THURSDAY 02 APRIL, 2020

morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard twitter.com/TheMornStandard instagram.com/themorningstandard `3,928 Lockdown lift in sight as Cost of a Chennai-Delhi LOCKDOWN rlys, airlines start bookings non-stop flight on April 15 on THREE DIE OF The move comes after the Centre said the 21-day yatra.com COLD IN J&K lockdown will not be extended beyond April 14 IRCTC OPENS ONLINE RESERVATION SYSTEM: “As we have clear indica- Labourers had decided tions that the lockdown will not be extended, we have resumed sale of online tickets,” an walk all they way to home IRCTC official said, adding that this will help passengers plan their travel in advance PAGE 8 A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS l NEW DELHI l J6.00 l PAGES 12

EX GRATIA J&K 1 TABLIGHI Kejriwal govt allots VIRUS LOAD ALL EFFORTS 48 UTTARAKHAND `1 crore for doctors, DELHI 53 48 ARUNACHAL PRADESH 48 UTTAR PRADESH 1 health staff on duty RAJASTHAN 11 81 BIHAR ASSAM 17 TO TRACK ITS JHARKHAND 1 EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi STATES TOLD TO CHECK MADHYA PRADESH 1 SPREAD OF FAKE NEWS 71 WEST BENGAL THE Delhi government on 1,500 GUJARAT PARTICIPATED Wednesday announced that `1 The Centre on Wednesday asked 101 CHHATTISGARH FOOTPRINTS crore will be given as compensa- states and Union Territories to Cabinet secretary tells chief secretaries to tion to the families of those create portals for verifying fake 50 ODISHA INFECTED news related to coronavirus, telling trace all who participated in Nizamuddin health workers, including doc- 1,030 TELANGANA 21 6 tors and nurses, who die while them that the Centre was doing the 252 MAHARASHTRA religious meet; PM to speak with CMs today DEAD treating coronavirus patients. same to keep a check on fake news. The Home ministry also directed “Doctors and medical staff are EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi our frontline warriors in this them to abide by its directives to 1085 ANDHRA PRADESH 70 UK extends fight, risking your lives. So, as a provide food and shelter to migrant doc work visa WITH the threat of Tablighi Jamaat’s Nizamuddin congregation workers during the lockdown. mark of respect to your work, if 1,500 KARNATAKA 1 In a relief to participants spreading the deadly novel coronavirus across the any health worker dies while foreign doctors, country looming large, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on Wednes- treating coronavirus patients, ‘ALLOW NO EXCEPTIONS including from day ordered all authorities to be firm in tracing and taking action the government will provide `1 TO LOCKDOWN’ 1,103 TAMIL NADU 190 India, whose against the Jamaat workers. 395 KERALA 1 crore as compensation to their The Centre has cautioned the 376 new cases visas were set Gauba directed the states and Union Ter- CASH FOR to expire in families, although I hope that states against allowing exceptions India registered 376 cases of ritories to launch on a “war footing” the POOR SOON day does not come, and all our to the lockdown other than those the virus in the last 24 hours. October, the UK contact tracing of all participants of the doctors and staff remain healthy permitted under its guidelines, The spike is primarily due to has extended congregation, adding intensive tracing of With reports of the the deadline by poor and vulnerable and safe,” Chief Minister Arvind saying violations may defeat the Class 10, 12 exams IOC tack on purchases the fallout of the Tablighi all contacts must be ensured in a fail-proof Kejriwal said while addressing a objective of containing COVID-19. Jamaat congregation in Delhi one year manner. sections of the only for 29 subjects IOC has declared force majeure meeting with doctors and medi- The directive in the wake of states Prime Minister Narendra Modi may also society facing “It has been decided that on crude purchases from Saudi Wimbledon hardships in cal staff through video like Kerala and Meghalaya allowing the board conduct exams Arabia, Iraq, UAE and Kuwait, 7 more in Noida hotspot cancelled speak to the Chief Ministers on Thursday conferencing. sale or home delivery of liquor ‘on 7 new coronavirus patients in to take them on board to deal with the accessing foodgrains, for only main subjects as refinery run rates have been Wimbledon the Union Cabinet So far, a total of five doctors health grounds’. that will be required cut down following lockdown Gautam Buddh Nagar in the organisers uphill task of tracing all participants and have tested positive of the virus last 24 hours, total cases 45 those who have come into contact Secretary asked the for promotion and may and oil market crash. A force scrapped the states to implement in Delhi. Of them, two worked at made accommodation arrange- be crucial for higher majeure is an event outside oldest Grand with them. Mohalla clinics. Several patients, ments for doctors from Lok Nay- education,” the CBSE said. reasonable control, which 3.2 lakh quarantine beds Slam tennis During a video-conference call with Chief the Pradhan Mantri suspected to have come in con- ak Hospital and GB Pant Hospi- Also, all class 1-8 students prevents IOC from performing Railways setting up 3.2 lakh tournament for Secretaries and DGPs of all States and Un- Garib Kalyan Yojana tact with the doctors, have been tal at a five-star hotel. All the to be promoted contract obligations isolation and quarantine beds the first time ion Territories, the Cabinet Secretary also within the next week. asked to self quarantine. “The expense will be borne by the asked the State and Union Territories au- “This will involve doctors and health workers Delhi government. thorities to ensure that no other religious large cash transfer should consider me as their During the meeting, health of- groups are holding congregations any- to hundreds of younger brother. You can ap- ficials raised a few issues with where in the country and strict action be beneficiaries,” proach me any time if you are health minister Satyendar taken against them if found doing so, sourc- officials said facing any problem, I will Jain, who was also pre- es said. find a solution. You are put- sent there. The chief min- Many of the attendees have reportedly gone into hiding in vari- ting your life at risk for ister also said he was per- ous parts of the country, complicating matters. other countrymen, we all sonally ensuring that The country’s senior most bureaucrat also ordered registration are grateful for your there is no shortage of of cases against foreign Tablighis for violation of visa norms, ac- service.” Personal Protective cording to sources. Gauba shared the roadmap for the intensive Earlier, the Equipment (PPE) kit contact tracing of Tablighis. “Tracing all the participants of the government for doctors. Nizamuddin Markaz is the top most priority, and the state govern- ments must not lose time,” said a senior government official.

You (doctors and health workers) can approach me any time if you are facing any S GURUMURTHY WRITES ON TABLIGHI problem, I will find a solution. You are putting your life at risk for other Health workers sanitise the area near Nizamuddin in south Delhi, where people had attended a religious congregation JAMAAT - ITS OTHER, EVIL SIDE P7 countrymen, we all are grateful for your service — ARVIND KEJRIWAL, Chief Minister held by Tablighi Jamaat; over 2,000 people were evacuated from the premises of the Markaz | PARVEEN NEGI

Centre drops anti-virals from its recommended list

SUMI SUKANYA DUTTA @ New Delhi Earlier, it had recommended us- with monitoring for side effects.” tion helped 78 out of 80 patients ing the Lopinavir-Ritonavir com- However, they are not recommend- analysed. There was another inde- THE Centre has asked doctors bo for patients with acute respira- ed for children below 12 years, pendent study from China to sup- treating severe patients of corona- tory distress. pregnant and lactating port Hydroxycholoroquine- virus to stop administering anti- “One of the drug is Hy- women. Azithromycin combination. HIV drugs and instead put them droxychloroquine (Dose Sources said the revi- Doctors, meanwhile, said the on a combination of anti-malaria 400 mg twice a day for 1 sion came following a combination should be taken only drug Hydroxycholoroquine and day followed by 200 mg study published in the under close medical supervision. antibiotic Azithromycin. twice a day for 4 days) in New England Journal, “The government seems to have In the revised guidelines, the combination with Azithro- which said anti-HIV drug done a good thing by removing Union health ministry said, “no mycin (500 mg once a day for 5 combination did not work in anti-HIV drug as the evidence in specific antivirals have been prov- days),” said the guideline. “These 199 patients analysed. Another its support was very thin and its en to be effective as per currently drugs should be administered un- study from France said the anti- side effect were harsh,” said Dr available data.” der close medical supervision, malarial and antibiotic combina- Yatin Mehta, Medanata hospital . PEOPLE NEW J&K DOMICILE RULES COVER TAKEN FROM THOSE LIVING IN UT FOR 15 YEARS GURDWARA TO A SANA SHAKIL & FAYAZ WANI tification read. SHELTER HOME IN @ New Delhi/New Delhi Prior to the scrapping of J&K’s NATIONAL CAPITAL special provisions, only perma- NEARLY eight months after scrap- nent residents had exclusive ping the special status of Jammu rights on all government jobs, and Kashmir, the Centre has laid land and property. Besides, chang- down rules to re-define domicile ing the nature of reservation in for J&K, extending it to those who government jobs for locals, the have lived for 15 years in the newly government has majorly broad- created Union Territory. ened the definition of domiciles to The new policy has regional par- include “outsiders”. ties up in arms Earlier last month, when J&K As per the gazette notification Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari issued by the Union Home minis- met Union Home Minister Amit try on late Tuesday night, the defi- Shah, the latter assured of a domi- nition of a J&K resident was al- ganisation (adaptation of state cile policy for J&K that would be tered to include those who have laws) order 2020 comes into force better than of other states. lived there for 15 years, as well as with immediate effect. But the new policy does not cov- those who studied there for at Under the new rules, only low- er all government jobs unlike least seven years and appeared for ranking positions, such as junior states such as Nagaland. Besides Class 10-12 exams. assistant and peon, are reserved Nagaland, some others including DSGMC president Manjinder The domiciled will also include for J&K residents while other jobs Uttarakhand and Himachal Singh Sirsa said 205 people registered migrants and their are open to the people from across Pradesh give its locals reservation staying at the gurdwara were children. It will also include chil- the country. “Subject to the provi- in land rights, educational insti- travellers from Punjab. Both dren of those central government sions of this Act no person shall tutes. While the Centre has given Punjab and Delhi officials, and officials of central be eligible for appointment to a indications on providing similar governments were duly universities and recognized re- post carrying a pay scale of not special benefits to the people of informed about their search institutes who have served more than Level 4 (`25,500) unless J&K, it is yet to issue rules for the presence, he said. in the region for 10 years. he is a domicile of the UT of Jam- same and Tuesday’s order re- The Jammu and Kashmir Reor- mu and Kashmir,” the gazette no- mained silent on this aspect. P8 PAGE 5 Born on this day in 1840 was Emile Zola, you who was the most prominent novelist Did of the 19th century France. He was KNOW? known for his theories of naturalism.

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SHRIMAN SHRIMATI BYOMKESH BAKSHI Keshav Kulkarni is married to Kokila. Their neighbours are The character, Byomkesh Bakshi, initially appeared in the a popular film actress Prema Shalini and her effeminate 1931 story Satyanweshi. It gained pan-India popularity husband Dilruba. Both the men make use of every almost six decades later with a TV series on Doordarshan CLASSIC opportunity to flirt with each others’ wives. with Rajit Kapur portraying Byomkesh. l Cast: Jatin Kanakia, Reema Lagoo, Rakesh Bedi, l Cast: Rajit Kapur and KK Raina Archana Puran Singh l Watch on: DD National l Watch on: DD National l Daily at: 11:00am COMEBACK l Daily at: 2:00pm

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GOING VIRAL Hounded by Police While we all may be getting FDCI sets up COVID-19 Support cabin fever after being cooped up indoors for so long, one Washington man decided that social distancing was for Fund for its own in dire need the dogs, literally, and took his pit bull along on a joyride. ANGELA PALJOR Fashion Week, has also of- ness designers who are The only problem? The man ShantanuANIMAL David looks at some of the strangerFARM news stories from fered us help,” says Sunil struggling. If there is an ex- wasn’t driving, his dog was. AS the country enters the Sethi, Chairman FDCI, who cess of funds, then the sec- across the world, as everyone come to grips with Covid-19 Washington State Patrol said ninth day of the nationwide is overwhelmed by the con- ond part of the initiative will that they had received lockdown, the fashion indus- tributions people are mak- be planned. “Meanwhile, we numerous 911 calls from Fresh off the Goat try has witnessed a drastic ing, and believes that the are approaching the govern- motorists on an inter-state dip in the sales of textiles fashion industry and the peo- ment and ministers, includ- While social media has been highway after a car was seen and apparels, instantly af- ple related to it are compas- ing Smriti Irani, who has abuzz, one might even say a to be driving recklessly, fecting the cash flow. As the sionate. “With no one looking been supportive of the tex- twitter, with images of wild and hitting two other vehicles, industry employs a number for any accolades, this, for tile, design and fashion in- semi-wild animals venturing into though luckily no major of tailors, craftspeople, weav- me, is a noble work. Also, dustry. We are positive that city parks and open spaces as a injuries were reported. After ers, embroiderers, whether FDCI is for, of, and by the de- there will be some help ex- result of lockdowns in so many leading the state troopers on at remote locations or their signers, and in this time of tended by them for the tai- different parts of the world, the a high-speed car chase, the own ateliers, the outcome of dire need, the fraternity has lors, craftsmen, weavers and critters always seem to err on man’s car was finally stopped delayed or cancelled orders, come to show that they embroiderers. Maybe the side of caution, coming in after it ran over spike trips zero sales along with the sala- stand together as one they will suggest us small numbers and sticking to placed on the road. During ries, rentals and utility bills with no differenc- some scheme that areas from which they can the chase, one of the officers that need to be paid, it is hav- es,” he says. will help our de- quickly flee, if disturbed. managed to look inside the ing a huge impact on profes- The initiative signers,” adds Apparently the herd of wild vehicle and realised a dog sionals in this field. will be targeting Sethi, who is goats around the Welsh town of was sitting in the driver’s seat While many designers in the young and hopeful that Llandudno didn’t get that memo while her owner steered. “I’ve goats, not the residents) boldly indignant yelling of the hedge their personal capacity, are small scale busi- such baby steps and virtually took over the small been in a lot of high speed wandered around the main road owners. Interestingly, the Great looking after the wellbeing of will help the town on the coast of Wales over chases, I’ve stopped a lot of and other public areas, even Orme Kashmiri goats, as they are their craftsmen, many small- weavers, tailors cars, and never have I gotten the weekend. More than a dozen clopped up to homes and known, are descendants of North er businesses are not able to and others in the an excuse that they were of the beasts were recorded by enjoyed a light snack of garden Indian goats, meaning they’re withstand the financial blow. industry. town residents as they (the hedges, peppered by the part of the desi diaspora. Jai Ho! teaching their dog how to Keeping the seriousness of drive,” state patrol the situation in mind, the FDCI is for, of, spokeswoman Heather Fashion Design Council of and by the Axtman told CNN. While the Doggy Day Care with city NGOs. “It’s sad to India (FDCI) has taken the designers, and in see animals and birds going owner has been taken into lead in setting up a COVID-19 The Covid-19 outbreak hungry... so, we have custody, the dog is being Support Fund to provide fi- this time of dire and its resultant initiated a few steps,” JMC fostered by an animal shelter, nancial assistance to small shutdowns have pending the results of the need, the Commissioner Vijay Pal businesses and young design- fraternity has drastically altered the Singh told IANS, noting trial. ers in need. lives of people from all that the outbreak has “The FDCI board agreed come to show walks of life, with effects created a huge problem of with the idea of having a sup- that they trickling down to our furry arranging food for humans port fund. The board and I brethren. One of these as well as animals. “The are putting in the seed funds stand issues is food for stray Jaipur Municipal to get this rolling. And even together as animals like dogs, cats, and Corporation has pitched though we haven’t asked for one with no birds, which usually rely on in to take care of these animals any contribution yet, many the kindness of city-dwellers In the capital of so that they don’t starve to designers have offered their differences for their sustenance. However, Rajasthan, the Jaipur Municipal death,” he said, adding that help without expecting any- Sunil Sethi, with everyone on lock down, and Corporation is taking steps to apart from the chapatis, thing in return. Nitin Passi, Chairman, Fashion food supplies scarce, the scraps correct this, by supplying around birdfeed is being arranged in Director Lotus Herbals Pvt Design Council they survive on are scarcer still. 15,000 chapatis daily, in tandem collaboration with donors. Ltd, the title sponsor of our of India

GOOD SAMARITAN

EXPRESS FEATURES ensure that sufficient quanti- value of human contact. I ties of our products are made LIFE IN QUARANTINE have been writing emails and THE ongoing nationwide available in the market,” said sending WhatsApp messages lockdown and stay at home ad- Amrinder Singh, Director, to be in personal touch with visory by the government in Bonn Group of Industries. my team and keep their spir- the wake of COVID-19 pan- Rebel Foods, Sequoia-invest- its up. We are in touch with demic has hit the poor and ed global parent brand to Faa- our customers through social daily wage labourers the most sos, Behrouz Biryani, Oven media and our website, an- as they struggle to make ends Story, The Good Bowl and swer their questions and sug- meet. With work completely more, got a call a couple of gest beauty solutions. drying up, these migrant days back in the late evening, Through social media, we workers are left with almost mentioning that 1,125 migrant have highlighted our hand no savings or ration to survive workers trying to return home sanitisers and worked out this dire situation. However, from Delhi were stuck at ISBT, special offers. Our regular different organisations are without transport, food, water columns also offer beauty so- taking the initiative to or shelter. Rebel immedi- lutions and thus maintain the feed the stranded and ately took the step of brand identity. needy. getting nine of However bad a situation is, As part of the their kitchens in there is always a positive side. initiative, the Rohini, Ra- For decades now, I have been team of start- jouri Garden, leading such a fast, hectic life up Homefoo- Dwarka, that I hardly had any time for di distributed Kalkaji, Sari- myself. Now, suddenly, I have

