Fully, Says Wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic, After India Reported 1,68,912 New Ganesha

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SOCIAL OBLIGATION BJD-BJP BLAME GAME ON IRAN N-SITE SABOTAGE Vidya Balan reminds fans to wear masks The BJD and the BJP indulge in a blame Iran blames Israel for sabotage attack on its nuke to face the second wave of game over pre-election facility that damaged the centrifuges used for enriching uranium the pandemic LEISURE | P2 violence in Pipli DOWNTOWN | P3 INTERNATIONAL | P10

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 13 | www.orissapost.com BHUBANESWAR | TUESDAY, APRIL 13 | 2021 12 PAGES | `4.00 IRREGULAR by MANJUL Sputnik set for India launch

AGENCIES emergency use authorisation for two COVID-19 vaccines -- Covaxin of Bharat New Delhi, April 12: The Russian Biotech and Covishield of Oxford- Direct Investment Fund said Monday AstraZeneca, being manufactured by it is "awaiting imminently" the rec- Serum Institute of India in Pune. ommendation by the Subject Expert Sputnik V has demonstrated an ef- Committee (SEC) of India's Central ficacy rate of 91.6 per cent in the in- Drugs Standard Control Organisation terim analysis of phase 3 clinical trial, People know you very well, sir. CANCER CARE (CDSCO) to approve the use of the which included data on 19,866 volun- You announced ‘no lockdown’ and they Russian Sputnik V vaccine against teers in Russia. PTI PLB The RDIF, have started preparing for one! coronavirus in the country. Russia's sovereign wealth fund, re- The comment by RDIF came amid recently announced the results of a UNITS IN BHUB ports that India has approved the YouGov survey with 9,417 respondents Sputnik vaccine. "RDIF confirms it is from 9 countries on their vaccine pref- POST NEWS NETWORK pital and `130 crore to the MARKET WATCH awaiting imminently the recommen- erences and country of preference in palliative care centre. The dation by the Subject Expert Committee terms of vaccine production. According Bhubaneswar, April 12: The government will provide 20 INDEX VARIATION (SEC) of Central Drugs Standard to the survey, 54 per cent of respondents state cabinet headed by Chief acres for each of the two Control Organization (CDSCO) of India who selected a country they trust to Minister Naveen Patnaik projects. Union Minister SENSEX 47883.38 1707.94 to approve the use of the Russian produce a vaccine, considered Russia Monday approved ten pro- Dharmendra Pradhan Sputnik V vaccine against coronavirus India overtakes Brazil State govt demands 10 the most trusted vaccine producer posals including establish- thanked them for their ges- BOURSES NIFTY 14310.80 524.10 in India," RDIF told IANS. The expert alongside the US and leaving the UK ment of two specialized can- ture. Sri Shankara Cancer DOLLAR 75.85 `0.07 panel has recommended granting ap- in number of cases days’ Covishield stock behind, when asked to choose the 3 cer care units in Care Foundation would run proval to Sputnik V for emergency use NEW DELHI: India Monday surpassed BHUBANESWAR: The state government countries they trusted the most to Bhubaneswar. the cancer hospital while EURO 89.66 `0.02 in the country with certain conditions, produce a vaccine. A 500-bed cancer hospital Karunashraya Hospice CURRENCY Brazil to become the second worst hit urged the Centre to provide at least 10 sources said. The panel Monday took Sputnik V, the world's first regis- and a 100-bed Trusts will GOLD `46,484 `109 country from COVID-19 with a record days’ stock of Covishield vaccine to contin- up the application of Dr Reddy's daily spike of 1,68,912 new infections as ue the vaccination programme in the tered vaccine against coronavirus, is palliative CABINET DECISION manage the SILVER `66,220 `763 Laboratories seeking emergency use au- several states including West Bengal wit- state. Health Minister Naba Kishore Das the most recognizable one - over 7 in 10 care unit will be set up in palliative care unit. The hos- BULLION thorisation for Sputnik V. nessed the biggest surge since the out- wrote to Union Health Minister Harsh (74 per cent) of those surveyed have Info Valley area. Chief pitals will be named as— The Drugs Controller General of break of the pandemic prompting authori- Vardhan Monday. “Odisha is facing a cri- heard of the Russian vaccine. Sputnik Secretary Suresh Mahapatra Bagchi-Karunashraya India (DCGI) will take a final call on the ties to impose new curbs. According to sis due to extremely low and erratic supply V is also among Top-2 most preferred said Subroto Bagchi and his Palliative Care Centre and WEATHER recommendation. If approved, it will the Johns Hopkins University data, India of COVID-19 vaccines to the state. Urgently vaccines, just after the one produced by wife Susmita have pledged Bagchi-Sri Shankara Cancer BHUB CTK be the third COVID-19 vaccine to be with a total of 1,35,27,717 cases pushed supply 10 days’ stock of Covishield (25 lakh Pfizer/BioNTech. `340 crore for the two proj- Hospital & Research Centre. available in India. The vaccine would Brazil to the the third spot. The Latin doses) as an emergency measure to plan The survey was conducted between ects to be run in partner- However, the couple will not MAX 38.9° 37.0° be imported from Russia for emer- American country had a tally of session and undertake the vaccination February 18 and March 3 by YouGov, ship with two Bangalore- have any involvement and 1,34,82,023 cass while the US has the programme effectively,” Das said. MORE P4 TEMP MIN 25.6° 25.0° gency use in the country, they said. the leading UK-based company in mar- based charitable oversight with regard to op- Forecast In September last year, Dr Reddy's highest number at 3,11,98,055. ket research and data analytics in organisations. eration of the facilities to Humidity 77% 88% Partly partnered with the Russian Direct clinical trials of Sputnik V and for its The Drugs Controller General of Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, The couple has decided to avoid conflict of interest,

Rainfall Nil Nil cloudy sky Investment Fund (RDIF) to conduct distribution rights in India. India (DCGI) has already given the North Africa and Europe. donate `210 crore to the hos- sources said. MORE P4

k y m c P2 MONAGHAN PROUD TO BE PART ‘TRAVOLTA IS LAST MOVIE STAR TUESDAY | APRIL 13 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR OF MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE SERIES OF HOLLYWOOD’S GOLDEN AGE’ Actress Michelle Monaghan is proud to be part of Actress Margaret Cho says she loved sharing the Mission: Impossible franchise. Talking about screen space with John Travolta in John Woo’s 1997 her love for the series, she said: “I’m as much a fan action superhit Face/Off, adding that she considers as I am proud to be working in it. Tom (Cruise) is an the actor the ‘last movie star’. Travolta the ‘last

y extraordinary actor and a great friend. As long as movie star’ of Hollywood’s golden age, says CHo,

he keeps going, we’ll keep watching.” who played the role of Wanda in the film.

k y m leisure c FORTUNE FORECAST List of other ‘Mask’erade is not notable winners NOMADLAND Best Film: Nomadland Best actor: Anthony over yet for Vidya ARIES Hopkins(The Father) If you're looking to get Best Actress: Frances married, buy the ring McDormand sweeps BAFTA awards Mumbai: Actress Vidya Balan photograph of herself on today. But before you Monday reminded fans to wear Instagram. take the leap, weigh all Best Cinematography: Chloe Zhao THE WHITE TIGER ACTOR ADARSH GOURAV masks amid the ongoing second Vidya’s advice to netizens comes the pros and cons carefully, says wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, after India reported 1,68,912 new Ganesha. All in all, this may be a day Best Director: Chloe LOSES TO LEGENDARY ANTHONY HOPKINS which has badly affected Covid-19 cases over the last 24 filled with activities related to your rela- Zhao tionship and by the time the day ends, Maharashtra. hours, setting another grim one-day you may be on cloud nine! Best Animation: Soul London: The Frances McDormand- role in The Father, surprising many “Let’s not forget that the record. Best Original Score: Jon starrer Hollywood drama who had expected the late Chadwick ‘Mask’erade is not The actress recently took a sar- Batiste, Trent Reznor, Nomadland was the big winner at Boseman to walk away with the ho- over yet,” castic jibe at bodyshamers on so- TAURUS Atticus Ross the 74th British Academy for Film nour in the category, for his role in Vidya cial media. This is one of those Best supporting actress: and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. wrote, On World Health Day, she wrote dreadful days when you Yuh-Jung Young(Minari) held at Royal Albert Hall Sunday Indian actress Priyanka Chopra with a on Instagram: “People always turn could be unduly touchy night, winning four trophies. Indian Jonas was among the presenters around and tell me that your weight and short tempered, Best supporting actor: Daniel Kaluuya(Judas actor Adarsh Gourav, who was this year along with Sophie is equivalent to your health but fears Ganesha. Don't go around getting nominated in the Best Actor cat- into fights and quarrels with anyone And The Black Messiah) Cookson, Phoebe Dynevor, Chiwetel your weight should be a part of egory for his role in The White Ejiofor, Hugh Grant, Richard E. your health and not its identity who seems unfriendly or ill mannered. Outstanding British Tiger lost to the legendary Grant, Tom Hiddleston, Felicity - Happy World Health Day. You will only end up in spoiling some Film: Promising Young healthy relationships. Woman Anthony Hopkins. Jones, Jonathan Pryce, Rose Byrne, #worldhealthday.” The 83-year-old veteran Anna Kendrick and Renee Vidya will next be seen Original Screenplay: Hopkins won for his Zellweger amongst others. in Sherni, for which she Promising Young has been shooting in GEMINI Woman Today, your house gets a Madhya Pradesh. The facelift — a new rug, Outstanding Debut By A Nomination equivalent film, directed by Amit matching cushion covers, British Writer: Remi Masurkar, casts or a brand new kitchen. Weekes(His House) to winning: Adarsh her as a forest This will take up most of your time. First, you BAFTA Rising Star will be busy furnishing and setting up your officer. home, and then you will spend your time trophy: Bukky Bakray New Delhi: Indian actor Adarsh Gourav IANS flaunting it to your friends, relatives, neigh- Film Not In The English earned global spotlight with his nomina- bours, bosses, colleagues, acquaintances. Language: Thomas tion at the 74th BAFTA awards for his per- Vinterberg(Another formance of Balram Halwai in The White CANCER Round) Tiger, in the Leading Actor category. Although Best Documentary he did not win, he is not upset. Adarsh was Your strange and uncon- award: My Octopus in competition with veteran names such as ventional behaviour Anthony Hopkins, the late Chadwick doesn't always go down Teacher well with many people. Best Editing category: Boseman, Riz Ahmed, Mads Mikkelsen and If you think you are different, and maybe Sound Of Metal Tahar Rahim. The veteran Hopkins won for even better than others, it is advisable his role in The Father. Getting nominated with that you keep it under the wraps. The BAFTA Fellowship such names is as good as a win, says Adarsh, award: Ang Lee reason being that most people may not who says he had no expectations. be able to understand you.

LEO INDIAN LEGENDS REMEMBERED Some people have the London: Rishi Kapoor and Irrfan ing the past year, including actors, world at their feet. And ‘Don’t lose your originality’ today, you are one of Khan were among late screen icons writers, directors, and technicians. them, says Ganesha. who were given tributes along with Irrfan’s name was accompanied by With your gorgeous appearance and gre- Sean Connery, Kirk Douglas and a dialogue from his 2012 Hollywood Mumbai: Actor Nawazuddin that is interesting and original, I garious attitude, it is easy for you to Chadwick Boseman, at the show film Life Of Pi. Siddiqui says that aspiring actors would want to see that,” he said. open all doors with just a touch. So, you held in the Royal Albert Hall Other late artistes who were re- need to make sure they have their The actor adds that stars are have the luxury to choose — either you entertain yourself through multiple Sunday night. membered in the video included Ian unique style while entering show- now moving to OTT because films avenues such as movies, theatre and The tribute, in the form of a video Holm and Barbara Windsor, and the biz, adding that if they intend to are not being released in theatres. music, or you be the entertainer with clip, was a homage paid to over 40 video ended with a tribute to Black copy the superstars, they will “In the beginning, it was your superior performing skills. artistes the world of screen lost dur- Panther star Chadwick Boseman. not be liked by the audi- because of cause and ence. passion. Now, be- “I would just like cause of the lock- VIRGO to say from my down and films A shadow grows large Odia film Kalira Atita invited for NY screening experience that not releasing in your mind today. An you should not in theatres, unknown fear will lose your orig- these big haunt your day, warns Mumbai: Filmmaker Nila Madhab film will certainly help more dialogues inality. These stars are Ganesha. But be ready to take a hike. You are most likely to end up spending Panda’s Odia film Kalira Atita is all set to on the impact of climate change, as it superstars do coming to on your foreign associates. Be careful of be screened at Cornell University’s film is based on true events in Odisha,” fake acting, so OTT. That is those expenses, says Ganesha. society, Cornell Cinema, at New York. Panda said. don’t get car- not a good In addition to the screening, the film- Kalira Atita is a film about villages ried away with thing. Now maker will also conduct a webinar with the being consumed by the sea because of it. I want to see there are big LIBRA students and faculty of the institute to climate change and rising sea levels. The your original act- OTT platforms Nothing comes for free discuss climate change and its drastic im- film was submitted for the Oscars and ing. If you are acting that are taking — keep this in mind as plications, topics that the film focuses on. was also screened at the Indian Panorama like a superstar, why these big stars. Why you may have to pay “I am happy that the film is being section of the 51st International Film would I watch you. If you didn’t these stars come your dues for the suc- screened at Cornell University. The Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. IANS show something good, something before?” he added. IANS cess you desire today, especially if it is a new project that you have undertaken. Be prepared to invest a considerable amount of time and effort in your endeavours. SUDOKU SCORPIO PEANUTS post To solve the Sudoku puzzle, fill in the boxes in such a Your energy levels are CROSSWORD manner that every row, column and 3x3 box contains high as you as you gear the digits 1 to 9, without repeating any. up for new events. However, there are chances that these events may not meet your expectations. But, don't lose hope and get disappointed.

SAGITTARIUS Remember that actions always speak louder than words. You will, in all probability, finish your work that has been seeking your attention for long now. You shall also successfully bring continuing disputes to the table and resolve them logically. CALVIN AND HOBBES CAPRICORN The journey from defeat to success is driven by optimism. You will be very optimistic today — about your work, future and everything that can lead you to success, says Ganesha. You SOLUTIONS will also be very careful while dealing with day-to-day work, and will capitalise on every opportunity that can get you a step closer to your goals. Determination and good luck is all you need to realise your dreams; you will have both today.

AQUARIUS Things barely move today. But just like the proverbial tortoise, you BREVITY seem to be winning the CROSSWORD race, for many opportunities will come your way. There won't be any cash crunch, so you needn't lose sleep over that, says Ganesha.

y PISCES

k y m The focus will be on chil- c dren today, says Ganesha. While they will be the cause of an unfair share of your headache, you will be surprised at

their ability to step up to the occasion, with CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW SUDOKU just a little amount of coaching. IN MEMORIAM COVID-19 TRACKER P3 TUESDAY | APRIL 13 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR Members of Gangadhar INFECTED RECOVERED DEAD Meher Jayanti Committee World 13,67,34,601 10,99,71,395 29,51,420 pay floral tributes to the legendary poet on his India 1,35,27,717 1,21,56,529 1,70,179 death anniversary near

