure that the pa- before portals open on April 29 morning. eral larger retailers have their But, it comes at the cost. Dr Ka- tients do not feel “Permission has been granted. I will be reaching warehouses in containment taria has gone through a period that they cannot the shrine before April 29 with four others,” areas and it is not yet known when he had to work for 15 days return home. Of Bhimashankar Ling, the chief priest, said. if they will be allowed to func- without a break, far from his fam- Dr Gurpal Kataria with his teenage daughter who he says is his inspiration | EXPRESS the 19 patients, Meanwhile, priests have also refused the tion. “There are ambiguities ily in Jalandhar. “For me and my only five are left suggestion of hoting a ceremony online, and in the guidelines on whether six-member team, the hospital is altogether a different feeling,” he are serving the people.” Dr Ka- now and they are likely to be dis- demanded that the government should make our warehouses will be al- our new address, as it is our place told TNIE taria’s wife is a dentist at the charged by Wednesday.’’ arrangements for travel of the chief priest. lowed to operate,” said Alisha of worship. When we do our duty Dr Kataria’s inspiration is his civil hospital in Hoshiarpur. As of now, curfew and lock- Malik, VP (marketing and e- and notice the smile and satisfac- teenage daughter. “She told me “I did not met them initially as down are the only way out to stop commerce), Metro Shoes. tion on faces of the patients, it is that she is proud that her parents I feared transmission of the virus. spread of the virus,’ he said.

NAMITA BAJPAI Literary exercise to Our correspondent beat distress in Uttar Pradesh Everyone is trying hand with namita.bajpai@newindianexpress animations, videos, literary and satirical pieces to sensitise people about COVID- 19. CDRI technical officer Pankaj LUCKNOW DIARY Prasoon has penned a satirical piece on how poetry by famous Urdu poets Majaz, Nida Fazli, Mirza Ghalib and A sombre Easter Sunday Subdued Poila Baisakh, Vishu, Baishaki others would have changed in the time It was a quiet and sombre Easter Sunday this time in City of Nawabs. Though the of corona pandemic. Prasoon says if New year of Bengali and Malayali communities - Poila Baisakh and lockdown forced families to celebrate the festival at home, the spirit was not subdued. Majaz would write today, his famous Helping the men in khaki Vishu - remained a subdued affair as people remained indoors and From attending virtual prayers to singing holy songs or dishing out special lunches, it was lines ‘Is aanchal ko parcham bana leti prayed for the safety of those battling with COVID-19 pandemic. limited to families as a low-key affair. Instead of thronging the churches for midnight to achchha tha’.. would have changed Lucknow University (LU) has taken up the task to help the police cope with stress While the Malyali community felt that this year’s Vishu was unlike mass, Christians lit up candles in their homes and prayed on the occasion. With Church as -- “Tujhe aati hai khansi ye bata deti and anxiety and stay motivated as they work round-the-clock to enforce lockdown any other in their life, it was a family affair for Bengalis who services going online, many tuned to YouTube channels to attend prayer service. to achchha tha... mera tu isolation kara guidelines strictly to arrest the spread of COVID-19. The initiative follows a celebrated their new year, Poila Baisakh, at home. The community Beginning the live streaming of Easter service from St Joseph’s Cathedral at 8 am on deti to achchaa tha... tere maathey pe memorandum of understanding signed with the UP Police recently. The university’s celebrated the festival by preparing delicacies and offering Puja at YouTube, senior clergy of the Church, including Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of ye aanchal bahut khoob hai lekin, isko psychology department will be working with on-duty policemen to help them home. They wore new clothes and prayed for end of pandemic. Lucknow, Reverend Gerald J Mathias and spokesperson Father Donal D’Souza remained katwa ke tu mask banwa leti to handle work-related stress better. Professors will be in contact with officials, who Similarly, Baishakhi was also subdued this time. present at the church. The livestream service received 942 views. achchha tha.” are assigned duties 24x7 to provide emergency services. Beijing 25 14 SNY Los Angeles 26 13 SNY Colombo 33 23 TDS Melbourne 25 17 LC 6,919 Doha 25 22 TDS Moscow 11 1 LR coronavirus cases in Pakistan, about 58% of them GLOBAL Dubai 31 23 TDS New York 11 8 LR WEATHER Houston 21 11 SNY Singapore 34 24 LC locally transmitted, as per the health ministry. About LR: Light Rain HR: Heavy Rain Istanbul 12 6 LR Toronto 11 5 LC 128 people have died of Covid-19 so far in the country TDS: Thundershower LC: Light Cloud SNY: Sunny London 18 6 SNY Washington DC 26 13 LC

BHUBANESWAR FRIDAY 09 17l04l2020

TEKNAF LONDON ISLAMABAD WASHINGTON SEOUL BEIJING WASHINGTON 60 Rohingya die on fishing IMF chief eyes deadline Pak asks China to soften India embassy in US starts Top N Korea defector wins China rebuts US report on $10 bn Pentagon snub to trawler after weeks at sea extension to Brexit deal CPEC payment obligations online Kuchipudi classes South parliament seat secret nuclear tests Amazon is legal: Watchdog Sixty Rohingya died on a boat IMF head Kristalina Georgieva on Pakistan has requested China to Amid the lockdown in America due A former senior North Korean China on Thursday said it was The Pentagon’s process for crammed with hundreds of people Thursday suggested that Britain ease the payment obligations of to the COVID-19 outbreak, the diplomat won a constituency seat “committed” to a moratorium on awarding a highly lucrative cloud stranded in the Bay of Bengal for and the EU extend their deadline over USD 30 billion in the power Indian embassy in the US has in South Korea’s parliamentary nuclear tests as it strongly refuted computing contract to Microsoft more than two months, two on striking a post-Brexit trade deal projects under the China-Pakistan launched an online course for the elections, the first such as “irresponsible” and “ill- instead of Amazon was in line with survivors told AFP. Both said that in the face of coronavirus Economic Corridor (CPEC) to popular classical dance Kuchipudi, achievement among tens of intentioned” the US remarks of the legal and purchasing standards, the captain of the fishing trawler, uncertainty. “My advice would be minimise its financial and according to the mission’s website. thousands of North Koreans who possibility of Beijing secretly the Defense Department inspector carrying over 500 men, women to seek ways in which this element economic difficulties. Pakistan’s The Learn From Home course have fled their authoritarian, resuming underground atomic general said. But it also and children, was also killed in a of uncertainty is reduced in the request for relaxation in payments which begins on Thursday will be impoverished homeland. Thae Yong experiments. The US State investigators could not fully review fight with those on board. Nearly a interests of everybody, the UK, the is part of its ongoing efforts to live streamed on Facebook. It is Ho is a former minister at the North Department in a report said China that aspect of the matter because million Rohingya live in camps EU, and the whole world,” secure discounts and savings on part of the embassy’s Learn from Korean Embassy in London who may have secretly set off low-level the White House would not allow near Bangladesh’s border. Georgieva told the BBC. power purchases, Dawn reported. the Masters Series. resettled in South Korea. underground nuclear explosions. unfettered access to witnesses.

