National Awareness Times 20-26 August 2020.Cdr

TNATIONALI M AWARENESSE S Weekly 20-26 August, 2020, Price Rs. 20/-

PAINFUL ECONOMIC RECOVERY

National Awareness Times CONTENTS

FROM CHIEF EDITOR’S DESK 5 PAINFUL ECONOMIC RECOVERY 7

NATIONAL AWARENESS TIMES PAYS TRIBUTE 12

SONIA GANDHI TO REMAIN CONGRESS PARTY'S 13 INTERIM PRESIDENT APPEAL FOR PERMANENT MEMORIAL OF 15 21-11-1938 5-4-2006 JALLIANWALA BAGH IN LONDON Founder Editor: SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR HOLDS MEETING Late Shri Harbhajan Singh 16 WITH INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES 20-26 August, 2020 Price: - Rs. 20/- GOVERNMENT HAS LAUNCHED SCHEMES FOR 19 Chief Editor & Chief of Bureau: DEVELOPMENT OF THREE BULK DRUG PARKS Deepak Singh DIVINE KNOWLEDGE 20 Editorial board: Gurinder Singh, Eminent Journalist MONTHLY SALE OF PHENEOL GOES UP TO THE RANGE 21 C.L. Bhartia, OF RS 4.5 TO 6 CRORE SINCE THE COVID OUTBREAK (Member, Press Council Of India) STRUCTURAL REFORMS ARE A KEY PRIORITY OF THE Padma Shri Dr. V.K. Shah 22 Copy Editor Ms. Keeron Ghose GOVERNMENT: FINANCE MINISTER Compiler & Designer Shiv Kumar NATIONAL AWARENESS TIMES PAYS TRIBUTE 24 Chawla EVENTS 26 Editor: Gaurav Singh Head Office: MIRZAPUR 2 PREMIERE ON OCTOBER 23 32 L-22/11, DLF Phase-II, Gurgaon-122001. SILVER LINING AS COVID-19 RECOVERIES SEE 34 Phone: - 0124-4065670, BIG SPIKE Fax: - 011-24621636 KKR WILL MISS THE CROWD SUPPORT THEY Email: 37 chiefeditor@nationalawarenesstimes GET AT EDEN GARDENS .com [email protected] HEALTH - BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY 39 Website: Www.nationalawarenesstimes.com PIC OF THE WEEK 41 Owned, Printed & Published by Deepak Singh LEARN & PASS IT ON 43 Printed at: Five Stars Printers, Gaushala Marg, Karol Bagh New Delhi-110005. Pages 44 Including Cover Publisher And Editor Are Not Responsible For The View Expressed By The Contributor.

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20-26 August, 2020 4 National Awareness Times Representatives CHIEF EDITOR DESK Worldwide Dear Readers,

On behalf of National Awareness Times (India’s National Weekly), the editorial board and the team of our journal would like to wish all the readers a wonderful week ahead & Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Dr. Nabarun to all . Ghose India's GDP in 2019-20 was Rs 203 lakh crore (trillion) in nominal terms. A 5% contraction in 2020- 21 GDP is widely estimated to be the extent of economic decline this year and it will entail a loss of at least Rs 10 lakh crore. Dr. Sunil Sonia Gandhi will remain the Congress's interim Kanti Roy president for now, the party decided in the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting which concluded after seven hours.

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar held a meeting through Video Conference with industry representatives on the Ordinances i.e “the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020” and “The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Gurmeet S. Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020” promulgated by Government of India. Sodhi

Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri. D.V. Sadananda Gowda has said that his Department of Pharmaceuticals has taken several measures to create suitable environment for development of domestic capacity in the pharma sector. Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceutical Ltd (BCPL), a public sector Enterprise under the Narasimhan Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has scaled up its production activities to cater to the demand increasing many fold since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. Ramani

Addressing the captains of the Indian Industry, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman stressed that structural reforms are a key priority of the government as has been reflected in the slew of measures & policies announced since outbreak of COVID-19.

The number of people who have recovered from Covid-19 in India crossed the 1.1 Dr. Balbir million mark over the weekend when over 100,000 people were declared free of the virus, the highest numbers recorded yet over two days in what is being seen as a sign Singh Verma of the country's disease mitigation strategy being effective in avoiding a high number of fatalities.

