BENGALURU  SUNDAY  APRIL 26, 2020  `7.00  PAGES 24  LATE CITY EDITION

NO EVIDENCE TO RULE OUT ‘IMMUNITY PASSPORTS NOT A SOUND IDEA’ MAY RAISE RISK OF CONTINUED SPREAD The warning from the Geneva-based UN health body came after some ■ WHO warned that those who are given such certificates would REINFECTION, WARNS WHO countries and businesses proposed the idea of “immunity passports” that assume they are immune to reinfection and may ignore health 367 would allow those who’ve recovered from the disease to travel freely. “No advice thereby raising the risks of continued virus transmission The WHO said on Saturday there’s no evidence that those study has evaluated whether the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 ■ In recent days, authorities in the US, Germany, Italy and Chile POSITIVE CASES PER MILLION PEOPLE who’ve recovered from Covid-19 are immune to reinfection confers immunity to subsequent infection by this virus,” the WHO said said they are studying the idea of granting immunity passports WORLDWIDE AS OF SATURDAY

CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOGGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ WARANGAL ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI K’taka now has Despite surge in cases, State’s recovery rate is heartening 500 COVID-19 RAMU PATIL @Bengaluru THOUGH the State has seen a sudden surge in the COVID-19 positive cases positive cases in the last two days, here is some cheering news. The recovery percentage Bengaluru adds 13 to the count in a single in the state seems to be much day, 13 more cases from other districts better compared to many other states — and even the all-India figure. EXPRESS NEWS SERVIC@ Bengaluru 52-year-old female, a six-year- With 158 discharges for the old child and a 27-year-old fe- total 500 cases, the recovery THE state capital was on top of male. So far, 29 patients have percentage, on Saturday, the COVID-19 table on Satur- been linked to Patient 419. stands at around 31.6 per cent. Hoping against hope, a woman waits with her luggage in front of the divisional day, recording 13 of the 26 fresh The three other cases from Although Karnataka is way railway offices in Bengaluru, for train services to resume following the partial cases from across the state. Bengaluru Urban are contacts behind its neighbouring state easing of lockdown restrictions on Saturday | PANDARINATH B With this, Karnataka touched of Patients 465, a 45-year-old fe- Kerala — which has a remark- the 500-mark of coronavirus male with SARI. They include able 73.39 per cent recovery All the states across India pared to many other states,” he cases. The other cases were re- two 27-year-old males and one record — it is much better follow the same national guide- added. ported from Mandya, Chikka- 66-year-old female. than the national recovery lines on hospitalization. Nor- Dr H Sudarshan Ballal, ballapur, Bantwal, Mysuru, Elsewhere, nine cases are percentage of around 20.88 mally, patients require around Chairman, Manipal Hospitals, Nanjangud, Bengaluru Urban secondary contacts of Patient A doctor in personal protective equipment goes about his work at Victoria per cent. Maharashtra, which two weeks of hospitalization, too, said early detection is one and Belagavi. 128, a 20-year-old from Hire- Hospital in Bengaluru. Following initial hiccups, the hospital now has reported a high number of but many take 20-22 days and of the key reasons and age is Among the 13 positive bagewadi in Belagavi dis- sufficient PPEs for its medical staff | SHRIRAM B N positive cases, has much less- some may even require more also a factor. “Karnataka is a cases in Bengaluru was trict who had attended er recovery percentage of time, said a specialist treating very progressive state with a 34-year-old camera the Tablighi Jamaat around 14.03. Telangana (25.71 COVID-19 patients. good healthcare facilities. It is person from the elec- congregation in Delhi MYSURU: A 72-year-old man per cent) and Andhra Pradesh Before discharging a pa- possible that we see patients tronic media, which last month. The pa- KARNATAKA from a village in Nanjangud taluk (16.11 per cent) too are lagging tient, two tests are done within early and obviously recovery Express had reported tients are a 45-year-old COVID-19 UPDATE with no travel history, tested behind Karnataka. Tamil a span of 24 hours and both rate is better,” he said. in its Saturday’s edi- male, a 38-year-old positive for COVID-19. It is said Nadu with 49.34 per cent re- tests have to be negative. Even Kerala, which has been do- TEST POSITIVE that he may have contracted the tion. The Health Depart- male, an 80-year-old fe- 26 ON SATURDAY covery is second to Kerala after discharge from hospitals, ing well in terms of fighting ment said that other male, a 55-year-old female, a virus from Jubilant Pharma where among the southern states, they will be observed for an- the COVID-19 pandemic, seems camera persons and reporters 42-year-old female, a 39-year-old many had tested positive with Karnataka taking the other 14 days under supervi- to have learnt from its experi- from media houses have been female, a 20-year-old male, an BELAGAVI: Of the 54 people third place. sion of state surveillance offi- ence of handling Nipah virus. listed as his primary contacts eight-year-old boy and a who tested positive in the Experts, who are part of the cials. They will be tested again “Kerala in general had a good and are being checked. 30-year-old female. district, all except two had links state task force leading the if they show symptoms. experience, probably learnt Nine more contacts of the A 37-year-old man from Man- to Delhi’s Tablighi Jamaat fight against COVID-19, say “From the beginning, our from the Nipah virus outbreak 54-year-old migrant labourer dya, who is a contact of Patient congregation. The two other various factors including early state’s preparedness has been (May 2018) as the state was the (Patient 419) from Hongasan- 78, and another 38-year-old cases were of an anganwadi detection help in early recov- good and early detection is one epicentre. Karnataka too is do- dra ward in Bengaluru tested male who is a contact of Pa- worker and a retired police ery, and the cases reported late of the important factors that ing good,” he added. positive on Saturday of whom tient 52, the Nanjangud phar- constable are the ones having more com- ensures fast recovery,” Direc- Dr Ballal, however, has a is a 90-year-old male, the oldest ma company employee, also plications. Late or early con- tor of Rajiv Gandhi Institute word of caution for the author- patient in the state so far. The tested positive. A 50-year-old DAKSHINA KANNADA: A version — from being COV- of Chest Diseases (RGID) Dr C ities and the public. “Corona is others include a 37-year-old woman from Nanjangud, who 500 33-year-old woman tests ID-19 positive to negative — also Nagaraja told The New Sun- very limited in India, but we Total positive 18 158 positive. Her mother contracted male, a 21-year-old male, a was in contact with Patient 382, cases as on Total Recoveries depends on factors like the vi- day Express. “Good contain- can’t let our guard down as 17-year-old male, a 19-year-old a secondary contact of Patient Saturday Deaths so far the disease a few days ago ral load and immunity status ment measures have helped that will be a big mistake. We female, a 28-year-old male, a 52, has also tested positive. P4, 5 of infected individuals. keep numbers much less com- have to be watchful.”

Union govt ALLOW STATES TO Relaxation for shops with low footfall BORROW DIRECTLY Mysuru’s KR Hospital FROM RBI: KERALA FM shelves plan SANA SHAKIL @ New Delhi have been given in areas where masks and maintaining social the footfall tends to be low, of- distancing will be mandatory. The COVID-19 outbreak and gasps with SARI cases to use rapid A day after the Centre an- ficials said. For rural areas, Speaking to TNSE, BBMP nationwide lockdown have hit nounced relaxation in lock- the government clarified that Commissioner B H Anil Kumar the finances of states hard, AJITH M S @ Mysuru The spike is not connected down rules for shops selling “all shops, except those in shop- said that as per the MHA noti- and Kerala is no exception. Its to COVID-19, but is being at- anti-body kits non-essential goods, the Minis- ping malls are allowed to open”. fication, only standalone shops finance minister Thomas Isaac, THE century-old KR Hospital, tributed to the refusal by pri- try of Home Affairs on Satur- The new relaxations, however, in neighbourhoods including known for his economic sense a lifesaver for people from vate hospitals to admit SARI SUMI SUKANYA DUTTA day clarified that only stan- will not be applicable to hotspot ice cream parlours, shops sell- and straight talk, is under Mysuru and adjoining dis- and related cases due to the @ New Delhi dalone shops, neighbourhood areas or containment zones. ing electronic goods, electrical pressure to maintain fiscal tricts, is now facing an un- coronavirus scare. A few hos- shops and shops in residential The Union Home Ministry repair shops and other essen- prudence and, at the same precedented challenge. A pitals in the city had to be THE Union Government has complexes can open. Shops in also made it clear that sale of tial services are allowed to time, manage resources. The sharp spike in Severe Acute shut after COVID cases were shelved a plan to use rapid markets and shopping com- liquor, tobacco and gutka will open. But shops in commercial revenue has fallen to almost Respiratory Infection (SARI) detected. Each major hospi- antibody testing kits in hot- plexes in urban areas will con- remain prohibited as specified complexes and malls are not al- zero and the expenditure has cases has resulted in many tal in the district has 10-20 spot districts due to concerns tinue to remain shut during the in the National Directives for lowed to conduct business. risen on account of the getting admitted to the hospi- cases each and the smaller over the accuracy of the re- lockdown period. Covid-19 Management. The “The State Government will ongoing fight against the tal, choking its resources. hospitals have 3-5 cases. Ear- sults, this newspaper has The new relaxation is only clarifications pertain to Fri- soon issue a notification.” pandemic. During an interview As per the hospital records, lier the resources used to get learned. for shops “selling items” and day’s late night order issued by Kerala and Odisha allowed with TNIE Editor G S Vasu, the there are a whopping 201 divided, now we are taking The decision to put off the not the ones that render servic- MHA, through which it allowed shops — except those in malls Kerala FM minced no words SARI patients out whom 22 the entire load,” Dr Nanjaraj usage of these kits, which es, the MHA said, implying that shops selling all kinds of goods — to function with certain con- while explaining his are on ventilator support, per- pointed out. were imported from China repair shops, barber shops, to open in specified areas. ditions. However, in many predicament. According to him, haps the biggest number in all Since SARI cases are under brings a huge embarrass- shops of ticketing agents, res- The order was issued under states such as Telangana and India is in for a long recession. these decades. The hospital is strict monitoring for COV- ment to ICMR, the top health taurants and salons will re- Section 10(2) of the Disaster Tamil Nadu, there is no relaxa- FULL INTERVIEW: P7 witnessing 15-20 new admis- ID-19, the hospital staff have research agency leading In- main shut. Management Act and the shops tion for shops. In Telangana, sions for SARI every day, to don PPE kits and keep the dia’s COVID-19 battle. The idea behind the move is will have to function with 50 the lockdown will continue till against 3-5 earlier. patients in isolation until the Around 5.5 lakh rapid test to avoid crowding. Relaxations percent worker strength and May 7. REPORTS: P6,7,8,9,10, 12 With SARI cases occupying test results are back. So far, kits had been procured by most of the hospital’s critical KR Hospital has had only one the government recently infrastructure, accident vic- COVID-19 positive case. from two Chinese firms — tims and patients with other Along with this, the hospi- Guangzhou Wondfo and Zhu- OPEN WHAT WHAT Shops selling educational books, electric fans emergencies, especially from tal has 15 paediatric cases hai Livzon—and had been WON’T WAS and agricultural products poor families who cannot af- with pneumonia. Since dialy- sent to states after ICMR rec- & SHUT OPEN OPEN Prepaid mobile recharge services ford treatment in private hos- sis patients are also not being ommended that extensive pitals, are left in the lurch. Salons entertained elsewhere, all the sampling would be carried Shops Manufacturing units Services “We regularly get other cas- seven dialysis units at KRH WHAT out in coronavirus hotspots Barber shops selling es like accidents, burns and are occupied. WILL Postal services provided by for epidemiological OPEN Shops of ticketing agents essential self-employed THE AGE OF snakebite, but it has now be- In what may come as some purposes. Repair shops items Courier services persons NOSTALGIA come difficult to attend to relief, the authorities have According to official sourc- Stationery shops Restaurants (Groceries, Operation of oil & gas (Electricians, IT them as our wards are filled promised to equip KRH with es, Health Minister Harsh milk, repairs, with SARI patients,” said Dr 15 more ventilators in the Sweet shops Shops selling liquor sector Vardhan told a Group of vege plumbers, motor PLUS 12 PAGES C P Nanjaraj, Dean, Mysuru coming days and to deploy ad- Pharmacies Ministers that “the outbreak Bakeries Tobacco -tables, mechanics and Medical College and Research ditional personnel from is under control and we can Cosmetic shops Gutka meat etc) Truck repair shops carpenters) Institute. neighbouring districts. do without using the anti- body testing kits as of now as there is doubt on the efficacy PLANS DISRUPTED of the kits”. On April 21, the ICMR had said it would investigate the reports of faults with the rapid testing kits after get- Sports award nominations to get late, process could be simplified ting them assessed by eight research teams and issue INDRANEEL DAS @ Chennai tions as yet. The final date of finalising the formalities years’ achievement, since ing hard copies or submitting under the following heads: Ar- fresh guidelines in two days. nomination too could stretch to might take place sometime 2019 was a non-Olympic, them physically as per earlier juna Awards, Rajiv Gandhi The next day, it issued a THE nomination process for June or beyond. next week. However, the Asian and Common- instructions might be difficult, Khel Ratna, Dronacharya protocol to the state govern- country’s most prestigious rec- Usually, the process ends by date on which the awards wealth Games year, the entire process might go on- Awards, Rashtriya Khel Protsa- ments reiterating that the ognition of sporting achieve- last week of April. But this are conferred — National things would be simpler. line. There are indications that han Purashkar (for sports pro- kits be used only for surveil- ment — Khel Ranta and Arjuna year, due to the lockdown and Sports Day, August 29 — re- There is a possibility the nomination process could motion and development), Dhy- lance purposes and not for Awards — is set to be delayed various restrictions in place, mains unchanged, as of that the process this time also be easier. an Chand Award for lifetime diagnosis of infection in in- because of the prevailing situ- the ministry is yet to send out a now. Even though the would be simplified. The sports ministry usually achievement in sports and dividuals. ation. The sports ministry has circular or advertise. There are awards committee takes Since the country is un- calls for nominations from games and Tenzing Norgay Na- CONTINUED ON: P8 not even advertised for nomina- indications that the process of into consideration four der lockdown and send- players, coaches, sporting icons tional Adventure Awards. ALMANAC TODAY MIN MAX Sunrise 6.01 am Sunday 26/04/2020 Year: Sarvari Ayana : Uttharayana Ritu: Vasantha 0 320C Sunset 6.33 pm Masa: Vaishaka Paksha: Shukla Tithi: Thrutheeya 1.22 pm Nakshatra: 21 C Moonrise 8.16 am Rohini 10.56 pm Moon in Mithuna Rashi Rahukaala: 09:00 am to 10:30am WEATHER FORECAST Gulikakala: 06:00 am to 07:30 am Yamaganda: 01:49 pm to 03:26 pm WATCH Morning clouds Moonset 9.22 pm

BENGALURU SUNDAY 02 26 042020

CORONA POSITIVE Online university? Two UGC Maternity hospital in officials clear the web Moodalapalya shut PEARL MARIA D’SOUZA Second, is the false dichoto- ers during the Covid season are @Bengaluru my of online versus face-to-face not creating content to reinvent ENS @Bengaluru been established yet. education -- and where online the wheel, but curating content The hospital will be sealed TWO officials of the University learning is viewed as a subset from multiple sources and A MATERNITY hospital run and closed down at least for a Grants Commission have ana- of distance learning. However, packaging it for their institu- by the Bruhat Bengaluru Ma- few days. The staffers who lysed the challenges to a shift officials view remote teaching tional context... as the student hanagara Palike (BBMP) in were wearing PPEs will re- that India is yet to see in the as a format of education and deserves compelling content in Moodalapalya ward was sume duty soon after the hos- Residents of Banaswadi protest in front of the ACP’s office seeking shifting of 37 higher education realm -- on- delivery model in itself. “The engaging ways. closed down on Satur- pital opens. Covid-19 suspect cases from their locality, in Bengaluru on Saturday | EXPRESS line universities. They say how success or failure of online They see a potential to shift day and all the pa- Officials said that the the corona pandemic has learning is dependent on the from video classes to online in- tients were shifted to patient had visited the served as a a powerful remind- course design and the learning teractive exercises, and teach- the nearest hospital hospital a few days ago er to reassess the strengths to outcome created,” they say. ers becoming designers of a after it was found that as she was suffering Another protest, overcome the vulnerability of Third, the view that ‘teach- learning experience. one of the patients the from dysfunctional uter- academia -- in the context of on- ing’ is all about the content. Of- Even with a countrywide staffers attended to tested ine bleeding. The staffers line education. ficials found that the best teach- penetration rate of around positive for Covid-19. gave her medication and she The virus, they believe, has 40%, and national institutions All the staffers have been came back the next day with attacked three deep-rooted edu- shifting to online mode because put on quarantine. BBMP of- more health complications. another shifting cational ideas in India. “First, of their preparedness, officials ficials said that this decision Hence, she was referred to Ra- we think classroom teaching is raise a question on accessibili- was taken as the source of in- jiv Gandhi hospital, where 37 people quarantined in two hotels in inevitable in higher educa- ty to digital learning spaces. fection of the patient has not she tested positive. OMBR Layout relocated to Haj Bhavan tion,” say Dr G Srinivas, Joint “Popularization of low-cost de- Secretary, and Dr Salil S, Edu- vices like Raspberry can over- cation Officer with UGC. come device access issues,” EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE information was given to us. It They said there is no evi- they add. @Bengaluru was only when ambulances and dence in education literature to Among the challenges are SSLC timetable soon: Minister police landed that we got to prove the advantage of class- digital competence of faculty IN spite of prohibitory orders, know what it was.” Anju Men- room instruction over online. members and institutional EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Mysuru residents of OMBR Layout in ezes, another resident, said While there are pros and cons leadership, which can be over- Banaswadi staged a protest on there are many children and in both methods of teaching, come with training. The more THE government is doing its best to make sure it can conduct Saturday morning against the senior citizens in the locality. what matters is how we chal- immediate cases to work on the SSLC examination after the Covid-19 lockdown is lifted, pri- quarantining of 37 people in BBMP Commissioner B H lenge the imagination to meet include the need to create non- mary and secondary education minister S Suresh Kumar said two hotels located in residen- Anil Kumar told TNSE that the the learning outcome of our Googlable assignments, online on Saturday. Speaking to the media, he said he will speak to ex- tial areas, prompting the BBMP quarantined people had attend- students, they say. evaluation methods, models perts on the need of conducting the exams and announce a time- and the police to shift them to ed the Tablighi Jamaat congre- Salil told TNSE that any me- of online peer-grading of table shortly. He said, “Doordarshan will telecast revision class- back to Haj Bhavan. gation in Delhi recently. While dium (face-to-face vs remote vs tasks, and non-time-bound ex- es from April 29,” he said. The attendees of Delhi’s Tab- 13 of them are from Kerala and blended) is right as long as it aminations, they say. Meanwhile, development education expert VP Niranjanarad- lighi Jamaat had been brought Tamil Nadu, the rest are from generates the expected student The success or failure of Areas to step up the ‘remote hya requested the minister to revoke his decision to issue a show to the Oyo hotels at OMBR Lay- Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan and oth- outcome. The current mode of online learning is dependent learning’ effort are -- designing cause notice to additional commissioner of public instruction out late on Friday night from er countries. texts, questions, assignments on the course design and the virtual tours, interaction de- in Dharwad. “The suggestion of the commissioner was based learning outcome created Royal Orchid hotel in Yelahan- “They cannot be sent back and written exams are not much sign, facilitating immersions on a discussion with officials. Therefore, issuing a show cause ka where the local residents because of the lockdown. They imaginative. Therefore, that — Officials and non-screen assignments at notice to the commissioner will snatch away fundamental rights had objected to housing them were shifted from Haj Bhavan needs to be challenged, he said. a distance. like the freedom of expression,” he said. in their locality. to Royal Orchid first because On Saturday, BBMP corpora- people from Ramanagara were tors joined hands with locals shifted there. Then they were GIVING BACK against the civic administra- shifted to the Oyo hotel and tion, exposing the lack of unity now back to Haj Bhavan.” in the BBMP. Even the health “They are kept in quarantine officials of OMBR Layout and so that we can keep a close Cop donates entire month’s salary, borrows to make ends meet Yelahanka said they were una- watch on them and assess their ware of why people were health. Hotels have been chosen ASHWINI M SRIPAD @Bengaluru penses that month. before he retires. out the online form for mak- bogies into isolation wards. housed in the Oyo hotels which where health and police can HG Hanuman- Speaking to TNSE, Ha- ing the donation,’’ he said. Our country needs money to are in residential areas. reach quickly. Proper barricad- WHILE people who are about tharaya, who is at- numantharaya said he “I took a loan of Rs 5,000 buy ventilators and medical Sharmila Ravinder, a resi- ing and sealing is done to en- to retire try to save as much tached to the Sam- gets his salary on the from my friend to take care of kits. Our population is vast dent of OMBR Layout said: sure safety of others”, he said. money for the future, here is a pangiramanagar 8th of every month. my expenses for the month,’’ and we need lots of money. If “It’s a green zone and we have He said if people stage pro- 59-year-old police constable police station, has “Two hours after I got he adds with a smile. what I donated helps, I will be been taking all measures to en- tests against government deci- who donated his entire month’s been in the force for my salary, I went to On being asked what made very happy,’’ he said. sure there are no (Covid-19) sions during the lockdown, salary to the PM’s Covid relief the past 34 years. Hail- the bank with my him take this decision, he says, His wife Devaki, a home- cases. Quarantining of people they will be arrested for violat- fund. In fact, he took a loan for ing from Tumakuru, he friend. He spoke to the “I saw on the news that the maker, says that her husband’s here exposes us to the risk... No ing the prohibitory orders. Rs 5,000 from his friend for ex- has more than a year to go manager, who helped us fill Railway department converted nature was to give.