ASIA MATTERS

CHINA JAPAN China is denying Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has Europe infections almost at 1 mn, allegations that the expanded a state of coronavirus pandemic emergency to all of Japan from may have originated in a just Tokyo and other urban laboratory near the city of areas as the virus continues to US sees job gains of 11 yrs erased Wuhan where contagious spread. samples were being Trump eyes restart of economy despite warnings, as data reveals damage to labour market stored. Foreign ministry Abe also spokesman Zhao Lijian $930 announced cash cited the head of the handouts of 100,000 yen LONDON/WASHINGTON US nurses refuse to work World Health Organization ($930) for each of Japan’s 120 without N95s, suspended and other unidentified million citizens PARTS of Europe moved to reo- Hundreds of doctors, nurses and medical experts as saying ‘TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE’ pen their streets and econo- there is no evidence that SINGAPORE mies on Thursday but the coro- other health care workers across Abe’s coronavirus response has the US said they’ve been asked to transmission began from navirus pandemic was far from the lab. Foreign workers in Singapore who been criticized for being too beaten, with the World Health work without adequate live in crowded dormitories now slow and too lax. Several local Organization warning the con- protection. Some have taken part NO EVIDENCE account for half of the city-state’s leaders had asked him to tinent was still in the “eye of in protests or lodged formal Allegations of a leak of virus cases after new infections include their prefectures in the the storm”. complaints. Others are buying the virus from the lab spiked for a third day emergency, while others their own supplies. Some nurses have been made in US declared their own states of Since emerging in China late The city-state, which are also being suspended because media without direct emergency, in rare moves last year, the virus has turned has registered 3,699 they refused to work without evidence. The virus is 3,699 underscoring their frustration the world upside down, killing infections and 10 deaths, initially tens of thousands, forcing half being provided N95 masks. CDC widely believed to have with Abe guidelines don’t require medics to managed to keep its outbreak in of humanity indoors and rais- originated with bats and Japan, which wear N95 masks, but many check, but is now battling a fast- ing the spectre of a second to have passed via has one of the hospitals are opting to use them. rising second wave 9,000 Great Depression. People outside the Michigan State Capitol building in the US protest Governor another species to world’s oldest populations, At least 9,200 health workers Hope that its spread has Gretchen Whitmer’s lockdown orders. A protestor holds an offensive, misspelled humans at a wildlife and The dormitories typically has over 9,000 confirmed have been infected in the US peaked in Europe and the Unit- sign reading, “Heil Witmer”, comparing the governor to Adolf Hitler | AP seafood market in Wuhan, 20 house up to 20 men sharing coronavirus cases, including ed States has seen some coun- although a firm kitchens, toilets and other facilities. about 700 from a cruise ship tries take tentative steps to ease ployment claims data from the turning to normal until a vac- “It is imperative that we do determination has yet to Authorities are moving workers to that was quarantined near restrictions, with US President Labor Department indicates cine is available. not let down our guard.” be made alternative accommodation Tokyo, with about 150 deaths Donald Trump set to unveil US employers purged 5.2 mil- “We remain in the eye of the Hard-hit parts of Europe plans on Thursday for lifting lion jobs last week, a massive storm,” the WHO’s regional di- have seen a slowdown in infec- lockdowns across the world’s number brought about by busi- rector for Europe, Hans Kluge, tions and deaths in recent days, top economy. ness shutdowns and movement said in an online news confer- with Spain recording 551 new Yet nearly 2,600 people died restrictions ordered to stop the ence from Copenhagen. deaths on Thursday, almost from the virus in the US alone virus’s spread Positive signs in Spain, Italy, half of the daily toll at its peak. Covid’s mental health fallout in the 24 hours to Wednesday But with global cases and Germany, France and Switzer- evening, joining the 133,000 deaths still growing -- and fears land were overshadowed by Europeans venture out killed worldwide by the disease of a second wave of infections sustained or increased levels of After weeks on lockdowns, that’s infected more than two in previously hit countries -- of- infections in other countries, Spain and Italy have begun to will be profound, experts say million, according to an AFP ficials are warning that life such as Britain, Turkey, ease curbs, allowing some busi- tally. The new weekly unem- around the world will not be re- Ukraine and Russia, he said. nesses to reopen. AFP PARIS impact on our mental health.” seen previously, and must be IMPACT ELSEWHERE The authors called for real- coordinated, targeted and THE coronavirus pandemic is time monitoring of anxiety, comprehensive,” said Mat- GREAT LOCKDOWN Fallout from the virus spread in ways both predictable and devastating, from police torching an likely to have a “profound and depression, self-harm and sui- thew Hotopf, from King’s Col- illicit food market in Zimbabwe, to emergency flights carrying foreign farm workers to Britain pervasive impact” on global cide across the world, as well lege London’s Institute of Psy- BRINGS MORE PAIN and Germany, and protests at US state capitols against job losses mental health as billions as the creation of treatment chiatry, Psychology and struggle to cope with isolated programmes that can be ac- Neuroscience. “Above all, we The ranks of Americans thrown out of work ballooned to about BRITAIN: A government survey found that a quarter of living and anxiety spikes, ex- cessed remotely. want to stress that all new in- 22 million in just four weeks, which were almost all the job companies had suspended business. The British government was perts warned Thursday. “This needs to be on a big- terventions must be informed gains of the past 11 years, according to CNBC set Thursday to extend a nationwide lockdown for several more In a paper published in Lan- ger scale than we have ever by top notch research to make weeks, as health officials say the coronavirus outbreak in the cet Psychiatry, a panel of 24 sure they work.” 6.87mn country is peaking specialists call for more