Dr. Anmol S. Kapoor Deepak Singh, Chief Editor

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20-26 August, 2020 6 National Awareness Times PAINFUL ECONOMIC RECOVERY By Editor – Gaurav Singh country facing this dilemma. A blog by the International Mone- tary Fund’s Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva says that prospects of a global economic recovery remain uncertain. While a medical breakthrough could reduce the contraction this year and help achieve a better than expected recovery com- pared to what the IMF’s June World Economic Outlook (WEO) predicted (4.9% in 2020, 1.9 percentage points below the April 2020 WEO forecast) , a second wave could mean that world GDP remains flat this year and next. Given India’s size, even as the ndia’s GDP in 2019-20 was severe as Covid-19 and the pandemic shows signs of platea- Rs 203 lakh crore (trillion) in lockdown imposed to fight its uing in a few states, it rears it nominal terms. A 5% contrac- spread. I head in others; it has been tion in 2020-21 GDP is widely India imposed one of the hars- expanding its geographical estimated to be the extent of hest lockdowns in the world to footprint from the more industria- economic decline this year and it prevent the spread of the Covid- lised, urbanised states to poorer will entail a loss of at least Rs 10 19 virus. Economic activity came regions. If Covid-19 infections lakh crore. to almost complete standstill for are not contained in eastern There is also a possibility that almost a month, and stuttered states such as Bihar, getting the contraction in nominal GDP along for another month-and-a- back migrant workers to restore is significantly more than 5%. As bit (the lockdown lasted 68 days economic activities in regions, Covid-19 infections continue to in four phases). Among the worst where the infections have increase, and more importantly, affected were millions of migrant already peaked will be very expand their geographical foot- workers who were stuck without difficult. India also has a short print in India, the economic cost even basic means of sus- window before the economic of the pandemic will increase. tenance. Once the restrictions crisis starts pinching rural India. What has made matters worse is were eased, there was some Right now, the country is in the the uncertainty about when the revival of economic activity. middle of the peak kharif (mon- pandemic will peak. Ideally, the However, infections started gro- soon crop) season, and favou- government should reserve its wing rapidly around this time. rable rains have meant more biggest stimulus for when the India is now witnessing the re- sowing of crops and, therefore, infection curve is flattening. imposition of localised lock- more work. Agricultural and The Indian economy was al- downs across various cities and MGNREGS employment have ready in the midst of a decelera- states. Both current and future kept rural livelihoods afloat. But tion phase perhaps among the business and consumer senti- both agricultural employment worst it has seen even before the ment are likely to be jittery given and MGNREGS allocations pandemic. This weakened its this context. might end at the same time if the ability to stand up to a shock as To be sure, India is not the only non-farm economy does not

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on whether to protect livelihoods or production capacity. Bailouts to private capital, unlike free ration to the poor, often trigger political criticism in India. However, it is not wise to allow firms, which were otherwise viable, to go belly-up because of the pandemic’s economic disruption. This will only make the task of economic recovery more difficult. None of these are easy challenges. It is important that policy makers focus on the long, and in all likelihood, painful road to recovery. This will require fore- sight, clarity and willingness to make difficult political choices. There cannot be any place for return to normal. complacence or bravado at the While the humanitarian crisis facing migrant workers and the moment. poorest rightfully attracted a lot of attention during the lockdown, the India is staring at a protracted economic challenges associated with the pandemic will shift to more slowdown as coronavirus cases complicated terrain with time. In a speech at the SBI Banking reach its countryside, with signs Conclave last week, Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta that a recovery in the rural eco- Das hinted at a big disruption in the financial sector. Non-Performing nomy hailed by Prime Minister Assets (NPAs) are likely to increase in a big way once the current Narendra Modi may be weaker moratorium on loans ends. than originally thought, govern- With revenues likely to remain subdued there is no clarity on the ment officials and analysts say. sanctity of budget numbers the government will have to take a call The world's fifth-largest economy is due to report quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) figures on August 31 and, according to a Reuters poll, it is likely to have contracted by 20 percent in the April-June period. It is forecast to shrink by 5.1 percent in the year to March 2021, the weakest performance since 1979. Nearly half of India's 1.38 billion population rely on agriculture to survive, with the sector accoun- ting for 15 percent of its economic output. Modi has been citing higher fertiliser demand and the sowing of monsoon crops, both key signs of rural activity, to show there are "green shoots" in the economy.

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may not sustain due to surplus- labour concerns, along with an increasing proportion of active COVID-19 cases," said Upasna Bhardwaj, economist at Kotak Mahindra Bank. Rating agency ICRA believes pent-up demand contributed to some improvement in manufacturing in June and July, but that it may not continue in August due to virus-related lockdowns. A widening fiscal deficit may also limit India's ability to provide more stimulus, though Finance Minister Nirmala Sithamaran has promised to take steps to help industries like tourism and hospitality. India's fiscal deficit hit a record $88.5bn in the April-June qua- But four government officials said the uptick in activity may not be as rter, already 83.2 percent of the large as first believed given a spike in virus cases in rural areas that target for the whole fiscal year, were initially isolated from the pandemic. due to lower tax collections and "The economic situation has in fact worsened since April and May, extra spending. and we are likely moving towards a longer economic slowdown than Central Bank Help earlier expected," a finance ministry official said. India's central bank has cut The official pointed to sluggish consumer demand and a slowdown interest rates, but many analysts in rural lending as causes for concern. say demand is likely to remain "The situation on the economy front is very serious and the subdued until virus worries calm government's hands are tied on the fiscal front," a government and the government pumps adviser with direct knowledge of India's budget plans said. more money into the economy. Both declined to be named as they were not authorised to speak to "Flattening of India's virus curve media. A ministry spokesman declined to comment to the Reuters is critical for a pick-up in produc- news agency. tion. Once the economy unlocks 'At best, a mitigating factor’ fully, we expect exports to lead to A slump in monthly demand for fuel, electricity, steel, consumer recovery and domestic demand durables and cars between April and June further highlights the dire to lag," said Kapil Gupta, chief state of the economy. economist, Edelweiss Re- India has the world's third-highest number of coronavirus infections search. at more than 2.7 million, and new cases are increasingly emerging Former central bank Governor outside major cities, dashing hopes that the rural economy will be a Raghuram Rajan has called for buffer against shrinking exports and manufacturing. greater focus on protecting "While a recovery in rural activity provides a glimmer of hope, it is at India's economic capabilities for best a mitigating factor," said Rahul Bajoria, a Barclays economist. a meaningful revival. Bajoria expects India's GDP to have contracted by 22.2 percent in "As is the case with most the April-June quarter. countries in the region, there is Farmers planted nearly 14 percent more land between June 1 and bound to be some permanent July 31 than last year, given good monsoon rains, while fertiliser damage to output, setting reco- production rose 4.2 percent in June. very back by a few years to "Even as the momentum coming from the agriculture sector owing to return to pre-COVID trend," said a normal monsoon and robust sowing is a positive, we believe this Radhika Rao, a DBS economist.