Feeding Write to us on [email protected] with your name and contact number home-cooked ta Vihar, Vas- ‘me time’. So, I am doing meals to the ant Kunj, Def things that put me back in workers the needy Col, Shalimar touch with myself, like paint- stranded at the Bagh and ing and writing poetry. I am Ghazipur Mukherjee Na- also spending quality time border. gar to prepare food with my husband, listening to Mona Dahiya, Co- for all of these Shahnaz Husain is spending her time t seems as if my life is on music and chatting. During Founder and Director, workers. painting at home hold. Everything has this difficult time, let us be pa- Homefoodi, said, “We fed changed and I am going ‘SUDDENLY, tient and pray that this dread- around 1,000 people on Satur- Hilton Salutes heroes through a totally new experi- ed disease will soon be behind day and the same initiative To salute the spirit of heroes Ience! This is a totally un- us. Let us give a thought to the was repeated on Sunday. We working to fight the COVID-19, precedented situation. The I HAVE ME TIME’ underprivileged and how we shared the same on Homefoo- Hilton Garden Inn, Guru- health crisis has thrown the can help them. I appeal to eve- di’s social media platforms gram, Baani Square, lit up the entire world out of gear. home. I appreciate each of my how to encourage team work. ryone to ‘Stay at Home’ and which persuaded more ho- hotel with a heart. GM Jai Before closing the offices, As the head of a business employees, I value their work These days, we cannot have heed the advice of doctors mechefs to join the initiative. Chugh said, “The health and I had emailed a circular house, apart from protecting and I am thankful for their office meetings or face-to-face and the government. It is our Now, the team has a higher well being of our guests, team to all employees about myself from coronavirus, I support. consultations. Fortunately, duty. I am sure together we number of homechefs willing members and all who visit the am responsible for protecting The thought of the econom- we have the facility of video shall overcome these dark to support. We are now plan- hotel is our highest priority. the basic precautions the health of thousands of ic crisis we would face conferencing and with appli- days and welcome the sunrise ning to do it on a regular basis We have also increased the fre- they must take like my employees as well. Before dawned upon me a little later. cations like Skype and Zoom of a new day. till things get better.” quency of cleaning our public closing the offices, I had When you are running your things are working out just Meanwhile, Bonn Group of areas (including lobbies, ele- washing hands, using emailed a circular to all em- own enterprise, you must find fine. Personally, I am not get- Shahnaz Husain, an Industries donated 32,000 vators, door handles, etc.) and hand sanitisers, ployees about the basic pre- ways of dealing with the dif- ting swept away by the tidal international beauty icon and packets of bread and burgers have continued the use of hos- maintaining social cautions they must take like ferent kinds of crisis that we wave of appointments and Founder & CMD of The to people and kids suffering pital-grade disinfectant.” washing hands, using hand may encounter. meetings! Shahnaz Husain Group, from illness and living away distancing and staying sanitisers, maintaining social Everyone is stressed and One thing I have realised spoke to Rajkumari from home, at IP exten- at home. distancing and staying at the biggest challenge I face is during this lockdown is the Sharma Tankha sion in New Delhi and Ludhiana. “We are func- tioning with 50 per cent of our workforce keep- ing with government ad- visories. But at the same time, we are working to Banking on digital approach to life after Covid-19

EXPRESS FEATURES of Finance, talks about finch cording to Phadke with social future of finance in one startups offering deep in- distancing and careful net- swoop.” THE ongoing lockdown in In- sights to the reader in terms working becoming new norm, He also gives a lowdown on dia and almost every other of the future of money. notes as a medium of ex- the title of the book. “The country on planet to counter The book lists down major change hardly remain rele- long form of the book title, the Covid-19 pandemic has issues with current banking vant, and so does bank the Digital DNA of Finance brought home the message of and financial system, the cheques. “Starting with elec- was rather prosaic, as every- a fundamentally different fu- global financial crisis and in- tronic wallets that became one hunts for the elusive RNA ture upon us. When Fintech equality eating into the fabric popular over a few years with based virus. The physical Future was readying for re- of democracy and capitalism. Banks and Fintechs embrac- world is fast looking for the lease in early 2020, I thought It furthermore includes sto- ing mobile phone equivalent of antivirus in cy- about this book more as a far ries of successful Fintech and the Big ber security applications,” away future, or at least a me- startups and treads a Techs (Micro- adding, “While there will be dium term like a few years. growth journey of fin- soft, Apple, short term solution like vac- That’s why I had put the epi- tech startups from Sili- Amazon, Al- cines, lasting changes will logue with space travels. The con Valley to Indian cit- ibaba and come through healthier life- Book Details events in last month however ies in the creation of others) pret- styles and increasingly digi- Fintech Future: The Digital have sent shocks around this new financial services. ty much mak- tal approach to life. This book DNA of Finance planet, and in a sense fast for- Speaking with an ex- ing every as- chronicles the increasing warded the future,” points au- perience of over 20 pect of life coupling of technology and By: Sanjay Phadke thor Sanjay Phadke whose years in banking and digital, coro- finance, zooming onto future Publisher: SAGE India Homefoodi distributing home-cooked meals; (Inset) As a salute to the heroes recently-released book Fin- financial servic- navirus bring with AI/ML, blockchain that fighting the COVID-19, Hilton Garden Inn, Gurugram, lit up the hotel with a heart tech Future: The Digital DNA es, ac- forward the maybe already upon us.” Price: J450, Pages: 232 Sanjay Phadke ALMANAC TODAY MIN MAX Sunrise 6.10 am 0 0 Thursday: 02/04/2020 Year: Shaarvari Panguni: Valar Pirai Chaitra: Shukla 17 C 31 C Sunset 6.40 pm Paksha. Tithi: avami till 26- 43hrs. Nakshatra (Star)– Punarvasu till 19-29 hrs. Moonrise 12.26 pm Moon in Mithun till 13- 33hrs. Today is Sri Ram Navami. Rahukaalam: 13:30-15:00 CITY FORECAST Yamagantam: 06:00-07:30 Gulikakalam: 09:00-10:30 WEATHER Clear skies Moonset 2.43 am

NEW DELHI THURSDAY 04 02 l04l2020 morningstandard in thesundaystandard com

TRACKING COVID-19 143 6 Admitted Discharged 2 1 Death CASES 152 Migrated

HOSPITAL TOTAL PATIENTS POSITIVE ADMITTED CASES RML 13 3 SJH 43 22 LNH 219 10 RGSSH 149 57 GTBH 101 3 DDUH 38 6 BSAH 24 2 LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED AIIMS Jhajjar 118 11 Delhi Municipal Corporation workers sanitise a slum area to combat spread of the coronavirus in the national capital (left), Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel distribute food among the needy during the nationwide Others - 29 lockdown in the wake of coronavirus pandemic | SHEKHAR YADAV & PTI North MCD not to renew TESTING contract of certain doctors The North Delhi Municipal Corporation has decided More PPE kits not to renew the contract of doctors working at Four more city doctors test positive civic body-run Hindu Rao Hospital after some medical staff expressed a desire to leave the to be available Two from Safdarjung, one each from SVBPH & DSCI, none have any international travel history hospital. The matter came to light after an order, a copy of which the reporter had seen stated that no for hospitals EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi ical staff including doctors and partments to sanitise the prem- Minister Satyendar Jain. resignation of staff was to be accepted because of nurses are currently being kept ises. Those who came in contact While the doctor is being ad- COVID-19 outbreak. “In view of COVID-19 pandemic soon: Kejriwal FOUR more doctors associated at an isolation ward. with the doctor are also mitted at the Dr Baba Saheb outbreak those doctors or nurses who are giving with different city-based hospi- While 21 doctor and being quarantined. Ambedkar Hospital his wife and their resignation from Hindu Rao Hospital, their SOMRITA GHOSH @ New Delhi tals tested positive for the corona- nurses from Safdarjung “A doctor working at child have also been admitted to resignation will not be accepted and their name virus on Wednesday. While one are being quarantined, Delhi State Cancer Insi- Lok Nayak hospital. According to will be sent to DMC office and Nursing Council of LACK of availability of PPE doctor is associated with the Del- 17 from Ram Manohar titute has tested positive officials, the doctor has neither India to take disciplinary action against them,” kits for medical staff and the hi State Cancer Institute (DSCI), Lohia have also been for COVID-19. He visited an foreign travel history nor was reads the letter. According to sources, a medical need for quicker testing facili- two are working at Safdarjung kept in isolation. his brother’s house re- he treating any COVID-19 patient. staff sighting family issues had offered resignation. ties for COVID-19 cases were Hospital and another is working Following the report cently who returned The source of the infection is yet again highlighted by health at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel hos- of a COVID-19 positive from the UK a few days to be identified. fraternity experts to Chief pital (SVBPH). case at DSCI, authorities back. The hospital has Earlier, two more doctors both Case registered over buses Minister Arvind Kejriwal. According to officials one of have suspended the hospital’s been shut for today and is being husband and wife working in mo- On Wednesday, the CM had the doctor at Safdarjung is from out-patient clinics and other de- disinfected,” said Delhi Health halla clinics and their daughter carrying migrant workers held a video conference with the pulmonary medicine depart- had tested positive. While one of A case has been registered in connection with the the doctors and staffs from dif- ment who was treating Corona A doctor working at DSCI has tested positive for COVID-19. He visited his them had his clinic at Maujpur, use of DTC and cluster buses to carry migrant ferent hospitals to listen to patients. Following the incident, brother’s house recently who returned from UK. The hospital has been his wife would sit at Babarpur workers leaving the city to Anand Vihar ISBT amid their concerns. Most of the as a precautionary measure med- shut for today and is being disinfected — Satyendar Jain, Health minister mohalla clinic. the lockdown due to COVID-19 outbreak, police doctors echoed the same con- said on Wednesday. The case was registered at cern; Kejriwal too acknowl- Shakarpur police station in East Delhi based on the edged that the city needs more complaint of a policeman. “We have registered the testing facilities to tackle the Govt hospital case under various sections of IPC and the Disaster virus outbreak. Management Act, 2005,” said a senior police “We are thankful that the in Dwarka may officer. “This act on the part of bus drivers/ government is considering conductors and operations head of DIMTS C K our request of more obtaining Goyal and other government servants who are PPEs. We are also grateful that be turned in to responsible for it, had committed an offence under the government has offered to Sections 269, 270, 271 and 188 of IPC and Section provide `1 crore as compensa- quarantine hub 55 of Disaster Management Act,” reads the FIR. tion to the family of medical personnel who might lose SOMRITA GHOSH @ New Delhi their life fighting this virus outbreak. However, a concern IN order to tackle the rising of all doctors is that many cas- cases of COVID-19 in the na- 1,000 MOVEMENT es are coming with complaints tional capital, the Delhi Gov- of fever and ernment is likely to come up PASSES ISSUED cough. Obtain- with a dedicated quarantine Eight days since the nation went into lockdown, police in the ing results of facility in Dwarka. national capital have been working tirelessly to ensure that these cases are As per sources, the plan is to lockdown measures are implemented and followed taking time. convert the 2,500 bedded super Therefore, we speciality hospital under state request for the government into a quarantine testing facility facility. During the Delhi As- at GTB Hospital or anywhere Medical staff at Lok Nayak Jayprakash Hospital wear protective gear as a precaution in the wake of the virus outbreak in New Delhi on sembly budget held last else to fast track the testing Wednesday. Currently, 10 patients with COVID-19 are being treated at the hospital | ANIL SHAKYA month, Deputy Chief Minister process,” said Dr Sunil Kumar, Manish Sisodia had said that 249 4,053 515 1,022 Medical Superintendent, GTB the construction work of the Cases People Vehicles Passes Hospital. Another doctor from Indira Gandhi Hospital (IGH) registered detained impounded issued the same hospital raised the Tablighi event attendee tries to at Dwarka is at an advanced same issue that since test re- stage. Data for 1.4.20, till 5 pm ports take around two days to The bed capacity of the arrive it increases the risk of Dwarka hospital along with medical staff. end life, hospital raises concern two more new hospitals in Bu- 2 arrested without curfew Kejriwal during the confer- rari and Ambedkar Nagar ence said that a lack of testing EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi “We are facing particular chal- from abroad and their family were also increased last year. passes for feeding pigeons facility is a major challenge. lenge in regard with patients who members are not here due to the While the land for IGH was Two men who drove around six kilometres to feed “Testing is the key to dealing A man who had attended a reli- are brought here from the lockdown. bought back in 1997, the con- pigeons on the Lala Lajpat Rai flyover in southeast with coronavirus, this has gious gathering — Tablighi Markaz. One such patient tried to Kejriwal said the food issue struction started in2014, as per Delhi’s Nizamuddin area were arrested for not been across other countries as Jamaat Markaz — in Delhi’s Ni- commit suicide by jumping from will be solved soon, and the pa- government records. Initially possessing curfew passes amid the lockdown well. The more testing, the bet- zamuddin area recently tried to the balcony today, doctors saved tients will be provided food of supposed to be imposed, police said on Wednesday. The accused ter and easier to isolate and commit suicide on Wednesday. him, but security is a challenge at quality. Speaking about the secu- a 750 bedded have been identified as Sadik Khan and Sarvan stop further spread. We are The man tried to jump off the the hospital,” said BL Sherwal rity arrangement, the chief min- hospital, the Kumar Choudhary, residents of Nizamuddin area. trying our best to adress this window of the isolation ward at from the hospital. ister said it will be resolved after AAP led gov- On Tuesday afternoon, the duo in their car reached issue. Many hospitals are not Delhi’s Rajeev Gandhi Super Spe- Kejriwal assured the hospital a discussion with the home ernment de- the flyover and started feeding the pigeons, yet being permitted by the cen- cialty Hospital. officials of adequate security. secretary. cided to in- following which a crowd of 10-12 people gathered. tre, but we are pursuing them During an interaction with The hospital staff also request- According to the Delhi govern- crease its The crowd dispersed when the police arrived but and hope that soon some Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, ed the CM to provide the patients ment, the entire Markaz premis- capacity they were nabbed and their vehicle seized,’a senior breakthrough will happen doctors of the hospital raised food of five-star hotels that are es was cleared after a 36-hour which led to delay in its open- police officer said. They run a restaurant and didn’t soon,” he said. their concern over the incident. being served to the doctors. evacuation work. After which, ing for public service. have any curfew pass. They were arrested under Taking a note on the request The doctors told Kejriwal that the In addition, Sherwal told the 2,361 people were evacuated from “These are all in pipeline. It the relevant sections of the IPC, police added. for kits, CM added that many people who had attended the con- chief minister that they were the venue. Of which, a total of 317 depends upon how much de- agencies have been already gregation are not cooperating finding it difficult to hand over people have been shifted to a hos- mand for beds there will be in paid and more PPE kits are with the hospital’s food the body of the deceased from pital and the rest were sent to the near future. We are stead- likely to be available soon. facilities. coronavirus as some of them are quarantine facilities. ily increasing our quarantine 1,000+ phone calls in a day facilities. We don’t have a fo- cus on at any particular build- The Delhi Police 24x7 helpline number (23469526) set up to ing, we are targeting those resolve issues related to lockdown has been in high demand where work can be quickly Fire tenders may be used to sprinkle disinfectants completed,” said an official. Meanwhile, the state gov- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi ernor Anil Baijal instructed Delhi Fire Service chief Atul video conferencing in which ernment had on Tuesday come 27 that fire brigade service may be Garg said that at present the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, up with six more dedicated Calls related to THE authorities making efforts used for disinfecting vulnerable agency owns about 150 fire ten- Deputy Chief Minister Manish hospitals in wake of COVID-19 8,303 lack of food/money to curtail the outbreak of corona- neighbourhoods. However, disin- ders, which can be used. Sisodia and senior officials cases. These are Lok Nayak, Total calls virus may use fire tenders of fection should be done under the “No order has been issued yet. of Delhi government also GB Pant, Rajiv Gandhi Super received so far Delhi Fire Service (DFS) to sprin- overall supervision of the We need to strategise. Whenever participated. Speciality Hospital, Deen Day- 29 kle disinfectants in certain ar- District Disaster Manage- it is decided adequate arrange- Baijal further directed district al Upadhyay Hospital, BR eas, especially around hot ment Authority ments will be made,” he said. administration and Delhi Police Ambedkar Hospital and GTB Calls related to spots like Nizamuddin Basti (DDMA), Baijal added. The meeting was held through to visit all shelters and food dis- Hospital. medical emergencies area, quarantine centres, tribution centres to check adher- and other public places. ence to social distancing norms. These are all in pipeline. It During a review meeting Enforcing social distancing “If such places are crowded all depends upon how of lockdown enforcement Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal directed district then alternate arrangements much demand for beds 1,053 696 and medical preparedness administration and Delhi Police to visit all shelters and food should be immediately made to there will be in the near Calls received between 31.3.20 Calls related to because of COVID 19 on distribution centres to check adherence to social distancing ensure proper social distancing,” future. We are steadily increasing our quarantine facilities. (2 pm) to 1.4.20 (2 pm) movement passes Wednesday, Delhi norms. This directive also includes places such as ATMs said the official statement issued Lieutenant Gov- and public areas among others. by L-G office. — Delhi government official CITY IN NUMBERS new coronavirus patients were detected in Noida and Greater Noida, taking the total number of COVID-19 10 cases in Gautam Buddh Nagar district to 48. NEW DELHI THURSDAY 05 02 l04l2020 morningstandard in thesundaystandard com ‘Tracking phones of people under quarantine’

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi

IN order to control the movement restrictions im- posed on those living in quarantine in the national capital, the Delhi govern- ment on Wednesday an- nounced that their phones are being traced to ascertain their location. “We have decided that we will trace down the COVID suspects with the help of the police. Around 11,084 phone numbers were handed over to the police yesterday and today 14,345 will be sent to them, to trace whether the people are been adhering to the quarantine rules. After A DTC bus filled with the evacuees from Gurdwara Majnu Ka Tila leaves for a government school in Nehru Vihar where they will be quarantined; policemen keep watch as a man leaves the gurdwara premises on Wednesday | PTI the police reports are re- ceived, stringent actions will be taken against those who did not adhere to the or- ders” said CM Arvind Kejri- Transmission scare: 200+ evacuated from gurdwara wal during his briefing on the city’s novel The move came a day after thousands were moved out of Nizamuddin Markaz, the Tablighi Jamaat headquarters in south Delhi coronavirus situation. The gov- PARVEZ SULTAN @ New Delhi south Delhi. from Noida, Faridabad, and no help was extended to rescue Vihar,” he said. were accommodated in the gur- ernment Manjinder Singh Sirsa, pres- Gurugram on March 27. We the over 200 people. “People of However, a senior Delhi Po- dwara on March 27 and since also in- OVER 200 people from Punjab ident, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara have provided them food and all religions stayed at the gurd- lice official, privy to the shift- then the committee has been formed that staying at Gurdwara Majnu Ka Management Committee shelter. They were being exam- wara,” Sirsa reiterated in his ing operation, said the action appealing governments to help 10 lakh people Tila in north Delhi for five days (DSGMC), said over 200 per- ined by doctors twice – morn- appeal on Twitter. came following a tip off. stranded travellers. “We sent have been identi- were relocated to a shelter set sons staying at the gurdwara ing and in the evening,” “We had sent informa- “The joint-operation with information about them to gov- fied in the capital who do up in a government school on were not pilgrims but travel- he said. tion to Punjab govern- district magistrate was carried ernments on March 28 and 29. not have ration cards but are Wednesday with the help of lers from Punjab and both gov- People staying in ment. I have tweeted out following the initiative of When they were removed today, poor and they can apply on- Delhi Police and district ernments —Punjab and Delhi gurdwara were mainly this to Punjab Chief Delhi Police. A team had come we got a call from Punjab CM line for ration cards and administration. — were duly informed about Hindu families, 80 Minister Amarinder to know about 200 people stay- office to ensure helping them,” once they register food will The shifting came close on their presence. Sikhs and rest were Singh on very next day ing at the gurdwara. They have said Sirsa. be supplied to them during the heels of evacuation of more “They have come to the place Christians, said DSGMC when they arrived. Final- now been quarantined at a He further said as Delhi gov- the ongoing lockdown. Local than 2,000 devout stranded at in hope to board a bus to return president. ly, Delhi government and po- school being used as shelter ernment had requested MLAs have been asked to Markaz, the headquarters of to Punjab but they couldn’t Sirsa, also national spokes- lice came to the gurdwara to- and food distribution centre,” DSGMC to arrange three-time help identify such people Tablighi Jamaat (a preaching hence had taken shelter in the person of Shiromani Akali Dal day morning and occupants said the official and refused to meal for the evacuees,the com- and get them registered. group) cum lodging facility in gurdwara. They are not pil- (SAD), said despite repeated were quarantined in a nearby divulge more details. mittee would continue to pro- Additionally, the govern- Nizamuddin Basti area of grims but travellers who came appeals to Punjab government, government school in Nehru According to Sirsa, people vide food. ment announced that around 35,000 construction workers have been given `5,000 each as a relief meas- ure to survive this the pan- Mosques, houses raided; many sent to isolation demic. “An amount of `16.18 crore has been given to the EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi been traced and evacuated and mosques in Lal Quila area. from Brazil, Indonesia, Malay- registered construction from two mosque — Badi and An FIR under the epidemic sia and other countries have workers. The government A day after a massive evacua- Choti Masjid — located in Act has also been registered been evacuated from Sadar Ba- will soon give assistance to tion of 2,400 people from the Hauz Rani’s and Sangam Vi- against two house owners for zaar’s Gali Gadaiya Wali Mas- nearly 9,000 workers as well coronavirus hotspot in Niza- har mosque. providing accommodation to jid on Wednesday. According whose applications are still muddin area, the Delhi Police Besides, 42 other foreigners the foreigners, who had taken to the police, these people have pending,” it said. raided several mosques across have been quarantined inside party in the congregation. been shifted to a quarantine Noting that it is the begin- the city on Wednesday and the Jama Masjid in Old Delhi The police said 13 foreigners facility in Sarai Rohilla. ning of the month, the city sent many, including foreign Raids were also conducted government has also decid- nationals who participated in in Chandini Chowk, Seelam- ed to issue two passes each the Tablighi Jamaat Markaz to Many people have been sent to quarantine facilities at different pur, Babarpur, Gokalpuri and to employers for the next quarantine facilities. places, while some have been quarantined inside mosques. These Shahdara. In Wazirabad, 13 In- two days, so that they can re- areas and mosques have been sealed About 36 foreign nationals donesians have been evacuat- lease the payments online to from South Delhi district has a Delhi Police official ed and quarantined. their employees.