fund- Studies into the mental 7mn 6.6mn NETHERLANDS: ing for research into the im- health impact of previous dis- Cargo traffic at Europe’s 6mn pacts COVID-19 may have on ease outbreaks, such as the 159 massive port of Rotterdam million 5.2mn society’s mental well-being. SARS epidemic in the early in the Netherlands sank Two accompanying sur- 2000s, showed a clear increase 5mn The estimated 9.3% in the first quarter size of the US veys of the British public in suicide rates and the num- from the same period a showed that most people ber of health workers who 4mn workforce year ago, and its CEO 3.3mn questioned had experi- experience emotional dis- warned of worse to come enced heightened anxiety 3mn tress. But the impact of and fear of becoming the pandemic is unprece- ZIMBABWE: JOBLESS CLAIMS JOBLESS mentally unwell since the dented, with billions of 2mn In Zimbabwe, where food pandemic struck. people forced to isolate at was scarce even before the “We are all dealing with home and no end in sight 1mn outbreak, police raided a unprecedented uncertain- even after social distanc- 282,000 220,000 215,000 217,000 211,000 204,000 market, torching 3 tons of ty and major changes to ing measures are eased. fresh fruit and vegetables 0 the way we live our lives as The surveys, conducted 2/8 2/15 2/22 2/29 3/7 3/14 3/21 3/28 4/4 4/11 and scattering farmers a result of coronavirus,” among over3,000 people in Feb Mar Apr who had broken travel said lead author Emily Hol- Britain, showed a wide restrictions to try to sell mes from Uppsala Universi- range of fears arising 5.2 mn jobless claims their crop ty’s department of from the pandemic. The US said 5.2 million more psychology. These include in- ITALY: Italy’s hardest-hit region of people filed unemployment “Our surveys show creased anxiety, the effects Lombardy is pushing to relaunch manufacturing claims last week, bringing the A worker makes these changes are al- of social isolation, the fear of on May 4, the day that the lockdown is set to lift. four-week total to about 22 a delivery to a ready having a becoming mentally unwell Regional officials are considering ordering companies to million. The losses amount to departmental store in considerable and accessing care. AFP AP stagger opening hours to avoid cramming public transportation about 1 in 7 workers Dallas, Texas | EXPRESS ILLUSTRATION Africa to roll out 1 mn tests amid prediction of 10 mn infections OZ HELPING HAND Relief for college students JOHANNESBURG on Thursday, health officials 146 mn jobs have said the testing shortage MORE than 1 million corona- in the continent, out of a total of means more are out there. as univs unveil aid packages virus tests will be rolled out 440 million, could be affected due South Africa, the most as- starting next week in Africa to to lockdowns, McKinsey & Co. said sertive African nation in test- MELBOURNE panding its Student Hardship address the “big gap” in as- ing, has done 90,000 tests so far, Assistance and Equity Schol- sessing the true number of comes as the continent of 1.3 as per its health ministry. IN an effort to support inter- arship funds of up to $10 mil- cases on the continent, the billion people braces for its One projection over the next national students, including lion to support affected stu- head of the African Centers turn in the pandemic that has six months shows more than from India, who are facing fi- dents, both domestic and for Disease Control and Pre- rolled from China to Europe 10 million severe cases of the nancial crisis during the coro- international. vention said Thursday, while and the US and now beyond. virus, Michel Yao, the World navirus pandemic, several The Monash University has one projection estimates more Experts have said Africa is Health Organization’s emer- Australian universities have also announced a package of than 10 million severe cases of weeks behind Europe and the gency operations manager in rolled out hardship packages up to $15 million. An eligible the virus in the next six US but the rise in cases has Africa, told a separate brief- and expanded grants for eligi- student can apply for up to months. looked alarmingly similar. ing. “But these are still to be ble applicants. $7,500. Similar measures were “Maybe 15 million tests” Africa has suffered in the fine-tuned,” he said, and pub- Melbourne-based Deakin announced by other universi- will be required in Africa over global race to obtain testing lic health measures could have university has announced a ties, including the University the next three months, John kits and other badly needed an impact. The West Africa 6-month package of $25 mil- of Melbourne, the Victoria Nkengasong said. medical equipment. While the Ebola outbreak in 2014-16 nev- lion for international stu- University, the Macquarie uni- The new initiative to dra- Relatives grieve the death of a South African man at his burial ceremony at the number of virus cases across er reached the “alarming dents. RMIT University, also vesity in New South Wales and matically accelerate testing Nasrec Memorial Park outside Johannesburg on Thursday | AP the continent was above 17,000 numbers” projected. AP based in Melbourne, is ex- the University of NSW. PTI MARKET GOLD SILVER FOREX Market 222.80 Sensex 30,602.61 H3 24 carat (1 gm) H4,728 H1,090 Per kg H44,000 Dollar 76.87 Watch 67.50 Nifty 8,992.80 H3 22 carat (1 gm) H4,530 H1.09 Per gm H44.00 Euro 83.64 BHUBANESWAR FRIDAY 10 17l04l2020 newindianexpress com PRIME MINISTER MEETS FINANCE MINISTER, REVIEWS THE IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK ON ECONOMY India plans to woo ANOTHER STIMULUS MAY BE IN THE OFFING factories shifting ANURADHA SHUKLA @ New Delhi Finance Ministry, PSBs review NPA situation UNION Finance Minister Nir- mala Sitharaman on Thursday New Delhi: The Union Finance out of China met Prime Minister Narendra Ministry on Thursday held a Modi to brief him about the meeting with representatives of JAYANTA ROY CHOWDHURY state of economy after the Public Sector Banks (PSB) to @ New Delhi coronavirus outbreak. discuss the issue of bad loans, or According to sources, a stim- Non-Performing Assets (NPA), as THE government is putting ulus package for the worst-hit well as the future roadmap for together a package of incen- sectors was discussed at the the banks. “The heads of PSBs tives to attract factories that high-level meeting, amidst met the secretary of the are making their way out of fears of massive job losses in Department of Financial Services. China in the post-coronavirus sectors such as aviation, hospi- The overall NPA situation as well world. tality, MSMEs and exports. as the extension of the “We have been brainstorm- The meeting also discussed moratorium period was ing on this for quite some findings of the economic task discussed,” said a finance ministry time. Now there is a sense of force on the impact of the virus official. Among other issues that urgency on the issue as we un- outbreak. “The broad discus- came up included the derstand a large number of sion was to brief the PM about management shift of merged companies will be relocating We will of course be in competition the preliminary impact of the out of China to reduce their with rivals like Vietnam, so what we entities. Finance Minister Nirmala offer to attract business will count lockdown. The financial sector Sitharaman could not attend the country risk in the wake of in the final decision-making was discussed in detail. There meeting as she was scheduled for the coronavirus outbreak. We were also talks on the impact another meeting with the Prime want to attract them, especial- Prof Biswajit Dhar, ex-head, Centre for (of the virus outbreak) on vari- Minister and for a plenary ly Japanese firms, as there is WTO Studies, IIFT ous sectors and then the possi- meeting of the International a stated incentive plan by the ble roadmap to revive the econ- Monetary and Financial Japanese government to help move to other nations. Other omy,” a highly placed source Committee. Experts fear there their companies move out,” multi-national companies are told TNIE, adding that the could be a spike in bad loans. The said a top industry ministry also believed to be interested meeting also took note of the slowdown could lead to potential official. in shifting some of their man- recent forecasts on lower GDP job losses, which could cause The industry ministry has ufacturing plants out of Chi- growth by various agencies and A file photo of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arriving at her office in New Delhi on Monday | PARVEEN NEGI stress in banks retail loan books. been in talks with finance and na, given their experiences of the progress report on all relief commerce ministries to try the supply-chain breaking packages announced so far. and develop a package to woo during the pandemic. Experts Last week, several interna- firms wanting to shift out of say these firms want to spread tional agencies, including the China. The suggestions for their risks by “not putting all International Monetary Fund, Lockdown to cost India `12.1L cr: SBI Research the package include tax and their eggs in China.” had cut GDP growth forecast duty incentives, fast-track China’s frequent changes in for India, on account of the ENS ECONOMIC BUREAU @ Hyderabad Soumya Kanti Ghosh, group tax revenue is estimated to be clearances both at Central rules, targeting of multina- pandemic situation. Earlier, chief economic adviser, SBI. PREDICTIONS at least `4.12 lakh crore with and state levels with single tionals, persistent tensions the Prime Minister had held a INDIA’S economic loss due to “Interestingly, we are build- revenue shortfall for states window clearances where with rivals like Japan and Ko- video conference with the chief the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown ing in a downward revision in pegged at `1.32 lakh crore. Sub- possible, and easier availabil- rea, besides a surge in labour ministers of states. is estimated at `12.1 lakh crore, FY20 GDP growth from 5 per 1.1% sequently, the revised fiscal ity of land. Other proposals wages saw many companies The Prime Minister had on according to SBI Research. cent to 4.1 per cent that results was estimated as the GDP deficit will be at 5.7 per cent of include relaxations from a slowly moving out of the April 14 extended the nation- It translates to 6 per cent of in gain of 1.1 per cent for FY21, for Q4FY20 by SBI Research GDP. If you include Extra- plethora of regulations, espe- Asian power about five years wide lockdown till May 3. The nominal Gross Value Added which is exactly our estimate Budgetary Resources (EBR), it cially if the planned factory is ago. This move gained a new lockdown, which was first an- (GVA), taking the nominal GVA for FY21. Thus, if FY20 GDP is rises to 6.6 per cent. in a Special Economic Zone. momentum after US President nounced on March 25, triggered growth for the entire year to be not revised down to 4.1 per 6% Similarly, the fiscal deficit of Japan has promised an as- Donald Trump targeted China massive migration as indus- 4.2 per cent. cent, then growth for FY21 can GDP estimated for first states will rise to 3.5 per cent of sistance package of $2.2 bil- with higher tariffs. The latest tries shut shop. Real and nominal Gross Do- be even lower than 1.1 per quarter of FY21 by it GDP from the budgeted 2 per lion to Japanese firms that trigger has been the coronavi- According to sources, the gov- mestic Products (GDP) for FY21 cent,” he added. cent in FY21. Together, the com- move out of China. However, rus pandemic, which saw ernment’s policy think tank, are projected at 1.1 and 4.2 per According to Ghosh’s calcu- bined fiscal deficit may rise to most of it is for moving back many firms and nations decid- NITI Aayog, is believed to have cent respectively due to the lations, Q4FY20 GDP could now workers at `4.05 lakh crore, or 10 per cent of GDP on an un- to Japan, while a smaller por- ing to spread risks by broad- shared a roadmap to boost the strong possibility of subsidies be at 1.1 per cent, but that’s not about `10,000 crore per day. changed EBR. tion is earmarked as help to basing their supply sources. economy after the lockdown, outstripping tax collections. the bad news. He expects the Of this, causal labourers’ in- “We estimate that the EBR with the finance ministry and “A 4 per cent slippage in nom- GDP in first quarter of FY21 to come loss comprises at least `1 number will rise significantly the Prime Minister’s Office. On inal GDP that we are factoring contract to 6 per cent or even lakh crore and hence any fiscal as the government will try to Wednesday, NITI Aayog vice- in is tantamount to `8 lakh higher followed by no growth package should at least strive mobilise resources more chairman Rajiv Kumar had said crore of fiscal support (`2 lakh in the second quarter. to more than make up for the `4 through unconventional means that India’s GDP growth will see crore = 1 per cent of GDP) and The SBI Research report esti- lakh crore income loss, Ghosh like COVID bonds, monetisa- strong recovery from the second this should be the recommend- mated the income loss due to argued. tion of deficit and others,” quarter this fiscal. ed benchmark,” said Dr the lockdown for 37.3 crore Meanwhile, shortfall in net Ghosh added.