SUNDAY STORY

MEERA BHARDWAJ @ Bengaluru them about hygiene.” The hygiene kit comprises a IDDANAPALYA and Ch- YOUNGSTERS ‘RICE’ bottle of sanitiser, mask, bath Electricians lose their power innaiahnapalya—two and washing soaps, sanitary backward villages in pads, shampoo and a strip of Anekal taluk of Bengal- TO THE OCCASION, Dolo 650 – a paracetamol. Eve- S uru Rural district—dai- ry day, kits worth Rs 12,000 are during lockdown in Kalaburagi ly see a band of young- distributed to children who are sters come there and give them DO THEIR BIT FOR above 14 years. For food prepa- RAMKRISHNA BADSESHI homes, keeping the overall pub- gyaan on coronavirus and pro- ration, they spend about Rs @Kalaburagi lic well-being in mind. Over vide essentials. 6,000 per day. “There are over 1.5 lakh hous- Murali Prabhas, a young VILLAGES The group is managing this THE Covid-19 outbreak and the es in Kalaburagi, which means startup entrepreneur, and three work from its own savings and 1,000 subsequent lockdown is making that visiting any of them for re- other fellow engineers, Thas- small donations from their electricians in most people to ‘stay home and pair work is risky for us and the neem Fathima, Sushmitha Sin- friends and relatives while Kalaburagi stay safe’, which is a far cry just residents too,” he says. gh and R Nisha, trudge every one of the members brings his a few months ago in this busy During the ‘pre-Covid’ days, day from Whitefield to Anekal vehicle for distribution work. world. And while at home on a Patel Saab would visit custom- to provide succour to these af- In these villages, one can hot summer day, imagine even a ers’ houses and earn at least Rs fected villages due to the lock- find migrant labourers from moment away from the blast of 800 a day. The earnings would go down. Another member is Dr UP, Bihar and Odisha who `300-1,000 chilled air from an air-condi- up during summers when, he Raj Kumar who is busy with his work in the nearby iron and tioner, or a spell of cool breeze claims, 25,000-30,000 houses face is the amount they were medical duties but contributes steel fabrication units, gar- wafting through a fan. various electrical problems that earning daily, depending to their volunteering pro- ment factories and a pharma- It’s an irritable predicament need fixing. on their skills and gramme in kind and cash. ceutical company. Since the especially when you have access “We adjusted for almost a experience, before the They load their vehicles units are closed, the migrants to these creature comforts, but month from our savings. We also coronavirus pandemic with rice, pulses and spices as Members of Humanity First distribute food at a village in Anekal taluk | EXPRESS have been managing with free you find that they don’t work. avoided expensive non-vegetari- also medicines and hygiene rations from the government. Come in the electrician, but an food. However, the real trou- kits for distribution in these they say the present work has purchased from the farmers For the migrants, these are from where and how amidst this ble starts now, as our savings villages, just 50km from Ben- not been easy as the villages here. This makes it easy for the hard times and even a single lockdown? have almost exhausted, and we galuru. The group tries to cre- with a population of 1,000-1,200 group to deal with them as food item that they get from In Kalaburagi – where many don’t know how to feed our fami- ate awareness about the dead- are completely unaware of they are highly suspicious, these youngsters is welcome. people have tested positive for lies,” he says. ly Covid-19 disease and the what is happening in the world. says a group member. “Only 4-5 The Humanity First has Covid in the recent past – the Echoing a similar sentiment, need to maintain personal hy- Murali says, “None of them ad- of us go every day as we have tied up with a women’s group summer heat is now over 40 de- another electrician, Gurulin- giene – hand washing and so- heres to any rules of the na- to maintain social distancing. who are making sanitisers grees Celsius. With the lock- gayya Swamy, says that it is for cial distancing. However, it is tional lockdown. As far as so- The villagers crowd around us and masks and they are help- down in force, families are the first time that electri- easier said than done as the cial distancing is concerned, it as soon as we reach.” ing them to market 2,000 finding it very hard to cians are sitting idle, If the repairs are simple, professionals from Bengaluru is an alien concept for them.” Food is such an attraction masks and 10 litres of seek out electricians to though there is a lot of sans any risks, and can be say the attention span of peo- Presently, this group has that some residents bring ves- sanitiser. managed by customers come home and fix their work to be done. “But, ple is just five minutes when been preparing food like pu- sels instead of plates. “We For this dedicated group of themselves, we guide broken-down air-condi- right now, we wouldn’t one talks about coronavirus lao/tomato bhath/bisibele have been teaching them how youngsters, it is with a prayer them over the phone. If tioners, air coolers, fans dare to step out, either and its deadly effect while the bhath/puliyogire at the villag- to wash hands, wear masks on their lips that they go to not, we request them to and geysers, among due to fear of police or attraction for food and hy- es itself as any packed food is and keep a distance of 12 feet these villages to do their bit. go on for a few days others. Covid-19. Besides, the sup- giene kits is more. not welcome here. The day’s from one another. For them, “People await our arrival every without appliances. Even Experienced electrician Zakir ply of all kinds of electrical The ‘Humanity First’ group menu is prepared taking help the kit is a big attraction apart day and we cannot miss it even if power connections have Patel, who is popular as Patel items and appliances has has been involved in social from a select band of 10 villag- from the food and within 5 for one day in such harsh to be fixed, we try to do so Saab (52), says: “I receive three- stopped for many days,” he adds. work for the last five years and ers while the vegetables are minutes, we have to teach times,” they say. by giving out instructions four calls from my regular cus- Both Patel and Swamy ex- over the phone tomers, who request me to come pressed their willingness to at- SERVICE — Zakir Patel, electrician over and repair their electrical tend to their work if the govern- THEIR appliances, or to fix faults in ment provides them with safety MOTTO their electricity connections.” kits and security, considering But being unable to just sim- the people’s plight in the scorch- From ply land on someone’s doorstep, ing summer heat. 2014 onwards, Murali Patel Saab has found feasible With the unavailability of Prabhas has done a lot of ways to serve his clientele. electricians, residents are forced backend work for charity trusts “If the repairs are simple, to face the heat. and Rotary. He and his friends built sans any risks, and can be man- Jagadish, a resident of Godu- four washrooms for the Divine Blind aged by customers themselves, tai Nagar, says that the AC in his School in 2016. After his visit to a school we guide them over the phone. house has not been working Right now, we wouldn’t If not, we request them to go on since a few days. “As the mer- in Kolar district where children were dare to step out, either due wearing torn uniforms, Murali and his for a few days without applianc- cury levels are increasing by the to fear of police or Covid- es. Even if power connections day, we don’t know how to live in friends decided to take up social work and 19. Besides, the supply of adopted two slums between Kadugodi have to be fixed, we try to do so the house,” he says. all kinds of electrical items by giving out instructions over Meanwhile, official sources and Whitefield in Bengaluru. For three and appliances has the phone,” he says. have said that it will not be pos- years, they taught science and stopped for many days mathematics and distributed — Gurulingayya Swamy, Electricians in Kalaburagi sible to permit electricians to textbooks to Class 10 children in electrician city are avoiding attending any visit houses for repair work as the slums. service calls at customers’ of now. Trials of convalescent plasma therapy, which is the most- promising treatment option yet for COVID-19, were inaugurated at Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru on Saturday.

BENGALURU SUNDAY 03 26 l04l2020 newindianexpress com

SUNDAY INTERVIEW ‘We have enough food, can go on till March 31 next year’ BANSY KALAPPA @Bengaluru million tonnes of Kharif rice. staff and about 80,000 contract Although these are peculiar workers. We take extra care THERE are enough foodgrain circumstances, I have confi- and maintain social distanc- stocks to last till March 31 dence that we have enough ing compulsorily. next year, according to D V stocks. The buffer require- Prasad, chairman, Food Cor- ment is 21 million tonnes (13.5 Have you been able to meet poration of India. He tells The MMT rice and 7.5 MMT the requirements of the New Sunday Express that wheat). The average outflow states under these condi- though many godowns in the of stocks in a month is about 5 tions ? Karnataka are in the red zone, million tonnes under the vari- Yes. We also ensured replen- there is no cause for serious ous government schemes. We ishing our warehouses in con- concern. Since 1971, this is the have been consistently in- suming states by undertaking first big food challenge creasing our storage capacity a record level of movement of India faces. in the state. FCI is fully foodgrains during the lock- equipped to meet the require- down period. We moved 1,649 Nanjangud FCI godown ments of the state during and trainloads carrying about 4.6 has been sealed because it is after the lockdown period. MMT foodgrains and unload- in a red zone, what is the ed 1,541 trainloads (about 4.2 LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION situation with other go- How much have your opera- MMT) during the 27 days of Filmmaker Yograj Bhat takes help from journalists for a COVID-19 awareness film in Bengaluru on Saturday | PANDARINATH B downs in Karnataka? tions been affected due to lockdown. We are not accessing any food the lockdown ? from that godown. As far as FCI is essentially a logistic op- How does Karnataka fare the other godowns in Karna- erator working on a 24/7 basis. nationality? taka are concerned, one in In any given day of the year, As things stand now, Karna- BJP hands out Kalaburagi is sealed because it we either load or unload about taka stands only next to Bihar Beware of fake seeds, is in a red zone. The FCI go- 60 trainloads (about 1.68 lakh as far as FCI operations are down in Bengaluru’s KR MT). Being a labour-inten- concerned. Normally about 3 1 cr food kits Puram is in red zone, so also sive operation, about lakh tonnes of foodgrains are BSY warns farmers the ones in Mangaluru, Bela- 50,000 people are in- distributed. But this month, EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE gavi, Vijayapura, Mandya, volved in our work on about 5.74 lakh tonnes, almost EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE On Friday, as per Agricul- @Bengaluru Bagalkot, Mysuru and Bidar. a daily basis. Natural- double, have been distributed. @Bengaluru ture Minister B C Patil’s in- But none of the FCI employees It is one month ly the countrywide Karnataka has received about structions, department offi- BJP workers across the state in Karnataka have been since the lockdown. lockdown has posed a 203 rakes, that is about 5.7 lakh AS farmers prepare to begin cials raided warehouses in have distributed close to one affected. How are we placed as big challenge to us. tonnes. This, in spite of the red agricultural activities dur- at Haveri and Dharwad re- crore food packets, over 26 lakh When our godown is in a red against the buffer re- This was further com- zone issues. ing the pre-monsoon period, gion and seized maize seeds ration kits and more than 34 zone, it slows down our opera- quirements ? pounded by the additional re- State Congress president D Chief Minister B and cracked a fake lakh masks in the last one tions. The work at the Nationally we have stocks of quirements of foodgrains K Shivakumar alleged that S Yediyurappa seeds racket. month, BJP State President Na- Chamarajnagar godown is af- about 53 million tonnes. Even from every state after the an- 1,800 plus quintals of rice warned them At Byadagi in Ha- lin Kumar Kateel said in a me- fected because most of the la- considering that we are giving nouncement of 5 kg extra meant for free distribution about fake seeds. veri, officials seized dia release on Saturday. bour comes from Nanjanagud out 10 kg per person to about foodgrains to about 81 crore to public were transported The chief min- 7,026 quintals of fake Since March 24, BJP workers which is sealed. We have a lo- 81 crore beneficiaries, we can beneficiaries free of cost. So for illegal gains ? ister on Saturday seeds, at Dharwad 270 at 58,000 booths have distributed cal and national control room go on till March 31 next year. we were in a situation where There are different godowns -- appealed to farm- quintals, at Hadagali over four lakh food packets pre- which monitors the situation This is because we expect we had to double our opera- state and FCI. That issue must ers to buy certi- in Ballari, 70 quintals pared at workers’ houses. They 24/7. We work round-the-clock; about 35 million tonnes of tions when the whole country be concerning state godowns. fied seeds and not worth around Rs 10 have also distributed 26,07,561 ra- I receive calls even at mid- Rabi wheat and about 10 mil- was shutting down. We have Food distribution is a state is- those sold in retail or uncer- crore. tion kits, which contain 5kg rice, night, depending on the lion tonnes of Rabi rice now, three levels of employees -- sue under the government of tified seeds. He also warned In Karnataka farmers in 1l oil, wheat flour and dal each. situation. and thereafter, we expect 41 40,000 workers, department Karnataka. farmers about fake pesti- 11 districts depend on They also distributed over one cides sold in the market. certified seeds. lakh masks each day, Kateel said. Officials providing help, relief to domestic violence victims during lockdown: State to HC

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bemgaluru Counsellors and social workers formed the court. attached to 193 Santhwana Centres As many as 18 Protection Offic- THE state government has attended at the taluk and district level pro- ers, who are appointed by the state to 315 calls from people seeking vide round-the-clock service to vic- under the Protection of Women help from domestic violence tims seeking counsel- from Domestic Vio- through the state’s ‘Santhwana ling, legal aid and lence Act, are ad- Centres’ during the lockdown, the medical aid. dressing domestic Karnataka government has told the Rescue services in violence. High Court. Bengaluru are provid- As many as 186 In addition, the Women’s Help ed through the juris- Child Development Line-181, which is run by the gov- dictional police sta- Officers are in ernment of India, received 1,194 tion through police charge as a Protec- calls from March 23 to April 21, in- help line-100, and in tion Officers, and at cluding 162 calls related to domestic other cities, calls are Districts, Deputy Di- violence, the state government said transferred to the re- rectors have been in a written statement filed before spective deputy directors and San- conferred additional charge of Pro- court in response to details of do- thwana Centres. tection Officers. All these officers mestic violence sought by a divi- Shelter homes called ‘Swadhar are working tirelessly in order to sion bench of Chief Justice Abhay Gruh’, which provide temporary address issues of domestic violence Shreeniwas Oka and Justice shelter, provide institutional sup- during lockdown, state informed BV Nagarathna. port for rehabilitation, the state in- the high court. Ex-Bajrang Dal leader dies

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Bengaluru

FORMER state convener of Bajrang Dal and social activist Mahendra Ku- mar died after a heart attack at MS Ramaiah Hospital in Bengaluru on Saturday. He was one of the key suspects in a series of attacks on churches in Mangaluru in 2008, and was acquit- ted last year. Even as he spoke little of the incident, he maintained that Name: Chandram Bennur (+91 9591216179) he wanted to write a book on the epi- CONNECT Place: Nimbal village, Indi taluk in Vijayapura sode to “lay bare all facts”. WITH THE Several churches and prayer halls FARMER Grows: Watermelon in 5 acres in Mangaluru and surrounding areas had been attacked by religious funda- I have spent lakhs of rupees to grow watermelon mentalists, accusing Christian mis- on my 5-acre land. I am receiving calls from sionaries of indulging in forced con- people for watermelon, but rates are low. They are asking it for Rs 2 to Rs 3 per kilo. But that will versions. Mahendra Kumar had not help me make some money. We spent months justified the act. working on the field. I have more than 80 tonnes Till then an unknown face outside of watermelons to sell the Bajrang Dal circles, he suddenly shot into notoriety after the church attacks in the coastal city. Cops quarantined after Padarayanapura arrests

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Bengaluru hat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike ficials were involved in the arrests of since April 10. Four cases were filed the accused who tested positive and POLICE personnel who came in in the case at Jag Jeevan Ram Na- their transfer to Ramanagara jail. In contact with the accused in the Pa- gar (JJ Nagar) police station. all, 126 people had been arrested. darayanapura case were placed in Deputy Commissioner of Police An officer who was part of the in- quarantine on Saturday after five of (West) Ramesh said in his letter to the vestigation team from JJ Nagar sta- the arrested tested positive for palike that 23 police officials, includ- tion said over 50 police personnel Covid-19 on Friday. ing a senior officer, had been identi- were involved in the investigation Violence broke out in Padarayan- fied as primary contacts of the five of the case and that some of them apura ward on April 19, which is accused in the case who tested posi- will be tested on Sunday due to a one of two wards sealed by the Bru- tive for Covid-19. The quarantined of- shortage of testing kits. Total CONFIRMED CASES TOTAL Persons In 3,125 Samples 161 Isolation 39 VIJAYAPURA 500 Tested BAGALKOT BIDAR 15 Samples 24 2,974 negative 9 DHARWAD KALABURAGI 36 BENGALURU SUNDAY BELAGAVI GADAG 4 04 26 042020 Samples 54 26 positive UTTARA BALLARI 13 11 KANNADA TRACKING TALLY ON TUMAKURU 3 COVID-19 2 DAVANGERE 6 CHITRADURGA 1 NEW HELPLINES SATURDAY RECOVERIES 3 UDUPI CHIKKABALLAPUR 18 DAKSHINA BBMP top officials held a meeting on Saturday to review 080-46848600 104 Arogya Under 17 KANNADA BENGALURU RURAL 12 measures taken to restrict movement in Padarayanapura Sahayavani will observation 26 158 080-66692000 function too 16 MANDYA BENGALURU URBAN 133 and Hongasandra. It was decided that only those allotted TOTAL NEW CASES duty in these areas be permitted, and no one else. RECOVERED 21,085 1 KODAGU MYSURU 89 Plasma therapy is here... trials from Monday One patient gives consent, while three others yet to fully enrol; hotline being planned to answer donors’ queries