downtown Nalco Square in Odisha 3,51,302 3,40,600 1,928

k y m Bhubaneswar, Monday c BJP-BJD blame game over pre-poll violence 1,000 ARMED COPS POST NEWS NETWORK DEPLOYED IN PIPLI Bhubaneswar, April 12: The ruling BJD and BJP Monday indulged PNN/AGENCIES in a blame game over pre-poll violence reported in Pipli Assembly seg- Bhubaneswar, April 12: The state ment ahead of the bypoll sched- police Monday deployed about 1,000 uled for April 17. armed policemen at Pipli Assembly While the saffron party alleged that constituency in Puri in a bid to en- the BJD in association with the po- sure peaceful polling in the by- lice made a conspiracy to ensure election scheduled for April 17. there should not be a free and fair election, the BJD raised fingers at the Delang police Monday former for attack on Labour Minister arrested two persons Sushanta Singh’s car. Both the parties have submitted separate mem- in connection with the oranda before the Chief Electoral pre-poll violence in Officer (CEO) Monday. Holding a press conference, BJP BJD and BJP leaders submit their memoranda before the Chief Electoral Officer in Bhubaneswar, Monday OP PHOTOS which three BJP workers national spokesperson Sambit Patra were injured accused the ruling BJD of indulging tack on the minister’s vehicle and in violence and attempting to cap- BJP goons The Odisha police is part of the two other party workers. Naveen’s virtual ture Pipli seat by means of crimi- smashed the conspiracy hatched by the ruling They submitted a memorandum Director General of Police (DGP) nal activities. He also alleged that front and rear party to prevent conduct of a free to the CEO. Patra alleged that BJP campaign for Pipli Abhay, who visited Pipli, Monday, order situation. police has been posing obstacle on windshields of the and fair election in Pipli goons smashed the front and rear said that three companies (one Official sources said as many the way of a free and fair by-elec- minister's car, Sunday windshields of the minister's car, Bhubaneswar: BJD president and CM company comprises three platoons as 80 sensitive booths have been SAMBIT PATRA | BJP NATIONAL Naveen Pattnaik Monday cam- tion in the Assembly constituency. SASMIT PATRA | BJD MP SPOKESPERSON Sunday. Later, they attacked two of jawans) of Central Armed Police identified in the constituency. “The Odisha police is part of the party workers of whom one is un- paigned for party candidate Rudra Force (CAPF), 29 platoons (each The DGP also reviewed the pre- conspiracy hatched by the ruling dergoing treatment at the CHC in Pratap Maharathy for Pipli bypoll on platoon comprises 30 personnel) poll violence in Pipli at a meeting party to prevent conduct of a free police has declared them absconders. stated that there was no money in Delang while the condition of the virtual mode. Naveen expressed his of the Odisha State Armed Police attended by DGP (Intelligence) RK disappointment over not being able and fair election in Pipli,” Patra But they are campaigning for the rul- the bag. other worker undergoing treatment (OSAP) and one platoon of Swift Sharma and the ADGP (Law and to meet the people of Pipli and said, alleging that instead of ar- Action Force (SAF) have been de- Order) Yashwant Jethwa. ing party candidate. Even, they met A delegation of BJP led by Patra at Capital Hospital is critical. Delang area in view of Covid resur- resting criminals facing non-bail- the Chief Minister at his residence,” met the CEO, SK Lohani, and de- Patra also alleged that recently gence. He assured the people to visit ployed in the area. Meanwhile, the Delang police ` able warrants, the police were shield- said Patra while showing some pho- manded deployment of sufficient 50 lakh was seized from two BJP the area after the pandemic is over. This apart, 60 state police officers Monday arrested two persons in ing them. Altogether, they are trying tographs. companies of Central Armed Police leaders in Pipli which they wanted He said the Pipli-Delang region has a have also been engaged in bypoll connection with the pre-poll vio- to create a state of terror and fear The BJP leader also questioned Force (CAPF) at sensitive booths to use to influence voters. glorious history with the footprints of duty. lence in which three BJP workers in the Assembly segment, he further the investigation carried out on for the bypoll. Meanwhile, the CEO’s office Mahatma Gandhi. The Father of the The DGP said that the con- were injured in a clash Sunday. alleged. seizure of a black bag with BJD Similarly, a BJD delegation com- has issued two numbers for re- Nation stayed in Beraboi Ashram for stituency has been divided into The ruling BJD alleged that “Many criminals including party flags. Patra said the police prising Rajya Sabha MPs Sasmit port of any untoward incidents oc- eight days. “The art and artisans of several security zones to ensure Labour Minister Sushanta Singh’s Dhirendra Samantray, Raja and came to a conclusion in the inves- Patra and Sujit Kumar Monday met curring in the Pipli constituency. this region are globally famous. I an incident-free poll. Two ASPs vehicle was attacked by BJP work- Sanjay Samantray have non-bailable tigation with just a statement of a the CEO and demanded stern action The phone no is 0674-2391155 and salute this land,” Naveen said. and three DSPs will be in charge of ers when he had gone to meet some warrants against them and Odisha potato godown owner, who had against those involved in the at- Fax No –0674-2536645. each zone to monitor the law and injured party workers at Delang. CM enquires about Athawale urges Naveen to join NDA POLITICKLE by MANJUL Mangaraj’s health POST NEWS NETWORK We always get good PRESS TRUST OF INDIA support from BJD in Bhubaneswar, April 12: Union Rajya Sabha as well Bhubaneswar, April 12: Biju Minister of State for Social Justice as Lok Sabha when important Janata Dal (BJD) president and and Empowerment of Persons with Bills are discussed. BJD is a Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Disabilities Ramdas Athawale, dur- friendly party and I would Monday enquired about the health ing his visit to the Capital city, condition of the Congress candi- urge the CM to join the NDA Monday, appealed to Biju Janata date for Pipli bypoll, Ajit Mangaraj, Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik RAMDAS ATHAWALE | UNION MINISTER who had tested positive for Covid- to be part of the NDA government 19 recently. at the Centre. tween the NDA and BJD in Athawale, president of and I would urge the CM to join Parliament,” he said. Ajit Mangaraj is Republican Party of India (RPI) the NDA. If he comes with NDA, he Sharing his personal bonding undergoing treatment from Maharashtra, a part of the can get better central assistance,” with Naveen, Ahawale said, “I have NDA government, also claimed Athawale said. good relations with Chief Minister at a private hospital that the BJD had been a “friendly He also said that if the BJD joins Naveen Patnaik. When there was in Bhubaneswar party” of the NDA government at NDA, it could usher in more de- a government at the Centre under the Centre and has always helped velopment in the state. “This will the former Prime Minister Atal the government in Parliament dur- also boost the NDA government at Bihari Vajpayee, Naveen was the “Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ing important legislations. the Centre. In Odisha, the two par- coal minister and I was a member today spoke to the brother of Ajit “We always get good support ties are fighting with each other of the Lok Sabha. We have had Mangaraj over phone...” the rul- from BJD in Rajya Sabha as well as because the BJD is able to sustain good relations since then. He has cre- ing party said in a statement. Lok Sabha when important Bills are the government alone. However, ated a good record in securing the Mangaraj is undergoing treat- discussed. BJD is a friendly party there is not much opposition be- CM’s seat.” ment at a private hospital here. Patnaik later addressed a virtual meeting in support of BJD candidate Rudra Pratap Maharathy Khimji donates Rights panel seeks ATR on from Pipli. Cybercriminal nabbed from The bypoll, which was neces- `11L to Srimandir sitated due to the demise of asphyxiation deaths in City Pradeep Maharathy in October last year, is scheduled to take place Kolkata; 10 vehicles seized POST NEWS NETWORK died of suffocation while cleaning April 17. Opposition BJP has fielded a sewerage tank in Tankapani area Ashrit Pattanayak from the POST NEWS NETWORK vehicle (OD-33-W-7191). he would collect money from the cus- Bhubaneswar, April 12: The under Badagada police limits here Assembly segment. Later, Harijan contacted Das who tomers, mostly from various places National Human Rights March 19, 2021. Bhubaneswar, April 12: Badagada asked him to deposit `5 lakh through in western Odisha and far off places Commission (NHRC) has sought Referring to the Supreme police has arrested a fraudster from cheque. Das assured the victim from Bhubaneswar. Upon receipt of an action-taken report (ATR) from Court’s 2014 directive to states on OP impact: Damaged Kolkata for cheating a person on the about handing over the vehicle to the amount, he would later deny the state government in connec- compensation of `10 lakh to the pretext of selling an old four-wheeler him after a week. However, he nei- transferring the ownership of the tion with the death of two labour- families of ‘safai karmacharis’ stand posts repaired through popular website OLX. The ther gave the vehicle nor returned vehicle in the name of the victims. ers who were reportedly asphyx- in case of any eventuality, Akhand accused has been identified as the money received from the victim Sources also revealed that the iated while cleaning a sewage had urged the rights body to direct Trupti Ranjan Das, 46, of Dhauli despite the lapse of more than five accused has been in the business of tank in March here. the Odisha government to pay `10 POST NEWS NETWORK area here. months to the payment. selling old cars since 2011. While hearing a plea filed by lakh each to the next of the kin of The fraud came to the fore when Police during the course of in- Police also seized 10 cars and sev- rights activist Akhand, the com- the deceased labourers. Cuttack, April 12: A few days Gangadhar Harijan of Nabarangpur vestigation came to know that as eral documents and cards during the mission asked the Chief Secretary He also demanded stern action after this media highlighted the POST NEWS NETWORK registered a complaint with many as 44 cases of cheating have raid at his office located at Bijaya to take appropriate steps and sub- against those responsible for the large-scale wastage of drinking Badagada police April 9. The victim been registered against Das at dif- Vihar area in Badagada area. mit the ATR within six weeks. mishap that claimed two innocent water in the Silver City here, the Bhubaneswar April 12: Khimji alleged that he came across an ad- ferent police stations of Commissionerate Police arrested In his plea, the rights activist lives. The commission has also di- Public Health Engineering Foundation, the philanthropic vertisement on OLX posted by one Bhubaneswar. Das used to post ad- Das from Kolkata Saturday. Das was had informed the NHRC that Silup rected the Director General of Organisation (PHEO) swung into wing of one of the Odisha’s largest Shree Motors of Bhubaneswar vertisements in OLX to sell second Monday sent to judicial custody Birua, 25, of Mayurbhanj and Police (DGP) to submit the status action and repaired the stand jewellery chain Khimji Jewellers, seeking buyers to for an old Bolero hand cars and SUVs. Subsequently, after the court rejected his bail plea. Sunaram Sardar, 55, of Jharkhand report in connection with the case. posts, sources said Monday. Monday donated `11 lakh for the Orissa POST had April 7 high- development of Srimandir lighted the issue in an article Parikrama Project. Directors of ‘Drinking water going down the KHIMJI Foundation Mitesh Khimji drain worrisome’. and Sumeet Khimji presented the ‘City fares better than metros in Covid battle’ According to sources, around 30 token of devotion to Krishan to 40 per cent of the drinking Kumar, Chief Administrator, Shree POST NEWS NETWORK The administration of government had instructed au- water supplied by the PHEO is Jagannatha Temple 73RD CAPITAL FOUNDATION DAY the Bhubaneswar thorities to be strict in implemen- being wasted away on a daily basis Administration (SJTA), Puri. The Bhubaneswar, April 12: Even as City has dealt with tation of wearing masks and en- here, sources said. Srimandir Parikrama Yojana the celebration of 73rd Capital this highly infectious disease suring social distancing.” The With 6 lakh inhabitants, the (Jagannath temple corridor plan) Foundation Day would be a low- successfully by undertaking government must allow vaccines for Silver City requires 92.85 million was announced by the Chief key affair amidst a rapid surge in diverse measures to prevent all now, he added. litres of drinking water every day. Minister. Covid-19 cases, many experts and the spread of the virus Urban planner Piyush Ranjan However, the PHEO is supplying Mitesh Khimji, Director of activists hailed the initiatives taken Rout said, “I think, on this foun- 107.7 million litres of potable water Khimji Foundation, said, “One by civic administration in con- JK PANIGRAHI | ENVIRONMENT EXPERT dation day, we must appreciate the to the residents every day. The should not consider this as a taining the highly infectious virus. gift that the city founder had given drinking water is being sourced donation because who can do- Experts said that the Capital city to behave more responsibility so as us while carving out the city way from 195 bore wells, sources added. nate what to the one who runs of Bhubaneswar has fared better to contain the infection before it back in 1948 with the grid-based It is learnt that altogether 78,000 the universe. This contribution in comparison with other cities in takes a heavy toll on us.” neighbourhood planning, which households in Cuttack have drink- is towards the project that is the country. As per reports, five Naba Kishore Pujari, a social ac- actually ensured people living in ing water connections from the aimed at enhancing the com- states — Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, tivist, said, “Bhubaneswar is much those neighborhood not getting af- PHEO while the city has 3,000 fort of the pilgrims coming from Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala Environment expert JK this highly infectious disease suc- ahead as compared to other cities fected due to lockdown or infection stand posts cater to the need of

around the world and also restor- — cumulatively account for 70.82 Panigrahi said, “Covid-19 pandemic cessfully by undertaking diverse to have started lockdown, night as each neighborhood streets be- lower middleclass and poor people.

k y m c ing our heritage which is a per cent of India’s active Covid-19 has taught the mankind many les- measures to prevent the spread of curfews, travel restrictions and came children's play ground, grocery Leaking pipelines, overflow dream project of our beloved cases which have breached the 11-lakh sons, especially in the manage- the virus. As the second cycle of the other precautionary measures to shops became Super Malls and bal- from rooftop tankers, damaged Chief Minister. We sincerely mark for the first time since the out- ment of healthcare facilities and im- disease is appearing to be more contain the spread of the novel cony became site for interaction stand posts and above all care- pay our gratitude towards this break of the pandemic. Odisha has plementing precautionary dreaded, with higher transmission coronavirus. But as the situation sub- with neighbours maintaining social lessness of the people are blamed effort of state government for been reporting more than 1,000 fresh measures. The administration of the rate, both the administration and sided, focus got diluted and people distancing and terrace became gym for large-scale wastage of drink- bringing such a project.” cases for three consecutive days. Bhubaneswar City has dealt with the public in general are required started lowering guards. The state for many.” ing water, said a source. P4 TUESDAY | APRIL 13 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR downtown

Entry & exit at rly station swapped to fight nCoV Reactivate health facilities to

k y m treat Covid patients: DMs told c POST NEWS NETWORK POST NEWS NETWORK In OPD, the medical officer Bhubaneswar, April 12: To pre- RT-PCR mandatory for all vent the spread of novel coronavirus Bhubaneswar, April 12: The state should avoid advising at Bhubaneswar railway station, BHUBANESWAR: With a possi- tem at railway stations and airport government Monday asked all dis- frequent re-visit of the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has de- ble second Covid wave looming from today. If anyone arrives with- trict Collectors to reactivate gov- cided to allow entry to the Capital city large, the Bhubaneswar Municipal out the negative Covid report from ernment and private Covid-19 fa- patients, if not required station only through platform Corporation (BMC) Monday made other states, they will have to un- cilities utilised during the first number 1. The decision was taken RT-PCR report mandatory for all dergo 7-days quarantine,” BMC wave of the virus to accommodate If required, 80 per cent of available to ensure effective management of passengers coming to state through Comissioner, Prem Chandra the new patients. beds will be reserved for the Covid crowd and social distancing at the any means of transport. Chaudhary said. Additional Chief Secretary patients, Mohapatra directed. railway station. Through a tweet, the BMC in- He further added that those spe- (Health) PK Mohapatra has written All districts and municipal cor- formed that people coming to cial teams have been deployed at to the Collectors, municipal com- porations have been directed to set Bhubaneswar by any means of railway stations and airport to missioners and Chief District up a dedicated Covid helpdesks. 4 more test positive transport (Bus, train, flight, private collect data including address and Medical and Public Health Officers Meanwhile, the government has The earlier entrance will now be Municipal Corporation (BMC) Sunday cars, waterways) from other state contact numbers if anybody ar- (CDM & PHOs) in this regard. also advised people not to rush to the at Utkal University the exit and the earlier exit will to mark Nationwide Tika Utsav from will have to produce an RT-PCR rives without the negative report. “In view of the rapid surge of the hospital, if it is not necessity. People BHUBANESWAR: A day after a stu- now be the entrance. Entry to the April 11 to 14. Urban task force of negative report obtained within 72 Apart from this, another provi- Covid-19 cases, you are requested have been advised to utilise existing dent was identified Covid positive at platforms will be allowed only BMC had inspected the arrange- hours of entry or final vaccination sion has been made to conduct to remain in readiness to accom- telemedicine services for their ail- the Sociology Department, four more from the right hand side, i.e. the ments at Rail Sadan along with two certificate i.e. after two doses of vac- on-the-spot testing at airport if modate the new cases and activate ments. The Health department has were identified with the virus government car parking side or the other places and provisionally ap- cination. “As per government order, anybody shows Covid symptoms, the earlier used government and pri- directed the hospitals to ensure that Monday in Utkal University campus bus stand side or the RMS side, said proved for workplace vaccination we have introduced the new sys- he added. vate Covid facilities in a phased no emergency case is denied timely here. Two students from Chemistry the official notification. centre at the ECoR headquarters. manner as and when required,” medical care in the name of Covid. department and one each from MCA The exit from platforms will be Mohapatra said in the letter. Central registration is to be sus- and Economics departments have allowed only from the left hand side He asked the authorities to op- pended for the time being and man- been infected. Sources said that the which is the ATM side or the Reliance erationalise healthcare facilities ual registration to be taken up in two students of the MCA and mall side. It is because the checking TALLY BREACHES 3.5L MARK IN STATE with an increment of 50 beds at a each OPD to avoid large gathering. Economics department are inmates of Gopbandhu Hostel. All have been for RT-PCR reports and gate passes time when needed. The number of All elective surgeries will be admitted to the Capital Hospital for are being done at the ATM side only. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA stands at 3,51,302 as new cases were the state had registered 1,793 cases, ICU beds shall be 20 per cent of stopped and only emergency sur- treatment. “The process of contact Passengers will not be allowed to reported in all 30 districts, while the he added. As many as 1,015 new general beds and availability of geries to be taken up. One attendant tracing of the patients is underway. enter the station from this side as Bhubaneswar, April 12: Odisha’s fresh fatalities were registered in cases were reported in quarantine ventilators shall be at least 50 per is to be allowed for the serious in- Once it is done, we are taking steps it might bring them in contact with Covid-19 caseload breached 3.5 lakh Nuapada, a health department of- centres, while 726 infections were cent of all ICUs, he said. door patients and no attendant for subsequent Covid testing of oth- the exiting passengers. mark Monday as 1,741 more people ficial said. detected during contact tracing. All the private hospitals estab- would be allowed inside the ward ers. If required, we will take appropri- Meanwhile, about 100 employees of tested positive for the infection, while Odisha recorded over 1,000 daily Sundargarh district reported lished under Odisha Clinical for ambulatory patient. In OPD, ate decision on the matter,” East Coast Railway have been vacci- two fresh fatalities pushed the state’s cases for the fourth consecutive the highest number of new cases at Establishment Act having 30 beds the medical officer should avoid Chaudhary said. nated at Rail Sadan, the first workplace coronavirus death toll to 1,928. day. Monday’s spike was the high- 268, followed by Khurda (204) and or more must reserve at least 10 per advising frequent re-visit of the vaccination centre under Bhubaneswar The state’s coronavirus tally now est since October 23 last year when Balasore (158), the official said. cent of beds for the Covid patients. patients if not required. BMC begins paid quarantine FOR A CAUSE services in three places

HE BMC HAS DECLARED TMAA GUEST HOUSE IN PATIA, MAA SUM PALACE IN GHATIKIA AND MAA GUEST HOUSE IN GAJAPATI NAGAR AS THREE PAID QUARANTINE CENTRES