Loss of `4,500 crore a month E-com deemed essential; retailers POWERGRID distributes food packets, masks Healthcare sector will With the nation under a lockdown to check coronavirus spread, see operational losses POWERGRID, a Central PSU of I4,500 crore a gear up to resume operations slowly under the Ministry of Power, month if occupancy said it has been ensuring levels remain at 35 per uninterrupted 24x7 cent and a whopping SESA SEN @ New Delhi containment zones – hotspots transmission of power. I7,500 crore a month or red zones – where the spread Besides, the company has if occup-ancy rates fall AFTER e-commerce market- GREEN SIGNAL of the infection is high. contributed `200 crore, to the to 20 per cent places received the government  MHA terms e-commerce Kamal Nandi, business head PM CARES Fund and nod to deliver non-essential as ‘essential service’ & executive vice-president of additionally, all its employees items beginning April 20, the Godrej Appliances, believes the  The vehicles used by have contributed their one- companies have begun evaluat- fresh guidelines that allow e- them are allowed to ply day salary for the same. The PSU is also distributing food packets and ing all possibilities to resume commerce platforms to operate except in the demarcated groceries to the needy near its sub-stations and transmission line Healthcare sector set for operations to make the most of amidst the lockdown will lower virus hot spots offices, and also masks, sanitisers and soaps. So far around 81,000 this lifeline. While some who the overall impact on sales. beneficiaries have been provided ration worth `4.27 crore across 200 have been allowed to begin pro- “Online will see a significant locations in the country, POWERGRID said in a release. large operational losses duction activities are unsure traction for now, as there is a lot how they will do so and at what also looking forward to begin- of pent-up demand. We are al- ENS ECONOMIC BUREAU @ New Delhi March vis-a-vis pre-Covid oc- capacity given the absenteeism ning manufacturing from April ready partnering with key play- cupancy levels of ~65-70 per of labour and logistics con- 20 to ensure sustainability over ers and foresee more integra- SAIL’s Covid-19 JSPL bags 12K T rail FOR the already shaky pri- cent and is expected to reduce straints, optimists say there is the longer term,” said Manish tion of offline and online trade testing lab ready bloom export orders vate healthcare industry, the further,” the report said, add- adequate stock to cater to the Sharma, president and CEO, Pa- in the coming days.” nationwide lockdown to con- ing that diagnostic labs have demand during the 19-day lock- nasonic India and South Asia. Handset makers are also in Steel Authority of India Ltd Jindal Steel and Power Limited tain the spread of Covid-19 seen an 80 per cent fall in rev- down period. As per the fresh guidelines is- talks with state and district ad- (SAIL), under the aegis of the (JSPL) said it has recently has come as a body blow, says enue and footfall. “Summers are here and we sued by the home ministry, e- ministrations to ensure there Centre, has collaborated with bagged an order to supply study jointly released by Fed- “The sector would need li- have enough inventory of air- commerce has been termed as are no issues on ground level. Odisha government and set up 2,308 tonnes of head-hardened eration of Indian Chambers quidity infusion, indirect and conditioners and refrigerators ‘essential’ service and vehicles “Our manufacturing partners a Covid-19 testing lab at the rails to Rail Vikas Nigam of Commerce and Industry direct tax benefits, and fixed to meet consumer demands. As used by these companies will are working with authorities at Ispat General Hospital at its Limited for development of (FICCI) and Ernst & Young on cost subsidies from the gov- our factory in Jhajjar in Hary- be allowed to ply with permis- the Central and state levels,” Rourkela plant. The company Kolkata Metro Corporation. The Thursday. With occupancy ernment to address the dis- ana is in the green zone, we are sion except in the demarcated said a Xiaomi spokesperson. said the lab is ready for sample company has also bagged a rates plunging, the report ex- ruption,” the study noted. The testing. While all the major contract to supply 12,000 pects the sector to see signifi- onset of operating losses will equipment for the testing tonnes of special grade rail cant operational losses. cause cash balances to be fully TODAY’S STOCK PICK EXPRESS READ facility have been provided by blooms to France rail hayange, According to the analysts, depleted if the situation per- the Government of Odisha, the France. Britain and France have the sector would see opera- sists for a quarter, it added. BHARTI AIRTEL There are 2 key factors in the current infrastructure has been also evinced interest in JSPL’s environment, but we don’t see material Revised market hours tional losses of `4,500 crore a “There is an urgent need to Current Price extended till April 30 provided by SAIL-RSP. products, the company said. month if occupancy levels re- consider the healthcare indus- impact: (a) Bharti’s 28% debt and 50% main at 35 per cent and a try’s triple burden: low finan- 500.25 capex is in USD, and (b) the sharp Hyderabad: The RBI on whopping `7,500 crore a cial performance in pre-Covid A correction in crude oil prices could have a Thursday extended its earlier month if occupancy rates fall state; sharp drop in out-patient Target Price positive impact on India network opex, if order — trimming the timings to 20 per cent. footfalls, diagnostic testing, the diesel benefits are passed on. With for currency, money and bond “Hospitals are witnessing a elective surgeries and interna- A620 the AGR liability looming large, we think markets by four hours — till drop in both domestic and in- tional patients across the sec- Airtel is best placed as any relief April 30. Timings for the money Disclaimer: The views and recom- measures could reduce its burden. If ternational patient footfalls tor impacting cash flow; and mendations made above are that of market and some others have and elective surgeries, result- the increased investments due there is no burden, there could be market been reduced by nearly half to the individual analyst or broking share gains from the weak third player. ing in occupancy levels to fall to Covid-19,” said Sangita Red- company, and not that of 10 am to 2 pm, from the earlier to a mere 40 per cent by late- dy, president, FICCI. The New Indian Express. — Motilal Oswal Securities Limited 9 am to 5 pm. The move comes after the Centre extended the lockdown till May 3.