IFFATH FATHIMA @Bengaluru ers have come forward, they dian Institute of Science and have not fully enrolled yet. We National Institute of Virolo- TRIALS of convalescent plas- need to counsel them and take gy,” he said. ma therapy, which is the most- their consent. We have also On how the therapy works, promising treatment option yet reached out to 140 discharged he said that the convalescent for COVID-19, was inaugurated patients. The donation takes plasma from a recovered pa- at Victoria Hospital in Bengal- just one hour and transfusion tient contains antibodies and uru on Saturday. In more good to the patient takes one more proteins that help fight diseas- news, four recovered patients hour. Once the plasma is do- es or viruses. “The therapy have come forward to donate nated, it can be immediately can help critically ill COV- plasma for the therapy. Of given to a patient. The donor ID-19 patients.” them, one has fully consented will not face any problem as it At the inauguration, Medi- and the clinical trials, involv- is completely safe. As per the cal Education Minister Dr K JDS MLC Srikante Gowda argues with ing him, will begin on present protocol, plasma from Sudhakar said, “This is a his- police officers in Mandya; (inset) His Monday. one donor is given to toric moment for the state and son Krishik being escorted away by The donor is a 40-year-0ld one patient.” we are confident that the ther- cops, on Saturday | EXPRESS senior HR professional from A separate block has been apy helps serious Covid19 pa- Bengaluru. Dr Vishal Rao, Re- identified at HCG Hospital tients. I have always main- gional Director, Head and Neck for donors. Rao said that they tained that plasma treatment Surgical Oncology and Robotic A health worker collects throat swabs at a government hospital in will soon come out with a hot- is very effective for patients in JDS MLC, son Surgery, HCG Cancer Centre, Bengaluru on Friday | NAGARAJA GADEKAL line that will answer all que- critical condition.” who is leading the clinical tri- ries of donors concerning do- The Union Directorate of als in association with the Ban- tacted him. He mailed me say- clinical trials only if he or she nation. “We have created a Public Health recently gave galore Medical College and Re- ing he was interested in it and has completed more than two donor protocol standard oper- permission for the therapy, booked for assault search Institute, said, “This wanted to know more. Once we weeks after getting the ating procedure detailing while the state government donor has fully agreed to the spoke to him, he was con- infection.” how donors can donate. We picked Dr Vishal Rao to con- procedure. We hadn’t even con- vinced. A patient is eligible for He said, “Though three oth- will jointly work with the In- duct clinical trials. on scribes, officials K SHIVAKUMAR @Mysuru the test. They demanded that the COVID test be stopped as TENSION prevailed for they feared they all would be TEST GUIDE some time on Sunday when at risk. The residents in- Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction JD-S MLC K T Srikante stead suggested that the test (RT-PCR) is the main test conducted in India to detect Gowda along with son and be conducted at Vartha coronavirus in individuals. Besides that, the rapid antibody test (serologal test) is also being considered supporters allegedly Bhavan or the journalists’ to determine the immunity of an individual. Besides roughed up health depart- association complex. these two, there are two others that are under ment officials and journal- Journalists said that it was development and being popularised ists in Mandya. They were just a test conducted by the in other countries. opposing COVID-19 test con- district administration and ducted for journalists at no one had any symptoms. Ambedkar Bhavan. When the scribes started ar- Based on a complaint guing, Krishik Gowda as- RT-PCR TEST ANTIBODY TEST lodged by Mandya District saulted one of them. The cops Most of the COVID-19 tests This is a serological test requiring blood Journalists Association, the rushed to the spot and took are coming from the Reverse samples from the individual police have booked Srikante him to the police station. Transcription-Polymerase Gowda, son Krishik Gowda The Mandya west police Chain reaction (RT-PCR) test It determines quality of antibodies and three others. station have registered FIR (the ones that fight viruses, bacteria) in As per the government di- under Sections 143, 147, 341, It detects genetic the person, not the presence of virus. rections, the district admin- 323, 501, 114, 269, 270 and 51 of information — the istration has been conduct- the disaster management act. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) — of It reveals the immunity status of the ing COVID-19 test for Deputy Commissioner Dr the virus, if the virus is person tested. electronic media and print Venkatesh termed the inci- present in the sample of the Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is determined by media journalists since Fri- dent as unfortunate and said tested individual. presence of antibodies IgM and IgG in day at Ambedkar Bhavan the district administration This test takes the blood and body fluids. IgM is the first maintaining social distance. would act tough on those com- nasopharyngeal swab antibody to counter viral infection, while Gowda objected to con- ing in the way of the govern- samples, not blood samples, IgG takes time to form after an infection ducting the test in a residen- ment service. SP Parashuram of the individual tested, and or immunization. tial area, where his house said that they will act against directly detects the virus. too is located, as many those involved in the act. This test is capable of qualitatively households were against it. Meanwhile, District Minis- This test has been detecting IgM and IgG, generated in the He along with some resi- ter Narayana Gowda con- improved upon with body to counter SARS-CoV-2. dents went to Ambedkar demned the attack and said greater automation to These can be detected through rapid Bhavan and entered into an the government would stand minimise errors. testing, results being put out in two hours. argument with the health de- by the journalists and act partment officials. They also tough against the accused. He This test is the COMPASSION ON 3 WHEELS LATERAL FLOW TEST picked up a quarrel with a added that they would make main one in India For the last three weeks, Abdul, an autorickshaw driver from Bengaluru, has been providing free transport to those with medical scribe and allegedly roughed all arrangements to conduct and is found This is a quick response test developed by emergencies during the lockdown. He can be reached at 9986903424, any time of the day. | PANDARINATH B up those who had come for the test for the journalists. to confirm Canadian firm Sona Nanotech. COVID-19- positive It is claimed to reveal results in as little as persons. 15 minutes, but costs up to $50 per test. Unlike RT-PCR or serological tests which 9 COPS, 10 REVENUE OFFICIALS UNDER QUARANTINE need specific samples, this can test blood, urine, saliva, and body fluids — even sweat. V VELAYUDHAM day morning, the police got infor- sent for testing. Of them, the @Chikkaballapur mation that a pickup truck was 18-year-old tested positive. This test is designed to identify specific moving around suspiciously. A Immediately, all the police Jubilant link again: 72-yr-old +ve biological markers, like in pregnancy tests. NINE police and 10 revenue of- police team from Gauribidanur, and revenue personnel, a sweep- In this test, nanorods bind with ficials, including a panchayat headed by the SI, stopped the er at the police station, who was Mysuru: A 72-year-old man from a village in Nanjangud, with EXPRESS ILLUSTRATION EXPRESS biological material and move development officer and a bill truck near Chandapura, found present at the time of arrest, no travel history, has been tested positive for COVID-19 and along a test strip to reveal collector, were among 22 people two butchered oxen, and arrest- and the general public who had has been home quarantined. ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ for the virus. quarantined at Gauribidanur ed three people. Revenue of- gathered to catch the beef Though officials were puzzled as to how the elderly man got in Kolar district on Saturday ficials too were involved transporters were con- infected, sources told The New Sunday Express that he had lent Ideal for screening people on the spot. after an 18-year-old boy (P488), in the arrest as material sidered as primary con- money to some employees of Jubilant Pharma Company in who was arrested while trans- was being moved from tacts of the teenaged Nanjangud and had gone to collect the monthly instalments. He RAPID IN-CLINIC ANTIGEN TESTING porting beef from Hindupur in another state. positive patient and might have contracted the virus from one of the employees as Andhra Pradesh to Chikkabal- During the interroga- were quarantined at a he met several of them, the sources pointed out. This is a point-of-care swab test developed by Bosch lapur, was tested positive. tion, the police found out hostel in Gauribidanur, Also, another 68-year-old man, who was home quarantined Results can be obtained within two hours. IGP (Central Range) KV Shar- that the teenager, a resident Sharath Chandra said. after coming in contact with his son -- a Jubilant employee, ath Chandra said that all the of Chikkaballapur, and his two The IGP visited the town on has ended up sending his friends into home quarantine. De- Bosch claims it to be the first fully-automated molecular diagnostic test and checkposts and roads were cousins were transporting beef Saturday evening, met family spite being asked to remain at home, the elderly man man- can be used directly by medical institutions. sealed in the district over the last from Hindupur, which is a coro- members of the policemen un- aged to get out, go to the neighbouring village and visit a The test contains an analyser device with test cartridges, each containing few days as part of the nation- navirus Red Zone. der quarantine and arranged gambling den. All his friends, who gambled with him, are biological components that detect SARS-CoV-2 and nine other respiratory viruses. wide lockdown. Local inform- After getting permission ration for them. He asked Su- now under quarantine, officials said. ants at villages had been told to from the magistrate, the three perintendent of Police Mithun Jubilant Pharma Company in Nanjangud has become one This is being used in Germany. tip off the police on any move- arrested were kept under quar- to take up all measures to help of the most-watched hotspots in the state. ENS ment of vehicles. Early on Thurs- antine and their samples were the families.

COVID WARRIOR From dosas to chocolates, Dr Do-gooder grants corona patients their wish

IFFATH FATHIMA @Bengaluru COVID-19 facility. It is not easy with a phone. If they are symp- ry and secondary contacts are clothes. So in such cases, I And Dr Asima has it delivered for Dr Asima, who is in charge of tomatic, they are moved to a traced and are quarantined as call my family and ask them to them through Swiggy. “It FROM chips to dosas, to toys the entire block, to meet all the quarantine unit until their re- well. So the patient has no way to send some clothes which does not matter if I spend for and games to razors and nail requirements of the patients. sults come. And once they test to get the necessary stuff for are completely clean and them. They just need to be hap- cutters ... whatever the patients Yet, she does with a smile. positive, they are directly sent their daily use in the hospital. some which are unused as py,” she said. need, they have it. Because “It is very new and challeng- to the designated hospital. And they in turn ask us. And well. I give it to the patients. Dr Asima has never gone in their wish is her command. ing for me. Not only do I have to “When they come here, natu- we have to provide them.” Some need sandals. I check front of the patients as it is And she gets them whatever check on the treatment but rally, they don’t bring clothes “Some patients do not want on the size and pass on the mostly the nurses and doctors they want with her own money. even look into what other or other essentials. And once to wear the hospital gar- message to my family. My who are in the frontline. She Yet, the patients don’t know things the patients want. As they test positive, their prima- ments and want their own son looks for the size and get has created a WhatsApp group who this angel is. they stay until they are fully re- it for them,” she said. with patients and they message Meet Dr Asima Banu, Nodal covered, we need to keep them Not only do I have to check on the treatment but even look into what Five children who have test- her whatever they want. “They Officer of Trauma and Emergen- Dr Asima Banu, Nodal Officer, Trauma happy and satisfied,” she said. other things the patients want. As they stay until they are fully ed positive for COVID are ad- have never seen me, all they recovered, we need to keep them happy and satisfied cy Care Centre at Victoria Hospi- and Emergency Care Centre, Victoria Dr Asima said when patients mitted here. They demand know is Dr Asima gives them tal which has now turned into a Hospital, Bengaluru | EXPRESS come for testing, they just come Dr Asima Banu games, cakes and chocolates. what they want,” she said. BENGALURU SUNDAY 05 26 042020

COVID CASES IN 26 7 7 61 66 0

SOUTH 500 458 990 1,016 1,821 94 KERALA ODISHA INDIA ANDHRA TELANGANA KARNATAKA Fresh cases Total cases 158 338 291 171 960 NADU TAMIL 33 Recovered cases Massive influx of expat students into Kerala feared Their parents fear job loss, salary cut and denial of annual family ticket COVID-19 cases in AP stands at 1,016 with two more deaths reported on Saturday

CYNTHIA CHANDRAN @ T’puram ing admission for their that they can slash the educa- COVID UPDATE wards. At first, the school tional expenses. CBSE school managements manager didn’t feel anything “Mainly, the fathers have to Central team visits across the state, especially was amiss. But when the stay back in the Middle East corona hospital in those in Kottayam and Pathan- number of calls increased as they may have availed Hyderabad amthitta, have been inundated alarmingly, Ruble Raj sensed themselves of bank loans and Hyderabad: An Inter- with calls from expatriate par- that a mass exodus of chil- overdraft. Over the last few Ministerial Central Team ents in the Middle East seek- dren, currently enrolled in days, I have been mostly get- arrived here to assess the ing admission for their chil- schools in the Middle East to ting calls from the UAE, COVID-19 situation in dren. They lament that due to educational institutions in Muscat(Oman), Doha(Qatar), Hyderabad. The city have Covid-19 pandemic, most of Kerala, appeared a distinct Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. We reported the maximum them fear job loss/salary cut/ possibility. He told TNIE that can’t guarantee them a seat number of COVID-19 cases in denial of annual family tick- under the existing CBSE now since we are not entitled the state. The Central team et following which they will rules, a section comprises to provide admission,” will be in the city up to May be forced to send their family 40 students. said Veena. 27. The team is visiting back home. However, the “Now, admissions are full TNIE spoke to a few par- various parts of the city a CBSE schools can’t simply in the high school and higher ents in Dubai and Sharjah in day after Union Ministry of give new admissions as such. secondary levels in CBSE the UAE as well as those in Home Affairs constituted According to the CBSE rules, schools. If a section has to be Kuwait. Cris John, employed four IMCTs to visit the schools have to start the increased, the Centre has to as a teacher in a public school Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, procedure to increase the sec- take the call. Only then, will in Kuwait, is there on her Surat, Chennai and Thane tions almost a year ago. we be able to process the new husband’s visa. Unfortunate- where number of COVID-19 Ruble Raj, manager (aca- admissions,”said Ruble Raj. ly, he received his termina- cases have been reported in demics and administration), His colleague, Veena Che- tion letter from the private large numbers. Good Shepherd Public rian. who is the course coor- accounting firm when the School, Changanassery, was dinator at GSPS, told TNIE Covid-19 pandemic hit. caught unawares when he that most of the expatriate (The names of the parents ...AND WORK GOES ON Stranded in Odisha: started receiving frantic calls parents are keen to pack off and children have been Ambulances allowed, from expatriate parents seek- their children to Kerala so changed on their request) Corporation workers follow safety measures while cleaning a road after heavy rains lashed Tirupati on Saturday | MADHAV K cabs detained Vellore: Tamil Nadu ambulances blocked at an CASE COUNT inter-State border checkpost 779 Karnataka sees at Balasore in Odisha were NEARS 25K SPRINKLR CONTRACT LACKS SUFFICIENT 723 allowed to pass while cabs, As many as 24,942 people have 6 discharges which were also ferrying

so far tested positive in India 686 patients to different CONFIDENTIALITY CLAUSES: CENTRE 5,210 652 destinations in West Bengal, DEATH P RAMDAS @ Kochi tract between the Govern- credentials and the capacity on Saturday

were still detained. “Sixty 4,814 CURED 603 ment of Kerala and Sprinklr, of Sprinklr do not appear to ambulances, from different EVEN as the state govern- which is called the ‘Master have been properly assessed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ACTIVE CASES 4,325 states, were allowed to go 559 The terms of ment claimed a minor victory Services Agreement’, did not or verified,” the ASG in- 3,960 back through the Balasore 18,953 the contract as the High Court has not IN Chikkaballapur, an 18-year- 519 have sufficient confidentiality formed the court. 17,915 toll plaza on Friday night,” 3,260 are critical, stayed the Sprinklr deal, the clauses and the agreement to The Centre reiterated that old male who had a travel his- but that does said Ajamal, a stranded cab 2,84214,255

16,689 Centre is firm on its stand that supplement it was entered there was no requirement for tory to Hindupur in Anantapur

driver. About 20 ambulances 452 not inspire 15,859

2,302 there were lapses in the con- into by the parties only the Kerala Government to district of Andhra Pradesh,

15,122 confidence were from Tamil Nadu, he tract entered into between the subsequently. have gone in search of entities tested positive. In Bantwal of

,11,8 488 2,01512,289 since the added. However, cabs were 420 state government and the US- Dakshina Kannada district, a 1,767 credentials According to the Central outside India when there were not allowed to pass through 13,295 and the based company. Government, the integrity of several companies in the 33-year-old woman, who is a

the inter-State toll plaza. 1,515 capacity of The Centre told the high the data, which has al- country equally or more com- contact of Patient 309 (SARI in- 11,616 Sprinklr do court that the ‘standard form of ready been accessed by Sprin- petent. “Had the state ap- fected) also tested positive. not appear to

10,284 contract’, which allows jurisdic- klr, cannot be guaranteed and proached the Government of Of the 500 cases detected in In times of lockdown, have been tion only to the courts in New the factum of the agreement India, it would have given the Karnataka, nine are transit alcohol addict kills properly York, is not acceptable to the has not been vetted by the Law same or better support to the passengers from Kerala who assessed or self in Tamil Nadu verified Government of India. Department. state, as stated to have been of- had landed in Karnataka air- Madurai: Frustrated over not Assistant Solicitor General “The terms of the contract fered by Sprinklr, through the ports and are being treated getting liquor, a man P Vijayakumar, of India P Vijayakumar sub- are critical, but that does not National Informatics here. This apart, the state wit- ASG committed suicide by mitted that the original con- inspire confidence since the Centre (NIC),” he said. nessed six discharges on Satur- April 16 April 17 April 18 April 19 April 20 April 21 April 22 April 23 April 24 April 25 hanging here on Friday. day, taking the total to 158. So Sources said that the far, in the 31 fever clinics in deceased, K Nagarajan of BBMP limits, 5,178 people have Anna Nagar, in the recent been screened while in the 453 days used to quarrel with fever clinics across the state, a High alert sounded as Andhra tally crosses 1,000-mark total of 1,20,009 people have his wife frequently as he was frustrated over not been screened. getting his daily dose of EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE ported in Krishna and Kur- COVID-19 cases -- all from district administration but also of green zone districts has ‘drink’. On Friday, Nagarajan @Vijayawada nool districts, the toll has been Kaguvada village of Patapat- the Odisha administration come down to one. allegedly committed suicide increased to 31. nam mandal. They are primary went on high alert. Meanwhile, Among the 61 new cases, 25 by hanging from the ceiling COVID-19 positive cases in According to the media bul- contacts of a Delhi Metro Rail primary and secondary con- were registered in Krishna at his house. Based on his Andhra Pradesh crossed 1,000- letin issued by State Command employee. Though the person tacts of the confirmed cases district, taking the total num- wife Muniswari’s complaint, mark on Saturday morning Control Room (health), from 9 tested negative, his close con- were identified and shifted to ber of positive cases in the dis- Tallakulam police registered with 61 new cases reported in am on Friday to 9 am on Satur- tacts tested positive. quarantine centre. trict to 127. case and started an the last 24 hours. The total day, 6,928 people were tested With the first COVID-19 case Now, except Vizianagaram Vijayawada city tally went investigation. number of cases in the State and 61 results came positive. reported in the district, that too district, all districts in the up to 100 with 20 of the 25 cas- now stands at 1,016. For the first time, Srikaku- in the border town of Pathapa- State have coronavirus cases. es in the district reported With two more casualties re- lam district registered three tnam, not only the Srikakulam With new cases, the number from the city.