SOUTH DISTRICT Mohammad Hasim Ansari runs a roadside shop which doubles as his home | EXPRESS SLUM DWELLERS COMPLAIN At virus hotspot, OF POOR QUALITY MEALS Delhi Police flags off patrol RITWIKA MITRA @ New Delhi bikes to spread awareness

EVEN though the Delhi gov- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE ple to follow the lock down and homeless believe ernment is claiming to have @ New Delhi remain at home and to ensure left no stone unturned during personal hygiene. The bikes this lockdown due to COV- TO ensure a stricter lockdown, will also ensure strict checking ID-19 outbreak to help the the Delhi Police on Wednesday at border pickets, prosecution this too shall pass masses, people seem to be dis- launched 40 special COVID-19 of people violating the rules, satisfied with the distribu- patrol motorcycles to create and suspicious vehicles. RITWIKA MITRA @ New Delhi where I work,” said Shaheen. tion of food. awareness among the people “In order to adopt strict so- Sitting on the stairs of the Sheher Singh pulls out about the pandemic cial distancing and AS large parts of Nizamuddin subway, Mubarak said, ‘life will two packages of rotis, which and ensure restricted isolation measures to West remained cordoned off go on as usual’. people donated at an infor- movement of people contain the spread of and media vans thronged the Near Nizamuddin Railway mal settlement in Tu- in the city. COVID-19 and imple- Hazrat Nizamuddin police sta- station, Prem Chand who lives ghlaqabad. This would see The special patrol The bikes will mentation of the or- tion on Wednesday afternoon, on the streets said there is little him and his family with five bikes, launched in the help us seek der of lockdown in the Mohammad Hasim Ansari liv- to lose in life. “There is no kids through, he said. south district, are cooperation of the whole of territorial ing near the subway along with threat. What other threat can “But I cannot eat the kh- a first-of-its-kind citizens in jurisdiction of NCT of his family remained seemingly we have in our lives? We rely on ichdi being distributed by initiative. complying with Delhi up to 14.04.2020, unfazed. people to get food,” he said. the Delhi government. We “#COVIDPatrol the prohibitory various initiatives orders and With the Tabligh-e-Jamaat’s Monu, a differently-abled are not used to eating rice The Delhi government is distributing food in over 300 government schools for Bikes by Team South informing them have been taken to Markaz in Nizamud- person, wheeled off daily. And how can they dis- free during the ongoing lockdown | EXPRESS will ensure that that any violation break the chain of din West being linked Locked out his wheelchair saying tribute such poor-quality kh- #21daysLockdown is will be dealt with spread of this dis- to at least seven COV- he did not understand ichdi during this period?” If many people do not turn tribution said, “When there enforced through legally. ease,” said ACP Atul ID-19 deaths, and over Munna from what he ‘should be said Singh. up at the school, the authori- is excess food, we distribute awareness and prose- Kumar Thakur, South 440 people showing MP’s Chattarpur afraid of ’. Children and the elderly in ties go and distribute it in in- the rest in near-by clusters. cution and that strict Atul Kumar Thakur, District. ACP South District symptoms, the area district said he In the streets the settlement sharply refuse formal settlements. But people have pointed action is taken against The bikes will help has emerged as a vi- got stuck after around Nizamuddin to eat rice-based food too. The government, along out they cannot keep eating those who violate the us seek cooperation of rus hotspot. he came to and on the flyover, An agitated young woman, with civil society organisa- khichdi. On days, there are rules as #DelhiPoliceFights- the citizens in complying with But Ansari is not recover his stuck migrant work- Geeta — who has three sons tions, is also distributing other items like kadhi chaw- COVID,” read a tweet by DCP the prohibitory orders and in- worried. “I have been wages from his ers and destitute said — wondered aloud why the food in settlements which do al, rajma chawal. The sup- South Delhi Twitter account. forming them that any viola- living here since 1986. contractor in the they were not afraid. poor is expected to eat ‘half- not have night shelters or plies are over quickly,” said The main objective of these tion will be dealt with legally. I am confident this capital for the “We are already so dis- cooked’ food. schools near them. But Mathur. motorcycles are regular patrol- These bikes have been tasked will all pass soon…,” work he did in advantaged. We do not “The announcements the beneficiaries have At a senior secondary ling, announcements about the especially to enforce the direc- he said eating his Chennai. “There feel scared,” said Mo- said the poor will receive questioned the quality school in Badarpur, a physi- spread of novel coronavirus tions issued by the administra- lunch. He almost rhe- is no work. I did hammed Mehraj, a donations from the gov- of food. cal training teacher echoed and lockdown to warn the peo- tion, added Thakur. torically reassures not have any differently-abled ernment. Is this what Abhinandita Mathur, similar views. “The problem himself the ‘virus will money to buy person. we get? We are not advisor to Delhi’s is almost every other day not spread further.’ tickets,” he said Munna from Mad- rice eaters. And, Deputy Chief Min- they are giving people just “But there is loss… hya Pradesh’s Chat- why should we eat ister Manish Siso- khichdi,” he said. we are incurring lot of losses tarpur district said he got stuck half-cooked food? dia and currently The government is trying since the day of shutdown. We after he came to recover his Is it the middle- supervising the re- to work on an improved are eating from whatever little wages from his contractor in men who are ben- lief operations, menu, said Mathur. we have saved,” said Ansari the capital for the work he did efitting?” said said the Delhi gov- “We have got feedback that who runs a small roadside shop in Chennai. “He said once there Geeta. ernment is trying there are complaints on rep- which doubles as his home. is fresh work, he will give me Amid the lock- to draw out a mech- etition. We are monitoring Shaheen, who lives near the wages. There was no work and down due to COV- anism to pack rotis quality and we contact the subway too, said she does not then the lockdown happened. I ID-19 outbreak, the to be distributed kitchen to tell them about the feel any threat from whatever did not have any money to buy Delhi government among people. quality. We will also try to in- she has been hearing about the tickets,” said Munna who now is distributing food Nitu Mathur of clude pickle and salad with outbreak. “But today police did lives on the Nizamuddin from over 300 gov- Civil Defence, posted at khichdi, with other nutri- not let me enter the house flyover. ernment schools. the school for food dis- tious items,” added Mathur. The COVID patrol bikes launched for the capital’s south district | TWITTER Desire is the memory of pleasure and fear is the memory of pain. Nisargadatta Both make the mind restless Maharaj NEW DELHI THURSDAY 06 02 l04l2020 THE MORNING STANDARD morningstandard in thesundaystandard com

INDIAN EXPRESS IS NOT AN OPINION INDUSTRY. IT IS A MISSION. G KRISHNA KUMAR ICT professional and columnist based — Ramnath Goenka in Bengaluru. Views are personal Email: [email protected]

MORE COMMITMENT While remote learning and remote working are a reality now, a big challenge is the speed of FROM PRIVATE internet connectivity across cities and towns SECTOR IS NEEDED s more Covid-19 cases come to the sur- face, our public health system is COVID: NEED FOR strained to breaking point. Doctors in state and municipal hospitals are IMPROVED NET Acomplaining of lack of protective gear and medicines. After a ward boy in a INFRASTRUCTURE private hospital in Patna tested positive for AMIT BANDRE coronavirus, the stepmotherly treatment being accorded to paramedic staff has come rime Minister Narendra positives like reduced traffic are actively involved in bring- nificantly. Reports suggest vid- ranked higher. In fixed line to the fore. Many are forced to work with Modi’s 21-day lockdown notifi- and environmental benefits. ing alignment between indus- eo streaming contributes to broadband, downlink speeds in raincoats as protective gear! The frontline cation to ensure social distanc- Perhaps the government try and government in enabling about 75% of the data con- India are about 39 Mbps com- requires protective gear, testing kits and ing and prevent the spread of should mandate an annual “re- remote working. sumed on Indian mobile net- pared to 203 Mbps in Singapore the coronavirus has resulted in mote working week”. While industries are trying works. In order to reduce the and 103 Mbps in China. ventilators to revive the sick. The Centre businesses and educational in- Over the past 10 years, the to adapt to the changing situa- stress on mobile networks, OTT The current situation should and states are leading the battle, but it is P stitutions shutting down. This tech landscape has significant- tion, universities and educa- players like Netflix, Amazon serve as a warning for the gov- time the private sector mobilised too. means employees and students ly improved for employees to be tional institutions have started Prime, Hotstar among others ernment and telecom sector. In- There has been a steady trickle of com- are dependent on the internet productive irrespective of their virtual classrooms. The con- have agreed to scale down their dia could have been better pre- mitments. The Tata Group has pledged to be productive while staying location. There are many soft- cept of virtual classroom was video streaming from high defi- pared had a rapid fibre optic `1,500 crore to buy protective gear and home. With most people con- ware applications for promot- spearheaded in May 2012 by nition (HD) to standard defini- network been deployed as envi- nected to the web for entertain- ing collaborative working. Or- The current Massachusetts Institute of tion (SD) on mobile networks sioned in the National Digital testing equipment. ITC has set up a con- ment and social networking, ganisations’ ability to accept Technology and Harvard Uni- during the lockdown period. Communications Policy 2018. tingency fund of `150 crore. Reliance In- situation should the data bandwidth required is and promote remote working serve as a versity with the MOOC (mas- While SD consumes about Lack of a strong optical fibre dustries is contributing `500 crore to the huge. Is our internet infra- calls for a shift in mindset. The warning for the sive open online courses) plat- 0.7GB data per hour, HD and 4K network also puts the superfast privately registered PM-CARES Fund. structure good enough to han- present lockdown would test government and form edX, which boasts 2 crore streaming would consume any- 5G network plans in jeopardy. Holistically, the private sector’s contribu- dle the surge? Before we delve the maturity of organisations telecom sector. students globally taking over where between 4 and 10 times The telecom sector’s financial tion so far is just `2,700 crore, a pittance into this, let us understand and employees alike. In addi- India could have 2,200 courses online. Virtual more than SD. BSNL’s work@ stress due to mounting debts how people are gearing up for tion, we could witness a shift classrooms are a boon for the home, a one-month free land- only adds to the woes of telcos compared to the task at hand. The private been better remote working/learning. towards uberisation of the prepared had a educational system in the coun- line broadband connection, is a and their inability to upgrade sector also needs to keep salaries flowing While the concept of work- workforce—freelance work as try, especially during such good initiative to encourage their infrastructure. Govern- to their employees, especially casual rapid fibre optic ing from home or home office (a opposed to permanent jobs. Es- network been shutdowns. In fact, this lock- people to shift from mobile to ments have not been able to re- workers, even where production has term more popular in Europe) sentially, experts are hired on a deployed as down should provide a trigger landline broadband. duce the tax and levies on telcos, has been around for decades, it need basis for specific tasks, for educational institutions to Even if we ignore the current among the highest in the world. stopped. In this regard, L&T setting up a envisioned in the has not gained popularity in In- and they mostly work from re- wholeheartedly support virtu- surge in data consumption as The internet has become a `500 crore fund for paying casual workers National Digital dia, maybe due to lack of trust mote locations. Workforce al classrooms going forward. an aberration and compare In- lifeline for people to be produc- is exemplary. Communications between the employee and the uberisation is gaining popular- Maybe some subjects can be dia’s internet speed with the tive during the lockdown. It is Policy 2018. Lack The lack of resources to fight Covid-19 employer or cultural issues ity across the world. taught exclusively online. rest of the world, the picture is certain that remote working of a strong optical has brought to the fore our woefully inad- where physical presence is giv- In general, firms try to be pre- While remote learning and not pretty. A recent speed test and learning will gain more ac- fibre network also equate outlay on health. The Centre and en importance. There are also pared for emergencies through remote working are a reality report ranks India 128th world- ceptance going forward. While puts the superfast proven benefits when employ- a business continuity plan . All now, the biggest challenge is wide for mobile broadband per- there is no denial that India’s states put together spent a miserable 1% of 5G network plans ees are co-located in an office threats that could disrupt regu- the speed of internet connectiv- formance and 69th for fixed internet access speeds have GDP in the last few years, much lower than in jeopardy the global average of 7.4%. Hopefully the and it fosters camaraderie lar business are determined ity across cities and towns. broadband speeds globally. On improved significantly over the amongst the workforce. In sec- and mock drills conducted to Low/substandard speed inter- mobile broadband ranking, past decade, there is huge scope coronavirus jolt will now ensure more tors like manufacturing, re- check the plan’s effectiveness. net means a poor experience in countries like South Korea, for improvement. The govern- money flows to the health sector. Many in- mote working is impossible. The pandemic has put such downloading/uploading con- UAE and Canada have down- ment and telcos should acceler- ternational corporations are focusing on But in industries where the plans to test. This is by far the tent, and audio/video calls The load speeds between 75-94 Mbps; ate actions towards ensuring direct supply of medical equipment to hot physical infrastructure re- biggest logistical exercise firms poor speed can also be attrib- India is the last amongst BRICS world-class internet speeds spots. Alibaba is sending out 1.1 million quired is a computer and inter- have undertaken for enabling uted to the fact that per house- nations with 11Mbps. It is inter- so that people can be highly testing kits, 6 million masks and 60,000 pro- net connection, remote work- employees to work from home. hold data consumption in cities esting that countries like Sri productive working or learning ing can be enabled. It has other Industry bodies like NASSCOM and towns has increased sig- Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal are remotely. tective suits to Africa. Swiss pharma giant Roche is concentrating on producing 4 lakh testing kits a week to meet demand, and fashion-luxury brand Louis Vuitton has turned to producing sanitisers. Taking Much more potent as a “The good news is most of these ‘Should be avoided for pure cost reasons’ are man-made and can easily be THE greenhouse gas than CO2 a leaf from their international peers, may- addressed through action by Gunnar Luderer and Nico Bauer, climate economists at be Indian companies should divert capac- METHANE Using imaging data gathered by the individual companies, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said ity to producing medical essentials. European Space Agency’s Sentinel- governments and regulators,” the study may overestimate the warming impact of LEAKS 5P monitoring mission, the study Antoine Rostand, head of Kayrros, methane leaks. “Still, the annual leakage of 20 Mt of shows more than 100 “high-volume methane from 100 point sources mostly in the energy Methane, a powerful greenhouse an asset observation platform emission events” worldwide from gas that conducted the analysis, told industry is an astonishing loss that is worth further DELAYING OLYMPICS BY gas, is leaking from industry sites at storage and transmission facilities. AFP. While methane only stays in validation,” they told AFP. They said the leaks alone were rates equivalent to the annual carbon These events alone emitted around the atmosphere a fraction of the worth nearly two-thirds of all natural gas use in France emissions of France and Germany A YEAR IS RIGHT CALL 20 million tonnes of methane—the time that CO2 does, over a period every year, with an industry impact of nearly $4.4 billion. combined, a new analysis using short-term equivalent to releasing of decades it is dozens of times “Economists would expect that such leakage would be ow that the new dates for the resched- satellite data showed this week 1.8 billion tonnes of carbon pollution more potent as a greenhouse gas avoided for pure cost reasons,” said Luderer and Bauer uled Tokyo Games are out (July 23- August 8, 2021), let’s get one thing out of the way. The International Olym- MINDSPACE Write to: [email protected] MAILBAG Write to: [email protected] Npic Committee and the local organis- ers have got it spot on. They have given athletes, the international federations and Delhi administration, Jamaat have many questions to answer the other stakeholders 478 days to put new Remembering my This is with reference to Corona Hold China accountable Interest rate cut will affect us plans and processes into place. Postponing spread: Jamaat, Delhi govt are It is unfortunate that China It is shocking that the Centre has the Olympics by just a couple of months both culpable (Apr 1). When the doesn’t seem to have learnt a cut rates of the small savings would not have solved anything as the whole country is under a lock- thing from the pandemic. The scheme. The small savers, who virus shows no signs of slowing down; illustrious grandpa down, the conduct of a congrega- world is still on its knees due to have sacrificed a lot to save their there could easily have been a scenario of tion in Nizamuddin, Delhi, involv- the virus, but the wet market at money using such schemes in the IOC needing to push back the dates am writing this as a tribute to my grandfather, Kuruppath ing nearly 2,000 people including Wuhan, where the entire mess banks, post offices, etc., will earn again. Athletes would have still been forced Kuttikrishna Menon, whose 130th birth anniversary was in foreigners was a great offence. It started, has been opened again. much less by way of interest, February 2020. He was a legal luminary and practised law is baffling how such a large gath- All nations must build pressure which will affect their standard to train while risking their lives and inter- for more than 70 years. He rose to become Advocate General ering was allowed to assemble. on China to hold it accountable for of living. This will further affect national federations would have been of the erstwhile Madras Presidency and even appeared in The police, Delhi administration the virus spread. the country’s economy. left scratching their heads as to how and the Privy Council, London (equivalent to the Supreme and the religious body have many Jishi R, Kollam S Ramakrishnasayee, Chennai where to stage the qualifying events. Fur- I Court during British Rule). He moved to the Kerala High questions to answer. ther, there was no question of moving it Court after the state reorganisation in 1956. O B Nair, Kochi Barbaric act by Pakistan Uncharitable reduction back by a couple of months because Cana- I had the privilege of living with my grandparents till I The report that Pakistan is deny- The sudden reduction in the in- da and Australia had already ruled out got married, since my parents were away in Myanmar. They Damage is already done ing food supplies to its minorities, terest rates of the small saving were very close to me and hence I never missed my parents. What happened at the Tablighi claiming they are for Muslims scheme is quite uncharitable. A sending their athletes to Tokyo this year. My grandfather was a meticulous person and a strict disci- Jamaat headquarters in Delhi is a only, is barbaric. The country majority of those aged 70 and As the Indian Olympic Association presi- plinarian, both in his personal and professional life. To a gross violation of prohibitory or- seems to be under the dominance above rely solely on interest in- dent Narinder Batra said on Monday, the great extent, these qualities influenced me. His was a large ders, amounting to criminal neg- of religious fanatics. Economic come for sustenance. The timing nature of the rescheduling will ensure a family of three boys and five girls, all well settled. We al- ligence. The damage has already sanctions against Pakistan is vital of this exercise is also bad. The level playing field. ways had guests at home and relatives would jokingly com- been done. Now, mitigation efforts for incontrovertible reasons. present government seems to One of the main reasons why athletes ment on our home being ‘free boarding and lodging’. are the only way out. Those re- Thomas K M, Muvattupuzha have not wasted any opportunity My grandfather provided le- sponsible must be brought to to bring down interest rates of had urged the IOC to postpone the event gal aid and monetary assistance book, along with those who didn’t Salute them for selfless service such schemes to try and bring was that sportspersons from several coun- LEGAL LUMINARY during the freedom movement. perform their duties. This is with reference to How them on par with banks. tries were not able to go outside and train. He had helped Shri K P Kesava C G Kuriakose, Kothamangalam shall we respond to the pandemic? R Viswanathan,Chennai This time allows them to rest while the USHA MENON Menon, his close friend, in es- (Apr 1). Prevention is always bet- pandemic rages, they can now also plan Email: [email protected] tablishing Mathrubhumi, a Ma- Bringing bad name to their religion ter than cure. Cultivating aware- their mental and physical conditioning layalam daily. Many prominent The action of the Tablighi Jamaat ness about the disease among the personalities like G Sankara is highly condemnable. Delegates masses will help in prevention. In THE MORNING STANDARD, properly after the threat recedes. Athletes Kurup (first Jnanpith Award winner) and Mannath Pad- from countries with high infec- the end, though there is no cure in NEW DELHI are creatures of habit and they cannot manabhan (Nair Leader and social reformer) used to call tion rates were also present in the sight, it is the medical personnel jump straight back into the saddle without Chairman of the Board: on him for legal counselling and social causes. convention. It is against the tenets who serve the afflicted humans Manoj Kumar Sonthalia first working up their fitness gradually. Many of his juniors became judges in High Courts and of Islam, which insists on obeying risking their lives. We salute them Editorial Director: Prabhu Chawla This one-year postponement ensures they the Supreme Court. However, he always preferred to remain the rules of the country where for their selfless service. Editor: G S Vasu can follow a set programme, listen to con- a practising lawyer. The Bar Association of Kerala hon- one resides. The irresponsible Chilaka Venkateswarlu, Chennai Resident Editor (New Delhi): H Khogen Singh * oured him for completing 60 years of uninterrupted prac- acts of such people bring a bad ditioning experts and plan their exposure Published by Avnish Singh tice. He continued his practice till he was 86 years old. He name to the religion they follow. Oz PM’s words of appreciation on behalf of Express Publications (Madurai) Private trips accordingly. spent his retired life in his house at Palakkad. Dr M Haneef, Kottayam It was gratifying to note the words It was not just the athletes. The IOC also Limited, at third floor, Express Building, 9-10, Bahadur I still remember my younger days, playing and enjoying of appreciation from Australian Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi—110002 and printed by him had to take the plight of international fed- with my cousins in the sprawling garden of his house. All A matter of concern PM Scott Morrison to PM Naren- at Jagran Prakashan Ltd. D-210-211, Sector 63, Noida, erations into consideration. With 47% of his grandchildren used to fondly call him valiachan. The The sudden death of a doctor in dra Modi on his initiatives to con- Uttar Pradesh — 201301. New Delhi: Vol. 3, No. 79 the athletes yet to punch a ticket to the secret of his sound health was regular yoga and physical Assam due to cardiac arrest, alleg- tain the virus. Some have criti- RNI registration number DELENG/2018/76719 Olympics, there is now a proper gap for exercise along with good food habits. His pillar of strength edly due to an anti-malaria drug cised the decision to supply Phone (011) 23705701 Fax: (011) 41555059. was his wife, Madhavikutty Amma, a pious and noble wom- administered to prevent Covid-19, medical equipment to Serbia, but * Responsible for selection of News under the PRB Act them to ensure all remaining qualifying an. He passed away at the ripe old age of 97 and in the philo- is a matter of concern. The use of one must remember that diseases events get completed. There is no need to Copyright: Express Publications (Madurai) Private sophical sense, it was anayasena maranam. His only surviv- these drugs for containing the vi- in any part of the world will ulti- Limited. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any hurry. It’s why most of the international ing daughter, 91-year-old Padmini Balachandran, is residing rus must be done with caution. mately have an impact on us too. manner, electronic or otherwise, in whole or in part, federations have supported this decision. in Chennai. Sareena D, Thalassery Girish Thampi, T’puram without prior written permission is prohibited. Good to see well known technology leaders FOREIGNERS SENT of India coming together in the fight As many as 560 foreigners were flown to against COVID-19 by encouraging Paris and Frankfurt in two different NUMBER OF flights from the Goa international airport 62 innovations. — Ravi Shankar Prasad Total Wednesday amid the ongoing lockdown. CASES IN J&K