NY PERSON WHO MAY AHAVE COME INTO CONTACT WITH A COVID-19 POSITIVE PATIENT OR THOSE COMING FROM OUTSIDE STATE OR A SUSPECTED CASE CAN AVAIL PAID QUARANTINE FACILITY Members of various trade unions stage a sit-in with Aam Aadmi Party workers at PMG Square in Bhubaneswar, Monday, demanding free electricity to PERSON CERTIFIED AS families consuming below 200 units a month OP PHOTO AASYMPTOMATIC POSITIVE CAN AVAIL SERVICES OF PAID ISOLATION ONLY AFTER POST NEWS NETWORK requirement and the Asymptomatic PROPER HEALTH SCREENING, patients or Covid-19 suspects at THE ORDER MENTIONED Bhubaneswar, April 12: Taking their own expenses may also like Police groping in dark over Hyder escape cognizance of the rising Covid to avail the pay and use facility in cases in the state capital, the private hotels if they so desire. ties, the guest house in Gajapati POST NEWS NETWORK Hyder’s family members However, police are yet to get have been alerted after Hyder’s es- Bhubaneswar Municipal These facilities can be availed on Nagar have fixed Rs 1,499 per day. any vital lead to zero in on the ab- cape. Police are also in touch with Corporation (BMC) Monday iden- payment with the condition as About 40 rooms, 15 each in Patia and Bhubaneswar, April 12: The po- including his son, sconding gangster. their counterparts in the neigh- tified three properties under OYO mentioned in the order and as per Ghatikia and 10 in Gajapati Nagar lice are still groping in the dark to son-in-law and nephew Following the escape, the state po- bouring states. Police also sus- Hotel and Room services as paid protocol.” have been made available. The ac- nab the dreaded gangster Suleiman lice have launched massive man- pended six cops who escorted Hyder quarantine centres here. Any person who may have come commodation will include three Hyder who managed to escape from helped him get away, hunt by creating six teams under from Sambalpur to SCB. Issuing an order, the civic au- into contact with a Covid-19 posi- time meals and a provision of 2 Cabin No.5 of the surgery ward at said suspended the supervision of DCP Cuttack On the other hand, the sus- thority recognized the need for tive patient or those coming from litres of water daily. SCB Medical College and Hospital Prateek Singh. The STF of Crime pended constable Md Mausim who paid quarantine services to be outside state or a suspected case can “The maximum number of days in Cuttack Saturday afternoon. constable Md Mausim Branch, Cuttack, Jajpur and was on duty during the escape made available in the wake of a pos- avail paid quarantine facility. up to which an asymptomatic pos- The notorious criminal was shifted Kendrapara police, have been en- claimed in his complaint at the sible second wave. The BMC has de- Meanwhile a person certified as itive patient (Guest) can avail this to SCB March 23 from Sambalpur rendered before the Chauliaganj gaged to trace Hyder. Mangalabag police station that clared MAA Guest House in Patia, asymptomatic positive can avail pay and use isolation facility is 10 circle jail. police. Sources claimed that Yakub Police have been keeping close Hyder’s family members including MAA Sum Palace in Ghatikia and services of paid isolation only after days from the date of testing of In the latest development, the took the step fearing police action surveillance at airports, railway his son, son-in-law and nephew MAA Guest House in Gajapati proper health screening, the order sample unless and otherwise di- police have sent four teams to var- against him as he was suspected to stations, road routes and bus stands helped him get away. Mausim al- Nagar as three paid quarantine mentioned. rected by the concerned Medical ious states to trace the whereabouts be involved in the escape plan of to check any attempt by the dreaded leged that one of his family mem- centres. While the guest houses in Patia Officer to stay for more number of of the dreaded criminal. Meanwhile, Hyder. The police officials have criminal to leave the state. CCTV bers threw some poisonous sub- “It appears that pay and use iso- and Ghatikia will charge Rs. 1,099 days subject to health condition,” Yakub Khan alias Sallu, one of the been interrogating Yakub to elicit footages are being examined too. stance following which he fell lation facility is also an essential per day for paid quarantine facili- the order added. close aides of Hyder Monday sur- information on the matter as well. The police forces of border areas unconscious Saturday. Sarangi on central Urgently supply 25 lakh doses deputation ANWESHA to continue for 5 more yrs BHUBANESWAR: Odisha cadre IAS offi- of Covishield: Odisha to Centre POST NEWS NETWORK cer Santosh Kumar Sarangi was he Cabinet approved the POST NEWS NETWORK The minister said that with such relieved from state services to join the Tproposal to amend the Ministry of Education, Monday. Sarangi Bhubaneswar, April 12: To cover Odisha Minerals (Prevention of low and uncertain supplies of vac- was the Principal Secretary to the state more number of ST & SC students, Theft, Smuggling and Illegal Bhubaneswar, April 12: The state cines, it is impossible for the state Science and Technology department. the state Cabinet Monday decided Mining and Regulation of government urged the Centre to government to schedule sessions in Manoj Kumar Mishra, Secretary (I/c), to continue ANWESHA scheme for Possession, Storage, Trading provide at least 10 days’ stock of advance or mobilize people with con- state E&IT department with additional a period of another five years. and Transportation) Rules, 2007 Covishield vaccine to continue the fidence. charge of CRC-cum-Special Secretary to The scheme was launched dur- vaccination programme in the state. “Hence, our daily utilization has Government, Commerce and Transport ing 2015-16 with an objective to pro- he panel also approved State Health Minister Naba come down to 1 lakh though we department was allowed to remain in vide quality education to ST and SC Tannual report of Odisha Kishore Das has written a letter to have capacity for doing 3 lakh vac- additional charge of Secretary, students in partnership with urban Public Service Commission his Union counterpart Dr Harsh cinations daily,” he said, adding Science and Technology Department in educational institutions. (OPSC) for the year 2016-17 Vardhan Monday. “Odisha is facing that the state is unable to observe addition to his own duties. a crisis due to extremely low and the Tika Utsav properly. ervice rules for government erratic supply of Covid-19 vac- Till April 11, Odisha had received Semployees including Odisha cines. Urgently supply at least 10 46.08 lakh doses of vaccine (42.71 lakh WASSUP TODAY Judicial Service, lab technician, days’ stock of Covishield (25 lakh doses of Covishield & 3.36 lakh medium schools of repute located scheme and all the students will welfare extension officers and doses) as an emergency measure to doses of Covaxin). There is no stock BHUBANESWAR The government has decided district welfare officers have in urban areas till completion of be kept in ANWESHA hostels man- enable us to plan session and un- in the state, regional and district vac- to continue the scheme for been amended by the Cabinet n Garlanding of Capital foundation Class XII. aged by the SC & ST Development dertake the vaccination programme cination stores. However, there are further five years with plaque, PMG Square, 8am At present, the programme is department. effectively,” Das said in his letter. 1.59 lakh doses of Covishield and n financial implications of Meeting on Capital Foundation Day, ` being implemented in 177 schools, The Cabinet has also approved the annual report of Odisha Public April 3 this year, the state had held 71,010 doses of Covaxin in pipeline Soochana Bhawan, 6pm 569.90 crore spread over 17 districts and 21,682 proposal to amend the Odisha Service Commission (OPSC) for 1,476 vaccination sessions and vac- across the state. The balance stock SC MAHAPATRA | CHIEF SECRETARY Programmes/announcements students are being benefited. “The Minerals (Prevention of Theft, the year 2016-17. cinated 2.72 lakh people in a single will last for just another day. for wassup today may be sent to government has decided to con- Smuggling and Illegal Mining and Besides, service rules for gov- day. However, since then due to Meanwhile, the state has received Chief Secretary SC Mahapatra tinue the scheme for further five Regulation of Possession, Storage, ernment employees including short and uncertain supply of vac- 2.71 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine [email protected] for record, said that under this scheme, the years with financial implications of Trading and Transportation) Rules, Odisha Judicial Service, lab tech- cine from the Health Ministry, the Monday afternoon. Only very few it must also carry the sender’s ST and SC students are admitted into Rs 569.90 crore,” Mahapatra added. 2007. The amended rule has been nician, welfare extension officers state government has been forced amount of vaccines are being sup- mobile number for our standard one in different govern- In the next five years, up to 25,000 called as OMPTS (Amendment) and district welfare officers have to close down about 700 vaccination plied to the state which could not

verification, but not for publication. ment, private and aided English students will be covered under the Rule, 2021. The panel also approved been amended by the Cabinet. centers, he mentioned. meet the present demand.

k y m c P5 TUESDAY | APRIL 13 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR state

Jharaphula was murdered: Jajpur SP STUDENTS’ STRIKE

k y m c TWO ACCUSED ARRESTED, ANOTHER STILL ABSCONDING

He assisted the prime accused Fact file Rakesh Swain by booking a room (No. 201) on his behalf at the OYO ARRESTED ACCUSED guest house at Dharma Vihar in AMARESH ROUT Bhubaneswar where Jharaphula RUNS A FAST-FOOD was murdered. STALL AT He was absconding after the mur- SUNDARPADA HAAT der but arrested Sunday following UNDER AIRFIELD a tip-off, the SP said. POLICE STATION IN Now, documents and evidence BHUBANESWAR. HE collection regarding the murder WAS ABSCONDING from the forensic lab is at an advance SINCE THE INCIDENT stage,” the SP added. However, further investigation is on to find out how she was killed. RAKESH AND Attempts are being made to nab AMARESH ALLEGEDLY MURDERED the other accused, Sekhar, in the JHARAPHULA IN A murder case. PRIVATE GUEST The arrested accused Amaresh HOUSE IN will be taken on remand for fur- BHUBANESWAR, ther interrogation if the situation OP PHOTO JANUARY 26 demands, the SP said Reports said that Rakesh and Students of Gangadhar Meher University in Sambalpur staging a demonstration in front of the district Collector’s office demanding online examinations

POST NEWS NETWORK

Jajpur, April 12: Following the ar- Now, documents and rest of the second accused, Jajpur evidence collection regarding police Monday admitted the the murder from the forensic Jharaphula Nayak, 22, a girl stu- lab is at an advance stage 101 employees of Emami Paper Mills test +ve dent of Ramadevi University (RD) RAHUL PR I SP, JAJPUR in Bhubaneswar, was murdered. POST NEWS NETWORK closed down one of three units of This was stated by Jajpur SP The premises of the the company. Rahul PR in video clip released the boyfriend of the deceased, was Amaresh allegedly murdered Balasore, April 12: A total of 101 company as well as the place The district reported 158 fresh Monday. Another accused is still arrested by police a few days after Jharaphula in the private guest employees of Emami Paper Mills where the employees are COVID-19 positive cases Monday. absconding. The arrested second ac- Jharaphula’s body was found house in Bhubaneswar, January Limited, a part of the Emami Group Of these, 101 are from this company cused has been identified as dumped at the roadside in Kuakhia 26. of Industries at Remuna in Balasore staying has been declared as only. Amaresh Rout, who runs a fast- of Jajpur district. Later, Rakesh with the help of district, tested positive Monday a ‘micro containment zone’ With the fresh additions, the food stall at Sundarpada haat under The SP, in video clip, said the another accomplice Sekhar car- for COVID-19, said Balasore chief district’s tally has gone up to 12,872. Airfield police station in second accused Amaresh, has been ried the girl’s body by a two- district medical officer (CDMO) So far 12,481 persons infected by the Bhubaneswar. He was absconding arrested for his involvement in the wheeler and dumped it on the Dr Dulalsen Jagddeb. cern for the district administra- as a ‘micro containment zone’. virus have already recovered and since the incident. murder conspiracy. He is a friend roadside near Mulapala Chowk With a large number of people tion. It has declared the premises This apart, as a precautionary 290 are undergoing treatment. The The prime accused in the sen- of the main accused and belongs to under Kuakhia police limits in testing positive to the virus in one of the company as well as the place measure to check the spread of disease has so far claimed 96 lives sational murder case, Rakesh Swain, the same village. Jajpur district. place has become a cause for con- where the employees are staying the virus, the administration has in Balasore district. Miscreants vandalise Nayagarh Town rly station

POST NEWS NETWORK the post. A team of railway officials also official noticed the group consuming conducted a probe. liquor and celebrating birthday of Nayagarh, April 12: Miscreants went Later, 10 persons were arrested in this someone in the railway station prem- on a rampage and tried to set afire connection and produced in the court. ises by playing DJ music at high deci- the office of the Nayagarh Town rail- The accused persons were identified bel sound. way station, ransacked its premises and as the constable Chittarnjan Jena, 34, The official tried to dissuade them assaulted four officials, including the Bikash Lenka, 19, Siddharth Das, 22, and asked them to vacate the place station master, after they were asked Rajkumar Pradhan, 23, alias Suman, but they refused to listen and assaulted not to celebrate a birthday party and Basant Mohapatra, 25, alias Pinu, the station master and other officials consume alcohol in the station prem- Deepak Mohapatra, 19, Dillip Jena, with iron rods and pipes. Later, they ises, Sunday night. 23, Biswabhusan Panigrahi, 25, Kanha ransacked the computer systems in the Four officials, including the station Pradhan, 19, and Alok Mohapatra, 25. station panel rooms and threw away master Sanjay Kumar Pradhan, sus- Another accused is absconding the flower pots. tained multiple injuries after they A group of around 20 to 25 miscre- They also snatched the gold neck- were allegedly beaten up by the mis- ants assaulted Pradhan and his four lace of the station master and cash creants late Sunday night. Nayagarh officials after the former was asked not worth Rs 2,000 from him. While leav- SP Siddharth Kataria and Town police stable Chittaranjan Jena, 34, alias to engage in birthday celebration and ing they set fire to the documents in IIC Jaydeep Mohanty reached the spot Felu, posted at the VHF Control Room consume liquor on the railway sta- the control room with petrol and fled and initiated a probe. The prime ac- of Nayagarh Reserve Police. The SP, tion premises, railway official said. the scene. cused was identified as a police con- after the probe, suspended Jena from The incident occurred after a railway 3 VIMSAR medics to take Miscreants assault five of a family over love affair part in int’l workshop POST NEWS NETWORK Dunguripali hospital where they are currently POST NEWS NETWORK Indonesia. It will be funded by Dunguripali, April 12: undergoing treatment. UNICEF and UNDP. In a shocking incident, The incident oc- Sambalpur, April 12: Three The three doctors of the de- four miscreants allegedly curred after a youth, doctors from the Veer Surendra partment of community medi- hacked five members of Bimbadhar Niali, from Sai Institute of Medical Sciences cine Subrat Pradhan, Samyak a family, including three the family eloped with and Research, Burla, have be- Sahu and Sanjeeb Mishra will women, with sharp- a girl of the same vil- come the only ones from the state take part in the event that will edged weapons at Siali lage. Nursing a grudge, to have been selected for an in- commence April 19 and con- village under the miscreants attacked ternational workshop on ‘Good clude June 5, the VIMSAR offi- Dunguripali police lim- the Niali family over Health Research Practice’, an of- cial said. its of the district Monday. the love affair and ren- ficial said. The workshop aims to im- The injured were iden- dered them critical. The workshop will be jointly or- part knowledge and skills for the tified as Sata Niali, Sai Police rushed to the ganised by the Tropical Disease application of ethical and qual- Niali, Rohit Niali, spot and launched a Research Foundation of WHO, ity principles in the design, Himadri Niali and probe into the incident. Institute of Public Health (IPH), conduct, recording and re- Apsara Sandha in the A manhunt has been Bangalore, and University of porting of health research in hu- village. They have been launched to nab the cul- Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, mans, Mishra said. admitted to the prits, police added. Sand quarry auctions trigger unrest in Bhadrak riparian areas POST NEWS NETWORK

Bhadrak, April 12: The law and order situation has been deteriorating in some riparian areas of Bhadrak district over sand mining and auction of sand quar- ries. Reports of clashes among local villagers and attacks on enforcement agencies are commonplace here. During the last few days, disputes have cropped up in different areas under Bant tehsil. At some places, people have opposed sand quarry actions, while some tion claims that it has no report of such the area as the administration has turned influential people have been lobbying activities. a blind eye to such blatant violations. for auctions at other places. In such sit- In some places, lessees have been lift- Rampant sand mining has triggered uation, the local administration is al- ing sand beyong the sanctioned capac- erosion of the river bank at some places legedly sitting pretty. ity using excavators, which is against the like Haripur Balighat. As a result, a According to the district survey re- official norms. Wanton sand mining has river in the area has encroached local port, 20 sand mines had been auctioned posed danger to some riparian villages, farmlands and even a part of the earlier. Later, a decision was taken to put it was alleged. Agarpada-Gopinathpur road. three new sand mines of Bhadaripokhori As per the guidelines issued by the Environment clearance is a must for block and six of Bant block under auction. MoEF in 2016, no excavations can be al- undertaking sand mining. In many cases This has resulted in deep resentment lowed within a perimeter of 200 to 500 mining is being carried out despite the

among the people living near the proposed meter from any bridge. Despite this, fact that environment clearances for

k y m c sand mines. They have been opposing the sand mining has allegedly weakened a those areas are pending. auction since January. bridge at Kandaba, which links Bhadrak When contacted, Sub-Collector For quite some time now, some in- and Balasore. As a result, locals are ap- Pitambar Samal said that allegations fluential people have been illegally min- prehensive of the durability of the bridge. will be looked into. If illegal sand and mur- ing murram near Mohanty Pada under Locals alleged that no attention is being ram mining is found anywhere, action Bant tehsil. However, the administra- paid to the guidelines for sand mining in will be taken, he added. P6 TUESDAY | APRIL 13 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR power post

FOCUS ECONOMY An aimless life is always a

miserable life.

