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JUHI’S LOCKDOWN MANTRA US, JAPAN ALLIANCE DOUBLE-HEADER TODAY Juhi Chawla has suggested a positive way Biden sought to present a united front with Japanese In the first double-header of IPL this season, in which one could make others happy, PM Yoshihide Suga to counter an increasingly RCB lock horns with KKR before Delhi take on Punjab during these tough times LEISURE | P2 assertive China INTERNATIONAL | P10 SPORTS | P12

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 18 | www.orissapost.com BHUBANESWAR | SUNDAY, APRIL 18 | 2021 12 PAGES + SUNDAY POST | `4.00 IRREGULAR by MANJUL Allow Covid vax sale in open market, Naveen urges Modi POST NEWS NETWORK State faces acute vax shortage; 1,073 sites shut Bhubaneswar, April 17: In a bid to en- Yes, Kumbh should be curtailed. I’m hance the vaccination coverage, Chief BHUBANESWAR: With Odisha facing an acute shortage of COVID vaccines, Pipli by-election going to reiterate the same in my Minister Naveen Patnaik Saturday inoculation of age-appropriate people could be carried out only at 427 out of the upcoming poll rallies too. urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi 1500 sites across the state, Saturday. Talking to the media, Dr Bijay Panigrahi, to make COVID-19 vaccines available Director of Family Welfare and the state Nodal Immunisation Officer, said, that in the open market enabling willing cit- COVID vaccination has been halted in Jharsuguda, Nuapada and Koraput due to now on May 13 izens to avail the vaccines. non-availability of vaccines. He further said immunisation has also been cancelled on weekends in urban areas in the 10 districts of Sundergarh, SHORT TAKES “COVID-19 vaccines may be made POST NEWS NETWORK termanded following the de- available outside the government sup- Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nawrangpur, mise of Congress candidate Koraput and Malkangiri on account of weekend shutdown clamped by the state Pharma cos cut ply chain, in the open market, so that Bhubaneswar, April 17: Ajit Mangaraj April 14. government in these districts. Taking into account the stock of available doses willing citizens who can afford the vac- The Pipli Assembly seg- Mangaraj succumbed to remdesivir prices of the vaccines in the state, vaccination can be undertaken for a maximum of 2- cine can avail them. This will help gov- 3 days, he added. He further said that the state currently has 3.6 lakh doses of ment will go for fresh by- COVID-19 during the ernments to have a focused approach Covishield and 2.3 lakh doses of Covaxin vaccine remaining in its stock. poll May 13, said sources in electioneering. New Delhi: Prices of remdesivir towards the vulnerable sections of the the office of the Chief According to rules, now injection have been voluntarily society, Naveen said in a letter to the the states should support units to ramp Electoral Officer (CEO) here only the Congress party will curtailed by various drug companies on the intervention Prime Minister. up vaccine production. “As this is an in age criteria as these are economic claimed that Odisha has the lowest Saturday. Formal notifica- be allowed to field a fresh of the government, National He further said that the vaccines al- extraordinary situation and our gov- nerve centres of the country, Patnaik rates of wastage in the county and has tion for the by-poll will be is- candidate for the by-poll, Pharmaceutical Pricing ready approved globally by the credi- ernments should run the extra mile in suggested, saying any lockdown in the capacity to administer 3 lakh doses sued, April 19. which was necessitated fol- Authority (NPPA) said Saturday. ble agencies and governments may be this regard,” he pointed out. these areas will have an impact on in a day. As per the source, April lowing the death of sitting Drug companies like Cadila accorded approval to increase their The few metropolitan cities which the rest of the country in terms of Highlighting acute shortage of vac- 26 has been set as the last BJD MLA Pradeep Healthcare, Dr Reddy's supply. Stating that India has a huge contribute the highest COVID cases labour movement. “At an appropri- cine in Odisha, Patnaik said, “We are date for filing of nomina- Maharathy in October last Laboratories and Cipla have cut vaccine manufacturing potential, the should be allowed priority vaccina- ate time, adequate quantity of vac- getting huge response from people to tions, while the nomination year. Maharathy too suc- the prices of their respective Chief Minister said both the Centre and tion and there needs to be flexibility cines should be made available for the get vaccinated. However, intermit- will be scrutinised on the fol- cumbed to COVID-19 in brands of remdesivir injection states to procure and scale up the tent supply is creating a challenge in lowing day. October 2020. (100 mg/vial). The antiviral drug AS THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARY vaccination process,” he mentioned meeting the demand.” Earlier, he had The last date for with- While ruling BJD has is used in the treatment of SITUATION AND OUR GOVTS SHOULD RUN in the letter. requested for 25 lakh vaccine doses drawal of candidature is fielded Maharathy’s son COVID-19. “Due to the THE EXTRA MILE IN THIS REGARD. On vaccination programme in to help the state administer 3 lakh April 29. The entire elec- Rudra Pratap as its candi- government’s intervention, the NAVEEN PATNAIK | Odisha, he said the state has so far ad- doses every day. tion process will be com- date for the by-poll, BJP price of #Remdesivir Injection is ministrated 47 lakh doses of vaccines The Chief Minister also hoped that the pleted by May 18. nominated Ashrit Patnaik, now reduced! I am thankful to ODISHA CHIEF MINISTER to healthcare workers, frontline work- Centre would be planning to scale up the vac- The by-election sched- who unsuccessfully con- pharmaceutical companies for ers and people above 45 years. Patnaik cination drive. uled for April 17 was coun- tested the poll in 2019. joining hands with the government to fight against COVID-19 Pandemic,” Union Minister of State for Chemicals MY PHONE IS and Fertilisers Mansukh L Gujarat HC suspects govt Mandaviya tweeted. P9 SEC 144 IN TWIN CITIY BEING TAPPED, 4 Sikhs killed in US ‘fudging’ Covid-19 figures WILL ORDER CID FedEx shooting DURING NIGHT CURFEW AGENCIES PROBE: MAMATA POST NEWS NETWORK Washington: At least eight Ahmadebad, April 17: Despite PRESS TRUST OF INDIA people, including four Sikhs, Bhubaneswar, April 17: The the rebuke of the Gujarat High were killed and five others were left injured in a mass Commissionerate Police have Court, which initiated a initiated Galsi (WB), April 17: A day after shooting at a FedEx facility clamped prohibitory orders under a suo motu PIL Friday in view of a purported audio tape -in which in the US state of Indiana, Section 144 of CrPC in twin cities the looming COVID-19 health emer- she is heard proposing a rally with according to community of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar dur- gency in the state, the state of af- the bodies of Cooch Behar firing leaders. The gunman, ing the night curfew hours starting fairs remain sordid. victims- surfaced, West Bengal identified as 19-year-old Saturday. In the first two weeks of April, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Brandon Scott Hole of Twin City Police Commissioner Ahmedabad alone saw 180 deaths Several bodies burning on one pyre in Surat Saturday alleged that her phone Indiana, died by suicide Saumendra Priyadarshi issued an listed as COVID fatalities, but the is being tapped and said she will after the shooting on early order in this regard Saturday. The number of bodies arriving at the 260 COVID-19 victims have been order a CID probe into it. Friday morning, taking the prohibitory orders will be in force local crematoriums say another cremated in the district since April Addressing an election rally toll to nine. About 90 per in Police Commissionerate limits story. Though the High Court had 7. However, the government records here, she accused the BJP of being cent of the workers at this between 9:00pm and 5:00 am. directed the Vijay Rupani govern- confirm only 36 deaths in the dis- involved in the conspiracy as the delivery service facility are “There will be restriction on ment to be “honest and transpar- trict since last year. The Rajkot saffron party “cannot match” the said to be Indian-Americans, movements during the period. ent’ regarding COVID positive cases district saw over 298 deaths in sev- ruling Trinamool Congress’ cam- mostly from the local Sikh However, workers in essential serv- from 9pm to 5am successful. He re- ing the night lockdown. and related deaths, the authorities eral hospitals within a span of paigning on development pro- community. Maninder Singh ices have been exempted. They will quested the residents of the Cuttack Priyadarshi informed the media continue to fudge figures. seven days from April 8, but the grammes. Walia, community activist, be allowed movement only on pro- and Bhubaneswar to follow the that no passes are required for peo- For instance, the death toll re- death audit committee confirmed said the four Sikhs who have duction of identity document is- COVID-19 protocols. Police will ple engaged in particular sectors like leased by in the government bul- only 57 deaths due to COVID. died are Amarjt Kaur Sekhon, 48, Jaswinder Kaur, sued by their respective organisa- take stringent actions against any- medical emergency and IT and ITes letins for four major cities of Gujarat According to a PTI report, metal Amarjit Kaur Johal and tions for bona fide official work,” one found not following the guide- to ply during the curfew. The cops show numbers much smaller than structures of furnaces at some cre- Jaswinder Singh. the order stated. lines. It is the duty of the on ground have been instructed to the number of bodies being cre- matoriums in Surat have started For strict enforcement of the Commissionerate Police to ensure allow movement of only such per- mated every day under COVID pro- melting or breaking as they are night curfew announced by the strict enforcement of the night cur- sons who present their authorised tocols. The cumulative death toll in being used round-the-clock due to state government to check spread few from Saturday, he added. identity cards. the two main government-run hos- the rush of bodies amid the COVID- WEATHER of COVID-19, the Commissionerate As many as 25 cOVID-19 en- Notably, weekend shutdown in 10 pitals in Vadodara district – SSG and 19 pandemic. BHUB CTK Police is learnt to have made forcement points have been iden- districts bordering Chhattisgarh GMERS, in a week is 350, whereas Since the last 10 days, around arrangements like putting up bar- tified. More than 10 platoons of po- such as Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, the official records show that there 16 gas-based furnaces at the MAX 38.6° 37.2° ricades, roadblocks and night pa- lice force under the supervision of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir, have been only 300 deaths in the en- Kurukshetra Crematorium and trolling. over 60 police officers will be mo- Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, tire Vadodara district ever since the Ashvini Kumar Crematorium in TEMP MIN 25.5° 24.5° Forecast During a press meet, Priyadarshi bilised across the Capital city dur- Koraput and Malkangiri began pandemic broke out. Surat are operating 24X7 to cre- Humidity 57% 66% requested the denizens of the Twin ing the curfew period. All the 35 Saturday. There will be night cur- Similarly, in Bharuch district, mate bodies, hence maintenance is- Partly City to cooperate in making the PCR vans will be deployed for pa- fews in these districts on weekdays the official data from the crema- sues are cropping up, the news Rainfall Nil Nil cloudy sky COVID-induced night lockdown trolling throughout the city dur- from 6:00 pm to 5:00 am. torium register shows that at least agency quoted officials. “They (BJP leaders) are even eavesdropping on our everyday conversation. It seems they are tapping our phone calls on cook- ing and other household chores.” Castro era in Cuba to end as Raul confirms he’s retiring “I will order a CID probe into it and not spare anyone involved in such snooping activities. I have THE 89-YEAR-OLD CASTRO MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN A SPEECH FRIDAY AT THE OPENING OF THE EIGHTH CONGRESS OF THE RULING PARTY already come to know who is be- ASSOCIATED PRESS who died in 2016. land anxious about what lies ahead. Batista from power in 1959, for- hind this,” the TMC supremo said. Castro didn’t say who he would en- The coronavirus pandemic, mally became head of the party in Banerjee also claimed she has Havana, April 17: Raul Castro said dorse as his successor as first sec- painful financial reforms and re- 1965, about four years after offi- information that the "central forces he is stepping down as Cuban retary of the Communist Party. But strictions imposed by the Trump ad- cially embracing socialism. are being involved in such acts Communist Party leader, leaving he previously indicated he favors ministration have battered the econ- He quickly absorbed the old party with some agents”. the island without a Castro guiding yielding control to 60-year-old Miguel omy, which shrank 11% last year as under his control and was the coun- “It is clear that the BJP is behind affairs for the first time in more than Díaz-Canel, who succeeded him as a result of a collapse in tourism try’s unquestioned leader until it though they claimed they have six decades and handing control of president in 2018 and is the stan- and remittances. Long food lines falling ill in 2006 and in 2008 hand- no role in it,” she said. the party to a younger generation. dard bearer of a younger genera- and shortages have brought back ing over the presidency to his A controversy had erupted The 89-year-old Castro made the tion of loyalists who have been push- echoes of the “special period” that younger brother Raul, who had Friday after the BJP released the announcement in a speech Friday ing an economic opening without followed the collapse of the Soviet fought alongside him during the purported audio clip in which at the opening of the eighth congress touching Cuba's one-party system. Union in the early 1990s. revolution. Raul succeeded him as Banerjee is heard telling the of the ruling party, the only one al- Castro’s retirement ends an era Discontent has been fueled by head of the party in 2011. Fidel Trinamool Congress nominee of lowed on the island. of formal leadership that began the spread of the Internet and grow- Castro died in 2016. Sitalkuchi to hold rallies with bod- y “I concluded my task as first sec- with his brother Fidel and coun- ing inequality. Much of the debate For most of his life, Raul played ies of the four persons killed in

retary... With the satisfaction of try’s 1959 revolution. “One has to inside Cuba is focused on the pace second-string to his brother Fidel – CISF firing during polling April 10.

k y m c having fulfilled (my duty) and con- step aside for the young people,” of reform, with many complain- first as a guerrilla commander, later Claiming that such a conver- fidence in the future of the father- said 64-year-old retiree Juana ing that the so-called “historic gen- as a senior figure in their socialist sation never took place, the TMC land,” he said in a typically terse, Busutil, for whom Castro “is going eration” represented by Castro has government. But for the past decade, had described the audio clip as to-the-point finale that contrasted to continue being the leader.” been too slow to open the economy. it's Raul who has been the face of “bogus” and wondered whether the with the impassioned verbal py- The transition comes at a difficult Fidel Castro, who led the revo- communist Cuba and its defiance of Centre was tapping a Chief rotechnics of his brother Fidel, time for Cuba, with many on the is- lution that drove dictator Fulgencio US efforts to oust its socialist system. Minister’s phone. P2 MOLINA TO RETURN AS DR OCTOPUS IN HIROYUKI SANADA’S HOMEWORK FOR SUNDAY | APRIL 18 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR SPIDER-MAN FRANCHISE AFTER 17 YRS SCORPION ROLE IN MORTAL KOMBAT Hollywood actor Alfred Molina has confirmed that Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada, who plays he will return to the Spider-Man franchise after Scorpion in the upcoming action thriller Mortal 17 years. Molina will be seen in the upcoming Kombat, says that he did extensive research for

Spider-Man: No Way Home, reprising his iconic the character once he came on board. The film y

role of Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus. is based on the popular video game franchise.

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FORTUNE FORECAST #CovidPositivity,” she wrote. NASA’S HUMAN EXPLORATION ROVER CHALLENGE She also shared a picture PM, Rajini, Kamal Juhi with the words: “A few nice words can help a person more than you think.” Odisha’s school team shares her Meanwhile, the actress will make her digital debut with a ARIES mourn Vivekh’s web series Hush Hush soon. lockdown The series boasts of an all- bags 3rd position Today you will have an women cast and crew, with eye for beautiful and outlandish things. There director, producers, writers POST NEWS NETWORK Anil, the founder of the is a possibility that you may even con- untimely demise mantra being women. IANS Navonmesh Prasar Foundation, template starting a business related to BHUBANESWAR: A team of 10 says, “Our team was the first ever these things. Ganesha feels, though, elebrities across the Indian end today.” school students of Odisha from under-19 student astronomy team that you will not be able to reach any Cfilm industry took to social Vivekh, after experiencing chest Cuttack-based Navonmesh Prasar to represent India at NASA. conclusion about it. media to mourn the death of Padma pain, was admitted to a Chennai hos- Mumbai: Actress Juhi Student Astronomy Team (NaPSAT) Compared to other teams, my stu- Shri recipient Tamil actor and co- pital in an unconscious state, and Chawla Saturday took to so- won the third prize in the high dents were not so experienced but median Vivekanandan, also known received angioplasty and stenting cial media to suggest a pos- school division of prestigious NASA they managed to deliver their best TAURUS as Vivekh, who passed away in to treat a 100-per cent blockage in itive way in which one could Human Exploration Rover and made the country proud.” Chennai on Saturday. He was 59. heart. He breathed his last in the make others happy, during Challenge (NASA HERC), 2021, Class X student Shreyansh Vikas This day is meant for tak- Mourning his sudden demise wee hours of Saturday. these tough times that force tweeted NASA Friday. The team led Mishra, who was part of the proj- ing some time out from your busy schedule, and due to cardiac arrest, PM Narendra Condolences continue pouring people to stay at home. by scientist Anil Pradhan also won ects, says, “Bagging the third prize seeking some fun and relaxation. So says Modi tweeted: “The untimely de- in all through Saturday for the de- The actress urged peo- the ‘Best Videography Award’ via in the overall category in the NASA Ganesha. It is possible that you will be get- mise of noted actor Vivek has left parted actor. ple to connect with their virtual platform, added the US HERC 2021 and being the first ever ting together with your friends and family many saddened. His comic timing IANS loved ones on the phone space agency. under-19 Indian team to represent members for a fun filled evening followed and intelligent dialogues enter- and try to spread cheer. The Challenge was held virtually India in the competition are proud by a great dinner and a late night movie. tained people.Condolences to his She also asked her this year for which the team had moments for us. This was a won- family, friends and admirers. Om fans to leave com- sent its rover design in March end. derful experience for me learning Shanti.” ments, informing “This stellar achievement puts practically and trying out stuff. GEMINI Superstar Rajinikanth, tweeted: her about who the institute on the global map and We faced a lot of hardships in- You face a hectic and “Jr Kalaivanar, social activist, and they called today. will inspire more budding scientists cluding lack of infrastructure, demanding day today. my close friend, Vivek. His demise “I am going to and innovators. Best wishes for manufacturing failures and many You will spend your entire has caused me a lot of pain. I can pick up my phone future,” congratulating the team more, but we didn’t give up. I am day wondering how best to channelise never forget the time I shared with and make a few Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. proud to be a part of NaPSAT.” your energy and enthusiasm. You may be him during the making of Sivaji.” calls Who are you prone to extreme mood swings as well. Meditative techniques should help you Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan going to be nice to, keep your mind calm, says Ganesha. shared: “He was someone who lived today? I’m reading up to Kalam's dream by adding your comments so greenery to the planet, his pass- #StayatHome and ing has left Tamil Nadu bereft.” #BreakTheChai CANCER Actor R. Madhavan tweeted: n #Gratitude Lack of support from “RIP @Actor_Vivek sir.Heart family members will dis- broken and stunned that you able your efforts. Children also disappoint would embark on your heav- you. Discord or difference of opinion in enly journey so suddenly family is indicated. Beware of neigh- and early.” bours. Yet, says Ganesha, face circum- Abhishek Bachchan stances with a smile. tweeted condolences: “Huge admirer of his work and sheer ge- LEO nius. We’ve lost a leg- The NaPSAT team with their mentors You will be filled with extra-ordinary self-con- fidence and will be able to take on huge risks. Sportspersons will be able to make a lot of progress in their fields. You will square off against any obstacles in your Ajeeb Daastaans is like watching four different movies at a go way using your entire might.

t is provocative, for the way it producers of anthologies is main- VIRGO DESPITE THE twists the very concept of love -- taining the thread of uniformity There will be dirt on FLAWS, EACH Ifrom being an emotion that de- Film Review through the assorted efforts. Karan your shoulder today, mands unconditional sacrifice to a Johar, who puts together the film, so dust it off, says STORY STANDS mere tool for realising selfish gains. theme through varied lenses, ex- far from achieves such a likeness. Ganesha, because FOR A SHIFT IN It is flawed, too, for the way it strug- ploiting the creative acumen of four It's almost as if you were watching every time you fall you will get up gles to utilise that unusual premise, very different four different stronger than before. Your logic and analytical skills will help you find the MAINSTREAM while bringing alive its spread of re- minds. CAST: films at a go. necessary precision to accomplish CINEMATIC lationship sagas. It doesn't quite Jaideep Ahlawat, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ajeeb tasks at work. Ajeeb Daastaans is a curious bag end up that way Nushrratt Bharuccha, Konkona Sen Daastaans is far MINDSET indeed, if only for its utterly wicked because the over- Sharma, Aditi Rao Hydari, Shefali Shah, from perfect as an entertainment quotient, and also be- all impact suffers Manav Kaul, Tota Roy Chowdhury overall produc- LIBRA WHEN IT cause it is a rare film coming out of from a glitch that tion. Individually Ganesha says the inner COMES TO mainstream Hindi cinema that looks anthologies often DIRECTION: though, each of artist in you will come to at love as anything beyond a sacro- face. Ajeeb Shashank Khaitan, Raj Mehta, the four stories, the surface today and EXPLORING sanct sentiment. Daastaans is er- Neeraj Ghaywan, Kayoze Irani irrespective of you will showcase your TALES OF The anthology explores that crux ratic in its over- whether they are imagination powers too. You will be able to through four stories, directed by all composition and impact. It starts sloppy or smooth, do stand for a focus on topics of interest today. Those of Shashank Khaitan, Raj Mehta, Neeraj on a tepid note, hits a high with the shift in mainstream movies’ cine- you in the field of interest will find them- LOVE selves moving ahead. Ghaywan and Kayoze Irani. The idea stories in between, and then plum- matic mindset when it exploring obviously was to explore a common mets in the end. A big challenge for tales of love. IANS

SCORPIO You may be in a mood to SUDOKU build castles in the air today, says Ganesha. You PEANUTS post To solve the Sudoku puzzle, fill in the boxes in such a may be caught up in a CROSSWORD manner that every row, column and 3x3 box contains whirlpool of thoughts and nostalgia. the digits 1 to 9, without repeating any. However, you will soon realise that the time once gone, never comes back and so, you make up for the lost time by beginning the new chapter of your life from today itself.