NEW DELHI THURSDAY 07 02 l04l2020 morningstandard in thesundaystandard com

TRACKING COVID-19 Tablighi Jamaat - its other, evil side DOCTOR COUNT Global security experts call it the antechamber of fundamentalism, claim it is used to nurse and indoctrinate terrorists With medical facilities in India stretched due to rising corona cases, here are the states relatively better placed in XCEPT intelligence of- In his analysis titled “Tablighi newspaper reports from the 100, including his friend, the number of doctors available ficials, national securi- Jamaat: Jihad’s stealthy Le- 1990s, Raman pointed out that the Thauqeer Ahmed Thajudeen. Sri ty experts and the wary gions” in Middle East Quarterly trained cadre of jihadi terrorist Lanka Thowheed Jamaat and TOP 10 STATES WITH HIGHEST NO. OF DOCTORS among police officials, [Jan 8, 2016] Alex Alexiev writes organisations like HuM obtained Tablighi Jamaat have identical PUNJAB not many Indians would that as 80 per cent of Islamist ex- visas by posing as preachers of goals and their interests con- 48,351 have heard of the name tremists have come from Tablighi Tablighi Jamaat and went abroad verge. Tamil Nadu Thowheed UTTAR E Tablighi Jamaat [TJ] ranks and the French intelli- to recruit young Muslims for ter- Jamaat is the mentor of Sri Lan- PRADESH before the explosive Nizamuddin gence calls TJ the ‘antechamber ror training in Pakistan. Since ka’s National Thowheed Jamaat, RAJASTHAN 77,549 coronavirus episode gave it the of fundamentalism’. In his inves- S GURUMURTHY millions of TJ proselytisers trav- which delivered the bombs in Sri 43,388 publicity it studiously avoided. tigative story titled “French Is- The author is a commentator on el around the world, TJ also de- Lanka. There is no Thowheed On the face of it, TJ’s six princi- lamic group offers rich soil for political and economic affairs veloped a large following in Jamaat outside India and Sri GUJARAT ples suggest Islamic piety in its militancy’ in The New York Times Chechnya and Dagestan areas of Lanka. 66,944 extreme. But that is merely its [April 29, 2005] Craig Smith lists Russia, Somalia and other Afri- cosmetic exterior, inviting the in- Zacarias Moussaoui [charged in the US. Over the years, Pakistan can countries. Raman wrote that Now, the climax WEST BENGAL nocent and idealistic young Mus- the US 9/11 terror]; Herve Djamel has come to be known as the glob- intelligence agencies of these And now the climax, for the un- MAHARASHTRA 72,016 lims into an ideological line that Loiseau, who died fleeing the 2001 al terror hub. Says Dr Farhan, countries suspected that terror wary. Where was this noble look- 1,73,384 ultimately turns them as terror- American bombardment of Tora “Several mainstream Islamist organisations based in Pakistan ing evil born? India. Who found- ANDHRA Number of doctors ists. The less known and danger- Bora in Afghanistan; Djamel Be- violent non-state actors have tak- were using the cover of TJ ed it? Indian. Name? Maulana KARNATAKA PRADESH registered with SMCs ous side of the century-old TJ ghal, an admitted Al-Qaeda mem- en their roots from TJ’s indoctri- preaching for creating sleeper Mohammed Illyasi. When? In 1,20,261 1,00,587 and MCI between began unfolding the world over ber, who was convicted in 2005 for nation and on the platform pro- cells in different countries. As a 1920s. Where is its global head- 2010 and 2018 since 2001, but not in India. plotting to blow up the US Em- vided by TJ missionaries. It is result, TJ was black-listed and its quarters? Nizamuddin West Del- bassy in Paris, as TJ terror activ- the Deobandi ideology of TJ preachers denied visas.” hi! The place of its annual meet KERALA TAMIL NADU (Source: National Nursery and gateway to terror ists of French origin. Freth Bur- which provides potential jihad- B Raman, one of the most bril- in which hundreds of Tablighis Health Profile, 2019) 59,353 1,33,918 “TJ is another system driver and ton and Scott Stewart, writing in ists a crucial link.” liant R&AW officers, passed away from Malaysia, Thailand, Indone- integral element of Islamist Vio- an analysis titled “Tablighi During the 1980s and 1990s, TJ in 2013. sia, China and other coronavirus lent Non-State Actors’ internal Jamaat: An Indirect Line to Ter- became the recruiter of Islamist hotspots participated. The out- dynamics; in many cases it has rorism” in the Stratfor Global In- radicals for the Afghan war. Dr In Sri Lanka, too break was astonishingly in con- JEE Advanced, scheduled acted as nursery for indoctrinat- telligence Security Weekly, say Farhan points out that Harkat-ul In a piece titled “The road to Sri trol in India till Nizamuddin ex- on May 17, postponed ing Islamist terrorists,” writes Dr that 12 out of the 14 men arrested Jihad-al-Islami [HuJI] was Lanka Carnage” on Rediff.com, ploded as a grave and dangerous Farhan Zahid, a Pakistani coun- in a pre-emptive raid on a mosque formed by former TJ members the well known security analyst national threat. TJ with its head- Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, the organizing ter terrorism and security ex- in Barcelona for plotting to attack Qari Saifullah Akhtar and Fazal Praveen Swami linked Moham- quarters in India now functions institute for Joint Entrance Examination or JEE pert, in his analysis titled “Tab- targets belonged to TJ, adding ur Rahman Kalil along with oth- mad Muhsin Nilam, a Sri Lan- in some 80 countries with some 80 Advanced—the entrance test for countr’s 23 IITs — lighi Jamaat and its links with that TJ’s name figured in the 2005 ers. From the HuJI platform kan, to Zahran Hashim who was million adherents. this year, has postponed the entrance examination terrorism” [Foreign Analysis London underground bombings emerged other jihadist outfits - responsible for the Colombo In a 173-page paper titled “Tab- due to ongoing COVID 19 outbreak. The March 2015 Centre Francais de in which 52 people died and also Harkat-ul-Mujhahideen [HuM] bombings. Also known as Abu lighi Jamaat: Wolf in sheep’s examination was scheduled to be held on May 17. Reserche Sur le Renseignement]. in the attempted bombings in Jaish-e-Mohammed [JeM], Shuraya, Nilam was killed in skin [Sept 9, 2018; released to me- The postponement is on the account of Dr Farhan says, TJ “in a way London, Glasgow and Scotland. Sipah-e-Sahaba [SSP] and Raqqa, the ISIS capital. Nilam’s dia again after the Nizamuddin advancement of JEE Main, scheduled earlier for plays the role of recruiter and Assistant FBI Director [US] Mi- Lashkar-e-Jhangvi [LeJ]. story is key to understanding the episode] Salah Uddin Shoaib April first week as top ranking students in the test sympathiser [for terrorism]. TJ’s chael Heimbach says that TJ has All of them stand declared as networks thought to be responsi- Choudhury, a Zionist and multi are eligible for JEE Advanced. “JEE Advanced 2020, congregation allows radical ele- significant presence in the US, terror outfits. ble for the carnage in Colombo. award winning anti-jihadist jour- which was scheduled to be held on May 17, 2020 ments worldwide to meet and dis- and Al-Qaeda was found to have Swami says that Tablighi Jamaat nalist and a counterterrorism (Sunday), thus stands postponed and will be cuss violent activities and pro- recruited TJ adherents [New Terror merchant had begun to grow roots among specialist, unravels the massive rescheduled after JEE (Main) 2020,” said a vide them with the best York Post Dec 27, 2015]. An India Abroad News Service re- Sri Lankan Muslims from the following of JT and its terror con- statement from IIT Delhi. opportunity to coordinate”. Add- port on April 1, 2020 titled “Tab- early 21st century. Swami says, nections the world over. ing “many of its followers have Turned Pak into terror hub lighi Jamaat shares links with “Educated in Sharia law at Islam- Thousands of TJ teachers from dual and overlapping member- The book titled On The Abyss — terror outfits”, said: “As per abad’s International Islamic Uni- within and outside assemble in ship with jihadist groups”, Dr Pakistan After the Coup [Harper WikiLeaks, some of the 9/11 al- versity, an institution where Osa- India and that is what they did in Farhan cites references and says Collins Publishers India 2000] au- Qaeda suspects detained by the ma bin Laden’s mentor Abdullah Nizamuddin. Is it just to memo- “TJ has now been considered as thored mainly by Pakistani US in Guantanamo Bay had Azzam once taught, Nilam had rise the six noble principles or as a ‘gateway to terrorism’. scholars, diplomats and writers, stayed in the Tablighi Jamaat encountered with the Tablighi Dr Farhan says “to discuss and says that the largely Barelvi Is- headquarters in Nizamuddin Jamaat. In 2011, when Nilam re- coordinate terror activities”, will Terror record in Europe, US lamic Pakistan, which accepted West, New Delhi, years ago. Tab- turned to his home in Kandy in never be known in India, as no Dr Farhan says since 2001, traces local variations, including Dar- lighi Jamaat was also suspected Sri Lanka, he first worked as government has the guts to enter of links have been found between gah worship and Sufi traditions, to be involved in the burning of part-time Urdu instructor at Co- any mosque, thanks to the way TJ and Islamists involved in acts had been hijacked by Deobandi 59 Hindu kar sevaks in 2002 in lombo University. When he was secularism is understood in our of terror. Shoe bomber Richard ideology through Tablighi Godhra, Gujarat, which led to principal of a school in Galewala, politics. Reid who attempted a trans-At- Jamaat, the result of which was mass communal rioting in the he played a key role in Zahran’s Unless this limit is breached lantic airline bombing [2001], the growth of militancy. Khaled state. According to India’s intel- group. Then, in 2014, feigning to and the menace is outlawed, in- Jose Padilla who tried dirty bomb Ahmed, former diplomat and edi- ligence and security expert, late go on a pilgrimage with his six nocent Muslims attracted by its manufacturing [2002] in New tor of Friday Times in Pakistan B Raman, TJ in Pakistan and children, pregnant wife, and age- cosmetic exterior of Koran can- York city, Barcelona terror plot writes in On The Abyss: “Be- Bangladesh gained adverse atten- ing parents, he took them to Tur- not be saved from becoming car- [2008] and the arrest of American cause of the rise of Deobandi mi- tion for association with Harkat- key and disappeared across the riers of Kalashnikovs and mak- Taliban John Walker in Afghani- litias…. the [Punjab] province is ul-Mujahideen, Harkat-ul-Jihad- border into Syria. He posted in ers and throwers of lethal bombs. stan [2001] were all linked to TJ. rapidly losing its Barelvi temper- al-Islami, Lashkar-e-Toiba, his Facebook post: “We will kill Let the courts decide whether Its French Muslim recruits were ament.” What the authors had Jaish-e-Mohammad and mem- every man, woman, child, Shia, TJ’s right to mentor terror in In- found involved in planning at- prophesied came true in the very bers of the International Islamic Sunni, Zoroastrians, Kurds, dia also constitutes minority tacks by the Portland Seven and next year when Pakistan was Front formed by Osama bin Lad- Christians.” Nilam had recruited right, as is so far being the Lackawanna Six in the US. found involved in 9/11 attack on en in 1998. Quoting Pakistani for ISIS 36 Sri Lankans, may be understood.