k y m THE MOTHER RBI’S QUANTITATIVE EASING c

he Monetary Policy robustly, but if that picks up, then Committee (MPC) of the that too will add demand pressure. Reserve Bank of India The supply of loanable funds of Let Festivities Begin T meets every two months the banking system comes from to decide on the main depositors. That deposit growth he BJP government is at it again. It has developed quite an expertise policy interest rate. This is the this year will not be more than in coining catchy phrases, slogans and managing headlines as its rate at which the RBI gives an around `15 lakh crore, even with op- Tmain tools of governance rather than hard work, comprehensive overnight i.e. a one-day loan to a timistic assumptions. So, there’s planning and delivering on its promises. This time the eye-grabbing phrase commercial bank that may be in going to be a shortage of loanable is ‘Tika Utsav’ (Vaccine Festival) from April 11 to April 14 with the suppos- temporary need of liquidity. The funds, and this can only cause in- edly noble intention to vaccinate large groups of people against Covid-19. The loan is given against collateral terest rates to go up. That is the country is in the grip of a fresh wave of the pandemic which is assuming which is typically a government last thing the RBI or the government even more serious proportions than the first wave. All this while most states bond (or security) owned by the wants. Even a one per cent increase have sounded alarm bells about dire shortage of vaccine supply. The re- bank. This one-day transaction is in the cost of borrowing means an sponse of the Central government is to trivialise the grave crisis. It doesn’t called a repo transaction, since it extra interest burden of more than seem to have learnt from its inept handling of the pandemic when it announced involves a “repurchase” `1 lakh crore. Hence it is critical that a thoughtless, ill-planned and inhuman lockdown on March 24, 2020 and urged obligation on the borrower. That interest rates remain low, since the nation to bang thalis, clap and light lamps to ward off the virus. rate is called the repo rate. The the biggest beneficiary is the biggest The only difference this time is that it is now armed with the two vaccines, lower the rate, the easier it is to get borrower, i.e. the government. namely Covaxin manufactured by Bharat Biotech and AstraZeneca’s the loan (assuming there is enough Since the RBI cannot just print Covishield produced locally by Serum Institute of India, and that apparently collateral with the bank). Banks Many experts believe that inflation is affected money and loan it at an ultra-low induces it to put the nation in a celebratory mood. The catch is even in this may very well garner huge much more by fiscal expansionism and cost to the sovereign (that is pro- the government is ill-equipped and the two vaccines are yet to pass the ulti- Ajit Ranade amounts of repo loans, in case hibited by law), it has found an mate tests of efficacy. While Covaxin has still not received any field test re- they are facing a stiff demand for deficits rather than by setting the repo rate indirect method. This is called port back-up, Covishield has been banned across Europe for numerous blood SINCE THE RBI loans from their customers and Quantitative Easing as per west- clot related deaths taking place. So much so that France’s top health regu- find themselves in a tight liquid- ern central banks. What the RBI lator on Friday advised all recipients above the age of 55 of AstraZeneca’s CANNOT JUST ity situation. caused those prices to race toward put to rest by the RBI itself, which has said after the latest MPC meet- Covid-19 vaccine to get a second shot of another alternative vaccine. India PRINT MONEY The mandate of the MPC, as 100 rupees and cause inflation in has reiterated through a research ing is that it will commit itself to has no third option. That is why it is trying to hide its failure to cushion peo- per a contract signed between the transportation costs, and hence report, that the current band of 2 “buy” government bonds worth `1 ple against this fresh onslaught of the virus behind yet another headline-grab- AND LOAN IT RBI and the Central government, on everything else. Clearly these are to 6, with a median rate of four is lakh crore in the first quarter (and bing exercise. Interestingly, while the farce of the Tika Utsav has started, Orissa AT AN is to set the repo rate so that in- fiscal actions, about which the just right for India. quite possibly throughout the alone has been compelled to shut down 900 vaccine centres due to non-avail- flation is between the band of 2 to monetary policy cannot do any- So clearly the MPC favours a year). Which means `4 lakh crore ability of vaccines. ULTRA-LOW 6 per cent. That five-year contract thing. Many experts believe that in- low repo rate to spur higher credit of extra loanable funds at low The daily caseload has now gone up to 1.68 lakh and the number of deaths COST TO THE expired recently, and has been re- flation is affected much more by fis- growth, and loan growth in the rates. This is very unorthodox, stands at 900 plus a day. Till last month, March 2021, the daily caseload was newed on the same terms. What cal expansionism and deficits economy. Thus, the main thrust and a bold crossing of a “lakshman about 15,000. The latest figures surpass those at the height of the first wave SOVEREIGN, if the MPC fails to meet its man- rather than by setting the repo of RBI’s policy ever since the pan- rekha” for the RBI. This column and present a scary scenario. date, i.e. fails to do its job? The rate. For what it is worth, the cur- demic began, and even earlier is to had suggested a direct loan against The problem is compounded by the fact that the Centre has monopolised IT HAS FOUND contract says that if the inflation rent repo rate is at a historic low spur economic growth. It has tried shares swap deal between RBI and the procurement and supply of the two vaccines. Apparently, the reason is AN INDIRECT rate goes outside the band for three of 4 per cent. Indeed, barring a all sorts of things beyond setting Central government, wherein PSU to claim all the credit for itself and indulge in thoughtless vaccine diplomacy consecutive quarters, the MPC has couple of occasions, for the past interest rates, to make cheap loans shares can be pledged. The current and politics. The first is intended to impress the world about performance METHOD to explain to the government why three years, the RBI has had a very available to potential borrowers QE (which has been christened of the BJP government and enhance its image battered by its anti-farmers’ it failed to keep inflation within the long record of reducing interest through the banking system. Thus, Government Securities Acquisition policies, suppression of dissent and nose diving economic growth due to wrong band. That explanation could be in rates, notwithstanding the inflation it allowed a moratorium on loan re- Programme or G-SAP) is a step policies and mismanagement. The second is the outcome of cynical calcu- writing, or as an appearance before fears. There has also been some talk payment, and also announced a in that direction. As the govern- lations to put states ruled by non-BJP parties in a bad light by supplying far a panel or something similar. But of whether the MPC should be Long-Term Repo Operation (LTRO), ment embarks on its borrowing less vaccine doses than those given to BJP-ruled states. it has never been invoked, even given a wider leeway, and a higher i.e. not just an overnight repo loan, programme to bridge a mammoth The record of vaccinating people doesn’t inspire any confidence either. So though last year the inflation rate band, to tolerate higher inflation but a three-year loan at low rates. deficit of `12 lakh crore, it will sell far, over 10 crore people have received the shots in a country with a popula- was above six per cent for almost in India, so that low interest rates Despite these measures, credit bonds, which will be indirectly tion size of 135 crore. The combined output of the two manufacturers - twelve months. This was because can live much longer. growth has been anaemic. bought by the RBI through sec- Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India - is now 2.4 million doses a day, of food prices mainly, and seasonal After all, in the western world, This fiscal year the biggest chal- ondary markets, and thus ensure while the need is for 3.7 million doses. The infrastructure to meet the need spikes in fruit and vegetable prices and also Japan, interest rates have lenge for the RBI is to meet the adequate funding and also low in- is simply non-existent. The government seems to be oblivious to this fact and including the infamous onion price. been near zero for about 12 years huge borrowing requirement of terest rates. Whether this infu- has therefore adopted an ostrich-like policy to bury its eyes in the sand of the It is possible that MPC (if at all it now, so why should India bother? the biggest borrower, i.e. the gov- sion of freshly created money will Tika Utsav propaganda rather than face reality and take steps to remedy the is called to account for its failure) Why can’t we live with six or even ernment of India. Its requirement be inflationary or not, only time situation as most other countries across the world are doing. might express helplessness, be- seven per cent inflation rather is `12 lakh crore. In addition is the will tell. Watch this space! The pertinent question that the government needs to answer is what has cause it may say that inflation is than a median rate of four? And borrowing requirement of state it been doing to improve the treatment and hospital facilities since the pan- affected by government actions is not inflation good for producers, governments which could also be The writer is an economist demic started last year. There have hardly been any efforts to address the prob- more than anything else. For in- who get the profit incentive of another `10 lakh crore. The bor- and Senior Fellow, lems of high hospital occupancy, shortage of oxygen and test centres, while stance, a massive increase in excise higher prices to produce more? rowing requirement from the pri- Takshashila Institution. great stress has been laid on vaccination. But, even on this count the government taxes on petrol and diesel has- Thankfully such debates have been vate sector has not been growing ©THE BILLION PRESS is displaying a cavalier attitude. The Delhi High Court got so exasperated by the Centre’s handling of the vaccine supply that it asked it to explain in af- fidavit the rationale behind keeping strict control over the class of persons who can be vaccinated against Covid-19. A Bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech have SPECTRUM SOCIETY more capacity to provide the vaccines, but it seems that they are not exploiting it fully. “We are not utilising it fully. We are either donating it to foreign countries or selling it to foreign countries and are not vaccinating our own people,” the judges observed, exposing the Centre’s utter lack of concern for its own citizens. The urban farming wave amid pandemic The Centre is blaming the state governments, especially those run by non-BJP parties, for inadequate vaccination. But, the complaint is it is sup- xactly a year ago lockdown can provide a bunch of other neat sions, and foster social integration first time in a community gar- plying vaccines in far more numbers to BJP-ruled states than to the non-BJP was imposed in most of the benefits, from bolstering local com- between otherwise segregated den learned what it takes to grow governments. For example, the UP government is getting adequate doses un- Eworld’s urban areas and munities to (sometimes) encour- groups. Just like tilling the soil on different crops and appreciate like the Maharashtra government, even though the latter, being the country’s Bhubaneswar was no exception. aging healthier diets. They can a weekend is a great way to bring how difficult it actually is. financial capital, is far more exposed to the infection than any other state. During the period, people took up also give city-dwellers a better ap- people together. It’s also a healthy, Similarly, people can better grasp Naturally, the spike in the second and third waves is the maximum in many activities at their homes to preciation of how our food system relaxing activity. the seasonality of different fruits Maharashtra. Punishing the people for their political decision in a democratic keep themselves engaged. works, which is less nebulous than Urban farms can serve as sites and vegetables once they are into setup will eventually harm politicians of all hues. Thousands of Bhubaneswar resi- it sounds. for education, development, and urban farming. They can learn This apart, anyone watching videos of the BJP rallies being held for West dents planted ‘lockdown gardens’ There are a few takeaways that skill training opportunities. Some why food waste occurs. They can Bengal elections would definitely realise the attitude of senior-most BJP func- in their backyards, rooftops, even the government may consider to in- cities have programmes that use see first-hand the ins and outs of tionaries towards the Covid situation and safety of their supporters. It is a inside homes. Once the lockdown centivise urban farming post-pan- urban agriculture to help teach a complex, vital system most have matter of shame that even the Prime Minister is often photographed period was over, some of these gar- demic as a regular programme. young people about science, en- lost touch by spending a few without a mask. dens withered away and were sup- Community gardens and urban vironmental stewardship, and months taking a potato from seed planted by increasingly efficient farms can provide some families healthy eating. to harvest, and children will soon urban agriculture. with an additional source of healthy, Modern-day industrial agri- have a much deeper appreciation WISDOM CORNER Even though without much or no low-cost produce. That’s a worth- culture certainly has its environ- for the natural systems on which Piyush Ranjan Rout incentive from the government, while goal in itself, and there is a mental drawbacks from soil degra- a city depends. If you can’t tolerate critics, don’t do anything new or interesting. urban farming is now staging a belief that people who engage in dation to disruption of the nitrogen Urban agriculture is most valu- JEFF BEZOS curious comeback. Residents of urban farming eat more fruits and cycle to all the fossil fuels used for able for how it forces community URBAN Bhubaneswar have set up their vegetables. the heavy machinery. Urban agri- to be more conscientious about Accept the terrible responsibility of life with eyes wide open. own gardens for encouraging peo- A number of cities across the culture reduces the distance that the people who feed society at large: JORDAN PETERSON AGRICULTURE ple to grow crops in vacant lots or globe have been pushing commu- food needs to be transported and the farmer, the agriculture labourer, We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does REDUCES THE on rooftops. The lockdown has pro- nity gardens and farms as a way of decreases the overall carbon foot- the market and the business com- not liberate, it oppresses. CARL JUNG moted the resurgence of commu- revitalising neighbourhoods falling print of agriculture. munity, the cooks in homes and DISTANCE THAT nity gardens or urban farming as into disrepair and there is indeed There are other angles to con- restaurants. FOOD NEEDS TO BE the solution for ‘food deserts’ in evidence that urban farming is sider, too: urban growers often use Do lockdown gardens push for WORDSWORTH city neighbourhoods. quite valuable for city residents. less water and fertilizer and pesti- broader reforms in our food secu- TRANSPORTED But do these gardens actually The presence of urban farms is cides than rural farms do. Urban rity pattern? Right now, it’s a little AND DECREASES make sense? Are there real social associated with improved neigh- agriculture does have environmental tough to say. But if urban farming Mongo or environmental benefits to grow- bourhood aesthetics, reduced crime, benefits. Community gardens and keeps expanding with encourage- THE OVERALL ing food within city limits? Or is and community cohesion. When green roofs can help filter out local ment from government, then this Talk of the Town piece in the issue of the New Yorker for 13 November CARBON urban farming just a well-meaning a community garden is established air pollution, cool down cities dur- may turn out to be its biggest A2006 reported on an anthropologist-in-residence programme in the but ultimately insignificant hobby in a neighbourhood, it keeps its ing summer and retain precipitation achievement in the pandemic. city’s Department of Sanitation. An aside mentioned mongo, a word used FOOTPRINT OF for urban elites? resident engaged as it increases by avoiding storm-water runoff into by sanitation workers for the act of creatively recycling refuse, reclaiming What emerges is a nuanced pic- social bonds and networks among nearby waterways. When designed The writer is an urban and putting back to useful purpose items that had been thrown out. The AGRICULTURE ture. Urban farming likely won’t neighbours and the people who well, urban gardens can provide management practitioner. magazine has featured the word before — its first recorded appearance ever provide cities with all that participate in farming. These farms valuable habitats. He can be reached on Twitter was in the New Yorker in September 1984. It’s one of that large group of many calories. But urban farms bridge gaps, reduce existing ten- People who participated for the @piyushrout. terms which is almost impossible to research and about whose origin nobody seems to know anything at all. But we may with some confidence assume that it’s not the same word as the US slang term mongo meaning “huge” (which is a short form of humongous, perhaps influenced by Indo-Russian ties Grave concern mondo) or “idiot” (which is an abbreviation of Mongol or mongoloid, in the now deeply deprecated sense of a sufferer from Down syndrome), nor that Sir, Russian Foreign Minister Sergy Lavrov’s visit to India enabled us to take stock of the positives in the ties Sir, The sharp spike in Covid- it refers to the Flash Gordon planet. It matches least badly to mungo, between the two countries and the issues on which the two countries disagree. India and Russia have always 19 cases is a matter of grave another name for shoddy, an inferior cloth made from recycled fibres taken etters maintained strong relations though many factors have caused fluctuations in the relations over the years. Neither concern. India reported from old woven or felted material. Russia nor India can be blamed for the strained relations. The last three decades have witnessed a lot of changes 1,69,899 new cases and 904 in the world. China has emerged as the number two global power. Russia-US ties have deteriorated. Russia and deaths on Sunday. This was TOL THE EDITOR China are under pressure because of the West. Consequently, both have formed a stronger strategic partner- the second day on the trot LOL Readers of Orissa POST ship. Further, Russia-Pakistan ties have strengthened in recent years. Similarly, India-US ties have strength- when the country registered are most welcome to contribute letters ened. India and Russia need to review their close ties through these changes and adapt their policies in ac- over 1.5 lakh new cases. (200 words), articles and cordance with them. Lavrov held detailed discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on a range Maharashtra topped the The crowded store columns (between 750-1250 loud and colourful words). Contributors are of bilateral and regional issues and also on preparations for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India charts with around 63,294 in- curses. On the man’s requested to send their later this year. Lavrov’s visit to Islamabad after his visit to India is a cause for concern for India. The fact that fections, followed by Uttar t was the day of the big sale. second attempt, he was contact numbers and full Russia supplies over 6 per cent of Pakistan’s conventional weaponry has adversely affected India-Russia re- Pradesh and Delhi in that

Rumours of the sale (and some punched square in the jaw, and postal address/email ID. They may also lations. Both countries have convergent views on the peace process in Afghanistan, the place of importance order. While the government

k y m I send in their valuable comments, opinion c advertising in the local paper) were knocked around a bit, and then and suggestions, preferably by email, given to Taliban in power-sharing. The present status of the relations between the two countries in the has banned the export of anti- the main reason for the long line that thrown to the end of the line again. As to: [email protected] changed circumstances can only be understood after Putin’s visit to India. It remains to be seen if India will viral injection Remdesivir, formed by 8:30, the store’s opening he got up the second time, he said to go ahead with the purchase of S-400 anti-missile defence system from Russia in the face of severe US restric- we would do well not to take time, in front of the store. A small the person at the end of the line... tions on this. Against this backdrop, India needs to devise plans for strengthening its ties with Russia. Even the virus lightly anymore. man pushed his way to the front of “That does it! If they hit me one more B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, though India-Russia ties have had their ups and downs, both countries cannot afford to sever the ties. NJ Ravi Chander, the line, only to be pushed back, amid time, I won’t open the store!” Bhubaneswar-751010 Venu GS, KOLLAM (KERALA) BANGALORE P7 GUJARAT MAHARASHTRA

TUESDAY | APRIL 13 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR

k y m Reality contrary to Guj govt’s Maha businesses choke under fresh curbs c REUTERS

Mumbai, April 12: Retailers, restaurants and theatres in India’s richest state are reeling under the claims: HC on Covid situation impact of harsh restrictions imposed last week by authorities “People now think that scrambling to curb a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. they are at God’s mercy,” a The western state of division bench of Chief Maharashtra, home to India’s financial capital Mumbai, has been Justice Vikram Nath and the worst hit in the pandemic, ac- Justice Bhargav Karia said counting for about a quarter of the country’s 13.5 million case load. while hearing a PIL, taken Last week, the local government up suo motu on the shut down restaurants, bars, gyms, theatres and non-essential situation in the state stores in a blow to businesses that had barely One month (of PRESS TRUST OF INDIA recovered from the lockdown) is nationwide lock- equivalent to about $5 Ahmedabad, April 12: The Gujarat down last year. billion of revenue for High Court pulled up the state gov- After closing for retailers from just shows. India is now outbreak, and as cases continue to ernment Monday over the COVID- more than eight the second-most af- surge, sources said authorities were Last week, the local Maharashtra 19 situation in the state and prob- Health workers shift a COVID-19 patient at the Government Civil Hospital in months, theatres fected country after considering shutting down some government shut down KUMAR RAJAGOPALAN I CEO OF lems being faced by citizens, saying Ahmedabad, Monday. PTI PHOTO in Maharashtra re- the United States that industries and restricting public the reality is contrary to what the opened in November THE RETAILERS ASSOCIATION is grappling with transport. restaurants, bars, OF INDIA government claims. Remdesivir-the key anti-viral drug patient is under home treatment or despite sporadic 31.2 million cases. “One month (of lockdown) is gyms, theatres and “People now think that they are currently in high demand. is asymptomatic and not critical. Bollywood releases and With barely 4% equivalent to about $5 billion of at God’s mercy,” a division bench of “The situation is quite different The supply is also less from com- capacity restrictions. of more than 1.3 billion people revenue for retailers from just non-essential stores in Chief Justice Vikram Nath and than what you are claiming. You are panies, he informed. “Only seven But with the new surge in cases in India estimated to have been Maharashtra,” Kumar Rajagopalan, a blow to businesses that Justice Bhargav Karia said while saying that everything is alright. But, companies make it. The production and the spectre of more curbs, the- vaccinated, experts say the COVID CEO of the Retailers Association of hearing a PIL, taken up suo motu (on the reality is contrary to that,” the is just 1.75 lakh vials per day. We are atre owners say they may never re- crisis in the country could have a India, told Reuters. “We are talking had barely recovered its own), on the situation in the high court said. There is a “trust procuring around 25,000 injections cover from the losses and be forced long way to go. about 1.2 million stores and 5 mil- from the nationwide state. The HC also suggested some deficit” among people, the HC ob- every day for Gujarat,” Trivedi said. to shut down. lion jobs.” steps, like capping the number of served during the hearing held via However, the HC asked why the “It’s the final nail in the coffin,” STORE CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES Rajagopalan said store shut- lockdown last year guests at weddings to 50, instead of video conference. “People are curs- government was controlling the said Sharad Doshi, vice-president Maharashtra, one of India’s most downs will hit sectors such as man- 100 at present, limiting the number ing the government and the gov- supply of Remdesivir when peo- of the Cinema Owners and urbanised and industrialised states, ufacturing, distribution and bank- of people at funerals, ban on all kind ernment is cursing the people. This ple were running here and there to Exhibitors Association of India. accounts for nearly 15% of the ing and have a snowball effect on the SOCIAL, across 15 cities in India, of gatherings, limiting the number will not help. We need to break this get it and even designated hospitals “We have no choice but to perish.” country’s gross domestic product economy. said the shutdown would lead to of employees in offices and desig- chain of infection,” the court said. were saying they do not have it. Doshi and other business owners and is crucial for its economic re- Restaurants and bars in more job losses. nating one person in each society to On some media reports claiming “The medicine is available, but have called on the government pro- covery. Maharashtra had already felt the Amlani said many restaurants coordinate with authorities. there was a shortage of Remdesivir it is being controlled by the gov- vide support through tax waivers The Confederation Of All India pinch as the state mandated a daily took loans to re-start their busi- Advocate General Kamal Trivedi injections and long queues outside ernment. Why can’t people buy it? and subsidies on rent to prevent Traders estimated traders in curfew after 8pm - prime time for nesses after burning capital during informed the HC about various a hospital to get it, Trivedi told the Make sure it is available every- the crisis from worsening. Maharashtra would lose about 1 eateries to rake in revenues - before the lockdown last year and would steps taken by the Gujarat gov- court that people who do not need where. There is no shortage of India reported 168,912 new in- trillion rupees ($13.34 billion) dur- shuttering them completely last now have to bear interest costs on ernment, but the bench refused to the drug were also trying to buy it Remdesivir. Everything is avail- fections on Monday, inching past ing a month-long lockdown. week. top of fixed costs. accept most of the explanations, as a precautionary measure. able with you. We want results, not Brazil, with a total of 13.53 million The state has also suffered the Riyaaz Amlani, who runs nearly “So there is a serious crisis loom- be it on the availability of beds or Remdesivir is not required if the reasons,” the court said. cases, data compiled by Reuters most deaths in India’s COVID-19 60 popular restaurants, including ing,” he said. Increase in rush for outstation trains from Mumbai Arrest Guj BJP head