SAGITTARIUS Suddenly, you discover that you are fully dedi- cated to your family. Kith and kins form the crux of your life, says Ganesha. Showing your love and affection to your kids will give you a feeling of satisfaction. Spend some quality time with your partner! CALVIN AND HOBBES CAPRICORN You can't bear the weight of the heavy work load any more. Very clev- erly, you will complete your tasks and slowly but steadily you SOLUTIONS take the load off your shoulders, pre- dicts Ganesha.

AQUARIUS You are talented, hard working, confident and down to earth. These four characteristics are the pillars of success. Now, it is time build the building. Your curiosity and desire BREVITY

to achieve your goals will help you CROSSWORD with it, feels Ganesha. In order to succeed, you may skip a ‘quality check' of your output.

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k y m The day will be exception- c al for working people as the planets seemed to be aligned perfectly, por- tends Ganesha. You will achieve all the expected results in the office and/or at work today. CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW SUDOKU P3 COVID-19 TRACKER SUNDAY | APRIL 18 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR INFECTED RECOVERED DEAD World 14,08,92,437 11,96,14,375 30,16,789

India 1,45,26,609 1,26,71,220 1,75,649

downtown Odisha 3,64,594 3,44,825 1,942

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Virus claims State pays tribute to Industries allowed to operate 4 more lives during shutdown, night curfew PNN/AGENCIES Biju on death anniv Bhubaneswar, April 17: The novel coronavirus has claimed INDUSTRIES HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TO PUT ADEQUATE PROVISIONS FOR four more lives in the state taking the fatality count to 1,942. CHECKING THE COVID INFECTION IN THEIR WORKPLACES AND CAMPUSES According to a Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) department offi- cial, the Covid-19 tally mounted to 3,64,594 as 3,144 more people tested LIVELIHOOD positive for the infection, while IN FOCUS four more fatalities pushed the coronavirus death toll to 1,942. ll industrial units and Of the new cases, 1,823 were re- Afactories have been allowed ported from quarantine centres to operate during shutdowns and and 1,321 detected during contact night curfews tracing, he said. Sundargarh recorded the max- ll construction activities and imum number of fresh cases at 523, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik pays homage to late leader Biju Patnaik at Amovement of goods have followed by Khurda (497), Nuapada Odisha Assembly, Saturday OP PHOTO been allowed (395), Bargarh (156), Sambalpur (149), Cuttack (140), Puri (129), POST NEWS NETWORK shown to be always with people PIC FOR REPRESENTATION habas along the highways Keonjhar (128) and Jharsuguda and work for the welfare and bet- Dand major roads have been (119). The four fatalities were re- Bhubaneswar, April 17: The state terment of every person has al- POST NEWS NETWORK areas all across the state. permitted for takeaway only so ported from Bolangir, Jharsuguda, paid rich tribute to former chief ways been a source of inspiration,” In a message, Chief Secretary that the drivers and other Kalahandi and Sambalpur dis- minister and freedom fighter Biju Naveen tweeted. Bhubaneswar, April 17: With the SC Mahapatra has clarified that staffers of good carriers tricts, the official said. Patnaik on his 24th death an- Several ministers, MLAs and imposition of weekend shutdown all industries and related activi- can get food Taking to Twitter, the H&FW de- niversary. BJD workers including senior and night curfew in many urban ties will continue without any re- partment said, “Regret to inform Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik vice president Debi Prasad Mishra pockets of Odisha, the state gov- striction during night curfew and the demise of four numbers of and Assembly Speaker SN Patro and organisational secretary ernment Saturday made it clear weekend shutdown. All industries Dhabas along the highways and COVID positive patients while have paid floral tributes to Biju Pranab Prakash Das paid hom- that economic activities will con- have been directed to put adequate major roads have been permitted under treatment in hospitals.” Babu at his statue on Assembly age to the visionary leader at party tinue during the Covid counter- provisions for checking the Covid for takeaway only so that the driv- Fifty-three other coronavirus premises while leaders across the office. The Bhubaneswar BJD measures. infection in their work places and ers and other staffers of good car- patients have also died due to co- party including Union Minister workers also performed ‘Tila Weekend (Saturday & Sunday) campuses. riers can get food. morbidities, he said. Odisha now Dharmendra Pradhan, state Tarpana’ for the stalwart at ‘Bindu shutdown has been imposed in all According to government order, Similarly, agriculture, horticul- has 19,077 active cases, and 3,43,522 Congress president Niranjan Sagar’ lake. urban areas of Sundargarh, all industrial units and factories ture, fisheries, animal husbandry, people have recovered. Patnaik also remembered the ex- Meanwhile, Odisha Mo Parivar Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, have been allowed to function dur- veterinary services and allied ac- The state has so far conducted Chief Minister through social organised blood donation camps Bolangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, ing the shutdowns and curfew pe- tivities including paddy procure- over 95.65 lakh sample tests for media on the death anniversary. in all constituencies and launched Nabarangpur, Koraput and riod. All construction activities ment at Mandis have been allowed Covid-19, including 37,245 Friday, “Tribute to son of this soil and an awareness drive for compul- Malkangiri. Similarly, night cur- and movement of goods have been to continue in the 10 districts dur- and the positivity rate stands at 3.81 people’s leader Biju Patnaik on his sory use of masks and strict ad- few has been imposed in urban allowed. ing the weekend shutdown. per cent. death anniversary. The way he has herence to Covid-19 guidelines. Rejig leaves many Remand put on hold as Hyder tests nCoV + POST NEWS NETWORK ‘Gangster has 3 girlfriends’ City PSes headless Cuttack, April 17: Two days after his arrest from Sangareddy dis- POST NEWS NETWORK trict of Telangana, dreaded gang- CUTTACK: In an interesting rev- ident of Bhogarai in Balasore dis- ster Sheikh Hyder Saturday tested elation, sources in the trict while the other two are from Bhubaneswar, April 17: The positive for Covid-19, police said, Commissionerate Police Saturday Pattamundai in Kendrapara and Odisha police Saturday transferred adding that the remand of the gang- said that gangster Hyder has three Mahanga in Cuttack district. 158 police officials who have been ster has been put off. girlfriends and that he was in touch “One of Hyder’s girlfriends is recently promoted to Deputy SP Hyder had escaped from police with all the three women over phone around 18 years while the other rank. Earlier, January 29, 2021, the custody at SCB Medical College after his escape from police cus- two are around 22 and 26. Police state Home department had an- and Hospital in the city here April tody at SCB. had managed to nab Hyder from nounced the promotion of these 10. A special team of the twin-city “The three women did not know Telangana after tracking his phone inspector-rank officials to Deputy Special Branch. The IIC of Kharavel Commissionerate Police, with the each other and Hyder was having calls,” added the source. SP or ACP rank. Nagar PS, Arun Kumar Swain has help of Telangana police, had nabbed conversations with them from dif- Notably, twin-city Police With the reshuffle, many police been posted as ACP of CP while IIC Hyder Thursday. ferent mobile numbers. Police came Commissioner Soumendra stations in the Capital city became of Capital police station, Girija File photo of gangster Hyder to know about the trio from the call Priyadarshi Friday claimed that headless that turned a serious Sankar Chakrabarty was trans- The gangster has been details of Hyder,” said a source in eight persons including three women headache for the city police in view ferred as DSP of District Intelligence kept in isolation at for investigation into his escape the Commissionerate. had assisted Hyder in his escape of enforcement of Covid-19 norms. Bureau, Sonepur. from SCB. One of Hyder’s girlfriends is a res- from police custody. According to the notification, the The IIC posts at Mancheswar Choudwar jail where the “Hyder’s antigen test report inspector in-charge (IIC) of and Infocity police stations have authorities are taking turned out to be negative Friday. Nayapalli police station Sarat been lying vacant for the last sev- However, his RT-PCR test showed Commissioner of Police (DCP) treatment from Sambalpur jail Kumar Sahu has been transferred eral months following the abrupt care of his health issues positive for the virus today. He has Prateek Singh. thrice from January this year to as the DSP of Crime Branch. shifting of the inspectors, Jitendra been kept in isolation at Choudwar According to Singh, Hyder’s RT- March 23. However, a police out- Similarly, the IIC of Laxmisagar Kumar Sethi and Biswajit Mohanty jail. The jail authorities are taking PCR test was conducted at SCB. post at SCB and the nearby police station, Bharat Chandra respectively. The gangster was brought to care of his health issues. Since the The gangster’s escape had put the Mangalabag police station were Sahoo has been appointed as the Speaking to Orissa POST, DCP Odisha and produced in the Judicial gangster is now infected with the needle of suspicion on some doctors not kept in the loop. Assistant Commissioner of Police Umashankar Dash said, “The state Magistrate First Class court here virus, the police remand has been and health staff of the premium “If required, we will bring the doc- in Commissionerate Police. IIC of police establishment will soon de- Friday. The court had allowed the put off. Once he is cured, we will seek health institute. tors and health staff of SCB under Airfield PS, Deepak Kumar Mishra cide on the transfer of inspectors Commissionerate Police to take the the court’s permission to take him It is worth mentioning here that the ambit of investigation in Hyder’s has been transferred as DSP of for the vacant posts.” gangster on a seven-day remand on remand,” said Cuttack Deputy Hyder had been brought to SCB for escape,” said the DCP. Accused gives cops a slip, nabbed COVID MANAGEMENT

POST NEWS NETWORK others who were involved in snatch- a former minister. Subsequently, ing of mobile phones. As many as the cops succeeded in arresting the STATE, CENTRE NEED TO Bhubaneswar, April 17: In yet five police personnel of Badagad PS fugitive who was hiding inside the another embarrassing moment for had taken the accused persons in- bathroom of the ex-minister near Commissionerate Police, an ac- cluding Rao to the Capital hospital the Capital hospital. cused Saturday gave the cops a slip for medical check-up. Later, police produced Rao along WORK IN HARMONY: BJP from Capital hospital here Saturday However, Rao pushed the cops with his other associates before the afternoon. escorting him and escaped from court. They were sent to judicial The accused, identified as P Rama the spot. The officials immediately custody. Police had arrested Rao in POST NEWS NETWORK Rao, was Friday arrested by swung into action and followed Rao another case under Section 307 (at- The time is ripe for Badagada police along with two who entered into the residence of tempt to murder) a few years back. Bhubaneswar, April 17: The BJP the states and Saturday said that the state and Central government the Union governments need to to work towards cooperative work together on the issue of Covid- federalism. This is not the WAR AGAINST VIRUS 19 management and refrain from time to indulge in blame blaming each other. game. The health ministry is BJP leader and Bhubaneswar working well and monitoring MP Aparajita Sarangi said, “The the vaccines regularly work of Chief Minister is to keep APARAJITA SARANGI I BJP MP the Prime Minister updated on the issue of vaccine situation. I welcome his decision. The time is take steps accordingly to take care cines is a welcome step. His state- ripe for the states and Central gov- of the vaccine needs of the state. The ment on the issue of vaccination was ernment to work towards cooper- Union government is taking all re- based on the calculations and ob- ative federalism. This is not the time quired steps on vaccines, oxygen and servation of Health department.” to indulge in blame game. The other things.” He added, “The Chief Minister health ministry is working well Senior BJD leader Debi Prasad has also given suggestions to the PM and monitoring the vaccines reg- Mishra said, “The decision taken on the diversion of vaccines to the ularly,” she said. by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik open market. There are a lot of de- She also added, “I assure the to reach out to Prime Minister velopments happening in the area state that the Union government will Narendra Modi on the issue of vac- of vaccines. These suggestions are for the welfare of the state.” The Chief Minister The Congress party asked the has given Chief Minister to personally talk to suggestions the PM over telephone and engage

more passionately on the issue.

k y m to the PM on the diversion c Congress leader Suresh Routray of vaccines to the said, “Naveen should talk to the PM open market. These directly. Union minister Dharmendra suggestions are for the Pradhan should participate too in Rajmahal Square in Bhubaneswar wears a deserted look as Section 144 was imposed in the Capital city to contain welfare of the state bringing vaccines to the state. For the spread of novel coronavirus, Saturday OP PHOTO DEBI PRASAD MISHRA I BJD MLA how long does the Chief Minister would write letters?” P4 SUNDAY | APRIL 18 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR downtown

NGT orders probe into Mahanadi sand mining RT-PCR mandatory

k y m c POST NEWS NETWORK The committee will comprise he aggrieved villagers and for Kumbh returnees of a senior scientist from Tpetitioners had alleged that Bhubaneswar, April 17: The sand mining operation was in Integrated Regional Office of the All the attendees will have to undergo quarantine for 14 days National Green Tribunal (NGT) violation of the approved mining Environment Ministry, a senior has directed the state government plan, environmental clearance scientist from the Regional office POST NEWS NETWORK “All such persons must be per- to inspect and examine the allega- conditions and other norms and of the Central Pollution Control sonally tracked, their health con- tions of illegal sand mining in orders of the Supreme Court and Board, Cuttack Collector, Senior Bhubaneswar, April 17: To con- dition monitored. All of them shall Nuapatna area of Cuttack district. NGT in the matter of sand scientist/official from the State trol the spread of Covid-19 through be directed to quarantine them- The order from the tribunal came mining Environment Impact Assessment Kumbh Mela returnees, the state selves for 14 days at home or in after petitioner Srikanta Kumar Authority (SEIAA) and Cuttack government Saturday made RT- cluster Temporary Medical Centres Pakal and others alleged excessive he petition had said that the District Mining Officer. PCR test mandatory for devotees re- (TMCs). They must be compulso- sand mining and flouting of several Tactions of the miner are The aggrieved villagers and pe- turning from the Mela in Haridwar. rily RT-PCR tested,” government hampering the ecology of the mining norms while conducting titioners had alleged that sand min- The details of the people, who told the collectors. Mahanadi and accused the local sand mining on the beds of officials of not acting against the ing operation was in violation of the have registered with Uttarakhand If symptoms are noticed, they will Mahanadi river in the area. culprits approved mining plan, environ- government for participating in be immediately attended. The ASHA The petition had alleged that the mental clearance conditions and Kumbh Mela, hs been shared with and Anganwadi workers have been miners in the area were indulged that an inspection be carried out by NGT said. he NGT in its latest order on other norms and orders of the the collectors and municipal com- directed to visit them regularly in excessive mining in Nuapatna a Joint Committee. The commit- It also said that the committee Tthe issue has directed to Supreme Court and NGT in the missioners. and monitor their health. Mouza in Tangi-Choudwar tehsil of tee shall examine the site and sub- should also enumerate any violation form of a special panel which matter of sand mining and de- The Special Relief Commissioner All such persons have to volun- Cuttack district. Use of excavators mit its report stating therein specif- of the Environmental Clearance will visit the site and examine manded action against the erring (SRC) has advised all collectors tarily self isolate themselves and were also alleged which is barred ically as to whether excess sand certificate or Consent to Operate. the issue persons. and municipal commissioners to report to local administration and in sand mining activities. has been excavated beyond the li- “We further direct that if the com- The petition had said that the contact all the returnees and find health authorities. The collectors The NGT in its latest order on the cense granted and whether heavy mittee finds that there has been vi- ment and the compensation/roy- actions of the miner are hampering out the location, travel plan and and municipal commissioners were issue has directed to form of a spe- machines have been used for ex- olation of the rules and regula- alty which the Respondent No 9 the ecology of the Mahanadi and ac- advise them to get their RT-PCR tests further asked to report to Health de- cial panel which will visit the site cavation of sand which is contrary tions, the committee shall assess (miner) may be liable to pay,” the cused the local officials of not act- done before boarding the train and partment and SRC office on this and examine the issue. “We direct to the rules,” the written order of the damage caused to the environ- order added. ing against the culprits. flight to Odisha. issue on a daily basis. Ensure electricity to all, STUDENTS’ STIR Energy min tells officials