A student walks with her belongings after completing 14- RIGHTS PLEA days of quarantine at a facility in Srinagar | PTI World bodies Cops carry out raids to nab Tablighi head KEEPING THE LIFELINE bat for refugees EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi Jamaat head denied the police version and said the preacher 74 CARGO FLIGHTS and migrants DELHI Police on Wednesday con- was at his home. Musharraf Ali operated under govt’s Lifeline Udan initiative ducted raids at various locations Khan, a follower of Jamaat and between March 27 and March 31 to arrest Maulana Saad Kandh- member of the committee said, EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi lawi, the head of Tablighi Jamaat “The Maulana is not under- who has been named in an FIR ground or running away from po- FOUR UN bodies have issued along with five others members lice. He is a religious person. He 37.63 9 flights a joint statement urging peo- of the organisation for violating has his residence on the Markaz ple in the world to protect the government directions and hold- campus. He is in self-isolation as tonnes of operated by Air India, 2 rights and health of everyone ing a religious gathering at its lockdown is in force and will medical supplies by its regional subsidiary to fight the coronavirus pan- headquarters in Nizamuddin surely cooperate with the police.” transported by Alliance Air and 1 by the demic. The statement jointly area of south Delhi. He, however, added that Kandh- these flights Indian Air Force released by the Office of the The probe has been handed lawi might have gone to his rela- Source: Ministry of Civil Cviation High Commissioner on Hu- over to Crime Branch which is Health workers sanitise near Nizamuddin mosque, a COVID-19 hotspot | PARVEEN NEGI tives’ place in Muzaffarnagar, UP. man Rights, World Health Or- also analysing an audio clip in Saad was booked on Tuesday ganization, United Nations which Saad is allegedly heard them are members of the man- help of the state police being tak- after the police and district ad- Saudi Arabia asks Muslims Human Rights Commission asking people not to fear novel agement committee of Markaz, en. “Investigation is going on and ministration evacuated 2,361 peo- to postpone Haj and the International Organi- coronavirus, calling it a conspir- as the headquarters of the organ- efforts are being made to ascer- ple from the Markaz during a 36- sation on Migration states that acy against Islam. istaion is called. tain whether the voice in the au- hour long operation which Saudi Arabia’s Haj minister Mohammad Benten has the virus does not discrimi- The others name in the FIR are A Crime Branch officer said dio clips is of Maulana Saad,” continued till early hours of asked Muslims to temporarily postpone the annual nate but refugees, forcibly dis- Zeeshan, Mufti Shehzad, Moh- raids are being conducted in Del- said a police officer, adding that Wednesday. The building and ad- pilgrimage amid the rising uncertainty arising out placed persons and migrants hammad Saifi, Maulana Younus hi and at other possible hideouts Saad is untraceable. joining areas were sanitised after of the coronavirus pandemic. Haj is likely to begin are at a heightened risk. and Mohammad Salman. All of in Uttar Pradesh, for which the However, the associates of the the evacuation on Wednesday. in July this year. “Saudi Arabia is fully ready to “The situation for refugees serve pilgrims and umrah seekers. But under the and migrants held in formal current circumstances, as we are talking about the and informal places of deten- global pandemic... the kingdom is keen to protect tion, in cramped and unsani- Press Council, the health of Muslims and citizens and so we have tary conditions, is particular- Foreign donations in PM CARES allowed; asked our brother Muslims in all countries to wait ly worrying. Considering the NBA ask media before doing (Haj) contracts until the situation is lethal consequences COVID-19 clear,” Mohammad Benten said. The likely outbreak would have, they MEA unveils its strategy to fight virus to be responsible suspension of Haj is significant as it serves as a should be released without de- major revenue generation for the kingdom. lay. Migrant children and their EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi the prohibited list. “The guide- bilateral, regional and global lev- NEW DELHI: The Press families and those detained lines for the export are clear. el to help chalk out a coordinated Council of India on Wednes- without a sufficient legal basis GIVEN the unprecedented cir- Some items can be exported on a response, and setting up the COV- day issued a statement advis- should be immediately re- cumstances arising out of the case to case basis after clearance ID-19 cell. ing the media “to responsibly Examine bringing back leased,” the statement read. coronavirus pandemic, the Cen- by the Director General of PM Narendra Modi and Ex- ensure dissemination of veri- “While countries are closing tre has agreed to accept foreign Foreign Trade. However, ternal Affairs Minister S fied news on COVID-19 out- Indians stuck in Iran: SC their borders and limiting donations in the PM-CARES the item sent to Serbia Jaishankar have been break, based on the daily bul- The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the cross-border movements, fund, sources said. was not on the prohibited speaking to their coun- letin by the Indian government Centre to examine the possibility of bringing back there are ways to manage bor- On the issue of the foreigners list,” a source said. terparts. There is a meet- in terms of the Hon’ble Su- 250 Indian pilgrims stranded in Iran, who have der restrictions in a manner who attended the Tablighi Sources said a three- ing of the Indo-Pacific preme Court’s order dated tested positive and are yet to be evacuated. The which respects international Jamaat event in New Delhi vio- point focus strategy is be- members on March 20, March 31”. Centre informed the top court that it has already human rights and refugee pro- lating visa norms, sources said ing employed to counter the sources said. Later his week, The National Broadcasters’ facilitated the return of 1,142 Indians, of which 787 tection standards, including that the authorities concerned spread of the virus — taking care commerce ministers of SAARC Association said it was the are pilgrims, under intense operational constraints the principle of non-refoule- will take action if norms were of Indians abroad, efforts on the nations will also meet. duty of all stakeholders to con- after restrictions were imposed for public health ment, through quarantine and flouted. “We will extend all coop- tribute positively. It said mem- reasons in Iran, where it was difficult to organise health checks,” it added. eration that is required,” a source ber broadcasters could consid- transport, accommodation and other logistics. The The UN bodies also urge not in the Ministry of External Af- COVID DATABASE er telecasting ‘positive’ steps SC then told the petitioners’ counsel that the to let fear of intolerance to un- fairs said. A COVID-19 control room set up by MEA is working round the clock to taken by individuals, govern- matter be left to the government. The next hearing dermine or compromise the Dismissing reports that a pro- address the issues of Indians across the globe. The control room, sources ments and medical personnel in the matter is slated for March 30. effectiveness of the responses hibited PPEs were exported to said, has received a total of 3,300 calls and 2,200 emails since it was set up for ‘objective, balanced, accu- of the global pandemic. Serbia, sources said it was not on on March 16. A database is also being created to help find the pandemic. rate’ news. ENS INDIA Max Min Max Min TESTING METHOD Ahmedabad 38 21 Mumbai 34 24 Bhopal 35 18 Panaji 34 25 Women researchers at Banaras Hindu Jaipur 30 17 Patna 34 21 University have developed a new Amritsar 22 15 Lucknow 37 18 testing method for COVID-19. The 25 SUPPLIES LIFTED New Delhi 32 17 Port Blair 32 24 TONNES Kolkata 36 24 Imphal 31 18 team has patented the method. IN 3 DAYS BY IAF Srinagar 12 4 Chandigarh 27 16

NEW DELHI THURSDAY 08 02 l04l2020 morningstandard in thesundaystandard com

114 (JANATA CURFEW) 22 MARCH Source: CPCB 8 TRACKING 108 23 MARCH 2 COVID-19 Biggest jump: 110 24 MARCH 2 104 (LOCKDOWN STARTED) 25 MARCH 2 102 26 MARCH 3 376 cases in a day 14 Virtual interactive system for 103 27 MARCH 21 Centre says spike doesn’t reflect national 3 10 101 28 MARCH prisoners in Bihar jails trend as most cases related to Tablighi 1 8 33 Patna: To prohibt direct meeting of visitors with 103 29 MARCH 0 12 jail inmates, the Bihar prison department has 39 introduced “e-mulakati”(e-visitation) virtual EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi underway where the cases have spiked, Agarwal said. No of cities Cities with Cities with Cities with interaction system. This was done as part of social for which AQI in range AQI in AQI in range distancing measures with a view to reduce mental INDIA registered 376 cases of In a meeting with chief secre- 43 COVID-19 in last 24 hours, big- taries and DGPs, Cabinet Secre- data is of Good to Moderate of Poor to stress and worry amongst the prisoners if they available Satisfactory Category Severe remain away from their family members amid the gest one-day jump. But the Cen- tary Rajiv Gauba emphasised lockdown. Sharing details, Inspector General of tre asserted that the numbers on intensive contact tracing of Police, Prison and Correctional Services, Mithilesh do not represent a national Tablighi Jamat participants. Mishra said that booths have been set up at many trend as the spike is primarily The states were asked to com- jails to facilitate the interaction of prisoners with due to travel by the people who plete the contact tracing process 85 CITIES BREATHED EASY 91 their kins though the e-mulakati system introduced had attended the Tablighi on a war footing, said a govern- in the eastern state. Jamaat congregation in Delhi. ment statement. “It has been Massive exercise done to collect AQI data 92 The official tally of confirmed found that foreigners who had 65 novel coronavirus pa- participated in the Real time air quality data was collected by the Cenntra Pollution 90 tients stands at 1,637 Tablighi Jamat had COntrol Board from air quality stations in 115 cities across the 85 of which 132 have re- violated visa condi- country to assess impact of lockdown period. 81 67 covered while 38 died. tions. The states were 73 At a press briefing asked to initiate ac- on Wednesday, Lav Our advice is any tion for violation of kind of congregation Agarwal, joint secre- should be avoided. visa condition against tary, Union Ministry Social distancing the foreigners and the ‘Stay at home’ clears the air of Health and Family measures should be event organisers.” Welfare, said 1,800 followed by Authorities an- RICHA SHARMA@New Delhi from higher to lower end of cate- industrial areas. Overall, Janata people related to the everyone without nounced that the In- gory and 17 cities moving in ‘Sat- Curfew resulted in general im- Tablighi Jamaat were failure dian Railways is pre- PEOPLE in 85 major cities across isfactory’ category and 07 cities in provement in air quality. shifted to nine hospi- Jt secy, health paring to set up 3.2 India were able to breathe easy ‘Good’ category. The AQI value in “During start of pre lockdown tals and quarantine lakh isolation and during Janata Curfew and nation- coastal areas slightly improved period on March 16, 55 cities were centres. quarantine beds by al-wide lockdown as most of the though not as significantly as not- under ‘Good’ & ‘Satisfactory’ AQI “The recent rise in the num- modifying 20,000 coaches. Modi- vehicles remained off road and ed for Indo Gangetic plains,” said categories. As days progressed, ber of cases does not represent fication of 5,000 coaches has be- non-essential industrial units the report. On the day of curfew, the number of cities under these a national trend if compared gun, through which 80,000 new were closed, the Central Pollution Chennai and Mumbai remained categories started to decrease with the previous trends. But as isolation beds are expected. Control Board said in a report. in ‘Satisfactory’ category. A slight with more moving in ‘Moderate’ we all know, naturally cases will “The civil aviation ministry The CPCB report assessed qual- increase in AQI value was noted category. The pattern continued grow due to negligence and has launched lifeline flights to ity of air between March 16 and in Chennai on the next day, pos- till March 21, The situation carelessness,” Agarwal, said. transport essential commodi- March 29. It found that most of sibly due to local contribution. changed on March 22. On the day “Our advice is that any kind of ties, PPEs, testing kits, medi- the million plus population cities The positive impact on air qual- of Janata Curfew, 67 cities record- congregation should be avoided. cines and masks. 15.4 tons of showed improvement in air qual- ity was not observed significantly ed ‘Good’ & ‘Satisfactory’ AQI val- Social distancing measures medical supplies have already ity levels post Janata curfew on in industrial cities. High AQI val- ues,” said the analysis. should be followed by everyone been transported in last five March 22. “Indo Gangetic cities ue was noted in Vapi, Ratlam, The trend has continued, with without failure.” days,” Agarwal said in the showed significant improvement Satna, Singrauli and Chandrapur increasing number of cities re- Twins named after Corona Additional sample testing is press briefing. in AQI values with levels moving seemingly due to emissions from cording ‘Good’ AQI value. and Covid in Chhattisgarh Raipur: In Chhattisgarh state capital, a couple decided to name their twins as Corona and Covid. Lockdown: 3 J&K labourers die of cold while trekking to home Preeti (27) and her husband Vinay Verma had a torrid time struggling to reach Dr Bhimrao FAYAZ WANI @ Srinagar district. The group decided to mad (22), all from Hinyal village weather conditions, he said. Ambedkar Memorial hospital, where she gave birth take the mountainous route as no in Banihal. Haseeb said a rescue operation to a girl and a boy. “Both the mother and newborn THREE labourers had to pay civilian movement is allowed on “Three labourers reached their was launched by the police when babies are doing fine. A team of doctors and with their life while trekking a the Srinagar-Jammu national village safely while four other news came in that four labourers medical staff performed a Caesarean section on treacherous route through moun- highway in view of the ongoing were stuck at a hill top, Nagiman- were stuck on the hill top. “Our the mother after she complained of labour pain tainous range from south Kash- lockdown to contain COVID-19. du (Hingal top), about 5 km from personnel managed to rescue one and complications,” said Shubhra Singh, a public mir’s Anantnag district in order While the three died of hypo- Dulligam, Banihal,” Senior Su- labourer while three others had relation officer of the Ambedkar hospital. The to reach homes at Banihal in the thermia after being stuck in a perintendent of Police (SSP), died of hypothermia due to the Vermas who hail from Uttar Pradesh. “We wished lockdown. hill top due to bad weather on Ramban, Haseeb-ur-Rehman told cold,” the SSP said. “The bodies to ease the people’s anxiety and fear associated The trio was part of a group of Tuesday evening, three others this newspaper. were recovered from the spot.” with these words. Secondly, we would like to make seven labourers who started managed to reach their homes The hill top had received heavy Wednesday was the 14th day of the occasion memorable. So, I and my husband their trek on Tuesday morning and one had to be rescued by the snowfall, leading to a considera- lockdown in Kashmir. The lock- took an instant decision to name our boy and girl from Verinag in Anantnag dis- police. The deceased were identi- ble drop in temperature. Four la- down in Kashmir was imposed on as Covid and Corona,” Preeti said. trict, where they had been work- fied as Ghulam Mohidin (30), bourers could not cross the ter- March 19, a day after the first posi- ing, to reach Banihal in Ramban Zubair Ahmad (20) and Reyaz Ah- rain because of extreme bad tive COVID-19 case was reported.

UTTARAKHAND NAGALAND HIMACHAL PRADESH JAMMU AND KASHMIR Who is a local/domicile? Any person with Who is a local/domicile? There are 16 tribes, Who is a local/domicile? Any person who has a Who is a local/domicile? The new policy defines First case abroad: NIA begins documentary proof of residence in Uttarakhand including Kacharis, recognised as “indigenous” and permanent home in HP or is residing in the state for a domicile as a person who has resided in J&K for 15 dating back to 1985. Apart from this, those who have are called “permanent residents.” They are people 20 years or has a permanent home in Himachal but is years, has studied there for seven years, registered 15 years of residency proof in the state such as land who have been living in Nagaland since 1963 living outside on account of his occupation migrants and their children, children of government Kabul gurdwara attack probe record, rent proof etc Rights over jobs Only “permanent residents” are Rights over jobs Government jobs are open for all; officials who have served in J&K for 10 years Rights over jobs Government jobs of all categories eligible for state government jobs and scholarships in last year the appointment of 16 persons from Bihar, Rights over jobs Under the domicile policy just EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi ranging from gazetted officers, Group C and D are educational institutions. No one else, including Nagas Jharkhand, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab for clerical announced, exclusive rights are reserved only for open for all citizens of India. Non-domicile from neighbouring states, get the benefits posts was heavily criticised low-ranking government positions THE National Investigation on candidates have to apply in ‘General’ category Wednesday registered its first Rights over land/property They are protected Rights over land/property Under Section 118 of Rights over land/property The government overseas case and began probing Rights over land/property There is no under Article 371A of the constitution, which says no the HP Tenancy and Land Reform Act, 1972, outsiders is working on a policy to give exclusive rights to the terror attack on a gurdwara prohibition on purchase of a property or house or Act of Parliament in respect of ownership/transfer of can purchase only land/property of the HP Urban residents; before the nullification of Article 370, in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul land for residential purpose; but there is cap of 250 land shall apply to the state unless the Nagaland Development Authority, any other land/property outsiders were not permitted to purchase land last month that left 27 people, in- square meters on purchase of agricultural land assembly by a resolution so decides purchase has to cleared by the state cabinet or property cluding an Indian citizen, dead. This is the first case of its kind Afghan Sikh men mourn their beloved ones which the agency has registered during a funeral procession in Kabul | AP after the recent amendments in DIABOLICAL, INSULTING, CALLOUS: J&K PARTIES the NIA Act which empower it to investigation, one Muhsin from investigate terror cases that are Trikkaripur, Kasargod, Kerala Insult to injury: FAYAZ WANI@Srinagar At a time when all our efforts & J&K Apni Party president Al- series of tweets, claimed the committed at any place outside and others who had joined ISKP, Srinagar mayor attention should be focused on taf Bukhari said the order is new law is “part of a diabolical the country against Indian citi- are suspected to have been in- Srinagar mayor Junaid POLITICAL parties in Jammu COVID outbreak, the govern- totally unacceptable. Union demographic project that began zens or affecting the interest of volved in the attack. Azim Mattu said the law and Kashmir were united in de- ment slips in a new domicile Home Minister Amit Shah had on August 5 with Article 370 ab- India, the agency said in a Sources said the NIA will im- adds insult to injury of nouncing the new domicile pol- law for J&K. Insult is heaped on assured Bukhari-led delegation rogation”. “Imposing it in times statement. mediately start with the technical the people. “Doing away icy and asserted that the Centre injury when we see the law of- that J&K would have a better of a global pandemic reveals a The FIR has been registered part of the investigation as sus- with district and “humiliated, insulted and mar- fers none of the protections that domicile policy than other callous and paranoid mindset under various provisions of the pected suicide attacker Mushin’s ginalised” the people by snatch- had been promised,” tweeted states. Bukhari said the order wilfully violating consent to en- Indian Penal Code and the Unlaw- family had received a message on divisional recruitment is ing everything from them. National Conference leader reflects a casual exercise car- sure subjugation.” ful Activities (Prevention) Act. Telegram from Islamic State, in- an affront to concept of As per the new rules, anyone Omar Abdullah, who was re- ried out at bureaucratic level Ex-BJP ally Sajjad Gani Lone Banned terror group Islamic forming them of his death. affirmative action. The who has stayed over 15 years in leased recently after being de- without taking aspirations and termed the new definition of State Khorasan Province (ISKP), In the wake of Covid-19 out- order seems to be a clear the Union Territory or has stud- tained for over seven months. expectations of the people into domicile as “humiliating and an offshoot of ISIS, had claimed break, there may not be an imme- intent of conveying yet ied for a period of seven years “Even the new party (J&K Apni consideration. “It is totally un- insulting”. J&K National Pan- responsibility for the gurdwara diate foreign travel. A source in another serving of and appeared in class 10th/12th Party) created with Delhi’s acceptable. It is antithesis to thers Party chairman Harshdev attack on March 25. the home ministry said that the humiliation and insult to examination in an educational blessings, whose leaders were what PM and HM promised in Singh said the Centre had inten- About 150 persons were inside investigations will begin from In- J&K people after what institution in the UT of J&K is lobbying in Delhi for this law, floor of Parliament.” tionally unveiled the domicile the gurudwara when the attack dia. In due process, Afganistan transpired in August 5 now eligible for domicile. have been forced to criticise the Detained PDP chief Mehboo- law knowing fully that the peo- took place. police and authorities would be last year,” he said. “Talk about suspect timing. domicile law.” ba Mufti’s daughter Iltija, in a ple cannot protest now. According to the preliminary contacted.