20-26 August, 2020 9 National Awareness Times commercial vehicle demand remains subdued. The inherent demand for home loans continues to remain strong and the combination of low interest rates, fiscal incentives and steady to some softening of real estate prices bodes well for new homebuyers. “I do hope some of the state governments will offer some sweeteners like SAY, a temporary stamp duty waiver to encourage more homebuyers,” Parekh said. The commercial real estate sector has been impacted largely due to massive migration of labour, which is making resump- tion of projects a challenge. The A macroeconomic recovery in India will be subject to the end of sector needs support and poli- lengthy and complete lockdowns even as some signs of cies which will encourage labou- improvement are already visible, Housing Development Finance rers to come back to the Corporation (HDFC) chairman Deepak Parekh said at the company construction sites with adequate 43rd annual general meeting. precautions and protection. “My view is that one should not be too perturbed with forecasts of Parekh brushed aside concerns negative GDP (gross domestic product) growth rates. Most believe that demand for commercial real that India’s GDP growth which was slowing down in the pre-Covid estate will diminish as more era will contract by about 5% this year. But recovery will happen people work from home. “Many assuming no further lengthy and complete lockdowns in future,” large companies have in fact Parekh said. Incidentally, Parekh is also part of the 11-expert team acquired or leased commercial tasked with making suggestions to the Maharashtra government’s properties during this period cabinet sub-committee on economic recovery in the wake of Covid. particularly in Bengaluru and Parekh said that from the utter despair that the world was in towards Hyderabad. There is demand for the end of March and April it has moved to a great deal of stability in real estate from newer sectors the financial markets. Global fiscal support towards the pandemic like warehousing, e-commerce now stands at $12 trillion and monetary policy across the globe has companies and from cloud and eased through lower interest rates, liquidity injections and massive data centre parks as they seek to asset purchases. Even in India, various fiscal and policy measures increase their data storage have ensured that there is adequate liquidity in the system. Interest capacities as well. rates are the lowest in the last 10 years. “The bright spot for India is the rural economy. A good monsoon, strong agricultural growth and government support through rural employment guarantee schemes is enabling rural consumption to lead India’s overall recovery,” Parekh said. Certain sectors are limping back to normalcy, but the strong probability of cycling in and out of lockdowns does remain, he added. Signs of the wheels of the economy beginning to turn are evident from the fact that unemployment rates have tape-red down from their peaks in May, e-toll collections are higher, as are e-way bills, digital transactions and GST (Goods and Services Tax) collections, which are back to the Rs 90,000-crore levels. Demand for two- whee-lers and tractors has risen, even though passenger and

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Arun Jaitley Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs of the Government of India from 2014 to 2019 28 December 1952 – 24 August 2019 National Awareness Times Pays Tribute On His Death Anniversary

20-26 August, 2020 12 National Awareness Times SONIA GANDHI TO REMAIN CONGRESS PARTY'S INTERIM PRESIDENT By Chief Editor – Deepak Singh some major structural changes in the party. The anticipation flowed from two distinct voices of dissent seeking stability at top leadership position and of "conscience" that prompted Co- ngress's interim president Sonia Gandhi to call for a replacement. More than 20 senior Congress leaders including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Kapil Sibal and Anand Sharma signed a letter to Sonia Gandhi calling for ending "uncertainty in leadership" in the party. They demanded "full-time" and "visible leadership" in the Congress party as they expressed serious concerns about the onia Gandhi will remain Sonia Gandhi's letter asking to drift in the party. the Congress's interim be relieved as Congress presi- Many hoped that since this letter Spresident for now, the dent and asking the party to was signed by a group of senior party decided in the Congress begin deliberations to set in and committed Congress lea- Working Committee (CWC) place a process to find her ders some of whom have been in meeting which concluded after replacement. Mrs Gandhi's the party since the days of Indira seven hours. announcement led to state- Gandhi, the grandmother of During the meeting, it was also ments in support of her and Rahul Gandhi, the de facto party decided that the new Congress sharp criticism of the letter- high command the CWC mee- chief will be elected within next writers, mainly by Rahul Gandhi ting would address the concerns six months. who intervened twice to accuse raised by them. Since it was a Sonia Gandhi reportedly said in the "dissidents" of collaborating collective, the anticipation was her closing remarks that she with the BJP. high. held "no ill-will" towards anyone Over 20 Congress leaders have, Speaking out as a lone wolf in in the party, a remark intended at in a letter, called for a "full-time", the Congress over leadership the dissent-letter writers. "I am "effective leadership" that will be issues had recently been seen to hurt but they are my colleagues, "visible" and "active" in the field, be inviting punishment. Sanjay bygones are bygones, let us sources said. It also called for Jha was sacked as Congress work together," she said, ending "honest introspection" and sug- spokesperson when he raised the Congress Working Commit- gested a "collective leadership", the leadership issue and called tee (CWC) meeting on a note of reforms including decentra- for introspection over the drift in conciliation. lisation of power, empowerment the party through his blogs and The crucial meeting started at 11 of state units and organizational social media posts. The Con- this morning a day after an elections at every level gress has now practically disow- explosive letter written by 26 top The Congress Working Com- ned him. leaders calling for "a full-time, mittee (CWC) sat through the GANDHIS ARE COMBATIVE visible leadership" emerged with day with people anticipating The CWC meet was a closed-