velopmental projects and high- lighted the achievements under 5T & Mo SARAKAR initiatives in the Department. He also spelled out the roadmap of the Department ahead in line with the commitment of the Chief Minister to the people of the state. The Managing Directors and Directors of GRIDCO& OPTCL present at the meeting participated POST NEWS NETWORK the people centric projects in a in the deliberation and shared their time-bound manner. He also ad- thoughts and propositions with Bhubaneswar, April 17: Energy, vised the officers and employees Divya Shankar to transform the Industry, MSME & Home Minister at all levels of operation in Energy sector into a more vibrant and peo- Dibya Shankar Mishra Saturday department to be responsive to the ple friendly system. The CEOs of TP- reviewed the progress of various de- needs and expectations of public. CODL, TPSODL, TPNODL and TP- velopmental projects and pro- He told them to remain accountable WODL who had joined through VC grammes relating to infrastruc- for quality supply and proactive mode also gave presentations on ture development, village service delivery to the consumers their action-plans and programs electrification and implementation living in remotest areas of the state undertaken in their respective areas of 5T & Mo Sarkar initiatives in and ensure electricity to all. of operations for ensuring a reliable Energy Department. Principal Secretary, Energy and supply network, electrical safety While taking stock of present Chairman , GRIDCO & OPTCL and efficient service delivery mech- status of the projects, he directed Nikunja Bihari Dhal put forth the anism so as to win the goodwill and A group of students at Ravenshaw University in Cuttack stages a sit-in in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s office, Saturday, to protest against a notice to the concerned officials to complete present status of all ongoing de- confidence of electricity consumers. vacate the hostels OP PHOTO WASSUP TODAY DAY TEMP SET TO RISE IN STATE Ajit Mangaraj’s mother BHUBANESWAR IMD predicts light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorm in some pockets of the state till April 22 too succumbs to nCoV n First convention (virtual) of Odisha Unit of All India OBC Employees Welfare Association, POST NEWS NETWORK Some places of Balasore, Ganjam, Sunday. POST NEWS NETWORK According to a source, Conference Hall, Press Club of Bhadrak, Jajpur, Districts including Balasore, Ajit’s mother was Odisha, 11 am Bhubaneswar, April 17: The India Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Bhubaneswar, April 17: Two Meteorological Department (IMD) Kendrapara, Cuttack, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Gajapati, days after Congress candidate for hospitalised well before JATNI Saturday said that day tempera- Ganjam, Khurda, Puri, Nayagarh, Pipli bypoll Ajit Mangaraj died of ture is very likely to rise by 2 to 4 Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal Covid-19, his mother too lost the bat- Ajit was n Katyayani Besha of Maa Jagulei degrees Celsius at many places of Puri, Dhenkanal and and Kandhamal may witness light tle against the deadly virus as part of Basanti Durga Puja, the state during next 2-3 days. shower, April 19. Saturday night. problems. He was rushed to a gov- Kudiari, 6 pm Four places recorded a maxi- Mayurbhanj will experience Some places of Balasore, Khetramani Mangaraj, the de- ernment hospital in Pipli and then mum day temperature of 40 de- thunderstorm Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, ceased leader’s mother, had tested shifted to Apollo Hospital. Programmes/announcements grees Celsius or above, Saturday. Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, positive for the highly infectious Later, he tested positive for the for wassup today may be sent to The places are Titlagarh (40.6 de- Puri, Dhenkanal and Mayurbhanj virus and was undergoing treat- infection. He passed away April 14 [email protected] for record, grees), Jharsuguda (40.2 degrees), like Sambalpur, Sundargarh, rainfall and thunderstorm in some will also experience thunderstorm, ment at a Bhubaneswar based pri- while undergoing treatment. it must also carry the sender’s Baripada (40 degrees) and Hirakud, Bhawanipatna, Sonepur pockets of the state till April 22. It Monday while similar weather con- vate hospital. According to a source, While the untimely demise of Malkangiri (40 degrees). Capital and Boudh have experienced max- said that light to moderate rainfall dition will occur at one or two places she was hospitalised well before Pipili’s BJD MLA Pradeep mobile number for our city Bhubaneswar recorded a day imum temperatures of 39 to 40 de- may occur at one or two places over of Koraput, Nabarangpur, Ajit’s hospitalisation. Maharathy had necessitated the verification, but not for publication. temperature of 38.6 degrees Celsius grees Celsius. the districts of Mayurbhanj, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ajit was busy campaigning in the bypoll, the death of Ajit Mangaraj while Cuttack was at 37.2 degrees. Meanwhile, the department also Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh and constituency April 7 when he sud- resulted in postponement of the Many western Odisha districts made prediction of light to moderate Koraput, Gajapati, Rayagada and Keonjhar on the next day. denly complained of breathing by-election. CLASSIFIED Digital literacy LOSTAFFIDAVIT NOBLE DEED Man arrested for On 01.04.2021 HDFC Bank van rolled out ID Card No.200305292200094 is lost. smuggling pangolin for Khurda If the said ID Card found please return to G.P. POST NEWS NETWORK POST NEWS NETWORK Combines Pvt. Ltd., 155, Bapuji Nagar, Cuttack, April 17: The Special Bhubaneswar, April 17: A Bhubaneswar, Ph.No. 0674- Task Force (STF) of Odisha Crime digital van was Saturday inau- Branch late Friday night conducted gurated in Khurda district which 6677777. a raid at Abhimanpur village will roam around different areas Badamba area of Cuttack and of the district to create awareness affidavitAFFIDAVIT busted a pangolin smugglers’ gang. on digital literacy among the people especially the school and By virtue of an affidavit The seized live pangolin college goers. sworn before the Notary is to be handed over to The van was inaugurated by Public, Bargarh, I connection, an STF official said. Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Uppalapati Krishna, S/o. DFO-cum-Wildlife The live pangolin and other in- Sarangi. The initiative has been Uppalapati Satyanarayan, Warden, Athagarh for criminating instruments were named as ‘Gali Gali Gaon Gaon’ seized from his possession. The undertaken under the Pradhan R/o. Kalapani Chowk, safe custody accused could not produce any Mantri Grameen Digital P.O.- Kalapani, Dist.- valid document in support of pos- Shaksharta Abhiyan. Bargarh declare that The STF officials raided a house sessing the endangered species. All necessary instruments along Uppalapati Krishna and U at the village after being tipped off A case (No. 14, dated 16.04.2021) with laptops have been provided Krishna is one and same through a reliable source about a under Sections 379/411/120 (B) of in this van to create more im- person. Henceforth, I am deal to sell a live pangolin. IPC r/w 51 of Wild Life (Protection) pact. It is aimed at creating aware- known as Uppalapati A wildlife smuggler identified Act, 1972 has been registered. ness among 30,000 people of as Keshab Chandra Sahoo of Further investigation was under- Khurdha about digital and fi- Krishna for all purposes.

Activists of Shreekhetra Bikash Manch open a drinking water kiosk at Market Square in Puri, Saturday OP PHOTO Abhimanpur was arrested in this way when the last report came in. nancial literacy.

k y m c P5 SUNDAY | APRIL 18 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR state

BOOTLEGGING RAMPANT ON CHHATTISGARH BORDERS Locals fume as NH-59

k y m Covid import: Sundargarh sitting duck expansion gets delayed c POST NEWS NETWORK ut people living in fringe villages Jharsuguda, April 17: Covid-19 is Bcommute to the neighboring state surging in parts of Chhattisgarh. through farmlands, forests and foot This has left its impact on the fringe tracks which are out of the areas of Sundargarh district bor- administration’s scanner dering Chhattisgarh. Fringe areas hese unnoticed routes reportedly have been witnessing an upsurge. Tfacilitate many bootleggers of both Rampant bootlegging in the bor- the sides to carry on their cross-border der areas is feared to add to the business which is feared to spread the pandemic spread in the side, a re- virus, locals alleged. People on both port said. sides also commute on the porous According to the report, the state borders POST NEWS NETWORK The project officer said government has warned the ad- oreover, people in Chhattisgarh ministration of 10 districts sharing Mfringe areas come to villages in Daringbadi, April 17: Hundreds an estimate of the NH borders with Chhattisgarh against Jharsuguda to drink liquor almost of villagers Saturday staged a road- expansion work has the spread of the Covid-19. every day. Bootlegging has been block at Simanbadi village in The administration, as part of rampant in many fringe villages Kandhamal district alleging delay been sent to NHAI preventive measures, has sealed in road expansion work on a stretch authorities for approval the entry point at Kanaktora. A ILLEGAL LIQUOR TRADE IS THRIVING AT SUKHASODA VILLAGE UNDER LAKHANPUR BLOCK. IT IS ALLEGED THAT SCORES OF of NH-59 connecting Gopalpur and temporary camp has been set up PEOPLE FROM CHHATTISGARH DRINK COUNTRY LIQUOR AT THIS OUTLET ON A DAILY BASIS Raipur areas here. here while the police officials and Seeking immediate intervention Notably, local residents had administration have been strictly feared to spread the virus, locals al- Locals alleged that some people started raids on some places, but all of the local administration to resolve earlier informed the IIC about checking vehicular movements on leged. People on both sides also had opposed such activities ear- vulnerable areas are under strict the issue, the agitators brought ve- the delay in road expansion work. road routes. Several other routes commute on the porous borders. lier, but it is of no use. Such activ- vigil. Recently, two bootleggers were hicular movement on NH-59 to a halt Subsequently, the IIC had leading to Chhattisgarh have also Moreover, people in Chhattisgarh ities have gone unnoticed by the arrested at Sukhasoda. and detained a number of vehi- arranged a meeting between the been sealed. fringe areas come to villages in excise and the police. Locals fear that bootlegging will cles of the contractor firm. project officer of the contractor But people living in fringe villages Jharsuguda to drink liquor almost If such bootlegging is allowed be a potential means to bring Covid- On being informed, Daringbadi firm Panchanan Das and local commute to the neighboring state every day. Bootlegging has been in fringe areas, the pandemic sit- 19 from the neighboring state. There police station IIC Kaushik Majhi villagers of Simanbadi few through farmlands, forests and foot rampant in many fringe villages. uation will go out of control in the is a need for stern action on the rushed to the spot. He convinced the months back. tracks which are out of the ad- Such scenario is found at fringe areas. The efforts of the ad- bootleggers and tipplers from other enraged villagers by promising The project officer had then sug- ministration’s scanner. Sukhasoda village under Lakhanpur ministration keeping guard on side of the border. them to take the matter up with the gested that an estimate of the work These unnoticed routes report- block. It is alleged that scores of entry points will yield no results The police and the administration concerned authorities. With the had been sent to NHAI authorities edly facilitate many bootleggers of people from Chhattisgarh drink while Covid-19 will have made entry have been carrying out strict check- intervention of Daringbadi police, for approval and that the project will both the sides to carry on their country liquor at this outlet on a into backdoors, locals alleged. ing of mask wearing and Covid-19 the detained vehicles were also re- be completed soon after getting cross-border business which is daily basis. Meanwhile, excise officials have guidelines. leased by the agitators. due approval.

FUN TIME ‘Dupatta’ around skeleton helped Pharmacist molests police crack murder mystery woman during X-ray POST NEWS NETWORK POST NEWS NETWORK Subhashree were in love. Subhashree had eloped with Arun Berhampur, April 17: A woman Jajpur, April 17: A dupatta around October 30, 2020. Arun kept her at was allegedly molested by a phar- a skeleton that was recovered from the under construction panchayat macist at a private hospital in a pond near Kapileswar village office in his village for two days. Water Tank Road in this city, po- under Sadar police limits in Jajpur During her stay there, he estab- lice said. The matter came to the district helped police solve a mur- lished physical relationship with fore after Town Police receved a der case. her. On the third day, he sent her complaint in this regard. The ac- Police had recovered the skele- with a relative to Bhubaneswar. cused was arrested and identified ton from the pond April 8, but failed She returned to the village from as Aswini Kumar Acharya, 42, of to identify the deceased. It focused Bhubaneswar in a bus and got Shakti Nagar under on the dupatta around the skeleton. down at Kuakhia January 19. Arun Gosaninuagaon. Acharya was The police came to know that the picked her up on a bike and kept her produced in the court and re- skeleton was that of Subhashree at Khandara panchayat office for manded to judicial custody, IIC Rout, a resident of Khandra vil- three days. Then she went to Suresh Kumar Tripathy said. lage. Bhubaneswar and again returned Police said Dr Shankarshan The police’s investigation then to Kuakhia January 23. Patra, a retired orthopedic sur- zeroed in on her lover Arun Jena, Arun took her to Kapileswar vil- geon, runs a hospital Patra Clinic a resident of Mirchandpur. He was lage. When Subhashree asked Arun at Water Tank Road. The inci- arrested from Hyderabad. to marry her, he turned down her dent occurred when the woman vis- Additional superintendent of proposal outright as he was al- ited the clinic for her knee pain. police (Kalinga Nagar) Jayaram ready married. Arun thought of The doctor advised her to get an Satpathy and SDPO Narayan getting rid of Subhashree. X-ray done. A pharmacist took Chandra Barik briefed the jour- At about 11 pm, he strangulated her to an X-ray room where he al- nalists why and how Arun had her with her dupatta and packed legedly tried to take off her clothes killed Subhashree Saturday. the body in a sack and dumped it and molested her. Later, the woman Children rolling used tyres on a road in Angul, Saturday OP PHOTO Arun, a married person, and in a pond. filed an FIR at the police station. Thyroid testing machine Plantation scam under Lokayukta lens

POST NEWS NETWORK while the defendants sought more PCCF SERVES NOTICE TO KALAHANDI NORTH DFO time for deposition. defunct; patients suffer Bhawanipatana, April 17: The The next hearing of the case will principal chief conservator of be held May 5. The state forest and POST NEWS NETWORK programmes. However, some of forests (PCCF) has issued a notice environment department had is- the high-powered equipment in- to the DFO of the Kalahandi north sued a letter (6583/March 26, 2021) Berhampur, April 17: A thyroid- stalled in the hospital becoming division over irregularities in plan- to the PCCF about the alleged scam. testing machine in MKCG Medical defunct at different points of times tation work, seeking clarifications The PCCF has issued a letter College and Hospital here is lying has posed serious challenges to and action taken report. April 12 to Narla deputy ranger defunct for last seven months leav- the aim and objectives of the gov- According to reports, the Nrutya Majhi, former Narla forester ing the patients to suffer while the ernment. Lokayukta had earlier received a Sampad Kumar, forester Madhukar concerned authorities have turned Reports said the thyroid testing complaint that there were irregu- Patel and forest guard Ranjan Sahu. a blind eye to the issue, a report said. machine is lying defunct for the larities worth Rs 2.21 crore in the FILE PHOTO In the letter, the PCCF sought to The machine lying non-operational last seven months. The MKCG au- plantation in fiscal 2015-16 and 2016- know that there were no plants at has caused inconvenience to pa- thorities have duly apprised the 17 in Narla section of the North Vigilance has looked tions on the alleged scam. It later the sites and how they could do tients as authorities are yet to re- state government on the develop- Kalahandi forest division. into the scam and recommended the case to the state maintenance of the plantation. The pair or purchase a new machine for ment. However, nothing has been Acting on the complaint (case-LY- Vigilance for investigation. After PCCF has also wanted the kind of the hospital. done yet as patients continue to 167/2020), the Lokayukta has is- submitted its report to looking into the scam, the Vigilance action taken against those respon- Reports said people with car- suffer in the absence of the equip- sued notice to former DFO Lalitendu the state government, has submitted its report to the state sible for the scam. diac problems, neuro-related prob- ment. Jena, former ACF Sushant Kumar government. On the other hand, This letter from the PCCF has lems, obesity and pregnant women The machine has been installed Samantray, former Narla ranger which will soon submit the state government will soon sub- stirred consternation among forest besides every routine patient who at the regional diagnostic centre Antaryami Das and former Narla the report to the mit the Vigilance report to the officials. It was learnt that forester has to undergo a surgery is re- (RDC) building in the hospital forester Sampad Kumar. Lokayukta. Sampad Kumamr has been shifted quired to get their thyroid tests premises in 2013. A private firm All the four officials had deposed Lokayukta soon A hearing on the case was held to Golamunda section while no de- done. On account of this, the thy- was assigned the charge of its individually before the Lokayukta by the Lokayukta April 5. partmental action was taken against roid testing machine is of immense maintenance. The machine con- and submitted their replies re- However, the Lokayukta was not Complainant Bindu Mahananda the ranger, the forester and the for- importance but ignoring all this, the ducts tests of over 60 patients daily garding the alleged irregularities. convinced about their clarifica- had deposed before the Lokayukta est guard. hospital authorities are yet to take in three phases for their thyroid a look at the problem. problems free of cost. In absence of the testing facility, The MKCG authorities informed Man kills wife, dumps people coming for the thyroid test the concerned firm on the devel- return disappointed. That burns a opment. Later, a technician from the Mango trade hit by slump body in forest hole in their pockets by paying firm verified the machine and gave around Rs 800 to get the test done an estimate of Rs 21lakh for its re- POST NEWS NETWORK POST NEWS NETWORK at a private facility. Poor patients pairing. The high price shocked have been hit the hardest. the MKCG authorities as they re- Berhampur, April 17: In sum- Rayagada, April 17: A man was Sources said the state govern- fused permission for repairing of mer, mango trade usually gathers arrested for murdering his wife and ment has taken various measures the machine which was purchased pace in Berhampur and other later dumping her body in a for- to make healthcare facilities easily at Rs 25 lakh. mango hubs of the state. However, est in Gunupur area of Rayagada available to people. Facilities like When contacted, MKCG hospi- this summer, mango market is in district Saturday. free treatment, free medicines tal superintendent Professor doldrums at Nilakantheswar in The accused has been identi- under Niramaya Yojana and free ex- Santosh Kumar Mishra said the Berhampur due to second wave of fied as Surendra Sabar from amination under Nidan scheme Odisha State Medical Corporation Covid pandemic. Traders say, they Chinasari village under Gunupur are some of measures of the state has been apprised of the matter. A would have been doing good busi- police limits and his deceased wife government. Many patients get decision has been taken to pur- ness by this time, but the pan- as Gouri. benefits from these government chase a new machine. demic has paralysed the business Gurupur Model Police Station completely. IIC Manoj Kumar Behera informed Nearly 50 tonnes of mango are Gouri had gone missing April 5 and sold and sent to various parts of Baiganpalli, Akhurasa, Nadia Amba, demand may go up in coming days. subsequently her family had lodged the state and other states through Kalambi and Subarnarekha, from But pandemic restrictions have a missing report. this market. Karnatak, Bangalore, Srikakulam, been a problem,” said Prakash The police had investigated the

According to reports, some traders Tirupati, Vijaywada, Rajmuhandry. Chandra Gouda, secretary of the matter and suspected Surendra’s

k y m c have started selling mangoes since From this market, mangoes are sent Amba Bazar Sangha. complicity. They came to know that April 1, but the business has slowed to Khurda, Sambalpur, Cuttack, Puri Other traders said the mango the couple used to fight and down in the current year. In south and Bolangir. market has been caught in a slump Surendra had wanted to get rid of Odisha, the Nilakantheswar mango “The wholesale rate of the mango due to Covid curbs. However, they her. He took the victim to a forested hub is one of the biggest ones. Traders is Rs 50 to Rs 60 per kg. Mango pro- hope that mango production will in- area and killed her before dump- import varieties of mangoes like duction has fallen this year. The crease in next 10 to 15 days. ing the body in the forest. P6 SUNDAY | APRIL 18 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR power post

FOCUS ECONOMY All existence is a

manifestation of God.