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA ber of people visit their native places for marriages and other rea- for free Remdesivir Mumbai, April 12: Amid talks of sons. a complete lockdown in "Panchayat elections are sched- Maharashtra to arrest the COVID- uled in Uttar Pradesh and hence 19 surge, the passenger rush on many people are going for vot- distribution: Cong outstation trains in Mumbai has ing," he said, adding there may increased since the last weekend, be some migrant labourers among Railway sources said Monday. the passengers, but their number The Railway administration, is "negligible" as compared to the however, attributed the passenger last year. rush to the summer season which A Central Railway spokesperson sees a large number of people trav- said they are operating 12 of the 88 elling to their native places. scheduled summer special trains for The sources said though the North India, apart from 18-20 reg- rush on outstation trains has gone ular special trains for Darbhanga, up since the state government an- Patna, Danapur, Gorakhpur, nounced fresh COVID- 19 curbs Lucknow, Manduadih, Puri, Raxaul earlier this month, the weekend and Guwahati among other desti- saw a steady flow of passengers nations. on long-distance trains originat- "The Railway administration ap- ing from different stations in the peals to people to avoid panic book- metropolis. ing. The Railway runs more trains Speculation is rife about the in summer for the convenience of PRESS TRUST OF INDIA action, we urged the Governor to Maharashtra government mulling Passengers gather at the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to board outstation trains amid the ongoing spike in COVID-19 passengers," Shivaji Sutar, chief intervene in the matter. a "complete lockdown" to curb the cases in Mumbai, Monday. PTI PHOTO public relations officer, Central Ahmedabad, April 12: Gujarat "We want the police to lodge an current surge in COVID-19 cases, Railway, said. BJP president CR Paatil is facing FIR and arrest Paatil for this ille- which registered an all-time high (LTT) said since the last couple of board trains. he said. A senior Railway officer said Sutar said only passengers hav- fire over free distribution of 5,000 gal act so that others refrain from spike of 63,294 infections Sunday. days, the station in suburban "Since the last few days, trains are the rush on outstation trains going ing confirmed tickets/reservation doses of key COVID-19 drug doing such acts in the future," said A Central Railway staffer de- Mumbai has registered a sharp in- going full, but since the last few to North India is mainly due to the are being permitted to board the Remdesivir in Surat with the op- Chavda. puted at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus crease in passengers coming to days there has been more rush," summer season, when a large num- trains. position Congress Monday de- Paatil had told reporters on manding his arrest for alleged il- Saturday that the free distribution legal procurement and storage of of the much sought after COVID- the medicine. 19 medicine was decided after look- Sabarmati Ashram closed again The Gujarat Congress sought ing at the plight of relatives of pa- registration of an FIR against tients who needed Remdesivir. CBI summons Deshmukh Paatil, who had stirred a con- "We were seeing long lines of for visitors as virus cases spike troversy last week after he an- people for injections and that is nounced free distribution of 5,000 the reason we decided to help rel- doses of Remdesivir in Surat, his atives of patients. for questioning tomorrow hometown, amid a shortage of the medicine. Gujarat BJP president The free distribution started CR Paatil had stirred a INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE from the BJP's Surat office April 10. Even as the Congress sought his controversy last week Mumbai, April 12: Moving ahead arrest, as many as 3,000 vials had after he announced in its probe into the allegations of already been distributed during corruption and misuse of office, the last three days, including free distribution of the Central Bureau of around 1,000 injections given free 5,000 doses of Investigation (CBI) has summoned to relatives of needy patients former Maharashtra Home Monday, said an office-bearer of Remdesivir in Surat, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA COVID-19 scenario improved in Minister Anil Deshmukh for ques- the Surat BJP. his hometown, amid a Gujarat with the number of cases tioning April 14. A Congress delegation, led by Ahmedabad, April 12: Over three showing a downward trend. “We have asked Deshmukh to state unit chief Amit Chavda, called shortage of the drug months after it was reopened for peo- However, the cases have been record his statement April 14 at on Gujarat Governor Acharya ple after remaining shut for nine rising steeply in the state for the last our office here,” a CBI official re- Devvrat and sought strict action "The government is doing a good months, the Sabarmati Ashram few weeks. Gujarat logged more lated to probe told IANS. against Paatil for "flouting rules". job by providing Remdesivir free of here in Gujarat has been closed than 5,000 fresh cases on two con- This is for the first time that the "No one knows how Paatil pro- cost in government hospitals, while for visitors once again following the secutive days on Saturday and CBI has summoned Deshmukh for cured 5,000 Remdesivir injections. those in private hospitals have to rise in coronavirus positive cases Sunday. Ahmedabad had added questioning after it registered a Is he having any licence to buy pay large sums of money for it, in the state. over 1,500 new infections Sunday, preliminary enquiry (PE) April 6 misuse of office on the orders of the Superintendent of Police level of- and store such critical drug in his the Gujarat BJP president had said. The Sabarmati Ashram the health department had said. into allegations of corruption and Bombay High Court. ficers are already in Mumbai to premises? Monday, Surat MLA Harsh Preservation and Memorial Trust, Prime Minister Narendra Modi The CBI action comes a day after probe the allegations of corrup- "How much money was spent Sanghavi of the BJP came out in which manages the ashram, stated had visited the Sabarmati Ashram CBI has recorded the it recorded the statements of his two tion and misuse of office by (to buy the drug) and under which support of Paatil and said all the Monday that the ashram prem- last in March to flag off a sym- PAs, Palande and Kundan, Sunday. Deshmukh. law it was procured? There is ab- injections were procured from ises "will remain closed for visitors bolic Dandi March as part of the statement of Param Bir Earlier, in the day, the CBI also The CBI has also recorded the solutely no information available other states by paying money. due to COVID-19 pandemic till fur- "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav" ini- Singh, who dropped a recorded the statement of ACP statement of Param Bir Singh, who about it," Chavda told reporters The ruling party legislator also ther notice". tiative. Several prominent tem- Sanjay Patil for the second time in dropped a letter bomb March 20, ac- after meeting the Governor. hit out at the Congress. "We have The ashram, which served as ples in Gujarat, including the letter bomb March 20, connection with its probe. cusing Deshmukh of asking sus- Other members of the Congress purchased these injections from one of the residences of Mahatma Somnath temple, Bahucharaji accusing Deshmukh of Deshmukh had stepped down pended and arrested Mumbai cop delegation included Rajya Sabha MP other states where they are in ex-

Gandhi during the freedom strug- Temple and Shamlaji temple, have from his post on last Monday after Sachin Vaze and other Mumbai Shaktisinh Gohil, Leader of cess. We are giving it for free to

k y m asking arrested Mumbai c gle, was closed for visitors March been shut for visitors because of the Bombay HC ordered the CBI Police personnel to extort Rs 100 Opposition Paresh Dhanani and the needy people who are stand- 20, 2020, after detection of early the rising graph of cases. As of cop Sachin Vaze and to conduct a preliminary enquiry crore monthly from bars, hotels former Gujarat Congress presi- ing in queues. Is it a crime to help COVID-19 cases in Gujarat. Sunday, Gujarat's caseload stood others to extort money into the charges levelled against and restaurants. dent Bharatsinh Solanki. the needy people? Did Chavda give The ashram was opened for vis- at 3,47,495. The state is left with him by former Mumbai Police chief The CBI has also recorded the "It appears that one man is con- even one injection free to some- itors in January this year after a gap 27,568 active cases, as per the gov- from bars and hotels Param Bir Singh. statement of petitioner Jayshri trolling the entire state. Since the one his own constituency?" asked of more than nine months as the ernment data. Two teams of the CBI led by Patil and DCP Raju Bhujbal. BJP government is not taking any Sanghavi. We will LIVING COVID PATIENT P8 continue with DECLARED DEAD TUESDAY | APRIL 13 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR our struggle for the restoration of J&K’s A case has come to light at Patna special status. We do Medical College Hospital (PMCH) not accept your where a living person infected (government’s) decision with Covid-19 was declared dead y of revoking it and a death certificate issued to

his family members

k y m national MEHBOOBA MUFTI | PDP PRESIDENT c

of the day uote 10 STATES SHOW SHARP CHEERFUL MOOD The talks with the government would resume from the same point RISE IN DAILY nCoV CASES where it had ended January 22. The demands are also the same -- all Night curfew three ‘black’ farm laws should be in Haryana repealed, a new law made to ensure MSP (minimum support price) for Chandigarh: The crops Haryana government

RAKESH TIKAIT | BKU LEADER Monday announced night curfew from 9 p.m. till 5 a.m. with immediate effect to Several curb the spike in Covid government cases. Earlier, and private neighbouring Punjab, hospitals will be Chandigarh, and Delhi converted into had imposed night dedicated Covid curfew too. State care centres soon. Health Minister Anil Vij The decision was taken in an told the media that the emergency meeting to review the decision was taken in Covid-19 situation in the national the wake of the sudden capital spike in cases. ARVIND KEJRIWAL | DELHI CHIEF MINISTER AGENCIE 14 hosps dedicated for Corona New Delhi, April 12: Ten states vaccine is the Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Covid patients in Delhi need of the Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, New Delhi: In view of exponential country. You all Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, should also raise surge of Covid-19 cases in the Gujarat and Rajasthan have shown Youngsters in traditional attire dance on the eve of Baisakhi festival in Amritsar PTI PHOTO your voice for it. national capital, the health a steep rise in the daily COVID-19 department of the Delhi Everyone has the cases accounting for 83.02 per cent right to a safe life Government has declared as many of the new infections, the Union as 14 big private hospitals as fully RAHUL GANDHI | CONGRESS LEADER Health Ministry said Monday. Covid-care centres Monday. The Sushil Chandra India’s daily cases continue to rise decision came hours after the Covid hits Supreme Court and 1,68,912 fresh coronavirus in- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind appointed CEC fections were registered in a span Kejriwal chaired an emergency Around 50% Supreme also come out with two separate SHORT TAKES of 24 hours, the highest single-day meeting in view of Covid-19 notifications in this regard. rise since the outbreak of the pan- situation in the capital Monday. Court staffers have tested One of the notifications said on Eight killed in demic. Maharashtra has reported positive for COVID-19, Monday, the top court benches, which the highest daily cases at 63,294. It media reports said used to assemble at 10.30 a.m. and 11 road mishap is followed by Uttar Pradesh with 70.16 per cent of India's total active a.m., would assemble one hour late. 15,276 while Delhi reported 10,774 cases. Maharashtra alone accounts A sanitation drive would be carried Jammu: At least eight new cases. for 47.22% of the total active case- INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE out on the entire court premises, in- passengers were killed and Sixteen states -- Maharashtra, load of the country. India's cumu- On Monday, benches did not as- cluding courtrooms, and the judges four seriously injured Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, lative recoveries stand at 1,21,56,529 New Delhi, April 12: The surge in semble in courtrooms to take up will take up matter virtually from Monday in a road accident Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, with 75,086 recoveries being reg- cases amid the second wave of cases, but instead conducted virtual their residences. According to the in Jammu and Kashmir's Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, istered in a span of 24 hours. Covid-19 has hit the Supreme Court hearing from their home-office. other notification, physical men- Doda district. Police sources Rajasthan, Punjab, Kerala, Besides, the daily deaths continue with several of its staff testing pos- The court proceedings began an tioning of cases for urgent hearing said a mini bus travelling on itive for the viral infection. the Thathri-Gandola road Telangana, Uttarakhand, Andhra to show an upward trend with 904 hour later from the scheduled time. by advocates have been suspended went out of the driver's Pradesh and West Bengal are dis- deaths being reported in a day. According to sources familiar Senior officials have confirmed from Monday until further orders. control and dropped into playing an upward trajectory in Ten States account for 89.16 per cent with the development, 44 people that there is no panic in the top Around 10 lakh new cases have Kalnai river 42 Kms from daily new cases. of the new deaths. Maharashtra saw have tested positive for Covid-19 court and everything is progress- been reported over the past week, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Doda town. "Eight India's total active caseload has the maximum casualties (349). so far in last one week. A top court ing in business as usual. "Judicial as India faces exponential rise in passengers were killed increased to 12,01,009 and now Chhattisgarh follows with 122 daily official, however, dismissed some work has not been affected by these Covid positive cases. Today was New Delhi, April 12: Election and 4 seriously injured in comprises 8.88 per cent of the coun- deaths. Nine states and UTs have media reports suggesting that nearly cases," said a source in the top court the sixth consecutive day it re- Commissioner Sushil Chandra this accident. A rescue try's total infections. A net increase not reported any COVID-19 deaths in 50 per cent of Supreme Court familiar with the developments. ported over a lakh daily cases with was Monday appointed as the next operation has already of 92,922 cases has been recorded a span of 24 hours. These are Odisha, staffers have tested positive. Usually, some judges have been 1,68,912 new infections -- the high- Chief Election Commissioner, the started", police said. The ill- in the total active caseload in a day. Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh (UT), However, the top court's func- coming to the apex court premises est daily surge so far. According to Law Ministry said. fated mini bus was on its way Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, D&D and D&N, Meghalaya, Sikkim, tioning has not been affected in any to conduct hearings, but few have the Health Ministry, 904 people have According to a statement is- from Doda to Chilli village. Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar way. The source added that there been taking up cases from their succumbed to the viral infection sued by the Legislative Department Kerala cumulatively account for Islands and Arunachal Pradesh. nearly 3,000 staffers in the top court. residences so far. The top court has in past 24 hours. of the ministry, Chandra will assume charge April 13. Incumbent Tiger mauls Sunil Arora demits office Monday. Chandra was appointed as an elec- man to death tion commissioner February 14, Lakhimpur Kheri (Uttar No meals on flights with 2019, ahead of the Lok Sabha elec- Pradesh): A 45-year-old Rain likely in parts of India tions. farmer has been mauled to He would demit office May 14, death by a tiger inside the in next 4-5 days, says IMD 2022. Under him, the Election buffer forests of the Dudhwa duration of less than 2 hours Commission would hold assem- Tiger Reserve (DTR) in bly polls in Goa, Manipur, Tikunia area. The farmer, Om PRESS TRUST OF INDIA south interior Karnataka dur- Uttarakhand, Punjab and Uttar Prakash, is the fifth person to The ban will come into effect from Thursday, the ministry said in its order ing April 14-16. Another cyclonic Pradesh. be killed by a tiger in the New Delhi, April 12: Several circulation lies over southwest The term of the assemblies of forest in six months. Anil AGENCIES parts of the country are likely Madhya Pradesh and neigh- Goa, Manipur, Uttarakhand and Patel, divisional forest to receive rainfall in the next five bouring areas. Under its influence, Punjab ends on various dates in officer, said that villagers New Delhi, April 12: Airlines are days due to different cyclonic cir- isolated rainfall with thunder- March next year. The term of the had been warned last week not permitted to serve meals in do- culations, the India Meteorological storm, lightning and gusty winds Uttar Pradesh assembly ends May not to enter the forest as mestic flights that have a duration Department (IMD) said Monday. (30-40 kmph) is very likely over 14 next year. New assemblies camera traps had captured of less than two hours, the Civil According to the National Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, have to be constituted before their images of a tigress with cubs Aviation Ministry said Monday, as Weather Forecasting Centre of Telangana, Chhattisgarh, five year term ends. in the area. Pugmarks had coronavirus cases continue to spi- the IMD, under the influence of Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha also confirmed the presence of an adult tiger in the area. ral across the country. said it decided to review the on- variants of the UK, South Africa and trough and cyclonic circulations during next 4-5 days and over When scheduled domestic flights board meal services in domestic Brazil demonstrated increased over the south peninsula, scat- Jharkhand during next 24 hours. Babri judge rewarded were resumed on May 25 after coro- flights due to the “the increasing transmissibility, as reported by the tered to fairly widespread rainfall The IMD said a fresh active navirus lockdown last year, the threat of COVID-19 and its vari- World Health Organization. India with thunderstorm, lightning western disturbance is very likely PRESS TRUST OF INDIA CBI interrogates ministry had allowed the airlines ants”. “Airlines are permitted to has surpassed Brazil to record the and gusty winds of 30-40 kilo- to affect the western Himalayan Anup for 6th time to serve in-flight meals under cer- serve only pre-packed snacks, meals second-highest number of COVID- metres per hour are very likely region during April 14-17 and ad- Lucknow, April 12: Retired judge tain conditions. Modifying the pre- and pre-packed beverages on flights 19 cases at 1,35,27,717, as a record over southwest peninsular India joining plains during April 15- Surendra Kumar Yadav, who gave Kolkata: The CBI Monday vious order, the ministry's fresh that have a duration of more than 1,68,912 new infections were rein the next five days. 17. Isolated hailstorms are also the verdict in the high-profile interrogated the alleged directive said: “The airlines, oper- two hours,. The servicing of in- ported Monday. The active cases The IMD said isolated heavy likely over Jammu, Kashmir, Babri mosque demolition case coal scam kingpin Anup ating flights on domestic sectors, flight meals must be staggered have surpassed the 12-lakh mark, rainfall is also likely over south Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan and last year, took oath as an ‘up- Majhi alias Lala for the sixth may provide meals services on "among the adjacent seats as far while the toll increased to 1,70,179 and ghat areas of Tamil Nadu, Muzaffarabad and Himachal lokayukta’ in Uttar Pradesh time. According to the probe board, where the in-flight duration as possible”, it added. The min- with 904 more deaths, the highest Kerala and Mahe, coastal and Pradesh April 14-16. Monday. body, Majhi appeared before is two hours or more.” The ministry istry said all three coronavirus since October 18. As a judge of special CBI court, the CBI at around 11 a.m. A Yadav had September 30, 2020 ac- CBI official said that he was quitted all the 32 accused, including being questioned in connection with the scam BJP veterans LK Advani, MM and about his financial Joshi, Uma Bharti and Kalyan dealings and his properties Thousands flout Covid norms, take dip in Ganga Singh, in the case of demolition of in the state (West Bengal). Babri mosque in Ayodhya PRESS TRUST OF INDIA common people took the dip at the The akhada of transgenders led December 6, 1992. KUMBH MELA other ghats of the Ganga, revered by mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi “Yadav was appointed as third Haridwar, April 12: Amid rising by millions as a goddess. Narayan Tripathi took the dip along ‘up-lokayukta’ by the Governor Riyaz suspended coronavirus cases nationwide, a Seers from Niranjani Akhada with the Joona Akhada seers. They April 6. On Monday, Yadav was Mumbai: Assistant Police sea of saffron-clad seers and ash- led by their mahamandaleshwar came to Har ki Pairi dancing to administered oath by Lokayukta Inspector Riyaz Kazi, a smeared Nagas converged at Har ki Acharya Kailashanand Giri were the drum beats. Sanjay Mishra in the presence of colleague of police officer Pairi in Haridwar for a holy dip in first at the ghat. Sadhus from However, Acharya Lakshmi other senior officers,” an official Sachin Waze, was the Ganga during the second shahi Ananda Akhada also went to the Narayan took ill and fainted soon statement said here. suspended from service snan of the Kumbh Mela Monday. river with them. They were fol- after the ritual bath and was rushed The anti-corruption watchdog Monday, a day after he was Led by their `mahamandalesh- lowed by the Joona Akhada seers. to hospital in an ambulance. comprises the Lokayukta and arrested by the NIA probing waras', the sadhus from different Former King of Nepal Gyanendra Maha Nirvani Akhada seers led three ‘up-lokayuktas’. the recovery of an akhadas took out “shobha yatras” Bir Bikram Shah, on his maiden by its mahamandaleshwar The other two up-lokayuktas explosives-laden SUV through the main thoroughfare of visit to Haridwar, was among the Vishokanand Maharaj arrived at the are Shambu Singh Yadav, who found outside industrialist the pilgrimage city to gather at devotees who took a bath in the ghat at the end of a procession. was appointed August 4, 2016, and Mukesh Ambani's residence Brahma Kund, Hari ki Pairi for the river. It was the second shahi snan Before taking a dip themselves, Dinesh Kumar Singh, who was here and the subsequent shah snan –- or the royal bath -- on during the ongoing Kumbh Mela, they bathed an idol of the Sun god appointed June 6, 2020. murder of Mansukh Hiran, Somvati Amavasya. which has been limited to just one kept in a palanquin. The tenure of an ‘up-lokayukta’

y an official said. Additional Marching barefoot to their des- Commissioner of Police month due to rising cases of coro- Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar is eight years. The Lokayukta is

tination, the seers took a dip in the event in which, according to the with such a large crowd of seers con- navirus. The last ‘royal bath’ was said the shahi snan was being con- from a non-political background

k y m (Arms unit) Virendra c Mishra has issued the river as they were showered with mela administration, over 17 lakh verging on the ghats, but efforts conducted on the occasion of ducted smoothly throughout the and functions as a statutory au- order suspending Kazi flower petals from helicopters people had taken a dip in the river were on to ensure that everyone Mahashivratri March 11. Har Ki “mela kshetra” from Haridwar to thority probing cases primarily which stated that he cannot arranged by the Uttarakhand gov- in the first few hours up to 10 am. adheres to them. Pairi resonated with the chants of Devprayag. More than 20,000 po- related to corruption, govern- do any private work and ernment. Masks were not worn by Mela Inspector General Sanjay While Har ki Pairi, considered the Har Mahadev throughout the day lice and para military personnel ment mismanagement, or abuse action will be taken against a large proportion and social dis- Gunjyal said 100 per cent compliance holiest of the ghats was reserved for as the akhadas descended on the ghat kept an eye over the mela area of power by public servants or him if this order is violated. tancing appeared impossible in an with Covid-19 norms is not possible the akhadas from 7 am onwards, in batches. spread over 600 hectares. ministers. Maha Vikas Aghadi has PRESIDENT RETURNS TO P9 become a ‘Maha Vasooli TUESDAY | APRIL 13 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR Aghadi’. The way they have started RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN the vasooli from police, farmers and President Ram Nath Kovind Monday the common man, it shows that all said he has returned to Rashtrapati the three ruling parties have only Bhavan. Kovind, 75, had March 30 one agenda and that is to collect undergone a cardiac bypass surgery

y money from wherever it is possible at the All India Institute of Medical

k y m national DEVENDRA FADNAVIS | BJP LEADER Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi c

of the day uote SC dismisses PIL seeking Patients 24-hour campaign without deletion of Quran verses symptoms and with mild symptoms will be isolated in The plea had sought deletion of 26 verses from Quran hotels and COVID stating that these are being used by Islamic terrorist care centres. Only groups as justification for attacks on the civilians patients with severe conditions will ban on Mamata: EC be treated in hospitals K SUDHAKAR | HEALTH MIN, KARNATAKA THE BENGAL CHIEF MINISTER WAS ACCUSED OF VIOLATING THE CODE WITH HER REMARKS ON MUSLIM