20-26 August, 2020 13 National Awareness Times was not going to have any impact on the outcome of the CWC meet. Rahul Gandhi's sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra too reportedly hit back at the dissenters on similar grounds. The three Gandhis collectively form the high-command family of the Congress. Now, reports have also emerged that close aides of the Gandhi family were working the phones to reach out to dissenters ahead of the CWC meet asking them not to "upset" the Gandhis by giving too much importance to what was written in the dissent letter. The dissent that many viewed as the most serious challenge to the Gandhi family since the revolt by Sharad Pawar in 1999 over the issue of Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin was effectively suppres- door video conference during which Sonia Gandhi began her sed during the CWC meet. This was a speech by offering to resign. Reports say she referred to the major achievement of the CWC for the dissent letter in a disapproving tone and expressed the Gandhis. feeling of "hurt" at the letter being leaked to news media. DISCREDITING DISSENTERS Reports say Rahul Gandhi was present alongside his mother Another achievement of the CWC Sonia Gandhi during the CWC videoconference, and made a meeting was creating a doubt over the couple of interventions to launch a counter-attack on the credibility of the dissenters. Sonia Gan- dissenters. He questioned the timing of the letter written to dhi said she was pained by the leak of Sonia Gandhi raising the issue of leadership. He linked the the letter. Rahul Gandhi said the leaks in timing with the poor health of Sonia Gandhi and crises in the media go on to benefit the BJP. It was Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan units of the Congress. an attack on the news media as well as His questioning the motive of the dissenters in writing the those responsible for leaking or writing letter buried the essence of "dissent" in the party which the letter. publicised the letter as "proof" of thriving internal democracy Some other Congress leaders such as in the Congress. Kumari Selja and Ambika Soni went a Rahul Gandhi referred to the health worries of Sonia Gandhi step further. Selja accused the dissen- and crises in state units of the Congress. This is exactly what ters of colluding with the BJP in raising the dissenters wanted addressed. the leadership issue in the Congress. DISSENT QUELLED This accusation was first attributed to The essence of the dissent letter was that since Sonia Rahul Gandhi prompting veteran Con- Gandhi is not keeping well, she should take care of her gress leader Kapil Sibal to vent out his health, and there should be another leader as Congress anger in a Twitter post, which he later president who has a 24x7 job of worrying about the party 365 deleted saying the comment did not days of a year. come from Rahul Gandhi. To many Congress leaders, the party has not had a full-time Kapil Sibal is not on the CWC a body of visible leader since the Modi government came to power in 48 Congress leaders including invitees. 2014. Rahul Gandhi has been the leader of the party since It still remains unclear if Rahul Gandhi then. He also assumed the presidentship of the party. actually said what was originally attri- But he was viewed as a "part-time" politician remaining buted to him. But later every leader who inaccessible to even some seniors in the Congress, and used spoke about the matter denied that to "vanish" suddenly from the scene of activity leaving the Rahul Gandhi said this. party rudderless. Rahul Gandhi's attack on the dissenters meant their letter

20-26 August, 2020 14 National Awareness Times APPEAL FOR PERMANENT MEMORIAL OF JALLIANWALA BAGH IN LONDON

Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Virender Sharma, MP Chair, Indo British APPG

20-26 August, 2020 15 National Awareness Times SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR HOLDS MEETING WITH INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES fare of farmers with a specific focus on ‘AatmaNirbhar Bha- rat’. The Ministry has been making concerted efforts to bring reforms in agricultural marketing and freeing agriculture sector of various restrictions through strategic interventions. Giving details of various initia- tives, Shri Tomar said that the Government has created the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund of Rs. 1 lakh crore to be used over the next four years. This fund is for building post-harvest storage and processing facilities, largely anchored at the Farmer Producer Organisa- tions (FPOs), but can also be nion Minister of Agri- Prime Minister Shri Narendra availed by individual entrepre- culture and Farmers’ Modi for his vision in bringing neurs. The Agriculture Infras- UWelfare Shri Narendra strategic interventions in mar- tructure Fund would facilitate in Singh Tomar held a meeting ket reforms for rapid agricultural strengthening the agricultural through Video Conference with development and increasing infrastructure, development industry representatives on the farmers’ income. He mentioned and improvement of ware- Ordinances i.e “the Farmers’ that the Government is taking houses, cold storage, pack Produce Trade and Commerce several measures for the wel- houses and marketing facilities (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020” and “The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020” promulgated by Government of India. Shri Parshottam Rupala, Minister of State for Agriculture, Shri San- jay Agarwal, Secretary (Agri- culture) and senior officers of the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Wel- fare were present. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare thanked