k y m SRI AUROBINDO SURVIVAL OF MSMEs c

n October 2020 study by ity of a loan arises when there is McKinsey Consultants demand in the market. The MSMEs in the European Union will use the loans for consump- What sort of India Ahas found that one-half tion and sink into the quicksand medium, small and micro indus- of debt in absence of demand from hat sort of India is the present generation growing up in and what tries (MSMEs) believe that they will the market. Therefore, the gov- will they live through? I am over 50 and with good health and good not be able to survive more than ernment should consider giving Wluck might see another couple of decades or so but in productivity 12 months. The condition in our subsidies on wages and income terms my best years are behind me. The future belongs to those who are today country is likely to be much worse support to the MSMEs. children and young adults. What do they have in store for them? Having looked because our MSMEs have faced MSMEs often buy imported raw at the data and the facts of the last seven years in detail for my next book, I the problems of demonetization materials like plastic and sell the can see a little bit into the future and what it has in store. and GST earlier. finished goods such as dolls made Economically, the future is slightly different from what it was when I was The simple fact is that the cost by them. They can do this only if coming into the job market. India had liberalised its economy in the year that of production of MSMEs is more India’s increased import duties on raw materials they get cheap plastic and pro- I turned 21 and in the few years after that the market for jobs vastly improved in comparison to large industries have made the MSMEs highly uncompetitive tection from cheap imported dolls. in the cities. Even people with a generic college degree with no specialisa- and they cannot survive unless However, the policy of the gov- tion could get a white-collar job in an air-conditioned office if they had just given special protection. First rea- ernment has been exactly in the basic knowledge of English. son is that the cost of informa- The fourth reason is digital tech- they make efforts to obtain that par- opposite direction. Heavy import This greatly benefited the middle class which had always had access to qual- tion is more for them. Let us say nologies such as Artificial ticular information and provide duties have been imposed on cer- ity schools but not that many options in terms of work (which is why par- a businessperson of Kanpur has Intelligence, robots, 3-D printing, to their members. The associa- tain raw materials while low im- ents kept insisting on specialisation in education and asking children to be- to get information about the mar- internet of things and internet- tions have a better grasp of the po- port duties have been imposed on come doctors and engineers). Now it was possible even for a BA or BCom woman ket for leather goods in Mumbai. based platforms like Amazon and tential of making clusters as well. certain finished goods. Thus, Anil or man to access an upper class lifestyle. I was one who benefited from this The cost of travel by a large busi- Flipkart. The cost of production For example, the association of Bharadwaj, secretary general of the as did lakhs of others. Bharat nessperson would be, say, double of large businesses is reducing weavers of Varanasi would have Federation of Indian Micro, Small The majority of Indians did not benefit from this, of course, because they Jhunjhunwala of the MSME businessperson. by the day due to the use of these a better understanding as to and Medium Enterprises has said had access neither to the big cities nor to a decent education. But they had However, the large businessper- technologies. They are producing whether the cluster of weavers India’s increased import duties hope and this explains the thousands of private education institutions that son would sell ten times the goods large quantities with lesser num- should be made around a sales on raw materials have made the sprang up in India’s towns that attempted to replicate what was happening THE sold by the MSME businessper- ber of workers by using technol- website, testing facility or de- MSMEs highly uncompetitive. in cities. This period is now over. India’s urban unemployment is at a his- GOVERNMENT son. Accordingly, the cost of in- ogy. Further, they are able to per- signing. The policy of the Indian A 2018 report by the toric high and more importantly the participation rate of India’s labour force formation would be five times for suade the large platforms to push government appears to be moving International Trade Centre titled — meaning those who are employed or looking SHOULD the small businessperson. their goods. For example, Amazon in the opposite direction, how- “Business Systems for the Digital for work — is at a historic low. This means CONSIDER The second reason is that a or Flipkart can push the sales of ever. The Board for MSMEs had Age” has said that in 2017, the crores of Indians of working age (15 and above) small businessperson has to man- a particular chocolate manufac- large numbers of representatives market capital valuation of the have given up hope of finding a job. This was GIVING age production, marketing, fi- turer of Switzerland. MSMEs do of associations in the past. The gov- top ten internet platform compa- the case even before the pandemic and the po- nance and accounts himself. Large not have the clout to persuade the ernment has reduced their rep- nies reached more than USD 3.3 tril- sition has been steady for over three years, SUBSIDIES ON businesses have specialised man- large platforms to push their goods. resentation and instead appointed lion. This is significantly higher meaning that it is not cyclical and will not WAGES AND agers for each of these functions. It is necessary to strengthen the MLAs and the like who have no than India’s GDP of USD 2.6 tril- change on its own. The lack of work will in time The MSME businessperson does MSMEs against big businesses in grasp of the problems of MSMEs. lion in that year. These platforms result in a lack of hope and this will have con- INCOME not have the level of skill in any view of these inherent disadvan- The funds provided to the MSME can push the goods of particular sequences. One of them will be an increase in SUPPORT TO of these functions as available tages if we have to ensure their sur- associations have also dried up. producers who may give them crime and lawlessness. with the large businessperson. vival and the jobs that they create. The second step especially in higher margins. Ola and Uber Long term trends globally are also negative THE MSMEs The lower level of skill translates A Guidebook for Supporting the present scenario of Covid is that drivers have told me that their in terms of both trade and employment and so, into higher cost. For example, a the Internationalization of MSMEs the government must consider companies give more bookings to unlike in the past when some of us benefited, Aakar Patel MSME businessperson would not made by the European providing direct financial support the taxis owned by themselves to the future does not hold out hope for those who India was viewed be able to assess the competence Commission has suggested that the to MSMEs. A study by the National the disadvantage of single-taxi are today young. of a sales outlet in same depth as task of training, research, provi- Institute of Public Finance and owners who have attached them- Socially also the India that I grew up in and from the outside as the marketing manager of the sion of information and making Policy dated April 2020 has noted selves to these platforms. Therefore, knew has changed. India has always had a large business. He may not be able their clusters could be done bet- that MSMEs in Brazil were being the government must consider problem of reconciling its theoretical secular a place which is to access the credit reports of the ter through the MSME associa- provided part salaries of their breaking the large platforms into status with the reality that communal tensions chaotic and noisy sales outlet. In course of time this tions. The associations are in deep employees as subsidy. Canada and smaller companies so that com- existed. The 1980s and 90s give us enough evi- lack of skill will translate into contact with their members and New Zealand were providing salary petition between them can pre- dence to prove this was the case. However, this but likeable. This losses for the MSME. they can know what kind of train- support to their MSMEs for three vent the dominance of a particu- communal impulse was dampened by efforts from was so when I first The third reason is that MSMEs ing and research is needed by months. It was advocated that lar platform. The Competition government. However poor these efforts may face a higher cost of compliance their members. The same training Indian MSMEs may be provided Commission of India has ade- have been, the government did not actively in- went abroad at the with regulations. A number of module or research programme income support for some time if quate powers in this direction. flame the impulse as has happened since 2014. age of 16. This has studies indicate that the cost of made by academic institutions they can show that there has been The government must direct the This has consequences both internally and, compliance of GST has been more or government officials may be an actual decline in their incomes. Commission in this direction. less importantly, externally. Within India our now changed in for MSMEs. Large businesses have off the mark. Similarly, the asso- Our government, on the other politics has become dark and election cam- in-house chartered accountants ciations have a better under- hand, has been focusing on pro- The writer is a former paigns are run by the dominant political party the view of those who can manage such regulations standing of what goods have a viding access to credit to MSMEs Professor of Economics at actively targeting Indian Muslims. Because who study and with ease. sale potential in which country and which is good. However, the util- IIM Bangalore. this is electorally rewarding as we have seen, we will see more of it. The consequence is that observe India it has damaged Indian society and produced vi- olence in neighbourhoods. To give one clear ex- SPECTRUM VACCINATION ample, there were zero beef lynchings before 2015. We have introduced a new category of violence. This will have down- stream consequences also, such as economic, which will affect the wider pop- ulation, but there is no point talking about that today. Externally, our love for hate has brought the world’s attention on us. Just to give an example from this week, this is what the European Parliament said on April 14: “Members Our best bet for overcoming Covid have expressed concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in India, echoing comments by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and sev- t has been a year since the coro- to over 70 countries around the would work, or which would be ap- to ensure that this supply contin- eral UN Special Rapporteurs. This includes reports that human rights de- navirus pandemic started dom- world, making this the largest and proved first. That is why Canada ues to increase, so that no vulner- fenders and journalists in the country lack a safe working environment. The Iinating headlines and our lives. most rapid global vaccination cam- called upon COVAX to procure some able populations are left behind. report also voices alarm regarding India’s Citizenship Amendment Act, For so many here in Canada and paign in history. In Ghana and of its own doses. Our agreement We can take heart in knowing which according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for around the world, it has been a pe- Ivory Coast, health-care workers with COVAX complemented our that we are not starting from square Human Rights is fundamentally discriminatory in nature against Muslims riod of unprecedented stress and and high-risk populations were other contracts, and increased our one. Canada has been funding and dangerously divisive.” grief. We have all been waiting to among the first to be vaccinated chances of carrying out a successful global health projects in develop- This text was approved by 61 votes in favour and 6 votes against. Indian heave a sigh of relief once our fam- with COVAX doses, and similar domestic vaccination campaign, ing countries for decades, and we attempts to stop it or soften the criticism failed. The Indian government will ilies, friends, and communities re- campaigns are now proceeding in while doing our part globally. will continue to do so. These in- brush it off as it has several other reports this year but again, this comes with ceive their vaccines. Nigeria, Jamaica, and Albania. Complementing our own pro- vestments are aiding the fight consequences. You cannot expect to be given a position on the UN Security It is only natural that we would We are witnessing the global re- curement efforts, Canada has against polio, HIV, tuberculosis, Council, as India does, when the world sees what you are doing with distaste. focus on the health of our loved sponse at work, and we should rec- launched investments that will malaria, and Ebola, and they have India was viewed from the outside as a place which is chaotic and noisy but ones. But we must not forget that ognize it for the important mile- also help to make vaccines, ther- proved critical in helping coun- likeable. This was so when I first went abroad at the age of 16. This has now the virus observes no borders. stone that it is. apeutics, and diagnostics affordable tries respond to the COVID-19 cri- changed in the view of those who study and observe India. It will change soon Focusing solely on our domestic re- Canada joined COVAX last and accessible globally. Owing to sis with proven, adaptable public- for the rest of the world also. The optimism has gone. It is disappointing as sponses is not enough. At the same September because we believed our various advance purchase health responses, such as mass an Indian to record this but one cannot look away from what one has found. time that we focus on vaccina- wholeheartedly in its mission to ac- agreements, we could eventually testing and contact tracing. tions for high-risk Canadians, we celerate the development and man- end up with a surplus of vaccine If this crisis has taught us any- must also ensure that the rest of ufacture of COVID-19 vaccines and doses. Precisely when that might thing, it is that we must maintain WISDOM CORNER Karina Gould the world is on track to being vac- ensure equitable delivery. The fa- happen will be determined in the the capacity to adapt to fast-chang- cinated, too, and that everyone cility was created to guarantee ac- coming weeks and months, as ing conditions. The importance of BEATING THIS has access to safe and effective cess to a wide variety of vaccines, Health Canada completes its re- the COVAX facility cannot be un- When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will tests and treatments. Beating this and to put smaller and poorer coun- view of vaccine candidates, and as derstated. It is one of the signal JIMI HENDRIX know peace. VIRUS ANYWHERE virus anywhere requires beating tries on a more equal footing vis- we confirm the deployment of vac- achievements of the current era. The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the REQUIRES BEATING it everywhere. à-vis larger and wealthier ones. cines in Canada. For the first time ever, the world has broken places. ERNEST HEMINGWAY Fighting a virus on a global scale By purchasing in bulk, COVAX Regardless of when we reach a come together to ensure equitable, IT EVERYWHERE is a daunting task, but there is can spread doses around the world surplus, we will work closely with universal vaccine access. Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing much cause for hope. We cheered in the fairest and most cost-effec- our international partners – in- Our global and domestic re- your temper or your self-confidence. ROBERT FROST in December, when a personal sup- tive way possible. cluding other countries, Gavi, sponses to the coronavirus are in- port worker in Toronto received COVAX was designed as a truly COVAX, and vaccine manufactur- extricably linked, which is why Canada’s first COVID-19 vaccine. cooperative partnership. With 190 ers – to explore all possible options COVAX is our best bet for over- WORDSWORTH But now that the global rollout of participating countries, it repre- for delivering doses to those who coming the pandemic. When in- vaccines through the COVID-19 sents more than 90 per cent of the need them. It will take time to vac- ternational cooperation succeeds, Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) global population, and can com- cinate the entire global popula- we all succeed. Monkey’s wedding facility is well underway, we have mand far more purchasing power tion. COVAX has already secured The writer is Canada’s even more reason to celebrate. than most countries could on their more than two billion doses for Minister of International t’s certainly a well-known South African expression. A related Afrikaans Since February 24, tens of mil- own. Moreover, when COVAX was 2021, but we now need to muster the Development. Iword, jakkalstrou, jackals wedding, also exists. The South African lions of doses have been delivered created, no one knew which vaccines same spirit of global cooperation ©PROJECT SYNDICATE English version is the direct equivalent (what linguists call a loan translation) of the Zulu umshado wezinkawu, a wedding for monkeys. Back in 1998, Bert Vaux, Assistant Professor of Linguistics at Harvard, asked members of the LINGUIST List about expressions for this weather Afghanistan’s future Impractical suggestion Precious oxygen phenomenon. He was told that similar sayings or proverbs exist in a surprising number of languages. A great many of them have animal Sir, The US decision to withdraw troops Sir, Chief Minister Naveen Sir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed taking ef- associations, often to do with marriage (or, as one respondent etters from Afghanistan is not a good one at Patnaik’s suggestion to the Centre fective steps to ensure the supply of oxygen across the commented, that activity for which the word marriage may be considered the present moment. The Taliban is still that Covid-19 vaccines be made country. Modi also made a detailed review of the current a suitable euphemism). In Arabic, it seems the term is “the rats are controlling parts of Afghanistan. There available in the open market is situation of oxygen supply and projected use in the com- getting married”, while Bulgarians prefer to speak of bears doing so; Mr TOL THE EDITOR is considerable influence of Pakistan and not a practical one. The people ing fifteen days across twelve high-burden states and sug- Vaux was told that in Hindi it becomes “the jackal’s wedding”; in Calabria, Readers of Orissa POST support from China too. The disintegra- above the age of 45 constitute about gested increasing oxygen production as per the capacity of it is said that “when it rains with sun, the foxes are getting married”, for are most welcome to contribute letters tion of Afghanistan is quiet likely. But it 26 per cent of India’s population each plant. The government has exempted all interstate move- which there’s a similar phrase in Japanese; Koreans refer to tigers (200 words), articles and will be only for a short period of time. and about 75 per cent of the Covid- ment of oxygen tankers from registration to enable easier columns (between 750-1250 likewise; there’s even an English dialect term, “the foxes’ wedding”, words). Contributors are Afghanistan has a history of short reigns. 19 deaths in the country are re- movement. The states and transporters have been ensur- known from the south west, it seems. However, in Polish, the saying is that requested to send their Maybe the US troops will be shifted to some ported in this age group. The Centre ing tankers move round the clock with drivers working in “when the sun is shining and the rain is raining, the witch is making contact numbers and full other region of the world. The US is also is right in deciding that this age shifts to faster turnaround and adequate capacity to meet

butter”. Several languages refer to devils instead, as in Turkish: “the devils postal address/email ID. They may also facing domestic problems. The US needs group of population should be vac- the surge in demand. The government is also allowing in-

k y m send in their valuable comments, opinion c are getting married”. There’s a well-known version in the American South, and suggestions, preferably by email, war to run its economy. The weapons in- cinated first. The country is short dustrial cylinders to be used for medical oxygen. State gov- at least among older people: “The devil’s behind his kitchen door beating to: [email protected] dustry needs insecurity among countries of vaccines and making them avail- ernments need to develop a strong mechanism to ensure his wife with a frying pan”, usually shortened just to “The devil’s beating to sell weapons. Let’s wait and watch till able in the open market will re- oxygen availability in all hospitals as per demand. Lives of his wife”. There’s clearly a common association that is understood by the withdrawal of troops in September 2021. sult in chaos. serious patients can be saved by providing oxygen timely. widely divergent language communities, so it seems to be something at a B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, Sunil Pradhan, Gopal Mittal, Amit Singh Kushwaha, level below that of superficial culture. But what is it? Bhubaneswar-751010 KHARIAR (NUAPADA) BHUBANESWAR SATNA (MP) KERALA P7 DELHI

SUNDAY | APRIL 18 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR

k y m Delhi’s Covid situation ‘very serious’ Woman can’t be denied c CM ARVIND KEJRIWAL RED-FLAGS SHORTAGE OF OXYGEN, REMDESIVIR, TOCILIZUMAB job saying work involves PRESS TRUST OF INDIA night hours: Kerala HC New Delhi, April 17: Amid esca- lating cases of COVID-19, Delhi PRESS TRUST OF INDIA that a graduate engineer in safety Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal engineering cannot be considered Saturday said the pandemic situa- Kochi, April 17: The Kerala for appointment as Safety Officer tion in the city has become “very se- High Court has held that a qual- in a public sector undertaking be- rious and worrisome”, with oxy- ified woman cannot be denied cause of an offending provision gen stock, remdesivir and employment on the ground that under Section 66(1)(b) of the tocilizumab drugs for patients in the nature of the employment Factories Act, according to me, is short supply. would require her to work during completely untenable and unac- The number of COVID-19 cases night hours. ceptable. This is evident from the is rising rapidly with 24,000 fresh Setting aside an embargo con- fact that the State of Kerala has ap- cases reported in the last 24 hours, tained in a job notification issued proved an amendment to the Rules he said in an online media briefing. by public sector undertaking which permits the engagement of This is the highest single-day Kerala Minerals and Metals women on condition that all safety surge in the national capital till Limited, which allowed only male precautions and facilities for such date. A day before, 19,486 COVID-19 candidates to apply for the post, engagement are arranged by the cases and 141 deaths were reported. Justice Anu Sivaraman ruled that employer,” the court said. “The cases of COVID-19 are ris- protective provisions cannot stand The court noted the decision in ing fast in Delhi. In the last 24 hours, in the way of a woman being con- Hindustan Latex Ltd's case and around 24,000 fresh cases have been Connaught Place wears a deserted look during weekend lockdown in New Delhi, Saturday. PTI PHOTO sidered for employment for which the subsequent laying down of the reported. Within a day, the num- she is otherwise eligible. law by the Apex Court, which ber has gone up from around 19,500 “Our biggest target is to aug- made it abundantly clear that a to around 24,000. So, the situation ment beds with oxygen supply at- ROADS EMPTY, MARKETS SHUT woman who is fully qualified can- is very serious and worrisome,” tached,” he said. not be denied her right to be con- Kejriwal said. In the next 3-4 days, the govern- New Delhi: Roads, markets, buses and metro trains were largely empty Saturday sidered for employment only on the Thursday and Friday, the city ment will add 6,000 more beds, in- as the national capital, grappling with soaring COVID-19 cases, observed weekend basis of her gender. had recorded 16,699 and 17,282 cases, cluding 1,300 at Yamuna Sports curfew, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealing to people to adhere to the “It is the bounden duty of the re- respectively. The chief minister Complex and 2,500 at Radhaswami restrictions. The weekend curfew, aimed at breaking the chain of spiralling coron- spondents, who are government also said he has spoken to Union Satsang premises, he said. avirus infections, was clamped at 10 pm Friday and will continue till 5 am Monday. and government functionaries, to Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Kejriwal warned strict action Apart from those who have been exempted, a majority of Delhiites appeared to take all appropriate steps to see that and requested him for augment- against hospitals that are denying have stayed home during the weekend curfew. Only a few passengers were seen The court gave the verdict April a woman is able to carry out the travelling on buses and metro trains in the city. Major markets, including Sadar ing supplies of oxygen stock, and patients beds despite showing avail- 9 in a plea by a 25-year-old woman duties assigned to her at all hours, Bazar, Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, Khari Baoli and Karol Bagh, and industri- remdesivir and tocilizumab drugs ability on Delhi government's al areas like Bawana, Narela, Okhla, wore a deserted look during the day. engineering graduate in Safety safely and conveniently. If that be for COVID patients in Delhi. COVID app. He also demanded from and Fire Engineering, challeng- so, there would be no reason for Kejriwal said that the number the Centre to reserve 50 per cent of ing the male only provisions in a denying appointment to a qualified of beds is also running out fast and the total pool of beds in hospitals the labs and ensure that no new said. Some labs have lifted more notification inviting applications hand only on the ground that she the Delhi government is trying to run by it in Delhi for COVID-19 pa- samples are collected by them if samples of COVID-19 suspects than for the permanent post of Safety is a woman and because the nature escalate beds on a large-scale in tients. The district magistrates have they already have pending samples their capacity leading to delay of 3- Officer available in the company. of the employment would require the coming days. also been directed to keep a tab on of COVID-19, the chief minister 4 days in test reports, Kejriwal said. Treasa Josfine sought to set her to work during night hours,” aside Section 66(1)(b) of the the court said. Factories Act, 1948,contending It opined that the embargo con- that it denies the right of the pe- tained in the notification that 'only ‘Was forced to name ISRO scientist Narayanan’ titioner to participate in the se- male candidates can apply' is vi- lection for appointment as Safety olative of the provisions of Articles Officer. 14, 15 and 16 of the Constitution. INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE daughter who was a student and The ISRO spy case has now sur- The petitioner also contended “The said provision in the no- rape her. It was after that did I say faced through the new directive, that the provision is violative of the tification is, therefore, set aside,” Thiruvananthapuram, April 17: the name of Narayanan,” said which came after the apex court valuable rights guaranteed to her the court said. Two days after the Supreme Court Hassan. appointed a three-member com- under Articles 14, 15 and 16 of the It also said the finding of the ordered a fresh probe to find out if She said she was mittee headed by retired Constitution. Division Bench that the provi- there was a conspiracy in the 27-year- forced to say that I SC judge DK Jain to The court observed that the sions of Section 66(1)(b) of the old ISRO spy case, one of the then Narayanan and was brutally probe if there was a Factories Act, 1948, was enacted at Factories Act are only protective 'falsely' implicated Maldivian lady another per- tortured by the police conspiracy among a time when requiring a woman to in nature. Saturday revealed that the Kerala son took dol- and when I refused to name then police offi- work in an establishment of any “I make it clear that such pro- police brutally tortured her to say lars from her him (Narayanan), they said they cials to falsely nature, more so in a factory at tective provisions cannot stand the name of ISRO scientist S. Nambi for sharing will arrest my daughter who was implicate night could only be seen as ex- in the way of a woman being con- Narayanan. the secrets a student and rape her. It was Narayanan and ploitative and violative of her sidered for employment for which The ISRO spy case surfaced in of ISRO. after that did I say the name Thursday the rights. she is otherwise eligible,” the court 1994 when Narayanan was arrested She also of Narayanan apex court which “Apparently, the world has moved said and directed the Managing on charges of espionage along with said that just went through the forward and women who were rel- Director of KMML to consider another senior official of ISRO, two like Narayanan FOUSIA HASSAN report ordered the egated to the roles of homemak- her application for appointment to Maldivian women and a who was given a com- CBI to conduct the ers during the times when the en- the post, notwithstanding the pro- businessman. pensation, she also has to new probe and it can treat actment had been framed have visions of Section 66(1)(b) of the Of the two women, Fousia Hassan Narayanan. be paid the compensation as she this report as the preliminary doc- taken up much more demanding Factories Act, 1948. presently settled in Sri Lanka told “I was brutally tortured by the po- has health issues because of the ument. The court also asked the roles in society as well as in eco- The court also directed that ap- a TV channel here that she had lice and when I refused to name brutalities she suffered during the CBI to submit its report in nomic spheres.” propriate action be taken with- never even heard the name of him, they said they will arrest my interrogation. three months. “In the present scenario, to say out further delay. Red Fort violence: Deep Sidhu Kerala CPI-M asks PM to reign in Muraleedharan Minister he has failed to do anything for Kerala and instead he is at- held again after court grants bail tacking Vijayan all the time. Vijayan had won accolades for the way he led the state from the front, especially Perveen granted relief to the ac- when the Covid pandemic struck cused Friday on a personal bond of hard and Muraleedharan has not Rs 30,000 and two sureties of a like been able to do anything to help amount. the state,” said Vijayaraghavan. The court noted that the accused What really hurt the CPI-M was was in custody since February 9, when Muraleedharan called Vijayan 2021, with 14 days of remand in po- a ‘Covidiot’ following the way he con- lice custody. ducted himself after he turned It said that a police plea for fur- Covid positive and the manner in ther incarceration for the sole pur- which he returned home after turn- pose of voice sampling was not jus- ing Covid negative with his wife who tifiable. was at that time positive. While granting the bail, the judge “All wish to know what he directed the accused to deposit his (Muraleedharan) did to help the passport with the investigating of- thousands of our diaspora who ficer and appear before the police were suffering during the time station as well as the court as and when the pandemic broke out. He when required. failed to do anything at all and now January 26, thousands of protest- INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. see there is a shortage of vaccines ing farmers who reached ITO in The CPI-M acting secretary A. and what is he doing. It was unbe- Delhi from the Ghazipur border Thiruvananthapuram, April 17: Vijayaraghavan said coming of a Union Minister to be- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA lic property during the farmers' clashed with police, the agency The Kerala unit of the CPI-M Muraleedharan’s words and ut- have in the way he has been doing,” tractor parade violence on Republic claimed in its FIR registered in Saturday sought the immediate in- terances, especially against Vijayan, added Vijayaraghavan. New Delhi, April 17: The Delhi Day at Red Fort, officials said. connection with the Red Fort vio- tervention of the Prime Minister are unbecoming of the post that Incidentally, early Saturday it Police’s Crime Branch arrested The arrest came after a Delhi lence, adding that many of them and the national leadership of the he holds. was former Union Minister and actor-activist Deep Sidhu Saturday court granted bail to the actor-ac- who were driving tractors reached BJP to reign in Union Minister of “It’s high time that the Prime Congress leader P. Chidambaram in connection with an FIR lodged tivist arrested February 9 in con- the Red Fort and entered the mon- State for External Affairs V. Minister and the party leadership who first attacked Muraleedharan by the Archaeological Survey of nection with the Red Fort violence. ument, where a religious flag was Muraleedharan for his curt re- intervene to reign in for his remarks against Vijayan. India for allegedly damaging pub- Special Judge Neelofer Abida also hoisted. marks and frequent attacks on Muraleedharan. As a Union Shut in Feb, India’s largest Covid facility set to be revived