I salute the VOTES AND THOSE ALLEGEDLY TELLING PEOPLE TO REVOLT AGAINST CENTRAL SECURITY FORCES volunteers for rendering selfless service and AGENCIES Mamata to stage effectively delivering the New Delhi, April 12: The Election dharna in Kolkata government’s Commission Monday barred West KOLKATA: Lashing out at the welfare schemes right at the Bengal Chief Minister and Election Commission over its deci- people’s doorstep. You are great Trinamool Congress leader Mamata sion to bar her from campaigning soldiers with a great heart, who Banerjee from campaigning for 24 for 24 hours, West Bengal Chief understood the people’s concerns hours for her remarks against cen- Minister Mamata Banerjee said tral forces and a statement which Y S JAGAN MOHAN REDDY | CM, AP she would stage a dharna in the had alleged religious overtones. city on Tuesday to protest against “Commission hereby condemns Why is it that the poll panel’s “unconstitutional such statements potent with serious POST NEWS NETWORK Rizvi had alleged in his petition nobody shot a decision”. Taking to Twitter, she video of the law and order problems across the wrote, “To protest against the that certain verses in the Quran are incident on a cell state(s) and sternly warns Mamata undemocratic and unconstitution- New Delhi, April 12: The Supreme a threat to the sovereignty, unity and phone? Everyone, Banerjee and advises her to desist al decision of the Election Court Monday dismissed a peti- integrity of the country and should from the from using such statements while Commission of India, I will sit on tion filed by Syed Waseem Rizvi, for- be declared unconstitutional. mediapersons to making public utterances during the dharna tomorrow at Gandhi Murti, mer chairperson of Shia Waqf He had contended in the peti- common people, is in possession of period when Model Code of Conduct Commission (EC) said that Banerjee to make division amongst your- Kolkata from 12 noon.” The poll Board of Uttar Pradesh, seeking tion that verse 9 surah 5 is negative smart phones. The EC says the is in force,” the order said. has “selectively chosen” parts of selves as Hindu and Muslim’ it is panel’s order came after deletion of certain verses of Quran and promotes violence. central forces were compelled to It said that the “commission also her speech in her reply dated April evident that my speech was not to Banerjee’s remarks against central alleging that they violate the law of “But once the Sacred Months open fire. But the report of the DM imposes a ban of 24 hours on Ms 9 and “did not mention anything on incite religious sentiments but to forces and a statement which had the land and promote hatred. have passed, kill the polytheists, who and the SP is not clear Mamata Banerjee from campaign- the context of key parts of her maintain peace and harmony,” the alleged religious overtones. A three-judge bench of the apex violated their treaties, wherever BIMAN BOSE | VETERAN CPI(M) LEADER ing in any manner from 8 pm of speech”. chief minister had said. court comprising Justices R F you find them, capture them, besiege April 12 till 8 pm of April 13”. In her reply to the notice, the The EC order reproduced the initiates clashes between the Hindu Nariman, B R Gavai and them, and lie in wait for them on Assembly elections in West Trinamool Congress leader had “key part” of her reported speech. and the Muslims...” Hrushikesh Roy termed the petition every way. But if they repent, per- Bengal began March 27 and four of said, “I did not seek to influence The text of Banerjee’s speech “The comrades of CPM and “absolutely frivolous” and also im- form prayers, and pay alms-tax, SHORT TAKES the eight phases of the polls have the voters to cast their vote for her quoted in the commission’s order BJP are roaming around with posed cost of `50,000 on Waseem then set them free. Indeed, Allah is been completed. on religious segmentary lines; read: “I am requesting my minor- the money given by BJP to divide Rizvi, who is also president of All All-Forgiving, Most Merciful,” the The poll panel’s order cited two rather I categorically spoke in favour ity brothers and sisters with folded the minority votes. Please don’t India Shia Yateem Khana. verse reads. Drug trafficking separate notices to Banerjee April of religious harmony in line with hands don’t divide the minority allow them to do so. Keep in mind Rizvi had sought deletion of 26 He had pleaded the court to con- 7 and April 8, and her subsequent the spirit of Model Code of Conduct votes after listening to the devil that if the BJP comes to the gov- verses from Quran stating that stitute a committee of religious network busted replies. and the Constitution of India”. (shaitaan) person who had taken ernment then you will be in severe these are being used by Islamic experts to get the opinion on the sub- New Delhi: The Narcotics On her speech which had alleged “By using words ‘I also will tell money from the BJP. He passes danger”, read text of her speech terrorist groups as justification ject matter of the petition in the Control Bureau (NCB) Monday religious overtones, the Election my Hindu brothers and sisters not many communal statements and quoted in the EC order. for attacks on the civilians. larger public interest. claimed to have busted a psychotropic drugs trafficking network, that used the RED FORT VIOLENCE Govt to frame ‘darknet’ to ship consignments KEEPING TRACK abroad, with the arrest of 4 people and seizure of over 30 new electricity lakh pieces of drugs and cough syrup. The syndicate used to Court reserves order policy conceal the psychotropic drugs in herbal supplement INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE packages, the agency said. “The operation, that is ongoing, on Sidhu’s bail plea New Delhi, April 12: The Power has led to seizure of 30.5 lakh Ministry has set up an expert (pieces) of psychotropic drugs, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA rade against the Centre’s three panel to prepare the Draft National 70,000 codeine-based cough new agri laws. Electricity Policy 2021. syrups and 14.895 kg Amphetamine drug,” NCB New Delhi, April 12: A Delhi The prosecutor opposed the bail The Central government, from deputy director (operations) K court Monday reserved its order on application, claiming that if re- time to time, in consultation with P S Malhotra said. the bail application of actor-ac- leased, Sidhu will destroy the ev- states, reviews and revises the tivist Deep Sidhu, arrested in con- idence as he destroyed two phones National Electricity Policy and nection with the Red Fort violence before he was apprehended. Tariff Policy under the Electricity on the Republic Day. He told the court that before Act, 2003. The government had no- Youth with fake Special Judge Neelofer Abida January 25, Sidhu gave interview tified the National Electricity Policy currencies held Perveen said that the order on to media wherein he said “26th in February 2005. The Working Sidhu's bail plea will be pro- (January) is coming..More and Group on Power for the 12th Plan Coimbatore: A youth has nounced April 15. more people should come.” had made recommendation for been detained near Tirupur, Sidhu’s counsel told the court The prosecutor read out the amendment in National Electricity about 55 kms from here, for that mere presence did not make transcripts of an interview that Policy in addition to Electricity allegedly trying to circulate him part of unlawful assembly Sidhu had given to a news chan- Act 2003 and Tariff Policy. fake currencies, police said and that he was an honest citi- nel and claimed that he admitted The panel will prepare the Monday. The youth was zen who was part of a protest. in this interview that he broke National Electricity Policy 2021 stopped during a vehicle- check Sunday at Padiyur as The public prosecutor repre- the barricade.He further quoted and will be headed by Gireesh his two-wheeler did not bear senting the Delhi police claimed from the interview where Sidhu Pradhan, former Chairman, CERC. any registration number, the that Sidhu participated in the had allegedly claimed to have bro- Other members include Rakesh police said. During protest with the intention to cre- ken barricades in Punjab Nath, former Chairman, CEA and interrogation, the police said ate violence and disregard the na- November 26. ex-member, APTEL, CEA they found in the vehicle tional flag and that he was the He claimed that in Sidhu’s pres- Chairman and representatives of colour photocopies of main instigator of unlawful as- ence national flag was disrespected MNRE, states of West Bengal, Uttar currencies in the sembly. and that he did not try to stop it. Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Assam denomination of 2,000, 500, Sidhu was arrested February The prosecutor claimed that and Gujarat, Niti Aayog, heads of 200 and 100 totalling `1.19 lakh. 9 in connection with the Red Sidhu was very well aware in ad- NTPC, NHPC, POSOCO, PGCIL The currencies were seized. Fort violence on the Republic vance that protesters at Singhu A muslim man, is seen setting the timing for prayer in different watches for upcoming Ramzan festival in Hyderabad, and SECI. The Joint Secretary, Day during farmers’ tractor pa- border will not follow the route. Monday PTI PHOTO Power Ministry will be the con- vener. The panel may call invitees Youth dies while from industry including IPP, FICCI, CII, Wind Association, Solar dousing forest fire Association for the meetings. Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand): A Kerala’s night watchman turns IIM Professor youth died while dousing a wildfire in his village in the INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE I never thought that AMARNATH YATRA Didihat forest range in my Facebook post Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh Thiruvananthapuram, April 12: would go this viral, I Online registration district, officials said Ranjith Ramachandran, an had posted it to be an Monday. The incident Assistant Professor at IIM Ranchi, inspiration for each and to begin April 15 occurred Saturday when a is a role model today. His struggle everyone who are fighting fire broke out in Athkhawli to get a get a good education and the with their backs to the wall Jammu, April 12: The online reg- and Sarpanch Puran Singh fight to sustain himself to see his and I wanted to be an istration of pilgrims for Shri Mehta called youths from the dream getting realised is being re- inspiration, nothing more Amarnathji Yatra 2021 is going to village to extinguish the garded as an inspiration to the so- commence April 15 for both the blaze, Divisional Forest ciety. RANJITH RAMACHANDRAN Baltal and Chandanwari routes. Officer (DFO) Vinay Bhargava Ranjith lived in a dilapidated This year’s 56-day Yatra shall com- said. The victim, Pankaj Singh single room mud hut and worked as Kerala Finance Minister and a mence simultaneously on both the Deopa (19), fell into a 500- a night watchman for survival. His Doctorate in Economics from the routes from June 28 and culminate metre-deep, fire-filled gorge, father is a tailor and mother a daily Centre for Development Studies, Dr Raksha Bandhan, August 22, 2021. the officer said, adding he was pulled out of it and wage earner under the Mahatma Thomas Issac while speaking to Nitishwar Kumar, Chief rushed to a hospital where Gandhi National Rural Employment IANS said, “Ranjith is an inspiration Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji doctors declared him dead. Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). and from the moment he felt he was Shrine Board has informed that the He did his graduation at St Pious defeated, he turned his life and intending yatris shall have to visit College, Kanhangad in northern achieved success. He is an inspira- the URL: www.jksasb.nic.in and most Kerala and worked as a night tion and role model, we have seen the click on REGISTER. The yatri will Farmer kills self watchman at the BSNL exchange in likes of former President Late K R then be guided for the steps to be Banda: A 48-year-old farmer Panathur, Kasargod district. He Naryananan who had defeated his followed. He will have to fill up killed himself by jumping in graduated in Economics honours at IIT Madras encouraged him to make it. Facebook post would go this viral, circumstances with extraordinary his details in the online applica- front of a train in Turra village and went on to study a doctoral de- continue, and now Ranjith has got In a Facebook post, Ranjith wrote I had posted it to be an inspiration will power and attained success.” tion form and attach his photo- as he was facing financial gree at IIT Madras, one of the pre- a posting as Assistant Professor in extensively on the trauma and the for each and everyone who are fight- He adds, “Ranjith has used edu- graph and the Compulsory Health hardship, police said Monday. mier institutes of the country. the Indian Institute of Management tough life he had faced to meet two ing with their backs to the wall and cation as a tool to overcome the so- Certificate (CHC). y They said Pappu alias Ganga Ranjith, who writes himself as (IIM) Ranchi. ends together and dedicates his I wanted to be an inspiration, noth- cial and economic backwardness and The CEO said that for ensuring

Prasad jumped in front of a Ranjith K. Panathur, said that he was After his doctoral degree from IIT success to the poor parents, who ing more.” climbed up the ladder of success and against fraudulent health certifi-

k y m c Sampark Kranti Express totally desperate after getting into Madras, Ranjith joined Christ had given everything to make him The story of Ranjith, who comes he is an inspiration, enabler and a cates, only such certificates which Sunday and died on the spot. IIT Madras as he knew no other University, Bangalore for two months what he is now. from a remote village in the north- role model for all the young children are issued by doctors/Medical According to his brother, police language other than Malayalam. and he got a posting at IIM Ranchi. His Facebook post turned viral ernmost part of Kerala, is being who seeks to attain success in life Institutes authorized by the con- said, Prasad's wife died six As communication was difficult, In between he was also in the merit with more than 37,000 likes and appreciated as a hugely inspiring and they must understand that ed- cerned State Government/UT months ago following a kidney he wanted to quit, said Ranjith. list for the selection of professors Ranjith while speaking to IANS one, and he is being projected as a ucation is a major tool for success Administrations shall be accepted disease. However Dr Subhash, his professor in Calicut University but could not said, “I never thought that my role model. and to open newer pastures.” for the online registration. While we would APPLE TO TESTIFY BEFORE US P10 like to see these TUESDAY | APRIL 13 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR doses completed before SENATE HEARING ON APP STORE the end of the year, it is Apple will send its chief compliance not possible to set such officer before the US Senate targets given the many Judiciary Committee to testify uncertainties involved during a hearing on app stores and SCOTT MORRISON | AUSTRALIAN digital competition April 21, said