20-26 August, 2020 16 National Awareness Times each FPO for five years from the formation, for which support will continue till 2027-28. The Minister said that the country has become self- sufficient in food grain production and urged to focus our attention towards the development of small famers. This intervention will bring a change in the lives of the farmers and will facilitate to boost the rural economy. A presentation on both the Ordinances, FPOs and Re- forms in Agriculture Marketing was made by the Joint Sec- retary (Marketing), DAC&FW in the rural areas, which would enhance the income of farmers and highlighting all the aspects boost rural economy. He stated that within one month of its related to their benefits to the approval by the Union Cabinet, the Prime Minister has inaugurated farmers and other stake the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund on 9th August 2020 and Rs. holders. 1128 crore has been sanctioned to Primary Agriculture Credit All the industry representatives Cooperative Societies. appreciated the efforts of Union Shri Tomar said that further, the Government has formulated and Agriculture Ministry for the approved a Central Sector Scheme titled “Formation and Ordinances promulgated by the Promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)” to form and Government and bringing rapid promote 10,000 new FPOs. The scheme has been launched by reforms towards strengthening Hon’ble Prime Minister on 29.02.2020. Under the scheme, agriculture infrastructure ac- formation of 10,000 FPOs across the country is targeted in five ross the country. They said that years period till 2023-24, while providing adequate handholding to these historical reforms will unleash the potential of the agriculture sector and help in moving towards “One Nation, One Market” which will benefit farmers and farmers’ groups immensely. Shri Parshottam Rupala, Mini- ster of State also expressed his views and said that emphasis has been given to bring strategic interventions in the existing marketing ecosystem and bringing farmer centric reforms aiming towards rapid agricultural development. He thanked the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, senior officers of the DAC&FW and all the industry representatives for fruitful deliberations. 20-26 August, 2020 17 National Awareness Times

20-26 August, 2020 18 National Awareness Times GOVERNMENT HAS LAUNCHED SCHEMES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THREE BULK DRUG PARKS released evaluation criteria for selection of units for this scheme on July 27, 2020. A time period of 120 days has been given for filing appli- cations. He said it is the right time for companies to take advantage of this scheme. The two-pronged strategy of incentivizing production and creation of common infrastructure will offset higher cost of production. This will make domestic companies as com- petitive as their peers in foreign countries, and provide a level playing field to them. within a period of 2 -3 years, due to right policies of the nion Minister of Che- Government is committed to Government under the leader- micals and Fertilizers build Atmanirbharta in the ship of Shri Narendra Modi, UShri. D.V. Sadananda pharma sector. Government pharma sector will become Gowda has said that his has launched schemes for AtmaNirbhar, not only in sense Department of Pharma- development of three Bulk of meeting domestic require- ceuticals has taken several Drug Parks and four Medical ments but also for fulfilling measures to create suitable Device Parks across the global demand of low cost - environment for development country. Apart from increasing high quality medicines and of domestic capacity in the Central assistance for develo- medical devices. pharma sector. He said Prime pment of common infrastruc- Shri Gowda informed that the Minister Sh. Narendra Modi ture facilities in the parks, schemes for development of has recently said that ‘India’s Union Government will also bulk drug & medical device Pharma Industry is an asset extend Production Linked parks are expected to attract not just for India but for the Incentive (PLI) to manufac- cumulative investment of entire world. It has played a turers of bulk drugs and about Rs 77900 crore and can leading role in reducing the medical devices in these generate about 2,55,000 cost of medicines especially parks. employment. "For medical for developing countries.’ The minister said, Govern- device sector alone, invest- Addressing the Inaugural ment will provide incentive at ment could be to the tune of Rs Session of CII's 12th MedTech the rate of 5 % on incremental 40000 crore with generation of Global Summit Charting the sales for a period of five years 1,40,000 new employment MedTech route to Atma- from Fiscal Year 2021-22 to opportunities. Nirbhar Bharat, Shri Gowda 2025-26, with total outlay of Rs said that to strengthen 3420 crore. Department of country’s drug security, the Pharmaceuticals has already

20-26 August, 2020 19 National Awareness Times DIVINE KNOWLEDGE

Lord Ganesha Is Regarded As The God Of Wisdom, Knowledge And Prosperity. Hindus Believe That He Helps Remove All Obstacles In One’s Path.

20-26 August, 2020 20 National Awareness Times MONTHLY SALE OF PHENEOL GOES UP TO THE RANGE OF RS 4.5 TO 6 CRORE SINCE THE COVID OUTBREAK As many as 51,960 bottles were produced on 23 August 2020 BCPL said that it used to produce 15,000 bottles per day in period before COVID-19 pandemic. "The monthly sale of pheneol was to the tune of Rs 3 to 3.5 crores. This has gone up to the range of Rs 4.5 to 6 crore a month since the Covid outbreak which is a clear indication of the huge demand of the product,”. The employees will work till October 20 (puja holidays) on all Sundays and holidays in two shifts braving the COVID pandemic situation to cater to the huge demand of this cleanliness product. Bengal Chemicals & Pharma- ceutical Ltd is the first Pharma- engal Chemicals & Phar- had managed to produce 38,000 ceutical Company of India which maceutical Ltd (BCPL), a pheneol bottles in a single day. makes many house hold, Bpublic sector Enterprise In a month's time Company have pharma and industrial products. under the Ministry of Chemicals scaled it up further and now can and Fertilizers has scaled up its produce more than 50,000 production activities to cater to pheneol bottles in a single day. the demand increasing many fold since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. It has created an all-time record by producing 51,960 pheneol bottles on a single day. This achievement goes to the BCPL Panihati, North 24-Parganas Unit situated in West Bengal. Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri D.V Sada- nanda Gowda has congra- tulated the management and employees of the company for brilliant work in recording all- time high production. BCPL director (Finance) Shri P. M Chandraiah said "It is an all- time record in the 120-year-old history of BCPL. In July 2020 we