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Officials are likely to conduct and had 200 enclosures with 50 nation. With the unprece- a survey and finalise the modal- beds each. dented rise in coronavirus New Delhi, April 17: The ities,” Vikas Sethi, the secre- The Sardar Patel Covid Care cases, the AAP government country’s largest COVID-19 fa- tary of the Radha Soami Centre was closed in February also appointed 10 IAS officers cility at Radha Soami Satsang Satsang Beas centre, told PTI. when coronavirus cases in the as "nodal officers" for COVID- Beas in South Delhi, which Asked if the Sardar Patel capital had reduced signifi- 19 hospitals run by it and asked was closed down in February, Covid Care Centre is being re- cantly. The facility had ad- them to work from the health is being revived considering the vived, South Delhi District mitted patients referred by 11 care facility they have been unprecedented surge in coro- Magistrate Ankita Chakravorti hospitals in the city, includ- assigned. navirus cases, officials said replied in the affirmative. ing AIIMS and Safdarjung. The government had

Saturday. The 10,200-bed facility was Chief Minister Arvind Thursday announced a cur-

k y m c The management at the spir- inaugurated on July 5 last year Kejriwal appointed his deputy few this weekend and the clo- itual organisation’s centre in and was operated by the Indo- Manish Sisodia the 'nodal min- sure of malls, gymnasiums Chattarpur confirmed that the Tibetan Border Police. ister' for overall COVID-19 man- and auditoriums till April 30 facility will be restarted soon. The centre was 1,700 feet agement in the city and as- as part of sweeping restric- “The government is plan- long and 700 feet wide -- roughly signed him the responsibility tions to break the chain of the ning to restart the facility soon. the size of 20 football fields -- of inter-ministerial coordi- infection. Shocking that while COVID P8 ravages India, from being a CERT-IN ADVISES USERS TO UPDATE WHATSAPP SUNDAY | APRIL 18 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR vaccine exporter, it has been Country's cyber security agency CERT-In has cautioned compelled to become a vaccine importer WhatsApp users about certain vulnerabilities detected in undoing 70 years of government effort. the popular instant messaging app that could lead to The pilot who had his photo plastered on breach of sensitive information. The advisory added that boarding passes only to press the eject users of the app should update the latest version of y button during an emergency WhatsApp from Google Play store or iOS App Store to

PRIYANKA GANDHI VADRA | CONGRESS LEADER

k y m national counter the vulnerability threat c

of the day uote COVID SPIKE INS Nireekshak searching for six FRISKY FELINES

Maharashtra missing fishermen is suffering PRESS TRUST OF INDIA from an inept Yet another day of and corrupt government and the New Delhi, April 17: Indian Centre is doing its Naval Ship (INS) Nireekshak con- best for the people. tinued its underwater search People of Maharashtra are highest cases, deaths Saturday to find six fishermen following 'Majha Kutumb, Majhi who have been missing since their Javabadari' dutifully. It is time the boat collided with a foreign cargo CM (chief minister) also follows his vessel off the Mangaluru coast duties in the spirit of 'Majha Rajya, Tuesday, Navy officials said. Majhi Javabadari They said the bodies of three

PIYUSH GOYAL | UNION MINISTER fishermen that were recovered on Friday were handed over to the local authorities in Mangaluru The Congress, Saturday. the Left There were a total of 14 fisher- parties and men on Indian fishing boat Rabah the Trinamool when it collided with Singapore- Congress will not be registered vessel MV APL Le Havre able to stop around 41 nautical miles west of infiltration in West the Mangaluru coast Tuesday. Bengal. The BJP is the only political While two of the 14 were saved party which can stop infiltration. by the Singaporean vessel's per- Didi is concerned with her fake AGENCIES ties, Prime Minister Narendra sonnel immediately, three bodies secularism. She bothers only about Modi and Union Health minister were recovered a little later her votebank New Delhi, April 17: The country Harsh Vardhan held meetings to re- Tuesday itself. AMIT SHAH | UNION HOME MINISTER Saturday recorded a frightening view measures taken by states for INS Nireekshak was pressed single-day spike in COVID-19 cases prevention, containment and man- into action Friday and it recov- with over 2.34 lakh fresh infections, agement of the recent surge. ered three more bodies after a This has two crossing the two lakh-mark for the In the meeting to review pre- couple of hours of search opera- benefits – it third straight day, as demands for paredness of public health response tion. These three bodies were helps you increased supply of oxygen cylin- to COVID-19 situation, Modi called handed over to the local authori- avoid death or other ders, vaccine doses and Remdesivir for a close coordination with states ties in Mangaluru on Saturday, serious health harm were raised by 11 states and UTs, to defeat the virus as also for util- Navy officials said, adding that from the infection, including Delhi, where the pan- isation of entire national capac- the search for the remaining six Tigers at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur, in Chennai PTI PHOTO and it helps reduce demic situation was described as ity to ramp up vaccine production. fishermen continues. the probability you will infect worrisome by the chief minister. Reiterating that there is no sub- someone else. So it is possible to be As India's COVID-19 tally inched stitute to testing, tracking and reinfected, but the harms of the towards 1.50 crore-mark and the treatment, Modi said all necessary infection will be lower death toll climbed above 1.75 lakh measures must be taken to ramp up ANUP MALANI | HEALTH ECONOMIST following a record single-day rise availability of hospital beds for Modi appeals for symbolic ‘Kumbh’ of 2,34,692 cases and 1,341 fatali- COVID-19 patient, and also asked local administrations to be proac- INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Joona Akhara ends SHORT TAKES tive, sensitive to people's concerns. PM reviews He also reviewed the status of New Delhi, April 17: With reports Kumbh participation supply of Remdesivir and other of huge number of Covid positive 4 kids, 2 women medicines, and called for speed- cases from 'Kumbh Mela' area in Dehradun: The Joona Akhara, one Covid surge ing up installation of approved Haridwar, Prime Minister Narendra of the largest sects of seers in the drown in dam New Delhi: As the daily Covid-19 cases medical oxygen plants. Modi Saturday appealed to observe country, announced the end of its surged to a staggering record-high level, the event symbolic to strengthen participation in the Kumbh Mela Nashik: A birthday Earlier in the day, the Prime Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday Minister also appealed that par- fight against the deadly virus. Saturday, hours after Prime celebration turned into a reviewed the availability and supply of Minister Narendra Modi's appeal ticipation in the ongoing Kumbh The Prime Minister's appeal tragedy for a group of ventilators, oxygen and medicines to that participation in the ongoing comes as the annual event has friends as four children and fight this pandemic and called for utilis- Mela be kept symbolic in view of gathering in Haridwar be kept two women drowned in a ing the entire national capacity across the unprecedented surge in the sparked nationwide concern amid Awadheshanand Giri on the phone appeal. I request the people to not symbolic in view of the surge in dam in Igatpuri tehsil of private and public sectors to produce coronavirus cases. The Hindu re- alarming second wave of Covid-19 on Saturday morning and get details come for snan in large numbers, in coronavirus cases. “The people of Maharashtra's Nashik vaccines, amid concerns in various ligious gathering in Haridwar has pandemic as tens of thousands of about the health of all saints. I the wake of Covid-19 situation, and India and their survival is our first district, police said states about lack of these essentials. been at the centre of controversy devotees have gathered along the have prayed that two royal baths follow all rules. priority. In view of the outbreak of Saturday. The incident Chairing a meeting to review the status amid fears that it could be a su- banks of the Ganga in Uttarakhand's have taken place and that the The Prime Minister's appeal the Coronavirus pandemic, we have occurred at Valdevi dam of preparedness to handle the Covid-19 perspreader event with lakhs of Haridwar. Kumbh should be kept symbolic came after a Hindu seer is re- duly immersed all the deities near Vadivarhe village on situation, Modi said local administra- devotees attending the event with- Taking to Twitter, the Prime due to the crisis in Corona. This will portedly lost his life after Covid-19 invoked on the occasion of Kumbh. Friday evening, they said. "A tions needed to be proactive and sensi- out following the COVID protocols. Minister said that he spoke to top give the fight strength from this infection and nearly 100 other holy This is the formal immersion- group of nine friends, tive to people's concerns. Modi said During the meeting with seer-- Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha crisis, the Prime Minister said. men have tested positive after at- conclusion of Kumbh on behalf of mostly minors, had gone to there is no substitute for 'testing, track- Vardhan, health ministers of 11 president Swami Avdheshanand Modi thanked all the saints for giv- tending a vast Indian religious fes- Joona Akhara,” Swami the dam to celebrate the ing and treatment', and that early testing states and Union Territories (UTs) Giri Ji Maharaj-- over phone and ing all kinds of support to the ad- tival where millions of pilgrims Avadheshanand Giri, the birthday of one of them. and proper tracking remain keys to demanded increased supply of med- made an appeal about the event. ministration. Following this, Hindu have been ignoring Covid-19 ad- ‘mahamandaleshwar' of the Joona While clicking a group reducing mortality. ical-grade oxygen cylinders and I spoke to Acharya Dharma Acharya Sabha president vice despite a national surge in Akhara, said in a tweet in Hindi. photo, some of them fell Remdesivir in hospitals. Mahamandaleshwar Swami tweeted We respect Prime Minister's infections. into the dam water.

4 held for selling ‘Double mutant now most fake Remdesivir IAF to reorient itself for future challenges Pune: Pune rural police have INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Combined Commanders' Conference prevalent variant in India’ arrested four persons for were discussed by the participants. allegedly selling fake New Delhi, April 17: The Indian The other key subjects included INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE cent of the samples is the second Remdesivir injections in Air Force (IAF) has decided to re- reorientation of the IAF for future most prevalent. Baramati area, an official orient itself for future challenges challenges across all threat do- New Delhi, April 17: Among all As on April 15, out of 13,614 said Saturday. Three across all threat domains and pre- mains, and the roadmap for effec- the mutant Covid-19 variants in Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) injection vials labelled as pare a roadmap for effective utili- tive utilisation of assets and future India, the double mutated virus, samples processed in labs, 1,189 Remdesivir, which is used for sation of assets and future induc- inductions. B.1.617, is becoming the most preva- samples have tested positive for the treatment of COVID-19, tions, officials said. In his address to the lent, according to genome se- variants of concern for SARS COV- but actually filled with The force is also looking for in- Commanders, Air Force Chief Air quencing data submitted by Indian 2 in India. nothing but paracetamol in liquid form were seized from novative and low cost solutions for Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh scientists to a global database. This includes 1,109 samples with them, said the senior police enhancing training effectiveness Conference 2021, themed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Bhadauria emphasised the need The database has revealed that the UK variants, 79 samples with official. The accused were as well as adopting a scalable con- 'Reorienting for the Future' con- The Chief of Defence Staff General for incorporation of new tech- the double mutation virus, which South African variant and 1 sam- selling the fake drug at Rs tingency response model. cluded at Air Headquarters late Bipin Rawat and chief of two serv- nologies such as artificial intelli- has been found in several coun- ple with the Brazil variant. 35,000 per vial while its The decision was taken during Friday. The three day conference ices - Army and Navy -- also ad- gence and 5G, enhanced utilisation tries, was the most common in the Recently, health experts said that authorized market price is Indian Air Force Commanders' saw detailed deliberations on ways dressed the conference and inter- of cyber and space domains and samples sequenced in the 60 days the double mutant variant may be around Rs 1,100. Conference 2021 that concluded Friday. and means to enhance the opera- acted with the commanders on continuous update of doctrines, prior to April 2 at 24 per cent. less dangerous than expected as During the Conference tional capabilities of the IAF. subjects of future war-fighting tactics and procedures. The B.1.617 variant, first detected the most vulnerable patients are Commanders, the IAF said that the Air Officers Commanding-in- through joint planning and inte- He stressed upon empowerment in Maharashtra, contains muta- having only mild illnesses. Office filled with contours of the operational phi- Chief of the seven commands and gration of service capabilities. of junior leadership through com- tions from two separate virus vari- The experts emphasised that as losophy and organisational aspects key appointments from Air The actions and follow-up plans prehensive human resource re- ants -- E484Q and L452R. per the current evidence, new vari- vax catches fire of Air Defence and Joint Command Headquarters attended the con- for implementing the directions forms and increasing efficiency As per the assessment by sci- ants are observed from few states. Structures were also discussed. ference. given by the Prime Minister through organisational restruc- entists from Scripps Research, the But, details about its epidemiol- Barasat (WB): A fire broke The IAF Commanders' The conference was addressed Narendra Modi during the turing. UK variant, B.1.1.7, with 13 per ogy are yet to be known. out at the office of a health official Saturday morning at Barasat in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, where a large stock of COVID-19 vaccines was Revived by AI, Ajanta cave painting’s ‘future-leap’ on Svalbard Isle stored. The blaze erupted inside the office of the deputy chief medical officer MAHARASHTRA’S FAMED AJANTA CAVES IN AURANGABAD, BECAME THE FIRST-EVER UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE TO of health, a senior official said. At least 12 fire tenders ‘VIRTUALLY ENTER’ THE ARCTIC WORLD ARCHIVES (AWA) ON NORWAY’S SVALBARD ISLAND managed to douse the flames after four hours, he said, INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE designed digital film format using deployed a digital restoration process adding, there were no reports Artificial Intelligence (AI). using AI developed by scientists of any injury. Mumbai, April 17: When India Incidentally, Prime Minister from various Indian universities, in- was grappling with the Covid-19 Narendra Modi made a reference to cluding IIT Roorkee. crest in mid-2020, an ancient treas- the Svalbard Isle distinction in his The "Renunciation of King Goa bans export of ure of Maharashtra was quietly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ (Nov 2020) but it Mahajanaka" - displaying the emo- catapulted into the ‘future world largely skipped public attention. tions of the benign King about to re- oxygen cylinders history’, but the epochal event went The AWA honour was possible nounce worldly pleasures and al- Panaji: In light of the spike in virtually unnoticed in the country. by the efforts of two companies - lowing us to reflect on our worldliness COVID-19 cases, the Goa Maharashtra’s famed Ajanta Sapio Analytics, Mumbai and - is safe in the bosom of the AWA, government Saturday Caves in Aurangabad, became the Ajantahc, London, IITs, several located deep inside a remote, icy announced a ban on the first-ever UNESCO World Heritage Indian universities, besides the pic- Arctic mountain, 970 kms from the export of oxygen cylinders Site to ‘virtually enter’ the Arctic tures clicked by Behl using a new North Pole, and declared a demili- y and ordered that the stock of World Archives (AWA) on Norway’s ‘zero-light technology’. tarized zone by 42 countries.