Social distancing goes for a toss ICAR - CENTRAL COASTAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE ELA OLD GOA-403 402 3(2)/Rate Contract/2020-21-Stores Date: 23.04.2020 as Chennai lockdown tightens INVITATION FOR RATE CONTRACT The Director, ICAR - Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Old Goa-403402, invites eligible bidders say manufacturer / authorized dealers / stockist to submit proposals for annual NIRUPAMA VISHWANATHAN, KV rate contract for purchase of laboratory / field consumables, chemicals and glassware. NAVYA, OMJASVIN MD @ Chennai The rate contract proposals may be submitted to the office on or before 15.05.2020. The detailed notification can be downloaded from the Institute website http://ccari.res.in. The right to accept THE State took a break from or reject any or all rate contract proposals without assigning any reason is reserved by the Director of the Institute. lockdown on Saturday. A day Sd/- after the government an- Administrative Officer nounced a five-day intensive lockdown, people thronged the streets to stock up supplies, re- sulting in panic buying across cities. As a result, grocery and vegetable shops were kept open till 3pm in many places. The Koyambedu market in Chennai was overflowing with people. People defy social distancing norms at a market ahead of the Traders were running short intensified lockdown in Chennai on Saturday | MARTIN LOUIS of tomatoes and vegetables, as people kept buying them in was usual, but people were buy- No travel large quantities. Tomatoes ing more. As a result, there was passes were sold for `50 a kilo in parts an artificial price rise. of the city, nearly double to While many shops in the city The city price it was a few days ago. Cor- continued to follow social dis- corporation has poration Commissioner G tancing norms even in serpen- temporarily Prakash said no shops would be tine queues, many others gave stopped issuing allowed to function during the it a miss in the chaos. In Pura- emergency 4-day lockdown period, barring saiwalkam, vegetable vendors travel passes. mobile units and push carts. raised the prices of vegetables “Passes issued Essential supplies like milk, even as people thronged to buy previously will fruits and provisions including them. At the Sir Theagaraya not be valid water cans were also in huge College market in Old Washer- and new ones demand. S Chandran, Market manpet, people were found will only be management Committee Li- standing in 200-metre queues given for censed Merchants Association even as the market began run- medical President and Anaithu San- ning out of stock by 11:30 am, emergencies,” a gankalin Kootamaipu general leaving those waiting clueless top corporation secretary said vegetable supply as to where to go next. official said. What matters in life is not what happens to you but what you remember and how you remember it Gabriel Garcia Marquez

BENGALURU SUNDAY 06 26 l04l2020 THE NEW SUNDAY EXPRESS TEMPLETON SHOCK THE WORLD TO END IN 30 YEARS? AND EERIE SILENCE POINT OF VIEW nomenon was visible in India in recent crashing onto earth and blasting it into cauldron, more than one generation of times, too. Unprecedented droughts smithereens. But the Deluge remains a its citizenry lost in the netherworld of OF THE SARKAR T J S GEORGE caused by climate change triggered mi- prominent fixture, some theories pre- hopelessness. gration in parts of India last summer. dicting that it could be triggered by an The world can be virtually destroyed n Thursday, Franklin Templeton India, one of the largest he story is that a man used to In Tamil Nadu, a BJP leader poured wa- earthquake or by multiple tsunamis without nuclear blasts. Look at the way mutual funds in the country, announced it had ‘voluntarily walk up and down London’s ter over a plastic globe as his followers caused by global warming. Nature has gone crazy. We were all told decided to wind up their suite of six yield-oriented, man- glamorous Oxford Street with chanted slokas to please the rain god. The nuclear war theory has lost its that India was being destroyed by aged credit funds, effective April 23, 2020’. Units of these a placard proclaiming “the Unfortunately, the rain god did not charm. Such a war can, of course, wipe drought: Soil drying up, rivers disap- funds cannot be redeemed till such time the fund can effect end is nigh.” The idea was to seem supportive of the party. out what we see as civilisation, but the pearing, poor people migrating to safer O‘orderly realisation and liquidation of underlying encourage people to repent It is interesting that all religions see warmongers themselves will be wiped areas. Then suddenly the monsoon assets’. T their sins and prepare for the the world ending under a deluge of wa- staged a delayed entrance. But it was Effectively savings worth over $ 4 billion or over `30,000 crore imminent apocalypse. What ter, Pralaya. Biblical and Babylonian accompanied by the eccentricity of stand demonetised. Sure enough by Friday, a pall of gloom fol- was only a spiritual note of caution legends have the Great Deluge as their drought conditions growing even in ar- lowed and over the weekend middle class investors were caught then has now acquired real-life validity, central theme. So have Tibetan, Suma- eas that got suddenly flooded. Has Na- in a panic. Fund houses have already seen a rush for redemption thanks to the coronavirus. An Austral- tran, Mayan and African traditions. ture become vengeful? which could accelerate, come Monday. ian think-tank has predicted that hu- They all have one person surviving to In the Indian tradition, cyclical destruction Let’s not ignore the forgotten mes- And with good reason! Investors who are caught in one pan- man civilisation as we know it will keep the cycle of creation going. In In- of the world must occur at the end of the sages of history. Literature of the Ta- demic do not want to be trapped in another contagion. The fine come to an end in 2050. The end is in- dia, it will be Vaivasvat Manu who will Chatur Yuga. We are at some kind of a mil Sangam period refers to a sunken print of the schemes, investors scarcely invest time on, permits deed nigh. appear to continue the human legacy. trigger point now. This year, 2020, as country stretching from Kanyakumari the lockdown of funds. Then there is the reality the fund house The reason the Australians cited for In the Biblical version, it is Noah. many as 21 cities in India will run out to Australia. What made it disappear has cited — of ‘severe market dislocation and illiquidity caused the catastrophe was climate change, de- In the Indian tradition, cyclical de- into the sea? Uncontrolled exploita- by the COVID-19 pandemic’ as cause scribed as the greatest threat to human- struction of the world must occur at the of ground water tion? Bartruhari’s poem is clear. “A for the action. ity. The upheavals caused by climate end of the Chatur Yuga. We are at some hundred years complete our span / And And what is chilling is the eerie si- change, warned the scientists, could kind of a trigger point now. This year, half of that is passed in night / child- lence of the Sarkar on the abrupt take humanity to “an increasingly cha- 2020, as many as 21 cities in India will out in the process. That reality has act- hood and old age devour the half / of freeze of the funds. Neither of the otic world which would overwhelm so- run out of ground water. These include ed as a deterrent. It was a fashion in the what belongs to light.” All that we are domain regulators, SEBI which regu- cieties around the globe.” The threat Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Banga- white man’s world to see desperadoes left with is half of half. And what do we lates funds and RBI which oversees raised by the invisible virus appeared lore. By 2030, up to 40 per cent of India’s like Saddam Hussein and Muammar do with that? Bartruhari answers: “The credit, found the shock worth their to be a new apocalypse. Actually, both population will have no drinking water Gaddafi as starting nuclear wars. But rest is torn with parting pangs of cease- THE THIRD EYE attention. Nor has anyone from the are the same. according to an IndiaSpend estimate. it was a desperado named George Bush less toil / what profit is our human life Ministry of Finance found it neces- All past civilisations ended because Not that pralaya is the only way that who came close to it, falsely claiming unstable as a wave.” If we still don’t get SHANKKAR AIYAR sary to comment on the central cause of climate change. Survival or extinc- civilisation can die. There are theories that Iraq was hiding weapons of mass the message, we should go back to Author of Aadhaar: A Biometric History of lack of liquidity in the markets, or tion of life was related to the ice age, that the end will come in a fire that de- destruction. As everyone knows, Bhagwat Gita and listen to Krishna of India’s 12 Digit Revolution, and Accidental India explain/assure investors of the safe- the freezing of oceans, the warming of vours the whole universe. Other theo- George Bush’s follies wrought such saying: “Time, I am, the Destroyer [email protected] ty of their funds. The silence of oceans, the rise in sea levels. The phe- ries include nuclear war and a meteor havoc that Iraq is still a smouldering of All.” those tasked with ensuring systemic stability is ominous given the pre- Covid19 morbidity, the history of in- action or inactive policies. Over `1 lakh crore of public mon- ey is stranded in the unresolved VIRAL TIMES: AYE TO BHARTIYA CAPITALISM MODEL IL&FS crash. It is also pertinent to record that over `90,000 crore is stuck in a quagmire following the collapse and science at its disposal, wasn’t amenities like safe drinking water, pow- of DHFL. And then, there is the con- spared of its toxic touch. After all, im- er, roads and airports were just dreams. founding confusion over the rescue munity levels of Urban elite aren’t all Natch, physical immunity was the first of private sector Yes Bank, which weatherproof. They decline much fast- casualty of lopsided progress. Look at has left savers and investors er with fluctuations in temperatures. the corona spreadsheet. Of the 19,000 immobile. The excessive imposition of capital- active cases, 4,500 are in Mumbai alone; There is every possibility the virus ism has created an eco system of mool- 1,600 are in Delhi. The two cities have could infect other debt funds —which ah motivated social intimacy. Crowded the highest per capita income in India account for over `10 lakh crore, or POWER & POLITICS boardrooms, technology parks, stock and also are among the top states in half of mutual fund investments. A PRABHU CHAWLA markets and mega entertainment and terms of GDP. Dharavi, Asia’s biggest seductive theory abuzz in govern- [email protected] sports events were incubation centres slum, is nothing but a colony of mi- ment and regulatory institutions at- Follow him on Twitter @PrabhuChawla for future pathogens. Hugs and muah grants who reached Mumbai to become tempts to suggest that the freezing of muahs were pervasive symbols of the drivers, cooks, gardeners, taxi drivers, funds was the result of risky bets and connectivity and durability of relation- plumbers, and electricians. Delhi’s 92 not lack of liquidity. Managing risk he history of civilizations dic- ships. Social and economic influencers hot spots have a similar cultural, topo- is what market intermediaries do tates that the richer a society, needed a relatively cheap support sys- graphical and employment profile. and the caveat emptor warning is about gain and pain not a the deeper the division be- tem to sustain their highfalutin life- Indian villages may be poor but they freeze! tween the haves and the have- style. This was provided by blue collar look healthier. Even medical research Fear has no bottom and is known to go viral. The fear of being nots. Ironically, prosperity is workers and unskilled labour who mi- reveals that rural India is insulated stranded without access to hard-earned savings, that too amidst the scourge of the powerful, grated to the centres of wealth creation, from numerous lifestyle diseases. An a pandemic threatening lives and livelihoods, is palpably real. T because it feeds on insatiable lured by the mirage of better life and unusual idea’s time has finally come in Middle class savers suffering from huge losses in the equity funds greed. Adversity and calamity are le- wages. Since they couldn’t afford spa- today’s Age of Adversity. India needs its could rush to protect savings. The existing conditions make over thal laboratories to test social models cious housing, vast clusters of migrant An unusual idea’s time has finally come own model of capitalism and markets. `24 lakh crore of savings vulnerable to a rash of redemptions. and medical miracles. The curse of Cor- slums with little health and civic amen- in today’s Age of Adversity. India needs Gradual and rational de-urbanisation To appreciate the magnitude of risks, map the lack of econom- onatimes is that the best of diagnosis ities mushroomed around big cities to of cities must begin by making them ic activity and the need for credit. With barely a third of the econ- and prognosis has failed to immobilize serve its prosperous denizens over the its own model of capitalism and markets. less crowded and manageable. Capital omy functioning, enterprises will need to borrow more. There is the insidious invader. The virus has sty- last 100 years. A scrutiny shows that Gradual and rational de-urbanisation of has to move back to villages, which are already an inexplicable policy asymmetry. Moratorium on pay- mied science and economics. As the smaller towns and villages are either cities must begin by making them less less crowded and where social distanc- ment is available to borrowers — on retail mortgages and insol- moribund market model of capitalism unaffected or least hit. crowded and manageable. Capital has ing is minimal and physical distancing vency process — but not for those who lend but cannot borrow. A teeters on the edge of chaos, welfare The virus has taught India a cruel les- to move back to the villages even more. New wealth creators should run on funds will starve an already illiquid market. The much- economics has risen as the only credi- son in economic and social humility. If move to smaller cities and villages to announced TLTRO (targeted longer-term refinancing operations) ble panacea for an invalid world. China with about 1.50 billion popula- establish their projects in regions with scheme is off the target. It is ironical that in an economy rated Paradoxically, the pathogen’s main tion could flatten the curve, India is in low population density. Instead of creat- ‘BBB’ –banks prefer lending to the government and even AA or target has been the habitat of the a better position to nuke the germ. With ness and control over decision making, ing slums in already crowded cities, let A+ debt has no takers! mighty. The highest number of corona the minimum number of cases per mil- big cities became the centres of eco- money go into making rural India a It would be reasonable to expect that an episode of this kind positive Americans is in wealthy and lion people globally, we are still not out nomic activity. Their lifestyle choices clean place for living and economic ac- would necessitate a response in words and in action. In 2008, in the powerful New York, with maximum fa- of the woods. But the spread pattern of initiated the creation of expensive in- tivity. For a safer living, demographic wake of the global financial crisis, following stakeholder consulta- talities. Is the Global Capital of Capital- the virus shows a tenuous trend. COV- frastructure for business growth. Capi- and economic contours will have to be tions by RBI and SEBI, a special window of credit for mutual funds ism, a victim of its own wealth? The US ID-19’s killer kiss has infected urban tal was invested in cities with better dramatically altered in favour of an was made available to prevent collapse. Last month, the US Fed- is not COVID- 19’s only top trophy. The India more. Of the 6,50,000 odd villages, travel connectivity. To support a celes- emerging India. Since over 50 percent eral Reserve expanded liquidity to allow for direct primary and virus’s geographical reach reveals that less than half fall in its toxic shadow. tial existence of designer dinners with of India lives in villages, more money secondary market support for corporates, for ‘fallen angels’ who over 90 percent of its victims –from Of the 736 districts, over 50 percent are vintage wines, caviar and the best Kobe in their hands would create high de- lost investment grade rating following the lockdown. There is no New York to New Delhi—lives in flour- still safe. Out of 3,200 cities with a popu- steaks, labour was sourced from villag- mand for the Indian Model of Capital- wheel to be invented nor is the need to make liquidity available ishing cities. America accounts for al- lation of 10,000 and above, 500-odd are es. Rural India became just a source of ism to survive and thrive. Only reverse rocket science. A simple Ctrl C and Ctrl V could do for starters. most every third case. Its ally of free Covid calamities. Nationally, even after providing food grain at adverse rates of capital flight from urban to rural India It is true that the RBI cannot do it alone. It is true that monetary markets and capitalism, Europe, is now six weeks of Corona War, 18 states and trade. A few decades ago, it contributed would prove wrong the Marxist dictum instruments have limited efficacy. It is also a fact that as the bank- a graveyard of affluence and luxury. In UTs account for less than 1,000 cases of over 50 percent of the GDP as against that “for capitalism, war and peace are er to the nation and as the institution responsible for ‘securing London, known as capitalism’s conta- the total of over 19,000 active cases. merely 16 percent now. The services business and nothing but business.” monetary stability in India’, it falls on the RBI to advice the Gov- gious cradle, the British Prime Minis- Chhattisgarh, Assam, Himachal sector, which operates in the cities, now Stop the corona calamity from be- ernment of India to do what is necessary — in terms of fiscal ter Boris Johnson was in ICU in the Pradesh, Uttarakhand are smaller adds over 55 percent to the GDP. The coming a fresh opportunity for Western stimulus or expanding its balance sheet. Equally, the Ministry of middle of national devastation. COV- states in which Western model of capi- manufacturing sector has also shrunk. capitalism to make money for mag- Finance is obliged to consult and collaborate and act in concert. ID-19’s apocalyptic spread blighted min- talism is yet to take deep roots. To serve the avaricious demands of nates. Adversary must become an op- The principal agents of the economy can scarcely afford to be isters, Hollywood actors, rock stars, The official pandemic figures are un- the growing urban rich, unemployed portunity to create new mantras of spectators in the face of a crisis. royalty and super-rich, exposing the charitable for cities which are the play- rural and small town youth moved to prosperity and happiness. The Greek The financial sector is the incubator of both growth and crises. vulnerability of the ruling class which ground of wealth creators. During the metropolises, thereby overcrowding mythological goddess Nemesis, who The crisis in the savings sector unless urgently attended could lived in splendid social isolation behind 1950s, big industries came up in rural them. The five star hotels, luxury con- brings destruction to the hubris laden engulf the broader political economy. What happens in the finan- a vast firewall of bodyguards, personal India, faraway from Mumbai, Chennai, dos and malls, IITs and IIMs and high elite, could be COVID in a different ava- cial markets does not stay in the financial sector. staff, and highly secure millionaire Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru. rises were built by with the sweat and tar. Should history repeat itself, at least [email protected] mansions. Europe, with all the money As corporate leaders expanded busi- toil of people from villages where basic let the villages be different.

gathering. I request all Muslims to offer prayers ily. Fortunately, it is being carried out from the very Rethink Central Vista project and deeds following the rules of lockdown and first day by the people. I hope that it will continue This is with reference to ‘Union govt should rethink The reopening is very meaningful. Causeway Bay practise social distancing. Leave your all collective with better manner till normalcy returns in Central Vista project’ (April 25). Propriety and sen- Books was destroyed by China through violent Attack on media not justified deeds for this year to save the lives and the coun- the country. sitivity to the testing (COVID) times demand that I would like to draw the attention toward attack on try. Islam is a natural and balanced way of life. So H Musaeed, Kolkata the Centre put on hold its I20000-crore Vista proj- means. The reopening proves Taiwan is a place freedom of media. The Press Council of India itself I appeal to all Muslims to offer prayers following ect in the national capital. The nation’s first and with freedom and democracy and we still have thinks quality of television journalism has degrad- all the guidelines issued by the government. Take care of media personnel foremost priority of this ongoing time is to win the the right to read books ed by saying, “Violence is not the answer even Ibne Giasuddin Kurla, Mumbai It is rightly pointed out in your editorial that jour- war against the deadly and invisible enemy called against bad journalism”. Most prime-time televi- nalists, photojournalists and camera persons must coronavirus. Lam Wing-kee, Hong Kong bookseller sion news shows have become Islamophobic and Let’s remain united be brought under medical insurance on par with C G Kuriakose, Malippara xenophobic, and are unable to question the gov- It is noteworthy that PM Narendra Modi told grass- other frontline workers during COVID-19 crisis. It is Neighbourhood stores are the backbone of a community. They are the most ernment. Some news channels have become hate roots leaders that every village, district and state true that journalists on field have to visit places Help our health workers vulnerable to the financial stress of a lockdown. Their re-opening will improve speech spreaders, which is more deadly than coro- should be able to provide for its basic needs. It is including red zones, containment areas and press Certain hospitals, especially those belonging to the their chances of survival and boost our morale as well! I hope they will also be navirus. But nothing can justify the use of force undeniable fact that we can bear away COVID col- meets to cover the news. There is every possibility corporates, plan to cut salaries of their employees able to make home deliveries and violence against journalists. lectively. Providing reliefs, packages by the govern- of infection. It is an alarming situation that more on the sly citing ‘financial loss’ due to the COVID Pritam Kashyap, New Delhi ment is not sufficient to bear away the pandemic. than eighty journalists are infected in Mumbai and crisis. The government must ensure this isn’t car- Anand Mahindra, Industrialist But every village has to be self-sufficient enough Chennai. Authorities and voluntary organisations ried out, as healthcare providers work under trying Follow social distancing to provide for its basic needs. Similarly, should be must provide protective equipment to journalists. conditions, often without adequate protection to I sincerely believe it is not necessary at this stage to impose hardships on At a time when a pandemic has covered entire the case for every district and state for the sake of They should also be provided COVID -19 health in- contain a virus on a rampage, about which only government servants and also on the armed forces people. We should be on the world, and whole mankind have been limited inside the country, the PM has said. Leaders and the surance as well as compensation in case of death. fragmented and unsubstantiated information not side of people whose Dearness Allowances are being cut houses, the auspicious month of Ramadan has wealthy people have to care the people of their re- Hope Press Council of India and journalists associa- confirmed by well-conducted studies is available started. Muslims keep fast, do Iftaar at evening spective areas. Then we can save our own lives as tions take up this issue. even now. Manmohan Singh, former PM and Congress veteran collectively and perform Salah at night in large well as of relatives, neighbours from the virus eas- Jayaprakash Reddy, Nalgonda Dr. George Jacob, Kochi

THE NEW SUNDAY EXPRESS Chairman of the Board: Manoj Kumar Sonthalia Editor: G S Vasu Resident Editor (Karnataka) : Santwana Bhattacharya* Published by R K Jhunjhunwala on behalf of Express Publications (Madurai) Private Limited, at No. 1, Queen’s Road, Bengaluru - 560 001 and printed by him at Express Press, Plot No. 2A, Bommasandra Industrial Area, 4th Phase, Survey No. 46, Part Yarandahalli Village, Jigani Hobli, Anekal Taluk. Bengaluru - 560 099. Bengaluru. Vol. 21, No. 17. RNI Reg. No. KARENG\2000\03040. Phone: 080-22866893 , Fax: 080-22866617. * Responsible for selection of News under the PRB Act. Copyright: Express Publications (Madurai) Private Limited. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner, electronic or otherwise, in whole or in part, without prior written permission is prohibited. For the 1st time J&K conducted HELP FISHERMEN more than 1000 tests in a 24 hour Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged the period and so the number of government to help some fishermen from DISTRICTS FREE Andhra Pradesh who are stranded in Gujarat 6 positive cases has also jumped. Punjab — Omar Abdullah, Former J&K chief minister due to the lockdown. OF CORONAVIRUS