‘Realty stakeholders’ sentiments at an all-time low’ TCS sees marginal drop in Q4 profit ARSHAD KHAN @ New Delhi dex Q1 2020 Survey. The report in sentiments, while a score of More than 60 per cent of the CSIR-IMMT prepares hand sanitisers for said the future sentiment out- below 50 shows ‘Pessimism’. stakeholders have opined that Bengaluru: Mumbai-based IT Odisha Police, AIIMS Bhubaneswar FACING the impact of corona- lining the industry’s mar- The survey said the lock- the pandemic situation will ad- major TCS on Thursday virus outbreak and the subse- ket expectations has also down will translate into a versely impact residential new reported a marginal decline in Bhubaneswar-based CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials quent nationwide lockdown, dipped into the pessi- vicious sequence of launches (65%), sales (65%) and profit by 0.85 per cent on QoQ Technology (IMMT) said it has postponed its 57th foundation day the current sentiments of real mistic zone in Q1 2020. stalled construction, de- prices (64%) in next six months. basis at I8,049 crore. The total celebrations and instead, joined hands with Odisha Police in fighting estate stakeholders in India The current and fu- lays in project deliver- While the Centre on Wednes- contract value for Q4FY20 the Covid-19 pandemic. CSIR-IMMT’s laboratory prepared large have dropped to an all-time low ture sentiment scores ies, loan repayments day allowed resumption of road stood at $8.9 billion. Its board quantities of alcohol-based hand sanitisers for Odisha Police. Its in the first quarter (January- — 31 and 36 respectively and debt-servicing to construction and other projects also recommended a dividend scientists are also developing a sanitiser variant using lemongrass oil, March) of 2020, said the 24th — has nosedived to the banks, and an overall slump from April 20, the industry hint- of I6. The consolidated currently under trial. The sanitisers prepared by the laboratory were Knight Frank-FICCI-NARED- lowest levels in Q1 2020. A score in demand due to uncertainties ed it is not enough to lift the sec- revenue grew by 5 per cent YoY also provided to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar. AIIMS director Dr Gitanjali CO Real Estate Sentiment In- of over 50 signifies ‘Optimism’ in employment and salary cuts. tor from the current crisis. at I39,946 crore in Q4. Batmanabane received the material from IMMT personnel. A Sharath Kamal leapfrogged G Sathiyan to be ranked Paddler Sharath World No 31 in the updated ITTF rankings on Thursday. The latter slipped to No 32. “I’m glad my efforts in Oman paid top-ranked Indian dividends. I was really looking forward to the rankings this time around,” Sharath said. ENS

BHUBANESWAR FRIDAY 11 17l04l2020 Sushil and It’s official: IPL postponed indefinitely Narsingh BCCI and stakeholders arrive at consensus after considering current situation, Sri Lankan board offers to host event in Jul-Aug window left out of

VENKATA KRISHNA B @ Chennai hold the tournament. dent Shammi Silva told report- As previously reported by few more months for world- in October-November — then BCCI is understood to have ers in Colombo that it is open to this daily, top officials in BCCI wide normalcy. BCCI might utilise the window. natl camp THE writing on the wall has told franchises that it is opti- hosting the tournament as the believe that hosting IPL in In- “Even if the situation is un- But that would imply a compro- been clear for a while. mistic about hosting the event island nation is better placed in dia between September to No- der control in India, we can’t mise with the domestic calen- FIROZ MIRZA @ Chennai A day after informing IPL between July to November. But terms of the out- vember is the say for certain when borders dar, which usually begins late franchises that the event will sans guarantees. “The health break. If the global most viable op- will open for foreigners,” an of- September. With the shortest NATIONAL camp for wres- not take place this summer, and safety of the nation and situation improves tion. Although ficial in the know-how said. format being in focus, BCCI tlers competing in the Olym- BCCI on Thursday announced everyone involved in our great in the next couple parts of India re- “English and Australian play- could be forced to cancel one- pic weight categories will that it has been suspended till sport remains top priority. of months and a ceives heavy ers might not make it even if dayers (Vijay Hazare Trophy), begin soon once the lock- further notice. BCCI, franchise owners, broad- window opens up rainfall from IPL begins in September. We or rejig the entire season with down is lifted but two-time That the board is not consid- caster, sponsors and all stake- in July-August, September to also have our international cal- a new format entailing fewer Olympic medallist Sushil ering IPL as “cancelled” im- holders acknowledge that IPL BCCI could be October, they endar in those months. Lot of matches. Kumar will not be a part of plies that it is exploring other 2020 will only commence when tempted by this offer. The two reckon this window will ensure factors are involved, which is “Few things have to be com- it. Narsingh Yadav, who is options later this year, provid- it is safe and appropriate to do months are best suited for the best overseas-player avail- why the tournament has been promised under the circum- scheduled to return after ed the situation improves. As so,” a release said. cricket in the region, as most ability. The same cannot be said suspended, not cancelled.” stances. So we have to see what serving a four-year doping things stand, BCCI has not set Hours before IPL’s suspen- parts of India will see South- for the July-August time-frame, In case the T20 World Cup is possible and what is not” the ban, will also miss the any window for when it will sion, Sri Lanka Cricket presi- west monsoons. as BCCI expects it will take a doesn’t go ahead — scheduled official added. camps. His ban will end in August. Both the grapplers compete in 74kg. As far as women wrestlers JULY TO AUGUST SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER NO IPL IN 2020 Option Option Option are concerned, sources con- WHAT’S Accept Sri Lanka Cricket’s offer and shift IPL The window BCCI is targeting, if World T20 is called off in The nuclear option. If the firmed that Sakshi Malik there. Not very viable as situation might not Australia. If this goes ahead, the board may have to rejig the COVID-19 threat doesn’t recede, has been chosen despite los- IN STORE? A improve considerably by then. B domestic calendar or even cancel the one-day leg (Vijay Hazare). C this is the most-likely scenario. ing selection trials twice to Sonam Malik in