this life-saving gas meant Svalbard Island, in November 2020. "There are roughly 650 sq mts of said that of these barely 10 sq mts discovered’ 202 years ago in April It is considered an ideal, secure

k y m c for the industry be diverted The iconic “Renunciation of King paintings in 30 caves, with four have so far been restored using AI- 1819 by a British officer John Smith setting where nothing - natural or to health services. State Mahajanaka” - an early ‘avatar’ of caves considered ground-breaking aided digital methods. race against time for survival. walls and ceilings of the Ajanta human disasters nor time itself - can Health Minister Vishwajit Lord Buddha - in Cave No 1, clicked in terms of their artistic value at Srivastava said that continuous Various teams toiled to prepare Caves from around 2 BC, or over 2200 touch these artefacts in their digi- Rane, who also holds the by renowned photographer Benoy Ajanta,” Sapio Analytics’s CEO efforts are on to improve the process stunning ultra-modern 'digital im- years ago. Since many of the mu- tized format, and maybe millennia industries portfolio, issued K Behl, became the trend-setter art- Ashwin Srivastava told IANS. further to make it not only perfect ages' of the ancient but incredible rals have been damaged in vary- later, future generations would mar- the orders. work to enter AWA, in a specially- Ajantahc’s Director BV Choolun but speedier, as Ajanta Caves, ‘re- colour paintings bejeweling the ing degrees, the companies have vel at them with wide-eyes. P9 It is written in our J’KHAND HC GRANTS BAIL TO LALU SUNDAY | APRIL 18 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR scriptures, ‘Aaapat Kale, The Jharkhand High Court Saturday granted bail Maryaada Nasti’, which means that to RJD president Lalu Prasad in the Dumka when life itself is at stake, all rules treasury case of the multi-crore rupees fodder can be broken. In today’s situation, scam on completion of half the sentence period, there was absolutely no need to paving way for his release from jail. But, his perform Kumbh Mela, where release will take time for want of completion of

y thousands of people are taking baths formalities. The RJD chief is in judicial custody

k y m national SHANTA KUMAR | FORMER CM, HIMACHAL PRADESH in AIIMS New Delhi since January. c

of the day uote Despite a year to prepare, Govt cuts Remdesivir The health care system in the city has injection MRP by half completely collapsed and the INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Barrister Tiwari said that it is good Kejriwal govt caught off guard: Sonia that the government has realized Government has Mumbai, April 17: Spelling huge the agony of the millions strug- completely failed to deal with the relief for lakhs of Covid-19 pa- gling to get Remdesivir and are Covid crisis endangering the lives of INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE tients, the government has slashed compelled to cough out huge people of Delhi through constant the prices of the 'life-saver' amounts from the black markets. lies and deceit New Delhi, April 17: Interim Remdesivir injection by nearly 50 Now, with the MPR slashed to half Congress President Sonia Gandhi per cent, to MRP Rs 2,450 per in- and even lesser by some of the RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI | OPPN IN THE DELHI ASSEMBLY Saturday said that Covid-19 pan- jection now, according to official companies, people can breathe easy. demic is a national challenge that sources. It will also leash the pharma sec- should be kept above party poli- In a missive late Friday, the tor from exploiting the gullible tics but after a year the govern- Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers, masses in this critical time, a vic- The ment is caught off guard. Department of Pharmaceuticals, torious Barrister Tiwari told IANS. administration Sonia Gandhi was speaking dur- NPPA - Advisor (Costs) N I The Centre's orders have been is doing all it ing the Congress Working Chowdhury has ordered all pharma sent to the manufacturers Cadila can to curb the Committee (CWC) meeting that companies to comply with the re- spread of the Healthcare Ltd., Cipla Ltd., Dr. coronavirus and was called virtually to discuss the vised norms with immediate and Reddy's Laboratories Ltd., Hetero issue of pandemic. retrospective effect. Labs Ltd., Jubilant Pharma Ltd., ensure that The Indian National minimum people gets infected in In her opening remarks she said, avoidable adhocism on part of the Based on the Form-V furnished Mylan Laboratories Ltd., Syngene The Indian National Congress has Congress has Modi Government in foreseeing, regarding voluntary reduction in International Ltd. the state. In this context, all the always believed that returnees from the Kumbh Mela will always believed that fighting the evaluating and managing the cri- Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of Sources in the state FDA inform not be allowed a direct entry into Covid-19 pandemic is a national fighting the Covid-19 sis, she added. Remdesivir, Manufacturers and that under the new norms, the the villages and towns challenge that should be kept above pandemic is a national She also said that she had writ- Marketers of the Remdesivir are pharma companies shall sell even party politics. We have extended our challenge that should be kept ten to Prime Minister Narendra hereby directed to implement the the existing stocks in the market VIJAY RUPANI | CM, GUJARAT hands of cooperation right from above party politics. We have Modi after meeting with the Chief revised MRP throughout the dis- with the revised prices which would February-March, 2020. extended our hands of Ministers who have spoken to the tribution chain wef 15.04.2021, ir- hugely benefit the desperate pa- We cannot, however, lose sight of cooperation right from Prime Minister and written to the respective of the batch numbers, the tients or their families, besides the While one of the fact that the second wave of February-March, 2020 concerned minister from time to stern notification said. healthcare system. them handled the Covid-19 pandemic has hit the time pleading for relief but some The decision came barely a day In his petition to the National the PR SONIA GANDHI I INTERIM CONGRESS country with fury. Despite a year after a Maharashtra Barrister exercise of building PRESIDENT of them were left with only a few Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority the brand image of to prepare, we have, regrettably, days of vaccine, no oxygen or Vinod Tiwari demanded that the (NPPA), a statutory authority under Vijayan, the other been caught off guard again, she one year to the pandemic. ventilators. Centre should immediately bring the Drugs Price Control Order was in charge of the added. Their pain and anguish is our She alleged that there has been Remdesivir under the DPCO regime (DPCO), Barrister Tiwari had de- social media and both have been She said that the families are pain and anguish. Let me also re- deafening silence on the part of in view of its alleged shortages, manded a high-level probe into the rewarded for their work being torn apart, lives and liveli- iterate our deepest sense of grati- the government. On the contrary blackmarketing and corruption to artificial scarcity, hoarding, black- hoods have been lost and entire tude to and support for the front- some other states have received the tune of over Rs 25,000-crore as marketing and misuse of the drug MULLAPALLY RAMACHANDRAN | CONGRESS life savings depleted on healthcare. line health workers and the medical preferential treatmentrelief. Instead the injection is in huge demand in which could run into a racket of PRESIDENT, KERALA It is deeply concerning to read fraternity who have been render- of listening to the constructive ongoing Covid pandemic second over Rs 25,000 crore under the nose news reports of acute shortages ing phenomenal service in the face suggestions of the opposition, wave. IANS first highlighted the of the NPPA, in the past ten months of medical equipment and hospi- of the severest of pressures and union ministers are pressed into issue exclusively April 15. since the drug was launched after SHORT TAKES tal beds. Reports from across the risks. We salute their sense of duty service to attack leaders of oppo- Welcoming the Centre's move, the pandemic was declared. country speak of the scarcity of and dedication. sition for giving those suggestions. Covid-19 vaccine as also of im- She mentioned that recently, she This convoluted 'me versus you' Man arrested portant life-saving drugs includ- had detailed discussion with the debate is childish and totally un- ing Remdesivir in different parts Chief Ministers of the states ruled necessary, she said. for espionage of the country. by the Congress as also Ministers, It is true that after months of New Delhi: The Delhi Police Sonia Gandhi extended profound where Congress is in alliance gov- denial, the Central government has arrested a man for sense of grief and sorrow to the ernment, to take stock of the emer- has now given emergency use au- allegedly passing sensitive thousands of families who have gent situation from them. thorisation for vaccines developed information about Army lost their loved ones over the past The gross unpreparedness and elsewhere. deployment to a foreign intelligence agency, officials said Saturday. The accused has been identified as Harpal HITCHED & INKED Huge turnout in largely peaceful fifth phase Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran in Punjab, they said. INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE nessed 81.57% voting while North were some sporadic incidents in- The money routed through 24 Parganas and Darjeeling had cluding the arrest of an Independent hawala channels was Kolkata, April 17: Though there 74.83% and 74.32%voting respec- candidate of Chakdah AC in Nadia allegedly used for funding were some stray incidents but the state tively. Kalimpong recorded the low- district for having a firearm in his the espionage operation. recorded huge polling in the fifth est turnout with 69.56%. There possession. Koushik Bhowmick, phase of the election. The final fig- were altogether 319 candi- the candidate was found ures are yet to come but the voters' dates from different political BENGAL going around a polling Remdesivir stolen turnout recorded by the commis- parties in the fifth phase of booth at Baliadanga, sion shows that there was 78.36% polls that was conducted in POLLS Daspara area with a coun- from govt hosp polling till 5 pm Saturday evening. 45 constituencies including try made gun tucked Bhopal: A large quantity of According to the data released by 7 in Jalpaiguri, 5 in Darjeeling, 1 in in his trousers. Remdesivir injections, which the commission, Jalpaiguri regis- Kalimpong, 8 in Nadia, 16 in North He dropped the firearm when are in high demand for the tered the highest voting percent- 24 Parganas and 8 in East Burdwan. the central forces intercepted him treatment of COVID-19 age of 81.73% followed by East Though overall the voting was after the local people raised a hue patients, have been found to Burdwan with 81.72%. Nadia wit- peaceful all over the state, there and cry, CEO Ariz Aftab said. be “stolen” from the stock of the state-run Hamidia Hospital here in Madhya Pradesh. Shortage of Remdesivir Railways to fine `500 for not wearing masks injections has been reported from various parts of Madhya INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Ministry of Home Affairs from public health. Pradesh which are battling a surge in COVID-19 cases. time to time. One of the specific Accordingly, to prevent spitting New Delhi, April 17: In view of the guideline is to wear masks in order and act of similar nature and thus rising Covid cases across the coun- to contain the spread of the pan- to ensure wearing of face masks or try, Indian Railways Saturday said demic. Sharma also said that the face cover by all persons at rail- Cop booked for that it will impose a fine of up to Standard operating procedure way premises (including trains), raping colleague Rs 500 on the passengers for not (SOP) for movement of trains as fines (up to Rs 500) under Indian wearing face masks in the railway brought by Indian Railways on Railways (Penalties for activities af- Mumbai: An offence has been premises or during the travel in May 11, 2020 says that it should be fecting cleanliness at railway prem- registered against an Assistant trains, for a period of six months. advised to all passengers that they ises) Rules 2012 shall be imposed by Police Inspector (API) for In an letter to all the General shall be wearing face cover or railway officials authorised for allegedly raping a colleague on Managers of Railway zones masks at entry and during travel. this purpose, from persons not a false promise of marriage in Saturday, Executive Director of In view of Covid-19 situation, wearing face mask or cover in rail- Dongri area of south Mumbai, Passenger Marketing Neeraj controlling spitting and act of sim- way premises including trains, it police said Saturday. The Sharma said, Indian Railways is tak- ilar nature due to any person not said. matter came to light when the ing various measures to contain the wearing face mask and entering Sharma in his order said that rail- lady officer lodged a complaint spread of the resurgence of Covid- railway premises (including trains), of rape and cheating against ways may take action with imme- the accused, who is posted A newly married couple show their fingers marked with indelible ink after 19 pandemic, in accordance with the is important to avoid creation of un- diate effect for a period of six with a police station in south after casting their vote during the West Bengal Assembly Polls, at Santipur guidelines issued by Ministry of clean or unhygienic conditions months till further instructions Mumbai, an official said. in Nadia district PTI PHOTO Health and Family Welfare and which may cause danger to life or issued in this regard. Indian expedition to Antarctica returns to Cape Town THIS ACHIEVEMENT CONCLUDES FOUR SUCCESSFUL DECADES OF INDIA'S SCIENTIFIC ENDEAVOUR IN THE CONTINENT

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA said. The team reached its destination ation in Antarctic science, MV Vasiliy Bharati station February 27 and Maitri Golovnin took a slight denture while re- New Delhi, April 17: The Indian sci- station March 8 in Antarctica, according turning to Cape Town in March and re- entific expedition to Antarctica suc- to the statement. trieved two remotely operated Norwegian cessfully returned to Cape Town last Bharati and Maitri are India’s per- Ocean observing instruments -- a sea week after completing a journey of 12,000 manent research base stations. glider and a sail buoy, the ministry said. nautical miles in 94 days, including The stations are approachable only These ocean observing systems de- stopovers, the Ministry of Earth Sciences during the austral summer season be- ployed during the onward journey and said Saturday. tween November and March. retrieval during the return voyage will This achievement concludes four suc- On its way to Antarctica, the voyage help to fill in the gaps of the scantily avail- cessful decades of India's scientific en- team deployed four autonomous Ocean able information in the Indian Ocean deavour in the continent, it said. Observing DWS (Directional Wave sector of the Southern Ocean, it said. The 40th Indian Scientific Expedition Spectra) wave drifters between 35-de- The 40-ISEA was conducted under in- to Antarctica (40-ISEA) hosted by the gree and 50-degree south latitudes in numerable challenges due to the per- Ministry of Earth Sciences successfully collaboration with Indian National Centre sisting coronavirus pandemic, the y returned to Cape Town April 10, 2021, after for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) The 40-ISEA was on board the MV it said. The expedition positioned a team statement said.

completing a journey of 12,000 nautical Hyderabad, the statement said. Vasiliy Golovnin, a chartered ice-class of 20 personnel at Bharati led by Atul Necessary measures were taken to

k y m c miles in 94 days, including stopovers, The drifters would transmit real-time vessel, the statement said. Suresh Kulkarni from the Indian Institute keep the Antarctic free of coronavirus. the ministry said in a statement. data of spectral characteristics of waves, It made stopovers at Cape Town for of Geomagnetism and 21 personnel at The team was subjected to a stringent The 40-ISEA comprised scientists, en- sea surface temperatures, and sea-level picking up helicopters and replenish- Maitri led by Ravindra Santosh More medical examination by the Goa Medical gineers, doctors, and technicians, who atmospheric pressure to INCOIS, which ing fuel and provisions and at the Indian from the Indian Meteorological College before departure and was quar- began their journey from the Mormugao will help validate weather predictions in research bases Bharati and Maitri for re- Department, the statement said. antined for 14 days before boarding Port of Goa to Antarctica in January, it a big way, it said. supply and changeover of winter crew, In the spirit of international cooper- the ship. With grateful hearts, we AMERICAN, 2 RUSSIANS P10 remember the many ways SUNDAY | APRIL 18 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR in which his long life has been a RETURN TO EARTH An American astronaut and two blessing to us. We have been Russians have returned to Earth after six inspired by his unwavering loyalty months aboard the International Space to our Queen, by his service to the Station. A Soyuz space capsule carrying Nation and the Commonwealth, by NASA’s Kate Rubins and Russians Sergey his courage, fortitude and faith Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov

DAVID CONNER DEAN OF WINDSOR

k y m | c international landed at 0455 GMT Saturday of the day uote RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT

It is not out of US, Japan project unity against China the realm the Russia sends warships for possibility that for a short The talks offered the Democratic President, a chance to work further on his pledge to revitalize period of time, there US alliances that frayed under his Republican predecessor Donald Trump. will have to be some manoeuvres near Crimea additional enabling capabilities added to Afghanistan, REUTERS to help effect a safe, orderly, and deliberately planned drawdown of Washington, April 17: President China embassy’s everybody by the president’s Joe Biden sought to present a deadline, early September united front with Japanese Prime strong remark