BENGALURU SUNDAY 07 26 l04l2020 ‘Centre lacks basic macro-economic sense’ Instead of opening the purse strings, the Centre is squeezing the states and the common man, Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac tells TNIE editor G S Vasu

y now we have a fair borrow from the Reserve Bank, Financial emergency is a tech- situation in the pre-budget your counterparts ? idea of the econom- not from banks, not from the nical thing. What they are do- meeting. Now that budget has I’ve been trying my level best ic destruction market because the market has ing is just not economics. I can become irrelevant. to have a discussion of that caused by the become very conservative, they understand states cutting sala- kind. But this is not the 1980s pandemic. What is don’t want to lend, they want to ries because they have no mon- Have State FMs demanded where centre-state financial re- the timeframe you hold on to the money. ey. But the central government that a consultative meeting lations were the main theme of B are looking at Second, the government of should not set this example. be held on a priority basis? mainstream debate. Therefore before the country can India should absorb the entire They cut the salary, private sec- Yes, I have sent three letters. our attempt hasn’t been very bounce back? expenditure for the return of tor cuts the salary, everybody Most of the state ministers successful. Political considera- I don’t think it can bounce back migrants and inter-state mi- cuts the salary, income for the would have done that. No re- tions have come in the way. soon. The ill-effects will be grants. The reason being inter- people as a whole goes down. sponse. Normally, whenever Kerala had organised four there for at least a year. I will state migration and interna- They will buy less and you will you send a letter you get some such major discussions in vari- speak for Kerala. This lock- tional migration are union have a big recession. There is polite comment, not even that. ous parts of India and we are down month our GST growth subjects. going to be a major social having a webinar on April 27- will be 50-60% lower and it will Third, the central govern- unrest. There is a view that post- 28. We have invited all finance only be marginally better even ment must give GST compensa- Covid, global businesses ministers and about 120 top in partial lockdown conditions. tion. In April there has been no Do you feel the Centre will move out of China and academics in India. I don’t The remittance income is going GST collection so the money should set up a panel India could be one of the know how many finance min- to come down sharply as pre- has to be compensated from the comprising some state destinations. Do you concur isters will accept the invita- dicted by the World Bank. They cess fund. As there is no money Instead of providing more Don’t allow things to slip to finance ministers to with that view? tion. Nobody from the BJP has are expecting 23% reduction in in the cess fund to pay for such money to states, the Centre is that level. prepare a roadmap to Yes, there are possibilities like responded, that is understand- the remittance to South Asia. a large compensation, it was forcing the state governments navigate through this that because international able. But I see some others are Overall this year’s GST for Ker- agreed at the GST council that to cut expenditure. This is the You said states are being economic crisis? business wouldn’t want to put also not very interested, which ala is going to be minus 30%, the cess fund will borrow from last thing you can think of in a forced to cut expenditure. There is no need for a new pan- all their eggs in one basket any- is very sad. that is the minimum. the market to make the pay- slump. Supply chains are bro- What exactly you meant by el. I am very wary of it after the more. Therefore, they should A large number of small- ment. And the cess, which is for ken, income has collapsed. No- that? experience of the GST council, be willing to spread. We have to Indications are that the scale industries and shops have five years, can be extended by body has income so nobody is Unlike the central government, where the Centre has veto pow- start discussing about what Centre will come out with a had to close. They have suffered another year or two or till the spending. Even if the lockdown which can borrow from the Re- ers on decisions even if all the should be done to attract them. fiscal stimulus package. heavy losses. Their products money is recouped. I don’t is lifted, demand is not going to serve Bank or increase borrow- members unanimously recom- But I don’t think putting re- Can you tell me the three could have gone bad, raw mate- know why such a simple thing pick up. More than that this is ing from the market, States mend something. Definitely strictions on FDI from China is most important measures rial would have gone bad. Un- is not dawning on the central a distress situation not demand have no option. Their main consultation is important a good signal. I’m not arguing that Delhi should do? less you give them special sup- government. crisis. Banks are refusing to revenue is GST, which is and relevant. The Prime for opening up FDI. I’m not an One, large-scale income trans- port to reopen, it will be worse Sushil Kumar Modi has sub- lend. They want to keep as zero. In this situation, Minister is consulting ideologist of that kind. I prefer fer to the people. Say ` 7,500 im- than demonetisation. Most of much liquid money as possible. if the Centre doesn’t chief ministers. mediately to all households. them are not going to come This is what Keynes called ex- permit the states to Similarly, the union Advance payment to MGN- back to life. So that means it Borrow from the Reserve treme liquidity preference. You borrow more or make finance minister We have invited all finance REGS workers and increase will be a long recession. Bank and pump in money. don’t want to lose your money. money available to should have a regular ministers and about 120 top old-age pension. In this situation the only agen- them, they will be forced consultation with state fi- Second, I don’t need to argue The Telangana Chief Minis- That is what America is cy that can intervene is the gov- to cut expenditure. They (the nance ministers. When we academics in India. I don’t for corporates, they have been ter has pitched for quantita- doing. A similar effort is ernment. Not investors, not fi- Centre) are cutting salaries of met the last time in the GST know how many will accept given many concessions al- tive easing to enable states being made by European nancial institutions. So the employees, pruning develop- council it was agreed that there the invitation. Nobody from ready. But farmers and the raise resources. Do you government should dare to ment schemes and reducing will be a special meeting to dis- MSME sector need help. If you agree with his view? central banks spend more. capital expenditure to tide over cuss the compensation pay- the BJP has responded want them to start working Yes, all state ministers in the Fiscal deficit and so on the crisis. This is crazy macro- ment. It is now one-and-a-half again then you should extend last meeting of the GST Coun- mitted a written demand for doesn’t matter. Borrow from economics, which teaches you months since then (and there is FDI in sectors in new technolo- the moratorium till the end of cil in the pre-budget discussion increasing the fiscal ceiling. the Reserve Bank and pump in that when demand collapses, no sign of the meeting). This is gies. It is very strange that peo- the year with no interest. That have demanded that the fiscal Therefore, this is the common money. That is what America is you have to stimulate demand. unacceptable. ple who want to attract FDI into should be met from the govern- deficit ceiling be increased to approach of all states. doing. A similar effort is being This is bad and will create a fi- India should also put restric- ment of India’s resources. The 4%. That was before the pan- made by European central nancial fiasco. Am I to understand that tions on FDI from China. existing loans to MSMEs must demic. Now everybody is de- Apart from the steps that banks. The government of In- the finance minister has be restructured. manding 5%. So we fully sup- you have mentioned, what dia should understand this is Do you foresee a situation not consulted any of you Is there any plan among Third should be a package port it. are the other fiscal reforms not the time for prudence. We where the Centre may be post the economic crisis state finance ministers to for the states. These are the Our demands are three: one, that you would suggest to are facing a calamity, it will compelled to look at some that has come about? meet and put up a joint three things the government of raise the fiscal deficit ceiling help states, relaxation of turn into a humanitarian cri- sort of a financial No, no, no. The only consulta- proposal before the Centre? India is not serious about and and enable the states to directly borrowing limit apart? sis. There will be starvation. emergency? tion was the general economic Have you been in talks with they should revise their stand.

Sonia writes to PM, seeks financial package for MSMEs

EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi She urged the PM to an- workers besides on revival of fect on our economy,” she said nounce a `1 lakh crore “MSME MSMEs. in the letter, and added it was CONGRESS president Sonia Wage Protection” package as While highlighting the cri- an economic concern that Gandhi on Saturday urged also a credit guarantee fund sis, she said the MSME sec- needed immediate attention Prime Minister Narendra Modi of an equivalent amount, tor is suffering around Rs and intervention of the to announce a financial pack- besides a 24X7 helpline 30,000 crore loss every government. age of `1 lakh crore for the re- for helping them out of day due to the lockdown “Every single day of lock- vival of the MSMEs, saying if this crisis. and efforts should be down comes at a cost of `30,000 ignored, the financial crisis in This is the seventh made to help revive crore to the sector. Nearly all the sector can have a devastat- letter written by Gandhi them as they are the MSMEs have lost sales orders, ing and expansive ripple effect to the PM highlighting sev- backbone of the economy. seen a complete cessation of on the country’s economy. eral issues of the lockdown, “If ignored, this issue has their work, and have had their In a letter to Modi, Gandhi and making suggestions on the potential of having a devas- revenue negatively impacted Police personnel patrol in Telierganj area in Prayagraj on Saturday during the nationwide lockdown | PTI also made some suggestions for problems faced by migrant tating and expansive ripple ef- by the lockdown,” she said. the revival of the Micro, Small The Congress chief asked the and Medium Enterprises (MS- More than 6.3 crore MSMEs stand on the verge of economic ruin. Most Centre to announce a `1 lakh MEs), which is reeling under worrying of all, the 11 crore employees...are at the risk of losing their crore ‘MSME Wage Protection’ the adverse impact of the lock- jobs as MSMEs struggle to pay their wages and salaries. package, which would go a long S African model may be down due to coronavirus. Sonia Gandhi, Congress president way in shoring up these jobs. followed to ease curfew EXPRESS READ Cabinet expansion on the cards after 2 crore households to get pulses for SUMI SUKANYA DUTTA @ New Delhi to five levels in every district edness — will allow some lei- which will allow flexibility sure and social activities with three months lockdown for lifting the economy AS nationwide lockdown and responsiveness. stringent physical distancing New Delhi: The Centre has comes to an end on May 3, India At each level, restrictions and other requirements to pre- decided to distribute one kg of MANISH ANAND @ New Delhi Out of the box thinking would not just be executing or- could emulate what South Af- would be more or less severe, vent a resurgence of the virus, pulses to about 2 crore needed ders but also think out of the rica is set to do in a week. The and sectors and companies while at level 1, with low virus households for three months. WITH gravity of the post-lock- box to steer the economy. With the pandemic threatening to 21-member national task force would know what activity is spread and high prepared- About 8.5 lakh MT of down daunting task gripping “Ministries of Rural Devel- wipe out socio-economic gains, on COVID-19 management un- permitted depending on the ness, most normal activity can un-milled pulses will be moved the ruling NDA dispensation, opment, Commerce, MSME, In- PM, sources said, would be der Dr VK Paul, member level imposed at any time. It resume, with precautions and for distribution to the needy the Prime Minister’s Office dustry are some of the depart- looking for colleagues, who can (health) Niti Aayog, is examin- suggests that government can health guidelines followed at and the operation would (PMO) is learnt to have begun ments requiring new faces. think out of the box. ing a risk-adjusted strategy for switch between levels and can all times. The 27-page docu- involve around two lakh truck the exercise to find key talents Such ministries are currently opening economic activity use mass communications ment also says that restric- trips over a period of 4 weeks. within the BJP to man minis- additional responsibilities of a gradually, adopted by the South platforms — such as an SMS tions on sit-in restaurants and Executed by NAFED, the tries, crucial for the recon- warrants the expansion of the few of the Union Ministers. African government that could notification system — to sig- bars, conferences and conven- operation entails lifting of struction work. Council of Ministers. PM Nar- The PMO is actively consider- be appropriated for India. nal this to the public. tion centres, entertainment un-milled pulses from the “The expansion of the coun- endra Modi may recommend a ing the option to divest addi- The model says that there While level 5— which sig- venues, sporting event and re- godowns of Central/state cil of ministers is more immi- few names for induction in his tional responsibilities of some will be five defined levels of nals high virus spread, and/or ligious and social gatherings warehousing corporations, nent than ever since the pan- council to President Ram Nath of the ministers and endow alerts on economic activity low readiness — calls for a will remain in place. getting the pulses milled or demic and the consequent Kovind soon,” sources said. them to the new faces in the that will be needed to be adapt- complete lockdown with per- The model also suggests cleaned and then reaching the lockdown have brought every- With the pandemic threaten- council of ministers, which ed to epidemiological trends, mission to operate only essen- that certain rules like allow- states. Thereafter, the pulses thing to the standstill. The ing to wipe out socio-economic could harvest the best of the and may need to be relaxed tial services, level 4, reflecting ing people to work from home are carried to state godowns magnitude of the reconstruc- gains made in recent decades, technology to bring the much and tightened in different pe- moderate to high virus spread, whenever possible, permitting and then to PDS shops for tion work involving the re- PM, sources said, would be needed momentum in these de- riods across districts. South with low to moderate readi- those above 60 or with comor- distribution. sources of scores of ministries looking for colleagues, who partments,” sources said. Africa had imposed the lock- ness, will mean borders will bidities to also work from down on March 26—a day after still remain closed and only home or be on paid leave, India—and is set to ease re- travel to repatriate foreigners checking symptoms related to strictions from May 1. abroad or take Indians back COVID-19 of all those at the “We are looking at the lock- will be permitted along with workplace every day and Lancet flays India’s approach to combating virus down amendment strategy limited other economic activi- maintain strict social distanc- from South Africa which reit- ties. At level 3, indicating mod- ing and on all alert levels. EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi around Tablighi Jamaat, the in the informal economy, the but better planning and com- erates that a systemic opening erate virus spread, with mod- Those who have been piece also said that the pan- Lancet said, “The government’s munication could have helped of society is required in order erate readiness, there will be against the complete shut- THE editorial in one of the demic has been used to “fan sudden enforcement of the avert this crisis. to get the economic wheel restrictions on several activi- down of society welcomed the world’s leading medical jour- anti-Muslim sentiment” lockdown seemed hastily Similarly, non-virus health moving while ensuring that ties, including at workplaces development saying that the nal The Lancet has strongly adding that one threat to prepared and immedi- services have been disrupted as there is no massive resur- and socially, addressing a high government’s messaging criticised the massive nation- the virus response in ately disadvantaged al- India’s public health-care sys- gence in infection rate,” a risk of transmission. should be clearer on the need wide lockdown in India, adopt- India is spread of mis- ready vulnerable tem is chronically underfunded member of the task force said Level 2— meaning moderate for strict physical distancing ed in order to contain COVID-19 information driven by populations.” at just 1.28%of GDP, leaving on the condition of anonymi- virus spread with high prepar- in days to come. outbreak, suggesting that it has fear, stigma, and blame. The Lancet highlighted primary care weak, it noted. ty. The strategy suggests creat- caused hardships, hunger and Pointing out at the re- that government’s efforts It, however, also pointed out ing an “alert system”—de- A scientific graded approach is a must as the threat of the misery to millions of vulnera- cent mass exodus of migrant to provide financial support that in India’s favour is its pending on the rate of pandemic seems here to stay but people should clearly ble people in the country. workers during the lockdown and a measure of food security young population and, to date, transmission and health sys- know the dos and don’ts Citing the example of the mis- and concerns rising about star- to ease these pressures will be the country has seen a less se- tem preparedness — with four Sulakshna Nandi of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan information campaign run vation among people who work insufficient to meet demand, vere outbreak than was feared. INDIA Max Min Max Min Ahmedabad 40 27 Mumbai 35 27 DEATH RATE DOWN Bhopal 41 24 Panaji 35 27 The mortality rate from the infection in Pune Jaipur 36 23 Patna 30 22 was down from 9.18 per cent on April 17 to 6.5 IN J&K RECIEVED Amritsar 30 21 Lucknow 35 23 per cent on Friday, said officials. As on Friday, 500 Chennai 37 29 Port Blair 32 26 FAMILIES Kolkata volunteer32 23 Imphal 29 15 there were 980 COVID-19 cases in Pune. ESSENTIALS BY BSF Srinagar 27 9 Chandigarh 31 22

BENGALURU SUNDAY 08 26 042020 ‘Central team has lauded our efforts in Indore’ In between holding meetings and reviewing the progress of his government’s efforts to curb the coronavirus, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took out time to talk to The New Sunday Express about the state’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are excerpts:

t your meeting with and SD Bansal in Iron and Steel state. More than 6,200 samples right to speak but see positive results. pealed to the people to cooper- the PM on Monday, (Mandideep), Welspun and have been taken in Indore out nobody except the ate with the government. I what will be your Sagar Manufacturing (Raisen), of which 1,000 samples have one who has made Attacks on police and health don’t agree that minorities stand on the lock- Cadbury (Malanpur), Oswall been sent to Delhi for testing. it can guarantee workers are continuing in alone are being blamed for at- down, which ends Denims (Rajgarh), Maral There are 489 teams engaged in the allegations the state. Why is the govern- tacks on corona warriors. on May 3? Should it (Khargone) will soon begin this work. So far, 3.9 lakh per- to be true. Yes ment not able to curb this? A be extended? work. sons have been surveyed in the it is a fact that We are continuously trying On several COVID-19 param- We will inform our PM about infected areas. A total of 12 to13 the council of that such incidents don’t hap- eters MP is lagging behind; measures that have been taken Why was Indore allowed to lakh persons have been sur- ministers pen, we are trying to counsel it has the highest death rate, so far by the state to defeat the become a hotspot; there are veyed. In the next seven days, plays a crucial such persons, not to get afraid and one of slowest recovery pandemic. Our first focus is on reports that the central team 20 to 21 lakh persons will be role in govern- or misinformed about this dis- rates. How do you plan to re- safeguarding the life of com- found that the lockdown was surveyed. ing the state ease and yet such things hap- verse this? mon people. Lockdown will be not enforced properly, lead- and its wel- pen, which is very unfortunate. Madhya Pradesh is recovering lifted gradually after reviewing ing to a spurt in cases? There is a feeling that politi- fare. But as I want to warn those who are from the crisis. Almost half the the situation in each contain- This is totally wrong. The Cen- cal instability during the soon as I was indulging in this that they not state is now free of transmis- ment zone. The good news is tral team has appreciated Mad- initial stages of corona is re- sworn in, I be spared. sion. Many patients have recov- that almost half the state is free hya Pradesh for its efforts re- sponsible for the weak re- had my full fo- Those who attacked officials ered. The Central monitoring of the coronavirus. garding corona. The death toll sponse to the pandemic? Do cus on overcom- are already behind bars under team has appreciated our ef- you agree that politics got ing the odds. forts and we are fighting the After some relaxations were priority over health pandemic with our full force. given on April 20 to restart We are trying our best from and safety? Do you think that This is a global pandemic; economic activities, how the moment I was sworn in as I personally think the appointment it can happen to anyone, There are reports of Jyotira- many industries in the state the Chief Minister. For us, the this is a time where of Narottam irrespective of religion. I don’t ditya Scindia being unhappy, have reopened and if they we all need to fight Mishra as health although two of his MLAs have not, then why not? first and foremost priority is this menace together. minister could have agree that minorities alone have been made ministers? We are looking at COVID-19 as to safeguard the people of These allegations are been avoided due to are being blamed for attacks Is he unhappy? an adversity which should be Madhya Pradesh made because of politi- his disqualifica- on corona warriors This is totally wrong. He is an turned into an opportunity. cal reasons. In fact, it was the tion case pend- experienced leader and has Our first focus to overcome the Congress government which ing in the joined us because he thinks crisis will be the speedy recov- is under control and special was responsible for such a poor Supreme Court? the provisions of the National that he can serve the public in ery and rebooting of the indus- care is being given to Indore. state of affairs. Instead of mak- The case is still in the Security Act and strict action a much better way here. We are tries and commercial sector. Indore is the prime commercial ing necessary arrangements court and there is no will be taken against them. happy that we have him with us Our top priority is to provide centre and is densely populat- for COVID-19, the Congress need to discuss this is- as our party member. Ministers employment to workers who ed. It is a place where a big government was busy organis- sue any further. Why are minorities alone be- are appointed on the basis of have been worst affected. All number of people travel abroad ing IIFA and agitations against ing blamed for attacks on co- their abilities and experience. the crucial departments have for business and commerce. the CAA. If Jabalpur could be a suc- rona warriors? been directed to draw a road- Initially such people hid We are trying our best from The allegation is that the de- cess story in combating Everyone is equal before the When do you plan to com- map for reviving economic ac- their travel histories and some- the moment I was sworn in as lay in cabinet formation, COVID-19, why couldn’t it be law. Those found attacking re- plete your Cabinet? Or are tivities both in rural and urban how came into contact with the Chief Minister. I strongly particularly in appointing a done in Indore? lief and medical teams are un- you confident that a smaller areas. others resulting in the infec- disagree that public health and health minister, led to the Every place has specific issues. der arrest for breaking the law. cabinet is more efficient dur- Out of 146 big industries, 115 tion spreading. I have reviewed safety were not given priority. alarming situation in The conditions in Indore were How can we see it through a re- ing troubled times? industries employing 28,300 the situation and arrange- For us, the first and foremost Indore. far different from Jabalpur. In- ligious angle? This is a global Once we get out of this crisis workers have started function- ments in the state through vid- priority is to safeguard the peo- It is not correct, as per my opin- dore is a densely populated city pandemic; it can happen to any- then whatever the party organ- ing. Some big industries like eo conferencing. The corona ple and the Madhya Pradesh ion this is not the time to play and a prime commercial centre one, irrespective of caste, creed isation decides in regard to the John Deere (Dewas), Ultratech testing rate in Indore is much government is leaving no stone such games but we live in a de- of not only the state but central and religion. All religious lead- cabinet expansion, you will be Cement (Neemuch), HEG higher than the rest of the unturned in this regard. mocracy, everybody has got a India. In Indore, we will soon ers of every sect have also ap- informed.