FAYAZ WANI ‘Bring detainees back’ ‘Talaash’ to track people concealing travel history Our correspondent in Jammu and Kashmir Worried families of prisoners lodged To prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, the Srinagar administration has launched in jails outside Kashmir have urged a website to track the people, who have been concealing travel history. The website, [email protected] the administration either to release which can be accessed on www.talaashsrinagar.in, provides options of “self report” and their kin or shift them to detention “report about others.” On the website, a person has to submit details like name and centres back home. Over 500 contact number. The administration has appealed families, neighbours and people to SRINAGAR DIARY Kashmiri prisoners, including alert officials about suspected cases through the website/app so that necessary politicians, lawyers, civil society measures in interest of public health can be taken by the government. This is being done members, and traders, are detained to ensure that healthcare infrastructure is not overburdened. Doctors start medical consultation via mobile app in jails outside Kashmir. Most of With the hospitals closing OPD service, a group of doctors under the banner of Doctors them are those, who were detained HC seeks info on test kits, ventilators Association of Kashmir (DAK) has launched Android-based mobile app “DAK- immediately after the bifurcation of HELPDESK” to provide online medical consultation to the people. DAK president Dr J&K last year. The families are The J&K High Court, while hearing a petition, sought information Suhail Naik said about 100 doctors are available via the app to provide consultations. worried that since most jails are from the government on availability of test kits for detection of “Doctors assess the history of patient and provide them full-fledged treatment,” he said, overcrowded, there is possibility of COVID-19 and ventilators in district hospitals. A division bench adding the app has received overwhelming response. Doctors would be available either infection. They have urged the headed by Chief Justice Gita Mittal issued notice to the Centre and telephonically or through WhatsApp between 9 am and 6 pm for minor ailments and officials to release their kin or shift the J&K government seeking an action taken report by April 3. COVID-19 related information on the application, “DAK-HELPDESK”. The mobile them to detention centres in Muhammad Shafi, the petitioner, appealed the HC to order the application can be downloaded on mobile phones which, policy makers say, will help in Kashmir, where the families can at government to ensure the supply of medical equipment. providing medical consultation in an instant. least know about their well-being. Beijing 17 6 SNY Los Angeles 19 10 SNY Colombo 32 24 TDS Melbourne 24 15 LR Doha 33 20 SNY Moscow 15 1 LC 49.1 GLOBAL Dubai 32 24 LC New York 12 9 LC WEATHER Houston 26 19 SNY Singapore 34 24 LC US factory activity declined in March to 49.1%, as LR: Light Rain HR: Heavy Rain Istanbul 11 9 HR Toronto 17 7 TDS per the Institute for Supply Management TDS: Thundershower LC: Light Cloud SNY: Sunny London 8 3 LC Washington DC 23 13 LC

NEW DELHI THURSDAY 09 02 l04l2020 morningstandard in thesundaystandard com

KABUL PARIS WASHINGTON JOHANNESBURG KUWAIT CITY SEOUL NEW YORK Afghan govt, Taliban hold Much of the world faces Iran will pay heavy price if US again accused of killing Uproar as Kuwait actress 1000s of Korean workers Amazon fires warehouse talks on prisoner swap food shortage: UN & WTO it strikes US troops: Trump civilians in Somalia strikes calls for ban on expats for US army put on leave worker who led walkout Afghan government The heads of three global President Donald Trump warned The US military is facing more A famous Kuwaiti actress has Around 4,000 South Koreans Amazon fired a worker who representatives have met with the agencies FAO, WHO and WTO Iran on Wednesday of a “heavy allegations of killing civilians with sparked a furore by calling for working for the US military in their organized a walkout at a New York Taliban in Kabul for the first time warned on Wednesday of the risk price” if it or its allies in Iraq attack airstrikes in Somalia, and now says expatriates to be expelled from the country were put on unpaid leave warehouse to demand greater to discuss a prisoner swap aimed of a worldwide “food shortage” if US troops stationed there. The US it will address the issue more fully oil-rich nation so that locals can be Wednesday as Seoul and protection against the new at jump-starting a peace process. authorities fail to manage the president also wrote: “Upon in upcoming public reports. sure of having a hospital bed if they Washington bicker over funding for coronavirus, saying the employee The two sides met Tuesday and ongoing coronavirus crisis properly. information and belief, Iran or its Amnesty International said in a fall ill with coronavirus. Hayat US forces. Washington stations himself flouted distancing rules would meet again Wednesday for Many governments around the proxies are planning a sneak attack new report Wednesday that the US al-Fahad, 71, who is known for 28,500 troops in the country to and put others at risk. New York further talks being observed by the world have put their populations on US troops and/or assets in Iraq.” Africa Command killed two playing a range of roles in Arabic defend it against the nuclear- City Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered International Committee of the on lockdown causing severe slow- It was not clear whether Trump civilians and injured three in two dramas, told a local TV station that armed North, but the security the city’s Commission of Human Red Cross, Afghanistan’s Office of downs in international trade and meant Washington actually has airstrikes in February as it strikes foreigners in the country should be allies’ relationship has been Right to investigate whether the the National Security Council said. food supply chains. intelligence of such a plan. back at al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab. kicked out during the health crisis. strained by US demands. dismissal was retaliatory. 30,000 DEAD IN EUROPE, U.S. PREDICTS GRIM TOLL Humanity reels as pathogen wreaks havoc across the globe; millions of job losses expected; Britain sees 563 people die in one day, taking its total to 2,352

PARIS

The coronavirus pandemic has Experts sceptical of V-shaped claimed more than 30,000 lives in Trump confronts Europe alone, a global tally recovery of global economy showed Wednesday, in what the head of the United Nations has The world’s biggest economy, the United States, is likely in recession. So are described as humanity’s worst Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Canada. There are tentative signs China new reality, warns crisis since World War II. that is on the recovery path, but how will the rest of the world fare? Experts Italy and Spain bore the brunt are growing doubtful of the possibility a V-shaped recovery, when the of the crisis, accounting for economy bounces back after a period of recession. We take a look three in every four deaths on the of 2.4 lakh virus toll continent, as the grim tally hit RAVAGES OF THE PANDEMIC another milestone even though WASHINGTON half of the planet’s population is already under some form of US President Donald Trump lockdown in a battle to halt 70% warned Americans to brace for contagion. Oil prices have a “hell of a bad two weeks” Spain reported a record 864 fallen nearly 70% ahead as the White House pro- A medical worker looks at a Covid-19 patient through the window of a train at the deaths in 24 hours, pushing the jected there could be 100,000 to Gare d’Austerlitz station in Paris on Wednesday | AFP $12 tn country’s number of fatalities 240,000 deaths in the U.S. from past 9,000. The coronavirus the coronavirus pandemic even The toll is only dwarfed by It- facts and the risk that it contrib- has wiped $12 23% if current social distancing Lanka requests financial trillion off the The MSCI’s 49-nation aly’s, where the virus has killed support from lenders utes to enhanced instability, en- guidelines are maintained. nearly 12,500 people. hanced unrest, and enhanced world’s stock index has fallen more Public health officials stressed Since emerging in China in Colombo: Sri Lankan President conflict are things that make us markets than 23% Tuesday that the number could Gotabaya Rajapaksa is requesting US President Donald Trump at a briefing December, COVID-19 has spread believe that this is the most chal- be less if people across the coun- about the new coronavirus | AP across the globe, claiming over that international financial lenging crisis we have faced WILL THE 2ND HALF try bear down on keeping their organisations provide debt 43,000 lives and infecting more since the Second World War.” CORONAVIRUS Economists were initially predicting a recovery distance from one another. Hopkins University. moratorium or debt deferment BE STOPPED? than 860,000 people, according to in the second half of 2020, but with the virus “We really believe we can do a The White House figures as- facilities to developing nations ‘We’re going to die anyway’ an AFP tally. There is no rampaging across the US and Europe, those lot better than that,” said Dr. sume that Americans follow the such as Sri Lanka, which are In a scramble to halt the con- With most business activity guarantee of hopes are dimming Deborah Birx, the coordinator rigorous social-distancing guide- tagion, governments have shut adversely affected due to the grinding to a halt for an undeter- the pandemic of the White House coronavirus lines set out by the Centers for schools, most shops, and ordered new coronavirus. Rajapaksa made mined period of time, scenes of dying down in CHINA ON PATH TO RECOVERY? task force. That would require Disease Control and Prevention millions of people to work from the request on Wednesday during economic desperation and un- the April-June all Americans to take seriously or the stricter “stay at home” re- a phone discussion with the WHO A jump in Chinese factory activity home. rest were emerging in many quarter. If it (see chart below) despite the their role in preventing the strictions set by many governors Cancellations of key events chief Tedros Adhanom parts of the world. “lasts through spread of disease, she said. across the country. Still, the Ghebreyesus. Rajapaksa virus-hit global economy has on the global calendar have In Italy, queues were lengthen- the summer, injected a little hope into markets Added Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House was not looking at swept both the sports and requested Ghebreyesus to ing at soup kitchens while some then all the government’s top infectious dis- a nationwide order. speak with the lenders. cultural worlds, with the supermarkets were reportedly [economic] IMPACT ON THE US ease expert, “This is a number “We live in a nation that has a Edinburgh arts festival pillaged. Half a million more effects will be Goldman Sachs on Tuesday said the number of that we need to anticipate, but system of federalism, and the the latest to be scrapped. ably has no parallel in people now need help to afford amplified,” umeployed people in the US may grow to 15% we don’t necessarily have to ac- governors get to make the deci- For UN Secretary-Gen- the recent past,” he said. meals, Italy’s biggest union for Joseph Stiglitz, cept it as being inevitable.” sions,” Dr. Jerome Adams, the eral Antonio Guterres, the “The combination of the agriculture sector Coldiretti a Nobel of Americans already cannot afford an Trump called it “a matter of surgeon general, told NBC’s “To- extraordinary upheaval the two facts and the risk that said, adding to the 2.7 million al- laureate, told unplanned out-of-pocket expense of life and death” for Americans to day” on Wednesday. “But we’re spurred by the virus presents a it contributes to enhanced insta- ready in need last year. Bloomberg 40% $400, as per Mckinsey & Co. heed his administration’s guide- gonna give them the best possi- real danger to the relative peace bility, enhanced unrest, and en- In Tunisia several hundred lines and predicted the country ble guidance we can, and that’s the world has seen over the last hanced conflict are things that protested a week-old lockdown would soon see a “light at the end to stay at home and to social I feel like the 2008 financial crisis was just a dry run for this. few decades. make us believe that this is the that has disproportionately hit This is already shaping up as the deepest dive on record for the of the tunnel” in a pandemic distance.” The disease “represents a most challenging crisis we have the poor. “Never mind coronavi- global economy for over 100 years. Everything depends on how that in the United States has in- “This is going to be one of the threat to everybody in the world faced since the Second World rus, we’re going to die anyway! long it lasts, but if this goes on for a long time, it’s certainly fected about 190,000 people and roughest two or three weeks and... an economic impact that War.” Let us work!” shouted one pro- going to be the mother of all financial crises killed more than 4,000, according we’ve ever had in our country,” will bring a recession that prob- “The combination of the two tester near Tunis. AFP to figures compiled by Johns Trump said. AP Kenneth S. Rogoff, an economist at Harvard, told the New York Times