JOHN KIRBY | PENTAGON SPOKESMAN Minister Yoshihide Suga to counter an increasingly assertive China as In a strongly worded statement the U.S. leader held his first face- Saturday, China’s embassy in Washington said Beijing was to-face White House summit since The “resolutely opposed” to the joint inequitable taking office. statement, and that Taiwan, distribution of China topped the agenda, un- Hong Kong and Xinjiang were vaccines is not just a derscoring Japan’s central role in China’s internal affairs. The moral outrage, it is U.S. efforts to face down Beijing. remarks have “completely gone also economically The two leaders addressed an array beyond the scope of the normal and of geopolitical issues in a joint development of bilateral epidemiologically self-defeating. statement, including “the impor- relations”, harming the interests REUTERS The more transmission, the more tance of peace and stability of the of third parties as well as peace We don’t see any attack variants Taiwan Strait,” a slap at Beijing’s and stability in the Asia-Pacific, Moscow, April 17: Two Russian preparations there. In TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS | increased military pressure on the Other pressing concerns at the bombers, near Taiwan, which the embassy said. The move was warships transited the Bosphorus fact, field hospitals have DIRECTOR-GENERAL, WHO Chinese-claimed, self-ruled island. talks included China’s increased Beijing considers a wayward an attempt to split the region en route to the Black Sea Saturday been set up. All units are in “Today Prime Minister Suga and military movements near Taiwan, province. that “will inevitably proceed and 15 smaller vessels completed camps, on firing ranges. In I affirmed our ironclad support for its tightening grip on Hong Kong and “I refrain from mentioning de- with the purpose of harming a transfer to the sea as Moscow military language, we are We have to the U.S.-Japanese alliance and for its crackdown on Muslim Uighurs tails, since it pertains to diplo- others and end in harming beefs up its naval presence at a talking about a show of review our our shared security,” Biden told a in Xinjiang. matic exchanges, but there is al- themselves”, it added. time of tense relations with the force. current policy joint news conference in the White Suga said he and Biden agreed on ready an agreed recognition over West and Ukraine. SERGEI NAYEV I UKRAINE’S MILITARY on arrivals. We see House Rose Garden, calling the dis- the necessity of frank discussions the importance of peace and sta- lar phrasing by the foreign and de- The reinforcement coincides OPERATION HEAD, most of the cussions “productive.” with China in the context of bility of the Taiwan Strait be- fense ministers of both countries with a huge build-up of Russian countries are “We committed to working to- Beijing’s activities in the Indo- tween Japan and the United States, after a meeting last month. troops near Ukraine, something experiencing third gether to take on the challenges Pacific region. which was reaffirmed on this oc- Attention had been focused on the Moscow calls a temporary defensive and fourth waves, some of them from China and on issues like the The summit - Biden’s first in- casion,” Suga said. wording on Taiwan and other sen- exercise, and follows an escalation have completely shut overseas East China Sea, the South China in fighting in eastern Ukraine be- travel person meeting with a foreign leader The joint leaders’ statement in- sitive issues, given caution in Tokyo Sea, as well as North Korea, to en- as president - came just days after cluded the first reference to Taiwan about the need to balance its secu- tween Russian-backed separatists SUDATH SAMARAWEERA | sure a future of a free and open China sent 25 aircraft, including since 1969, before Tokyo normal- rity concerns with Japan’s deep and Ukrainian government forces. CHIEF EPIDEMIOLOGIST, SRI LANKA Indo Pacific.” fighters and nuclear-capable ized ties with Beijing, using simi- economic ties with China. Russia’s relations with Washington, which cancelled the deployment of two of its own war- SHORT TAKES ships to the Black Sea last week Junta pardons ROYAL FAREWELL after fierce Russian protests, are at a post-Cold war low. to imminently transit the Natanz suspect 23k prisoners Moscow expelled 10 U.S. diplo- Bosphorus. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA mats Friday in retaliation for the The RIA news agency Saturday Tehran: Iran named a suspect expulsion of the same number of also reported that 15 smaller ves- Saturday in the attack on its Yangon, April 17: Myanmar’s Russian diplomats from the United sels from Russia’s Caspian Flotilla Natanz nuclear facility that junta Saturday announced it par- States over alleged malign activity. have completed their transfer to damaged centrifuges there, doned and released more than saying he had fled the Russia has also temporarily re- the Black Sea as part of an exercise. country before the sabotage 23,000 prisoners to mark the tra- stricted the movement of foreign In a further sign of heightened happened. While the extent ditional Thingyan New Year hol- warships “and other state ships” tensions in the region, a ship car- of the damage from the April iday, but it wasn’t immediately near Crimea, which it annexed rying logistics trucks and equip- 11 sabotage remains unclear, clear if they included pro-democ- from Ukraine in 2014, a move con- ment for NATO forces in Romania it comes as Iran tries to racy activists who were detained demned by both Kyiv and transited the Bosphorus Friday negotiate with world powers in the wake of the military’s seizure Washington. evening. over allowing the US to re- of power in February. Two Russian Ropucha-class land- In St Petersburg, Russia’s FSB se- enter its tattered nuclear deal The releases were announced on ing ships from Russia’s Northern curity service briefly detained a with world powers and lift the state broadcaster MRTV, which Fleet, capable of carrying tanks Ukrainian diplomat, Ukraine’s for- economic sanctions it faces. said that junta chief Senior Gen. and of delivering armour and eign ministry said Saturday. Min Aung Hlaing had pardoned troops during coastal assaults, tran- The Interfax news agency earlier 23,047 prisoners, including 137 for- sited the Bosphorus Saturday, a cited the FSB as saying Oleksandr Fire blazes in SA eigners who will be deported from Reuters reporter in Istanbul saw. Sosoniuk was taken into custody Myanmar. He also reduced sen- More Russian naval reinforce- when he tried to obtain classified Johannesburg: Nearly 700 tences for others. ments in the form of two more information from Russian law en- patients are being evacuated The move comes as daily Officers of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery arrive for the Gun Salute for the funeral of Britain’s Prince Philip at landing ships, this time from forcement databases during a meet- Saturday from protests against the February 1 Windsor Castle in Windsor, England Saturday, April 17, 2021. PTI PHOTO Russia’s Baltic Fleet, are expected ing with a Russian citizen. Johannesburg’s Charlotte ouster of the elected government Maxeke Hospital, where a fire of Aung San Suu Kyi continue, blazed overnight through as does the use of deadly force parts of the facility in South against them. Africa’s largest city. No ‘Halt illegal construction injuries or casualties have According to the Assistance Wearing 2 masks doubles protection against Covid been reported. The fire has Association for Political Prisoners, been contained but the which monitors casualties and INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Medicine. According to their find- hospital has been closed for arrests, government forces have at Shiva temple in Pak’ ings, the baseline fitted filtration seven days, said David killed at least 728 protesters and New York, April 17: Scientists efficiency (FFE) of a mask differs Makhura. bystanders since the takeover. The PRESS TRUST OF INDIA now report that wearing two face cov- person to person, due to each per- group says 3,141 people, includ- erings can nearly double the effec- son’s unique face and mask fit. ing Suu Kyi, are in detention. Peshawar, April 17: A prominent tiveness of filtering out SARS-CoV- Generally, a procedure mask In March, more than 600 people Hindu leader in Pakistan Saturday 2-sized particles, preventing them without altering the fit, is about Tunisia shipwreck who were imprisoned for demon- alleged “illegal” construction at from reaching the wearer’s nose 40-60 per cent effective at keeping Geneva: A shipwreck off the strating against the February coup an ancient Shiva temple in Khyber and mouth and causing Covid-19. Covid-19-sized particles out. A coast of southeast Tunisia were released from Insein Prison, Pakhtunkhwa province and de- The reason for the enhanced lead author of the study. cloth mask is about 40 per cent killed at least 41 people, the a rare conciliatory gesture by the manded that the authorities should filtration isn’t so much adding By measuring particle con- effective. When layered over pro- UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) military that appeared aimed at pla- stop the work immediately. the temple April 11, he noticed layers of cloth but eliminating centration in the breathing space cedure masks, cloth masks im- and the International cating the protest movement. Leader of Hindu Community in that some toilets are being con- any gaps or poor-fitting areas of a underneath the mask compared to prove fit by eliminating gaps and Organization for Migration Those freed were mostly young Peshawar, Haroon Sarab Diyal, in structed at an unplanned manner mask, according to the study pub- that in the chamber, researchers holding the procedure mask closer (IOM) said in a joint people caught in sweeps of street a statement here said the govern- in the temple, which is destroy- lished in JAMA Internal Medicine. determined the FFE. to the face, consistently covering statement. The UN agencies demonstrations, while those con- ment must stop unplanned con- ing not only its sacredness, but “The medical procedure masks “We also had the researchers in the nose and mouth. said in the statement issued sidered protest leaders were kept struction at the site of Shiv Temple also its historical and architec- are designed to have very good the chamber undergo a series of When a procedure mask is worn Friday that three survivors locked up. Neither the military at Gandhiyan in Mansehra district. tural authenticity. filtration potential based on their range-of-motion activities to sim- over a cloth mask, FFE improved have been rescued. government nor those opposed to “We would like to bring it to the “Being one of the few Shiva tem- material, but the way they fit our ulate the typical motions a per- by 16 per cent. it show any signs of backing off notice of the authorities concerned ples in Pakistan, the temple at faces isn’t perfect,” said Emily son may do throughout their day, “We’ve found that wearing two from their struggle for power. to stop these illegal and unethical Gandhiyan is of great religious Sickbert-Bennett, associate pro- bending at the waist, talking, and loosely fitted masks will not give Yemen conflict Western nations have tried to pres- constructions at the site to ensure significance and has the potential fessor of infectious diseases at looking left, right, up and down,” you the filtration benefit that one, the sacredness and authenticity to attract tourists and pilgrims the University of North Carolina said Phillip Clapp, an inhalation United Nations: The UN sure the military through diplo- snug-fitting procedure mask will,” Security Council has called matic and economic sanctions of this important temple,” he said. from across the country and (UNC) School of Medicine and toxicologist in the UNC School of Sickbert-Bennett said. on parties to the Yemen with little evident effect. Diyal said during his visit to abroad,” he said. conflict to negotiate a nationwide ceasefire and a political settlement. In a statement Friday, the members of the Security Indian-origin scientist identifies genes that fight Covid infection Council welcomed the announcement of Saudi THE GENES IN QUESTION ARE RELATED TO INTERFERONS, THE BODY’S FRONTLINE VIRUS FIGHTERS. SOON AFTER THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, Arabia March 22, supported by the Yemen government, to CLINICIANS FOUND THAT A WEAK INTERFERON RESPONSE TO SARS-COV-2 INFECTION RESULTED IN SOME OF THE MORE SEVERE CASES OF COVID-19. end the conflict in the war- torn country. INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Knowing which genes help con- Nile and HIV, which leads to AIDS”. trol viral infection can greatly as- The team also identified eight New York, April 17: A team of sist researchers’ understanding of ISGs that inhibited both SARS- We found 6 female climbers US scientists, led by an Indian-ori- factors that affect disease severity CoV-1 and CoV-2 replication in gin researcher, has identified a set and suggest possible therapeutic that 65 ISGs the sub cellular compartment re- atop Mt Annapurna of human genes that fight SARS- options. controlled sponsible for protein packaging, CoV-2 infection, the virus that causes The genes in question are related SARS-CoV-2 suggesting this vulnerable site Katmandu: Six Nepali women infection, have reached the top of Mt. Covid-19. to interferons, the body’s frontline could be exploited to clear viral Annapurna creating a record According to Sumit K. Chanda, virus fighters. including infection. feat on the 8,091-metre tall professor and director of the Soon after the start of the pan- some that inhibited the “This is important information, peak, the Himalayan nation’s Immunity and Pathogenesis demic, clinicians found that a weak virus’ ability to enter cells, but we still need to learn more about Department of Tourism and Programme at Sanford Burnham interferon response to SARS-CoV- some that suppressed the biology of the virus and inves- an expedition organising Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 2 infection resulted in some of the manufacture of the RNA tigate if genetic variability within company said. Purnima the scientists have gained new in- more severe cases of Covid-19. that is the virus’s these ISGs correlates with Covid-19

Shrestha, Sharmila Tamang, sights into how the virus exploits This knowledge led Chanda and severity,” said Laura Martin-Sancho,

k y m lifeblood, and a cluster of c Dawa Phuti Sherpa, Dawa the human cells it invades. his collaborators to search for the SARS-CoV-2 infection, including sembly of the virus,” Chanda ex- genes that inhibited a senior postdoctoral associate in the Yangjung, Pasang Lhamu “We are still searching for its human genes that are triggered by some that inhibited the virus’ abil- plained. assembly of the virus Chanda lab. Sherpa, and Maya Sherpa Achille’s Heel so that we can de- interferons, known as interferon- ity to enter cells, some that sup- “What was also of great inter- As a next step, the researchers will SUMIT K. CHANDA I PROFESSOR AND became the first Nepali velop optimal antivirals,” Chanda stimulated genes (ISGs), which act pressed manufacture of the RNA est was the fact that some of the ISGs look at the biology of SARS-CoV-2 women the top of the DIRECTOR,IMMUNITY AND PATHOGENESIS said in a paper published in the to limit SARS-CoV-2 infection. that is the virus’s lifeblood, and a exhibited control across unrelated PROGRAMME variants that continue to evolve mountain Friday afternoon. journal Molecular Cell. “We found that 65 ISGs controlled cluster of genes that inhibited as- viruses, such as seasonal flu, West and threaten vaccine efficacy. P11 Tech and growth has CRUDE TO BE $60 A BARREL SUNDAY | APRIL 18 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR started to pick up a little bit because people are Global crude oil prices are expected getting a little more cautious. to be in the range of $60 a barrel over Investors are in this wait-and- the long term period as OPEC+ see mode... at least until decision to cap supply until demand earnings get underway recovers and the pandemic continuing

LINDSEY BELL | CHIEF INVESTMENT to keep a check on consumption

k y m business STRATEGIST, ALLY INVEST c of the day uote COVID MANAGEMENT OPTCL signs MoU

India Inc. Fiscal package may be on cards with HDFC Bank could FICCI urges 25 CMs POST NEWS NETWORK contribute immediately by setting up Covid Bhubaneswar, April 17: Adhering care facilities on to maintain economic recovery to avoid ‘lockdown’ to 5T initiative by the government their plants and of Odisha for digitalisation and premises and plan Covid- transparency, OPTCL signed a compatible workplaces for the tion of anonymity. MoU with HDFC Bank Ltd for de- future The source said that any such veloping government project mon- package, if finalised, would come itoring system. UDDHAV THACKERAY | CHIEF MINISTER, up later this month or next month. The MoU was signed in the pres- MAHARASHTRA The Union Finance Ministry has ence of Managing Director of so far not indicated about any new OPTCL Sanjeeb Singh along with stimulus to contain the disruptions Director Project RL Panda, Director Our focus caused by the fresh Covid-19 wave Finance Samir Swain and CGM (during this in the country. Construction Sudip Sengupta, rights period) Last year, the government and the Deepak Kumar Singh, Circle Head will be to further build on the success RBI came up with a series of an- Odisha, Animesh Biswal, Vice of PKL and work nouncements to provide relief to the President. The system will com- closely with Star common man and businesses im- pletely digitalise the construction India to offer our fans more and pacted by the Covid-induced lock- INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE col may be ensured with suitable project starting from estimate innovative ways to engage with PKL down. Under its 'Aatmanirbhar penalties for violations," the letter preparation to payment. through various mediums including Bharat' package and the Garib New Delhi, April 17: Industry states. television, digital and gaming Kalyan Yojana, the government body FICCI has written to Chief FICCI has represented to the had announced packages worth Ministers of 25 states urging them Union Government to open up the ANUPAM GOSWAMI | CEO & LEAGUE ` COMMISSIONER, MASHAL SPORTS over 20 lakh crore. to avoid imposing partial or total vaccination for all the people above While the economic situation is lockdown in the wake of fresh 18 years of age to give a massive AGENCIES still much better than last year and surge in Covid cases. The industry push to the vaccination drive as BRAVING COVID 2.0 body also argued that the economy there is no shortage of vaccines We're in a the government has indicated against unique New Delhi, April 17: A fiscal a complete lockdown this year, sup- has barely begun to turnaround and the inoculation capacity can be stimulus package may be on the The Union Finance Ministry has so port measures could just look at the from the impact of the earlier lock- increased with the participation situation with far not indicated about any new the economy cards again as the government most vulnerable sections of the so- downs and such decisions now will of the private sector. looks at ways to prevent the pres- stimulus to contain the disruptions ciety and the industry. push the push the economy into The state government will have beginning to caused by the fresh Covid-19 wave rebound from the ent surge in Covid-19 cases and the Sources said that like last year, downward spiral. to play a major role to encourage worst of the ensuing restrictions imposed by While the government has the package may include measures In the letter written to state CMs people to come forward for vacci- pandemic. Uncertainties remain, the states from derailing the eco- indicated against a complete by the government as well as com- by FICCI President Uday Shankar, nation and build capacities with the with many businesses yet to nomic recovery. lockdown, support measures could pliance relief offered by the Reserve the chamber has acknowledged help of private sector for the ex- GPMS (Government Project reopen, unemployment still high, After last year’s lockdowns, which just look at the most vulnerable Bank of India (RBI). Already, var- the need to break the Covid chain pected jump in inoculation, FICCI Monitoring System) is a path- and Covid levels lower but resulted in the country's GDP con- sections of the society and the ious ministries are providing inputs but has suggested the strategy to has urged states. breaking mobile application and persistent tracting by (-) 23.9 per cent, it was industry to the Centre. focus more on ramping up covid test- Vaccination camps in the colonies cloud solution that collaborate ROBERT FRICK | CORPORATE ECONOMIST, hoped that the economy will grow The RBI will also have to do a The worry for the government ing, awareness drive and enforce- and societies with the help of government departments, engi- NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, VIRGINIA handsomely in FY22 to register a dou- balancing act over growth this time round is also about in- ment of Covid appropriate behav- Resident Welfare Associations neering teams, contractors, and QC ble digit growth. For this to hap- aspirations and containing flation that has seen an increase in iour rather than lockdown. (RWAs) will also help push the vac- professionals on one mobile man- pen, the RBI has projected a Q1 FY22 inflation the last few months. "The population may be sensi- cination drive, the letter added. agement and cloud platform. GDP growth of 26.2 per cent. But the This actually means that people tised about the Covid appropriate The letter has been written to the GPMS is a perfect works mon- SHORT TAKES recent surge in the pandemic has are already struggling with higher behaviour like wearing masks, CM of Odisha and 24 other states itoring and management mobile again raised serious questions about fiscal stimulus package. The idea food prices while their income is physical distancing and personal and UTs including Delhi, Goa, and web application exclusively de- the health of the economy. is to see that the poor and small dogged with uncertainty. The RBI hygiene. Support may be taken by Puducherry, West Bengal, signed, developed, and dedicated SPDA seeks There are some discussions businesses do not suffer and their will also have to do a balancing act involving volunteers from the Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Haryana, to managing and monitoring pub- more time within the government about the livelihood support is not disturbed, over growth aspirations and con- schools, colleges and the NGOs. J&K, Kerala, Gujarat, Assam and lic works projects. need, shape and timing of a fresh said an official source, on condi- taining inflation. Strict compliance to Covid proto- Tamil Nadu. The focus of GPMS application New Delhi: The Solar Power is to bring the essential proportion Developers Association of technology intervention of (SPDA) has urged the Project Management dealing with Ministry of New and pre-tender activity, post tender Renewable Energy (MNRE) to Vivo takes lead in China BIZ BUZZ activities, work execution and give three more months for commissioning solar projects billing. GPMS can support effec- amid the raging pandemic. ASUS ZenBook laptops Bajaj Auto launches CT110X tive decision making, and give access to real-time information The association has after Huawei’s decline Bhubaneswar: Bajaj highlighted the continued launched Auto launched the from the field level. challenges that the solar Bhubaneswar: new CT110X in India. power industry is facing for Taiwanese tech The new CT110X is the last year. It has requested giant ASUS the top end variant MNRE for a blanket extension launched the of the CT portfolio of an additional three latest additions - and is loaded with months in Scheduled Date of ZenBook Duo 14 ‘XtraKadak’ looks, Commissioning of solar and ZenBook Pro performance, and a power projects, an SPDA Duo 15 OLED, to sturdier build. The statement said. their already motorcycle comes expansive equipped with a rear ZenBook range, at an online launch event. The carrier with the “laptops of tomorrow” ZenBook Pro Duo 15 OLED ability to carry 7 kg HDFC Bank Q4 and ZenBook Duo 14 feature a dual display with a of weight. To AGENCIES two brands continue to jostle for the profit rises 16% top spot in 2021," said Senior Analyst four-sided frameless NanoEdge display. The enhance riding comfort, the seat is offered in a dual- New Delhi, April 17: After Yang Wang. ZenBook Duo 14 (UX482EA) is Intel Evo verified and texture and dual stitched finish. The CT110X is available at New Delhi: HDFC Bank features up to 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor `55,494 (Ex showroom – Delhi) in four colour combinations Huawei’s decline, smartphone OPPO had been aggressive in Saturday reported a 15.8% with Intel Iris Xe graphics. It also comes with the across all Bajaj Auto dealerships in India. The CT110 X rise in its consolidated net brand Vivo has risen to the top January and February this year option of an NVIDIA GeForce MX450 GPU. The continues to be powered by the reliable time-tested 115 cc profit to `8,434 crore for the spot in China, surpassing its near- and became the No 1 smartphone ZenBook Duo boasts of a 14” LED-backlit Full HD DTS-i engine delivering 6.33 kW powerat 7500 rpm, and a January-March quarter on est competitor OPPO due to a con- brand in China with the success- 1080p display with 100% sRGB coverage. The torque of 9.81 Nm (at 5000 rpm). It also dons semi knobby the back of healthy interest sumer friendly product line-up. ful rebranding of Reno series and ZenBook Pro Duo comes loaded with up to 10thGen tyres that provide a firm and stable grip on any terrain. Its income driven by growth in According to Counterpoint's the strong momentum of A series Intel Core i9 processor backed by NVIDIA GeForce higher ground clearance of 170mm can efficiently tackle advances. The country’s China Smartphone Weekly Tracker, in the mid-segment. RTX 3070 and 32 GB of DDR4 RAM. Indian roads with ease. largest private sector lender the battle for supremacy in China's Huawei along with HONOR has had registered a net profit of smartphone market is heating up, been constantly losing its share in `7,280 crore in the with the top spot changing hands the Chinese market due to com- corresponding quarter a in quick succession. ponent shortages following US ‘Second wave to disrupt fabric demand’ year ago. Riding on the continued strong sanctions, and fewer new launches. performance of its newly launched Its inventory for key components New Delhi: The second wave of Covid-19 resurgence can potentially disrupt fabric demand, said India budget model Y3 and S9, Vivo was has been depleting and it will not Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra). “Woven fabrics Prakriti e-Mobility able to jump ahead of OPPO dur- be able to source 5G smartphone production continued to improve mom, though to aid Covid patients ing week 11 (March 8-14) and again components. marginally, in January 2021, despite remaining 21 per in week 13. Huawei has also spun off HONOR cent YoY lower,” Ind-Ra said. “While recoveries for New Delhi: Electric cab firm Ever since Huawei started to as a separate brand. With HONOR blended and knitted fabrics were quicker, that of woven Prakriti e-Mobility Saturday struggle due to US restrictions on now being considered as a separate is expected to be delayed with micro-lockdowns and said it has collaborated with the company, other Chinese smart- brand, it further reduces Huawei's work-from-home culture.” Besides, export demand for the Delhi government to help phone manufacturers have been market share in China. Vivo was one woven fabrics is expected to plunge over Q1FY22 with Covid-19 patients and their eager to take advantage. of the first brands in the market key destination countries grappling with a second wave family members commute to "Vivo and OPPO are adopting to launch 5G devices, with the Nex of pandemic. "Fabric exports remained muted in January 2021 on a mom basis, and 17% Y-o-Y lower. Demand for hospitals and healthcare aggressive market and product 3 5G and iQOO Pro 5G in August 2019 imported fabrics surged over December 2020-January 2021, led by restocking by retailers. Imports in value terms centres without any charges. strategies, and we expect to see the and September 2019, respectively. doubled between November 2020-January 2021 with higher shipments from China, Bangladesh and Vietnam." The commute service can be booked through 'Jeevan Seva App' and service will be available round the clock. ‘Building computer vision-based grading solution for fruits’ AGEL arm bags PRESS TRUST OF INDIA We plan to develop a conveyor belt algorithms and require destructive products and eliminating duplicate solar project based automatic grading and pack- methods such as eating the fruit products. New Delhi: Adani Green New Delhi, April 17: E-commerce ing machine," he said. that can't obviously scale," he said. "We're also applying ML tech- Energy arm AREHFifteenL major Amazon Saturday said it is He added that the gradient pack Highlighting that there are nu- niques to rank products in search has bagged a 150 MWac building a computer vision-based machine will reduce the grading merous applications of machine results, reduce packaging costs, im- solar energy project capacity solution that can help in grading the cost by 78 per cent compared to learning across Amazon's differ- prove address quality, and mine from Torrent Power. Adani quality of fruits and vegetables manual grading. ent e-commerce business verticals, product design insights from re- Renewable Energy Holding that are shipped to customers. The "We also plan to use near infrared Rastogi said the company is using views," he added. Fifteen Ltd (AREHFifteenL), a company also plans to use near-in- sensors to detect attributes such ML to recommend products to cus- Rastogi pointed out that ver- wholly-owned subsidiary of frared sensors to detect attributes as sweetness and ripeness that can- tomers, forecast future demand for nacular users on the platform have Adani Green Energy Ltd such as sweetness and ripeness. not be detected in RGB images cap- products and improve the quality grown 175 per cent year-on-year, (AGEL), participated in a "Quality is one of the key drivers tured by traditional computer vision of product catalog by classifying and users can read 98-plus per cent Tender issued by Torrent of fruit and vegetable purchasing of product views in their regional Power Ltd for procurement decisions, and a critical factor in of power through languages. achieving customer satisfaction. Quality is one of the key drivers of fruit and Amazon.In supports five ver- competitive bidding process, vegetable purchasing decisions, and a critical factor from grid connected solar Having humans grade the quality nacular languages – Hindi, Kannada,