RAPID TESTING Yogi rules out lockdown relaxation, IMCT team accuses Bengal ‘China-made kits may be returned’ bans all social gatherings till June 30 govt of violating MHA order CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 NAMITA BAJPAI @ Lucknow Saturday, no public gathering exercise on Saturday. would be allowed as it would According to Additional EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Kolkata RAJASTHAN, which tested 100 RESPONDING to the adviso- increase the thread of spread Chief Secretary (ACS), Home, confirmed cases using the anti- ry of Union Home Ministry of corona virus manifold. Awanish Awasthi, the state APURVA Chandra, the leader body kits, found that the kits allowing opening of shops of “Muslim devotees are advised government had arranged 82 of the Inter-Ministerial Central detected antibodies in only five non-essential items, the Yogi to offer prayers at their buses of UPSRTC to evacuate Team (IMCT) to help the Mama- of them, despite all of them be- Adityanath government, on homes,” he said. the labourers from Haryana. ta Banerjee government con- ing positive. The state flagged Saturday, decided not give Meanwhile, a day after the All those, who entered UP on tain the spread of COVID-19, the issue to the Centre and any relaxation in the lock- UP government announced Saturday, were dropped off to wrote two strong-worded let- ICMR after which other states down in Uttar Pradesh. that it would bring back their native districts where ters to chief secretary Rajiva reported similar concerns. The state tally of corona stranded labourers, the first they would be tested for the Sinha on Saturday expressing Ministry officials said it is like- positive cases breached the batch of 2,224 workers, who virus. “Only after serving the concern. ly that kits bought from Chi- 1,700 mark on Saturday. As had completed quarantine pe- two-week quarantine period Chandra said in his letter, the nese firms will be returned per sources, CM Yogi ruled riod of two weeks in Hary- at government shelter homes, state government gave half- adding that more such kits are out any relaxation in lock- ana, were brought back to the they would be allowed to go hour notice for a visit to hospi- expected from South Korea and down till May 30 and any so- state in the first phase of the home,” Awasthi said. tals, quarantine centres and efforts are on to get these kits cial gathering till June 30. containment zones. He also ac- manufactured indigenously. However, district magistrates cused the state government of Antibody testing kits are have been asked to assess the Madhya Pradesh to bring back its labourers violating the MHA order as the cost-effective, easier to use and situation of their districts to After UP, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government in Madhya chief secretary issued state- Passengers wear face masks on hand-pulled rickshaws in Kolkata | PTI can be used to check what pro- consider relaxation. Pradesh has decided to bring back its labourers stranded in other ments saying senior officers of portion of the population has With commencement of states. Simultaneously, labourers from other states who are stuck in the state government cannot Safety of team in Bengal BSF guest house is only permit- been exposed to the virus. holy month of Ramzan from Madhya Pradesh will also be allowed to return to their home states. waste their time accompanying ted to go to the airport,’’ Chan- Apurva Chandra, the leader of the the IMCT. dra inquired in the letter, a Inter-Ministerial Central Team Chandra accused the state copy of which was forwarded asked Banerjee’s government COPS ASSIST government of not responding to Union Home Secretary Ajay whether it would take to its four letters that were sent Bhalla. responsibility for the safety and since the team landed in Ben- The other team in north Ben- security of the IMCT and the state gal on April 20 and not provid- gal, too, wrote to Sinha and the will allow BSF to take action in ing PPEs while visiting hospi- divisional commissioner ask- 750-km relay between Delhi & UP to help man the absence of police support. tals and quarantine centres. ing to take immediate measure He also asked Banerjee’s gov- to ensure stricter implementa- NAMITA BAJPAI @ Lucknow was in need of medicines in er of Delhi Police immediately toll plaza in Lucknow on Tues- ernment whether it would take of the order of the MHA...,’’ tion of lockdown. Vineet Joshi, Begumpura locality and asked reached out to Khan and got day and after two other ex- responsibility for the safety Chandra wrote. the team leader, said in the let- THE Delhi and Uttar Pradesh his grandson Gulam Mustafa the medicines collected from changes through UP Police Re- and security of the IMCT and The team leader also sought ter that additional data sought police joined hands to send Khan, a state-level relay run- Safdarjung Hospital. sponse Vehicles made its way the state will allow BSF to take a reply from Sinha on a police from the divisional commis- medicines to a septuagenarian ner, in Delhi to help him The Delhi police then to a PWD junior engineer, who action in the absence of police officer’s act asking the IMCT sioner and district magistrate man within 36 hours across out. Khan, finding no got in touch with their was going to resume his duty support. not to leave the BSF guesthouse of Darjeeling is still awaited 750 kms. way to send medicines counterparts Gautam- in Shravasti. He handed over “The Chief Secretary... has campus on April 21. “Whether and a meeting sought with the A relay of six Police Re- from Delhi’s Safdar- buddh Nagar (Noida) the packet to PRV personnel at been widely reported in the me- it is a fact that a DCP of West police commissioner could not sponse Vehicles (PRVs) and an jung hospital to his district and handed Bahraich border. dia of having said in his daily Bengal police informed BSF of- materialise as discussed. ambulance along with two grandfather, tweeted over the medicines It was then transported by press conference that the IMCT ficers at BSF guest house on Reacting to the allegations, DCPs helped transport the about it on Monday and who in turn delivered two more PRVs in Bahraich is free to visit anywhere and 21.04.2020 that the IMCT cannot the Trinamool described the medicines from the national sought Delhi police help them to an ambulance before reaching Nurul Hudda senior officers of the state gov- leave the campus without the two teams as “India’s Most Cal- capital to UP’s Bahraich dis- in getting the medicines driver on his way to Sultanpur finally at 8 am on Wednesday. ernment cannot waste their permission of the state govern- lous Team”, which, it said, has trict after no other mode of de- delivered. district via Lucknow. The medicine packet travelled time accompanying the IMCT. ment as lockdown is in force sought to spread the political livery was available. Responding to his tweet, Ad- The packet arrived at the around 744 km to reach its The above stand is on violation and the IMCT if it leaves the virus “shamelessly”. Nurul Hudda in Bahraich ditional Deputy Commission- Agra-Lucknow Expressway destination.

FAYAZ WANI Seasonal migration of Doctors demand good Our correspondent Bakerwals begins in Jammu and Kashmir quality protective gear The seasonal migration of nomadic [email protected] Over 50 doctors in a government-run Gujjar and Bakerwals along with their hospital in Srinagar have urged the livestock from Jammu region to upper administration to provide them water reaches of Valley and other parts has resistant Personal Protective been allowed by the government after SRINAGAR DIARY Equipment (PPEs) to doctors involved initial reluctance. The seasonal in the COVID-19 fight. The doctors migration of nomads to upper reaches working in SKIMS Bemina in a signed of Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, Valley 50,000 food kits for needy during Ramzan letter to the director of the institute and Ladakh usually starts in mid- The J&K administration has prepared 50,000 food kits for distribution amongst Engineers develop low-cost ventilator said they have been demanding March. However, this year it has started impoverished families in Srinagar during Ramzan. The initiative is aimed at supporting standard PPEs from the day the about a month late only after the needy during the holy month in view of the prevailing lockdown to prevent the Amid the shortage of ventilators during the pandemic, the engineers at hospital was designated for COVID-19 authorities issued movement passes. spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Each of these 50,000 kits includes food items including Design Innovation Centre (DIC) of Islamic University of Science and care. They had gone on a strike on to Javed Rahi, tribal activist and founder rice, wheat, edible oil, tea and spices. Each kit will contain five kilograms of rice and Technology in Kashmir have created a prototype of a low-cost ventilator. press the hospital management to of Tribal Research and Cultural two kilograms of wheat along with a packet each of the other eatables. Deputy The engineers will hand over the prototype named ‘Ruhdaar’ to medical provide standard PPEs. “We were Foundation said as nomads have about Commissioner Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said the administration has identified experts in Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences for evaluation. shown a standard water resistant PPE 32 lakh sheep and goats, the livestock needy families across the district and distribution of food kits has started. Srinagar Ruhdaar uses a stepper motor to power the ventilator in a controlled during demonstration. However, in would have died had the government has been under lockdown since March 19, a day after the first COVID-19 positive case mode. Vice Chancellor IUST, Prof Mushtaq A Siddiqi said the medical practice we have been provided sub- not allowed the seasonal migration. was reported in the Valley. fraternity can accept the prototype as it is or suggest modifications. standard PPEs,” they said. Beijing 22 8 SNY Los Angeles 30 16 SNY Colombo 33 24 TDS Melbourne 17 6 LR $10 Doha 40 26 SNY Moscow 10 0 LC GLOBAL Dubai 40 29 SNY New York 10 6 HR The price of Venezuelan oil has fallen to below $10 a WEATHER Houston 30 18 SNY Singapore 32 25 TDS barrel -- its lowest level in more than two decades, the LR: Light Rain HR: Heavy Rain Istanbul 19 10 LC Toronto 11 4 LR government said on Friday TDS: Thundershower LC: Light Cloud SNY: Sunny London 21 10 SNY Washington DC 18 10 TDS BENGALURU SUNDAY 09 26 042020

RIYADH NEW YORK WASHINGTON WARSAW JOHANNESBURG LONDON WASHINGTON Saudi Arabia abolishes Mike moves past prez race Seema Nanda to quit as Polish prez vote on May 10 S Africa leader pokes fun WWII veteran tops music Kanye West officially now flogging in key reform defeat with virus crusade CEO of Democratic party would be coup: Opposition at self after mask fumble charts in Britain a billionaire, says Forbes Saudi Arabia has abolished Nearly two months after an Seema Nanda has announced her Holding Poland’s presidential South Africa’s President Cyril A 99-year-old British World War II Rapper Kanye West is now a flogging as a punishment, the embarrassing end to his decision to step down as the CEO election on May 10 during Ramaphosa on Friday poked fun at veteran who shot to fame raising billionaire thanks largely to the state human rights commission presidential campaign, Mike of the Democratic National coronavirus pandemic restrictions himself for clumsily fumbling with millions for health workers fighting basketball shoes bearing his name said Saturday, hailing a “major Bloomberg is again deploying his Committee, the top administrative would amount to a “coup d’etat” his face mask during televised the coronavirus has become the that he developed with Adidas, step forward” in the reform massive personal fortune – this position in the main Opposition by the ruling party, opposition speech, a move that attracted oldest artist to reach No. 1 in the Forbes magazine said Friday. The programme launched by the king time to combat the coronavirus. party, ahead of the presidential candidate Malgorzata Kidawa- widespread laughter on social UK music singles charts. Tom rough figure of the wealth of Kim and his powerful son. Court- The former New York City mayor is elections in November. Nanda, 48, Blonska said. The restrictions will media. The president awkwardly Moore’s rendition of “You’ll Never Kardashian’s hubby is $1.3 billion, ordered floggings in Saudi Arabia spending tens of millions of dollars became the first Indian-American make traditional campaigning pulled a colourful fabric mask over Walk Alone” -- a much-loved and the magazine said. The 42-year- -- sometimes extending to to bolster social services, feed first to be appointed as the CEO of the impossible -- likely an advantage his eyes after announcing an easing widely covered song from a 1945 old, Chicago-born rapper’s Yeezy hundreds of lashes -- have long responders and help local officials Democratic National Committee for President Andrzej Duda, who is of lockdown restrictions on musical -- sold 82,000 units, the footwear often sells for over $200 drawn condemnation. trace the spread of in the city. (DNC) in June, 2018. well ahead in opinion polls. Thursday night. Press Association said. a pair in the US and elsewhere.

ASIA MATTERS 1.5% INCREASE PAKISTAN SRI LANKA

Spain records Global deaths near 2 lakh, Doctors & nurses go Curfew reimposed on hunger strike Sri Lanka has reimposed a slight spike in Dozens of Pakistani doctors countrywide 24-hour and nurses have launched a curfew after a surge in the US states partly reopen hunger strike demanding number of coronavirus daily fatalities, cases, most of them navy In sign of hope, toll appears to be falling in some Western nations adequate protective equipment for frontline sailors who were searching toll at 22,902 staff treating coronavirus for those evading patients. Health workers quarantine. GENEVA/WASHINGTON have complained for weeks MADRID THE World Health Organiza- that hospitals are suffering chronic shortages of safety SPAIN’S daily virus toll rose tion warned on Saturday recov- JAPAN 46 slightly on Saturday with ering from coronavirus may gear, prompting the arrest of more than 50 doctors new infections on Friday 378 people dying, the govern- not protect people from reinfec- Cruise ship cases near 150 who called for more were the highest in a day. ment said a day after the tion as the death toll from the Almost a quarter of the 623 The island nation has country registered its lowest pandemic approached 200,000 supplies in the city of Quetta earlier this month. crew members on a cruise ship confirmed 420 cases of the number of fatalities in four around the globe. docked in western Japan have virus, including seven weeks. Governments across the tested positive . The Italy- deaths, and has ramped up The number was slightly world are struggling to limit flagged Costa Atlantica has no testing Among the newly higher than Friday’s figure the economic devastation un- 150 medical workers passengers aboard and arrived infected were 30 navy of 367, hiking the overall leashed by the virus, which has have tested positive for the in the port of Nagasaki for sailors from a camp on the death toll in Spain to 22,902, infected nearly 2.8 million peo- virus nationwide repairs in January outskirts of the capital the third-highest figure in ple and left half of humanity the world after the United under some form of lockdown. A customer gets her eyebrows waxed at Three-13 Salon, Spa & Boutique in Georgia. States and Italy. The United Nations has The salon had been closed for more than a month | AP The overall number of in- joined world leaders in a push fections has now passed to speed up development of a 223,759, a figure that in- vaccine, but effective treat- cludes those shown to have ments for the disease Covid-19 Govts stockpile Nikki Haley launches Political row hits govt as developed antibodies are still far off. hydroxychloroquine anti-China campaign against the virus. But with signs the disease is State and local Asserting that However, the health min- peaking in the US and Europe, governments China’s UK toll crosses 20,000 istry has begun using only governments are starting to across the United Communist the number of cases con- ease restrictions, weighing the States have government LONDON his “concern” was “that po- firmed by PCR (polymerase need for economic recovery obtained about needs to be held litical advisers have influ- chain reaction) tests, or against cautions that lifting 30 million doses accountable for BORIS Johnson’s government enced the debate. The login screen of the Min Thein swab tests, giving a figure of them too soon risks a second of a malaria drug “lying” about the on Saturday was embroiled in “The way to clear this up is Kha app | AFP 205,905 -- 2,944 of which were wave of infections. touted by coronavirus a political row after it for all the minutes to be pub- detected in the last 24 hours. The spread of Covid-19 is in- President Trump to treat pandemic, top Republican emerged his chief advisor at- lished; we’ve called on the The move came as Spain creasing other medical risks as patients with the coronavirus, politician Nikki Haley has tended meetings of the main government to do this,” he passed an important land- well with the WHO warning despite warnings from launched an online petition scientific group advising min- said. Myanmar’s mark in its fight against the nearly 400,000 more people doctors that more research is urging the US Congress to, isters on the coronavirus pan- The UK government has virus on Friday, with the could die from malaria because needed. At least 22 states amongst other things, probe demic in Britain. come under increasing pres- astrologers daily number of recoveries of disruption to the supply of and Washington, D.C., whether China covered up the Downing Street was forced sure on a number of fronts in outpacing the number of mosquito nets and medicines. secured shipments of the outbreak. More than 40,000 to deny that Dominic Cum- recent weeks, including criti- new infections for the first mings and another advisor, cism over shortages in per- What experts were looking for drug, hydroxychloroquine. people have signed the ‘Stop go online to time since the start of the The FDA warned on Friday Communist China’ petition by Ben Warner, were members sonal protective equipment pandemic. The daily death toll in Western against prescribing the drug Friday night, hours after it was of the politically inde- and a lack of widespread So far, a total of 95,708 peo- countries seems to be falling, a due to its serious side effects. launched. pendent Scientific Ad- testing, particularly of allay fears ple have been declared free sign hopeful epidemiologists visory Group for frontline health and of the virus, 3,353 of them in had been looking for, but the Emergencies (SAGE). social care workers. YANGON the past 24 hours. WHO has warned that other na- pressure to find ways to ease in the debate raging in the Unit- However, following Britain’s health Spain has been ramping tions are still in the early stages social distancing measures. ed States — and the world — as reports in The Guard- ministry on Saturday MYANMAR lawyer Thiri up the use of antibody tests of the fight. Republican governors in to how quickly political leaders ian newspaper, the gov- said 813 more people had had been excited about her which show whether a pa- Global Covid-19 deaths have Georgia and Oklahoma allowed should lift economically dam- ernment admitted that died after testing positive wedding and new job this tient’s immune system has climbed past 197,000, but new salons, spas and barbershops to aging lockdown orders. Cummings had sat in on for COVID-19 in hospital, tak- year -- before the coronavi- developed defences against reported cases seem to have lev- reopen, while Alaska opened Similar scenarios have been group meetings, prompting ing the death toll to 20,319. rus threw both into doubt. the coronavirus, meaning elled off at about 80,000 a day. the way for restaurants to re- playing out worldwide and will the opposition Labour Party The figure is an increase on With the stars very much they have been infected in The United States is the hard- sume dine-in service and retail soon proliferate in the US as to ask for “answers” over his the 684 reported the previous unaligned, she turned to an the past. est-hit country by far in the shops and other businesses to other governors wrestle with exact role. day and comes after the gov- astrology app for help. “The recent tendency of pandemic, recording more than open their doors, all with limi- conflicting priorities. Their Until now, membership of ernment claimed the virus For a fee of a few dollars, the evolution of the pandem- 51,500 deaths and over 890,000 tations. Some Alaska munici- economies have been battered the committee, which is a key had hit its peak. Thiri’s online mystic ad- ic appears to hold true, each infections. palities chose to maintain by weeks of quarantine-fueled body in shaping the UK’s re- There are also growing de- vised the 26-year-old to carry day improving a bit, but it is The world’s biggest economy stricter rules. job losses and soaring unem- sponse to the pandemic, has mands for a exit strategy from out kind deeds around her important to not fall into ex- has been hammered by the pan- Though limited in scope, and ployment claims, yet health of- not been made public. the current lockdown, first home, from donating flowers cessive euphoria,” Spanish demic, with 26 million jobs lost subject to social-distancing re- ficials warn lifting lockdown Labour’s health spokes- imposed on March 23, extend- to feeding animals on the health official Fernando since the crisis began, and strictions, the reopenings orders now could spark a resur- man, John Ashworth told ed on April 16 and due for re- street, to ensure good Simón said. American leaders are under marked a symbolic milestone gence of Covid-19. Agencies BBC radio on Saturday that view on May 7. AFP karma. “I’m going to follow all her advice,” Thiri tells AFP, praising the Min Thein Kha app for its convenience at a time when the doors to her Brazil becoming a coronavirus hotspot amid paltry testing usual real-life astrologer at a downtown Yangon temple RIO DE JANEIRO say the true number of people are securely shut for the infected with the virus as of HARDEST-HIT COUNTRIES IN SOUTH AMERICA city’s lockdown. CASES of the new coronavirus this week is probably as much The Min Thein Kha plat- are overwhelming hospitals, as 587,000 to 1.1 million people. Brazil 22,752 26,573 3,670 form -- the only one of its morgues and cemeteries across The health ministry said in a kind in Myanmar -- was Brazil as Latin America’s larg- report earlier this month that it launched two years ago. Its Peru 13,518 7,496 634 Active cases est nation veers closer to be- has the capacity to test 6,700 creators claim to have two coming one of the world’s pan- people per day — a far cry from Recovered million registered custom- Chile 5,805 6,327 174 demic hot spots. the roughly 40,000 it will need 1366 Deaths ers and 50,000 daily active Medical officials in Rio de Ja- when the virus peaks. users. neiro and at least four other Meanwhile, health care Ecuador 20,777 576 Users log on, select one of major cities have warned that workers can barely handle the 3,653 the 23 astrologers profiled their hospital systems are on cases they have. Colombia 225 on the app and submit a the verge of collapse, or al- In Rio state, all but one of 1,003 2,398 question, paying in advance ready too overwhelmed to take seven public hospitals equipped Argentina 179 by bank or mobile phone any more patients. to treat COVID-19 are full and 1,030 transfer with the promise of Health experts expect the can only accept new patients 0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 an audio file reply within 48 number of infections in the once others have either recov- hours. country of 211 million people ered or died, according to the Uncertainty caused by the will be much higher than what A cemetery worker stands before a coffin that contains the remains of a person press office of the health secre- 1,000 cops infected coronavirus outbreak has suspected to have died of Covid-19 in Rio de Janeiro | AP has been reported because of tariat. AP Lima: Peru’s interior minister seen the number of ques- insufficient, delayed testing. tions rocket by 50 percent, 52,995 resigned Friday, days after Meanwhile, President Jair testing means the true number volved in the project. 51,20051200 100 says Bagan Innovation Tech- officials said more than a Bolsonaro has shown no sign of infections is far greater. And “We are looking at a photo of 25,60025600 In Manaus, the biggest city in nology, the company behind thousand police officers had of wavering from his insist- because it can take a long time the past,” Alves said in an in- 12,80012800 the Amazon, a cemetery has the virtual fortune-telling been infected with the deadly ence that COVID-19 is a rela- for tests to be processed, the terview last week. “The num- 6,400 been forced to dig mass service. 6400 The rise of total coronavirus. Carlos Moran is the tively minor disease and that current numbers actually re- ber of cases in Brazil is, there- 3,200 graves because there have Astrology has long been 3200 cases in Brazil, on second minister to quit since broad social-distancing meas- flect deaths that happened one fore, probably even greater 1,6001600 been so many deaths. firmly intertwined with My- a log scale. Data Workers have been burying the country went into lockdown ures are not needed to stop it. or two weeks ago, said Domin- than what we are predicting.” 800800 anmar’s Buddhist beliefs, from worldometers 100 corpses a day — triple the on March 16. The nation has a He has said only Brazilians at gos Alves, adjunct professor of Scientists from the Univer- 400400 and few big decisions are pre-virus average of burials. total 140,000 police officers. high risk should be isolated. social medicine at the Univer- sity of Sao Paulo, University of 200200 made without a soothsayer Mar 17 Apr 24 Experts warned that paltry sity of Sao Paulo, who is in- Brasilia and other institutions Series1 consultation. PTI was India’s foreign exchange reserve $ as on April 24, an increase of $479.57 bn $3.093 billion from the previous week BENGALURU SUNDAY 10 26 l04l2020 Retailers await clarity on norms; onus on states to let shops open Neighbourhood shops may open soon, but SESA SEN @ New Delhi state governments to issue nec- hood shops and standalone clarity for easier implementa- under the category of ‘shops’. those in malls and Covid hotspots might not essary permissions to imple- shops, shops in residential tion. Terms like ‘market com- Industry bodies also pointed EVEN as the Centre exempted ment the Central government complexes, within the limits of plexes’ are not easily under- out that delivery of non-essen- neighbourhood stores — in- order. While traders welcome municipal corporations and stood,” said Rajagopalan, CEO tial goods through e-commerce cluding those selling garments, the revised guidelines, we be- registered under the Shops and of Retailers’ Association of In- should also be allowed to ease mobile phones, hardware and lieve not many states will be Establishment Act of the re- dia. Lack of clarity could the burden of piled up inven- stationery items — from the on- willing to take such a step im- spective State and UT” hold back local authori- tory of small traders while also going nationwide lockdown, mediately other than a few like are allowed to open. But ties to issue necessary meeting customers’ demand. most states such as Tamil Odisha and Goa,” said Praveen those located in market permissions, delaying “While the latest move is in the Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharash- Khandelwal, general secretary, places, shopping malls the reopenings. right direction and has been tra, Delhi and Karnataka aren’t Confederation of All India and Covid-19 hotspots A majority of India’s taken keeping in mind to mini- expected to give permissions Traders (CAIT). The apex body and containment zones, 720 districts remain in mise risks and maximise eco- soon, say traders’ associations. of traders represents seven will continue to remain the red zone. The recent nomic activity, we believe e-tail- Retailers have also sought more crore traders and 40,000 trade shut till May 3. order also implies that in ru- ers dealing in non-essentials clarification from the govern- associations of India. “While allowing opening of ral areas, all shops are allowed should also be allowed to oper- ment on the guidelines, as Amending its April 15 order, more shops is a move seen as a to open. But restaurants, hair ate at least in a phased man- terms like ‘market complexes’ the Ministry of Home Affairs relief to most people, we feel salons, liquor and cigarette ner,” said Pankaj Mohindroo, could be misunderstood. on Saturday clarified that “all the current circular is open to shops will stay closed as they chairman of India Cellular & “It is now the onus of the shops, including neighbour- interpretation and needs more render services and do not fall Electronics Association.