20-26 August, 2020 21 National Awareness Times STRUCTURAL REFORMS ARE A KEY PRIORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT: FINANCE MINISTER data-driven manufacturing models through ploughing greater investments in these models”, she further added. On the issue of local manufacturing, Smt Sitharaman said that Productivity Linked Incentives (PLIs) scheme has met with excellent response and has helped speed up manufacturing of critical bulk drugs and APIs in 6 states. On delayed payments by the government agencies, it was said that the Finance Ministry is taking periodic reviews to expedite the due payments to the industry. Further, the Finance Minister alluded that infrastructure sector plays a key role in speeding up growth momentum, hence, to give its financing a further boost, external funds will also be wel- ddressing the captains of many sectors such as Tourism, come. Responding to a question the Indian Industry, Union Hotels & Hospitality, Real Estate & about the need for lowering GST AMinister of Finance and Construction and Airlines have rates on 2-wheelers, she assured Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala been disproportionately affected that this was indeed a good Sitharaman stressed that struc- by the pandemic, the Finance suggestion as this category is tural reforms are a key priority of Minister said that these are critical neither a luxury nor a sin good and the government as has been sectors with significant multiplier hence merits a rate revision. reflected in the slew of measures & impact on the economy. In order to Consequently, this will be taken up policies announced since outbreak ease the pain of few of these ailing with the GST Council, she added. of COVID-19. Every policy which sectors, the Standard Operating Mr Uday Kotak, President, CII, in was introduced had a structural Procedures (SoPs) for the hotels, his opening remarks, highlighted component. Consequently, the re- banquets & related activities will be that we are seeing ample signs of a forms are having significant impact looked into, she assured. On the nascent recovery from the lows on the recovery process which we issue of strategic disinvestment, seen in April-May as a result of the are currently witnessing. Smt Sitharaman highlighted that supportive steps taken by both the Further, in order to facilitate the there was a need to move fast on Central Government and RBI. recovery process, the Home cabinet cleared disinvestment However, the localized lockdowns Ministry has given out directions to decisions. implemented in many States has the state governments for im- Regarding the private investment given rise to supply-side bottle- posing no curbs on the movement cycle which got a fillip from the necks, which could impede growth of people and inter-state move- corporate tax cut in September when demand side cranks up. He ment of goods & services. “There 2019, investments however coul- further added that government- cannot be better time for exemplar dn’t take off due to outbreak of owned institutions like NABARD, cooperation between government, COVID-19. Smt Sitharaman was of SIDBI and NIIF have the potential regulators and industry to ensure the view that in a post-COVID to evolve into development finance that Indian comes out from the world, these should fructify. “With corporations in order to support present crisis”, she added. post-COVID reset happening, recovery. Taking cognizance of the fact that emphasis has to be on adoption of

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Rajiv Gandhi 6th Prime Minister of India 20 August 1944 – 21 May 1991 National Awareness Times Pays Tribute On His Birth Anniversary

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20-26 August, 2020 25 National Awareness Times EVENTS

The Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda addressing the inaugural session of the CII’s 12th MedTech Global Summit Charting the MedTech route to AtmaNirbhar Bharat, through video conferencing, in New Delhi

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment (Independent Charge), Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar addressing at the launch of the Logo of Labour Bureau, in New Delhi

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu addressing the gathering after releasing the two reports brought out by the Indian Association of Parliamentarians for Population and Development (IAPPD), in New Delhi

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20-26 August, 2020 27 National Awareness Times

The Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge), Shri Prahlad Singh Patel virtually witnessing the signing ceremony of an MoU and Ministry of Tourism, in New Delhi

The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda addressing at the inauguration of the TRIFED’s 122nd TRIBES India Showroom at Western Zonal Office, Mumbai, through Video Conferencing, in New Delhi

The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan planting a sapling during the inauguration of a 10-Bedded Make Shift Hospital, at NDRF 8th Battalion Centre, Ghaziabad, in Uttar Pradesh

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The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri G. Kishan Reddy inaugurates the Plasma Bank of Rotary Club of Hyderabad, at Ameerpet in Hyderabad

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Information & Broadcasting and Heavy Industries and Public Enterprise, Shri Prakash Javadekar releasing the SOP on preventive measures for media production to contain spread COVID-19, in New Delhi

The Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Inde- pendent Charge), Shri Prahlad Singh Patel interacting with the media after visiting Hotel Ashok, New Delhi to review the preparedness of the hotel after getting permission to open hotels in Delhi

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The Chairperson Delimitation Commission, Justice Ranjana Desai inaugurating the new office premises of the Delimitation Com- mission, at Hotel Ashok, in New Delhi

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind planting a Neem sapling on the occasion of “Van Mahotsav”, at President’s Estate, in New Delhi

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20-26 August, 2020 31 ENTERTAINMENT National Awareness Times MIRZAPUR 2 PREMIERE ON OCTOBER 23