PRIME MINISTER media reports

k y m international c of the day uote Iran blames Israel for sabotage LOST GOLDEN CITY I urge everyone to continue to behave responsibly and remember ‘hands, face, space at its Natanz nuclear plant and fresh air’ to suppress COVID as we push on with Israel has not directly claimed responsibility for the attack, but Israeli media widely our vaccination programme reported that a devastating cyberattack orchestrated by Israel caused the blackout BORIS JOHNSON | BRITISH PRIME MINISTER Austin declined to say whether the Natanz incident is likely to impede We need a the Biden administration’s efforts strong, to re-engage with Iran on its nuclear diversified and programme. “Those efforts will resilient US-based electric vehicle continue.” Austin said. battery supply Details remained scarce about chain, so we can what happened early Sunday at the supply the growing global demand facility. The event was initially de- for these vehicles and components scribed as a blackout caused by the A man looks at skeletal human remains at the site of the ‘Lost Golden City’, which was recently discovered by –creating good-paying jobs here at electrical grid feeding its above- archaeologists, in the West Bank of Luxor, Upper Egypt REUTERS PHOTO home ground workshops and underground enrichment halls. JOE BIDEN | US PRESIDENT “The answer for Natanz is to take revenge against Israel,” Khatibzadeh said. “Israel will receive China’s failure Biden’s aggressive climate plan The comments by Multiple Israeli to provide ASSOCIATED PRESS its answer through its own path.” Foreign Ministry media outlets access to He did not elaborate. spokesman Saeed reported global health Dubai, April 12: Iran Monday Khatibzadeh acknowledged that Khatibzadeh Sunday that an experts made the blamed Israel for a sabotage attack IR-1 centrifuges, the first-generation represent the first Israeli puts pressure on China, India COVID-19 pandemic on its underground Natanz nuclear workhorse of Iran's uranium en- official accusation cyberattack worse than it had facility that damaged the centrifuges richment, had been damaged in AGENCIES Trump withdrew from the Paris leveled against caused the to be it uses to enrich uranium there, the attack, but did not elaborate. agreement and dismantled domestic warning that it would avenge the Israel for the blackout in State television has yet to show im- Washington, April 12: An ambitious policies key to driving the coun- ANTONY BLINKEN | US SECRETARY OF STATE assault Sunday Natanz assault. ages from the facility. pledge to cut greenhouse-gas emis- try’s promised emissions cuts. The comments by Foreign US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin A former chief of Iran's para- sions under consideration by the At stake is the ability to create Ministry spokesman Saeed declined to say whether the Natanz military Revolutionary Guard said US gives President Joe Biden more standards and develop equipment SHORT TAKES Khatibzadeh represent the first of- incident is likely to impede the Biden the attack had also set off a fire at leverage when he hosts leaders for and technologies that will be used ficial accusation leveled against administration’s efforts to re-engage the site and called for improve- a climate change summit later this for decades to transition the global Israel for the assault Sunday that with Iran on its nuclear programme ments in security. In a tweet, Gen. month – presenting a particular economy away from fossil fuels Ethiopian forces cut power across the facility. Mohsen Rezaei said that a second challenge to China’s Xi Jinping. It’s uncertain whether the US with advances in everything from Israel has not directly claimed re- Benjamin Netanyahu, who met fire at Natanz in a year signaled Bloomberg reported that the can actually deliver on such a bold renewables to electric vehicles to kill 119 ‘rebels’ sponsibility for the attack. However, Sunday with US Defense Secretary “the seriousness of the infiltration White House may commit to emis- plan, but the indication that Biden greener steelmaking. Addis Ababa: Security forces suspicion fell immediately on it as Lloyd Austin, has vowed to do every- phenomenon.” sions cuts of 50% or more from is willing to significantly up the “You can cancel regulation, but in Ethiopia’s Oromia state Israeli media widely reported that thing in his power to stop efforts to Iranian Foreign Minister 2005 levels by 2030, Bloomberg re- ante on emissions targets may put you can’t erase technological ad- have killed 119 rebels, a top a devastating cyberattack orches- revive a nuclear deal between Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif separately ported last week. Officials are look- pressure on China, which has al- vances,” said Lauri Myllyvirta, lead official said. Alemayehu trated by Israel caused the blackout. and world powers. warned Natanz would be recon- ing at opportunities across the fed- ready tried to position itself as a analyst with Centre for Research on Tesfaye, Chief Administrator If Israel was responsible, it would At a news conference at Israel’s structed with more advanced ma- eral government on standard-setting, leader in reducing greenhouse gases. Energy and Clean Air. “Hopefully of East Wollega zone of further heighten tensions between Nevatim air base Monday, where he chines, something that could imperil clean energy investments and re- The US administration is fash- the US domestic plans will be fol- Oromia regional state, said the two nations, already engaged in viewed Israeli air and missile de- ongoing talks in Vienna with world silient infrastructure plans, ac- ioning the aggressive target as it lowed by ambitious programs to Sunday that the rebels were a shadow conflict across the wider fense systems and its F-35 combat powers about saving Tehran's tat- cording to people familiar with the seeks to rebuild trust with nations invest in the low-carbon transition suspected to be members of Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister aircraft, US Defense Secretary Lloyd tered atomic accord. deliberations. wary after former President Donald in emerging countries.” the outlawed Oromo Liberation Army. Tesfaye said a further 43 suspected OLA rebels and their accomplices 47 dead in 24 hrs as were also arrested during recent military operations. England reopens Clashes in Minneapolis after fighting escalates OLA is a breakaway faction of the former rebel group in Yemen’s Marib Oromo Liberation Front. pubs, hair salons US police shoot Black man INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE REUTERS ple queued up outside Primark in to AFP it is “investigating an offi- Conflicts kill 65 English cities such as Birmingham cer-involved shooting incident” in Sanaa, April 12: Forty-seven peo- in Afghanistan Birmingham, April 12: People and outside JD Sports on Oxford Brooklyn Center but declined to ple were killed in the past 24 hours queued up outside retailers across Street in London, undeterred by identify the victim. as fighting escalated in Yemen's oil- Kabul: At least 65 people England Monday to release their the unseasonably cold weather. According to a statement from the rich province of Marib, a gov- were killed in clashes and pent-up shopping fever and some Some folk lined up after mid- Brooklyn Center Police Department, ernment official said. terrorist attacks in grabbed a midnight pint or even night to raise a pint with fellow officers pulled over a driver for a traf- The government forces engaged Afghanistan over the past 24 an early haircut as England’s revellers at the Kentish Belle in fic violation. When they discov- in violent armed confrontations hours, an independent war shops, pubs, gyms and hairdressers Bexleyheath, south London, and ered he had an outstanding warrant, with scores of the Houthi militia monitoring group said reopened after three months of at the Oak Inn in Coventry, cen- they tried to take him into custody. who were desperately attempting Monday. “Over the past 24 lockdown. tral England. He got back into his car, and one to militarily advance towards the hours, our team has “I’m so excited to see my clients: of the officers fired their weapon, city of Marib, the official told documented 65 deaths, to see how they are and give them striking the driver, who died at the Xinhua news agency on Sunday. including six civilians, 12 that feeling that they get from scene. A female passenger in the car He said that “the Houthis si- Afghan National Defense and Security members, and 47 having had their hair done,” suffered “non-life threatening in- multaneously carried out large REUTERS PHOTO Taliban militants,” the group, Maggie Grieve, who manages juries” and was transported to a local military operations and shelling Reduction in Violence (RiV), Beaucatcher hairdressers in north A woman who was tear gassed while confronting police raises her arms hospital, said the statement, which attacks against key government- said on its Twitter account. London, told Reuters. outside Brooklyn Center Police Department in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota did not identify the woman. controlled villages located around The group said 35 people, “Today is going to feel like A couple hundred people gathered the city of Marib”. including 18 Taliban militants, every hairdresser’s birthday. The AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE according to an AFP videojour- in Brooklyn Center Sunday evening, He confirmed that the Houthis' 12 security forces and five well-wishers have already come nalist at the scene. where they were met with police in military operations against Marib civilians, were also injured in: emails, texts, WhatsApps, even Minneapolis, April 21: Protests The mother of Daunte Wright, a riot gear. continued despite the intensified during the cited period. neighbours in the street wishing broke out Sunday night after US po- 20-year-old Black man, told a crowd Photos from the scene showed airstrikes launched by the Saudi-led luck and joy. It feels great. Now lice fatally shot a young Black man earlier Sunday evening that he men stomping on the windshield of Arab coalition to support Yemen's can’t wait to get to the pub,” in a suburb of Minneapolis – where called her to say he had been pulled a police cruiser. Police fired non- government forces on-ground. 5 IS militants killed After imposing the most onerous Grieve said. a former police officer is currently over by police, local media reported. lethal rounds to try to disperse the More than 27 Houthi fighters restrictions in Britain’s peacetime Getting people spending again on trial for the murder of George Katie Wright said she heard of- protesters, according to the Star and about 20 soldiers of the gov- in Iraq airstrike history, Prime Minister Boris is crucial for Britain’s recovery Floyd. ficers tell her son to put his phone Tribune. ernment forces were killed during Johnson said the reopening was a after official data showed that 2020 Hundreds of people gathered down, and then one of the officers After about an hour, the police the fighting, he added. Earlier in the Baghdad: Five Islamic State (IS) terrorists were killed in “major step” towards freedom but was the worst year for its econ- outside the police station in ended the call. Soon after, her son's presence eased, and the crowd lit day, both warring sides continued an airstrike in Iraq's eastern urged people to behave responsibly omy in more than three centuries Brooklyn Center, northwest of girlfriend told her he had been shot. candles and wrote messages such exchanging heavy artillery shelling province of Diyala, the as the coronavirus was still a threat. with a 9.8% decline in gross do- Minneapolis. Police fired teargas and The Minnesota Bureau of as “Justice for Daunte Wright” in outside Marib, causing an unknown military said. A statement by As the sun rose, dozens of peo- mestic product. flash bangs at the demonstrators, Criminal Apprehension confirmed chalk on the street. number of deaths and injuries.. the media office of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) said the airstrike Sunday killed the five terrorists and also destroyed Muslims navigate restrictions in the second pandemic Ramadan four hideouts near Himreen lake in the north of the provincial capital Baquba, THE PANDEMIC HAD DISRUPTED ISLAMIC WORSHIP THE WORLD OVER, INCLUDING IN EGYPT, WHERE MOSQUES some 65 km fron Baghdad. The airstrike came as the WERE CLOSED TO WORSHIPPERS LAST RAMADAN Iraqi security forces launched a search campaign on ASSOCIATED PRESS Ramadan is like nothing else.” rector for the Eastern over the month for many. In war-torn Sunday morning to hunt Egypt has since allowed most Mediterranean. Syria, Abed al-Yassin was concerned down IS militants in the Cairo, April 12: For Ramadan this mosques to reopen for Friday com- “We have a lot of worries of a re- about what his iftar — the meal at Himreen mountain range and the nearby lake. year, Magdy Hafez has been longing munal prayers and for this Ramadan peat of what had happened last sunset breaking the fast— will look to reclaim a cherished ritual: per- it will let them hold taraweeh, also Ramadan, especially since Ramadan like this year. forming the nighttime group prayers with precautions, including short- coincides with another important “It will be difficult to even have called taraweeh at the mosque once ening its duration. holiday, which is Easter,” he said by fattoush,” al-Yassin said, referring Teacher leads again. Ramadan, which begins this email. Orthodox Christians mark to a salad that is a staple of the Peru Prez polls Last year, the coronavirus up- week, comes as much of the world Easter May 2. holy month in his country. ended the 68-year-old Egyptian’s has been hit by an intense new coro- In Pakistan, new case numbers He’s spending his second Lima: Pedro Castillo, a school routine of going to the mosque to navirus wave. For many Muslims grew from fewer than 800 a day at Ramadan in a tent settlement near teacher running for the Free perform those prayers, traditional navigating restrictions, that means the start of the month last year to the Turkish border after he was Peru party, is leading the during Islam’s holiest month. hopes of a better Ramadan than more than 6,000 a day a few weeks driven from his hometown last year country’s presidential The pandemic had disrupted last year have been dashed with after Ramadan ended. Officials during a Russian-backed govern- elections with 16.1 per cent Islamic worship the world over, in- the surge in infection rates though largely attributed the increase to ment offensive that displaced hun- of the vote, according to the cluding in Egypt, where mosques regulations vary in different coun- Pakistanis flouting restrictions. dreds of thousands. results of an exit poll were closed to worshippers last tries. After a dip, the country is back up “Our main wish is to return to published by local media.

Ramadan. A time for fasting, worship and to more than 5,000 new cases a day. our homes,” said al-Yassin, who

k y m Preliminary data also showed c “I have been going to the mosque candidates Hernando de charity, Ramadan is also when peo- imposing new restrictions. But con- of the curfew imposed at the time Iran Saturday began a 10-day lives with his wife, three sons and Soto, of the Advance Country for 40 years so it was definitely a very, ple typically congregate for prayers; cern is high that the month's com- and re-opening of places of con- lockdown amid a severe surge in in- daughter in a tent. He relies mostly party, and Keiko Fujimori, of very, difficult thing,” he said. “But gather around festive meals to break munal rituals could stoke a further gregations ... Led to grave conse- fections that followed a two-week on food aid, he said. Camp resi- the Popular Force party, were our religion orders us to protect their daylong fast, throng cafes and surge. quences that lasted for months,” public holiday for Nowruz, the dents have recently received bags at the second place with 11.9 one another.” “Still, it's a whole exchange visits. “The lack of adherence that hap- said Ahmed Al-Mandhari, the World Persian New Year. of lentils, pasta and bulgur and re- per cent of the votes each. other feeling, and the spirituality in Once again, some countries are pened last Ramadan, hasty lifting Health Organization's regional di- Economic hardship also looms ceive bread on daily basis. Covid-19 has been ‘SYSTEMIC RISK IN INDIAN P11 extremely disruptive on TUESDAY | APRIL 13 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR the hospitality industry. It was the BANKS TO REMAIN HIGH’ first to fall and will be the last to S&P Global Ratings has said that systemic recover. We had lost all business risk in Indian banks is likely to remain high after the lockdown came into in the wake of the second wave of Covid- effect and zero business scenarios 19 and high proportion of weak loans. S&P for nearly 10 months last year estimates the weak loans in banks at 11-12

GURBAXISH SINGH KOHLI VICE PRESIDENT FHRAI

k y m business | , per cent of gross loans c of the day uote Amway launches Digital payments see 76% growth in a year Chyawanprash Health and INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE ferring affordable payment modes. non. Small businesses are provid- safety of our UPI continues to be the ing newer payment methods and teams and by Nutrilite Bangalore, April 12: Online preferred payment partners continues Over reaching out to a wider customer to be of top priority. transactions saw a healthy 50% of this digital option followed base that transcends geographical We are encouraging growth of 76% in the first quar- adoption is coming from by debit cards, boundaries,” said Vedanarayan eligible individuals ter of 2021 as compared to 2020, tier 2 & 3 cities today, which credit cards Vedantham, Head of SME busi- to get vaccinated, and will cover the as tier 2 and 3 cities and towns indicates that this is not just an and net ness, Razorpay. cost of vaccination for our continued to contribute over 50% urban phenomenon. Small banking. In the last few months, consumers employees, associates, operations of all online transactions, a new businesses are providing newer “Over have increasingly been ordering partner network, sellers and their report said Monday. payment methods and reaching 50% of online and F&B industry witnessed eligible dependents to ensure their After seeing a steep decline in this digi- growth of 69% from January to out to a wider customer base continued safety 2020 owing to the pandemic, travel tal adop- March. POST NEWS NETWORK industry grew by 50% while real es- a growth of 36% in online trans- Fintech’ report. that transcends geographical tion is “Schools, colleges and online AMIT AGARWAL | SENIOR VP & COUNTRY boundaries MANAGER, AMAZON INDIA tate was up by 69% in the first three actions in the January-March period, Payment options coming educational institutes have in- Bhubaneswar, April 12: Amway months of this year. ranking above Uttar Pradesh, such as Buy Now Pay VEDANARAYAN VEDANTHAM I HEAD from tier 2 & creasingly been accepting online India, one of the country’s leading As tourism opened up, Jammu Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, ac- Later (BNPL) saw a whop- OF SME BUSINESS, RAZORPAY 3 cities payments for fees and salary pay- FMCG direct selling companies Our strengths and Kashmir made it to the top 10 cording to data provided by full- ping growth of 569% in the last today, ments, reflecting a 40% growth Monday launched of will enable us ‘Digitally Inclusive States/Union stack financial solutions company 12 months, owing to consumers which indicates that in online transactions,” the re- Chyawanprash by Nutrilite, under to build Territories’ for the first time, with Razorpay in its ‘The Era of Rising avoiding bulk payments and pre- this is not just an urban phenome- port mentioned. its flagship brand Nutrilite. This capabilities, create launch marks Amway’s foray into engaging and the Chyawanprash segment, with personalised the strategy to capture a sizable pie learning DOUBLE WHAMMY of the growing Ayurveda market programmes. The future of learning in the county. is hybrid and this union will bring China reins in Jack together the best of offline and Chyawanprash by Nutrilite is a online learning, as we combine our concentrated blend of nutrient- expertise to create impactful rich 32 herbs authenticated by experiences for students Retail inflation rises, Ma’s Ant Group with DNA fingerprinting made with 16 certified organic ingredients, and BYJU RAVEENDRAN | FOUNDER & CEO, BYJU'S with no preservatives. Anshu Budhraja, CEO, Amway India, said, “On the back of suc- Robust enforced revamp cessful growth trajectory and cat- backend factory output contracts REUTERS systems, the egory potential, we aim to capture ability to offer 20% market share of the premium consumers flexibility With both mining and manufacturing contracting in February, the lack of momentum in Beijing, April 12: China has im- Chyawanprash segment in the in choosing channel industrial activity along with fresh Covid-19 lockdowns in certain states has cast its shadow posed a sweeping restructuring on first year. We will continue to in- packages under NTO Jack Ma’s Ant Group, the fintech novate and further strengthen the and the exit of leading private on the likelihood of meaningful positive GDP growth in the fourth quarter this fiscal group whose record $37 billion IPO nutrition category with a special channels from DD Freedish helped was derailed by regulators in focus on traditional herbs range.” the DTH pay-TV sector grow even PRESS TRUST OF INDIA November, underscoring Beijing’s Chandra Bhushan Chakraborty, after the new TRAI tariff regulations determination to rein in its inter- As part of the restructuring, Senior Vice President – East & came into effect New Delhi, April 12: In a double net giants. The overhaul, which Ant said it would set up a personal West, Amway India said, “Our MIHIR SHAH | INDIA VICE PRESIDENT, MPA whammy for the economy, retail has been in the works for several credit reporting company, which product ensures highest level of inflation jumped to a four-month months, includes Ant turning into will comply with relevant laws and purity, safety and potency and high of 5.52% in March while in- a financial holding firm, a move ex- strengthen the protection of per- comes with simple and yet industrial output contracted for the pected to curb its profitability and sonal information, and effectively formative labelling that helps SHORT TAKES second month in a row, falling 3.6% valuation. prevent the abuse of data. Ant will consumers make better and in- in February -- reinforcing concerns It comes two days after e-com- apply for a licence for the credit re- formed choices. To ensure opti- Microsoft to over the pace of GDP recovery merce giant Alibaba Group Holding porting company, it said. mum reach and engage consumers amid a fresh wave of coronavirus Ltd, of which Ant is an affiliate, was “The restructuring plan is stricter we are introducing digital acti- acquire Nuance infections. hit with a record $2.75 billion an- than expected,” said Dong Ximiao, vations across platforms.” New Delhi: Microsoft Corp Contraction in factory output, titrust penalty as China tightens chief analyst at Zhonggguancun Monday said it will acquire measured as the Index of Industrial controls on the “platform econ- Internet Finance Institute, who Nuance Communications, Inc Production or IIP, in February came omy”. The restructuring, directed said Ant would need at least 200 bil- PNB Bhubaneswar in a $19.7 billion (around `1.4 on the back of a 0.9% decline in by China’s central bank, means lion yuan ($30.56 billion) in regis- lakh crore) deal, a move that January, according to government Ant will be subject to tougher reg- tered capital to comply with the Zone celebrates 127th will double Microsoft's total data released Monday. ulatory oversight and capital re- capital adequacy rule for financial addressable market (TAM) in With both mining and manu- quirements, likely cutting its val- holding companies. Foundation Day the healthcare provider facturing contracting in February, from 5.03% in the previous month. single-day rise since the pandemic uation from the tech-style pricing Reuters reported in February space to nearly $500 billion. the lack of momentum in industrial Core inflation jumped to a 29-month began, with its total tally pushing of $315 billion it had secured in that Ant planned to spin off its Microsoft will acquire activity along with fresh Covid-19 high of 5.96% in March 2021 (3.95% past 1.35 crore. the run up to last year’s foiled IPO. consumer-credit data operations, Nuance for USD 56.00 per lockdowns in certain states has in March 2020 and 5.88$% in Some states such as Maharashtra However, the measures do not as hiving off the treasure trove of share, implying a 23 per cent cast its shadow on the likelihood of February 2021). and Delhi have already imposed call for the breakup of Ant, whose data on more than 1 billion peo- premium to the closing price meaningful positive GDP growth in Though the contraction in IIP partial lockdowns to curb its spread. business span payments, wealth ple was a key part of its business of Nuance on April 9, in an the fourth quarter of the 2020-21 growth in February could be at- Commenting on the macro- management and consumer lend- overhaul in response to the regu- all-cash transaction valued at $19.7 billion, inclusive of fiscal. Policymakers had expected tributed to the base effect (February economic data, India Ratings ing. Its Alipay app has more than latory crackdown. Ant, which began Nuance's net debt, a positive GDP growth in January- 2020 growth was at a 16-month and Research said the uptick 730 million monthly users in China as Alibaba’s payments arm, sits statement said. March to restrict the annual FY21 high), there was a worrisome se- witnessed in September and and handles more transactions a on an enormous cache of consumer contraction to 7.5-8%. quential drop in the manufacturing October last year was more due year than Mastercard and Visa. data. That is the backbone of POST NEWS NETWORK Higher food inflation and spurt output. to a combination of festive and “Ant Group attaches great im- China’s internet platforms, with in fuel prices led the consumer This comes as India reported yet pent-up demand and India is portance to the seriousness of the companies offering financial prod- Bhubaneswar, April 12: Punjab Bank credit rise price index (CPI) based retail in- another peak in daily Covid-19 cases still far from witnessing a sus- rectification,” the company said ucts from consumer loans to in- National Bank (PNB), 5.56% in FY’21 flation rising to 5.52% in March, with 1,68,912 new cases, the highest tained recovery. in a statement. vestment products via smartphones. Bhubaneswar Zone celebrated its 127th Foundation Day in Odisha. Mumbai: Bank credit grew The CGM & Zonal Manager 5.56% to `109.51 lakh crore, Ashwani Kumar garlanded the while deposits rose 11.4% to portrait of Late Lala Lajpat Rai, ` OSL to distribute 1 lakh free masks 151.13 lakh crore in the the founder of the Bank in the financial year ended March Nabard’s loan disbarment POST NEWS NETWORK Zonal Office Building and lighted 31, 2021, data released by the the lamp. RBI showed. In the 2019-20 Bhubaneswar, April 12: In order Addressing the employees of fiscal, advances had grown at ` to raise awareness among the peo- the bank, Kumar urged the staff 6.1% and deposits at 7.9%. reaches 22,709cr in FY’21 ple, Odisha Stevedores Limited members to follow the noble prin- (OSL) Monday started an initia- POST NEWS NETWORK (OSCB) and MFI during the year to ciples and spirit of the late founder tive to distribute 1 lakh free masks promote capital formation in agri for taking the bank to new heights. ‘NBFCs ready to among the people. OSL Corporate Bhubaneswar, April 12: National and allied sectors. He also urged the PNBians to ded- face 2nd wave’ Office Chairman Mahimananda were present in the mask distribu- Bank for Agriculture and Rural “Nabard also extended financial icate towards the service and Mishra launched the drive and tion ceremony. OSL Group is also Development (Nabard) Odisha support for infrastructure financ- prompt delivery of banking re- Mumbai: With strong capital also distributed masks to the com- going to organise a two-day corpo- Regional Office Monday announced ing. It sanctioned a whopping of quirement of the customers. and on-balance sheet moners. The initiative is also part rate vaccination programme where that it has provided financial sup- `3234.25 crore to government of On this occasion, a blood do- buffers, non-banking of supporting Chief Minister 260 OSL staffs will be vaccinated. The port of `22,709 crore the state gov- Odisha under RIDF Tranche XXVI nation camp was organised with financial companies (NBFCs) Naveen Patnaik’s clarion call for the Group has also conducted RT-PCR ernment, banks and corporations [2020-21]. This sanction includes the help of Red Cross in the zonal are well prepared to deal 14-day ‘Mask Abhiyan’; a move to test of 217 staff of OSL recently. during financial year of 2020-21. 2510 Community Based Lift irri- office where employees of the with any impact on economic keep Covid-19 pandemic at bay. Supporting the 14-day Mask Nabard Chief General Manager crore to Cooperative Banks and gation Projects under BKVY scheme, bank volunteered to donate blood. activities due to the second Mishra said that OSL aims to Abhiyan, OSL chairman said that C Udayabhaskar said, “Out of total RRBs for short term crop loans 11 Megalift Schemes under Cluster- Also one health check-up camp wave of Covid-19, a report distribute one lakh masks during this OSL Group is fully committed in disbursement, Nabard, Odisha RO during the same financial year.” V, 74 Rural Bridge Projects, 07 Mega was organised with the help of said. With a surge in ` coronavirus infections, many fortnight long drive for wearing Odisha’s fight against the Covid-19 disbursed 1,700 crore under Special According to the CGM, Nabard Piped Water Supply Projects, 08 AMRI Hospital, Bhubaneswar in states have started imposing masks. Directors OSL Chandan pandemic and accordingly ex- Liquidity Facility (SLF) to coop- disbursed long term refinance of Flood Protection and 01 System its Pokhariput branch for the ` strict restrictions, including Mishra, Charchit Mishra and tending its support to the Chief erative banks and MFIs during the 1551.85 crore to commercial banks, Improvement Project,” CGM said customers and staff members of mini-lockdowns, which are Director (Finance) Chinmaya Mishra Minister’s ‘Mask Abhiyan’. pandemic. It also provided `12,193 Odisha State Cooperative Bank in a statement. the bank. likely to have a significant impact on business activities, India Ratings Research said in the report. Indians among most optimistic for ‘return to normalcy’ Sensex crashes PRESS TRUST OF INDIA within 1-3 months and also for it to Covid normal within a year. over 1,700 pts happen in 3-6 months (21%). STAYING HOPEFUL AMID COVID In contrast, 80% in Japan and New Delhi/Geneva, April 12: Besides, a further 23% of Indians more than half in France, Italy, Mumbai: Rising Covid cases n Indians are among the most opti- said they expect a return to pre- Over 70% Indians are among South Korea and Spain expect it as well as reimposition of mistic globally in terms of their Covid normal in 6-12 months, but peo- the most optimistic globally in will take longer. At a global level, ex- movement restrictions across terms of their expectations for a expectations for a return to pre- ple from several countries, includ- pectations about how long it will states dented India's stock return to pre-Covid normal markets Monday. Covid normal, with over 70% ex- ing Saudi Arabia, China and Brazil, take before one's life can return to Accordingly, the new cases pecting it to happen in less than a scored better on this timeframe. An n Globally, a majority of people its pre-Covid normal and how long count has crossed 1.5 lakhs year, a new study said Monday. estimated 15% of Indian respon- at about 60% are hopeful that it will take for the pandemic to be con- for the first time April 11. Importantly, the survey was con- dents said they expect the return to the pandemic will be contained tained are nearly identical. These find- This spooked investors and ducted just before the Covid-19 pan- normal to take more than 12 months, within the next year ings suggest that people across the led the S&P BSE Sensex and demic was seen moving towards a 6% said it would never happen and n On average across the 30 world consider that being able to NSE Nifty50 to crash by over new peak in India and some other for 11% it was already the case. countries and markets return to "normal" life is entirely de- 3.5% each. Around 1.55 pm, countries. Globally, a majority of people at surveyed, 45% of adults say pendent on containing the pandemic. Sensex traded at 47,842.31, The survey, conducted by global about 60% are hopeful that the pan- their emotional and mental Similar to life returning to pre-