NEWSCOPE GURBIR SINGH hide as they do behind the veil of digital secrecy. he irony cannot be Without the survival of the missed. The havoc SAVE NEWS NETWORKS vast network of news media, wrought by the novel democracy will be that much coronavirus pandem- weaker. The little bytes of hear- ic has opened the say that pass off as ‘news’ on floodgates for news TO SAVE DEMOCRACY social media will be the cur- T and information as rency of the day. A strategy of never before. People are des- just plain beating them up (sic).” and Amazon. In the US, Google, their advertising revenue just survival of news media is perate to understand the shift- India, with its 400 registered FB and Amazon scooped up 70 got a boost last Monday when therefore necessary, one that ing sands of the unfolding trag- news channels and a record 1.2 per cent of digital advertising. Australia announced it would leans more on pay-as-you-use edy. But the spiking demand for lakh registered dailies and Former London’s Guardian enforce the sharing formula rather than a ‘free’ advertising news has not bolstered news magazines, has a healthy editor Alan Rusbridger, who is and a regulatory system to sup- dependent model. networks. In fact, they are fac- Fourth Estate jostling for space credited for building the news- port it. Governments across the ing the worst crisis ever as in the democratic process. But paper’s digital platform, claimed Earlier, Spain had made it globe are putting together mul- companies collapse and depart- the current crisis has left it in 2016 that FB alone had compulsory for digital plat- ti-billion dollar stimulus pack- ments fold up. gasping for breath. Digital plat- skimmed off close to $27 million forms to pay news publishers ages, and some of it should The latest AC Nielsen survey form Bloomberg Quint sent 45 from the newspaper’s digital for content; but Google pulled flow to the media networks too. Franklin episode shows that television viewer- of its employees on furlough or revenue in the previous year. out Google News from the coun- The flip side is: these should ship increased 40 per cent for unpaid leave for an indefinite “They are taking all the money” try. Payment for news content not be leveraged to control and India, 34 per cent for Australia, period, and later announced because “they have algo- was also made part of the Euro- manipulate news outlets. Ulti- 20 per cent for France and 17 the closure of its televi- rithms which we don’t un- pean Union copyright laws and mately, ‘news’ and information puts other debt per cent for UK during week 15 sion division. Outlook derstand, which are a France was the first to imple- are powerful products that of the pandemic in April, as Magazine announced filter between what we ment it. Again, Google refused have strong market value. The compared to the pre-Covid pe- it was suspending do and how people re- to pay and simply switched to big question is: how can it be riod. On the other hand, physi- printing operations on ceive it,” he said. showing headlines and links. It monetised? MFs in jeopardy cal newspapers, with distribu- 30 March. Many of the shows it will take more than Stealing content tion lines collapsing, are big media houses have an- legal and legislative fiat ENS ECONOMIC BUREAU @ New Delhi utes this partly to Franklin’s hollowing out into skeletal edi- nounced salary cuts ranging But the big sleight of hand is to bring these tril- investment in some financial- tions. They have no advertising from 10 to 50 per cent. the free use of news content, lion dollar giants THE closure of six credit-risk ly volatile firms, it also says revenue because there are no The cost of publishing and mined and distributed by the to book, funds by Franklin Templeton that redemption pressure con- products to advertise. broadcasting is spiralling up- traditional news chains, which Mutual Fund is likely to have tinues for other funds as well, It’s the same story from Syd- wards and media groups have FB, Google and their ilk use to major impact on other liquid given the economic uncer- ney, New Delhi and Washing- to make huge investments in enhance their digital reach. funds as well, with the whole tainty due to coronavirus. ton. The big ones are surviving; news gathering to stay ahead. Products like Google News episode creating a trust defi- “The recent announcement it’s the mid-levels and small However, the earnings from ad- poach out stories and videos cit for investors, claims the of winding down of six credit- ones that are folding up. In the vertising, the mainstay for from hundreds of news sites mutual fund industry. risk funds by Franklin Tem- US, the Tampa Bay Times, news media, is drying up without paying a penny. The According to investment re- pleton AMC has resulted in known not to miss a single edi- proportionately. fight of news networks to search company Morningstar concerns among mutual fund tion in 96 years, stopped its Legacy media has over the get FB and others to pay Inc, with the Franklin fiasco, investors,” said A Balasubra- print edition for five days and years changed gear to develop for what they use and it is time to review other mu- manian, MD and CEO, Aditya laid off 11 journalists. Seattle’s digital platforms but has been to seek a fair tual fund portfolios too. Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund. Pulitzer-winning weekly The outmaneuvered by the giants share of “Despite measures taken by He however said it is a tem- Stranger dismissed its entire Google, Facebook, Microsoft the Reserve Bank of porary phase. “In staff and has suspended print- India, liquidity in my experience of ing. Employees have been fired the Indian bond nearly 30 years, I at The Denver Post and Boston markets, especially have seen markets Herald and salary cuts imposed in the lower credit undergo challeng- at The Dallas Morning News. space, has squeezed The negative ing cycles, but they sentiment around substantially. The have bounced back Advertising caves in Covid-19 pandemic fund house (Frank- has created a and AMCs with Donald Trump, pleased at the lin Templeton) did situation where a strong foundation, dipping fortunes of news me- AMIT BANDRE take measures to large number of pedigree, market ex- dia, tweeted: “Advertising in meet redemption investors started perience and fund SOCIAL MEDIA GIANTS POACH the Failing New York pressure by way of redeeming from management exper- CONTENTS, BUT DON’T PAY FOR IT Times is WAY down. getting borrowers fixed income funds tise have navigated Washington Post is Products like Google News poach out stories and videos to pre-pay debt, sell- A fund manager through such tem- not much better. I from hundreds of news sites without paying a penny. The fight ing bonds to banks, porary phases,” Bal- can’t say whether this of news networks to get FB and others to pay for what they use and using the credit asubramanian said. is because they are and to seek a fair share of their advertising revenue just got a boost line provided by banks. How- The market is expecting the Fake News sources of in- last Monday when Australia announced it would enforce the sharing ever, with unprecedented RBI to offer a window for mu- formation, or the Virus is formula and a regulatory system to support it. high redemptions from these tual funds if the crisis spills funds, it came to a situation over across the industry. where these were not viable “The negative sentiment EXPRESS READ options anymore,” Morning- around Covid-19 pandemic star said. has created a situation where Akshaya Tritiya gold APSEZ promoters release 37L shares 328 entities opt for RBI moratorium It said that in March alone, a large number of investors these funds cumulatively saw started redeeming from fixed New Delhi: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Mumbai: At least 328 entities across sectors, an estimated net outflow of income funds. Franklin Tem- purchases go online (APSEZ) on Saturday said its promoters Gautam S including State-owned and those backed by big `9,148 crore. For instance, pleton saw the highest out- Adani and Rajesh Adani on behalf of SB Adani conglomerates, have opted for availing the Reserve Adani Group has completed flows, but there are many Family Trust have released pledge on 37.50 lakh Bank’s three-month moratorium on their debt early redemption of bonds more that carry the risk. The BINITA JAISWAL @ Chennai promoted via social media, equity shares held in the company, comprising its repayments, rating agency ICRA said on Saturday. maturing in October 2020 for RBI and SEBI needs to take emails and SMS campaigns. 0.18 per cent holding. The promoter family trust The list includes Air India Express, ONGC Petro `1,180 crore from Franklin. more measures,” said a senior IF top jewellers are to be be- And it has enabled us to build holds 39.34 per cent in APSEZ. Additions, entities from Tata, JSW and GMR groups. While the industry attrib- fund manager. lieved, the pandemic situa- a strong clientele virtually. tion or a nationwide lock- There is a significant rise in down have failed to dampen people who are active on digi- customers’ spirits in the run- tal platforms, especially dur- up to the auspicious Akshaya ing the lockdown,” he added. Tritiya day on April 26. With Tanishq has also been re- SAIL largest domestic crude steel producer in FY20 the stores closed, people are ceiving good number of en- The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) said it has produced 16.15 MT of opting to buy gold online, and quiries and bookings. “Re- crude steel in FY 2019-20, the highest among all steel producers in India. In there has been a significant sponse for our E-Akshaya FY20, SAIL has also achieved the best ever annual sales of 14.5 MT with a rise in visitors on online plat- Tritiya has been positive so growth of 2.8 per cent over the same period the previous year. The company’s forms, they say. far. The number of enquiries strategies to expand its market portfolio also yielded the highest ever exports of Many jewellers have an- and bookings has been going 1.18 MT in FY20, which is an astounding 54 per cent growth over CPLY. nounced new schemes: gold up everyday over the last ownership certificates, week, in the run-up to online gold sale on the April 26. Both tradi- Akshaya Tritiya day tion and investment Banasthali Vidyapith donates `11 lakh to PM CARES Fund but delivery once the value of gold have Banasthali Vidyapith in Rajasthan said it has donated `11 lakh to the Prime Minister lockdown is lifted, dis- been drivers for the CARES Fund to battle the coronavirus spread. Banasthali added that it is committed counts and gold protec- high interest, even to stand firmly with the nation in the challenging time of pandemic. tion schemes. The efforts during periods of great seems to be yielding fruit. uncertainty and anxiety,” According to Kalyan Jewel- said Ajoy Chawla, CEO, Jew- TN Telecom Accounts and Finance Officers’ Welfare Trust lers, the usual organic traffic ellery Division at Titan. contributes `50,000 to Puducherry goverment’s Covid fund DFCCIL undertakes to the website has seen three- For seamless online shop- Covid protection drive fold increase since the intro- ping, Tanishq has strength- CREDAI Odisha carries out corona TN Telecom Accounts and Finance duction of offers. “Online ened its online collection and relief measures in Twin Cities Officers’ Welfare Trust said it has The Dedicated Freight Corridor bookings and traffic clearly deployed specially trained contributed `50,000 to the Covid-19 Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) signifies that consumers are staff for remote serving over The Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ relief fund of Puducherry government. said it held a ‘Covid-19 protection adapting to the idea of pur- live chat and video calls, ena- Associations of India (CREDAI), Odisha, The cheque in this regard was handed special’ drive on April 23 and 24, chasing online the Gold Own- bling many first-time digital distributed Covid relief items to the poor and over to Puducherry Chief Minister V 2020. DFCCIL distributed 500 litres of ership Certificate, which guar- customers to make a suitable helpless from Cuttack and Bhubaneswar during Narayanasamy by managing trustee P sanitisers, 3,000 face masks, 3,000 antees their possession of gold choice online. the lockdown. Food packets containing rice, dal, Santhakumar on Monday. The Trust hand gloves and one lakh wipe papers jewellery, before the auspi- However, jewellers say that flour, biscuits and flattened rice were given to said it has also contributed `2.25 lakh during these days. The company said cious day,” said T S Kalyanara- though digital gold purchases more than 10,000 people. Labourers stranded to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s it has started construction work at man, CMD, Kalyan Jewellers. are growing, people still hesi- at construction sites were provided with food, Public Relief Fund and `1 lakh to the different places wherever local state “The unique initiative is tate to make big purchases. masks and sanitiser liquids. Prime Minister CARES Fund. governments have given the permit. England fast bowler Jofra Archer said Saturday he’d “gone mad” looking for his World Archer loses World Cup Cup winner’s medal after losing the prized piece of silverware while moving house. “I moved flat and the picture is on the new wall but there’s no medal. I turned the winner’s medal house upside down for about a week but I still haven’t managed to find it.”

BENGALURU SUNDAY 11 26 l04l2020 ACTION MISSING, BUT GROUND WORK ON Although COVID-19 has brought sporting activities to a standstill, most cricket venues barring Mohali doing everything they can to keep outfield & pitches in shape

ATREYO MUKHOPADHYAY @ Chennai a few venues. Stadiums with ac- one where maintenance work have had to spend a considera- ble to fungus attacks. Those commodation for groundsmen has stopped due to the lock- ble amount of money and en- working on the grounds keep CRICKET coming to a stand- have been better off. down. Bengaluru’s M Chinnas- ergy to get things back in shape an eye on this and use chemi- still doesn’t mean there is re- Grass being the most impor- wamy Stadium was lying unat- if there was no watering cals to stop such incursions,” prieve for those who maintain tant property of a cricket tended for several weeks until throughout the lockdown peri- said Sujan Mukherjee, the in- grounds. Even if there is no ground, it requires year-long the Karnataka State Cricket od. About 2-3 days back we got charge of Eden Gardens. IPL or other event, the turf has care, which involves watering, Association decided a few days a few workers at the stadium to Eden Gardens, Chennai’s M to be kept in shape and this is mowing, spraying of chemicals ago to make special arrange- do basic maintenance. We will Chidambaram Stadium, Hyder- an around-the-calendar job. when necessary and monitor- ments. In most other places, do what we can with limited re- ebad’s RGIC Stadium and the Barring only peak monsoon, ing at regular intervals. If work is going on. sources because the damages new one in Ahmedabad have the playing arenas in places nothing else can be done, those “Due to the shutdown, no- would be severe if it stops to- groundsmen who stay there. which host international and in charge of these grounds body can access the stadium. tally,” said Vinay Mruthyun- Watering hasn’t been a prob- first-class cricket have to be make sure that watering does All ground maintenance work, jaya, the treasurer of KSCA. lem in these venues during tended to every day. not stop. In case of heavy rain, including watering, has With temperatures soaring, lockdown. Test venues like Ra- The lockdown forced by the attention is paid to ensure the stopped. This is not good for the watering becomes more impor- jkot and Nagpur also have per- COVID-19 pandemic has dis- grass doesn’t suffer because of grass, but because it has been tant. “It has to be done through- sonnel at the stadium to turn rupted this activity almost eve- excessive water. Unless a match raining in these parts, damage out the year except for when it the sprinklers on and off. For rywhere, but not stopped it or season is approaching, pitch- caused by this should still be rains. If watering isn’t ade- Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai completely. With minimal staff, es don’t need much work less compared to other parts of MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is among those under regular maintenance quate, grass turns yellow and and Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla, basic work is going on, al- Of the prominent interna- the country,” said Ajay Tyagi, gradually dies. In certain plac- officials have had to make ar- though authorities have had to tional venues in India, the IS apex council member of the The KSCA was apprehending managed for a few persons to es depending on climate and rangements for workers to go make special arrangements is Bindra Stadium in Mohali is Punjab Cricket Association. serious damage, until officials stay at the stadium. “We may other factors, grass is suscepti- there and do the needful.