60 Russia plane heads to Shia minority CHINA’S MANUFACTURING PMI US with supplies Moscow: A Russian military scapegoated in plane carrying medical 52.0 equipment has departed for Pak for virus 50.2 50.0 the United States, the defence 50 ministry in Moscow said Wednesday, as the Kremlin spread: Panel flexes its soft power amid the China's Purchasing coronavirus pandemic. The WASHINGTON Managers' Index, a key Antonov-124, “with medical Virus ‘uncontrollable’ on gauge of factory 2% masks and medical equipment American aircraft carrier A US commission mandated to on board”, left for the US activity, jumped to China’s projected monitor international religious overnight, a statement said, Brett Crozier, the captain of the US 40 52.0 from a record low economic growth freedom has expressed concern without providing further nuclear-powered aircraft carrier 35.7 the month before. rate for 2020, as over reports of a provincial gov- details. Contacted by AFP, the Theodore Roosevelt, told the Any figure above 50 is per research firm ernment in Pakistan targeting defence ministry refused to Pentagon that new coronavirus is considered growth. and “scapegoating” the already TS Lombard 35.7 provide any further spreading uncontrollably through marginalised Shiite Hazara eth- information on the delivery, his ship and called for immediate HERO’S WELCOME help to quarantining its A medical assistance worker from Huaian, China, is greeted by her daughter after nic minority community for the which came after Russian spread of the deadly novel coro- 30 President Vladimir Putin spoke 4,000-strong crew. But Defense returning home from the coronavirus frontline in Wuhan, Hubei | AP navirus in the country. JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR with US counterpart Donald Secretary Mark Esper on Tuesday In Quetta, the government has Trump on Monday. ruled out evacuating the ship. completely sealed off two areas of the Hazara community- Haz- ara Town and Marriabad- as Virus hits beleaguered media part of lockdown in the city, the Rupert Murdoch’s Australian flagship media group News Corp announced United States Commission on In- Putin works remotely after meeting infected doc Wednesday it will stop printing dozens of regional newspapers, as the ternational Religious Freedom troubled sector received a fresh blow from a COVID-19 advertising downturn (USCIRF) said in a statement. MOSCOW tial residence in Novo-Ogaryovo The government also forbade outside Moscow. government employees from RUSSIAN leader Vladimir Pu- Putin donned a bright yellow AMERICA’S BIGGEST PUBLISHER travelling into Hazara neighbor- tin has decided to handle his du- hazmat suit for the visit last The largest US newspaper publisher, Gannett, hoods, and reportedly forced ties remotely, the Kremlin said, Tuesday to the hospital. He was 60 said on Monday it was making unspecified Hazara policemen to go on leave after the head of the country’s also seen talking to Protsenko News Corp furloughs and pay cuts for its staff. under suspicion they are infect- main coronavirus hospital test- without any protective gear but said 60 ed by relatives. ed positive following a meeting the Kremlin said there is no rea- regional Social media users have made with the president. son for concern about the presi- papers in the allusions to coronavirus as the Denis Protsenko, who met with dent’s health. states of New 25% ‘Shi’a virus,’ given fears of its Putin last week as the Russian “All of those who were with the South Wales, Gannett said it is cutting spread by pilgrims returning leader visited the Kommunarka president at Kommunarka are Victoria, pay and hours of from Iran, the statement said. hospital in Moscow, said Tues- being tested daily for the coro- Queensland newsroom employees by This isolation and further day he had been infected with navirus,” Peskov added. and South 25% in April, May and stigmatization of the Hazara the coronavirus but was feeling President Vladimir Putin (R) met with a head of a hospital on Monday | AP Almost 70 per cent of Russia’s Australia June because of minority could limit their abil- well. 147 million population has been would cease advertising declines. ity to receive proper medical “The president prefers these told journalists, shortly before “We are taking all precaution- ordered into strict confinement. printing and Executives are getting a care as the coronavirus contin- days to work remotely,” Krem- Putin was due to hold a cabinet ary measures,” he said, adding Russia has so far registered move online pay cut of 25% ues to spread within Pakistan. lin spokesman Dmitry Peskov meeting by videoconference. that Putin was at the presiden- 2,777 cases and 24 deaths. AFP MARKET GOLD SILVER Market 1,203.18 Sensex 28,265.31 24 carat (1 gm) H4,347 Per kg H39,250 Watch 343.95 Nifty 8,253.80 22 carat (1 gm) H4,330 Per gm H39.25 NEW DELHI THURSDAY 10 02 l04l2020 morningstandard in thesundaystandard com DIVING DEMAND ‘More cash transfers, food RBI continues rolling GST COLLECTION out COVID-19 relief rations needed for the poor’ ENS ECONOMIC BUREAU L @ Hyderabad JAYANTA ROY CHOWDHURY well known economist sure that at least 10 kg free ra- BELOW 1L CR @ New Delhi Meghnad Desai, former RBI tions per person per month, THE RBI on Wednesday an- Deputy Governor Rakesh Mo- along with other necessary nounced a slew of measures COVID-19 impact likely to hit collections SOME of India’s top econo- han, former Planning Commis- items, is available for all eligi- to tide over the economic im- harder in the first quarter of the new fiscal mists, civil servants and social sion Member Abhjit Sen, for- ble households.” pact of the Covid-19 pandem- scientists have written a joint mer Chief Economic Advisor The group also estimates ic. First, it gave extra time to letter to Prime Minister Naren- Deepak Nayyar, former Union that some 40-50 million mi- exporters for collecting and ENS ECONOMIC BUREAU @ New Delhi dra Modi as well as to the chief Health Secretary Sujata Rao, grant labourers are currently repatriating payments for ministers of all states asking former Interstate Council unemployed and want to goods and software sold to he economic slowdown and the spread for a series of measures includ- Secretary Amitabh Pan- head back to their villag- overseas buyers. Presently, of COVID-19 related lockdowns took ing `3.6 lakh crore in cash sup- dey and Ajit Ranade, es. It suggests that the these payments are required their toll on Goods and Services Tax port for families who are not in Chief Economist, Adi- Centre and states could to be realised fully and repat- 2020 and will be valid till Sep- GST (GST) collections in March, with the the tax net or have a member tya Birla Group, feels use their facilities to riated to the country within a tember 30, 2020. collection figure slipping below the `1 lakh crore working for the formal sector. more needs to be done. house them without period of 9 months from the The move comes a day after target cut mark at `97,597 crore. GST collections The letter says that the cen- “The direct benefit over-crowding and start date of export. This has now the RBI increased the WMA T in February had stood at `1.06 lakh tral and state governments to- transfers announced was a community feeding been extended to 15 months limit to `70,000 crore for the In February, the finance crore and finance ministry officials say that the gether should immediately step forward, but we need to do programs. from the date of export. central government for the ministry had fall in collections is due to the dip in overall think of ensuring “a minimum more. The Telangana example Among other things, they “The measure will enable July-September quarter, up cut its GST domestic demand. transfer of at least `6,000 per is a good one where the state is also seeks a scheme to compen- exporters to realise their re- from `60,000 crore in the pre- collection However, despite the dip, in the April-March month to each Jan Dhan Yojana trying to reach out on a wider sate unorganised and MSME ceipts, especially from COV- vious quarter. target period of FY20, gross GST collection grew by woman account holder with a scale without excluding any- sector players for wages of con- ID-19 affected countries with- In the same breath, the cen- downwards 3.8 per cent to `12.2 lakh crore compared to the major part borne by the Cen- one,” explained Ravi Srivasta- tract and temporary employees in the extended period, and tral bank has reiterated that it to `11.26 lakh previous year, official data showed, exceeding tral Government over the next va, former Chairman, Centre during the lockdown, besides also provide greater flexibili- wasn’t necessary for banks to crore for the revised target set by the government in Feb- three months.” With 20 crore for Regional Studies, JNU ex gratia payments, to ensure ty to negotiate future export implement counter-cyclical fiscal 2019- ruary. The finance ministry had cut its GST col- estimated beneficiary families Though the centre has prom- that “no needy person or house- contracts with buyers capital buffers (CCyB) 20 from `12.17 lection target downwards to `11.26 lakh crore for 3 months the figure works ised 5 kg of free cereals to the hold remains outside the social abroad,” it said. straight away. The framework lakh crore for fiscal 2019-20 from `12.17 lakh crore. out to `3.6 lakh crore. poor, the group feels that in or- protection net being created to In an effort to manage cash on CCyB was put in place by Of the total `97,597 crore collected, the cen- The government has an- der to ward off hunger “all cope with the current calami- flows, the central bank also the RBI through guidelines is- tral GST (CGST) collections stood at `19,183 nounced some grants including state governments should en- tous conditions.” increased the limit for ad- sued in February 2015, where crore, state GST at `25,601 crore, integrated `2,000 from the PM Kisan vances given to states and un- it advised that CCyB would be GST at `44,508 crore and cess collections at scheme to farmers and a `1,000 Centre and States should ensure a minimum transfer of at least ion territories by 30 per cent activated as and when the cir- `8,306 crore (including `841 crore collected on grant to senior citizens, poor `6,000 per month to each Jan Dhan Yojana woman account holder under Ways and Means Ad- cumstances warranted and with a major part borne by the Centre With most imports), the finance ministry said. widows and poor disabled, etc. vances. The revised limit will that the decision would nor- businesses “The government has settled `19,718 crore to But, the group which includes Group of top economists come into force from April 1, mally be pre-announced. being non- CGST and `14,915 crore to SGST from IGST as operational for regular settlement. In addition, Centre has also a considerable apportioned unsettled balance IGST of `6,000 EXPRESS READ period in March crore on ad-hoc basis in the ratio of 50:50 be- and the tween centre and States/UTs, “ the statement relaxation of COAI U-turn: No emergency spectrum needed SMALL SAVINGS SCHEMES said. The total number of GSTR-3B returns delayed filed up to March 31, 2020 is 76.5 lakh, it added. Telecom industry body COAI on Wednesday said that telcos are of the payments view that there is no need for additional spectrum to maintain stability being allowed, Experts claim that the larger impact of the and quality of telecom networks since the recent slew of measures, INTEREST RATES SLASHED the collections COVID-19 outbreak will be visible from April in the coming onwards. “The GST collections not witnessing including streaming services switching content to SD (standard quarter would a significant dip this month is encouraging, es- definition) and traffic redistribution, has led to reduced pressure on ENS ECONOMIC BUREAU see quite a fall pecially with the numbers expected to reduce network infrastructure. The organisation had written to the @ New Delhi Abhishek Jain, in coming months,” said Abhishek Jain, Tax Department of Telecom earlier seeking emergency spectrum allocations Large-scale cuts a shock to Tax Partner, EY Partner at EY. to alleviate the burden on network infrastructure. SMALL savings deposits will now earn significantly lower senior citizen depositors returns with the Central gov- A look at how various small savings schemes will earn lower interest: ernment sharply reducing interest rates for the entire Interest: Earlier From April 1 (All figures in %) Paytm Money founder MD Pravin Jadhav quits spectrum of small savings schemes late Tuesday. The SUKANYA SAMRIDDHI NATIONAL SAVINGS ACCOUNT SCHEME CERTIFICATE BISMAH MALIK @ Bengaluru Paytm Mall and Paytm Pay- engineering, finance and cus- expand the market for Paytm deep cuts, ranging from 70- ments Bank. Although Paytm tomer care teams. Money, with mutual fund ser- 140 basis points, will come as FOUNDER MD and CEO of declined to comment, sources Paytm Money has played a vices likely to be extended to a shock to senior citizens and Paytm Money Pravin Jadhav said that the management has significant role in helping Pay- the 16 million merchants who others who depend primarily has resigned from his post due already accepted the resigna- tm founder Vijay Shekhar have signed up on the Paytm on income from such fixed 8.4 7.6 7.9 6.8 to growing differences with the tion and will announce a Sharma build up the fi- platform. Paytm Money had re- instruments. company board, sources said. replacement soon. nancial services com- cently received approvals from The new rates will go into Balance after 1 year with Balance after 1 year with Jadhav, who built Paytm’s Jadhav’s resignation pany especially after its SEBI for its stock broking busi- effect for the April-June Rs 1 lakh deposit Rs 1 lakh deposit wealth management arm into comes at a time when e-commerce vertical — ness as well as the go-ahead quarter beginning April 1, India’s leading mutual fund the online investment Paytm Mall — lost out from the Pension Fund Regula- 2020. The move follows the L1,08,400 L1,07,600 L1,07,900 L1,06,800 platform, reportedly quit over and digital payment plat- to e-tailers like Amazon tory and Development Author- RBI decision to cut interest issues related to employee forms in the country is and Flipkart. Sharma’s bet ity (PFRDA) to offer Pension rates by 75 basis points tak- KISAN VIKAS PATRA SR. CITIZENS SAVINGS SCHEME stock options (ESOPs) and gaining traction during the on wealth management has Development Systems. ing the repo rate to 4.4 per (COMPOUNDED QUARTERLY) remuneration. COVID-19 lockdown. On his paid dividends since Paytm However, Paytm has been cent, the lowest since 2004, in Paytm Money is part of Pay- LinkedIn profile, Jadhav Money now claims to have 50 witness to a gradual exodus of an effort to counter the eco- tm parent One97 Communica- claims that he has built Paytm lakh users, with a monthly senior management executives nomic fallout of the coronavi- tions’ growing consumer eco- Money from scratch leading growth of 15-20 per cent. who headed various verticals rus pandemic. 7.6 6.9 8.6 7.4 system, alongside Paytm, product development, design, The company is looking to over the past one year. For the popular Public Provident Fund (PPF), the Balance after 1 year with Rs 1 Balance after 1 year with annual interest rate has been lakh deposit Rs 1 lakh deposit TODAY’S STOCK PICK slashed from 7.9 per cent to CONSOLIDATION 7.1 per cent, while the rates L1,07,600 L1,06,900 L1,08,881.35 L1,07,607.89 Tamil Nadu firms step Current Price for the Sukanya Samriddhi girl-child welfare scheme, Mergers turn PUBLIC PROVIDENT FUND 1-YR POST OFFICE DEPOSIT A1,080.6 rates have been brought (COMPOUNDED QUARTERLY) up assistance in battle down to 7.6 per cent from 8.4 10 PSBs into Target Price per cent. Similarly, rates have been cut for the National Sav- ings Certificate (from 7.9% to 4 large banks RELIANCE IND 7.9 7.1 6.9 5.5 against pandemic A1,820 6.8%), Senior Citizen Savings The company aims for its Scheme (from 8.6% to 7.4%) Balance after 1 year with Balance after 1 year with ENS ECONOMIC BUREAU BINITA JAISWAL @ Chennai Meawhile, commercial vehi- consumer business to contribute and Monthly Income Ac- @ New Delhi cle manufacturer Ashok Ley- 50% of consolidated EBITDA in a count scheme (from 7.6% to Rs 1 lakh deposit Rs 1 lakh deposit FROM spray cannons for disin- land says it is working closely few years. Jio has rolled out new 6.6%). The cut has also been L1,07,900 L1,07,100 L1,07,080.60 L1,05,614.48 TEN public sector banks fectants to power gensets for with the state health depart- tariff plans. While Minimum quite steep for the standard (PSB) on Wednesday merged hospitals treating COVID-19 ment and is supplying protec- Recharge Price plans were hiked Small Savings Time Deposits, to become four large banks, patients, Tamil Nadu-based tive equipment like 3-ply by 32%, the popular monthly with cuts ranging from 100- but this is steeper than an- correct, it is absolutely the bringing down the number companies are contributing in masks, N95 masks, disposable plans witnessed a price hike of 140 basis points. Interest ticipated. May be the move wrong time to do so,” he said. of PSBs to just 12. their own way in the fight gloves, liquid handwash, sani- ~25-30%. The hike in ARPUs rates on small savings indicates that the govern- Experts say that this will The mergers announced against COVID-19. tisers and body suits for health should result in ~H134b/H119b schemes are revised on a ment will drive down deposit reduce the divergence be- last September and cleared TVS Motor Company, for in- service personnel. It is also pro- incremental revenue/EBITDA. quarterly basis, based on the rate further, “ Soumya Kanti tween bank and small sav- by the cabinet last month stance, has made a contribu- viding disinfectants, protective RIL’s target is to become a ‘zero yields of government bonds. Ghose, chief economic advi- ings rates. In comparison, were effected despite banks tion of `5 crore to- chemical guard suits net-debt’ firm in 18 months can Bank fixed deposits are al- sor, SBI said. Senior Con- interest rates on small sav- running low-key operations wards the Tamil Nadu (pant, shirt, and hood) also act as a rerating trigger. ready fetching the lowest gress leader P Chidambaram ings schemes are still higher amidst the pandemic. Chief Minister’s Pub- and chemical protec- —Motilal Oswal Financial Services yields since August 2004, slammed the rate cut de- and give comparatively bet- Under the scheme, Orien- lic Relief Fund to aid tion goggles for sanita- with State Bank of India’s manding a roll-back, saying ter returns to depositors. tal Bank of Commerce the battle against COV- tion staff. Besides this, one-year FD offering an inter- that it comes at the wrong Lower small saving rates also Disclaimer: The views and recom- (OBC) and United Bank of ID-19. This is in addi- it has deployed ten ve- mendations made above are that of est of just 5.2 per cent (6.2% time. “While reducing the in- will also reduce cost of defi- India have been merged into tion to the `25 crore hicles with drivers for the individual analyst or broking com- for senior citizens). terest rate on PPF and small cit financing for the Punjab National Bank. Post- pledged by the compa- use by the health pany, and not that of “The rate cut was expected savings may be technically government. merger, the entity will form ny to the PM’s Relief department. The Morning Standard the second-largest PSB in Fund (PM-CARES). While it generally Other initiatives by the country. Syndicate Bank Alongside these con- takes 6 to 18 Ashok Leyland in- has been merged into Ca- tributions, the Srini- months for cludes the shipping DEMAND GOES AWOL nara Bank, making it the vasan Services Trust developing a new gensets to the Tiruval- fourth-largest public sector (the CSR arm of TVS product, it is lur General Hospital lender. Union Bank’s merger Motors) is making and because of our and the 150-bed special with the Andhra and Corpo- supplying 1 million R&D team, that ward of the Madurai PV sales halved in March, CV sales down 90% ration banks will make it the protective face masks we were able to Medical College. “We make this quality @ New Delhi fifth largest PSB lender, for essential service sanitiser shall work with the ARSHAD KHAN ported a drastic fall in March suspending all operations tem- while Allahabad Bank will providers within the available in just Government at every sales. Hyundai Motor reported porarily,” Kia said. now act as a branch of Indi- state. The trust is also two weeks step and stay support- HIT hard by the nationwide a 41 per cent y-o-y decline in An even bigger slump was an Bank. “It’s a good move deploying vehicles and lockdown to control the spread domestic sales at 26,300 units seen in the sales of commer- C K Ranganathan, ive of all their initia- since it will reduce the num- disinfectants to mu- CavinKare tives in the coming of the COVID-19 pandemic, last month, while Tata Motors’ cial vehicles despite steep dis- ber of branches, improve nicipalities in the state days,” said Balachan- passenger vehicle makers re- PV sales were down 68 per cent counts on BS-IV stocks. Ashok cost efficiency and, most im- while also running dar N V, President – ported a nearly 50 per cent at 5,676 units. New entrant Kia Leyland’s domestic CV sales portantly, the balance sheets factory kitchens at its manu- HR, Ashok Leyland. Mean- drop in March sales numbers Motors too reported total sales stood at just 1,787 units in post mergers are likely to be facturing units in Hosur and while, CavinKare has launched while commercial vehicle of just 8,583 units in March as March — a decline of 91 per strengthened,” Sai Sanjay Padi. The cooked meals are 2ml sanitizer sachets priced at makers reported a whopping against 15,644 units sold in cent year-on-year. Tata Motors Bhattacharyya, former supplied to all essential care `1. “While it generally takes 6 90 per cent drop. February. CV sales were down 87 per cent Managing Director of SBI. workers in the vicinity, from to 18 months for developing a The country’s largest car- “Countries and businesses at 7,123 units compared to the Officials in the Finance police personnel and munici- new product, it is because of maker Maruti Suzuki India across the globe have come to previous year. Ministry officials said these pal staff to healthcare workers. our R&D team, that we were (MSIL) on Wednesday report- the full financial year, MSIL a standstill due to the COV- Going forward, the outbreak banks have already started The trust has also handed over able to make this quality sani- ed a 47.4 per cent year-on-year reported a 18.2 per cent fall in ID-19 epidemic, which has im- coupled with newer emission sending out messages to cus- a vehicle equipped with a dis- tiser available in just two decline in March sales at 76,240 sales at 1,414,346 units, its pacted the automobile indus- norms and a fall in economic tomers informing them of infectant Spray Cannon to the weeks,” said C K Ranganathan, units as buyers stayed away steepest fall in recent times. try as well with production activity is expected to bring the mergers. Corporation of Chennai. chairman, CavinKare. from dealer showrooms. For Other carmakers also re- units, offices and dealerships more trouble for the sector. Premier League clubs have been accused of living in a “moral vacuum”, with players urged to take their share of the financial hit from the coronavirus pandemic as non-playing staff begin to feel Premier League accused the pinch. Last year’s Champions League finalists Tottenham as well as Newcastle and Norwich have faced a backlash for using the British government’s furlough scheme, which will guarantee of ‘moral vacuum’ 80 percent of employees’ income up to a maximum of£2,500 ($3,000) a month.

NEW DELHI THURSDAY 11 02 l04l2020 morningstandard in thesundaystandard com MONEY WORRIES Grandmaster missing other games during lockdown ATREYO MUKHOPADHYAY ton and does swimming. The ties like free-hand exercise, plus (2726 at the moment) for @ Chennai COVID-19 outbreak has yoga in that routine.” over a year, the youngster is stopped all that and he is mak- However, with all that missing out on valuable game & MAKE-BELIEVE THERE was a video on Twitter ing do with the treadmill at stopped, the older of two sib- time. That, however, is far from a couple of days ago where Vid- home. “Since playing chess lings is spending time with his his mind at the moment. “It’s it Gujrathi was seen doing and working on it means I am doctor parents and sister, who hard to complain. It’s a global skipping exercises at home. seated for long periods of time, is also in the medical field. crisis and people are suffering GOLF COURSES Sportspersons are trying all I go for long walks to make up Having travelled extensively on a large scale. Compared to sorts of things in order to for it. That’s not happening from a young age, the 26-year- that, what we chess players are Income drying up with events, Indian maintain basic fitness levels at now. Also, I like playing other old is new to staying at home. going through is very minute,” professionals making alternate plans the time of lockdown. games. Inside our building If pressed, he finds it difficult said Gujrathi. But the chess player was not complex, there is a basketball to remember when he last The Grandmaster is using doing that just for the sake of court and some of the players spent more than five-six days the time to do something he SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN clears sooner rather than it. He was trying to get close to there are semi-professionals. in a month at home. can’t otherwise. That is read- @ Chennai latter.” something he also likes doing. Playing with them is fun. I Tournaments cancelled in ing. Not merely to kill time, but Considering this is the start India No 2 after Viswana- keep myself engaged with oth- Europe and the US, Gujrathi to understand something deep- “I am making do with what I of the PGTI — only three com- than Anand and World No 23, er sports also when I am isn’t sure when he will be play- er. Monk and author Om Swa- have. I am not in Bengaluru petitions have been completed Gujrathi is not all about chess. abroad,” Gujrathi told this ing again. The Chess Olympiad mi and propagators of Japa- any more. I have gone back to — it has compounded mat- He likes working out at the daily. World No 23 Vidit Gujrathi scheduled for August has also nese philosophy on a ‘perfectly my village in Dharmapuri... ters. “Some of the guys who gym and walking. If at home in “It’s not possible to devote a been postponed. There is no imperfect life’ are among his that’s where I am going to be are in the lower half of the Nasik, he plays basketball. lot of time to other sports when that happens, it’s a minimum certainty over the resumption favourites. Heady, but may just till the situation gets better.” leaderboard could suffer be- When in Europe for training or I’m playing tournaments or of six hours of chess every day. of the chess calendar. Having be the right time delve in such Those are the words of C cause of that,” says Udayan competitions, he plays badmin- training in full intensity. When I am trying to include activi- maintained a rating of 2700- stuff. Muniyappa, a regular on the Mane, who won two of those Professional Golf Tour of In- first three tournaments. He dia (PGTI). has already raked in `14.66 TRENDING ONLINE The sub-text behind Muni- lakh as reward for his start yappa’s revealing words to but is mindful of the plight of this daily is this: he can cut other golfers who haven’t back on spending significant- seen similar success in 2020. “Like you said, it’s going to be Innovation in the tough. But then, all of us will have parents’ support during this crucial period... That’s why we even entered the sport times of isolation in the first place.” The 29-year-old, to stay fit, FIROZ MIRZA @ Chennai going on fine until her elder sis- has built a small range in his ter fell ill and was admitted to a garden. “That’s to keep mus- AN empty LPG cylinder, tyres, private hospital. “She became cles loose. Every morning I a stick and resistance bands. weak due to fever and doctors have a hit of close to one hour That’s all India cricketer Pooja asked us to hospitalise her. We to ensure I remain somewhat Vastrakar has at her disposal were worried, especially be- active.” for workouts. Member of the cause of COVID-19 and all that. Another who has been squad which finished runners- I sought permission from auth­ mindful of finances is S Chik- up in the ICC Women’s World orities to be with her at night. I karangappa, a well known T20 in Australia, she is stuck at us­ed to return home in the mo­ Like you said, it’s going to be tough. face on the Tour. “Yes, when home, in the city of Shahdol in r­ning for the workout. She is But then, all of us will have parents’ we don’t play you have to keep Madhya Pradesh. al­right now and was disch­a­r­ support during this crucial period... that aspect in the back of your Pooja and her teammates re- ged from hospital on Monday.” That’s why we even entered the mind. Saying that, I have cut turned to Mumbai via Dubai on Pooja played only a match in sport in the first place. my expenses almost down to March 10. She joined the Mad- the tri-nation women’s T20 se- Udayan Mane zero since there is no travel. I hya Pradesh girls in Indore a ries, the event which preceded am staying at home.” couple of days later for a do- the World T20, before being The 26-year-old, who was mestic tournament, when the ly if he is in his village. “This No 2 in the PGTI rankings last BCCI suspended all cricket till is not in my control, I have to year, has also built a small further notice. “I returned to make do with what I have.” range on his terrace. Shahdol on March 15 and was Like athletes in other “I am hitting on that range as­ked to undergo 14 days of sports, golfers too have felt — I don’t even know if you self-isolation. I completed that the pinch thanks to coronavi- can call it a range — every on March 30 but now I have rus shutting down events left, other day. It is to ensure that I been advised to continue it for right and centre. The 43-year- don’t lose my touch complete- seven more days,” the 20-year- old Muniyappa, for instance, ly. Apart from that, I do vari- old told this daily. has so far earned `1,00,830 ous upper-body exercises to Being in self-isolation doesn’t from three events this year. In keep myself loose.” mean the medium-pacer is ex- previous years, he had earned If the situation with respect empted from doing workouts. “I India medium-pacer Pooja Vastrakar more than that in the first to the pandemic doesn’t im- don’t have fitness equipment at three months. “Whatever I prove, golfers will either have my place. The India team train- ruled out due to hamstring in- have earned, I have put it to go back to their hometown er asked each one of us about jury. The right-arm pacer re- back into the sport. It’s just a like Muniyappa or build small things we have at home, which covered in time and played a matter of biding my time, all ranges like Mane and can be used for workouts. I have warm-up match against the I can hope is that the situation Chikkarangappa. sticks, empty LPG cylinder, West Indies but could not find a tyres and resistance bands. He place in the playing XI during guided me on how to make these the prestigious tournament. HELPING HANDS things useful,” said Pooja. “Our spinners were doing Despite limited resources, good. We didn’t want to tinker AIFF HOCKEY INDIA OTHER NSFs she does physical training in- with the winning combination. The All India Hockey India has The national cluding power exercises at least It was unfortunate that the Football Federation also pledged `25 governing bodies of for two hours every day. She plan didn’t work in the final.” is donating `25 lakh lakh towards the PM athletics, wushu, also practises yoga. Speaking The players might be con- to the PM’s relief CARES Fund. “In handball, swimming on her immediate plan, Pooja fined to home due to the lock- fund. “In wake of the these difficult times, with the Olympic said she wants to regain pace down but they are in touch Covid-19 crisis, AIFF it is the absolute associations of which she lost after a knee sur- with each other over their has pledged to need of the hour to Bihar, Himachal and gery in 2018. “As I am fully fit WhatsApp group. “We usually contribute `25 lakh come together to Gujarat put together now, I will try to hit the pace I don’t discuss cricket in the to the PM Shri help fight the crisis,” `8.75 lakh for the used to bowl at before the sur- group. We try to post light stuff Narendra Modi’s PM HI president Mohd PM CARES Fund to gery. I have to do a few minor to keep everybody entertained. CARES Fund,” said a Mushtaque Ahmad help fight the KEEPING THE FLAME ALIVE adjustments, but I am confident Jemimah Rodrigues and Har- I can do it.” leen Deol are the biggest enter- media release. said in a release. COVID-19 pandemic. A visitor looks at a lantern with the Olympic flame inside, after an official handover ceremony in Fukushima | AP The quarantine period was tainers,” she added.