lower by 1,749.01 points or market research major Ipsos for the demic will be contained within the Covid normal, 58% on average

k y m health has gotten worse since c 3.54% from its previous close World Economic Forum (WEF) with next year, but expectations vary the beginning of the pandemic across all countries and markets of 49,591.32. The Nifty50 on a sample size of over 21,000 glob- widely by country, the WEF said, cit- surveyed expect the pandemic to the National Stock Exchange ally between February 19 and March ing the survey results. to normal, while Japan, France, said their emotional and mental since the start of 2021. Over 70% of be contained within the next year, traded at 14,313.90, lower by 5, showed that Indians were the most Respondents in China, India, Italy and South Korea believe it health has gotten worse since the adults in Saudi Arabia, Russia, including 13% who think this is al- 520.95 points or 3.51% from optimistic (24%) on expectations for Russia and Saudi Arabia said they will take longer. beginning of the pandemic, but India and mainland China are con- ready the case or will happen its previous close. the 'return to normal' happening in believe it will take a year to return One out of two adults globally nearly one in four said it improved fident their life will return to pre- within 3 months. P12 TUESDAY | APRIL 13 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR sports

y KKR face nemesis MI

k k y y m m c c KINGS TOP ROYALS PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Chennai, April 12: Fresh from Rahul, Hooda and Arshdeep help Punjab eke out a four-run their clinical display against Sunrisers Hyderabad, two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders victory over Rajasthan as Samson ton goes in vain (KKR) will look to set the record straight against nemesis Mumbai in the penultimate ball before being Indians (MI) in their second IPL dismissed on the final ball. Arshdeep match here, Tuesday. Singh (3/35) was the bowler who was SANJU Having missed the last two play- supposed to defend 12 runs in six SAMSON offs, KKR looked a completely dif- balls and he did it exceedingly well. ferent unit, in the manner in which Royals were off to a poor start los- they defeated SRH by 10 runs in ing both their openers, including Ben their IPL opener here Sunday. Stokes in the first over, as they were Be it the aggression shown by the reduced to 25/2 in 3.2 overs. However, top-order or the explosive finish KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS MUMBAI INDIANS Samson held one side of the end and by Dinesh Karthik, KKR’s displayed Eoin Morgan (C), Dinesh Karthik, Rohit Sharma (C), Suryakumar Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Tim Yadav, Anmolpreet Singh, Chris got support from Jos Buttler (25), a fearless approach under skipper Seifert, Rinku Singh, Andre Lynn, Saurabh Tiwary, Dhawal Shivam Dube (23) and Riyan Parag Eoin Morgan. Russell, Sunil Narine, Kuldeep Kulkarni, Jasprit Bumrah, Rahul (25). Morgan’s intent was evident Yadav, Shivam Mavi, Lockie Chahar, Trent Boult, Mohsin Samson added 45 runs with right at the toss when he chose to Ferguson, Pat Cummins, Khan, Hardik Pandya, Jayant Buttler, 53 with Dube and 52 with leave out their most-trusted lieu- Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Sandeep Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Parag to keep Royals in the game. tenant, Sunil Narine. Warrier, Prasidh Krishna, Rahul Pandya, Anukul Roy, Ishan However, Punjab had the last laugh. The left-right opening combi- Tripathi, Varun Chakravarthy, Kishan, Quinton de Kock, Aditya Earlier put into bat, Punjab lost nation of Nitish Rana and Shubman Shakib Al Hasan, Sheldon Tare, Adam Milne, Nathan opener Mayank Agarwal (14) early, Gill started to attack right from Jackson, Vaibhav Arora, Coulter Nile, Piyush Chawla, who edged it back to Royals cap- the first ball, clearly indicating that Harbhajan Singh, Karun Nair, James Neesham, Yudhvir tain and wicketkeeper Sanju Samson the new approach had Morgan’s Ben Cutting, Venkatesh Iyer & Charak, Marco Jansen & Arjun for IPL debutant Chetan Sakariya’s success mantra written all over it. Pawan Negi. Tendulkar. (3/31) first wicket. He ended being Boasting of a solid middle-order the pick of the bowlers, conceding in Andre Russell, Karthik and blows in the form of Gill and Russell. Boult, MI attack will be a com- only five runs in the 20th over. Morgan, 2020 was a season of prom- After Rana’s 56-ball 80, it was pletely different proposition. Rahul, who got his first four with ise for KKR but some rudderless underfire Karthik who hit an un- Gill’s struggle to bat at T20 pace a glance to the fine-leg fence, and planning did not help their cause. beaten 22-run cameo from nine has been a concern for KKR and it Chris Gayle (40, 28b, 4x4, 2x6) gave This time KKR have further bol- balls to propel KKR to a winning will be interesting to see the young the team a good start with their 67- stered their middle-order by adding total of 187 for 6. opener’s approach against the finest run stand. Bangladesh superstar Shakib Al And KKR would look to come in the business. Rahul got a ‘life’ after Ben Stokes Hasan, while Morgan, in his full sea- out all guns blazing against the Often known as slow starters, dropped him at the fence in the sev- son as skipper, gives a new dimen- five-time champions on Tuesday. MI lost the other day due to indi- enth over even as Gayle, looked in sion to the side. They have won just once in their last vidual brilliance of RCB’s Harshal his elements. The duo then took struck three sixes off Shreyas Gopal Rana’s deft wrist work and brute 12 games against MI, and have an Patel and AB de Villiers on a two- on Stokes, as Gayle hit his 350th (0/40) in the next as Punjab went bal- power was on full display on Sunday overall lopsided 6-21 head-to-head paced wicket here. IPL six, a pull over deep square in listic. and it ensured that they stayed record. But eventually it will all In his debut match for MI, Chris the 8th over with Punjab racing to It was Rahul and Hooda’s show ahead despite Rashid Khan’s twin boil down to battle of wits between Lynn was their top-scorer, albeit KL Rahul (R) and Deepak Hooda during their match-winning partnership against 70 for one. at the Wankhede that made the dif- Morgan and Rohit Sharma, under with some stroke of luck as he sur- Rajasthan Royals, Monday Gayle was dropped by leggie ference to their total as the duo whose captaincy MI has won a vived some edges and mishits. Rahul Tewatia (0/25) off his own tore into the opposition attack on TODA’S MATCH record fifth IPL title last season in If Quinton de Kock is still in AGENCIES Deepak Hooda (64, 28b, 4x4, 6x6) bowling and the very next ball, the way to their 105-run stand. Courtesy UAE. quarantine, MI may have to per- pummelled the Royals bowlers into left-hander smashed a six. However, their monstrous hitting, Punjab KKR MI MI will pose real challenge for sist with Lynn at the top, other- Mumbai, April 12: Sanju Samson submission with their sensational in the 10th over, Riyan Parag (1/7) added 111 runs in the final eight KKR as the title hoders would be des- wise they may go back to their pre- (119, 63b, 12x4, 7x6) almost won the stroke play, propelling Punjab to removed Gayle, who was holed out overs. perate to secure their first win of ferred left-right opening game for Rajasthan Royals before an imposing 221/6. to Stokes in the deep. BRIEF SCORES: Punjab Kings the season after their two-wicket loss combination of Rohit and de Kock. getting out on the final ball of their In response, Royals skipper Rahul then changed gears and got 221/6 (KL Rahul 91, Deepak Hooda 64, to Royal Challengers Bangalore in MI’s explosive middle-order con- innings to end up on the losing side Samson kept his side in the game to his fifty with a six over Shivam Chris Gayle 40; Chetan Sakariya 3/31) TIME 7.30 PM the IPL opener on Friday. sisting Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan as Punjab Kings sealed a 4-run win until the very last ball of their in- Dube’s (0/20) head in the 13th over. beat Rajasthan Royals 217/7 (Sanju KRR found it easy against SRH Kishan and the Pandya brothers - in their IPL encounter, Monday. nings. With five required off two de- Hooda then smashed two maxi- Samson 119; Arshdeep Singh 3/35, Telecast: Star Sports channels bowlers, which lacked firepower - Hardik and Krunal -- also failed to KL Rahul (91, 50b, 7x4, 5x6) and liveries, he denied to take a single mums in the same over and then Mohammed Shami 2/33) by 4 runs. but in Jasprit Bumrah and Trent fire to be restricted to 159 for nine. PSG FAVOURITES AGAINST BAYERN We have a destructive GERMAN GIANTS’ PREPARATIONS FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTERFINAL batting unit: Morgan SECOND LEG TIE AGAINST FRENCH CHAMPIONS HIT BY INJURIES, SPECULATION

ASSOCIATED PRESS after departing unwanted in 2017, and French defender Bouna Sarr has Berlin, April 12: Bayern Munich’s largely watched from the sidelines. preparations for Tuesday’s deci- It was noteworthy that Flick did sive Champions League quarterfi- not even bring Sarr on against PSG nal with Paris Saint-Germain are in the first leg when Benjamin being hampered by injury worries, Pavard was clearly struggling with internal divisions and persistent an injury. speculation over coach Hansi Flick’s Fellow defender Jerome Boateng future. was told the same day his contract The defending champion needs will not be extended at the end of the to make up a one-goal deficit in the season. Of all Bayern’s defenders, second leg to avoid going out. Bayern only David Alaba – who is also leav- lost the first leg 3-2 in Munich last ing – has made more Bundesliga ap- Wednesday – Flick’s first defeat in pearances than the 32-year-old the competition since he took over Boateng, whom Flick would rein November 2019. portedly like to keep at the club. But Flick, who has clashed with Flick’s biggest immediate con- sporting director Hasan cern is top-scorer Robert Salihamidzic, has cut an increasingly Lewandowski’s knee injury, sus- annoyed figure as he continues to tained while the Poland star was face repeated questions on whether away on international duty. he will still be at the Bavarian pow- With 35 goals in 25 Bundesliga ap- erhouse next season. pearances this season, it’s arguable Nitish Rana (L) and Rahul Tripathi during their partnership against SRH, Sunday Flick warned Friday that he will that Lewandowski would have made not answer any questions on the more of Bayern’s chances had he PRESS TRUST OF INDIA is happy with where he is at the subject and engaged in a verbal been available for the first leg against moment. Obviously we’re in regu- spat with Sky reporter Patrick Bayern will miss the services of injured prolific striker Robert Lewandowski as well as his partner in crime in front of PSG. Lewandowski, who returned Chennai, April 12: Kolkata Knight lar conversation with him being Wasserziehr Saturday before opposition goal Serge Gnabry along with few more crucial players to running drills on Monday, will not Riders possess one of the most de- the vice-captain and me being cap- Bayern’s 1-1 draw with Union Berlin be fit in time. structive batting line-ups in the tain.” in the Bundesliga. summer’s European Championship. in his first season. Henrichs (now at Leipzig) but re- Serge Gnabry is also out, as is de- IPL, something which was on full KKR’s big-hitting Russell (5 off “Next question!” Flick responded Flick was previously Low’s assistant It was widely seen as another at- ceived Álvaro Odriozola on loan fender Niklas Sule, while Flick is display during the 10-run win over 5 balls) may not have clicked with again and again to Wasserziehr’s from 2006 to 2014 and the relative tack on Salihamidzic, who is re- from Real Madrid. The Spaniard waiting to see if left back Lucas Sunrisers Hyderabad, said skip- the bat but the Jamaican was seen queries about whether he will still serenity of the national team po- sponsible for Bayern’s player sign- barely played before going back to Hernandez (bruised ribs) or mid- per Eoin Morgan. bowling at the death as he defended be at Bayern next season, or if he sition may appeal after nearly two ings. The tension between Flick Madrid. fielder Leon Goretzka (thigh) re- “One of the many strengths we 22 runs in the last over. will fulfill his contract as Bayern’s stressful seasons at Bayern. and Bayern’s sporting director goes Salihamidzic’s summer signings cover in time. have within our squad is two of “I’m delighted. Andre has been sporting leadership changes. He complained Friday that his back to January 2020, when the have also barely featured under He took Kingsley Coman and the most talented guys in the coun- a big part of the franchise for a Flick has a contract to 2023 at squad isn’t as strong this season Bayern coach asked for reinforce- Flick. Marc Roca was supposed to Boateng off as a precaution dur- try opening the batting for us,” long time now,” Morgan said. Bayern but the Germany coaching as it was last year, when he led ments at right back. help make up for Thiago Alcântara’s ing Bayern’s draw with Union Morgan said at the post-match vir- “Obviously, when you are a player position will be vacant after Joachim Bayern to a Champions League, Flick wanted Shakhtar Donetsk’s departure for Liverpool, Brazilian Saturday, and both should be avail- tual media conference. Free from of that talent and ability, you can Low finally steps down after this Bundesliga and German Cup triple Dodo or Monaco’s Benjamin winger Douglas Costa returned able for the clash in Paris. the “burden” of captaincy, Karthik offer so much at any stage, and smashed two sixes and one four to today he did that. Bowling at the ensure that they do not go on back- death is not an easy job to do, and 2 coaches test foot after losing Andre Russell, he managed to get us over the line.” Lacazette, Martinelli help Arsenal beat Sheffield Rana and Morgan for three runs. Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan “Tripathi today at No.3 played Singh, who was given the first over COVID-19 +ve AGENCIES enter into their game as Sheffield beautifully, and the middle-order we of the match, almost took the prized- Alexandre United pushed for a route back in. have is extremely versatile. When scalp of David Warner but his catch London, April 12: Arsenal thrashed Lacazette Despite Saka being forced off Dinesh plays like that or Andre was dropped by Pat Cummins at at nat’l camp Sheffield United 3-0 at Bramall (L) and with a thigh injury, the game was plays the game he can play, you’re point. Harbhajan did not bowl after PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Lane Sunday in their Premier Gabriel wrapped up with less than 20 min- going to see a very destructive bat- the impressive first over and League encounter as strikes from Martinelli utes to play as some delightful work ting unit that has potential to win Morgan defended the decision. New Delhi, April 12: Two assis- Alexandre Lacazette and Gabriel (2nd from L) from Pepe ended with his shot being you matches.” “It’s more to do with matchups. tant coaches at the national camp Martinelli secured a comfortable celebrate parried into the path of Martinelli, The skipper was all-praise for There’s a lot of preparation that goes for Indian women boxers here have win for the Gunners. former’s who had a simple tap-in. Rana who played the match-winning into the analysing of the opposition tested positive for COVID-19 and With a crucial showdown with goal with From there it was about seeing knock, days after recovering from team, and him bowling the first quarantined with mild symptoms. Slavia Prague to come in the Europa teammates, the game out without expending a bout of COVID-19. “I’m delighted over of the game was a decision The development was confirmed League Thursday, and with the ab- Sunday needless energy, which is what for Nitish obviously a match-win- based on that,” he said. to this agency by a source close to sences of Emile Smith Rowe, Pierre- Arsenal did, having added to the ning innings today. The thing that “He created a great opportunity. the team, which is training at the Emerick Aubameyang, David Luiz scoreline with a sublime Thomas impressed me the most about his Unfortunately the catch was Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium here. and Kieran Tierney to contend Partey turn and pass finished ex- innings was the method that he dropped. And the role that he played y “Two women coaches have tested with, Mikel Arteta made five Granit Xhaka at left centre-back, The opening goal was of the high- pertly by Lacazette. used. “He played really aggres- from then on, obviously using his

positive so far. They have been quar- changes from last time out. Arsenal played with six men up est order as Lacazette finished off LINGARD DOUBLE sively and always took a positive op- experience to speak to other play-

k k y y m m c c antined but the camp is progress- In came Martinelli into the start- front with Bukayo Saka in central a gorgeous passing move with the Jesse Lingard took his goal tally tion, which really did set up our bat- ers, was outstanding. ing as scheduled,” the source said. ing lineup to explosive fanfare and areas interchanging with Lacazette. impressive Dani Ceballos flicking to eight in nine appearances since ting innings.” “Since he’s arrived in the camp, This comes after 10 members of he contributed in what was an im- There were combinations on both it into the Frenchman’s path, who joining West Ham on loan from Talking about Karthik, who was he’s had more energy than any- the men’s contingent in Patiala pressive first half from Arsenal flanks as Arsenal got bodies in wide coolly finished. Manchester United. The win al- seen batting at No.6, Morgan said the body have seen within the squad so were found positive in tests con- full of unorthodox system play. areas, playing some neat football A second half that was far more lowed West Ham to dislodge Chelsea wicketkeeper-batsman is happy fantastic. Hopefully he can conducted a few days ago. Slipping into a back three with with movement and energy galore. subdued, Arsenal saw sloppiness and move back into fourth place. with the role given to him. “Dinesh tinue doing that.”

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