EXPRESS READ Takeme making most West Indies flexible with England tour of extended Spain stay LONDON: Cricket West Indies have said they are “flexible” about rearranging their tour of AYANTAN CHOWDHURY @ New Delhi England but will not risk their players’ health just to complete GETTING stuck away from home amid the ongoing COV- a three-Test series. The fixtures ID-19 pandemic is a scary thought in itself. For India No 14 were all due to take place in Takeme Sarkar, the circumstances are far worse as she was June but Friday saw the ECB stranded in Spain after the country went under lockdown. extend the delay to the start of With the growing death rate over there, Takeme’s first for- its season until July 1. English eign trip has been nothing short of a nightmare. officials remain hopeful they The Railways paddler had slowly been coming back from can reschedule all international a ligament injury she suffered in 2017 and made ripples in fixtures in a programme that the national circuit, winning the team gold at the last Senior also includes three more Tests Nationals. This helped her get her a training stint with Ho- against Pakistan and white- tel Patria Chica Museo Priego Tm, a club in the Spanish ball matches against Australia League. Takeme even got to play two league matches as well and Ireland. and then the coronavirus struck. She arrived in Spain on February 25 and was scheduled to depart on March 24. “It was a great opportunity for me to train overseas, learn Former Pak women’s different styles and improve my overall game. But obviously, captain retires the stint had to be cut short but my club has supported me immensely after international flights to KARACHI: Former Pakistan India were shut down,” she told this dai- women’s captain Sana Mir ly over the phone from Malaga. announced her retirement from From arranging accommodation in an international cricket Saturday apartment right above the club premises after a glittering career that to daily food, the club has gone over and saw her become the most beyond to make the 28-year-old feel as successful female spinner in safe as possible. And Takeme feels the ODIs. The 34-year-old took the overall experience has not deterred her top spot in women’s ODI from venturing to foreign lands in the fu- rankings in 2018 and helmed ture as well. “The people are really the team that took home gold friendly and I would love to come back. NOBODY TO CHEER from the 2010 and 2014 Asian Not many female players have actually Taiwan’s five-team Chinese Professional Baseball League is underway in New Taipei City, with spectators being barred entry into the stadium | AP Games. Her rise dovetailed ventured outside and that was added motivation for me to with the growth in sporting take the plunge. But maybe after I have stayed at home for opportunities for Pakistani some time at least,” she added sheepishly. women, who were not allowed The RSPB athlete’s phone is inundated with calls and mes- to play in open fields in the sages from her parents who stay in Siliguri. And despite the conservative Islamic country club’s best efforts, they have not stopped worrying for their Virus will hit transfer spend: United until the early 2000s. daughter. “I tried to explain to the coach over here that it is useless to ask Indian parents to stop worrying. That is their AP @ Manchester revenue in the first half of the cial picture, before we can talk pounds this summer seems to favourite pastime! They read about the death toll and being season. about a return to normality.” ignore the realities that face IOC gives $25m more tensed is quite normal. Even for me, I had to stop reading MANCHESTER United vice That will impact the finances The summer transfer win- the sport,” Woodward said. to cover Olympic cost newspapers after the constant stream of bad news.” chairman Ed Woodward has available to spend on Ole Gun- dow usually runs through July United is paying its staff in But it has not been only gloom and doom. This extended told fans there will be reduced nar Solskjaer’s squad. “Nobody and August — but the season full, while most players at Pre- TOKYO: The International stay has actually given Takeme the time to learn cooking spending on players as the enti­ should be under any illusions will stretch beyond June 30 if it mier League rival Arsenal are Olympic Committee is and she has managed to rustle up Bengali dishes for her club re football industry deals with abo­ut the scale of challenge fa­ can resume, impacting when taking a 12.5% salary cut and allocating more than $25 mates and coaches to enjoy. Players from Belarus, Japan and the financial consequences of c­ing everyone in football and deals will be allowed. the Southampton and West million to cover extra athlete Spain have tasted Bengali style chicken curry, luchi, parotta. the coronavirus pandemic. it may not be ‘business as One of the biggest piec- Ham squads are deferring pay. and team costs related to the “The food here is nice but for a Bengali foodie, you need English Premier League ga­ usual’ for any clubs, in- es of transfer specula- “Of course, everyone is grap- one-year postponement of the some extra masala and spice kick and they were pleasantly m­es have not been played for cluding ourselves, in tion during the lock- pling with the economic reali- Tokyo Games. The IOC said an surprised after tasting my dishes. Even I was quite shocked more than six weeks and stadi- the transfer market this down period without ties of the pandemic and we are extra $15 million will go to a to see that I’m quite a decent cook. My mother has been ums are due to be closed to fans summer,” Woodward live sport has been over no different,” Woodward said. program helping 1,600 pushing me to learn basic cooking and I’m quite glad that when the season resumes in said in a conference call whether United can sign “So the longer the crisis contin- athletes from 185 less well- when I go home, I can actually surprise her,” she added with June at the earliest. with 12 fan representatives Tottenham striker Harry ues the greater the impact will funded countries prepare for a laugh. It could be several months be- on Friday. Kane. Without naming Kane, be for every club, including the games in 2021.More than Takeme has been in touch with the Indian embassy in fore social distancing restricti­ “As ever, our priority is the Woodward alluded to reports ourselves.” $10 million is available for Spain and has a flight booked for May 11. But till the Indian ons are eased to allow support- su­ccess of the team, but we ne­ of a potential deal worth 200 United is fifth in the Premier national Olympic bodies to government decides when to resume flight operations, she ers back into games, dealing a ed visibility of the impact ac­ million pounds. “I cannot help League with nine games rema­ cover additional operational is stuck there. “The first thing that I will do once I reach significant financial blow to ross the whole industry, includ- feeling that speculation around i­ning, three points behind Ch­e­ costs such as travel and Kolkata is order two plates of biriyani for myself ! Till then, United, which generated more ing timings of the transfer transfers of individual players l­sea in the fourth Champions accommodation for officials I will have to keep myself strong and hope for the best.” than $68 million in matchday wi­ndow, and the wider finan- for hundreds of millions of League qualification place. for the postponed Games. TARGET LOCKED Dingko airlifted to Delhi Sailor Harshita looks to bulk up for Tokyo qualifier

FIROZ MIRZA @ Chennai manoeuvre the boat,” Harshita At the moment, Harshita is told this daily from her home- busy attending online classes MOST athletes are worried town Bhopal. arranged by the YAI for its sail- about weight gain these days as GL Yadav, chief coach of the ors. “Around 100 sailors from the lockdown has restricted National Sailing School (NSS), across the country attend the them to the confines of their Bhopal, where Harshita trains, classes every alternate day. Na- homes without many options informed his ward has been tional coach Tomasz Janusze- Boxer Dingko Singh (centre) after his arrival in New Delhi on Saturday for physical exercises. But not given a diet chart to gain mus- wski of Poland does a presenta- sailor Harshita Tomar! She is, cle. “It is something that she tion, shows us videos apart EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Chennai ambulance service to our na- in fact, doing exactly the oppo- has been doing before the lock- from taking questions. The tional hero and fly him to Del- site to ensure she remains fit down. She has to put on addi- classes deal with issues like AILING boxer Dingko Singh hi for treatment. We wish him for the Olympic qualifier. tional weight and develop mus- physical and mental fitness was flown to Delhi from Im- a speedy recovery,” said Ajay The Madhya Pradesh sailor, cular power as well to counter apart from nutrition and hy- phal by a specially arranged Singh, chairman and manag- who had won bronze in the 2018 the wind pressure on the sails. dration, both on and off the wa- air ambulance service on Sat- ing director of SpiceJet. He is Asian Games in the open laser Sailors are required to ma- ter,” added Tomar. urday. The 1998 Asian Games also the president of Boxing 4.7 category, has already gained noeuvre their boats with great Chennai’s Nethra Kumanan champion is battling liver Federation of India (BFI). around 6-7kg and is looking to strength. Every boat demands became the first Indian woman cancer and needs treatment. The 41-year-old Dingko and put on an additional 6-7kg to standard weight for its sailor The 17-year-old sailor was a berths in laser radial class. sailor to win a World Cup med- With the civil aviation system his wife Ngangom Babai Devi stay in her best shape for the and for Harshita’s boat, it is part of the Indian contingent “We reached along with our al when she bagged laser radial not functional due to the lock- reached Delhi at around 6.15 Olympic qualifier. around 65kg. A dedicated phys- that reached Abu Dhabi to com- sailing equipment in February bronze earlier this year. Tomar down, SpiceJet came forward pm. From the airport, they “I compete in laser radial iotherapist is also working pete in the Asian Champion- but the event got postponed. I and Kumanan are India’s hopes to help Dingko by operating were taken to the Institute of class and the boat I sail means with her to ensure she stays fit ships before it was postponed returned to India on March 10 as far as Olympic qualification the special flight. Liver and Biliary Sciences in my weight needs to be 60-plus. for the upcoming events,” said due to the pandemic. The cham- and have to undergo mandato- of sailors is concerned. “The “I am happy to share that an ambulance. An Arjuna aw­ When I won the Asiad medal, I Yadav, who is also a member of pionship scheduled to begin on ry self-isolation as a precau- outbreak has affected our prep- Dingko, our champion boxer, ard winner and Padma Shri, was around 47kg but sails of the Sailing Performance and March 15 was also a qualifying tionary measure. I was think- arations and training but it’s has reached Delhi and has Dingko has had a relapse of that boat were different. Now, Development Committee event for the Tokyo Games as ing of training in Mumbai but the same for all. I am optimistic been taken to hospital for li­ver cancer. Noted boxers in- they are bigger, which means I (SPDC) of the Yachting Asso- top-two finishers would have that is out of the question now,” I will give my best when the treatment. SpiceJet is hon- cluding Vijender Singh, Ma­n­ need to be physically strong to ciation of India (YAI). been guaranteed Olympic the sailor said. competition resumes.” oured to have provided its air oj Kumar have offered help. Facebook has not abandoned its plans to serve ads on Japanese video game company Nintendo has admitted WhatsApp. Users may see these ads on the platform after that over 1,60,000 user accounts were compromised Facebook completes its multi-year effort to link all its recently where hackers took the login IDs and passwords social media platforms, said a report in The Information. and the company is notifying those who were affected.

BENGALURU SUNDAY 12 26 042020 newindianexpress com

This image resembling a cosmic version of an Court agrees undersea world was released on Friday to commemorate the Hubble Space Telescope’s Facebook’s 30 years of viewing the wonders of space Cotton, chiffon COSMIC REEF $5 billion fine In this Hubble portrait, the giant red nebula and silk, best with FTC (NGC 2014) and its smaller blue neighbour (NGC 2020) are part of a vast IT’S OFFICIAL star-forming region in the fabric for masks Large Magellanic Cloud, a SAN FRANCISCO: US regula- satellite galaxy of the A layer of cotton combined with two chiffon tors on Friday welcomed a “his- Milky Way toric” $5 billion settlement sheets filtered 80% of aerosol particles with Facebook over data pri- vacy as the social network said it was already implementing FILE AS GOOD AS N95 flow rate corresponding to a the provisions of the deal. person’s respiration at rest, The deal between the leading WASHINGTON: As people re- and the research team meas- social network and the US Fed- sort to making their own cloth ured the number and size of eral Trade Commission be- 30 YEARS OF HUBBLE masks due to shortage of surgi- particles in air before and after came official with the approval NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope celebrated 30 years of its launch on Friday. To cal and N95 varieties in the passing through the fabric. Thursday of a federal judge. mark the historic day, the US space agency unveiled a stunning new portrait wake of the Covid-19 pandem- The scientists found that one Along with the fine, the set- of a firestorm of starbirth in a neighbouring galaxy. We take a look at some ic, a new study says a combina- layer of a tightly woven cotton tlement announced last July of the most famous images captured by the telescope tion of cotton with natural silk sheet combined with two layers requires the social media giant or chiffon can filter out aerosol of polyester-spandex chiffon, a to ramp up privacy protections; DISTANCE particles provided that the sheer fabric often used in even- provide detailed quarterly re- mask fits well. ing gowns, filtered out the most ports on compliance with the According to the research- aerosol particles — 80-99 per deal, and have an independent  The blue ers, including those from the cent, depending on particle oversight board. areas in NGC University of Chicago, SARS- size. They said the perfor- Some privacy activists had 1,63,000 2014 reveal CoV-2, the new coronavirus mance of these fabric layers the glow of challenged the deal claiming it light-years away from us that causes Covid-19, is thought was close to that of an N95 let off Facebook too easy after oxygen, heated to spread mainly through res- mask material. the Cambridge Analytica scan-  The image is nicknamed to 11,000°C by the piratory droplets when an in- According to the study, sub- dal that allowed the hijacking the ‘Cosmic Reef’, blast of ultraviolet fected person coughs, stituting the chiffon with of personal data of millions of because NGC 2014 light. The cooler, red sneezes, speaks or natural silk or flannel, or users ahead of the 2016 US pres- resembles part of a coral gas indicates the breathes. They said simply using a cotton idential election. reef floating in a vast presence of hydrogen these droplets form in quilt with cotton-polyes- FTC chairman Joe Simons sea of stars and nitrogen MONKEY HEAD NEBULA a wide range of sizes, ter batting, produced said in a statement he was The image depicts a collection but the tiniest ones, similar results. “pleased” with the court ap- of carved knots of gas and dust called aerosols, can easi- The researchers said  NGC 2020 has been created by a solitary mammoth star proval, pointing out it was the in a small portion of the Monkey ly slip through the openings tightly woven fabrics, such as 2,00,000 times brighter than our Sun largest monetary penalty ever Head Nebula (NGC 2174 and between certain cloth fibers, cotton, can act as a mechanical obtained by consumer protec-  The blue gas was ejected by the star through a series of eruptive events Sharpless Sh2-252). The prime leading some experts to doubt barrier to particles, whereas tion agency. during which it lost part of its outer envelope of material source of energy in the nebula is if cloth masks can actually fabrics that hold a static charge, “At the same time, the court HD 42088, a massive, hot star help prevent disease. like certain types of chiffon also highlights that the conduct outside the Hubble image field In the study, published in the and natural silk, serve as an relief included in this settle- EAGLE NEBULA PILLARS DISTANCE journal ACS Nano, the scien- electrostatic barrier. ment will require Facebook ‘to DISTANCE tists assessed the ability of However, even a small gap, by consider privacy at every stage One of The pillars are dense light-years common fabrics, alone or in as much as one per cent, re- of its operations and provide Hubble Space clouds of molecular away light- combination, to filter out aero- duced the filtering efficiency of substantially more transpar- Telescope’s hydrogen gas and from our years sols similar in size to respira- all masks by half or more. ency and accountability for its most famous dust that have planet away tory droplets. “Our studies also imply that executives’ privacy-related de- images, these survived longer than 7,000 They used an aerosol mixing gaps can result in over a 60 per cisions,” Simons said. towers of gas their surroundings in This is not Hubble’s first 6,400 chamber to produce particles cent decrease in the filtration The agreement goes beyond and dust in the face of a flood of image of the iconic Eagle As the interstellar dust ranging from 10 nanometres to efficiency, implying the need measures required by US law the Eagle UV light from hot, Nebula, but it is the most particles are warmed from the 6 micrometres in diameter, for future cloth mask design and should “serve as a roadmap Nebula (M16) massive newborn detailed. The blue colours radiation from the stars in the which is tens to hundreds of studies to take into account is- for more comprehensive priva- are known as stars (located at the represent oxygen, red is centre of the nebula, they heat times smaller than the width sues of ‘fit’ and leakage, while cy regulation,” Facebook chief the ‘Pillars of top edge of the sulphur and green represents up and begin to glow at of a single human hair. allowing the exhaled air to vent privacy officer Michel Protti Creation’ picture) both nitrogen and hydrogen SOURCE: NASA infrared wavelengths A fan blew the aerosol across efficiently,” the scientists wrote said in a blog post. various cloth samples at an air- in the study. FACT OF THE MATTER Pet adoption rises FDA nod for at-home Covid-19 test kit Hawking’s will Don’s video to GREEN-LIGHT across the country. It costs $119 Schechter, president and CEO in the US. of LabCorp said that its at- thumbprint stay on Twitter during pandemic WASHINGTON: In a major de- “This is a test where under home collection kits are de- velopment, the US Food and certain circumstances with signed to make it easier and Drug Administration (FDA) doctor supervision, a test can safer to test healthcare workers FOSTERING ANIMALS much as 10-fold in the past has approved the first at-home be mailed to a patient, and the and first responders during two weeks. Covid-19 test kit, which is ex- patient can perform the self- this important time. NEW YORK: Problems with Emily Lowe adopted two pected to bring coronavirus swab and then mail it back and The authorisation permits supply and demand during dogs from Muddy Paws after testing to the doorsteps of eve- get the results after that time nasal swab specimens to be col- the coronavirus pandemic her roommate moved out of ry household. all under the guidance of a li- lected at home using the test have led to shortages not only New York City because of The first at-home test kit has censed physician,” FDA Com- home collection kit if recom- of items such as hand sani- concerns over Covid-19. been developed by LabCorp, a missioner Stephen M Hahn mended by a healthcare provid- SCIENCE HERO DISINFECTANT POSTS tiser and toilet paper, but in “This is a time in my life US company which has a net- told reporters. er after completing a Covid-19 many places, also in pets when I have the resources to work of medical laboratories Earlier this week, Adam questionnaire, LabCorp said. tephen Hawking, one of witter has refused to re- available for adoption. give a little extra care and Sthe world’s best-known Tmove controversial vid- Sarah Brasky, the founder love to a rescue,” she said. physicists, has left behind eos posted by US President and executive director of Fos- But those cages are not £16.3 million in a will which Donald Trump that suggest ter Dogs Inc, a New York- empty just because on an he signed with a thumb- infecting disinfectant and based nonprofit that increase in demand, print due to his motor neu- use ultraviolet or “very helps dogs get out of said Kitty Block, the ron disease. Hawking, who powerful” light inside the shelters and into foster chief executive direc- died in Cambridge aged 76 body to treat Covid-19. Twit- homes for their safety, tor of the Humane So- in 2018, put the large for- ter, however, has blocked said the demand for dogs ciety of the United tune in a trust fund for his hashtag trends around in- from her organisation is at States three children and three jecting disinfectant. “If an all time high. An initial surge nationally grandchildren and also be- Tweets or Trends about “Shelter dogs are really in adoptions during the pan- queathed £10,000 to his loy- #COVID19 include a call to winning in this entire corona- demic has leveled off, as coro- al personal assistant Judith action that could potentially virus experience,” she said. navirus-related restrictions Croasdell, 71, according to a cause someone harm, they “It’s a strange phenomenon have led to shelters taking in report in The Sun. A legal will be removed,” tweeted because there was always in- only the most at-risk animals. note to go with the will Twitter communications. terest in fostering and rescue National statistics show notes: “Signed with his “We will not require every but now it is exploding.” adoptions actually are down ‘mark’ because although Tweet that contains incom- Last year at this time, her from a year ago, she said. able to read the will he is plete or disputed informa- organisation had applications But there is a concern that prevented by physical disa- tion about #COVID19 to be from about 140 people per as the pandemic wanes there bility from signing it.” The removed. As an open ser- month. That has risen to will be a corresponding rise 13-page will was signed in vice, this is not scalable and about 3,000, Brasky said. in surrendered pets. 2007 with his thumb be- limits active discussion,” Muddy Paws Rescue, anoth- “When people start going cause of his battle with mo- the micro-blogging plat- er New York nonprofit, re- back to work, there may not tor neurone disease. form added. ported shelters they work be as many available foster with are either all out of or homes,” said James Bias, ex- almost out of cats and dogs ecutive director of the Con- GASTRONOMICAL DELIGHT Facebook takes on Zoom after applications surged as necticut Humane Society, Rabbits gobbling their daily greens at the Regional Science Centre in Tirupati on Saturday | MADHAV K MESSENGER ROOMS VIRTUAL BEE larmed at the popularity of Zoom in social distancing Atimes that allows up to 100 people to join a video meeting from the comfort of their homes, Facebook on Friday an- nounced Messenger Rooms that will allow group video calls Ex-speller siblings to have their own competition online of up to 50 people. In Facebook Messenger Rooms, the users can post links in their News BATTLE OF WORDS tional Spelling Bee will be con- And the creators are confi- ing its bee into an online event Feed or in Groups or event pag- tested the same week as the dent that, unlike Scripps last but on Tuesday announced its es. When a room is created, any- WASHINGTON: The US Na- Scripps Bee was scheduled this year, they’ll end up with a sin- conclusion that going virtual one can join via their browser, tional Spelling Bee finals were year, concluding on May 28. gle champion. would be too difficult logisti- though hosts can opt to “lock” cancelled last week due to the The competition will see a “Obviously I don’t think cally and would not be true to rooms to new guests to prevent coronavirus pandemic. similar format of a written we’re going to replace Scripps. the spirit of its live, in-person party crashers. “We’re rolling The finals of the world’s pre- spelling and vocabulary test We’re not going to get on ESPN competition. out a new product called Mes- mier contest tackling some of followed by oral spelling. any time soon,” said 17-year-old It is the first time since World senger Rooms, the first video the English language’s most ob- The champion will receive Shourav Dasari of The Wood- War II that the national finals chat designed with social inter- scure words were scheduled to $2,500 — far short of Scripps’ lands, Texas, who founded have been cancelled after they actions in mind,” Facebook be held late May at National $50,000, but clearly worth a SpellPundit with his 19-year- were first held in 1925. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a statement. Marred by pri- Harbor, Maryland. middle-schooler’s time and ef- old sister, Shobha. The Scripps National Spell- vacy and security issues, Zoom has surpassed 300 million However, an online spelling fort. More than 200 spellers The siblings, both ex-spell- ing Bee is the latest in a grow- daily users globally, a 50 per cent increase over the 200 mil- bee has been launched by two have already registered, includ- ers, decided to host a bee when ing list of sporting and cultural lion users it had last month and significantly more than the Texas teenagers is offering a ing the majority of still-eligible it became apparent that Scripps events to be called off due to 10 million members it had at the end of 2019. consolation prize of sorts. spellers from last year’s top 50 Shourav Dasari during the Scripps would likely postpone or can- the growing novel coronavirus The SpellPundit Online Na- at Scripps. National Spelling Bee finals in 2017 | AP cel. Scripps considered rework- pandemic.