the 62kg weight category. National coaches have sent names of 18 wrestlers in each style — freestyle, Greco- Roman and women’s wres- Long walk from domestic tling — to the Wrestling Fed- eration of India (WFI). Earlier, both Sushil and Narsingh had not been to international for hopefuls named in the camp that had been suspended. “We have ATREYO MUKHOPADHYAY Gill and Navdeep Saini came been asked to send names of @ Chennai through the A team route. three wrestlers in each When they did well in Ranji Olympic weight category. We KEEP working hard and it will Trophy, some other team might kept past performances of get noticed one day. That’s what have won. They were excep- the wrestlers in mind while coaches tell youngsters. The tional performers. A team may preparing the list,” said one motivating line is similar in do- not have exceptional perform- of the national coaches. mestic cricket. Toil away from ers, but still win the title thanks WFI sources said that the spotlight. Performance will to teamwork. That’s the distinc- wrestlers of only those eventually fetch a place at the tion we have to make as selec- weight categories wherein higher level. tors,” elaborates Prasad, who medals are expected in the While there is no denying headed the selection committee Olympics will be attending that domestic competitions re- from 2016 until last month. the camps. “Camps will be main the platform to attain na- That’s actually how it works. organised for freestyle wres- tional limelight, Ranji Trophy’s The standard of domestic crick- tlers in 57kg, 65kg, 74kg and recent history shows an inter- Despite stellar domestic outings, Jaydev et and requirements are such 86kg. For Greco-Roman esting trend. From the teams Unadkat hasn’t been able to cement his that a Ranji win is not a total wrestlers, we will conduct that won India’s premier first- place in the national scheme of things indicator of pedigree. Among SUBSTITUTE FOR 12TH MAN the camp in 77kg and 87kg class competition in the last the states that won it in the last Cardboard cut-outs with portraits of Borussia Monchengladbach’s fans are seen at the Borussia Park stadium on Thursday. weight categories. Women few years, hardly anybody has 10 years, only Karnataka and Several Bundesliga clubs are prepared to play without fans | AFP wrestlers in the 50kg, 53kg, played for the country. Mumbai have seen players 57kg, 62kg and 68kg will at- Saurashtra, Vidarbha (twice) make the national XI. Before tend the camp. A couple of and Gujarat were the winners in (Faiz) Fazal, (Rajneesh) Gurbani, Saurashtra, Vidarbha and Gu- Belgian F1 Grand Prix in Belarus defers women’s soccer, men’s still on weight categories like 125kg the last four seasons. Saurashtra (Priyank) Panchal, Jadeja jarat, Rajasthan had nobody in doubt for August 30 in freestyle and 60kg in were in the final on three other (Dharmendrasinh) and a few others the Indian team despite win- MINSK: The start of the new women’s soccer season in Belarus has Greco-Roman may also be in- occasions. Cheteshwar Pujara, got opportunities in Duleep Trophy, ning in 2010-11 and 2011-12 BRUSSELS: The Belgian Formula been delayed by fears that players have been exposed to cluded,” said Vinod Tomar, Board President’s XI and India A Ravindra Jadeja (both Saurash- (Deepak Chahar and Khaleel One Grand Prix scheduled for coronavirus, but the men’s league shows no sign of stopping. The WFI’s assistant secretary. teams.... in the last few years, only women’s league was due to start its 2020 season on Thursday. tra), Umesh Yadav (Vidarbha) those who did well in two consecutive Ahmed played much later). August 30 is in doubt after the Speaking on the inclusion and Jasprit Bumrah (Gujarat) series for the A team got selected. Unadkat sees sense in this country’s ban on public of Sushil and Narsingh, he are the India regulars from That’s the progression chart we have line of thinking. Despite being gatherings was extended until said, “Narsingh has not com- these states. But they were es- in place, looking at the bigger picture. among the successful domestic the end of that month, organisers UEFA to hold EC meeting on April 23 pleted his ban yet while Su- tablished names before their bowlers of late, the left-arm said. “All scenarios are being shil was not part of the MSK Prasad, former chief national selector sides became Ranji champions. pacer has played only a few studied: postponement, holding PARIS: UEFA will hold an Executive Committee meeting by video camp. If trials are held in They only played a few games in T20Is in the last five years. “It it behind closed doors, or conference next Thursday, April 23, European football’s governing 74kg division and Sushil re- those campaigns. Those who talent available in the country. depends on what kind of play- cancelling,” Vanessa Maes, the body has confirmed, as it continues to look at ways of restarting quests for it, the federation helped their teams win — when Former selection committee ers the Indian team needs at grand prix’s director general, said. the season in the midst of the coronavirus crisis. may give him permission.” the stars were on India duty — chief MSK Prasad explains that moment. Maybe that’s why Full report: newindianexpress.com seldom made that grade. that performing in the domes- the selectors have backed a few Vidarbha’s Faiz Fazal and tic circuit is just the first step. players more than others.” Rajneesh Gurbani, Chintan “Fazal, Gurbani, Panchal, The Saurashtra captain also Gaja and Priyank Panchal of Jadeja (Dharmendrasinh) and feels that players of some of the Gujarat, and Saurashtra’s a few others got opportunities Ranji-winning teams need to do No sensitive info, NSFs to persist with Zoom app Jaydev Unadkat and Arpit in Duleep Trophy, Board Presi- better. “With regards to Sau- Vasavada played key roles in dent’s XI and then in India A rashtra, Vidarbha and even Gu- AYANTAN CHOWDHURY We did notice a few gramme may be held on their teams’ ascent. But most teams. If you notice, in the last jarat, players from our teams @ New Delhi unknown participants. But another platform.” of them didn’t move up to the few years, only those who did have done well mostly in four- this is basic information Aware of the issue, the next level. Unadkat did, but well in two consecutive series day games. They ought to be MINISTRY of Home Affairs’ being disseminated to a sports ministry said that no Cyber Coordination Centre vast audience. Extra people couldn’t stay there. More than for the A team got selected for more consistent in all formats joining in is not a problem. sensitive information is being unfair selection, this shows the India. That’s the progression over a period of time. If they (CyCord) has come out with a In case