“Excel Entertainment has received immense love for constantly pushing the envelope when it comes to creating impactful and powerful content,” said Ritesh Sidhwani, Producer, Excel En- tertainment. “Mirzapur was a step in that endeavor. It was not just about breaking boundaries for the audiences, but also for ourselves as content creators. Bringing thrilling and untold stories from India’s hinterland without losing authenticity has been our biggest win. All the praise that season one of Mirzapur has received, not just in India, but across the globe, is heartening. It pushes Excel Entertainment and Amazon Prime Video to continue the mazon Prime Video an- stylish yet rustic world, where momentum with the second nounced that the second crime, drugs and violence rule season of the show.” Aseason of its much-antici- and one needs to fight to survive. “The love and appreciation that pated Amazon Original Series The sequel of the show will also the show has garnered since its Mirzapur 2 will launch on 23rd feature Vijay Varma, Priyanshu launch has been simply over- October 2020. Set in Mirzapur, Painyuli, and Isha Talwar. The whelming. Taking it a notch the hinterland of North India, much-awaited Amazon Original higher, we’re certain that the season 1 of the crime drama had Series is created and produced audiences are in for a visual treat taken the audiences into a dark, by Excel Media and Entertain- in the sequel” said Creator complex world of guns, drugs, ment and will launch exclusively Puneet Krishna. “Seeing their and lawlessness. It’s relentless on Amazon Prime Video in over excitement for the season 2 for pace, well etched-out charac- 200 countries and territories months now made each one of ters, and nuanced narrative had worldwide. us deliver a performance that left the fans wanting more. With Speaking on this momentous matches up to the scale at which Season 2, the canvas of announcement, Aparna Purohit, the show has now placed itself. Mirzapur gets bigger but the Head of India Originals, Amazon We are thrilled to take the fans to rules remain the same! Prime Video, commented, “Mir- another dynamic world of Mirza- With a stellar ensemble cast zapur has truly been a game- pur that they have been waiting featuring Pankaj Tripathi, Ali changer title for us. The show for a very long time.” Fazal, Divyenndu, Shweta heralded a new idiom of story- The series is produced by Excel Tripathi Sharma, Rasika Dugal, telling for Indian audiences - its Media and Entertainment, crea- Harshita Shekhar Gaur , Amit characters have become a part ted by Puneet Krishna and direc- Sial, Anjum Sharma, Sheeba of the popular culture. We are ted by Gurmmeet Singh and Chaddha, Manu Rishi Chadha certain that the riveting narrative Mihir Desai. and Rajesh Tailang returning to of season 2 will leave our the action-packed series, get audiences mesmerized once ready for a journey into the again. ”

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20-26 August, 2020 33 National Awareness Times SILVER LINING AS COVID-19 RECOVERIES SEE BIG SPIKE The trends indicate India’s response to the pandemic is “improving at various levels of care including at the societal level as well as in hospitals,” said Niti Aayog member VK Paul, who heads the national task force on Covid. “It suggests that we have learnt to take care of our positive cases; we have learnt how soon to act and what works and what do- esn’t. We are able to provide more organised and systematic treatment he number of people the 1,803,267 infections in clinically. Those involved in who have recovered all, 38,159 people have Covid-19 management are Tfrom Covid-19 in In- succumbed to the viral learning by the day by dia crossed the 1.1 million disease, translating to a reading and from each mark over the weekend case fatality ratio (CFR) of other,” Paul added. when over 100,000 people 2.12%. As of Sunday night, To be sure, India’s reco- were declared free of the the doubling rate of cases – very rate is expected to virus, the highest numbers the number of days it takes eventually soar to over recorded yet over two days for infections to double – 90% since current trends in what is being seen as a across the country is 21.2 indicate the final fatality sign of the country’s dis- days. rate could lie between 2- ease mitigation strategy Coordinated implemen- 3% once the outbreak being effective in avoiding tation of “effective con- nears its end. For instance, a high number of fatalities. tainment strategy, agg- Germany, which has had HT’s dashboard of Covid- ressive testing and stan- over 200,000 infections but 19 data from across the dardised clinical mana- at present has around country showed that gement protocols” resulted 8,300 active cases, has a 51,845 recovered on Sat- in a consistent trend of recovery rate of 92%. urday and 40,449 reco- rising recovery rate and A look at infection, recovered, bringing the pro- progressively reducing very and fatality rates from portion of recoveries to CFR, said a statement by the top 10 countries with 65.76%. As on Sunday, of the Union health ministry . the highest cases shows

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around 97-98% of those who get infected will eventually recover. The recovery rate is also linked with the case load; if the case load is higher, the recovery will take longer as it will also include higher percentage of serious cases,” said a senior epidemiologist with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), req- uesting not to be named as he is not authorised to only the United States at around 50% has a lower rate of speak to media. recovery than India. The official said the In India, the 579,183 active cases (as of August 1) numbers also reflect the account for 32.12% of the total case load. At the current accuracy in reporting, rate in which new cases are reported, active cases are which could vary between doubling in 27.3 days, and new hot spots emerging in states. three large-population states of Andhra Pradesh, “If the number of positive Karnataka and West Bengal, threatens to bring this cases goes up then number down – thereby accelerating the speed at which recovery rate will auto- the outbreak grows. matically slow down, and The current CFR also masks the potential fatalities that that explains why states could be recorded from among the over 500,000 active like Maharashtra, Kar- cases at present. According to a study in Lancet based nataka, Kerala, etc, have on case progression among patients in China, it takes low recovery rate. Also, for around 17 days for people who develop critical Covid-19 states and UTs having infections to succumb to the illness. higher recoveries, it could The 38,159 deaths seen till August 2 will thus also indicate fewer new correspond, roughly, to the 1,004,652 cases seen 17 infections being reported days ago on July 16. This brings India’s lagged case on a daily basis in fatality ratio to 3.8% a number consistent with what has comparison,” he added. been seen in countries that have largely been able to Another set of epidemio- keep its health care systems from being overwhelmed. logists say that it could Italy and Spain, two European nations that were hit hard also mean in certain in the second peak of the global pandemic and regions there probably are accounted for larger populations of more vulnerable fewer severely ill cases, people, have a CFR of over 14% and 8%, respectively. leading to faster recovery, “India’s mortality rate is low; under 3%, which means w h i c h n e e d s t o b e analysed.