WATCH HOUR Real Kashmir players stranded, Buttler to auction final La Liga concert raises Asian Youth Games shirt to help hospitals more than a million in China next year

waiting for a flight back home LONDON: England’s Jos Buttler is MADRID: La Liga’s online NEW DELHI: China will host auctioning the shirt he wore in last music festival raised more the third edition of the Asian ASHIM SUNAM @ Bengaluru away from his ill mother. wife, his two-year-old son and year’s dramatic World Cup final than a million euros that will Youth Games in Shantou in “The health of my parents seven-year-old daughter. He is win in support of hospitals be used to buy medical November next year, the To see what India's Olympic- WHEN can we head back and my wife’s parents is a con- in constant touch with his fam- treating the coronavirus. In a social equipment for the fight Olympic Council of Asia said bound boxers like Lovlina home? When will we reunite cern. I am especially very wor- ily while his wife tries to be media video posted on Tuesday, against coronavirus, the on Wednesday. The Chinese Borgohain, Pooja Rani and with our loved ones? How long ried as my mother is undergo- supportive asking Kallum to the 29-year-old said he would be Spanish football league said. city of Wuhan was the Ashish Kumar are doing to keep will we be in India? Ten for- ing chemotherapy too. It is keep the spirits up. posting the jersey, signed by all The funds will be put towards epicentre of the COVID-19 fit in the times of lockdown, go eigners, including coaches, tough,” said David, who even “It is difficult. Being a dad, I members of the World Cup- ventilators, protective suits, pandemic that is still to TNIE videos on YouTube. players and Real Kashmir FC wrote to the British High Com- should have been home, pro- winning squad, on eBay. gloves and masks. sweeping across the world. coach David Robertson’s wife, mission in Delhi, seeking help tecting my children, but I am have been stranded in Srinagar to go back. He has been in- stuck halfway across the world. ever since the lockdown start- formed that the evacuation pro- As a man, you do not show emo- #COVID19 ed. These questions linger on cess will start soon. “We have tions but when you speak to in the minds of nationals from given the passports numbers, your family at this time, it gets the UK, Nigeria, Ivory Coast visas and other details. Yester- hard. I have just got to be strong and Zimbabwe in the club. day, we got an e-mail stating and the time will come when Wimbledon cancelled for first time since WWII “The situation is such that that over the next few days, we will be home. Now, every mi­ hardly anyone talks about foot- there will be flights out. We nute feels like an hour and days AFP @ London the momentous decision. and extensive consideration of pected, with the world strug- ball anymore,” said David, who have to sit tight and wait. I am are like weeks,” said Kallum. Wimbledon was due to run all scenarios, we believe that it gling to contain the spread of is from Scotland. He is in Sri- checking my e-mail every two However, these players had WIMBLEDON organisers on for two weeks from June 29, is a measure of this global cri- COVID-19, which has infected nagar with his wife Kym and minutes to see if there is any an experience of a different Wednesday scrapped the old- with Novak Djokovic and Si- sis that it is ultimately the more than 840,000 people son Mason (son). The latter update. Everyone wants to go kind recently. The valley was in est Grand Slam tennis tourna- mona Halep set to defend their right decision to cancel this worldwide and killed over plays for the club. Alongside back home as quickly as possi- a state of lockdown after the sc­ ment for the first time since singles titles. year’s Championships.” 40,000. It also prompted the them, the players and support ble. We might be able to rapping of Article 370. The club World War II as the coronavi- But tournament chiefs Halep tweeted her disap- ATP and WTA to cancel the staff are staying in a hotel get back home soon. used the facilities of the ISL rus wreaks further havoc on bowed to the inevitable on pointment. “So sad to hear @ grasscourt swing in the build- owned by the club owner. No The Africans (in the clubs to prepare for the 19-20 I- the global sporting calendar. Wednesday, saying in a state- Wimbledon won’t take place up to Wimbledon, meaning the one is allowed to move in and squad) may take a League season. But when th­ey The cancellation of the only ment that they had made the this year,” she said. tennis season will not now re- out of the hotel. Most of longer time,” David eventually got back to Srinagar, grasscourt major at the All decision with “great regret”. “Last year’s final will forev- commence until July 13 at the these players while told this daily. it was tough for them to stay in England Club leaves the sea- All England Club chairman er be one of the happiest days earliest. their time away The situation touch with the outside world. son in disarray, with no tennis Ian Hewitt said the decision of my life! But we are going The US Tennis Association watching movies is no different Though the situation is bet- due to be played until had not been taken lightly. through something bigger responded by saying the US on television and for English ter, video calls cannot be made mid-July. “It has weighed heavily on than tennis and Wimbledon Open was still due to take playing Playsta- winger, Kal- on slow internet speed with 2G “Devastated,” tweeted eight- our minds that the staging of will be back! And it means I place as planned, from August tion. It is a diffi- lum Higgin- resuming in January. There is time champion Roger Federer, The Championships has only have even longer to look for- 31 to September 13. “At this cult time for botham, who no 4G, hence the players have while Serena Williams, who been interrupted previously ward to defending my title.” time the USTA still plans to all, especially is desperate not been able to see their faces has won the tournament seven by world wars,” he said. The decision to cancel the host the US Open as sched- David, who is to meet his of the loved ones via video. times, said she was shocked by “But, following thorough tournament was widely ex- uled,” it said in a statement. David Robertson Elon Musk has announced that he and his companies Adults who work long hours are more likely to have have access to additional FDA-approved ventilators underactive thyroid, according to a study, published in the that can be shipped free of cost to hospitals within Journal of the Endocrine Society, which may lead to better regions where the electric car maker delivers. lifestyle and clinical recommendations for hyperthyroidism.

NEW DELHI THURSDAY 12 02 l04l2020 morningstandard in thesundaystandard com

BIG SECRET Fujifilm starts Atmospheric escape Scientists believe But they can also create Voyager 2’s 1986 flyby revealed Three decades after is driven by a magnetic fields protect opportunities for escape, how magnetically weird the 60° Voyager 2 passed through planet’s magnetic a planet, fending off like the giant globs cut planet is. Unlike any other Its magnetic field axis points 60° away from that spin anti-flu drug’s Uranus, scientists sifting field, which can the atmosphere- loose from Saturn and planets, Uranus spins almost axis, so as the planet spins, its magnetosphere — the

through the large dataset of both help and stripping blasts of the Jupiter when magnetic URANUS perfectly on its side — completing space carved out by its magnetic field — wobbles like a MYSTERY OF MYSTERY clinical trial found new information IMPORTANCE hinder the process solar wind field lines become tangled a barrel roll once every 17 hours poorly-thrown football Voyager 2 flew through a PROMISING CURE plasmoid, a giant NEW INFO magnetic bubble that may TOKYO: Japan’s Fujifilm has have been whisking Researchers from NASA’s Goddard Space begun clinical trials to test the Uranus’s atmosphere 1977 Flight Center downloaded Voyager 2’s effectiveness of its anti-flu out to space Voyager 2 was magnetometer readings, which monitored the drug Avigan in treating pa- launched by strength and direction of the magnetic fields The study, published in tients with the new coronavi- FILE NASA in 1977, near Uranus as the spacecraft flew by Geophysical Research Letters, rus, after reports of promising to study the raises new questions about They looked at the measurements every two results in China. outer the planet’s one-of-a-kind seconds, and details showed what scientists Trials in China have suggest- planets. It magnetic environment Voyager 2’s hidden had previously missed: an abrupt zigzag in the ed Avigan could play a role in was magnetic field readings that lasted just one shortening the recovery time launched 16 data reveals new info minute of the spacecraft’s 45-hour journey for patients infected with ATMOSPHERE LEAKAGE days before past Uranus coronavirus. Mars used to Thirty four years ago, NASA’s ambitious its twin Planetary “The trial will be conducted be a wet Voyager 2 became the only spacecraft to fly spacecraft, Scientists behind the new research believe the atmospheres all on 100 patients until the end of planet with a near Uranus and Neptune. The spacecraft Voyager 1 zigzag could be a plasmoid, a type of structure over the solar June,” a company spokesman thick revealed Uranus’ two new rings and 11 new that wasn’t understood particularly well at system are told AFP on Wednesday. “We moons. The data that was captured are still the time of the flyby leaking into atmosphere. will collect data, analyse them revealing new information about the planet. space. It evolved and file for approval after that,” We take a look WHAT IS PLASMOID he added. Hydrogen over time — 4 The drug will be adminis- springs from Venus to join the billion years solar wind (the continuous of leakage to Plasmoids are giant bubbles of plasma, or tered for a maximum of 14 days electrified gas, pinch off from the end of a to coronavirus patients be- stream of particles escaping space — to the Sun) planet’s magnetotail — the part of its tween 20 and 74 years old with become the magnetic field blown back by the Sun like a mild pneumonia, the spokes- Jupiter and Saturn also eject dry planet we windsock man said. The study excludes globs of their electrically- see today pregnant women due to side ef- charged air With enough time, escaping plasmoids can fects shown in animal testing. Gina DiBraccio, drain the ions from a planet’s atmosphere, Two trials in China found the Earth’s atmosphere also leaks, space physicist at fundamentally changing its composition. drug shortened recovery time but the effects are tiny on NASA’s Goddard They had been observed at Earth and other for patients, but Fujifilm was human timescales Space Flight Center : NASA RCE planets, but no one had detected plasmoids OU not involved in those studies. S at Uranus Coming, app that alerts close contacts of Covid-19 carriers FACT OF THE MATTER

TRACKING TOOL measures in place in the coun- behind the project. The Oxford University team cord people’s GPS data as they Pangolin AI classifies try to help control the spread of “The instant mobile app con- has provided UK and European move about their daily lives. LONDON: The UK’s govern- Covid-19. cept is very simple. If you are governments with evidence to This would be supplemented by scales seized skin cancer ment-funded National Health “Our analysis suggests that diagnosed with coronavirus, support the feasibility of devel- users scanning quick response Service (NHS) is looking into almost half of coronavirus the people you’ve recently oping a contact tracing mobile or QR codes posted to public the feasibility of deploying a transmissions occur in come into contact with app that is instant, could be amenities in places where a mobile phone application that the very early phase of will be messaged advis- widely deployed, and should be GPS signal is inadequate, as could be used as a contact-trac- infection, before symp- ing them to isolate. If implemented with appropriate well as Bluetooth signals. ing tool, which alerts users to toms appear, so we need this mobile app is de- ethical considerations. “If we can securely deploy their exposure to coronavirus a fast and effective mo- veloped and deployed It recommends that the mo- this technology, the more peo- carriers. bile app for alerting peo- rapidly, and enough peo- bile application should form ple that opt-in, the faster the The app is being developed ple who have been ex- ple opt-in to use such an part of an integrated coronavi- epidemic will stop, and the by NHSX, the health service’s posed,” said Professor approach, we can slow the rus control strategy that identi- more lives can be saved,” said digital wing, alongside academ- Christophe Fraser from Oxford spread of coronavirus and mit- fies infected people and their Dr David Bonsall, researcher at BIG CATCH DIAGNOSTIC AID ics and industry partners as University’s Big Data Institute, igate against devastating hu- recent person-to-person con- the Nuffield Department of one of the means to help ease Nuffield Department of Medi- man, economic and social im- tacts using digital technology. Medicine and clinician at Ox- alaysian authorities esearchers have devel- the current strict lockdown cine, among the researchers pacts,” he said. The proposed app would re- ford’s John Radcliffe Hospital. Mseized about six Roped an AI system that tonnes of pangolin scales can accurately classify skin and smashed a smuggling disorders, predict malig- syndicate, officials said on nancy, and suggest primary Wednesday, as the country treatment options, an ad- clamps down on rampant vance that may be integrat- wildlife trafficking. The ed with smartphones to act HUBBLE HELPS SPOT pangolin, the world’s most as a diagnostic aid for clini- heavily trafficked mammal, cians. The study, published is believed to have possibly in the Journal of Integra- been a vector in the leap of tive Dermatology, noted that MID-SIZED BLACK HOLE the novel coronavirus from the diagnostic accuracy of animal to human at a mar- dermatologists as well as NASA’s telescope confirms existence; it weighs about 50,000 times ket in China’s Wuhan city. the general public can be the mass of our Sun and is smaller than supermassive black holes Its body parts fetch a high significantly improved by price on the black market using this system. The re- as they are commonly used searchers found that their MISSING LINK Researchers attributed it to a in traditional Chinese med- algorithm could diagnose star being torn apart after com- icine, although scientists 134 skin disorders, and sug- WASHINGTON: Astronomers ing too close to a gravitational- say they have no therapeu- gest primary treatment op- have found the best evidence ly powerful compact object, like tic value. Officials said they tions, render multi-class for a black hole of an elusive a black hole. The X-ray source, had detained two people classification among disor- class known as “intermediate- named 3XMM J215022.4-055108, and the operation had put a ders, and enhance the per- mass,” which betrayed its exist- was not located in a galaxy’s smuggling syndicate out of formance of medical profes- ence by tearing apart a way- centre, where massive black operation. sionals through AI. ward star that passed too close. holes normally would reside. Weighing in at about 50,000 This raised hopes that an times the mass of our Sun, the IMBH was the culprit, the re- black hole is smaller than the A star being torn apart by an IMBH | ESA searchers said. iPhone 9 may come on April 5 supermassive black holes that However, another possible lie at the cores of large galax- and so it is critical to carefully source of the X-ray flare had to TIP OFF ies, but larger than stellar-mass consider and rule out alterna- be ruled out: a neutron star in black holes formed by the col- tive explanations for each can- our own Milky Way galaxy, he Cupertino-based tech giant Apple may launch iPhone lapse of a massive star, the re- didate. That is what Hubble has cooling off after being heated T9 or iPhone SE 2 on April 5 as the image of its protective searchers said. allowed us to do for our candi- to a very high temperature, case has appeared at online retailer Best Buy in the US. Ap- These so-called intermedi- date,” said Dacheng Lin of the they said. ple is yet to officially reveal the launch date of the handset. ate-mass black holes (IMBHs) University of New Hampshire, Deep, high-resolution imag- An image shared by a Best are a long-sought “missing principal investigator of the ing provides strong evidence Buy employee shows an Ur- link” in black hole evolution, study. Lin and his team used that the X-rays emanated not ban Armor Gear case for the according to the results are Hubble Space Telescope to fol- from an isolated source in our new 4.7-inch 2020 iPhone. published in The Astrophysical low up on leads from NASA’s galaxy, but instead in a distant, However, there is no name Journal Letters. Chandra X-ray Observatory dense star cluster on the out- on the case box and these Though there have been a and the European Space Agen- skirts of another galaxy — just cases, among others, are be- few other IMBH candidates, re- cy’s X-ray Multi-Mirror Mis- the type of place astronomers ing sent to retailers, Mac Ru- searchers consider these new sion (XMM-Newton). expected to find an IMBH. mors reported. Additionally, observations the strongest evi- In 2006 these satellites detect- IMBHs have been particular- Best Buy employees have dence yet for mid-sized black ed a powerful flare of X-rays, ly difficult to find because they KEEPING THEM WARM been instructed not to showcase these cases until April 5, holes in the universe. but they could not determine are smaller and less active than An aerial image taken by a drone shows anti-frost candles burning between which indicates that the company could indeed launch the “Intermediate-mass black whether it originated from in- supermassive black holes, the apricot trees in an orchard near Balatonvilagos, Hungary on Tuesday. Candles budget iPhone later this week. holes are very elusive objects, side or outside of our galaxy. researchers said. are used to prevent the trees from being de​ stroyed by the frost | AP

ECONOMIC DISTRESS Coronavirus robs Americans of jobs, many not able to pay their house rent

BILLING TIME have seen their lives turned up- The couple also applied for could need temporary help to were forced to close their doors. bers of layoffs and furloughs, side down by the crisis. deferred and reduced payments pay their monthly housing bill, Tammy Devitoe was laid off mortgage companies are brac- NEW YORK: The coronavirus The decisions they make on for their student loans. which would total about $12 bil- March 12 from her restaurant ing for a wave of missed pay- pandemic took Brittany which bills to pay will provide “We plan to pay our power lion per-month. in Albany, New York, and the ments on April 1. Evictions Brook’s job on March 16, two a clearer picture of the eco- bill and anything necessary The federal government’s un- $250 to $300 of weekly unem- have been temporarily sus- days after it took her husband nomic damage done by Cov- that we can afford, but we will precedented $2.2 trillion aid ployment benefits she expects pended in some areas and there Matthew Whitfield’s, leaving id-19 in a country lacking a uni- not be paying rent, as that package will help ease the eco- to receive will not be nearly are growing calls on social me- the New York couple scram- versal social safety net and would deplete our savings and nomic pain, but the $1,200 enough to pay for her tele- dia for a rent freeze in April. bling as end-of-the-month bills where many workers have little emergency funds within just a checks promised to every phone, electricity, cable, rent Devitoe said her landlord come due. savings to fall back on. few months,” says Brittany, American — and $500 for each and car loan. cannot help because they have On April 1, Brook, who until “We have, for the first time in who lives with Matthew, 33, in child — will not arrive until the She swallowed her pride and bills to pay as well. recently taught music at a pre- our marriage, declined to pay a one-bedroom apartment in second half of April. asked for donations through Cynthia Ryan, who lives in school school, and Whitfield, a our credit card balances, but New York which they rent for In the meantime, a record 3.3 GoFundMe, the online fund- Dallas, said she was told “full now-former waiter and actor, only paid the minimum ... and $1,690 a month. million Americans filed for un- raising platform, where she rent is due regardless of the have to pay the rent and other called to ask for interest for- According to Amherst, a real employment during the week had managed to raise $2,240 by situation right now,” as the bills, as do millions of Ameri- giveness,” 31-year-old Brittany estate analytics and investment A woman hands out free grab-and-go ended March 21, as thousands the morning of March 31. management said they have cans of all social classes who told AFP. firm, 26 per cent of US renters meals for children in Waukee, Iowa | AP of small and large businesses Faced with the massive num- lenders too.