of fruits and vegetables by manu- in achieving customer satisfaction. Having humans Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. He

k y m photovoltaic power projects c to be setup in Gujarat. ally examining each individual said at the Amazon Smbhav event. based approach analyses produce grade the quality of fruits and vegetables by explained that machine transla- AREHFifteenL has been piece of produce - each tomato or He added that the company is images to detect defects such as manually examining each individual piece of produce: each tion is used to translate product awarded a project capacity each onion is not scalable to millions building a computer vision-based cuts, cracks, pressure damage, etc. tomato or each onion is not scalable to millions of quality content such as title, bullet points, of 150 MWac Solar Power of quality assessments per day," grading solution for products such And can carry out millions of as- assessments per day and description from English to Project, a BSE filing said. Amazon India Vice President as onions and tomatoes. sessments per day at a cost that is RAJEEV RASTOGI I VICE PRESIDENT (MACHINE LEARNING), AMAZON INDIA vernacular languages. (Machine Learning) Rajeev Rastogi "The ML (machine learning) far below that of any other method. P12 SUNDAY | APRIL 18 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR sports

Chahar feels good

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k k y y m m c CHAHAR, BOULT LIFT MI answering ‘critics’ c PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Bairstow smashed a 22-ball 35 to Rohit completed 4,000 give SRH a rollicking start, while Mumbai, April 17: Deepak David Warner too managed a 36 off T20 runs as a skipper. He Chahar is deadly when he gets 34 but once the duo were back in the also surpassed MS help from conditions but even hut, the middle-order again failed KIERON POLLARD more menacing when someone to come to the fore. Dhoni’s record (216 tries to deflate his confidence Back at the top with his open- sixes) of hitting the most like a random troll did after an ing partner Warner, Bairstow indifferent first IPL game. amassed 18 runs from Trent Boult number of sixes by an Chahar’s best IPL perform- in the third over with the help of Indian in IPL. Rohit is now ance 4-1-13-4 also included 18 dot three fours and a six. SRH amassed balls and also earned rich praise 57 in 6 overs. third in the list after from national head coach Ravi Lady luck smiled on MI finally Punjab Kings’ Chris Gayle Shastri. “Proven fact. Genuine when Bairstow hit wicket while swing both ways with control looking for a slog sweep off Krunal. (351) and Royal can undo the best. Super vari- Chahar then removed Manish Challengers Bangalore’s ations. Brilliant,” Shastri tweeted. Pandey (2), while Hardik’s direct The cricketers often say that throw found Warner short as SRH AB de Villiers (237) they are not bothered by criticism slumped to 91/3. on social media but on the con- Chahar handed SRH a twin blow TODAY’S MATCHES trary Chahar cited an instance in his last over, dismissing Virat where a random fan wrote on his Singh (11) and Abhishek Sharma (2) RCB KKR social media page that CSK should – both playing their first games of “drop him” from the next game. the season. “Expectations are high here Vijay (28) cracked two sixes off and you have to perform in every Deepak Chahar reacts after Krunal to keep SRH in the hunt game. So this is for that man, dismissing Mayank Agarwal, Friday but he kept losing his partners as who made the comment, if I Abdul Samad (7) was sent packing TIME 3.30 PM would not have played, this per- domestic cricket for Rajasthan. by Hardik with another direct throw formance might have not come,” After an indifferent last season, and then Boult produced a perfect DC PK Chahar told IPL’s official wesite. Chahar is satisfied as he looked yorker to rid get of Rashid (0). Vijay Chahar, on his part, admitted in fine rhythm with Dhoni bowl- too perished in the next over as that the help off the pitch was ad- ing him out within the first 10 SRH fell short once again. vantageous for him. “Looking overs. “It was a good feeling. It (the RAHUL CHAHAR Earlier, Rohit Sharma (32) and at today’s wicket and today’s per- spell) came at an important time Quinton de Kock (40) scored 53 in TIME 7.30 PM formance, I must say that as we needed to win this game. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA SRH were bowled out for 137 in 19.4 the powerplay after opting to bat but Wankhede is my favourite ground “It was thus necessary to pro- Telecast: Star Sports channels overs. Vijay (2/19) and Afghanistan spin because you get help in the start- vide a good start and this was an Chennai, April 17: Sunrisers Opting to bat, MI had a good start duo of Mujeeb (2/29) and Rashid ing (from the pitch),” Chahar important match for us and I Hyderabad’s middle-order contin- but Vijay Shankar and Mujeeb Ur Khan (0/22) brought the Sunrisers Rashid Khan and Mujeeb then BRIEF SCORES told IPL’s official website. am very happy that I could con- ued to misfire as spinner Rahul Rahman claimed two wickets each back in the game. tightened the screw on MI as the Mumbai Indians 150/5 (Quinton “But it was not the case in the tribute to the team’s win,” Chahar Chahar and pacer Trent Boult fash- as SRH stemmed the flow of runs However, MI soon slipped to 71/2 well-set De Kock next perished at de Kock 40, Kieron Pollard 35 n o, previous game that we played said in an interview aired on ioned Mumbai Indians to a 13-run in the middle overs. However, Kieron with Shankar dismissing Rohit and deep mid-wicket. Hardik and Rohit Sharma 32; Vijay Shankar (against Delhi Capitals) was a IPL official website. win in their IPL match here, Pollard managed to lift MI to 150/5 Suryakumar Yadav (10) in his two Pollard couldn’t produce their 2/19, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/29) high-scoring one, that time there The seamer said that there Saturday. with the help of a 22-ball 35 which overs. While the MI skipper holed trademark hitting, but the West beat Sunrisers Hyderabad 137 was no swing or seam. Yes, there are always multiple plans in place Defending 150, leg-spinner Chahar included two sixes of the last two out to Virat Singh in the sixth over, Indian’s two sixes off final two (Jonny Bairstow 43, David Warner was help today from the wicket but always the primary strategy (3/19) stifled the middle-order before balls of their innings. Suryakumar was caught and bowled balls of their innings proved to be 36; Rahul Chahar 3/19, Trent Boult and so this is one of the favourite is to get some swing and off the Boult (3/28) polished off the tail as Chasing 151 for a win, Jonny in the 9th over. the winning ones. 3/28) by 13 runs. grounds,” said Chahar, who plays pitch movement first up. Royal challenge ahead of Knights Delhi hold edge PRESS TRUST OF INDIA order collapsed in an inexplicable fash- It would not be a bad idea to bring in ion to suffer their 12th loss from 13 matches. left arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav in Chennai, April 17: The misfiring Kolkata Morgan’s astute captaincy in using his place of veteran Indian off-spinner Knight Riders will look to bring their bowling resources was the highlight as Harbhajan Singh, who has bowled just the over Punjab campaign back on track when they take KKR had bowled out MI for a modest 152. opening over in each of the two matches. on table-toppers Royal Challengers In his new role of bowling at the death, Boasting a famed batting line-up in Kohli, have shown Bangalore in the IPL here, Sunday. Andre Russell has taken six wickets at an AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell and the tal- THE SQUADS that despite In the battle between the world’s two impressive average of 7.83, but has failed ented youngster Devdutt Padikkal, RCB massive improve- PUNJAB KINGS: KL Rahul (C & wk), Mayank best white-ball captains, Eoin Morgan to deliver with the bat. With 14 runs from are yet to perform to their full potential. But PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Mandeep Singh, ments, there are still some chinks in and Virat Kohli, the bangalore franchise two matches, the big-hitting Jamaican it did not matter much as RCB have won both Prabsimran Singh, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Shaw’s armoury and Arshdeep could be will hold a slight edge over Kolkata after has looked a shadow of his past. their matches with new signing Maxwell hold- Mumbai, April 17: Delhi Capitals skip- Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Murugan used to expose that. its two wins from as many outings. Vice-captain Dinesh Karthik, too, will ing fort in the middle and the likes of per Rishabh Pant will aim to display bet- Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Harpreet Brar, Both teams are top heavy in batting with Known for his tactical nous and man- be under pressure to deliver after his Shahbaz Ahmed and Harshal Patel mak- ter tactical acumen in Catch-22 situa- Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan DC dependant on Shaw, Dhawan and Pant management skills, the World Cup-win- painstaking stay in the middle in the last ing the difference in bowling. tions against a ‘blow-hot-blow-cold’ Punjab Porel, Darshan Nalkande, Chris Jordan, for doing the bulk of scoring while the same ning English skipper will be keen to bring game. While Nitish Rana has impressed Bought for Rs 14.25 crore in the 2021 Kings in what promises to be a battle of Dawid Malan, Jhye Richardson, Shahrukh job profile is held by KL Rahul, Chris Gayle KKR back on track after a familiar mid- the most in batting, their star opener auction, Maxwell has bounced back from brittle middle-orders in an IPL match Khan, Riley Meredith, Moises Henriques, and Deepak Hooda in the Punjab line-up. dle-order collapse cost them the game Shubman Gill has faltered after impres- a poor last season in the UAE. On a dif- here, Sunday. Jalaj Saxena, Utkarsh Singh, Fabian Allen & Even the weaknesses of both the teams are against Mumbai Indians. sive starts, and KKR would hope the ficult batting wicket, Maxwell’s 59 – his Both teams are coming into the ‘Norther Saurabh Kumar. pretty similar. If Ajinkya Rahane’s lack of After two ordinary sea- youngster fires in the coming days. first IPL half century Derby’ of IPL after enduring defeats in power-hitting and Marcus Stoinis’ indif- DELHI CAPITALS: Rishabh Pant (C & wk), sons, the purple brigade On a slow Chepauk deck where batting since 2016 – was the their previous games but Delhi Capitals Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi ferent show is affecting the DC middle- started its campaign at the death has been a concern, KKR’s cornerstone before are definitely a better side on paper. Shaw, Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, order, Mayank Agarwal’s prolonged bad- in an emphatic fash- bowling has been a revelation with Morgan Bengal left-arm spin- Pant, relatively inexperienced in terms Chris Woakes, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Amit patch coupled with Nicholas Pooran’s ion, ticking all the cleverly using his resources. ner Shahbaz turned of IPL captaincy, lost the plot in the last Mishra, Lalit Yadav, Pravin Dubey, Kagiso susceptibility to short balls over his shoul- boxes against Against the star-studded RCB who are it around against game where he didn’t finish his best Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Ishant Sharma, der are not great news for Punjab either. Sunrisers Hyderabad. yet to fire in unison this season, KKR’s SRH in the 17th over, bowler Ravichandran Ashwin’s quota Avesh Khan, Steve Smith, Umesh Yadav, The middle-orders’ struggles in both the But against their neme- bowling would once again look to make taking three wickets and instead used Tom Curran’s friendly Ripal Patel, Vishnu Vinod, Lukman Meriwala, dugouts will make it an engrossing con- sis MI, KKR middle- an impact. for one run. medium pacers. M Siddarth, Tom Curran & Sam Billings. test with DC bowlers expected to hold As coach Ricky Ponting pointed out, he sway in Nortje’s presence. THE SQUADS would expect a better ‘on his feet’ think- after a healthy 200 plus total in the open- In case of Punjab Kings, save Mohammed ing from the young captain. The likely ad- ing game. The nature of the Wankhede Shami, the two high-priced pacers – Jhye ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE: Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers, Devdutt Padikkal, dition of Anrich Nortje in the playing XI track is posing a few questions under Richardson and Riley Meredith – haven’t ex- Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj, Kane Richardson, Washington Sundar, Pavan will only bolster Pant’s bowling attack lights for top-order batsmen as the last two actly set the stage on fire. Deshpande, Joshua Philippe, Shahbaz Ahamad, Navdeep Saini, Adam Zampa, Kyle which lost its bearings during the last games have shown with underlying mois- Neither has Murugan Ashwin, a mys- Jamieson, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Sachin Baby, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Dan match with Curran’s lack of pace on a slow ture aiding quality fast bowling. tery spinner who has done nothing of Christian, KS Bharat, Suyash Prabhudessai, Daniel Sams & Harshal Patel. track being cannon fodder for Chris So KL Rahul versus Kagiso Rabada note that would force Pant and Ponting KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS: Eoin Morgan (C), Dinesh Karthik, Shubman Gill, Nitish Morris and David Miller. and Chris Woakes bowling to Chris Gayle to have sleepless nights. Anil Kumble Rana, Tim Seifert, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Yadav, Punjab Kings, on the other hand, suf- could be as enticing as Prithvi Shaw en- and Rahul may like to think of Ravi Shivam Mavi, Lockie Ferguson, Pat Cummins, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Sandeep fered an inexplicable batting collapse countering the guile of Mohammed Shami Bishnoi as an option but they also need Warrier, Prasidh Krishna, Rahul Tripathi, Varun Chakravarthy, Shakib Al Hasan, against Chennai Super Kings with Deepak and Shikhar Dhawan trying to unsettle to factor in the shorter boundaries in Sheldon Jackson, Vaibhav Arora, Harbhajan Singh, Karun Nair, Ben Cutting, Venkatesh Iyer & Pawan Negi. Chahar’s extra bounce and slight seam a disciplined Arshdeep Singh. Mumbai, which can devastating for wrist movement causing the damage. This was Jaydev Unadkat and Rajasthan Royals spinners if their length is haywire. Sports Minister Mirabai creates world record Rijiju tests +ve RAVI RETAINS ASIAN TITLE PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Spain. He served a four-year doping ban which he completed only re- Tashkent, April 17: Former for COVID-19 cently. Yadav beat Iraq’s Ahmed World Champion Mirabai Chanu PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Mohsin Kadhim 8-2 comfortably made a splendid return to the in the bronze play off. weightlifting arena, setting a new New Delhi, April 17: Sports Bajrang did not look his usual self world record in clean and jerk Minister Kiren Rijiju Saturday but did not face much competition while also bettering her own na- said that he has tested positive en route the final. He had no diffi- tional record en route winning a for COVID-19 but is feeling ‘fit and culty in getting past Jeong, who bronze medal at the Asian fine’. The 49-year-old posted the de- hardly attacked in his opening 65kg Championship here Saturday. velopment on his Twitter page. bout. Chanu also confirmed her Tokyo “After getting repeated test for His first scoring point was a take- Olympic spot as she has now com- Covid-19, today my report has down on counter and earned one peted in the six mandatory quali- come out positive,” Rijiju wrote in more for the passivity of his rival. fying events. The 26-year-old Indian his twitter handle. “I’m taking the Next for him was Mongolia’s lifted 86kg in snatch and a world advice of the Doctors. I request all Bilguun Sarmandakh, whom he record of 119kg in clean and jerk for those who have come in my con- pinned to ensure his passage into a total of 205kg. tact recently to be observant, ex- the summit clash. While the earlier clean and jerk ercise self-quarantine and get PRESS TRUST OF INDIA “When I was pulling the Korean, Bajrang had lost the 2018 World world record was 118kg, Chanu’s themselves tested. I’m physically the pain in my right elbow resur- Championship title clash and last personal best total in 49kg was 203kg fit and fine.” Almaty, April 17: Indian wrestler faced. It’s the same elbow that I year’s Asian Championship final to (88kg+115kg) at the National Rijiju was in Uttarakhand Ravi Kumar Dahiya retained his had injured during the World the Otoguro and could have tested Championship in February last year. 85kg in her first two snatch attempts. Fellow lifter Jhili Dalabehera Friday to inaugurate a Water Asian Championship title with a Championship. The coaches ad- himself against the Japanese but The gold medal went to Hou The diminutive Manipuri then was also assured of at least a silver Sports and Adventure Institute solid performance but Bajrang vised that I must not take risk so it turned out to be an anti-climac- Zhihui of China who created a new lifted 86kg in her final attempt. medal as there were only two entries in Tehri. State chief minister Punia settled for a silver medal close to the Olympics, so I with- tic end to the 65kg competition. world record in snatch and total However, she finished fourth best, including hers in the 45kg weight Tirath Singh Rawat, who recovered after withdrawing from the much- drew,” Bajrang said. Ravi Dahiya, though, gave India weight with an effort of 213kg behind Zhihui (96kg), Huihua (89kg) category. Jhilli, who had won a sil- recently from the dreaded infection, awaited final against Takuto Also finishing on podium were the first free style gold medal of y (96g+117kg) while her compatriot and Aisah Windy Cantika (87kg) ver medal at the 2019 edition, will was with him at the inauguration Otoguro due to an elbow injury, Narsingh Pancham Yadav (79kg), this edition with a commanding

Jiang Huihua clinched the silver, of Indonesia. fight it out with Philippines’ Mary ceremony. here Saturday. Karan (70kg) and Satywart Kadian show. His supreme stamina and re-

k k y y m m c c lifting 207kg (89kg+118kg) in the Chanu began her clean and jerk Flor Diaz Sunday. Rijiju, Thursday, had visited Bajrang told this agency that he (97kg), who won a bronze each, as lentless attacking prowess was too gold level Olympic qualifier. with a 113kg and then lifted 117kg The Asian Championships is a the Nelong Valley region of did not want to aggravate the con- all five Indians in action Saturday good for his opponents in the 57kg. Competing at an international successfully for her personal best. gold level Olympic qualifying event, Uttarkashi district, accompanied dition of his right elbow. He said he returned with medals. He returned to the mat after a year tournament after more than a year, The Indian then bettered her own the points from which will be by Surjeet Singh Deswal, the di- started feeling the pain during the It was Yadav’s first international and in style. He had last competed the former world champion was off performance, hoisting 119kg, more counted when the final rankings for rector-general of Indo-Tibetan quarterfinal against Korean medal in five years as he last won at this event in New Delhi where he to a shaky start as she failed to lift than twice her body weight. Tokyo Games cut are made. Border Police (ITBP). Yongseok Jeong. it in July 2015 at Grand Prix of had won gold.

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