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mortality is low. Most positive cases do not require hospitalisation, and those needing intensive care is actually a minuscule number. Most people in hospitals have moderate disease with good chances of recovery. The need is to take care of our old and vulnerable population with co-morbidities that is at high risk of developing severe illness,” said Dr Rommel Tickoo, senior consultant, department of internal medicine, Max Healthcare. “Looks like more number of discharges have taken place The government is now in the last two to three weeks. And most of these can be shifting its focus to emer- asymptomatic too, so might discharge faster. The ging hot spots and rural pattern needs to be studied if it’s area specific and what pockets, Niti Aayog’s Paul could be the cause,” says Dr Giridhara Babu, professor, said. epidemiology, Indian Institute of Public Health, Public “Rural India needs special Health Foundation of India. focus because if we have Out of the total active cases currently, 0.28% patients are advantages like low popu- on ventilator, 1.61% require intensive care unit (ICU) lation density and better support, and 2.32% are on oxygen support – trends that surveillance. there are also officials said reflected the level of preparations. challenges like limited ac- “What has also worked for India is that we have been cess to health care facilities prepared well in advance that has ensured our health [in these regions]. The long system is not overwhelmed, and there is buffer, cushion distances can work to our and headroom that helps in saving lives. Faster disadvantage, which is why recoveries are also because of increased testing it is important to ensure because of which we are able to detect cases early and rural areas are not severely act accordingly,” he added. affected. Right now, we are The country’s maximum case load, which is about 80% managing fine, and watch- of the cases, is restricted to 50 districts out of about 740 ing the situation closely. total districts. Experts said this could also indicate that the way Covid is affecting Indians the disease has been established to hit countries with older populations harder may be different from the way it has in countries like Italy and Spain. “This is a good sign that people are getting better and our

20-26 August, 2020 36 National Awareness Times KKR WILL MISS THE CROWD SUPPORT THEY GET AT EDEN GARDENS adjust when the lockdown was imposed, because we were unable to practice outdoors. But I am completely ready now. In fact, I will be happy if there is a match in the next 7 days! I can't wait to get back in action," said Yadav. Talented top-order batsman Shubman Gill was equally pum- ped to get back on the field. "I think we all are really des- perate (to play) because for a long time, we were in our houses and we have only been prepping mentally. We all are really excited. I'm very excited to go out there and express myself,” the 20-year-old said. KKR's Indian pacers Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Sandeep Warrier, olkata Knight Riders skip- ness to our fans," Karthik told the Shivam Mavi and Prasidh per Dinesh Karthik, on KKR website. Krishna stressed on how impor- KFriday, said the lack of "Yes, there will be a bio bubble. tant the next few weeks were extensive training will be a factor Yes, we haven't played or train- going to be for them to get back ahead of the IPL but the two-time ed extensively for the last few in the groove for the season. champions will give their "all" to months. Yes, the road ahead "It won't be an easy year. Playing make their fans proud in the may be full of obstacles. But we cricket after being locked up in event beginning in UAE on promise to give it all," said the house for over 5 months is September 19. Karthik. going to be quite a different Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI KKR will miss the crowd support experience. Punjab players arrived in Dubai, they get at Eden Gardens but "The players will have to be on Thursday, evening while KKR Karthik believes that every inside a bio bubble throughout landed in Abu Dhabi in the night. player will keep the iconic venue the tournament which means The players will be confined to in his heart while playing in the they can't step out beyond their hotel rooms and only after UAE. designated zones, nor they can three rounds of testing they will "We may not be playing this year come in touch with outsiders. begin training for the T20 league at our home Eden Gardens, but Even as friends, we have to shifted to UAE due to the it is where our heart is. As we maintain distance. No hugging, COVID-19 pandemic. embark on our journey to the no high fives,” Prasidh said. "This IPL will be different. What UAE, with slight nervousness "The last four-five months at has happened in the world has and immense enthusiasm, we home have really taught me how pained us deeply and it is surely seek your (fans') blessings." important cricket is for me," a challenge to play cricket. But KKR's chinaman spinner Kul- Warrier pointed out. we understand that when we deep Yadav admitted the lock- Nagarkoti, who missed 2018 play the game, we bring happi- down had taken a toll on him. and 2019 seasons due to inju- "Initially, it was very tough to ries, is also raring to go.

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20-26 August, 2020 38 HEALTH CENTRE National Awareness Times Benefits Of Physical Activity 1. Immediate Benefits. 2. Weight Management. 3. Reduce Your Health Risk. 4. Strengthen Your Bones and Muscles. 5. Improve Your Ability to do Daily Activities and Prevent Falls. 6. Increase Your Chances of Living Longer.

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20-26 August, 2020 40 National Awareness Times

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20-26 August, 2020 42 LEARN & PASS IT ON National Awareness Times

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