of sensitive shared during these discus- gap between domestic and in- chart we have in place, looking achieve that, some may miss new 16-page advisory which information, it might be. sions. Hence these pro- ternational standards. It also at the bigger picture.” out, but more players from states that the popular Zoom But it isn’t a problem for grammes can continue until a suggests that to win Ranji, a “Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agar- such teams will stand a chance application is not safe due to Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju launched a what we are conducting. new platform is considered, team doesn’t need the cream of wal, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman of making it.” its vulnerability to cyber-at- 21-day online workshop for coaches the body added. A federation official tacks. Surprisingly, Sports Au- through Zoom on Thursday “There will not be any thority of India (SAI) has change in application,” stated EXPRESS READ asked 16 national sports fed- another federation official. “If erations to conduct their others saw athletes and un- coaches and players who will more people want to join in, it Weightlifting prez quits AIFF to mull I-League New Adelaide Oval hotel “Train the Trainer” pro- knowns joining in. conduct these special classes is good for the growth of sports during corruption probe cash prize, relegation to host Kohli & Co in Oct? gramme — which started on “We did notice a few un- are aware of the issue. But in the country.” Thursday — on the platform. known participants,” said a they admitted that asking all Since the lockdown, quite a BUDAPEST: International LONDON: AIFF office-bearers MELBOURNE: Adelaide Oval’s new Even SAI’s sports-science federation official who attend- participants to change to an- few archers, paddlers, boxers Weightlifting Federation (IWF) will meet via a video- hotel could be offered to the module was held using the ed the seminar. “But this is ba- other platform would be an ar- and shooters have started at- president Tamas Ajan resigned in conference on Saturday visiting Indian team as a potential app. sic information being dissemi- duous task. Also, the sports tending such modules through the wake of allegations of afternoon to take a call on quarantine centre during its tour of The online workshop for nated to a vast audience. Extra ministry has not yet informed this app. A few federations also corruption and doping violations the fate of the suspended Australia, from October. South coaches — a 21-day event — people joining in is not a prob- them of a discontinuation. launched online coaching pro- made in a documentary earlier I-League. Mohun Bagan have Australian Cricket Association chief saw many in attendance, but lem. In case of sensitive infor- “Asking so many people to grammes, which have gained this year. An independent already sealed the title. The Keith Bradshaw reached out to CA small glitches were observed. mation, it might be. But it isn’t shift to another application is popularity in the sporting fra- investigation is ongoing into the officials will discuss prize boss Kevin Roberts to offer the During one of the federations’ a problem for what we are not feasible at this stage,” an- ternity. Online tournaments allegations made by German money for the second and new $42 million hotel for use by module, a presentation was conducting.” other federation official re- have also been conducted by broadcaster ARD in in January. third teams, and relegation. Virat Kohli’s side. tampered with. Quite a few The federations, eminent marked. “The next online pro- websites.

TRENDING ONLINE Men’s shot put is in a hell of a place, says World No 1 Walsh

SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN in his last attempt, going sec- painfully at his residence in Darrel Hill (fifth at 2019 Worlds), readily know that I hate to played U-19 domestic cricket @ Chennai ond on count-back. All-time Canterbury. “It’s great that Konrad Bukowiecki (sixth at lose... be it backyard cricket or with the likes of Tom Latham fourth-best. With the last throw there’s so much of interest.” 2019 Worlds), Darlan Romani tennis, or any sport — is locked up at home, like the MEN’S shot put hasn’t been of the night, Joe Kovacs leap- Nights like those is why (fourth at 2019 Worlds) and a anywhere.” rest of the world. this competitive, ever. frogged both with 22.91m. All- Walsh feels that “men’s shot put fair few more. It’s great to be in- Walsh credits fellow Kiwi “Just before the lockdown, I In the all-time lists for best time third-best. Walsh took an is in a hell of a place now”. volved in such a strong event.” Valerie Adams — two-time was able to get some gym equip- throws, seven of the top 20 are entire day to process that even- Crouser, Kovacs and Walsh are Even though Walsh missed Olympic champion in shot put ment into my garage. My girl- still in the sport. The eighth — ing. On the flight home from the Novak Djokovic, Rafael Na- out in Doha, he finished 2019 as — for that mean streak. “Early friend is a great cook. I’m prob- Ryan Whiting — left in 2018. Doha, Walsh’s head was roiling. dal and Roger Federer of their World No 1. on in my career, I spent time ably eating better because I This level was on show at last “I was happy but extremely world. In the last three big The last time the 28-year-old with her in Switzerland. She have nothing to do after train- year’s Worlds (in Qatar). In a frustrated. It was the first time events in men’s shot put (2017 Tomas Walsh of New Zealand didn’t stand on a podium was 28 was based there in the Europe- ing, which is good. I have to eat surreal 10 minutes, Tomas I was angry. The margin was so and 2019 Worlds, and 2016 Olym- meets ago (Monaco Diamond an summer. I learnt a lot from six times a day, two-and-a-half Walsh moved to first with close, there was nothing in it. It pics), only one other athlete Walsh makes a bold prediction. League in July 2018). her: work ethic, throwing and hours apart. That’s to maintain 22.90m in his fifth attempt. All- was so close but so far.” (Croatia’s Stipe Zunic) medalled “It’s not fair to narrow it down Walsh ascribes that run to his lifting. That was a very impor- my weight. I am six-footer time fifth-best. Ryan Crouser When asked to recount it six apart from the three. Despite to us three,” the 2017 Worlds zeal for winning. “I love compe- tant part of my development.” who’s not naturally 135kg. It pipped him with another 22.90m months later, the Kiwi chuckles their absolute dominance, gold-medallist says. “There are tition. If you know me, you will These days, Walsh — who’s takes effort.” FRIDAY THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS 12 BHUBANESWAR 17l04l2020